I bought these batteries and when I received them I charged them up according to instructions. When battery was inserted into my DSC-HX9V the battery indicator for both batteries showed only one bar. Also remaining minutes was being shown and it is not supposed to do that. One battery said 160 min and the other said 35 min.I emailed the company my concerns and they responded with the following email...Hello"Thanks for your order.  I saw by the feedback that you left that thiswas not a completely 5 star positive experience.  I am writing to seehow we can fix this order for you?  We'd be glad to do whatever we canto make this a satisfactory experience, because customer satisfactionis an extremely important part of our business.  Thanks, I will lookforward to your reply, I am sorry again for the trouble with thisorder.New Harbor"I sent them a reply explaining the problem..."Thank you for your reply. I recently bought 2 batteries for my Sony DSC-HX9V,I received the batteries promptly. After I put the 1st battery in the camera and charged it and turned it on, the battery charge indicator on LCD screen only showed 1 bar of charge and for some reason it showed 135 minutes remaining which the OEM battery does not do. The second battery did the same but only showed 35 min when fully charged. It would cost almost as much to ship them back to you as I paid so to make me happy and change my review you can send me 2 batteries that have been tested out on my model to make sure they work like the OEM ones. I would actually rather pay more up front and not have to go through this."I then received a reply as follows..."Hello,All payments and transactions go directly thru Amazon. We are unable to do anything with the order. If you have any questions regarding this issue, you will have to contact Amazon directly.Thanks for your understanding.Best regards,New Harbor"Obviously they were not willing to do anything at all to make good on the defective products. It would cost more for me to return the item than to just throw them out. I am finding out you are taking a big chance by not buying from a known reputable dealer. I will be spending more in the future buying OEM products but will be saving money in the long run.
I bought this battery as a backup for my camera.  It seems to work ok, but even "fully charged", the camera only reads the battery as 75% full.  I haven't used it enough to know if the battery life really is shorter than expected, though.
This battery worked great in my camera.  My old battery was lasting less than a day. This battery took me through over have of my vacation with lots of use before I need to recharge it. Great deal!
Why pay 3x the amount for an original equipment Sony battery when this one works just as well.  Great product!!
I purchased two for these for my Sony digital point and shoot camera because the original ones died.  They work very well and are listed at a good price, certainly much less than the replacement Sony batteries.
Works great. This is for my old Sony camera and works absolutely like the more expensive batteries you can buy.
These batteries purport to be a direct replacement for the SONY "G" Type Camera Battery. I was (justifiably) suspicious of the low price, but figured I would take a chance. The old saw, "You get what you pay for" held true in this case. These batteries operate my Sony CyberShot camera for only about 30 or so minutes before they die. And that is turning the camera on and off, not leaving it on. These batteries are not worth the cost to send them back, and they are not "improperly described" on amazon, so the freight is on me. These will be going to the battery recycle box at work, and I will be purchasing a genuine SONY battery for my camera. Again, would not rate as one star if I could, but amazon makes me rate one star minimum. (Why?)
Muy importante tener una bater&iacute;a cargada de repuesto para los viajes de vacaciones, cuando despu&eacute;s de tomar cientos de fotos, uno no se queda sin espacio en la memoria pero s&iacute; sin pila suficiente para las &uacute;ltimas fotos del d&iacute;a
I bought this battery as a backup for my Sony HX5V for a trip to Europe last summer. I used this battery and the OEM battery extensively, and the Sony battery had a MUCH longer battery life. I could average over 400 pictures and a few short videos on the Sony battery, and only about 150-200 pictures on this one. The GPS was engaged with both batteries. If you need a cheap, emergency backup battery, then this product will suffice. If you want a true replacement for the Sony, then just buy the OEM.
This battery will be the replacement for my old battery, which don't have enough charge for long sessions of photos when we are out of civillization.
The battery was exactly the same as the one I had before. I lost the battery before I bought another one off of Amazon. The charger I got has more features than my previous one. I bought my Sony DSC-H55 camera at least three years ago.
I tried some other compatible battery on amazon.  Some flat out did not work.  You put it in and the camera said about incompatible battery or something like that.  This battery works.  I have a sony HX5
It has already broken after one use I have to wedge paper under it to hold in order to charge but it is better than nothing.
A good value for the money, the batteries both charge in the provided charger, in the Kodak original only one charges.  Overall I think they are good.They have prolonged the use of my point and shoot so when the next technology breakthrough happens I can upgrade the camera.
When the battery and charge arrived the battery was fully charged. It took awhile till the battery ran out of power so I could test the charger. After an hour on charger I had the battery ready to use again.I would recommend this to anyone.2X KLIC-8000 KLIC8000 2200mAh Battery + Charger For Kodak Camera
Great for not having to constantly buy AA batteries for my camera but need to swap these two rechargeables frequently.  I keep one in the charger at all time so we are ready...
I had a set of these before but lost one of the batteries. They worked so well for me that I ordered another set and charger, so now I have 3 batteries and 2 chargers. Having the spare(s) available is great since you never have to worry about missing a shot on a long hike or trip. The newest pair had a slightly higher capacity (2200) so should last even longer between charges.The charger plugs into electric outlets, and if we're out camping without 110 volts we can charge using the DC cord supplied using the car.
I got this to try to improve on the length of time that one charged battery will keep my DeLorme GPSr going.  The original one, at best, only lasted about 2 1/2 hours, not nearly enough for a day of geocaching.  This replacement one lasts closer to 4, much better, and I got 2 batteries and switch them out.  The down side is that the PN40 has trouble telling when the battery is close to dead, and just shuts down suddenly, somewhat disconcerting.  Otherwise it is working well and my PN40 doesn't seem any the worse for it.
I've been looking for rechargeable batteries for my older camera and could not find them anywhere! I found these and they work great and I can now use my camera again. Thanks for the quick delivery, would definitely do business with this company again!!
This is a knock-off.  AS I described earlier, more attention to detail as far as outside measurements and electrical specs alongwith what it is intended to replace.
I purchased this for my Delorme PN-60 GPS device, to replace the one I purchased from the manufacturer. After each of 3 charging sessions lasting 8 - 12 hours the charge lasted less than 4 hours. Within seconds after the device was disconnected from the charger, the charge level indicator dropped from 100 to 75%. The battery I received is certainly a dudd. Take a chance -- if you like, maybe your luck will be better.Update: 12/6/2013:  Alright, I was annoyed with my purchase and thought I had made a poor choice.  I then tried to charge the battery using a charger with higher current USB capacity (1.5A.) After this the battery lasted a full 14 hours in my GPS while paddling between islands in the 10000 Island National Park. It is possible that current limiting circuitry in lower power chargers shut them down so that the battery never gets a charge if using a charger without adequate horsepower.  Try a charger designed for the CR-V3 Li rechargeable or a high current USB power supply before you decide to toss out the battery.New Update 5-21-2014. The battery has been used maybe 2 or 3 times a month, with full recharge before and after usage but now the battery is lasting only about 2 to 2.5 hours at best. I had better expectations for this from early experience. Currently unavailable (today anyway) means no great loss. Look for a better item.
Purchased 2, 1 is good, the other one is dead DOA. Didn't bother returning it. Battery cover is nothing but cheap sticker paper.  Would not consider purchasing them again
We watched this as part of our classroom's unit on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  I think it would have been better had there been less singing.
I won't add much to the other reviews.  But Jody Foster is quite cute as Becky Thatcher.  Although the lovely songs are by the Sherman brothers, the incidental music is by some guy named John Williams - one of his early efforts.  Completists might want to make a note of that.  Therefore the music played when Tom is running through the field (mentioned in another review) is John Williams'.
MGM issued this on laserdisc a few years back in letterbox format, and an audio commentary track with Johnny Whitaker.  It takes them THIS long to get the movie out on DVD, and when they finally do they use a PAN & SCAN transfer, and don't include the commentary track!  Thanks for nothing MGM, time to hunt down that laserdisc.
Great family movie that with a few exceptions closely follows Mark Twain's story.  The music may not be that great but does not detract from the flow of the movie. Jodie Foster as Becky is a real scene stealer.  The movie serves as a good introduction for kids to the wonderful works of Mark Twain.
Great movie!
My husbands grandfather had a small part in a 4th of july parade scene. This was a present for fathers day for him. He was over joyed  great movie ,price and ship time thanks
good movie have watch it more then once
This is my second favorite film adaptation (behind the Selznick version) that I've seen. Some of the songs aren't quite outstanding but nothing is below "okay".  Some of the songs, such as the beautiful Charlie Pride ballad used as the theme song, really get to me since the writer of the song was able to encapsulate part of what Twain was doing with this material.  Whitaker as Tom, who I grew up watching in Family Affair and Sigmund & the Seamonsters (where's the complete series release of Sigmund anyway?!), shows some talent for this material and Jeff East as Huck is about perfect.  I'm always left with a good feeling as the credit roll and happy I picked up this DVD to replace a lacking VHS I recorded.With that said, this DVD is mediocre and in need some a new release.  This film represents kid's musicals of the time, along with Oliver!, etc, and should get more respect than MGM has done here.  That's not to say the VHS is better, not by a long shot.  Many shots are just fine, others have a graininess that was probably always there, but with some work this could be a cleaned up widescreen print that would make us fans happy.  Probably won't ever get it...but if it ever comes (blu ray would be nice!) then they will sell at least one copy of it to me.  Never can tell, what with all the PC nonsense that made the news recently about Twain's writings.  Seems there are those who don't understand Twain in the least.  Maybe they need to read the darn books!
it brings back many memories for me.  I grew up near Arrow Rock, MO where this was filmed.  I miss the family films like this, and I miss Arrow Rock, too.
Made at a time when the inclusion of songs was all but compulsory for a family film, this musical adaptation nonetheless manages to translate the best aspects of Twain's book to the screen.  The movie does an impressive job of creating a dramatic shape out of Twain's material.  The book is a collection of episodes which form a composite portrait of Tom's character, and, for adult readers, offer a glimpse into a lost world; but there really is no narrative drive.  The murder and Tom's subsequent dilemma about testifying in court are simply two episodes unconnected to the other events.  In the book, the boys simply decide one day to form a gang of robbers and go live on the island.  In the movie, the retreat to the island arises out of the boys' fear after having witnessed the murder, and it is only the guilt they feel while spying on their own funeral that makes them return home.  The songs are not especially memorable, but harmless enough.  The performances by the supporting adult cast are strong, particularly that of Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly.  A splendid scene at the dinner table is a masterful fleshing-out of Twain's prose.  Full of nice photography and beautiful scenery, this movie sparkles with joy and youthful optimism.
Movie was a classic. Classic 70's. Corny songs but fun to watch. Watched for a school project with my son and we had a blast. Digital download was easy. The only problem I had is that I was being billed every day for the rental. I contacted Amazon customer service and the problem was resolved (Thank You Ryan S.) The reason for the 3 stars is for the hassle of having to contact them. 5 stars for the service.
Once again, the idiots in charge of DVD at MGM/UA give us a pan and scan version of this wonderful, FILMED IN PANAVISION film. Why is it the laserdisc version was not only letterbox, but had the Overture as well ????? What happened with the DVD ????? STAY AWAY FROM THIS ONE, unless you can track down an old Laserdisc copy. WAKE UP MGM/UA !!!!!!!!
This film is definitely not for anyone who is especially fond of the independent, delightfully manipulative and clever boy who was the brain child of Samuel Clemens's classic.As one example, the book has great  fun with the scenes involving Aunt Polly, a simple minded soul who thinks  herself quite clever, and the genuinely shrewd Tom, who plays on catering  to Polly's illusions about her own wit. This is a far cry from beautiful,  intelligent Celeste Holm's portrayal of Polly - and the family's poverty,  clearly seen in the book, disappears, as the Sawyers occupy a beautiful  home and are close friends with wealthy Widow Douglas.Some of the plot  is distorted in ways that remove the charm of the original. Tom's taking  off to &quot;play pirates&quot; after Becky jilts him is changed into a  troubled kid's escape after Aunt Polly tells him how &quot;no good&quot;  his father was - the humour, and the engaging portrayal of adolescent  &quot;first love&quot; is gone. The theme of Tom's learning responsibility  is overworked, and sequences that are hilarious in the book (Sunday school,  classroom, etc) are largely left out. The enchanting Becky Thatcher is  reduced to a tomboy. And isn't much of the picnic sequence ruined when a  gathering of kids is changed to a song-and-dance outing for families? (Tom  Sawyer is quite realistic in its setting forth that kids are far more  concerned with themselves than fretting about parents - let's not turn it  into a commentary on &quot;family values&quot; a la 1990s political  correctness.)Johnny Whitaker's singing voice has all the appeal of  chalk squeaking on a blackboard. His rendition of &quot;If I Were God&quot;  (aside from its text having nothing to do with the story - Tom's only  church interests are in time to play with his pinch bug) is pure purgatory  for the listener.
This is another older movie that I still love!  It has everything - adventure, music and a story line that is very close o Mark Twain's classic.  This is a family movie you can watch over and over again!
Just as many other reviewers have criticized MGM for this poor release, I will add my own.  This is a great family film.  It carries a top notch cast with Johnny Whitaker, Celeste Holm, Warren Oates, Jeff East, and Jodie Foster in one of her breakout films of her career!MGM released this on Laserdisc in the 80's.  That transfer was great for the limited medium of the laserdisc.  It did include the original overture, and "exit music.  It was also presented in the wide screen format.  With the DVD format able to present programs with many different formats, why MGM pulled this transfer for release on dvd boggles the mind.  I attempted to write emails to MGM home video to express my feelings about this release, however, no reply.As a film, it is top notch entertainment.  Filmed on location on the Mighty Mississippi River, I give the film 4 stars.  This poor transfer is what is rated here.  The film makers deserve much better, Especially Don Taylor and the cinematographer Frank Stanley.  The Laserdisc transfer did have the film's audio remixed into stereo, as well as updated color restoration.  It would be great to see this film transferred into wide screen, and "re-mastered" for the new dvd formats available.  Ironically, cable network Turner Classic Movies broadcast this movie in the wide screen format (July, 2010).The question as to who to write to is confusing.  MGM/UA home video is distributed by 20th Century Fox Video, but they still keep the release label under the MGM/UA label.  If anyone wishes to start "talking" with customer service here is the phone number....FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING MGM DVD RELEASES, CUSTOMERS (IN THE U.S. AND CANADA) MAY CALL 888-223-2369Peace everybody!
Granted, this film diverts from Mark Twain's classic novel more often than it should.However, this is a musical.... and I hope will be judged as such.I was disappointed in the fact that the original story is quite diluted.... even to the point of having only two boys (Tom and Huck) run away to Jackson's Island, with no Joe Harper in sight.Yet I still enjoyed this film.  The songs were fun and original, and admittedly, I'm a bit partial to musical productions anyway.Johnny Whitaker plays a believable "Tom", and Jeff East is well cast as the rugged "Huck".  With a very young Jody Foster in the role of Tom's "Becky", the casting was above par.And although many aspects & elements of Twain's classic novel are missing from this rendition..... Tom is still that barefooted, mop-headed youngster - - full of mischief and quick to gain sympathy from even the most hard-hearted of souls... and this is the true character of a young Tom Sawyer.... whom even Samuel Clemens could not deny as an epitome of the semi-autobiographical boyhood novel he chose to create.
Wonderful.  We viewed the dvd at our school and the kids loved it!
Definitely not as described. No refund. No contact from the seller. DO NOT trust this item's description!
this film was okay as well fun and great film for the family to view at home. last i saw this one was many years ago sometime in the 1970s era.
Movie quality not as good as I had hoped, but it is a 40 yr old VHS tape I ordered!  Thrilled it was even still available.  Will try to have restored if at all possible and transferred to DVD.  Filmed in my home area.  Lots of locals as extras which is why I ordered it.  Fun to watch with my family and see familiar faces and places.
This summer we revised Arrow Rock, Missouri where this film was made.Johnny Whitaker and Celest Holme were there also.  Seeing the area and the "stars" prompted me to order the film.  There were so many places thatwere recognized in the film that are still in existence in Arrow Rock today.
This transaction was very good. The video was packaged good and was in excellent condition. The shipping time was really good also. I would purchase from this person again if I needed something.
I hadn't heard of this 1973 movie version of the classic Mark Twain story until recently, but I absolutely had to see it.  After all, it had music by the Sherman Brothers (best known for their work in Mary Poppins).  And I love a good musical.The book stays very true to the novel.  Tom Sawyer (Johnny Whitaker) is a young boy growing up in 1840's Hannibal, Missouri.  An orphan, he's being raised by his Aunt Polly (Celeste Holm).  And he is quite the handful.  He regularly plays hooky to fish and swim with best pal Huckleberry Finn (Jeff East).  He constantly lies to get out of trouble, too.Through this movie, we watch as Tom struggles with his conscience after witnessing a murder in the cemetery.  He tricks the boys in town to white washing the fence for him.  And he develops a crush on new girl Becky Thatcher (a young Jodie Foster).  But will Injun Joe (Kunu Hank) get his sworn revenge on the boy?This movie is extremely faithful to the book, hitting all the highlights of the classic.  Frankly, that was a problem for me since it took a little while to get going.  Once I got into the story, I was hooked and really began to enjoy the tale.  The scenery and costumes recreate the times well.  And the acting was pretty good.Unfortunately, I found the songs disappointing.  They weren't bad, but they weren't good either.  They aren't especially memorable or singable, and they don't really advance the story.  I would rather rewatch this movie for the characters and adventures then the songs.Despite that rather major flaw for a musical, I must admit to enjoying it.  It has a sweetness and innocence that I enjoyed.  And the songs are easy to overlook since they aren't a major part of the movie.  So if you are looking for a fun version of the classic tale, you can do much worse than this one.
Love the story.  Husband from hometown where movie was made and our niece is in movie in schoolhouse and picnic scenes.  Excellent for all ages.
The advertisment for this DVD on Amazon was incorrect.  The ad stated that the DVD was in Wide Screen Anamorphic format.  The DVD was not in this format, it was standard Pan and Scan, and it was a poor quality transfer from the film.  I thought about returning it, but decided to give it as a gift.  Motion Pictures that are filmed in anamorphic, or 2.35 to 1 format should only be transfered to a DVD in this format.  The people that make the decision to use pan and scan to fill a standard television are ill advised, and poorly educated to artistic principles.
The movie is probably a really good movie, I last saw it when I was a child. I only gave it one star because that is where it says "I hate it" and I do. This movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. Not one I'm in a hurry to rewatch, even nearly  40 years later.
I would love to buy this movie as I have been to Hannibal Missouri and been to all the Mark Twain atractions.To buy this movie would be a real treat but if it's Pan&Scan forget it! I dont buy full screen movies! Unless it's made for TV.I think MGM should of included a widescreen version of the movie.What a joke!
Tom Sawyer is a rascally young boy doing his best to grow-up carefree and mischievous on the banks of the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri. He lives with his frustrated Aunt Polly and her children, goody-goody Sid, who has it in for Tom, and lovely Mary, who is Tom's only supporter when he gets himself into trouble. Tom's best friend is Huckleberry Finn, an outsider who lives off the land and water and has no one to look after him. The two boys love to fish, go swimming, play pirates on the river, and hang out with their pal, Muff Potter, the friendly town drunk. The days pass pretty much regularly like that for Tom, Huck, and their friends. That is, until two people shake up their world. One is a sweet little girl named Becky Thatcher, the daughter of the new judge in town. When Tom meets Becky, it's love at first sight. Unfortunately, the other disruption in the lives of Tom and Huck is not quite as benign. The menacing figure known as Injun Joe makes more than a little trouble for the boys when they witness him murdering the town doctor one night in the graveyard and putting the blame on poor Muff Potter! It suddenly becomes Tom's difficult decision of whether or not to break his pact of secrecy with Huck and save their innocent, drunken friend from the gallows!If you are a fan of Mark Twain's delightful tales of boyhood adventure, AND if you love a good family musical, look no further than 1973's "Tom Sawyer." From MGM Studios and featuring the wonderful music of Disney faves the Sherman Brothers (conducted by John Williams!), "Tom Sawyer" is a treat for anyone with a sense of adventure and mischievous fun! Being a huge fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn movies, I have wanted to see this one for years. I had vague memories of seeing parts of it on the Disney Channel as a kid, and I finally picked it up on DVD at my local retailer for under 5 dollars. True, the DVD is in full screen, and it's also true that it cruelly teases us by presenting the trailer (the only extra feature) and film credits in widescreen(and this movie screams widescreen!), but for a price like that, it's worth picking up until a definitive edition comes along! The songs are fantastic! Naturally, it's the Sherman brothers! They do a wonderful job of capturing the feelings and situations of Mark Twain's classic characters! They're catchy too! You'll be singing them in your head long after the movie is over! The performances are top notch as well! Johnny Whitaker is exactly what I would think a young Mark Twain might have looked like, and he's perfect for the role of Tom, full of energy, scheming, and stretchers. Jeff East is wonderful as Huckleberry. Now, I'm dying to see him reprise the role in the sequel that came out a year later! Of course, everyone loves little Jodie Foster, here taking on the important role of Becky Thatcher. Celeste Holm and the rest of the cast are terrific too, but I'm going to name Warren Oates as my favorite in the lovable role of Muff Potter and with the highly enjoyable song "Man's Gotta Be (What He's Born To Be)." Of course, the story stays mostly true to what we've seen before on the screen, but the outstanding job done here in adapting "Tom Sawyer" into a musical version takes it to a whole new level! Perhaps the 1938 David O. Selznick version is still the best straight interpretation of the story (and I admit that Disney's 1995 teenie-bopper version, "Tom and Huck," is a guilty pleasure, but I LOVE Rachael Leigh Cook) , but if you're looking for something with a little extra "oomph," try out 1973's musical masterpiece, "Tom Sawyer."
This is a wonderful musical version of Mark Twain's classic,beautifully filmed in Mississippi under Don Taylor's sprightly direction.The Sherman brothers contribute a surprisingly good script and a lovely score,one of their best("The River Song",beautifully sung by Charley Pride,is a gem!).Top performances from a good cast,led by a delightful Johnny Whitaker,help big-time.This is family entertainment at its best!The Adventures Of Huck FinnHuckleberry FinnTom Sawyer (1973 Movie Soundtrack)Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast)Big RiverThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Signet Classics)The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Signet Classics)
I really liked the movie & watched it with my reading class once we got finished with that story in our reading books.  It was a little disappointing because the movie didn't focus more on the cave scenes (was actually different than what we read) or finding the treasures.  Overall, it was a pretty good movie & one the 5th & 6th grade class could watch without a bunch of profanity or nudity.
This is a favorite from my childhood. I saw it in the theatre when it was first released, and I owned the album and the (widescreen) laser disc.I was so disappointed to see that this was a full frame transfer, and a lousy one at that!  One of the biggest thrills of this movie was its wide open vistas of the Mississippi River and the wonderful cinematography. This DVD release from MGM/UA is grainy, dark and at times fuzzy.  The sound is terrible too, and it was terrific on the laser disc in 5.1 surround.  You're missing the wonderful, detailed orchestrations by John Williams of the tuneful Sherman Brothers score.  I would only recommend this DVD to you if you HAVE to own a copy of it, even a bad one.  I suppose it's better than nothing at all.  But not by much.My hope is now that Fox owns the MGM/UA library they will properly restore and release this movie, with a remastered soundtrack and interviews with Whitaker, Foster and East.  It was a hit, back in the day. Nominated for 3 Oscars, a favorite from my childhood, and I'd like to see it given the treatment it richly deserves.
Ive loved this movie since I was a child.I sang along with all the songs, laughed, cried, and was just so thrilled to get it on DVD.
Wonderful kid movie. It contains just enough of 'classic' period stereotypes and attitudes to help teach the kids something about how to treat others with respect
This movie was playing at Radio City Music Hall back in the days of the movie/stage show formt.  It was also presented in 70mm on that huge Radio City screen. I remember how impressed i was with that opening scene with the steam boat going down the river and you see Tom running thru the field and the music builds more and more.  Wow,,,,what a great movie!I've seen many versions of &quot;Tom Sawyer&quot; but this one seems to be the best ever brought to the screen.  Maybe because it's a musical. Whatever made this so successful back then you will not be disappointed by it's gradure and scope. A must for ever American kid and adult too. This is as red, white and blue as it gets and now must be the most politically incorrect movie ever made. (hehe)  Buy it before some group puts a ban on it. Which should want you to buy this for the kids even more. They don't make them like this anymore.
I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid at Radio City Music Hall in New York.  I really loved it and as DVD's became more and more popular over the years I waited anxiously for the release of Tom Sawyer.  All I can say is this.................IF A MOVIE IS FILMED IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT THEN PLEASE RELEASE IT IN WIDESCREEN ON DVD.  Don't waste your money on this until the studios wise up.
No child should be deprived of having this film as part of his/her memory. I discovered the film when I was nine, and I was in love with it from that moment on. I read the book at the same age and so went through a stage of daydreaming about free bootin' and playing hooky. The songs are surprisingly good in this film. All of them are catchy, memorable and have clever lyrics. I don't know why this movie is so obscure today, seeing as how it has a stellar cast including Celeste Holme as Aunt Polly, Johnnie Whitaker as Tom, and a young Jodie Foster as Becky. Whitacker is perfect in the role with his wild red hair. I especially love the famous white washing scene, which, in this movie, has a great song called "Gratifaction" to go along with it. The film is full of laughs, too, due to great supporting characters like the lovable drunk, Muff Potter, the local busybody, the Widow Douglas, and the trouble-making Huck Finn. Thisnmovie so encapsulates the carefree mood of childhood that it brings tears of nostalgia to my eyes just to watch it. If you want to escape to an idyllic world of barefoot summers and childhood infatuations, watch the musical version of Tom Sawyer!
According to a scan of the DVD's back, this film is NOT letterboxed, but Pan & Scan.  SHame on MGM, what they did to "Hawaii" earlier this year, they are doing to this title.
I have been waiting for this movie to come out on dvd. I think the movie is a good one. Jonny Whitaker was great as Tom Sawyer and Jeff East was good as Huck Fun. All the actors were great. I own the tape and the dvd. I would recommend this movie to every one who likes tom sawyer and musicals.
My absolute favorite version of this classic tale - my grandkids love it too! The music is wonderful and the characters are completely believable.
Great movie musical adaptation of.a classic piece of literature. But some key elements if story were missing. Still great fun and good entertainment!
This is a well-made and well-acted musical version of the Tom Sawyer story. It does not follow the book exactly, but the substance is there. Charming performances by then child actors Johnny Whitaker (Tom) and Jodie Foster (Becky Thatcher) and Academy-Award-winner Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I rented it for my granddaughter's school project and wound up watching it 3 times. It took me back to my childhood of playing with the children next door in a more neighborly world.Highly recommended.
Like many here my review reflects the dvd as a purchase and not only the "movie". I was shocked to see my widescreen smile go to a fullscreen frown in minutes. I then read the back of the box and realized the error of MGM's ways. Had I took the time to read this in the store I doubt I would have bought it, though in hindsight who knows when another issue will be made, I'll likely ditch this and get that when it does. The best part about this release (and most important) is the sound anyway, and WOW they squeeze a lot of mileage out of Stereo Surround! I then rechecked the box to see if this was 5.1 and it wasn't but man oh man you'd never guess it twasn't! The picture is grainy on certain shots, others it is clear and bright, and it bothers me there ain't a whisker of an extra, but I guess that's for the "special edition". 2/5On with the show!I really like this movie and always have. Being brought up on it I guess it's almost forced, almost like a religion, but watching this as an adult you certainly appreciate different things about the movie. I see Aunt Polly is VITAL to this movie, her lone performance raises this to another level. Celeste Holm was superbly cast! Johnny Whitaker in my mind IS Tom Sawyer however during casting I am surprised more thought wasn't put into casting a Tom that could, umm, you know, sing a note:) Jeff East as Huck has always been solid and Warren Oates as Muff Potter still shines. Watching this as full-grow'd man I do have regrets that more footage wasn't shot between the glorious Jody Foster's Becky and Johnny's Tom. That chemistry is almost scary considering it's comin' from young'ns. And who could forget the PC incorrect staggerin', "Injun Joe?!" He haunted us all but now we just sit back and laugh... gulp, I didn't mean to say that JOE!! No, he's still got that terror filled look. 4/5While the songs can be a tad abrupt sometimes sprouting from dialogue they are generally fun and the melodies are almost always memorable. The theme song alone has been with me for many years. Overall, money comes and goes and while I would have liked to put mine towards a better edition, I doubt I could have put it towards a better Tom Sawyer, and yeah know, at this place in time that's all that really counts.
I got it to work for about 5 minutes. The interface makes no sense, you have to remember what combo of red and blue lights mean what. Now all it does it show  solid blue light and does nothing else.
I read the advertisement for the dice mini cam and made the mistake of buying without waiting for others reviews. I bought 4 of them, one for myself and three others for friends so we could get a break on shipping. Mine lasted through a few minutes and it did work as advertised for the few minutes I ran it. I then chrged it a second time and after that could not get it to turn on properly and do anything whatsoever. My friends had similar problems to what others have experience. They didn't like the controls and instructions. They all failed to meet up with expectations. Too bad. I was O/K with mine though I had not run mine over 5 minutes to test battery lifetime. Too many problems, don't buy them. You get what you pay for and at that rate these should worth 10 cents each. In our case we are in Canada and shipping is a killer.
directions are not easy to understand. you also need the small memory card for this to work.it will not operate without the memory card.
I was expecting something built a bit better. It works just fine, but the build quality sucks. IR feature only works within 15ft. Any further, and you get grit. 3/5 not bad, but not good.
The battery on the unit I received only lasted 2 to five minutes. I liked the motion detection option but with such a short life it makes it useless. The camera cannot operate when power is plugged in. Video quality was good and the night vision is a nice touch.
These would work great if the battery lasted long and the videos lasted longer than a couple seconds to 15 minutes... The night vision is great, the video is great, the sound is great, it's very discrete (I tried using it as a nanny cam... fail). This would be a win if it lasted a while, or maybe if there was some time of external cord that kept it on at least...
I use CR123A batteries like candy, I didn't know they were rechargeable till a colleague of mine happened to have a set. I quickly got on amazon and found this kit which has been a life saver. The ability to charge them either from a 120 wall outlet or a 12V car charger is invaluable, particularly if travel between countries..
MONEY SAVER if you have items for these batteries buy it like I said the first time MONEY SAVER
Very powerful batteries, use it a lot and doesn't have to care about spare batteries, great price for the package
The charger does not charge batteries after the 5th charge.  Hit and miss with these China made items.  I was hoping to get one of the hundreds that actually work.
These batteries are good and so is the charger. For my husbands police small flashlight, this is great, especially the car charger!
Charged quickly first time out of the packet.Unfortunately they are a very snug fit in the laser tac light I bought them for, and there is some difficulty getting them out.Have yet to test how long they hold their charge.
The batteries and charger work fine. The problem is that the OD of the battery is slightly larger than regular CR123A's. This caused a problem with my Bushnell flashlight, which required super glue and a dowel for removal. I have an INOVA flashlight and they work great in it.
This is a great kit, everything works as it should. Fast service from the seller. Didn't realize there was a car plug adapter included, this will come in handy.
Tenergy RCR charger is really great for the money. When I was buying the batteries in the store they can get a bit expensive. I sought out a Good charger and This one does an excellent job. Bow hunting is my passion and now I only need to carry this one light and have a set of batteries waiting in the truck that I know is charged up and ready to go.
I haven't had these long, but they appear to work.  Only time will tell how long they hold a charge and how many times I can recharge them.  Price was good though.
What can I say my batteries charge just fine.  I am happy I bought this item and I am pleased.
If you are like us, and you have tactical flashlites and night lights on your firearms, you know it is no fun to pay $10 for 2 to 3 hours of light. These pay for themselves in no time at all.With that said, I will repost if they fail early or quit retaining full charge. So far we have about 15 charges and recharges. We have had them for about 6 months.
Two of the batteries never worked. I contacted them about replacements and they wanted me to jump through so many hoops I just figured it was not worth the effort. Lesson learned.
Have been using these for a while now and really love their convenience. I have not noticed a memory issue with them or anything. Well worth the money verses replacing with new regular batteries all the time. Great for the environment too.
I needed a replacement battery for a Davis Weather Station, which uses solar cells to power the remote sensors.  After finding out that non-rechargeable batteries only lasted 2-3 weeks, the realization finally penetrated my thick skull that a solar cell won't do much for a non-rechargeable battery.  I bought this product, and am very happy with it. My weather station is happy again, the charger itself (which I've only used for the initial charge) worked quickly and without a hitch.  The product design is pleasant and fool proof.  I'm a satisfied customer.
I read a lot of good and bad reviews on this product. After using it for several months I think the bad reviews were people that never used it or had an ax to grind with the seller. This product has had no issues and works as expected. The 12v adapter makes it even better because it can be used on the go as well as at home. If it quit tomorrow, I would buy another one.
It is a great product as it is exspensive to buy the batteries for the flashlight that we both have so it seem to be working great. My boyfriend uses his more then I do cause he uses his flashlight at work and it use a lot of battery. I haven't used my yet but the batteries are still in my flashlight since I charged them
The batteries work and the recharger, recharges. You cannot ask for more so this product has my blessing. It was also a great buy and saved me some coin so it REALLY has my blessing!!! Thanks for providing a great product at a great price!!
Np complaints, seem to work as expected.  It definitely saves you money from constantly buying this type of batteyr which can be costly on the long run.  Worth the buy..
I never have to worry about having a charged battery for my night vision monocular.  Odd size batteries ...but exactly what is required for that russian built night vision equipment.  I love rechargables.
ORIGINAL: These batteries have been excellent for my flashlight and work four about 2 hours on Full Power.  Not much else to say except that these are great money savers for high powered lights like mine.UPDATE 9/14/2013:  These batteries are still running as strong as they were when I purchased them, so I have increased my rating from 4 to 5 stars.  They work great in my work light, Fenix TK35, which is a highly demanding power consuming unit.  I completely recommend these for anyone who is a LEO, EMS or similar line of work.
I made the mistake of abandoning my normal principal of "you get what you pay for"I was excited to find these so inexpensively and had planned to use them in my SU-800 master controller for photography.  The "quality" batteries for this unit average around $16.00 each, so the idea of getting four batteries with a charger cheaper than the cost of two normal batteries was just appealing to my "green sense".Now I'm back to the single use batteries, as these rechargeable's let me down time and again...  when freshly charged, they often showed voltage ratings well above 4v and this isn't workable in my units.  So, I let them run down a tad and they are usable for a blink, then run down quickly under normal use.Also, if they are not equally discharged and charged in twos, the charger will show both charged, while they are not equal upon removal... one battery showing a voltage rating of 2.2 and the other 4.0 fresh from the charger.I consider this to be a real problem and potentially damaging sensitive equipment if using a battery that actually has a overcharged condition.  Batteries rated at 3 volts shouldn't show over 4 while in service.... and again, drain quickly.I should get 1000 cycles from my SU-800 by Nikon with a fresh battery... with these, it's more like 150-ishVery disappointed.I can't provide a review of how these batteries perform in other equipment, but if you need something that performs as "rated" with meaningful performance life, based on my experience with this group... please continue shopping for something better.Smart Charger-  charges unpredictably3.0V batteries hold unstable charges (based on my experience with those shipped to me)Charged life- very short, around 20% of that of a normal single use battery (based on the group I received)If you need something quick and cheap for equipment with a broad operating range, then you may get something out of these.  I just can't personally recommend them.Sorry.
It's as simple as that every time you recharge those RCR123A batteries, you save on buying non rechargeable batts, that I think have the same amount of charge as those rechargeables.  I mean, why would you even think of not using this product....
Bought to use with P20C2 Mkii Xm-l 720 Lumen Cree XM-L LED Flashlight and works fantastically comes with everything you need for car charging and home charging
worked ok for a bit but the batteries dont stay charged very long and quit charging at a few dozen cycles
These batteries are awesome for the day to day use of my Lumalight tactical lights I have a 500 lumen and a 700 lumen these batteries power them both. They work as expected for rechargeable batteries and charge quickly. These have saved me a ton on purchasing cr123a over and over. Highly recommend I have owned for about 6 months now still working strong.
I use these in my flashlight, so they get hard duty!  These 4 batteries have already been recharged about 100 times and the only problem with them is the one that I was carring around in my pocket that had the plastic on the outside come loose.  Apparently that is all that holds the bottom on to the rest of the battery, so it is now loose, but still recharges!
The charger works, but it takes a solid 6 hours to completely charge the batteries. I use this in conjunction with the nuflare flashlight. I'm not getting anywhere near 15 hours of battery life. One if I'm lucky. Maybe two. It's nice for the price but if you use them in something that as a lot of draw (like the nuflare rebel 90), you should think about spending a little more one something that has more than 900mah. I would be surprised if these were 900mah even, they don't last very long at all. The nuflare is rated at 15 hours at 210 lumens or something like that. I wish I knew what batteries they used.
This is a very good product. I realize that the battery charge will last longer the more you charge them. So far the juice life is very good. It has lasted as long as the sure fire batteries. I recommend this product very high.
I bought some of these to try with a light using 123 A's. They work as advertised. When you check them with a meter they show over 3 volts, but under load they do not hurt the light. Have been using them for a while now. Hold a charge VERY well, and no longer have to buy throw away 123A's.
The country of origin originally turned me off from this product,  I purchased 4 of them for use in a &#34;surefire&#34; type LED flashlight.  My set was purchased with a 110 volt recharging station that holds 2 batteries at a time. It works well.  These batteries will work at almost 100% capacity (flashlight brightness) up until they are done, but then die out quickly.  I have also used them in a EO Tech gun sight.  The fit was a little snug, but there was no other problems and I found the battery life to be comparable to a non-rechargable 123a battery.  The product that was delivered was just as described.  Easy Transaction through Paypal. I would purchase from this seller again.
These batteries appear to be great at first. They work just according to instruction, rechargeble batteries that you can be used over and over. It will save you a lot of money. So far all good.The problem was I never got close to the runtime that I was suppose to when I used them for my FenixP3D CE Premium Q5. Estimated runtime according to the manual is 4h50min for the 120-lumens mode. With the Tenergy (900mAh) batteries I get about 1h 45 min, which is actually the best of all the 3.0V rechargeble batteries I have tested. Tenergy 750mAh gives 1h30 min, while a non rechargeble battery provide more than 5 hours of lighting!If you are buying for a flashlight and it has a regulated voltage circuit, like my Fenix, you can buy 3.7 volt 1300mAh rechargeble batteries on for example ebay and get much longer runtime. The ones I have tested gave me 2h 30 min runtime, which is half the strength of a non-rechargeble battery, which I think is accepteble.
After a 12 hour shift they start to die.  Having to remember to charge them before work every night becomes a hassle.  After a while they do not hold their charge at all.  On top of all that, the car charger plug busted.  Do not waste your money.
These batteries work flawlessly. The charger is why I dropped a star. Sometimes it doesn't recognize the batteries.
I bought these for use in my flashlights, Steripen Adventurer, and MSR MiOx.  The chargers work better than the solar counterparts but any use overseas you better take the solar chargers.  Still, they arrived quickly and have worked well every time.
I bought this little kit so I could save money using my Surefire flashlight but the day I got them the bulb went out and I haven't touched them since.
I've had this kit for a few months now and have recharged a pair of the batteries 3 times, and a third battery once. So far everything works as expected. I use them in a Fenix P3D Premium 100 (Luxeon Rebel LED, 11 - 200 lumens), and a Fenix P1 CE (Cree 7090 XR-E LED - 90 lumens). For me the performance is very acceptable considering how inexpensive the kit was. I get maybe an hour to 1-1/2 hours total runtime depending which brightness levels I'm using. I don't use the lights for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time anyway so that's plenty of uses between charges for me.A nice plus is you get the car charger adapter included, too. Most kits require you to buy that separately at additional cost. Probably the only thing I would have liked with the kit is some kind of pouch to keep it all together. I made a carrying case out of an old zippered memory card/battery case I had hanging around. It just happens to all fit perfectly but it took an awful lot of finagling to make that happen!UPDATE 11-14-09I just wanted to update this review to say I am still using these cells and they are still working great. I think the runtime has improved after a few charge/recharge cycles (which is what is supposed to happen), so these are lasting even longer in my lights now. I only recharge them maybe every 4 months with occasional use of my lights. Still highly recommended.UPDATE 11-17-2010I guess it's time for my now yearly update on these batteries. They are still all going strong! I still only recharge them about every 4 months but that's because they have a very good charge retention and capacity.Another big surprise involving these batteries occurred over the summer (2010). I keep my Fenix P1 CE light on my keychain. To turn the light on and off you screw and unscrew the head slightly. If you unscrew it all the way the head comes off (that how you replace the battery). I guess the head had loosened in my pocket because one day as I was walking to my car I removed my car keys from my pocket. I stepped on something hard and happened to look down to see what it was. Well, it turned out to be one of these batteries! I had slightly deformed the top of the battery and ripped part of the plastic that makes up the case of the battery. I didn't have anything to lose so I trimmed off the plastic that was torn, and sealed the case up with some super glue. Fortunately, the battery still fit in the flashlight and it worked fine - still had a full charge! I've since charged it twice and it is still working great. STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
When I bought these batteries I understood that they had an output voltage of 3v. After charging all four I tested them with a volt meter and found they are at 3.6-3.9v. I thought the idea was a regulated output of 3.0-3.2v. Not satisfied with this product.
Run time in my regulated JetBEAM flashlight was about 40% of what it should be with these batteries which were freshly charged. Well under powered and capacity. They're going to be replaced immediately with any battery other than this one. These batteries will see second string duty.
Right component package for a high end flashlight I've had for a while.  Way cheaper than buying non-rechargeable units.  Charger works great.  Too about 5 hours to charge both pairs so that the flashlight could be put pack into use.  One bright flashlight too! Now, if I can just keep track of this little charger, and find it when I need to recharge the Li-Ion batteries.  Time will tell but so far this is working out very well.
This unit works well. Use it for all my flashights that use 123a batteries. This unit is a mustfor anyone who is getting tired of replacing the exspensive batteries
The charger took about 4 hours to give two RC123A 3.0V 900mAh Rechargeable Li-Ion Protected Batteries a charge of 100%. So for 4 batterys figure 8 hours. I only use one at a time so that's roughly four nights on my NOD.Additional information - I used it by doing a direct plugin to my solar charger and it powered up two RC123A batteries to 90% charge in an 11 hour (sunrise till sunset) day.The link for the Amanzon solar charger is:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H36S0G/ref=cm_cr_ryp_sol_prd_title#sf
This is exactly what I needed for my SU-800 wireless flash commander. It sure beats buying these batteries as often as I was. I definitely recommend it.
I have already written a review for this item, but it is still on my Amazon list asking for reviews.  I have had the charger and batteries for several cycles of use in my 110 lumen flashlights.  They work great.  The only surprise was the sudden shut off when the battery reached it's preset maximun discharge.  If you read the info that came with the batteries, you will find this is a feature to prevent damaging the battery.  Very simple solution: carry extra batteries or a 2nd flashlight.
Very good value for money.  Better built and size than some other models I have.  It gets a smashing and does a good job.
Got one for home, and one for the car.  Work great, but sometimes don't last as long as the non-rechargeable versions.  Great for training days for my tactical lights, as I can use one up and grab another from the charger.
After just two cycles of the batteries, they stopped working in my tactical flashlight.  I measured the voltage and found them to be almost 4.2 volts fully charged (when it is supposed to be 3.0!!!).  I don't know if this can damage a voltage regulated light, but I'm not willing to take the chance (they don't work in two separate types of flashlights I have anyway because they immediately shut off when turned on with these batteries now).  I'm returning these and buying some surefire non-rechargeable batteries.  What good is a tactical flashlight if at the exact moment you need it to work, the batteries fail?  And if you aren't using it for tactical purposes, then why get a light with CR123A batteries in the first place?Even when this charger WAS working (only on the first cycle), it got way too hot for comfort while charging and took way longer than it says.  Also, the light turns halfway to green but stays halfway red, and doesn't charge both batteries evenly.
very nice they hold charge and our well made have had no problems with them still useing first batt havent open the second pack very well worth the money
I toook a chance on this set to use with my Olight T20 flashlight. They do not work at all. The light will come on then shut down in les than a second. High voltage? The product might be fine for other applications.
Do NOT buy these batteries and this little 'handy kit' if you want a battery you can RELY on.  My experience using them in flashlights (Fenix, Sure Fire, etc) has been dismal.  Full charge = one hour of 'strobe'.  Contacted vendor and was told that "these cells vary" and that "replacing them wouldn't help".....so WHAT WOULD HELP?!?!Basically, the vendor says that these cells are worthless and unreliable.  Is that what you're looking for?  Go elsewhere.  The battery sucks and the vendor sucks.
I have a SureFire m951 military standard issue tactical light that was over 200 bucks and these batteries blew it out in a fraction of a second. DO NOT BUY THESE!!!!!
Imagine that you dont have to worry that you forgot to turn your flash off or it got flipped on in your camera bag. Imagine you never have to worry that your battery will die on you.And it came fast in great packagaing.Thanks.
These batteries will not power my CREE X-Tactical ATE0C2L007.  I'm guessing that my flashlight has a protective circuit when batteries with too much voltage are inserted. They do work in my older film camera - - but now I'm thinking it might not be a good idea to continue using them.
BATTERIES RUN OUT OF JUICE; YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUTTHAT IF YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO OF THESE AROUND. IF THINGS GO "SOUTH" FOR US ALL, THIS CAN BE PLUGGED INTO A HAND CRANK SURVIVAL RADIO AND RECHARGED. GOOD IDEA.THE CHARGER HAS "SMART" SENSORS AND DEVICES BUILT IN;HEAT, LEAKAGE, AND BATTERY MEMORY ARE NOT A PROBLEM.THIS IS HIGH QUALITY EQUIPTMENT. NICE PRODUCT.(S.WILLIN)
The batteries work well in my streamlight polytac light. They run out a bit quicker than other brands but being rechargeable will save you a lot of dough in the long run.
I use this with the flashlight I bought and it' works quick and charges completely. I'm very happy with the product
I bought these to power my wife's first high output LED flashlight. They did work, but did't last nearly as long as I'd expected. The charger worked fine and we had no real issues with the batteries, we just weren't impressed.I ended up replacing each pair with a single Panasonic 3100 mA 18650 battery and have been much happier. We ended up giving these away, along with the flashlight to my step-daughter when we upgraded the wife's flashlight to something with a little more punch.
The right charge slot works fine, but the left one insists on flashing (indicating bad cell) when ever I use it, even with cells that charge fine in the right slot.  Since I only need to charge one cell at a time, I can live with it, but it's peculiar.
Charges quickly. very good set for the price. will review more when field tested. using it for my tactical flashlight used for LE work.
got this to go along with my sons talk boy (from home alone) that he got from santa for Christmas!  what a hit!
Voice quality is good but I wish that they are selling this audio tape in 30 minute length. That's what I really need.
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" as well as an avid music collector, and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write about and or discuss various recording tapes.Maxell's stellar reputation for cassettes and VHS tapes has been a staple of the industry for decades.The Maxell UR is not meant for music. You can record your favorite songs but the optimum way to hear the playback is on a cassette that is referred to as Chrome or Position 2. The UR is a normal bias (Position 1). These are used to record voice. It may be advantageous for interviewing somebody, for notes to be transcribed, recording a sporting event and or a talk show from the radio.For music recordings use Maxell's excellent XL2 or XL2S. They offer tremendous quality and longevity.Please make sure the tape deck has clean heads or the great recording tape will not make a difference and you will get results that sound muddy.Please stick with 60, 90, or 100-minute blank tapes. Anything higher the tape is thin and more susceptible to breakage.Enjoy the music and be well,Craig FentonAuthor of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
These tapes are becoming difficult to find.  The choir members at my church record our rehearsals to practice with.  The choir director received this, in its original packaging, and was very happy with it!
It's fine. Does what its supposed to do. This product has been around so long there isn't anything to say
Never did I think I would have need for these anymore.  But our evidence Department has backup cases on these.
Saved myself a trip to Walmart or Office Depot or Staples or wherever the heck they carry cassette tapes these days. Bought this for my daughter's audition for Honors Orchestra and it served the purpose. Why look anywhere else if you can this for $0.88 at Amazon?
These tapes came damaged, recorded outcome warped. Do not purchase unless you can overcome this defect. I was told that this outcome is due to the tapes being kept on their sides.
Good sounding quality, but could be improved in instrumental clarity.  However, it is one of my best choices, overall.  Thanks!
The Maxell tapes arrived on time and in good condition.  These tapes record extremely well and are very reasonably priced here.  I recommend this product.  I give this a 5 star rating because it is great product and is delivered to your doorstep at no extra cost.
I know that it's not every day that someone goes looking for a cassette tape anymore, but by a freak chance, I happened to need some cassettes in a hurry for a church service (they don't have a CD setup). So I first looked at the local stores, which was of no luck, so I naturally went to Amazon, and was once again saved by the massive selection.Maxell has always been an excellent brand, and I don't think I have every used any cassette other than Maxell. These are quiet tapes and don't produce any noise.I don't know what else to say about these. If you just happen to need a cassette, these are a great option.
For professional use, this is where to put your money. Unfortunately, these are no longer being manufactured. That stinks. I would like these to be around forever.
Like another reviewer on the 90-Minute 5 Pack item, I can verify that these tapes have too much drag in the mechanism. On my Nakamichi BX-300, they frequently stop during recording or playback. It's a tension problem, wherein a high end deck will purposefully stop advancing the tape to avoid breakage; basically, it thinks the tape is stuck. Cheapo decks that do not have this feature may work fine with these tapes. I've had no problem with other, commercially available cassettes on this deck.My advice, if you have these tapes, is to run them a bit before you record to them. Pop 'em in your deck and fast forward the entire tape, then rewind fully. Maybe a few times. With one tape, after recording one side just fine it was stopping every 3 seconds no matter where I started from on the opposite side, until I performed the above. YMMV. Recorded audio sounds fine.I would add that these are recommended in the Nakamichi owner's manual. Go figure.
Have used many types of tape, and these I find to be Superior by far.  The BEST!
I thought I was ordering ONE PACK of 10 cassettes from Data Unlimited, for the price indicated, plus a stiff shipping and handling charge -- $13 total.  What I received was a single cassette. I just want to make sure other customers are clear about this.
Bought tons of these in the 80's, and 90's, now they are like gold. Used to get 3 for the price of one of these, but I'm sure they've stopped producing them now, so they will be precious if you can find them. Can't beat the quality of theMaxells, if only I had stashed a few packs of these things years ago!
i still use VHS to record my shows, yes i know im old fashion, i still have a VCR. if its not broken why replace it with the latest and greatest. my old 6hr tape was going out on me after many yrs of use, was looking on amazon to see if i still can get tapes and long behold they are still available =) so i picked up this 8hr tape so i can record more shows. tape is great, good quality.
Pretty hard to find any thing wrong with a new VHS video tape  I never found any new tape that did not record when brand new.
They record perfectly, and live up to their name of High Grade. I would certainly purchase them again and recommend them to others who like to record tv programs on their VCR.
The first of these loaded into the VCR and refused to come out. I trashed that VCR. The second one loaded into a more expensive VCR seemed to work fine (6 hrs) but after 4 uses the edge was crinkled and making noise on rewind. Again this my be my old VCR's that I no longer own as I switched to a Magnavox MDR515H DVR and no more tape plus it also burns CD's or 500 GB hard drive! (LinkMagnavox MDR515H 500GB HDD and DVD-R with Digital Tuner
I don't use tapes too much anymore, since the advent of DVR recorders.  I do have friends that don't have a DVR's therefore I copy things for friends. Maxell makes a good tape for this purpose.
Even in the age of DVRs and Tivo some of us still use VHS to record our programs. This tape although still produced is hard to find in stores but Amazon supplies it. For years Maxell has been the best VHS tape and even though their product line has gotten smaller their High Grade line (formally HGX-Gold) are simply the best out there. Awesome picture quality that will look better than the original broadcast. Still use a monoral VCR? No problem. Sound Quality in SLP mode is marvelous (which is what I use because I want the maximum amount of recording time). I recommend the 8 hour length  because of the extra two hours of recording time. I used to use TDK 8-hour Hi-Fi or Extra High Grade tapes but TDK has stopped producing good tapes at long lengths so I moved to Maxell which is more than satisfactory. If you can't find these in stores buy them here.
I use tapes over and over. Maxell has been the best so far, use to use TDK but they failed way to soon. I have a Maxell standard I've used 25 times. I tape a lot of stuff Maxell high grade is superior to thier Maxell standard,  for movies you want to save, Maxell high grade will do the job.
Maxell has always been a good brand of vhs tape and this did not disappoint me. I like it alot.
I had to try recording shows several times before it actually started recording anything. No problems with the VCR, purely that this tape wouldn't record until I ran it through a couple times for some reason.
One of the cassettes spit up a hairball and began to drag; I had to rewind it on another VCR.  Seems OK now.
i use this brand because they last me for years. i use them weekly and they have good video and audio qualities.
VHS tapes are becoming harder to come by. I normally buy Sony blank VHS tapes, but Maxell had the better deal and work just as well. I have used their products before.
Bought these at a great price & thought that high grade meant excellent quality. Not so! Almost half of the tapes do not work properly and had to be thrown away. Won't be buying Maxell again. Very disappointed.
After I initially had some problems, the seller sent me a replacement tape free of charge via Priority Mail.  (Initial delivery was also more rapid than expected.)  The problems now appear to have been because of some programming inconsistency with one of my VCR recorders. Both tapes are now serving well.
I've used this product before--it is an excellent VHS tape.  I  highly recommend it to anyone who wants quality recording for movies, etc.
I bought 8 8 hour tapes and so far only one has been bad. I still have 4 new ones and I hope they are OK. I have always used Maxell tapes and the old ones that have been taped over and over are still working well. New products today are not made to last, but at leasst I thought they would last through at least one recording. I will only buy Sony tapes now.
I had about given up hope on my VHS recorder because the tapes just were not turning out right. I finally tried a DRY cleaner vs. wet and this first quality tape. It is worth the price, every recording I have made has been perfect and I have re-recored over the tape a dozen times. Before you give up on your old machine try this tape !
It works but it's expensive.On a side note, I was just playing with it yesterday and i happen to stick it on a hood of a canon 50 1.4 (ES-71II) and to my surprise, it fits it like a glove! It stays there and does fall off. You would think it was made for it! I just thought that was super cool.
Title says it all. This product is so simple and easy to use that even novice photographers should buy this.
I heard others rave about the Expodisc for some time.  I thought the cost was a little high, especially since there are many other less expensive ways to set white balance (in camera settings, grey card, coffee filters...don't laugh, I did this and it was actually the next best thing to the Expodisc).  Well, I bought my Expodisc and I am a convert to the church of Expodisc.  This thing is awesome.  It gets me perfect WB every time, whether I'm using natural light, bounced flash, strobes, or a combination of all different kinds of light.  I have never once had to change the WB in post and my photos look awesome SOOC.  You can also use the Expodisc as an incedent light meter, which is pretty awesome.  I would totally buy it again.
While this is not always the best to use, in most situations, this provides a richer colored photograph than any of the standard white balances on my 5dII.
I bought the current Expodisc to replace an earlier model recently stolen. The old model seemed overpriced, but it was hand-made in a low volume production. Current models made by new owners are priced about 170% more than the old, for which you get a fancy box and a few instructions on a CD rather than on a peice of paper - big deal. However, the new models have a lens mounting arrangement which is much superior to the prior model and much more expensive to make. As to function, nothing really replaces an Expodisc if you need one for white balancing a color photo exposure. I use mine to shoot "grey" color negatives to automate traditional color printing. I have no experience as to whether they provide superior white balancing in digital systems as claimed, but logically they should do so. Unless you plan to be very exacting about color reproduction in your color printing, the excessive cost of an Expodisc versus the marginal benefit seems questionable. If you Photoshop your pictures to death, you will get no value from this item.
Works just like it should. Serves as a great way to get proper white balance. Just place in front of lens, depress shutter button to focus and light meter, then remove and shoot. Images look much better now.
I bought the biggest one in the neutral tone and used it for a photoshoot and the pictures looked a lot better than they usually do.  I just held it over each lens and took the shot at the light source.  Afterwards I still had to adjust the white balance a little, but it was much better than before.  Glad I got this!!
The filter does make a difference as compared to AWB. However I have had problems using it on my 85mm @ 1.2.The test photo itself came incorrect.I purchased the 82mm neutral filter but it does not get attached to the B&W; UV filter on my 24-70 2.8L II.Other wise its a good product.
Your can read the specs and see all the wonderful features that this camera has to offer. However, after nearly 8 months of use and less then 10 rolls of film I have found out this. Not all pictures turn out that great. I was disappointed on the quality at times. Recently, a H flashes on the LED screen and I have followed the manual on how to correct this but it still shows an internal error. I can not seem to fix it and Canon so far hasn't helped either.Let me update. Canon stood by their warranty. I sent in the camera as instructed and in about two weeks I received the camera fixed and ready to use. I was impressed with the overall ease and quickness of the warranty repair.This camera has nice features but most I truely don't use. Film that is more costly to purchase and to process. For that reason I would expect better quality pictures but I don't always feel they are much better than standard 35mm. It is nice being able to put this camera into a small pocket and being able to change film mid-roll. We'll see...a few more months of using it and maybe I'll update again and give it a higher score.
I know next-to-nothing about photography and I was not ready to pull the trigger on a digital camera.  I had been carrying a Minolta &quot;Freedom Zoom 90&quot; around for about 10+ years, and I was looking for a replacement that would (a) fit into my briefcase/backpack more easily, and (b) be a little bit more idiot-proof (I always seemed to have problems focusing the Minolta).After a bit of research, I choose the Canon Elph 370Z.  After 6+ months of ownership, I am reporting back here as a very satisfied customer.  The 370Z has met or exceeded both of my goals.  It is extremely portable, allowing me to take my camera everywhere with a neglible weight penalty.  And, I'm taking better photos, and it's still the same ol' me that used the old camera.  My 'focus problems' have disappeared.  Furthermore, I've blown a couple of the photos up to an 8&quot;x12&quot; scale and they retain an amazing level of crispness for such a small camera.The only drawback (noted in other reviews here) is that the unit is so compact that the flash is still too close to the lens.  So remember, 'red-eye reduction' is just that: reduction, not elimination.Still, all in all, a highly recommended purchase.
I have wanted to buy a Canon Elph 370Z for the longest time only for the fact that it is small, it has a 3X zoom lens and takes 3 sizes of photos. I travel a lot and take a lot of scenery.  I bought it two years ago, unfortunately 2 weeks before a trip. When I used the first sample film, the photos came out in 4X7 instead of the classic 4X6. The date did not imprint on the front of the picture although I had set it correctly. My mistake was to have sent in the warantee immediately. I ran back to my dealer who refused to take back the camera and refund full price (at that time almost $400). He said it would have to be sent for repair. As I had to leave on my trip. it was imperative to have a camera right away. He offerred to refund half of the price. So I was out of $200. When I wrote to Canon about how I was ripped-off, they took no responsibility.  As if I wasn't burned, I bought the same camera this past Christmas from ritzcamera.com.  This time the date did not imprint on the front of the photo.  I had used the sample 15 shot film in the kit. However, since I developed the film after the 30 day refund deadline,  ritzcamera refused to do anything about it. They suggested I bring it for repairs.  I am angry that a new camera should have any defects. The fact that the same thing happened twice is an indication of poor manufacture.  The attitude of ritzcamera.com also angered me. How dare they suggest that I repair this defective camera. If you are looking for a good little inexpensive point-and-shoot, buy the Olympus Stylus with panoramic. It takes beautiful shots and is a dream to use. Disappointed customer!
My review will focus on how well the 370z replaces a 35mm point-and-shoot. I've been very happy with my Pentax IQZoom90WR for six years and I wanted to see if the 370z could replace it for most situations. LENS QUALITY:  Indistinguishable except in HDTV mode at small focal lengths where  curvature is noticable at the sides. Still acceptable. RESOLUTION:  Indistinguishable on 4x6/4x7 prints at ASA 100 and 200. Lack of precise  definition of edges with ASA 400 but still acceptable. If you want to blow  up the photo to 8x10, you'll want to use ASA 100 and that will limit you to  bright light situations. If I decide to do night photography outdoors (like  the Disneyland parade), I'll switch back to my 35mm using ASA 400. (I  should note however that the 370z performed well. I'm just a bit of a  perfectionist.) RED-EYE REDUCTION: Not as effective as my Pentax IQZ90WR.  Based on the shots I've taken, red-eye occurs in 10-15% of my face-on flash  shots. The occurence with my Pentax is less than 1% but it does use a  pre-flash whereas the 370z uses a mini-lamp. PORTABILITY: Excellent! Put it  into its case and strap it to your belt and you won't know it's there. This  is a BIG plus of the 370z since it allows you to enjoy your environment as  well as be a photographer. The worst shot in the world is the one you  didn't take because you didn't have your camera with you. FOCAL LENGTHS:  Comparable but the 370z is a step-zoom whereas my 35mm has a continuous  zoom. This is not much of a problem since you'll rarely encounter a  situation that requires absoultely precise framing with a zoom. FRAME  FORMATS: Panoramic mode shows too much grain at ASAs 200 and above.  Thankfully there's ...MID-ROLL CARTRIDGE CHANGE: Excellent feature! Allowed  me to switch to ASA400 at night and ASA100 when the sun was bright.  WISHLIST ITEM: If only it were weather-resistant or splash-proof. SUMMARY:  It's replaced my 35mm point-and-shoot for documenting my family's vacations  and daily activities but I still keep my 35mm in a suitcase or the car for  rainy days, special night shots, or situations where I might want a photo  blown-up to 8x10. This camera is well designed for its target market; the  average photographer who wants to capture day-to-day shots.
If you want a point and shoot camera that you can carry in your bag or throw in a shirt pocket so that its always available, then this may be the best camera for you.  While its not deep on features, it has the ones that are most important for convenience: a decent flash, 3x zoom (better for wide angle shots than telephoto closeups), and APS film.Make no mistake, you do not get the flexibility (shutter speed, apeture, optional lenses, external flashes, white balance) that SLRs and more expensive camera can offer, but what you do get is not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes (that's not politically correct, is it?).I looked at a pretty broad set of cameras, including the other ELPH cameras, before selecting this one because I liked the zoon range and the size of the camera.  I was pleasantly impressed by surprisingly good picture quality, and my wife can testify to its extreme ease of use.  This ELPH is all about size, convenience, and simplicity.  If that's what you want then buy it.
Friends generously lent me their Canon 370Z to take on my vacation.  It was wonderful -- very easy to learn and very easy to use.  The pictures have been processed and they came out very well.  I loved the flexibility  of photo sizes and the ease of using the telephoto feature.  I came home  and ordered one for myself. In fact, several of the friends with me on my  trip plan to do the same.  Seeing this camera in action definitely turns it  into a &quot;gotta have&quot;.
I would like to say the the Cannon ELPH37OZ is worth the money.  I have struggled in the past with cameras and decided to buy the best one available.  There hasn't been a bad picture yet, and no problems with the  camera.  Pay the extra money and get this one rather than some cheap  inferior camera
If you are considering a regular Canon Elph, go with the 370Z instead: its powerful zooming capability is well worth the extra.  For such a small, lightweight camera, its picture clarity is remarkable (even when you enlarge the prints).  I took it as my only camera on a trip to Europe, and ended up with photos that compared favorably to professional postcards.  I've had this camera for a year and haven't regretted it for a moment.  I keep it in my purse for all those moments when people say, &quot;I wish we had a camera with us!&quot;  If you are new to APS cameras, you will love the easy system of index prints and not having to handle negatives.  The handiest camera I've ever owned.
I've had and used q 370Z for over a year, and I've never had a bad snapshot that wasn't the photographer's fault.  Yes, I sometimes get red-eye in low light, but a lot of that is caused by the compactness of the camera - the flash is too close to the lens to avoid ALL red-eye. Increasing the room lights helps. Other family menbers have had a series of 35mm Point-and-shoots, but the 370Z is better.  Reliable (at least for me), simple to use, with a zoom range that goes from true wide-angle (most don't) to portrait-length telephoto (the regular ELPH doesn't).  I still have my 35mm SLRs and 7 lenses for &quot;serious&quot; photography, but it sure is easier to carry the ELPH 370.
i gave it five stars because i have an old vhs camcorder and couldn't find the recording tapes locally anymore this is just what i was looking for
VHS-C is out of date these days, but these are just as good a quality as they were when they were the main format. Recorded a few things with my old camcorder, no issues.
These cassetts work great in my older video camera.  They are hard to find locally because of the newer digital video cameras that are being used now.  Hope to buy more when needed.
A very good product.
The Tapes arrived.  It took a little longer than expected but they were brand new and perform as i would expect.  It was nice tofind tapes in good shape for an older camera. My 9 yr old loves playing with this camera and we still get some use out of it also.
These tapes worked nicely in my old JVC camcorder. They did make a bit of noise when recording and playing back, though. For some reason other tapes didn't do this. But it was a very faint sound, and I am happy.
GREAT PRODUCT .I WAS VERY GLAD I FOUND BECAUSE OLDER CAMCORDERS ARE STILL GOOD BUT HAD TO FIND NECESSARY PIECES FOR UPKEEP.RECOMMEND VERY HIGHLYTHANKS CHARLES
I cannot find thm anywhere else!!  You all have a good price for them too. I wonder if I may order more? But first I'd like to find the ones I needed!! You sent them to the Wrong place!
havent had chance to use the tapes in camcorder yet. I bet i will use this year welll i hope
I am so pleased to have gotten my vhs-c tapes. They are getting hard to find. It was so easy to order them on Amazon. They came quickly and were just as I was told they would be. I will be ordering more.
This was a gift for someone but they were happy to get them, they are hard to find around locally..
I recommend this products but today may Concorde not use more but it is good  when I have 6 years ago
Very happy with product.  Needed these quickly and the item came sooner than expected.  Just what I had ordered very pleased.
It was so good to find the correct video cassettes for our camera.  They arrived quickly, in perfect condition.
I ordered these for my wife.  I thought, it was a great price for these tapes.  If they had more I would've bought more, because online is the only place I can find these vhs-c tapes.  great price. very fast delivery.
I have only used it one time and so far I am quite satisfied. Will order again in the future.
Bought this product for my brother to use in his camcorder. I don't know what to say except that they work just fine.
I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE PRODUCT  IT WAS REASONABLE NOT OVER PRICED  AND  ITS ONE OF THE BEST TAPES MADE  ON A SCALE OF 1TO 100 I WILL GIVE IT A 100 +A+ MAXELL IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST TAPES OUT IN THE MARKET TODAY I WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANY ONE BUY IT GIVE IT A TRY AND SEE FOR YOUR SELF AND SEE IF YOU DONT AGREE WITH ME THANK YOU MARK
THIS PACKAGE CAME IN GOOD CONDITION IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PRICE AND WHEN IT GOT HERE IT WAS REALLY NICE PACKAGED WITH PLASTIC ON IT NEW IT JUST HOW I EXPECTED IT TO BE
I bought these to video my daughter. I started with videoing her at 6 weeks old and try to get a little clip every month since.
worked just as i needed,, I know its old style ,,but hey this works for me and my older video camera
Arrived quickly & in time for taping of event.  Quick shipment.  Thanks so much & great doing business with you.
these arrived in very good shape, great packaging and my grandson who uses our old camcorder that uses these tapes, just loved having them to make his &#34;movies&#34; on....can't find these in the stores so I am very grateful for being able to order them and get them quickly....
good value, on time shipment. no complaints.  thanks  here are 12 more words to fill up  the space as requested
with tech. moving so fast you can hardly keep up.  I'm old school, if it ain't broke, don't replace it.  It's good to know that I can still get tapes that work for my old camcorder.  Thanks
another hard item to find.these were perfect fit for my camcorder,being an old recorder it is easy finding the things you need.they worked great.wanda
I like the business attitude of these folks....Great and genuine concern for their customers satisfaction....I will do businees again with them...Keep up the great work!
this tapes came out o.k just like i expected for my camcorder real nice colors and easy to deal with.
Maxell 8mm tapes are hard to find for me in my area these days. Glad I was able to make my purchase and got them within three days which was perfect for what I needed them for. Overall very happy with the results.
These are great tapes and are getting harder to find,I love my old camera and these tapes keep it working for me.
THE VIDEO TAPE IS GREAT stores don't carry it and is very hard to find except for you keep up the good work.l
These tpes fit perfectly and have been very reliabl eon my video shoots. I will be purchasing more in the future.
Unfortunately, one of the two tapes was defective and does not work.  I did not return it as the postage cost would exceed the value of the tape.
These old camera tapes are hard to find! I tried walmart walgreens and best buy and no Ione had them anymore! Which is aweful because how could I use my camcorder? Shipping was fast and all tapes were enclosed in original packaging! Was perfect for me!
She loves these!  Although Prime is no longer a 2 day process, she still received it in soon enough to take more recordings of her grandchildren.
GREAT QUICK DELIVERY NEEDED FAST FOR MY SONS BASEBALL. IF YOU MUST USE THESE THEN PURCHASE ASAP NEVER KNOW HOW LONG THESE WILL BE AROUND FOR WITH TECHNOLOGY CHANGES
These Maxell 8 mm camcorder tapes are a pretty good product.  I bought these years ago when I needed to borrow my brother's camcorder that requires 8 mm tapes.  Nowadays, they're getting harder and harder to find, as everything now is digital/hard disk.  The picture and sound quality on these tapes isn't quite as good as the more expensive 8 mm metal tapes, but it's decent enough to do an adequate job of capturing your moments.  I swear, the picture and sound quality on the 8 mm camcorders and 8 mm metal tapes is sometimes better than some of the top-of-the-line hard disk camcorders.  I have a hard disk camcorder, but sometimes I wish I had an 8 mm camcorder.I recommend these Maxell 8 mm tapes, but I would try to get the metal kind if you want REALLY good picture and sound quality.
I returned because it was not why I needed.  I thought it was mini and was not.  Not their fault.
I ordered this product for my dad. He want to capture Christmas and they last for a long time. My dad really loves the tapes.
Those of you who still have Video 8 Camcorders will love this product. You do not have to record over your old, recorded tapes but now have the option of using brand new tapes to record new topics.Recording over used tapes means 1) forfeiting the memories you have previously captured and 2) risking a poor taping ofnew material over a previously used tape.These Video 8 Tapes are nicely priced and allow you to pass over the above two probems.Highly recommended. A great value.
High 8 is almost impossible to find, these work fine use Hi 8 for ghost hunting seems they appreciate older techinolgy
I record many Christian programs and songs with these cassettes. I also re-record and they've always held up well, and the playback sound quality is excellent (to me anyway).
Cassettes are still a great way to record...they are a good product and good price. I plan on buying more.
i have a video voice recorder that we hardly ever use and we're still using the first tape.  but im sure these will come in handy some day.
These cassette tapes work well for my needs.I use them for lectures and not for music.I'm happy that they are still available.
We have used this type tape for many years to record our church service,  Used as master tape to male duplicates from.
Well, I wouldn't record "EXODUS'S" 'Tempo of the Damned' on the Maxell UR.  But UR is a good choice for recording music that is not so over the top. For the reasonable price of UR, it is really versatile. As well as not too intense music, it is a good tape  for recording from the radio, as well as general voice recordings. A previous reviewer was quite right by pointing out that for high intensity recordings, you are better off with Maxell XL II.
Cassette tapes are not the easiest product to find anymore.I make copies of recorded bible study lessons for a group that includes two blind members. They rely on the tapes for their life enrichment.These arrived quickly, were as promised, and at a competitive price.
I'm in the process of digitizing my reel to reel tapes.  Converting them to audio cassette is an intermediate step.  Since most stores don't carry audio cassettes anymore, I was pleased to find them online.  My requirements were met completely.  The item arrived on time and in good condition.
I have used Maxell Cassettes for over 30 years and never have been disappointed.  If you ar an audio purist, don't purchase this, go for the higher bias.  For normal folk like me with tin-pan ears, this product carries audio to near perfection and at a real bargain price, whether that price is retail or sale.
it's funny to appreciate a source for these tapes, but I do.  I may be old fashioned, but I still like using my cassette player and tapes.
These are very good tapes.They have good sound quality.They were of a very reasonable price.I enjoy using these tapes.I would recommend them to everyone.Cissyyypl
these blank cassettes were a match  to my coby cx244  which i ordered at the same time and matched to my cassette machine
I have no idea how good they are.  They are Maxell, and they work fine.  I wouldn't know how good the quality is because I make tapes and send them to people.  I don't have time to listen to them to check them.  No one has ever complained about them or commented on the quality of them.  A tape is a tape.  I don't know that there is any difference in any of the tapes.  There was one brand that would drag.  These do not drag.  They go through the recording cycle smoothly.  They were a good price, and came quickly.  I will certainly buy more of them if I need more.
Yes.  Love these and a good price.  It's hard to buy these in bulk in a store anymore.  Cassette tapes are becoming a thing of the past!!
I'm glad I was able to find cassette tapes at such a reasonable price.  I have enough to last a looong time.
I'm so happy to be able to order these audio tapes through Amazon.  The product is excellent and the price is low.  The only problem is the cost of shipping.  The shipping cost for my order equaled the cost of the product.  Why should it cost twenty dollars to ship a small box of audio tapes?  There must be some way to bring shipping costs down.
Great item - love buying in bulk whenever we can - we high recommend this product to anyone who still uses cassettes
The price a lot of tape for the money.  I like this tape again for what I want to tape now.  I have not tied any music yet.  I would  tell any one about this tape. Also the seller is very good.  I DID NOT LIKE THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE  SONY 5C90HFR 90-MIN. HF TAPES.  THE PRICE OF THE TAPE WAS FAR LESS THAN THE DEALER CHARGED ME FOR S-&-H  AND I AM STILL WATING FOR MY REFUND FROM THIS  SELLER  I WAS SENT A EMAIL TO RETURN THE TAPES NOW THIS DEALER HAS THE TAPES & ALSO MY MONEY. I DO  NOT WHAT IS GOING ON NEVER NEVER AGAIN NOT WITH THIS SELLER.
Perfect amount of tapes to help me get my rhythm down and gain a flow for my poetry. I love it.
these tapes get the job done well. i have had no problems with it and it works great for taping my vinyl.
I immediately passed this link to friends still using Magnetic Cassette tapes. They are getting harder to locate and this brand, length and packaging are excellent. Arrived on time and in perfect condition. I might add that the box looked like it had a hard shipping experience. No damage to tapes, or their plastic cases.
This was hard to find in stores, and you had it at a great price.  I will order again if I need more!
This was an awesome bargain.  I pay over twice this amount for tapes at local stores.  I record our church services for my husband, cause he drives trucks and is not always in town.  I am glad that I have been able to save money.
Even with shipping, these cassettes are about a dollar a piece, just an outstanding value, and I never left the comfort of my house, thanks to Amazon and their fine group of business's, I'm totally satisfied.  In this day of higher fuel costs I enjoy the option of shopping online and trust Amazon to do the work for me while I save a few dollars on gas, just seems like a good economic decision.  Jeffco
For anyone looking for audiotapes, these were the best deal around.  Came quickly and much better price than anywhere else.
I use these tapes for recording our E-Board Conference Calls, they are getting harder to find, that is the reason for ordering the 15 pack.
I needed cassettes for a show we are putting on in my community - to copy music our piano player & maestro put together for us.  these came promptly!  thanks!!
I ordered micro cassettes and got these, I was angered by the miscommunication and went with another seller, got exactly what I wanted so I am happy. I did not try these out. I don't have a standard cassette recorder.
was needed for choir practice, very convenient, good buy,served it's purpose well, was pleased to be able to find them
I know nobody uses cassette tapes any more, so I was greatful to find these.  I know its a little backwards, but I make tapes off of the CDs our church sends out to people who request them.  I copy the sermon onto tapes for some men in prison here in Arizona and was relieved to find I could still purchase them at a decent price.
Maxell manufactures excellent 90 minute cassette tapes for all purpose general recording. As long as you have the right kind of equipment, these tapes record the sounds of record albums, radio shows, CD-Rs, people talking and more. These tapes have 90 minutes worth of blank recording tapes on them so there are 45 blank minutes for recording on each side. The features of this tape, as one reviewer correctly notes, make it good for recording lectures and music using standard, less expensive home stereo equipment. The tape playback will work well in any basic tape deck including the one in your car.If you pay the Amazon price of $6.75 for the fifteen-pack you spend roughly 45 cents per tape and that's very inexpensive. The tapes allow you hours upon hours of listening enjoyment because you can record over them many times; and they take up very little room so they're easy to carry around with you.Unfortunately, these tapes cannot produce the same quality recording reproduction as a digitalized copy would give you. This means that if, hypothetically, you were to copy a CD-R onto another CD-R instead of a Maxell cassette tape, the quality of the sound on the CD-R copy would be sharper and clearer with less background noise than a Maxell cassette tape or any other brand of cassette tape could give you. Maxell also manufactures higher quality cassette tapes including the Maxell XL-II; but it's still not the same as a digitized CD-R recording. Moreover, cassette tapes can break if not handled with care. They can also break if used a few too many times, too. Therefore, I recommend that any important recorded material should be copied onto another blank tape and then keep that second tape in a safe place to use as a backup. These shortcomings frustrate me and therefore I will have to take off one star to make this a four star review.The tapes have small pieces of plastic on the narrow top of each cassette which you can punch out easily so that accidental recording over an existing recording is impossible. If you do wish to record over an original recording then you can merely place a small amount of regular tape over the hole. The cassette tape is now ready to record a fresh recording.Overall, Maxell makes a great choice when you want reliable cassette tapes to record music, the radio, people talking or anything you wish to record. I have used this brand for decades and I cannot think of any major complaints. I highly recommend Maxell normal bias 90 minute cassette tapes for you to use when you need to record something onto a tape.
So I acutally bought these tapes for an art project and I am not going to be "using" these at all.  I don't even have a tape player anymore.Both projects are lamps made out of either just the cassette tapes or the tapes in their cases.  Thought I would give both a try and see which I liked better.I really like the first one better, I bought different kinds of lights to try out inside the base.I have also seen people spray paint these neon colors and hang them from string in rooms, put on walls.  Fun art to remember a cool time when you rewound tapes with pencils so you didn't waste batteries. :P
I needed to buy cassettes elsewhere than where I was buying them from.  They were getting more expensive each and every year.  Luckily I thought about looking here.  I found cassettes at a price from a period of many years ago.  It literally brought back childhood memories, well not really, but it was very inexpensive.  I still like recording on my old cassette player but found many stores not carrying cassettes on their shelves.  And when they did, the prices were high.  I highly recommend purchasing cassettes here on Amazon, they have many different brands to chose from.
I purchased this 15 pack of cassettes for a relative and she has used them with no problem. It was a good buy at a great price!
This 10 pack of audio tapes will work well for recording sermons on an old recording system.  Price was right.
All right, I did not time the recording to make sure I actually got 45 minutes on each side, but the tape snapped into place securely, and I recorded from one end to the other without it tangling inside the recorder. When I played it back, it played back smoothly with no skips or tangles. I have used three or four of them without a hitch, but then I generally do rely on Maxell for my taping needs so I was not surprised. I will buy more again when I need more.
I always order these cassettes online. Although people now use CD's, I give a taped session to my clients as a courtesy so I don't have to deal with burning CD's. Buying online is less expensive and easier to find. Saves me the trouble of locating a store that still carries them. Usually one Walgreen's that I know of has them but its hit or miss.
Recently found a really great Onkyo 3-head, 3-motor cassette deck for playing my old cassettes from years ago - for low dollars.  This is the best price I've seen on good normal bias tapes - the chrome (high bias, Type II) are just too pricey - but these sound just fine for all my music, whether rock, jazz, country or classical.  Getcha some before the Type I prices get stupid, too.  And enjoy some George Jones singing along with a Beethoven tune while David Sanborn blows his sax and Jimmy Page picks his axe.
I was worried that I had cut too short my time for ordering these tapes, but they arrived by the time I needed them, and I've had no problems.
I ordered these for my mother and she likes them.
if you love to record music from cd's or the radio, & dont want to pay an arm & a leg for good quality tapes, these are for you!  i have bought 3 '15' count packages of them so far. im very happy. i intend to buy more.
Hard to find cassettes anymore so I was happy to get 15 for a decent price. I hope I can find more. Very happy with my purchase.
SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE THESE CASSETTES OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEMS IN THE QUALITY OF SOUND PRODUCED BY THEM, I REALLY ENJOY THE BLANK TAPES AS I AM ABLE TO DO WHAT I NEED TO GET DONE, NO PROBLEMS.
Have used most of them to dub conversations recorded with a now deceased mom and gave copies to each of my siblings.  Great value.
Great product.  With all the new technology cassette tapes are becoming hard to find locally and the prices...  Great price and quality!
use in older security systems , works fine, life expectancy  used  1 night a week about 1-2 years, getting hard to find now that everything is digitalEdit 3/10/2013some of the tapes refues to rewidn completely, one after only a few days use, some kind of internal binding? one screeches liek a banshee on rewind but works fine, 1 broke.so far 3 of 6 work ok , 1 works poorly, 1 fights rewind , 1trashed in can.lower review to a 3
I have found Maxell to be one of the reliable VHS tapes.  (Sony and TDK I have always found good too.) For those who don't know, the 160 minute uses thinner tape in order to get it on the same reel as a 120.  When tape is thinner there is more possibility for the layers to stick to each other by static electricity. Therefore I don't recommend 160 for repeated reusing but for some long thing, or somethings adding up to 8 hours (at SP) to save and watch sometime.  The 120s I use and reuse a lot, and keep a lot too.  :-)  Long may the VCR's survive.P.S.  oooops! Made an error above.  I said 8 hrs. at SP. Of course, we all know SP is the fastest. LP or SLP - whichever your VCR has as slowest is what I meant. Fast speed recording is considered best by some. Pause at SP gives a jerky picture. At SLP you can pause and get a quite steady look at a particular shot, and the overall clarity and quality of the recording I consider quite OK.
I like it for the hours, but if it was clear. It would be better without the lines through the screen. It is like watching a frozen tape. I put in one of my others which I recorded on. It turn out to be fine.  These must of been used tapes. Then repackage to look new.
These are wonderful for recording anything you like if you still have a VCR!  I will use them and order more!
There actually is no glich in Amazon's system, they just need to update their picture, so what the other reviewer got was correct, like the title says all Maxell GX-Silver tapes are what is now released "Standard Grade", and HGX-Gold is now released as "High Grade".
I bought this pack specifically because each tape is 8 hrs long. This length is useful for recording sports programs especially that tend to run pretty long.The quality of the picture is still pretty good even at 8 hrs. So far I have had no problems with these tapes. I suggest cleaning the tape deck once in awhile to prevent your recordings from having that annoying picture noise.I got these at a good price(just under seven bucks) on Amazon. VHS tapes are difficult to find nowadays in a regular store so I am glad I can still purchase these on Amazon.
If you still use blank VHS VCs like I do, this three pack is really handy. I know that most of us are using DVDs now, but I still find a use at times for an eight or nine hour VC and this fills the bill. This tape stands up pretty well to being used over and over and I would surely suggested it if tape is what you need.
Recently I tried using VHS tapes that hadn't been used in years and although brand new - they kept getting jammed in VCR's around my home.  This product did not - Thank God.
These tapes are oustanding. Brillant picture. No tracking problems. I used to buy another name brand 8 hour, to many tracking problems. First time buyer for Maxell very happy with the product excellent price and quality.Believe me I have gone through tapes since VCR;s first came out still have the original GE VCR. Cannot go wrong with the Maxell.
Two of the three didn't work at all terrible quality the other gave out soon after so I thru them away.
I often have more than 6 hours of tape to record, so a few eight hour tapes are good to have around the house.  Maxell is a reliable brand, and I am sure it will last through many recordings.
Terrible--waste of money.  Am used to buying from Amazon & being happy, so did not savereceipt--not worth sending back--not worth keeping--catches in VCR & what records is staticy --never worked  from day 1.
Quality of tape usage is extremely limited.
I gave these tapes an OK rating because they were OK for recording only one time on them but if you had to re-record on them they were no good and unfortunately I found this out the hard way. I would only recommend  these tapes to someone who is only going to use them one time.
The tapes are excellent. No trouble with them at all.  I use T-160 so that I can record 2 full hours using SP.
Great product that performs exactly as needed.  Great look to it and could not be more pleased.  I live in the absolute boondocks, 88 miles from the nearest WalMart, 50 miles from even a McDonalds burger stand.  I absolutely count on amazon.com to order things I need, they are nicely delivered by mail, UPS or FedEx and spare me the need to travel long expensive miles for some of the simplest things.  AMAZON.COM ROCKS!!!!
Harder and harder to find VHS tapes these days.  These came quickly and insure I won't run out any time soon!
I am just happy to have a source to buy blank videos--at such an attractive price!I guess i am a dying breed today....
One of the tapes clicked and made noises.  Rest appeared ok.  Probably will try Sony brand next time I buy more
When i bought this product, i got Silver, i like silver and eight hours means less tapes to buy, i always tape LP which is about 5 hours, works for me.
Yes, some of us still have VCR's.  I really like the 8-hour tapes, space-saving!
Maxell tapes purchased to record from security system. They work just fine. Nothing fancy, but wasn't looking to purchase movie quality tapes. I would purchase these again if I needed more tapes. They do record a full eight hours; which is becoming hard to find these days. Very satisfied with my purchase.
My Maxell 213030 VHS T160 Standard Grade - 3 Pack arrived on time and in good condition.  It is very hard to find VHS in retail stores, but I am glad these tapes can be found here at Amazon and other websites as well.  These can record up to 8 hours.  I have a VHS tape eraser, which is a giant magnet, so when after viewing my recorded program I erase them to record another program.  Very durable.  Can be reused over and over again, best when you erase with the tape eraser, otherwise you will see your old program under your new program.  I recommend this product.  I rate this a 5 star.
I was very pleased with the quick delivery, excellent packaging, and quality of the tapes.  They are hard to find these days, and I still only know how to use the VHS for copying. Someday I will graduate to DVD's or whatever, but until then, I hope the VHS tapes will continue to be available.
I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, EXCEPT THAT THEY GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY'S WORTH. IT'S GETTING HARDER TO FIND THESE, THOUGH. WHEN AMAZON RUNS OUT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO.
Good for those who still tape programs but don't archive.  Price could be better (e.g. $2/per tape).  Was almost given away during VHS days
Very good VHS tapes for us dinosaurs who still have our VCRs.
My husband was very please with these VHS tapes and he was excited about the price.  He would definitely purchase more at a later date.
Only place I can still get VHS tapes so i can tape my favorite programs and then watch when convenient
I bought a ten pack of Mwaxell eight hour standard grade along with a six pak of sony premium grade six hours and used the Maxell's first and just after one month they where all thrown in the trash. What about my sonies? still working after four months
This product is fine for the use that I intend.  I still record to VHS occasionally, but my old tapes are starting to disintegrate.  It was time for new ones.
I still use a lot of VHS blank tapes and was very happy to find them here. Keep it up.
they're VCR tapes what else can i say. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Very good!!
still love my VHS player & need these.  Since most stores no longer carry these, Amazon is the perfect source
I'm Grateful for tapes that have 8 hours on them Ever since this length has been created it makes it better than the prior footage ones created of 6 and 7 1/2.So if I feel 8 is enough and when 9 isn't as necessary then I'm grateful enough as it is.So this why i bought a couple time from here as much this 3 pack as the singles of the 9 hours speed.
Perfect for people like my daughter who like to record their favorite shows to watch after work at night. With up to 8 hours on a tape, you can get quite a few shows on one tape (of course I don't recommend recording on slow speeds if you want to keep a quality recording.)A perfect solution for those who don't want the expense of Tivo or similar devices.
Item is top-notch for those of us dinosaurs who still use VHS tapes (I have six working in the house (as well as many others in various states of [dis]repair), plus DVD recorders/players.However, I can't say much about the packaging from Amazon.  The enclosure was open (YES, OPEN!) at two ends and no paperwork was enclosed.  I'm hoping someone at Amazon reads this and corrects their quality Assurance procedures.Although the tapes are 5-star, I'm giving this order a 3-star rating because of the packaging.
Reliable 8-hour & 10 min of video taping. I found 8-hour & 10 min more useful than 6 hours when adding movies to fill up the tape.
The clips contain cables well, but the adhesive is a little weak.  I ended up having to tack the clips down with small nails to hold them in place.
adhesive tape dried and released after 2 months. all connectors released about the same time and fell off the wall.
These clips are just the right balance of size and functionality. I read review about the adhesion of the sticky pads so I skipped them an went straight to heavy duty Velcro which should turn out the be a better solution. As I add components to the entertainment center I can take the clips down add the cord and re-stick them to the surface, so with the velco they work great!
The six routing clips are a bit stiff & do not lock in the cable as with other similar clips but with little effort wires can be inserted.The two &#34;bowtie &#34; bondler clips are also very stiff where it will take an effort in slip wires in ( both these are for a semi-permanent install ).I am not concerned with the self-adhesive mounting pieces provided as I will apply my own.The two &#34;corner mount cable channels &#34; are a 5 star rating, each channel will hold 2 cables such as cat , coaxial, HDMI.securely
The paper with the adhesive is separate from the clips. You have to position the paper on the clip and then pull off a paper to reveal the sticky side. That would be OK, but I used 4 medium clips to hold my shaver wires in the bathroom and all have fallen off. Probably good for everywhere else, I have not tried yet.
I applied these clips but the adhesive was not sufficient for painted walls.A telephone wire might be O.K. but two 10baseT Ethernet cables draged them &#34;of the wall&#34;.Light wheight only.
Not what I wanted or expected, from the picture, I thought they were all individual clips that broke apart, I have used the individual clips already and might find a use for the multiple cable pieces in the future.
Sturdy parts- good for computer cable control. Shipped very quickly even though it was at the hopis time. Durable parts very- good price.
These clips are useful for running cables. I am running the cable for 20 feet. I would recommend this product to others.
Nice little packet of thingamabobs.  Mostly useful for wrangling cables, but a few of the pieces have seemingly limited utility.But for the money, they're passable.  Nice to have little things to keep cords out of the way.  Would probably buy again.
I  purchased these rechargeable batteries for my daughter and myself. In the description it said twin pack AA batteries. So I ordered 2 packs and was billed for 2 pack shipping. But when I received the batteries, it was a for pack. So if I only received 1 pack of 4 batteries instead of a 2 twin pack of batteries. Why was I billed for 2 twin packs instead of just paying for 1 4 pack. Very confusing.
these batteries are exactly what i expected (@1.3 Volts) and work well for any electronic device i put these in i plan on buying even more in the future this is a Great buy
NiMH rechargeable batteries are a step above the standard NiCads that gave rechargeables their bad rep.  NiMHs usually provide more stable and  slightly higher voltage (though still below alkaline levels) for extended  periods of time.  They have no &quot;memory&quot; problem, so you don't  have to worry about completely discharging them, and depending on the  situation, they may perform either better or slightly worse than  alkalines.For instance, I always use NiMH batteries in my CD player.  They last about 90% as long as alkalines and, of course, are reusable.  A  quick one-hour charge will get the same pair going again.Where NiMHs  really shine, though, is in momentary high-drain devices such as digital  cameras and camera flashes.  In a recent report, Consumer Reports had to  rescale its battery ratings because NiMHs perform so well.  In one digital  camera that I use, alkalines will last for one flash-card of pictures;  NiMHs last for over 3.While the Energizer (and recently Rayovac) brands  are quite inexpensive, they only last about 85% as long as the Radio Shack  brand.  Cost versus run life is the only consideration here, and these  batteries are just great for CD or tape players.Note: You will need a  NiMH-specific charger to charge these batteries.Overall recommendation:  If you use even a moderate number of batteries frequently or listen to  music on a portable player, NiMHs are a worthy investment.
The package showed this was for digital cameras. It worked well when I was deleting old photos, but when I tried to use it during the occasion for which I purchased these, I did not have enough power.
I bought these to replace my old burnt out batteries. They work just fine; charged and stayed charged. No complaints
I buy rechargeable batteries since we have a million things in our home that need batteries. They do stop holding their charge after awhile but it's worth the extra money because for the price, they're still cheaper than non-rechargables.
good battery, generally do not have big problems, but I do not get the desired packaging,2 batteries come with me in one plastic bag
I fully charged them, put them in my digital camera, and immediately got the &#34;low battery&#34; signal. Not made is US. I do not recommend them.
use on my outdoor solar lights, they hold up better than factory installed batteries, good value as long as the shipping and taxes are free.  And NO gas to drive to store..
Bought these batteries to use with the Kodak battery charger (which ships with 4 AA batteries.)  Plan was to use them for my digital camera.They work, but unlike the batteries that ship with the Kodak (which are 1600  mAH-rated), these batteries are rated at only 1200 mAH.  mAH means  milli-amp hours and is a measure of the amount of power the battery can  store and deliver before needing to be recharged.So, they deliver only  75% of the life of the higher-rated batteries.  My digital cam responds to  this with a half-battery indicator, even when all 4 batteries are at full  charge.
Those batteries comes on plastic bag package, not as original picture package, but work perfectly for my tv control. worth the price.
After going through my first 4-pack of alkaline batteries in my digital camera in only 1 day, I immediately looked into rechargables.I hadn't purchased any rechargables in a while, back when only NI-CADs were the only option.  I was often a victim of the memory effect, which NI-MH completely eliminates.My camera has both an LCD display and a viewfinder, and the batteries will usually last about 2 or 3 days of picture taking unless I use the LCD monitor, which will reduce the longevity to about a day and a half.If you transfer your pictures directly from your camera instead of a card reader, your battery power will suffer a great deal.Overall, I'm satisfied with these batteries, but with today's higher-drain cameras, I'm sure there are other batteries that will hold a stronger and longer charge.
For me they work great, I use them for my xbox controller with headphones connected to it, philips sonicare toothbrush (which to my surprise needs two AA batteries) and so far so good. They seem to last a lot longer than the regular batteries. Also reusing them saves our dying planet lets not forget :)
really good deal for only 7 dollars. they came very quick and work like there supposed to. i got what i pad for and have no regrets.
Fast accurate service. What else can I say about batteries  I've just got? So far they hold the charge and the price was great.
These batteries are better than the old NiCd ones.  Here I just want to talk about the different models of these batteries.  The oldest model (that I have seen) is 1200 mAh, the newer one is 1600 mAh and the newest one is 1700 mAh.  I believe that the older ones will work fine but I think maybe we should not use the different models together because they have different power rating (just like we should not use new and old batteries together).  I purchase them from a local store and they have all 3 models on the shelf (same UPC).  Later I have to exchange several of them because of the above concern. The two older models are almost identical (blue/gold) except for some small details.  The new one is much different (green/silver).
I have had this camera for about a year and I love it.  It takes wonderful close-up pictures of people and images, but doesn't well on distance shots even 10 to 12 feet.  It will hold from 12 to 96 pictures before having to download, depends on the resolution that you use.  But I print my pictures  on a gloss photo paper and use a cannon bubblejet 5000 with a photo  cartiage.  You can't hardly tell the difference between one of mine and a  photo store.  I love being able to take pictures of my grandchildren and  going straight to the pc and printing them out without having to wait.  The  price has come down about $100.00 since I bought mine.  It was $299.00 then  and it was a GREAT buy even then.
This was the second digital camera I picked up, to replace an early one that was fine for the time, but...The PDC640 takes decent pictures &quot;for the web,&quot; as others have said. If that, and simple needs, are all you want, great. Do yourself a favor, though, and pick up a USB media card reader. The software and serial cable are not supported under WinXP, or on a Mac - but the images are stored on the card as .jpg files, readable anywhere. The USB reader will be *many* times faster than the serial cable, as well, and no special software is needed.If you print the pictures (full page) you'll notice some problems - but if you're to the point of printing pictures, you'll want a higher resoution camera anyway. It also takes a LONG time to charge, and several seconds between shots to recharge. Battery life really depends on what batteries you buy - cheap ones, it'll eat like a kid with candy. Buy decent batteries (or rechargables) and they'll last a long, long time.When the batteries are ready to go, though (1/4 left in the indicator) the pictures get awfully dark - you can see them get darker and darker. The viewscreen will, of course, eat them faster.If you need high resolution, zoom, etc. this isn't the camera for you. For quick family pics, though, it's fine.
The Green LED in the viewfinder and fast drain of batteries are my only negative comments. I have had the camera for 6 months. It just is easy to use and I love the LCD preview screen. My first digital camera did not have  that. The PhotoMax software is OK. I use another software package to store  and sort my pictures. I am going to order the 8 M chip to store my Summer  vacation shots till I get home
I am rather surprised at some of these reviews, because this camera has been heaven for me! Ever since I got it for Christmas, I've taken about 700 pictures with it, and they are always of extremely high quality. Nothing is  simpler to use than this camera, whether its taking a picture, setting up  the serial port, or the software. I love the funkiness of the software and  of the camera, and I hope I have it for many years to come. IT RULES!  Get  this camera, the pictures are beautiful and crispy high quality. Graininess  is not an issue with this cam. The people on my class winter weekend trip  had loads of fun with it as well, cause it's so easy to use :D
I won a Polaroid PDC 640 Creative Kit in a contest.  Given its current MSRP, I would not have purchased it due to the limited resolution (640 x 480 pixels).  The market is full of digital cameras with better resolution (1-1.5 megapixels) for about the same price.As ease of use goes, it doesn't get much better than this.  You simply put in the batteries, install the SmartMedia card, turn it on, and start clicking away.  In order to download the pictures you've taken the software must be installed to your computer.  In response to the one reviewer who complained about the software not being compatible with certain editions of Windows, you need merely to go to Polaroids's website and download the patch for Windows 2000 or in my case, Windows XP.  It took only a few minutes to download and I was soon up and running.This camera is fairly intuitive if you have at least a working knowledge of digital cameras.  I found myself only having to review the user's manual once, and it is fairly straightforward. The green flash indicator in the viewfinder makes it difficult to frame your shot as one previous reviewer noted, and aside from the limited resolution this is about the only other negative thing I can say about the camera.  Although it interfaces with the computer via serial cable as opposed to the much faster USB, I haven't found this to be a major problem.  I downloaded 14 pictures to my PC in only about 2-3 minutes just the night before writing this review.  Picture quality is fair in the high resolution mode, good in super high resolution mode.  I don't recommend using either the medium or low resolution settings.Lastly, regarding battery life complaints I haven't found the PDC 640 to be any worse than any other digital camera.  The kit includes an AC adapter which I highly recommend be used for downloads, which accounts for considerably more battery drain than actual picture taking.  The resolution mode you use will also make a difference (higher resolution = more battery use).If you're looking for an easy to use digital camera the PDC 640 is a very good choice.  If you want the highest quality that digital photography has to offer, look elsewhere...but you'll have a slightly more complicated camera.
If you are unsure that you will use a digital camera and just want to see what all the fuss is about, this is the camera for you.  Wifey and I had been kicking around the idea of getting a digital camera for a while, but  the pile of &quot;toys we don't play with anymore&quot; was too large to  warrant buying something expensive on a lark.  We shopped around and found  the Polaroid didn't have all the bells and whistles that we'd read about in  all the gizmo magazines, but it didn't carry that price either.  I don't  think that two days has gone by without us using it in some way. If you run  on line auctions or post pictures to a web site this little guy will do  everything you need.  Need something to e-mail pictures to grandma?  You  can even hook it up to a TV with the included cables and run a slideshow  for the family.  The software it comes with is fairly easy to use and setup  was a breeze.  The serial connection is quite a bit slower than USB, but  for the price there are really no complaints. Like I said before, if you  want to try out digital photography and see of it's a fit for you pick up  this camera.  Try it for a year until the mega pixel guys come down in  price.  You won't be disappointed.
I bought this camera knowing that it was a low end model so I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the pictures are. They are perfect for the web and email but not worth a hoot for printing. Don't bother. It took me two days to figure out that the serial cable was just not completely plugged into the hole in the camera, I almost threw it out the window before I pushed the connecter hard and heard it finally snap into place. I'm dissappointed that there are no NT drivers so I can hook it up to my laptop. I'd buy it again. Definitely get the 8MB memory card. You can store 44 pics at the highest resolution (640x480). That's great!
This is exactly what I wanted.  I use it all the time the quality is good and it is a dependable unit.
I was looking for a charger like this one for a while, brand new price seemed too high for what I needed it. Found this used one which works great to charge my video light batteries.
The battery charger works as it should. If you need one, buy it.They charge a variety of Sony cameras including the  Mavica.
Excellent charger. Just one word of warning - I plugged one of these into a 120v supply to test it prior to a trip to the USA and then plugged it back into a 220v supply. It went bang !  I should have waited some time and removed the battery from the charger.
Until I got this charger, I struggled with battery problems constantly in the field (I am a professional radiographer and do considerable field photography on archeology projects in the summers in Peru).  This charger is perfect....lightweight, fits in my camera bag easily, and gives me a full day of work without worrying about when the battery will run out when I am hours from a recharging plug.There is adequate charge in two regular NP batteries to allow me to run 400-500 high res still images on my Sony Mavica CD digital camera.  This accessory is worth every penny!
Easy way to order these tapes.  Not stocked locally.  Just point and click and two days later they were on my front porch thanks to Prime.
Bought for my activated Sony TRV43 camcorder, which was lying unused for 6 years. Good for recording VCR quality video.For Hi8 or Digital 8 camcorders.
My friend keeps asking me to order these; they are perfect for her recording on the camcorder.  This is her second pack.
Does the job at a great price. Meets the needs of family recording device. Make sure you have a few extra on hand.
got here in good time works great packaged well does the jobi will always buy these kinds of awesome tapes for my machine
This item was cheaper than most of the others I found.  It arrived in a timely manner and works very well.  Great product for the price
Bought these tapes as my dad as an old camera that only records these types. There's nothing else to really say other than they work like they should and are exactly as advertised. Product came relatively quickly as well.
Well, like my title says, this bag was perfect for my little Fuji digital.  I'm able to throw in 2 sets of batteries in the side pockets, carry my wallet and cell in the front zip, the camera in the middle, and an extra memory card.My only complaint about this bag is the lack of stability in the middle.  Unless your very careful, with a lot of bumping, I think the camera would get damaged = not a good thing.  But overall, if you need a quick, down and dirty bag, this is pretty darn good.  For the money, it's worth it.
Those who say that they can't fit their camera must have a full blown camera that is bigger than my USB powered zip drive (that doesn't fit in the bag, but only 25% of it's length stics out) The Olympus Stylus Zoom 80 camera I bout fits in the front sendondary compartment and you can shove 2 rolls of film in that same compartment and have the big primary compartment leftover for all the other stuff.  The primary compartment will hold 4 zip250 disks in their cases plus the usb connector cable, with the camera in the secondary compartment.  Bottom line, this is probably the best camera bag you can buy for $10 or less.
I love this case it is tough and durable and can easily fit in suitcases and it has lots of pockets for rolls of film and extra batteries if you had to choose one fairly inexpensive case I would choose tis one
I bought this for my ...+ digital camera and it's done a great job of keeping it safe.  It doesn't really have any foam inside that I can see but there's something about it that makes it "thick" and strong enough to deflect most blows so your camera remains in perfect condition.  I also use the many zippered areas to store things such as batteries and extra memory cards.The only negative comment I have to make is that I still consider it to be big.  I like the idea of slipping my camera in my pocket but this case would never fit.  You would have to attach it to your belt or, like me, carry it around in your hand.  That's why I only give this 4 out of 5 stars.
The bag itself is okay.  I didn't like the material though.  It is actually entirely black vinyl (like a kids backpack) and it doesn't have the contrasting colors like it shows in the picture.  It holds cameras well though.  I have a rather large point and shoot and it fits quite nicely.  I would have been happier if it looked like the one in the picture though.
nothing fancy, but durable and reliable.  meshing is good to store items.
This carry case was perfect for my Kodak DC240.  It was only big enough to carry my camera, extra batteries and perhaps 3 or 4 extra flash cards.  In other words, there was no needless bulk (the padding seemed to make much of the size - but it gave necessary protection).  It was much easier to access the camera and extras than all the other bags I've seen (due to its outer flap and inner zippered flap that both opened wide).  The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because the outer flap did not seal in such a fashion that sand and such could be well kept out (it was not really a problem on my Caribean vacation however).  The other point and shoot camera bags I've seen which could handle sand better due to a zippered enclosure - also were terribly difficult to get my camera in and out of.
It's as if this bag was custom made for the Canon PowerShot A20. The camera compartment is the perfect size; not too big or too small. The front compartment holds 4 AA batteries (a loop for each one), 2 CompactFlash cards and a box of 4 Duracell Ultra AA alkalines that came from a master pack from Costco (in case both sets of Ni-Mh's go belly up; not likely). Highly recommended for a camera the size of the A20.
This sturdy case has outlasted many cameras and I find it adequate for carrying my camera around.
Greg sorry to disagree but this case is too big (in height not in width) for a Canon Powershot A20.I like the batterie holders though.One other thing I HATE about this case, is the belt thing ... you have to remove your belt to put this case or to remove it ... too bad ...
A couple of weeks ago I picked up the Olympus D-490 and this was the case I bought for it. I must say that this is definitely a great product. It is extremely well built for it's price and hosts some good solid features. There are 2 compartments of storage: the main pouch and the front zippered accessory area. In the front zippered area there are 3 compartments: the battery elastic band which holds 4 AA batteries and 2 zippered mesh pockets. These pockets are large enough to carry memory cards and accessories for the D-490.The whole case is sturdy and built rugged with it's soft pading for the camera and durable bottom. I definitely recommend this bag for anyone who has a digital camera with the approximate dimensions of the D-490. You will enjoy this case as it is inexpensive, functional, sturdy, well designed and looks good.
I have the Kodak DC 3400 camera - and this carry case is perfect for it.  This case is compact - but yet large enough to take everything along that I need:  extra batteries, PC cables, the camera's manual and CD disk, and a Kodak AA battery charger.It works so well with the DC 3400, it's almost as if it was made for it.  Good case for the money.To see if this case is right for you, compare your digital camera's dimensions to Kodak's DC 3400.  If the cameras are similar in size, you're all set.
This case is the perfect size for the D-460 and accessories (case is approx 7&quot; tall X 3.5&quot; wide X 3&quot; deep). The main pouch is well padded and made of soft material. The bottom is reinforced to resist wear. Inside the front zippered pocket, there is a mesh pocket for memory cards, as well as an divided elastic band meant for 4 AA batteries. Inside the flap of the front pocket there is a zippered mesh pouch, which runs the entire legnth of the flap (approx. 6&quot;x3&quot;), for extra accessories.The only thing I dislike is the velcro on the main flap is a bit weak, and seems to come open without much force. I would have rather seen a zipper to keep the main pouch closed.Other than that, this is a fantastic case, and I recommend it.
Holds the camera, four spare batteries and Smart Media card(s). Doesn't look goofy or bulky.
I bought this for a Kodak DC280, and it was OK to use.  I guess that I realized Ithat I wanted a larger style bag, though this one worked if I just wanted to bring along the camera and an extra memory card.  I was never thrilled with it, and then I purchased a new camera (canon G1) that did not fit in this case.  That was when I realized how good life could be with a larger bag.If you want a small case to just carry your camera and a few very small accessories (4 AA batteris and a memory card or two), then this might be the one for you.  But it wasn't the right one for me.
This is the best camera bag I have purchased, especially since it has the quality of any other Case Logic product, superb!I own an old Toshiba PDRM1 digital camera, and in this neat little bag, there is a protected pouch for the camera, two storage areas for digital media, and a storage for 4-AA (or AAA) batteries.I think this bag is super convenient, since I can carry my extra SmartMedia cards and spare 4-AA batteries.  The size of the bag is small enough to fit in my travel bag, but yet, has a lot of storage space for all the necessities of a digital camera.I highly recommend for a small digital camera like my Toshiba PDRM1.  Dimensions of my camera: 4-3/4&quot; long by 3-1/4&quot; high by 1-1/2&quot; deep.  This camera is a perfect fit for this particular bag.
This bag really works great for the camera with strap, a battery or two and a memory card. That's it though don't plan on putting your car keys or cell phone in too it just won't work. Just the camera and that's about it. But, remember it is a camera bag!
This is a great quality bag with lots of storage, but if all you want is a simple bag to hold a single camera then it's probably not the bag for you.  There is so much interior space that most digital cameras would just bounce around.  I am using it as a purse; it holds my battery charger, fuji 4700, wallet, charger cables, sunglasses, cell phone and additional memory cards and disks well, but I'll get another smaller bag for when I only want my camera.  Unless you've got a huge camera or a million accessories I recommend a smaller bag.
I bought this bag to use with my Olympus C-4000.  Based on what other reviewers wrote, I expected the bag the bag to be more compact than it is (I could fit two of my cameras in there).  Construction and compartments are excellent, and it's a great bag if you have a few accessories to carry.
Alright, it's just a bag, but it's a great bag for the Olympus 3000.  It has room for everything I need for the camera.  The camera itself, battery charger, an extra set of batteries, a couple of extra media cards, the accessory cords for downloading.  All this fits into the bag very securely, without everything banging into each other, because of the pocket dividers.The bag is not too bulky, rather compact with padding.  The zippers function very well.  The pockets designed such that I don't have to worry about things falling out.  Overall, a very good bag to take along with the camera and recharging supplies.
Received this bag to go along with my Olympus C-4000.  It's quite a nice bag, relatively compact and easily fits my C-4000 with plenty of protection offereed by the walls of the case and padded divider.  There is plenty of room left for cables, a flash or even another camera if you've got one.  A mesh pouch on the inside of the main compartment flap offers a handy place to store my SM cards.  On the other side, another component offers 4 elastic loops for batteries,  and 2 mesh pouches (1 zippered) for storing more batteries or whatever else you might have.  I can easily store 3 sets of 4 AA batteries in here, with plenty of room for more SM cards.  And to top it all off, a zippered side pouch for another place to put stuff (nothing too thick though).  There's an adjustable carry strap that you can use to sling over your shoulder, plus handles on the top and side, so there are plenty of ways to grab onto the bag.  The only think I don't like about this bag is that mine doesn't seem to want to stand up.  It always ends up rolling over onto its back.  This however is a pretty minor thing.
fine bag. holds my Olympus D-460(and manual), 4 extra smart cards, 8 AA batteries, my kodak photolife k1000 AA battery charging kit, various cables, and FlashPath 3.5' floppy adaptor with ease.
ANd its rain resistant (got stuck in the rain at practice a few times), padded for drop protection and fits a boatload of stuff.  Got my gamboy on one side and my digicam on the other.  AA Batteries in the secret compartment, and money and stuff on the outside.
I own the Kodak DC3400 digital camera, and can't say enough about this case.  It has room for my battery charger, extra set of batteries, all PC cables, Kodak's software CD, and the manual that came with my camera.If your digital camera is similar in size to Kodak's DC3400, get this bag.  It's simply the best balance, between compact size - and having enough room for all your accessories.
I bought this case as an accessory to my HP 315 PhotoSmart digital camera. I like the camera very much so it may be biasing my view of the bag, but here goes:I like the bag. It is attractive to look at. It is a bit big for the camera I bought, but too big is better than too small!It's got one main pouch that is very large and I use it to hold my camera and all my cords.It has a shoulder strap that I don't like (because it makes me look like a tourist).Overall it is a very good bag, if a little large with an ugly shoulder strap.
This case has been even better than anticipated.  I can carry everything--extra memory, batteries, charger, cables for downloading to any computer, camera, software cds--everything!  It's different compartments hold and separate all the essential accessories that allow me to share photos where ever I am.  This is one of those truly helpful gifts to give to yourself or to someone else.
The Case Logic DC70 Digital Camera and Accessory Bag is great for Olympus C-3000, C-3040, C-3030 and the HP c315 xi and  a couple of other HP and Olympus models. However it is not big enough to room the Sony Mavicas. So dont bother getting this for those.I do have a problem with this bag and that is that it seems like the accessories on there are really stuffed onces your camera is placed inside it. Because the camera comes with the USB Cable and the tv connection cable and it's hard to  pack all of them in here with the camera without stuffing them in.....There's place for a battery recharger in there and a set of batteries along with the Compact flash cards. Overall this case is pretty decent although you've got to be careful not to let the case swing about from your arm and hit a wall or something. There are other websites selling this a little cheaper.
It's a shame they don't show pictures of the inside of this bag.  The top opens up and then the front zips down to reveal 3 mesh pockets meant for flashcards, floppy disks, and cables.  Actually, I use mine for a camera/binocular set I was given.  The point-and-shoot camera and compact binoculars fit in the main compartment easily together with the divider.  The mesh pockets don't hold bulky items, but it's good enough for a roll of file and a simple camera cleaning kit.  So I have the basics ready for travel in one small bag.I even bought another one for a personal 2&quot; TV.  The TV and its AC adapter are in the main compartment with a small pair of headphones in the front.  I initially wanted to get this bag for my digital camera and accessories.  But with a camera, battery charger, AC adapter, and three cables, it was just too much to fit inside this bag; I got a small camcorder bag instead.So this camera bag is great, but don't expect the pockets up front to hold much.
GG Ma is not 79 years any longer and sometimes doesn't get the fine print correct.The price was so out of line.  you should get 3 for that price.  I'll be more carefulwhat I get from Amazon in the future.
ordered the vcr tape to tape king of throne we live 30 miles from town so when it arrived got ready to record it didnt work the tape was broken so i threw it away
This tape, along with other VHS tapes made by Sony, are excellent for recording, especially from digital sources like TiVo.  The picture and sound quality is almost on par with a DVD.  I didn't realize this until one day I bought the Sony T-160 and a T-120 tape made by another brand.  After making two recordings from the same DVR source, I saw a big difference in quality between the two tapes, with the Sony being much better.  I then decided to re-record the movie that I taped on the first T-120 tape with a Sony tape (also a T-120) and the quality is just as good as the T-160 that I used earlier.  Since then, I only use Sony tapes for all my recordings.
Tape worked well --  no problem.  It's hard to find VHS tapes, so I was pleased. And they arrived promptly.
We can't find 8 hr. tapes in our town, and we are able to get a fast response from ordering thru Amazon.  Have it in our home in no time!!  Good value for the item!! Sony T 150 VHS Video
These tapes work well - have had no problems whatsoever. In the absence of TiVo and DVD Recorders, blank VHS tapes like this one does the job.
These tapes were excellent I have bought them from other stores and they would not even last thru a couple of recording.  Excellent Service Execellent Price and Fast Shipping.  I will buy from you again.  Thanks
It is very difficult to find any VHS blank tapes let alone high quality 160 tapes. The VCRs will fade into the sunset and VHS tapes are no longer manufactured over the next few years.  "Be smart, buy now."
I got this pair of 16x binoculars and the 10x, I normally use the wide eye piece setting of 70mm that most grown men use, and this pair only goes to 65 at best, I compared to the new 10x and an old 7x pair from 40 years ago... The quality from 40 years ago can't be matched by either pair, but the 10x pair does spread to 70mm, and are usable... But this 16x pair is useless.
I was looking to buy binoculars for my husband but didn't want to spend a lot of money. These are great for the price. The viewing quality is really clear and they're not too heavy to carry.
These binoculars are super nice.  They really get you close to the action, and the 3-D effect is terrific.  Detail and sharpness are very good as well.If you wear glasses, you're better off removing them.  If you leave your glasses on it just doesn't work very well.  On the other hand, you are allowed to adjust each  eyepiece separate if you're like me and don't see 20/20.  However, there is a trick to it because you can only adjust individual focus on the right eyepiece.  So you cover the right eyepiece and focus the binoculars, then cover the left side to fine-tune the focus for your right eye. I found it a bit counter-intuitive, and think it would be better if you could separately adjust the focus on each side.  Even so, once you have it dialed in, there are marks on the frame and the eyepiece that you can use as reference for when it gets borrowed or changed inadvertently.My biggest issue with these binoculars is that they won't focus in close enough.  The target has to be close to 100' away.  Since they're high-powered binoculars, that's probably ok for most uses.  But I spend a lot of time watching birds 20' from my window.  Now I'm going to have to buy another pair for that purpose.They're also heavy.  Expect to put them down often to rest.  That's probably normal for binoculars this powerful.  When my wife first used them, she was shocked at how large far-away objects were.
The view close to 75 yards is good. At farther distances the view crossed because the tubes are not aligned. If you want these for distance and most people would, you might be ok if you look with justone eye. Would not recommend.
These binoculars have good optical quality for a low price. The focus is a little tough to do because of the higher power. The focus lever is a little tight and it's easy to go past the focal point because you have to press so hard on the focus lever. The higher power makes it difficult holding these binoculars steady but that's not a fault of the binoculars but just the fact that this is probably the highest optical power you can use and still be hand held. Field of view is also pretty narrow but once again this is because of the higher power. On the plus side these binoculars have a big bright image. The optics is quite sharp and the price is very reasonable. I like them and use them for bird watching but I do realize the compromises I have to make to get high power at a low price.
These binoculars are just about the top of the range for this price range. For a perfect vision and a professional look (no pun intended), don't look any further.Slight dissapointment though when I received mine. The product was advertised as including a carrying case and a neck strap. The carrying case we received and is actually quite nice, but the neck strap was missing.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my father.  The first set did have some focusing problems, but the return was super easy and the new pair was on its way before I but the old one in the mail.  The second pair works wonderfully and he really enjoys them.
We use it for birdwatching and everytime we step outdoors. Perfect and great value for money
Was really looking forward to using these binoculars afterreading the other reviews, but they just don't work for meor anyone else I borrowed them to. Everything appears as"double vision" and all the adjusting of the width etc justdoesn't help. When I close one eye they work great as amonocular, but for both eyes they cause headaches.My old $15 dollar binoculars never had this problem. Willbe returning them.
i was actually pretty excited to get these, but when it arrived, it was defective. the monoculars didn't align, causing me to see double and 2 picture, not as one. also, there seemed to be a scratch of some sort on the right monocular. i tried to clean or blow it out to see if it was just an eye lash, but it never went away. i sent them back for a return.
We enjoyed our binoculars in Florida these past two weeks.  They work extremely well.  Great product.
I got these for under 60 dollars and I'm very happy with them so far (have had them for three weeks now).  The moon is coming into phase and I can see the craters on the surface of the moon easily.  Looking forward to the comet that's supposed to come in the last part of the year.
Luv it. Got choke features. Got da kine $19.99 from Gold Box even mo bettah. Nuff said?
Well built and a good value. Unfortunately, and somewhat ironically, the enjoyment of the product is frustrated by its strong magnification.Assuming that one is not using a tripod AND doing so virtually at all times, these binoculars are not pleasant to use other than briefly. While magnification is important (on occasion an even greater magnification than that offered by these binoculars would be ideal) the image is made simply too jittery by the strength of the magnification.A seemingly perfect solution would be a pair of binoculars that offers the capability to toggle the magnification from say 5x - 25x.
Great for viewing things outside - wildlife areaAwesome range and clear images you can see just about any animal that's outside.
We love the binoculars but be aware that even though the description on Amazon says these are tripod mountable, they are not. There's no place on them to attach them either directly to a tripod or to a tripod utilizing the Bushnell Binocular Tripod Adaptor. We had to return the adaptor for this reason.
I was really looking forward to getting these binoculars. I had owned Bushnell binoculars in the past and was very happy with them.These arrived totally broken.The left main lens housing was sheared completely off from the unit.Looking at them, I found they were constructed using cheap plastic for the main body. The lens housings are screwed into the body, but the plastic is so fragile that apparently when they were dropped sometime during the shipping process the plastic shattered.I probably could have Super-glued the housing back on but then they would have been subject to fogging since when the housing broke off the Nitrogen that is injected into the housing escaped. Nitrogen is used to prevent the lenses from fogging.While checking out the remainder of the unit, I worked with the quick focus lever and found that it didn't hold focus very well either. I would like to see a unit that has a dial focus with a lever fine focus so that the major focus point is stable. The lever focus would be really nice for finer focusing after you have zeroed in on the subject. I would have used them for viewing auto racing for the most part, so once you get the major focus point clear, a lever focus for fine focusing would be great for viewing a moving target like race cars that can vary in distance by up to 1/4 of a mile closer or further than the main focus point as the cars travel around the track. That is where the quick focus lever could do a great job. But to use it for the entire focus field is too much and it isn't fine enough since a tiny bump in the wrong direction can cause you to lose sight of your target object entirely.I also agree that the design of the focus bar is poor in that you have to use both hands to focus since you can only push down. Either that or if you have a long finger you can reach across the center and push down on the other side of the bar as well.I won't be reordering a replacement. Instead I will look for binoculars that have a more durable housing since using binoculars subjects them to being "knocked around" and if the material used by Bushnell shatters so easily, they are not going to last very long.So my advice to anyone who owns these particular binoculars is to protect them from being dropped or even bumped into trees, etc very hard since the housing is brittle and will shatter. If you use them in Winter, they will be even more brittle and the housing will shatter even more easily than in warm weather like we have now.I would also advise Bushnell to change their packaging since if they make a product that is this fragile they should pack it in thicker shock absorbing materials than they currently do since what they use wouldn't protect a product a fraction of the weight and bulk of this product. That would lessen the chance of catastrophic damage such as these were obviously subjected to.My cell phone, which weighs 3.5 ounces came in a corrugated box with a total weight of one pound with 10 ounces of that being the box and packing materials (the charger weighs about 2 oz).Yet these binoculars that weigh 12 TIMES as much as my cell phone, with optics that are far more vulnerable to damage from the shocks of shipping and handling than a cell phone have only a couple of ounces of material to protect them from damage and came in a box no sturdier than a cereal box. It is a miracle if any of these binoculars get to the customer in one piece!
This is a good binoculars. It is clear and light. Buy it only if you really need 16x magnification. At times, you will wish you didn't have so much of magnification. My next binoculars will be one with zoom !The carrying case is cheap-looking (so is the neck strap).
I bought these for the convenience of the rocker focusing vs. the normal knurled knob.  On receiving them, I'm very satisfied with them overall.  The focusing works great.  A couple of very minor issues:1)  They're not quite as bright as I was hoping for, but that goes with cheap.2)  I'm a bit confused on the location of the &#34;tripod socket&#34; at the front of the binoculars.  It's a standard 1/4&#34; tripod socket, but I'm not sure what good it does where it is.  Really just a &#34;wtf&#34; more than anything, since I probably won't ever need a tripod anyway.
Bought this in 2004 and it going great. 16x50 is on the higher end and I would recommend a smaller one because slight shake in the hand makes the objet move a lot, otherwise eit is good.
Love the binoculars just like everyone else.  Only complaint is the flimsy attachments.  The neck strap is impossible to attach and is obviously a piece of junk anyway so don't bother.  I find it annoying that the lens covers aren't connected in some way.  They pop off very easily.  Just seems to me like something that could easily be prevented with better design.  All things considered, these are really minor complaints.  The purpose is to get great binoculars for a great price, and that I did.  I would still highly recommend them.
They aren't wide-angle as advertised. They don't fold together enough to get a single vision through both lenses, so one always sees double. I had several friends try them and they all said the same thing, so it isn't just me. With a name brand like Bushnell I thought I couldn't go wrong, but apparently their quality control is non-existent. I ordered these while traveling out west and couldn't send them back until I got home. I tried to return them, but Amazon said the last return date was one day before, so I am stuck with these useless binoculars. I need to find someone whose eyes are really far apart and give them to them.
These binoculars have a whole lot of power and magnification for the buck, is the cheapest costing binoculars with the most power, easy to adjust and can read easily words from far away,a good tool for bird watchers,looking at the moon or eavsdropping on neihbors.
I purchased these with the intent of using for bird watching but they literally make me feel dizzy and green. No matter what I try, they just don't seem to provide a clear, distinct view. Seem abnormally darker than others I've used and never give a crisp clear view. On the other hand, they are by far more ergonomic than the old ones I owned, feel great, solid, nice set...but wish I'd kept my 30 year old set instead. Not good for bird watching. Can't begin to imagine for sports. Perhaps its my eyes? Unsure but they don't compare to 30 year old set.
When you're getting a pair of 16x50 binoculars at this price-point, it would probably be harsh of me to criticize them too hard, so long as I can see through them effectively :-)They're heavy - but that's what I expected, so no complaints there.The strap that comes with these is made of nasty thick plastic - a kind of strap that I haven't seen since I got a cheap SLR in the early 1980s. Completely pointless (unusable in my opinion), and the first thing I would advise is to go buy the strap/support system of your choice and don't relay on the nasty accessory that comes with.The binoculars come with lens caps on. I haven't figure out if they intend you to use them all the time to protect the lenses, or if they're just for show in the box. The large caps are fine, but the small ones do not stay attached, so don't rely on them to protect.In use, the quick focus mechanism is actually very effective but definitely requires two hands to operate as it's a little stiff (and as a lever, you have to be able to press down on either side). I guess few people would be operating something this heavy with one hand, but it does mean that both hands are under tension as you have to have fingers on the  focus mechanism.Optically, these are absolutely built to the price. Definite chromatic aberration here giving a nice blue/yellow fringe, especially at longer distances. But for the price, I kind of expected that. Diopter correction works well.Overall, a great product for the price. I would possibly recommend looking at spending a little more to get some better optics, but really for this money it's a great way to get this much magnification.
Binoculars are very powerful...the focus is simple and accurate.  Very pleased with the binocs and the price was terrific.
Great set of Binoculars, however, if I was to buy another set I would drop back to the 10x50's.  The 16x50 is a little hard to hold on a distant object.
They work and for the price I cant complain to much. The construction of the unit is almost all plastic and the ocular bridge flexes when you put any pressure on it. Though its nice to have a set of Bino's that don't break the bank if one of the young ones drops/damages/loses them. At 16x they can be little shaky off hand but I use this set primarily for spotting during rim fire shooting games and these binoculars make seeing .22lr bullet holes at 50yds very easy to see and score.
The only knock on these binoculars is that the image can be unsteady, but that's a product of the 16X magnification, so it's not really a product fault. If you've got a steady hand, you'll love these things. Great for sporting events or the theater, and great bang for the buck. Highly recommended.
I bought this for my husband as a gift. He enjoys it very much. The resolution is clear, and it's easy to adjust while viewing. Well made yet lightweight. Good product.
Use to go hunting, bird watching or let the kids explore. Clear and easy to hold, these are a must have around the house!
got these so I could use them for hunting and other spotting, little bulky, but good distance.  Comes with everything you need.
I bought a pair as gift and person I bought it for really likes them.  I compared with others and this was good buy for the money
The actual dimnetions of this product are 7" long and 7" wide ( at the end of the product- the part that we hold to our eyes is not quite as wide and fit to the eyes.These are VERY strong binoculars, they are 16x the magnification, the 50 ( the other #) is simply the size of the front lens.. its 50 mm in diameter ( wide)... they are very strong and you can see things very far away. If you need a pair for a concert or a football game or something, then I believe these would be way to powerful and large. ( also I read somewhere, and I think its true that anything over 10x the magnification ( these are 16x) that you should use a tripod, since its too hard to see properly, since it needs to be completely still.
good product for the price i buyed for a gift , the owner says to love it.
I've had these binoculars for almost 6 years. They've been OK, not great but for $50, you don't get the same quality as $400. They've never been dropped or even knocked over. Now, they've just stopped focusing. I *might* use these things for a few minutes every 3-4 weeks. Maybe. I'm pretty disappointed. I won't by a Bushnell product again. And I wouldn't recommend them to anyone either.
I purchased this binocs for a tiger safari in India and am amazed by the quality of this product. Certainly recommended and a great value for price. AAAAAAA plus quality.
Focusing impossible ! I own 2 Nikons and 2 West Marines with center wheel focusing and have no trouble.This rocker arm arrangement is problematic at best. It's either this or poor optics. Either way I will avoid these  in the future.
They were a gift for casual ASTRONOMY.  The distortion towards the edges of the field of view is rather large, but will not prevent you from enjoying if you have a love for the night sky.  They actually are pretty decent at collecting light - not too dim.  For $48-$60 really a good deal.The magnification is no problem on a tripod for astronomy, but even if you have steady hands, though it is very light, you won't see the faint stars nor easy nebulas as nice as you like - but that is not the binoculars faultt.  The "B" on the front of the axle is really a cap that you can remove and screw a tripod adaptor in.But - you still get what you pay for.  Two major problems.(1)  NEVER exposed these to any mistreatment, bangs or anything but kid glove overly careful treatment, in their case and during transport.  The pair I received had lost columnation terribly during use one night.  This means the image turn double because the two oculars became misaligned.  Sent it back to Bushnell, and for $10 UPS and their $10 lifetime warranty fee, they came back good as new (maybe it was another new pair, I couldn't tell since mine also looked new.  The columnation has been fine since then.  Hower, they were completely useless and made made me very nauseaous even to try to use and I missed them for a couple of weeks.(2) The focuser mechanism is very poor.  There is nothing you can do about this.  It frequently moves out of focus for any reason (press eyes softly against the rubber shades to avoid light, for example, or plenty of other reasons you can't figure out why.  It is a very coarse, crude focus as well, so while it moves quickly the additional speed comes at an unacceptable price, and you will always over correct before getting it right.  This impacts daytime viewing as much as astronomy.  Sure you get an image, but it does not a crisp image for the same reasons, whether you are conscious of this or not.  It would take looking through a real focused binocular to prove this when you are having so much fun...Binoculars are fun and it is easy to overlook these problems, but when you think about them you will realize the adage is true that you get what you pay for.  I don't know of an alternate suggestion that is better in the price range, but I have three years of use so far, and while in the short term my gift met the gift budget, in the long term with my love for astronomy and just "binocularing" I wish I could pay $50 more and get a nice circular focuser instead of this crude thing that rocks from sideto side with no accuracy at all.  Keeping them is just like having an old perscription of eyeglasses: useful, and let's you see - but you know there is much better.
Received the binoculars for Christmas two years ago. Worked fair out the box, although you have to constantly adjust the focus. You cannot just set it and forget it. Also if not held just right, I would see two images. I used them for duck hunting, and transport them in an ammo box. Last hunting season they started molding inside and a few weeks into the season, I could hardly see through them. I packaged them up and sent them to Bushnell for warranty repair. About a week later I receive the following message from Bushnell:I apologize for the inconvenience but this unit has suffered an impact which would not be covered by the warranty and in addition it has water damage which not being a water proof unit would also not be covered by the warranty. Please do not reply to this message. Bushnell Customer Service 1-800-423-3537. Thank you.I'm 60 years old, hunted all my life, and had several Bushnell binoculars over the years; however these Bushnell binoculars just don't hold up even with very limited field use. I have taken good care of these and yet Bushnell stated that nothing is covered under their "Limited Lifetime Warranty".  To recap, if you do purchase this Bushnell binocular, remember that the units are cheaply made and the "Limited Lifetime Warranty" is not worth the paper that it's printed on. Recommend that you save your money and look elsewhere for a decent binocular.
very good value. sharp images as long as you brace your arms; 16X also magnifies the shakiness 16 times! probably not as good as leupold or swarovsky, but at under $100 a little forgiveness is justified. a great item to have handy when traveling.
I bought this item to go nature viewing and must say that it really is a great binocular for the price.  The items viewed have a really nice 3-dimensional look to them and the diopter comes in handy even for someone with very bad vision like myself.  The focus for this model (16 x 50 Wide Angle) is a flat tab between the barrels that makes it VERY convenient to use without having to look or stretch your fingers.  It gives a very nice field of vision and has roll down eye cups, which is good just in case you want to wear your glasses or shades.  The binoculars do shake a little b/c of the power of the magnification.  And it can be a chore to hold for long periods of time b/c of its weight.  It weighs about as much as one of Michener's hardback novels.Here is where it can get interesting.  The binoculars come with a pleather carrying case, a really cheap neck strap that looks like a plastic shoelace, and a cheap cleaning cloth that is way too abrasive to be used everyday.  I suggest replacing both the neck strap and cleaning cloth as soon as you can.  The soft, microfiber cloths they sell in eyeglass stores works great.  Plus, pick up some of the eyeglass cleaner (spray directly onto cloth, not lens) as it really gets the lens clean and protects any coating on the glass.Tripod use:  highly recommended to get a steady picture.  You can get a regular camera tripod for around 18 dollars.  Yes, this binocular comes with a tripod adapter.  No, it's not very easy to find. &lt;g&gt;  The instruction booklet is virtually useless, but I found out through the website that the adaptor is located behind the front cap between the barrels.  Just screw the cap off and viola, there is your threaded coupler.  You will still need to get a binocular adaptor to connect the binoculars to the tripod, but I've found that they aren't too expensive:  around 7-16 dollars for the generic models. I gave this item 4 stars b/c of the poorly written instruction manual and cheap accessories.  Hope some of this info helps.  Can't wait to see the stars tonight!
These binoculars were a good deal for the money and had the right specs. so I decided to get them. But, we were still surprised with how good they were when they arrived. We would recommend them to anyone interested in both astronomy and terestrial viewing.
I had bought this bushnell binocular mainly for star gazing. It didn't help me that much on that. May be I had higher expectations on this item, since I'm a novice. I was expecting the order of magnification like I saw in TV cameras when they zoom in on moon during sports telecasts. But this item is still worth for the money. I could use this to see moon and Mars so far with decent magnification.Only thing to make sure is hold a steady hand when using or use a tripod.Focus tab is not really a hinder as others in the review had mentioned.
I gave it only 3 stars because the focus is just a marketing gimmick that creates a cheap focusing mechanism.  A decent traditional wheel for focusing is superior.  You can't easily get a good focus, pressing your eyes against the eyepiece can force them out of focus, and it's easy to bump the rocker bar.  At 16x power, you have to carefully adjust focus and a rocker bar is an awful design.  You have to use both hands to focus: you can press down on one side of the rocker bar, but not up, so to go in and out of focus to get good sharpness, you have to press down with one hand's finger and then press down with the other hand's finger.  The rocker bar is terrible idea, especially for 16x!  To make matter's worse, there is a fair amount of play in the rocker bar.  The rocker bar seems to be the limiting factor on short distances. 40 feet seemed to be the shortest distance they would focus.  Stars come into focus well before the limit of the long-distance focus is reached, possibly indicating questionable workmanship, or maybe it makes it better for those who are really-bad near-sighted.The moons of jupiter were clear and sharp even under city lights.  Since it was the brightest "star" in the sky I thuoght i was looking at venus, but when i saw the 3 sharp dots surrounding the round disk, i knew it had to be jupiter.  You have to rest them on a chair to see the moons.The price here at Amazon (with free shipping) is $20 less than my local Walmart after our 10% taxes.16x requires a fence or car or window to provide the stability needed to make full use of 16x. Even without a prop, it's good, but if your not going to use a prop, 12x50 is better because the amount of light is greater and the field of view is larger.
The Bushnell binoculars are fantastic.  It's amazing what you can see with them and a more than reasonable price.
These are decent binoculars.  They are rubber armored and seem fairly sturdy.  I live on the 9th floor near the beach.  These are great for watching moving boats and jetskis go by through my living room window.  They are good for a quick look at something, but difficult to hold steady for more than 30 seconds.  I guess that's the same for all 16x binoculars.  They work better with a tripod mount and a tripod.  These are probably easier to hold steady than 20x50's.  The Zip focus is handy.  The focus at 16x magnification is more critical than 8x or 10x binoculars.  I find myself re-focusing very frequently.  Kind of a pain after using my other Bushnell 8x25 Permafocus binoculars, which NEVER need to be refocused.  I got these for stargazing.  They don't work as well as expected for that purpose.  First, the BAK7 prisms don't transmit light as well as BAK4 prisms.  Second, the 50mm objective lens is not large enough for 16x magnification at night.  I also own a pair of Pentax Whitetails 10x50's which are much better for stargazing.  The Whitetails are much easier to hold steady and the image is much brighter at night.  The Whitetails are slightly heavier though.  The Celestron 15x70's are probably a better choice for stargazing if you want high magnification.  I thought about returning the Bushnell 16x50's because they aren't so good at night.  I gave them a second chance today and decided to keep them for daytime use.  Not bad as a spare pair to have around with higher magnification than 8x or 10x, but I don't recommend them as your first or only pair of binoculars though.As for magnification, 7x and 8x binos are fairly easy to hold steady.  10x approaches the limit of steadyness for handheld use.  I used to have a pair of Tasco 12x50's and tried to use them for stargazing.  I had to prop my elbows on a car hood to use them.  Even then, they were not very steady.  I loaned them to a friend for a football game once, and I never saw them again.  No great loss really.  16x is really pushing the limit for shakeyness.  There's no way I'd buy 20x binoculars for handheld use.  8x seems to be the best compromise between steadyness and magnification.  For stargazing, many authors recommend 7x50 binoculars.  Personally, I don't think 7x magnification is good enough.  You'll want something with higher magnification after trying them.  You can't really go wrong with a pair of 10x50's for stargazing, like the 'Pentax' Whitetails I mentioned before.  The 10x50's might even be cheaper for the same optical quality as 7x50's.  A pair of 8x56's or 9x63's would be good for stargazing too, but the 10x50's are more bang for the buck.  If you've never owned a pair of binoculars before, and you want some good ones for daytime use, you can't really go wrong with a good pair of 8x40's.  I like the 8x40's better than 7x35's, because 7x is not high enough magnification.  The price difference between 7x35 and 8x40 isn't that much.
I read other review, and decided to give it a try. As soon as I recieve it in the mail, and opened the box, I realized this was a mistake. CHEAP quality Binocular with "high power" being a selling point. It came in already broken with two eye ruber pieces falling apart. you can see how the cheap glue was being used to put it in place! It is extremly heavy to hold in hands for more than one minute for nature observation. You will be CONSTANTLY ajdusting the focus. Your fingers bumps with focus bar while you are holding it. Indeed Strap, Case, Lense protectors are all cheap crap, and annoying to have it all ON~! I am taking this back, and buying MADE IN JAPAN "NIKON EAGLE VIEW" 100 times BETTER. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR~!!!!!!
I purchased these with the thought that they would have a better distance viewing and still have the quality that the Bushnell 12x50 Permafocus had.  Not so.  They did have a great viewing capability but they would not focus.  If you used one eye you could see ok but they never would adjust correctly to view through both eyes. Not sure if it was just a defective pair or what. I returned them and will get another pair of the 12x50 permafocus Bushnells.  They work great.
The Bushnell Powerview Roof Prism Binocular, 1650mm is an excellent product. Excellent quality and nice price. The s/h is really fast. Recommend.
The pair of 16x50 Bushnell Powerview binoculars I received were defective from the start, with serious double vision and unequal focus between eyes (despite diopter adjustment), so I can't comment on their optic quality.  I did test each barrel separately and thought the 16x50 view was big, bright and clear. . .Although it seemed neither side focused real shapely, that may have been from the defect(s) my pair came with.Currently (3/2014) the listing for these 16x50 Porro-Prism binoculars says Roof Prism for some reason ??I tested my 16x50's on a sunny day.  Tho they're high power (16) for the objective lens diameter (50), the exit pupil size gave me no trouble. . .It may have been in double vision but it was easy to get the full view, at least on a bright day.There are complaints in the reviews about the Lever focus mechanism, versus a focus wheel.  The little that I used the binoculars, I didn't have a problem with the lever focus.  In fact, focusing by rocking the lever with a finger on each side was kind of nice.  The lever mechanism seems like a promising idea but apparently whether Bushnell executed it effectively is in question.  And I suppose it's possible the lever mechanism had something to do with the unequal focus between barrels and apparent soft-focus but given my pair's other huge problems, it was impossible to tell.The reviews complaining of the too-wide interpupillary adjustment are SPOT-ON.  I'm male of average height.  My eyes aren't particularly close together but my binoculars at their narrowest interpupillary distance were barely narrow enough for me.  I've never before had that trouble with binoculars.  These binoculars would be useless for lots and lots of people.Otherwise the binoculars seemed solid and durable.My main problem wasn't with the binoculars but with Amazon Warehouse Deals, where I bought them.  There's no reason binoculars this defective should have been relisted and sold to me...It's plain bad business and bad customer service. Anyone considering buying binoculars from Warehouse Deals should do it with eyes wide open for lemons.  Luckily they're pretty easy about returns and letting you try again. A keeper arrives eventually.Of course I'll return them.  I'm ambivalent about trying another pair of 16x50 Powerviews.  The complaints about the focus lever and interpupillary adjustment had me on the fence to begin with.  Then I get this pair that's so miserably out-of-whack. . .It might be a fluke or it might be the Powerview design ??If you're looking at Powerviews, consider Bushnell H2O; I have a pair of 8x42 H2O's.  For about the same price the H2O's are waterproof & more solid and come with a wheel focus and better twist-up, rather than fold-up, eyecups.  However, H2O's don't have the attractive selection of high powers and big objectives.
These binoculars are fantastic.  Whether you are an avid birdwatcher, private investigator, or would like to spy on your hot neighbor while she is getting out of the shower or undressing without getting caught, you will be capable of doing that from very far away.
The Agfa e-smile digital camera is not too bad for the pricebecause once you know HOW to use it correctly it really does takedecent pics.If you want a digital camera just for putting pics on webpages or sending e-mail pics to friends and family this is good for that. Camera can be used for video conferencing and can be hooked to vcr or tv to capture real time video imagaes I was ready to take it back but now I can use it for E-mail just fine just don't expect to get above average pics with this camera.  END
It is absolutely useless.  The pictures are grainy, blurry, and have color aberrations galore.  You can't even see facial features on people.  It is not a true 640x480 camera; it uses software to obtain the 640x480 advertised resolution.  Downloads are horribly slow, and the memory is not removeable, so you can't use a better download method.  It will drain the batteries with only one loading and unloading of the 2MB memory.  This thing is not even useful as a toy for your children.  Fortunately I bought from a reputable online dealer who took the thing back, and even refunded all shipping charges.  Do yourself a favor and get an Olympus D-360L or D-460Z.  ...a lot more money, but about the least you can pay for a digital camera that takes decent pictures.DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!
Well my girlfriend got this as a prize in a contest and she let me try it. As you've read before the picture quality is unbelievable ungly... the colors are &quot;blended&quot; the picture looks pixelated and blurry, etc...You can have and idea of what to expect if you take a normal (and decent looking) 640x480 image and save it as JPG at the lowest quality available (I was able to do this with Photoshop). Again... don't buy this if you want to take good photos of memorable moments, if you try hard you can really make a use of this camera by dropping the image size to 50% and adjusting the colors, contrast, etc.Maybe a little kid would like it because you can look at the pictures on the TV but soon he'll wonder why his/her camera takes so horrible pictures and drop it forever.And that's not all... don't even get me started on the software and battery consumption of this baby monster you can read it in the other reviews, hope it clears all.
It is easy to use and has no technical problems but the resolution is a  bit poor. I am looking for some image manipulation software to correct  this. It is an excellent camera to practice with.
I bought two of these for my kids and they are awful. The picture quality is so low that only about 10% of the photos are worth keeping. And being for my young children, my standards are very low. I bought them almost as a toy, and STILL I'm severely disappointed. DO NOT BUY.
It's a nice little TOY.  That's all it is.  It's just a toy...not a REAL camera.  It's a piece of junk, and I'm really glad I got $40 out of it.  If you're spending under $150 for a digital camera...you're wrong.
I bought the Smile to have a handy, inexpensive way of addingphtos to web pages. I didn't want to spend $400 on a camera that wouldbe obsolete in a few months. I figured for $100 I couldn't go wrong. I was mistaken.The Smile just has too many compromises. The lens is a tiny fixed-focus item that requires bright light to form an image. Battery life is abysmal- it seems to chew up a pair of AAs shooting a dozen pictures. I should have spent $200 and gotten a far better camera.
I have purchased a number of digital cameras over the last 2 years, including one from AGFA, the ePhoto 307 (A great little camera).  The ePhoto Smile is an Affront to the AGFA brand name. The pictures are awful, the battery life abysmal, and worst of all, it would be a bad deal at 1/2  the price.  I recently bought my youngest daughter a Polaroid Digital 320.  It takes much better pictures, and we're still  working on the 1st set of batteries . . . .. In short, don't buy this  camera.  If you really want to take digital pictures it's hard to go wrong  with the Olympus 340R for under $300.
. STOP!!! . 1/ This camera is NOT 640x480, is a fixed 320x240. CCD is not  even 1/3 megapixel, is 1/10 I think. Images are bad (like enlarging a  thumbnail?) Print them in an 1x1 inch rectangle and they'll be somehow  fine, anything bigger is like old CGA... awful. When you take shots they  look very bad, whatever you do to  edit (software) and fix them. I have  another (true) 640x480 camera and pictures are excelent, but these...2/  It doesn't include an AC adapter, so be prepared to buy LOTS of AA  batteries or spend another 50 bucks.3/ Fine as a serial videoconference  camera (30 fps), but watch for the batteries.4/ Take your first picture,  and begin to wonder if it's ok. The lack of an LCD screen begins to bother  you when you find out you can't review your shots. Think about it: you wont  review your pictures untill you get to the PC.Sorry I am very  disappointed.
I'm on a small budget this summer, so I bought this camera for fun. It doesn't drain your batteries before you even took a picture(I took about 40 pictures(without flash) with my cheap rechargeable batteries). The four  stars missing is for the worst quality I've ever seen in my life. I suggest  to never use the flash(all my pictures taken with flash were 90% full of  light, so it's all white!)This camera is too cheap(I think that my  batteries heavier than the camera itself)You only have to put the Cd  that it comes with it and it installs itself.I think uploading my  pictures(16) to my pc took 4 minutes!The camera was too easy to use and  I wonder why Agfa made these things.Finally, digital cameras are too  expensive and someday the prices will fall down and camcorders will take  better pictures... you will regret buying this awful camera!
My first experiences with AGFA cameras were inexpensive, cheaply-made, but functional cameras. The ePhoto SMILE is not an exception.The fact that you can get a camera with a resolution of 640x480 with this many features  for this cheap is quite amazing. However, before you start reaching for  your credit card, remember a few things:1) 640x480 is great, but the  compression algorithm (makes the picture smaller in size - this does have  an affect on quality) leaves much to be desired. You don't get really clean  640x480 pics out of here2) If you are going to be using this camera to  take pics of items to sell on eBay or other auction sites, or just to toss  up on your homepage, this camera does quite nicely.3) If you are trying  to sell a product and want the photo to look professional, this is not the  camera for you, check out a camera with an LCD display on the back and that  does at LEAST 1024x768.4) This thing eats batteries. Guess what, so do  all digital cameras. Especially those with an LCD display on the back (this  one doesn't).5) It comes with everything you need to get started -  camera, software, computer cables, carrying case, etc. You don't have to go  out and buy anything else just to get started.Overall, not a bad camera  for the price, but if you want a high quality camera, you need to expect to  spend $200-$300 at the bare minimum.
This is the first real camera I've ever bought and I'm glad I made the investment. When shopping around for a camera, I was looking for a few main things. It had to be:1. Easy to use2. Portable, not a hassle to lug around3. in my price range (under $70)This camera is ,of course all three. I didn't know about APS cameras before i bought this camera. I've seen my mom struggle trying to put film in her 35mm and that made me want to stick with disposables and it also made me apprehensive about buying a camera. Then i found out about APS and it I was like Hallelujah! It was a godsend for a klutz like me. Just drop the film in and the camera does the rest.When I first saw this camera, i couldn't believe there was a camera this small. It literally fits in the palm of my hand. I'm a big girl but it'll seem small to you too. I carry it in my purse because you never know when you'll need a picture. It hardly weighs anything so it's not a burden. It's small enough for jacket or shirt pockets.Because this was going to be my first camera and all, I wanted to get something that was reasonably priced yet didn't lack in quality. Canon being a respected brand, this was an easy choice.I have no regrets so far with this camera and i doubt I'll have any in the future. My pictures turn out great and i like the date/time imprint feature (on the back of photo). Although the Elph LT has no zoom it takes pretty good pictures. I know for sure when I'm ready for another camera, I'll get another Canon Elph, but with zoom. Overall this camera is great. It's stylish, easy to use and affordable.
This is a great little (very, very little) camera, which is easy to take anywhere and produces very good snapshots.  We have used it for several years now, and are extremely satisfied with it.  It also uses the new multi-format film, which allows you to take portrait and panorama shots from the same roll.  It's been a great camera.
Great to take anywhere. Loads of features, and for an unbeatable price. Picture quality is fabulous, and it is very easy to use. Must have!
This is a tiny camera (a good-sized guy could hide it in the palm of his hand.) But the small size doesn't mean the Elph is a toy. No, indeed.The sharpness on the pictures is amazing considering that the negatives are smaller than 35mm and that this is not an expensive piece of optical equipment. (We used to speculate that Canon made the optics better on APS cameras to showcase the APS format in the best light.)You can have some fun--one special feature is that you can take 3 different sizes of photos (regular sized, large sized and panorama sized) on the same roll of film. Switch a lever on the back and go from a portrait to capturing the beauty of a mountain vista or a busy plaza.For a "keep it in your pocket at all times" camera, this can't be beat.
I wrote the review by "A Customer" a few years back, and now, even after buying my third digital camera in 10 years, I still buy film for my Elph LT. For snapshots, APS really did a better job than 35mm (information about the scene is magnetically recorded on the film roll so prints come out their best). I know this because I still fed film into my Yashica T5 too up until last week, and it will probably go on the shelf for good, but the Elph will continue to have film in it as long as I can buy it and get it processed. Why? It's a great spare camera you can take places you wouldn't take your digital. For scenics, it does OK (see images), but for the regular, "here are me and my friends at..." shots, you can't beat it. So, parties, at a bar or nightclub, self portaits in the scrambler at Six Flags, or the fishing charter you're going to get sick on...I always used Kodak film and used the true Kodak processing (which automatically removed red-eye), but it is no longer available, but maybe with Fuji film and Fuji processing, as good results are possible.So, if you've come by one of these cameras, know that you have something that is a step above a 35mm snapshot camera, and that you don't have a piece of useless junk, even at this date.
So small you hardly know it's there...when I first used the camera, I was skeptical because of the size.  Lo and behold, when I got the first roll developed, it was great.  This is a great 2nd camera.  You can take it  anywhere and not miss a photo op.
I took this camera to Paris, my first time there, some of the photos were great and the others were awful. It could be user error since I am not very good with cameras. I recently purchased my first digital camera, a panasonic.Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3S 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)I love it and it is easy to use. I would not choose this camera unless you are very mechanically inclined.
Like a lot of the other reviewers have said, this camera takes great pictures!  Clear and crisp!  And I'm the kinda person that takes pictures hanging out the car window and on the back of a 4 wheeler.  It's as if I was standing still!  It's so nice to be able to capture a panoramic picture whenever you want, and be able to switch back to regular sized photos with the touch of a button.  And all on the same roll of film.  So easy.  I would highly recommend this camera!  And with such a low price, you cant go wrong.
This was my first APS, and Canon, camera, and the best, so far.Small easy to use in any social environment.  I have found that the pictures are uniformly good, sometimes excellent, using a variety of makes of film, and if the odd print is not satisfactory, then there is nothing that a scanner and a Photoshop software programme cannot fix.It has been admired world wide, it is still performing flawlessly after three years of intense usage - on its second lithiun battery.I now have a second Elph, which zooms - thus, requiring more brainpower - my original is still my favourite, and now so cheap!
I have not even used one tape. They work well but the recorder they go with just is not very good, so they don't get used. Bobby J.
Digital voice recorder format can have it's drawbacks and Sony's the best. I recommend this and the product it is intended for use in, at least the Sony version.
These tapes are getting hard to find so I was happy to find this 3-pack.  My tape player loves them!
I havent had a chance to use the casettes yet but since they are brand new in an unopened factory package I am sure they are just fine. Im just glad they got here quickly!!
What can I say about this product, fair price and gets job done.  Seems to outlast competition with repeated use.
works well and sound is clear. ITs easy to accidentally switch on with result that the battery runs dead far too often but apart from that it serves the purpose well.
I was pleased to find these still available at Amazon.  Most local stores quit selling them when Sony quit making tape recorders for the consumer market.The package of tapes I received from Amazon was made in Mexico.  I placed another order from another vendor for 30-minute micro-cassettes, and those were made in Thailand.  The made in Mexico tape seems to be sightly thicker and more generally robust, while the Thailand tape seems thinner and more prone to skewing.  Previous Thailand-sourced Sony tapes have also been prone to early breakage, so I was happy to see the Mexico-sourced product.
Not sure if these tapes are knockoffs, but these tapes jam in our Sony BM-575 portable recorders.  They seem to work OK in our Lanier desk recorders.If we hold one of the the Sony cassettes next to a TDK cassette (which work fine in the BM-575) the tape in these Sony cassettes looks visibly taller.Unfortunately we are stuck with about 30 3-packs now.  I do not recommend this seller or these tapes.
My idiot producer lost my recorder, so did not get to use more than one of these.
I received these in perfect condition. They are used with a mini-cassette recorder. I have trouble with good sound from the cassette recorder, so I don't know if I have the correct type of cassettes or the recorder is of poor quality.
Someone borrowed my sony mini tape recorder to get some detailed infomation and asked if they could keep the tape. I assured them that was fine I would just buy some. Boy, was I surprised when I checked out all the local stores to find that all that was available was digital recorders. So I checked out Amazon and there they were...so thanks for the variey of products supplied by the sellers on Amazon.com!
I guess I shouldn't have expected too much in terms of battery life from this digital camera.  Like most DC's, this one was also a battery hog, but until I purchase a camera with a long-life Li-ion battery that is  stupidly-heavy, I shouldn't expect 3 months of uninterrupted use.Other  than my beef with power usage, this camera is perfect in every way.  Just  the right amount of magnification (and more is purchaseable via add-on  lenses), and the quality could not be better for the price.  Definitely  worth my time and money.
Bought the camera mid-June, and by late June was covering a national convention requiring daily uploads to webpages.  Got rave reviews of the images shared.  The USB connection is easy and fast.  I found it handled  indoor shots without flash with outstanding resolution.It has also  produced some excellent outdoor shots, including some sky photography  (sunsets) that rival film versions.One does not need to employ the top  setting to produce extremely good pictures, maximizing the number of photos  on a single compact flash card.It came complete with a set of  rechargable batteries and charger - a nice feature.  And the Amazon price  is at least $100 less than any other source!This would be a perfect  camera for a person just starting into digital photography, who wants a  camera that looks, feels,  and acts like a familiar 35 mm point and shoot  and who has elementary knowledge and sense of computers.
This was my first and only digital camera that I purchased as a display item will I was working at CompUSA. If I remember correctly, at the time this camera was over $300 but I got it for $50.I have no idea how old this camera was when I bought it, but despite that, it lasted an additional 3 1/2 years before it stopped working; the battery connections went bad. I took it apart to see if I could fix it, but to no avail.The 1.3 Megapixels was more than sufficent for me, it took crystal clear pictures everytime. I really enjoyed the LCD screen that showed in real time what the lens was looking at before you shot the picture. It also had a USB slot where you could easily tranfer the pictures to your PC. My only compaint about the camera was that the picture snapping was not instantaneous.This camera felt sturdy and built with quality materials. This camera had been dropped a few times, but it still functioned without any problems. I have taken thousands of pictures on this camera, not to mention the possible thousands that were taken before I came to own it, and I have been thourghly suprised with the durablity and quality of this camera.After my DC240 finally met its demise, I was dissapointed to find that Kodak no longer made cameras like this, instead they make these plastic, cheap looking, cheap feeling cameras that feel no way as sturdy as the DC series. I purchased a DX model a few months after this one died and took it back the next day because I was very dissapointed in the quality of the camera. To this day the DC240 has been my only digital camera and I haven't had one since. I will have to turn to EBAY to get something from the DC series, because unfortunately companies no longer make them like they used to.
I just received my DC240 this week from Amazon.com and love it!  I own another digital cam that was one of the first ones out that does not have a zoom or a flash.  What a long way digital cams have come!I have used  the DC240 quite a bit already and am VERY impressed with the picture  quality and the print quality.  I bought it hoping that I could finally do  away with my film camera for snapshots but was rather skeptical.  I figured  if it wasn't up to par, I would just return it.  It exceeds my expectations  already!I have also printed a number of the photos on glossy photo paper  with an HP DJ 722C.  The average person would not be able to tell that it  wasn't a film camera print.  I printed most of them at 5x7 but printed a  few at 8x10.  1.3 megapixel cameras are not supposed to be photo quality at  8x10 but my prints at that size look great.I have yet to find anything I  don't like about the camera.  It fits well in your hand, has a fast zoom  compared to my Pentax WR90, and is so convenient.I would highly  recommend this camera to anyone looking for a good quality picture at a  price that is very affordable.  I would also highly recommend Amazon.com  for that purchase.  Their price was the best anywhere on the net and more  than $100 cheaper than the local electronics chain.
I needed to buy a digital camera to help me sell merchandise on eBay and other online auctions. My camera store recommended the DC-240. My one big mistake was purchasing it from them instead of from Amazon.Com.The photographs taken by the DC-240 are excellent, and certainly have all the resolution and sharpness I require. In fact, I have to use a photo editor to tone them down and resize them so they don't take forever to load on the auction page.My only complaint is that uploading the photographs from the camera to my Windows ME system is very much a trial-and-error process. So it might be a good idea to get a separate bypass unit that goes straight from the flash memory to the computer.
I really like mine. It takes good pictures. It was easy to get started with it. Do not try to buy a small camera bag for it because the lens cover will come off easily and you may accidentally turn it on when putting it into its bag.  I highly recommend the USB disk reader, makes things a lot easier. With that reader you may not need the battary charger unless you want a slide show on your TV. Note that the Kodak 280 is offered here... [it] is probably more value. But, you will have to buy accessories so [it] will become a bit more after its all done. I can't say too much about how the pics print because I have been using it exclusively for Internet images. I am having fun with mine.
I bought the Kodak DC240 partially on a whim.  I had read reviews of the Kodak digital cameras and decided to check the price on Amazon -- which was  about right.  The camera came a few days before I went to a convention in  Philadelphia, giving me enough time to learn how to use the camera.The  pictures are wonderful, and my collegues were amazed that I could show them  the pictures immediately, or delete them if the shot was bad.  I also did a  few shots using the timer, which worked pretty well.  Following the  convention, I was able to put together a quick web site with the pictures,  a faster process than waiting for the film to be developed, then scanning  the pictures, then cropping, etc.Overall, a good combination of  features, ease of use, and quality pictures.
I recieved this camera a couple of days ago and I am very impressed at the ease of it and the software.  The quality of the pics are really  stunning...I am looking like a professional photographer already, and this  is the first time I have picked up a &quot;real&quot; camera since high  school photography class...&lt;25 years ago...sigh&gt; I have really  checked out the prices online and off, and this is a great buy!  I don't  know how you do it Amazon.  Keep bringing us the BARGAINS!  Well, I am off  to buy a compact flash memory card...ta ta!
This is the best camera I have seen for the price. It has tons of features. I would highly recommend getting a Compact Flash Card Reader, so you don't drain your batteries on the camera xfering. Also the Kodak Batteries are the best I have ever used. I would recommended getting the 2 hour rapid charger kit, you will get another set of batteries and be able to charge one set and use another.
The main aspect of this camera is it's user friendlieness. It has a basic design, and easy for capture &amp; review. This was my second, and i couldn't stand it. You had to go through file after file to get them onto the computer. With this camera, it iss hard at first, but after you do it once, you can't froget, like riding a bike! Although it isn't the most technological and it doesn't have super excellent quality, it is perfect for the everyday user.  I hope you enjoy it like i did!
I love my new Elph.  It is so tiny, I don't even notice it when I'm wearing it on my belt.  I love the panoramic shots that I can take.  This camera is so compact.  The icture quality is perfect.  I have never taken a  bad picture with my Elph.  Sometimes I wish it had a zoom function in it  but I still love it.  I highly recommend this camera.  I got it for my trip  to CA.  I can't wait to take some great pictures out there.
I got this camera in 1998 at a flea market for $30, the guy said he never put a battery in it, so he didnt' even know if it worked, so I was possibly buying a camera that didn't even work.  I decided to try it.I've had the camera for 6 years and haven't had one problem with it...and now that I have 2 kids, it has been dropped, etc, and still works better than any (non zoom) camera I've ever had.  There is a feature that you can put 5 sayings on your pictures, but i've never used it.  This camera went to Italy with me, and has travelled many stated in the eastern US, and still stands up to everything.  if anything ever happens to this camera, I will buy another of the same exact style!!
What a great little camera!!  I got this for Christmas last year and since it's so small.. I take it with me wherever I go.  The picture quality is great.  There are three settings to choose from for picture size and you can add the date and time if you wish.I'm not a camera professional by an means but if you're looking for a great little camera, this is the one.
I bought this camera about a year ago, and I have been extremely pleased with it.PROS:-Small, fits unobtrusively in your pocket-FAST f2.8 lense takes great pictures in low light-Simple user interface. No hassels--it lets you focus on taking the pictures.CONS:-No mid-roll change. This is the one feature I wish it had, but it's really a perk rather than an essential, since I only shoot color print film in the camera anyway.-APS film is grainier than 35mm film because it is a smaller format. I shoot with 200 speed film to reduce grain (not really the cameras fault, as this is a problem with all APS cameras).I haven't had any problems with red eye using this camera. I don't like cameras that zoom because I think you take better composed pictures by physically moving closer to your subject. For the price, you can't get a better deal than this.
This was a xmas gift so I won't be able to give a specific review.  That said, even though this is a dying format, the ease of operation, loading, shooting pictures makes this "THE" camera for people with a technology hang-up. Very simple to use, I would purchase another one if I have to.
This is just one heck of a camera.  Compact, several features, and takes some pretty amazing pictures for the size.  The APS film system is still basically new and this is a mighty pathmaker of the technology.  Small  enough to fit in your pocket, but without a doubt will provide you with  some of the clearest, brightest pictures short of an SLR.  Definitly worth  the price of admission.
I bought a Canon ELPH Jr. APS camera to take along on a trip to Spain.  I bought it for my girlfriend as I planned to take my SLR.  After watching her use if for a couple days, I started taking pictures with it and found I  really liked it.  It is small and very easy to carry.  Most museums in  Madrid would not allow camera but the Canon ELPH Jr fit into my pocket like  a pack of cigarettes and the only place it was detected was at the Prado  Museum where the metal detector picked it up.The picture quality was  good and I had film developed in Spain without problem. The caption feature  is a waste but the time stamp on the back of the picture is useful.I  liked the camera so much that I bought another one to give to my parents as  a gift.  it is easy to use, takes good pictures, and is not a hassle to lug  around.
After reading every review we could find, we ventured for the first time into the digital photographic world purchasing the Olympus 340-R digital camera.  We were definitely not disappointed.After just a few days the  camera accompanied us to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Seoul, S. Korea, while  we nervously left our Canon SLR at home.  The camera performed marvelously.  We found the optional 16MB flash memory card more than adequate for our  needs, as we easily downloaded photos each day into our laptop.We were  amazed at the quality of photos even in low light settings.  We took shots  at our conference including a multimedia presentation where surprisingly  the projected image on the screen was readable!  While staying in the  countryside in a traditional Mongolian &quot;ger&quot; (tent), we shot an  incredible photo of the predawn sky-- even the morning stars are clearly  distinguishable!Arriving home we were completely satisfied with the  photos shot at the low resolution setting when printed out on our HP  Deskjet 895 using an Epson photographic paper.  I doubt that most people  would be able to tell the difference between the prints and a standard  developed snapshot.  The enclosed Olympus and Adobe software is easy to use  and functional for most home use.  You will absolutely love the Quickstitch  utility that simply creates oversized and panorama shots!One of the only  weaknesses we found a little frustrating was the variance between the  optical viewfinder and the digital one.  If you frame... say, a head and  shoulders shot in the optical viewfinder, you will discover that digitally  the camera sees a much broader area.  Olympus should do a little better job  calibrating the two viewfinders.Apart from that, you will want to invest  in the NiMH charger and at least 8 batteries-- shop around for the best  price.  Also, picking up a 3.5 inch floppy adapter for the flash memory  card will be a big time saver. You simply pull out the flash memory card,  slip it into the adapter, and then slide the floppy into any computer.  You'll save time and frustration over having cords laying all around your  table, plus a significant download time.One last item-- Do you think a  16MB memory card will be too small for your needs?  Olympus, through their  website, is offering an inexpensive upgrade through the end of December  that will allow the camera to use the new 32MB memory cards.
The Olympus D-340R is, in my opinion, the best value digital camera available right now.The picture quality is impressive---I usually can't tell the difference between the pictures it takes and pictures taken  with a $340 SLR that I have scanned in.Also, the camera is fairly  lightweight and compact and easy to use, like a good point and shoot camera  should be.Since I bought my Olympus, I have not taken 1 non-digital  photograph.  I enjoy the simplicity of the camera and the freedom from  developing and film costs (some $10/roll).Overall, the camera is worth  the investment and it is an excellent camera for someone new to digital  photography.
My D-340R stopped working after one day. The &quot;condition indicator LED&quot; started blinking and never stopped (the camera won't work when it's blinking) (No, the problem wasn't with the battery or smartmedia  card.) Olympus online tech help is worthless - automated response only.  When I called their tech support, I was told to return it to the retailer.  This is a COMMON problem and is a main reason the price of this camera is  falling. Luckily Amazon.com was very helpful in getting my money back.
I have owned an Olympus 340 for two years and I've been very happy with it...but I recently upgrade to the Olympus 3040 because the 340 just couldn't give me the print-quality I was looking for!  Frame a photo from the 340 and you can tell it is a digital photo.  Frame a photo from the 3040 and you would never know it was digital!  So, I love this camera and it was a great camera for me to learn about digital photography and to see if I liked a digital camera more than my old 35mm.  But, two years later, I've found the need to upgrade.  However, due to the significant price jump, the comparisons to the 3040 are not totally fair!  So I still give the 340 a rating of 5 stars because for the price I think it is a great option!
I posted a review of this camera a few weeks ago, shortly after purchasing it.  I gave it 4 stars, mainly because the manual wasn't well written.  However, that still being the case, I must say that this camera deserves 5 stars!  It takes amazingly clear, bright pictures.  The video display LCD  is bright.  And it seemed to take forever for the rechargable batteries to  run down! I highly recommend this camera!  If it had an optical zoom, it  would be perfect.  However, with this camera, you get more than you pay for!
So many people have written about the technical part of this wonderful camera. I agree with many of them. You won't feel bad about spending your $$$. I've shopped around and I've made my decison with confidence. (Yes,  you can find this item for less at other e-stores, but I trust Amazon, they  deliver promptly and their Customer Service is great!)  Some customers have  said that this camera eats batteries like crazy. It's only true when you  use the LCD monitor to TAKE pictures. If you use it  for reviewing (and  deleting) the pictures you have taken, it lasts a long, long time. I have  purchased my camera before Thanksgiving. It's December 12, and after taking  hundreds of pictures (most using flash), I am STILL using the batteries it  came with!  Lemme tell ya a little secret, if you do take pictures using  the LCD monitor, and you get the message that the battery is low, turn off  the camera, let it rest for a little while and turn it back on again. The  battery life will show full again! No need to change the batteries until it  tells you it's dead and you have been taking pictures using the viewfinder.  Now, it is not a bad idea to get yourself some rechargeable NiMH batteries.  I've seen many good comments about the brand MAHA. Also, I have seen great  reviews on MAHA's charger model MH-C204F. Some people have mentioned them  here. But I didn't know where to purchase them from. So here you go. For  more info on the MAHA products, go to Maha-comm website. And to purchase  these two products, check out Thomas-distributing's website (sorry I can't  include the exact web addresses according to the reviews guidelines, but it  isn't hard to figure out). For around $50 I got the charger and 8 NiMH  batteries. Now you can go on the road and not worry about your batteries  dying or where to purchase them.  It's a lot of fun to have a digital  camera and take hundreds and hundreds of pictures knowing you don't have to  pay for developement or wait to finally see your pictures. Just download  them and enjoy or use the video cable to see your photos on your TV. Or  just use the LCD monitor! :)  -- From a happy Olympus/Amazon customer. :)
I liked the camera so much, I bought one for my Dad for Father's Day and he loves it! However Amazon's review states that the memory card is only 4 MB for 60 standard resolution shots. My D-340R contains an 8MB smartmedia  card for 122 shots, standard res.
I've owned the camera for one week and it has worked very good so far. I agree with the other customers about the manual... it would be a lot better if it had a section for each language, not three languages together in one  page. But the camera is very easy to use, takes excellent pictures and has  many nice features. With a tripod, you can take great pictures at night  without the flash! The software is also very easy to use. Although it's not  documented in the manual, the camera comes with a TWAIN driver, so you can  choose to download the photos with the bundled application or with your  favorite photo editing software.
La Olympus D-340R ha sido mi &uacute;nica c&aacute;mara digital, la he tenido por m&aacute;s de 3 a&ntilde;os y no tengo queja alguna excepto por dos cosas:1.  Si se utiliza la pantalla LCD para tomar fotograf&iacute;as panor&aacute;micas o con el zoom incorporado, las bater&iacute;as no van a durar casi nada.2.  El transferir las im&aacute;genes a la PC puede tardar una eternidad &uacute;nicamente para ver el contenido de la tarjeta de memoria, luego viene el proceso de bajarlas al disco duro.  Consejo:  hay que comprar el adaptador AC de lo contrario las bater&iacute;as se consumir&aacute;n velozmente!Respecto a la calidad de las fotos, no me puedo quejar de nada.  Excelente calidad y si quieren tener m&aacute;s espacio para almacenar... compren la tarjeta SmartMedia de 16MB mientras duren existencias!
This camera takes outstanding photos-both up close and at a distance! Plus, it comes with its own programs(on CD) which means it saves you money...unlike some of the cameras out there which still require you to buy  more of their items just to view the photos.  I do recommend anyone who  buys this camera to also buy the adapter package, as batteries do NOT last  long if you plan to use the LCD monitor(which I love-because you can see  the WHOLE picture without closing either eye).  Either way, this camera is  well worth the money, and the different ways you can shoot a photo is a  must for the beginner! Easy to use and upload photos.
I was very happy with this product when I first received it, but now I am finding that Olympus not only does not have availability for on-line problems ,but you cannot talk to them even on the phone. I now have a camera that works great, but the connection to the computer is bad somehow-I have made no changes to anything concerning the camera , but cannot connect to my computer-it justs states reasons I don't understand as to what my problem might be. I cannot get any info from the on-line site or by calling-they are always giving you such a long waiting time. So now I have a camera that I cannot use in connection with my computer. No one seems to carry the serial cable  that I may need to replace-if that is even the problem. Poor servicing with this company.
I've had my Olympus D340-R camera since April of 1999 and I just can't say enough good things about it. I love it. It is the BEST camera that I've ever owned or used. It has so many functions and the software that comes with it is fabulous. You just can't take a bad picture with this camera.  The ONLY downside is that it does use up batteries quite a bit so I've got  an AC adapter for mine for when I use it indoors. Also when the camera malfunctioned (my fault, water got  spilled on it) Olympus fixed it for free under warranty and had it back to  me within two weeks working perfectly again. I have not ever had such a  positive experience in dealing with a company before. Their warranty  service was excellent and their products are even better.
This may have only 1.2 mp but it is the best camera ever made in the digital  arena!  Really. (as evidenced by the unusually hi cost in the used camera market for these 1.2-1.3mp cameras) I own 4 of them and use them for my business.  People are always commenting on what great quality photos I produce.  The adjustment allows you to take photos in low  pixels so the saved photos won't eat up all the space on your computer or camera card.**A note of caution, the smart cards with 4-8 mpixels that fit this camera are very difficult to find now days and expensive to boot.I think it won't take over a 16mp card.
There's a reason why this camera is the most popular one on the site - it is all you will ever need in a digital camera, at an unbeatable price! I understood ZERO about digital photography and had it up and running in no  time. Make sure you get the following accessories:(1) A floppy adaptor,  because moving pictures to your computer by cable is too slow.(2) A  16MB memory cartridge because you will not be able to stop taking  pictures.(3) Extra rechargeable NiMH batteries and a charger because the  one minor drawback of this baby is the way it eats batteries for  breakfast.I cannot say enough good things about this camera. If you're  just looking for a camera to record your friends, family, and life, this is  the one.
This is a great little camera. A real bargain at this price. Excellent color and quality pictures. Only drawback is slow serial interface to computer. Buy a Flashpath floppy adapter or a memory card reader to  transfer pictures faster. A good card reader that won't crash your system  is made by SIIG. They call it their USB DigiFilm-Combo Reader. About $79  street price. Also get the MAHA charger and NIMH batteries reviewed  elsewhere on this page.
The D-340R is a great camera for the time it was created and marketed.  Granted, it uses a serial port, but that was the standard a few years ago.  I bought a multi-card reader, no problem with downloads now!It does use batteries, but only if you are foolish enough to try to run the LCD display window a lot.I bought a quick charger and a couple of sets of rechargeables at Radio Shack, and have had no problem.The controls are useable, although I've never been able to make the &quot;Delete All&quot; function work, it involves pressing two buttons at once.To noevilpeople: it DOES have a telephoto function, if you want a zoom, spend the money.It's rugged enough - I dropped it from a picnic table to the ground once with no ill effect.Again, this is an older camera, newer digitals offer more features.  I bought mine in 1999, that was dog's years ago in the electronic world!I've used an Olympus camera for film, now this D-340R, when I upgrade to a newer digital, I'll get another Olympus digital camera.
If you're looking for a digital camera that can not only handle web photos, but also some non-web pictures, the Olympus 340R is a good bet.I did a lot of research, including Amazon customer reviews.  At $400 in early 2000 (everything electronic has is relative to date), it may represent the  best value going.The pictures are great (don't rely on the autoflash  indoors...for indoor shots, set the camera for flash).  The operating  manual could be more user-friendly, but is tolerable.  Once you get the  hang of it, it's a very easy camera to operate.  The built-in shutter  cover, which doubles as the power shutoff is an example of simple  engineering genius.On the downside, you'll read that the 340R is a  &quot;battery hog,&quot; and it is.  Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride  batteries (get 8 + a charger) are a must.  I also recommend the FlashPath  adapter.  It's a great way to transfer your picture files to your computer  and saves on battery usage.Though I LOVE Amazon, the truth is that  you'll be better served if you buy generic versions of these accessories,  rather than the Olympus versions that Amazon sells.Another battery  saving technique is to avoid using the built-in mini-monitor to take  pictures.  You don't need it.Net, for $400, you can't beat this one.
The camera is postively amazing. The quality of the pictures are great, the controls are easy to pick-up (even for someone who is new to photography), and if you bring it to a party---the &quot;oohs&quot; and  &quot;ahhs&quot; will still be echoing throughout the room hours after you  leave. Two friends, after borrowing and playing with the camera, have since  went out a bought their own (I wanted mine back!). The only grudge I have  is not really against the camera itself, but the company. When you buy the  camera...make sure you also buy a 32mb Smartmedia card (the 8mb card that  comes with it is nothing),  make sure it also *comes with* 4 NiMH  rechargable batteries (the camera is supposed to come with these!), and buy  a Floppy Path Adapter (though optional...makes downloading the images *a  lot* quicker).
1. Use the magnesium batteries. 2. Use the USB attachment. 3. Learn to use the shutter button instead of the power switch. 4. Learn to adjust the aim for close work. 5. Get a lenscap keeper. 6. Realize the limitations of the  &quot;manual&quot; mode--a misnomer.. 7. Use Photoshop, sharpen, adjust  contrast. 8. Enjoy, enjoy.
This camera is old and uses an outdated memory card system. Parts are very hard to find and it is bulky compared to newer cameras of today.
Very good build quality, excellent pictures, and lots of options.  Downsides: eats batteries - get the NiMH ones.
I've been waiting a long time for a digital camera  costing less than a grand with this range of features and quality output.  Of course, once you add NiMH batteries and a charger, additional storage, a lens cap strap (a  must), a film reader to attach to your PC, a photo quality printer, photo  paper....well, OK, maybe it'll take a year or two to pay back :) As pointed  out in the other reviews, it takes some practice not to press the power  instead of the shutter button - an embarrasing faux pas at this morning's  T-Ball game, as a matter of fact *smile...woops!*.  It also takes practice  to quickly move through the on-screen menu options.  It is way too easy to  inadvertently  choose an option you don't want, pressing this little  frisbee thingy on the back of the camera the wrong direction.  Plan for 5-6  hours of ramp-up time with this camera, even if you know photography and  computing well.
Most people don't realize that the best thing about the Olympus C-2000 is that its zoom lens goes from an aperature of f2.0 to an aperature of f2.8.Most people don't even know what an aperature is or why a 2.0-2.8 range  is good. So if you're like most people then let me explain.A lens that  has a 2.0 rating lets in more than twice as much light as a lens with a 3.5  rating, like the Nikon CoolPix 950. Therefore, if you are indoors, and you  want to take a picture without a flash (which is highly recommended to  preserve natural-looking colors instead of washed out pictures of people  with red eyes), then the Olympus C-2000 is definitely the best camera.Also, the C-2000's form factor is better than Nikon or anybody else. The  camera is small and light, and feels well-made as you hold it. The Nikon  however feels flimsy and the zoom responds slower. The Nikon is in two  pieces as well, connected by a swivel joint. That seems more likely to  break, and I don't see why having a swivel joint is important or  useful.Overall, in my two years of working at a camera store, the C-2000  is the first digital camera to deserve true merit. It's well priced and has  image quality comparable to models costing ten times as much. Also the lens  is a high quality aspherical Olympus element. I wouldn't recommend anything  else.jonathan s gilbert
I bought this to replace an Olympus 620 back in 1999 and am just getting around to reviewing it.  I worked well enough for when it was made.
I retired from photography in 1988 and it took the Oly2000 to bring me back to photography! I've tinkered with Mavicas, Kodaks and Nikons, but this little camera is good. Offers the power to be creative with all its  optional settings, or the ease of point and shoot. Image quality on 8x10  (on HP glossy paper) is amazing. High res images rival my old Rollei or RB.
I've used this camera for 8 months now.  The only two problems I've had is having to tie the lens cap to the camera with fishing line to prevent loss and mistaking the power button for the 'shutter' (they are close together).Other than that, it is excellent.  Good quality construction  and switch feel, solid feeling (no flex in the body), battery life is good  (with the free NiMH batteries), the floppy adaptor works well (but low  batteries on the adaptor can confuse by manifesting themselves as a  malfunction), the 32 MB card is plenty even for auto-show type massive  picture-taking.  Saved me a bunch in film and developing costs (I work on  my car and take lots of pictures all the time).In short, at this price, I would buy it at once if I did not have access to it at work.
This product has been out of production for some time, but it is working just as I expected and have no complaints. It is only one of a couple of cameras that can shoot infrared images without modification.
I must confess that I did not spend a lot of time shopping for a digital camera before I purchased the C2000.  Further, I'm somewhat in awe of this technology -- I still cannot believe that I can take a picture and print it  out (on photo-quality paper) in ten minutes.The quality of the photos is  excellent, and the camera includes tons o' features that ease the  transition into the world of digital imaging.  I've also found that my  batteries tend to last 10-15 minutes longer than friends who own different  digital cameras (even when I use the LCD display constantly).The  included software is helpful, but I find that I am using Microsoft  PhotoDraw 2000 in tandem with my camera rather than the included Adobe and  Camedia applications.The only real beef that I have with the C2000 is  the location of the power button.  The power button is located in the  position where you would expect to find the shutter button, which leads to  some comedic moments when you line your family up for a picture, tell 'em  to smile, and then mistakenly turn off the camera.It's a small price to  pay for a truly amazing piece of technology.  I'm almost afraid to ask what  will come next...
I read the reviews by other people here and am wondering loudly whether they know what these batteries are for? they are Rechargeable batteries for high-drain devices that require higher mAh rating. NiMH batteries or NiCd batteries do not hold charge like an alkaline battery so if you have charged an NiMH battery and put it in say an alarm clock, the batteries will lose charge in less than a month. they are for immediate usages like digital cameras where you need high mAh batteries and that digital cameras drain batteries. its more like "spend it immediately" battery unlike the disposable batteries that discharge in a circuit but drain very slowly when not in a circuit. I use Energizer AA batteries for my digicam and they recharge the flash much faster than even the best disposable batteries. A best guide is to look whether the appliance for which you are buying this battery is listed on the package or is identical to those on the package. this 9V would be a great thing for a toy where the battery drains out fast and you cannot afford disposable ones everyday.Just a note: If the device is a direct draining one like a motor and not in a solid-state circuit, do not use a rechargeable battery since if they are completely drained, they cannot be recharged.
Came without a charge and would not accept a charge. I charged it for 24 hours.I returned the first order and had them replaced. Had the same problems with the second. I don't know if they were out dated or what.
Our Las Vegas videographers use the Energizer 9 volt rechargeables in our wireless mics for many of our events. They are great for high power over short periods of time. I'm sure they would be horrible in baby monitors, smoke detectors, etc. but that is not what they are really made for. Good solid battery but costs a bit more than its competitor "Rayovac" 9 volt rechargeables.Andrew HamiltonHamilton International Productions
This is a very good product! It still take a charge! Very good echarable battery. My husband uses it for his recording mixer! Good to have for outdoors use.
I charged this battery up and tried it in my garage door opener remote - it used to open from about 80 feet away, but now it barely works at 10 feet.  I'd recommend that you stay away from this 9V.  I have been quite happy with the other NiMh sizes from Energizer.
They don't hold a charge.  I have found it's a lot cheaper to buy regular Duracell batteries at Costco and just keep replacing!
Works but will only hold a charge for less than about half of a non-rechargeable battery. Using a non-rechargeable battery the battery life cycle was typically 2-3 days. Bought 2 of these and found the last less than a day.
I'm not real familiar with the ratings for batteries, but these seem to drain faster than I expected. They are working fine with some wireless mics. No complaints.
Works perfect for my wireless guitar transmitter.No Hassle.It Charges. It works hard.Buy it.
This is a good product.  The charge lasts a long time.  The only problem with them is they are a little bigger than non-rechargable 9 v batteries and are very hard to put in to our hand held mics.
We use this in our alarm clock for when the power goes out as it often does.  So far this little rechargable hasn't needed a recharge & is doing a fine job making sure when get up on time when the power goes out & then back on while were sleeping.  I gave it 4 stars because we haven't had it long enough to get a really good opinion on it aside from the one just given.
SO FAR SOO GOOD ...IT WORKS AND RUN LIKE A POWER BATTERY!!! IF YOU LIKE POWER THIS IS A MUST BUY
I wasted $9 on this.  It is too low a voltage and current for most devices.  This is not up to Energizer standards.
We use 9v rechargable batteries at our church.  These will only last 2 hours in a wireless microphone.  They will barely last 2 hours in our wireless audio packs (ear buds) and when I use them for my electric bass wireless transmitter device they barely get through 30 minutes of use per charge.  Since we have three services and practice that morning as well, these batteries do not cut it.We found these Digimate 280mAh rechargeable 9v's that work much better... we can get two complete weekends from one charge on these... plus, they were only $5 each.
Great gift and price. Use this for alot of electroincs. The price beat any store in my area they didnt even carry this porduct. Thanks .
This battery, like other rechargable batteries I own, is rated for 8.4 volts and I'm told is likely even less.  Why not go with Maha?  It's rated at over 9 volts, which for my applications (powering a headroom micro dac) makes all the difference.  I can only imagine that a battery with a rating which conforms to a devices' designated power requirements, is better across the board.
rechargeable batteries like these last YEARS. my old set lasted 7 years ! regular batteries are just a waste of time, money and clog our planet with more trash. these are a great alternative. I like everything about these and would consider buying more in the future. Energizer is the best brand for rechargeables.
I bought two of these batteries with the Overnight Nimh Family Battery Charger, and so far the batteries have performed as expected. haven't used it enough to see if they take memory if charged to frequently but so far so good. Great product!So now I have used this product for 5 months on a Microphone to line amplifyer and they last about 2 days on average.  The batteries take 10 to 13 hours for a full charge which is pretty ridiculous! luckly I only use one at a time so I have time to charge the other one.I would still say Great Product!
I charged the battery for over 24 hours.  The battery failed to charge.  I charged the battery a second time.  Energizer still failed to charge.  Maybe I received a defective battery.
I do not think this is a bad battery like all the other reviews have said. In fact I do not use it with a power sucking machine, but it works great for the device I use it for.
I ordered the product for the purpose of having to use them in our Wireless Handset Mic System for the church, they work great! We were going through about 4 9V batteries every week, but with this it holds enough charge for the wireless system for 2 1 hour services each battery! It has taken the cost of batteries from $15 a week to nothing and it can be charged overnight! No Problems at al with them, in fact we ordered 2 of them for backups along with 4 AA rechargables that we use for our CD players and Recordering devices and they al work wonders!
Love the battery but make sure you purchase the energizer charger not a knock off! These batteries do not sit well in other chargers other than the energizer made charger!
I like Energizer rechargeable batteries. I've used several before.This one is on a sprinkler timer and so far, so good.
Using a rechargeable in a detector seems to be the way to avoid repeatedly buying replacement betteries - as long as your detector is simultaneously AC powered. That in turn keeps charging the battery.
I teach 4 one-hour classes a week, which require a 9-Volt battery for the mic. I got tired of buying these every week or two, so I bought the rechargable.  The single charge lasts the entire week. I recharge it on the weekends and I'm ready to go...no problems so far.  I've had it for 3 months or so..
I'm a strong supporter of rechargeable batteries, but at 7.2 Volts, this just doesn't meet my needs.  Devices that use batteries are designed to work across a range of voltages because as the battery is used, the voltage slowly drops until the battery just runs out of juice.  When the dying battery crosses a certain voltage threshold, some devices warn you of a low battery.  This is a good thing, because you don't want, say, your smoke alarm to need to go onto backup battery power and not have the juice it needs.  The problem here is that the devices I use seem to cross the low battery voltage threshold somewhere around 7.0 volts.  That is to say, I put a fully charged battery in there and before I know it (about 1 week or 2), the low battery light comes on in my answering machine or the smoke alarm starts doing it's low battery beeping thing.  Nope, this is no good.  I suggest you steer clear of Energizer and go for another brand that has an 8.4 nominal voltage (or better yet 9.6 if that extra .6V isn't going to harm your device--NiMH cells go in increments of 1.2 V so as far as I know there is no way to get a 9.0 V battery).Sure this will work in many devices, but I really don't see why Energizer opted to go for a 7.2V battery instead of 8.4V other than to save a small amount of money.  That seems like a very off-brand sort of thing to do.  1 star only from me.
I BOUGHT  THIS RECHARGEABLE  BATTERY SINCE  MOST OF MY KID'S RADIO CONTROL TOYS USE THIS KIND  OF BATTERY. I HAVE  TESTED OTHER BRANDS, BUT THIS ONE ,UP TO NOW, HAS THE BEST PERFORMANCE. IT LAST SEVERAL HOURS OF CONTINOUS USE. IT MAKES ME SAVE  SOME BUCKS, AND MY KID IS ALSO HAPPY.
I have been using rechargeable batteries for years (AA's only) so when we found out we were expecting a new addition to our family, we began purchasing other sized rechargeable batteries for all of the battery operated baby gear we were planning on using. They cost more initially be were were aiming to save more in the long run and reduce the waste created from used disposable batteries.We only have one rechargeable 9 volt battery that we use in our baby monitor. It's just a basic baby monitor, nothing fancy. Perhaps a rechargeable battery isn't the best battery to use for this particular application because I end up charging these batteries twice a week or so. I don't mind but sometimes it is a pain- when the batteries die and he's just laid down for bed and I'm trying to catch up on housework.Although I will say, that they do work just as well as regular batteries except that they must be charged frequently. I should also mention that I have never tried using disposable batteries in the monitor, they may drain just as fast?At any rate, these are good batteries. I've always preferred Energizer over other brands. And I am really not disappointed with this battery either. It's all in perspective.
I purchased 2 pairs of these batteries for my Palm Pilot IIIx because I was sick of spending a lot of money for non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. And I found them very reliable. There is no possibility of leakage with these batteries, because they are Nickel metal hydride, and they provide a large amount of energy for my Palm Pilot. Using them, I never found myself with empty batteries on the road. They are much better than NiCd batteries because they provide more then double mAh, and they do not loose their capacity with time. I would not trust any other batteries to keep my data safe, but Energizer. I use them in combination with Energizer charger for NiMH and NiCd battery family.
Hi there, after I wrote the review below this one, I've found out that these batteries will drain their charge over time when not left in the charger for their trickle charge. I replaced the batteries in my palm pilot  with some that were charged 9 days earlier, unfortunately, the batteries  had only retained 25% of the charge. The charger literature has a brief  statement about leaving the batteries in the charger to ensure  performance... I figured this was more for reasons of battery loss than  charge degradation. So, I'll stick by the recommendation that they are  worth the money, however, don't count on them if you need to take them away  from the charger for a long time.
I bought these Engergizer AccuRechargeable NiMH batteries in the new packaging which says they are 700mAh capacity. That is the highest of all AAA NiMH that I've been able to find. All NiMH batteries discharge when not used in about 90 days. So far these power my Palm M100 for 45 days use the way I use them. This is comparable to the Duracell Ultra's that I was using.I also have 4 of them in a small R/C car to power the motor. They run forever (>45 minutes) and when they are done a 1 hour recharge will get it moving again.I charge them on a Rayovac 1 hour charger which charges each battery idependently until it's "full" and I think that this makes a big difference over other cheaper chargers that charge 2 cells at once and/or for a fixed amount of time.If you need AAA size and want the best rechargeables you can get I'm convinced that these are probably those batteries. Get them and a Rayovac charger and you are set.
These should no longer be considered "high energy" batteries. They are only 650mh (most batteries are not _at last_ 750mh). The price is equal to other, more powerfull batteries being sold in most retail stores. I'd recommend that you stay away from these batteries as, at $7.00, they are no less expensive then the better batteries you can buy in your local retail store.
I am using these for my MP3 player. I have a 1GB Creative Nano Plus. Even after a complete charge the player does not show all 3 bars for the battery strengh on the display.  i can see all 3 bars with regular batteries. They last for a little lesser time than these batteries. I would recommend on trying the Sony rechargeables. They are the same price for 4 AAA batteries.
Choosing the best charger and batteries for your device is not easy. I use Palm IIIx, tried a plenty of varieties, used a different battery monitoring programs and found this one the best for me. So, if you use any personal  organizer or other not so big feeder of battery power I recommend it. I  purchased this Energizer charger with 2 pairs of Energizer AAA NiMH  rechargeable batteries for my device, so I use 2 batteries in my Pilot  while other pair recharges - and I am pretty satisfied. Other part of the  charger/battery story are rechargeable batteries so choose right ones. I  recommend Energizer nickel metal hydride.
The Energizer Battery charger seems to be a great buy for the money. I have been using it for many years without any problems. The NimH Batteries seem to last long and a good charger does help.  I bought 2 extra chargers so I could charge 12 at one time.  Another great feature is that this battery charger could charge all types of batteries. You don't need different chargers for different batteries. I have shopped around ther internet and when Amazon has it in stock in their store, Buy It! They have the best price!I would buy 2 and get the free super saving shipping at the same time. Happy Charging! Peace, Anthony
works good, much sturdier than the cheapo other brands. definitley a keeper!
For the money, you'd be hard pressed to purchase a better battery charger.  This unit from Energizer (which is apparently really getting into the rechargeable market) can charge any consumer-size battery--AAA, AA, C, D,  and 9V--in either NiCad or NiMH chemistries.It charges standard cells in  about 4-6 hours and 9V batteries in about 9-10.  This rate isn't as fast as  some &quot;quick chargers,&quot; but doesn't make the batteries hot and is  really slightly better for them.  When it's done, it keeps them on  &quot;trickle charge&quot; so that they're at 100% capacity when you remove  them.For any batteries except 9V, you have to charge in pairs; many NiMH  chargers have this restriction, however.  You also cannot charge NiCad and  NiMH at the same time.Overall recommendation: If you're looking to stop  wasting money on alkaline batteries and need a NiMH charger for household  use, buy this one.  For those few people who really *need* to be able to  charge batteries in one hour (which are really only very high-intensity  digital camera users), however, spend extra for a quick charger.
I have used this charger for a while and it works really well.  It charges both NiMH and NiCd batteries in all sizes AA,AAA,C,D& 9 volt.  A full charge takes about six hours.  You can charge different sizes at the same time.  I consider this charger a very good investment and recommend it to all.
There are some misimpressions in the preceeding reviews ... First, the relative merits of NiMH vs, say, duracell. Depends on the NiMH battery and the application.Some NiMH "D" cells are really "AA" cells wrapped in a "D" can. You can tell these from the following indications: 1. They're quite light, and 2. they'll say, oh, between 1800 and 2200 mAH (the amount of power (more or less) that they'll deliver. Of course they don't last as long as Duracell "D" cells. There are others (8000-11000 mAH, heavier in weight) that last about as long, *longer* in high-drain applications. What do I mean by that? A high drain application is where you're throwing out your duracells every week or so :-). Children's swings and digital cameras are a couple of good examples.The high powered NiMH batteries are *expensive* ... until you do the math on throwing away a lot of D cells .... then they're a godsend.As for this charger in particular, it's got some real problems. As I understand it, it charges D cells at about 500 mA for 5 hours (it uses a built-in timer). That's a total, then, of 2500 mAH ... far less than a modern NiMH D cell holds (mine are 8500 mAH). So you charge it again. And again. And again. Each time, you dump 2500 mAH of power into the battery (less, really, since it's not 100% efficient ... some of that energy gets wasted as heat). Get something that'll "look" at the battery as it's charging; that'll check to see, basically, how hard the battery is "pushing back".That said, it's still better than littering the landscape with discarded D cells, and better, too, than lining somebody else's pockets with my dough :-)
The only reason that I use this charger is in case I have a battery that is too dead to charge with my wonderful Maha MH-C801D charger.  Unfortunately the Maha MH-C801D needs some slight residual charge remaining for the processor to initiate a charge, so that is why I sometimes need to use this Energizer CHM4FC for around a half a minute to give the battery just enough juice for the Maha MH-C801D to initiate a charge.  The Energizer CHM4FC does not care how dead a battery is, but it does a poor job of charging compared to the my Maha which uses pulsed charging.  The Maha can even erase the memory effect of old batteries.  At least the Energizer CHM4FC does not burn up the batteries like those terrible life shortening 15 minute chargers however.
This is a versatile charger that charges all standard size NiMH and NiCads, and reliably. I have used it for a year with no problems, a good value for the price.Smarter chargers have been recommended here(at about three times the price) to compensate for some of the issues with not-so-smart but less expensive chargers like this one. I must admit, the information provided by Energizer with this charger doesn't help to understand the limitation of this 'fixed time' charger.It will put 430MilliAmps for 5 Hours into a AA NiMH. 430Ma times 5 Hours = 2100MaH. It uses 370Ma in its 'NiCad' setting for 3 Hours = 1100Mah for AAs. Since there is always some existing charge left in rechargeables before recharging, if your NiMH AA's capacity is less than 2500Mah(typically yes for AA NiMH) they will be fully charged by this charger. Likewise, NiCad AAs less than about 1200MaH(typical for NiCads) your batteries will be fully charged.You can use the information above and the charging currents given on the Spec Sheet for this charger to figure charging capacities for other size and capacity batteries. C and D size capacities greater than 30000MaH will not be fully charged in one 5 hour cycle and will have to be cycled twice(2 X 3000Mah = 6000Mah)or more times, unless left in the charger to trickle charge for a long period of time(a good idea in any case to top off all charges). Every 24 hours of 65ma trickle current will add another 325MaH charge to a C or D cell till it reaches its full rated Mah capacity. Trickle charging batteries by leaving them in the charger after the 'timed' charge cycle (5 hours on 'NiMH' setting, 3 hours on 'NiCad') will keep your batteries topped off to full capacity at all times without hurting them.So, this charger is a good value if you understand what it does and and does not do. Those with less knowledge or time, but more money, may want to buy the more expensive Smart Chargers others have mentioned here. The Vanson would be my choice, a very good value. I have derated this charger because of lack of information provided to the consumer by Energizer on its site and on its Spec Sheet for this charger. They're not alone in this department, but there is still no excuse for this.If you really don't need a Universal(all battery types charged) then you can get a Smart AA/AAA combination charger for much less. I would recommend the RipVan Lighting 4000N at RipVan100.Com. It charges fast but gently(doesn't over-heat batteries, a life killer).Hope this has helped everyone. Rechargeables are the only way to go for saving you gobs of money and the environment gobs of abuse. Buy good high capacity rechargeables, like highly rated Energizer's, and buy a good charger that will treat them right for you. Noooooo overheating by cheap Quick Chargers.
My neighbor and I bought this charger but I returned mine and I think she is going to return hers also.  It seems a little dated because it charges the batteries for a fixed amount of time (both NiMH and NiCad).  So if your battery is only slightly discharged it'll still charge it for the same time as if it were totally dead.  It also can't charge batteries individually which my Rayovac charger can.  The only downfall of my Rayovac is that it can only charge AA and AAA which is all I need.  I paid 25 dollars for the Energizer and the Rayovac was only 10 dollars...  BIG difference.  If you can find a Rayovac recharger at your local store get it!  I even got 16 NiMH batteries for 25 dollars - PLUS they're ALL 1600mah (higher the rating the more power).  Just thought I'd let everyone know.  Alohaz
It appears that there are several battery rechargers available that may be better for specific needs. For example, one may want a faster recharger for use with a camera, or one that does AA batteries only, or one that work with nickel-metal batteries only.  For more specialized uses, there are instruments that are both higher and lower in price.That said, I agree that this is a versatile, reasonably priced recharger.  As you can see above, it works on size AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. I've used the recharger safely now for over a year (Please read all safety instructions), usually by plugging it in at night.  As noted elsewhere, you need to charge one or two pairs of batteries at a time (with the exception of 9v batteries). Here are a few specs for people with some electrical knowledge (unlike myself; I just read these off the back):Input:  AC120V, 60Hz, 15WOutput: 2x (2.8v...500mA)2x (9.8v...13mA)NOTE:  As stated clearly on front and back, use ONLY for rechargeable nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium batteries (not both at the same time, however). Also, these batteries are generally more expensive than non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, but for people who have a lot of toys and tools with different battery needs, this may be the one to get.
I bought this charger and a lot of the ACCU batteries for work.  We are using them in flashlights and NightVision goggles.  This charger is great.  It charges the batteries in a quick mode, then trickle charges.For us, that's great!  We've got a small bin for new batteries, and one for used.  When the charger is free, we put four more batteries on and walk away...  It is really nice to not worry about when to take them off.  And we have plenty, so we don't have to worry about the length of the charging cycle.This charger also will accomodate AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V.  That's great!!!  We can put our MiniMagLite batteries on the same charger as the D-Cell MagLite batteries!  This is a really good buy, and I've saved a lot of money for our company using the ACCU system.
Batteries are expensive no matter what you buy.  This recharger is inexpensive and dependable.  Given that there are four battery docks, you'll never run out of charged batters.  This recharger quickly charges nickel metal hydrido (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCD), AAA, AA or 9V rechargeable batteries.  The price is fantastic and what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in power and speed.  When the batteries are charged, the light displays green and be warned that it is normal for the batteries to be warm.  Unfortunately there is no real carrying case for travel.
This is just a very poor, plain charger.I used this for several weeks and the batteries that charged my babies rocker lasted only a day or so.  I then switched to the Rayovac charger and now a charge lasts at least a week.The batteries also can't be charged one at a time.
I have bought this charger and found to be working great.But have only complaint this Unit attracts dust like a magnet and energizer should have included a cover of some sort with this unit.Apart from that this is a great charger!
I know my websites quite well, and only found one "smart" charger by Omnisource (Model BCR366). It is a Univeral Charger, which has a computer inside the unit. This determines the best way to charge your battery pack, and monitors the temperature with a probe that protects batteries against overcharging. This  is very SMART in function, but only charges AA or AAA, ans can be found at an UNSMART price of $67.99. I found this Energizer (model CHM4FC) fits best for my various batteries and my wallet!
Pros: Cheap, readily available. Charges both NiMH and NiCd batteriesCon:  Charges all batteries the same amount of time (not smart), must charge batteries in pairs (except 9v), high capacity batteries will not be fully charged.I bought this unit because I trusted the Energizer name brand, and I wanted a good battery charger since my daughter has lots of toys that are using batteries fast.  the first thing I did not like is that batteries (except 9V ) must be charged in pairs.  Well, some toys have odd numbers of batteries, what then?  I then found out that the energizer C rechargeables that I bought hold only 2500 mAh (eventhough they say HIGH ENERGY), the same as a AA, so they do not last too long.  I decided to look online and found this company  [...]They sell the BCH1HU and also some bundles with high capacy (10000 mAH) C batteries, this is a smart charger, can charge odd number of bateries and is a much better unit.
This charger works ok, but simply charges for 5 hours then stops regardless of whether the battery needed 5 hours of charging or not.The Millenium 5 hour charger detects the charge state of the batteries and charges them to full then shuts down, so no overcharging or undercharging. This is a much better system, I own both and don't use the Energizer anymore.
great for the 9volt and D but for AA and AAA it does not do as fast as the smaller rapid charger ones form energizer.
I have used other brands and find this to be the best tape for my Sony camcorder.  I do love Sony stuff and they always work best with Sony accessories!
no probelms with the purchase of Sony Hi-8 tape, I love it. . . . tapes are ok  dont want any tapes
These are good basic tapes for use in my eight year old Sony Digital8 camera.  I hope they keep making these tapes for at least a few more years.  Why get a new camera when I can get really good video with all the features I need to transfer them onto DVD using this older camera?I got a decent price on Amazon buying them one tape at a time.  It still comes out to be cheaper than driving over to Best Buy - and they come right to my door.
Not anything to say. They were as promised. The price when I got them was decent. If you want these tapes, and the price is good, get them.
I have a SONY Digital 8mm and I've tried a variety of tapes.  For most purposes, other tapes are comparable.  However, if you are fussy about color, especially flesh tones, sunsets and unusual lighting, you may find this tape a bit more vibrant.  For many purposes, however, other tapes can give you equal performance for less money.It has also been my experience that these tapes are rugged and can be used again and again.  These seem to hold up well and this may or may not be true of other vendors.  I think any reputable company makes comparable tapes in terms of durability, but if you are looking for high quality video, then you may feel the extra money is worth the marginal additional cost.
Just got the tape for a high end sony video camcorder I picked up at a yard sale. The quality and resolution during play back is great . Never had a Sony product that let me down.
it is a ok. it fit me good. I will call again in the near future. i am very glad
good quality tape, exactly what the doctor ordered for an older camcorder i was gifted with.  overall quality, dependable recordings.
Like the previous reviewer, I also purchased the Kodak NiMh batteries and charger and have found it to be a much-needed improvement to the standard package.  Too bad Nikon doesn't include this as standard equipment with its  digital cameras.  My wish list:  an automotible cigarette-lighter adapter  so I can recharge batteries &quot;on the fly&quot;.  Overall, a quality  product that functions as advertised and provides good value for the money.
... I bought these, and mine came with 1450 batteries. ...Another  note: It doesn't have an electric cord, just two plug-prongs that flip out  and go into a socket.  Makes it very compact, somewhat elegant.  BUT: its  design is such that (1) it doesn't work well in a horizontal outlet, only  in a vertical outlet, i.e. where the switch plate is a vertical rectangle.  In a horizontal outlet, the box ends up hanging precariously on its side,  prone to falling out of the wall.  (2) if you happen not to have the lower  outlet open, it doesn't sit readily in the upper outlet because it's upside  down so the weight of the batteries tends to pull it away from the wall.  So far it hasn't fallen out in this position, but it's probably gonna some  day.  Personally, I think a regular electric cord and plug would have been  better -- I suspect Kodak just wanted to save a few bucks, and calls it a  &quot;feature&quot;.  Other than that it's okay, but why did I really spend  this much money?  As long as it's UL listed, buy yourself a cheaper  recharger from a major brand name, and make sure it's intended for nimh  batteries if that's what you want.
For a slightly less price, you can get yourself a negative pulse charger.  A negative pulse charger strips away sulfate buildup and gas bubbles that basically ruins any rechargable batteries.Take a look at the Maha C210 charger or Radio Shack cat 23-422 pulse charger.  They're microprocessor controlled so that you can't overcharge your batteries.  With the C210 you can charge any type of battery ranging from 3V to 12V.
I called Kodak to inquire about voltage requirements for this charger.  I was told that this charger works only with 110 volts.  While this is fine for use in the U.S. and other 110 volt countries, it won't help you in 220 volt countries unless you carry along a converter.The Olympus charger, on the other hand, works in 100-240 volt environments.  I called Olympus to confirm this, and the unit I purchased states the voltage requirements on the unit itself.  Olympus support also told me that they make only one charger, so any potential buyer need not worry about specific Olympus models.Both chargers are highly rated, but if you plan to use your charger internationally, consider the Olympus product over the Kodak.
This kit comes with everything you need to 'go rechargable' with one of today's digital cameras.  I use it for my Nikon Coolpix and have noticed that one full charge of the 1450 mA batteries lasts 5-6 times as long as  the disposable alkaline batteries that came with the camera.  Full  recharging takes about 3 hours.  The plug on the back of the charger folds  up into the unit so you can slip it into your pocket or bag with no problem  and be rechargable anywhere!Overall, slightly more expensive than other  units out there, but worth it.  Be sure to get 1450 mA NiMH (nickel metal  hydride) batteries if you're going to buy extra batteries with it; you'll  find all kinds of uses for them (pager, penlight, handheld games, etc.)
It's a great charger. You can basically bring it to anywhere you go. But one advice, don't buy too many batteries, because most of the time you think  that you really need a lot of batteries, but after you really bought  a lot of batteries, you will realize that you don't need that much! And  regret about wasting money. And if you are out of battery, you can just  charge them again, two hours after, they are full charged.
This is indeed a lightweight tripod, as advertised.  I didn't expect Manfrotto carbon-fiber quality, but the head is a bit disappointing.  The quick-release plate is somewhat fussy to get onto a camera and into the head.If you're going to mount a still camera and leave it stationary indoors, this unit should work passably, but beware if you're going to use it with a video camera:  mine doesn't pan smoothly and wobbles quite a bit when using any controls on my Canon HG21 or the Rode SVM mounted on top, or when people walk around nearby.  This leads to shaky video, even with in-camera IS, which in turn works against the compressibility of the resultant files.  The tilt hinge is something of a disappointment, as with a still camera in landscape orientation, when fully closed the camera is slightly tilted.If one's needs are very occasional and don't require panning or much adjustment, this could be a reasonable buy.  It's probably also fine for holding reflectors, mic booms, or lights.  I think, though for video use I'm going to invest in a Slik or other unit around the $90-150 range.
I used once.  Very bad quality.  I bought a Manfrotto tripod.  I love it.
This tripod has been invaluable to me as I'm starting up a business that requires me to take good detailed photos of my product.Great purchase, I highly recommend it!
The tripod is pretty decent for its price. It has everything I expected. It is light, easy to fold and unfold. I've been using it for a while and found that although it seem fragile, it has not been damaged as yet. The only issue I have with it is that it's a bit bulky to carry. But I guess that is expected from a 5' tripod. It comes with a nylon carrying bag that you can sling over your back. The strap is not adjustable though.It does what I want it to do,so I'm satisfied.
...you simply can't beat this deal!GREAT LITTLE TRIPOD!Does the job perfectly as a lightweight "back-up" tripod.I do have another big, heavy tripod for windy days but plan to carry this one on hiking trails and long distance trips.Just what I needed.
I got all excited since this was a very inexpensive tripod and the reviews were good. Got the item and the first time I used it for Christmas eve photosthe lever that releases the pan and tilt head broke off. Other than that this is a good starter tripod.
This tripod is too short (I virtually always use it extended to full height, including the head), too flimsy (it struggles to hold my Canon 400D still, even with a small lens), and difficult to adjust (the same camera is virtually impossible to hold at much of an angle).  The removable head is also a bit flimsy.  However, it's also light, and ridiculously cheap.  Don't pay more than $15 for it, and you won't be disappointed.
I am amazed with this tripod , it's light and east to set up . the bag is nice too. I can't believe it's so good for such a low price !!
I bought this tripod stand recently from Amazon, and I must say, I am quite impressed by the product - light-weight, yet sturdy, and able to handle my bulky Canon EOS 300D (DSLR) can't come naturally to tripods, but this one does the job just fine. I recently made a trip to the Niagara falls, and I happened to be there at 0300 (local time), and used this gadget to take snaps of the river in the natural light mode, and they have come out simply awesome!Add to all this, other pretty features like the bubble level, a free carry-on bag (that's actually 1/3rd of the max. extended length of this tripod!), so many cranks I forget at least one of them on most ocassions... it just never fails to amaze me!Why not 5 stars? When you are handling a camera as heavy as my DSLR (weighing more than 4.5 lbs), the fact that the tripod weighs only 2 lbs does little to add in terms of comforting you while trying to balance the camera. While I have rarely used the fully extended length of this tripod, I am kind of worried about the safety of the camera, and so end up using the full length a little cautiously. Not once have I had a chance to doubt the stability of this though, but the nagging fear remains...But don't let this deter you from going ahead and buying this extremely fine piece of machine. It is well worth the price, and well suited for at least 90% of cameras out there!
Bought this because I was starting out with film and really needed a tripod. Dont have it anymore but from what I remember I loved it, very sturdy and was perfect for a beginner!
I received this tripod for Christmas and I am totally delighted with it!  It comes with a case and is small and light enough for me to carry.  In just a few days use, it has made a difference on my low light level and non-flash photos.
The only reason i give it 4 stars it's because i only paid about 8 bucks for it but it's a toy...
I am pleased with my purchase! The Tiffen Tripod Traveler is very lightweight and comes with a nice travel case. I've been able to take it many places and successfully use my camera and video camcorder. An excellent product and the price is great!
I LOVED this tripod right when I got it. It's lightweight, comes with a case and a level and was pretty stable. Then one day while i was tightening one of the screws it stripped the plastic and now won't tighten anymore. I could deal with it because it was one i didn't tighten often. But then today, the main long handle that you use to change the angle of the camera stripped too!! I don't tighten it really tight, but i tighten it pretty often because i change the angle I shoot at a lot. This is an important screw. To just strip so easily... I was really disappointed. I'm going to send my tripod back with the ten year warranty and see what happens.I'm not sure if other people have had this problem or if it's just my use. Besides this incident, the tripod has been wonderful.
You can't beat the price for a full size tripod for your camera. Great for taking pictures of low light settings, night shots, etc. since the tripod will keep the camera still and won;t blur the shot. The only bad thing is the shipping on this is more expensive than the tripod itself! Still worth it for about $20.
cheap plastic breaks easy, treat gently
This tripod feels like it is very cheaply made. I dont care for the mount on it either. Yes it was very cheap, but for a few dollars more I have seen some much better products.
Handsome portable and compact. Once you figure out how to navigate and all the options it's a pretty easy camera to use. I have taken some great videos and pictures already. I would say great for the novice and more advanced users as well.
I bought this tripod back in Nov 06.  It is light, has kind of a cheap feel to it, but is well built and looks like it will last assuming proper care.  Hasn't let me down yet after a couple months of light use. As long as you understand this isn't a rugged, high quality tripod professional, you will like it.  Great for the occasional photographer!From the current picture of the product, it looks like they have revised the head assembly, and upped the price by a bit.  My product bought back in Feb does look similar.My tripod also came with a Cloth/VinylCarrying case which has come in handy more than I thought it would.  Quick release is a great feature too! (though most tripods have this nowadays)My only complaint (which may be fixed in the new version), is that the screw clamp to prevent the up and down motion of the head feels like you are going to break it when you screw it in.
The only positive thing I can say about this tripod is that it is very light and very cheap. I tried to use it several times -  does it's job only if the camera is positioned right on top (90 degrees). If you move the camera and change the angle the top stand twists and fall back under the camera weight. I was using canon powershot S3 IS, which is really light. I can't imagine if you use it with a dslr camera. My final conclusion - It is good if you don't need to change the vertical position of the camera.
If you are looking for the best camcorder in the market, stop looking this little toy has it all. The quality of the picture and sound are so great the you will feel and see every thing that you filmed as if you where there  LIVE again. If you have a home theatre system with Adobe Digital 5.1 you  will really see what I mean. The only down side is you will need a battery  that lasts longer and make sure you get more tape.
I've played with this digital camcorder for about 5 days now and I am delighted with it's quality and features. If anyone's disappointed with the quality of the video (see reviews below), they are probably being  unrealistic in their expectations. To get better video, you'd have to go up  to a 3CCD camera (at about 3times the cost!). As for those who say that the  camera is too big and heavy, I say just TRY shooting a still video without  a tripod with a camera as small as a paperback book! You NEED something  larger to get a good steady picture (even with &quot;steadyshot&quot;). I  appreciate Sony's innovative digital 8 because the tapes are less  expensive, but you still have the quality of digital recording (the Pauses  are terrific!). I'm not worried that these tapes are not interchangeable  with the mini-DV format. I mean, how often would I want to trade digital  tapes with someone? I also have the option of playing back any old 8 or  hi-8 videotapes that were previously recorded, and converting them to  digital (try THAT with a mini-DV camcorder)! I like having A/V outputs AND  inputs so that I can digitally record from a source other than the camera  lens. The Sony infrared &quot;nightshot&quot; is astounding. It's like have  nightvision goggles for your camcorder! The LCD screen on the TRV310 is  WONDERFUL... 3.5 inches! The 20X optical zoom is sufficient, and going  partway into the digital zoom ain't too bad either (as long as you don't  try to actually use the full 360X!) I cannot say enough good things at this  point. If I have to find something negative to say, I wish some of the  controls were in easier locations to get to while I'm still filming. All in  All, a nifty camcorder that I HIGHLY recommend!
I have last year's model of this camera. The entire line of these Digital8  cameras is great for the average family or amateur videographer. There are  many plusses to these cameras. First, they use cheaper Hi8 MP/ME tapes with  1 hour of record time. Image quality is great - not as good as higher  quality prosumer or pro cameras - but still a MAJOR step up from VHS, Hi8  or any other non-digital camera. The firewire interface makes bringing  footage into your computer a snap. You'll finally be able to edit those  home movies that have been collecting dust on your shelves over the years.  The camera records the date, time, exposure and other information to a data  track on the tape. That means you can see the date/time stamp when you play  the footage back without burning it into the actual video. My only critique  of this camera is that fastforward and rewind speeds are a bit slow,  there's no control over your audio levels, and little control over shutter  sped...but those are more prosumer options, anyway.
I have had this camcorder for 4 years and I am still happy with the purchase.For myself being a big guy, I was never comfortable with the tiny MiniDV camcorders out there, and the size of the Digital8 camcorders is a nice fit in my hands, without being too large and heavy for my wife to use comfortably.I have not had much chance to do comparison testing, but the picture quality is very good.  In some cases I might think the color is a bit undersaturated, but I prefer this to seeing colors pushed beyond what they should be.  I have no complaints about the sharpness of the video.  In very low light the picture doers become grainy; I suspect that new camcorders out there may do a better job in low light than the TRV310.One thing I really like about this camcorder today is that it seems better built than the Digital8 models than Sony is currently producing.  In addition, the lens is a bit larger on the early Digital8 models, so low light performance may actually be better than the current ones (but I have not done a comparison).  I also will recommend the TRV130 for video editing; I have had no problems loading video off of the camcorder onto my Windows XP PC with a firewire cable.My complaints on the camcorder:1. Still uses tape, which can jam up inside the camcorder (luckily I havent lost a tape yet).  I've also been told specifically to use *only* Sony Hi8 / Digital8 tapes with this unit.2. There is a manual exposure setting, which is good for shooting candlelit scenes, etc.  But the camera is missing a manual white balance that I wish it had.  The white balance is done automatically when the camera is turned on; when indoors with natural light I will point the lens to a blue object at powerup to eliminate a bluish tint to the picture; likewise if the indoor scene is lit I will point at a warm-toned object to eliminate everything looking orange.3. The supplied Infolithium battery is useless.  I which Sony would include one of the larger batteries as standard.4. As mentioned above, low light performance could be better.  The low light settings the camera provides are rarely used.Altogether, I'm very happy with this camcorder.
This sony camcorder TRV 310 is having IC defalt and after few hours of use screen will flash and the system will shut down.This is not worth at all.I do not recoment any one to buy this product.
Well, I had read all the reviews of this model on Amazon and based my purchasing decision partly on this information.  I expected picture quality from the 310 to be at least as good as my old PAL Sony 8mm.  However, after  2 weeks of using the 310 we had to conclude that it simply provides  inferior picture quality in most lighting situations.  Inferior in both  colour reproduction and in clarity, whatever the technical specs. say. For  example, I have a coat with a maroon sleeve but this appeared bright red  whatever exposure or program setting I used; same with the shop model we  checked with when returning the purchased unit to the store - it didn't  appear to be just a snafu with the particular unit we had purchased.  We  also compared the 310 picture with the supposedly inferior Panasonic 910  and both colour and clarity were actually better on the latter.  Why?  What is Sony playing at?  We were expecting twice the clarity  (&quot;resolution&quot;) and 3 times the colour depth from this Digital 8  camera, as widely advertised.  What are they talking about?  When it comes  down  to it, its about picture quality, no matter what bells and whistles  the machine has.Boy, was I glad to get my money back!
The Sony DCR TRV310 works _very_ well as a Windows XP camcorder.  Windows XP Professional include Windows Movie Maker.  This el-cheapo free-bee isn't adequate.  In 2002, Microsoft released a free upgrade:  Windows Movie Maker 2.  Version 2 ROCKS.  With a whole host of new camera effects, a zoo of fades, excellent title and credit control, and very controllable multiple audio tracks, it's possible to do quite a bit of movie editing, without paying a dime more for software.  Version 2 even allows you to re-record your finished video back onto the camera!I bought my Sony DCR TRV310 used (partly broken).  Since the input/output connections don't work properly, I just plug my TRV310 into the FireWire port, and use Windows Movie Maker 2's capture mode to control the camcorder -- right on the computer screen!I sent somebody some video I had shot, stored as a .WMV file on a CD-R.  He sent me back a note thanking me for the DVD!!!This model is aging, and its cost is going down.  Since it does everything you'll want, including playing back 8-mm and Hi8 tapes directly into Windows XP in digital format, it's still an excellent buy -- and an even better value than ever!Windows Movie Maker 2's minimum computer requirements are, CPU 1,500 Mhz (1.5 GHz), 512 K RAM, lots of disk space (20 GB+), and a FireWire port.  Since Windows Movie Maker 2 uses Microsoft-specific storage formats, you may want to spend a few $$$ to purchase third-party video editing software, which will record to more formats, or give you DVD authoring capability.Suggested equipment upgrades for the TRV310:  External clip-on microphone for better forward gain &amp; extended bass sound; 8-hr InfoLithium battery HIGHLY recommended.
This must have been the best handycam for the price when I bought it! And I love the death out of it! All I can say is that this camera would still be great if it were still manufactured, 3 years later! If you find one someone who is selling this camera in good condition, by all means get it! It's a great camera!
Bought and quickly returned the product within 10 days. Bought this item primarily to get a better picture quality than my old VHSC. Under optimal light conditions, worked just great. Under too much of Sun, the colors are  not at all true and the picture appears too garish. On the other hand,  under low light condition, the picture is very grainy. Even under a 300W  halogen lamp, the picture quality is very poor. So, you can very well  forget about shooting under, say, fluorecent light. This is because, unlike  most of the VHSC or Hi8 camcorders, this camcorder requires a minimum of 4  lux of light for normal filming. Unless you are ready to invest on extra  light, this product is just not worth. For those who have extra light  (which can cost you a lot), this camcorder generates just fabulous picture  quality.Another major disadvantage is lack of vendor choice. There are  about 56 major companies that make mini DV camcorders. While only Sony  makes digital8. So, if you buy digital8, you are stuck with Sony for ever  as no other camcorder can play you cassettes back. While mini DV is  industry standard, digital8 is Sony's proprietery.Another aspect that is  really bad is the battery life. It really sucks.One thing that is great  about this product is it's sound quality. Almost like CD.
Before purchasing this, my first camcorder, I did alot of pricing and feature comparison.  I came down to this one because it offered me what I needed the most for the least amount of money and with quality assurance.  I won't lie, I like Sony products and find them to be trusted. The feature  I liked about this camera was its ability to work very nicely with my PC.  The quality editing I have done as an amateur, I have been very impressed  with. User friendliness is a plus.  The only complaint is the design.  I  would move the menu wheel to a more prominent position for ease of  accessibility during operation and I would definitely move the  record/standby button or the handle hook, one or another, so they don't  interfere with each other.  Those I can work around..for the price of  dependability and end product quality.
Maybe I jumped the gun, but I wanted a digital camera for Christmas and I got it!  (It was a gift, but it was the only thing I really wanted!)  I chose the MVC-FD73 'cause it used disketts, seemed easy enough, and has good instructions.  The zoom is great!  I took literally hundreds of pics on our vacation.  I may not ever use them all, but I sure didn't waste any film getting shots of scenes, people, etc.  As far as flash pics go, the flash can be modified, hi, med, low, or off.  Some indoor shots don't come out very well, but that's due to the overall lighting.  I am extremly happy I have this camera!:o)!
I originally brought this camera to take pictures of my artist teddy bears so I could put photos of them online for customers. For this purpose, the Sony MVC-FD73 is perfect -- handy zoom, great battery life, easy to hold, lots of neat little picture adjustment features. However ... as soon as I started having photos printed from this camera, I was hugely disappointed. The resolution simply is not good enough. The pictures are grainy and pixelized. If you want a digital camera for online work only, this baby will do great. But for your photo album, you'd be adviced to look elsewhere.
Esta camara la he comprado por que puedo grabar todas las fotos en discos flexibles, solo es cargar en el carro una caja de discos y tienes para cientos de fotos, una buena idea de la marca. Me ha gustado mucho y la he disfrutado mucho.
The quality of the pictures (fair to average) are on par with cameras in the $100-$200 range. If you look at the resolution of other cameras listed in the $400 price range you will find others have mucher higher resolution.  Im not sure who Sony is trying to fool but certainly not me.
This camera definitely works for what I need it for - taking pictures to use on my Web site, The Schumin Web, and saving the remainder as stock photos.  The floppy disk storage allows for you to take literally thousands of pictures without going back to your computer, and thus gets high marks for portability.  All in all, a great camera, and if you're like me, whenever you take it with you, carry some floppies in your pocket, because you will be taking a lot of pictures.
The Sony Mavica was my first color digital camera.  Although I took a lot of pictures with it, I eventually bought another digital camera.  The biggest problems with the Mavica are.1. The resolution - 640 by 480 just  isn't good enough.  If you do any photo editing at all, the quality suffers  because of the low resolution.  You need at least a 1200 by 800-1000  resolution, preferably more.2.  The LCD is too hard to use, especially  in strong light.  You really need a viewfinder.3.  The floppys just  don't store enough.  If you go on vacation, you need to carry a bunch of  extra floppies in your pocket.On the plus  side, the battery life and 10x zoom are great.  But that just doesn't make  up for the weaknesses mentioned  above.  Do your self a favor and get  camera with better resolution - and maybe you'll only have to buy one.P.S. I traded up to a Kodak DC260 and like it fine.
This camera was a gift to me by my parents before I set off to study abroad in Japan three years ago.  It was given to me with the promise that I would email photos back home on a frequent basis.  Since then I have spent two years in Japan and have taken over 12,000 photos with the Mavica.  It is extremely durable -- I have dropped it at least a half-dozen times from a standing height, and has been exposed to mist and humidity countless times -- and it still functions perfectly to this day.  The function of the floppy disk easily makes it the most convenient camera for email and quick uploading.  Though because of the size it is to accommodate the floppy disk, the camera is a little on the bulky size.  And the zoom is incredible!  The 10x optical zoom is still the function that has most impressed people who have seen the photos I have taken.  Yes, the camera has poor picture resolution compared to most cameras on the market, and it has been the one function that has frustrated me when I wish to take detailed photos, but the camera has served me well; a great rough and tumble digital camera.  Ultra convenient and superb in LCD viewing with quality and speed (most cameras have a jerky reaction to movement when viewing, not this camera), this is a perfect camera for a person new to digital cameras or needs one for quick and snappy photography.  I would have rated it 5 stars, but with the plethora of cameras out there today, this camera's glory days are over.
Would you like a camera you can easily learn to use. Would you like to be able to produce professional quality photos?I own an fd73 and I treasure it deeply. I can take pictures in just about every setting and come out with superb photos. The camera has more than paid for itself. I know that most people who do auctions online, use the Mavica fd73. It comes with an instruction manual which easily ezplains how to use the camera, and explains in detail about the various programs and effects of the camera and how to best use them. It features the special effects of Black and White, Sepia, Solarized, and Negative Art, and also has settings for various situations such as night photography, outdoor daylight photography, etc.My family and friends all love the photos I take. Some have contracted me to do various projects for them and I had great success. It is a camera which is great for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays,. Plus it also does great at sporting events, parties etc.I'm into nature photography, and have shot some outstanding photos with the fd73.If you want a camera that fits into just about every situation, if you want a camera that, for the most part, all you have to do is point and click, and if you want a camera that can give you some of the most beautiful memories in pictures, you'll want to own a Mavica fd73.
I have used this camera extensively for over a year. I use theMavica almost exclusively for pictures at my web site. Many are shrunkfor quick download times, but you can still see the output quality.After using the MVC-FD73 for this long there are many pros and cons that I have come up with.Pros:1 - easy to use2 - nice LCD viewer for scrolling through previous shots3 - floppies are a very convenient reusable mediumCons:1 - LCD viewer gets scratched easily2 - Viewer LCD hard to see in very strong outdoor light (a better camera would have an interchangeable regular viewfinder AND an LCD viewer)3 - Flash always seems too strong - a lot of red eye incidents indoors4 - Has a hard time focusing in low light5 - Floppies, while convenient, are FAR too small for high res pics. Why Sony hasn't made a Zip Drive or Super Disk drive version is beyond me.In the future I will buy another camera that clears up the problems listed above. It probably won't be a Sony since Sony's pushing proprietary media in their future digital cameras.If you want this camera for the long haul I'd suggest doing a little more homework and being fully aware of the 5 problems I mentioned above before buying this one.
My whole family loves our digital camera!  We're getting about 20 &quot;fine&quot; photos to a disk, or about 40 on &quot;standard&quot;.  We've had it for about a year &amp; a half.  It's even been dropped in a parking lot &amp; is as good as new.  Great for e-mailing photos, or printing out for snail-mails!  :-)
The Mavica MVC-73 is a good low end camera.  If I want to blow up my pictures to 16X20, I use my 35mm SLR.  Megapixel cameras do take better pictures but they require EXPENSIVE memory cards.  The camera takes great shots for web sites and email.  If you shop around, floppies cost almost nothing.  With a rebate, I bought 100 floppies.  I put 10 of them in a bag and I took over 200 photos. (It would have cost me hundreds of dollars to save that many pictures on memory cards.) They used up less room than two rolls of film.  The recharable battery lasts forever and I can go out and take hundreds of photos without having to dump the memory card.  Achiving the photos uses little disk space on my hard drive.  The camera is very easy to use and in the long run pays for itself on the savings on film development, batteries or extra memory.  I give copies of disks right on the spot and the camera is very reliable. If you are looking for a good &quot;snapshot&quot; camera, this is a good one.  The other reviews mention the good and bad points of the camera so there is no need to mention them again.  This is a great camera for real estate or onsite documentation and great for the 100000000 pictures of the baby or the family picnic.  It's a fun, simple and easy to use camera. How many pictures do you wind up enlarging?  I run my favorites on my screensaver and they look great.
I use this camera at work and post the pictures on the company's intranet site. The floppy disks are very convienent for inter-office exchanges, and  it is not difficult to carry around a few extra floppies when you're on the  move and want to take a lot of pictures. I had no trouble at all learning  how to use the camera and had taken a picture, imported it onto my  computer, and posted it on the internet in about 5 - 10 minutes. It is  pretty durable too - I dropped it off the back of a speeding golf cart and  it was fine afterwards (phew).  However, as time went on, I found the  picture quality average at best. The camera does not take reliable shots,  and the quality can vary from excellent to extremely poor. I know how to  use a camera and how to take what should be a good shot, but too often the  pictures end up fuzzy or over/under exposed. I can get better quality  taking non-digital pictures and scanning them in (although this takes  considerably longer). Also - the zoom feature is useful, but like many  zooms, does not quite provide a focused shot.My advice: if you're  just starting out and looking for a quick and very easy way to take digital  pictures, this camera is a good choice. If you have any experience with  digital cameras or even a regular 35mm, look to spend a little bit more,  and get a lot more quality for your money. You may lose that 10x zoom and  some of the easy-to-use features, but I think it is worth the sacrifice.
This is my introduction to the digital camera.  So far, I'm very pleased with the results.  The Mavica is programmed with five picture formats: Fine, Sepia, B&amp;W, Negative Art, and Solarize.  It is easy to use, even for the beginner.  I disagree with some of the reviewers regarding its size.  I was able to shove it in my purse when I wasn't using it; however, for the price, I would've liked to see it come with an extra battery and a carrying case.  It does come with a shoulder strap, which isn't uncomfortable. The camera has zoom capability, but I found that you have to be careful with blurring.  I don't fault the camera, but the photographer.  I have had some experience with blurred pictures and red-eyes.  Photo-enhancing software such as PhotoShop will take care of that.  I know because I've tried. The Mavica works well with Macs and PCs.  The only problem I came across was sending the pictures after editing them with PhotoShop.  If your mother doesn't have the same software that you do, then you will have to send that blurry or red-eyed picture of Junior.  Oh, well. I like this camera, but if I win the lottery someday, I will go out and buy a CD camera because of the memory constraints that these floppy-based cameras have.
I purchased this camera when it first came out on the market (mid 90's) I still have it and still works like the first day I took it out of the box. Perfect for quick shots and fast to download. I can take this camera to my work to take photos of electronic equipment and all I need is a couple of floppy disks and any primitive PC will have a slot for floppy disk (as far as I have seen). Compared to other digital cameras that need USB, memory cards and other stuff, this one is handy. Floppy disks are not that expensive when compared to memory cards.Also great to use it for taking picture of items to be sold on eBay. I will not recommend to take this camera in your next vacation trip to Europe or to the Caribbean, the bulky size makes it awkward to carry around but, if you do, bring a "fanny pack" full of floppy disks..LOL
Both my mother and myself bought one of these for use at auctions, and don't know what we would do without them!  Sure, the resolution is not as high as others, but for what it meant to do the Mavica is untouchable.  Wonderful to use at school with my students, as well!
A wonderful camera for Intrnet use. For auctions, emails, web sites, Etc. this is a fine camera. The advantages are great macros (down to 1&quot;),10X zoom lens, comes with rechagable battery and charger, simple downloading of floppies to your PC and the economy of using floppies as the storage medium.  However this is NOT a camera suitable for Photos (Because of the 640X480 resolution) Do not make the mistake of taking important shots and assume you can get decent photos. For fine photos go to a 1 or 2 megapixel cameras. I also own the Nikon Coolpix 950 camera and recommend any Nikon or Olympus camera. Only the Nikons have great Macro capability (If this is important) A great buy for the money is the Olympus 460/490.
I've owned this camera for some time, and I couldn't put it down when I first got my battery charged!The Mavica series is a blessing.  The FD-73 is, I recommend, to be used for general purpose shooting.  The absence of a manual focus and poor quality photographs under low-lighting conditions forces me to rate this with only 4 stars instead of 5.  Photos appear too grainy under low-light.The 10x zoom is great.  The included NPF-330 rechargable Lithium battery is a godsend, giving you up to 3 hours of continual use.  Good idea would be to purchase an additional NPF-550 which lasts much longer.  I always keep one in use, and the other on charge.  The batteries will last around two years before they need to be replaced.  These batteries can be used with many other Sony digital cameras and camcorders.My biggest gripe with the FD-73 is it's resolution: JPEG's are only 640x480 in size.  The compression is so-so.  However, the picture effects (sepia, B&amp;W, solarize, negative) are pretty nifty, although I only used the B&amp;W myself.  Similar effects can be achieved using any good graphics program.  The LCD can be very difficult to view while outside under sunny conditions.  Another gripe is the white-balance: you can't control it.  Taking pictures of family against open scenery is difficult, making photographs appear to be back-lit.The controls were easy to manipulate, and the floppy disc can hold anywhere from 1 (if using Bitmap mode) to 20 pictures (depending on image).  Of course, you can fit more images on a disc using B&amp;W mode if you prefer to take black and white photographs.I eventually upgraded to the FD-91, which isn't available on Amazon.com anymore.  As for the FD-73, if you're into quality, go for a better model.
This is my first digital camera, and I love it! Very easy to use. I took awsome pictures of my grandbaby, using the fine resolution,and the portrait mode.With the 10x zoom lens I could get such close-ups! So easy to use the  3.5&quot; floppy. I had heard that these pictures did not print well! Not  so! I printed dozens of them on glossy photo paper, and have had real  photographers raving about them. I am more pleased than I thought I would  be with this camera. I use it to make pictures to put on all my greeting  cards that I make.  The battery lasts plenty long for a day of shooting,  and recharges rapidly. The large viewscreen lets you see your picture as  soon as you take it. I highly recommend this camera.
This camera worked only for a short time.  The battery would never hold a charge.  Went in the trash.
The convenience of floppy disks is hard to beat. No proprietary cables or special setup is required. Even the newer cameras with the USB interface often require their own goofy PhotoSchmuck software to be installed.The  floppy drive enables us to share our pics at any time, even with friends  that have older computers or (God forbid) a Mac. Almost any computer can  read the format-standard JPEG used by the Mavica cameras. You can even dupe  a disk in the middle of nowhere. Try that with a smart card! If you want to  make a living with artful photography look higher up the line, or at the  Olympus 600. If you want to make a living on eBay, or just have fun with  your camera, it's hard to beat the Mavica for convenience and versatility.
I have used this camera since the late 1990s for mostly professional purposes. I write and edit a newsletter for a state agency and am often asked to take photos at award programs and/or to accompany job announcements, often with almost no prior notice.Of all the cameras I looked at in the 1990s, this was the one that best suited my needs. The reasons for that follow:1. Shooting photos on a diskette was easier than engaging software and changing documentation from the camera to a file on my PC.2. The 10X zoom is very accurate and allowed me to do adequate work even when I could not get close to my subject.3. The camera is flat out easy to use and has a large viewfinder, a large left hand grip, and big button to press when shooting pictures.Before I bought this camera, I worked for three decades for newspapers and in communications offices of governmental and nonprofit agencies doing the same kind of work I do now. In all those years I never used a camera that was as easy to use as this one, nor did I use one where transmitting the product from the equipment to e-file was easier.Having said that, this is a low resolution camera that will not always give good results. It is adequate for head shots and has always come through for me in events.But I've taken photos of my cats at home where their eyes look more like diamonds than eyes, and I took some pictures of the Christmas tree where the lights looked more like the stars or snowflakes than lights on a tree.So don't buy this to create award-winning photography. For all the same reasons, it doesn't produce very good hardcopy photos.But this is a great camera for someone that needs to take pictures right now and get an adequate product online fast. That's my mission at work and this camera has always helped me achieve it.In addition, the battery charger works fast and I've never had to pay a dime to get anything fixed in more than a half-decade of use. I don't know how this stacks up in the camera industry but it's a lot better than most of the electronic equipment I use in the office or at home.
My first digital camera looks like something out of a Cracker Jack box compared to this one!  The lower of the Mavica line, it does not do video and may have a lower number of pixels, but I feel it is a really great  camera for the price!Being able to store photos directly on disk is the  greatest invention, and the menu/indexing screens allow you to view photos  right away to decide if you want to continue or delete an image without  having to wiat until they're on the computer screen.The battery has a  long life, and recharging is quick and easy.  Bought the package with the  carrying case, which has room for camera, charger, and plenty of  disks.Very happy with this camera overall!
I purchased this camera about a month ago and still am taking pictures galore.  I have read the reviews given here and I must say, I agree and disagree with some.  Personally, I love the floppy disk storage.  It's not  hard at all to throw a few extras in just in case you need them.  I love  the idea of not having to use any cables or &quot;special&quot; programs to  download my pics.  I will say though, I have gotten quite a few pics. that  were of poor quality (fuzzy) and then out of the blue...picture perfect.  I  use a photo program I bought from Walmart for $10, EZPhoto (I used it when  I scanned my &quot;old&quot; paper photos) and I normally reduce the size  of my picture A LOT to send quicker through emails.  This camera does have  an email feature though. Quite a few people said that you don't get a very  good quality pic. for printing, but I have to say I disagree.  Maybe the  printer they are using is of poor quality.  I have printed hundreds of  pics. and everyone has enjoyed them and are so surprised they came from a  print off from the digital camera.  One thing that disappointed me about  this camera is...for the $ you spend, you don't get a carrying case.  I  bought a cheap &quot;purse&quot; that looks like a camera case and has many  compartments to carry all the extras (battery charger etc.). I spent $6 on  it and it was well worth more than that.  You can't tell it's even a purse.  Another thing, I checked all over..stores and internet and the price of  this camera does not really vary...and if  there's a substantial difference in pricing somewhere..CHECK TO BE SURE  YOU'RE GETTING THE BATTERY CHARGER WITH IT!  I found a few places  that advertised at a cheaper price and also found that the charger did not  come with it...
Simple, and easy to use for what it does, this is starting to look a bit overpriced nowadays. On the good side, you can use common floppy discs to save your pictures, the batteries last for ages and it's extremely easy to  use, but on the other hand the resolution (640x480 in hi-res) isn't good  enough for anything more than simple holiday snaps. If you're prepared to  do lots of re-touching you can use it as a useful image aquisition tool,  and the lack of resolution can be a creative spur intself, but for anything  more than simple web-site images and casual snaps you'd be better off with  a proper megapixel camera with some kind of smart-card memory storage.
This older camera came as advertised and is working well for which it was intended.  I had a use for a 3.5 floppy disc camera and this seems to be working ok.
This camera takes okay pictures and it's very easy to use. Don't be repulsed by other reviewers who doesn't know how to use the camera, just go to your nearby retailer store and look at it yourself. It is in some ways  over-priced due to the zoom and floppy drive; a 10x zoom (optical) with a  640x480 is better than a 6x zoom(2x optical and 3x digital) with 1280x960.  I don't like it when people compare these kind of cameras to other kinds at  the same or lower price using flash cards or smart media, because there are  different essentiel accessories that aren't included in those prices(the  compact flash cards could make you say &quot;Aaaarrrrrggghhhh! I don't have  enough because I spent every penny on the camera!&quot;).At the end,  this camera still has problems with the quality of the pictures, but it  comes cheaper than other cameras. If you have a lot of money to invest,  don't buy this one, just buy the best camera with the best lens and don't  look at lower priced items, because quality is what you want.Last thing  to say to whom never touched a digital camera, you must know how the camera  works and how and when it take good or even excellent  pictures.Congratulations to those who bought mavicas(me!)!
Not being a computer or camera &quot;pro&quot; I needed something easy to use. I looked at the reviews for the product here at Amazon. I decided to buy the F83 model. This model allows for a 15 second &quot;movie&quot;. Boy  do I like it. I like the ease of the Floppy disk. The quality is fine for  my needs. The battery lasts a long time. A camera bag is a necessity since  the LCD screen marks easily. I recommend the camera to anyone wanting a  digital camera that is easy to use. Thanks Amazon for providing the  reviews, and thanks to those other individuals who made the reviews. I  found them very helpful.
For entry level digital photography, you could do far worse than the Mavica.  What sold me initially, aside from the very reasonable price, was that it used floppy discs instead of internal storage.  What this means is that if you have a pocket full of discs you can take pictures all day without ever having to download to your PC.  It also means you don't have to worry about a free parallel, serial or USB port, which, if you're a peripheral junkie like me, is reason enough to give serious consideration to this camera.On the downside - yes, there is one - the resolution is not what you might hope for.  When used at normal size, the pics are fine, not great.  They're useable.  When you try to increase the size to 5x7 or 8x10, the results are disastrous.  The other downside is that the flash will frequently wash out the entire picture, but the camera does not function well indoors with available light.  You really have to fiddle with your settings to get this right.  Sometimes it's just not possible.So, do I recommend this camera?  Yes, with reservations.  If you're looking for high quality output and you have the bucks to spare, then look elsewhere.  But if you want a decent camera for a reasonable price, particularly for outdoor use, check out the Mavica.
I've been using this particular model for three years. I use it mainly to take pics of the various items I sell on eBay, and I've found it to be fairly reliable, although the picture quality & resolution isn't always consistent. Some of my photos will be reasonably crisp & clear; others will be a bit muddy. Of course, this could just be due to a lack of photography skills on my part, since my parents also own one of these, and their photos consistently come out nice and clear. They use theirs to take reference pics and event photos for the various organizations they're involved in.The Mavica MVC-73 is okay for taking outdoor & social function pics so long as the place being photographed is reasonably well-lit, and the proper picture-type settings are being used. Unfortunately, the flash function for darker occasions isn't all that hot. It throws a bit too much light on the subject(s), and has a limited range of about eight feet (approx. 2.5 meters). Beyond that, you might as well have taken the pic without the flash at all.The camera also features a playback mode, where you can review the previous pics in the disc. It's a good thing to have in case you're not sure if the last snap you took came out well or not. In my case, usually not! Another nice feature is the auto shut-off, which kicks in after about two minutes of disuse.Although the battery is stated to last for up to 2.5 hours, I've never gotten more than an hour and 50 minutes from a ful charge. Never the less, a `full' cell will usually last me a week or so, since I don't use it too much. One somewhat inconvenient thing about the battery, though: you have to remove it to recharge it, instead of just plugging it directly into an AC adapter/charger. And even though the storage on 3.5 inch disks is convenient in one sense (I can download the pics from the disk into the hard drive faster), the limited capacity of the disk can be a problem. At most, I can get 18 images onto one floppy.Oh, and one last thing. I know this sounds a bit clich&eacute;, but do remember to remove the lens cap before trying to photograph something! I've had times when I'd turn my camera on, and the view screen would be completely dark, when it should've been showing whatever the lens was aimed at! Speaking of the lens cap, it's attached to the neckstrap by a small cord. Although it has a small clip on it to hook onto the neckstrap, it never stays on! This isn't so bad if you're clickin' pics at the normal angle & elevation, but when you're shooting snaps of things on the ground below you like I do, that dangling cover in the frame can be a real pain!`Late
This is great camera with many features. You can take the pictures in many conditions. The flashlight is good enough for Indoor shooting. You can use the A-REC mode for automatic shooting &amp; M-REC mode for manual Shooting. You will have a great photos just using A-REC mode. Just switch on the bottom &amp; ready to take photos. If you want more professional photos use M-REC mode. You can adjust for the manual shutter speed or manual aperture. In this feature you customize your photos even you can bright your object at the poor light. The 2.11 mega pixels is good enough for viewing in the web, sending though E-mail &amp; print in A4 paper. The worst think that I know is a battery live. This camera it's so hungry with power, that I thought same with the others digicam. For your convenient use a 3 set of NIMH batteries, which can take 30 to 40 pictures each set in normal used. You can save your battery live with minimize using LCD monitor to framing the object.
I use this camera with a usb sans disk flashcard reader, which I find incredibly convenient. I email pictures to family regularly.  The quality is matchless, but I have to ramp down the resolution and size or some files  can be over 1 meg.The quality is so exquisite, that (get this) got a  color matched fabric from a friend in NY based on a close up picture I took  of a printed upholstery piece.  I took a closeup of a diseased mahonia  leaf, emailed it to my mom, and she diagnosed thrips and suggested  BT.This is a camera with more capability than I need, but the picture  quality and features are worth developing the patience to deal with the  online manual and learn.  I print pics on a HP722 and the prints look  great. (Tho the color degrades after a year. Printer ink problem, not  Camera)However, it has a few shortcomings. The paperless manual is a  pain when you are learning.  You just CANNOT see the lcd screen on the  camera in bright light which makes using the manual settings impossible.  The add on lenses (wide angle, etc) are awkward to use. I have lost more of  the tiny lens caps than I will confess.  I even dropped one on the grass  and was unable to find it right after dropping it.  I now have 6, having  asked everyone I know for one for presents.
I have found that the Energizer 2500mAH NiMH batteries are worthwhile to buy - they last much longer than any other rechargeable I've ever used, even with extensive flash use.I've had my camera for over 3 years, and it serves well for everything from internet pics to post & e-mail photos to send, to high resolution 5X7" and even some 8X10" respectable quality prints.On the other hand, the major failure of this camera lies in a poorly designed and cheaply built battery door.  Nikon's chief battery door designer was apparently sick that day, and the janitor obviously submitted the design they used.  Eventually, even if you're careful, the chintzy little lightweight plastic slots on the camera body that the battery door tabs lock into, will break, and your otherwise finely made and great performing camera will need a generous strip of ducttape to hold the door closed - this makes the necessity of using the highest capacity NiMH battery you can find all that more important.  I'm drawing up plans to fabricate some small metal tabs to embed into the camera body to replace the crappy broken plastic, but haven't yet gotten happy with the Dremel tool to do the work.Bottom line:  Be Careful when you open the battery door - press it down against the camera body before you slide it to the unlocked or open position, and you can delay the inevitable plastic tab failure that will ruin an otherwise outstanding camera.
I bought a Nikon Coolpix (my first digital camera) about a six months ago and am very satisfied with it.  Previously, I had owned a Nikon 35 MM &quot;point-and-shoot&quot; camera, but was interested in the advantages a  digital camera would provide;  immediate gratification through seeing your  pictures NOW, the ability to send JPG images to freinds and relatives, the  ability to delete pictures &quot;on-the-fly&quot;, etc.  What I got was a  mixed bag of results - mostly positive.Before I go any further, I must  advise you to get the following options:  two sets of rechargable NiMH  batteries which should be standard with the camera (I use the Kodak ones  available at Amazon.com), a higher-capacity memory card (I use a 128 MB San  Disk - Nikon's OEM), and some sort of adapter to transfer your images  quickly - the serial cable is just too slow.  I have purchased a SanDisk  adapter and insert the memory card directly into the PCMCIA slot on my  laptop computer for rapid transfer.Anyways, in use the camera is  fantastic.  Initially, I was using the 640X480 resolution setting to save  space, but with the new, larger card, I now use the 1600X1200 setting with  moderate compression for all pictures.  I find that the card can hold about  100 pictures at this resolution.  Once I find a picture I like, I use the  Microsoft Photo Editor software (comes with Office) and reduce the  resolution as appropriate (web pages, etc.).  I store my  &quot;keepers&quot; on CDROM at the higher resolution - you can always  reduce resolution and size.The picture quality is great.  The flash,  however, should only be used up to 10' - any further and your pictures come  out too dark.  Nikon USA has a web page with the latest firmware available  for download - which I recommend.Low points for the camera include the  fact that the lens resets to full zoom every time you turn the camera off!  I find myself zooming out every time I turn the camera on - this eats up  your batteries and takes time.  The flap that covers the memory card does  not always stay closed and flops open from time to time.  Sometimes, the  camera takes a while to reset between pictures, so a bit of spontaneity is  lost.There are now newer cameras out there.  I find that the 2.1  Megapixel capability of this camera meets my needs and that, given the  recent price reductions, I would buy this Nikon now if I were in the market  today.
I've owned a Ricoh &amp; a Nikon Digital.  This blows away the Ricoh.  I was such a nimrod for purchasing the Ricoh.  Oh well, that's life.  The only drawback to this one is when it's darker.  Takes a little longer and some pics don't turn out as well as others I've seen.  For business purposes, this is a great buy that works very quickly.  Buy it.
Overall, this isn't a bad digital camera for most types of photography.  It's quite easy to use, and perfect for the beginner.  The only real gripes I have are the limitations in the size of the Compact Flash it uses, and the fact that after a time, the battery compartment won't stay closed.  Otherwise, I've taken some fantastic pictures with this camera!  In fact, I'd have to say it does better than some of the newer Nikon Coolpix cameras (like the L18, which I also have).  I've found newer models to have focus and flash issues, as well as severe shutter lag.  This may not be comparable in resolution, but it's quite enough for most uses.  You don't need more than 2.1 MegaPixel for decent resolution unless you're doing huge blow-ups of photographs.
Purchased and returned the camera.  From an optical perspective and the quality of the images, quite a great camera. Considering the substantial cost, several items were very disappointing and caused me to return it on a  cost vs. benefit aspect:  1) The camera does not come with a recharger and  appropriate NiCad (or better) batteries. Regular alkaline batteries last  about 30 min. for normal use.  2) The connection to the PC requires a  serial port only. Would be a nice option to include USB hookup. My  computer's serial ports are all used for other devices.  3) An 8MB flash  card that holds a mere 16 images in the 'normal' mode. 4) When connected to  the PC, the pictures cannot be easily transferred to software programs that  can sort, package or send the pictures.  A cumbersome copy procedure has to  be utilized to get the pictures on the hard drive; from there they need to  be imported to the software. Even with a 450 Pentium II machine, the  transfer was slow (even at the fasted speed setting for the serial port).  The instructions confirmed that photo software does not recognize the  camera as a device to copy from.  It should work just like a scanner (from  a system's perspective).I think the folks at Nikon have a great camera  here but need to work on making it more cost effective and user friendly.  To bring the camera up to speed a minimum of another $200+ would have to be  invested. (Batteries, charger and larger flash card) The PC hook-up could  be greatly improved and made more user friendly.  Considering the already  high cost this is not yet a good package. I was sorry to return it.
The camera is dated, but still works. By today's standard, it is slow, bulky and eats batteries. I have used the camera for three years and had reliable returns. The memory card is cheaper, easily upgradeable in 2007.
After many years of photographic experience, having earned a living with cameras for the past four decades. I started out with a 4x5 Speed Graphic and latched onto a 35mm SLR almost as soon as Pentax made them available, so I can speak from hands-on experience.This camera--the 950 Coolpix model is a royal pain in the ash! Not only did they jam so many features into this little digital wonder, including video, but the controls used to select all of them are downright confusing and VERY not intuitive. The optical 3x zoom is nothing special, the standard lens is not wide-angle enough and the resulting photos are no better than some of its cheaper rivals. My suggestion? Purchase the CP800 if you can, its not jammed with as many high-megapixels, but its convenience, fast operability and consistent results play a huge role! Convenience in taking pictures is paramount for me and when the light is low and the controls become difficult, NO THANKS! Give me the easier to operate Nikon Coolpix 800 any day over this BRICK!
This is the first & ONLY digital camera I have ever bought. Yes, I paid over $1000 for it new, but that is what you get for being on the cutting edge of technology. Many of my hi-tech pals are on their 2nd or 3rd digital cameras, but this single gem is lasting me (& my professional use) very very well. It's almost a decade old & it's still going strong. Had it re-vamped with new CCD chip, belt, door & I have dropped it outside a number of times. Once it took a topple from my tripod in a super windy ghost town at night. Although it has been in the shop a number of times (twice under warranty), I still swear by this camera. Great quality of colors, contrast & light balance!! Nikon does very well in low light conditions too. Imagine camp fire shots without a flash. Getting your friends to sit still is another story. If you check out Total Escape, you will see the fine work of this lil camera.
I also own a Sony Mavica and a Kodak DC260 so this isn't my first digital camera. With the 950 I found that I needed to read the manual with care  because much of the interface is restrictive and confusing if you try to  just &quot;go for it.&quot; After blowing through several dozen test pics,  I started to find the tricks to metering, autofocus and Nikon's digital  simulation of shutter and aperture settings found on a traditional camera.  The quality of the pictures, once you get the hang of using the camera in a  particular setting, is amazing. This is the highest digital quality I've  experienced with a digital camera.
I love my Nikon. It was a gift from a friend who is a professional photographer. She had outgrown it and was tired of me complaining that I saw this or that and wished at the time I had a better camera than my phone.If you have never used one of these before it will take a little getting used to. The camera pivots in half (which is quite disconcerting and a bit confusing) so you can change the angle of the viewing screen to the lens. The whole thing rotates freely 360 degrees, with snap-lock settings at each 180, so you can watch yourself "taking a picture of you" or use the viewing screen versus the manual viewfinder. The flash is a bit annoying, as it automatically fires in even remotely low-light circumstances. A simple press of a button disables the flash, but then you have a longer exposure time (about one full second) which means that you have to keep your hands really, really still. Just for fun, try taking a picture of the full moon and see how much you hand shakes.This camera is really at its best during the day. It should win an award for being the official picnic (or even beach) camera. It really is point and shoot, but it has an easy to learn and use zoom, auto/manual flash, and you can turn off the viewfinder with the push of a button if you are running low on battery. The live motion feed on the viewing screen is a bit jittery, but for the price that is nothing to sneeze at. My guesstimate is something like 3-5 frames-per-second of video capture on the view screen while you are searching for that perfect moment to snap the picture.The short version: It is self-contained, easy to load and swap the memory card. It takes high resolution photos, and is so easy to use (and durable) that a 5 year-old could handle it (carefully). Stock up on extra AA batteries though. It eats through 4 of them in a few days of use.Hope this helps
Had this a little over a year, great camera--have the feeling I'm still only scratching the surface of what this thing is capable of.The Pros:1. Oustanding image quality, great colours, etc. Typically Nikon does err a little on the side of preserving detail, so you might find a little contrast/brightness adjustment in Photoshop to your taste.2. Enough manual control if you want. Enough point and shoot in the Auto mode if you don't.3. That swivel head gives great flexibility.4. Best shot selection gives some really interesting flexibility with regard to avail. light photography (OK, so I know I really should use a tripod).The Not-so-good:1. The flash is disappointing. Terribly easy to red-eye anything biological :) Get the bracket and an add-on flash if you have to shoot flash. To be fair, tough for _any_ camera with the flash/lens this close together to not have the same problem (red eye reduc. or not).2. The pre-exposure focus lock does not 'feel' as definite (when you partially depress the exposure button) as on Nikon's 35mm SLRs. The nice, nice thing about the 990 is that the area of focus is artificially sharpened in the LCD viewfinder. _Very_ tough to check focus in 950 LCD viewfinder until _after_ you take the pic and magnify in the LCD.3. Definitely less than great for fast moving action. Digitals in general are not the greatest for moving action. For long-time 35mm users, this is probably the hardest thing to get used to. By the time, you add in the focusing time, save to CF card, etc., there is a definite delay between pulling the trigger &amp; getting the shot, as well as a significant delay between shots (flash use makes it worse). Some of this can be negated by swithing to Manual and presetting a focus distance, and so on, but it's an adjustment.Recommendations:1. Get three sets of NiMH rechargeable AA batteries--this thing eats batteries for breakfast.  2. Get a bigger CF memory card, at least 48MB.  3. Get a USB/PC card reader for the CF card--the serial connection is _painfully_ slow.  4. Download the .PDF file from Nikon's site which goes into a little more detail what the controls do.  5. Get this book! :)...Would I get this again? YES, but I would probably spring the extra bucks for a Coolpix 990 for:1. Focus area sharpening 2. Selectable autofocus area 3. USB 4. QuickTime captureLess so for the 3.3 megapixel.
Amazon's review still touts this as a &quot;top of the line&quot; camera when Nikon released the third generation CoolPix 990 months ago. The 990  fixes all the complaints people had with the 900 and the 950 (shown here).  It also ups the resolution to 2K x1500 (3.34 Megapixels). It's a fantastic  camera.That much said the 990 is more expensive, and if you don't need  the extra resolution the 950 remains a great choice at a lower price. I  just take exception to Amazon presenting it as &quot;top of the  line.&quot;The swiveling body on the 900, 950, and 990 allows you to  hold the camera over your head with the lens looking down, or at your knees  with the lens looking up, and still be able to see your composition on the  LCD display, because the LCD is on the other half of the body from the  lens. You just twist to see the LCD regardless of where the lens is  pointing. Other digital cameras don't do this and it's really useful. It's  made possible by the fact that these cameras (especially the 990) are so  good at autofocus, autoexposure, and autowhite balance that for very many  scenes you can use the LCD to compose and frame the shot, not worry about  anything else, and get a great result.
I've had the CoolPix 950 for several months.  I did quite a lot of research prior to the purchase and it paid off, this is a great camera.  The other reviews cover all the pros and cons quite well so I'll put a different spin with my problems.  No problems with the camera or performance, the camera does exactly what it is supposed to do.  Most folks problems seem to be mismatched expectations or not understanding the technology.  My issues, and I can't seem to find help anywhere, so if anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it:1. Learning the real differences between all the combinations of Size and Quality.  I purchased Corel Photo-Paint 9  Digital Camera Edition for not to much $$$ and like it a lot but the size, resolution, compression, quality, etc. choices just blow me away.  I have found a lot of people with digital cameras but who really don't understand this part of the technology and Nikon's manuals and reference guides do not really help the digital novice.  I learned my photography over 30 years ago before automatic cameras of any kind existed and I still struggle with understanding the digital formats. I have 2 books on order from Amazon that I hope will educate me.2. Nikon external flashes are too expensive.  Has anyone found a third-party flash that works well with this camera?All in all a wonderful camera and Amazon has the best prices and service.  E-mail me at info@mainelywood.com if you have questions or info I could use.I added rechargeable batteries, the filters, a  card reader, and a 96 mb CompactFlash card from SanDisk (called Nikon, manual says only up to 64mb but Nikon has since tested Lexar and SanDisk of larger capacities and approves them).  I found Nikon tech service to be be very good, guess it depends on who you get.
Having been a professional photographer for over 25 years I expected Nikon to produce superior results.  Forget that the camera is difficult to use, the final quality of the pictures is poor.  If you shoot only in sunlight  or shadow it's OK, but mix them and the result is unacceptable.  No  latitude, or gamma, and even Photoshop fails to correct the problems.  Maybe in the future, but until then, buy something to play with but use  real film.  I returned mine...
I've owned this camera now for 1 1/2 months (along with my Nikon N90s) and must say that it takes the most wonderfully clear, focused and perfect shots (We're talking Full-Auto mode here, folks), that it is a must for  anyone considering a digital camera. I cannot say enough about it here. See  For Yourself!
I paid $15.77 for this camera and it's great! The one I got looked like it was hardly used at all! It was out of the box but came with all accessories, the memory card, the case to protect it, lens cap, all user manuals...I got this camera to try to learn how to do Infrared photography. I have to say, it's an amazing camera! I wish I had this camera when it was released in 1999! I pretty much turned the camera on, and it worked amazingly! I used the adapter I bought on amazon to fix a 52m filter on and I have actually obtained amazing pictures! I am really enjoying infrared photography so far, and I am moving onto ultraviolet photography next. I am doing this all for fun and my own enjoyment. I didn't want to mod my Nikon d3100...so this is the next best thing. For about 30 bucks I have this camera, the adapter, and the infrared filter. I have to say if you are looking to do some interesting things with your photography and are not willing to mod your high end camera, this is a great 2nd option. Affordable also... =)
I have owned this camera for over 9 months now and I really like it. The image quality is stunning and I didn't find it all that hard to figure out how to use it. The controls are generally well thought out and positioned  ergonomically.The camera is also slow (I think this is true with most  digital cameras.) You click the shutter and about 1 or 2 secs later it  takes the picture. This may not sound like a big deal, but last night I was  trying to take pictures of my infant son, and in that amount of time he  often moved his face away from the camera.A significant short coming is  the built in flash. Its nowhere near powerful enough, even for a simple  head and shoulders shot when the subject is 4 feet away. Images often come  out too dark. This wouldn't be so bad if there were accomodations for an  external flash, but there doesn't seem to be one. Also, the camera tends to  create &quot;red eye&quot; a lot, which you can correct if you have  PhotoShop, but that's more work than I want to do.The camera does eat up  a lot of power, I agree with the others who suggest getting rechargeable  batteries. You can get a set of NiMH batteries and a charger for about $20  bucks (it takes 4 AA batteries.) I'd suggest getting at least 8 AA  batteries.I do suggest getting extra memory (I have 32 megs) and one of  those USB memory card readers, its a lot faster than a serial port.
Don't have much to add to the already-thorough reviews that have been written about this superb high-tech piece of machinery, but I would like to say that having never used a digital camera before this one, I found it  incredibly easy as well as fun to just pick it up and start shooting. The  manual really doesn't contain much helpful information, but learning as you  go has been a breeze.I've found that with our tripod, the Nikon 950 also  takes perfect Ipix pictures. (Whether you want to buy their stupid keys or  not is a different story.) The battery life doesn't seem to be too long,  but I don't even find that worth complaining about. If the 990 is even  slightly improved from this one, it must be the absolute top of the line.
This camera is a great design, easy to use, and produces 5 megabyte highly detailed digital photos. I recommend a Sandisk USB compact flash Image Mate ($49.95) as a very easy way to transfer images directly to your computer.  You'll need lots of compact flash memory to take the highest pixel shots,(5  megabytes each)  but the results are worth the investment.  The Nikon  CoolPix 950 is an excellent camera, and I have been very pleased with it.
This camera is the digital equivalent to a some of the fine utility film cameras such as Canons' Rebel and &Eacute;lan EOS series: The camera is just as complex as you need it to be - whether you are a `point-and-shoot' user or  a need it for professional uses.  In my design business use it has far  exceeded my expectations.Prior to purchasing the 950, I would  take a product shot, make a print and tape it onto my monitor where I used  it as reference to draw the product into an on screen graphic.  With this  camera, I seldom print the `film' out at all - in fact in many cases I  didn't even have to redraw the product in at all.  A shade-tree calculation  says that this camera has saved me well over 100 hours in the three months  I have owned it.  Even at my low-low rates this is several times the cost  of this camera - even including the optional memory.The  resolution is high enough for everyday publication uses -- print or pixel.  A caveat here: the lens does not collect enough light to do studio quality  photography.  For this reason in most high quality still photo work it is  useful to use a tripod to keep the camera steady.  The `speed' of the  camera is roughly equivalent to ASA 100 film.While it takes  only a few moments to discover the basics for `point-and-shoot' mode it is  worth a few hours practice in the `pro' mode.  Few of the `advanced'  features are really difficult to understand and using them once or twice is  so rewarding that learning becomes an easy and fun process - especially  since you can erase the film and use it over!  With careful lighting I  can come very close to studio quality work which compares to my yeoman  Canon EOS &Eacute;lan 35mm.Particularly handy for me is the macro  mode - or close-up mode.  You can focus from less than an inch!  I  sometimes use it over my high-test scanner for documents because it is  easier and faster.  My partner (whose mechanical ability allows the use of  the toaster correctly 7 out of 10 times) uses it for online auctions and  has found it to be a blessing: she no longer shuns putting up the low cost  items due to the difficulty of getting an image.  She is still using the  point and shoot modes but they are more than good enough for this use.Notes and recommendations: Even a casual user will find the  need to have more than the supplied 8-megabyte chip.  I have a 64 and it is  more than enough.  Probably an additional  8- or 16-megabyte would do for  average use.  Uploading pictures using what is in the box is  straightforward but cumbersome and requires a serial port.  For not too  much money you can get a serial or USB drive that makes the CompactFlash  chip into a drive - plug the chip in and using explorer or your photo  software you can retrieve your photos just like any file on your computer.  (We have even used it to move non-photo programs from one `puter to  another!)  Please note that I have skipped over many features which have  bee covered admirably by the other reviewers on this page.In  this fast-moving technological era it is difficult to make a decision to  buy as there is another camera coming out in the near future.  However,  this camera will work for me for a long time and I recommend it to anyone  from the family album user to photo professionals for everyday use.  With  the new online services that will make you paper prints from your uploaded  images there are fewer and fewer reasons for cumbersome film and this  camera is one of the first to deliver print-quality resolution.
Great camera once you learn the menus and buttons. Advanced users of electronic cameras will find this easy. I have avoided the auto-everything camera's because I like controlling all of the creative process. Because of  this, it took me a while to get used to the menus and buttons, but it was  not hard. The Coolpix 950 still allows you to control the creative process  but I would recommend a good book on digital photography (such as Real  World Digital Photography) to get you started, especially if you're a film  junkie such as myself. Note: a memory card reader for your computer and  bigger CompactFlash cards will make the camera much more enjoyable as well  as rechargeable Ni-MH batteries. The first two replace your film and  processing budget. One nice thing is that you can instantly reuse the  memory card. Mistakes can be erased immediately and the same memory space  used for a better shot. A light steady tripod is also recommended as the  camera has a &quot;speed rating&quot; of ISO 80 and shutter speeds tend to  be slow without flash. If you must use flash, get an external unit as the  on board flash is too close to the lens and, as with all small cameras,  produces flat featureless images. You'll also need access to a good, fast  color printer to print out the full reference manual. A copy center such as  Kinko's should work. This is not a camera for the &quot;instamatic&quot;  crowd. Hint: negative reviewers tend to be disappointed because it is not  an out-of-the-box instant hit, but with a little creative work, the camera  does well. I may trade up to the CoolPix 990 in a year or two after the  price comes down.
I use a Sony MVC-FD91 at work and I love it, but I wanted something a little smaller for my personal use and bought a Nikon Coolpix 950. I have Nikon 35mm cameras and like them. My Coolpix camera works fine and picture  quality is good, but, except for size, I think the Sony is superior in  almost every way.My biggest gripes about the Nikon are the cheesy,  print-it-yourself manual and absolutely maddening software that come with  it. The print-your-own instructions with the software are very confusing  and I don't believe I ever successfully printed the entire manual. I have  also never figured out how to download the camera itself (I can't get the  program to recognize the camera).  I ended up buying a Compact Flash reader  (if I were designing a camera, Compact Flash would be dead last on my list  of preferred memory cards.) and another software program which adds a  couple hundred dollars or more to the price of the camera. A decent sized  Compact Flash card will add another hundred or so (and then there are the  batteries and charger). If you take this camera on a vacation, you'll need  to bring your computer or several hundred dollars worth of memory  cards.For a camera in this price range, I think Nikon would be wise  include decent, already printed manuals and user-friendly software.
We use these camera's at work to take photos through our microscopes. Because the lens does not move and is threaded, we can use this with an adapter from Zarf Enterprises to work with our microscopes. 2MP is not a problem for our 3x5 printed photos.
I got my 950 a couple of months ago after owning a cheap digicam. The difference in the photos is astronomical.  I decided to purchase it because of so many positive reviews.  Yes, it isn't easy to figure out the controls, but it's worth it when you do. The camera is capable of some pretty incredible photos.  I got a couple sets of nimh recharge batteries, and a usb card reader and a 48 mb flash card.  I print out photos on glossy paper on my fine Epson printer, and nobody can tell that it was from a digicam.  I would like to eventually get an external flash and a telephoto lens.  It is nice to be able to add these options.  I haven't even used the high res setting yet, and have gotten some great 8x10 prints on the default medium res setting.  Any problems so far that I've had with it have been only because I hadn't figured out the right way to use it.  No camera is perfect, but this baby comes pretty close.  I don't think that I will ever pick up my film camera again!
I own the 950 since the first days when it was launched. Since it is a product with many reviews, I will perhaps focus on a few positive and negative aspects I have found over this time.For positive, well, overall image quality is very good, colors are very balanced and not artificially saturated for that extra good look. I found myself doing some level adjustment sometimes, you will still need your Photoshop, but in any case, even with high-end professional models, you are likely to end up doing some digital darkroom work. The 2.11 CCD is quite good and enough to print excellent photo-quality A4 (I'm in Europe, that's about the area of a 17&quot; monitor) prints that people will mistake for normal photos (matched with a good printer of course). The firmware is very effective, but a few features have been improved in the 990, which I have used too. The swivel design ends up being VERY useful. Trust me, you will notice the difference sometimes when a normal camera wouldn't work as good.My favorite aspect has to be the absolutely AMAZING macro mode. The 950 can focus sharply at a ridiculously small distance from the subject. This thing is almost a microscope. Yes, it can be tricky to adjust lightning in those cases, but the ability to focus so well at such distances really impressed me when this model came out.So to keep it short, I'm happy when it comes to overall image quality, color accuracy, and features the main problems with this model are:-Considerable barrel distortion at wide angle. If you do a lot of architectural photos or are just unlucky and pick a tricky shot (like a door for instance) at the edges of the screen, at wide angle, well, it is way too obvious sometimes. Few digital cameras offer high-quality lens that are completely (almost) barrel distortion free, but I can't help looking at some cheap digicams using Zeiss lenses and feeling that the Coolpix deserved better. At Tele, the problem is a lot less obvious, but on wide, expect some of your lines to be more like,well...splines. -No USB interface, no Firewire, no nothing besides the plain' old serial interface. Ever tried transferring 48MB at 115k? Well, let's just say that it reminds me the days when I used analog modems. A lot of patience is required. Again, this could and should have been released with USB support (which was widely available at the time).  -Big body. The camera is a big big, not cigarrete-packet size like some Canon's and other models, so, that might end up meaning that you'll take it with you less often. -Some chromatic distortion (purple edges, etc) under certain conditions.  -Forget about using Alkalines they will last 10 minutes. Go for NiMh 1600 rechargeables. The 8MB default card will only hold about 10 photos at maximum resolution, or 1 if you don't want lossy compression. 48 MB or 64 MB cards are essential. -Panel isn't always visible under bright sunlight (newer firmware revisions have addressed this issue, but it's still tricky sometimes) -First versions of NikonView were incredibly , to the point of the user not being able to recover transferred photos after a connection failure (that meant that aborted transfers at 90% of the card when you're using a slow serial protocol meant starting all over, quite fun). Don't worry, NikonView is now a lot more solid and, but I did suffer with the first versions.Overall, a very good camera that can give you very good photos (and that means printed photos). Also, keep in mind that the final price ends up rising, since you're likely to need at least the following accessories: A Bigger CompactFlash card (48 MB or 64 MB), At least 4 NiMh 1600 batteries + a charger, and a decent caseWith Zeiss lens instead of the Nikkor 7-21mm used and USB interface, this could still be the best 2.11 on the market.  Because of these details, and since I paid full retail $ when it came out, I'm keeping a star to myself...
This camera takes excellent quality digital pictures and comes with the Nikonview software which enables you to make basic edits on the pictures on your computer.  It is fairly easy to use and the compact flash uploads into the computer either via a reader or directly from the camera.  I have seen some digital pictures which made me wonder why you would bother, the quality was so poor.  This camera is the best I have seen and I would highly recommend it.
I just got the camera two days ago and have been tinkering with it ever since.  The macro mode alone makes this camera a worthy investment.  I do agree with others that the manual controls are a little tricky but I figure  if you manage to get a good picture then you earned it.  I have not been  disappointed yet by the quality.  Picked up 8 rechargeable batteries and a  64 mb card and I haven't looked back since.
I just received this camera about a week ago. Since then I'vereplaced the 8mb memory card with a 96mb card. This camera definitelytakes some getting used to. I'm taking mostly photo's of my new twinsand find that I'm either afflicted with the palsy or the camera is super sensitive to shaking. Suggest trying a tripod (that is my next investment).I think you also need to experiment with things like shutter speed to get the maximum picture out of the camera. I have had very mixed results with closeups but blame myself for not having gotten the hang of this yet.Overall it is a really nice unit, solidly built. You'll need a bigger memory card, probably a USB card reader and NIMH batterys (don't let them sell you NICADS - get the 1500mah NIMH along with a 1 hour rapid charger).You won't be sorry with the camera!
A Barlow lens is used to effectively increase the magnification of your eyepieces in a telescope.  For example if you would normally see an image at 30x then using that eyepiece in conjuction with the Barlow gives you an effective 60x magnification.  One Barlow can be used with all of your different eyepieces in turn, making for a cost effective way to have a wider range of magnification options.This Barlow can be used on any telescope that uses 1.25" eyepieces.  It does not have to be a Meade telescope; all you need is that the size of the eyepieces be the same.  (1.25" is one of the more common sizes but check your telescope to be sure first.)To use this lens, pull your eyepiece out of the telescope and put the Barlow lens in first.  The eyepiece then gets placed back into the end of the Barlow.  Refocus - and you're done - the image should now be 2x.  Simple.I've used this lens and it is a fine lens for starter telescopes.  I did not see any increased chromatic aberration.  The quality of the glass and the coatings are all acceptable.  Obviously you can spend a whole bunch more and get even more premium glass, and Barlow lenses that go up to 3x or variable amounts, but for most backyard astronomers and folks with relatively small or starter telescopes, this is all that you need and is a good value.One word of caution on telescopes: bigger is not always better.  If you magnify an image too much you'll get dim and/or fuzzy images.  But as long as you stay within the range of what the rest of the optics in your telescope can reasonably deliver, a Barlow lens is a great addition.  (In particular I often use my Barlow to help out my low powered lens rather than my high power.  I find I get higher magnification but with the better eye relief that comes inherent to the lower powered eyepieces.)
This is a great product at a very economical price and even worked surprisingly  clear with a 4mm eyepiece . The coated lenses really pick up light  the down fall being  that I may have to use a light filter to enhance lunar viewing.Currently using it on a economical Meade 70mm objective  by 700 mm focal length refractor scope also available at Amazon.com .This is something expected but well worth the  purchase being able to enjoy spectacular close ups of the weird  occurrences going on with the moon lately after it was affected by  the recent comet Ison.  Hence pay close attention to the moon  !
I have tried it with all my lenses, and so far it seems to be working great. All the images are sharp and clear.My only gripe is that it did not come with end caps for storage to keep dust build up off the lenses. Right now I am keeping one of my eyepieces locked in to it when storing it, and using the caps from that for dust protection.Other then that. Great lens!
I bought this Barlow Len to use with a 25mm piece or 9mm piece that came withMeade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope.  I wanted to use this Barlow Lens with the 9mm to watch Saturn and Jupiter.  I was worried it would be a bit too much, and it was.For example, the first issue was to get Saturn on the center of the field of view.  Once I got it on the center, I would have about 10 seconds before Saturn would drift out the field of view again.  The second issue was to get the telescope to focus.  Even the slightest tap on the nob would change of focus, and cause the image to vibrate.  However, once I got past these issues (not a trivial task), I was able to observe how the shadow of Saturn darkened the ring behind.  Awesome!During the time of the Venus Transient (June 5, 2012), I used my telescope with this Barlow to project the image on the wall. It actually worked like a charm. I think I had to extend or retract the telescope all the way (forgot which one), but I go a clear view of the Sun and Venus.Anyway, be very careful if you try a similar experiment since the telescope does heat up and remember to look only at the projected image.In all, this Barlow Len worked as expected, and I even got it one day earlier than expected from the seller.
El producto es un complemento ideal para ampliar las cualidades de un telescopio. Es un producto fino y &uacute;til. Estoy satisfecho con el desempe&ntilde;o adicional que me ha Generado.
I am the president of a large (300 members) astronomy club in Columbus, Ohio and have looked through thousands of telescopes in my life- including, perhaps, 20 Meade ETX-90s. I find the views of the planets and the moon through the ETX-90 to be consistently good- though not overwhelming. Due to the limited light grasp of this scope, high power views of deep-sky objects (galaxies, star clusters, nebulae) are relatively anemic and uninspiring. However, the scope gives very nice "rich field" (low power) views of the Milky Way and brighter comets.To explain: More than any other factor, it is the aperture of a telescope that matters. In general, aperture dictates portability, cost, resolution (sharpness) and, most importantly, light gathering ability.  A telescope is like a bucket for gathering light; the larger the bucket, the more light it gathers. With its 3 and a half inches (90 millimeters) of aperture, the ETX-90 is not a very large bucket.Why is this important? Other than the planets, the moon, and the brightest stars, astronomical objects tend to be very faint. Views through a scope of any size will look nothing like astro-photos. Nebulas, star clusters, and galaxies will, instead, appear to the eye as delicate, cottony, wisps of light.To make these delicate wisps of light more perceptible, most experienced amateur astronomer use scopes with 8 inches of aperture or more. Such a scope will gather 5 times more light than the Meade-ETX 90. What difference does this make? A view of the spectacular M13 globular cluster through an 8 inch scope will reveal dozens of its brightest stars swarming about its "nebulous" center like a swarm of bees. Through the 90 mm of the ETX, one might, under the darkest skies and with a bit of practice, just barely be able to make out that the object is made has stars in it, and is not, in fact, just a fuzzy "nebula".For this reason, I generally steer first time scope buyers to an inexpensive, but larger aperture, "Dobsonian". Those looking for something more portable I steer toward a nice pair of binoculars.On the other hand, this scope is exceptionally portable and convenient to use. It does fit a niche. It is the perfect scope for travel or those quick "gotta' look" moments. It's small size means that it cools off quickly, and can be used almost immediately. With its fixed "Maksutov" design, it never needs collimation (mirror adjustment). I've found the computerized GOTO system relatively easy to use, fairly precise, and programmed with more and fainter objects than one can reasonably expect to see with its small aperture. (Recommendation: learn the names of the brightest 20 or so stars in the sky. You will need them as guide stars to align the scope with.) After a few minutes of setup by an experienced user, sought out objects fall within the low power field of view 90 percent of the time.  Finally, some skilled star watchers find delight in "bagging" faint, difficult objects with minimal aperture.  It's a source of pride for them to be able to say: "I saw Pluto (as an amost imperceptibly faint dot) in my ETX-90!"NOTE: I have stood next to many first time users of the Meade-ETX and watched them fumble in the dark for hours with the system of computerized menus in the GOTO system that comes with this scope. Learn to use it in the daylight or during the full moon and not while you're cutting into your observing time. In addition, I have one experienced friend whose Meade-ETX 90 simply refused to function properly, but I believe this to be an exception.The 24 millimeter finder is useless for finding anything but guide stars and the planets. It is difficult to align, and is so small that very little can be seen through it.I would recommend getting a dew shield in addition to this scope.The Bottom Line: If your only experience with a telescope is looking through a rickety "department store" refractor, you're liable to be very impressed with this view through a "real scope". If you like to look at the moon, planets, and to surf the star fields of the Milky-way, you will find this scope convenient and enjoyable. However, if you expect glorious views of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, either buy a larger aperture scope, or join an astronomy club that owns one.
The biggest thing about this telescope is its size, not how big it is but how SMALL it is. Small means easy to carry, and that means you'll be more motivated to take it out and look at things. More importantly you will take it to good 'dark sky' locations. Even with the Meade deluxe tripod this scope is easily carried with one hand, that and a simple set up make it fun to use. The Super Plossil Zoom eyepiece is a great accessory, and the astrostar lets even clutzs like me find cool things to look at.
I am truly an amateur astronomer.  My childhood was peppered with dime-store telescopes that showed me a new blurry world.  When I got the EXT-90EC I expected little more than a brighter blur.  To my surprise and  delight I was wrong.  Out of the box, in bad lighting conditions,  surrounded by trees, I saw some of the most breath-taking images of the  moon.  In fact, I spent the next six hours observing the moon.  I saw  craters in detail.  I even saw some craters within craters.  I did venture  to a bright star I saw in the sky.  It turned out to be Jupiter.  It was a  highly recognizable Jupiter.  Not another dot in the sky.  I could see  three of Jupiter's moons in orbit.  I couldn't even make out Jupiter's  moons with the naked eye.I tried the telescope during the day for  terrestrial viewing.  Once again I was pleasantly surprised!  The local  river area came alive with wildlife.  The photographic possibilities are  endless!I purchased the #883 Deluxe field tripod, #932 45 Degree  Erecting Prism, #497 Autostar controller, and the #774 hard case with the  telescope.  I highly recommend you do the same.  They all add to the total  experience.  The tripod is a must for both astrological and terrestrial  viewing.  The 45 Degree Erecting Prism is needed for terrestrial viewing.  If you don't use it, your images will be inverted.  The autostar, once  aligned, will position the telescope to any viewable object, and then  continue to track it.  The case is a convenience and insurance policy.
Trying to use this scope with the included table stand will only frustrate you.  Trust me on this.  Pay the extra $50 and get the model that includes the 884 Tripod.  If you don't, you'll soon be buying the tripod separately, and that will run you another $200.
I bought one as is on Ebay. As a handy guy I thought I might be able to fix it. The problem turned out a worm gear shaft froze up. This caused the stripping of cheap plastic gears inside. I was NOT impressed by its drive train. Very weak in my opinion. Google it to see others problems.
The ETX-90EC has magnification of 48X; great for looking at the moon. However, if you want to look at any planets or stars, you _definitely_ need the optional eyepieces so you can have some control over magnification.  Without these optional eyepieces, you have no control over magnification.
I read all the reviews before buying ... and was a little worried that it might not meet expectations.  But it has worked out great.It was a thrill to see Saturns rings and view Jupiter.  The moon comes through bright and clear.  You can see other heavenly objects (even galaxies!) with it.  You won't see galaxies and nebula in the same detail as you do in books - but you'll see the dim shading of them in parts of the sky.It's compact and portable - so you can bring it to the beach, etc.  Our neighborhood is way to bright to use it for much night-sky viewing - so portability was a must.A scope that gave a better view, at the same price, would have been too big.  And a better portable would have cost too much.  This one was just right for us.  If price is not a problem, get a better portable scope.  If size is not a constraint, then spend less on a larger scope.  Otherwise, this one will do fine.MUST HAVE ADD ONS: A tripod (see my review there).  The computer controller (you'll NEVER find a lot of the night sky objects without one).  One or two good night sky books (to help you find cool objects like binary stars and galaxies).COMPLAINTS: It would be nice for this (and all scopes) to see some pictures of how night-sky objects will really look with it before buying.
I've had my telescope for over six months and wouldn't trade it for anything. This is a great telescope and it is very crispt in the viewing of stars and planets. I love it and for the money it can't be beat. If you are new to astronomy you need this scope. I saw Saturn a few nights ago and saw the rings very clearly. I brought a dew shield and two more eyepieces for it and they helped make the scope even more fantastic. I got a 18 mm wide and 13.3 mm super wide Meade eyepieces. You will also need autostar for a tour of all that is in the sky at night. You can see 14,ooo objects and hundreds more if you download them from the internet with an adapter which cost a few extra dollars more. I bought a deluxe field Meade tripod. You need this one because it keeps the image that you are looking at stable. This is the best telescope you can buy for the money and the best type too. I love my ETX-90 EC and plan on keeping it for the rest of my days of viewing the universe.
The ETX-90EC was a breeze to set up. Within 20 minutes I was viewing the moon in my backyard. The optics are fantastic for the price and the standard eyepiece is great for terrestrial peeking as well as  stargazing.The motor works well and the variable speeds are very  effective, but mine is a bit noisy. It tends to growl as it idles and I  have not been able to determine if this is normal or not. Other downsides  are the vertically exposed eyepiece (I ended up using a plastic cylinder as  a protective cap) and the six screws on the spotting scope, which make  centering very difficult.You definitely need the tripod because the  standard base is unstable unless you are placed on solid rock, so prepare  to add another $200 to the price. And the erecting prism is a must for  terrestrial viewing.All in all this is a great scope. The few  limitations are far outweighed by the line of eyepieces and accessories  available for the ETX-90EC such as Autostar and the 35mm camera attachment.  This is a great deal for beginning and amateur use, expandable enough that  this could very well be the only scope you will ever need.
The ETX90 will likely not disappoint those who have never looked through a telescope before. It provides serviceable views of the moon and five of the planets. These objects are of great interest to the uninitiated and the experienced alike, but there are only six of them. The ETX90 also shows deep space objects; it just doesn't show them well. My God, even the Orion Nebula looks dull! It looks better through binoculars, for crying out loud! If you view the Lagoon Nebula through this instrument, you don't know it's a nebula at all. It too looks better in binoculars. This isn't a deep sky scope. Not with any eyepiece. Period.Other problems: The field of view is noteworthily narrow - to the point of tunnel vision. (This is a 90mm f13.8 instrument.) The mount allows the scope to jiggle unacceptably - particularly at high power. (Teflon tape in the ALT bearings is helpful but not miraculous.)  The finder scope is useless for anything not near the horizon. The focus knob is also useless for anything high in the sky, because one cannot reach it when the scope is in such positions. The Autostar GoTo attachment available for it isn't accurate enough to reliably put objects into the narrow field of view. For similar reasons, it is hard to find objects manually with the Etx90. Most of all, the views of deep space objects are deficient in brightness and contrast.On the plus side, this scope is portable, and many people like it for some reason.I wish I liked the ETX90. I did when I was new to astronomy. I just don't anymore. Buy it and you'll take a dim view of the universe.
The ETX is in many ways a marvelous little scope. Optically, it's far and above most 90mm catadioptric scopes, like the Celestron 90. Mechanically, though, it leaves a bit to be desired. There are a few too many flimsy  plastic parts, the clock drive is not terribly accurate, and the drive  clutch has way too much slop in it.The human engineering aspect leaves a  lot to be desired as well. The finder scope is almost impossible to use as  set up. The mount makes it impossible to view though the scope or finder in  many orientations.  What Meade tried to do here is create a clone of the  $4,000 Questar at a bargain price. Optically they've done well (though it  still falls short of a Questar) but in copying the mechnical design opf the  Questar they had to leave out precisely those details that make the Questar  such a pleasure to use.The $599 price is a little misleading. While  designed for tabaletop use, unless you have a cast concrete tabletop you'll  need a solid tripod to support it, so you can add another $150 right there,  bringing the actual cost to more like $749. And for that price there are a  lot of good choices around. They make not look as slick, but they're a lot  more usable.
I don't know much about astronomy or telescopes, but this thing is a blast! I haven't experienced any of the smallish problems listed below, but I did buy it with caution. Overall, it seems to be a quality piece of  equipment. However, there does seem to be many parts that could break or  cause problems. I guess that comes with the territory. In the short time  I've owned this tool/toy I have learned more about astronomy than I ever  thought I would have. I guess that speaks well for the investment.
I bought ETX-90EC with tripod from the guy in Scottsdale, he claimed that "he never used it". Well, he lied and this Mead Telescope was broken, it do not turn left or right, something with the the gears inside of it (I can hear noise of the engines). After research I realized that I can't fix it because it's made very flimsy, so it's unrepairable. Mead customers support sad that they don't have parts for it because it's discontinued and will not repair it (not speaking that it would be costly repair if they had parts).$400 wasted. Don't buy used.If somebody need telescope with broken U-base and tripod, let me know.
We purchased the ETX 125 and we found the Autostar to be necessary.It was very easy to plug into the telescope and turn on, but getting the telescope aligned was another story. The first night we went out with just the Autostar and the telescope, assuming that we would have enough to get started. We were very wrong.In order to align the telescope and get the Autostar working, the unit first asked us to find true north. Yikes! We gave it a rough guess. We were off compleetely, we would find out the next evening. Next was the exact time, which we also guessed on our inaccurate watches. Then we picked the nearest city, which is about 30 minutes away. Then the unit asked us to find two stars in the sky and identify and align them in the telescopes eyepiece. The stars that the Autostar gave us to find were not exactly well-known stars, and they werent in a part of the sky that was devoid of other bright stars. Without a map of the sky, we were lost. Pollox, Rigel, Castor were some of the stars we have come to know well through the Autostar. Needless to say, we did not get the Autostar working that night.The next night, we went out equipped with not only the scope and the Autostar unit, but also a compass (to find north), a detailed map of the sky (to find the stars it was asking us to), and a watch that had accurate time on it. Before we headed out, we took the time to enter in our exact latitude and longitude into the Autostar. That night was a great success. After a short time spent aligning our two base stars in the scope, we were off to explore the universe and beyond. We saw Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, the Pleiades, the Orion Nebula and several Messier objects that evening.I highly recommend the Autostar, but wish that the booklet would have warned us that we needed to be prepared with the compass, star map, latitude/longitude, and exact time to make our experience with it successful. The only drawback to the unit was that it needs to be aligned and reset every time it is used, but its not like there are other competing units to use. Its well worth the money, and enhances the experience with any Meade scope.
The AstroStar is a great ETX accessory. My favorite feature is its &quot;give me a tour of what's good tonight.&quot; It is also great for figuring out what your looking at with its &quot;identify this&quot; feature. The only drawback is you have to be really careful aligning the scope initially to get it to work. The instructions weren't that clear between the scope, the tripod, and the Astrostar book. My recommendations to you, remember to align the scope to true north (i hold a compass on the lens tube), use a bubble level to level the tube, set your watch to the second on the nights you go out, and make sure the viewfinder and scope are well aligned. Do these four things and I guarantee you'll have a great night of viewing.
This is a handy accessory.  Had I bought it at the list price, I would have been a bit disappointed.  This is an example of how things are not as simple as you read.  That can be a good thing.  You DO have to know the sky to use this and the scope together!  Also the setup requires knowing true compass direction, the bright stars overhead, and it helps to have a GPS or at least a good guess at your lat. and long..  I have a Star Atlas 2000.0, but do not have all the names of the stars requested by the Autostar during setup.  I recommend picking the 2-star mode (NOT the EASY mode) and select widely separated stars that 1) you can recognize and 2) are near the area you want to view...  This about doubles the accuracy.  Lastly 3) center the alignment stars in THE SCOPE not just in the view finder.  This is VERY IMPORTANT in the higher power ETX125.  Overall, it is great how it will maintain a track in the level alt.azamath mode.  That alone is worth the [price].
This controller really became valuable to me after the first 3 or 4 viewing sessions with my new ETX-90EC.  After the newness of just pointing the telescope at the brightest object in the sky wore off, the controller  assisted me with finding all kinds of new objects to look at. It took some  work for me to get the telescope aligned with the controller.  I had to  learn the reference stars that the controller uses to align the telescope.  Once I learned the reference stars, the unit becomes essential for me to  really enjoy this hobby.  I cannot imagine using my telescope without this  controller!
There are two schools of thought on the use of go-to telescopes.  One school believing that it takes away all the skill and fun from astronomy.  however, I'm a believer in the other viewpoint.  I think go-to capability opens up astronomy to the masses and brings the universe just that little bit closer to everyone.  I purchased the Autostar for my ETX about a year ago and it has had extensive use.  Out of the many many times I have used the autostar with the scope, I estimate it has performed as desired on 90% of my viewing nights.  Unusually, I seem to be able to align my ETX rather easily depsite the fact that many people have difficulty.  I think I have had luck on my side as the ETX, while a beautiful scope, can be a little temperamental.  Even after doing a quick and rough alignment, like pointing it in the general direction of due North, without using a compass, I still get very accurate results with the autostar.  I even changed locations the other day, moving from Auckland to Taupo, (some 3 hrs travel distance by car) and inadvertantly used the Auckland co-ordinates while viewing in Taupo.  Suprisingly after alignment, I still got accurate positioning from the autostar.  Once you get the hang of the menu system the autostar is really quite simple to navigate around.  The amount of data is staggering, but given the size of the playground, it's not suprising.  The unit itself is comfortable to hold and the adjustable brightness makes reading the screen simple in the dark.  I havn't found the built in red light at the top of the unit very good as it is just too dim to make out charts etc.  The trusty old torchlight with red nail polish on the lens is hard to beat on that score.  I suggest that if you are operating from a tripod, you attach something to the back of your autostar that lets you hang it up on the tripod when you are not using it. Otherwise it can dangle around and get in the way.  On a couple of occassions I have had the unit fail to operate correctly or reset itself. These have been far and few between, and readily fixed itself.  Ultimately the Autostar is a computer so an occasional reset is not entirely unexpected.  One minor problem I am experiencing at the moment is the scrolling text on the lower line of the display panel is tending to fade a little the faster it scrolls.  This has occured since I started using a power adapter for the scope so this will need investigating. This however is only a minor niggle. If you have any concerns about your Autostar consultthe best resource on the net for the autostar, Mike Weasners site. The Autostar is highly recommended and really an essential purchase to go along with your ETX. Clear skies everyone and happy alignments.
We just purchased the Meade 90 ETX telescope and decided to get the computer controller too - and man are we glad that we did.  We're novices with the telescope, so finding specific objects in the night sky is a challenge.With the autostart, after taking about 15 minutes to go through the alignment process, we can just tell the Autostar what we want to find and it moves the telescope to the object for us.  Without this, the only thing we would probably look at in the sky is the moon.NOTE: If you're not planning to use your telescope to look at objects in the night sky (i.e. planets, etc), then you don't need the Autostar.
The Autostar is so decadent! I almost feel guilty for using it. But it is so easy to use and enhances the ETX-90EC scope so much that I use it all the time.Set-up and locating the reference stars is fairly easy, and it  is so much fun to take the tour of the sky. I've used this several times in  an educational setting and it is fantastic for quickly pointing out stars  and other celestial objects. In addition, it expands on the standard  controller, giving you nine variable speeds instead of the standard  four.Once you use the Autostar you will never go back.
I'm a rank astronomy novice. I read the Autostar manual word for word twice before I dared to hook it to my ETX-90 scope. So far the Autostar is far far too complicated for this CPA, MBA to understand. The computer seems very slow to respond to commands. Maybe if I read the Autostar manual another dozen times I'll figure some of it out. Meanwhile I'll use the simple controller that came with my scope. I understand that remote completely.
easy to use and great for educational purposes June 14, 2000The Autostar is so decadent! I almost feel guilty for using it. But it is so easy to use and enhances the ETX-90EC scope so much that I use it all the time.Set-up and locating the reference stars is fairly easy, and it is so much fun to take the tour of the sky. I've used this several times in an educational setting and it is fantastic for quickly pointing out stars and other celestial objects. In addition, it expands on the standard controller, giving you nine variable speeds instead of the standard four.Once you use the Autostar you will never go back.
Due to some shipping problem of late, this tripod arrived about 3 weeks after my Meade ETX 125 and other accessories.  The 'scope is useable without the tripod, but it is not comfortable and you are at the mercy of the steadiness and level of whatever you set it on.This tripod makes polar alignment very easy and there are fine-tuning knobs to dial it in after coarse setting.  It is very steady, easily adjustable, clearly labeled and has a bubble level as well.  The instructions in the ETX 125 and the tripod says there is no need for precise adjustment and not to let making a precise adjustment take away from the enjoyment of the 'scope.  Even though either the stock electronic controller and the AutoStar accessory controller can work satisfactorily with only coarse leveling and north aligning, BOTH CONTROLLERS are closer to the mark if the tripod is precisely aligned.This tripod has everything to set a quick, stable and precisely aligned base for the ETX scopes.  One word of warning...  If you have the heavier ETX 125 and are polar aligning in a latitude below 45 degrees (my estimate!), there is a lot of weight on the north leg.  I find the north leg can noticeably sink in soft lawns after alignment that may affect the GO TO alignment!
I bought this tripod with my telescope.  I would have been really disapointed if I didn't.  Without this tripod you need to set the ETX-90EC on a sturdy support such as a table. The tripod prevents excessive shake  when viewing the stars or planets.  Without the shake the planets and stars  are clear.  With the shake the appear blury.  The higher the magnification  you use, the steadier the tripod needs to be.  This tripod has a nice cast  iron head.  It is really solid.  It also support Polar alignment or Alt-Az  alignment.  I would not purchase the ETX90-EC without it!
I've used the Meade 07021 Deluxe Field Tripod #883 with my ETX-90EC for over a year now and generally it has performed okay.  The tripod itself is made of a light aluminium material for the legs, so while this reduces weight for portability it seems a little light on solidity.  The locking screws which hold the extendable legs in place also seem a little flimsly.  Having said that however, I took notice of reviews prior to purchasing the tripod and never overtighten them and accordingly they have worked okay.  Suprisingly, it doesn't take much tightening of the screws to secure the legs.  I often expect the legs to slip down but they stay in place during extended viewing sessions.  The actual mounting plate and associated adjustment knobs all work fine and are manufactured to an acceptable standard.  The tripod has a three prong metal bracket which sits in the middle of the legs when the tripod is in position and which folds up with the tripod when stored.  This bracket is quite flimsy but has not failed yet.  There is a centre tray which is screwed to the centre of the bracket to give the tripod more stability and holds eyepieces etc.  This is manufactured okay.  Overall, I think the tripod could have been made sturdier and from better materials in some areas.  However, I have taken extra care with it, so I really can't complain as mine is still in good condition. I also think the tripod is somewhat overpriced, so look out for specials on it.  In summary it's an okay tripod if you look after it and get it at the right price.
The Meade ETX telescopes specialize in their portability. When you add a tripod to the set, it becomes harder to take the telescope to more remote areas. I have recently taken my ETX 125EC with this tripod to Lake Lila in the Adirondacks. We were camping in a tent in a place that had to be canoed to, so we set out on a Wednesday with all of our tents and food and gear for a week but we were unable to fit the telescope and tripod, so we left those at the car. We had to make a special trip a few days later to pick them up. It would have been really nice to be able to take the telescope with us on the first trip. We ended up missing two beautiful nights that would have provided for excellent observing because of the bulkiness of the tripod. There is another instance when I was winter camping in the Adirondacks near Little Tupper Lake, and again we had to leave the telescope and tripod at the car because of the bulkiness. We were traveling to a lean-to on skis and there was no way that we could have taken the tripod and telescope along with our luggage. We ended up not using the telescope all together on that trip because of the inaccessibility. There is no carrying case for it and so the only way to transport it safely is in its outrageously oversized shipping box, filled with a Styrofoam shell. Also, There have been many car trips in which this box has taken up way too much space in the trunk.The tripod itself is a necessity though. It would be impossible to get any good observations without it. It has a handy balancing bubble to make sure that it is level, and an &#65533;N&#65533; on one of the legs to remind you which way is north (as an amateur astronomer, finding this out through the stars should not be too difficult though), and it is sturdy. The legs are easy to extract, contract and adjust. It is the most sensible tripod to buy with any ETX telescope because the other options are way too heavy and even more bulky, not mention more expensive. There is the table tripod, which is much, much smaller and lighter, but it is way too ineffective. It is unable to be adjusted so the telescope must be placed on a desk or a steady surface. The only beneficial use of that tripod would be if the telescope were a decoration in an office or something and it needed to be tilted a bit.A tripod is needed in order to get any serious use out of any ETX telescope and this tripod is the best one that Meade offers, be forewarned that it limits the portability of the telescope though.
I played with my ETX 'scope before I got the tripod, but now I can really USE the 'scope.  I'm now able to take my telescope around the backyard to see around the trees, take it on camping trips, take it on long-weekend trips, and on picnics.  Before - forget it.  As another reviewer notes, the stability of the tripod is critical for clear views - the bounce goes away.  I could see the bands on Jupiter the other night.  I can adjust the tripod high enough for my comfort or low enough so the kids can see, too.  The weight of the scope and a 35mm camera is no problem.  Highly recommended accessory for land or sky viewing.
While these are getting harder to find, its great that Amazon still sells them and does so at a rate that is by far a great relief to the expense.  I still use my old camcorder because I cannot obtain the ability to buy one that doesn't.  Therefor I recommend this tape as the deal is wonderful.
As these tapes are becoming obsolete, it was a nice find before I am forced to upgrade, no problems here.
Well, it is tape, and these are getting harder to find.  But if you still have a good tape based camcorder, I would normally recommend TDK.  Was always a good product in the cassette days, and still good for video.
They work!2011 and I still have my Hi8 "brick", and I need tapes for it.I have never had a problem with these TDK tapes.Would definitely recommend to anyone who is still recording with 8MM.
they work well with y cameranever had a problem with it.i hope you will more tapes in the future.
... I do not understand.  But I'm glad that I found these tapes.  Excellent quality.  Should last and last and last.
I just purchased my first digital camera. At first I was a little hesitant because I had no knowledge about a digital camera. This camera is so easy to use. I really like the fact there is nothing to download into the  computer. Purchase alot of floppy disks because you are going to have FUN  with this camera.
I started looking at digital cameras when I got interested in posting pictures on the web or sending them via e-mail to family members in other states. There are both cheaper cameras and cameras with greater resolution  avaiable, but for flexibility, ease of use, and convenience nothing tops  the Sony Mavica series. I bought the MVC-D88 because it had a range of  resolutions (from 640 x 480 to 1,280 x 960), supported a number of file  formats including MPEG short film files, had a number of special effects  options and a good zoom feature (8x optical and 16x digital zoom). I have  never reqretted the buy. The camera feels good to hold, the LCD menu  options are clear and intuitive, it is easy to focus and creates excellent  images even under very low light conditions. The great thing, of course, is  what made me want one in the first place - the Sony Mavica is the only  digital camera on the market that writes directly to a floppy disk. The  flexibility that gives one to be independent of a particualr computer with  special cables and software for uploading images is alone worth the extra  that one pays.There are a couple of limitations that should be pointed  out. The built in flash has no red eye reduction, so a disproportionate  number of flash portraits have some red eye reflection that must be  corrected with software editing. Also, there is no optical viewfinder and  one must frame the picture using the 2.5 inch LCD color monitor on the back  of the camera. This is easy to use indoors, but in any direct sunlight it  becomes very difficult to see, so I have found myself reshooting a lot of  outdoor images to get them framed correctly.Still, those are small  disadvantages compared to everything that Sony has done right with this  camera. I highly recommend the Mavica to  anyone interested in digital  photography primarily for email or internet purposes. A great product.
We bought the Sony MVC-FD88 to share our new son with family 1000 and 2000 miles away.  I hope to pay for it by selling duplicate collectibles on eBay.The key reasons we bought this camera: 1. Resolution.  When I have shown friends 4x6 pictures, they had no idea it was a digital camera. 2.  Easy file transfer.  I do not need to crawl under desks to attach download cables to a computer tower. 3. Cost of photo media.  [Money] for one digital camera data card versus [money] for 50 diskettes is a no brainer.  I can take the disk directly to a store for hard copies.  To save hard drive disk space, we leave the photos on the disk. 4. Ease of adjusting camera. This camera is incredibly easy to adjust for outdoors, indoors, low light, and super low light settings. 5. Movies.  This camera will make 15 second mpeg movies.  A high resolution movie will fill a disk.  It takes a long time to email on a 28.8 modem.  Fortunately, the family loves receiving the movies.We are very satisfied with our purchase. We have two minor suggestions: 1. Spend [money] on a tripod.  Though you think you are holding still, the low light settings pickup small movements.  The tripod eliminates this problem. 2. Look carefully at the photo editing software that comes with the camera.  ArcSoft Camera Studio does well cropping and resizing pictures.  However, it lacks red eye reduction.
What an AWESOME camera -- I can't say enough good about this camera.  It is so user friendly that we purchased it for my 70+ year old parents for Christmas, and they are already using it to sell things at online auction  sites.  Resolution is EXCELLENT, ease of use is exceptional, and you cannot  beat the convenience of just popping a disk into your computer and pulling  up the images -- WHY would anyone waste their time (and more importantly  their money) on those digital cameras with dumb &quot;smart cards&quot;  that require cabling into your computer and all kinds of fancy software.  The Sony comes with respectable software, but I HIGHLY recommend purchasing  PICTURE IT software -- it is ideal for use with this camera.  If I had one  criticism it would be about storage space - the floppies don't hold as many  pictures as I'd like, but it's really not a big issue unless you're going  out somewhere with the intention of taking a lot of pictures and plowing  through them later (in which case you just need to take some spare floppies  with you).  Truly a camera you will buy and be enjoying immediately.
yep, it's big and heavy. but this is the camera i keep coming back to after having it 6 years...i have owned an HP and a Casio. the HP stunk and the Casio is a tiny delight. but the Sony was my first.it simply works. well. simply. competently. not every computer around has card slots and having a camera that uses floppy disks has been helpful.it is especially good for pictures for eBay and email. good quality photos with a small file size.so, if you see a good looking, working specimen go ahead and buy it and give digital photography a try!
We bought this and are 100% satisfied.  We borrowed ourfriend's MVC-73 and took about 100+ pictures before our MVC-FD88arrived.  The thing about this camera is that you don't worry about running out of storage media - just about any store sells floppies and cheaply.  And, the secret to getting those great pictures is to take alot of them.  We have coworkers who own more than 2 digital cameras made by different manufacturers, that use other storage media, and are still looking for the right combo of features and performance.  If we get another camera it will be an upgraded Mavica. If we had bought a camera that used a memory stick, compact flash, smart media card we wouldn't have the hundreds of photos that we have now - (our camera arrived in January 2000).  Floppies are so cheap!  Sony does it again with ease of use as well.  Compared to other cameras, Sony's menu really is intuitive. It just makes sense. If you buy this camera, buy the accessory kit.  The battery that comes with the kit is cheper than buying the battery by itself! Tips: Here's the way we use it.  We carry about 3-4 floppies on short outings, more on longer outings. Sometimes we carry my notebook.  If we run out of floppies, we upload them to the notebook, or on the nearest computer. We leave the default file names alone (mvc-xxxx) serialnumber and place each disk's worth in a folder for that month (2000-03 for march, 2000-04 for april).  We then erase and re-use the diskette. Next when we get the chance, we upload our pictures from the notebook or friend's computer onto one of our free photo storage accounts on the web - again leaving the filename as the first part of the description along with an additional description, if we have time.  We also download our pictures or copy them off the notebook to our main computer. Then we make backup copies of the folders with the pictures on our main computer's hard drive. So we usually have 3 copies in accessible places - main computer drive, web and CD/Orb.  Hard drives do crash so you'll want to keep backup copies on another site or media. When we're out with our camera at friend's homes, sharing pictures is so easy, since we can leave them a copy of our pictures on their computer.  (more backups!). I suspect by the end of the year we will have several CDs filled with our pictures taken by this camera. Finally, read the manual so you'll know how to work all the features packed into this camera.  END
This camera has a lot going for it.  The first picture I took turned out great!  The camera is very user friendly which is good because the manual that Sony provides is not very well organized or well written.I find  the floppy disk storage to be easy and convenient. The camera allows you to  make a copy of the disk right in the camera so you can share copies of  photos with friends on the spot.The Mpeg movies are a fun little add  on.  I am taking the camera to England in April and I think it will be fun  to capture little movie clips over there.The rechargeable battery seems  to be adequate. I am planning to purchase the more powerful one that  provides longer charge.The video and audio cables provided allow easy  viewing of the photos on the TV set.The only  negatives with the camera  are the difficulty holding the view steady when the zoom is on (but no  other digital camera maker provides a zoom this powerful)  Also, the light  that leaks out of the window at the top of the LCD screen.  This can be  annoying in a dark room.Overall, this camera delivered the features  that I was looking for.
I cannot tell you how wonderful this camera is!  You have to have one!  It will change your life in so many ways--the photos are wonderful with great resolution, movies are exquisitely wonderful!  The sound is just fine.  I love using the diskettes.  The lithium battery is great also--lasts a long,  long time prior to recharge!  All problems of older digital cameras have  been solved with this lovely piece of technological work...
The MVC-FD88 is the best camera I've ever used.  We've now left behind our old 35mm camera in favor of using this exclusively.  The camera takes excellent, very high quality pictures, indistinguishable from a good  quality 35mm.  Resolution is excellent, pictures taken both in low light  and bright light show good color results.  Used with Microsoft's Picture It  software, this is a top line camera.  On our recent trip, we took over 300  pictures using this camera.  I've never gotten such a high percentage of  shots that were excellent before.Some important points:  Use of the  floppies for storage is perfect.  We took twice as many as we expected to  use on an overseas trip recently and began to run out.  No problem, the  nearest computer store had plenty at reasonable prices.  The original  battery life isn't really sufficient for the heavy user, purchase of the  newer longer life battery is a big boost.  A UV filter is also a boost just  like with a standard 35mm, particularly on very bright days.  The LCD is  sometimes hard to see in very bright light, a viewfinder for those  occasions would help.  (However, I find I get better composition with the  LCD in general since I can see greater detail.)  Storage time on the camera  can be somewhat slow when using poor quality floppies.  It's worth  investing in slightly more expensive, higher quality floppies to ensure the  2 sec recording time.Overall, a definite 5 star camera.
After carefully studying the features, using them inside thestore, and viewing the pictures on one of their display PCs I washappiest with the high resolution photos that the FD-88 produced as well as it's special effect's capability. I also appreciated the lack of legacy adapters and wires. Its use of standard 3.5 floppies is great. You'll be hard pressed to find a computer without a floppy disk now or in the future.I worked up the courage to buy it, I've been using it for several months now, and I have NO regrets. A couple friends have some of the newer Kodak, AGFA, and Olympus models and they're all disappointed with theirs compared to the FD-88. The disk writes pretty fast and you can get usually 10 or 12 highest quality photos per disk.  Movie resolution is good for PC and Web use, but, its 15 sec or 60 sec recording limit can be a little limiting.  END
I have one of these little beauties, and I also have an e-business that deals exclusively with auctions. This has cut my digital processing time from 3 hours to process 30-40 images with a scanner and photo shop, to  about 30 minutes TOTAL. There is a feature with this camera that  automatically allows you to store images in E-Mail format (apprx. 44k)  which is PERFECT for posting on Amazon for example, which has a 100k limit.  This is why you can zip along so fast, because the images on the disk are  READY to be posted as soon as you take them! No Processing, No annoying  little cables, just pop the disk and GO!  So if you are a potential e-baron  or e-baroness, this is for you! Another cute feature is this - if you are  at a trade show, or on a buying mission, you can upload the images from  this camera into a laptop, or other device, on the spot, and show potential  buyer's, or your fantastic aquisitions manager (like I have) the stuff in  JPEG or, MPEG. This camera also makes these absolutley hassle free 60  second movies that are just perfect for showing someone all the details of  a major purchase, like a WHOLE table full of goodies, or a boat. My staff  would bark at me if I did not take this incredible tool with me on buying  missions, as I would them, because it allows everyone to stay connected,  and PARTICIPATE real time in major decisions. AND let's talk personal  shopper, REAL TIME. With a wireless connection, a Lap top, and this tool,  you can sell from any floor across the world.
This is a well-engineered camera: its feature set, build quality, interface, battery life, optics, and ergonometrics are all top-notch. It is a joy to use and produces high-quality pictures for web site or small  photorealistic prints, especially if you use the &quot;fine&quot; mode that  imposes less jpeg compression.There is also a thriving Mavican  community on the 'net, and lots of useful freeware shareware, and  third-party accessories. If you need to print out 8X10 photorealistic  prints, buy a 2 megapixel camera; for everything short of this, the Mavica  83 is a superb camera. Unlike other reviewers, I find that this camera does  a respectable job in low-light situations.One drawback is the optical  zoom, which is &quot;only&quot; 3X. Sony's high-quality teleconverter  (~$50) will increase this to 6X. Its use of 1.4mb floppy disk storage  hasn't been a drawback for me: the 4X floppy drive is quick, it is easy to  change floppies, and one floppy holds a respectable number of images  (around 8 in 1024X768 fine mode, around 20 in 640X480 fine mode).The  brief MPEG movies are great fun, and an easy way to create video e-mail or  to add streaming video web sites.For the price, I'd prefer this  high-quality .8 megapixel camera to the &quot;bargain&quot; 2 megapixel  cameras, which may have inferior optics.My conclusion: Don't believe the  hype about the &quot;need&quot; for 2 megapixel cameras. For e-mail, web,  and smaller prints, the Mavica 83 occupies a great &quot;sweet spot:&quot;  it combines many higher-end features with superior ease-of-use,  convenience, and optics.
Great camera. Great pictures. But -- the storage is terrible! A floppy disk can hold only so many images... AND it'll hold only ONE megapixel image. There are better soloutions out there. CompactFlash cards can hold  64MB of images, at the least. Iomega Clik! for Digital Cameras drives can  hold 40MB of imagery. And, floppy disks are expensive. I highly reccomend  this for novices, but for serious photographers, stay away!
I bought my camera in March of this year. I am a real estate agent and I have to say this camera was ideal in aiding and promoting my business. The images it took were sharp and clear.  I took both interior and exterior  shots of homes and with very little effort I could print up a promotional  highlight sheet, which was both professional and impressive.  The camera  was easy to use and the floppy disk is a very versatile way to obtain the  quick results I required. It is a good buy.
I love this camera, I use it alot and think it is fantastic. Love the features and the ease of use.
I was looking for an easy to use camera to post pictures on theinternet. I asked an online community and many folks recommended theMavica. After researching it along with other cameras I decided to purchase the Sony Mavica 83. It's wonderful! Pictures are sharp, and it scores high marks in ease of use. The camera comes with a lens cap, shoulder strap, battery, battery charger and an AV connecting cable. Easy to use software to &quot;tweak&quot; your pictures is also included. The banana colored floppy disk pictured on the box is not included. I did feel the instruction booklet could have been simplified more. The information on how to operate different features was not always clear. Despite this I was posting pictures within a few hours of purchasing the camera. The camera also offers a short video feature which my children love using! You can also change the tone of your picture from a normal setting to sepia tones, black and white etc with the click of a button! Its wonderful! I feel I can produce nice pictures easily, edit and post them quickly with this camera!
Don't believe the person in the previous message.  Megapixel mode (1216x912) will result in 4 to 7 images on a standard floppy disk depending upon the complexity of the image.  1024x768 mode results in 7 to 10 photos  on a disk.  640x480 mode results in 14 to 20+ photos on the disk.  The max  resolution stated on Amazon is not 1024x768 (that's an error that needs  correcting).  The camera takes very nice 5, 10, or 15 second MPG movies in  either 160x120 or 320x200 mode.  I've had this camera for three months now  and carry it with me everywhere, along with a box of disks.  At the minimum  I keep a fresh disk in the camera.  With a rechargable battery that I've  used full blast taking photos on 25+ disks for two hours, you can't beat  it.  Memory sticks are convenient as you won't have to unload and reload  your camera, but nothing beats being able to take the disk out of the  camera, hand it to someone, and be done with it.  They can pop that disk  into any PC or Mac and view the contents without going through any memory  stick download process at all.  What I do hope is that Sony picks up on the  SuperDisk 120-MB floppy technology and incorporates it into their next line  of cameras.  That should resolve any &quot;not enough space on a disk&quot;  issues.  But for now, it's fun and I'm very happy with my camera.
I was so surprised at the ease of use of this camera-I opened the box and was quite intimidated by the instruction book- I was up and running in no time-- I invested in the camera case after reading these reviews about no  cap for the LCD- I just purchased the sony photo printer for this camera  and am anxious to receive it-- I do a lot of crafts and this camera is  perfect for transferring pictures on greeting cards, stickers etc..Buy one  You will Love it!
This is a great camera.  I was using it right out of the box, after charging the battery for an hour.  The controls are very easy to use and understand.  The camera comes with a rechargable battery and charger, no more batteries to buy great move sony.  The camera displays the status of  the battery, disk space and number of pictures on the disk.  Oh did I  mention that the camera uses regular 3 1/2 floppy disk. You can view the  pictures right on the camera one at a time or view them in the index mode,  where you view the pictures six at a time.  You can also connect the camera  to your tv or vcr and let the camera do it's thing, by creating a slide  show.  You can also review the pictures and delete any one that you don't  want.  And another great feature is it creates a html document on the disk  with links to each picture that's on the disk, what a great idea.  I have a  son six and a daughter eight and they started using the camera without any  instructions now that's easy.  The pictures are great the detail in the  pictures are out of sight.
I got this as my first camera and I took some of my favorite pictures with it. Theres something awesome about shooting film that digital cant really compare to.
I needed the camera for a photography one class and it got the job done. mine didnt come with a manual so it wasnt as easy for me to figure out how to use it but it was worth the $100 i bought it for.
Received very quickly. Examined the product and everything is in working order. Slight dust, but other than that a great buy.
I bought this camera before leaving for a long stay in Japan, where I did lots of backpacking, hiking, and traveling by train or hitchhiking.  I liked the light body - it was easy to carry around and didn't weigh down my bag much at all.  Naturally the camera got banged around quite a bit, and I even dropped it in its bag a few times.  However, even though it was abused enough for the filter to crack, and I had to re-align the view mirrors when I returned, the camera kept working with absolutely no problems, through all of the 600 photographs I took.The pictures quality was excellent.  I didn't have problems with graininess, and I'd guess that the reviewers used 800 film.  Automatic focus was plenty fast.  Actually, I ended up being lazy and using the automatic features most of the time, but with few exceptions, the results were about what I'd expect.  If I had to do it again, I'd get a lens with more zoom, but that's more personal preference than anything - the included lens worked fine.I strongly recommend using a non-obtrusive filter, to protect the lens from scratches and damage.
I had this camera for years before it was stolen and I replaced it with a digital Canon SLR.  I am still amazed at the abuse I put my Rebel 2000 through.  It has a nice light body, a great auto feature, and easy-enough to use manual functions.  And because of the popularity (and rightly so) of digital these days, you can pick one up for a fantastic price, even brand spanking new.
Purchased for $180 back in Nov 2003, I fell in love with the easy to use Canon Rebel 2000 and together we learned about photography. The autofocusing points help to guide the photographer and the various photo modes expand the abilities of this tough little camera. From close ups of flowers and butterflies to a night football game loaded with action to serene still portraits, the Rebel does a great job of helping the amateur shutterbug take great pictures.There were some concerns about the construction of its body, but the Rebel and I have been to the beach, dog park, camping, playgrounds, hiking, ball games, horseback riding (galloping!), and more - and it has completely held up well with the swinging, banging, and action of use.I've made the switch to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and a pocket sized Canon PowerShot Elph, but while the instant gratification of the digital era is nice, the best capturing of the light and mood, which is usually the distinction between a good photo and a great photo, still goes to my original Rebel. My original Rebel remains more portable and easier to use with better pictures than the bigger digital cousin, which is why I use my digital camera less often than I would use my film Rebel.
I am very happy with my purchase. Delivery was quick. I received the camera a couple days after purchase. I am taking a black and white film photography class and so far am happy with the results my camera gives me. I am no camera expert and for this reason appreciate how easy this camera is to use. I recommend this camera to amateur photographers like myself for its ease of use and and quality for it's price.
Real easy to use and takes very good pictures!
I have had mine for several months and have produced some excellent photos with very little expertise. I purchased the Magic Lantern Guide for the EOS Rebel 2000 with the camera and it has really expanded my photographic horizons. I have used the camera for sporting, nature, and stills and have been very pleased with the outcome. I did find the lens has some difficulty auto focusing at dusk/dark conditions even though the manuals and books say that failure to auto-focus is very rare. I can't wait to get an additional lens and see what I can do next!
We received the camera, lens, film, and a camera case - all in excellent condition.  Camera works well for the photography student for which it was purchased.  Would buy from this site again!
This Canon camera is surely valuable especially as your first SLR camera. It is light, affordable and compatible with the whole Canon EOS seris products. Although I use it as one of my backup camera, I find it from occasion to occasion it is very tempted to bring it rather than other camera. I satisfied with it except the 28-80mm lens. I give 4 stars because and only because it comes with it. I strongly recommend the potential buyer to purchase the body only package. I am sure you will soon get frustrasted with the 28-80mm lens although it is cheap. When you want to take a further step in photography, it would be locked into your store room as it has no longer suit your need.In addition a lot of useful extra feature is embedded such as a built-in flash, various programmed mode. They are as convienient as a compact camea that your relatives can help to take a picture of you.
I have had this camera for 10 years. It takes nice pictures, it's easy to use, and is a good camera for beginners and amateur photography enthusiasts. It's also relatively light. It runs through batteries more quickly than I'd like, but still nothing compared to the battery sucking power of my digital camera. This camera has been tall over Europe, to Yellowstone & Grand Teton, NYC, Vegas/Grand Canyon, So. Cal, and a handful of other places and taken some pics that were even worth blowing up, mounting and framing. I still prefer it for taking pics of my kids and animals b/c it's much better at capturing the moment (since they're always in motion) vs. my digi camera. For that reason- I am hoping to upgrade to its digital cousin later this year.
I have had such a great time learning to use this camera and taking photos. I used it immediately, switching the dial to automatic and letting it do everything. It was exactly like a point and shoot. But when I learned how to adjust aperture and shutter speed, I took even better photos. I highly recommend this camera. I took it to Alaska in August and people said how beautiful and crisp my photos were. If you have the money, also invest in a telefoto lens. Sometimes 80mm just isn't long enough. But you can always add that later.
I received this for Christmas and quickly burned through 4 rolls of film. It is easy to use - the manual and auto features are great for the professional wannabe. I have some trouble getting the pictures to come out natural looking, though. I think it is more a function of my lack of technical photographic knowledge. I am looking forward to the Tiffen polarizing lense I ordered from Amazon to help me in that area. Overall a good camera that can grow with you.
I found out, if no User's Manual is included, you can download one for free from the Canon USA website as well as other places online. Not all sellers include batteries or a User's Manual. Check the Comments of the seller's listing. This camera does have both manual settings and auto settings but it is helpful to have a User's Manual to know how it's done with this camera.
For my first &quot;serious&quot; camera, I do not believe I could have chosen better than the Rebel 2000.  This camera is so appealing because it is light-weight, easy to use, offers enough photographic options to please a more demanding photographer without offering too many to confuse a new photographer, and has a built in flash.  Without much knowledge of cameras to base quality of photos taken on, I can say that this is a great starter camera.  There is much room to grow from this camera, as Canon offers many up grades.  You can be as automatic or as manual as you chose.  Photography amateurs looking for a camera, this is it!
This is a great camera.  Its autoloading is clean and quick.  Its exposure metering has seven points (compared to the Rebel G's three).  It is light, small, but has a lot of features you's expect from a much larger and heavier camera.  And it is fully compatible with the huge line of Canon's EF (and third-party)lenses.  Eight to 10 years ago, this camera would have been among the best technology available anywhere.  It is perfectly adequate for most applications.And the price is just amazing.  I don't think there is another value like it in the new 35mm equipment market.The only drawback isn't really a problem -- it's just that the 28-80 lens is not the best choice for the kind of shooting I do.  It is great for the casual shooter who needs a single all-around good lens, but I shoot a lot of portraits.  For that, prime (not zoom) lenses are much brighter (have a larger maximum aperature).  The 35-80 lens is even more restrictive.  If you intend to use it for more serious photography, such as portraits or wide-angle shots, I suggest you start with just a Rebel 2000 body and get the Canon EF 50mm II lens instead (which is surprisingly cheap!).
Great Camera, great condition LIKE NEW. It takes amazing photographs and is easy to handle and work with. The price was very low considering the great quality photos I can take with it. I couldn't be happier and I take it everywhere. The only disadvantage I can find is that the battery that this camera needs to work is very hard to find, and maybe the seller should have specified it with the information regarding the camera. It works with 2  CR2 2 V Batteries.
Had I waited, this would have been the one.  I have the Rebel G, and it has been a great camera.  Having worked in larger, non-automatic formats, I really felt kind of like a &quot;cheater&quot; when I got my new Rebel.  One roll of film was all it took to make a convert of me.  I have rarely been disappointed with my photos.  In fact, the only time I have been, I was really stretching my photographic wings, and had I read the manual more carefully, would not have been disappointed had I followed the directions.My sister-in-law bought the Rebel 2000 this spring, and I didn't think they could improve much on the one I have, but they did.  Trying to focus on confusing images, such as framing wildlife with nearby foliage, can be challenging. The 7 point automatic focusing is a real plus in this respect.  I have learned to work without it, but the advantage of the system allows for quicker capture of images without the need to compose and then re-adjust to the frame you want.Because the camera is so well-made, I will probably not need to replace it for another 20 years.  But---if it should somehow meet with an early demise, the improvements in the new Rebel 2000 would be very welcome!
Works PERFECTLY. Extremely new and I'm in love! He also gave me an extra roll of film which was a nice surprise!
My camera just arrived after ordering it only two days ago!  I am very pleased with this purchase.  I have been doing photography for four years and now I have a nice film camera too!  I highly recommend this seller to anyone wanting to gain experience with photography for personal or professional reason.
The Canon Rebel 2000 is a fine camera for the beginner who aspires to take professional quality pictures. It is as full featured as many higher priced cameras, yet costs much less. The camera is quite versatile,  allowing one to take pictures by full automatic mode (point and shoot). If  one so desires, one can take control of the process and control every  aspect of the shot, including flash, shutter speed, aperature, and focus.  The camera also has several built in photo modes for automatic portraits,  landscapes, night shots, and action shots.As an aside, the Canon EF  lens that comes with this kit is a very nice lens that produces good  quality pictures. There are many other EF lenses available that will fit  this camera. An aspiring photographer will not want for variety of lenses.I have had mine for several months now and I love it. I used the camera  to take pictures at my brother's wedding ceremony, which was outside, at  night. The camera's excellent metering and built in flash took properly  exposed pictures with a minimum of fuss.The only potential drawback to  this camera is its construction. It is made out of plastic, which is a  benefit and a potential risk. It is very, very light but plastics are  intrinsically more delicate than metal, so this camera won't take much  abuse.Overall, an excellent camera for the amature photographer.
The Canon Rebel EOS 2000 is really one of the best buys in 35mm film cameras. The autofocus 28-80 lens works for all but the longest shots, and telephoto lenses are readily available. It's user friendly and takes fantastic photos for the price. It would take a much more expensive camera to make a notable difference in picture quality. I've owned Nikon cameras all of my life(and still do) and love them, but Nikon doesn't really have a comparable camera to the EOS in this price range. This camera is comparable to the old AE1 Program(a great camera also), but with more features and even easier to use. A lot of &quot;Bang For The Buck&quot;!
If you love 35mm film cameras, then this EOS will keep you smiling.  I bought this as a replacement to the original camera that I bought my wife 10 years ago and she was delighted.  So am I.
This is my first film camera and I LOVE it! Yes it's a little older, but it came in pristine condition. I was upgraded to Priority mail FOR FREE by PHOTO Finish and it arrived in under a week! Even with a Holiday thrown in it was that quick!!! It came with everything mentioned and I have been having a blast figuring it all out. I would most definietly order from this company again! Only negative is I wish it had come with a users manual, but they included a website I can go to in order to download the manual so no big deal. The camera is wonderful and I cannot say enough good things about it. Wish I had some photos developed I could post, but I will come back and do that later. If you have been wanting a film camer, but do not want to pay an arm and a leg I highly reccommend Photo Finish. This camera looks brand new and works very well!
I bought this camera about a year ago when I wanted something better than a point and shoot. The camera mates  automatic and manual functions almost perfectly. This camera can therefore handle your transition from point 'n shoot to manual setting photography. The body is on the light side, even with the lens attached (mainly plastic components)and should therefore be handled by a responsible person.
I just bought the Rebel 2000 4 days ago and i'm very impressed with the weight and design.  All the functions are in places that are easiest to reach without taking your eye off the view finder.  The 7-point focus system is great, you can even change the focusing point to suit your style.  Another feature that i didn't know came with this camera was the multiple exposure setting, which i played around with for hours.  Also, the dial on the left side of the camera has preset settings for people who just want to use the camera for snapshot pictures.The lens on this camera was satisfactory.  Its not the greatest, but it suits my needs until i buy more lenses.Another great feature is the built in flash.  In the beinner mode on the camera the flash will always pop up when there is not enough light or the subject is backlit.  In the creative zone on the camera, the flash is totally in your control, you can change the sync to whatever you want.When felt how light the camera was i immediately thought that i would break it within a week, but i thought for a couple more minutes and realized that i wouldn't be throwing my camera around or abusing it in any way.  The only way i could break the camera would be to drop it from high up or throw it against a wall or something like that, but almost any camera would break like that, so i sacrificed extra strength for a light wieght body.When i saw that the camera only took those small 3v lithium batteries i thought i was going to be changing the batteries every couple of hours, but i've had the same batteries in the camera for 3 days now and they aren't even running low yet.  Its also nice that you can put a battery pack on if you wish to spend the extra money for it.Even though this camera has a lot of preset and automatic settings, it can be used totally manual if you want.  I would recommend this camera to beginners and ameture/semi-pro's or for those people who wish to have a hobby.
Wow.  Versatility to the max.  What can I say?  Easily the bast value for a high-quality camera anyhere in the world.
This camera is a quality product and takes excellent pictures, especially in outdoor lighting.  However, at the cost, I can't give it an exceptional rating.I use this camera to take action sports photos.  If you're close to the action, the camera does a good job.  But, $400 seems so expensive to me, even if that is what the market will bear.
Unlike a lot of reports about grainy pictures and what not; this camera is really top notch! This is my first camera and I got some really great shots already, the grainy complaint was probably due to people using a higher ISO and not knowing much about camera settings. You'll definitely want a zoom lens though, the 28-80mm is nice for normal everyday things, but if you really want to experiment try looking for a 28-300 or even a 70-300mm lens.Definitely recommended for amateurs.
I am not an expert on photography. I just wanted to buy the best camera I could afford. So, I bought this Cancon Rebel 2000 on sale at a local electronics store over 2 years ago. Well, the pictures I am getting are good pictures, but not exceptional. My friends owns a P&S camera that he bought for less than 100 dollars and I cannot distinguish his pictures from mine. This camera although light for SLR, is still bulky and rather heavy. I would recommend buying a good Point & Shoot camera that is light and small, and will produce pictures of pretty much the same quality.
This is the first SLR camera that I have ever owned.  I bought it because I was going on a trip around the world, wanted a nice camera, and had it recommended by a camera shop owner.  It is extremely easy to use, so easy that I could hand the camera to someone in one of the countries I visited, point to the button they needed to push and I ended up with a great picture.  I didn't need to explain a thing.  I also didn't mind carrying it around all day, it is very light for its size.I have owned the camera for four years now and it still takes beautiful pictures.  I have taken all sorts of pictures with this camera, from landscapes to action shots and they all turn out great.  The action shots are never blurry!  The only complaint that I have is that the autofocus does not work well in low lighting, sometimes it is slow and sometimes it won't work at all.  In these cases I just turn on the manual focus option.All the options that the camera has are great, but to be honest I rarely use them.  I've found that it is often easier to use manual focus than to adjust the camera so it will autofocus off center.  If I know that I'm going to be taking action shots or landscapes I will set the camera to that mode, but often I forget and my pictures still look great.I think that this is an excellent camera, especially for someone that is used to a point and shoot but wants the extra quality that a SLR camera can give them.  There are also many choices when it comes to additional lenses, so when the photography bug gets you, this camera can stay with you.
The only reason I;m not giving this a five was because the lens was a little wonky when It arrived but my photography teacher was able to fix it in a snap, literally :).
The camera itself is very awesome although it is missing the cap for the body so I have to let the lens attached. I have yet to try it because I bought the wrong batteries with it. I am sure that it's going to work just fine. My only issue was the bag has some staining on the strap but I have a camera bag, so it's not a big deal.
This camera is very similar in features to the Minolta STSI, in about the same price range, but I was still impressed enough with it to make a few comments. One thing the STSI offers that the Canon doesn't is predictive autofocus. This can be quite useful when doing action shots. It also offers a panorama mode, which the Canon doesn't offer. I've enjoyed using this mode quite a bit on my little Fuji Tiara APS camera. Both cameras have similar F ratios for the lens and both have 1/2000th of a sec top shutter speeds. Two things the Canon offers that are nice are the 7 selectable autofocus points, which some advanced users might find useful, and depth-of-field preview. Even the Elan II doesn't offer the latter capability. One last thing to be aware of is that the Minolta camera will usually be offered with a 3rd party lens. If you want a Minolta lens you'll need to pay quite a bit more for it. However, the Canon comes with a Canon lens but doesn't cost any more. All in all, this is a pretty feature-packed camera at an attractive price, which should serve the needs of the vast majority of photo buffs.
the camera looks brand new. there was basically no scratches. On the product page it said it didn't come with batteries and it did come with them and they work. I was able to take pictures instantly when I received this camera. the camera even came with instructions on how to use it and a nice thank you letter =3. it also came a lot faster then the shipping time said it would.
This is my first time with a film camera. When I started needing a camera, they had invented the relatively inexpensive digital camera. But there were things that a digital camera lacks, for one, quality printed photos for sharing with friends and family.I too got "suckered" in by Amazon with this camera being offered in my Gold Box. ;) Got to love that implulse buying. But after having it for a couple of days and getting my first roll of film back, I see that it's a great camera.The sharpness of close-up shots is really good, and I LOVE the auto-focus feature. It's good for when you're taking pictures of wildlife, and they don't hold their position forever waiting for you to take the picture. I also really like the pop-up flash and auto-light metering. It makes it really nice, not having to think if you have enough light for the picture to turn out right.All in all, it's been a good camera so far. I recommend it to anyone looking for a beginner SLR 35mm camera. It's easy to use, lightweight, and it takes pretty good pictures.
I am used to changing lenses with my prior Canon SLR. I love the the zoom lens, the anti-shake is remarkable. The quality is professional high-end photos. Very lightweight, not bulky. So far I can't say anything is wrong with this remarkable camera.
I know very little about taking pitures, granted I understand "how" to, but doing it is a total different thing. This Camera is VERY good. Manual or Auto, you control all over it. It is idiot proof, or you can take control of every aspect.Like I said, I am new at all of this, but if your a beginner like myself you cann't go wrong with this camera. This was the Camera that was recommended to me over and over again. 500.00 has got me up and going ( that is with film, tripod, extra batteries, filter, camera etc. )It WOULD have gotten 5 stars, but that manual, lol kinda a hard read.
So much better than the Rebel X!  It it lightweight, takes fabulous pictures, and looks good to boot!  Having used my mom's Rebel X for years, I finally bought the 2000 in September of 2002.  I love the fact of having it!  In the bag, it doesn't break my shoulders like the X did, and takes beautiful photos.  I am into SLR, however, my first digital will be a Minolta DiMage 7i (non-SLR).  I *will* be keeping this one, though, for the long distance shots with the other lense I have for it and teleconverter.  Worth having for anybody!
I bought my wife one of these to replace her aging Pentax K1000. She is very happy with the features and the light weight, as well as its ease of operation...you can run it as a point-and-shoot camera, fully manual, or any of a number of modes in between. The only negative to this camera is the standard 28-80 lens, but if you are a casual photographer you won't mind its mediocure optical performance. Remember, this is a relatively inexpensive camera and it has a lot of features for the money. If you want to spend more on the lens, get the excellent Canon 28-105 lens, or for more flexability get one of the third party 28-300 lenses (which aren't great optically but again are a great value).I own a Canon Elan IIe, which is a better camera in some ways but I would certainly recommend the Rebel 2000 to anyone wanting a superior point and shoot, a photography student, or a traveller needing light weight and do-it all capability, or even as a second body for someone with another Canon camera (I'm thinking about this myself).
My child is a black and white photographer, this unit was a great gift to produce black and white pictures.
My wife and I chose this camera over all the point-and-shoots we looked at after my son was born.  Most of them had something like a half- to two-second delay after you press the shutter button before they took the picture.  We knew that wouldn't fly with a young child.It has been well worth the (not that much) extra expense!  In it's fully automatic modes, it nearly always takes the picture you expect (nice for the non-camera-savvy friends and relatives).  When it doesn't, it's fairly easy to see what went wrong so that you can learn to not do that again (&quot;oh!  It focused on the wrapping paper!/It metered the window!&quot;).  Focus problems are usually a result of not noticing what the camera chose and shifting your aim slightly or not forcing it's choice of focus points.When you want to do something beyond what the full automatic modes allow, there seem to be plenty of ways to modify it's operation, all the way down to full manual.  I shot a roll of the  Golden Gate Bridge on my last trip to the Bay area and got gorgeous pictures by simply &quot;telling&quot; the camera exactly where I wanted to focus, that I wanted to bracket my shots by 1.5 stops, etc., then letting the camera take care of the focusing/exposure details.As a card-carrying klutz I agree with the other reviewers' concerns about the plastic body, but so far no drops.  If you did much flash photography, you might want a larger flash, but the onboard one is just fine for the usual snapshots.  One last thing--you can't use a regular cable release--you have to buy the special electronic one from Canon.
After having your basic point-and-shoot camera, I decided to upgrade.  This camera is perfect for both types of photographers.  The autofocus mode has been most helpful during critical, split second, picture taking moments (when your newborn smiles, or your brother runs by you in the NYC marathon)!  The manual focus mode is fun to have when you have time to play around and learn.  There are many different modes to also play with on the camera.  The camera itself is very light weight, easy to hold, and compact.  Best of all ... the pictures from this camera have all been crystal clear.
This camera was bought for a photo class. It does not have all the bells that some other may have. But it was great for a flim camera and to do class projects.
The EOS is the most versatile photographic tool on the market for the price. It is lightweight yet built well. The wonderful and justifiably famous EOS lens system is arguably the world's best. They are at least equal to Nikor lenses. Perhaps Nikon bodies and systems are better, but they are also considerably more costly.While hesitating to take some of the more expensive cameras into rough locations, the Rebel is not so expensive as to be irreplaceable.The automatic settings are often enough, but full manual modes give greater control, including automatic bracketing.While digital photography is rapidly approaching resolutions on a par with emulsion photography, with 6 megapixel cameras available, this little camera can still outperform most digital SLR's hands down. Whats more, the EOS lens system is common to the Canon D60 and will remain part of their digital EOS SLR line up. Never settle for aftermarket lenses, insist on Canon lenses.It will be a long time before I willingly part with my little Canon Rebel 2000 camera.
But the fact is, I use the automatic setting 99.9% of the time. It is a nearly a fool-proof camera that takes perfect pictures almost every time. (I own the Canon Rebel G - very similar to the Canon 2000, but purchased in  1998)And I hate to confess this too, but...I take photos professionally.  (people pay me for my photos and they are published in the print media and  on the Internet)Shameful, I know, but it's true. With my little Canon  Rebel, I put the little thingie on the automatic setting, point, pause (let  the camera make its best decisions) and then shoot. I then drop the film  off at the local camera shop. (first few times, I had to take the whole  camera in because I wasn't sure how to unload and reload the film, although  that's pretty easy too)When I pick up the photos, they are just  beautiful. Now, I have had to learn some hard lessons about camera flash  and shadows, but that is hardly the camera's fault. Experience has taught  me a lot, there.In summary, I am not a camera person. I don't *want* to  be a camera person. But my Canon Rebel has paid for itself many times over  from the photos I've sold. It combines the best of modern electronics with  photographic excellence.And it has a dazzling display of options for  those who want to play with all the fancy features. But for me - I'm  sticking with the automatic thingie.I would highly recommend this camera  to others.THREE different people (that I know of) have bought this  camera, after watching me use it and then seeing the end results. (under  the &quot;good grief, if she can take good pictures, anybody can&quot;  philosophy.)They were all astonished that someone who knows so little  could take such incredible photos.Only downside - it is a delicate  camera. No forgiveness factor on dropping it. I use the STRAP faithfully.
This camera was very easy to use as a beginning film photo student. Well made product, easy to load film
Purchased for first time photograpy student.  Great price. Lots of features. Easy to use.  Will get lots of use in and outside of class.  My daughter loves the fact that she can use auto or manual settings.  This makes it great for the whole family to use.
My boyfriend just bought me the Cannon EOS Rebel 2000 kit and I LOVE IT.  I am very interested in photography and the whole SLR arena, but I am not very knowledgeable yet with the manual settings, etc.  This camera has allowed me to take awesome pictures with the automatic settings for landscape, sports, night, portraits (where it blurs the background) while still having a lot of room to grow and learn.  I am not a professional by any means, but I am a person who loves to take pictures of everything because I also like to scrapbook my pictures.  I have already received compliments on my photos, as all of the pictures have turned out very crisp and clean.  The fact that the camera is very lightweight has been a real plus while traveling and the lens that it comes with has been adequate.If you are considering this camera, especially for someone who isn't exactly sure that they want to do more than point and shoot, it takes excellent pictures.  And it's also exciting to know that I have the capability of learning more about the art of photography with this camera.  A great purchase.
Although I gave 3 stars in the last review for the picture quality but I alway give canon full credit for a small lady hand. It is the only SLR camera that give my small hand good grip.
I bought this camera 3 months back and I truely love the camera, because of its looks, weight, photographs and features. I found Nikon's N60 was heavier than this camera..
The camera was very nice, no scratches but was not digital which was what I was looking for. Had to return which has no reflection on the seller. I did not read the description carefully.
A+++++++
I purchased the Canon Rebel 2000 because my budding photography interest had outgrown my point and shoot camera.  The Canon Rebel 2000 is easy to operate from the first day you get it. It lets you be a point and shoot user with a smart camera or a smart photographer with control over the manual settings.  Since other reviews of this product have focused on the many fine features on this camera, I wanted to mention the one thing that I had not seen printed about this product.  The Canon Rebel 2000 Kit comes with a strap and 2 lithium batteries to get you started.  Since I tend to think ahead, I ordered the professional strap recommended for this camera and 2 batteries, and discovered on its arrival that the kit comes with both.  I like the professional strap better then the one it came with.  The one it comes with is wide, navy blue with a red stripe, and has "Canon EOS" printed on it.  The professional one is narrower, black (matching the camera color better)and has clips on it to detach the strap from the camera without removing the loops attaching it to the camera body.  Although purchasing the extra strap and batteries were a happy misunderstanding in ordering for me, neither are immediate necessary purchases to use your new camera.  The kit comes with everything you need, except the film, to use your camera the first day it arrives.
Just started exploring the camera. I love the light weight and the auto focus/flash that pops up when required.My only disappointment was that when I got the unit I didn't realize there was a slightly different model available that lets you time/date stamp your photos. If I had known about  that other model I would have ordered it.Bought this camera after  having used my sisters. Can be as simple or complex to use as needed.
I am constantly amazed by all this camera can do.  I could spend all my time describing each and every little feature, but almost every other review for this product does it quite nicely.  Admittedly, there are so many features that there's almost no need to take pictures in manual mode because it's settings are so fool proof.What really won me over was when I travelled to France for three weeks over the summer and brought the camera along.  Though many complain about it's plastic body, I found it to be perfect.  It was durable enough to stand up to being jostled around inside the overhead compartment and even being accidently dropped inside the camera bag, but still light enough that I felt I could take it anywhere without being uncomfortable.  The fact it is lightweight is also nice when you are adding other attachments such as flashes, or longer lenses because it is still easy enough to manuver without a tripod.It's also perfect for people who want to take fast action shots.  I've been able to capture sports moments and fast kids with the greatest of ease.  I highly recommend it. :)Best of all, the pictures came out wonderful.  Many people complained their pictures came out grainy, but this is usually due to too fast a speed of film.  I used 200 film most of the time and found that all my pictures came out very well, including many pictures of the Eiffel tower at night.It may seem pricy, but it's well worth it when you don't waste money to develop rolls of film which come back with fuzzy, dark, blurry, or simply bad pictures.
I have this kit for over a year and is happy with the results of the few rolls of film I shot. The body is extremely light for a SLR. The major criticism I have about the rebel 2000 body is in its manual mode setting. There's a dial on the right side of the camera top (where your index finger is) for changing f/stops or exposure time. While in manual mode, however, you have to press this little button on the camera back (right hand) to change aperture while the dial changes exposure time. I have very small hands but still find the button too small to get a good grip and located too far out to the side. If you are thinking of getting the kit, I would highly recommend buying the body and equip it with a much better lens such as the canon normal 50mm/f1.4 USM if you have the budget. It costs as much as the camera kit. The cheaper alternative would be the 50mm/f1.8 USM. Quality is similar except at larger apertures. I think a good normal lens would be a better starter kit than a low-range zoom.
I have had this camera for about 4 yrs now - I take it on all my business travels.Whenever I get a chance to go out on on the weekends, I take this camera and my Sony camcorder in my backpack, roam the streets of the new city and shoot pictures.  The pictures that I shoot from this camera are just awesome - no matter whatever experiment I do with it.Most useful features:1. Aperture control with Depth of field preview- Lets to focus the foreground and blur the background2. Shutter speed control upto infinity- Lets you control the amount of time for which the shutter can be kept open3. It is pretty rugged, dont try dropping it :) I have used it to shoot pics from 'Maid of the mist' in Niagara falls and I almost thought that I was going to lose it.  But it worked liked a charmNegatives- Bulky, but you will get used to it, it always gets attention- Cost of developing film - What I do these days is to just get the photos on a CD, then develop only those photographs that are good.Why is this camera better than a Digital Camera ?- If you are spending $200 on a Digital Camera, I feel that the SLR is way far too ahead of any Digital camera in that price range- If you are spending $1000 on a Digital Camera, a Digital SLRs are very mature today - worth buying.Ideally, I would buy this SLR, take this whenever I really want to take good photographs, then I would also want to have a $100 Kodak Digital Camera for casual shots.  This would mean an ideal combination.If you are buying this SLR, you can also consider buying a Film/Photo scanners (available for less than $150 now) - which lets you scan the negatives/positives without even going for a cheap CD print.  From the reviews what I read on amazon, these scanners must be amazing.
Both camera body and lens appear to have been made in Japan.  But in using the equipment, will entail a lot of guess work, though.  The exposure meter is quite difficult to figure as there's no indicator (light or arrow) to set proper exposure.As of now, I'm still deciding if I'll keep or return the whole package.  So, please provide instructions on how to return everything.  The merchant, GLOBooks does not even have a a mailing address.  But nonetheless, I would like to know how I can return everything.Thanks.mike caguin5909 Panorama Dr. SE - #3-102Auburn, WA  98092
I've been using Nikons for over 20 years, starting with my first used and battered Ftn. Over that time I've a accumulated a dozen Nikkor lenses and numerous accessories, as well as an assortment of bodies.One thing  that's been missing in recent years from the Nikon line is a reasonably  priced entry-level manual camera. The cheaper Nikons have tended to be  fully automated cameras, and the cheapest manual Nikon still being made  was, until recently, the FM2 at well over $500.If you work the way I do,  you need a manual camera  and don't have a lot of use for automation and  autofocusing. If you own an old Nikon and some old Nikkor lenses, you may  want a simple manual camera body that can accomodate them. If you're a  student starting out, or an artist on a budget, you need a manual  camera.If you fit into any of these categories, the FM10 is a great  choice. It may not be as rugged as a $1200 F3 or a $2500 F5, but it's well  made and should last many years. I'm not a fan of zoom lenses for my own  work, but the included 35-70 is a good quality lens with a useful range,  and you can add more lenses if you need them.All in all, a good value  and a long-needed inexpensive entry into the Nikon system.
This 35mm is pretty much the perfect college kid film camera.  It wont spoon feed you when it comes to learning, which will really help you in the long run.  In the age of "press this button and you're focused", this camera is one of the few 35mm's left that doesn't have AF.  Also wont change exposure levels to what the camera suggests(such as AV or TV mode some cameras have), this gives you the freedom to be creative as some shots have a whole different mood if underexposed a stop or overexposed a bit.  As for manual focus, it's something you need to be able to do as a photographer.  Sometimes the computer in your camera just doesn't focus perfectly on that eye you want in focus, or for something as precise as macro photography which has very shallow depth you're going to need pinpoint accuracy that a computer can not do for you.This lens is great because it's like the vintage 35mm except you don't have to worry about the light meter or any other small part inside of it being broken.  Nor do you have to worry about the image quality.  The kit lens in this camera is very sharp.  It's a bit limiting considering it's f/3.5 so that rules out really low light(but grain can be good, unlike noise in digital; grain has an artistic quality), but considering the price and the quality of the whole kit it's great.Sure you can get a used one from the 70's or 80's for way cheaper, but chances are something is broken in that thing and you may not know until you've invested 2 hours developing the first roll in your class...So shell out a little bit extra and get this, it's worth it.edit 12-9-10:I still like this, shot some street photography with it since it's really compact compared to a big DSLR, but one big con I've found is build quality. It's got a lot of plastic, and I did drop it once which resulted in a huge dent. The silver parts look metal but they aren't, they're some sort of chrome paint covering more plastic. I don't baby my gear so this thing's starting to look kinda ugly.  It hasn't completely broken yet though.  I said the kit lens was sharp in my review, but really I now know it's not as good as I made it out to be, I recommend a used nikon e series 50mm 1.8 ais which can be had for cheap on the used market.
Like many online reviews and even Wikipedia describe this camera, the FM-10 is a entry level film camera. Still, even though it lacks any kind of automation and (more important IMHO) a ground-glass pentaprism viewfinder (extremely important for depth-of-field preview with lenses faster than f/2.8), I believe that this camera is as good as any other SLR film camera. Furthermore, I doubt that any beginner or even more serious amateur photographer who would choose film over digital, has a desire for high automation features in such a camera. The FM-10 (manufactured by Cosina in Japan and sold under the Nikon brand) has a built in light-meter that requires two small batteries (provided with the camera) and is operated by a separate button on the slightly upper left side of the lens. Operating the meter button does require a shift in what would be the most natural and safest left hand grip of the camera, so that holding the camera in a steady position while using the light meter button becomes a bit uncomfortable, but that probably only goes for people with smaller hands like myself. Since most modern light meters suffer from a  biased factory calibration (meaning they would fail the grey card test), I am yet to run some appropriate tests as to check the accuracy of this light meter's calibration. On the positive side (and the right side of the camera), the depth-of-field preview button/lever, although not useful through the entire aperture range as mentioned above, is in a comfortable position and does fulfill its purpose at apertures starting from f/4 up. Although built on a metallic frame, the camera's body is mostly plastic. Personally, I don't think it feels cheap (no squeaky noises during handling) but I do feel like exercising caution at all times when handling it or placing it on hard surfaces, and I will think twice before taking the camera out in the rain, mist or extreme cold weather (I wouldn't care with a 35 yrs. old Nikon F1), rolling in the dirt or sand for nature close ups, etc. The camera case, although not made of quality leather as you might expect from a Nikon camera (but again, this is NOT a Nikon built camera), does provide a reasonable level of protection, except maybe for the top edges of the camera, where the attempt to leave the strap hooks come thru, has left those areas exposed to dust and other possible external damaging factors. It is also a bit awkward to remove and put back on because its edges always rub harshly agains the focus ring of the lens, which in time might create marks or even damage, especially on a plastic built lens like the one that comes with the camera. I would suggest looking for an older (much tougher and better built) leather case. The lens that comes with the camera is rated one of Nikon's worst lenses (check out Ken Rockwell's reviews for more info), but that doesn't mean you cannot take any pictures at all with it. A lens choice is always a matter of personal taste, as well as an educated choice for some users. The day I ordered my FM-10, I have also ordered a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens, a mechanical and optical masterpiece suitable only for fully manual film Nikon SLRs at an unbeatable price compared to similar lenses built for digital or automated cameras. I have removed the bundled lens without even removing the lens cap and replaced it with the 50mm (much heavier as it is all metal built). For those who are not willing to &#34;waste&#34; $6-700 on a new fixed lens, I would suggest the older Nikkor 70-200mm AIS lens. You probably won't be able to find a new one because they don't make them anymore (as opposed to the 50mm above that you can get brand new), but you should be able to find one online in very good condition, anywhere between $100 and $400 depending on the seller. I got one for $220 in mint condition on eBay. Remember, the lens is the most important part of your camera and the decisive factor in the overall quality of your pictures (apart of course from your aesthetic and artistic feel). It remains to be seen how the not-so-high-quality of this camera will hold over time, but unless you want to go for one of the much older, bulkier (but better built) genuine Nikon SLRs, then the FM-10 is a good choice for the money, even if I consider the lens completely useless (that's just me). The reason why I didn't go for an old Nikon is because I couldn't find one from a reliable source. All sellers claim their old Nikons to be in perfect or good condition, most of them actually being completely unaware of any possible problems. Unfortunately, the slightest mechanical issue in an old Nikon SLR is very hard to detect, even harder to fix or re-calibrate, and ultimately renders the camera unusable (i.e. a slight shift in exposure time). With the money I'd pay for a defective Nikon F1 (rated in good condition) and having it fixed, I'd get a new FM-10, a leather case and some lens filters. Overall, even if I don't feel the same confidence (yet) as I used to with my old Zenit 11, I am happy with my new purchase and will try to get the best of it for as long as I can. I hope this helps you make the right choice for you.
I ordered this camera for the sole purpose of using it in my black/white photo class. And so far i have been able to do everything required with this camera. The lens that comes with the camera is a great starter lens. you have the 35mm setting for to take some pretty good wide angle shots, and u can zoom in any where all the way up to 70mm. its a very versatile lens! some people think this is a "beginners" camera and while it is a great camera to learn on, even my photography teacher who has been shooting for over 35 years still owns one of these cameras and loves it. the body is not made out of metal like a lot of earlier nikons, but that doesnt mean this camera wont last you a good 40+ years if treated correctly.but i do however have some concerns.. My first issue was that the lens has a little bit of movement up by the focusing barrel. as in its not 100% tight. im not sure if all lens are like this or if its because this nikkor lens is maybe cheaper quality than other nikon/nikkor lenses. its not really anything big but i decided to exchange it and the next one i got was the same.also for a night photography assignment i had to do, i decided to shoot without a tripod but instead use some 3200iso film. my instructor said that i should be fine with 3200 because its very sensitive to light, hover i found my self only being able to shoot at f3.5 and with a 30/100 shutter speed! and i did set the cameras iso to 3200. dont know if thats normal or not.and finally one thing that was confusing about purchasing this camera on amazon was their very confusing product description that says these camera are "refurbished" yet when you look at the sellers and their listings, all of them are listed as new. my camera appeared to be new but i dont think there is a way to tell for sure.
Easy to use, came with everything that was expected. The case is a nice add to protect the camera. I bought this for a photo class and it worked well and I was able to take beautiful pictures.
My Fianc&eacute; has dreamed of becoming a great photographer, and I am glad that I can assist her as she begins her journey!  The packaging to the device was simplistic and secure, no dents or scratches to be had.  A quick inspect of the mechanisms had not turned up any broken or clunking sounding items either.As she opened her gift up this Christmas I cannot begin to convey the awesome emotion felt by her.  After several affectionate kisses and promises of love everlasting she began to try it out with the film I had also purchased.  She quickly snapped several shots and as the day and night progressed I knew I had done well.
My wife and I have owned an FM and an FE since they were first introduced in the middle to late '70s. Literally thousands of shutter openings have occurred since they were new and we keep promising ourselves we will get newer cameras some day. If and when these two cameras no longer deliver the quality they have for the last 30+ years.The FM is the grandaddy to the one being sold here and based on our use, this is absolutely the best camera available for users who want to become photographers. There are no shortcuts in photography unless you only care about snapshots.You who are new to photography will be well served to start with this fine camera and after a few hundred BLACK AND WHITE shots to develop your skills in focus, metering and composition, you MIGHT be ready to take a few color slides. One caveat, however: No Prints! Ever! The learning process and transition to photographer quality from snapshotter will be hard but fun if you spend time learning the craft with an FM 10.Of course, you get what you work for. If you want shapshots, get a simple little digital and be happy. If you want to produce art, buy a 35mm film camera like the FM 10 and use the only remaining Kodachrome film, KR64 to produce images that will last a lifetime.Our website, [...] has a few examples of our craft. It is all done in Kodachrome and about half were taken with the FM and the rest with the FE. We have toyed with the notion of going digital but film is so perfect for our art that we cannot bring ourselves to abandon it. We have also thought about upgrading to something more "automatic" but the FE is fine for that. Like I wrote above, if they finally fail us, maybe we will upgrade to something newer, like the FM 10.Nothing available will give you the results of an FM 10. Of course you have to want to take photographs, not snapshots.
This is a terrific camera,  very powerful and as flexible or as simple as you want it to be.  The only advice I would give is to pay the extra $$$and get the Elan IIe which has the eye controlled focus system.  Simply  put,  where you look is where you focus! This outstanding feature will very  soon become the industry standard and will revolutionize the way you take  photographs.
I ordered this camera as a Birthday present for my Husband, and I couldn't be happier! We haven't gone through a whole roll of film, yet, but at this rate, I'm sure I'll be taking it in tomorrow! We can't wait to how nice the pictures will be!! But after seeing this camera, I don't have any doubts that the pictures will be fabulous! I spent about a month reviewing several cameras, but after contacting several sellers, I found this one, and couldn't have asked for more help! He was very genuine and very knowledgable on what he's selling! VERY, VERY PLEASED, as so is my Husband! Thank you soooo much!!
Let's start with durability.  I've had this camera for two years, and even though I've dropped it, left it in the sun, gotten it wet (with sea water!) and done about a hundred other things to it, it still works perfectly.  That is impressive.But you buy a camera for the quality of its pictures,  and the Elan II excels in this regard.  I agree with other reviewers that  you should upgrade to a better lens than the one that comes with it, but  this body will help you get the outstanding photos you want.This is  the perfect camera for all levels of expertise, except perhaps for the  total professional.  I was a beginner when I bought the Elan II, and it was  simple enough for me to use out of the box.  Now that I've been studying  photography for a couple years, I still haven't outgrown this camera.  It  has all the advanced features you want.  It allows you to go fully manual  or fully automatic, plus any combination in between.  The controls are  intuitively laid out and simple to use.  And don't underestimate the value  of having access to Canon's complete line of EOS lenses.
I got this camera second-hand from my Dad.  It was my first SLR camera, but I learned on it and all my lenses and accessories are compatible with Canon's newer DSLR's like the 20D and the upcoming 30D, which I plan to get to use side-by-side with my Elan IIe.  The controls are even similar, which will make the learning curve minimal to get started with the digital.  Autofocus is nearly flawless, exposure meter is very good too.  The only complaint I have is the flash -there's a flash button on the top of the camera and I have no idea what it does.  There's no fill flash (annoying), and you simply can't control whether or not the flash is used in certain modes (like macro and portrait).  I understand the logic behind it to a degree, but I'd really like the ability to control the flash :P
I have wrote a review before, I was a bit crazy back than, but now I am OK. This camera really looks goo, silver with black, so much better than same class Nickon cameras. It's a kind of light, not too big. The picture  quality is great too, one thing made the pictures so great is the focus  system, there are three points on the view window, and the area that the  point is at auto focuses when you look at it, it's really neat. It's easy  to control too, just read the instructions for an hour, and use it for  several days, then you will understand everything, the placement for each  button is smart. You will like this camera a lot. I don't really like the  lense that come with this camera, and you need to knowthat the lense is a  very important thing to consider when you are buying a camera. The lense  makes you feel slow, because it is slow, and not so good looking. You would  feel better if you buy a lense that gose from 28 or 35-100 or 125 or  something. You will like it.
I've had the Canon ElanIIE for 8 months and I've been very pleased so far. Fellow photography students who bought nikon N70 or N90 are still trying to  figure out how to use them. The Canon Elan IIE is simple to operate, and I  like having dials instead of so many little buttons. Outstanding features  include the autofocus. The eye-control focus is as fast as regular  autofocus. Also it has convenient on-camera flash which is of course not as  powerful as an accesory flash like the 380ex or 550ex, but it's come in  handy for me plenty of times. And you  can use flash exposure compensation  up to two stops in either direction! I think the best feature is it's  simplicity. It's an excellent bridge between point&amp;shoot and  professional. By the way, I got a Tamron 80-200, 4.5-5.6 lens that works  beautifully with it.
You may be new to photography (like I was), but spending the extra $$ and getting a nice camera can make up for a lot (not all) of your missing  experience.  Be sure to get the 28 - 105 lense instead of the standard  28-80.
First of all, a confession...I am not &quot;Joe-digital camera.&quot;  I don't get involved in discussions about how many mega-pixels a camera has, etc., but I know that I am sold on the Sony Mavica line in general, and on this camera in particular...here's my story...When my department found enough funds to purchase a digital camera I campaigned for a SONY Mavica. I had used one briefly, with nothing but success.  What a camera, easy to use, and good results, too!  We went the rounds about pixels, and the rest...but in the end the point that tipped the scales was that this camera has an option that other makers simply didn't offer, the ability to use standard 3.5&quot; floppies.The 3.5&quot; floppy option is perfect for us.  The camera is used by multiple people (including students), who work at their own computers.  That means that we could avoid having to track down the patch cords for downloading, hassles associated with multiple station use of software, and etc.  Whew!The camera has a 14x zoom capability that makes it easier to use the entire frame.  You can take photos at different resolutions, depending on the use and the number of images you want to put on each disc.  In addition to still images, this camera lets you make MPEG files.  They're fun, and they can be useful.As for ease of use...I was taking pictures in less than 5 minutes after I picked up this camera for the first time -- and this is the first digital camera I ever used!  When you take photos you have the option of using a viewfinder or a small LCD screen to frame your photo.  As a long-time 35mm SLR camera fan I the eyepiece a comforting option.  After a while I suppose I could get used to the LCD screen...it's a reasonable size, and in color.The camera's menu system is easy to use, you can even delete unwanted photos immediately.Be prepared for a camera that's a bit bigger than most digital cameras out there.  This camera is comparable in size and weight to many changeable lens 35mm cameras systems.  On the plus side, the design is ergonomic.  It feels good in your hand.  The grips are well designed, there is someplace for your hands and fingers to go.  I like that.Our department bought this camera at full price.  At the currently discounted price I'm toying with the idea of getting one of these for myself...but I better talk to the wife about that (hint -- that's always a good plan).To sum up, this is a great camera.  It's convenient, easy to use, and a great deal to boot! What more could anyone ask?  And this is a lot of camera for the money!  If you take a lot of photos, the money you save in developing will eventually pay for the camera!P.S.  I wonder how long it will be before my 35mm SLR is a collector's item?  Probably not too long with cameras like this one around.Happy snapping!Alan Holyoak, Department of Biology, Manchester College
I have had mine since September of 1999 and it is fantastic!  The best feature is the floppy disk storage media.  You're out of town, no laptop mega-drive and out of storage?  Buy a $5 box of disks and shoot for another  month!I bought an extra battery for mine which is real handy when  traveling.  The battery life is real good - several hours of continuous  shooting and viewing, even with the lower life battery supplied with the  camera.  These batteries also interchange with Sony video cameras, so you  can get double duty out of them if you own a video camera also.I have  used the camera to take pictures to email to family &amp; friends, Fox  &amp; Friends, post on auction sites, send to publications and even just to  print out on photo paper.  I used the camera on a tripod to take pictures  of kids on Santa's lap this past Christmas, printing them on photo paper  with an ink jet printer - a terrific success!  The quality was not quite  35mm SLR, but it was a whole lot better and faster than a cheap 35mm.I  am now experimenting with the mpeg video mode for our local track team,  many events are completed in less than the 1 minute limit in extended mode.  We may post these to the students web sites eventually.All my old 52mm  lense accessories  fit this camera.  The filters, effects lenses &amp; etc.  add to the creativity you can unleash with this camera.  The ability to  instantly check your work by viewing on the screen is impossible with 35mm.  Many years ago I considered becoming a professional photographer and back  then you had to do a test shot with a Polaroid to check lighting,  composition and so on.  I believe this camera will take the place of  Polaroids in all applications.  Don't throw out the old Nikon 35 yet  though, for true quality work, you still need film.This camera also has  a whole disk or single frame copy feature that is really nice if you want  to give copies of your pictures away in the field.  You can also delete  unwanted frames to free disk space in the camera.  The controls and menus  for all these functions are intuitive and straight forward to use.Exposure control is also easily accomplished with a series of  programable features.  The shutter speed, apeture, flash and white balance  can all be set manually if you don't want to use the automatic mode, which  really is adequate for most situations.  You will want to read the book  first, but once you have the basics down, it is just infinite  experimentation from there.  You can't make a mistake - just reset and try  again - you're not wasting expensive film!I would recommend getting a  wide angle accessory lense; if you are taking pictures of large subjects in  tight quarters, (no, I'm not talking about Santa Claus!), sometimes you  can't backup far enough.  An extra battery, as mentioned above, is also  essential if you plan to use it traveling or on all day assignments.
I've owned this camera since it first came out and it was definitely worth the expenditure.  I am an electronics junkie and have all the new &quot;toys&quot; but this is most assuredly my prized possession.  Takes fantastic pictures, both close-up and telephoto.  The floppies are inexpensive, easy to get, easy to transport.  You can take pictures to your heart's content, deleting the ones that you don't like, on the spot.  No more waiting for pictures to be developed, no more wasted film.  In a world that values instant gratification, this is the perfect answer.  The camera itself, while bigger than some, is almost perfectly balanced so is quite comfortable to hold and to use.  I have acquired other cameras since my FD-91 but none has managed to take over the No. 1 spot from this beauty!  Go for it!
I picked up this 33-ounce dinosaur-of-a-camera at a yard sale, for $ 5.00, simply because I was intrigued with its well thought-out design and many clever features.There are two major points I'd like to make, before delving into the details of this camera:If you're going to seriously use this camera, be sure to purchase a Sony (or an equal capacity clone) NP-F550 InfoLITHIUM battery, 7.2V, 18.5Wh = 2500mAh, Li-ion.Maximalpower SON NP-F550 Battery for SONY InfoLithium L NP-F330 NP-F550 NP-F570 CCD-SC55 CCD-TR516 CCD-TR716 CCD-TR818 CCD-TR910 CCD-TR917 2500mah fully decoded w/3yr warrantyThis will last all weekend, going through multiple 1.44MB 3.5-inch, 2HD, DOS formatted diskettes, and still show no signs of discharging.Only batteries with the internal "InfoLITHIUM" microchip will work in the MVC-FD91. Believe me, I've tried. I removed the vertical plastic rib inside the battery compartment and inserted a generic 7.2V Lithium-ion battery, but an error message appeared on the display and the camera promptly shut down.And the standard Sony NP-F330 (7.2V, 5.0Wh = 676mAh, Li-ion) InfoLITHIUM battery will only get you through one 1.44MB 3.5-inch, 2HD, DOS formatted diskette  -and that's provided you don't decide to erase any photos in the process.The next important point is that the Sony MSAC-FD2 Memory Stick Floppy Disk Adapter  -or any brand of floppy disk adapter, will not work with the MVC-FD91. You're confined to basic 1.44MB 3.5-inch, 2HD, DOS formatted diskettes on this camera. I know, the Sony MSAC-FD2 was a Memory Stick Floppy Disk Adapter that was designed to be compatible with many of the Sony Mavica series cameras with internal 3.5-inch diskette drives. But the MVC-FD91, unfortunately, was not one of them. The Sony Mavica series cameras, that did work with the floppy disk adapter, had a small switch inside to detect the adapter and align the head. So attempting to use any flash memory floppy disk adapter, in the Sony Digital Mavica MVC-FD91 camera, will only generate a disk error message on the display. Anyway, even those Sony Mavica cameras that were designed to use a flash memory floppy disk adapter: Its two CR2016 internal batteries entered discharge mode everytime the floppy disk adapter was inside a 3.5-inch disk drive, in the Mavica series camera or in the computer. Not exactly an efficient design.For those who truly miss the days of the 35mm single lens reflex film camera, read on, as this one just might be the digital camera for certain limited applications. The shutter release triggers an unmistakable electronic sound that mimics the mechanical shutter release of vintage 35mm SLR film cameras. This camera was shrewdly designed to wean old school photographers from their 35mm SLR film cameras. With automatic/manual toggle on many features, this digital camera does give the skilled photographer considerable control of every shot.And those who wax nostalgic about their old 4x5 sheet-film view cameras will feel quite at home, using a heavy tripod, black cape, and frequent switching of the 1.44MB 3.5" diskettes, although the lens is permanently at 90 degrees to the digital CCD image sensor, and the digital resolution is much less than 4x5 sheet film images. But I'm not really joking about the black cape, as it is still helpful for those shots in the field that require careful manual focusing. But I have since attached a "eFilm DU2.5"-M" fold-out sunshade (see link posted below) to the 2.5" TFT color LCD monitor, and while not as good as the black cape, it's more convenient, not as ridiculous, and greatly helps in direct sunlight. It also protects the 2.5" LCD monitor from damage, when the camera is not in use.Delkin Devices DU2.5-M Universal Pop-Up Shade for 2.5-Inch LCD ScreensSporting a 2.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor that physically rotates 180 degrees, the camera functions quite well for flat-field copy shots, when mounted vertically, and pointed down at a copy board with side illumination. This camera also has a "optical" digital through-the-lens viewfinder, not unlike those of the single lens reflex 35mm film cameras of yore  -great for action shots in bright sunlight. The two viewing modes, both fully digital, are easily toggled back and forth as needed. There is also dioptic adjustment on the "optical" digital viewfinder for those who wear glasses.But, instead of using manual focus, I have found a way to be expedient in the field, by leaving the camera on "Auto Focus" mode, as well as "Steady Shot" image stabilization mode, and then on my laptop at home, opening up each photo in "iPhoto Plus 4.0"  -or any photo manipulation software, and electronically enhancing the sharpness by only one increment. "IrfanView" will also do this, and will even batch process the sharpness of all of the photos in one sweep, if needed. The photo resolution is not changed by this, but the image really "pops out" and appears clearer and sharper. I uploaded some of these "sharpened" photos, for you to judge, but you'll have to scroll down the web page to find them.As I usually shoot XGA 1024x768 jpeg photos, in fine mode. The 1.44MB 3.5" diskette has the capacity for 6 photos per 1.44MB 3.5" diskette, and is perfect for my requirements.VGA (640x480) jpeg photos, set on fine mode, provide a 13-photo limitation per 1.44MB 3.5" diskette. Typical 640x480 fine-option jpegs can range from about 51KB to 147KB in size.Note: While capable of saving a bitmap photo, the 1.44MB 3.5" diskette only has the capacity for one such photo.I've applied a 2.75" x 2.125" label to each 1.44MB 3.5" formatted diskette, for special notes  -a definite plus for organizing photo-shoots.For quality ambient-light photos, I find that a sturdy, retractable mono-pod is essential in any less-than-bright sunlight situations, as the 1/3" CCD (0.8 megapixel) sensor seems to exhibit a true ISO rating of only about 50 (although Sony optimistically specs a ISO value of 100). So, especially for those long-telephoto shots, the use of a mono-pod is mandatory, for image sharpness.Featuring a 14x optical zoom (5.2mm to 72.8mm) lens with auto-focus option (equivalent to a 37 to 518mm zoom lens on the old 35mm film cameras), the camera has a f/1.8 to f/11 aperture range.Exposure range is 1/60 to 1/4000 of a second, for ambient light, and 1/60 to 1/1500 of a second, in flash mode.The OEM Sony NP-F330 (7.2V, 5.0Wh, Li-ion) InfoLithium battery has adequate power to handle only one 1.44MB 3.5" diskette, before a mandatory recharge. Attempting to load and shoot a second diskette may produce corrupted image files that are not obvious until uploaded and viewed in your home desktop computer. And don't forget that erasing images in the field still drains the NP-F330 battery, sometimes shutting down the camera before the 1.44MB 3.5" diskette is completely filled with photos.But I have since purchased a generic NP-F550 (7.2V, 18.5Wh, Li-ion) battery, for all-day shoots, on multiple diskettes.And, as another reviewer noted: This old camera will NEVER be stolen. And I also feel that it's just too big to ever be misplaced or lost.And, at a market value of $ 5.00, I won't hesitate to put it in harm's way, for those demanding shots.I gave this camera a 3-star rating, simply because it's just too out-dated to seriously endorse. But if I had done this review back in 1999, I would have most certainly given it a 5-star rating.
I bought this monster about 10 years ago for about a grand. It did everything a camera of it's day could do and more. And I still use it in my small business today. Image size is tiny today at less than a megapixel; but for general purpose documentation, which I do, it's fine. The monster zoom lens never ceases to amaze me. In the entire 10 years there have been NO camera issues whatsoever. it's been perfect and has been in use at least weekly the whole time. I have replaced the battery several times; count on it to last a couple of years with regular use. The only drawback for me is having to constanty swap floppy disks since in its max jpeg resolution, it only holds about 5-10 shots per disk, depending on image complexity. And of course, it's a pain to transfer files to a PC. You have a choice of using the LCD panel or the viewfinder, which is really handy in sunny locations. I looked at replacing it recently, but soon realized that except for image size and storage, it would cost at least $250 to replace it. So, I'm keeping it for now.
I have had this camera for six months and still find it to be the best digitial camera available for the price. (Amazing in the computer world) Others have cameras with more pixels, more storage, etc., but no one has  matched the lens. a 14x (38mm-510mm) optical zoom is unmatched. Combine  that with the floppy storage (no easier method for transporting to multiple  computers) and the multiple viewfinders (LCD screen and eyepiece) and you  have an unbeatable combination.  The resolution is more than acceptable for  anything but professional use (and even for professional use online) and I  bet hardly anyone uses anything other than JPEG mode anyway. A real winner!  PS mine got stolen last night and I am ordering another even after  checking out all the newer models!
This takes great pictures. Its big and bulky, which makes it easy to handle. Because it is older and clunky I don't have to worry about an employee walking off with it. The image files are small for such great pics, which make them ideal to email customers.
I picked this camera up when it first came out, i paid a little over a thousand for it, the deal here on amazon is amazing. This camera, is definitely worth the money that i paid, therefore it is without a doubt a hot buy here for its current price.The camera is truely state of the art, one of my many favorite features of this camera would have to be the usage of a 3.5 floppy disk. thats right folks, you simply insert a 3.5 floppy disk into the side of the camera, and vwoala! you snap pictures, when that is used up, insert another one. if the disk isnt formatted, the camera will format it for you. you then insert the disk into you hard drive (Computer drive, that is) and view your pictures.The picture quality is wonderful, its clean and crisp. I actually used this at my brothers highshool graduation, took the pictures home, and printed them out. The pictures came out fantastic. not only did i snap pictures, and delete the ones that i didnt like right from my camera, i recorded approx 30 seconds worth of video footage, which can be used with real player.This camera is one of my favorite electronic goodies around my house, and i have a lot of electronic goodies. The zoom on this camera is quite good, but it pales in comparison to the 1.4X zoom lens that i bought for this camera, man, now that thing is sweet. can we say telescope?!This camera is definitely worth the mula. whether youre looking for a camera for recreational use (like me), or if youre going to use it as a professional photographer (like my dad's friend, who introduced it to us) this camera will satisfy your needs, and then some.It's a fun little gadget, its easy to use, and you'll love it. It's true, it gets the complete 5 stars.
I just want to tell u that the camera I bought off this site is every thing I had hope for,
Overall I've been super impressed with the results from this camera. It makes use of an HTML index of all photos or video recorded on a floppy diskette. The floppy disk as storage is one of the primary attractions in terms of getting digital images to the computer. It is also its greatest weakness. In the RAW image format (TIFF), the Mavica can store (1) image on a diskette. With a "fine" setting you will likely get storage of 20-22 JPEG compressed images on a single 1.4 MB diskette. Being a MAC and PC user I was very concerned about the PC format required for the floppy diskettes. But, I know most modern Power MAC's can format or read a diskette from a PC. The format of the photos (JPEG) is universal across most all platforms. The digital video output is limited to 60 seconds at the most modest resolution setting (approx 180 X 240 pixels.) Video output can be edited or viewed by Quicktime Pro for MAC or any MPEG-2-able video editor on the PC. The other setting for still photos will give the photographer a wide range of resolution choices for uses like e-mail or still photos with short accompanying sound tracks (also in MPEG-2.) As a professional photographer, I've been very happy with the photo-quality output from a variety of color printers (Apple and Epson). There are distinct limitations due to the .8 megapixel resolution, which really doesn't allow for much of an enlargement over 8" X 10". On top of that, your original image needs to be exposed correctly and should not require a lot of digital filtration or cleanup once it reaches the computer. The best original  yields the best results. On the whole, I've found the results to be a little below my desire for better output and higher resolution. This camera has maintained an excellent price resale level as a used camera, and the optical 14X zoom is one of the best around with top notch optical quality. The next model up with a Zeiss lens sells for several hundred dollars more and may be justified with Zeiss-quality optics and the option for Sony memory for storage in addition to the floppy disk. This camera does require a little setup to use, it is not a point and shoot camera. There's a white color balance option based on evaluating the hue of the incoming light through the white translucent lens cap- don't lose the lens cap! Overall this is one of the best digital cameras I've used in terms of color rendering. Perhaps one of its' strongest features is the camera's ability to achieve very life-like color and it does so without much muss and fuss. The Mavica FD-91 handles close-ups extremely well, even with the built-in flash. I found it lacking only in it's inability to trip an external flash unit with a hot shoe or synch plug. You have to rely on the built-in flash as the main light source and this becomes a real drain on the battery. By the way, purchase a couple of optional Lithium batteries; the NP-F550 is Sony's longest charged battery for this model to date. I also recommend getting a camera case for this model as a plastic, Kevlar reinforced body is no substitute for a bomb-proof metal body at half the weight. Without breaking the bank, originally this would have been considered as one of the nicer buy-ins of digital image creation technology. But, according to current standards (2004), it is considered expensive and lacking in the higher resolution that current cameras 1/5th of the price now incorporate. Currently, I could only recommend it for purchase as a used camera, provided you could get it for about a third of the orginal price when sold new.
A nice camera. since the other reviews list all positives, letme list the downsides of picking this otherwise-cool cameraup.1. Does not include an AC adapter. The HP adapter costs a fortune ($55). Buy a cheaper Sony 6v 700mA adapter as another reviewer notes...it'll do the same thing for about $20.2. Get NiMH batteries and a charger (Target carries these) otherwise you'll soon begin to hate this machine, especially if you download pics to your PC a lot.3. This one includes no carrying case. Consider the PDC 700 instead.4. This camera is a good quality HP one, but has a cheap plastic look to it. Alternatives in the same $ range include the Kodak DC215 for about $260
This is one of the BEST looking/feeling Camera I have ever had - it does "NOT" have that Cheap Look to it like so many do - it is easy to use & the pictures are 'Nice' looking! It is such a 'great' Camera that I bought my Dad one - he LOVES it! Since, there is Miles between me & my Parents we send photo's often to each other. So, if anyone is looking into buying one of these - DO IT - You won't be Sorry :-)
I enjoy this camera it take a very large and clear picture I get some good color prints of it
Nice picture quality and easy to use.  This unit doesn't include the external power supply, so I would buy one or a card reader for downloading the photos to your PC - or if you are buying a photo printer, too, the HP  models (1000, 1100) have a built in card reader.  Downloading drains the  batteries quickly.  I like the color LCD for reviewing your pictures and  the megapixel resolution produces nice, photo quality shots with good  detail.
I bought this camera for Christmas in 1999, not sure whether or not I would like a digital camera.  Since that time, I've taken more pictures than I ever have before.  I've used it to take snapshots, pictures of my family for my web pages, Christmas cards, even with a tripod for a family picture, using the self-timer.  Sure, now, there are newer cameras with better resolution and more features, and I would like to own one of those, also, but I can't see living without this.  It's so easy to use, and it has stood the test of time.
I just purchased the C200 camera by Hewlett Packard. It is my first digital camera. I took some pictres around campus today. They all came out superb. Downloading the pics from the camera is a little time consuming. It  took me about 7 minutes to transfer 10 pics. I am still getting used to the  different features and modes. So far so good. Setup was easy, use even  easier, quality superb, price even better. What is really neat is that you  can control the quality of the pics you want to take. The higher quality  the less you can store. However, you canm hold 17 great quality pics with  the standard memory card. I highly recommend the camera to anyone.
Do not buy sucks batteries in half hour bad MP. Do not recomendget something better
I recently finished an exhausting search for a new camera and settled on the HP based on a recommendation by Amazon and the fact that I was becoming utterly confuesed by all of the choices in the marketplace. THIS CAMERA IS  A GREAT DEAL! the picture quality is fine for most things and setup was  easy enough, although remember to open the lens cover when connecting the  camera to your computer. I was emailing pictures of my friend's new dog  minutes after opening the box.
It has been ten years since I purchased this camera and it is still working wonderfully.  Sure, these days my main camera is a 10 Megapixel with 12X optical zoom and a staggering amount of features, but I still look back on my old HP C200 with fondness.  It was, after all, my first digital camera.  It also captured many, many, many memories over the decade.  My old HP C200 still gets used these days as well.  I use it for rugged outdoor activities that I don't want to expose my main camera to.  Its fully decked out with all the accessories that were prohibitively expensive or did not even exist in 1999: 2800 MAh NiMH rechargeable batteries, 2000 MAh NiMH Eneloop LSD batteries, 256MB CF, and even that (then) prohibitively expensive AC adapter that I paid $5 for. Nostalgia.
This camera works fine. Takes good pictures.Drawbacks other than battery life:1. Only 1 pic review at a time as opposed to a collage review by the Olympus brands.2. Long delay from the time you hit the photo button and get a picture causes folks to relax before the pic is taken.  Ruins some shots.3. Very clunky camera considering it has no optical zoom.Now, the battery life.  I have yet been able to fill my flash memory without having to change batteries.  I get about 10 -15 pictures before it is flashing and beeping to tell me the battery is dead.  This makes the camera unacceptable, and I am looking for a new one solely for this reason.
I personally hate developing film, so I went hunting for a digital camera. This one was the best value that I found. It's cheap, and the picture quality is good enough for me (email/web). The autofocus is kinda weird  (half-depress to focus, press the rest of the way to shoot), the resolution  is always 72 dpi, there really are only 2 sizes (1152x870 &amp; 576x436),  and to review pictures you have to turn off the camera.On the good side,  indoor pictures are, IMO, perfectly fine. The flash works well, and  illuminates well. Outdoor pix are kinda washed out, and the autofocus  doesn't seem to work real well outside.Besides that, it's definitely  worth it.
I really enjoy using this camera - for one it doesn't look like a digital camera to me (which depening on the type of person you are is good or bad), to me it looks like a normal camera which I like. True the battery life is  not great (unless you are careful which is not hard) and you dont get the  AC adaptor as mentioned by previous reviewers. But this is a great camera  where it really matters in my opinion, and that's resolution. I've never  seen such crisp and defined pictures. I use it all over the place, even at  work in workshops with charts full of people's scrawly handwriting. An A3  chart shrunk down to the size of a powerpoint chart and I can still read  the handwriting! Amazing! It's also great for 'contrast' work, you can do  some great 'nature' shots, its excellent at differentiating between shades  of green for example, much more so than the expensive video camera we have  that also takes stills. So all in all, despite its little hiccups I think  this camera is fabulous, the easiest thing in the world to use and worth  every penny of its (in comparision) low price tag.
This camera is great. The picture qualities are not as great as some of the $500 or up cameras, but it seems to be the best for its price class. The best feature is the camera's ease of use. It presents a simple and  uncomplicated interface and options features. For the price and convenience  it seems to be the best for its class.
After reading the reviews here, I am perplexed. I have had major problems with this camera since day one. I bought the camera 7 months ago and: 1)  the flash has stopped working, 2) the adapter plug will not stay in the  socket which means I have to hold it in while I take pictures (not easy to  do!) or else tape it on and 3) the batteries only last long enough to take  about 20 pictures. The quality of the photos are acceptable but using the  camera is often a nightmare. I do not enjoy using it.
I needed a digital camera, my first one..  because I've taken over 800 photos in the past two years alone.  Add the film and developing costs!  I shopped Amazon and really did my homework.  I was considering the Olympus  D-340R also..  You need to buy the C200 for your first digital camera.I've been experimenting with it the past few days.  Here's the scoop on  everything everyone else has been saying:  First, don't use the LCD unless  you NEED to.  It's a luxury you can have when the time is appropriate.  Experiment when you might need it.  I only need it for closeup work.  Save  the battery power! The LCD drains all the power fast particularly if you  are using it to take pictures.  Just use it when you need 'menu' function.  Second, downloading pictures to your PC is not the hell everyone says it  is.  Yes, takes some time..but not forever.  When you download, set it all  up, and go have lunch or dinner. When you return, its all finished.  This  saves time and worry.  Third, buy rechargeable batteries and charger, it's  all you need.  The Kodak charger kit I bought on Amazon recharges in 3 hrs.  That's overnight on a trip.  Easy.  Then, have one or two sets of regular  &quot;AA&quot; batteries handy just in case.  Fourth, buy an extra flash  card, YOU CAN LITERALLY TAKE SOME 300+ pics on your next vacation!  You get  70 low res pics on 8MB card.  Good enough for family album shots of Grandma  going flying!  Last, the camera has all you need for most photo taking.  It  has 2x digital zoom, tripod mount, and the self timer for those family  shots.  Buy a color printer and you'll have a blast!  Oh, the software is  excellent, read the manual and learn to use it fully.  Digital age is here  and getting better, see ya later polaroid, and forget $5 for a roll of film  anymore!  Now, does anyone make a &quot;portable digital photo album  viewer&quot;?
I'm not exactly an expert on film quality, but I had no problems with this Digital Videocassette.  It recorded just fine in my Panasonic camera.  Just pay attention to how many you are ordering.  I thought for some reason I was ordering a three-pack.  But there was only one.  My mistake.
This MiniDV compatible tape provides crystal clear video and very good audio.  The tape doesn't appear to lose significant quality when you tape over previous video.The price is very competitive, and the quality is very good.  If you tape a lot, you might want to consider the 5 pack, which might save on shipping charges.
Fuji has long been known for their superior film quality.  Their Mini-DV film is no exception.  Fuji is the only film that I have used in my Canon Mini-DV so I can't give you a comparison of other films, but the FACT that I haven't used any other film but Fuji speaks volumes.  If you want a quality picture (which you obviously do since you have a mini-dv camcorder) then you need a quality film.  I have read that &quot;cheap&quot; film can mess up a camera, I wouldn't know because I use Fuji.
Honestly, I cannot tell a difference in using this Fuji tape or the Sony or TDK tape I have tried. Don't take this as a slam, Just a thought that unless you have some very high end equipment you may not be able to tell the difference between the tapes of the top manufacturers. I have a Sony DCR TRV-20 (wonderful camcorder!) and have had no problems transferring images between camera, PC, and back again.Playback is great on my televisions and people are always commenting positively on image quality. I have had absolutely no problems with the tape. The 5 pack is a good buy.
The product is low in cost because it's an &#34;add on,&#34; but it works perfectly and I plan to order more.
My wife bought this camera for me 2 years ago based on some recommendations from people online. At the time, it was on the high end of cameras available at 2.1Mpixels.Things I like:- the LCD is pretty good quality, and zooming to examine the picture is easy- compression is good - I can fit about 130 images in the highest quality on a 128MB card (~1MB each)- USB interface is quick enough- uses SmartMedia cards, which are small and lightOverall, I really like the camera, but it has a few quirks I'd look to fix when buying a replacement:- no manual focus, which wouldn't be a problem if the focus time wasn't slow (up to 2-3 seconds, depending on the scene)- no manual zoom, and the digital zoom is pretty poor- prone to motion blurs, not just by the subject moving but also by jittery camera people- flash is bright, but tends to cause the subject to be very washed out if within 5 feet or soAnd of course, I have a few nit-pick items:- switching modes is slow, from photo to preview and back- doesn't save display settings between sessions (e.g. turning off the LCD)- the LCD is dark in bright sunlightOverall, I really have gotten my wear out of this camera over the last two years and have been very satisfied with it. The manual focus and optical zoom will be key features in my next purchase, but haven't really hindered my efforts with this camera.
Good camera in terms of features, but as others have noted the shutter button is fatally flawed. My wife bought this camera and the button broke after just a couple of months. Fortunately it was still under warranty and one of the *two* Toshiba warranty repair centers in the entire US just happened to be located 25 miles from our house so we didn't have to pay shipping to get it fixed. Now, after another year of use since we got the button fixed the camera has stopped focusing and the shutter button is broken again.
I bought this because it was cheap & had many features. However, it was only after the camera's warranty expired that I found out that it was a waste of money & that Toshiba is the most customer unfriendly electronics company out there. I only used the camera maybe a dozen times in a year, however like many have complained, the mode selection knob just came off in my hand while turning it on (while trying to take pictures while on vacation).  Toshiba's website is unhelpful & Toshiba is unresponsive. I tried local camera shops, but no one repairs them.
First and foremost, I am a fan of SLR's and think that the digital cameras have a long way to go. With all of the technology around it is a great thing to be able to set your own pictures as a wallpaper on your PC. The PDR-M4 is a great camera if it is used on the 1600x1200 resolution and then scaled down to 80x600. The larger resolution is crystal clear and looks even better when scaled down. I had issues with the link cable and ended up buying the smart card reader in order to download. That said, the camera does do exactly what Toshiba says it will. I am an avid hiker and take the PDR-M4 with me all of the time and it seems to be quite rugged as well. Overall, for an entry level camera ( as all digitals are at this point), I would say that this is a great value and it is easy to use.
I found my camera very enjoyable. It does not have a zoom lens, but for those times that I wanted to get a little closer the electronic image zoom was quite nice. One big plus: I recycled the smartmedia from my MP3 player.
It took me awhile to finally decide on this camera and I am not sorry at all.  I used Amazon.com and other buying networks to find out what customers thought of various cameras.  One of the things I quickly found out you need to pay attention to is the battery life.  That's something I would have never thought about on my own and this camera is a gem.  It comes with a rechargeable battery and an adapter which plugs right into the side of the camera.  I found that it recharges in no time at all.  I also found that is you don't keep the LCD going all the time you can get hours of shooting time without worrying.  There is a nifty battery level indicator available to you when you take a pic.Another thing I heard horror stories about was downloading the pics.  In my package I got a USB cable and the image software.  Is instantaneous too fast.  I loved it.  With little fanfare I had my pics on my PC ready to do whatever.  My only complaint is that there image software is no good for true color printing.  It presents the pic in the right color but something gets lost in the translation to the printer.  Photoshop is much better when it comes to printing.  It was also very very easy to view the pics through the TV.  My husband and I were recently on vacation in the Florida Keys which is famous for it's sunsets.  Needless to say we had a zillion sunset pics and wanted to narrow it down.  It was nice to see them on a 27 inch screen to make final decisions on which ones to keep.Most of any tinkering you want to do is very easily done through a pretty good menu system.  I hate reading the book and the only time I really had to do it was when I wanted to make sure I had everything to download my pics to my PC and when I wanted to learn how to save pics from accidentally being deleted.  That's another pretty good feature in that you can lock certain pics and they have to be unlocked in order to delete them.  Saves a lot of heart ache if you get trigger happy and make a mistake.I have to say the auto feature gave some of the night time pics red eye.  Otherwise the pics were right on but those people with brown eyes tended to look red.  Not sure why cause those with eyes of another color were just fine.As for the manual operation of this camera... I am going to have to read the book to fully understand all that I can control.  I don't mind since this little gem, weighs almost nothing, was ready to go once it was charged up.
I purchased this camera one month ago, &amp; It has already paid for itself (vs 35mm development)I've taken it to weddings, parties, outings, etc. and everyone has to take a look &amp; try it. The LCD preview screen  is large &amp; the image is good enough to know if the picture is worth  keeping or not, no more surprises! It takes excellent pictures of very high  detail, nice B&amp;W &amp; unbelieveable color photos. This camera has  surprised me with its ease of use and great quality. Epson also gives you a  really nice carrying case, NiMh Batts&amp; a recharger (which last for @ 3  weeks w/ me). I purchased a couple more 8meg flash memory cards pretty  cheap (in zshops)&amp; more batts at radio shack. I'm good for @ 300 pics  in one outing now (pretty cool)  Oh yea, Hooking it up to the computer is a  snap (i have win98) &amp; it downloads the photos at an amazing speed.  Great product, great for me. I love it &amp; my whole family uses it &amp;  loves it.
I have an Epson Digital 3000Z camera. The camera was great until it developed a red laser like line across all pictures and displays. I tried to get serviced thru Epson. They DO NOT DEAL with end users, you must take to an "Authorized Epson Repair Center". There are three here in Atlanta, and none do repair. All they do is receive, package and ship to Epson for repair.There is a flat [high monetary] repair fee - camera could have been run over by a truck, or missing a screw  [high monetary repair fee]!!!! Plus the Authorized Epson Repair Center charges an addtional [monetary fee] to pack and ship. How do you get to be an Authorized Epson Repair Center?Suggestion  - if you buy a digital camera, please check out how they repair and where... Would not buy another Epson!!!!
I've been using this camera for just shy of 2 years, and with the exception of not being about to print pictures greater than 5x7, I've got to say that I'm very impressed.  The picture quality on this camera is the best on any digitals I've seen at this price level (and much higher).  I've taken literally thousands of pictures with it, and have got to say that it's well worth the money.  Too bad Epson doesn't make a higher-res camera with this type of quality (though the Canon I'm buying should fix my 8x10 dilemma).In lower-light situations, it tends to get slightly grainy (as do all pictures), but less so than other cameras I've seen.  Outdoors and in good light, this camera is simply amazing, and its macro mode can't be beat.
Forget those expensive, bulky cameras, first time digital camera users to experts, this is the best camera ever created!There are many advantages to this digital camera compared to a non-digital camera. Number one, my favorite feature, after every picture, you don't have to turn the little crank to be able to take the next picture, within less that a second, you are ready to take the next picture.  Number two.  No accidental shots when the camera is in your pocket.  you simply turn a switch on the top, which can turn off the camera instantly.  It can also switch to play so you can see your already taken pictures you can also take pictures by looking through the screen.  In all I will reccomend this camera to ANYONE yho is still using old cameras, It has definatly changed the way I take pictures
i received this camera as a gift and i couldn't be more pleased. the camera has zoom and digital zoom features and a nifty solar panel  to help conserve the rechargeable batteries that come with. also included is a nice  soft case that has ample room for everything you  might want to take with  you on an expedition.  i have an epson printer and this camera plugs  directly into it -- you can print photos  without bothering with your  computer.  of course, since i have photoshop, i have been having a lot of  fun turning photos of my dogs,  garden, and friends into cd covers,  stickers, and inserting photos into letters and email.  next step -- my own  web site!  highly  recommended camera outfit.
I used to be a professional photographer, TV news videographer and news producer, so I was weaned on high quality broadcast quality TV pictures from expensive pro equipment. They are sharp, with excellent color and low noise. Consumer camcorders, even digital ones, left me cold. They just didn't cut it compared to the pro gear I had used. That is, until I saw the Sony TRV900.This baby is really a sleeper. The picture quality from this 3 chip camera is professional quality. The picture is very sharp, digital artifacts are not noticeable, and the picture is amazingly noise free, even in marginal light. (In low light,it's noisy, like all CCD cameras.) Manual controls on almost everything let you tweak the picture as you learn more.It doesn't look &quot;pro&quot; so it might not impress your friends, until they see the results. And the sound quality is not quite up to the picture quality, at least with the built in mics. But if you want to really do some fine quality videography which could be shown anywhere, even on network TV, this is your best choice.
Having a background in commercial television I did not believe that production on that level is possible at this price level. You will be amazed at the quality. I recommend the memory stick for still pictures and  you will need the floppy adapter for the computer. Your stills will be  outstanding. Couple all this with fire wire capture and a good editing  program (Adobe 5.1c) and your finished product will be excellent. The money  to step up to this is well spent.
When I received my new camera I was using a borrowed PC100. I did not return the later right away 'cause I wanted to do a little test to prove if the 3CCD system was truly that different.My wife asked me what I was doing, to which I answered: &quot;Let's see if I just overspent our money...&quot;I used the same tape to film our newborn baby with both the PC100 and the TVR-900 at the same position. What were the results? My wife said: &quot;Make sure you do the rest of the filming with the new one.&quot;The PC100 had darker areas, you could see the interlaced video shadows, and a whole other bunch of things I don't know the terms to 'cause I discovered them when I saw the same picture filmed with the TRV-900.It is a lot heavier than the PC bunch from Sony, so go for it only if you are looking for near-professional results instead of convenience...
I find myself using the DCR-TRV900 as a digital camera almost as a matter of course.  I purchased the Sony 64Mb memory card (you need to also buy the PCMCIA attachment that it fits in) and taking pictures is a veritable joy. The supplied floppy drive is next to useless - in fact, I don't know how you'd use it in an active environment. There are manual options: aperture setting (depth of field) and shutter speed (great for darker environments)among them. You can also record stills right on the tape and later extract them on your computer.  Transfering video and stills to a PC is effortless; I use the IEEE 1394 (Firewire) interface.  To make great movies, including voice over (if needed) and background music, I'm happy with Ulead Video Studio rather than the Microsoft XP Windows Movie Maker program - which appears to be a minimal implementation of Ulead's program.  Adobe Premier 5.0 might still be better, but I'm not professional enough to shell out [that kind of money] or so for that program.  By the way, Ulead also allows you to create NTSC VCD files, which, once downloaded to a regular CD-ROM (I use Easy Cd Creator Platinum), can be played on your DVD player (not all of them, but certainly those produced in the last 2 years).  Anyway, a great camcorder and camera; I find myself walking around with it for hours on end - it just feels good!
I decided to get this camcorder for the better picture (3CCD) and slew of excellent features versus some cheaper models. I have not had reason to regret my choice! I do action photography and have actually been able to capture some stills off it that are quite impressive. Nowhere near as colorful and crisp as my Canon SLR can give me, but quite useable. And without the cost and time of having to take a slew of photos, develop them, print them and scan them in. Don't be fooled by cameras that might offer more than 640x480 resolution...larger pictures don't do you much good if they aren't as good quality! These are almost as good as some digital cameras give you. In fact, I will be selling my digital camera off, as I don't really need it in addition to this camcorder and my regular camera.The camera is a little larger and heavier than some other digital camcorders, and it does not come with a memory stick included. Instead it includes a floppy disk adapter for capturing stills off your tapes. Neat to have, but not real useful in the field. Be sure you get the PC Card Adapater as well as a memory stick, this camera does not take them directly.I love the LCD screen, it will flip completely over and lay flat against the side facing out. Really nice for watching playbacks. It gives quite good sound and is nice and bright. The battery life is actually not bad at all, compared to a digital camera! But still worth getting an extended battery. Be careful about getting the highest life ones, they are quite big and heavy.Controls are pretty well placed and easy to use. I like having things like a neutral density filter turned on with a simple button push. Overall, the useability of this camera is very well-thought out and implemented. If you want a quality camcorder that will last you a long time, this is one of the best for the price you can get.
I have been using it for six months now and am very pleased. The larger batteries can interfer with the view finder however, this is not an issue when using the flip out LCD display.Great image quality. The still image  function works great with a PC Card.
Experience shows that when Sony introduces a first new product in its class, they make a killer product to strenghten their image. This camcorder is one of them (the others are their first SACD, first DVD player, first walkman, first digital walkman, first trinitron TV, etc...) This camcorder provides broadcast quality-- sharpness, color saturation are first rate. I also tried other 1 CCD camcorders and none of them come close to the performance and construction quality of TRV900. The only drawback I can think of is the TRV900 has a bit of bluish tone in the color which can't be adjusted and the brightness is one stop too bright (which can be adjusted)
You want it - you got it. Excellent picture quality; Sony steady-shot that really works; still-image capture to tape (or extra adapter card+memory stick a must!); bright LCD display; variable audio feedback; IEEE firewire,  controls that are easy to reach and are learned-responses for those  familiar with previous Sony cams.Specifically, we use this unit for  green-screen compositing of people, environments, and virtual products. The  firewire coupled with Adobe Premier is a god-send. Simply said, that is  essentially all you need (plus consistent overall lighting in a  green-screen environment). G3 or PC - firewire will suck it down as fast as  anything I've seen.Positively get the custom aluminum case if you do a  lot of travel and want to keep your camera happy. This will keep all your  components safe and somewhat easily accessible. Get a 2+ hour battery; the  NP-750 battery has plenty of gas - surprisingly the LCD does not drain the  juice too quickly. A PC transfer card for the memory stick would be nice -  but you can get away with plugging the IEEE and transferring from memory  card or to tape.The construction and attention to product detail is  marvelous. Little rubber covers, positive audio clicks, all the nifty  nick-nacks want you to have Sony make your next car. Sure there are a few  quirks - but there's few products that have such high quality and high  value as the TRV900!
This is one of the best compact single lens cameras around.  The lens is fast (f2.8), very sharp, and the exposure system is accurate.  It's main competition is the Yashica T4 super, which is a little bigger and has a slightly slower (but very nice) lens.As someone mentioned in another review, there are problems with long range zooms in compact cameras.  In addition to the problem with redeye, there is also the issue of flash range.  Compact cameras generally have pretty weak flashes, and if you zoom a lens out to 120mm and f11 or so, the range becomes very small indeed.  For example, if you're talking about a flash with a guide number of 40, with a fast f2.8 lens like the one in this camera, you get a range of 14 feet.  With the lens zoomed out long, and an f-stop of ll, your range would be 3.6 feet, so if you're taking a picture of someone's nose you're in business.  Also, the design comprimises necessary for cramming a long range zoom into a small camera pretty much require them to be of poor optical quality.Some of the shorter range zooms in P&amp;S cameras are OK, but on the other hand the ability to take pictures without flash in a reasonably well lit room may be more valuable than the abililty to change focal lengths over a small range.  Then too, the smallness of this camera allows you to shove it in your pocket when you think there is some chance you might need it, and you may find you use it more than you would a larger camera.
I see someone has already been mentioned how the fixed lens produces best quality results (rather than a zoom which cannot deliver the same quality). I wanted to add that the 600 auto focus stops, with a closest focus range  of 9 inches is the main reason why I am onto my fifth one (although the  design looks new - this camera has been selling for over ten years). I have  put over 1800 shots through my current one no problem. I also like the  autofocus feature to set the focus before composition (like my Nikon SLR).
Excellent P&S...; it took clear & crisp photographs for the 3 or 4 years that it worked. It however did bite the dust after a bit of abuse (a rafting trip where it got a little wet). That was pretty disappointing.The only problem with it is that it seemed to always want to shoot wide open regardless of the amount of light it had, so it wasn't too reliable in getting the depth of field I wanted for most people in landscape shots.
In a nutshell:  if you want an automatic camera that takes 35mm film;  that you can easily carry in almost any pocket; and you don't need a zoom;  then this camera is for you.  I find that I take many more pictures now,  simply because the Olympus is so convenient.
I stand by MOST of my old review, BUT after using the Epic a bit more, I've found that the Spot Metering is a good workaround for some of the camera's shutter-priority programming. Put that Spot meter to careful use, and you can get more depth-of-field and less flash use. Also, after days of heavy rain recently here in California, the Weather Resistant features are nice, too. This camera really IS a great value!OLD REVIEW:I'd suggest finding an old Olympus XA in good condition instead of this mostly pre-programmed techno-cam, although it does have a sharp lens..and it's very small and light too. But the autofocus is a little touchy, and it wants to shoot at f2.8 in any kind of even slightly low light. With the XA, you can choose any aperture(or ISO!)you want, and the lens is even sharper..of course, you might have to use a tripod too, but the Stylus Epic won't really acknowledge that choice!However, within its' parameters, it's a slick little camera, and you really shouldn't have to pay too much for it; refurbished ones go for under $50.
After you do photography for a while you start to understand that all that matters in a camera is the lens. The Olympus Epic had the best lens out of all point-and-shoot cameras (and most of SLR zoom lenses) here as of June  2000.You may ask are there better lenses in P/S cameras? The answer is yes;  for example Ricoh GR1 has slightly better  lens. The price is $450, and it  is  unavailable in the US. The only P/S camera in Amazon with comparable  optics is Lomo Automatic, but it is very strange camera - you have to read  the reviews and decide for yourself if you like Lomo. It is much easier and  cheaper to construct high quality fixed focal lens than zoom lens which is  the reason for high lens quality in Olympus and Lomo.  Unfortunately, this  creates the only problem I experienced with Epic. Its fixed focal length is  35 mm (this means that camera has 1.5 larger field of view than human eye,  so everything looks 1.5 times smaller than in real life) which requires  moving really close to the object to fill the frame. So, it is not very  good for portraits, but excellent for buildings and landscapes. The bottom  line: as many advanced amateurs and pros believe the camera has the best  quality/price ratio in the world
Because of the lens, pictures come out sharp and beautiful.  I've even taken slides.It's small and, so, it fits in your pocket.  I take it kayakking.But I find it unreliable. I've owned three and each time around the 1 year mark, the camera would inadvertently rewind the film as I was opening the shell.I wish that there was a competitor.  But there's really no other point and shoot with anything close to the sharpness that comes with an f2.8 lens.
It's TINY, and it has an amazingly clear and crisp lens.  Take this camera on vacation with you, and some relatively slow film - 100 speed will more than suffice for good daylight shots.  Snap away, catching all the shots you would've missed with a bulkier camera.  Take it to a quality film processing shop - y'know, a place you'd normally stay away from 'cuz they charge more than $(...) a roll for processing - and ask them nicely to zoom in when printing shots that have a subject relatively far from the camera.  I worked at such a shop for a year; believe me, they'll do it, just be nice.  The low film speed will translate to a tighter grain, and the blown-up shots will look GOBS better in balance and texture than they would've had they come from a more expensive, bulker camera running 400 speed film, 'cuz any less won't properly expose on a long-zoom camera.  For me, it was either this or a Nikon N80 SLR outfit; I chose this 'cuz I ended up spending about a seventh of what a comparably equipped Nikon setup would've run.  Granted, I have nowhere near the control over my shot, but I want clarity, not artsy stuff, and the Stylus Epic is impossible to beat for a pocket-sized, super sharp camera.
This is the second stylus I've purchased in 2 years. I have three teenage daughters that love taking pictures. My second daughter just turned 16. I bought my oldest daughter a stylus when she turned 16. They like the camera because of its small compact size and ease of use. It fits nicely in their purse. After comparing every camera I could find for under $100, the Stylus had much better quality. In order to find as good a camera, I had to double the price. The viewfinder alone, is larger than most, very clear and crisp. Never had a single problem with the first Stylus. The fact that the price has come down is a real plus also. I paid more for the Stylus two years ago, than the one bought recently. I give this little camera a 5 star. You will not be disappointed. It's a really nice little camera. It's easy to use, attractive and it is not cluttered up with whistles &amp; bells you'll never use. Just point and shoot.
Several reviews enhance on how good camera is this so I'll go to the point with some examples.1. I've taken photos with the object very close to the camera (15 inch) with the spot metering mode with candle light, tripod, without flash, ASA 400, with impressive results.2. I've taken photos with the object very close to the camera (14 inch) with to spot mering mode with flash, without over exposure and impressive results.So, I would support that the short (14 inch) focus capability is great and useful. If you want close photos of objects with a idiot proof little camera, I mean without zoom, tele, macro as it should be this is the choice.3. I had met several focus problems with objects at 2m from the camera, hope that practice would help me to improove. However some photos have excellent focus and sharpness.4. Excellent dark sunset photos with the night scene mode with ASA 100 and tripod.5. Red eye reduction pre strobes are unconfortable, but very effective.6. I prefer this than cheap zoom cameras.Definitevely I support the several comments of experts telling this is incredible considering the price.
This is the most reliable, best small camera I've ever owned.  I rate it an excellent value, and carry it most of the time.  I've tried other cameras this size, including APS format.  The others were all disappointing in one way or another.  I also have cameras that take sharper pictures, and even the smallest of them is considerably more bulky, and weighs a lot more. This is the only camera this size that I have ever found to be completely satisfactory.  If you want a true &quot;pocket sized&quot; camera, this is the one.
I am absolutely NOT a photographer. The pix I took with this camera all came out excellent.
There are so many kudos for this camera that have already been expressed and I don't know that I can add more. I've been using it for six months (and about 22 rolls of film) now and am very happy with it. I had been assessing this camera for 4 months by reading the reviews in most of the trade mags and on Photo.Net. It didn't take me long after I bought it to become a satisfied customer. It's plusses are: (1) sharp, contrasty, &amp; fast lens, (2) splash-resistant, (3) as compact as most APS cameras but with a larger film area, (4) simple to operate, and (5) close-focusing range. The one problem that I encounter is that the auto-focusing can be fooled at close range or when the main subjects are well off-center. To rectify that, just use spot-focusing. This is an excellent travel camera that so easily slips into your pocket for all those unexpected moments. Use it with ASA400 film for sharp outdoor photos with great depth-of-field; or with ASA800 film for indoor shots where flash photography is not permitted (like some museums).
I bought this camera upon reading numerous reviews that gave it top points for its compactness and wonderful picture taking ability.  It has one of the best lenses available on the market.  The only gripe is the red eye reduction setting that basically strobes the flash, making everyone you are taking a picture of, look like they have been shot with a gun.  I disable this and bought a pen to use on finished prints that marks out the problem.  I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting great pictures without having to do anything else but point and shoot.
This camera is one which has consistently received lavish praise from photo magazines such as Popular Photography for its ease of use and its superb Zuiko lens, which is comparable in quality to 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) fixed focal length wide angle lenses. I've borrowed one belonging to relatives and am quite impressed with how it easy it is to use, as well as the fine pictures that it produces. Admittedly, it is a bit small, so those who are comfortable using larger point and shoot cameras or SLRs will have to try to hold it steady. Otherwise, you'll get blurry pictures. My favorite point and shoot camera is the Yashica T4 Super with its 35mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f3.5 T* lens, but the 38mm Zuiko lens on the Stylus Epic is just as contrasty and sharp. Furthermore, the Stylus Epic is at least $50 cheaper than the Yashica T4 Super. Those who want high quality pictures from an inexpensive point and shoot camera should strongly consider buying this petite gem.
and often, the Stylus Epic is in your hands.  But more than its pocketability, what makes the Epic click (sorry, bad pun) is the lens.  It's one of the rarest in the current generation of P&S; cameras because of its large aperture (2.8).  then there are the clever touches.  ability to detect fluorescent lighting, six flash modes including slow sync (an SLR feature), a spotmeter, weatherproofing.  If I have a complaint, it's that the camera resets to all auto when you switch it off.  But then, it is a point and shoot, isn't it?It is not without a few caveats: hold it steady, TO AVOID BLURRY SHOTS, especially when shooting in the Night Scene mode, where the initial flash freezes the action, but then the camera leaves the shutter open for the ambient exposure, often too long, resulting in streaks and double images.  Not even its speed will compensate for sloppy handling.  Also, those suggestions about shooting in spot mode whenever possible are correct.  The camera is just much more accurate and faster focusing when concentrating only on the central sensor.Outdoors, the camera performs better with forced (FILL) flash, as it prevents ugly shadows from forming under eyes and chin of subject.  In fact, I believe FILL flash mode should be the default mode for cameras of this type.
As others have noted, this is a non-zoom camera with an excellent, fast lens.  I bought it a month ago in preparation for an upcoming trip to Italy.  As someone who learned to use a Pentax ME Super 25 years ago, I bought it mainly for the fast lens and small size.  I also like that it has a slightly wider angle than my zoom compact camera -- great for both travel pictures and indoor group pictures.  So far I've taken two rolls of film, in part to test all the features of the camera, and all of the pictures are excellent.  I may add to this review after my Italy trip.A few things I've noticed so far:1.  There are times when it uses the flash for outdoor pictures -- even when people are not in the picture.  I assume it thinks it needs a fill flash in those situations.  The pictures were all good, but it was a little disconcerting at first to see the flash go off on a sunny day.2.  When the date feature is used, the pictures have the date at the bottom right but not all the way in the corner.  The date is smaller than I had with a Pentax IQZoom 140, and the red color sometimes blends in with the photo.  I use the date feature only on one or two shots per roll to help me later remember the correct time frame for certain events.3.  Using just the standard flash setting (instead of the red-eye reduction setting), I haven't had any problems yet with red-eye.  I should note, however, that many of the pictures were taken outdoors -- only a small number were taken indoors.Overall, I'm very pleased with this camera so far.Additional comments:  I took 15 rolls of film during my trip to Italy, and I'm very pleased with the results!
Recently I looked at over two dozen point-and-shoot models doing some research for a friend who wanted to buy a new compact camera to replace his 20-year old Nikon. Although we are really looking for a point and shoot with a short zoom capability (about 35mm-80mm) and so didn't pick this one since it is fixed focal length, I was impressed enough with it to want to make a few comments.First of all, none of the other two dozen models had a lens this fast, at F2.8. There were a couple that came close, but you'll find, especially with the point and shoot zoom models, that the fastest the lens will go is only F3.4 or 3.8. Many of them are F4.0 or more at the low end. So if you want at least F2.8 speed, this camera is about the only way to get it.There is one exception to this. You can buy a Rollei QZ35W for ten times the price and get an F2.8 lens also. For the extra money you also get a camera that weighs in at 18 oz. However, it has an amazing 1/8000th of a second top shutter speed, which ought to be fast enough to freeze an airplane propeller, not just a golf swing.Well, the Rollei is a great high-end point and shoot but it doesn't fit in your shirt pocket very easily at 18 oz., not to mention it will cost you a pile of green stuff.Two other things the Olympus has that the other models don't or usually don't have is there is no shutter lag. You hit the shutter button and there's no perceptible delay. The Yashica T4, although it has great optics, has this, and so do many of the other point and shoots out there. The problem can be prounounced enough to affect action shots. For example, you might take a picture of your child running across the living room floor only to find out that he wasn't even in the frame when the film was developed.The final thing that is nice about this camera is the "weatherproof" aspect. This doesn't mean waterproof, however, but a few drops of water won't hurt it.All in all a great little camera to take with you anymore.
I am very disappointed in this camera.  I see absolutely no difference in it from the disposables you pick up at the grocery store, except maybe the color of the unit.  Everybody who sees it thinks it's a new gadget with all kinds of features and I always have to say, &quot;Nope... just a plain old plain old camera...&quot;  I hope I get a digital camera for Christmas.
I have recently rediscovered film photography and have aquired this famous point and shoot.  Film is still a great affordable option for high quality pictures if you scan your negatives.  Plus without an LCD to worry about how the last picture looked, I can focus on taking the next picture.Right out of the box, the size impressed me, it is one of the most compact 35mm cameras I've ever seen in person.  Only a Canon Elph is smaller, but that's basically a rectangle.  The Stylus Epic is one of the best handling cameras I've ever touched. Modern digitals are mostly rectangles, but the Stylus has a great tapered design that feels great in your hand.  The shape is also perfect for sliding in your pocket.  The sliding cover is also the on/off switch, so there's no odd buttons or switches to slow you down.  On top of that, loading film couldn't be easier.My main concern is that the camera is rather loud when it advances film, so its not exactly a subtle camera, but otherwise I am glad I picked this up.Update: having just developed a few rolls, I am very impressed by the optics of this camera.  Just a "generic" 400 speed film yielded pleasing results, but I noticed some quirks.  First of all, due to the rather wide lens, you want to get up close and fill the frame... but the lens cannot focus closer than about arms reach.  Not much of a problem for most situations, but closeups aren't really suited to this camera.  And then there is the flash... yikes!  If you can avoid it (and you can with fast film and a steady hand), do not use the flash...
A good P&amp;S. Very nice design.  Does tend to overexpose by1/2-1 stop.  Lens is actually a little wider then 35mm (~32mm).  Lens sharpness is good for a P&amp;S but does not compare to good SLR optics like Nikon.  Cameras operation has some idiosyncrasies like how you get to spot metering mode, the fact that the focus is driven solely by the indicators in the center, etc.  The date stamping is a little too small and too close to the center of the image.  Red-eye is a problem.  The viewfinder is very tiny and has severe distortion. Overall, a good, but not great, little camera...If you can spend more get the Yashica T4 w/Zeiss lens.
No complaints about the quality of the lens nor reliability of the camera. The problem is with the final product, few crisp clear pictures.I've had a Rollei compact for years. It produced great pictures but was bulkier than the Stylus Epic. After switching, I noticed that more of my pictures were blurry. I suspect it is due to the small size relative to the shutter release button. Seems like I need to use a tripod which makes the camera less portable. :O
Popular Photography recently called this camera "...possibly the best camera in the universe and I agree.It is small, light, it has an *excellent* quality lens. The lens quality is way above the average point and shoot. The lack of zoom is one of the reasons the lens can be *so* good. Maximum lens opening of f2.8 and maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 sec (but no 'manual' setting)It has an 'intellegent' flash that reduces flash intensity for close-up shots (prevents overexposure!) Many different available 'modes' give you great versatlity, including 'red eye' flash mode and a 'spot' metering option.I own 4 of these cameras!
The Epic QD CG is the Epic model that I bought, with the quartz date imprinting (which I've never used) and the attractive metallic &quot;champagne gold&quot; finish that aren't in the base model, but  without the &quot;panoramic&quot; image-cropping in the more expensive DLX  model.The f/2.8 lens is sharp and bright, and the camera is small enough  to carry in my pants pocket. But the feature I like best is the accurate  exposure system. The default automatic mode uses fill flash effectively.  You can also force the flash off or on, or combine foreground flash with  long exposure for night scenes.The flash is bright enough to reach 27'  with ISO 400 film, and its brightness is automatically reduced to prevent  overexposure of subjects as close as 1.1'. The flash is close to the lens,  so you should use the red-eye-reduction mode when the ambient lighting is  dim and your subject's pupils are dilated. Using this mode, I have never  shot a subject with red eyes.If you don't absolutely need a zoom lens,  this is a handy camera that takes great pictures.
Happy with this unit, supplements my 35mm SLR. Mini size is best of many features. Only annoyance is that lens autofocus travel occurs when shutter button is fully pressed to finally shoot, not at half way. This makes for a slightly shaky shot from the Camera's internal movements an instant before the shutter operation.
I've been shooting pictures since I was about 8, almost 30 years. I've owned several cameras, my first real one being a Canon AE-1 that I bought in high school. I upgraded to the EOS line in the early '90s and still shoot that line in film, but added medium format (Hasselblad) for portrait and wedding work (part time). Earlier this year, I got a digital and decided that I would invest a lot of time into that medium. But I wanted a film camera that, like my digital, had a good lens, was small and lightweight, and shot quality prints.I researched for several weeks all potential reviews on P&S; cameras. My wife has an older Pentax that was alright, but I had decided that the zoom lenses are often slow and not sharp enough. I debated between getting a Yashica P&S; off ebay, getting the newer zoom camera by the same maker, or getting this Olympus. I decided on the Olympus and am glad I did, though I'm sure the Yashicas are fine cameras.Working the camera is a snap. Open the lens cover, and shoot. I think the default setting is for fill flash, but the settings button cycles around -- so just use it for several rolls of film and get used to it. It does, however, reset to the default setting after you turn it off by closing the door on the lens, which is a minor problem. There's no need to wait for the lens to pop back in, since it is fixed focal length (though auto-focus -- keep in mind the difference).You may not believe me when I say this, but this camera will take better pictures in low light situations than all cameras except SLRs with the most expensive lenses. Having to use the rest of a roll of film and not particularly caring about picture quality, I took this camera to a recent night-time high school football game. Now football in Texas is big, and stadium lighting is pretty good, but it is never good for anything other than expensive, fast lenses, and fast film, right?Wrong. Well, partially wrong. This camera, armed with 200 (yes, that's 200 -- something I almost never shoot) film shot nighttime moderately lighted pictures that came out GREAT! The angle is wide, so the content leaves something to be desired, but this wide open apeture lens will definitely do the job when you need a fast, quality lens.There is a red eye reduction feature in the flash cycle, but I haven't tried it. My applications for this have been mainly outdoor, and the pics I've gotten are very sharp and as good as my SLR's. The guy I sold my AE-1 to won a national award with a pic he made with that camera. I recently asked him if he could do the same with this Olympus. He simply asked me when I wanted to bring it over!
I have bought four of these little cameras. (for different family members) It is reliable. It takes great pictures.  It has the necessary features but not so many that one is overwhelmed. It fits easily in a shirt pocket. It doesn't have a zoom but that is just one less thing to break or use up your batteries. If you want to fill the frame just get closer to your subject. It doesn't have all the whistles and bells of larger more expensive cameras but a camera you have takes better pictures than one you left behind because it was too big or so expensive that you didn't want to risk losing it.I have the usual assortment of larger fully featured cameras as well as the required digital camera but I wouldn't be without one of these little beasts.
This is an excellent, well-designed product that you won't want to leave at home no matter where you go. Picture quality is excellent and with a SmartMedia adapter to make transferring pictures to your PC easy, you won't  miss the old tradition of developing film. Despite some opinions, battery  life for this camera is good compared to others I've used. A charger would  be a good investment, though. All in all, the ease of a point-and-shoot  with professional features tastefully integrated--a tough camera to beat.
Bought this camera thinking that I could find the other parts that go with easily but I am still okking for some of the parts and the memory card. It is taking more time to find the accessories than I excpected but will eventually have all the parts I need.
I have not used this camera, rather the D360L.  However, when I upgraded to Windows ME (to take advantage of &quot;My Pictures&quot; and the built-in digital camera stuff), my camera wouldn't work.  It wasn't in the driver list, so I contacted Olympus.This was my response (read - &quot;doesn't work - we're not doing anything abount it&quot;)&quot;The newer Olympus digital camera models -- D360L, D400Z, D450Z, D460Z,  D490Z, C2000Z, C2020Z, C211Z, C2500L, C3000Z, C3030Z, and the C21 -- are not designed to use twain drivers, plug-ins, or the mini-apps to  communicate with the computer.  The Olympus Camedia utility software  communicates with these camera models to download (copy) your picture  files into a folder on your computer harddrive where they can be  accessed by any software program that can use jpeg or tiff formatted  graphic files.  Only the following Olympus digital cameras are twain  compliant:  D200L, D220L, D300L, D320L, D340L, D340R, D500L, D600L, and  D620L.  Only the D200L and the D300L can not communicate using Camedia. &quot;
Wife bought camera for gift.  Owners manual suggest using AC adapter to download pictures to PC.  Can't find the Adapter.  No internet site  advertises and no store front carries it.  Can't buy it on Olympus site, no  option to do so. I don't want the floppy adapter.  AC adapter is more  suitable for me.Other wise, this is camera is the best.  Would give 5  stars if adapter was available.
This camera is simply awesome. Take it from me, I'm no stranger to digital photography. I was using my Sharp digital camcorder to take digital still pictures but I was not very impressed with the results. Moreover, a camcorder is too bulky to haul around. So I decided to go with a smaller camera. I did a lot of research before settling on the D-450 camera from Olympus.It is feature rich, looks very cute, and delivers pictures with a punch. It works effortlessly on my Windows XP. My favorite feature is the 3X optical zoom (digital zooms are generally useless). The LCD screen is crisp and clear, although it's use should be limited to preserve battery life (Use the LCD only to review already taken shots. Do not use it for taking pictures - use the viewfinder). The video output works great. I could go on and on. It's comnpatible with SmartMedia which, in my humble opinion, is the better storage medium.Overall, I am quite impressed with the D-450 Zoom. It's simply a wonderful camera. I wouldn't expect less from Olympus. Regarding complaints about lack of a USB port for downloading: Just get a SmartMedia card reader. A good card reader costs less than twenty dollars and simplifies your life a lot. I personally use PNY SmartMedia card reader but any good card reader should do. Not only does a card reader download your pictures at blazingly fast speeds, you also save your batteries by not using your camera to download the pictures.PS: If you are looking to save money, consider getting a refurbished camera. They come with a 90-day manufacturer's warranty and in most cases are essentially brand new cameras. I should know. I got mine refurbished :-)
I bought this camera because my wife was tired of scanning pictures for online auctions.  When I saw how good the pictures were, and how well they printed on an HP PhotoSmart printer (even the 640x480 as an 8x10 was  beautiful!) I realized I had a great match!  Get NiMH batteries, for sure,  but you can use it without the screen and save power.  Also, Olympus sells  (and you can get it here at Amazon) a PCMCIA adapter for the SmartMedia  cards, which pretends to be a spare hard drive.  Cool!  Get the 16 or 32 MB  Card if you take lots of pics, but at lowest res I get 240+ pics on a 16MB  chip.
Bang for buck, this is THE best and most versatile  all around digital camera to get.  I recommend that you buy 8 NiMH batteries and a charger.  The supplied alkaline batteries are just to get you started.  I also  recommend a 16 or 32 MB memory card if you intend to use this camera while  disk adapter.  It does come with a serial cable for PC and Mac as well as a  video cable for viewing on your TV.For turning your digital photos into  real prints, I've had good luck with EZ Prints ([...]  You use  their free software to send them your photos and your prints arrive in the  mail.  This overcomes the last drawback of digital cameras.  There may be  other similar services that do this so shop around for the best  picture you just took, just double-click the 'screen' button. This way you  won't have to close the camera to switch modes.
I joined the digital parade after an agonizing 6 months of comparison and indecision.  I liked the Sony Mavica features, especially the floppy disk method of storing images.  I've used my work's Mavica 91 and loved its  simplicity and great ability to take indoor pictures without a flash.  I  also loved the rechargeable 'smart' battery which Sony sells with its  product; it actually tells you how much time you have remaining before a  battery change is required.  It could also do short MPEG motion pictures -  with sound. The big negative:  it's huge and weighed a ton.  It's  resolution wasn't sufficient either.I finally ended up with the Olympus  450z because of its high resolution, its available floppy adapter, its many  features for the price, and its compact size -- its virtually identical to  my old 35MM model.  It takes great pictures, but isn't as capable in low  light conditions as the Mavica 91.The Panaroma picture capability was a  feature which I never thought of using -- until I saw the software demo  which was included with the camera.  It's like magic -- it puts together a  panarama of pictures into a single composite image.  Truly amazing.In  summary, the 450 is a great camera, albeit only slightly better than the  400 - and doesn't include the floppy adapter as the 400 did.  Great - yes,  but the price really hasn't dropped as I had hoped.  Finally, if you're  thinking ahead, you'll order 8 or 12 NiMH batteries and a recharger, a 16  or 32 meg SMART Card, and the Floppy adapter.  You've suddenly got yourself  a $700-$800 camera outfit.  Shop around - there are cheaper places to buy  your camera.
As so many others have noted, this is a GREAT camera for the money. It's loaded with features seen only on more expensive digital cameras (changeable ISO values, great low light capability, a true optical zoom lens with the ability to add 2X digital zoom on top...I could go on and on  about the *pros*.....there are so many!Here are the *cons* I've picked  up so far:1. Camera does eats its four AA alkaline batteries quickly,  especially if you use the LCD a lot. THE FIX: I purchased rechargeable 1400  mv NiMH Nexcells and a Maha C204F charger for under $40 online and neatly  solved this problem.2. Not the most intuitive menu and button system.  THE FIX: reading the manual before trying to use does help. A *quick guide*  sheet comes with the camera...keep it handy to figure out those features  you don't use often. Now I know how to use the features that are important  to me and don't have to refer to the manual any longer.2. Manual is  confusing with three languages/page. THE FIX: English is primarily on the  left-hand pages so look there first. Dog-ear the content index page so it's  easier to find what you are looking for later, and keep the one-page  &quot;quick guide&quot; that comes with the camera handy.4. If you are  going to take panoramic photos, ONLY THE ***OLYMPUS*** SmartMedia CARDS  WILL SUPPORT THIS FEATURE! If you purchase less-expensive brands like  SanDisk, you won't be able to take panoramas. THE FIX: Purchase Olympus  SmartMedia cards on auction sites or at bidding sites online...I bought my  Olympus 32 mb card for $45 under the Olympus website price.5. Slow photo  download rate. First of all, I didn't find the serial port download overly  slow, especially compared to other digital cameras. However, since camera  has to be on during the download, I recommend purchasing an AC Adapter  (doesn't have to be Olympus brand) to save on batteries. But if you're a  speed freak, then THE FIX: Purchase either the USB or FlashPath Floppy Disk  Adapter....either will speed up download time considerably.Bottom line  for me....best camera for the money, hands down! Buy one for yourself and  see!
It's funny I'm writing this review even though I bought this camera maybe 8 years ago.At the time is was good. 1.2MP! Can't beat a 1.2MP camera these days!... oh wait... nevermind.Buy a newer one.
A couple things: Pros:  1. I have dropped my Olympus d450 several times, and once I slammed it in a car door (in its case). For some strange reason, it still works fine.2.  You can get an mp3 player that uses the same type of memory card (smartmedia), buy a 32 Meg (smartmedia) chip, and reformat the card  for either device when the occasion  calls. A 32 meg card can hold either a couple hundred pictures, or about an  hour of music.3. The floppy adapter works well to transfer files to/from  the smartmedia card, and a usb smartmedia card reader works even better.  However, downloading data using camera and serial cable is quiet an  frustrating process (batteriy draning, time intensive, etc.)CONS- 1:  Start stockpiling AA batteries now, especially if you really like using the  LCD screen instead of the viewfinder.2: This isn't the kind of camera  you can whip out real fast and and take an instantaneous photo.  It takes  about four seconds from when you slide the cover open to when you can snap  a picture.All in all, a good buy
I purchased this camera after reading the reviews and have not been disappointed. This camera is light and small enough and has all the functionality you would want (except if you're a professional photographer). Once you get familiar with the icons, the camera is pretty  staright-forward. And if you're looking to buy rechargable batteries along  with this camera, do not buy the Olympus ones. I bought the Kodak  recharagble batteries and charger and they work fine. Another tip, get the PCMCIA card for  faster uploads if you have the slot and get the Delkin Devices one, it is  cheaper yet just as good. I saved myself quite a bit of money this way.I  also purchased an additonal 16 Mb NewMedia film card but you can buy other  brands for cheaper. All you'll have to do is format the card and it'll work  fine with this camera.
I started out thinking I was still a year away from affording a new digital camera with the features I wanted.  I decided to hold out for a zoom lens and at least 1024 x 768 resolution, or wait.  After a lot of  research, I knew I wanted an Olympus, because of their excellent optics and  their camera-first, digital-device-second approach, and because my Olympus  35mm point-and-shoot had served me well.I thought my best deal would be  on a used or discontinued model; however, because the original price of the  500L, 600L, and 400Z had been so high (in the $800-1200 range), the asking  prices for these had not come down as much as I'd hoped, and what I had to  be willing to pay had crept up as I shopped.  When I saw what the 450Z was  going for, I whipped out my credit card.  Now that I've played around with  it for a few weeks, I can't imagine there's a better digital camera for the  money right now.  I've compared with a couple of friends that have Nikon  CoolPix cameras, and I suppose there's something that's better about them,  but I can't honestly tell you what that would be, and the Nikon is twice  the money!The 450Z is an improved version of the well-received 400Z, but  at a radically lower street price.  Some of this is due to the packaging --  the 450Z leaves out the FlashPath floppy adapter (typically $70-90 alone)  that was standard in the 400Z -- but clearly the manufacturing costs are  coming down rapidly.This camera performs incredibly well on the  bottom-line measurement:  It takes stunningly detailed and accurate  pictures under a wide variety of conditions.We've gotten used to  accepting less than perfection for pictures taken in other than bright  sunlight at normal distances.  The 450Z adds several categories of  picture-taking where you can now get predictable results:  Flash, macro  (including with flash), indoor lighting, low light, etc.  There are just  enough features to make the camera useful over the range of conditions, but  not so many as to intimidate the snap-shooter.  Because of the intelligence  of the autofocus, exposure control, and white balance, it is still a great  point-and-shoot camera.Many features are related to getting the picture  right at the right resolution, such as spot metering, exposure override,  mode (resolution), different flash modes, macro, etc.  Other features are  related to viewing and managing the pictures you've taken.  You can plug  the camera into a VCR or TV monitor (RCA video jack) and give a quick  slideshow of what's in memory.  You can get around the small size of the  LCD display (and this is one of the better ones) by zooming in on one  segment (out of a 3 x 3 grid) of an image, to make sure the detail is  there.One other feature that other reviewers have found important:  The  450Z will store images uncompressed, if you choose (the file size is huge);  most other cameras up to this point perform at least some compression, even  on high-quality settings.The only thing I couldn't do well -- and this  may just take some practice -- is action shots.  All digital cameras have  some lag between the time you decide to pull the trigger and the time the  image is committed to memory, and this takes some getting used to, but the  450Z is quicker in this respect than its earlier counterparts.  One  significant feature is the &quot;burst mode&quot;, which allows you to keep  capturing images (about 1-2 a second) as long as the shutter button is  pressed, and until the buffer fills up (seems to be about 6-10  images).Most of us get into digital because of the cost and overhead of  dealing with film and processing, only to have to scan prints or pay extra  to the processor for digital images from film.  Depending on resolution,  you can get up to 122 images onto the standard 8MB memory card before  unloading, and that's very liberating -- no more agonizing over whether to  take another shot!  However, once you play around with it a while, the mind  starts to boggle at the possibilities, and film cameras seem like Stone-Age  technology (especially since we are approaching the resolution of film with  the million-plus pixels you can store in an image now).The 450Z is a  milestone in the improvement of digital cameras, a quantum leap in value  vs. features and quality, even compared to other Olympus cameras.  You  won't believe how easy it is to get breath-taking digital photos.  Get one!
This camera is great.  It's light, compact, and takes great pictures.
Found the camera extremely good for the price. All the photos I have taken till now have turned out fantastic. I am a beginner and it hardly took me time getting used to the camera. I would highly recommend this to anyone  who wants a good camera for less.
Maybe this camera is too dated.  It's quite large, it can barely be called a compact camera.  Also, the maximum aperture is a mere F4.5, so it's a good idea to use high-speed film.On the other hand, the picture quality is excellent, with SLR-type quality.  Genuinely much better than the results I can get from a similarly-sized digital camera, especially at the shorter end of the zoom.  And the flash does a pretty good job.  There's some red-eye, but in general it doesn't over-light scenes, the way most flashes do on small cameras.I had this camera for a number of years, and my friend still uses it.  Over the years it's developed a few problems: it makes a grinding sound as the zoom extends (it hasn't broken yet, but I expect it will someday), and it can be a little tricky to open the door enough to activate the camera.Maybe the still-in-production Stylus Epic 2.8 lens is a better choice - there's no zoom but it has a faster lens, a smaller body, and slightly better picture quality.
I am a rookie picture-taker.  I never really had a use for a camera with a zoom lens.  I was always content to use my VERY simple point and shoot.  One day, my pictures came out so badly from my simple camera that I decided that I need to get one with a zoom lens.  I looked at many brands of cameras, but I never considered the Olympus.  Then one of my friends, who knows a lot more than I do about cameras, convinced me to test the Olympus Stylus Epic.  I fell instantly in love, and I bought it.  That choice has been the best decision I ever made!  I love the small size and sleek design of this camera.  I also LOVE all the bells and whistles on it, especially the timer because no one gets left out of the picture.  It also takes very good photographs.  I recommend this camera for anyone, including camera-challenged people like myself.  A great piece of equipment, and the price was very reasonable.
...I went back to the 35mm format.The Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom80 QD CG Camera is what I wound up buying.This is a competent camera, much like its predecessor but with additional picture taking modes and a zoom lens.The additional picture modes include combinations of flash and timed exposures allowing you to create some neat effects under low light (night) conditions.The 38 to 80mm zoom lens is effective in framing shots without a lot of ugly negative space.The camera is weather resistant, which seems to be some extra wiper seals on the lens and a thick gasket on the camera back. This should enhance its longevity, but don't expect to take it swimming. I'll let you know about durability in another 8 years.This isn't a replacement for an SLR (and isn't intended as one). The quality of pictures is somewhat less than you would experience with an SLR.But if you are attracted to point-and-shoot cameras and specifically to Olympus for their small size and ergonometric elegance be sure to check this one out.  END
A manual settings snob I was... my 20 year-old Minolta had a light leak.  Too late to get a repair before a trip to Alaska I bought a point and  shoot. I bought this brand because Olympus have glass lenses. But the  design is what really sold me: the camera is &quot;splashproof&quot;, the  lens cover ingenious, and the small, very lightweight oval fits in your  hand like it belongs there.It has trekked with me across Alaska,  Florida, fell in a fountain in Savannah, been on a beach too many times to  mention and has bounced off airport restroom floors more than once. It  survived being thrown 20 feet into the street when my bag was grabbed and  the camera flew out of it. It has gone fishing with me and even scooted off  the face of a glacier once.And you know what? Besides being more  durable than I could ever imagine, it takes great pictures.Two years  and 100 rolls of film later I have had 3 bad pictures. All because I was  taking low light shots without a tripod -- my hand jiggled the camera. Last  month, we were on the beach at midnight with a full moon out. I placed the  Olympus on stairs and set the timer so me tripping the shutter wouldn't  jiggle things. Beautiful shot of the ocean, the moon and unbeknownst to us  until the photos came back... a sea turtle coming ashore behind us.I  have taken the Olympus places I would of never taken the expensive (OK!!  OK: and clunky and heavy) Minolta. The Olympus fits in my pocket. It is not  an ordeal to get it out and determine the lighting, put on the right lens  or even to load the film.I miss the Minolta when I have a beautiful  sunset to shoot and know what it would look like with a polarizing filter  and ASA 100 film. And, when I was set up with it I could actually focus  faster than the autofocus on the Olympus. But three bad shots out of 3000?  I can stand a nanoseconds delay.
Let me start by saying that I'm not so hot when it comes to taking good pictures.  My mother is a professional photographer, but I didn't inherit that gene.  So most of my pictures are out of focus, grainy, or have my thumb in them.  (Sad, I know)We've had this camera for 9 months now, and I've never taken better pictures.  It's super easy to load, to use, the zoom feature is great for everyday use when you're trying to get a shot of a very active toddler, as is the red eye reduction feature.  (No more possessed looking people in our photos!)I've yet to experience a single problem with this camera, and I've never had such beautiful sharp pictures before.  For me, it's the holy grail of cameras.
A few weeks before my wife and I were to leave for the United Kingdom, my camera gave up the ghost.  It had been a super camera for someone like myself who is not very much of a photographer.  Easy to use with very clear and bright pictures.  What was I to do?  I had to find another good camera in a hurry.I saw this camera on Amazon and decided to give it a try and I was glad I did.  This Olympus camera performed just as well as my old camera and cost several hundred dollars less.  The pictures are as sharp and clear as one can possibly get from a point and shoot camera and for most of us, point and shoot is the only real option.  The pictures I took of the Scottish highlands and the rest of Scotland and London are great.  On top of that, this camera is easy to use, easy to carry, and never seems to let the user down.  Quite frankly, I couldn't be happier.
I hate digital camera as I am clueless on how to use them, but loved my old 33 mm. camera, so I bought this one.  So far, so good, but I have not as yet developed any pictures...
this camera worked fine for a while but then slide piece came off and the camera stopped working....cost too much to fix......don't buy...too much for a throw away..
I bought the Olympus Stylus Zoom 80 because our family needed a camera  that could take close-ups without getting all blurry.  At first I was  skeptical that such a small camera could really take good pictures  close-up.  Boy, was I ever wrong!  When I got back my first roll of film I  couldn't believe the crispness and clarity of the close-up pictures.  My  wife practically had tears in her eyes when she looked at the pictures.  All she could say was &quot;WOW, we should've bought this camera a long  time ago.&quot;  I couldn't agree more.Best of all this camera is a snap  to use and has tons of great features.  We really like the quartz dating as  it comes in handy when creating memory books.  We also bought the accessory  kit with the remote control and camera case.For the price you can't beat  it!
I have had problems w/ this camera since the day it was purchased.  For some reason when you press down the button to take a picture, nothing happens.  I've had about a 50/50 chance of ever getting it to snap a picture.  I always keep a spare camera on hand, because you cannot rely on this camera to take a picture.  Do not use this camera if you want to take pics of anything important, because you may not get any!
I bought this camera back in June to take to Europe with me.  It was a great investment.  10 years ago, my mom bought an Olympus Stylus.  I had always loved the quality, so when it came time to get a small camera of my own, I chose this model.  The camera is small and light, so it was great in my backpack.  6 weeks later, it was still going strong, and I really put it through it's paces. The picture quality is incredible.  Day, Night, Action shots, Everything.  I had professional photographers ask what i was using.  The picutes were that great.  I think you will be as satisfied as I have been.
The size and design of this camera make it ideal for what it is designed for.  It takes great pictures in light and dark (though it's better at outdoor pictures) and it fits easily into your pocket.  It opens quickly with one hand; no fumbling around with a lens cap.  It focuses quickly so you can take a shot from a closed position very quickly.The only thing worth noting is that this is a point and click camera.  If you want to control exposure, shutter speed, etc. or play with macro, this is not your camera.
Takes great pictures.  Survives a drop onto the sidewalk (dropped from 2 feat from a bench).  Handles rain no problemo.  Still takes great pictures.  Small size is great and it's easy to use.  The editor review says battery compartment is hard to open -- It is unintuitive by the arrow direction (it looks straight), but look at the hindges and you'll figure it out.  The viewfinder is tiny, but it works just fine.  The camera's small size lets you get 2-3 extra pictures from a 24 exposure roll becuase you don't have to roll out the film at all to cross the camera body :)  It is so small that it fits in teh secondary compartment of the camera bag I bought along with it.The zoomer is cool.  They say that it is 2.2x, but a 35mm with no zoom is .45x, so you are actually getting 4x zoom relative to a non-zoom 35mm wide angle point and shoot.  This is the best bet for your money.  If you want more zoom, go get a professional camera, but with that much money (over $200), its time to go digital.This is the perfect camera for me going to LA and shooting at the LA Galaxy (Soccer MLS) players.
i'd been lookin for  a decent bargain on a 35 mm camera with zoom for my vacation. i never had a camera of my own,and never really took pictures (apart form when a freind asks you to take  a picture of them using there camera at some obscure place..lol).. it came down to this and the canon sureshot 85.. something about this one,however got me hooked.(i think it was the classy body.. ha ha) but honestly .. this camera makes me WANT to take pictures..it's so simple and such a joy to use.. when i developed my first roll, the attendant asked if i was into photography semi pro or pro ,becasue the shots were really  excellent(of course it's the camera ,film and locations..lol..)sure,you're gonna take some shots that don;t come out to right.. sure the light may be bad.. but know your limits,and your camera's..with the six flash modes,and DX coded film(to adjust the shutter speed)..just read the manual for what flash mode wortks for what situation,and which speed film(100,200, 800 etc) will work for what type of lighting.. and take lots of pictures. the camera will harldy (if ever ) let you down
If you are looking for a 35MM point-and-shoot zoom, don't look any farther than this little beauty.  It takes great pictures, the flash is automatic and unobtrusive, and the little extras (timer, extra flash modes, water resistant, date&amp;time stamp) just make it better. What I really like about it is its small size.  It easily fits into a pocket or comfortably in your hand, so taking quick snapshots is a breeze.  No fumbling around in a camera case (or even removing it from a carrying case) is necessary ... just open it, point, and click!One note:  It doesn't come with the required battery (DL123).
After seeing some of the negative reviews for this camera, I felt obligated to defend the product based on my personal experience with it.I've had my camera for over three years (since summer 1999) and have never had a serious complaint about it. In fact, it was given to me as a last-minute gift before my departure for a six month trip to China. I took people shots, landscapes, snapshots of architectural details... even took photos in the rain a few times and most of them turned out wonderfully.In 2001, I took this same camera to Italy with even better results. This camera takes very high quality pictures if you pay attention to how the auto-focus and flash function. Those reviewers who couldn't get the camera to take pictures were probably attempting to taking photos closer than the minimum focus distance stated in the manual.Nearly early time I have a roll of film developed, friends, family and strangers alike ask me what type of camera I use. I recommend this camera wholeheartedly to those looking for a convenient, lightweight model that takes excellent photos when you don't have time to fiddle with manual settings.Note: I rated four stars because it would be wonderful if the camera allowed for closer macros (flower and plant shots). Also, be careful not to allow sand or any particulate matter to get near the camera. If it gets inside, that may explain problems one reviewer had in getting the zoom to retract.
I really loved this camera, but the sliding &quot;door&quot; broke and wouldn't close after only a few months of minimal usage.  I don't know if I got a lemon, or what.  The camera was never dropped or otherwise abused. I had had another Olympus for years with the same design, that worked great--it's really easy to get quick shots when you can slide off the lens cover and turn on the camera all in one quick motion ; I will most likely try another one even after my bad experience with this one.  I hope that they have solved this issue, if it was widespread--at least one other reviewer mentioned the same problem...
performance from such a small piece of equipment. Since having a kid our travel baggage tripled and I couldn't afford to carry my Canon Elan(great one when I bought in 1993) along with my camcoder.I looked around for a small 35mm point &amp; shoot and I decided on Delux edition of this one over Minolta Freedom zoom 125 &amp; 150 because of the price and reviews I read at this site. The delux edition has a more gold look to it and comes with a leather cover, battery, and has a panaromic mode function.Size is a big plus to this one even though the Minolta's looked more appealing to me. The pictures came great as mentioned in lot of other reviews. The best are the ones I took in the night with 'night scene' flash mode. One has to be VERY careful not to shake the camera when taking pictures in this mode.
This camera has far exceeded my expectations. I bought this little gem right before I decided to get out of New York and take a break in Maine during fall foliage (my digital had been stolen a few months prior, and I didn't want to spend another $500 to replace it). I read loads of reviews online, spoke with a couple of friends who are professional photographers, and this was the name that kept recurring - Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom. I took it on faith, and shot 10 rolls of film in one week with one short glance at the manual (who has time to read the manual?). When I got the pictures developed, they were amazing - I could practically breathe the fresh air. Incredible colors. Everyone I showed the pictures to was as impressed as I was, and I'm not a professional photographer by any means!  LOVED THIS CAMERA!  I'd buy it as a gift for anyone!
I've had this camera for a couple of years and i've never had any trouble with it.  I get consistantly great pictures.  This past spring I took it to Europe.  The pictures turned out beautiful and many look like postcards.  This is a great point & shoot camera and nice compact size.  I don't have the patience or desire to lug around a professional camera and all the lenses and spend time adjusting each shot.  I highly recommend this camera!
Since buying this camera a week ago, i have taken some great photos with it. I was quite impressed that I didnt have any pics which were screwed up by flash, lighting or even thumbs. I am a man with good size fingers and hands. I have heard some criticisms about the size of the buttons, nor have i had any trouuble opening the battery case. the battery case is easy for me to open but no t soo easy that my toddlers can open it quickly (those of us who have them know they can open anything given time). Their size (the buttons) does not bother me and I have been able to use the full functionality of the camera.This camera takes pretty good photos with vivid color and detail without using any of the fancy modes available. You can literally take the camera out and shoot. One of my faviorite things about this camera is it's size. I have abandoned the strap and a carrying case which i bought. I instead keep it in my pants pocket wheresoever i may go.this is a great camera for a gift and i have no complaints so far... I plan to take this camera on vacation to tampa bay and disney. I give it my recommendation.UPDATE: i took this camera with me and I had a wonderful eexiting time taking pictures.  I took 8 rolls of film and the pictures turned out fabulous!  this camera has ensured that i will have vivid and colorful memories of my children in their cutest years.  I definitely made the right choice.
I have looked at dozens of point and shoot cameras for myself as well as friends who wanted to buy, and although I don't own an Olympus Stylus Epic, there is one thing that is great about the non-zoom model that I wanted to mention, because out of the two dozen or so models I compared, the Olympus was the only one that had an F2.8 lens. I'm not sure if the Epic Zoom 80 goes that low, but the fixed focal-length model does. So if you want a compact point and shoot camera with a relatively fast lens, this is about the only way to do it, unless you want to spend about a $1000 for a Rollei QZ35W (which, at 18 oz., is a tank compared to the Olympus. Of course, the Rollei has that amazing 1/8000th of second shutter speed, probably enough to freeze an airplane propeller, not just a golf swing).But getting back to the Olympus, there were a number of models that were F3.4 or F3.8, but the Olympus was the only one at F2.8.
This camera takes very high quality photographs.  I originally bought this camera as a gift, but have subsequently borrowed it and used it for my own trip.  I'm not sure if a cheaper camera could produce such vibrant and high quality pictures, but I seriously question whether a more expensize one would.  I was originally concerned that the zoom would not be enough, and I'll say that the zoom isn't too dramatic, but it is a nice feature.  But the quality of indoor, outdoor, landscape, close-up, etc is really quite surprising.  The camera has been to Asia and Europe and back, owned for over two years and still produces great pictures. When looking for a camera for myself, it's difficult to even think of buying an Olympus with more zoom.  More zoom may be a trade off for better pictures.  How much zoom do you really need? Lots of features, some I use, others I don't find useful.  Again, the quality is astounding, very durable, no complaints.
I've been using a Ricoh 35mm for the past five years and I loved it. It took crisp, clear pictures and was very durable. However, I dropped it on concrete and it became loopy since then, so I had to bite the bullet and buy another camera.I did A LOT of research and found that the Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 would be the best for my needs in its price range. I'm not an expert by any means. I've never used a SLR camera before. I like to point, shoot and move on. I looked at reviews on Amazon and other sites.After much research and price checking, I finally bought the Olymplus (...). I am quite happy with it. I've taken a number of pictures in different environments and in different light. However, the first roll of film I had was 800 speed which is sensitive to light and movement. The foreground objects were crisp but the background was a touch blurry. That was the film speed though. My dad and step-mom who are amateur photographers saw some of the pictures I took with the camera and they were impressed. They said that they came out very good and that the background blurriness was indeed because of the film speed.The only thing I don't like about the camera is that sometimes when I go to take a picture, my middle finger rests on the on/off slide mechanism and I accidentally slide the mechanism and the camera shuts down. It hasn't affected any pictures though, because they will take before the camera turns off. I've learned not to do that anymore though.Other than that, it's great for me. It's very light, compact and I like the different modes. Oh, and as for the film loading. I've never once had a problem loading film and I've been through several rolls. My husband, on the other hand, who has large hands and is like a bull in a China shop, has problems loading film. So you can guess who's not allowed to load film anymore.Whoever buys this camera should be very happy with it. I am.
For the buck, Olympus gives you a better lens than any other consumer level camera. I love the shots I've taken with this camera... great colour, focus, and sharpness.
All Olympus Stylus Zoom cameras are being replaced with the Deluxe model. It comes with some neat features, like view finder confirmation (the viewfinder darkens at the moment the picture is taken to confirm.) They also all come with panoramic mode now. They have just been released in higher-end camera stores, and will probably be available here soon.
Not liking point-and-shoot cameras made it difficult for me to decide to get one for a recent trip overseas.  I wanted something light, easy to use, and easy to hide (so as no to look like an American tourist).  I decided on this camera because of recommendations by friends, but also took my heavy SLR with me in my carry-on luggage.  Then, while abroad I decided to mostly use my little camera due to its size.I never saw the pictures until I got home and had the photos developed (at a good camera shop).  Was I thrilled!  They were absolutely great.  The colors were bright and true.  The details were sharp enough to reproduce by scanner and send as attachments onto emails to my family overseas.The camera itself I often carried hidden in my purse, but it was always ready.  The only time I was disappointed in its performance was when I ran out of film!  Of course, that was my fault, not the camera's.It's so easy to use.  Very often I had others taking pictures of me.  Generally all they would ask was which button to push.  Even the most inexperienced picture taker came up with terrific shots!I would say that this is an excellent camera for its price.  If you get it, you won't be disappointed.
I gave this camera to my brother. The first roll he developed - amazing pictures. He was very happy and I was glad I made a good choice.
I've had only good results with the Stylus. It takes wonderful pics, is very handy to tote around, and takes quite a beating. (My 1st Stylus was a 35mm model and it resided on an open shelf in a boat for 4 years without misfiring once). My only disappointment has been the red-eye reduction, though contact lenses make a real challenge for any direct flash unit I've seen.
I used this camera on a 408 mile hike from Lake Tahoe to Mt Whitney and all my pictures turned out great.  On top of that, I passed 2 other people who were unrelated who both claimed to have dropped their Olympus Stylus into streams.  They both said that the camera continued working even after being submerged in water briefly.In addition, when I arrived on the summit of Whitney, there were two professional photographers up there who had carried like 50lbs of photography gear.  They both said that they owned Olympus Stylus cameras for carrying in their cars and spur-of-the-moment occasions.  They said they chose that camera because of the good optics that Olympus makes.We have retired our stylus in favor of a new Olympus Camedia 3040 zoom, but we still use the Stylus when we need two cameras.  It still takes good pics.
I am pretty pleased with this purchase.  The camera is really nice and seems pretty sturdy.  My chief complaint though is that it is super slow opening up.  Well, it seems really slow.  Maybe I am a product of the instant gratification crowd, but it is a little annoying when you have the must take quickly picture opportunity.  I guess you just get used to it.  Overall, however, I am very happy with this purchase.
Very happy with this camera.  We bought it 4 years ago when it first came out, and the fact that it's still here says a lot...  My wife loves it, and the picture quality is superb.  Olympus makes a great camera.  We also have a Minolta 35mm SLR, and the pictures from this camera are nearly as good as our big Minolta Maxxum.  The best part is the SIZE...so small we toss it into our baby's travel bag, and snap pictures everywhere we go.  Great battery life too!
This is the second one of these cameras I have owned--first one lasted YEARS and died of overuse, I think.  It takes Great pictures for a small portable film camera.
Even with 200 ISO film (the manual recommends ISO 400), this camera takes very sharp indoor/outdoor pictures with brilliant colors. Haven't tried the 400 film yet, so I'm eager to try some outdoor evening pictures. However, with the 200 film, this camera still took some excellent night pictures (using a tripod) of downtown during Christmas season. Don't regret buying it one bit, best investment in a long time.
I used it to take pictures of my guests at my wedding, instead of them signing a cheesy guest book that I will never read. I put the pictures together in a groovy collage. Get the film while you can! It is rare!
my mother loves her camera. so finding the film was good for my budget. it was exactly what i wanted. thanks!
This product was sent in a timely manner, the company proved to be one of the best, in my opinion, I have ever dealth with online. I am a native New Yorker, the company is from New York, (Brooklyn) I received terrific service from them. Leave it to the New Yorkers!!!
We bought these to create a picture curtain of all of our incoming employees for the season.  The film works great...kind of pricey...about a $1-$1.50 per employee...so it adds up with a lot of employees.
We purchased our film on August 12,2013.  When we received it and my daughter used it, the pictures came out like they were melted in the middle.  We contacted the seller who said he would send out 2 new packs and told us to put the other packs we have in the refrigerator and process the film in our armpit.  That was from September 10 thru 14.  After 3 months of not receiving the new film, we contacted the seller and requested a refund since he wasn't sending us the new film. On December 20, 2013 we contacted the seller requesting a refund and he responded saying the he had to check his records.  To date, we have not heard from the seller.  We spent alot of money on this film and have not been able to use any of it.  This seller does not follow through on what he says he will do and his product is substandard.  Beware before you buy it.
I used pictures instead of a sign in book at my wedding. The film worked great and the quality was good (the quality of instant Polaroid pictures are never of super great quality, I personally think).
High dollar film, but you can notice the difference immediately. Great for both day and night shots.
I've owned the PDC-700 for about a year and a half. I would highly recomend not purchasing this camera. I have to admit that I bought it on a whim and the price was right. It's no secret that this is entry level, low priced digital camera so I'll try to present both the pros and cons with that in mind.PROS *Feels really nice in the hands. *Perfect size for me *Great LCD... crisp *Very easy to use *location of buttons, controls, CF slot all well thought outCONS *Picture quality is almost always terrible *If there's an eyeball in the picture... it's red *BATTERY LIFE - don't plan on getting more than 20 or so shots from a high quality set of alkalines using LCD. 25-30 without. *Upload speed very slow. My 700 DID NOT come with USB. The USB  whole was plugged. I understand that the new units come with USB so it may not be an issue... but geez... very slow to upload. If you don't have a USB 700 make sure you use an external CF card reader that utilizes USB. *The camera doesn't seem to remember the settings you provide very well. It likes to change from XGA to VGA etc.. *The battery charge indicator is very inconsistent. One or two shots into new batterys and the indicator shows a dead battery... then it bounces up and down.... usually you don't really have any idea when your batterys have drained until the camera just rolls over and dies.I took tons of pictures with this camera and every time I look at them I cringe thinking of all the memories that were captured with such poor image quality. Please consider spending a little bit more money if you are a sucker for family pictures and such. When it comes right down to it... picture quality is everything and this camera just doesn't hit the mark. I don't really regret having the camera because of the low price and the fun I had screwing around with it.... but I really get bummed looking at the crummy picture quality now. Also, for all the money that you'll spend on duracells and energizers you could buy a much better camera. By the way... you have to use good alkalines.. you can't cheat and use NIMH recharables with this camera.. it only uses about 50% of the batteries before the camera dies. So, if you're like me it means $5 in batteries each time you want to use the camera. Well... the good news is I've just ordered a Canon G1. Life is good.
I bought this camera because at the time it was a decent price and it looked good. Here is what I ended up finding out:Pros:Decent pictures and a good size LCD screen.Cons:Can't use it for long periods without replacing the 4 AA's.There is no zoom.Uploads are slow to your computer since there's no USB.Only holds 24 photos without an extra memory card.Changing the flash for indoor/outdoor is hard to figure out.I advise spending a little more and buying a camera with better features. In the long run this is not really a good investment.
This is a very good vlaue for money and the camera comes wiuth some extras that the comparable C200 from HP does not include. Specifically, the AC adapter is a big plus. The matching carrying case makes it even better of a pacakge deal. Make sure you buy rechargables though, and make sure you do  not get NiCd batteries as they drain a little too fast to make anyone  happy. Either get a four pack of NimH AA batteries and charger for about  $27 total (NexCell brand). The unit also has a USB connection  that is not documented anywhere at all. Overall, this seems to be a nice  package that I've not heard bad things from anyone about.
I bought this camera for about 2 years. It takes very good, clear pictures even on the medium resolution setting. They look very good printed up with a photo printer.Since it didn't hold very many pics, I bought a 64 MB Compact Flash card, and now it holds hundreds, so I don't have to download them often to free up space. Yes, regular downloading is somewhat slow, but there is a slot for a USB cord, it just wasn't included.I have had no problems with the software, or this camera. Yes, it uses batteries quickly (as do all digital cameras) but I opted for easily replaceable AA's instead of rechargable. That's just what works for me, it's easier.All in all, I am very glad I bought this camera and would recommend it to anyone!
i recieved the pdc 700 for xmas a year or so ago and i'm very happy with it. the camera is simple to use, the led is nice (although don't use it for viewfinding unless you want to 'run dry' batteries and have a delay for your pictures), and the images that it produces are reasonably good quality. perfect for web use, and produces nice small prints on my epson stylus c40s inkjet on photo paper.the plus side: reasonably priced, easy to use, nice pictures, easy to use software, cabling, etc. included.the downsides? well, if you want to print your images, you're looking at smaller images. 4x6 or so prints out nicely. like most digital cameras, it eats batteries. there are some xp issues with the connections and software with the version i have anyway--i could use the usb on win2k, but only serial on xp. so i just got a flash card and reader to skip that issue entirely.the scoop? if this fits into your budget, it's a great starter camera. must-have accessories would be recharagble batteriers, a charger, a flash card and card reader. (even a 20 meg flash card gives you hundreds of pictures at the best resolution and the card reader makes getting your pictures just like grabbing them from a floppy disc.) you probably want to factor that into the price. overall, i think it's a great first digital!
There are so many positive aspects of this camera, it's a great beginners camera. That's why I bought it. I like all the features it has, it makes it seem a little higher up than the plain old digitals you see. Among the features, the LCD screen, the manual flash, timer, and the BEST thing is the card slot for compact flash. I recommend picking up a  compact flash reader for $50 and a card or two. One of the major downsides  on this baby is that when you download through the serial port, it is SLOW,  and I mean SLOW. If this is your first digital, it is well worth the money.
THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST DIGITAL CAMERA YOU CAN PURCHASE THAT ISAT LEAST 1 MEGA-PIXEL UNDER ...  MY WIFE AND I SPENT ALOT OF TIME CHECKING OUT DIGITAL CAMERA'S OVER THE PAST FEW WEEK'S, TO USE TO TAKE PICTURE'S OF CAVE'S AND VACATIONS, AND FINALLY DECIDED ON THIS CAMERA.  THE VALUE OF THE CAMERA ALONG WITH ALL THE EXTRA'S YOU GET IS WELL WORTH IT(4 MEG BUILT INTO CAMERA AND UPGRADE OF MEMORY,USB SUPPORT AND CABLE'S,FINALLY WHAT MOST CAMERA'S DO NOT PROVIDE A/C ADAPTER) i MUST SAY THE PICTURE'S ARE SOME OF THE BEST I'VE SEEN FOR THIS PRICE. THE LCD SCREEN IS VERY GOOD AND CLEAR, THE CAMERA IS VERY FUN AND EASY TO USE.  ALL THE PEOPLE THAT COMPLAINED ABOUT BATTERY LIFE, LET ME SAY ALL CAMERA'S EAT BATTERIES, SO THIS CAMERA EATS BATTERIES LIKE ALL OTHER DIGITAL CAMERA'S.  THERE ARE OTHER CAMERA'S IN THE SAME PRICE RANGE, BUT FOR YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR THIS CAMERA HAS MORE FUNCTIONS AND EXTRA'S THAT MAKE IT WELL WORTH IT! ... GET THIS VERY WELL MADE CAMERA FAST!!!
I had been givin this camera from my parents on my birthday. It a real good camera for the price. The only problems with it is that it doesn't zoom in and it doesn't load the pictures very quickly. So this is the camera to buy to get started with digital cameras.
Wow! I'm impressed with the quality and the price.  I have emailed &quot;real-time&quot; photos to my friends overseas, uploaded photos to my homepage and photo pages, and developed crisp 4x6 and 5x7 prints.  Since there are places where the use of flash is prohibited, simply turn the flash off and correct the photo with the easy-to-use software. I am very pleased with my purchase.For the great price you forfeit having zoom, which is OK since I go overboard zooming in and out, wasting precious battery life.  Speaking of batteries, you MUST invest in at least 2 sets of NiMH rechargable AA batteries, more sets if you plan to use the LCD as a viewfinder.  For overseas use, you'll need to buy a voltage converter to recharge the batteries, but it's worth it....
Well, I put 5 stars because i thought that would actually appear on the amazon web page...in reality i would give it 2 stars.The pluses you can read on other people's reviews. They are accurate. But for the minuses, there are some serious ones:-- The battery charger and rechargable  batteries will cost you around $50. Keep this in mind when comparing to  cameras that come with battery packs.  -- It is ONLY downloadable on  windows 95/98. Not on the Mac, not on NT and certainly not on Linux.  -- If  you lose the CD-Rom that comes with it, forget about getting the software  you need on the web. As far as i can tell if you lose that CD, you are  [in trouble].  -- You lose the time/date info every time the batteries die,  which is all the time.  -- There is no way (that i can find, admittedly i  haven't downloaded the user's manual from the website...please!), to save  the settings that you prefer. So every power up you have to set the  resolution, flash mode, etc. if you want something other than the default.
Polaroid did a pretty good job on this camera. Let's break it down step by step:ADVANTAGES:1) 4 MB built-in memory - this is a fair amount compared to other comparable cameras.2) Compact Flash compatible for  adding more memory - Compact Flash cards are relatively inexpensive - it's  like film you can use forever! Just drop it in, take the pictures, and when  the card fills up, replace it (or use the 4 MB built-in).3) The LCD  display is great. Not choppy - you can even adjust the brightness. It can  be turned off to decrease battery drain. Also, immediately after you take a  picture, it will display the picture on the LCD (whether you have it on or  off) and ask if you want to delete it now? This is great when you take a  picture and look at it and immediately know you don't want it.4) Menu  functions. Once you figure it out, the menu is really cool. You change what  type of light you will be taking pictures in, you can format the memory,  erase all or one picture in the camera, etc.5) The software is great.  You can actually hook your camera up to your computer, and from the  software you can change the camera settings without ever touching the  camera (you can take a picture, turn on/off the lcd display, change flash  formats and picture quality, etc.).6) Accessories. The kit comes with a  TV cable, a nice camera case, a wrist strap, a serial (RS-232) cable for  camera-computer connection, BRAND-NAME batteries (that's a shocker - I got  Duracell ULTRA with mine), AC Adapter, and software. There is also a USB  port as well - I'm going to look into this because serial transfer is  SLOW....DISADVANTAGES:1) Slow downloads. I have a PII-400 w/ 128MB  RAM. Still, I downloaded 15 1024x768 (Fine quality mode - read more about  quality modes further down) pictures that I took, and it took almost a  minute per picture.2) There are 2 settings: 1024x768 (they call this  XGA), and 640x480 (they call this VGA). Each of these settings also has 3  quality modes (SuperFine, Fine, and Normal). SuperFine is the only one  worth taking pictures with. Other modes are grainy.3) Battery Life.  Actually, every digital camera on the face of the earth drains batteries  almost instantly - so this really is just a disadvantage among ALL digital  cameras. That's why I'm glad this thing came with an AC Adapter. Just be  sure to use the AC Adapter whenever you can (especially when you are first  playing with it and fooling around with the LCD - that thing REALLY drains  batteries!).4) I wish this thing came with a USB cable. It has a USB OUT  on the camera, but it's a tiny little connector and I have no idea what  type USB cable to buy for it. Yeah, it comes with a serial cable, but that  is SLOW. USB has GOT to be faster.5) As everyone else has said, NO  documentation whatsoever. Just get on the Polaroid website and pull off the  product manual - that. Strangely enough, the product manual doesn't come  with the camera!All in all, a GREAT camera. Buy it and you won't be  disappointed.
This is a nice entry level point and shoot camera. I recommend this for someone who wants to start out in digital photography. I do recommend the 48MB CF card, and a professional battery pack. It will go through it's 4 AA's in about 30 minutes, high current draw. But it takes nice photos, and it's nearly indestructible too. In order to use the connection software(serial RS-232) you will need Windows 95+, and use EPP mode.  And for the second generation PDC-700(USB enabled) you will need Windows 98+ to use it. Overall, a good entry level digital camera.
I tried two units before giving up on the JVC.  The video was OK (not great color) but the audio was fatally flawed.  The camera itself generates a 'whine' which is then picked up by the microphone and recorded.  Any quiet recordings, when played back, have this buzzing whining sound  added;  I found it completely unsatifactory.  No provision for an external  microphone (which would have been a satisfactory solution) is made!  Were  it not for this flaw I would have been happy with the camera.
- I don't know how people were raving about how it fits in a pocket -- even a BACK pocket. Give me a break. It's in no-way small enough to reasonably fit in either.- I don't know why the terrible location of the microphones (on top) wasn't mentioned more. It was only stated how, when the sound of the motor was recorded, it was disappointing. I think immediately annoying would be the obvious likelihood that your fingers, when using the strap to put your palm in, could cover the microphones -- or get in the way of the lens. You have to really be aware of both and it's not that comfortable.- As I write this, there's are five available from $150-over $225. Why? It's a poorly designed device, with 640x480 pics....4 MEGABYTE memory card...and it's not compact. Of course, I'm comparing it to today's technology, but nothing about this makes it worth getting today. It's too old, I don't recommend it, and I wouldn't have been impressed by it back then.
Have had this wonderful camera for about a year; have struggled that long with the software. Makes it almost impossible to transfer pix from camera to PC, and repeated trips to JVC and Mr Photo websites have failed to find any updates or even replacement software. At this point, I have tried several different photo programs and none can download from the camera to the PC.I have excellent pictures, but little way to enjoy them except in the camera. I just can't believe a huge company like JVC would leave so many customers hanging like this, with very pricey equipment and no way to use it.The camera gets five stars, the software actually gets zero.
I love this camcorder, it is small enough to carry anywhere I go. I purchased extra batteries which has increased my ease of use.  I have not been able to connect it to my computer as of yet.  The instructions from JVC are not the best and their site is no help at all.  I emailed them and asked for help and got a really ignorant response.  If anyone can give me some help with connecting this to my computer I would really appreciate it!
Throw away all your  other cameras.  This does it all and fits in your pocket
After several weeks of research on 2 megapixel Digital Cameras,I narrowed my choices down to the Olympus C-2020 and the Nikon Coolpix 950.After reading how the Nikon goes through batteries and is much larger than the  Olympus,the choice became very clear.The Olympus takes great pictures and  is very easy to use.This camera was very well thought out,It really  suprises me with things that it can do,especally take great pictures in low  light with the flash turned off.I really like the picture review mode,it is  like having a slide show.
A couple of years ago, when I purchased my first digital camera, I was a bit disappointed with the Casio I purchased in terms of picture quality for the dollars spent, and particularly the skin tones of the pictures it  produced. When I went looking for my next digital a couple of months ago,  the Olympus 2020 caught my eye because the professional reviews I saw  lauded the camera as having great skin tones.. not pale and clammy, like my  previous camera. Well they were right, this is an exceptional camera! The  skin tones are warm and realistic, even under flourescent lighting, and a  variety of settings make this camera almost as versatile as a nice 35mm  film camera. The auto settings are very good, and for the scenarios that  the auto settings don't work well for, the camera allows manual focus,  manual white balance, shutter speed, aperture, ISO settings from 100 - 400.  It has a variety of flash settings including a slow mode which will fire in  either the first or latter half of a slow shutter, takes panoramic pictures  (in multiple pictures.. there's software to stitch the frames together) and  I've gotten good results at night after working with the settings a bit.  The batteries supplied with the camera seem to last nearly a week with  intermittent use (and using a flashpath adapter to upload the pictures  instead of conencting to the camera directly), though I suspect using the  extremely powerful flash a lot probably reduces that. The menuing system is  intuitive and easy to navigate in most cases, and though the plethora of  options the camera has gives the camera a  decent learning curve for the  novice, the user's manual that comes with the camera is pretty good. When I  originally started looking at this camera it was in the $800-900 dollar  range, but the release of Olympus's 3030 model drove the price down to  about $550 most places. This camera is well worth the original price, and I  don't think you'll find a nicer digital camera out there for the current  lower price!
I've now had the Olympus C2020 for three weeks, and I having a ball with it. The color is great, and the resolution is outstanding.  I just added a SanDisk Imagemate, USB Version to manage the images from the camera. It's  a nice addition. Just remove the SmartMedia card, insert into Imagemate,  open and the images are there. Don't need to use the serial cable, or waste  battery time. Didn't get the AC adapter, and I don't feel I need it.  I  would also recommend an additional 16MB or 32MB card for the camera. The  8MB that comes with the camera is too small for most of my needs.  Battery life has been reasonable, but it does requires that I not use the  LCD screen all the time. I just turn it on when needed, or to review my  images.  Love the quality of the images. I'd recommend it to anyone.
At the time of this writing, the Olympus C2020Z is out of stock.  No wonder!  Although my first digital camera, I absolutely love it!  I can only ditto all the great things that have already been said about it.  Yes,  the lens cap is a pain.  Yes, the LCD viewer is impossible to use in  sunlight.  And, yes, some of the controls are cumbersome at first. But once  you get the hang of it, the average photographer will find this camera both  powerful and easy to use.  With a recently purchased 64 MB media card, I  was able to snap over three hundred 1024x768 and 1600x1200 pix during a  five-day vacation to Washington, DC.  And, I might add, the batteries  stayed charged all day.  I now have a stunning set of beautiful photos on  my PC to document my trip.  I can only look forward to more great moments  with this camera.
I searched the web extensively for digital camera reviews and comparisons trying to make the best possible purchase and value in a digital camera amidst a jungle of opportunities. The results? Well, I purchased the Olympus C2020 Digital Zoom Camera and from the time I received it have been  very happy.  Even with minimal manual reading, my 14yr. old son started  taking great pictures right out of the box. It probably has many more  features than the average individual will ever fully utilize, but they're  there for almost every possible concievable photo opportunity. It's a  digital camera whose results rival some of the best from conventional film  cameras. I waited to buy a digital camera until the technology, which  Olympus is now using, would produce a quality comparable, if not better  than most 35mm SLR film cameras. I use this camera for both recreation and  business. In business, I have a need to email product photo images  overseas.If you're a point and shoot buff or looking for high tech  manipulation, you'll find great satisfaction in the Olympus C2020.  I  really wanted something compact for travel and outdoor adventure, (a big  attraction to this camera in contrast to others), but don't let it's nice  small size fool you, it's cram packed with advanced technology. Under a  mulititude of lighting situations the results were consistantly top  quality. I would, however, recommend purchasing the software application,  ThumbsPlus 4.0 for Windows by Cerious Software. It's the best of all the  basic photo manipulation and archiving software I've found, a must for all  the photos you'll end up taking. It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and  full featured for even the most discriminating photo professional.
Hi, if you're looking for a semi-professional camera to deliver excelent picture quality, the Olympus C-2020 won't dissapoint you. Although, there are some things you should know before getting to work.  First of all, the  transfer rate from the camera to the PC is extremely low, if the pictures  are taken in HQ (High Quality) mode, a 32MB memory card can take up to 30  min. downloading your pictures; So you Have to get a floppy adapter for  your memory card and even maybe get a second memory card to continue the  good work. Don't buy it from Olympus, they stick their brand and charge you  a lot of extra bucks. Second, you'll need extra battery's since the camera  doesn't come with an AC adapter, and Olympus sells it for 50 bucks, so  you'll have to manage acordingly. Battery life is O.K but i had to buy two  sets of rechargeable batterys, and still i need an AC. And third, it  doesn't even come with a protective camera case, which also costs 50  dollars!  I would at least have expected to get this info before spending  more than 600 on my C-2020. Never the less i think the camera gives  outstanding image quality, and has worked pretty good until now.
I love this camera.  It takes extremely beautiful photos with wonderful detail and excellent color fidelity.  I have used an older Olympus digital camera and had difficulty navigating the UI, but the 2020 is very easy to  use (with some minor exceptions).  It makes for a great  point-click-download camera.The software the Olympus includes with the  camera is pretty good too, the basic Camedia software is easy to use and  reasonably powerful and I'm having a great time with the Adobe PhotoDeluxe  that was also included.Complaints are few...as noted in other reviews,  the camera hangs at a strange angle and my (rather long) nose does hit the  LCD leaving smudges.  Make sure you remove the lens cap before turning the  camera on, or the camera will do a strange little dance trying to push the  lens through the cap.Aside from those nits, this is a very well designed  camera with a quality feel to it.Just wait til you see the pictures it  takes!Highly recommended.
I have used three cameras lately: 1) Sony DSC-505 2) Olympus C-2020 3) Kodak DC280. All three have 2.1 Megapixel and good lenses. The Sony is the only one with no Zoom, but has the best picture quality and the best  lowlight exposure. There is also the DSCF505 which has the huge 3xzoom  lens, but it is too big to be nice. The Sony is also the smallest and the  easiest to use. The operating system is similar to the DV camcorders. The  second best is the Olympus C-2020 due to its zoom lens, the viewfinder and  just weaker in low light conditions. The 130 pictures will fit onto a 64MB  Smartmedia in HQ, a little more than with Sony. The Kodak I liked the  least, mostly because of its klunky operating system and the poor colors  (in comparison). I currently use the Olympus for professional work and the  Sony due to its breast pocket size to snap great photos anywhere and  anytime.
Having just purchased a C-2000 version, it's hard to imagine how they made this better.  The aperture priority metering options are great for digital portraits. Autofocus override came in handy while shooting from cramped  aircraft cockpits.  Optics and resolution will please anyone who  appreciates the Olympus Stylus. The remote control combined with video  output is great for parties. The exposure compensation, just like on SLRs,  seems even more essential on this digital camera. With the &quot;instant  feedback&quot; from the LCD screen, you can adjust it for perfect exposure,  contrast and brightness.  Very cool.
I have had my 800 for about a year and like it very much. It's easy to use (and I agree with most of the comments below) and takes good quality pix. (Most of mine are flowers/birds.) I use the NiMH rechargeable batteries - have two sets - and have no problems; they last much longer than the NiCD ones. I use a Microtek reader connected to my Mac's usb port (and with an earlier Mac, used a card.)My only big complaint is the lag time between seeing and taking the shot - often a problem with birds. Question: are any of the cards better/quicker than others? I have a SanDisk. I am also thinking about upgrading to the 995, but wish it used AA batteries.
The Nikon Coolpix 800 is a GREAT camera.  I don't understandwhat the other comments are complaining about.  Mine came with aninstruction booklet, a foldout &quot;getting started&quot; sheet (which was very well written), and a CD for more detailed instruction. But, all I needed was the starter sheet, 15 minutes of trying it out, and found it was intuitively simple.  I also didn't have trouble with battery life (I used the alkalines that came with it).  I took 20 pictures, downloaded them into my computer and STILL had PLENTY of battery life.  This is a nice compact camera with some great features...This is an amazing camera at an amazing price - and I am usually very finicky.  I'd recommend this camera whole-heartedly.
For the most part, I'm quite happy with my Coolpix 800 (bought at Amazon.com).  It certainly gets the job done, and the images are as good as what I've gotten with my 35mm SLR, if not better.  My main beefs are the ones that are well known about this camera:  the flash and zoom are both very limited (to the point where I pretty much consider this an outdoor camera - the one time that I did use it indoors extensively,  I set the sensitivity to ISO-400 and shot by available light), and I wish it were possible to manipulate the f-stop and shutter speed directly.  And I've got a new beef:  Due to the small size of the camera,  it is nearly impossible to use it without getting thumb prints all over the LCD screen.  But these notwithstanding, it is a great camera that takes good, well exposed crisp pictures, and that's the bottom line.
Ok, so this camera will not be able to take photos that can be blown up to a poster size.  However, I bought this camera fairly cheap (just under two-hundred dollahs) earlier this year and it is fantastic! It's sturdy, the glass is sharp and the photos look amazing.  The color, the white balance and the contrast are just spot on.  Just look at photos taken by this camera by this camera on flickr, and you'll see this thing takes some beautiful photos!! It's quick to focus, it's got great battery life and snaps photos really quick!  You won't regret buying this camera.
I bought this camera having never used digital, and I must say I was stunned! It is VERY easily used, and even if you're not electronically inclined, you'll figure it out in about 15 with the help of the QuickStart  guide that comes with it. I will say that for a more advanced  user/experienced photographer, it may seem a little elementary; you can't  change shutter speed (this is automatic), F-stop has very limited  variability, zoom is so-so (though there are a variety of accessory lenses  you can purchase).As for batteries, do yourself a favor and buy some  NiMH rechargeable batteries (takes 4 AA) at radio shack, where a set of  four plus the charger is only 19.99. This Camera is a ravenous,  battery-devouring beast, and you will have to change batteries after 45  mins if you use alkaline. With the NiMH, I have yet to kill them- they last  forever.The auto mode is very user friendly, and does just about  everything for you. The manual mose allows you to change around things a  bit (but does limit you, for example the shutter I mentioned)There are  several different resolutions you can use (the default is 1600x1200, but  you can shoot 640x480 or smaller), and also several shooting options like  16-shot which takes 16 shots over the course of about 5-8 secs, bestshot  which will take 10 and the camera decides which is the best. Or you can  take up to 40 frames per second.You might want to get an extra or larger  memory card because even though they say it holds 200 pictures, this is a  bit stretched. It will hold about 30 basic quality, 16 normal quality, 8  fine quality or 1 high quality in the 1600x1200 mode, and about 200, 100,  50, 5 in the 640x480 mode. Though I WILL say that the 640x480 VGA mode is a  good mode because even a 19&quot; monitor cannot display a 1600x1200 shot,  and part of it will always be off screen, whereas the 640x480 almost  perfectly fits the screen (I use the 640x480 VGA mode myself). Plus the  1600x1200 shoty takes quite a qhile to upload.Summing it up, if you have  never used a digital before, you will be surprised off you A-- at how easy  it is to use and take good photos. If you are a professional or have  experience, you might want to go with the 900, 950, or 990.I give it 4.5  stars
Amazing,this was an expensive high quality camera just under Nikon's best 950 digital back in 1999! However,this Nikon 800 still takes pictures that will match or exceed the best cameras in the market today thanks to its original build quality internals which were not skimped on plus the all glass 2x optical zoom (38 to 76mm equivalent)f/3.5-4.8 Nikkor lens. ..it's virtually a steal at todays price and nothing today takes better pictures in it's class. Oh,did I mention it fits in pocket like a hand. :)[...]
I wanted a digital camera for all the usual reasons. In addition to its usefulness for emailing, my second reason is that I take hundreds of snapshots yearly that I throw out as soon as I get home - sometimes, while still at Kinko's.  It seemed like such a great idea to be able to delete all my duds - before any tree ever has to die for them, or (gasp) any photo lab worker has to see them.This is a great little camera. It is truly a simple-to-use, lightweight thing. I agree with all the praise.  I wish I had known at the outset (if only to spare myself the headache) that the instruction manual - the good, big, complete one that I wanted to read cover-to-cover - is on a CD rom.  Don't plan on reading it in bed, unless you want to first print all 54 pages. The little &quot;quick&quot; booklet (missing much material)  that comes in the package has a loosely organized table of contents to the CD, but, inexplicably, no page numbers that would correspond to the topics in the printed material, so you must search.You must buy separate photo-editing software, unless you want to send your nice little photos only to have your recipient download them in in that ridiculous huge size we've all seen.  In addition you will not be able to modify your photos in any way without the software.Four double A batteries were used up in an hour of snapping, viewing, deleting, snapping. When the batteries begin to wear out, the camera gets sluggish, and then it's time. A  rechargeable battery pack (or two) is a must.An excellent feature of any Nikon camera is that the Nikon tech support line is a twenty- four hours a day, seven days a week operation. This is incredible.  I had a few glitches with the Nikon software, and phoned several times. I was helped right away - efficiently and well. That alone is a fantastic plus, especially for someone who is not particularly good with new gadgetry. Terrific.
I got this from Amazon.com 3 days ago and is still shooting away. Sharp pictures, excellent focusing &amp; light weight.Here are some negative points if that's what you are looking for -1. It is a battery hogger. The 4 energizer (alkaline) battery pack that came with the camera lasted only for about 20 pictures. You NEED rechargeable NiMH battery. .... Andthe charger is [even more money]. You don't really need the optional AC adapter. It is just another thing to load the electrical outlet near the PC.2. The 8MB CompactFlash card is just not enough if you want to stick to the 1600x1200 resolution which is the default. At normal compression, you can have only 16 pictures. I feel that 640x480 resolution should have been the default. 640x480 is only available in advanced options. At 640x480, the 8MB card can hold 102 pictures at normal compression which is good enough for me. But if you want to stick to 1600x1200, you may be better off considering a card with more capacity.I decided not to reduce the number of stars because of these negative points because the quality easily makes up for them and these negative points may be unavoidable (as in the case of battery usage) or not applicable to all (as in the case of resolution &amp; storage size).I had been using Nikon N50 (non-digital) for years and had fallen love with that camera. I guess the N50 will have to excuse me now !!
Heard about the images this camera and the 880 gave, and they are great!  This is not a point and shoot camera, because you have to override some of the automatic settings when there is backlight or even frontlight.  I would not recommend it for anyone who hasn't had a 35 MM that they had to tweak the picture.  The best thing about this complaint is that you can view the picture immediate and reshoot it again.  One reason I got the 800 instead of 880 is that it takes 4 AA batteries and the 4 AA rechargeables are less costly.
Skip this digital camera and go directly to the Coolpix 880 by Nikon (also on Amazon). Why, you ask? Well, this Coolpix is quite old (in terms of digital) and you'll be throwing your good money after a badly outdated camera. Here are the details why:Megapixels. The Coolpix 800 takes 2.1 megapixel pictures, but the 880 take 3.1 megapixel.  (More pixels are preferred to less since this will affect your image quality. ANd believe me - you will SEE the difference!)Zoom. The 800 has a 2x optical, plus 2.5 digital zoom lens; however, the 880 has a 2.5x optical and the digital zoom.  You always want as high an optical zoom because using pure digital zoom will make your pictures look fuzzy!Memory. Both the 800 and 880 come with 8 MB of CompactFlash, but most people would agree that this isn't enough.  Purchase an additional CompactFLash card for 32 MB or more and you'll be happy you did.Downloading. The 800 only connects via serial port, but the 880 connects via serial OR USB. THe USB connection is MUCH MUCH faster for downloading pics to yoru computer, but the serial (800's only method) is horrendously slow.Batteries.  THe 800 uses 4 AA batteries, but the 880 uses far superior and much longer-lasting 2CR5 lithium batteries. The 880's batteries also weigh less.Price. This is the ONLY reason you shoudl consider the 800 ($499) over the 880 ($699).  But let's face it, if you have $499 for the 800, you should fork over the extra $200 and get the 880 so you can have a digital camera that will last you more than a year. The 800 is being phased out by Nikon. RUN to the 880 today! :)
The camera has no USB connector--it uses a serial wire, which means it can connect to most PCs or older Macs, but needs an adapter or a USB-enabled flash card for newer Macs. Apart from that it takes good pictures and at the price it's selling for now it's a good entry into digital photography. The optional lenses are great and will transfer to other Nikon models later if you upgrade.I prefer the form factor of the 900/950/990 even though they are bigger, because of the way the body twists. This makes it so you can see the LCD when you're holding the camera over your head pointing down, or down by your knees pointing up. Great for pics of kids, crowds, etc. The Nikon 900 series are the only still cameras I know of that do this.
The Nikon Coolpix 800 is a wonderful camera for the price and has some outstanding features typically found on higher-priced models.  The automatic picture taking mode does a good job of metering and focusing while the manaul mode gives the user the ability to change ISO, exposure, white balance and focus.  I have had the camera in the dark, wet depths of slot canyons in Utah to the high, snowy country of Colorado.  It has performed well in a variety of temperatures and has held up to a number of good hard knocks.  An optional 28mm wide angle lens attachment is great.  The only items that detract from the allure of this camera are: The flash is a bit weak.  The serial port connection is slow, get a USB card reader.  NiMH batteries are a must (But that holds true for just about any digital camera product).  The included 8MB card is not hardly enough.  Buy at least a 32MB card.  You won't be disappointed with this camera, I'm very pleased with it!
I have no problem with the batteries or compact flash storage capacity.  I like the low price for this product, which is being phased out.  I bought a SanDisk Image Mate.. to load the pics into my computer.  Overall a great buy!
This is one great tiny camera!  I was kinda shocked by how small it was when I first opened it but it's compact size betrays the many features hidden within it's frame.  However, this may be a downfall to someone with  big hands so if you do you may want to find one at a camera or electronics  store before you buy.There was one thing that I did find annoying and  that was the online manual.  The manual is pretty informative but if you  are like me and are outdoors a bit...well the online manual won't do you  anygood, so read up before you try and leave home with it.Other than  those two very minor features this camera more than does the job.  It is  very lightweight and compact yet it has the ability to add various other  lenses from fisheye, macro, and a telephoto.  The flash is powerful enough  to handle most any shot and you have the option to change the film speeds  to compensate even further.  It shoots in standard form at 1600x1200 but  can be reduced to 640x480.  If you want to take high speed pictures, you  have the option from single, continuous, up to an amazing 40 continuous  shots.  This is my first digital camera so I don't know if others have  these features but for the price and the size I can almost bet you are not  going to find one that rivals this little Nikon in quality.  I would highly  recommend this camera to anyone.
I must admit that I like having new electronic toys when they come out.  I purchased a digital camera in 1997 and was not entirely impressed by what 500$ got me then.  However, 3 years later, I stumbled upon the Nikon  Coolpix 800 at a great price and took another shot at digital  imaging.PICTURES: The pictures it takes are fantastic!  The 1600x1200  resolution really makes a difference when making prints.  They look like  they were taken with a 35mm.  This is not even mentioning the backing of a  quality Nikkor lens that picks up lots of detail other digicams of the same  resolution do not.  Another feature that impressed me was the fact I could  add additional lenses to it (and Nikon has 3 designed specifically for the  Coolpix 800/950/990).FEATURES: It has a lot of features of its bigger  brother like an uncompressed TIFF format, ability to take B&amp;W pictures,  and adjustable metering.  However, for a non-professional photographer, I  liked the fact the auto mode was easy to use and allowed me to take great  pictures right away.  I now can switch to manual mode to take more control  of the picture, but the camera is ready to take great pictures right out of  the box.  Unlike other reviewers, mine came with a paper manual in addition  to a CD-ROM that explained many of the basic features and taught me about  some of the more exotic ones.This is a great camera for anyone wanting a  digital camera that takes great pictures but doesn't want to spend ton of  money on features that may not even be used.  Otherwise, the CP990 and the  D1 are really nice cameras for those interested in more control.  I do  recommend getting an extra Flash card since 8 MB does run out fairly  quickly when taking pictures in FINE or NORMAL mode.  Getting a USB SanDisk  CompactFlash reader was also a big help since the built-in connection is  serial and can take a LONG time to download pictures if you have a lot of  them.
this is the first serious digital camera i got, and i've been pretty hapy with it. great macro, decent zoom, and fair response time. the other complaints you hear, including how it chews batteries and the like, are generally true. still, given a pocket full of batteries, i'd take this with me when i go places.my biggest complaint is the size, it doesn't travel super well (i like to keep my hands free, i'm forgetful and often misplace things). i like to stick my camera in my pocket, and it just doesn't fit.still, its plusses make it a decent camera. i'd check out some of the newer coolpix cameras if you were buying new and had the budget for it, they're a great line.
I am really enjoying this camera. It is very easy to use as a point and shoot camera as well as having the manual mode for the more advanced user. I am the in between user. I have been enjoying learning how to take great shots with this camera.The paper book manual is very basic and will get you started right away. It is really easy to get started. It also has a little &quot;quick guide&quot; pamphlet so you can find basic functions fast. Then it comes with an in-depth reference manual on a CD-ROM. This I felt was a little inconvenient. I'd rather be able to page through a book quickly to find what I need, but others may like the CD-ROM manual. But I would not let that deter you from buying this camera.I bought this camera because of the higher resolution (the 2.11 megapixels) to be able to print quality photos. I plan on using Amazon's Ofoto site to have them printed as well as printing them on my Epson. Of course I love to email my photos to everyone as well. But so far the picture quality is great. Especially outdoor shots. The flash for indoor shots could be stronger. This seems to be the norm with digicams having a harder time indoors. Up close is fine but the back of the room is dark. There are ways around that using the manual mode.The software that came with the camera was very generic. So if you are very into editing, I would buy additional photo editing software.Additional things that I bought were rechargeable batteries and a charger. I drained the batteries that came with the camera in one day of usage. The LCD really drains the batteries.I also bought a 64mb compactflash card from Lexar. The 8mb is just not enough. Especially if you were to go on vacation. The Lexar card came with a jumpshot cable (a memory reader). It was very reasonabley priced. You just plug the cable into the USB port in your computer. Then you take the memory card out of the camera and put it into the reader. This helps out because you don't have to plug your camera in all the time to download your photos and it won't waste the batteries. Plus it is faster than the serial cable that comes with the camera. One thing I might mention about Lexar's jumpshot cables is that they will only read Lexar cards. But for the price of the card that included the jumpshot cable it was well worth it. And it was so easy to use.I still plan on getting a nicer case for my camera. One with more padding. And if you were go on vacation, you would need a spot for the batteries, the charger and also the software if you need to download it to a computer.All in all I am very happy with my purchase. I had been researching it more months on sites like Megapixel.net and ZDNET as well as other camera reviewing sites. The price was exceptional for the quality of this camera and I would highly recommend it.
I have been using this camera for about two years now. It takes great pictures and I have taken hundreds of pictures of my Grandchildren and made slideshows on Cds for them. I would absolutely buy this camera again. (I dont like the loose lens cap but I would not deduct a point for that.)
Got my Nikon 800 a month ago and have now had the chance to try it out. I have no qualms in saying picture quality is very good. My additional comments would be the same as many others; you get a lot of camera for your money in the Nikon 800. However, plan on spending an additional [sum] on a USB SmartCard reader, ...for a set of NiMH batteries and recharger (get the best, with 1600mAH capacity)... ... for a 32MB SmartCard. In fact I purchased a 64MB Sandisk card from Amazon... and on the 'normal' jpeg setting you will get 128 pictures. Finally, the carrying pouch that comes with the camera is useless as it offers zero protection against knocks.  You'll want to get something more substantial.  Other Dislikes: Plastic feel of camera body. Lense location on the far right hand side of the camera body (careful fingers!). SmardCard cover feels as if it will snap off, if even slightly mishandled. Those comments don't detract from what is still a great digital camera purchase.
This camera takes wonderful pictures but the zoom doesn't do the job.  its no good for taking pictures of your child playing football but its great for pictures on a trip.  be careful the lag between pushing the shutter and taking the picture is long as well as the time between pics at high quality.
I own the DC 280 and I had bought it in August 2000. This camera is special. I have tried many other cameras & though this is not a high resolution camera, the photos come out great, at times even better than high megapixel cameras. Though it does eat the battery power quickly, I do not have any complaints as I use the Kodak rechargeable batteries, which have lasted me for a long time. I'm currently using the third installment (you need 4 batteries) of the Kodak rechargeable batteries. Plus since they are AA size, those batteries can be used with other cameras or light devices.I know that this camera is not available for sale. But if you are looking for a cheap camera on any auction website (Amazon, Ebay), then I say go for it.
I agree with most of the positive reviews of this camera.  This camera gave me good results on a recent trip to Europe.* the battery life is just fine if you are good about turning off the camera.  I took over 80 photos before I needed to change the batteries, and was not too stingy with the review mode.  That is not great but certainly not as bad as I was led to beleive.*  the little screen does get smudged with your nose a lot, unless you are super careful.  Get used to it.* The software isn't that great, but there are a lot of shareware or freeware programs out there to look manipulate pictures with.* The camera is not very good for action shots, but that was not a major issue with me.* the camera is a little bit big, compared to say the Canon Elph, but not really too big or heavy.This camera is very good value for the money, I might even rate it higher depending on the relative price of a few other cameras.  Overall I was extremely pleased with the quality of the pictures from my DC 280, and my wife was quite impressed with the picture quality as well.  I only wish it had a little more optical zoom ability, a burst mode, and more memory.
This camera takes very good pictures and by itself is very easy to use.  However, the linking software of the PC side is not very user friendly.  One complaint is the optical zoom on the camera is a bit weak.Having the rechargeable battery and charger included, fast USB link, and both PAL and NTSC output format was what made me decided to buy it since I like traveling overseas.  Otherwise I was strongly considering the Olympus and Nikon models.
The Kodak DC280 is exactly what a serious SOHO user or amateur photographer should be looking at as their bottom-line diigital camera. I researched and waited for ages for the right combination of features and  price to come available. When I saw the DC280 for $447.00 (compared to the  near-$700 it was a few months ago), I knew the time was right and pulled  the trigger...Everything I need in a personal/professional camera is  basically here. The photo quality at top resolution is beyond anything  you'd expect. When people see a photo from the DC280 printed on the HP970C,  they are taken aback at how good it really looks. One of the greatest  sources of differentiation in the quality of film camera output lies in the  quality of the paper that was used. I have hundreds of family photographs  from the 1940's to 1999, which vary widely in how clear they look. But no  matter how good the best studio photographer's shot looks, it cannot  surpass the clarity of the DC280's best pictures.The DC280 is not a  perfect camera. There are saturation problems, as well its greedy use of  batteries. The 8MB FlashCard that comes included has to be one of the  reasons the camera is so inexpensive, along with there not being any AC  adapter included.The Kodak software works perfectly in Windows 2000, but  is flakey in Windows 98 SE. However, one hidden bonanza came to light when  I used ThumbsPlus 4.1 to acquire the images off the camera; you can save  them as lossless TIFF files instead of the default JPEG files that the  camera uses.This camera will help my business and will help me be as  creative as I want to be. It was worth every penny I spent. You should give  it a try as well...
This is a great camera. It takes pics that are as good as high end cameras costing twice as much. However it only cost alittle bit more than some low end priced cameras.  A few people have complained that this camera uses up batteries too much, but this is common for all cameras that have a LCD view  screen. If you keep the view screen turned off when you dont need it will  increase the battery life.  Get a recharger and that will save you money in  the long run. Kodak sells a charger with batteries on Amazon for $39. Amazon has most discount stores and web site  stores prices for this camera beat by a big margin.  This camera is a great  value!
I finally upgraded from my original 2 year old Digital Camera - a Casio 5000SX that was great except for a poorly designed battery door. The Kodak DC280 Zoom is better in every category - clarity, features, memory capability, analog zoom, except for one - the delay in the time from pressing the shutter until it snaps the picture. Keep in mind, that the processing time is quite fast - the Kodak is ready to take your next picture quite quickly, thanks to some in-memory processing, but the delay from when you click the button until the action is captured is quite lengthy. I find it nearly impossible to get good action shots with this camera. For example, I take quite a few pictures of sand volleyball on my weekends. Only the highest flyers - the guys that can jump out of the sand and hang like Vince Carter were captured in the air, and only with me clicking the shutter button at least 2-3 seconds *before* they jumped. However, if you don't have to take a lot of action shots, well this this is an excellent camera for the money - for both amateur and professional alike.
I spent 2 weeks shopping on-line for a digital camera for our department at work and found the DC280 Zoom to be the best bargain, by far. After purchasing the camera for $447, I kept seeing the camera in stores and in  ads going for $600+! The metal hydride rechargeable batteries are a great  addition, though the camera doesn't come with a case or an AC adapter.  But  that's okay, 'cause I ended up purchasing the accessory kit as well, which  has a case, AC adapter, and 4 more metal hydride rechargeable  batteries.The camera and software is so easy to use, and the 8 MB  Compact Flash card holds plenty of pictures at moderate resolution and  quality. I just took some great nighttime photos; the flash and timer work  extremely well. The USB connection also allows quick transfer of pictures  to the computer. This camera is easy to use, and Kodak delivers tremendous  quality for this fabulous price.
For the money you just simply will not beat the performance of the Kodak DC280.  I have had mine for a couple of months now, and it has literaly replaced my regular 35 mm camera.  I love the convience of taking pictures  then making any edits i need from my computer.  The software is easy to  install, and only has about a one hour learning curve to master.  Very good  and fast usb connection.  With a fully charged set of NI-MH, AA batteries  it gets fantastic long life.  And the 2.0 Megapixel image is nothing less  than photo film perfect, must be seen to belive.  I also like the smart  card memory media included, I have upgraded the 8 mb, to a 24 mb card, and  on the 24 mb, I can snap over 100 photos in the best quality mode on the  lower size setting, and 34 of the highest quality photos in the huge mega  resolution setting.  Another great feature is that this camera is very easy  to use compared to the other brands I have tried.  I did not even have to  read the instructions,  (though I would read them if I were a beginer).  Try the Kodak DC280 out if your in the market for a fantastic digital  camera!
I just received it today, setup the date/time, and  was taking pictures in five minutes... Downloaded to the desktop and they looked great... Serial port is very slow though... Use the USB or the PCMCIA adapter (not  included) for MUCH faster downloads.... TRUE its only a 2X zoom, but there  are lens adapters available from Kodak that will double the zoom, so you  will get a 4X zoom... My advise is go for the pixels.... get the dc280
I shopped extensively all over the internet and could not find a better value than this camera from Amazon. It takes wonderful pictures, even on the lowest resolution settings. It's very easy to use and compact. I had a USB conflict with the camera but Kodak Tech. Support resolved it expeditiously. The only drawbacks are minor.. Kodak could have spent a little more time on the lense cap design, as it comes off easily and a regular neck strap would be better than the hand strap. My recommendations are to upgrade to at least an additional 20mb flash card, consider an extra set of rechargeable batteries and possibly a card reader. Even without the above, the camera functions solidly. You can even view your photos on your TV in a slide show with the provided cable! I would not hesitate to recommend this camera to anyone.
The camera produces excellent pictures, but has some usability problems. For a two-megapixel camera, the price is excellent. The usability problems vary in seriousness. The power switch has only one resting position and  hence doesn't indicate the power-up status of the camera. There is a  power-saving mode, but no power-down after a period of inactivity. The lens  cap is an old fashioned plastic disk that must be manually placed over the  lens; even my old QuickTake 150 had an integrated power switch and lens  cap. The unit also struck me as being rather heavy. The interface to  Windows computers is excellent. Retrieving photos is as easy as opening a  volume that automatically mounts on the computer. Particularly useful is a  camera control application that makes for easy adjustment of all the  camera's settings. Mac users are not so fortunate. Pictures must be  retrieved with a special Picture Transfer Application with an exceptionally  bad interface and inexcusably slow operation. There is no camera control  application for the Macintosh. The camera has some formatting features such  as borders and special effects. It also provides for video output. I  haven't tested these features and can't comment on their usefulness.
Awesome! Great color rendition, sharp pictures, easy to use. Too bad they don't make them anymore.
I am a photographic and computer enthusiast and having these two elements come together is a delight for me. So, I have all the very expensive stuff, including KODAK's $20m commercial digital cameras. So, I know what quality  is and how much it costs. Bottom-Line as starters, the DC280 makes great  color shots with very suprising Hi-detail. The Advertisments say  &quot;good&quot; for 8x10 photos, however, as a very picky guy, when you  get past 5x7 print sizes, the pictures start to turn fuzzy. But the 5x7  prints are shockingly clear with brilliant colors. But, so what, how many  prints does one make larger than 5x7 anyway. This camera is easy to use  &amp; small, and I carry it on vacation locations, when I don't want to  carry my larger and heavier commercial camera. I was truly shocked at the  excellent picture quality of the 280. ALSO, KODAK includes great software,  so after a picture taking day/nite, one can easily connect to the yellow  video plug on your TV (or Hotel TV) for a slide show of the days  activities. I would recommend purchasing a 64MB memory card with the camera  purchase, so you'll get plenty of picture opportunities (75+ shots) without  having to worry about using up memory. In other words, since you can erase  shots you don't like, take MANY, MANY shots and pick the best ones you like  for printing or e-mailing. I bring my laptop with me on trips, so in the  evening, I can copy the photo-files to the hard disk, and erase the camera  memory card, in preparation for the next days photo activities. KODAK  provides serial, USB cables, and software to accomplish this simply.  Definitely do NOT buy a digital camera with less than 2,000,000 pixels.  (The older models, presently having good sale prices, are technology of 2/3  years ago, and you'll wish you spent the extra money for this camera).  Since KODAK has been the color business for 100 years, (well...50+years)  its no surprise that they have created an electronic imager (the CCD Chip)  with the BEST Color quality and detail. This is a must have, you'll not be  dissappointed. If you have another few hundred dollars, check out the SONY  or OLYMPUS dye-sublimation printers, which produce actual photo quality  continuous tone prints up to 4x5 sizes; These printers are not dot-matrix's  with all the little dots. The camera and the printer makes for a great  combo family gift for under $2m, that anyone in the family can use without  having to even turn on a computer, as the printer prints directly off the  camera memory card. SO that you don't make yourself craze, and since its  slightly different than a typical film point and shoot camera, be sure to  read the instruciton booklet, before pushing all the buttons. The  documentation KODAK gives you is very easy to understand, so take it slow  when you open the Box for the first time. It's so intuitive to use, after  the first 2 outings, you NOT need to keep going back to the booklets.  JLW/991203.
I did a lot of research before I bought the DC-280 and the thing that sold me was the reviews of faithful color reproduction. I have not been disapointed. It takes great pics indoor and out. I can even tell you it is rugged. After falling to the floor off a counter top it still performed flawlessly. The colors are vivid, the light range is quite good and it is simple to operate. I recommend a second set of rechargable batteries and a second flash memory card.
Although it sometimes feels like we're all still beta testing various digital imaging technologies, including digital cameras, products like the Kodak DC280 make me believe the &quot;dark ages&quot; might be coming to an  end.This is a good mid-range digital camera, perfect for those who want  to capture images that will look very good on the Web. The biggest plus of  the camera is image quality; this is the best camera in this price range  that I tested, with two-megapixel resolution. Having quite a bit of  hands-on experience with various Sony cameras, I and my partner were  actually stunned by how clear the DC280's images were in a variety of  lighting conditions.There is very little to complain about in terms of  interface and usability. I scanned the manual, and then just started using  the DC280. The menu system and buttons are quite intuitive. One minor  quibble is that one is pretty much forced to use the DC280's viewfinder  left-eyed; otherwise the LCD screen smudge factor so common to digital  camera will rear its ugly head. However, I use the LCD for the majority of  my shooting, so this isn't a huge factor.The DC280 uses a USB connection  to transfer images to your computer. The camera mounts as if it were a hard  drive, and one can preview large thumbnails of images before copying them  over to your hard drive. While I was able to open the images directly into  Photoshop, Fireworks couldn't get into the camera; this may have been a  problem with how I have my file associations set up, however.The camera  comes with a number of features and extras. The bundled software, Adobe's  PhotoDeluxe and Pagemill, are more than adequate for editing images and  creating Web pages. Various simple visual effects and borders can be  applied in-camera, and you can run a slide-show right out of the camera  using the supplied video cable.The DC280 includes four rechargeable AA  batteries, a recharger, and four AA alkaline batteries. You can get started  right out of the box. My camera sucked the alkalines dry after about 50  photos and a couple of downloads; I would suggest buying an extra set of  rechargeables to carry around with you, and an AC adaptor.This is not  the perfect camera for all applications. For one thing, there are few  manual controls on the camera for focus, aperture or shutter priority, and  the optical zoom limited to 2X.  This will mean that photo enthusiasts  might want to look at something the next step up, such as the wacky-looking  Nikon Coolpix 950. As others have reported, low-light shooting is not at  the quality that one would hope for from a camera at this level.All-in-all, the DC280 is an excellent camera for the price, perfect for  Web photos.
I just got mine in the mail on Friday and I must have taken about 300 pictures already (mostly of my cat who now feels like Cindy Crawford).  The pictures (mostly indoors) look spectacular.  I love the fact that I can  preview and chose the pictures I like.  I have been a long time 35 mm user  but I think my Canon EOS will now have to retire for good.The camera is  very easy to figure out. I have never even picked up a digital camera  before this one, but it only took me 20 minutes to figure everything out.  The controls are clear and easy to understand.  I was amazed by the quality  of pictures (both indoors and outdoors).  The camera winds into place ready  to take another picture within seconds (I understand this is a big problem  with some other digital cameras, even the KodaK 290 which is far more  expensive, that take forever to get ready for the next picture).  Focusing  is as easy as with my Canon and I was able to preview the pictures right  away, first on the camera, then on my computer and finally as a slide show  on my TV (great feature for family gatherings). You can also see what a  picture would look like before you even take it. I also managed to use the  framing feature for some cool effects, as well as the B&amp;W feature to  make some of my cat's picture look very &quot;astistic&quot;.  There are  several other features (like the ability to record date and time on the  Picture)  but it would take too much time and space to mention.Now the  bad things.  Battery life is miserably short, and if you plan to use the  screen in the back of the camera to review your pics, then good luck. You  definetely need to get an AC adapter  so when you are reviewing your  pictures at home, you don't waste batteries.  And when you go out take at  least 2 set of baterries with you.  The software that came with the camera  crashed my computer a few times (and I have a 600Mhz Pentium III).  I  understand there are some downloads that I need to get, so maybe that will  fix the problem.  And my big complaint, I payed so much money for camera,  but all I got with it was a measly 8mb card that holds less than 20  pictures. I had to shell another $140 for a 64 Mb flash card so I can take  as many pictures as I want (well, not really, I think it is about  100)Overall though, this camera is perfect for beginners (who never used  a digital camera before) and experts.  I highly recommend it.
I am a beginner to digital photography and this camera has me hooked. It is easy to learn, easy to use, and produces beautiful pictures. Congrats to Kodak for including the charger with batteries, and the regular batteries  so I was able to take pictures as soon as the camera arrived. Congrats also  to Amazon for having the best price I could find on the web. The software  works well but I wish Kodak had included the home version of Adobe instead  of the business version. This camera is a definite winner and I highly  recommend it to both the beginner and experienced photographer.
Overall I love this camera. Picture quality is awesome. If you turn off the LCD preview feature, I've found my batteries to last a long time. Get the carrying case and pack along an extra set just in case  though.Cameras are coming now with only 8mb cards, so make sure you get  a bigger card to hold hi-res photos. The 8mb does only about 12 hi-res  pictures. Get batteries, get the AC adapter as well.Kodak just released  Win2000 drivers also.Unfortunantly, my camera died the other day. Lost  power. It's being sent back to Kodak for repairs. Hopefully I won't have  any more problems with it. It comes with a 1 year warranty.
Resolution quality is fantastic for the Amazon.com price.  It comes with  battery charger which is a must.  I print great 8x10 pictures.  If you want  to take many high resolution picture, order an extra memory card.
We bought this camera several years ago and have taken it with us on two trips abroad and many trips around the USA.  I'm not a camera maven but I've just had a terrific experience with this camera.  Our pictures come out clear and sharp.  It is easy to use. The color is great.  The camera feels good in my hands.  Mine came with a 32 mb card and I bought one extra 32mb card.  I can travel for weeks at a time without ever worrying about &quot;film.&quot;  I've even dropped the camera by accident a few times without breaking it.  The flash works nicely in a variety of light.  If I had to find one thing to criticize I would pick the zoom lens but I have yet to see a competitive product with a better one.  In short, I've taken thousands of pictures with the camera without a hitch.  In fact, I usually have a big smile on my face when I see the results.  And my friends and family do too.
The Kodak DC280 is very easy to use.  This is my first digital camera and I had read and heard that they could be difficult to use.  In no way was this true.  All you need to do is just follow the instructions and it works like a charm.  I use Windows ME and although the software that comes with the camera does not support it all I had to do was go to the Kodak site and after a quick download of the ME software it works without a hitch.  The Adobe PhotoDeluxe software that comes with the camera is also easy to install, has many features for changing your pictures, fixing mistakes, adding special effects, etc.  Once I got everything installed I was able to take a picture, download it and enjoy it all in less time than it will take to read this review and thats on my FIRST try!  This camera is easy to use, has lots of great features, comes with very usable software and just overall makes it easy for the Digital Camera Newbie.
I have used three cameras lately: 1) Sony DSC-505  2) Olympus C-2020 3) Kodak DC280 All three have 2.1 Megapixel and good lenses. The Sony is the only one with no Zoom, but has the best picture quality and the best  lowlight exposure. There is also the DSCF505 which has the huge 3xzoom  lens, but it is too big to be nice. The Sony is also the smallest and the  easiest to use. The operating system is similar to the DV camcorders. The  second best is the Olympus C-2020 due to its zoom lens, the viewfinder and  just weaker in low light conditions. The 130 pictures will fit onto a 64MB  Smartmedia in HQ, a little more than with Sony. The Kodak I liked the  least, mostly because of its klunky operating system and the poor colors  (in comparison). I currently use the Olympus for professional work and the  Sony due to its breast pocket size to snap great photos anywhere and  anytime.
I've used 6 or so digital cameras before, but this is the first one that I bought.  Before I go on, let me warn you that this model has been replaced by the Kodak 3400.  However, I see no significant improvement and they include less in the box with the 3400 (no rechargeable battreries).Let me talk about the camera.  It is very simple to use, yet includes the essential features for all but the most serious photographers.  The annoying feature that makes me give this a 4 star rating is the location of the LCD screen - I found that if I use my right eye (which is my dominant eye) in the viewfinder that my nose touches the LCD screen and smudges it.  Come on Kodak, that was a goof.  This does not effect the quality of piuctures, its just annoying until you realize that it is a hopeless battle to keep the LCD clean.Other than that, it is terrific.  I immediately purchased a Sandisk 32 meg compactflash card, and have since ordered a 128 mb card ....  Battery life is long (I do use the power save mode, which is not on by default).A few tips.  Once you experience digital photography you'll discover that, just like videos, things work best without flash unless you absolutely need it.  Also, this does have a limited telephoto power with just a 2x optical lens - not a problem for me, but you need to know what you want (if you want much more than 2X, I think you should look at an SLR model).Buy this one, its a great value.
Have you ever taken Kodachrome slides - the color saturation is upped a little, as is the contrast; everything is a little realer than real.  And why not. Kodak has had most of a century learning how to reproduce color,  and they have applied it to their new-fangled digital cameras.  You will  not believe what you see on the screen of your computer monitor - can a  digital camera really be this good?  It looks like a Kodachrome slide -  heck, it looks better!Printing is another thing.  The reason pro  photographers and serious ameteurs have preferred slides is because the  range of contrast is much greater than prints - prints can only reflect  light, not generate it, as can a slide projector or computer monitor.  So a  great deal is lost in going to prints in terms of light; and as even your  basic printer can print at 300 dpi, the lower resolution of the digital  camera makes its effects felt.  However, I find 8x10 prints at the highest  resolution of the DC280 quite acceptable (using a HP832c).  But the camera  cannot make uncompressed files - all files are JPEG compressed to some  extent, and the artifacts may show.This is a point and shoot camera;  no control of focus, shutter speed, or aperture is possible. The camera is  a little heavy, and you wish for hooks for a neck strap. You wish for more  buttons on the body of the camera, rather than having to go through levels  of menus.  The lens front is very vulnerable (and the lens cap is not  automatic) - it would be wise if the lens were protected by a protruding  metal or plastic guard, as some of Kodak's competitors do.I find the  battery life using Kodak's supplied metal hydride batteries quite  acceptable, particularly if you buy a second set; but the supplied  alkalines lasted only through the evening I bought the camera.I am a  wide angle person rather than a telephoto person, but in an ideal world, a  3x rather than a 2x would be welcome - 60mm (equiv.) is hardly telephoto.  This is basically a wide angle to normal lens.I've been a darkroom  photographer since 1952, and a sometime professional since 1959 - I am  delighted to see the end of chemical photography, with its dangerous  chemicals and the near impossibility for amateurs of getting good results  in color.  Now all you need is a digital camera and an ink-jet printer.  Prices are falling - give it a try!
I have had this camera for about 6 weeks now and all though I am somewhat satisfied, I think that the picture quality could be better for this price and resolution. I also purchased an Olympus D340R for a friend, and  although it is only 1.3 Megapixels, the color is much better, the pictures  blow up almost as well, despite the lower res., and the LCD display is  sharper and easier to view in daylight. Considering the huge difference in  price, the Olympus is a bargain. Of course it does not zoom, but you can  hardly call the 60mm of the Kodak a real zoom. Having used zoom lenses on  35mm SLRs for years I can testify that the 30 to 60 zoom is more like  medium wide angle to normal view, rather than true zoom. You will have to  buy an accessory 2X lens and adapter to get true + zoom. If you want a less  expensive, good performing, zoom camera, check out the Olympus D450 Zoom.
Price: Getting better - I paid close to $700 Oct `99Quality: Great!  The pictures are unbelievable... and I mean that. If I print a 4"x6" on my HP 952C it is hard to tell the difference from a 35mm camera.Function: The  camera could use a better design but it is still much better than some  other ones I have tried. The review screen is perfectly placed where your  nose hits it when you are taking a picture so I am constantly cleaning it  off.In high quality mode mine holds about 30 pictures (20meg card).  This is plenty for most events/photo ops. After I take 3-5 pictures I go  back and review them and delete the ones that I don't like. This way, when  you have 30 pictures in your card they are 30 pictures that you like. Much  better that taking a whole roll of 35mm pictures and only liking 5 of them  once they are developed.Overall I love the camera (and so do all my  friends that try it).
After much research, I recommended the DC280 for my friend's company almost three years ago, and since then it has taken THOUSANDS of pics, most of them STUNNING good color and clarity. Whether taken inside or outside, of products, people or nature shots, the DC280 seemed to handle everything we threw at it - including getting DROPPED several times and getting WET and DIRTY on numerous occasions (not that I recommend it). Recently my friend bought a Canon G2 and GAVE me his &quot;old&quot; Kodak DC280 - and it STILL takes stunning pictures as if it was brand new! Therefore, if you can find a good used DC280 or DC290 for a decent price, I can GUARANTEE you won't be disappointed with the durability of the camera or the quality of the pictures!
This is my first digital camera, and I love it! I did some research before I bought, but I'm not an expert on any of the technical stuff.I can say that as a beginner, I have found that all of the basic functions are intuitive. I played around with the camera before getting out the instructions, and realized I had figured out most of the most necessary functions.No software package works on everyone's machine, but the software installed very simply and easily on mine and I haven't had a single problem with it (I run Windows XP Home edition).The part that I had the most reservations about was the actual connection and upload to the computer. Most people have used a camera; but obviously I had never hooked one up to my machine before!It couldn't have been easier. I simply read in the instructions which slot the USB plug went into on the camera -- I had already plugged it into my computer -- turned the camera mode to &quot;connect&quot; and flipped it on. Windows recognized the camera, and the photo wizard in XP allows very easy transfer into a folder of your choosing. You can also get the photos directly from the camera and bypass the wizard, but I haven't felt the need to do that.The photos themselves have pretty good color -- I do have to up the contrast more often than not in Paint Shop Pro, but that's not a big deal. The colors, if the light isn't that great, tend to be a little washed out, just like a regular camera.Overall, I love my new camera and have found nothing to complain about. It has performed beautifully and it's easy to use. I recommend this camera to any newbie who wants a middle-of-the-line machine.
The DC280 is a nice little camera, but the results I get from it aren't any better than those from oy old DC210 that it replaced. In fact, I find the autofocus to be less accurate, or at least harder to use than with the 210. And, alas, it STILL eats batteries by the ton.
As this camera has been replaced by the 3400, it has fallen in price, but not in performance. In fact, it performs as well as its replacement, and costs a good bit less. For a 2 meg camera, it offers a great deal. It is well built, has great optics, a 2X true zoom, decent battery use, USB support and enough user controls to make it an acceptable camera for a semi-serious photographer. The resolution is more than adequate for internet apps and good enough for printing clear 8 x 10s. It is also very sturdy. I think that while supplies last, it is the best 2 meg around and would be an awesome Christmas present for almost anyone.
I have taken over 200 pictures so far and I have only had this camera for a few days!  The pictures are unbelievably clear, sharp and of course Kodak colors!  I am using the standard resolution (896x592) with the best  quality setting, I am able to store 32 pictures on the included 8MB compact  flash card. I haven't experienced the battery drain as other users have  mentioned; I am even using the LCD extensively to compose the picture.  I  enjoy the fact Kodak has included 4 AA alkalines(to get you started) and 4  AA nimh rechargeables plus charger with the camera, in comparison - the  Canon S10...you have to spend an additional $90-$100 to get the  rechargeable proprietary battery and charger.This is a outstanding  camera for the money and Amazon has the best price I have found (and I  searched a long time) on the DC280!
I have owned 3 or 4 of these cameras, my first one was quite by accident, received it in payment for driving for someone.  The second one did not do to well, this one that I got from Amazon works JUST LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED to work, it took me through a 50 year high school reunion with shining colors!!  It was interesting to photograph all around this boarding school, many things had changed, but many were similar or the same.  I have MANY pictures now that I can look at to remind me of my 50th anniversary of my graduation.  Thanks, Amazon, you did well!!Richard L. Opp (thoseopps@yahoo.com)
I chose the Koday DC280 based on reviews. CNET made it one of their best picks. The camera arrived two days before the birth of my grandson so I had very little time to learn how to use it before I started taking pictures in the hospital. It didn't matter. The camera was really easy to use and the results were amazing. The pictures actually seem sharper than ordinary film photgraphs. I've been using the medium quality, high resolution mode which gives me seventeen pictures on the 8MB card. So far I've blown the pictures up to 5X7 and they have great detail. When my grandson was 4 days old, I took some more pictures and used the built-in &quot;new baby&quot; frame feature. People could not believe the professional quality of the prints. By the way, I am using an HP 932C DeskJet printer with HP glossy paper with excellent results. I do find the HP Photo Printing software easier to use than the Adobe Photo Deluxe software that came with the camera. In net, the Kodak DC280 is a great bargain.
Digital cameras are here to stay. As much as I'd like to stay with my old SLR, it's time to move from film to disk. I've had the Kodak 280 for 3 months and I'll say that it was a good buy. The pictures are very good,  it's easy to use - just point and click. As with any automatic camera, you  don't have great control over exposure and lens settings, but for indoor  and typical outdoor shots, its fine. The USB downloads fast compared to  serial. The rechargeable batteries dye after about 30 downloaded pictures  to your PC... get the optional AC cable (I think 39$). Everything digital  is overpriced for what it is. My camera does sometimes act quirky; but I  think it always has to do with low batteries. You'll have to get another  set of the rechargeable nickel metal hybrid batteries if you go on the road  with your camera. And the software is ok. The downloading should be easier  when you don't want to touch up your photos.I'll keep my 35 mm SLR for  those vacation trips where I'll take 10 rolls of film and I want more  camera control, but if you want instant, good quality pictures in an  everyday, take it anywhere camera (as long as you don't need more than 35  pictures before downloading), this is the camera. Or you can take your  laptop with you or buy more overpriced memory cards.
After careful consideration, our family bought a Kodak DC-280.This camera looks great- USB, zoom, LCD panel, many features-- but get to know it.  While USB is nice, not all computers  have it, and Windows 98 is necessary.  Also the 30-60mm zoom is no where  near as good as I would have liked-- DEFINETLY a 3x zoom is required.  While the resolution is nice, remember that that's not all to a digital  camera.
For the reliability and capacity of this camera, the pricecan't be beat.  We bought this ... last year.  We use it with ourWindows 98 machine, and the USB installation was a snap.  We use it totake a lot of pictures for our personal website.  The ultimatetestimonial; I showed it to my Dad - a short time later, he bought theexact same model.
I have had this camera for about a year now and have become the photographer of the family even though others have much more expensive equipment and I really don't know anything about photography.  The detail in the photos along with the color are excellent.  Its alse easy enough to use that you don't have to read the booklet.  The little LCD sreen is not great but it is useful.  It will also print out an impressive 8X10 even though 5x7 is where it really shines.It also does a good job with photos to put on the web whether you are trading pics with distant friends/family or selling items on the net or auctions.  The close-up feature is really great to show detail when selling items as detail helps bring more money when selling/auctioning.This is just a great camera and now there are many opportunities to get it for a lot less than cameras that don't really do much more for the simple photographer.
I've had my 280 for a year now and haven't found anything to seriously squawk about. I've shot a good 600 pictures from a 120 degree Arizona summer to a -22 degree Massachusetts Nor'easter. It's been bumped, knocked, and dropped and still takes pictures as good as when it came out of the box.The use is simple enough for even a manager (like myself) to use. Most of the time I just point and shoot and the pictures come out just fine. I like being able to manually adjust the exposure because I find myself inside and not allowed to use the flash. Most of these indoor pic's come out fine.I'm about to graduate to a higher pixel camera but will pass my faithful Kodak onto my son. I just hope I can find another unit as tough and reliable as my 280.
This is a very solid camera that takes good pictures indoor or outdoors. It is very user friendly and consistently takes good pictures, no matter who is taking them (Unlike several Sony's I tried before settling on this one).Their are several features on this camera that make it particularly appealing to me.* Accepts any type of AA battery and comes with rechargeable ones* Transfers pictures through USB (can also get a compact flash card reader, I highly reccommend).* Has a Video patch cord that allows you to preview pictures on any TV or VCR with an RCA input.* Accepts Flash Memory of any brand up of 196 MB+ (alot of pictures).* Border software allows you to import different borders for your shots, such as birthdays and weddings.Although the camera is only a 2.0 megapixel, I've learned megapixels don't tell the whole story for the quality of a picture. They only become important if you want to consistently produce picture sizes above 5x7 (8x10 takes a dip in quality).Overall a very good camera for an enry level to average user.If you are a more advanced user with higher resolution needs, you might checkout the Nikon coolpix 900 series, a very good camera, though it is twice the price of the Kodak 280 zoom.
Not much to add to the very favorable reviews here: as a novice photographer, I'm delighted with my new 280. Take it out of the box, scan  through the instructions, point, zoom and shoot. The digital zoom works  fine, and the special effects (especially black and white) are fun.Two  features of digital photography are an absolute joy: first, the ability to  review your shot right away, and discard it if it's not perfect (leading to  much higher quality end results without wasting lots of money on film); and  second, the way to drop the flashcard from the camera straight into a PDA  (I have an HP Jornada running Pocket PC) for an instant pocket photo  collection. This passes the stringent test of "would have been science  fiction just a little while ago".Here's the word of warning: I have a  Dell laptop running Windows NT. The connection from the camera to the PC is  very erratic. Kodak's helpline support was very good - they advise lowering  the transfer rate on the COM1 port by forcing it not to find the camera (ie  disconnecting it and waiting for the dialog box). This does work, but means  you have to wait a long time for your photos. NT does not support USB, so  investing in a card reader is one solution; another is to drop the  flashcard into the PDA and transfer from the PDA to the PC. Hardly  satisfactory - a shame to let down such a great product this way.
Using the rechargable battery that came with the camara, I took more than 330 pictures, maybe 50 of them used flash. The battery still not dried up before I quit!I own this baby for more than 6 month. Yesterday I bought a 128 MB compactflash memory from amazon. Now I realize it is too much for this camara. It can store 206 pictures with 1800 X 1200 resolution. Boy!The only drawback of this camara is the delay between shots. First 3 only delay 3 seconds, but after that, needs about 25 seconds to process.Other than that, it is perfect.
Since there are still a number of these available used through Amazon Markeplace, I thought I'd add a quick review myself.My parents bought one in about 2004, and apparently used it very little. I inherited it in like new condition. I'm a "moderate-advanced amateur" photographer, own several cameras including a Sony/Minolta DSLR. This camera, as others have noted, takes VERY good pictures and is well made and easy to operate. Many times higher resolution just isn't needed, especially if you do a lot of web photography like I do. Put an upgraded CF card in it (a CF slot instead of SD/XD/whatever are another sign of quality) and you're good for hundreds or even thousands of shots!The only down side is that it *is* slow by today's standards. Its highest ISO is only 200 if I remember correctly (maybe not even that high), and CF write times are a bit on the long side. The proprietary USB/Serial connector is annoying in 2011, the original cable for mine is long gone and you can't use a standard USB cable - which isn't a real big problem since I generally use a card reader anyway.I'd say this camera is much better built, and takes better pictures than most of the sub $100 "blister pack" cameras out there - as long as 2MP is enough resolution.
I really like this camera!  I am getting much better results (more natural and vivid colors) with my digital camera as compared to scanning 4x6  photographs--there is no need to worry about color adjustments!I  researched many cameras before deciding to buy. This one seemed to be the  best quality for the price.  The two main enhancements in this camera v.s.  the DC280 are the support for uncompressed pictures and the ability to  record audio annotations to accompany the pictures. These two features  swayed me to the DC290.  In all honesty, I find that I am not even using  these features.  The uncompressed format takes up way too much memory (you  would need to buy 128mb storage card to get around 16 uncompressed pictures  at the highest resolution). I have found that the best quality jpeg  compression produces fine quality (I can print great-looking 8x10s) and I  can fit 10 times more pictures on the memory card.The DC290 also has  slightly better max resolution (1,792 x 1,200 v.s. 1,760 x 1,168).  The  DC290 also supports a 2,240 x 1,500 resolution that is accomplished using  interpolation, but this probably won't produce any different results then  enlarging a 1,792 x 1,200 image using PhotoShop or some other software.I  have found that battery life isn't a problem (as some suggest) if you use  NI-MH rechargeable batteries. They seem to have a much better life than  alkaline batteries (rechargeable or not). I also limit my use of the  display, which is not difficult since I tend to prefer using the  viewfinder. This *significantly* reduces battery usage.  The only draw back  is that you can't use the digital zoom without the display.  This is also  not a problem for me because the optical zoom has been sufficient for my  usage. Also, digital zooming in general tends to produce poor quality  pictures, although I can't personally attest to quality of Kodak's digital  zooming.The one problem I have with this camera is the delay between the  time when the button is pressed and the time when the picture is taken.  It's a least a second or two, which makes taking action photos very  difficult--it's hit or miss with the timing.  I tried to use the burst  feature, but I found that to have limited usefulness. I was use to using  the completely manual, tried and true, Pentex K-1000 SLR. Without being  overburdened by a lot of electronics, there was very little latency. I  suppose going to any automatic camera, digital or not, could produce the  same frustration.All-in-all, I love this camera. It takes great quality,  high resolution pictures. However, I would also look at the DC280 as a less  expensive alternative.
I owned a DC260 and upgraded to the DC290 for the extra resolution. In the year that I have had it, the DC290 has been a great camera. I am a Civil Engineer and use it to document construction projects. Being able to view the picture immediately after shooting allows you to retake the picture until it is acceptable. I transfer the photo files to my portable PC by just plugging in the card to an adapter in the PC card slot. The PC sees it as another hard drive. At the end of the project, I copy the pictures to a CD and give it to the client as a record of the project progress. The files are in standard JPG format, so you only need a web browser to view them. The DC290 also does uncompressed TIF for ultra high resolution.
I have had the Fuji 1700, Sony FD91, &amp; FD88, let me say that those are paper weights now. This camera changes everything about digital photography. It surely raises the bar. I have a web site with many pictures  on it. Some sudjestions: buy the best rechargeables (I bought sony and they  last a long time), before you email them reduse the size, high res pics are  very large (500k-6.6meg) This camera can do low light something my other  camera's couldn't do. What else can I say. Oh, buy the AC adapter too, it's  usefull.
We use this camera at a manufacturing facility for all our documentation.  A picture is worth a thousand words and this camera is worth the price.  It  is easy to use, comfortable, and easy to download to a PC.  It is also very  durable.  Many people use this camera and it has gone through some abuse in  an industrial environment.  The pictures have real nice color details and  sharpness.The software that comes with it isn't the greatest.  I  recommend Photosuite III or MS Home Publishing to get the most out of your  digital pictures.Extra memory is also a must have.  Invest in a 32 or 64  mb memory card and you can take pictures all day.
The quality of the photographs taken by this camera is wonderful, and it's easy to use. HOWEVER...for me, it did not work with Windows 2000 even after downloading Kodak's most up-to-date drivers. The good news: Kodak's service department is terrific, and they shipped me a Kodak USB card reader--free and overnight! All is hunky-dory with the camera now, and all in all I'm quite pleased with my purchase.
After much review, the dc290 won me over at nearly $500 less than the Nikon 990 (the only comparable competition).  The reviews I read were exact... 1. Excellent photo color and clarity. 2. Fast USB download. 3. Slow menu interface 4. Digital display drains the 4 AA batteries FAST (&lt; 1hr), but  you can use the manual view finder to conserve power. 5. Great photo editing software from Adobe (it's not photoshop,  but it's easy to use and has a lot of automatic features).
This camera replaces my Sony MVC-FD88 digital camera. There is no comparison. The DC290 takes true photographic qualitiy pictures. I tried the camera in a variety of difficult lighting situations. It took perfect pictures every time! The software interface is great. It makes the camera  look like another drive letter in your computer. When the camera is plugged  into the computer (USB port), the drive letter appears in windows explorer.  You can then simply navigate and use the standard cut and paste tools to  move the files. I am extremely impressed with the qualitiy of the pictures,  ease of use, and clear instruction manuals. The camera does eat the  batteries. It comes with a set of disposable (so you can use the new camera  while the others are charging) and rechargeable with charger. I purchased a  second set of rechargeable batteries. I simply charge one set while the  other is in use.
The DC290 is great for photos in which you get to pose your subject, but for action shots it should be avoided. The amount of time that passes from when the shutter release is pushed, and the time that the camera actually takes the picture seems like an eternity. I'm sure its only 2-3 seconds, but I've missed out on a few moments because of that time lapse. Would I suggest my friends buy this camera? Yes, and I have. But if you are buying it to cover sporting events, you should look for something with a shorter &quot;think-time.&quot; (my terminology for the shutter lag)***Update 7/21/01 I've owned this now for over a year. I've really come to love it. When I bought this camera it was a couple hundred dollars more than what it is now, but I decided it was going to get treated like any other camera that I have owned. Which means I've done everything except try to pound nails into wood with it. I bought a 128mb CF card to go with it- a must in my opinion. I wanted to upgrade to the Kodak DC4800, but that was a mistake. The DC4800 is a mess compared to the DC290. (the only thing good about the DC4800 was the software upgrade. My computer used to take about 15 minutes to shutdown, now it takes seconds. If you buy the DC290 get the latest software and drivers from Kodak) If you already own the DC290 and are thinking about taking Kodak up on there trade-in towards a DC4800, don't do it. The DC4800 has so many dead pixels that color rendering is atrocious, it's also so cheaply put together that I would be scared to treat it the way I do my DC290 . The DC290 may be oddly shaped and heavy, but its a sturdy workhorse.
I use this camera at work for important documenation of historic cemeteries and I have grown to dislike it.  To begin first with a compliment:  the picture quality is very good.  However, the buttons are difficult to press and are slow to react.  Everytime I use the camera it requires new or completely recharged batteries (the time I use it is under an hour).  The editing application seems good, but ultimately makes it difficult to share the photographs.  Whenever I purchase a digital camera for my personal use, it definately will not be the Koday DC290.
I purchased this camera in May 2000 and have been using it ever since. First off, this camera takes EXCELLENT pictures. I usually have to do some Photoshop-ing on most other images that I either scan in or bring in off a camera. With this camera, very little, if any of that is necessary. Here's the breakdown:- My camera came with 20MB of memory. That is enough to take ~40 pictures at the second to highest quality level. Well within acceptable limits considering that if you run out of pictures, you can just transfer them to a computer and re-format the card.- The interface is a little touchy if editing on the camera. I prefer to edit all the settings by communicating directly with the camera.- Transferring the images off of the camera directly was a problem for me. Sometimes the software wouldn't work (under Windows 2000). I haven't used it with Windows 98. I haven't heard too many similar complaints so I assume other people aren't having this problem. However, I bought a Compaq flash card reader (USB) and it works fine.- Again, image quality is superb.- I've seen some people complain about the delay the camera experiences when taking a snap. I found this not to be exactly true. If I hold the button down until the green light comes on (indicating that everything is ready) and then I depress the button all the way, the camera takes a snap right away. However, if I just depress the button all the way initially, it does take a few seconds for the picture to be taken- Battery life. The camera takes 4-AA batteries. The camera lasts for probably a little more than an hour as long as you don't use the preview mode (sucks up charge like you wouldn't believe). The package doesn't come with an AC adapter (*SMACK* Kodak). You have to buy it separately. All considered though. I can take a good number of pics before I have to recharge. Just make sure to bring an extra set of batteries with you.I highly recommend this camera even to enthusiasts. You probably won't be disappointed.
I bought this camera just over a year ago for $369. The camera worked great, then mysteriously started displaying an E11 code when I tried to turn it on. When I looked into the Owner's Manual, I found that E11 indicates corrupt firmware.I went to a couple of camera shops around Dallas, TX, but apparently only Kodak's service center in Illinois has access to replacement parts.Called Kodak and got the address to send it to along with an authorization number. They wanted $342 to replace the firmware. It only cost $369 when new! When I refused to pay this, they still charged me $45 to get it mailed back.I will never buy another Kodak, and if this review sways others from buying a Kodak - I will be happy. **Kodak: This is terrible service and disrespect to customers who drop a lot of money for one of your products.**If anyone wants to offer me anything for this camera (maybe someone out there knows how to repair it), feel free to contact me with an offer. (11-October-2003) Sorry, but Amazon won't let me leave my email address. ~Joe Pool
I'm just an amateur photographer but in the past 25 years I've owned three 35mm SLR cameras and two auto-everything 35mm cameras.  The Kodak DC290 is my first digital and it operates about the same as the auto-everything  cameras.  It can't do everything that an SLR and a gadget bag full of  accessories can do and it doesn't have the &quot;feel&quot; of an SLR.  But, it does 99% of what I want and produces beautiful photos.  I've had  mine for about four months and have taken almost 1000 photos with it.  Last  week I went to the USAF Museum and took over 300 photos, about 100 of them  with it on a tripod using shutter speeds of 0.5 to 3.0 seconds.  Fantastic  quality.  I bought an extra compact flash card (64M) and two extra sets of  NiMH batteries and took along my old notebook PC.  When the picture cards  were full, I transferred the photos to the notebook PC using a PCMCIA  adapter then erased the card.  That worked fine and I have not had any  problems transferring files to my home PC using the USB port either.When  you consider that we were spending over $200 per year on film and  developing anyway, going digital just made sense.  I like the ergonomics of  the camera and the menus are easy to use - just spend a few minutes with  the manual.  I was switching between a variety of modes at the museum to  get the best photos possible and it wasn't that difficult.  I haven't had  this much fun since I bought my first SLR.  Coworkers were amazed by an  8x10 portrait of my wife that I took with the DC290 and printed on photo  quality paper.  Kodak provides support through their web page including OS  upgrades to the camera's software.Recommendations:  Get a case and one  or two extra sets of NiMH batteries.  I haven't bought the AC adapter for  it but I can see how it would be useful to some because it takes about 8  hours to recharge the batteries.  The batteries will last longer if you use  the viewfinder instead of the LCD.  The LCD is essential for close up shots  and the digital zoom only works with the LCD.  A large compact flash card  is a good idea if you intend to use the best quality at high resolution  since the picture size in that format are usually around 500K.  The  graphics software that comes with the camera is OK but better programs are  available for any serious photo editing you might want to do.
I bought my DC290 new in November 1999 for $799 from Computers4sure.com ($1099 MSRP). They had just come out. It has been used all over the US, Mexico and Japan to take 22,000 pics!The camera is very slow after about five shots when it is writing to the CF card. It also requires 4 batteries, which wasn't much trouble until I bought a newer Kodak that is faster and only requires two batteries.The picture quality is very good. I always use the lowest compression and largest picture size. It came with a 20MB CF, but I later purchased a 64MB, 256MB and 512MB. Getting ready to buy a 2GB CF, which probably won't work on the DC290.My DC290 is just a spare camera now. I also have a Canon Digital Rebel SLR, a Kodak DX4530 and a Sony U30 (spy camera! SWEET!).Check out some of the pics at:[...]
I use this camera for work, and I use it quite frequently.  This is a very good camera, but not quite perfect.  It has a lot of nice features that are standard on digital cameras these days, a nice LCD screen that eats the batteries away at an alarming rate, and is nicely contoured to hold.  The picture quality is excellent for my line of work, which requires 4 x 6 photos, the resolution is excellent, and the colors are great (as far as I can tell, anyway).  My favorite quality about this camera is the ease of loading the pictures on to the computer.  Just plug it in, it loads the program, and you pick your folder and the pictures are transferred.There are some negatives about this model, too.  One is the size; it is a bit large compared to other, smaller models.  This may or may not be a problem for many people, but I prefer a smaller camera.  The other is the power button; you have to hold it down for an undisclosed amount of time to get it to go on/shut off.  These are not big complaints, but the camera could have been better.  Kodak's customer service has been top notch.
It is a replacement for a ancient Kodak gel imaging system. It looks that it has been through a lot, but works just fine. Price was a bit high considering the age, feature and the condition of the thing.
This is my first digital camera, and i must say the image quality is truly excellent. I have taken over 200 photos with this camera in day &amp; night conditions. I am a web site designer, and have found the camera excellent for this purpose. Web images don't need much more than about 80dpi, so this camera is more than good enough. The quality and colour of flash images and low-light images is very good with the 290. In particular i have found that flesh colour reproduction is excellent.I have had no complaints about battery life. I do not use the LCD screen much  because of warnings from other users about the battery drain this causes. The shutter delay is noticeable, but if you pre-focus (by half depressing the shutter) it's not too bad.I have had no trouble with uploading to my W98 PC via a USB port. Usually about 5 sec for a high quality image. I use photoshop to edit the images, but find surprisingly, that most of the images are prety good in terms of exposure, colour, hue and contrast.The only problem i experienced was that the battery charger supplied by Kodak blew up after about 2 weeks, but Kodak Australia replaced it fairly quickly.I only gave this camera 4 stars because of the price. It cost me over $1200 Aus which is about $600 US. I could buy an F series Nikon for that.Still, I am growing to love this camera.
I have had this camera for several years and among other things, use it annually to take pictures for our companies golf tournament. We also use the companies camera, which has varied from Olympus to this years Cannon G2. Despite having half the pixels, the 290 has outdone all other cameras used in clarity and color. Just point and shoot and a great picture results. You don't need a 5 megapixel camera when you can do crisp 8x10, superior color photos with this camera.
You will hear consistently that this camera is slow, and to some degree this is true, however, it takes awesome pictures! I've begun to print mine out (even 8x10's) and this camera is just great. With the new price reduction, pick one up. You won't be sorry.
This is a fantastic camera.  There are so many great features about owning a digital camera, especially this one.  For starters, the picture quality is perfect!  There is no pixles to be seen at all, and the color is brilliant.  It produces picture that is far superior than ones from regular film cameras.  To have it printed, use Ofoto.com (owned by Kodak).  It's just $.49 per picture for 4X6 pictures to be printed.  Don't think about printing them on your home printer, because you won't get nearly as good of quality, and secondly it would actually be more expensive to print at home once you factor in the cost of a good printer, cost of the color ink, and the cost of the paper.More great features about this digital camera are the ability to connect it to your television.  This is a great idea, especially for parties.  Instead of passing around pictures, you can easily hook up your camera with the cable included in the package to your tv, the same way you connect your vcr.  Your images will be on your tv so everyone can enjoy them together.Next, the ability to fix your pictures is a huge plus.  You can take out all the stuff that got in your shot, so it's just what you want.  No more having someone you don't know on the side of your picture.  Also, you can dramatically change the lighting.  If it was cloudy, the computer software (included) will fix it so your picture is easier to see.  The computer software can do so much more too.  I just made a collage of pictures from a recent vacation.  There are 9 pictures in one, which makes it kind of look like a postcard.This camera is FANTASTIC and you should seriously consider getting one.  If not this one, then at least replace your old camera with a digitial camera.  They are not hard to use at all, in fact, I think are even easier to use.  Go digital, you won't regret it!!
This is a wonderful camera.  Kodak digitals have the best color reproduction of all of the digital cameras, and the clarity is comparable with the best. I did my research before buying this and would not consider anything but a Kodak, Olympus or Nikon.  The rest pale by comparison.  This camera has several features which are hard to find on other cameras in its class.  One is the burst mode, which allows you to take several pictures in sequence at up to 3 frames per second.  Another great feature is the external flash sync.  Very few digis have it and it is indispensable if you want to take professional photos. The feature I really love though, being a programmer, is the ability to program scripts for the camera - to me that is what digital cameras have over their analog counterparts, the flexibility and programmability.  Even if you aren't a computer nerd like me, you can enjoy this feature because there are several free scripts available written by programmers.  This feature alone puts this camera head and shoulders above others in its class.
I've used this camera for a while now.  Pictures are good quality, and with the price of compactflash comming down it's a good deal.  My only gripe is the compactflash slot is very fragile.  If you switch cards a lot it may break.  In such a case you'll have to send kodak your camera, and they will send you a refurb back.I frankly was disapointed that my month old camera in great condition was replaced with a refurb that was obviously much older with obvious signs of wear and tear, plus a couple dead pixels on the display.  All of which are considered &quot;okay&quot; by Kodak.  I really felt like I paid a new camera price for a used camera.
After much research, I finally decided to buy the DC290 as my first digital camera.  The picture quality is great.  Kodak seems to get the best reviews when it comes to photographic fundamentals; that's the selling  point of this camera - the quality of the pictures is great.  The color  depth of these pictures is phenomenal, and under any lighting condition.You can get over 25 pictures on the 16MB card on the high quality  setting, as good as a roll of film - or much more on the standard quality  setting.The USB transfer is fast and easy, I don't think a card reader  is necessary, so long as you've got the AC adapter(not included) to  conserve battery life.  The camera appears as a drive on your PC.The  only major drawback of this camera plagues all digital cams from what I've  read - battery life.  It's really poor.  I killed the first set in only a  couple hours with minimal LCD screen use and this wasn't continuous use.  Even if you're conserving battery life by all means possible you'll need a  backup set of rechargables, or 2 or 3 backup sets.Also, for [the price] they should've thrown in the AC adapter and maybe even a case.
Kodak DC290 is fine for medium/long range subjects.  However, because the viewfinder and the lens are off-center, you invariably get off-center results - unless you use the LCD as your main viewfinder (this eats battery  life and the display resolution makes it hard to make critical shot  decisions).  However, the image quality is quite excellent for most  outdoor/lighted conditions.The interaction and placement of the  controls are quite good. There are a few key rubber finger and grip  affordances to make the shooter feel in control.  The only cheap part is  the zoom lever.  It's a small horizontal lever, that has to be kicked way  over to one side or the other, and the time delay to lens movement is  sluggish.  The overall construction of the entire body and finish is very  nice. There's plenty of standard features like burst, time-lapse, etc. to  keep most digital camera enthusiasts happy.  A real nice package bonus was  the 4, AA NiMH rechargeable batteries and charger + 16MB storage card.  At  least Kodak was thinking about the entire user experience.Oh, the PC  software interface is rather silly.  The childlike icons and metaphors for  album creation, etc. makes you create a parallel cognitive hierarchy model  for what is essentially folders/files on your computer.  Something more  straight forward with clear icons and interface is all we want.  Use the  quick access download near the clock once you've installed the software.
I've shot about 3000 pictures in nine months, mostly in Africa being bounced around, and the DC290 has done well, as did its DC265 predecessor.  The add-on telephoto isn't worth it, and the DC265 required repairs after being dropped 18 inches on its lens barrel.  But excellent pictures. If you keep the LCD shut down and turn off the flash via the boot-up scripts, the battery life is pretty good, sometimes 100-200 pictures.It's a little big for suitcoat pockets, OK for most jacket pockets.  My wish list would include a 200mm-equivalent telephoto and elimination of the buffer-emptying 20-30sec pause when you shoot four 1800x1200 pictures in rapid succession.
I've had this camera for about a month now. It's a replacement for a Kodak DC120 that I had for several years and finally died after a very hard life.  The pictures from the DC120 were good for a digital camera at its time but not as clear as I would have liked.  Pictures from my wife's high-end Kodak Advantix camera were clearer.The DC290 pictures look as clear as the Advantix.  The color is great and the ability to reach into dark areas and get the detail is better than the DC120.  I recently tried it for some back-lite photos at a wedding reception and it did great.Disadvantages are ones normal to digital cameras: fairly long cycle time between photos, poor battery life and limited space on the supplied flash card.  The view-finder is in a funny location, but if you use your right eye you won't smudge the LCD display.  My son-law-recently bought a Canon PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH for my daughter and we were comparing the two cameras.  I think the Kodak creates better pictures, uses standard batteries and costs less right now.  The Canon is smaller and has better lens protection.  For pure pictures good with the Kodak.  If size is important go with something like the Canon.The DC290 is last years model (Kodak lists as discontinued at their web site) which is why the price is so good.
I don't know what the fuss is about with buying only SVHS tape for your SVHS video recorder or ADAT machine.This tape performs better than most SVHS tape and it is only VHS rating. But You don't have to modify this TDK tape case at all, none, no modification at all to play it in any SVHS machines or ADAT machine. It will work just like SVHS tape. I do not know what people are talking about drilling a hole in the case do not do it !!! It is non sense, I tested this tape and it records perfectly in SVHS mode in any SVHS machine and any ADAT period.In fact all Super High Grade VHS tape will play and record just fine in any SVHS machine, so you can also use other Super High Grade VHS tapes from other good brands as well.First thing I noticed is this TDK tape is the finest smoothest highest quality highest density magnetic particle tape you can buy for your VHS machine, ADAT, or any SVHS machine. And it will not clog up your heads unlike cheap VHS tape or cheap SVHS tape like Quantegy. Stay away from Quantegy SVHS or VHS tape, this tape will clog your rotary heads and you will have drop outs in your ADAT and SVHS machine, definately not for Masters !!!Like I said this tape is better quality than most Super High Grade SVHS tape on the market, so you can not go wrong with this VHS tape, so please go pick some up today, if you can before the complete supply runs out. I do not know if TDK still makes this tape anymore ? Does Anyone have that answer ???
This TDK Extra High Grade tape is worth the money.It is very smooth and polished and has excellent color rendition and sound, very minimum drop outs.It will last with a quality picture for years. I have some TDK E-HG from 1990 and the programs still look like new.A very good well made video tape from TDK.
I Recommend this tape to anyone who needs video tape. Great sound and quality and value for the money.
This is one of the best video tapes I have ever used. I don't want to use any other tape besides TDK tapes!!
These videotapes cost more than most but they're worth it.  They hold up very well to repeated copying.  I highly recommend them.
This is a great tapes. I bought another package because of the quality.
Nothing special here, but it appears that Amazon doesn't sell VHS themselves. Right price point.
TDK manufactures excellent, extra high grade six hour blank VHS tapes for all purpose general recording of audio-visual media. As long as you have the right kind of equipment, these tapes record television programs off TV or they can be used to make copies of a non-copyright protected VHS tape. These tapes have six hours worth of blank recording space; and this is useful when recording television shows, for example.In addition, you can record onto these tapes using different speeds so that the tape records two hours worth recording time, four hours worth recording time and six hours worth of recording. (You use your VCR to set this.) The best image quality will be at two hours worth of recording time but many people say they're satisfied with the image they get using the six hour recording time speed.The extra high grade of this blank VCR tape ensures that you get longer life out of these blank tapes. Moreover, if you record a special event on these for a permanent video recording the quality of the video on the tape will outshine the quality of the video on the regular version of this VCR tape. Things should look "sharper" and be a little bit more in focus, too.Overall, TDK makes a great choice when you want reliable, blank extra high grade VHS tapes to record television shows or anything else that you wish to record. I have used this brand and I cannot think of any major complaints. I highly recommend TDK extra high grade six hour VHS tapes for you to use when you need to record something onto a VHS cassette tape.
Less than two months and half of them are in the trash. My old tapes are doing bettereven in the same machine
The clarity is so clear. I thought there would be something wrong with the picture, but there was no vertical rolling, no color bleeding, and no dark spots. The colors were soooo vivid, I thought I was watching the actual show. Of course in a recorder material, the picture quality was worse than that of seeing it right infront of you. There was only like a 0.000001% quality degrading. You won't even recognize it. It is like HDTV.
I wanted to try these Video Tapes for a long time so finally I decided to spend all that money and ordered them and what do I get? ...TDK Ultimate Quality, light Blue and Green Box with a Yellow and Orange Color Stipe across...Wrong Item! Amazon also sell those Tapes for a lot less. When contacted the Seller this is what they said..."HURRICANE SANDY WIPE US OUT, PICKING UP THE PIECES SOMEWHERE ELSE, CAN YOU HOLD YOUR ORDER"What do you say to That? I told the Seller,...I feel very sorry and had no idea and to forget about the order! ...Since I never was able to try the Highly Rated Video Tapes, the ones they send me are just OK! ...Thank You D.D.
Lithium Cells are rapidly becoming the new gold standard for many household uses, from simple flashlights to sophisticated hybrid vehicles. These lithium-ion batteries are now ubiquitous in the retail arena and their popularity has steadily increased because of their power efficiency compared to more traditional delivery technologies far surpassing carbon-zinc, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride and alkaline.Here Is my Assessment of The Energizer &#34;Ultimate&#34; Lithium AA Cells:PROS:1. Superior in overall power efficiency compared to traditional battery technologies. Lithium cells retain their charge longer and become superior performers in retaining their charge. When stored properly (in a cool, dry and dark environment), these cells self-discharge rates are substantially slower compared with previous generations of batteries.2. Unlike nickel-cadmium cells, lithium-ion batteries have no (or a very negligible) &#34;memory&#34; effect.3. Lithium-Ion cells also perform better at lower ambient temperatures than their predecessors.4. Lithium-Ion batteries are noticeably about 33% lighter than previous types of cells making it an additional plus in heavier types of equipment such as larger flashlights, power equipment, etc.5. Energizer lithium cells (and all lithium-ion batteries in general), have expiration dates considerably longer because they discharge much more slowly compared to previous generations of batteries.6. Lithium cells are more environmentally-compliant and friendly compared to previous generations, particularly those cells which contain toxic, heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury.CONS:1. My rating on these particular cells is 4.5 stars due to the perceived steep price points of the Energizer brand.  However, if you do the math, as another conscientious reviewer has, you will find that lithium cells are actually a more cost-effective choice when compared to an equivalent-sized alkaline battery. Nevertheless, you are still likely to pay more for a name brand such as Energizer, in order for the company to recoup their research and development costs. By the way, the AAA and 9V platforms still tend to be more expensive compared to their AA, C and D counterparts-This appears to be valid regardless of the type of battery technology (e.g. alkaline, carbon-zinc, NiMh).2. Lithium cells may be a safety hazard, particularly when exposed to high temperatures for sustained periods of time. For this reason, the federal government has imposed transport restrictions on lithium batteries. Although these restrictions have recently been relaxed, lithium cells can and do explode because they contain a pressurized, flammable electrolyte. For this reason, it is advisable to store these cells in a temperature-stable environment.3. Energizer currently has several different &#34;quality tiers&#34; of Lithium batteries on the retail market-each with a different price point and different retention claim (i.e. &#34;Lasts up to....x longer). For example, Energizer currently has three discrete lines within lithium cells: Energizer &#34;Advanced&#34; (retention claims &#34;up to 4X longer&#34; in selected devices); Energizer &#34;Max&#34; (retention claims up to 8X longer&#34; in selected devices) and Energizer &#34;Ultimate&#34; (retention claims up to 9X longer&#34; in selected devices). For the relatively modest difference in price and at more than twice the retention claim, my choice would be Energizer Ultimate.Be careful to select the latest available expiration date card(s) to avoid purchasing an earlier production lot of the product. Each cell also has a production/ lot code embossed on it; however, they are not at present, user-identifiable without assistance from Energizer.BOTTOM LINE:1. These are excellent batteries when used properly and in the correct equipment. In consideration of the longer storage and discharge interval, my recommendation would be to use lithium cells for those appliances and equipment requiring longer replacement intervals such as fire, smoke and CO2 detectors; water sensors, outdoor sensors, digital cameras and remote controls to name just a few.2. Avoid storing these cells in extreme temperatures-cool, dark and dry is recommended for maximum shelf life and safety. Avoid storing lithium cells in the refrigerator or freezer.3. Energizer's lithiums are, in my opinion, no better than those manufactured by other reputable companies. As such, price shop. If store (generic) lithiums are available, shop prudently with your wallet. This is an excellent technology but there are deals available on these cells if you shop patiently-both online and in-store.
These are great batteries for us, we use them in our Canon SX 160 cameras (2).  We are amazed at how many shots they give us, far more than any recharageable battery that we have used in our other Canon cameras (A3100 and SX40).
The battery you need for all of your digital things. It's lighter than conventional batteries and last much longer as well.
I have a controller that requires this type of battery.  I used the 4X batteries and they ran for 21 playing hours.  I have 16 playing hours currently on these 9X batteries and they show no signs of slowing down!
These are great batteries.  I had one set in Nikon F4s and used them for many trips and it is still going and going f0r four years alrady.  Light weight (1/3 the weight and at least 5+ times the power than the Alkaline batteries.  Best of the all, it will not dmage your camera while storing.  A true &quot;everyready&quot;!  HIghtly recommended.
I use these batteries in my digital camera, and I never imagined that batteries could  last so long. I've faithfully purchased these for the last couple years and ill continue to purchase them! and I take a moderate amount of pictures, maybe using the camera 2-4 times a month, but with young kids, I sometimes take 20+pictures (or many more!) trying to get a good one.  And on average these batteries last me 6-12 months!
Works well and has lasted over a year on an outdoor temperature transmitter. I read that Lithium batteries keep their voltage better in cold temps than do Alkaline batteries.
I was able to take 125 digital images (both day and evening flash shots) with my Olympus D-490Z over a course of a 10 day vacation to Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The Olympus takes 4 AA batteries.  I thought I would need a 2nd set of batteries but the first set lasted the whole trip.Great for vacations when you don't want to lug around a charger and a spare set of batteries, however if you take a lot of pictures with your digital camera, it might be wise to invest in two sets of rechargable NiMH batteries and a portable charger.
This is the battery to buy for use in those applications where you want to &#34;set it and forget it.&#34; Or where you don't want to be having to change batteries at inopportune moments (like a digital camera). My particular use is for a indoor/outdoor digital thermometer. The outdoor sending unit is subjected to heat extremes and need to function even in subzero temps.These batteries will last several years there with no problem. Easily woth the extra money.
My husband used this battery for our Canon camera when we were in Hawaii in April 2014.  We took so many pictures and this battery held up so well even after we came back home from our trip.  The battery lasts longer and this is why we purchased more of the Energizer AA Lithium Batteries.
Good price for this item.  I always choose this brand and type of batteries for my digital camera.  How nice to have them delivered to my door!
I primarily use these batteries in myNikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash. I started using them about a year ago after much frustration with the lifespan of normal alkaline batteries. I am not a professional photographer but it is a pretty serious hobby (addiction my wife would say) of mine, and nothing drives me more crazy than my equipment becoming the limiting factor of what I want to do creatively. Replacing batteries in the flash on what seems like a weekly basis is annoying--running out of juice in my camera flash at the wrong moment is much worse and can even be devastating depending on the context.Thankfully these excellent lithium batteries from Energizer are truly superior in performance over either normal alkaline or rechargeable batteries. I get 500-700 shots out of a set of these, which makes them economical compared with the seemingly less expensive alternatives.It is possible to find these batteries in larger packs at big box stores, but they're actually the same price per battery overall. I prefer them shipped free to my door, even if they were slightly more expensive. However, it is worth noting that buying 4 of them is cheaper than just two:Energizer Ultimate L91BP-4 Lithium AA Battery 4 Pack. If you need more than two, I'd highly recommend getting a 4, or even 8 pack to save some coin.These are great batteries for virtually any photography application weather in a point-and-shoot digital or in a flash unit like the SB-600. As other reviewers have mentioned, they are not superior when used in low drain applications like a computer mouse. Stick with normal alkaline or nimh batteries for those uses.
They don't last half as long for me as they are advertised which is all i can say. I have used them in digital cameras and dslr camera equipment.
Bought these for their long life.  I use them in my thermostat and CO2 detector.  If there is a better battery out there, I'd like to see it.  To me, these are the best.
Very happy with this order and the way packed and arrived ontime, used them in holiday wreath..They were good because lasted whole holiday season running nightly...Will do business with them again in heart beat.ThanksTodd
I just got my camera today and so far am really impressed withit. The features and quality of the photos really make it worth themoney. You have lots of control with this camera: adjustable white balance, shutter speed, ISO settings, flash settings, spot metering, etc. I found the panarama mode really cool--take as many pictures as you want your panorama to have and then the software program stiches them all into a seamless image.  I did a quick and dirty test in the office and the resulting image looked great! I couldn't tell where the photos joined! Overall, the software program is pretty nice. Mac Compatible, but you must mail a form back for a free serial adaptor.
Beautiful pictures, handy carrying strap, moderately portable, very user-friendly, limited zoom options...the Olympus D-360L features all of these things, and it's a very nice camera. I found two minor problems.  It  eats batteries, and the flash is bright and kind of annoying.  I can fill  its need for batteries, and without the flash the pictures are horribly  dark, so I can live happily with both of those issues. I you want a camera,  BUY THIS!
I bought the Olympus D-360L because I wanted a digital camera and I didn't want to spend a lot of money. And the Olympus D-360L have very good &quot;pixels per dollar&quot; resolution.The picture quality in the  Olympus D-360L is much better than I expected it to be. And it is really  very easy to use. I was also impressed with the software that comes with  the camera. Its amazing how good pictures come out in low light with no  flash.The 1.3 Megapixel resolution is excellent not only for the range  of 'entry level' digital cameras. It is also enough good for professional  use: rather often we use my pictures in layout of the Home Computer  Magazine to illustrate product reviews and so on. The colours are great!The *****-star reviews this camera has been receiving are right on the  money. The Olympus D-360L is an excellent digital camera.
After reading every review we could find, we ventured for the first time  into the digital photographic world purchasing the Olympus 340-R digital  camera last year. We were definitely not disappointed.The D-360L was  the next step up from the D-340R. Then and today you cannot find a better  quality camera at this price, outside of the Olympus family.  The 360 has  all the same features of the 340-R, but adds capabilities to adjust white  balance, and tinker with spot metering, ISO and exposure settings.  It also  adds a nifty little zoom function in the preview screen, as well as  multiple flash and file compression settings.If you want additional zoom  power you'll have to step up to the D-460 zoom for about $100 more.  It  adds a 3x optical zoom to the 2x digital one and a higher quality preview  screen.  If you want to save more money and drop a few feautures try  looking for a D-340R.  They are still around at onine shops andit is a  great camera on the cheap!  All three of the camera have the same lens,  megapixel size etc.Our journey with the Olympus started just a few days  owning the camera when it accompanied us to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and  Seoul, S. Korea, while we nervously left our Canon SLR at home. The camera  performed marvelously. We found the optional 16MB flash memory card more  than adequate for our needs, as we easily downloaded photos each day into  our laptop.We were amazed at the quality of photos even in low light  settings. We took shots at our conference including a multimedia  presentation where surprisingly the projected image on the screen was  readable! While staying in the countryside in a traditional Mongolian  &quot;ger&quot; (tent), we shot an incredible photo of the predawn sky--  even the morning stars are clearly distinguishable!Arriving home we were  completely satisfied with the photos shot at the low resolution setting  when printed out on our HP Deskjet 895 using an Epson photographic paper. I  doubt that most people would be able to tell the difference between the  prints and a standard developed snapshot. The enclosed Olympus and Adobe  software is easy to use and functional for most home use. You will  absolutely love the Quickstitch utility that simply creates oversized and  panorama shots!One of the only weaknesses we found a little frustrating  was the variance between the optical viewfinder and the digital one. If you  frame... say, a head and shoulders shot in the optical viewfinder, you will  discover that digitally the camera sees a much broader area. Olympus should  do a little better job calibrating the two viewfinders.Apart from that,  you will want to invest in the NiMH charger and at least 8 batteries-- shop  around for the best price. Also, picking up a 3.5 inch floppy adapter for  the flash memory card will be a big time saver. You simply pull out the  flash memory card, slip it into the adapter, and then slide the floppy into  any computer. You'll save time and frustration over having cords laying all  around your table, plus a significant download time.One last item-- Do  you think a 16MB memory card will be too small for your needs? The 360 will  use up to a 32MB smart media card, enough for 400+ shots at low resolution.
I knew next to nothing about digital cameras or the software needed for  them. I bought this camera and in less than 10 mins. was taking pictures.  The quality is very good. I was able to make my way through the software  shortly after taking my first pictures and found it very easy to make  projects. I'd highly recommend this camera. The price is hard to beat for  the quality and it has many features for professional photographers that  would make it perfect for them as well!!!
I was reluctant to enter the digital camera world, as I thought it would be a lot more complicated than just snapping a picture and having the film developed into pictures, so when my youngest son said I really 'needed' to get one (and he recommended the one he had..Olympus D-360L), I balked. Finally, I gave in, and how glad I am that I did. It has been a real winner in terms of ease of use and quality of pictures. Many look like a professional photographer took and developed them. For those who want great pictures and ease of use at a really bargain price, this is the camera for you. Most of us don't want pictures larger then 5 X 7, so why pay for more megapixels that you don't need? I also bought a 64 and a 128MB SmartCard, and have more than enough storage for vacations. Highly recommend.
What a great camera. You put in the batteries and start clicking. The pictures are great and easy to download with the supplied cable and software. This digital camera deserves all the high ratings it has  received. That's why I bought it, and I'm extremely satisfied.
I'm one of those people who compares feature for feature before I buy, and end up picking the product that has the most features for my set budget.  Well, this was an easy choice.  It has all the features the competition had and more, for a very reasonable price.  Quality resolution, nice LCD, adequate and easily expanded storage.  Plus all the bells and whistles I never openly shop for, but secretly druel over.  In fact, I only have one complaint, and that is that the buttons on top are not very self-explanatory.  I'll get used to this though with some use, and even now, it's not much to gripe about.
I've had the D-360L for around 6 months now and overall, it's functioned flawlessly.  The pictures are crisp, with remarkable detail.  I do have one critisism however, the battery life is appalling  :(  This thing EATS  batteries!  I have found that not using the LCD display helps a little  though.  All in all, a great little camera for a good price.  Just make  sure you have plenty of spare batteries with you on your trips (or buys  some rechargables).
Let me just say the only reason the Olympus D-360l digital camera gets even two stars out of me is for picture quality at this price range.  I  will say that for the six months I had it some of the picutures I have are  O.K. for what the camera is.  Ok enough mild mannered praise, let the  bashing begin!This cameras LCD display never did work right from day  one, it would do what it wanted, working some days and some days not.  The  lack of USB interface is so outdated and slow its just a shame.  Never  could take more than ten picutres with it before the batteries would die.  The LCD display, when it did work was nearly imposible for the novice user  to understand.  This Camera is just a plain old waste of your hard earned  money, but a Kodak DC 280 zoom instead,  its only a few more bills, and its  soooo much more camera.  Avoid the D-360L like the plauge though.
Once upon a time I owned a Nikon and assorted Nikor lenses all carefully stored in a sleek aluminum Zero case. I was a camera snob. Then had kids  and couldn't be bothered to lug around an SLR plus attachments. With the  excuse that I was buying it for my wife, I purchased one of the original  Olympus clamshell designs in 1992. Secretly I loved this little camera. Not  long after I sold the cherished Nikon. So it goes.But after 8 years, the  trusty Olympus was showing it's age. And the kids responsible for my buying  it in the first place had dropped it one too many times. So I was in search  of its replacement.I'm comfortable with computers and digital technology  and felt it was time to look at a digital camera.I was intrigued  sufficiently to visit Wolf Camera and look at one.If a picture is worth  a thousand words, experiencing something must be worth at least  10,000.Unlike its 35mm cousins (Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 QD CG Camera  comes to mind and is what I wound up buying) this camera seems to have been  designed and built by a completely different company.It is large; won't  fit comfortably in a shirt pocket.It is heavy.It is square and  boxlike (none of the Stylus Epic's sensuous lines).If you are attracted  to one-shot cameras and specifically to Olympus for their small size and  ergonometric elegance be sure to actually hold one of these before ordering  over the web.
For image quality, I was quite amazed by the quality of the pictures produced by this camera. At high quality (JPEG) you can get 36 pictures on the 8MB card, and presumably, with  the 64MB card ... ... that wouldbe  288 pictures! With the LCD off, the battery usage isn't too badeither. I also find that the closeup pictures (the macro mode) is also quite good, though the flash is overpowering in these situations. I'll probably experiment with a flash diffuser, possibly something as simple as a piece of white paper over the flash in these cases.For Macs though, be prepared to work through a few problems. First of all, the cable that converts the PC serial connector to the Macintosh serial connector (for older macs like mine) isn't in the box, despite the label on the box which indicates that it's mac compatible. There's a coupon you can mail to get this connector free, but it should be in the box in my opinion. For modern macs, one would probably have to buy a USB smartmedia card reader.Knowing this however, I also bought the SanDisk FlashDisk  adapter that allows you to read smartmedia cards from your floppy disk drive (also gone in modern Macintosh computers). It too claimed to be mac compatible but it too lacked any actual support in the box. There was NO software for the mac. I had to download the drivers from the internet.Then I found the drivers claimed that OS8.6 was necessary (I was running OS 8.5.1). I was able to read single image files off the flashdisk, but not two or more. I installed 8.6 but found I had the same problem. I was subsequently able to download multiple files when I directed them to a subdirectory instead of the desktop. I can't say for sure that this alone was the cause of the problem, but at least the whole combination worked.8x10's are somewhat unsatisfying (of course) but 4x5's made with the camera are really good. It would probably make passable 5x7's. Overall, I'm quite pleased. Olympus lost a star for a somewhat complex user interface and no mac cable in the box.
I bought a cheap camera from Agfa, sent it back.  I read a lot of reviews and decided on the Olympus D-360L.  It takes great pictures for Web publishing.  I haven't even used the maximum resolution setting on it yet, as only two photos will fit on the 8MB card, and I compress the photos for the Web anyway.  I don't print pictures from it, since 35mm is so much cheaper, but I'd think 5x7 photos would look great with a good dye sublimation printer.I bought an inexpensive SmartMedia USB reader from Sandisk ($30), so transferring pictures is quick, painless, and doesn't eat batteries.  As far as I know, the USB reader will work on a Mac, but I don't own a Mac.  The only thing I wish is that I would have bought the D-460Z instead, as I really miss a zoom feature.  The digital zoom on the 360 is not worth using.
The little Olympus is an excellent digital camera for photo amateurs (like me and 99.99% of you). It's rightly considered excellent value for the price, for a number of reasons.Images: the quality of images ranges from  very good to acceptable. The resolution is high enough for album-size  prints, and for web posting. As far as I could tell, the optical group is  good (no distorsions and luminosity gaps).Usability: shooting commands  are very easy, although exposure correction and &quot;film&quot;  sensibility can take some time to set up. Nice features are the ability to  shoot sequences and to have wide/spot exposure meter. The &quot;macro&quot;  option works fine, but the &quot;2x&quot; option is almost worthless to me.  It's better to magnify the section of interest in the editing  phase.Built-in editing: the camera commands are also very easy to use  (you just have to keep the shutter closed). You can view your pictures on a  TV without needing a computer. You can zoom over a picture section. More  important, you can easily store/access/erase pictures, and the quality of  the LCD screen is good (brightness can be adjusted). Downoading images on a  PC/Mac is straightforward too. Overall, it took me less than one hour to  become aquainted with the camera proper.Now with the downsides. The  plastic case has a fragile silver finish which can be scratched too easily.  The camera consumes a lot of power, but life can be extended by keeping the  LCD off, although it is tempting not to. Finally, for a total extra cost of  $50, I would advise you to buy a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and a  charger (NOT Olympus: too expensive) and an additional 16Mb+ smartmedia  card (also usable of Rio and other MP3 players).
This camera is an incredible value.  Looking through the stores I was dismayed at how high prices for a decent digital camera were, but then I found this one online and WOW, was it worth the price.  I was truly astounded by the quality of the pictures it took, and especially the  compression - I had guess that the included 8 MB cartridge would hold about  20 pictures, but it actually holds 36 HiRes photos! If you buy a 32 MB  cartridge to go along with it (as did I), then you can hold a whopping 180  pics total - plus the ability to delete the ones you don't want as you go  means those 180 last even longer.  The only qualm I had with this camera  was the batteries. After one day of use, they were running low.  If you  plan to use the LCD screen a lot, I reccomend either the rechargeable  batteries, an AC adapter or both.
I've owned this camera for almost three years; it does everything you'd want a digital camera to do:  Takes great pictures with reasonable quality, flash works well, settings are useful.  Its weaknesses:  1) eats batteries for lunch, 2) serial interface is rather slow, 3) setup requires that you read the manual (and you'll need to read it again when you want to delete all your pictures after you download).  Valuable options:  The AC-power pack and a 32mb memory card.  Do you really need a 3-megapixel zoom for $?  Are you an avid shutter bug?  No?  Then consider this camera in the $ range.
I've had the D360L for about two weeks and have been snapping everything -- so far I've been *VERY* pleased with the resulting images.  I also bought the standalone mediacard reader; it installed on my PC like a champ  with absolutely no problems.  Together the two components make for a great  experience!  Even the 8meg card that comes with the camera seems roomy  enough for the kinds of web images that I want to mostly make.  My only  criticism is that there is a considerable delay from when you push the  button until the picture is actually taken -- but I see this same phenomena  with other cameras (both film and digital); it seems to have more to do  with focusing and red-eye reduction than anything else.  (The later can be  disabled).  All in all, I'm very pleased.
Got my tough little D-360 a year and a half ago and have ended up using it one way or another nearly every day.  I'm moving on now to a mega-mega-pix Olympus, but I won't be retiring this utilitarian tool completely; it'll be the &quot;guest camera&quot; and the loaner.  Great machine for the money. It all kind of feels like garaging the Civic for the new NS-X.Anyway, the camera shows good versatility and intuitive functionality, once the modest menus are mastered.
I put off buying a digital camera for months because the decision was just making my head explode. Too many choices, prices all over the map, not sure what I really needed -- and accessories! Yikes!Well, I read these  reviews, I took a chance and it was/is totally worth it. The camera arrived  WITH BATTERIES. I did what I always do -- started using it without reading  the directions -- and it worked. Great. I was worried about downloading but  that proved to be another wasted effort. Downloading was a breeze. A total  breeze. I love my camera. In just three days I have already filled the  mailboxes of all our relatives with new photos of my baby daughter, my  brother building my deck this weekend and more.Go for it. Buy it.  Totally, totally worth it.
I've had this camera for a number of months now and am totally happy with it.  I am a real estate broker and use it constantly to upload photos to the web as well as for fun with family and friends and whatnot.  It's been very easy to use, takes excellent quality photos, and seems like a bargain for the price.I would really suggest getting the flashpath floppydisk adapter which is how I deal with the images.  It's a floppy disk that you insert the smartmedia card from the camera into.
First off, buy several rechargeable batteries when you get this camera! As  soon as I got mine, we played around with it off-n-on for no more than 3 or  4 hours before the brand-new alkaline batteries were useless. Flashes and  the built-in monitor really suck 'em dry.Now, besides that, the Olympus  D-360L is my first digital camera. Now I'm not really great at taking  pictures, so I put most of the settings on &quot;auto&quot; and hope that I  can Photoshop them into looking better later on. The picture quality is  good overall, but if you want any sort of details captured, you'll have to  use the largest pixel size available, and zoom in, too. So forget about  trying to get those great concert shots from 25 rows back. Most of my work  is on the internet, so it's great for web publishing, but I doubt that  these pics would look that great if they were printed out -- but I haven't  really tried yet, either.The compact design is quite good, so I can't  believe some other reviewer here said that his fell apart after a week. I  know I've carried mine around in my rough-n-tumble book bag for weeks on  end, and it hardly has a scratch on it. If you want to change the camera's  settings, there's a lot of button pushing to change the shutter,  white-balance, and image file size options. My friends have gotten quite  tired of posing and waiting for me to switch around to larger sizes, or to  zoom in, or to take the picture over again because I flashed when I didn't  want to. And there's a slight delay between when I've pushed the button and  when the camera takes the pic. &quot;Capturing the moment&quot; often takes  a couple mintues to prepare. Also, the pictures I've taken often look  fantastic on the LCD monitor, but are fuzzy when I download  them.Downloading is a snap ... sort of. Just install the software once,  then hook the cable up to your serial port and ... wait. It takes several  minutes to download multiple pictures. Heck, it even takes a while just to  view all the thumbnails in the editor. The editing software included is  okay, but it's no Photoshop.The very first weekend I had it, I went to a  crazy drunken club party and took lots of pictures of people dancing around  in an altered haze. Surprisingly, most of the photos came out great -- very  fun and colorful -- except when the flash goes off, people often have red  eye (which is fixable through adjustments) or if they are close to the  camera the flash washed them out like white ghosts. And if I didn't use the  flash, then they came out smeared because the shutter was open too long  since it was compensating for the missing light. It definitely takes some  learned skill to get great shots on the fly.In comparison, though, for  the price you pay here, you are getting a really good deal with this handy  little device. The low-light photos are a bit grainy but quite bright  considering a normal camera would show the same situation as nothing but  black. I haven't yet figured out how to get it to take pictures so that it  looks darkly lit on purpose; it always seems to automatically compensate.  Also, the multi-photo &quot;panoramic&quot; option and the &quot;action  sequence&quot; modes are fun to play with, but not necessarily going to be  useful to me in the long run. On one 8mb card, you can fit about 16 big  files, but tons of little photos. And remember, rechargeables,  rechargeables, rechargeables!
I love it!.  Easy easy easy to use and the picture quality is quite good.  I just wish I could figure out how to use the digital zoom.  The menu option could be easier to navigate.The battery life is very good and the picture capacity is good.All in all I am quite pleased with it and glad I bought it.
Just wanted to say that this is the best camera I've ever owned. It's  almost impossible to take a bad photo with it, and it's great not having to  wait for a photo-processing lab before seeing the photos.I'm an American  currently living and working in London, England. I bought an Olympus  Camedia D-360L before I left home, and I've been sending photos of my  adventures along with a daily email newsletter to my friends, family, and  co-workers back at the US office.Nearly everyone has commented on the  clarity and sharpness of the photo attachments, and at work, the number of  subscribers to my Daily UK Newsletter list has swelled.I just love this  camera!!!! It's small enough to slip in a jacket pocket and take  sightseeing, and the photo editing software features help turn even  mediocre shots into good photos.My only criticism is that the included  Camedia photo-editing software is pretty unstable on Windows 98. I'm  running a laptop with 96 MB of memory, and find that the Camedia program  crashes frequently while using the Rotate and Filter-&gt;Brightness  features, leaving an alert dialog that won't go away unless I reboot.
I've purchased three of these for family- all beginners with the digitals. Everyone still has (and uses) their camera. They are compact and light. Great for emailing pictures.Use the &quot;high quality&quot; HQ setting for the ones you want to print. Prints look good, but a good printer helps. Be sure to browse the manual, but once you brush up, it's easy and fun.
I am in love with this little camera: easy to use, great quality (at least for my needs), excellent price. I could not have asked for more.
I have always been partial to 35mm pictures, but this digital camera has easily matched those in quality.  Best part is - my husband is &quot;electronically challenged&quot; (can't use the VCR, computer, coffee  maker, etc without help) and he is a pro with this camera.  We love the  fact that you can correct a bad picture immediately.  The quality is  OUTSTANDING! Highest recommendation!
This camera is awesome... it has a sturdy, compact design that is perfect for dropping in your pocket. It's perfect for the beginner- the function buttons on top of the camera for the flash, timer, etc are clearly labeled and easy to understand. The LCD viewer on the back is handy for lining up shots and for browsing images you have already saved. The Cameida software that comes with the computer is also extremely easy to use.
I have been using this camera for almost a year all over the world for both business and personal. I'm now buying even more memory chips so I can take more tiff pictures as when enlarged to poster size, look great. Only negatives are no rechargable batteries.
I bought this for a friend, and so far it's had to go back twice, both for recurring problems (the rear display screen goes dead) and new problems (blue line that appears embedded in photos).  It's a great little camera when it's working.  the shots are good and clear, it's easy to use, and the price is right.  But I'm shopping for myself now and wouldn't buy this camera again.
This camera is a good entry level camera, but leaves much to be desired. First, it eat batteries, forcing you to ...rechargeable bateries and a adapter for use when downloading images. 2nd, the camera has no optical zoom, forcing you to use the digital (and the LCD screen which drains batteries.) My third gripe about the camera is that the button for the LCD screen is resecced so it won't get turned on accidentaly, but the button makes it very, very, very dificult to turn on. I reapeatadly find my self stuggling to turn on the LCD screen. My 4th and final gripe is that it has no USB connection with the package. With the serial connection, it can take me 3 or 4 hours to donwload 20 or so pictures. I would suggest buying a memory card reader.... So, this is a good entry level camera, but not much else.
I had occasion to buy the 360 and 460 recently. Other reviews adequately describe why both are great cameras and which accessories you'll need.  Essentially, they're the same box(1.3 MegaPixel) and microcode. The same  &quot;darkroom&quot; software, CamediaMaster 1.2, comes with both. The 460  has a better user interface and a zoom.  The buttons and menus are somewhat  more intuitive, but the 360 interface isn't bad to begin with.  The digital  2x zoom is the same on both, the close-up (macro) mode on the 360 is  4&quot;, vs. 8&quot; on the 460.  The feature set (e.g.: ISO, spot  metering) is similar, if there're any differences they're minor and subtle.  The ease-of-use factor of the 360 is better.  On the 460, you have to wait  for the lens to come out of the casing, and you must remember to open the  flash.  Unless you *really* need zoom, you can save yourself two hundred  bucks by purchasing the 360.
Our IT vendor ordered this for  me 3 years ago (yes, the camera has been out that long... makes you think, doesn't it) when I told him I didn't know anything, but I needed a digital camera in a hurry.Having been new to the world of digital cameras at the time, I was easily impressed when I opened the package. They advertise the camera as being Mac compatible via a serial port.Well, Macs haven't shipped with serial ports for YEARS. Why not USB?!I had to buy a [price] adapter by Belkin (about the only one in existance that would connect this camera to my G3 at the time). The images download SLOOOOOOOW via a serial port. USB is a much faster architecture. Of course, firewire is 100 times faster than USB, but since Windows hasn't caught up to the technical advances of Mac yet, USB would have been sufficient for a cross-platform market.When you're using Olympus's proprietary software to download the images from your camera, you can't do anything else... it does not function in the background. Very sloppy programming... no need for such a simple process to take up so much of the system heap.The camera uses 4 (four) AA batteries, which add to the weight of the camera significantly. If you use the LED screen in the back of the camera, prepare to carry an additional 12 AA batteries with you for a day-long shoot, because you're going to be changing batteries at least 3 times in order to shoot a single day on a vacation... this camera eats batteries for breakfast.This also  applies if you use the flash. There is very little warning that the batteries are low... when there is almost no juice left, a pitiful battery icon will flash briefly in the view finder and then that's it.  This camera does not use rechargable batteries....About 8 months after owning this camera, I started noticing a delay in response time. I'd click on the shutter release and a full second and a half would pass before the picture would be taken. This is too much of a delay! The picture should take immediately... just like it does on a 1955 Brownie Hawkeye. If I'm trying to shoot an action shot or an animal or a child, every split second matters... when I click, the picture should be taken immediately, not a week later. Fresh batteries don't make a difference in the delay.The camera does take some half-way decent 640x480 JPEG shots, but the camera is slow in writing them to disk, which means you can't take the photos quickly in succession.  You also can't delete a bad shot on the camera, so even if a shot is awful, you're stuck with it until you load the disk into the computer to delete the shot... which means you have to wait for the ENTIRE roll of shots to load into the program and download in order to even delete them.There are some great bargains to be had in the computer world.... This is not the case with digital cameras. You truly get what you pay for. After being exposed to some very nice digital still cameras and digital camcorders, I can confidently say that this little Olympus is one of the worst I've ever used, and should definitely be a last choice for anyone using a Macintosh.
I've had the camera for a few days now and so far I'm very satisfied. The pictures are clear and crisp and the LCD display (despite being really small) is bright and easy to see.  The flash and focus adjust automatically  so all you have to do is point and shoot. I don't know why everyone is  complaining about it eating batteries.. I put a set in two days ago and  I've shot about 100 pictures with no problems.I guess my only complaints  would be that the LCD gets thumbprints all over it and that the little flap  that covers the connecters is a little flimsy &amp; fragile feeling.
Alright, I've got to say... this is perhaps the best camera that I've ever owned. A major step up from my first digital camera (a Mustek VDC-3500-which I'd highly recommend against), and even better than my Sony DCR-TRV130 Digital8 Camcorder (which isn't focused on taking photographs anyway), the Olympus D-360L is a dream come true. From the 1.8" LCD screen to the sixty-four (64) megabyte (no, that's not a typo; the D-360L that I bought came packaged with a 64Mb SmartMedia chip in addition to the 8Mb chip packaged originally with the camera ... The photo quality of images taken with the camera is hardly anything to scoff at, and if you've got advanced image-editing software (i.e., Adobe Photoshop), then you can make an excellent image look even better!The only downside that I've managed to find to the camera, is the same problem that countless others have pointed out: the low battery life. But, as people have recommended, this problem can be overcome with nothing more than either a large pack of AA batteries, or just by buying a dozen or so rechargeable batteries and switching out between them. There are additional quirks that I've got against the camera, but nothing that can't be overcome by spending a couple dollars or so. First, it's the fact that the D-360L camera uses a serial connection for uploading images to your computer. This means that you're in for somewhat of a wait, unless you buy a SmartMedia memory reader. But no worries! You can buy an extremely affordable SmartMedia reader ...for [very little]! ... When I plugged the SmartMedia reader into my computer, it immediately picked up on what it was, and installed the drivers automatically, without any necessary disc (although a drivers disc does come with the reader), as I'm running the Windows 2000 Professional operating system. But what I found to be the most interesting thing about the reader is this: it doesn't transfer the images through a TWAIN interface, but instead, shows up as a drive in My Computer, where you can just copy, paste, and delete the file(s) right there! Now isn't that convenient?As a matter of fact, if you're a Mac user, I'd really recommend that you purchase a SmartMedia reader, because it's only an added twenty dollars, and the investment is well worth it in the long run. ... In addition to rechargeable batteries and the SmartMedia reader though, I'd recommend that you also purchase an AC adapter for the camera to save battery-life while you're transferring the images (this is of course, unnecessary if you purchase a SmartMedia reader).All in all, I'd say that the Olympus D-360L digital camera was the best [money] that I've ever spent on a computer-related gadget, and I know that, if you can see past it's few (small) flaws, you'll really love this, as it's a great product, entrance level or not. My final verdict is five out of five for the camera, and I'd encourage EVERYONE to buy one of these.Here's a bit of an update (August 04, 2002).  Recently, I went on vacation with my dad to Philadelphia.  Well, I went to visit Hershey Park to check out the Dolphin show, starring Clovis and Wee Tee.  The show was excellent, albeit rather short&#65533;weighing in at fifteen minutes, plus fifteen minutes of sea lions.  In any event, I took a LOT of pictures while I was there, and I began to notice that the camera was a bit slow with taking the pictures.  It took around perhaps two to three seconds to process each image in high-quality mode.  Although it might not seem like a lot of time in between pictures, it's an aeon, when your subjects are fast-paced Dolphins!  However, even though there is this little problem that I have with it, my review still holds at five stars.
This camera does a lot of things for only 300 dead presidents.  It has thousands of options, great image quality, and, of course, it's digital!  Now you can take all those embarrassing photos of yourself without being afraid of the CVS guy laughing at you.If you lower the image quality you can take 122 pictures on the ultra-small disk provided.  However, the quality is really, really bad (640x480 highly-distorted JPEG).  But on good quality you can take 36, which is enough for one session (you can delete the images from the camera after you download them to your hard drive.)  There's a super-high quality option which makes TIFFs, but I never use it.A few drawbacks:the graphics-editing program that comes with the camera SUCKS.  If you plan to do major photo-editing you should get ahold of Paint Shop Pro (jasc.com) or Adobe Photoshop (adobe.com).  Another problem is that the batteries run out very fast.  It uses four AA batteries every time, which last me about two weeks.  If you want to save on battery life, try not to use the LCD screen and instead take pictures the &quot;normal&quot; way.  Also, try not to view the photos on the camera and instead download them to your computer first and view them from the hard drive.Despite these problems, it's the best deal you can find for so little money.  Unless you can afford to spend 800 bucks on something better, this is definitely the way to go.  Anything cheaper probably sucks.
I bought this camera because it ranks high in  &quot;pixels per dollar&quot; (resolution) and because I own three other Olympus cameras which have been outstanding performers--good picture quality and easy to  use. I spent some time comparing the features of different brands and  models in the $300 to $800 range.  Dollar for dollar this camerea is very  hard (impossible?) to beat.  What you get for twice the price isn't that  much more with the exception of a zoom.  Zooms are a mixed blessing anyway  because so often you get blurry pictures (because you don't use a tripod).  Plus, you usually give up some close-up ability when you have a zoom.  The  zoom might be more important if you don't have some photo editor software  to crop, enlarge, or otherwise manipulate your digital pictures.  Some  minor concerns.  I find the look and feel a little &quot;clunky&quot;  compared to other Olympus cameras and other brands.  Also, the new models  are less iMac friendly.  So, I bought an Olumpus SmartMedia Reader which  added to the cost but is a very cool device.  And battery life?  I read all  the comments about getting rechargeable batteries but I was still shocked  at how fast the batteries wear out.  Still, all-in-all, this is a great  camera for the price.
i have used this camera for 4 months now its was my first digital camera,  i i see no need to buy or upgrade from this product is excellent to use  pixs are great happy happy joy joy i say
I bought Olympus D360L online and is the best camera for theprice. I did quiet a research on various models and this has the bestrating too. Lightweight, well-priced and high quality pictures are the features. Software is easy to install, downloading time is around 5 secs per picture, which is quiet good. If you can afford some more money buy with USB and olympus adapter. Optical zoom is not there, but i think this is ok for the money. if you can spend more money look for C2020 or D450.Would like to add some more on this camera. This camera gives a vertical green line in almost every picture which is very disturbing. I called up Olympus and asked for an exchange, but they refused to do that. Instead they said the green lines are because the batteries are left in the camera itself. They suggested to remove the batteries if camera is not in use. I have tried that option but the green lines come back after a couple of pictures.Keep testing ur camera and make sure it doesnt display those green lines...
I recieved it as a gift and was quite pleasantly surprised (although I asked for a point-and-shoot, not a digital.)  The biggest problem I have  with it is the lack of a zoom, although you artisically gifted and daring  folks can do without that, happily.  At times it CAN be slightly unwieldy,  but whatever.  Good times.
I like the camera alot, although I had to send it in for repair (CCD went bad - caused a thin blue line to appear in every photo - I noticed another reviewer had that same problem). Fortunately the warranty was still in effect (1 yr). Tech support guys were were courteous and helpful, but customer support was not - something Olympus needs to be aware of (customer service rep was rude, also emails never returned). Colors in photos are very bold and bright.
I bought my Olympus D-460Z in May of 2001, so I've had it about six months.  I am crazy about this camera, and I have convinced at least three other people to buy it.The D-460Z is lightweight, comes with a flash, digital and optical zoom, and optical and LCD viewfinders.  I generally use the LCD viewfinder because it's convenient.  The camera will take low-light shots without the flash, which has been a nice transition from the 35mm film cameras I've had in the past.  The zoom is also a very nice feature that I didn't have on my film cameras.The camera uses SmartMedia storage cards, which can be bought at Wal-Mart and Target.  They're not very expensive.  The camera came with the 8mb SmartMedia card, which holds 36 images when the pictures are stored at the default size (about twice the size that I like to send in emails).  It also only comes with the serial port connector.  Many people feel that this is too slow, but I have no problems with it.  It probably takes 5-10 minutes to download 36 images from the camera.  You can purchase a SmartMedia card reader that connects via a USB port.  That is supposed to be faster, but I haven't found it necessary.I have bought a few extra components for the camera.  It does not come with a case, but it fits normal 35mm camera cases fine.  I bought a 32mb SmartMedia storage card (holds about 144 images in default size) as well as a four-pack of NiMH batteries and a recharger.  The camera came with batteries that lasted quite a long time, but when they went out, it was nice to have the rechargeables.  The rechargeable batteries will last me about a weekend of picture-taking before requiring a night in the recharger.  The camera will use regular AA batteries, but you will have to change them at least once a day.I have been very happy with this camera and I strongly urge others to purchase one as well.  I have found the software and the LCD control panel to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
This is my first digital camera.  For the money, I'm convinced it can't be beat.  The pictures are first rate.  For a &quot;lower&quot; priced camera, it is full of all of the bells and whistles you could ask for.  The  Panorama feature is my favorite.  If you're not into gizmos, just point and  shoot.  It's very simple.  I've never used one before and I was e-mailing  pictures to my family within 30 minutes after the UPS driver handed it to  me.Only two minor complaints.  The attached lens cover (which is great)  has to be closed part way until the lens retracts back into the camera.  This has to be done gingerly as it is too easy to jam it against the side  of the lens by accident.  Also, on the top of the camera is a small  electronic control panel that tells you how many pictures you have left,  picture quality etc.  The symbols across the top row are very hard to see  as they are too close to the camera body.  A slight shadow covers them  unless you have plenty of light.All things considered, I'd buy it again  in a second.
The Olympus D460 is really awesome. I have owned a few of these types of cameras already, from the &quot;early days&quot; of digital photography and onward. This camera is really refined, they cleaned up alot of earlier  mistakes and made the whole experience a pleasure. I very highly recommend  digital photography and this camera in particular. Meanwhile, Yahoo has set  up a service to upload these pictures and have them printed on photo paper.  All in all, you can't miss.
I purchased this camera about 1 year ago- and now I don't even know where my 35mm camera is.  This takes terrific pictures (you see the results right away), and if you're not happy with the result, just erase and take another picture!  This camera is lightweight, and easily fits in a pocket or a fanny pack.  It does use a lot of battery power, so buy some rechargeable batteries with your purchase.  I have an old HP color Deskjet printer, and the photos I print are good enough to put in my albums at 5x7&quot; size, 8x11&quot; pictures print kind of grainy- but I don't use the high resolution setting on the camera.The instruction manual is easy to navigate and simple to follow, I carry it with me on vacations to review how to take panoramic photos (these print beautifully!), or how to set the red-eye reduction.One word of caution, always use the wrist-strap when handling the camera.  I dropped my camera once on vacation, photos taken after that were too dark to see.  I sent the camera back for service to Olympus, and they were fantastic!  I had the camera returned within 3 weeks, and I could track the progress of my repair online at the Olympus website.  If I ever feel the need for a new digital camera, it will definitely be an Olympus!
This is the first digital camera I have really gotten  to use. I think its great! It may be a bit heavier than other digital cameras, but it takes a good amount of pictures, and a good quality. I reccomend this camera.
After reading every review we could find, last year we ventured for the  first time into the digital photographic world purchasing the Olympus 340-R  digital camera. We were definitely not disappointed.The D460 is this  year's model improving the 340-R by adding a 3x optical zoom in addition to  the 2x digital zoom. For the price you will not match the features and  quality of this camera.After just a few days the camera accompanied us  to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Seoul, S. Korea, while we nervously left our  Canon SLR at home. The camera performed marvelously. We found the optional  16MB flash memory card more than adequate for our needs, as we easily  downloaded photos each day into our laptop. An 8MB card comes  standard.We were amazed at the quality of photos even in low light  settings. We took shots at our conference including a multimedia  presentation where surprisingly the projected image on the screen was  readable! While staying in the countryside in a traditional Mongolian  &quot;ger&quot; (tent), we shot an incredible photo of the predawn sky--  even the morning stars are clearly distinguishable!Arriving home we were  completely satisfied with the photos shot at the low resolution setting  when printed out on our HP Deskjet 895 using an Epson photographic paper. I  doubt that most people would be able to tell the difference between the  prints and a standard developed snapshot. The enclosed Olympus and Adobe  software is easy to use and functional for most home use. You will  absolutely love the Quickstitch utility that simply creates oversized and  panorama shots!One of the only weaknesses we found a little frustrating  was the variance between the optical viewfinder and the digital one. If you  frame... say, a head and shoulders shot in the optical viewfinder, you will  discover that digitally the camera sees a much broader area. Olympus should  do a little better job calibrating the two viewfinders.Apart from that,  you will want to invest in the NiMH charger and at least 8 batteries-- shop  around for the best price. Also, picking up a 3.5 inch floppy adapter for  the flash memory card will be a big time saver. You simply pull out the  flash memory card, slip it into the adapter, and then slide the floppy into  any computer. You'll save time and frustration over having cords laying all  around your table, plus a significant download time.One last item-- Do  you think a 16MB memory card will be too small for your needs? You can  purchase up to a 32MB smart media card which will give you more than 400  shots at 800x600!
I just got this camera yesterday. It is my first digital camera. So far Its seems to be a good unit. I have found only two things to complain about; 1&gt; - the included batteries can cause some confusion, if you follow the instruction manual, to load them. The battery polarity indicator diagram ,on the bottom of the camera, just doesn't match the polarity label on the included Olympus batteries (i.e. it looks like they load with polarity reversed..not a good thing). The manual has diagrams for loading individual AA batteries with polarity clearly indicated (which matches the diagram on the camera) but the diagram that illustrates loading the included battery packs has no polarity indicated!?!? The battery packs are 'Keyed' so you can only insert them one way. After arguing with myself over the conflicting info , I inserted the batteries, and the camera came up and works fine. Now I have to resolve this problem again when I use rechargeable individual NiMh batteries. Olympus really needs to rethink the instructions. I bet more than a few people have tried to use individual AA batteries , loaded them backwards and fried the camera. Tsk. Tsk. Major Oversight Olympus. I understand that the Olympus batteries are very expensive, perhaps Olympus concluded that a little dis-information could equal increased profits?? The Technically impaired may well resort to using only the Olympus brand in order to avoid problems??.  Compliaint #2 &gt;It sure could use a USB port,but hey .... I guess you can't have everything. After a few minutes reading the instruction manual I was taking pictures and so far am very happy with the results.
This was my first digital camera. At 1.3MP, the quality of images is much better than what I achieved on modern 10MP cameras. This was absolutely fantastic camera - the sliding door cover was extremely useful and rugged, user menues were very intuitive and responsive, the focus rocker was very precise. I dragged this camera on many outdoor trips...many times it tumbled, was dropped in sand...but in the end it always came back to life. Ultimately after the camera broke I searched for a replacement, but unfortunately Olympus never followed up with anything as good. Since then I moved on to Canon, Panasonic and Nikon cameras. I briefly went returned to Olympus for the 790 series. While I liked the rugged features, the limited photo options and poor image quality didn't impress me. Hope Olympus pull their act together and brings a camera worthy of its D-460 heritage.
I'm glad I got this camera.  I've been debating for a long time whether to get a digital camera.  I use a variety of digital cameras at work and know  how useful they are.  This one had the price that I wanted to pay and the  performance of $1000+ cameras from a couple of years ago.  The colors look  great.  The software is a breeze to use.  The quality of the camera seems  to be very good so far.I would have scored this camera 5 out of 5 if it  came with a case and a USB connector.  It is slow to download with the  serial cable.  I still haven't been able to take any good photos at night:  firework displays, city lights, full moon, etc.I'm planning on  purchasing a case, a 32 MB Flash Card and a USB Reader.
After four years, I can attest that the D-460Z is a great camera.  My 35mm SLR (Minolta SRT201)skills transfer well to this digital for takeoff photos of aircraft.  Ignore the "digital zoom" rating for all cameras, as the quality comes with the optical qualities.  A couple of professional photographers in 1978 rated Minolta optics a close second to Nikon's first for SLRs, and I would place Olympus third.  In coastal Alaska, durability is the thing, as humidity rarely drops below 75%.  My D-460Z resides in a LowePro case with enough room for a spare set of NiMH AAs and SmartMedia cards.  At the time, Olympus had a special deal for a free Zio USB card reader with purchase, and I have since upgraded to an HP printer with integral card reader.  CAUTION: Do not delete photos from the card unless the card is in the camera as other card readers may corrupt the format, rendering the card worthless, until you locate the program (try google search) to reformat the card.
I have had more photo fun and taken more pictures since buying  this camera than during the rest of my life put together.  With no film to lose I can really make sure I like a picture by doing what the pro's do: take a lot of pictures and select the best ones.  I generally run the 460 at maximum resolution since it isn't particularly endowed in the pixel area.  The color rendition is excellent as well as the autoexposures.  Basically, if you can see it, it can photograph it.  Some of the night shots are quite impressive.The 3X optical zoom is good.  I wouldn't have a digital camera without it.  The lens is prone to &quot;barrel distortion&quot; where straight line things like poles and trees at the edges of the frame appear to bend toward the center.  A little strategic framing can make that less of a problem.  The camera is rather slow when trying to do live action shots.  It takes about a second between button press and shutter release.  This is an eternity when trying to photograph my son doing a bike trick or catching a hawk on the wing.Being an old SLR hobbyist, I miss my telephoto and my filters.  I miss an instant shutter release and other areas of total control. In fact, we're shopping for a replacement for our old Canon AT-1. An SLR digital camera with the capabilities of a film SLR is just  way too expensive for me right now.  So I will continue to have two cameras: my super fun and somewhat amazing D-460Z and my SLR. Each with its own strengths, each with its own creativity.
One of the best camerias that are super! I say buy it. Yes the amazon prediction is correct. a 4.5. HAve the cash than buy it
I was debating whether to buy Olympus or to go for the 2 Megapixel Kodak DC 280. After reading loads of reviews and asking several people I decided to go for Olumpus D460 Zoom. And let me tell you the camera takes amazing pictures! I hardly need to access the menu and change the settings. The pictures are superb ... the detail is amazing. I shoot at the highest SHQ setting and the results are great!.... I had thought I'll find the lens cover an inconvenience as a lot of people said they were having problens closing the camera ... but it works ok for me.I also bought a Viking USB reader and extremely glad I did...makes it very, very conveneient to download the photos to your PC. ...
After several months of debating whether or not to buy a digital camera, I researched various models and bought the Olympus D460.  The zoom capability is great and the pictures are really sharp.I was really concerned about battery life because I had heard that batteries get drained really quickly with digital cameras.  I've taken over 100 pictures using Rayovac rechargeable batteries and the battery meter is still on full.  I only use the LCD screen to display pictures I've taken.  I use the viewfinder when taking pictures.The only negatives are that you have to manually lift the flash when taking flash pictures and that the camera does not use USB.  I was debating whether to buy an external USB reader when buying the camera, but the serial interface is sufficient for me for the time being.Overall, I've been thrilled with the camera.
This was my first digital camera and I'm very happy with it.  It has all the features and functions necessary to take quality pictures and enjoy them in digital fashion.  The camera is sturdy, lightweight, and easy to use.I'm still working with the supplied software.  All in all it was easy to install and use, although I am puzzled by its inability to allow you to edit out things like red-eye.  I'm using another piece of software for that.A couple of peeves:  Although its nice not to worry about a lense cap, the motorized sliding cover seems to inviting trouble in the long term.  Also, the LCD screen is excruciatingly slow when scrolling through previous pictures.  I haven't found a way to randomly access them on the camera, so you have to go through them one by one, which, when you have 30 or 40 stored up, is very tedious.Overall, you could spend more and get some 'extra' features, but I doubt its worth it.  This is one of the best cameras for the price, which means you won't feel so bad when the next generation of cameras come out and you want one.
I bought this camera and the pictures are great. The menu system is also a lot easier to use. The best part about it is that the batteries last longer. Not only do I like the way the camera looks (there are some ugly  cameras out there), but I like all the features it has. There is no need to  buy a real expensive camera, this one works great (even with little light).
Being my first digital camera, maybe it's easy to wow me, but I really like this camera.  Picture quality is very nice, and the camera itself is easy to use.My only gripe is the battery cover.  Because of where it is and the direction it slides (and the fact that the batteries are literally spring-loaded projectiles), it's really easy to bump or grab the camera so that the battery compartment springs open, spilling the batteries and requiring you to re-enter the time and date (if you do).  Many times I've pulled the camera out, only to fumble with getting the batteries back into it.Other than that, I love it!  Oh, and I'd recommend getting a USB reader for the memory.  I didn't think that waiting for the serial download would be that big of a deal, but it gets irksome.  A larger memory card would be a long wait.
I'm pretty satisfied with this camera. I originally was going to buy the  360, but I switched to this one because it includes the zoomThe Olympus  D-460L is very easy to use, and produces great shots even in normal  quality.  Battery's life is OK for me.Perhaps the only complaint is that  it doesn't include a purse that allows to protect it
D460 birthday gift...In 10 minutes I was foolng with it; made a few mistakes (picture of the sky, the ground, a fence)read the manual got it right the 2nd time, flash and all...showed my grandsons their picts, soon I  was taking everyones picts. Solid construction (the noise from the zoom  lens should be expected, don't know why that person didn't like it)Don't  have to fool with dropping off that cassete anymore but I still love my  regular camera too!
I have been using this camera for about a month now.  I did extensive research on the internet for digital cameras $500 and under. The runners where Olympus 360L, Kodak 210, and Olympus D460Z.  And it is a very impressive camera overall.  The camera itself offers wide angle or zoom 3x shots.  It also offers a 3x cropping to bring it to 6x.  It's menu is very easy to use out of the box.  Has 2 menu modes, one with camera active, one when it's not active (setup mode.) It's auto focus is by holding the button halfway down for a sec, then clicking.  It's wide/zoom is a small lever next to shutter button for easy access.  You can use it's LCD or to save on batteries it's normal view frame for taking shots.  The smartmedia card and batteries easily installs/uninstalls.  If offers what they call a Paranormal mode which takes multiple pictures on one frame.  It offers a sequence mode that lets you take 10 pictures back to back with for a series shot.  You will need to format your SmartMedia card if it's not from Olympus, but it's fast and easy to do.  My only gripes are when closing the lens cover, you have to be careful and let the lens retrack first, so you just close it a little, then the rest of the way after lens is back in.  The flash flips up, and seems a little clumsey there, but it works fine.  You will need to purchase more than just this camera when you buy it.  What it comes with is: 2 lithium batteries, a hand strape, an 8meg smart media card.  And what else you need would be: a carrying case (est $30), a bigger smart media card (I got a 64meg est $60), NiMH Batteries w/charger(they aren't cheap but worth it est $110), a smart media reader (est $40), and maybe the power adaptor (est $60).  With a 64meg card I get 36 shots in sqhq mode.  And with my NiMH batteries, after one month of use, I still haven't had to replace them.  Normal alkline recharables last maybe 30-40 shots, the NiMH last more like 300-400 shots.  I use the lithium that came with it for backup batteries and place them in my case with 8meg memory card.  A SmartMedia reader is a must for getting the pictures to your computer.  Otherwise you will have to use the serial connection to the camera and very slowly d/l the pics.  Which means you'd have to have a power adaptor because it would drain your batteries.  With a media reader, it's like using a zip drive, and see the MediaSmart card as another drive, and you just drag and drop your pics to your drive, fast, simple, and very slick.  If you choose to purchase this camera, you will be more than pleased that you did.  But be aware, you will need to make a few more purchases in accessories to truely enjoy this camera.
Consideration #1 - Why did I choose the Olympus over other &quot;computer&quot; brands?Because the Olympus line of digital cameras in general beats out any other line of cameras out there as far as picture quality, and the D460 is no exception. It is always a rule of thumb to buy cameras from a real camera company, if only because the optics will always be top notch.  Once you have taken pictures with a computer brand camera, and seen the prints, then switched to an Olympus or Nikon etc... you will definitely see the difference in quality.Consideration #2 - Why did I choose the D460 over a Nikon?The main factors were price and battery life.  The Nikon cameras take to sucking your batteries dry given even moderate use of the LCD, whereas the 400 series of Olympus cameras are quite the road warriors when it comes to batteries.  Now remember that this camera does not come with rechargeable batteries (it includes high-powered NiMH one time use batts) you should plan on spending the extra $30-50 on a set of rechargeable and a charger.Other Points of Consideration -Also plan on getting another smart media card if you are going to take more than a few pictures in one use, because the included card (8mb SmartMedia) only holds 16 SHQ quality pictures, (the format with the best compromise between space and quality) SHQ mode uses a JPEG compression to make file size smaller. Adding a 16MB smartmedia card will get you 32 pictures at that compression, and a 32mb card will get you 64 pictures, and so on...  Also remember that you can readily exchange between cards when one gets full, so you don't loose the functionality of that original 8mb card that comes with the camera if you get another one. You can just take it out when it's full and stick in your new one. (just keep them in their case, and don't loose the little things, because boy are they expensive!)Verdict -Overall, this a really a great buy and will serve you well while on vacation, or at your kid's soccer game.  If you want to make your pictures bigger than 8x10, however, you might want to upgrade to the D490. If not, have fun with this great camera!
The camera captures very good quality images but there a few things that make it's use cumbersome. First, it takes a fairly long time to warm up (perhaps a minute or more). This makes capturing those special and fleeting moments difficult. By the time the camera is ready to photo our 18-month daughter has moved on... Second, the ability to alternate between viewing photos and taking new ones is slow and unwieldy. In order to view pictures you've already taken, you need to close the lens cover. This is slow because the zoom needs to retract. Similarly, to switch to photo mode from viewing mode, the camera needs to be reopened. Finally, the ability to delete picturs is also quirky. You need to switch to viewing mode to delete and it take a few steps. All of these features make the use of the camera really slow and annoying. I wish I had better things to say but I wouldn't recommend this camera.
I take it everywhere. Only complaint is the slow reaction time when hitting shutter release, but all in all it is a great point and shoot digital camera.  After a couple of years of frequent use it works just as good as the day I bought it.
Did some research, and finally went with this Olympus D460.  It was up and running with no problem, very easy to use, great pictures.  One thing:  I did not find the flash very user friendly.  The first few times I could not remember how to use it.  You must physically pop it up, which is hard to remember after other cameras that have the flash ready to go at any time.  But surprise, it took good pictures, even without the flash, and after several tries I finally remembered I had to pop it up.  I love this camera, and look for any excuse to take a picture.  I have e-mailed pics all over and am probably driving people crazy, but that's OK.
I bought this camera in 2000 and is it still kicking today.  It's extremely durable.  I've dropped it at least a dozen times, and while there are plenty of scuff marks on the exterior case, I've never had any damage to the functionality of the camera.Back in 2000, this was state of the art.  Decent quality, decent zoom, at a good value.  Today, I'd recommend spending the extra bucks to get something with a better optical zoom (you can't rely on the digital zoom for quality) and higher megapixels.  But as far as delivering what this camera advertises, it is right on.Based on my experience, I plan to buy another model from Olympus when I upgrade.  The durability factor alone makes them worth it.The Olympus cammedia software that comes for downloading your pictures does leave something to be desired.  It's a very slow interface.  For transferring pics off your memory card, I recommend investing in a stand-alone memory card reader.  It's worth it for the saved time, and you won't be draining your batteries every time you transfer pictures from your camera.
This is an outstanding digital camera - you will not be dissapointed!Strengths: *Excellent picture quality *Intuitive user interface and menus *Can use as point &amp; shoot, or can tweak options like ISO and flash speed for more advanced use *Included Smart Card holds from 32-122 imagesWeaknesses: *Serial port download of images is super-slow (although getting the USB smart card reader via rebate will solve that problem) *No AC adapter or rechargable batteries included
This camera exceeded my expectations.  It is my third digital camera.(I have two other Sony's.)I like the portability of this camera vs. the larger Sonys.  This will travel on my bicycle when I would have let the others behind.The picture quality is quite excellent, and when I take the time to adjust the white balance the results are enhanced...
I am a newspaper columnist covering the environment, art, drama, book launchings etc. and so need a camera for close-ups, distance,reproducing paintings etc.For a newspaper columnist and senior citizen with no photographic know-how (I used to be assigned a photographer to accompany on assignments) this digital is invaluable, halving the work involved in getting my copy to the office.  Praise for my photographs from professional newspaper photographers, and requests for copies from the artistic community here are, in  my opinion, entirely due to the ease of use of this model. I use my camera every day,it has never yet let me down. I visited this site to check the latest price for my insurance because if I should lose it I wanted to know I could replace it straight away with another Olympus D460 Zoom.
This camera is quite easy to use and we're learning more every day.  We just learned how to transfer images to a VHS tape and really like this option.  We come home from our trips anxious to transfer the images and relive each event.  We normally upload our images to a web site that will print copies of the photos for us, so we never have to deal with the hassel of going some place to get prints made.  We would recommend this camera to those out there who are just getting into the &quot;digital&quot; age.
I did a lot of research on digital cameras before I purchased the Olympus 460 ZOOM and I am extremely happy with this camera. My criteria were picture quality, advanced features and a price under $500. After a week of  taking over a hundred pictures, I'm very impressed with both the crisp  quality and true to life colors of each picture. It automatically adjusts  to florescent, incandescent, and outdoor light. The selectable ISO settings  makes for very impressive low light pictures. The panorama stitching was  easy to use and very accurate. This will be great for taking seascapes  while on vacation. I'm still on my first set of batteries so battery life  is great. I read a lot of reviews on the D450 ZOOM before I purchased the  D460 and all the small things that owners complained about were fixed.  Olympus really must listen to customer feedback. The menus are easy to use,  it remembers settings when turned off, they even ship three manuals in each  language instead of one in three languages. I recommend picking up a USB  port SmartReader or Floppy adapter. Also get some NiMH batteries and a  charger. You're in for some great pictures with this camera.
I spent several weeks searching for the perfect digital camera in my price range, and this camera came out best.  Not only does Amazon have it at an amazing price, but it takes wonderful photos that compare to those of other cameras that are twice as expensive.  I take photos for a website, and I have been recieving international recognition for them.  I credit a lot of my most recent success in photography to this camera, and I plan on sticking with Olympus for a long time.If you're interested in getting your cameras onto your computer faster, I suggest purchasing a &quot;Smartmedia USB reader&quot;.  The camera only comes with a serial hookup, which is quite slow.  A USB connection is about two hundred times faster.
I ordered my Olympus D-460 on the recommendation of a friend expressly for taking photos of our new addition, six month old Johnny.  Boy, has this little camera been a money-saver! After shooting roll, upon roll of 35mm film and paying for processing we are now shooting to our hearts content with this super little digital and only printing the shots we want to keep.I was most interested in an easy-to-use digital that didn't require a degree in computer technology to operate. I got my wish with the D-460. I had it out of the box and taking photos within 5 minutes. I am especially pleased with the LCD screen quality and the extra features, such as red-eye reduction. Since we are Mac based I simply purchased a [inexpensive] something card reader and can download the digital photos in just seconds.  My only disappointment was the web business from which I ordered the camera. The camera was supposed to arrive 4-5 days after my order was placed, but instead took over 2 weeks. I phoned numerous times and was given "the run-around". After getting "ugly" with the manager, I had my camera the next day. Avoid doing business with  Cameradealz.com.
I bought my Olympus 460 on line and saved over [X] 0 off the average selling price for this camera at the time. I have owned my Olympus for about 2 years and have yet to have the first problem with it. Like any electronic device, getting the feel of it takes time and practice. But I carry it with me most always, use recharchable batteries, upgraded to higher smartmedia storage cards, and bought a basic USB card reader (mounted to my computer with velcro) to upload my pics. It's fast and the software is easy to use. This camera is a good buy/value and I will be using it for many more years to come.
I originally owned an Olympus D-340 digital camera -- loved it! Then the tiny Canon digital camera came out.. so I sold the D-340 and bought the Canon digital camera. While it was nice and small, it didn't take the quality of pictures that the Olympus did, nor did it fit the hand right.  I sold the Canon digital camera and bought this one in January of 2001.  I also bought some rechargeable 2AA batteries at the same time and finally had to use them.  The batteries that come with the camera (lithium, I believe) JUST died this January (2002)!  I have taken hundreds of pictures with this camera! (Maybe thousands!)  Anyhow, the camera is designed to fit your hand. The size is about what a normal camera might be. If I had a bigger purse, it would probably fit.  I just bought a small digital camera bag for it. I can toss in the battery charger, etc. I like the quality of the zoom. The only thing that I don't care for is that the flash has to be flipped up in order to use it.  I guess this is good and bad.  Good because if you DON'T want to use flash for a picture, just don't flip it up (less having to do with settings, etc.). Bad, though, in case you forget to flip it up when you need the flash.  All in all, I will definitely stick with the Olympus brand for digital cameras.
Liked how easy the camera was, my only complaint was at the end of our trip the special lithium batteries DIED.  It was the first time I had used the camera.  Needless to say I had to shell out $50.oo for the special batteries in Ireland.  I wasn't very happy.
I did a lot of research before I bought this camera and had it narrowed down to two.  I decide on this one because I had owned the similarly styled 35 mm and loved it.I like the fact that there is no lens cap to loose,  but the lens is still protected.  I use it to take promo pictures of bands,  so the location can be a bit hostile (bars and nightclubs) and I wanted  something that I felt was at least somewhat protected.I was more than  thrilled when I uploaded my pictures to a site to have 35mm quality prints  made and found that I could get exceptional 8x10 pics from just the middle  setting of the quality choices. But even in the lowest setting the pictures  are great for website postings.I bought a 16mg card to go with it and I  got 3 complete shows worth of pictures and with the Flashpath adapter, the  websites are getting updated faster than ever.I also bought 2 sets of  rechargeable batteries and have found that I can get a whole weekend of  shows (12-15 hours)on them even using the LCD panel and it's still cheaper  than buying disposable.
I just got my Olymbpus D460 from Amazon two days ago and I started playing with it last night.  I struggled a little with loading the batteries and all of the menu options, but once I got everything set up and working, everything was great.  If you haven't yet used a digital camera, you're going to love it.  It is great seeing the pictures right away and being able to delete the bad shots.  As far as this specific camera goes, you can't beat the price for the features.  I did a lot of comparison shopping - reading reviews, etc &amp; I am convinced this is a great deal.  I especially like the option where it will take 4 pictures in a row very fast.  I got great action shots of my cats fighting that I would have never been able to take with a regular camera.  A word of advice that I heard from a techie friend:  Go out and buy the NiMH rechargeable batteries and recharge those before you get your camera.  Apparently the rechargeable batteries lose their power even when they are not being used (i.e.  in your camera bag), but the lithium batteries don't.  You should save the lithium batteries as backups in case you are stuck with dead rechargeables.
I've had this camera for many years now- I'd guess close to ten.  It has held up beautifully despite my lack of carrying case and my tendency to just throw it in the car, in a backpack, etc.  The exterior is scratched due to my carelessness, but the camera still takes terrific quality photos.  I have had momentary pangs of jealousy when I see the sleek, pretty little cameras that are on the market now, but I have no reason to replace my Olympus, as it works so well.  It's like the watch in those old commercials- it takes a lickin, but keeps on tickin!  FABULOUS value and you won't be disappointed if you buy this model.Update: January 2010.  Local retailers have replaced photo printing machines and the new ones do not have slots for this camera's smart card.  DH has pointed out that we can transfer photos onto a usb stick and bring that to the store, but this involves an extra step that I really don't need.  Maybe it is time to invest in a newer model.
After an detailed review of Internet comments about digitalcameras, I searched store to store all over NYC looking for the bestdeal on an easy-to-use quality camera. I wanted a megapixel device that was compact, simple to operate, but with a few advanced features (macro, timer, etc) so that I could completely replace my Olympus SLR zoom film camera. The best deal was at........ south of midtown, for the D460zoom. This camera has a nice menu-driven LCD interface in addition to the top-mount traditional LCD &quot;frame counter&quot; display, so you can use it for snapshots or serious framed-in, carefully composed recordings. I use the HiRes mode exclusively, with a 32Mb flash card. It's a dream come true -- I no longer need to use a film camera at all. I can print photo-quality 8x10s on my Mac and HP Desckjet 970Cse for less than the cost of prints. Now I'd like to find a flash-card printer that also can display on a TV.  END
I think this was a damn good camera. Two cons- the battery liffe isn't too long, even with the batteries they give you, and the zoom isn't the greatest. I have never seen such good quality pictures ever- this is the best in its class! SO- if you want a camera get this one! ...
I bought this camera back in 2000 off the internet from [...]  I've since then taken thousands and thousands of pictures with it.  Its a wonderful camera but as of times today it is becoming extremely dated.  Some of its features have been improved upon in recent years.  I have a friend that has an Olympus C-5050 and viewed some of his photos that were taken.  The rich color and detail compared to my old camera can be easily seen.  The time when digital pictures will meet or exceed the detail on 35mm is almost here!  I bought this old camera for 2.5X the price it is today so that goes to show what 3 years can do to prices.  But the picture you want to take probably won't wait that long.  I would recommend the Olympus line of cameras to anyone!  They are a strong performer and reliable too!  Take a look at [...] (requires subscription) and see for yourself!  My old camera had beer spilled on it and it still takes the best of photos today.  For those that want it all check out the new &quot;E-1&quot; model that will soon hit the market.  Its bound to set the standard in digital cameras.
I purchased the Olympus D460 Zoom from amazon.com about two months ago. It does everything it says it does. The panorama function works great with the included software. The camera includes some batteries, which, curiously  enough, were not even rechargeable. But they did last quite a long time.Luckily, the design of the camera makes it rather durable. I was shocked  when I saw my new camera headed for the pavement as it slipped out of my  hand, but relieved when I found it had survived with only a few scratches  on the lens cover. The camera still works fine.The D460 does not seem  to handle night landscape shots very well without a tripod, nor motion  shots in low light unless you use the flash.Everything else works fine.  It seems to have an autopilot for non photographers like me.
Without a doubt, the D-460 Zoom is the finest 'Point &amp; Shoot' camera I've ever owned, print or digital.  It's everything other reviewers (whom I read carefully before buying...) say and more.  Yea, compact size.  Yea, feature packed.  Yea, yea.  But those PICTURES!!! I've never seen such clarity!  Even in max zoom mode this camera continues to astonish me.  I've printed out pictures of my grandson on photo inkjet paper to pass out to friends and relatives, and they think I'm lying when I tell them it's an inkjet print from a digital camera.  I like that.A lot.True, you're going to NEED the optional AC adapter, but only for uploading to your computer.. standard alkaline batteries work just fine and last a long time for picture taking.  And I've seen the difference between the 460 and ANY of the Sony junk.. no comparison.  Olympus wins on picture quality hands-down.  No contest. That Macro feature for close-ups... what a hoot!  It's great! Professional quality! You gotta get this camera if you're thinking digital.  Really.
D460Z is very unlike the 450Z and it is made of cheap plastic.  Ofcourse, the menu has improved but the overall quality has declined.  I noticed the following:1.  Camera body is made of cheap plastic 2.  The zoom lens makes an annoying noise when you turn the camera on! 3.  Price is falling  down like a rock....
This camera takes excellent pictures, and once you take the time to orient yourself to the controls, it is very easy to use. I shopped around and got a good price on the D460 (less than $499) and am very, very happy. The  batteries have also lasted longer than I expected. I've taken pictures out  doors and indoors with and without flash. The flash has several settings,  much like a good SLR camera, but the camera can also adapt to low-light  without flash and keep the warm tones.A feature not often mentioned is  the fact that the camera includes a cable to hook it up to your TV and view  pictures at a large size, give a slide show to friends-- or even take  pictures while using the tv screen as a viewer. Surprisingly fun to do.I  followed another reviewer's recommendations and bought rechargeable AA NiMH  batteries and charger (the maha 1550s in a combo kit) at Thomas  Distributing for a good price. The Olympus tech support people told me just  to make sure you buy batteries with at least 1450 mAH--higher is better for  juicing those downloads. They do not recommend using any AC adapter other  than the olympus one because it might damage the camera (and I assume it  might violate your warranty), but other sources report that the one sold at  thomas distributing is fine. One more thing--if you buy another card, get  the Olympus brand if you intend to use the panorama feature--apparently  other cards don't support this.The only reason I give this camera 4 out  of 5 stars is that it doesn't connect to USB; the cable supports serial  ports and mac adb ports, but doesn't have a usb connection. This means you  have to buy a USB reader if you have a hot new computer, although you might  want to do this anyway.
I had given that honor to the (now sold out) Kodak 280, but the Olympus is now the clear winner. Its classical, Stylus-like design is attractive and functional. It is well made, well-balanced in the hand, and has intuitive controls and menus. It features 'burst mode' shooting (great for sports events, etc), superior optics, a great 3x (plus 2x digital) zoom and USB transfer (though only a memory card reader will make you love the simplicity of digital cameras). The included 8 meg SmartMedia card will handle about 100 480 X 640 pics, and larger cards are easily found and reasonably priced. The 1.2 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for everything from emails to printing 5 x 7s. The flash, battery life and software are acceptable. The price is a real bargain and makes this the #1 mid level digital camera at this time.
When I reviewed this camera back in February I was thrilled with its quality and functionality  but I was frustrated by the ordeal of getting my PC interface up and running.Thanks to a few helpful people in the ... community I was able to fix the problem, ( I'll repeat the tip I got which was to deactivate any Palm synchronization routines - really easy to do)I have been using the camera constantly since then. It was especially useful when our baby was born recently. We live in New York and have no familly here so I took a lot of pictures that were emailed to family and friends around the world. We received many compliments on the quality of the pictures.So I am now very very happy with the camera and rate it 5 stars plus. It is simple to use and easy to pop into a small bag and carry around with you. In the past few months it has travelled with me constantly. Although I bought this camera for my wife I found that I also used it a lot...so I bought another one! My poor Nikon SLR system hasn't seen the light of day for months!A great camera!
I'll echo most of the other reviews here: like the D-450Z, the D-460Zis a great digital camera for the price. Though I disliked the switchto the cheaper plastic housing with this model, the increased ease of use when navigating the menus more than makes up for it. Like the previous camera, you still get high-quality digital pictures with a number of features including red-eye removing flash, television display of pictures, 3x optical (lens) and 2x digital (computer) zoom, and a host of other features which make this camera one of the best in it's class.But since the earlier releases in this line, digital camera technology has increased while price has decreased (thanks in a large part to earlier models in this line, which took the market by storm). You can now get cameras with a higher level of megapixels and resolution for about the same price as the D-460Z such as Nikon's Coolpix 800 and the Kodak DC280. You should go to your local. . . consumer electronics store and look at ALL of your choices before deciding on which model to purchase (and then purchase it on-line because it is cheaper ;). Even though the D-460Z is no longer &quot;cutting edge,&quot; I still believe it has enough features and stunning quality to let it surpass many of the other choices in its class.Accessories: Expect to spend a few hundred dollars in additional accessories for this camera. I recommend at least 8 NiMH rechargable batteries for power (which you can buy on-line or at your local supermarket), a USB Smartmedia reader if your computer supports USB (this greatly decreases SLOW picture transfer times from the camera to the computer), and a &quot;soft&quot; protective case for the camera (the Olympus soft leather case is nice but over-priced unless you get it on sale). As well, 2 additional 32 meg or a 64 meg SmartMedia card is useful, and will allow you to take a vacation's worth of pictures without have to delete any (at least at the rate I take pictures). The camera lets you take a little more than 2x the SmartCard's megs in super-high quality, compressed images. You can buy these on-line at places like amazon.com... but the Olympus-brand accessories tend to go out of stock quickly.  Note: the SmartMedia cards will eventually wear out, though you'll be able to take tens of thousand (or even hundreds of thousands) of pictures before this happens if you buy a decent-quality card.
Originally I bought the 360 which I was totally blown away with the pictures it took. However I decided to spend a few more dollars and get the 460 because the zoom was more useful than just a point and shoot. I wasn't  disappointed, besides taking the same great pictures, the controls are more  ergonomically arranged, and has a few more bells and whistles.  The  only down side that I can find with the camera is turning it off. You must  be careful not to hit the lens barrel with the lens cover when sliding it  back.  I would recommend this camera to anyone who is interested in  something a cut above a basic point and shoot camera.
I must say I'm pretty happy with the Olympus 460 Zoom.  I originally was going to buy the 360, but I figured if I was going to spend the money for a digital camera, I might as well get the zoom.With the 460 comes some advanced photography features like spot metering, fill-in flash, etc.  Those features may seem useless to amateur photographers, but if you take  the time to learn the features, you'll end up with better pictures.The  TV wire is pretty cool, and even the pictures with the lowest quality look  pretty good on TV.The LCD screen on the camera is very sharp and has  amazing color.  I just wish there was some way to cover the screen to  protect it better.A downside to the Olympus is that it doesn't come  with a lot of accessories.  I'm going to have to buy stuff like a camera  case, battery recharger, USB adapter, and a 32 MB card.  ....
I have owned this camera for about a year now. It takes excellent pictures and is well-suited for producing photo-quality prints. It writes the pictures to memory at a decent speed, and has a rapid sequential mode at the lowest resolution. There is a slight delay for autofocus when you take the picture, but if you depress the button halfway while you're setting up the shot, pressing the button the rest of the way will take the picture instantly (much the same as in many autofocus 35mm cameras).Battery life with the included lithium batteries is excellent, but beware--they cost about [price]each (you need two). I have had a lot of success using rechargeable NiMH batteries; the battery life with NiMH is still decent, and it doesn't cost much more to get started with them than it does to buy a replacement lithium set.Picture quality leaves nothing to be desired. You even have the option of taking pictures in a lossless format (TIFF as opposed to JPEG). This is great for pictures that you need to enlarge. Note, though, that one or two uncompressed pictures can fill up the average-sized memory card.The special features work well and can be useful, although the default settings are good enough that the average point-and-shoot user will never need to change them. The lighting and macro features are particularly well-done; you can take close-up shots in macro mode that would typically require an SLR camera in the world of film.The camera's weakest point is in its serial link. It works fine, but you can spend a long time waiting for the pictures to transfer to your computer. It would be wise to figure the cost of a USB smartmedia reader into the total price for the camera--with my Lexar reader, the images transfer in a matter of seconds.I did a lot of research before buying this camera and can say that I was not in the least disappointed with the results. You would be hard-pressed to find a worthy competitor in this price range.
Just picked this little baby up today and I am very happy with the purchase.  I've read quite a bit of reviews, both here and elsewhere and I pretty much had it narrowed down to a few models but I'm glad I went with this one.  I've had good experiences with Olympus film cameras before and it seems their high quality transferred over to the digital scene as well.  Sure, it's only 1.3 Megapixels and it might be a bit pricy for one considering you can get a 2.0 Megapixel camera cheaper but, the user friendliness and the sheer number of features make this camera far superior to the higher megapixel cheaper models.First off the pictures are crisp and clear and with the optical veiw finder available, you don't need to mess with the LCD screen and waste batteries.  The menu screen is easy to navigate (though a bit difficult to figure out the icons...) and this is truly where this camera shines.Not only are you able to change the picture quality from standard 640 X 480 to uncompressed TIFFs, but you have to ability to adjust white balance, and more importantly, the ISO value!  You can also adjust the exposure compensations and, if you are using an Olympus memory card, you can do panorama shots as well.  Flipping through the pictures already in the card is a breeze, especially since you can use an idex view to see up to 16 shots at one time and deleting pictures is a snap.Unfortunately this camera doesn't come with USB support (...wonder why???) but pick up a USB card reader along with the camera and the problem is solved.  I picked up a PNY USB Flash Card Reader for ... and it installed in a second and transfering 6 shots at one time to the HD was almost instantaneous.If you're going on a long trip, you might want to either buy a bigger memory card and/or bring a pocket full of AA batteries but, for all intents and purposes, this is a great camera for us &quot;point and shoot&quot; types.  If you're looking for a good camera with excellent features for a great price, this is the one you want.
I received my Olympus as a gift almost a year ago and I must say that I use it EVERYDAY!  I'm not lying.  I love this camera.  It's extremely easy to use and takes great pictures.  I love that it has a quiet mode for when you don't want to have the beeps heard and that you can view the pictures after you taken them and delete them afterwards.  It have 3 different quality settings as well as film speed options.  The 8mb card is good if you're not taking over 200 photos a day.  Another plus is that there is a little notch underneath in order for it to sit on a tripod.  The software it comes with perfect for me to view my photos before I save them to my computer as well as for me to view any photos [digital or scanned in] before opening Photoshop.There are only a few downsides that I've found.  One is that it eats batteries up like candy [I go through a 4 pack every 2 weeks] and that the serial download takes forever!!!This camera is definately worth the money!  I love it!
I wanted a camera that was easy-to-use and portable with great picture quality. I got everything in this camera. I have a regular Olympus camera and am quite satisfied with that one. So I decided to give this one a try. In my yorkie discussion group we all swap pics of our dogs. And I must say the Olympus takes the best photos. Go to the new ofoto site on Amazon. I was going to buy a photo quality printer, but why? Ofoto lets you display photos so your friends and family can buy them too. Back to the camera...I love it, buy it!
I was very happy with this camera, it has nice features, nice quality  photos for the price, however - do not buy the SanDisk reader as you may  run into problems.  Found the rechargeable batteries to work the best with  this camera - will save you a lot of money!
Having just picked up a D460 and really enjoying it, I was interested in how to shoot more and upload faster. Under the D450 reviews, several users recommend getting a flashpath floppy adapter and NiMH rechargable batteries  (these accessories are also compatible with the D460). In reading the  separate reviews for the Olympus brand products, several reviewer suggest  buying non-Olympus products since they are both less expensive and have  more features. The reviewers don't mention where to find these  products.If you are considering non-Olympus products, with your favorite  search engine... for the fastpath use &quot;flashpath and smartmedia&quot;  (since there are three types of flashpath standards, &quot;smartmedia&quot;  is what Olympus uses). For the NiMH batteries use &quot;MAHA MH-C204F&quot;  (the very informative battery review had accidentially transposed the last  two digits, which yields no hits).
I've owned a D-460Z for almost a year now and am very happy with it, the camera feels solid, the zoom works well, good battery life. This camera takes 1280x960 shots, plenty big enough for use on the web or printing 5x7 prints.Has advanced features like adjustable ISO and Spot Metering, also has a panoramic mode.Quote from another reviewer&quot;In order to view pictures you've already taken, you need to close the lens cover. This is slow because the zoom needs to retract. Similarly, to switch to photo mode from viewing mode, the camera needs to be reopened.&quot;This statement isn't true, you dont have to close the lens cover, just simply press the button twice on the LCD display, will toggle it from shooting mode to viewing mode.Only hole I can find in this camera is the serial connection. save yourself alot of time and buy a $50 USB smartmedia reader, can copy an 8mb card to your computer in seconds., I have the SanDisk ImageMate USB smartmedia reader, use it with my desktop and laptop.
I just can recommend this camera for everybody.It's simple to use and makes good quality pictures.If you are professional you can buy something more advanced... But for everage people this camera is very good
I'll try not to repeat the rave reviews that others have given the Olympus  C3030 but I thought I would counter a couple comments I saw about a  supposedly flawed view finder, battery compartment flap, and the battery  for the remote control.  One person commented that it took him 15 minutes  to figure out the camera battery flap which he ended up breaking.  Without  reading the manual it took me no time at all to install 4 AA batteries and  I had the camera up and running immediately without a hitch - or breaking  anything.  There was nothing wrong with my remote control or the battery,  and camera view finder works as it should.  The one very minor flaw is that  if you power up the camera with the lens cap over the lens, the zoom lens  tries to push outward causing the a grinding sound.  Its happend to me a  couple times but didn't cause any damage and I'm more careful now to take  the lens cap off before powering up the camera.This camera is awesome!  Others have written about its many featues and superb picture quality.  I  especially like the bonus of being able to make QuickTime videos.
I've had this camera now for almost a full year.  It was my replacement for the D600L from Olympus.Negatives:  not many.  My biggest pet peeve is the battery low indicator is not as accurate as I'd like.  The camera actually begins to lose functionality long before low battery is displayed.  And the camera goes downhill very quickly.  But the symptoms are more like the camera has lost some functionality and not others (inability to zoom but still able to focus).  I've just become used to replacing the battteries as soon as I start having any strange issues.Its not as small as I'd like.  The D200L was a great size for a camera.  This one is still too big for my liking.  I'd like to have something that really does fit in my pocket (like the size of my cellular phone would be good.Positives:  Get the 32Mb memory card and you can take photos for  what seems like forever!Superb low-light capability, good focus, excellent color, fantastic resolution.
This is a very nice camera.  I agree with Jim DuLaney on the  shutter delay of digital cameras.  I am use to the release on my Canon F-1 and A-1.  However, you can shoot again while the camera is still recording the image to the SmartMedia Card.PLEASE NOTE:  &quot;Slopedirk&quot; (see his review) must not have used the owner's manual.  You most certainly can set your own default settings, such as your preferred resolution; whether you want flash or no flash; shutter priority or aperture priority, and the preferred setting; etc.The menu selections are fairly simple once you play with the camera awhile.  As for the problem of taking the lens cap off before turning on the power - buy the extender tube (an Olympus accessory).  This tube is needed if you attach accessory lenses.  I find it very useful because it allows me to use a filter (Haze, UV, Skylight, etc.).  I leave it on at all times!A good companion book for any digital camera: Digital Photography For Dummies, by Julie Adair(find it at [amazon])... This is an excellent resource and also explains imaging software (Photoshop, etc.) and printing. (Don't let the title steer you away.  I don't usually like Dummy books; but a professional photographer even uses this book and highly recommends it!)
Being a tech geek, I did a bit of research on the various websites and narrowed my choices between the Olympus 3030 and Nikon 9090.  It seemed to be a toss up depending on which features you valued most.  I chose the Olympus for a variety of reasons and haven't regretted my decision.  First of all, the picture quality exceeded my expectations from the very first picture.  I've taken a variety of shots from the different settings and even with the &quot;avereage&quot; quality setting of images, the detail the camera picked up is unbelievable.  I've even zoomed in on the images with various photo editing programs and still can't detect any distortion.  Secondly, the installation of the provided software was a easy.  A nice bonus to the software was the supplying of Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE, a slimmed down version of the very popular photo editing program that sets the industry standard for professional photo editing.  Third, Olympus provided a USB cable for downloading images from the camera to the PC, which speeds up the process tremendously when comparing it to a Serial transfer.The few complaints I have concern more of the decisions of Olympus for what they provided instead of the overall quality of the camera.  First, why in the heck didn't they provide a charger and rechargable batteries?  Sure, they upgraded to Lithium batteries but this camera eats a lot of juice when using the LCD monitor.  And how about providing an AC adaptor for those times we want to download all our images or use the camera indoors.  Second, I had to go out and purchase a little lens cap strap since the cap isn't connected to the camera.  Having to place the cap in and out of my pocket when I want to take pictures is asking for the cap to be lost (especially when making the family trips to Disneyland).Finally, the Olympus also uses the Smartmedia data storage and provides you with a 16MB card.  This isn't bad depending on what setting you have your camera on (the higher the quality, the less pictures you can take) but I would consider purchasing an additional memory card with a higher capacity.  As of this date, I believe the highest amount of MB that Smartmedia makes is 64Mb.  I know the Nikon uses the Compact Flash system and can go a as high as 128MB.  That's a feature to consider (well, the cost for a 128MB Compact Flash card runs on average is about $300).
I bought this camera last year and I love it.  I have noticed that I take many more pictures than I used to and have the ability to immediatly share them with family and friends via e-mail.  If you are in the market for a digital camera there are a couple of things you should look for: 2 megapixal or higher, pick a camera from a company that makes good optics (Nikon, Olympus, minolta, etc.),durability and ease of use.  This camera excels in all of those catagories.  The instruction book that came with the camera fully explained all of the features.  This camera also will let you control the shutter and aperature settings, this is a must for creating some special effects.  During this past year I have no complaints or problems with the camera.  Now that a year has passed I ask myself would I still buy this camera. Answer:no.  I found that I really could use a zoom, this camera only has a 3 power zoom.  The Olympus C-2100 has a 10 power zoom.  My friend bought one last month and I noticed how much more they got out of their camera.  So if you think you will need a zoom for that special wildlife photo take a look at the Olympus C-2100.  To sumerize: this camera is a very well built and reliable.  Just be sure to compare specs with other cameras on the market.
I recently purchased the Olympus 3030 two weeks ago and have been very happy with it.  The picture quality is awesome and it is easy to just point and shoot right out of the box.  The quicktime movies are an added bonus.  My friends &amp; co-workers were very impressed with the picture quality and also with the movie clips I had taken.  Also the battery life seems to be very good and I am using the Olympus B-40SU Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.  I also purchased the Viking 128MB Smart Media card which is working great.The only complaints that I have are that it doesn't come with a AC adapter and that you have to remember to remove the lens cap before you turn it on.  I consider these to be small issues and am otherwise very pleased with this device.
I love everything about this camera except for the flash.  It isn't strong enough or disfused enough to light the entire frame.  You'll get shadows in the lower corners.
Make no mistake, this is a great camera. It takes good pictures in a variety of lighting situations. It has two problems; the first is that darn lens cap gets lost easily, the second is that the view through the viewfinder (not the LCD display) doesn't accurately represent the frame. Both can be solved (one with an elastic cord glued to the camera and one with practice) but they detract from an otherwise excellent product. I also like the ability to record a short audio segment on each picture, this is enough to describe the scene so that I can remember it later (try to remember everyone at your wedding for example!)
made  over 200,000 photos with it ... this  camera made me decide to get the canon eos m camera, since i have canon lenses and a canon 30d, which i use all the time , but cant take it with me everywhere, as i did this olympus ... like they say, big cameras like my canon 30d stay home 95% of the time .... i recently got the canon 2500 pocket camera, but its very slow when you press down the shutter ... memories, many photos with this little olympus are on my facebook page ... and i posted a photo of my doc of homeopathy, who brings people back to life from cancers to lupus ...
I have a C-2020, which is a slightly older version of this camera model.  This has been a fantastic camera both in terms of quality, reliability and battery life.  Between some friends and myself we have just about every model in this family (C-2000 through C-3040) and we all love our cameras.Quality: I have taken hundreds of shots, mostly outdoor.  I tend to shoot at the high-quality jpeg level so I bought a 64MB smart media card.  Paired with my HP DeskJet 952 I regularly printout 4x6 prints on photo paper that are absolutely perfect.  I have printed a few 8x10 pictures and they are fantastic.  No one can believe they were taken with a digital camera.  I have to zoom in quite a ways with my photo editing software before I can see any pixels.  The only negative thing I can say is that I wish it had a better macro mode.Reliability: It has been rained on, splashed by a wave, and dropped a short distance onto a rock.  Despite all this it is still going strong a year and several hundred pictures later with no negative affects.Batteries: I use the rechargeable batteries and during heavy use they last 2-3 weeks.  During light use they last 3-6 months.  Compare this to most Kodak or Nikon cameras that last a few days of heavy use.A few comments on my accessories:Forget the 16MB card that comes with it.  I keep only mine as a back up.  You will want a 64 MB smart media card.I bought the Olympus T-CON14 tele-converter lens 1.45x (152mm equivalent) and I am very happy with it.  It can retail up to $200 but I shopped around on-line.  My next purchase is the wide-angle lens.I bought the Olympus Accessory Kit (which is the same for C-2000 through C-3040 models), mostly for the UV filter, adapter tube and 43mm-55mm step-up ring, and AC adapter.  I bought it for about $95, which is close to what all those things cost separate.  The mini-tripod, software, and case that come in that kit are not overly impressive but I considered those `free'.  The lens cleaning kit is handy.
snapshooter convenience, professional level images. easy to use in default, amazingly flexible(complicated) when you delve into features. lens seems a little fragile when extended, but linked optical/digital zoom with  one button improves greatly on c-2020, which i also have. this is my 5th  digital, and i love it. with large-gig laptop, and pcmcia card adapter,  it's easier than floppies.
I won't repeat the positives listed in other reviews, but the main gripe of this camera for me is the need to have to access the menu to change  resolutions, as it will &quot;default&quot; to a pretty high res setting,  when most of my shots I really only need the lowest.  A knob would be a  much better way to handle this and some other settings.  I also personally  am a retro guy and would lose the motorized stuff, a nice lever would  suffice and save the batteries.  Same thing for flash, it goes off unless  you turn it off via a menu, and that can ruin a natual light picture if you  forget.  Too much automatic stuff for me to really feel &quot;as one&quot;  with this thing, but it does take outstanding pictures.The pictures are  very good with this camera.  Software good, and with a big memory chip it  holds tons of pictures.  Have not tried the movie feature, but a small  speaker or headphone jack would be nice if you did this more than  occassionally.  Also the need to take off the lens cap to avoid motor/gear  damage upon powerup is a annoyance that might be costly to the  operator.S
This camera has incredible versatility.  It allows for many pixel  compressions of jpeg files, all of which are fine quality.  In the 1st 3  weeks, I have taken over 1,000 photos of nature, travel, people, and  objects.  It uses smartcards which are smaller than a matchbook cover and  the 32 meg smartcard allows 330 photos on the SQ2 down to 40 on the HQ  compression. I print on a Hewlett-Packard Office Jet 60R and the quality is  very close to 35mm enlargements from a color lab. I recommend using the  rechargeable batteries since they last many hours then take a quick  recharge.I intend to use this camera to photograph mushrooms in our  forests this August and have total confidence in it. The macro button  allows the lens to be within inches of the subject, and with both manual  and digital zoom enabled, the subject fills the view.  The lens is fast  enough to use in dim light, but the flash is there when you need it.  The  accompanying software is easy to install, easy to use.Caveats: it is  very complex and the accompanying manual is essential. I refer to the  manual daily.  Also, I find it hard to get accustomed to the shutter delay  of a digital cameras after using a Canon A-1 SLR for all these years.  I  should mention that  the 1 1/2 inch LCD monitor cannot be seen when in  direct sunlight, although is perfectly visible when in shadows.  The  biggest flaw is the lens cap which MUST be removed before power is turned  on, and CANNOT be in place while power is on, a very odd flaw, Olympus.
The initial reviews for this camera said it was tooo complicated for the average user.  Horsehockey.  I love this camera, my 9 year old can use it. The pictures are incredible..I'd certainly NOT get anything cheaper if I was starting out, the price has come down so much.  There are now clearly better cameras but for the novice this is excellent.  Great flash.Buy more memory, it's cheap.
I had a hard time deciding between the Olympus 3030 and the Nikon 990. In the end, I choose the Olympus because of the option of sound on the movie feature. (I bought the camera to take pictures of a new addition to the family.) I really like how easy it is to take basic pictures. Family picture takers will like this camera. It takes great pictures, easy to transfer using USB, and comes bundled with great software. The camera is also very compact - its about the size of an average point and shoot.The only thing that I would change about the camera is making the menu system more accessible. It is relatively easy to use, but I have not mastered making quick changes yet. A great addition would be a quick menu system in the top LCD area instead of having to power up the monitor. Or a button to quickly shift between some saved modes. You will also need to read the manual in order to really understand some of the features. They are not that intuitive for a Nikon SLR user...If you are buying this camera, you should also get extra memory and batteries. You should also invest in either an external memory reader or the AC Power Adapter. I haven't tried rechargeables yet, but that may be my next purchase.
The Olympus C-3030 zoom is a high quality, professional camera that allows the photographer complete control over the exposure and the focus.  Much of my photography is done with a tripod and a hand held light meter and this camera allows me manual exposure control.  This and manual focus allows me to control the depth of field.  The only real drag is that there isn't a way to preview the depth of field.  I also purchased this camera because you can use an off-camera flash, but unfortunately, unlike the earlier models (c-2000 and c-2020) that used a regular pc socket, this camera has a special socket for use with a very expensive Olympus flash.  I gather that I can buy a special bracket that allows the use of other flashes, but why couldn't they have added a hotshoe to the camera?
After using an older &quot;first generation&quot; digital camera for quite a while, a upcoming overseas trip prompted me to look for a newer one.  After looking at all the reviews I bought the Olympus 3030 Zoom.  Since the new 3040 had just come out (F 1.8 lens compared to the F 2.8 lens on the 3030) the price had dropped dramatically.  I'm amazed by the quality of the pictures that this camera takes.  Even in extremely low light circumstances, I can turn of the flash and get beautiful natural light pictures.  I can only imagine what the F 1.8 lens on the new 3040 model would do!  The menu is easy to use and the camera is delighlfully small.  Manual settings are easy to adjust, but the auto setting mode is dead-on except for difficult shots like those with backlighting.  The video mode also works great and captures both video and sound for short periods (200 seconds on a 64 mb card at HQ resolution).  This is a great camera and the price is also great.  The only downside is a lens cap that is not engineered to stay on the lens....buy a tether unless you want to keep replacing it!
I bought a C3030 about a month ago. On both Program and A/S/M mode, the results have been oustanding ! I have printed upto Super A3 Size on an EPSON 1270 Stlylus Photo (Custom mode 1440dpi) and the details are  brilliantly enlarged. The Digital photo quality has certainly surpassed the  Film --- blue sky and shaded areas, colour and tone of every shot has  convinced me that I can now pack up my 35mm SLRs for good. No kidding,  you've gotta try and see to believe it. Since I bought mine, four of my  colleages bought the same thing. Although the Camera feels light, after two  days, one get easily adjusted to the wieght. Perhaps a little more wieght  and a bit of metal would have made it feel like a real replacement of a  35mm SLR. If you are looking for the best quality print out, I bet there is  hardly anything better than the EPSON Stylus Photo 870 or 1270 -- using 3  picolitres ink droplets, these Printers are also among the highest  resolution currently available in the market.
One of the major issues around Olympus digital imaging systems is, that they keep ignoring TWAIN as a standard for digital imaging. We had the C-21 and returned it because of the lack of support for W2K and Twain (i.e. no direct picture transfer into W2K or PhotoShop). Reading the reviews this is a general problem for all Olympus cameras except the E-10. Olympus does not intend to fix this. The consequence is that you need to buy additional transfer equipment, use additional software spending extra money and time on getting things achieved. Your option is thus the Nikon and Canon (S-20).
Buy this camera!!! I paid a lot more for it and I still think that it is worth it.The pictures are really more clear than compared to regular cameras and even better than the SONY digital ones.But do buy more Nickel Metal batteries and more memory. You will need it. The 64MB cards holds 81 pics HD mode. Alkaline batteries are useless and drain after 3-5 pics at best. Lithium are not rechargeable. The standard memory on this mode is good for about 20 pics.If you pics is too dark, it also comes with software for you edit the pics. You can zoom in the editing the pics to any size you want. All the features that you dream of and more.If there is a upgrade to the lense to view further, I will buy it too.Best tech/picture taking toy out there.- Will
I've had this camera for almost a month now, and I continue to be impressed by its capabilities.  The high resolution, multi-shot cache, 64 MB cards with panoramic option (Olympus smart media cards only) make this a  worthy companion to the old 35MM SLR camera.  If you're looking for a  quality product with all the control of a 35MM SLR, this is your camera.
I purchased this camera because I needed to be able to send Photos by E-Mail. I have been a 35mm photgrapher for 20 years, so I needed a camera that would allow me to be in control of my creations if I wanted to be. This camera suprised me with its excellence.When all is said and done, all that you have is a lens and a subject, and, of course, the film plane. I was not disappointed by the range and versatility of the Olympus design. It even feels good in my hands!I am very happy with this camera and hope to use it for many years to come.
I have just gotten this camera, and already I love it. It works well with the Viking 128MB chip (other than inability to do panorama, not much of a drawback for me) and right out of the box I was able to quickly be pointing and shooting. This is my second digital camera, and I am very impressed with it. The LCD menus are a little tricky to navigate at first, but I am quickly learning where things are. I have experimented with taking pictures at different resolutions and qualities, and also shot some movie clips. I downloaded the results to my computer with little trouble, although I think I would recommend buying either a reader or a PCMCIA adapter for the memory chip, downloading from the camera over it's USB port to the hard drive is a little cumbersome. It takes very nice photos in average lighting without the need for the flash, and I find it very easy to quickly snap a picture, especially of quickly moving subjects like children. It took me a little reading of the manual to discover that the remote only works when the timer is enabled, however once I mastered it I like the 3 second delay so you can hide the remote. I like the ergonomic placement of the controls, I can both hold the camera and work its major functions with a single hand. I didn't see any mention in the manual of the fact that the lens cap has to be removed prior to turning it since the first thing it tries to do is extend the lens barrel. Perhaps the lens cap should snap onto the extensible barrel and not the external housing? These are not major drawbacks but things to bear in mind while learning to use this camera. As a prior user of a digital camera, I think Olympus has done a good job addressing some of the shortcomings of early digital cameras, plus creating a digital camera that looks and feels like the film cameras I have used for years. The touch of the shutter button, picture resolution and recording speed are vastly superior to what I am used to in a digital camera, and compare with a good SLR. All the additional features are there if I want them, but the solid performance of the basic function is a key ingredient. I like to tinker, and having numerous overrides is great, but sometimes I am glad to not to bother with them and just click away, knowing the automatic program is making the right choices for me.
I have to say i was stunned by the quality of the picture i downloaded from this small black box. We could see every single hair of our 15 months daughter!. 3 Mega pixels, that's impressive. Our friends are really stunned too by this quality, the crispness of the image, and their bright colors. The camera is very easy to use as a point and shoot too. The only problem is the auto-focus that has a tendency of focusing on the background rather than the subject itself sometimes.A very very good camera overall, probably my best buy of the year as far as i am concerned.
I've had my C3030 for months, now.  It's so small I can take it everywhere--and I do. With it, I've taken great shots of daily scenes in and around Miami, FL.  Having it makes street photography fun and easy.As for the C3030's image quality, no other digital camera, in its price range, outdoes it. I went from a One Megapixel camera straight to the C3030.  Needless to say, the difference was astounding.  The large number of resolutions from which to choose really allow the photographer to shoot for any purpose--from email attachments, to Web pages, to professionally output hi-res images.  Usually, simply using the default resolution with the built in picture taking modes is right for any situation not requiring super hi-res output.  And it's easy.I coupled my Olympus with an HP DeskJet 1220C.  Using the camera's default resolution, the printed output is guite good.  I can tell I haven't used the higher resolutions.  But my friends, who see the framed photos, usually think they came from a lab.Of course I use Photoshop to help tweak the images until they look just as I want them to look.  But I really don't need to.All in all, the C3030 is an excellent Camera.  The number of settings and menus is, at first, a bit daunting.  But spending some time to get to know the camera really unlocks its full potential.If you want an excellent digital camera, with excellent image quality, easy to use default settings, and advanced features for even more flexibility, the C3030 is the one to get.
This is an outstanding camera.  I have been a casual photographer for many years and finally took the digital plunge - the C3030 outstrips the performance of my 35 mm SLR, and after much research, I concluded it outperforms most digital cameras as well.  I also read some of the previous reviews, and most of the negative "problems" people listed either weren't problems of the camera or were because the person didn't know how to use the camera.When it comes right down to it, picture quality is what makes or breaks a digital camera.  The C3030 sweeps the field.  Color quality and sharpness exceeds my 35 mm.  I took a face portrait of my son and blew it up to just his eyeball - you could count the tiny veins in his eye.  You can easily blow up pictures beyond 8 x 10 and still have sharp pictures.  It does a better job reproducing sharp, realistic colors than most Kodak film.  Low light capability is very good (even better with the new C3040 with its 1.8 lens).  The menu is easily navigated (although it will take a little study of the manual; the camera has a lot of capability) and the controls are, for the most part, very easy to use.  The camera is nicely programmable for those who want to venture there.  The memory-buffered multi-picture capability (like a fast motor drive in an SLR) is very handy for action shots.  The camera is extremely compact considering its capability and can be carried easily.  When taking pictures, it is very comfortable and natural to hold, unlike many other digital cameras.The USB transfer rate is much better than a serial cable but I took it a step further and bought an inexpensive Smart Media PC card adaptor.  I pop the card out of the camera and into the PC slot and it is a near instant download of 128 MB of pictures! (I purchased the 128 MB card and it holds a huge number of pictures).It uses up batteries, but no more than other digital cameras.  I purchased 1400mah NiMH batteries and travel charger for only $38 - it works great and lasts a reasonable amount of time; hasn't been a problem.I have taken many hundreds of pictures, perhaps thousands, without a single glitch.  One of my few complaints is the flash performance, but the camera takes such great pictures without the flash, especially with a tripod, I mostly don't use it.  Again, the new C3040 may take this even one step further.  I also wish the Macro performance was better (closer) but it has been acceptable for most applications.  My next purchase will be the telephoto lens to expand the camera's capabilities.Bottom line is you will love this camera.
After owning an Olympus 460 Zoom and now the Olympus C3030, I would honestly say that the quality is pretty much the same.  With both cameras, many indoor shots had be be &quot;doctored&quot; in Adobe Photoshop.  Levels need to be adjusted and then the photos are just great. Outdoor shots are great.  I did notice that battery life with the 3030 was considerably more than that of the 460. Rechargeable batteries are essential with any digital camera!  I really like the &quot;movie with sound&quot; function of the 3030.  Smart media reader buyers - beware if you have an AMD processor.  After much research I have found that a Pentium processor is essential and your reader may not work with an AMD. Camera appearance very professional looking.  For the true photographer, this camera is a must.  For the amateur the 460 works quite nicely.
I use this camera at work to produce newsletters and stuff. Previously I used film and scanned the photos; this makes an incredible difference to my productivity. And the results I get are much better than before.No matter what I ask of this camera, it does the business, makes me feel like more of a pro than I am.I love the ability to twist the lens and look down on the screen; all cameras should be like this.You'll need to spend quite a bit of time getting used to the many different screens if you want to use anything other than auto. It's all a bit complicated, but you eventually get used to it.I would have preferred a wider wide-angle too, and the on-camera flash is nothing special. And it EATS batteries! Also, my example occasionally refuses to switch; the only way is to open the battery cover. It's not exactly small either...BUT the pictures it takes can hardly be faulted - even blown up to A3 size!
This product, if still available, isn't a great camera. Look up the canon G2 or G3 or a newer Olympus model.
First off, let me say that this camera is incredible, and worth every penny.  I've owned mine for about a week, and I've taken some incredible photos that look like they came out of a magazine (and I'm an amateur at best).Now, let's get realistic about the camera.  I want to provide enough factual information to allow people to make their decisions about whether or not this is the right camera for them.  TheCoolpix 990 has tons of great points.  Most notably, it's 3.34 megapixels (3.24 effective), and thus produces top-quality images with incredible sharpness.  Another thing that was had me sold was the fact that you can go into full manual mode with this camera.  You can choose either shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual (including fully manual focus).  This aspect of the camera should appeal to the professional or &quot;artsy&quot; photographer who wishes to customize the camera to get the exact effect they want.After you upgrade the firmware to v1.1, the speed of certain camera operations are a bit faster, but the camera is already originally very fast.  Reviewing photographs in &quot;Play&quot; mode is a breeze, and there's not much delay when paging through them.Buy rechargeable NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries and a charger before your camera ships.  The alkaline batteries that ship with the camera will die within hours,guaranteed.  Also, grab the amazing Maha C204F charger.  It allows you to leave the charger plugged in with batteries in it indefinitely, without ruining the batteries at all.  The charger will save you several hundred dollars in batteries.A few drawbacks about the 990 (yes, they do exist): BSS (best shot selection) feature is kind of weak.  It's supposed to let you take 10 shots and it chooses the best (&quot;the one with the most detail&quot; I believe the manual says, whatever that means).  On some occasions it has actually chosen blurry photos over the sharp ones.  I've no clue how this works, but Nikon needs to reevaluate this function.  And a warning: don't rely on this camera for good long-exposure shots.  Shutter times of 4 seconds and longer in a dark setting will sometimes show a lot of noise in the photograph.  This is a very noisy camera (audibly and graphically), so try to limit your exposure times.  Also, please note that you will NOT be able to access the &quot;info.txt&quot; file that people in other reviews have mentioned.  Yes, the camera saves all photo details (shutter speed, ISO, flash, aperture, etc.) to a file called &quot;info.txt&quot;, but you CANNOT access the file unless you're using a card reader.  The NikonView software will only let you pull photos from the camera, nothing else.I'll conclude this here because I could rant on for a while on other great points.  The camera is truly amazing, buy it now.  Yes, it has drawbacks, but no camera is perfect--and this one comes pretty close to perfection.  This camera is comparable to the Olympus C3030, so check that out as well.  The features of the C3030 are similar, and in some ways the camera is a little better (the movie mode actually records audio!), and a little worse (uses SmartMedia only).
overall i've been pleased with the 990, the only drawbacks are(1) disappointed in the manufacturers claims about standard AA battery life, usually 15mins is average, not the hour and half claimed. NiMHs are a must, I use 1600maH which usually lasts 12 hours at least. Get real nikon, ship at least nicads, sure its a cost issue, but its very environmentally wasteful and poor customer relations to ship batteries that last for 15 mins or less. (2) The manual is weak, but is typical of translated manuals. 3) accessories are hard to get hold of, and the remote release is expensive (although its feature loaded) an IR or RF based remote would be nice, most other camera makers offer them. (4) suffers from red eye a lot. (5) low quality software on the PC, even lower on the MAC, crashes often on win2k, even after the update to camera firmware and PC software, crashes on first time use everytime. (6) menu access is slow, camera could do with a faster cpu, latest software release helps things somewhat but it could be better. (7) one very small thing that would only affect a few people, is the inbuilt IR filter for the lens, which means you can't do the near IR style photography thats popular with other digicams.other than those small quibbles, its generally an excellent camera, its a lot of fun to use.  Once you are setup with NiMHs and a decent sized CF card its easy sailing, we've had it for about two months and are still finding new things about it. Pictures taken are great, the jpg compression levels work well,the low is very low quality suitable for web pictures, but the high end is good, and the highest setting, with no compression is excellent.
Photo quality is remarkable, including excellent colors and detail. Of course these are the most important aspects of a digital camera. Aside from that, other nice tricks include being able to swivel the lens and take mpeg movies. Some complaints you should be aware of:- Not having a case seems chintzy when you're paying over $800 for a camera. - Bad red-eye even with that mode turned on. Lens is probably too close to the flash on the body. - Settings are not for the amateur. You need to spend a lot of time with the manual before using the complicated menus. I've used the &quot;restore settings&quot; button more than once. Don't pay for settings you don't use! - Flash seems weak, or I haven't found the right exposure+flash balance for taking shots in imperfect light from more than 12 feet. - Get a large flash card or don't bother. With &quot;normal&quot; photos in 3.3 megapixel cameras weighing in at 750K+, you should have at least a 32MB card. Over 100MB cards are really where digicams come into their own. - Flash card readers are also nice. The Coolpix USB is fine, but if you have 50 pictures it can still take a while. (Have to download new software for Win2000, a little annoying.) - The mpeg movies it produces are 40-second silent films, no sound! (Unless I've really gotten screwed up by the settings...) - The AC adapter is definitely worth it if you use the camera frequently, and you will.
I started researching digital cameras nearly a year ago, as I had decided a while back that I wanted a digital camera. As an amateur photographer, I was looking for something reliable that produced excellent photographs. There were a plethora of websites containing opinions on which camera to purchase; I even took a few &iexcl;compatibility&iexcl; tests, and most of the results named the Nikon Coolpix 990 as my best bet. After asking others for their opinions, I received an overwhelmingly positive response to this camera. There were  a few people who deemed the Coolpix 990 too pricey and convoluted, and I did consider getting some other less expensive cameras (like Fuji and Kodak), but my propensity for top-of-the-line items ultimately won. I purchased the 990 here on Amazon, and it arrived in a couple of days (thanks for the speedy service, Amazon!). There were several fears, however. A few people have said that such a high-end camera was not exactly necessary, that a cheaper camera would do the job. Initially, I had only planned to use this camera to post photos on websites, but I then realised that if I&iexcl;m going to spend a few hundred dollars on a big toy, I might as well have it do everything (namely 8 x 10 prints).Having just returned from a short vacation in London, England, I can now accurately attest to the 990&iexcl;s excellence. I took this camera everywhere, and I soon abandoned my camera bag and I hung it around my neck for easy access. The tube, Parliament, Tower Bridge, pubs, restaurants, streets, shopping centres....I went to many places and took several photographs along the way. Before this trip I had really only used this camera for a few photos around my town, but now that I&iexcl;d taken it on vacation, I have a more lucid perception. This camera is phenomenal, and although I cannot ramble on in technical terms, I can articulate the ease with which I took photos, the terrific quality of the prints, and the sheer professionalism of it. Some specific points:* The LCD is nicely-sized and clear, although I would stock up on NiHM batteries. I played around with the menu settings for such a few minutes, and the batteries completely drained. During my trip I shut off the screen to conserve the batteries.* The swivel lens is convenient and affords a lot of versatility. Some people consider it odd, but I thought it was a nice touch.* 16 MB memory card included in the box. Instead of buying more cards, however, I purchased the IOMEGA Pocketzip (formerly Clik! Drive) in order to dump my photos onto it during my trip. Highly recommended procedure!* Some red-eye when you use the flash, but I've stopped using it altogether, as I prefer the soft effect of photos without it.In conclusion, I am extremely satisfied with this marvelous camera. I take it everywhere now, and I can&iexcl;t imagine being as happy with anything else (until the next model comes out, of course). Albeit expensive, it is worth every penny. The photographs are amazing, the settings numerous so that you can customize it to your needs, and the convenience priceless!
I took 4,500 pictures (so far)in 4 months and the Coolpix 990 is still going strong. This is a general follow-up on my two earlier reviews, Sept 26, 00 CJ, and Oct 22,00 CJinPa. I'm updating this review because of the enjoyment I get from this camera and all the support I recieved from other &quot;posters&quot; as I researched prior to my purchase. If you consider this product, you'll LOVE your purchase.I snapped a lot of pics with this thing and print out the good shots on my printer for framing. Believe me, I've taken lots of shots, but only a few &quot;really good&quot; ones. BUT, my technique gets better all the time. This &quot;learning curve&quot; would of sent me to the poor house if I used my 35mm Nikon and had to develop all those rolls of film.  Digital is &quot;free&quot; after you make your initial investment in the gear.  I bought a pile of add-on lenses and flash assys. for the camera to get the most out of it.There is a great E-Book by Peter iNova &quot;Mastering Nikon Digital Cameras&quot; ($50)that is a detailed 990 camera; instruction manual - photo techniques - editing &amp; printing tutorial that is the PERFECT companion to your 990 purchase. The E-Book is interactive and will help you MASTER the 990 to its potential. Get this if you get the camera, i believe this is a MANDATORY purchase. If this was out when I bought the camera, I'd of saved 3 months off my learning curve.Well, not many more good things to say that haven't been said before. Excellent quality pictures, great quality camera, and ample support from Nikon (if ever needed). This camera is a great buy that will leave you happy with your investment 4,500 pictures later. Enjoy your new purchase.
If you decide to purchase this camera, understand that you are not selecting a point-and-shoot digital camera.  This compact camera is a full featured package designed with the 35 mm photographer in mind.It comes with a complete set of controls -- everything from  fully automated exposure to manual control, autofocus and accessory lens.  As a result it reacts to your needs and requirements in much the same way as a Nikon 35mm SLR would.  Therein lies the rub; to fully exploit the 990's features and capabilities, you have to work with it.  The more you use it, the more you will like it.
I have read, with interest, most of the reviews of this product. This is my third Coolpix Digital Camera. (Coolpix 900 and Coolpix 950.) Each generation has been a significant improvement over the previous generation, and, from my perspective, well worth the upgrade.I agree with much of the other reviewers comments:1. Definitely purchase NIMH rechargeable batteries. They last much longer than anything else. I keep 3 extra sets with my camera at all times.2. It was necessary for me to not only have a larger CompactFlash Card (64MB and 96MB) but to have two or three extras. It is an issue like carrying a couple of extra rolls of film. However, since the CompactFlash Cards are almost infinitely reusable, the more pictures you take, the quicker you recover your costs.3. Whereas the 990 takes great pictures by itself, you can improve them significantly by using a photo editing program such as Photoshop. I have found this to be true for both print film and slides. You get a much better picture when scanned and edited in your computer.4. If the quality of the final prints is important, some form of dye sublimation printing process is essential to avoid the pixelation inherent in (particularly older) inkjet technology. Epson's Photo printers seem to have solved the problem, but I prefer the dry media printers. I use an Alps MD 5000, which unfortunately is no longer available in the USA.When it comes to the drawbacks noted by several of the other reviewers, I believe familiarity with the camera and the digital system of photography will alleviate most of them. One of the reviewers seemed to have had a defective product, rather than anything inherently wrong with the 990.The only real complaint I have about the 990 (and I believe it is a problem with any digital camera that depends on an LCD view screen) is that it is very difficult to see the images in bright sunlight. I think Nikon should design a hood to shade the screen. I have done makeshift things without great success.Overall, I am well pleased with my 990. I rarely use my Nikon film cameras, and then usually for long lens shots. I can't recommend this camera too highly.
I have used 35mm SLR cameras for over 20 years.  I was hesitant to delve into the digital realm.  Here are the pros and cons of this camera with respect to 35mm SLRs.Pros:No film to deal with.  You can view the results of your photos immediately.  This is great for playing with framing or bracketing (over/underexposing), or other creative things: you can delete the shots that just did not work.  The others you can save for printing or for use on the computer.  This feature is great for any picture you take.  You can see how it turned out.  You will know if so-and-so had their eyes closed or if things were moving too fast for the shutter speed.  I can not stress how convenient this is.  You can delete and then retake bad shots!The lens on this camera tilts every which way.  I use a tripod frequently: I do not have to adjust the tilt angle of the tripod with this camera--I just tilt the camera lens.The LCD display frees your eye from being stuck to the viewfinder.  This is incredibly convenient.  You can hold the camera at arms-length and still see what's in the viewfinder.Compact size.  The Coolpix is smaller than most SLRs and the memory cards are so much smaller than film.Ability to control &quot;white balance&quot;.  No more yellow indoor shots.Cons:Lack of lens flexibility.  With a SLR you click-and-twist one lens off and click-and-twist a different one on, period.  You have limited screw-on choices with this camera.  Also you have to change the camera's computer settings to use these lenses.  It takes about 30 seconds (or more if you have to drag out the manual) to make a lens change with the Coolpix.Aperatures are more limited on this camera.  This is especially troublesome for portraits or other photos where a very wide aperature/shallow depth-of-field is often desirable.Color print quality is subject to the quality of your PC printer.  And yes, you can have professional printing done--it's just an extra hassle.  If you have a poor quality printer you may need to buy a NEW printer to get the results you want.I don't know how to explain it, but Coolpix digital pictures are just not the same as film pictures.  Some aspects are better, some seem worse.Battery issues and other issues as mentioned by other reviewers.Conclusion:I WILL NOT get rid of my 35mm SLRs--they cannot be completely replaced by the Coolpix for all situations.I WILL use my Coolpix 990 for many, many snapshots and many kinds of &quot;creative&quot; pictures, as well.
Overall I love this camera and would recommend it, especially considering the price you can get one for now.However, here are the cons:1)  Red-eye problems.  Nearly every flash photo has red-eye.  I have read that this is because the flash is too close to the lense.  However, fixing red-eye on your computer is easy, so it's a tolerable defect.2)  Although the camera body rotates, it's not quite as user-friendly as the flip screen that rotates in any direction on the Canon G-2.3)  Resolution.  I always shoot on "fine", but still end up with some photos that I'm not crazy about the resolution.  Pictures with lots of detail turn out great, but where there is less detail, you end up seeing the little dots.  Although people say a 3.0 megapixel camera approaches film quality, I disagree. I see the pixelation even on 4X6 prints.Conclusion:  I'll continue to use (and love) my Nikon 990 until I save enough to replace with a 4-5 megapixel camera like the Canon G-3 or Nikon 5000.
I purchased the coolpix 990 because I was starting to get into photography. I was a beginner in every sense of the word. The 990 is packed full of features that can be overwelhming. It took me awhile to learn everything, but it was worth it. The only suggestion that I would make is to purchase an external flash. The one that is on the camera tends to promote red-eye. Other than that this is a winner.
The 6/13/00 itemized review above is accurate, but there are some more good things to say.  I've long relied on the quality of Nikon lenses, in business, and am still, after three years,  surprised that the glass in the E990 is no whit inferior,  notwithstanding that it's meant for e consumer marke.The swivel body is to die for. I can't imagine why Nikon discontinued it. It gives both waist-level and eye-level capability.  You can shoot from ground/floor level without lying down, and, to do macro photography without impossible contortions, this is a very useful, innovative feature.I do a lot of macro photography, also photography of small objects indoors, where I use the AC adapter instead of rechargeable batteries.  Outdoors, the very, very long cord of the battery pack is a nuisance, and the NiMH batteries seem to have lost rather a lot of their charge while just lying idle.  So I have two sets.  These batteries are not made by Nikon, of course. On the other hand, I don't know where to assign blame for the fact that the plugs between camera and battery cord and between cord and batteries tend to lose contact; I have to frequently twist then a bit to restore power, and of course the settings are lost and have to be re-made.  This has been true of three different cords and battery packs.All in all, though, I just *like* the E990.  It feels good, works well, gives excellent results. I rather prefer it to my Nikon D70 (eye-level SLR with professional lenses), although each has its advantages and disadvantages - you need both, if you're serious.
I owned this camera for about 4 months, and in the time took over 1000 photos with it (yeah, I know, too much free time!). I used the photos for on-screen presentations, as well as 8x10&quot; printouts. The camera takes just incredible photographs, with accurate colors, and very sharp definition. Here are some other points I saw:*autofocus was fairly quick during the day, but can bog down and become very indecisive in low light* flash: powerful, but nothing you do can get rid of red-eye in virtually any shot (red-eye reduction mode is useless)*camera can store photos in separate folders, which is useful for multiple occasions*no support for Microdrive is a fatal flaw*metering system is extremely accurate; found virtually no need to use the spot meter*macro ability is second to none*for dentistry, takes wonderful intraoral photos, utilizing the chair light and the built-in flash; not terribly good, though, if you want to focus on ONE tooth, since the flash will wash things out. The resolution is good enough, though, that you can focus on a quadrant, take the shot, and crop it later.Overall, found it to be the perfect camera, minus the red-eye problems and lack of microdrive support. So I sold it and bought a Canon Powershot G1 (review forthcoming)...
I reviewed this camera a year ago, a few weeks after I got it. I still give it 4 stars, though my reasons are a little different.What's good about it: The photos. The quality is amazing. Combined with my Epson photo printer, I get stunning results. Far better than going to a photo lab. The cost. Yes, the camera and accessories are initially expensive to buy, but (as I predicted) I have saved a small fortune in film and developing costs. Ease of use. This camera is as easy to use as you want it to be. There are lots of options, but I find I take most photos using the automatic settings. Also, it's small enough to just throw in a bag without the need for extra lenses, etc. I bought a telephoto lens, but find I rarely use it.The main problem is batteries. The camera devours batteries like you wouldn't believe. Be prepared to either spend a small fortune on them (and get weighed down carrying around lots of them), or to buy several sets of rechargeables.Other things to think about: Last time I complained that adding lenses disabled the flash. While this is still true, I have found it not to be as big a problem as I expected. There are many occasions when I might have used a flash with a 35mm camera but don't need it with this one. It is still a problem in many indoor situations, however. Getting the photos into a computer can also be a problem. I have no problems with my laptop, the enclosed usb cable/software works very well. On a recent trip I had to use my husband's laptop instead and couldn't get the software to run properly, despite it supposedly being compatible with Windows 2000. I bought a cheap card reader and this solved the problem. All in all, I am extremely happy with the camera and still recommend it. I haven't used my 35mm camera in over a year, which goes to show just how much I prefer the Coolpix 990.
I have a 950, a 990 and a 995. They are all great cameras. The 995 has a 4:1 zoom, and a few other improvements, but this one is a bit smaller - I like it as well. You have more control with these Nikons than any other. And the swivel design makes it possible to take shots in situations you couldn't with any other camera, even IMHO the newer LCD designs like the CP5000 or Canons. This is a great camera, it takes great pictures, and the accessory lenses make it an excellent system.
I purchased the 990 as soon as it hit the stores and on-line and have been using it eversince. I have taken pictures in the Lower 48,  Alaska, New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand in all kinds of tempertures and humidities and have had no problems what so ever!  I have even bounced it off the bottom of a boat with no damage thanks to its metal body.So far I have taken almost 5,000 pictures and the only problem experienced was when I failed to remove the lense cover.It excells at all distances from a flower at one inch to the moon. OUTSTANDING!!!
As a semi-professional commercial photographer, I know what quality is and how much it costs. Bottom-Line for starters, the Nikon-990 makes great  color shots with very (not so suprising) High-detail. The Advertisments say  &quot;good&quot; for 8x10 photos; as a very picky guy, NIKON is telling the  truth. The 5x7 prints are shockingly clear with brilliant colors. Since not  many prints are not made larger than 5x7, the superlative colors in this  print size will likely give the Film Camera buffs a challange. This camera  is easy to use &amp; small, however has an exhaustive number of features.  My wife and our 13 year old, carry it on all vacation locations; And when I  don't want to carry my larger and heavier commercial camera. I was truly  shocked at the excellent picture quality of the NIKON 990 which also  includes great software, so after a picture taking day/nite, one can easily  connect to the yellow video plug on your TV (or Hotel TV) for a slide show  of the days activities. I would recommend purchasing two (2) 80MB memory  card with the camera purchase, so you'll get plenty of picture  opportunities (an 80MB card has room for 50 shots per card at max its  resolution) without having to worry about running out of memory. So for a  day's shooting two 80MB cards will give the equivalent of four (25-shot)  rolls of film.  Since you can erase shots that you don't like, take MANY,  MANY shots and then pick the best ones you like to save, and for printing  or e-mailing. I bring my laptop with me on trips, so in the evening, I can  copy the photo-files to the lap-top's hard disk, and erase the camera  memory card, so there's room for another 50 photos available in preparation  for the next days photo activities. NIKON provides serial, USB cables, and  software to accomplish this simply. Definitely do NOT buy a digital camera  with less than 2,000,000 pixels. (The older models, presently having good  sale prices, are technology of 3 years ago, and you'll wish you spent the  extra money for a higher resolution camera). Since NIKON has been the  camera business for many, many years, its no surprise that they have  created an electronic imager (the CCD Chip) with EXCELLENT Color quality  and detail. This is must have, you'll not be dissappointed. If you're on a  tighter budget check out the KODAK-280 at less than $500 which takes  excellent photos for a 2,000,000 pixel camera. If you have another few  hundred dollars, check out the SONY or OLYMPUS dye-sublimation printers,  which produce actual photo quality continuous tone prints up to 4x5 sizes;  These printers are not dot-matrix's with all the little dots. The camera  and the printer makes for a great combo family gift for under $1,500, that  anyone in the family can use without having to even turn on a computer, as  the printer prints directly off the camera memory card. Don't make yourself  craze, since DIGITAL Cameras are slightly different than a typical film  point-and-shoot cameras, be sure to read the instruciton booklet, before  pushing all the buttons. The documentation NIKON provides is very easy to  understand. So take it slow when you open the Box for the first time. It's  intuitive to use, after the first 2 outings, you NOT need to keep going  back to the booklets. My wife and 13 year old son love this camera (as do  I)and they have no trouble dealing with the camera's features, which are  exhaustive.  This 3.340,000 pixel camera is one of the best I've tested  yet. ONE more point, the camera can twist at its middle (permitting the  lens to point up or down, with the LCD Pannel staying directly in-line with  your eyes) which is an amazing engineering idea which gives the  photographer a whole new perspective for taking pictures without having to  have the camera pressed against your face. The LCD screen is bright even  out doors.  JLW/2000/08/25.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. The image quality, ease of use and features on this camera are very, very good but not worth the original price of nearly $900. However when our company's needs grew I did think it was wise to buy a used one for under $300. Shortly thereafter BOTH cameras experienced the same broken battery cover problem described elsewhere here. A little research revealed vendors who actually sell replacement doors (but alas no instructions on how to complete what seems like a fairly tricky repair). We still use the cameras with tape and cords when possible but buyer beware!
I picked up this camera used to do some assignment work for an online publication.  I specifically wanted full manual control and the ability to use an external flash (the internal flash is almost useless).The large handgrip is a welcomed change from most other digicams out there.  It feels nice and solid in your hand while the no-slip surface does its job admirably.  The shutter release button is solid and the mode jog dial is placed perfectly.  The user interface could benefit from minor usability improvements, but for the most part is easy to use and learn in seconds without consulting the manual.  And to echo what everyone else mentions, battery life lasts me about 40 shots with the monitor and flash turned off.  I take along a spare set of AA batteries for short outings.  For longer outings, I mount a DigiPower DPS9000 external battery pack into the tripod mountOverall picture quality is good, but not to the level of my 35mm film cameras under moderate scrutiny.  For web content, picture quality is awesome, though.  Resolution and sharpness are perfectly acceptable for 4x6 prints.  Nice to have the 3:2 ratio to let you print uncropped 4x6 images.  Macro capabilities are great.Since I prefer to print my personal images, I feel the Coolpix's weakness is in its color reproduction.  Photos printed on a Fuji Frontier 370 system seem to lack a certain saturation or 'punch' in various colors - things seem to be on the dull or compressed side and not very vibrant, even if the original scene was.  This is especially noticeable when you hold a digital print next to a film print when both have used the same exposure and focal length and have been printed on the same machine.Sure, I can spend time in PhotoShop adjusting curves and levels, but that's more time consuming than it's worth if you ask me.  For a few photos, no big deal.  But if I just shot 50+ images that are keepers, I'm not going to spend countless hours tweaking each one.I found that a semi-decent shortcut is to get the ICC profile for my target printer and batch up all the images in PhotoShop to have the profile applied automatically.  I then spend $0.29/print at my local camera shop getting them printed.  Inexpensive, fast, sharp, and durable -there's no way I can print at home at that price or time savings, and I doubt anyone else can.PROS:Sharp images (provided you keep the sharpness setting on Auto)Easy user interfaceInexpensive on the used marketDecent build qualityCONS:Condensed color rangeSlow to focus and fire shutter (2-3 sec.)Supplied software is almost uselessViewfinder shows too little of actual image (85%?)
Technology may have passed this camera by as you can buy a smaller 3+ megapixel camera for less money, but I've used this camera for 2 years with nary a problem.  You may be able to get a good deal on a used model.  I use it as camera that is shared by many departments where I work, so it gets heavy use.The quality of photos taken in bright light on the &quot;fine&quot; setting is stunning and prints well as 8 x 10s (you can even get away with larger sizes, if you don't mind a little pixelation).  The camera's auotmatic mode is adequate for most shots, but you can adjust the shutter speed and other customizable features.  The pivoting lens body is also handy to get into tight spaces.  The LCD screen is bright, but can be hard to read outdoors.Battery life is 40+ photos with rechargables.  I don't recommend using Alkalines with this camera, but they work in a pinch.The biggest drawback with this camera is the flash.  The proximity of the lens to the flash means you'll be correcting lots of &quot;red eye&quot; on your PC or Mac.  The flash is also very weak in low to medium light situations, and you can't add an external flash to the camera.This camera sometimes fails to start when turning it on, or shuts off after a few seconds on, but turning it off and on again seems to help.  I attribute these glitches to age and abuse due to heavy use rather than poor manufacturing.
This thing is well above being a toy, and I love it after a year. The only problem is the red eye, because this thing's flash doesn't do much to prevent it. It looks like they corrected it with the 995 though, as it has a pop-up flash much like those on most SLR's.
The Nikon Coolpix 990 has been a great camera-I'm extremely pleased with it.  This is a good choice for an experienced or ambitious amateur photographer.  Most of my previous experience has been with a Panasonic that cost a little over half what this one did.  In comparison to that camera, the Nikon has better color saturation, is quicker at the draw, and of course has more features....  I've been very pleased with the way that the 990 allows control over both shutter speed and aperture, color balance, focus and metering points and several more obscure settings.All digital cameras are battery pigs, and this is no exception.  A good  optical viewfinder (including support for zoom) is important in a camera like this for two reasons.  First, the color screen is useless in bright sunlight, but second, it provides you with a battery-saving option of turning off the monitor.  An LCD screen on top of the camera provides a readout on the most common settings (aperture, shutter speed, resolution &amp; quality, storage, 'ISO', flash settings, manual focus distance).  Japanese electronics tend to have lots of features, reached through obscure combinations of buttons.  While I would hardly categorize this camera as being 'completely intuitive,' most of the functions are pretty easy to operate.  The more advanced settings are reached through a tabbed menu on the monitor, which is reasonably easy to use.  I've also found that the monitor is very accurate in both brightness and tone.  The monitor has several different modes-if you leave it turned on, the default mode is to superimpose some of the most-used camera settings over the picture.  This is similar to but not a complete duplicate of the readout on the top LCD screen.  You can also leave the menu on, superimposing it over the image.  While this covers part of the image, it also makes menu options available for immediate use.  Unless you are in very bright light, what you see on the monitor after taking a picture is what you get-I've never been disappointed that a picture didn't turn out like it appeared on the monitor (brightness and hue are adjustable).  Although the monitor is small, the view feature lets you zoom in and scroll around on stored images so that you can look at them more closely.The configuration of the camera is unusual, splitting the viewfinder, lens and flash from the other half of the camera and allowing their separate rotation.  I usually don't rotate the lens, but sometimes it is convenient to do so, allowing you to take pictures over your head or around corners.  I bought a small minipod and found that the rotating lens assembly provides some extra flexibility when clamping the camera to whatever happens to be available.  The on-board flash is OK, but the red-eye reduction facility doesn't work very well.  If you don't use an off-camera flash, you're living with substandard lighting anyway, but there are more effective red-eye reduction systems on other built-in flashes.It doesn't matter how slick the controls are, or how good it looks if it doesn't take acceptable pictures.  I've been quite please with the camera's performance in many different light conditions.  I've had fun capturing the Christmas lights in Z&uuml;rich, and my best picture was a misty Fall scene on Mt. Pilatus with yellow and red leaves.  It took me 6 tries to get the exposure right (that's why you buy a camera like this), but it perfectly captured that dreamy backlit scene and its Autumn colors.  Pictures don't always come out as rich as negative film, but they aren't bad and when they are good, they can be very good.I've found that close-ups work well, and macro mode is fun.  I've even used my 990 to copy signs or even pages in a book.  It is a quick way to capture text that you need to refer to later.  After you've taken a picture of a diagram or text, view it and use the zoom function to make sure that what you've just taken is legible in the monitor.The camera has more continuous shooting options than I know what to do with.  The multi-shot 16 feature lets you create a single collage that consists of 16 pictures.  That's the kind of gimmick that you can't use very often without wearing out your audience's patience.  If you want to create a short movie, though, you can do that too.Speaking of night pictures, I had a terrible time figuring out the self-timer.  When you put it in self-timer mode, the close-up icon (flower) comes on, and so does the red eye icon.  It turns out that you are stuck with this configuration, which isn't really optimal for night scenes. ...  Given the availability of multi-second shutter speeds, and a sensitivity adjustment providing an effective speed of ISO 400, some owners will undoubtedly pay for the MC-EU1 release, and the bulb setting is pretty much useless without it.I like the USB cable.  Once you've loaded Nikon View on your computer, connecting the camera to a USB port and turning it on automatically makes the camera accessible as if it were a removable drive.  I've been traveling with just the USB cable and find it a very convenient way to pull pictures into my laptop and delete them from the memory card.  Connection of the USB cable automatically turns off the color monitor, and subsequent battery drain seems to be low....  I think most Nikon owners would appreciate a more advanced text than this, but it is comprehensive and has helped me better utilize my camera.In summary, automatic operation is very good, and if desired, this camera offers the ability to control every aspect of the photography process.  It has less waiting time than many other digital cameras I've used, it is relatively easy to use, and it takes good pictures.  It's a winner!
Amazing!  This camera takes pictures so clear and high-definition that I will never use film again.  The USB connection to my PC makes downloading amazingly simple - just drag and drop.  It does everything - including 40  second QuickTime movies!  I am a believer.
The Nikon Coolpix 990 represents the point-and-shoot digital technology ALMOST mature. The shutter delay is hardly noticeable, and most images get written to the drive fairly quickly. Batteries almost last a reasonable amount of time. However, the Quicktime movie capability is a little awkward -- no sound -- and the color of the images seems to always be a problem.However, if you're looking to buy a digital point-and-shoot today, this is the camera to buy. The independent, rotational-lens design is brilliant. You can point the thing at yourself and view your self-portrait as you take it, which by itself makes this camera  a standout in my book. Add to that the top-quality optics and dazzling array of features, and this model is the one to beat.Given all that, for the time being I'll stick to my (film-based) Olympus Stylus Epic for most of my shooting on-the-go. The Nikon is too big, too slow, too energy-hungry, and waaay too expensive to go everywhere the way the Olympus does.
I love this camera.  It take great pictures and has many features that allow you to contorl it like a normal SLR camera.  The one flaw that this camera has it that suffers from &quot;red eyes&quot; quite a bit.  The red eye reduction feature only seems to make it worse.
I had a Nikon 950, and now the 990. I really love the machine. you can really enjoy photography with this tecnology.!! Now we have good printing facilities, (OFOTO, PRINTROOM, etc) and this technology is mature. I will be putting my old type of camara a NIkon N70 to auction. Photography has changed for ever. About 990. Realy good stuff, quick. You need speedy Compact Flash to perform well and update to Bios of the machine will make 990 perform... Really good for low light conditions.!!
I bought from Amazon.com and it has paid for itself many times over.  I have made over 6,000 photographs with it.  I carry plenty of battery and memory (two sets of NiMH AA batteries and a Digipower battery pack), two 32 mb, one 64 mb, and one 80 mb memory card.  ON a shooting trip I take about 400 pictures or more per day.  Quality is excellent; I have made full page, full bleed color brochures with it.  Most of the time I use XGA mode, high quality compression, 400 kilobyte per picture.  For pro work I use full size high quality, but still JPEG, 1 megabyte per picture.  It is exceptionally well suited to smoothly textured subjects (sky, water, glass) where the lack of grain is paramount.  It is somewhat less suited to intricate subjects (forest).  The swivel LCD screen makes formerly difficult shots easy (low or high viewing angles).  Macro focus is excellent.  Color balance and exposure control very good; you will want to edit most of your shots in a good bitmap editor (Corel Photopaint for instance) to rotate upright and equalize color.  You can also apply a &quot;film-like&quot; s-curve adjustment to make it look just like film if you wish.
Boy - when this camera can get a good focus lock, there's enough lighting, the planets are in alignment, and angels sing, the pictures that come out of this camera are OUTSTANDING.The only problem, though, are those pesky angels and planets. They just don't cooperate.I've used an Olympus  C2000-Z for the past year. I found the pictures to be of somewhat  consistent quality - some better than others - maybe 3-5 out of a  &quot;roll&quot; (16MB smartcard) to be worth sharing with my family.I bought the Nikon 950  before I got the Oly - and had to return it out of frustration with the  user interface and the inability of the camera to obtain a focus lock - and  take the picture.And that's if the camera didn't lock up. Heck - it's  not Windows. You shouldn't need to &quot;reboot&quot; your camera. In a  week, the 990 locked up (requiring me to take the batteries out) five or  six times. The 950 was just as bad.I found a better UI with the 990 -  but similar frustrations with focus. In low light situations, you better be  on a tripod, and have a flashlight handy to let the camera get a focus  lock. From what I understand, there are cameras coming out (Fuji has one)  that have what SLR owners are used to - a low light focus assist  illumination lamp. This camera desparately needs one.If you need to take  a picture of something moving - get a focus lock BEFORE your subject gets  into view - or the camera becomes very confused, and you're left staring at  the viewfinder's blinking green &quot;I'm not ready to take a picture - I  can't focus&quot; light. And your subjects look at you, smiling politely...  &quot;Did you get it?&quot;&quot;No.&quot;&quot;Boy, that camera is  slow, huh? I thought the box said 'superhigh performance'?&quot;&quot;Ha  ha. Very funny. Where's my old Oly? I want this shot.&quot;Anyway - make  sure you buy it at some place that has a 30 day money back guarantee. You  may need to exercise that guarantee.(Besides the bad focus  and system hangs, I also found Nikon's Windows software to be buggy. You'll  want to get a standalone USB card reader. And why didn't Nikon embrace  SmartCard Type II? I want to use that IBM microdrive, gosh durn it!)BTW  - Digital photography is GREAT. I'm hooked.
I was hesitatant about buying a digital camera, especially at the price. But after seeing many web sites with images from the camera, I took the plunge.Shooting digitally is a bit different from traditional photography. I tend to use the LCD screen to set up shots, and you can't really fire shots off as quickly with a digital camera, it has to autofocus, etc.But, I, and others who've seen my photos, love the quality. I print them out on a HP Deskject 1220, which when using photo quality paper makes brilliant prints.I took this camera to France. I shot over 1,500 images. I took 4 flash cards with me, since I had no way to upload the images while I was there. The images I got from that trip were worth the price of the camera alone. I now have a bound book of images I printed on my HP.There will always be arguments over film and digital cameras. I own both. I love each for what they can do.The Nikon CP990 delivers great quality, a lot of flexibility in use, which takes some time to learn. You can shoot macro, adjust contrast, adjust the EV value, shoot in black and white and even capture 30 seconds of video.I bought the Nikon wide angle 28 lens. The standard lens just doesn't capture as much as I liked.All in all, this has been a great tool to have. I shoot almost daily with it.If you want a digital camera and intend to use it heavily, then go for it. You won't be disappointed.
I too love my 990.  I bought it to replace my 950 which was a wonderful camera.  I agree with others that the 990's menu system takes some time to master if you really want to maximize the potential of this camera.  You can use the auto mode to take great pictures right out of the box though.  This camera, just like the 950 is a hog for batteries.  I like the fact that I can carry regular AA batteries as an emergency backup, but better yet, get two sets of rechargeables.  I use the camera to take &quot;crude&quot; pictures of radiographs and intraoperative pictures. The ability to select for light source makes this much easier.  It does a very good job for the radiographs and takes excellent surgical pictures (great color accuracy).  The flash unit is fairly weak so consider trying to get the elusive external flash adapter (hard to find in stock).  That's my only complaint with these Nikon digital cameras.  The accessories are sometimes very hard to get.
This is a fantastic camera.  I routinely use the second or third highest resolution setting and I am able to take pictures that have excellent detail and color.  My preferences are close-up shots and panoramic views and this camera excels at both.  The 3.34 megapixels is more than sufficient to print off non-pixelated 8x10 photos from my Canon s900 photo printer (also very good).  I've used this camera at night to get some good city-scapes (especially considering that I don't have a tripod) and for shots ranging from dreary days in Ireland to sunny mornings in Santa Fe and the camera is great.I picked the brains of camera-philes before purchasing my digicam and Nikon was repeatedly recommended as one of the best cameras in the price range, regardless of extra features (Sony) and higher pixel concentrations (Olympus, HP, Epson).  That advice proved correct.  If you can't find this model, look into the CoolPix 4500, which is essentially the 990's replacement.
I received my 990 about 2 weeks ago, and I take it everywhere with me.  I share the view of many of the reviewers -- you NEED rechargable NiMh batteries (in the first 3 days I went through 3 sets of alkelines) and a bigger memory card (one reviewer says that you can take only 10 pictures at the best quality on the enclosed 16 Mb card -- in fact, ONE picture at the top quality takes about 9 Mb, so you have to download one before you can get another on.)  These petty complaints notwithstanding, the quality of this camera and the control you get are remarkable.  One excellent aspect of the camera is that it's a wonderful camera to learn photographic technique on.  Every photo taken generates a 5 page data file that records the settings of the camera.  Take 4 pictures of a subject at different settings and you can instantly check to see which is the best, and then check what settings you were using -- f. 4.0 at 1/60th of a second, using spot metering, etc.  If I wanted to do this comparison on my 35 mm I would have to take notes of every setting, then shoot a whole roll of film and have it developed, before I could view the pictures side-by-side.  Now I can take pictures and immediately compare them.
As background, I (and 4 colleagues) use 2 of the Nikon 990s daily to take entire animal photos plus macro closeups at a Veterinary School.  This camera is very popular for this use as the quality of the macro photographs is excellent.  All of the positives and most of the negatives have already been stated about this camera.  I want to add an irritating design flaw that to my knowledge cannot be fixed.  After careful, but frequent use for 3 years, the plastic 'nub' that the battery compartment door latches to has first bent and then broken off.  The plastic piece is part of a large casting and cannot be replaced.  This has happened to 4 Nikon 990s used at our school.  I complained about this defect at a recent meeting and found that multiple colleagues at other institutions have experienced the identical defect.Using adhesive tape to wrap the battery compartment shut has offered a temporary solution, but this unit uses batteries too quickly for taping to be more than a temporary stop gap until we buy new cameras..Nikon 990s are still readily available on the web.  This design flaw limits very frequent use.
This is good. I'd like for it to be used for productive religious activites. The digital photos I've take of dake-bonoist clicking sessions have warmed my heart.
Suffice it to say, the cp990 battery door and battery compartment issues have been established. For me, it was one of the little plastic catches on the battery compartment that failed (broke).  Once the integrity of the tiny plastic catch has been compromised it's either tape-the-door-shut or replace-the-compartment.  I was quoted $120 and $150 for the repair at two respectable camera shops.  In 2006 this camera can/could be had used at approx $200  or less - I would/did NOT pay to have it repaired.  I guess the 'not repairing it' logic would also point to why the cost is so high -- if a camera shop hoses the job, then they'd most likely have to replace the camera.  Luckily I found the 'battery compartment' piece on the big auction site and ordered it, cost approx $29 plus shipping. In reality, what would I have lost if I messed the camera up further?  For the repair all that was required is a good desk lamp, precision screwdrivers, and patience. I won't turn this rating into a tutorial, I like the camera and it was worth the effort to fix it.  Outside the redeye issues, and the toy like battery compartment, this camera beats most 5mp ps cameras hands down.Repair at your own risk - I did!
Wait...you STILL haven't purchased this camera!??!  What are you waiting for?  I bought the 990 when it first became available at Amazon.com back in July.  I've been using it for everything.  I take it on mountain bike rides, take it to the beach, use it for fast action sports, portraits, you name it.  I love taking movies with it, too.  They're very easy to load into Premiere to add special effects.  This camera has options and features designed to work in all environments.  Make sure you have V1.1 software, though.  With V1.0, I was DYING while waiting for the camera to store all the pictures I took while in continuous mode.  This is one of my favorite modes, especially with soccer games.  But, with V1.1, as soon as you let go of the shutter release, the camera is ready to take more pictures.  This fix makes the camera as near perfect as can be!I purchased the 2X telephoto lens...OH MY GOODNESS.  This lens is incredible.  I think the pictures are even SHARPER with this lens on.  It amazes me.  The 3X telephoto lens is now available and I have no doubt that it will exceed my expectations.  I also purchased the remote shutter release which adds more features to the camera like time lapse photography!  Cool for sunsets/sunrises.  Also, if you think the swivel feature of this camera is going to cause problems...DON'T.  It's the neatest thing and one of the biggest reasons I decided on this camera over the Olympus.Well, why haven't you clicked the &quot;Purchase Now&quot; button???  Hurry!
I'd have to say that until this camera came out I'd been banking my imaging needs on 35mm that'd been scanned.  With the 990 I feel the days of film development are long gone for this product serves my needs above and  beyond what's necessary or even expected.I am running this product in a  professional environment and it is performing exceedingly well.  Some of my  work has been in macro (e-mail me for a sample macro pic) and general  studio work.  The generous number of features makes this camera rival some  high-end 35mm SLR's.  If you photograph for the web (As I do) this product  surely will not disappoint.The down side is that it came with only a  16mb Flash Card and a USB to plug into the camera.  I will likely buy a USB  card reader so that I can plug my cards in to my PC for uploading pics.
Having been a Nikon user for 95% of my photographic career, the 990 was a natural purchase.  This is a wonderful camera in every fashion!  It's made in true Nikon tradition--durable, dependable, and simple to use.  Does it do what my D1 will do--no it won't, but it wasn't intended to.  However, it does share many similar functions to the D1 or a well-equiped SLR.  You have the option of aperture or shutter speed priority, program (and program shift), as well as full manual control.  And if you use the LCD panel for viewing, you do have a digital SLR of sorts, so you can use filters (such as a polarizer) and others.  So you do have a very capable and creative tool with this camera.  My main purpose for buying this camera was to have a digital &quot;point-and -shoot&quot; that wasn't as cumbersome as the D1 or an SLR and didn't require carrying around an array of lenses but still gave me some of the SLR tools that would be useful.  In other words, this camera allows me to do digital imaging and keep it simple.My only bone of contention with the 990 is the flash.  Expect to remove red-eye from 90 percent of your people-pictures.  And the red-eye reduction feature doesn't help much.  The flash is just too close to the lens--period!  I bought the flash bracket so I can use my Nikon SB-28 flash and that proved to be a flawless combination.  The only problem with that arrangement is that it sort of defeats the point-and-shoot purpose to a small extent.  The only other issue would be seeing the LCD panel in bright light outdoors, but I imagine that's probably a typical problem with most of these cameras.  But here's a little tip.  Take a piece of black posterboard, fashion it into a square tube the size of the LCD panel, put some narrow strips of velcro on it and around the LCD panel and voila--a viewing hood that works like a charm!  Also, as is probably also typical for these cameras, don't expect long battery life if you use the LCD panel all the time.  Get some rechargeable metal hydroxide batteries.  The life span is far, far longer.  The Everyready system works very well.  Aside from that, for general shooting outdoors and indoors, I love this camera.I have to be honest and state that I didn't do a lot of comparing.  I had (and still have) the Coolpix 800 and loved it as well, and again, being a Nikon freak, there wasn't any indecision here.  I simply wanted a &quot;point-and-shoot&quot; digital that had more capabilities than the 800 had.  If I'm doing some really serious shooting for publication or exibition, then it's time for the D1 or the old faithful SLR and slide film.Don't think twice if you're considering this camera.  It's top-notch all the way!
I've been using this camera for years now doing digital 360 photography.What makes this camera great is the len(s) you can get (wide angle & fish eye) which lets you make 360 degree panoramas with the help of software like VRToolbox, and pano-head from Kaidan.Sean B. Halliday[...]
I have had this camera for 6 months, and I must say, it has changed the way I think about digital cameras.  I have used nothing but 35mm until now. The download to the computer is fast and easy, but you have to have Windows 98 or newer (to support USB).  -image manipulation in anything but HI (TIFF format) will cause moderate to severe resolution reduction -flash is mediocre YOU WILL NEED: a rechargeable battery kit with 4 AA's, and a bigger memeory chip (64mb is more than adequate for my needs). Hey- no one said this hobby was cheap!
I used this camera as part of my journalism class. The camera is an excellent value. The megapixels are enough for most applications, and the price is not large enough to break your pocket book. I am thinking about picking one up this year. For [the price], this camera is a steal. The only thing that I wish this had which only the top end SLR cameras have, are interchangable lenses. But for the average shooter, this is a great camera.
can't find this stuff in stores. got this for the kids. pics are way too small of a space. film is hard to pull out. quality not so great. stickers not so easy to use practically. we did stick them to magents and cut off the colored paper ends and stick them to our magnetic board. much easier to do with regular pics as the magnets already have sticky sides on them.
The pictures are just mini polaroids with a sticky part on the back. They're stiff, but they're no thicker than a polaroid picture. If you have the regular film, you can put double sided tape on the back and accomplish the same thing. I am happy with the picture quality. I'm always forgetting to get my film developed, so this is really convienient for me.
I-zone camera's are so cute! The sticky film is great, much handier than taping the pictures up! And sticky film has cool colors. Mine has stars with yellow and green backgrounds! Don't hesitate to try it! Bye the way, you can buy 12-packs at stores like Pamida or Wal-mart, ShopKo, etc.
This I zone sticky film works fine in my camera.  I use it to create pictures that I put in cards and notes.  The pictures are small but that's ok.  People get the idea.  It's not something to save a lifetime of memories with.  Just something to use for fun.
This film takes fantastic pix with a nice depth of field!  Even the most funny looking of persons, will look much better in miniature size!!  :-D  It is so very enjoyable to watch these tiny photos develop before one's eyes.  This camera and film is a great cheerer-upper!!!
Polaroid Spectra Film Twin PackFilm arrived completely OK.  I still use a Polaroid camerafor certain events, including kids activities, horse showsetc.  You can hand a participant a snap shot right then and there...not when you get back to your home printer & "PC" or Mac.And you can scan it in to photo files later if you want too.As far as I know Amazon is the only source for suchfilm, although a little expensive...  Arlene & Dick Norman
Was so excited to get this film sooner than the shipping notification stated - in time for a big party!  But not a single photo is good.  ALL have totally undeveloped areas - some are 90% undeveloped.  ALL have terrible colour.  Total waste of a lot of money.
The product is great, but the fact that these blood suckers are taking advantage of the downfall of Polaroid instant film makes me hope their business follows suit with the Dodo or Pepsi Clear.
Unfortunately I cannot rate this product as high as I should because the film itself was too large for the camera and so would not fit. I made the attempt to exchange the film by contacting the seller, but without success. I am sure it is a good product, I just cannot use it.
glad amazon is out there, because you can't find items like this in stores anymore.
Only place to purchase this now of out of production product which I use in my ESL classes to group students by country and to ID them so that I can learn their names.
Very good experience, received product day before it was promised with a letter giving me information about returns. I thought that was pretty great.
I've had this instant picture taking camera for over a decade. You just can't beat it for on-the-spot pics. Only prob, not making film anymore. Amazon was the lesser of the evils for purchase of the film. So I took out a loan, bought the film. Ha, ha.
It appears Polaroid has stopped production of instant color films.  Civilization declines a tad.  Few will care.  Bless you Edwin Land and the Germans who developed the original technology.
Though I enjoy getting "positive" votes, please note the date of the original review. Polaroid no longer manufactures instant-picture materials, and the following review cannot be considered an endorsement of what remains in stock. Be cautious when buying "outdated" material.When Polaroid introduced the SX-70 in 1972, its self-processing "integral" film represented a major backwards step for instant color-print materials. The need for the dyes to migrate through a titanium dioxide layer before reaching the receptor sheet caused a significant loss of sharpness, as well as a creamy "bloom" in areas of fine detail against a light background (eg, bare branches against the sky).Polaroid has not been able to make an integral film that matches the overall quality of their peel-apart materials. The latter have detail and a vivid edge sharpness the integral films will probably never achieve. But the current Platinum film is unquestionably the best of its type.Color rendition is noticeably improved. Platinum film can tolerate direct comparison with the Macbeth color chart without suffering acute embarrasment. The tonal scale has been lengthened without a loss of saturation. (The 150-speed Time-Zero material has a noticeably shorter scale, often producing excessively contrasty prints.) Sharpness is better than any previous integral film (including the 150-speed), and the "bloom" is lower than ever.Nevertheless, Polaroid's integral materials do not match the overall quality of modern color-negative films. The latter have multiple layers and complex chemical interactions among the layers that allow both a wide tonal scale and high saturation. It's unlikely Polaroid films will ever be able to perform these chemical feats, so the gap between conventional and instant-picture quality will continue to widen.On the other hand, Polacolor (both peel-apart and integral) has a quality rarely seen in negative films -- it looks almost three-dimensional. There's depth -- an almost-palpable "roundness" -- you don't get from Kodacolor or Fujicolor. The latter look flat by comparison.A note about processing... Although Polaroid integral films give good results over a wide temperature range, the highest saturation and cleanest colors occur in the high 70s or low 80s. (I discovered this when I threw several developing prints on top of a warm amplifier in a cool room. The pattern of the amplifier's vent holes appeared in the print, with the areas over the holes noticeably more vivid.) A warm Spring or not-too-hot Summer day gives the brightest colors.If you haven't taken Polaroid pictures in a long time, try the Platinum film. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I am really loving my camera. Although the film is kinda on the expensive side. I recommend the fortune film. ;) I took pictures of all my family and friends and surrounded my computer monitor with them. Here are some tips: Get really close to the person you are going to take a picture of. If you don't they'll look really tiny. Try to purchase the 3 pack film. You'll save some $$$$.
I use to own one of these cameras when it was originally on the market, and it was so much fun. I missed it so much, I had to replace it with this one.These cameras are great for children or parties!I have it a 4 of 5 stars because the camera is pretty basic.  Turn knob to turn on, push button hard to take photo and pull out print.Have fun!*Note-any film purchased for these cameras, are going to be expired.  They no longer make the film.
The i-zone is good for parties and various places on the go but I wouldn't rate it too highly because the photo size is so small. I know the idea is the create tiny little keepsakes but it means that it just isn't big enough to look at properly. The other disadvantage is the sticky film isn't very sticky at all, which defeats the purpose of that.
Obviously, this camera looks cool. It's simple to use and very straight forward when it comes to taking pictures. The problem is: they never come out looking very good. Mistakes are costly too as the film comes in packs  of six! The pictures are awkward in size and Polaroid recommends that you  don't trim them due to the presence of CAUSTIC glue. I like Polaroid's new  approach, this could have been a very cool device but instead I think I'll  stick to more conventional cameras.
I like the I-Zone camera a lot- it's small, lightweight, and really fun to use because the pictures are so creative and (with the sticky film) you can put them anywhere. Also, when you take the picture, you can set the camera  for indoors, outside- cloudy, or outside- sunny and it automatically  adjusts the flash. I took off one star for a few things. One, like everyone  else said, the flash button is pretty loose. Two, I don't like having a  border on the picture- you can only trim it so much. And finally, Polaroid  doesn't make a case for it,  which is kind of a pain. But otherwise it's a  great camera and I'd recommend it!
I've been told by others who've used it for the purpose, overseas, that the little photos produced by these cameras are a wonderful and much-appreciated gift that produces a LOT of excitement in the kids in India and elsewhere who are in so much need that they're begging from tourists, but who are often being abused and exploited in order to make money for others.  This is a gift for THEM; sometimes they'll have no other photo of themselves other than what you just took for them to keep for themselves or give to someone who cares about them.  What a great idea ... I'm buying one for my upcoming trip.  Something of lasting value; better than candy or money.
Oh, man this camera is fun! Its great to buy loads of film (yes I know, 'tis very expensive) but you get tons of cool pictures to stick wherever, and just take the camera 2 school and snap pictures, its really fun. A couple very important things to know before ya use it: Its not a pocket camera, dont try to fit it in there- it wont work! Be careful what you haul it around in, the button could go off if ya bang it around. Always follow the instructions of the button where you flip the turny thing a ma jig to the atmosphere your taking the picture in example:(if your taking a pic indoors flip it to the indoors symbol, ect) always flip the thing to OFF when your done or it wastes a lotta batteries, believe me, I know! Dont take a picture from 10 feet away and expect it to turn out b cuz all youll get is a picture of a dark dark room... and never open up the bottom where you insert film if there is already film inside because that accidentally happened and it wasted quite a lotta pics cuz it wasnt shut securely. If ya pay attention to all that the youll be in the zone in no time!Oh---One more thing! This is sooooooo cool! take a picture of ur friend leaning one way, keep the camera still and dont move it after u have taken the pic, leave the picture in the camera then have ur friend lean the other way and take a picture on the same photo...do this quickly..then you can pull it on out and see your twin or your ghost, whichever u prefer, It took me a while to get it right, but Ive got a picture where it looks so real! Its really cool! Now what other camera can do that??!
I must admit this is a very novel idea. I love my camera (I got the clear blue one, I forgot the fancy name). Anyways here are the problems.  1) The on/off/flash wheel is very loose. On many occasions I have had it turn on to the ready flash mode and a few hours later my batteries were gone. This is a real concern as anything will turn them on, even the shuffling of your clothes while it's sitting in your drawer. 2) The pictures are very small so take this into account. If you take a picture with a dozen people, they all come out to be the size of dots. 3) Take pictures REALLY up close not far away. Good luck making out someone on stage at a concert.If used correctly, you will love this camera. Enjoy it but don't expect anything special out of a $20 camera.
Bored with plain old cameras, I wanted something new and interesting. The Polaroid I-Zone was the answer to my prayers! This adorable silver camera is very attractive, and it easily slips into a purse, pocket, or backpack  (convenient for school or a day at the beach)! I like the colorful borders  on the sticky film, and you can stick these tiny snapshots anywhere. I've  seen them on computers, bedroom walls, notebooks, textbooks, CD players,  yearbooks, you name it. Be creative! I highly recommend the I-Zone camera  to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary. I love this camera,  and so will you!
No big promises here other than this will add enjoyment to trips, vacations, big dinners, etc -- it is portable candy. It is also a good to have around the house in the way that it is good to have a roll of electrical tape -- it comes in handy for doing odd jobs like a kid's class project that reqs pictures, etc. The film is about $8 for 12 exp -- a little less than a buck a print. Even if you factor in the cost of printing regular film this still has a premium, but it isn't too bad, you get the pictures instantly. All the negatives are only negatives if you use this like a traditional camera. The purpose here is fun.Pluses: - Light, easy to bring anywhere; Instant film; Cheap; Good for kids (no worries)Negs: - Prints are small (large postage stamp); No negatives (one print only), very 'of the moment'
I'd give the Izone camera 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that the flash button is very loose and turns on in my bag all the time, thus, draining out the batteries.  Polaroid needs to redevelop the Flash button  to stop doing that.  Other than that, the camera is really cute!  It is a  serious conversation piece in any social situation.  If you want to meet  people and are shy, go out with a Lime Green Izone!  People will flock to  you like you wouldn't believe.  But that's not why I bring my Izone out  with me.  I love the pictures it takes!  Try and aim really close to your  subject and you won't go wrong.  The pics develop fast, and the border on  the sticky film is all different colors!  Be creative!  Stick the pics  around the house, on your computer, on your letters to friends, on  notebooks, etc.  All my friends have an Izone!
The first picture I took with my I-zone (which is beautiful in silver) was of course, a picture of myself. I lifted the camera above me and snapped a shot. Now, I'm definately NOT photogenic - but this picture was amazing! I  feel beautiful!This camera is easy to use, fun, and light enough to  carry around anywhere. I definately recommend it! It's my new best buddy.
I was really excited when i got my I-zone in the mail, But i thought it came with film- big dissapointment. make sure you have the film ready when it comes, cause now im broke and sad :(
My biggest disappintment with this camera is the size of the pictures. They are unbearably small. Litteraly a size of a poststamp.The quality of the picture is avearge, and the camera has this annoying feature, where it turns off after every picture.
I have wanted this before it was even invented. I just didn't know what it was.  The iZone offers the same superb picture quality as its bigger sisters and more portability than ever! I had two worries before I used it:  Would the big button on the top of the camera accidentally get mashed when  I put the cam in my backpack? And, would the pictures come out as close  ups, looking cropped, or would they be in proportion, as larger photos  are?As soon as I took my first picture, these fears were put aside! The  button locks back into &quot;off&quot; mode right after you take a picture.  Yay efficiency! You just yank out the picture when you're done. The  pictures are the same as their larger counterparts, just miniaturized. I  have found infinite possibilities with my lil cam, and I have seen the  pictures stuck all around town! It's a miniature photo revolution!
The I ZONE Pocket Polaroid Camera is small, portable, fun, and easy to use. I only gave it 4 stars because the film is expensive and the flash button turns on too easily, which drains batteries. It's fun because you can instantly develop your small, sticky pictures and put them anywhere (notebooks, letters, your wall, birthday cards), or you can make an album and decorate it. The pictures are surprisingly good quality, even though they're so small. It's also great for kids because they can use it themselves and invent cool projects. Altogether this is a great camera, you'll get hours of fun out of it.
I got this camera to make picture flash-cards for my autistic spectrum daughter.  The pictures are small enough to easily fit a number on each page of her card book but clear enough that she has no problem identifying them.  I highly recommend the i-zone, and the sticky back pictures are very convenient.
I have the silver adition of the i zone camera and its neat.I waisted about 3 out of 17 pictures but now i am pretty good.It takes a little getting used to, but i think its a great camera.It is actually the first  camera i ever had of my own besides a disposable camera! I love it and the  pics are sticky.Yeah!
Okay I got this for free by winning a contest but hey who cares, right?It is very easy to use. Not too bulky. The film develops quickly. The batteries don't drain to fast and... well playing with the sticker pictures  is just to much fun.What does this all boil down to? I LOVE IT!  I  might even get one for some of my friends... It's a great gift for college  students and high school students.
I love I-zone caramras.  These camaras are so easy to use and there is so much you can do with them.  True the pictures are small, but that allows you to do more with them (I've started a collage on by bedroom door).  These camaras are also easy to carry (on your rist, in a purse, etc.), they are simple to use (turn on the flash [or not], push a button, and pull out your picture a split second later). And best of all, you can stick them anywhere w/o glue or tape. If you don't have one of these camaras you need to get one.
So you love capturing the moment, in any way possible, you love new technology, and funky groovy stuff that that is just so damn kewl?! Then this is for you! Izone is a pretty good size, and comes with a little bag, great for easy access and protection when carrying it with you. Really small pics, EXCELLENT for personalising wallets, folders (great for us school kiddies!), diaries, books, albums, fridges (??!!!), practically anywhere! It's not for scenery taking at all, really just people in their general situations, and taking kwik pics of friends and fam, and totally new people! Great to give to friends too to remember the moment! It goes off!The only problem would be easy accessablility for the film, it's not that easy to get, but if you buy alot in one go, excellent! definently worth it!
This cheep plastic camera is not worth the effort to produce. The tiny photos are grainy and hard to make out. Don't waste your money on it. I ended up trashing it because it's useless.
Digital cameras, like computers approximately double in power and halve in price every 18 months. True, digital cameras are easy to use and fun to play with on your pc, but please save time and money, and don't be tempted by the promise (or price) of anything under 1 megapixel. This camera looks nice, and thats about it - grainy picture quality over 3&quot;x5&quot;, blocky resolution, and poor light enhancement. Do yourself a favour, and stick with a normal camera until you can afford to really experiment with something worthwhile.
This camera is basically only good for someone that doesn't know alot about computers and digital camera.what stinks about this camera, is there is no flash....and you can't buy a memory card to store more pictures, so it's not good for a vacation.the quality wasn't the best, kinda grainy....but if you're just looking for a simple camera to learn the basics of how to work digital cameras, this is a good way to learn w/o spending too much money
This is my first digital camera, and I don't have the pile of money to spend right now so this camera seems to be fine for kids or beginners (not professionals). I took a few pictures of my pet and it turned out ok, but not sharp enough. I emailed the pictures and everyone can still tell it's my pet so it is fine for emails or something simple like that. If you want better pictures and flash to go with your camera, better save your money for a better digital camera. This camera is not bad at all to me, and I saved a bundle too. After I use this one up, and I find work soon, I will save up for a better digital camera. This one is good practice for me to learn how to use one!
This camera is very small and light weight.  From there it is mainly bad news though.  First it is not USB compatible - you are limited to having a open 9-pin serial port available on your PC.  Second the picture quality is very poor...super tough to get the lightening right....Third - well to just come out and say it....this camera should say for ages 4 - 12.....it would make a decent toy for a kid, but little else in my opinion.Spend a little more and get a 640 or better camera, you'll be VERY happy you didn't waste the money (as little as it is) on the 320.  Better to go buy pizza or something else...this thing is that bad!!!!
OK ... This is not a great camera. No flash, low resolution pictures and  limited capacity. But what do you expect for $50? For an easy to use, low  priced first step into digital cameras, this is a good choice. The software  is easy to load and operate and the picture quality, though not good, is  sharp enough to get you started on how to adjust digital pictures and use  them on the Internet. The kit includes everything you need to start taking  pictures right out of the box, camera, battery and serial cable. Try it  out, then upgrade and give it to the kids for use with their friends! As I  said, for $50, it's an OK package.
With all of the negative comments from the buyers, etc., one would expect less than spectaular results with this digital camera.  Look first at the specifications -- no flash, minimal memory, etc.This is a good value for the novice, however, if you are expecting perfection and flawless digital photography, spend some more $$$$.  You get what you pay for.  All in all, it's a fair camera for the price -- just dont expect something for next to nothing.  Great for kids, on-line sellers or just as a &quot;toy&quot;.  I purchased it (for less than the price noted) not expecting a miracle camera for the price and am pleased.  Now that I know what to expect with the software, I'll save my pennies and purchase a better digital camera in the future.DO NOT EXPECT ALOT WHEN YOU DO NOT PAY ALOT....
I would have to agree that this product seems to be more a toy, than a camera.  I purchased the Poloroid Izone last year for my daughter, at half the price and it was a much better product.  I have no one to blame except myself.  I should have immediately returned it to Aol, and will be much smarter about my purchases through them in the future.  I was just so excited to be able to take pictures, upload and send.  Wouldn't embarrass myself at this point.  Would really like to try and sell on the netmarket, but would be too humilating to do to someone else.
I own this digital camera-- thought that it would produce good pictures.. I am indeed dissappointed with this product. I would not recommend this product to anyone.. Now, I am looking for a new and good digital camera or camcorder.
I bought this camera on impulse after viewing the AOL Ad.  At this price I should have known not to expect much, and really I didn't.  Yet, even with low expectations, Poloroid was able to plunge me into making many self-deprecating statements and other fits of depression.  The 320 x 240 resolution is too terrible no matter what lighting or other circumstances prevailed. I was so disappointed in my own stupidity, I didn't even have the common sense to send it back.  Truly, this is a case where the advertisers have led the public astray, and I was one of the first.  Poloroid should be ashamed of itself
This is probably the only digital camera that you'll find [for the money]. I understand that times are tough these days but anyone that expects spectular performance for what is basically a kid's toy is lying to themselves. The sad thing is it takes better pictures than the low end Sony cameras and they claim to be Megapixel cameras! All this thing does is snap small digital images approx wallet size. No bells or whisles just 2 buttons. So stop complaining that the camera is junk because the thing doesn't cost much more than a disposable and if you get a year out of it you got your money's worth.
My 6 year old got this camera for Christmas. I did not expect much but got astonishingly less. The resolution is great (for 6 year olds and email). The quality of the pictures is horrible. I would not trust a company that put their name prominently on a camera like this. This camera needs A LOT of light! The compromise on the flash is acceptable at its price. However, there is no excuse for the quality of the pictures, blurry and out of focus, even when a tripod is used to take a picture of a stationary object.
When I purchased this inexpensive camera, I expected poorer than average  image quality, but I never considered that the images might be unusable.Every single shot taken by this camera appears badly out of focus.  Shots I took at 5 inches (!) looked no worse than those taken within the recommended 3-6 feet.  Some reviewers seem to think that the poor quality is because of the small size of the images - but on web pages, 0.07 megapixel images should look just fine.
Easy to use but extremely poor resolution. The money was wasted and I did expect better from Polaroid as I'd just read a review of their up and coming back to the market place in the Wall Street Journal-- maybe with  their instant film cameras but not with this junk.
Don't expect a lot from this camera. 8 shots in memory +/-, can't change memory cards, and low resolution.That said, it is a handy alternative to disposable 35 mm cameras. A utility camera. (not one to use on a family vacation or for any detailed pics).5 stars b/c it is worth the price.
I got this camera so I wouldn't have to get the film developed. lol. I also bought it for simple snap shots. What I like is that you can download the pictures onto your hard drive, erase them from your camera if you don't like them, comes with a battery and cord, you can retouch photos (not in a professional way), add special effects, take video captures, and play with 'photo fantasy' (your face on someone elses body). It doesn't take the good photos (made me rethink why I didn't get a camera with film). This Polaroid is only for kids or those who is new to digital cameras. Start with this model and get familiar with it, then buy a better camera.
I forgot to add that I had a heck of a time understanding the flash business on the manual. My pictures came out pretty good. Pretty surprised for a Polaroid. The case is kind of cool-turns into a fanny pack which is perfect for a busy parent who needs both hands.
got a refund for the film and case. woohoo. kind of a bummer that it wasn't included though. but I like it
This is a good camera if you like taking pictures and if you don't like waiting to get your pictures developed, especially for the price. The pictures aren't amazing, but they are pretty good for an instant camera.  There is, obviously, a flash button but there's also a switch that you  change according to how far away you are from the object you want to  photograph. However, the manual is really confusing. Everything is  demonstrated with an illustration and it's pretty difficult to figure out  the part about the flash (I'm sure they couldn't just write it because  there are so many languages that they wrote the warranty in!). But this is  a great camera (and you get a box of film and a case with the kit)and I'd  recommend it. But also, the film is expensive so use your pictures wisely!
The film is way too expensive.  The film that arrived with the camera was out dated and old.  It took really crappy pictures.
Buy this camera if you don't take a lot of picture in a short time. It has a great design and inside the box, you'll also find a manual and a soft bag. The manual were only pictures and nothing explained with much details.  My first pictures with it were posters, and using the flash made it  worthless. The best part of it was the handstrap on it. I get tired holding  a camera without it.The star missing is for the lack of good pictured  details and the danger of cutting the trims of the film.
The camera works fine, all I need now is to buy some film that actually works. A hard thing to do when you can't check the film before sending it.
Just like I remembered and my daughter (who is a budding photographer) loved it as one of her xmas gifts.  She was so interested in the &#34;old&#34; style pics!  Glad I found it for her!
The film for this camera is incredibly expensive.  So it isn't really worth it. It was a quality product and shipped fast. I went ahead and got a refund.
We bought this for my daughter just because she really wanted one, she totally LOVES it! it also brought back a flood of memories for my husband and I as well, we used these cameras when we were growing up. Though these cameras were very difficult to find,and very expensive if you did not look around on different Amazon pages,its definitely worth it..I think we paid less than $30, the only thing we didn't like is that it was a used camera and did not take the best of pictures. If you want to relive childhood memories..buy this!
This camera arrived in great condition, despite the poor packaging and wrapping.It was packed in a soft cardboard box wrapped in Christmas paper, with no instructions, or original paperwork.  I did have small bubble wrap surrounding it that kept it intact.Shipping was slow, but the product is great.
Do not get this item i really hate it. Did not work well. Sucked very bad. Get a polaroid from Urban Outfitters instead.
do not pull off the white tab off of the film.. it still worls even though the film has expired..!!
A  gift for my son the photographer, he loved it.  He used it and it works just find for it's age.
The Polaroid one step 600 is a very handy camera to have. I used mine for several years in youth work because you can give a picture to the student right away.I also used it for picture taking when my friends and I went to the top of Pikes Peak. It held up well from the hot sun at the base to the cold and snow at the top.It was so fun and exciting to have the picture pop out and then you would flap it as it slowly turned from white to the image you had just taken.Even though Polaroid has now discontinued making the camera and film I still have mine.
This particular camera was advertised as working, but upon arrival it did not work with current, unexpired film. During communication with the provider I was guaranteed that with unexpired film it would work. After spending $250 on film, it proved false. This camera does not work.
Hasn't seen much use yet because we've had only a 10-pack of film to spend. The camera, unlike the film, is great so far. Simple to load and use. Came in mint condition, so we're happy.
The film for these cameras are back by popular demand because so many people love them, and I can see why! The film is now called Impossible PX, and it costs less than what the original film used to cost. There are even different versions available with different special effects! The price for the new film is quite reasonable, especially for the good quality you get and the instantly developed "in your hand" photos. The quality is excellent, with very good resolution (especially if the film pack you purchase hasn't passed the expiration date). It rivals and even surpasses Fuji's, in my humble opinion. Try it and see for yourself, and you will not be disappointed! I do NOT recommend trying to find these cameras at your second hand stores (such as Goodwill), however. I've tried that route and done that several times, only to be very disappointed. First of all, it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Then when I did eventually find one, either not all the features worked, the pictures didn't develop correctly because the rollers were worn, or the flash burned out and quit working within a short time. This has happened to me on all three separate occasions when attempting that route. It is much more worth it to purchase these cameras from someone who has thoroughly checked that all the features function properly, can guarantee them, or even better yet... see if you can find and buy them new. I have been VERY pleased and satisfied with my camera since I've done that, and it's been very reliable and well worth the money! I love these cameras, and I would give them a TEN star rating if I could!
Its Very new the protective plastic was still on the camera when I received it and it came with instructions also very helpful. I have not tested it out with a film cartridge yet so that's why I am giving it four stars.
Polaroid is a popular camera brand, especially its instant cameras. Unlike other cameras such as Kodak, Canon, and Vivitar, it is self-protected when you close the front top hood down. It is well prolonging and does not require any batteries at all. All you need is brand new or fresh Polaroid 600, 600 Plus, or 600 Platinum film which can be inserted into the base of the camera. Then, a green light appears/glows and you will be set to take awesome pictures. Another reason why this camera is popular is because you get the pictures instantly.
The first thing I did with this camera was how comfortable taking pictures with it was. I had problems seeing the subject, because it had a very small view so my nose just keep hitting the camera just to get the best view with  this thing. That's my reason it's not THAT good of a camera.I saw that  more expensive cameras usually takes better pictures. The retailer took two  pictures with two different cameras and one seemed darker and less  vibrant(guess which one is the more expensive one).Finally, I just don't  know why, in Canada, films for these cameras are just too expensive. It  cost me two dollars every picture! At that price, I rather buy a SRL  camera.
After months of "should I order this?" and "what about the film?", yesterday I went into a store and found one! I then walked over to Urban Outfitters and bought the new film. Ok, pretty cool.I had some trouble getting the film in, so it got exposed and the pictures did not turn out so great. By mid-film, they had a neat sephia tint that I actually really love!I will buy more film from the new company, because from what I've read, it probably is my fault, not the film's or camera's. I bought this camera locally, (NOT OF AMAZON), so if there are any problems with it I can return it to the store.
LOL to anyone who spends this much money on this item. I find these things all the time at garage sales for $10.00. They ALWAYS work because they have two moving parts, the flip lid and the trigger. They never break because all of the mechanics of the camera are in the film cartridge.Look for the Impossible Project to get film (about $25 for 10 pictures), don't buy expired polaroid film, it doesn't really develop very well..unless that's what you are looking for.
I have great respect for Amazon.com but I am puzzled why they continue to offer a product that is essentially useless since film is not generally available. The camera was a quality product but film for this camera, and most other Polaroid cameras was discontinued years ago. The only choice is to pay a very high price for vastly outdated Polaroid film or spend even more for film from a "start up" company which may already be out of business.
So disappointed. The image of the product is not authentic, I received a toy instead of vintage one. Stay away
So there I was... a college guy who wanted to do photography of the world around him and become the next (insert famous photographer) but had failed a class in high school and wasn't ready to drop a ton of cash on something he would be sick of in the next week.At first, I thought this was a piece of junk. It's lightweight (almost plastic body) and didn't look like it would hold up in my klutzy lifestyle. I WAS WRONG.This camera has traveled accross the country, been in rain and snow storms and still held up with the best cameras out there.The only drawback is that it's a manual camera. Which means, you need to know what you are doing to take good shots. I had no idea what was going on when I first started and now I am shooting pictures that hang in galleries and have won all sorts of awards.I will tell you that I did buy more lenses for it - and you know what! They were darn cheap on those auction websites.This is the best camera you are gonna get for the amount of money you are spending. Don't be fooled by it's low price either. I love mine, and am hesitant to trade it in for anything else....
This is a neat product simple enough for a beginner to use, offering standard features that all pros would want to have. A good match for this camera is the Vivitar 2800 flash (Amazon, please list this flash in the accessories section). Overall a great buy.
This camera was for my daughter's photography class in college.  It arrived in great shape and was very reasonably priced.  The icing on the cake was that it was the exact same camera that is referenced in her text book, so it was a win/win all around.  The camera is not complicated and easy to use.  We were very happy.
This camera is a Vivitar V-4000s. Extra nice. Just a few scratches or something on the shutter's mirror. But that's ok, it's an old camera. The lens is a Macro Lens. I actually got more camera than expected. Lens cap included. But no manual.I am happy with my purchase.Doc
Sharp pictures. Easy to use even for the non-mechanical. Great light indicator- which tells you if you have enough light for a certain shot. I am a beginner and this is my first SLR, but my pictures are great!
I bought this camera in January 2002 after weeks of researching all types of SLRs on amazon.com. I finally decided on this one and I know I made the right choice! I am 17 years old and this is my first "serious" camera. After reading the instruction manual and after going through about 2 rolls of "experimental" film, I found it easy to take beautiful, clear and sharp photgraphs. I actually prefer the all-manual settings. They are easy to get used to, and the simplicty of the camera helps you to focus on taking great pictures right away. The light meter is great, and indispensible to me. The camera feels balanced and sturdy and well made.I highly recommend it!
In my day (15 years ago), a typical manual SLR had a max of 1/1000 shutter speed and a 50mm lens.  Today, most manual SLR's have a max of 1/2000 and a zoom lens.  The Vivitar V4000 camera is a modern-day entry-level SLR.  The K-mount lens mount was developed by Pentax and incorporated in the extremely popular Pentax K-1000 released in the 1970s and sold as new until being discontinued by Pentax recently.  The K-mount is pretty much THE lens mount for manual focus lenses and is shared across several manufacturer's lines: Pentax, Vivitar, Olympus, and Chinon to name a few, so you can expect to find a variety of lenses (new and used) at just about every camera shop in town.  A K-mount lens made in the '80s will fit a '00s K-mount camera.As you look at the camera front, the knob on the right at the top is the film rewinder.  The flash shoe is in the middle, the knob next to it on the left is the film speed and shutter speed selector, and the film winder is on the far left.  A ring around the base of the lens sets the aperture, from f3 to f22 (or maybe f16, I can't recall exactly).  Hands-off shutter cable release is the inexpensive screw-in type, widely used and available everywhere.Light metering is 3 LED lights - 1 red over, 1 green in, 1 red under, and averages the frame (I don't believe center-weighted is available but I could be wrong).  The batteries power the meter only, so you can still use the camera if the batteries die (something that autofocus cameras can't do).If you missed your chance to get a Pentax K-1000 fresh from the Asahi factory, you'll be pleased to know you can get the updated competitive product now.
The Vivitar V4000 camera is a modern-day entry-level SLR.  The K-mount lens mount was developed by Pentax and incorporated in the extremely popular Pentax K-1000  released in the 1970s and sold as new until being discontinued by Pentax recently. The K-mount is pretty much  THE lens mount for manual focus lenses and is shared across several manufacturer's lines.  What could have been better would be an aperture setting below  3.5-- the fact that the lowest aperture is so high makes it difficult to get good exposures in all types of weather  without lowering the shutter spead or using a tripod, something that's not always handy. I found this camera easy to learn and operate.  It has a great choice of shutter speed and also has a light meter that will help create great exposures, its  light-weight makes it easy to handle, and it's fairly inexpensive.If you are just getting into cameras, get something else...but if you have been with cameras for a while, even if you are a novice, this is a good buy.  Good camera for on the go people. Hope this review was helpful. Ciao,
This tripod worked great, but it only took a month of barely even being used to wear down. In fact, I think I've only used it about 5 times, and now the strings have been completely smoothed out so now the head of it cant move without falling off, rendering it pointless to use. This is all due to the fact that the top of it is plastic, and the supporter part is metal. This is why it wore out so fast. Try and find a better material tripod if you plan to use it and keep using it.
There isn't much you can say about a tripod. This one seems to be a good value. After I ordered mine through Amazon I checked out a few camera stores in my area and found this same tripod or ones equivalent for about ten dollars more. The construction is pretty solid and it doesn't have a cheap feel to it at all. I'm not a professional photographer and so far this tripod has held up to mild use very well. I would recommend it any hobbiest.
This is not a heavy duty professional tripod, but then again, it does not have the heavy duty professional price attached to it either.  It is engineered for use with almost any type of camera and its compact size makes it the perfect tripod to take along anywhere. It has a weight of only a little more than 2 pounds and has a folded length of 22 inches.  With an extended height of 60 inches, it is perfect for almost any application, including portraits and landscapes.This tripod has some professional features, like the bubble level, 3 way panhead, accessory hook.  The flip lever leg locks allows for easy and quick setup/takedown.  A tripod doesn't have to be that complicated, just hold the camera steady and secure.  This tripod does the job.  I can't find much difference between this tripod and one costing ... more.For an entry level tripod, or just the weekend photographer, this is a great tripod to have and transport!
I have this tripod for just 3 months. I have used about 3 times. The head has come apart from the center post. It appears the head screwed into the center post and the grooves have stripped. It is going to cost me shipping plus an additional $3.50 to send it back for repair or replacement.Additionally, the tripod is steady if you use the hook at the bottom to hang your camera or gadget bag but make sure you tighten down the screw that holds the center post or it will wobble on you.I realize it's an inexpensive (cheap) tripod but just because it doesn't cost much doesn't mean it has to be made poorly. Buy it at your own risk.
As one person noted, there is not much you can say about a tripod.  This Vivitar is light, easy to handle and carry.  Great for the hobbyist.  It has a nice tight fluid motion, feels stable, and the quick release allows for switching from camcorder to digital or 35mm camera on demand.  Vivitar managed to get a lot out of a light weight tripod on this one.  It should work for any amature and some serious filming.  No, it is not the professional model, but it certainly will work great for anything short of professional requirements.
Yes there is a risk of stripping gears but I haven't had that happen. It's a decently priced, portable and sturdy piece of equipment. Maybe not the top of the line a professional photographer would buy but definately good for hobbyists or general users who just need a tripod and want one that will a) stand up without wobbling b) not cost and arm and a leg.It is fully adjustable in pretty much every way you could expect as well. Lift flip switch and rotate till your hearts content.Just don't throw it off a cliff or give it to roudy group of toddlers to play with and you should be ok.
I use this tripod with 7th &amp; 8th grade students using a digital camcorder to make i-movies.  It's held up well and I'm planning on purchasing another so they don't need to argue over who's turn it is to use it.  Very easy to use.  The built in level bubble is a plus.  Very adaptable height wise.
I don't like to review items until I've used them for a while.  Well we purchased this tripod over 10 years ago and we're still using it.  It still works just as well as the day we bought it.  I keep it in the truck of my car, so it hasn't been babied.  I love things that last!
Not super fancy, but has all the basics, no tax and free shipping make it a real value
Tripods should be reliable, inexpensive (c'mon, it's a tripod) sturdy, and easy to set up... this 'pod offers it all. An attractive little number, it is very lightweight, only 30 or so dollars, a snap to set up, and very sturdy...especially in this &quot;snap and go&quot; world... a good cheap buy!
I think this is very good product for the money was a little disappointed when my trays didn't fit - however - it was only two trays and the rest all fit so check the trays  sizes /types and it will be a great product for youLove the auto focus - also sticks occasionaly but slides are all old so the happens -with all projectors I think
Order for (hard to find) 35 mm skide projector was filled FAST and at a very reasonable price!  Projector works pefectly.  I will definitely use Mr Tuli and M Z Photo again !
Would have gotten a 5 if it also had a rectangular slide holder to fit into the slot.
A good basic projector for viewing slides. Works well and have had no trouble with it. It's easy to use. Can't go wrong with Vivitar. The price for this projector was very reasonable. They make good cameras and camera flashes.
Since old-fashioned slides seem to be going the way of the dinosaur, it isn't so easy to find a satisfactory slide projector at a reasonable price.  This projector was inexpensive and we have found it to be adequate for our needs.  I would not hesitate to recommend it to the average user.  However, it is true that it has some problems that might annoy a more discerning user.  (1) I have some old slides whose quality is not so great and sometimes they drive the autofocus mechanism insane---i.e., the projector keeps zooming in and out forever, trying to find the (nonexistent) perfect setting.  We have not been able to figure out how to disable the autofocus.  (2) Some of my old slides are physically too thick to fit into the carousel (this might not be a problem for a linear instead of a circular carousel, but I haven't tried that).  (3) The manual that was included did not exactly match the model we had, so we wasted time figuring out how to operate the machine.  (4) If you stop a show and remove the carousel to adjust a slide, there does not seem to be any easy way to make sure that you restore the carousel to exactly the same position (you might have to flip backwards or forwards a few slides to find your place).  (5) The &quot;remote&quot; is not a true wireless remote but is attached by a cord.  Overall, though, these are minor annoyances and we still feel that it was a good buy.
Works great with the sears XL 35mm camera. I purchased this electronic flash as a replacement. Worked fine with no problems.
I purchased one of these units in the 1970s to use with a Pentax Spotmatic camera.  It was reliable and worked well for years.  I recently pulled it out of the drawer, replaced the batteries, and stuck it into the hot shoe on my new Nikon D90.  Still works just fine!!
Although I'm not a professional photographer, I am a semi-professional critic. And I must say this electronic flash unit is picture perfect. It has a quick reset and you can take a lot of photos before the batteries get tired. But what did you expect?After all, Vivitar has been around a long time. So you know they're not just a flash in the pan.
This flash unit functions like new. All functions work, all flash settings give great results. I will be using this flash for years to come. I will buy from the seller again.
I bought this unit over 12 years ago to replace a broken canon specific flash.  It has proven to be more flexible than anticipated.  Autoflash works consistently on camera, but now has been relegated to background lighting by an optical trigger.  In this regard, the auto-off feature is nice to keep the batteries in better charge.  It's small, lightweight, takes generic AA batteries and is cheap.
This is a manual flash and I use this as my background lighting. Slow on recycle but it works for me as I intended so I gave a 5. I have a remote trigger I use with this for fill light especially on urban or architectural shots.
When I received the flash, I was disappointed to discover that the seller had accidentally left batteries in the flash, which had badly corroded, rendering the flash unusable. However, I contacted the seller, and he immediately refunded my payment, no fuss at all. While this purchase didn't work out how I wanted, I would happily purchase from him again.
I have not yet received my flash, but it is on it's way. I'm a Photography major and I just learned all about this flash. I got to use it for an assignment and fell in love with it! I can't wait until mine arrives!
I recently bought one of these used and am delighted with it. The Vivitar 285HV, although including more power settings, a zoom bracket, and built-in flash diffuser, is actually step backwards from the 283. The construction of the 283 is just rock-solid. You get metal parts, not chrome painted plastic like in the 285HV. The clicking of the flash as you rotate it from horizontal to vertical is precise. Even the build of the plastic is better. Some company needs to pick up the original 283 design, add in power settings down to 1/64th, made the head swivel-able, and put in a built-in optical trigger. Sell it for $90 and that company will be golden.
Vivitar 283s made from the late 1990's onward will work fine with Digital Cameras. Only older units from the 1980's and early 1990's have a trigger voltage that sometimes exceeds 300v. Newer units will may function just fine depending on what voltage your camera can handle (again, research). You can test the trigger voltage of the unit by using a multimeter on the shoe pins and triggering the flash with the test button. Much more information can be found via a web search.
I bought mine in 1978 or '79 in the Army PX, and it's still firing away to this day, thirty years later. I always use it off-camera, so maybe that's why it hasn't fried my digital camera with its high voltage at the shoe.
The vivifier 283 is one of the best and under appreciated strobe in the history of portable electronic strobes; versatile, manual modes; also highly reliable automatic modes; can be used on or off camera; and to knowledgeable users it can  be very easily made to look not like harsh strobe light, but soft window light.
I've been using 283 flashes for 20+ years and have had no trouble with them. An excellent unit that can take much abuse. Kudos to Vivitar!
Bought this flash in a camera store for my pentax asahi k-1000 and I absolutely love it !!! Very highly recommended
The venerable Vivitar 283 doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles of  some other flashes. There's no coupling to the camera's computer and no  through-the-camera-lens exposure control.But what you do get is a  rugged, powerful unit with automatic and manual modes and a very complete  family of accessories. You can get diffusers, auto-triggers, manual power  adjusters, remote cables for the auto sensor, AC power supplies... just  about anything imaginable. And there are aftermarket accessories, too; I've  equipped my 283s with metal replacement feet and a detachable mini-softbox.I own *four* 283s, and I use them for everything from small-product  tabletop shooting to portraits to outdoor nature photography. There's  nothing more reliable and versitile on the market.
I have been using this flash for couple of years.  It is a real work horse.  Like other flashes in this time period, it makes high pitch noise as it recharges.The shoe mount voltage is enough to fry the modern digital body - you would either need a shoe mount adapter or remote trigger.  I use two flashes using cactus 4 remote trigger.
Ummmmm, I have been using an old Vivitar 283 from the 1980s on my Lumix G1 digital camera and it seems to work just fine.When people talk about "300 volts" and "frying the camera" -- if I had to worry about this, would it have already happened?
This is my first SLR camera... so I won't be able to compare this camera with other SLR camera.  But I am able to say that if you were to buy a camera this would be a great choice.  The quality of the Picture is much greater than point and shoot.  You have more control on how your pictures  turn out.  The Minolta HTsi plus is easy to use for the basic features, but  if you want to use the advance feature.... reading the manuel is  recommended, but don't worry. (  )Pros:  Design, and easy to use.Cons: Can't print date on pictures.
First, I will admit my bias. I love this camera. Period. It is chocked full of features, such as a multiple exposure option, that many more expensive cameras don't offer.My only complaint is that certain bits on the camera body feel cheap.I really wish Minolta had made the camera feel more susbstantial. Better quality materails and the like would have made this camera a 5-star in my book. I personally would have preferred a machined or stamped aluminium case. I have a Braun electric razor that has a stamped aluminium case, and it cost considerably less than this camera. My point? That little detail, the better quality materails, makes the razor feel like a top-quality item.Let's face it, the HTsi is not a $5,000 camera, but it is a rather good one. If I had it to do over, I would buy it again.
This camera takes wonderful pictures, and is extremely flexible and upgradable.  The camera is extremely easy to use which will help those of you just getting started.  You can hit the &quot;P&quot; button and it's ready to be used just like a point-and-shoot.  However, the camera has the power for full manual focus, aperature, and shutter speed.  The camera also has some neat semi-automatic  modes to help you trasition into manual exposure settings as a beginer.  This camera has everything you could want in this price range and can be upgrade with shutter releases, High Speed Sync Flashes, and many types of manual and automatic lenses.  The only problem I have had with this camera is I feel it tends to over-expose things; however, I have experienced this on a number of modern SLR cameras, and it may just take some getting used to on my part as photography is a relatively small hobby of mine.  I highly recomend this camera.
So happy we selected the Minolta Maxxum HTsi camera,the instructions make it very easy to use and it is much lighter in weight than we expected. Came on time for our first granddaughter Makenna.
I made my choice of the HTsi Plus after a comprehensive search of the various SLR bodies, weighing their features and their reviews in camera magazines.  Within its price range, the HTsi principally competes with the Canon EOS Rebel 2000 and the Nikon N60, both of which are excellent cameras, but which lack the full panoply of features found on the HTsi Plus.  For example, the HTsi plus combines Bulb exposure (the ability to hold the shutter open manually), remote shutter control, 1/4000 maximum shutter speed, a full shutter-priority mode, and a well-respected 14-segment light meter.  As with the Canon and Nikon, the HTsi's body is plastic, an aspect about which some photographers express reservations, but the plastic seems extremely durable, and remember that a light camera is a joy to carry (and if you do not carry the camera, you are never going to get those perfect but fleeting shots).  The only thing missing on the HTsi is a depth-of-field preview feature, which is available on the Canon.  Were it not for that, I would find little future need to upgrade.  Regardless, for an amateur just getting into photography again, the HTsi has been perfect.For adaptability, the HTsi has three essential levels of complexity.  Use P mode for fully automatic snapshots -- great for when you need someone else to take your picture.  Use the Creative Exposure Mode for a bit more customization and to adjust it to one of five situations (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, and night).  Finally, use either the Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, or fully manual modes to bring out the real photographer in you.  After all, playing with f-stops and shutter speeds is where the fun of photography is anyway.  I admittedly spend most of my time in this last mode, but the flexibility is highly appreciated (sometimes, one just does not have the time to fuss with dials).The results from the HTsi have been fabulous.  The flash seems to respond well to the darkest of conditions, and the 28-80 zoom lens offers the flexibility needed for a budding photographer.  My only criticism is that the autofocus can be slow to respond in some lighting conditions.  So far, I have taken rolls of photos for my organization, and everyone seems impressed with the results.  I also bought a set of Tiffen close-up filters for doing macro photography, and the results have been quite stunning.A final word.  Amazon offers one of the best deals on the Net with service and peace-of-mind that you simply cannot beat.  Believe me, I checked.  I tried one of those mail order camera stores that advertise ultra low prices.  By the time they &quot;upgraded&quot; me to what they viewed was an acceptable camera and charged me their exorbitant shipping fee, the price was higher than here.  And guess what?  Amazon's package already had all of those so-called &quot;upgrades&quot; -- without the hassle.  Thanks Amazon!
I've shot Minolta 35MM SLRs since 1974 (SRT101). I've owned this camera for 6 years and it is a workhorse in my camera bag. (I also own an Olympus 5 Megapixel digital).The Minolta consistently delivers consistently higher quality than the olympus, and I love the flexibility of film.
When I was first looking for an SLR camera, I found a good deal on a Maxxum 300si. I used the camrea for a few days, and it got me hooked. I was happy with the 300si, but it was missing something, I wanted a camera with more flexibility. So I returned it and started looking around more. I came across the HTsi Plus, and it had all the features I was looking for. The pictures that this camera takes are incredible. I look for reasons to take my camera with me to places so I can take more photos. I do not see how anyone could be dissapointed with this camera. I was at the Indy 500 race this year and took some incredible pictures with this camera.
I went from a point and shoot camera to this one and I love it! In plain English, I can set the f-stop, set how long the shutter stays open, take two pictures in the same frame, take continuous shots, and exposure bracketing lets me set the meter then it takes three shots: the one I set, 1/2 stop under and 1/2 stop over. Plus, in the five program modes I just press a button to select which mode (macro, night, landscape, etc.) and it automatically knows where to focus for the kind of picture I want. Just about all the features of a full manual camera, yet I just press the P button and it goes right back to full-auto point and shoot mode. With 400 speed film I've taken excellent pictures in almost no light in the night mode.As far as I can tell it lacks only two features: it doesn't time-date stamp and there is no panoramic mode. Also, the infra-red sensor on the front of the camera is apparently for the auto-focus, not for a remote/remote shutter capability, as I was told when I bought it. A remote shutter release cord is available for this camera... (Minolta part # RC1000L for the 16ft and RC1000S for the 15in.)I bought my HTsi Plus in a camera shop and paid... more for it, so you can't go wrong getting it here.
The HTsi misses the panaroma capability, which is a differentiator with the XTsi. So, in case you are looking for the panorama mode, choose the XTSi. The other features are quite good. The camera handles well.
This Camera s quiet good for learner because the feature is simple. But if you wan tot used manual shoot you will have a problem. Event it's offering the manual Aperture and Speed but it's difficult to use. The feature is close to the automatic pocket camera. The differentiation is only the lens because we can use the Minolta series of lens from 80 m to more. If you want the camera with automatic adjustment for aperture, speed and focus, and want to take a best shoot with various lenses, this is appropriate for you. But when you start using manual adjustment you will have a problem.
This camera is a tremendous value for both the aspiring and expert photographer. It is packed with features such as fully automatic mode (can be switched back from manual mode at a touch of a button) to catch those unexpected picture moments and aperture and shutter priority modes. The multiple subject program modes (portrait, night, close up, landscape etc) make professional quality pictures possible at a touch of a button. Another great feature that this camera offers is the ability to take panoramic pictures at a touch of a button so you can get those long scenic shots with no problem. No need for the expensive Advantix systems. This camera is hard to put down because it is designed with an amatuer in mind and very easy to understand manual makes operating the camera a pleasure. It is lightweight but yet substantial enough to prevent shaking while holding the camera. I have gone through 5 rolls in 2 days and the quality of the prints are superb especially when using the potrait mode. Images are clear and precise in automatic mode. The lens is sufficient but if you can afford the telephoto lens, go for it. The balance between price and features makes the STsi a must have for anyone looking for a new camera SLR or point and shoot.
I bought this 35mm SLR camera for the price and the multitude of features it boasts: multiple exposure, bracketing, panaorama along with the standard $400 2000 model 35mm SLR cameras. I eventually went digital with a the more pricey Nikon D80 one year ago and sold this camera with my 28-80mm Sigma macro zoom lens and my 28-200mm zoom lens for $100.This camera was a bargain at the original price I paid for it, but I eventually could get more bang-for-the-buck with a digital camera.Pros--Fully automatic to fully manual. This camera boasts a great range of shutter speeds and aperatures--aperatures dependant on the lens(es), but you can program your own shutter speed (BULB) which can produce some stunning special effects and nighscapes/cityscapes.It's very easy to use if you read the user manual and you are somewhat familiar with cameras. Within a week, I learned how to use every feature.Cons--the main dial is slightly uncomfortable to turn and may leave a temporary imprint on your finger.While it boasts great metering, the honeycomb system is not all it's cracked up to be, and neither is the center weighted or sport. With center-weighted, my pictures of heavy contrast were overexposed on the white areas, and I am disappointed that I could never get a good picture of my black and white cat.This camera is full of suprises, and with 35mms, you only see the prints after you've taken them, so if technical results are of importance to you, you may want to skip this camera. I got several photos in which the colors were grossly innacurate. A gray shadow came out as orange.The pop-up flash is not very good. It is about standard for any $40-200 camera.All-in-all, if you're still opting for processing in the darkroom, this is a good buy if it's under $90.I am happy I purchased this. It launched my photography hobby, and I had people from art.com wanting to purchase many prints I took using this camera.If you want something professional, look elsewhere, but all-in-all, it is a decent camera.
8/28/02as an aspiring photographer, i wanted an inexpensive camera, but one that i knew was a smart buy. since i bought the STsi, i have propably gone through 50 if not more rolls of film, i started using it in february. this camera is so easy to use, it already has pre-programmed modes. also, you can very easily select  different shutter speeds, aperture modes, or change from manual to automatic, and change the iso. i was so surprised when i found out all the features that it had.and it's even better if you buy a telephoto lens.[i would though, recommend buying an extra lens filter just for insurance, it's a lot cheaper than buying a whole new zoom lens.]
I bought this camera for my girlfriend on her birthday, and she LOVES it. We immediately took it up to Lake Tahoe.The shots that she took were not only postcard quality, but a lot better than a lot of the postcards we saw while touring the city! And this is after reading only a couple pages on the camera manual, and being pretty novice at picture taking.The shots we took in pretty dark rooms (at the Ponderosa Ranch's old automobile displays) came out looking like we were snapping photos in perfect daylight. The horizons were incredible. The Panorama shots were breathtaking. Honestly, these photos looked professional.If you want a camera that'll give you great panorama shots as well as anything else, with cool options that allow you to fuzzy out the foreground or the background, depending on your preference, you're found one right here. This shouldn't disappoint you in the least. Just two days ago, the camera was used for Prom photos. Awesome, awesome camera.
Great camera, but there are newer ones coming out.  However, the new ones have the same basic features, so this is a chance to get the camera for less money as they make room for new models.
This camera was in excellent working condition, it would have been helpful knowing that the batteries are very expensive! Overall, satisfied with my purchase.
I purchased this as my first serious use camera, and its great quality has gotten me into photography. I now frequently set aside my travel photos to be enlarged and framed. I've had no problems with this camera and would recommend it to anyone seriously considering buying an SLR camera.
I bought both Canon Rebel G and Maxxum STsi, just want to find out which one I like better. STsi comes nowhere closer than Rebel. Under same condition and using same type of films, STsi's color, sharpness and balance are much poorer than Rebel.  Sometime STsi looks like it doesn't know where it should put its focus on...Get a Cannon or Nikon.
This camera is very similar in features to the Canon EOS Rebel 2000, in about the same price range, but I was still impressed enough with it to make a few comments. One thing this camera offers that the Canon doesn't is predictive autofocus. This can be quite useful when doing action shots. It also offers a panorama mode, which the Canon doesn't seem to offer. I've enjoyed using this mode quite a bit on my little Fuji Tiara APS camera. Both cameras have similar F ratios for the lens and both have 1/2000th of a sec top shutter speeds. One thing the Canon offers that is nice is the 7 customizable autofocus points, which some advanced users might find useful. One last thing to be aware of is that the Minolta camera will usually be offered with a 3rd party lens. If you want a Minolta lens you'll need to pay quite a bit more for it. However, the Canon comes with a Canon lens but doesn't cost any more. All in all, this is a pretty feature-packed camera at an attractive price, which should serve the needs of the vast majority of photo buffs.
based only on the information from Amazon.com. I haven't bought any camera for the moment but I strongly recommend to all of you to go to see the Minolta web site to understand what are actually the differencies between their models and decide for which one you want to spend your [money].
I recently purchased the STsi as a &quot;step-up&quot; from my QTsi (also a great camera) and I truly enjoy learning about its various special features.This is a great camera for intermediate and more advanced photographers, and even recommended to professional photographers as well.  Still very user-friendly, like the more basic QTsi, the STsi is the ideal camera for those who want to take that &quot;next step&quot; in their photographic adventures.
Prompt delivery...The camera is in great shape...Will do a full checkout when I get batteries for it...Overall, I am pleased with this purchase...I do have a digital but love the challenges in shooting with film...This camera will be a great adjunct to my Maxxum 7000.
I like to think of myself as an amateur photographer, although I don't necessarily know much about the technical aspects and jargon that more advanced shutterbugs are familiar with. That said, I got this camera as a means of improving my photos and learning a little about speed, light, film, lenses, etc., and it has more than satisfied that need! The pre-set photo buttons have helped me learn what speeds and settings work best for what types of photos. I've learned a lot about when to use and not use my flash, and I've improved my overall phototaking technique greatly. I especially love the close-up setting for taking pictures of flowers and such.This camera is good for the hobby/amateur photographer as well as the casual photographer who simply wants to take better photographs. I haven't had any problems at all with the quality of my photos. I recommend using Fuji 400-speed film with this camera, as that seems to come out best in processing and takes great pictures regardless of location.
First,I even tried to contact the seller because my little 5yr old ordered this for me.I have not heard tex, e-mail or anything.Second, The thing is all plastic, the lens does not even come off.
as her old 35 mm had died.  She still prefers the quality of 35 mm pictures verses today's digital cameras that simply cannot produce a picture of great quality and color perfection.  Sure, there's the cost of developing film and that is fast disappearing as companies are all going digital.  But some stores can still develop and produce good quality pictures, and she continues to use this camera year after year.  I happen to have a digital camera, but I got it when they first came out, and the quality is so poor I seldom use it.  In fact, I cannot remember the last time I used it.But she uses her Minolta several times a year.
I bought this camera a year and a half ago. Love the feel - very comfortable. I also love that it can be fully manual or fully automatic and anywhere inbetween. My biggest problem with it is that when I use it as a point and shoot (regardless of mode - portrait, landscape, etc.) all my pictures come out overexposed. They just look washed out. I've tried different speeds, different brands of film, but I have to say that my Fiance's little Canon Sure Shot takes pictures 10x better! I haven't given up yet, but I do wish I had spent the extra money and bought the Canon Rebel instead.
Bought this for my husband for Father's Day.  The first camera was defective so I contracted the seller who immediately sent me a replacement.  I thought this was going to be a problem but he made it easy and had the camera delivered before the holiday.  You can trust this seller!
The Maxxum Qtsi is a beautifully crafted SLR camera that is as easy to use as a point and shoot. The programmed autoexposure gives you five preset exposure modes, for sports, portraits, landscapes, close-ups and  nightscenes. I have tried each one and I have got nice pictures on each  mode quickly and without complications. The only drawback in this matter is  that the Maxxum QTsi has not a B (Bulb mode) so you won't be able to take  longer exposure pictures, so this camera is of not use for  astrophotography. Other than that, for less than $ 300.oo, you will get a  pretty lightweight camera that will give excellent pictures with its  35-80mm zoom lens also crafted by Minolta. A plus is that you can attach to  this camera all of Minolta's extensive line of AF lenses,as well as AF  lenses and filters of other brands. For its price, its simplicity, the  quality of the pictures, and its looks, this camera is a must for the  casual or the beginner photographer, for the tourist or even the camera  buffs!
My wife and I chose this camera as our first non-phd camera (push here dummy).  It is very easy to use and takes great pictures. So far we have not had any problems finding accessories for this camera when we have wanted to purchase them.  It's functions are easy to learn and my wife had everything she needs to start a photography class next semester. I would recommend this camera to anyone purchasing one.
A friend interested in buying this camera asked me if the landscape mode was the same as taking a panoramic picture.  So I checked it out.  According to Minolta, the landscape mode is simply for taking pictures of subjects that are outside of flash range.  This is great for snapping shots of wildlife where you don't want to get too close for fear of chasing the animal away.
This was the first "real" camera I ever bought. I have recently moved on to a Sony digital SLR, but I still love this camera. It's super basic, you can't adjust your shutter or aperture, but it does the job for you. Perfect for a person just learning how to shoot. Takes flawless pictures. I can use all my lenses on both cameras. I'm so happy that Minolta was bought out by a great camera company!
I just got finished writing a review on one of my digital cameras.I have gone thru several digital cameras in the past few years. I had a $400 Nikon camera which decided to break on me 1 month after the 1 yr warranty. I had a Sony Cybershot (forgot which one) which lasted at least 2 yrs. But the new ones are not even close to the quality of the old ones. A Canon Powershot A530 - which got great reviews... but has a CONSTANT battery low blinking.. That only lasted 5 months. Lastly, a DXG (Kyocera) CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP $50 dig camera. STAY AWAY!Bottom line. After owning those digital cameras while owning this Minolta. I will never go back to a digital camera again. This truly is the best camera I have ever had. You won't find a better camera that takes such great pictures. Especially the up close shots! Hands down, WORTH buying one. Even used. I got my USED one on ebay about 4-5 yrs ago. and it still works great - never a problem!
I bought this because I love the way film looks. this camera is like a hybrid because even though it is film it works real similar to a modern digital camera only missing the screen. the camera is real easy to operate feels good in your hand and it takes real good pictures. Will I recommend yes, so my mixed emotions are not about the quality of the camera  but the reason it is not more popular.
To me, Minolta SLRs have always offered the best value in their feature  range.  I've owned two Nikons, a Canon, an Olympus, a Pentax and two  Minolta SLRs &amp; liked all of them for different reasons.  Everything  else being as equal as possible, you can generally get a Minolta camera and  Minolta lens for the same or less than the other brands with a Sigma or  somesuch lens.The last time I bought a Minolta, I also noticed that it  had slightly more heft than comparably priced cameras, which I like because  it makes holding the camera steady easier (and also because it gives at  least the illusion of higher quality).
Good quality, and easy to use.Minolta was used to be one of great camera company. But, unfortunately, Minolta camera section was over.So, it IS good.
I started using the QTsi two years ago and I've NEVER used anything else since then (my fully automatic Olympus has been permanently retired from my usage).This camera is easy to use, and can be switched to manual control for more challenging and more creative photography options.It's perfect for someone with an interest in photography but not a lot of experience as a photographer.  The QTsi is a perfect beginner's camera but can be used even by more advanced photographers as well.My interest in photography has quadrupled since discovering the ease of use for the QTsi and I thoroughly enjoy working with this camera and trying all sorts of filters and lenses for it.
I got this camera for my dad thinking that he needed a hobby but he also needed a camera. This camera claimed to be easy enough for an amature, but powerfull enough for a pro. He has had very little success with making it do anything beyond the duties of a traditional camera, and in that function it is simply over complicated. For all I know it is a fine Professional camera, but as far as being a good personal camera it falls short.
I purchased this camera back in 1999, after I gave birth to my son. This camera is AMAZING! In looking at the digital camera I own and this one, I'm going back to 35MM. I don't have the money to afford a digital camera that could take pictures the way this camera will. It's been a perfect camera with no issues since 1999, other than I need to get some batteries and some Kodak film! Over the years, I have upgraded the lens, to have the ability to take closer pictures. I'll come back here and upload some of the pictures I've taken over the years! This is the perfect camera for someone just starting out in the 35MM world, and your looking for EXCELLENT pictures!
I bought this Camera few months back and then onwards I was not happy with its result. Even normal camera was giving better result. I was not getting result what I expected from SLR Camera by paying big bucks.Then I studied the manual and some better photography tips and just used "auto focusing" feature in the manner suggested by the manual and I got amazing pictures. Earlier I was using manual mode but that was giving poor result. I suggest using automatic focus and "400 Kodak Max" role with this Camera for the best result.
It's hard to rate a camera like this.  It is a fun little toy camera, but limited in its uses.  They probably should have space the time between pictures out a bit, because its shutter is not fast enough to stop a lot of action.If you are not insistant on the Lomo name and bright colors, you can get a very similar camera for less money...
Yes, it's a junky little camera, one notch above a disposable.  And,  without a flash, even 400 ISO film doesn't do well indoors.  So you really  need to do just outdoor photography.  BUT... this is one of the coolest  toys I've bought in awhile!The instruction manual is fabulous,  although some may be shocked by *ahem* a few colorful words in the text.  (I'm impressed that they went out on a limb with the booklet, but this is  clearly targeted for a specific, artsy audience.)But, oh!, the camera!  It takes four images, one quarter-second apart, and they all appear in one  frame, sort of like the opening to the Brady Bunch.  And this  means--ta-dah!--you can use the four sequenced images with a GIF animation  program, to make a mini-movie.I wasn't expecting much from this  camera, when I received it.  As I said, it's truly junky quality, but..  that's okay.  I'm vastly impressed with it, now that I've had a chance to  play with it.  It's probably not going to impress serious photographers who  do the whole light meter thing, and all that.  But for me (an artist, not a  photographer, usually), this is a toy that gets my very highest rating!
The camara supposed to take 4 different shots, that never happenned, a slight change you could see in pictures I took running while pressing the shot.The frames are also cut by a bold marging that is really annoying.
This is a very fun camera. It is not good for what it is suggested for- sports photography. The speed that the camera goes through its sequence of four pictures is very very fast. But it is way too fun to click it and walk, click it and throw it at a friend, or lay on your back and click it and toss it up over you. The possibilities are endless.My children and I had a ball with this camera trying to take pictures in different ways that might create a fun sequence. We even took color plastic (from report covers) and laid them over the flash to make the pictures change colors.Here are a few things to know about it though. First, it is difficult to find places to develop print photos and because these are fun photos, you really don't want to spend a fortune to get these developed so be sure you know where you will get these developed before you buy them. Second, warn the guy at the counter because otherwise they will freak when they see four tiny pictures where they expect to see one, especially if they are a different color.Do a google search and join the online world of bragging about your lomo action camera photos.We didn't see it as a negative but know that the view finder is a little pop up deal. The whole thing is fairly cheaply made but has held up to our throwing and tossing and dropping. You have to remember to wind it like you do a disposable camera also.This is a cheapo camera that has lots of fun potential.
i love this camera.  granted, when i first got it i had problems with it.  but it's just so different that i had to adjust to it.  it's not supposed to give you wonderfully clear and crisp photos.  that's part of the fun.  this camera allows you to capture your own little world in ways that perhaps you hadn't seen before.  shooting from the hip, so to speak, is the best way to use this camera.  the only downfall is getting used to loading film manually and then rewinding it when you're pretty sure it's done.  it's more for fun and experimentation so if you're not into that then don't get this.  but if you want every roll of film you develop to be a surprise, then get it!  :)
Well, the first thing I don't like about this camera is that it is called &quot;Lomo&quot;. It doesn't really have to do much with Lomos. I am a Lomo addict and, believe me, I can tell the difference. Anyway, the so-called  &quot;Action Sampler&quot; is basically a very cheaply made plastic camera  from China. Which in itself is not a bad thing if you're aware of what you  should expect from a plastic camera. Most of them have light leaks - so you  can expect red glares and such nice things on your pictures unless you use  black tape to cover the leaks. So take one roll of film and try to find the  leaks. If there are none, you're lucky. But don't misunderstand me, there  is a lot of fun involved playing with plastic cameras if you dig it (I  don't...). Next tip: Use 400 speed film. My Action Sampler does work with  100 speed film only if the sun is bright. 400 speed film is good for any  weather but, of course, you want to avoid dark places.  The best results I  got when taking pictures of moving animals. Animals don't really like to  have their picture taken - at least most of them move constantly unless  they sleep. The Action Sampler will give you great shots of running dogs  and jumping cats and the-like. In general, movement can be captured nicely.  But as I said in the title, the fun wears off rather rapidly. To summarize:  I give this camera two stars because I personally think it's not worth the  money but it's fun for a little while.
The Lomo &quot;action sampler&quot; is sold as a seque3nce camera for sports photography, but don't let that fool you. Sure, you *could* use it that way- but why bother when there are so many much more fun things you  can do with it?What this box does is shoot four pictures in sequence on  one 35mm frame; when you take your film in to get processed, you'll get  prints with four images, taken over about 2 seconds. I bought an ealier  version a couple years ago, and I must have run 20 rolls of film through it  the first two months I had it.Here's a few of the things I tried with  mine:1. Shoot it while running down the street.2. Tape different  pieces of tinted plastic over the lenses3. Rotate the camera while  shooting, at different speeds.4. Run up to you friends, trigger the  shutter and yell &quot;start talking! &quot;Get the picture? It's a  platform for experimentation and fun. Get one and go crazy.
...ignore the directions and get 800 speed film and only take pictures outdoors (on BRIGHT AND SUNNY days, and at HIGH NOON). Since its not very well made, you have to be very careful. And it hurts your thumbs to advance the film to the next frame. I like the supersampler better.
Mine included free 800 asa film! Did not read that in the descrition. The price is high! Wish it was cheaper! It is like a 35mm automatic camera without the batteries and a flash. I plan to have negatives only developed. Hope to save on the cost and then have my scanner that can scan in negatives to the computer. Scanner is the Canon mfr. CanoScan D660u. (is a USB connector). I believe it is avail here at Amazon.com. I have also heard of a Fuji 1x use 8 lens camera for golfing swing analysis. I wonder if it is cheaper!
outdoor pictures come out really good. not really for indoor use, even if you do have good lighting. you just have to be careful when you take it to the beach and trying not to touch the lens.
I love my Sampler!  This is an awesome toy/creative tool that I use all the time!  It's great for skateboarding shots, snowboarding, or just any subject matter that involves movement.  Just remember to only use it in bright sunlight conditions.  And if you turn the film into one of those one hour photo places, give them a heads-up as to what type of shots the camera takes.  Their machines sometimes get stuck during the processing because they have a hard time with the vertical and horizontal lines that separate the frames.  If you just tell them though, they can monitor it and the pictures turn out just fine!  Get one of these cameras, you won't be disappointed.  Not only that, it's a total conversation piece!
I've had this adorable camera for a year, and take it with me wherever I go. While other reviews recommend this for experienced photographers, I'm not convinced that would make much of a difference.No, it is not a point-and-shoot in the traditional respects, but it is vastly simple. I've gotten fantastic shots in dimly lit bars and sunny Hawaiian beaches, all on the same &quot;automatic&quot; light setting. The compact size allows me to tuck into wee little evening purses and pester my friends all night long; yet it has a wonderful solid weight that means business and provides a cool retro feel.My big issue continues to be with focusing, but sometimes the blurry shots are actually the best ones on the roll. There are four focul lengths-- 0.8 meters, 1.5 meters, 3 meters, and infinite. I find it hard enough to estimate distance in feet; switch to meters and it's even trickier. As the camera style provides no way to verify your subject is precisely in focus, this may lead to some disapointing results if you badly misjudge the distance.My favorite thing about the lomo is the unexpected qualities in each shot. You may think you've got a roll of normal me-and-the-guys shots, but they come back from the developer with beautifully rich colors, amazing light effects, and a remarkable (and most pleasing) improvement to everyone's skin tone. If your goal is plain and simple shots, save a few bucks and go for whatever point-and-shoot is in your price range. If you want something a little more unusual, something that doesn't always provide the expected,and something that makes your and yours look like superheros,the lomo's what you want.A note: there are nine small screws that hold the various parts together. It's a good idea to check these over and tighten them before you use your lomo the first time, as at least one has been loose in every lomo I've seen. They tighten with a phillips eyeglass screwdriver.
This is such a fun little camera (and yes, it is small).I was looking around for a camera that would make unique pictures--not always perfect, but different--and I found a relatively inexpesnive one that does this perfectly.Go to ......  and look at the pictures people are sending to the site.  You can tell when a photograph is a lomograph.But let's stop screwing around and get down to the pros and cons.Pros: Small, sturdy, versatile (for its type) takes great pictures (blurred, smeared, or very clear, depending on lighting conditions and film speed) fun, takes regular 35mm speed film.  Fun.  Super-cool.Cons: Seems a bit expensive at first, but it is quality material.  Maybe the price is OK for you.  Ummm...  That's about it for the cons.  It won't take professional, portrait quiality pics, but it has a nice lens and is capable of some really crisp shots.OK, now let me tell you why the LOMO takes unique pictures.  Stay with me.  The lens has some kind of coating on it that enhances the colors.  The colors you get from this camera can be wild.Also, there is an auto-shutter speed option (which you want to leave on all the time, really) that gauges how much light the shot will need, depending on the situation.  So, if you're using 100 speed film, and are in a dimly lit room, or outside at night, the shutter will stay open a little longer, allowing the film to soak up the shot.  Sometimes this results in a blurred image, sometimes not, but the blurred ones are the most fun.  But say you're using that same 100 speed film and you're outside on a sunny day; the shutter snaps much quicker when it has ample light, giving you a clearer shot.It's a lot of fun to mess with, you'll find that out.I've never had so much fun getting my pictures developed before--you never know how they're going to turn out.  It's great.So, get one.  Have fun.  Send me a million dollars.
When I first got my lomo, I found it to be a little difficult to use.  For example, loading the film was a chore.  I have never manually loaded a camera, so the new experience caused me to waste a few rolls of good film.BUT, after I figured that part out I learned this camera is nothing but fun.  It's so easy to carry around and the results are stunning.  Sure it's not comparable to your digital or your 35mm ... a lomo shouldn't be the sole camera you use.It provides offbeat photos that you couldn't capture on another camera without knowing sophisticated photographic techniques.  You never know what the outcome of the camera will be and sometimes that's the best part.
I saw this review in Maxim magazine back in 1999.  I read the article after I came back from a trip to London and wished I had it with me.  This is a fun point-n-click camera.  A great manual camera with a metal body.  It even smells like a REAL camera.I take it on all my vacations now and only keep black and white film in it.  I use it for the fun and quirky artistic shots.  I used it on my honeymoon in Italy and took some great pictures in Florance.  I've also used it in London and New Orleans.I used only one roll of color and decided to keep b/w in it for something different.  It's definitely an "art" camera.  No aperture settings to mess with.  I have it set from what they suggested in the manual.  There is a limited distance, but the sharpness is within 10 feet.  I wished I had this in college when I was taking photography.Lomo also has fun contests that you can enter.  Their website has users photos and different ideas for how these pictures turn out.If you are a camera collector or photo buff, this is a FUN camera to have!
My first impressions of the camera were 'wow, this is heavy.'  It's no slab of concrete, but it does weigh substantially more than it's size would indicate.  It seems fairly solid, but the little switches and levers are made of a cheaper grade of plastic.Halfway through shooting my second roll of film, the camera's manual winding advance just stopped working, frozen in place.  You can imagine how annoyed I was.  It's certainly very frustrating to spend $150 on a camera that refuses to work beyond it's first roll of film.Aside from its self-destruction, I was satisfied with the camera.  It's not for those who want flawless images & extreme portability (try filling your pocket with rocks - the equivalent of the camera's weight and awkwardness in your jeans).  If you're in the market for a quirky little camera with character, however, this product probably won't dissapoint you.
I get so mad! I have to take at least five pictures to ensure I get one absolutely breathtaking picture. You've never seen blues and yellows so rich and warm on film before. I have a digital camera that eats AA batteries and never delivers pictures with this quality. So, I'm not buying into the digital revolution.It's the camera you'll love to hate.
The Lomographic Society and, lately, the press, has hyped up the Lomo for a number of reasons, but no one like to talk about the practical aspect of the camera. Which is surprising, really, because for its price, it makes for a terrific little camera to bring along on travels.It's compact, so it takes up very little space in your bag, and can be brought around without any hassle. Since it's so discreet, you can also take pictures without having to worry about getting mugged. It's very versatile, too, so that with the proper settings, you can take pretty clear pictures from as close as 1 foot away (0.3m) to infinity with amazing clarity. (It must be noted that the company that makes the camera is a high-quality optics factory that makes everything from microscopes to telescopes to camera lenses.)For me, though, its best feature is its low-light capabilities. Now you don't have to worry about a flash--great if you want to take nighttime pics without drawing attention to yourself, and it frees you from having to worry about running out of batteries in the middle of your trip. I took indoor pictures at a darkened concert hall, using only ISO 100 film, and the pictures came out way better than if I'd used an ordinary flash camera.The down sides: Amazon.com's review was wrong in at least one aspect. Its construction is not as &quot;sturdy as a tank.&quot; Some of its fittings are rather shoddy, and it doesn't feel very sturdy at all. Also, if you can find someone to buy it from you from Russia, the cost can go down 50 to 70% (the Lomo Society bought exclusive worldwide distribution rights, and its repackaging and marketing has driven up the price). Of course, buying it from Russia will mean that you aren't covered by the guarantee, which will be useful with such iffy construction.
Like many other reviewers, I agree that this is a fun little camera. However one should be aware of some mechanical diffects, that occur randomly.  First, it has a tendency of a sutter to freeze, and when it occurs the sutter leaves simply stick together and stop responding.  You would not know untill u get first &quot;empty&quot; film.  And the repair is costly.  Secondly, the meetering system is fulled at times producing, very unexpected results.But despite those diffects, I consider it a fun camera and worth a try if you love photography.
I bought this camera a little while ago, and I'm amazed by it.  I've taken pictures at 100, 200 and 400 ASA film...if you want to get pictures that are fairly sharp, use 400 film on the automatic settings, and you'll be pretty impressed.  At 400, the picture is more sharp then 100 or 200, but you really get a hint of the rich color that abounds at the lower speeds.I bought this camera because I wanted to make "Artistic" looking pictures without having to haul around a bulky bag with filters, lenses, flashes, etc. only to have 1 or 2 good pictures on an entire roll.  So far, this camera has done the trick, and I've gotten lots of compliments, albeit from "normal" people, but they think i've spent a lot more than I actually have.
I fell prey to the carefully controlled hype and bought this little piece of junk, mostly because I yearned for an antidote to gross expense, the maddening slowness, the exasperating lack of spontaneity of digital photography. The premise seemed so seductive: wide angle, bright colors, shoot from hip, only four focal settings (close-up, near, middle, infinity). Not only would Lomo liberate me from my Nikon 5700, it would liberate me from my computer, my ink jet printer, and the gadgety geekness of photography, both film and digital, and possibly even expand my thinking and make me more hip. . . well. . .I shot a bunch of film and paid more for the processing than the price of the camera, and this is my conclusion: minus all the useless little hipster booklets and the two free rolls of film, this camera is probably worth about $19.95. The optics are awful (although some the effects can be interesting), and the rest of the camera equally crude and heavy (but cute). . .As far as the aforementioned 10 aesthetic principals of &quot;Lomography&quot; are concerned, there is an aesthetic space that can only be entered mindlessly, subliminally, and this approach is sometimes desirable. So I  agree with Lomography, and applaud it even, BUT you don't need to plunk down $160 on this little piece of junk to practice it. The biggest success of the Lomographic Society International is that these con artists have managed to convince so many people (including me!) that you need a Lomo to get your cool back and have fun again. The 3 weeks I spent snapping my first 8 rolls of film was indeed a lot of fun. But when I got the prints back the honeymoon was over. I had about 10 aesthetically appealing pictures out of out of 288. That's when I realized that serendipity can be awfully expensive. . .The truth about Lomo is that it's more a fashion accessory than a camera. The premise of fashion is &quot;Buying this thing will make me feel good, cool, more alive, etc.&quot; It works for sneakers, blue jeans and skateboards, and now these Viennese guys have applied the formula to junky, virtually worthless Russian &quot;spy&quot; cameras. . . Think disposable Fuji that can be re-loaded. Hype it. Mark it up wildly. Laugh all the way to the bank. That's Lomo!
This is a very unique camera that makes photo taking an absolute joy.  It is unobtrusive and unthreatening; you can get informality and fun if you want it.  The pictures are unusually vibrant wiht color and motion created.  I bought a unused "used" model and have had one problem with it.  It just jammed on a trip I am taking to Israel.  I have taken an unusual amount of photographs here and they are truly amazing.  Now,  while I wait to get mine replaced or repaired I have to go back to my Nikon 80.  I am really disappointed !  Lomo is fantastik. Fantastik.
I got to test this camera and the picture quality is abysmal. Vigneting (soft, dim corners on pictures) is clear and obvious. Also my friends Lomo kompact suffers heavily from light leaks. The "low light photography" this camera claims you can do with it is a farce as far as I am concerned because you can buy many f2.8 fixed focal length camera's that are BETTER for  the price, point in mind, the Olympus Stylus Epic QD, which costs far less, has a more modern focusing system, superior lens, automatic film handling, and a flash. Wow, it turns into a Super Lomo if you read the manual and turn off the flash. I honestly do believe this little Russian camera is just leftover stock from the Soviet era that is being sold at exorbitant prices to dumb Westerners. Whatever people say is charming about it I can simply not understand, because it just takes horrible photos. So please save yourself from this junk and buy a Olympus Stylus Epic QD, you won't regret it. By the way, I am far from a inexperienced photographer, so I am positive it is not me that takes bad pictures. I own a manual camera.
this is a terrific camera, it works even better with colorsplash flash. ASA 25- 100 film works the best. it is also a lot smaller than most people think. its an ADORABLE camera.
I was a terrible photographer. My pictures were always off-center, blurry, dark, or just bad. I had gotten rid of my camera and given it up for a lost cause until I found precious, precious Lomo. Now I take lots of photos, everywhere, under all kinds of light conditions, and I love the results! Sure, they're mostly still blurry, dark, or off-center, but Lomo adds a slight fish-eye quality and a luminousness to every photo that makes them extraordinarily pleasing. I'm having fun taking pictures.And Lomo comes wrapped in brown paper tied up with string--really! It's the happiest camera ever.
Okay, I just got my lomo and have taken 3 rolls of film.  After perusing the internet and actually seeing other pictures people have taken with their own lomo's, I have to tell you that it isn't as easy as they make it look.  It does require practice and you do usually get at least one really cool picture per roll.  It's pretty fun to take everywhere and you are not blinding people with a flash and drawing unwanted attention to yourself.  What this feature does is actually get you to take more pictures and of things you might not have before.  If you don't have an artistic mind, this is not the camera for you.  Trying to explain a beautiful and unfocused picture to my Mother as a work of art gets a bit tedious.  Anyway, it is a very exciting, different artistic medium, that really is fun and worth it.
Pros: Unique, it's Russian-cool!Cons: a lot of your shots will come out blurry.The Lomo LC-A camera has quite a cult following. I guess you should try one out for yourself to see if you like it. I did and have not yet grown tired of the novelty. The Lomo takes some unique pictures which often have a glassy-like quality with saturated colors and sometimes blurry images. The Lomo also tends to vignette at the edges quite a bit. I guess that's the 'Lomo look'.Since there is no flash, you have to press the shutter button down and hold it down until the camera gathers enough light for an exposure and closes the shutter. In low light situations, this proves difficult since it is hard to hold the camera steady for the necessary second or two. The result in low to medium light situations is often a blurry image. While some feel that the Lomo is an ideal camera in low light situations, I don't. It's difficult to get an image that is not blurry or a bit fuzzy in low light situations and this can really get old fast. I much prefer the Lomo look of photos taken in daylight. Also, I've played with a couple of different Lomo LCA's and noticed that the shutter button varies a bit from camera to camera. Some are quite smooth and are easier to shoot in low light with, while others seem to have more of a clunk when you press them. For instance, I have an older Lomo that is better in this respect than the newer one.Most 'Lomographers' as Lomo users/fans are often referred to, like these unpredictable blurry-type images because they can at times be cool looking and different. One thing you have to give credit to Lomographers for is their work ethic. The Lomo ethic is to shoot snapshots everywhere and anywhere. Just carry the small camera everywhere you go and shoot shoot shoot! I agree with this ethic and anything that get's people out there, taking more pictures is a good thing. However, you can practice this ethic with just about any other cheaper point and shoot camera if you know how to set it properly.I guess you just have to decide for yourself. If you want convenience and versatility, and sharpness that perhaps rivals the best topline 35mm cameras, go with another point and shoot camera like an Olympus Stylus Epic or Yashica T-4 Super which both have very nice and sharp lenses.. But if you are looking for a bit of an artsy, glassy, dreamy unique look, then the Lomo is it! The Lomo images usually look grass roots, gen-x and artsy for lack of better terms. Note that the pictures taken with a Lomo are more suited to small 4x6 prints. Don't expect to blow them up to poster size. The Lomo is just not sharp enough. But, simply as a unique piece of interesting Russian workmanship and history behind it, the Lomo LC-A is a marvel in design personality.At full retail price, I don't feel the Lomo is a good value. It's been way over hyped by some Austrian guys who are buying the cameras cheap from the Russian factory and then marketing the heck out of the camera, charging an arm and a leg for the camera, bundled with some film and a flashy booklet. The camera itself is actually really only worth about half what they charge.
O.K. I got my lomo last week, and shot a roll of film.  And came back all blurrrr photos.  I was very disappointed.  I can't see if I focus or not, it's very difficult to figure it out the distance setting at the beginning I guess, so, I will give it another try...but, because of this lomo camera is so small, and light, now I start to carry it all the time with me and take photos anywhere, anytime I feel like to.  I always hear photographers saying that they carry their camera all the time, but, I have never carried my Nikon F100, or my Hassleblad with me all the time because they are heavier and I also need to bring a camera case to protect these expensive equipments and lens.  I will be heartbroken if I careless lost, damage these expensive cameras.  But with Lomo camera, I won't have a heart attack ;) if I lost it, drop it.  If this happen,  it's still all right...I will buy another one, or I might not...So, I feel good to have this Lomo with me.And Lomo.com and the way this Lomo camera's photos came out did change my perspective to see, to judge or to take photos a litte.  I am used to like my photos to be 100% sharp with perfect setting, lighting, and found out now that some surprising photos from this Lomo(blur, distorb, wierd angle, over or under exposure...)might be interesting as well...at least I laugh about it...which is good to laugh too in today's stressful society, isn't it.  And don't give me wrong, I love and am still using my Nikon, my hasslebald for shooting photos.and the reason that I give this camera only 3 star is the price ...other than these drawbacks, up to now, I am happy to carry my Lomo with me all the time and have fun...and laugh!!!
I just bought this camera and have taken about 6 rolls of film and the pictures turned out awesome.  However the last roll of film would not come out of camera and I had to return it.....
My mom bought her C650 years ago, and I have to say I hated it from the beginning.  It has a funny way of taking pictures - you can't just click the button - it has a delay and won't take pictures if the light is even a bit dim.  The battery life has always been bad no matter what brand we used, so it must drain a lot.  And it jammed with a filled roll once so this camera is really worthless.  If I could, I'd give it negative stars.  Save your money and buy another camera.
This camera is a very reasonably priced mid-level APS camera.  If you haven't used an APS camera before, you will be amazed at the ease.  The auto-loading of film is great, and the photo-format selection is very cool.  I particularly like the panoramic option.  Index prints, instead of negatives, are great.The Kodak APS is a pretty good APS.  It's not a top of the line model, but it is far better than most entry level models.  Besides, most people don't need a top of the line camera for family photos.  The incremental gain in picture quality is greatly outweighed by the increased cost (I own a higher end APS as well).The features on this camera are all the features the average person needs.This is the perfect price point and picture quality for the vast majority of people.  If you still own 35mm, step up to APS, the quality and ease is worth it.
I got one of these cameras as a present for my high school graduation, just in time for my senior trip to New York City.  It was a great camera that took wonderful pictures; I loved the low-light flash option (when I remembered to use it).  Mine was stolen just over a year ago and I've been looking for another but haven't been able to find one until now.
goor camera
I bought this camera as an 'after birthday' birthday gift for my teenaged daughter.  It has accompanied her to slumber parties, football games, school functions, and will go to the pool and on vacation next summer.  So far she has had no complaints about either the camera or the pictures.  The picture quality is far greater that the cost of the camera might suggest.  I chose the camera because of the price and am very pleased with the quality.  An added bonus is the ease of use--like most teenagers (and most adults, also) my daughter does not want to be bothered by complicated and unnecessarily hard to follow instructions.  This camera gives the user neither.
This is a well built and adequately featured APS film camera that takes excellent pictures with no fuss. It has some nice touches, like a viewfinder that tells you which of the 3 APS settings is selected (if you've ever gotten a panoramic of something you meant to shoot in standard, you can appreciate what a boon this is) and a standard data imprint. It also encodes your settings for the film processor, which should eliminate some mistakes in developing. All in all, a great deal on a solid camera.
I wrote a review for this camera shortly after I bought it, rating it 4 Stars.  Now that I have used the camera for a year or two, I changed my rating to 5 Stars.  I am no photo expert or camera buff; I am just a taker of snapshots, but I really like the C650.  It is small, easy to load, easy to use,inexpensive to purchase, and I really like the APS format.  The negatives are stored in the film cassett, and they can be stored in a book-like holder so that I can easily find the negatives when I want them, and I really like the wide-screen format of the pictures.  It proably costs twice as much to use the APS film vs. 35 mm, but I think it's well worth the extra money (how much does one really spend on film & developing anyway?), and though I have a 35mm camera that I bought around the same time as the Kodak, I now use the Kodak exclusively.This is the only APS camera that I have ever used, and there are probably some that I would like better, but so far I am well pleased.  I just hope that the APS format doesn't go the way of the disc camera.
.***Usually, I use disposable camera's.  Then I saw this thing and grabbed one.  I love it.It has two cool features.  Panoramic format and self timer.The panoramic pictures look great.  If your camera won't take them, then you are missing out.  Take a few panoramic pictures and you will be hooked.  It is so nice to be able to include tons of stuff in a picture.  Sitting at a dinner table, it was easy to get both sides of the table--amazing.  Landscapes are obvious, but is it is good for so much more.  I think you will find yourself using this feature more times than not.The self timer is very nice and a handy feature that cheaper cameras don't have.  I have to have a self timer.  It is essential for those situations where you want to get everyone in the picture.I also like the film format. Drop it in and it takes care of  itself.  There is a tripod mount on the bottom for more position control.Very easy to use, great pictures, cheap price.  Try it you will like it.***
I bought this camera a year ago and i wonder with it. It's ease to use, small and light. The pics are in a very good quality and it has a nice Zoom. the only thing that i dislike it, is that you can not change films partialy used, i mean if you change a film that is not complete and you want to use it again in order to finish it, you can't.
I just got this camera a few days ago. I have yet to get any pictures on developed but when I do I'll write a full report on it. I'm a semi-pro photographer. I take pictures for a hobbie and have done some very nice ones. I've taken pics of a Viper GTS that came out looking like something on a profesional scale. I have used the APS film for some time and have com to really love it.the weight of this cam is very niceIt's not to havy and not overly bolky fits in pocket very well. But in the mean time here are some very handy specs:-Self timer/goes off on it's own after a few seconds-Red eye reduction/reduces red eye-fill flash/When object backlit, shadows may appear, fill flash reduces this effect-Infinity focus/ Capture sharp distant scenry at any zoom position, (for daylight/outdoor ues only)-night view/ takes better night pictures-date/time imprinting/do I really need to expain this?-Auto focusyou can also get a tripod for this as well.
I have had this model for about 2 years now. I upgraded from another Kodak Advantix that I loved but took an unfortunate fall to the sidewalk. The F600 has some nice features and it is ready to travel. The pictures are crisp and clear. The only downfall I have come across is I have two small kids that I take most of my pictures of. The auto-focus feature seems to take forever to adjust. I will hold the button for several seconds sometimes before it will take the shot. Seconds don't seem like much, but when your subject matter is a 3 and 5 year old it's the difference in losing your shot. This has happened enough times now that I am trying to find something like my older cheaper Advantix to take it's place. If you are using this for scenery or adults that are willing to sit still than it is a great camera and a pretty good bargain.
I really love this camera!  It's light and easy to use.  The only thing is it's kinda loud after you click and when you finish the film.  Otherwise, if you're an amateur get this!!!
I used to use disposable cameras before I decided to go ahead and buy a 'real' camera.  After buying this one I wish I had stuck to the disposable kind.  I have to be honest and say that I really like the option of taking panoramic pictures and the size and weight of the camera BUT...Every time you take a picture with this camera, it pauses, zooms in a little and then takes a picture.  What this means is that you can forget about taking pictures of non-static events and forget about ever getting a shot with good composition.  I would recommend buying another camera or just sticking to the disposable ones.
Make sure you know what you are getting. Busnell also makes a very good pair of 4x30 wide angle binoculars for about $80. This is not them. These are easy to focus and clear but almost no field of view. Useless to me.
What a wonderful pair of binoculars! The binocular market is saturated with a plethora of cheap binoculars, and all too often their cheapness nags at you while using them. However, this pair is really special. For so little money, you get an extremely-accurate pair of binoculars that have great focusing ability and commendable optics. When looking at the specs, however, it is hard to tell how much you will enjoy using them - but after using this frequently for astronomy, bird-watching, and general fun, I have found these to be wonderfully comfortable to hold, easy on the eyes and nose, and not too heavy and not too light (too light isn't a good thing - you can't stabilize them). Highly recommended!
The specs look good, but Dr. Goode's review is right on.  These are utter junk.  I bought them for the wide field of view (advertised as 650' @ 1000 yards).  It's more like 150', and the vision is so poor, the image so small, the focus so bad, that they are utterly useless--except, perhaps, as a paperweight.  I didn't expect Zeiss quality, but had thought Bushnell was a reputable company.  Never again!  I bet they haven't sold a single pair of these through brick & mortar stores, because no one would ever buy them if they tried them first.
This item is the biggest piece of junk I've ever seen.  You can barely see through the objectives, the field of vision is extremely small, and the focus slips so that when you adjust it, it just slips back to where it was.  I would not give these to anyone, especially a child, because a child could not deal with the frustration.  I bought these for my son and was very excited to go out and look at birds with him.  I will go elsewhere.  By the way amazon would not refund my return shipping for this item, saying that they are not defective--meaning they are SUPPOSED to be this crappy.  Good luck!
These Bushnell opera glasses are SUPER GREAT  !!!So easy to carry --- for the price you can't ask for a better product
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way up front:  the field of view does seem narrower than claimed, the power is low (and even lower if you are nearsighted and take off glasses, so leave them on..you don't really lose field).  But, at least in the pair I got:  -the front lenses were coated glass -with a little tweeking the focus came up sharp, so you could read more than without them -the view is very bright -very little chromatic distortion. For $10 to $20, you can get regular prismatic binocs that generally beat this for power and clarity hands down.  This opera-glass (Galilean) style still has some things to offer, though, like brightness, depth of field (don't have to refocus for different distances much), and strong contrast. I hope they are still using a coated achromat up fron like mine... works OK for opera, stage, nearby birds, street signs, and a quick look around.  Good in the house for someone with low vision, especially....short distance, brightness helps. The mechanics were very good on mine, for the price.  I enjoy the contrast and easy focus now and then. It has a place in the opera glass collection. As a toy it's a functional toy. If they keep the lens quality up, you can definitely see more detail with than without.
These are without exception the poorest quality, most dissapointing purchase of the entire 2005 Christmas season! These were purchased to replace the el-cheapo National Geographic plastic job from Target, and since they cost twice as much, I assumed they would be twice as good. Actually, the cheap plastic binoculars were as good as these, but at half the price! I am not impressed in any measure; these never should have passed quality assurance inspections.Sadly, even the image quality is on par with the $5 plastic cheap chinese crap. It is seriously not even 10% better. Pathetic.My son (age 4) didn't want me to return these, because due to everyone taking so much time off over the New Year holiday, these just arrived an hour ago, so he was tired of waiting and didn't want to wait for a replacement order to arrive, but I insisted on it; he'll thank me when he realizes how much these binoculars suck. It'll probably take the new binoculars' arrival to convince him that I'm right. :)Once you push the objective lenses back into the tubes they were supposed to have been installed into originally, you can see that the image quality is so disgustingly poor that these shouldn't cost a dollar. They should be available in a drugstore gumball machine. They really are that bad. Cracker Jack Toy bad. I don't believe I will ever trush Bushnell again enough to order another of their products, ever.
If you are looking for a well made, compact folding binocular look no further. The Bushnell Powerview is a reliable little powerhouse which packs great magnification into a small package. The units are well made the glass components are high quality camera optics and the result is an easy to use and convenient binocular. I was worried about low light eye strain when I first purchased this unit but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy on the eyes and how bright objects appear through these binoculars.You can't lose with this item!PROS:Light weightHigh quality Bushnell productHigh quality opticsFocus is easily found and locks into placeConvenient & compact size when foldedUSES:Great for birdwatching & hikingPerfect for auditorium viewingSports games & outdoor events
Really compact and nice case for it. Focuses easily and clearly. I like this one better than the higher power ones.
These are great! Do what you bought them for, and fold up nice and compactly.
Even though it has high ranking and good reviews, I don't suggest this. Vision vibrates a lot and focus is painful. I am wondering why its top seller but anyway my two pints, research some more, I did not buy any other so cant comment other binoculars
This is actually the first pair of binoculars I've purchased. We always had a pair when I was a kid when we would go on hiking trips, but that's as far as my knowledge of binoculars goes.That said, these seem like a great pair of binoculars. I decided on these based on the small size and great reviews. I can throw these in my backpack and they're so light I probably won't even know that they're there. They feel well made. The attached cord seems a bit thin, but that isn't anything I really care about.I was surprised at how inexpensive these are, yet the quality appears to be excellent. They also include a carrying pouch so that you won't scratch the lenses.
I bought these for my husband as a spare set of binoculars. It seems like whenever we go on a vacation he always sees something at a distance that he wishes he had binoculars to see better, and never has any, so these are our new pair to keep in the car. They aren't the most amazing binoculars in the world, but if you're sitting in the cheap seats at a sporting event, or see something in a field while you're out driving, or anything like that, these are great. They're nice and small, so they easily fit in a glove box or coat pocket, and they're pretty clear and easy to use.
Bought two pairs of these for an Alaskan cruise.  They were great, very small and easy to carry, and we could see fine details with them.
To be honest, Im a bit dissapointed. I expected more of this item and at the end it was just ok. The string is poorly located so when you are watching at something, it goes between you eye and the lenses. Besides, you cannot actually get you eyes close to the lenses cause your eyelashes get in your way. Beyond that, the binoculars work ok, -plain- decent magnification.
I went on line to purchase binoculars for my grandson for Christmas.  He is 5 years old.  These Bushnell binoculars popped up along with the typical plastic Fisher Price models, etc.  After reading reviews, I decided on the Bushnells.  They are small enough for little hands and not very heavy either.  The price was only a dollar or two more than the other plastic models that will not hold up. These are a much superior product, very well made and not expensive.  My grandson loves them and I might buy another pair to carry in my car for those unexpected times you spot an animal or bird that you want to stop and take a closer look!
I am not a binocular aficionado, but needed something for general hiking and hunting activities. I would guess that there are others out there that offer a clearer and brighter picture, but these are great for my needs, especially for $13!
This was a birthday present for my 9 year old and we absolutely love them. We use them when we go fishing or other outdoor activities and they are great.
Can't believe the quality for the price and fast delivery. These babies stay in my p ack so I can us them when I want.Way to go Amazon.
My new Bushnell Powerview 12X25 binoculars are excellent.They fit in a pocket and are totally adjustable and keep their focus.I use them for getting great views at the theatre and the ball game.
We got these to take on overseas trips due to their small size and weight. They work very well and we have so far taken on 5 trips and they are still in great shape. Only gave 4 stars because their magnification is not as high as the ones we use at home, but of course that is due to their size. They work very well for what we use them for. Hope this helps you decide!
These little binoculars were great.  They had good clarity and were easy to focus for an inexpensive pair.  I keep them in my glove box and they have come in quite handy at the beach and in the woods when bird-watching.
Not very solid - felt shabby. Definitely smaller than I thought (or hoped). If you're thinking of buying these for the theater, it's a bad idea. If you get headaches easily, you might want to buy a set that doesn't make you squint so much.All in all they work, but I was disappointed in how uncomfortable they were to use for longer than 10 seconds at a time.
I bought these specifically because I was seeing a production of the musical Wicked with my fiancee and we had cheap but horrible far back balcony seats. These binoculars made the show enjoyable for me. I could make the detail out of every costume, set piece, and character face from at least 75 feet away from the stage.I recommend these for that extant. I'm not a spy or bird watcher so I can't speak of this product for that usage.
They are very effective from about 10-1000 feet, with adjustable focus. They are also very lightweight and come with a belt holster.
I needed a pair of binoculars that were small enough to fit in the car.  You never know when you'll need them but it's nice to know they are there.
Highly recommend these to anyone, once adjusted piteousl properly they are crisp and clear to their recommended distance! Great for hunting or watching other things outdoors, I use them when we do law scenarios in my criminal Justice class and they work great!
I don't understand how these get more than one star.They are poorly constructed and I couldn't get them to focus.Believe me, I'm not a binocular snob, these are crap. The knob sticks, they feel cheap and the image is poor.They should be putting these in cereal boxes.  Seriously, they are not worth the effort of ordering and carrying around your neck.I sent them back.
This is very good for kids but the adjustable viewing side came our within a month because of poor adhesive quality.
Needed something easy to handle and light and this fit the bill. Thanks for the product and will continue to use tehm.
At 50 yards with color-changing targets, these get the job done.  But anything beyond 50 yards, you are going to want something with higher power.  Otherwise good value, and solid construction.
The binoculars were well constructed and suited my 10 year old grandson.  He is very happy with the product. Good purchase!
The compact design makes it easy to carry.  I took these binoculars to see a fight at Barclay's Center along with my son and father.  We were able to see the sweat fly after a good exchange by the fighters.  They were easy to adjust and easy to use.
I bought these for my son, who just turned 11. He wanted a real, working set of binoculars, but I didn't want to spend much money in case this is a passing fancy. These binoculars fit the bill, so I purchased them.They arrived in a frustrating clamshell. Beyond that, though, I couldn't ask for a better set for my money. It took him only minutes to figure out how they work, and he had the carrying case strapped to his belt almost immediately.We took them to our local Wild Animal Safari drive-through, and he kept the neck strap around his neck so that he could view the more distant birds and animals.He is thrilled with them, and I am thrilled. For the money, they are a decent pair to work with.
I'm a fan of optics and I have several telescopes and a couple of binoculars. But I wanted something lighter and a little more portable. I also wanted something with the power of a small telescope. So this small, high powered binocular fit the bill.The price is right. For less than $40 you get a very good quality scope with nice, crisp optics. You can, if you're so inclined, spend multiples of that for a fog-proof, waterproof binocular. But I didn't, so I'll keep mine out of the rain. For casual viewing on land, spotting boats from the beach, bird watching, and casual astronomy (the moon, Jupiter, a barely visible comet) these are the right size and have the right magnification.
Bought on sale at dicks sporting goods for 29.99. Took home and took a look through them.  I thought they were terrible. Hard to focus and small field of view and not the best light quality. I wasn't sure if I was being overly harsh so I had my father take a look (home for the holidays). He spent a solid 15 minutes checking them out. Said yeah I'd return them. Then he handed me a 10$ pair he got online and they were just as good and half the size. Other than children's binoculars these are the worst I have ever looked through so I had to give them one star.
I purchased this item to use at concerts.  I feel I chose the wrong type of binocular...perhaps I should have purchased opera glasses.  I kept them, however, but have not used the yet.
I was looking for a pair of binoculars just to be able to look at the birds and animals closer. I decided on this repair because of the price and good reviews. It's a good pair for the money and works well for what I got them for.
Pros:-- Very compact-- Solid feel-- Easy to hold-- 16x is pretty powerful!Cons:-- Too hard to hold steady-- Poor performance in low light-- It was impossible for me to focus both eyes at the same time, and adjust the interpupilary distance.I returned these the day after I got them.
We bought these for my 4 year old.  He always wanted to borrow my husbands expensive pair and we figured these would be great for him.  They have been the perfect size for him and they come in a nice carrying case.  They do the job he needs them to do and he can take them wherever he wants.  A great buy!
These are lightweight binoculars with a neck strap and carrying case. I like the fact that the eyepiece can be adjusted to accomodate people who wear glasses. The zoom is easy to use. I took them on a trip to Alaska and they were perfect.
I'm trying to get used to the binoculars, but I think they'll work out fine - especially for the price.
Bought this one because my Simmons binoculars had a broken hinge. It is bulkier than Simmons, but it works fine.
Great compact binoculars, just the size and power I needed. Comes with a nice carrying case that keeps the lenses clean and dust free.
I purchased this pair of binoculars for less than $35, and for this price, it does a good enough job.  Compared to my Bushnell 12x25 pair, it is about a quarter size larger, and the entering light amount is less.  Therefore, although the object appears slightly more magnified, it is also dimmer.  Like all Bushnells, this pair is easy to use.
As with so many things, but specially as related to optics, you get what you pay for. These binoculares are inexpensive and deliver decent but no great views. The coatings, specially in the eyepieces are not enough and in daylight view the get a lot of white reflections sometimes compromising the quality and comfort of the viewing experience. They are well built though and surely have a long lifetime. Somehow focus seems to drift out of view although this is a minor problem really. All in all, I would recomend these binoculars if you are in a budget, but look higher up cost-wise if you really want a good quality view for birding or sports activities.
My 8 year old son and I love this binocular; Very good when going for birds watching or to see a concert. Not heavy and easy to carry around.
I purchased these 8x21s so that I could have a small and lightweight pair of binoculars to take on outdoor outings with my wife.  I own a pair of old Bushnell Instavision 8x21 bincoulars that are excellent for me, but due to my wife's nearsightedness do not work for her.  I was hoping that these would be as good as my other Bushnell binoculars and work for both me and my wife, but I was really disappointed.  The field of view does not seem to be as wide a claimed, and the mis-alignment between the two sides was such that the left and right images would not merge when I viewed though them.  The effect was rather like trying to look through a pair of tubes.  There were also a lot of bad internal reflections.  All in all, I found these to be totally unusable.It really is a dispappointment about the poor optics, because that size, weight, and general form factors was othewise excellent.
I own another pair of Bushnell binoculars and was hoping these would be as good a quality as mine, because their field of view and magnification are similar.  However, next time I will spend the extra money to buy a higher quality.  I guess they are cheap for a reason.
Mis binoculares han sido lo m&aacute;ximo. Los he llevado al campo y se comportan muy bien. El env&iacute;o fue en tiempo record y han funcionado a la perfecci&oacute;n. Los recomiendo.
i bought this item to look out my 11th fl window and the binoculars didn't seem as small as they were when i got them. i never used them and now they are in a box collecting dust. i would only recommend this to children not adults. these are way too small for adults.
Seems ok for the price. My kids are enjoying it so far.WE used it for bird watching. Not bad.
great Light weight Binocular, sturdy and durable. Very easy to use, great for indoor and outdoor activities. I was amazed at how good these worked in the back row of a concert at night. For the money you cant beat it
No complaints really. The binoculars came on time, they seem to be of good quality, and they contributed to a more enjoyable viewing of Cirque de Soleil. Next time I buy tickets to something like that, I want to purchase even stronger binoculars. These Bushnell ones helped a lot, but I didn't exactly feel like I had a ring-side seat. I imagine Bushnell manufactures binoculars in a variety of strengths?
I purchased this pair of binoculars to have as a backup to a larger, more expensive pair, and also to use for events such as concerts. Even though they were highly reviewed I wasn't prepared for the quality, especially at that price! I actually prefer them to the larger, more expensive pair, which are an excellent pair on their own. You can't go wrong with this purchase. They arrived quickly and on time.
For the price you cannot complain at all.  I've gone through several cheap sets of compact binoculars and these are the first that are actually usable.  The only con I can mention is the internal reflection under certain lighting conditions.  It can be severe, but easy to eliminate by shifting position.  Magnification is high enough to make a difference, but low enough to steady these light binoculars by hand.  I use them at shows as they are discreet and keep them in my bag on my bike.
Is has only 21mm lense size, make it somewhat dark to watch details from far away of concert hall. It's really small when folded (about 3in * 4in size) which makes easy carry.
No complaints so far. It's pretty clear to look through and the amount of zoom is decent enough for most applications.
I find it hard to believe that these quality glasses are so inexpensively priced. These glasses have a central focus knob and roof prisms. The purchaser will not be disappointed.
compact and lightweight - powerful and clear! The field of view is smaller than normally desired for hunting but these are a greaat compromise of power and size.
Bought these Bushnells for general usage.Though very inexpensive I expected alot more.Image is not clear or sharp to say the least.Blurry is a better term to use.Hate to write negative reviews but these are going back ASAP and I will spend a little more and hope for something better.Maybe I got a bad pair or returned ones or something.Not recommended in the least.
This was a gift for my Grandma. She is going on vacation and wanted to take binculars for sight seeing. These are perfect for travel, they are small and light weight, and work very well.
You get what you pay for and a little more. These aren't such a strong focus but get the job done for backyard sights and deer in the field.
This product magnifies well, but it is smaller than it looks and there isn't a lot of space to put your eyes in.  People with long eyelashes can also find it annoying when their eyelashes collide with the binocular.
BROTHER WANTED THESE FOR HIKING AND THINGS LIKE THAT THEY CAME NICELY PACKAGED AND WORKS WELL. I AM NOT A BIG USER OF STUFF LIKE THIS BUT THEY SEEM GOOD FOR PRICE AND THEY DO AS THEY SAY THEY WILL. HAPPY WITH THEM
I bought these for my boys (age 8 and 6) and they are better than I expected.  Try are very sturdy with smooth zoom control and great focus. Definitely worth what I paid. You won't be disappointed.
These are a little small but they get the job done...kind of wished I had purchased a larger pair...nevertheless, they do work!
Used them for the first time last night at a concert. Great clear views of the symphony stage. They are larger than my last pair which makes them less comfy in my purse, but that's not a deal breaker.
these aren't very powerful and a lot smaller than I expected  But, since I'm not looking to use them for bird watching, they're good enough.
The other ratings were correct.  The resolution and focus are not very goodand I have to constantly adjust the balance between the two eye pieces.I was looking for a good inexpensive set of binocs, but these just don't dothe job.
I bought these binoculars as a companion to the opera. I used them yesterday for the first time, and I must say these do the job just great. The size is very small, so you can put them in a small purse, and the touch and design of them are very delicate. I was sharing them throughout the whole performance, and I did not have any problem at all with the focus; they were in focus all the time. I did not know much about binoculars, so I did some research online before buying. I found out Bushnell was a very reliable brand, and the price of these on Amazon is just great ($19.99 while I am writing this review). I wear glasses, so I have to take them off to use them properly; but that is just fine with me. My seats at the opera this year are among the worst, because I wanted to see the whole season for a cheaper price, so I needed to make sure I got binoculars. I am completely satisfied with these, and I do not need any fancier or more expensive ones.
Great magnification.Lightweight & folds somewhat compactly. Used it to see Radio City Spectacular sitting in the rafters. Turned my seat into an orchestra seat! I got to see the Rockettes as 50 foot giants!Just a couple of concerns: sometimes it enlarged too much, I had to lower them to find what I wanted to see. Also, be wary of dim lit places, or you may not see much through the lens. Certainly pleased with it. The amount of money I saved from purchasing the least expensive seat over the pricey orchestra seat more than covers the price I paid for these binoculars!!!
You get what it was described above: Pocket-sized binoculars; great quality; excellent price!Recommended!!
I have shared a pair with a friend for more than a year and I must say I was amazed the first time I looked through them, having had all my experience with a [$] pair of older compact binoculars. These were nearly as good and a fraction of the price. Highly recommended.
good
Bought this from Amazon for viewing birds out my window and hiking.  Clear. Easy to use.  Does a remarkable job for the price, and I won't worry too much about dropping, losing, etc. such an inexpensive product.  Nice case with velcro flap and it has a loop for the belt, but the binocs are so light and small that most of the time they'll fit in your pocket. No lens caps and the neck strap is just a string, however.
I tried to utilize this yesterday (Sunday) at a concert.  I could not focus it to see the objects in view.
Does what I need it to do.  If I want to look at the mosquito on some bald eagle from 100 yds away, I'll opt for something more like $2500+.Overall, know your application and what you need.  Try out fancy ocular enhancements at any fish and game store before buying and being un-satisfied.  Remember, try before you buy.This product is durable, meets specs, and good for the price paid.
Actually I was pleasantly suprised by the quality of the product.I had very low expectations for $20 dollar binocular.Only problem I have with this is 12x magnification. I should have bought 10x... or 8x.  I don't have shaky hands but everything that you look at, shake so much it hurts my eyes after using more than 5 minutes at a time.
These were not my idea of compact and take the theatre/opera.  I have opera glass but wanted a little more power. I sit in the balcony which is great for sound but can't always see the detail of the gowns, set and faces.  (Love those 50 year old ingenues). These were way to large for my purposes and I really had trouble focusing them with my vision.  Not sure if that was me or the binoculars so I gave them 3 stars and not 2.
I love giving this kind of gift to children.  A few helpful instructions, then turn them loose to explore their world!
These are superb binoculars for being small and light enough to fit in a pocket and thus readily available to observe wildlife and birdwatch. At the same time they have enough power and a nice wide field of view to be very versatile and perfect for all kinds of situations.I have pairs of high magnification wide angle binoculars which for many situations are what is required but these compacts are so much lighter I find myself using them instead just because they're more convenient and comfortable.I wear variable lens glasses and these binoculars work just fine with the cups folded and also unfolded when I perch my glasses up. The relief seems to be about right for me at least.Finally the price is truly excellent and it's a mystery to me how such excellent optics are produced at such a low cost..They are a great deal.
I bought this mainly for sporting events. My other binoculars were heavy and big. These have a belt loop on the case and can also be carried in my front pocket.
I was not thrilled with these binoculars.  The main reason is that they do not have the option of sharpening one eyepiece separately and then sharpening the focus overall with the center focus "wheel".  There is only type of focus (the center mechanism) so if you have one eye that is sharper than another you cannot fine tune these binocs. for the weaker eye.  Otherwise, they seemed like a decent pair of binoculars for the price - just not for me.
Bought these for my trip to Europe and my daughter had a cruise to Alaska.  She really liked them.  They are a little hard to adjust but all in all nice for a trip and a good price. They will be nice to carry in my purse without taking up lots of space.  They meet my expectations.
My granddaughter discovered binocs recently at a geese watching outing, and loved them. I originally ordered the Bushnell Falcon 7x for her but when received them, they were very heavy and seemed too big. So, I kept them for me and ordered these 8x. They are going to be perfect. They are a small size, very good vision, nice and light and very reasonably priced. They will seem to her like "big girl" binocs. I can hardly wait till she opens them. I will probably order another two pairs for my other granddaughters at this price.
I have no issues with these. They magnify pretty well, come with a little nice belt loop case, And a good value for the money. The only issue is that the eye pieces are really small so when i press my eyes all the way to the optics they don't work that great (I have to back my eyes up a little) and of course the cord is bad and don't really see a way to replace it..Bottom Line: Cheap binoculars that will get the job done, small, compact then these are what you want.  If your a professional that relies on crystal clear comfortable magnification probably not.
Thought I would take a chance on these compact binoculars.  The reviews looked okay, and they performed well when I received them - a couple of weeks in advance of a 2 week trip to Hawaii.  I packed them for the trip - in my carry-on, in the same bag with my iPad which survived the trip unscathed (eliminates damage in transport).  I even got to use them a couple of times once we arrived on Maui.  However, on the 5th day of the trip the entire right eyepiece, rear lens, trim ring, etc. just fell off.  I was able to get everything back in place, but two problems remain:  1 - The vision adjustment feature is now way off - my eyes are basically equally strong, but I have to turn the adjuster all the way in the '+' (plus) direction, and it's still a little fuzzy.  2 - The entire assembly is not really 'attached' to the binoculars any longer, but just slides up and down and will fall off completely if I don't hold it into place as I bring it up to my eyes.And of course I didn't think about trying to return them for replacement while I was on vacation, and guess what - the 30 day return period expired by the time I returned to the mainland, so Amazon won't replace them.  From what I can tell, Bushnell offers a lifetime warranty on binoculars, so hopefully they will repair/replace - I'll try to remember to update my review once I've gone through that process).  But given that the binoculars fell apart with less than 15 minutes total use (that works out to be more than $150 cost per hour in my case!), I don't have high hopes that a repaired/replacement pair will be much better in the long term.  Looks like I'll need to shell out the dough for Nikon or a similar brand.
I wanted a decent cheap pair of binoculars to keep around the house and these fill the role very well. The 32mm objective lenses gives them an advantage over the more popular 25mm by letting in more light for a clearer picture without being much bigger.  Although the 10x zoom is probably more practical for most people and the 16x would just be useless.  Markus seems to have been expecting quite a deal from his and was apparently disappointed. If your picky then go get one of the ones that cost over $100. If you want something that's "good enough" and easy to carry around, then I'd recommend this.
Within days of receiving this product, the rubber around the eye piece fell off. Not a big deal, but annoying nonetheless. The quality of the optics of the binoculars leaves much to be desired, but of course, that is a function of the price. In humid and wet conditions the binoculars just did not hold up. The lenses were always fogged and then a permanent cloud settled in the lenses, making them almost useless. I just left them somewhere when I was traveling. On the plus side, they are small, light and convenient to carry around. Would not buy again, even though they are inexpensive, it just isn't worth the $20-30 that I spent on it. If casual birding in your backyard is all you will be doing with these, this is the product for you. Otherwise, don't bother.
These Bushnell are a great little cheap(mean that in a good way) pair of binocular.  I use them for searching the sky for prehistoric reptiles and Russian satellites.
These are a good basic set of binoculars. They are not fine optics, but for the price, you can't go wrong. Nice compact size. Used last weekend at an eagle watch on a cold pontoon ride at DeGray Lake, Arkansas.
These are a good quality pair of binoculars for the price.  Purchased for 8 year old and sometimes her father or I will grab them for something.  Have held up well, did not come apart like a cheaper pair did and we've had these for 2 years.
I purchased this for a birthday gift for my son-in-law and he told me that he really like them. So I basicly have to go by what he said.
I had a pair of these and used them for years.  Finally the "hinge" became completely loose on one side, so that that side swung loose, making it impossible to maintain the interpupilary [between-the-eyes] distance.  So I bought another pair here.  On the new pair, the right and left side were focused so differently that no amount of adjusting could bring both sides into focus on the same object.  It's probably a matter of quality control.  That's why this item has received such differing ratings here, from five stars to one star.  So you have two choices -- gamble $20 that these will work when you get them, or just go ahead and spend more money in the first place and buy something that is sure to work.  I spent about twice the price of these for a pair of Bushnell Powerview 12x25 Porro Prism  Binoculars.  I took a chance going with Bushnell again, but the new pair works well, and has a contoured shape that provides a secure, comfortable grip.
I bought these specifically for a cruise in the Caribbean, the price seemed right. Don't expect to do any serious dolphin watching with these. You pay for what you get. They are better suited for near field viewing such as viewing birds in your backyard.The compact size is great for packing these on hiking trip, they can easily fit in your pocket or day pack. Although I have not tried they may also be good for the ball park or theater because of the practical size.
Does a good job at sporting events and concerts. The image is pretty sharp and they fold up small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. Good value.
We needed a pair of small binoculars for shows and other events.  These appear to be decent.  Good magnification with minimum distortion.While there are models with more magnification you have to keep in mind that with higher magnification comes more problems with distortion when you can't hold the binoculars steady.  This model is a very goo compromise.Comes with a reasonable storage case and appears to be well constructed.
I was very happy with these binoculars, at the 8X level for use as opera glasses.  The field of view is not wide, but the clarity is quite good, and focus was relatively easy.  They are sturdy and well made.  For the price it would be very difficult to find any competitive product.  Bushnell is a fine company and I have been satisfied with other products which they have made.  These binoculars are small enough to bring conveniently to the opera house, or anywhere.  At the 8X level you get a good view of a person performing.  You do not see the whole stage, or a group of people.  But the purpose is to focus in on one person, since your eyes can see the larger stage.  You cannot go wrong at this price.
I am still amazed by the quality and durability of this product. I put all me gear thru a stress test (dropping them, dropping items on them, etc.) These still work perfectly. And I have had no problems focusing. Great product, excellent price.
I bought these for a trip to Yellowstone.  The only word I can think to describe the image is foggy, especially in bright sunlight.  I ended up using a pair of 8x21 Tasco cheapies that have a much clearer image than these.  The 2x extra magnification doesn't do any good since the image is so bad. I don't know if mine are defective or if it is just the quality of the binocs.  They are also much bigger than I expected, but still very compact.  I will definitely be returning these.We'll call the 1 star rating for the compactness and look & feel of these.
You get what you pay for.  These were very inexpensive and not all that great.
Bought this binocular due to the high reviews and compactness on this item as well as the binoculars are made in the US. Bushnell is a very well known company specializing in binoculars. This item is perfect for my daughter to use when going outdoors and easily to locate due to the color I purchased for her.  recommended for regular outdoor use and those that like bird watching.
small enough to fit anywhere.very easy to use and great binoculars.packaging was well protected.recomended as a purchase
I bought a much more expensive binocular than this , but this one is as good as the expensive one.I'll be using it for concerts etc.Great product for little money!
Husband and I were invited to the opera at the last minute, next-day tickets.  I had been wanting to get a pair of opera glasses, but time was tight, so I wasn't going to be able to go looking for a pair at a retail store.  Amazon one-day shipping to the rescue.  However, since it was already mid-afternoon, the options for receiving the item on the next day were limited.  These were among them.  They were also reasonably powerful (according to my photographer Husband's opinion of the numbers), and a great price.  I placed the order online, and they arrived promptly the next day!I have to say that I totally love these binoculars.  They are light, fold up small, and have a cloth sleeve that fits easily into any handbag I am carrying, so I don't have to leave them behind. They are also very clear and powerful.  At the opera (Family Circle seats at the Met), I was able to read the French horn part all the way down in the orchestra pit.  With these binoculars, a budget ticket will turn your place in the hall into a premium seat, where you can see every last nuance of facial expression and action.Great product, great service from Amazon!
I wanted a smaller binocular because I am going on a trip in April and I am always short on space in my luggage.My bigger binocular is Bushnell that I purchased in a mall store a long time ago (the store went out of business in the 2001 recession) and I have never had any problems with it. The price on this was good, a fraction of what I paid for my bigger one.This item came with the piece of plastic on the bottom around the focusing wheel detached. I used 3 drops of white all purpose glue to repair this problem.This is a very small product that fits in the palm of my hand when folded up. I will be able to stow it in my purse because it is so small. (Now all I need is a mini-kitchen sink and my purse will have everything in it. That's a joke folks.)4 stars because new items should not require home repair. This was a manufacturer quality control problem (not shipping breakage).
Looking for a new set of binoculars for my brother, I came across this. He just loved it. It's built sturdy and it's a great size to carry around. High recommended.
The binoculars felt good and compact, just as advertised. However, mine had cloudy rings in the field of vision. I returned these and bought the Olympus 7X21 PC III Classic Binocular (from Amazon) which is also compact. Images in those are much better.
I bought these to use at football games and on my informal birding walks. They are an outstanding value--compact and portable, easy to use, yet very sturdy and well-made. Much nicer than you would expect for the low price.
These work really well! For the price I am extremely pleased with the purchase.
I like the fact that these binoculars are so compact and light, however they were not as powerful as I had hoped.  I don't have much experience buying binoculars though, so I didn't really know what to expect.  I tried to use them to look at some birds on a hike, but the birds were much too far away for the binoculars to make any difference.  Also be aware that the cord to hang these around your neck is not very comfortable.  It is thin and kind of cuts into the back of your neck if worn for an extended period of time.  Also the cord is not very comfortable when the binoculars are bouncing around while you are hiking.  It is thinner than a cord type shoe lace.  It could use some sort of neck guard or something.
My oldest got these as a Christmas gift and loved them so much my youngest wanted one so for his Birthday I purchased it and they play with them all the time! They work great to, its not just some silly cheap knock-off! For the price I couldn't believe how great they work!
I like having a pair of small binoculars to keep at my desk so that I can look out the window and identify birds that come to my feeders while I'm working.  They were a good price.
Pretty good binocular.  Overall I like this model as it is very portable.  Maybe it is me, but I found myself having to readjust them often and it was a but annoying.  For concerts or venues like that they are easy to cary and hang around your neck without a lot of weight.
If you are looking for good, lite and portable binocs , then you should give these a try, I got the 12 by 32 so I will be able to have more light in the lens for concerts and overall night viewing, you get what you pay for, but these work great.
I bought these binoculars and the 12X version for my GF and I for a recent U2 concert.  They worked great and for the price could not be beat.  Overall the 8X was better for seeing the stage as the 12X was more prone to movement and needed to be really steady. For people who bird watch I would recommend either as they are both very light and small
Notice I said low quality not poor quality.  These are definitely $20 binoculars and you get what you pay for. Almost impossible to use while wearing glasses, at least the image is mostly in focus. These will sit in my desk drawer in case I ever need to look out my office window.
you get what you pay for. if yo need some to take camping and don't want to feel to bad if they fall off a mountin, these are for you.
Small and compact for our trip to Costa Rica. Really enjoyed bird watching with these.
For the money, they are about as good as you could expect them to be.  They are solidly built.  Of course you're not going to get great optics and bells and whistles for under twenty bucks, but if you want something you can throw in your back pack and don't care if they fall off a cliff or overboard in the ocean, you can't go wrong with these.
I purchased two of these for the Jeff Dunham show and they worked well.  We could see clearly from the balcony and you could hold them up without tiring, as they are very light. They lost a star because the design causes eyelash flair; the eyepieces could use a redesign.  Pity they could not help the sound - the acoustics at the Long Beach PAC are the worst I have been to in many years, and I go out a lot.
This binocular is small pocket size but sturdy with bright clear view, great quality. Highly recommend.
This is a little bigger than some of the compact ones.  It works really great, and the price was good.
I really like the compactness of this product and serves my purpose of taking it on my kayak. Great focusing power and handy to grip and use. The folding mechanism is really fantastic. Thumbs Up!!
Very compact and works well for what I needed it for.  I would recommend this for a quick closer look at what your spying on.
Optics were questionable. I have previously owned this same product and had excellent results. Apparently "buyer beware." There can be variations between lots manufactured. These might be fine for the kids but definitely consider purchasing higher-quality binoculars.
The size is compact but work great, the fold down, they have a strap for around your neck and the bag slips onto your belt which is perfect for hiking. Definitely a good buy.
If you're not rich, and can't afford $1000 binos,  this is a good option for you.  They're rubber armored and seem to be made pretty well.  Granted, you don't get the clarity that you would with more expensive binos, but for day-to-day use, they'll do very well.  They fold up compact, and fit into a nice nylon case.  The only thing lacking, I thought, was a set of caps for the lenses, which are not included.  That would come in handy if you carried them around your neck, instead of keeping them in the case.  Oh well, what do you expect for this price?All in all, these binos work just fine. They focus well, and you can see what you're looking at pretty clear. I think they're rugged enough to be dropped and still function.  Bushnell generally makes a pretty decent product.If you're wanting perfection, then buy $1000 binos. But if you're on a budget, these will work just fine for you.
Wasn't sure where I'd be sitting at a concert I spent a lot of money on tickets for, so I purchased these beforehand, figuring that even if I was sitting further than I'd like this would ensure I got a better view. These did the trick just fine. The strap isn't the most comfortable but it was easy to use and very sturdy. I like the case it came in as well. I don't use them often but I'm glad to have a pair laying around just in case, and the price was right.
Nice compact little pair of binoculars...BUT....we could not get them to focus in. At it's best focus you see double, it's like having double vision and it's not what we want to contend with even at this low price. I am sure it's a manufacturing defect but decided not to take another chance on an exchange and asked Amazon for a refund instead. They agreed to refund my return shipping as well since the product is defective.
The lens are clear and the knobs easy to adjust for focusing.  You can easily adjust the view to be sharp and bright.  It also feels rock solid and firm.  This is simply value for money!
Really light weight and simple to use! We got these for concerts, plays and neighborhood bird watching and they are perfect for all those activities and more! Feels like you are closer to the action without lugging larger binoculars around with you! Great buy and killer product by Bushnell!
I say these are fair. They work well and seem to be made well. My issue is I have difficulty focusing them. It seems that when one eye is in focus the other is not. I've owned other Bushnell binoculars and the focus mechanism of this one feels weak.
Actually purchased these as part of a costume (they were only a few $ more than the play ones).  They work  great!  Very lightweight and  easy to focus.
We are talking $13.00. It is NOT like a $500.00 pair, no, but they are also not a toy. I'm brand new at bird watching. I had a beautiful pair of 7x50 binoculars, that I inherited from my grandfather. Excellent, but way too heavy. These are perfect!! They fit in my coat pocket. They are SO light, and after getting used to using them, you do have to have them just right so you don't blacked out, but you can see things around 5 feet away, SHARPLEY! The sharpness was mind blowing! This is a good buy.
They are inexpensive, relatively clear and compact. The most irritating feature is the neck strap is attached near the center of the binoculars causing them to stand off your chest when hanging around your neck. This causes them to not sit flat but bounce and twist when walking/hiking. The right occular adjustment is not tight enough and you must constanty readjust it as it move so easily. These are for quick spotting distant objects or for kids. Not quality glass for longer glassing sessions. Thank you,
bought it for my son-in law for christmas.  he is an avid hunter and tells me this is perfect. hohoho
I purchased these for a sporting event for my family and they were perfect. Compact, lots of "zoom", portable - just what I wanted.
Great power for concerts and plays and compact to carry with you anywhere. I like the holder with the belt clip, it keeps my hands free to cary other things like tickets.
I purchased a cheaper pair of unknown binoculars at Big 5 before buying these.  These Bushnell binoculars work perfectly!! Images are super clear especially for concerts at night (even from the lawn!!).  I would definitely buy these again especially at this price!! Other unknown brands are crap - pay the measly $[...] extra for these quality binocs!
I use it for theater and sports.  It does a good job.  Good optics.  The build is somewhat rusty and cheep.  The neck strip is way too thin.  The focusing ring provides for a reasonable distance range.  Overall - very good value for the money.  I've seen better optics and better build however at a much higher price.  For the casual user or the casual use I strongly recommend it.
Replaced an old binocular I have had for years, whose roof prism has come loose. Perfect. Can't beat the price and they work great for bird watching. Lightweight. Another reviewer said that you have to adjust the focus a lot...have not found that a problem,
These were the perfect blend as far as power vs stability. Meaning more powerful ones would need to be held really steady to avoid to much shake, and any less powerful just would not bring the subjects close enough. Very good optics, light weight, quality item for the money. Would recommend for given applications.
I got one of these binoculars for Christmas and these are more powerful than another pair i had from a diffrent company. Bushnell is a trusted and powerful name in the binocular business and this model is small compact and very powerful for its size and price. The only gripe i have about it is that it there are two things you half to use to adjust the focus, so in other words one could be fuzzy when the other is clear, making the view a little distorted, but overall this is a great pair of binoculars by a trusted name, Bushnell.
These binoculars look good and feel good, but the pair I received performed abysmally.  They have been returned for a refund.  There are too many alternatives out there to mess with a manufacturer who apparently doesn't test what comes off the assembly line.  My pair had exactly the same problem reported in the other negative review; namely, a doubled image.  I had no problem getting both sides simultaneously in focus, with good clarity on both sides, but no amount of additional fiddling with the binoculars would eliminate the doubled image.  Such an inexcusable alignment error represents either lack of testing of the finished product, poor design, or poor internal construction.  Over the years I've owned a number of binoculars from other manufacturers and none had this kind of problem.  Since the binoculars I received can only be used as a monocular, one star is as good a rating as they merit.
These binoculars are very versatile..They can be used for outside bird watching are opera watching. they are very reasonably priced.
Bought these for USAF BMT graduation to find our son in the crowd.  Thought my husband would roll his eyes, but he liked that they were so compact and had decent range and focus.  Worked like a charm.  He found our son with these, I took the pictures with the telephoto lense on my 10mb camera and voila - clear pictures of the right kid once we blew up the shot.
The little boy I bought it for loves it! What a great Christmas gift to give to a 9 year old.
I live in an apartment building and there is a small plot of land behind my building that was created by chopping down the trees there.  The building they planned on putting up never came to fruition, thankfully, and now I have a wonderful view of all the wildlife that hang out there.  I can see deer, geese, groundhogs, and cats from my balcony.  Now that I have my new binoculars though, I can really get a good look at all of them!  I think they are perfect for what I need them for.  I can see the deer and their eating habits close up because I never could figure out what they were eating all this time.  I attend concerts a great deal as well, and due to the huge mark up in ticket prices, I sometimes have to sit in the nosebleed section, and I believe these will come in handy the next time I'm sitting way up there!!!
My partner and I are becoming more outdoorsy and we are going to a few concerts this year, so we decided to pair a couple instead of borrowing my folks. As the previous reviews have said, they are great buys and allow amazing views. We'll be taking these to Weird Al and Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
Maybe we got a lemon.....looking through the binoculars, you get a double image; like the left eye monocular was not pointing in the same direction as the right eye monocular.
My husband and 3 year old son love taking these on motorcycle trips to spot deer and elk by us. They are great for my husband, let in a lot of light so you can see very well, and also for my 3 year old because they are adjustable for his little eyes/head. Love them, and great price.
Great product perfect traveling size. Good quality item. ArrIved. As described - would recommend this item for boating, concerts, hunting etc.
I bought these for my grandkids to play with and they love them. I actually enjoyed using them myself. Bushnell to me has always made a great product and I recommend Bushnell. Very clear scene through these and has some really good focusing. I would highly recommend these to anyone who has grandkids or just wants a great pair of binoculars.
This is my second run with these binoculars. My first pair sprouted legs and I knew I wanter another pair. I carry them in my work truck for impromptu bird and critter watching. For that they are just fine. I won't say that they are as clear as my 10X50s but they didn't cost near as much either. I have had pretty good luck with Bushnell and ANY problem that I have ever had was taken care of promptly. You might find better quality but twice the quality will run you 10 times the price! I gave them 4 stars because they are NOT as nice as my 150 dollar glasses but pretty close.
I bought these as a Christmas gift for my son. My son was thrilled with these binoculars. And when I tried them out myself I was impressed.We left the day after Xmas to go on a guided nature tour of Costa Rica.After a few days on the tour one of the guides had a look and noticed that the optics were not aligned. I checked myself and there was a significant double image effect. My son was 12 at the time, not a wild kid, but a normal red blooded boy. It's possible that there was some mis-handling, but he had not dropped them and I don't think any of his handling could be classified as abuse. Besides he really did not have time to do anything abusive to them.I think if you plan to use these for the occasional concert or trip to a national park, etc -- this should work well for you and is a great value. If your looking for something that you can toss in a bag and carry half way around the world, or hiking across the continental divide - you probably should consider something else.
I got the binoculars for my 5 year old son. I can use them with no problem, but he is having a bit more difficulty adjusting them correctly. I am sure he will get it with time. I would recommend these as a good option for a small pair of binoculars at a great price.
These fold away easily.  Put a better strap on them because the one it comes with digs into your neck.  The carrying case is nice.  They work well and the cost is reasonable for the few times we will use them.
10x25 is perfect for day to day use.  Bought a pair for the entire family and they have served well so far.  Value for price paid is very good - every glove box or back pack should have a pair!
I asked for the Bushnell Powerview 12 x 25 binoculars for Christmas because I wanted something compact enough to carry into concerts and plays, but high enough magnification to get up close for things like football games and nature watching.The binoculars accomplish that purpose fairly well; the case is fairly inconspicuous and has a belt loop to carry it on your hip, and the binoculars themselves are smaller than my open hand when folded up. The problem with having a higher magnification in a small body is that it's harder to keep the image you're viewing steady, however. The smaller field of view with the 25mm objective exacerbates the issue, as well. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have gone with a 10 x 50 set of binoculars instead. Yes, they'd be much larger to carry around, but the slight decrease in magnification along with the doubling of the objective size (which determines how much less or more you can see at once at a given magnification level) would have led to a more enjoyable experience for my uses.But my own ignorance aside, my only real gripe with these binoculars is the focusing. The main focusing roller works well enough, though having since used a rocker-style focuser, I much prefer the speed and viewing-stability of that type to having to roll the focuser back and forth.These binoculars also have a separately adjustable right-eye diopter focus, however. I had never seen this feature before getting these binoculars, so I searched the internet to find out its purpose.From Binoculars101.com:"Most of today's binoculars will allow you to separately adjust the focus on one eye (usually the right eye) with a diopter. This is done to compensate for differences between your eyes so you see the clearest image possible through your binoculars.To make the diopter adjustment, pick a distinctive object to focus on that is beyond the close focus distance of the binocular, but not too far out in the distance. Initially, come to a sharp focus on the object using the center focus of the binocular (with the diopter-corrected eyepiece side blocked off or that eye closed).Once you've got the first eye focused as sharply as possible, close it and, then, open your other eye (the one on the diopter-corrected side). Carefully, without moving the center focus of the binocular, see if you can improve the image sharpness through this eye by slowly moving the diopter adjustment back and forth. Once you've found the setting which gives you the sharpest image, note it and leave it there -- you're done. From this point on, you simply use the center focus to adjust both eyes while viewing.Note: You should properly set the diopter adjuster when you first use your binocular (make note of your setting). Check the diopter setting on your binocular every so often to be sure your eyes haven't changed. Always check it whenever you share your binocular with someone else."The problem is, the diopter adjustment has no way to be locked in place once set on these binoculars. Inevitably, it always gets slightly turned when I'm getting the binoculars in and out of their case, passing them around to let other folks look through them, or simply carrying them around my neck with the included cord, so I have to reset my focus nearly every time I use these. Highly annoying, especially when carrying them outdoors and hoping to get a quick glimpse of wildlife that's on the move.Overall, I'd rate these 4 out of 5 stars. I like them, but I don't love them. The form factor is good, the optics are nice enough for the price, and they are light, compact, and easy to carry without looking like a wandering tourist everywhere you go. If you can get past the focusing annoyances (perhaps lightly gluing the diopter adjustment in place or making Sharpie marks on the adjustment ring and binoculars body after setting them to more quickly realign them each time), they're a good buy. Just make sure you really want and need the 12 x 25 magnification if you're getting the same pair I did, as 10 x 50 is more of the common, "every day" size I see most casual users with at sporting events.
The Bushnell Powerview 12x25 is a fine, small pocket-sized binocular.  Since my wife is an avid bird watcher, we already have several binoculars of various sizes and viewing power.  Our grandson accidentally broke her small 10x25 Bushnell that we used for trips, so I researched, then bought this one from Amazon for her birthday.  She loves it.  The viewing power is a bit greater than the other and is every bit as compact, which makes it easy to pack for vacations, yet provides for a good viewing experience when enjoying the various bird populations around the country.  We both highly recommend this, and other Bushnell products.
I bought these for a trip and only glanced inside the box to make sure everything looked OK when I received them. When I took them out of the box for the first time a month later, I discovered that one of the eye pieces was completely sheared off meaning the pair was useless. Due to Amazon's return policy, I'm out of luck.
I bought these for deer hunting a couple of years ago because they were inexpensive, small and had decent magnification.  The size and the price were the main draw, and I knew that I would was not buying an excellent set of binoculars.  My usual range for viewing is 75 - 150 yards, and these work well in that range.  They work well enough in low light conditions, but I'm sure that more expensive models do a much better job.For my two main needs - spotting animals and then judging the quality of the antlers - they do okay.  But, for counting points on antlers I find that I have to brace them against a staionary rest.  If I don't, then the involuntary shaking caused by breathing, my heartbeat and muscle movement makes it very difficult to do if I just hold them freehand.The major detractor with these glasses is the continual need to refocus.  In my experience the right lens always has to be refocused whenever I adjust the glasses as a unit. And they seem to get out of focus quite easily whenever I'm just handling them.  It's for that reason alone that I am now researching my next purchase of a different set of binos.
the eyecups were too short for my eyes so you have to hold it away from your eyes and balance it in the air to see through it, cheap but in the end not usable for me...
I like it, Works fine for bird watching in my back yard. Optics aren't spectacular, it won't WOW you with it's clarity. However, the price is right, and if you drop them, it won't be the end of the world.
I got the 3pair deal and so when my husband saw my package I gave him this pair.  I like the 8 x 21 for watching our hummingbirds
I ordered two of these to keep in the car.  One of them had to be returned as it was out of alignment and resulted in vertical double vision.  Not very good quality control.  The one that worked was fine but I gave them two stars to call attention to the bad one and warn customers to check them carefully on arrival.
these came in a few days and were in time for Christmas which ws faster than promised. However, after just one hour of use, one of the eye pieces has fallen off. I plan to send them back or see if this is how they are supposed to work.
These were a fabulous purchase. Took them to Alaska...didn't take up too much space in my purse and had good clarity.
Good closeup and light weight. What's not to like ? Even comes with a very nice carrying case with velcro closure.
Adjustable, great optical instrument--used it as opera glasses...could almost read from my seat in the audience the brand names of instruments in the orchestra--great buy, highly recommend.
I used these to watch a boxing match at MGM Grand Arena in Vegas and they worked very well.  I also used them to view the blood moon that happened last month and it was pretty good for that too, just to get a closer look at it.  My only complaint is that the rubber smell is really strong and makes me sick.  Aside from that, they function perfectly and they are small enough to be convenient to carry to a lot of different events.  I can't wait to use them for football season.  Go Bruins!!!
I wish I'd gone for the 8x25 set instead. These provide good magnification but are difficult to hold steady enough to make out the extra detail you get. The lenses are clear and only distort a little near the edges.
Reaches distant views. More fun than I expected. Two focus adjustments. Shaking is tolerable. Any binoculars that are over 10x will shake.
These compact binoculars are superb. I bought two pair as a Christmas gift for my 3 and 5 year old grandsons thinking the size that would fit their hands was the key feature. Wrong! The power is great and unexpected on my part. They are substantial in construction as I would expect a Bushnell product to be. I would agree with those reviewers who said they would be perfect for use in live theater or the opera. I will make sure that when the grandsons visit us at our summer place on a Maine lake that they bring them along. We do a lot of kayaking and spotting wildlife and waterfowl is a great thrill for them. These glasses will make it even more meaningful.
I bought these binoculars to slip into my pack as something to use. They won't be used for bird watching, or for seeing the next mountain range. I did not have the problems others had with alignment - these came right out of the box and were fine. Durability issues are not addressed in this review.If you want a basic set of binoculars to boost your vision, these will do the job.If you want the gold standard of binoculars to see a bird on a tree on a mountain range 10 miles away, you should go buy those, because this is not that product.It gets 4 stars because it surpassed my expectations and is an inexpensive product.
Nice and compact and easy to carry in a back pack or in my tackle box on the the boat.
Pros:+Light, compact (about the size and weight of a modern personal digital camera). Very suitable for theaters. I once sat at the very last row, upstairs of a Broadway theater and could still see the actors pretty well. But don't expect to see the whole show through this, certainly not as comfortable as using your naked eyes.Kind of small for birds view.+Very reasonable price. Package comes with a cleaning cloth, a small bag and a strap.Cons: can be shaky (since it's a 12x) if hands are not strong. If you're not sure, buy 10x  instead.
I purchased these binoculars to bring to concerts and plays. The size was perfect for my small evening purse, but I didn't realize just how well they worked. Wish that I would have owned them when I was sitting in the upper stratosphere at the Celine Dion concert in Las Vegas. They go with me to every event now to ensure a "good" seat every time.
I like these binoculars and they are well made, but I think they are too strong.  I bought them to go to shows at our local theater but they are so high powered I think i would get a lower power next time.  Would be great for long distance.
Purchased these as hiking bionoculars, so would not have to carry my heavier ones. Works great for using short periods of time to identify a bird.Pros:- Very small light weight, even though case is mainly metal- Nice case to comfortably attach to belt- Focus quickly and wellCons:- Could not use with glasses, even after following manual instructionsUnbelievable value at under $14.
We were looking to upgrade from a less powerful binocular for bird watching. My wife did not want a heavy, cumbersome pair (if binoculars can be considered a pair) hanging round her neck since she is the primary user. They are light, more powerful and can be stowed in the glovebox for ready access. Got what I asked for.
My wife wanted a small binocular she can put in her purse but, other than being easy for the purse, it is:  Cheap but junk, miracle you can see anything through it.  You get what you pay for.
These are great binoculars. And at $15.00, quite a value. So far I've used them to view license plates from across the baseball field.
...and then sometimes you get a good bit more than you pay for.  I spent about $12 for these, and I can tell you I would gladly have paid more.  They're small but substantial, the view is clear and adjustable, in short they're a fantastic value at this price.
I bought these binoculars to carry in my range bag.  For that purpose, they're ideal.  They're compact, sturdy, have a decent (soft) protective case, and I have no problem seeing my targets.  The exterior has a durable, rubberized coating, so I expect these glasses to be a longtime traveling companion.  Highly recommended for the money!
Bought these for my sone for X-mas. He loves them and they feel like they are of excellent quality. The optics are great and they are easy to focus. They are somewhat small, but that makes then very compact and easy to bring to a show or something.
As a Traveler, I needed a Small, light-weight, folding-type of binocular with at least a 10x32 rating. Shipping was fast and i just returned from a trip where I used them in the San Francisco Bay Bridge area. The first thing that I noticed right away was how difficult it was to Adjust the Focus Setting, on the Right + & - eyepiece ... I had to monkey around for a while,and when I finally "set" it at a good position, the result was not Satisfactory, for me. It just seemed to be "off" a bit.I used them in both an urban and beach environments and they were just adequate ... probably more useful in a Archery or gun range, to be used only as a spotter scope, if that.Bushnell makes some really great binoculars, but this is the "Cousin" they never talk about!As a photographer, I'm always searching for possible working sites from which I can position myself and my camera ... but this was too much trouble, and I didn't want to use my camera's zoom, as that drains the batteries.* Conclusion - This would be a great Gift for a Cub Scout or new Boy Scout, as the Price is really great and they are small & lightweight, so that works. I was generous with 3 stars, because they are no better than a 2.5 star rating. But, for $25 bucks, I can't really expect a whole lot.
Everything you read in these reviews is true!  They are lightweight, easy to adjust (without the manual) AND so inexpensive for the quality you get!  If you wear glasses, there is a "fold down" feature on the eye pieces so you can use them WITH your glasses for crystal clear, up close viewing!  They bring things in so close you don't know what you are seeing at first!!!  Terrific!
bought these for my son.  very durable, great buy and he loves them.  I will purchase a pair for myself soon.  ships quickly.
I was pleasantly surprised that this binocular is well constructed, small, and therefore more likely to accompany me on hikes and outings. Oh, and very affordable as well. Focus is smooth, images bright. It comes with a cheap, but functional vinyl case with belt loop and Velcro closure.  I can recommend these optics. Of course, the reader should consider that this assessment is based on the purchase price compared to features and quality received.
These are &#34;value priced&#34; binoculars that provide a good image for their price.  They are easily focused on an individual eye basis, and are relatively light. They meet all of my expectations and seem to be relatively durable.  I use the 16x on land, and would not recommend them for use on a boat or any moving platform.
Although I bought as a present for a 7 year-old, I thought they were very good. They cost about what a kiddie pair cost so I went with the real thing instead of a toy. I keep a pair in my car and can't believe how much I use them.
Lightweight, small and easy to use. Received the binoculars in record time.I would recommend this product to my friends.
Used this on a trip to Hawaii - brought the lava much closer (looked great at night). It's not difficult to focus, and provides clear images. I was not disappointed in the least.Compact size makes it pocketable - perfect for any traveler/casual user.Recommended
I wanted to have a set of binoculars for shooting at the range about 50 yards.This set works really good and is clear.  One lens seems to have a distortion on the edges but it did not impact when looking directly at something.the 16 is a tight zoom on objects at up to about 100yards.  I could see each hit on a 50 yd paper target with a .22 caliber rifle.  I went to 150 yard and I could see larger caliber holes on the target, but I would use a spotting scope if going out that far.My main purpose was for .22 and air rifle competitions for my son and also to have it compact enough to carry when I go out horse back or hiking.  The larger 32mm lens brings in good light and pulls objects together well.I got my set discounted by having a restocked item.  It works for my needs.  High power in a compact set .Oh I had one problem.  The focus dial some how got stuck and the adjustment for both lens got out of sync.  I started to panic, but I just dialed back to the top and pushed it a little firmly until I could see under the binocular that the lens guides were back in line.  It has worked with no problem.  I don't know how it got stuck, other than I had the (really skinny) neck strap string wrapped around the binocular tightly.  The neck strap is a little thin and should have been a little thicker or softer. oh well
Because these binoculars did not have a wider field of vision, it was difficult to pick out the birds as quickly as those who had a wider range on which to focus.  These were clear when the target was found, but the narrower width was a major hindrance. They are inexpensive, very compact and lightweight, which prompted our purchase and may work for very occasional use.  We will look to upgrade to a better pair.  Good for having in the car for a chance spotting.  Since birding is not our passion, but an interest, we will purchase an inexpensive Bushnell 7x35 size.
I got two pair of these for my 3 year old boys and they love them. They are very solid binoculars and I am comfortable with them surviving 3 year old hands. My one criticism is the very small string for a neck band, but I was prepared for that, having read other reviews.
It's handy but got a spot on one lens, which can not be cleaned even by alcohol .Had to return it back.
These are great value binoculars. They gather light fairly well, are compact, and seem rugged. the only issue i have with them is that the rubber eyepiece on one side got smashed out of shape due to it moving in Bushnell's packaging. Over all for the price these are great binoculars. Quite frankly i got these for my 4 year old to play and learn with since they were so cheap but i am going to order myself a couple extra pairs.Over all I would recommend this product. They are a decent pair of binoculars at a great price.
Perfect size for a compact binocular...  Will use these for all our cruises..
This product works. It does what it says, arrived in good condition and able to use it for my purpose.Great for bird watching in trails which I have done in Dana point. For the price, convenient size and descent magnification I like them.
I can't really give a fair review because I have trouble finding the right focus. I took it to a concert and it was very frustrating.If your hands shake in the least....these are too sensitive, I would NOT recommend these. My husband can't use these due to his tremor.
great product - and at this price - truly an amazing buy!  you can't go wrong here.
This is my first pair of binoculars so I don't know but I'm happy.  I wish it had lens covers or a case with it.
These were lightweight, easy to pack, and did quite well for general use on our river cruise.  OK, the strap that goes around your neck is a bit thin, but it really was not an issue for us.  I thought they were worth the money.
I would put 5 stars, because these binocular wasnot expencive. Quality is ok-worth for the price paid for.Anybody needs affordable binocular for concert, come to Amazon and enjoy deals!
that binocular is really strong and portable , is small but you can see very far, i used for watch birds and nature. i recommend 100%!
These binoculars are great.  Good magnification, nice compact size and includes a carrying case.  What more could you ask for in an inexpensive pair of pocket binoculars?I can easily see distant license plates, they work great at sporting events / large concerts, and I have to assume they'd be great for bird watching and the like.10/10
I bought one of the bincular. Watch very clear for bird-watching. I and my kids love it. But the strip on it is not so quality compare the product.
Worked fine for a short time but then the alignment of the lenses on the left half shifted and made it very difficult to see through.
decent quality optics at a decent price.  it always takes me a little while to get these adjusted just right so i'm not seeing double, but once i do they make looking at the moon or other stuff way neater.  glad to have them in my car for whenever i need them.
I got the Bushnell 8x21 as a compact choice for a trip to England.  I had my eye on (no pun intended) a more expensive one, but this was well reviewed and now I know why.  They work great.  Clear view and easy focus. Can not beat them for the price. They are made well and do not feel like junk.Ed
These binoculars are great for concerts, sports, hunting, perverts, or just plain bird watching. They are compact and adjust great. The images are crisp and clear. They even look good when wearing glasses. Highly recommend them. For the price you won't find better.The only negative is the thin neck strap. I don't use it though so that's negligible to me. Either way you could easily replace it with a nice thick one if you wanted.  5 star product.
I had a similar small pair by another manufacturer that I used for travel, until I left them in a rental car.  these are a handy size that take up little space in carry-ons, and will fit in your pocket when you are out and about.  Easy focus and adjust easily to the distance between eyes which helps if you are sharing them with someone.
ON the positive: these are great as compacts that fit inside your car's glove box or in your pocket.  On the downside: the optical quality and stability is poor.  But then, for the price, you get what you pay for, especially with binoculars.A note if you do buy them.  One of my rubber end-caps fell off somewhere in the woods.  These rubber end-caps are just slip-ons, so you will need to put a drop of rubber cement on them to be secure.Overall: For the price and easy of storing they are great: 5 stars, but, for the optical performance - 1.5 stars.  There are better binoculars for a little more mula.  Conditionally Recommended
I am very shocked by the resultBlurry vision and is never clearThere are no zoomPlace eyes tight and shocking BalrmoshI would not advise purchased
Folds up nicely in compact case and fits in your pocket. Viewing is good.Great for deer hunting and camping
Easy to focus, easy to adjust, sharp image edge-to-edge.  These little folders are a gem -- and a little more forgiving when it comes to eye relief (you don't have to be as ultra-precise about how far you hold them from your eyes as other miniature binoculars require).Image clarity is better than any other miniature binoculars I've owned (close to a dozen pair at this point), including some that retail for 2x-3x this price.  Can't speak to their ruggedness yet but so far I'm very pleased.
We use this when we are hiking, it is a great little binocular set and the price was fantastic.  My daughter keeps it with her for bird-watching too.
When I was looking for some simple binoculars I was looking for something that I could use for bird watching & something that was inexpensive as well. I wanted something that I could use to watch the Hummingbirds that come to the feeders in my yard. When I found these I decided to give them a try because the price was just over $11.00 & they qualified for Prime shipping. When they arrived I opened the box tried them out & they worked so well for what I wanted. Then to my added surprise I seen they were made by Bushnell! I let my husband try them & he too was very impressed! Great things don't have to cost a lot, these are wonderful & now I am going to get another pair for my husband so he too can watch the Hummingbirds!
Was looking for a good pair of lightweight binos for my B.O.B, camping, and events and these are it! I cant believe how far I can see and how crisp the image is. very lightweight, very durable, stop looking and buy these binos! Whatever your needing them for these are better than some of the heavier, more expensive bions I've played with in the past. 5/5 must have
The right side will not focus on anything beyond 30 feet. I turned the binoculars around and moved the center focus wheel while looking at them from around a foot away. The right lens was clearly not parallel with the left. It was deeper in its tube housing by a good 1/4 inch. Bushnell is a well known name in optics. I'm surprised that they would sell such a poorly made product. I should have read the reviews more carefully.
Don't like having to use a set amount of words to describe something I hate.  They don't do what I thought they would.
These binoculars are the best I have ever had the opportunity to use and own.  Very compact, they fit just right into a very small space.
We purchased these cute binoculars for a recent trip we took.  We wanted something light and compact to put into my pocket book just in case we wanted a closer look while sightseeing.  They were perfect as we went to Sedona, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas and we would have definitely been disappointed without them.  These binoculars had a very good view and steady feel.  We got a really close look at the condors soaring over the Grand Canyon.  We found the binoculars to be of good value and performance.
These were a last minute purchase as I was leaving for Australia and didn't have much in the way of extra cash. For less than $20, I was willing to take a chance. The binoculars have a fairly narrow field. The optics are good, not great, and work well under certain light conditions. However, on sunny days, they had a serious problem with glare. This could be mitigated somewhat by holding a hat or hand at the correct angle between the binoculars and the sun, but it was quite annoying.  Still, as a last minute, low-price purchase they worked well. However, if I were looking for binoculars to use regularly, or for serious birdwatching, I'd buy something else.
These are very poor binoculars. The optics are very low contrast, no very sharp, very difficult to focus, flare easily. The focus wheel has lots of slack and feels junky. The eye pieces have very little tolerance, frustrating to use. Pay a little more and get something you will enjoy.
These are remarkably good opera glasses for the price.  They are small enough to carry in your pocket. Good buy.
These binoculars are nice and very compact- perfect for traveling. At 12x25 they are more than enough for viewing landmarks.  The only downside are the thin, neck strap.  I wouldn't recommend hanging the binoculars around your neck as the weight of the binoculars can't withstand the thin, thread-like strap. But overall, it's a nice binocular, very compact, and it comes with a case.
The little guys are fantastic! They fold up very small, and for their size deliver a nice clear view from farther than you'd expect.
I bought these for an African trip. Using them in the parks so far and like them. I wanted something small, light weight, inexpensive and something that can be viewed long distance. These fit the bill so far.
I think these are OK for the price, but I would get the 10 or 12x25 instead.  the size of these is just too big.  the subcompact size is better.with these I might as well carry full size 10x50's.  they will not fit in a fanny pack, where the 10x25's will, and also fit in a large purse.  the 10x25's could be used at a concert But these are just too big to take.but the price is pretty good so 3 stars.
As with all Bushnell products I've bought these compact binoculars are really great! I keep them in the glove compartment of the car for those rare bird moments.  good stuff!
I purchased this hoping to get a compact, easily "pocketable" yet useful binocular, and I am more than satisfied with the Bushnell Powerview 12x25. These are impressive. I use them for baseball games (Go Dodgers), the power for their size is great.
I currently have a 10x50 binocular and was looking for something both smaller and more powerfull.  In comercial binoculars, you really cannot get the &#34;perfect&#34; binocular for every situation.  Size do matters and depends on what you want it for you will have to choose the right one.  For me, my 10x50 was a little too big since I mostly use it in the outdoors, hiking, etc...  And I felt that the 10x was really not that much, hence I was looking for something else.When I saw this 12x32, folding binoculars I just had to have them.  The size is PERFECT for what I want them and the 12x is definitely an improvement.  It's not a great difference vs the one I originally had, but it's an improvement.  And the 32 factor helps a lot in the size.  I have not taken them on a hiking trip yet but they perform just fine when I used them at home.  The grip is good, comfortable to my size of hands.The binoculars come in a black nylon case, not water-proof of course, soft, but protects them all right.  They do not come with lens rubber protectors so I guess that would be a &#34;nice to have&#34; items.Overall, I am happy with my purchase.  Maybe in the future I will get the bushnell 16x32 but for now, this will do just fine.
I took these with me on a cruise to Alaska and they really were helpful and compact.  They also a good basic set of binoculars for birding.  They would be great for having a spare set for friends.
These were a Christmas present for my grandson and he liked them to go out in the field with to spot target hits, they are light and easy to carry.
Took this to the Police concert. Worked great. Comes with a case, easy to carry, magnification allows you to see properly in any lighting conditions.
This is a small lightweight binoculars.  Can fold and put in a shirt pocket.  The optics however are not that great.  An 8x magnification for this size lens means you don't see clearly, and they could have used more stabilization, especially given how light it is. Picture keeps shaking, especially hard to focus as you have to turn a dial while looking at this vibrating image.  Can't complain given the price, but I wanted something that is easy for a little child to use.  I am not sure if this fits the bill.
These are great binoculars.  They are compact and fit great in my purse or camera case.  I'm using them on an upcoming trip in a few days.  Can't wait to try them out in the wilderness.
These binoculars truly are the type you can throw in your backpack or purse and take with you!  They fold in half and fit into a small carrying case that comes with them (approx 4" tall, 3" wide and 2" deep).  I was pretty surprised with the small size when I opened the box!  Without any adjustment, the binoculars offered a crisp image of birds, trees and other features around my neighborhood - I can't wait to take them on my next hike or to a football game.  These are a great buy for the money and would be a perfect gift for nature lovers (hikers, bikers, birders), sports fans, or children just discovering the outdoors.
Maybe its just me, but my Bushnell's image is a bit dark compared to looking at the background with the naked eye and the image is not as clear as I thought it would look like.  I would say spend $10 more on another binocular.
My father had an old pair of binoculars.  Oh, how he loved those things.  I think everybody in Wisconsin - or at least in the area where I grew up - keeps a set in their car at all times; "You never know when you might see something!"During my childhood, I remember pulling over to the side of the road to watch otters, deer, and other forms of wildlife.  My father would watch with the binoculars and then, slowly, would hand them over to me.I could rarely see anything.I don't know what it was, but they were heavy, large, bulky, and didn't fit right.  Recently, we went to North Dakota together.  I bought these just before we went.  I am probably too easily impressed, but he is not...When we saw something, I took my binoculars out of my pack.  He couldn't believe how small they were.  When he looked through them, he couldn't say enough good things about them -- and when I told him how much I paid for them, he was speechless.I know he didn't go home and throw his old pair away, but they are collecting dust now as he also just purchased a pair of these puppies.  Powerful, cheap, small... Just a great, all around pair.Doesn't work perfectly in low light situations, but, heck... spend the extra dollars if you care about top of the line products!I hope that helps you out a little bit!
These are amazing! When you look through them, things that are far away, appear up close! Who would have ever thought it!
You can't go wrong with these binoculars if you are looking for a set to use at sporting events or concerts.  They almost fit in your pocket, and are of good quality.  Obviously at this price point, the optics are not exactly world class, but that's OK.  They serve their intended purpose very well, at at this price if they become damaged or lost, your cost to replace is small.
For the price, these binoculars are a fair purchase.  Nice and compact as well, with a carrying case.
These work well enough and for the price I cannot complain too much. I do have issues getting to constantly show a clear picture. I bought these to help me sight my rifle's Red Dot at the range. It work well enough.
I bought these binoculars because i needed a pair that were small and lightweight. I also had a low price range so when I came across these binoculars i was excited. My dad has several pairs from bushnell and the old pair i used were by bushnell. okay now i haven't had the chance to try them out for what i bought them for. I do archery and i needed a pair for when my arrows are hard to see. Hopefully they do the job. for now 5 stars until i get to try them out tomorrow!UPDATE:these were great for archery! they were exactly what I needed for my archery training. Perfect!UPDATE 2:i unfortunately lost the binoculars while on vacation :(
After purchasing another brand binoculars for myself (and they were not cheap), my grandsons saw me using mine and I cautiously allowed them to look through mine and thought I had better get them some of their own. So I research kids binoculars and determined they were not high quality and looked at low-end compact binoculars.I researched these Bushnell's and they have a good rating.(my original Bushnell's are from the 60's and still working fine)  The price was extremely low priced! Made the choice to get 2 pairs for the grandkids. They arrived quickly and I checked them out. WOW! They are quite nice. Loaded up the kids and gave them their presents. Were they surprised. Even after being dropped several times by the 4 year old, they still work. The kids just kept looking at everything. Then my wife asked why I didn't get her a pair! OOPS! And what about a pair for the other grandkid (who lives 500 miles away). OOPS, again. And how about our daughter. OK, OK.So I know a few more items are added to my "Do List".Yep. I sure am happy to have the grandkids happy. They even try looking out the truck window as I'm driving. Tried explaining why you shouldn't look out the moving truck window with binoculars. Somethings are they must experience for themselves.Great gifts!!
We bought 2 for us fo carry on a cruise to Alaska and they were greatpulled the Bald Eagles right up  yes you can't go wrong with a set
These are good for the money you pay.  They are not long distance and don't expect them to be clear as day like a 2000 pair but they will do the job if you are trying to do some surveillence.
I'm not an educated binocular person.  I only wanted a pair because I was going to see the show "Wicked", and I had a seat almost in the last row.  I wanted to be able to see the cast's faces.  These binoculars were awesome for that purpose.  The magnification was almost perfect for the distance I was away from the stage. I hardly had to do any panning around.  And the lenses are clear, and I was able to focus them perfectly.  I never took them away from my face the whole show.
Great product took these to arizona to the grand canyon I would say if need a  good pair of binoulars these are the ones !
I really think that this would be a good product from the reviews but it isn't for me.  The eye relief is too short causing fogging on the eyepiece lens in cooler temps.  For the life of me I can't get a consistent diopter setting at the image looks foggy.  I have some bushnell 10X25 explorers that are much better if a little bigger.  It may be worth it to see if you like 'em since they are so inexpensive.
Very good magnification and small enough and light enough that it is easy to take with you.  Will even fit in your pants pocket.  Hard to beat.
This binocular is perfect for to do camping because it is small and is to do of resistant material. The scope of lents is regular although the focus is good. Does not a professional binocular but does well his work for little money
Used on a cruise to alaska.  worked perfectly.  great for the price.they are not a professional pair, but worked exactly as expected.These a very compact and perfect to fit within the front pouch of a backpack
I love it, I ordered to use at JLO concert in Miami. I did not miss any of her moves!!it was amazing how light and powerful can be. Even looking through it I took with my camara very close pictures of her.
What can I say? ... These are lame and I don't like them.I purchased a smaller pair of Celestrons, ... cheaper and better.I would rather have had two pair of the celestrons, in THIS price range.I like Bushnell ... some of their higher end products are worth having.But, here, at the low end? ... Well, THESE binoculars just don't cut it.Look at the options, from Celestron, in this price range.On the high end? ... The situation may (likely) be reversed ...TOTALLY depends on the exact model and ... THIS model ? ... meh.I'll pass these along to my 18 year old daughter, for HER pack.TWO STARS
There was no image at all to focus.  Total darkness.  If I turned them backwards there was a diminished image.  Is there a secret lens cover?
Have not use it yet on a trip, concert or bird watching but have tried and seems what we need.
I use it to look at activity on the lake-for my needs these work perfect.Good clear view for about 1/2 mile
This is a good , inexpensive product for young kids to get some experience using binoculars. My daughter enjoys using it!
Great binoculars, I bought them to use at a concert that was held at Wrigley Field.  They defiantly brought me closer to the action.
I Bought these for my 7-year-old son as a Christmas gift. Great product, great value, durable enough for a kid. Thanks Amazon!
I originally bought these binoculars as I bird watch in my back yard and I also wanted them for events such as concerts,  sporting events etc.My husband and I went to a concert this year and though we were not in the nose bleed seats we weren't in the front row either,  and these binoculars were fantastic,  I got to see my band very close up,  I could see their faces and instruments very clearly.The binococulars are light and very compact,  the case that they come in has a belt loop on it so you can slide it on your belt,  and that is exactly what my husband did.My husband also took them to a baseball game and he said they were great.  His team won too.Now I can't say the binoculars can help your favorite team to win but they can certainly help enhance your enjoyment of watching them play.We also took them on vacation with us,  they can be packed easily into your suitcase or carry on bag.We use them on the beach to watch the boats in the distance and other water activities going on.There are many occasions that these binoculars can be used.  Great pair of binoculars at a very good price.  They would also make a good gift for someone,  young or old alike.
these are very good for the price you pay.  Needed them for the theatre if you end up in the gallery!
Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Folding Prism Binocular - excellent value.Anymore, to purchase close up Orchestra tickets prohibitive, these binoculars do the trick, put you in $100 seat vs. the $40 ticket purchased.Just slip them in your pocket, very convenient.Recommend.
My girlfriend bought these to bring to her Broadway shows that she has season tickets for.  Her seats are pretty far back, so she wanted to try binoculars or opera glasses.  She loves how well she can see the show's detail with these and how inexpensive they were compared to fancier glasses.  They are light to hold and the perfect strength for theater, even from the back of the house of a large theater.  If buying for theater, be sure to purchase the 8x21 power.
I would have like a really nice pair but use them too infrequently to justify the cost. These are fine, compact and seem a reasonable quality.
Both an affordable gift for my exploring 8 year-old, as well as functional for an adult.  Great pair of binoculars.
I bought these when I was going to a couple concerts. They are small and easy to carry and serve the purpose of seeing the musicians from far away.
I bought my son a 8x21 rugged exposure binoculars from Big 5 for Xmas, but its quality was terrible.  One of the eye piece fell off right away, so I ordered this Bushnell from Amazon as a replacement based on the superb reviews.  And it is really great as others had reviewed.  Lots clearer and easier to focus than the rugged exposure one.  The built quality is also solid.  My son also gave it 5 stars!
These are great binoculars. Easy to carry and handle, they focus neatly and amplify everything just fine. They are small, but you'll get a surprise when you weight them in your hands, and find out how substancial they feel. This was a wish from a young member of our family, who has short-sightedness. You just can imagine what a thrill these binoculars are, then, and what a blessing, too. Birds, buttlerflies, faraway buildings, everything is now within focus!I was looking for binoculars with a reasonable price, and with a good rating. I found ones with a very good rating, and an even better price! I am very pleased with this purchase!Ah, these black binoculars come with a black carrying case. This case has a tab at the back so you can put your belt through, or the strap of your back pack.
I got the 16x32 version of these binoculars for bird watching and wow are they powerful. And you can't beat the value of $40 for a compact, powerful binocular. I was using a much cheaper brand which would not focus that well. But the optics on these Bushnell's are so much better. Highly recommended for bird watching!
Incredible value. Clarity is excellent, even at great distances. Focus is fast and trouble free (has additional adjustment for right eye). Able to easily bring viewing object into both eyes so there is no &#34;double&#34; object effect. Almost too powerful - requires a steady hand. I work in Afghanistan and am able to clearly make out small figures at extreme distances. Very compact - fits comfortably in tactical clothing pockets. Great product. Pleased with this purchase. I highly recommend this product.
Nice pair of binoculars for the money.  They have a good grip to them and let in a good amount of light. Also, pretty powerful for how compact they are. Wish they had an adjustable power setting but you can't expect that on compacts.
I like these a lot. I'm a cop and needed something compact for work.  I also didn't want to break the bank for some silly binoculars.  These are a great value if your using just for short range surveillance.
I got these for my cruise to Alaska and they were fine. Can't really beat them for the price.  If you want to see something very, very close - I would say buy something better.  They were good for what I was going to use them for.
Just the right size and easy to handle. Fits into almost any spot in the car or truck and it is out of the way.
These Binoculars are great for average users.  Well worth the price.  They are powerful enough to give you good close-up views that usually require much bulkier and heavier binoculars.  They are compact enough to make them very portable and come with a nice soft storage case that can be attached to your belt.  The focus works well for me but you do have to have a pretty steady hand to see clearly.  I sometimes lean on things if necessary. They can fog up in High Humidity conditions (like most others do).  I think you have to pay much more and get larger ones to get past these issues.  Overall, good quality for the price compared to others on the market.
I required a cheap set of binoculars for work and they had to have a decent viewing range. These 12x25 Bushnell's fit the bill perfectly. They came with the instructions, cleaning cloth and a nice fabric case. The adjustments were simple and I found that I was able to focus objects at near and far distances with no issue.I suppose if I had to pick a negative it would be that the zoom is almost too strong for the size of the binoculars. I mean that when your trying to focus on something small that is very far away, it's hard to keep them still enough to get a good consistent view of what your looking at. I don't have any kind of normal hand shake but at this magnification level the slightest motion is quite noticeable through the lens. That being said, it really isn't a flaw of the binoculars at all as it is simply a side effect of 12x25 binoculars, hence the reason that I didn't drop my rating.If your looking for a budget set of binoculars with great range, this is the way to go.
I didn't exactly ordered this design, I ordered some other design with same specifications but received this one and it does the job all the same. Good product.
Bushnell Powerview 16x32 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular is a good choice, if you need something to enhance you vision.Pretty good for concert or bird watching. Recommend it.
I purchased these as a gift for a friend to use attending musicals, etc. I have opera glasses that we had been using but most opera glasses are just 3x power. These worked really well - nice size, good case, easy to use.
These binoculars are nice and small, which make them perfect for tossing in a pocket on the way to a game or in a carry-on bag.  I've been using them at racetracks across America, where it's imperative to be able to see a good 1000 yards, especially at Belmont Park, which has the widest track in North America.  Not only do these glasses make it easy to distinguish saddlecloth colors and numbers on the backstretch going into the far turn, but I can often even make out whether or not a horse's ears are pricked.
Nothing to say more, in a word... it's amazing....... I will like to recommend this product to every body ....
Better than the one we used to have and we can see clear when we see our favorite Broadway shows.
.I wanted to see how suitable the inexpensive Chinese-made binoculars are for gifting and for spare sets to have around for nature outings with kids etc.In February 2010, from Amazon.com I purchased a set of:TASCO ESSENTIALS 8x21 @ approximately $13BARSKA LUCID 10x25 @ approximately $15BUSHNELL POWERVIEW 12x25 @ approximately $18For a baseline I compared these units to a tried-and-true set of NIKON VENTURER II 10x25's that we purchased back in 1989 for a stadium concert at Grant Field by the World's Greatest Rock `n Roll Band. Although we own quite a few sets of binoculars, those old NIKONS purchased way-back-when continue to be my "go to" set both for birding around the house and for field trips. Nothing I saw from the three sets that are the subject of this review would change that and I am not a "binoculars snob" by any means.Read on...[BTW, the current equivalent of my 20+ year old Nikons would be the NIKON 7278 Travelite VI Binoculars]EASE OF USE: My baseline Nikons are a porro prism design while all of the sets in this review are roof prism design. In the real world, I find that my Nikons get me "on target" faster every time better than any of the roof prism binoculars we own. This could just be me but I think a lot of other people are the same way - whether they have quantified it or not. BOTTOM LINE: If speed matters, as it often does in wildlife viewing, you may want to spend the extra bucks for a porro prism design. HINT: On Amazon.com as of right now there is a set of PENTAX 8 x 21 binoculars with porro prisms for less than $50 AND WITH Super Saver shipping!IMAGE BRIGHTNESS: Again, with the porro prism design having an inherent 12-15% advantage in brightness, my Nikons "see" better all the time and at dawn or dusk there is no comparison between them and the sets reviewed here - they are WAY BETTER! [read up on this aspect at the famous online encyclopedia!]IMAGE SHARPNESS: I found that all three sets here pretty much held their own with my Nikons - perhaps being only ever-so-slightly less crisp. What this means is that for viewing something that is more-or-less static - say a rock concert or an opera - all of these sets will do the job - and inexpensively at that!DURABILITY: I have had the three sets for about a year and a half at this writing and have not had a problem with any of them from either the standpoint of wear and/or breakage or from misalignment of the optics. Besides being more compact, the one great design advantage of roof prism binoculars is that the optics stay in alignment better that with the porro prism design. They all came with decent-if-not-great soft cases and neck straps.CONCLUSION: No doubt you noticed that I am rating three different levels of magnification in this review. Sorry about that but I determined going in that I wanted to see which of the three magnifications in this test worked the best in the "real world". Here's what I found:1. None of these binoculars get "on target" as quickly and as unconsciously accurately as my Nikons; I suspect that this would still be true today were someone to spring for the roughly 5 to 8 times more expensive current equivalent of the Nikons that I have.2. Of these inexpensive sets I far and away prefer the Bushnells and I believe that one can get the Powerviews in all three magnifications. When discussing magnification power the general rule of thumb is that the lower the magnification, the less "jittery" the image. What I found in these three sets was that the 12X Bushnells were every bit as bright and crisp as the 8X Tascos and 10X Barskas and I had the benefit of higher magnification to boot! If I were trying to sort a Downy from a Hairy on our suet feeder I'd definitely grab the Bushnells if I couldn't lay my hands on my Nikons! [Birders will get that LOL!]3. While all of these Chinese-made binoculars are relatively high quality and provide great "bang for the buck", if you plan to use your binoculars often, you might want to go with a set of Nikons for what I myself consider to be the very best cost/benefit optimization of ergonomics, optics, and durability. If you just need to save some bucks but want to go to the occasional outing where the stage will be far away, these little jobs are more than equal to the task!PS - I wanna see the butterflies [and other bugs etc!] My next set of binoculars will be the Pentax 62216 Papilio 8.5x21 binoculars with the fabulous C.L.O.S.E. technology!
As the title suggests, what mom wants to get out of the car on a crisp morning clad only in pajamas to stand in line at the grade school door. A fan of independence, the girls go to their doors alone and wait, but I am just paranoid enough to want to make sure they get thru those doors safely from the warm, snug environment of my vehicle. These binoculars zoom in nicely from a football field away. Cheaply made, though, as the eye piece cover fell off a few days after purchase. Also good for the beach, looking at the people or the dolphins.
It takes just a little bit of adjusting to get it focused but it is fine for me to use whenever I need it.
I bought two of these for my 9 year old twin nieces who use them while stuck in the back seat on long family driving trips.  The magnification is very high so it's great for viewing mountains and other far away objects.  The price is right and it keeps the kids occupied.
Great little compact pair of binoculars. Works great we travel with them and bring them to concerts easy to carry and fit in pocket or purse . I recommend!
I bought these to take hunting and they are light, easy to carry and take up little room.  The image is clear and for the money they have a decent field of view. I like them for what I have them for.
I recently purchased these for my soon-to-be seven year old grandaughter as a Christmas present. When it showed up, I was pleased with the appearance and size. When I unwound the cord from the binoculars, the bottom piece that surrounds the center fell out. So I didn't even try them. I got back on the internet and ordered a replacement, which I will say Amazon shipped to me overnight. The bad news is that the 2nd pair had the same problem. I gave up on cheap Chinese made binoculars and ordered Tasco (yes by Bushnell) for about $5 more. They haven't shown up yet, but I can't believe that they would be any worse. If you're looking for a small cheap pair of binoculars I definitely would recommend that you look at something else. Hopefully the Tasco Essentials 8x21 Binocular (Black)is better. My guess is that they are also made in China, but for a seven year old you don't have much choice.
I have been a Bushnell user for many years.  I find these inexpensive binocs to be clear and very high quality.
My daughter loves these and has used them many times.  They are really made well and the focus is excellent.
This binoculars are just what I expected for the price I paid.  They serve my purpose exactly and if I need better ones, I will get them.
I bought one of these about 4 years ago, after being mugged. I use this sports binocular to see street signs and stoplights. I am prone to falling and I am VERY hard on this poor device.I didn't realize how badly my old binocular was in need of replacement, until the new one arrived. They have really improved this product in the last 4 years.This binocular is rugged, easy to adjust and performs as advertized. You can't beat the price either. Really nice item.
It took a little bit of figuring out before all came into view clearly.  I like the weight of these binoculars and the nice case that is included, along with the cleaning cloth.  A great deal for the money.
I bought several of these for awards for sales for our Cub Scout pack, and for the price, they are really great.  It was a good first pair of binoculars for some 8,9, and 10 year olds.  A really good price point.
Great set of binoculars!  Perfect for watching football, half time shows and people.  A great purchase and a great gift idea.
Definitely magnifies as per advertised but the image was too fuzzy to make out.  I have better distance vision without the binoc.  Had to send back.
I have the 16x32 binoculars and 12x25 binoculars.16x32 : not clear or sharp focus. Provides more magnification but no &#34;extra detail&#34; compared to the 12x25 because focus is inadequate no matter how much I tweak the settings. Optics are poor.12x25 : focus is clear and sharp. would definitely recommend. Decent optics .
I have absolutely no complaints for these binoculars at this price. They work well and feel substantial while holding them.  I figured at the price, they'd feel cheap and plasticy - but they do feel solid)If I have any complaint, it's the placement of the strap.  It's somewhat inconvenient, but easy enough to work around.  I may just cut it off... I don't think I'll ever use it)
We were visiting some friends of ours in New York City, so we bought 3 pairs of these binoculars for a 4,6, and 7 year old.  We were going to see Cirque du Soleil, and wanted to make sure the children could see the stage well.  The binoculars were the perfect size for them, and simple enough to focus.  In no time they figured out how to use them quite well.  The girls ended up using their binoculars to people watch out of the apartment window almost the whole time we were there, and had a ball.  These are nice to have (the grown-ups could use them just as easily), and the price really can't be beat.  They travel easily in a nice compact little case, and I can see us using them again on many future vacations, or even in our own back yard.
These were bought for doing some animal sighting while on vacation in Central America.  They were comfortable to use, provided just the right level of magnification for middle distance spotting and took up very little space in our day bag.  These binoculars are rather sophisticated for their size and price range, providing different types of adjustment to maximize viewing.  It did take us a brief period of adjusting and experimenting in order to get the maximum result.  Putting in the time to get it right was well worth it.  They do not provide the greatest magnification or the widest field of vision, but do quite nicely for a small compact device that is easy to carry and, with a little adjusting, very easy to use by both children and adults.
These little binoculars come in very handy at concerts, graduations, etc. The best thing about them is the fact that they are so compact. They fold down to a very small size and I'm able to slide them right into my camera bag and don't have to carry anything extra. They work great and are an excellent value at $20!
these binoculars broke 5 minutes after being unwrapped.  Instead of paying postage to send them back, we fixed it with gorrilla glue
After being severely disappointed with several other inexpensive compact binoculars I have purchased, I thought I would give it one more try with a reputable brand name. Based on the reviews for the Bushnell 8x21, I ordered one. WOW! Extremely good optical quality for the price, very lightweight yet feel rock solid! I like these so much I bought another for my wife. Ideal for concerts and plays, and we carry them in our cars for wildlife and such.
At this price, very inexpensive, there is no need for a detailed long review of these binoculars.  The main question at this price is "do they work?" and the answer is "yes, they do."  At least mine do.  For the price, we're satisfied customers.
it's a $20 pair of binoculars complete with a carrying case. How can you possibly lose?  Great deal for the price.
This binocular will work to ID a rhinoceros or a giraffe from a distance, but don't expect to see details: the optics are simply crap. BUT, if you aren't trying to identify a warbler and don't have ANY money then they are adequate. Hey, spend just $37 and buy the Bushnell Powerview 8x25 Porro Binocular - it will be money WELL spent.
WOW what a difference these make while I am boating...can see up close from very far away. Use them to see the dock area and make sure my coming back in is safe with no surprises of someone coming out
I wasn't expecting too much, but these things are nicely made. I have used them in the field a few times and they worked great. Nice compact and camo binoculars. I plan to use these for years.
I'm giving these binoculars two stars because the price is so low.  It's hard to complain about 25 dollar binoculars,  but I will anyway.The glass is very foggy.  It feels like I'm looking through plastic toy binoculars.  After spending 10 minutes with these, my eyes feel tired and strained.Also, the quality is so poor, that they won't stay focused.  The dial that allows you to focus the right eye is very loose, and requires constant adjustment.Yes, they were cheap...  but what is the point if you can hardly use them?
My wife picked these up for our 5 year old nephew. I couldn't believe the lens quality of these. I have owned quite a few nice rifle scopes and was very impressed. I am now ordering the camo version for my soon to be 5 year old. Additionally I will probably use these as well at my indoor shooting range. I read some of the negative views but didn't experience any of those issues. Very small, excellent value binoculars. Plus who doesn't love camo as an option.
There OK .  However the eye relief is hard to find and that makes them hard to see at a distant .  I used them in the cold and they fog up at just the smallest of breath on them. But when all things worked right they seemed to be alright.  I would say that this type of item would be best to demo before you buy.
I bought these to bring on a cruise and they were much better than the binoculars that were provided in our room. They are also great for backyard bird watching and sporting events.  I can't believe how great these are for the price.
We got these to watch humpback whale migrations here in Hawaii, because those whales don't get that close to shore usually.  These are nice binoculars, but they are pretty powerful and as such are hard to look through unless you steady them on something while looking.  Just holding them in your hands they are difficult to use for my purpose.  If I rest them on the car, though, I can see whales just fine!  I am not sure I would buy them again though, because for casual use, they are too annoying to use.
I bought these for watching a musical from an upper balcony and I'm very pleased with them in general. I can imagine binoculars being better but it's hard to beat the price of these. I also used them for viewing a target from a distance while family was shooting at the range and it served that purpose well also.
What a great buy! These little binoculars work so well. They are small enough for a purse! Thanks a bunch!
I bought these as a gift for my mom, who is an avid bird watcher. She is really pleased with them and has enjoyed using them to watch her backyard birds.
I wasn't expecting a great set of binoculars, so my excellence bar was already set low when I ordered them. They work about as well as you would expect a set of binoclars to work at this price. It was drizzling alot in the woods where I was hiking which caused them to fog up from time to time.
I use this primarily for outdoor pistol shooting. It's very well made and comes with a nice case. For $14 you really can't complain. All-around good short distance (very short distance by binocular terms) lenses. Durable too
I got these as a small gift for my husband.  They are compact and fit easily in a pocket, are clear and great for watching birds and other wildlife, and have stood up to a certain amound of abuse from our 3 1/2 year old.Very happy with this purchase!
I have been trying to find the perfect balance between power and carry-ability.  I think this is it.  I also tried the 12 x 25 of the same brand.  Believe it or not I liked these better.  The 12 power was shakier and a smaller field of view.  Great at a sports arena or while taking a walk and seeing an animal.
The real value of this binocular is because it is so compact. It could fit into your pant pocket and still give you a useful tool. It has 12x magnification and the image is quite good compared to other binoculars in the same price range. It also has a rugged look and feel with a nice rubber casing.The only problems that I find with the binocular is that 12x is a bit too unsteady to hold with your hands. So I find myself leaning on a nearby support in an attempt to keep the view from shaking. Also due to the small objective lens of the binocular, the view at night is not as bright as it could be (on comparing with a binocular with a 50mm objective lens). These are not really problems of this binocular but are limitations due to its size and magnification.In short these are quite impressive.
I paid $20 & prime shipping. This was a deal. They are useful for basic scouting around while camping. They are made in China. Easy to use. Seem like decent quality for the money. Easy to focus with the center wheel. String is attached to carry around your nexk. The have a cloth pouch with a belt loop. These are not for a survivalist doing recon missions. They are great for kids and basic use.
These are very compact, easy to carry, and work fine.  Carrying case isn't the greatest - but these fit well in a pocket.  Optics work fine for what they cost - would buy again.
Got these for work believe it or not. We have 30 foot ceilings and I am a computer tech. I have wireless access points mounted on the ceilings and I needed something to be able to see the lights on them, power light, access light, etc. I not only can see the lights I can see the identification stickers!!!! Such as 1A-13C-12B on a label which we mark for each one. Now I can read everything clearly without having to get a cherry picker and actually go up there and check on one when its got a problem. Great little product.
Husband wanted these for going to NFL football games, although he hasn't used them for that yet he has tried them out and has had no problems with them.
These were purchased for my four grandsons before an Alaska cruise.  I was surprised at how well these worked and they certainly held up to the little guys (ages 7 - 10).  The only &#34;con&#34; is the fact that the neck strap is nothing more than a string and I was kind of worried about them strangling themselves.  If they would provide a thicker strap (grosgrain ribbon or something) I would have rated it five stars.
COULD NOT WAIT TO GET THESE FOR BIRD WATCHING IN MY YARD. READ ALL THE REVIEWS, THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE GRAND. TOO HARD TO FOCUS, THE BIRD IS GONE BY THAT TIME. SPORTING EVENTS, CONCERTS MAY BE OK. DISTANCE CHANGES WHEN WATCHING BIRDS. I DID FINALLY SEE A CARDINAL IN A TREE UP CLOSE. WISH I COULD FIND BINOCS THAT WORK FOR BIRD AND BUTTERFLY WATCHING IN THE YARD AND IN THE TREES, OR COULD FIQURE OUT HOW TO OPERATE THESE. THEY ARE GREAT ONCE I GET THEM FOCUSED THOUGH.
These are a great pair of binoculars for the price. they do a very good job of magnifying while not having much of the black shadow when you look through them.
a bit dim (obvious given the size), but my pair focused sharp as a pin and is rugged. If you look at the other reviews, there are bad ones 10% of the time or so. I take those for true: QC from China is dicey. These are a 'proper' set though: great resolution, solid build, flat and good color for the price. I would just roll with it if I got a bad set, send back or get another. Even at 2x the price it's a good deal.  Bear in Mind, if you buy an 8x25 bushnell or olympus or nikon and spend $30-90, the view will blow this away.  Still, this is great for the money.  I found them to have much better optics than the Tasco $10 ones I got at WalMart. Those were super-fuzzyacross a lot of the field and dimmer.  Bushnell gives you a deal.  Handy for museums, street signs, light travel, concerts, plays.If you spend a lot of time looking, go for some nice 8x25s or 8x30s.
These are excellent for the price.  We don't have a need to use them very often but they are much better than ones we have spent more money on and are great enough for our need (we've used them from the very last row of the theatre and could see everything clearly).
I chose these binoculars because of the low price and I am pleasantly surprised.  The 8x21 power is just right for bringing details into a sharper view.  I didn't expect much at this price level, but I am genuinely impressed!  A neck cord is permanently attached between the eye-pieces, which is not shown in the product images.  Although the placement provides great balance around my neck, it also causes the cord to brush against my face during use.  The cord can be draped around the edge of the eye-pieces and out of the way, but it will not stay there.  Beyond that minor complaint, I would rate this product as outstanding!  The quality and design are worth twice this price. Bushnell deserves some serious credit for giving top value for the dollar!
I bought these as a Christmas gift and that pair arrived in excellent condition with the inner package in perfect shape. I bought a second pair for myself and was VERY DISAPPOINTED when I opened the outer box to find a beat-up and torn inner box that had been taped back together and had a sticker attached that claimed the item was "new". I was NOT HAPPY but decided as long as the item was in good condition, I could live with the poor condition of its package. Then I opened it and found the carrying case is missing. Amazon doesn't offer an exchange on this so it's going back. I guess I will order another pair and hope they send one that has everything the box says it has.
I bought this binocular through Amazon.com to replace a Bushnell I had for a number of years and enjoyed using at concerts. An inner prism[?] broke when I dropped it.  If this new one serves as well, it will be another excellent purchase, especially for the price!
I was debating between these or theTasco Essentials 8x21 Binocular (Black)seeing as the specs were almost identical. I got both. This could very well be a Copy-and-Paste of my Tasco review, but that would be very redundant. The differences are:1. The Tascos feel more sturdy. There's not a durability problem with the Bushnell, but the Tasco just feel more solid.2. The Tascos have a longer span of adjustment, in both the center focus and the diopter. The Bushnell's focus is just fine for me, but it's nice to know that the Tasco can adjust to a wider range of eye types.3. The carrying case feels more durable with the Bushnell. Both cases close with a Velcro strip, but the Bushnell's are made with a more sturdy material. Both will attach to a belt, but the Bushnell's stitching is better.Both binoculars come with a lens cleaning cloth, and it seems the same for both (except the color). Typical size and quality of low-price optics, but they do the job. Both binos have the same neck strap, which is rounded and will prevent them from falling off your neck. Just don't use the strap for steadying the binos (don't pull the binoculars forward while the strap is around your neck to keep them steady) because you'll probably snap the cord. Both have rubber armoring, which is better than nothing, but nothing to really brag about. Both have fold-down rubber cups for eyeglass use; again, nothing to write a lot about.In summary, they're both great optics for under $15. There's a one dollar difference, but I prefer the Tascos. I'd give this a 3.5 star if I could, same as the Tascos, but it's hard to beat either set for the price.EDIT: After being stored in its pouch in a rucksack for almost four months, the eyepiece with the diopter (the right eye piece) came off. It can be superglued back on, but you have to be careful that you don't glue the diopter in one place.
Great price for these! Looked all over to compare prices and amazon beat others by a lot! I am so glad to save money.
Purchased 2 of these for a trip to the Kennedy Center, for the price they are a decent opera glass.Small, easily portable and could be stored in a pocket.  Good magnification and field of view, but some distortion when viewed through my eyeglasses.My daughter was using the other pair and did not report any distortion (contact lens wearer).These are *not* the binoculars you want for long-distance or highly-detailed views (e.g., birding), but they are useful for indoor venues.  Low cost is a plus in the event they are misplaced or damaged.
I saw these at a local outdoor store and had a look through them and seemed decent for the price. Being a Bushnell product I was hoping for something of better quality. Don't waste your money. Spend a little extra and buy a quality set of binos.
I bought these glasses in order to have a lightweight, easy-to-carry option to use at the race track.  They are excellent for this purpose.  From the grandstand I can clearly see the horses' numbers on the backstretch, a distance of about 500 yards.
Got two sets just in time for the Roger Waters concert in D.C.  A little stronger whould be nice, but more than adaquate for the price.As for quality, a plastic cover under the middle section on one set fell off during shipping.  This part is really just for looks.  Does not affect function.  I may buy more for gifts.
Easy to carry, hard to spot and terrific to observe our fine feathered friends in their natural habitat! John R.Duncan
great for the price.  I needed some small binoculars for a trip
These single power binoculars do what they should, and I haven't encountered any fogging at this point in any conditions, from 60F to 20F. BUT: these small inexpensive units all share a similar problem...that da*&ed STRING that serves as a strap, but is just constantly in the way, and extremely uncomfortable when carrying around the neck for extended periods. I would have been more than willing to spend an extra $2-3 to have a real strap. Even just a flat vinyl strap would be a 300% improvement over this string. I'll have to see what I can do with an old camera strap....
For about $20.00, these are just fine.  The image is not particularly bright...but they are clear and focus accurately.  And they are VERY portable - folded they are about the size of a GPS or digital camera.
I purchased these binoculars to use for concerts and other performances.  They are small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or a purse.  The have enough power to see the stage even if you're far back.  They focus well.
Can barely watch the birds outside my window-shouldn't have been so cheap I guess. But I just wanted to see something 10 feet from my window. Won't buy again.
This review is for the 8x21 clam version of the Bushnell compacts. It has the company name in metal color on the side of the binocs'tubes. It seems Amazon has merged this item with the (older?) 8x21 compacts with the company name in rubber relief. I believe there is a substantial difference between the two items, especially in dimensions.I bought these binocs for 14USD, and I do not think they are worth more. The current price for a factory demo version at the amazon.com is about 21USD.Pros:Very small and lightweight. I'd say up to 15% smaller than most other 8x21 compact binocs.Comfortably wide field of view. Does not give feeling of peeping through a hole.Reasonably sharp in center part of image at distances less than 100m.Correct color rendition.Robust and more "expensive" feel than the average compact binocs.Reasonably priced.Pouch included.Cons:Despite the wide field of view it is only the absolute center of the image that has any useful sharpness to the image. In addition, the glass gives an "uneven" image somewhat similar to looking through the bottom of a glass bottle. This is, however, not so bad that it renders the binocs useless. They work pretty well at shorter distances for objects centered in the image.The focus wheel tend to be less responsive. When shifting the focus direction of the wheel there is a lag until the image responds to the turn of the wheel. This makes the binocs less useful for observing non-stationary objects such as birds.In conclusion I'd say they are pretty OK for the price I paid. I love the small size, makes me bring them along in my bag to and from work every day. I would, however, not have anything against paying 3-4 times that money for the same binocs if the producer could put better glass in them [I read somewhere that they have BK-7, most mid-price binocs have BAK-4, I don't know if that would make any improvement. However, better glass would give a quite nice set of very compact binocs well worth a little more bucks]. In fact, there is a big jump in price (and unfortunately often also in size) between the ultra-cheap 8x21 binocs on the market (usually 10-20USD) until the next level above (usually (>80USD).
I cannot recommend these binoculars based on my experience.  I recognize that they are cheap; but in this case, there is too much "you get what you pay for."  My pair has significant optical distortion, worse in the right eye than the left, that makes it impossible to achieve clear focus.  Furthermore, the build quality control is poor, with glue oozing out around where the lenses are attached.  I have used other Busnell binoculars that I do like, so I was quite disappointed in my experience.
I had a similar-design pair of decent binoculars years ago (Nikons, I think), which were, of course, more expensive.  I was expecting these to be as small as those were.  These are smallish but definitely not pocketable in a shirt.  I was hoping to give them to a friend as an improvement on opera glasses but they are way too big and only marginally better optically.The optical quality is about what you'd expect for $20 or so. The eyepoint is awkward, there's a bright ring of light around the image, and there just isn't any sharpness except in the very middle of the image.  Flare characteristics are terrible. But if I were 10 years old I'd think they were pretty cool.  They look reasonably tough, as long as you keep them dry.If you want something small to really look at things try to get something at the lower end of the price scale of the name brands (Nikon Canon Vortex Olympus Pentax)I'm going to keep these in my car's trunk, just in case I'm desperate.
Absolutely wonderful.  Great value for the price.  They are easy to carry and powerful enough for birding and sport events. I love them. I like the fact that each side is adjustable to each eye.I'm having a wonderful time with them.
these binos are not bad, but they are a bit blurry, and not all that easy to get 'in focus' with the focus wheel (yes, i did adjust the other adjustment first....).  i am returning them, as i also ordered the 8 x 21's and although perhaps these have just a tad larger image, they are pretty close to the 8s, and these seem less 'in focus'...also, due to the fact that they are 10s, compared to 8s, the 8s are easier to hold 'still'.  i knew the 8s would be easier, but there were such good reviews for the 10s too, that i thought i would try them....i will return these, and keep the 8 X 21s.i do realize that neither of them are very 'high quality', they are both inexpensive, and you sacrifice some quality for portability....i wanted at least 1 set that were smaller, and more portable, but that still were acceptable, as far as image.  the 8 x 21s are a lot smaller overall too, so would fit better in a purse, pocket, bag, etc.  (both binos are tasco portables)
It's a steal. They are a great pair of binoculars. Light weight and can be put on a belt, ready to grab when needed and not be cumbersome while on the belt.
I originally purchased these binoculars for use at the opera. Trouble is, the magnification (8x) is too high for that use. These binoculars are more suited for outdoor use, such as watching birds or planes land.If you are looking at similar binoculars, you'll notice that other brands, such as Pentax, Tasco, and even Bushnell's camouflaged version of these binoculars, use a different mechanical design where bridge has two separate pieces, and the front piece moves to focus. This design, however, seemed a bit more robust as the bring is one piece, and the moving parts that focus are better shielded from dust and other elements. That is one reason why I chose this particular model.These are a good pair of binoculars for everyday use, not great. If you are serious about frequent use, consider a more expensive brand with better optics. But for occasional use (or use by a child), these will be fine.Four stars for a good product at a good price.
I ordered these binoculars to replace a pair that I had for years.  I wasn't exactly sure of the power of the originals, but they were close.  The binoculars I received from Amazon were indeed Bushnell Powerview... but they don't look anything like the picture you see.  I guess Bushnell changed the style and kept the name... and Amazon kept the picture.  I won't send them back, because these certainly functional.  But I REALLY wanted what was in the picture!
I recently moved where there is water, and a place for ducks and Florida birds to come.  Some are kind of shy and using these, has given me a better view.  Janet
I got this for casual birding to identify birds in my yard that are not too far away. I find it easy to focus and light weight. They are small and easy to put in a drawer. It is nice that they come with a case. The lanyard is a bit flimsy but that is easily changed.
Item arrived as described and arrived on time.  The compact size will allow item to be taken more often on trips.
Bought these binoculars to be able to get a better look at the blimps, hot air balloons, and birds from my home, but also needed something to get a better view of the far end zone at Giant's Stadium.  Nothing elaborate about these binoculars, but perfect for my needs.
Nice, compact size with the ability to bring in a reasonably sharp image. Carrying case made it a nice gift as well.
Excellent quality.  Great price. I can see all kind of things.  Great for the whole family. Sporting events.  Vacations. Love it
I bought these to use at our outdoor concerts here, the first of which was last night. Based on the good reviews, I got these, and didn't do more than look through them briefly in the house when they came, just to make sure they weren't broken. The first time they were used for distance outside was last night at a concert--and they were blurry!I thought maybe they put protective plastic over the glass for shipping, but could not see any. These were still virtually untouched in the original box. I found a wrapped lens cleaning cloth included, and tried to clean all four glass lenses, but it made no difference. I asked others to look through them, as well, to make sure it wasn't just my eyes, but they said they were blurry, as well.Everyone tried adjusting them, but they were never right. I pulled up my amazon account on my phone to see about returning them, and sure enough, it was less than a week past the 1 month return window. That means I am stuck with a new pair of defective binoculars. I work all the time, and have no opportunity to use or test binoculars, other than at a show. It would seem that there ought to be an exception for clearly defective products.I would definitely NOT recommend this product!
Light and powerful enough for back-yard birding or seats in the balcony at the theater. At 10x25, I am able to hold them still enough to stay in focus.
so when i bought these binocular i was not expecting much since there like 12 bucks with prime..but when i got them i was very satisfied i could see up to 80 yards away good and clear..i recommend to anyone who wants a very nice cheap binocular
I will always bring these with me to shows and concerts from now on! I used these while sitting in seats that are too far away to see the actors' or singers' facial expressions with the naked eye, but with these I was able to see their faces clearly!
These are a great deal. Holder is very nice, product is strong, easy to use. The adjustments were easy to make it work for me. Light enough for backpacking.
Mechanically strong but the optics are not as sharp as the older Bushnell model I wanted to replace. They are nice and compact.
I wear eyeglasses.  The "eyecups fold down for eyeglass users" claim was proven wrong on two separate pairs.  The rubber was too hard, and the fold-over too shallow... they wouldn't stay folded for more than a second or two before snapping back.  Even tried strapping them down overnight with rubber bands to loosen the rubber's memory, to no avail.  Plus, narrow field of view and excessive magnification combined with inexpensive optics equalled poor viewing experience.  Exchanged for the 8x21's. A slightly different design, the eyecups have enough depth to fold over properly, the viewing is better, and they're even more compact.
I bought these for my husband to have as an extra pair to keep in his truck and he loves them! He actually favors them in most situtions because they are alway close and compact. It takes something pretty darn for away for him to get his larger ones (that arent too much better) or his scope. He loves them! Great investment.
According to the specifications, these binoculars weigh 11.3 ounces.According to the product details, they weigh 4 ounces, for a shipping weight of 8 ounces.Which is it, or do they actually have a different specified weight as opposed to product weight? Is their inertial mass the same as their gravitational mass?I've given these binoculars five stars because they seem to have magical properties. It would be great if they weighed 4 ounces for carrying, but had a good solid 11+ ounces for stability when viewing.
Great binocs! Very compact and well made. Come in a great case that fits the optics well. Great purchase. 5 stars.
Gave these to my wife for Xmas, just in time for whale-watching season. Ha! Terrific! She can hardly be parted from them! They work just fine, survive living in her car's glove box, and were well-appreciated. Super highly recommended.See review of cooking/baking book for the best gift I've ever given.
We purchased these for wildlife viewing.  The magnification was sufficient to see many of the things I wanted to see, including animals at a distance when safety and respect for the animals would not permit getting closer. Because they are so lightweight, I was able to watch for more extended periods.  I am happy with the product.
Fantastic binoculars. Was out for a week hunting and using these for spotting elk from the truck. These are so light with better optics than my compact Simmons that are my pack broncos that I am ordering a second pair to upgrade and replace my old Simmons pack binoculars. Great low light vision. Nice feel in the hand and easiest to adjust of all my binoculars
Once you get used to it, this Binocular works really good, you can't get those for that price anywhere else, even china towns sell them for 40$ or more.
I find it hard to use these binoculars. I have to sit down, lean against the wall, and rest my hands on something in an attempt to stabilize it, and even then I'm not successful -- it keeps shaking too much. I'm buying a pair of 6x binoculars. Maybe this shaking problem isn't Bushnell's fault, but I still think a one-star is appropriate since I find these almost useless.Edit: A previous version of my review said that it's not wide enough for me to use both eyes at once. That was wrong. Sorry for that.
very good product and the timely arrival original recommend everyone buy the product to enjoy a good piece to wear thanks greetings
my husband liked it very much.he is very satisfied.he recomented it to his friends and everyone.not high price.
I got these binoculars for my three year old daughter who loves to watch birds and squirrels up close. All over the package is written, &#34;Proud USA company.&#34; But when I turned the package over, in tiny letters it says, first, &#34;Made in China,&#34; and second, &#34;This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm.&#34; Thanks, but no thanks Bushnell. These are going back.
Wish I could make them work with my glasses
I purchased these for bird watching.  They are GREAT!  very light weight.  The case is a big plus as well.  Kathy
We use the Bushnell Powerview Compact Folding Binocular when traveling in the West. I can use it easily while traveling in the car. It's compact, so it fits easily in the console.
Used them in the Nat'l parks to see the wild life in the far distance. So glad I upped the range. They pack light and small.Perfect for travel.
I really like these binoculars.  They are easy to carry and are powerful to see some great details from far away
As far as low priced binoculars go, these are fine.  The focus knobs (in the center and on the one eyepiece) move smoothly and stay in place after you're focused, and the price was right for what I got.  They are small enough that I can shove them in my coat pocket and they are inexpensive enough that I don't care if they get lost or accidentally damaged.  They have a nice weight and feel to them for the price (they don't look or feel cheap, even though they were inexpensive).  I would however buy a higher magnification next time.
This item had pretty mixed up reviews when I was buying them. Some people loved it at 5 stars, others hated it saying they couldnt see anything out of them at 1 star.  Undortunately, I joined those who couldn't see anything.  Believe me you when I say I've used A LOT of binoculars so I'm now a newb to this.  I bought them specifically for one purpose, shooting range and identifying where the bullet hits on target at 100 yards - yeah good luck.  By the time I dialed in and finally was able to barely see the target, though still looking very very smudgy, my husband unloaded 2 AR15 mags. Wouldnt even pass this as a toy binocular, my son's $2 chinese made plastic crap shows clearer image.
We tested 8 sets of compact binoculars before we decided on these.  We bought 100 pairs of the Bushnell Powerview 8x21 binoculars as gifts for a group that we are hosting on an upcoming Alaska Cruise where we hope to spot whales and other wildlife.  I have a much more expensive larger pair of binoculars that I will also take with me, but these are perfect for taking on excursions due to their small size (portability) and the amazing image quality.  AND, you just can't beat the price.
great, comfortable optic. I would recommend these to anyone, looking for an inexpensive optic for work, ridge or fowl hunting.
This was exactly what I was looking for. I had a pair of these for many years, but was not quite the 'power' that I wanted. No complaints! A sound company. I would recommend these to anyone looking for function, and quality.Aloha, Keoni
Maybe I just got a dud? The middle piece of plastic on the underside broke off after the first time I tried folding the binoculars back up. The rubber end on one didn't turn and when I finally did get it to turn, the rubber cap fell off and the washer underneath it fell off with it.I've never seen such shoddy workmanship. I didn't expect much from a pair of $13 binoculars, but I expected it to at least not fall apart!I'm still trying to figure out the adjustments in order to get a clear view, but why bother if I have to hold all the pieces together for me to use it!
Im an Amazon fan and simply point out great products and their sellers as well bad ones,, well for all of you who had a great experience,, I simply say, Good for you. I wished I was one of you..If it were possible Id rank 0 stars. I ordered these simple Binoculars more than 3 weeks ago with shipping expected to take no more than a few days.. That was Nov 14th It is now Dec 5th. No notice, no contact from anyone as to where these Binocs are. Tracking of this shipment seemed to vanish after Nov 15th, with nothing further info wise to look up..Whats worse I felt that 3 weeks lead time was easy enough for Amazon to fulfill on such a common place item for a sporting event I am attending this weekend.Apparently not in this case.  Frustrating waste of time,, Here's the kicker, I ask for a refund ( Because I never even got what Id paid for!)  and now I am being charged practically half of what these things cost out of my refund for them to be returned??? Where are they even being returned from ??????Ridiculous!!
One of the lens' was out of line with the other side & also had a smudge or something on it that I couldn't get to come off. Returned them.
I purchased These binoculars to use at a couple of concerts. They are lightweight and bring things much closer into view. The price Is right also.
I bought these for my son-in-law for hunting and he loves them! Great buy for the price! I should have bought 2 pair.
nice for small glasses, all my mother 75, can carry now on her bird walks, works fine. great price for small glasses.
I think these binoculars are just great! They have Good construction, are compact, and they worked great on the safari.
Bushnell Powerview 12x25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)Only gave them 4 stars because the first pair arrived with a cracked lense but was a very easy exchange and the new ones are fine.  They come with a carrying case, cleaning cloth and they have rubber exterior which makes them very durable. Good price, brand name quality, free shipping, happy customer.
I bought these with an intention of using it for the range. It's just the right magnification so that I can hold it steady enough in my hands. They work just fine at about 25 yards. Tried using it at 50 yards but had a hard time seeing bullet holes in my targets.
These are exactly what I wanted for a planned cruise.  I focused them and they are perfect.  Plus the size and folding capability will make them much easier to take on my trip.
A Christmas gift for my husband. They are small and compact and come with a nice little carrying case. About six inches by three inches when folded up.
These are perfect for watching the baseball and football games.  Bought two, one for husband and myself to watch our children in sporting events.  Wonderful, light, and convenient to use. If the boys weren't wearing helmets, I would be able to watch what they were saying. Have fun with binoculars!
bought these for my daughters Yosemite trip, she liked them and they were light enough to carry in  her backpack all day, I plan on ordering a pair for my summer Alaska trip
These were good for a while, but in less than 3 months they broke with limited use. Buy a different binocular if you really need them for work.
The field of view or the out of focus rings around my eyes while looking through the eye pieces are irritating. No matter how I fold them to compensate for the space between my eyes I am always fighting those rings. I would not purchase again.
Ok, what can you expect for $15...not much I think. So I was very surprised when these binoculars were clear and were well constructed. I wanted a small pair to throw in my backpack with magnification in this range and didn't want to spend a lot since I wouldn't use them too much. These fill the bill just fine. And I could focus down to about 10 feet which was more than I expected also. Definitely recommend them.
I got these for travelling around and hiking. They collapse very small (about the size of a pair of rolled up socks) and have clear lenses. They are perfect for the casual user and are at a great price. I can't be more happy.
these are a nice pair of compact binoculars for a very reasonable price. only disadvantage is the neck string which is not comfortable.
Great to keep handy when you want to watch a bird in the back yard or in your purse when traveling.  The magnification is adequate although not tremendous, a trade off for the convenient size.
These  Bushnell binoculars are great for watching birds in my yard from my kitchen or deck.  Can't use them with my progressive lens glasses so I have to take them off before I can use the binoculars.  That takes up time when you want to get a glimpse of a bird who might decide to fly away before you take the glasses off and then adjust the binoculars.  But other than that they work well.
This is a Christmas gift for my grandson.  Now when he goes hunting with his dad, he will be all set.  He just tags along for the lessons in hunting.
I am extremely satisfied with these binoculars after purchasing them from Walmart. I use them to view a variety of things from a distance, including wildlife and signs. The optics are very clear and the field of view is quite wide. All of the adjustments feel smooth and well-made. While shaking can be a problem when reading something from a distance, it is not the fault of this particular model. They fold up into a very compact shape, which fits in a canvas case. When placed in my jacket pocket, I hardly notice their presence, they are so light.Definitely good for bird identification. Enthusiasts could even carry these around wherever they go.
My wife loves these.  She likes to go to the park at lunch and these are perfect.  Compact, yet powerful enough for any average need.They fold up nicely and fit in the case that comes with them.The eyepiece diameter is a little to small for my desire ( about 1 inch ) however, she loves them and that's what counts.  Plenty of power for any average use.  I would recommend these without reservation.
As with most of the other less favorable reviews, these were a major disappointment. Binoculars means two lens to view with for a better view. Unfortunately, these are not real Bushnell's or maybe they're second-hand or something because one lens wouldn't focus no matter what we tried,and we've use other Bushnell binoculars that have no problems! I found out after receipt of the product that the seller wasn't actually Bushnell, but some third party. I tried to contact them three times, but they never responded. I would not recommend this buyer or product to anyone.
Bought these for my husband as a stocking stuffer.  He seems to really like them.  He didn't ask for binoculars so I wasn't sure how he'd like them.  He plans to keep them in his car so that we have them at (almost) all times.  They are very clear and the magnification(8Xs) is a good amount with out getting to shaky from normal human movements. They are nice and compact.  I really enjoy them myself and I think it'll be nice to have them for the beach, the plane, bird watching etc...  Bushnell is a good brand and I'd buy from them again.
Great optics. Small and lightweight  great for birding. The recipient of this gift was very pleased to receive it. Thanks
The good pair of binoculars, for $ 25, I was surprised. All advise. Compact binoculars with good zoom, which you may to use in dusk.
I gave this to a neighbor kid that was not getting much of a Chritmas..he was thrilled..then I told him, he could be my scout..to watch for wild life and let me know when he spots something..now, he has a purpose and feels wonderful about his new job..I suggest, these binoculars for anyone, but the most fun is for a young person...
I actually purchased 2 of these for Christmas presents.  I gave one pair to my son at a "early christmas" gathering & my husband was so enthused by the quality, I ordered another pair for him....AND received them before Christmas!  Per my husband:  "Very good quality...and compact so that they take up very little room in the glove box of my car!"
I actually bought these binoculars for a Justin Timberlake concert my son and I were going to.  Having ok seats and not wanting to carry around a bulky, high powered pair, I purchased these binoculars.  For the price, they really, really served it's purpose. It folds nicely and fits into any pocket or since it's lightweight, you can easily put it in the pouch provided and wear it around your neck.
He was very impressed because they are powerful, yet easy to use.  I couldn't have been happier with the price.
I bought these binoculars for my husband, who had lost his last pair in the woods.  The size and weight, and the fact that these fold down small were at least as important as the magnification in my selection.  He uses binoculars to scout game before and during hunting season, and didn't want a big pair of binoculars hanging around his neck or filling a coat pocket.I use them at home to watch the birds at my birdfeeders.  I like that they are manual-focus, and that they're adjustable for different face sizes.  They are a nice mid-range magnification - a good balance between size and power.  When we're done with them, they fold up slim and small, and store neatly in the included pouch.
It's small, light, and convenient to use, but the lens are somehow dirty and interfere the sight. Not very satisfied.
purchased as a gift for a young birder who was just learning about birds worked well for the application and held up to the rough use
I purchased this pair of binoculars for a trip my husband and I were going to take to Costa Rica.  Even though I had seen how badly some smaller, cheaper binoculars can perform...I had read pretty good reviews about these on Amazon beforehand, so I felt fairly confident in my purchase.  My main intent was to use them for birdwatching while on the trip, and did not want to be burdened with carrying around anything bulky or heavy.Once on our trip, I was relieved to find out for myself that this pair of Bushnell binoculars really did work!  As others had said though, they worked best in better lighting.  So, not "quite" as well during the hours of dusk.  And, although my husband found it hurt his eyes to try and focus with these, I myself had no problems whatsoever.We used them for birdwatching, as well as got some great close ups of lava boulders bouncing down the side of the Arenal Volcano after an eruption!  Putting that in perspective, we were staying at a place only about 1 1/2 miles from the foot of the volcano.  So, we could see that with the naked eye...but with the binoculars, it was REALLY a great view!All in all, I'm quite pleased with my purchase.  I paid $11.59 for the binoculars...$17.17 w/shipping.  For my needs, and for the performance I got from them (and still am!), you just cannot beat that deal!
Very good magnification & compact once folded. Easily fits into my daypack for hiking. Was looking into this or a minocular but after comparison went with binoculars and was happy with purchase.
My efficiency for spying on people have increase 10fold with this product. I am able to now see more clearly things I haven't noticed before, with such great accuracy. I can see their skin pores and determine whether or not they used face wash in the morning.
I bought this pair of binocs and another size for my husband to use on our vacation. I also purchased this one for the opera. It was fun to see the artists up close and personal even though we were seated in the upper balcony, last row.The price is very affordable and I recommend them.
Fast shipment, as advertised.  These were to replace the ones that were stolen in our backpack while on vacation.  They are exactly like the ones we had.  Work great
They focus well given the price.  When comparing these against the Tasco's of similar price, these were much better.  Compared against our Cabela's mid-range binos it is clear that these don't fully make it to one field of view...there's a little overlap still though not bad for what they are...and they don't give a truly crisp view...but again, it's good for what it is.These are great for younger children because of their compact size, ease of focusing, and they give a good enough view to be useful while costing little enough to not worry handing them over to a two year old (who did figure out how to break them...the optic is just not supposed to be ripped out...who knew!).  They lasted a few months though and with a little more careful handling than a little guy gives them they'll hold up quite a while.  We bought two pairs, and those given to our six year old are still like new.They're definitely worth the price and we'll buy them for each of our little ones instead of the Tasco's we also tried.
As advertised. Good power for a compact set. Didn't  get 5 stars because that cover plate under the focus knob fell off when I removed the binoculars from the case. A little super glue fixed as I was not willing to send  it back to bushnell with $10.00 plus shipping costs to get it fixed or replaced. Looks like they have QC problems and a penalizing return policy.
This is an inexpensive, fully usable pair for youth, too. But even without abusing it the eye piece feel apart after about 6 months. unfortunately it wasn't easily fixable. Hoping the replacement lasts longer.
We are going on a cruise with our entire family. I bought one of these for each family member and they were a hit! They appear to be very good for the price paid. Now to wait for the trip...
it does what it is meant to do. I'm really not picky i just want to be able to see far away things.
Great compact binoculars.Folding roof makes it easy to store in pocket or bag.Great product and I recommend this item.The binoculars really live up to the Bushnell name.
Perfect for carrying in your pocket, great distance, had a previous pair that my grandson decided to wash, didn't work well after the bath. Love to take them to outdoor sporting events.
Bought this for my step son for Christmas and he really likes these. His father has had other brands but he thought these were a good starter pair for a young person and didn't have to put too much money into.
For the price they are ok. You can focus and adjust to your eyes width. My kids used them once for a play.
We ordered two of them one worked perfectly and the other did not work at all by the time we discovered that problem to much time had past.
I liked these binoculars so much I purchased a second pair. Unfortunatley the updated version is not nearly as nice as the pair I received about 5 years ago. The older version is shown in the 3rd image - I notified Amazon so they may remove it by the time you read this.The old version:- has a nice rubber coating- focuses much better, easier to use focusing wheel- folds down smaller- easier to hold with fingers (round vs. larger flat top section)My old version is also much clearer, but I have a feeling I may just have a bad copy. It's a little blurry even after focusing. The old pair is crystal clear.I'm very disappointed in this new version. I'm looking for the old version online but there's a chance sellers are using the old photo and selling the new version.
These easily fit in a pocket next to a cell phone, or with the included case strap to a belt.  I used these for game viewing in Africa and was not disappointed; got me close to the action and were never a hassle to lug around or take out.  For the money, these are a great value.
could not get both eyes focused at the same time. POOR quality. Really surprised by Bushnell. I assumed the other bad reviews were just flukes, I guess not. Returned them!
Nice product for price.  Clear and able to focus extremely well.  Us old duffers usually have a problem with that focus part so these seem to work great and no problems.
Pros:CompactIndividual eye focusingDurableGreat priceCons:Only 8xOverall a great product for the price, would definetly recommend
Love the binoculars.  They are very lightweight and fit perfectly in my purse.  I am legally blind and need help reading street signs when out walking in unfamiliar places.  These were a perfect solution for me.
Tried another compact binocular first and not nearly as good as this inexpensive one. I needed small for pocket for snowmobiling. This is perfect and price is great!
These were a real hit with our grandson.  We wanted something that really worked well but didn't cost a lot and was sturdy for a child his age to use.
I bought these as a gift for my husband.  He doesn't use them very much.  But he seems to like them when hke does.
I ordered these binoculars for my birdwatching, they are just the perfect size and strength for backyard watching. But, I will probably need something a little stronger for distance viewing.
Ordered these binoculars intending to use them when hiking or trail riding, wanted something small and compact. They are small, (about 5" in length & 3" wide when folded) and they are lite weight. But the quality of view was terrible. It might be OK for sitting on the porch looking at a bird in the back yard, (providing you have pretty steady hands), but that's about all. I immediately returned them to Amazon, and they are very good about that. I just wished I had thought about what to expect for $18 binoculars.
My wife bought me a more expensive pair of binoculars here on Amazon for Christmas.  They are too heavy for my small children, so I bought these for them.  I am amazed how great these are.  I like these better than my $130 Nikon binoculars.  You can see very far and its so clear.  My 6 and 8 year olds had absolutely no problem with these.  I wasn't expecting much for this price, but am simply amazed on how great these are.  We will definitely take these out to events with us since they are so small as to fit in my wife's (very full) purse.  I would definitely recommend this product to someone who is looking for a compact pair of binoculars.  Worth every dollar at this low price.
Bushnell in my mind is synonymous with good, quality optics. These binoculars will not disappoint you. I got these for my now 6-year-old as a decent starter set of binoculars. He absolutely loves them, and I have used them myself. heavy feel - quality build. Crystal-clear optics. Great, compact binoculars and good portability.
I got these along with a bird identifier book to start watching birds around where I live. For the money, they're a great buy, but I regret not going for the Bushnell Nature View ones that are supposed to magnify light to look at feathers and such. I also wear glasses and they don't comply with those to the best extent. I would say these are a good secondary pair of binoculars to leave in your car or ones to bring when you don't want to worry about ruining them.
These low-end binoculars are still very powerful, feel robust yet comfortable, and are highly portable. It includes a carrying case that can be looped through a belt buckle as well as a lens cleaning cloth.I definitely recommend this for someone who is looking for some cheap but quality binoculars that don't need to view objects over extreme distance.
Good value. Promptly shipped. Great for bug out bags. Compact. Good clarity from the lenses. Good out to 400 meters for close resolution.
I'm very happy with these binoculars - it's great having 12x magnification in such a small package - but sometimes that's not a good thing.Hand jitter is amplified with the increased zoom, and less light makes it through to the eye. Having these and a compact 8x would pretty much cover any situation where you might want a pair of compact binoculars.I am constantly amazed close objects look the 12x magnification. Very happy with my purchase.
Hi,I bought two of these binoculars to my kids (age 7 and 4). I know it's not a toy which made me a bit concerned. However, as it has a fair price, I tried.The great news are that it's so easily to manage, that both kids were able to make the adjustments by themselves and use it extensively.The image quality and range are fair for the price. It's not a top of line binocular, but has great coverage. I'd definitely buy it again
these are nice, i bought them to bring hiking and needed something that was nice and small. these work nice and come with a pouch for them.
Used these at the theater to watch the Rocketts!! Perfect size, easy to carry in my purse.  And, they worked great
I was just looking for a nice small pair of binoculars to take to concerts when I would be a good distance from the stage. I seen these bushnell powerview binoculars. I read some reviews that gave me a good impression of what I was looking for and they were. I tell you. I love  how small they are and easy to focus. It came with a nice case. If you are in the balcony of any performance you sure can get a closer look with this binoculars. They are really cheap and great quality. I paid under ten dollars and they were new. I recommend that you buy these binoculars. I have a big pair and this on is a nice replacement. They fold up and open easily. You can open them to curve across the bridge of your nose to your face. Focusing was simple. I never bought bushnell products before. I am impressed.
I bought these as a second pair of binoculars to carry in a pocket or glove box. I was genuinely surprised at the quality. They are heavy (from a quality standpoint, not a cumbersome one) and solidly built. They open and focus smooth and fluid-like. The image is crisp and crystal clear. I am very pleased. For $19, these are as nice as any $50-$60 compact binoculars I've ever used. The right eye piece focuses independent to compensate for one weaker eye, as is my case. Of course with any compact binoculars you sacrifice wide-angle and light gathering power. They are best suited for daylight viewing. Well worth the price.In the box: Binoculars, neck-strap, soft case, lens cloth & instructions.
I use these for spotting wild life from the farmhouse and to check on the horses in the paddocks. They are good and there is also a fine tuning adjustment on one of the eye pieces. They are compact and come with an attached cord which I use to hang them by the back window. These would be great for back packing. Good optics and strength.
I am very pleased with these binoculars.  Took them with me to a professional golf tournament and enjoyed to closer look they gave me.  The compact size also eliminated aggravation of carrying a full sized pair of binoculars.
These are a great deal for $13! I'm going to put one in each car's glove box.The collimation on mine was excellent--the images in each eye merged perfectly. This is sometimes a problem with low-priced binoculars.Some reviews complained about cheap construction. These seem fine to me, particularly considering the price. The only apparent potential weak spot is a plastic guard underneath the focus knob area.
I purchased these binoculars for my daughter and son in law.  They just moved into their first home and needed good binoculars to watch the birds at their new feeder.They love them.
Side was quite small for the 8x21 and cool, but the quality of the picture wasn't as good and crisp as I was expecting.I give it a 3 stars out of 5 because I thought it could have been better.I'll try some other to see if it worst than this, and if they worst, I'll boost this to 4 stars.
Got 2 pairs of these for my mom and I when we went to a musical a couple years ago. They work great and are nice because they are small enough to fit in a pocket, really, but they are powerful and nice quality too! Great item!
They do not work with glasses, even when the little rubber things are flipped down. Otherwise they are okay. Returned.
Small and easy to use. Seems to be constructed well. For the price I can't complain at all. I would recommend this product to someone who wants a small, compact binocular to have easily accessible to use quickly, one that doesn't require a large magnification.
These work as intended. They are not a strong magnification but that was known by description and was my choice. They are a Solid item, well made and easy to use.
I hoped to use this at an indoor shooting range were the building is dark expect for targets being lit, these binocular's are hard to focus in on the target to see how you ar dooing.
Bought three of these for an umcoming Terry Fator show in LV.  A boys night out.  For the price these are amazing.  Very compact, folds into pocket size.  8 times zoom capability.  Has a focus wheel as well as a diopter setting.  Comes with a case, a cleaning cloth, a neck strap and even has fold down eyecups if you wear glasses.  One suggestion would be to hold them a bit away from your eyelashes to avoid any interference.  A great product!
Good out to fifty yards at the range (I was spotting for my dad who was sighting in a 3-9x scope for a 10/22). At one point I did lean myself and the binoculars against a column to reduce sway. The sway was obviously from the user, and I probably should have went with 10x. Overall, optics are clear and sharp with easy adjustments.
One of the reviews I read before purchasing these suggested that the reviewer should've had them for her Celine Dion concert.  I took the suggestion and they were perfect!  They fit nicely in my evening bag and brought Celine closer to me as I sat in the Second Mezzanine at Caesar's Palace!  Not only that - but the price was right! I couldn't be happier!  Plus, now I have them for our next trip to Rocky Mountain Park to get up close and personal to some wildlife!
If you are looking for some light weight binoculars for occasional use, these are perfect. They worked great for me on school outtings, and I wasn't worried about someone stealing them. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a good starter pair of binoculars.
I waited to review this just to make sure it would actually get use from my dad. Lo and behold, I saw it hanging next to the back door with his camera and hat. That means the binoculars made it on the bike ride. It's a big step for him to leave behind the gigantic binoculars from the '70s that were the go-to for football games and bird watching. Successful gift, definitely worth the price.
while looking for an inexpensive binocular I could use at my gun club , I happened upon this productKnowing Bushnell , I was sure it would be extremely acceptable , despite the low price , I bought it.I was not wrongJust what I needed for spotting targets on the 100 and 200 yard ranges without having to walk to the target to see the results
While it's not a great binoculars, you get what you pay for.  For its price it's good.  Don't expect to see clearly through it however.  If you want to see well - get better quality glass and light gathering.
The unit is very compact and it comes with a decent pouch.  It is easy to fit in a purse or large pants pocket.  The magnification is adequate for looking at elevated architectural features, but I ended up also buying a pair of the 10 x 25 for a few bucks more.  I found the 10 x 25 pair a better value.
small and compact, perfect for packing with my hunting gear so I can look around the woods when I am in my tree stand
Great pair of binoculars and a good value for the money. I bought these to go on cruise with, but they are great just to have when we are traveling, hiking, or just out and about. I used these recently to look at the moon and was amazed.
I purchased these very lightweight binoculars for one of my grandsons at the recommendation of one of his uncles who owns the same pair. My grandson wants to use them to look at birds and wildlife. They are powerful, but the nicest factor is that they are so lightweight when hanging around your neck. No one wants a dead weight! The case is very lightweight which is all that we wanted, so if you want something more substantial you might want to purchase a different case, for example an inexpensive camera case. The case doesn't detract enough from the quality of the binoculars to warrant a lower star level.
If you're looking for inexpensive binoculars, don't complain when they don't work like a $300 pair of binoculars.  I got these for the sole purpose of my kids having some to play with when we go camping.  For the price, they're GREAT!!!  They actually see very well.  Even my husband and I use them.  I would strongly recommend these to anyone looking for some cheap binoculars.
I have had a pair of Bushnell binoculars for years but found I wasn't carrying them as much due to the weight.  These are 8x21 and are perfect.  Can carry them in my purse or sport pouch and when using the strap the binoculars  are light enough to not be uncomfortable around my neck.  I have found that I'm carrying them around all the time again.
These are fantastic, primarily for the price ($13). They focus well and fold/pivot to fit in the case they come with. You really cannot buy anything for $13 and expect it to perform like these binoculars. I heard some people got a pair with a defect out of the box, but mine are great. The case is great because it can loop onto a belt and they even come with a cheap (it will probably snap eventually) neck strap and a piece of felt to clean the lenses. I mean, for $13 what more do you want. I will be using these for turkey hunting, where I do not want a large set of binoculars swinging around my neck and therefore blocking access to calls or gear. I needed something basic to see birds off the in the distance or scout a path through the woods, which these are perfect for.
Good for a child's first pair but not recommended for an adult.  Like the sixe and the weight but not powerful. Had to pass it on to my 8 year old God daughter.
This was a great purchase for me. It is small and compact and fits perfectly in my grenade pouch. Since I'm not using grenades and we're required to wear the pouch, I wanted something there.A nice bonus that I hadn't realized until I got them in my hands was the main focus AND the separate focus for the other eye. This is especially helpful, and prevents headaches from prolonged use, because I need two different prescription values for my eyes. Other than that I don't have much else to say, but great, cheap, compact, useful product for military use.
Good price, decent product. Hard to keep stable. That is the trade off for size.
I bought these binoculars to take with me on a vacation where we would be looking at local birds and wildlife in the trees. It was the perfect size beacuse it folds up and is very compact. The magnification is obviously not as good as a larger more expensive pair, but they got the job done for I needed them for. I was able to clearly focus and see animals that where high up in the trees. I was very happy with them.
These are the smallest binoculars I've ever seen, are very lightweight, and very easy to focus.  They come with a great carrying case and lens cloths.  We took them all over Paris and they were very useful on the top of churches and the eiffel tower.
These work really well for my son. They are light enough to carry around, and powerful enough that he enjoys them, and loves spying on neighbors, ha ha. Recommended item!
Difficult to calibrate, never saw a clear picture.  ordered a smaller one which works well.  Be careful... higher cost does not mean better product.
Let me start by saying, I am in love with these, I am making up reasons, just to use them.  When I started looking to buy a pair to take on hiking trips with my boy's, I read a lot of reviews on many different brands.  This brand, caught my attention by all the good reviews offered.  I do not believe I read one bad review.  I purchased the 8x21 pair, although I would like a higher magnification, it was not feasible at the time.  So, for this size, wow, I am so surprised by the craftsmanship of such a low priced pair.  They are small in size, but, heavy, not plastic like a child's pair that you would find for the same price.  I have used them to look many places and found they are simply wonderful.  Instant focus, very clear and sharp.  Very easy to use.  Comes with a bag with belt loop, neck strap attached (do wish it was a little thicker), and a small leaning cloth.  All in all, I would recommend this item to anyone.  IF you don't have much to spend and would like to experience hiking, sightseeing, concerts, or just for fun, this is a fantastic buy.  I will, in the future, be purchasing a higher magnification, zoom pair.  Even those are good priced.  Thank you, Amazon.
I bought these for use at live theatre and concert events and they work perfectly for that.  They fold into a compact size that fits in pocket or purse and they have the right power.  If you want a binocular for sports or if you usually sit in the fourth balcony of large theaters or arena shows you might want to get something more powerful but for most live events you will be happy with these.
I purchased this for my 7 year old daughter. They are very powerful and are very solid feeling. I was pleasntly surprised because they were only $15. I would concider the price point to be in the "toy" catagory and these do not feel or act like a toy in any way!!! I would definatly buy again!
used at race track, great weight, size, and very clear! nice price for what you get, I would recommend this product to someone's first or second set.
Not the best optics but very portable and affordable. I've seen people pay more for toy binoculars for a kid. I got these for on my motorcycle where space is a premium and they are small and do the job. Easy to carry with you too because they have a case that attaches to your belt. I would recommend them to anyone who has ever needed binoculars and not had a pair with them because they are too big or heavy to carry. Just dump these in your wife's purse or in the glove compartment in case you need them.
I "flag" sports car races (stand on the side of a road course race track and communicate with drivers using flags). As I have improved (aged), it has become more difficult to see winnie little car numbers from a distance. My 10 year old Bushell 8x21 compact binoculars had taken MANY headers to the ground, been rained on (yeah, sports cars race in the rain) and generally been neglected (why should they be any different from me). They finally gave up the ghost. The new 12x25's REALLY pull in the car numbers VERY WELL. They are very well constructed and adjust easily, however they seem to need re-adjusting each time, but that may be just me. At $19.95 ... well, I AM VERY PLEASED !!!ps My new binoculars took their first tumble last weekend (their 3rd race and it WAS raining), and "kept on tickin".
I wanted a pair of binocs to keep in my home office so I'd have them handy for occasional bird watching outside my window. The size, weight, and clarity of these are perfect for my use.  They fold up into a compact size and have a nice travel case included, so I plan on taking them with me when I travel to the racetrack in the fall. I'm really glad I bought them and plan on buying another pair to give as a gift. The price is right for such a nice pair of binoculars.
These binoculars are clear, easy to focus, and powerful to get up close. Good price and fast shipping.
We purchased two binoculars for use on our trip to South Africa.  They were okayfor the price, but definitely not great for viewing some of the distant animals.
We couldn't see very far in these, we couldn't ever get them focused, ended up buying another pair when camping and gave these ones to the little one so she could feel like an adventurer.
Nice binoculars but too strong for the opera.  Not enough field of view.  Our friends bought them also and said the same thing.  Will put them in the glove box.
We purchased the Tasco Essentials 8x21 Binocular for our youngest son and these for our oldest.  He really likes the clarity and how far away we can see birds of prey, trees, animals etc.  Obviously more expensive ones would be better, but for it being the first pair we've purchased for our son, I would say they are perfect.  And seeing how much he utilizes them would make it worth buying him a better pair in the future.  I recommend this product!
These are really nice.  Compact and have a nice case.  They work well for my purpose, which is to monitor a feral cat colony in our area.  I keep them in the car at all times
Great pair of binoculars!  We got them for a concert we were going to and fit into my small purse for easy carrying.  Worked great!
I purchased these for an Alaskan trip.  These would better at a concert.  I needed something stronger.  They are a good travel size
during the daylight hours they are great, but the last hour of the day they are of no use. Paul
Use this to travel great distances with your eyes.  Was that an antelope sipping coffee in the house across the street?  Nooope, it's just Chuck Testa!!  But you can know for sure with these.
These binoculars are good when you can get them in focus. The tension on the 2 parts of the housing that you hold do not have enough tension and they tend to move while you are using them. I would look for another model or brand based on this fact!!!! Once you put them in a position they really should stay that way until you make a change and not move just because you are holding them.
My husband and I used these from the balcony of a recent cruise to check out other ships on the water and land features from far away.  For a basic pair of binoculars, these worked very well.  I would say that the super zoom feature on our mid range digital camera worked just as well if not better, but for the price and based on the specs, these are very good.
Great set of binoculars in such a small package... More than what I expected. Nice weight and balance. Very comfortable eye pieces. It came with a carrying case and cloth to clean the lens. I can see for miles. Can't wait to take these to a sporting event. I'll be up close and personal! No gripes, just go with it! Very pleased with this purchase.
Product was ordered for 6 yr. olds.  Good grip size for them, lightweight.  Great quality for the price.
Awesome these work awesome very impressed with this product for distance and clarity, this product is well worth the 18.00 you will not be disappointed !
The binocular is not bad for the money I paid. The magnified view is clear although little uncomfortable when comparing the standard binoculars.
My kids are playing with an old toy pair of binoculars. It is missing an eyepiece, it is old and abused for years.  I decided to look for a more decent pair so they can enjoy more their newly found hobby.The first entry after searching online came out to this little guy. It is only around twelve bucks at the time of this review which is just perfect for its purpose.  It also shows hundred of reviews that are positives.It came with a neat black case and a piece of cleaning cloth. Some manufacturers make them with cheapo plastics, this is made of rugged rubberized construction.  It looks like it can withstand some rough handling by my kids.Right in the middle sits a ring for  focusing. My eyes needs prescription glasses, but it provides wide range of focusing that I don't even need my prescription glasses to see clearly on it. Now, that is convenient.  You can also adjust the distance between the two eyepieces easily so it can adapt to both kids and adults.  The only thing missing is a zoom, but I often see that feature only on more expensive and bulkier binoculars.Dont expect a sophisticated lenses at this price. The lenses are basics but capable.  They are also small, making the images dimmer than those with bigger lenses.The only thing I am disappointed is the width of view or coverage.  Most of the time, when you go to a concert or a game, the only thing you will see is the head of the performer.  This is worse when you are not sitting very far because sometimes you want to see the whole body, the whole group, or even part of the stage. Well, I guess it is pretty much the standard.  But it will be great if there are other versions of these binoculars available in other magnification, let's say 4x, or 6 times.  In that case, I will grab another pair right away, specially if they offer them at the same price.
For $20, I was not going to get a great binocs. This one came even below that expectation. It is very difficult to focus on any object with this.
I got these as a alternative to my Nikon 12x50. I wanted a more compact set to take to Arena sports and something that was just easier to carry. While no match to the Nikons these are still an excellent pair that I use on a daily bases. One thing I would change is the neck strap, its just a string that digs into the back of your neck although I think all compact binoculars have this string. Overall I would buy it again! 4 stars for the strap otherwise I"d give it 5
they work like they say and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.  purchased them for coyote hunting. i love coyotes.
We purchased these to take on a recent trip to Florida to go dolphin watching. We bought them because of the size and the power. We never went due to rain, but I'm sure these will come in handy. They are a nice size, not to small, but portable. The power is very good and you can see far.
These binoculars are a little larger than I expected, but man they work GREAT!!! They are not quite twice the size of most compact nocs, but the size difference is not a real issue, considering how well they work! They are not too heavy or too big for my needs (concerts & sports). Highly recommend!
These are just the right size to carry in my purse to use at the grandchildren's sporting events.  I can easily see them way off to the other side of the field.
Needed an easy, quick binocular that can remain out of the way.  This Bushnell product fit the bill.  This isn't super quality or the best in its class but it works for the price.
Out of alignment right out of the box. Badly out of alignment.Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect this to be by any means perfect. At this price, sensible distortion and even some slight misalignment are, I think, perfectly acceptable. I just expected something usable. And usable this is not. Considering that returning it meant half the price paid initially, I just disassembled it out of curiosity. There's no alignment mechanism of any sort, it's just how the plastic parts fit together. Which makes me think the chances of getting a unit as bad as I did are extremely high. I won't even comment about quality control...Bottom line: Bushnell makes some pretty good binoculars, but, clearly, not in this price range. The unit I received is unusable. Suggest you spend your twenty bucks on something else or just give it away for charity rather than take your chances with this item.
Thanks for the gift of seeing the stars in the sky!!!  The stars are so beautiful and there are so many to see and learn of.  The binoculars and easy to handle. care for and fun to use.  They can be kept any where when not is use.  Thanks and God bless
Bought for theatre. Is much too dark to be effective.  Found using for this purpose was a distraction,  more than an aidPerhaps better for routine daylight out of doors use.
These are a very nice binocular for the money. My only objection was the instructions. It includes instructions in 10 different languages. The print was so small that I could not read them. They appear to be well made.
Bought these low priced binoculars for use by our grandson while camping with us.  The compact size will be just right for him and actually works for us as well.  Although inexpensive and very basic, these are real  binoculars and not just a toy.  They represent a good value for their cost.  We'll see if our grandson, who is 5 years old, can learn to use them and how well they hold up.
Great cheap binocs for the price.Just one thing keeping them from 5 stars:They'd have been better off skipping the cheap permanently attached lanyard string and including an eye-hole (or two) on the body somewhere to hook the thing up to your own lanyard or neckstrap instead. The problem with the permanently attached cord is that it's not only cheap, but doesn't hang so the binoculars balance properly on your chest. They have a tendency to hang forward. Not to mention that a narrow string is uncomfortable and possibly even dangerous.
I made this purchase specifically because I wanted a pair of binoculars that I could carry in my purse or pocket.  I have an expensive pair that are too cumbersome to take everywhere, and I rarely need binoculars for distance.The Bushnell Powerviews are perfect for local birding and a quick check on the wave heights on the gulf from my porch.Can you beat the price?  I doubt it.
I bought these binoculars to watch the birds at our feeder.  They are clear and allow me to see at a reasonable distance to birds flying to and from the feeder.  Good purchase.
I brought the binoculars with the express purpose of using them in the theater. I am an avid fan and cannot always afford the best seats in the house so the binoculars have been very useful when I am sitting near the theater's ceiling. They are compact, and fit well in my purse. I also plan to use them when I travel overseas this summer.
Binocular has a very good quality lens with plenty of magnifying power to see things far away or to see details.
These are very inexpensive for the quality. Comes with a carrying case and lens cloth. For this price I can afford to throw them away and replace them a lot.
I returned this! I could not adjust it all. Maybe its me, but I couldnt see anything magnified, especially at night.And there weren't any instructions either..
These are very handy and pretty good quality. The clarity may not be as good as some bigger high-end binoculars but for the price you can't beat them. They were great at the ball game and at the theater. They are small enough that you can take them almost everywhere.
ok for the money-- but nothing really special  but do not expect anything great from these but they are ok so that is what I have ranked them.
Nice clear optics and quick/even adjusting.  Lightweight and GREAT for birding.  LOVE them! ONLY issue is they are MADE IN CHINA I would have bought one for each of my family members (10+)IF they were American made.
You just cannot focus these binos. I bought them for a concert and never could see the person I wanted to see.
I always thought Bushnell is a very good product, and I was very disappointed with this purchase. it was so difficult to focus and looks like lens are defective, spend a little more on a better quality product.
Light weight, easy to handle and adjust the focal length.  The image is clear and sharp.  Not bad at all for the price.After two good hunts, I found the neck strap to be rather narrow and annoying....I replaced it.  Other than that, the unit performed beautifully...by the way...I got a 9 pt.
It cannot see the distance as it suppose to. It's a garbage, useless. I don't know what else I should say. Better you are not like me waste of money.
Bought these to take to baseball games finally got a chance to use them and they work well for their intended purpose
I got these for myself.  Every time we go camping or to sporting events I never had a pair of binoculars.  So now I have my own and they are small enough to fit into my bag.
These binoculars exceeded my expectations. I bought these to use on a trip to Yellowstone.  I needed a small and compact set since I am anyway carrying two cameras.  Of course it doesn't compare to expensive 10x50 binoculars but at this price and size I don't know of anything better.
For the price, these are great.  They hardly take up any room at all, and the magnification is plenty for most applications.  They're not going to give you super viewing for astronomy since the objective lenses are pretty small for the magnification, but in daylight they work just fine.I bought a pair for each of my daughters (6 and 8) since we have regular campouts together, and they haven't managed to break them yet -- though there's still time for that :)Two small cons:  the case, while collapsible and convenient, is a bit tight (especially for kids to use) and the strap is really just a cord so it's not terribly comfortable.  Of course the glasses are pretty light, so it doesn't cut into your neck or anything.  All in all, good quality for a good price.
Quite a bargain.  Works well.  We use it for occasional bird watching.  They seem sturdy enough and a nice size.
These are just as expected. Very light weight and compact. They aren't great for high detail ... bird watchers should look for more definition ... but for sporting events and traveling they're a really good option.
These are really good binoculars I think. The magnification is superb for viewing the standard distances such as ball games, birds or even spying on the neighbor three houses away. Clear and detailed imaging. They arrived on time and have a leather flap carry case. I like compact things as it is and these are great to have.
My daughter plans to take her new binocular on safari with her.  It will be a plus in viewing the animals.
I have used the binoculars at a few concerts now. It worked very well at an indoor venue where I had pretty good seats.  I could see Adam Levine perfectly! However, at a large music festival, it did not work well. I could hardly see the performer and it seemed to focus on people in the crowd rather than the performer.  On the plus side, it is small and fits in my purse. I would say that the 8x21 would be good for concerts where you have really good seats and performances where it is a small venue (not a large music festival or if you are way in the back).
You look in the two holes and point them at something far away and they make it look closer. How do they do it?I'm reviewing binoculars...At 6:00 in the morning...I need a life.They did just what they advertised. I'm happy.
Nice feel, nice optics, easy to use, nice packaging and the service from this seller was second to none. I will use this little binocular set forever and it just might make it! I'm not easy on things either.
They are light weight and have good magnification. Going overseas with me and I do not want to miss anything.  Seems like a good deal for the money.
These things are awesome!  I bought them to creep on the Chicago White Sox from the lower reserved seats at US Cellular Field. I've been very happy with them, especially considering that they're cheap enough to not have to be too precious about.Pluses: These binoculars are small-about the size of two smart phones.  They easily pack into a purse or day bag.  They're really solidly build, despite being small, with a reasonably high degree of adjustability.  In addition, the eye cups fold down, accommodating users with glasses or sunglasses.Only complaint: the neck strap is thinner than a shoe lace, which is not terribly comfortable considering the relative weight of the binoculars.In sum, Bushnell is a quality name in precision lenses for a reason; these little guys do not disappoint!
I got this binocular for [...] with free shipping from [...]. At such a low price this binocular is really great. It is light weight and easy to carry. The image quality beats many of the "toy" binoculars you can find for the similar price.However you really have to keep in mind that it IS a cheap compact binocular. Its lenses are small, which means the image will be relatively dark, which means it won't be very usable when not in a bright environment. The roof-prism design also limits it image quality (but still much better than the no prism Galilean binoculars). These are the compromise you have to make in change of small size and low price.The focus ring is the only part I don't feel fully as expected about this binocular. It is small and tight, very hard to turn. When you or your target is moving it is very hard to keep your target in focus.-1 star for it.
Not having done my homework, and knowing nothing about binoculars, I mistakenly expected a higher magnification to be better - not! Using these 16 x 32 binoculars is like viewing through lenses held by someone with Parkinson's Disease - very shaky! I kept checking my hands - which didn't feel shaky at all - to make sure they weren't actually shaking, and they weren't. Later I read that binoculars with higher magnification produce very shaky images unless the binoculars are held still as with a tripod.Worse, you have to constantly adjust these if you try to view to the  left, right, towards you, or farther away. In short, a pain in the butt. I get eye strain and headaches after just a minute or 2 of using these. A waste of money. No, I won't buy a tripod; I bought these because they were cheap and because I didn't want to spend much money for the limited viewing I'd be (hopefully) doing. I ordered a pair of 10 x 50, and will see how they work out....
I know how to focus these binoculars, and these would not focus properly.The diopter setting was screwed up.The case is ugly.
These are total budget binoculars.  Focus is not user friendly.  Forget about it if you wear glasses (like me).  I usually close one eye and use them as monoculars to spy on birds from my couch.  One day I'll replace them or give the to my young nephew.If you want a decent &#34;cheap&#34; pair of for kids, these work well.  If you are looking for a quality lower-price binoculars, I would spend a little more on a different pair.
These things were even smaller than I thought they would be, which is nice.  The case takes up very little room.  Good clear view, easy to focus, I think they're great for the price.
You get what you pay for ... they are cheap. Lo quality glass and don't focus very well. I was unable to use them for my intended purpose but I asked too much of them (low light situation). Handed them off to my kid.
This binoc has clear vision and very compact design. Cover is nice too. Makes a very good gift for children.
I bought this product three years ago.  It is a high quality product that works well, for a very reasonable price.  I bebated between this 12x25 higher magnification and a lower power Bushnell.  The issue was a smaller view with higher mag and more optical leverage and shake than the lower power.This higher power binocular was not too much magnification.  In fact, a lesser power would be too weak.  This unit has the needed power to really get a closeup view.  I would think the lower mag would disapoint most people.
Well, the binoculars are OK.  Not bad - but not good.  They are definitely 16X, which I love but as much as I adjust the lenses - the image is never "easy to see".  Not sure if that makes sense.  It is kind of clear, its just very difficult to see.  I think it might be the light that comes through the lenses make it hard for the eyes.  I've tried other brands (more expensive), and you can really notice the difference.  I wouldn't get these for serious observing of game like deer or wild birds.
If you're looking for a pair that you don't want to lose sleep over losing or having your kid break, these are it.Having 20/15 vision, I find it's not easy keeping focus, because I have to change both the focus and the diopter on one of the lenses to bring an image into clear focus.
Compr&eacute; estos binoculares como regalo para mi esposa, que gusta de observar aves. No los he usado personalmente, pero ella est&aacute; muy satisfecha, as&iacute; que los puedo recomendar.
These 12x25 Bushnell Binoculars are very practical, and do a fine job if you are the average tourist. I recommend them based on quality and price.
I bought two for a vacation in Alaska last summer.  They seemed perfect for what I was wanting, according to the description and published specs.  But, they saw very little service because of the difficulty finding the target, keeping it steady, and focusing.  Focusing was extremely hard.  We could not use them at all and we both tried.  A more expensive and higher quality binocular may have worked.  Even an inexpensive 7X50 would have been okay for what I wanted.  Bushnell makes good stuff, but this 10X32 binocular did not work for us.
I bought these for my son who doesn't like carrying around big heavy binoculars.  These are small enough to carry easily in your coat pocket.  Great for sporting events, bird watching and for those cheap balcony seats at concerts.
My wife and I purchased these binoculars primarily to use for concerts and we have been to one since we purchased them. They have met our expectations so far.  They are light and compact and work quite well.
Im happy with my purchase, these are high quality, durable, and comfortable around the eyepieces. They work great as well. For the price I paid, I feel like I got more than my money's worth.
That sounds like pride? Insulting to all Americans.  Put a flag on it! That''ll fool them dumb americans. So proud they couldn't invest in this country? They are fine for ten bucks, but what a disgusting company.  Look at a more honest dealer. Gross. Step up Bushnell, what are you &#34;proud&#34; of? Proud of your chinese built things or...?
Bought these to use for lawn seats at an outdoor concert. The view was fuzzy & grainy compared to another set of cheap binoculars I brought along. Wouldn't buy again.(The better set I had on hand is the Carson Tracker 8 x 21 mm Compact Sport Binocular, offered on Amazon for 25.80.)
I bought these as a Christmas gift for my 10-year-old nephew, who is a beginning birdwatcher. For the price I'm impressed by the magnification clarity. My husband was quite surprised that they were only $20. These binoculars should serve him well for the next few years.The only feature that could be better is the "strap" that is really just a string. I was aware of this from the customer photos and purchased them anyway, since the overall value for the cost outweighed this drawback. But they probably would not be comfortable to wear around one's neck for any length of time, if this is important to you.
not too big- easy to store in my purse.  easy to focus.  all in all it was a great purchace.
I recieved these binoculars today in the mail and can easily say that they are awesome.  The price is right and the quality is superb.  I would just like to note a couple of things to help those of you considering this specific pair.  They are much smaller than I expected, which is not a bad thing.  The picture can be a little misleading as to how small these binoculars really are.  Folded up you could easily fit them into any standard sized pocket.  I think that this pair would be perfect for anyone who would like to bring some binocs with them on a hike or just when they're out walking (like me).  They would work perfectly for birdwatchers.  I think also that they would be a great gift for children because the design appears to be very solid and in the worst case scenario, if the kid breaks them, it's not like they cost that much.Before buying these I read some of the reviews specifically focusing on the ones that had complaints about these particular binoculars.  I've come to the conclusion that anyone who voted less than five stars was either confused about the basics of working a pair of binoculars or they were expecting the resolution and magnification power that you would find if you were to buy a $60 pair of binoculars.  For the $13 and some odd cents I paid, this is an investment that I am very happy with and I think that others who make this purchase will feel the same way.
Superb Binocular, I really like it!
Used this to look at the roof, chimney, stacks to see if major work would be needed after purchase. I know these are normally used for sports or nature, though I didn't have to climb on the roof which they wouldn't allow. You will find the major portion of my reviews rate the product high. We don't have much money, so I spend a lot of time researching a reviewing articles before purchasing, so far this has worked and we have been very happy with 99% of our purchases.
Would love to give this 5 stars. Binos arrived with the common problem of being out of alignment, so a few stars lost there. But, with the good price, I just fixed them myself. The thing that impresses me the most about these is the field of view is one third greater than the new Bushnell 10x50 binos that I bought at the same time. Also, the 8x is about right, the 10x are a bit jittery. Very convenient to use, just pull out of the pouch, no lens caps to deal with. But the wide angle view puzzles me, since my other 10x50 is literally &#34;Wide Angle&#34; binos! Hope this helps someone.
I was looking for a pair of binoculars to replace a pair of simple 8 x 22's that I had. I also wanted to upgrade. There is so much info and so many choices. I read a lot of reviews (pro and con) and thought I'd give these 16 x 32's a try. These are GREAT! I just came in from looking at the moon (very appropriate since Neil Armstrong passed away this weekend - we lost a great American this week). These are everything I wanted and more. I don't think I've ever seen the detail of the moon like I did tonight unless it was in a book. I can't wait for a more clear night so I can do some more star gazing.I also plan on taking them to a Salem Red Sox game this weekend and see how they are at the ball park. (I'm a NY Mets fan but the Sox are the minor league team in town. I love baseball so what the heck.)I rated them a 4 Star because like some of the other reviewers I would note that they cut some corners they should not have cut. The strap is pretty cheap - they should have put a better one with the binocks. And there is no threaded hole to mount these on a stand. I have to lean against something to hold them nice and steady.Finally, the price is right. I hope you enjoy 'em.
Nice and compact, I use these to augment my view at performances at the Hollywood Bowl.  They function well for the design limitations (somewhat narrow field of view and not good for really low light situations).  Excellent value for the amount paid.
I just purchased a second pair of these.  We brought these to Hawaii last year and were always fighting over them versus our bigger pair.  They are really compact, I carried mine in the side pocket of my cargo shorts.  The fixed focus and 10 power are ideal for vacation sight seeing.  Great on the whale watch excursions.  I decided to get a second pair so we didn't have to keep switching back and forth.
I wanted to see a bird (about the size of a pigeon) sitting at the edge of my waterfall about 50 feet away.  I couldn't see the bird any better with these binoculars than I could with my naked eyes.
WAS LOOKING FOR A PAIR LIKE THIS SAW THESE AND I ORDERED THEM WAS REAL HAPPY WITH THE QUALITY AND THE POWER THESE HAVE RECIEVED THEM TODAY GONNA GET A 2AND PAIR THANKS
Nothing special or exciting, but for a set of compact glasses, they do a decent job.  I'm glad I bought them.
Bought these as Christmas gift for my spouse, and right after Christmas we took a motorhome trip, not testing them until we were on the road.  We both did everything possible to get the left and right sides to come together as one picture but to our great disappointment nothing helped.  Although rated highly on Amazon by other customers, this was a defective pair of binoculars.  Problem now is that we were on the road for over 30 days and now it's too late to return them for a full refund.
For the price these are great quality. I go backpacking and coyote hunting and they are lightweight compact and of good quality. I don't know about survivabililty I have yet to drop them.
Purchased the binoculars for a Grand Canyon trip.I followed the manufacturer instructions for setting up binoculars but just doesn't work.The picture it's blurry,looks like the focus cannot be adjusted.Next time i will know how to buy a better pair.....don't get cheap when u wanna purchase optics.
My parents wanted a second pair of this small, easy to carry binocular. They love this model and I can see why. So I purchased this item for them not expecting the same outcome. Quite the opposite. You can not beat the quality for the price. A solid purchase for an affordable small binoc.
I wanted a compact and lightweight binoculars, and for what they provide, this set got great reviews. In practice they are easy to use and they are useful, but not a substitute for heavy and long distance binoculars.
This product has double image or ghost image, you send me so with this problems and now is costly for me resend this damage product to you.  How we solve this problem now.  It is 4th binocular you send me with damage or defective.  Wath happend with customer service of you for cash purchases. Please solve this problem as soon as possible.  Mr. Rolando Gomez
I'm not a bird watcher but my vision is not what it used to be. These may be inexpensive but they fit my needs even when I'm 20 feet away. Easily adjustable and compact! Just what I wanted. I may get one or two more for the rest of my family.
Purchased the Bushnell 10x32 compact binocs for use on an Alaskan cruise in August.  This item worked very well for glacier as well as wildlife viewing.  They are lightweight and easy to carry.  For the price this binocular was great for our purpose.
I purchased these for my step-father.  He likes to have binoculars that fit in his front shirt pocket when he is out fishing.  These are good quality & compact.
Great when I'm sitting out in the bleachers although has have been mentioned by others you have a very steady hand to keep view from bobbing.
Irs ok for the price
I have owned these for a couple of months now,  They are lightweight and come in a nice pouch that can attach to your belt.  They are very easy to adjust for easy eyesight.  I primarily use them for backyard bird watching.  I look forward to using them in 2013 for some hiking, the Nascar Daytona 500 and NHRA gator nationals.  My only complaint is the strap is thin and poorly placed but the price is right.  Update 3/18/13: Used them at Daytona for the Saturday and Sunday races and they were great.  Hardly noticed they were around my neck and they were plenty powerful to watch the cars go around the 2.5 mile track.
These are small and lightweight, so good for taking on a trip or packing in suitcase.The magnification is such that you need a steady hand however.
Received binocular 11/30/2011 for use in beginner's bird watching.  Had good reviews so gave it a try.  I was disappointed with it.  View was acceptable because of the price, $17 plus shipping $3 shipping.  Right side was a little fog on edge of view.  I would not recommend this  binocular.  I could have gotten the same quality of binocular at Big 5 Sporting for only $10.
Worth $10-$12 or so.  These are just what you pay for.  They are not a great bargain, but neither are they cheap junk.  For an every day carry or knock around in the car or Jeep, just perfect.  When you lose them or your kid drops them in the lake, no big deal, just buy a new pair.Two suggestions:  Buy the 8X25; it is a lot easier to get past the limitations and the 10X25 is hard to keep in focus.  Also, don't look through a good pair of binoculars or you will instantly be $200-$300 poorer.  I have German glass.  You won't ever want to look through them without a large credit balance and an understanding spouse.  I worked extensively with optics and lenses years ago and the more you learn and experience, the more it costs you.  And not just a little bit.  To get that last bit of quality out of lenses cost 2-3 times as much.Trust me, you are better off not knowing what you are missing.
This purchase was a gift for my son's range bag.  His targets are much further away then mine and he can check from where he stands.
These binoculars look like a quality product. It's nice and compact. For the size, I was surprised how far I could see through it. This product can be used in a number fun activities like hiking or shooting targets. It can also be a nice addition to a survival kit--whether it's for practical reasons or apocalypse survival. For the price, this is a great product. I highly recommend it.
The visibility is not clear when you see through this binocular. It gives you the blurred vision and zoom in & zoom out is not good.
grandaughter will love these for bird watching
Bought for an Alaska trip, small enough to pack and carry will work great!!  Will come in handy on the land and ocean.
Apparently I am a slow learner in that by this stage of my life, I should have long since learned that you get what you pay for.  Based on some great reviews on Amazon, I decided to purchase a pair of these binoculars.As I lifted them out of the case, a plate that covers the bottom of the focuser immediately dropped to the floor.  I assumed that it was something that snapped into place, but alas, it is apparently (supposed to be) glued into place.  Close inspection of the eyepieces revealed uneven fitting between the lens holders and rubber that surrounds them.  Amazingly, they came with no eye piece covers and the thin string that apparently is made to place over your head is a joke - I'm sure that will last only a few sessions.  I did not find the right eyepiece particularly easy to focus and I might add that you had better be prepared to rest these on something if you want an image that you can comfortably view.I found the instructions to be less than adequate.  Probably appropriately, the English version is the 5th set of instructions.  They are written with a microscopic font and are generic in nature not referring to these specific binoculars.  Come on Bushnell, you have been in business long enough to break the code on producing good optical devices.  You failed with this one!I would return them, but for the price it is not worth my time or effort.  It will make good junk drawer fodder.
I got this as a present but we both use it on hikes. It is great for seeing birds very far away in the distance. The images are clear and it's easy to use the rotating knobs for focusing. It comes in a soft, thick casing that protects it. It also has a string that can be looped around your neck. The string is sort of thin, but very sturdy and durable. Wish it was a bit thicker or had padding for the neck area, but this would make it more bulkier. So if you are looking for a small and lightweight pair of binoculars in a compact protective case, this does the job very well.
I just got these yesterday from amazon, and I was pleasantly surprised.  They far exceed my expectations.  For under $20 buck you cant beet the size and clarity.  they seem well made and have a nice rubber coating over the metal.  They are very easy to focus.  I'm able to spot birds and squires in the forest easily that I cannot see with the naked eye. I am truly amazed at the quality of these lenses.  I go on many hiking trips and we shall see how well they hold up to the north Georgia mountains.
I bought this binocular to watch a musical at theater. I sat on the 3rd floor of a big theater. With this binocular, I can see clearly the expression on everyone's face on the stage. No any Cons found for this. I like it very much!
I bought another set from a different company, and not only it was more expensive, but it promptly fell apart.  I bought this one, and it worked perfectly.  We used it at the theatre to see more detail, and it we all were satisfied.
Used these Bushnell Binoculars on two vacations this summer and fall.  Even with kids handling them, they have held up well so far.  Magnification is good and they are compact enough.  The only reason I gave it four stars is because the eye cups are relatively small and takes time to get used to.
Bought this for hiking. I thought of not spending a lot of money, but in the end I had to buy a more expensive binocular.These are not bad optically. However, they are extremely cheaply build. Mine was broken on arrival. On first use, I was able to pull out one eyepiece which included one lens element. This was definitely not by design. It seems eyepiece thread was not there or broken. No force was needed to pull out the eyepiece.Amazon was good at handling the return, but I decided not to try my luck with another. I just bought Olympus Roamer 8x21. Three times the money, but I would say three times the build quality.
I would def recommend these for backyard birdwatching! For more extensive watching I might upgrade to a larger pair. I'm very happy with my purchase.
These handy binoculars are perfect for what I ordered them for: some casual bird-watching. They come in a tidy case, and are easy to operate. Because they're small, they are a bit difficult to adjust, but overall, a great value for the price. They do exactly what they're supposed to do.
I got these after redaing numerous reviews saying how small and convenient these are. well they are small, not convenient. i wear both glasses and contacts. With contacts, as in bare eyes, I found the eye relief to be a huge problem in getting binocular vision, as in both eyes. Was mostly getting monocular vision, and had to do a lot of adjustment every time to get binocular vision. So no, small is not always better.Magnification is really good, field of view is poor, which i knew. Optics are good, fully coated.I wouldnt pay retail for these, glad i got a marketplace item for 12-13$
Got them for the Opera and Theater.The price is excellent compared to similar products.They work brilliantly. I can see the costume to the minutest detail as well as the make up. and facial expressionsThe funniest thing to notice was which ballerina dancer smiled throughout the performance and which one was serious-faced all along. Just random but hilarious. :)Enjoy!
I got these for hunting mammals and waterfowl,  and they're somewhere between &#34;alright&#34; and &#34;these kinda suck.&#34;Pros:&#9679;small&#9679;lightweight&#9679;easy to pack&#9679;durable&#9679;let in a good amount of lightCons:&#9679;Not enough light to be any use at dusk/dawn, which is when hunting happens.&#9679;8x21means looking through a peephole, very limited viewing area&#9679;not fog resistant. If it's not the middle of the day, just the heat from being near your face will fog up the glass quick.I'd recommend them for a backpacking trip, but the consi have listed make them useless for hunting.
You get what you pay forThis unit is very difficult to use, and is not worth the moneyI recommend this unitBushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black)Easier to use, and better vision through lenses
an adults eyes are too big for these. You have to damn near squint to see inside them. My kids love it though, but I bought it for me.... Guess I have to get a new pair.
The Bushnell powerview 10x32 binoculars are decent for the size/price.  For reference you can read a registration plate clearly from about 50 yards away.  Youre not going to be able to see craters on the moon but they do work well for a cheap little pair of binoculars. They are fully adjustable width wise and have the focus knob that is easy to use.  Sometimes I find it easier to use just one eye with the binoculars.
I bought these to use at football games where I sit near the top of the stadium at the University of Washington.  The magnification works really great.  It's really small which has it's benefits, but also drawbacks.Due to it's size, I can easily fit it in my pocket which makes it easier to lug around, especially if you already have enough of other things to tote around.  However, it also means that the amount of area you can see is smaller than if you had bigger lenses.  It's ok from a magnification standpoint, it's more about how wide and tall of a picture you want to see at once.  Because of this, I tend to look through it to see something like players up close, when they are between plays.  For game action, I tend not to use it because of the limited width I can see when I need to see large chunks of the field simultaneously.Overall, it's a great deal for the price.
rather dark and not so sharp optics in this binocs. Fine for the price. Compact size was what I was looking for and this item does the trick. But do not expect too much picture quality wise.
Lets face it.  For the price its not going to be a crystal clear optic.  I have tossed in in a backpack for a ball game, taken it hiking.  It lives in my B.O.B.  It serves its purpose...to bring things closer so you can see them better...yet you're not afraid to use it or lend it to someone..because its cheap.It does what I expect it to.  Period.
My nine year old got these binoculars and he loves them. They're small enough to be easy for smaller hands to hold, and light enough he doesn't nearly drop them and he can hold them steady. The clarity and magnification is good, too, so they're appropriate for adults as well. A good buy, and a fair price. We're happy with this purchase.
good for viewing objects 900 feet (approximate) or further.  you can Not see objects well less then 900  feet (approximate). zoom does not work like 100 feet to 8000 feet. I will work from 900 feet to couple of miles.
The compact size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or back pack and it is easy to quickly focus
I was afraid that this compact binocular would not be good since it was so inexpensive. I was wrong. It is  great. I love watching wild life in my back yard with it. Good buy and great price.
Pros: Compact, light, easy to carry, great priceCons: Loose eye piece easily slips out of focus, forcing user to adjust focus in two different places on the binoculars every time they view a subject.
I bought my first binoculars. These are compact, lightweight and easy to use. Highly recommend.
I know very little about binoculars. I know a lot about cameras, but have never owned a pair of binocs. I wanted to buy a basic binoculars with a decent range for my photography nature trips. I wanted to survey a scene quickly with light binoculars and decided to get this one. It's cheap, had good reviews and a respectable name. Here are my views after owning it for a couple of months:PROS:1. Excellent value2. Respectable name3. Small and light4. Good solid quality5. Adjusting stereo vision is quick and smooth and stays in place once found6. Comes with a nice little soft case7. Folds up nicelyCONS:1. Eye holes are smaller than I would like. Still see my eyelashes sometimes. This is expected of most compact binoculars.2. Requires a decent amount of light to work. A little difficult for sunrise photography.3. Neck string is thin and difficult to replaceOverall, this seems like a very solid product and at this price, it's a no lose choice.
I wanted a tiny pair of binoculars  to carry along with me when hiking and out taking photos just to be able to take a quick look ahead at the trail or off into the nearby woods to look for wildlife. These are lightweight but seem sturdy and serve the purpose and have a nice carrying case. The 'strap' for the binoculars is actually more like a string, probably easy to replace but I wouldn't rely on it to wear around my neck. Price was great too. For the reviewers that had problems seeing their eyelashes when using them, it's possible that you just have really long lashes (which frankly I envy lol) and/or you are holding the binoculars too close.
I've owned these binoculars for at least six months and here is my review. These are a halfway decent pair of binoculars but don't expect a whole lot. They are pretty small and compact. They also come with a nice case to store them. These binoculars can fit in the palm of your hand. I paid like $12 for mine. I wouldn't pay more than $20 for these. When I first started using them I was kinda impressed until I found out my digital camera had a better and clearer zoom. These would be ok if your at a sporting event but I wouldn't go bird watching or anything with these. Depending on how much your trying to spend would determine if I recommend them. For kids they would be pretty good.
I've had these for about a month - I've never owned super high quality optics - so I don't have much to compare these to . I do know they are better than the bushnells that I replaced.  One of the rubber eye piece's is loose  but other than that works well.
These binoculars are very solid and in my opinion a very good value. The lenses provide a nice image. I do not own other binoculars so I can't compare but if you are looking for a well built set of binoculars for a reasonably price I would recommend these.
well made, easy to use, effective magnification. I would recommend this especially for outdoors use, bird-watching, hiking. came with protective case, folds compactly
These were perfect for my granddaughters who like to observe nature.  They were small enough for them to use easilly and strong enough to see clearly.
I bought them for a concert I was attending, they worked pretty good, I was impressed that I could still see pretty clear at the distance I was. Now I use them for birdwatch at my backyard and I like them a lot. I can see very clearly at the birds. I recommend them 100%.
I got this for backyard bird watching and the 12 X 25 makes it easy to identify small birds. It has rubber eye cups that can be rolled back to allow you to use them with eyeglasses but I found it easier to just remove my glasses. I get excellent focus at any range.They are so light weight and compact that I take them with me everywhere. For the low price, these are hard to beat.
Just bought these at Walmart and use them primarily at the shooting range.  I would not hunt w/ these as generally you need a wider field of view and more light, but they are decent for other stuff like target shooting at less than 50 yards and varmint hunting on your own property.  One thing all readers should realize is that in general you get what you pay for w/ optics.  I also have the Leupold Arcadia's 10x42 in the $200 range.  I use them when hunting and bird/animal watching.  They are simply amazing and worth the price.
The first pair I ordered the right side had a great focus, but the left side just couldn't get past fuzzy.  Again, I don't think its the lenses, but how they were installed.  Without taking it apart, I couldn't tell you.The second pair (after amazon so nicely replaced the first pair) I can just get the right side in focus.  But there is no more adjustment to it.  Left side works fine.The reason I'm giving it such a low approval is that it's case doesn't work well.  It's to small and you struggle each time to get them in or out.  If your in a hurry or don't want to take your eyes off of something forget it while it's in the case.It also doesn't have a sturdy neck cord to carry them around your neck.  Recommend replacing the string with something stronger.June 12 and I found a case for the 8x21s It's condor Frag Grenade Pouch! for 6 bucks.  It fits tight and leaves a gap on either side, but the top and bottome are totally covered.SpliceCondor Tactical Single Frag Grenade Pouch
I ordered 3 binoculars Bushnell Powerview 8x21, Tasco Essentials 10x25 and Barska Blueline 3x25 opera glass. After comparing them during day and night. I decided to keep Tasco and return the other two. I think the 25 view glass make a difference for the light to get in the right way comparing with the 21. Both the Tasco and Barska are very clear without light interference. Barska is very cute and elegant. It is great for ladies who also like some fashion when going to opera. But the 3x limited its power. I wanted something that can see the bowing of violinist when go to concert and sit in the back row. Neither the Bushnell nor the Barska fold all the way. They create bridges. So they are not super compact. Barska comes with a cheap pouch looks like leather but not. Both Bushnell and Tasco come with nice fabric cases which can be attached to belt.
I needed these for my job. I couldn't be happier with them! I would reccomend this product to anyone I know .
I purchased these because I don't like taking my $100 binoculars to football games and rock concerts. These are perfect. The optics are a little cheap, but at $20, I think it's a steal.
I got to go to a concert. I have to sit back at concerts now but it's like I'm in the front row using this product.
Good product for the money ! We recently had the opportunity to go to a Nascar race and didn't particularly want to take a set of full size binoculars. In an effort to downsize and lighten our load we purchased these compact binoculars. Nice product. Very compact.
I was surprise when I received these Bushnell glasses in the mail because the box was so small!  These folding glasses pack a punch, though. Small, yet they zoom large and bring things into focus just like the larger, heavier binoculars they are replacing. Best of all, they fold small enough to keep in your jacket pocket and they also come with a carrying case. For around $15 how could you go wrong?
there are alot of binos but this is ok for the price..nothing serious here...what i really dont like is that the center hinge, one side is very loose and falls out of eye adjustment very easy.....
I'm sure there are higher priced/better binoculars but for this price I think u can't get much better. Awesome Bushnell quality. I take these on any trip to the outdoors. I wouldn't really go for higher magnification for hand held binoculars unless u have a very steady hand. Would buy these again
Misleading advertising, as far as I am concerned....Probably best for strictly outdoor adventures....Price is very competitive and is worth the money.
Small but very powerful, comes with a case also. I stood on my front porch and I could see the house that was 2 blocks away and it looked lie it was my next door neighbor. I am going to Vegas in April, to see Elton John and our seats are in the nose bleed section, so I should not have a problem  seeing him up close.
Bought the Bushnell 10X32 compact binoculars. Very good for when I walk for seeing nature. Does a great job. So glad I bought them. Not for extended long distance but awesome for searching out nature, wild life and flowers and trees. Just what I needed. They are just as described.
I am pleased with the functionality of the Bushnell compact binoculars relative to the price.  I plan to tuck them in to my purse for concerts, plays, and other events.
Funny how peoples opinions vary, I own probably 10 pairs of binoculars and these get the nod most of the time, I don't have any focus issues, owned them for about 5 years now. I use them mostly at the gun range for seeing targets at short yardage, they are small and have high magnification for their size, the objectives are small for the magnification but work great outdoors during the day. Pretty much my go to binocs.
Well-made pair of binoculars, for a good price! Bought them to see the stage from the very last nose-bleed row at the theater, and they did the job splendidly!! May be a little too high-power if you're sitting any closer, though, as you can only follow one character at a time, even from the last row. But, otherwise, fabulous purchase...
This little guy has some power and for the money can not be beat! Very small and compact so can be kept almost anywhere. Works great! Cant go wrong on this one.
These binoculars are terrible in my opinion. I could not even use them without closing one eye. None of my family members were able to use these. I ended up returning them.
For the size these are surprising!  Gave to our grandson for his birthday.  He takes them everywhere.  We all tried them at the party and others also were Very impressed
I wasn't expecting much for the price here, but the first pair was so impressive that we ordered a second. These turned out to be just right for our purposes--looking at architectural details, frescos, etc. on a trip.  I wear glasses and although it's always a hassle to take off your glasses to use binoculars, I was pleased that the eyes could be adjusted separately if needed. (I have a strong and very lopsided prescription.) These are very small and (fairly) light too.
the view is so good and clear and so easy to focus in and light not heavy must get you a pair
These are a nice pair of binoculars, lightweight, comfortable in your hands, but I found them hard to get a clear, steady image thru.I realize now, after the fact, that they were not the best choice for my application.I was looking for a smaller, lightweight pair of binoculars for my mother to use for back yard bird watching. These were a little too powerfull for my mother to handle and, for her, the 16x magnification meant they were hard to keep steady without a tripod of some sort.I utlimately went with the Bushnell Natureview 8x40 binoculars. True it's only half the magnification but, in this case for what I needed, less was much better.
I ordered these binoculars for an Alaskan cruise, as every bit of travel advice I read said "bring binoculars!"  I HATE being weighed down with stuff during excursions and sight-seeing, so I opted for the lightest, cheapest binocs I could find.  These were great, so light and compact, like carrying a camera.  And it was nice to have them just in case.  When I did use them, it was very easy, and the view was pretty good.  No complaints!
I know they were only $13, but they are poor quality. It's very hard to get a clear picture with both eyes open. Put the $13 towards a better set of binoculars and don't bother with these.
I bought these binoculars to bring to the river when my son's highschool rowing crew has a race.They are perfect for viewing him and his teams boat during the race.They are compact and come with a case with a loop for your belt.Just what I needed.Good product.I highly recommend if your needs are simular.
Somewhere in our home my wife did lose the same thing.  So I did buy it for my wife so she can see birds out back from our home in trees.  I did come early for my wife and thank you for the thing.
at first they worked well but after about a week or two I started seeing double images. Now they're on their way to the trash can.
I purchased two of these because the price was right.  I have higher-quality, more expensive binoculars and these stack up quite nicely.  I was used to very large binoculars, and upon delivery thought these would be too small and compact to deliver quality results.  I was wrong.  I purchased these for boating and other full-light conditions and have been very impressed with the quality.  If I lost my original pair, I would purchase again immediately.
These binoculars are everything I had imagined.  I don't know the advanced features on higher-end binoculars, but these are small and perfect for simple tasks.  I can use them without my glasses, as they have the main focus and the diopter adjustment in the right eye.They just barely stretch wide enough for my big head, so some heads might not fit.  I can use them to see the buildings and activity on the opposite side of the bay, and they also bring distant wildlife into view.  Next, I need an image-stabilized, 12x zoom camcorder for better viewing and capture of the sights I'm seeing, but that's going to be 50 times as expensive!
It is fine, but I am kind of disappointed.  As in the description for 8x21 model it states that it is made in USA, but the item I received is made in China.  If I knew that I could have ordered a different model.
I bought these for my 12-year-old son to take on a tropical vacation. Pretty much the perfect entry-level binoculars--reasonably clear optics in an easy-to-use package. For the price, they are perfect.
Not much else to say other than these are very compact, light, and have good clear glass.  I bought mine to help look at rifle targets ~100 yards out that are not so easy for me to see through a 3x rifle scope and they work fine.  Width adjustment is sufficient for those with big noggins.Nice and light to toss in the range bag, and they come with a sufficiently little carry pouch.
Got these for bird watching in backyard. These glasses are very clear and sharp with no blurry ness and no double vision. Very happy with them , and will always close by for any type of outdoor activity.
Bought the 12X version so that we could look at the lava build new land in Hawaii at night from the balcony of our cruise ship.  The problems that I had were strictly my own...  Small binoculars like these require precise alignment with the eye in order to get the image centered.  Larger ones are easier for me to line up with my glasses (or without).  Buying 12X made the problem worse.  I should have stopped at 10X.  And given an option I would have liked a larger than 25mm objective lens.The case is nice and holds the binoculars snugly.  Never tried the belt loops.  The size is great and fits nicely in a cargo pants pocket.  When a larger model is not convenient, these work well.Using them for a long time is tiring.  But for quick spotting, these are fine.
These are Junk Binos --really the worst I haver ever seen--JUNK --You have been warned! Buy the wide angle ones instead--you will be happier!
This is a very nice quality item, and works great. I just wished I had ordered one with more zoom power. Is going to make an excellent gift too.
It takes a little getting used to. They work best if you don't put your eyes against the binoculars.  Worth the money.
I have carried this binoculars EVERYWHERE I went for ALL occasions. Let me tell you this is one of the BEST thing I have ever done for myself since I love Nature Watch, Sports and Concert event. This tiny compact yet POWERFUL binocular fit in my one palm size, very light, durable, cool design, and it serves its purpose. WHY in the world would you spend more bucks for these clumsy ugly big heavy kind ??? I am more than happy with this item~! YEAH~!!!
These are low priced and are equatable to what I expected.  These were bought for my children to use during camping outings.  If you are looking for a good set of binoculars for adults you would be well advised to spend more money for a better pair.  They are rather small but are functional for carrying in a pocket etc.
It is compact and easy to carry.  The string you wear around your neck can get hurt b/c it is so thin, should make it more bigger and comfortable to wear around neck.  Bushnell works fine and it just take a little time to get use to when you first use it.  But overall, I am fine with it.
I haven't taken it on a trip yet, but it fits well into my packing.  I do not like the cord, however.  It should be stronger and thicker.  Ask me again after May 5 and Australia.
Product arrived as described, absolute Best pair of Binoculars for my line of work. Came with carrying case and an attached small string. Fits perfect in my vest pocket and always have close at hand. Great Deal Everyone
I got these for bird watching, I am a beginner :) and for the price they work well for me.
I bought this product to replace the 12X25 Bushnell binoculars I've owned for ten years after I damaged them. These new ones had a poorer quality. My 12X25's gave a crystal-clear image, these were clouded.  The others were precise in the alignment, these were not.  I was disappointed enough to return them. I did not give them a one-star ratings since they were still usable.
I wanted a cheap, small pair of binoculars so I can admire, I mean look at players at (SF) Giants games. They work great, and I don't have to worry about messing them up at the ballpark.
I purchased these last minute before heading to the opera in which I had balcony seating.  I got 2 pair - one for me and for my daughter.  We both were pleased with the quality and the clarity.  My sister had some weaker pentax binoculars and where she could see the actors up close, we could see their expressions.  It was perfect.  I will get lots of use out of these!
Eye piece broke off second time I used it. This is by far a cheapo set. Get what you pay for.
These binoculars have been extremely good for my 6 year old, who loves nature and exploring. They are sturdy, and the carrying case helps keep them safe when not in use. They are light enough to not burden a child exploring your backyard or on a camping trip. These binoculars are a great value, and from a company with a good track record.
The Item arrived on time. This binocular works well for swamp birds observation. The 10X is good enough for what I need it for, fast focus. Great value.
Works perfect, don't have a single negative thing to say about it. Don't worry if you wear glasses, the binoculars can be adjusted to your level vision, whatever it may be.
The optics are pretty clear, for a low dollar, high power compact. They are really small, but adjust easily so anyone can use them. They focus easily. The binocular construction seems strong, but the case is sloppy and weak. Though I've only strapped them on a dozen times, the case already has a wear hold near the belt loop. I'd definitely recommend them, even though I'll probably end up having to buy another case to hold them.
Love this product, it is really what I was expecting . clear, easy focused view. Thanx for sale, I love Bushnell :)
I think this may be the first bad review I've written on Amazon since opening my account in the 1990's.  The pair of binoculars I received are sub standard.  They do not provide a clear view and cannot be brought fully into focus.  I don't know if this is a defective pair or if they just have shoddy lens and/or workmanship.  I do know that they are virtually useless to use for their intended purpose.
I bought these to replace some old opera glasses. Great handy binoculars that are good for the opera or checking out birds
Good binocular. Even a good item to gift also.Biggest advantage is that you can watch without glasses.
This is a good binocular, it gathers more light than a 10x25 type.However it's a bit finicky focusing and you have to keep it straight to your eyes.If your eyes are not right in the center of view then the image gets obstructed by the internal support of the lens.I found hard to use it solely from this point of view, you can't deviate a bit being a little aside of the center axis.Otherwise I woul have given it 4 stars.
I've had these Bushnell Powerview 12x32 folding roof prism binoculars about 4 weeks.  After working out the best way to hold & adjust them to my eyes and after getting used to them, I found them easy to adjust, easy & smooth to focus, clear and conveniently compact.The binoculars are inexpensive, quick to grab, easy to use and reasonably clear & effective.  I use these for quick looks out the kitchen window at birds in nearby trees. . .short dogwoods.  They work well for that purpose (I'm not looking up into 80 foot pines with these).  I'm anxious to see how they perform out on broad water in a kayak for more distant viewing.I think I prefer the larger objectives in this compact folding roof prism style binocular (where the objective is 32 part of 12x32 or 16x32). I haven't tried the smaller objective Bushnell roof prism binoculars in this Powerview model but I never have been satisfied with similar smaller binoculars in other brands.An important consideration is the size of the image presented by the binoculars to the pupil...which is determined by dividing the objective lens size by the power, such as 32 divided by 12.  I don't want to go and get all the proper terminology but in general, the smaller the binocular's value of that ratio is in relation to the user's pupil size at the time, the less satisfactory the viewing experience is.  That's probably why I'm not happy with the smaller objective lens sizes in a binocular...the image presented to my eye probably is much smaller than my pupil -- You wind up having to hunt for the image in the eyepiece a lot.Anyways, the only thing I don't like about this folding compact style is the double hinge they all have.  When using them I sense they are folded unevenly and cock-eyed which bothers me...I like to have just a single hinge.  But then, these are "Compact Folding" BECAUSE of the double hinge and even if they are uneven it shouldn't affect the viewing.
I was hoping these would be tiny & lightweight. Of course, they're tiny compared to traditional binoculars, but they are at least twice the thickness & weight of my Canon SD850 camera. They were weighing down my purse so much, I had to put them in my cargo pants pocket. They won't fit into a front or back pocket on a pair of jeans, but they squeezed into the cargo pocket. The visuals seem decent, but the size & weight will limit where I take them.
I think it takes a little bit of know-how to adjust things. It is a good size for a toddler but the issue is that it is hard to adjust it to my son's preference as I can't really tell what he is seeing. But he loves it anyway...he uses it to watch the birds in the frontyard.
The focusing of these binoculars are horrible. It is terrible compared to the Olympus I bought from Amazon. The Olympus is double the price but it is far more superior. Trust me, don't get the Bushnell and go for the Olympus. I wish I hadn't purchase it...
This binoculars are Faaaar from great but for the $35 they are probably the best thing out there. When you have used a par for binoculars that are a few hundred dollars to is hard to give a good review. This are pretty difficult to use with glasses but they again get the job done. I have these in my B.O.B. just in case.
These binoculars are powerful and lightweight.  They easily fit in my purse when I go to the theatre or to my grand-daughter's ballet recitals.  These binoculars are powerful for wildlife viewing.  These Bushnell binoculars are well built and sturdy.  I highly recommend this quality product.
These are great! I bought them to use when I go to the Symphony and they do the trick! They are lightweight and compact and you can really focus in the artists.
I have always wanted a pair of binoculars that were small enough to fit in my purse and these truly fit the bill.  I took them to the Prince concert and could see him very well!!I would recommend this purchase.
I got this item in speedy process and delivery with free shipping days before Christmas.Everything was up to my expectation, image quality, construction.  There is one thing that can be improved.  The skinny string provided for carrying this binocular was not good.  It puts pressure onto your skin when it's on your neck as the string is very thin.  I will most likely looking for an old extra long shoe lace to replace it.  This is a problem can easily be solved.  I am happy with the purchase.
I purchased it to use it at a theater.  It worked great and everything was clear. Now I can always buy the cheap seats and use my binoculars when needed. Plus the bag was really handy and looks durable.
These are a bit difficult to adjust but otherwise work well. Good for the price.
This are great to give to your kids, and that's pretty much it.  I ordered one pair of these and one pair of the Tasco binoculars of the same size.  The Tascos are better.In fact, the first pair of these I ordered I had to send back because the collimation was completely off.  So bad that even with adjustment they couldn't be fixed.So the new pair came in today and they have problems, but I'll keep them.  The focal points of the lenses vary--that is, the bottom of the scene will be in focus while the top won't be.  I have to constantly refocus and only the exact center of the view is in focus at any one time.If you must go with binoculars this cheap, go with the Tascos; the ones I got at least were much clearer and better.The real problem with these ultra cheap binoculars is their lack of quality control and their lack of durability.  I would suggest you throw these in the back of your truck as "beaters" but they simply will not stand up to any bouncing, dropping, or banging around.  The plastic parts barely fit together and work as is; any rough treatment will render them useless.Binoculars--unless used as toys--are precision instruments.  There is unfortunately no way to make them cheaply and still have them serve the function for which they were intended.  These Bushnells are fine for the most basic of tasks, but they are not pleasurable nor rewarding to use.
Our son wanted a pair of binoculars for Christmas that &#34;actually worked&#34; (his words).  These are small, adjust from narrow to wide for all head sizes and have impressive magnification for a small product.  Worth the money.
These binoculars do exactly what the description says. They are light-weight, easy to use, and give a crisp, clear view. I am able to check on the sheep way in the back pasture as many times a day as I feel the need, without having to walk half a mile. I really like them, and am pleased I purchased them at the low price that Amazon.com offered.
I got these for my grandson for Christmas.  I was comfortable with the price, the brand name and the size.  They are just the right size for smaller hands.  They are sturdy and will hopefully teach him to use care with his tools.  He opened the package, held them to his eyes to look at the Christmas tree and jumped backwards when it came into focus:)
These have been around for quite a while. Had a pair years back, gave them away. My wife was given a Bushnell monocular with the same optics. I know it's unfair to compare these to 8x20 Leica Trinovids, and many are apparently satisfied, but if you're used to good optics these are just frustrating - only marginally better than nothing. Plus the focussing problems others mentioned.There are other alternatives at a low price - admittedly a bit more than $15 for anything decent. It's pretty much impossible to make acceptable roof prism binos (like these) at less than several hundred dollars for technical reasons I won't go into here, but you can get good compact porro prism binoculars for far less. No, they won't be as compact as these but you'll see better! Some are even truly waterproof (internal focussing, nitrogen purged) and under $100. Compare the above item with those and I believe you'll find far better value.
Purchased for USMC graduation ceremony. worked great! For $20, a great back-up to field glasses. You actually get a bit more than you pay for with this purchase.
Have trouble getting it properly focused and even when it is, there seems to be a double image (as in one for each eye).
I purchased this device for general use on vacation with no specific intentions. I actually found myself using my digital camera's zoom functions for distant viewing than using these binoculars. Buy a better set of binoculars if you actually intend to use them for more than bird watching, which might be painful at 21mm anyway...
Un buen producto, da lo que vale, no mas, no te va a sorprender, pero tampoco decepciona.
We bought two pairs; one for my son and one for me. The review said kids can use it  and those with eye glasses, but it did not work.  I do not recommend this product for those who wear eyeglasses or kids.  My 8 year old son told me it is too heavy on his neck and we returned them, but they received our return package, but have not refund me.  for couple of minutes till my son complained about the weight.  One pair is unopened and the other is used only.  Two months passed since Amazon received my return parcel.  Be  careful to order it there is any chance you might return.
Thank you for another reviewer, Anthony's great review.  I purchased this instead of 12x25 because of his magnified shaking comment, no regret!Bought this for a show at $14 when my friends paid $10 to rent a 12x25 for few hours.  They did complain how the magnified shaking part on their 12x25 made them dizzy and I found my 8x21 was totally acceptable.  I like it less bulky and more lightweight for my purse as well.  Great purchase with no regret.  I can't wait to use this again for the next show.
I use these specs when hunting. They are small and fold up into a small package. I love that they do not take up much room. You need to anchor your elbow though to keep the field of view steady.
I bought these for bird watching off of my back porch. They seem well made and were easy to focus using the small lever on the top. They weren't too heavy either. I know I will enjoy using these to watch the herons and other birds.
I like these binocs. they are powerful for what I need. (Birds, mountains, etc. Bushnell is a good brand and I'm sure they will last me a long time.
Finally I have the perfect binoculars !Great on trips, when you want to see up close those things you can't drive to !Fantastic buy. Easy to work.. does everything I want a pair of binoculars to do.Thank you,Amazon !
I got these binoculars a couple of years ago as a Christmas gift from my grandfather for Christmas a couple of years ago and time and again they have been a joy to use. Last time I used it extensivly was during my 8th grade D.C. field trip where I used this to get a clear view inside the Whitehouse while still in the park area (about 400 or 500 yards away) just to give you an idea of how powerful this thing is. Its ease of use is magnificant too especially with its one touch focus system which takes the hassle out turning a knob constantly to get the right focus like other binoculars but instead with one touch on the control you can get the exact focus. This thing also is has comfortable eye rests that makes viewing in them comfortable to the skin around your eyes instead of a skin agitation like some other binoculars. Overall this binocular is powerful, convienant, and comfortable to use is the most anyone can ask for binoculars. So buy these and take these anywhere, the city, nature sites and use them for viewing pleasure like me and my classmates enjoyed during out D.C. trip.
Wanted binoculars to watch the birds in the backyard and these do the trick nicely.  They are adjustable and easy to focus.  They come with a soft carrying case in which to store them.
I bought the Bushnell Powerview as "USED", however it was delivered NEW and in the box. The value and utility of the binocular has in fact exceeded my own expectations in clarity and functionality.I Recommend the Bushnell Powerview as an excellent Entry Level Binoculars.
I bought these to replace the exact same model 20 years old.  The only problem with the old ones, the eye cups have cracked.  I got the new ones and they just dont feel as good in my hands.  and the field of view is not as wide.  So back they went.
Purchased these at the recommendation of a friend who said "wide angle" binoculars are the way to go for NFL games. I followed his recommendation and these work great-- brings you up close to the action at the other end of the field. The wide angle includes the entire O-Line- not just a single player.The swivel style focusing button is a great improvement over the dial focus on my old binoculars-- a touch of the button brings you into focus. Very good! Unit comes with a nice roomy case. Some reviews I read complained of a cheap plastic strap, but someone must of heard and improved on that complaint. The strap is very durable and fits fine.Another convenience is the light weight-- no more of the neck tugging downward pressure when you wear the binoculars over your neck. Easy to carry on the hike from the parking lot to the stadium, too, owing to light weight and smaller size than traditional binoculars.
The optics are indeed very nicely coated and it produces excellent brightness and deep contrast..no haze. The eyepiece arms are plastic but they seem to be composite, so they are quite stable. The focus was usually a tiny bit off one side or the other, and it looks like it's the slush/wobble in the focuser...sort of comes with the insta-focus turf.  The field of view didn't seem to be as wide as claimed. It seems the eyecups keep your eyes back from seeing the widest view. Pulling them off yields a much bigger view. They need to be on though...for shading. Maybe I can trim them down a tad. When the image is sharp it's stellar...no problems.  There is a partial conical iris up front which many binocs are missing now...that helps fight haze and glare.  So...compared with the Nikon low-end 7x35s, the contrast and brightness is a bit better, but the focus is a dite less precise. 30-yr-old Bushnell extra-wides are not quite as good on contrast but blow away both the low Nikons and these Bushnells for sharpness and width of field. Buying online auctioon isn't all roses, though: the S+H runs high and some old binocs get bumped out of alignment in shipping.  These are good, especially to grab and look quick, but not my diamond in the rough. My top-shelf still has old Japanese glory-days binocs. If I could fix these up and stay inexpensive I would go for a tighter slow-focus wheel or metal quickfocuse internals and fix the eyecup for proper field of view. Making a wider eyepiece may be too much cost.  Great job...needs tweeking.
I was looking for a small binoculars to keep in my beach bag. These works great. They're small yet have good field of vision, and are very well-made for the price. They come with a nice caring case. I would definitely buy these again.
Good quality so far. Seems to solidly built but I have not used it on a daily basis so that may change as time goes on. Zoomed and focused easily and with no issues. A good buy for the price.
I bought this binoculars to view sporting events where a wide field of view is helpful.  The Bushnell's fill that role at a low cost. As always, you get what you pay for.  The cheap carrying strap would not thread through the slots on the binoculars because it was too wide. Not that I cared much anyway, as it was the cheesiest strap I've ever seen.  Tossed it in the waste basket. But, to my untrained eye, the view from the Bushnell is fine for my needs. And the cost was so low, if I leave them by mistake in the bleachers, well, who cares?
A good quality binocular at a very fair price.  Wide field of vision.  I use them for hunting and bird watching around my home..
I purchased these for my husband as a holiday gift. They work great for his hunting and hiking activities. They are a great value. The quality is top notch.
Very nice field of view, focusing couldn't be easier, well made, should last for a long time.  An excellent value.
Delivery was very prompt and the price for these binoculars was good, but the quality was not as good as previous reviews led me to believe.  Perhaps because I wera glasses, I had a little difficulty in focus.  Also, the view is not as bright as my old set.  In short, don't expect more in quality than what you pay for these Bushnell Binoculars.
Hi I ordered these on 12-5-05 and they have still not shipped I was  hoping to get them for Christmas but now maybe Valentines Day? Now they say I won't get them until March I would choose other binoculars. The binoculars have finally shipped. We will finally be able to see if they are worth the wait.
My hubby and I are amateur birders - we have a very expensive set of field glasses but they are so heavy I cannot use them for extended periods.So, I bought myself this nice Bushnell binocular - and I LOVE it!  Very good for viewing, crisp images, and lightweight enough to use all day long without tiring my arms out!I recommend them as a good yet inexpensive binocular.
These  ain't Leica's but they work darn good!With these  binoculars you can. . .Check out the birds and see who's making that racket!  Excellent  begining  birder glasses.The close focus ability is great for butterfly watchers( 8 feet)get close without getting close!Look at the heavens and see that all is not as it seems.many &quot;stars&quot; are actually double stars, clusters or galaxies!Easily read a license plate 100 yards away!well worth the money!
I bought this so we could get a better look at the birds in our backyard.  We keep it by the kitchen window, and find ourselves using it at least once a week to peek at a feathered friend who is visiting.  Nice clear lens, pretty easy to find objects through them.  Certainly does the job we need it to do.  Don't buy this if you do your birding out in the field - these are not particularly portable nor leightweight and are not meant to be; buy a binocular specifically made for that purpose.Only complaint, and it is minor, is that I find the lens caps to be flimsy and a little hard to use.  We generally just keep them off.
Purchased to view birds and wildlife from my kitchen window. Sharp, clear image at reasonable cost. Replaced old pair of 7x35's that no longer fuse images properly (dropped too many times) and a pair of compacts (too small for good image).
We had a bushnell that finally wore out after twenty years, and tech out paced it. I bought a pair of glasses from another vendor, and these. This is a superior set. Easy to adjust, powerful, in fact too powerful for our backyard feeders, we use the compact pair for the yard, and save this for the beach and bird walks. Bushnells are not super compact, but the compact 8 x40 model I bought is going on Ebay this week.good buy, should last another twenty years.If you are a new birder,keep it simple, buy these and several birdbooks, have fun.
I'm impressed. For the $$$, these are awesome. I use them mostly for watching birds on the feeders around my house, and for looking at the moon. Very nice. They are easy to use, crisp, and light. I can see better with these than with my 10x60 binoculars (not that I understand the 8x40 vs. 10x60 :) Bottom line: If you are after perfection, don't buy these -- instead spend $$$$$ and get a great pair of binoculars. If you aren't quite that demanding, aren't a millionaire, and just want to be able to see things in closeup around your house, etc. I highly recommend these.
I have bought a few binoculars in the past couple of years. And have been satisfied with only a couple.  These binoculars I am very pleased with. The clarity is very good and the price is terrific.  I have wasted alot of money on some not so good Bushnell binoculars. But this pair was a pleasant surprise.
I bought a pair of these last year, and I haven't been disappointed.What good are binoculars in the city, you ask?  Well, I've found a number of uses for 'em.  I use 'em for casual birding in Central Park - I'm even on an internet mailing list that tells me when unusual birds have stopped through.I take 'em to the opera and the symphony too!  If you can't afford the $350 seats, these binocs help to bring the nuances of the performance into your range of vision.  Amazing to check out the sets and the instruments as well.And finally these are my constant companion in the nosebleed seats at Yankee Stadium!  I think Clemens keeps some kind of powder in his glove...I really appreciate the rubber eyecups and the long eye relief - I can use these with my glasses on without fear of scratches.  If you want to view with your glasses off, there is a diopter ring on the left eyepiece to dial in your correction.  Focusing is smooth and easy and so is adjustment of interpupillary distance.Lightweight, great optical quality (if not perfect, certainly fully adequate), and finally, the price is right!  I recommend these binoculars.
I purchased these binoculars and a guide to regional birds as a gift for my father who enjoys amateur bird-watching(mostly from his lovely back porch at our country home).  I don't know the first thing about buying binoculars, so I relied heavily on the reviews of other purchasers.  Happily, I was not disappointed.  These binoculars are lightweight and very simple to use,which my father loves.  The sheer clarity and visibility actually shocked me upon first use.  The only downfall being that this model does not have a zoom function which would be helpful at times; however, it is not necessary and barely hinders ones viewing pleasure.
Purchased these as a gift and they were fine briefly until the internal parts failed.  Contacted Bushnell and the warranty is useless -- costs more to have them repaired under warranty than to buy new ones.  Get a grip Bushnell.
Binocs delivered on time. Very nice quality. The rubber grip is great and the view is pretty good. I almost said &#34;exceptional&#34; but I don't have a better pair to compare them to. For the price, I'd say they're worth it.
This item is great for the price, in fact I was pretty impressed by the lens and the zoom.Pros: great zoom, amazing clarity, and very receptive control. Had terrific experience at the Everglades national park with this.Cons: no strap, the covers are really flimsy.
This was a gift for a hunter. After borrowing an identical pair, the whole hunting party had envy. Only complaint is, that the lense covers should have tethers.
This is a great pair of binoculars for average use (birdwatching, ballgames, spying on neighbors, etc.). The lenses are powerful and bright and focusing couldn't be much easier. And while I haven't really bumped these around much, the housing appears more than durable enough for average use. One plus that's not mentioned in the product description is that they come with a neck strap and a carry case, both of which are nicer than I expected at this price. If you're a serious viewer, there are better binoculars out there, but for the price you really can't beat these.
This product is exactly whats advertised.  I've found good quality at an affordable price and would definately recommend these to anyone looking for the same.
I received these as a Christmas present.  The two sides are not aligned correctly and thus you see two images.
No problems with delivery or packaging of the product. For the price I paid is about what the product was worth. The binoculars weight is okay. The focus to me was touchy. I think the clarity is not as crisp as I thought it should be for the 12x magnification. Over all the product is okay but I think I would look into another brand just to see if the clarification is sharper. Follow review as of 2012. It quit working two years ago!
Worked ok for a while but after some months of hardly any use the "out of collimation" problem (you see double) which a lot of costumers experienced appeared. Shortly thereafter one of the barrels broke!. Very disappointed very poor product. Do not buy.
I bought these for my husband and he loves them I think!  I don't have a need for them but he keeps them in his work truck so they can check out things while out on the prairie.
This was purchased as a Christmas gift. The person I purchased them for has not had the opportunity to use them yet.
I'm using these on the Oregon coast for whale watching.  But as full time RV'ers  we will be using them for all types of animal watching too.
I really like the power, quick focus capability, and the ease of working these binoculars. It works perfedtly for lonf range on the ocean.
I was so disappointed when I peered through the binoculars and saw a double image which could not be corrected. Had to return them for a refund.
I've tried using professional-grade binoculars before, and I always struggle with the focus and then I keep losing things in the visual field because the field is narrow.I love these binoculars because they have a very wide visual field--once you view something, you can track it easily as it moves.I bought it for a beach vacation, so I could sit on the porch and watch the boats, hang gliders, and swimmers on the ocean. These binoculars were perfect for that. I imagine that they would be good for following any fast-moving object, such as at a ball game or for birding.The lens quality was excellent--far better than I expected for the price.I highly recommend these binoculars to anyone who's been frustrated by binoculars in the past.
good qualityeasy to managecould be a bit lighternot a must have but a good tool!
They are good for the price. We use them for watching games, wildlife, and sometimes stars. I wish the case were a little sturdier, however.
These Busnell 10x50 binoculars work just as I had hoped.  The 50mm lens lets in lots of light and the adjustments are quick and easy.
First order: Got defective with abnormal double image and not clear focus.Replaced with the second item: Blurred focus in the left monocular, strong aberration.Returned for refund.
Pros: Comfortable and powerful.Cons: HeavyThese are great binoculars, but I must admit that I don't enjoy carrying them on extended hikes. It's worth it, though when you spot something.
I'm not a pro but this one meets all my needs. a bit heavy to carry around but the wide angle makes it worth
A nice inexpensive high powered binoculars
It does not allow you to see in the dark, but it does the job. At least make things closer
I love it my wife can't get it focused so its mine, all mine.  A bit cheap looking - plastic
These were a Christmas gift, so were past the 30 day Amazon return period when I found that they would not focus.  Each idividual lins would focus, but the two together would not allign.  Several different users have tried to allign the barrells without success.  I have returned them to Bushnell, hopefully for replacement, but still had to pay postage and $10 for handling, notwithstanding the warranty.
Needed a new pair of binoculars for watching the birds without paying too much . They seem to be fine and  I wouold reccomend them.
Offers bright, clear, dramatically closer views. Easy, 4 steps to tweak focus for you. I do birding and other animal sighting a lot and find these binocs exceptional for the price. I have the Bushnell 10x50 also which are very good but are no match to sight distant objects or animals.
This is a great buy, much better than my Chinese binoculars. The optics are way better than expected. The only con so far is the weight, it is heavier than my old one so I have to try to rest it to focus properly.
Loved these binoculars at first, but they quickly got jiggly in places that can't be adjusted and after just a few months literally fell apart. I am so disappointed, since I had once thought of Bushnell as a quality brand.  Close inspection (now that they're in multiple pieces) allows me to see just how poorly and cheaply constructed these binoculars really are. I could never recommend Bushnell again. I am going to try to get a replacement set since I bought them directly from Amazon. Either way, I'll not spend any more money on Bushnell.
A top quality product, but maybe not for a novice or occasional user. I got this for my wife as a Christmas gift as she was wanting to be able to see the &#34;critters&#34; in the woods on our property better. They do a good job, but the process of getting them set up and focused for a certain individual is rather tedious and hard to remember. It's a bit of a pain to have to read instructions every time you want to look at something because use is infrequent. I would recommend them, but only for a regular, experienced user.
I returned this item as soon as I recieved it. I was difficult to focus, strap was worthless and the quality was poor. I ordered a Nikon 10x50 instead. The 20x50 was so strong that it was only good for very long distances and was very shaky and hard to focus at any distance. Do yourself a favor and just order the Nikon.
Very impressive performance for the price! They do better than expected in lowlight conditions, the lenses don't fog (yet!) and the carrying case is anadded extra. I might buy another pair for my sons.
I couldn't get this product to focus, but this transaction is a testament to the amazing Amazon return policy.  They put the customer first.  They paid for the return of the product and reimbursed my payment 100%.  Thanks!
This item comes at a good price. The clarity is superb.I was able to view the moon and was quite surprised at the quality of the image.
These things are total crap.  I bought a pair that arrived with the objective lenses out of whack, so you always see two images of everything.  I sent them back to Amazon and got a replacement pair.  The second pair had the exact same problem as the first pair.I sent the second pair to Bushnell, who told me they were messed up (duh?).  They would replace them for a $50 fee (what?), so I went with that.  The third pair arrived direct from Bushnell, and the right-hand forward lens and tube were lying in the box, separated from the main body of the binoculars.  I contacted Bushnell again, had to forward pictures, and they sent me a forth pair.  The fourth pair had the exact same problem as the first two, so I threw them in the trash and bought Leupold.
I work in Lower Manhattan and my office looks out on to Upper NY Harbor. I bought these binocs to look at the boats, helicopters, etc., that regularly pass by. The binocs are perfect for their intended purpose. I haven't used them at any concerts or other events but anticipate that they will be equally effective. A great bargain for the casual user.
Bought the binoculars for my husband for Christmas & he says they are really good.
I thought these binoculars were a waste of money. I can't see much far away, they do not seem to work.
I purchased these binoculars as a birthday gift for my husband.  We use binoculars to watch the wildlife in our backyard and pasture.  We are both very pleased with the quality of these Bushnell PowerView 20x50 glasses.  The view is very crisp and clear, and the 20x zoom far exceeds any other binoculars we have used.  (We can count the points on the antlers of bucks half-way up the mountain.)  The product has a nice, solid feel but is not too heavy. I really like the rubber coating -- it gives you a good solid grip.  We have other Bushnell optic products which have performed well for over 30 years, and we expect the same result from these.  The only issue we have is, for some reason, it is very obvious that we can't be still while using these glasses.  The 'wiggling' is much more distracting than we ever noticed with the 10x binoculars.  It probably has something to do with the extra magnification, but I suppose it could be just old age setting in.  I would recommend these binoculars to others.
Tried other one, one was two powerful and got ride of it say these and they are awsome i would recommend them
I've owned cheaper Bushnells that I was happy with. I received these as a birthday present... and they are tremendous. I use them for birdwatching. Great focusing that is sensitive and easy to use.
Just received these binoculars,It only took about 5 minutes to find that these binocs aren'tas advertised. The clunkers I have in the closet are as goodif not better than these. Poor magnifying power with objectsthat are further away than 40 yards and won't adjust from double viewunless you only use one eye.In short they aren't  worth even the modest price consideringthe quality or lack there of. This USA Company/made in Chinaproduct will be returned .
I researched binoculars and wanted  lightweight but good visuals for a Safari.  The price looked good so I bought these Bushnells. It was a mistake.  The eyepiece was so small it made the visuals difficult.  Despite no roughness, the eye lens fell out and they were worthless.  Amazon is great about returns of defective merchandise but I would rather have good quality binocs.  Look for another choice. My daughter had a Nikon binocular on the trip and they were divine for animal and bird viewing.
The vision tubes on the binoculars were out of alignment.  This caused double images.  A simple vision test before putting this pair on the market would have caught this defect.  I am dissapointed that the manufacturer did not catch this defect.  It did not make me want to get a replacement pair.  I sent them back to Amazon for a refund.  It was easy to return them to Amazon.
Unfortunately, this was a gift to my husband, and we did not start using them until May. So, no return possible.I should not have ordered from Amazon Warehouse. Next time I will be more careful.  These will not focus, the interocular space will not reduce enough to focus, we have tried every setting, over and over, we always get a double image.Do not buy something like this from the warehouse and if you do, make sure you try them right away to make sure they work. I was so sure that Bushnells would be fine, I did not even worry about it, now it is too late.
Already used and worked great.  We knew they would be great because of the brand but such a good price made them even better
Bushnell makes good affordable binoculars.Great purchase.I have tried other brands,Bushnell is a reliable brand.I hope you try this brand.
Very convenient to use, nice focusing, rubber eye cups, but you get what you pay for. Binocular users don't usually realize what they're missing until they check out Nikon or Minolta binocs. The images focus into crystal clarity but the price is close to a hundred or more bucks. But it's like a digital camera. It doesn't matter what the features are if the images are crappy.The lenses in these binocs have rings around the inner perimeter that are always out of focus. The center image is pretty good until you compare it with better binoculars, then there are more colors, a brighter image and, of course, consequently, greater viewing pleasure.Also, like most lens caps on binoculars, the lens caps on these should be discarded with the plastic wrap and box. They fall off with gravity and you'll soon lose them anyway.This one's a good model for kids. For yourself, use your tax cut and buy a more expensive model. If you're going to walk 12 miles into the woods, you deserve to have primo optics.
These binoculars are the worst optics I've ever seen.  Dull images were out of focus and I could never get the pair to "focus" correctly. I had such high hopes as I remember Bushnell being superior quality.  Not any more. The optics are so bad, I was literally seeing double images.  Do yourself a favor and avoid spending any money on this product.
I bought these binoculars for a trip to Yellowstone National Park and they have been very handy. I agree with other reviewers that the protection caps for both end of the lenses are worthless but the carry-on bag will offer sufficient protection for them when not in use. They are easy to use and when switching between users the focus button in the middle allows you to quickly focus on the things you are looking at.
Nice and useful item.  Great for a gift for the bird watcher or outdoorsman or woman.  Makes a very nice gift.
I really didn't realize just how faulty my 40 year old binoculars were until I purchased these.  What a huge difference.  I did a little research on what the binocular numbers mean.  These have just what I want.If you need a good pair at a great price,  this is a good one!
The Binoculars are better than expected.  I bought them as a gift, which pleased the recipient.  Who knows?  I might need to put a pair on my Wish List.
for the price these work good... the strap is terrible. but the optics are decent. and price is great.
I ordered these for my husband and he was really happy with them.  I would definately order from this seller again.  The binoculars arrived on time as expected in perfect condition.
These were too powerful for backyard birding in my townhome backyard.  the price was right, but sadly, I had to return them.
Can't wait to use them to spot bald eagles on my upcoming hike. The come with a nice case to wear around your neck.
I ORDERED THE WRONG SET OF BINOCULARS AND THESE WERE NOT WHAT I WANTED.  I DID NOT USE THE GLASSSES AND RETURNED THEM IMMEDIATELY.  THEREFORE I CAN NOT REALLY RATE THESE BINOCULARS.
We use these for bird watching on our property. We love them. They are inexpensive, but not cheap at all. No, we are not expert binocular users but these do the job for what we need.
I amy be spoiled by high quality military grade binos but am dissapointed in the dusk and dawn capability of these binos. Granted that is the hardest test but I have no issue hand holding this 50 power glasses. If truly trying to see small movement I do have to resort to propping or leaning support but find the field of view to be quite good for this priced binos.
The Powerview 10x50 wide angle binoculars are great for the price. They bring the action close and that distant deer or mountain right to you. Yes some $300.00 whatevers would be a little brighter, a little more saturation on the colors, etc. But, for for the price, there is nothing to complain about. Good image, good contrast, excellent diopters for sharp viewing (I take off my glasses when using the binoculars). For the cost, you will not be dissapointed.
The vision was double!  Could not correct, and the distance focus was dismal to boot!  Impossible to get both lenses in sync and focused.  And yes, I know about binoculars (30 years law enforcement, used "a few" times!) Very poor distance clarity. I returned (no problem thru Amazon) although my account still has not been credited.  I ordered the 10X50 power which works great!UPDATE ON RETURN-  Took a while (month) but I was credited fo the full amount including shipping, so we are square!  Did buy the next lower power which work fine.
Wasn't expecting too much since these were on the cheaper end. They work well for looking at the moon. The focus mechanism doesn't really allow for fine tuning, which leads to a difficult time getting the focus right.
These binoculars were sent back for refund....I own a pair of bushnell 16x50 binoculars and they work just fine, but I wanted to get something that was a little stronger, so I purchased the 20x50 and after receiving them I was disappointed in them because they would not focus clearly. I followed the instructions on focussing, but they just would not focus well enough to see things clearly. There were parts that seemed to be loose and when using the focus rocker I could see the two lens wobbling. These were just poorly made. I have sent them back to Amazon for a refund.
I bought these to use for sporting events, occasional bird watching and nature viewing.  They meet my expectations as it relates to functionality.  I've had no issues with double vision or other optical abnormalities.  They are a value purchase for me (cheap enough to replace it damaged or lost) so I am satisfied overall.Ours came with a basic case and a relatively sturdy neck strap.  Nothing fancy but wasn't expecting anything fancy.  Bought directly from Amazon.com and item arrived quickly and without problems.
They work but save the money and buy a real pair at around $300.
I can't believe how much I can see.  I only have a problem steadying my hand with these because of their strength.
The Binoculars work quite well for viewing sporting events.  I got them for just under $40 marked down from about $80.  Although they are a little heavy and bulky, they work very well and serve the purpose without having to treat them like fine china.
I purchased these because all of the astronomy websites say to get a set of binoculars first before laying down serious cash for a telescope. They are very helpful and bring the constellations closer to my eye. Good set of binoculars for the price.
These are perfect for our birdwatching. Not good for closer birds, but works great for everything further back. love them!
Just purchased this binocular from Amazon. It was packaged well and came to me without damage. I also own the same binocular in the 16x50 variety. These are the only inexpensive models that I have looked through that offer excellent clarity, focus and resolution. I use them to spot tiny bullet holes on distant targets at the shooting range. The lens covers could be thicker and the focusing bridge could be sturdier, but their optical performance makes up for these shortcomings.
Sent these back.  They were out of alignment so everything was double vision.  The field of view is very narrow making your subject difficult to find. Every time you move them you have to refocus and the focus mechanism had a no movement gap when changing directions.  This was aggravating. I will be looking for an alternative.
Certainly powerful enough for community watch activities.I was considering the 15 X 70 binoculars which have a greater field of view and not so hard to keep steady. If you are watching what goes on in the neighborhood then I'd recommend the 15X70's. If you're stargazing or looking at distant mountains then by all means buy the 20X50.
These binoculars are not bad for the price. However beware that the focus adjustment takes time to get used to and lacks finesse.Also the eyes spacing adjustment must be made very carefully or you'll have a double vision.I thought these binoculars were made in America but they're Chinese...like everything else these days....After a few months usage, these binoculars turn out to be a lot disappointing. The construction quality is very poor, water vapour gets behind the lenses foging them from inside, upon closer examination one can see that the lenses have been screwed in very badly (cross with thread damages).These are only good as toys binoculars for 4-5 years old to play with.To be avoided.
I lost my last pair of binoculars and was shopping here on Amazon for another set.  These popped up, I read some of the reviews and decided to purchase them.  I'm quite happy with my purchase and expect to get many years of use from them.
this is a very poor quality device.It is very difficult to focus.Do not buy it, I gave mine away.
The great magnification makes this a fine choice. The price seals the deal. Reviews warned about shaky images--no problem if you have something to lean against.
I live in the country and have feeders and plants designed to attract beneficial birds.  For a close-up view of the birds these glasses are extremly nice to have.  These glasses really improved my ability to watch the wild birds here on the farm.
binoculars were fine -but - forgot to send all of the covers.  didn't get the smaller covers!That is why I couldn't give a 5.
Very unhappy with product. Hard to focus and keep in focus.  While viewing it will go out of focus easily
The Binocular has been a joy , go to the beach often and watching  the waves  and all the ships  in the ocean a pleasure to be able to watch up close
If your looking for a good set of binoculars for a good price this is a good choice. Good for the money.
I have purchased Bushnell Binoculars in the past and love them however these failed to deliver the quality that I have grown accustomed to. I had friends look thru them and they are just off we tried every adjustment that could be made to the lens and could never get a clear look thru the product. Not happy at all.
I thought by taking the cap off and putting them up to the eyes, it would be easy to use.  Neither myself or my wife could see out of them.  It took quite a bit of adjusting to make the distance clear.  Maybe there are better models.  This is definitely not the case.
Just what the doctor ordered for watching the boats and cruisers that go up the East coast, plus for bird watching. Great clarity
I recently enrolled in an Ornithology class and binoculars are required. I went out and bought a cheap $13 one. Sure it can zoom up just fine, but I kept thinking something was wrong. A lot of my classmates can see birds and their field marks so clearly while I often just see a blur edge. So I decided to cough up some money and buy this one due to all the good reviews. I was a little hesitant since some people says that it's very heavy. Well, I don't regret it at all. The quality is very good. I can see a lot of details on the birds. Even on cloudy/rainy days, I can see better using this binoculars than my old one. Also, regarding the weight, it's not really that heavy. It did give me wrist pains on the first day though, but after I get use to it and not let it hang on my neck for too long. I don't like the strap very much though, it can cuts into your neck. I usually wear it over my hoodie. So overall, good product, fast shipping and happy customer :]
I received these binoculars just today, and I am EXTREMELY PLEASED with them !!!  The images are VERY sharp and bright.  I have no trouble holding the binoculars steady, despite the High-Power. the Insta-Focus lever works very well !!!  The binocular strap that came with them is good quality woven nylon with "BUSHNELL" proudly showing on the back of the strap. Bushnell must have heard the complaints about a cheap plastic strap and took action to remidy that problem.  I purchased these to watch aircraft at the "Thunder Over Louisville" airshow in April and now I can't wait!!!  And always remember, "NEVER KISS A CHICKEN ON THE LIPS" (Benny Hill).
Bushnell is normally a very well rated product.  I have owned several binoculars over the decades, but this set could not be adjusted.  It did not fit right over the eyes (too narrow) could not be widened enough to give clear vision.  All I got was double-vision. ALSO, I suspect that this item was returned once before because there was NO paperwork in the box... no warranty, nothing!!!!!  I don't know, but this might have been a defective item.  Sorry, I returned them.
I purt it all in the first part as the binoculars are great. Not very useful if you can't  hold them steady though. too powerful.
For planet/moon gazing or scanning the woods for our red-shouldered hawk, this pair of binoculars is splendid.  I have a much pricier field scope w/ tripod for more serious viewing and photography; however, these Bushnell binoculars rival the clarity of that unit -- and are much more versatile and portable.  Money very well spent!
Greetings,These binoculars focus great from up-close to far away. The PowerView Zip Focus works great for fast focusing and the views are sharp. This is a great deal for the money. Always set the Bino's on a stationary surface when setting the diopter for matching your eyes the first time. Focus left eye first with PowerZoom focus with right eye shut, then open right eye and close left and adjust the diopter (twist right eyepiece) for right eye focus. Once set, you will experience great performance from your Bushnell Bino's!!!!  Enjoy!  ...Jamie
These binoculars are pretty decent. Of course, you can not zoom in and see a hair on an elephants bottom but they work well for close to mid range bird watching and seeing what is going on in your neighborhood. Lol
I was very pleased with these binoculars.  I am a bird watcher and had been using 10X binoculars.  I wanted a pair with higher magnification to aid in identification.  The Bushnell 20X binoculars give me a much more detailed view.  That said, I still use the 10X pair for quickly spotting a bird in a tree--the 20X pair have a smaller field of view when trying to see a small bird in the middle of foliage.  I switch to the 20X after I've zeroed in on the bird, or if it's on water or somewhere else with an uncluttered background.  There is some "shaking" to the image, which is common with higher powers.  Otherwise, a great product.
Ultra Quick Shipper and the Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars did what expected. I've used 10x50 for years and these Binoculars were much more detailed at long distance.
Was hoping that the optics were of better quality but can't complain too much.  Focusing is not as easy as it should be.
I purchased this unit to give as a gift for my oldest daughter.It is very well constructed, and she likes it.
I love this product. I am disabled and confined to my home. I feed the birds and other small animals and would love to see them close up. That's when I bought this product. It works great and I highly recommend it.
Bushnell PowerView Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars low priced but work surprising well my lenses are very clear. Not equal to high priced binoculars of course  but they are something to have and are useful.
Fantastic product for the price. Very impressed by the quality of the lenses and the heavy duty material used in the casing for this Binocular. I will recommend it to anyone!
These binoculars will be perfect for scoping out local widelife and ships that pass on the Chesapeake Bay.  They were very easy to adjust.
The binoculars were purchased for my son.  He is in the mission field in Central America.  No salary, but a big benefit is being close to the beach and being able to surf.  He checks the waves from his apartment, prox two blocks away.  They are perfect for this task.
A bit more powerful than my last pair but work perfectly with perfect clarity at the ranges it was designed for.
I am happy with both pair of binoculars as I sit on my deck and look over the pond and other animals I have on my small farm. They were just what I wanted.
I have owned do own a lot of binos. These are just plain old poor quality. The lenses never focus right even with adjustments as per instructions. The focus-er (sp?) is so sensitive that it literally moves by itself. The distance between the eyepieces is to narrow and will not adjust out far enough. The best way I found to use them is to close one eye because even after adjustment things are still blurry. I own the previous model of these and I grab them instead because these are dookie. Would not buy again or recommend.
Took a chance buying the 12x50's at Walmart. Nothing to lose, can always get refund. Worked out surprisingly well. Only fault I could see was stiff center focus compared to most binocs I've used with smooth center wheel. But once your focused in you won't lose it. Some reviewer's stated *junk*. Ones they received must have been out of collimation or defect in lenses or prisms. This happens sometimes with best of binocs. Some fuzziness around edges but object should be centered for best viewing anyway. Right eye diopter works excellent on 0. I've seen my share of bad & good binocs over past 20 yrs. of being involved in optics.They're as sharp centered as my 12x50 Pentax PCF V's. Spend the $43 or be totally happy with Fujinon's, $600 to $1000 pricetag. Even Orion Nebulae comes in sharp. Even a plane mile up engines, windows & tail logo easily spotted, you be the judge. Great all-around binocs.
Great field of view.  Very clear even at long distance.  These are great for spotting deer in the woods or watching a suspect from a distance away.  Either way they are great.
Do not buy these, they are good looking but flimsy junk. I should have known when when I opened the first pair (in the store) and noticed that one of the barrels was severely bent sideways. "Bad batch" I thought, and asked for another pair, which focused correctly, etc. Sometime in the next month they took a little banging somewhere, nothing major, but suddenly they were out of alignment. One of the plates that the front barrels mount on had just popped out, they are not even screwed on really, just pressed in or something. I sent them back to Bushnell but as they were out of warranty they wanted $56 to repair, I told them they could trash them. It will be a happy day when it will be too expensive for these big companies to make their junk in China and sell it here. Things may get more expensive to buy, but at least they will be local where they will have to up their standards or face the market consequences.
We live in a roof top apartment and have a nice view of the city.  Got these principally to be able to zoom in and see different details in the neighborhood and the city.We are binocular newbies - did not have any difficulties figuring out how to use them and are pleased with the purchase - we've had a lot of fun with these binoculars.
Before I left on my trip, I tried out the binoculars and had trouble focusing each lens so that I got a single, clear view. But I didn't think too much of it. Then in Alaska, every time I tried to locate and view wildlife or glaciers at a distance, I had trouble finding the object and then trouble focusing. Finally, I asked a naturalist on the ship to have a look. She fiddled with them for a minute, and said, &#34;They're bent.&#34; What?Yes, they were bent either by twisting the bridge or squeezing the bottoms of the lens together. This is one of the few times that I have been disappointed in an Amazon purchase. But they were used, so I guess it's my own darn fault.
This pair of binoculars was a Christmas gift to my husband.  He was thrilled when he opened the gift and has been 100% satisfied with them.  We live on in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and have quite a view from our house.  He has been able to see quite a distance with his new binoculars and is enjoying being able to view and identify up close what he has previously only been able to view in the distance.  I was also very pleased with the shipping arrangements.  The binoculars arrive right on schedule, as indicated by Amazon, and in plenty of time for Christmas.
This was such a fantastic buy. They work great, and are very clear!! This would make a great Christmas present for dad!!!!
These Binoculars are the best I have ever purchased.  They are easy to adjust and are wonderful for watching wildlife.
Shipped quickly and on time. Product is well built and performs as advertised. So easy to use,my Grandson loved them at the shore looking at the dolphins. Did I mention he's 5? Comes with nice case and strap. Very happy and would recommend.
Enjoy the binoculars. Thought they might be the instant focus but they aren't. Can be set for your eyes. Very clear and brings everything in close. Good but at an economical price.
Binoculars are wonderful.  The neck strap is a piece of junk that doesn't even fit the binoculars.  It is a piece of cheap plastic.  Would have been 5 stars except for this neck strap.
When my husband remembers that he owns these he pulls them out and uses them at sporting events.  They are heavy but a good product.
Ok so the strap is kind of cheap.  Other than that, I find the binoculars to work great.  Of course I've been using a pair of Jason 7x35 for ten years so this is a big step up.  The birds I've been watching from afar are suddenly practically in my living room.  I find them very easy to focus and the images are crystal clear.  I am very pleased.
Bought for bird watching. Works OK for distant views but doesn't work at all for closer ( more normal ) viewing.
I  am  tickled  with  these  binoculars.  The  view  is  superb,  the construction is  durable,  and  the  focusing  lever  is  ergonomic !!!!  You  could  not  ask  for  anything  more  from  a  $50-60.00  price point.  Excellent value.!!!!
I just received this a week ago and was very happy with it! You should use a tripod for better view from a far distance. I also ordered a Bushnell Tripod Adapter but it's difficult to attache as the thread was not properly threaded by the manufacturer, but once you installed it for three times it's will be fine. I would give this a five star if the bag comes with it is zippered to protect from dust while in shelve and padded to protect the binocular.
I use these for work and I am able to see a great distance of activity. These work great for bird watching I'm sure but I use them for my job which does involve watching &#34;hand to hand transactions&#34; and so forth... These are good for day to day local activity and close up notices from afar. The design is very to the point and the material makes it feel more expensive than what I actually paid!! Please, you will not be disappointed...my opinion.
Saw double images no matter where they were focused.  It was like looking through two scopes, the images never came together.  Maybe you need to have wide angle eyes to use these.
Binoculars arrived quickly but they will not focus. I had to have a pair immediately so I just threw them away and bought a pair locally.
The product was just as described. Great site to do business with. Shipping was fast, and arrived in great condition.  No problems at all. Thanks.
These are great binoculars, perfect for birders. Check out the full moon view as well. When viewed with these binoculars, moon completely occupies the field of view. That makes moon view most beautiful.
I am an avid birder as well as a star-lover. These binoculars are incredible! I have them on my table at all times to watch birds with, and they go with me on any hike or camping trip I take.The initial setup is super-easy, and once you do that, they are some of the best I've used for tracking down and focusing on a moving object.  A quick finger-toggle slides the focus for you without losing track of what you're looking at. I've in fact bought many sets of these binoculars for friends and family as gifts because they were so useful for me, and now I have a wide following addicted to these binoculars.The image of course is fantastic, well lit and good sized!If you have any sort of interest in nature, astronomy, sports, or just about anything else which involves viewing objects at a distance, these are definitely the binoculars to try. You won't be disappointed.
These binoculars are really great. We have a pond behind our house and they work just fine for that application. I haven't had the chance to use them in the field, so I cannot make a recommendation for hunters, bird watchers, etc.My only regret is only having one pair!
I bought this pair of binoculars as a replacement and upgrade for what I had for the past twenty years.When I orderd it, I did know it would let me see more at much farther distances than what our previous pair allowed.  But when I actually had the chance to compare them both side by side when it was delivered I was amazed at how much difference there was.  I only now wish I had made the switch many years earlier.Well worth the price, very good close ups for sporting events, travel, recreational, and hunting activities.The quality is very good, and I have had no issues with the mechanism so far.  The only short fall, and it is a minor one at that, is the strap.  It could be of better quality and a little better thought out with its functionality.However with its carrying case, the strap is not that much of factor. I do rate it a good buy overall.  If you buy it, you will like what you see with it.
I researched on forum websites, here, and sporting good sites. For the money and small amount I'll use them... these rock! Only reason a gave 4 stars, because of the delivery delay. Purchased on 2/25/12 arrived on 3/5/12. I'm glad I went with 20x50. I will definitely update on how well they hold up.
Very disappointed in the product. Bought the name brand, as it was well known and I have had similar binoculars for years. Upon opening the package, found that it had  double vision.Returned it with no problem, got a second pair with the same results. Not happy with the purchase of such a defect in TWO binoculars.
These binocs worked really well.  I used them at the shooting range and it was easy to spot bullet impacts out to 200 yards or so.  Clear optics and easy to focus.The downside is the durability.  My 5-year-old dropped them onto concrete, probably about an 18" drop.  They were facing down, and the impact was on the rubberized portion of one objective barrel only.  When I picked them up, the left and right images no longer aligned so I sent them back for repair ($10 S&H;).Bushnell responded that due to a bent objective barrel and prism damage, they were a total loss.  Really?  From an 18" drop?  To Bushnell's credit they offered to sell a replacement at only $38.  I passed and bought the Legacy version with zoom.Another disadvantage is the flimsy cloth case that it comes with.  You should probably upgrade, esp given the durability questions.
Received these as an employee 10 year gift, they were unusable right out of the box. Double vision and a whole lot of other quality control problems. Contacted Bushnell CS who informed I must pay to ship them in. I wrote a note saying I am more interested in upgrading to the Legend 8x42 Ultra HD. They said OK, send us $150. After a quick internet search found B&H photo has them for $199 and a $50 mail in rebate, free shipping and no tax. Called to explain to CS: they didn't want to help. Told them to send these cheap 10x50's back after they're fixed and I will never be a Bushnell customer again- after 30 years. I think at this price point its all Chinese junk- you need waterproof and good glass if you're going to spend the money. I really can't recommend Leupold because I think their quality is falling and everything is made in China and assembled in the US- so many brand loyal customers are leaving Leupold as well.
I really can't tell if the result of double vision is that while they deliver it it felt or just that quality control is poor i really don't know but mine as other reported already came with double vision problems. I heard someone saying its got to be with the alignment of the glass inside and that high power binocular are more difficult to get this alignment done properly but its a waste of my time thank god not of money that because a product is bad i have to spend time on buying this pair of binocular and then send them back. hopefully if you buy them they are good then I'm pretty sure it will be awesome because i like the power they offer and how much light come through the lens. Go ahead and try your luck hopefully even if they are good they last long.
I love these binocs - really good quality and have a nice case, eye cups and lens protectors, cleaning cloth, etc all come with it.  Nice for watching birds or wildlife, or checking on the horses far out in the pasture, etc.  They'd be great to take on a trip to watch the action at a baseball game, etc, as they are not that heavy and cumbersome.
I borrowed these from a buddy for the Tiger Valley Bug Out Drill. As far as viewing, they are great. Only down side, they're bulky. In one of the obstacles, I tumbled off the wall. Tuck and rolled on to my bag. These binos were in my bag and as a result, one of the objectives snapped off. Unfortunately, these are not fitted for a bug out bag. They're bulky and take up room. As far as bugging out, light and compactness is the name of the game. Like I said, these binos are great for casual viewing. The picture comes crystal clear. But for a bug out bag, I recommend the bushnell powerview 7-15x25 compact zoom binos. Also, if you hadn't figured it out, I'm writting this review bc this pair I got on amazon are a replacement pair I bought for my buddy.
I wanted some binoculars for astronomical viewing that were a little more powerful than my 10x50's, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I settled on these, and have not been disappointed. Within it's range of magnification, it delivers good, well defined images of the moon and nearer planets. Jupiter's moons are quite visible on a clear night. Some astronomy buffs suggest an aperture of 70mm or more for binoculars, but if your object is to view nearby planets and not far away galaxy clusters or the outer planets, these should be fine.It also offers clear and well defined landscape views in daylight. However they're not  water or fog proof, a point to keep in mind if going hiking or camping. Also, your hand motion( as well as images you see)is magnified by 20x, so a tripod or stand is needed for best viewing results.All in all, a good buy for the money.
Great price point.  Good quality, nice optics and sturdy product would recommend to a friend.  This was a gift to the mother in law
I bought a pair through Amazon Warehouse Deals, that were in Like New condition.  I could tell that right off the bat the optics were poor.  There was a double image produced and no level of correcting fixed the situation.  I have a small portable pair of 10 x 25 binoculars.  I was hoping the additional light I would get through the larger lenses and the extra 2x would make a difference.  But I did not experience that.  I noticed that they did not get me any additional closeness that you would expect and any light gains were minimal at best.  They are not bad, but size wise you might be justified sticking with a 10 x 25 or going with a 10 x 50 because you won't notice the gains.
This an otherwise excellent binocular and I have the 16x50 version and am very happy. However, the one 20x50 that I received had a somewhat very bad case of blurry lens (for me at least,) but just the left one. So I returned it and got the full refund from Amazon, including shipping. It took some work to ship it back but it was really a simple and straightforward process, which makes me confident buying from Amazon again. I ended up buying the Pentax 20x60 which is excellent but not perfect. The most important thing for me is clarity (brightness) and sharpness (in both eyes, of course.) So, the build is important, durability and overall quality if very important, but the most important thing is getting a clear, sharp image. I believe this binocular can deliver but not my copy. I would like to try another copy but now I have the Pentax which so much better.
I had a bad experience with my Bushnell purchase, and the customer service at Bushnell is terrible, you just receive form emails back all the time.
im sure they are a fine pair of binoculars I never used them because I ordered two pairs by accident and kept another pair .
The images were off centered no matter how we adjusted the distance between scopes or the eye adjustment. The left side was always off and to the left of center. Had to return.
I always Bushnell was a quality brand, so I was confident in the purchase.  Opened the box today upon arrival, and am thrilled.  High quality construction and assembly, great lens, great features for the focus and settings.  I've read negative reviews of the case and strap; I have no issues with that.  It's fine.  Case is as it should be, and strap works well.  The price was GREAT, and a bargain for everything you get with this.  AWESOME Binoloculars.  One of my best purchases from Amazon!
With this much power you have to expect it. Even the steadiest hand cannot keep them still for studying at long range. Need a tripod for that.
This is an excellent buy for the money. I love the ease of focus at any distance. The case is nice and the caps are good for the glass protection.  Happy with this purchase
I never thought that selecting binoculars would have so many variables. The great number of manufactures and resultant types of binoculars is amazing. Selection takes time and effort and then you wonder if a correct selection had been made? My requirement was for viewing baseball games which meant for me a wide-field-of- view and easy focusing. I must say so far that the Bushnell binoculars have met my needs over the past few months. My only advice is to read all Amazon reviews and literature regarding what you want to view and then make your selection at the price you desire to pay.
Great quality and clarity. Easy focus and very nice carrying case.
I use them to bird watch and they are easy to use. I like the focus dial on them. They are comfortable and lightweight.
Bushnell should not make or sell these. The could not get it to focus at all. Even got a headache using them for less than 1 minute. I have three other binoculars and they all work much better than these. Very disappointing.
Bought these for my father in law this past Christmas.  He has used them sparingly, but said he really likes them and was surprised at how lightweight they were for the size.  He was very pleased witht the quality until last Firday... eye pieces stopped focusing together.  Going to send it in to the factory for replacement or repair.Just to update this... manufacturer replaced at no charge. Have worked great since. Great product.
These didn't last me very long, first got them was ok until I started to see through them as if I am crossed eyed, had to hold the other end down in order to see straight unless I just close one eye
I bought these binoculars for my son who lives on the Columbia River.  The binoculars are light in weight and have a nice clear image so he can see campers across the river, boat activity etc. I would definitely recommend  them. A nice binocular for a good price.
If you are camping or hiking these are much too big to carry for a long time.
I have both, Bushnell 10x50 and 20x50 and am totally pleased with both pair.  For the price, the images are sharp.  I was totally shocked to see the beauty of Pleiades with my 10x50s, which then, prompted me to get the 20s.  Either way, these binoculars are great for those like myself who are just beginning to skygaze.
Very good product for the money. I keep a set in all my vehicles to view the sights when traveling.
This is my first pair of bio's I ever owned,when it came to me a eye peice was removed and I had to screw it back in but after that it seems to be working fine.I noticed a bit of the double vision/crossed eyed effect other reviewers talked about but it only seems to happen when I'm viewing certain distances and cant really seem to nail the focus.But honestly its not that much of a pain
Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars are poorly designed.  They do not open wide enough to allow both eyes to visualize objects.  These Binoculars are poorly designed and they are an absolute waste of your money.  James Cooke
We decided to give these a try. It has a low price, good specs for birdwatching and safaris, and a reputable brand name. Never mind! The optics quality are not good and the two views do not line up. We are returning them and will try again with a more expensive pair.I am giving two stars instead of one because "hate" is too strong a word for an object you can simply get refunded!
Have to use as an onocular,no matter how adjusted still get double vision. Not really that better than a Nikon 10x50.Should have road tested at a brick and mortar store than online sight unseen.
This was purchased for a gift.  As far as I know the recipient is pleased with this product.  thanks for your service.
I purchased these binos because they appeared to be a good deal.  However, they didn't turn out to be.  The binos arrived with one of the lenses bent inward significantly.  I returned them to amazon with no hassle.  The representative who helped me over the phone was very nice and even sent me a replacement the very next day.  The replacement binos seemed fine at first but then I noticed that the lenses were slightly crooked.  So when viewing an object, both eyes have different perspectives which creates a blurred view.  The only way to view an object clearly is to keep one eye closed.  I would return these too, but I threw away the manufacturer's packaging.  I wouldn't recommend these.  If I had to do it all over again, I would pay a little more for something better.
I am happy with my purchase. But this is little bulkier than I thought.
The binoculars are great.  The lens is powerful enough for my needs and they are easy to adjust for clear vision.  Also light weight.
I agree with most of the other users. The quality of this binocular is excellent. Strap and lenses cover are cheap but that is irrelevant. I have used them at the jungle, at the beach, to look at stars and in the city with very good results. Overall I would assign a high price/value ratio.
I researched binoculars on the Web after my grandaughter lost my previous Bushnells (7x35). I was prepared to spend several hundred dollars after a cheap pair of Tasco's failed to illuminate at a Simon &amp; Garfunkel concert.My research led me to believe a Pentax 8x50 waterproof model would be the best choice ($265). I stopped at a local sporting goods store and tried various models of Pentax, Minolta and Nikon binocs, and they were ok. They had a pair of these Bushnells and I was amazed at the quality. They were the brightest, had the best field of view, were easy to adjust, and I was able to easily use them with my eyeglasses.I bought a pair. Why spend $100s when these do the job even better at $45?
These are actually very nice, except for one fatal flaw which makes them unusable. The adjustment for interpupillary distance is VERY limited. Interpupillary distance is the distance between the two halves of binoculars. It's the first thing you adjust when you pick a pair up. If the interpupillary distance doesn't match the viewer's head, he can't see through both eyes simultaneously, and that definitely ruins the whole binocular effect. With the Bushnells, that number is apparently some kind of secret - the Bushnell website doesn't have it, although there are plenty of other technical numbers in the product specs (exit pupil, eye relief, etc). On these, I measure about 68mm max adjustment of interpupillary distance. This is quite small - not much more than 50th percentile for American men. I personally need about 76mm spacing, though I can squeak by at 75mm. (Obviously, I have a big fat head, but that's not my fault.) At maximum setting, the eyepieces of these binocs are about 5/16" too close together, so I can't look through both eyes at once. And that makes them basically useless. I have other binoculars from Celestron and Oberwerk which are (just barely) OK; why Bushnell couldn't make these open out to a more-or-less standard distance is a mystery.In other respects, these are quite good. They're light, and easy to hold (moderately) steady without a tripod. The images are sharp, without obvious optical aberrations. (Though of course I didn't give them a thorough visual workout, since I can only see through one side at a time.) The focus lever thing, while a tad unusual, works fine, and the case is decent (a modern-style floppy synthetic fabric thing, not a stiff leather case like binocs had fifty years ago).But they simply don't fit, so back they go. Customers with relatively close-set eyes might find them excellent.
I was very disappointed with these binoculars.  I had recently purchased the Bushnell 10x50 and they are good.  I primarily use them when I vacation at the beach or in the mountains.  I thought the 20x50 would give me greater magnification to view distance objects.  I kept getting a double imagine.  I had to return them and get a refund.
This is the first pair of binoculars that i ordered and i wasn't completely disapointed. I Mean for general nature viewing their okay but for star gazing and looking at things at a distance i suggest you buy a pair with higher magnification. Alright for the money but definitely not for astronomy even if there pairs are your first ones.
I got these binoculars so that I could check out the bird life from my back yard over looking the the north SF bay, and these let me see plenty! Much better that what I had been using and these are easy to use and have a really wide view. Well worth the price.
I purchased these to observe eagles in my golf community in Florida.  They do not have the ability to observe my subjects in any more than a casual way.  If you are a serious nature lover and bird watcher stay away and upgrade. I am returning these and will be looking for better.
Got these because of price and the reviews. They are a little heavier than another pair I've had, but the view quality is great. I just looked at a full moon through them and was really surprised at the magnification. Clear and crisp, I could see craters and a lot of detail in the landscape.
for this price i could find better ones in Georgia . i think the item was NOT DESCRIBED WELL :(
If your inter-pupil distance is over 70 millimeters forget about these, they only expand to 70mm (yet their 8X21 is closer to 75mm.) They also go down to 60mm, so if you pupil distance is &lt;60 mm same problem. This fact is NOT advertised in the specifications. So, if you're narrow or wide-eyed, measure-up first because these only fit pupil distances between 60-70mm.
These were a gift for our son who is traveling to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon forest this fall.
They were very good when purchased but over time they no longer focus in clearly. They need to be returned to manufacturer but have not had time.
Nice Binoculars. The 50mm optics increase the night view very much. This is my third pair of Bushnell Binoculars, this is my favorite. Oddly the compact folding Bushnells have about 30% wider view. Want to mention this about this model, is it my eyes? or do these seem to only focus in the middle of field of view, with the outer half or more out of focus? The other two pair are 8x21 and 7-15x35 that i have and do not seem to have this problem.
We use these for watching birds and other things in the back porch over a large park in the back yard. They have a good field of vision, wide enough, and great magnification for casual watching. For the price I couldn't be more pleased. Great clarity, and easily adjustable between me and my wife who have very different visual abilities and limitations. Glad I got them.
I bought this as a gift for my son-in-law. They are very good quality and he is very please with them
I use these for surveillance jobs and I'm very happy with the purchase.Item shipped quickly.I may go even bigger on the next purchase.
Have tried different scopes and binoculars and this is the best for my backyard and woods. Easy to use, I support my elbows on the desk, and am able to use without a tripod. Perfect birdwatcher!
Received these today. Made sure the interpupillary distance and the diopter were set correctly and the binoculars still produced a double image. The factory seals on the package indicate these were not previously returned or tampered with. They either slipped past quality control, or were somehow knocked out of alignment during shipping.Binoculars that can't handle a 2 day trip in shipping aren't durable enough for field use, and if they left the factory like that, QC needs to be more vigilant. In any case they are unusable in this condition.It's a shame because they otherwise appear to be good build quality. The fit and finish was nice. But I need to look through them, not just look at them.
Three problems.1. Focus mechanism to flimsy bends when you put binoculars to your head.2. The adjustable eyepiece ran out of adjustment for my eyes.3. The interpupillary adjustment did not open enough for my eyes to get a single circleI have a pair of Bushnell 10 x 50 binoculars and they're great but this item is a dud returned for credit. Disappointed in Bushnell with these.
These are great bino's for the money. Bought bought 3 power view and 2 perma view. For the money well worth what you pay.
I bought a binocular many years ago and to my knowledge, it should be heavy and bulky.I was very surprised when I received this one, very light, not too big, rubber coating makes it feels better. And the image is very bright. If you are looking for a good binocular and don't want to sacrifice the brightness and wide angle, this one should be a very good choice. But it is not good for taveling/hiking, still a little bulky.For those with old binoculars, perhaps it is time to buy this one as substitute. It will surprise you!
Like some of the other reviews said. Its a little shakey because they are so powerful. I took them to the PRINCE concert, and we were pretty close already. When I looked through them at PRINCE, all I saw were eyes looking back at me. lol. Will work great for what I bought them for. Spy on other fisherman and see what they are using for lures and bait. I gave it only 4 stars because you have to buy an adapter to put it on the tripod, and I feel it was misleading to the point where I thought I cwould be able to use them on the tripod out of the box. Can't wait for my next trip to vegas to people watch other rooms. lol j/k
Bushnell 20x50  Super High-Powered Surveillance BinocularsThese work very well.  I highly recommend them.
I recently bought a pair of these Bushnell PowerView 12X50 Binoculars and have been quite happy with them. The quality is good and the price from Amazon was great. The feel of them is good, not to light and not to heavy. I like the 12X50 fixed power and they focus very well with the "InstaFocus"lever. Looking through them I get a very clear bright view of what ever I'm looking at and the 12 power brings in what ever I'm looking at nice and close. I had another pair of zoom binoculars that were 12X60X70 but they proved to be much too big and powerful for my needs so I sold them and got these and I would defiantly recommend them if your looking for a good general pair of binoculars. Bushnell has been around for a long time and they give a lifetime warranty. It also came with a with a good storage case and although some have reported that the included strap is poor I don't agree and I find it is heavy enough to serve it's purpose of hanging it around your neck. I've had a number of pairs of binoculars in my life and I like these and would recommend them. The lens covers are also fine as well and do what their supposed to do.
I'm a sports fan and I have been bringing my older pocket sized bushnell binoculars to every UCLA football games. Well, one day, the binoculars fell out of the truck and down into a storm drain.  Suffice it to say, I was in the market for a new set of binoculars.  I looked at excatly the same type of binoculars as my pocket one... but the complaint I had about it was that sometimes I felt that the field of vision was too narrow and focusing was sometimes a pain.  Then I ran across this Bushnell PowerView as a GOLDBOX offer.  I read the reviews and I was convinced.  I purchased it within the 60 minute time frame.I did not try out the binoculars until I was at the game.  WOW!  Even my buddies noticed the amazing difference between their binoculars and mine.  There wasn't any issue about lighting or focus.  I AM VERY happy with them now.  I just have to now stay away from very large storm drains!!! ;)
These things are as useful as my telescope at zooming in on the mountains or for a a quick glimpse at the moon and some planets. I have absolutely NO problem holding them steady enough to see distant objects or birds in the sky. Other reviewers that say they are too powerful to be steady obviously need to drink more water when they're out adventuring, cause they be shaky! I carry these with me in my adventures all over the southwest and I have never been happier with a pair of binoculars. (I've owned more than a few good quality binoculars)The quick focus at your fingertips makes sharing them perfectly enjoyable - my gf focuses them for her blind eyes, I can have it back where I want them in a second or less.
I bought these because of their high power. However, the higher the power the narrower the view, and the steadier you have to hold them to see. So it makes it possible to see something in the distance more clearly but it's a pretty narrow field and it is best if it isn't moving.
Reasonable quality for the price, Good starter optics. If such a thing exists. Afterall why buy a 500 dollar set of optics for a teen using these at a sporting event or just rambling around the woods looking for squirrels to shoot. Bought these at a discount {previously opened}from amazon warehousedeals.com. The manufacturers box they came in had seen better days BUT the shipping box and packaging was first rate. Got them for rougly 50percent of the retail price and was quite aware of packaging issue prior to purchase. They were dissassembled upon arrival...I found that odd, so I put them together and really looked them over and they appear flawless. Im not a optics expert...most of my optics revolve around the shooting sports and THEY JUST HAVE TO WORK as advertised. These do work as advertised.
. I can focus on a bird at our feeder and then watch it flying all the way to its nest. I just touch the instant focus feature with my finger and do not have to take my eyes off it.
I got the 20 x 50 because I saw great reviews on the 10 x 50 and thought the extra magnification would be nice. They weren't that bad, but nothing to write home about. About worth $20 less than I paid. They aren't heavy so that is a plus. The quick focus was nice as well as the rubber grip. Would be good for bird watching if you are semi-close to the birds. You hardly get what you pay for here. I might have been expecting too much though. They were very solid and rigid.
its good!! i have one and have used it a lot. take it on trips specially if you are going to grand canyon
These Wide Angle Binoculars are much better than the 20x50 High Powered binoculars.  The Wide Angle gives you more field of view where as the High Powered, if you just move a little, you have to keep searching (through the binoculars) for what you were actually looking at.
I was not impressed with these binoculars, I have an ols Bushnell set 10x 50 that has much better optics???  Returned these.  No hassles as usual from Amazon!
I'm a Nikon guy. But I bought a pair of these, for the price. I saved over $200.00 for this pair. You will get your moneys worth, without paying for the name. They focus well, not cheap. The neck strap could be stronger though. I'm glad I got these.  SW
Glasses are very powerful I can read a license plate across the lake at 200 yards. The field of view is very narrow. I use them to look out over a large lake. For general scanning over the lake I use a pair of 10X50. I use the 20X50 for a closer look especially if the boat or object is over a 1000 yards out.
will not stay in focus when holding it uo and looking through then, Also very hard to focus with the one eye thing. I never have go them to focus correctly and when I do get them close to what I want  they go right back out of focus
Very good for my use. WOuld not recommend to someone needing to view a long distance clearly but it is good for what I use it for
I bought these for my husband's birthday.  We have had other binoculars, but these are farbetter than any other we have had.  He is into bird watching, so these are great for zooming inon birds at a distance.I would recommend these for anyone wanting a good quality pair of binoculars.
One of my eyes is far weaker than the other and I could not manage to adjust the binoculars so that I could focus them clearly.  I kept seeing double unless I closed one of my eyes. My son did not have this problem with them so if your eyes are similarly strong/weak, then perhaps this product might work for you.  I also found them to be quite heavy.
I'm no expert in this field, but I think the precision focusing is limited. I'd say they are OKAY binoculars.
I guess you get what you pay for. This is a good binocular not the top of line. But I am a starter and rarely use it, but good for those times when it is needed. Comes with a nice cover, but the lens covers are cheap and card board type and may not last for long.
Bought them for use in Costa Rica.  Over ten days never really got to focus properly.  Directions are a little confusing.  Good value, but really no big deal.  Got tired of carrying it around.  It takes up a decent amount of space and is weighty if you're trying to travel light.
I have the Powerview 16x50 model.  They are difficult to hold steady and difficult keep focused.  The Powerview 20x60 model has 25% more magnification, so I assume it's 25% more difficult to hold them steady and 25% more difficult to keep them focused.  The Zip focus is a handy feature.  You'll need it!  I find myself refocusing the 16x50's all the time.  For the same price, I think a good pair of 10x50's would be easier to use and provide better image quality.
I purchased this for my daughter who loves watching the different species of birds visiting her feeder. This was replacing a smaller pair of binoculars. Only issue is if you are rather close to the object, say 25-30', there is no way to bring it into focus.Good price and quality combination.
Not the highest bino's you can buy, but they are a very good value for what we needed. Were exactly as advertised, in excellent condition and the recipient of this Christmas gift was more than happy to have it.
Got these binoculars and they are broken right out of the box. At first I thought I was doing something wrong, because when I looked through them, I saw a double image. I adjusted the focus of the one lens but then I noticed that wasn't the problem. There were two perfectly focused images which did not line up. Searched the web looking for a DIY repair, but none is available. The problem is called collimation and to fix it you need something called a collimator. Also you have to get inside the binoculars and move the insides around. It is not something where you turn a screw. My web search showed that many people are having this same problem with this product. I guess I'll have to send it back. I would like to keep it, only problem is it doesn't work.update: returned to binoculars for a new pair. The new pair had the same problem. So I returned them for a refund. I'll be trying a different brand. Amazon has been great about taking this stuff back. I can't believe this product has almost four stars. I'm inclined to think some of the reviews are fake.
My birding friends sneer at these, or assume I use them only because I am ignorant about binoculars. Far from it.These are Porro prism binoculars -- you can tell from the distinctive shape. Birders overwhelmingly prefer roof prism binoculars, the kind with the straight-through geometry. So, these are uncool. Still, I like them, for the following reasons:First - bigger objective lens. That's the second number in, for instance, 10X50. Bigger objective lens means a better view in low light, and wider field of view. That means it's easier to find a small bird in a thicket. By comparison, roof plane binoculars usually have a 40 or 42 mm objective lens.Second - stronger magnification. Most birders use 7 or 8 power (the first number in 10X50). Ten power is nicer if you're trying to see a small bird, a bit far away. The downside is that ten power tends to be a bit jiggly -- you can't hold them quite still enough. This is a bigger problem when the stuff you want to see is far away. It's worst with astronomy, and pretty bad at 100 yards or more. But there are ways to compensate. The best way is to prop one elbow or shoulder, or the binoculars themselves, against a tree or post. Next best, pull your elbows together and prop them on your own chest. Also, see next item.Third, if you get a tripod adapter, optional, but inexpensive, you can mount them to a tripod for birding or astronomy. For birding alone, a monopod might be even better. Lightweight and very quick and simple to use. This completely eliminates the jiggling problem.Fourth, they are very inexpensive compared to the usual binoculars that birders use. If they get damaged, you can afford to replace them.Fifth, the optics seem pretty good. The focus is quite sharp.A neutral item: The quick focus lever has been criticized a lot. In theory, it's a bad idea, but in practice, it seems to work okay.They have some down sides. They are rather heavy and bang against your chest unpleasantly if you use a strap or harness and hike much. I prefer to carry them in one hand. They are not waterproof and probably not fog resistant. On cold, damp mornings, or in the rain, this could be a problem. On such days, I leave them at home and use something else. If they get damp inside, they may be ruined. But then, waterproof binoculars can cost hundreds of dollars. These are only fifty, give or take.The other down side is that they don't focus as close as the roof prism binoculars favored by birders. These won't focus closer than about 40 feet. Every now and then, I have to take a couple of steps back to get a bird in focus. Given the foregoing advantages, I can live with that.These are my personal preferences. Your mileage may vary.
This binoculars is just okay by me, but I have to say that I&#8217;ve seen better. For the price though, I guess I can understand.
Obviously, they aren't Nikon or Burris, but if you want a pair of binoculars for the truck that you don't want to worry about this is it.  The price is right and the optics are not bad at all.
I bought this to use in the fire service. Primarily so I can be as far away from a hazmat scene as possible. The magnification is excellent for this purpose. The reason I did not rate it a 4 or 5 is the focus mechanism. Focus and clarity are very important to me. There are two bars that adjust the two separate rear eye pieces (I'm sure they have a real name) near or far focus. the bars are very flexible and it causes the two separate eye pieces to have out of sync focus when they are pressed even slightly. I doubt the extra expense of using inflexible plastic or even metal would add a s much as $2.00 to the retail price. As for the glass, the clarity is only slightly less than the quality I observed in a $2000 pair of binoculars at the gun store. At this magnification, it goes without saying ( but i will anyway) a mono pod or tripod is necessary to avoid a shaky image. fix the focus and I'll give it a 5
I was a little mislead when it seemed to indicate automated focus.  It's regular focus, the item just has a lever to focus instead of a wheel.  They are a little bulky so I only pull out when I am trying to spot whales out on the ocean.
Really good ones, 4 stars due a couple of tiny specs inside the lenses other than that great. You need to be steady.
My son loves his new binoculars. He can't wait to try them out during deer season looking for a big buck. He tried them out at a close distance and they work good. He is hoping that they are going to be just as good at distances as well.
I was expecting a better visual field for the binoculars.  They are good but not great.
Very nice binoculars and they won't break the bank. The Powerview method of focussing is a tremendous improvement over the wheel. I would recommend getting a tripod adaptor because you're going to want to use these for extended periods of time and 10x is difficult to hold steady.
Its really hard to adjust these.  I got these for my husband as a gift, and he keeps going back to the old ones we have.
This binoculars are the best I've ever had. I can see very far away objects up close. The insta focus system works great. It comes with it's case and carry on straps. I've used them in stadiums in soccer games when I'm seated far away from the field and to watch whales at sea.
very nice and poweredproduct, I use in the farm and I see clearly all the way to the mountthanks
This is my first Binocular. I purchased this item based on other user reviews and Bushnell's brand name, I was not not disappointed.It is an excellent product and worth its money.The image quality is exceptionally clear and easy to focus. The only problem with this product ,is that it is bulkier, weighs close to 4lbs.Overall a good product.
Got this yesterday 3/18/10.  This binocular is so powerful do to it's 20x that it can not focus right. Everytime I try to focus on a item like a birds, mailbox car, and etc....I get double vision of the item on both eyes lens.. I called the shipper and return the binocular for a refund.
These Binoculars received this rating because of what I was expecting. They are much heavier than I expected and holding them steady creates a major problem. I am looking for a tripod/mount to steady the glasses, yet provide flexibility to view overhead. The other reason I did not rate these binoculars higher is because the focusing is very difficult. Because my eyes are not the same, focusing for one eye causes a problem for the other. I have tried following the instructions by focusing for the left eye first, then adjust the eye piece for the right. When I try to adjust the right eye piece, the entire focus unit moves. Also had problem adjusting eye width to obtain one circle. Another problem I'm having is that the focus adjustment changes on its own, kinda like creeps while viewing, and needs continuous adjustment.I have other sets of binoculars, 7x35 & 10x50 and do not have these same type problems.
Unless using these with a tripod (no attachment point),I found them too powerful to watch wildlife from a distance.Especially since birds move so quickly. I wound up selling them and bought a less powerful pair.
No single view. Lenses are not aligned properly so you see two round views as opposed to one pic that you should see in a quality binoc.
The lens cover is poorly made. The soft store bag has no protection for any force. It not looks like Bushnell product any more.
Used these during an archery shoot the day after they arrived.  They worked great. You do have to be steady when using them. We were able to see nock colors relatively well at 100yds. Obviously the glass could be better, but for the price and what I use them for , the work for me!
Can't be beat for the money!  It's my second Bushnell and 15 years down the pike it's still as well made as my first, a 7 x 35. This hasn't been my experience with most products, which are getting flimsier with every year that goes by.  OTOH, my 8 x 25 Minolta at 4x the money developed a major flaw almost right away-- just pathetic.  The 10 x 50 is great for birding-- the field is so wide you can actually follow the bird as it flits away.
I bought this for a European trip a year ago and what a perfect accessory it proved to be! This silver gem is tiny, and you can carry it comfortably in your pocket. It takes crisp, clear photos. Since it's an APS camera, you can change film mid-roll, which comes in handy when you're in a 12th century cathedral and want to capture a shot in black and white. It has three photo print size options - 4x6, 4x7 and 4x11 1/2 panoramic. The display is easy to read and displays much useful information: time, date, exposure number, battery life, etc. I have not changed the lithium battery since I purchased it. The only drawback is that at times it seems to distort when using the panoramic setting and focusing on close objects. Perhaps that is not what it was intended for. This camera is a dream if you want to take great pictures without lugging around a giant unit with accessories. A great little, inexpensive APS camera.
I bought the Elph (at about twice the current price) for my wife and one for each of my three daughters!  My wife's worked at first and then would work inconsistently (usually NOT just when you wanted the graduation picture, prom picture, etc.).  I sent it into the company three times.  The first time they couldn't find anything wrong, the second time they fixed something and charged me, the third time they couldn't find anything wrong.  In the mean time my daughter's cameras started having the same problem--sometimes they would work and other times they wouldn't!  I don't know what to do about it--I don't feel like shipping them in again as this didn't help.  We now have four relatively expensive cameras that are undependable!!
This little camera has taken a lot of great photos for me. The image quality is pretty decent considering its size. The main advantages of buying this camera are:1. Its portability.2. 3 different shot formats: regular, HD and panoramic (which in the right situation I find is a must).3. Very easy to use!There are a couple of features which I haven't found to be that great though.1. The zoom is 2 1/2. Not altogether useless but not that powerful either.2. If you take a lot of different pictures: panoramics, HDs and regular all on the same role prepare to pay a lot to get your film developed. 3 roles 2 25s and a 40 cost me around $ to get developed. So just be prepared.Over all this is a quality camera and well worth the money for anyone looking for a point and shoot.
I bought this camera to replace a like item that had failed.  The camera was as advertised on Amazon, the price was good and the camera arrived a short time after I ordered it.  Pleased with this transaction on Amazon.com.
Handy little (very compact with zoom) snapshot camera that I have used many times when I forgot my cell phone. This camera fits easily in a shirt pocket. Also I get a negative as it uses film so I can make duplicate pix if needed.  Canon experimented with a new film format (only possible drawback) on this camera so finding the film cartridges locally may be a problem for you.  I did find some film cartridges at my local photo store and it wasn't a problem, but I live in LA (which can be a problem at times in itself)!
I bought the Elph2 as a Mothers' Day gift for my wife. She had always wanted a small film camera. I usually take my Sony Mavica or Minolta Maxxum to snap pics, but I figured it's about time I quit hauling those around everywhere.We first used the Elph2 on vacation in the FLorida Keys. Lots of sun and surroundings for nice pics. Well, we used the film that came w/ the camera, I think 100, maybe 200. All the pics look grainy, in light, or not. Well, my wife went and bought a box of 5 rolls/200, oh no. So I had to take all of those pictures(for her sake) Now I have 400 in there, hoping they will be better. I have read through the manual thoroughly, so I know how to operate it correctly. I really hope the pictures improve with film speed, or I will be returning the camera.
I have owned this camera for about 3 years, and am still surprised in the quality of photographs I get from it! We recently returned from Maui, where a photo can make or break a beautiful memory. Most, if not all, of our photos from this trip are frameable, they are SO beautifully crisp and clear! It does a great job in any of the three modes it offers. The film loads and unloads easier than any camera I've ever operated, and the flash is automatic, so you don't even have to think about it.The only complaint I've ever had is that it doesn't zoom very far, but that is a small sacrifice for such great photos from this little wonder!
I bought this camera 3 1/2 years ago to take with me when I moved to Germany.  It's small enough to fit in your jeans pocket, but makes cleaner and better quality prints than I've seen in a point and shoot camera.  It was very durable and lasted several years of use overseas, and I'm still enjoying its compact size and light weight here in the states.  If you are in any way intimidated by the digital camera age, and would like a small, versatile APS camera, this is it!
I did a lot of research on point and shoots, looking at and reading about several dozen models before finally settling on a Fuji Tiara model 1000, which is a great little camera. However, in the process of doing all this, I hung out in several photography threads and found several comments about the original Elph that ultimately decided me against it. Several people remarked that the camera developed mechanical problems after only about a year, just after the warranty ran out, and which were very expensive to fix. Then I happened to talk to a friend, and it turned out she had purchased an Elph that had had similar problems but they had happened early enough so they could return it. Anyway, notwithstanding these problems, the Canon Elph is probably the APS camera that saved the APS format. No doubt these issues have been fixed in the Elph 2, so if someone really wanted to purchase one, it's probably okay to do so at this point.
I have a lot of camera equipment at home, but being a mother of two kids under two years, I have enough to carry around without adding a big bulky camera to the equation.  My husband bought me this camera for my birthday, and I love it!  It fits right in the diaper bag and you'd never know it was there.  I get all the great shots at the park and playgroup that I was missing before.My first roll of pictures didn't turn out so hot, since the zoom isn't all that powerful, I was getting pretty close to my subjects, and chopping off their heads even though I could see them in the viewfinder.  This was remedied by acutally reading the owners manual and finding out that the black lines at the top of the viewfinder are for framing the close up shots.  Now, they turn out great.  My photos are very close in quality to the ones I take with my Canon and Nikon SLRs, and I think that is due to the quality of the place I take them to be processed.The only reason I would not give this prouct five stars is the small amount of zoom.  I guess it's better than nothing, but not much!
this would be the prime reason why i bought it. Everything else is mediocre. And it costs so much to develop. Not very good as every day camera(better go digital). However the panoramics are superb. I would take this  camera on a trip in a conjunction with a digital camera.
I purchased this camera to document my last six-months in the Navy.  It's small (hides well in my uniform pocket) , quiet (good for taking pictures where you're not supposed to) and attractive.  It's a very sturdy little camera, I've abused it terribly and it shows no battle-scars whatsoever.  It loads and rewinds very quickly, an asset when snapping off photos of landing jets or eluding sunsets...Great camera, I recommend this little gem.  It catches the impossible blues of the ocean that most cameras dull out into a grey hue.
I've loved my Elf 1 for about 3 years now and just bought the Elf 2 for my parents (although they may get my old one -- they don't know that yet!).  After having spent some time with it, I like the new one a bit better because of the neat new features: 1 -- you can change film midroll which is neat if you want to shoot different film for different conditions 2 -- If you know you just took a great shot, you can specify how many prints you want made up to 9!  I wish mine had that feature.  You can also use it for the following shot, but that's it. 3 -- the flash doesn't stick up any more so it can't get stuck 4 -- it has a new zoom device which works better and is more convenient. Plus, it takes the same great pictures in 3 modes that the old Elf did.  I agree that Panormanic shoots of far off mountains are better with an SLR, but almost every other kind of shot looks just fine with the Elf.  It's amazing how camera quality this good can be had for such a price. For proud parents -- the best part of the Elf is that it's TINY and you can keep it in your  purse.  I've taken zillions of rolls whereas with my older bigger camera, I never took it with me.  You don't have to give up much to get this great quality.  Wait no more!
I had a 35 mm point-and-shoot camera for years that rarely saw the light of day. It was a nice one, too -a Leica. I didn't use it because it was too big. If I wanted to lug a camera bag with me somewhere, I took my SLR system. But if I just wanted a camera that would fit in my purse or pocket, a 35 mm point-and-shoot is too big. So I sold my Leica and bought the Canon Elph 2. I chose it because it was the smallest and the most iconic-looking APS camera that I could find. I bought the Elph for it's size, and I didn't expect it to take the greatest pictures, only to enable me to take pictures in situations where I previously would not have had a camera with me. Shortly after I got the camera, I went  on vacation. I took my Elph everywhere that my 35 mm SLR system would not go. And I used it for everything that I wanted snapshots of, as I was shooting slide with  my other camera. I had three rolls processed when I got home. And I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pictures! Everything  was perfectly exposed, the flash was more powerful than it looked, the grain on the 4x6 and 4x7 prints was fine. I had some great-looking shots. Pictures of a sunny beach and the interior of a restaurant came out equally well. I even got one taken through glass of the town lit up at night that came out decently. When I bought the camera I didn't think that I would find the "H" format very useful, but I was  wrong. The slightly wider view of the 4x7 "H" prints were some of my favorites. I use the "H" format frequently now. I suggest resisting the urge to stick to the classic "C" format.The Elph 2 does have some drawbacks, many of them inherent to such a small camera and film format. APS negatives are small and don't withstand much enlargement without showing grain. I use 400 ISO film, and the grain on the 4x6 and 4x7 prints is only slight and is fine for snapshots. I've never used the 800 ISO film, which would have more grain, so I can't say if it produces acceptable prints or not. The slower films, i.e. 100 ISO and 200 ISO, have finer grain, so those should be fine. I recommend against using the panorama format with APS cameras because the small APS negatives really cannot withstand that much enlargement. The panoramics are grainy. The only issues I have with the Elph 2, specifically, are: The viewfinder isn't very good -but they never seem to be in small cameras, and I've seen much worse in 35 mm point-and-shoots. And I would have preferred that the lens zoom out more. The Elph 2 only zooms out to the equivalent of 58 mm on a 35 mm camera, so you have to get pretty close to people, in particular. The newer Elph Z3 zooms out further, but is a significantly larger camera and, in my view, not as attractive. I prefer the Elph 2 for its smaller size, but you might want to check out the Elph Z3 as well.Canon makes an accessory silver neck chain for use with all of their Elph cameras. It's a great convenience to have the camera around your neck at social events, while playing with your kids, anytime you might want to literally point-and-shoot. And it saves you from having to hold onto the camera all the time. I love the neck chain!
I've switched over to a Canon digi-cam, but I used the Elph 2 for a couple of years.  During those years, pictures taken on on the Elph 2, just never turned out right.  They were either grainy, suffered from color saturation, red-eye, you name it.  That is until I discovered the magic of Fuji film.  I had up until that time used Kodak Avantix APS film exclusively, believing that paying more meant better quality.  Wrong!  Fuji film is not only much cheaper, but my prints were awesome in every way possible.  In fact, my last set of photos were taken on the streets of Las Vegas during the late-night hours, plus lots of indoor pictures in a dimly lit room with the shades drawn...but every picture turned out, if you will, picture perfect.  I can't bash Kodak, because it's the only film I've ever used, and bottom line, it's the best.  But when it comes to the Canon Elph 2, you should switch to Fuji film.  I guarantee, you'll see the difference.
I'm consistantly amazed at what Canon can pack into such a small package.  I took a Canon Elph Jr. with me to Rome in the fall of 1999, and the  pictures came out beautifully.  The Elph 2 has the 2x zoom feature, but  otherwise it's very similar.  The APS photosystem is easy to use, and the  index prints and negatives that stay in the canister are great for those of  us who aren't terribly organized.  All the canisters stay in a book-sized  holder with the index prints.  As a result, I give far more photo gifts  than I used to, because I always know where the negatives are when I need  to order reprints.  I was particularly struck by the clarity of the photos,  the richness of the colours, and the ease of use of the camera.  While the  24mm APS format is smaller than the 35mm standard film, the resolution is  still excellent.  Far better than any digital camera under $1000.  One of  the most useful characteristics is the tiny size.  Because it fits  anywhere, I take it with me in my napsack and shoot photos of anything I  find interesting.  If you purchase a $100 flatbed scanner to scan photos  for your web page, or to send via email, these Elphs offer a far better  bargain than any digital camera or film camera available today.
My sister bought me this as a Christmas present last year.I wanted a camera that was small and easy-to-use.  Well, you  couldn't get any smaller or easier than this one. The camera  is about the size (if not smaller) of a pager with the same  sized carrying case.The instruction book may look a little frightening at first  (about 200+ pages) but that's only because it's in about 5  different languages.  Speaking of which, there is a special  function where you can add phrases like &quot;I love you&quot;, &quot;Happy  Birthday&quot;, &quot;Happy Holidays&quot;, etc. on the photos when you take  them. The phrases can also be put on the photos in English,  German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and (I believe) Italian.The modifying LCD display on the back takes a little getting  used to, especially using the plastic attachment on the strap  to push the buttons.  Once you've conquered that, you're over  the only major hill of operating the camera.The camera has 3 photo sized-settings: regular, panoramic, and  what I like to call the 'extra friend' feature which gives a  little more room in the exposure to get that extra person in  the shot.  :)I've used about 5 rolls in the camera so far.  The view finder  adjusts to the type of exposure you've selected, making it  that much easier to use.  Play careful attention to what you've  got in the viewfinder, otherwise you might get guillotine  photos ( people with heads chopped off in the picture).Other special functions include a timer and a 'nightime city'  type exposure, in which the lens stays open longer to pick up  the city lights in the background of a night shot (still have  to practice that one).One final note on getting the film processed: Make sure you  note on the development envelope that it's APS film.  Most  envelopes already have a box to mark off for it, but some out  there haven't woken up to the 21st century yet.Whether you're a professional or amateur, this is an excellent  camera to have for those Kodak moments you keep missing.
I needed a new film camera that was truly pocket-sized, since my Sony Mavica is about as big as a videocam (but great pictures and so easy to download them to the PC).  My Dad has the Elph 2 and I was very impressed with the pictures he was getting.  Plus, I really liked the looks of the camera.  I did check out the Canon PowerShot 110, but it's slightly larger, a lot more expensive, and I really needed a camera with which I could take a roll of film, drop it off, and pick up prints an hour later.So far, I've used it mostly indoors, and am extremely pleased with the results. They are far superior to what I was getting with my older Pentax point-and-shoot.  There is red-eye with certain eye colors, but that's easily fixed by scanning the picture into the PC and manipulating the image, then having it printed from a floppy.I like the APS film format and have found that the 400 speed Kodak gets great results.  You won't even need the flash for a lot of your indoor shots when you go with the 400.  I also like getting the contact sheet instead of a bunch of negatives.  I've mainly stayed with the &quot;classic&quot; mode, but the other two are nice to have if you need a wider field of view for your shot.  I have heard that with APS you cannot get great quality with enlargements bigger than 5 x 7, but I don't usually enlarge them anyway.The best part about this camera is literally being able to take it anywhere, and being able to take candid shots without people being aware of the camera. Once they do see it, they will want to hold it and they'll have lots of questions about it, because it's so cool.If you need instant feedback on whether your shot turned out the way you wanted, then you would be better off going with the digital version, but if you want a very good film camera that is the ultimate in portability, you cannot go wrong with the Canon Elph 2.
My favorite thing about this camera is the metal body, yes, all metal.  Very durable little camera.  If you're looking for a film camera that's easy to operate, easy to load, small, and reliable--this is the one!  I wish they'd brought out APS film a long time ago.  I love how it's contained and you can switch rolls partway through if you want to use black and white film, for example.  I do prefer my digital camera now, but this is still a sweet little camera.  Highly recommended!
I have 2 of the Elph models and I must say I think they're the best APS cameras available. They are incredibly compact, very sturdily built and take wonderful pictures. The Elph 2 has a smooth 2:1 zoom and a much-improved flash unit (over the original Elph 1). While I prefer my Elph LT270, whichever Elph you choose will make you happy for years to come.
lighweight, compact, terrific resolution. I took this to Venice and london, and the pics were excellent. I've thrownaway my SLR and all the lends. This simply outdoes an SLR for simplicity and functionality.
I love my Elph2 Camera.  I use it all the time, its so small it's no hassle to throw in a bag or a purse, it'd even fit in a hippack if you're blading.  Since I've got the Elph2 at Christmas, I've taken over 10 rolls,  and it's not even june yet.  So much in fact that I'm thinking of getting  the canon digital elph, which looks the same but is digital.I  recommend this camera to everyone I see.  It's a joy to use.
With a camera this small, it is hard not to take it everywhere. I have shot around 20 rolls since November, and my only complaint is the red-eye reduction - it simply isn't good enough. The picture quality varies with the aps film. I am very happy with the iso 200 and 400 film. all-in-all a solid and stylish performer.
The APS Canon Elph 2, is one of the best cameras ever made. Bar none. It's made up of thick durable aluminum (metal), that resembles a can of anchovies. It's small enough to put in your shirt/pant pockets and it travels with you beautifully, wherever you go. It's one of the benchmark qualities that this camera possesses. Don't you hate having to lug a great big SLR camera with you? If you answered &quot;yes&quot; to this question, you're qualified to own this camera. You will love it. Trust me on this.This basic APS camera along with some additional features are noteworthy: You can select (3) different print sizes: 1. Portrait 2. Wide 3. Panoramic (great for landscape shots). It has an MRC (mid-roll change) feature, which allows you to switch between different types of film i.e. going from a Kodak or Fuji 200 speed film to a higher-grade type 400. It gives you the flexibility, to select the number of prints you want with each particular shot you take (with 10 being the maximum). It gives you the option of having the date imprinted on either the front, or back of the prints. You can also, adjust the camera's functions by controlling things like the shutter-speed, red-eye reduction, flash/no flash, the film's auto/manual rewinder (for an example, if you're at a wedding/graduation ceremony and you don't want to hear the sound of film rewinding, you can disable the auto film-rewinder, which is a big plus), and much more. Sure it costs a little more to devolop APS film than its 35mm counterpart. But think about it...you don't have to mess with the 35mm film, by pulling it over the back of the lens apparatus while inserting it into a complicated, clumsy film winder. We've all been thorough that kind of torture. You know how the film gets jammed sometimes? Whenever this happens, it exposes the lens to dust and oils that accumulates over time, thereby rendering the camera unable to function properly. This camera solves that problem. (It keeps dust and fingerprints out of harms way.) All you have to do, is drop the film into the appropriate slot by opening the camera's (the film's catridge will tell you which direction to put it in, so you're not thinking to yourself: how do I put the darn thing in?) submarine hatch-like door with the turning of a switch, that's located on the bottom left side of the unit, and close it back up. It's that simple, and easy to use. Which is why I bought this camera in the first place.I've taken lots of cool pictures with it, of the San Francisco Bay Bridges, the S.F. skyline, the Salt Lake (Mormon) Temple, among other noteable U.S. landmarks, mountains, lakes, beautiful sunsets, family &amp; friends, and documenting important events in my life. I wish I could've taken pictures of the World Trade Center, in New York City. I love architecture! (It's to too bad, they no longer exist.) This camera is all encompasing and will fullfil every persons desire to producing great quality pictures. It will preserve lasting memories for years to come.
I purchased this camera because a travel agent raved about it. The small size is the only advantage it has. Ocassionally, it performs well in the daytime. Picture quality isn't consistent. You have to hope and pray that you took a good picture. Where's the comfort in that?I recently noticed the picture quality at a wedding. A group of four people took the same shot and my pic turned out darker than the rest. The difference can be seen in many photos.My regret is not researching this camera before purchasing it. I guess I'm back to my old, clunky 35mm.
This puppy is a piece of art + machine all in one. The miniature size and high quality production materials make this product a thing to put on a pedestal.  But what do you care if it doesn't perform?  Well it does just  great in all sorts of light conditions.  I've taken it to Washington State  where the sun don't shine too brightly with Fuji 200ASA - great panoramic  shots with good color. After 6 months with this camera - I haven't used my  35mm Olympus. However, those of you who are really into detail will find  the Advanced film quality slightly unacceptable.The controls are just  fabulous - the best is the zoom lever - immediate zoom speed without a lot  of time lapse.  The actual zoom ratio isn't that great but you have to give  up something for its size.  It's got all the standard red-eye, fill-in,  timer functions, plus a bunch of nifty time-date-stamp buttons.  The back  display gives you all the info in logical layout.The only thing you need  to watch out for is the standard 2-step focus and shoot process.  Because  this gem is so small, it's easy to move the camera while trying to get a  good shot.  And if you're thinking about the Elph 1 versus Elph 2 - I've  seen 2 of the Elph 1's in the camera shop with its flash stuck in the up  mode.
I had just bought an Olympus C-2040 digital camera (see my review) which I totally love, and I guess I got swept up in the Olympus thing, so I bought a set of these binoculars. After reading the reviews, I was convinced that these were the best way to go. When I received them, I was shocked, and felt a little stupid for not listening to the reviewer who mentioned that they were not for the wide eyed: I could only see through one lense at a time. If I lined my one eye up, the other one was completely out of the other eyepiece. By opening both eyes, I was looking at the painted body of the lense. My head is large, but I thought that it would be in the ballpark, and for the price, it was worth a little inconvenience, but this pair of binoculars is so small that it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to see through them with both eyes, even if I cut my view on both lenses in half. I can't do it that way either. As corny as this may sound, I just went up to the mirror, with a 12&quot; ruler, and measured my eyes, and they are exactly 2 1/2&quot; apart. That's center of eyeball to center of eyeball. These binoculars measure 1 1/4&quot; closed, and only 1 1/2&quot; fully open. That once again is center of eyepiece lense, to center of eyepiece lense. I can just see everybody reading this review, going to their mirrors, and taking a measurement. :-) Hey I am serious, those are the exact measurements. It's a shame, because these things are cool looking, and look crystal clear, as long as I see through them using one eye. Hope this helps.
i have to say that these binoculars are really spectacular to use because they are compact and light, and well made. i use these to view the sky, the clouds, and the planes that pass in the air(private jets, jumbo planes, or fighter jets. the focus is great. i highly recommend this product to anyone who likes to view animals , or see beautiful sites when in certain countries when visiting as a tourist (Poland, Mexico, etc.) or any other clean activity. nice!
I bought two pair of these and I love them. They are very clear. I wear glasses and have a difficult time seeing through binoculars but with these it is wonderful. Very lightweight too.
I purchased this pair of binoculars for watching an eagle nesting in tree down from where I live here in Alaska. I have other larger binoculars but not with me so I ordered this reasonable and light weight pair to use hiking and bird watching. I've not been sorry. They are great and come with a little carrying case. They weigh practically nothing so no weight on hikes. You'll not be disappointed.
This is a rare combination of a compact, light weight &amp; attractive design with the always excellent function of Olympus high quality optics. These are fine for birding or theater. The price represents an outstanding value.
We were looking for a compact pair of binos for a gift and read several positive reviews here, so we ordered two pair (one for us, since we enjoy birdwatching). I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised by the exceptionally bright, vivid image and crisp detail provided by the optics. Very lightweight and compact, taking up little space if you have to pack them. The carry strap only attachs on one side, but that's a minor flaw. In all, this is a terrific pair of binos, one I highly recommend!
Good quality, didnt have problems going through TSA with the film either...we thought there would be some issues with xrays and film, but apparently not.
This film didn't work very well for me. I put it in my Canon Rebel 35mm camera and took it to a horse show. It was a semi-cloudy day which I thought would be great for photos, but they came out light and faded-looking. It might have been my camera, but other photos (400) I have taken with it turned out just fine.
... I would dare to say the photo-finishing lab has a lot to do with the results you see. I was horrified by one lab I tried recently. Incompetence in the lab can totally ruin your prized shots. As always, it's best to shoot a test roll or two and make sure you don't photograph anything you can't reshoot later. Test a new lab the same way, with photos that can be redone.Keep this film cool. Refrigerate unopened rolls and let them aclimate before using. Try to load your camera in as much darkness as you can achieve. Process this film as soon as you can, after shooting.  Leaving the film sitting around or in heat will cause the dyes to deteriorate. If you need to travel by air, ask for a hand-inspection at the airport. Don't pack this film in checked luggage. It is more sensitive to X-Ray equipment than an average film.This film actually has a better grain index (48) than Kodak's professional negative film (Portra - index 50) at a 4.4 magnification, ISO 800. (I haven't seen any other index value data from Kodak for this film, so I can't comment about larger print sizes.)If you need a fast color film for poor lighting conditions or for action photos, this is a good film. It is not as good in controlled lighting situations as the Portra or Supra or even Royal Gold films at lower ISO ratings. If you need the speed and don't intend to enlarge beyond 5x, this film is perfect. If you need to enlarge beyond that, the grain becomes more and more apparent. In photography, as in every other endeavor, choose the right tool for the job. Film is a very important tool for serious photography. Don't depend on just one type of film.
As it becomes harder and harder to find KODAK film (even locally just 50 miles from the home of KODAK) it's nice to know that I can still find it here, and at a great price!  Product was just as described, and arrived very quickly.  I'll be back for more!
I love this Kodak film. I am so sad they don't make it anymore. But I'm very glad I am able to get this film yet. For anyone using film yet, it's the best. Thanks
Purchased this film as a present. At the price Amazon has them for it is a great deal. If you are looking for good - less expensive film - buy this. You wont be dissappointed.
This is the worse film I have ever used! It's a very high grain film with horrible color saturation. Shooting outdoors the colors look washed out and are often very overexposed, in low-light situations the shadows look very dark and unrealistic dark colors. If you want to shoot in low light without a flash then you're best going to 1000 or 1600 ISO. If you want to shoot outside/inside you are better off with the more common 400 or less with flash. The fact that this stuff is supposedly Kodak's biggest seller is mystifying, though. Is it all advertising hype, or are most people's standards really this low?
Ordered this film and it was received as expected and perform as expected. The developed product results also as expected.
I have tried this film in my brother's camera (Canon EOS 500N) many times and I've found that the results are always good, better than the other brands. Even some of my pictures are extra ordinary although I used only a standard camera and its standard lenses (28mm - 80mm and 75mm - 300mm) without any additional flash. The closeups are so clear and sharp, the landscape pictures are wonderful, and the portrait pictures are perfect. I also tried to take the picture of the sun with my custom-made filter and it is good enough. Even, I've tried it for a night scene and surprisingly, it works well! (of course, I have to use tripod or a steady structure). If there is anybody thinking that this film is not good enough, maybe it's your camera (or even you!). Anyway, it is cheaper than other brands (esp. Fuji) here in Indonesia.
Its film, it still has not all been used.  What else can I say about this product.  Three more words required, so there they are.
Very disappointed to receive film with only 41/2 months use by date.  ( to be developed by 06/30/13)  four rolls are morethan I use in time given.  Use be date should be at least a year in future.
This film's main advantage is the more realistic colors than the Fuji Superia. It also seems to do a good job rendering skin tones, although I have read that the 200 ASA is better than the 400 for this, but I'm not that sharp-eyed myself on skin tones. But I can clearly see the difference between this, for example, and the Fuji Superia, in terms of the color rendition.The Fuji is better if you want more saturated colors. It has the extra 4th emulsion layer that gives more intense reds, purples, and blues. It also has good black response and contrast, and good overall exposure latitude. The review I read of the Fuji said it also has good responese with polarizers and specifically recommended a circular polarizing filter for use with it. I'm a little puzzled by that since polarizing filters are regarded normally as intensifying color, since they help elmininate some chromatic desaturation that occurs with distance as a result of the blue-scattering effect. But anyway, I pass that advice on for what it's worth.The only real problem to watch out for with the Fuji is underexposure, which will cause washed out colors and graininess.Despite all the above advantages of the Fuji, the super-saturated colors aren't to everyone's liking, and in that case, the Kodak may be best for you. If you want the most bilious colors you've ever seen, choose the Fuji.
Kodak film makes great pictures, everytime.  The colors are vivid and the photos sharp, no matter the camera used.  It is for this reason that I rely on Kodak film when I want to record my memories.
Pros:- It's dirt cheap.- Nice, bright color contrastCons:- The grain is not smooth at all.  If you're looking for photos that look 30 years old, get this film.  It looked like I had applied one of those horrible Instagram filters to my scans.- The film had a real blue shift to it.  I had to work hard to correct the color, but I would not recommend this film unless you're shooting people or other very warm subjects.  The colors are very vibrant, they're just very cold and blue.Overall: I got this film off of a discount rack, and maybe it had been sitting in heat at some point.  It had an expiration date of mid-2013, so it had plenty of time left.  I found it to give very polaroid-y results.  If that's what you're looking for, you'll get it with this film.  It was used in my Canon AE-1 P, which I usually keep stocked with BW film or Fuji color film.
will ship anything for a sale. I had an older camera that had been discontinued. Icant remember which film I ordered I have since threw the camera away
200 doesn't offer the clarity of 100, but it's far superior to 400, and it's extremely versatile. This film can be used in the widest variety of situations, and produces very nice results for enlargements. Camera &amp; skill, of course, play a LARGE part in the end result, but I highly recommend using Kodak's Gold 200 for &quot;everyday&quot; use. Yes, it costs a little more..., but as the old saying goes, which is so true with film:you pay peanuts - you get monkeys.
This is the film I buy whenever I'm out.  My exposures always return crystal-clear!  The blue-green color of my stuffed walrus is particularly well-served by Kodak's masterful Gold Max 400 film.  I'm also fond of Kodak's 110 film, but due to the nature of that format, my pictures were much dimmer.  After the switch to 400, whoa!  Watch out!  What a vivid walrus!
So she uses the film. She loves it. Of course it's easier forher than trying to figure out some new-fangled too-many-bells-and-whistlesdigital camera. So we keep ordering her film from Amazon since we can't get what shewants for a decent price locally.
When I first started doing more serious photography, I went to this old and time-tested reserve, Kodak Max 400.  The results, I'm sad to say, were a bit disappointing.  The pictures were just too grainy (too many apparent dots in the photo).  If you don't know what alternatives are available, it is good enough for your typical snapshot, but I think all of us can do a little better.As you are probably aware, film comes in various &quot;speeds,&quot; which allow you to shoot in differing light conditions. The higher the number, the less light needed. Thus, 100 film often requires bright outdoor sunlight, whereas 400 and 800 film is used for indoor or &quot;high speed&quot; (sports) photography. The problem with high-speed film, however, is that it is grainy. In order to get the film to react more quickly to light, the film needs to use larger silver crystals. Result? Your pictures will tend to be comprised of &quot;dots&quot; rather than smoother blends of color.Despite improvements from 400 and 800 films of the past, Kodak's current low-end consumer film (i.e. Kodak Max) still suffers from excessive graininess. With everyone switching to 4x6 and 5x7 prints nowadays, pictures shot on these low-end consumer films will often still show &quot;dots&quot; when observed up close. If you want pictures to be treasured for years to come, do you really want dots?The solution I found was Kodak's Royal Gold series, and Amazon to my delight recently started carrying this line of film.  Unlike Max 400, Royal Gold 400 has a remarkably small grain size, offering you the best of both worlds -- sharpness and speed.  It is a real shame that more consumers don't  know about Kodak's Royal Gold line of film. I would expect that most people normally buy the Gold (low speed 100 or 200) or Max (high speed 400 or 800) series of film simply because it is the only type of film sold in nonspecialty stores.  Don't -- it's a mistake. &quot;Royal Gold,&quot; even though a little more expensive, is much better, and you will certainly appreciate the difference in quality.
Skip this one and get either: Kodak Royal Gold 400 or Fuji Superia 400.  If you settle for this film you are going to possibly compromise your photo shot.
I hope they don't stop making these.  There is a romantic appeal to celluloid which brings back memories of past days....
The 35mm film is not as readily available in stores as it used to be.  I expected to receive two packs (4 pack), but there was only one multi-pack and several loose single packages.
I have taken pictures with this film and other films and I must say that the grade and the quality of the pictures are great!  It's good for indoor/outdoor!  I have to say that is film is really worth your money.
provides good pictures in most conditions.  Hope to buy more rolls.  but not easy to find.  Last ones thru Amazon from CA.
4/2014 &#62;&#62; The one that was delivered to me had an expiration date of 2003. I get it that some enjoy the use of expired film, but I am in not that artsy.
The product picture is a bit misleading, you get Kodak Ultramax 400(pretty much what is in the word description.) Kodak Ultramax is a great all round film. It does well for all your basic photography needs. It handles still photos well and action the same. The colors are quite good, but being 400 iso it can come out a little grainy in some situations, usually it is fine though. If you are doing more indoor shooting and more still photography I would recommend a 200 iso Kodak film. Overall a great product from Kodak. It carries on the legacy of great photographic products from Kodak.
Like it says on the box, this is a versatile film, able to adapt to various light conditions and temperatures. Kodak is the leader in film and this is a quality product.Based on recommendations from photographer friends, I take my film to a reputable processor and the pictures come out beautifully every time, a testament to the film and the developer.Of course, the higher priced Royal Gold is better but you get what you pay for...and Gold 400 does its job well.
It's getting hard to find film in stores, and this film gives great definition and color.
WHOOPS!  THIS Was the one I bought.  I never had a 200 Speed.  Same review as above.  Just what I wanted.
Before you spend the money on this scope I must warn you that you are NOT going to get close up views of the planets and celestial objects. Even though I spent over a year researching this scope and planning this purchase, and knew full well what I was getting into, it still came as a surprise when I realized that most of the things I would be viewing would be fuzzy clusters and blurry dots.If you are okay with that fact, you will adore this telescope.The first night we used it, we found Jupiter without much trouble. We pointed the scope at a bright dot in the sky that wasnt twinkling, and when we looked in the eyepiece, there was Jupiter. It was the size of an aspirin, its bands clearly visible and several of its moons brightly illuminated. Our own moon was amazing- the craters were just breathtaking.Beyond those objects, we needed to plug in the optional Autostar.  The problem for us was that the telescope worked so well we had a hard time figuring out if what we were looking at in the lens was what we wanted to find- hundreds of stars shine and twinkle in the scope when only a few may be visible to the eye. We lost our way several times trying to find objects using marker stars in the sky. With the assistance of the Autostar, we viewed brilliant Saturn, its rings clearly defined. Saturn was the size of a tic-tac, but very crisp and bright. We found the Orion nebula, and Venus at half full state. Then we viewed several bright star clusters.The Messier and deep space objects, which make up a huge part of what you will be viewing, were dim and hard to make out. If you are an astronomy buff, you will be able to identify these guys, and probably enjoy hours of use with this telescope every night. However, for amateurs like us, you will need a really good map of the sky and information on the objects you will be seeing. There are some great software titles out there- we use Starry Night and do not leave the house without a detailed star map when we are going to use the telescope.  Without either of these things, you will be lost, or bored, or both.The lens that comes with the telescope will not be adequate for most objects beyond the moon. We purchased a higher power lens and use it about 99% of the time. I highly recommend the Autostar for novices in order to get the most out of this telescope. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time trying to find things that may or may not be there.Finally, splurge on the Meade Field Tripod. Any little touch to the telescope makes the image completely blurry from the vibrations. The tripod really helped with this problem. The telescope comes with a plate which can be screwed into the bottom of the mount to further stabilize the set-up. We spent a few days puzzling over it before we tried attaching it, and it made all the difference.This was a great purchase. However, I thought I might write about all the extras that we found necessary to make this telescope worth the money we spent on it. It is an investment, but trust me, the first time you see Saturn in this telescope you will know that every cent will have been well spent.
This is the size that the ETX should have been when it was introduced. The 125 is a relatvely new member of the ETX lineup, and the one that I would recommend first to those with the money and the desire to buy an "UltraPortable" scope. With its 5 inches of aperture, it is the only ETX scope so far that I would recommend for any sort of serious deep sky (galaxies, star custers, nebulae) viewing. (See my review ot the ETX-90 for an explanation of why aperture is important.)I am the president of a large (300 members) astronomy club in Columbus, Ohio and have looked through thousands of telescopes in my life- including a few Meade ETX-125s. The scope seems to be high quality, very contrasty, with just a touch of softness that makes views through it distinguishable from high end refractors costing many times as much. If you enjoy planetary or lunar viewing, and don't want the hassle and expense of a large refractor, or the "cool down time" of a reflecting scope, then this is the scope for you.The AutoStar GOTO system seems to be the same as the one on the ETX-90, and, as in that scope, seems to do a good job finding objects. (Recommendation: learn the names of the brightest 20 or so stars in the sky. You will need them as guide stars to align the scope with.)NOTE: I have stood next to many first time users of the Meade-ETX (all versions) and watched them fumble in the dark for hours with the system of computerized menus in the GOTO system that comes with this scope. Learn to use it in the daylight or during the full moon and not while you're cutting into your observing time.At its current average asking price, beginning astronomy enthusiasists might ETX-125 might be a bit pricey. At much less, views that are almost as good (if not better, due to greater aperture) can be had through and 6-8 inch Orion or Meade Dobsonian scope. On the other hand, like the ETX-90, the ETX-125 is extremely portable- perfect for travel or quick looks.The 24 millimeter finder is useless for finding anything but guide stars and the planets. It is difficult to align, and is so small that very little can be seen through it.I would recommend getting a dew shield in addition to this scope.
This is the GoTo scope of choice with the Autostar.  It gives clear views and a distortion-free view of the sky with the standard eye piece.  For planetary viewing, the barlow lens is good, but the higher power was not as useful for deep-sky objects.  I found the Autostar somewhat difficult to use in the Easy setup mode due to the star choices it gave for orientation of the scope.  I recommend using the Two-star set-up mode that lets you pick stars you KNOW you can identify and find.With the Deluxe tripod (for the required steady footing and polar orientation) and a good read of the scope's owners manual, one can get good siderial tracking without the Autostar.  This scope DOES take some foreknowledge of the sky and buying more accessories will not take that away.  Start with the scope and deluxe tripod and GET TO KNOW IT before adding more accessories.
If you are considering purchasing any of the ETX models of telescopes I would strongly suggest paying extra for the 125EC.  The 125EC's aperture is 193% larger than the 90EC's and this makes a huge difference.  The brightness of galaxies and star clusters allow even closer magnification and brilliance.  If you are going to make an investment on a telescope, you want a scope that you can be happy with for many many years, and with the resolve capabilities of the 125EC, you will be.  I have seen spectacular displays of the Andromida galaxy along with many closer objects such Mars, Jupiter, and our moon.Be aware though, that the price does not stop at this telescope.  In order to get any practical viewing out of this you absolutely must purchase the deluxe field tripod for $200.  This somewhat limits the portability of the telescope, but if you do not have it, you will not be able to see much at all.  Also, the hard carrying case is greatly beneficial.  For about 6 months I lugged this telescope around in the original box that it came in and it was a pain.  The cardboard was bending and it would get wet and soft.  Also you cannot take any accessories in the original box like eyepieces or the Autostar controller.  The hard carrying case holds at least three eyepieces and has room for other accessories.  Any other things that you buy with this telescope would be luxuries, like the T-adapter for taking pictures, the dew shield (you don't really need that and it doesn't always work), or any filters.If you have thought about buying the Autostar controller, I would hold off for a bit.  It is extremely beneficial to learn the sky on your own, so that if ever you part with that controller, or your batteries run dead, you are not lost in the dark.  It is not hard at all to learn the skies, and with a few weeks time, with or without a telescope, you can master most of the constellations.  An unparalleled benefit of the controller is its capability to track objects during your observations.  It is able to hold objects in the field of view for hours without having to adjust the telescope manually.The ETX telescope itself is great; it has a motor drive system with four speeds so finding any object under any magnification is easy.  Its portability is handy when it comes to taking it over long distances.  I had no problem taking this scope with me in a canoe in the Adirondacks to a remote camping site (the viewing there was spectacular).  This would be a great telescope for any astronomer, as a first one to learn the skies, or as a backup, to use for long trips.
Those who rave about the ETX-125 clearly haven't used it much. I have no issue with the optics, however the drive engineering is extremely poor and I stress POOR. I have to ask, what were they thinking?!1. The ETX-125 is too heavy for the cheap plastic drive transmission. It's broken and stripped it's gears several times. After 2 expensive returns for repairs, I replaced the plastic housing with a metal one myself. At the time I needed help from Meade, I was shocked to find they didn't have an email contact.2. The mounting fork is too short. (This one blows my mind.) In the "equatorial" mode, the scope collides with the mount when approaching the horizon. If there's an accessory attached to the rear of the scope, again, you can't raise the tube without a collision with the mount. In both cases, listen for stripping gears.3. The RA (azimuth) lock is plastic as well as the tripod leg locks. All 4 have broken under the stress of being tightened.4. The guidescope eyepiece continually fell off. It seemed to be fastened with grease. I replaced it with a Telrad finder.5. The external power jack lost its resiliency causing a loose power connection. The momentary loss of power causes the electronic control to reboot. Goodbye set-up. NOTE!!! An incorrect polarity of external DC power will burn the internal control board. Yes, BURN it. No safety is provided. No second chance to get it right.6. The Meade computer control interface requires an RS232 connector. More $$$ needed to buy a USB-RS232 adapter. I'm surprised "Windows 3" isn't required. Good luck in configuring it.It would seem that in Meade's zeal to reduce cost, they've jammed cheap inferior components into an otherwise quality optical assembly. What happened to quality control? There should be a "Lemon Law" for more than cars. I'm deeply disappointed in both the quality & service from Meade. There's no way I could honestly recommend the ETX-125. If I had not received this scope as a gift, it would have been returned immediately. At half the price, it's still not worth the frustration.
Possessing the camera for more than half a year now, I could express more objective opinion than the first delights of a newborn digital camera owner. I still consider the camera as a good buy for the money. The resolution is quite enough for me. (Actually, I can't understand the present race for megapixels. In my opinion, unless you are a professional photographer, you never need more than 1600x1200.) However, the picture quality is not adequate. It would be enough for 640x480, but for higher resolution you see a lack of contrast, sharpness and saturation even for good light conditions. I guess that the optic is just poor. Anyway, if you need a camera not only for publishing pictures online or emailing them to friends and relatives, you'd better spend more money and buy something better.Also the battery life is too short. You should always switch off the batteries if not using the camera a day or more (instead of removing them I insert an old Post-It plastic flag under the lid to open the circuit.)The provided software is really ridiculous. Fortunately, all you actually need is just a TWAIN driver to transfer images from the camera to your favourite software. You can specify this during installation.
After six months I am still very pleased with this (my first) digital camera.  It's fun and very easy to use.  I've dropped my rating by one star, though, due to battery consumption.  4 standard AA alkaline batteries will only give you enough power for 10 pics, sometimes less than 5 with the LCD display on.  If you don't want to invest in rechargables (I'm the type who forgets to recharge them), I've found that Energizer Photo Lithium AA or comparable batteries give a very, very long life and are well worth the $ for a four-pack. Always remove batteries when not using the camera for more than a day, because it will drain them over long idle periods. I also strongly suggest a 16MB flash card for the average user. (See my previous review from 11/30/00 under jeffandcoy for more info.)
Alot of the reviews for this camera compare it's quality to those other newer cameras. Of course this camera is going to be a little less quality... it's 1.2MP!! duh.Bottom line, this camera's main downside is it's battery consumption. Get some rechargables and problem solved. When you print out photos on standard size photo paper, the prints don't look too bad. Thus this camera is good for going to the beach, having fun around the house, etc. If you're looking to do more serious photography, pay more and get a higher megapixel. But this one will do for casual stuff.
I received PDC-1100 three days ago.  ...  PDC-1100 works as I expected.  Good pictures.  Works well in low light without a flash - much better than my Cannon Elph APS camera.  I used the AC adapter only to learn the features.  After that, I put in rechargeable NiMH 1600mAh batteries.  I took about 20 pictures so far (all using LCD) and used the batteries while trasfering pictures to the PC, and so far the battery indicator shows half strength.I have Win 98 and USB.  Instead of software that comes with the camera, I am using Windows Imaging and Adobe PhotoDeluxe with updated drivers for PDC-1300 from ..., which claims to work with Win 98, 2000 and XP Home Edititon.  So, those having problems with 2000 and XP should check it out.  The drivers are very good, and transfer goes very fast.I really liked the video-out feature.  This alows you to view your pictures on TV using TV's video-in jack.  If you put the camera in the recording mode while connected to the TV, it works like a video monitor.  Hypothetically, one could get a very long cable (or wireless signal transmitter/receiver) and use the camera as a video monitor, say, in baby room.Finally, unlike many other cameras with video-out feature, PDC-1100 can be switched from NTSC video signal (used in U.S. TV sets) to PAL video signal (used, for example, in many European TV sets).  You can view your pictures on your hotel TV during your next "European Vacation."
Had it for a month, works great, picture quality, resolution, colors, ease  of use, download of pictures, TV connection, etc.  ALL work perfectly,  REALLY!  Overjoyed indeed. Thought I'd get the Olympus 360L, but glad I  didn't.I use an iMac and bought a Lexar 32mb Compact Flash card and  enclosed reader. No problems! Additionally, Virtual PC v3 also loads  Windows 98 PDC programs and I can download and photo-edit with W-98  software also. Friends with higher-end cameras are amazed.I have  absolutely NO complaints at all, and am totally satisfied. (Sounds as tho I  work for Polaroid, but I'm retired from a different field).  Just a GREAT  product and I'm puzzled as to why the camera hasn't received more media  acclaim/notice.
One good thing about this camera ( and the only good thing!) is that it is easy to operate.  The software is easy also, but inferior to  photodeluxe, which is offered with many other cameras. One of the  major bad points of this camera are that the printed picture quality is bad. A friend has a kodak dc215 and I printed a picture taken with my camera next to one taken with his and the kodak was much better. The other negative thing about this camera is that it takes the picture about 3 seconds after pressing the button. I would expect some delay, but this camera is ridiculous! So my advice: get a kodak dc215 or fujifilm finepix 1400. I'm returning my polaroid as I write this.
I bought the Polaroid 1100 for my son, a 5 year old that loves to take pictures. This camera seemed to have it all: decent resolution, a flash, USB connection, video cable to view the pictures on TV, 2x zoom and macro focus mode, 4 quality settings, an optical viewfinder to save batteries, AC adapeter included, photomax software, shot timer, wrist strap, and a durable case design with padded vinyl case.When it arrived, my son took about 50 pictures the first day, and although many of them were horrible, it didn't cost a thing to develop. The rechargeable NiCad batteries that I bought specifically for this camera were terrible, and they ran out after about 10 pictures... even with the display turned off. I tried some AA rechargeable NiMH batteries from my son's remote control car, and they lasted 3 or 4 times longer.With the 4MB compact flash card, you can only get 8 to 10 pictures in the highest resolution, and since we wanted to use most of the good photos in a screensaver at fullscreen on a 1024 x 768 monitor, the high setting is the lowest acceptable quality. I'll probably buy a 64MB card soon, and that will let him take over 150 pictures in the highest quality mode before the card is full.As far as the picture quality goes... you pretty much need to use the flash all of the time. You can take nice pictures  outdoors in the sun without the flash, but that's about it.The macro function works very well, but you need to make sure you are VERY close to your subject. My 3 year old daughter got in my lap one night, so I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures of her looking at me from less than a foot, and they were incredible. With my $700 SLR camera, I couldn't get that close and still be in focus, so those types of pictures will be priceless when the kids are older.My only major gripe about the camera is that it's not very quick to switch "modes", which requires using the display screen menu system. Then, your custom settings seem to last as long as you leave the power on, and then it reverts back to the default settings. For example, if you set the flash to "Always On", take a few shots, then turn the power off to save batteries... when you turn it on again a few minutes later, the flash is back in "Auto" mode, and won't necessarily fire on your next picture. Since you ALWAYS need the flash, this is an annoyance that bugs me. The 2x zoom feature works the same way... you need to activate this option using the menu, and when you turn the power off, the camera goes back to the default settings.In summary, considering that I got this camera for less than $100, it's an incredible bargain. I didn't expect it to capture images that I could print 8 1/2" x 11" photos. I mostly wanted a way for my son to take all the pictures he wanted, share them on the computer screen or TV, and possibly print a few on 4" x 6" photo paper. For what my son needs, this is a perfect camera at a perfect price. If you can get one for less than $120, go for it... but make sure you have some good rechargeable AA batteries to use with it.
I bought this camera as a birthday gift for my husband. We received the camera, used it within two minutes of opening the box, and were immensely impressed. The camera comes with *all* the accessories you need --  including batteries and a case -- and very easy instructions. However, our  joy was quickly deflated when I discovered that Polaroid offers no software  or support to computer users who have anything but Win 95/98. A trip to the  Web site confirmed this, and gave a curt response of: &quot;... There are  no drivers for Win NT or Mac.&quot; So, now after doing three days of  research and finally finding the camera that fulfilled all my wants, I have  to either send it back and spend a few hundred dollars more on a camera  from a company that recognized something other than Windows (We are out  there, you know! ), or I have to invest in software that will read the  Polaroid software. Very disappointing... especially on a birthday.
I've written a few reviews which others find helpful and I've received many, many positive comments deeming my reviews helpful. I always attempt to write what I find good about a product and what needs work or simply isn't right about a product, and describe why.The best advice I can give other consumers regarding this Polaroid PhotoMax digital camera is to advise you not to purchase it.I can only speculate that the other reviwers here who gave this cameras good reviews have not had a digital camera with similar features and functions to compare it to.The good thing about this package is the easy to use software, the USB and parallel port attachments (most digital cameras provide either one or the other, not both) and as I can think of nothing more positive, the best I can say is that it's better than nothing.I've had many problems. The worst problem of all is that it takes rotten pictures. I don't know of any consumer who would purchase a digital camera desires off center, fuzzy photographs.Of more personal expense, I've lost photographs which were priceless to me. I used this camera last Easter and only 2 of 16 were of merely decent quality, and those two were the best of the bunch, being just barely average.I'm in the mindset now to know to NOT bring the PhotoMax if my pictures are "important", which is a sad testimony to its effectiveness.I've also missed a lot of good pictures because sometimes when you turn the camera on, it turns off by itself before you can take the picture. Also, this camera takes the photo more than a second after you've pressed the shutter button. When photographing children or pets, that's all the time they need to move out of the view finder, so you take a picture wait a long while for the flash to shoot then the shutter opens even later. This is not a good thing. Even when my "models" are posed and still, photos have come out blurry.I really hate writing bad reviews and fortunately for me, almost all my other reviews are good. My purpose in sharing my observations here are to prevent the frustration and sadness I have experiencedI hope that this review has been helpful. I'm sorry to have written about the camera's poor quality, but in a like manner am pleased to think that I've saved you anguish.
I have had the Polaroid PhotoMax PDC 1100 digital camera for over two years now.  I really like it, it has performed well.  However, I must mention two items I needed to purchase in order to make this a great camera:1.  AA battery charger, saves a lot of money on batteries.  2.  Extra flash memory. I bought 64 MB of flash memory which is actually over kill.  I can now get approx. 108 photos on super quality (the top choice).Keep in mind that the above purchases can be used in many other electronic hardware, so the purchase was not only isolated for the use with the digital camera.Update Dec. 2005.My camera finally died. It was the battery compartment that was the weak spot.  I had to use duck tape for a couple of years to keep the battery door closed. But now it is not working even with good batteries in it.Randy
I bought this cause I needed something fast and didn't want to spend a lot of money.  The unit ok ok.  It eats batteries fast and picture quality is mediocre at best.  I should have ponied up the cash for a better camera.
Bought two of these cameras to take photos for  insurance purposes.  There was no flash when I took the photos, so when I called the company they confirmed that was correct. When I took another shot, there was a flash.  Needless to say, nothing came out.  Can anyone recommend a digital?
I would like to take some pictures of everything that I owned just for the last five years.  And to get a value on two art works.
I have used these cameras many times on vacation and the pictures really DID come out fairly well! Oh, sure, the quality of the pictures won't be 100% as good as the pictures you would get from a digital camera or a standard, more expensive and more professional 35 mm camera. The pictures may at times be slightly grainy but they provide excellent records and memories of my experiences.The camera also is very lightweight so you can carry several at a time in a bag as you travel. I especially like the built in flash that is easy to use (just push a button in the back of the camera and after 10 seconds or so the flash is ready). I remember my mother's Kodak Instamatic camera from the 1960s when if your flash cube had been used (after only four pictures) you were out of luck unless you had another flash cube. No such problem here! Thank goodness!The camera is a single use camera; this means that after you use it you take the entire camera to the place where you can get film developed and they will take care of the rest. No worrying about whether or not you removed the roll of film negatives correctly without exposing them to too much light. The Kodak "MAX" 800 film speed also makes it useful for taking pictures under a wide variety of lighting situations! You get 27 exposures, not just 24--a nice plus!  SMILEOverall, this is an excellent camera for the many, many people who want to travel light or who are on a budget. It is compact and easy to carry; keep one in the glove compartment of your car just in case there's an accident and you need to take pictures of the scene. The camera is also affordable. I give it four stars instead of five simply because the picture quality just isn't the very best although for most people like me the pictures it takes are fine. Thank you, Kodak!
OK, so no one will mistake the photos for professional ones, but these disposable cameras are great!  I take one with me when I go to raves,  'cause I don't want to lose my more expensive camera.  Photo quality is  quite reasonable.  The camera is loaded with fast film, so it works in all  light conditions with help from the flash.  Might as well activate the  flash for every picture, since it makes outdoor pictures look better, too.  Plus, when you consider you're throwing away the camera, there's no point  in trying to save battery power.
It's happened to everyone--you get to an event and realize that you've left that nice new digital camera on your kitchen table. Tough luck. But there's a place selling Kodak disposable cameras right around the corner. You wonder to yourself if it's worth it to pick one up.For only $8 or so, this is a good pickup. While this isn't a 5.1 megapixel digital camera, it will still take good photos. Having a flash is an added bonus. It's also compact enough to fit in most pairs of pants. There's nothing special about these cameras--no zoom or panoramic prints--but they are easy to use.While it's still cheaper to use your own camera, the convenience is worth it in many cases.
I'm on my 4th digital camera, and this is it, and boy is it amazing.  You can print out 8x10 (using ofot.com or shutterfly) and not be able to tell it wasn't a film camera!  The microdrive gives you more capacity than  you'll ever need.  Great LCD screen and great USB transfers.
I bought a QV-3000EX last year, prior to a 2-month trip to Europe where I found myself using it nearly as much as my SLR camera.  The beauty of on-the-spot review and even deletion of a photo is great...something no film camera can do.  At the time and continuing since then, I have used the camera quite a bit and have a strong overall opinion of it, but with some complaints.  The complaints don't take away enough to drop my rating below 4 stars, but they do exist as follows:First, the viewfinder provides a distorted, non-linear view if the camera is not held perfectly vertical; fortunately the recorded image is still OK.  Also, while not unexpected, there is considerable parallax error with close-in photos, in which case the image on the screen should be trusted over the viewfinder.Second, there is no provision for a screw-in filter on the lens, as available with the Nikon CoolPix models. In general, neither problem is critical but rather an annoyance.  Given all the features of this camera that can pretty well satisfy even an advanced photographer's needs, the lack of screw-in filter support seems an oversight.Third, there is no external flash connection.  I've been quite surprised that red-eye in several photos has been minimal to non-existent even when the subject's eyes seem directly facing the camera.  Luck perhaps, as red-eye does still occur occasionally.  Although flash quality is good, I know from experience that it can be improved significantly and red-eye totally avoided if I use off-camera flash.  Fortunately, I was able to rig up a small flash deflector that I attach to the camera with a small strip of velcro, bouncing the flash to trigger a slaved off-camera flash unit.  That has provided excellent results and any exposure errors can be immediately previewed and corrected using the LCD screen.Fourth, battery drain:  With the use of the IBM Microdrive (major selling point of the camera), battery drain is quite significant and even with 1450-1600maH NiMH batteries, I still observe indications sooner than I'd expect that the batteries are getting low.  Those indications include the slightly longer delay time in saving a photo to disk and a prompt in the LCD screen to cancel the save if desired.  If I anticipate that as a problem for any planned photography, I switch to using a 65MB compact flash card which provides improved battery performance and faster saving of photos.  I recently purchased an external, rechargeable 120maH Sakar digital camera battery pack at Fry's Electronics, and the initial impression is that it will provide me with better battery performance than the NiMH AA batteries; the only inconvenience is then leaving the door open on the camera where the DC power cable attaches.Fifth:  Low light focusing - Quite poor.  Sometimes this problem can be worked around by selecting either the manual or infinity focus option.  More often I just have to look for some other nearby person or object at a similar distance away and in better lighting, and use that to establish a pre-focus point before returning to my subject.Those items notwithstanding, I very much enjoy this camera and highly recommend it.  Most notable is the compatibility with the IBM Microdrive, even at the expense of increased battery drain.  Lens quality (a Canon lens) is excellent and color rendition seems very good.  The 3.3MB image size is sufficient to obtain photo-quality 8x10-inch prints when printed on my Epson 1270 printer and passable 11x14-inch prints.  Using Adobe Photoshop to further edit my 11x14 prints by applying filter effects that render more of a watercolor look to the photos, I have obtained some very nice &quot;artistic&quot; prints in exchange for a tradeoff of the photo-quality sharpness. Stilhave successfully slaved my camera to an external flash in a manual exposure mode. To avoid red- eye induced by on-camera flash, I fashioned a small cup of plastic to deflect the camera flash upwards, triggering the remotely slaved flash only. The cup can be easily attached via a small strip of velcro. While I've rarely used any flash at all, the slaved flash setup does provide better results than the on-camera flash.Of special note are two &quot;hidden&quot; features of the camera that I learned of from imaging-resource.com as follows:Uncompressed TIFF Mode:  Resulting in a 6MB file size that takes 20-30 seconds to save between shots, this does provide a way to capture more detail if the need arises.  The one problem is that the TIFF is a non-standard format that many programs cannot read properly.  ACDSee and IRFanView are two Windows programs that can open and resave this TIFF format in a standard format that yields a 9MB file size.  To access this mode on the camera, press the Set and Flash buttons simultaneously in any capture mode. Turning off the camera will disable this feature.Manual Exposure:  This was particularly useful when I devised my flash deflector for the slaved off-camera flash.  If you hit the Set button and the left arrow button simultaneously while in Shutter Priority mode, you are put into a full manual mode that lets you control both aperture (the left and right arrow buttons) and shutter speed (the up and down arrows).  Using a slaved Vivtar 283 flash off-camera in automatic mode, I set the camera the the aperture setting specified by the flash expsosure calculator dial.  An advantage over an SLR camera is that the digital camera can be set to whatever shutter speed is desired; there is no focal-plane shutter vignetting of the image to worry about.So, all in all, this camera provides a wealth of features to explore but there remains room for improvement.  Would I buy it again today over the competition?  Most likely I would, but what I've learned would also find me studying all the cameras just that much more closely.  At the time of purchase, this was the only 3.3MB digital camera I could find that offered the range of features I desired and the storage capacity I sought.Finally, I've just learned about some freeware software for this camera at dicasoft.de that allows the use of a PC to control the camera automatically.  While such needs are non-existent for me at the moment, they may be fun to toy with.
I've had my Casio for just over 2 years. It is extremely easy to use and with the hard drive, I mindlessly shoot shots at the highest resolution (2048x1536)knowing that storage is no issue.  Having the HD has changed the way I shoot photos since with "no storage issues" I take multiple photos per topic and decide later on my computer which ones I'll use and delete the rest. Accessing photos with the USB port is as simple as plugging in the USB cable and double clicking the "drive E:" icon that appears in My Computer.  Although the Casio software is ok it is not as effective as some of the commercial software that is available. After trying a few packages I've settled in on using Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 and Irfanview (which is free) to edit my photos.  I've printed 8x10 photos on my Epson ink jet printer with Photo paper and the results are superb. A high resolution, poster size photos can be printed.  Since day one, I've been using Kodak rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and battery life has not been an issue at all. The 3x optical zoom I use extensively and I've never used the digital zoom.  An excellent camera that I highly recommend.
I love the Casio QV3000EX.  I use mine in conjunction with the IBM 1Gig Microdirve.  Without the need to load any additional software or drivers, I can swap the microdrive between the camera and PC with ease.  The 1 Gig holds 600+ high-resolution pictures and makes emailing and posting pictures of incredible resolution a snap...!
I don't agree with the person who said it's too heavy.  Compared to a 35mm camera it's very light.  Besides, what other digital camera offers 3x optical zoom, a microdrive bundle that lets it store ~250 highest quality  pictures (or thousands at lower res/quality), great controls, good battery  life, breathtaking images, and fast upload (USB) to the computer, at this  price?  Nikon?  Sorry, can't use a microdrive.  Canon?  Lots of complaints  about image quality.  Kodak?  Great color, but no 3 megapixel model yet and  slooow operation - plus the DC290 is bigger than this Casio.Casio is not  a respected name in cameras (yet) but this model is an aggressively priced  state of the art entry.
After using this camera for several weeks I will tell you that I would not trade it in for any other.  It is great technology.  Here's what I like best:  1. a 340Mb card INCLUDED - this is good for about 250 pictures, equivalent to over 10 rolls of film!  2. Picture quality is superb.  3. It has the most powerful flash for an automatic camera that I have ever seen.  Also, the red eye reduction mode really works.  4. It has 5 or 6 different automatic settings that work extremely well (portrait, landscape, panorama, night, etc.).  The night mode work surprisingly well.  5.  The 30 second video (quicktime format) is great.  There is no sound but for capturing a quick movie it comes in handy.  6.  The camera is very easy to use.  Simple menu system.  I read the manual and tested for about 20 minutes.  That was it.The industry pubs loved it.  The only knock on it was the battery life.  It takes 4 AA batteries and sucks the life out of them rather quickly (30 to 40 pictures).  However, they should have used the Olympus rechargeable AA batteries.  They are awesome.  They lasted 3 days and well over 120 shots and many movie shots in Disney.  This included replaying it all from the camera on the TV each night.  If I didn't do that, they would last the full hard drive on a single charge.  I recommend those batteries.  I carry an extra set of regular AA's just in case.  The fact that you can buy AA's anywhere if you should run out of life is another plus.Overall, I love this camera.  Its a little large (can't fit in your shirt pocket), but light.  Make sure you get the AC adapter.  Incredibly, its not included.  I still have to get one.  Its good to use when connected to a TV or downloading to your computer.
This is a great camera for the first time digital user.  Batteries were a problem until I started using NMH AA rechargeable batteries.  I keep a set in the charger and another in the camera and I am good to go.  I can take 40-50 pictures with one charge.  The microdrive is fantastic, I pop it out of the camera and into a cf card reader hooked to my computer and presto, it is another drive and the pictures are right there to be viewed, printed, or transferred (fast).  It is just hassle free.  Quality of the pictures is, to me, indistinguishable from film.  I lost the first camera on a trip and was so pleased with it that I bought another one just like it.  Can't say enough good about it. Again one of the key factors for satisfaction is getting the proper batteries - with the NMH AA rechargeable batteries which you can get for $10 for a set of four anywhere now, you'll be satisfied with the battery life and the low cost of operation.
I scouted the market a long time before choosing the Casio and it was well worth the investment in time and money. There's little to complain about in this camera and much to love. I love:* The stunning image quality.*  The IBM MicroDrive. I didn't want to have to worry about downloading images  while on a trip, and with its 245-picture storage (at the highest  resolution), the Casio solves this for me. Given the MicroDrive's hefty  price tag, its inclusion makes the camera very good value. It even slips  into my Win CE handheld computer and does double duty there.* The choice  between full automatic and manual control.* The panorama and movie  modes.* The look and the feel. It's not an ultra-light, but it's no  heavyweight and it looks handsome. The design is somewhat right-handed, but  even as a leftie I found it comfortable to use, holding it in my right hand  while adjusting menu controls with my left. Now, I'd just like to know how  you avoid smudging the display screen when using the viewfinder! (A problem  I'm sure many digicams share.)* The good documentation. It'd be nice if  it had an index, but it's well written.What I don't like:* The lack  of inclusion of an AC adapter. Save yourself time and order one when you  order your camera. I've found battery life not too bad using NiMH  rechargeables, but the AC adapter makes all the difference when downloading  images and when you're just playing about learning how to use the  camera.* The off-centre tripod mount.* The lack of an 800x600  resolution mode.
Got QV-3000EX... (no Microdrive but a 16MB CF card). We bought a 128 CF card... and a set of NiMH battries and charger.  My wife was glad to see the lable "Made in Japan."  [She thinks things are better if it is made in USA or Japan.]  It comes with Canon lense! F2.0!!!The CF cards are getting cheaper.  I would rather own 3 128mb CF cards than a battry consuming Microdrive, which is also more expansive.  (Well, we are trying to spend less for the best.)  Now you can get 256mb CF cards too.  a 128mb CF card will store around 90 pics (2048 x 1536) or over 300 (1024 x 768).  So far, I don't usually need more than (1024 x 768) and don't need more than one 128mb card.  I will wait for the CF cards to come up with higher capacity, or even go cheaper.  Plus, I travel with my computer anyway.  An my IBM Thinkpad has a slot for reading both CF card and IBM MicroDrive.I popped in a set of Duracell battries while waiting for my new rechargables being charged.  I have taken 30 shots and have viewed pics on the LCD screen and the battries are still going strong.  (This is no Duracell comercial).  Comparing to my previous digital cameras, the battery comsumption of this camera is nothing.  Still I will use the rechargables to save money.I thought I had to sattle with another cheap camera because of my budget..., I've got a camera I thought I would have to spend... more on.  It was worth the research and thanks for your reviews on this site and others.  I am writing the review in return to help others.Oh, how could I not say anythings about the pictures.  A friend of mine just paid... for his Nikon 990.  The printouts from my camera made him really jealous.Of course I am also surprised why this camera does not get so popular.  In some sense, I am glad it doesn't.  Otherwise, I would have to pay more to get mine.  Hay, I have got mine now, I recommend everybody to buy this camera!  You will not regret!  My wife would say, "Look at the bottom of your camera.  You might have a Nikon but it says 'made in Burma.'"  Ours maybe only Casio but it is made in Japan!  Hee, hee, hee!
I bought this camera, and had troubles like everyone else in getting it to work with Windows 2000 via usb.  I also have a RC1 of Windows XP and good news for all.  You don't even need to install the Casio USB driver.  Windows XP will detect the camera and download the pictures for you.  One caveat however, is that the way that casio stores your pictures (the origional picture, plus a low-res copy for the preview screen), will cause windows XP to download both of these images giving you a high-res version of your picture and a low-res version.  But you can also choose to just open the folder that holds the pictures on the camera itself and get the good pics that way.All in all, great camera compared to most others.  My main problem with most other cameras is the storage, and the casio is one of the best priced cameras to overcome this with the IBM 340 drive.  It holds a to (~200) of absaloutly beautiful and HUGE pics.I would recommend this camera to anyone.
We just had our 1st baby and this camera has been worth the money. The Microdrive saves you from ever having a problem with disk space (250 high res pics). So you can take pictures non-stop and not worry. It was easy to  load the pics to my PC with the USB adapter and the software was pretty  easy to use. Also, it includes a video adapter so you can play the pictures  in a slideshow on a TV one minute after taking your picture(s). There are  internet services for printing your pictures (mailed to you on high quality  paper) and I could e-mail and post the pics to a free web site...so it was  easy for us to share our news the same day.The other great thing about  digital cameras is that you can preview the pic right away, so you know if  you need to retake the picture...really important on my daughters first day  of life.The only downside is that this  camera , like all digital cameras, eats up batteries at a ridiculous pace.  I went through 20 AA batteries in a week! I recommend buying 8 rechargeable  AA batteries...the camera only needs 4,but an extra 4 keeps you going.  (Good luck trying to buy the AC Adapter anywhere). 8 rechrgeable batts will  run you about $40 with the charger, but you'll spend more than that on  batteries anyway...
I bought this camera in 2000, and it broke in 2006 after many thousands of shots in almost a dozen countries. It produced accurate color, great (for the era) resolution and clarity, and had a decent zoom. The night shots were good, and the panoramas and films as well. Low-light sensitivity was wonderful, and I never felt that a rainy day would hamper my abilty to take a photo that accurately reflected the world as I captured it. The capacity with the microdrive was revolutionary and a great boon as well, not having to change disks or memory sticks every time you filled up 64 mb with photos.And then it broke. I thought, big deal, surely cameras have come a long way since then! I hobbled by with a borrowed ultracompact Casio for a year, and finally settled on a Nikon Coolpix P80. It produces sharper images at greater range, and has tons of features I never dreamt of with my Casio - yet it can't focus worth a darn. I'm discovering little niggling problems that I never even knew could pop up - and that says volumes about the quality of the QV3000EX.My experience with later Casio cameras hasn't been so rosey, but Casio should be proud to have made such a fine camera, and any buyer should be proud to own one.
...Pros:-Image Quality *and* Quantity.The 3000ex is a true 3.34 Megapixel camera which will give you 2048x1536 resolution max. At this, and the minimum compression, you can achieve 248 pictures on the microdrive. If you drop the resolution to a mere 1024x768 (most likely the size of your screen, or larger) you can get *999* images on the disk. That's alot of snapping.-Features.20 second mpgs (no sound), shutter speed priority, aperture priority, clean back lit LCD screen, Panoramic(!!) shots, and special modes for Portraits, night shots, and landscapes. Color, B/W, Sepia modes, Red-eye reduction flash, macro mode, time stamp, 3x optical zoom(!!) 6x digital, and superbly done USB connectivity.-USB interface. Hate having to use a proprietary interface to get your images off a camera? You'll love this. Pop in the USB cable, and windows automatically sets it up as a removable disk drive. That's right, you can sure the camera as if it was a hardrive from inside your 'my computer'. OR, press a button, and have then all automatically loaded, and displayed.-Ease of use Even using the advanced features, it's a very simple to use camera. Everything is menu driven, and in a logical format.Cons:-Battery life. If you decide to use the LCD screen alot, the batteries do not last long at all. If you don't, on the other hand, they'll last for about 150-250 shots. Not too bad.-To get *full* 3.34 Megapixel *uncompressed* tiffs, you must find the secret option to enable it. WARNING: by enabling uncompressed tiff, you will get about 15 shots before the card is *full*. tiffs are 100% uncompressed RAW image data.-Size It's a little bit large for me. Not too bad, and for what it does it's decent, but if you're running around, it can get bothersome to carry. (The canon ELPH digital (2.1MP) is more like what I'd want to haul around..) ...
I got this camera to use on the fly when a larger camera would be too cumbersome; to the beach etc. and I have found it to be really good. I have owned many cameras, some of them point and shoot, and this one is the best one I have had. The pictures really are very sharp and well-balanced, and the zoom is unbelievable in such a little fellow! Also, the film is always in place, you don't have to worry about coming home from safari with 36 to-die-for pictures of rare wildlife...only not, because the film wasn't put in properly (this actually happened to me once, on safari).The only slight annoyance, and it is very slight, is that you have to half-close the cover in order to activate the retraction of lens etc. then wait until it is safely in place, and THEN close the cover fully. After a while this is second nature and I only mention it so nobody thinks I was paid for this review.All in all, this camera far surpassed my expectations and I highly recommend it.Casper
A large zoom range.  Most others don't go as high as 140 for the price. I did not shoot photos with it because I was put off by the noise of the zoom lens.  The camera was not as small or balanced as I had hoped. Plus the zoom is not continuous.  It jumps to preset settings.
I own a Nikon N6006 SLR and set out to buy a point-and-shoot for convenience.  I bought both a Minox CD 140 and an Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 QD.  I shot a roll of film with all three at once, then blinded sorted the the match sets of three pictures of each image based on which were best.  My findings:1. The Nikon SLR was not consistently the best.  In fact, the difference between the pictures from the SLR and the two point and shoots was remarkably smaller than I expected.2. The Minox had somewhat better color, focusing, and contrast than did the Olympus.  The difference, however, was slight.3. The Olmpus was better designed than the Minox.  The Olympus fit better in the hand, the clamshell cover gave more protection, it had a greater zoom range, the viewfinder was slightly larger and set back from the camera body (so your nose doesn't bump the camera as much), and the diopter adjustment was nice.  On the plus side for the Minox, the placement of the Minox zoom buttons was more comfortable for me than than the Olympus ones, and the Minox turned on and off markedly faster than the Olympus.  Also, the Minox case was more practical.Both point and shoot cameras would be excellent options. Get the Minox if picture quality is paramount; get the Olympus if you want more features and better comfort in your hands.
My old stylus took a lot of abuse.  Punk shows, extensive travel, &amp; mishandling and nothing stopped it.  I wanted a zoom lens, so I got another.  I like the zoom but find the fact that the eye piece goes out of focus annoying and it's awkward to focus the eyepiece for the candid shot. (I am sure I will get over it.) The case is a bit slick...maybe some grip tape would help.  Otherwise it's a great camera.  The pictures are sensational.
Strengths: Versatile camera, Great range with zoom, Produces sharp photos, Lightweight, Perfect for traveling, Somewhat weatherproofWeaknesses: Feels a little fragile in your hand; be careful with it! (As with most electronics goods though.)Summary: This is a great versatile camera. I found it to be the pefect travel companion for me recently, and it produced great results that amazed me for a point-and-shoot camera. I love the wide range it covers, and it's lightweight enough to fit easily in your jacket pocket. And, if that weren't enough, it's near weatherproof! Definitely a serious point-and-shoot for the not-so-serious photographer. :)
We bought this camera for the 140-zoom.  We're very happy with the zoom and all the easy-to-use features.  However, the pictures sometimes come out dark even on bright sunny days.  After reading the other reviews, we are either taking pictures at the wrong angle or using the wrong film (400-speed) or using a poor developer.  If we figure it out, we'll let you know.
From May to June I went to the Peruvian Amazon for a course. I decided to buy the Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 camera, because it was for all weather and I heard that the zoom was good. The Amazon is a very hot and humid place, so be prepared! The interesting part of this is that the camera actually fell in the Amazon river, and it dived in it's case. The boat turned back to rescue it, and it was recovered working as new. Since that my camera has been working perfectly. That camera is really weather resistant and it is an Amazon survivor!! The only thing I don't like about it is that some objects are hard to focus when you get too close, but I am still very hapy with it.
I had one.  A friend dropped it from a three story roof and it broke. I immediately bought another one. Can't imagine buying any other brand or model (love the 140 zoom).
I bought this camera about 2 1/2 years ago.  I was very satisfied with the picture quality under a variety of conditions.  Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago it quit focusing.  As it turns out for this type of camera all photo repair shops send the unit in to Olympus to have it repaired.  If you want you can send it to Olympus directly yourself.  The problem is that regardless of the problem, the repair is a flat rate ... which is rapidly approaching the cost of just buying a replacement camera.  Disappointing...
I bought this camera just before I traveled to Europe.  It's always good to check out a new camera before you go on vacation with it,  (so you can get to know it and see the results ...nothing worse than coming back from a vacation like that with a bunch of garbage rolls of film as your memories).  I was SO happy with the results of the test roll before I left, that I shot another roll &quot;to test&quot; it, and then another... the images are SO sharp and clear!  I had VERY FEW pictures that didn't turn out from my entire trip.  Good exposures, clear focus...  The camera was overall quite adaptable to the various elements a person may come across while on vacation or just out taking pictures at a family event. I've had so much fun taking pictures with it!Neat that it has several different options for the function of the flash!  It has a flash override, two different types of red-eye reduction, a selection for night time outdoor flash, as well as a self timer, and the option to put the date on the pictures/ date and time, or no data at all.I really don't have any complaints about this camera.  But since it's all automatic, make sure to always have an extra battery on hand!  Especially when you first get it, because you'll probably use the zoom and stuff a bit more at first.  Another thing that I noticed with mine is that the flap that slides over to close the lens and cover/protect it will VERY SLIGHTLY rub along the side of the lens as it is being pulled in if you push too far on the flap. So just be aware so not to mar the finish.What would make this camera better is if it came with a made to fit case!
In July 2004, just a month after I got the 140 QD CG camera, it started jamming when I'd extend the zoom lens.  Made a series of horrid clicking sounds when I'd extend it, or try to pull it back in.  Put in fresh battery (again), tried again - - jammed up, wouldn't rewind the film at the end of a roll, lost all photos.  Boxed it up, sent it back to Olympus at my expense, and received it back about 3 weeks later, with a xeroxed piece of paper - - no letter of explanation as to repair or problem - - just a schematic of the film case, yellow-highlighted, and all I could gather from this lack of information was they were trying to tell me I was loading the film incorrectly.  That would make the zoom lens and lens cover jam and click and take out-of-focus photos?  I think not.  So, back from the factory, I proceeded to try again, and the camera worked for about a month - - by December same problems were back - - several rolls of film later, photos still coming back out of focus, zoom lens jamming, lens cover jamming.  Haven't decided yet whether to return it to Olympus and tell them they've lost me as a customer, or throw it off the highest cliff.  Don't waste your money on this product.  It was disappointing to find out that Olympus doesn't seem to care about communicating or making things right.  This was my first and last Olympus product, even though I'd heard great things about their stuff.
I have used this camera for several years in primary and kindergarten classrooms.  It is perfect!  Really gets great shots as it allows you to zoom in on kids' interactions without making them feel uncomfortable with a camera in their faces. It is easy to use and fits my hand comfortably.  Do carry an extra battery so you don't get stuck in the middle of the field-trip- of-the-year without POWER!
I bought this as a present for my mom but once I saw the pictures I just kept it.If you want something easy to use and robust with a pretty good zoom.. this is it.
This camera is amazing!  Not only does it take great photos using any type  of film but it is extremely durable. A professional photographer highly  recommended this camera which I purchased prior to my once-in-a-lifetime  African Adventure. The night of our Zambezi river cruise, my tote bag fell  overboard and drifted 200 yards before kindly fishermen saved it.  Luckily,  this camera was in my zippered compartment so it didn't sink to the bottom  like my binoculars. I thought the camera was wasted because the entire body  was flooded with river water and the lens was fogged.  After opening up the  film and battery compartments and letting them air dry in the hot sun, the  camera works perfectly. The view lens has bubbled so it's a little  difficult to see the subject but the photos are beautiful. This made me a  loyal Olympus customer.
This camera has made an Olympus loyalist out of me.  It takes excellent pictures in the hands of a novice - nearly all of my pictures from my summer trip turned out perfectly, even the ones taken on the spur of the moment.  The camera is small and stylish, without being too small or feeling flimsy.  It is also tremedously durable.  Mine has already survived being dropped twice and fully flooded with water without a hitch.  A great camera for a casual photographer.  Highly recommended.
The Olympus Stylus Zoom 115 QD is wonderful. After deciding I didn't want to take all my SLR equipment on my cruise I bought this camera only one day before leaving. The first roll of film I had developed on the ship to see if I was using the camera correctly. All 24 pictures turned out beautifully, at night, in the rain, inside, and outside. I ended up taking 10 rolls of film on vacation and this camera gave me the freedom I never had with my SLR. The camera has nice styling and is small enough to fit almost anywhere (even in my formal evening purse). Since coming back from vacation I have taken many rolls of film and I am still as impressed. Try it! I don't think that you will be disappointed.
I purchased a used camera from this seller.  Excellent service, quick shipment, product works well.
I bought this camera for my wife as a gift 2 Christmas's ago.  She loves it.  It's small enough to fit easily in her purse or in a fanny pack and yet it gives you enough control with the zoom lens and flash options to have some creative control.  And I must admit, when we go backpacking I'd much rather carry this small, light camera than my Nikon.It's turned out to be a great little camera.  We're very happy with it.
I took the olympus stylus zoom on my backpacktravels thru africa, australia etc etc. Hence it took a lot of bumping and hassling. It even rolled down more than 300 yards of a sand (!) dune in Namibia. And it still didnt suffer. Still the same super quality of pictures. I took good nature shots, the zoom even allowed for some good wildlife ones. And with that superb picture quality its not as big as a mirrorreflex. No big clumpsy camerabags to handle. Excellent.Highly recommended.
I've had this camera for 5 years. I had borrowed my Mom's smaller non-zoom Stylus for a trip to Italy (so I wouldn't have to lug my big ol' SLR with me), and got such great results with it that she gave me this one for my birthday. It's everything that hers is, and it has the zoom. I love it. I've taken it everywhere with me, including several more trips to Europe, and it has always performed flawlessly. And I get better percentages of successful shots with it than I ever got with the SLR. I heartily recommend this camera.
April 2002I found this camera ...on Amazon six months ago and was amazed with the picture quality and comfort of use of this camera at the price. I am giving the camera a full thumbs up after more than 6 months of use!I like the no viewfinder concept... (I wear glasses and it is a pain to look thru viewfinders!) You also center the frame well - what you see in the LCD is what you get!The camera has a IR remote and a reversible viewscreen which allows me and my wife to take our pictures without anyone elses help. Just turn the camera towards you and you can see yourselves on the small LCD screen and use the remote even to zoom upto 10X. (It has digital zoom, but a purist like me cannot use digital zoom!)I bought a Inland Firewire Card (which came with a ULead videosystems Videomaker software)...and am very pleased with the quality of the home VCD that I made from it. Of course, I had an old AMD K6-350 Desktop running Windows 98 - which meant downloading patches for DV editing from inlandfaq dot com site and buying a Maxtor 40GB Harddrive ... to upgrade my old and shaky compaq PC!I am finally happily creating great home movies with lots of special effects at a premium price .. and recommend everyone to do the same. Do not waste money when you can save! DV quality is within your reach...P>As for still pictures, I find grabbing the DV frames at 780x640 resolution using the DV software is the best way. You really donot need a memory stick or more resolution, it prints upto 5x6 prints, even 8x10s look great if printed on a laser printer... Your pictures look great as 10x zoom lets you take great closeups of just the face! I find my pictures better than ones taken on 2megapixel still cameras as the closeup really makes up for lower resolution esp in natural light conditions.Happy DV editing!
The Sharp VLSD20 offers one characteristic you won't find in too many rival products. You want to pick it up and use it more often, because its peculiar form encourages use. Sharp shaped it short and wide, like a window rather than a weapon. As you use it, you feel you're a less threatening and intrusive presence than most camcorder users. That catapults this product and a few other similar Sharps into a league of their own.People seem unusually eager to pick up the VLSD20 and play with it. It's approachable, a little toylike. It's also extraordinarily simple to use. Commonly-used controls mostly fall perfectly to hand, the record button and the zoom control neatly under your right thumb. (I remain astonished at the number of rival camcorders intent on hiding key controls.) The handgrips sit in the right place. My wife, a fine photographer but no tech-head, understood it straight away. And its size encourages you to throw it in a bag and take it out into the world, increasing your chances of actually filming video with it. Which is why you bought it in the first place.You cannot, of course, prop it against your head to steady it, the way you can with any eyepiece-equipped camcorder. What you can do is cradle it in your hand at hip level, your arm in an &quot;L&quot; shape and the screen tilted up. You'll find yourself in a shooting position at once less obtrusive and more stable than the traditional head-level camcorder stance.Or you can use a tripod - which, in the absence of highly sophisticated optical image stabilisation, keeps the subject steady in the frame better than any other method. And on a lightweight tripod, the little gizmo maintains that same remarkably unthreatening demeanour.Other pluses? The VLSD20's picture quality equals anything at this price point. Shown a Firewire port, it will pour digital video straight into your PC for editing. And construction puts to shame a couple of JVCs at a similar price point; the thing feels not unlike a Pentax SLR.Drawbacks are minor. The screen cannot be folded away, although ours has so far resisted damage. There's no mount for external microphone (you'll need a bulky bracket). The 10x optical zoom range trails several competitors. The snapshot button is too easily pushed, giving you an occasional five seconds of motionlessness. A one-touch manual focus would make life easier. As noted above, image stabilisation works just as poorly as on other comparable products. The remote controls playback, not recording. No product could make better use of a custom-designed carry-pack, but you'll have to buy one off the shelf.Several friends' camcorders went quickly to the back of the cupboard and have stayed there. The lesson: the best product is the one you'll use. On that principle, the VLSD20 and its Sharp cousins take some beating. This device is unlikely to get shut away.
I have had the Viewcam for a year now, and feel that I can make an adequate review of it now. So here it is. Problems/Repairs: 0. Things that impressed me: Resolution quality over VHS/8mm, low-light capabilities, sound quality, overall size, and that cool swivel action. Things that did not impress me: Cost of DV tapes, Resolution quality compared with newer miniDV cams, still shot pics, battery life. Overall: This is a very handy little camera, and I have enjoyed using it. It had firewire, which is the only way to go if your editing on your PC - and the picture/sound quality is far superior than any other format (don't let the whole Digital8 thing fool you). The price on Amazon was a steal at the time, and I do not regret getting it at all.
I got this camera for my birthday and I really like it.  However, I've found that it doesn't work very well at night b/c the lighting system is not bright enough.  Is there any way I could find an external light to add to the camera so that it'll be able to record images in the dark?
My sharp camcorder is a little small to handle there is no place to hold it without having a problem using a fuction. Picture and sound are good. Camera is some what hard to keep steady when filming. I could't order a extra battery from Amazon.com they do not carry them when i did find one it was $80.00. that takes the edge off the good price. If i could i would send it back and buy another model of sharp camcorder.
Hi, I bought this camera to take it on a Millennium trip to Isreal, Egypt, Greece...and it did not disappoint. Amazing. I think I've replaced the battery only once. IT comes with a charger so make sure you get that too. Easy to use. Be careful when loading the tape so you down force it. Never had problems with it but it looks pretty delicate when you see the fancy mechanism. Great almost 3 inch playback. Great zoom. Now all I have to do is edit all of these tapes. Saw that it isn't the best for Apple's MOVIE program but I'm going to use directions on HOW THINGS WORK -- for editing Mini-DV -- wish me luck. Swivel makes it easy to shoot vertical or horizontal. Easy to give to a pal to use. Like that you can get 90 minutes on one tape. Be careful, I recently somehow taped over a vaulable tape so pull that little green tab on your digital video tapes so you can't re-record accidentally. SO MUCH FUN -- makes even an event you DON"T WANT TO GO TO -- ie some party or wedding or something a lot of fun. Because the results are so good and the SOUND IS AMAZING. REALLY AMAZING SOUND for mini-dv -- plus you can put it in a tote bag or a large purse if you're a lady. No need for big camera bag. The stabilization tech eliminates need for tripods etc and it seems to work just as well inside a room at night vs during the day.....worth every penny -- and if you can get one used--well-- do it today!! js.
Excellent choice for a digital movie camera.  Takes stills from 1 to 16 frames per snap.  Hook up to a TV to view movies or review thru the lcd screen,  Never had any problems.
Tough, tiny, and simple to use, these binoculars are a bargain. What's more, their small size and light weight makes them easy to take along when you travel or attend shows and concerts (you'll be able to see the performers clearly, even from the highest balcony). Get them, and you'll literally see what you've been missing.
A great product for traveling, compact, light and easy to focus. I take them everywhere I travel. I highly recommend.
The pair I got I am VERY pleased with. They have very good optical properties, the occular adjustment was able to adjust between both my eye's. (I have seen some binoculars that did not have enough range in the occular to adjust between the difference in my eye's) and the brightness of the image was very good for such a small diameter lense. IMHO this is a superior product to Bushnell and Tasco products of similar design and you can't beat the price!
These binocs are great.Pros: Easy focusing knob, bright, powerful zoom, and lightweight.Cons: Eyepieces can be a pain with big glasses.The carrying case and neck strap are nicely desigend as well. Get these binocs! :)
Good optics, perfect magnification for sporting events, and at an awesome price. To top it off, a 6 foot drop onto concrete caused no damage.
These binoculars have a nice bright clear image, even in low light conditions. They are easy to focus. I find it best to use them without my eyeglasses and compensate for my poor eyesight with the focus wheel. The binoculars are light and compact. You will not be disappointed with them, for sure! :-D
I bought two pairs - one for me and one for my wife - for our first trip to the Daytona International Speedway (Florida) for the Pepsi 400 NASCAR night race.  Small enough to fit into the cargo pocket on the side of my shorts, these things worked great, even under the lights.  The binoculars kept their focus and stayed sharp.  The rubber coating is a nice touch and a good way to keep them from getting dinged up when hanging from my neck.  The binoculars come with a soft case that can be worn on a belt, but I stuffed them, case and all, into my cargo pocket.  There's an adjustment on the right cylinder for correcting the vision for those of us who wear glasses, and once its set it won't drift. Nice touch.
I just bought one of these S10's.  As a 2 megapixel camera (where thegeneral classes are 1, 2, and 3 megapixels..., respectively at the time of this writing), I've been very happy with my purchase.  My main reasons for choosing this camera were:1. It has a USB connection. Very important for speedy downloads.  Do NOT get a 2mp or greater camera without one.  Warning: Win98/Win2000 are your best bets - NT doesn't support USB and neither does win95.2. It supports CompactFlash Type II.  I like CF better than SmartMedia.  It's cheaper, supports higher capacity cards, and is more durable.3. It supports the IBM MicroDrive 340 CF type II card (which would be a reason to buy this camera over the new digital ELPH S100, which is too small for that drive).  340MB = about 500 pictures for about $300. How huge is that!4. My lower bound was 2 megapixels.  The 3 Meg cameras JUST came out, so the prices on these two megapixel cameras all dropped by about 50% a few months ago.  3 megapixel cameras are still pretty pricey...5. The review on dpreview was very good. Phil Askey explains in great depth the pluses and minuses of these cameras.  I value his opinion a lot and he highly recommended this camera.6. Battery life is reputed to be about 50 shots with regular use of the LCD preview and scanning shots.  That seems about right in my usage so far.7. Extremely compact and rugged, fits in your pants pocket.  Has a sturdy non-plastic tripod mount.Biggest surprises after buying the camera:1. The software that came with the camera is surprisingly good.  Thumbs up.2. The batteries that you use are about $12 a pop, unless you get the rechargeables.  The recharging device is a little under $100 and comes with one battery.  Everyone recommends this as the first accessory followed by purchase of two more rechargeables (for a total of three) at about $35/ea.  With this setup, you can take about 150 pictures - teamed with a 340Mb MicroDrive you can fit the entire vacation on the camera with room to spare!3. I'd like to find a nice protective case for it, but they don't seem to be available :(.4. You can't do the flash upgrade of the camera's firmware without the recharger kit.  Fair warning!5. The 340MB drive had some minor incompatibilities with the camera until the software patch released the first week of May 2000.6. The LCD panel has the best anti-glare of any digital camera I've ever used.  Big FAT SORT.Hope this helps!
The S10 packs a lot of features into a compact form. As a tote-around point-and-shoot, it's a good choice. The retracting lens and automatic cover make it easy to pack, and the ability to take high capacity memory  cards or IBM disk devices allow you to take quite a few pictures (even at  2-megapixel resolution) without downloading.On the downside, the S10  consumes battery power at a higher rate than other digital cameras I've  used, and the specialized batteries are expensive. The rechargeable battery  pack from Canon is helpful, but it's not included with the camera, upping  the cost of a useable configuration.The 2x optical zoom is a bit short,  given that many of the competitors products give you 3x. I often find that  missing magnification requires me to shoot at a higher resultion and crop  the result.Most disappointing is the S10's inabilities to accurately  capture colors in the red-orange range. Flesh tones are often rendered  incorrectly, and flash pictures often end up leaving skin looking pasty. No  amount of adjusting the cameras controls seems to solve the problem.  I've  read reports by others who've suffer the same results, so I'm inclined to  think it's a software problem, rather than an issue with my individual  unit.In addition to the rechargeable battery pack, I'd recommend using  this with a computer that has a USB port (and getting a USB card if your  machine doesn't have one!), as downloading pix, expecially high-resolution  shots, through the serial port is painfully slow.
I found a firmware upgrade for S10, so it would support IBM 340MB micro drive.  [...] It also improve the quality of the picture taking using internal flash light.  The reason I would choose S10 over S100 or other camera is for the Compact Flash I and II slot compatible.  Can S100 or S300 use the IBM microdrive...?  Nope, Can S10 or S20?  Yes!  And that's important to me because as a serious photographer, I hate to swap out compact flash memory card often.  It also has a built in AF illumination light, which activtae during low light condition, it projects a bright red light on the subject to help focus accuately, which is a rare item in the Digital camera world!!!I am loving it!
Compre esta camara en Mayo y debo decir que estoy muy contento con el software y con la calidad de las fotos, pero MUY molesto con el hecho de que la camara consume las baterias a una velocidad increible.Es  altamente recomedable que se compre el kit con la bateria recargable, pues  en Mexico las baterias C2R5 son extramadamente caras. Sin embargo, un punto  muy agradable de esta camara, aparte de su magnifica resolucion, es el  hecho de que los lentes Canon en esta camara son asfericos, lo cual elimina  la distorsion que existe en lentes comunes en los extremos de una  fotografia.Con esta camara se pueden tomar 2 o 3 fotos y juntarlas en  una foto panoramica con el software que trae (Adobe PhotoDeluxe 3.5)Si  amas la fotografia esta camara es la indicada, ma sno olvides comprar la  pila recargable.
If you are serious about buying this product I am sure that you already  know all the specs on it and such so I will just tell you why I bought it  and what I use it for.The reason I chose the Canon S10 over other  similar digital cameras was mainly the size of the camera.  I can easily  fit this camera in my pocket on my way to the great outdoors.While I  am outdoors this camera is very sturdy.  When powered down the lens  retracts and is enclosed away from any harm.Now this is how I use my  camera, usually I take my pictures at the highest quality and when my 48mb  cf card fills up I go through my pictures on the viewfinder and delete the  ones that I don't like so much, and I fire away with my memory free'd up.Back at my computer I upload with the USB connection (must have,  anything else is WAY to slow).  The photo company I print with is  ofoto.com, they are great!  They have software where you can crop your  photos for the desired size, this is great when you take a picture with  something that you didn't originally want in the photo.  Then I upload the  photos and have them printed out and sent to me, what a great service, I  can also send out email with links to the photos albums I wish to share.
The S10 is a fine little camera.  In automatic mode, it quickly snaps 1600x1200 shots with medium level compression.  You can fit about a dozen on the 8MB CompactFlash card that comes with the camera; I get around 55+  on my 32MB card.  These shots are fairly high quality; in good lighting  conditions, I can print them as 4x6 photos and they look at least as good  as my cheapy 35mm camera.You can put the camera in manual mode for  greater control over compression, image size, gain, digital zoom, etc.  This can be useful, but this camera is not targeted towards the person who  wants elaborate details control.  It does contain some easy-to-use  sophisticated features: the panorama stitch mode is extremely easy, and the  black-and-white and other &quot;special effects&quot; shot types are also  just a twist of the dial away.What are the weak points?  Well, for one,  it's pretty appalling that the camera doesn't ship with the Canon  rechargable battery.  You will need to purchase that and a recharger right  away (at an additional cost of around $100).  Also, although it isn't  horrible, I would prefer a 3x optical zoom.  2x just doesn't do that much.  Number three, the optical viewfinder doesn't align very tightly with the  actual shot -- you can use the LCD display, but that drains the batteries.  Finally, I was disappointed that there is so little tactile feedback when  you snap a picture.  I'm wary about having a stranger take my photo with  this camera because I fear they won't realize when they've taken the  shot!I've found that having a digital camera fundamentally changes they  way I take photographs.  I'm much more likely to snap 3 or 4 shots of a  particular view and then immediately scan over them and pick the best 1 (or  2) and discard the others.  This was a lot of fun and I think it improved  the overall quality of photos that I take.  (Of course, I could just try to  become a better photographer...)  The Canon S10 is easy to use and carry  around, and I'm happy that I purchased it.
I Just Bought This Beauty A Week Ago To Compliment My Professional SLR Setup...Its Great - Shock Resistant Via Rubber Padding And Waterproof (Up To 16 Meters)...Picture Quality Is Great, Too - Compared To What APS Prints Usually Come Out...APS Is The New Advanced Photo System...It Uses A Cartrige Loaded Film For Easy Loading...No More Aligning The Film Into The Sprocket Holes...APS Is Completely Drop-In Loading, And Also Features A Choice Of Three Print Sizes Classic, Wide And Panoramic...The Three Formats Can Be Used Simultaneously On The Same Roll...The Elph Sport Comes With A Water Resistant Soft Case, Camera Strap, Batteries, And Film...Its Features Are Easy To Use And Controls Are Logical...Command Dial Sets Easily For Flash, No Flash, Red Eye Reduction, Underwater, Or Off...The Lens On This Camera, And Most Small Cameras, Is A Very Wide Angle Lens, So Getting A Portrait Of Someone Or Something Will Require Getting Close, Real Close...All In All, I Am Very Pleased With This Camera...Its Compactness And Quality Make Me Take It Anywhere...Ski Slopes, Poolside, Biking, Climbing, Or Anywhere I Wouldn't Take My $1500 SLR Setup...Another Canon Hit...
This is a simple point and shoot auto-focus model which fits nicely into small bags/purses or a coat pocket. Traveling should be fun in any weather and being able to capture memories should be too. Cameras shouldn't shrink with just a few raindrops like the Wicked Witch of the West. The Canon Elph Sport holds up to everything I've been through the past four years: quicksand, ocean waves, swimming pools, road trips, baby drool, hurricanes, blizzards, and much more. The colors come through vividly. Now with black and white Advantix film being available, I can take more classic photos as well. This summer, I tried surfing and the only success was the great photos. The carrying case is great - In it, the camera floats in the ocean. I recommend this camera for anyone who does not want to worry about their camera getting wet on family vacations (think beach trips or theme park rides here) or during frequent outdoor adventures.TECHNICAL NOTES: It does not have a zoom option, but it includes a self-timer feature. It doesn't use up batteries quickly. I've replaced it maybe twice in four years.
This camera went with me on several vacations and has survived the elements, including a good thrashing against rocks in Class 4 Rapids. The pictures came out great, though the lense did fog up a bit on a few occasions. The underwater shots with flash came out much nicer than those I'd previously taken with another camera costing double. The sharp focus on a foreground object can be amazing, I took the most amazing photo on an eagle in flight. It looked as though the eagle was still but the background was moving. Drawbacks are in design: sometimes when you give the camera to someone else to take a photo they turn it the wrong way a shoot a pic of their face. Sounds stupid, but the front doesn't protrude much and it has happened too many times. People tend to grab the camera in such a way that their fingers get prints on the lense as well.  Also, it is easy to get your fingers in the way of the lense. Improvements would include a lense cap and ZOOM, if possible.
Ordinarily I don't buy frivilous items. But this camera is so darn cute, it called to me from the shelf &quot;buy me, buy me!&quot; So I bought it, and I have been very pleased with it. It's tough and waterproof, and gave me some excellent shots above and below the water. The only complaint I have with it is that the icons painted on the dials wore off quickly, making it a little challenging to know what mode the camera is in. On the other hand, my wife doesn't like this camera at all. The underwater viewfinder makes it difficult for her to frame pictures properly, resulting in chopped off heads and the like. Also its unusual size and shape means she gets her fingers in the picture from time to time. Of course I'm about twice the size of my wife, and I don't have these problems, so maybe you won't either. If you plan on doing a lot of shallow underwater photography or if you plan on using the camera in a pretty harsh environment, this is the one for you. It's a lot tougher than a regular point-and-shoot, and it takes much nicer photos than a disposable waterproof. It costs about 10 times what a disposable would, but then it's about 300 times more useful.
Canon Elph Sport Camera is a cute, all terrain Advanced Photo System (aps) camera that if properly used will give good quality pictures. The camera is waterproof to a depth of 5 meters or 16 ft. Underwater, if you compose correctly following the instructions'booklet, you will get pictures with a better quality of those taken with disposable waterproof cameras. But this is a camera for snorkelers or shallow water divers, not for professional or advanced scuba divers that will find that this little camera is useless at depths bigger than 5 mts.  On land, the camera will also give a good performance. But again, this is mainly a camera for the tourist or the casual photographer since it is limited by its single Canon 23 mm f 4.8 lens. Other than that, the camera offers all the advantages, for the beginner photographer, that can be found on other APS cameras, that is, automatic film cartrigde loading, built in flash with red-eye reduction, automatic shooting modes, date, time and title imprinting and 3 print formats (classic, panoramic and group size). The camera uses one lithium battery (CR2) weights only 220 g. and it is small, portable and very nice looking (measures WxHxD- 4.1x2.9x1.8 in.)A good buy if you have some extra dollars to spend(199) in a versatile, elegant and easy to carry little camera.
I took this camera on my vacation to Hawaii, and was extremely pleased with it.  The underwater pictures are excellent, much superior to those produced by disposable cameras.  The flash is very helpful in underwater closeups, and the large viewfinder is helpful when peering through a mask. Above-water picture quality is quite good, though the lack of a telephoto option hurts. The camera is reasonably rugged--I dropped it from waist height onto asphalt twice, and it continues to function without a hitch.  Although the manual advises that the loaded camera may not float in fresh water, mine floats in my bathroom sink, even with battery and film.  I would add a couple of cautions--When film is removed, the camera sets the film to &quot;exposed&quot; so you can't re-insert the film to finish the roll as some APS cameras allow.  This means changing from 100 ASA to 400 ASA film (for example) means sacrificing any remaining shots on the roll.  The camera does require a minimum amount of cleaning and care after use, especially salt water use.  Also, there is no lens cover, which makes me squeamish when packing the camera around. I haven't yet scratched the lens, but I often worry about it. Although a zoom lens is clearly not practical, it would certainly be nice to have a two-position lens with a regular setting and telephoto setting. Despite these quibbles, I really like the camera!
Well, I guess it does go underwater, which is a pretty neat feature.  But  you have to want to dive a lot to make it worth the extra money and the  loss of elegance of the other Elphs.  The greatest strength of the Elph  line is the amazing portability it affords, and the design of this camera  eliminates that.  I think most people would be happier with either the Elph  LT 260 or the Elph 2.  You may want to check out the other Elph cameras  before you buy this one.
My camera has really stood up to the elements and multiple beatings.  It has worked well for me taking pictures underwater and in the surf, and has also been to the top of multiple 20,000+ feet mountains.  Dropped countless times on rock, snow, sand, and also dunked as much into water.  I have learned to force the flash on anything but super sunny days - the pics come out a bit dark in conditions other cameras would have no problem with, and i've found it could really use a filter in intense light situations.  Nothing you wouldn't expect from a specialty use camera.  Just bought a second spare one for when the first one finally does give up - which i don't think will be for a long time.Good camera and good value!
I wanted to replace my 10 year old VHS-C camera before my kids grew up.  I learned from the old camera what features I was looking for: size, weight, battery life, and optics.  This PV-DV200 is light and just the right size to be a natural extension of your arm.  I carried the camera through Legoland and Disneyland Paris without noticing it, or having it get heavy, or in the way.  The standard battery provides plenty of power, I supplement it with the 2 hour battery for no-worries filming.  The pictures,including using the 18x optical zoom are awesome.  Bright and clear.  Don't even shop for digital zoom unless you plan to shoot from a mile away using a tripod.  Any movement using digital zoom is overmagnified.  The features are mostly well placed and easy to access while filming.  However, preselect features like image stabilization, digital zoom, or backlight control.  In conclusion, after a European vacation, and weekend trips in France I am happy with this camera.  Five star rating if it had a bigger screen and color view finder.  Panasonic should consider including accessories like a light with the camera.
The camera is small just like the series PV-DV100. If you get tired of holding the camera so much then this is the answer, it is very light weight and it's near palm size. I will give five stars but the camera has to be a  little bit bigger and the screen it's too small to see the people that it's  being recorder.
Like most purchasers of camcorders, I had my first child last August. Thus, I decided to buy a camcorder to take hours of video that I will never watch again. On the other hand, if I didn't buy a camcorder, I would be a horrible parent, right?Anyways, I did a fair amount of research online and in print (Consumers Reports). I finally decided to purchase the Panasonic PVDV201, based on the recommendations of several electronics salespeople.  However, I spent quite a bit of time testing this camcorder.  The PVDV200 is quite similar to the PVDV201.First, the PV-DV200 is a MiniDV format digital camcorder. The Digital8 camcorders (generally sold by Sony) are a little cheaper for the tapes. On the other hand, the camcorders are a bit larger and a fair bit heavier. If you have old 8mm tapes you want to replay on a camcorder, Digital8 is probably the format for you. This was my first camcorder, so I went with the MiniDV format because of the weight difference, and also because the picture quality seemed a bit better.One caveat about the PV-DV200: The digital zoom requires you to press a separate button, which is a bit awkward. That being said, it is rare (in my experience) that you will need zoom power in excess of 18X, which the 200 provides. The digital zoom is a bit of a marketing ploy.  (By the way, the PVDV201 provides 20X optical zoom, a bit better)&lt;P...I found this camcorder to be a high quality starter camcorder in the digital format, for a very reasonable price.A few concerns: (1) the digital still photos are good for e-mails, nothing more; and (2) the PVDV201 is a newer model and, oddly, cheaper.
After using this camcorder for the past month, I've concluded that it  can't be beat for the price.The image quality is great, although I  highly recommend obtaining a color-enhancing light accessory if you plan on  recording indoors a lot.The features are good, but the menu to obtain  them is a little akward to use at first (well, it still is).The  digital-still option is a nice bonus, but the quality of those stills is  nothing to write home about.It's light weight and (relatively) easy to  use.A nice piece of equipment for the novice or the semi-professional.
...  So far, the results are quite nice.  Camera is easy to use, with simple  auto modes for exposure, etc.Menu's are a bit cryptic, but easy to get to learn.Outstanding features: Compatible with Apple's iMove with no drivers needed. Simple and quite operation.Negative Features: Not the best low light useability (although not bad).I definately would reccomend this camera to a friend.
I just purchased the Panasonic PV-L750.  This is the 2000 model VHS-C camcorder.  It is 2nd from the top in Panasonic's camcorder line (first being the PV-L850).  My last purchase was the PV-L758 (1998 model, which  was recently rendered unusable after a rainstorm).Overall picture  quality is exceptionally good for VHS. I shoot with a digital video camera  at work, and under the best conditions the PV-L750 looks comparable. As can  be expected, when conditions are not perfect (available light, extreme  backlight, strong colors, etc., the picture degrades significantly compared  to digital). Ease of use is unparalleled. If you are not technical and just  want to &quot;point and shoot&quot; this is the camera for you. Attach the  battery and you will be shooting in seconds.  Really!  The manual is only  needed for information about specific applications (like the still camera  feature), and because it is VHS-C, you can be showing your first videotapes  to your friends anytime, anywhere - no need to hook up wires!I purchased  750 without ever looking at one in real life. I assumed it was basically  the same as my previous camera, but alas, there are differences.  I really  liked the 758 and on the 750 (and I assume the 759 - the 1999 model) they  have done what all good manufacturers do: traded the features I liked most  on the 758 for features I will never use.  First off, my 758 had a color  EVF, the 759 and 750 have a B&amp;W viewfinder.  Granted, Panasonic adds a  4&quot; color LCD panel (HUGE for camcorders), but I really like both, as I  don't use the LCD as much as most folks. I guess my complaint here is  somewhat unfounded, as a B&amp;W viewfinder seems to be standard on all  models with an LCD panel, but the feature was nice on the 758 (I guess I  was spoiled).Next, they have taken some of the features that were  previously accessable by buttons on the outside of the camera and made them  accessable only through on screen menus.  Nice, but not as useful when  shooting as pressing a button.  These include the security feature,  negative image, and the special effects fading.  Panasonic also has deleted  the &quot;message&quot; feature - fine by me, as few people would ever use  it anyway.Well, to make up for all this, they have given the camcorder  double duty as a digital still camera. This can be very useful for sending  photos to relatives and friends over the net, but realize that the best  resolution is 640x480 (if you don't know what that means - the pictures  will look fine to you).  The photo software is very basic and hence easy to  use, it offers a minimum ability to adjust the image (color, brightness  etc.) and is quick and easy to set up.  I e-mailed my first picture within  five minutes of inserting the setup disk into the computer.Also, the  non digital zoom is impressive - one of the best I've seen, but stay away  from the 300x digital range.  First you can't hold the camera steady and  secondly, the picture is awful.  I've found the digital zoom useful up to  about 50x magnification before significant degradation occurs.I hope all  of this helps and wasn't too negative. I love Panasonic products and this  one is one of the best, but I did want to let others know some of the  things I saw as drawbacks.  Feel free to respond if you like, I'd be  interested to hear your views.
THIS CAMCORDER REPLACES MY SHOLDER HELD FULL SIZED VHS CAMERA OF 1989 VINTAGE.  QUALITY OF VHS TAPED PRODUCT IS OK BUT NOT NEARLY AS GOOD AS DIGITAL CAMCORDERS OTHERS IN MY FAMILY OWN.  LOTS OF FEATURES, NICE, BUT NEED TO HAVE A GOOD MEMORY ON WHERE TO FIND ALL THE BUTTONS WHEN SHOOTING. STILL SHOTS ARE NOT REALLY WORTH KEEPING AND SHOULD NOT BE A FEATURE WHICH LEADS TO BUYING THIS CAMERA.  NEWER VERSION OF THIS MODEL IS THE PV-L751 WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE SAME CAMERA IN ALL RESPECTS.  PANASONIC HAS NOT RELEASED UPDATED DRIVERS FOR WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM ME OR XP AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FORCAST A RELEASE DATE IF THEY ARE EVER GOING TO WRITE A NEW PROGRAM.  MY CAMERA HAD A DEFECTIVE LCD VIEWER AND HAD TO BE SHIPPED BACK TO ELGIN IL.  YOUR COST TO SHIP, THEY PAY RETURN POSTAGE. SERVICE WAS PRETTY GOOD, ABOUT 8 DAY TURN AROUND AND THE FIX WAS MADE.
This is the first VHS camera I have owned since my old shoulder mounted RCA.  Having grown tired of looking like a TV news videographer, I jumped into this new and fortunately much smaller and lighter model.The main thing that attracted me to this camera was the very forthright review by Michael Lynch.  He is right on with his comments.  I just wanted to add, via this forum, that although the thing can do about anything a sophisticated user might want, you can just put a tape in, turn it on, hit the record button and take some excellent videos.  Also, I feel the 26x zoom is worth the extra cost over the 18x zoom of the Panasonic 650L.Oh, and one more thing..andyboy@mozcom.com...if you hated the camera that much...why didn't you just return it?
I wrote an earlier review of this camera and wanted to give an update on something.I thought this was a great camera, but the only problem is the mini-VHS format only gives you 30 minutes of recording time.I was in a Circuit City store several weeks ago, and I found you can now get 40 minute tapes. This isn't too bad, and I like the VHS-C format because you can just plop the tape into the adaptor and play it into your existing VCR. The 8mm and super 8 mm cameras require you either purchase an expensive 8 mm player or else cable the camera to your VCR. This is no big deal, except that I like to keep my camera in the trunk of my car in case I see something worth filming, and this way I don't have to carry it back and forth between the house and the car just to see the latest piece of footage.
The camcorder works fine, but the ONE CABLE I needed to do quality digital conversion into my computer was NOT SHIPPED with the camcorder.  The included manual indicates that this cable is STANDARD and ships with the camcorder. Both Amazon and Eltongoods need to have a very, very long talk about what kind of service they provide.  For me, it was a wasted $50 dollars and another nail in the coffin for the funeral of Amazon and their relationship with third party providers who like to take people's money and then send them incomplete products.  In the world of computer business, this would be cause for termination.  I would encourage all to avoid purchasing items that are provided by Eltongoods.
Excellent Video & Digital Camera, easy to use controls and there are a lot to choose from. Can add screw on filters(49mm), close up lenses, X2 lense etc. The built in light on the unit sucks as most do and there is no jack for an external mic which would be nice. The next highest priced model does have an extenal mic jack and this one looks like it could probably be added to it.Video does look a little grainy in low light(room light) at shorter distances, but that is what a good external light source is for or natural sunlight.Pretty good shots outside with the Digital Still Camera too. I use a Tiffen 812 filter or a Polarized filter to add a little color enhancement to my shots, but not matter what, the shots are only good in fine mode, the other modes make good shots for Internet webpage posting. Plus it's a video camera first, not a still camera. I use a still digital camera for that.Motion Security movement mode is kind of neat and fun to mess with, has 1/60-1/10000 speed shutter. Will record in Wide Screen mode for a Wide Screen TV. Automatic Titler, 8MB SanDisk Memory Card aprox. 100 still shots in fine mode, 250 in Normal, maximum of 699 fine mode shots with 62MB card.Picture in Picture shots, put a still picture into your video shots, Digital wipes, Image Stabilization, Programmed Recordings, 4" LCD Screen, Digital filters and Special Effects, Remote control, charger and more. I like it. McM
My husband's folks got this for us for Christmas. We used the camera a ton while we were home on leave, taking all kinds of different pictures of everyone.  Now we are here in Germany and are able to take pictures all day of everything in sight.  Our family loves being able to see such great pictures of the kids and the sights.  The only bummer is that when our computer arrived, the installation software was not able to use the computer as a super disk driver (we have Windows XP), so we have as yet to figure out some way to retrieve all the photos we took on the super disk.  The floppys are working fine for now though.  This is the most fun I have ever had with any camera.
I couldn't be happier! I've tried others through my employment but this one is great. We used this instead of our 35mm for vacation pics (heresy) and loved it. I tried to fill the SuperDisk using the Super Fine mode and couldn't. Battery life is excellent. I've yet to wear it down. I would have had to take pictures constantly. I just smiled and clicked away as I would watch other tourists (we went to Disney World) replace memory sticks/cards or floppies (Sony Mavica). We also sent short video postcards to friends which was great. Very user friendly with a wonderful software bundle included. The quality of prints rivals that of my Perntax 35mm SLR.  When we upgraded our new computer we downloaded a patch from the Panasonic website ([...]which solved our XP/2000 issues.
I bought this camera without a lot of knowledge about digital cameras because of the ability to use the Super Disk or any 3.5 floppy. It also copies pics, holding them in memory until you insert your target disk! The Super Disk can hold hundreds of pics depending on the mode you select, I have yet to put a dent in the count. I have to photograph houses and this camera is a real worker - it has never let me down. The battery charges quickly, too. After a recent OS crash I installed XP and was bummed out to find that the included software does not support XP. But my disappointment was short-lived when I remembered the copy function. I just copied my pics from the Super Disk to a regular floppy, inserted in my PC and the XP viewer took it from there. It may even have been faster than downloading! This camera's a little bulky, well, really bulky, but the performance and ease of operation more than compensates! I guarantee you'll like it - even if you, like me, are not a "techie". Great price, too!UPDATE 8/24/2011: I am still using this camera! It does things my other cameras don't, like close-ups. I am know using Win7 and have no problem downloading pics as the computer recognizes it as a disc drive and file transfer is simple. I have a Minolta and a Kodak and, buit for the size, the Panasonic is still my favorite.
I was very disappointed when I received the camera as I the same camera and it had my mom and dad's fifty's wedding anniversary on the disk I wanted to get them download to my computer and when the camera came it did the same thing the camera I have did. SO I was not impressed with the results. Ty
Bought this camera used based on another review at this site.  If you like itsy-bitsy cameras, this one is not for you.  If you like a decent-sized camera (that can't get lost in your wallet!!!) this is for you.Not great for sports or high speed shots.  Great with posed pictures, pictures around the house, we use it at the botanical gardens a lot.  It usually comes with Super Disks- these are expensive and rather hard to find.  Then you have to use a converter to get them onto your computer (they don't work in a floppy drive).  Use a floppy instead, it's much easier to click and then put the floppy in the floppy drive, attach, and send.Even though the resolution is only 1.3, it has been useful when our big, fancy 35mm camera failed at the Grand Canyon.  You know instantly if the picture turned out or if grandma blinked.  The colors did not turn out as strong as a higher resolution camera...but then again, we didn't have to spend 10 minutes setting up for the shot.  The slide-button zoom is extremely easy to use.  We got several beautiful pictures of the largest crows we had ever seen -the size of cats- right down to the gleam on their feathers.I take a lot of pictures of our garden, the house, the dogs, the cats, my husband being goofy on the lawn mower, and I am always able to go right in and attach it to an email and send them to my mom within minutes.  A cheap old floppy is waaaay more accessable for us than the SuperDisks, and in normal mode, holds about 10 pictures.  I always walk around with a few floppies- at a buck each, I can afford to!  Super Fine mode holds about 5 pictures on a regular floppy.It is easy to hold and easy to use.  For what we spent on a used one, &lt;$200.00, we couldn't be happier. We bought ours from someone who wanted at least 3 megapixels and decided to get rid of it.  We will definitely be trying the PV-SD5000 (3.3 megapixel model) as soon as the prices come down and we can get one that has been gently used, probably from someone who &quot;needed&quot; 6 megapixels (why?!?!?!) and wants to get rid of their camera.  Then we will probably dispense with a 35mm permanently.
I have used this digital camera for several years and LOVE the large hard drive for saving images. I have now taken over 5000 pictures of my daughter (from birth to 2 1/2 years of age.) I have used ONLY three SuperDisks, and I haven't had to delete anything yet. This is a GREAT feature.Recently I updated my computer to Windows XP and I found I could no longer locate the SuperDisk to download images using the USB cable. I was able to find a driver update on the Panasonic website. For those having similar problems downloading using the USB cable with newer versions of Windows, try this website for the updated driver:[...]I would HIGHLY recommend a SuperDisk digital camera to anyone in the market.
although  i rated this item four stars earlier. and complained that it's driver is for an outdated  windows 98 os. it turns out that it's an excellent camera. and if you can get your hands on a external floppy disk drive with a 1.44mb format for your laptop. you are in business. since the camera uses a floppy disk for it's additional memory storage.you can pop the disk from the camera into the drive. and obtain the photos that way.it is a fantastic camera. and in time it will be antique collectable.
I'm very disapointed, because most people want good quality pictures. On the plus side, those who just want to take lots of pictures and don't care about quality to post on a web page, this is almost perfect.Pros :-120megs per disk-Quicktime video with soundCons(and now the problems begin) :-Slow-Drains batteries without viewfinder-Takes a lot of bad pictures-Must buy the super disk floppy drive-There are some modes missing-Point and shoot!-Expensive for 1 megapixel camera(1.3 and 1 doesn't make any difference)(Mavicas are cheaper, but less quantity)This is a camera that lacks a lot of things, so you must have specific needs. This is a web/personal based camera. Buy this camera if you're a beginner and you like to fill up the 120meg disk, but otherwise, just buy a Mavica.Buy this camera if you only think of quantity and you have a super disk drive. Remember : QUAN-TI-TY!If you want quantity and quality, you'll spend a whole lot more(think about more than double or maybe triple the price of this camera). Be sure of your choice!
The best thing I can say about the M70 is quick. Very fast shutter and picture taking. The prints on Epson 870 are excellent. Most people believe that the M70 has a Canon lense and it's a dandy. I have used the Canon S20 and the M70 really has much more to offer. The color rendition on M70 is much, much better than S20. An excellent camera with lots of features. I suspect that people might be skeptical of a camera with the Toshiba imprint instead of Nikon, Canon, etc. This little guy is a winner. ( Why not 5 stars? I don't like some minor things about the M70: Strobe flexibility, smart media cards, but nothing that impacts the pictures.)
Nice camera at first.  If you take 3 pictures of same object 1 picture will be extremely sharp and the other 2 will be noticably fuzzy when you zoom in.  I don't know if this is an autofocus problem or hand jitter problem.  Taking videos with this camera is fun and more convienent then carrying around a second video camera.  The video quality is poor, but it beats having nothing. Everything else worked well with the camera.  I didn't have a problem with the battery.  I was able to take 100+ pictures with my battery. After about 6 months with the camera we were on vacation in California.  The battery went out and the lens wouldn't retract.  After charging at home the zoom lens wouldn't move.  No doubt it broke in the handling.
My parents got me the Toshiba PDR-M70 for my college graduation. I can't say enough good things about it! I'd tried out several at university and could never find one I liked. It's compact, has a great zoom, and the picture quality is incredible! Even with shooting at half (as opposed to full) the quality does not differ much at all. It's also very easy to use, unlike some other models I've tried out.One of the niftiest &quot;extra&quot; features of this camera is it's capability to record .avi movies with sound. I've caught a lot of my friends off-guard with that!The only real complaint I have about it is regarding the software. It wrote over Photoshop as the default to open .jpg files, which is a pain since I use Photoshop to edit. If you have Photoshop (or any other graphics program) on your machine, you'll want to make sure you have the disk handy so you can reinstall it after installing the camera software.A wonderful camera for any photobuff!
this camera must have been manufactured in the 80's because the SD card was the size of my credit card! not only that, but I overlooked the memory specifications and didnt discover that the memory was only big enough to hold about 15 pictures or 15 seconds of video. The memory cards had also been discontinued, and it costed me more to buy an adapter than it did to buy the camera. All of this was way more hassle than it was worth. I wouldnt refer this to anyone!
This camera should satisfy all but high demand users. It can be used out of the box (after a battery charge) but I recommend you read the manual to  get full use of the camera.I spent about a month checking out many  reviews on digital cameras and came to the conclusion that the Toshiba M70  was the best for the money. The only other camera that seemed as or perhaps  a bit better was the Olympus 3000/3030, but they were $100/$300 more when  the rebate is included. Everything you need is in the box, assuming you  have a USB port and run WIN98 or higher. This camera can be used as a point  and shoot or in AE or Shutter Priority. Even manual is avbl, but not  explained in the well written manual, you must read from the toshiba page  of FAQ for how to set this up.I checked out Technical Support ahead of  time and they answered their phone in a reasonable amount of time, with  only 1 voice mail option. The people on the other end were very helpful  even though I had not yet purchased. I called back after the purchase and  got the same response.I/ve only had the camera a couple days but have  tested it quite a bit and pictures are high quality. Printing on a Canon  620, the print quality of 5 x 7 was excellent (supposedly I should be able  to print up to 8 x 10 but have not yet tried.) TIFF is not available but  the best quality JPG on the camera gave the high quality pictures I  wanted.If you are looking for professional reviews and opinions go to  megapixel.net  They are one of the best digital camera review sites I have  found.
The PDR-M60 is a more economical choice.  2 megapixels is all you need for 8X10 prints.The M70 is just the M60 with: a) 3.3 megapixels instead of 2.3 b) a movie movie (how useful is a 2 minute movie?  it just takes up valuable space), c) an extra 32MB of memory (24 onboard and a 16MB card instead of 4mb card included),Other than that the optics, flash, and various shooting features are identical....the movie mode is cute but not something I'll use more than once or twice.All that being said, if you absolutely have to have 3+ megapixels, the PDRM70 is a good choice.Either way, using rechargable AA batteries is the way to go.  Being able to buy a couple of Alkaline batteries in a pinch beats missing out on pictures.  My Sony's propriatery rechargable batteries were...unreliable.
Good quality, well finished and the lens is good for the casual user.
Great pair of binoculars for casual, backyard bird watching for about $30. Adjustments are very easy, enabling vision close up at the bird feeders or birds farther away at a tree at the edge of my large yard. Or in your own yard or across the street. The 7x35 is perfect. You can spend more and get better I'm sure but these are very nice for most of us.
I'm so impressed with these moderate range binoculars. I bought these for bird watching in my backyard as I have three feeders and lots of activity to enjoy.  I read the instructions for adjusting them and was watching the birds within five minutes.  My husband was very impressed with the price for this Bushnell product and the Instant Focus bar that you can press to get the sharpest image. It's so nice to see the birds up close and in detail instead of seeing them from a distance. Came with a  carrying case and a neck strap.
Good value for the money. I use it to look at birds that come to my  bird feeder. I am satisfied.
Bought these binoculars to look at birds in front yard and so far has done the job well after months of use.  We mainly are looking at birds twenty to thirty feet in front of us and see them clearly with these binoculars.  They have caps and have a case they go in but we keep them out by window so we can spot wildlife quickly.  No problems and it feel heavy enough like they aren't cheap.
I bought it for our recent trip to the whale watching and i am really happy with this product. It has worked out quite well with the price range and the purpose i was looking for. Easy to focus and nice handy. Not so long bulky and you can easily carry it out with ease.I will recommend this produce to people who likes basic binocular with requirement to go to sight seeing.
I am quite pleased with my new Bushnell Falcon 7x35 binoculars. They are very light and very easy to use. I am upgrading from a compact 10x25 set. I use them mostly for birdwatching. I recommend this set to anyone interested in birding.
Bought these as a gift for my parents and they really like them. They are not high end but work extremely well. We bring the out on the boat and pass them around. Everyone comments on how clear the view is. Great for the price!
WOW, what a piece of junk these binoculars are!!! I've had to return 2 different sets.  The first set were about a week old and my husband went to pick them up and put them in his backpack to go on a trip, and the eye cup came right off in his hand.  Amazon was great about replacing it.  Now I'm returning the replacement, because, within a week, the entire eye cup/focusing mechanism (so both eye pieces and the stem, etc.) came out of the housing.  Both pairs had been treated properly, and never dropped.  This is just shoddy workmanship.  Bushnell used to be really good, but obviously quality control is no longer a factor or consideration.  Perhaps because they are MADE IN CHINA??????  At the same time, you get what you pay for I suppose.  I'll try an expensive set and we'll see if they are in fact any better; I suspect the lack of quality control is a larger issue than the price paid.
Came exactly as I expected... but a bit better!  Awesome, thanks!
I had this exact same model of binoculars made about 20 years ago. These show how companies farm out manufacturing to China, and how shoddy their products become as a result. The pair I received were very loose when it came to focusing. They just don't hold it well. The exterior finish is very cheap as well. I was pretty disappointed, as my previous binocs had been excellent.
The binoculars are well made.  They are very easy to focus, and good for viewing animals, sports events,  and scenery.  I would recommend them to someone who needs a basic pair.
We bought these for our rental property and they work fine for that purpose.  If I bought another pair, I'd go for a bit stronger.
This is my second pair in the last year, one for my wife, and then me, my old ones are the same style and brand, but just a lot older, so I wanted to replace them.What can I say except, for the price, you get a pretty good pair of binoculars, and these, they're rubber-coated, so it makes them all the more nicer.I use these to help me spot what I will photograph next, spotting a bird that I am unsure of, that kind'a thing.This doesn't take the place of a spotting scope, but it's perfect from what I need them for, and it's a lot more easier to carry than a scope would be.The optics are bright and clear, and at this magnification they don't shake like the higher powered ones do, not knocking those, but that's a whole 'nother animal, at least for me.I love these things, I'd highly recommends them to anyone that doesn't need a high dollar pair, and really, these should be double what they cost, they're that good.
I had an old pair of these (like 30 years old) that I lost so I ordered these as replacement. I think the quality of the optics is even better. You may not be able to impress anyone with the price but I use these as the primary binocs for birdwatching despite having a very expensive pair of Nikons. They are of porro prism design which is slightly less bright that roof prism design of the same size but I do not have a problem even in dim light with these. These have a fairly wide field of view which makes it easier to find and track moving objects. The only thing I would say is not as good as my original pair is the focusing mechanism which seems to have more play or hysteresis than my first pair but I do like the rocking focus bar as a overall design.
I bought two of these as gifts for Christmas. These aren't the most powerful on the market so don't expect to see the moon at night with them, but you can definitely do some good sightseeing or bird watching. Not heavy at all and easy to use.
I have a tiny fenced in yard for my dogs so I asked my home owners association to put up a bird feeder on &#34;common&#34; land a little away from the back of my house. Since it's not immediately behind us, I wanted to binoculars to see the birds to identify them better. These do just the trick. Very very crisp viewing and easy adjustment make them great. Just need to use them before it gets dusk out...they need more light than that
I read several reviews for different binoculars on Amazon before buying these for my husband for Christmas.  He wanted to be able to see all of our backyard from the house.  We have a Koi pond and birdfeeders so attract a lot of wildlife.  He is really enjoying these.  No complaints about construction.  He and I recommend for general purposes.
Work well for my purpose, but origin is incorrect. The binoculars are made in China there are listed as USA.
Great value for the price.We are very pleased with the quality and recommend these to anyone interested in bird watching.
Overall it's pretty good except I can't seem to do much adjusting on the focus. It does not give you much to play with when focusing.
These are wonderful. They are easy to use and allow for precise viewing of objects. They feel and look like they are high quality - there is a nice, but not burdensome, heft to these. I know my father will enjoy them for years to come - great Christmas gift!
other reviews I read were encouraging.  additional research led me to this item.  as it turned out this is the perfect magnifing agent to view anything within the immediate vicinity.  we used it on our vacation in the Galvaston, TX area.  it brought subjects clearly up close.  very handy item to have.
I bought these to take camping and hiking with me. They are big but that was my mistake. The lenses focus very well and it helps me see animals that are farther away. I felt like I was able to get within feet of elk, moose, big horn sheep, and bears. I'd buy another smaller pair to take with me hiking from the same company.
Are there better binocs out there? SURE. . .but for the price this is a good deal indeed.  BUY 'em!
I found that it is difficult to focus and then to maintain focus.  This item might be fine for a child's play toy.
I bought these for a cruise to Alaska for sightseeing and they are very easy to use! I was able to go whale watching and see a lot of glaciers with these binoculars.The case with adjustable strap helped a lot too because I was trying to hold the camera at the same time when I was sightseeing.
I exchange to this binocular and I love it. Beautiful. I may buy something bigger later on. Thanks and I'll recommend to all my friends.
Hey you can spend a little and get crappy binoculars of spend a fortune and get very nice binoculars. For the price these are really a bargain and very nice overall. I love them for a price paid and have zero complaints about them... I bought 3 pair and they are all perform just fine.
Husband and I bought two of these Binoculars so we both could have our own.  Love them..Seeing lots of birds and animals we would have missed.
I wanted these because my dad had a similar pair in the 1950s-60s, although this is an updated version.  Center focus lever works good,  They're fairly heavy compared to little pocket binocs, but the image is a lot brighter, so you can see more detail.  The 7x power is good, less vibration effect compared to 8x and 10x.This factory-refurbished product is a great deal for the money.  Recommended.
I got these for my wife and I to watch neighborhood birds.  We get a kick out of watching them.  These things really are nice.  Now we see them up close.  Easy to focus and adjust for different people.  Good value.
I searched for and bought these binoculars online within a week of a trip to Alaska.  I read the reviews before buying.  They seemed like a pretty good pair at a good price.  While I knew they weren't the best out there, I didn't want to pay a lot.  They served me well in Alaska, both in sight-seeing them from the cruise ship and while touring on land.
For the price of these binoculars, they are terrific. They do what they are meant to do. Plus, they feel heavy duty.
Really is a great deal for very little money.  Very good for birds and wildlife.  Case and all accessories very nice.
WOW what a great pair of binoculars. What an awesome price. I never expected that they would be this wonderful.
Very satisfied and it was exactly what I was looking for.  I would use you again and recommend you!  Thanks.
These are a great quality. They have a good case that comes with it and protectors for the lenses. It fits on your face very well and the focus is very easy to use with just one finger
Never owned a good pair of binoculars so I thought I would pick these up, the price was in my range, and I love the value for what I payed. I could see down the street in my area and the moon is much more visible then before. Highly recommended !!!
Great for eyeglass wearers.Just had trouble adjusting it.Should have keep them for their weight...much lighter the Alpen fixed bino's.my just reorder if mine prove to be too heavy for trekking.
There is really no need to get binoculars that cost 5 times (or more) for casual use. These work just fine and I've owned one for a couple of years. If you get any higher magnification than 10X, they are difficult to handhold - so 7X is really the sweet spot as far as magnification goes. The other number refers to the exit aperture (bigger the number - more light gets into the binocular). These also work quite well in darker situations - letting in plenty of light and giving you a bright image. I've noted small differences when compared with an Olympus that cost about 8 times more - but really, for their price, these can't be beat..The lenses are also coated and combined with a prism system (instead of mirrors), makes for sharper images.Only con is that this type of binocular is not pocket sized. However, its pretty comfortable to carry on your neck (neckstrap)For the reviewer who claimed that these were worse than toy plastic binoculars - well - just one word comes to my mind "clueless". They either had sphagetti on their lenses or were looking at birds through the wrong end of the binocular...
These were just what we wanted for our grandson.  Good enough to have some quality to it but not too &#34;professional&#34; that he couldn't operate them with satisfaction.  Price was just what we wanted.  I'm sure he will be very pleased to see all the birds we have in our backyard at our feeders.
I got  this for my husband to watch the wildlife in our back yard. He loves it. He can see were they travel and build their nest, and take care of their young. Just the thing he needed since retiring.
Bought these binoculars for recreational use.  Found them just as other people had described them; easy to use and one touch adjustment for great vision.  The whole family loves it.  Wonder if I'll get a chance to use them.
What I really liked about this was the quick focus....when whales are breaching out of the water..you need to focus fast. These do!
THESE BINOCULARS WERE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED AND I LIKED THEM SO WELL THAT I ORDERED AND RECEIVED A SECOND PAIR.  THINKING OF ORDERING SOME EXTRAS FOR GIFTS.  THE QUALITY SEEMS GREAT AND THE MAGNIFICATION IS VERY CLEAR!
I wanted these for back porch bird watching and they do the trick. They are not heavy and the object is nice, bright and clear, which is what I wanted. The price can't be beat, so how can I complain?
I am the PA Announcer for a high school lacrosse team.  These focus easily, have an adequate field of vision for my purposes, and let in good light when games are played after dark, under the stadium lights.  Vision through my old pair noticeably darkened during evening games.  My only complaint is that the focus control has more play in it than I'd like, but it hasn't overly affected my ability to call games.  All-in-all, a good buy for me.
wanted a pair of binoculars for bird watching, I have so many hummingbirds. I had expected them to enlarge more, so I am a little disappointed.
For thirty dollars, not bad, but they are obviously cheaply constructed. The piece holding the eye lenses is rubber, and so bends at the slightest pressure, slightly angeling the eyepieces on the tubes. This doesn't seem to affect the image, but it makes it feel cheap. The eyepiece focus mechanism is too loose, making the picture slowly go out of focus if any pressure is applied when viewing. There is obvious blurring towards the edge of the image. If they are pointed near a point light source there are obvious internal reflections. Despite these flaws, the image is crisp where you need it, and preforms adequately for 30 bucks.I'm going to be looking for better quality soon.
This is a great inexpensive pair of binoculars for watching backyard birds or for taking camping.Quick and easy focus.! Soft carrying case. Lense cleaning cloth. The lense caps are a bit of a pain since each one goes on individually, but this is minor. I use these binoculars everyday to watch the hummingbirds in my backyard and I am quite pleased with the clarity they provide.
We bought these binoculars for our trip to Gettysburg this summer and I know that we will greatly enjoy using them!  They seem to be just what we needed!
Bushnell makes good products.  I have used their spotting scopes, telescopic sights, and binoculars.  I bought these because my wife and I are going to take an Alaskan Cruise in September.  Our friends insisted that we should take binocs.  I have a pair just like these somewhere at my home, but searched for weeks and could not find them.  The day after these arrived, I found them.  Now I have two pairs almost exactly alike.  They are a good product and I would recommend them to anyone.
I expected a sold feel and they do have a quality 'heft' to them. They are not for backpacking type hiking any long distance, too bulky for that. I love the instant focus mechanism, very quick and easy to use. I like also the roll down eye-cups, which allow using with eyeglasses left on. The soft sided case is 'OK' and it does come with lens caps for each lens, but they do fall off rather easily, but that is a nit.I could not find these in stores, so on line was the only way. I have a much older pair of Bushnell and these have similar feel to them.The only negative is twice I thought the left and right lens viewed image did not line up, but then I reset the focus all in or out (ie near vs distance) and it was ok again. So, not sure if one side sticks slightly or it was my imagination - I could not get it to do the misalignment when trying, but it did happen twice in about 15 minutes of usage. Not a biggie nor enough to make me want to return them.The magnification and field of view is just right for watching birds, wildlife etc.Net, net - easily worth $30, with a feel like they should last a lifetime with care.
I have a season pass to plays and I use these inside as well as when hiking.  They are very light to carry.
I recently broke my 7 X 35 binoculars while whale watching in Hawaii.  These are an excellent and equivalent for a good price.
These worked really well for safari in south Africa.  they were easy to use and setup, felt nice and sturdy.  Definitely better than the really cheap $10 ones because they work better in low-level light conditions like sunrise and sunset
These were purchased for kids for a Xmas present but can easily be used by adult sports fans, although I personally prefer the 10 x 50 models.  Great value for the price.
I bought these as a birthday gift, and was amazed at how good these binoculars are.  The person I gave the gift to, thought I spent over $100.  I have an expensive pair of binoculars, but these binoculars appear to be sharper and clearer.  What's great is the focusing knob.  So easy to use.  Don't hesitate to buy.
Bushnell makes good optics. This a decent entry level pair of binocs. I wish I had bought a slightly more powerful pair, but they are well made and do the job.
I wear progressive bifocals and that might be the issue here. I cannot focus these well enough to see the birds in my yard really close from 30 to 40 feet away. My son, however, does like them and he doesn't wear glasses. I do better with my 70-300 zoom lens on my camera, albeit it's heavy. And it's auto focus.
I bought these to carry with us in our travel trailer because they were inexpensive and from a manufacturer with a name I knew.  My wife and I love them!  They were easy to set up and the instructions clearly tell how to use the diopter to get perfect vision, even though I wear prescription glasses and one eye is slightly weaker than the other.  We especially like the quick focus feature where you use a simple toggle lever adjustment in lieue of a dial in the center or the binoculars to focus the scene.  They have a nice carrying case to protect them from scratches too.I would definitely recommend them to a friend and we might even get a second pair for the travel trailer.
This binocular is really nice. Sharp, easy to focus but, best of all, very bright image. I gambled on the junk Vivitar 7x50s for slightly less and they were a joke--hard to focus, very dark image. So I bought this bushnell for barely a ten spot more money. Wow, very bright image, focus dead on and easy. As others have said, this is all the binocular a casual user will need. My wife's 10x25 Nikon for twice the price (also on Amazon) are very nice and light weight especially if you need more power. But these Bushnell's are the best value for sure. Bright and clear.
Took them to Joshua Tree and they were awesome. Worth every penny. I definetly recommend them to any outdoorsey person.
Ordered this based on the reviews on Amazon.com. When I received it, I was pleasantly surprised as I got this for looking at the birds that gather in my backyard. Cannot wait to take these to the mountains and college football games to see how well I can see with them.
These work great for casual bird watching and sight seeing. They seem very sturdy, and it was easy to adjust the focus.
I was skeptical about buying a Binoculars under $30, but this Bushnell Falcon 7X35 Binoculars does the job.  Clear picture, I can read house address from 50 years away.
You get what you pay for.  Price vs. product, these are good binoculars.  They are definitely not top quality glasses, the case and lens covers are garbage (you get what you pay for), but for about $25, they aren't bad.
These work fine for inexpensive binoculars.  Nice clear image, easy to adjust/focus. I hang them on the front deck to watch wildlife.  Worth the price.
I was needing a pair of binoculars for essentially every day use.  This pair was reasonably priced and function wonderfully for me.
Easy to take along and use whenevver. Good distance viewing for fun and educational use. An asset to any trip.
Lets face it , for 28 and change I should have known better. Milk jug caps have better fit than the lens caps that come with these , the optics themselves yeah you can see with them a little but don't expect to see the allied landing on Normandy unless its 50 feet from you. I would hesitate to buy anything from bushnell around this price range until your up in the $200+ price range and its still probably NOT made in the USA. These will be going back and I will pick up a pair in a store , in person , good luck and happy hunting.
I find the fast focus on this item to be very useful. Product is not like the old days but at the price I paid it was a bargain. It's just what I wanted, and I'm quite pleased.
These are well priced and work fine. Got them for a gift for a bird watching friend. She says, they are light and are easy to adjust.
Wow!  What a great pair of binoculars for the price.  I was amazed at the quality! They came with their own case also.
He loves them, he used them this past hunting season, he said his little ones  don't  even come close to these.
My wife bought these for me as a wedding present 33 years ago, and they sit by our back window ready to catch any bird-watching to be had.  They may not get daily use, but darn near it.  We've had these on trips to the mountains and oceans and everywhere in between.  Granted, they aren't the same quality of a $1,000 pair, but really, unless you are spotting elk at twilight, can you really justify that price difference?  Some people like their expensive new toys, I'm a sucker for fly rods, but as far as a basic necessity that is decent quality and will last a long time, these binoculars are hard to beat.
If you're looking for a digital stabilizer zoom in binocs, better save some more.  These are your basic binocs at a decent price and they work well. Very good product for the buck.
For the price, these bino's are great.  The are small, but not so small that every movement you make gets transferred to the optics making them very hard to use.  The rocker focus mechanism is super easy to use, and I cannot image using bino's without it anymore.  They have a very large diameter optic, so everything is very bright, clear and sharp.  Very important if you plan on using them indoors, at night or on a cloudy day at the stadium.  It comes with front and back caps, and a nice soft case to protect them.  For $25.00 or so, I don't see how you can beat them.  I highly recommend them.  Just my .02
Received shipment promptly, but when I tried to use the binoculars, one of the lenses would not focus.  Returned them and received a replacement, which works well.  Not up to the image quality of more expensive binoculars, but fine for the price, and they will serve our purposes as a second pair when we both need them.
With Dress Circle seats at Disney's production of the Lion King, we needed binoculars to magnify the actors' facial expressions, outstanding staging, and costumes. The Bushnell Falcon 7x35 binoculars' magnification was so strong, we were able to make out details that we probably would not have seen, were we seated closer. I ordered two Kidnoculars for my grandchildren, but only one Bushnell binoculars for my daughter and son-in-law. My only regret is that I did not order two!
I bought these for casual birdwatching, and they are better than I could have hoped for. Excellent quality, not too heavy, and they give you a steady view without having to constantly adjust the focus. Can't be beat for the amazingly economical price.
I chose these binoculars for birdwatching under the influence of other buyers' reviews. All the praise is deserved! Focus is almost instant, and the view is sharp and clear.
I wanted some inexpensive binos for hiking and birding and these seemed to fit the bill. There was some false color but otherwise fairly sharp and decent. That is, until the strap gave way and the binos landed on the concrete. Unfortunately there's no way to collimate (align the optics) these binos so now I have a useless paperweight. Would not buy again and frankly I should've known better not to purchase anything by the Bushnell brand.
Refurbished Bushnell Falcon 7x35 Binoculars with Case - OUTSTANDING product for the price.  I use for nature watching as well as stargazing.
These binoculars arrived with problems and I returned them:- the right-lens diopter is very iffy and difficult to adjust. In fact, I never was able to get a satisfactory focus with it.- both lenses displayed significant distortion around the outside edges- It was impossible to clearly focus on anything beyond 50 yards- the quick focus mechanism frequently failed to work and took a few tries to adjustUnfortunately I had some similar problems with recently purchased Bushnell 20x50 wide angle binoculars. Bushnell used to be an inexpensive and decent brand.  Not anymore.
Optically these binoculars are OK, considering their low price. But wow do they seem flimsy. The parts that slide in and out to focus are supposed to slide both sides together, right? Well nothing is rigid, so one side can get ahead of the other by quite a bit. Both sides will get pushed in, changing the focus completely, just from holding the binoculars up against your face lightly. The little rocker thing you adjust with your fingers to change focus seems pretty cheapo and fragile. They might be OK for disposable situations, but I would not buy these binoculars again.
as stated in subject line ....just what I was looking for...excellent deal....easy to use...received quickly...strongly recommend ....use well from 10th floor to river below...
Very well made and work great for viewing little critters and birds around the front yard. Came fast with no problems!
I bought these because I wanted something fairly good for not a lot of money. These are just that. If you want a decent pair of cheap binoculars, these will do. I echo what another reviewer said, however. You would think it would be possible for Bushnell to make or buy lens covers that don't fall off. The front ones are OK, but the rear ones are too big for the eyepiece and fall off just by your lifting the binoculars. Sounds like a minor thing, but it does get annoying.
Very nice. Easy to focus, crystal clear and stable view. The lens caps even stay on when not in use.
I have been wanting binoculars for some time. especially ones that didn't cost a fortune. I did some research and ordered the 7+35 and these are perfect for backyard or the state parks. actually anything.
The magnification is appropriate for the size of the aperture.  Picture is clear, sharp, and stable.  Lets lots of light in, and the weight of the binoculars helps you hold it steady.  I like the one touch focus much easier to use than dials.  Highly recommended for the price.
Good packaging, awesome for sightseeing. Has a case and covers, which adds to the protection and care of these binoculars.
for the price great buy, efficient and cheap is good! We use them for bird watching, neighbor watching and anything or everything alse .. lol
Great sharpness,very clear,can't beat the focus.better product when I was a growing up.nice price I can deal with weight.not a bad trade off carry case soft.still worth it.old sschool
This pair of glasses could readily spot the creatures that I was interested with and it was easy to teach the young 'uns how to use them. The images were fine for an amateur birdwatcher, well defined and free of distortion.
I purchased these based on the reviews.  I sometimes sit in my backyard and watch air planes, birds, squirrels... and the view on these binoculars are remarkable.
- Small in a good way- Somewhat hard to adjust lenses- Clear image- As for the zoom, not as expected
Extremely lame, though marginally effective. I wish I had researched more and got something better instead. Live and learn. Yup.
These were very excellent and ready to go right out of the box. We use them for casual use, to view the fields around our home in the country, and we can see hummingbirds pretty close, or the deer and ducks in the distance. We are glad we bought them.
Wanted a well built, easy to use set of Binoculars to leave at Jimbos Farm NC for guests to use.These are just what I wanted.  easy to use,  solid construction, and useful case.  Can't beat them for the price.Now we can watch the White Tailed Hawk in her nest next to pond.  We hear her up there but never seen nest up close.
Excellent for the price and these meet my needs for birdwatching in the yard and overall local outings - would recommend them.
We bought these for our Alaskan Cruise and we weren't disappointed. We didn't want to spend a lot of money on binoculars because we knew we wouldn't be using them except on vacations. They did the job- and we were glad we had them.
fabulous, quality glasses.  Easy to use and clear viewing.  I like the ability to set the view and it stays there.  They are lightweight and easy to carry.
For 30.00 can't loose, bought another pair we took them to alaska for are vacation .nice to ha e around!
I wanted a set of cheap binoculars that work. These do work fine but they do not zoom long distances. Perfect for items around the house. I am not sure they would work at a ball game depending how far back you are.
I gave these as a gift for a child and adult and they loved them.  Now I have to get a pair for my Grandson. Great value.
This is an affordable and functional pair of binoculars.  They aren't the best but will work for most everyday usesThey are very reliable.  I have no complaints
Got these to watch birds in the backyard and they work great! I was a bit worried as I'm not looking at birds at such a great distance but these are perfect. I love the quick adjusting too! Highly recommended!
Basic binoculars that provide clear viewing for relative short distances.  They are easy to use and compact enough to carry for prolonged periods.  I have not subjected them to extreme conditions, since I use them primarily used from my back porch and the beach.  Good value for limited use.
I bought these for my two grandchildren for Christmas. They are very sturdy and work very well. Exceeded my expectations.
Bushnell is the premier maker of Binoculars.  In this case these were advertised as having auto focusing - which are actually manual.  In the end they were light weight and magnified as expected.
these have worked great for me so far they came with lens covers and a lanyard in retail packagingseem to be holding up to some mild abuse too :D
These replaced some 10X50 Jason binoculars that had been stolen (house break-in).  The 10X50s were almost too powerfull for what we need so these are just right.  Can't wait to take them on vacation.  The Busnell name is a factor, too.
Thanks for the offer and speedy delivery.  I am giving as a wedding gift with some bird books and these are great, I have a pair just like them.
These binoculars are much nicer quality than I had hoped for. Gift for my grandson, I know he will love them.
I bought these for my grandson for Christmas and have had the opportunity to visit with him and use these myself to see how they work.  Neither he nor I were disappointed with these nice binoculars.  He will use them for years to come.  I would recommend this product.
I would order again, they were bought to replace an older pair that was lost in a fire.  Very easy to use and perfect for watching birds or wildlife.
I am taking a Biology and Behavior of Birds course in college and needed a pair of binoculars for lab. I was using a Sharper Image pair that looked like 3-D fun glasses when I used them. These Bushnell Falcons are incredible in comparison! Very crisp and the focus is very easy. The only part I do not like is the protective caps pop off too easily on the eye pieces. But that is a very small part of what make up the quality of the binoculars. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you are looking for a first pair to use for a variety of reasons.
Having to need to get a pair of binocular, but notwanting to pay an arm and leg, i settled on this product.  It fits my purpose on my budget.
When I opened the package these looked really great. And they were.... Until I tried them. These binoculars did not work for me. My interpupilary span is small, which means my eyes are close together. I couldn't get the Eyepieces close enough to were I could see only one circle. I saw two of everything. My eye span is a little less than 2-1/2 inches. This is something to take into consideration before buying these. I sent these back and will be getting a different pair, but these seemed clear and durable, although I didn't have them very long. Just a heads up.
We have always and the cheap mini version of binoculars, and even though these binoculars didn't break the bank, they were very reasonably priced the worked real well!!! an added plus with the case and lense protectors.
Considering, these are a very inexpensive pair of binoculars, they arrived in great shape, came with a carrying case and a cleaning cloth. They focus pretty well and have a decent field of vision. If you just want to look at a birdbath in your backyard, these would suit you quite well. If you want to do more serious birding or scouting, buy a more expensive pair. For the money, they are a nice lightweight pair of binoculars.
I purchased these to go and watch my 49ers beat the brake off of the Saints last year and they worked fine for that...however I'm a big guy over 250lbs  and I played football so I think I'm above average in strength and after wearing for a few hours I definitely knew I had something on my neck and a couple hours after that my neck was hurting so if you are smaller than I am then you probably don't want to carry these around your neck.
Purchased this for my father in law for father's day.  He loves to watch birds, squirrels, deers all creations large and small so this helps him to do just that.  What a life to be retired, sitting on his front porch, watching everything around him in magnification.  Really nice set, clear and the magnification is good.  The only thing I was disappointed with is that this does not come with a hard case to transport or carry.  But other than that, he was glad to get them.
Great binoculars for the price. I got these for my daughter for Christmas last year.  I have had the same pair for 25 years and they are still clear as a bell. Easy to adjust and has good depth
It works like how binoculars should work.  It's lets you see far and clear and has a good grip to it.
It's easy to adjust and lightweight.  Magnification for the distance I need is fine. I will probably order a 2nd pair since I usually leave the binoculars on the table outside and the birds fly away as soon as I step through the door.
I bought these for a cruise to Mexico and excursions. They work great but I saw so many things that were cool and worth taking pictures of, that I usually had my camera out instead. I look forward to using these at a concert or play when I remember to pop them in my bag.They magnify more than I expected for how cheap they are! Great quality and very durable.***Update May 2013***I have used these on several more occasions and I really love how much I can see with them for amateur purposes. However, because of their size and weight, they rarely get pulled out for quick outings and only get taken to plays (I could see details of Galinda's hair and makeup during Wicked ;). Even then though, they took up a lot of space and needed a large purse to put them in.
It does work for the purpose I got it, but then when I use the lens cover to prevent them from getting scratched, it keeps coming off loose. Not sure if I will come back to this product. Thought, Bushnell was a quality product producing company, hmm?
Very nice binoculars.  Took these on a sight-seeing trip and focus was very clear and far.
I got for my child who likes bird watching. he is only 5 and pretty rough. so I wasn't going to buy anything expensive for him right now. this binoculars need to be used outside only because they have very far range and closer things are pretty blurry. it is a good starter binoculars for kids and I would definitely recommend it for this purpose.
I purchased these for two purposes.  The immediate use was a hike along the Nova Scotia shoreline.  These proved easy to carry on the hike and were good for relatively nearby objects (e.g., birds, nearby islands, etc.).  Secondly, I use these on local hikes mostly for bird sightings.  They are great - easy and quick focus, good quality and perfect for fast access.  Overall, very happy with these.
The Bushnell binoculars are perfect for bird watching. The carrying case keeps them well protected. Recommend highly. Would make a great gift
came quickly. right weight. clear view. this is my second pair. my neighbor wanted a pair just like mine so I ordered him a pair.  Great to watch wild life which is what we do. Thrilling to see baby deers playing in the meadow.
The bushnell falcon came with a nice case.  We already tried it, we love it.  Easy to use and a fair price.
Needed new Binoculars and found this to be great, the size is just what can be easily handled without any issues.
These binoculars are perfect for birding as they are quickly focused before you miss the bird and very clear. Highly recommended.
I bought these because I didn't want to buy expensive ones. (I lost the old pair!). It is a good size, is very solid, and has a well made feel to it. The outer body is covered in rubber for better gripping. It's easy to focus and produces excellent bright, clear images.Overall, well worth the price.
I wanted Binoculars for bird watching and looking for Dolphins on the beach.These are clear and steadyI especially like the rocker switch for quick and easy focus.They are not pocket size but went with them anyway.They are exactly what I wanted.Look at some of the other reviewers to get a lesson in what the 7x35 means.Very Helpful to me!
I've been away from birding for a while-so long that my binoculars had disappeared long since. I needed something I could grab when that fabulous piliated landed in the tree by my house and that I could carry in the car for impromptu stops.  This pair of Bushnell's is perfect.They are smallish and light weight, but the view is clear as a bell. I love the easy focus lever that can be used while holding the binoculars with one hand. And best of all is the price.  These binoculars are so inexpensive that I plan to buy a second pair to keep in the car while my first pair sits by my window at home.While this pair of binocs is not super powerful-I couldn't get a good look at some small ducks way off in the sound near my house-it is perfect for backyard birding. And did I mention the price!
I purchased these binoculars to take on my recent vacation, however they were much larger then I expected so I left them home. I am thinking about returning them. I can't ee where I can use them even at home they are too big and would be noticed immediately by everyone.
very nice. you can tell that they are good quality just by the weight.clear optics, focusing is really easy.
The quality, the price, I just don't know where to start. They are by far the best 7x35 I've owned. I'm not going to go on and on. If your looking for a middle of the road, quality, great price, 7x35 than your at the right place. I would highly recommend these. Enough said.
These are fabulous back yard bird watching binoculars. I bought a pair for myself and my daughter and we have been thoroughly enjoying them over a year. The range is phenomenal and makes it look like 3D because the birds are so close to our vision range! Mary
We will be cruising to Alaska and these binoculars feel easy to use and it come with a case and straps. I bought it after reading all the positive reviews. After our trip, I will update upon its real use.
Great for the price. These are very clear, can be adjusted multiple ways. AND they were a great price. Can't beat it for basic needs. I only needed them for hunting and watching a bait pile about 200 yards away. They work great!
I got one pair for my wife and one for me.  They were such a great deal, I figured we should both have one.  We have them on hooks right by the front door.  That way, anytime we see a bird out the window, we can grab the binocs and check it out.  We've also brought them on a couple outings.  They are easy to carry around and are of excellent quality!
I'm not a binocular expert.  I just like to look at birds in my yard.  These seem to work just fine.  I'm not sure the casual birdwatcher needs much more than this.
Easy to use, and carry in the car for the times when you would like to see something &#34;close up&#34; without stumbling in the brush.
I have just started using binoculars for wildlife classes at school. I wanted to get my own pair so I would not have use the school supplied binoculars. These work great without being a major investment. I may invest in a better pair down the road, but for the novice I highly recommend these.
BushnellFacon BinocularsThese binoculars are light and easy to use.  Very clear and can focus well. Very glad that I got them.Miki Salem Ma
I bought these binoculars for my 8 year old grandson and he likes them a lot. They are not like a toy, more like an adult binocular, and he is very pleased.
I would definitely recommend these for casual use.  I use them for birdwatch from inside my home.  I see the birds very clearly, but I would probably opt for different binoculars if I were trying to see things very far away.  For my casual, medium-distance use, they are perfect!
Cannot beat the quality for the price. I'm new to birding and these went with me to the coast. Getting another pair to have around for a guest.
Great value for the money. I use it mostly for ball games, but it comes in handy when hiking and sailing.
I've ended up with three pairs of these. I was looking for them for my young granddaughters and didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted clear ones that were easy to focus. They're a little big for little kids, but very easy to see out of. These were perfect! I even ordered another pair for me.
Suprised at how Good these are because they are inexpensive.  I bought 10 of these binoculars to use with my students in class on bird walks and outside field work.  I was going for an inexpensive brand, so we could get the most for our money.  I'm skeptical of cheap binoculars, but the reviews for this pair seemed pretty good, so we gave it a try.  (In the past, other teachers have paid $150+ per pair of binoculars, and these were less than $30 each).  I was pleasantly surprised.  Very good clarity and extremely easy for students to focus.  Lightweight enough for a one hour bird walk, but not flimsy.  The strap is a thin nylon strap - not plush like some of the more expensive models, but fine for what we need.  Overall, I'm very impressed with these binoculars, and would recommend them to anyone who is a casual bird watcher or wants an inexpensive pair of binoculars.  I have a more expensive pair of binoculars that I bird watch with, but would be happy to go out with these if needed.
For the money you can't beat them. A good &#34;BIRDING&#34; Binocular, I use the for &#34;BOATING&#34;, they don't take up a lot of room like larger 7 x 50 binoculars do, at 7 x 35 they have the same view as 7 x 50 (you won't be able to tell the DIF bet. 35 and 50 Fld of view). If they go overboard, it's NOT a big loss. excellent gift for a &#34;BOATER&#34; !
We gave these to our grandson as a gift , they are excellent and a great pair of binoculars the price is really a good price him and his dad and his Papa use them to hunt with.
The binoculars are being used by children.  Not too heavy to wear around the neck and very easy to focus.
This pair is really good for the price you pay. Serves it's purpose well. The insta-focus is great but like some others have mentioned the caps are loose so they tend to fall off very easily. Besides that, works just perfect. Have used it on a few trips so far, all for nature related sight seeing. Definitely worth lugging this along.
This is my first pair of binoculars, so take this review with that precaution in mine.That being said, I purchased these to use while hunting.  I have yet to test them in anything but good conditions, and I will update my review accordingly if need be.  The item is bigger than expected, and heavier too.  It is comfortable to look through and has a very nice focus adjustment positioned perfectly for on the fly focusing without changing hand position.  The binoculars came with a nice strap to carry around the next and a decent case with covers for both ends of the lens.I would have given a 5 star review if the unit was a little smaller and lighter, but overall I can't complain.  I tested up to about 350 ft with incredible clarity.
I bought this for my wife so that she can whale watch. I also bought her a larger one, but it's much harder to hold steady. It's one is great for whale watching from the shore. Great price too, can't go wrong!
work great for out at the shooting range for spotters to see targets. Super easy to adjust focus. Doesn't require turning a knob, has a lever you can push down either way to adjust
Great for birdwatching at the back yard feeder and easy to operate. Birds are always in clear focus
These are the easier to focus and it has auto focus on top of it. I can use it while still where my glasses. I love them. The price was so reasonable too. Can't go wrong.
This was a Christmas gift for our grand daughter who is special needs.  She is a bright teen held back from communicating by deafness and an inability to speak.  She relies on visual cues and is enjoying these binoculars very much.  We were pleased to find a sturdy, high quality item for her.  Highly recommend these for anyone.
Purchased for my husband and 3 grandchildren, these binoculars are good for beginner bird watchers...or for anything else one uses binoculars for. Our one grandson was outside looking at everything. A good buy...they were on sale, too.
I love these binos.  They are great for looking out over the ocean to see the boats and birds that are coming in.  I keep them handy, and they are very easy to use.
Nothing fancy, just a great pair of binoculars for the price!We live on a lake that is about 3 miles in circumference.We just love to watch all the migrating birds that pass through.These binoculars have brought us up close and personal.Very easy to use and to focus. Sturdy well designed for the purpose.
These are really great for the price. I took them with me to the beach and did some whale watching and elk viewing. They don't  disappoint.
Got these for backyard bird watching.  All the birds looked the same until I had these. And I didn't have to shell out a fortune. Easy to use right out of the box, and I like the lense covers; they keep the dust off.
Just recently our original binoculars were taken from our property and we didn't think we could replace them, until we found these on Amazon. One of the features we like is the paddle on top to help focus, which it does very well. They are very light also. It helps us to find our birds quickly. We are thinking of another pair for our vehicle, so both my husband and I can have our own to watch for birds. Thank you.
I bought this for my 7 year old daughter and she loves it. It is reasonably priced and has good magnification
These binoculars are a great value. They're perfect for backyard bird watchers. The eye pieces are really comfortable, they're easy to focus and the clarity is awesome! Amazon shipped them so fast! I ordered them Tuesday afternoon and recieved them Wednesday morning!
Binos are OK for the money paid - you get what you pay for. However, there is a big downside to these cheaper binos as they are neither fogproof or waterproof. I also own Leupold Green Stripe binos and there is a huge difference in the optics(although they are a lot more pricier). I opted to take the Bushnells to a UM football game last week, and they are still unusable a week later due to the rain we encountered during the game.
These are at the low end price-wise for binocs but for an amateur wildlife-watcher like me they are fine.  I really, really like the insta-focus thing.  It's much easier to use than the type where you turn a central knob.  You can scan from near to far and easily change the focus as you go.  Might want to invest in a more comfortable strap if you are going to use them for long periods.  Also, the lens caps don't all fit real snugly----one or two tend to just fall off.
When I first received these glasses, I was happy... lite and perfect... but, they never aligned properly... I had one image slightly higher and one slightly slower than the other... I have to give full credit to Amazon... they immediately gave me a credit and I purchased the Barska Gladiators which I love... and they showed up the next day!!!!!
These binoculars enable me to view birds and other wildlife up close from my terrace. They have an easy to focus lever and are especially great for the price!
After owning many cheap pairs $20 binoculars over the years I was looking for something a little better that wasn't going to set me back $200.  I found these while researching and was impressed by the excellent reviews so I gave it a shot.  I could not be more pleased.  The clarity and build quality is superb considering they are only about $10 more than the inferior stuff I have owned over the years.
I bought two of these on for my self and one for my girl friend so we had something to use while we were out in the boat fishing and we could view birds or other boats on the lake to see what they were doing. My girl friend reall loves hers. She has used it to just look at diffrent things while we were on a small trip in the car.Would buy again.....carry mine in my fishing bag so I have it with at all times.
These binoculars are excellent for the price.  I used them for birding and was so impressed with how crystal clear the vision was.  I haven't found anything negative about them.  They work great!
These are great binoculars at a great price. I really like the rocker vs the knob for focus adjust. I would reccomend these binoculars to anyone who needs a pair for everyday use, but the reasonable price makes them a great buy for the casual user also.
Nice are very nice and just absolutely was a great price and I really enjoy watching and looking I can see birds us see things so clear I love it that they're absolutely wonderful
These are a Great binocular. Very easy Focus and light. The magnification is perfect. I use them for surveillance work. Great price. I would highly recommend them.
Just got these today and yes as any other grown &#34;KID&#34; I took these out and tested them sitting on my front deck. Bushnell is a well trusted name and I am glad that I went with this pair of Binoculars. If you are looking for a great pair of binoculars at a GREAT price these are for you. Excellent clarity and I absolutely love the &#34;insta focus&#34; these have. I hike the Adirondacks in NY and can't wait to take these out when I am on the summit of a mountain.
I bought these as starter birdwatching  binoculars for my son who recently got into the hobby.  I got these primarily for the price and the decent reviews, hoping that Bushnell had improved their quality over the last 20 years...  but, I wasn't surprised when my son said that the focusing mechanism broke within 2 months of his receiving them and it wasn't due to misuse or dropping them:  the plastic housing for the set-screw cracked, which no longer allowed proper focusing (and I couldn't repair it).  Actually, I should've known this would happen with Bushnell because my initial birdwatching binoculars were Bushnell and I remember them becoming fairly useless soon after I started using them on a regular basis.  It's been Nikon or Minolta for me ever since...  I guess I  should've started my son on one of those as well.  So, on to the &#34;store&#34; for something better for the new birder.
very good for beginner bird watchers, perfect focus and easy comfort with handling. Also great for long distance travelling. Clear, close, and right size.
The binoculars are great!  I sit on my couch and watch the birds at my feeder and enjoy it so much!  The detail is really good too and they are easy to use.
I use it for bird photography when I need to spot birds. Clear and easy to focus better than spinning a ring. This feature is important because a difficult focussing system is not useful in bird photography. It is also light and does not slip in your hands.  More power makes difficult to spot small birds.
We have ordered 15 pair of these at different times because we use them to give away to disadvantaged groups, where teachers need a binocular set for night observing that is decent but not expensive to replace (we send or take binoculars overseas). We also use the same set at home for demonstrations and binocular observing. Every pair we have had has been the same, which means the quality assurance is very good. Optically, for the price, these binoculars are well above average. The view is clear, right diopter adjustment works easily, the instant focus is smooth and quick to operate. Amazon's price was a little better than anyone else.
Great binoculars and can see long distances very well with them, sturdy and well built. Also like the fact it comes with a carrying case, microfiber cloth, and caps for each lens. Very happy with this purchase!
The views using these binoculars were very good, but the lense dislodged and fell inside the casing after just two weeks.
The reason I purchased these binoculars is because I am a hummingbird d&eacute;vote and I like to see what birds are using my feeders.  I have to be about 12' from the Hummingbirds so as to not disturb them and, being as small as they are, these binoculars have worked out just right.
THIS BUSHNELL 7X35 BINOCULAR WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE ON OUR VACATION TO BEAUTIFUL ALASKA STATE.I AM SATISFIED WITH THIS PURCHASED AT AMAZON AND I PREVIOULY OWNED A BUSHNELL WIDE ANGLE 7X35 BINOCULAR I HAVE GIVEN TO MY NEPHEW IN THE PHILIPPINES STILL IN USE.
really easy to &#34;tune&#34;, much easier than any I've had, great for birding, I think these are a great value
For the price it can;t be beat,was a gift for my husband and he enjoyed it and was well happy with it
I was very pleased with these binoculars as was my grandson!  The clarity was excellent and he will enjoy many hours of bird watching with them.
I am not an expert and did not buy these for anything in particular, so these are perfect to just have for fun and spy on random squirrels and birds in my backyard. I could take these to a ball game if I sit in the nosebleeds or something as well. I would recommend these if you just want something for fun and aren't a pro.
After years of suffering with dark, weak, wobbly binoculars (thank you, Magnacraft), I found myself needing two types:  the best quality I could find (1) at any weight but under $250 for use within a drive of home (home binocs), and (2) under 10 oz, easy to travel with in tour groups, simple for impatient family members, and ideal for night concerts and day baseball games (travel binocs).After studying reviews and comments thoroughly, I concluded there are brilliant experts commenting regularly on Amazon - much more insightful than the professional reviewers who focus on expensive, heavy devices purchased by others of their ilk. From my fellow consumers' insights, I purchased 11 binoculars with at least 70% five-star ratings that fit my general specifications for home or travel.GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.  After exhaustive examination - reading a DVD box at 46 feet, finding individual cattle from a moving minivan, and watching stars and planets in my backyard - I concluded the essential attributes for binoculars across categories are:(A) Plenty of Light brought to your eye.  Light is determined by the diameter of the light-gathering lens divided by the magnification.  In other words, an 8x42 pair has a ratio of 5.25 and produces LOTS of light, while a 10x21 pair has a ratio of 2.1 and always appear dark.  Conclusion:  About 3.0 is adequate and the best available for compact binoculars.(B) Good Stability of View. View stability depends on (i) the degrees of field of vision (can you find what you are looking for), (ii) the depth of visibility (do you have to refocus for every few feet of depth), and (iii) wobble (which is itself determined by (i) and (ii)).  Conclusion:  field of vision is rarely as broad as advertised, depth of visibility depends on the lens quality and you just have to check it out, and any binoc with a magnification of 10 or higher proved to have poor stability of view without a tripod, at least for me.  There is a big difference between 8x and 10x, particularly below a 42 lens diameter.SPECIFIC CONCLUSIONS.  (Home Binoculars) The best Home Binoc was the Nikon Monarch ATM 8x42, and it outperformed all other 10 by a wide margin. I could read a DVD box at 46 feet, keep a broad and stable view to find the cow with three white spots while bouncing in a minivan, and find and watch Mars.  At 24 oz, it's too big for constant lugging, but oh what a treat. At $230, it was comparable in price to the Vixen 14502 Foresta 8x42 and the Bushnell Ultra HD 8x42, but it performed noticeably better, particularly on view stability.  Several cheaper, heavy models under $100 had cloudy lens.(Travel Binoculars)  The Pentax 8x25 UCF XII and the Olympus 8x25 PCI were best in class, although the Pentax had less wobble, more clarity while the Olympus provided more light and more accurate color tones, but a smaller field of vision. (Forget finding the cow, but if you found it, you could count its ear hairs at dusk).  Both were 10 oz, and about $65; the Pentax, which gets slightly better overall reviews, is larger but felt better in my hand.  Small hands, viewing at dusk, standing still = Olympus.  Larger hands, viewing in daylight, on a bus = Pentax. Lastly, the itty bitty Olympus 7x21 PC III at 7 oz in metallic blue is adorable and $24 (refurbished), with fantastic clarity and ease of use, but a very narrow field of vision, despite its 7.5% claim.So what did we do?  I decided to travel with the heavy Nikon Monarch, but kept the Pentax 8x25 in reserve.  Different members of my family preferred the Pentax 8x25, the Olympus 8x25, and the Olympus 7x21, each predictably on the basis of the decision maker's age, size, and goals. None showed any interest in the other six binocs.As a final note, Beware of imperfection and non-Amazon sellers.  Two of the 11 binocs arrived with lens imperfections.  The heavy Bushnell Falcon (7x36) at $30 had a cloudy lens, and Amazon accepted the return promptly. The lightweight but expensive Nikon Travelite 10x25, already with little light and a small field of vision, had a defective lens, making it darker.  The vendor wanted me to pay shipping in both directions plus a restocking fee to return the defective item.Good luck with your decision. I hope my odyssey was helpful to you.
Bought them for an Alaskan cruise. They worked very well.
Haven't tried them yet but they are much nicer then my old pair.  The size is much better for taking with you.  My old pair was huge.
While comparing items in the store where I eventually purchased these binoculars, I noticed two things that immediately set these pair from the rest.  The &quot;InstaFocus&quot; one-finger focus was excellent and dead on.  Also the ability to track moving objects far exceeded a pair of Tasco's I demoed.  The Falcons seem to stay in focus, without needing adjustment, for considerably varying distances.I used the binoculars at a racetrack and professional football game (not having the BEST seats) and could easily make out names, etc.  Great clarity, decent power, excellent focus make these a great purchase.
I purchased the Bushnell Falcon 7x35 due to the positive reviews.  However, the pair I received were defective.  Only one eye piece could be adjusted and the other one was non-adjustable so back they went for a full refund.
I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to view the wildlife in their area.  This is an inexpensive pair of Bushnell binoculars and they are great!
I am not an expert on binoculars so Amazon's customer reviews were really helpful in making the decision to buy these binoculars. I was shopping for an inexpensive but quality made name brand product.  I was not disappointed,  As is the norm, this item was shipped and arrived on time and well packaged.  I recommend this item to anyone who is shopping for a really good pair of binoculars at an attractive price.
I ordered these to use for birdwatching and they are fantastic.  Magnification is much better than I thought it would be.  Light weight yet sturdy and easy to use.  Comes with a strap and carrying case and lens caps.  Very good value.  Going on vacation in a couple of weeks and plan to take them along.
We used these to look at animals and I was amazed at the level of detail we could quickly see.  I even let my six-year-old use these and he easily adjusted the focus.  These are a great deal and I'll probably buy another one since we seem to all enjoy using them.Please "like" if you found this review useful.
Fulfills my need to see my backyard birds up close. Sometimes it appears blurry, even with adjustment, but that could be my eyes :)
I was hesitant to buy this based on my purchase of Bushnell 8x32 perma-focus. but took the chance after reading reviews. I am glad I did; because I did consider buying expensive one; since the earlier bushnell fell short of expectation (blurry and shakes easily).With this one, I like the clarity and field of depth (and field of view). It is also steady to hold, nice contours. I am ordering another one for family. One more thing I like is Insta-focus lever. I was not sure how it will work, but the adjustment is fast and simple thru a lever.
These binoculars work great for me watching birds.the fast focus is great.Really fine detail.would recommend these for anyone.the case is very nice.The neck strap is so comfortable.
no like it
These binoculars work great. When I couldn't get out in the country often, I used these to get a closer look at the racoons in the trees out back.
We took it for Alaska trip on a Denali trip and were able to spot Brown bears far far away in the park from the bus. Then we were also able to spot Humpback whales on a cruise with this! Good stability!
I got these for my husband father who enjoys looking out to the ocean and the birds and he has not put them down.  Great product and price...company is great to deal with as well, although delivery was a bit problematic since it was an x-mas gift.
I am very impressed with these binoculars. For a beginner birder, they are easy to operate and provide crisp views. I appreciate the carrying case that comes with the product. Highly recommend.
Bought two of these for our grandchildren (ages 5 and 8) for Easter instead of candy.  They loved having their own set to use.  It has opened up a whole new world for them.  They are looking at birds, clouds, flowers, airplanes and everything else that moves.  The binoculars are easy to use with the included strap.  The case is a great bonus.  Only problem is the lens covers don't stay on the binoculars.
This is just the pair I have been looking for. Love to look at wildlife & they bring everything so close & clear. The price is right, too!I will be taking them on our family vacation to Mt. Rushmore next month--can't wait!
I don't know anything about binoculars and just wanted a pair for casual backyard bird watching. I took a risk ordering a pair that was so inexpensive and had some poor reviews... It was not worth it. The adjustment of the lenses was so off that there was about 6 feet of separation between images at 30 feet or so. They were totally unusable. Perhaps the better reviews got a good pair and I got a bad pair, but it was not worth the risk buying another pair to see. Obviously, there are some quality control issues. In general, the quality seemed really poor. If you pushed a little too much on one side (with your eye/head) it would bend the plastic hinge in the middle. Shouldn't the lenses always be aligned and not able to move? I dunno. Just seemed cheaply made. So I ended up buying the Pentax 62211 UCF-X II 8x25 at double the price instead.
They broke already!  Mainly they sat on the bar in the kitchen waiting for my wife to spot something interesting around the pond, and then went right back to rest.  Very light use.  One day the quick focus lever just stopped quick focusing.  Now they are useless.
My boy loves his binoculars.
I ordered these binoculars to observe the marine life on the Monterey Bay, and they worked great.  Was able to see the very fine details of the faces of harbor seals and otters.  The focus adjustment was quick and easy.  I did experience a little fogging of the lenses, but it was also very cold outside at the time.  Can't wait to use these camping in the Summer.  Happy with my purchase.
I bought these for a safari trip to Tanzania. They performed very well, we're easy to focus with the large central focus swivel and are lightweight, which is important when hanging around your nrck (along with a camera) all day. For the price I am very satisfied.
Very good quality unit!  I was very happy with the product and its performance. These binoculars are particularly good for birding, which was my main intention in purchasing them.  I would recommend these highly.
these are less bulky and way nicer and lighter than the old ones, better vision as well, great for wild life
Debo confesar que es la primera vez que compro un par de binoculares de este tipo. He quedado altamente complacida por la buena resoluci&oacute;n que tienen cuando enfoco a una distancia mayor a 1000mts de distancia. Los recomiendo altamente si lo que quiere es un par de binoculares para uso amateur. Algo m&aacute;s complicado por supuesto que tendrias que pagar mucho m&aacute;s.Para pasar un buen rato observando el horizonte y los grandes paisajes, funcionan muy bien!!
I learned about Bushnell a long time ago and have used them exclusively since. By being a bird watcher, they have followed me into some rough terrain in all kinds of weather. I have a pair of 10X50's that I use when especially doing bird counts and a pair of 7X35 always on my kitchen counter close to my window that looks out at my bird feeding station. This last pair that I bought was a gift for a very young girl, that I know will appreciate them. I would highly recommend  them for their high quality and strength in all conditions.
These were a present for my father in law. Of course, we all tried them out. What a great pair of binoculars for a really good price. They are clear and easy to use.
I bought these for my son to hunt with. I got a pair for safety award from where i work. I could buy a more expensive pair but these work for what we need. They work great early in morning and late late when it is hard to with just my eyes. You can see better when it is getting dark a few minutes when the deer seem to move more. Especially when it is bucks only you need to know not shoot.
I bought this as a present exchange at a family Christmas party... I knew one person would want it... but I was pleasantly surprised it was a very popular item.  Great condition!! Very professional and the viewing distance was amazing!! Love it
I am an amateur birdwatcher, and bought these binoculars for that purpose. They are great, just what I needed. I was amazed to get such a good product for the price.  I highly recommend.
Exactly what I was looking for and fits the bill to everything I wanted! Comfortable, easily adjustable and even comes with the carry bag, worth it.
I've purchased two pairs of Bushnell's and each lasted about a year and a half.  The problem is not in resolution and focus--certainly adequate for a pair in this price range--but the quality is absolutely China-made CHEAP.  In borth pairs one lens began to pull out of its socket and then the other lens did the same.  I thought maybe I could then cannabilize the two pairs into one but that was futile.  Now I have two pair of defective Bushnells: one pair still has a right lens that works so I'm reduced to viewing with one eye.  The other is completely defunct.  At the moment I am now proceeding very cautiously in purchasing a reasonably-priced durable pair of binoculars in the $100 to $200 price range.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Decent binoculars.  Case is very cheap.  Lens caps are very low quality and worthless - they just won't stay on.  But the binocs are OK and the price is right.
I bought these binoculars based on the reviews on amazon.  I am uninformed about optics or the comparative merits of other brands and sizes of binoculars.  I use this pair to see across a lake, about 2000-3000 feet and I can see the individual leaves on the trees.  The binoculars are easy to adjust and a very nice toy.  Sturdy enough that I let my 8 yr old play with them under supervision.
WHILE THIS CAMERA TAKES DECENT PICS, THE BATTERY LIFE IS INEXCUSABLE. MY DURACELL LASTED 3 DAYS. THE ICONS, BUTTONS AND MENUS DO NOT COME NATURALLY. LEAVE IT TO CANON TO MAKE YOU BUY THE ESSENTIAL RECHARGABLE BATTERY SEPARATELY. FROM NOW ON I STAY WITH SONY. EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE AND THE BATTERY LASTS FOREVER.
The Canon S20 is the perfect combination of simplicity, function, and high technology. The camera takes fantastic pictures that are consistently clear, ungrainy, and in focus, even in odd lighting conditions. The metering system is great, as is the autofocus and the telephoto; all work near-flawlessly.The S20's greatest strengths is its simplicity and its size. Although it does not offer advanced features (such shutter-speed priority, full manual, etc.) that some of the Nikons and more expensive Canons do, even an inexperienced camera user (digital or not) will have no problem taking great photographs. All of the moderately complicated features on the Canon such as macro-mode, toggling the flash, and red-eye reduction are as easy as hitting a clearly labelled, obvious button. Additionally, the S20 is just like a &quot;regular old camera.&quot; There are no bizare swivling things like on the Nikons, and more importantly, the camera is small enough to fit easily in a small bag or large pocket.Please note that in addition to the camera itself, you will have to buy the battery recharger and, unless you want to be limited to a few megs, an extra PC card which will both add some money to your purchase. Still, for the camera you get, the extra purchases are not a big deal.Overall, a fantastic little camera. Look no further.
I echo the prior statements -- a fabulous midget-sized camera whose 3.3 megapixel photos allow you to trust all of your memories to it. So-so battery life.In addition, I found that the camera was fairly easy to use. I was able to do the basic things -- take photos, change the resolution, erase, etc. -- on a first or second try. (Then I read the manual to figure out the advanced stuff.)My only dislike of this camera is that its automatic whiteness settings aren't true to life: it's too blue. For example, light-skinned (caucasian and some asians) people's skin has a bluish tint to it. You can play around with the manual settings to get accurately colored photos, but it's a pain to adjust the whiteness for every single snapshot you want to take. The resulting discolorations can generally be fixed in Photoshop, of course, but having to do this for every photo is not ideal.I had heard about the whiteness issues before I bought the camera and purchased it anyway. I'm glad I did; the resolution, its size, and overall quality are worth the slightly disappointing optical issues.
I see the average consumer having too primary needs for a digital camera. The first and most important in their mind is a tool to record those moments that need to last forever. This translates into a digital versus film because of the unparalled ability of digital to display the recorded image. These are the shots that include family and friends, everyday life. Other important factors in choosing a camera that will handle this aspect would be zoom and flash. From what I have seen of the performance of such a small camera, it does fine.I can't wait until canon makes SLR rangefinder digital cameras similar to the s20, but with the option of extended zoom capability. That would be cool.The second most important need that I can percieve is a camera that is portable enough that it is not a big deal to carry with you most of the time. This would be for those shots that the consumer says &quot;Oh that looks cool&quot;. This camera fits the bill perfectly bieng the smallest on the market that is able to support a microdrive.I think toshiba recently released a 5 gig mircodrive. I can't believe how many pictures this translates to. Of course it costs almost as much as the camera, but for people whom are serious about recording a moment in their life, then the investment in the camera / rechargeable batteries / leather case / microdrive goes without saying.Hope this helps!
This is an excellent little digital camera that is both rich in features and high in megapixel resolution--compared to the competition.  My only complaint is that you have to remove the battery when the camera is not being used, otherwise the camera will eventually drain it.  Considering the features, this is only a minor  complaint.
The Canon S20 is simply stellar.  It takes outstanding photos, yet is very easy to use.  Of equal importance, it is tiny, so you'll never have to leave it behind!  You simply can't go wrong with this handy, high-end digicam.
If possible, I would have given the camara some negative stars.I was glad when I first got the camera. But it did not function at all after I used the camera for less than 10 times within a year. I called customer service and was told to send it back to factory. I was told I would be charged about $160 to fix the camera. I asked what the problem was and was told they did not know what the exact problem was until they took the camera apart and gave a close check!If you want to find a reliable digital camera, try some other brand but not canon.
I just saw what Amazon is selling the S-20 camera for, and I just had to write and express my opinion about this item. This is simply an incredible deal. I've had years of experience in photography. (...) This little S-20 is so neat. It will fit into your pants pocket. And, in an instant it's ready to shoot a picture. The images it produces are extremely sharp and detailed. It allows manual control of several functions incl.: image size, flash, zoom focus, light balance, and many other items. This thing will take any CompactFlash brand card you shove into it, just hit the format key & it's ready to go. It will take a microdrive, which is something i haven't tried yet, but it sounds very interesting. And, if the rechargeable battery runs out, you can power up with off the shelf disposable batteries. (...)the main reason I like this camera is that it's the toughest little thing around. You can drop it on the ground, pick it up & it will still work.  I've already dropped my S-20 several times without any negative results. Well, enough already. If you want a tough little camera, that fits in a shirtpocket & takes extremely sharp pictures, then this one is a no - brainer. I guess the only reason they're selling this for so lttle is that it's going to be discontinued. If that's the case, then get it. It's a classic.
Every picture tells a story. Mine began after many months of research, checking prices, reviews, etc. I finally opted for the Canon Powershot S20. Working as a Picture Car Coordinator in the film industry, I needed a digital camera that had great resolution, the ability to download into my computer, and a capacity for volume. Kudos to Canon. This is the perfect tool. The memory flash cards serve as safety deposit boxes, storing the images until you need to download. Competetive pricing has the largest flash memory card well within discretionary budgets. The multi-function facets of the camera accommodate any given situation and need - indoor, outdoor, panoramic, photogenic, macro, whatever. Think tank included. You can even script a continuous visual scene with the thorough computer software. Be sure to get the auxiliary battery pack for recharging as it is indeed fuel hungry. It's worth the extra cost. This camera can assist the casual user with professional results. Also standup to the rigors of high demand  and expectation. Fun, fast, and easy to use. For the money, a best buy. The finished product is always outstanding. Look like a million, pay like pauper. This is the ticket to the big time in your field of vision.
Sometimes when I take a shot, and get it to my PC I look at it and wonder, how such a samll unit can crete such clean pictures.For most  applications the S10 will do but the S20 is good value still.
Great optics, nice list of options.  Takes great pictures.  software bundle is good.  Problem is the battery.  You get one of the ... throw-aways, which lasts about 45 minutes.  The rechargeable battery pack is ..., which is ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY for this camera, so consider the price to be ... more than the going price.  Also, the rechargeable batteries last a bit under an hour.  You'll also want to get a bigger memory card.  Using the highest resolution, lowest compression takes some great pictures, and you'll want a big card to take lots of pictures.
My bike light went out and I replaced the Toshiba batteries with these. The light didn't work. These are weak batteries and for bike lights don't use them.
got here fast and  was what i was look for was  looking for i could not find that size at the store and was a better deal also
These batteries last a very long time compared to other brands, and they are very reasonably priced. I have a difficult time finding N batteries, so I am thankful Amazon sells them here. I would recommend highly!
Ordered 16 batteries in 3 different sizes from this vendor and all arrived promptly.  All working when installed.  Subsequently, one of the size N batteries failed (less than a week).I don't blame the vendor; stuff like this happens.I would buy from these guys again, no problem.
It's a battery. Why are you bothering for a review?It still works 2 months later. let's hope it last till next year.
I wish the batteries were cheaper. They seem to have short life for powering lasers.
I don't believe that these batteries are fresh. They seem to arrive already weak from age drain or some other issue. For the price they are not even as good as the readily-avilable AA's.
I had purchased a clock movement and it required one of these batteries. I could not find them locally so I looked on the internet and found these a t a good price.
These batteries are very hard to find in the local stores. They were a perfect replacement for the ones that had died.
Used these in a calculator for more than four years, and just replaced them - with same brand, of course....
This 2-Pack of Energizer batteries was purchased from Best Deal Supply through Amazon. They were shipped via USPS and arrived in 4 days. The shipping charge is included in the price. These batteries have a long life span. The price and the service from BDS is excellent. The cost of gasoline would be far higher than the BDS cost if I were to search for these batteries in a local store. Would not hesitate to make further purchases from this company.
I purchased these for my bike light. These seem to last a long time - my light is bright, which is big help in my endless quest not to be hit by a car.
The batteries come in different packages than shown, but that does not matter.  The work good in my desktop clock and ordering was easy
These were hard to find little batteries.  Work perfectly.  Expiration date far into the future.  Very happy with my purchase.
I used these batteries for a small digital clock.  They worked fine.  The product was as described and arrived on time.
As for the life of the battery I can find no other, with the duration and price ratio. Quality product will buy again.
When I added this to my cart, it said free shipping.  But just before the last button to place my order, I noticed a charge of $105 for shipping!!!  I have an APO box which may be part of the reason.  But $105 for shipping a $1.71 item.
I could not find this item in stores! So pleased I found this at Amazon!!I would always go to Amazon if I can't find it any where else.
These little batteries are just as I had ordered and they work well in my little crystal clock. It is a lot easier to order them than hunt through the battery section at the big box store.
I purchased this battery to replace a defective one for an old Triplett 310 voltmeter. The battery could have been purchased locally, but I needed to purchase a 15 volt battery also and ordered them both at the same time. This was an easy decision as the N battery was much cheaper on line.
Product as described, new in blister pack, use-before date ~2017 (they're already in my flashlight). Couldn't find it locally for a reasonable price.
These batteries were exactly as described.  I am now re-ordering so that I will have a supply on hand for future need. I have two clocks that use these batteries.
Great batteries, they work pretty well. Quick shipping and great price for two batteries.I'll buy more of those batteries.
Great price and fast shipping.  I do plan to buy more batteries from this gentlemen.  His prices are favorable especially considering these are top brands and he did sent the order out in the promised time frame.  THANKS!
Quick service love the price and free shipping.  So good to always have batteries on hand, and not have to go shopping for them!
Energizer is one of the leading battery manufacturers in the world. Excellent product. I always buy this or one other brand.
For all you tiny battery fans out there this is the product you've been waiting for.  Just don't drop it because it will roll off somewhere and you'll never find it again.
These N batteries are used in several smaller clocks but are not carried in most supermarkets.On the other hand, most small clocks could squeeze in a AAA standard battery just as well.
I have searched in stores, and even the Energizer Battery website, but could not find a place that sold this size battery.. I've been looking for nearly 6 months and and totally happy to have my clock running again.
great price, these are twice as much here at home. so these were a pleasant surprise when i found them
The delivery service was fast, the product is just as described, and the price is superb!  I definitely recommend buying from this seller.
Inexpensive batteries that cost $4 EACH where I live, I purchased them on amazon for 2 for 1 really and they work, very well. They're still working and I've had them for almost a month.
i buy it for use in cactus flash trigger.Works perfectRecommended for this use, good price, good product for the money
Awesome product, very simple, high quality. Very impressed. I would recommend this product to anyone and at a great price.
It's not the batteries that I like most about this product. Since batteries are pretty much all the same.  I liked this product because in a singe package it contains to two CR-2 lithium Photo Batteries.  Since I  bought my Minolta SLR camera from Amazon.com, which require two batteries,  this would be a better, and cheaper choice.  Plus it's great for the  Environment too.
Batteries came loose.  From Amazon, I  expect that the picture is a true representation of the product to be delivered.  First battery works but I don't know the expiration date of the second.  Also, it's not desirable to ship batteries loose without some sort of protection for the terminals.
Got these batteries as replacement batteries for my rangefinder and this is the cheapest price I found anywhere for these.  Will buy again.
Walmart wanted twice the price for exact same item.Needed the battery for camera, with no subsitute available. Should have stocked up!!
Standard battery in a 2-pack.  Full voltage (unlike those sold for $1 each and which would not power the light and laser in my pistol gunsight).
I haven't tested them yet to see if they're even fully charged, but was disappointed when they arrived loose in a manila envelope rather than in manufacturers packaging.  I don't have a means of testing the charge percentage, so will only find out how long they last after putting them in my device and using under normal conditions.
I use this battery every day I play golf (18 holes) and it lasts for several months. I am very satisfied.
Arrived on time, and in new undamaged packaging.  Haven't proven the batteries are good, but no reason to think otherwise, as all appears new.
The batteries worked well and I was happy with the shipment. This purchase was as I expected when buying batteries
These are the best batteries you can have at a fair price.everyone else wanted more money for one  battery. This is the way to go. Glad I was able to get them at this price. I love them.
I just got these batteries for a spare for my new rangefinder. When I'm out on the course and need one I will have them. Good price as well when you figure the gas and time to go out and get them....even with the shipping charges I saved a few bucks!!!
great for your Bushnell laser distance devise - the smaller ones that fit into your palm of your hand - good price
These batteries fit and operate my minolta maxxum 70 !! They show great use by dates on package, well protected with Styrofoam  noodles in a strong box! Can not ship on commercial passenger airlines sticker is large!!! Excellent Shipper!!!
I use these in my Bushnell laser range finder on the golf course. One battery last 4+ months, and I play 5 times per week.The price is far better than you can get anywhere else.
Not much to say here on reviews like these, other than the product worked correctly as it was intended to and I did not have any problems out of it.
I used these batteries to power my Nikon rangefinder for my golf outings.  They seem to last forever, the last one I had last about over 2 years.
If you look at the picture, the batteries are sealed under plastic. When I got these, the batteries were Scotch taped to the card. I don't have a clue if I got new or used batteries. Next time I would order from some other vendor.
These batteries cost $12- $15 a piece in a drug store . Great deal if you need many  replacements . Bought these for my Bushnell Tour v2 rangefinder
These batteries are hard to find elsewhere, and are usually much more expensive.  I am really content with the whole process and so far the batteries are working like a charm.
I ordered these batteries and they arrived 2 days later.  Great.  However they came in a small manilla envelope LOOSE.  No blister pack, nothing to gaurantee that they were even new batteries.  There is no date on the actual batteries either.  They do work, but for how long?  I really hope that they are brand new batteries and they do not die quickly.  Be warned, this may happen to you when you get your order.
Best bet for the money. You'll pay up to four times the amount locally.  I wish these would have been packed beeter, instead of loose in the box.  Would by  again, but don't use the free shippping if you need them soon.
I started useing this battery over 15 years ago seams to outlast the duracell and same price so why buy the one that doesn't last as long
I replaced the batteries in our wireless motion detector (part of our house alarm system) and they work just fine.
bought these in January 2012 for our adt security system motion sensor. These batteries are supposed to last 5 years but less than 2 years later, I'm purchasing new ones. They did not come in retail packaging but loose in a ziploc bag. I didn't check the charge out of the package because I didn't have that type of tool to gauge battery charge
These batteries were a good buy compared to a big box store. They seemed fresh and have worked well. I would recommend them.
Great price, less than 50% of retail, and received in less than a week after placing order. The batteries were fresh and worked well in my high end tactical flashlight.
When our old battery dies we just put in 2-AA batteries. They would give us service with the camera for about 30 minutes of snapping. Then we had to put in mew AA batteries. We finally got tied of this and went online to get the proper batteries. These are much nicer because they last a long time.
It was really nice to just order it online rather than drive all over looking for one. Plus I don't drive anymore!
I ordered a lot of these CRV3 batteries because you can't find them in stores anymore and my camera uses them.  Lasts for a long, long time! Since I travel to Europe, having a disposible battery that will let me take tons of pictures and review images as I need to is important.  Can't do better than this battery!
These 3 volt Li Photo Batteries are used in my home smoke alarms.  The shelf life of these batteries is several years so that even the one in aupstairs bedroom that is hard to hear when the batteries get weak will not cause problems for a long time.The price was right too.
I use 123 size batteries in my Canon Rebel G camera.  These batteries last almost exactly as long as Duracells, and I get very fast flash recharges  with them.  They are a great deal for the price.Overall recommendation:  If your camera uses 123 batteries, buy these.
Great quality for the price. I always keep them in the camera bag as back up. never had a probelm yet.
I took 300-400 pictures on my trip to Italy over the summer and one of these lasted me almost the whole trip!  I took an extra just in case but didn't need it until the last day.
We have used the CRV3 lithium photo battery in our kodak so we knew what we wanted to purchase however the product that is advertised in the picture is not what arrived. It was a CRV3 but was not "photo." i am not sure if this will make a difference, but I need the battery. it happened to be 1 product number off from the lithium photo. I think it should still work fine just my only con.
Good batteries and good price, i have more tha 4 week with the batteries and they working good without any problem.
These batteries are not sold in any type of packaging. They do work but hard to tell if they are really new.
The batteries were the best price I could find and no shipping. I definitely use this Seller again and would recommend that anyone needing photo supplies or batteries check them out
As advertised new Energizer EL 123APB-2 lithium ion batteries. Good price. Arrived on time. No issues so far. Not much else to say.
This is more a review of the seller than of the product.  I ordered from Best Deal Supply and the battery was not only different from what was pictured (it was a different Energizer CRV3) it was loose in a paper bag so I had no way to check the expiration on the battery.  When I put it in the camera it seemed like it barely had enough juice to turn the camera on.  This continues to be a problem, so I am guessing they sent a very expired battery.  I have used the Emergizer Lithium Photo (silver and blue one) before, from other sellers, and they worked great, but the one's being sold by Best Deal Supply are not a best deal, so just be careful which company is filling your order and you will probably be fine.
We get this battery for our 35 mm camera.  Its nice to hsve a spare, and these don't seem to last very long.  We have a couple of them to take on trips.
I recieved the product in a few days. The price was excellent and they last far longer then what I was using.
A buddy of mine recommended these batteries to me for powering up effects pedals.  I use them in a Maxon Tube Screamer and a Peterson tuner.  These batteries do last longer, and I feel the price difference is justified.  These will also make great backup batteries if your pedal board or power goes out.
the battery works great it will go into my weather station that uses this type,great deal on the getting the batteries
Ordered item expecting retail packaging as pictured.Receive loose bulk items.Batteries are new and unused.Batteries work perfectly, just disappointed in packaging.
It was so hard to find a good battery with a long life, but this one is really good. I can take lots of pictures and not worry about my camera shutting off because of the battery life. I only use this brand of battery now. =)
The seller had this and various other things i will  need in the future, quick shipping and helpful
I earlier gave this a poor review.  I did receive it 2 days later than projected, but when I did receive it, I found it was from New York.  They have had too many issues from "Sandy" for my previous review to be accurate.  They did a great job getting the item to me!
What else  is to be said?  It performs its chemical reaction.  It transfers electrons from one area to another.  It's not rechargeable.
Product works as described. Far better deal than purchasing retail. Plus we now have a spare when the first one is consumed.
This battery worked great in my camera and came in the original packaging.  However, I was disappointed by the length of time the battery lasted.  I wished I could have taken more pictures with it before I had to replace it with another one.
These batteries fit in my home security system motion detectors.  In retail stores they are no longer stocked or cost an arm and a leg.
Exactly what i was looking for and I knew it as I have purchased these here before,am very pleased as they were priced reasonably. Thanks, Mike
I bought these for my camera, and i know i will not buy from here again. They only lasted a couple hours if that. Not very happy.
The batteries arrived on time, and more importantly, they are 50% cheaper than store-bought.  So far, it's only been a month, so I don't know how long they last yet.
These are well worth whatever money they will cost you to purchase.  They last a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time in my camera...thousands and thousands of pictures before they even start thinking of dying.I've only changed them once in a year and a half.
I added these batteries to an order of a few other things, and didn't realize that they were going to ship this separately from Circuit city. Make sure if you pick this, that you are getting something else from CC, or else you will end up like me. With a huge box (you could fit 4 Tom Clancey novels in the box) shipped to you with a pack of batteries and end up paying more for shipping then you spend on the batteries!
These batteries are usually quite expensive. I needed this type of battery for a camera that was packed for nearly ten years and still had film in it.  So naturally I was curious what was on the film.  Before looking on Amazon I check local stores and the cheapest I found them for was ten dollars.  In my opinion that's a lot to pay for two batteries.  So I purchased them from Amazon at a very reasonable price.  I didn't pay for shipping, which was a plus and the batteries arrived early.  I love shopping at Amazon because I usually find what I'm looking for at a lower cost.
They arrived on time and were exactly what I had ordered for a camera system that uses the somewhat difficult to find battery. We live in a rual area and they are not carried in local stores.
If you want to take great pictures you need to have batteries for all your camera needs and then more.
Pros:Arrived on timeReplaced my current Li battery perfectlyWasn't expired or even close to expiration - has kept its charge as expectedCons:No option or contact info to recycle the old battery (Fortunately, my community has a recycle center, and some big box stores like BestBuy often will recycle your old batteries for free)
Like to always keep lots of these on hand.  Energizer is always a name I can trust and it is doing the job very well
Got these batteries for 1/2 of what the stores wanted. Saves a lot of money when they cost $7 - 10 a piece!
This was a good price. Shipped fast.Do not know how long it will last. It is a back up battery for the camera.
I was enjoying my FD-90 and the combined convenience and hassle of having it record images onto a floppy disk (convenient in that you can easily transfer images to the computer--hassle in that you are constantly changing floppies), but now I love it. I purchased a Memory Stick and adaptor. Now, I can shoot away and not worry about having to change the diskette after every fifth shot. I also purchased a Sony photo printer for the computer. I am even more pleased with the camera now that I can get almost &quot;lab-quality&quot; photos from my home computer.
This camera is another great Sony product in my book.  It supports a wide range of resolutions as well as two MPEG recording sizes (320x200 and 160x100).  It can record sound along with a snap shot.  It has four special effects: solarize, b&amp;w, sepia, and negative art.  With the optional  MSAC-FD2M floppy addapter you can use Sony's memory sticks to store even  more images.I can go on and on about the feature set for this camera,  but I don't have the time.  If you are looking for a high quality digital  camera that takes sharp pictures then give this one a try.This camera is  very flexible and is definitely worth the money.
I own the MVC FD-88, which was the camera model just before the FD-90.  I have to say I prefer the FD-88, which is unfortunate as Sony seems to have  just stopped making it.My major beefs with the FD-90 are first that you  can only recharge the battery in the camera.  This really stinks.  I hate  having to place an expensive piece of equipment on a shelf while it acts as  a $20 battery charger.  What a waste.  The FD-88 came with a nice seperate  charger, which actually took up LESS room than the equipment included with  the FD-90, and you could go out and take pictures with a second battery  while the first charged.  Can't do that any more.Secondly, the FD-90  pauses and freezes the image while you're focusing to shoot, which is  really disorienting to me.  Not to mention it doesn't get the fine-tuning  in auto-focus on close-up subjects, even using the Macro option.  I was  really disapponted in that.I've used the FD-88 a lot, and the FD-90 was  a new toy to try out (my company bought it).  I would have to say that I  would wait on buying this camera until the &quot;nest best thing&quot; came  out.
I own the model that the FD 90 replaced, the FD88 and I have been using it for about a year. I feel I can review the FD90 because it is so similar to  the FD88,  and is an improvement over mine in a few important respects. The  cameras are identical otherwise, except that Sony has made the FD90 into  1.6 megapixel instead of 1.3. This increases the resolution for larger  prints and when you compress them (say to e-mail), they won't be grainy.  Sony has also added their memory stick capability - a great feature. Let me  tell you about my FD88 and since the FD90 is even better, you can judge for  yourself. The Sony Mavica FD88 is a terrific digital camera, especially for  someone new to the genre and not necessarily extremely Computer literate.  It takes great shots and the floppy disk storage medium is very easy to use  and download to your PC. While its rated 1.3 million pixels is not as high  as some other high level models from other manufacturers, in reality not  too many people are going to appreciate much of a difference; the pictures  look great, crystal clear, and very professional. Since the FD90 is  improved in several respects over an already terrific camera, including  somewhat higher resolution (1.6 million pixels), the FD90 has to be a real  winner. The memory stick capability is an added bonus - especially if you  buy the memory stick-floppy disk converter. Then you can store literally  dozens of shots. Well worth the price.
I'm an avid photographer and run hundreds of websites. I went into the market several years ago for a digital camera to easily email photos to friends and family, and to take photos for the websites I run. Since then I have bought several Sony Mavica cameras, each better than the last!The FD90 is simply great - easy to use for beginners, and full of features for advanced users. The floppy disk system is INCREDIBLY useful - you go to someone's house and simply hand them the disk when you're done taking pictures of the birthday or anniversary. No special cables, no bizarre devices necessary. You *always* have floppies available somewhere to buy, even on vacation.Short MPEGs are fantastic too - there are many times that I've been at a zoo or event and just wanted to take a short clip to show how something moved, or to get a kiss or something. It's perfect!If you're in the market for a new digital camera, I'd recommend this one with no reservations.
We bought this camera and the starter kit (extra higher capacity battery and carrying case) in time for a weeklong family vacation.  After shooting 2000 pictures and 200 video clips on $15 worth of floppy diskettes during the trip, I want to say this is a great camera.  The film developing costs saved on this trip alone could have paid for the camera!The mpeg movies are a great feature.I almost settled for the FD85, I'm glad we didn't because of extra features gained.  This camera is smaller and cheaper than the FD95, and smaller than our &quot;good&quot; SLR - but a bit bigger than the average point and shoot.The FD90 works completely auto with the full range of point and shoot features found on our similarly priced SLR, or you can &quot;cursor&quot; through the on-screen menus and set a number of options including exposure and white balance. The &quot;AE program button&quot; allows you to quickly select &quot;twilight mode&quot;, &quot;twilight plus mode&quot;, &quot;landscape mode&quot;, &quot;panfocus mode&quot; or &quot;spot light-metering mode&quot;.  The camera has a manual focus ring if you need to use it, and the flash can be set auto, manual on, manual off, or redeye. The camera also has a macro mode. I'm not a professional photographer, so I found myself playing with the manual settings learning what makes for a good photograph.  It is great getting instant feedback on the digital screen. If it didn't work, I just reviewed, deleted and tried again - something I've longed for using our SLR. This camera is as fun as it is useful!  The FD90 is an easy point and shoot - or if you want, you can control some of the action if you are just willing to read the manual and learn the controls.  The camera is capable of more than just point and shoot, but the controls are unique.Did I mention that this camera can also record short videos?No hassle floppy diskettes are almost free these days and are available almost everywhere, only Mavica cameras write directly to them.  Great feature when vacation down south got extended unexpectedly in winter months due to bad weather canceling flights back north. Windows 98/ME/2000 PC users don't need any additional software to view the pictures stored on the floppies - the camera creates an HTML page right on the diskette linking pictures and movies for easy viewing. There is also a freeware utility floating around the Internet specifically written for Mavica owning PC users that will thumbnail your shots if you are into quick website creations.You can zoom into and crop pictures, copy and format diskettes, etc. right on the camera so you don't need a PC to enjoy this camera - especially with the supplied cable that plugs directly into composite inputs on your Television/VCR. Regarding the resolution, I take most of my pictures on the lowest resolutions and they are still good - they print 3 x 5 no problem, even larger with very little distortion. On screen (or my TV with the supplied cable) they are great at the wimpy 640 x 480, especially with the camera in slide-show mode. Plug the camera into a VCR directly and set it on a tripod at family or church events and you have an extra camcorder! It's when you try to &quot;blow up&quot; a picture, or digitally zoom into a recorded shot that the extra pixels matter.I did take 20 or 30 pictures at higher resolutions, but rarely the highest.  After visiting with friends who are digital camera owners, a few with 2 mega pixel and higher possibilities, I'm hard pressed to believe most of us care for more than a mega pixel, as evidenced by the popularity of the Mavica FD73 that doesn't even have the ability.  If you are a true photography buff/professional, or have some specialized business need for super clarity, I can see the mega requirement. If you rarely venture beyond 200 speed 35mm film in your SLR, and you rarely deviate from dropping your film off at the local supermarket for developing doubles on 4 x 6 with an index print, lets be realistic. For me the pictures are for memories rather than for artistic impression, and with this camera I get hundreds where I used to get dozens. With the manual features I can tinker with art when so inclined. I almost forgot to mention the solarize, B&amp;W, Sepia, and Neg.Art effects.Why not perfect?  Well, the shutter hesitation does take some getting used to, and the camera seems to struggle a bit in low lighting - although I'm not convinced I just haven't learned how to manually compensate with so many available options. I believe there is also an optional external flash. Lenses, external charger(s), memory sticks etc. are also available for this camera at an additional cost.Oh, ya, this camera makes MPEG movies, up to 60 sec of audio/video per 1.44 diskette in the low-res mode!We researched several cameras, and I am very pleased with this purchase.  I think the Mavica FD90 has the best mix/compromise of digital camera features.  For me the FD90 has set the standard for all others to compare.  Sony has done it right.
too hard to find floppy's for it, but it works great. Use this to load boat inventory at the office, it works perfectly, but floppy disc are getting harder and harder to find, and when you do they're very expensive.
I bought this Mavica after using a friends older FD88. I have always been a big fan of the Mavica and its unique 3.5' drive but after having this camera for 3 months now I am pretty disappointed. The picture quality even on the highest setting is very poor compared to other digital cameras in this price range. The color is poor on all settings. 1.3 Megapixels is old news, not something you would want to spend 700 bucks on when you can get a Olypus 3.3 megapixel for that much. The Olympus I just bought makes the mavica seem like a toy, the color a clarity is unreal. I enjoyed the mavica for the 3.5 drive and its no fuss nature but now that I know what else can be had for the same money and giving up a perk the Mavica is on the shelf for my kid to use.
I have just upgraded to the Sony Mavica FD90 and I love it!  This is my  third digital camera. My last one was the Sony FD73 and, while it took  absolutely incredible close-up shots, the lack of resolution was a  shortcoming for me.  The FD90 is three times the camera that the FD73 was!  Clear, clean shots and macro ability that is just incredible.  It's a  keeper! Was almost overwhelmed when I saw the buttons &amp; choices on the  back, but I started using it easily before even opening the book. Then I  got into the book and found all kinds of cool things the camera does!  It's  a lot of camera for the price in my book.
I have this Camera from the year 2000 and work perfecly. Im very happy whith this. JVC is a great product.
This camcorder / digital still camera has everything I need to create & save precious memories to my computer.  It is both easy to use, and works great.  What more can I say?
I just bought this camera ....I've had no problems importing still images or video to my PC, though the still image quality is nowhere near that of a true digital still camera. The LCD screen is a bit small, but again its just fine for the price. Also, don't believe everything you read about the mic. I tested it and it picked up whispering at ~1 meter and normal conversation at ~5 meters. It even has a feature to reduce wind noise on windy days. Very nice touches make this a good camera.The users' manuals are very detailed yet very easy to follow. The power cord stretches over 3 meters and the battery seems to last a while as well and only takes 90 minutes for its first charge.Does not come with any tape, though, so be sure to order some too.
This is an excellent camcorder.  I bought it used and absolutely love it.  It works very well, with great picture & sound.  I had no problems transferring images to my PC. It is a small camcorder, easy to use, at a great price.
Picture quality is good but the image stabilization is very bad. I purchased this camera a week ago and decided to return it and get Canon Optura Pi, since Optura Pi has the optical stabilizer.
This camera is super easy to use and operate.  It took almost no time to get the drivers installed and is so easy to download pictures with the USB interface I almost felt like I was doing something wrong!  Pictures are clear, and the features are useful enough to take good pictures in even the not-most-agreeable situations.
I bought this camera over Christmas, and couldn't be happier with it. The quality is quite amazing, and it is extremely easy to use. I would recommend getting a Smart Card that can hold more photos than the 4MB card that is provided, and I would highly recommend getting the Flashpath disk that allows you to upload photos, rather than uploading from the camera directly. This drains the batteries very quickly, and it's so much easier and more convenient to access photos with the Flashpath. With a great photo printer, you'll never have to pay to get photos developed again!
I found the camera extremely easy to use and the Macro setting to allow close up photography was a great feature.  My only problem with it is that it eats batteries.  I HIGHLY recommend investing in the AC adapter for when you photograph indoors.  That was tyhe only drawback that I found.
I did extensive research on digital cameras before choosing this one. It has optical (as well as digital) zoom, a USB connection (essential since I use the Macintosh), a LCD preview that you don't have to use (which saves batteries), and a relatively small size. Given the price, it was definitely the way to go.Took the camera to Europe, and came back and viewed the pictures on-screen, as well as had them printed by Ofoto ("trusted partner"). The results are at about the same as with the film camera I brought. Since it was much smaller than the film camera, we used this one almost exclusively. My only real complaint is that there's no audible indication of when you're switching from optical zoon (better quality) to digital zoom (less quality). Given the price range and picture quality, I think this is the best camera to buy.
Within less than half an hour of receiving the FinePix 1400 (as a present), I was taking great-looking pictures.While much of the basics of using this camera are intuitive, I do strongly recommend reading the manual (and maybe picking up a book, such as &quot;Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography&quot;) for the somewhat more advanced topics.I do love it -- easy to use, produces great pictures, well-built.
I recently decided to investigate digital photography.  My usual methodology when trying something new is to read everything I can get my hands on and then take the plunge. So, starting with the fact that I have a 6 year old Dell desktop running Windows 95, I upgraded to Windows 98 and added a D-Link two slot USB card.  Then, after comparing features and quality against price, I chose the FugiFilm FinePix 1400.  So far, I think it's a good choice.  I was concerned there might be hardware/software installation problems because my USB was not factory installed but everything went smoothly.  I'm really impressed with the simple straightforward ease of taking pictures and the picture quality.  My desire is to overcome that feeling of disappointment when you get your pictures back from Walmart and they're not what you expected.  Digital is instant!  If you don't get the picture you want, shoot it again and erase the first one.  Very efficient.
I've been watching the digital market waiting for interchangable lens digitals to fall below that magic thousand dollar price point for some time. Although it's probably going to happen soon, I realized I still needed a simple point and shoot digital with decent resolution that ddn't cost an arm and a leg- with casmera getting cheaper every few months I didn't want to spend too much on a camera I might be replacing in a year. Still, I wnated something with more than enough resolution for high-quality web pictures, and maybe even 4x6 prints, which meant around 1.3-1.5 megapixels.I also decided I wanted a simple, removable media with no moving parts, and some degree of manual exposure control. It looked like I couldn't find what I really wanted under $500- and then I found the Fuji.I've been shooting this marvelous package for a week now, and it's lived up to my expectations in every way. Focusing is fast and accurate, with an optional macro range for closeups. Color accuracy is first rate, contrast is superb, and the finished prints need very little, if any, correction.  Battery life is the best of any of the digital cameras I've tried- turn off the LCD monitor and a st of 4 AAs will last 450 shots! That's a lot better than my Agfa, which ate a pair of AAs with every 16 shots. The supplied software includes a program to download and manage pictures directly and a copy of Adobe's Photo Deluxe, which is looking moe nad more like Photoshop all the time.It's a measure of the camera's human engineering that I used it for a full day before I opened up the instruction manual. It's just that intuitive. Turn it on, and shoot. That's it. The zoom control falls right where you need it, under your thumb, and the opticla finder zooms with the lens. No need to turn on the LCD unless you want to edit in the camera or check a precise closeup shot. (You can also zoom in, crop, and do other edits on the image while it's still in the camera). If you want to take greater control, there are menus that let you vary exposure, flash behavior and many other variables as well.The supplied 4MB SmartMedia card holds 12 high resolution, standard compression shots. You can increase or reduce image compression to get higher quality or more pictures, and you can switch to a low-resolution mode when you need to squeeze a lot of pictures onto one card. The standard compression mode gives such good images that I wouldn't hesitate using high compression for web photos in order to double the card's capacity.I'd suggest a few accessories that I found made the camera easier to use.First, another SmartMedia card. A 16MB card (available for around $30) rives you 49 high-res, standard compresion shots- enough for a whole vacation for some. Second, an accessory SmartMedia reader. While you can download directly from the camera to your computer, an accessory reader (around $50 or less) works much, much faster, and saves camera batteries, too. Last, a small well-padded case with a strap, and preferably with multiple compartments. I carry mine in a Domke bag that has room for the camera, a couple of extra media cards, a cell phone, pens, pencils, the instruction book (there's a lot this camera can do I haven't even explored yet) and a set or two of spare batteries. I'm thinking of adding yet another SmartMedia card, too; with a 32MB card I'd have a total of about 160 shots, or the equivalent of between 5 and 6 rolls of standard film. Not bad.
I had purposely waited to invest in a digital camera, seeking quality, affordability and user-friendliness. Meeting, in fact EXCEEDING, all my criteria, I can't sing higher praises for the Fuji FinePix 1400 Zoom.As a first-time digital camera purchaser, simplicity was a key point in my search. I did not wish to forego versatility however nor limit or forego options or functions. I have purchased other products in the past which either due to advances in technology or due to limitations of that product, I was forced to upgrade rapidly, which was disheartening, bothersome and costly.This Finepix 1400 has been highly rated throughout the industry (see CNET, ZDNET, PC Magazine, others) and I sought the advice of techies at my place of business before deciding on this make and model.Sleek, lightweight and compact, accessing its functions are almost self-explanatory. I am able to check my settings through the 1.6&quot; LCD monitor. However, with beautiful results, I am able to &quot;point and shoot&quot; as if it were an instamatic.Resolutions and framing can be changed with the touch of a button. I am able to erase single or all frames with the touch of two buttons.The camera has an auto flash, red-eye reduction (which doesn't always work), forced flash, suppressed flash, self timer, slow synchro for night scenes, macro (close up) photography settings, 3x optical zoom and a 2x digital telephoto. The flash is built in, as is the lens cover. The autofocus serves me, but there is also a manual mode for more experienced, or for those photographers seeking special effects.To my delight, I have needed no tech support from Fuji whatsoever. Software, particularly software which I am unfamiliar with, is often confusing (technical, usually overwhelming), but uploading the photos (with a handy USB cable/driver) and viewing (software included, including Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Version) was surprisingly simple to figure out.I have printed and have had prints made up to 8&quot;x10&quot; size, which appear sharp, clear and bright. There have been no problems with grainy-ness, picture or color distortion, even up to the aforementioned 8&quot;x10&quot; size.Problems and inconveniences which I have encountered are minor considering the features this camera has to offer. They include: Red-eye reduction doesn't reduce red-eye,; In daylight, it is difficult to see the subject(s) through the LCD monitor (I use the view finder feature when this occurs).; and, The camera takes the actual picture a split second after you depress the shutter button, so you are not taking the picture in real time.Other suggestion are to purchase separately a SmartMedia card that stores more information than the included 4MB (with the 4MB I am only able to take 12 pictures at the highest resolution setting). Although I've learned that the battery life with this camera is better than on others, it still drains batteries rather quickly. I purchased rechargable batteries and a charger as it was more cost effective than purchasing an AC power adapter. Lastly, I haven't yet experienced this problem, but professional reviewers have stated that the case may become scratched. Personally, I feared that the LCD monitor may. For this reason, I purchased a generic soft case.This camera is perfect for the novice/intermediate digital photographer (or even for &quot;test shots&quot; by a professional, I presume). The Fuji FinePix 1400 Zoom includes all the &quot;whistles and bells&quot; for home/small office use, without being overwhelming. There are enough options and versatility with the FinePix to explore/expand with advanced functions. The end result being what every photographer attempts to achieve: The images are true and of quality.
Camera surprised me with image quality, consistency in all types of lighting conditions. Seems like high quality lens good optical zoom. Seriously recommend nimh batteries (2 sets of 4)O. Ortiz
The Fujifilm FinePix 1400 Zoom digital still camera is a sleek and handsome device styled with a familiar &quot;point-and-shoot camera&quot; sort of design. Controls are reasonably well laid-out and fairly easy to  handle, even for middle-aged hands and thick fingers like mine.For the  record, this is my first digital camera. I regard myself as an  &quot;intermediate&quot; amateur in 35mm film photography, and desktop  computer operations.Though I have not yet made any prints from the  digital images I have taken with this camera, I am very well satisfied with  the color and sharpness in the daylight macro images taken in my rose  garden as I view them on my iMac. The attempt to photograph my nephews'  graduation from the bleachers of a high school gymnasium, however, revealed  the limitations of the modest built-in flash, and the lens' ability to pick  up &quot;ghosts&quot; of the overhead lighting.The camera can take  pictures in your choice of three quality levels (basic, normal, or fine)  and one of two pixel sizes (640x480 or 1280x960). A 320x240 file size can  accomplished by editing a recorded image using the &quot;resize&quot;  function. Indeed, any larger size can be reduced to a smaller size (to the  minimum 320x240). This can save space on the SmartMedia card, or reduce  transmission time over internet email, for instance.The camera comes  with one 4MB SmartMedia card. According to the owners manual, the  &quot;standard&quot; number of 1280x960 images which can be recorded in 4MB  ranges from 6 &quot;fine&quot; to 12 &quot;normal&quot; to 23  &quot;basic;&quot; and the number of 640x480 images ranges from 23  &quot;fine&quot; to 44 &quot;normal&quot; to 69 &quot;basic&quot;. The  manual goes on to say that actual capacity &quot;varies slightly depending  on the type of subject.&quot;The highly recommended purchase of a 32MB  card increases 1280x960 &quot;standard&quot; capacity to 50  &quot;fine,&quot; 99 &quot;normal,&quot; and 180 &quot;basic&quot; images;  and 640x480 &quot;standard&quot; capacity to 180 &quot;fine,&quot; 330  &quot;normal,&quot; and 496 &quot;basic&quot; images.An indoor flash  picture of a furnished room revealed some barely detectable  &quot;jaggies&quot; along the edges of a lamp shade in the  &quot;normal&quot; mode. Switching to &quot;fine&quot; eliminated these  altogether. (BTW, in a normal-size room, the flash exposure was ample.)I  must agree with the many reviewers who have written that the LCD display is  a bit too small and not bright enough to see easily in full sunlight, but I  have found that a &quot;banker's visor&quot; or &quot;big bubba&quot;  billed cap can help.The optical viewfinder is another solution, and is  especially useful because it actually &quot;zooms&quot; along with the lens  in pseudo-SLR fashion. But unlike a true thru-the-lens viewer, the parallax  error in this camera is significant. Because the &quot;film&quot; does not  &quot;see&quot; exactly the same &quot;frame&quot; as the optical  viewfinder, you might end up cutting off Aunt Mildred's head in that next  photo if you don't take care.The camera manuals, though they still sound  a bit &quot;translated,&quot; are actually very informative, well  organized, and well thought-out. The installation of the software drivers,  and downloading over the USB interface to my iMac with MacOS 8.6 went  without a hitch.Besides a larger SmartMedia card, other recommendable  additions include one (or better yet, two) full sets of rechargeable  batteries with recharger. And, if you plan to spend time using the  in-camera editing features, consider getting the AC adapter,  too.Playback functions include a nice nine-image LCD  &quot;thumbnail&quot; display mode. And those with advanced interests might  want to take advantage of the camera's ability to edit various Digital  Print Order Format (DPOF) settings.My verdict on the Fujifilm FinePix  1400 Zoom is that it is a very good value as an entry-level digital camera  capable (within reasonable limits) of capturing excellent images for  computer viewing. In today's marketplace, there are but two or three that  can directly compete with it for price and features - especially for owners  of USB equipped computers.
I read a lot of reviews and also some background info on digital cameras.  I bought this camera for the features and price.  Actually, it is a little more complicated than I wanted because I'm not a techno junkie.  It takes great pictures and is quite compact.  I also bought the Kodak rechargeable batters and charger, a 32mb smartmedia card, and a case logic brand case.  The software was easy to install except you have to search to find the Adobe photodelux pgm.  I did have to get usb ports installed ...  I thought that would be better than having to buy a card reader.  The transfer from camera to pc is fast, but with the included software, you have to save each picture individually while the camera is running.  Instead, I learned to do it via My Computer by selecting all, copying all files, and pasting to a folder of my choice.  I would like to get a card reader, but I need to find a reliable one without problems.  In summary, the Fujifilm 1400 is a great entry-level camera.  We bought it over the 1300 because of the lens cover.
I bought this after using a Sony Mavica for about six months.  I loved the Mavica, but wanted better quality images.  This camera has filled that bill very well.Is it perfect?  No, I believe Fuji could have done some things better.  I get error messages from my PC when I use the USB port to  transfer images to my computer, but the images do seem to come across  without error.  When I use the viewfinder, I see only about 75% of the  image that's photographed.  That is, the viewfinder trims off a pretty good  sized border.  Some have referred to this as a 4.7 meg camera.  Perhaps so,  but the quality is about the same as a 2.5 meg camera.The camera is  small.  For someone with big hands, such as me, this took some adjusting  to.  Once I adapted, the controls became easy to use.Photos are stored  in jpeg format, so there's some loss of quality in the image, but I take  all my shots in fine mode, and haven't noticed any problems.  I've not seen  any of the jaggies that I'd occasionally see in the Mavica images.All  images are taken and stored in color.  I wish the camera had a B&amp;W  mode, just to save on disk space when I'm working on that kind of  image.Even so, it does quite a good job, in my opinion.This  is a basic camera.  You won't be able to connect lenses or filters to it.  About the only thing that you'll wish to buy afterward is some additional  memory and perhaps a carrying case.  I suspect that, for most buyers, this  camera will take care of all of their needs.  Others may use it for a  while, and then decide to go on to bigger and better things.  I sold my  Mavica FD-83 when I bought this camera.  I'll probably keep this one when I  move on to a bigger and better product.
After a long month of researching cameras, I finally decided to buy this one. If you are seriously considering this camera, look around for prices, as they vary greatly from one place to the other. First of all, while this isn't a true 4.3MP camera, I think it outperforms 3.3 and 3.1MP hands down. THe resolution, color warmths, color accuracy and sharpness is amazing for a camera of this size...or for any digital camera any size. I have had this camera for a month now and I have never been so proud of an electronics purchase...of course I love my Mac too! Here is a list of PROS and CONS:Pros- The retraction of the lens which gets covered by a metal door is excellent.- The flash works surprisingly well. I used the camera in Times Square in New York (for those who don't know where Times Square is), and the faces came out with a good amount of light, while the backround lights of Times Square came out very nicely also. This camera takes VERY impressive night shots. I think it does better when it is set to AUTO than when it is set to NIGHT mode, although you can create some pretty funky shutter delay shots and play with lights and colors.- The Movie mode is great! Sure, it is not broadcast quality, but what did you expect. I think it takes better movies than the Sony Mavicas.- The USB connection is great. The smart media compartment works well too.- YES! You can set a timer to take pics..up to five seconds I think.- Looks like it came from the Matrix- Want flash? Pop it up. Don't want flash, pop it down. It is the easy.No buttons to press, no setting to set.- Many ISO to choose from, as well as Macro- TOP .JPG resolution is great. Don't be fooled that it doesn't save in .tif formats, the pictures are great! And saves space!- Comes with 16MB card, not 8MB like most of the other guys.CONS- The LCD display is difficult to see in bright sunlight, but at least you can use the viewfinder, unlike the Sony Mavica.- The camera KILLS alkalines, even the ultra alkalines. Don't be stupid. Use the NiHM, 4 are included with the camera, but I suggest going to Radio Shack and buying a quick charge charger. It'll same you lots of money and time, as the included charger takes 12 hours, and only holds 2 batteries.- I would've liked to see Fuji use the IBM Microdrive in this unit. With soo many memory hungry applications in this camera (movie capture with sound, high resolution images), even the 64MB card which I bought wasn't enough for a weekend with buddies in NYC.Conclusion:I showed the images of the trip to my boss, who is a hardcore Sony maniac. He was soo stunned by the quality and features, and price and size of the camera that he bought one for himself! You can't go wrong with this camera. I love it! And so do the editor's of Popular Photography magazine, who recently gave this model its highest review about it's color accuracy.
I had a few problems (some more important than others) after purchasing this camera, which lead me to eventually return it.CONS* I had trouble getting the auto-focus to work properly.  Since nobody else has mentioned this, it could have been a problem with my specific unit, or even user error.  Still, only one in five pictuers I took came out clear.* The overall controls seem awkward.  The zoom control (up and down arrows) is difficult to use while looking through the viewfinder.  To grip the camera properly, I found my fingers occasionally in the way of the lens.* The USB software did not function as well as some others.  The contents of the camera's SmartMedia card are represented as a removable disk (with a letter) under Windows.  However, it denies any modification access.  You can view your pictures, but you can only delete them from the camera itself.* Interpolated images.  I was disappointed to learn, even before I bought the camera, that the high advertised resolution is NOT the real resolution of the pictures.  The resolution is still fairly high, but don't use the advertised numbers as your guide to making the purchase.PROSThe reasons I chose this camera originally withstand the points against it.* The LCD screen can easily be switched on and off with a single button to save battery life.* AA NiMH batteries.  No super-expensive unique battery that can only be bought from the manufactuer.  Regular alkeline AA batteries will work (though they die VERY quickly), and NiMH AAs are cheap.* Very compact.  This camera fits easily into a jacket pocket. Once the lens retracts, and the cover flips shut (which is fun if nothing else), the body has no obstructions and the lens is out of harm's way.* Overall ease of use.  While the bells and whistles may be lacking (no Black &amp; White mode, etc), they aren't necessary anyway -- those things can always be done with software later.  This lack of superfluous options makes the menus easy to navigate, and adjustments easy to make.* No games with the flash.  Turning off the flash on some cameras means hitting a button to cycle through ten different settings before &quot;Off&quot; finally appears.  Here, it's much more obvious.  If the flash is open, it's on.  If it's closed, it's not.
Have used the Fine Pix for 8-months now.My PERSONAL experience with it:Pluses: Reliable, easy to operate, nice combination of features, small and handy (but see below), battery life: ok for about 25-35 pictures.Minuses: Have to work hard to get sharp pictures - usually I do not succeed; not really  a 'pocket' camera; red-eye reduction never worked with my kids.Overall: If you can get it for $300 it is a good deal, current price of $500+ seems too expansive for what you get.
Takes excellent pictures.  Would prefer more extreme close-up capability.  About 18 inches is as close as you can get.Detail in high resolution mode is incredible.  Always sharp pictures except in closest close up mode.  NO warning indicator when you have gotten too close on close-ups.  So they end up  fuzzy.But, no worries - just erase it and do it over.Controls can be easily bumped to the wrong setting without  realizing it.Would like to have external flash hot shoe or socket.Need to get at least the 32Mb smartmedia to keep from constantly swapping out memory when taking very many pictures.
I had purchased this digital camera around November, 2000, and I am still enjoying every picture I take with it. It fits in my pocket (a big plus), the pictures are easy to download, and the image quality is quite good. The picture quality is great and it is quite easy to get used to. Two friends of mine have the camera and had recommended it to me. I am extremely satisfied with my choice.
This camera cannot be appreciated based on its specifications alone. The intangible qualities are what make this camera an excellent choice for anyone simply wanting great quality pictures from a camera that operates like a film camera, but has all the advantages of a digital camera.- The pictures are excellent (especially the color), although low-light pictures are a little grainier than I would like.- The flash is VERY powerful considering the camera's small size.- Stainless steel body seems very durable, feels solid in your hand- Camera operates very fast: turning on/off, menu navigation, shutter/autofocus delay, flash recharge, switching modes. In my opinion, this is one of the most important features of any digital camera, and most don't have it!- Battery life is excellent! Only 2 AA's easily last for a day of normal use. I usually get at least 2 days out of them. Fuji has really shown their excellence in this area... the power saving features have obviously made a huge difference.Conclusion: If you want a: 3X optical zoom, pocket-sized camera, for everyday use, that works like a film camera (i.e. very easy to use, and fast), feels like a high-quality product (not a cheap plastic toy), you MUST get this camera. You WON'T be dissapointed.WARNING: If you want extensive manual control, DO NOT get this camera. You WILL be dissapointed....
i  favor this model--i have purchased 4-- i  lose or give them  to my children
This is a very good camera - I bought it right before a couple of grandkids came along.  My wife has been ambivalent about digitals because she wanted quality shots like she gets from her 35 milimeter camera.  The quality I get from this camera (and I am a picture taking amateur) is at least as good as she gets with her quality 35.  The batteries do a good job compared to my other digital camera.  I would suggest the 64 mg memory card.  With it, you get 38 highest res pictures at a time.  Also, the usb transfer is so much similar that what I had with my old digital.  My son bought the high end Sony (the fd95) and this Fuji takes as good pictures, the difference is that he gets 10x zoom.  I wish I had 10x zoom - but he wishes he had back the $500 more he spent on his camera than I spent on mine.
If you are looking for a quality digital camera that can replace replace a 35MM at less the $1000.00, you found it. The picture quality is just fantastic, it is very easy to use, is loaded with features and the USB and  smartmedia storage disks make it painless for photo storage and transfer. I  was looking for a 2+ mega pixel camera (this unit is 4.7!) that was small  in size (about 1 1/4in think and could fit in my pocket), had USB and  smartmedia disk storage, a 2" LCD screen, a optical view finder, an optical  zoom lens for less then $1000.00.  This is one impressive camera. I have  been experimenting with it for about a week now and have tested all its  many modes. The ONLY weakness where a high end 35mm can out shine this unit  is in very high-speed action. I was not able to adjust the shutter speed to  freeze the blades of a spinning fan, I could do this w/ my 35mm. BUT IN  EVERY OTHER CATEGORY I think this unit is easier to use and produces as  good if not better then most 35mm. I am not kidding.  A few notes:  Batteries last a lot longer then other dig cameras I have seen due to power  saving features,  The optical zoom is nice (3:1) It has a night mode that  takes great night shots. It has a nice macro mode (for close up photgraphy)  A portrait mode that has great skintones. A landscape mode that config's  the unit to take great outdoor very sharp images of scenery.  Built in  flash autotimer and alot more! Short movie capability w/sound! It is a  small AVI format movie (only 320X200) but it is great for a short clip to  email to a friend. It very easy to use. It has easy to use software for  your PC.2 LCD panels, a 2&quot; one for photo viewing and a circular one  for camera operation.Modes of operation. There are 3, fine normal and  basic. Use normal for just about everything, except a special shot that you  know you plan to blow up then go to fine. The normal mode is nearly as  clear and sharp as the fine except when enlarged. In a 4X6 test series I  took no one could tell the difference between the 3 pictures. The Default  is set at 2400X1800 "file size" (2400x1800, 1280X960, and 640X480 are the  choices (IMO use 2400x1800) and quality set to normal. This is the best  choice IMO (normal w 2400X1800 file size) for most if not all shots. In  this mode you can store 77 photos on a 64MB disk! (19 on the 16 MB) (In  basic mode from 180-996 images on a 64mb disk) Transfering the photos to  your computer is a snap. When you plug in the USB cable to you camera the  software fires up and you see the pics. Click and drag to where you want  them. I also bought the Snadisk smartmeadia reader so I don't have to use  the camera to transfer them. (Looks like a mouse with a 2 in slit in it)  These smart media storage cards are the way to go..the y are about the size  of a large postage stamp and about that thick too and hold 64 MB. I can't  say how pleased I am with this product. I think this is the first real step  in consumer digital cameras that will rival any 35mm out there.  To date I  have been printing them on my HpR80 office jet (an ink jet) w/ suprisingly  good results. My next purchace will be a dedicated dye sub photo printer.  But the inkjet does a great job. Viewing the photos on the computer screen  or on a big screen TV is a blast.Go digital, it is the way to go... it  really is quite good now and reasonably priced.Good luck to you. Jim
The Fuji has most of the good ergonomics of the earlier model but they have mysteriously changed the battery system. Both the Fuji and the Leica models had an internally chargeable battery which lasted well and was very convenient. The 4700 requires AA batteries-if you use the screen, they will not last long. I've also found frequent and vexing problems with the camera not wanting to accept smartmedia cards it previously used. This is intermitent but annoying enough to warrant testing a card before you rely on it. The camera is a nice weight and produces great pictures but I am not sure that it's a quantum leap over its predecessor.
I had this camera for 2 or 3 years now. I got it as a gift couple of months after it was showcased.  I will rate this camera according to when it was bought and according to the present time 2004.When Bought:  Great picture quality, has many different settings from basic to fine and also different options of resolutions from 640 to 2400. The manual mode is good, it allows you to control white balance, allows for manual zoom, and changing the ISO up to 800.  I mostly take pictures in this mode since the color is more true once you have adjusted these settings.  I think all settings stay saved for the exception of the manual focus which you would have to reactivate everytime you turn the camera on.  The video mode is great in full light yet it gives very low quality vidios if the indoor lighting is not bright.At the Present:I believe there are better cameras out there, yet this camera at its present price might still be attractive. The issue of focus error starting happening to me only after the camera slipped off of my hands once and landed on the ground. Eversince them I get this message everyonce in a while. The biggest disadvantage of this camera in my opinion is the speed of the shutter. It is quite slow.
Crisp and high resolution, pocket size, very convenient for A/V hook up to TV and Computer. very good bright resolution at night.little expensive then other competitors. IT'S WORTH MONEY THAT SPEND.
My parents bought this camera and had me install the software and show them how to use it. The box for this camera states that it needs Windows 98, (not supported for Windows 95).  The USB drivers that come with the software won't work on Windows 95 (tried it with on an HP pavillion computer). Ended up buying a smartmedia card adapter that allows the card to be read from the floppy drive which works great....Also the camera is a little akward to hold, its not in the shape of a normal camera. and the lens zoom button is not the easiest to use either (it is on the back of the camera). The microphone for the AVI recording is on the left side of the camera, and its pretty easy to accidentally put your hand over it if holding the camera with both hands.The batteries also take a long time to recharge - 13 hours. Fortunately it came with two sets.The initial AVI clips we made didn't look that good when  viewed in quicktime 4.0, but when they played in the windows media player, it looked a lot better.  I didn't have time to figure out why.This camera was chosen for the better low light sensitivity (ISO 800) and the 3x optical zoom.  Otherwise I would have told my parents to get the Nikon S100 which I own (ISO 100 and only 2x optical zoom though).
I did an extensive research on this camera, and had a chance to experiment with it for quite a while. The final impression is fairly positive, the good sides clearly outweight the weaker ones.Here is the summary.POSITIVE ===================================================* Very small and compact size, small weight (~300 gramm with batteries)* Excellent color representation. Colors are warm and natural. Probably, best color representation of any compact digital camera on the market.* Fast and 100% painless transition of images to computer; there is absolutely no need to by any additional accessories to that end. Camera mounts itself as a removable drive in Windows Explorer as soon as you plug it in, and you just copy the jpeg files.* Flash does not pop up by itself; no need to play &quot;outsmart the flash&quot; game. If you need to disable it, just close it up.* Uses smartmedia cards, which is the most compact media to date (less than 1mm thick)* All small features are extremely well thought-out, as always the case with Japanese companies; and yes, it does have a self-timer and tripod mounting screw.NEGATIVE ====================================================* The main problem of this camera (and I have not seen this in any prior reviews here) is not the lower-than-advertized resolution (which is huge even as it is, at least equivalent to 2.5+ megapixels), but a so-called &quot;barrel distortion&quot;. This effect is only present when the camera is set at the widest angle (that is, no zoom). Put simply, this means that if you're looking at a vertical wall at the widest angle, and this wall happens to be at the very side of a viewfinder, it will appear as somewhat swallen outside of the picture. All digital cameras are said to have this effect, but when I looked to check it on this camera, I was able to notice it clearly. If you zoom in, it disappears. Again, I was fully aware of this when I bought the camera, yet that did not affect my choice.* Picture quality is somewhat lower than it could be for this pixel count; it is certainly lower than advertised 4.3 megapixels.* no &quot;black &amp; white&quot; mode;* monitor drains power quickly. however, keep in mind that it uses only 2 AA batteries instead of 4, as most of other digital cameras do, and maybe that's why this drain is more pronounced.CONCLUSION ==================================================Seems to be one of the best compact cameras on the market to-date. However, if I were a professional photographer, I'd get Fuji professional camera, Fuji Finepix S1 Pro for ... For everything other than professional photography, this camera is excellent.
I've had the camera for a couple of years now. I sent it back to Fuji when it was under warranty because it had a hard time recognizing the SmartMedia card. They fixed it promptly. Then I sent it to their repair company in California when it decided to turn itself off randomly. They fixed it and it worked for a while. Now it is acting up again.Now I love the results I get from the camera, but I wish it would work when I want it to instead of when it wants to.I'm about to send it in for repair under the warranty from the previous repair. If that doesn't work, I think I'll give up.
I'd used a 35 mm for years, and was resisting  purchasing a digital camera until I found one that could provide the same flexibility and creativity of manual control, as well as the ease of automatic control,  and provide for high-quality blow up prints.  This camera is it, and at the price I paid at Amazon.com, do not feel I  could have made a better choice for the money.The 3x optical zoom is a breeze, and the digital zoom is icing on the cake. The instructions are clear and concise both for camera operation AND for syncing with a PC and using the software. Whether your version of Windows will find the right driver automatically, or if you have to step in to the gap and do it manually, set up takes minutes, and you're ready to snap, focus, shoot, sync.I recommend it!  ...
The Fuji Finepix 4700 is a great camera for its age, the picture quality is very good at the high pix setting.The camera is well built ,the video quality is just good, there are better video cameras out there.This camera is built to last and if taken care of will last for several more years.The onlyFujifilm FinePix 4700 2.4MP  Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoomproblem is trying to find another smartmedia card,even best Buy doesn't have them.All in all this is a very good camera.
This camera takes fabulously clean pictures. They don't look digital. The colors are pretty. Compared with a Kodak, the colors are muted, easier on the eyes. The Kodak looked like a TV screen with the brightness and contrast overdone.I used it for about a year, and it quit. I must admit that I had dropped it hard once, and it had just gone through a mountain approach during a high wind advisory (I take it in my light plane). So, I really can't fault the camera. Turned out it needed a new flash board. Took 5 weeks and [amt] after sending it to Fuji NJ. I don't consider that bad service, and something you should think about before buying an off-brand asian wonder. I doubt any corner camera shop is doing to do much to a digital beyond cleaning.2400x1800 is great for digital zooming later. Or, for printing, but it is impolite for sharing photographs due to the upload time. It has 9 resolution settings. Three for # of pixels and within them three compression settings. I set it on 1280x960 and average compression. This gives me 99 pics on the supplied 32meg card, about 250k per pic, and great picture quality.The only criticism I can think of is that the flash stinks. I like a bounce flash, and this doesn't have the option. Red eye galore. You have to edit it out later. However, anything with a better or external flash is a lot bigger, so choose your tradeoffs.Scott
It's hard to imagine that such a tiny little camera can take brilliant 2400 by 1800 full color digital images, yet it does so extremely well!I bought my Fujifilm FinePix 4700 mostly for my impending baby.  As a simple,  point-and-shoot digital camera, it fits the bill perfectly.  A fully  automatic mode with a preview screen lets you compose great-looking shots  quickly.  Despite the camera's size, its zoom lens pops out to a 108mm (3x)  view.  (And you can digital zoom at lower resolutions.)  There's even a  popup flash on top.If you want a more controlled shot than the fully  automatic mode or the preprogrammed portrait, night scene, or scenery  modes, you can go to a fully manual mode, enabling you to adjust ISO  &quot;film&quot; sensitivity, metering, exposure value, white balance,  macro mode, and even manual focus.Depending on how much memory you've  put in (it uses Compact Flash cards), you can even take a minute long or so  JPEG movie, complete with sound.  A tiny built-in speaker lets you watch  and hear the movie you just took on the camera itself.By plugging a  computer's USB cable into the camera, you can transfer pictures and movies  out of it at high speed.  The camera includes Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home  edition for editing.  Or you can view your masterworks on a TV screen using  the A/V output port and cable that comes in the box.What really  impresses me is how Fujifilm fit all these features into such a small  package.  The camera's light and fits into the palm of my hand just right.  Holding the camera takes a little getting used to, and you do have to be  careful not to cover the autofocus transducer-thingamajig.  But it's not  uncomfortable at all.When turning the camera off, the lens retreats into  the body of the unit and a metal cover slides into place, protecting it  quite effectively.The only major drawback is the battery usage.  It's  quite easy to burn through its two AA-sized rechargeable NiMH batteries  before you've even filled up a 32MB flash card.  Leaving the LCD display  screen off and using the viewfinder instead definitely helps prolong  battery life.  The box luckily includes four such batteries (plus a  charger), so you can carry a spare set with you, or recharge two batteries  while using the other two.Overall, I'm blown away at how far  miniaturization technology has progressed.  The features and performance of  the camera are great---but to have all that in such a tiny box is  absolutely amazing.
Rather than saying what I like about this camera, I'll just say the one thing I don't like about it - it creates AVI files for videos which I can play using the EXIF viewer, and also (surprisingly) using netscape on linux, but *not* on many other platforms.  Why not create mpeg movies?  AVI is not a standard format, it's a cruel joke from Microsoft - some files play on one installation of windows but not another and who knows why ... If anybody knows of a avi-&gt;mpeg converter that will work with movies created by the Fuji camera (I've tried a few already and none work) please let me know (wayne@icemcfd.com).  Also an email to Fuji seems to have fallen into a black hole...
I got this Camera about 2 months ago and I have been loving it everytime I use it!  The picture quality is great and it is very easy to use for people getting started with digital cameras.  The only thing I have to complain about it that the software that downloads the pics is very slow.  I use the good ole &quot;Paint&quot; program which makes things much more easy!
I received my Kodak DC215 Zoom as a gift for my birthday a few years back.  It was my first digital anything (I still proudly carried my analog cam corder, kept my contacts in a paper address book, etc.), so I was very excited (being the technology buff that I am).  While boxy and a little on the heavy size, the camera really doesn't look bad at all.  Its nicely built as its survived a few perilous falls, however one of the rubber flaps has fallen off over a few years of use.The camera takes nice pictures for what you're paying for, however the zoom leaves much to be desired-expect to be huddled real close to your subject as you snap away.Another downside to this camera is its use of the serial port to transfer pictures.  This is extremely slow and takes a few minutes to even list the pictures on the camera (and if you've got more than 20 or so to transfer, go grab a cup of coffee).  There's no other options for transferring, so you're stuck in that aspect.  Don't buy this camera if you need to take a lot of pictures in a short amount of time... I'd say it takes at least fifteen seconds to store the picture after you snap it.A nice feature of the camera is its ability to be hooked up directly to a TV or VCR.  You can even have it run through the pictures as a slideshow.  The review feature and preferences menu on the camera is very nicely layed out, and you can easily view and delete pictures as you please.Overall this camera definetly gives you your money's worth.. however, if you're looking to take more than vacation and family pictures to stash away in your [on-line] album, I'd strongly suggest looking at other cameras.  While its good for beginners and the casual user, the Kodac DC215 Zoom leaves much to be desired.
Being a top of the line 35mm camera user, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use and the photo quality of the DC215.  The pictures were of exceptional quality and the 8 x 10 prints were much better than most of the digital pictures I took with a high end Olympus digital camera.  This camera is sturdier than most digitals I have seen to date.  I only had a slight problem with the tonal quality of the some blues and purples, but this is easily corrected with most photo software.  I do recommend the PF card reader though to be able to easily access your photos.  The Gold version of this camera does include the card reader in the package.
If this camera keeps doing what it has done so far, I will be extremely pleased with it...  I wanted an inexpensive digital camera to make pictures to be viewed on a computer screen. Never plan to ever print any of the pics on paper.  It does a SUPER job if you hold it steady and if you get the lighting just right. I especially like the color display on the back of the camera that shows the EXACT composition of the picture that you are going to get. The close-up capability (8 inches away from the subject) is important to me, too.You need to have realistic expectations about the electric power consumed and the limitations of the serial interface as well. It can use up four good batteries in an afternoon if you keep doing things with it that take a lot of power, and the images take a few seconds to transfer to your computer. You should consider an A/C Power Supply and/or rechargable batteries if your will be using it a lot.
I am new to the digital image realm. Having scoped many different cameras, I have found this DC215 to be a great user friendly peripheral. If you know how to use a regular 35mm camera, this is no different. Picture quality is terrific. I use a HP 812 deskjet to print all my 4X7 prints. One item to keep in mind. Not necessary this particular camera, but with all, I suggest you purchase a compact flash card reader. This makes transfering all your images to your desktop in a snap. The cable provided with the camera is simply useless. If the DC215 interests you, Kodak has a package called Digital Camera Expansion Pack that comes with (4) AA rechargable batteries, compact flash card reader (serial connection), PCMCIA adapter, and a 8MB compact flash card for less than $100. Bottom line in shopping for a digital camera. If money is not an issue, hell go with the Top of the Line model. In the other hand, if you are me with limited spenting funds, make sure you look for a camera that has batteries which can be recharge.  Purchase a camera that comes with at least 4MB of memory.
.....the machine will only work with a serial port on your computer.  We had just bought a new Compaq notebook computer and I figured this camera was a perfect Xmas present for Jill.  Woe is me!  No serial port on the Compaq.  Now I'm scrambling for all the stuff it takes to hook the thing up.  Probabl solution: a new color printer with a slot to insert the memory card, thereby bypassing the computer entirely.In summary: check your port first.
I love the Kodak DC 215 camera that was purchased before we went on our  honeymoon.  We bought two 16MB memory cards because we didn't have access  to a PC where we were going.  Tons of pictures, no film.. and we know right  away if the shot is messed up and can retake it!It goes through normal  AA batteries like crazy, but I've heard it works much better and more  efficient with the rechargable batteries available from Kodak.This  camera will impress you and your friends and family. The highest rez and  quality produces some fantastic pics - I've never seen pics of this quality  before.It's very durable (trust me, it's been to Mexico and back,  kayaking, and got toted around in my purse for days) - the design is sturdy  and you won't feel like you need to baby it.We bought this one instead  of a comparable model from a competitor that uses floppy disks - we easily  would have had to take 30+ disks with us on vacation!  This is the way to  go if you will be away from your computer for a while.
For a 1.3megapixel camera, I've been very pleased with the picture quality of this camera.  At 4x6 the pictures are very good (detail &amp; color).  At 5x7 some pixelization begins to become apparent.  At 8x10 pixelization is very apparent on most pics.  If you're taking pics with little detail (portraits and flowers and such) 8x10s are acceptable when viewed from a few feet away.  The built in flash does a real nice job.  NiMH batteries are a must.  I also find that the brand and capacity of the batteries varies greatly and will give you from minutes to a few hours of serious use.  I find that Rayovac 1600mah batteries give me the best service.  Of course using the built in LCD screen greatly reduces battery life.  I recommend carrying a spare set (4).  An upgraded compact flash card is also a must.  At the best resolution I get 56 images on my 16M card.  I find the JPEG format easy do deal with in most photo application programs.  The only drawback is the serial interface cable.  It takes a long time to transfer a large number of images to the Computer.  While I haven't yet purchased one, a USB compactflash reader would probably be a good idea.  The camera is very easy to use and the menu options are very intuitive.  (I've never read the manual past a brief lookover.)  I recommend this camera to beginners and intermediate users who want pretty good results at a low price.
This is a fine little digital camera for beginners or casual users. It looks good, has great balance in the hand, and offers enough features to make it fairly versatile. Aside from the recreational user, it might be an ideal camera for someone like a real estate broker who wants to have something handy in the glove compartment, but doesn't want to worry about a very expensive piece of equipment getting lost or stolen. The camera is not perfect, but it is a good buy. PROS: 1) Appearance, weight &amp; balance. 2) Highly readable (and adjustable!) LCD display. 3) AAA batteries readily available...(2 sets of rechargeable would be great). 4) Optical (2x) zoom. 5) Switchable resolution settings:  a) 640 x 480 perfect for emails &amp; websites.  b) 1,152 x 864 good enough for 5&quot; x 7&quot; prints. 6) Very good software package. 7) Kodak service &amp; warranty. 8) Readily available CompactFlash memory cards. 9) Faster recovery btwn shots than most digicams. 10)Useful &amp; handy lens cap.CONS: 1) Fixed focus lens (like old 110 cameras). 2) Limited (2x) zoom. 3) No USB connection to download shots to PC (this will make the purchase of a separate memory card reader a must). 4) Need for battery charger &amp; rechargeables (to be practical).
I purchased this camera as an upgrade from my DC50 and have been in impressed with it every since I've opened the package.  The camera was ready to go within minutes of opening the box and the software was simple  to install and had me downloading pictures to my web site within ten  minutes.I purchased the DC215 millennium gold due to the larger compact  flash (8mg) and the inclusion of the USB compact flash reader.  Both  additions have made this an excellent camera.  I recently toured Harpers  Ferry National Battlefield and took several pictures of the surrounding  scenery as well as group photos, and amazed the group by displaying the  pictures on the T.V. via the direct camera link as soon as we returned  home.  They turned out crisp, detailed and in perfect focus!The camera  is a little hard on AA batteries so I went out and bought lithium batteries  and have not had to replace them in over three weeks of constant use.  Rechargeable might be the next step but right now I'm having way too much  fun with this camera and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a  megapixel on a modest budget.  It's both IBM and MAC compatible, with loads  of great software!
I received this camera for my birthday and really like it a lot.  It's a big upgrade from the Casio QV-11 I was using.What makes this camera  great?  Well, it is very easy to use.  It's simple to change the settings,  uplink to your PC and use in general.  And the results are really top  notch.It also feels much more durable and is nicer to handle than  comparable models made by Olympus, Canon and Minolta.The way I have  the camera set up, it takes 35 pictures at a very nice resolution and  quality on the 4MB Compact Flash card that is included.  I just bought the  16MB Flash because I'm using the camea so much, so keep in mind that at  some point you may be dropping another $40-50 on memory, as the amount that  comes with the DC-215 is passable, but not spectacular.
I have owned my DC215 for about two years, and I have several gripes about its quality.* Occasionally, the flash will go off an instant after the picture is taken.* After a year and a half, it started powering itself off randomly. Now it does this all the time.* It tends to scramble the order of the pictures in its memory. Occasionally I've had pictures disappear.* The viewfinder doesn't accurately represent the picture that is taken, so if you rely on the outlines in the viewfinder, you tend to cut people's heads off.Overall, it's a semi-decent camera, but I'd recommend choosing something else.
This is a great little machine. Sturdier flash than original elph. Slightly larger. Plastic body instead of metal. Great pocket camera. Carry it everywhere and never miss a shot. APS prints best on "H",but the panoramic setting is fun. Like a Leica 111f, always ready, easy to carry fun.
I recieved this camera in excellient condition  had one previously to this & I loved it This one is no differant Trully enjoy it glad I made the purchaseCharlotte Mahan
When the APS system began, we purchased the Canon 370Z  and it still works after several repairs.  My wife is a principal and needed a small camera to fit in her purse and I needed a camera to fit in my pocket on trips.  The Canon LT260 was purchased for $100 and has lasted in very heavy use for over four years without repairs.  The quality of picture, strength of the flash, the 2X zoom and the ruggedness would be hard to match for the price.  However, this great camera which has traveled the world and taken an average of 24-48 pictures a week finally died.  Although my wife has an excellent digital camera, she wants another LT260!
For anyone who is interested in an non-digital camera, this is the camera for you! It does all the basics and much more. It's a camera you can keep with you at all times. Takes great pictures with good quality. It does the job without all that other clutter you get from carrying a bulky camera were you have to change lenses....
I bought this camera May 2001 for about $150.00. 20,000 pictures and 6 years later, camera still works although the focus (clarity of pictures) has been lost a little.  The camera was dropped many times and it never broke or lost quality for the first five years.  $80 bucks for a new camera is a good investment.  Highly recommend it.
The camera has the virtues and vices of the APS system--It is small and convenient to carry, has multiple picture size options, and is easy to use.  But I am very unhappy with the picture quality compared with my ELPH LT Sport.  The pictures are a bit blurry in comparison.  It may matter to some that when you remove a film cartridge, the roll is set to &quot;exposed&quot;, so you can't switch film speeds without sacrificing the remaining shots on the roll being removed. Not an awful camera, but not the best.  I purchased this camera to replace my stolen ELPH 370, and am less satisfied with it than with my older camera.
I like this camera a lot except for the red eye reduction feature. Just about every picture I get back has some red eye glare.  This is disappointing since the camera otherwise takes very good photos.
I love the features of this camera, but my camera was delivered damaged.I returned the item. I received a email stating that my card would be credited, but it has not yet been credited yet.
I'm consistantly amazed at what Canon can pack into such a small package.  I took a Canon Elph Jr. with me to Rome in the fall of 1999, and the  pictures it took are spectacular.  This camera has the 2x zoom feature, but  otherwise it's very similar.  The APS photosystem is easy to use, and the  index prints and negatives that stay in the canister are godsends for those  of us who are less organized than some.  I was particularly struck by the  clarity of the photos, the richness of the colours, and the ease of use of  the camera.  While the 24mm APS format is smaller than the 35mm standard  film, the resolution is still excellent.  Far better than any digital  camera under $1000.  One of the most useful characteristics is the tiny  size.  No one believes this is a film camera when I show it to them.  And  because it fits anywhere, I take it with me in my napsack and shoot photos  of anything I find interesting.  (I think my friends have come to curse  this feature!)  Paired with a $100 flatbed scanner to scan photos for your  web page, or to send via email, I think the Elphs offer a far better  bargain than any digital camera or film camera available today.
Great little camera, but does not have midroll rewind despite the description.  I owned the Elph LT until it was stolen, and the Elph 370Z (which does have midroll rewind) for seven years of frequent use before the flash quit working.  Was delighted to find this one new.  Too bad APS cameras were discontinued.
I deliberately purchased an out-dated product to replace a similat camera that was stolen, as in some ways it is more flexible than my digital camera, and compements the other. I carry both with me at all times and use whichever is better suited for the particular shot I have in mind.
Whilst not quite a point and shoot product this camera is intuitive to use and delivers an almost infinite variety of choice by varying format and focus.Somewhat larger and heavier than the basic ELPH LT, it is nonetheless small, rugged and totally reliable indoor or out at any time of day or night from southern Africa to Canada.My first time using the camera I was somewhat intigued by the way the flash and motorised zoom lens popped in and out, but I was soon accustomed to this.Pictures have been uniformly excellent, allowing for operator error.If you wish for a camera which will give you the reward for a little care in composing a shot, then buy this one with total confidence.
Being an entry level SRL, the camera body is cheap & light because it is made out of plastic. This more than fine for someone who'd like an SRL to use for specal occasions - kids'birthdays, graduations, or the occasional family road trip.But if you're a serious photogapher, who plans doing much heavier photography and / or traveling, let me suggest you look for a sturdier camera, since my experience with this camera wasn't very good. The body was very easily scratched, and basically burned out less than 2 years after I bought it.So if you're a photo enthuseist looking for a good camera - please consider the fact that this camera wears out quickly (partly because of the plastic), and sooner of later you may be looking for a sturdier body.
I bought this camera a year ago as my starter camera to learn about film photography. I really didn't know anything about photography when I purchased it, and I still have A LOT to learn, however, I feel as though it's a camera that can grow with me. It has automatic presets that make taking photos for a novice handy - not much thought required, but also allows you to set manual settings so you can experiment and learn.Another review mentioned the body being cheap. I disagree. The body seems fine to me, and to be quite honest, a camera is not something that you should be rough with. Set it down gently and handle it properly as to avoid ruining the lens or some component within the camera.The pictures have been fantastic. I highly recommend this camera for someone who is starting out and wants to learn more. It will grow with you. Enjoy!
Excellent for my film photography class. Worked perfectly with my canon 50mm lens from my rebel t3i. Film turned out excellent - best in class.
Great film camera! Better than I expected. My test roll of fujifilm was exposed beautifully & in tricky light situations.  A bonus: also came with it's kit lens.  Thanks! Long live film!!
Recived TheCanon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)This Camera Has More Than The Other Brands At A Higher Price . Look Like New. Came With Film And Battery. Carrying Sholder Strap.Instruction Booklet . Has A Built In Flash . Everything The Seller Said About It Is 100% On The Money. If Anyone Looking For A Good Camera This Would BE The Best Bet .Cant Go Wrong In Buying This One . Price Is Not Bad . Has Alot Of Great Features. Full Auto Mode . Automatic  Built In Flash.Single Frame And Continuos Shooting . Red Eye Reduction . Portrait Mode, Landscape Mode,Close Up Mode,Sport And Night Scene Mode With A Self Timer Opeation . It Great Camera
I have owned two Canon digital cameras, the latest a 7d with a set of different lenses. I grew up with film cameras and still use many different kinds as a hobby. The Canon 2000 is a very flexible camera and close to the point and shoot variety of digital cameras. I like the look and feel of film as well as digital photos, just as I still like to listen to my old LP's as well as my mp3 player. This camera winds and counts all the frame first then winds back into the can after each frame. It uses the markings on the can to know the film speed and count. Since it is auto focus and exposure, the photos come out nearly perfect. But there are a range of manual and semi manual settings for both focus and exposure for your creativity.
I bought this kit for my brother for Xmas.  I was familiar w. the APS format and find it a great to work with.  I played with the camera for quite a bit, and have decided to buy one of my own as soon as I found out that there's now B&amp;W film for APS.  Don't let the APS format scare you.  It's just as good in quality to 35mm, and superior in many other aspects.  Just make sure you have enough film if you go to exotic places as film might be scarce, or very expensive.
I started &quot;shooting&quot; for fun and profit three years ago with a fully manual 35mm camera that I'd purchased at a used camera shop just prior to a business/pleasure trip to NYC. Though I enjoyed the creativity and quality of pictures I was able to produce with my minolta, over time it became cumbersome to lug the fully-loaded camera case with heavy lenses. Being fully manual, it was also difficult to get spontaneous or action shots. After a disasterous attempt to photograph elephant seals on a windy beach, I decided to look into a lighter, easier camera that still offered top-quality lenses and APS film benefits. My Canon EOS IX Lite definately fits the bill when I'm traveling or photgraphing my kids. It's lightweight, fully functional and easy to use. I'd like to add a lens, and it probably needs the optional flash attachment. The built in flash is fine for snapshots.I gave the camera a four star rating because I'm accustomed to the quality of photographs I get with the old, manual 35mm. Even though the quality of photos from the EOS IX Lite hasn't been the same, I'm not unhappy with what I've seen so far.
I've been an amateur photographer for quite a while, learning on an older all manual Yashica 35mm-SLR.  Along came APS, and I went to the simpler automatic cameras.THe EOS IX Lite takes the best of what APS offers and the flexibility of an SLR.  It even has MRC, which the Elph's don't have, and that's a BIG plus in my book.The first few shots I took were wonderful.  I can't wait to give this camera a full run through its paces.
This is a great small camera, with interchangable lenses and multiple print formats.  Can be fully automatic or as manual as you like.  Currently three types of film available, ASA 200 and 400 in color, and black and white film.  Print quality is comparable to 35mm for prints up to very large sizes (roughly 2 foot by 3 foot sizes.)  Film is easily loaded, and can be changed from one roll to another midroll.  A good variety of lenses are available from Canon, as well as several other manufacturers.  We've enjoyed ours very much, and would buy one again.
I was on the beach on the east coast, when my old tiny plastic lense camera quit funtioning!  It was time to buy an SLR camera!  I was skeptical about the APS film.  Was it really better?  YES.  This camera is extraordinarily easy to use, yet retains all manual funtions, if so desired.  I love the three different &quot;angles&quot; available (wide, regular,panaramic), and when you get your film back, the proof sheet even outlines the picture to show you what it would look like if you took a panaramic shot, and ordered a &quot;regular&quot; size reprint!  These angles are easy to switch between, on the back of the camera.  The menu system to access most functions is intuitive and practical. In addition, I finally have a red eye flash that REALLY works.  The auto focus is goof proof, providing just the right feel, complete with beeps and green lights.  The pictures are crystal clear, you feel as if you could dive into them!  If you are toying with the idea of buying a &quot;real&quot; camera, give this one a look!  It's lighter in weight than my old &quot;waterproof active camera&quot;, and takes far superior pictures.  These features plus the creative control both during the taking of the shot, and after you recieve your prints is outstanding.  Would I make this purchase again?  OH YES!
This camera is one of my all time favorites!Even though I am well into the digital revolution I can'tbring myself to sell this camera.  Rarely use it now but for yearsit delivered very good images.The best qualities of this camera are the ability to use the panaramicformat and the speed and ease of operation.  There were many shotsthat I captured because this could be implemented immediately and easily  when surprised  by  interesting subject matter.The negitive is small but  when processed via Kodak includes very specific information allowing for  development of the picture that is remarkably similiar to what you actually observed  at the time of capture.Full rich color and sharp pictures made this camera a joy to use.Boy weren't those simpler times!
...I have the choice of all the Canon EOS lenses to use and 2700 dpi images for use in digital photography in combination with a Canon film scanner. The only draw back is that the film must be developed first.The film scanner can make digital images that can be written to an inexpensive CD. The images are magazine quality. You can scan an entire roll of film in less than five minutes and write them with a high speed CD/RW in another five minutes. The APS format dramatically saves scanning time.Also, I would suggest using an upgraded flash that is specifically designed to work with this unit.Have fun.
Great SLR! If you are new to photography or are making a return to film cuz grain looks better then pixels I strongly recommend this camera. It is so easy to learn and grow your skill level. Until you master M mode...Remember, Av is to control how much of the photo you want in focus. Tv is to control the shutter speed when stopping movement is priority. The camera will auto adjust the opposite one for you. The only cons I've found are the max shutter speed is 1/4000. I've found stopping down the lens helps combat overly bright locations. Also, I strongly recommend you invest a 2.8 or faster lens for indoor shots. I lost a lot of shots due to my lens not being fast enough. This SLR is also great to use until you save up for that nice expensive full frame digital you've been wanting. I wish I bought this years ago. Lastly, I strongly recommend you get one of those green and black Canon backpacks to keep your SLR and lenses in so they stay protected. BP-50 grip fits like a glove and the rocket blower keeps your lenses and SLR dust-free. Yes, I did order those from amazon too. Remember to practice and learn from your mistakes.
I've had this camera for 4 years, I think.  I love it.  It's a great all-around film SLR for all experience levels.  My brother has the same one, and we both love it.  Maybe the best film SLR for beginners too.
I've had this camera since 1997 and I love it. It has some cool features, you can be fully auto or fully manual. I have a 75-300mm USM zoom along with the 28-80mm USM that came with it. I kind of wish I'd have paid the extra [...] and gotten the IIe, but I still get great shots. It's not too heavy, focus is quick and quiet, exposure is pretty accurate. I haven't had any problems with it.
I love this film camera, it works great.  the pictures turn out great, I couldn't go wrong with this purchase, and am very pleased with it.
I love my Elan II E.  Unfortunately, I broke it in Italy this year.  It lasted many thousands of shots over 9 1/2 years.  The part which broke was the door clasp.  Keep in mind, it lasted nearly a decade!  I'm going to buy the Canon 7NE to replace it.  Love the system!
The Elan IIe is truly a camera for everyone.  I bought mine with internship money in 1994, and I still have it today.  It survived the rains in Siena a couple of years ago, and even a 5 foot drop in a canoe back in 1999.  It's grown up with me, and as I learn more about taking pictures, I've been able to rely less on the auto-metering, and auto exposure settings, and take total control like the big boys.  What canI say, I love this camera! It lets you go from no-know to semi-pro in a snap!
I've had my Elan IIe since 1998, bought on the advice of my former roommate who's also a part-time pro, and it's done exactly the job I needed it for.  Much more sturdy than the EOS/Rebel line, the Elan IIe's got a good solid but lightweight frame (aluminum, I think).  I wholeheartedly recommend paying the extra 100-200 USD or so to get into the good low-end SLR market without going too cheap (don't forget, buy cheap, buy twice!).Autofocus technology has improved over the last few years;  but although I hear the Elan 7 is nifty with seven autofocus points to the IIe's three, I haven't seen one to say if it merits the bang for the extra buck. Of manufacturers, Canon has had the best autofocus tech reputation for years.  The IIe has quite good eye control on 3 autofocus points, if occasionally finicky.  It adapts to individual users' eyes, with or without glasses.Unlike one review I saw elsewhere, I have had plenty of use for the autofocus on landscapes or other nature shots requiring depth of focus.  Want to go manual for closeups, portraits, specific situations?  It's a flick of a switch on a Canon EF lens.  I agree that spot metering is quite limited, but this puppy has three different metering settings that break up the field of view in different balances.I also dig the main dial setting for aperture-size priority while the camera automatically adjusts for shutter speed (to be sure, almost all automatic SLRs now have this option as standard).  Bracketing exposures is also fairly easy (and necessary to get that precious photo just right over three exposure possibilities), and can be done manually or automatically.  If you can't spin all of one or two easy-access dials, what are you doing playing with SLRs?For the techologically-intimidated or situations where you have no time to adjust, the main control dial has several easy to use modes that require no thought/adjustment.  A little time spent with the camera will quickly and easily help you graduate from the point and shoot hordes.  The manual is one of the clearer gadget manuals I've ever seen.Add my emphatic vote to those who advise going for deals with an upgrade possibility on a Canon 28-105mm zoom, and do *not* get stuck with a 28-80.  The former is just a great all-around lens.  Traveling as I do, I've discovered the need to add over time two other Canon lenses, a 75-300 mm (f 4.0-5.6, USM) telephoto zoom, and a 24mm wide angle (f 2.8) fixed lens (nice and sharp!).  Sure, you might get a little sharper with Nikon lenses, but you'll pay another few hundred dollars for the privilege, not to mention the significantly greater weight of a more expensive Nikon body.  For amateurs like myself, I can't justify that modest extra bang for the buck, especially given the utility and value of my setup while hiking in parks or stomping around fascinating East European cities and countryside.I try to take care of gear, but my Elan IIe did take a few heart-stopping bounces down some concrete stairs.  While some nearby Montenegrins may have picked up several new English obscenities over the next five minutes, this camera picked up just a few scratches on the body and much more importantly, kept the lens alignment.  Naturally, I strongly, strongly advise against trying to repeat such a heart-attack-inducing experiment, and probably got exceedingly lucky, but was impressed with the durability of this camera.Like I say, this entry-level camera rocks;  you should only look at the next step down to see what you should skip.
The fabulous thing about the Canon Elan IIe is its ease of use. Even a beginner should be able to pick it up and with minimal reading, take good pictures. With experience, this camera is easily one of the best I have ever used. I have taken photos under very damanding conditions and have always been pleased with the results. Many will tell you the automatic eye controlled focus is a gimmick. Don't listen to them! It's one less thing to worry about when composing the picture, and you can always override should you wish to do so, and unlike the A2e, the focus works in both vertical and horizontal positions. The controls are simple and conveniently arranged, the thumb dial is perfectly positioned, and everything on this camera makes sense.  My only regret is that the Canon Elan IIe lacks the more substantial body of the A2 models. While the additional plastic makes it lighter, it might compromise the camera if you're rough on your equipment. I don't find this a problem, but it's worth mentioning. Once I added the BP-50 vertical grip, I was more pleased iwth its balance and feeling of stability. All in all, it's the camera I use the most.
I had a Cannon Rebel stolen from my car last year, and set out to replace it a few months later.  This time I did not want to feel like I had not bought enough of a camera, but I did not want to spend over $800 with a lens and accessories.I landed on the Elan IIE, and I am very happy with it.  It takes a great picture, is durable (I have been pretty rough with it), and as easy to use as you want it to be.  It has features that will do anything you want it to automaticly (including following your eye to the focus point you chose) but allows you to experiment with manual functions. I chose a 28-200 Zoom lens to go with it and I am very happy with the package, and wandered across this page looking for my second lens... I am an amatuer photographer who trys to take professional quality photos, this camera is perfect, it costs a lot more for the next better level of camera... but this is definately worth spending the extra $250 (at least with the zoom lens, polarizer, case, etc...) instead of getting the Rebel 2000.I had regreted the Rebel months after buying it, and I would still have it for years had it not been stolen... I like the Elan enough I am almost happy the Rebel went away.
I thought I'd write a review of the Canon Elan IIe since so many are from the year 2000 and really have no merit compared to today's standard of technological achievements when it comes to camera tech. In 2000, the DSLRs were only 3 Megapixels, maybe 6, and Digital cameras were in their infancy. Film camera manufacturers were, at the time, taking advantage of this by innovating new ways to photograph with film incorporating things like face recognition, smile detetion, blink detection, etc. But the Elan IIe was released in 1995, this was way before all the fancy stuff and digital cameras taking off, so how does this compare to today's Advanced digital camera? Here's my review,I bought the Canon Elan IIe to pry myself from my DSLR. I admit it, I'm a DSLR junky lol. I own a Canon Rebel XSi and 4 lenses, plus many accessories, except a flash. I like DSLRs a lot because of convenience and ease of use. All you need to do is choose exposure, shoot, and chimp (Look at LCD screen to see if you got the photo). That is it! Then all you do is plug it into the computer and download the photos, then edit, then print.The Canon Elan IIe is a different beast altogether. It takes film, and it has no fancy LCD screen to view photographs, or has an insane amount AF points. To a Novice this camera would be a pass up, but that's where they would be wrong.The elan IIe is an astounding 35mm SLR with amazing features that NO DSLR up to now has. It makes loading film a breeze, and even allow you to save your film for later if you don't finish it and need a different roll without overlapping. It allows multiple exposures, up to 9. and its coolest feature and probably its best is Eye Controlled Auto Focus. No DSLR has Eye Controlled Auto Focus! what is that? It allows the photographer to select AF points with their eye movements. This is an insane feature that takes getting used to and requires calibration, but it works! If my Rebel XSi had eye control, I would have rarely missed a shot, that's how good it is. I am going to be using this SLR for now on as a primary and using my DSLR for my other projects. This is a camera ahead of its time and even today can produce great photos. Bravo Canon for making an exceptional SLR.
I read around quite a bit about the eye control. I was really looking forward to try it out. I set it up in a dark place and tested it. It worked like a charm. The problem is when you go out to the real world. The light around the eye cup messes the measurements and it will always focus on the wrong place.Other than that, the camera is quite light, easy to use and powerful. If you have a modern Canon DSLR, its basically the same, with no LCD.
After shooting digital for a few years, I started to realize just how much I miss slides. Let's face it. Looking at shots on a computer monitor just does not compare to an almost life-sized image on the wall. Plus, although digital captures fine detail REALLY well, I still like the colors that only good slide film can give you. So I figured I would buy a good film body - one that can use the same collection of EF lenses that I already have for my digital. I wanted something more upscale than a Rebel. SO I figured I would pick up one of the many Elan bodies that SO many people are practically giving away in these days of digital. And I can honestly say that I am NOT disappointed. The controls are VERY intuitive - at least if you are already used to using a Canon DSLR. And virtually EVERY shot I have taken with this camera has come out at least decent. I would DEFINITELY say that this camera has it all over my Rebel XT when it comes to both exposure and autofocus accuracy. So if you still want to shoot some film, why not get an Elan IIe? As I said before, people are practically giving these things away these days. You can find bodies all day long for less than $100.
I've been taking 35mm pictures for 35 years, and this is my favorite camera so far. I shot a couple of hundred rolls of film with this and it really feels like an extension of my vision. The light metering is sophisticated and usually does a great job even in tricky situations, the optical quality of the 28-105 Canon lens is stunning, and the frame is sturdy and durable. What's not to like?Well, there's the manual to begin with. There is no way you can access and understand all of the features that this camera has (and there are a LOT of features) by reading the manual. They just do a poor job of explaining, for example, the three metering modes and the three autofocus modes. I've had mixed sucess with the eye-controlled autofocus and find it a distraction now, and poor luck with the depth of field mode (if I could only get eye-controlled depth of field to work reliably). Depth of field preview? Pretty basic, my 35 year old SLR had it, the IIe's is not very functional. And for all the ballyhoo about the autofocus modes, the predictive focus mode hunts around so much that your subject will be long gone before the camera locks on to it (just try taking pictures of a puppy).Comparing this camera to the Rebel, I would wish for a combination of the two: I would like the light weight and functionality of the Rebel with the sturdyness and some of the flexability of the IIe. For a beginner, stick with the Rebel and a good lens (NOT the 28-80), you'll be much happier. As for me, I should be hunting up one of those MagicLantern manuals for the IIe and practicing with the eye-controlled autofocus.I would rate this camera 5 stars for what it can do, but decided on 3 stars based on what it should do and doesn't or says it can do but doesn't do very well.
For amateur photographers looking for a great SLR, I can't recommend this camera enough. It offers the user fully automatic or fully manual operation or as much help as you need with aperture and shutter speed priority modes as well as some custom modes for sports, portraits, landscapes, etc. There are three metering modes depending on the lighting although none of these is true spot metering.The autofocus on this camera is excellent and seems to be faster and more reliable than my canon eos 3, perhaps because of the infrared focus assist light. This camera also includes electronic gaze selected focus points which seems to work quite well on this camera for me.There are a number of custom functions, which occasionally come in handy like the depth of field preview and mirror lock-up. There is a hot shoe on top as well as a built in pop-up flash which I rarely use but occasionally comes in handy.The body is very sturdy and feels stable in ones hand, and of course, the back and right front mode selection wheels are a canon trademark which I happen to like very much.In summary, and in my humble opinion, this is a really top notch SLR and can be found for rock bottom prices right now on the used market. Before DSLRs took off, this camera body was used by many pros as a backup.
This product was not in functioning condition when delivered. I worked on it and was able to shoot about half a roll before it locked up. a shame.
My first nice camera was a Canon F1 that dates back to 1975 (and which is still operating nicely, thank you).  I resisted buying an automatic camera all this time because the electronics weren't good enough, or not intuitive enough -- in short, I wasn't going electronic until it did what I want.  After all, if I want to fiddle around, I've got a perfectly good manual camera.Then I found the Elan IIe.  I love this camera.  There are still a couple of things I prefer to do with the manual camera, but for most situations, this thing takes some fabulous pictures. It's light, it's reasonably durable, the batteries last halfway to forever (after 50-some rolls of film, I'm still using the original camera battery), and you can't beat the eye control (trust me -- calibrate it properly, and practice it with a roll or two of film, and it will not fail you).I've become especially fond of the IS lenses -- rather more expensive than the non-IS, but I can't believe how good they are.
I spent a while looking for the right P&amp;S camera. Most on the market today have horrible delayed-action shutter releases. This one reacts instantly. So on that score alone it's worth the money for me. No more missed action shots!Plus, it's extremely stylish and well made, with an aluminium front casing and stainless steel lens surround. And it feels &quot;chunkier&quot; than other cameras of this type.The &quot;Best shot&quot; dial is by far the best system of changing modes I've used , and I like the ability to customize one of the modes. The spot metering mode is useful to have.The pictures I've got from the camera so far have been uniformly well-exposed and in focus. Even shots taken at full zoom in low light were crisp. Colours seem to be particularly good, and the red-eye reduction works much better than my previous camera.
This beautiful camera takes beautiful pictures...at a beautiful price.Canon may have raised the bar with this little gem -- setting the standard against which all other p&amp;s zooms will be judged.The pictures are gorgeous, contrasty, saturated with color.  And the machine that takes them is a lovely piece of equipment: solid, well crafted, with echoes of an earlier, gentler age of photography.  It looks like it dropped in from a 1950s time warp -- and that just makes it more attractive.The pictures?  Well, I took a series of night time shots of New York, in and around St. Patrick's Cathedral, using 400 speed print film, and they could be postcards.  No flash, just available light -- and they're stunners.Some quibbles: that flash that pokes out on the side makes for some bad ergonomics.  Where do you hold this thing on the left, anyway?  And the battery cap is cheesy and seems ready to break at any moment, if used improperly.But I can't complain about much else.  Canon may have finally done it: created a consumer-friendly, high quality point and shoot for serious shooters and casual snappers alike.  And, best of all, it's eminently affordable.  I'm a believer.  Thanks, Canon!
I just returned from taking this camera on vacation to Europe.  I am decidedly disappointed with the results when the lens is fully zoomed.  With the zoom, the photos are vignetted.  On the plus side, the color with this camera is good which means the coating of the optics is OK.  They just should have never put a 120mm zoom on this camera.One other positive feature.  The red-eye reduction works well unlike some other point and shoot cameras.  Also, the flash throws a long way.
I'm something of a camera and photography snob, having been through various photography and darkroom classes (I've developed and printed my own b&amp;w and color negs and prints). I own a semi-pro Canon SLR rig, which takes terrific pictures but which my wife has always complained about due its size and weight (although she gets quite a reaction from other moms when she whips it out of the bag at kid's birthday parties).Anyway, to appease my wife, who was taking our 4-year old on a long trip to overseas, I broke down and got her the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 Caption. Price was not much of a concern, but ease of use and general availability were (which ruled out Leica, Contax, etc). I did a lot of research on the web, and checked out the camera stores before deciding on the Canon.I got the camera the day before the trip, basically told her how to turn it on, and sent her on her way. The photos she came back with were surprisingly good! Obviously not as good as an SLR, but quite close, especially in the 4x6 snapshot size. Of the p&amp;s pictures I've seen from friends and family, the quality of these was the best.Out of about 5 rolls of film, there was only one picture with red-eye. Ten seconds with a red-eye pen fixed that up. I also had given my wife both 100 and 400 ASA film to shoot. Pictures with both speeds turned out very nice, and from the 4x6 prints it wasn't immediately obvious to me what speed the film was from batch to batch.I can only infer ease of use from the fact that my wife's pictures turned out great based on about 20 seconds of me showing her how to turn it on and load the film. Color, sharpness and exposure of all the photos was quite nice. In a few indoor shots it's obvious from the flash pattern that it's a p&amp;s, but the flash does get the job done. I should mention that the camera is actually fairly flexible and sophisticated, as it borrows many of the modes available in the Canon EOS SLR line, such as sports, close-up, etc. So it will reward the sophisticated user, as well as the novice.Where does it differ from a good-quality lens on an SLR? Again, in the 4x6 snapshot size it's pretty close. Pictures would probably be ok blown up to 8x12. Differences I see compared to my SLR are: a little less resolution (a bit more grain), a little less sharpness, and indoor colors in some shots are a little off (not much, but undoubtedly due to the weaker flash - ambient indoor lightings will cause your results to vary). In a couple prints the exposure is not quite what I would have chosen, but is still acceptable; likewise with focus in a couple of prints. Bear in mind that this is out of about 180 prints.Overall I would highly recommend this camera for anyone needing a p&amp;s, or needing something more portable than an SLR with separate flash. If your primary need is snaphots, it will serve you well.
Canon's Sure Shot Classic 120 series continues the Canon tradition of pushing the technology envelope further ahead. New and improved features include a powerful 38-120mm built-in zoom lens with aspherical optics, a 7-mode Best-Shot Dial for convenient and automatic camera settings, a 3-point dual hybrid autofocus system, built-in dioptric viewfinder adjustment control, and a high-efficiency built-in Light Guide flash.Canon's state-of-the-art Sure Shot Classic 120 gives you all the control you need to take perfect pictures with ease. With seven different selections on the Best Shot Dial you can pick the setting you need for a perfect shot every time. And if you're looking for a camera to keep up with all the action of fast-moving subjects, this is it - thanks to its rapid zoom, Real Time Shutter Release (0.06 sec), 1.5 frames per second and AI Servo AF features. The Sure Shot Classic 120 is a major achievement in camera technology- its big ideas come in a very small package!*  Ultra-Compact Design: The Sure Shot Classic 120 is significantly more compact that most other cameras in its class. And its light weight (approx. 9 oz. w/o battery) makes it easy to carry anywhere, anytime, so there's never a reason to be without a camera.*  High-Quality, "Retro" Appearance: An aluminum front cover and metallic lens barrel give the new Classic 120 a look and feel of quality and classic elegance.*  38-120mm f/4.5-10.9 3.2x Zoom Lens: The Sure Shot Classic 120's powerful all-glass zoom lens uses high-refraction glass and aspherical optics for greater contrast and image quality. Its extended zoom range covers a wide variety of shooting situations from landscapes and group shots to portraits, candids and distant subjects. The camera's real-image zoom viewfinder features a built-in dioptric adjustment for sharp viewing with or without eyeglasses.*  Hybrid 3-Point AF System: This advanced 335-step autofocus system automatically switches between Active Mode for near subjects and Passive Mode for distant objects, providing accurate distance measurements for every situation. The 3-point capability means that the Sure Shot Classic 120 will recognize and focus your subject even when it is slightly off-center. Central, single-point AF is also available at the touch of a button.*  Powerful Built-in Light Guide Flash: Canon technology has resulted in a new acrylic "light guide" design for the camera's retractable built-in flash unit to eliminate hot spots and improve evenness of illumination while maximizing lighting efficiency. Seven flash settings provide ideal lighting for a wide range of shooting conditions from backlit scenes to nighttime subjects. Optional Red-Eye Reduction improves indoor flash photos of people.*  Best Shot Dial with 7 Shooting Modes: The Sure Shot Classic 120 simplifies the ability to achieve perfect photographs with the use of Canon's original "Best Shot" Dial. Offering seven different shooting modes, the Best Shot dial automatically combines several function settings to render ideal camera settings for specific types of shooting conditions and subject matter. A new "Personal Mode" allows users to register their own favorite settings for AF, metering, flash and film transport.*  The Sure Shot Classic 120 Caption has all the features of the standard model plus five personal greetings and time-date imprinting, so you can label your pictures while you shoot. The optional Remote Controller RC-5 puts you in the picture from up to 16 feet away. More relaxing than an ordinary self-timer, the Remote lets you choose the precise moment to release the shutter. Now, there's no need to rush.
I can even feel the difference between this lens and my kit lens. It's much heavier and sturdier. Takes crystal clear shots.
Super quiet focus motor, great pictures taken with it and when you attach a wide angle lens attachment to it you have a great walk around lens for everyday use.
This was the model with the "rose" icon. So the first version they made. Still works fine and the optics are excellent
I've read that this lens is the same optically as the newer version II, so I looked around on ebay and picked one up for only $95 wooohooo!!  The lens is a lot of fun.  It's almost always on my 6D (I know, I know, it's a $1900 dollar camera, why bother with this p.o.s.?)  Well, it's got everything one would need to take great shots in good light (now with 6D getting good results at iso 12800, in bad light light too): lighting quick USM, insta-manual overide, great focal length range, and decent aperture (I almost always shoot Av @ 5.6 anyway)It's sharp!  The colors are good (no CA, but low contrast which is very simple to correct in adobe raw)  At 5.6 it's approaching L quality and at f8 it's there.  So why break your back lugging some big huge L monster around when this works perfect?  If you're like me then when you need some low DOF artsy-fartsy shots, you'll whip out your 50mm 1.8, 85 1.8, or 100 2.0 and be a hundred times better than the L monster zooms anyway.On top of all this, the newer full frames correct for CA and fall off in camera, which is the reason I bought this in the first place.  Looks great, saves the back and the back pocket.Edit October 2013:I took away one star just because the handling is so bad.  The manual focus mechanism is basically unusable.
I just received this awsome lense to use with my Canon 10D and my T3, I installed it on the 10D and the camera performed flawlessI was having alot of (error99) with a 75-300mm from Tamron and I thought it was the Camera, but when I put this baby on, the camera just came alive and took some beautiful pictures, the best I've shot since I bought this camera, subjects are sharp and the auto focus is fast and accurate, I can't say enough about this lense,Thank you  Premier Pawn for this great lense  5 stars to both lense and Seller...
Very poor quality lens.  Came with a Rebel kit.  Inoperable after a year of ownership.  $120 repair estimate -- more than the new cost.  I recommend you avoid this lens.
Good lens for price and great if your a beginner or intermediate photographer. Takes great pictures. Shipped out on time.
I received this lens as part of a kit when I bought an EOS Elan II, and I quickly realized that I needed to upgrade.  The optics are mediocre at best, making it nearly impossible to get ultra-sharp pictures.  The price is cheap, and so is the lens; the overall workmanship and quality is low.  If you are a beginner just getting into SLR photography, you will be much better served by getting a couple of prime lenses (I recommend 50mm and 80mm) of higher quality.  If you absolutely must have a single zoom lens to cover a range of focal lengths, spend $100 more to get the better lens.  It will make a HUGE difference in the quality of your pictures.
Very Likely Your First Lens Will Be This One...They Are Incorperated Into Most Of The Canon Kits Available Today, And Why Not?...It Features The Most Popular Focal Lenghts...From Wide Angle To Telephoto, This Zoom Lens Gives You The Best Of Both Worlds...The Apature Is Kind Of Limited, But For A Starter Lens, This Is Great...
Some people badmouth this lens while others swear by it.  I am somewhere in the middle.  I have several Canon EOS Single Lens Reflex cameras ranging from their first entry into the field, a D30, to a 50D.  I got one of these lenses as part of a film camera kit.  While the lens was designed for film cameras it works acceptably on digital cameras as well.  I find that on the D30, which has a 3.3 MP sensor the lens is perfectly adequate.  There are complaints about vignetting of focus near the edges but because the sensor in the D30 is not a full size 35MM element this is not a problem. Testing this lens against a standard resolution chart shows that you must have a camera with at least an 8 megapixel sensor before the shortcomings of these optics begin to become detectable.  I don't see this as a problem because if you are using a camera that costs $1000 or more you are not likely to put a $40 lens on it.  I use my D30 as a backup camera and the 28-80MM lens works great in that application.
I know I took a chance buying used, but I have to constantly keep is on manual focus to use it. Which is not always easy to get a clear crisp photo when needed to be done fast.
I really like this lens and it help me make the jump from this being a hobby to a business investment. I plan to order all my upgrades from Amazon.
Either I just lucked out and got a super copy of this lens or a lot of people just hate this lens because they feel they SHOULD as it was a Canon bundled kit lens some time ago and there are just oodles of them out there because frankly, this little lens is pretty great.  I read the other reviews of this lens and picked it up used for under $40 USD (delivered) in July 2013.  The lens focuses SUPER (amazingly) fast and very quietly on all my Rebel cameras (t5i, t4i, t3i, etc. [all my Rebel gear is APS-C]).  Used in aperture priority mode, this lens really SHINES.  Set it at f11 and forget it or open it wide up on a tripod or monopod and play around - the results are super sharp (and surprisingly so) for the price.  Compared to L glass, the color is not as vibrant on my copy especially leaning red and the contrast in low light is funky on this lens, but sometimes funky can be good (almost arty)! Play around and have fun!  Great lens to play with for VERY little money, and a real GEM at f11. Buy it for less than $40 and you can't go wrong!
I got this for my grandson to use on a camera you bought at a flea market he loves that thing so glad I could get it for them thanks
Still using this lens, yeah it may be plastic or cheap, but it comes in handy and the picture come out good. So it was worth it
At first was not crazy about the lens, but after I used it a while it was hard at first to get it to focus.  The one down side is it doesn't have stabilizer on it.  I can't wait to get a lens with F aperture under 2.8
why I got this lens ill never know I may have a problem with buying lenses , yeah that's it. got this used on ebay with the hope it would be sharp....wrong! it was soft through out, if you can get this lens for free that's a deal. don't waste your cash if you like good looking photos.
I haved owned the Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 V USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras for nearly one year.  I purchased this lens used for a very small amount of cash. After learning what this lens does best ... I have been generally pleased with the exposures that I have made with it. Sometimes the exposures with it really pop and that has kept me from selling it.  This is so even after I have purchased "better lenses."  I did take some test shots to post.  See the bougainvilla, cat, and "Wild Thing" test images above.  Before uploading they looked a lot better. It is unfortunate that Amazon is unable to display good images.It has been my lot (my budget) to own a few of what the world has labeled "bad lenses."  In general, I have not found the  lens to be "bad" but instead to be a "good lens when used appropriately."  It does have its problems and it is not an L series quality lens.  But, I try to subscribe to the old quote that goes something like this:"It is a poor workman that blames his tools."I am going to share excerpts from a posting that I read that has kept me from selling this lens.  I read this "johnhopkins" posting about this lens on the "fredmiranda-com photo site." Johnhopkins from the United Kingdom posted it Sep 20, 2005 according to "fredmiranda-com."  The poster "johnhopkins" stated that he had tested this lens against a Canon 24-70L.  He found that:"The 28-80 could not match the Canon 24-70L in colour and contrast, but at f/11 there was no difference in resolution anywhere in the zoom range. At 28mm the 28-80 performed pretty respectably (though not as well) relative to the L zoom. Resolution at f/11 was identical to the L and only a little worse at f/5.6-f/8.Performance drops off further in the zoom range. At 50mm the 28-80 performed as well as the 24-70L at f/8-11 but resolution tailed off at f/5.6 and especially at f/4.5. The corners especially were poor.At 70mm the 28-80 only really performed well at f/11. Resolution was still OKish at f/8 but tailed off badly at f/5.6."My recent tests of the lens and my use of the lens for the most part confirms the (fredmiranda-com,johnhopkins) conclusion that:"If used at f/11 anywhere in its zoom range or at f5.6-f/11 at 28mm then this lens can produce very decent results. Set the camera to Aperture Priority f/11 and leave it there if possible." I to have also found that my copy has decent performance at 28mm.I think that this lens is a good value for just a little cash.
This was the first lens I bought for my first SLR camera in 1997. Ahh, film.I have since graduated to a 24-70 f/2.8L II for this focal length range and I photograph professionally now. I couldn't have made it to where I am now without using this little guy, but it honestly wasn't very good. It wasn't very sharp, it has a variable aperture across the focal length range, it produces washed out colors, contrast is a little flat, and the bokeh doesn't look nice. All that being said, for less than one hundred dollars, this is a good deal. The autofocus speed is loud and slow, but you'll find that this lens serves an important purpose: it is a first lens. It will teach you how to compose, hand hold without IS, and manual focus. Those are all important skills.I know that there are better lenses that exist for a first lens, but none of them are as affordable as this little lens. For the price, this is a good deal. I'd also recommend it to someone who has child that wants to try photography, and you don't want to be too concerned that the lens will be destroyed by accident.Oh, I should also mention that I won a competition with a photograph of a baseball with this lens in 1998. It can perform, so don't write it off. Despite it's shortcomings, I think this is a lens that warrants consideration as an economy lens or as a backup lens.
The lens performs as expected and according to the specifications. Haven't tried a lot but I expect it to be OK.
At 6.2 Ounces, This Is The Lightest Compact Zoom Lens In The EF Line...An Excellent Value...The Aspherical Element Makes It Compact And Helps Obtain High Contrast Images...At The 80mm Length Is A Good First Step...Lead Free Glass Is Used...Great All Purpose Lens, And Cheap, But If You Can, Go For The 28-80mm Or The 28-200mm...They Will Give You Better Performance...Lens Accepts 52mm Filters (Polorizer And UV Highly Suggested)...*Specs Taken From Canon Catalogue...
Just what I needed I would buy again if I had too works just fine it was in perfect shape works great
the only thing that I like about this lens is that it has been sealed at the bottom end of the lens. What I mean is that there is a piece of glass that covers the foot of the lens which prevents dirt and moisture from getting inside well dust anyway. The housing is really cheap plastic and the motor is painfully loud oh my this thing is loud. I would not try to use it in a setting where noise is an issue because this thing would wake the dead in a grave yard. It does take okay shots this would make a great lens for a child because they are cheap and if it gets broke your only out like 40 bucks.
Good lens  , attach and features , especially for long distances and certain approach, according to the price seems, attach and features, especially for long distances and certain approach, according to very precise price seems not that great.
You just have to understand this lens for what it is and what its limitations are. It's not an L, no IS, no USM. It's an old lens technology; my lens was a remnant of the old EOS 10s film camera but it's an EF mount so it fits my new t2i.It's best for still photography or portraits with good lighting; not for sports. My photos of the orange tulip shows surprising results.What was pleasant was the lack of CA or purple fringing. Canon has CA that needs to be corrected post but this lens doesn't need it.Do a search about a macro hack for this lens. Then you might change your mind about this cheap but capable lens.
This is the same lens that came on my 300 digital rebel that I bought about 10 years ago, shot about 40,000 photos with it, gave to my son and the shutter failed, sent to Canon and had it repaired and gave to my daughter. One of the lenses came loose in the old one but the price was really good and it worked for all that time so I replaced the original with another one just like it. It's cheap but it works much better than the price would indicated.
So this is a great starter lens, it came with my canon body when I got my camera, and I've used it tons.  It is light, smooth, fast to focus, and cheap.  My only problem was the number of times I found myself stepping back because the 35mm end of the zoom wasn't wide enough.  I now carry a 22-55 instead and love that lens (come on Amazon - get it in stock).  If you're on a budget then this lens is great.  If you can afford the little extra go for the 28-80 instead.
It is slow and has a modest zoom range. Color is slightly dull. However it does look sharp enough at f/8 and captures plenty of color to make a workable file. For the same price you can get the 50mm f/1.8 which is head and shoulders better than this lens by every single criterion. Move closer/further for zoom.
I bought a Canon Rebel XTi online that didn't come with any accessories and so i wanted (and needed) a 35-80mm lens... but of course didn't want to pay $70+! This is a great beginner's lens, as it's small and lightweight, lets you choose between manual and automatic focus, and has overall great optical quality. The only downside is that it can scratch without a lens cap, so although it comes with one... you may want to buy 1 or 2 extra! After using this for a while I became better prepared for a bigger, better, (and more expensive lol) lens!BUY IT!
Great Lens.  Great Buy I am very satisfied with this purchase and I would  recommend it to all my friends
Can someone make sense of this for me please?  """The smaller the maximum aperture, the smaller and lighter the lens.""" WTF?Anyway... it's an affordable range for those of us in the real world to explore.  It gets 4 stars for price Vs usability for the Joe Soaps and the Jane Does like me out there.
this lens is very slow. it captures the light very well and is great when taking pictures of adults but not ideal for kids.
i've taken a few great pics with this lens! great price too! i'm probably going to end up buying  another one!
Good lens!  Nice build quality for a plastic lens.  Easy to zoom.  AF works just fine and is very quiet.  The overall picture quality is on a par with a kit lens.  You can get very sharp photos with this lens if you stop it down a bit . F-8 works great!  If I had to buy this lens again, I would get the VR verson for a little more money.  Hence the 4 stars.
This is the first SLR lens I ever used. Not a very memorable experience, I have to say. The lens is cheaply made, not at all sharp, has a very limited zoom range and is very, very, very slow. The lens is so slow that it really isn't useful indoors at all without a flash. The wide end of the zoom range - 35mm - is insufficient for landscapes while the telephoto end - 80mm - doesn't offer enough reach for distance shots. The build actually feels as if the zoom and focus mechanisms use internal cardboard components. I would be hard-pressed to find another EOS Canon or third-party lens that was as uniformly mediocre in all respects.Instead of this lens, I would very highly recommend the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II which is sharper than this or any lens you can find for twice the price. Granted, the 50mm isn't a zoom lens but the limited range of the 35-80mm doesn't offer much of an advantage anyway. AND the 50mm is nearly 3 f-stops faster needing only one-eighth as much light for a shot making it great choice for indoor and dim lighting conditions.
If you have kids, and you want quality indoor pictures, you need a lens with a wide aperture.  I'm a novice photographer whose previous lens was this one.  I then got the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens.  The difference between the two lenses is night and day...literally.  I avoid flash photography as I don't have the equipment to make the pictures look natural, so I was always taking pictures with the flash off.  So many pictures turned out dark, blurry, or both.  I wondered how much difference a wider aperture would make.  I got the f/1.8 and was blown away.  I'm taking sharper pictures in good light, and can now get them in low indoor light conditions as well.  Your kids only grow up once, don't miss a shot, get a lens with a wide aperture.  ,and for the money, the 1.8 probably can't be beat.  I wish I had it years ago.(,and if you're wondering if I miss the zoom function?...I don't.  It doesn't take many steps to frame the shot you want.  The quality pictures more than make up for it.)
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, IT GETS THE JOB DONE FOR WHAT I NEED IT TO DO. IT IS WORTH THE MONEY.
Perfect add-on for a Canon EOS Rebel T3!!! This lens will take super-awesome photos close up. Well worth the money!!
This will be getting a lot of use!
I bought a new Canon camera and telephoto lens to take to Alaska.  I must say that I have not been impressed with the quality of pictures that it takes.  The telephoto brings the targeted images up close, but at times it just doesn't seem to do what I needed it to do.
No it's not especially if you take into account its intended users. If you use a Canon digital SLR and are satisfied with the kit lens (18-55) then buying this lens can be the perfect next step for you. Practically speaking, you will be able to increase your zoom reach to the point where you can A) photograph birds in moderately distant trees, B) be able to zoom in on the other side of a valley and frame something of your interest. Those are just two examples. One thing you will NOT be able to do effectively with this lens, however, is to take sport shots with it. How so? Consider some of the following weakness:*At 300mm zoom range the highest aperture is limited to 5.6 (You will have to use very slow shutter speed to snap fast action shots; remember the inverse relation between aperture and shutter speed.)*The lens size/weight combination makes it hard to hold steady when attached to a camera like the Rebel XT*Slow and often inaccurate auto focus (I just don't understand why Canon makes a USM version of this lens for $20 more, but never includes it in the triple rebate program)*Chromatic aberration is significant in high contrast lighting like in full sun (if you do not know what Chromatic aberration means search the term online or check out my review of the Canon 28mm 2.8 on Amazon, but to summarize, it would be a discoloration at the fringes of objects in your picture)Those kinds of weakness will limit your ability to use this lens in all sorts of other situations/circumstances. As a practical rule to follow, if the lighting is less than ideal this lens will give you a hard time. Meaning, it will be possible to use it, but you may get too many blurry images because of shake from slow shutter speeds. As for what are ideal lighting conditions? That would be full sun with few or no clouds and with the light bathing your subject/object from the front or the side.So is this lens that bad? Not really, as with many other lenses, when the lens is coupled with a good camera it still out performs most Point and Shoot cameras. Plus it provides results at par or slightly below the kit lens (18-55). So if you are satisfied with your kit lens, which provides you with a zoom range comparable to 3X zoom (55/18= 3), why not add another lens that will expand your zoom range by another 4X (300/75=4)? Nothing wrong with expanding your horizon!PS. TWO MORE POINTS ABOUT USING THIS LENS: First, if you're confident you can handhold this lens at slow shutter speeds (I know I can't) then the low maximum aperture shouldn't be a major problem. Second, if you're fine shooting at high ISO (more like 400 or 800) then again the low maximum aperture shouldn't be a problem. The nice thing about photography is that you can do one thing in so many ways, so don't be afraid to explore with this lens!
I was little skeptical when I bought this lens. I already own EF-S 55-250 IS which is great but  the zoom is limited. This EF lens has 300 zoom which is equivalent to 480 on my T3i. I thought lack of IS will make a big difference. It did not in sunlight or cloudy day. I bumped up the shutter speed to 600+ and also increased ISO (400-3200 depending upon sunlight). At full 300 mm zoom I got amazingly sharp pictures of Cardinals and Finches in my backyard. It does not perform well in low light and indoor but who would want to use a super telephoto indoors. Usually I use it outdoors for nature photography or sports. In both scenarios I think it works great. Make sure shutter speed is 600+. 800 or 1000 is great. Play with ISO until you get nice well lit pictures.
Here's the deal: I have an 18-135 mm EFS AF IS Canon lens, which provides for a decent zoom. I would say its quality is better than this one (from all the reviews I've read).I was considering getting the 75-300 for the added zoom only, but decided to run an experiment. I took a picture with my 18-135 lens with the best possible settings at 135mm. Then  I cropped the picture to get the equivalent of what the 300 would have given me. Even zooming in in the pictureI got me pretty good results. I haven't tried the 75-300 as such (they have a pretty lousy return policy here) but I can bet it will give me no better results. So I saved myself $150.
I recently purchased this to use in conjunction with my Canon T2i and love it. I'm a novice camera user, and this is my first telephoto and found it incredibly easy to use. I could see where complaints would come for the expansion when zooming, and when using it with a lens hood, it's pretty long. However, it's a very inexpensive lens and it took great pictures on my recent vacation (posted in the photos section). I was able to sit on the beach and take pictures of my kids playing in the water and be right in the action. Combine the usefullness with the amazing price and the lens is a 5-star value.
Well, I bought the Digital Rebel, and wanted to start to play around and learn about different lenses. I saw this Canon Zoom lens at $175, and jumped at it. Very happy with it - it really has allowed me to take more types of photos than ever, and it's got me more interested in trying different lenses and photography in general. Good sharp pics (by my eye) and for the price.... great value.
I bought this a few months ago and I already want to upgrade. I'm using it on a T2i and I get decent results, but like everyone says, IS would really help at those longer focal lengths. I'm going to start looking for the 55-250mm which looks great. This lens will get you started in telephoto photography, and I've even made some decent photos with it, but having to shoot at f/8 all the time sucks. Focus speed is decent but it has a very long way to go from infinity to 3 feet and it will hunt back and forth sometimes which makes me want to throw the lens off of a speeding train. I also think one reason for having a tele is to capture detail of something in a tight frame, and at 75 to around 250 this lens does an okay job, but at 300mm the detail gets lost, even it you get good focus and are stopped down. Bottom line, get something else.
I bought this lens for my wife, a great lens, great value, she loves it.  Gets a lot of usage with family photos, a definite good buy.
You can't beat the price.  My dad bought the same lens about a year ago, and he paid almost twice the price!  There was absolutely nothing wrong with this lens.  It was identical to the one my dad bought at Best Buy.  I highly recommend it!
this lens offer a really good photos, but it needs a good light, is well to take pictures with day light, at night is not so good. It's ok for the price, perfect for wildlife pictures.
I am not a pro by any means but I love the results I get with this lens.  I use it for shooting my kids mostly just out and about
I finally got the lens that i wanted in a reasonable price. I have been searching for a strong lens for some time and finaly got this one.
I am able to use this to get the shots that my other lenses can't. Could get better, but over all gets the job done for the price i paid.
Arrived safely and in a good package.  Works as expected.  Nice to have a variety of lens.Sorry, what more to say?
I also want to rate the seller 5 stars. Quick shipment, nice packaging and brand new product.When I first saw it, it was not as good as 18-135 mm lens on my Canon 60D in building and look.  However, it does its job well in terms of  the light weight and price.  The quality of pictures are acceptable as well. I am happy to have it.
I am a Photography student and wanted to get a new lens so that I could take nature shots and this lens allows me to take amazing pictures of wildlife
Love this lens, work perfectly and takes beautiful photos. Would definitely recommend this item. May not be the cheapest, but is probably the best for your money if you have a Canon EOS camera.
[...]That picture was taken at 300mm.  That ridge is 12 miles away, with the lightning behind that.  For a lens that is 130 bucks, I don't think I need to say anything else.
This should be a standard addition to the Rebel T3. it sure made taking pictures come out better looking. The finish product is excellent with almost every shot I take (and I am a klutz).
This was my first telephoto lens and I got some great pictures with it.  A good starter lens.
I wish I had purchased one with a stabilization, but for the money, It is a great product and does a wonderful job for me.
the lens are nice for the price and can get close up from the stans.  I enjoy using them lens.
I purchased this lens a few days ago and have taken many action shots of birds and airplanes already and am very please.  I was concerned by some of the reviews complaining about the lens being slow to focus.  I did not find this to be a problem, however, it does on occasion decide to run the focus all the way one direction and then come back to the proper point.Some people complained that it randomly decided what to focus on.  To those people I say, READ YOUR CAMERA's MANUAL!  There is an option to select what point in your view your camera's auto focus will focus on and this is NOT a flaw of the Lens!When I left my Canon Rebel XS in Full Automatic mode, it decides on the point.  Put it in a more manual mode, pick the point you want it to focus on, and it works fine.  See page 102 of the Canon EOS manual.Bottom line, if you are stepping up from a point and shoot or don't want to spend $500-$2000 on a lens, this is a great buy.
I got this free after rebate from amazon and i could'nt be more happier. I took a few photographs using the built in flash and indoors and the pictures came out pretty good. i am not sure as to why people complain about the build quality and the photo quality.For a starter in SLR photography, this is a good camera lens. for someone who is a pro, may be not!..
I have no complaints with this lens at all. It is great quality for the price. You can get some blur and fuzzy pics when shooting at 300 with no cam stand but that is a given for any budget zoom lens when shooting by hand.
I am not a professional. I am just a mom. 99% of the photos I take are of my children. Before purchasing this lens, I only had the kit lens and one prime lens. I wanted a lens that would allow me to zoom in a bit so that I could snap photos of my children playing without having to be right up on them. This is the perfect lens for that. I shot my son's first Little League game this past weekend while I was in the stands and he was in the outfield. I got some of the most excellent shots showing his true emotions, because he wasn't posing. he didn't see me right up on him taking photos. I can't afford a $1,000-2,000 lens so this was the perfect price and I have gotten tons of compliments on the shots. I even shot most of them on manual using the sports setting (I have a Canon Rebel). A lot of them were taken through a little hole in the fence.
Instead of using the 18-55mm lens and chasing my kids around to be close enough for a pic, I can now stand whereever I would like and zoom to a perfect shot.I have the Canon Rebel T3i and it fits beautifully.
After using this lens, USM and IS are must haves for me. I tried this lens (without IS), sent it back and purchased on with IS and USM. The images were just too blurry. I do not use a tripod all of the time and would like for my lens to stabilize to minimize shake. Buy the IS instead!
This is a good beginners lens. It works better then the standard 18 - 55 lens that came with my camera.
Great price, but the pictures are a little soft. In bright light, there is considerable chromatic aberration. This can be corrected in post production, but if you take a lot of photos, this can be very labor intensive. If money is not a huge issue, then spring for a more expensive lens like the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM or the Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 Di VC USD. The cost benefit of the time saved in post production is well worth it.
Every person that buys an SLR camera invariably ends up with lenses that cover focal lengths of 28mm to 300mm - a 28-90mm and a 70-300mm lens.  This one fits the latter requirement.  For 170 bucks you get a long 300mm focal length.  But that's about it.The slow autofocus aside, this lens is extremely soft at all focal lengths above 150mm or so.  I recently made the biggest mistake of taking this lens to an airshow. I thought the light weight helped me with the maneuverability of the camera but then when I saw the pictures I was terribly disappointed.  There can be nothing more disappointing than figuring out that you've done your part well (composition, exposure, etc) and then find that your lens failed miserably.  The F-18 jets had soft edges and looked like they were portraits of women. I had to apply unsharp mask filter in photoshop several times to get something that I could put on the web.IMHO, Canon really failed on this one and I guess it's time they replaced this lens with something better.For those of you that are reading this review and are looking to purchase a lens in this focal length range (and price range!), I strongly suggest the Sigma. If possible, get one with the APO designation on it.  I guess it costs $50 more.  But the quality of images it produces is far better than this Canon. As a nice add-on it also offers a macro switch that enables close focusing to achieve a 1:2 magnification.I know there are brand afficionados out there that will buy nothing other than a Canon - good or bad.  If you are looking for quality in a lens of this focal length and price range, avoid this lens.  Also don't go to eBay and buy the IS version of this lens - it's got the same bad optics.  Canon recently replaced it with a 70-300mm IS.  I guess that is very good.  Of course, the legendary 100-400mm IS with a price tag of $1400 is stunning.
I love this lens, and it was a great price too!  I use if frequently for all kinds of shots and love it.
Great product, bought it and i haven't returned to my old stock lens. great investment, you will be amazed by it!
It is not a lens for picky photo acumens finding black hole at 75 and need more over 300 to catch grizzly bears in Denali Park on trip to Alaska. Just good piece of Japan knowhow and perfect craftsmanship. Choice based on not bundled offer but price and fact of buying on safe Amazon. Delivery excellent. Factory condition. Just pick and choose what fits into your Canon model and wallet.
I find this to be an overall useful lens to have in my SLR Bag when I am out and about -- going to local events, and even for trial runs at photographing specific projects.  Although not fast on the AF mode (it is far better to focus manually when you are photographing Wildlife -- especially Birds) ... it does respond well enough when you are awaiting that 'perfect' moment (you have the patience to wait for -- like with landscapes).  This is one lens that I keep in the bag all the time.  Eventually ... I'll upgrade to the IS version, but for now .. a good economical alternative to use in the meantime.
Great lens and Great price! Though it has no image stabilizer on it, it zooms wonderfully and is great for those outdoor shots!
This is an awesome len, and it is a really good price, it is even better than I imagine, I just love it!
I am a great photographer and I am using a Canon t3 with this Lens I see a little bit of a difference and I do recommend it to whoever need an extra lens
Excelent product. Must have additon for our new Canon camera. The zoom lens makes taking pictures of the local Bald Eagles so much better.
I started using this lens at a track meet. The lens met and exceeded my expectations. I got exellent photos of athletes in action from the stands at track level.
i bought this lens so i coulld take picture of performers up on stage or of people playing sports, my problem with it was that unless you are using a tripod and a remote there was no way to operate this lens at its maximum focal poitn without blurryness on the picture caused by even slight movement of the camera such as pressing the shutter button, i  would recommend people pay a little extra for the canon 55-250mm with IS, which prevents camera shake and makes shots that much easier
I've been using it a lot since I got it over a month ago. I haven't had any issues with it. I photographed homecoming parades on gray days, portraits, wildlife, and nature. They all looked good. I had no underexposure issues, and my exposure speeds and aperture sizes were fairly well adjusted too. I think that in a field such as photography, this lens is just fine for people starting out or who don't have $1000 to $2000 for one lens.I'm not the greatest at figuring out the distances of lenses, but this one goes fairly far. Be warned though, when extended to 300 or so, the lens gets a tad long, and can be a little hard to hold steady. I don't use a tripod all that much, and none of my pictures were blurry from shake.
Even though this doesn't have the IS it's still a handy little lens. I got it for sports, evening photos, and landscapes. It really works the best with a tripod. I recommend it for anyone wanting to try a telephoto.
Very easy to attach.  Took a while to get use to. First ever zoom this big.  It is a excellent product.
Fast Shipping. I ordered this a week and half before Christmas. I did the 2 day shipping because I was worried that I wouldn't get it in time for Christmas. Packaged very good. Arrived faster than delivery date. My mother just bought a Canon DSLR and she was worried about not having a zoom lens because she was used to the digi cams, so I bought her this lens. We tested the product and seems to be working like it should be. :)
This was an exceptional and affordable telephoto lens. I would highly recommend this lens for a novice or veteran. An outstanding value for the cost.
At first I was hesitant about purchasing this lens due to the mixed reviews and I thought what do I have to loose since the price was reasonable. I received it whiten 5 days and I was very surprised by the quality and the results, bottom line if you want to spend a lot more money for a greater quality go ahead, but believe me this lens is awesome
You get what you pay for! Very mediocre pictures. Do not waste your money here. The Canon 100-400 L-Series is totally worth it 3X price.
This lens is fine, however, I still cannot get close enough to the birds to see the detail that I wish to capture.So, I am looking for an even greater zoom now.
Simply, u want an average priced canon zoom lens, here it is.I haven't tried different brand cuz I just found and bought this one and it's doing its job.
Bought this lens to replace the Tamron that came with the camera and went bad.  So far, the images have been really good.  Very pleased.
For the price, who can resist? It offers the zoom you need at an affordable price. Yes at 300mm the optics are a little iffy and image stabilization would be a plus, but you get what you pay for. I got this lens new for $105 so I'm not one to complain about its optical performance. I get the zoom I need and I'm content. I'll find ways to work out the hand-held shakiness at 300mm by making sure I can have a fast shutter speed. Obviously you can't correct it's optical quality, so what I recommend; get the lens now if you need the zoom and sell it when you're ready to buy a better telephoto zoom. If you don't need the zoom now; keep saving for a higher quality lens.
Well, I read a lot of reviews of this lens, most of them negative so of course I was a little skeptical about buying this lens. I've been testing it out for a while and yeah I do admit the auto focus is kinda slow, but its alright since a lot of the time I manually focus it myself and since it isnt sticky i can do it fairly quickly and ive gotten a lot of sharp, clear pictures. Of course it can not compare to any of canon's L lenses but for the beginner or amateur photographer on a tight budget, or even a professional photographer that wants a decent backup lens, this one is great. It is fairly quiet which is a plus. A lot of people complain about it not having an ultra sonic motor or that its not good for action shots but those attributes are obvious before you even purchase the lens, those are the reasons why canon happened to make a version of this lens with the ultra sonic motor for faster auto focus. I use this lens on my Canon EOS rebel T1i and again it takes very sharp clear shots, and I have even done a few action shots with this because I always have my ISO speed on 3200 or 1600 so I can use faster shutter speeds, and when its extremely bright outside I set my shutter speed to 1/4000 (the fastest it can go) and if I need to I will lower the ISO speed or adjust my aperture. Now I do realize not everybody's SLR or DSLR can do the same settings I use and I know a lot of people prefer to not use such a high ISO so its really just personal preference. And a lot of complaints I have heard sound mostly like user error.
We purchased the Canon T1i a few months ago and have been very pleased with it.  Unfortunately, the standard lens that came in the kit with it just didn't have much zoom capability, so we did some research on zoom lenses and landed on this one.  The cost is reasonable, especially for the quality of the product.  It's very simple to use, and we have been very happy with its ability to grab great close-up looking shots from a distance.  Highly recommended.
As a novice photographer it's easy to get caught up in the cost of the all equipment one may want or need. Great equipment costs a lot. This lens is great compromise. I never thought I would need a telephoto zoom, but Amazon made it an easy decision to purchase when with a discount for buying a new camera brought the cost to $30. I'm glad I jumped at the chance. Even at full price, this lens is a great value for its construction and capabilities. This is definitely the next lens to step up from the kit lens. With the proper person, the proper camera, lens hood and filters, this lens takes fantastic images. Images from the dog show this weekend are visually stunning. If you feel that you can have good camera control with a steady hand (as this lens lacks image stability), and you are looking for a great entry level telephoto zoom lens, then this lens is a fantastic choice. Thanks Amazon and Canon for helping me take some photos that will last a lifetime.
Super lens at a super price.... great addition to my camera bag. Turns wildlife photos into closeups.
this is great on my canon camera. wish the f stop was a little lower. takes very nice photos. thanks
Great lens, especially for the price.  Great for taking photos at a ball game.  Very impressed with this lens.  Thanks
Got this lens for $169 but had a $150 coupon code b/c I bought the Rebel T3!  What a great lens for $19!
not as sharp and definitely not fast for action auto-focus shots.for hobby only use on weekend, this would be okay, I've shot a lot of birds on this lens and they come out just okay, JUST okay. :)The construction is just average, barrel play on manual focus might be an issue for some.If you'll try to shot stunning vivid and fast shots, you might be better off spending a little more and pick the more PRO lenses.This lens is good for sunny days and for the newbie who just want to have a decent focal lenght lens. 300mm is really not bad.I've bought a Canon 70-200mm L IS USM 2.8f lens, big difference, both in sharpness, color and speed and also, really big difference in price too.But, eventually, that's what hobbies are all about, start small and grow, if you have the money, just skip this one and buy the real deal, memories are priceless, capture it the best way you can.
As a novice photographer, I've been searching high and low for this lens. And not only was it delivered fast, but also came in it's original box and reading material.I been wanting for this lens for a very long time since a friend loan me his.Now I'm will be taking those pictures that capture the essence of life.Thanks
Decent lens. My daughter will get this for Christmas. $100 discount on lens with purchase of the canon camera. Great deal.Thanks
I purchased this Lens to take photos of my sons JV Games. Half the pictures come out blurry. But, half don't. So if you plan to purchase this lens, and don't really know how to use the settings on your camera take lots and lots of pictures. Half will come out good :)I admit, I am not a photographer so I assume if I knew how to really work the settings on my camera I could get the shots much better. But, I use the auto focus feature so many of my shots come out blurry. But, many don't.So, I do recommend this lens. For the price, you cannot beat it!!!
I'm still a newbie at using my canon, but wanted a lens that slowed me to get action shots at a distance (have a young soccer player).This lens is very easy to use, talking amazing action shots of my kids sporting events, and the wildlife around our property! Great lens, great price! Very happy!
This lens was purchased for use with a Rebel and has been excellent. It was ready to use the minute it was taken out of the box. Quality in both low light and normal light has been excellent. It is lightweight thus carrying an extra lens is not an issue. These lens are much smaller in size than the Nikon lens I use for my Nikon cameras.
Great lens for any situation that might come up. Good range for the zoom, and easy to use for your needs.
This lens might be okay for beginners, but if you are into any quality photographyGET THE CANON 70-200 L (f/2.8 or f/4 with or without IS)CONS-Slow aperture-Not sharp enough-Not an L-Paint is chipping offPROS- Cheep, (but not worth it unless you don't care for quality)My recommendation... Buy a Canon 70-200 L instead (even the f/4 will blow this lens away)
I do landscape and wildlife photography and this does a beautiful job of getting me closer than the birds would allow.
I got this lens purely based on price.  I wanted a zoom lens that I didn't have to be too paranoid about.  This lense does blur at 300mm but I expected that.  I use it as a close range telephoto lens, something to get a little closer to the action and not worry about a 2k lense getting ruined.  If you bought this for sports you  should have known better.  Its a good starter lense to learn what you need as well.  If you're starting out, pick up this lens so you can learn more about telephoto and then drop top dollar on what you really do need.  Hope this helps.
Does everything it should. Does not have image stableazation. Great for close up shots. I use it for wildlife and close up shots.
Great Buy. At first i thought I was getting a peace of junk. I have tested this camera several times a day. I have found it to be very usefull for targets that are a little ways out there. I have gone to Freeport, Bahamas and took great pictures with this lens. I am kindaa new to this lens. I have liked taking picture since I was 14 years old and now my hobbie is Photography!
The price was right when I bought this lens. I have seen this lens upwards of $200. Everything works great. Get great results from using it.
This lens is simply amazing! It has amazing focus along with zoom! I find its great for taking night star pictures! Nothing like an amazing lens that takes amazing pictures!
I didn't want a crazy big, bulky lens to carry around and get good pictures with. This thing is nice as small and works perfectly for what I need.
This item was great quality, shipped very fast and was exactly as described. For the price it was a excellent deal and is great quality.
It zooms in in perfect quality and never breaks. This lens is great for far away photos, and is awesome.
I recently got into birding and bought a high end pair of binoculars which provide awesome views. Identifying the birds I encounter takes time to learn and remembering the details for what you see and then going through a field guide to find them can be very tricky. Consequently, I quickly decided I need a longer lens than the 135 I owned, and decided that 300mm would work well enough(although who wouldn't want the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM for a measly $6000 if given half the chance?).Since I wasn't looking to create fine art but simply wanted a clear representation of what I was looking at, I decided an economic lens would be sufficient. My other lenses are all red circles but in this case I felt it would not be necessary to drop a bundle to achieve what I need to achieve, so I bought the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM. I was not disappointed. For the extremely cheap price I put out, I got a lens which focused easily and quickly on my 5D. I don't know why some people say that it focuses slowly, but that is not my experience. Hand holding the lens I soon discovered that I had to run the ISO up to get quicker shutter speeds, since extreme sharpness was not happening. That helped, but images were still soft in the shade. A tripod and using A-Servo focus helped considerably.In good sunlight when I can use a middle level ISO, like 400 - 800, and get shutter speeds over 1/300th, using a tripod, I find that the results are quite nice, better than you  might expect from a lens of this price. In less optimum conditions there is the higher ISO and lower shutter speed to deal with, so if the bird isn't very very still it is unlikely to get jaw dropping sharpness. However, when all is said and done, what I do get is more than sufficient to provide me with all the information I need to make an identification. And sometimes, I am surprised to see a really lovely, nicely sharp photo emerge.The lens is lightweight, easy to carry around, seems very happy with my 5D (working smoothly, focusing quickly) and even looks pretty nice :-). I say it does the job well and gets 5 stars not because it is as good as its high end cousins, but because it is what it is expected to be, exactly and with no argument. I don't expect that any other lens in this price range will perform as well for me as this one does.
Of course... That are better lens than this one...But for the price... It's quite a nice lens...Whoever is looking at this one, is because want's a TELE to take some snaps with your dSRL...Extreme Photographers may not like these ones.. Many adjectives might be said... Slow (focus and F), Bulky, etc...But I am pleased with when using it on outdoor pics... If you are thinking about using it on indoor pictures, better have a tripod and also use a high ISO, specially at 300mm.the USM on it play it's role and I don't think it is slow as I have seen in some other reviews around here..But, for the price I paid and with my Rebel XT, and again, if you are looking for a good TELE lens, I would recomend it, but be aware that is has it's limitations...
Es un lente complejo, es econ&oacute;mico, la construcci&oacute;n es solida, los resultados son descentes con buena luz, pero con poca luz es muy deficiente, pues no es muy luminoso, se debe tener muy buen pulso o utilizar un tripode. ultimamene lo estoy combinando con unos lentes macro que se colocan frente al lente, son como lupas y he tenido resultados interesantes.Lo he usado en el rango de los 70mm a los 200 mm para retrato y da buenos resultados, m&aacute;s de 250mm ya no es bueno el resultado.Olviden usarlo en esposiciones de 1/30 o 1/40, la falta de estabilizador se siente mucho, y las fotos salen subesxpuestas, adem&aacute;s no enfoca muy r&aacute;pido. si esta pensando en un lente de este ranfgo, creo que le vendr&iacute;a mejor un 55-250 que viene con estabilizador de im&aacute;gen y esta por el mismo rango de precio, y si tiene buen presupuesto, les recomiendo el fijo 300 de la serie L, de lo mejor de canon.
I am very pleased with the lens.I found that sometimes I would like even a more powerful zoom but all in all it has been great - I can get much "closer" shots.I do not have other lenses to compare to except a Signm Iabout the same range0 which I was given but which does have auto zoom which does not work with my camera so it has to be manual -- so was not being used, and still is not.I was pleased to see the fantastic price that I got this Canon lens for.
Tried to get Target to match the price, and they couldn't come close.  I wanted a good quality zoom for my Canon, and this was the one that caught my eye, and I'm glad I went with this one.  Compare the quality and cost, and this is a good choice.
It's light weight and easy to use.  I wish the manual focus ring had marks, especially for infinity.  It's pictur quality is nice.
While this lens does not include image stabilization like some of the far more expensive lenses for the Canon, it covers a very useful range of focal lengths; the autofocus works well and quickly; it's relatively compact and light, works under fairly dim lighting conditions and is very convenient to carry around with the camera and its base lens, and is a reasonable price for a real Canon lens.
I am thrilled with this zoom lens!  Since I want high quality wildlife shots, this is perfect for my needs.  I have some difficulty with it auto-focusing, but when it does, it is a beautiful shot.
I am an amateur photographer with my first SLR camera.  I needed a telephoto lens to take on a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area recently.  I wanted something to get better skyline and shoreline photos.  This lens did not let me down.  I took some beautiful photos with this lens.  It is easy for an amateur like me to use.  I am glad I chose this particular lens.
I am on a budget college student who picked an expensive hobby! I've been looking for a decent zoom lense for an offordable price for awhile and decided to give this one a shot.  I can honestly say that I am not at all disapointed.  Although you cant compare it to a $500-700 lense with IS ;look at the price.  If you are on budget like me and looking for a decent lense, this one will get the job done.  I found that at 300mm it get a little blury if you dont use the tripod, but still this lense give an exceptional images.  I love to go to a park and sneak up on birds, very happy with the quality.  I hope my experience help some of you.  My advice is do a little research because what is good for other people maynot be right for you.  Happy shooting!
If you are starting out with a SLR camera, this is a good Telephoto lens to get your feet wet before you drain your bank account on a more detailed lens.
Great lens for the money. I've used it to take H.S. basketball pics and the lens zooms in really well.
For a zoom lens 75-300mm I expected a much heavier pruduct.  This lens is light weigt, reducing camera waggle to a bare minimum.  I'm saving up to get a 500 mm.
I really love this lens.  I didn't really know much about cameras before getting my latest Canon T2i and this lens. I know it is 75mm-300mm, but I didn't realize you had to be 5 ft away to get a decent close-up shot; more my fault.  Otherwise, this lens has a great zoom capability and it's easy to operate.
I see a lot of bad reviews on this lens. I honestly can't see why. If I can capture a squirrel in tall grass 50 feet away, hand held, overcast and in the resulting image I can count the hairs on the squirrels face. The hairs are sub-pixel sized. In other words the lens out performed the sensor. There isn't any thing wrong with the lens. The auto focus selected the subject of the image, not the grass and quickly focused it. Even at full zoom the aperture was sufficient to shoot hand held at ISO400, under cloudy skies. So it's not image stabilized ... Boo Hoo! It also doesn't cost as much as a stabilized lens. You can buy a pretty nice tripod for the price difference between this lens and a stabilized one. Can you get better glass for less, maybe. You can also spend a lot more money and not do better. So unless you are a pro shooting in fast paced environments this lens will do fine. If you are a pro why are you looking at an entry level lens?Something else to consider is that the USM, IS version of this lens is really the same glass in a fancier can and three times the price. If you want the bells and whistles go for it. The best value is here in the cheap seats.
If you want a long lens at a cheap price, I guess this is your ticket.  If you care enough about photography to own a DSLR, though, you might not like the results.I was shooting all my telephoto shots on the Canon 70-200 4.0 (excellent lens), but wanted something a bit longer to shoot surfers from the beach.  I bought this and went to test it on swimmers at a triathlon.  The sharpness (lack of) is just nasty, even with full sun and high shutter speeds.  Obvious color fringing around edges.  For shallow depth-of-field shots, background blur isn't particularly pleasing.I love Canon, but mostly this lens will be dedicated to Mexico trips...and I won't be heartbroken if it gets stolen.
I was expecting the images taken at a distance to be a bit fuzzy around the edges but have been pleasantly surprised.  The construction seems to be sturdy enough.
typical canon lens awesome use great pics, good low light, and animals looking for more as well and now one
The lens is just fine. I need to keep working on my skills before I could really review it. I got it in part of a package deal.
Canon EF Lenses Have A Built In AF Motor..Compared To Camera Body-Based AF Motors, Lens-Based Motors Have Driving Energy With Lower Transmission Loss...The AF Operation Is Therefore Quick, Quiet, And Highly Precise...All EF Lenses Also Have EMD (Electromagnetic Diaphragm) To Control The Aperture Electronically...The Aperture Can Be Set Either With An Electronic Dial Or With The Electronic Pulse Signal Sent According To The Exposure Reading...The Aperture Control Is Therefore Precise And Umnatched...To Go With Canon's Reputation, They Introduce A Lens That Is Truely Immaculate...Its Telephoto Zoom From 75mm-300mm Is A Great Addition To A Current Setup With A 28-80mm Lens And Is Ideal For Shooting Sports, Wildlife, Or Portraits...It Can Compress An Image To Give Dramatic Effects...The Optics And Construction Are Compact And Lightweight (Compared To My Nikon FM Setup) And The 4x Zoom Is Great...A Very Steady Shot Even At Maximum Zoom...The Apature Stops Are Adaquate, Being f4-f5.6, But Could Be Wider...All In All An Awesome Lens For The Money...Another Canon Hit...The Lens Is The Same As The EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III, However It Uses A USM To Drive The Autofocus Rather Than A DC Motor...*Specs Taken From Canon's Catalogue...
If you're new to photography: This is a great telephoto lens for the beginning photographer. If you're new to photography and want to zoom lens this I don't think is a bad place to start. The f-stops aren't superlow but it will still work and if you're in the beginning stages of photography you'll just want to have a lens you can practice on. Another thing to note is the glass and this is not the greatest glass (the quality of the glass really affects the clarity of your pictures) is not a Canon L lens by any stretch but again it's good enough for the basic beginning photographer. And it only $150 at the time of writing this review it's good.You should always buy a UV filter to protect the glass. This in my opinion is the one thing everybody who purchases an expensive lens should do. UV filters don't affect the photographs you take but it's a layer of plastic between the scratchable glass and the world around you. It's a MUST BUY.This is another great lens for about $100 more:Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens for Canon SLR CamerasThis is a better lens and I recommend this one over the 70-300mmIf you're more advanced: If you're not new to photography and you're looking for something with better picture quality and faster motors (ultrasonic motors aid in the autofocus process) then this lens is probably the one you want to get but it costs over $500 at the time of this review. It also has image stabilization which helps in low light environments.Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR CamerasAnother option you might want to consider is this lens here:Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasit's a Canon L series and while it only has a 200 mm max zoom it has a constant 4 f-stop which allows for faster frame rates on all zoom levels. plus the glasses just better and it has watertight construction. the only real drawback to this lens is that it's over $600 but again it's really high quality.I have purchased all three of these lenses and my favorite is the the 70-200 mm Canon L lens it's just such a nice lens (plus you look really bad ass using it)If you have any questions feel free to leave a question here and I'll get back to youThanks for reading
This lens without I.S. is useless without a tripod. There is no way to hold it steady at this magnification. I did have it on a tripod for what I was shooting and it Produced beautiful results.
For the price this is an ok zoom lens. I'm left wanting an image-stabilized lens though because i have found it difficult to get consistently good results with this lens without the constant use of a tripod. I have years of slr photography experience and a very steady hand, I can get clear shots at 1/20th of a second with a 50mm focal length. With this lens, its difficult even at 1/200th of a second, which is about an average exposure time for this lens in daylight at 100-200 ISO. The lens is also slow to autofocus and somewhat inaccurate, causing some photos to come out slightly blurry. If you really have to have a zoom lens now and can't afford an IS lens, this one's not a bad choice. But if you can wait, save your money and get an IS lens with faster focusing and better optics. You'll be glad you did.
Been using this for a while and it still works great. The zoom is awesome and works great for long distance shots.
Good for its price but if you are not on budget I recomend investing in a better lens such as a sigma.
Have had some good pics with it. The USM is super helpful. The only thing is that it's a little more difficult to use in lower light settings.
Have not really used it as of yet....But cant wait to start.....Hopefully it performs well as many have giving the lense great reviews.....I will let you know later the results....!!!!
Canon really only has one difinitive brand that indicates pro and that's their "L" classicication. That said, you can tell by holding the lenses that they really have more gradients between quality than L and non-L. For instance, I love my 28-135mm IS USM lens and it seems that they spend a great deal more time building quality lenses for the ones recieving either a USM focusing motor, or that in combination with their really good IS image stabilization. By feel alone, you can tell which lenses are really the cheap lenses. This lens is a cheap lens.It's not well put together, and though ~$200 isn't exactly peanuts, it's not going to get you a good 300mm lens as I've found out. People talk about the sharpness but unfairly, they compare it to the sharpness between the 28-135mm USM IS. That lens when wide open at 135mm isn't L lens or even $70 50mm 1.8/f levels of sharp, but it's definately not lagging behind too bad. Shots at virtually any focal length on this lens have noticable chromatic aberrations, huge flairs, and the sharpness is definately not up to snuff. You have to be ~5ft away for it to focus, which it does very slowly, and the lack of IS becomes apparent even at relatively fast shutter speeds.I bought this lens at Best Buy and I will be returning it because it takes weak pictures, focuses slowly, and like my other budget lens, the afformentioned 50mm 1.8/f, I suspect it'll be unusable in no time from the horrible build quality. (The 50mm prime takes GREAT pics but I've got dust on the inner elements and I've only used it 4 or so times, and it's been in my bag with the caps on every other moment.I'm no pro, but I could tell that this lens is a lemon.
This is my favorite lens I own; one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's so much easier and more fun when using this lens to get up really close. I think the quality of the lens is great too.Just know, that it won't be great indoors because the lighting gets off; it's best for outdoor activities.
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is a great lens. It takes sharp pictures and is very easy to use. I highly recommend this lens.
I only use Canon lenses. I trust the quality and accuracy. This lens is no exception. It is easy to use, easy to adjust and brings in beautiful pictures. This one is especially good for long distance objects like the moon or mountains.
Bought my husband a Canon DSLR for Christmas and added on this lens for his birthday.  He loves both!  The lens is easier to use than he was given to understand by various reviews.  He found it to be very stable.  He had used a telephoto lens with his old Canon (non-digital).  In fact, I didn't think he would ever switch from film to digital.  But, he loves it!  Wonderful camera - he's a big Canon fan.  Wonderful telephoto lens.  Would recommend highly.
I bought my 75-300mm from Amazon in late March and it arrived 3 days later to an address specified in New York City. It is superbly weighted - not too heavy to make the camera feel unbalanced when mounted; also not too heavy to make your camera bag unwieldy when in transit.The USM (ultra-silent motor) is super-quick and also, as the name suggests, super-quiet. I prefer to have matched (ie Canon instead of Tamron or Sigma) lenses for my Canon camera, which is why I opted for this one instead of a cheaper equivalent and I have not been disappointed. Local sales guys in photography stores here in Cape Town, South Africa where I live unanimously recommend the Canon lenses as currently best in the world - in fact, it was them who suggested I opt for a Canon camera instead of a Pentax for an equivalent price - and so far, I am inclined to agree, having experimented with a Pentax and its zoom lens.The zoom length puts it into range for subjects which may be a little too far to frame properly with a standard lens; or for subjects which may not be easy to approach ie a sportsman during a game, a bird up a tall tree, or even a lion on the Serengeti catching some sun.In all, this is probably the best price you will get for this lens from a reputable retailer, and the lens itself is truly superb. There is a cheaper option (approx $20 difference) for the same lens with a DC motor instead of the USM  mark III; it is noisier, but the image quality is identical since they carry the same optics.The lens comes with a warranty from Canon, as well as a front and rear dust cover cap; the 58mm diameter makes it suitable for all add-ons/filters you may have for an existing standard (28-90mm or 35-80mm) lens.
This is a good lens but, with the built-in zoom on my camera, I didn't really need it.  It may just be that I need more experience with cameras and lenses before going for something like this.
I use this on my canon rebel t1i it is great for that far away shot,You cant go wrong and at 99.00 dollars a great deal.
Much better than I thought it would be, pretty dang happy with this lens so far!No real complaints!It feels solid and not cheapo, the focus is faster than I thought it would be and takes nice pictures of birds quickly.I thought I'd have to use a slow shutter speed to make up for the weak Fstop but that's not really been the case so far, I use it all outside, (why would you need such a big zoom inside?) and its worked great, I can generally use a fast shutter speed and catch whatever I need to.
I have used this lens nearly everyday for over a year now, mainly taking sports and wildlife photos, and since it has been my first lens, I have come to love it. The lens is great in good sun light, BUT once the sun goes down, you are screwed. I shoot with a Digital Rebel, and this lens with indoor sports at ISO 1600 ain't pretty. The lens has taken a lot of heat on the web for slow focusing and being soft at 300mm - hard to argue this. The lens is amazingly sharp when you're at around 100mm, but the longer you reach, the less sharp it becomes, and that can be bad news if you're shooting something in the distance and plan to crop heavily (outfielders, birds etc). But if you're like me and can't afford a ridiculous $5,000 lens, this one will make you happy, for the cost and abilities, it is well worth it's price. Would I sell it after buying a better lens? Probably not -- it is light and easy to carry. Play to this lens' strengths and you'll get some nice results. I have the hood and don't see any noticeable differences. I took a few shots once with the IS version and didn't notice much of a difference either. Not everyone can be Mr. f/2.8
We are by far professional photographers, but for the most part I liked the lens. We wanted something we could zoom a bit more than with what the Digital Rebel came with and it does great!My only problem is that if I want to take a close up pic I have to switch back to the original lens. There is probably a reason for this that I am unaware of. Minor inconvienience for great zoom capability.
I shoot sports. I bought this lens because I understand that the USM model is supposed to be quicker and quieter focusing than the "lesser" model 75-300mm. However, I dont see what the extra money is for. I paid $200 for the regular model and it was working fine for the price and I got decent shots from it. I bought the USM model last week and its just horrible. The first time i put it on it felt like the treads weren't meant for each other. They felt like they were grinding. Then I tried some test shots to see how good it was supposed to be. The auto-focus is ATROCIOUS. It searches for a non-moving object that's centre-frame. Its agonisingly slower than the "lesser" model. Mind you, I did only pay $30 more for the USM model. I thought that the problem might be my camera. (I was using a 1100D(T3). I borrowed my Coaches camera which is a 650D (T4i) and its just as bad. I don't get it. It seems i paid $30 more for a worse lens and a bit of USM badges an  yellow paint. I just have to know has anyone had as bad of an experience as i have had. If no then at least I can try again with some confidence. Please comment.
I own the 55-250 IS and I've been using it for a while. I borrowed this lens the other day just to test it, and it was terrible in comparison. Soft, no IS, noticeable chromatic aberration over 230mm. It is better than it's predecessor (the II) but still not a good lens. go for the 55-250 and you won't regret it.
I bought this lens (used) from adorama/via amazon (E+) for only $104.00. That's anoutstanding price! And when adorama.com says "excellent condition",they mean it! This lens was in new/mint condition. I'll buy my next lensfrom adorama without a doubt. I bought this lens to replace my 80-200zoom for I wanted greater range. Many reviews state that at the high-endthis lens isn't quality. I beg to differ. I've taken many photos atthe 300mm setting (hand held) and seen crisp, clear and amazing results.For the price, it's an outstanding lens. The build quality is greaterthan my former 80-200mm because it seems more solid and has a metalmount.I give it a 4 out of 5 for sure. It's not the USM so it's slower tofocus. But I own other USM lenses and I can't tell a major difference.That's why I opted to try this lens out. She's a keeper....
I think this lens has gotten a bad rap simply because most people misunderstand its intended use.  If you're looking to get this lens, chances are that you've just bought an entry-level Canon EOS kit (like a Rebel XS or something comparable) and are now looking to move to the next step.  This is a good "next step" lens.  No, this is not a top-of-the-line telephoto lens.  However, if you just want a simple telephoto that is inexpensive but will get the job done, this is a good lens.  It's a good lens for capturing faraway subjects (like birds and other animals) without having to get too close, but doing this takes practice (with ANY lens).For the money you spend, this is a good, durable lens.  It attaches easily to a Canon mount, and it returns good-quality images.  One of the drawbacks to this lens is that the AF servos are a bit sluggish; since most people use this lens for photographing animals, this can be problematic.  However, as with any SLR lens, this lens can be focused manually.  Although this lens is considerably heavier than a typical 18-55mm lens, it is still lightweight compared to most telephotos.  The zoom is very easy and quick to use, which will be helpful for bird photography.  One use that I have found for this lens is that it is excellent for pet photography if you have outdoor pets.If you're in the Amazon trying to photograph the ruby-throated, only-ten-left-in-the-entire-world hummingbird for National Geographic, then you'll probably want to go buy a more upscale lens.  However, if you just want a simple and inexpensive lens that you can use to sit on your porch and take a picture of the gold finch sitting on your bird feeder, this is a good lens and a great value.
Nice affordable lense in adequate lighting or with a good strong flash.  Fast silent auto-focus.
JMRJMR provided our used Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens.  It was as described and shipped in a timely manner.  I have used my Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens successfully from the day it arrived.  JMRJMR saved my the cost of a new Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens providing a good used Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens that works as well as a new Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens .  Thank you for my Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens
it didn't have a image stabilizer I wish I saw that.  BUT other than that it was a great lens!
I bought this lens as an add-on for the EOS Rebel T3i camera, which allowed me to apply a $150 discount. For an entry-level DSLR lens, I found it to be fantastic, especially considering how little I paid. After my initial use, I've found the lens to be well-constructed and works flawlessly with the T3i.Some of the comments are concerned about the autofocus noise, but so far I haven't found this to be an issue. There are more expensive lenses that will certainly be quieter, but not at this price point.
We were going on vacation to Florida and needed a new lens.  Went to the only source we feel confidant in online shopping compared prices and made this purchase at an awesome price.  We rec. it in a couple days as promised just in time for our trip. The product was new in original box and undamaged.  Flawless.  It was a great lense. Highly recommend it if you are not ready to make those HUGE investments on the other lenses.  The only thing we had any trouble with is the lense fogging really bad going from inside to outside in the heat and humidity.  I new it was not a weather sealed lense, so no surprise.  I did miss a few good shots of some beautiful Dolphins but this was my fault for not putting the lense in a place to acclimate it to the weather conditions long enough before using it.  Overall I give it a great review.
It is a very fast focusing lens.  I used it at a soccer game and got Great shots.
Now a wide angle lens would complete my needs.  Im having a lot of fun taking photos with this lens.  It was affordable and suits my needs for close-ups.
The clarity on this lense is really nice. I used it for a work function and everyone keeps commenting on the quality of the photos. Very good purchase for the price.
I believe I wrote a review on this lens, the only thing that it said was I would receive a UV lens with the order, and never did. Lately on amazon, a few of these little promises have been overlooked, or just forgotten. This is letting me down and making me wonder why I give this outfit so much business. Lets get it together boys, your gonna loose a customer.
Very quick delivery and it was better by far than the one I had and broke.
But I've really enjoy this product. The only thing its lacking is IS, but for the price it's really great. I'm just beginning and using a canon rebel t1i and it's a great compliment to the standard lens. I've had so much fun with it already and I'm really excited to continue to use it. Not the best in low lighting, but if you use a tripod that's not a big issue.All in all, if you're a beginner like me and trying to figure out what you like so that when you get serious you know what products to spend big on, this is definitely a great lens to start with.
i have two small-ish scrapes/scratches on the lens. so far it doesn't seem to bother the image yet. but i'm not happy about them.
This lens seems to not work well with my camera and I really don't know what the problem is as it does not take good pictures when I attach it to my camera.
For amateur photography is enough. Autofocus sometimes is slow and the moment is lost, but no big deal. For outdoor photography, not having the IS, is not an issue, as the shutter speed is high.  Might upgrade it in the future.
I don't understand people who give this lens a low-rating and compare it to other telephoto lenses that cost $3000 and up.  There's no comparison at all.  For under $200, its a quality item.  Just be aware that its a $200 lens and you get what you pay for.  The glass is clear and the action is firm and smooth.  When attached to my XSi hanging around my neck, the lens doesn't slide out to full extension like other telephotos I've used -- thats what I mean when I say the action is firm.  By smooth, I mean it doesn't hang up, stutter or slip mid-zoom.  At 300mm, you will need a very steady hand or a tripod.  Also, don't make the mistake of thinking this is a macro lens.  You will not be able to focus on near objects with this lens.  If you're an amateur or beginner and need some quality range on a shoestring, its worth a try.  If you're like me and do alot of outdoors shooting and don't want to worry about banging up expensive glass, then this is a must-have.  For $200, I'll take this lens anywhere with no fear of breaking an expensive accessory.I'll try to post some objective pictures showing the range and quality of the lens.  Most of the pictures I saw posted didn't really give a good idea of what to expect.  Instead people posted pictures of their kitty-cats, kids or flowers, as if thats helpful in making a buying decision...
This was purchased to replace my old &#34;identical&#34; (scratched) lens.  Shipped fast & price was excellent! This is a good multi-purpose zoom lens!
Provides a good basic addition to the lens collection that can be used for everyday school sporting events as well as other outdoor activities requiring some distance from the action.
price is right - zoom has a bit of a sticky drag.  this ain't your old metal fd lens, but for a consumer lens with a consumer camera, it works just fine.  i would buy it again over a higher priced lens - no other discernable flaws.
The operation of the lens is spectacular and the cost is very low. The quality of the photos I can take now is great. An excellent product.
This was my first EF telephoto lens when I transitioned to DSLR over five years ago. The first copy I got was part of my EOS 20D kit and it was a dud. Its AF was broken. I exchanged it afterwards. I didn't use it a lot. The only time I used this lens extensively was in Santa Cruz shooting the Monarch butterflies hanging off the trees. Overall, the picture quality coming out of this lens was not that bad. It 's just soft and you do need a tripod as this lens is quite slow. It would definitely help with IS. There are certainly more room for improvement. When Canon introduced the EFS 55-250mm, I quickly replaced the EF75-300mm with that, and it was a day and night difference. I don't know why Canon still continues to produce it. Although it is full frame compatible, I don't think anyone wants to use it on a 1D or 5D. It just doesn't make sense. Get the EFS 55-250mm instead. It's not that more expensive. You gain a UD glass element and IS. Picture quality is a lot better, and you 'll be a lot more happier.
There are no professionals or would-be professional  photographers in our house.  Instead we are ametuers who love to get fun shots of our friends and family.  We're not particularly interested in birds, flowers, bugs, race cars, etc.  We want to catch our kids doing what they love best; football, basketball, swimming, band, golf...My only advantage is that I am very experienced with Adobe Photoshop, which lets me creatively salvage some less-than-perfect shots.This year our son is a high-school senior.  Instead of buying an expensive portrait package, we voted to spend the money on a Canon Digital Rebel XT kit (with lens).  We choose one extra zoom lense (the 75-300mm f4-5.6 III USM Telephoto) for up-close action sports shots.  We didn't chose the IS lens because it was out of our price range.We are having great fun with this camera and lens.  We have already taken a variety of football game pictures using the 'basic' sports setting on the camera (burst mode at full zoom).  They are great - crisp and clear.  These have been taken in full sun.  We realize that we'll have to get a little more creative when we are taking pictures in lower light situations.  But I think we can do it.I would recommend this lens for anyone who just wants to capture some fun shots.  They might not be professional quality, but they are just what we wanted.
I have taken some excellent images with this lens, I use it almost every day. The only thing that irks me, and it may be me, but too often, the auto-focus over shoots the target and looses focus at the least opportune times... but overall I am happy with it's capabilities.
On a tight budget when I purchased my dRebel almost two years ago - this lens looked very attractive. Since owning it for two years - it seems to go further and further to the back of my equipment bag - and not taken in my backpack at all unless the climate is too harsh for my more expensive lenses.In fairness to the product - it is very GOOD for what it cost and how it is designed. It makes no pretension to be anything other than an AF f5.6 >75-300mm&lt; telephoto. The construction has remained solid - the zoom (fairly stiff or tight when new)sometimes makes funny noises from grit lodged in the 'nether regions' of the lens barrel (I am a defense contractor who travels to some pretty rotten climates). Dust and dirt do not seem to be a serious problem with regular maintenance of brush and blower around the rotating parts of the lens barrel.Things I enjoyed with this purchase:1. Light weight, solid construction2. Acceptable optical quality in sunny outdoor use3. Accepts the same filters (58mm) as my dRebel kit lens4. Affordable for those on a tight budget5. Compatible with the dRebel autofocus and auto exposure system6. Expendable (if something bad happens) in harsh climates7. Draws absolutely no attention from customs inspectors, (or anyone looking to steal your stuff) when clearing security at ports of entry or return. Clears airport security without manual inspection.Unsatisfactory/annoying qualities that quickly became evident:1. f4-5.6 limited my use indoors or low light. Plan to spend much time in Photoshop to save your pictures2. Length of lens made it unusable with the dRebel pop-up flash (lens shadow). Immediate purchase of a 420EX Speedlight ($177+ see my review) cured this problem3. Front focus rotating lens element limited my filter choices to UV (haze) filter only4. Annoyingly SLOW auto focus5. Tripod is almost manditory with lower shutter speeds (see f4- 5.6 limits). The 1.6x magnification factor when seated to the dRebel brings the focal length out to over 450mm making off tripod use risky* Use of a BGE-1 battery grip ($100+ see my review) with this lens - lowers camera center of gravity-extra counter-weight makes lens use less stressful.Good price - fair optics - limited overall performance. Limits for the serious photographer make one want to look elsewhere. SIGMA has superior product in this price category, as well as the house brand at Ritz/Wolf Camera chains-while the discriminating photographer who has the resources should look seriously at Canon's "L" series (as I've done) or 'IS' series as suggested by other experienced reviewers.
I'm just an amateur. I admittedly have not taken a lot of photos with this lens, but the ones that I have taken have turned out fairly nice.I'm starting to take more outdoors photos, so having a lens like this was important to get a closer view of things that happen to be far away. It does the job. I should update the review when I've used it more often.
An older zoom telephoto but still does a good job.  Does not have the USM quiet motor, and of course, no stabilization but still a good buy if you use a tripod for your long shots.
i haven't gotten to REALLY put this lens to the test but from what i have shot so far, this seems to be a great option if you want a long lens for a low price.
I bought this lens for my wife as she is trying to get her own photography business going, and she needed a more telephoto lens.  According to her this lens has worked perfectly for her, and she has gotten some great shots with it.  Camera base is a canon EOS 10d.
for the price this is a very good lens, i've used it numerous times and i'm very satisfied with it
This was a great purchase at $150.  I bought it to shoot amateur pictures of family at youth football games.  The images are sharp across the football field on a sunny day, I use the Canon monopod and recommend it.  It's 75-300mm so I have to switch out lenses to take pictures of people standing close to me.  There was a 28-200mm lens but it was much more expensive and I like having the extra zoom.
I've gave myself this lens a long time ago (2001). At the time, I shot with an "analogic" (read film) Canon camera. I was not satisfied with the picture quality I could get from this lens, specially above 200mm. But most of the times I could blame myself ("Hum... I probably didn't hold it steady enough").On 2005 I got my first digital SLR (theCanon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver)) and, man, how bad the pictures taken with this lens really where! Now, being able to look at the specs ("So... the shutter speed was right on this shot, after all! 1/1000 should be steady enough! But, still, the picture looks soft (unsharp)!") and reviewing pictures right after taking then *proved* that the problem were the lens, not me! :-) Moreover, this lens would take forever to focus.I used to think on the people that "just use L quality lens" as snobs, people with more money than reason. That is not the case here. It is a complete waste of money to get this particular lens. I now have theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras(~3 times more expansive) and I do regret all pictures I've taken (missed, in the end...) with the 75-300mm. There is no DxO software able to save them... :-(Sure, I would love to be able to afford something like theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand the few experiences I've got with it have shown that it is way, way better than myCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras. But there is a (lower) picture quality threshold Canon should never cross. And the 75-300mm is bellow it. Period.
This lens is a popular entry level zoom.  For the money you get a pretty big zoom range and ok quality in good light.  For a little more you can get the EF 100-300 f/4.5-5.6.  The 100-300 features ring-type USM which allows full-time manual focus--that means you can adjust the focus manually without switching to manual mode.  Also the focus is quicker and quieter without rotating or extending the front element so the use of circular polarizers is easier.If you can afford the extra money, I would recommend the 100-300 as a budget telephoto zoom.  If not, this one is ok but not good.
These lenses have an inherent problem.  All of a sudden you get a message that the lense can not communicate with the camera, ( Clean your contacts ) well clean your contacts all you want it will not fix the problem.  The problem is internal in the lense.  The good news is you can send the camera off to Canon with an estimate repair cost of about $ 130 dollars, the bad news for a few dollars more you can buy a new one.  Bottom line do not buy this lense buy a better one for a few hundred dollars more, in the end you will get much better pictures and it will work much longer then the year mine did.
this is a good lens.. wish it was an efs, so much easier to shoot with.. have to have a steady hand or tripod to shoot with this one.. not a lens for a beginner..
Great for all sorts of stuff, especially at taking pictures. Haven't used it for a game of toss yet. Word.
I have been long over due for adding a new zoom to my camera collection. Love the lense and waiting to see the results of my first shots!
It is a good product, BUT I should have kept saving money and buy the $500 75-300mm telephoto for photographing college baseball.
Pictures in low light conditions were not that good, pictures at mid-range were ok, I could take better portraits with it than zoom shots.My cousin dropped it once(rolled off the car seat); the drop broke off the AF/MF button. I have still been able to use it though it has trouble auto focussing.
My wife was impressed and I thought I did a good job researching and picking it.  Takes great pictures.  A tripod is a must for this lens because it will be blurry if you try to focus and hold it steady.  I am not a photographer, I just like taking pictures.  I went on a few sites and found Amazon had the best price by far.  Good luck.  This is a good quality lens and it totally blew the wife away.  Looks like I spent big bucks when I didn't.  The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the zoom lens has its limitations.  You can't see as far as I would have like to.  I see the birds clearly from across the yard which is about 180 feet from one end to the other.  I wish I could see further but every lens has its limitations.  I really can't complain because it does what it says and furthermore it is my wife's toy now.  I will now have to get my own which will probably be a bit stronger power but I say get it for the beginner if that's what you do.  You will always be able to sell it or trade it for something larger when that time comes and you outgrow it. I don't know technical specs, I just know how to point and shoot.  Anybody who can assist me with it can send me a email.  I appreciate your help.  G
I am very new to premium photography and ordered lense to get pictures of ball game on field from stands. I think for the price this lense does a good but being a newbie I niavely expected more, but now realize that I would have to get into the 1000.00 dollar lenses for what I expected. It is great for getting getting close across a room or getting a closeup from a considerable distance. I will make a new photographer feel like a pro.
I've been using this with my new Rebel XS since Christmas, taking lots of pics at the dog park. The shots come out sharp, clear, and colorful. This includes plenty of action shots of dogs running and playing.The auto-focus works fast, and is quite accurate. I doubt if the USM version of this lens is worth the extra money. In fact, I just got the Canon 55-250 IS, and I find the auto-focus to be faster and more accurate on this less-expensive 75-300 lens. Unfortunately, it does lack IS, so it may not do well using hand-held in low-light situations. But, it absolutely rocks using it hand-held in outdoor sunlight.The build quality seems quite good, with a nice, solid look and feel. The zoom ring isn't as fluid as much more expensive lenses. But, that is to be expected.Overall, an excellent value, especially for Rebel users. After all, do you really want to spend more for your telephoto zoom lens than you paid for your body/lens kit in the first place? If you have a high-end EOS model, then you should certainly spring for an L-series lens. But, for a Rebel, this guy does the trick, and does it well.
This arrived in good condition, and I have already used it.  I am pleased with the lens, and look forward to more use in the upcoming days now that Spring is here.
Unfortunately, I only have bad experience with this lens.it lacks IS to be a decent lens; all the pictures I got with this lens were blurry. While zooming in at 300mm, you gotta shoot at 1/300 or faster to avoid fuzzy image (if shooting w/o tripod) right? Well, how can you do it if the max aperture at 300 mm is only 5.6? Only on a bright cloudless day. What are the chances that ALL of your images you will be taken on a bright sunny day?Or you can use a tripod for all your images.One good thing is, the lens is rather fast when auto focusing.I ended up selling it on craigslist.
I guess you can't ask for everything from a $200 lens.I have no objections to, and it handles exactly as expected, as far usability goes. Ease of use, focusing, weight, everything is fine with me.The problem is picture quality / sharpness. It's easy to see "artifacts" for really bright objects, where there will be "ghost" images of the object in each channel, R/G/B, slightly offset. It's not dramatic, and if you don't go pixel hunting, you probably won't notice, but still - if you want perfect picture quality, this lens is not good enough for a 550D (18MP, 1.6x crop factor sensor). But then again, if you want perfect picture quality, spend a bit more on the lenses you use.Other than that, it's perfectly acceptable, maybe even really good for the price, it's just that it did not blow me away with perfect picture quality.
If you like to shoot people in their everyday postures, or wildlife without their noticing you, this is the lens for you. It is fast and quiet, and delivers sharp images. Used in conjunction with a 2X teleconverter it becomes quite the &#34;scope&#34; for your camera. It has no IS feature, but I have not found that to be an issue, due to the fact that it's better to shut that function off while using a tripod. For the price, it out-performs the more expensive fancy models and weighs less doing it.
I am just an amateur photographer and this telephoto lens is really helpful for portrait or scenic pictures.
I bought this lens used with the intent of using it my school's sporting events. Without IS (image stabilization) the pictures come out blurry under certain circumstances, this annoys me but I have compensated. The zoom on the other hand is amazing, and what pictures that do come out look stunning. If you plan on using this lens for sports please consider the lens that is a step up which is the Canon EF 75-300MM F4-5.6 III (IS) Telephoto zoom lens. That lens includes the Image Stabilizer I mentioned earlier. If you plan on using this in full sun or with flash then this is a great lens. I will probably end up using my tripod instead of investing in another lens, because under other conditions this lens rocks!
Great lens. Excellent performance on my Canon Rebel XT camera. I strongly recommend this lens.Gordon Padwick
I was looking for a cheap lens that I could buy to go along with my Canon EOS 10D (which was also cheap). I am in high school but I am not in the school's photography class. My friend and I went out to take pictures and she showed them to her photo teacher and he liked mine better than he liked hers! He said that all the pictures I took were way less blurry than my friends even though I used manual focus.
Even though the speed is slow, it's great for outdoor shooting. You can't beat the price for an entry level lens.
Got this lense with my dslr camera I ordered for those long shots. Mounted up perfect and was able to put it to use right away
I bought this lens in April. I love it. The only bad thing is in low light conditions it is a little blurry unless you have a monopod/tripod or have really steady hands. It takes wonderful sunset pictures.Tip: If you are taking sunset pics at the beach, let the lens sit outside uncapped for a while so it can get used to the atmosphere!
It's one of those lenses that I would LOVE to use but unfortunately it doesn't have image stabilization and I'm not in the position to always be dragging along my tripod to take distance landscapes as I was hoping to do with this lens.Lesson learned- better quadruple check before hitting the purchase button.
I bought this lens about six months after replacing my 20 year old SLR with the Canon Rebel G. I didn't think photography could get any better. It did.The first day I used this lens, I was shooting photos of a biplane plummeting at an airshow. Having been used to my older equipment, I thought, &quot;No way can I hold 300mm still enough, but what the heck, film is cheap.&quot; I was wrong. That photo was crystal clear, and instead of a tiny blur in the midst of sky, I have a very clear image of the plane filling the frame.The lens has been responsible for getting me up close in many places since, most recently capturing Al Gore and his entourage on the pilot house of the riverboat that travelled the Mississippi the day after the convention. If you are looking for a versatile lens that gives great results under many conditions, this is it. It really is hard to take a bad photo when using it.
Hard to hate on the lens. Functions well I can see the field up close event with I am sitting in the nosebleeds.
It was a good purchased for the price but the quality of the pictures are not that good. I took a few pictures at a baseball stadium and did not  came out with the quality I expected.
Great price on a great item.  Fast shipping and entirely pleased with the whole experience!
This is a good standard telephoto zoom with solid, but average performance.  This particular lens features Canon's micro Ultra Sonic Motor; therefore, it does not have the same focusing performance of the standard USM designs.  Optically, it is the same lens as the EF 75-300 III, and performs roughly the same.  Usually, this lens retails for more than the non-USM design, but I'd pay little more.  An oddity on Amazon has often had the price of this lens lower, and that's a good deal.As previously stated, the lens is a solid performer.  Good lens speed, but not as fast of focusing as the EF 100-300.  Additionally, the front of the lens rotates, which is not as nice when using filters such as polarizers.  The plastic barrels are OK, but zooming is a bit less smooth than desired.Canon also doesn't include much with the lens.  A lens shade is very useful for outdoors photography, and Canon is very pricey on an accessory that most include.  Canon's one-year warranty is also poor compared to most others.For a good alternative, look at the Tamron / Promaster 70-300 LD lens which has closer focusing, includes the shade, and both offer longer warranties.  However, neither are as quiet as the Canon lenses.For an upgrade, look at the Canon EF 100-300 USM, which offers a smoother, faster USM, and no filter rotation.
This lens has been great for taking  photos of my kids during their sports activities.  It has an amazing zoom length and produces great quality photos.
I love taking photos.  This lens was a gift from my family for Mother's Day.  I would highly recommend this for any Canon camera.
This is a really high zoom lens so only for certain things but it takes great pics!  Really focuses on the subject and blurs the background.  It is large & heavy but I would expect it to be.
I am very happy with this purchase, it has the ability to take great photos. Looking at the construction it is clear that it is built cheaply to hit the price and there are far better lenses available from Canon. However this has the advantage of being light as well as relatively small and that means I am more likely to be take it with me and actually use it.So lightweight, cheap and good quality pictures - that is hard to beat.
This lens has been around for a while. It's good value for the money, but there's better lens in the Canon line that won't break your bank either.You want to move up to the lens with the same description except for one thing, it will say USM. Those are the motors that autofocus uses. They're quieter and they work better. There are people that cite problems with autofocus. If you're buying this lens, you are probably using it on a body that is more limited in controlling the AF.But buy the other lens for about 30-40 more.
Very nice value.  Super quality.  Am shooting with it ever since.  Versatile and beautifully priced.  I have dropped it a couple of time but still working fine.
I have owned this lens for about 3 months now and have nothing but good things to say! Many reviewers reguard this as a LOW END LENS, poorly constructed and won't reep sharp images. As with any lens you do need to receive a good copy as I did. I use this lens mounted to my Rebel XT and have taken over 500 photos at 300mm with excellent results! I do not use One Shot Auto Focus, for best results you should set the Camera focus to AI SERVO which enables the Lens into FULL TIME FOCUS, this will lock all focus points to get crisp/sharp images, if you try that you will see how well this lens will preform! I do own the standard kit lens + The EF-S 17-85mm Is Lens + The EF-S 10-22mm IS lens. For the money you can't beat this lens, I paid $189.99 for it and have no complaints! Canon has a New Lens due to be released in Sept,05...a 70-300mm version with IS and has a retail price of $649.99! This is something I would be interested in testing, but I am very pleased with the results I receive with the lens I have!
This lens was a step up for me and I use a tripod most of the time so compared to the $500+ IS lens this was a great buy. Clear sharp photos, just what I was looking for.
The UPS man just dropped off my lens and I ripped it open eager to play. I am completely happy with the service from Cameta Camera, they were fast and I received exactly what I supposed to. I can only hope they will be as accommodating if I return it. I am very disappointed with my lens however. I wish I had paid heed to some of the more negative comments.I am using this on my Canon Rebel Xti. I am an artist and amateur photographer but work with my photos for montages and artwork so I need clear pictures. If I want it soft, I'll do that in Photoshop myself. My pictures are way to soft for my liking. To be fair, it is a cloudy day and I'm shooting through my window. I have no reflection, but I cannot zoom all the way to 300 and get a crisp photo. I cannot even get a crisp photo in the 75 range in this light. I've played around with the iso and the speed and still no crispness. Maybe I misunderstood that this lens was for fair conditions (meaning not sunny outside). Maybe it is for outdoor sunny use only, but I have not read that on the Canon site. I do plan to give it another try in sunny conditions before I send it back. (I have 14 days to return and will lose my shipping costs both to and from.) Inside with normal can lighting (like in a kitchen) is just as bad.Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasIf it performs well in the sunny conditions, I will have to decide if it's worth the $ for just perfect conditions. I am very close to forking over the extra $$ for the 70-300 mm. But will post again, probably an edit or addition to this review.If someone (like a pro) can tell me if I have unrealistic expectations of this lens, please tell me.
I was glad to get the replacement lense since my original one was stolen from my house.  When I installed it onto the camera and placed it on Auto focus option,  the lense kept trying to focus going back and forth but never stops attempting to focus on anything,
Reading some of the reviews here, it is clear I must be getting old. When I started taking pictures the one thing one looked for in a lens like this would have been that it was one touch, in that the zoom and focus were on the same ring. These days people are spoilt with auto focus and auto program modes in the camera let alone IS. So let me get to the point. For the money this is a beautiful lens. As long as you keep the shutter speed above 1/focal length you will be able to hand hold it. Remember that on a digital body there is a 1.6 adjustment factor. So at maximum zoom you need to keep the speed at 1/500 or better. Yes this needs good light and a higher ISO, but in most cases it should not be a problem. If you are 35mm user you have another stop or so to play with. I recently took pictures of a regatta from the committee boat at maximum zoom, hand held on a Rebel XT body with no problem. With an effective focal length of 480mm this is quite impressive.
I love this lens for my Canon 50D.  I bought it to replace a Tamron 70-300mm.  It was a good lens but it started giving me error readings on my camera. Since I have been using the Canon 75-300 I have not gotten any messages.  Good quality and reasonable price.
My husband bought this to expand a Canon T1i (dslr), that just had the kit lens. No, it doesn't have IS,(400 bucks for a Canon 250mm) no, it's not a (L) lens, (1,500 bucks). But for the price and the expandability it offers it was a good purchase. I kills me to see people pay 150 bucks for a lens, then bash it because it isn't a 1,500 dollar lens. We would all love to have one of those. This is a good lens for what it is, a manual focus on distant objects lens. One way to get around the "hunting" on auto focus, is to put the camera on spot metering. And if you want even quicker shooting, just flick the camera to auto, let it do the work. This allows the camera to pinpoint the focus on a single spot. It actually stays on the camera 80% of the time, with the lower 75mm rating on zoom, it's just a little closer than the 55mm kit lenses, but with the quick ability to go to 300mm. One of the reasons I chose the Canon was the ability to use older EF lenses thus saving money and expanding as I go. I still feel it was a great purchase and don't regret it at all.
well the question of is this an ok lens yes and no. i did 3 events where i needed long focal length and this thing crapped out on me at 300mm/ no flash/ iso 6400/ at f5.6 - 1/150 which gives super blurry pics... and don't think of moving the shutter speed this thing looses so much light. but ok i tried it outside in sunny conditions, well it was super dark as well shooting RAW, adjusting exposure in post shows to much grain for an outdoor picture... in all i was not pleased with this lens and opted for the 70-200mm f2.8 yes it is worth the 2k price but you get what you pay for...when it comes to a lens on't be cheap or you won't be happy....
I bought this when I first bought my T1i, and for the price of it at that time, you couldn't pass it up! Now over a year later, it still works just as good as it did on day 1. It is a sturdy lens with the EF metal mount that makes it more reliable than the plastic mounts. The only con with this lens is, that it isn't equipped with an image stabilizer. When shooting at 300mm, if you have wind or a shaky hand and you are shooting without a tripod, you may expect some less than perfect results. But besides that, a great lens.
I use this as my long distance lens and I love it. Its not a fast speed lens but I used it to shoot various football games and it worked quite well. I'm very happy with this purchase and would gladly buy more lenses like this.
As far as lenses go I'm not an expert by any means. But I would say if you can afford $100 for a lens then these are pretty good. But I would recommend saving up or footing the bill for a more expensive one, as you get good shots with this, but I think they could be better. I have a T2i and the shots I get from this are decent, but I have a feeling could be a lot better with a higher quality lens. It's good for the price.
I dig this lens a lot but the only negative is the weight. I'm a totally amateur photographer and when you zoom all the way in, the photos come out a little blurry because the lens is so heavy that the camera shakes. Got a tripod the other day and my blurry photo problem went away.
Every time I take a picture with this lens, I say to myself, &#34;I love this lens.  Best money I have ever spent&#34;.
This may not be the best lense out there, but for the price I believe I'ts a great value. I plan to use this lense on a tripod, with a remote control switch. With the camera on servo.It's a Canon lense, and they are usally known for quality. It just depends on what you plan to use it for, and what you expect of it. For the price my expections were exceeded.
Excellent lens. 300mm gets you into the actions and f/4.5 allows use indoors.  If you are in the market for a telephoto lens, I recommend the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5 Zoom Lens. The extra working distance this lens affords is very nice. Of course, the lens is really nice if your have serious budget.
Did a bit of research on different lenses and for what I wanted to do this was a perfect fit. Pleased and enjoy using it. First night I went out and took a picture of the moon and it was fantastic.
I use this lens with my rebel 300 and have had no problems. I read the other reviews and took their advice on changing f stop and everything has worked great. I have taken shots of hawks on the fly and the shots have come out very clear. When I save up some money maybe I'll buy a IS lens but right now this works just fine.
not a big photographer, but this lens is pretty cool for taking pics far away.  Don't need to be a pro to use.  worth the money i paid.  might not use it often, but will def. get my money worth
This lens is fantastic for zooming in on cool stuff I have already used it at graduation and the back yard!
Since getting this lens I no longer miss out on far away images. Works perfectly with my Canon camera. The images are sharp and the learning curve isn't very difficult to get those pictures perfectly. The quality is very high in this lens. Very very happy.
Great lens for the price, wish it had stabilization. It takes awhile to be able to use this lens effectively without a tripod.
A great product for the price.  The lens is "fast" enough for almost every application, and the wide zoom range lends itself to most situations.  It is compatible with the Canon system and works in the auto-focus or manual-focus mode.  I am pleased with this product.
I got this lens as a Christmas gift for my daughter. She LOVES it. With the digital magnification along with the 300mm optical zoom, she will be able to get some great action shots and landscape shots.I was the hero when she opened this present!
Check out the reviews on web.  One of them is at [....]  The reviews suggest this lens is of rather poor quality.  It may be better than nothing but other Canon lenses do a much better job.
I can not afford the best in the world from Canon and this lens is what I expected for the money. It's not like my best lens when it comes to feel, quality and construction but, for the price, it's a good deal. You must be careful when installing it on the camera becasue it doesn't "snap" in place like the kit lens. Just make sure it's on and all is well. The picture quality is good and crisp. the colors are good so over all, I have no complaints. I have a 55-250 and bought the 75-300 for a little more zoom and am happy I did.
Probably not the best lens out there but for the package price I got it for I really like it; the auto focus struggles a bit but manual focus is great.
Great lens. I have a T5, it works easily. Great pictures
One word?  EXCELLENT!  Put a red stripe at the end of this lens...put an L-Series price tag on it and most 'so called' photographers will give this lens 5 stars.  Don't let hype or lack thereof fool you....especially in this instance.I choose this lens over my "L" glass in many instances because of the stunning portraits it produces.  Great work on my 40D but superior on 5D Mark iiWhat to expect:Don't get me wrong this lens is cheap and plastic.  You won't feel like a pro with this in your hands...you will feel foolish if you used high end glass before.Slow focusing in low light...and occasionally in perfect lighting conditionsExtremely pleasing bokeh, especially at 300mmDoes this lens have limitations?  Yes...I only use it in bright sunlight.  I am grading it for the top notch images it produces when using it for what it was intended for.  If you can work around these handicaps and know how to use a camera then be prepared to capture some of the MOST STUNNING portraits in your portfolio...I often have to look at my EXIF data to determine if I used my 85 or 135 because the images are THAT GOOD.
I tried it inside the building without a tripod and most pictures were useless because it doesn't have Image stabilization. I'm planning to sell it on ebay.
I bought this lens on a killer clearance deal after missing an opportunity for some nice shots of a coyote.  I just wanted a simple lens for an occasional wildlife snapshot.  The image quality was so bad, I took it right back to the store.  It is unlikely my expectations were too high, as I love my Rebel XTi (400D) kit lens, which is considered one of Canon's worst.  I picked up a Tamron lens of similar focal length and have been reasonably happy with it.  I'd steer clear of this one unless you just want an SLR to look cool.
This lens is inexpensive, and it shows in terms of poor image quality, among other things.  Unless you simply cannot afford something better, I would stay away from this one.  I had it for a very short period of time before I got rid of it. Then again, at the price it is being offered, one cannot have too much grounds for complaint.
This 75-300 lens will allow me to take pictures of the little subjects. Also allows me to make long distance close up. The lens was well packaged so as not to get damaged and was as described. Thanks Amazon.
This is not the greatest lens in the world. I find it's very soft at the 300mm lens length. It is slow, f4 is the fastest at 70mm and f5.6 at the full telephoto.I tried it in various situations:1. For nature photography, I was grabbing a shot of a rare bird while hiking. It was not a great photo. The softness was annoying, though I got an acceptable enough shot for identification. IS (Image Stabilization) would have helped in this application, but this lens doesn't have that added feature.2. I put it on a very stableAmazonBasics 70-inch Adjustable Pistol Grip Head Tripodwhich is not a hiker's tripod but a very heavy, 10lb beast of a tripod that is going nowhere when you set it up. I photographed the moon at 300mm, using a remote shutter release. I didn't stop down the lens (perhaps that would have been better) but I was using a 1/10 second exposure and shakes happen even on tripods. The photo was sharp enough to see craters at the edge of sunlight on the surface, but they weren't razor sharp. The entire effect was soft (admittedly, we have pollution and it was a cloudy morning.)You pretty much have to use a tripod with this lens unless it's brilliant sun outside and even then...If you must have this length (and it is a handy one for sports and even candid portraits) then it's a budget choice. But compared to my 55-250mm, it's a lot softer and just not quite "the thing."
Some people talk about this lens as being inferior to it's expensive cousin, but I don't find that at all..
The lens is an entry level lens and would be well served to have IS built in.  But even in ideal conditions (good lighting, fast shutter speed, tripod mounted), it is still a subpar performer.  The images aren't crisp and sharp and the colors are a little flat.  It does allow for a nice enough bokeh (background blurring) when taking photos of someone 15 feet away or so.  Generally that isn't easily accomplished by the 18-55 kit lens.Good photos can be taken with this lens... but more photos will be lost due to blurring or simply not being crisp enough.If you are on the fence as to whether you will use your DSLR, then this may be a good option.  If it turns out you really like it, then invest in the 55-250mm.  If you are starting out and you KNOW you will like it, then invest in a 55-250mm from the start.
I bought this lens not quite realizing it didn't have Image Stabilization (my bad). It's an excellent lens, I like the optics (though I do wish the aperture was a little bigger) though the lack of image stabilization means you likely have to use a tripod for taking quality pictures.
I'm just a hobbyist.  I like to take pictures for fun.  Maybe a more serious photographer would have problems with image quality; maybe not!  I don't know! All I know is that this lens works great and gives me photos that I love.  I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Clarity and ease of use are exceptional - wonderful for closing the gaps from where you are and the subject is. Purchased this lens as part of my self made package when I purchased my Rebel T3
I tried this lens out when looking for a low-cost telephoto lens for my Digital Rebel XT, side-by-side with the USM version, the IS version, and several L-series lenses in similar focal lengths (the latter being but a pipe dream and way out of my budget at the time).In short, if you want a lens with a long reach and have next to nothing to spend, this might be the lens for you.  I'd suggest spending the extra money on the USM version for the slightly-faster focusing--it's really just a pittance more, unlike the IS lens (although not appreciably sharper than this lens).Photos are remarkably soft, particularly toward the 300mm end.  If you want this lens for nature and sports photography, be prepared for a lot of work in Photoshop to get something sharp enough to use (and forget about professional-quality prints).The focus is very slow, and the lens itself rather slow throughout its range--and particularly at 300mm, where you're going to be locked into f5.6.  This means longer exposure times and/or requires better lighting, which limits its usefulness for capturing action at any distance.Personally, I'd save up a bit more or else rent a better lens if you immediately need something in this focal range.  However, if you're okay with the softness--perhaps you're only doing portraiture and want to put your camera halfway across the room?--and can deal with the other limitations, the lens is very affordable.
The lack of an IS kind of sucks, but other that it's a solid lens for the price, perfect for shooting wildlife and other things in the distance.
I am not a professional photographer but when it comes to zoom lenses I can say I am truly satisfied by what this lens does for me.The pictures are sharp, the autofocus mechanism works great and the lens is affordable enough for me.It is not a paparazzi type lens but that's not what I use it for. It has a nice feel to it and is not too heavy.I recommend it.
Great product!It's not too expensive comparing with another options and my pictures results are very good to me. Ok.
Most people will shy away from a lense like this because it doesn't have IS (Image Stabilization). For a lense that does up to a 300mm focal length, IS is highly recommended. To be honest I had the same problems at first with it, I had a difficult time shooting things at high focal lengths such as 300mm. But as you get along using it, you can get the hang of shooting without IS and just stabilizing it with your own hand. And for more than half the price less than its IS counterpart. It's a lense worth looking into
I understand that the relative low price of this lens implies that the overall quality is more economical, but I never expected the lens cap ring to just break after a relatively short period of ownership. I cannot even justify blaming it on wear and tear. One day I open my camera bag, remove this lens to swap it in, and - woops - the lens cap is not attached and there are scratches all over the glass. It simply broke while randomly setting the bag down or picking it up, or somewhen.Now, I made a decent number of average to great photographs with this lens during its short life, but I am certainly disappointed in the unexpected failure in the cheap manufacture of this product. That any item - be it a camera lens, a toaster, a car, a 3-ring binder - worth any amount of money could fail in such a pathetic manner is unacceptable from a quality control perspective.I can add that after an even shorter period of ownership (inside one year) the zoom ring began sounding and feeling a bit gritty, as if there were sand in it, though I had never buried my camera underground, nonetheless taken it to a beach or the like.Regardless of what kind of photographer you are, please invest in something better than $150 telephoto lens. I can write off the loss of this lens since I made photos with it that are more valuable than the lens itself, but I don't recommend wasting money on it. It will just end up in a landfill sooner than later.Whomp.
Great lens.  I love this lens, the clarity is amazing, and the quality is top shelf.  This is the reason Cannon is the best there is.
I first used this lens with my Canon Digital Rebel and have since upgraded to the XT. With both cameras, I've found the lens to be surprising versatile. As former newspaper photographer, I've spent many hours on the sidelines of high school football games under some challenging lighting conditions and had some amazing results with the lens. The lens is actually very sharp, despite some reports to the contrary. I've had the lens for three years now and it continues to be my go to lens when it comes to action and sports photography. I can't deny that the IS version of this lens would definitely be better, I'd still recommend this lens to just about anyone.
I simply love my lens. It's not bad as some say it is. I can take crispy shots with it.
I know you get what you pay for, but for a $200 piece of glass I expected a little more. The max aperture of f/4.0 hasn't bothered me yet, but I haven't had the chance to put it to its fullest yet. I'm glad I bought this lens, but I wish lenses weren't so expensive because for a 16 year old I can't really afford the thousand dollar lenses. I definitely recommend the use of a monopod, or tripod because hand holding this on the 300 side is almost impossible to get a clear shot unless your shooting over 1/200 at Least. Plus at 300 it gets considerably darker because of the changing of the aperture to 5.6. Also if you focus on a subject at 75 then zoom to 300 the subject becomes blury which is really annoying if you're manual focusing.
I'm trying to get into the portrait photography business. I just got this lens and wow, I love it! Gives that great upclose/shallow depth of field look for portraits. It's wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better telephoto lens to start out w/. I'm sure this probably isn't the best lens for some higher end professional shots, but for starting out, especially w/ portraits this is an awesome lens. I'd definitely recommend it to other beginning photographers.
This is a much better lens than should be expected for this price.  I've had no problems with it, and have taken many great photos that would have been impossible without a zoom lens.A zoom lens is a must have for every camera bag, and this is an extremely versatile and powerful option.  I recommend this lens highly, especially to ameteur or intermediate photographers.It's basic, but it does what it says.  It zooms smoothly, focuses quickly (usually), and takes high quality photos.The ability to capture people in their relaxed states without sticking your lens in their face is priceless for great portraits.I mean, it's a Canon 75-300mm for less than $200!  I couldnt even find a knock off brand that cheap.  Buy it already!
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasTelephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasThis purchase (via Amazon) could have waited. I really need a EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM---so that is my next purchase.I love Canon products so there is nothing but praise. I have a EOS 60D, recently upgraded from a PowerShot, so investments in different lens types for distance is new for me.I have not as yet taken any moon shots at night, that is a good use for this lens.Cons: I do notice a loss of clarity at the extreme end of the lens zoom.
This lens gives me the ability to shoot at longer distances and get closer to objects that the normal lens would have trouble getting close to .It works on my camera very well. I'm very pleased with it and would recomment it to a friend.
I'm not too sure if this one is up to par as my buddy's 70-300mm. It does get the job done.
I bought my husband the Canon EOS Rebel T3, and he just had to have the telephoto zoom lens! It makes all the difference in the world when it comes to high speed close-ups. (I'm not a photographer)
My friend got this in a kit with his Rebel T3i and sold it to me brand new. I've found it to be well worth the money for the use I've gotten out of it.Between about 100-200mm, this lens takes great portrait shots/head shots. Out of focus elements behind the subject look okay-- not super smooth like the higher end lenses but not too bad either. The lens does suffer from some chromatic aberration, even when stopped down to f/8 or so, but it is not particularly bad.If using this lens to capture a subject that is far away from you, such as a bird or other woodland critter, you will likely need a tripod. There is no image stabilizer in this lens, so if you are zoomed in all the way on a subject 100 yards away or so, things can get pretty shaky if you are using your camera handheld. Even when shooting in a good amount of light, I've found that I need a tripod to really capture those far away subjects without any motion blur resulting from slight movements of the camera.This lens is also a "macro", which means it can focus on subjects very close-- useful for wedding rings, flowers, insects, etc. While it's not a "true macro" lens like some of Canon's other offerings, it's good enough to get some nice photos of insects and other small objects.Not as sharp as Canon's higher end lenses, either, but sharper than the kit lens. If you can afford it, I would recommend the "IS" (image stabilized) version of this lens.For those on a budget who are trying to supplement their kit lens and give themselves a longer reach when they need it, or for those who want a nice headshot lens without spending very much, I would highly recommend adding this lens to your kit.
I like this lens because of the moire you get when zooming.It's sharp, well contrasted collors and not heavy or volky.Came fast, well packaged and I recomend it.
Great lens. Very smooth manual focus and zoom, and autofcous is seemless. Well worth the money.
This is a great starter zoom lens, it zooms in from afar and takes clear and crisp photos. I was able to take a picture of the moon during daylight (no such luck with nighttime) and I captured details such as craters.
Excellent lens, clear and clear. Just one issue, in long range distances it takes some time to focus.
I bought this lens when I was going to take the kids to the zoo one day.  My camera shop was kind enough to remind me I could return it if I were not happy with it. I kept it and have used it several other times with great results on my Digital Rebel. Other than agreeing that there seems to some soft focus if you hit the 300 stop point,  the performance of this lens has been a very pleasant surprise - especially when you factor in the price.  This is a real lens with a metal lens mount and a fast USM motor that makes focusing instantaneous.  I have also found it to be no problem hand holding this lens despite the higher effective focal length since it is mounted on a digital.
This replaced one I lost.  It's a great lens and is so helpful getting those far-away shots. It's a must have for anyone who loves photos.
The lens is exactly what the description says it is. A normal Canon zoom lens. Works great and I am loving it
I have wanted a closer zoom ever since I got my Canon.  This definitely does the trick and allows me to see wildlife closer as well as my son playing on the soccer field.
I am not a photographer so I am not picky :) it goes on easily and take extremely sharp photos. No complains.
when you deal with a canon lens you feal the amount of work spent in making these pieces, and this one is no exception. I baught this lens with my canon EOS 300D (Rebel 2000D)and was really impressed by the superb quality of the images produced. the focus is really ultrasonic, the quality of the lens itself is fantastic, it snaps in easily, and the range is superb for landscaps and closups alike. BUT the tradeoff includes a slightly slower lens to fit the price, otherwise who can buy a 70-300 USM with an f of 2.8 for instance?! the 4-5.6 f is suitable for most of your needs, but probably at the 300 end you MIGHT need a faster film or compansate with a slower shutter speed + a tripod. of course the lens will be somewhat heavy, so a tripod is highly advised. I totally agree with the writer who complained of not selling the lens in a case, after all what you pay for a respectable company, for this lens a case is mandatory.
Look at the price folks. That says it all! Unless you need this lens for a special reason then don't bother. If you know how to use this lens then go for it. But, as I stated before, look at the price. There is a good reason why it's cost is a lot lower than the IS lenses. If you are going the distance and paying for a state of the art camera then don't ask it to use old types of lenses and expect spectacular results.
Let me say that I haven't used this lens in a few years. I am now using much more expensive L series lenses. I still have the photos that I took with this lens on my hard drive, however, and technically they are great. For the price of this lens they are remarkably great. Very low distortion, no CA and razor-sharp images. I am saying this after looking at pictures just this week, after a few years of honing my photo skills and my photoshop eye. I am very sensitive (some have said too sensitive) to defects that can only bee seen at 100%-200% and I do not see any in the pictures taken with this lens. I have seen many when looking at the pictures from the 85mm f1.8 lens, for instance.The lens was mated with a Rebel XT when I took those pictures, incidentally, which frankly it is meant to be. This is not a lens to be mated with a semi-pro or pro body. I'm not sure what the results would be there. They would probably be pretty good with a 40D but with a 5D I don't know. Again with the Rebel they were great, and I think given the cost of this lens it is meant for a camera like the Rebel. For the price this really can't be beat if you are shooting with a Rebel, Rebel XT or Rebel XTi. 5 stars because it does exactly what it is supposed to do and more. It is supposed to be a competent lens for a low price and it ends up being a great lens at a low price.
The lens works great, easy to change.  We have taken many photos from far away and the clarity is wonderful.  When taking close up pictures from a small distance, they too are very clear.
I love this lens. I use it with my T2i and have gotten great results! You keep the high quality image even when fully zoomed in. Great product!
i didnt expect it to be as good as its higher end model wich i think is like almost double in price. but it works amazing. has a good range of zoom. focuses quickly. only thing is if your looking to shoot anything in very low lighting, it wont come out too good even with your highest ISO setting. but overall it gets the job done.
For the price and range of this 75-300 zoom it probably cannot be beat, but don't expect to actually have consistently sharp photos when shooting at 300mm. The 4-5.6 aperture allows you to shoot handheld with decent sharpness in the daytime, however to really get a sharp image stopping down to f8 is needed and by then hand holding is only an option in very bright sun.Auto focus is not perfect but generally finds the subject quick enough.Lens has no zoom lock, so when the lens is facing downward, while photographing or just walking, the lens will extend due to gravity, which is kind of annoying.The size and weight of lens is pretty small and light when considering a 300mm zoom.All and all this lens was a very good purchase when I bought it 6 years ago for $130 on ebay. Although now after using a few Canon L lenses, I find myself not wanting to take this out of the bag because the sharpness is disappointing. However again it must be said, it is probably the cheapest way you can get a zoom of this range and still have usable images.
In the last 4 years or so I have been building up my camera and lens arsenal, as I plan to retire shortly and pursue photography at a more serious level.  The biggest lesson that I have learned is that if you don't spend much, don't expect much.  Having said that I can confess to the fact that I have made a few purchases that I should not have made based upon the results that I am seeking. The Canon EF 75-300mm is not a lens you want to rely upon if you plan to do any serious field or action work from a distance.  I need a lens that can focus quickly, stablize and capture clear images, such as safari work or birds in flight or horses at a race track.  This lens simply can not deliver that kind of demand continuously. It is not all a loss however, at the 200mm and lower end the lens seems to perform reasonably well and produces acceptable results. I have read that if I boost the ISO and shoot at F16 or F22, I might get better results.  I have not tried that but will do so, I prefer to keep my ISO on the low end.  Bottom line is this, whether I'm shooting underwater, in Europe or on a safari, I have invested a lot of funds in making the trip.  Risking thousands of dollars in travel expenses on a $149 product which doesn't deliver at the higher end just doesn't make sense. I'm going for the higher end Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon.  It's all about what you need to get the results you want.
I have recently purchased a T4i and this lens as an add on for it.  It was within my limited budget and I was worried that I would regret the lack of image stabilization.  I do not.  This lens takes amazing canon lens quality photos.  I would have some remarkable images of squirrels but I forgot to put the SD card in.  Baring that, I do live near a small airport, and have some great pictures of pilots in their planes.  They came out amazing from over 1/2  a mile away I was able to read the numbers on the side of the plane.  Also bird pictures are very sharp.  I photographed a woodpecker about 35' away and was able to crop out a very detailed and sharp image of his head.  The contrast of colors is very good.  I have not tried the lens at night, and this may be where I wished I had the shelled out the extra money for the IS version.  But my night vision ain't what it used to be so if I can't see it's there to begin with I don't know to zoom in on it.This lens is well worth the money spent.  For a beginner you can't beat the price or value it has when it comes to familiarizing yourself with the camera.  I feel this was a great investment.  It works terrific during the day and I have some amazing photos of my boys playing baseball that were previously impossible with point and click cameras.
Man, I used this extension to captured the F-16 frying above my house during their exercise from the fleet week in Miramar. Good quality for the price.
The canon 75 to 300 has to be on a tripod at extream zoom or picture blur,other then that top quality photos.Great for nature photos where you can set up for the shot, love it.highly recommended.Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I am able to get clear and crisp images of landscapes and cityscapes. Would recommend this product to any photographer.
I'm definitely just an amateur and don't care about winning competitions or getting published or anything like that. All I wanted was a lens that lets me take close up pictures from far away and do it quickly and without any blur. This does that. At the price, you'd be silly not to get this. Very sturdy and feels like the exact same quality (or better) than any stock lens you would get with your camera. That's probably not a huge deal to professionals, but to people like me who can't afford to get the pro model lenses, it makes a huge difference.tl:dr; you should get this lens.
Awesome addition to my rebel t3i. Takes incredible pictures from pretty far away. I am still getting used to the camera and all the settings but even on auto mode the lens works very well. I am by no means a photographer but for my needs it is amazing. The lens easily attaches to the camera and comes with two caps for both sides of the lens to keep the dust out and protected when not in use.
I bought this for my daughter, who is a photography major. I was a little reluctant to buy it at first, because of the low price i was concerned that it might be a low quality product. My daughter was quite please with the lens and has used it to take so awesome action shots.
My dad was wanting a zoom lens for his camera so i bought this for him as a gift.  He loves it.  I told him to try it out and if he didnt like it i would return it.  He loved it and wanted to keep it.  it seems to be a good lens and has great zoom.  this is a good lens and a reasonable price, i would recommend it
I bought this because the reviews said it was great for taking sports shots at a distance. It takes to long to focus and can only take one picture at a time, which loses the action shot. You cannot take any close range pictures as it cuts everything off. I have to keep changing lenses if I want a team picture or if I want action pictures. Need to find 1 lense to do both jobs.
I liked using this lens at the beach or somewhere in nature.  I enjoyed it while I had it.
I am an amateur/hobbyist and needed just a bit more out of my Canon EOS Rebel Xs.  The stock 18-55mm was great for getting used to the camera. Now that I'm more comfortable with it, I needed something with some more range. This 75-300mm is fast focusing, clear and damn does it get out there!! I can now get awesome shots of things I wouldn't have even pulled the camera out for before. I love it! It takes great shots of the moon too which my original 18-55mm couldn't touch. It's the perfect upgrade from stock equipment.
The lens is cheap in price for a reason. While it can be used for beginner purposes, I would recommend saving your money. I have yet to produce a really sharp image with it.
Haven't had any experience with actual photographs with this lens, but in playing with it, it seems to be everything that was said and the price was definitely right.
This lens is great for backyard shots oh the fauna we have.  Brings in nice clear shots and is a mount I am used too.
I OWN A CANON XSI REBEL DIGITAL AND THIS LENSE IS A GREAT PRODUCT, GOOD PICTURES, VERY CLEAR, WORTH EVERY CENT, AND MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER BRANDS THAT WILL FIT, BUT, DON'T WORK.  YOU WON'T BE SORRY TO OWN ONE OF THESE.
This has been a fun lens to play with!  I have been able to use this lens just fine without a tripod and still get great pics!  I don't know much about the logistics of this lens but I have had a great expierence with it and am glad I bought it!
It's a good zoom lens.  Yes it is slow, and that is a problem when blowing up handheld shots.  A tripod is a necessity if you're concerned with shake.  On bright days though, I haven't had a problem with it.  The USM is good for quieter operation, though the focus can be slow in low contrast situations.Metal lens mount, and a sturdy feel are also nice features on this lens.  It's a great choice compared to the cheaper version, and for those of us who can't afford the more expensive, faster or IS models.
I had borrowed this lens from a dear friend and liked it so much I had to buy my own.
The cannon lens EF 75-300 is an excellent buy.  I search all over for the best price and this was it.  I am not disappointed.  It is easy to use and is exactly what I wanted.  Eventually I would like a more powerful lens but this lens is great for anyone interested in taking great closeups.  Thanks
I love this lens.  I bought it to use with my rebel xt and it takes great pictures.  I would love to have gotten the version with image stabilization but because of the huge price difference I got this one.  The only times that I notice any shake in my pictures is with low light so I will use a tripod when I need to use it in low light.  Otherwise this is a fabulous lens.
I love it ...It's cheap, good looking, long zoom, easy to take the pics too far from.sometime spy for babe bikini( hahahaha )just for people learn how to play with camera, like me....forget about Professional one.
Came in the original box with all of the paperwork and definitely looks brand new.  The filters I bought separately fit great and I can't wait to start using it tomorrow.
This is great.  I can't wait to get the rest of my lenses.  This one was perfect for the shots I needed to get!
This was a Christmas present for my husband and he seems to love it so far.  It is a nice extra to have with his other lens.  I would order from this company again.
Excellent lens for the price and to us ameture/novice photographers. I have done quite a bit of research before my actual purchase and for someone who wants to start venturing out into the telephoto world this is a great start. I've been on other pro web sites and to them this may not be the perfect lens, according to the reviews, but I feel I made a great choice. I bought it in mind for sport/action photography, since I have kids. The only down fall is when you can't use flash and taking action photos, the photos come out blurry. That happens to be the case with my daughters gymnastics. But when I'm ready to spend a few hundred dollars or more I'll research for a lens that will overcome that problem. But for now I'm happy.
This lens is wonderful!  Takes great pictures of wildlife at a distance. I recommend for any photographer who cannot afford more spendy lenses.
I wasn't looking for the best Canon lens since I'm new to the DSLR game. With $169 I can take some nice nature and sports pictures. If I ever learn more it will be worth inxesting to what is advertised as a better lens of this type. The particular lens is clear and brings things closer as described. No defects. I recommend it to anyone who wants to just bring themes closer without going pro or braking the bank.
I have had the lens for about a month and so far I love it.  I needed a camera that could zoom in on  school band concerts, award ceremonies, etc from up in the stands.  I have the Canon Rebel and bought this lens in addition to the camera.  I love it.  Great clear pictures close up or distance.  Easily attached to my Rebel and so far autofocus works great.
Thank you for this lens, I got a lot of shot for Inauguration Ceremonies on January 21, 2013 for our President OBAMA 2nd turn,I had been down there from the 18 of January 2013 to the 22, 2013.
I have been photographing professionally for 36 years and virtually all 35mm in my inventory is Canon, so I am more than aware of the quality optics which they can produce. However, this is patently the worst lens I have ever seen Canon roll off the assembly line. Even at the higher shutter speeds (1/1250) and on a tripod as well, this lens lacks any degree of sharpness.Do NOT purchase this lens unless you're an absolute Novice and will be photographing the family pet romping in the backyard. Save you money and go with a higher-end model.
I bought this lens for my Cannon EOS rebel T3 and it is a wonderful addition. The zoom and focus are easy to use and the lens has such clarity. I would reccomend this lens to anyone looking for an additional lens with optimal zoom for a reasonable price.
This is a "cheap" telephoto lens for a "cheap" camera but both are excellent if you remember not to expect too much - it works great for what I need it for but have to remember I'm not going to get wonderful shots with movement, especially sports and other action shots - for the price of the camera and the lens I'm very satisfied -  in fact, very, VERY satisfied - if I want something professional I'll have to spend a lot more money - would recommend the Canon Rebel EOS and this zoom lens to anyone, novice or pro - just don't expect to have Sports Illustrated quality photos . . . and remember to hold it as steady as you can!
it my first telephoto lens and it great and the price was just right and feels strong and the action smooth action feels great going for some of the action shots
This has proven to be a versatile lens for me.  The focusing speeds is a little slow, but it is useful for most photographic purposes.It generates wonderful photos when attached to my Canon EOS IX Lite (APS).
This is an excellent lense for its price. It arrived in perfect condition, well wrapped and carefully sent.If you know that you're looking for a 70-300 this is what you should be getting!
This will be sweet and short. Save your hard earned cash. At 75mm it is a good lens, however you will probably have bought this for the higher end telephoto range, and it falls way short. It should not have the Canon name on it. At 300mm it is a waste.
Manually crank the lens to 300mm Infinity and nothing in focus. Back it off a bit and now it is in focus.
Very quiet, with fast focusing.  Takes clear pictures, great for general purpose close ups.
Bought this lens with a Digital Rebel XT as part of a package. This lens looks formidable compared to the stock lens. If you're shooting in daylight, you should be able to get some pretty good shots. The 1.6 crop factor on the Digital Rebel XT effectively turns this into a 120-480 35mm equivalent. Can't beat that for the price.Unfortunately, the rather small aperture of f/5.6 at 300mm means this lens can't be used in low, or maybe even low-medium light. Several pictures shot at 300mm in the evening came out very blurry - f/5.6 just didn't let enough light in. Earlier today, in a dimly lit auditorium (1 100w blub every 20ft or so), I could not get a sharp, properly exposed picture - it was either very sharp, very dark, or just enough light, but too blurry.I'm losing too many shots to low light. I suggest you look for a lens with a larger aperture - the EF 200m seems to fit this bill, but costs $600+, as well. But, I mean $150? What can I expect? The lens is a great value, just remember that it's a poor performer in low light.
I've used a lot of different telephotos lenses, from this one, to the better Canon70-300mm model, the70-300mm DO, and the wonderful70-200mm f/2.8 L lens. This one is not terribly great. It tends to softness, particularly at the upper range, can show flare and CA, and the build quality is poor. In fact, after a couple years of use, the autofocus on mine stopped working, the only lens I've ever owned to have such a problem. I've seen similar reports on other photography forums so mine is certainly not an isolated problem. To repair it would cost almost as much as the lens itself, so it basically was trash at that point and I certainly was not getting another one and upgraded instead to the 70-300mm which is a far better lens all around. I'd suggest that anyone that needs a lens in the $200 or less range look at the latestSigma offering, which is a much better performer than this lens and gives you some decent macro capability as well, or the newCanon EF-S 55-250mm lens. While I've not tested this new lens myself, it's gotten very nice comments for the most part and IS in this price range is a real bonus.
well, everyone needs one..  and for many (including myself) this is the first step in the telephoto road.  yes, the value is there, and for the casual photographer that "just needs a telephoto", this will work out.what you will soon discover is that with a aperture of 5.6. you will get some blurred shots as the sun goes down (or indoors).  you will also find that the clarity and resolution at full zoom just isn't there upon close inspection.  my brother and myself took the same photo several times.  I was using a 300mm prime, and he was using this lens..  the difference was amazing.  even I didn't think it could make that big of a difference going into a prime lens.  the image was easily 3 times the clarity and resolution on cropped images.now, don't fret, for the average point and shoot crowd, this will be a very nice step into the telephoto world, but if you are like many, you will be saving your change for the next lens after about 6 months.
I have wanted this lens for a while but feared the price. When I found it used for $99 I jumped in it. It arrived I perfect condition. I love the shots I have gotten while using it. My only wish is that it had a stabilizer on it.
After using this lens for a while, I am downgrading from 4 to 3 stars...  It works well enough for the price...  It works alright if you just can't get close enough with the normal lens that comes with the camera -- however, I've noticed that cropping on a far away picture is sometimes better than the clarity of this lens.  Many of the shots have turned out a bit grainy or blurred... but I've also gotten lucky and had some good ones too.  So in summary, for the purist, the professional, or that once-in-a-lifetime shot -- absolutely not.  For the beginner on a budget, it will do just fine.
I purchased this lens with my minimalist budget in mind, and I must say that for the money, it isn't too bad.  It lacks a fancy focus motor (i.e. USM), which makes it a bit slow and noisy, but you can't find a more inexpensive long distance telephoto lens.  It is perfect for the amateur photographer without a lot of money.
This lens is remarkable.  especially with thr colored package I received. I would suggest it to anyone!!!  Actually I already have!
Package came quick and lens is very nice. Price is reasonable and no complaints. Zoom and focus work good. Good buy
Here is a zoom lens that produces good photos, but not as good as  I get with my Canon 28-105 mm lens. I am overall satisfied with it and  USM is a definite plus. However, do not expect astonishingly clear pictures from this lens! And you really have to use a tripod to get the most out of it. I do not carry this lens out most of the time in the camera bag because it is rather heavy. Buy it only if you need the zoom. I have experienced no mechanical or optical problems with this lens and therefore quite satisfied.
I was a little disappointed in this lens for my purposes.  It just wasn't as sharp as I wanted.  I returned it and spent the extra for the 70-200 f/4L and am much happier.  That being said, it wasn't a bad lens at all.  If you don't want to spend the extra, or just like snapping shots for your own enjoyment and not to publish, it would probably be fine.
Most experienced photogs wouldn't waste their time with this lens, but for a newbie or someone on a limited budget, it is fine. It is best in good lighting conditions, but you may have to fiddle with the aperture and ISO in low light. Then it will be grainy, anyway. And it won't really bring in the subject from very far away, but no 300mm will. So don't expect stunning nature photos or NASCAR photos from the cheap seats. The images I posted are from 50' away from the subject at most (Cedar Waxwings) and they have some grain even at ISO 100, but most people think they are decent enough. Anyway, it is a good way to get into a longer telephoto on the cheap. Enjoy, but understand its limitations.
This is a good lens for the price. I ended up getting the nicer version of this so I will no longer use it, but it is still a great lens!
i got it as a gift an i learned long ago its not the hardware its the man behind itit is slow an you do need to make shore your not shacking just means you need to be little better with camera not having the usm be nice  but some times you need to relay on your self for the shot i also seen this lens at alot of airshows an get killer shots of thunder birds an blue angles
Lens functions OK, no issues there.  What is disturbing is its ability to clearly focus.  All my distance shots are &#34;fuzzy&#34;  As a test, I took a shot at mid range or 150 mm and magnified it with standard photo editing software.  All the detail was fuzzy.  I took another lens and performed the same test and the magnified image was sharp.  I now have a rather pricey paper weight.
i would like to sat that this work good for me if i got to get something .i will use you to order.
This is a decent quality telephoto zoom lens. I purchased it at the same time as a Canon Rebel SL1 and so I was able to get this at a promo price making it an even better deal. 300mm allows for some tight close-ups but because it isn't an especially bright lens so it is best suited to bright outdoors. I haven't noticed any vignetting or chromatic aberrations; they are probably there but not to the point of being a bother. It would be difficult finding a lens in this focal length at a lower price.
On a tight budget when I purchased my dRebel almost two years ago - this lens looked very attractive. Since owning it for two years - it seems to go further and further to the back of my equipment bag - and not taken in my backpack at all unless the climate is too harsh for my more expensive lenses.In fairness to the product - it is very GOOD for what it cost and how it is designed. It makes no pretension to be anything other than an AF f5.6 >75-300mm&lt; telephoto. The construction has remained solid - the zoom (fairly stiff or tight when new)sometimes makes funny noises from grit lodged in the 'nether regions' of the lens barrel (I am a defense contractor who travels to some pretty rotten climates). Dust and dirt do not seem to be a serious problem with regular maintenance of brush and blower around the rotating parts of the lens barrel.Things I enjoyed with this purchase:1. Light weight, solid construction2. Acceptable optical quality in sunny outdoor use3. Accepts the same filters (58mm) as my dRebel kit lens4. Affordable for those on a tight budget5. Compatible with the dRebel autofocus and auto exposure system6. Expendable (if something bad happens) in harsh climates7. Draws absolutely no attention from customs inspectors, (or anyone looking to steal your stuff) when clearing security at ports of entry or return. Clears airport security without manual inspection.Unsatisfactory/annoying qualities that quickly became evident:1. f4-5.6 limited my use indoors or low light. Plan to spend much time in Photoshop to save your pictures2. Length of lens made it unusable with the dRebel pop-up flash (lens shadow). Immediate purchase of a 420EX Speedlight ($177+ see my review) cured this problem3. Front focus rotating lens element limited my filter choices to UV (haze) filter only4. Annoyingly SLOW auto focus5. Tripod is almost manditory with lower shutter speeds (see f4- 5.6 limits). The 1.6x magnification factor when seated to the dRebel brings the focal length out to over 450mm making off tripod use risky* Use of a BGE-1 battery grip ($100+ see my review) with this lens - lowers camera center of gravity-extra counter-weight makes lens use less stressful.Good price - fair optics - limited overall performance. Limits for the serious photographer make one want to look elsewhere. SIGMA has superior product in this price category, as well as the house brand at Ritz/Wolf Camera chains-while the discriminating photographer who has the resources should look seriously at Canon's "L" series (as I've done) or 'IS' series as suggested by other experienced reviewers.
Bought this lens for my Canon 300D. I chose to buy it despite a lot of mixed reviews. I love the lens. Great focus throughout the range. Have been using it almost 4 weeks now. It is hard to hand hold at 200-300mm, but I knew that when I bought it, thats why I use a tripod or monopod.If you want 75-300mm and can't afford the IS $400 version, this is definately a good bet. I'd buy Canon glass anyday over tamron/sigma/quantaray.
Bottom line up front:  A very good, if underrated, telephoto zoom lens.  Highly recommended for beginner to intermediate photographers.  Best choice for the second lens you purchase.The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM should be a strong contender for the second lens you own for your Canon DSLR camera.  Your first lens was probably a kit lens, typically a standard zoom lens that has a range starting around 20mm and goes to around 80mm, give or take a bit.  You've enjoyed that lens, but you're looking for something else...something with more distance, something you can really zoom in to see the action.  You want a telephoto lens.  (You're also probably wanting a wide angle zoom lens, something that will pull in that grand vista in front of you...that's a different review, but also a good choice for a second or third lens).So you start looking at all the different lenses out there, trying to find the best one for your money so you can take those photos you've been dreaming of taking.  But it gets confusing.  So many numbers.  You're just starting out, and you're wanting to make art, not do math problems!  And so many different opinions!  What is best?So here's my two cents.  It's biased, like everyone else's opinions here, but I'll try to tell you what I'm thinking and why.First, pick a lens that goes with your camera.  If you own a Canon camera, in the long run you'll be happier with Canon lenses.  I've owned a few other brands for my Canon cameras, but they've sometimes disappointed me.  Canon lenses usually don't.  There are several reasons for this, but the most practical is that your camera is a system.  The Canon camera &#34;talks&#34; electronically to the Canon lens and the Canon flash best, so if you're using *any* automatic settings, you'll get the best results using Canon products.  You *can* get just as good of photos using different lenses and different flashes...but you have to do all the work of communicating with the system by using manual settings.  Not a problem if you know what you're doing, but if you're new...you'll want to use Canon products to help with the workload and learning curve.  Even if you're experienced, it just makes everything significantly easier.  So, I'm biased there, but you at least know where I'm coming from.  My wife calls it &#34;lazy,&#34; I prefer to call it &#34;efficient.&#34;Next you need to think about what you want to do with the lens.  Since you're looking at this lens, you're probably thinking you want something that will give you the ability to take photos of things far away, or at least make something that looks small look a lot bigger in your photo.  A telephoto lens will do this.  For me, at least, this was the perfect second lens option.  Getting futher away from things usually was easier than getting closer, especially with wildlife.  So what kind of telephoto do you need?  For most folks starting out, a zoom telephoto (as opposed to a prime focus telephoto) is a better option...it allows you to zoom in and out, and better frame the photo you'll take.  So you'll be looking for a lens that shows a range of focal lengths (say, picking some random numbers....75mm-300mm).  The trade-off is that you'll have larger focal ratio (f-stop, f-number...it's called lots of things), which means you'll need longer shutter speeds but that's going to hold true for all zooms.  Image stablization will help with that some, but in practice if you're using bright light (like sunlight) I haven't found it makes that much difference and it costs significantly more.So that brings us to this lens.  It's an inexpensive telephoto zoom lens compared to other lenses out there.  It's no frills, and does the job.  It's also more light weight than most telephoto zoom lenses out there, which helps when you're holding the lens and camera by hand (remember, higher focal ratios mean longer shutter speeds...meaning you have to be more steady for longer).  Yes, there are &#34;better&#34; telephoto lenses out there...but you'll pay more for them.  And the big secret?  You'll not get that much better photos.  Don't get me wrong, I have some &#34;L&#34; lenses as well, and they're wonderful...but I don't necessarily get better photos from them.  I've had the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens for almost 20 years, and I've taken some amazing photos with this lens.  Why?  Because I take a lot of photos, so I have a lot of practice with it.  It also helps having steady hands (although being a doctor and an expert military marksman means I have some practice there) and/or a tripod, but really there is no substitue for practice.  That goes for any lens, but if you're new to SLR photography, a good inexpensive lens like this to practice with will more than pay for itself.Telephoto lens.  Light weight.  Inexpensive.  Good quality.  You can ask for more, but you'll pay for it.  This one does the trick and works well.  Great to start with, and the skills you'll develop will translate when (if ever) you upgrade.
The lens is clear and easy to use.  I have not encountered any problems.  I took it on a long (over a month) trip where it was subjected to rough treatment and extreme weather.  It came through with flying colors.  Rock solid.
My tests of this lens show sharp results from 75-200mm if stopped down by one stop.  Beyond 200mm it takes progressively more aperture reduction to get sharp photos.  Using f11 at 300mm gives excellent sharpness but then you need a tripod in all but very bright sunlight.  So, this lens will take sharp pictures but requires bright light or a tripod at the long end.The new 70-300mm IS version has a similar build quality and optics (maybe a tad better optics at the long end) and provides a 3-stop advantage which allows handholding under most conditions.  However, it costs over three times as much - but may be worth it to travel tripod-free.  I prefer the 70-200mm f4L which costs about the same as the IS version but produces even sharper images with eye-popping clarity and contrast - even wide open at f4 (no stopping down is needed at any focal length).  The L-lens is slightly larger, is off-white (gets noticed) and has no IS (but not needed unless it gets really dark since shooting at f4 gives better results than the IS lens at f8).
Lens works better than expected for the price.  Of course without IS technology, low light conditions require a tripod and remote shutter to  avoid movement.
I just got this lens and took over 300 pictures today.  Being an enthusiast and not a professional, this lens is a great first telephoto zoom lens.  All of the negative comments you read in other reviews might be true but I am happy with the quality of pictures I am getting for the price I paid. Shooting in good light with a tripod produces some great pictures!
The 75-300 mm telephoto lens has worked well for the pictures (not many) I have taken so far.  I had to learn when to use it the best way possible. It wasn't hard to do.
wou ld recom mend th is le ns , gr eat pri ce for a gre at pro duct .
This was my second lens purchase as a beginner photographer.  It hasn't let me down and use it often.
This lens is an awesome quality for what I paid for it! No regrets, whatsoever!
I am no expert therefore I cant comment on the technicalities but my experience on using it with a Canon EOS 300 is as follows:1. It is heavy so be ready to be surprised to feel what happens when you attach it to your camera.2. Unless you have really strong fingers dont think of holding just the camera only for too long. A friend told me to hold the lens instead of the camera and that got rid of the balance problem.3. It is slower than the 28-95 lens that I got with the camera but it wasnt too slow for me to be bothered. Ofcourse if you try to click something at maximum zoom be ready to give some support to your hand if you are not using a tripod.Bottom line - for more money I would probably get something better but I am happy customer for now.
The first time i used this lens i fell in love with it!! it may not be the most expensive fancy lens available, but it takes some damn good shots! the auto focus is a little slow, maybe not as great as some others but not a big deal if you don't mind manual focus. for the price this is one of my favorites! Feels like a quality lens in hand and connects to my camera (rebel t3i) with no issues. If you are looking for an affordable lens that takes professional quality photos i would look here first!
An OK lens for shooting fixed objects and panoramas, but the autofocus is frustratingly slow and almost impossible to use on moving subjects. Limited utility of this lens may explain why it is now often found at fire sale prices.
I purchased the 75-300mm for a trip to a NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship in Homestead, FL. I was mostly disappointed with the lens from the beginning. The lens is not very sharp, feels very cheap, and the autofocus is slow and hilariously innaccurate in low light.I packed up and returned the lens about an hour after I got off the plane. I am going to save my money for something sturdier and with a better maximum aperture.I suggest you do the same.
If you are looking for an inexpensive telephoto, this one will work out well in most situations.  At 300mm it's a little slow @ f/5.6 so you may want to consider a monopod or tripod.  Also, the image starts to get a little soft at 300mm.  That being said, I have taken some great photos with this.  I also use the lens with my equatorial mount to take astrophotos.  I was able to get lots of deep sky objects with this lens at 300mm.  I recently captured M101, M5, M27, and M38.  Sure, you can buy a sharper and faster lens, but it's going to cost you a lot more.  This is a very versatile lens for the money and a great entry level telephoto.
I wanted a great lens for casual photography. It is a great lens for the amateur like myself and the price is affordable!
Haven't got to use it as much as I would have liked, but I did like it the few times I used it.  Graet shipping. Will buy from this seller agin. Thanks!
300mm is a pros. Better use tripods or use it under strong lightings, like other telephote lens. Some one may not like its plastic design and outter focus design, which most of beginners don't mind. But it has ultrasonoic motors. Of course if you have money, get the XXB.
I purchased this lens at the same time of buying my Canon T1s....  I by no means am anything but an amateur photographer at this point, and with that said, this lens has been great for me....  I don't care that it's noisier than the included 18-55 lens, and I've taken some fantastic fully zoomed in pictures with this lens, I have seen no indication of unfocused results...  If you're a "pro" and you are buying a $150 lens and expecting $800 results, you might want to revisit your expectations  :-)
I am a dad that likes to take pictures of my kids. I feel that this could be a little better, forgive me that I cannot put to technical terms what I find wrong with this. Just does not work that great for me. Good quality, well made, but seems lacking in the focus. I hope this makes some sense. Happy that I bought here for 50% less than Canon sells for.
I upgraded from a 80-200 to this lens and have really appreciated the extra range.  Sure this isn't a professional lens, but for us advanced amateurs it offers all the versatility at a very affordable price.  My only problems with this lens is that focus tends to be slow and the barrel is a little stiff.  I'd still highly recommend it though.
Great price and works perfectly.  I would definitely buy this lens from Amazon rather than pay too much elsewhere.  I accidently dropped mine in a river and it got full of water.  Ironically, it dried out and started working again after a few days.
Reasonable good crisp photos. Used this lens for game photography, a little "short" for the African bush but a nice lens all the same, no complaints.
Don't know if its me, the camera or the lense. Bought for my sons college graduation and every other picture was blurry. Had it on a tripod and just took pics. Glad I snapped a couple hundred so I do have some good ones. I am not a photographer by any means. I point and shoot. If it works it works and this lens seems to work 50% of the time.
i see some reviews bashing it. I bot this when I got the Digital rebel a few years ago. It works really well, even for sports action. I know it does not have image stabilization, but I was still able to take some great shots. You will get some out of focus shots with heavy movement, but that is why I have a big memory card.If you are not shooting sports, then it is a no brainer. Works well with the Rebel line and takes great shots. Never had a problem with it.
I bought this for my dad as a gift and he likes it, no complains so I guess this is a pretty good lens.
I'm using this lens with a Canon EOS Elan IIE camera, and have been  thrilled with the results.  My pictures are all clear, and look like I was  up close!  It is very easy to use, and is the lens that &quot;lives&quot;  on my camera.
This was in perfect condition boxed and ready to use... Excellent purchase and shipping. My daughter and son-in-law will be using it for outdoor use and family pics.
I am satisfied because of the price. I was expecting a far greater zoom capability, but it's better than the lens that came with my T3. I find no reason to get the more expensive versions with the IS because I have steady hands. I would recommend it.
I got this lens for free when I bought a Rebel XS.  While getting a telephoto zoom lens was better than not having one, I really disliked this lens other than the price and extended range.Pros:- Greatly extended lens vs the xs' kit lens (18-55mm)Cons:- No Image Stabilization meant using a tripod, tree, table, etc. all of the time- Very few shots were extremely sharp in less than ideal conditions (worked great on a sunny beach boardwalk and that's it)- Not a lot of saturation or contrast in the image colorsIf you are using one of the APS-C sensor Canon SLRs (Rebel Series), it's only +$70 to get theCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.  In the world of SLR photography, $70 is nothing.  You'll get IS, which will give you much better images (sharper, better colors, etc), and it's my guess that the lens optics are much better, too.  The only downside of this lens is that you wouldn't be able to move it to one of the full frame SLRs in the future.
I really enjoy this lens. Prop up a tripod and a remote shutter and I can get some amazing shots of the moon. I just wish I spent a little more to get the image stabilized one; but alas, I had no money at the time but really wanted to get some photos.
I have been wanting a lens that did what this baby can do. Very pleased with the quality and for the price.
Ihavent got the chance to use it alot but so far its a good lens need to take some more outdoor shots to really test it out but so far its a pretty good lens its stable and its well made
I guess the universe sensed how much I really wanted a 300mm lens.  I would always search for sales and just dreamed.  But how can I afford one of these lenses? Then one day, this guy popped up for $100.00... Canon yet!  Sure it was &#34;Used&#34; but for $100.00, it was worth a try.  This was more within my budget and I am very, very happy and grateful!
A good lens bearing in mind the price. The real downside is it's weight. If you don't frame that shot reasonably quickly, you will end up with numerous shots of your shoes....as I did!Use a tripod.
I am not new to Canon lens' so I was not surprised to know I was getting a great product.  Sure there are more expensive and better overall lens but this one will fit your need if your just a amateur/hobbyist like me.  Never a issue one time.
This lens have really delivered the versatility it promised. I have taken pictures of my friend, who is my neighbor, from about 100 yards away and the quality of the picture was as if I was within 10 feet of him.  Its a nice lens and I would recommend it to anyone who doubts the amount of satisfaction they will receive  from their investment.Otto G.
I have used this lens on a Canon 60D, 7D and 5Dm2 with no problems...the IS wouldve been nice but for what I paid for it there is no complaints. Not as fast but definitely doable...
I just got this lens yesterday.  Went out and took some photos with it just to see what it would do.  I was expecting to see some blurring since I had read the reviews and that seemed to be the biggest con on this lens. Well, I am truely surprised. I do not have a tripod yet so I braced my elbows on the front porch.  I still knew that I was moving the lens around as I took a picture.  But the photos came out excellent.  I am using a Canon Rebel XTI. I am very happy I bought the lens.  I am just an amatuer photographer but the lens did all and more than I wanted from it.
My husband and I were recently on a trip along the Oregon coast and to view the Giant Redwoods of California. We bought this lens to go along with our Canon Rebel TSi 12 megapixel camera. Some have said they could not take action shots with it but I have great photos of sea gulls in flight and the waves as they crest, curl, and crash on the beach. You can see the feathers on the birds. I also took photos of the ocean crashing against rocks and they are so clear you can see the outer water droplets.  We also bought a High-speed SD memory disk which could have helped with the photos. I would recommend this lens.
Greatest price I've ever seen on a 300 mm lens for a Canon SLR.  It can really help with those long distance shots.
I've used both this lens and the 55-250mm canon, and I've stuck to the 55-250 for a few reasons...1. Chromatic Aberrations - the 75-300 has a lot of it, the 55-250 not so much.2. size - the 75-300 is a big lens, not really easy to work with. The focal length is also a bit weird, the 55-250 is perfect for crop sensor cameras.3. IS - the 75-300 doesn't have it, the 55-250 does. At long focal lengths IS is a must.I use my 55-250 for portraits and wildlife, and I had used the 75-300 for wildlife/macro, and honestly, if you know how to use the lens it will work well, the only thing that got me away from it was the color fringing (aberrations) when doing macro.Should you buy it? if you have the extra cash, get the 55-250 IS. If not, you can buy this and you should be happy.
Great lens at a good price. I took this out to take some photos around our local lake and I was very pleased with the pictures. I was using a canon 7D with this lens. No issues and I would order this product agian.
If you don't have &#34;surgeon steady&#34;hands this lens will only work sometimes and a tripod or monopod are going to be needed. Because it is not &#34;Is&#34; (Image Stabilizer) it  becomes hard to take a still, specially in low light.
Bought for my daughter who is really into photography and it exceeds her expectations and the features meet all her needs
Go this along with my Rebel XTi 18-55 kit.  Not bad.  Great lens for action, sports, or wildlife.  You can also create great depth with this one.  Wish the aperture would open up to 3 at least.  I shot hockey for an assignment and really had a tough time, I got my shots, but I could've gotten more with a larger ap.  Will upgrade on this in the next couple years.  They make a 70-300 USM with IS that I will replace this with eventually, but for right now, this is nice to have in my case, just in. . . case.
I bought this lens specifically for still close-up photography. It's a great value and is the typical solid Canon quality that I expected. Pleas keep in mind this lens does NOT have IS (Image Stabilization) so it can be tricky to get clear shots without use of a tripod. This is a great lens to add to your Canon Camera.
I own several top quality Canon 'L' Lenses, so I am used to using the very best lenses.The instructions for this lens state: 'Do not focus in MF [Manual Focusing] when the focus mode is set to AF [Auto Focus].'The top of the line Canon Lenses allow you to tweak the focus Manually after the Auto Focus has done the best it can.The Auto Focus is slower than that of 'L' lenses.I captured a shot of the moon and the color aberrations on the on the edges of the moon were quite visible when the images where viewed at 100%.This is not a professional quality lens which costs $1,000 more than this lens.The lens at 300 mm f/5.6 is 6 stops slower than the f/2.8 lens, meaning the exposure time must be 6 times longer than the f/2.8 'L' lens.This is not a lens to shoot Weddings in a dark Church where flash is not permitted. This is not a lens to capture car races.Used outdoors in sunlight, this lens is quite acceptable. Do you want to take a photo of your child at bat in a day baseball game?This lens will meet your needs at $1,000 less than an 'L' quality lens.If you didn't understand what I mentioned about color aberration, and you don't use manual focus tweaking, and you don't want to 'freeze frame' fast motion, and you don't have a creative effect in mind that requires the lens open more than f5.6, this lens is a very cost effective lens.As a final note, while I own other Canon lenses that cost about 10 times as much as this lens, I am keeping this lens with a complete understanding of the limits of when I may use the lens effectively.It is a great value for the money!
I bought this along with my Canon XS as part of a packaged deal in 2008.  I have used this lense about 4 times.  I like the reach but that's about it.Sorry but this lense just doesn't do it for me as the focus is slow and the images are just not sharp.  Honestly if you want something I would suggest the 70-300 usm or even the 70-200 f/4 L.  The build quality on this lense is cheap.  The focus ring is small (obviously most of the users will be using autofocus anyways).  The filter does move whenever you focus (not good).  There is no image stabilization either.I wouldn't recommend this lense unless it was pretty much free.
I'm just a beginner in photography, trying to capture great moments alongside my 18 month old daughter, this lens captures those up close happy girl smiles and laughter from across the room without snapping up the clutter of the dreaded background of a messy room for all to see. Plus it'll work great with my new digital camera that we decided to invest in alongside it seems the rest of the civilized world.
When i bought it it cost about 600 plus insurance of 200 wow what a deal! Kinda salty though because the price is so much cheaper.
I am buying the Rebel T4i with the default 18-55 lens. I am looking for an additional lens for a bit longer range. I am leaning towards this model but also came across this one "Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras" Could someone please illustrate the differences between these models?
I have had this lens for over 7 years.  I have used it with the Canon Rebel G, and will be shortly switching to the Xsi.  This lens has a great zoom, and in good, outdoor lighting takes amazing, crystal clear, colorful shots.  I shoot mainly wildlife.  The detail impresses me everytime I get a shot back. This lens has made me love photography, and constantly strive to be better.  I do not use this lens in indoor or low light situations.  While I have never used a much higher end lens, I am very happy with this one.
I bought this lens soon after I got my Rebel XT, so I didn't know much about lenses. Now that I have been using it for about a year and have since learned a little more about photography, I kind of wish that I had bought the IS version or maybe even one of the higher quality (and much more expensive) L versions. I'm no pro but even I can tell that it becomes pretty soft at the long end. Plus the front element rotates which can be a problem when using a circular polarizing filter. As mentioned in other reviews, the use of a tripod can go a long way in helping to minimize the need for IS but a tripod is not always practical. Plus, when I bought it, I didn't anticipate that I would use it as frequently as I have (though I still use my regular zoom more often). But despite its weaknesses, it's still a pretty good lens, especially for the money. It has allowed me to get many shots I would not have been able to get otherwise, and with decent image quality. If you're truly budget-minded and just want the extra reach for fun, then this would be a good choice. However, if your serious (or plan to be), and can afford it, I would go with something a little higher quality.
This is an awesome lens. I am able to get close without really being close to the object. The photo still looks crisp and clear. I use this lens all the time. I recommend this lens to anyone that is into photography.
The focus on this lens is amazing, I could clearly focus on something from another room. Though you definitely want to use a tripod with this, otherwise it's too shaky.
This is everything that I expected it to be, and a good deal. It doesn't have Image Stabilization, but it's still not too bad to hold. Just the thing I needed for shooting soccer games!
Know I have a totally different picture style with this len. The quality of imagens are amazing compared with the 18-55mm len, that is soo poor.
Returned it in 2 days.  Just awful.  Poor focusing and lots of hunting for focus on my Digital Rebel.  Slowness made every shot underexposed.  Lens mounted to the camera losely, so you could wiggle the lens.  Lens gave error 99's on the EOS.Avoid this product.Update:  Purchased the Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens and it is absolutely wonderful.  Worth the extra money for better glass, Image stabilization, and faster focusing.
This zoom canon lens does everything I would expect it to. It does a great job of zooming in. It is awesome.
I am so happy just to finally have a telephoto lens for my 5D but this lens/price makes me even happier!Not only was there Amazon fulfillment, but FREE SHIPPING (heck yeah!) and a $200 lens for $100 less (with a 90-day warranty)?!  You seriously can't beat it.I've read plenty of complaints about the fact that this lens is non-IS but I haven't had any issues with picture clarity OR quality.  As long as you have good lighting, you don't need the IS as much anyways.I was a little weary about buying a refurbished lens at first, but when it finally arrived I was so surprised to find a lens that looked and functions the same as a brand new one.  The 90 day warranty is a great safety net, too.  A lot can happen in 90 days, so I feel secure in my purchase.I tested it out in the mountains and I was just blown away by the color quality and the amazing clarity of the mountains in the distance.I just can't get enough of this lens.  It's by far my favorite lens in my bag!
There is no doubt that the IS version must be better...but the price is good, and the lensa is very good too! I've used it in different conditions, and the results have been great. I highly recommend this lens.
Great price for a very good lens. It would be better if it were an IS lens but it works very weel as is.
Super product that brings lots of new opportunities to my photography. Lens allows for fine tuning of each position and allows me to crop while I shoot.
It performs well very well for the price. I use the lense a lot since purchasing it. I love it.
Great value and outstanding quality.  Shipped on time and well packaged for protection.Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras...CANON
I always wanted a lens that was more powerful than my stock lens (18-55mm).  I am 100% satisfied with this product, the packaging and the quickness of delivery!
I tried the remanufactured route with a Sigma lens.  Got what I paid for! Stick with a new lens made for your camera!  Good price an fast delivery.
I am a Photojournalism major and I love action shots. This lens would have probably worked better on Manual ("M") than on Picture ("P"), but I still got a lot of great shots. I love this lens and I highly recommend it for anyone who is starting out as a photographer.
Although somewhat limited in that you only have two F-stops: f/4 and f/5.6,; you have five focal lengths you can choose from: 75mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm, and 300mm making it a lens you can use for portriats or landscapes.
Lens is pretty great for taking pictures of people a football distance away but camera shakes when fully extended.You should use tripod with it.
This lens is good because it's cheap and still takes clear pictures.First of all, if you use a tripod, pictures will come out great. If you're just taking it by hand, you must be really steady because otherwise it makes the pictures extra bright and some detail blurry. Besides that it's a great lens being non USM. The focus does take a little longer than the standard lens, but it's MUCH more quiet. If you have the money, go for the lens with Image Stabilization because that makes a huge improvement in the picture details and quality.Being only 16, it's hard to get a good amount of money. Thankfully this lens takes pictures from far away from when you want to get close to nature from far away.
This lens has worked out great for me.  I totally recommend it.  The canon camera is really something.  Just about all of my pictures come out great.  It is really hard to take a bad picture with this equipment
Love my new camera. Had it since 2012 and it takes great pictures. The lens fits perfect to my camera and takes great close ups.
Nice lens and focuses quickly enough for non-sports activities.  Used this with an APS-C body on an Alaskan glacier tour and got great results!
This lens is cheap, and for a reason.  It won't focus sharply when the aperture is wide open, so it's hard to get shots with a narrow depth of field but sharp focus on the subject.  Its high f-number means you pretty much need sunlight or a tripod to avoid camera shake, and forget about action shots unless it's full sunlight.  It also has very bad chromatic aberration; this may be corrected by a UV filter, but I haven't tried it.  It shows purple halos around dark objects when they're set against a bright background.The lens does have very nice autofocus, though.  It's very fast, especially after it's found the general distance of your subject and it just has to make minor corrections for different shots.Overall, this is a good lens for learning to frame shots and use a zoom lens, but its quality is low and it's not good for much more than learning.
Got it for my wife and she absolutely loves it. Works just as promised and it is all we need as amateurs.
I love how perfect this lens is for photographing and even filming sports. I am not a fan of the auto focus mechanism, but otherwise it is perfect. The zoom is deep enough for all kinds of fields/ action shots. It's small enough to not weigh down a neck strap or bag, but does everything I need it to do.
I have problems with it when I go to Zoom. It is like it has sand or something in it. It is not smooth at all. Was like this the first time I used it.
I really LOVE my zoom lense. Have been messing around with my boys and their sports, can't wait till all the sports seasons are here.
I should start off stating that I am a newbie at SLR photography, but with the basic rules underneath my belt of focal length and shutter speeds figured out, I decided I could graduate to this lens.  This is my first external lens purchase for my Rebel 1Ti SLR outside of the 55-85mm stock USM IS lens.  I had read all the reviews for this lens on here first and decided to take a chance with this lens.  I did not see anyone mentioning using this for aircraft or aviation photography, but since this was the least expensive lens, I took the gamble.The lens fit my SLR fine and was simple to figure out.  My first test subjects proved to be impressive, and I think make a good case for this lenses strong point!  The pictures were of common household goods such as ceiling fans, my dog, etc.  It is good to know that this lens will function "well enough" for those purposes, but I noticed that it would hesitate, and not accurately focus.  It would "hunt" for the focus for a few moments, and only rectified by changing the zoom on the lens.  I wasn't too concerned here, as I specifically bought this lens for aviation photography.  I was not concerned with the lack of IS, as I keep the shutter speed fast for the majority of the shots. (1/500).After shooting a few hundred pictures today at the local regional airport, I came home to discover only 4 somewhat usable photos.  Almost all photos were either too soft, too blurry, or too out of focus.  Granted, I did use the auto focus feature on the lens exclusively, but the lens was taking soft photos throughout the various shutter speeds, focal lengths, etc.  I did intentionally vary shutter speeds and f/stops, but all "action" shots were blurry, including ones in the action shot setting on my Rebel.  Again, Even with the college class I took on photography, I'm not a pro and I very well may have changed a setting, however, with so few usable shots from today, I'm certain I did everything textbook.  I don't know if stopping it down would have yield any better results, but after doing all the tricks i could think of in the field, I was confident that I would have had at least a set of good pictures.I must state this, I was aware that the quality might not have been all there due to previous reviews, but as with I'm sure most of us, I cannot justify to my wife buying an L series 70-200mm lens (or better) now, and unfortunately after today's follies, I do not think she will let me ever take that step.Bottom line, this lens would be great for close-up still life (flowers, portraits, macro-attachments, etc) but NOT good with anything of movement or at distances, regardless of settings.  Also, AF is garbage.
Unfortunately, this telephoto lens isn't as good as it might be. The reason for this is that first of all, the light-factor is very low, only 4.0-5.6 what makes you either using high-speed films (not lower than ISO 400) or using a tripod what's not possible (or suitable) very often.But, that was not the most important drawback of the lens. The most important, to my mind, is that the picture of ths lens is so unsharp, that very often you even think, looking at the picture, that you haven't focused right. It's bad for portraiture or close-up objects' photography.Anyway, the focus lenght of the lens is quite convenient as you can shoot from portraits to sport. Albet remember, that the film should be as high-speed as it's possible in the situation for the highest-possible-shutter-speeds in order to eliminate the possibility of stir.Overall, a low-class lens, quite good for its price.
This lens is just what I wanted for my Canon camera,  It shipped very fast.  It is just right,  I like it
And once you do that, I am not sure I can justify dissing this lens. It is true I do not use >150mm often. For the 10-20% of pictures that demand a long lens, I can happily get by with this lens. If my hands are not steady, I rest my hands on a wall or similar structure or simply mount the camera on a tripod. And, with noise being minimal at high ISO these days, I can take some liberties and get away with a faster shutter speed to where my trembling hands are not a factor.There is a credibility issue (if you are trying to establish your credentials as a serious photographer) when you are standing next to someone with an USM or a L version of a similar lens. But be realistic of what your needs are and if you tend to shoot in the 18-135 range - the money for an IS USM/L lens can be better spent on a lens in that range. Digital media affords you quick feedback and keep shooting till you get an optimal shot. These arguments have persuaded me (grudgingly I will admit) to keep this lens and look to improve in other zoom range.I recently traveled thru Asia with this lens and on the rare occasions when I had to use this lens, I did very well with the pictures by shooting at 800 ISO or just buttressing myself firmly against a pole or some similar type of support.
This is amazing and for the price its even better.  I got mine refurbed and it works like brand new!
Awesome product, price, and delivery. I am 100% satisfied with this camera. Purchased as a Bundle with bag and 300mm zoom lens. I have been pricing this camera for 6months, and although everyone is reducing price due to release of T4, Amazon was the lowest out of all. With the bundle this lens only cost $10.00
This is a good lens, however it does suffer from chromatic abberations!  Which if you use adobe light room can be fixed.  Sharpness is good though even at 300mm. Which is more than I can say for the $400 Nikkor 55-300 vr that I bought for my Nikon camera!  If you have a little time to invest in photo editing this lens does just fine!
I was looking for a lense to take pictures of the scenery while we are here in Alaska. This lense is awesome! You  can still take close ups as long as you stand back atleast 4 ft and zoom in! A must have.
I bought this to use along with the "Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 ImagingBody + 18-55mm lens." I have been using this set up for a while now and am very pleased. It does everythingit is supposed to do, and it does it without a lot of headaches/hassles. Highly Recommended!!
Now, just to say, I just bought my first DSLR, and got this lens kit with it. And I absolutely love it right now. I don't know about all the technical specs and so on, all I care is that it take awesome pics, and I have primarily been using it outside, taking pics of animals and objects. I read all the reviews about the lens, from the 5-star to the 1-star (I don't know if anyone would have given it a no-star rating if possible haha) and decided to try it for myself. And I am very pleased I got it, it's a major step up from my Nikon L100 point and shoot camera. But otherwise, I would recommend this lens to others if they are getting a Canon DSLR. Shipping was so damn fast, I had done two-day shipping but got it the very next morning before I even woke up. I woke up, checked the delivery status and it was right outside my door. I had ordered it the day before in the afternoon.
I am an amateur at photography but I love this lens. It's a bit bulky but no more than any other lens like it would be. It gives great image quality and works well with both manual and automatic focus. Definitely worth the money!
I'm a serious amateur photographer who recently recieved the lens as a christmas present this year. I use it on my Digital Rebel XT and it seems to do a pretty good job as a entry-level zoom lens. I've been testing the lens out for about a month and I have essentially the same conclusions as everyone else: the autofocus is rather slow and clunky but I am still able to nail birds flying past me. The lens is rather slow at f/4 but I've taken some great shots at ISO 100 and ISO 200 by hand with it at 300 mm. I will say, I shoot in RAW and inspect all of my photographs at 100% zoom during processing, I can tell you that the optics of the produce a non-sharp image and tends to have chromatic abberation especially in high contrast regions. Even under the most ideal conditions at 250 mm, f/32 using a tripod, mirror lockup and the self timer with no filter, the picture is not sharp and I believe this is dispersion of the lens glass. I noticed the worst sharpening at 300mm wide open. However, the lens produces excellent contrast and the overall image quality is great. I love having the freedom to zoom in on distant objects. So it doesn't perform as well as a professional lense but as a amateur, I'm happy to have this zoom lens to complement my Rebel XT system.
just remember that at this price there is no image stabilization. So bright light and fast shutter speeds are called for. a good lens none the less.
I have only been able to give it a brief test and it seems to be working great. So far so good.
The lens arrived on time for Christmas and was packaged very well.  I wasn't concerned about any damage during shipping.  I actually bought it for my sister.  She was able to open it right up and put it on her Canon.  It works great.
I enjoy photography as a hobby mainly- as a way of recording my family's life events for fun.I didn't want to have to spend a lot on a zoom lens for my Canon DSLR.This lens fit my camera just fine.  It's not an expensive lens to begin with, so it wasn't very quick with the "auto-focus."  I was also new to using the "action" setting, which takes 3 to 4 frames per second when you hold down the shutter button.  So while several of my shots were slightly blurry, I did notice that it did a good job trying to "follow" the subject.I was shooting a basketball game, and trying to focus on one player in particular.  When I would slightly depress the shutter, I noticed that a rectangle would show up around my subject, and follow him as long as he was in the "frame."  That was pretty cool.  It sort of "knew" who I was trying to focus on. Several shots came out well.  I need more practice.A 300mm zoom isn't tremendous, but it does make things a few times larger than "naked eye" size.I was pleased with the automatic exposure.Don't try to focus on anything closer than 5 feet when using this lens.Overall, I was very pleased with this lens!
I didn't buy this lens from Amazon but I do own it. It's a great telephoto lens and I've been really happy with the picture quality. My only gripe is that I wish it had a stabilizer. Even with that's only slightly dim, like that of a cloudy day for example, causes the photos to sometimes be blurred because the lens is long and heavy, so small movement can cause blurring. It isn't impossible to use without a tripod, though. It's an extremely good lens for the price, that's for sure. Overall I'm very satisfied with it!
I suggest that you buy with usm lens. This lens does not FangDou, pat vision is very easy to fuzzy. I regret that I bought
You don't expect exceptional performance from a lens of this price range. This is a decent lens for beginners. However, keep in mind that although the pictures will be good, they will not be very sharp. If you can, go for the Canon EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM lens. Although it's a bit costlier, but provides much better picture quality.I had originally obtained the Rebel XTi with 17-55 and 75-300 kit. After using them for a couple of weeks, I found out that the photos were never very sharp. I returned the package and bought the camera body and lenses separately. I am very happy with my decision, and my new lenses (28-135, 75-300 and 50mm f/1.8) always give very satisfactory results.
A nice lens for the price I picked it up for ($99 at a certain bullseyed retail outlet.) The zoom is pretty impressive and maintains good quality throughout. However, its best to use in well lit areas if you plan to shoot by hand only. Once the sun goes down, have a tripod ready to avoid a shaky image.
I've spent days looking online for a lense like this and finally went to Amazon.com. After a short minute or two, this deal came along and I jumped on it. The seller advertised the lense as like new, and boy was it ever. I was pleasently surprised upon opening the shipping box and discovering the lense was in perfect condition. I feel I made a very smart choice by using Amazon.com. I saved almost half the store cost on this item. From now on, I will always shop with Amazon before looking at the online auction services...Thanks!
I bought a Canon EOS 20D digital SLR and the Canon EF 75-300mm zoom lens to take photographs of my children's various sporting events.  The magnification factor of this lens is perfect for a variety of sporting events including lacrosse, basketball, swimming and gymnastics.  The focusing speed is very good for capturing action shots.  I highly recommend this lens as an affordable general purpose zoom lens.
This lens has been a nice complement to our Rebel XT. Fast focus and nice zoom range. Highly recommended. However, for indoor photography at high zoom, the built-in flash on the Rebel XT is not strong enough, so be forewarned that you may need to buy a flash as well...
I bought this Lens for my daughter- in-law and She Loves It!She is having a Blast taking some incredible shots. This lens was just what she had been wanting to add to her Canon DSLR!You truly made One Very Happy Customer ! I have the same Lens type for my Nikon and I also could not be more pleased.My Daughter said to me it is the one lens she now uses the most, she loves the quality and the great action shots she is nowable to get! This was a Winner in Every Way!Thanks Amazon!Safety 56Steve Hamilton
Witout spending loads of money this lens does the trick very neatlyGreat zoom at a very fair price, I am very happy with it all around
I'm not a photo gear wonk, but my wife is very happy with the lens, and therefore so am I.  I've seen complaints in the comments about the technical details, but for the amateur this lens will do the job (on a Cannon Rebel T3, in our case).
I am satisfied with this lens w.r.t the price i have paid for this. $120 is very cheap. Agred, it does not have USM. But i am able to take some good photos with this lens. Though i haven't tried sports photography yet. I would recomend this lens to photography learners, and those does not want to pay more money for USM or IS functionality.
If you're looking for something to shoot fast sports and the such this really isn't for you.  If you just want to take some nice photos or scenery or people this is a great lens.  Took a bunch of photos with it already and the DOF is great and the colors are great.  I recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a quick update to a stock DSLR Camera.  My skill level is intermediate and I am no pro, but if you want to take some good pictures and on a tight budget, this is a great lens!
have been able to take great zoom shots on my eos 7d even though it is not an is lens.
Bought this lense and it works great for my Canon SLR Rebel 2000!  Payed under $120...half of the retail price!
This product was a wondferful product and helped me a lot when i had to take pictures from far distances.
This lens was exactly what it said it would be. Arrived undamaged, quickly, and hasn't given me any problems in months! Great purchase!
I really love the telephoto Zoom Lens.  I haven't had much chance to use it because of the weather.  Even our snow isn't pretty.  It comes in the night and by the time I could take pictures of it, it's pretty much turned into slush or ice.
Great lens. A must-have for every photographer.
Just got my new lens . Due to the sub zero temps here in the UP I haven't had a chance to try it out yet . Took one picture out of the door in the back yard it looked fine.,
I have used this lens for over 2 years and have had no problems with it.  Some reviews say you cannot take sports shots with it but I completely disagree.  I have taken my sons playing football and baseball with wonderful results.  I've used it on a Canon Xti and Xsi camera on the sports setting while taking approximately 50-75 shots per game I only have to trash around 10 for blurriness.  I even took one football game in the rain (under an umbrella) and could see the raindrops stopped in some of the pictures while the players were clear as could be.  The pictures come out crisp and clear and stop the action just fine.  Sure, there are better lenses out there but for the money you can't beat this lens.
It's a great lens, and the USM motors really do help you focus a lot faster, but still not quite as fast as the smaller lenses.If you're zoomed all the way in to 250-300mm, you're really going to notice the missing image stabilization (which this lens doesn't have). If you're zoomed in that far, you're going to get some blur even at fairly high shutter speeds. But shooting outside in daylight, I never shoot with a tripod, and I get plenty of keepers.A good lens, well worth the money. However, if you have the money to spare, a lens with both USM motors and image stabilization will definitely be better, though also much more expensive.
It does what its suppose to do efficiently. i used it for a Toyota commercial. i got a great deal on it so it was worth it.
Works perfectly. I get great shots of graduation even though I was not close to the stage. Need to use tripod when taking pics of the moon
Good solid zoom lens, Canon Quality and Canon Clarity. Great zoom for its size and doesnt make the camera unruly to handle for the casual trips around where you are looking for more than stock zoom. Wish it was stabilized, but most photos are taken on a tripod which helps eliminate shake at a distance.
First off I'm going to say that I bought this lens used for $100. I read plenty of reviews and most of them talked about how the amount of sharpness gets really low when you get around 300mm. This is true. From my testing, 75-200mm seems to be the sweet spots for this lens. I shot a few pictures out in the woods at 75mm f/4 of my Dad and the bokeh was pretty awesome. I also shot some pictures of birds at 300mm and it's just very unsharp the second you crop. The only way I've found to get good bird shots is to be really close to them. This is very difficult unless you're at a popular park where the birds are fairly used to humans. Here is a picture I took at 300mm and is only very slightly cropped [...] I was only a few feet from this bird. As you can see it's a sharp image due to VERY minimal cropping. It is difficult to fill the frame with these little birds let alone get close to them. Here is another bird at the same exact place [...] This was shot at 155mm, it was at Clingman's Dome in Gatlinburg which is a very popular place which makes these birds fairly used to humans. I put down some nuts right next to myself and it walked right up and took them and that's how I got this picture.Pros and ConsPros:Takes great portraits at 75mmVery inexpensive for what it isFairly well built for the priceCons:You lose almost all sharpness once you crop above 250mmThe zooming is not very smoothOverall, who would I recommend this to?I would recommend this to any beginner photographer who wants to take pictures of their family or friends that may also enjoying wildlife photography. This would also be a great lens for someone who doesn't really care much about photography but wants a nice zoom lens to sit on their porch and take pictures of wildlife from far away (birds, deer, etc)TL;DR: Overall great value, absolutely worth the buy.
Not a lot I can say about this lens other than it is typical Canon in that it does what it is supposed to. You get more than what you pay for with this lens because of the auto focus feature. Not all telephoto lenses are equal especially not equal to a Canon. I highly recommend this lens.
So far so good.  I have only had a chance to use this lens a few times.  So far it works fine and the pictures and zoom application are as expected.  The only down point was that the shipment took forever 3 plus weeks to arrive.  It was not the fault of the vendor but rather the carrier.  I would and will buy more products from this vendor.
Takes great telephoto shots while using a tripod. If looking to take these kind of photos without a tripod you may want look into one with IS unless you have a steady hand. I had borrowed this same lens for a week from a friend and then decided to purchase. I am very pleased with this lens.
I love, love, love this lens. It's a bit long so it's not ideal for a walk around lens...but MAN, oh man does it capture some amazing shots. I first tried it out on a windy day at the lake with my nieces and nephews and caught some absolutely amazing shots. The clarity of the images even at full zoom is incredible, and don't even get me started on the bokeh! It is just a wonderful lens...now if Canon would only make it a bit more squat, it would be perfect!!
This lens is amazing!!  It allows me to take pictures of birds sitting on my bird feeder in my back yard.  The pictures are great!!
This is a good value for sure. The got the USM, and it's a little slow, so if I'm not in great light, most of my shots are blurry. But the shots that come out well are gorgeous.
But I don't take that many pictures from that far away.  I'm just a Dad taking pictures of his kids in action.  I usually don't carry this lens with me.  But I have used it and it does get me closer to the action when I'm not close.
Bought this for my g/f last year for her Canon T-3 and it is absolutely a dream for her to use and take pictures with.  Exceeded our expectations; she uses it in all types of situation and it performs flawlessly.
I have nothing bad to say about this lens, so lets start there.  It is great.  Coming from a point and shoot camera to a Digital Rebel XT may make me biased though.  This lens has a very quick auto focus.  It is so clear, and the pictures it takes at distance are very clear also.  I would buy it again in a heartbeat.  It is a little heavy, but that means good quality.  Also the lens isn't designed for across the living room shooting, so you will want to have a different lens for that.  Finally, I got a great deal on this from a market place seller.  Take a look around.Don't worry, you won't be sorry about this purchase!!
This is a Great lenses for the price.  I brought it for my son who is starting photography and he absolutely loves it.  I would highly recommend it.
I got this lens with my camera almost 2 years ago. However there is nothing much I like about it. The images it takes are not crystal clear and for some reason the rubber grip around the lens is falling apart unlike my other one. I want a good lens that takes sharp pictures, not this. I only use it if I see something interesting in the distance and I really want it. Either then that I barely use it.
I bought this lens for my Rebel 2000 camera and have been very pleased with the results.  I never use autofocus, but the AF feature when I played with it was very fast and accurate.  I got the best pictures by using an all-around 800 Max film with this lens.
I am not a pro so when I wanted to buy a telephoto lens there were a lot of choices. After a lot of thought I decided to go with a less exspensive lens and I have been happy with the choice so far. The one problem that I have had with it is indoors using the flash. This causes the worst red eye I have ever seen. I have taken a lot of shots so far and I am happy with it.
My best pics so far have been at the Aviation Nation at Nellis AFB here in Vegas. I made some super shots on F86's. I can see the pilots' faces from a god distance away.
I love it because I can get everything that was far close to me, and it is a good quality
I bought this lens to capture my college graduation from a distance and I am very disappointed in it.  The photos are very blurry, even though the camera was on the correct settings.  In full daylight, I cannot get a crisp image with this lens no matter what I do.I suppose the old saying holds true: "You get what you pay for" except that I didn't get even that much with this purchase.
For the price range of $150-200, this lens is the cheapest in the Telephoto zoom lens range Canon offers. The cheaper price is because this lens does not have a quiet-n-fast focusing Ultrasonic motor (USM) and neither does it have an in-built Image stabilizer (IS). Instead it has a comparatively noisier DC motor which is not quickest to focus. Also the lens exterior surface is mostly made up of plastic and appears little cheap compared to the USM version or the IS USM.But in terms of picture quality this lens is not bad at all. In bright light with high shutter speed the lens performs at its best. The pictures come out sharp and clean (please check out the pictures I uploaded). In day light condition and at high shutter speed (1/100 sec and above), you can shoot really good pictures (even without a tripod). But I concede that in low light areas/overcast conditions/cloudy and evening light the lens shows its weakness. You will desperately miss the Image stabilizer function. But if you have a tripod then the lens works even in low light conditions and at shutter speed 1/30 sec or lower and an exposure of 1 sec to 15 sec.Now for the whiner's who have been complaining: When you see a Canon Telephoto zoom lens displaying a price tag of $150-200, what outstanding features do you expect in it? As I said before, this lens does not have an IS or USM, then how can you expect it to focus quickly like the expensive ones. Apart from the picture quality and the zoom capacity, it's basically wrong to compare the features in this lens with other advanced & expensive Telephoto zoom lens. Given its DC motor and as a Non-IS lens of course this lens is not meant for Sports photography. If you're a sports photographer then why be stingy and then whine? Go for theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens for Canon EOS CamerasorCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasboth lens are great for Sports photography. But keep in mind, those two lenses are comparatively heavy to carry around as they weigh 25.4 ounces and 25 ounces respectively.  Compared to those the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III weighs only 16.8 ounces.So the bottom line is, if you're a photo enthusiast beginning DSLR photography, looking for low budget zoom lens, then this one will work best for you. For the given price and as a Telephoto zoom lens the Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III does what it's supposed to do.
This is arguably Canon's weakest telephoto lens that they produce.  You are better off spending a little more money and getting the Canon EF-S 55-250.  They are both entry level zoom lenses but the 55-250 gives you much better image quality plus Image Stabilization.
I'm relatively new to DSLR photography, and this is my first non-kit lens (though I have tired other lenses in the store, I don't think that really counts).So far, I'm very pleased with this lens.  The zoom is very satisfying...buildings a mile away become a useable size.  I'll just break it down into pros and cons.PRO- Smooth focus and zoom irises.PRO- Good image quality for most of the lens' range.PRO- AffordablePRO- Provides great zoom ability (75-300), "completes" the kit lens (18-55).CON- Autofocus is kinda slowCON- F-stop requires a lot of light when zoomed in around 300mm.  This would be true of any lens, though.CON- Images might not be that clean when zoomed in around 300mm.  This could be due to the increased gain or shutter speed, but in general I found I had to work a lot harder to get a crisp, sharp image when I zoomed in at 300mm (again, could be true of any lens, but this is the only one I know).Ultimately, I'm really glad I got it.  I'm guessing other lenses are better because they cost more, but I can't comment on those.
I'm not a expert but, this lense has about everything I needed. It has a bit of trouble focusing in at the 300MM range and when using the 300mm you really need a tripod.The USM is just as adversited quiet and quick. Pictures came out great but you may want to invest in a flash. At 300mm the stock flash is just not enough.
This is a great field lens! Very light, yet good construction, and incredible range. I can shoot at 300mm and not have to use a tripod and my photos come out awesome. I have a Rebel XT, XTi, and XSi and works great on all of them. This has to be the best Canon lens for the money. Get one...you won't be disappointed.
I was very disappointed in the reviews, and I had decided not to purchase this lens, but then I read the review by John Nolley II.  After reading his review, I purchased it.  I have had it for a few days now, and I am very happy with it.  I have not found any focus problems.  It acts exactly like my Canon 55-250mm Telephoto lens.  Most of my shots (about 99%) are Nature and Landscape.  Every now and then I photograph my grandchildren playing sports.  My first test of the lens was shooting birds in my backyard.  They do not sit still very long, so I was constantly focusing and refocusing, and it was fast enough for me.  I see no difference at all with the operation of this lens and my Canon 55-250mm.  The only thing it does lack is Image Stabilization.  I found myself turning the Image Stabilized button off for most shots with my 55-250mm, and I always use a tripod anyway, so it is not needed for me.Thank you John, I would not have purchased this lens had it not been for your review.By the way, I was able to sell my used 55-250mm on ebay for $107 minus $9 shipping & insurance costs (sold in a few hours), so I figure this lens cost me about $30.oo Net!I absolutely love this lens.
This is the first lense of this sort that I have purchased.  I am your garden variety amateur who enjoys shooting action photos at sporting events in my spare time in both daylight and nighttime.  The EF 75-300 has been more than useful at my level of expertise.  The quality of pictures is more than satisfactory.  I am still getting aquainted with all features and how they work with the camera and flash but am more than comfortable with ease and quality of use.If you're a first time user for this level of photography and considering this product as an amateur looking for something more then jump in.  It is a great and fun tool for the price!
As long as you're taking pictures using a tripod, the lens is just fine. We've since replaced it with the IS version.
Seems to work just fine.  Well wrapped, no damage, it was just what I expected.  Reasonable price.  I'm selling all my old FD lenses that this one will replace.  I'm just an average guy taking pictures, and I'm sure if my needs were greater, my judgement more refined and picky that I could find fault with this lens, but it works just fine, and I am happy.
awsome for close ups this takes very good pictures. its not that heavy either. i use this itme with my cannon rebel xs
For many years I have had Minolta film camera/accessories. One thing I had learned in the 20 some years of buying equipment was that the Minolta Brand was better quality, and higher priced. When I decided to go Digital, I did endless hours of research on the camera. I chose to get the Canon 20d over a similar Nikon. So far, so good. When it came time to add accessories, I did next to no homework. I bought this lens at a local camera chain store. It was affordable, and had the Canon name on it. In about three weeks time, I dropped the lens while making a lens change at a soccer game. It stopped working. No one cared, because I had dropped it. My Minolta gear has most certainly been banged, bruised, dropped.... It ranges in age from 10 years old to stuff handed down to me from my father over 20 years ago. It all still works. I have since upgraded to the "L" series lens. I wish a salesperson at the store had taken a moment to explain that Canon does, in fact, produce some crap. My "L" series lens is awesome, and I would highly recommend that anyone considering this lens, wait until you can afford the "L" series lens. This lens is sure to disappoint.
Great lense.  It replaced one of the same type I used for twenty years that had been broken while I was on vacation.  It is fast and takes great pictures.  Everyone who has seen it has been impressed.
This lens is the best thing for taking pictures like the professionals photographers during your kids soccer game.Pros: Clear picture and very inexpensive when you compare with the other brands.Cons: None so far ...
Hey if you are an amateur photographer... this is for you! I like to take pics... and this lens is aaamazing! Awesome!
I like it, its non complexity and I don't use flash much in my work so it is amazing.Buy it.
Every other light out there can bend and/or swivel if needed, so a job offer I'm after won't be made unless it works with the co.'s own mandatory attachment as well. Also, this could not possibly be used with a wireless trigger if wanted, so that's another negative. At least it wasn't expensive!
The flash works great.  There is a little lag time waiting for it to be ready, but the pictures are worth the wait.
It's ok, It's bright as heck but you cant control how dim or bright it is. good price might come in handy some day. My 430 ex ll is great.
I owned two of these flashes, which I used with a Canon TTL HSA-3 (Hot Shoe Adapter 3), TTL distributor, a few Canon Connecting Cord 60, and a couple of Canon OA-2 (Off Camera Shoe Adapter 2). Rig it all up, mount the flashes on brackets, and it was a wonderful, relatively compact setup for macro photography. It worked great with my old film bodies with TTL functionality.When digital arrived in my workflow, I was a bit disappointed that Canon digital bodies would only work with these flashes as manual units. That meant full power every time the 200E speedlits were triggered. Yikes. But thankfully, there is an easy solution to control power. The most obvious is to play with your f-stop and ISO, but it has it's limits. The next step is to adjust the flash-to-subject distance, though this can also be a bit restrictive. The next step is quite versatile. There's a "cheap" way and a more "better" way to do this:The "cheap" way is to cover the flash unit with regular printer paper to reduce output. If the flash is still too powerful, stack another sheet of paper over it. Repeat as necessary.The "better" solution is to get a sheet ofRosco Cinegel N.3, 20" x 24" 0.3 One Stop Neutral Density Lighting Filter, cut it into a bunch of small rectangles, and use it to cover the flash either individually or stacked together (like the "cheap" method above). Use little strips of velcro on the flash and on each piece of ND filter material so that they're stackable.While these solutions are a bit of a hassle, it's an excellent way to continue using these "last generation" types of flash with newer digital cameras. And if you're shooting at a makeshift home studio, it's really not that cumbersome to make adjustments on the fly. Especially if you're a seasoned DIY-er.
I have used this flash for the past 7 years and it had never given me a bit of trouble.  Granted it only has an on/off switch and a ready light, but the camera does everything else.  Is it worth the price? Yes.  Have I ever wished I had bought the more expensive flash? Rarely, when I am shooting at a distance at night.  Otherwise, it fills my needs.
However I have some complaints about the flash output. The build quality isn't the issue. If you test the flash out you will almost be blinded by the bright light. BUT for some reason the flash doesn't seem to ever die. This means after 3-4 rolls of film the flash dims to the point where it starts to make the pix under exposed to the point of being not fixable. So every 100-120 exposures replace all 4 AA batteries. The old batteries will still be usable in lower power electronics so don't toss them out.
I was worried about purchasing this older model of the Canon Flashes since i didn't know if it was compatible with newer rebel DSLR cameras. After researching and getting nothing on google i took a leap of faith and walla! It works wonderful with my Rebel T3! Its sturdy and works wonderful. I just thought i'd write a review on this flash and the compatibility in case there is someone else like me wondering.
the speedlite work good with my camera take the pic that I need to take  the camera that I have  takes great pic
This is a perfect companion for party, family, and portrait shots. E-TTL works very well for off-centered subjects. High speed sync works for all shutter speed from 1/125 to 1/4000s, making fill flash very easy. Also, 2nd curtain sync provides very creative control in night photographyThere's not a whole lot to say in a review about a flash. There are better flashes for more money and flashes with less features for less money. I bought this flash to replace the onboard flash of my Elan IIE. It greatly outperforms the flash on the camera body. Also, if you use larger diameter lenses like the Canon 28-135mm, the flash on the camera body is slightly obscured by the lens itself. The 380EX is an ideal mid level flash for the Canon EOS system. If you're trying to learn more about flash photography and want to experiment, you can't do much because it's totally automatic. The higher level model (420EX, 550EX) offer many for features for a price.Thanks for your time...
I have used this flash extensively at my Canon 30D. While it wont be as good as a flash from Canon's current lineup one can obtain excellent results. Especially the tilt function does a great job and renders this flash a affordable entry level product.
It came in good time and works always but I was thinking I would have got more light from it. A little disappointed in that but its a solid performing product. I just had to buy a better flash after getting this one to take group pictures but this was fine for just people in twos or by themselves.
Simple to use and good for someone just starting out. If you're doing this professionally, I would suggest going up a model.
i purchase this used and the company is awesome. It didnt come with the box but its working good. You have to buy a canon flash for your canon camera. This will adjust and made for canon so you dont have to do a lot of ISO adjustments...
This flash unit is a perfect fit of my Cannon. These are difficult to find out there because it is off the main camera market. It does far more than I need it to do and is very well built.
Just brought a 380EX 2ND hand. Had some test shots with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi. After you turn on the Camera and the 380EX mounted on it, it does show the E-TTL indicator. As per my camera documentation mine is a Type-A camera. I followed all the steps in the 380EX manual as well as my XTi manual. Looks like the best results are with either Av (Aperture priority) or Tv (Shutter Priority). I think setting the Aperture as wide as you can (In Av Mode) and letting the camera choose the best shutter speed works best for me. I have tested with ISO 800. May be i am missing something, but the performance of the speedlite does not seem to be any better than the in-built flash. I struggled a lot trying to make the speedlite work in AUTO mode, No luck, It just won't sync with the shutter. May be i need to test more settings and see what i am missing.Update: Found it best fit if used as fill flash.
My husband is pleased with these binoculars.  They are the perfect size for his game trips and I guarantee you that he will haul them everywhere, especially all the sports games.  It's not everyday he manages to sit close, so these binoculars will satisfy him even in the worse seats.
It is a small but for its size it has a 6.4 field of view.  If you want a quility binocular this is a fine choice...
I own several pairs of binoculars and these are my favorite!  They are small as noted by several of the other reviewers, but there really isn't any reason why this should be an issue.  The optics are great that the adjustments are easy.  These have a permanent place in my daypack and get used several times each week.Four years later (2008) - Still my favorite binoculars!  They go from the shooting range to the live theater with ease and do their job wonderfully.  I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.
I just received and returned these the same day. Somehow I didn't expect binoculars the size of a paperback. Don't get me wrong ... They look like great binoculars. It is just that I didn't equate the words "compact", and "small" with dinky. My bad :) So, I thought I'd share my experience to help you avoid repeating my mistake. If you are looking for small binoculars, you should definitely consider these. If you are looking for standard sized binoculars do not order these.
You can't beat the Canon 8x23A compact binoculars for the size, price, and quality.  No other company does as well in this price range.  The Minolta's feel plasticy and their diopter adjustment very fragile.  The Nikon Medallion 8x21 are not bad but the Canon 8x23 edges out the Nikon by giving you slightly more light gathering ability and slightly better image quality. The Pentax's look unattractive to many people.The binoculars are attractive, easy to hold, and come in a black pouch with a belt-loop.  The only minor downside to the entire package is the short and thin neckstrap that comes with the binoculars.For most casual uses these binoculars are at the sweet-spot in their class. Anything over 8x becomes hard to hold steadily and you can easily miss activity around the primary subject.  You could go for a binocular with better low-light capability (23/8 = 2.875 pupil image) by getter larger glass on the front end like an 8x32.  But the Canon in this range is 3x the price.  For 2x the price you can get the 8x23A in an all-weather model if that is important to you.All around a great buy.
I was looking for a quality compact pair of binoculars, thiswas exactly what I was looking for. There well built, opticsare exellent. As good as a porro design gets. I can't see howyou could go wrong at this price. I'm very satified with them.
Certainly a better us of my hard-earned government pension.I spent about the same amount of money on my FIRST new car:a 1972 Chevrolet Vega -- boy! Was THAT a waste of $1875...spent the ame amount on my Canon binoculars, and CAN even seeSatelites pass by... if I'm patient.Imissd the asteroid last Friday, but Russia didn't. Sorry, THATwas uncalled for.Great bi-nos!
As an avid boater (owned 24) this binocular is the best I have owned.  Admittedly they are also the most expensive that I have purchased.  So if they hold up I will stay very satisfied.
I purchased these for my husband.  He absolutely, without a doubt, loves them!  We use them for birding, wildlife observing, and stargazing.  With the IS you can see the craters and the mountainous edge of the moon, plus the moons of other planets.  Definitely more portable than a telescope and much more versatile.  They are heavy, but the weight is worth the visual experience.  We have owned them for almost 2 years without any problems.
These things are incredible!  I received a pair of the Canon Image  Stabilization Binoculars as a gift from a friend and was immediately blown  away by how well they work.  The fact that they don't shake makes it  possible to read numbers and signs at great distances.  I race on sailboats  and the ability to read call letters and names on competitive boats is a  real help.  I also got the clearest view of the moon I have ever seen last  night.  The large lenses really capture a lot of light, so that you can see  clearly at night as well.  They are pricey, but you really get you money's  worth with this product.
I am very happy with these binoculars... I originally purchased the 12x36 IS and was so impressed that I sold them on Ebay and immediately purchased the 15x50's..I have always purchased expensive optics.. These Canons (in my UN-Professional opinion) are going to be the demise of all other Binoculars that do not have the stabilization technology..I enjoy looking at Jupiter and 4 of its moons..... With any other non-IS binocular these moons would be jumping and zig-zagging all over the place..Again, I am not a professional .. I am just giving you my opinion and my experience with these binoculars... I was originally in tremendous doubt and now I could not possibly be happier...I went ahead and purchased the B+W clear filter's 58mm that screws inside the lens area of the binocular so that it will protect the binouclar lens from debris, fingerprints, etc. etc.I could have purchased these Binoculars a little cheaper from other places..I chose Amazon because of their solid reputation. Also, If you purchase these Binoculars from a non authorised dealer they are referred to as "grey-market" and Canon will not honor the warranty..I also found this site to be helpfully : [...]
Already had  the Canon IS 10x30 and loved them.  Wanted a second with more power.  This is not significantly better.  It is also extremely heavy and hard to hold when looking at objects.  I don't know if there is something in between that Canon makes that would be easier to use.  Maybe I need to go to the gym and get bigger biceps !
We use these mostly for viewing the night sky...lately Jupiter and it's moons, which are visible with these binoculars.  The only thing I don't like about them is that they are a little heavy for me to hold up for any length of time but my husband has no complaints.
These binoculars are spectacular.  Point them at Jupiter and you see a bright dot wandering around in the field of view.  Press the image stabilization switch and the planet and its moons instantly become visible.  While they can't subtract all movement they do get rid of the little shakes that make hand held viewing so difficult.  15x is enough magnification that Saturn is obviously not round.A complaint about earier versions of the Canon IS line was that your finger went to sleep holding the IS switch down.  Now you can press it briefly to turn on the IS circuitry which will automatically shut off in 5 minutes.  If you press and hold the switch it shuts off as soon as you release it.I haven't had my pair long enough to comment on battery life but do see a problem changing them when they are mounted on a tripod.  Unlike most binoculars where the tripod mounting is at the objective end where the two barrels rotate on the Canons it is at the bottom of the binocular near the center of the tubes which don't rotate.  And the battery compartment is just in front of it so you can't get to it if the binoculars are on a tripod of have a quick release plate attached.Since the lens barrels don't rotate intra-ocular distance is adjusted by actually moving the oculars.  They are kind of stiff but that is good because they stay in place once you get them set.The tripod mount is lower than the highest part of the lens barrels so if you have a big quick release plate like that of the Manfrotto (Bogen) 410 geared head (highly recommended) it presses against the bottom of the barrels and not the flat between them.For some reason Canon doesn't seem to fell that the objective lenses need any protection as they don't ship lens covers for them.  They do provide lens covers for the oculars but they pop off a lot because the eye cups are so soft.  It looks like you need something like 69mm lens caps.  They don't tell you in the manual but Canon sales says they are threaded to accept 58mm filters so you can buy solar filters for them.I can use the binoculars with my glasses on due to the 15 mm eye relief but it is really easier to use them without the glasses.They are heavy, ~2,5#, but if you support them on the heels of your hands very stable.
As mentioned in other reviews the eyepiece rubber needs to be rolled back or trimmed to get a good view through them. I will most likely end up trimming mine as the rubber is thick when you roll it back and does not leave much room for your nose and comfort.Other than that the view is superb, not quite as good as Zeiss but close enough when you factor in the stabilizer. Very noticeable difference between using them with the system on vs off....
First, I couldn't decide between Fujinon and Canon and then I was never able to take them outside and try them out and/or compare them. So, I finally just bought a pair of Canon 18x50s and hoped for the best when they arrived and I looked thru and pushed the IS button.Boy, what a waste of several years. Why didn't I buy a pair when they first came out? I could have been using them all this time. Instead, I dithered over cost vs. results and really regret the fun I missed in the meanwhile.The only difference in these versus regular binocs is one button. When you push it, there's a little click and from then on, WOW. After investing plenty in telescopes, computer tracking mounts, etc., these should have been a much higher priority. Oh yeah, they're light enough to take anywhere and the viewing fatigue is really that much less than with others (especially since my hands are really pretty shaky anyway and I drink plenty of coffee).
Great binos for a variety of uses.  Super sharp and the image stabilization is as good as my $6000 Zeiss.  I notice these keep increasing in price, so buy sooner than later!
I have recently purchased the Canon IS 15x50 binoculars for backyard astronomy.  I wanted enough "power" to be able to see interesting things without needing to set up a telescope.  I researched and read a lot before making the purchase.  The binoculars are great!  The stabilization makes it possible to get a clear, shake-free view.  So far I have been enjoying Jupiter and its moons, double stars, star clusters, and even some Messier objects.  As a treat, various meteors flash across, and satellites too faint to see with the naked eye travel by.  Even in my light polluted backyard, the binoculars are providing some very satisfying viewing. They are a bit heavier than regular binoculars, but are not uncomfortable, especially if I brace my elbows against my body or the arm of my chair.
Get these binoculars, if you can afford them.  I have looked at, or through, Zeiss and Leicas, and the Canon's are of equal quality.The image stabilization works, period.  You can see detail that is NOT possible without IS.  Also, the binoculars are very usable without the IS feature, more so than I would have thought.My suggestion, buy the highest magnification that will fit your application, since IS gives the greatest benefit at higher powers.
I've had these binocs (Canon 15x50 IS) for two weeks now and am regretting my purchase . . . . regretting that I didn't buy them years ago, that is!So far I have put them to work for aircraft spotting, watching hawks soar high overhead, looking at the moon, and general observation of distant terrain. These are by far the best optical instrument I've ever had the pleasure to use. The Image Stabilizer feature is truly outstanding. It allows you to really reach in on astounding views, and enjoy them with rock solid stability.For example, to focus in on a Boeing 747 that is still 5 miles out on final appoach, and clearly watch it extend its landing gear in all its glory of doors opening, wheels articulating, and doors closing . . . then enjoy watching it float through the air until WHOOOOOOSH it's upon you, is awe-inspiring! And fun!Another pleasant surprise. The binocs came with two years of extended warranty from Canon free -- three years in total. I wasn't expecting that, but it was in the box when it arrived. Cheers to them!Prior to buying, I compared the Nikon 14x40 Stabileyes and Canon 15x50 and 18x50 IS binocs and tried them extensively, back to back to back, indoors and out. The Canon's seemed a bit brighter than the Nikon's (as they should be at 15x50 vs. 14x40), sharper, they are more compact although perhaps a bit less robust, and thanks to more heavy discounting and the rebates, they cost about $350 less. The Canons are more highly regarded in the various enthusiast sites as well (both the birders and the astroheads love 'em). The Canon 18's cost $200 more than the 15's, and seemed just a bit &quot;jitteryier&quot; (is that a word?). I am planning to use these for daytime aircraft spotting as well as the night sky, so the 18's just seemed a &quot;bit much&quot; for my needs. The 15's seemed perfect.Great price from Amazon . . . . $799, before a $100 mail in Canon rebate and a free $50 Amazon gift card. Net cost of $650 is a great deal -- enough so that I justified overnight shipping!Cheers to Canon for a job well done!
Most of the reviews I see for IS binoculars are by and for plane spotters and other non-birders, so I wanted to add the wildlife viewing perspective to the mix.I have owned 2 different pairs of the 12x Cannon IS Binoculars, one pair of the 15x Cannon IS binos and I have tested the 10x42 L series (high-end, geared towards birders).  I will cross-post these comments for all three.  For any of you birders out there trying to decide which is the right choice for you, here are my observations.First, general comments that apply to all three:1) Image stabilization is great!  There is nothing not to love about it.  Why all birders on earth don't use these things is a mystery to me.  For the money, I would prefer to spend an extra $200 on image stabilization vs spending an extra $1000 for a comparable improvement in optics quality.2) These binoculars are heavy and bulky.  The grip, the feel and the ease of use are different than those of "normal" high-end binoculars.  The human factors of the engineering range from acceptable (12x) to incomprehensibly bad (10x).  I suspect that experienced birders may pick them up for the first time and not like them because they "don't feel right."  Here's my thought: it is worth the 1-2 hours it takes to get used to them, because it will change the way you bird.  For example: YOU DO NOT NEED TO CARRY A SCOPE in many circumstances, which is huge.  They may be slightly heavy for binos, but they are much lighter than binos plus a scope and tripod!3) it is easy to underestimate the benefit and power of IS until you have used it for a while in the field.  For example, when you are looking for a bird that is mostly hidden in leaves, and occassionally pops into view, these guys are great.  The slight vibration in your hand means that you need to see an image longer for the brain to decipher the image.  When it is stabilized, you can see it in a flash.  You will be able to scan a flock of shorebirds at distance in a fraction of the time it takes someone with a scope.  You can see details on a bird moving 100ft above in the canopy that are utterly impossible with normal binoculars.4) THink of them as ELECTRONICS, not optics.  These will not be passed on to your grandchildren.  They will last 3-5 years depending on how hard you use them.  Don't bother trying to get them fixed because it is uneconomical outside of the warranty period.  Don't buy them if you are uncomfortable with the cost because you may need to replace them in the not-to-distant future.  That said, reliability has been okay for mine.  I have dropped them, gotten them throughly wet for hours, taken them to high altitudes, and exposed them to a wide range of temperatures without any issues.  One 12x pair developed a rattle and subsequently a hiccup in the IS.  When I openned them up (not recommended) I found that a couple of screws fell out.  I don't know where the screws came from and don't really care because now they work fine again.Here is a comparison of the various models:12x: the normal "rule of thumb" for birders with conventional binoculars is that 8-10x is about right in terms of image stability, weight, field of view and magnification.  With IS binoculars, the equation is a little different.  You can have image stability at any magnification, so it comes down to weight, field of view and magnification.  For me, the winner is the 12x.  You will have a little extra trouble finding a fast-moving bird, especially at close range due to the smaller field of view vs typical 10x.  However, it is strong enough to allow me to leave my scope at home for most purposes -- it is equivalent to about a 15-18x conventional scope.  The eyepieces are comfortable and the field of view is acceptable.  My primary compaint is that the close limit of focus is too far for comfortable use in close quarters like dense rainforest.  These binos seem rugged and reliable.15x: optimal for pelagic birding, gulls and shorebirding, but the field of view and range of focus don't work well for normal birding.  On a boat, nobody else will be able to see the stuff you see, period. It is like having a scope when everyone else is using 8x bins.  In these circumstances the relatively limited field of view is not an issue and the extra magnification is great.  These are much larger and heavier than the 12x and you wouldn't want to carry these on a 10 mile hike (although it would beat hiking 10 miles with a scope!).  My main complaint -- and it is a big one -- is that the eyepieces are attrociously uncomfortable for my eyes.  Presumably they must be comfortable for someone, like the engineer who designed them, but not for me.  I had to replace them with eyepieces of my own because they are intollerable.10x: These are fantastic.  Pros: smaller, lighter than the 12x.  Wider field of view and better close focus.  Cons: 1) very expensive; 2) eyepieces that are as bad or worse than those on the 15x, which is why I don't own a pair.  I think perhaps Cannon made these because they found in their market surveys that birders want 10x binos.  I suspect they haven't sold many at the $1,100 price point given the Human factors issues.  I personally would advise birds to not buy these unless they are willing to replace the eyepieces -- and better yet just get the 12x.  Hopefully the next version will address these issues, because the IS technology and the optics are great.
I've used these binoculars for astronomy and bird watching for about 2 weeks.  They are outstanding, even without using the image stabilization.  It's remarkable to experience how jitter vanishes when the stabilization is engaged: the moons of Jupiter pop out, and central peaks within large lunar craters are easy to see.The most interesting effect of the image stabilization occurs in dynamic scenes, where bushes or trees may be moving in the wind (and perhaps a bird or other creature hidden there as well).  Without the stabilization, jitter makes it impossible to identify details in such scenes.  The stabilization function really reveals much in such instances, since the observer's random motions are canceled out.The quality of construction is excellent; the focus mechanism is silky smooth, and has a considerable range; the field of view is very good; and the optical correction is outstandingly sharp over the entire field.Buy a couple of snap-in 58 mm lens caps to protect the front optics, you don't need anything else; Canon E-58U caps(for about $8.50) work fine.
The info for the 15x50 says"It also features 15x zoom to accommodate wide-ranging activities"but in fact has no zoom capability.I bought it specifically for the zoom capability - otherwise I would have bought the 18x50
Really love these.  The image stabilization works great and really makes a difference when using the.  Have very solid feel also.
I bought these for astronomy, and they are very good.  Optics are very good--not the best I've seen but very good.  Image stabilization works well.  But I found that hand-holding is really only practical for targets at  or near level.  For overhead viewing (typical in astronomy), it is difficult to hold them steady enough for viewing--not to mention the discomfort of craning your neck for long periods!  I strongly recommend an inexpensive reclining beach chair.  You can set the back to whatever rake you need and you can easily steady your arms enough to get full benefit from these binoculars.  One other thing: when attaching the included neck strap, be sure to thread the strap end through the buckle on each side.  Otherwise it will not be secure!
Canon products are amongst the most innovative I have ever owned. The 15x50 IS Binoculars are no exception. I have used mine for the past five years with much pleasure. My wife uses a Canon 40D camera along with an assortment of Canon lenses (I just got her an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for Christmas). We have several 'point and shoot' Powershots floating around. I will continue to purchase Canon products into the future with expectations that they will continue to lead their industry as they are doing now.Now let me tell you about Canon's repair service... It is terrible... All which prevents it from being the MOST terrible is the fact that some of the other companies are worse, but this is no excuse for a world leader in its field -- as Canon certainly is -- to offer less than excellent service.Banzai Canon!! Wake up and smell the tea!Eric Rall
Originally ordered the Canon 18x50IS as an upgrade to my superb Canon 10x30IS.First 18x50 pair: ok for terrestrial use but displayed flairing on Jupiter through the right eyepiece (left was ok).  I exchanged them.Second 18x50 pair: Jupiter flaired in both eyepieces.  I then noticed that the flairing only happened when I turned on the IS.  I returned them for a refund.Ergonomics: the rubber eyecups must be folded back for these binoculars to be usable.  This helps make the eyepieces so big that there was not enough "nose relief" to get the binos close enough to my face to see the whole FOV without really jamming the binoculars in to my face (they left red marks on my nose).  After some searching, I found that many others had experienced the same problem, some literally took a pair of scissors to the the eyecups to increase the "nose relief".  Not a good thing to do to such expensive binos.On a clear night from my urban (Sacramento) back yard, I used these binoculars to detect M51 - something I never thought binoculars could do from my location.  Keep in mind that this feat took about 5 minutes of focused study knowing exactly where to look, and the indications of this faint galaxy that I managed to pick up were only perceptible 20% of the time.  While these still perform more like binoculars than a telescope, you do get that feeling of "now your cookin with gas".  Too bad my samples had bad optics and the ergonomics didn't fit my face.One more thing: these are heavy enough that after the novelty of a new toy wears off, you wont want to travel much with them.  The only use I see is astronomy, where you are reclined in a lawn chair with armrests on which you can comfortably brace for extended periods of time.I give my existing 10x30 Canon IS 5 stars, but cant recommend the Canon 18x50.
I just bought these Canon binoculars 18-50 at Amazon.Com. Optically they are fantastic and I would rate them with 5 stars..but for the following poor design issues.When using the holding strap it can and will damage the rubber eye pieces.Canon designers put no thought into this.The front lenses are too close to the front edge of the body. As a result the lenses can be easily scratched .Canon designers put no thought into this.If Canon increased the throat dept on front lens, they would have assured adequate scratch protection for the lens.Canon designers put no thought into thisLastly the protective lens caps are worthless.Canon designers put no thought into this either.Why do Canon design people, develop a first class pair of binoculars with world class optics , and then do a cheap crap design to the finished product .  Beats me!!
I bought the Canon 18x image stabilizer binoculars a month ago and I love them.The reason I bought these high-powered binoculars is I want to identify all the major landmarks in the San Jose South Bay area.  My wife and I ride up to the mid-hill of Mt. Hamilton once a month.  Most of the time before we are ready to turn back and coast down the hill, we spend a fair amount of time looking at the spectacular scenery of the San Jose and South Bay area.  We want to identify as many landmarks as possible.  With our compact Minolta 10x binoculars, we get a clear look at downtown San Jose and of course the Lockheed aircraft hangers.  But we could not find the San Jose airport.  With the new Canon binoculars, we can identify the airport and many other places.  We can even find the street intersection that is only one street away from where we live.  The interesting thing is once we identify a place, we can also use the compact Minolta to see the landmark, although with smaller vision.  These Canon binoculars make excellent spotter.The image stabilizer is an interesting high-tech feature.  It helps to get a clear and stable view if you press the stabilizer button.  However, the binoculars weight 2.6 lbs.  I am tired after holding them for two to three minutes.  Last time we rode up Mt. Hamilton, we bought a regular camera tripod with us.  These Canon binoculars come with a built-in screw thread that can accept a standard tripod quick-release plate.  With the binoculars mounted on the tripod, we spent a good half hour looking down the beautiful landscape.  The obvious question is, does the use of the tripod defeat the purpose of paying extra for the image stabilizer?  How much something is worth is a very personal question.  It differs from person to person.  I am not going to attempt to answer this question.We are very happy to own these binoculars.  This is a very pricey toy, but we love it.  I first saw the Canon 15x image stabilizer binoculars at Wolf's Camera web site and they have a price tag of around $1,200.  I was shocked by the price.  I told myself some day I might buy it.  A year later, amazon.com was carrying this 18x version at a much lower price.  I was overjoyed and broke down and bought this toy the following month.
One of my co-workers got a pair of these from Amazon today. Wow! We stood at the window of our 24th floor office and read the menu of a hot-dog cart on a corner a block and a half away.What really clinches it (and made it possible to read the hot-dog cart menu) is the image stabilization. If you have a high magnification, any minor shake of your hand is magnified.  Try it with a video camera with one of thos high digital zooms.  When you're at 100x, even the electronic image stabilization can't compensate just for the average minor muscle twitches in your hand.The image stabilization on this is optical (i.e. analog), not digital, meaning there's no fuzzing of the image as a processor tries to adjust the image to compensate for vibration. Optical zoom and optical stabilization require more expensive mechanical components to implement, thus you'll see mid-range video cameras offering their digital counterparts to enhance or substitute for optical zooms and stabilizers.Given, these binoculars will set you back a pretty penny, but you could go to a ball game, sit in the nosebleeds and count the laces on the ball. Definitely a very cool thing for the gadget-oriented.
I like them.  They have a clear and bright view that is as steady or steadier than 7 power non stabilized binoculars.  The short neck strap and soft case coupled with the lack of front lens caps is a detriment.  I am glad I got the 15 power rather than the 18 power because if you are in a hurry the field of view of the 15 power is plenty narrow and finding stuff fast is a bit of a problem especially if it is moving.
I've owned these for a year now, and while they're expensive, they're more than worth the cost. What I like best is scanning an area with the naked eye, then using the binoculars on the same area and discovering things I had no idea were there -- people, animals, boats, whatever. These are extremely powerful, and the image stabilization works wonders -- if you're used to non-IS binoculars, these are like magic. You go from a shaky image to one that's surprisingly steady -- the IS won't eliminate all vibration, but it does a remarkable job.I treat the front end of these like the expensive lenses they are -- just as I would with a Canon camera lens, I bought the recommended UV filters and the snap-on caps. Scratches are forever -- these are cheap insurance.I also use these heavy binocs with a standard photographic monopod, which handily screws right into the fitting on the bottom of the binocs. This makes it a lot easier to use these for long periods. I think I paid $50 for my monopod -- just about any decent one would work, as would a tripod, for that matter -- but a monopod gets the job done and is handier and more portable.My one complaint is that Canon was disappointingly cheap with 1) the carrying bag these come with (the chintzy plastic fastener failed pretty quickly) and 2) the caps at the eyeball end, both of which fit loosely and fall off easily. Hard to understand why Canon doesn't do as good a job with these two accessories as they do with the binoculars -- but they got the important part right, so I'm quite satisfied. Highly recommended.
We've had these Canon 15x50 IS binoculars for about 4 years, and are convinced that if you're looking for the best, these are it!  They're durable and the image stabilization is fantastic (and necessary at that magnification).  Yes, they're heavy - but what do you expect at 15x50!  We did have the battery door break this year and sent them in for repair.  Came back with "no charge" even though well out of warranty.  The only drawback is that the price keeps going up over the years as the Dollar falls against the Yen.
The problem with high power binoculars is that humans can't hold them  steady, and that jitter makes it impossible to really look at something  without a tripod.  The image stabilization in this pair solves that problem  and holds things rock steady.  This is an expensive product that clearly  distingues itself, and one of those products that technology makes seem a  little magic.I have only two small complaints: First, for a product  this expensive they should pre-install the neck strap for you -- not a big  deal, but it would be nice for the customer.  Second, I wish the lens cap  covers were higher quality and attachable to the unit so they wouldn't get  lost.  Again, not a big deal.These are without a doubt the best  binoculars I've ever used.
Just received the bins last night. I carefully opened the box and it was packaged very well. Kudos to the Canon Team! I was expecting a brick and it would weight a thousand pounds but based on the 12x36 I picked up in Las Vegas last week I knew it wasn't going to be an issue for me. I'm a big guy but not like Arnold and thought it was pleasant weight-wise. I actually thought it was light which could be a first! I thought I would try my rechargeable's at first and was disappointed that they didn't have enough charge. I tested the rest of my batteries and found a few that had a bit more charge. Unfortunately the Canon wanted even more charge as they only lasted 10 seconds so I broke out the batteries that came with the bins. They are 'not for resale' Panasonic alkalines. The 'lock' sound of the IS was much reduced with new batteries and the IS kicked in within a second or two max. Since it was night I pointed the bins to the sky and started to look around. Stars that you couldn't see with the naked eye magically appeared in the bins. It was stunning. And bright stars to the eye really popped in the bins making the 15x worth it and the brightness of the 50mm objectives definitely appreciated. The IS really really helps as the stars were shooting all over the FOV. It wasn't perfect but the shake was greatly reduced. The focus knob was perfect and it was easy to find the sweet spot. The pupil distance function was very easy to do too though it is different than other bins I've used. No issue there either. I actually like the eye cups and thought it would initially be an issue. I was happy this wasn't going to be an issue for my eyes (no glasses). I kept them extended and didn't roll them down. The front plastic caps fit as well as could be expected. I purchased the Canon objective plastic covers and they fit well. No issue there. I am giving this initial review a 4-star but after review of the bins during the day and I get better familiarity with the IS function with the batteries it may change (probably go up). I consider a 4-star very good only after using them for around an hour but only 15 minutes outside looking up in the sky.
This birder, who has a Zeiss, two Nikons, a Leica, a Swarovski, a Bushnell and two other Canons, should have known better, but didn't adequately consider this unit's 43.2-ounces, almost three pounds. The verdict after a first outing in Fairfield County, CT: Very heavy in the field in a standing position despite good not great IS. 15-power magnification is obviously a lot, one trade-off being six meters, about 20 feet, the nearest focus. The focus knob is fast and smooth, the image is bright, & the ergonomics are reasonable. For a specific assessment of the optics this reviewer will defer to the pros.
The Canon 15x50 IS binoculars are the best choice for high power handheld use because it has a wide 67.5 AFOV that is sharp to the edge of the wide 4.5 FOV. I also have the Canon 8x25 IS, 10x42L IS WP and 12x36 IS II's that are all the best in their class. The 15x50 IS is at the limit of the Canon IS system because the 18x50 with 0.7 correction angle would make it alot harder to stay within that amount for the average person IMHO. I could track planes very easy with my 10x42L's but my 12x36's and 15x50's are too hard to stay within the correction angle while panning but for everything else they are great. For half the price of premium 15x binoculars the 15x50 IS's are a bargain and have wider FOV with a steady view to see detail that could not be seen in 15x non IS premium binoculars handheld.
the earlier reviews for this item were dead-on - optics are great, the binoculars themselves are a little heavy, but not so much that they are cumbersome, and the lens caps are flimsy and more than a little disappointing.I got these binoculars for Christmas, and have been pointing them everywhere I see.  The 5-minute timer for the IS system is much better than the earlier version on my father's set of Canon IS binoculars.  This is my first set of "real" binoculars, as I don't count the el-cheapo set I've had for football games.  I was very impressed with the amount of light these allow in, making the image very clear.  The amount of detail you can see with the IS system truly is amazing - I'm not sure that going back to regular binoculars is a possibiliy now.The only cons I can think of are the lenscaps - for $900, you'd think that Canon could figure a way to make a more substantial cap that clips on the body - I am going to try to find an aftermarket solution, because these just don't cut it.A great set of binoculars for hunting, bird-watching, backyard astronomy, wildlife, etc.
I bought these binoculars (along with &quot;The Backyard Astronomer's Guide&quot;, &quot;Touring the Universe Through Binoculars,&quot; and Starry Night software) to learn some basic astronomy.  This has turned out to be a winning combination.While these binoculars weigh 2.6 pounds, they have a very natural, comfortable fit in the hands and are easy to handle.The image stabilization is amazing and really improves my ability to resolve stellar objects and surface details of the moon.It does seem a little odd that Canon did not include front lens caps.  However the 15x50s are threaded for 58 mm filters, so one can easily purchase standard lens caps.  I bought a pair of 58 mm Canon lens caps which fit, although the heavy rubber armor leaves minimal clearance to operate the lens cap release buttons.  With filters installed the lens caps fit exactly as they would on a camera lens with plenty of clearance to remove, even if wearing gloves.
I bought these for an upcoming alaskan cruise and boy and I glad I did. We had some other 10x25 binocs that I used for years and wanted an upgrade to something more substantial. These are amazing! They are so clear and the stabilization is the most impressing aspect of them. I have used them at least once a day since buying them for bird watching, astronomy (the moon looks amazing) and for watching a new housing development go in about 3 miles away. My parents are considering getting a pair for the cruise too, I plan to share but I don't think I'll want to be without these for long. Wonderful product that I plan to use for years to come.
I was very pleased with the Canon 18x50 IS binoculars. We took them to the Galapagos Islands and they performed well. Teh IS really assists with ship rocking and minor shakes. I have a few thoughts that would make these binoculars more user friendly.1. Try to make them lighter. My wife found it difficult to carry them for extended periods of time.2. Please add fip open ocular and objective lens caps rather than the loose caps. These get lost and the ones tied to the binocular body make it easier to cover the lneses in inclement weather.3. Making the units water proof and not just resistent would be a big factor for those of us who use the binoculars in nature photography especiall in a canoe or kayak.4. Having an optional camera adaptor would be great for photography buffs.Overall this binocular is a great addition to the human eye.
Simply Amazing!  Great field of view and easy focus.  Best binoculars I have ever used.  I have used regular 18x50 binoculars in the past and always found it challenging to hold the image steady watching sporting events. The stabilization feature is terrific.  The rock solid image is definitely worth the cost.
My main interest is in astronomy. I have had the Canon 10X30 IS Binocs for awhile and have been very happy. So I decided to take the (substantially more expensive) plunge and get either the 15x50 or 18x50 IS. After reviewing some info on various forums I decided on the 15x50 version.They are outstanding! Sharp, clear optics. Of course the IS sytem works extremely well. As with all such systems, they eliminate the "jiggle" that ruins the view with binocs of about 10x or greater, but there is still some residual, slow "wander" because of larger scale movements that the user makes, but they stop everything more than enough to give a beautiful view. This "wander" is no more noticeable than with the 10x30s.I don't want to overstate the "wander" business. If you have used IS optics you know what I am talking about. It's just that the IS system can't compensate for major movements. You wouldn't want it to try because you move the binocs to frame the subject. They completely eliminate the "shakes" though.I recommend them highly.
As a novice astronomer I really enjoy the sharp, steady view with these binoculars. The view is fairly steady even with the I.S. off - depending how stable you are of course. My binoculars cost more than my telescope !! And my telescope is a decent one too. But I think they are worth it. You see so much more in the night sky than what the naked eye can see - by far. They are of course great during the day too. Their weight is not much of an issue for me, although each person is different depending on their viewing habits. I think a hard carry case would have been the best but it's not a big deal for my use. I recommend this pair of binoculars to anyone who is serious about great quality and performance.
I wanted to start stargazing and I learned it was better to start with binoculars first. They are amazing, I would recommend buying some sort of UV lenses for them. They are easy to carry with you everywhere and the Image Stabilization is an amazing feature. The neck strap it came with was difficult to assemble and I no longer know where they are. They show great images of the moon and you can see Jupiter and its moons with these. They are great!
Great in every way except the eyecups are waaaay too stiff for me.  Using them for birding and long periods of trying to figure out what you're looking at, you have to pull them hard into your eye sockets to exclude the side-light.  Over time, this is painful.  I compared them with my old 15x45 Canon IS which were comfortable and could almost gather as much detail.  By comparison, the 18x50's seem to have better contrast and maybe a better stabilization.... but not as user friendly so - I sent them back.
I just picked up a set of Canon 18 x 50 Image Stabilizing Binoculars.I am really pleased with them so far. The pair is heavy at around 41 oz and solid as a rock build wise. The eye cups, as others have said are lacking. They crunch together on both sides of your nose as you press your eyes in to get a full field of view. They are less a problem with glasses as they are folded down and the distance between your eyes can be easier adjusted. I use glass about half the time. There is no front caps. I use some 58mm lens hood to protect them and cut down on glair. The unit comes with a tripod socket. I use it to attach my Black Rapid strap to it which seems to work better for me and allows me to carry another small binocular or camera around my neck.I have tried Canon's 10 x 42 IS, 10 x 30 IS, 12 x 36 IS and a pair of Fuji 14 x 40 Techno-Stabi IS binoculars. The Fuji pair is the only other IS binoculars I retain now. After trying all the different lower power units I came to the conclusion that the IS was more effective at the higher power. True the IS works great in the lower powers but I can hand hold them quite easily. I found my self spotting birds and things with the low power binoculars and then grabbing the high power ones to study what I saw. So I  dumped my money on the more powerful ones and use  the normal binoculars I already had (no IS) for locating targets. These are lighter and have a more familiar form factor.You might say - Why 14 and 18 power? They seem pretty close to the same magnification. I will try to explain.Canon's Image Stabilization is different from that that Fuji uses. The Canon binoculars lock down solid on your target like the things are on a tripod. But, they have a really tight effective sensitivity range of about 1% of vertical and horizontal movement freeze. The Fuji Techno-Stabi on the other hand have around a 5% effective range of steadiness. It is a pretty much "like your floating" sensation. I plan to use the 18 x ones for general use and the 14 x ones for use on the water (they are completely water proof) and for tracking fast moving birds and race cars and the like.I hope you find this blurb useful.The 18 x 50 is Canon's most powerful IS binocular. You will be happy with them if you take the plunge.
This is one of the finest optical instruments i ever bought. The Image Stabilizer works so fantastic and flawless you just don't wanna let this bino out of your hand. It even works while you watch from a driving car. You can make out license plate numbers from about 400 ft away. I also bought protective lenses which I use during daytime. When stargazing I realized some mirror effects from the protective lens - so just let those off during nightime. This is the most useful and inexpensive tool for stargazing. Even better than some telescopes for the same price. The AA at 2100 mAh last for about 3-4 hrs. Even with the IS shut off the optics are awesome - but with the IS engaged it is breathtaking. It is definitely worth to spend the extra money to get this system over any other w/o IS.
A few additional points after using the Canon 18x50 image stabilisers on an extended holiday ... frankly, nothing beats these binoculars for bird watching or while using binoculars from a moving platform.  I watched sea eagles in flight off the Norwegan coast with a clarity of vision that made it feel like I was flying in formation with them.  But be warned ... carry a large stock of batteries.  The Canon stabilisation system will chew through a pair of batteries in a day's steady use.  Of course the binoculars still functions without image stabilisation, but once you have used the I.S. anything else seems vastly inferior.  As my earlier review noted the Zeiss image stabilisation system does not use batteries, but the 3000 pound sterling cost is still prohibitive.
These are nice optics! So, Canon, why not include dust lens covers?! Come on!Buyers: plan on purchasing pairs of screw on UV filters to protect the coated optices and lens caps!
If you have not tried image-stabilization, you probably do not realize how unsteady you are while holding your binoculars.And Canon's mechanical (variable prism) method is philosophically superior to digital (move the matrix) methods.I can see so much more, so much better.Hand-held and stabilization beats even a tripod.
My ten years with a $1,000 pair of Steiners was a long and happy relationship. Few things on a boat last that long or work so well. However......in pitching seas I never really mastered their use and when I needed them most, they served me the least. Along comes a nifty boat show demonstration of the new Canon Image Stabilizers (in an 18x50 setup....excellent for open water) and voila, the Steiners become below-decks backups and the Canons rise to the bridge. They are magnificent, with great optics, very good balance and of course the incredible advantage of image stabilization that actually works in 6 foot seas!
I've owned my 18x50 binocs for two years now, and have used them mainly for astronomy.  Perhaps my expectations were too high, but...(1)  I found the image to be less stable than expected.  It's certainly better than with no IS system at all, but not as solid as you'd get from using a good tripod.  Of course, using a tripod near the zenith is a problem, but there are solutions for that, such as the Sky Window system (the binocs look downward, at a mirror).  After an hour's observing, you'll definitely notice how heavy these binocs are.(2)  I found a large amount of residual color on bright objects...red on one side, blue on the other.  I attribute this to the prisms used in the IS system.(3)  The maximum interocular distance is just barely wide enough for my eyes.  The diopter adjustment has considerable stick and slip.  I'd rather wear my glasses than mess with the diopter, but the eye relief isn't sufficient.(4)  The binocs come without lens OG lens caps, which is strange, considering how expensive they are.I suggest you NOT buy this binocs online.  Go to a store that will let you take them outside.  Examine a star-like object, such as sun glint off a power line insulator.  Check out the IS, the residual color, and the weight.  See if the store will let you have them &quot;on approval,&quot; and try them out at night.And don't forget, you can buy a pretty good apochromatic telescope for $2000.Roger RensvoldHong Kong
These binoculars performed as advertised. I just focused on the object, hit the IS button and was looking at a still image. A little pricey but I will have them for years and enjoy looking at wild life in Yellowstone. This is the ticket for that.
I bought these in order to have a great "all around" pair of binoculars.  They have served me very well for general, light use in the following areas:- birdwatching- moon/sky-gazing, but you don't want a bulky telescope- any other time I needed to magnify my view with a steady imageI wanted to be able to look at the moon, but was not interested on learning about, or moving around, a bulky telescope.  That is the main reason I ended up buying these binoculars.The image stabilization works superbly.For general use around your home, property, looking at the night sky, or trips where you can pack them in a suitcase to use at another destination, they are excellent.  They are on the heavy side, so probably not a good choice for backpackers.I have not tested them in "all weather", so I cannot comment on that feature.  In my opinion, they are so nice, and expensive, I only take them out of the original box for use in good weather, then I put them right back into the box for safe-keeping.  But, they do feel tough and rugged.The IS is worth the extra cost in my opinion.  It will make an otherwise shaky magnified image almost perfectly steady - truly amazing!
I bought these for an expedition to Norway and the Svalbard Islands near the north pole. I put UV filters on as protection for the lenses and also bought Canon lenses caps. Yes, it was excessive. The case issue was of no concern as the glasses are rugged and when in the wild or searching for Polar bears cases are useless for the glasses and camera. While we walked through rain and snow I was very worried about my camera but not the Canon. My only wish is that the eye piece caps were one piece and were attachable to the strap to keep the eye pieces dry, and that would have saved time in not having to wipe them dry before viewing. I am a Nikon person but was not happy with the Nikon's. I am a tough critic on optics as I come from the optical industry and my other glasses are Zeiss which my wife enjoys their small size. These IS Canons were absolutely amazing. We saw a ship approaching us from a great distance and our guide said that it was probably a fishing boat. I said it was another expedition boat with about two dozen people on board in life jackets. Everyone, with jaws agape, looked at me. Of course everyone then wanted to look through the Canons. On our expedition I saw a number of Canon IS's as there were a lot of birders and ocean types on the trip. The weight was not an issue as I got a harness carrier and this model also has a tripod screw which mounts on my monopod which is also a good walking stick. This is first IS type of binocular I have owned after shopping for months for the perfect binoculars. This IS Canon allowed to me to use much more powerful glasses without getting seasick or worrying about the elements.
These great binoculars arived just a few days after I ordered them.I've been enjoying them ever since. The image stabilazation is awe inspiring. It cuts down on eye fatigue as well. They are a bit on the heavy side, but thats to be expected.Listed as frequenty bought together are,Canon E-58U 58mm Snap-On Accessory Lens CapTiffen 58mm UV Protection FilterI ordered both assuming they were a good idea as there are no lens caps for the large lenses. Neither Item fits.Update: after recieving a comment about the filter and lens cap, I took another look, (this time with my glasses on) the filter does indeed fit. And the cap clips right onto the filter. Be sure and order 2 of each. My apologies for the mistaken info, and thanks for the correction, as I now have lens protection:)
I've been using these for wide angle sky viewing at night, and the views I'm getting are stunning.  I can split Albireo and see both the blue and gold colors clearly.  Also fine for viewing the strands of dark nebulae in Sagittarius.
I purchased these for astronomy/observing and I have not been disappointed.  As some of the other reviews have pointed out, they can pull in the moons of Jupiter quite well, among other items.  Perhaps the most impressive feature is how well the image stabilization works-- no need of a tripod even at 18x magnification.The only 'cons' I can think of might be price, and perhaps field-of-view (if you want to sweep large areas of sky).  I think the weight is reasonable for the degree of magnification that is offered.
The stabilization of the view is mind blowing.I was a bit concerned about spending this much money on a pair of binoculars.  We love to casually birdwatch and my wife and I live for most of the year on a catamaran sailboat and the rolling of the deck can create some steadying issues using our standard binocs.  Since not only pleasure but our safety was on the line, I was willing to give it a try.  The end result is nothing short of amazing.  Important safety details such as daymarker numbers or reefs can be picked up at about twice as far away as with our marine standard binocs but best of all is the steady sure confidence imparted to the product from the image stabilization feature.I highly recommend these puppies to anyone wanting a quality pair of binocs.
This is my first image-stabilized product, and I'm very favorably impressed. Canon has long enjoyed a reputation for top-quality consumer optics, and this binocular certainly performs up to that standard. The image stabilization makes magnification over 10x practical for handheld viewing, and is very intuitive in use: one push of the IS button to activate, another to deactivate. I was somewhat skeptical that the 15x50 would perform well at night for stargazing. The 3.33mm exit pupil seemed to be too small for astronomy, but I didn't need to be concerned. The large 50mm objective lenses gather plenty of light. This, combined with the 15x magnification and very effective stabilization system, makes it a wonderful astronomy instrument. My backyard telescope has remained under wraps for months, because the Canon is so much handier to use, with zero set-up time.For daytime use, the images are bright, well defined, with no discernable chromatic aberration. For bird watchers, this bino may be a bit too bulky and heavy for comfort when hiking through the back country. I found that a larger padded neck strap goes a long way towards relieving that problem, though.
Without the IS system, I can only look through these things for a few minutes before my trembling hands have me nauseous.  But the IS allows me to look through these as long as I can support them.  Like another reviewer, I find I have to fold down the eye cups for a better view.I fail to understand why Canon can't include a cover for the objective lenses, particularly at this price tag.  Aside from that, the only complaint worth mentioning is that they are rather heavy, and you won't be pointing these at the sky for too long without a tripod or something supporting your elbows.If you can afford them and don't mind a little weight, you will be pleased.
This is one of those purchases my family and I will enjoy for years. You can see the moons of Jupiter with these. You can enjoy a football game in a whole new way (Redskin, Army and Ohio State fans like me may want to wait a year!!). Great for bird watching or any trip into nature because you can see so many things wihout disturbing them - and they are exceptionally durable and weather-proof. I can't wait to get them to Jackson Hole to see the stars and planets away from city lights, plus elk and moose and the Tetons. To know why image stabilization is important with high power bino's, all you have to do is push the conveniant little button and it makes all the difference.
I have earlier bought Swarovski 10x42W and Leica Ultravid 12x50HD binoculars and they are great but very expensive... and there is no image stabilizer.This time I wanted better magnification and this requires image stabilizer. Canon 18x50 IS exceeded my expectations - the stabilizer really does what it should. I first planned to buy 15x but it is good that I finally ordered 18x. The binoculars are a little heavy for women but in my hands they are ok.When you add UV filter or some other filter, they protect the lenses from scratches and naturally help on their own way, too.Why would anybody buy anymore traditional binoculars without image stabilizer and pay even much more?
I have an 8X for the back yard, lost my 15X which broke my heart, and now got the 18X.  It complements my 8X42 Svarovski, and is so much easier than lugging my Zeiss spotting scope for most purposes.  Get it!
Update:  I own them now! Bought the filter covers for the main lenses too and the lens caps. As some reviewers have noted these binos weigh a bit more than other binos due to the IS. Not too burdensome for a decent hike if you carry it postman-style over your neck and under an armpit and can still bring it around quick enough.  All things considered though I wonder if a spotting scope and a light monopod might not be a better choice for weight and magnification.  Perhaps for some, so far I'm sticking with this (and it's paid for).Original: First, I don't own these binoculars (yet), due to the cost and weight (they're over 3 pounds), but I've started saving my shekels based on the Bezos review and the Canon name.  Also, please note that these binoculars are 18x (not 50x as another reviewer suggests).  For bird-watchers it's worth mentioning that one should keep in mind the difficulty that many have in finding a bird through higher power binoculars after spotting the bird with one's eyes.  I have a pair of 12x50 Pentax binoculars that I like a great deal and have had only minimal trouble finding birds that I've spotted.  Others, however, don't have the same good fortune and so they prefer lower-power binoculars.  The Audobon Society (the last time I checked) recommends 7x35 binoculars, but the average age of their membership is somewhere north of 50, so most likely their reviewers are unable to hold steady the higher power binoculars (however, even our nation's elderly should do fine with these as they have image stabilization).  I'm curious to know how bright the image is (as I've read somewhere that 12x50 represented the best compromise between magnification and image brightness).  From the other reviews it certainly sounds like that's not a problem.
All you have to do to appreciate these binoculars is to compare them side by side with a pair of Zeiss or Swarovski binoculars that cost 2-3 times as much.Without image stabilization, the image quality is similar, with the Swarovski having a slight edge.  But WITH stabilization, there is simply no comparison.  It is not even close. But, please, do not take my word on this, if you are contemplating spending $2,500 on a pair of binoculars, it is worth your time to seek out a dealer that stocks both and do a comparison.I've had my pair for 5 years now.  They work flawlessly.  No problem with my pair with finish degrading as one of the negative reviews mentioned.I have only two nits to pick -1)  weight:  Canon 15 power is 1180 grams and Swarovski EL 50 Swarovision is 998 grams.  But that's negligible really.  I carry a pair of lightweight 8 power binoculars in my shirtpocket for general use.  But if I am going to be doing serious glassing, I'm happy to carry these.2) the ergonomics and focusing mechanism on the Swarovski are better.  It just feels better to me to be able to wrap my hands around the barrels and the focusing ring is _slightly_ smoother and more precise.  If I could get a IS binocular with the Swarovski form factor, I'd buy it in a second and be happy to pay the premium.  But, again, as of now, the improved image quality that results from IS renders the Swarovski and Zeiss simply inferior.One final thing, I concede that Swarovski's are likely to function without problems for decades and that there is a chance that 10 or 20 years down the road that there will be a problem with the IS system on the Canon.  Not that it is likely, just that it is a possibility.  When that happens, you'll be left with a binocular that is about the same image quality of the Swarovski.  Oh, and you can then go buy another pair of Canons and still have spent less than you would have spent on the Swarovski's.
I have been an avid birder watcher for several decades. I've owned most of the top-of -the-line European binoculars (Zeiss, Leica, etc.) over the years.  I purchased the Canon 12x36 IS binocs over 2 1/2 years ago and I love them.  However, thinking that more magnification would be better, I ordered the 18x50 IS pair a year later.  I have since sold them and use mostly the Canon 12 power.  Here are a few reasons why they were not right for me:*  Bigger is not always better.  The extra weight and size caused me to leave them in the closet and take the 12x36s, one of my other pair, or worst, no binoculars at all.  Even the best optics are no good if you don't have them with you when you need them.*  Smaller field of view.  It takes some practice seeing a bird with your naked eyes and then swinging the binoculars up smoothly so that you keep the bird (or any other small subject) in line with your vision.  As experienced as I am at this I found it harder to accomplish with the narrow view of these powerful optics.  Sometimes all you get is a few seconds to spot and identify a rare bird.  Quicker is better.*  Shallower depth of field.  With greater magnification the accuracy of your focusing becomes more critical due to a reduced range of focus.  With distant objects I found myself fiddling with focus knob more than I would like to.*  Less than the best optical performance.  Don't get me wrong, these are very sharp, high quality glasses, just not the best.  When viewing objects against the sun you can get a color flare, or ghost image (chromatic aberration).  Only the highest quality optical designs get close to completely eliminating this problem.  When you are trying to tell one bird from another closely related species, color is often all than you have to go by.I am still a big fan of the Image Stabilization technology and I still use my 12x36 IS binoculars daily, however, the idea that more magnification is always better, especially for birding, is misleading.  I am planning to buy the Canon 10x42 L series binos. In the past this magnification has been my favorite and the added benefit of IS will make it an even better choice.  The biggest reason for this decision is the superiority of the L class optics.  I own several L lenses for my Canon digital SLRs and they are superb.If you don't mind the size and weight, or you really need the extra power (like for astronomical observation) these are great binoculars to add to your collection.  If you looking one pair to use on a regular basis and you want the best optical quality combined with image stabilization, I would go with the 10x42 IS L glasses and save yourself the time and expense of buying the wrong pair.  But that's just my opinion. If you can, take a look at both of them in person before you buy one.Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars
The stabilization function of these is nearly magical. The view suddenly stabilizes when you activate the system like you've bolted these to a heavy tripod, even though all you've done is press a button. This is how I've always wanted binoculars to be.
Great optics. Surprisingly bright and excellent for star gazing. I can actually see the moons of Jupiter with them.Issues- Protective caps don't stay on.. ever- Sucks up batteries pretty quickly- A bit heavyStill 5 stars. One of my all-time favorite expensive purchases.[update]To get caps to stay on, purchase UV filters for the lens. These lens fit standard camera filters size 52mm. Then the caps fit nicely. Also, protects the lens from accidental scratches.
These are truly great binoculars and while they are expensive the price was lower than I expected to find. The only complaint is that they don't come with lens covers. You have to buy them separately. For the price Canon should include them.
Recent purchase of these.  Either the eyecups will hopefully soften up, or I will get callouses on the bridge of my nose.  Super stiff, and too large a diameter eyecups. Come on Canon... don't you listen to the feedback of all the people complaining about the eyecups on these?The image stabilization is nice, makes a big difference, too bad I am also focusing on the pain from the eyecups.I went into this purchase knowing the eyecups and eye-relief issues were there... so I am hoping to figure someway to improve on this. I did find some websites that show different ways to improve/replace these eyecups, nothing too easy though since it appears that the eyecups are mounted quasi-permanently to the binoculars.
Pros: great reach for the price. Feels well made in my hands. Takes nice pictures. very little if any distortion on the edges of my pictures.Cons: Higher F stop means it struggles under low light conditions.All in all its pretty much exactly what I expected.
I'm a causal photographer and I love this lens. I take all sorts of different pictures, majority of them outdoors.
Canon EF Lenses Have A Built In AF Motor..Compared To Camera Body-Based AF Motors, Lens-Based Motors Have Driving Energy With Lower Transmission Loss...The AF Operation Is Therefore Quick, Quiet, And Highly Precise...All EF Lenses Also Have EMD (Electromagnetic Diaphragm) To Control The Aperture Electronically...The Aperture Can Be Set Either With An Electronic Dial Or With The Electronic Pulse Signal Sent According To The Exposure Reading...The Aperture Control Is Therefore Precise And Umnatched...To Go With Canon's Reputation, They Introduce A Lens That Is Truely Immaculate...Its Telephoto Zoom From 80mm-200mm Is A Great Addition To A Current Setup With A 28-80mm Lens And Is Ideal For Shooting Sports, Wildlife, Or Portraits...It Can Compress An Image To Give Dramatic Effects...The Optics And Construction Are Compact And Lightweight (Compared To My Nikon FM Setup) And The 4x Zoom Is Great...A Very Steady Shot Even At Maximum Zoom...The Apature Stops Are Adaquate, Being f4.5-f5.6, But Could Be Wider...All In All An Awesome Lens For The Money...Another Canon Hit...*Specs Taken From Canon's Catalogue...
I got this lens as a gift back in 2002, I believe. It's a real work-horse.It's very "plastic" compared to the more costly lenses, but that also keeps it very light. Because it's so light, I tend to lug it around more than I would if it were a more quality/heavy lens. So for the price, it gets the job done. Don't listen to the lens snobs that put it down. I've taked some outstanding photos with this lens, and yes... even at full zoom. And they talk about the poor build quality? False. Yes, it's plastic and cheap. But it's built well. Mine is over five years old and well traveled. Works perfectly!!!UPDATE: today (Oct. 30, 2007) I tested this lens. I took photos of moving vehicles on an interestate and they came out crisp and clear at full zoom (200mm). I also took some photos of a cat outside, and they also turned out great at full zoom. For the cost of this lens, it can't be beat!!!
Was a great lens for shooting candids at outdoor events, but next time I'll get something with a better aperture for a nice blur in the background. At f4.5, all the people in the background were too clear and it took away from the subject.So- great lens, just didn't work for candids in a crowd like I had hoped. Live and learn.
I'll be honest in saying that this lens doesn't absolutely thrill me. But it doesn't disappoint, either. It is a decent lens for the price and an excellent starter lens. I bought this lens when I made the step up to SLR with my 10D. It takes some decent pictures. Not stunningly sharp, yet usable for a number of tasks. I'm not so sure about action shots yet, though. The main test I had with it was a volleyball game my wife was coaching. I rattled off 100 shots with this lens, and got about 15 that I was happy with. I haven't really used it since then based on this. I've learned more things to help my photography in this situation, and I have learned that I probably wasn't using the correct focus drive for the situation. That most likely accounts for the vast majority of shots I didn't care for. Even though I now know this, I somehow associate this lens with my disappointment with those shots. I've since upgraded to an older 70-210 push-pull zoom lens that I like a lot better. I may sell this lens, but I'll give it another shot before I do that. Aside from that, the build quality is good for the price, and it is fairly lightweight for the zoom you get with it. It's not a terribly fast lens apeture-wise, but it seems to work well enough. I don't think you can get a better zoom lens for the price, so I can't knock it too much! Overall, you'd be wise to start off with a zoom like this one and work from there. It's a great starting block lens!
I had purchsed this lens for an EXTREMELY reasonable price and i must say it was worth every dollar.  The shipping was also cheap and i recieved it in 4 days.  There are no scratchs or dents and the lens was kept very clean.  VOM is an excellent dealer and i encourage others to use their service.  They are friendly and very well priced.  Thank you so much.  Ill buy from you again soon.
This is the other lens I got when I bought my Canon body (the main one being a 35-80).  It lasted me a long time, especially when you drop a tele-convertor into the mix.  It is most definately an amateur lens.  Don't expect poster sharp results.  But then, look at the price.  You get what you pay for and for what you pay for this lens you get a great deal.  I've since upgraded to a 75-300 and passed this lens on to a friend who also loves it.  If you can afford the extra (about ($) more) I'd recommend the 75-300 for extra range.  If not, I've no complaints about this lens.As an added bonus, if you get the other 'starter' lens, the 35-80, the filter screw size is the same so you'll need to buy fewer filters as they will be usable on both lenses.
This lens is cheap and very light. Admittedly I wasn't very impressed at first, but with addition of a sigma UV filter my pictures at 200mm are now clearer and a truer reflection of the subject. At 200 the pictures tend to be a bit soft, but it's noticeable unless you do some serious cropping. With this lens I also prefer to shoot with auto zoom instead of manual zoom.
sometimes that cost can be overwhelming.  I got this lens 10 years ago with my my Rebel G (film camera).  I used this lens for about six months after getting my Digital Rebel.  For the most part I was reasonably happy with my results. When stopped down to about f8 this lens can take some pretty good shots.  About a year ago I bought Canon's 70-200mm f4L.  When I go back and look at the shots taken with the two lens the difference is pretty dramatic.  The 70-200 f4 shots tend (for the most part) to be very sharp with great contrast and color, while the 80-200 f4.5-5.6 tend to be pretty soft and drab.  I would like to provided links to show the difference but Amazon does not allow it.  Do a google for pbase and you can look at images from many different lenses.In short, if you're just starting out, the EF 80-200 f4.5-5.6 is capable of taking some pretty good shots if you stop it down an f-stop or two.  I give it 4 stars more for value then image quality.  For 150.00-200.00 bucks you can get some pretty good shots with this lens, and when you learn more get better shots still.  On the other hand, you also get what you pay for.  Your better lenses have elements with special coatings (Canon uses synthetic Fluorite and other UD (ultra low dispersion) coatings that are quite costly but also provide color, contrast and sharpness that your plain standard optical glass cannot match.  Plus they are built to much higher tolerances.  If you get this lens you will probably be fairly happy with its results, but as you get more demanding you will probably upgrade if you become serious about photography.  A good lens to learn the basics.
great lens for many different situations..lens was packaged very good to ship damage free.love it and enjoy taking pictures with it
I bought this lens on the advice of the other reviewers, and I was not at all disappointed. This is a fantastic lens for what you pay. It is indeed a light light lens and it almost feels "cheap," but it functions great and takes great shots. When focusing manually, it doesn't feel as smooth as some other lenses. But you really can't go wrong with this lens.
This unit performs exactly as it is described it will. It's worth seeking out a product description on the source of your choice. Easy to use in automatic modes, and fully capable of meeting a great variety of situations through it's manual modes.Easy to learn interface, fast recycle times, good battery life, solid construction, expansive coverage. I never think twice about including it in whatever bag I'm carrying, indoors out out.Master-slave capability will meet the needs of many pros and most all avocational photographers. Hot shoe or bracket mounted, it delivers.I've always had a strong bias for natural light, but this unit has helped me get beyond that to optimize marginal or difficult lighting situations. It has expanded my horizons as an amatuer photographer.
What a great flash. I am going to replace my studio lights with these little babies. Powerful and controllable, all that's missing is modeling light. I have been using a miniature flashlight to act as a modeling light.
The best feature of this flash is the wireless E-TTL feature.  With two 550ex's one will work as a master and one as a slave and with the ST-E2 both flashes can be off camera and fired E-TTL.  The draw backs are: price, no manual control in slave mode for greater light control, and size (this thing is big).  The plus side weighs out the negatives.  It is a great flash.
Top of the line.  Works as advertised.  TTL, E-TTL.  4 double AA batteries.  Tilt, Rotate head, soft lens built in.  Can control slave flash.
Use it on my T2i and with another 550 in wireless mode.  Love it, works very well, good features and function.
Two years on, and I still love the flexibility of this flash!  It is worth every penny!
I'm a novice photographer using a T3i. This is my first off camera flash.My budget is very limited and was unsure about using the 550ex.Turns out the 550ex is a very good flash and similar to the 580ex, with predictably fewer features. It serves as both a Master, Slave, and Wireless; ETTL works, too.Considering the cost of the 430ex and 580ex, a 550ex is a good economic choice; most of their features at about  to &#8531; the cost. For a tight budget and an entry Pro level Speedlite i like it, and it fully functions with the t3i.The one i bought was used (since it is out of production), yet, works well. I'm learning how to apply off camera flash to my skills.
I just bought a digital rebel about a month ago.  Love the camera, my old 380EX speedlight integrates with the camera but just doesn't offer enough cycle speed to keep up with continuous mode on the Rebel. This flash does the job for the Rebel and the plug for the external battery pack promises even better performance once I grab that item.  Another big selling point that really makes this unit worth the cash, is that it has its own infrared focus assist lamp which the digital Rebel lacks.  When this flash is mounted on your digital rebel, you don't get that annoying set of quick flashes that the camera has to set off to focus in low light when using the built-in flash.  The Rebel body uses the infrared focus assist on the 550EX to focus the lens; this feature alone is worth the big bucks this baby costs.  The flash has tons of features that most of us might never use, but as a advanced amateur I'm glad they're there so I can play with that if I should choose to try out some fancy stuff.  The wireless slave capability is handy but you've got to have at least one more 420EX, 550EX or 580EX to use that. I like the digital readout on the back of the flash and also the two way bounce head, it's important to note that you have to press a button to make the head turn either side to side or up/down---this should make the head sturdier than I've seen on some units that get loose after awhile and drive you nuts. This unit is a HONKER--really big, and, no lightweight either.  Get yourself a big deep camera bag if you want to lug this thing around with you.  What's the difference between this and the 580EX? The 580 has very slightly faster cycle times and offers some fancy new automatic flash exposure bracketing modes, for me anyway it wasn't worth almost two hundred dollars more for the 580. All of the newer EOS camera bodies are fully supported by this unit, it also works on older EOS bodies but there are functions available on the newer ones that aren't there on older stuff.  I like this flash it covers well, cycles fast and the controls are fairly intuitive and easy to use.  When you get yours don't lose that book, Canon doesn't seem to have them online anywhere I can find and I've seen places that want to charge you 18 bucks for a new one.
This is an absolute do-everything flash, with master/slave operation, wireless control of multiple channels for slave flashes, A:B:C lighting ratio control (better than the ST-E2's mere A:B ratio), full manual or automatic operation, strobe effects at selectable Herz rates and power, and even a small panel that serves either to widen its flash coverage to 17mm or simply provide a catchlight in a model's eyes when using bounce flash.  Range is excellent, battery life is very good and can be compounded with one of the battery packs.  The light itself provides excellent color, and a red lamp near the base adds a much more accurate and less harsh focus assist lamp than most of Canon's cameras provide.If you have an SLR, you'll almost certainly want an external flash.  You can provide fill flash to reduce shadows in subjects eyes etc. during harsh daylight shots, take the flash off the camera to eliminate nasty shadows, and avoid the shadows caused by larger lenses and onboard flashes.Minor quibbles: most DSLRs have crop ratios of 1.3x or 1.6x, but don't pass this information on to the 550EX, which wouldn't care anyway.  This means the flash thinks you want greater coverage than you really need (i.e. it will give you a 50mm's angle of flash coverage, when you only need an 80mm's), so you waste a lot of flash power and don't get optimum recycling times.  Also, the interface is a little non-intuitive.If you want a slave- or onboard-only flash and don't need all the extra features, the considerably cheaper 420EX is for you.  That said, if you do want all the extra features, the 550EX is still not for you.  You want the 580EX, slated for October 2004 release, which fixes the minor issues with the 550.
I am very happy of having gotten this flash.. it works pretty well, and I like its performance.
This is going to be a very short review. Product stopped working after 90 days.  No pictures, just a gray bitmap.  Wish I had the chance to return it.
I bought this camera after reading two of the posted reviews and I must admit it has been a waste of money.  To get one good photo I ended taking about thirty and still ended up doing quite a bit of editing to get it decent.  For emailing stuff etc It's passable (once you can get the shot you want!!!) for printing, you'd end up just wasting your Photo paper! Do yourself a favour, invest the money and buy something a bit more expensive.  The extra money you spend will more than outweigh the frustration with this item.
Unfortuantly this camera is a real dud.  I don't know where all the positive praise is coming from.The big problem is one must hold the camera absolutely still when taking a picture - and if the subject is moving at all, forget it!It is almost impossible to take a picture without using a tripod without getting some blur.Add another $100 or so and get a camera that is actually usable to take pictures.Maybe buy this thing for the kids (if it gets cheap enough), otherwise pass on it.
After reviewing digital cameras for days and returning one that wouldn't upload to my computer, I was really pleased with this camera. This is under a megapixel and the pictures look great on the computer. I can't believe they came out so nice. It's perfect for my needs which are to email to my children every so often. It worked so nice that I might get one for my daugter so she can send me pictures too.
I have learned that it seems that this camera takes better pictures when in broad daylight.  I've taken pictures in the house and the pictures come out very dark. I'm still trying to get used to not moving the camera so much after shooting.
I got this camera for myself for Christmas and I must say the $140 I paid for it was DEFINITELY too much. The photo quality is poor as a webcam. There is barely any detail. As far as using it as a digital cam, it projects too much of a contrast and really focuses on shadows. The quality is just poor. I was too happy to replace it when I got the money. If you are taking pictures of things such as scenery outside, then it is ok. As far as people, no. It makes everything look terrible.
I LOVE this camera, and have been singing its praise to all my friends!  For it's price ... it is unbeatable.  The picture quality is excellent (and compares to scanned images from my Olympus 35mm), it is so easy to use (32 photos load in 2 seconds and the Corel Photo House software is fun &amp; easy to use), photos can be seen on tv, battery life is excellent.  For my priorities (price, ease of use, quality) to mainly e-mail friends &amp; post photos on the web, it is perfect. ... However, if you try to take a close-up indoors, I've notices that the faces can get over-exposed (which the software can't fix).Some people have commented on the blurriness if the camera is moved, but this happens with expensive digitals, too.  My experience is with a $1,000+ Sony at work, and, IMO, they are equally sensitive to movement at the time the shutter is clicked &amp; just after (and, in my non-expert opinion, on screen quality isn't that much different - I can't vouch for the print quality of either product, since we don't use the Sony for prints, and I wouldn't use the Afga for prints).  But, this one is MUCH more compact &amp; easier to use (and less than 1 tenth the cost).  The only comparible product I have seen is the JamCam (which looks more durable, the Afga seems kind of delicate), but I don't know how their photo quality compares.
We got this camera for my 11 yr. old for his birthday. It took a month of finagling to FINALLY reach Agfa tech support (in Venezuela or somewhere) before we could get the computer to recognize the camera.  DON'T PLUG IN THE CAMERA TO YOUR PC BEFORE THE SOFTWARE IS LOADED OR YOU'LL GO THROUGH THE SAME!!!! Once that was fixed, though, it was great!  Nice pictures for the price (we just printed them on our regular PC paper), great for a kid. We took a million pictures the first year of use. Then we upgraded to a computer with Windows XP.... *sigh*  The new driver on the website didn't work (seriously crashed the whole computer).  When I once again contacted tech support, they said they have no driver for Windows XP and don't plan to develop one.  The end.  Useless camera for us now...
I purchased this camera for my folks and attempted to install it on their computer.  After hours of frustrating work with the unfriendly software, I gave up and we returned the camera....  The software was DIFFICULT AND AT TIMES UNINTELLIGIBLE, PLUS THERE WERE A LOT OF DRIVERS MISSING. I don't know if I got defective software or if that's the way this product is, but never again!
This camera is terrible!!! I received it as a gift, luckily I didn't waste my money! The picture quality is extremely poor, battery life sucks, flash is useless and it takes to ... long to take a second picture. I had to take 100 pictures of the same thing in order to get a few decent pictures, and nothing fantastic. It takes nice outside pictures, but inside is diffiuclt to take nice shots. I've spent about as much money on batteries as the price of the camera!!! The software is decent, and the camera bag convenient. Another problem is that it doesn't have a lense cover. The lense gets dirty quickly, and if you forget to clean it, it's super blurry, on top of how already blurry it is just by its mere nature. Anything that isn't perfectly still comes out a mess. This is probably one of the worst digital cameras out there, I do not recommend it at all. spend a bit more and get something better! I agree with the negative reviews! Be wary!!!
I have been wanting my own digital camera for quite some time. My family had a JoyCam digital camera, but the quality on that was so low that it was not worth it to take pictures. Plus, I went to college and it stayed with them in a different state. So, for my birthday in December, I requested a digital camera.I didn't want anything extravagant, just an affordable camera that took good-quality, pictures I could upload to my homepage.  That is exactly what I got with this camera. I have had the camera for a few weeks now, and I think it is a great one. This camera is so small and cute; it is pocket-sized so it's easy to take it anywhere and not have it be a big hastle. It can hold 16 high quality pictures or 32 lower-quality ones (Although I have not been able to see much of a difference in quality, both of them are very clear.) It uploads quickly via USB, and the software that comes with it is helpful and fun. The camera is easy to use; its buttons can be figured out right away, and just in case you need help, the instructions are very helpful.I have one nitpicky complaint about this camera, and that is that you have to wait seven seconds in between snapping pictures. That is not usually a big deal for me, because I am not extremely impatient, nor am I a professional photographer who has to click a whole bunch of different pictures after one another. :) So I feel that for the average person this is not a big complaint, but if you plan to take lots of pictures in a row, I just wanted to mention that with this camera you can't do that because it pauses for 7 seconds after taking each picture to process it, and you can't take another picture until those 7 seconds are over.If you are looking for a *great* digital camera on a limited budget, I definitely recommend this one. It has met all my needs for my webpage and has also been a fun toy to play with as well. :) It will provide lots of fun at your family and friend gatherings. I love not having to buy film and wait for it to be developed, but instead being able to take pictures and have them within minutes on my computer anytime I want. This camera has served those needs very easily, and I have a feeling it will continue to do so for a long time.DETAILS: Ease of Use: Excellent; operates with the touch of a button Durability: Good; solid it will last until new technology develops Photo Quality: Good; suitable for enlargements in all light conditions Battery Life: Good; lasts 200-300 exposures Recommend to other potential buyers? Yes
This is a low cost camera.  Do not expect fabulous, magazine quality pictures.  For decent pictures use bright light, and the high resolution setting.  The low setting will give fuzzy pictures.  The flash uses a lot of batteries.  If you don't use the flash the batteries will last a lot longer.  This is a fun, toss it in your purse kind of camera. It works great if that is what you want and don't expect more.
In one year I had the camera replace three times by AGFA.  Would of been more but it is about three-four month process for each and now my warranty is up.  It stops working permanatly in 80 degree heat.  It eats batteries like crazy.  It extremely slow.  It takes at least 10-15 secs between being able to take pictures.  AGFA customer service is horrible.  It's a Long distance call everytime.  Make sure you have a half hour to wait on hold. I would not be surprised if I haven't paid the same amount in long distance as I did for the camera.  I returned the third camera in Nov, they returned the camera in March and I still haven't gotten all the parts I need and it is now April.  Last time I called was three weeks ago and today they said they have no new information on when my cables will be delivered.  Don't make the mistake I did, spend a little more money, don't buy AGFA and you will save money in the long run.
The unit works well...  The infrared night light is a real plus.  The  infrared light surprised me as far as distance and uniform lighting.  The  unit is compact, and easy to use.The best feature for me is the wide  field of view.
Generally, a thumbs up!  I'm surprised at how small and light it is.  Easily fits in your hand, and the behind-the-hand strap is ideal.  For right handers only. On this model, the buttons should be back further, for use with index/middle.  Too hard to press with little finger - you end up using your other hand to turn the illuminator and unit on/off.  It's only 15,000 light amp. - sufficient, but at times I'm wishing for _a little_ more.  But, for around ..., all the little things are easily forgivable. Caution: The infrared illuminator IS NOT invisible, as claimed! They say &quot;invisible beam&quot; - indeed, the BEAM is invisible. But, if you aim it at someone, they will see a VERY bright red light! You are not invisible with the illuminator ON! Tip: While your hand is there, you can partially cover the illuminator with your finger, controlling its light output.  Handy for when you need just a little boost.
Well, do you get what you pay for?!Nah, this product much is better than the price you pay!! Just compare it with other products in the market. (I did a lot of searching for a starter NV system and the NightOwl Cyclops seemed the most logical).The pluses are the unbeatable price, performance, compactness, use of 1.5 AA batteries (handy), good optics and overall construction. With the IR-on it feels almost like day-light in pitch darkness (no problem lighting up your backyard - and your neighbour's too!). With the IR-off you can still see well with the 15,000x amplification with available moonlight. The padded case is compact and useful.The minuses include poor manual (there's just a fold-out card) and average exterior finish (the battery compartment is a little flimsy and power buttons are not convenient).Overall I would highly recommend it. You really don't lose much and you've a lot to gain!
This device enables you to see quite well at night, and costs a lot less than other options.  Overall, I'm quite satisfied with it.  That said, there are a couple of things you should know if you're going to buy one.First, the optics are pretty poor.  The objective lens (the one on the front) causes significant pincushion distortion, and focus is poor toward the edge of the field of view.  I've actually never seen worse optics on anything that wasn't sold as a toy.  The ocular lens (on the back) focuses on an electronic display element that looks dirty even when it's not.  Although it's not intended for taking photographs, a better display would be nice.Secondly, if your shipment arrives during the day your first inclination will be to try it out just to make sure it works.  The manual, which you are unlikely to read, warns that turning the device on with the lens cap removed during the day can permanently damage the sensor and invalidate the warranty.  Putting a warning on the lens cap would be a better idea.Lastly, an "automatic off" feature would be nice.  I just know I'm going to kill the batteries by forgetting to turn it off.
Solid feeling unit. Battery compartment could be designed better. Buttons for power and IR are mounted in a silly spot, so using them takes two hands. Use of double AAs makes a lot of sense and they seem to last.These units work well in most conditions. Getting proper focus takes a bit of time, but I found that I could focus closer than specs indicated, from about 4 feet to infinity. On the water on a dark night in Long Island I was able to see boats and moorings. There is some image distortion at the edges and a bit of &quot;dirt&quot; in the view, but overall the Night Owl will impress, especially at the price. Note the IR illuminator is not invisible to others. Red dot is visible! These things are great for sailing.
This little tool is so simple and yet, it's my favorite accessory for my camera. I wouldn't leave home without it.
I've been using this for about 4 months now and it's serving it's purpose well. the cleaning tip takes out the smudges well and the retractable brush is gentle enough on your lens.this tool is a must have for all photographers and this product is doing great considering its price.
Good tool for removing any smudges on the lens. Safer than using a microfiber cloth that may have collected dust particles.
Never had one of these before..  easy to carry and use and really works a treat !I searched around until I found a marker cap that fits the brush end so dirt can't get into retracted brush between uses.  they should have done that but none of the brands do that I've seen.Good item..Caution;  Some other well known brands of the SAME tool can cost over $20 and seem to be the same Mfg.
It looks like this product has been around for years.  (There have been good reviews since October 2000.)  So I decided to get one.  I received it quickly from Amazon (with no shipping charge since I purchased other stuff that exceeded $25). I must say I like it very much. And I will buy a few more with my next Amazon purchase.I tried it on my lowly point-and-shoot 35mm Olympus camera first. The brush does not seem to scratch the optical lens and the compound works like a charm.  After that test I moved on to my Nikon Coolpix digital camera, Nikon N70 35mm SLR and my new Nikon digital D70 SLR. Under bright lamp, I carefully examined the lens surface, it passed my eyes. No scratches or lines. It really does a great job. I am impressed.I was tempting to buy a similarly priced Nikon brand cleaning pen but now I don't need to.  This one already does all I need to do.Now my next step is to get one for each camera bag.
Brush works just as you'd expect it to, for very little money. Fits into a pen slot in my camera bag so it's always close at hand. Have had to use the scrubbing end to remove a finger print from my niece and it worked great. Brush end is always a quick and easy solution for dust specks as well.
handly and does a great job in cleaning. gets in tight spaces, clothes can't reach on camera lenses. perfect size
Works as described.  Good construction for a plastic brush pen.  Nothing bad to say about it.  It wiped off marks on the front element.  You def purchase again.
Who needs ANOTHER cleaning kit? This one does it all. Very handy lens cleaning tool easily used to remove dust, fingerprints, smudges, etc. from your lenses.  Buy two - one for the camera bag and one for the home.  A must have.
A great way to keep your lens/camera clean and ready for that perfect shot!
Works well to clean up dust on my scope.  Burris Fullfield II.
The lens pen worked fine.  I needed it for my binoculars and it did a good job cleaning the lens.
Will be ordering a few more!!!Not just for lenses though,anything that gets dust,sand,dirt etc.Safely removes dangerous particles. Just remember to keep IT clean.
I've used Lens Pens since they were introduced. The chamois end is great for smudges and I've never damaged a lens coating with it. I never use the brush end since it is rather coarse. I prefer a bulb blower and a goat hair artist's brush.
I use this to clean my lenses all the time! You can't believe the dust, dirt, and grime that sticks to your lens. Once, I accidently focused on the dirt so the picture showed all the dirt... it was amazing! If you want better pictures, you need to start with a cleaner lens.The brush is great, and the smudge remover really does work. I don't understand how it works, because if you touch the smudge remover to your skin, it leaves a black residue. I have no troubel with black smudges on my lens after using it. I don't know how, but it works!Must have for all!
This pen/brush is completely superior to the lame products on the shelves at WWorld as well as what I found at several "camera shops."  I had one years ago and loved it. So naturally, I lost it.  I bought two this time. Buy it, you'll be glad you did.Settle down, beavis,Slomo
Bought a new DSLR camera, so of course needed a lens and screen cleaner. I was sold this exact Sima lens pen, it worked so well on all the cameras I decided to try it on my glasses. Boy was I amazed, I did'nt believe how clean and sharp my glasses became after using lens pen on my glasses. I was so amazed I purchased another Sima lens pen from amazon.com just for my glasses and I carry it with me whenever I leave home. I touched the tip and it left a black mark on my hand, whatever it is, it works. I highly recommend the Sima lens pen cleaning tool. I'll probably purchase 1 or 2 more of these, if you need this type of product, purchase this one it works greatly.
I should have taken measurements of my camera before bying this item.  I havea small sony cybershot. I was able to clean the lens with this, but only withthe tip at an extreme angle wiping with the edge of the little round disk.  Itdid the trick, but this device is not for pocket size cameras. It's for largerlenses only.  The brush, however, is very handy.  I keep it in the pouch withmy camera when traveling
I was a little leary of using anything on my lenses, so I tried out the pen on a couple of filters first. Once satisfied, I cleaned all my lenses without encountering any problems. Easily portable, I just toss it into my camera bag.
These pens work great for cleaning camera lens' and they fit into most cases so you can take it with you.  would purchase again
Very useful tool, works great! It was able to clean the edges of my lens that regular lens paper can't. The brush is made of soft bristles so it won't scratch your lens plus it's retractable. It seems this Sima lens pen is also the same as the Nikon lens pen that sells for $20!
It works, it works!  Great antidote for curious young fingers and clumsy old ones.  And you can carry it anywhere, as you would a thick pen with a good clip.Note that Nikon sells an identical item for slightly more.  Actually, the plastic slider button is a different color, but otherwise it is identical.  I wonder who the OEM is?
I have a SLR type digital camera I use this pen on ,It seams to do the job And its compact. Very good product
thank you..its exactly what i expectedi loved everything about iti got it at a great deali would recommend this camera'
This was my first digital camera and lucky me! The pictures are absolutely crystal clear! I bought mine "refurbished" and I still haven't had any problems with it and I've had it for 3 years now. The pictures taken in daylight are absolutely astonishing, I'm telling you. I think the only thing I regret is that it doesn't have a manual focus, but the autofocus is just so good, I really hardly ever miss it.I took a photography class and used the Canon Digital Rebel as well as the Nikon D70 for shots for the class as well as this camera, and honest to god, every time I used my own camera people would ask "which camera did you use for that?!" they were so impressed when I'd tell them it was my own 3.2 megapixel one instead of the hearty 8mp thing. I'm sure if you're a professional photographer you might need all the doodads that the other cameras offer, but for me, the amateur, this is perfect.Check out my pictures in the gallery!
I have been very pleased with my C-3000 since I bought it in October.  Its images are very sharp and the colors are very good compared to other cameras I have used.The only complaints that I have are:- Battery Life Is Pretty Bad- The included 8MB Smart Media card is way too small.  It was a bad idea to package this camera with anything smaller than a 32MB card.It is my third Olympus Digital Camera since 1996, (The others were the D-200L and the D-400Z.), and I suspect that it will not be my last Olympus.
I bought this camera before going on a family trip to Alaska and was able to take some really amazing crystal clear pictures of glaciers, cravasses and mountains.  This camera is absolutely incredible.* Be sure you have  a USB port in your computer before getting this, as this is the only way to  connect this camera to your computer---which is much much faster than a  serial port connection.* The software comes with Quicktime so that any  &quot;movies&quot; you take with your camera can be .mov files---they come  out great, awesome sound.* There's a 3x zoom which works great...plus  2.5x digital zoom which zooms much further but might sacrifice a little bit  of quality--great to know that one has this option* pretty compact and  looks like a normal camera instead of other bigger, hunkier digital camera  models.* shutter speeds from 16 sec. to 1/800 sec.* 1.8&quot; wide  LCD monitor in the back for auto viewing* remote controlOverall, this  is a really great camera if you're willing to spend the money.  Considering  how much of a photo freak I am, it's worth it.
i got this camera just yesterday and love it. its very easy to learn what all those little letters and numbers mean if you just glance throgh the manual a couple times. you will definatly need 64 mb of memory. but its  kinda silly, some of the options. why would you want to attach sound to a  tiff file? i had been looking at some other colse competitors like the  fujifilm finepix 4700 and sony DSC-S70. but the fujifilm couldnt take tiff  files but could very esaly fit in your pocket while the sony can take  tiff(i think) but its huge! this camera can almost fit in your pocket(tight  fit) but it definatly has the goods. dont go with the nikkon series theyer  not that great and for get the cannon s10 mabye the s20 (also 3.3  megapixle) but it cant take movies for the same price. this is defenatly  the way to go but you cant store squat with anything lower that 16mb you  can get a 32 card from amazon for a good price. it has full SLR opptions  and you can leave the shutter open for at least 20 sec. appature from f2.8  till (i think) f11 very cool. the batteries it comes with last about 5-6  hours and arent rechageable. get the recgaable battery pack (your  init till the end.)  Its worth EVERY SINGLE PENNEY and comeing from a 13 year old thats  a lata cash.  this camera is very  stylish and shopisticated for the year 2000 get it. enter a contest and get  your money back.the best of luck!
What a workhorse, we bought the Oly C-3000z around the end of 2000 and, until very recently, have used it at least a few times a week (almost every week) in our shop for product pictures. With a resolution of 3.2mp, this camera takes pictures that are still good for web pages and most advertising flyers and prints we produce.It might seem odd to be writing a review for a camera this old, but we are about to retire this one from the shop (replacing it withFujifilm Finepix F70EXR 10MP Super CCD Digital Camera with 10x Optical Triple Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD) and give it to one of my kids as a beater camera. I noticed that several of these cameras were being sold on Amazon as used (but not by me), and wanted to let people know that it is possible for there to be "life" in a camera this old.Here are my general observations (+/-):+ Good Lens - 3x Optical Zoom- Shows "Purple Fringing" in some cases+ Good Solid Body - Feels good in the hand- Bad Lens Cap - Replaced mine with a 3rd party one that is no longer made+ Good Movie Mode w/Sound - A nice feature when this camera was made- Uses SmartMedia Cards - Fairly low capacity, getting harder to find, and many computers require usb adapters to read them+ Great Macro Mode - Very good for our product pictures+ Remote Control - Suports a remote control, which is important for tripod shots in low lightWe have taken 1000s of pictures with this camera, including two award winning photos, and it likely will take many more.Highly recommended!
This is my very first digital camera however I did much research and homework before buying to get the most for my money.  Aside from the fact that it got great reviews, I have to honestly say this camera takes fantastic photos and is easy to use especially for a dummy like me.  A few minor quirks.  Lens cap will not stay on and easy to get lost.  8meg smartcard comes with the camera and is a total waste of time.  I would recommend no less that 32megs and I bought a 64 and it will hold 84 photos in the HQ mode.  The LED viewer on the back of the camera has no cover and can be stratched quite easily.  However, these minor flaws aside, I have been very pleased the ease and the quality this camera has given me.  I recommend it if you got the 6 bills to put out for it.
I'm a photo enthusiast, but I am not a professional.  Just love taking and sharing photos and being creative. This camera satisfies my love of cutting-edge technology combined with my unrelenting desire to capture the moment on film.  I've had it for about 3 weeks and I've already taken, downloaded, cropped, framed, printed and shared over 150 good quality photos.  I'm not a technical wizard, but it's just as easy to use as my point and shoot, but the end product is far better.
i am totally satisfied with olympus c-3000, i was told i would recieve the camera in the alotted time and was impressed when it came a few days early, my only problem with the package was it was missing a memory card, but two out of three ain't bad!:)
made over 200,000 photos with it ... this camera made me decide to get the canon eos m camera, since i have canon lenses and a canon 30d, which i use all the time , but cant take it with me everywhere, as i did this olympus ... like they say, big cameras like my canon 30d stay home 95% of the time .... i recently got the canon 2500 pocket camera, but its very slow when you press down the shutter ... memories, many photos with this little olympus are on my facebook page ... and i posted a photo of my doc of homeopathy, who brings people back to life from cancers to lupus ...
I searched all over the Web, and in stores before I bought my Olympus C3000Z.  I can tell you from experience you can look everywhere, but for a great price from a reliable source, just stop here and buy from Amazon. I am a professional photographer who wanted a digital camera for last minute headshots, web use, and to become more knowledgeable about digital photography.  I knew that Olympus made excellent digital cameras, so I narrowed my search on their brand.  I also knew I wanted 3.3 Megapixles.I have hade mine for a about a month now, and I'm very pleased. Through a combination of an Olympus accesory cable ( the FLCB04 ) and some wiring of my own ( I'm a techie at heart ) I have used my C3000 with my studio strobes, and also a Nikon SB series flash, with excellent results.  I love the instant feedback, and not worrying about how much film I'm using.  I know I have only scratched the surface of this cameras capabilities.  I do suggest if you buy one that you buy the biggest Smartmedia card you can afford,  I plan on getting a 128MB, and that you also buy 2 sets of NIMH batteries and a charger.  This camera like all digital cameras will just chew through normal alkeline cells if you use the LCD display for any length of time.  When I went to the Photo East Show in NYC this past November, the Olympus rep told me that this camera would not Sync with Studio flash.  Well I can tell you Yes it does.  I will warn you, you need to use a flash with a low sync voltage or use a Radio slave to protect the sync circuits in the camera, but it does work.  For me it has been like discovering Photography all over again.  You can do things you just can't do with a normal film camera such as change the speed ( ISO ) for each frame if you want to.  Switch on the fly from color, to Sepia, to B&W;, and best of all, see right then and there if you got the shot you were after.  My only complaints are 1) the shutter lag that is part of all sub $2000 digital cameras, and the time it take to write the file to the card if you shoot in Hi-Res TIFF format.  But this is a (...) camera, next year I'll go for the E20.  In closing for the amount of money I spent, I have no regrets.
After putting in a lot of time researching digital cameras I finally decided on the c-3000 and couldn't be happier.  The picture quality is superb and the special features are easy to use and provide incredible flexibility.  I've had no problems witht he battery life, and the lens cap doesn't seem to be as much of a nuisance as others have made it out to be.  One of my favorite features so far is the quicktime movie recording mode.  Although it's not the highest quality, you can also record sound, and a fairly long video clip, I recommend a high capacity smartmedia card, i have a 128mb.  The only things I have noticed that aren't fantastic is a small delay when zooming with the optical zoom, and a somewhat confusing setup for choosing the desired picture quality.  Overall this camera is a great buy, I highly recommend it to anyone!
Hello to whomsoever reads this!  I just got possession of a C3000.  It was  a replacement for my older model.  What a beast! I usually use a Canon AE1  SLR and this camera looks that for flexibility it'll beat it pants down! My  only gripe is not with the camera but the fact that I didn't get the remote  control - maybe that just doesn;t happen in the UK.  I got it from Wallace  Heaton in Bond street (the Queens camera provider, no less). And I can;t  use USB on my PC as I'm Win95 and the docs say that you have to have Win98  at least - so downloading an 8 mb card takes20 mins! I locethee video  ability and the sound track! The trouble is that the s/ware Olympus provide  is not too good - it seems a bit slow and lack the facilities from earlier  s/ware (v2,1) whereby you could set up the camera and preview in real tine  on your PC and also one could delete the film from a pc dropdown menu  instead of having to use the camera it's self to nuke the smartcard. I;ve  had this thing for 6 hours and I love it - I'll get some magic moments!  Thank you for your indulgence in reading - please reply to my email address  - dave@entropy.freewire.co.uk
I've used my C3000 for years. While it's only 3.2MP, I momentarily relegated to a shoebox while a new 5MP Sony DSC-P93 took the limelight.I ended up selling the Sony and going back to the Olympus, which takes outstanding shots indoors and out.
Like many of the other reviewers, I carefully researched dozens of models and felt this one fit my needs for a point-and-shoot as well as an SLR.  But the best aspect of this product is that it takes terrific pictures, even in the simplest-to-use modes.  One thing I feared about digital was the quality of the photo's composition - digital tends to have a reputation for producing a "cold" picture.  The results from this camera, however, were warm with a great color balance and good depth.  I have printed quality 5x7s and 8x10s.  The camera is easy to understand and simple to use.  It would be nice if the lens cap could be tethered somehow.
This is a great camera.  Quality when printed on 8x10 photo paper has fooled professional photographers I've shown them to without them really studying the print.  Exceptional sharpness and capable in low light situations without a flash or elapsed time shots.  Remote allows shots only when camera is facing you and only has utility if you are trying to get yourself into the photo.  30 second movies are fairly high quality, but just a bonus as few would buy the camera for that feature.  Have taken close to 10,000 images with the camera and would replace it with a similar Olympus model if it did finally crap out.  Have owned over 10 digital cameras through the last 3 years used for personal and business applications.  This camera is the same as the 3030 with half of the buffer memory, but can still fire shots nearly as quickly as you wish.  It's withstood several drops while in a case without damage and has performed well.
I shopped for months trying to find the right digital camera. This is it. The Olympus C3000 is simply the best camera with the most features for the price. It remains compact (similar cameras from other manufacturers are bulky in comparison), is loaded with features, and is easy to use.I use this camera for web page images, printable family photos, and for more artistic shots. I even use it to record remarkably high quality Quicktime movies for my web site (with sound!).You will be snapping photos minutes after opening the box, and with a little practice you will master the advanced features of this camera.Be sure to buy a 32 or 64 MB card with it, though. The 8MB card that comes standard is too small for much of anything.And be sure to keep track of the lens cap. For some reason Olympus decided not to tether the thing to the housing.
I have had this camera going on 6 years and it is still working strong and taking great picutres. Yes, there are newer cameras out there, but I still use this one. I replaced another brand digital camera in less than 6 months as it turned all pictures green with this model and no problems since. I got an all in 1 printer last year and my pictures download nicely to my computer with the HP printer software with no problems and I can also download family's newer pictures too (other olypmus cameras.)
I purchased this camera a little over a month ago.  Its a great camera, very easy to use. The picture quality is incredible. The only negative thing I have to say about the camera has to do with the lens cap: first, it doesn't like to stay on and 2) you have to remove it before you turn the camera on because the the lens extends on power up.  If you forget, the camera makes this terrible noise.
Was looking for a simple camera for wife.  Most new camera are not that simple.Purchased this used  Olympus camera and picture quality is much better than myNikon costing (5) as much.
After having a great time with a cheaper digital camera - a Sony DSC-S30 1.3 Megapixel - I decided to trade up to one of the 3+ megapixel cameras.  I did extensive research comparing the top cameras, read countless reviews on photo websites, consumer reviews, etc.  The other cameras that I was seriously considering was the coolpix 990 and the Sony DSC-S70.  I finally decided on the C3000 because it was such a bargain.  If you want to have the flexibility of being creative with your photography, the C3000 has almost as much as the 990.  It has manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual focus, and exposure bracketing to name a few.  But it takes damn nice auto-exposure pictures as well.  You get a rapid fire mode, which, though not blazingly fast, is still respectable and even increases quite a bit with focus set to manual.  Another great feature lets you annotate pictures with a 4-second audio clip, kind of an audio labeling.  There other cameras out there, notably the Cannon Powershot G1, which has more features including one I really would have loved - a flexible LCD which is invaluable for taking candid shots.  But the G1 has image problems(Chromatic Aberations and noise), as does the 990(redeye).  All these cameras have plusses and minuses, but with one of the top-rated images and top-rated feature-set with a price that's a couple hundred lower than most of the top cameras, the C3000 really stands out!
I love to take photographs and have used this camera exclusively this past year with great results.  Unfortunately, my regular cameras and lenses are gathering dust!  I have a Film Reader 4 I use to download pictures to my computer, which is a must.  I also have rechargeable batteries - also a must!  The red eye feature works very well.  The short movies are ok if the lighting is right.  I just upload to Ofoto.com and print any pictures I want professionally developed at a fraction of the cost I used to pay, as I only develop the good ones!  Also great for e-mailing!  I don't use the software that came with it for editing pictures - I find my scanner software more powerful.  I have 3 memory cards which are great when traveling!
I had this Olympus for many years now and it's still working GREAT!  After Olympus, I've owned PowerShot, Finepix (2 of them) and I have to say this C3000 is still my favorite!  It's the only camera I know that allows zoom function while recording video.
Hi All,This camera is an oldie but goody! After 11 years of frequent use in industrial job site photos, this camera still takes great pics and has NEVER failed in usage. Because of this Olympus, I bought 2 newer units for personal use and have recommended Olympus to any who ask. This camera has solid basic features and good operator buttons for ease of use. Video is limited by today's standards but still very workable.I write this report simply because my experiences with this C-3000 camera are exceptional and I have taken THOUSANDS of pics. Good luck with yours!
I've clicked away through Costa Rica, Ireland, Lake Tahoe (skiing - finally lost the easily popped-off lens cap) and many other places. Excellent camera - sometimes need to "touch up" photos, but overall sturdy, great image quality and full of features. I am extremely satified with Olympus cameras - both film and digital (I also use Pentax film and Canon ELPH digital).
This is a nice camera. It is just the right size - very small, but not too small to be hard to handle. The pictures we have taken with look great, both on printed photos (local printer and through online service) and on screen.  Given that the camera was not cheap, I was a little dissapointed that I then had to dish out more money on the following: -memory card - it only comes with 8 MB, you probably want at least 32 MB  -rechargable batteries and a charger -better editing software than comes with camera -cable for serial port (only an issue if you don't have USB, but you really need USB or the pictures take forever to download).
I have had the opportunity to use various digital camera, ranging from Kodak, Epson, and Nikon, and the Olympus C-2500; they all seemed to work fine for the money but when I saw this one I knew we had a winner.  I love the size of it and the textured grip, it really feels secure in your hand.  The huge variety of resolution modes is more than you will ever need but is a great assest.  The only way this camera could be improved is if it was a SLR and lose the digital zoom (it only causes distortion anyway, something I hated about the Kodaks I tried).  You may find the cameras that take the 3 1/2&quot; floppy disks convenient but when it comes to quality you better get the olympus!  (if you don't have USB support, win 98 or newer, get a 3 1/2&quot; smart media adapter.  It is a little slow but at least you can download your images on anyones computer.)
I had a very hard time deciding on just what digital camera I was going to buy.  Should I get a 2.x megapixel cam  or should I spend a few extra bucks to get the C-3000 zoom, which happens to be the lowest priced 3.3 with the features that this camera has.  Well, obviously I chose the C-3000 and I could not have made a better decision.  All of the features and extras are just the beginning of this cameras greatness.  I was absolutely stunned by the incredible quality of the pictures that this camera produces.  With a good printer and some photo paper, you won't even notice the difference between homemade pictures and professionally developed film pictures.  Even large 8 X 10 pictures are crystal clear with this cam.  When you first use this cam, you may be confused by the many options you have, but after a day or two of playing around and reading the instruction book, you will be able to make the most out of every photo.  If you are one of those people who absolutely hate auto focus, don't worry.  It has it.  It also allows you to control aperture and shutter speed, allowing you to leave the shutter open for a full 16 seconds, allowing you to create amazing effects.  By the second night I had the cam, I produced a neat looking picture of a car with the appearance of the lights tailing behind it thanks to the control you have of shutter speed and flashing.  If you just want simplicity, the C-3000 can do that too.  If you are not into being in control of your photos, just point and click.  If you do not like your photo, you can immediately view and delete it to avoid wasted space.  I can't even estimate how much film I have lost because of bad pictures that I wish I could take back.  If scenery is your thing, then you will love the panoramic feature.  With the aid of a tripod, you can make full 360 degree panoramics.  You take each part of the panoramic individually with the aid of the veiwfinder, and the computer software will combine the pictures allowing you to create a true panoramic, not the fake kind found in Advanced Photo System cameras.  If taking a panoramic seems to complicated for you, then just switch it over to movie mode.  Depending on the memory you have, you can record anywhere from 30 second to 10 minute video clips, all with sound.  If I were to continue listing all of the features, my hands would fall off from typing too much.  Whether you are an avid photographer looking for complete control of every shot or a person looking for a simple digital cam that takes great pictures, this cam is perfect for you.  There is one question about this camera that I do not feel that I could answer.  What can't the C-3000 do???
The Olympus C-3000 (now priced ...) is a wonderful buy. In its league it is by far the best digital camera. Its  got a resolution of 3.34 MP. Other camera's with the same resolution cost a lot more. This camera is easy to use, and prints wonderful pictures. I had an HP C315 xi and I was disappointed because the pictures looked grainy but  not in this one, the pics in this one are better than a  film camera. This camera also does MPEG movies with sound. I love that feature.It has pretty decent LCD. Watch out though, though ! If you buy this camera from not a reputed store, you might find a couple of dead pixels on your LCD screen. Buy it from a reputed store such as AMAZON or (...)so that you get value for your money.This camera comes with the cables that let you connect it to your television and view a slide show of all the pictures. It does not come with a carrying case. It comes with a remote control that allows you to be part of all the pictures you are taking (which is a good thing !).You can connect this camera to your USB port of your computer (make sure you've got a USB port in your pc and you've got Windows 95 b, otherwise this may not work for you.It comes with the Camedia Software which although not the best, will do okay.I recommend buying a memory card of atleast 64 MB. (Try (website) for a cheap card). This helps a lot. The card that comes with the computer is only 8 MB. You'll run out of this easily.There are other cameras which are very expensive and I do not recommend those. I think this camera is simply wonderful. One more thing, you will definitely need rechargeable NiMH batteries and a recharger, the batteries provided run out sooooooo easily.
Great camera, and the pictures are amazing, but it is tough to downlaod pictures unless you have USB...
The X-700 is great for learning photography. It is manual but its beauty is in the various automated settings, which range from controlling everything except focus to fully manual. It is intuitive and easy to figure out, and comes with the reliability you'd expect from Minolta. The handiest feature that I enjoyed is the lightmeter readout in the viewfinder. In the various photography courses I've taken, I've found that it is superior to many other manual SLRs in that it has levels of convenience and automation that help you get a feel for photography, but still allows for the photographer to have complete freedom.This camera earns bonus points for being not only reliable but durable. I've owned mine for over 12 years, and its suffered quite a lot of abuse. And hand in hand with its long life is a market rich with used parts. I've picked up quite a few lenses that fit on the X-700 for pretty cheap.I'm not an expert on cameras by any means, but when I want to work on my photography, I put away my other cameras and even my digital and get my X-700 out.
Good Camer.This was a direct replcement for the same camera that was to expensive to repair, so buying a used one was more economical.
I got my x700 when I was 16 and heading out for Philmont.  That was 22 years ago.  In that time, I have had it serviced twice...  both times for a cleaning... and both times for around $25.  Not a bad service life.  My camera has been all over europe, spelunking, on mountains, snowmobiles, dive trips, and just about any other place electronic equipment is unsuitable.  It has never let me down.  It has photographed the births of both our children as well as a number of weddings.  I have reluctantly set aside my x700 for a new flashy Nikon which is lighter and digital... but there is NO way it could ever be half as durable as the Minolta.  It is built like a tank... it has the heft and quality feel of a good Maglite.  I also recommend dropping the cash and popping the MD1 motordrive unit on it.  You might as well.  Everything is availabe cheap these days.  It is still an impressive head turning unit in this configuration.  It has served me well for 22+ years... and I will keep it around for times when I am wary about the abuse a dSLR can handle.  My x700 has never "crashed" from being too cold, too hot, too rough. It never complains... and the pictures are always beautiful.
I bought the minolta x-570 to use for my photography class in school. turned out to be one great camera! i love that I can use any minolta lens on my sony a65 so it works awesome. light weight body, with great features with a cheap price. recommend using the ilford 400 film.
I have two of these and have taken many great shots with them.  My first one I bought new back in 1987 I think (still have the sales slip) and it has been in the repair shop once.  I still use it.  I was sorry to see these go out of production but all good things must come to an end.  Ofcourse had digital not come in, I'm sure this or a better version would still be being made.  They are selling cheap on ebay and if you need a great camera, these are one of the best.
Try to find a macro 24mm equivalent for your digital slr that focuses as close as 4" and you will find there is no such thing.  So if you like the expansiveness of true wide angle, and want the ability to focus up close to get the incredible depth of field and frame-filling subject isolation that is achievable with a macro wide, then this is the body for you.  Then, all you have to do is find a used Sigma 24mm Macro manual focus lens and you have a low cost tool that can produce an image unlike any digital camera, even the most expensive and elaborate.The metering system in these Minolta bodies (there have been several very similar bodies over the last 20 years) is spot on, and shooting chromes is easy and sure.My only suggestion to those learning photography is to ditch the 50mm lens right away!  Get a wide - not a 28, but a 24 - and photograph the world like your eyes see it over a 90 degree field of view. You will be amazed.
My absolute favorite camera I own. The first camera I owned too. Nothing can compare to the look of film, and the feel of this camera. Beautiful piece of engineering. If the model I own breaks I'll buy another, and another. I love this camera that much. Wouldn't trade this for any digital.
It's actually my dad's camera; he bought it back in the early 80s and I borrowed it in 2001 or so and haven't given it back yet. This is the camera which got me to take photography seriously and learn hardcore. I thought I would switch to digital, but I quickly came back to film and started learning how to print, in part because this camera is so much more fun to use. It's the only camera I own on which I feel complete confidence in myself and which I feel at ease with. It's no wonder that used X-700's never seem to last long in the local camera shop while other models collect cobwebs.Good construction with a metal body, MC/MD lens bayonet mount. Modes are manual, aperture priority, and program. Bulb feature for the shutter, also a ~10 second timer and cable release socket. Meter is electronic and uses colored LEDs in the viewfinder to display a suggested shutter speed. This meter is very trustworthy and rarely steers me wrong. The f-stop is visible through a small window inside the viewfinder, but only in daylight. Thumb-operated manual film winder. Shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second plus bulb. Film speed setting up to ISO 1600; if using 3200-speed film you must halve your exposure. Preview button allows you to view the composed scene through the actual aperture to check depth-of-field (provided there is sufficient light to see). Exposure override feature allows you to alter auto-exposure by up to +/-2 stops. The timer button doubles as an exposure-lock when using auto-exposure. There is a hot shoe on top for flash units or other accessories.No shutter priority mode or double-exposure capability (there is a way to hack this floating around the internet; I don't recommend it). The meter doesn't display the shutter speed setting in the viewfinder like it does on some other Minolta models; you have to look at the dial on the top to double-check your speed setting. There's no mirror pre-shot lock-up, and the mirror slap is a little loud.Many accessories are available on the used market, including a motor drive, an IR remote shutter control, and tons of lenses. My experience has been that actual Minolta stuff is of better quality, especially the motor drive. Despite lots of lens from various manufacturers, the Minolta 50mm lens that came with the camera is the highest quality lens I have, it's got great optics and a large aperture.This camera is not all things to all 35mm photographers, but as a basic film camera with a few extra features I recommend it highly. It's great for learners and long-time users alike. If I had to keep just one of my cameras, this one wins easily. And besides, how many digital cameras do you know that will still be cutting edge 30 years after you buy it?
I have both volume 1 and 2, and volume one is definitely the top choice.  Plenty of great action and a good way to see the evolution of the UFC and mixed martial arts.
Simply put, you must own this if you are an MMA fan. Buy it... NOW!
It starts off with a guy literally getting his teeth kicked out. Nuff said.Blah blah blah blah minimum requirement.
This is a great, value-for-money purchase for the specific market niche UFC attracts, or martial artists and fight afficionados in particular.  Featuring several of the best (but not necessarily the &quot;top&quot;  best) fights in UFC history, UFC Hits 1 includes interviews with Frank  Shamrock and Tito Ortiz as well as a multi-camera fight section.  Included  in this collection are fan-fave confrontations between the legendary Royce  Gracie &amp; Kimo, Dan Severn &amp; Mad Dog Macias, Tank Abbot &amp; Don  Frye, Vitor Belfort &amp; Scott Ferrozo, and Belfort &amp; Abbot.From  what originally seemed to be a showcase of Brazilian / Gracie jujitsu, the  UFC has slowly evolved into a forum which proves that the &quot;best&quot;  martial art is really, truly eclectic, and one needs the right combination  of punching, kicking, trapping and grappling skills - along with luck and,  of course, a fighting heart - to emerge victorious.  And that no matter how  well one performs, there will always be someone better.I highly  recommend this DVD not only to the UFC fan but also to anyone interested in  gaining even a superficial knowledge in realistic combat and in defending  oneself - using the martial arts - under life-threatening conditions.
Lets go through that title again... a Great compilation of bareknuckle vale tudo developement... which means...Great - It is great, it's a very well selected compilation of interesting and action packed fights from the early ufc days.Bareknuckle - Yes, bareknuckles are still allowed in the UFC. Which makes for bloodier fights! If that's what you're into. I'm sure you probably would be a lot LESS enthusiastic if you were the fighter =)Vale Tudo - Portugese for without rules. This is no rules, this tape shows the early days of the UFC where contestants were allowed to do things that have now been outlawed. Such as hair pulling, headbutts and holding onto the cage.Developement - MMA fighting has devoloped since it's sudden discovery back in the early 90's in the continental US, and you will see towards the end of the tape, that as the UFC tournaments reached thier teens, all the fighters were cross trainers and most wore gloves to protect thier knuckles. Vale Tudo is still deveolping....So who are some of the fighters you're going to see? Well, of course you're going to see all the greats, Royce Gracie, Kimo Lepoldo, Mark Coleman, Tank Abbott, Vitor Belfort, Pedro Rizzo and more....And what kind of fights are you going to see? Not the boring ones! Which is why you should buy this great tape. I actually rate it 3.5/5, but hey, it's worth having anyway.
I loved the DVD, but it was definitely packaged for the bloodthirsty fans.  I am a practitioner of martial arts and while some of the more technical  groundfights may be boring for tourists and WWF fans who want to see a  brawl, there is a lot of strategy and technique involved.  Hits offers  little of the technical fights and provides a ton of the nastiest,  bloodiest fights the UFC has to offer.While most of the fights are just  big brawls, they are still entertaining to watch.  Some of the later fights  featuring Belfort, Frye and Abbott show the values of cross training. One  trick ponies don't get very far in the UFC.One big complaint is that the  DVD advertises &quot;multiple angle's&quot;, which isn't particularly  accurate.  There is one multiple angle fight in the special feature's from  UFC 2, so don't expect to be able to switch the angle's around while you  watch all those old fights.  Won't happen.The one thing the UFC taught  us is there aren't really superior martial arts so much as superior martial  artists, and this DVD proves it.
This is cheap as DVDs go but it is packed full of great scenes. If i remember this is 120 minutes and there isn't a lot of talking between matches. It just goes from one match to another. I don't follow UFC at all and i love this DVD.
Back to the real old days, we see Royce Gracie against Kimo.  That was a classic.  We see the early days of Tank Abbott bashing people.  We see Keith Hackney punch out a sumo wrestler.  I used to watch every pay per view event back then.  In what I consider the second generation of MMA stars, we see Don Frye belt some people out.  He was really very good.  Later on in the film we see some of the more modern stars.This film reminds me of the days when MMA stars weren't well rounded.  The sport began as a showcase to determine which was the best martial art.  The BJJ guys cleaned up.  They cleaned up to such an extent that nowadays everyone knows BJJ, and there is no such thing as a one-dimensional fighter anymore.One fight I'm surprised is NOT on this collection is the most important MMA fight of the early days - when Royce Gracie triangle choked Dan Severn despite being about 100 pounds lighter.To this day, I love the Gracies.  I even took classes with a black belt who received his belt from the Gracies, and I attended a tournament run by Renzo Gracie.  Modern fans of MMA should realize that the point isn't that this or that star can defeat a Gracie in the ring.  The point is that MMA "IS" the Gracies.  No Gracies, no MMA.  It was the brain child of the Gracies, and they wrote the book on it.  So what if others took their teachings and can now beat them at their own game.  How can one family be expected to produce the very toughest men in the world generation after generation?  It's unreasonable to expect that.It is unfortunate that Rickson Gracie never fought in the UFC.  My teacher told me that Rickson used to line up half a dozen Gracie relatives and beat them all easily, one after the other, like a chess master walking from table to table defeating a collection of players simultaneously.To get films of Rickson, the greatest of the Gracies, you need to check out the Pride tournaments.  My guess is that Rickson in his prime would do very well against today's crop.  I'd love to see him against Andrei Arlovski, Randy Couture, or Chuck Liddell.  I wouldn't bet against Rickson.  I'd make him the favorite to be the greatest martial artist of our time.
This edition of UFC Hits takes us from UFC 1 all the way through to UFC 16, selecting choice fights from these events.Royce Gracie is dominant in the earliest events, employing tactics that people simply weren't prepared to defend against.  Gracie then slowly gives way to new talent as it emerges. There are quite a few Tank Abbott fights included, also.  We get to see some of his most memorable fights and knockouts - but we then get to see the "end" of the Tank Abbott era when he meets young Vitor Belfort.  Belfort thrashes Abbott very easily, utilizing his amazing hand speed and power. With Belfort came a new, higher level of talent into the UFC.The Belfort/Couture fight is one of the best fights on the DVD (if not the very best).  You will appreciate the fight regardless, but even moreso if you've seen their two more recent fights.  These are two truly amazing mixed martial artists early in their UFC careers.We then see Frank Shamrock emerge toward the end of this DVD edition, at about the same time Tito Ortiz makes his debut (still a college student at the time).  There is a bonus interview conducted inside the octagon with Shamrock and Ortiz, as they were soon to face-off.  This fight is included on UFC Hits 2.This is a great collection of fights - there are about 40 fights totaling 2 hours of action.  Classic knockouts, submissions and all-out battles... Highly recommended!
Ever seen a fool get his eyeball kicked out of his friggin head? How about watching a man get punched in the temple consecutively over 20 times and drain blood like a broken water faucet? No? That's probably because you've been watching the wrong sports.This DVD is absolutely brutal. If you've got a weak stomach you won't make it past the first fight. If you don't you'll love this bad piece from beginning to end. People being punched out, kicked out, bowed out, choked out...aw man, it's just maliciously beautiful.With this you won't see any of those long boring Gracie "Ho-hum, I want to arm bar you." fights. This is straight to the point. Hit play...and HE'S UNCONSCIOUS, HE'S OUT, HE'S OUT! I'd recommend watching this with your significant other and when you see Tank Abbott absolutely mangle John Matua and have him sprawled whilst seizing and locking up say "The next time you act a fool, the Tank Abbott hammer-blow is gonna rain down on you like that."This is the party flick of the ages. If you like raw, passionate, angry, just...apocalyptic violence on humans by humans than you MUST own this. Buy now or you'll be visited by me and I will promptly knock you out with a Vitor Belfort Matrix-style Neo barrage attack like the one administered to Vanderlei Silva.
If you are a fan of the knockouts in UFC, than this is a must see.  It is really fun for me to watch since I just picked up on MMA about 5 or 6 years ago.  These are all from early UFC's and man is it fun to watch.  It starts it off with a 400 pound guy going up against a 200 pound guy and 400 gets kicked in the face and his tooth goes flying a good 20 feet.  It is a great opening to the rest of the fights since more than half of them end with a guy getting knocked unconcious or having blood streaming down his face.  A few of the matches they don't show the whole fight and just show the action but most are so quick there is no need to shorten them.This is a must buy for any fan who doen't want to buy all of the old UFC DVD's and just wants to see great knockout fights like Don Frye vs. Tank Abbot, Royce Gracie vs. Kimo, Dan Severn's first match in the UFC, Mark Colemen vs. Maurice Smith, Keith Hackney vs. 600 pound guy, Keith Hackney showing us how to punch a guy in the balls as hard as he can...
You will see.... A guy get kicked in the face when he's down on all fours.... A guy get punched in the noots 10 times by a Kung Fu Master.... A guy get punched square in the face while he is on the ground spazzing out after being knocked out.... And you'll also learn to never be excited watching Boxing again.... This is the most brutal UFC tape you can buy...it's a little on the extra brutal side as their are only about 5 submission victories on their....this isn't generally how matches go but it does show you why developing an effecting ground game will save you in any street fight. This tape features fights from the old days of UFC when their weren't many cross training fighters and we got to see how the different martial arts stacked up against each other...and how quickly it became apparent that Jiu Jitsu was the Kryptonite to the other fighting arts. This tape features tons of great KOs and is packed with fearless fighters. VITOR BELFORT's vs TRE TELLIGNAN and VITOR vs TANK are the two most spectacular fights I've ver seen.  Enjoy
Excellent DVD...highlights UFC fights from its debut to UFC 16 and it does a great job of showing the evolution of the UFC and fight styles.  Shows how their was at a time, just about no rules, the referee's were poor and missed tapouts and waited too long to stop fights.  Groin shots, headbutts, Hair pulling all legal, and over time, they slowly evolved into more of a sport.  I like MMA, I like old and new UFC.  But I think this is a great introduction to fans of the sport of MMA plain and simple.  Many of the fights are short and complete...some of the longer ones are either clipped or are shown in progress.  But by doing that it can give people a more complete scope of what UFC was and what it was turning into.  From a very dangerous tough man contest to a sweet science style combat sport.  A+ Check it out
Some good matches. Get this with the #2 as well, to see all the amazing fights with F Shamrock. Was expecting more fights with the Gracie's...The DVD itself (menus...) is convenient, well made.These fights are a way to apreciate how the UFC started (see the bloody first match) and how they evolve (better referee, cleaner fights, more rules).
We do some Gracie Jiu Jitsu at work, and I've boxed and wrestled in the past - these are some tough sons of guns here!  This is a fantastic compilation of some of the finest moments out of UFC history.  I've seen a number of individual UFC tapes that cover single championships, and this does a great job of compiling them.  I would have loved to see some of the Royce Gracie/Dan Severn fight, as it was amazing to see Gracie take 17 minutes of abuse from Severn and still get Severn to tap.  This is the real deal and I recommend it to any martial arts or boxing fan who wants to see what happens when there are virtually no limitations set on what the fighters can do.
I spent hours and hours on the internet and in stores looking at digital cameras and reading about them before I finally bought the Mavica 85.  It's even better than I thought it would be.  The floppy drive can use either 3.5&quot; floppies or the Sony Memory Sticks.  All work really well.  Ikelite even makes an underwater housing for this camera, but it costs more than the camera does.  The quality of the pictures, ease of operation, myriad of functions this camera has are just awesome.  We love this camera.  The pricing seems a bit steep, but, when we compared the Sony to all the other cameras, it did seem in line.
This camera is one of the best that I have used in my limited experience.  It's easy to setup and easy to use.  The only faults that I can find concerning it are the size and the fact that it does not have a traditional view-finder.The size is due to the fact that it uses standard 3.5&quot; floppy disks whic in itself is a plus.  this means not having to purchase special storage media to use.  Nor having to install special software to view the pictures when done.  Just pop the floppy disk in the computer's drive and view away.The lack of a view-finder does not hamper the use of the camera but would have probably make it a little easier to use for more &quot;traditional&quot; photographers.
I have been using this camera for work and have been so impressed with how easy it is to use.  I want one for at home now!
This is a fantastic digital camera.  I bought it yesterday, charged the battery and was off and running.  The convenience and ease of the floppy disk storage is incredible.  I can't believe I can take a photo, pop the disk in my computer, click on a photo and...; there it is.  I am not the most computer literate person (nor the least) but this camera should be labeled &quot;the digital camera for idiots&quot;.  I do not know how you could have trouble operating this camera...
This is a perfect camera -- finally!  In the past 2-3 years, Ihad been spending $... per roll of 24 pics in APS format, having thepictures developed, sent to me in an e-mail, and recorded on a CD.Last year alone, I practically paid for this camera.  It uses a diskfor recording the pictures; I delete the pics I don't want.  I get aperfectly acceptable picture from ordinary (cheap) printer paper.  Mypurpose in buying the camera is to photograph items for presenting onEbay auctions.  I had heard from at least two other individuals whoregularly run auctions, that this little camera does beautifulcloseups.  However, it was so easy to operate when I openend ittonight that I couldn't resist photographing all the rooms in ourhouse for insurance inventory purposes, too.  And to think I don'thave to spend any more money in developing costs.  Most of my friendshave e-mail, and we just e-mail the pics back and forth.Poor filmmanufacturer's will go broke if this idea catches on!
I would give this camera a 5 star but this technology has so much more to  grow with.  I love the fact you can take a photo and just stick it in your  A drive and wah lah!  Instant emailed photos to all your friends and  family.  The menu tool on the display monitor is very easy to use with very  little confusion.  It almost felt like second nature pressing all the  buttons to take me where I wanted to go.  Unfortunately the price leaves  little to be desired.  I imagine that digital cameras will be the big hit  this Christmas season, so, wait for these products to go down in price a  little before buying such a major purchase.  If you check out my previous  reviews I made a review about the Panasonic portable DVD player and the  price of that item in October 1999 was $1100.00, I think it's probably  under that figure now.  The utmost thing to do with products like this is  COMPARE PRICES!  Check out other online stores as well as Amazon and check  out other electronics stores to get the best deal possible.  It's worth the  time and you can compare all products to see which one is right for you.  Cheers!
Very happy with camera. Only complaint is 3.5&quot; floppy's maximum capacity of 5 or 6 exposures burns up a lot of disks.
I have always had a preference for Sony electronics, so when I decided to purchase a digital camera, I started researching Sony first. I've had my camera for a year now and can honestly say I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a reliable, easy to use, excellent picture quality digital camera.The pop up menus are easy to reconnoiter and adjust, but do take the time to learn the features before you venture out on a picture taking trip. Depending upon the resolution, I got 10-20 pictures on a 3.5 floppy. I am now looking at purchasing a memory stick to avoid having to deal with so many floppy disks. The case it comes with is adequate but really only large enough for a few discs and the camera so had to pack to charger unit in another bag.I took the camera on vacation last year to Canada. As long as I charged it up each evening I was set for the next day. If you care to see the picture quality, feel free to visit some of my online pics at: [...]This camera also takes up to 15 second moving pictures. This gives you a little bit more in terms of 'memories', but it is not a video camera, so please keep that in mind.I recommend this highly.
I bought this camera based on some previous experience with the Mavica FD-73 digital camera...which has lower specs, but its operation is almost identical.  I didn't want to put out too much money on this camera, yet I didn't want to chintz on the technical aspect.  Another reason I bought this camera is because Sony is one of the few (if not the only) manufacturer to say in its sales pitch that their camera does MPEGs...and in comparison tables, not all digicams make MPEGs.  As with a lot of new digital devices, there are almost too many bells &amp; whistles built-in, to the point it's overwhelming.  However, with a little practice, and time spent reading the owner's manual (yes, be a nerd, and READ IT), it's quite easy to operate.  The sepia effects that are available are fantastic.  There are still a lot of features on this camera I need to explore.  One thing I have noticed on the MPEGs, is that if you double-click the filename, once you have the MPEG in/on your PC, it opens in a very small window, and the audio seems to be at double-speed.  However, when viewing with Media Player, it works fine.  Maybe it's just me. OVerall, a good camera at a good price...something in the middle of the road, but it satisfies my needs.
I've had the Mavica FD85 for about 4 months now and I love it.  Storage on floppies is great and the 1.3 megapixels is plenty for outstanding photos.  The instant review and option to delete means you only save the best photos.  I transfer my photos from floppy to my computer and reformat the floppy so I can re-use them over and over.  I take this camera everywhere I go now.
I purchased the FD-81 (essentially the same camera) three Christmas back.  Have shot a thousand or more images without any problems.  I am a claims adjuster and use the camera mainly for work.  I basically compose the shot, point and shoot.  The only shortcomings that do not warrant the five star are:  the viewfinder is impossible to see with strong light striking it.  Also the flash needs help in very low light situations - like dark smoke residue rooms.  The battery that comes with the unit should be supplemented by purchasing an extra longer life battery to keep as a spare.  Great camera.  I have literally saved thousands in film and processing costs with this unit.
How can you review a camera you have not used? Obviously, it has happened. The 'black beauty' put Nikon and Canon into a tail-spin in 1998; the Maxxum/Dynax 9 was King. I'm not convinced any of the DSLRs are to that level still?
Still like film? Have any Minolta lenses? Treat yourself to a Maxxum 9, you won't regret it. You won't get a better full frame experience for the dollar, used or new, than the Maxxum 9.Comfortable, easy to use, intuitive, ergonomic, reliable, capable, the Maxxum 9 is genius design made practical. Built like no other film camera I've ever held, it's a hefty camera yet confidence inspiring. If a Sherman tank had a camera cousin, the Maxxum 9 would be it.There isn't much to say but accolades for this camera, it has few if any weaknesses as a film platform and to this day still has features that other SLR's or DSLRS cannot rival (it's sync speed and worlds fastest 1/12,000th shutter speed for example).This is a camera that will last generations in a family household, and if you believe celluloid is your choice for memories, I can't think of a more perfect camera to do the job. It's just as happy doing sports/action and outdoor photography as it is doing wedding events and family snapshots.Some cameras have everything right, the Maxxum 9 is one of those. From the moment you pick one up, you'll understand, don't believe me or the words I've written. If you get a chance to hold one, and look through the beautiful viewfinder, maybe you'll agree.Pros:Build (Stainless STEEL, not magnesium)ComfortVIEWfinderEase of useIntuitiveErgonomicReliableCapableFastMeteringFrame ratesForgivingLong customizable function listWeather ResistantGreat battery lifeBuilt in wireless flash/triggerAF in complete darkness up to 7 metersGlow in the dark controlsAll you need, and nothing you don't.Cons:Weight, maybeNo longer in productionLimited AF pointsLimited to camera shops for repair
I have spent a lot of time in camera stores and I have always thought Minolta products always got unfairly shoved to the side. The notion that Minolta cameras and lenses are inferior to Nikon and Canon is crap, and is perpetuated by certain camera snobs and self-proclaimed experts. I shoot regularly as an advanced amateur and I own and use the Maxxum 9. I feel that it is the most intuitive 35mm professional camera out there. The quality of construction is first rate, on par with the best that Nikon and Canon have to offer. The camera has a solid feel, everything about it is high quality.  The control layout is so self-explanatory that most photographers can learn to use the camera in 5 minutes without flipping through the manual.  With respect to lenses. I still run into narrow-minded people who ask me which &quot;Nikkors&quot; I use upon seeing my photographs, and then these self-proclaimed &quot;experts&quot; simply refuse to believe me when I inform them that my images are all created with Minolta AF cameras and lenses. No, I am not kicking Canon and Nikon products, obviously they are very good, several million pros using those systems cannot be wrong about them. But pretentious &quot;camera aficionados&quot; who slight the Maxxum 9 don't know what they are missing out on. I am sold on the Minolta Maxxum 9.  When choosing lenses go for the G-Series, optically they are cut every bit as good as the very best lenses Nikon and Canon make. I've shot pictures with all these brands and even established pros who shoot with other systems admit that my images are just as sharp as any they've seen or made. And they absolutely love the 9's layout. Minolta would do well to stay with the Maxxum 9's basic concept when designing their future pro cameras.  Now if they would only make a full frame digital body based on the Maxxum 9...........
Those who still like to shoot film and go to wet places would be crazy not to look at one of these.  The weather sealing is excellent.  Dropped mine in a creek (with me attached) picked it up and it still worked. That was a few years ago.  It still works.  Very sturdy and many features.  It is on par with any other camera of its day and in my opinion a much better buy than the Nikon or Canon.  1/12,000 shutter speed too and unlike dslr's no emf noise.  Good for stopping props and fans.  The individual traditional controls are quite nice too. One doesn't have to remember Function 3 + AEF + Lens Manual ++ Mode + shift right in order to change the ISO or shutter speed.  And because the dials are real not in an LCD you can read them at a glance without getting in the appropriate sun position or looking thru the viewfinder.  Sometimes tradition is advanced.  Anyhow I have used Minolta cameras since 1968 with my first SRT 101. Except for 1 1/2 years in Viet Nam where I packed a kodak instamatic, I always used Minolta.  and I have bought a few every ten years so I have quite a collection. 101,202,x700s (best of its day from anyone), 7000i, 9xi(another gem) 9 and a77.  One thing I like about this camera as well as my new A77 is that there are adapters without lenses to adapt the older MC/MD lenses to them. this is good for close up macro work.  In fact they are great for portrait work as well.  You just can't beat an old Rokkor 85 f1.7 or 85mm f2.8 varisoft for a good head shot on slide film.  The A77 increases the effective length by 1.5 (so the old 50mm 1.2, 1.4 and 1.7 are perfect for stills on it but the Maxxum 9 is full frame so it gets the 85.  Anyhow every one of my Minoltas work great, perfect timing etc. Not bad for over 50 years for some and 35 for most and the 9 seems to be built as well if not better than all.  Me and the grandkids shoot all of them and believe it or not the young ones like the old manual cameras. It makes them think. And they seem to take pride because they did more than point and shoot when their photos come back from costco. For me though the 9's are the ones to use for film. The new lenses for the a77 work only in manual mode on this camera and the new flashes don't work in all modes.  They will auto zoom but not do wireless.  The older flash units for this model like the 5400hs work well and are around $60.  Compared to the 500 hv58 that's not bad.
I knew it was one of the best film SLRs of last generation and it was my dream machine so I never hesitated to get one for 340$.Item was rated &#34;Used-good&#34;, but could actually fit to &#34;Used-very good&#34;. There's not much I can tell about it, anyone who is interested can get enough information on the internet.Basically under this bricky and ugly body there is a very good working machine with sophisticated mechanisms and electronics which once were a cutting edge of technology. I can't tell how many frames has it taken during its life but I hope it won't die on my hands.One more thing. I also own Nikon N80/F80 which is a battery pig. Nothing similar happens with this minolta. Using just the same two CR123 batteries Dynax 9 lasts 2-2.5 times longer which is very important for me since CR123 are rare and expensive in my country
I have been using Minolta cameras for years now, and I finally went for the Maxxum 9.  Everytime I press the shutter release, I am glad I got the camera!  It is constructed like a tank and has so many bells and whistles I will never learn to use them all.  It also features a 100% viewfinder so what you see is what you get as far as framing goes.  Even though I don't use it, it has a built in flash which is rare on pro cameras--its nice to know its there if I ever need it.  Its fast and efficient.  Top shutter speed is the highest available at 1/12,000 of a second.  Plus, the motor drive must have a built in turbo!This camera has definitely served me well and I know it will continue to do so for MANY years to come.  I highly recommend you get one if you are serious about photography.  Get the VC-9 Control Grip too!
This camera has worked on my mind for a few years now ever since its introduction in 1999.  As a long time Nikon owner, I avioded buying one.  I mean it's not the most beautiful camera in the world.  But at last it began to look good to me, I mean really good and I decided I must own one.  But, alas, they are nearly out of production.  I had to settle for a well cared for used one.  The camera works like a dream.  The controls are easy to locate and easy to use, even in the dark.  They glow.  There is a limited production still available in stainless and titanium and I think the Dynax european edition is still available if you can locate one.  The limited edition sells for ahefty $2500. and is currently back ordered.  Get one if you can and the heck with anyone who tells you its not pro and ugly.
A year ago, I finally replaced my 1973 Minolta XK (the last year that Minolta made a pro camera) with a Minolta Maxxum 9 (their first new pro camera since). It's been very worth the unintentionally long wait. I've now used the Maxxum 9 on four continents. If you take care of good, solid equipment and it isn't stolen, it can indeed last a lifetime. I expect that I'll be using the Maxxum for decade or two (I still use the 1973 XK because it still works perfectly and I don't feel like replacing its old 16mm and 500mm bayonet-mount lenses just to use them on the new auto-focus camera). I had thought of buying a new Nikon, Canon, or Olympus, and tested each, but found the Maxxum 9 their equal (and better designed than most). Indeed, notice how the poster of the one negative review here never says whether he's actually owned or used the camera. Any good professional photographer knows that any of the major brands' pro lines are well-designed and workable.
Very versatile, stylish, easy-to-use camera! I used several rolls of my 2-month daughter basically in the portrait mode and I found them very good (w/flash or without it). But more impressive pictures have been done outdoors with 28mm focus. They a really great! The images are sharp, clear, a full of depth. Before I used 35mm fixed Olympus Stylus and my manual Minolta XG-7. This IS-20 QD camera has a lot more to offer for for the beginner and experienced photographer!
I actually own the IS-30, which is almost identical to the IS-20, the only difference being that the IS-30 has exposure compensation (from -2EV to +2EV in 0.5EV steps), but I don't know if its still available, so I'm writing this review instead. I've had it for 2 years and it is a marvellous camera.This camera has all the features that you need and none that you don't. It is essentially a fully-automatic SLR camera, so you have the best of both worlds. With an SLR, when you look through the viewfinder, you're actually looking through the lens, so what you see is what you get (with composition and focus). Unlike a fully-automatic camera, which has parallax error associated with its separate viewfinder.The IS-20 is "zoomier" (28-110mm) than a standard SLR camera lens (28-80mm), but yet it is quite a small camera when compared to most SLRs. You can also get a telephoto extender that screws on the end making it effectively a 210mm lens; although you will have to use that pretty much at full-zoom and the camera lens cap won't retract when it is in place.The other advantage it has over fully-automatic cameras is that you can use various filters on the end of the lens. You might first consider getting a 2X macro lens and a red lens for improving the contrast in B&W; photography.I used my sister's Canon EOS-500N for two overseas trips and I found that about half of the features I just didn't use. With this Olympus, however, I use ALL the features. The two most commonly used modes are the scenery mode and the portrait mode. It also has spot metering, a timer, and a nifty lens cap. Plus it has full-auto mode; just press the green button and shoot!It has twin flashes, one for wide-angle and one for telephoto, and they are mighty-powerful! There are four flash modes: autoflash, no flash, red-eye reducing, and forced flash activation. They're all important. Having no flash is crucial for night time scenes; just put the camera on something steady, select the timer -that way the camera will go off by itself and you won't bump it- and you will take photos that look like a pro.Initially, the thing that bugged me most is that you can't manually set the shutter speed and have the camera figure out the correct aperture. But now I tend to think that the only time I really wanted to set the shutter speed myself is when I wanted the fastest possible shutter speed, and the camera has a mode that automatically does that for you (up to 1/2000 sec). You can only manually select the shutter speed for long-time exposures greater than 1 sec (1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 & 60 sec), but then camera fixes the aperture at f8, so you have to take a few shots to make sure the photo won't be under/overexposed. You can, on the other hand, choose an aperture from f4.5 to f22, and have the camera automatically use the right shutter speed. That allows you to change the depth of field of a scene.On the down side: for the smallish size, it is on the heavy side. But even though I am usually very obsessive when it comes to lightweight objects, in this case I can easily overlook that, because of its sheer convenience.If you're thinking of buying a digital camera, know that film has the equivalent of 1500 "pixels" per inch, so that a 24x36mm negative, assuming a good lens and fine-grained film, will have over 3 megapixels. Not only that, but this camera can use a wide range of film speeds, from 25 ISO all the way to 3200 ISO!!The other reason I didn't want a digital camera, is that I've been known to take about a thousand photos while I'm travelling, and I refuse to fork out that much money for the high-capacity memory cards required. Remember that 35mm film can be bought ANYWHERE.
I'm a photography student and this is my first SLR.  I bought here on Amazon but through the MarketPlace at a highly discounted price.  I am thrilled at the shots I've taken in the past six months.  I've learned to use the manual features to enhance my pictures and feel comfortable in many situations to use the fully automatic focus, aperture, f stop, etc.I would highly recommend this camera from the beginner to intermediate.  I love this camera!Update: My original review was for my first iS-20. I used it for a couple years and it subsequently stopped working so I bought another. Both were used when purchased. The second is still going strong and I get better shots from it than my FujiFilm S9000. I love this camera.
My first really &quot;nice&quot; camera, and what a disappointment!  For the first time ever in my life, I had to read the instruction manual to figure out a technical item ... (a first for someone who's built telescopes, configured/programmed/used TVs, VCRs, stereo component systems, MD recorders, camcorders, and used many cameras without the aid of the standard booklet).  Well, there's a first for everything!  That is fine, but ...&quot;Embarassing&quot; to admit, after having to eventually reread the manual a sum of about FOUR times and still not understanding the temperamental nature of this beast (since it still was not performing as predicted in writing), I gave up on reading.  I decided to perservere with the settings to see which would happen to work.  I was intent on having a good working relationship with my new friend, but alas, it did not succeed.  After enough unsatisfactory shooting experiences, I soon returned it.To begin with, this camera was bulky and awkward to hold, giving me a bit of the shakies during most shoots.  The various button positions for the settings were hardly ergonomic -- more like calisthenics (even for us piano players).  When I needed to ask someone else to take a picture with it of me and someone/thing else, I had to give a five minute lesson on how to use it, and these various individuals still couldn't get it to shoot no matter WHAT setting they tried.  When it did take the picture, it took quite a while to complete and was rather noisy.Often I had to change the potential photo's composition (if not photographable at ANY setting combination) to less than what I desired.  Then, I usually found only ONE least expected setting that WOULD take the picture.  When going through these jumping jacks for various focusing situations, the final pictures still most commonly came out too dark.  I WAS using the right film speed for the indoor, well-lit environment according to standard guidelines I've followed for years with no trouble.  Even in the few pictures that did turn out visibly discernable, the subject in the foreground looked way too overexposed and the background unnecessarily way too dark.  Weird flash on this guy.  After briefly using someone's manual camera a few years ago, I am convinced that the old archaic &quot;complexities&quot; of shooting with those cameras are in the end EASIER to use than some of today's overly-programmed, auto-&quot;smart&quot; cameras.The major reason why I bought my first Olympus is because of their rare use of a total glass lenses, &quot;enhancing&quot; color results.  The colors in the few pictures (after working through many rolls) that DID come out were so extreme and bright in contrast that they looked ridiculous to me.  I also had those rolls processed simultaneously with film from another camera; and, those pictures did not show those same color results.  So, I probably can't blame the developer.Unsatisfied.  NOT a user friendly step-up from your basic three-setting zoom cameras.  I'm amazed that anyone can get good results with this otherwise cute camera, and actually admire the picture quality.
Easy to use camera that takes great pictures!  I replaced my old Nikon 35mm with this Olympus and have been nothing but pleased.
The pictures are terrible!!!!I thought it might have been the first roll of film because I left it in the car on a warm day so I tried two more rolls!!! They're sooo dark! Even the ones I took on the beach this morning on an absolutely gorgeous day.I carried this camera with me to my graduation instead of my bulkier camera because of its compactibility (is that a word?). I'm upset that I entrusted those memories to this camera.It's also very confusing to figure out. I have a Minolta QT-si that I'll stick with from now on.
I bought this camera at the end of August.  With the camera I also bought a 128MB compact flash card, an extra battery, and a carrying case.  I also recently bought Viking's IntelliFlash Memory Reader.The camera:Amazing size; it is literally about the size of a deck and a half of cards.  It fits into my pants pocket or my chest pocket without a problem.Great pictures, especially in daylight.  I went for a walk with my dog today and took a picture in the midday sunlight and I got back and it was fabulous.  But pictures with the flash aren't that great, unfortunately.  The foreground usually gets too bright and the backround not light enough.The 2X optical zoom is great but the 2X digital zoom doesn't do much I've found.  The resolution is good enough so that you can take a picture using optical zoom and then crop the part you want and it will still be a good sized picture.The software that comes with camera is adequate.  It lets you view the pictures you take and then edit them a little bit, extract redeye was the feature I used most.  But there are many other great features that I haven't really explored, but I have played around with a little.The battery:It probaly lasts about a half hour using the LCD screen.  But if you just point and snap using the traditional viewfinder the camera lasts very much longer.  It takes about an hour to charge with the included charger that plugs right into any outlet.  I would recommend buying an extra battery.Also I would recommend buying a carrying case, the Canon Powershot case is an excellent fit and also has a small pounch on the front for an extra CF card and/or battery.  I bought a 128MB card which is great when you go away for a while and won't have access to your computer.  But I found that I rarely fill up even half the card which holds 210 pictures at medium resolution.  The Viking Flash Reader is a nice touch, although definitely not needed.  It allows you to upload pictures a bit faster without wasting the battery of the camera.All in all here's what you really need:1. An extra battery pack.2. A bigger CF card, 48MB is sufficient, 64 is really nice.3. A carrying case to protect your investment.It's a lot of fun too!
Back in the 70's, I had a minature Rollei 35 mm camera with a Zeiss lens. I took that camera everywhere and made tons of great pics, many of which I had blown up and framed. Unfortunately my ex wife got that camera in my 1983 divorce! Over the years I've accumulated several SLR cameras with numerous lenses and tripods. Again I found myself increasingly carrying a point and shoot camera most of the time. When I saw the digital Elph, I knew that this was the Digital cam I wanted, and I've not been disappointed. My current wife carries it in her purse all the time. Works great, no complaints. This camera has a high &quot;drool&quot; factor--you'll get lots of &quot;oohs and ahhs&quot; by those who see it.You will want an extra battery, another flash card (I bought a 64 meg flash card) and a flash card reader. With the flash card reader, you just take the flash card (the film, in essence) out of the camera, put it in the flash card reader, and your computer reads the flash card just as if it were an extra A: floppy drive. You can drag and drop pics into your select directory on your computer, and as they pile up on your hard drive, save them on a Zip drive or a CD if you have a read/write CD Rom.Camera is a piece of cake and no complaints so far.
Positives:1) Sex appeal. This thing is tiny, and silver, and made of metal. It looks hot, it feels sturdy. Many people have come up to me to ask about it.2) Portability. I take it everywhere, literally. It's in my purse and goes everywhere with me so I never miss the perfect picture of a gorgeous sunset or my husband doing something funny. The size is also good because it's unobtrusive -- SLRs can get in the way at parties and inhibit &quot;natural&quot; pictures because people are too aware of the camera. The S100 is less invasive -- it's quick, it's small and it's fun, and that's the way picutures of friends and family come out because of it.3) Quality. The pictures are very good quality. I almost never take my Canon 35 mm SLR out any more because the S100 takes great photos and is so incredibly portable. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this can replace an SLR if you're a serious arty photo buff. But the ease of use and portability of it makes up for the minimal drop in quality. Compared to my friends' digital cameras, the S100 takes superior pictures, even at the middle quality setting. As for prints, I bought a Canon BJ color printer for a couple hundred bucks and the prints are superb!4) Memory. Compact flash, while still pricey, is the least expensive common form of removeable media. Don't count Iomega's click disks which are cheap but aren't widely used. Stock up on CF -- if you're anything like me you'll need a lot of CF cards because you won't want to stop taking pictures. I have used cards from the major manufacturers in the following sizes with no problems: 96, 64, 15, 8. Removeable memory is WAY better than embedded because when you use up the space, you can just pop in a new card and keep shooting.The negatives:1) Weak flash. If you're inside, you had better be no farther away from your subject than 10 feet in a lit room and 5 feet in a dim room.2) Micro focus. The focus is a little flakey on very small objects. I like close up shots, and if I'm trying to shoot a small insect or flower (maybe half as small as a dime) the focus has trouble finding it. There is no manual override. This is semi-reasonable, but still disappointing. Other than this extreme close up limitation, the focus is great.3) Short battery life. This problem is not unique to the S100. It's no problem really, just make sure to get 1-2 spares. Mine lasts me about 2 hours of solid use. If you're planning to take it on a trip, just make sure you bring the charger (included) and spare batteries.Bottom line, the pros far outweigh the cons. I couldn't be happier with the camera. If you're serious about getting a digital camera, you must buy this one.
The new Canon s300 is 33% larger and 26% heavier than the S100.  The movie mode can only record a max of 30 seconds at 160X120 per clip and a max of 4 seconds at 640X480.  It has one more resolution of 1024X768 and a &quot;Normal&quot; compression mode.  And, it has the 3X zoom.  The price is $... more.In my opinion the 3X zoom is nice but it is not worth $.. more and a large increase in size.  I also cannot see how such limited movie making capabilities would be useful.  I therefore bought the S....The camera takes very good pictures.  The flash has a tendency to cause a slight blue cast on some things indoors.  The low-light capabilities are not that great but then I think they are as good as my previous Minolta Vectis APS point-and-shoot (which by the way has a 76mm zoom compared to the S100s 70mm, not much different).  The ability to preview shots after taking them is great.  Outdoor shots are where this camera really shines.  They are great!  Overall, I think it takes pictures just as good if not better than my old Minolta APS.  It fits easily in my jeans pocket.  The battery life is not bad.  Get a second battery if you are going to use it on trips.I deducted a star for the following reasons:  they should have either not included a compactflash card and reduced the price or included a larger compactflash card than 8mb, they should have a leather case available in the US like they do in Canada and Europe, I would have preferred a pop-up flash like they do on some of their Elphs, I would have preferred more standard batteries but I understand why they went with the proprietary one, I would prefer the ability to change image capture resolution without having to switch into manual mode.Overall this is a great camera.  Well worth the price.  It is going to replace my Minolta Vectis APS 25.  I am very impressed with the pictures I have taken with it so far (except for maybe some of the indoor with flash shots).  Very easy to use.  Well recommended.
this camera is really amazing!  It's the size of canon's elph series with all the benefits of a digital camera.  It even supports usb interface which means you can hook it up without restarting your computer... i really like  this product.
I have used many digital cameras. This IS the best camera you can have for digital images if you want to: - Take quick pictures with excelent resolution - Hate to wait between shots - Download it fast to your computer - Have a great and easy to use bundled software - Travel with it without knowing you have it in your pocketI use digital cameras for taking great pictures and share it in web pages, or sending emails... This camera is perfect and not complicated to use.PRO: - Great look and feel, solid, NO plastic - Sexy - Great resolution for MORE than you expect if you are in digital imaging and computer and don't care about final perfect poster-like prints - Incredible PANORAMA stiching feature, where you can make 360 degrees pictures soooo easy.CONS: - Standard memory (8MB) to small - Battery life could be better but it's ok - Your first days of use might be frustrating because of many menus, but if you use the automatic feature it's perfectRECOMENDATION:- I bought directly from canon the ORIGINAL CASE, with the metal Canon Digital Elph logo and the SAME SIZE as the camera, it's the best case, better than any Caselogic around here. This case (wich you can only buy directly from Canon) was build for the camera. - I bought 48 MB Compact flash, but DON'T buy the &quot;original&quot; Canon compact flash memory, because you could pay over 40% because of the brand. I use the Viking Memory and also have some &quot;non-brand&quot; compact flash memory, and it works just fine for a fraction of the price.Regards,
I love the way this camera fits into my pocket for easy storage.  It is the size of a Credit Card and about 1.5 inches thick.  Our family loves it.  The camera takes excellent pictures wich are great for the internet, e-mail, and printing.  It is very easy to use and come with the basic functions any novice like me will ever need to use.  The camera functions well in just about any environment, and its flash will even take a perfect picture in total darkness (limited distance).  I really wanted a full function camera, with all the bells and whistles that I probably would never use, and I was looking into the the 3 or 4 megapixel cameras.  After much shopping around, and comparing price and values, I purchased this one and couldn't be happier.  I would strongly recommend this camera.  My only fear is I will misplace it because it is so small.
I've used two digital cameras prior to this one:  a first- generation Powershot (nice for the price) and a company-owned Kodak DC-290.  The Kodak takes great pictures but it's an albatross compared to my wonderful Digital Elph.  I put the Elph in a ziplock bag and stick it in my top pocket during fishing trips.  I take pictures in places I'd NEVER be able to take them with a bulkier camera.  I've recommended this magnificent example of engineering to many people, and I'd buy another one tomorrow.  I can think of no, repeat, no drawbacks, and the picture quality is stunning.  Printed out on a $200 HP Deskjet 952C they're indistinguisable from prints from negatives.  Am I babbling?????
I've got a couple of digital cameras.  An Olympus 2500 and an Olympus 620.  Really like them,  they work well and the macro function of the 2500 really helps my Ebay biz.  BUT they are big cameras,  they have to reside in a large case,  they need all kinds of batteries,  in short they're a pain to lug around.I found the Canon on closeout at Compusa for a crazy low price. Should have bought every one they had, but lacking the bucks, I picked up one, intending to play with it for a day or two and then sell it off at Ebay for a nice profit.I'm still using it 4 months later.  I can't bring myself to sell it.  I've never opened the included 8mb CF card as it's stupid for Canon to even include a card if they're going to put one in that small,  it won't hold the equivilent of a roll of film.  There are lots of sellers of CF cards now priced right. I put a 128mb chip in that cost me less than $50.I've read some complaints about the battery.  I don't think those folks know what they are talking about.  As long as you are not messing around too much reviewing photos,  the included battery will last you all day. If not,  get a converter and plug your battery in your car for a quick recharge. No big deal.The lens is a bit slow,  and it really doesn't have the reach I'd like,  but that's fixable.  (...) buy an adapter and one of his monocular lens add ons. Works very well, but it's a bit of a pain to focus. Once you figure out how it all works together you can get photos of birds in the tops of trees with no trouble. Better buy a little tri-pod though.The best photos are taken by the camera you have at the time you need to take the photo. This camera and the others in it's line are pocketable and built to be hauled around. This is the camera that will take the photo you would have missed! The only reason I put this camera at 4 stars is the little 8mb cf card that comes with it. If they'd put a 32, I'd given 5 stars.
I've had this camera just over 2 years and it takes pretty good pictures. The size is tiny, which I love. We bought extra memory and a backup battery (so we can use one while the other is charging). Sometimes the pictures are onthe dark side, but I'm able to fix that using the Photoshop 6.0 "adjust levels" function ... not sure how a person would do that without Photoshop, though.Speaking of software, the program that came with the camera 2 years ago was horrible, but they've since upgraded to a program that's decent which you can download from the Canon website (and likely they provide the latest software with current purchases--I'm not sure).The normal zoom works well, but when you get into the "digital zoom," everything gets fuzzy--both the viewscreen and the actual pictures are big blurs. So I just don't use that feature.Overall, it's a decent buy.
I was looking for a compact, rugged (I carry it hiking, skiing, boating, etc) camera which is easy to use. I wanted standard memory expansion (CF cards), macro mode, and if possible, a waterproof housing (for kayaking). This is the only camera with all these capabilities. Even with the waterproof housing it is small. The lens retracts and has its own metal cover so you don't need to fuss with a lens cap. The metal housing seems very rugged. Turn-on to ready-to-shoot is about 3 seconds. I'd give it  5 stars if the automatic modes were better and if there were true manual focus and exposure modes. For example, in auto mode you can't use the flash redeye reduction, you must be in manual mode for that. The auto color balance is often fooled by dense clouds. You need to use the manual exposure adjustment in backlight or bright light conditions such as with snow in the background. The dynamic range seems not quite as good as the Kodak DC260. The macro mode works well, although it takes some practice since the camera doesn't clearly indicate when it can't focus. The white-LED backlit LCD is very bright and crisp, even in sunlight, and relatively easy on the battery. The panorama modes are wonderful. Buy at least two batteries and you'll never run out in the field. High-res photos take 1-1.5 MBytes each so you want a CF card sized accordingly. It's so small and light, even with a spare battery, you really can take it anywhere. In auto mode anyone can use it as a point and shoot camera. The manual modes give you a lot of control over exposure and white balance (but there is no manual focus or manual exposure). 1600x1200 means really good, cropped 5x7 prints and acceptable 8x10s. There are better cameras but none anywhere near as light and compact. It's a little jewel.
I have owned this camera virtually since it was introduced to the market and I am a definite fan.  Despite using it frequently it has withstood the test of time and use and the pictures that it takes are more than suitable for my needs.  I post pictures at much reduced resolution and they still look great and those that I have chosen to print look great even at 8"x10".The only structural flaw that I've experienced is that the door to the CF bay broke but for $$$ I was able to contact the Canon Service Center (through their website at ...) and order the replacement part shipped directly to my door.  Installing it involved removing the piece attached to the lanyard with a mini-screwdriver, but all in all the fix took 5 minutes.  Though the newer cameras have corrected this structural flaw (and others), I have found this camera to be extremely durable.This camera also works extremely well underwater if you purchase the waterproof case.  The case is extremely bulky, but for what you get by being able to take it underwater, the bulk is more than worth it!All in all, this is a great camera!
My first impression of Elph S100 was that there couldn't POSSIBLY be room in the thing for anything other than a battery and a memory card. Somehow, the engineers at Canon did it, and the results are nothing less than astounding.Three things make this camera a particularly good buy:First, and most importantly, its size makes it SO CONVENIENT. I have had absolutely no qualms dropping the S100 in a bag or pocket and walking out to a birthday party, a sports event, or whatever--space simply isn't an issue with this camera. As a result, I have taken some of the best shots of friends and family with the Canon.Second, the feature set is basic, but very easy to use. The power button is a simple button--no toggle thumb switches with multiple settings that can sometimes be confusing. Switching between viewing and capturing modes is simple and straightforward, and even the more advanced features (such as changing the flash mode) are easy to figure out even without reading the manual.Finally, the &quot;built in&quot; lense cap is a big plus. I didn't realize how nice this &quot;feature&quot; is until I briefly used a friend's digital camera and had to remove and replace the lense cap WITH EVERY SHOT. The built in cap seems insignificant with light use, but when taking many shots over the course of a few hours, the S100 really shines.Photographers should be warned, however, that the S100 is not a professional-level camera by any means. The 2.1 megapixel resolution, while not meager, is not enough to yield even high-quality 5x7's. Serious cropping of a photo is usually out of the question because of the limited resolution.So, if you will be using your camera as a &quot;fun&quot; camera--for casual pictures--look no further. This is the one. If you're serious about picture quality, compare the S100 carefully to its larger siblings--the S20, and the G1.Overall, a fantastic little camera.
I've been using this camera for a few months now. A great camera, but here are some points which I don't notice in most of the reviews here, which may be of concern especially to the more advanced amatuer:1. The 3-point AiAF works great in most situations. But for tricky situations, you'll be greatly disappointed as you can't control the focusing point.2. Don't have high hopes for macro mode. Forget about closeup shots of flowers and insects. It just can't focus close enough. Also, you'll have to use the LCD for macro cos the optical viewfinder does not have closeup correction.3. Fleeting moments will remain fleeting moments. The lag between the pressing of the shutter button and the actual picture is very noticable. Common for digital cameras, but if you're used to film cameras, this is something you'd have to get used to (really tough taking sports photography).4. Don't try taking pictures of people at wide-angle, unless you know what you're doing. Zoom it all the way in, or you'll get distorted faces and enemies if you send it to the subjects.5. Just a minor point here. The lettering on the camera body comes off real easy, especially if you subject it to rough usage like I do. Like the ON/OFF button on mine is completely gone, so friends can't figure out how to turn it on (which suits me fine). But the body is really rugged. Subjected mine to a good number of minor knocks, but it's not worrying.6. Last point. Minor for some, major for others. This thing is highly attractive. You'll have to get used to friends drooling in awe. Wait till they see the pictures (provided you're already a decent photographer).
I've had this camera for three years.  I bought it new, when it was cutting edge and very expensive.  I put a 128MB CF card in it.First, I have to say that I have NEVER had the slightest problem with this camera or the software.  I've probably taken upwards of 5000 pictures with it, it's been all over the country.  The software has been installed on Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP and I haven't had any problems with it.  The camera is solid, performs well, takes good pictures, and the battery lasts pretty long if you disable the LCD viewfinder. If battery life were that big a deal, one could purchase a second battery and rotate.All that said, I am a little disappointed with the quality of the pictures from the camera.  They are razor sharp, the color balance is perfect, and the focus is great.  When taking pictures of people, however, it shows EVERY flaw in the subject's skin.  Scratches, oil, freckles are magnified and come out looking horrific.  It requires extensive Photoshopping to fix the flaws.  Other cameras taking pics of the same subjects turn out looking much better.I will also say that it takes a very long moment for the camera to do its digital image processing between the time you press the button and when the camera actually takes the picture. By the time the shot's taken, something (especially a squirmy child or a sports play) has invariably moved and it's not the exact picture you wanted.I'm going to buy a real Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) to take baby pictures, but I'll keep this as a travel camera.
I've been incredibly happy with this camera. This camera is great if you're used to a high-end SLR. It's overkill for simple snapshots, unless you've got way too much money to blow. Exposure compensation in 1/3 stop increments (I leave it set on +1/3 stop to brighten up the default exposure, which goes a bit dark for my taste). Slow-syncro flash, macro/infinity mode, etc. The zoom range is a little narrow (35-70mm in 35mm film equivalent), but given that the camera is the same size as my wallet, I can't think of any real complaint. The SS body is wonderful, feels high-quality.
There are several things I especially like about this camera: It's fast - you can quickly browse through shots in memory, and the time between shots is very short. Much faster than the Olympus D320L I used previously. While the LCD screen is small, you can zoom in on shots in memory (effectively 9x) so it's possible to get a good idea of the quality of any shot. The panoramic mode is incredibly cool - the camera fixes the exposure settings and lets you view the previous shot before you take the next one over. The camera comes with software that aligns and stiches the shots together to form a panorama. I did one set of 12 pictures to form a 180 degree circle shot - amazing. Overall, it's a great little camera.
I bought this camera for the same reason many of you are considering it, or have already bought it--it's size.  It is amazingly small, it's hard to believe all that has been packed into this camera.  I take it with me everywhere,literally, it is so small that I am able to keep it in my pocket, and I don't have to fear that it will get ruined in my pocket because it is so durable. There is also a small covering for the lens, so you need not worry that the lens will get scratched.The picture quality surprised me, when I first saw this camera I saw how small it was an instantly assumed that the picture quality would not be good--but I was wrong!  The picture quality of this camera is outstanding (taking its' size and price into consideration).However, I do have a few things to complain about...First off, the battery.  This camera uses a lithium battery, I find lithium batteries to be highly inconvenient; because what if you are on vacation, where the nearest place to buy batteries is just a gas station--there is no way that you are going to find lithium batteries there.  Not only is it inconvenient, but also the battery life span is short.  The longest I've had it work was about 1 hour and 45 minutes.  This isn't uncommon in cameras, though, just as long as you bring your charger and spare batteries, you should be fine.Another problem I had with this camera was the zoom function.  Such a small zoom length that you would think that the zoom would be silent since it hardly zooms in...wrong!  Very wrong.  The zoom function on this camera is so loud that sometimes you will be unable to use it if you find yourself in a situation where you must be quiet.  Even just turning the camera on will move the lens a little, resulting in a noisy start-up.The flash is very weak.  Really dissapointing. If you are inside, you can't be any farther away then 10 feet in a lit room.The last problem I found with this camera was the macro function.  The auto-focus on the camera seems to have trouble focusing on the subject.  To make matters work, there is no manual override to overcome this problem.  The focus is great, though, if you are not taking a macro shot.These are all the flaws I found in the camera, it's not my first choice in cameras, I have come across many other beginner cameras that I prefer over this camera, but the thing you have to keep in mind about this camera is the size.  If you are just looking for something to keep with you at all times, then this is a great camera choice.
I purchased the Elph s100 mainly because I thought it was cool.  I'm a professional photographer using pro digital equipment and I was looking for something to have around the house so that my wife could capture candid moments with my kids.  In practice, we've been VERY happy with the results.  The camera does a great job with exposure and prints made with my professional printer looks great (not as good as prints from my pro digital camera, but still VERY good).But the BEST thing about this little camera is that it is being used.  It only takes a few seconds to turn on, we take our shot with out having to mess with dials and settings every time and then go on.  Then, when the card is full we download it to our computer for viewing, printing and later storage on a CD.It's so easy, we use it all the time and since there's no film, we don't worry about taking too much.  We'll edit bad shots out when we want.  I'm just glad that we're saving memories really easily, because that's what cameras are for!If you're looking for a nice point and shoot digital camera that does all the 'brain-work' for you and will take great shots, and be fun to use all at the same time, this is a very good choice!
I have had a Canon Digital Elph for several months and am thrilled with the camera.  While it has its limitations - lack of a good zoom, anemic flash and hard-to-see viewfinder, it takes great pictures and is exceptionally easy to tote around.  I have not used the highest resolution mode and have been quite satisfied with 8X10 prints printed on my HP 890 or sent to Ofoto.  The panorama mode can produce spectacular results and by the way is an easy way around the limitations of the camera's 2.1 megapixel resolution.  If you play around with the size of your panoramas, you  can print pictures larger than 8X10 that will be as sharp as your 8X10's.  If you don't have a large format printer, use a printing service for that special photo.  I have been blown away by the instant feedback I get from a digital camera and the Elph has made photography a lot more fun.  Often, it's the only camera I carry, but I still lug around an APS SLR with a big zoom when I'm doing serious photography.  I have been rather surprised how well some hand-held night shots come out.  I've gotten pictures at dusk that are reasonably sharp and show much more detail than I would expect from the camera's ISO 100 rating.  It is essential to have a second battery as your battery will always run out when you need it.  I use Lexar CF cards, they come with a USB cable and transfer pictures 3x faster than the camera.  Set the camera in &quot;manual&quot; mode, which is still basically automatic, as it allows you to choose all the flash modes available.  In addition, set the camera to remember the last settings or you will have to put it into manual mode each time you turn it on.  Unlike a lot of digital cameras on the market, the Elph is easy to use and carry and feels like a camera.  Its menus are a little complex but people who don't find features that are there and complain about difficulty of use just haven't studied the manual.  I have recommended the camera to my friends on this basis:  in 5 years it will be obsolete but it will still fit in your pocket and you will still be using it for snapshots.
What is the best tip for getting a great shot?Well, I think it's a non-obvious one: having the camera with you when the shot presents itself.For years I've had mostly bulky SLRs that I often opted to leave behind rather than deal with and/or risk breaking when hung from my neck.  Then I got a Canon Elph.  I rarely used anything else - with it's nifty little belt pack, there's no reason not to bring it, and I can &quot;draw&quot; the camera out and shoot as fast as any gunslinger.  It was the only camera I brought on a tour thru Italy.The digital version of the Elph has most of the same advantages: it  produces a very high quality photo, with all the essential exposure options in a very very small convenient package.The negatives about it are: a very non-intuitive interface and a lack of a belt pack (you can buy one of course).  Of course, you'll absolutely want a (much) larger memory card too.  But if they improved the user interface (I still am confused and I am a gadget guy but I'm figuring it out) it would be as close to a &quot;perfect product&quot; as you're likely to see.So... if you want a nice handy little cam, and aren't afraid of devoting some time to the manual and experimentation, go for it.  If you absolutely need something with an intuitive interface, you might want to fool around with one in the store before you buy to see if you can pick it up.
Just tuck this little buddy into your pocket and you are set to go!  You won't miss those frequent opportunities to capture life's remarkable moments again.  Photography is a great hobby of mine, and I love my 35mm and APS cameras *but*.. this little digital has opened up a new world for me.  I now have a camera with me when I normally would not to catch those special photo opportunities.  The Elph doesn't give you all the operations of a conventional SLR, but it does give you the basic settings to compose excellent quality everyday pictures.I'll start with the &quot;Pro's&quot;:  The small size makes this camera one to hang out with ALL the time.  Excellent quality high resolution output.  I *love* taking great panoramic &quot;photostitch&quot; pictures.  The macro setting is also fun to play with.  You can get as close as 4 inches from your subject.  Pretty neat from a fixed lens. It is super easy to set up camera and install the software.  Don't lug around those big photo albums!  With the supplied video cable (VC-200) you can put on a great picture show for your friends in your house or theirs all from the palm of your hand. The Canon ZoomBrowser software is very intuitive and easy to use. Adobe PhotoShop software stirs your creative juices and I promise will turn you into a digital Picasso.The &quot;Con's&quot;:  Battery life is zapped too quickly (about 1/2 hr) (A battery charger is included in the kit and it takes about 2 1/2 hours to recharge the batteries - which which you can expect according to the manual to last for only 300 charges).  You'll definately want a spare battery!  No camera case is included.  The included 8 mg CF disk can only hold a few pictures.  I just purchased the Viking CF128M 128 MB CompactFlash Card from Amazon at an excellent price.  Red eye only works marginally, you'll need to run many of those pics through Adobe Photoshop.  The Elph is not geared for those outdoor night pictures, even if there are lots of city lights.  Evening city light pictures I took ended up dim but that could be because I'm still learning how to optimize all the settings.So, besides the cost of this camera, I have had to fork out another $250.00.  Get ready to lay out even more if you want the power supply and CF adapter.Look at it this way, you won't have any expensive film or photo processing charges.  Gratification is instant.  Isn't that worth the price of admission?
I think I ended up selling this camera on eBay for parts. The button on top broke and I think It had some type of error. Overall it was a great little camera that fit right into your pocket.
I, as many others, have waited for many years for the convergence of price, features, size and ease of use to hit that happy center point. Well wait no more!This Camera is just plain FUN. I have had it for 5 months and barely a day has gone by  that I haven't used it. It really changes the way you approach photography since you can  edit on the fly, the instant feedback helps you shoot till you get it right! Trial and error - the best way. Tip - after shooting an image hold the shutter button down and the image will show in the LCD screenIt's very well suited to people with a medium level of computer skills (perfect for Mac users)The photo stitch feature is awesome letting you seamlessly join panoramic pics together with supplied software.I recommend the following accessories:1. Extra compact flash card, as large as you can afford, I got the Viking 128 MB2. Extra battery, although the supplied pack is pretty good once it runs out you need a back up. (Get the elph Kit which includes a nice case and a really cool strap for not much more  than a single battery)3. If you plan on using the camera with more than one computer (like home and office) get an extra USB connector so you don't have to bring it with you every time.4. Compact flash reader - I got one of these thanks to other reviewers although I don't use it much. You can upload 50 hi-res pictures in a few minutes with the supplied &quot;image  browser&quot; software. It is a good battery saver but with a spare it doesn't  matter anyway.I'm still waiting for the perfect printer, everythhing is SO big and UGLY! but I guess if I wait long enough...........
The S100 is simply amazing.  If the camera were any smaller, it would be difficult to use.  And the price is very reasonable, especially when you consider that it comes with a rechargable lithium ion battery and a  charger.  In the past, you would have to spend around $100 for just the  battery and charger.
Recently I was at dinner with some friends, and we were debating the merits of one digital camera vs. another. One of my friends was going on and on about his camera and how fancy it was. While he was talking, I took my S100 out of the front pocket of my Levi's and took his picture. I said, can your fancy camera do that? No, because he doesn't (can't) always carry his with him.End of story.
This camera has great features to use as a point and shoot or also allow you to customize your settings with various manual modes. It is easy to use and quite intuitive. In terms of style and portability, you can't do any better than this. The software is simple to use to edit and print shots.
I purchased this camera before it went on sale, and while I wouldn't have minded keeping the extra $$$, it was definitely worth it.  I have been absolutely, completely satisfied with the product and its capabilities. I am no computer expert, and this is my first (and probably last) digital camera.  This is a great product, and Canon has done an excellent job.First off, the ease of interface with the PC was very good.  I set up the camera, followed the brief instructions in the manual and had no problems setting up the camera to interface with my PC (I've got Windows 2000).Second, the quality of the pictures is fantastic!  I have used the amazon.com site to get the pictures developed like a &quot;real&quot; camera, and have been very pleased with what I have gotten back.  I have also used the pictures on a Ceiva Digtial Picture frame, and that has worked very well too.Third, the camera's features are top-notch.  The black and white ability, as well as the piece-meal panorama pictures (you put them together with the included software) are great.  The ease of looking at the picture immediately after taking it lets you know when to retake and when to keep on traveling.I do recommend the larger memory card - I've got the 48, and it works plenty well.
this small camera takes terrific pictures.  I have found the best results are outdoor shots.  the flash indoors works well on close subjects.  things to know:battery life is good if you keep the lcd off.  take pictures through the viewfinder.  use the lcd sparingly for quick reviews of what you've taken - you should by another battery and keep it charged as a standby.go out and by a 128 MB flash card - they've gotten pretty cheap and one will hold plenty of shots.i like using a USB flash card reader to transfer shots - so easy and you don't have to mess with the camera and run the batteries down, etc.avoid the optional Canon bag - awkward getting the camera in and out ...- the velcro closure is lame. Eagle Creek makes a great small camera bag.  it's black, cushioned, has an elastic opening with an ample shoulder strap and neat little pocket that can accomodate your extra battery and flash card(s) - highly recommended.if you're looking for a good quality digital camera and compactness is a major criteria, you're search may be over.  I would look at other reviews of similar form factor cameras by Canon as I purchased this late last summer and they may have an improved version at the same pricepoint.  snap on!
I was a little skeptical about what people had said about this camera, because it's just so small.  After getting one for Christmas from Amazon, I'm now a believer:  The Digital Elph is truly the world's smallest digital camera that shoots great pictures.2.1 mega-pixels (2.02 effective, according to manual) is nothing to write home about -- and the Canon continues to take under-saturated pictures -- but the picture quality is top-rate, besting many 3-mp cameras I have tested.  The quality shows when you print the images, even at 5&quot;x7&quot;.  I use an Epson 875DC and the images are many times better than those taken with my other digicams, even under the same shooting conditions.This camera is also easy to use; you can start shooting away after you unpack and charge the included LiIon battery.  The LCD viewfinder is small but very clear.  One good thing: your nose won't touch the LCD when you use the optical viewfinder (unless you have a very small face).  Battery life is decent: I get about 50 shots with all flash and LCD on.  Obviously you get more if you turn off LCD, and even more if you don't need flash all the time.This camera turns heads.  Every time I take it out I can hear people around me talking about it.  Some will ask me if they can hold it.  I'm always proud to tell them that it takes great pictures, too.  I love this little camera.So, what are you waiting for?
got this as it flew off the shelves. Really like it, easy to use, great images, very intuitive, fits in my jacket pocket. What else can I say?
I ordered this camera and received it not even a week ago. I have seen photo's on the internet but believe me..there is nothing like the real thing! This one truly makes you fall in love with it the first time you see it.When you buy this cam...also get an extra battery, flash card and protective case. Many tips has already been said in these reviews so I'm going to add to it. One review said that the person had tremendous trouble installing the software on a Win98 platform. My first installation was succesfull. I used Win98 second edition to help with the installation. Something you should keep in mind. The SP100 only supports USB transferring of data to your PC. So you need a USB port attatched to your motherboard. The latest boards has a USB port. But the older ones ( which is not that long ago ! ) does not have a port and you have to buy a USB card to plug into your motherboard. I had to do that.The rest of the installation and connection to the camera is mind blowing easy and quickly ! Downloading photo's to your pc is like saying 1,2,3.Then something another reviewer said. Sometimes the photo's tend to be a bit dark. Quite true. But you CAN force the flash to stay on. You also can set the flash on Slow-Syncro mode which adjusts itself to the slow shutter speeds. You can also set the exposure compensation and the white balance.There are a few more things the cam can do. I will name some of them. Shooting continuously, ( 2 images per second until you release the button), a timer ( takes a photo after 10 seconds ), shooting close-ups, stitch photo's together, replay images on your TV (realy cool), and taking black and white photo's.The software is okay...nothing to rave about ! What would I like to see improoved.....definetely the zoom capabilities !!But overall...a beauty !
I replaced my Canon S10 with an S100 within only a few months of the initial purchase.  Even with its relatively compact size and rugged construction, I found myself leaving the S10 behind more often than not. It was light, it was small, but it wasn't light enough, and it wasn't small enough.The S100 solves that. For the most part, it is an S10 in a smaller, lighter package. Slipped inside your coat pocket, or hanging off your belt in a case, it's barely noticeable.  But take it out to shoot, and the quality and flexibility will astound.As with the S10, the S100 is easy to learn.  Unlike the S10, there is no secondary display on top to provide information on shooting mode, pictures remaining, etc.  The color LCD on the camera's rear shows overlay menus and stats to provide this. In other digital cameras, this might be a serious negative: using up valuable battery power. But given how miserly the S100 is with electricity, the arrangement doesn't seriously impact the number of pictures you can take.And you can take a lot of pictures.  By adding a larger compact flash card, such as the Viking 128MB, you can capture a short vacation's worth of pictures without downloading.  A choice of three different resolution/compression settings helps conserve memory.  The rechargeable battery (included) will nearly see you through the entire 128MB, depending on how much you use the LCD display for shooting and editing.  With a second battery, you're virtually assured that you won't run out of power during a day out. The recharger is multi-voltage, so with a plug convertor, you can recharge your battery in many foreign countries.The electric frugality also means that you're free to edit your shots on the go, snapping a half dozen or more in any circumstance, and deleting all but the best.  This is great for shooting pictures of the camera shy.  They're assured that you're only keeping the &quot;good&quot; shots.  It also works well with children, as you can provide them the instant gratification of seeing the picture only seconds after it's been shot.  (This isn't particular to the S100, obviously, but its battery life helps!)A few negatives of the S100: (1) the flash slot is CF1, rather than CF2 (as in the S10 and S20), which means no microdrives. (2) The flash is weak, as might be expected in a camera of this size, and located so close to the lens as to just about guarantee red eye. I've gotten some spectacular examples of the latter. With post-processing you can mitigate the red-eye, but it often takes an artist to really eradicate it. (3) The controls are small, and may be difficult for some fingers. (4) The shutter lag is substantial, making it very difficult to capture action (although the continuous shooting mode helps).  (5) The 2x zoom often leaves me wanting. The 2-megapixel resolution helps, as you can often blow up the middle of a shot and still have sufficient pixels for a smaller print.The programmed exposure modes are adequate, and the manual settings can help, but at its heart, the S100 is a happy snapper. Great for snapshots, but frustrating for sophisticated photographers who find themselves in unusual lighting.  The panaromic mode, combined with the photo stitching software works well.One can discuss the merits and demerits of the 2- and 3-megapixel cameras on the market, but if portability is your primary concern, the S10 is hard to beat.  No matter how good your camera, it won't take good pictures while sitting in a drawer.
While this is not a very high resolution 3 megapixel camera, it does take very decent digital photos, and of course it's main positive characteristic is its size.  You will tend to have it with you when you want to catch a photo as it easily fits in your pocket unlike other 2megapixel cameras.  It is also built to last.  I've dropped mine on concrete pavement and can't even find a scratch.  Have owned for about a year and have taken thousands of photos with it.  A good sized compact flash card and an extra proprietary battery is a good thing to have as options for the camera.  Definitely an excellent value at the newer reduced prices in the $300 range.  It was well worth it for me at $500.
I'm a writer and new to digital photography.  I've owned a few 35mm cameras over the years, including one SLR and two point &amp; shoots.  I had been waiting for the prices of digital cameras to come down before  taking the plunge.  This year, with a cruise to Nova Scotia coming in  August, I decided the time was right and just purchased a Canon S100  Digital Elph.  I must say, I think this is the coolest camera I've ever  owned!  First, it really is tiny; the size of a pack of cigarettes, maybe  a scooch deeper.  The included battery charger is larger!  Second, it is  incredibly easy to use.  I just went on a quick photo shoot in NYC's  Central Park today, and what a bunch of beautiful photos I took, if I do  say so myself (and I do!)  The camera is as easy to use as a point and  shoot, and with instant review on the LCD screen, you can retake any  flubbed shots on the spot.  The two-times optical zoom operates smoothly  and quietly, and lo and behold, a two-piece shutter-like cap automatically  slides closed over the lens when you turn the camera off. I also had no  problems installing or running the camera software on my PC.  I'm still  learning about file sizes (and how large is too large to email), and I did  erase one photo I wanted to keep as I was getting used to the menu system.  But otherwise I am thrilled to have taken the plunge into digital  photography.  And there are two more advantages to digital photography  which I hadn't anticipated, beyond the lack of film and developing.  One is  the lack of censorship of your photos -- time for some, uh, fashion  photography of your wife or girlfriend, if that's something you both would  enjoy!  Another is the ability to upload images from your PC to a memory  card in the camera.  This is a great source of personal entertainment for  travelers, if you catch my drift, and you can zoom in on the LCD images!  I  would also recommend Canon's soft case for the camera, which has a slot to  attach to your belt along with a second nicely finished compartment to hold  an extra battery or memory card.  As other reviews have noted, you will  definitely want one or more additional memory cards.  I've found I can get  from nine to twelve compressed 1600 X 1200 photos on one 8MB card, or 28  images uploaded from my PC.  At any rate, if you have been interested in  digital photography but the price and confusion have held you back,  consider the Canon S100 Digital Elph.  It really is the perfect travel  camera, plus it offers the convenience of digital photography.
I've never had much luck with photography until I got an S100.  During my last vacation, I took over 350 pictures, most of which came out extremely well.  Add to that the ease of downloading and storing pictures and wow.  This is an outstanding camera for the money.
I have a 35mm camera outfit that cost quite a bit of money a few years ago. So, why the small Digital Elph, rather than one of the other cameras with better resolution or picture quality? because, unless it's small, I won't cary it around. If I won't cary it around, I won't use it, and if I won't use it, what's the point?I've taken the camera to Australia and back, and I've been consistently impressed with the high quality pictures it's produced. I can print out full page pictures (8.5x11) which look great! It's so small and easy to use, you'll find yourself taking a lot more pictures. I highly reccomend the S100 Digital Elph! (I also reccomend an additional memory card, for added shooting freedom - 12 pictures on the included 8mb card is not enough for vacation snaps)
It's the same body as the popular ELP2 APS camera (take a look at a standard credit card from your wallet and you'll have an idea of the front profile!).  A 2X optical zoom (you can pretty much ignore any time a  manufacturer refers to &quot;digital zoom&quot;)Size naturally means  pricey - [and] may seem a little bit much for a point and shoot camera  but but it has one feature which sets apart from all others: it's small  enough that you'll have it with you!  Being a gadget guru - I've owned  about a dozen cameras and this is the first one that I always carry around.The next two features which are equally important in any digital camera  you're considering:2.  Compact Flash Support - Smart Media memory is too  expensive, in short supply, and doesn't seem to be growing in capacity as  quickly as Compact Flash.  So CF seems to be the way of the future in  &quot;digital film.&quot;3.  USB support.  Sure, there are floppy  adapters and serial cables which are cheaper - but they're SLOW!  Imagine  copying a 2MB picture through your floppy drive - it would take several  MINUTES vice a few seconds via USB!  If it's cumbersome, you're not going  to use it.  Not only does this have built in USB support (great for sharing  files w/ other PC's), but Compact Flash USB readers are getting cheaper and  that'll save you battery life when downloading to your own pc.The rest  of these features are all on the same level.... 4.  Rechargeable battery.  While it's more convenient to have a camera that uses generic batteries (AA  or AAA) that usually means bulky and not as efficient.  This camera has a  proprietary rechargeable Li-ion battery that comes with a little device so  you can plug it right in the wall and recharge it.  Very compact, recharges  in about 2 hrs, if you're just taking shots using the viewfinder and  letting the camera show you the shot for &lt;2 seconds (best method) then  you can average over 250 shots per recharge!  If you're using the camera's  LCD to take shots then you'll drain the battery in about 85 shots (not  recommended)5. Built-in lens cover.6.  All metal housing - very  durable.  Except for the Compact Flash door - which is plastic (why! ) it's  a very durable casing - unfortunately I'm a little worried about that CF  door!Comments:**No LCD to view memory status, etc...  However, the  LCD window is used to display information.  Can hardly blame Canon, this  thing is so small there's no place to put an LCD panel!**Very few manual  controls, and image quality settings.  There are 3 settings and on the 8MB  included card you can store 4 / 12 / 46 photos depending on which  resolution you choose.  I'd recommend buying a 64MB card asap, and just  take all photos at the highest resolution - you can always decide later to  scale down photos on your pc...**Playback mode.  I had my first camera  for nearly a year before I realized what a benefit it was.  On the fly  share your photo album in anyone's house in their living room, vice  computer desk - makes it easy for sharing with a lot of people.  The Canon  has a unique feature which allows you to flip Vertical pictures (when you  take shots with the camera held vertically).**Very Quick Camera.  The  Elph has an large image buffer so you can take rapid series of photos  quickly.  Depending on image setting, anywhere from 3/9/45 shots before it  dumps to CF Memory (which takes 3 seconds).  Other cameras don't have this  feature and you might have to wait 3 seconds per shot!**Image Quality.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 9.  Highest resolution prints decent  8x10's which is about all I'd ask from a digital camera.  It's fixed at ISO  100, so it's not exactly a lowlight camera, but it does fine with flash.That's about it - I hope you enjoy yours!
My last digital camera was an Apple QuickTake 200, which shot 640x480 pixel images. The Apple was actually better in two repects: it turned-on quickly and it showed you what you just shot right after you shot it. The  ELPH will do the latter but you must hold down the shutter button to view  it. But this DOES work even if you turn off the LCD viewing -- great  battery saver.The larger the CompactFlash card that you use, the slower  it takes for the ELPH to turn on. It takes about 2-3 seconds of pressing  the on button plus 2 more seconds till you can shoot a picture. I  understand this is to prevent automatic turn-ons but sometimes I want to  immediately take a picture.That aside, this is a great camera. I bought  a 32mb CompactFlash to go with it and shoot in Fine mode (1600x1200  compressed) and get about 50-60 images. It takes about 4 seconds to  transfer each picture via USB to my Apple G3 PowerBook.The QTVR  (panorama) generating software is great. It eliminates much of the hard  work for the user. But you really need to keep it on a stable surface to do  this well.I also have an ELPH Jr. APS camera. (With a black body before  Canon changed it.) It got it because it was so portable (i.e. usable). This  is every bit as enjoyable. I rarely ever use the flash. The zoom works  perfectly fine, though I'm not much of a zoom user. My friend has an S10  and his pictures are a little better, but the S100 wins out for its  tremendous portability.
Yes I did and I never will - but you don't lug this gem around. I cant even feel it's there when it's in my shirt pocket and it's so small it slides way down so it doesn't fall out (even when I  scrambled around on mountain hikes). Simple and so easy to use that you can forgive any minor deficiencies, such as the LCD screen data being hard to see in a noonday sun in southern Arizona. Get a larger memory flash card. I did get a ScanDisk card reader. Goodbye 35mm reflex with 300mm zoom lenses. Goodbye movie camera. Taking pictures is fun again for the first time in years.
Terrific camera, bought it a few weeks ago, and haven't had much problem with it. I take it anywhere, definitely one of the biggest advantages is the size, it fits in my shorts or jeans pocket with ease. One advice, do buy an extra battery, it runs out really fast, especially if you use the LCD (which I prefer over the optical viewfinder). One thing I wish it had is a battery indicator. Overall, terrific camera, I know there are many cameras out there that have more features than this, but I much prefer this because it is tiny and I won't miss any good shots because I forgot to bring it because it's too big.
Takes great pictures, easy to use with my Mac at work and my PC at home, and it FITS IN MY POCKET. What else is there? If you're in the market for a digital camera that won't break the bank and is about as user friendly as they come - get this one, man.
For the price you could get a better camera in terms of image quality. Don't get me wrong, the image quality is still superb.  The size more than makes up for it. The features are lacking a bit compared to the newer models, but you'll fall in love with this camera. I bought a digital camera and sold it after 2 days when I found out I could get this camera from a friend. So far I'm loving it. It's actually very easy to use and the rechargeable batteries are a big plus. You might need to get an extra compact flash card to avoid missing that perfect shot when it comes along, but other than that, it's a great camera.
This camera is so easy to use!  I just took it out of the box, charged the battery, and started taking pictures.  All the features are incredibly intuitive, even for a novice like me.  I would recommend getting a larger Compact Flash card, because once you start taking pictures, you won't want to stop.  The pictures are beautiful, and the camera is so small you can carry it anywhere.
One of the most satisfying purchases I've ever made. This is the one if you're looking for a dependable point-and-click without the steep learning curve and without all the fancy extras you probably won't use. Buy a bigger memory card, and a backup battery and you're set. You will want to take it everywhere.Pros: Excellent pics, ultra-compact, easy-to-use, good s/w bundle, super-durableCons: Controls a bit tiny, short battery life, wish Canon included the caseTip: To conserve the battery, turn the LCD viewfinder off and just use its optical viewfinder like a regular camera to take pics. After taking a pic, leave the button depressed and it'll pop-up in the LCD after a second for you to review it until you let go. I have yet to even open my backup battery using the camera this way.
I want to start off saying that this camera is small for a reason.  Some people, in their reviews, complain about its small size, and how it doesn't compare with larger cameras.  I'm in high school, and this camera is perfect for what I use it for, carrying it around in my pocket so I can take pictures whenever I want to, of my friends and of funny things that happen.  The only thing I don't like is the small size (8 MEG) memory card that comes with it.  I have to move pictures off of it every day so I have room for more pictures the next, and I don't have enough money to buy the 256 MEG card that I've had my eye on for a while.  A larger memory card and extra battery are good things to buy.  Other than that pictures taken in the dark are not as nice as I'd like them, I'd say that this camera is perfect.
OK so I bookmarked pages about this camera on our home computer, in a place I was sure my wife would see, and loh and behold, what did I get. Thank you Santa!It's been nearly a year of fun use of this little darlin', and there's no stopping me. The picture quality is excellent, and the camera itself is sure to become a classic - what with the real aluminum shell, and tiny size, this camera is packed with cachet. Nice thing is that it's also easy to use, and the results are remarkable.During our company softball tournament in which my boss and I were playing, I handed this to one of my friends to take pictures, and my boss handed another his &quot;best in class&quot; Olympus 4 mega-pixel. The results - the Olympus was a little sharper, and had a bigger telephoto, but the users all showed a preference to own the Canon.Here's the scoop - Pixels aren't everything. There are several other variables in getting a great picture. Of course there's the aesthetic of the photographer which can't be quantified, but on the technical side there are also others. Many tend to focus on numbers when buying equipment - what's the resolution - how many watts - what's the horsepower. But can you really rate things this way? Is a BMW Z3 the most powerful car or is it sufficiently powered? How well it corners may be a better metric. The S100 may not be the most powerful in terms of resolution or zooming capabilities, but it sure looks and handles great!On the technical side - the lens is excellent. I suspect that it's pushing the resolving power limit for such a small piece of glass. If you remember from your Physics classes the theoretical ultimate resolving power of a lens is directly proportional to it's diameter. With such a small diameter, one can only reach a certain limit. From examining the results up close one can see that the resolving power of the lens is the limiting factor in the overall resolution. Details break up in the image before the pixels become evident. All this to say that the only way to make the picture sharper would be to make the lens wider which would scale the whole camera bigger, and who would want that?The camera does an excellent job focusing, determining the correct exposure, and balancing colors - three other aspects to good image quality - other than simple &quot;pixel count&quot;. I've made prints from shutterfly.com up to 5x7 so far, and nobody would be able to tell that these were not shot with 35mm - and a full size SLR at that.OK now for the drawbacks. Nothing is perfect. The main gripe I have is the amount of &quot;shutter lag&quot;. That is, the amount of time it can take between pressing the shutter button and the camera firing. I suspect that most of this delay is required to get such fine results. Canon calls it AiAF. It basically takes a sample picture prior to the real one and sets the focus, exposure, flash, and white balance accordingly. Nice thing is that it's reading all this stuff from the same CCD sensor that will eventually give you the image - not some little sensor away from the lens that point and shoot film cameras require. But it does cause about a 0.5 second delay - just long enough to loose the moment. But with some practice it's not difficult to pre-focus by pressing halfway down - then press the rest of the way down when ready to fire.I could go on and on about this little jewel - cool stuff - with just a few minor issues - the shutter lag being by far the worst.Right now I see that Amazon has a great deal on it. Great deal! They must have bought up a bunch of these for this price. It has been discontinued and replaced with the S110. The only differences I can see is that the S110 has a minor video mode and 2MB of built in Flash memory so you can take a picture or two without a memory card in it - no big deal. I just keep the 8MB card that comes with it as a spare, after all you are going to go out and get at least a 64MB card to go with it any way aren't you? If you want to pay extra, get the S300 which has a 3X zoom instead of the 2X on this one.Enjoy and happy holidays!
It's small (fits in your pocket). It's light (you can forget you have it). It's digital! I have waited for some time before getting into the digital craze and I am glad I did. However, the accessories are not yet available.  If you are looking for a easy to use digital camera that doesn't require a  photo bag or a Phd to use, this is it.
I've been very reluctant to join the digital camera communitysince I've been an avid &quot;legacy&quot; photographer for most of mylife.  I received this little jewel as a gift and I can honestly say Iabsolutely love it.  I give this product five stars for its usability,performance, expandability, and definitely looks!Usability - Ihave to admit, I abhor reading manuals, so after charging thebatteries I immediately dove in, pressing buttons and whatnot.  I wasalmost instantly rewarded with the ability to shoot very high qualityphotos, browse through the results, and file manage my pictures.  Thesoftware install was a snap, and the plug-n-play of USB PCconnectivity is truly a godsend.  I remember not that long ago digitalcameras had floppy drives in them, and the "flash" media usedwas 1.44 MB floppy disk drives!Performance - Again I was verypleased with the features included in this camera.  The Macrofunction, in particular, is stellar.  I've not had a chance to playwith the various black and white, exposure, and landscaping featuresyet - but the next trip I take this little guy is definitely comingalong.Expandability - The camera comes with an 8 MB memory flashcard - which can be upgraded to 128 MB card that can store manymore pictures.  The 8 MB card stores 16 pictures at the defaultresolution, whereas the 128 MB card can store around 300 (I believe,I'm still waiting for mine to be delivered).  Now that's what I callexpandability.  Also, the unit comes with a DV connector - oh thepossibilities...Looks - OK, so beauty is subjective, blah,blah, blah.  This camera is a beaut!  It's small yet feels verysturdy, and the all metallic shell gives it a very post-modernistic,cutting-edge look and feel (how can a camera be post-modernistic youask?  It's a digital camera - the whole paradigm ispost-modernistic!).I unequivocally recommend this product to anyonewho is looking for a digital camera (and even those who are but don'tknow it yet).
And I still use it, though in a soft rubber waterproof case. It works MUCH better than the inexpensive toy digital cameras intended for snorkeling. The original and a second battery that I bought when the camera first came out are still working fine. There's a 128MB compact flash card in the camera that just stays in there. For most photography have long since moved on to Canon DSLRs, but this is still handy when diving or snorkeling.
I bought this camera after looking around for a digital for quite sometime. I looked at so many cameras out there, but I decided on a few things I was looking for. First, I wanted at least 2 megapixels for high quality photos. And this camera delivers! I love the picture quality. Second, I wanted something from a brand known to be high quality. I have been happy with everything I have ever bought from Canon and I hear relatively few complaints about their products. Third, I wanted something small so it's easy to take around. This camera is perfect for the pocket!The camera has been a joy to use. I found all the functions easy to find and it only took a few hours of playing around with it to get everything down. The only thing I get a little frustrated with is how still you need to be when taking pictures in low light. The camera can take great pics in low light, but you must keep the camera very still. I recommend taking several shots to make sure you get a good one.The hook-up to the computer was very easy, but you must have a USB port. I found all the software decent, but unless you have someone helping you, the photo editing tools take a while to learn. The software is good though, contrary to what you may have read in other reviews. I suspect that people who knock the software just got frustrated on learning it.Overall, a great camera. Most everyone will go &quot;wow&quot;, great pictures and easy to use. Only thing better would be 3 megapixels, but most people won't need it.
I bought this camera for Christmas along with an HP Photosmart 1115 printer and a 128 meg Viking flash card.  The software installed fine on my Win 98SE machine and I have had no problems.  The camera takes great pictures and the print outs look super sharp when you use photo quality paper.  The movie functionality is great.  The 128 card might be a bit too bit, I would go with at least a 64mb card unless you plan on taking a ton of pictures.  I hope that Chris Gerardi's girl lets him buy one.  He a bit whipped though so he might not be able to.
The good:  Small size; durable-seeming metal case; easy to use; visually distinctive; good picture quality; fast USB connection; mostly intuitive operation; really cool PhotoStitch software that knits pictures together to give wide panoramas.The bad:  Short battery life (about 50 shots with flash and LCD on -- thankfully, it comes with a recharger); no way to take 640x480 pictures in automatic mode (or, if this is possible, manuals that don't tell you how to do it).The ugly:  Adobe PhotoDeluxe software -- utterly useless, as it only saves in a proprietary format; and even if it did save in usable formats, it just doesn't do very much, and it does it poorly.The conclusion:  High wow factor, great toy for the technogeek, but get a second battery and some better software.
I purchased this camera for daily use and I use it everywhere. It's simply awesome and the quality od pic's are incredible. Another great thing about  it is that it's so compact and easy to use. You can carry it with you  anywhere and just take a shot. The menu functions are easy to read and the  lcd monitor is sharp for it's size. The only thing I would recommend is  that you upgrade the 8mb compact memory card since you can only take 11  pictures at 1200 x 1600 resolution and 46 at the lowest resolution. The  software is super easy to use and once you connect the USB port to the  camera, the sofware automatically opens up with the pictures right in front  of you. It's a great buy and no one will be disappointed.
I have to admit, I don't have very much experience with digital cameras prior to this, but I did a TON of research before deciding on this one, based on price, size, battery usage, and picture quality. Before I bought it, I got it as a graduation gift. It is soo cool! Here are some things you should know about the s100:1. The battery usage is pretty good, I've heard a lot of complaints about other cameras. For some reason I always have the LCD on, so I dont know how long they last without that. Buying a second battery is very helpful, and I really recommend it.2. It comes with 3 cool softwares. One is great for organizing your pictures in a "library", it does it quick and easily accessible. You can put the pics into folders and name them. From the camera, each picture already has a date on it. Adobe PhotoDeluxe is good at editing, but if you want pro quality, I recommend Adobe Photoshop. It also installs a software for making panoramic photos. The camera makes taking those pictures easy, and the software makes stitching them together even easier. You can stitch together 2 pictures or more (I usuallly do 5 or 6).3. Some people seem to have a few problems with the flash, but I like it. It is really tiny, and hardly noticable, but very strong. It also sends a smaller light out first to decrease red eye. I still get red eye sometimes, but i fix it easily with a kids photo software program.4. I have pretty big fingers, but I havent had much of a problem with the controls. You can do all kinds of things right on the camera, like manual exposure or flash, regular zoom, continuous shooting, deleting and rotating pictures, or making them black and white. All can be done quite easily.5. When I am taking pictures of people at home, I love to plug the camera into the TV so everyone can see the LCD screen. This was a big hit at my graduation party.6. A lot of people will come up and ask you about the camera. Most people are surprised its digital and the features it has. Also, people are really surprised by the photos you print, if you have a good printer.I also got a memory card reader with mine, which downloads pictures really fast and doesnt waste battery power. I love this camera and would recommend it to anyone who wants a good digital camera for taking everyday pictures.If you would like to see some pics mine has taken, or have some questions, email me ...
i researched and researched between getting the canon s20 or the canon s100, and of course i got the latter! and i'm glad i did!this is my third digital camera, the first two were sony mavicas which used disks and were a big bundle to carry around compared to s100's put-in-your-pocket ease.also, the pictures are wonderful! shooting only takes a second, and the display is very clear and crisp. very sturdy feel and weight to this small camera. easy to use and understand mostly, a bit hard to press the buttons sometimes. the camera does tend to heat up but nothing too hot to handle. the battery is small and not heavy.negatives are the unclear digital zoom, but it's expected. you will find yourself carrying this little baby around everywhere! and never miss that oh!suprising! shot again. overall, wonderful! glad i spend the money, very worth it!
The controls are easy to understand and big enough that they are easy to see and use. I would recommend spending a little money and this will be the perfect digital camera. I added a second battery (about $69, recharges in about two hours) and a large (192Mb for less than $400) CF module. Now I can take over 300 1600 x 1280 shots (or for the webshot fanatic, 1,141 pictures at 640 x 480).  The optical and digital zooms combine to give an effective 4x zoom. This is enough capacity and capability to do a complete household inventory, for example. While this might seem pricy, I have been spending $27 for 25 APS images, with prints and a CD, so this camera will pay for itself in a year.The included software works with a unique feature of the camera: &quot;photostitch&quot; lets you pan left or right to build a panoramic shot, or even wrap it completely into a 360 degree image. The LCD monitor works to let you see 1/3 of the last picture overlaid on the current one, for near-perfect alignment. When you click on the &quot;stitched&quot; images, the software combines them in only two or three steps.You can also put the camera into a &quot;continuous&quot; (two shots a second) mode for catching a series of events, and you can &quot;mark&quot; images for printing when the CF card is placed in a compatible photo printer. There is also a macro mode available.The unit is tiny (about 2&quot; x 3&quot; x 1&quot;) and feels as solid as a tank. Once the software is installed, downloading images to your PC is initiated by simply plugging in the USB cable on the camera and turning it on.It can also work well as a pocket spy camera.
This camera is perfect for me.  The size is incredible.  I'd had an APS  ELPH and was fairly happy with the pictures it took so I bought this when I  first saw it.  I love it.  I can carry it in my pocket anywhere.  I bought  a 128MB CompactFlash Card that holds over 200 pictures at the intermediate  setting (I compared this setting to the high setting and honestly have to  enlarge the photo to 600% before I can barely tell the difference).  With  this card, I don't need another.  They have a 192MB Card out now.  If your  going to travel, you'll want an extra battery also.  No other camera on the  market is even close to this for the best all round package.  I've printed  out pictures at different sizes with Yahoo/Shutterfly and at 8x10 you can't  tell the difference from a 35mm handheld.  It is still not as sharp as my  35mm SLR - but that likely has a lot to do with the physical size of the  lense.
My last digital camera was the Canon Powershot A5 Zoom, which I liked  quite a bit.  But I was ready to upgrade and when I discovered that Canon  was going to come out with an even smaller digital camera with a higher  resolution, I had to have the S100.The S100 is very small, and easily  fits in a pocket.  It is much easier to use than the A5 Zoom was (there are  only 2 main camera modes: take pictures or review stored pictures), and I  haven't had to consult the manual since the day I bought the camera.  Picture quality is excellent, in my opinion. The S100 comes with a USB  cable to download pictures to your PC, which provides a massive speed  improvement over the serial connection of the A5 Zoom.  The software  supplied with the camera is also a major improvement, IMO, over the  software supplied with the A5 Zoom.  I found it much easier to browse &amp;  access my pictures with the new software.  The S100 has an optical/digital  zoom which isn't terribly powerful, but is a nice feature, and as with the  A5 Zoom, the LCD display is excellent.  Unlike the A5 Zoom, the S100 comes  with a battery charger in the box (Yes!).About the only negative thing  I can say about this camera is that the 8MB CompactFlash card supplied with  the camera only holds 12 pictures at the &quot;Large&quot; (1600x1200)  setting.  So you'll most likely need to purchase a larger CF card if you  want to take this camera on trips.Overall, I'm extremely happy with the  S100.
1- Small. VERY smal. You'll carry it with you every day. I've been taking near 100 pictures per month since I got mine. I've had a lot of cameras, but this one is ACTUALLY being used, and not stored in a desk: it's allways in my shist pocket. 2- Excellent picture quality and so simple to use!!! Fool proof. I started shooting even before reading the manual (not recommended at all). 3- USB kicks! 2 secs to download a 600KB 1600x1200 picture! 4- Looks great. Silver metal case -NOT PLASTIC. 5- Excelent software package. 6- Small but very clear TFT screen. Take shots at angles you thought you wouldn't. Don't care about sunlight: it's TFT. 7- 360 panoramic pictures are a very big deal. 8- Buttons are little, but If you have steady fingers and dealed with a casio wirst calculator watch, you can deal with almost anything. Buttons size is OK for me, my wife, but not my grany. 9- Cons? Not a single one after 5 months.
I've owned several digital cameras but this is by far my favorite. It's so tiny that I take it everyplace. Easy to  use, elegant design, battery life is great. USB interface is a huge improvement in speed and reliability over the serial interface I had on my previous camera (Olympus). The only thing that really annoys me about this camera is the location of the on/off button. Too many times I've hit it by accident instead of the shutter button when I was in a hurry, and turned off the camera instead of getting my picture!
I bought my camera based on recommendations from my other friends who own it. I am very pleased with my purchase. It's best to list the pros and cons of this camera:Pros:- smallest 2 megapixel camera availble.- light &amp; easy to carry, fits into your shirt/jacket pocket. - &quot;zoom&quot; ability when previewing pictures- 2x zoom moves quickly- very good daylight pictures- very fast downloading of images to PC/Mac via USB cable- provided software works for Windows or Mac- has 3 modes of pictures (640x480, 1600x1200 and 1600x1200 high quality). The images between the two 1600x1200 are indistinguishable on the computer screen. I've enlarged to 5x7 prints and the lower res 1600x1200 looks as good as a normal film camera.Cons: - doesn't come with a case, I used my non-digital Elph case and it fits perfectly as the sizes are exactly the same.- battery lasts only 20 shots or so. Buy a backup.- provided compact flash card (8MB) is too small to store printable pictures (about 12 images). Have to buy another card.- flash works terrible in the dark- can't provide external power without buying a power adaptor kit.- no serial support for download. Either use USB or buy a compact flash adaptor for PCMCIA drives.
I have had this little gem for four months now. It has given me zero problems, and the more I use it, the better I become at taking advantage of its strengths. I had a regular Canon Elph (APS), as well as a JVC digital camera. I was looking for a blend of the two and so I bought this camera. I'll share some observations that may differ a bit from what other reviewers have noted. 1) It is perhaps too small. I find it a bit difficult to manage the very tiny buttons and impossible to read the icons without my reading glasses on. Its size makes holding it steady for long a bit of a challenge (not enough camera body to grip with more than your finger tips). 2) The delay from the time you fully depress the shutter to the time the picture is taken is too long and may yield some fuzzy shots. This is due to the unusually slow autofocus system. 3) The lack of an intermediate resolution setting, as other reviewers have suggested, is a problem, but that problem is meaningless with a larger CompactFlash memory card (I got a 64 meg card for $... and it holds 105 pics at 1600 x 1200 res). 4) The camera gets really hot when you are busy snapping away. It is hot enough to be annoying. Canon says it's normal. I have found it gets less warm with the LCD off.These minor carps aside, it's a great little piece of technology, and even better with the recently lowered price.
I recently bought this camera and to say Im pleased with it is an understatement. First it is very small and very well built (heavy for its size), it has a beautiful resolution, the photos come out IMPRESIVE. Its very simple to use, if you are looking for quality and impressive resolution on your photos LOOK NO FURTHER! its worth every penny!  ENJOY!!
I bought this little baby two weeks after it hit the market here and I have had a little time to put it through its paces.  In fact, it has even been to Israel with a friend and he has the same reaction that I have.  As a travel companion, it is great.  The color saturation is pretty good, though not quite as good as Olympus.  However, remember that you can correct that in software if you know how to use it.  The images are sharp and well balanced.  The optics are exception for a camera inn this class!  Learn to use the white balance settings and your photos will improve.Use the high-res mode (1600x1200), the images are not that large and the image is much better.  At the same time, buy yourself at least a 64meg card, I use a 128meg card and that is good for around 80 shots.  If you need to squeeze more on, the hi-res compressed mode is not bad at all; just remember that the images are not going to be as detailed when enlarged.The battery lasts a lot longer than average.  I suspect that that is partially due to the lighting of the LCD screen coming from a white LED rather than a more conventional source.  It is not uncommon for a battery to last the whole day of shooting.  For me that is about 60-70 Hi-Res pictures.  While there is no disposable option, the spare battery can be had for a reasonanble price (litium-ion batteries are very expensive, trust me when I say Canon's price here is reasonable!)The down sides?  No type II slot for Microdrive or high capacity cards. Thus, you are probably limited to 192meg cards.  The macro is limited.  I'd like to focus down a little more.  The zoom is fine for me, but for nature shooters, it could be limiting.  The preview is awkward and the camera defaults out of the box to low res (640x400) be sure to reset the defaults to the high setting (1600x1200).These are all nits!  Given the size, quality of construction and the images that you can produce with this camera, the down sides are minor and can be ignored by the average snap shot photographer.
Purchased the S100 prior to an African Safari and Egypt trip to avoid the weight and size of a &quot;good&quot; camera.  This camera was the hit of our large group and the 128 falshcard @ 1200x1600 gave me almost 300 photos!  I didn't expect much quality so imagine my surprize when I printed photos that were spectacular.  Best part is that the camera is so small it attaches to a tiny camera pouch on your belt...so you'll always WANT to carry it with you. Say that with a conventional telephoto set-up.
This is the first digital camera I ever owned and I'm very happy with it.  It's size makes it very convenient to use.  It's loaded with features - stich assist is a nice feature, manual mode , black and white.  Resolution can be adjusted between 3 different settings. It takes very nice quality pictures especially once you get the hang of adjusting settings in the manual mode you'll find you can take nice pictures in whatever lighting conditions.  You can play back pictures individually or as a slide show.  It keeps a record of the settings for every picture you take which is nice.  Transfering images to your computer via USB port is a snap.  Only real weaknesses are the 8mb flash card &amp; single rechargable battery it comes with.  You will definitely need a bigger CF card and a backup battery.  Overall an excellent camera.
As many of you, I have been holding out until the prices were more reasonable.  The size of this camera alone, and the reviews above told me it was time to buy.  You will be impressed with how Canon has squeezed so  much into such a small space.  The camera comes with a quick charger and  one battery pack.  Time to charge about 2 hours.  Setup was so simple that  as a first time digital camera owner, I had little trouble after a quick  scan of the manual setting up for my first shots.  The LCD display is  bright and though small, very easy to see. Controls are well laid out and  simple to understand.  I am so impressed with this camera, because it is so  simple to use and due to it's size, I know I will take it along more often  than my old 35mm monster.  Suggestion, order a larger flash card (the  included 8mb card is almost useless for high resolution photos).  The only  negative, no medium resolution such as 1024x768.  You are stuck with  1600x1200 or 640x480, but this won't be a problem if you have a larger  flash card.  If you're a graphics artist, you will probably want a  3megapixel camera, but for the average user, this small camera will get  used more due to it's size and takes great photos.  Very happy with my  decision to buy this camera.
I researched digital cameras for a month before purchasing the s100... after considering my needs further and researching the marketplace, I decided on the s100.I wanted a digital camera to replace my 35mm point and shoot - primarily for snapshots of my kids at various events.  I wanted something I could easily take with me without having to &quot;lug&quot; around a big piece of equipment.  I wanted quality images to email to family members AND to occasionally produce quality prints.  I also wanted the ability to transfer the images easily to my PC.  The s100 delivers on all points.ProsCompact Size.  Did you ever go somewhere with your camera and feel like carrying it with you was an annoyance and a hindrance to enjoying yourself?  Before I bought the s100, I would usually bring my 35 mm point and shoot instead of my SLR simply because of the size.  Now I take my s100 everywhere which means more and better pictures.  You can slip it into your pocket and take it anywhere without that &quot;burdened feeling&quot; of carrying around a big camera.  The s100 is very small (about the size of a deck of cards)  yet comfortable to use.  Some other digital cameras like the Sony Mavica are much bigger and to me, carrying them around is a hassle.Image Quality.  This camera takes excellent quality images.  Outdoor photos are superb.  Images shot indoors using the flash are very good although sometimes a bit under exposed which is the case with most digital cameras in this class.  The macro (close up) function works incredibly well.  I ordered prints from images produced on the high resolution/fine setting which came out great.  Realistically,  there is no digital camera substitute (yet) for a good 35mm SLR in terms of image quality on prints.  But if you're considering replacing your 35mm point and shoot with a digital, the s100 is an excellent choice.Video Out.  The S100 comes with a video cable that allows you to connect the camera to a TV to display the images.  At first, I couldn't care less about this feature as I figured I'd never use it.  Wrong.  I use this more than I thought - like when I took photos at a birthday party and everyone wanted to see the pictures.  Instead of  people crowding around the little camera, I connected it to the TV, set it to auto-display, and we watched a slide show of all the pictures!  This is handy if you have family members without a PC since you can record the photos to VHS tape.Con'sLimited Resolution Settings.  This camera has only two resolution settings: 640x480 (fine compression) and 1600x1200 (fine and superfine compression).  So, you need to decide before shooting what you plan to do with the images.  The lower resolution is for online viewing and email while the higher resolution is better for making prints.  A medium setting such as 1024 x 768 would be nice since it's acceptable for both online viewing and producing small (4x6) prints.No Battery Life Indicator.  This camera has no indication of how much battery life you have left.  You get an indicator when the battery is low but by then it's too late.  It would be nice to have an estimate of the time remaining.Small Optical Zoom.  This camera has only a 2X optical zoom which is on par with most of the cameras in this class.  This is sufficient when shooting subjects that are fairly close but a higher powered optical zoom would be nice.  Digital zoom degrades the image so I suggest turning it off.Low Light / Fast Action.  You really need an adequate light source when shooting indoors to get an optimum picture.  Generally, the flash works well if you're within several feet of your subject but further away you need to have sufficient ambient light.  This camera is also not a great choice for fast action shots like sporting events.  You can use the continuos shoot mode but it is pretty much hit and miss.  The low light / fast action issues are typical for most digital cameras in this class.  If you plan to shoot a lot under these conditions, you'll need a higher end camera or a good 35mm film camera.AccessoriesBattery.  I didn't buy a second battery and  so far haven't needed one.  It will all depend on your picture taking habits.  If you plan to use the camera over a long period such as a vacation, I recommend a second battery.Compact Flash (CF) Card.  You DEFINITELY need a larger CF card than the 8MB included with the camera.  I bought a 32MB card which is sufficient for my needs.  I typically shoot at the high resolution using fine compression which gives me about 60 shots on the 32MB card.  Using superfine I'd get less than half that.  If you plan to take many pictures at the highest resolution/superfine compression, you'll need even more memory.CF Card Reader.... I don't use any of the software that came with the camera.AC Adapter.  If you get a CF Card reader you will not need an AC Adapter unless you plan to use the camera for extended periods.Summary. I love this camera!  It has its limitations like all digital cameras in this category....
I love this camera!the only thing I don't like about it is that You have to buy a larger memory card, first thing!
I have used this camera for about 3 weeks so far, taking over 500 pictures. I have 2 batteries and a 128 mb card. Here are some useful facts:- On a battery charge, the camera takes approximately 70 pictures, where the camera is opened and closed between pictures. A 64mb card stores approximately 100 pictures at default resolution (ie between 500k and 1.5mb per picture). The viewfinder does not accurately represent the pucture being taken. The LCD should be used. However, in dark settings you must use the viewfinder. The digital zoom is crap. Turn it off. It fits in your pocket. The closest competitor is the SONY DSC-P1 (3.3mp). But that camera is a little larger and you defeat the whole purpose of having a truly portable camera. I take my camera everywhere. Tamrac makes a tiny pouch that is best for the camera. The front even has a zipper for an extra battery and your wallet stuff. The panorama setting is unbelieveable ! You take around 12 pictures in a circle, stitch them together and voila; you have a perfect memory of where you were standing ! The pictures are a little dark sometimes. You have the option to have the flash automatic or off. I would have liked to force the flash on as well.
This is a great digital camera!  We just got back from Hawaii, where I did my first serious shooting with this camera, and I had to get online to add my review.  I had been investigating digital cameras for weeks before selecting the Powershot S100. Basically, the consumer reviews I had read here at Amazon convinced me to purchase this camera, and I'm glad I did.  At 2 megapixels, it takes great photos yet doesn't break the bank.  It's extremely compact, solidly built, and very easy to operate, especially in the default automatic mode.  Learning to use some of the more common advanced features, like other flash or exposure settings, is relatively simple, too.  People often comment about the batteries on digital cameras.  I bought a spare with this one based on other users' recommendations, but I haven't had to use it yet.  I found the battery life to be very good, since I did all my shooting through the viewfinder and only used the LCD to review shots afterwards.  I also ordered a 32MB CompactFlash card, which you definitely do need.  At the default 1600x1200 setting, this allows approximately fifty shots on the memory card before having to download to the computer.  If you plan to shot more than that in an outing, then order a larger capacity card.  Bottom line - I'm very happy with my purchase.
The best things about this camera are its compact size and the stitch-assist mode.The controls are not very good; some functions such as exposure compenstaion are only accessible via the menu system.  Too painful to use on a per-picture bases (which is what it's actually useful for).But worst of all, the design is definitely defective.  My camera died after little use with the dreaded "E18" error.  After checking reviews on the web, I realized that this is a common and recurring problem.  ...[Expensive to] pay Canon to fix it, I'd rather buy a new camera.  Not from Canon, of course...
If compact size is your highest priority in a 2-megapixel camera, the Canon PowerShot S100 Digital Elph is a standout choice and aptly named for its diminutive design. The S100's image quality rates in the middle of its class, but it can still be a reasonable choice for students, families, or small businesses looking for an ultra-portable camera that weighs less than half a pound with media and battery pack.The jury rated the S100's prints in the middle of the pack, but its overall image quality results fell at the low end of the midlle for 2-megapixel cameras. Color balance measured better than average, with a noticeable blue cast in images shot under outdoor lighting conditions. Though the S100 only offers center-weighted metering, we overcame a tough indoor-exposure situation by using both exposure and focus locks. Other 2-megapixel cameras offer a more powerful zoom lens and more image-control settings.The flash worked fine for shots taken at the maximum-rated distance under indoor lighting conditions, but it overexposed images taken inside at the minimum-rated macro distance. We were impressed with the sharpness of macro images captured outdoors with no flash. Standard shots taken without flash under outdoor lighting conditions showed slight underexposure but accurate color. The S100's panorama mode worked effectively, as did its burst mode, in which we captured one shot per second at the high-resolution and high-compression settings and three shots every 4 seconds at the high-resolution and low-compression settings.The S100 feels balanced in its shiny stainless steel case and flattens to a smooth, flat box when the lens retracts; an integrated cover protects the lens when retracted. External control buttons are minimal, because you adjust most of the setting through menus, but, unfortunately, the relatively small LCD and small menu font present an operational challenge.The S100's bright LCD displays a graphical menu system which attempts simplicity, but misses the mark and leads you back to the User Guide to clarify navigation and features at every turn. It can be frustrating to use the small LCD to take advantage of the camera's effective panorama mode, but better that than using the viewfinder in this mode. The S100 can be ready to capture your first shot in 3 seconds and subsequent shots every 7 seconds.Compared to others in its class, the S100 is well equipped and designed, with both a USB interface and convenient access to batteries and media when the camera is mounted on a tripod. The included software bundles together a valuable mix of applications, particularly the effective image-stitching software for panorama-mode shots.
This is my second digital camera, but I'm much more impressed with the Canon S100 Digital Elph than I EVER was with my Kodak DC240. This camera is so light and tiny that I literally carry it everywhere with me, which is great considering I'm an artist and like to capture interesting items for future painting. The software that comes with the Digital Elph is very nice and intuitive. I especially like the way that ZoomBrowser EX lets you look at a virtual filmstrip of your pictures. The PhotoStitch software is very cool if you want to do any 360 degree panorama shots. I'd suggest that you not only buy this camera, but the case for it and an extra battery pack. My only complaint and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the on-camera controls aren't as intuitive as they should be. I've often struggled to get something to work the way I want it, and hate to have to carry the manual with me all the time! Other than that, I love this camera. The pictures are uniformly excellent and color rendering is perfect.
The pictures are very good, but the zoom broke within 100 pictures.
I bought this little guy a few weeks back, and I have to saythat I never had so much fun with a new toy as this.  You willdefinitly appreciate the small size.  You can take it anywhere withyou, unlike other bulky cameras, and capture every moment of yourlife.This is my first digital camera I've owned, so I wantedemphasis some points to all my felow novice photographers that otherreviewers may have already pointed out: 1) there's no intermediateresolution quality setting; it's either the normal 640 x 480, thebetter 1600 x 1200, or the best super fine 1600 x1200. Which, ofcourse, means the better quality pictures you want to take, the morestorage space you need. I recommend a 32M, or better, Compact Flashcard...  2)Buy an extra battery.  The batter will last around 70 or sopictures using a flash, with the LCD turned off, but if you plan ongoing on vacation, you will definitly need one.  3)Image quality isinconsistent.  This could be my fault, but under the camera automaticsetting, some pictures come out way too dark, red, or blurry.  This isspecially true when taking pictures indoors.  But daylight outdoorpictures are truely beautiful.  4) You need to hold the camera verysteady when taking pictures due to its small size.  Otherwise pictureswill turn out blurry.Overall, I love this new toy.  I woulddefinitly recommend it to first time digital camera owners.  It willtake you some time to learn to operate it but after that it will be apiece of cake. Enjoy!
This wonderfully small digital camera produces fantastically good pictures printed on any decent photo-quality printer (with photo quality paper).  It will not replace your high-end 35mm SLR but it's a great toy to keep near you at all times for snapshots.The only negative comments I have about it is that I personally find the small controls hard to use (my 48-year-old eyes have trouble seeing something this small).  I have had some annoying problems with the software on my Windows 98 machine; basically I have to uninstall the driver everytime I disconnect the camera or the computer will look for it, not find it, and crash the next time I restart the machine.  I would not recommend this camera for the naive computer user.
If you're looking for a digital camera to replace your big Nikon or Canon SLR, forget it - film is still king when exquisite detail and fine color rendition are critical.  Before you give up on digital cameras, though, ask yourself a few questions:Aren't you sometimes annoyed at the size and weight of your big SLR and its collection of delicate lenses?  Are you sometimes intimidated by your own gear, and its seemingly built-in expectation that every photo should be worthy of National Geographic or Life Magazine?  Do you sometimes leave it home or leave it in the bag, rather than intimidate friends and family with your big paparazzi-like weapon?  At a party, a wedding, or just outside playing with the kids, don't you sometimes envy people snapping away with pocket cameras - and wish that taking pictures could be that weightless for you?In other words, admit it - there are times when all your wonderful camera gear just gets in the way.  For years my big Nikon has kept me from taking (and sharing) the kind of family snapshots and casual, experimental pictures that made photography so incredibly popular.  Making copies of pictures was a pain, and mailing them to friends took several weeks from beginning to end.My S100 changed that for me, and I'm having a ball.  Technical nit-picking aside, the images are surprisingly sharp, the colors are accurate and the software is impressively easy to use.  It's shirt-pocket small, yet the stainless steel body makes it feel rock solid.  I've packed it many times to baseball games and a construction site without any fear of bumping something and wrecking the camera.  It sits in the palm of my hand, inconspicuously hidden in my lap or a pocket while I wait for a nice candid moment - something my Nikon couldn't possibly manage.  It even fits easily in my front jeans pocket.  When travelling, the S100 doesn't make me an instant target for purse-snatching thieves or pickpockets the way my camera bag used to.  On airplanes, my one carry-on bag can finally contain something other than camera equipment.As with any digital, I love being able to instantly review my picture, delete it if necessary and re-take it on the spot.  I've saved a few key images that way, and the built-in meter is smart enough that I don't find too many poor exposures.  I boubght a 128 Mb memory card (much more money but well worth it) and can store two hundred plus pictures before downloading.The Canon software that stores and organizes your images is surprisingly good - and makes emailing them very easy and intuitive.  Far from being an afterthought I find it to be an asset and a true feature of the camera.One more thing, one that really surprised and pleased me.  Put a digital camera in the hands of a responsible child and you'll be amazed at the instant flow of creativity that it unleashes.  I did this at a recent party and watched two bored kids go wild for a couple of hours taking fun, bizarre, utterly silly pictures - liberated by the fact that they could be erased at the touch of a button.  It's a great family activity and one I can't recommend highly enough.
I was looking for something that wasn't too complicated to use and to help the pics I post on Ebay show more detial.  This camera is great, wonderfully small, and has attactive hi-tech casing.  Very easy to use for someone like me who's just hopping on the digital camera bandwagon.  I love not having to go to Walgreen's to get my pictures develpoed anymore!  Definitely a good investment.
I got this camera for an unbelievably low price at amazon.  I would recommend this camera unequivocally!The camera's resolution is an optimum balance between getting sharp pictures and not taking up a great deal of memory on your harddrive - 2.11 megapixels is plenty.You'll definitely need another CF card - get a 128 MB CompactFlash Card which will take about 150 pictures easily!  I got a SanDisk 128 MB CF Card.You *may* want to get an extra battery.  If you turn the LCD display OFF while taking pictures, you don't even need an extra battery.  I got one just for kicks - it's always reassuring to have a spare battery you can reach out for when the camera's battery is running low.I also bought the SanDisk CF Reader.  I haven't used it yet since Windows NT 4.0 doesn't have USB Support.  Guess I'll have to wait for my new computer to arrive before using it.  I have heard that it transfers images quickly and conviniently (more so than attaching the camera itself).  Not to mention, the camera's battery will not drain.Summary:  Get this camera!  For the price they have advertised here, it is a fabulous buy.  It's incredibly easy to use (very intuitive design).  As for accessories, a bigger CF Card (to meet your needs) is a must - amazon has pretty good prices on these cards as well.  The extra battery and CF reader will provide a great deal of convinience.You'll be surprised at the # of pictures you'll take with this little thing -- after all, you can always erase the bad images :)
The color and light I captured with this camera on a 12-day trip to Turkey (gorgeous vividly colored ceramic tiles inside darkened mosques) were far superior to anything I've ever gotten with a traditional 35-mm film camera. I love this camera.Some hints: I had no problem with the battery b/c I didn't use the LCD. I would turn it on maybe twice or three times in a day just to check if I got the shot I wanted (often, instead of checking, I'd just take several similar shots and sort it out later). Then I still had plenty of juice left at night to run through all the shots from that day, deleting duplicates and total failures.I did however run out of memory. I took 256 MB but it wasn't enough--I averaged 50 pix / 32 MB a day. Take plenty of extra memory on a long trip--you can always sell it on eBay later.Buy this camera now and enjoy!
I don't believe this camera is still available. But if you can find one, you might like to get it. It's still one of the smallest 2MP digital cameras on the market, and absolutely one of the best-built most stylish cameras ever.If you believe, as I do, that the utility of a camera is inversely proportional to its size, you can't help but love this camera. I take it with me almost everywhere, even when I don't expect to take a picture. It fits in a pocket easily, and you soon forget about it. I have so many picture I've taken with this camera that I wouldn't have taken otherwise, simply because I wouldn't have bothered to take the camera with me.Is 2MP enough? For most purposes, I would say yes. You have more than enough pixels for an excellent 5x7. And if you do no cropping whatsoever, you can make a barely acceptable 8x10. The lens and sensor combination seem to work well together, and I haven't been bothered by noise or odd colors. Flash is anemic but usable up close ~10 ft.The proof is in the pictures, and I love the ones I've made with this camera.
This two page review contains two sections. The first section details the benefits of flash photography over household bulbs. The second section reviews the Vivitar flash. The bulk of this review is dedicated to the first section. When I first researched the Vivitar 285HV I was completely new to flash photography. In the process I wasn't completely sure if this flash would be good upgrade. I am pretty sure most people researching this flash are also new to flash photography. So I have included the first section to help them understand the benefit of flash by answering the same question I had back then. Overall I think it's a good upgrade.Whether you are upgrading from household bulbs or following Strobist this flash is an excellent choice. The Vivitar 285hv is affordable, reliable, and to an extent versatile. For me this flash has solved many problems I was facing with household bulb lighting including:FIREPOWER: flash produces much more power in an instant compared to household bulbs; by as much as 10 stops more vs. a 250W bulb. For example, I used to shoot portraits at 5.6 1/60 @400iso. Now with the flash I can go 11 1/200 @100iso using at full power, that's a big improvement! I don't have to worry about soft pictures because of camera shake at low shutter speeds as flash fast duration takes care all of that up to 1/1000 of a second. Neither do I have to worry about getting noisy pictures because of high iso.POWER RANGE: This flash can be controlled by 5 stops. Actually 4 stops but with a 5 stop range as follow 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16. I am not sure why they skipped f8 but the flash can be made to fire at that power level by setting it to 1/4 and inserting a 1 stop gel in front of its lens to reduce its output to 1/8.CONSISTANT COLOR: To control the lighting ratio between main, background, hair, kicker, etc I used different bulbs with different watt output like 250 main 100 background. Different bulbs have different color temperatures and that introduce major color balance problems. Even worse as time goes by same power rating bulbs would shift in color temperature. Using this color balanced flash minimizes this problem to no more than 200-400k which is in the range of tolerable.HEAT & CONSUMPTION: bulbs used to heat up the subject so much and they were really bright, so bright that most people would quickly start to sweat and squint. Flashes don't have model lamps and their burst is so short that it's impossible to be annoyed by it unless looking directly into the flash lens.This flash also opened many new opportunities for me including:COLOR EFFECTS: I can insert gels in the included wide angle holder to obtain any color I want. The flash will work with the Rosco sampler nicely. I also can color correct my flashes to balance with ambient light. For example, if I am shooting in a fluorescent lit room I can always slip a green Rsoco gel from the same sampler to make the flash light match room lighting in color temperature. Since the Rosco sampler gels are a bit smaller than the lens surface area they have to be placed carefully to fully cover the center of the flash lens. That is where the light originates from so that section has to be fully covered with the gel. I could not do any of this with bulbs because the continuous heat would gels would melt.MOBILITY: This flash is small relative to a light bulbs plus fixture and reflector. Even better it works off batteries so it's very easy to take it anywhere. In general I get between 150-200 flashes from a fresh 2000 nimh batteries. Now I can go out of my home studio and do on location photography like office portraits very easily. One padded gym bag is all I need to include everything.MODIFIERIS: This flash is easy to use modifiers as there plenty made for it like Honol snoots and grids and Lumiquest reflectors, etc. Also it can be adapter to work with standard studio equipment like umbrellas and softboxes. Plus they don't emit any heat that would otherwise damage modifiers.SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURES: Since flash is controlled by aperture only (shutter speed remains constant at camera sync 200 or 250 for most cameras) reducing the shutter speed allows more ambient light in the same scene. You have to try this to understand how versatile this is. For continuous light photographers this is a game changer. You have to experience this yourself to understand its value.In a sense all flashes offer the same benefits listed above. The Vivtar, however, stands out in value and reliability. For a price below the one hundred mark, the Vivitar 285hv is the only flash that offers a) 60Ws power output which is at par with Canon and Nikon top of the line flashes, b) full manual control with proprietary sync plug, and c) tilt and zoom head.Additionally the flash is made of high quality plastic. The finishing is equally well made and doesn't feel like cheap plastic at all. The head tilt and zoom action is very solid. New models are camera sync safe, as they have voltage below 6V. This is important to pay attention to because after getting your first Vivitar most likely you will look for adding 1 or 2 more to your camera bag. If you decide to buy used you have to watch out if the model is old as they can have sync voltage as high as 250V, which can fry your camera.Except for sync voltage this time tested flash didn't change much over the years. Old models still fetch 50% value in the used market which is a testament to the quality and reliability of this flash. Hence, I consider buying Vivitar flashes new a good learning investment because they maintain high resale value when you decide to upgrade to studio lights for example.Plus you can grow with this flash for a long time because allot of dedicated and third party accessories are available to keep you busy experimenting with it. Best of all this flash is very consistent in power and color temperature output. Hence, there is really no reason for replacing them with more professional options.On the down side, the Vivitar doesn't come free of some disappointments. The most apparent of which is the missing 1/8th power level. The flash power dialer skips that setting because Vivitar decided to skim on the cost of the dialer. It's also missing a rotate head which is standard on modern flashes and mono or pc connection. Instead the flash comes with a proprietary connection that requires a cable to be connected to the flash to which a pc cable can be connected. This cable comes standard with the flash, but it's annoying to use because it's easy to lose the small cable and worse it doesn't provide a very secure connection. Make sure you are looking away from the flash as you connect that cable because it has a habit of firing the flash prematurely.The Vivitar 285hv doesn't come with an optical slave. The most practical slave for this flash is the Wein peanut which very small and plugs directly to the proprietary connection. Its so small and convenient to use that you can literately forget it's connected to your flash. There is one problem with this slave it doesn't work with the new Vivitar when the flash is being powered by rechargable NiHM batteries. With such batteries the produces less than 6v through the hot shoe. In order to use the peanut you have to use disposable alkaline batteries. There are, other slaves that will remedey this problem but none are as small and convenaint to use as the peanut.Recycling times are a bit slow. With fresh batteries installed expect to wait few seconds at full power. Side note: the optional Vivitar Power cord will only work when alkaline batteries are inserted, which somewhat defeats the purpose, but improves recycle speeds. The flash is also pretty bulky when compared to modern flashes and weights considerably more.For manual flash photography the Vivitar 285hv is only second to the Lumopro 120, but for the price it's the best deal around, period.
This was a recommendation by my photography teacher. He recommended me to either buy a real expensive lens (600+) or go with the vivitar if money was an issue. This are the lens he uses for class, and personal use. Overall a great lens and seems pretty easy to use. High quality, low price.
The Vivitar 285 HV is a classic flash, and known for its durability.  It has good power and provides accurate exposure.My only gripe with it is the head doesn't swivel.  This means if you want to do bounce flash with the camera in verticle position, you have to take it off camera and hold it in your hand.  Not a huge problem, but you can get one that does swivel for similar money (although maybe not one so well made).
I am loving this flash!  I see where all the hype comes from!I bought this in error at first thinking it would be as powerful as a Nikon SB-800, but I was wrong.It is not as powerful as an SB-800, but it is a little more powerful than my SB-600's.I use my 285's when shooting outdoors against the sun, and at full power, they never ceases to deliver!!!My SB-600's are fine, but not as powerful (slightly), but they do get hot, and tend to make a burning smell after a few FULL power bursts.The Vivitar is only a manual flash, but it is not an issue for me as I tend to use my SB-600's the same way.So far, I have never smelled burning from my 285's, however, if there is a complaint, it is the same complaint that many have....which is it's super slow recycle time when shooting a full power...10-seconds!!!!I am not a snap happy photographer, so it doesn't kill my photo shoot, but the SB-600's do recycle much faster given the same power setting.Other than that, these are my new favs.  My SB's work great for shooting parties with TTL metering/control, but for my outdoor work, I grab my 285's first!
I have 2 of this and I'll buy another 2. This camera has no cons for me if you know what you are getting. I need controllable light and this bad boy does the job! I had on of this on a light stand and fell - and nothing was broken. If you are a fancy photographer then go for the more expensive ones. It is all about the light not how much your flash cost that makes good lighting. This is excellent for manual flash as I don't do TTL. I have a 580 EX II that I use indoors but this always comes with me day or night. I use 4 Eneloop rechargeable batteries on this flash and it just keeps flashing consistently.
lots of power, easy to hack/tweak.I will never put it in my camera hot shoe anyway, I use them with remotes (Cactus V4 to be specific)
Solid.  Sturdy. Hefty.Old school professional toy for advanced amateurs, serious photographers, and pros. The built-in variable power of the VIVITAR 285HV auto flash unit provides you with options for fill or full flash and the ability to shoot properly exposed rapid-sequence pictures.The vertical bounce capability of this flash also allows you to redirect the otherwise harsh flash of light for better control and softer lighting.The four f-stops Vari-Power gives you control over the flash distance range and the depth of field.  On the other hand, the auto Thyristor circuitry allows for a faster recycling time as well as more flashes per set of batteries.When the VIVITAR 285HV is powered by the JTL Battery PackJTL High Voltage Compact Battery Pack for the 200 and 300 Model Mobilights....this Flash unit + BP combo is a real killer - only 1~2 sec for full charge!A full review and more sample photography is vailable at shutterbugcl DOT blogspot DOT com or check the pix watermarked with the link.Accessories I also use in most of photographs:GotLux? Bounce Cardsgotlux? LuxNator Bounce Card/Diffuser for External Camera Flash Units (Black, 8 Inch)Yongnuo Wireless Trigger RF-602Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Remote Control RF-602 N1 for Nikon D1/D2/D3/D200/D300/D700The VIVITAR 285HV Professional is a simple automatic and manually controlled Non-Dedicated Flash with no TTL or iTTL options.The 285HV is considered to be a "workhorse" strobe unit.Simple, Versatile, and Powerful (and always ready!). That is why I love with my old faithfulbut brand new collection of VIVITAR 285HV's.By ALFONSO A.TOBAR/ LATIN IMAGE Photography/ SHUTTERBUG
I love this flash.  I use it as part of my strobist setup.  A real workhorse with great power.  I am thinking of getting another soon.
We already know the cons so no need to repeat them.Now I purchased these flash for portability.I need light where ever go, now some light-weight stands and umbrellas and you have yourself a very powerful portable setup. I was thinking about getting some studio strobes with a power pack but expensive and note that the weight will slow you down. If you are a 1 man setup not the route you wanna go.Of all the reviews I've read I decided to go and try this vivitar, wow was I surprised. This flash is about twice the size of my canon 430 exII flash not to say more powerful.I have decided to sell my canon to get another vivitar 285hv so everything looks uniform.(I know what youre thinking why sell the canon? to buy another canon flash would set back another $250 bucks.)You dont need TTL feature you just need light. I have been taking pictures for over 20 years stick with basics if you need light then this is your flash. If you need technology then this is not for you.
I have two of these and a sb700.  I really like the sb700 for on camera flash work, but I find myself reaching for the vivitar anytime I need to fill a room with light or if I am not in a time-pressure shooting situation.  It has more power than the sb700 and the batteries seem to last much longer.  If you want to give off camera flash photography a try on a budget, I would forgo the high-end Nikon/Canon flashes altogether and grab one of these.  All of that metering intelligence is not worth an extra couple hundred dollars.
I use products for more than 30 years, and never had one goes bad, I missed their lenses, I do not know why they stop to make lenses, they make goog lenses for affortable price. I have many Vivitar lenses, specily the 100 mm macro, and all others, no one goes bad. I have 2 Vivitar 283 flash, I use them for more than 25 years, and they perform like new, I hope that this 285 will do the same, it is so far so good. Many thanks to Vivitar.
I bought the 285 based on an endorsement by the authors of a book on flash photography. Big mistake. First, the flash head is so big you'll find a hard time finding diffusers that will fit it. Second, the instruction manual is almost useless. Next making adjustment to power is needlessly cumbersome, and finally the recycle time is almost 10 seconds!  I bought a Yongnuo and found it superior in every way.
Items delivered in good time and the product was exactly within specifications.  The price was at fair market also.  Item comes highly recommended by member of the international caving community.
Vivitar used to be the go-to workhorse for photographers, but no more. Now they are made in China and prone to high failure. The one that I bought 1 year ago made a snapping and crackling sound the other day and then refused to fire after that. Efforts to contact the number on the warranty were fruitless; the company has gone out of business and will not service its flashes. If you really want an old-school Vivi that won't fail, get a 283 made in Japan off of Ebay.
Can't beat it for the money.  There's a little learning curve with the manual settings, but my results with it have been outstanding.  It's very much worth the upgrade over your built in flash.
excellent delivery service, only prob was "no batt incl". (none promised). looking forward to getting some really good vacation pictures. I also needed to download an instruction manual.
Great performance and features that make shooting manual much easier.  Thanks for keeping this classic in production.  I'll take anothr, please.  :-)
I've had this flash about a month now. I've been pretty happy with it and it does everything I need to do with an off camera flash. Great price.
I bought my 285 in the early 80's so that's testimony to it's service and satisfaction and it being well built. You can still buy this flash. It's survived even after 25 years have passed. Has refined technological evolution made the 285 obsolete? NAY! Even with  advancements in newer flashes the Vivitar 285 is still here holding a respectable position. Why is that?I have a dedicated flash that has auto focus, TTL and all - but I gave it to my wife to use on her same brand camera. She likes it because you don't have to do anything to it... I don't like it because you can't do anything with it. There are no creative avenues to explore. I can control the 285 to do what I want.Consider the respectable guide number, 120 on the 50mm zoom setting. You can buy the latest thing on the market but notice the cost for comparable light output power.My wife in her 3rd semester at Orange Coast JC studying photography, has access to some great equipment including Hasselblad. This school is well known for its photo department. The Vivitar 285 is available for non dedicated camera systems as well as the Lumedyne with a cost in the area of $2000. It's features include an adjustable output, that is you can choose a guide number of 50, 100 or 200 and its recycle time is about 2 seconds because of a large shoulder strap battery pack. Other than that no other features. Given, the Lumedyne has almost twice the output as the Vivitar and faster recycle time but 20 times the price. And, these are not really what you would call a comparison of apples to apples as the Lumedyne has the professional market. Seriously, I think the Vivitar is better made by a long shot. The Vivitar has never given me a problem.The 285 has a zoom lens to accommodate wide angle to telephoto and as you extend or retract it, it changes the calculator dial accordingly, has a lens receiver for additional filters or extra wide angle, a tiltable head for bounce flash, 4 depth of field selections in the automatic mode, full manual control with 4 stops adjustable output, a ready indicator light, an indicator light that lets you know if the exposure got enough light, and a dial control light that allows reading the setting and calculator in low light. But look at this, with an additional cord, you take off the sensor from the flash and mount it to the camera then shoot off camera flash in the automatic mode. The cost of the Vivitar 285, under $100. If you need the guide number and the recycle times of the Lumedyne, they're only a few thousand dollars more.Update: July 2007OK, I bought a new flash. The old one above, it's still working. But now I have 2 Vivitar 285's. What did you expect?
This flash is terrific. VERY POWERFUL. Takes a little experimenting with my camera which is a non TTL. Therefore, everything is set by hand. But once you have made several tests you will get the hang of it. The only thing missing is the swivel head. Zoom head and bounce flash are a plus. Got a whole lot of flashes from batteries before needing replacement. I have been using 2200mha rechargeables. The product has been around for years, but this is the newer flash which allows digital cameras to be used that need less than 12v, otherwise, using the older unit could damage a digital camera. Highly recommend it.
Maybe I should have known better but I am positive the description said the flash was automatic with the Canon camera that I have. I expected a flash that would adjust itself to the camera settings and provide the correct flash in all situations that were within it's range; not so. Or maybe it would work the other way around and the flash would set the camera settings; not so either. I'm going to check, and if there is such a flash, this one will go back; fast.
This flash is great! It's power adjustments are fantastic! It works wonders as an off camera flash. Very easy to use and connect to whatever equipment you need. I love being able to adjust for just about any F-Stop and ISO.
I'm going to briefly describe my level of photography before I dive into this review to put this into context (if you don't care about context just skip to the next paragraph). I've been into photography for two years. During that time I've been "bitten by the shutterbug" as they say, and I've devoted myself to photography: pouring over dozens of books, thousands of articles, and countless images learning the art. I'm relatively new to strobist photography; I got an SB900 for Christmas and since then I've fallen in love with off-camera flash. This Vivitar 285 HV is my second flash unit. The camera I primarily use is a Nikon D300.REVIEW:It's clear this flash is from a different era (The instruction manual is Copyright 1985) . At one point in the instruction manual it says something the long the lines of "try shooting a roll of film to experiment with this feature." As such, there is no iTTL/eTTL. *GASP* You'll actually have to decide the proper exposure for yourself. As my technique improves and I gain more experience with off-camera flash, I noticed that I relied less and less on the SB900's TTL capabilities. I'd shoot manual at the camera and manual on the flash.As I said before, this flash is old, but it feels like a workhorse in your hands. With a solid build and sturdy mounts I've read reviews of people who have been using a Vivitar 285 HV for 15+ years and it keeps slugging away.The power of this cheap flash is incredibly powerful. I've done an experiment comparing the flash output of the SB900 to the Vivitar 285HV, and I must say I'm quite impressed (please see this link for the test: [...] )It's pretty clear that with the extra $300 you'd drop for an SB900 you're paying for the optical slave, and the fancy iTTL electronics. Buy this flash.
Hey this flash it is so powerfull, it is good to use to make jobs outside, and it is not heavy. you can use on the Canon Rebel XS,(1000D).also you can buy an extra battery holder, and four AAA to AA battery holder converter, and make some wiring and use an external battery 6vdc(lead acid) and have a better recicling times, like 6 seconds using the full power of the flash against the 12 with the normal four AA batteries. and with the lowest power you can shot continously like 20 times without problems. with this add, this flash can work all the night and take more than 1000 shots.cons. If you need to take fast pictures, with it mounted on  the camera shoe, you need to adjust it every time , because it does not have TTL circuit, and you can burn the pictures. and for this reason it is better to buy the TTL flash of your camera to avoid this kind of situation on fast moments taking pictures, like the kiss on the wedding ceremony.but for the rest it is a good flash.i do recomend it
Overall a really good flash for beginners and experienced photographers alike. If you're used to an automatic flash this may not be the best option for you, as everything is controlled by the user. However, if you would like to learn more about flash photography (especially off-camera lighting), you can't beat the value of this unit.
As a professional photographer for over 30 years, I've owned several Vivitar 285's. I like them because they let me control the flash a little more than more current models (although I own some of the newer models and brands as well). This last Vivitar 285 I just got doesn't seem to be quite as well made as some I've owned previously. The flash as a whole seems to be made of a cheaper plastic and not as tightly made. Also, the flash cord that came with it didn't work. This will probably be the last of this model I will buy.
I have been using the HV version of these flashes for 30 years as radio slave receivers powered by Quantum Turbo high voltage batteries for fast recycling.  I purchase the used units and discard them when they die.  I set them at ISO 400 and the red auto sensor mark for f8 for most of a wedding event since that's the average setting at which I shoot my on-camera flash.  The only drawback is that because it was designed so long ago, it's ISO ratings for auto sensor are no faster than 400.
If you are a follower of strobist, you can fing the Vivitar 285HV very handy.It needs good batteries. When the battery power starts to go lower, it may not fire.Also, for some reason, it does not fire with remote wireless trigger if batteries are not fresh.I use only in manual mode and very happy about it so far.
This is a very capable flash unit at a very affordable price.  I still haven't figured out all the features but it is a great unit.
Works great. Good buy. Found it with you at a great price. I would recommend it to others who have the need.
This flash has about the same power as my sb-600 at less than half the price.  It's simple to use and seems to hold up to the regular wear and tear.  A bit boxy and old school, but what a great price.
I could only give this Vivitar four stars because it does everything very well, but it takes a LOT of practice to learn how to use it WELL! Once one learns how to use it, it is a really useful all-round flash and a good addition to a multi-flash system. Considering the price, well worth it.
I compared the 285HV with Sunpak 383 Super and I found out these differences and similiraties:1. Both are non-brand specific Manual/non-TTL auto flash for use in practically any camera with standard hotshoe.2. Both have the same Guide Number of 120.3. In Manual mode, they can slice their power output from 1/1 to 1/16th except that the 285HV is missing 1/8th.4. In non-TTL auto, the 285HV has four auto-aperture settings while the 383Super has only three.5. The 383Super can do vertical and horizontal bounce (swivel) while the 285HV can do vertical bounce only.6. The 285HV has zoom positions to cover 35mm, 50mm and 105mm focal length lenses. It also includs an extra-wide flash head adapter to cover 28mm focal length. The 383Super has no zoom position and can cover only 35mm focal length and up.7. I havent measured the sync voltage of the 383 Super but I am sure that the 285HV has a sync voltage of 6V DC as I measured it myself.8. The 383 Super locks on the hotshoe by turning a screw while the 285HV has a one-action locking lever.9. The 285HV has a lovely illuminated (yes!) calculator dial which is practically a tiny work of art! Its a pity though it has no varnish of some sort to protect its surface markings from scratching.I can live without 383 Super's additional swivel and 1/8th power ratio. I need the 285HV's direct, brute light power when shooting inside high-ceiling rooms and dim conditions where I cannot approach my subjects. The zoom-capable flash head helps in this situation because it boosts precious flash range just a bit more than what the 383 Super can.I can also use the extra-wide adapter when using the 18-55mm lens of the D40 at 18mm. In film terms, 18mm focal lenght on the D40 is 27mm- just perfect for the 28mm extra-wide adapter.I prefer the one-action locking lever of the 285HV. The locking lever makes the flash more stable as compared to the turn screw on my other flash.Of course, the 285HV has none of the programmed high-tech artificial intelligence of expensive flashes (say,a Nikon SB800 or a Canon 580EX), other than its auto-thyristor and manual controls. However, in its auto thyristor mode, I found it to be accurate. Sometimes in tricky situations (say, a white board behind your friend) it under-exposes, as expected. But thanks to the digital SLR where I attach it to (Nikon D40), I can quickly make corrections on the spot by examining the LCD! Easy!Although plastic, Vivitar build it well. Solid feel with no loose parts which are not supposed to be loose. Overall, a beautifully made simple flash. But for what it was made to do, from my experience a least, it does very well, consistently and reliably.
It really would be nice if they specified which camera's these work with, because this flash does not work with Pentax K-7.  The manual itself is as confusing as trying to read it in spanish.  Tried calling Pentax customer service and ended up with Indian Customer Non-Service.  I'll buy American next time.
Many years ago, back when we put long thin strips covered with photosensitive emulsion in our cameras I was introduced to the Vivitar 285HV.  I went to a camera shop I trusted and asked what they recommended for a very portable lighting setup.  I was handed a pair of 285HV's, umbrellas, stands, mounts, a sync cord and a Wein &#34;peanut&#34;.  Carrying only a few extra sets of AA batteries I could shoot several rolls of indoor portraits and my entire lighting setup fit in a small duffel bag.Later, I added an external turbo 2x2 battery and matching power cables to the mix giving me full day run times and instant flash recycle times.  Still the whole dual strobe setup fit in a small shoulder bag.285HV's run like champs on cheap alkaline AA's, NiMH rechargeables or external battery packs.
Great flash, works well. I love all the settings. the flash isnt too hard and bright. Only con is that there is no swivel head. Which isnt a biggie.
The Vivtar 285 HV is simple the best flash ever made. If your looking for a powerful flash this is the one to own.
I called up their support number. Twice I got the answers of they are sending me an online link of the driver for two calls I made. So far I have not received any email they promised to send. The last call I was told I am going to get it within 10 minutes. It is not the case.I am disappointed not receiving the link so far. Don't know what is going on there. Only hope eventually I can get a workable driver.
The flash works great. It's simple and basic in function but has everything I need to shoot on and off camera. I hardly use on camera flash (unless I want or need to) and primarily use it off camera with a shoot through/bounce umbrella. I plan on buying another one to set up with a large soft box. It's plenty powerful for a variety of occasions. As a mobile set up and until I get strobes these will work fine!
The service of this seller was outstanding, shipped correct product on time.  However, I don't quite understand why the seller has to charge close to $30 for shipping when the item came by US Postal Priority Mail for $4.80.  I almost didn't purchase when I saw how high the shipping charge was going to be but bought anyway due to the low item costs.
This is a great flash for those who do not want or have upwards of $300 to spend on a eTTL flash or something of the sort. This is my second 285 as I blew the circuit on the first one using the AF finder on my DSLR. It's kind of bulky, and is hard to find accessories (diffusers, gels, etc), but otherwise a great product.
I had previous given this product one star because of a completely worthless warranty service.  Eventually, after much hounding, the warranty department finally came through and replaced the broken PC cord that came with the flash.  So, I've moved it up to three stars.With that in mind, the flash itself is a four or five star item.  It does just what I want, a not too expensive dumb flash I can use for off camera flash work.  A few adjustable manual power settings, manual zoom and tilt provide about all the variables really needed for off camera flash work.  Sure, it'd be great if it would tilt more than 90 degrees, or swivel as well, but these things are more important for on camera work.  There could be more manual power settings too, but three is good enough for most work.So, if you want to get a cheap, apparently reliable (so far) flash for off camera strobe work it is hard to go wrong with this flash.  Be warned though, you may need to be very persistent with the warranty department if you have a problem!
I have two 285s and one power adapter. The manual controls are quick and easy to operate; much faster than manipulating the buttons on a Canon 580. The flash output is good and the locking mechanism is quick.The bad news is that Sakar has purchased Vivitar and they will not honor the product's warranty. I received a 285 and the power adapter as a gift, but they stopped functioning shortly after I received them. Since they were gifts, I couldn't return them, so I attempted to pursue a warranty repair. Sakar sent a form email on both occasions indicating that "While Sakar does not itself have any legal obligations with respect to Vivitar products manufactured under Syntax-Brillian's stewardship, Sakar in the upcoming months hopes to be in a position to assist the customers of Syntax-Brillian's Vivitar products." This was over a year ago, so maybe they've changed their ways, but I'd check to be sure before buying this flash.
The camera would not recognize it.  It's not pretty, but It's a HUGELY powerful flash.  Sadly, it is useless to me in its current configuration.
I'm a photographer from Costa Rica "sorry my spanglish"This unit it's cheap and really powerfull, be carefull to don't use it in "M" , u can fry ur digital baby at max power.i use it with a radio trigger, and got amazing shotsu can see some of them at my devianart "ps3 girl"[...]The plastic seems to be fragile but it's ok to this price, the next step costs 5 to 8 times more $ than thisand the zoom feature it's really cool.  one more thing, it's a little Overzized.
FLASH WORKED FIND AT THE WEDDING
Let's get to the bad stuff first:1) no swivel2) printed numbers on calculator dial may wear off or get scratched off (UPDATE: no, they haven't been scratched off yet by mes, but in the hands of heavy/pro users they might be. Bottom line, for casual use, the printed numbers are durable enough.)3) plastic foot may break4) sync cord, battery holder and AC adapter are hard to find in stores5) of course, no TTL, but we already knew thatOK, the good stuff (really good)1) very powerful, big grins on subjects after they hear the loud pop and see the light.  This is one big gun.2) meter is surprisingly accurate3) zoom head and wide angle adapter4) generous auto range of 4 apertures, variable power settings of 1/2, 1/4 and 1/165) if you use flash as main source of light, don't shoot closeups with flash and have no need for TTL, this is all the flash you need (UPDATE: actually with the proper set up, you can even use this for close-ups)6) did I say this flash is so affordable?
To start out this is the second one of these flashes that I have purchased in the last couple of years.  My first one (~3 years old) is still going strong and has seen a lot of use and some abuse ;)  On the downside the plastic shoe mount is worrying but has not given me any issues to date and I do use this on light stands and with triggers that attach to the shoe mount.  This flash is also best used in full manual mode with settings to full, half, quarter, and 1/16 power.  It would be very nice if the settings would go lower...1/32 and 1/64 would be awesome and I would never buy another type of flash ;)  To overcome this you can buy very cheap ND gels that slip right into the slot and provide a power reduction but be cautioned firing off shots too quickly while gels are in place as I have melted a couple this way.  As far as the good news goes these flashes are extremely powerful for the price you pay and they just plain work.  My much more expensive SB600 will often times go into to sleep mode and not fire the first time I push the trigger...this guy will fire every time.  The only downside to this availability is battery life...keep batteries on hand and don't expect to be able to use rechargeables...for me they work but not for long at all.  Overall if you understand and accept the the limitations of this flash it will be an awesome piece of equipment for you.  If you come in expecting full functionality of much pricier units you will be disappointed.
All the good reviews you've read about this flash are 100% true. I can find no fault in this flash. I love using manual flash so this flash is perfect and gets the job done. I'm only two years into photography and with my limited experience I was able to figure out the calculator on the side of the flash. If anything it's a nice extra inexpensive flash to have in your gear.I bought some 12x12 gels and cut them down to wallet size (3.5in x 2in) and they fit perfect in the slot in the side of the flash head. This makes it perfect for lighting up a white wall behind your subject with cool colors.
This is a well balanced product (cost/quality)I had purchased one before and I drooped it and dosen`t work... I mean It's a delicated product but If you take care of it, you will have a good flash to count with.This last flash I ordered was on time and in perfect conditions, so I can recomend it :)
I own Pentax cameras. In comparing flash units, this one wins, hands down. I purchased a dedicated flash and 2 of these units. The dedicated flash was about $200. These are about $85. These have more consistent exposes and plenty of power. Simply set the camera on Manual and set the flash. I use them with the Cowboy wireless shoes.Over the past 40 years I have used various versions of the Vivitar 283 and 285 flash units. At one time I was shooting a wedding each week with a couple of them. I sometimes try other types of flash units, but always come back to these flash units. This flash is not expensive, but the 283 and 285 units are a true work-horses.
Disappointed that this can't be used safely with my Canon 50D.  Have to return it for a safe one.Before putting a 285HV on your camera, please check with the camera manufacturer first.  The 285 HV open circuit trigger voltage measures as much as 12 V. and many cameras are not rated for this voltage. Canon USA claims that Canon SLRs should not be used with triggers above 6V. and Olympus says don't exceed 10 V.  Nikon says 12V. is the maximum safe trigger voltage.  Cameras that meet the ISO 10330 spec. are supposed to be safe up to 24V.Most modern cameras use solid state flash circuits (not mechanical contacts as old cameras did), so the use of even a slight overvoltage can instantly do serious damage.  Building a "universal" electronic flash with a 12V. trigger voltage for today's cameras is really not very smart engineering when most well engineered units trigger using 3 or 4 Volts maximum.It's interesting that Vivatar uses a "HV" designation for this flash unit.  The old (film era) "plain" Vivitar 285 and Vivitar 283 flashes had a trigger voltage of over 250 Volts, but the "HV" version is 12V, which, unfortunately is still too HV for many cameras.If you do a web search for "Electronic flash trigger voltage", you will find tons of info on this subject.
Excellent as a backup flash. You must be aware that it is hard to have anyone honor the warranty since apparently Vivitar is no longer in business. If that concerns you, go with the real McCoy and get a brand name flash.
I've used this flash for over 20 years and it still puts out as much power as the first time I used it. I own two HVs and they are reliable, sturdy, and very energy efficient. I've used various types of batteries and never had a single issue. Can't really get anything better for the price.
I started out buying more expensive Canon flashes but didn't need the E-TTL features.  Based on a web review, I bought a couple of Vivitar 285HV's and used them with my existing off-camera triggering system (which consists of Elinchrom Skyport radio triggers and Wein optical hot shoe triggers).  All of my existing triggers fired through the hot shoe of the flash and have worked with a variety of flashes, including older Vivitar 283 flashes.However, the 285HV is triggered on a different contact point than most flashes.  It works fine on-camera, but doesn't work at all with any of these remote triggering options.I've found that you need to use the trigger port on the side of the flash.  Wein peanut slaves have a high failure rate, but Sonia triggers seem to work much more consistently well with this flash.Once your system is working, these will fire consistently well.  They don't recycle as fast as some of the more modern and expensive designs, but if you take your time and compose each shot well, you should be just fine.  I've been replacing all of my other flashes and standardizing now on the 285HV for my field gear.I use these for semi-professional fashion and art photography and it often surprises people to see me using such humble looking equipment and yet I get great results from them.*** LONG TERM UPDATE ***These flashes only last a little over a year and then they are kaput. I have had a few of them, all purchased around the same time, and in the middle of a shoot they will suddenly flash brightly and then not work anymore. As far as I can tell, these units are sealed up and not meant to be repaired.
I took more than 100 pics using it during my vacations. It's excellent but i confess it took me some time to learn how to use it properly with my camera. At the end, I realized it was better to use in M position ISO 200 than with A, S or P modes. I'm glad to have bought it!
As an amateur photographer on a tight budget this flash is by far the one of the best bang for my buck purchase I have ever done.I like it's simplicity. You want to adjust the range, then just pull/push the flash head. You want to control the power just turn the knob up/down. If you feel lazy you can always use its four auto-settings using the same knob.Another thing that sold me to this flash is the head, its so easy to cut a strip of gel and just insert it right-in, no messy velcro, no rubber bands.It is plastic but tank like plastic, an acquaintance accidentally dropped his flash from four feet away but aside from the minor dent, the flash worked fine, try doing that on a $400++ Canon.Also, if you want to make it a slave, just buy one of those PC/hot-shoe slave adapters for about $16.I use this flash exclusively on Manual, I never bothered using the auto-settings so am not sure what I missing.For some reason it doesn't have a 1/8th power level but its not a big deal, all I do is put on some gel to tone down the power and voila.Some may argue that it lacks the sophistication of the newer flashes like the Canon 580 Ex series but that's precisely why I picked this flash. The new flashes, aside from being way above my budget, have somewhat taken away the fun of experimentation. But then again a lot of folks prefer to point and shoot so maybe the newer flashes work for them better.So if you are in the market for a cheap but reliable flash then look no further this is the flash for you.
This is a great economical flash for the amatuer photo enthusiest. I found it a little difficult to figure out, but once I did it became my favorite accessory. I use it with a Canon t3i and my photos are great. I recommend that a diffuser be purchased along with the flash. I purchased an Opteka SB-1 Mini Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser and it works great. Just be careful not to drop. I unfortunately did this and had several pieces fall off. Luckily, all but one snapped right back in place. The other was a silver disc that was super glued on the side opposite the manual computer. I put it back with a much better glue. The flash still works great with only a couple scratches.
Let me start with - if you don't know how to work with your 580EX II (or any other pro flash) MANUALLYdo anything you can to avoid using a flash at all.Using any strobe, automatically , TTL , can never get you the right resultsso the vivitar is just perfect to light your scene.The only con I might have is that the lowest power you can use is 1/32unlike my 580EX II 1/128but if you use reflectors/defusers and the right distanceit shouldn't be a problem.
This is a think and do flash - period.  Yes, you have some automated features that really come in handy. But what it is not is a dedicated flash - you have to learn how to use the camera/flash combination.  I've used vivitars since time in memorial starting with the 283 - these units are so powerful, you could almost put smokin' black holes on the subject - Once I did a 34 persons group shot at a wedding - I used vivitar 285 on wide setting to do fill in, well, it worked quite nicely.Yes, the hot shoe is it's weakest link, but I never had any problems with it snapping and I was a very active wedding photographer..  If you use a high volt pack, your recycle time is about 3 seconds.  Otherwise the recycle time will start creeping upwards of 10 seconds using AA batteries.
Sure, this flash doesn't have all the bells and whistles that a modern name-brand speedlight would have.  You don't get TTL, and you can't swivel the top.However, if you are into off-camera "Strobist" type of lighting, this is a nice, cheap flash to use for your secondary flashes.Realize of course there are only 4 power-levels on full-manual.  Full, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/16.  There are no inbetweens, if you want to vary the output on your subject, you either move the flash head in/out or you shoot into a neutral density filter to reduce the output.  Either method works fine.  I also think it's rather weird that there is no 1/8 power, but again, if you have a 1-stop neutral density filter, this is easily achieved without moving the flash.This flash DOES have a high-pitched whine to it that does not go away when it's fully charged.  It's not loud and annoying, but you can hear it if you listen hard enough.Overall this is a good flash that puts out lots of light.  I have heard reports that the newer models being manufactured in China are not built quite as tough as the first release, so you might do well to pick one up used rather than new.  These things are built like a brick, and the older Vivitar 283/285's are STILL working after 30 years, so that will tell you what type of quality this brand has.
The Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional Flash is exactly what I wanted - a manual flash to start experimenting with off-camera photography. Since I didn't want to spend the initial money on a set of pocket wizards that had ETTL compatibility for my 580EXII, I bought a set of the cowboy studio radio triggers for $25. I bought this flash specifically for its "low" tech easy to use manual settings. Changing the power is as easy as simply turning the front dial. I also swapped flashes (580 and 285HV) at equal power setting for the same picture and got equal results. With a second receiver I can now use 1 or 2 flashes to experiment with different effects.The one advantage of the Cannon 580EXII is that is has much greater manual control vs the Vivitar (1/128-1/1 vs. 1/16-1/1) but what do you expect for a flash that costs $400 less? I have not used the auto settings on the Vivitar and honestly don't plan to. This flash will be used extensively from now on and although I am already hooked on the off flash/strobist concept, it will be hard to find the rational behind spending the extra money for a set of pocket wizards and a second 580EXII.If you are considering this flash as a camera mount for an SLR with ETTL (or compatible), I recommend spending the extra money for a good, modern flash that will give you perfect pictures almost every time. If you want this flash to play with your DSLR to try and take some of the amazing strobist pics, this flash is for you. (Check out the pic of my Boxer taken 20 min after the flash arrived with no practice)
I purchased this strobe to use on my Nikon D80.  Works great on or off camera.  I especially like being able to adjust the power which some of the less expensive models aren't able to do.  Very happy with the quality for the price.
I have had one of the worst customer experiences I have ever had with this company - I bought a screen protector from office depot, the card that came with it to spread the cover ended up scratching it to hell. Worst of all I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, SPENT 30 min talking with some incompetent woman who didnt speak English nor did she know the products. . After talking with a supervisor he said he would send me a new protector WHICH HAS NEVER COME!!!!  This is a lousy company, lousy products, and a bunch of liars.
I'm a somewhat new photographer (just graduating college as a photo major) and this product has worked great for me. I was confused by the "Auto" part in the title when buying because I had heard it was a great manual flash, so to clarify for new buyers, it has both auto and manual mode. It has a powerful range and is easy to understand with instruction. I recommend learning all of the manual mode details because you will be able to control so much more if you do. The one thing that is slightly difficult about this model is if you like to use the flash off the camera while shooting, you need to know that Vivitar made a special adapter cord for the 285 HV model, so no other extension or sync cords work with the model, unless you have that specific adapter to work between the two. Fortunately, Vivitar gives you this cord (about 6 inches long) for free if you buy the product new. If you buy it used, I recommend asking the buyer if he/she will send you this cord as well. If not, they aren't expensive online, just somewhat hard to find. Overall, great product. One more detail, the Vivitar 285HV and the Vivitar 285 are not the same thing! If you end up with the Vivitar 285, it doesn't have a sync cord like the 285HV, but will work with a hot shoe mount (which can connect to a typical male-female extension adapter) as a connector instead. Watch out for that when buying!
Vivitar 285HV Auto Professional FlashThis is an amazing inexpensive flash that rivals OEM dedicated equipment.Yet it is not ETTL but just because of that it gives you a full control over what you are doing. I really like it ( as well as uncounted number of photographers in the last 30 years). I only wish it came with a power adapter.
This Vivitar flash is a good product with a not so great manual. The instruction manual could be more detailed and help you take better pictures. The flash head is larger than standard and makes it harder to find defusers and soft boxes to fit. It is a manual unit and doesn't have advanced features. That alone limits the product. With custom defusers and the right camera/environment it does well, just not great. With the low price I would recommend this product to those that don't have advanced feature cameras or wan't to use this as a simple remote flash unit. It does have a built in defuser but again it is not great but good. We have used this on the K200D, K-X, and K-30 Pentax Digital SLR cameras.
I have to say that for the price, this is a very good unit, and depending on how you intend to use it, this can be a great purchase.  For me, there were two separate dealbreakers which forced me to return this in favor of a Lumopro 160.  These may not be dealbreakers for you, though, but I wanted to mention them here since nothing in the descriptions here made these two issues apparent prior to ordering:1) the opening of the flash head is large, which is not necessarily a bad thing.  However, if you plan to use the largest size roguebender unit in a wrap-around-to-form-a-snoot mode, or to use the rogue grid set, this is a problem.  It is just too big for that.2) the sync port is a PROPRIETARY connector.  Dealbreaker for sure.  You can't use your normal connectors/cables from your existing radio trigger units.  The cables or adapters from pocket wizard are $25 each, which degrades the bargain status of this unit quite a bit.  Plus you have to carry and keep track of separate, special cables/connectors.For my specific purpose, mixing this in with studio lights as a small noot or grid spot, these were deal breakers.  If your use is more general, these are probably stlll a good deal: they will fill an umbrella nicely, and they work nicely enough on the hotshoe.  They feel sturdy.  The wide angle adapter is okay, but is a separate piece that slides in, not attached to the light, so it is another loose item to keep track of or lose.For my specific purpose, this simply is too much hassle, and won't play with the modifiers I want to use.  YMMV
I read a lot of reviews before purchasing this flash.  The only con I really have with it is the plastic foot.  I can see how it could easily break. That combined with the cheep hot shoe cord I bought, I am always VERY careful when I use it.  I've just now (today actaully.. the light bulb just kind of went off) started to understand it more and get comfortable using it and the timing couldn't be more perfect.  I'm using it this coming weekend at a wedding I'm shooting, so we'll see how it goes!
I had a 580EX II and was looking for a less expensive flash which I could use for strobe experiments. I am very happy that I chose Vivitar 285HV.Solid construction and consistent output. Obviously it is not a TTL flash... but for off camera strobe experiments this is great. Highly recommend it.I am giving it a 4 start because of the recycle speed and the non-swivel head.
I have used this strop for ove 20 years now, it has many settings and I like the way you can slid the flash housing for wide angle to long lens settings, I use that as a creative tool as well.
I ordered two of these flashes to use as part of my portable studio setup.  I use 'em with a couple white reflective umbrellas and they do almost as well as my monolights.  Only difference, of course, is the power output.  Just gotta move 'em in a bit closer, that's all.
I'm a studio photog and use my strobes, etc.  However, I knew I'd eventually need to buy a flash and the Canon 530EX for my 30D was way out of my price range.  I'm not a gadget-chick so when I received this I read the instructions, but I'm sure I'm using it all wrong.  BUT...it's an awesome, super-strong flash.  I just turn the knob to whatever f-stop I have my camera set on and it usually figures itself out.  What a DEAL!  Maybe one day I'll actually read the manual more carefully and figure out how to really use it to the best of its ability.
I got this for my daughter who is a photography major in college. She absolutely loves it. Says it works great too
Excellent manual flash. I own few of these units and they work perfectly with Yongnuo RF-603n transceivers. Very happy with the performance and build quality.
Absolutely phenomenal quality and performances.A must have for all serious strobists out there.The sensor works very well, awesome alternative to TTL.The bouce is sublime and the recharge timing is simply "faster that you can shoot".I am using it with my Canon: 5D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II and 1D Mark IV
the plastics look cheap, OK construction. I got 2 of these intended to have them working as external flash and triggered by 580EX II. The wein peanut seems working well, as matter of fact it work really well when triggered by 580EXII  on ETTL or manual mode, never missed one single shot yet. Overall it's a good buy.
I bought this for my son's Nikon.  He has been using it for several weeks and is very happy with the results.  Great flash for the price.
I use this with my Canon Rebel T2i.  I read up on a few sites that sometimes this flash can burn out the camera because of the voltage, so I bought this and used a voltmeter on it.  It came in below the max voltage for the camera (I can't recall the specific numbers now), so I tried it out and all worked fine.  I use this when I need a powerful flash.  I'm sure some of the Canon Speedlites are better, but they're also much more expensive.  I've had no problems with this flash and am very happy with it.  I would definitely buy this product again.
I had a change jar where I collect all my change. By the time I dumped it I had $95. I went to a coinstar and, to avoid the coinstar tax, got an Amazon receipt. With the money I got this flash. It is very affordable (obviously) and there is a reason. The majority of the adjustments you need to use yourself. Call me inexperienced but I still can't figure out how the calculator on the side works. But nonetheless I get excellent results. The light fill is equivalent to any Canon Speedlite. The reason, again, for the Vivitar's relatively cheap price is because most of it's controls are manual, where the Speedlite is automatic. BUT, this can be a good thing. If you are looking to your first flash this is a good candidate. With it's lack of automatic control, the user can learn how the amounts of light can affect a photo. It is a good learning experience and I have learned a lot. (This being my first external flash)The build quality comes across as cheap. Possibly a 6 out of 10. It is made in Japan (Good quality camera equipment usually comes from there. If it's made in China STAY AWAY.) The foot is made of plastic so one drop will probably break it. So just be careful when handling it. It uses 4 AA batteries. It says not to use rechargeable but I do and it works fine with no ill effects. It comes with a slide-in diffuser. Lets just say I'm getting a better one for Christmas. I have also heard these make great satellite flash units because they are plentiful and cheap. The Vivitar 285HV is not damaging to the camera because there is no high voltage feedback.A bit of my background for credibility's sake. I own a Canon SX10IS and photography has been a hobby for around 9 months now. I realize I have a point and shoot and should have a DSLR. But I do not have a lot of money and wish to pursue photography more. So, for now, I use a high end point and shoot. I have submitted my photos to many places, including my university. Many of my photos have been published in news articles. (Probably just because I have my camera all the time so I get rare shots)Edit:It has been 4 years since I wrote this review. This particular unit still works! The plastic foot i worn out at this point though. The lock doesn't do anything. I am now a professional photographer and own three Vivitar 285HVs. They are still my light of choice as they are very easy to use. I use them in my portable studio with umbrellas. The 6000K bulb temperature makes it very easy to white balance. It is only 500K off from natural sunlight (5500K). The Vivitar 285HV has held up to the test of time. This only confirms that this flash is a great product.Since I last posted my camera, I have upgraded to a Canon 40D and 60D.
33 years after buying my first Vivitar flash, having left photography as a advocation, I return with digital miracles but am thrilled my old work-horse is still being made.  There is nothing like the Vivitar 283 and 285.  I had Minolta and Canon 35mm 'back in the day' and then went to Mamiya and Hasselblad.  But I never went ANYWHERE without the 283/285 in my case.  I left the advocation 22yrs ago and even left the hobby until my kids were born in the last ten years.  I went through some simple digital cameras but I have returned, recently purchasing a Canon T1i (500d) and seeing that I can still buy a Vivitar 285 (again) is like re-uniting with an old friend.It is big, heavy (thank God) and as reliable and versatile as a genuine Swiss Army Knife.  I can't believe it's still available and am so thankful.
One of the best flashes ever made, powerful and professional.  These have been unchanged for decades for a reason, powerful and consistent exposures with this fantastic flash.I still use mine 15 years later with my new Nikon DSLR cameras.  The best.
I looked into purchasing this flash on a recommendation from a friend who is into strobism.  At the time, it didn't seem like Amazon carried it (which was unfortunate because I had a gift card to use).  Then on a whim a few days later I decided to take a look again and there it was, so I scooped it up right away.  I have a Cactus (Gadget Infinity) wireless trigger kit on the way as well, which should be here this week.I got the flash today and have been playing with it and learning a bit more about it.  I was curious if it would work on my Canon Digital Rebel 300D (6V max hot shoe).  I did some digging around because I was afraid to damage my camera, and found information on how to check the voltage given off by the flash.  Some places said all 285HV flashes are &lt; 6V, and some places say they can be as high as 12V.  To be sure, I used a voltmeter to check it a few times (search online for "voltmeter 285HV" to learn how), and it came in at only 4.5V.  I tried it on the Rebel and it works GREAT.  Based on what I've read online though, if you do buy this, make sure you check it.  As low as mine registered, apparently some can be slightly over 6V.  I'm not sure I'd be fully comfortable using it on my 300D if it was even slightly over.  If I understand correctly, newer models of DSLRs, including the XT and XTi, can accept up to 250V.  Make sure you find out and test first!I have much to learn about using the manual flash, but a few photos into it I was able to get some good pics.I haven't taken too many shots yet, but so far so good.  If it holds up, I've no doubt I'll be very happy with this flash long term.  This thing is BRIGHT.At the price you can get it here at Amazon, it's well worth it.  I will likely pick up another soon to upgrade my strobist set.
I bought this vivitar 285hv flash for off-camera lighting, and it worked great with the Pt-04 wireless flash trigger set I have. The SB-600 I have will go into standby mode in a minute or two if I don't use it. This Vivitar flash won't, and that's a good thing because I don't have to wake it up. It is always up and ready to be fired. It may use more power that way, but I don't care since I have a lot of rechargeable AA batteries ready. Great flash !!!
My Dad gifted me a Vivitar 285HV 15 years ago when I was learning photography. Its still the only flash I own. Its a powerful flash with accurate exposure using the coloured "auto" modes. There are you tube videos on how to use this - it only takes 10 mins to figure out how to use it. Only cons are that its a little big and noisy.
It gets the job done. It's a toss up between this flash and the LumoPro LP160. The Vivitar is 90 bucks, the LP160 is $160. The LP160 has more power output options, which is my only complaint about the Vivitar - no option for 1/8, 1/32 power output. Otherwise, it's a great strobe and great 2nd or 3rd light in my setup when needed.
I've owned 5 of these, wearing out the first 3. For what I shoot, they're perfect. So, I bought a 6th.
Don't buy this, get a 283/285HV instead.  It powers down after 5mins, when you're least expecting it.  I've missed so many shots because the flash was not ready when I was. Poor design feature which cannot be overridden.
Arrived in a couple days in new condition with all papers & small parts as expected in new purchase. Item was well packed. While it is getting difficult to find parts for my old fim cameras, I will use & recommend this source again!
I use this flash on a camera that was purchased in 1980 and it works great.  I love taking pictures and it is hard to find flashes for cameras that old but this one works great on my Canon AE-1.
This item arrived in a timely manner without damage. it is as I expected and looks like the photo. This item fits on my Olympus OM1 as stated.
I bought this, or rather one of these, in early 1984 to go with my new all manual Pentax MX for my 1st photo class at a local community college. It is impressive that they are still being sold new! I paid forty dollars at a Ritz camera shop in Baltimore; I gave mine away a couple of decades ago, but it served me well for a couple of years.I also purchased a Vivitar 285HV, but not new, and the circuitry deteriorated quickly. The only problem I recall with the 2800, was that using rubbing alcohol to remove naturally greasy fingerprints removed some of the white lettering.
A good little inexpensive flash for general use at a good price. It is a vast inprovement over those under powered pop-ups. It works well with digital cameras (Fuji FinePix 6900z).  If you are considering a digital camera, an external flash is a must! The improvement in picture quality is stunning.
I have had great success with this flash with my film based Pentax MX SLR, and would reccomend it to film SLR users.  When I have tried using it on my Canon 40D, I have found it to be more trouble then it is worth.  I would reccomend buying a Speedlite instead if you have a camera the supports E-TTL, E-TTL II, or TTL, or if your camera has a autofocus system that is compatable with the AF assist feature on speedlites.  For treditional SLR cameras without new autofocus systems, however, this flash works great.
Great film at a great price.Digital is fast,but picture quality is better on film.(my opinion)
worked great. Expiration date was not an issue. Completely satisfied.Picture quality was similar to the Kodak product available locally instores.
Items arrived four days before expected time; that's excellent. The films are all in good shape and the expiration date is printed on the box. Easy buy.
For those of us that still use 35 mm cameras on occasion, Fujifilm has always been a good product (though not the only good film).  Highly recommend.
As I have mentioned in other reviews of Fuji film products, this one is no exception.  The ISO 200 is an excellent medium for generating some fine color prints.  I highly recommend this company and the film offerings they have.Their pricing is more than fair and processing does not take very long.  If you like film photography as I do, and have not tried Fuji products, I highly recommend firing off a test roll.  Thanks for reading.Tony
I dislike penalizing a product because of a vendor, so I am reviewing only the film. I like the high range of the tones in Superia fim, and I love the perfect adaptability of this 200 speed film. Honestly, I can shoot it as if it is 100 or 400 without any problems at all; I just pay attention to my highlights and shadows and zone them in.The film gets five stars, but it is no longer made with the HQ label: it is known simply as Fuji Superia 200. That means any film you see with this label is out of date.  I am not penalizing the vendor because I was aware of this and wanted this film because I have loved it so much and the newer film is not quite the same. I would say just be aware. If you have a problem with expired film or you do not shoot much film, this is not for you. If you are realize that film does not just go bad on its expiry date and this film has obviously been well-kept, then you should be okay with the caveat that it *is old film* so you may lose your shots or get unexpected results. Being informed is the best plan.If you get a box that has the expiration date removed like I did and the film does not work out I would say you should be eligible for a refund. In my case, I got the same outstanding results with this film that I expected.
Who uses film these days, right? Fugi film is clearly the best. Everyone knows that! Love the product, takes photos like a dream.
I used these film to test my newly acquired vintage camera, and I was satisfied for the result.  The color is okay, as the Fuji films are noted for superb color.
I was a professional photographer for many years back in the 70's and 80's and then along came digital camera's.  I knew film would be replaced someday so I bought into the new way of thinking and bought the state of the art digital camera of the day.  It was an Olympus 3.5mp rangefinder camera and since then I bought many more digitals, only to come to the realization that the digitals of today are mostly glorified point and shoot cameras.  So I took a giant step backwards and bought some of my dream film camera's  I always wanted but couldn't afford like 2, Nikon F4s's, and 1 Nikon F100, and a Nikon F6.  The F6 was just sold.  Anyway I used to use Kodak all the time and then near the end of my career FujiFilm started making this incredible fine grain, brilliant color, color film.  Now Fujifilm has taken over the market in color film and the ASA or (ISO) if you will 200 is what I shoot the most because of fast good Nikon glass or (lenses).  I have tried there 800 for inside at concerts with my 28mm-80mm f2.0 lens and gotten great results but I would rather use 200 and either push it to 400 and develop it 1 full stop more or if close enough use my SB24 dedicated TTL flash and stop the flash down a couple of stops to keep the real color on the stage.  I love Fujifilm 200 for colpr prints, and it blows up very well also as big as 11" x 16" with just the right amount of grain to make it interesting.As far as I'm concerned, I hope more and more people pick up a good old film camera and learn how to shoot good and well planned out photograph's  because it will make you a better digital photographer when there is no more film or film processing chemicals and all we have is digital to use.  I will tell you Ancel Adams is turning over in his grave at the thought of digital cameras, of course Mr. Adams also never would have used 35mm cameras because of the small size and loss of detail when blown up to poster size or bigger.  He used 11" x14" sheet film that also isn't made any longer  Digital cameras will never be able to shoot as crisp and clear as film and they can't do black and white at all.  Long Live Fujifilm.
have used this film many many times color quality is GOOD and always available used with two different types of 35mm caneras ae1 canon , minolta
Could be one of the finest 35mm all around general purpose films on the market today.  I have used Fujifilm Super HQ in various ASA speeds.  I prefer the 24 exposure roll, as in my work, I really don't need to have 36 exposure.  But the quality of the photographs are just awesome, bright, vibrant colors. In many cases, a great film under controlled as well as adverse climate conditions.  I use digital photography as well as film.  I prefer film.  It makes a great archive of special events.  I recommend this film to anyone - amature and professional photographer alike.  This film certainly has a place in your camera bag.
Warning!!! Do Not Buy This Product!!! Expiration Date Too Close!!!! ( 2 months for 4 cartridges)  And you will lose too much money to justify sending it back to them!!!
Excellent value and it was delivered in a timely fashion. Added this to an order I made for convenience. I am still a &#34;old school&#34; film user. Prefer the qualities it brings to landscapes.
IF YOU ENJOY TAKING THE SHARPEST PICTURES EVER....TAKE OUT THE OLD FILM CAMERA AND PUT IN FUJIFILM 200........WOW.......WOW.....WOW.... YOU CANNOT COMPARE IT TO ANY DIGITAL CAMERA.....
I have enjoyed using Fuji film for years... I never had a worry when using it.  Now that I am going back to film shooting... the first color film I thought of and bought for my 35mm film cameras was Fuji.
Fuji film is very high quality and their color rendition is what I like. I am glad to see that film is still being made and sold!
Same great stuff I used to get in japan when shooting film. Fine grain, great color, and really forgiving. Ordered it along with a Canon Film rebel on here.Edit: I too received generic Fuji instead of the HQ, nonetheless still great film just a heads up. Not near to expiration like some people said they got. Mines good till 2014/03
Film I received was not near the expiration date like others have said theirs was. I received the film at the end of 02/12 and it says to develop it by 01/14, so that's a fair bit of time. However, it was not Fujifilm Super HQ as was advertised, it was Fujifilm Fujicolor. I'm no photographer but I assume Super HQ is better than Fujicolor and I wanted what I thought was better film for my the cameras I was wanting to test out (that are older than I am). Two stars off for not selling what they advertised, but one star back on because not only do I not care that much (not a professional - or even good - photographer) but it also arrived two days before the first estimated arrival date.
I'm glad they still do 4 packs of color film.  Black and White I didn't find 4 packs, but that's okay.  I prefer the color quality in Fujii Film to Kodak.  I feel like fuji film tends to have better contrast for some reason, and better color range.  While some places I've been tend to develop prints from my fuji film more of a green color than it should be, I think the colors are vibrant and true.
I haven't found such a great deal on this film anywhere else.  And it is fresh.  The expiration date is November 2015.We always get great pictures with Fujifilm.
This was a gift.  I'm sure it was as good as any film pack.  I have not heard any feedback.
Film has good color development, to give accurate representation of picture taken.  Very good product for the cost of the film.  Will order again.
Had a hard time finding 35 mm film where I live. Found the Fujifilm on Amazon.I used the film on a resent fishing trip in Montana. I'm happy with the way my pictures turned out.Good film
I purchased from Continental Supply nd they sent me generic fujifilm NOT Fuji HQ film. They did refund my money but it was a big pain because I needed Fuji HQ film.
Got the film very quickly. I didn't have any expiration issues with my order, it's listed as next year 2015.
The film is excellent becuase it is Fuji Film,however, the company is promoting the film as Super HQ Speed and it is not. It is regular 200 speed film when it arrives. I was given a full refund and was told to keep the product.
Could it be my seller? IT came in a 3 pack and one odd roll of film. IT was really strange. And it does not say expiration date.Film turn out okay thou. probably won't buy again
Thought I was buying a higher grade of Fuji but it is plain. Still Fuji is good and you can't buy it across the counter anymore so I am just glad to have it.
I bought this as a gift to go with the 35mm camera I bought for my sister. I'm just glad they still make film in this day and age of digital cameras!
Gave it to someone who asked for it.  They used it and it worked fine.  But they really need to get a digital camera.  Too hard to come by and these films are expiring quickly.
Great film for a great price. My photog cousin loves this so I keep getting it as a gift for her on holidays!
Shipped very promptly but discovered it wasn't APS film.  Tried to return but never heard back from vendor.
The perfect film for lomography cameras. Fujifilm has done it again. They never dissapoint. I use this film for all of my cameras.
it was a 3 pack with a roll...not as it was featured on the pic...i just hope that rolls of film are in good condition.
I have a digital camera, but tend to waste more photo paper than it is worth.  Back to the old reliable film.  Take it into walmart, get the photos back in about 5-days along with a photo cd.  Very pleased.
I have always been pleased with Fuji film, because of its emphasis on the blues, greens, and darker hues I find more pleasing that Kodak's. With my Canon T2, I get the best results from FujiFilm, and I can't wait to try the 200 and 800 speed!I am very pleased with my purchase, the speed of the shipment, and the price!
If you're here, then you already know that film is pretty much an obsolete art form in the common world but will continue to shoot film anyway.  I'm a traditionalist, I love the look of analog over digital.Fuji 800 is a nice film stock in my opinion.  I like to see grain and slightly flat colors.  I don't mean that in a critical way, Fuji absolutely retains color information in the negative (which can be brought out easily in Photoshop - one of the digital era tools that I do love)  Since it has a wide latitude, you can shoot in relatively low light situations while still getting a fair amount of quality.  You will see a good amount of grain, but this is what I love about analog film.  It's got a more rustic quality to it, and isn't cringe-worthy like that of digital noise.Sharpness, colors, detail... all this of course depends on what camera you are using, lenses, and the subject.  I used this for more of a travel-journalistic approach and have found that because of it's latitude you can easily shoot in many light situations without the hassle of too much adjusting.  With proper lighting setups, then this film easily will provide you with what you need for decent 35mm prints (let's be honest, you can't blow up 35 too much anyway)  For "better" image detail with less grain, then opt for the 2 or 400 speed film.  Of course, you will not have the benefit of being able to shoot with less light.Great price.  Also pretty damn near impossible to find hour developing places anymore!
As A Professional Audio Engineer, And An Amateur Photographer, I Take Many Pictures At Concerts...Kodak Is Good, But Never Comes Out Very Colourful, And The Generics Just Plain Suck...Fuji Film Really Brings Out All The Coloured Lights...The Oversaturation Of Colour Is Great, But Sometimes Unwanted...Agfa Is Good All Around Film, With Excellent Sharpness, But Tends To Be Expensive...Fuji Film Rules...
This is Not the proper film for the Intova Reusable Sports Waterflash Snap Sights camera I purchased, even though Amazon recommended it.  The camera is supposed to have 27 exposure film, not 24.  Other than that, it seemed fine.
I use this film in my Canon Rebel and just love it!  Most of what I take looks like a postcard with this film.  I've photographed things in the worst lighting conditions with no problems whatsoever with this film.  It can be light at times, depending on the developer, but all-in-all, I'm VERY satisfied with this film and buy it quite frequently.  Most of what I use it for are photographs of family, but it is also used for items pictured on ebay and it just does a wonderful job.  I can't recommend this film enough!
A few years ago I discovered by accident that this 800 film produces vibrantly colorful prints in all levels of light.  Now I use it in bright, sunny locations without hesitation, as well as indoors, and with flash.  Outdoor scenes with lots of greenery are especially saturated with color.My only complaint is minor - caucasion complexions tend to appear slightly pale, unless focus and exposure are set especially for the skin.  That's not enough to keep me from using the film, though. My specialty is photographing children at play outdoors, and this film has become my "default" film when I can't predict sun/shade situations.  I know I'll be fine no matter what conditions are when it's picture time.
Film is disappearing fast now. Just not economical to produce,stock and sell I guess. Digital is the thing now.This film is 800 ASA. It allows you to use higher shutter speeds and tighter apertures so you can get better pictures in lower light situations or to stop motion of a busy subject (kids). I think the relative merits of different films and brands of film is becoming moot. ANY film you are able to find will be good film!Get some now and keep it in your fridge for later.
I was pleasantly surprised as I delve back into film photography, at how flexible, colorful and grain-free is this Fujifilm Reala 800!  I used it for the first time it in my modern Zeiss Ikon 35 mm super-gorgeous rangefinder w/ 50mm Planar f2.0; 8x10 enlargements showed zero grain and a wonderful almost 3D quality in the prints.  I really am pleased with my results vs my digital equipment. In a nutshell: a little contrasty, beautiful color, sharp, really forgiving (exposure) no visible grain and a wonderful realistic 3D quality. Also handles indoor lighting really well without the funky green tint that I've seen with other films. I haven't tried it outdoors (may be pushing my luck) but indoors it has been awesome!
They work great! And I totally recommend this product, they were a bargain and I have gotten great quality pictures with these.
This is some really good basic film. The colors are good and the price is nice too. I use these a lot because they are affordable and the results always come out pretty good.
nice nice nice.  For a fast film this has good color and seems to be forgiving on the exposure.  We use it for karate picts where we don't want the flash.  Since costco still develops and puts on DVD using this is not expensive and makes the kids think before they snap a picture.
I love to shoot this film indoors with my SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 lens on one of my Pentax bodies for available-light shots. The colors are good and the grain is minimal. My go-to film is Fujicolor 200 because it can be had so inexpensively, but when I need a couple extra stops I reach for this Superia X-tra 800 every time.
Es una pel&iacute;cula muy el&aacute;stica en su capacidad para exponer las sombras y las zonas muy iluminadas. Un buen balance de color y una pl&aacute;stica muy buena en los tonos intermedios. Le hace a uno pensar que la pel&iacute;cula todav&iacute;a sigue siendo una opci&oacute;n para fotografiar.
Very grainy on outdoor shots.Good quality indoors.  Good colors on indoor.  Colors ran outdoorsI would recommend for indoor
My main reason for preferring this film is because, as far as color goes, this is rich color with a reasonably high ISO.  I'm not really that worried about grain since that's part of the draw of shooting film nowadays (at least it is for me).When I shoot on film, I use a Pentax ME Super without a flash, hence why I use ISO 800, since when I'm at f/2.8 I can shoot comfortably in a reasonably well lit room.  And when I'm shooting on overcast days, this film still keeps the pictures looking good.The final reason that this is most often in my camera (if I'm not shooting Kodak bw4oocn) is because its affordable and readily available.  Fuji makes great film and this is a solid performer for general use.My only concern is that I've had some issues with the film being to tight and it some rolls have been a little hard to load or to catch on the winder (its simply harder to pull out of the cassette).  Half of that is user error, but it seems like I have to try more often to get this film to catch in the mechanism (and in an point and shoot camera you probably won't notice if the film isn't actually advancing).  Just be careful loading and it should all go smoothly.
I used this product before, and it was OK, but on the last purchase I had a bad experience with the film, it came out in weird colors. I like Fuji, I think that was a rare case of failed quality control.
This is a pretty amazing film, all things considered.  It's fast with less grain than some 400 speed films, imo.  Colors are as vivid as it gets for a film this speed, and it can be used outdoors. This film is very versatile. So much so, that I generally use this now instead of 400 speed films if shooting with focal lenghts beyond the standard 50.  It's also quite inexpensive. Don't even bother with the Kodak 800 speed films. Though more readily available, this Fuji product is /way/ superior in every respect.
I was very happy to find this product on-line, as I refuse to purchase a digital camera. The experience of taking pictures (the old fashioned way!) and waiting for them to be developed is all part of the experience of photo taking and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Keep providing this product!
This was the wrong film could not use it but gave it to a friend who has been searching and was glad to receive it from me and will buy some from this company soon.
I suspect the last pack I bought was in a container that got x-rayed.  Lost some great photos. Bye bye.
I had a Fujifilm point-an-shoot camera, so I thought maybe digital isn't their forte and ending up buying their film.After I took about 24 photos using my Pentex Super Me camera. I had them develop at my local CVS Pharmacy, and it turns out the person who sold them inserted the film backwards. It's a waste of money and time.I would recommend buying from Kodak, their film is more trusted and hasn't given me any problem.Pros:PackagingCons:Film inserted backwards.package looked damaged..Not worth paying $2 and up.
I have been unable to find this product in  the places I usually buy it. It was a pleasure to buy it on-line.
The mailing was quick and I couldn't purchase this film any more in retail.  I have a great camera--Kodak Advantix--and I don't want to junk it just because I can't find film any more.
Love my camera and the film is hard to find....
It is great to find this film for my mother-in-law's camera. It is not available at stores any more so she was delighted to find a place to buy it. The shipment was on time too.
They were purchased because of the specific film required for an older camera.  They were expensive butunderstandably because of their lack of availability.
The film was what I needed for my camera as I can not purchase it locally anymore.  Which is a shame as there are many people who still use this film.
Before my digital camera, we bought this online when we could not find the film in the economy. Very convenient!
This is a good deal for anyone who still uses this type of film. It was three loose individual rolls instead of a three pack but the outer packing just gets thrown out anyway so this is not an issue.
Now that the APS film is no longer available in most retail locations, it is great that there are a lot of sources on Amazon to choose from.
I ordered this for an in law who is still using a film camera, no matter how hard it is to find film and even though she owns a digital camera.This turned out to be the wrong film, so I never got to use it to see if it was good or not.I will say that I was able to return it with no problems at all.  I like that.
My step mother has a camera that uses this film but she was unable to locate any right before Christmas. I found some for her and she was pleased to receive it just before Christmas so she could continue to take holiday pictures for one more year. The only thing I did not care for was the way it was packaged. The rolls were all thrown into a box and shipped this way. I thought it would show a label from the manufacturer saying who made it and have an expiration date on it. The advertisement for the film did not offer the expiration date either which was disappointing. At least it gave my stepmother one more year to use her camera.
Fun film. Great colors and really like the ASA400 speed.
Searched all over the town I live in and could not find film for my Minolta waterproof APS camera. Plenty of places will process the film, for some reason, they do not sell it. Have had the camera several years and for fishing trips where the weather may get nasty, I prefer to expose the camera to elements where I am reluctant to use my digital.  Besides, I have taken great underwater pictures where the digital absolutely cannot go. Thank you Amazon for allowing me to keep my camera for years to come!
I performed extensive tests (about 2 rolls each) of Fuji and Kodak APS films at 100, 200, and 400 ASA, using a Canon ELPH camera (the original aspherical zoom lens model). I shot a variety of outdoor scenes in a variety of lighting conditions (e.g. downtown skyscraper architectural with bright clear blue sunny skies, flowers and trees with both bright sun and shade, rock close-ups in overcast). I shot a few indoor locations, without a flash at ASA 400, with flash for the others. I examined the results for color, range, clarity and grain. Here's what I saw:For ASA 100, Kodak kicked butt. Clearly better color rendition, and much, much tighter grain and better detail in all the bright lighting situations, especially with panorama print.For ASA 400, I was pleasantly surprised that Fuji really outperformed the Kodak film. Fuji had vibrant blues and was good all across to the reds. Kodak felt washed out on the blue side, weirdly. Also surprising was that Fuji had tighter grain in bright conditions; they both looked grainy of course in lower light, but the Fuji somehow felt smoother or less chunky in the blown-up panorama prints. It also seemed to have better tonal range in both light and dark settings.Frankly, neither of the ASA 200 films seemed acceptable to me for outdoor shots; indoors with flash, both were OK and Kodak was maybe better color. Outside, they both felt lower contrast/saturation, subsequently cramped color, didn't have the tight grain of the 100, and didn't work as well in low light and indoors (without flash) as the 400. Just seemed not worth it compared to the two options.
Mom Loves Her Camera But the Film Is Getting Hard To Find. Not only is it hard-to-find, it is now very expensive. It's just about time to convince her that she wants a digital camera. Until them, however, I am glad we could find film for her on Amazon.com
As always with things ordered from Amazon, the product was as advertised, in great shape, and came promptly.Even though I live near two large cities it has become impossible to find this particular type of film anymore.  No store carries it.  My camera that uses this film works great and it upset me that no store carries it anymore.  I guess these places expect people to just chuck their working cameras.  I was pleased to see that Amazon carries it (hope they continue to), and will order all my film from Amazon from now on.
I got 3 loose rolls of film, not as pictured in orginal Fuji wrapping.Without original wrapping I cannot tell the film's experation date.
I'm not sure if you can still purchase APS cameras, but if you have one film is hard to come by. They don't even sell it at the drug stores. If you use it I would say stock up no because with reduced demand and the fall of Kodak it could suffer the same fate as betamax.
Unfortunately, This type of film is outdated and almost extinct like a dinosaur.  I loved the feature of the camera that took this type of film.  It had panoramic views as well as 4X6 and snapshot views. But, With the age of digital this camera is obsolete.  I only could find replacements on Amazon.com. Thanks Amazon! Irish Lassy 1-17-2012
My mother refuses to use a digital camera.  She prefers her APS Canon Elph.  With this film, pictures come out crisp and clear.  No complaints.  Highly recommended.
I've run a lot of this film at ASA400 and ASA200 through a Fuji Tiara 1010 APS camera, and have gotten excellent results with it. The Fuji's fixed focal length lens is nice and sharp, and the combination of the sharp lens with this film produces brilliantly colored, sharp photos. I've had a number of photos with this film blown up to 8 x 12 size, and it's surprising how sharp and ungrainy the photos are. You really can't see the grain all that well except at ASA400 looking at a patch of blue sky. I've framed and mounted some of these photos on the wall of my office, and have gotten many compliments on them over the last several months by people who've dropped by my office. (Of course, it helps that these photos were of the Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park Amphitheater. Bryce Canyon has to be about the most photogenic place on earth.) If the person is a knowledgeable photographer, they're always surprised to find out the photos were taken with an APS camera with its smaller film format and relatively fast, ASA400 film. One thing I've noticed is that this film doesn't punch up the color intensities, especially in the green and blue range, as much as the Fuji Velvia series, which produces the most riotous colors you could possibly want. If you want really brilliant and intense colors, you can't beat the Velvia film. The Nexia film is closer to actual reality, and sometimes I prefer that to the Velvia. Either way, I've gotten good results from both films.
I can no longer buy film for my camera in this small town I live in so being able to buy it online was a very good thing.  I ordered what I believed to be the film that I normally use and in the short time that I received it I found it is certainly just that.  Now, I'm happy and snapping away.
I love my old Advantix Kodak camera and I was very pleased to even be able to find some film...It takes nice pictures...Even though I normally use my digital I still like old fashioned film and this fills the bill...
this  item was represented as new film and cost over $10 a roll,.  It expired in 2008!  We would not have spent that much money for such old film.
We own a camera that requires APS (Advantix) film. Apparently, this is a discontinued camera and the stores are no longer carrying this film. We have only been able to purchase it thru Amazon. Thankfully, it is still available here.
Have digital camera now, but still wish I had a regular camera with the film and negatives to go thru and printed out.
I have one of the standard kodax avantix cameras, and I must say that I can't tell the difference between this and Kodak film in my camera.  I see another reviewer mentioned problems with his olymus and a difference when used in it. My camera is not one of the more expensive one, so I don't expect mych out of it. I find that the pictures are good for my average use.  SO check this out, not a problem in my book, but you may have to check for yourself.
these were fun for our pool party. You need to take them to Walmart drop box to get them developed
If you need great amateur photo shots (vacation) while snorkeling, these are the affordable cameras to use. Give good close up photos up to 25 feet.
the pics turned out to be just ok considering the cost of the camera, however I lost a lot of available pics because after loading i couldn' hear a click and never knew if cam was ready
This camera was great on our white water rafting trip! the pictures turned out great and I loved being able to take pictures on the trip!
While my grandchildren haven't used them yet, because they are disappointed that they are not digital, I know that will enjoy the picture that take later this week when I kind of force them to use them while swimming.  They really don't appreciate that they are waterproof.
My boyfriend and I used this camera on vacation in Aruba to take silly underwater photos when we went snorkeling. They were the best pictures from the whole trip!!
I bought this camera to take some pictures of a snorkeling excursion in Hawaii.  Since it was a disposable underwater camera I wasn't expecting any thing outstanding....just some pictures to capture my first snorkeling adventure.For the most part the pictures came out fine.  Can't really expect too much from a disposable camera that is taking pictures under the water.  The camera didn't leak like others had commented on.  I also used it to take some pictures above the water and they came out fine.Overall, the camera met my expectations and I'm happy I have some memories of my first snorkeling adventure!
We took them on vacation and didn't have to feel guilty about shooting film. One of them got jammed but the others were fun to use
It really does serve its purpose, and I bought it strictly for snorkeling. But, it was a little difficult to see through the tiny view window with a mask on. I also found that the trigger was very sensitive and I couldn't tell if I had taken a picture or not until I looked at the counter. Good for underwater though.
I bought this for our Jamaica trip because we were planning on going to the Dunn's River waterfall and I didn't want to get my regular digital camera wet. When we got there I changed my mind and used my digital camera anyway but since I didn't want to let this disposable one go to waste I just ended up taking random pictures around the resort and filled it up that way. When we got back home and I had it developed not one single picture came out and I didn't even use it in or around water, I only took outdoors pictures around the resort in bright daylight. Since I used my regular camera for all the important stuff I didn't really care but if I had used it for something important it would have turned into a huge disappointment.  Not sure how it works under water but since it can't even get a good shot outside the water I'm assuming it won't do much better under water. Think twice before buying one of these.
I purchased this film fo be used by a 10 year old boy while snorkeling.  The price was on the low end and I didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the under water pictures.  He got some great shots of  stingrays, turtles and fish under water. One of our guides went deeper and shot some pictures of us snorkeling and they too are very clear.  The quality of the pictures was good enough for my grandson to submit a couple of pictures to a Beta Convention Competition.  Good value!
I used this for a trip to Miami and it took great pictures!  Only one print had a weird spot.  The rest of the images came out very clear.  It was easy to use, too.  I am getting on Amazon now to order another one for the pool this summer!
I read everyones review and bought six to take to Jamaica. The underwater photos were grainy and no color vibrancy like I had hoped. on land the pictures in the evening were gray and very grainy. I had a lot of pictures that were a complete waste. I don't know if kodak is better but I will try them next time.
I went snorkeling in Bermuda, used two of these, and they worked great. Easy to use, simple point and shoot camera. Waterproof, easy to shoot and wind in sandy water. Out of the water the pictures were alive and balanced with color. Underwater the pictures were good on a rainy day, focus was ok. To get better pictures get an underwater case for your digital camera. For it's ease of use and being disposable, I recommend this! I checked out the reviews of the other camera's out there and this is a clear leader. It has a large rubber band to help keep the unit at hand. Also note this is a waterproof case around a standard disposable camera.If you like to save money, you can remove the 35mm film to develop as a standard roll. You can, as I did pry the case open, pry the camera open and viola! - Develop and enjoy
I excitedly bought 4 of these cameras to go snorkeling in Belize. It looks very cool and I love the little lever to snap the photos. However, the proof is in the pictures. They came out horribly grainy, plain and simple. The few that were salvageable required a great deal of retouching. Many years ago I used Kodak's version of waterproof 35mm cameras and the picture quality was 10 times better. So that's what I plan to go back to next time and I highly recommend others do the same to avoid disappointment.
I feel this was a good deal for disposable underwater cameras, although I prefer the digital camera that I recently invested in.  I am able to preview the picture I'm taking, instead of taking several because I'm not sure what it looks like -- the pictures must be developed and I don't like waiting.  Of course, I knew this upon purchasing, I just didn't realize how much more convenient the digital version was.  I am giving the remainder of the pack to my kids for playing in the pool.
Price great.
If I could give less than one star, I would.  I purchased 3 of these for a trip to Discovery Cove to use in Sea Venture, which takes place in about 15 ft of mostly clear water.  We were there on a bright, sunny day-saw gorgeous fish with amazing colors and snapped up almost all of the pictures on these three cameras. ALL THREE CAME BACK VARIOUS SHADES OF GRAY. With a lot of editing, I can get main shapes, but absolutely zero color and you can't tell who anyone is.  I have never been more disappointed in a roduct in my life.  It says it's waterproof to 35 ft on the packaging.  I had to go to the website to find that they recommend shooting in only 1-3 meters of water (our pictures would have mostly fallen within that range.) A great trip and NOTHING on film with which to remember it and for me, the pictures are at least half of my enjoyment.
Quality and built seemed ok, but I didn't find it very easy to use. its not because of this particular camera, but in general when you are swimming and shaking on the surface of water, its very difficult to see what you are capturing through the viewfinder. I have given the roll for development, dont know how the pics will come out.
I've used a bunch of these on recent dives. If you're not lower than 4-6ft, then this camera is OK. Anything deeper than that though and you're better off getting a professional camera.Even in shallow waters, photos will come off grainy, color will be somewhat off, and overall quality is mediocre. Still, it will work which I suppose is better than not.After using a bunch of these on multiple dives, i ended up getting a HERO3 camera. While the HERO3 is obviously more expensive, the image quality is superb and was well worth the price. Still, for quick , shallow dives this camera will do the job.
I posted this on a whim for my son's fieldtrip. I used tons of disposable cameras growing up and thought he might have fun taking some pictures on his field trip. I wasn't ready to send him with a digital camera, so I went to Amazon to have something delivered by the day of the trip. The camera itself was great. Didn't take great photos indoors in dim lighting, but other than that the photos were great. The strap was great as he was able to hold onto the camera much easier. These are definitely cheaper other places, but for a working mom like me, having it delivered to the door in less than two days was definitely worth the few extra bucks spent here versus a big box store.I think I'll invest in a cheap, small digital camera for the future. Probably 60% of his photos didn't turn out for whatever reason, so it was a pain to have them developed only to find out they were terrible pictures. I think it would have been easier to have a digital camera so I could know ahead of time which ones were worth printing. He had fun taking them (and took all 27 within an hour or so) but I'm definitely on the search for a small digital camera he can use himself.
Took pics off of Key Largo on a sunny day right below the surface. Maybe I wasn't close enough to the objects underwater (it supposedly says you can be 8-10 ft. away), but expected a little bit more clarity/color in the pictures since the water was pretty clear and it was a bright and sunny day. I saw some amazing things---bright-colored fish, a nurse shark, and even a sea turtle, but the pictures do not look amazing.
They float in the water. They are nice quality and take great pics. Highly recommend for the water. And, one camera is never enough. We used two of these on our vacation, and have two left for our trip in February.
We bought to use on our trip to Hawaii, were easy to use.  However, not real pleased with the final pictures of our snorkeling.  Many turned out very fuzzy and hard to distinguish the fish.
Kids loved using these at the water park
I bought these for my grandsons beach visit.  They are 8 and 10 y.o.  They were easy for them to use and they loved having their own camera.  The photos have not yet been developed, but they sure had a lot of fun using them.
The film had a very long expiration date on it and was very easy to work under the water. However, the viewfinder was extremely small and it was somewhat difficult to capture your item for photo in the viewfinder. It worked great in shallow water without a flash but didn't quite capture the color of the fish that we would have like. All in all, it was decent for an underwater camera. Since it isn't a digital camera, but instead was 800 speed film, it was pretty costly to develop.
I took 4 of these on a trip to the sea - to surf and snorkel. NONE of the underwater shots turned out, and the above water photos were so grainy and washed out I tossed them into the trash.Very disappointing!
I took the cameras down to St. Maarten to use while snorkeling and on the beach, these things take horrible pictures.  The quality is awful, very grainy and the color was terrible.  To add insult to injury, it was very expensive to have developed at WalMart.I forgot what brand disposable camera I used in the 90's but those pictures were far superior to these.  I guess they don't make them like they used to.
This camera definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of picture quality; I was pleasantly surprised.  I think that the view finder makes you think you are closer to an object than you really are, though, so get up close and snap those fishes!
I bought it for my 10 yrs old son who's going to a school trip amusement park, mechanic and water rides. Easy to use and nothing to lose if he loses the camera, Price is reasonable. I just wish it can have more than 27 exposures but for a 10 yrs old, 27 exposures is just good enough.
I've used these cameras before, and they take great pictures if you have a steady hand. When I saw the price of $28 for a four-pack...well, I can't beat that locally.
I think that the negative reviews about these cameras are from people that don't understand cameras. This Camera has NO FLASH, therefore it needs bright light to take pictures. It is designed for days at the beach or pool - use it for that, and you will be happy! We bought the 4 pack, and the only pictures that didn't come out were from user error (we had two 8 year old girls taking pics as well)
what else can you say. it's the same disposable super-wide-angle-lens, 800 ISO cameras you used for years before digital cameras, but waterproof.
We purchased these for our gift bags for a wedding because we were going on a Caribbean Cruise. Everyone loved them.
Bought three of the Fujifilm Quick Snap cameras.  Was not expecting much but the price was good.  Took all 81 pics and they turned out far better than I ever hoped.  No problems.  Drop them and they suspend in salt water.  Very happy with the results.  Great clarity and color under water for at least 10' down.  I was just snorkeling.
Shopped around for cameras to use while snorkeling. These were cheaper and worked much better then the kodack version I purchased last year. Better quality pictures and easier to use.
this camera was a blast to use on the cruise, at the beach and at the waterpark amongst the kiddos.  highly recommend!
my wife and i bought 3 of these cameras for our trip to St Maarten. the ones we took above water for the most part came out fine (as expected with any camera) but the underwater pics were cloudy and didnt pick up the colors of the fish/sea life we photographed. You are better off drawing an underwater picture w/ crayons because you will get better results.
Picture quality was just average for a single use camera but it was nice to have snorkeling.
I bought 2 of these for us to take to Jamaica with us for use in the water and excursions. I was pretty happy with the outcome of the film once I got it developed, but it does seem like 1 was better than the other. Almost all of our film from 1 camera was blurry, but the other ones turned out great. Still a great idea for those trips that you can't take your phone or real camera in or around the water!
i took this on a cruise because i knew we were going snorkeling and wanted to get some good pictures.  I'm sure some people wouldnt love the quality, but it is a disposable camera.  It worked perfectly for me and i got some great pictures and memories to last a lifetime.
Have bought about 4 of these so far and they haven't let me down yet. Cheap and simple to use. Really decent photos above as well as underwater.
Sent a few of these cameras to a camp which is on a lake. My daughter loved using them and we were happy to keep her digital camera safe from loss or destruction. The pictures turned out well. Grainier than digital but that is the reality of film cameras. The price on Amazon was very competitive in the online market and much cheaper than in the store.
took lots of pictures of fish, easy to use, easy to carry underwater, was a good experience. The viewfinder is a bit small with a mask on is all.
I love these, I take them on snorkeling trips and boat-trips.  Picture quality is very good, better than expected, as long as I don;t aim for somethign too far out.  Even underwater pictures turn out great!  The big knob makes for easy use.  The only drawback is the viewfinder, which can be a bit tricky, especially underwater as it is rather small.  But, as I am not expecting professional quality pictures ... the memories recorded with these cameras have always been great!!  I will use these again and again!
I ordered these because we were going on vacation and would be doing a lot of snorkeling.  They worked ok but the pictures weren't great.
Used this camera in a snorkeling escapade where the sun was really, really bright.  The photos were taken approximately from depths ranging from above water-3 feet deep.  All of the photos lack really good sharpness, clarity and are somewhat fuzzy.  If you can remember the 35mm camera taking days you will understand exactly what to expect.These photos represent that cheaper rolls of 200 speed film that one could buy for their 35mm cameras back then.  If you recall the absence of crispness, detail and such...then you know exactly what i am talking about.  For that is how all of my photos turned out.Slightly below average photos.  If you were going to take a bunch of photos i would suggest buying a cheaper, compact digital camera and one of the waterproof pouches that allow for taking of pictures underwater.  A digital camera that does not have the telescopic lens would be ideal in these type bags.By the time you purchase 3 of these cameras and have the pictures developed at $10.00 per, you have already spent enough money to purchase a small compact digital camera.ChrisEastern NC
This is the worst underwater disposable I've ever used. Out of 27 shots only 5 even developed, and those were so dark you could only see blurs.$10 for the camera and $10 for developing, a complete waste.
Bought 4 of these for our trip to Hawaii.  Used them underwater for snorkeling and we also did a shark cage tour.  I was so looking forward to seeing these pictures.  I had them developed at Walgreens in Glendale, Arizona.  Out of all of those pictures, two were okay.  I was so devastated.  We will never have an opportunity like that again.  The clerk at Walgreens told me these underwater disposable cameras never develop well.  Please don't spoil your trip or memories with these cameras.  Look elsewhere.
Took it to Costa Rica for the waterfalls and what not. Took a few cool pictures and most of them developed with no problems. With the exception of 1 or 2 pictures. But I think it was the person using it that messed them up.
Took this on a cruise to the Caribbean, and most of my photos turned out with some kind of filtered 1970's look to them. Probably just from all that sun, and the whole not-being-an-iphone thing, but I love the way they turned out, and it was fun to take pictures underwater.
I purchased two of these camera's to take to the carribean on vacation. I had read reviews and some of them were not very good. But I figured they are cheap and if the pics didnt turn out good it would not be a big deal. We used them while snorkeling and on the beach. I got the pictures developed as soon as we got home (the instructions say to develop pics as soon as poss.) and they turned out better than expected. The quality does not compare to a digital camera but who cares, it takes pics underwater for a great price. We got a lot of cool uderwater shots. It has a rubberband attached to it that makes it easy to not lose while swimming. Would definatly recommend this camera.
Makes me feel like a kid again!  In a world where everything is electronic and unsafe near pool parties, this is a great throwback!
Bought two cameras so my boyfriend and I could each have one while snorkeling.  Some of the pic came out cloudy - but for the most part the pics were pretty good - some were even really good:)
On a snorkeling trip we used this camera both in and out of water, and the results were terrific. It produced some hysterical pictures of my husband and I underwater!  The fish turned out well, as did the coral. We looked like dorks! It was fun and easy to use.
My husband and I bought this for our first snorkelling trip, realizing the pictures wouldn't be the best quality. No, they're not, but we did get some good ones. I'd say about 10 out of the batch (which was worth it for us).
If you are going to a place where you expect to be snorkeling, these work really well. I bought them in preparation for my honeymoon in MX; good thing I bought them here first and not in Mexico. The same cameras were $20 each in Playa del Carmen... no thanks! Avoid paying the tourist price, pick some of these up and shove them in your checked bag, well worth it.
I bought these cameras for our honeymoon in Maui, so we'd be able to capture any water activities we did. They are your average disposables - I was surprised though of the quality (or lack thereof) of the underwater pictures. I guess I can't complain too much since I knew this would be a cheap option.
We took these cameras river rafting in the Grand Canyon and got some great photos. Very nice and well worth it for vacationing where water is involved. :)
Bought this for my Grand-daughter who went to Florida, and she took it on her water skidoo, it got wet and still took great pics..would buy again.
brought this to make a basket to raffle off, looks like fun. can't wait to see their face when they win
Great quality for snorkeling fun with friends. A little enhancing from Photoshop and these held their own against photos from my Nikon.
This is a great camera, but be aware that it has no camera ands needs good light for the pictures to turn out well.
If you are needing a waterproof camera and want to get it for a great price. I strongly recommend purchasing this 4 pack.
My wife and I bought this camera for our recent trip to Mexico. We were very disapointed on how this camera worked and the quality of pictures it took. We were not able to zoom in at all when using the camera and it was nearly impossible to see what you were taking pictures of. We went snorkling and paid our guide $25 to take pictures for us with his digital camera. We ended up with 125 great pictures from that trip. We developed our camera and had no pictures that didn't just look blue. What a waste of money.
Gift for my sister to take on a snorkeling trip.  Have purchased in the past.  Quality good enough to capture memories and much less expensive than an underwater digital camera that would only get used a few times a year.
Hard to use without moving the camera. Pictures were mostly blurry and did not keep. Guess it's what you expect from single use camera
I researched waterproof cameras for at least a month before taking our trip to the Florida keys that included snorkeling, para-sailing and jet-ski's on the ocean. I went with these disposables as they had one of the best waterproof depths I could find on a disposable and unless you plan to spend more than $200-300 on a non-disposable it's not worth buying a regular camera. The two biggest tricks to waterproof cameras when under the water is the angle of the camera in relation to the sun (it's very easy to over-expose because of the light reflection/refraction underwater) and how much the water is moving (if it's windy or your near the surface of the ocean, your probably going to be getting moved around in the water alot, causing blurryness) These had a shutter speed of 800, which worked relatively well in 1/1.5 foot swells (9-11mph winds) A few were overexposed or blurry, but that was not the camera's fault at all, as you can't control the movement of the ocean). The shots were best when the subject was within 3-5 feet or if you were in less than 10 feet of water due to water clarity where we were. The shots we took while para-sailing turned out simply fantastic! My best suggestion is that if your in and out of the water, make sure there isn't a water splash over the lens when your taking an out-of-water shot. Oh... they also come with a rubber wrist band which was VERY handy!We still have one left out of the 4 pack that we'll be using in our pool this summer, I will try and post a follow up then, but expect them to be fantastic as pools are much more clear than ocean water is.
Took good pictures once we got used to how to see and take them.  Would purchase next time we go on a trip.
No leak issues and all 4 cameras worked well. The developed film largely came out well but a couple were unintelligible. The cameras were purchased for our trip to the Bahamas. The strap is like a rubber band and winding and snapping pictures is a breeze. Next underwater trip I take, I will be purchasing more of these.
It looks like it will do the job. Fits in my hand nicely and I hope to get some memories from our trip
expected the photos to be a little better than they came out.....glad I did not spend a lot of cash on them.  But disappointed!
I BOUGHT THESE TO GO ON A CRUISE AND THEY WORKED GREAT.  GREAT QUALITY AND THE PICTURES SHOWED UP VERY NICELY.  WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE.
We got these for a cruise we just went on. I don't have much experience with water cameras, but the ones that I have had prior to these were more consistent with the quality of the photo's. These were not consistent. Some photo's were ok, but a few were just a bunch of spots, or many had almost quadrants to the photo's, or half of the photo was different from the other half.Maybe this is why there were such a good deal?? Not sure I would recommend them. Sorry.
I wanted these for a Caribbean trip and this seller gives a great deal. At Wal-Mart a similar camera is almost ten dollars for one, and got four of them here for only $35
Just what I wanted for our snorkeling trip.  Compact and easy to use.  Hoping for a beautiful sunny day, so we can get some great pictures!
Bought this for friends who were going to Hawaii for their Honeymoon. They took it with them on a snorkeling trip and absolutely loved having it to take photos underwater.
Brought a few of these for a family beach trip.  Had a couple of them developed at CVS with no problem - just had them ripped to a CD and loaded them onto my computer.  I really like the pictures.  Obviously, some images are not great - especially the ones my four-year-old took when he ran off with one of the cameras.  Got some great shots of the kids swimming, people sitting at the edge of the water, etc.  It was nice not to worry about ruining my phone or a regular digital camera trying to use it near the sand and water.  Final images kind of have an instagram-ish, nostalgic quality.
The rubber band is apparently a handle.  I inadvertently tossed it out when I opened it to look at it.  Then the next day I saw the hole on the side and thought  &#34;Oh, that is a bracelet handle. Duh&#34;
I tried in my sunny garden to baseline the quality and it did not come out good.  Comparable to CVS pharmacy disposable 35mm.  It went downhill from there:  The underwater pictures were not worth it.  Out of all the pictures, there was only one of my dog splashing into the pool that is kinda keeper.  But, it's 6 bucks.  So, c'mon, experiment with it.  If you don't like it after that, you're out 15 - 20 bucks after developing.
Each year I purchase a couple of these cameras for our snorkeling trips or just horsing around in the pool.  They take great pics, have a rubberband type handle so you don't loose them in the water, and they're very inexpensive.  Especially great for kids to use.
I bought one of these cameras for a recent trip to Maui.  I hoped to see some green sea turtles while snorkeling and wanted to capture the experience on film.  I did not have high expectations for a camera costing less than $10, but I figured that any image would be better than no image.  As it turned out, we saw lots of sea turtles and the camera far exceeded my expectations.  It took some amazing underwater photos.  See for yourself.  I have posted some of them in the customer images.  I don't know what happened with the people who gave this camera a low rating.  My photos were excellent.  If I'd known how good they were going to turn out, I would have bought more than one.  It's true that the colors in the images were originally shifted toward the blue, but that is typically the case for underwater photos unless the camera has a special filter that compensates for it.  However, it is easy to fix. I had the photos developed and put on a CD at Costco for less than $5.  (I only got the negatives and the CD, no prints).  I then transferred the digital images from the CD onto my computer where color correction could be made.  I use Photoshop Elements and it has an Auto Levels feature that corrects the color, brightness and contrast with one click of the mouse.  The posted images were adjusted using that process.  After adjustment, the digital photos that are keepers can be made into prints.  I will definitely get another one of these for the next snorkeling trip.  BTW, if you look at the customer images, although the user name is similar, FroggyM is a different person.  Their images show the blue color shift that mine had before I corrected them.
Great camera, but need full sun to get best photos.  When photos are taken in full sun, pictures are clear and full of color.
Took this camera snorkeling in Fiji.  It totally worked and most of the pictures came out, but it was a little difficult to see through the small viewfinder (esp. underwater) and the picture quality wasn't fantastic.  Perhaps I am just spoiled by digital cameras now though...
I purchased two of these cameras on a vacation in Hawaii. EVERY photo has a horrible blue haze, including both on land and underwater. The best photos are barely in focus, and everyone has a washed out dark aqua tint. Don't waste your money.
I used this camera in Hawaii. Any pictures taken underwater with this camera should be extremely close range, no more than a couple feet away, and the water has to be very clear and extremely well lit. The pictures will be a bit grainy and fuzzy. Which is to be expected to a certain degree. The best purpose for this camera is taking pictures in the water, but not necessarily under the water except under ideal conditions. I wasn't too happy with this one, might be worth the extra cash to get one with flash on it, becaues at the end of the day when only a few pictures turn out,  it's not really worth it.
It's just about the only camera I needed for a vacation to Maui. I hauled along my digital camera, my "real" 35mm camera and a handful of dry-land disposables, and this underwater camera KICKED BUTT as far as quality of shots, quality of hardware, ease of use and general cool/fun vortex rating, plus, it's almost indestructible and weighs next to nothing!YES the prints are a bit "dark" when printed without correction -- so CORRECT them! This is a Fuji-Kodak thing, I think, so ASK your processor to print them a bit lighter. The colors are outrageously rich, even the deeper-underwater shots have very good colors throughout. You have GOT to have one of these on your wrist while you snorkel!Really an excellent little product - the next time I need a dry-land disposable, I'm going to give Fuji a try based on how great this underwater Fuji was to use!
it was very good. took alot of pixs @ the Beach & resorts & didn't have to worry about it getting wet.
Good for the price. Doesn't try to be anything more than a single-use camera.Glub glub...means: Nemo, why don't you smile and put your fin around Dora!
I ordered 4 cameras for a 13 year old swimming party for their thank you bags. The pool area was well lit and some photos were even taken outside during the daylight. The film was developed and not one picture came out. I am so bummed,one that we missed the kids in the pool, and all the money I spent. Something was definitely wrong with these cameras....They do not work as it claims..
Broke on the first use.  Would not advance or take shots.  Very disappointed, as we have no photos of a fabulous snorkeling adventure that cannot be replicated.
used them in Hawaii when the family went snorkeling.  took pretty good pictures for a disposable camera! Will buy again if the need arises.
I tried several cameras on a recent dive trip, including a Kodak and a Fuji disposable waterproof camera.Neither camera has a flash, which means that everything will come out in shades of blue under water unless you bring your own light.Neither camera leaked, which gave them an edge over more expensive "professional" cameras on this trip.Both the Kodak and Fuji look very similar with a sealed plastic case (with slight positive buoyancy) and thick rubberbands for securing to a wrist or clipping to a BCD.I have to give the edge to the Fuji in terms of both design and results. The Fuji was easier to wind and to snap shots with and the pictures came out sharper. The 800 film in the Kodak produced shots that were way too grainy.I'd give it 5 stars if they added a flash and a bigger viewfinder!
Took excellent pictures underwater on land etc.  Easy to use Would highly recommend this product to anyone youn and old
I took pics near the surface (less than 2 meters) in crystal clear Caribbean Sea.  The water was 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the sky was cloudless, the sun was mostly over head, the water visibility approximately 20 meters.  I took 2 of these cameras and used all the exposures over the course of a week.  All the pics turned out horribly washed out and grainy, almost looking like negatives.  The quality of these pics could not have been much worse.  Don't bother with this product, it's a waste of time, effort, and money.
This camera worked for the purpose. We needed a waterproof camera for our swim with the dolphins in Bahamas. The pictures came out just fine considering we were in the water and moving around.
I believe the camera takes 30 shots.  We got &#34;money shots&#34; of the boys feeding NURSE SHARKS.  Follow the directions, and you can have good quality photos.  No pictures below 5 feet of water.  No full sun pictures.  There is no stress in giving a 5 year-old a $10.00 camera.  It is a little hard to wind the film knob.
They arrived very quickly and exactly as described. My daughter loved having them to take to camp, since they were water proof they survived creeking and the pool.
Nice pictures, confortable. I practice scubba diving and is very practical. I thought more than 15 feet will be a problem but actually not.
Only about two pictures came out looking good.  I admit it could have been operator error, but I took all of them and did them all the exact same way, so it's frustrating that I only got two good shots.
This camera certainly served it's purpose, but in hindsight I wish I had bought a waterproof digital camera from the start. We took 3 of these disposable cameras on our honeymoon while snorkeling and participating in other water-activities. They turned our quite grainy (imagine the pictures you took with a disposable camera in the 90's)and overall very dark unless we were in bright, direct sun. We had no idea waterproof digital camera even existed before seeing others with them on our trip, and have since purchased one. The price for the digital waterproof camera was actually less than the cost of three disposables plus the cost of developing them.
I was promised in writing that I would receive other free items with this camera order and did not as of yet.I was counting on using those helpful item on my vacation.  I am so disappointed.  The items were water prooflittle pouches, &#34;spit-fogger&#34; for goggles, little change tots, etc., there were around six items. Prayerfully they will stillcome.  I told people about the extras that would come with my purchase of the cameras. Hopefully you will be able toassist me in some way.  Please let me know what the status is.  Thank you so much.
Made the mistake of taking this camera on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Pictures were horrible. Resolution is beyond bad and the colors were even worse. Guess you get what you pay for.Fuji products are not well made.
These cameras were so much fun.  They have a rubber strap that does NOT come off in the water.  We never had to worry about them.  I was worried they would feel bulky while snorkeling, but I hardly noticed the camera at all when I wasn't using it.Advice to users:  Make sure you are in sunny waters.  The pictures aren't real clear if there are shadows.  Also, pay attention to the distance from your subject.  If you can't get closer than 3-4 feet, don't take the picture.  You will be wasting your film.  Big fish and coral come out much better than small fish.  Colors are much better in the sunlight.  I was thrilled with how well most of my pictures came out.
Any photos I took in anything but the brightest of sunlight above the water were so grainy they were hardly recognizable. Any underwater shots in the clearest of swimming pool water in full light were marginal at best. After development of the film and the camera costs I would have gotten more satisfaction tossing a 20 dollar bill onto a downtown sidewalk and watching the results. Dont waste your time or money on this camera.
Buying these cameras here is much more cost effective. They do the job with out worrying about an expensive camera. Pictures are ok, easy to travel with.
After reading many reviews on Amazon for underwater digital cameras and disposable cameras, I selected this model because it seemed to be the only one that had been positively reviewed by a SCUBA diver.  All the other models seemed to be littered with horror stories of various leakage and malfunction problems.  All I wanted was a camera that I could reliably take SCUBA diving - and this camera delivered.  My husband and I took a trip to the Caribbean and wanted to capture some underwater photos.  We bought a package of 4, shot the film on all of them, and have had all the film developed.STRONG POINTS- It's a very sturdy little camera.  Although it says that it will work to 35 ft, we were able to dive with it to 60 ft and still take pictures.  Of the 4 cameras, only 1 would not take pictures after 35 ft - meaning that you could pull the lever, but no photo was taken.  After rising back above 35 ft the photo-taking capability kicked back in.  None of the cameras malfunctioned, got crushed under pressure, or leaked.  The rubber strap is great for keeping it attached to your wrist.  These rubber bands are also great for SCUBA divers for using later with slates and other things.- The high speed film allows you to capture sea life pretty well.  Fish are fast.  I was able to get a great shot of a squid and it wasn't blurry at all.- I've read reviews of waterproof digital cameras that leaked under water, and I can't imagine losing a $100-$300 camera.  It's not a risk that I'm willing to take.  These were cheap in comparison, but incredibly sturdy.  If you want a camera that is strong enough to take SCUBA diving, this is an excellent choice.WEAK POINTS- Remember, if you shoot at depth underwater the water acts as a filter for the light.  Red is the first color to go.  Even though our eyes can still see some amazing colors, the film will not be able to capture these colors without an additional light source.  So the color quality on your pictures will not be great.  Even our best pictures underwater had heavy blue and green tones.  Moreover, this is high speed film (800), so you will not get the rich colors that come with slower speed films and longer light exposure. Again, so the colors aren't very vivid, heavy on the blues and greens, and tend to be a bit on the darker side.  However, I did get some great shots of fish by aiming my camera upwards or at an angle toward the surface.  This maximized the amount of light coming into the camera, and therefore resulted in better pictures.  Also, if the visibility isn't great then your pictures won't be great either.  While our complex eye can see through the particles to create a clear picture of what's going on, camera film can't.  So if the viz isn't good, i.e. there are lots of little particles in the water, these little particles will also show up in the picture and they will look blurry or grainy.- Taking a picture of what you want to take a picture of is extremely difficult while wearing a SCUBA mask and trying to look through the tiny view finder.  It took some practice, but I think by camera 2 I had kind of figured out how to remain buoyant and peer through the small view finder and take a picture of what I intended. This really takes some getting used to.OVERALL CONCLUSIONS- If you are looking for a camera to capture your underwater experience exactly as you experienced it... eh you probably need a really expensive digital camera with filter and a crazy expensive case manufactured by a SCUBA brand.  You'll also need some kind of flash or an underwater lamp/flash light for additional lighting.- If you just want to take pictures underwater to capture memories, then this camera will be fine.  If you're a SCUBA diver, rest assured this camera is pretty awesome for the price.  It won't leak or get crushed on you.  I have some really cool pictures of lion fish, moray eels, even a porcupine fish! that I'm so happy I have to share with family and friends.  Sure, the color isn't the best, but as SCUBA divers you know the effect that depth has on color, so it is what it is. Most of the weak points of the camera are due to the nature of taking pictures at depth under water.- If you want a camera for taking pics of your kids at the pool or for snorkeling in the shallows on a sunny day, this camera will probably give you really great pictures.  I have a picture of a sea turtle that I took at about 10 ft and the colors are pretty good.  We were both swimming together and it didn't even come out blurry because of the high speed film.
I have used these for snorkeling many times.  This time the pictures were a bit fuzzy.  Maybe it was me, maybe it was the camera.  Maybe its time to invest in a better camera?  The price was good though.
I used this camera last summer at Lake Powell and in a pool. Overall, the photos turned out great...except for many of the underwater ones. Photos taken above water (e.g. someone jumping into the pool, floating on a raft in the middle of the lake, etc.) are gorgeous. But underwater, it's very hard to predict the results. None of the underwater lake shots turned out (even though the water was clear & it was sunny), but I got about 5 or 6 underwater pool shots that I liked (out of maybe 9 or 10). So, I'd recommend it, just don't expect consistency unless you really know what you're doing.Also, this is currently being sold at B&H; Photo for $6.99, so you may want to go there for your purchase. I just bought 2 cameras, and saved $3 even with Amazon Prime's free shipping. ($17.58 at B&H; including shipping, vs $20.68 at Amazon with free shipping)
Overall, I liked this camera. The underwater shots I took are clear and it was easy to use. My friends and I got a kick out of it this summer. However, I thought I was supposed to turn the wheel on top until it couldn't be turned anymore, after each shot. As a result, I only got 21 pictures instead of 27.
This camera is a great product. Mine didn't leak and I was able to get some great pictures (They aren't perfect but in my opinion they're pretty cool)
This product is cheap and you get cheap pictures.  My wife and I used these cameras to take underwater pictures of sharks.  They came out a bit grainy, but you can still make out the shark details.  I was overall ok with the camera because you get what you pay for.  I was expecting high def pictures and I didn't get them.
Wish I could return this item. I bought it for a trip and then misplaced it. The price was reasonable.
I decided to try this camera despite a number of negative reviews.  I used the camera outside in a pool on a bright sunny day and got GREAT photos!  I also took a couple of shots to finish up the film in less than perfect lighting, and got very grainy pictures.  I'm buying more so that I can get more photos of my baby daughter swimming - I'll just make sure that the lighting is good.
I purchased this camera after reading the reviews of it and other disposables for sale. I had my doubts about the quality of pics that it would produce or if it would even work at all. I just developed my pics and they came out better than I had anticipated. The clear water of the Bahamas probably helped that as well. They of course are not professional or high grade shots, be realistic with expectations please. I have 2 more to try out hope they work as well.
I used this at the beach with one of my friends during the summer. Taking photos were easy, and with the camera in the case, we were able to take pictures without worrying about the film, not to mention toss the camera around (or chase after it after getting buffeted by the waves- the camera floats)When developing the photos, they came out slightly blurry (even the ones on the ground) and the colors seemed pale and washed out. While I haven't used film cameras in a while, I'm still positive that the color quality is much higher than what we achieved.Then again, you get what you pay for- and it's not many digital cameras that you can take into an ocean and walk back out of it with your photos. For the price we paid, we're just glad we still have the memories.
I was going on a cruise and just wanted something inexpensive so I could take some pix while snorkeling.  I wish I had not purchased a disposable camera.  No instructions on how to use.  Just worthless.  I threw it out, without ever using it.
I buy one of these every year to take on our annual water park trip. I get to take such amazing pictures under the water and even while we go down the waterslides! it has an elastic wrist strap on it that helps me while going on the rides. It doesn't have a flash, but I haven't found that to be an issue- I don't take pictures while on the enclosed slides. Overall this is worth the money to capture those moments that I can't with my regular camera.
1 out of 4 cameras developed. The people at Walgreens stated the cameras were so old it affected the film. The cost of both buying the cameras and have over exposed film developed... was so not worth it!!
THESE CAME IN FOR A FUTURE TRIP BUT THEY ARRIVED QUICKLY AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO USING THEM SOON
Great buy, don't need expensive camera.  Only has 27 exposures.  Buy several!!  Easy to have processed.  Nice to use in pool or ocean.
It could have been the operator or lack of experience, but was generally disappointed in the picture quality.  Very grainy....
Perfect Cameras for the Kids to take on the cruise. They can go from pool, to snorkeling, to Camp Carnival activities with no worries of damaging or losing an expensive camera.
I took these to go river rafting through the Grand Canyon for 16 days, brought them back and developed them at Walgreen. They came out perfect. Be careful to wipe camera to avoid water spots if taking pictures above water. Other than that, very durable. They survived 16 days on a 14 foot boat in a dry bag under a lot of stuff. SO AMAZING
I bought this pack of waterproof cameras to use on a few snorkeling excursions I had planned.  I also bought a waterproof iphone case at the same time.  The mechanical operation of these cameras is very easy to use under water.  The included rubberband strap works just fine for my small wrist.  I normally wear a 7 in. size bracelet. I think the rubberband strap would accomodate a male wrist; but I wasn't traveling with any that could try it out.  I worried somewhat that the clicking and winding of the camera could be heard underwater and might scare off the turtles and stingrays that I was with; but it didn't seem to bother them.  There were many pictures that weren't focused well; but I attribute this to being underwater.  Photos underwater were better when they weren't taken while pointing the camera straight down.  If possible, try to take any downward pointing photos in fairly shallow water.  Processing the film was quick and easy.  I made sure to ask for CD only and not paper prints.  At my Walgreens store, it's the same price for any exposure size to be put on a CD.  (These are 27 exposures each.)  Don't forget to use up all your shots while under the water.  These didn't take great pictures out of water.  Although these cameras were decent for underwater use, after using my iphone in an underwater case with nearly identical results, I will opt for that next time because it avoids the cost of these cameras and film processing.
We got some great underwater pictures of tropical fish using this this...simple to shoot, focus and use....VERY reliable and sturdy; highly recommend for casual/un-complicated vacation use
I used it for my snorkeling excursion to Bahamas. And I have no complains especially for the price. Picture were pretty much perfect.
DON'T buy this camera from Amazon. (actually you can't anyways).  We ordered this camera for our upcoming cruise.  As time was tight we chose the more expensive purchasing option from Amazon.com as it was listed as "In Stock" and "available for PRIME Shipping".  I ordered it with Prime Shipping for 2 day delivery.  Well 2 days came and went and no camera. I went back to my original order and noticed that the estimated delivery date was a week in the future? How could this be if it was "In stock" and a ordered with 2 day shipping? I cancelled and re-orded with over night shipping.  The estimated delivery date was STILL a week away! That is when I saw that the "ships and sold by Amazon.com" descprition I saw when I placed the order changed on the delivery notice to "Sold by MTA..".  Talk about bait and switch.
We took this camera to Punta Cana with us on vacation. It takes perfect underwater photos. Doesn't take good regular pic ...so only use it underwater and you'll be happy
Camera is great for underwater photos.  Photos taken not in water, but near water- like beach or pool came out AWFUL.  Also, cost is about $17 to develop.  Not really worth it.
I bought this for my first snorkeling trip.  I didn't take many pictures and my foggy snorkel mask made it a bit difficult, but I did get a few very clear good shots.I would buy this again if I went snorkeling.Conditions: mid-afternoon, sunny, coral reefs in Bermuda water too deep to stand but not that deep (reefs sometimes pretty much at eye level)
Used this camera for our recent trip and the camera is absolute crap.  We took such great pictures with this camera only to see that not one of the photographs came out decently.  I have used the Kodak underwater camera previously with great results.  Lesson learned I suppose, stay away from this camera!!
We went to French Polynesia - Tahiti & Bora Bora were our stops.  I posted pics above (shots from the Lagoonarium on Bora Bora).  We swam & snorkeled in the ocean there with tropical fish, manta rays & sharks.  Most of the pics turned out really well (& we're not great photographers).  We're so used to seeing it real time on the digital camera, but can't of course with these cameras, so we bought two and took lots of pics.  When you develop them, you can request a CD too.
Camera is a bit bigger than most disposables because of the plastic outercase.  Avoid any lotion getting on the lens area because it will become foggy instantly.  Pictures are grainy for sure, but ok if there is enough light on the underwater reef and fish.  Colors are more bright than Kodak camera.
The cameras did exactly what I hoped they would do. We went to Niagara Falls and knew we were going to be in wet spray on tours beneath the falls, the cave of the winds, and the Maid of the Mist boat to the foot of the falls.I didn't want to use my expensive digital camera in these areas, so we bought the four Fujifilm Quicksnap four camera package.I'm embarrassed to say that the best pictures from the trip came from those cameras. I don't know if film still takes better pictures than digital, or if I just didn't have the settings right on my expensive camera, or maybe professional developing is better, but the cameras did not disappoint. The pictures came out worthy of Postcard quality.Just a few things I liked about using the cameras.They slipped into a pocket easily.The film advance was simple and the knob was large to accomodate slippery conditions.They had a heavy duty rubber strap that would take a very deliberate effort to break.The shutter clicker was large and conveniently placed.An Excellent choice for what we used them for.
If you are reluctant to invest $$$ in a 'real' underwater camera, this will do fine as a temporary solution.I realize it's not rated to go beyond 17 feet but I took two of them to 90 feet and had no problems whatsoever - all seals held and I could wind the film just fine.Only slight critizism is that the pictures come out more blue compared to the Kodak MAX (which I used at the same dive site a year earlier).  But hey, if you're going way beyond the manufacturers specs, you're not really allowed to complain...For snorkeling (down to 30 feet), the pictures come out real nice.
My husband and I took a trip to the Keys this year and went to Sombrero reef. It was absolutely gorgeous and the fish were so amazing and vibrant! We bought 2 of these cameras. When we got the pictures developed, they were all extremely cloudy and the camera didn't pick up the vibrant colors. We were very disappointed. I downloaded the pictures to my computer and was able to photoshop most of the pictures to make them less blurry, but still wasn't very good quality. We are going back to the Keys again next year, so we will be looking into a different type of camera and possibly spending more money so we can get back better pictures to show off to family and friends.
I took this camera on an underwater snorkeling excursion. It was a bit difficult with snorkeling goggles to view into the camera hole and take a good picture. I'd say my clicking was kind of random, hoping for some good shots.My pictures came back and they were not as good as I'd hoped. These are okay for a one-time trip if you are not picky about picture quality. Might be a fun thing for kids. Keep in mind it costs more than the camera to develop the pictures.
Great Waterproof Camera.  Great pictures and good quality.  Highly recommend this item and will purchase more again in the future.
the camera only took 2 or 3 pictures before it stopped working.  when the pictures were developed they turned out horrible!  they were all blurry and you could barely see what was in them
I was going on a dive trip to Mexico and wanted to make sure I could get some of my own pictures.  I read the reviews on Amazon and decided to purchase this camera.  It worked, not every single photo turned out, depends on the debth you are diving, but I was at 50' feet and it the photos turned out, not perfect, alot of blue in the photo which will happen, it is a natural thing unless you are at the surface or 10 feet under.  I also took some close up photos of my families decending and they were playful fun photos but up close with all their dive gear on.  I duplicated them and mailed them off.  If you don't have a the money to invest in a professional underwater camera and only vacation dive, I highly recommend this camera for the job.  If you are deep and the camera won't wind, just accend a little and the underwater pressure will lessen then take your photos.  If your dive boat offers video or clips...buy it as a backup.
Doesn't take the best pictures but I guess what can you expect for a disposable and under water. I did retrieve a few good pics and for the price you can't beat it. Would recommend it.
Bought this for a kayak trip. Not a single picture that we took (all in bright light) was worth having.
Got these cameras for me and my husband to go snorkeling with. The pictures turned out wonderful. I debated over getting these or an underwater case for my lumix which would've cost like $190 and I choose these to save money and I was very pleased. One tip for underwater use, try to hold the camera still when taking a picture. A few of my pics came out blurry because the waves so just try to hold still for the best pictures.
The cameras are good for a quick, easy and affordable way to take pictures in and around the water...quality of the photos underwater were blurry, even in the crystal clear water of the Caribbean...pictures taken outside of water were nice...which isn't what we got the cameras for.  Unfortunately, one of the cameras somehow got damaged either during manufacture, shipping, or else where, and were not able to get these developed.  Instead of getting all the photos developed and printed, I decided to get digital prints instead, so I could view and edit them on my computer before paying an arm and a leg for a bunch of blurry pics...glad I did.  Even with getting just the digital copies of 3 cameras, I could have just bought a Coleman underwater digital camera for just a little more $ and would have been able to take a lot more pictures and probably better quality too.
It served its purpose.  It was a bit difficult to "click" to take the picture, but that was because it was encased in plastic so that it would be waterproof.  The pictures during the day came out great...but once it began getting darker, they were grainy.  It was 800 speed film, so I thought that those pictures would be better.
under the water the quality is mediocre at best. It is way to dark and has too much noise. save the money on the four pack and spend an extra 30 to buy a digital underwater camera
We will be going on vacation soon, and can't wait to try these. What a great price!Will  update this review once we've used them.
I purchased four of these cameras for my family's underwater manatee adventure.  Despite the murky water, these cameras came through beautifully.  While you won't get digital quality, if you don't have an underwater case for your digital camera, this is a good alternative.  The prints were a tish bit grainy but considering the environment, they were fine.  Some of the photos were taken above water too and they were crisp and clear.  I developed the film with a disk and so I was able to download the photos too.  A good buy for those without a waterproof camera.
We took three of these to the west indies so my daughter could complete a science assignment. One worked well - one seemed to work - until I had them developed and discovered that the film had broken and no pictures were taken. I still have the third .. anyone want to take a chance?
My first experience with an underwater disposable, but I decided I wanted one for vacation.It still functioned at 30-40 ft down during scuba diving. We found that close focus was not there- you needed to be taking photos of things about 15 ft away for best detail.
I bought several of these for our family vacation to the beach! The only trouble with these are when you need to have them developed. I took them to several stores, which most didnt take, but finally Wal-Mart said it would be about a week or so, and it costs more. It wouldve been nice if a smaller store like CVS or Walgreens took them.
I used it snorkeling in Hawaii.  Even on sunny days in crystal clear water they came out mostly gray/green and crude rather than sharp/detailed, so I stopped using it for fish, turtles, coral, etc.  There were usually two or three photos in each batch of 27 that didn't turn out at all.  I had three different developers, so that wasn't the problem.Longs and Walmart definitely did the best job of developing from these cameras.  Longs sells the cameras for about $8 each, too.It did a fine job on easy pictures of people and many landscape shots that weren't taken when the light was too bright or too dim, like twilight, sunset, or indoor pictures.  Under less than ideal lighting, they often came out very crude and grainy with no contrast.It's fine as a temporary cheap camera or for the kids, but you'll probably want a digital camera above water so you can verify and redo your valuable vacation pictures under all lighting conditions.
surprising good pitures!  be sure to get as close to the object as possible.
This camera is lightweight and takes amazing underwater photos! We recently took one onour trip and the pics came out fabulous! I wish we had taken more. I definitely recommend this camera!
I bought this camera as a gift for a honeymoon. Did its purpose and worked well. Receiver enjoyed it - no complaints!
Used just one of these in Mexico. Results were too blurry to be worth it. Wish I only bought 1; now I have three left I don't know what to do with it.
Don'y waste your money! Our pictures underwater were terrible. The button is difficult to push and the focus was not clear. Everything was far away even up close.
I was very satisfied with this camera.  I used it while snorkeling in Bonaire.  The rubber band holder was convenient, and the picture advance and shutter were easy to use in the water.  The view finder was fine.  As with all underwater pictures with disposable, some editing was needed to eliminate the blue tint.
If you buy this, make sure you familiarize yourself with the lever for advancing the film -- you don't want to figure it out while snorkeling. After a few shots, the lever just spun uselessly. I have no idea how many shots I got -- I've been reluctant to waste money on developing.
the guy taking us on our snorkel trip laughed at my camera but the pics came out good. A little tricky to figure out at first regarding when it is wound or not.
Finally, a throwaway camera that CAN be used for SCUBA diving.  35 Feet is the perfect depth to see good underwater creatures (25 - 60 is the general range).  Plus the Superia X-TRA 800 35mm film is made especially for underwater light, managing the magenta and blues will be balanced, making your pictures more realistic than with regular film.  The camera colors are perfect for easy visibility as well.  I'll bet this could go to 50 feet in depth, but that is risking it.  The manufacturer's are always conservative.  Don't forget its great for snow skiing as well.  Good product for the price!
This camera took very good photos underwater and in the water.  I had the film developed on a CD with no prints so I could include the photographs in an album with my other pictures. Walgreens was able to develop this.  I was able to get a more complete story of our travels with these shots included.  I was glad I purchased this.
I would recomend these to anyone that doesn't want to buy a water proof digital.  It was funny to watch my daughter try and use them at first because she was raised in the digital world :)
The camera was very handy with the elastic strap that came with it- easy to use and stayed secure once you wore the strap on your hand (we were swimming in water with medium current and were not scared of loosing the camera)But we were not too happy with the picture quality- the pictures were a little blurred or not very clear. All the pictures that we printed were a little hazy or blurred and so were the pics on the CD. Also I am not sure how, but one of the camera's plastic case cracked and got water into it.I bought the Fuji Film camera over the Kodak Water Sport as i thought it had better reviews. I havent used the Kodak Water Sport Disposable Camera yet so I cant compare the two.
Great for the pool, beach, river etc. Pictures turn out really well. Used on a cruise to the Bahamas. Highly recommended.
I bought four of these to take to Discovery Cove in Florida.  They worked great.  We had no problems at all.  Wish they had a flash, but all the pictures came out nicely.  No complaints here.
Used while snorkeling. The eye lens was a bit difficult to see through, unless exact. The photos turned out great.
About half of our pictures developed as anything other than completely unusable. These had a weird (although admittedly fun) vintage effect to them and weird spots. So I guess for the price is fine, just have very low expectations and roll the dice. Decent digital underwater rated cameras aren't cheap and I would be a little hesitant to really use them underwater.
I bought several of these for a trip to the Grand Cayman to record our swim with the Stingrays. I should have read the reviews. All the pictures turned out but the quality was terrible compared to my old Go-Pro Hero video and my iPhone.  No I didn't use my iPhone in the salt water, only from the boat but it was amazing how many people did. I do have a Life-Proof case and I have dropped in a saltwater livewell but using a $500 phone in Salt water on purpose didn't make sense to me.I am really glad I took the Go-Pro but it really made the Fuji Camera look bad. I had the Fuji film developed at a local 1 hour Walgreens. I called Fuji and was told that my expectation were too high and/or that I got sunscreen or whatever on the lens. All I can say is that it didn't effect the Go-Pro.I will be doing a review of underwater cameras and /or just use my newer Go-Pro Hero 3.  The Fuji Camera is probable better than nothing but a real step backwards in picture quality.
The Fuji underwater camera was good, but it seems that cameras for underwater shots are not perfect. (This one was much better than the unacceptable Kodak). I am appreciative of having even average photos of my first snorkeling experience. Be prepared to have many of the 27 shots out-of-focus or poor contrast and color.
Purchased this camera for the waterpark. The first picture was crystal clear and then the remaining pictures were all cloudy and some were barely visable. For a waterproof camera, I felt it wasn't waterproof at all and it wasn't worth the amount I spent on the camera and processing. I wouldn't recommend it.
I got these so fast, it was amazing.  It was a great deal too buying 4 at once.Highly recommend to anyone going on vacation or wanting pics at the pool or beach.
Easy to use.  Waiting to see your the photos come out next week. I generally find Fuji projects to work well.
The camera was easy to use and have developed but the pictures were not very clear.  Don't know if it was my fault or the camers.
I bought these as a gift for family members who were going on a cruise. I did a lot of research as I wanted a good camera that would capture true quality pictures underwater. Another brand was used on a previous cruise they were on and the pictures didn't turn out so great.The pros: Easy to use, pictures turned out pretty good for an underwater camera, takes a lot of pictures.The cons: The only real complaint was that it was a bit bulky as the each has two cameras on them while they were scuba diving. But, the wrist strap was a bonus!I was able to look at the images a few weeks after they got back and they turned out great! There pictures were very crisp and clear, some had more of a blue tint that others but none the less they turned out great! I would recommend this for anyone looking for a good underwater camera. They used theirs on a cruise to the Caribbean.
I took this on a trip to Costa Rica thinking I may need it while I may be under water. That never happened but I did use it for everyday photos. It worked out fine and developing the film was simple.
These cameras were great for our recent vacation.  The boys brought them into the waves with them and took pictures while boogie-boarding.  Good quality.  Good price.
Sadly, I have to say don't bother buying this camera.  I just returned from Florida, and the "above water" pictures I took are very grainy and foggy. The "underwater" pictures were so black that Walgreens didn't even bother printing them for me.  What a waste of money.  Bummer.
My wife and I went to Maui for our 35th anniversary, and we booked a snorkeling cruise out to the volcanic cone of Molokini. I wanted to be able to take underwater photos without spending a ton for a camera, so we bought these. Big mistake. Aside from the cost of two cameras, I spent about $23 for film processing, which was not unreasonable in itself, but the quality of photos is very poor. Most of the shots are very grainy, and the colors are very muted and dull, even when taking above water level shots. I mean, Hawai'i is pretty colorful, but this camera made it look like Bakersfield. If you want good underwater shots, get a real camera.
Bought these for our Hawaii trip, they worked fine, but after buying these, developing the film, etc, it probably would've been cheaper and more convenient to spend an extra $30 for a cheap waterproof digital camera.  At least that way we could've taken more shots and figured out if some shots didn't come out.  Now, I'm out all that money and if we go on vacation again, I'll plan to spend money on a waterproof digital camera, but I could have bought that last time and still had it.
We brought two of these to the Galapagos, and neither worked - the film advance failed us almost immediately.  We would not recommend these cameras!
The poor quality photographs that this camera takes will make you erase those memories even from your mind. It is better to just remember those moments and leave this camera in store. Buy bubble gum instead.
Why was this camera annoying me slightly?? It was a little difficult to maneuver underwater, and I could not tell whether I had actually snapped a picture.  So frustrating, and I actually loved Fuji products..
I purchased these for my grandchildren to use while in Cacnun.We did not test them as I had no worries about not working.The kids threw away instead of bringing them back so I could have gotten a refund.
I took this to hawaii. went snorkeling and got pretty good pics. I had to get used to winding it after every picture as its a 35mm camera but it held up great under water. I really didnt expect proffesional quality pix. They were not as clear as digital. totally worth the 5.99 I paid for it. (I uploaded some of my pics)you see and can decide if its the camera for you! :)
works great esp for vacations.  I have 2 left and i know this is going to be perfect for my next trip! thanks!
I used this camera on the beach quite a bit last month, and it performed just as I hoped it would. I swam with it a few times, and it survived the submersion with flying colors, even floating to the top a few times when it slipped out of my pocket. I wasn't diving or anything, but for submersion within 10 feet of the surface, it did fine. Can't speak to deeper use.I didn't use the camera to take underwater pics, but it did fine with pictures above water when wet. The resolution is obviously a far cry from what you can get with even the cheapest digital camera now, so you should go in aware that these aren't museum-quality prints or anything. But for what it is, this camera does fine.I also highly recommend buying the camera from Amazon. They're not paying me to say this or anything, but I looked at local drugstores, and the exact same camera was literally 2.5-3 times as expensive. I can't for the life of me figure out why the mark-up is so high, but that's what it is in the Washington, DC, area.
I bought it for snorkeling in Hawaii.It was a sunny day but the pictures turn out blurry and the color was awful... the colorful fish look blue gray...The pics taken with little more sun light in the water came out better but still not great.Not sure if the plastic case made them look blurry or we just needed more light but very disappointed.We were less than 10 feet in the crystal clear water, so we should have had pretty good sunlight to take good pics.I don't recommend this camera if it's not the perfect sunny day or deep in the water.
We purchased a pair of these cameras for a recent cruise to the Caribbean.  After taking a bunch of fun water pictures in the ocean and cruise pools we couldn't wait to see how they turned out at home.  Unfortunately, water leaked into both cameras and got all over the film.  The photos were basically useless!  I'd recommend finding another waterproof camera, the case on these didnt not hold the water out.
Cost too much to have the pix develope and not all that clear.  Kids loved to use it and it actually pretty easy to use under water...
Very inexpensive and convenient. Nice wrist strap, easy to use, and the pictures we took while snorkeling theGreat Barrier Reef with moderate light came out surprisingly well, even in deeper water.  A nice surprise.
I bought this for a recent snorkeling trip. The camera itself was leak-proof and performed well under water. The photos were quite disappointing though. It did not even come close to doing justice to what we actually saw. Not a very good buy
This little camera took the best photos of my son, 2 years old, underwater. What a great way to capture the best moments.
We went snorkling and wanted to capture the memories....this camera was sufficient but the quality of the prints was so-so.  If you're looking for excellent quality, this camera isn't for you but if you are ok with average photos to use underwater, it will work.
used it in niagara falls on the maid of the mist boat ride as well as the cave of the winds experience. def saved our nice, expensive camera from all the mist! pics came out nice!
Waterproof cameras are great for underwater activities. I used in when I went to a waterpark and the Caribbean. Very clear pictures and extremely easy to use.
I'm not sure how good this camera works with light. I tried using it at an indoor pool and with no flash, the pictures did not come out at all.
Camera is easy to use.  Colors not as vibrant as reality.  Good price, but probably wouldn't buy again.  The end.
I thought using these disposable cameras were a better idea since we didn't plan on doing anything other than snorkeling, but unfortunately, it was a big mistake.  Almost all the picture were unclear or blurred especially the underwater ones!  (8 out of 27 were acceptable quality).  Then to pay for developing!
I bought this to be a cheap scuba-diving camera to get a few pictures on my trip to the Cayman Islands.  It was pretty good quality with good sunlight considering the price!  I got some nice pictures on it.
You can't beat this one for the price.  Out of 27 pictures, maybe only 7 or so did not turn out.  I used it to take underwater pictures in the Bahamas while snorkeling.  It is a little hard to see out of the viewfinder while goggles on, but I just pointed in the general direction of what I wanted to take, and, as I above, most of the pictures turned out.  I have great pictures of the reef we swam over and tons of fish.  The pictures are not the best and brightest - not like a normal point and shoot digital, but I was surprised at exactly how clear most of the pictures were, especially considering the fact that it was cloudy when we went and windy so the water wasn't that clear to begin with.  I would buy this camera again for another snorkeling trip; I highly recommend it!
It is waterproof so that's good. In a digital world it's nice to have photos from time to time that you can print out. The quality is a little grainy and hazy but that's too be expected with film. The kids thought it was great that they could take this into the pool with them
I was very worried that there would be some problems somewhere along the line dealing with a waterproof camera.  But these worked marvelously.  Most of the pictures are incredibly clear, taking some as far down as 10 feet underwater.  No leaks, no damaged film, they worked perfectly.  Will definitely buy these again for out next carribean trip.
I bought this to take pictures of my 9 month old son at an indoor waterpark in wisconsin dells since I didn't want to risk dropping my digital camera in the water and ruining it.  I was really excited to get my pictures back only to be crushed realizing that none of them turned out!  There were a few fuzzy ones like that static when your tv reception sucks, most were almost completely black and there was only one that you could vaguely make out as a picture of me holding my son, but it was really dark.  Be warned this does not have a flash and really cannot be used indoors.  My only reason for not giving a one star review is that I imagine outdoor pictures might turn out better than mine did.  Also in an unrelated matter Amazon currently has this on sale for $9, but alleges that the retail price is $15 Walmart sells this product for $9-$10.
We got these to use during our wedding weekend and they're great!! They were used in a pool in Las Vegas, so it was very bright and not deep. Almost all the underwater pictures turned out, everyone loved them!
Waste of money. Out of 23 pictures taken, 3 came out okay, the rest well, let's just say when the man at walgreens handed me the envelope with the pictures I had to asked "Where are the rest" too blurry, too dark, so, please do not waste your money on this piece of trash.
I had used these before and needed one for a quick scuba trip.  I don't know if this one was just bad or what - but it leaked ruining the camera and all of the film.  I most likely wont be purchasing these again
For the price paid, I got superb underwater pictures of dolphins off the coast of Zanzibar...just needed to use a computer to enhance the film images from the CD.
This camera is NOT waterproof, water got inside and I lost all the pictures of my vacation at the beach!!!
I got two of these cameras because according to the reviews I'd read on Amazon; this seemed the most likely. It is BLUE. I know that the water is blue, but even the few pictures I took ABOVE water were blue.There were only a few that didn't come out at all. I used them for snorkeling. The distance isn't really accurate. Taking something 20 feet away is basically just a big blue picture where it is hard to distinguish the fish/people.Some came out better than others, but that was because of the closeness/contrast. Also, you have to remember to wind it before you take another picture. This can be hard when snorkeling. It did come with a rubber band to keep around your wrist, and while I didn't test it out long-term, it did appear to float for the short amount of time I let go of it.One of my friends said that you could help the 'blue' of the pictures with a picture program called 'gimp' (Seriously, that is what it is called) downloaded to your computer. I might try that to get some of the blue out.
Great performance for the money. It is either this or buy a several hundred dollar camera, but if you don't plan to do much underwater photography, this will work just fine.
I ordered these for our honeymoon in St. Thomas. These worked pretty well for close shots on sunny days. When it was cloudy, the shots were grainy. I gave it 4 stars for the price. I would look for a plastic case for my camera in the future, as my friend let me borrow her's & the pix came out much better.
While I am saving my pennies to afford a pro waterproof camera these work in the meantime.  Inexpensive and decent quality, not superb.
I've always been happy with Kodak's underwater disposable cameras. Now that they're winding down, I've heard their quality has suffered and decided to give Fuji a shot.This took pictures quickly, was easy to operate, and came with a little rubber wrist band. Very convenient.It's also very affordable, eliminating some of the anxiety of using a digital camera.Minus 2 stars for picture quality. Everything came out grainy w/ a blueish tint. Just not a nice way to preserve memories.I have a Kodak digital underwater camcorder which also takes pictures (albeit slowly). It has its own issues, but the picture quality is outrageously better, and I'll stick with it on future trips.Overall, this is quick and convenient. Picture quality is below average and developing photos is twice the cost of the camera. Look at waterproof digital cameras, if they're in your budget.
This film may work fine for under water or dark situations (is is 800 speed after all) but results from normal daylight photos are very poor. I wouldn't even say photos were were better than nothing. Save your money.
I'm sure this product would work fine for potentially wet activities (like canoeing or boating), but it is not built to stay submerged in water.  I took this camera to Hawaii and went snorkeling a few times with this camera in my pocket.  I did not dive below 15 feet, but somehow water was seeping into the camera.I took it apart and tried to dry it out, but the film was ruined and no where would develop it.  Be careful how you use it.
This camera worked well, the only problem is you have to be close. No further than 5', which can be hard to do with fish.
Family used 3 out of 4 waterproof camera's purchased while kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Bahamas. Pictures came out clear but keep in mind can not zoom-in or adjust focal distance. Wrist strap that came with cameras made it easy to grab when needed. Camera's did remind me of the old Instamatic camera as they require you to point, view, click, and wind. Keep in mind, unlike phone camera or digital camera, not able to view pictures taken immediately. Had to search around in my area for who develops single-use film. Was able to have all 3 rolls of film developed and loaded to 1 CD. Did not want to pay for prints. knowing all the pictures may not be perfect. But very glad we had these cameras available as some photo's are priceless !
I bought this camera for a trip to Hawaii.  I went snorkeling in the clearest water I have ever been in; it was gorgeous and I saw so many beautiful fish.  I tried to photograph them with this camera, and the pictures were horrible.  They were all gray and non-descript.  I was very, very disappointed.  I would like to say it my developer, but I have taken many pictures to them and they are wonderful.  I do not recommend this camera, even for novelty.  It is a waste of money.
I bought this for my trip to Grand Cayman, I  bought 3 actually. All my pics came up really good. Of course the quality is not 100% but all the underwater shots were really nitid. I only took a couple of shots outside the water, they look ok. I got amazing pictures.
What a great value for 4 waterproof cameras Bought them for an up coming vacation so I don't have to buy one of those expensive cameras
My 5 year old son just learned how to swim and I wanted to document it with some underwater pictures, so we game him this underwater camera for Christmas. I thought that would be really fun for him. The film came back from the developer with no photos on it, so my son was really disappointed (and me, too). They said there probably wasn't enough light in the pool, even tho it's very well lit. So, we'll have to try again in an outdoor pool this summer.
I snapped up this disposable waterproof camera to get some underwater photos while in the Great Barrier Reef. In hindsight, I later saw someone on my boat with one of the waterproof camera bags, and might try this next time with an older digital camera - but that point being separate, I was pretty satisfied with what I got for what is an $11-12 disposable camera. Considering that I was a couple of hours out into deep ocean, the photos I took of the coral reef and fish turned out pretty good, with at least a handful that were pretty sharp. I was surprised myself since there were pretty rough waves and I couldn't really stay still for more than a second. Of course, being bashed about by waves and trying to take photos, some are definitely not of much use, but I was pretty happy with most of what I got. For $11-12, I hardly expect the quality of a point-and-shoot digital camera, let alone an SLR. Make sure to use to included strap and to wind back the dial to the next exposure if you've never used a disposable before (Yup, that was me learning!)
Great price.All of the Walmarts around town were selling out of these because of spring break.  I bought a three pack so that all of us would have one on the trip.
The case was cracked and I did not notice it until I was in the water snorkeling.  Possibly it is a good camera, but should have inspected when delivered.
They work, but if you are in the ocean be prepared to do some photoshopping when you get back.  Not the best clarity and shows sooo much blue that you need to take it out using photoshop to be able to see the colors of coral and fish clearly .  If you don't mind doing that it worked well and WAY cheaper than buying at the resorts =)
I recently used it during our visit to Niagara falls and it worked well. Some pics were too blurry and did not develop well. But overall it is worth having if you don't have a fancy waterproof digital camera or you don't want to mess up your SLR/Cellphone taking pics. :-)
pics were ok.  camera worked as described. the pictures i took above the water looked great.  the pics of the fish were only so so.  being that i really wanted pics of what we saw while snorkeling,  if i had it to do over again, i would have spent the $$ for a real underwater camera.
I haven't gotten to use them, as my trip to Puerto Rico was cancelled and I haven't rescheduled. However, they came packaged together and were very straight forward. I played around with one of them and found it very effective. Hopefully I will get a chance to use them soon.
As far as I know it worked great.  I don't know how the photos turned out as she took the camera home with her instead of getting them developed here.
This camera is almost useless underwater. It is pointless unless you have perfect conditions. It was nice to take pictures while 'in the water' because we were not worried about dropping it, but underwater no pictures came out at all. Most picture were taken in middle of afternoon with plenty of light and clear water. Camera was only a few inches under the ocean water and you really can not tell what is in the pictures. Very blurry and dark. Skip this one for underwater.
I've used these before and love the pictures this camera can take, but do be aware that it will not take a heat picture if you are over the stated distance away form your object. I tried a few and the didn't turn out well. Also these are better used on a sunny day as well..pictures don't turn out great if there is not enough sunlight getting down into the water. all in all a great product though!
I used these in the waters of Cozumel Mexico, and they worked perfect with great pictures and no leaks...Excellent choice
We bought these because to take on a trip to Puerto Rico. We used them to take pictures of fish while snorkeling and they just turned out dark. Guess we should have expected that but we were hoping it would work out.
If you're taking pictures in a swimming pool underwater while perfectly still. It should work for you. I bought the pack of 4 for Cancun mexico while I was underwater taking picture of fish. about 90% of all the pictures were absolute TRASH! The fish were all blurs almost unable to see any fish at all. Complete waste of time and money. I took pictures of my girlfriend underwater and she is a blur also.
Well, this was a waste of money.  I bought it to take on vacation and halfway through using it underwater (in very shallow water, it stopped working.  I didn't even bother to develop the few pictures that I had taken before the camera quit on me because it wouldn't have been worth the developing fee just to see if they turned out.  I was trying to save money by not buying a 'real' underwater camera, but I guess I should have gone that route.  Fortunately, I got lots of good above water shots of the vacation with another camera.
Used these cameras to take snorkeling pics on The Big Island of Hawaii. For such a simple, low cost product applied for it's intended use it works really well (within limits). OK, it does not have a shutter speed adjustment so it won't work for all applications. 800 speed film is needed for the reduced lighting you deal with under water but there will be some level of graininess. The quality of your image will be limited by a) movement (yours and your subject's) b) available light, c) water clarity, d) water depth, e) distance to image.From my (limited) experience the best results will be obtained shooting a non-moving subject on a bright sunny day in clear water at a depth of no more than 5-6 feet from no more than 5-6 feet from the camera. The more variables introduced, the lower quality of the picture. You can see some of my results in the user images that I posted (#15-20).NOTE: Kodak has a special printing process for underwater photography marketed as "Sea Processing". It it's intended to improve the print quality by tweaking color, contrast and so on. I've seen some impressive results posted online. However, these were processed by Wolf Camera and are unaltered from what they delivered on the CD. I may end up sending my negatives in for Sea Processing but most of the pics were fine with the processing by Wolf.So, under the right conditions you can take some nice pictures with this product, just be aware of the limitations ahead of time to avoid disappointment. :)
We used this for our trip and it was worth it. Few pics didn't run out too well, cause we didn't rotate the camera knob well, but for most part, the pics were good.
I bought this camera for my cruise with my girlfriends.  We were going snorkeling and wanted to be able to take pictures under water without ruining our other digital cameras.  I saw good reviews online for this and thought I would give it a try.  For $12, it was an excellent buy!  The pictures weren't nearly as high quality as a digital camera would give you, but for what I paid for it, I am happy.  It captured the moments we wanted it to, and it was really fun to use!
I love that these things come with a wrist wrap and are waterproof so you can wear them out into the water.  They take good pictures and work well under water or out of water.  The only things I don't like are that the picture windows get dirty easily which can make a picture blurry and that you can't see how the picture looks until it's developed.  Other than that, these are really fun and seeing what shots you got when you develop them is part of the fun.  Plus, you don't have to worry about losing your real camera in the water.
i have used underwater cameras before...and my pictures have never turned out like these ones.  when i got them back from being developed they all had a very "blue" tint to them.  it was so bad that you could hardly tell where any of the "colorful" fish were compared to the sea rocks because it was all the same color.  even when i took pics that were above the water...same blue tint.  i asked the film place where i got them developed and they said it was the film...not them.  could be just an excuse but i dont know.  wasnt too impressed and was disappointed that the pic of me kissing the sting ray came out so bad : (  maybe go with a different brand?
Just as described, great disposable cameras for our trucking fleet.
I took this snorkeling in Aruba and it took great pics!  I was very please how they came out and i took it to my local CVS for developing.
I tried this underwater camera option on a scuba diving trip I had in Belize. They worked good near the surface (0-10 feet)... but were difficult to aim in a point and shoot mode and were not made for depths beyond 18-20 feet. I used them while snorkeling and they worked awesome, it was the deeper water that made the Fuji Quick Snap Waterproof 35mm camera not a camera option.
Only about 10% of the pictures actually came out.  I wouldn't recommend this product.  They are inexpensive, but you get what you pay for with these.
We were worried about using a waterproof camera, developing the film and having no photos that came out well. This is why we opted for a $10 camera and not a $50+ digital underwater camera. We are pleased that we chose this camera. We took it snorkelling with us in Grand Cayman, and got some good photos, especially the ones we took of each other underwater. You really have to be close up to the smaller fish to get a good shot, but we got decent enough photos! Would purchase again.
This is a great little camera for taking pictures both in and out of the water.  Not surprisingly, it delivers best underwater on a sunny day, but even on overcast days, it produces crisp pictures with great detail.On land, it is much less particular about lighting, and produces pictures with beautiful colour in light or shadow, or both.Since it takes such nice pictures out of the water, a first time user might want to practice with it on land.  The lever action feels a lot different from the push-button action of regular throw-away cameras, and since you don't hear the click of the shutter underwater, you might be uncertain whether anything happened.  A couple of test shots (without the urgency of a sea turtle swimming by or a beautiful school of fish) should increase the photographer's confidence in the camera when underwater.The big wheel that advances the film works very well; it's easy to find by touch, so getting another snap of something before it swims away isn't difficult.There's also a little strap to keep it on your wrist, although it's a good idea to keep a firm hold on the camera anyway while swimming.The simple operation made it a hit with the kids; they were able to make their own special souvenirs of the underwater world.Excellent value.
These are OK.  They only work in full sun and the focus isn't great.  Don't use these for anything other than under water.
Bad quality. This camera s really bad. The developed photos are blurry and dark. Don't waste your money. Buy those real camera.
We used this camera on a trip to Hawaii and it takes great snorkeling pictures.  Some people had mentioned to me that this camera tends to leak, but I didn't find that to be the case.  One caveat though - there isn't a flash (or at least there wasn't on the model we purchased) so the pictures taken with clouds over head tended to be a bit &quot;murky&quot; - the ones taken in bright sunlight turned out MUCH better.  I eventually plan on buying a &quot;real&quot; underwater camera for SCUBA, etc., but if you are just planning on going on a snorkel trip or going swimming this is ideal - I don't think that you can take it deeper than about 10 - 15 feet (maybe that's when it starts to leak) so this product would not be ideal for any deep water sports.
Operation seems easy enough for a child to have fun with. It also comes with a rubber wrist band that makes it easy to swim with.
Excited to try this out due to positive user reviews. Unfortunately, our waterproof protected cell phones took much, MUCH better quality pictures and video. The product arrived in time, but I will not use these underwater cameras again. Plus, paid too much for 35mm processing since fewer photo centers develop 35mm.
My wife and I took 4 of these underwater cameras with us to Hawaii on our honeymoon.  We snapped many photos in crystal clear water while snorkeling and in a shark cage.  After developing the film we returned all photos to the photo lab for a refund as there were only 2 visible photos in the bunch!  The rest were just grey and black with no image at all.  Even the 2 that had a recognizable image had 2 different shots on one photo.  The lab tech said they see this a lot with these cheap winding cameras, that sometimes they don't wind properly so you end up with pieces of 2 different photos as 1 photo.  Maybe we just got a bad batch of cameras, I don't know, but I do know that we won't have another chance to take Hawaii snorkeling/shark photos again anytime soon.  So these were very disappointing.
We took these cameras on two snorkeling trips in the Caribbean. Sadly, out of 2 cameras, there were only 3 or 4 pictures that were clear. One entire camera produced only one clear photo, and that was taken from the boat prior to getting it wet.  Everything after we got in the water was completely blurry. Very disappointing. Save your money. I spent plenty getting the film developed,& failed to get pictures of the beautiful coral in Grand Cayman.
after reading reviews both negative and positive I took a chance and purchased these cameras for parasailing and jetskiing.  The camera was soaked but the photos came out well especially since all the photos were taken while moving
I bought this for my husband to use while snorkeling on our honeymoon cruise. He enjoyed having it to play with and I don't regret the purchase.Just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. This isn't a professional, well-crafted waterproof machine, it's a disposable camera in a protective shell. It works just fine but the picture quality is just average. We were on St. John and the water was crystal clear, but it looks murkier in these photos. Again, that's perfectly acceptable for the price, but have realistic expectations or you'll be disappointed.
We used two of these cameras: One while snorkeling, and one while submerged about 8-12 feet on a submersible scooter. Both cameras took pretty good pictures underwater and above water (on the boats). The only thing is, you kind of have to point and shoot somewhat blindly because the viewer is hard to see through a mask underwater. So, we pointed and hoped. Luckily for us, it was okay. I found winding the film a bit awkward only because I had to remember to do it - tough when most cameras have auto-wind, but not a big issue. The other good thing is the camera floats. We marked ours with a sharpie in case it got separated from us, and went on our way. Definitely worth the purchase and price to develop the film afterwards too.
I let the kids use them in the pool or take them when we go to water parks as I have water logged cameras in the past. Have not yet taken them in to get pictures done yet, its funny to be saying that in this digital age  =)
We had a swimming party and these were great for taking photos in the water and added a nice element to the party!
My daughter took it to Australia this summer to capture the great barrier reef. It didn't come out well. Blurry and about 3/4 of the pics were black and unable to print. So I would not buy again. Disappointing!:(
Ordered this camera for pics on vacation.  A lot cheaper then on the cruise ship and pics were nice and clear.
needs LOTS of light to work ... tried to use at an indoor pool/amusement park ... pictures came back very dark and grainy.
I have gone to Jamicia 3 times in the last 3 years and each time I take the Fujifilm disposal with me.  I have now used 9 individual cameras and have never had a problem.  The color to me is fantastic, however the ocean is just a little more blue than real life which is not a problem for me.  You take a picture by pushinig a lever and than wind a few turns to get to the next picture.  The ease is slightly difficult as you are in a body of water trying to swim and focus at the same time, but i think you would have this problem with any camera.Over time I have spent as much on the disposable camera as I would have if I bought a new digital underwater camera and in hind site I think I made the right purchase.
This waterproof camera really did the work for me. I bough three Fuji Quick Snap waterproof camera for my honymoon in Hawaii. My wife and I went snorkeling and took the photo under waters. The result came out good. This little camera really did the job for keeping the wonderful moment. Good product!
On a recent trip to Tahiti I believe I have tried about every kind of one-time use underwater camera on the market (i.e., Kodak Max Sport; Kodak Max Wet, and Konica Waterproof Camera and the Fuji). All of the cameras worked fine snorkeling, although I found the Konica and the Kodak Max Wet to be more difficult to use. [The Konica was a little difficult to see through the view finder with a mask on, and the Kodak Max Wet, most annoyingly had the strap and the photo button on opposite sides of the camera! A real disadvantage to a right handed person. As a result you essentially had to use two hands to take a photo, one to hold the camera and the other to depress the button. Any of these cameras will work fine for snorkeling, however the best were the Fuji and Kodak Sport. Keep in mind that all underwater photos will look a bit blue, however, snorkeling in the lagoon in Tahiti the blue was not really noticeable.Here's the part I really like, now I admit, contrary to manufacturer recommendations, I did take both the Fuji camera and the Kodak Max Wet camera with me Scuba Diving. According to manufacturer directions the Fuji camera's recommended depth is 17 feet [which is the deepest of any one-time use camera on the market]. On my dives we never went deeper than about 22 feet. The problem with diving with these cameras is the pressure - you can take a photo just fine, but due to the pressure you will be unable to wind the film. However, I used the Fuji camera without any problems -- I was always able to wind the film and the photos came out wonderfully -- although they were blue. The Kodak Max Wet camera continually would freeze up, thus in order to take a photo you would have to snap the picture, go up several feet, wind the film then go back down -- not very convenient and as a result I took very few photos. Although the photos I did take with this camera came out well, although they too were blue. The other benefit to the Fuji camera is that it is easier to use in the water, the button to take a photo is much easier to handle and there is a very large knob for winding the film, which is especially handy if you are wearing gloves.The knob is a real drawback for both the Kodak Max Wet and the Konica cameras -- I found those two cameras to be much more difficult to wind and may be near impossible if you are wearing dive gloves. Also with the Fuji and the Kodak Max Sport, the strap, the button and winder are all on the right side, which makes this camera very easy to use for a right-handed person.In summary, if you go snorkeling I would recommend the Fuji camera or the Kodak Max Sport. ... And, if you do plan to go Scuba diving, give the Fuji a try.
I have written a review on these tapes before I think.  TDK is a find standard VHS tape.  I think once in about 15 years I had one that didn't work properly.  I use and reuse, and recordings I made years ago are still fine,
I got these for my mom who is still in the dark ages of "taping" all her favorite shows. For whatever reason, she is more comfortable doing that than with the current options available.It was nice to be able to get a good sized pack of these at once and at such a reasonable price. For some reason, the ones in the store around here are like $4 EACH!!!! Blows my mind. They should be free! LOL
Was very pleased to find the video tapes still available as so many people have chosen VCR's or Tivo.  Thank you very much for having them available for us who still use our VCR's
The tapes are amazing. They came earlier than I thought they would. I have watched the tapes and the condition is perfect. I'm so glad I bought these tapes. I will buy again.
The set of 10 tapes is not too bad considering the price.  Been using an VHS tape machine that still works, oddly the DVD recorders have long given out and am on my second DVR to hard drive machine.  These old tapes still seem to do the job.
The basic TDK tapes are fine and there are 10 in the pack.  The photo does not match the description or the actual product received.  These are not 8 hour tapes--they are 6 hour tapes.  Misleading!!!!!!!!
They work great, for what I would like to record. Do not buy the 9 or 8 hour Maxwell video tapes. Thought I would also save time recording and having more tape to record on. But they ended up being more scratchy, and distorted. It seem like the tapes were used, or ruined some how. Then repackage and sold like new. It not worth spending the money to get the 9 or 8 hour Maxwell tapes. Stick with TDK 6 hour tapes, when recording. Well worth the money here.
Have used TDK over the years, & it works fine, have a combination VCR & DVD & only tape my favorite late night shows, & it's perfect for this
It is so hard to find VHS tapes at a reasonable price.  These tapes are of good viewing quality and a relative low price.
These tapes work. No problems with jamming in the VCR.  I bought Sony first, and I was surprised that they all were jamming up in two of my VCR.  After 5 of the Sony tapes jammed, I threw them all away. I have been using the TDK tapes for a while - no problems.  Would buy again.  Quick shipping.
The price was good, but the quality variable. I ordered two 10-packs, and some tapes seemed fine, while others were defective from the start. They didn't come packaged as 10-packs, but rather were loose tapes in a box. I've already thrown out two (and missed the programs I'd taped on them), and I haven't assessed all of them yet.I usually am very pleased with Amazon and will continue to use them, but this purchase was definitely a let down. If it had been my first, it would have been my last. Fortunately it was not a high-dollar item.Buyer beware, and I'd say it's a good time to switch to a DVD recorder!
I had ordered 12 Maxell tapes and they were very poor quality. They would tape very snowy. These TDK tapes are so much better. They tape very clear with no snow.If you're a VCR person and do a lot of taping get these!
The tapes work fine, however, the sleeves are too small for proper daily use.  I had to cut the tapes out of the sleeves and then they are no good for continued use.
There are still those of us who use our VCR's instead of Tivo for simple recording because of the monthly cost.  VCR tapes are all but impossible to find locally so I was thrilled to find good quality tapes here at a decent price.  So far, they have produced good quality recordings and I have been able to reuse them without issue.  I plan to stock up on more very soon!
Bought these tapes last year and just started using them.  Amazon had the BEST price on the entire internet!  And, this brand has the highest quality.  Would definitely recommend to anyone and would buy these again.
This is a repeat purchase of an item I've found to provide high quality and very reliable recording. TDK is a brand I trust.
These are an excellent value. I have ordered this pack previously as well. The most recent shipment could have been packed a little better but the tapes were in good shape. Service and value are excellent.
These tapes are great to use in taping TV series or documentaries so you can watch at a future date or sentimental  reasons. I use them for the past 5 years and never had a problem which is why I gave the rating. TDK tapes are recommended to households because of its dual functions.
Bought these for a friend that still tapes her shows and watches them after work ...She was very happy .....
Very good for my purpose, but when I gave it my wife for her use she was not as enthusiastic as I.
This TDK product was awful . . . it did not work properly in my VCR, and I want to get rid of it, immediately!! . . . It was a total waste of my money, as I can't use the tape! . . . .
I bought a 10-pack of TDK tapes in April, 2005 - The boxes say:  "TDK - SUPERIOR QUALITY - Standard T-120" - "VHS Standard Grade" - "Videotape for everyday and repeated use recording".  The tapes that do work so far, have grainy and blurry pictures and the colors are not vivid and the sound quality is horrible and distorted.  The packaging was not up to Amazon's standards.  The video tapes were not wrapped or protected inside the box and this is probably why I have at least 1 broken tape (plastic on cassette broke off).  They were not protected in the box at all.  I'm very disappointed with these video tapes.  Not sure if "TDK" is going down hill or if all the big name brand video suppliers are lowering their standards.  This was the first time in a few years that I bought new VHS tapes and they have the low quality I would expect in a generic no-name brand tape.  Since I need video tapes now, I was forced to order tapes from other companies.  I will be trying some other brands to see if TDK's standard tapes are the only brand name tapes lowering their standards.  I'm going to try some Maxell and RCA standard tapes and hope for better luck.
A good buy. I really hate the way Amazon has a demand on how many I should use to review a product - What a bunch of horse pucky!!!
But better than the Maxell and the Memorex that I bought around the same time. Those 2 skip and flip. In the TDK pack most of the tapes recorded. In the Maxell and Memorex packs, most did not record.
TDK is a brand that offers great quality videotapes for your videotape library. I have used many TDK tapes,and I am always pleased with the quality picture and sound that I get from these tapes.The stand up very well with multiple use,and the quality show on any taping speed SP,LP,EP/SLP they all look good on TDK brand tapes.Good for capturing your favorite movies, or your families home videos.
What can you say about a tape. They are going the way of the dodo bird but I still use them until I can no longer find them.They work for me.
I thought I'd buy some tapes that I could rely on but over 50% of the order was bad and you can only use the any one tape once.You get blank spots and if there aren't blanks spots the sound is scratching, or missing.  I thought TDK was a good tape to buy so I did and now wish that I had not bought them.  10pack should be sold as is....
I liked the TDK VCR tapes that i purchased.  The tapes were a good value for the money.  These tapes are in short supply and  are very expensive when purchsed locally.I would defiinitely purchase this product again.
Although most of the tapes seem to be OK, I got a couple of bad ones.  Too busy to return.  I think it's just a fluke.  The others were just fine.  Thank you.
Very good quality recording tapes for general recording of programs from TV.  I use these regularly and also record over previous programs.  Included labels make it easy to keep track of what is on the tape.
Many people are complaining here about damaged tapes.  I have used these tapes for years and have never had a problem.  HOWEVER, I don't ever buy tapes online, only in a store.  I fear that tapes will get wrecked during shipment so I prefer to get them at a store.  The tapes are good when you get a good batch.  I have tapes that I recorded years ago (some as far back as 2004 and even earlier), and they still play almost perfectly now.  It's a little more pricey to get them in a store versus on the internet but you will have a better chance of getting good tapes, so it's worth it.
the tapes I have use for years and they are as good as anything out in the market the tapes were less expensive that 4 years ago I will continue use them if they are still in the businesss
These TDK tapes are fine.  Price was good and the fact that they were available in stock was plus--as many companies are no carrying VHS tapes.  We use them as backups to our Tivo, which seems to get filled quite quickly.Was disappointed with the Amazon shipping, however.  These are normally a blister-packed 10, to a package.  Ten of the tapes were put in the box as individual tapes and two of them were damaged so badly in shipping that they had to be thrown away.  Hey shipping dept. . .have you heard of using plastic 'peanuts' to shield the shipment?
My wife use these to tape her shows she want to keep.  We did purches them from Walmart but this better.
With the new technology of disks, it is tough to find VHS tapes in any store.  Evidently the &#34;Marketeers&#34; think that everyone has thrown out all there VHS tapes and equipment and started all over with Disks!!
These are a great deal. The service was Excellent with Fast Delivery. We have made several purchases of this 10 pack, and we have been very happy with our purchase.
If you still use a VCR, and i must be one of the last hold-outs, then this is for you:  you can fit 2 more hours on here than on a T120 tape(the heading here is wrong; the picture of it is correct).Of course, i use the SLP Speed.
RIGHT ON TIME=GOOD QUALITY=AREADY USED SOME OF THEM=THEY ARE HARD TO FIND NOW=THANK YOU FOR STILL CARRYING THEM=I HAVE 5 VCR'S= NEED THEM=
These are getting hard to come by, but this deal was just what I was looking for!  I have always found this to be a reliable brand.
TDK manufactures excellent six hour blank VHS tapes for all purpose general recording of audio-visual media. As long as you have the right kind of equipment, these tapes record television programs off TV or they can be used to make copies of a non-copyright protected VHS tape. These tapes have up to six hours worth of blank recording space; and this is useful when recording television shows, for example.In addition, you can record onto these tapes using different speeds so that the tape records two hours worth recording time, four hours worth recording time and six hours worth of recording. (You use your VCR to set this.) The best image quality will be at two hours worth of recording time but many people say they're satisfied with the image they get using the six hour recording time speed.The tapes allow you hours upon hours of viewing enjoyment because you record onto them over and over again countless times although after some use the picture quality will eventually begin to gradually deteriorate.Unfortunately, these tapes cannot produce the same quality recording reproduction as a digitalized copy would give you. This means that if, hypothetically, you were to copy a DVD-R onto another DVD-R instead of a TDK blank VHS tape, the quality of the audio-visual media on the DVD-R copy would be sharper and clearer than a TDK tape or any other brand of video tape could give you. Moreover, VHS tapes can break if not handled with care. These shortcomings frustrate me and therefore I will have to take off one star to make this a four star review.The tapes have small pieces of plastic on the narrow front edge of each VHS tape which you can punch out easily so that accidental recording over an existing recording is impossible. If you do wish to record over an original recording then you can merely place a small amount of regular tape over the hole. The VHS tape is now ready to record a fresh recording.Overall, TDK makes a great choice when you want reliable blank VHS tapes to record television shows or anything else that you wish to record. I have used this brand for many years and I cannot think of any major complaints. I highly recommend TDK six hour VHS tapes for you to use when you need to record something onto a VHS cassette tape.
These tapes are getting harder and harder to find!  This was an excellent purchase, price very good, shipping very reasonable, shipped very fast.  Great purchase if you are in need of the good, old fashioned recording systems!
It was a relief to find I could still purchase blank videotapes as they are getting hard to find.  My VCR is still plugging along and I still need new tapes to record movies I hope to watch someday... if the VCR will hold out that long!  Anyway, it was a good purchase, quick delivery, reasonable price.  Thanks!
If you need to still store things on tape, this is a great value. these are very good quality tapes
They work beautifully and I've been able to re-use them several times w/o problems.  Tape-overs come out great until you've used them maybe 8-10 times then they might be grainy if you haven't kept your heads clean.  Otherwise, super product.
VERY GOOD PRODUCT, FOR A SOON 2 B OBSOLETE ITEM GETS MANY SATISFACTORY USES AS IN THE COPY OVER PROCESS
Decent every day type VHS tapes. No frills. Ok performers overall and reasonable price. Decent Pix and sound from recordings and can re-record satisfactorily many times. No tracking issues either. Ok deal.
Majority of tapes were of low quality.  Used in three different VCRs and tapes recorded with poor quality and played off track.  The edges were dragging onto bottom of case.  Probably old stock.  Not cost effective to return.  Thrown away.  Will buy local in the future.
I liked the item and the price very much and will order more as I use these up. Great price and service
My husband and I are still from the VRS era, we have 6 tape machines in our house, therefore we need tapes.
you no longer can find in stores and my grandma who is 79 year old's tapes shoes at nite and watches thru out the day.
I am thrilled with the service and the TDK tapes work great. It was i great value for the money
It is difficult to buy VHS tape in store. Not so high quality product, but not so high price and good enough.
Two of the five tapes I've used so far had malfunctioning cassettes that I had to toss. Another goes in and out of black and white and color. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." In this case, pay for another package. This isn't worth it.
Good product at a good price. Thank you for the prompted delivery, It will be put too good use, I am making tapes for my grand children.
Ok as stated as standard tapes, If you are going to reuse a lot I would look for a different quality tape,
Don't ask me why I placed a second order of these tapesTDK 120 Minute Standard Video Tape (10-Pack). And, this was after experiencing that some of the first order were not taping the amount of hours and then after reading other customer's negative reviews. I guess the price was so good, I hoped for a better product the second time. But, the second 10 tapes I ordered were even worse than the first 10, including inability to tape past a certain amount of time such as 1-3 hours and picture distortion, rolling, etc. Plus, even though they were not advertized as VHS, they were all VHS. I have, over the years, taped lots of programs on TV because I cannot always afford to get cable or other TV services. So when I have the chance to tape some of the old movies or my favorite PBS programs, such as right now while I'm at my son's home, I tape them. But, I am so disappointed, frustrated, angry, and more at the quality of these tapes. I would send them back but I can't afford the postage. Amazon, are you interested in keeping a good customer who routinely orders from amazon.com? If so, I hope you will do your best to make me feel better about spending my money on these tapes (13.99 X 2 plus any shipping, tax, etc.). Sincerely, Susie Herold
I purchased these for my mother, who uses a VHS recorder. She was well pleased with the service and is considering buying more.  Excellent quality tapes with great color.
im a record tv addict, i buy these often. great 4 movies too. if you want to tape & get worth 4 your dollar, get these!
These are the only VHS tapes I will buy now. After a long search to get tapes that would capture bright colors without making them appear blown out, I found TDK VHS tapes.Things I like about them:Good colorExcellent SoundMany re-records and playbacks without deteriorating.I used 1 TDK tape to record Glenn Beck every evening while I was at school last year at 5PM, at the end of the semester, it was still going strong. 1 hour record then 1 hour playback every night from August to December. Deep black, bright white, crystal clear sound.The VCR I used was a Panasonic PV-9455S on EP speed.Another great application is VHS camcorders, I have a Sharp VC-C20U and I was having difficulty capturing good video with it until I discovered these tapes. In all it's 1986 glory, my Sharp camcorder was capturing high quality video with stereo sound just as well today as it was all those years ago.
I have been using TDK for a long time and rate them at the top of the blank tape heap. Great buy!
Very happy to be able to buy these.  Harder to find locally.  Seem just fine so far.  Wish they were 180 mins though.
I have had no problems with these tapes.They work as the say they will.they do a good job and work well.
I have been recording VHS tapes for a long time and though the VCR makes a difference in the end product, the tapes make a huge difference as well.  I rarely record 'long play' or 'extended play', etc, preferring the two hour for quality and these tapes don't disappoint on audio or video performance.
I do a lot of recording and these tapes are just what I need.  They are long-lasting, can be taped over again and again, and each play back is as good as the first.  As long as my VCR works, I will continue to purchase these!
I have been using TDK and another brand for 14 years. I finally had to order some new tapes as the old tapes had lost whatever is on the tape that affects tracking and the picture was rolling and loosing sync.  When I buy a batch of new tapes I exercise each one by running it fast forward to the end then rewind it to the start before ever recording on it.  Since the tapes have been in storage for who knows how long this exercise seems to help.  I have never had a bad cassette so far.  We had 30 or so cassettes we have been recording on for 14  years and just bought these plus 6 from another  manufacturer, all from Amazon. We use the tapes in Panasonic and Sony VCRs. We use a wet type head cleaner  maybe every 3 months.
I just recently got a Powershot A80, which I love. I got the Canon PSC-60 soft case sight unseen since it seemed like a nice complement for the camera. The quality of materials is good, but the design seems simplistic and minimalist to the extreme and leaves a lot to be desired in terms of functionality.I moved on to the Lowepro MX10 (which is now called the Lowepro D-Res 10 AW, only the colors have changed a bit). For about the same money as the Canon case, I get:-a reclosable belt loop (with strong velco attachment)-removable neck strap-soft tricot lining (no scratched LCDs with this case)-room for an extra compact flash card (a bit tight with a CF plastic cover, perfect fit with just the card)-room for 4 extra AA batteries, even with the extra compact flash card in the case as well-a weatherproof and durable fabric-wide top-opening full zipper top-reasonably thick paddingOverall, the Lowepro bag looks like it was made for the Powershot A80 (and presumably the A70 and A60 as well), the camera fits just a little loosely by itself, but perfectly with 4 extra AA batteries and a spare compact flash card.I can't say anything negative about my Canon camera, I love it. The PSC-60 case, however, leaves a lot to be desired, and much better options exist out there. I highly recommend the Lowepro case.One final note: Lowepro has a "matrix" on their website to match many different camera models with the appropriate bag. For the Canon Powershot A60/A70 (similar size as the A80), the matrix recommends another bag (the D-Res 8S), but I tried both in a store and the MX 10/D-Res 10 seemed a better fit, with more room for extras (CF card and batteries).
I ordered this bag to use with the Canon PowerShot A10 and am thrilled with it!  It holds the camera, extra compact flash card and batteries.  The inside is plush and won't scratch the camera and it has a rain hood for bad weather.  This bag fits the A10 like a glove!!
Fits my Canon A-620 PERFECTLY. Has space for 4 extra AA batteries. Separate storage for extra SD cards. And very well padded. On top of all that, it's weather resistant, too. For the price, I can't imagine finding a camera bag better than this one.
Very nice camera bag.  Even though it isn't on LowePro's list, the new Canon A610 fits into this case nicely.  Plenty of room for a memory card or two, but 4 spare AA batteries might be pushing it.
As I ordered the camera on line, I wanted a case to fit snugly, but couldn't try them on for fit.  The choice of camera was directly related to the size, so I didn't want a big bulky case.  The Lowe website tells you exactly which bag to buy for a particular model of camera, which is great, otherwise I probably would have ordered the wrong one.  But just like they said, the camera fits snugly inside, there is a bit of room for a couple extras.  For traveling, hiking, cycling, and whatever else I can get myself into, this is a great little case that protects well.
Perfect fit for Canon A540 camera. Especially liked the interior being so soft-protects LCD from scratches and has a place to keep spare memeory cards an a download cable. All-in all one of my best online purchases.
The case is well-padded, but bulky and a bit loose fitting for a Canon A610.  Its size makes using the belt loop impractical, it's just too big. The four interior compartments are a bit excessive; other than a camera pouch there only needs to be one other pocket to hold batteries, a lens cloth, and an SD card.  This thing's just so boxy that you can only really carry it as a full-blown tourist with a strap around your neck, or packed into some check-on luggage.  It'll undoubtedly withstand tall drops and poor baggage handlers, along with wet weather thanks to its nylon cover, but it's overkill for most typical camera environments.  Removing the camera from the case is also annoying because of the long zipper path; likely you'll end up with camera in hand most of the time, lest the zipper cause a missed photo opportunity.  This seems like a fine case for the ultimate camera protection, but for most casual  photographers too much of a hassle for routine use.
This bag is a necessity when traveling with your camera. I own a Canon A620, and it fits snugly in this carrying case. There's just enough room left to store a case of 4 batteries, though it's a tad on the tight side. A nice little pouch is included to hold an extra memory card, useful for those who travel with more than one. My only gripe with this bag is that the neck strap is not quite long enough. It would be great if it were a foot or more longer, making it easier for me to wear it across my torso, rather than simply hanging it over my shoulder.
I purchased this bag based on Amazon consumers recommendations and they were spot on! Excellent bag-holds everything, very secure. Nice looking as well and well designed.Very happy with it.
Great bag.  It does fit the A20 and an extra Compact Flash card perfectly.  However, it is a bit tight when trying to fit 4 'AA' batteries but it is acceptable.  The quality of the bag is top notch and the fabric inside the bag won't scratch the lcd screen.  The hidden cover is a bonus!
I bought the bag based on the great reputation of Lowe.  I am using it for my Canon A-620 camera and it fits like a glove.
I recommend this bag for anyone wanting protection and versatility.  It fits extra items such as some cash and dl and debit card easily so on a small excursion, I don't need to carry anything else.  Perfect fit for my slightly odd shaped Cannon too.
That's right folks, this bag is in fact better than those made by Canon. I recently purchased a Canon A20 digicam as a backup for my Canon S100 Elph. Both are excellent cams. I bought the Canon PSC100 bag for the Elph, and though it fits like a glove, and retains the slick Elph form, it has no protection, little storage space, or extras. If you drop the bag, even on the carpet, you're done for. And did I mentioned there's no special cloth material to protect the LCD screen?Now for the LowePro bag. This baby's awesome! It has enough compartments to store 8 extra AA batteries &amp; 1 extra CF card, or 4 extra AA batteries &amp; 3 extra CF cards. Plus, the material hugging the digicam's very plush, creating a warm and protective feeling. And there's also something special in the back. You can actually pull out a nylon hood to cover the bag on a rainy day. They thought of everything. Excellent work LowePro.Highly recommended for any digicam... Just find one that fits your cam's dimension.
Great little camera bag for the Pentax EI-200 &amp; HP-618i.  Had a tough time finding a camera bag that met my needs, and the Lowepro website does a fantastic job of providing a list of compatible cameras for each bag.  Check it out!
This is my third Lowepro camera bag for all the other camera I had in the past and now.  This looks good and very well made inside and out.  I bought this one in particular for my Canon SX210 IS.  I am looking for something that would fit other things like batteries, memory cards, USB cable, charger, lens clenaer, etc.  Well, there is a separate compartment for the memory and batteries.  The main compartment is too big for my camera alone.  I wished it had one of those dividers with velcro that you can move around.  My previous Lowepro's have this on them.  With this one, I can't put my other accessories as it might scratch my LCD.  It is a very good camera bag, just make sure it is the right size for your camera.  This camera would accomodate a small SLR camera.
I bought this bag for my Nikon Coolpix 4500. It's perfect. The cushioned bag protects the camera from possible bumps and falls, plus it is weather proof. In addition to the camera, I pack the following accessories with no problem: extra compact flash card, Nikon's MC-EU1 cable release, Nikon's lcd viewing hood, extra battery, and a lens cleaning pen.The back has an extremely strong velcro belt strap. Two rings accommodate an adjustable shoulder strap (which I leave off). I use the 4500-strap through the side of the 2-zippered cover.All in all, the highest quality, function, and design for a camera the size of the Coolpix 4500.
Notwithstanding that many people who have evidently never dropped a camera are recommending this case, it is inferior in every respect to other cases available at a similar price.  I returned this case and ordered a different one of similar size, made by a different manufacturer.  If you are curious as to what that would be, just do a search within Camera and Photo for 5693.  Or check my other reviews.This case has only a layer of soft foam padding so thin that you can compress it to the thickness of a sheet of paper with the slightest pinch of your thumb and finger.  It is incapable of absorbing any useful amount of energy, and hence incapable of offering your camera any significant measure of protection.This case uses a zipper closure that is not only inconvenient as compared to a snug-fitting flap that closes with a side-release buckle, but also, wear of the camera at the point where it will inevitably rub on the zipper, will be unavoidable.  This is a horrible design, altogether inappropriate for the intended purpose.The cover that pulls out and covers 3/4 of the case might help to deter water in situations where it probably wouldn't get wet anyway.  The other case that I ordered will be not quite as good in this respect, but if I'm concerned about the camera getting wet, I'll use a plastic zip-lock bag either around the camera inside the case, or else around the case.Something else that I didn't like about this case is that it uses that fuzzy nylon (or polyester) for the lining, which is the same stuff that you see used a lot for lining the pockets of coats and jackets.  It is supposed to simulate soft cotton, but it isn't the same.  The fuzzy fibers have a way of sticking to my fingers.  In the jacket that I had that used this stuff, every time I put my hands in the pockets and then pulled them out, the pocket lining would come out along with my hands.  I just don't like the scratchy feel of this stuff, and I prefer a smooth lining that simulates silk instead.
I just bought this bag for the Canon Powershot G2 ...Though another reviewer made an excellent point in saying that apart from batteries and 1 or 2 extra memory cards it won't fit much accesories, the main reason I bought this bag is for optimal protection of the camera itself, and only secondly for transportation...Other points:the opening is nice and large, though not in a way that the camera might fall out...With this design I think it will be easy to get the camera out when you need to.The material looks and feels excellent. The inside material is very soft and padded for excellent protection of the camera.One of the crucial things to me to choose this bag is the All Weather Cover. A 'jacket' that is nicely tucked away in the bottom-back of the camera, that you can pull out and nicely fits around the front and sides of the bag. It may seem a little tight (it has an elastic part on the top) but think about it: the looser it'll fit, the less weather protection it will offer.A very nice bag for a very reasonable price...
I purchased this bag for my Sony DSC-S70.  It's a great case for large/awkward-shaped digtial cameras.  It holds two memory sticks and an extra battery.  The inside is lined with a soft, felt-like material with does not scratch the LCD displays.  There's plenty of padding.  On the bottom of this bag, there's a hide-away waterproof hood that covers the entire bag.
I wanted to buy something for my Canon PowerShot G3 and I found it. Maybe the bag is a little bit small, but it's not that bad. It can contain the camera itself, 2-3 CompactFlash cards and spare batteries. I don't think you can find a better bag for the price.
After getting my new Canon, I went to LowePro's site to find the perfect bag, having used their product for our previous camera.  Their camera matrix makes this a snap.  Three models were listed as the best fit, and I could only find this one locally (which I needed, to try it out).The 30 is quite large for my camera, but enables me to load it bottom-down, rather than on-edge like several of the others I tried.  When unzipped, you can access all storage areas, including two small pouches in front for spare memory cards (they would easily hold 6 CF cards). The bag has a cushioned, fleeced interior, with a separate small pocket for spare AAs.  The main storage area also comes with a removable cushioned divider which attaches with velcro, so you can subdivide the camera area as you wish.  When I was trying the camera on-edge I used it, but once I placed the camera in bottom-first, I didn't need it.  For the S1 there is quite a bit of room on top.Another added feature is the all-weather cover which is hidden in the outside back of the case.  Pulled out, it fits over the case like a rainhat, keeping your camera and other items dry.  Pretty cool.The shoulder strap is removable and well-designed, and the case also has a triple velcro belt-loop affair, if you'd like to hang it closer.  This case is probably too large for me to attempt that, but I like having the option.The 25 was another case which should fit my Canon S1, but since I couldn't find it locally I bought this case, and am please with it.Ritz Camera:  $29.99Amazon:  $20.84
I purchased this last week and got it a few days ago. This is a great digital camera bag. I did extensive research before committing and I must say it paid off. The bag has a nice divider which I used to seperate my cables from my camera. It also is lined with a soft fabric so your LCD screen is not scratched. I must say that if you stuff the main compartmen, the front compartments are basially rendered useless. The front area has two laminated compartments for smartmedia or compactflash cards. They are basically the only two things that will fit since the camera in the main compartment makes it a very tight fit.
I've kept my Canon Powershot G2, Speedlite 420EX, extra set of 4 AA's for the Speedlite, and a couple of extra CF cards in this bag for about a year now.  Works great ... although there are times when I'd also like to put more accessories in it (charger, lens cleaner, etc) and there isn't enough room, so I may be moving up to a larger Lowepro or Tamrac bag soon.  The bag is nicely padded and soft (the &quot;non-scratch&quot; lining is important for digicams with unprotected LCD screens, but isn't an issue for a G2).
Don't plan to keep batteries or lenses along with your camera in this bag.  So tight, sometimes camera switch turns on when you insert camera in bag.  Adequate if no accessories.  Weather protection cover a big plus in the rain.
This is an excellent bag when you want to carry around your small digital camcorder.  I have an Elura2 MC and I am able to carry the camcorder, a wideangle lens, a spare 2 hr battery, and extra multimedia cards.  Based on my experience it should be able to carry some of the smallest Sony's and JVC camcorders too.  Excellent quality and the weatherproof cover is a bonus.
I bought it for my canon G5, it is good, simple, but much expensive comparing with other similiar products (e.g. samsonite). The AW cover is not very useful.
My Canon A80, Panasonic BQ-390 quick charger with 4 extra  batteries, uplink cord, A/V patch cord and extra CF cards all fit nicely in this case. There is a little more room in it for a few other things too. The little rain hood that is sewn in the back is a plus that I didn't expect. Great case, compact design. Beats the snot out of the Canon case hands down.
This is versatile pouch for a small to medium-size digital still or compact video camera - plus (depending on the size of the camera) room for extra memory, batteries and accessories. An adjustable divider and lots of pockets keep equipment well-organized. (Perfect for my Panasonic Lumix FZ1, while the rest of the stuff stays home on a day trip.)All Weather Cover: Built-in cover that protects your gear from dust, rain or snow.Adjustable Divider: Customizes the interior for a variety of needs.Brushed Tricot Lining: Soft material that won't scratch LCD viewing screens.Laminated Mesh Pocket: Holds memory cards or Mini-DV tapes.Removable Shoulder Strap: Adjustable for length.So, will your camera fit this case? Here are the dimensions I dug up:D-RES 30AW SpecificationsInner dimensions6W x 2.5D x 6H in. (15 x 6.5 x 15 cm)Exterior dimensions7W x 3.5D x 6.75H in. (18 x 9 x 17 cm)Weight7 oz (198 g)MaterialsAll Weather Cover, special brushed-tricot lining that's ultra gentle to LCD screens.Outer fabric:Water-resistant 420D nylon/TXP&trade; crossweave and 1200D ballistic  TXPYou can expect this case to be durable on the outside and gentle to your camera on the inside. Well worth the money to protect your investment.
The card slot on the right hand side easily accepted my Zio (compact flash style)and it even stores memory cards too!
This is a great little card holder, especially when you consider that some memory cards do not come with great plastic protectors.The interior has 1 large stretch pocket on the interior right side, and  2 smaller mesh pockets on the left side - great for holding a couple of memory cards of any type.  The overall construction feels strong, but I wish they'd make this in a hard 'shell' like case even if they do claim the exterior is made for &quot;all-weather&quot; situations. Nevertheless, this a must-have to protect your memory cards and the images on them.
Will fit Minolta X20 and a few memory cards PERFECTLY, but no room for extra batteries.
Does it's job very handsomely. I use it with my Canon Powershot S110 so I can use a smaller case for the camera itself. I usually  keep the wallet in one pocket and the camera in the other.
The D-Res 4 can hold enough digital peripherals for a two week overseas trip. My wallets hold a spare set of 4 AA ni-cads, a digital camera remote, and four memory cards in one covenient package.What I like is that the D-Res 4 Memory Wallet provides modularity: all critical accessories in one place. On longer outings, I use it in conjunction with a small camera bag, with the wallet and camera both tucked into the bag (in addition to lens cloths, filters, etc). On shorter outings I just take the camera and the wallet. Saves on bulk/weight. You can tuck the wallet in your pocket, or loop it on your belt (with its very wide, velcro release loop).I knew that this was an importance accessory, when I bought a second digital camera and could not do without a second D-Res 4 wallet. Get one for each of your digital cameras.
What it is: A good, small, soft-shell day bag for my Olympus e510 SLR. The camera fits well in the bag with either the 14-42mm or 40-150mm Olympus kit lens attached. True, there isn't room for the camera and both lenses but, so far, this has not been an issue. The bag offers good equipment protection for the money and is comfortable carrying around on day trips (padded, lightweight, good strap, good zippers).What it isn't: This bag is not intended to haul around lots of equipment. As  noted above there is only room for the camera and an attached lens inside the main pocket. If you want to carry extra lenses or equipment larger than an extra battery or memory card, this bag will be a disappointment.Bottom line: If you're looking for an inexpensive but quality soft-side day bag for your SLR, I recommend this bag. If you are concerned with whether the bag will accommodate your camera, check out other reviews for comments on similar size cameras before buying.
I gave this 5 stars because the bag is so well made for its low price on Amazon. However it is not ideal for the Panasonic DMC FZ35 & I returned it. There's too much unsuable extra space for this camera. You can't fit the camera with lens hood facing forward, the hood must be reversed, therefore you have 2+" of empty space above the LCD screen plus a way oversized exterior form factor. Lowepro recommends the Rezo 110 AW which fits the FZ35 much better & is smaller overall but with a lot more useable extra space. I bought the Lowepro Rezo TLZ 10 which Lowepro doesn't recommend for the FZ35. It fits the FZ35 perfectly (with lens hood reversed) like the old 35mm SLR ever-ready cases used to fit. The camera goes in & out easily & quickly with everthing attached & there's room in a front pocket for a spare battery, lens cleaning cloth or bulb brush & the battery charger (if you really want to stuff it). The TLZ 10 is hardly bigger than the camera & is unobtrusive. It is slghtly more expensive than then Topload Mini which points out what a bargain the Topload is for the right camera: a larger form bridge camera super zoom like Canon's or other brand digital SLR with small zoom.
Short and sweet - a very nice camera case that is just about 1/2" too short for the D90 with 18-105 zoom.  It is a very nice fit for the camera body and would be great with a shorter lens.  The various pouches are useful.  Too bad!  The actual inside dimensions are closer to 4.0h x 5.5w x 5.5d.
My D40 fits fine in this case it is a great case that keeps the camera safe and well taken care of.
After buying my wife a small SLR I wanted to protect it for our upcomming RTW trip.  Having previously purchased a Lowepro camera pouch for our pocket digital I knew the brand provided quality construction and good protection.  This model meets those same criteria.  Highly recommended for those who want minimum bulk but good protection.
Recently converted from point and shoot to T1i.  This bag is great for short lens and on the go chasing kids.  No extra space or extra padding but it does its job at a great price.
I was concerned about the size of the Lowepro Topload Zoom Mini Camera Bag until I read the reviews, most of which stated the bag would accommodate a Canon Rebel T1i with kit lens and strap.  For those concerned about fitting such a camera in this bag...WORRY NO MORE!  This bag is PERFECT for a T1i.  As instructed by other reviewers, I dropped the strap in first and then the camera.  It works like a charm.  I put the camera and strap in the main compartment and the USB cable, charger, and an extra battery in the outside pocket without any problems.  Extra memory cards would easily fit in the mesh zipper pocket on the inside of the lid.  If you're looking for a compact grab and go bag, look no further.  This bag is perfect!
I got this for my Nikon D40 and it is a nice, snug fit with the 18-55mm lens. However, I recently upgraded to a different lens and it no longer fits in the bag. I really like the compact size of the bag; it is well padded and really protects the camera; and has ample storage space for a spare battery and additional memory cards.
This bag was on sale when I bought it with my D40.  People are very incorrect in saying what does and does not fit.  It DEFINITELY fits a D40 with a 55-200 lens.  Also, I have since upgraded first to the Nikon 18-200 lens, and more recently to a D80.  It absolutely fits my D80 with 18-200, much less any lesser combination of my gear.  The only thing is, it is a tight fit unless I take off my Bogen tripod plate and put it in the side pocket.
This bag works great for my D3000. I was looking for something small but with some padding so that it would also provide a little protection for the camera. I used it on a recent vacation and it worked great--I just carried my essentials in the front pocket (credit cards, keys, id) and skipped a purse. I only have an 18-55 lens, so I'm not sure if it would fit a larger lens. This is great if you're looking for a simple, small camera bag for a reasonable price.
This camera bag is perfect for my Nikon D40.  It makes it easy to carry around and the camera fits perfectly.  I definately recommend this bag.
Using this for my Canon PowerShot SX10IS.  Fits it perfectly with a bit of room for batteries and other small accessories.  Mostly there is just room for the camera itself though.  If you have extra lenses or flash, it wont fit.Very nice and easy to use, top loading is nice and good for quick-access.  The little plastic-lined zip pocket in the top is good for holding memory cards.  I also have the Apex 110 AW bag and I switch off between them depending on the occasion.The triangular form factor is very nice and fits snugly up against your back without getting in the way.
This is a nice bag to keep a compact DSLR in. It has just enough room for my D40 camera and strap in the main section while a spare battery and lens pen is in the outside pocket. It is tight to fit the strap in however it feels secure in the case. I would have to get a larger one if I upgrade my lens over the 17-55 I have now.I feel the cushioning is quite good for the bag and it is just great for a person who wants to travel light.
Lowepro makes great inexpensive camera bags and the Topload Zoom Mini is exceptionally well designed.  Very sturdy construction and a decent amount of padding without making it bulky.  The non-slip surface under the top of the shoulder strap does well at keeping it on your shoulder.  I love that the top of the bag opens away from me for easy access to the camera and protects me from dropping it as I'm trying to put it back in.  The front compartment has plenty of room for extra batteries and even a couple of filters.  This is the perfect bag for roaming around the Smoky Mountains taking photos on the trail.By the way, one other review stated that this bag was a perfect fit for their Fuji S9100. No, no, no!!!  I have an S9100 and getting it in this bag requires that I wriggle, push, and STUFF it in.  Way too tight.  Made me very nervous that I would damage my camera trying to get it back out.HOWEVER, this bag was perfect for my Fuji S5100, a considerably smaller zoom camera.  Guess that's why Lowepro calls this a "mini zoom" bag.  The next bigger size of this bag is a fantastic fit for my S9100 with plenty of room but not too much.  If you're debating between the two bags compare the size of your camera to these two Fuji cameras and let that be your guide.  Great bag, no fear..........
I took this bag with me to a trip to Mexico, and it fits my Nikon p500 camera perfectly.  It has a pocket in the front which can hold my usb cord, extra battery, and lens cloth.  The inner flap has a pocket for my SD card and another cloth.  This bag is good for travel, and if your on vacation and don't want a huge pack to tote around.  Fitted comfortably on my shoulder and wore it like a messenger bag.
I own a Canon Rebel EOS T1i/500D and it fits beautifully with the 18-55 kit lens attached in this sturdy bag. It has  a nice pocket inside the inner top that has a great vinyl flap that keeps the zipper pull from scratching the back of the camera.  It holds memory cards and wipes really nicely there and the pocket on the front is roomy enough for the battery and charger.  Very compact + Very portable + Very easy to carry around + Very high quality = Exactly what my DSLR needed.  I am an amateur at photography and just needed a great case for carrying and storage.  This one is a great deal and I would recommend anytime.
I bought this bag because I have a larger Lowepro camera bag that I didn't want to lug around. The larger one is great because it fits my Rebel XTi and my HD video camera - but sometimes I just want the SLR.I was worried this bag wouldn't be protective enough, but it's done a great job so far! I have enough room for the camera with lens and then the extra batteries and cards.It's a really great bag, especially for the price!! :)
Bag is just the size I was hoping for and currently does what it's supposed to...hold a camera(small dslr) + 1 lens, although my lens is just the basic 18-55 lens. Great price+free shipping! Would recommend.
This bag fits a Canon XS/T1i perfectly and there is room in the outside pocket for the battery charger and instructions. Good value, this bag has held up well. Just bought a second one as a gift!
This is a fine nylon camera bag.  It fits the Fuji HS10 (and HS20) just right, with a small amount of looseness.  The pocket in front has room for all the extras.  The HS10/HS20 is bigger than the S2000, S1500, and S1800 cameras, and so needs a slightly bigger bag. This bag also comes with a belt loop.
love this bag.  It is small and easy to carry.  Camera fits right into it.
I like the bag overall. It's a simple little padded bag to carry your camera in. There is no room much of anything besides the camera but it works great.
Camera bag is good for camera only.  No real room for anything else.  Good length strap and provides good cushion for camera. Standard length lens only, don't try to fit a medium to large zoom lens. Very good for taking to the beach or for nature walks.
LowePro makes very nice camera bags and cases, but this one recommended by Amazon for the Nikon D40 does not fit the camera very well, even with the standard 18-55 lens.  If you use the 55-200 lens it is even worse.  Nice case, poor recommendation for the D40.
Needed a simple but quality bag for a FujiFilm FinePix S700, and this worked perfectly.  Fit the camera like a glove and is still in use today with the same camera.
I was worried that toting my SLR around would be a lot more cumbersome than taking my point-and-shoot, but the compactness of this bag makes it much easier to carry than I thought it would.  It has just enough room for the camera and the lens it came with, plus the charger and a spare battery, and probably a couple of spare memory cards.
I bought this bag along my Canon Rebel XT with kit lens (18-55mm), and it has a quite perfect size, with little extra room to fit strap. Internal pocket accomodates a couple of CF cards and external allowed an extra battery and charger.When I bought a 28-135mm IS lens, the bag turned a little tight to fit this big lens but putting strap along lens instead over back of camera, I would be able to walk around with it.Unfortunately I bought a Canon 40D, and with 28-135mm IS lens the bag don't accomodate at all the new combination, so I'm moving to a TLZ 1 bag instead.Bottom line: it's a nice, reliable and resistant bag, with enough padding to protect camera and lens from small bumpings, light and inexpensive. A good choice for small SLR cameras with a small lens.
I love this case. I use it when I am just out and about and don't need my full set up.
Fit's the Canon T2i no problem. Pouch under the lid will hold memory cards and the small extras. Outside pouch is very roomy. Strap is a little stiff but I think it will work in over time. The low price makes this an excellent buy.
I have a Canon XSi and its just enough for the XSi and kit lens. Its good for me because I dont like holding onto too many things when I travel.
I couldn't use it (D80 + 18-200mm VR), but it's pretty effective and minimalist, as I'd like, and would be ideal with some of the kit lenses on a Nikon D40/50/80.
This camera bag does not have enough room to carry more than a SLR with a 18-55mm lense and some memory cards, and possibly batteries.  This is an excellent camera bag for short trips with minimal equipment.  The camera compartment is well padded to protect from short drops and light bumping.  I have a Nikon D40 with the Lowepro camera strap with quick release, which works well since there is not enough room with the camera and strap, you have to remove the strap and place it in the front zip compartment.  This works well for me because I dont like to keep a strap on at all times when using the camera.  I also have the Made camera protector on my nikon which seems to make it just a little bit more bulky, It still fits good in the bag.  Good bag for a general carry case.
This bag holds my nikon FM3a with a Tamaron 24-135 zoom perfectly. There is just enough room left inside that I can squish my neck strap in there too. I've also found that the outside pocket has room to hold three film canisters. This bag is great if you want to fling your camera over your shoulder for a quick walk to the park or a trip to a ball game.
I got this for $20 from amazon along w/ the Nikon Lens brush for about $25 total and free shipping. The canon XSI w/ the kit 18-55mm IS lens fits snugly if you know how to position the camera. First, drop down the camera strap into the base of the bag (see picture #1 that I uploaded). Then put in the camera. Then Fold the strap over and rest it on top of the lcd screen. The strap will provide a second layer of cushinging for the lcd screen. The bag is the most compact one that you can get out there. The front pocket fits the charger, the nikon lens brush that I bought, and a few memory cards. Great value. Note, don't expect to fit any other lens.
I hate lugging lots of stuff around.  This bag fits the camera well, although it doesn't have much room for a large lens.  If your using a short or stock lens, this bag is great.  If you plan on bringing additional lens, bulbs, or other things the size of the previous mentioned, I dont think you should get this bag.It is great on the belt.  I felt like I was walking around with a large fanny pack, thats what it looks like too.  I may have felt like a tool at times, but the camera always felt protected and access was easy to it.One thing i didnt like was that the camera strap doesn't really have a place in the bag.  I have to fold it twice and slide it down the side of the bag/camera. I guess there is no other way to do it, but it is an annoyance.Overall I like the bag and would recommend it.
I use this to store my Nikon D-50 with 18-55mm zoom lens.  Fits perfectly with room for cables and filters or a battery in the front pocket.  Handy zipper compartment inside the top is perfect for my remote shutter controller and spare memory cards.  If you need a utility case to transport the basics, this bag is a great choice.
This is a perfect fit for a Nikon D40 w/ an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.  Even has enough room to tuck in the camera's strap.
I had tried a number of cases for my Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 camera and I had found one that could take all my gear (A2, BP400 battery grip, Sigma flash, filters, remote release, batteries, cf cards, cleaning stuff), but I also wanted something smaller that I could take with me when I didn't need all the stuff, and this is it folks! I cannot fit the BP400 on the A2 but that's ok. The little pouch takes a polarizer filter, an extra battery, a CF card and that's all I need on shorter outings. It's made of durable stuff that will keep some water and dirt away from your camera. Hang it on your belt (which I do most of the time) or wear out on your shoulder. Great bag at a great price and Lowepro's quality is well known.
I love this bag for holding my camera, but the little pouch on the outside isn't really large enough for too many extra items. It fits my speedlight and computer cord, but that is about it. This is great for toting around, though, because it is light and very portable.
I was able to fit the Canon XSI in this camera with not problem as long as I did not included the shower strap. The front pocket is big enough to fit the 270 EX flash. Looks, it looks very good and low key. Construction is great, very well built and perfect size for me.
Excellent quality!The bag fits my Nikon D40 with a 18-55 lens.I could not be pleased more with this purchase
Fits my Canon Rebel XTI with kit lens perfectly, with room for strap and not too snug.  Extra pocket is nice for charger.  Not problems or defects so far.  Had it for about a month.  Doesn't feel cheaply made so, I anticipate with general use, it should last a while.
Fits Ok, but still a bit small for the Nikon D5000 w/ kit lens, can use a little some extra space.
Bought this for Nikon D40 and its a perfect fit. Comfortably holds the D40 and its kits lens with the Nikon strap inside. Holds the SD card in the inside pouch and the spare battery in the outside pouch.Cant hold the charger and its cord though. But with a spare battery and with Nikon's efficiency you dont have to charge quite often so its not a great minus.
I bought this product for two reasons: first, I think it have a good design because it bag opens in form that you can hold the camera safety all the time and second, this bag fits like a glove with my camera Nikon D3000 with it's 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens attached.
Very good camera bag, my canon xsi feets perfectly. Maybe it should have more pockets. But its very good for tourist traveling.
This is a well designed minimalist type case that I would love to use except that It doesn't quite fit my Nikon D80 with my favorite lens the 18-200 AF VR lens. It would work with any of the stock 18-55 or shorter lenses. The D40 works fine in this case too. It's well made, too bad it isn't a couple of inches longer!
My Nikon D40 fits perfectly in this case with the kit lens on. It's well padded and has two pockets for storing lens protector, extra battery, memory card, etc. I just returned from a trip with this case and it was very handy. The Nikon camera strap doesn't fit neatly when in a rush but I'm making due just leaving it hanging out on side after zipping it up.
I bought this originally for my small-body Nikons (D40, D60 and D3000) and it's good for those, though roomier than it needs to be for these cameras. It is in fact a nice, snug fit for the D70s or D80 with the 18-55mm VR (or any shorter) lens. Just wrap the neckstrap loosely around the lens before putting the camera in and it fits fine. I also use it for a Panasonic FZ35, a much more compact camera. If you just put an FZ35 alone in this bag you'd have enough room left over for a ham sandwich, but the neat thing is you can put it in with its large lens hood attached -- very handy since the hood cannot be reversed on this camera. Then the bag is just the right size as to length, though still with extra room on the sides but that causes no problems.Made with the usual LowePro quality, and the flap opening from the near side is a really good idea. I liked it so much I bought a second one and may buy another one or two. Though I'm not likely to carry more than one at a time it's a good place to store a camera as well. I have a couple of larger size LowePro bags of this type that are useful when carrying a camera with a longer lens and/or larger body, such as the D200.
If you only need to carry around your digital slr camera with one lens and no accessories, this bag will do, but you still have to be careful cause it doesn't provide any protection against falling.
I own one each of the TLZ mini, TLZ 1, and TLZ 2. They are great walk-around bags. The mini is perfect for my Nikon D40 with the attached kit lens and a lens pen. I expect it would work well with any similar small DSLR and lens combo.
Nicely padded, room for a couple filters and extra film.  Compact and great for carrying.  Caution!  Leave it zipped, because if you pick up this bag opened your camera will fall out.
This TLZ Mini bag is well built and has a large front pocket.  However, there are no pouches inside the front pocket to permit better arrangement of batteries and memory cards.  Because of this design oversight, I returned this bag and purchased theLowepro Rezo TLZ 10 Digital Camera Case Gadget Baginstead.  The TLZ 10 has a smaller front pocket but inside the pocket there are two pouches.  Note, however, that the TLZ 10 will not accomodate as long a lens as will the TLZ Mini.
I was very happy when I received this product. It is just the perfect size for my Sony DSC H2, a couple of extra batteries, an extra memory stick and even a small mini tripod which are all the basics I need to carry. Comfortable and good construction.
I've had this my Lowepro camera bag for almost six years.  I've taken it hiking, biking, skiing, and even sailing.  This bag goes everywhere I take pictures, and it's still in great shape.  It's just the right size for my Olympus C700 and Sony H2 superzooms (well, one of them at a time), with a filter tube, spare batteries, and a pocket tripod.  Best twenty bucks I ever spent on camera equipment.
Bag was perfect for my Lumix DMZ28.  Also holds extra SD card, battery recharger, extra battery, computer cable, and lens cleaner pen.  Zipper rather than plastic clip, so won't break.
My Nikon D40 fits this bag with either the kit lense (18-55) or my 55-200 lense attached.  I also carry a spare battery and a couple filters in the bag.
The bag is not quite the size that the Lowepro webpage indicates.  The page says it has 6.5 inch height clearance.  And while the bag is that size on one side, the other side slopes down, resulting in less than 6.5 inches of height.  So my 6 inch Canon powershot doesn't fit in the bag well.
I bought this Camera Bag with my Canon XSi with Kit Lens (18-55mm) and it is perfect. You can carry the very basic kit + battery charger. If you need a good (and cheap) bag to protect your camera (with kit lens) that it the one I recommend.
The Lowepro Zoom Mini easily accommodates a Pentax K100D (with 18-55 lens), for those that were wondering.
I purchased this bag for my Nikon D40 with kit lens.  Others have commented that it doesn't fit - mine fits NPF, including the strap.  There's not a lot of extra room, but a small pocket can hold a spare battery, memory card, or short usb cable.  For day trips when you are satisfied with the kit lens, this is perfect.
i bought a canon xti about a year ago and needed a new bag to carry it in. this bag holds the camera great and the straps fit well.
Anyone who says that their SLR won't fit must have an over sized camera.  I can fit my Canon 30D or my wife's Canon Rebel XT with an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens UV filter and lens cap without problem.A couple of nice features:- the non-slip surface of the shoulder strap actually works.- the "backwards" opening of the flap while it seems funny at first is actually safer to use.- the adjustable velcro bolsters allow you to set the support for the right sided handgrip lower thus keeping the camera back level.- the front pocket is big enough for my charger and an extra battery while the inner mesh pocket holds an extra memory card and a cleaning cloth.
The Pentax K-x (and Pentax SLRs in general) are small.  With the 18-55 lens and lens cap & filter on, this Mini camera bag is a tight fit.  You can't really use the inside pocket in the lid, because it makes the compartment even smaller.Pros- compact, well padded, great price.Cons- I question the use of a zipper on the ~4"x3" lid flap (even though it's covered with a quarter-sized leather flap). It's just one more thing that can scratch your viewfinder over time.  (most of the 1-star deduction is due to the poor implementation of this storage feature)- hard to get my K-x camera in it in a hurry.  The camera strap needs to be carefully put in around the edges of the camera for the top lid to close...  It's hard to avoid scratching the viewfinder with parts of the strap.- for the K-x, only the outside pocket of the holster is useful, not the lid pocket.Given the small size (mostly height) of this holster bag - for arguably the smallest SLR camera - it seems this bag was designed - and is more suitable for - the "super-zoom" - SLR-like style cameras that are generally not as tall from lens to viewfinder.This is a great bag for a not-too-expensive SLR if your camera fits, with the caveat of that semi-exposed internal zipper.  I wouldn't put a $500 or up camera in it.Update: 3/6/2010:  I decided to move up one size larger to theLowepro Topload Zoom 1 Camera Bag (Black)bag.  The specs say it's 1.25" taller and a bit wider than the Mini.  But, having both side-by-side, and because both are wedge-shaped, the Zoom 1 is *noticeably* wider and taller than the Mini.The result:  The Zoom 1 has at least 1" spare room at the top with my Pentax K-x inside (w/18-55 lens) and at least 1/2-1" more  side-to-side for the camera strap.  Ahhh...Also, the LowePro Zoom 1 bag has 2 1" -removable- inside Velcro'd straps at the top of the bag to stabilize the camera position.  The LowePro Mini does not.The Velcro strap feature makes the Zoom 1 a much better choice than the Mini for securing your mid-priced SLR, and is worth the extra buck or two over the Mini.
Needed a good carry bag for my Nikon D40 that i purchased recently.I use it mostly with the kit lens 18-55 mm which fits snugly into this lowerpro bag.Strap & the carry case is made of durable material, and i am satisfied with the purchase.Just be sure that your DSLR is not too big for this, this case should fit most medium sized dsl'rs with kit lenses;Also has front zip pouch to keep battery/sd card etc.
This bag is perfect if you have the right cam/lens combo.  a 30D and a 28-135 lens fit in this bag perfectly.  A larger camera body or lens would not work.  In fact, the lens hood won't fit in the bag, but I put it on the shoulder strap which works fine.  I don't know Nikkon lenses/bodies but I would guess a canon 5d would also fit in here and of course the smaller XT/XTI bodies would also work.The 28-135 is a great walk around lens and it's really nice to have a bit of protection for it as you are out and about.
This bag perfectly fits my canon rebel xti + kit lens, with room for a battery charger, a usb cable, a screen cleaner, some extra memory cards, etc--everything I need aside from my other lenses. There are two pockets--one outside and one inside the flap. It's portable but durable, with enough padding to protect its contents.
This bag has stayed intact for several years and through numerous rough journeys and inclement weather. And it's not heavy.
I usually have this inside my backpack so I appreciate its nice small size.  It's a little snug on a couple of my lenses but I don't mind that too much.  The front pouch is big enough to fit a lens pen, usb cable and any other small accessories you may want to carry.  My camera is a Canon XS which is one of the smaller DSLRs out there.  If you have a bigger camera, this probably wouldn't be a good bag for you.
It doesn't have loads of pockets, and it only holds one lens, but it keeps my camera safe and that's what it's supposed to do.
perfect for my Canon XS1000D, the right size. good quality, size and strength. I recommend
I bought this camera bag last year and use it every day.First, for me this is great for carrying my camera when I go into the nearby mountains.  It holds all the equipment I need and is very well made.  Lowepro Topload Zoom Mini Camera Bag is made of thick insulated material.  This bag will protect my digital camera and discs in an insulated, well padded container.  I am comfortable with security and safety issues for my photographic equipment.  As a special bonus the bag is very light weight and, with its shoulder strap and top carrying handle, it is very easy to carryLately I have discovered a great secondary use for this Lowepro Topload Zoom Mini Camera Bag.  I have several items that I must have with me or at close access: PDA to remind me of medicine times, appointments, and essential tasks; a cell phone to keep in contact with friends and associates; medicine for controlling unexpected bouts of pain, indigestion, angina; and meters to check my oxygen level and blood pressure (especially going into the mountains).  Carrying all those items in my pockets is cumbersome and uncomfortable.  However, all of the vital items fit nicely in this bag, so I become free for a few hours to simply enjoy the day and the beauty of creation.I recommend this product.  It has many possible uses.
I love this bag, it is the perfect for the Nikon D40 with either the 18-55 or the 55-200mm lens.  You can't fit both lens in it of course, that's not what it's for.  I also have the Nikon strap attached do my D40 and it easily fits inside this topload zoom mini bag.  I don't know what other people mean by this bag is too small, it's the perfect size.
I have owned the mini version of this case for my Olympus E-510 for about three years now and have not have any issues with it, so I though I'd buy this full sized version for my recently purchased Canon 7D, and I am happy to report that it fits the Canon nicely.  With the kit lens (28-135) the 7D has a little wiggle room on both sides and about half an inch form the back of the camera to the top of the bag.  By folding the 7D's strap up behind the camera it fills that extra space nicely.This is not the case to get if you like to travel with a lot of accessories and lenses though since there is not much room left when you put a camera like the 7D in it.  It has a small pouch on the underside of the cover, perfect for a compact flash card or two, and another larger pouch on the front of the case.  The larger pouch can hold the charger, a cable or two, and a few more compact flash cards.  The case also includes two little Velcro dividers to section it off if your camera is significantly smaller than the case.The case is nicely constructed and can stand up to an occasional sprinkle of water.  The padding is not very thick, but works well for minor impacts.The one thing I don't like about the case is the new shoulder strap.  On the older mini version the ends of the shoulder strap were sown down.  On the new one you get extra material hanging off the strap if you shorten it.  Not only does this extra material get in the way, but also the strap is a bit less secure.All in all... the prefect case for a larger semi-pro SLR (Canon 7D and 50D and Nikon D300s), but a bit too big for consumer level SLRs (Canon Rebel and Nikon D3000).
Not very big, but that's why I bought it! Large enough for me camera (Canon XS20is), a random number of filters and such. Your sandwich and beer will require their own sack.  Very well thought out and constructed. I do think one could drop it down the side, any "side", of Mt. Fuji without the contents suffering any damage.Oh, and I especially love the the fact that the inside "shoulders" are adjustable.
I initially purchaed the "Mini" version of this bag, which I returned in exchange for this "Zoom 1" version. It holds my D5000 with a 55-200 lens attached without problem. However 95% of the time I use a 35mm prime lens and with this lens attached there is a lot of space on top (which I dont mind as there is room for the camera strap). It also has a generous pocket for holding a spare battery, a filter and even squeezing in a tiny table-top tripod. Though I have never tried it, there should be space to fit in a mini speedlight as well such as the SB400 in the pocket or the main compartment below the camera.This is a good bag for carrying around the DSLR camera with a single attached lens. The straps can be adjusted and there is a belt loop as well. The quality is typical Lowepro quality, which is very good.The only con is that the shape of the bag makes it obvious that you are carrying a SLR camera, and this makes the bag stand out in situations where you may want to be discreet.
This is a great little bag.  My Nikon fits lens down in it, and there is just enough room around the edges and top to squeeze my tamrac strap in as well.  For the most part I don't attach any straps to the bag and just carry it by the handle.  Since it's inexpensive, I also purchased the chest strap, which holds the bag snug against your chest but makes it very easy to retrieve the camera without removing the strap.  Although I've test-fitted the chest strap, I haven't taken it on a hike yet so I don't know if I'll like it or not.I held back a star, probably unfairly, because the fabric of the bag seems a bit thin and unexceptional.  I don't think this is a performance issue at all - I just would have preferred something thicker and more tactile, like ballistic nylon.
Strong...Samll...and a few pockets....nice.I have a Nikon D200 and 18-200mm lensThe bag works great
My Nixon D80 with the 18-135 lens fits very nicely, and is quick to retrieve. The small pockets hold battery, spare memory, and a filter or two. The strap goes over one shoulder comfortably, or can make it a waist pack. Camera feels lighter in the bag than dangling from its neck strap, and it reduces the paranoia of bouncing it off something.  Don't mistake this for a system bag. It's a great thing to take on a walk or to an event where you know the lens on the camera will do what you need.
After reading the reviews, I thought this bag would be bigger than it actually is. It really only has room for the camera with attached lens and a pocket for a few extras such as filters or cards. I would prefer a bag that can hold an extra lens, but the conical shape prevents that.
Just what the title says...this bag is a perfect fit for my Nikon D300 with 18-200mm lens on it.The strap tucks nicely next to the camera, and I keep my polarizing filter handily stored in the zipped pocket inside the top flap.The front pocket is big enough for me to store either my point and shoot camera in it'sLowepro D-Res 8S case, or even myCanon FS100 camcorder.  That's everything I need for a day out with the kids.My only gripe is that I wish it had a SlipLock receiver on the sides for my little point & shoot Lowepro cases to attach to.  All Lowepro would have to do is just not stitch on the existing support strap that runs between the D rings on the sides of the case.  In fact, I might just try unstitching it.The case is a perfect fit for me, especially for the price point (I paid around $18 in March 2010).
Lowepro makes great inexpensive camera bags and the Topload Zoom Mini is exceptionally well designed.  Very sturdy construction and a decent amount of padding without making it bulky.  The non-slip surface under the top of the shoulder strap does well at keeping it on your shoulder.  I love that the top of the bag opens away from me for easy access to the camera and protects me from dropping it as I'm trying to put it back in.  The front compartment has plenty of room for extra batteries and even a couple of filters.  This is the perfect bag for roaming around the Smoky Mountains taking photos on the trail.By the way, this bag was a perfect fit for my Fuji S9100.  However, the Lowepro Mini Zoom bag was perfect for my Fuji S5100, a considerably smaller zoom camera.  If you're debating between the two bags compare the size of your camera to these two Fuji cameras and let that be your guide.  Great bag, no fear..........
Hey, I went back and forth about whether to get this case for my Nikon D50.  I have an 18-55mm lens, and my fear was that the strap wasn't going to fit.I decided to go ahead and get it, and I'm glad I did.  However, the strap really didn't fit in the case with it until I figured out a little trick:  take the strap and wrap it around the lens a couple of times.  If you wrap it around neatly, the camera fits perfectly into the case.  I enjoy using a strap, and I wasn't willing to take it off the camera.  Letting it hang out of the camera bag doesn't work, because even if you use it as your main strap, it's too short, since it's made to be around your neck.If you have the D50 with an 18-55mm lens and you want a small case, this is your case.  It's a great price and a great product.Enjoy.
Concerned if new camera would fit, it does and very handy when being the 'tourist' or shotting a photo of the elusive White Squirrel in the back yard.
Fits everything you need for a walk in the wood's.. Works great and well constructed..
This review is for the Lowepro Topload Zoom 1.  This is a great little bag for times when you don't want to haul your entire inventory of gear.  It is the perfect size for my Nikon D80 with the 18-200mm VR zoom lens mounted.  There is just enough room on the left side of the camera to tuck in the camera strap.  The pouch on the front is just right for a few filters and an extra battery.  An especially nice design touch is the way the top of the bag flips outward, away from your body, so you easily see into and access the contents of the bag.
This bag is nice, it can easily fit my D300 with vertical grip attached. I like it and just like any lowepro product the build quality is A-1.....highly recommended.
great bag, lives up to lowepro's rep but simply too small for a d300 w/grip. the camera with no grip and a 30mm prime just barely fit. no way would it take a longer zoom. adding insult to injury, no room for a flash in the acc. pocket. mine is going back. would be a great solution for someone with a smaller camera, though.
I bought this bag based on another reviewer's write up.  The reviewer mentioned that that this Lowepro Topload Zoom 1 Camera Bag was a perfect fit for the Nikon D-50.The reviewer was absolutely correct.  This bag easily holds my Nikon D-50 with the 18-200mm zoom lens attached (with some room to spare).  The inside padding is adjustable for your particular camera and lens.  I found there also is room for my 72mm filters, memory cards, and a spare battery.  This is a great carry around day bag,  I would probably opt to take this bag on vacation too because of its condensed size.  It has a belt loop and shoulder strap for more carrying options.
This bag is nice, construction is good, however, the interior is too small to hold my Nikon D90 with a 18-200 zoom lens. Go for a bigger bag.
Bought this site unseen and it's a good bag, it's a little big for the Nikon D3000 but that gives you a little extra room, holds all my traveling items.  It's just too bad that it won't stand on its own but for the money, it will protect your camera and it's easy to tote around.
This bag is well worth the price.- Black color doesn't get dirty.- No ostentatious logos, doesn't scream "EXPENSIVE CAMERA IN HERE."- The outside is made out of a tough fabric that seems fairly water repellent and won't rip or tear. I wouldn't go and submerge the bag, but if you're caught in rain you shouldn't have to worry about your camera getting wet.- Has plenty of padding.- Spacious interior - more than enough room for a Digital Rebel XT/XTi. If you have a bigger camera, it will most likely fit inside as well. I find the extra space left over is useful to hold my wallet and iPod, in case I don't want to carry another bag.- Two pockets, one inside and one outside. Great for storing lens filters, lens caps, small papers, and memory cards.- Adjustable and/or removable strap. 4 D-rings to attach whatever you want. Loop in the back so you can use a belt or a chest harness.If you have a big camera with a big zoom lens, you might want to get the next size up. On the other hand, if you want a snug bag for your small DSLR, then the Mini would probably be better.
This holster fits a D200 with 18-200mm lens perfectly.  Some other reviewers have complained that the case is too big, but with a higher quality DSLR and a medium length telephoto this bag really shines.  The front pocket holds plenty of CF cards and spare batteries.  There is a little pocket on the underside of the lid which is perfect for holding filters and polarizers when not attached to your camera.I use this bag clipped to the shoulder straps of my Arc Teryx Bora 80 backpack.  In my setup I have the bag hanging across my chest just below my sternum.  During a trip across Glacier National Park (51lbs pack, 6 nights) the case always had my D200 ready.  I typically leave the top flap zipped a couple inches on each side to keep the camera secure. Even while crossing rough terrain, scrambling over scree and kick stepping across snow fields this bag left little to be desired.  It hangs steady and does not bounce too much.If you are looking for something to hold your camera while out backpacking I don't know of any better solutions out there.
I have a Canon 7D and this bag works perfectly and was just what I was looking for. Fits great with a regular size lens attached. Front pocket good to hold charger, cards and cleaning cloth. Well made and perfect for when I need to bring my camera with just one lens!
It's nice having a case to put and store your camera.  When bad weather comes this is nice to have.
You can certainly fit a D80 (D50, D40) plus the 18-200mm VR lens into this - it has about the right length, a little to spare for filters.  However, it's quite a bit wider and taller than is necessary.  It's really quite a big bag for an SLR holster.  I can't see what the extra space is for, unless you have an older generation DSLR with a bigger body.  The camera is reasonably located inside, so it shouldn't flop around too much, but if you're looking for something snug and neat, this isn't it.If you have a shorter lens (like the kit lenses, then go for the Lowepro Topload Zoom Mini, but with the 18-200 lens the Mini is about half an inch too shallow - otherwise it would be ideal, and much, much smaller than the Zoom 1.
The Lowepro Topload Zoom 1 is a great little camera bag that does exactly what I need it to. I bought it to carry my Digital Rebel with zoom lens in a light and convenient package. There is enough room even with a fairly long zoom lens attached, and pockets for filters and stuff.You'll need something larger if you plan to carry extra lenses, but this bag is perfect if you don't plan to change lenses while you are out and about.
Great product for NIKON D90 SLR camerasLove the style of this bag as it fits my D90 with a 18 - 105 lens.Have a similar bag [LowePro TLZmini] for my NIKON Coolpix 5700 but this bag is deeper so that the D90 fits with the longer lens ..... Features that I like are the padding that protects my gear from the everyday bumps and knocks that happen when transporting my camera as well as the external and internal pockets that hold my extra "Film' and spare batteries.Size of this bag will not accept an extra lens but I never carry an extra lens so I prefer the snug fit so the camera does not 'flop' around in the bag. {I carry my camera while rock climbing} If you carry extra lens buy a traditional camera bag.Very pleased with the construction fit and durability of the materials in this productGREAT PRICE TOO!Joe
This is a great bag especially for the money. My Canon 1000D fit with the 75-300mm lens attached. The pockets are adequate for extra memory cards and an extra battery.
I bought this for my Nikon D50 with a long zoom lens.  I needed a smaller bag that fit in my backpacking for hiking on Mount Shasta.  This bag was definitely the ticket.  My camera fit like it was custom made for the D50 with the long lens.  The extra pockets were great for my wallet, keys, etc. when I was in town, eating or event on the trail.If you are looking for a durable case that's not bulking like your bigger case this is a great little case that is easy to carry, get into, and fits your camera like it's custom made for it.  Another great product from Lowepro.
I'm new to the dSLR game so hopefully this review is valid and helpful. I chose this bag because of all the other good reviews on it from people who were also looking for the perfect bag for their Nikon D50. (Thanks for all you reviews!)I just received this bag and it fits everything I need: D50, the 18-55mm kit lens, spare battery, extra filter, and it even fits my other lens, a 50 1.8 (in the external pocket). Perhaps if I become more advanced and would like to carry around more camera gear this would not be able to fit those any longer. But for the bare necessities that I own, it's perfect.There is still a little bit more room to spare in the bag while the camera is in it. There is a  zip pocket on the inside of the top flap for more accessories and an external pocket that seems to be able to fit quite a bit more.It feels sturdy and light, with just enough cushioning, for normal everyday use.
Lowe Pro Zoom 1 Carrying bag.This is a really good product.  Contrary to other posts here, it is a fairly tight fit.  I use a D300 and lens from both 55mm F2.8 Micro to the 18mm-200mm zoom and it fits both.  The wrist strap that I use on the base hangs off to one side and does make the camera fit a little tight, but it still works fine.  Don't expect to carry much more in this case.  Stuff like thin straps and lens cleaners cloths are fine but not another lens or more than one/two lens filter.  Love the fact that this products opens faced to you.  The handle strap is also a great idea.  This product comes with a basic thin strap and has other options out there for upgrade.  Also hikers who use other packs will want to come up with an integrated strap solution that works for them, so unless you are in a real hurry, it might make sense to buy this and get the straps later.  There also is a small pocket that could hold something thin and small like a plastic cover for when you get caught out in the weather.....Opteka SRC-40 Large Rain & Elements Cover for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, & D40x Digital SLR Cameras
I often go for long walks around town with my Nikon D40 camera with 18-200 zoom lens attached.  This bag protects the camera and has enough pocket space for everything I need:  filters, extra battery and memory card, etc.  The bag is lightweight and low-bulk so it is comfortable to carry for miles at a time.
i finally broke down late last year and purchased the DSLR camera i have wanted for years, but couldn't carry it with me on my motorcyle until i found this camera bag. it has plenty of depth to protect the lense, and room at the top for a good quality camera strap.  it fits easily in my motorcycle saddle-bags, so i can carry it on road trips when i plan one.  good product, well worth the price.
I love this bag, its just perfect fit for my Kodak Z980. i put my P20 flash in the bottom, together with the charger and the reserve batterey in it. Also you can adjust the postition for the camera (the velcro inside). The price, couldn't beat it!love it, love it, love it
As the title says, if you are like me who doesn't want to take off the battery grip and also the tripod clip then this bag is for you.I've been looking for other similar bags but none have offered such flexibility except this bag.
I'm a somewhat new and budding amateur photographer, and to go along with my Canon XSi (Rebel 450D) I decided to pick up the Lowepro Topload Zoom 1 (TLZ1) camera bag.For those who don't like reading long reviews, I'll say it upfront--this bag was exactly what I expected it to be.  I bought my XSi with the kit (18-55mm IS) lens, and the camera body with lens attached fit perfectly.  The bag is not too large to carry around, and easy enough to open.  It holds the basic accessories--extra battery, extra SD card, Lens Pen, and even my user manual--I'm new and always curious about the settings in my technology, so occasionally I'll use it as a quick reference.I do like the design of opening away from the body--this allows a bit easier access since the flap falls away from you.  This keeps the bag open a bit better when trying to fish around, though I don't really keep anything in the main compartment other than the camera/lens, so there's rarely any fishing to be done there.The size of the side compartment is nice, and since it has small pockets within the zippered compartment, you can organize a bit more neatly if you have a system.  (Used/full battery/memory cards on one side, empty on the other, etc.)  It's never that tough to access either since it's in the side that faces away from the body when strapped on the shoulder.My one problem with this bag is in the interior main compartment.  I do own another Lowepro bag, and inside the main compartments of both are small subspaces for memory cards, etc.  In my other Lowepro bag, made for more carrying space, the subcompartments are velcro, and there is a microfiber cloth that can be lain across the top of the camera to prevent scratches to the screen if the camera is positioned in a vertical orientation and the LCD is facing upward.  This bag, on the other hand, has a zippered compartment, with no microfiber cloth.  In the closed position, this zipper is covered by a small flap that should prevent scratches, but I am just slightly uneasy about it, because if I forget to zip it ALL the way closed, the zipper may be loose enough to scratch.  Also, the actual material of this subcompartment makes me a little nervous--it's RELATIVELY soft, but it doesn't take much to scratch or scuff LCD screens if pressure is added, so I am a bit more cautious when using this bag.  Still, the interior does feature two velcro pieces which can be moved in order to properly support your camera inside the bag, which is always a nice feature to have, even if you rarely or never adjust them.The only other minor gripe I have with this bag is that the strap leaves a bit to be desired.  It's a bit thin, and the padded section isn't that well padded.  However, since this bag is of a smaller variety, you probably won't be carrying as much weight, so it may not feel too harsh on your shoulder.  On a long hot day, however, it may become a bit of an irritation.  I'm considering swapping the strap for another, since it's relatively easy to do.  Note also, I'm somewhat new to DSLRs, so I'm still adjusting to the weight of the camera in the first place.  After time, this strap irritation might go away just from becoming accustomed to the camera's weight in general.  But again, the strap is a minor gripe since you can replace it with ease for not too much money.I would like to note that larger lenses may be a problem for this bag.  In trying to fit my new Canon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 IS lens in the bag attached to the camera, it is simply too long for the bag.  The bag may be able to squeeze closed, but it wouldn't be something I'm comfortable doing with such an expensive piece of equipment.  I would expect anything an inch or two shorter would be fine, but my lens, even when taking up the least space possible, fully retracted, simply will not fit.  However, this is made to be a more compact bag, so it was to be expected, and this does not detract from its overall use.
This camera bag is remarkable in that it has the distinction of both being low priced, yet top notch build quality.  The material is fairly durable and protective of the camera.  The shape is excellent for the Nikon D50; it fits securely without sliding around inside.  This is aided by two little, padded velcroe straps that the camera sits on inside the bag.  The bag also support a good amount of padding all around the camera.  It is also fairly light which makes it a good choice for using when you are on the move.  Do yourselve a favor and get this instead of a high priced camera bag, that offers little to no added benefits.
I bought this for traveling with a D300s and 17-55 2.8 attached.They fit perfectly, and there is even a couple pockets for other goodies.When I travel, I don't like having my camera out, so this case keeps it hidden and safe. When I need to take a shot, it is quick and easy to get the camera out.The D700 fits as well.Highly Recommended.
Looking for a great little camera bag for a reasonable price?  This is it!  lots of room for your camera and the extras.  Easy access and easy to carry around without being in the way.  Good protection for any of your mid sized digital SLR cameras or smaller models with room to spare.  I've had lots of camera bags for much more $$$  but this does the same job for a great price.  Can't go too wrong with this item.  Buy one and save yourself the time and trouble of looking at more expensive bags that aren't any better.RCB  Oceanside, CAOoops!  Amazon is the place to go for this item.
I used this bag with my Nikon D5000 on a recent trip to Spain. It is perfect for the sight seeing visits and outings. I would load my 55-200mm f4-5.6 lens on for daytime shooting and, although a little snug (even with the hood turned back and fully retracted), it fit ok and protected the camera well. I was also able to put a polarizing filter, lens cloth, money and credit cards but not much else. You cannot fit any additional lenses or external flashes in the bag with the camera, but that is not what it is designed for.I would leave my large camera bag in the hotel room (hidden) and would swap out lenses (35mm/f1.8), battery and filters for night time shooting.Especially for the price, this bag offers good padding, is constructed well and is a good size for toting around on short outings. It is NOT meant to be your primary camera bag, but a protective holster to use while out and about.
I have three of these, for my Nikon SLR's they work fine.  The D700 and a 28-300mm lens fit's perfect, a D50 and an 18-55mm fits a little loose but the internal spacers can be adjusted to fit.  There's a small pouch in the top flap for memory cards, and the top pocket is just big enough for either a battery and charger or extra filters.  For a day trip or just a small package to carry it's just about right.  The zippers are nylon and have held up to over two years of use, and the bag is reasonably weatherproof--I've been able to take it through snow and light rain without a problem.  I'm a little mystified about why it has two additional D rings on it, which I assume are for additional straps to carry it like a backpack.  The only thing I'd like to have seen extra on this bag is maybe a label window for those of us who own multiple cameras.
I own another Lowepro camera bag that I love, but I needed something smaller and lighter for my SLR digital camera when I don't want to lug all my camera equipment with me.  This is a great bag and my camera fits perfectly with extra room for my lens hood.
The bag is very compact; it will not hold any attachments at all.  The bag itself is nice; it just doesn't hold anything other than the camera.
This bag did a great job of protecting my new camera on a recent vacation.  Finally made the huge leap to a new Cannon EOS DSLR.  A huge investment for me.  It only makes sense to protect my investment and I picked this case.  Plenty of room for the camera and stock lens (18 -55mm compact zoom).  The interior adjustable stops cradle the camera high or low in the pouch, near custom fit.  Limited depth will allow for lenses only so big but every camera bag has limits.  Handy pockets inside for extra memory or filters, outside big enough for battery charger and filters lens cleaner.  The top zippered flap opens intuitively for easy access.  Eventally I may out grow this case but I imagine it will come in very handy for years to come.  Can't go wrong.
I have a D40 and this bag is perfect for it and few extra items...worth the price...the texture of the bag is soft and not that hard core material.
Make sure your lens is under 5.5" otherwise there might be a good chance that it won't fit.Other than that it is an excellent bag.
I got this bag for my wife's Nikon D80. She is pleased with the bag which is good from a review point of view. However, she held up a memory card and asked if I placed it in the bag.So our "new" bag has someone else's memory card and it is indeed full of pictures. Looks like New York scenes mostly around xmas time. The dates on the files say December 2009 thru January 17 2010. If you would like to claim this card - please respond to this review and tell me the brand name of the camera to help prove this is your memory card.
I bought this bag for my new Nikon D5000 and it does pretty much what I want it to. The camera goes in lens down (it's a topload) so it makes for easier getting out. At the moment, I only have an 18-55mm lens attached but it does seem that a longer lens would also fit as there's a bit of room in the bottom. There's a pocket for spare batteries and other small items but I don't think there's enough space for an additional lens without being too bulky. A solid product which I would recommend to other beginning photographers.
I got this for my Nikon P90 and it's really a good purchase. I could easily carry my battery charger as well as I have more space left at the bottom. The pouch in the inner side of the lid is really great and the quality of the product gives you great confidence for the protection of your costly camera. More than everything, it's really stylish and great to carry with. I recommend this product strongly for all photo-enthusiasts with a DSLR or large point-&-shoot cameras (as my P90!).
This is a great little "on the go" camera bag for my Pentax K100D. The bag is a little oversized but I figured a general bag for all cameras would not result in a snug fit. The sides are pretty thick and shock absorbant. That was my biggest concern was that the bag could take a few minor bumps and not damage the camera. It has a few nice little pockets for the extras and a decent sized outside pocket (although not big enough for a lens-could hold a cell phone, small wallet, car keys, etc.). I can hardly wait for winter to end so I can take my camera on a hike and get some good pics.
My SONY A100 camera with 70-210mm lens fit into this bag easily.  This camera bag is smaller enough so you can carry another bag with additional lens together.  I do not want people look at me as News person, so the plain look is OK for me.
This is nice pouch for storing long lens camera but it is too big. If you need a snug fit bag for your camera this is note the one . It does have huge space for spare battery and memory cards.
good in all respects for a rebel - sized DSLR w/extra lens BUT (only one review mentions this) there are no pockets whatsoever.So SD/CF cards, lens tissue, whatever, must find a place elsewhere (eg, an outboard lens case).  This is a shame as it would have been so easy to include a zippered top or front pocket.  other than than, it's fine.
I've used this pack for a couple of years now, and find it to be a great pack if I'm just carrying the base camera and a couple of small lenses.The camera will not fit in the pack with the optional extra battery pack, nor will anything larger than about a 300mm zoom lens fit in the lens cases.I find the pack to be very useful under normal circumstances.
This just fits my canon 30D with the 17-85 lens attached. Its comfortable in use and is great for hiking.
I needed a camera bag for hiking and traveling. My brother had one and I felt this would be the best choice. It's been a great bag for keeping out dust and other things, but the straps on the lens cases can get in the way. That's the only drawback I have seen. Great bag overall!
This is a perfect minimalist camera bag for a small SLR kit.  My Nikon D40 with 18-200 zoom lens fits perfectly in the main bag.  I put my 55mm macro lens in one of the pouches and Speedlite flash and filters in the other pouch.  The pouches are removable if you don't need them or you can buy bigger pouches for bigger lenses.  If I want to carry more gear in a backpack, I can still carry my SLR on my hip with this bag and have instant access to my camera.  The waist belt with compression straps holds the bag very securely and comfortably when I'm out hiking.  For the cheap price of this bag, I really can't ask for anything more.
Excellent day bag for my Nikon D70 w/ 70mm lens. I use the side lens carriers for extra batteries and CF cards. The bag is comfortable to wear and not very bulky.
This can hold everything you need for a day hike... camera, water bottle, snacks... Or multiple lenses if you like. Comfortable to wear on the front or the back.
Its well made as you would expect from Lowepro, but not as rugged as I had hoped. I wouldn't feel happy using it in the bush or for hiking but for walkabout in the city it will do just fine. There is no room for a flash and another failing however is that the bag desperately needs a utility pouch, somewhere to put a few extras like cleaning cloths, spare batteries and the like. All in all it is uninspired and I imagine it will work its way to the back of my cupboard over time.
I have a canon rebel.  I like to to a couple miles hiking a day. I  take my camera with one lens, extra memory card and battery, my small cell phone, small water bottle, car keys and trail bar.  All fits well in this little pack.  It's tight with my 100 mm macro lens, but it fits.  I usually put it on in front, put the strap around my neck and cradle the camera in the middle pouch with the top open so it's easy to access.  Other items go on either side. Sometimes I sling my camera on my shoulder and pack more stuff in the trail pack and wear it on my backside when  I'm going farther.  It's light, water repellent and is cushioned to protect contents.  I like the quick buckle and it adjusts quite a bit.  I've lost 15 lbs and still able to adjust it down.
IN KEEPING WITH THE TAMARC TRIDITION, THIS BACKPACK IS GREAT. ROOM FOR EVERYTHING AND IS COMFORTABLE TO WEAR. GREAT BUY AT A GREAT PRICE
After spending countless hours searching through countless shops and online stores, I found the perfect bag for what I needed.  I needed a bag  that could carry my Canon S5 IS + a lens while I was on my bike.  I use one of the lens cases to carry my wide angle lens and the other case to carry either my bike tools, a can of beer, or a bottle of water (you can order a water bottle holder for this bag separately to replace one of the lens cases).  The bag doesn't sway from side to side when I'm climbing hills and it stays put once you adjust the waist band correctly.The only thing I'd change about it is the way the excess waist band belt's held back against the main belt.  It's a bit of a flimsy design on that part and the excess strap always comes undoneBesides that little flaw, it's a good bag and I'll be keeping it for the years to come.
I purchased this bag based on the reviews and was concerned whether it could/would handle my Canon Rebel XT with a Tamron 28-300mm lens.  The camera, with lens attached fit fine and the side compartments can hold my 18-55mm lens and camera accessories.  The unit is compact and light.  It serves the user well when taking a weekend trip or going on a hike as it frees up your hands while protecting the camera and lens.
this would be great for entry level slr with shorter lenses - doesnt fit my canon 40d with any of the zoom lenses - must return it.
This bag is great for my needs. This is what I can keep in the main compartment.1) Eos 30 D2) 35mm f23) 50mm f2.5 macro4) 100mm f2.8 macro5) canon powershot a 6306) battery charger for 4 AA nimh batteries7) Battery charger for eos 30 d8) there is a little space for another small lens like 50mm f2.5 macro. I do not know if a flash will also fit in. I believe it will.(All the lenses have uv haze filter attached and no hoods.)In the flap I keep the manuals and notebooks.I have been using the bag for a few weeks so I cannot comment on durability. It looks well made.The waist strap does not reach my waist. I cannot complain about since I knew the size of the bag.I bought it from M Z Photo. I would have never bought it from them if they were not listed on Amazon. They shipped it superfast with tracking number. The bag arrived in 2 days. It came in a very well packaged box. I was surprized that they used such good packing and care to ship a bag. I would give 5 stars to this seller also.
I bought this bag in January 2007, when I was in Las Vegas. I paid $69.99 for it, so it's considerably cheaper on Amazon. Since then I have taken it halfway around the world and is now used in Iraq, which is a great place to test durability on about anything, as the dust here is legendary.I bought this one because it is small, and has just enough room to fit my Canon Digital Rebel XTi, as well as a wide angle and telephoto lense with no problem. There's still room for at least one more lense and a small flash, if I choose.This unit also has numerous pockets for CF card and battery storage and all the inside compartments are velcro, so they can be adjusted to suit any camera or user. I keep the lense part of the camera bay long so no matter what lense is on the camera, I can put it away quickly.The outside of the bag is water repellent, although I haven't tested the effectiveness of that yet. I'm from the Northwest, so I'll get plenty of chances when I return from Iraq.Another review mentioned the chest strap almost being a neck strap...I can see that, as it does ride high. It is somewhat adjustable though, although their range of adjustment really should have taken it lower down the straps. I adjusted mine all the way down and it made it better.All in all, I highly recommend this camera backpack. I've had a few Lowepro products before, and they are normally very well thought out and made with very good quality.
I just spent over two weeks in Europe with my new bag.  I like the size of it but I am a small person, I think it would be a bit small for my husband or someone larger.  It's very durable and well padded keeping my equipment safe.  I wish the straps were more contoured to the arms, my upper arms got a bit sore from where the straps sat on my arms when my arms were down to my side.  Overall, it is a great bag and I look forward to using it again.
This camera bag works great with our Sony a200 digital camera. It even has room for our large Sigma lens and another compartment for the small Minolta lens. The zipper pouch in the front is great for the memory card reader and even battery charger. The inside has one big opening for the camera, and 3 smaller openings for lenses/chargers etc. Excellent, versatile camera backpack/bag.
I got this bag after I realised that the Compudaypack was great, but I won't really be lugging around my notebook half the time.The Micro Trekker is a nice size, it holds my Digital Rebel XTi with my 100mm macro and another lens, my accessories and my wallet and keys. The construction is solid and reliable. And the pockets are very functional. And my favourite - a nice touch - is the little clip for keys, so I don't have to go fishing for my keys.Love it.
I bought it in red and look's really cute. It's small enough to be comfortable to carry around, but big enough to carry my camera and all its accessories (2 flashes, a motor,- my camera is a Cannon A-1 and don't move from frame to frame automatically without it- a small tripod, a spare lens, and a bunch of instructions and rolls of film. In the front pocket I carry my wallet, my keys and my cell phone, so I don't have to carry my purse while taking pictures. Also, I like it because it doesn't look like a camera bag, but like a little backpack and that gives me some sense of safety when I'm in a part of town that is not too pretty.
This is a wonderful camera bag.  It is light with room enough to carry an SLR a couple of lens and also most camera accessories.  I love it!!!
This is the perfect alternative to the larger camera backpack I have and is more practical for full-day trips than the over-shoulder bag I have.
Bought this bag over 5 years ago and it still in perfect condition.  It provides great protection for your camera gear.
I researched camera bags, backpacks, and courier type shoulder bags till I was blue in the face.  I finally decided to get the "micro" which I love. The build quality is top notch and the overall functionality of the bag is very nice. I have a canon xsi with attached 28-135 lens. the 18-55 kit lens in the bag now soon to be joined by a flash unit and maybe another lens. Good padding throughout instills confidence. The pack feels good on my back although I have not taken any super long hikes. Great warranty. The bottom line is this is a great option for a camera bag storage option.
Aside from the silly chest strap which I just leave unbuckled (being a somewhat busty woman, I find it a little uncomfortable if you catch my drift), this is a nice looking, sturdy backpack for my slr setup. I have enough room to fit my camera and a couple lenses as well as my flash and compartments for any little extra things like batteries and memory cards that I might need for a typical outing. I am a casual photographer and this bag has proven itself to be just what I needed.
I bought this to carry my DLSR and a tele lens, and the usual accessory stuff. I wanted to keep it small and minimal for day hikes - and this one does that very well. It's very well made and fits everything nicely and I would be completely happy with it but for one thing - for us big folks (I'm 6' 3"), the pack just doesn't fit well. I can't use the chest strap (which I really need for the hiking bit) because the bag tends to ride lower on the back for me, and that puts the chest strap at my neck. The lower waist strap is just not useful for me for the same reason.Overall, I would recommend this bag for a normal- or smaller-sized person for the above reasons. The features and quality easily make it a "5" rating, and it absolutely fits what it says it does. But I'll probably have to look for a larger bag just to fit my frame even though I don't need the room.
I strongly recommend this Lowepro high quality product.After I put my Canon EOS 20d with a 70-300mm lens on it, there is room for 3 medium sized lenses. (Alternative combinations are possible such as two lenses and a flash, or another SLR body and two lenses.) There are also small pockets which are good for memory cards, manuals etc.It provides cushion with enough padding. It is comfortable to carry on your back.
This is the first photo backpack I've ever had, and I'm impressed.  The quality is obvious.  It holds as much as I think I'd care to have on my back, and you can configure the dividers as you wish - it's very versatile.  No regrets on this.
This is a nice, snazzy bag, which I use on a bicycle in my city photography excursions. It is very easy to open, snatch out the camera and take your killing shot. I usually carry 2 Nikon bodies, one with 500mm telephoto lens (fits nicely in the cross section of the bag), a whole bunch of filters, 10-15 rolls of film, a flashlight :-), a small tripod with a mount, and a small book (to read if I am bored). Straps are extremely comfortable for extended wear on both a bike and hiking.Additionally, it does not really look like a big pro-photobag, so it will not attract much unwanted attention by a criminal element, if you considering taking it to the 3rd World.
OK, in an attempt to find the "perfect" backpack, I ordered this one (LowePro Mini Trekker AW), the Tamrac Expedition 5 and the Kata R102.  I ran them through their paces and guess what I found?  None of them had everything I wanted.  That being said, I settled on the Lowepro.  Details below...BACKPACKS IN GENERALThe Bottom Line:Simply put, it seems that it's nearly impossible to find a backpack that combines comfort with capacity.  The Kata R102 was, by far, the most comfortable, study backpack of the 3 but was hands-down the "smallest" pack space-wise.  There was hardly any room for manuals (my D70 manual and SB600 flash manual bulged the one pocket) and very little storage for "trinkets" (it all fell loose).  The Lowepro and Tamrac packs had ample room, but were only semi-comfortable on my back compared to the Kata.  So I had to decide between capacity and comfort.  Since I really want a "carry everything" pack, the LowePro won out (being cheaper when compared to Tamrac and having a better "fit" on my back (6'4")).THE LOWEPROThe Good:Of the three, only the LowePro was configured in a way that you could carry two "ready" cameras.  Of course all 3 would carry a second body and lens, but not "assembled".  The LowePro has room at the bottom for a second camera pointing toward the top of the pack.The LowePro has the best "non-camera" storage system, with a system of mini slots and pouches for things like PDAs, iPods, books, etc.  The Tamrac had this, but it was one big compartment where they would all jostle around.  The Kata's was non-existent (literally).The LowePro and Kata both have a true weather-proof cover but the LowePro stores it away in a built-in pouch in the bottom instead of taking up a "lens slot" (like the Kata, which is already space-limited).The LowePro is the cheapest of the three (always a plus)The Bad:Not much "bad" that I can see, aside from the fact that it's not THE most comfortable of the three, but it certainly beats out the Tamrac which was the least comfortable of the three (for me)The Ugly:Of the 3, the LowePro has, by far, the worst tripod carrying system.  Sure, the "hideaway" tripod puch is nice, but the supplied system of *elastic rope* is flimsy and seems to have been included as an after-thought.  The compression straps can be crossed and hooked to the "wrong" side as a fix, but one shouldn't need to "fix" anything at these prices...I decided on the Lowepro (as I said above) because I wanted a "carry everything" bag that would fit on my back.  What I get is a nice "gadget bag" that fits comfortably on my back for a run through the airport.  I do NOT have a backpack, however, that would work for a several-hour hike.  I have a pack that's good for the State Fair so I have what I need and my wife can fit a few things she picks up as well.  It will NOT be good for a day-trek through Paris.  Then again, if I'm hiking in the woods or sight-seeing through Paris, do I really want EVERYTHING camera-related on my back?  Probably not.  I'm more likely to carry a small sling/fanny-pack for the camera, a zoom lens and maybe a flash.When all was said and done, the LowePro struck the best balance of comfort and space.  Space management was best in the one and comfort was second only to the Kata (which I preferred most of the three but lost out because of severe space restrictions).Bottom line: You're not gonna be satisfied with what you get ;)  At this price range, none of the backpacks serve up everything (my Dad and brother, who are also amateur photogs agree).  The LowePro WILL, however, serve your immediate needs and save you a few bucks to investigate other options.  It's sturdy and wears well for short periods of time (maybe an hour or two tops) and will DEFINTELY carry everything you might for a two-camera system (assuming you can share secondary lenses between the two).Hope this helps!PS I have no clue why this pack is showing up as "unavailable" on Amazon at the moment.  Odd...
The problem with camera backpacks is that they are trying to do two things at once:  1) let you haul your equipment to where you want to go, and 2) use it easily once you're there.  The Mini Trekker AW, like many other such backpacks, succeeds at the first goal but falls short at the second.Let's get to the good stuff:  the Mini Trekker has enough space for two bodies with lenses attached, plus several other lenses, flash units, etc.  For those into digital SLRs, there are a couple of interior pockets ideally-sized for holding memory cards and batteries, plus a large exterior pocket that can hold a filter wallet plus much more.  An innovative pouch-and-elastic-cord system lets you securely attach even a pro-sized tripod.  And the AW model comes with a waterproof cover that stores away in a pocket under the pack when not in use.  The support system includes the usual padded shoulder straps, plus a waist strap and a clipped tie between the shoulder straps to keep the pack securely in place while hiking, eliminating the swaying and slipping that can cause soreness and fatigue.It's when you reach your destination, and want to do some shooting, that the Mini Trekker's shortcomings become evident.  With everything packed vertically, and without any way to switch to over-the-shoulder carrying, there's no way to simultaneously hold the pack, remove the gear you need, and attach it to the camera/tripod.  You have no choice but to take the pack completely off, set it on the ground, kneel down, and open a whole series of zippers and side clips to get to your gear.  Want to change lenses or get a filter?  Bend or kneel down again, grab what you need, put it on the camera, re-stow whatever has been removed, and so on.  Time to move on to another photo location?  Back down on the ground, pack everything up, reshoulder the pack, move on, and repeat.  When you might have twenty or thirty places you want to photograph on a given day, each of which may require changing lenses or attaching accessories at least once, you can see that this would get tiring pretty quickly.  And what if the ground is muddy or wet?  I've known others who have used this sort of system, and who have reported that they found themselves passing up photo opportunities because it was too much of a hassle to deal with getting everything out of the backpack.Unfortunately, there are few alternatives for those who would find this a pain.  In the past, Photoflex used to make waist packs with shoulder straps, but they don't seem to offer them anymore.  I understand that Lowepro offers a combination waistpack and (non-camera) daypack, the Orion AW, that allows the user to operate it as a backpack, then unclip the waistpack and swivel it to one's front or side when it's time to use, but I haven't seen one in person, and so can't vouch for its usability.  In the interim, I guess the Mini Trekker will do the job of getting your equipment to its destination...just don't expect it to make your life easy once you get there.
I am a semi-professional photographer and this is a durable all-purpose backpack I can carry my equipment in. It doesn't hold everything a professional would want but it does carry the basic things I need. I especially like being able to take a tripod along without the hassle. I can carry lenses, filters, film, and extra batteries. And it isn't obviously a camera bag to a casual observer who might try slight of hand!
I looked at literally dozens of possible bags and finally settled on this one because of a special need. I don't have a lot of camera equipment but what I do have is somewhat unusual. I needed a bag to carry a recently acquired Fuji GSW690 III medium-format camera, along with my Rollei QZ35W rangefinder, and a few miscellaneous extras, such as a Pentax spotmeter for the Fuji, extra 35 mm and 120 mm film, my little Fuji Tiara APS point and shoot camera, extra batteries, and so on. This is every piece of camera equipment that I own, but it fits nicely inside this small backpack-style bag.The Fuji is a fairly large camera, although it isn't that heavy, since it's mostly polycarbamate plastic. But it's all-manual--it doesn't even have an internal light meter--hence the need for a spotmeter. This odd assemblage makes for an awkward arrangement in most camera bags, but the backpack format works great. After rearranging the internal dividers I had something that fit perfectly and wasn't that bulky. The only complaint I have is that the backstraps aren't detachable, but this isn't a big deal. All-in all an excellent choice for someone who needs to do some customizing on the bag interior to suit a special need.
This case is awesome.  It's very well padded to protect my husband's camera and has plenty of pockets for all of his accessories.
Holds 2 full size bodies with lenses.  Allows me to travel with both my  digital and 35mm, a couple of lenses, filters, memory sticks, film and charger.  Not too big and (so far) durable.
I actually use the Canon 200EG photo backpack and it's about the same as this Lowepro, but for a lot less money. Sure, it's not quite as well made and sturdy as this Lowepro but it's also not nearly as expensive. While I wouldn't really hesitate to buy this Lowepro, especially if it were a bit cheaper, I'm very happy with the Canon backpack as I get nearly the same functionality (minus the built-in all weather sheath) for a lot less.A note about the layout-I like this style photo backpack better than the type where the camera gear is placed in the bottom of the pack and the top part is for other items. This style is more space efficient-it can hold more lenses and photo gear in the main compartment, yet the outside dimensions of the bag are less. Granted, you do have to take the pack off and set it down to access it. But I tried a Tamrac backpack (the kind where the camera stuff goes in the bottom part of the pack) before buying the Canon one and I found it way too big and not any more convenient to use as I had to also remove that one from my back to access it. In the end, the Canon pack (and this Lowepro) holds extra stuff too. In the flap pocket, I can fit a shirt, light lunch and other items like a magazine. In fact, I can even fit a small laptop in the main compartment (in a separate laptop slipcase for protection). I would say a 13"-15" laptop would fit fine, but not a 17" or larger one.If you want something that you can work out of without having to take it off and yet carries all of your photo gear, I doubt you will ever find it. I would instead recommend a shoulder bag that you carry only one or two lenses in (for weight reasons) for walking around with, and a back pack for transporting all your stuff. I also use the backpack for long walks/hikes and it works fine not fully loaded too. In other words, just because you can take every single photo item you own, doesn't mean you have to or should.
i have a kodak easy share digital camera and it just fits  but its still too small for acceseries its a tough bag but not for everyone.
Where else can you find a camera casefor $10.00. Nice case at a great price
This case is perfect for my Kodak Easyshare camera. Comfortable fit; easy to get it in and out. Note that it is a little big, but that's what I wanted. Perfect for outings or vacation.
I purchased this case for my Canon S45 digital camera.  The camera fits a little &quot;loosely&quot; in the case, but it was the best fit I could find.  The little pouch on the front offers enough room for a spare NB-2L battery and a compact flash card.  All in all, a great, well built case for the price!
This is the perfect size camera bag for small/compact cameras. I have a cannon powershot S45 (same size as the S30 &amp; S40); the main compartment holds the camera nicely. The front pocket is about the right size for an extra battery and a couple of compact flash cards.
Ive actually owned this camera bag for years. cameras have come and gone but I've always kept this bag. It hasn't frayed or faded and the zipper still works like new. Its great for smaller cameras and has the ability to go around your neck or your belt, I always put it on my belt, making it very easy to carry. I just upgraded to a larger camera so sadly this one will no longer be used as my primary camera carrier, but It lasted nearly 10 years so i can't complain
This was not the little pod I wanted to buy, but Amazon was out at the time.  However, now that I have it, it is working great.  Features I was looking for were light weight, small size, and (obviously) stable.  So far, it meets all those expectations for a very small price.  The legs extend smoothly and still lock down  solid.  When fully extended, I think the pod is quite solid, even when I am moving the camera while shooting video with camcorder.  It has all the different movement points lockable so once you set it where you want it, it stays put.Overall, its simple, solid.
We like this light weight unit and ease of use.  Our granddaughter is a gymnast and we'd miss many shots via hand held attempts.  Being light weight we are encourages to move locations for best shots.  This unit, we bought for a gift since we like our so well!
An excellent light weight tripod. I've had this for at least 15 years and it's stood the test of time well. During this time, I've used this as a outdoor and indoor tripod as it's fulfilled it's purpose well.For outdoors, the main thing is the weight. I don't want to lug a heavy tripod around and this is very light weight because it's made of aluminum. The clips for the leg extensions are snap open/close and they are quick and easy to use.Height wise it adjusts up for a 6ft tall person and the head tilts, pans and rotates. Overall, I highly recommend this for price, ease of use, weight, and longevity.
This compact tripod fufills all my needs, except for table top usage.  It's a well made product that sets-up and folds-up for storage quick usage or storage.  All of this at a really low price.
Weighs in at only 1kg. Nice quality construction.  Infinitely adjustable leg length.  I combined with with a Gorillapod with ball-head and bubble level. The ball-head is transferrable so I can use it on this Velbon as well.
I bought this in high school twelve years ago when I was taking a photography course. This was the cheapest one I could afford. Usually when you go cheap with photography you pay the consequences. Not this time. 12 years later when I am getting back into photography more seriously I pulled it out, dusted it off and expected to use it only temporarily until I can get around to getting a "real" tripod for semi-pros. That's not going to be necessary. It is lightweight but sturdy, with a great handle, quick, smooth gears/buttons to adjust height and tilt that tighten well, etc and is just an all around solid machine. I've taken beautiful photos for HDR using this. If you want to save money financing this expensive hobby here is one of the few ways to do it.
I've been taking professional pictures for over 25 years.  Velbon has always been one of the tripods "professionals on a budget" have used.  This tripod is not the lightest, nor most portable tripod in the world, but is excellent stability, nice feature set, and outstanding price, make it a super bargain.  It is stable enough for the most demanding professional work, can accommodate either a still or video camera, and has a built in level that is large enough to actually be usable.  I wish it came with a travel bag, but beyond that it is an excellent tripod.
The Velbon CX570 is an inexpensive starter tripod that is unusually stable and strong.  For camera work, the 3-way pan head is just fine, but for video work the up/down vertical pan is pretty rough and jerky, even with a little added-on silicon paste lubricant.  Horizontal pan is quite smooth, though, and the bubble level is a very nice addition, too.  Legs extend easily and lock tight.  Overall, I'd give it a 3 or 4 star rating, a bit higher if the head was individually replaceable with a more fluid head when the budget permits (the base is great, though).
I bought this Velbon model CX-570 after buying 2 different tri-pods at WalMart that were slightly less expensive. The ones from WalMart could not pan smoothly and made a mess of video footage. I have an older Velbon S-5000 that is nicer than this. But this one does pan smoothly. The shoe for this CX-570 tripod is a bit tricky to place into the tripod. It works, but might be trouble in the dark during a shoot. The older Velbon S-5000 was better in that regard. But this is a nice tripod for the money and is well made. It is much sturdier than the WalMart tripods too. For the price, this is an excellent deal.
This tripod is what it is - a $40 tripod. I bought it as my first tripod because I didn't want to drop $100 on something I might not end up using in the long run. Overall, I'm satisfied - because I paid $40, not because it's a particularly good piece of equipment.This is mostly an all-plastic deal, which while not necessarily bad, I believe is the undoing of the thing. Panning is fluid, yes, but tilting is not. This is the biggest problem. The tilt control is rough so it's not really useful for motion shots. Further, one needs to be careful to *always* pin it down when leaving a camera on top, especially when using a larger/longer lens. I was unfortunately surprised when I thought I had tightened the tilt and suddenly a borrowed $1,400 500mm telephoto had a rather rough encounter with one of the aluminum legs as the head tilted down. Be careful.My other gripe is the plate. It uses the same mechanism as other tripods, a sort of thumbscrew at the bottom, to attach the bolt to the camera. The problem is that the screw head is made out of what looks like el-cheapo plastic and is hard to get really tight. I find myself being very careful when fastening it to avoid damaging the screw mount somehow. But if you don't tighten it well, you'll find yourself panning with it.Other than that though, everything else is OK. The fasteners on the telescoping legs are well finished and can be fixed mid-way easily. The column elevator is also plastic, but it works OK.All in all, it's a good piece of equipment - for $40. It's a good starter tripod, no doubt, as long as you know the shortcomings. I'll probably replace it with something more solid in the $80-100 range in a while, but for the time being it gets the job done.
Ditto to the previous reviews on this tripod. However, nobody talked about the video uses, so here I am. I gave it 5 stars because I took the price into consideration. Without considering the low price tag, this product would likely be a 2-3 star. The panning is smoothe, the legs are sturdy, but it holds the camcorder in place only fairly good. It does the job though. I recommend this for use with home video more so than any kind of film work, but this could very well be the best tripod at this price range. It extends nice and long as well, something the taller folks will appreciate.
I jokingly call this tripod my "little monster," and if you buy this tripod you'll see why. I swear this thing is heavier than some other full-size tripods. It is sturdy, REALLY sturdy, and includes all the functionality of higher end larger tripods. I love this wonderful little tripod, and for how much it costs versus other small tripods, I HIGHLY suggest getting this one!! You'll definitely be happy that you did. Solid construction, smooth tilting and panning, and high functionality make this a must buy for anyone wanting a tripod capable of performing low-angle to extremely low-angle shots, and definitely makes it my beloved 'little monster.'
Its a nice little tool but you cannot do movements for video work .what i mean is the tripod's head is very basic and camera movements are not easily obtained .other wise the mini tripod is great for its purpose .Its  durable and can hold your digital slr with big lenses with no problem at all .I got it for my t2i , it is perfect for the low angle shooting , i use it only for video work .there is a major missing element and that is the balance indicator .you have to balance the camera visually .
I have an LG projector, that I also purchased through Amazon, permanently attached to this tripod.  It is the perfect setup that allows me to go mobile with my projector, and keeps me from needing to mount it in my home.  Quality construction.
Very solid construction.Works 100%.Looks great.When not in use, works as a techno-sculpture on top of a bookcase  :)Absolutely recommend it!
Using this with my Canon7dLight cameraThe quick release plate is looseThe adjoining joint that swivels the camera 45degrees vertically is wobblyThere is just no solid feeling to anything about this plastic stand....I own a couple of manfrotto's and have used a myriad of other aluminum based stands that are considerably more solid then this one...though costing considerably more as well.You certainly get what you pay for so my hopes were not high...that being said...cost is 5 stars...functional build is 2.The panning motion...as I was using this purely for video with the Canon 7d is ok....the dampening tightening screws are ok...with practice one can pan fairly smoothly....however using both axes during the pan will quickly expose the weakness of the faceplate joints...causing an uneasiness to vertical pans.I do like the lightness.Definitely a short tripod stand...its a mini...table top or floor only tripod so be prepared to sit...but a low vantage can add new interesting perspectives.Hope this helps.
I really like this tripod for two reasons.1) Velbon quality.  Velbon makes great tripods.  Yes, you could spend thousands for a pro tripod, but you dont have to!2) Height.  I have a large tripod (Velbon model ordered from Amazon) that I use for portrait shots, etc.  However, for macro owrk and other shots that require close quarter and/or low to ground access, this is excellent.It also works with both cameras and camcorders, which is very handy. The 3-way pan head is critical in a tripod, and of course it has a quick release like all Velbon tripods.
I got this for doing macro shots close to the ground. There are better ways to do this, but this is a lot cheaper than a bigger tripod that can get down low. It's also a nice travel tripod - it's light and small.On the downside, it's pretty much plastic. And heavier SLRs are at it's limit. But - for the price and the fact that it doesn't pretend to be more, it does the job.
Not only do the legs have 2 adjustable components each, but the angle/footprint of the tripod is adjustable, providing great flexibility for mounting it between shelves, etc.A very sturdy, well-made tripod.
Velbon Dual Function Mini Photographic/Video TripodA very well designed and constructed table tripod however the item sent bears no relationship to the picture on Amazon.  The tripod shown is a model NOT IMPORTED  to USA.  The item shipped is the same size but will not permit a wide spread of the tripod legs as shown in the picture, making it too upright and unstable for the purpose for which I order it - a mount for a heavy spotting scope. Much as I liked it, I had to return it.  The delivered product was a good quality tripod, but it is a different model that the one shown in the picture on Amazon.
I received the tri-pod in a timely manner,it is very well made and supports mySony a100 with 200m lens easily.  It has aquick release mount which is very nice, ifyou want/need to remove the camera quickly.It's 3-way rotating base is simple to use,and provides a steady base in any position.I would highly recommend this product toanyone.
Looking forward to using this on vacation. The tripod is very sturdy and is great for the price.I love how it compacts down to a foot - fits in a suitcase great. Supports my 5D2 with 24-70L quite well.To make it better:Allow alternative heads - a ballhead would be much better for photo work.Use better clamps. The leg clamps are the cheapest part on it - and I would have liked to see better plastic used. The legs are strong and metal - would have liked that level to been consistent throughout the rest of the design.
Works as advertised, should be sold with a ball head mount, but that is not required.  Does assist in keeping the camera steady in lower lighting situations, and makes for a great walking stick also as it don't fit in my camera bag at all.
I just receives my second Velbon UP-4000 monopod, replacing one I've had for almost fifteen years.For twenty dollars or less, you can't go wrong, especially if you are over six feet tall. Fully extended, this monopod reaches to the point between my chin and lower lip (I'm about 6'2"). Adding a mini-ball head (you will need to) and quick release plate brings the viewfinder on my DSLR higher than eye level. Most monopods this long cost $60 or more.It is also very sturdy, with aluminum D-shaped tubing, which means you can lean in on a fence or table-edge without it rolling off. The foam grip makes it comfortable to carry against your shoulder or use as a hiking stick, one of my main uses. The wrist strap is maybe a little small for some people, but another loop of something could easily be added. The rubber foot retract to expose a metal spike for hard, rough terrain and screws back down for indoor use. The three lever locks are very secure and easy to open and close.Monopods are great to keep handy, not only to brace the camera for low light shots. I've used the timer and flexible monitor screen to hold the camera up above a crowd or over a wall...a cable or wireless remote release is great, too. I use mini-bungee cords to lash it to a tree or fence...lots of uses.What happened to my old one? An internal plastic part on the middle lever lock gave way, this after nearly 15 years of hard use on steep mountain terrain as a walking stick. Not many things under $20 last that long. I was able to Gorilla Glue the joint shut, so now I've got a second monopod, still long enough for hiking, as a back up.
EDIT (2006-03-26):After a couple more weeks, I have to downgrade this to 1 star.As noted below, this is a headless 'pod and your camera attaches directly to the unit.  Friction is what holds the two together and so the two have to be screwed together firmly.The problem is this: the screw on the 'pod is a bit less than 1/4" long (4mm actually).  This isn't long enough to get a solid connection with my camera (Olympus SP-500UZ) and the threads on the camera socket have been stripped by tightening the pod/camera connection.  I can no longer use this 'pod with my camera.If your camera can handle the short screw, this is a 5-star monopod.  Otherwise it's not usable; 1-star (and don't bother buying it).Unfortunately, Amazon won't let me change the product rating.----------I've been using this unipod for a couple of weeks now and I like it.  Lightweight, sturdy, compact, great price.My digital camera weighs just under a pound.  When attached to the 'pod (it screws directly onto the top), the assembly can be easily balanced in one hand as I walk.  Expand it fully and it gets a bit unwieldy, but nothing major.I'm six feet tall.  When the 'pod is fully expanded, the camera monitor is at my chin so I sometimes need to stoop a bit to get a good view of my shot.  Not a big deal.  Shorter folk can adjust the 'pod to exactly the right height.A unipod is not going to replace a tripod for stability.  But it has helped the photographs I take using 10X zoom, which is why I bought it.  (I find the 'pod helps up/down; less so forward/back and left/right.  All what you'd expect.)I've carried a smallish tripod on past walks. The unipod weighs less and sets up easier.  I like it better, even with the lesser stability.  The clips are quick, if a bit stiff, and I can work them with my gloves on.One thing to note is that the unipod is "bare head".  Your camera will attach directly to the 'pod.  There is no pan, tilt, etc., except for what you do by tilting the 'pod.  This can be difficult when shooting shots close to straight up or down.  You can buy add-on heads, but I don't know what that would do to the weight and balance.I've seen a review someplace that mentioned using the 'pod as a walking stick.  It's pretty sturdy, but I don't think it would stand up to trail abuse.  And I sure wouldn't like my camera getting jarred every other step!The foot of the unipod is a plastic bumper.  It screws upward to reveal a small spike -- presumably for better traction, but perhaps because the designer had a fondness for James Bond-ian gadgets.  No idea if the airline security folks would allow this as carry-on.
This is not the world's best walking stick, nor is it a tripod, nor is it a blunt weapon.  However, ours lives in the car, and has served all three purposes quite well.  If we're heading on a hike, and feel we might need to either have a little extra traction, or take some zoom or low light photos, or keep some "Oh he's just growling" off-leash dog away from our ankles, this is a great solution.  If it were sturdier, it would be heavier.  The only reason for 4 stars is I think it could be a little cheaper - but then again I have no QC issues, so maybe it's worth it.
This monopod is built sturdy and is very cost effective.  At a fraction of the price of other monopods, this one is well worth the price.  The three section extensions of the leg seem to be made of aluminum or another hard metal, and are very stiff to give good support.  The last piece of the leg can get wobbly at times, but this is expected since it is the most skinny of all the sections.  The quick locks on the legs are made of plastic but are built well.  They clamp strong and the legs cannot move once clamped into place.  The bottom piece is plastic, not rubber, but is threaded and can be removed to replace with whatever type of material you would like.  I would have preferred rubber, but this doesn't affect much for me.  The handle is made of a soft cushion material which is angled to fit nicely in the grip of your hand.  The wrist strap seems to get in the way most of the time for me so I took it off.  Folds down to a relatively decent length for travel purposes.  Highly recommended for a cheap price!
This tripod is not going to replace my $250 heavy-duty tripod but it's a great secondary tripod for our small camcorder.  Panning and tilting is surprisingly smooth for such a consumer-priced tripod.  Highly recommended for family videos, low-end production work, and student films.  It comes with a case too!
I ordered this to go with a new camera I purchased to work on a documentary! The fluid motions of the tripod are excellent! It moves very smoothly and is easy to control. The levels work great in assuring a good picture. The material is strong and light weight! It's great for travel, and quick shoots as well as general use! Would recommend for anyone looking for an affordable tripod that exceeds it's price range in quality!
I love this tripod and use it all the time. It doesn't stick or jerk back and forth. The fluid head is smooth and the feet sturdy. It's my second of the same model and the first I bought many years ago and it's still working just fine. I'd recommend this tripod to anyone in video or photography. It works well with medium size digital tape video cameras (i.e. Panasonic gs320) all the way down to smaller palm cameras. I've used it with my Canon Rebel and it's sturdy! Good price too.
Before I found this Velbon, I bought a Manfrotto tripod kit for almost 3x the cost.  I wish I had found this tripod first. This Velbon is every bit as smooth and sturdy as the Manfrotto.  I mean it is really smooth, both up and down and side-to-side.Bobby T.
An inexpensive tripod that really does what is advertises.  After years of trying to adapt normal camera tripods to shoot video with sometimes jerky results, I bought the VideoMate 607/F Tripod and couldn't be happier. The fluid head makes a big difference! Even when zoomed in the camera moves smoothly to capture the scene or event. All that and it fits in it's own case, which is easily slug over your shoulder.  This is a nice addition to any analogue or digital video camera.
I looked around and after reading the reviews i picked this up and was not disappointed.The fluid head is very smooth for pans and tilts. A surprise feature was the quick release which locks open when the plate is removed so all you have to do is slide the plate back in and it snaps locked.The only concern i have is that is made up of a lot of plastic but hey for the price what do you expect.
I was skeptical about buying any type of fluid head tripod in this price range.  I just couldn't believe that it would be any good.  I was pleasantly surprised by this tripod. It's extremely easy to use and most importantly, its smooth.  I wasn't in the market to spend hundreds of $ on a Manfrotto or something similar, and honestly for the type of shooting I do this is perfect. If you're looking for a tripod and were about to spend $25 - $30 on something you might find at Walmart, etc., I can tell you that it is absolutely worth stepping up to something like this.  You will definitely appreciate it once you use it.
For the price this tripod is tall, holds heavy cameras, moves smoothly, and is stable with over 5 pounds of camera and lens (6D + 70-200 2.8 II) on it, even for windy night shots on a mountain top. It's light enough to carry hiking, and it's got indoor and outdoor feet built in. It's got the bubble level and adjustable friction on the fluid pan/tilt mechanisms. It's stiff enough to be used as a periscope with a 3lb camera attached (grab all three legs together with two hands and hold camera up over a crowd).It survives a lot of banging around and the head is solid - but after dropping it from hand height onto the concrete one of the leg extension locks broke. They have some strange tiny pieces of plastic inside- seems unnecessarily complicated and flimsy. I replaced it with parts ordered on the phone from velbon. Two years later another one broke - I think the airline smashed my luggage that the tripod was in.So here's the three issues that make it short of perfect:Leg extension locks should be redesigned without tiny flimsy plastic parts inside.It isn't as light and compact as some tripods are.It's cheap but not free.So handle with reasonable care, buy a spare if you're a pro, and enjoy.
I am a professional wedding videographer and this is always my go-to tripod. It's light enough to easily carry around but large and sturdy enough to get the job done. They're also priced affordably so I always have at least two of these.
I've had this tripod for 7+ years until it finally crapped out on me because of my heavy use. The pan head is extremely fluid for video heads out there. Very light weight, durable.I would avoid bringing this out to the beach which can suppress a lot of the extensions on it. This was the main reason why mines got bad quick. But with normal outdoor/indoor use&#8212;This tripod is fantastic for anyone; amateur and mid-pros alike.
The friction HEAD is not the greatest but this tripod works fine for a pro traveling for a light job
Opened the box and was impressed. I have no experience with professional tripods, however, this tripod is built well if you are careful. People must really smash their equipment around to complain about this tripod being cheap. WEll built, However the fluid head has double adjustment. There are two screws that increase the pressure of the fluid making the tripod drift back during pans. These need to be loosened a bit if the tripod is drifting back too much. The other adjustments lock the tripod in place, Firm feeling and acceptable. Retractable spikes on the feet for outdoors. Built in level. Fantastic tripod if you are used to cheap-o Walmart tripods.
I am an amatuer. Tri-pod is fairly stable and fairly fluid moving. OK for average home-user. There is a fair amount of play in the head (especially at high zoom), before the "fluidity" takes effect. At high zoom, the followed, framed subject drifts off (back to it's "zero"), when you take your hand off of cam. Maybe I have a poor one!!??
This tripod is very good for a light weight mini dv camcorder. It is a fluid head tripod, which means it is smooth on its movement when going side to side or up and down. It does not make jerky moves like a tripod that does not have this fluid head feature. I recommend it to anyone who has had the misfortune of getting a cheap tripod, and has had jerky videos. I now have 3 velbon tripods, 2 of which are the videomate-607/f models, and they are worth the price, which is very reasonable compared to a more costly model.The only down side is that I wish the legs would spread apart a little further. Because of this, I sometimes have to add a weight to the center spreader to help keep the tripod anchored down. But most of the time I am video taping in one spot, so it's not a big thing.John B.Bellingham, MA
I am an amateur videographer who does mainly sports videos of my son's high school basketball games. I use this with a Panasonic HDC-TM 900 camcorder. While on the tripod, I don't do as much zooming in and out. But the smoothness of tilt and pan are a noticeable improvement. Also, it is much easier for me than holding the camera in my hand, or on a monopod. I am very happy with this purchase. The tripod folds up nicely and is very easy to carry in its case.
This works great with our camera, very sturdy and satisfactory.  It was nice to be able to find it easily on Amazon.
This is a well made economical tripod.  While best suited to a video camera it worked well for my DSLR as well.
I've used this to shoot video and stills.  It does not have a fluid head but it nevertheless pans and tilts VERY smoothly.  There are better tripods out there although for much higher prices.BTW, There's a reason they named it "VideoMate...".  I've used it many times for still photos and in most situations that I've used it -- the tripod works fine. But this tripod was not designed for still photography.  Almost everyone who purchased this would probably realize that this tripod is primarily intended for video.  All one has to do is to notice at the name of it.
This tripod is one of the best that I have ever used.  Very fluid.  I am using it with a canon 7D and it's perfect.  Works better than some other $500 to $1000 units I have had my camera on.  I'm just impressed.  My guess is for a DSLR camera this is all the quality you need.  The old way of thinking is you need something better but with DSLR they aren't as heavy. Who cares what the build quality is for this price point.  If it breaks just buy a few new ones and your still saving money over the high end tripods that most industry people would suggest that you buy.  Trust me on this if you are using a DSLR.  Get this tripod.  Even as a backup for the price how can you go wrong.
The Velbon 607/F is a pretty nice tripod, especially for the money. I have been using it for a few months and really like it. The panning is smooth and the quick release platform is really nice.Pros:- smooth panning- quick setup- comes with a carrying bag- lightweightCons:- Since its lightweight you have to hold on to it when your panning sometimes because it jerks a little bitOverall, its a great buy.
I spent A LOT of time trying to find a reasonably priced tripod that had true fluid-head smooth panning and tilting.  I have my own videography business, and had spent $100 on a tripod that was jerky when you tried to pan or tilt.  This velbon cost $60 and is incredibly smooth for pan and tilt.  The tripod is a little bit too light weight.  i wish it was a bit sturdier.  but other than that, excellent tripod for the price.  To get a significantly better tripod, you'd have to pay at least $180.update: 8.1.07after having used this tripod for close to a year, it no longer performs well.  the camera sits crooked on the head now and the tripod is useless.
I went from a $45 most expensive tripod at Walmart, to this Velbon. For double the money, it's 10 times better. It pans super smooth. I've never worked with a tripod so fluid. Very quiet, unlike my cheapo tripods.It's not a heavyweight tripod, but more of a traveling lightweight tripod. There's no creeping at all once you set the tension where you need it. My vertical tension adjustment had to be tightened as tight as I could possibly tighten them with my hands, and I have quite strong hands. Don't know if I had a faulty item, but it works for me.The quick release is very large and takes quite a few attempts to get used to attaching. Would've been nice if it fit a standard Bogen release.You can lock the vertical pan easily so you have only horizontal panning. Or vice versa. Great feature.
Tripod worked well and seemed sturdy. However, after six months (about 5 uses), an internal plastic part broke on a leg clamp. Now it is non-functional.Off to the company website: After two layers of company's deep (Velbon, and HakubaUSA), I find a service page. Email using the provided link. Bounces: 'Mailbox Full'. Try to call: "We're sorry, we are unable to take your call.". Hmmmm. This one may be heading to the dumpster after just five uses.
I bought Velbon years ago and loved the smoothness of the panning and tilt. I have tested  others in the store and they all were very jerky to pan and tilt. I recently bought another Velbon and after all these years the smoothness in Velbon has not changed. I love it and the carrying case.
My second tripod, I purchased this after buying my Canon Vixia HV-30 and realizing that It didnt have a LANC port, so I didnt need an expensive tripod with handle controls. The head on this is amazing, allowing for incredible pans. The head is extremely fluid with easy control levers. Its heavy enough to be sturdy, yet light enough to cary around no problem. It also comes with its own carrying case which is really convenient. The reasons I give it four stars: The head plate comes off easy, but when putting it back on the lever has come back and jammed into my fingers numerous times. One of the other main reasons I purchased this tripod was that I do a lot of night time photography, and this tripod allows for vertical shots. Having my heavier camera on there tilted all the way forward to do a vertical shot felt very unstable.Other than that, all around great tripod.
Exactly as I wanted . This tripod had to be heavy duty because it was holding a artist pochade box full of  pastels .This was the perfect tripod for any artist needing to attach a  pochade box easel type painting affair.When full of paint tubes or pastels they are heavy.This tripod came well packed in its own manufacturing box and then a shipping box . It has a nice carry shoulder strap bag .
I've been using a cheap $20 tripod with my Canon HV20 and was skeptical about upgrading to a better tripod.  I noticed there were a few jerky movements in my videos but they still looked decent.  However, I decided to try this tripod after watching a couple of really smooth videos on vimeo and the price for this one wasn't too high.  After trying the product out I'm amazed.  The difference is night and day.  The movement is fluid and easy.  I really like this tripod and recommend it for anyone who wants to get a smoother look to their footage.
We recently purchased this to shoot some music videos for an independent recording artist.  We didn't have access to a lot of funds for the project, but we needed the end result to look amazing.  (Good luck... right?)  :-)  Anyway, one of the most important things for us was that the panning and tilting (since there would be quite a bit in these music videos) had to be completely fluid and smooth.  No jerkiness would be acceptable, and we didn't have any software to fix things if it wasn't perfect.Well, we're happy to report that this tripod made our videos look AMAZING!  You cannot tell at all that we didn't use a $500+ tripod.We'd HIGHLY recommend this to any independent or student filmmakers who need a fluid head, for the least amount of money.  Even semi-pros and hobbyists will find use from this tripod.  We did a TON of research before we made this purchase, and we're convinced that we got the best thing available for the price.  We really cannot say enough how happy we are about the performance of this product.When we're done editing our video, we'll come back to our review and upload a clip to demonstrate this tripod's fluidity of movement in the shots we captured.
I shoot documentaries in HD and with surround-sound.  I usually travel with two cameras and an assistant shoots in parallel with the second camera so I can edit between both cameras.We bought this Velbon tripod for the second camera because it is light, sturdy, reliable, and offers a remarkably-smooth fuid-like head.  Nothing screams "amateur" as much as jerky video motion. With this tripod, your pans and tilts can be as smooth as velvet with a bit of practice.I was surprised to see the reviews here that were negative.  Our experience with the unit has been nothing but positive, and it has seen travel to France, Austria, and a variety of locations in the USA.
I have two identical camcorders, and needed tripods for both.  This is my second Velbon VideoMate 607 tripod.  The first one worked so well that I decided to buy a second one of the same make and model.  The fluid head works very smoothly.  My pans look very professional.  The only reason I did not give it five stars is that it is not as steady when the column is elevated.  Other than that it is a very good value.
It's not the cheapest, but it's the cheapest good one.  Unfortunately it shows as some of the components do not feel solid or feel a bit loose, even when tightened up.  For the price I can't complain, this tripod has very smooth movement and is very stable.  It's not super light but not difficult to lug around.  The quick attachment for the camera is not always quick as it can be difficult to get it set in just right, but after a few uses it gets a bit easier.  I'd definitely buy one of these again.update:  Their is a plastic piece that holds the legs in and seems to be poorly built and breaks easily.  Unfortunately I was directed to return to the maker, which is very difficult to get ahold of being in England.  They want me to ship the entire unit there and wait for them to fix it, which hardly seems worth the cost and effort.
Bought this for our cameras, for our TV station, worked really well and the price was exceptional.  Will purchase again from this buyer.
Relatively lightweight, solid for its weight, and has wonderfully smooth pans. I've had it only a week and am already wondering how I did without it. The fluid pan head makes a HUGE difference in following the action while zoomed - good-bye to herky-jerky videos at last! The carry case makes it a lot more portable than I expected. I upgraded from a tripod that cost 1/3 as much, and it's well worth the extra. Highly recommended.
This is a video tripod, but I've used it with relative success with my DSLR.  The product works exactly as advertised, it's lightweight yet durable, and it's held up to at least a year of being luggesd around to various events.  This isn't professional quality by any means, but it's a great entry level tripod for video cameras.
I own a small video production company and these tripods are great. The fluid head makes smooth pans easy to do, and the tripod itself is very light and easy to carry. I've used them on several shoots (actually bought more after buying one as a test), and they seem to hold up well. I don't have any concerns about durability. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good video tripod at a great price.
If you are on a budget and we ALL are this is your tripod!  this is my go to guy for my T2i when I am filming, all i can say is i am Impressed!
I loved this Monopod, unfortunately the ballhead got loose due to the weight of my D200 with small zoom. It cannot hold 21 lbs as advertised.  Two to three pounds is more realistic.Since then I moved to a larger monopod but I am purchasing another one so I can use it with my J1s.  Nikon 1 system lenses are small/light enough.  And the convenience of the size for travel is excellent.
As soon as I received the tripod, I unpacked it and started to unfold it for tripod use. Did what I was told to do (ie instructions on tripod)and promptly broke one of the legs.This is not a Bogen or a Gitzo or even a Slik, nor did it cost as much!In all fairness for a kid starting to take the step from snapshots to photography, this mono/tri pod might be just the ticket!Adult Photographers, pay the money for quality!
I really liked the usefulness of the Hakuba monopod 10 and its slender, compact size. Great for travel. The main telescoping sections are all metal.  But, here's the big BUT -- the two non-telescoping flip-out short legs are plastic.  Both of mine now have small cracks where the legs are attached to the main monopod shaft.  This occured under the weight of a Nikon FM and a plastic-barrel telephoto lens, not a very heavy load.So, if you want a slender monopod, it's fine.  But as a tabletop tripod, I'm afraid this isn't the best choice -- not until Hakuba makes those two short legs of the same metal as the main monopod.
It does what I need and easy to have with you.  If you are sitting at a picnic table, it does just fine as a tripod. It should also be good for macro work. It's a little flimsy and short as a monopod (about what I expected) but it's way, way better than nothing. Used as a monopod I took some great pre-dawn shots at a half second and a long shot with my 300mm (equivalent) of Barn Swallows.  It doesn't replace my other camera supports but when I'm traveling light (or just walking about)...it's there and they're not.
I have had my Hakuba monopod for several years and am very pleased with it. The versatility is wonderful. The two front legs allow you to use this as a table top tripod, or to stabilize the monopod against just about any surface (Tree, Table, Wall, Fencepost, Car, etc.). They are plastic and the locking mechanism is very stiff when you first get it. I just broke the plastic locking tab off after I opened it since the screws that attach the legs to the monopod work very well as friction locks. The camera mount freely pivots 360 and can arc a full 120 degrees until you lock it in place. I would not call this a professional grade piece of equipment nor would I attempt to load it up with heavy equipment (more than 3-5 lbs) such a my 35mm SLR with a 110mm lens. But it has worked incredibly well with my Nikon CoolPix L3 for several years and easily handled my trusty old Yashica TLR with a 35mm lens. The locking mechanism on the main leg is sturdy and adjustable. I have used it on many occasion to shoot event videos over the head of the crowd in front of me with my CoolPix by holding the camera overhead with the main leg fully extended and holding the bottom two sections. Best of all the whole unit folds down to 10"x1.5" and weighs under a pound so you can toss it in your glovebox or coat pocket with your "Grab and Shoot" camera and never have to worry about your body movement blurring the shot in low light conditions.
I have used this unit for travel with success for several years.  It is fine for a small camera.  When I upgraded to a DSLR this monopod just can not handle the weight.  The leg will support the camera with a long lens attached.  The weak link is the ball head.  It sags under pressure of more than a couple of pounds.  I gave this to a friend and purchased a real monopod from Benro.  It is very heavy duty but much heavier much bulkier.  I think this is a great concept and hope this manufacturer will introduce another model that is a bit more heavy duty.
As I carry around a compact digital camera (Canon SD-100) all the time and am an available light freak, I am in need of serious camera stabilization.  I find all of the monopods by Bogen, Sunpak, Manfroto, etc to be way too long contracted and do not desire to look like a mountaineer in the middle of a museum.  The Hakuba MS10 folds down to 9.8 in., about half the length of most monopods, and weighs only 1.25 lb.  So, if you don't need a walking stick or a serious tabletop tripod, but do need an ultra-compact monopod, this is the best there is.  I bartered mine away to a friend in Paris and have been missing it ever since.
The PalmPix is compact and light weight.  The price is good and the idea is great.  But unfortunately the picture quality is not quite there.  The picture on the palm is almost unusable, but once you hotsync (which takes longer than advertised) is still is not a very good quality picture.  Not much detail.  I am not sure what application or situation this product would work for, but I think I will wait till next year -- hopefully the technology will be better.  This year I am sending back the Palm Pix
This little inexpensive device handles diverse lighting conditions (flourescent, incandesecent, daylight, mixed, bright or dim) with astonishing grace. The pics are reminiscent of Type C prints, gentle even in contrasty situations. You don't have a flash, and you rarely would want one, the pictures are much nicer than the flat &quot;flash face&quot; you get from most inexpensive cameras. The capture technology is CMOS rather than CCD, perhaps we'll see a lot more CMOS to come. Resolution is low,... This is a delightful product.
This camera is really awesome. You can't expect 8 megapixel photos quality, but if you always have your Palm with you (as I do) is invaluable to have this camera at hand for those moments when you need one (your standard camera is another gadget you can left at home). It's true, bad light conditions give bad pictures, but with good lights, the quality is unsurpased for the dollar (I also have a 4Mpix camera). For me, and my 6mo old daugther, is the always ready camera.
If you are a gadgeteer like me, you will wet your pants over the Kodak PalmPix Digital Camera. It is soooo MONDO COOL to hook up the camera and preview a picture on my Palm IIIxe!! I love it!You won't see the true quality of the pics you take until you hotsync them to your main computer. The quality of the photos are pretty darn good. This camera is no match for a $ Nikon digital camera, but for the money it is simply awesome.Hint...I waited until Amazon.com sale priced it at $ then added a $ off E-cupon. Total price was $ including shipping. I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it!
This is a cute little camera attachment for Palm III (etc) devices that promises little and delivers less. I am especially disappointed by the quality of the pictures. Sure, it maxes out at 640x480, so I shouldn't expect much, but noticeably chunky dithering occurs even with the best stability, lighting, and subject contrast range. This alone makes the camera inappropriate for anything more than the most inconsequential noodling around. In addition, manufacturing/design flaws hamper ease-of-use. In the unit I own, the plane of focus is not parallel to the display on my Palm IIIxe, forcing me to hold the unit slightly above eye-level and tilt my head back awkwardly to correctly frame lansdcape pictures, and aim slightly to the right of center for portrait. Since the display of Palm III devices depends on ambient light for contrast resolution, this makes previewing, framing, and shooting quite difficult. If anything, the plane of focus should be skewed the other way, allowing me to hold the unit in a slightly more comfortable position.
I picked this up because the price was right, and I had always wanted a digital camera to take pictures of things for upload only. The Kodak PalmPix does all that!The other reviewers cover the details well, but let me add a couple of things. First, it works great even on a grayscale Palm IIxe. Obviously, you don't get to see the color until you HotSync, but you can still get a good idea of what the picture will look like, especially if you adjust the contrast.More importantly, MacUsers take heart! Even though some shipping units claim they're for Windows only, Kodak **DOES** have a Mac conduit available on their website! Just go to the Customer Support page listed in the manual, and drill down to Driver Software, or search for &quot;Mac&quot; from there. It allows you to save the pictures in JPEG or PICT format; I tend to prefer the latter, and use other software to tweak the results.
Sure, you can buy a much higher quality camera, but not one that weighs 1.5 ounces and extends the Palm's length less than 2 inches.I have a Palm IIIxe and run everything on it.  I'm overclocking it with afterburner, I'm running half a dozen hackmaster hacks and this camera STILL works perfectly.  As one reviewer stated earlier, It DOES take a few seconds to adjust to the light - especially if it's extremely dark or light - but then it performs wonderfully.  I have personally gotten much higher quality pictures when I'm not trying to work in very low-light conditions.  I agree that using the screen as a viewfinder isn't much better than a framing tool, but then, I don't use the  1-square-inch display on the digital camera we have at the office to display images for people either.  The Palm isn't much on displaying these pictures because of its grey scale limitations.  For the price and convenience, I am perfectly content with the quality and very good color accuracy of the pictures.  I have not had a single problem with the camera or hot synching the pictures to the PC. (Hey, It's a LOT faster than transferring a few web pages with AvantGo)I have a keyboard and a modem for my Palm so this was just another extension to increase it's functionality.  It won't take up much space or add much weight to my briefcase and the batteries last a long time.  And, since they are the same size as the Palm uses, I don't have to stock several sizes.
it's Film it's film That's why a $399.00 camera is less than $20 the film is $15 a roll 36 shots. The camera is well made.it's film processed which may be a problem. Well I now act like Bond with my spy camera.
So its a film camera - absolutely!The fact that this camera is a film camera is probably one of the best features of this camera - that is exactly what it was designed to be and it is great that way.  Now, don't expect to get any giant masterpiece prints from it - the size of the negative is simply too small for that.  However, consider that this type of film and camera was the mainstay of the intelligence networks of many countries for a long time.  The history of Minox can be a rather interesting one, and although this camera is not the same model as the original "spy" Minox, it is still iconic.As to film, there is still something to say about film that cannot be said for digital.  I have seen negatives from well over 100 years ago that are still perfectly good, and which will make perfect prints with the modern equipment that I have.  Even the simplest of tools will permit the making of a good print from a negative, and if you don't happen to have those, even the negative alone will tell you what is on it.  In other words, you can always use a negative in some way - with digital, you must have a compatible computer or other similar device with you.  Can you imagine what it would be like if digital cameras had been around 20 or so years ago?  You might find yourself in a situation where you needed to find an eight-inch floppy drive to be able to download a copy of the image that was stored on there in some proprietary format.  Good luck!I'm by no means trying to say that digital photography is in any way better or worse than film - I quite like my digital equipment, and find working with them to be a breeze.  Processing and printing film was always a bit of a pain, even if I did do much of it myself.  Yet, the permanence of a negative and good archival prints from good negs is something of a lost art.Back to this camera - it is a great little one to toss in a pocket to have around for those quick moments - not to mention that it is not obvious.  Sometimes the best way to get a nice shot is to not be obvious about having a camera on you...The flash works just fine too - not the most powerful, but probably better than the "flashes" on cell phones these days...In any case - keep in mind that this camera is simply interesting and different.  It is not meant to replace high end DSLRs or the like.  It is fun, and when available for cheap, worth the price.
Well, I can consider myself an "old timer" when it comes to photography...I started with the old black & white & progressed to the color negatives - still to this day, I think regular 35mm beats the pants out of any regular digital SLR - that's unless you have enough money to burn and get an advanced Leica or Hasselblad - some of those can go for as much as a the price of a new car (20K and up!) I and those in my generation that grew up with the Bond movies became acostumed to the Minox brand - as the spy cams! I always wanted one, but the price was prohibitive back then - now for under $30.00 to get this novelty was just too much for me to hold back.Initial impressions are: as light as it said it would be, as compact as it said it would be - so far 2 pluses....I was a bit disappointed to find out that it was manufactured in Japan - if I had paid the original price (close to $300) to find out that it was made in Japan - i would have been a bit ticked off.  Now, nothing bad with stuff being made in Japan, is just that this camera's origin is from Germany and one would expect for this model to also be made in Germany.The unit included a flash and film - very thoughtful - so I'll have to wait to get the film developed - only one place - and then I can report back.Oh, by the way, the previous rater has to get a clue with film photography - not everything digital is better... and having 60+ negative reviews is not very good either!
The flash with this camera did not work right out of the box. I spent pennies on the dollar since this was an odd film camera on sale so I still rated it a three. Once above $200, I got it for $40. This camera is was made for Minox not by Minox so don't expect Minox quality. Minox no longer makes any cameras. All there digital items they sell now have received less than good reviews. This cameras has one exposure setting. It has a filter for bright light conditions. It would have been great if the flash worked, but for the price I am still happy with the purchase.
Haven't had photos developed yet. Certainly not Minox's top quality camera, nowhere close.  Seems like a good buy for $20 bucks though.
I have been using this camcorder for more than 6 months now. I wanted a compact camcorder with the convenience of mini digital videocassettes and firewire support that lets me edit video on my home PC. I also wanted a high quality and yet easy to use camcorder with a long lasting battery. PC100 has everything a video amateur needs.PC100 also have a built-in mega pixel digital still camera, although it cannot compare with specialized products like Nikon CoolPix cameras.The video quality is extremely high.The only complaint I have is the zoom control. It zooms in and out a bit too fast.I am very happy with my PC100. Worth the price!
The Sony digital camcorder records excellant video images and sound, but most TV set fail to reproduce the image quality and conventional VHS recorders lose the video quality when copying.  The still image quality is poor compared to stand alone 1 mega pixel cameras and cannot be used at the same time you are video taping.Works well with a iMac and iMovie for editing, could not see doing it any other way for less.  Some Sony home PCs also allow for editing using the same firewire interface with the Sony camcorder.Recommendation:  If you want super high qulaity video images and want the small size get this camcorder...But don't get it because it has a still image capability, instead get a nice digital still camera for that function.A side note: if you use a IR filter on this Sony and use the night shot mode you can view and record in infared.  Cool for experimental video effects and can be done likewise with most digital cameras I am told.
I wanted to add information to complement some of the other reviews.  I, like most of the other reviewers, am very impressed with the PC100.  Before buying I did a lot of research and read reviews from many websites, including this one.  Three issues have been mentioned that I have not found to be a problem.1.  Some people comment that the sound recorded by the built-in microphone picks up the hum from the camera motor.  I agree that there is a loud hum coming from the camera when the camera is operating, and you can hear it if you play the tape back in the camera using the on board speaker.  However, when I play my tapes back through a television, the sound is outstanding (and there is no hum).2.  The second reportedly unfortunate feature is the zoom control, which is supposedly placed awkwardly.  Now, I don't have very large hands, so that may be a difference, but if you hold the camera as illustrated in the manual (i.e., like a water pistol), with your third, fourth and little finger curled around the camera's base, your index finger sits directly on the telephoto button.  I have no trouble using it.  If you try to jam all your fingers vertically up through the strap and hold it like a regularly sized camcorder, it won't work well at all.3.  People also complain about the size and placement of the buttons.  The buttons seem fine to me.  I don't have to do anything extraordinary to press them.  I once hit the backlight button by mistake because of its position near the standby/record button.  It made a gathering I was filming look as if God had just walked in, but an icon appeared immediately in the viewfinder informing me of what had happened. I quickly turned it off and contined filming.  I have never made that mistake again, now that I know what to look out for.I would recommend this camcorder without reservation.
the Camcorder Box and Spec says it is good for 1 MegaPixel photos.  It is a lie.  The image quality is like magnifying a 640 x 480 to 1 Megapixel.  The result is coarse pixelation of the photo... I called the Sony customer support and they told me, "if it looks good on the view finder, then Sony's job is done."  What [a lie].  Sony, wake up and don't tell lies!
Nine months ago, I had to upgrade my old (but clunky) Video-8  camcorder. After a lot of research, I almost didn't settle for  this camera, because although most owners loved it and it seemed  to have the best image quality in the class, it is rather  expensive. Looking at my savings account, and remembering  that the Video-8 didn't get used much because of its heft, I  took the plunge.The small size makes this an excellent camera to bring with you  in a sport jacket pocket, briefcase, or even jeans pocket (if  you're into those large raver-style pockets, that is). While  many of the buttons are small, I don't mind much, because the  few I use (start/stop, exposure control) are logically placed  and easy to push. I don't use any of the digital effects or fade  functions, because I transfer the video digitally to my computer and edit tape there -- something I never got around to with the  old clunker.I also don't use the still image capture much at all, because I  have a separate Kodak digital camera for that, and the memory  stick reader that comes with this camcorder is S-L-O-W (because  it's serial-only). If you have one of those VAIO machine with a  built-in memory stick reader, I suppose it would be OK. Transfer of video using the built-in FireWire (1394, i-Link, DV-gate, ...) port works very well, and I haven't had any problems getting  this camera recognized by my computer.The battery life is also amazing. The standard (slim!) battery  lasts for more than two hours -- the larger medium-sized battery  (which I use most of the time) gives you FIVE HOURS of running  time. If you can *at all* afford this camcorder, and don't need  the extra image quality of an (expensive, bulky) three-CCD  camera then get this one.
I got this camera a few months ago I must say it is wonderful to use.  It's got a simple interface, the recording quality is excellent, and best  of all, it take still-shots.  The Memory Stick integration is awesome, and  it saved me the trouble of getting a Digital Camera, so I was pretty happy  about that.  The only complaints I have are that the included Memory Stick  is only 4 MB, which isn't a huge amount when you're talking about Digital  Pictures, and it's kind of expensive.  However, you're paying for the  quality of Digital Footage, which in my opion, is worth it.  Aside from  these minor problems, the camera is great.  Also, the FireWire (Or  &quot;i.Link&quot; as Sony calls it) is great for editing movies, and  sending them through e-mail or burning them on a CD.  In short, if you can  afford it, and you've been looking around for a DV Camers, this is it: Go  and buy it.
Ive had this camera for 9 months, and I have grown very attached to it. I've beat the crap out of it and it still works fine, a good sign.It fits in ones hand like a crazy optical-recepting hand gun.  After time and experimenting, one grows accustomed to its grip and it's small size makes the human subjects less nervous, almost as if no video camera is there, just a miniscule receptor of their realtime image.If you have a friend with one of these too (Scheeronious), you can firewire the 2 cameras together and do some improvisational editing and recording of footage, easily.infrared night-vison, with &quot;old movie&quot;  to make night shots mystical... overlap fading face-morphing,  Luminscennt effects. Manual exposure adjusting to tweak the lighting, in conjuction with slow-shutter surrealism.  &gt;&gt;&gt; The camera give you a lot of room to play.I use the memory stick all the time to capture stills off my prerecorded footage.  I like the small 640x480 jpegs, its easier to work with in photoshop, transfers quick, save-em-stright-to-floppy or email-em size.  If one really wants high quality pics one has to capture the live still straight to the stick. raltime capture even makes a simulated digital &quot;cli-click&quot; sound of an SLR camera when you hit the photo button.  Sony style at its best.This camera is great on an airplane, to watch all your old movies in-transit, and catch stills off of them.  If you really wanted to, you could easily record tv, movies etc.., and watch it on this camera on the plane almost like a MiniDVD player.Problems: 1. You can't use fader and digital effects at the same time. 2. You can't activate digital effects with the LCD closed. 3. The built-in microphone doesn't pick up low bass frequencies real well. 3. upgrade this camera with a wide angle lens, and extended life battery, and 32 meg stick.  Wide angle is a must, it creates a more immersive viewer experience.
I've had this beauty for a couple of months now and I would definitely buy  it again. A lot is included in the package but keep in mind that you will  need additional accessories to make the camcorder fully useful. You will  need the Flash/Light combination and also a larger memory stick to take  full advantage of megapixel quality - the one that is included (4MB) will  only hold six high-quality pictures. The battery is small but it will last  you forever - I never use my second one. Finally, be aware of the fact that  Sony will release the updated PC110 in September, 2000 which will have a  built-in Flash and will record short MPEGs to the stick. Will it ever come  to the States? Will you be able to wait for so long? You will surely pay  more. Go for PC100 instead.
After laboriously searching for several weeks, I chose this camera over all other models. As this is a complex unit, there are many long reviews  here, and being succinct is very difficult. I will skip most features  listed, and try to concentrate on the advantages (many), and shortcomings  (few) of this camera compared to others:The picture quality is superb.  It's like watching a television. Just one look and you'll be immediately  impressed. The only way to get a higher quality picture is to go to a 3CCD  camera (more $, and bigger). The only other 1 CCD camera whose picture is  as good, is the Canon Elura (because of it's RGB filter), but the Elura  doesn't do half what the PC100 does, and it is a lower res camera. The  megapixel photo/stills are excellent. Especially when taken at the highest  resolution (for simple web photos, several lower res sizes are available).  Yes, a 4mb memory stick is not enough. Expect to spend the $125 or so for  the 64mb stick.I do not feel the low lux of 7 is not as much of a  limitation as some others. ALL camcorders have problems in very low light,  be it 7 lux, or 3 lux.The size to features ratio is amazing. The camera  fits pretty well in a jacket pocket. You can do more with this little  camera than so many other cameras of larger sizes. It will do all most  anyone will want. The size also fits well in your hands. The zoom feature  is too sensitive, and it would be nice if there were a way to lock it into  slow/med/fast settings. I occasionally find myself bumping the back lit  button, and sometimes hitting the still/photo button, but otherwise all the  controls are easy to reach and get used to.If you buy an extra battery,  do not buy the NPFM90. Buy either two 50's, or a 70. The 90 is simply too  big. The 70 is pushing the size limit. The good news is that the batteries  seem to have a lot of stamina, even with the 50. The Sony batteries seem to  last longer in this unit than the old PC1 or PC10 or PC3. And in general  more than the Canon or JVC batteries. Something to consider if you are  travelling a lot (how I use the camera) I should also note that I have  taken this camera mountaineering (in pretty bad weather) and rock and ice  climbing. While I did not expose it to the elements for very long, it has  proven to be very tough.Do not complete any order, or leave any store,  before also purchasing a UV filter to cover the lens, a wide-angle lens  attachment, and case for the camera. The wide-angle is very reasonably  priced (less than $100) and you'll use it a lot. If you use the wide-angle  attachment, take off the UV filter first, or it will vignette while taking  stills in bright light.The biggest negative I have about the camera is  the sound quality. Sony put the microphone right on top of the unit,  instead of in front of it. This creates two problems. First, if someone in  front of the camera is talking, and there is any ambient noise, their voice  is weak. Second, and most annoying about any aspect of the entire unit, is  that in some situations the camera picks up an extremely annoying  oscillating sound from the camera's motor. How audible is it? Barely, but  just enough to drive you mad. Sony does make a few microphone attachments  that fit on the hot shoe (great idea here, as flashes and other toys can  use the shoe as well) that eliminate this. The best microphone however, is  a large shotgun mike that makes the camera a little hard to handle, pick up  and put away, or fit in the case (or pocket) with the mike attached. But  there are a few other mikes that will at least improve the sound quality.  What I have found is that if I am taping someone talking, I make sure I use  an attachment mike. If we are out and about, I keep the camera in my pocket  and just shoot, worrying about the sound later (during editing it mostly  gets wiped, voiced over, or scored over with music and subtle sound  effects).As soon as you buy this unit, if you don't already have a  computer that can edit your video, you will want one. There is a world of  difference between having good video footage clunked together on a VCR  tape, and slickly edited footage on a computer then put to tape.I gave  this camera only 4 stars out of 5 because of the sound quality, and other  minor shortcomings listed. It should however be noted that I am quite  strict in this grading, thinking in terms of the entire star scale, while  many reviewers use only stars 3-5 to rate things, with anything good being  a 5. Most other cameras I looked at would probably rate in the 3 star  range. Very few cameras rate 5 stars, and if Sony made a better microphone  (or supplied one for recording voice) this camera would probably rate 5  stars with me.All in all, this is a pretty amazing little gizmo. A  great unit for the size to features to quality ratio.
Many people will probably be turned off by the short range of the zoom lens on this camera.  This is too bad.  Personally, I don't like long zoom range compact cameras; the compact design requires you to make too many optical concessions.  Sure you can get a Point and Shoot that will zoom out to 140mm these days, but the biggest F-stop will be so small at that focal length that you can  only really use it in bright sun.Furthermore, compact cameras with long zoom ranges almost necessarily take pictures that aren't very sharp, and usually with mediocre contrast.  This little camera has a great lens, one that compares with what you can get from a Single Lens Reflex.  I carry my Canon in my glove compartment, and so I always have a camera around.  Its short zoom covers most of the pictures I want to take, and the quality of the pictures is good.  It does about everything you could ask for from a compact camera.  I guess I would rather have had it go from, say 28mm-50mm, but that is just a matter of taste.
I was out to get a camera, and remembered my sister had this great little 35mm camera that she just bought, and was very happy with. So I went out and bought it and I was happy to learn how cheap it was compared to similar  cameras that can be about two hundred dollars. I've had a great time  snapping away all over the place, and you will to with this great light  weight camera. Enjoy!
It's a beautifully made little camera but it just hasn't produced very sharp photos so far.  I wanted a film camera since I was tired of the images I was getting out of my Nikon 950 (digital = fuzzy pictures faster).  The colors from the Sureshot76 are excellent and it's just so darn cute I have a hard time saying anything critical about it, but looking at images I'd taken with an old, cheap 35mm camera with an old, cheap 55mm lens I'd rather drag around a "real" camera than have to settle for images that really look as if they'd been taken with a disposable camera. But for a grandma-point-and-shoot camera it's dandy, I'll give it to my wife, it's her speed.
I wrote a previous review of this camera, but I intended to give it a 5-star rating instead of 4 stars, so I wanted to correct that here.This camera was one of the possible gift choices for my 10-year anniversary gift at my company. So I decided to give it a try. The only other small point and shoot camera I have is a Fuji Tiara 1000, which has a fixed lens and is APS format, whereas this camera is a 2X 38-76mm lens and is 35 mm.I got a free roll of ASA 100 Kodak Gold (12 frames) film so I ran it through the camera over the weekend, and was pleased with the results.The camera's short zoom lens runs from F4.2-F7.8, and has a maximum 1/500th of a sec. shutter speed, pretty standard for a point and shoot camera in the $100-$200 range. You can find some that are 1/700th, but not too many. The little Contax point and shoots go up to at least 1/1000th of a sec.,  and my Rollei QZ35W has an amazing 1/8000th of a second maximum shutter speed, but this camera is ten times as expensive as your typical point and shoot model and weighs almost 2 pounds, so it's a tank, and the Contax cameras, although not as high as the Rollei, are still pretty pricey.But getting back to the Canon Sureshot. The photos look good and are very sharp. I tried shooting photos under bright sunlight with a very contrasty subject, and also the next day it was quite overcast and so I took somemore photos then too. Both sets of prints look nice and sharp. I was a little worried about the ASA 100 film shooting on a foggy day. I suspect the shutter speed wasn't more than 1/60th of a second, but I concentrated on trying to minimize camera shake when I took the shots, since I wanted to test the sharpness of the lens.Anyway, it looks like I managed it and the photos looked good.Another nice thing the camera has is a multi-function green LED focus indicator light.  But it also does 2 other cool things. It flashes at 12 times per second when it thinks camera shake might be a problem, and at 4 times per second when the light is too low. I suspect the shake indicator actually is telling you about a slow shutter speed that might be affected by camera shake, rather than actively detecting any hand movement, such as video camcorders are able to do, and cancel it out.The autofocus system is able to handle situations where you have subjects or people in the foreground but the focal frame of the camera is actually centered on the background, much further away. Another nice feature. I was not able to determine from the manual whether it has active or passive autofocus, however. It's better to have passive autofocus. Active autofocus uses an infrared beam, and this can cause problems when trying to shoot thru the window of a car. The infrared beam will bounce off the glass and screw up the focus, unless there is a setting to disable it.With active autofocus the camera is usually sensitive to vertical lines. However, this can sometimes cause a problem with scenes that lack strong verticals. It would be nice to know what the Sureshot has but the manual just says it has AiAF--artificially intelligent autofocus.So far this looks to be a good little camera at an attractive price. About the only downside to it is that it isn't as small as some of the more compact point and shoots; however, these usually cost much more money, such as the Minolta 125 Freedom Zoom, which is a nice camera but is much more expensive. Also, many people will perhaps want a longer zoom capability around 3X or so, but I actually prefer not to have anything that extreme because there are too many optical comprises that have to be made in terms of the sharpness of the lens and other optical problems. I understand that some of the newer point and shoot zoom models, such as the new Nikon 125 and the Minolta 125 Freedom Zoom, are incorporating asperical plastic elements, which have done a lot to address this issue, but not having tested them myself yet, I'll stick to the 2X-3X range for now.One final thing to consider with point and shoots with datebacks like this one, is that many of them will default the dateback feature back to on when you change the film. Since I've only run the one test roll thru so far I don't know how this particular camera will respond, but probably most of them will do that. So remember to check every time you change the roll if it does. If it doesn't, you have one of the few that don't and you're home free.Also, since it prints the time and date on the lower right corner in a yellowish font, this means you need to be careful about photographing scenes with strong yellow colors in this area, since it may obscure the dateback &quot;imprint.&quot;The camera comes with a better than average camera bag with a main compartment more than big enough for the camera itself, and a smaller external pocket big enough to hold a couple of extra rolls of film. Altogether a nice little camera, especially considering in my case it was free!
What? StuffThe Canon Sure Shot 35mm is the best of all compact film cameras.  Simple in design and function, this camera provides dependable sure shots.  The Sureshot was my mainstay for two years.  The self-timer comes in handy.
I received this camera as a gift for my birthday 2 years ago and I've taken so many pictures since.  Mostly of our 2 year old (what else would you expect of a first-time Mom?).  The color and crispness of the pictures is excellent; better than I expected for a camera at this price.  Loading and unloading the film is a breeze, and it's so lightweight it's not a bother to hang around your neck (like some others are).  I would recommend it for the amateur or pro photographer.
My wife and I bought this camera because it was simple to use and picture quality was good.  That was until it stopped working properly.  Now the zoom sticks, sometimes the lense will not close at all and the object in the viewfinder will not zoom as the lense does.  It was purchaes in January 2001 and the warranty is now up.  Not Happy!
This camera is very easy to operate and produces consistently high quality results.  Good viewfinder...simple controls...easy loading.
I just bought the DCRTRV720 - the 320's bigger brother. It has a bigger LCD screen, a color viewfinder and a remote. The bigger LCD screen and the  remote were the motivating factors over the 320.This is definitely the  most terrific camera I have ever worked with. The picture quality is  outstanding, and there is absolutely no shortage of features. Combined with  the my Apple PowerMac G4 Cube and it's editing software iMovie, this camera  absolutely rocks.I bought this specifically for digital work, but liked  the versatility of being able to take existing standard 8 and Hi 8 tapes  and play them back into my Mac so that they can be used for editing. There  is no range of cameras on the market other than the Sony DCRTRV range that  will allow you to do this. MiniDV is also way more expensive.Also cool  are the digital stills that you can take with this camera. I bought a  digital camera just before I bought the camcorder and I am now really sorry  that I did. The camcorder does a much better job of the digital stills than  the digital camera does.I would recommend this camcorder range, and  especially the 720 over anything else in the market.
I bought this camera after trying out the 450x zoom in the store. Other factors triggering the purchase were Nightshot and Picture Memory. This camera's ergonomics are outstanding. The camera turns itself off after a minute or so in camera mode. This does not happen in (picture) memory mode. Memory (still) Pictures upload via a serial link only  (no USB). Picture quality is very good. I successfully uploaded recorded video from the camera to my  Windows 2000 computer via a Western Digital PCI IEEE 1394 card using the Ulead software supplied on CDROM with the 1394 card. My first (very short).avi file made with the Ulead software was &gt; 100 Mbytes.. I have ordered, but not yet received, the Sony 2x teleconverter lense so that I can get less pixellation at maximum useable magnifcation.I also bought an 8-hour battery. I recommend 2 8-hour  batteries and a rapid charger (which works off both AC and 12VDC instead of the 12-hour battery. With two batteries and a quick charger you should never run out of juice.Nightshot works well up to about 15 feet but uses substantially more power than without, so battery life is decreased. An image intensifier attachment would be a *really* handy accessory for long range nighttime videotaping. I plan to try using the 320 with both an astronomical telescope and a microscope in the near future.
I'm quite pleased with the audio and video quality of this camcorder, as well as the plethora of features and effects (though most I'll probably never use). I like the steadyshot, nightshot, and being able to shoot in widescreen format -- those are my favorite features. What I'm terribly disappointed in with this camera is the quality of the still images; I get better quality from a disposable. In short, stills look absolutely terrible. I have fooled with taking stills under a variety of conditions, and they only look &quot;decent&quot; under the most optimal lighting circumstances. I can't complain too much since this is a secondary feature of the camcorder, and the video and audio really are remarkable, but I wish I had known that I'd also have to buy a digital still camera when shopping for this one.
I've used VHS-C video camcorders in the past.  But this camera just blows  them away.I know virtually nothing about taking video shots, but after a  week with this camera, my footage rivals any TV show in quality!You  can't believe the quality of image this camcorder puts out.Easy to  use, and packed with features.  I use this thing every day.  Sound and  image quality is unbelievable.You can buy a longer battery life if you  want too, which is incredible, 8 hours or so.  (It's heavier, though, so I  just bought an extra standard battery).
This little number is a great step up from DCR-TRV310. I'm Not sure why, but the number is higher, and in my experience that means that it is way better and should cost alot more. I greatly recommend it with the 2.5in screen. Anything larger sucks the life out of a battery like, the KC Chiefs suck the fun out of Monday Night Football. You'll find the zoom is very suitable for most situations. The Info-Lithium batteries are a serious point in favor of the Sony brand family over its competitors. Knowing how much time you have left to shoot is priceless in those once-in-a-lifetime situations. In California, and sweeping quickly east, is the Phenomenon I dubbed &quot;Green Porn&quot;. With Sony's 0-lux technology, you call literally see/film in pitch black. The ablitity to create a sensuous mood with the green glow that 0-Lux provides is amazing. It's like wathing The Nature Channel. Overall, if you don't have the money for the big time digitals and don't want junk. Then this is the Cam for you. Happy Honeymoon!
Even tough I don't own this model, I own one very similar... The DCR-TRV103. This is the newer version of the model up (TRV310)and it has  only gotten better. I purchased the camera for making a claymation movie  and an action short for a class project. I spent over 200 hours working  with all the footage and the firewire port is invaluable! Not only is the  sound and video quality unparelleled, the speed at which it is transfered  keeps you from getting bogged down waiting for the video to load. The night  vision, remote control and special effects provided in the package are  superb quality and easy to use. As for durablity, my camera was hit by  gravel from car tires and a hail of exploding fireworks and has escape them  without even a ding. The only problems I really faced with the camera where  the short battery lifes on the stock battery. However, a replacement 8 hour  is around $100 and is a good replacement for the 1.5 hour if you plan to  film a wedding or long birthday party. Another more-minor problem was the  echo-effect on the sound at a distance, however, this plagues every other  camera on the market and can be easily fixed with an external microphone  from radio shack. Also, the digital recording process takes double the  normal recording on 8mm tapes, so if you don't transfer the video off the  camera and re-record over, find a place that sells the tapes cheap. Other  than that, however, the camera has worked perfectly and has produced some  very high-quality video for a non-commerical video camera.
I purchased the S50 as a replacement to my traditional 35mm point and  shoot camera.  For the most part it does a good job.  As others have  mentioned, the LCD is quite difficult (if not impossible) to see in bright  sunlight or dark situations.  The red eye reduction does an adequate job,  but I still get a lot of red eye.  The most annoying thing for me is the  shutter delay.  Even without the flash, the delay is quite disconcerting.  The time the shutter needs to be held to take a photo takes some  adjustment.  If you plan to take action shots or shots of children (who  tend to move constantly) getting the shot you want is nearly impossible.  If you use the flash in red eye reduction mode, the delay is quite long.  Since the camera is digital, it's not as disturbing when I  &quot;waste&quot; a shot, but I do get frustrated missing a shot I want  because the of the shutter delay.  However, as with an electronic device  there's a learning curve.  Once you get used to the specifics of the S50,  it's a good camera.The 4MB memory stick is surprisingly adequate, but  I still recommend an additional 16MB or 32MB stick.  The menu structure is  intuitive, as are the controls.  The layout of the controls on the camera  are well placed, too.The interface to Windows 98 is seemless.  The  included software has its limitations.  Rotating images yields a  disapointing loss in quality.  It's adequate for simple webpage use, but  for any serious editting there are far better packages.The S50 is a  good replacement for my old point and shoot, but I still use my traditional  35mm for action shots.
I have had this camera for about six months now.  As a serious ammateur photographer for 15 years, I swore that I would still use my film camera for some things, but I haven't touched it.  I take this Sony everywhere.  This camera is a great all-around digital camera.  It is compact, easy to use, the menus and controls are easily understood, and it takes great pictures.  I was thinking about getting the S30 without the video feature instead, but I am very glad I got the video.  I really like the video feature and I use it a lot.  Below are a few major points you should consider about this camera.First of all, no other digital camera brand I have seen comes anywhere close to the lens quality of the Sonys.  The marco (close-up) setting allows you to take a picture from literally a half inch away from the subject.  Most other digital cameras with macro settings let you get as close as a couple feet.  This means that when you can get, at closest, a full-frame picture of your whole hand with other digicams, the sony lets you zoom all the way in to just a fingernail.  Incidentally this camera also has a text-capture mode which I have used quite successfully for taking pictures of blueprints and other documents.  These kinds of images show up nicely on the computer screen.Secondly, This camera is fully mac-compatible.  It comes with a USB cable and software that actually does work on the Mac.  When you connect the camera to the cable, it shows up on the desktop just like a drive.  The only problem I have had is when reading files right off the disc - sometimes it thinks there's a problem with the drive.  If you first transfer them to your hard drive and then view them there's no problem.Some rules of thumb for file size:  A high resolution pic (1600x1200) typically takes about 900k, so I figure about one meg each.  The medium res (1024x768) is about 300k per pic, so I figure about three pics per meg.  These are still pretty high resolution pictures.  The lowest res (640x480) pics take about 100k each (a nice size for emailing).  That's about 10 per meg.  On video mode, the high res (320x240) takes about 100k per second, so about 10 sec of video per meg.  The low res video mode (160x112) does about 40 sec per meg.  So with the 4 mb memory stick that comes with the camera you can get about 4 or 5 high res pics, 15 med res pics, 40 low res pics, 40 sec high res video, or 160 sec low res video.  So in summary, get more memory.  I bought two 64 mb cards and they lasted a whole 4-day vacation, and I am pretty snap-happy.The one problem that I have to complain about is that there is about a one-second delay between pushing the shutter button and the actual capture of the image.  (And I am not talking about the  wait time for writing the file, I am talking about the actual moment of the photograph)  This means that if you are taking pictures of subjects in motion you will have to anticipate the moment and push the button a second early.  If you take a lot of action shots, this camera will proove frustrating.  Often a critical moment will have passed by the time the camera actually takes the picture.  Baby pics, wedding dance pictures, sports shots, all of these are very hard to do with this camera.  For regular static subjects this is not a problem, but for objects in motion this camera is difficult.All in all I highly reccommend this camera.  Happy shopping.
I bought one of these cameras and find it to be all that the others have said. However, I find that in the bright sunlight you have trouble seeing  the image in the LCD display. It would be of benefit to have a viewfinder,  wish it did.
The DSC-S50 is my second digital camera and I have been very satisfied with it.  It is very easy to use and has the power user features that you expect for a camera of it's class.  I use it for capturing pictures for the web and it's 2.1 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for that purpose. It comes with only 4 megs of storage, but is easy to upgrade.  Lexar noew makes memory sticks and the price is close to the compact flash prices.  I picked up a 32 mb stick and I can take about 80 pictures at the medium resolution of 1024x768.  The big drawback is the lack of an optical viewfinder.  The LCD display is very nice, but drains the battery.  It's also very difficult to see in bright daylight.
I bought this camera used and have been pleased in every regard.  It takes crisp, clear pictures.  The flash is strong.  The battery life is excellent.  Unless you plan to enlarge your photos to 8" x 10" (and would need more pixels), I recommend this camera whole-heartedly.Last week, I used a friend's adorable, new Olympus Stylus Verve and I couldn't believe the difference in photo quality.  This old Sony takes pictures 100 times better.  It's also very easy to use, has a large LCD display that rotates--so you can turn it inward when not in use (protecting the screen) and you can take pictures of yourself without any guesswork.It's a great camera.  Grab one while you can.
I think this camera is really great. It takes excellant photos, the resolution is plenty for most any photos, and I like the display that flips up and turns 180 degrees so you can take your own photos (the new Cybershot models don't do this). The MPEGs with sound are really cool and everyone I have shown this too has been amazed that it takes videos with sound. The display is sometimes difficult to see in bright light, and it does not have a viewfinder, but I seem to adapt to this limitation without any problems. I like it more than most other brands of digital cameras and the memory sticks are priced right and hold a lot of photos. I bought the memory stick floppy disk adapter and it makes it easy to read the photos even though the USB interface is really simple to use also, if your computer has one. Just plan to have a CR-RW drive so you can save your photos and clear off the memory stick for taking more. It puts the time and date on your photos for recording when they were taken right on the print, which I have heard most other digital cameras don't do this. It is the perfect size, not too big, and it takes photos that make me look like a professional. I have taken beautiful sunsets that the exposure would not have been right if I had taken them with a 35mm camera. The menu system is great, and the camera has a large display (larger than the new Cybershot models) and a way to flip it around so it is protected from being scratched. I really like it and recommend buying it over the new equivalent model.
I bought one of these about 6 weeks ago as I write this, and have fired a couple hundred pictures, and a couple of short videos through it.  Wonderful! It takes great pictures, and the videos (with built-in  microphone) are pretty cool, too. While the controls seemed a little  unwieldy at first, once I pulled out the manual, I needed less than an hour  to go through the options and see how everything works, which isn't too bad  of a learning curve at all. The LCD viewer is great - I can edit and delete  images while shooting, thus saving some precious memory stick space.  I  have appreciated that the LCD viewscreen can also be swiveled around  laterally and vertically, even to point forward, so I can take a picture of  myself and, at the same time, see myself in the viewfinder.  Brilliant! The  flash does a great job of illuminating scenes.  The camera also offers  ability to adjust for white based on indoor, outdoor, or &quot;other&quot;  conditions (sounds dumb, I know, to have &quot;other&quot;, but trust me,  it makes sense).  This is my first USB peripheral, and I have to say I am  impressed - I can pull down a full 32MB memory stick pretty darn quick, and  it's really nice being able to plug the USB port in *while the computer is  on*, and immediately use it without any software hassles. I have to admit  to a certain awe at Microsoft for actually pulling it off with win98.  You  can use the software that comes with the camera, but I have not, since you  will find better image handling, organizing, and altering software as  freeware, shareware, or expensive (like photoshop) professional  stuff.Another super aspect of this camera is the battery - it is  removable, but it is rechargable, and the camera comes with a DC-in jack  and it's own external power supply, so you can plug the camera into the  wall, and recharge that battery for another 2.0-2.5 hours of use.  No more  buying scads and scads of Earth-killing AAs. This is such a simple built-in  to add, and such a highly useful extra, I really have to question why every  digitial camera doesn't do this.On the downside, the viewfinder is very,  very difficult to see when outside; sometimes impossible to see.  And, of  course, please realize that this camera is a point-and-shoot (albeit a  functional one), so changing lenses is *not* an option, nor is having much  control over f-stop or shutter speed - you will have some control, but the  f-stop and shutter speed ranges are not are not what you might be used to.  I also think that, overall, its senstivity to white is not as good as it  should be - my whites tend to end up a bit grey; not much, but a bit.  But  I have to admit I dont know if that's the camera, or a problem with the  really hazy NYC days we've had and/or from shooting inside in rooms with a  mix of flourescent and incandescent lighting.Overall, I am impressed  with this camera, I'm very glad I bought it (and not a different one), and  while it is not 3 megapixels, unless you plan to make large prints of your  images, the resolution on this camera is far higher than you need for  web-image making, and high enough for anything else. It's small, easy to  carry, easy to use, easy to download, and easy to recharge. For the money,  this is, in my opinion, your best deal for a non-professional 2 megapixel  digital camera.
I have had mine for over a year now and it still works great.  It comes with a good long lasting battery the NP-FM50.My only complaint is that the included memory stick is only 4MB.  At high resolution (1600x1200) you would only be able to take about 4 pictures.  I bought a 64MB stick the very same day and have had great success.
I've been looking at Digital Camera's for about a year now. The Sony has always won my heart because of their Great reputation and Excellent Quality!  I was shooting for the DSC-F505 which has a lot of the same  qualities as this model.  I decided to go for the middle of the road in  price and chose the DSC-S50.  I  am thoroughly satisfied with what I have  acquired!  The picture quality is OUTSTANDING!  I was used to receiving  pictures that were 1.3mega pixels.. well this blows them away!  This camera  makes details crisper and cleaner than anything I've seen before.. it's an  Excellent camera and a must-have for sharing your life through e-mail!  Enjoy!UPDATE:  I dont know who wrote this!  I've never owned this product so never wrote this review!
Cheap, bad quality photos and it doesn't even come with a cable to plug it into your computer. Also the video only records for 1m at a time. Save your money and use your cell phone camera, my bf's was better quality by comparison, not to mention more MPs.2 stars because shipping was fast.
This was the first digital camera I ever owned and I stumbled across the amazon page for it and realized I never wrote a review for it, and it certainly deserves the glaring review I'm about to give it.I own 3 other digital cameras now that I have bought for various reasons (smaller, slr capabilities, large (3.0" viewfinder) ) and while I am happy with them, none of them deliver more consistently impressive pictures in any surrounding you can think of like the Sony DSC-S50 does.What I am most happy with when it comes to this camera is its night shots. It takes amazong low light shots, I have taken so many incredible pictures at concerts and outdoors (las vegas) with it.The viewfinder is an incredible feature that guarantees perfectly framed self portrait shots, overhead shots, waist high shots, basically you can take a picture from an angle high or low and frame it perfectly because of the viewfinders ability to rotate.Now 2-megapixels isn't the greatest six years later, but I have printed and framed many 5x7's and even 8x10's from this camera (and other megapixel cams) and been very happy with their results and visitors to my home have always asked what kind of camera I took them with and are shocked it was with my trsuty six-year old 2 megapixel S-50.It is a little bulky by todays standards, but it is VERY durable. I have dropped and knocked around this camera for years and it still performs like new (save for one little plasitic knick near the arrow keys that doesn't effect functionality at all).The camera comes with one batterie and when I purchased it originally I bought an extra camera. To this day, they hold a very long charge and sonys battery feature that tells you down to the minute how much time is left on the battery is an incredible feature.The video clips can only record 15seconds at a time (with audio too) but I've fond that is just long enough for a fairly brisk "happy birthday" song!I cannot reccomend this camera enough for overall picture quality, functionality, eas-of-use and espeically for those on a budget. Memory Sticks in a suitable capacity for this camera are dirt cheap, and the camera itself is very affordable now.
Believe it or not, I have taken over 6,000 photos with my Sony DSC-S50 over the past year.  I absolutely love this camera.I researched all cameras well, and for the price, I found this one to be the best buy.  The lithium battery adds alot to the camera.
As mentioned in previous reviews, if you want higher resolution pictures, the 4 MB or 8 MB memory sticks are not adequate.  I could only get 4 pictures on the 4 MB memory stick.  You are now able to purchase a 64 MB memory stick, which will be much better for long trips and using the movie function.The pictures look great on-line, but you have to have a good printer to go along with the camera if you expect to print pictures.The information available at the Amazon.com site regarding how to select a camera is very helpful and explains a great deal of information that the will not be readily available at your local computer store selling digital camers.
As an amateur photographer and freelance web designer, I've always been particular about the quality of my photos as the camera captures them - and how well they will translate for web use. I'm as particular about my digital cameras as I am about my film cameras. This camera is my third digital camera purchase in 4 years, and I'm FINALLY happy!The quality of the images for both print and web use is excellent! (Hint: Jump on the Ofoto offer - it's well worth it!) The ability of the camera to go up to large formats - 1600 x 1200 - gives you the ability to print up to 20" x 30" photos. The 72 dpi assures you that there will be no wasted file size or web space when used for the web.Even though this camera is lightweight and compact, it has the power to get incredible focus and detail on small objects as well as larger objects caught with the 6x zoom - tripod suggested for zoom photos, as it would be with any other camera. I don't like to leave the house without a camera, but don't always want to carry my bulky cam bag with me - The Sony DSC-S50 is the perfect size to drop into my purse or briefcase!The filter effects let me shoot the same scene in several different modes - B&W;, Sepia, etc. This is a nice feature for artistic experiments, but a little cumbersome in getting there. Effects reset to standard mode when you shut the camera off, which can be annoying when trying to compose and focus while using filter effects.Sony could have cut the price of the camera (or included a larger capacity Memory Stick) by not including the MPEG movie feature, and some of the filters. The MPEGS are nice, good quality, but limited on time/size when using a smaller size Memory Stick and IMPO, don't need to be on a still camera.Best advice I can give for this camera is order a 32mb or larger Memory Stick when ordering the camera. The 4mb stick that comes with it is useless if shooting large size images.Yes, the camera is totally worth the price! Buy it!
An absolutely fabulous camera.  Better than any that I have seen thus far on the market.  Of course, you do pay a hefty price for such quality (and by this I simply mean price in dollars).  In this particular model, you get up to 2.1 megapixel resolution, which allows for still shots up to 1600 x 1200 (keep in mind, that most people view web pages at 800 x 600, so this is quite large).  The unit ships with a dismal 4 MB of memory, which can only store appx. 4 pictures of the highest resolution.  I would recommend an upgrade to 8 or 16 MB of memory, via Memory Sticks.  Other than that, the product is great, includes USB connectivity for speedy transfers of images, and even allows for full motion video (assuming the memory is available).  As a side note, please use extra caution when touching the screen.  The unit has a special Liquid Crystal display, which does a great job at displaying the images, but is easily susceptable to dust and fingerprints.  Be careful when cleaning the screen, as using a rough substance can really cause problems.
The Sony DSC-S50 may not be the cheapest digital camera you can buy, but it certainly has to be one of the best. The USB port makes loading your pictures on a computer really easy. The controls and menu layout are similar to the Mavica, so if you have used that camera then you already know how the menu system on this one works. The small size and storage capacity are what sold me on this camera. As noted in some other reviews, a viewfinder would be nice, because if you are taking pictures outside, it can be difficult at times to see the image on the flip-up screen. But those are about the only drawbacks to this camera I can think of. I have taken most of my pictures at the lowest resolution, and even then, they are still EXCELLENT pictures. I even posted a picture of a book cover on ebay, and you could read every word that was printed on the book cover. I used the Macro mode and it worked great. I have used a Kodak and Mavica (not owned) in the past, and found the Kodak to be OK, but it isn't in the same league with SONY. I also have to give AMAZON a plug here too. They gave me great service, shipping costs were reasonable, and you save at least $50 or so compared to a typical retailer. This camera comes with a 4mb Memory Stick and I bought a 16mb for additional storage capacity, and I would definitely recommend getting at least that. They are a little pricey right now, but I'm betting the price will drop in the future. Overall, this is a great camera and you won't be disappointed if you buy it. Don't waste your money on off-brands.
I'm just now writing this review after I bought this camera used on Ebay and years later.  I have nothing but great things to say about it...- It has held up through the worst abuse with me.  Even survived a few concrete drops.  Construction is awsome.- Optics are great.  I can get about 5in from an object before it gets blurry; and that is enough to get fine print off of something in great detail.  Zoom control is great once you get the hang of it.  Moving objects are usually no problem and you do not have to hold the camera extra-steady to aboid blurring either.- Colors are vibrant in most any light source.  I rarely have to mess with the brightness/contrast in PShop.  I don't know how, but image quality rivals 5 MP cameras that I've used.  I actually bought a Casio Exilim 5MP and resold it right away to stick with this.- Swivel LCD is useful for personal photos.  No dead pixels or problems with the LCD after years of USE!- Aftermarket batteries are $10 and work great.  Original used battery lasted 2 yrs.Might not be worth >$100 these days, but definitely close!  One thing's for sure, you definitely won't be the least dissapointed.
I purchased this for my Canon S30 (great camera BTW). The bag fits it well, it's compact, has decent padding and has just enough storage. I store a spare battery in the same compartment as the camera and I store my charger in the front pocket. This way I have everything in the bag.OK. Well, what am I dissatisfied with? One minor flaw, the shoulder strap is sewn in. You can not detach it, you are stuck with it dangling around even if you want to carry it in your hand. It would have been nice to have a detachable strap.  After-the-fact, I noticed just about all other camera bags have a detachable strap, now I know why.I tried to use it as a waist belt (as another reviewer had mentioned).  Initially it sounded like a good idea, but there were a couple of problems using it like that.  To put it on or take it off your waist, you need to loosen/tighten the strap and pull it over your head.  If it had a buckle (or a detachable strap), this would not be a problem.  Also, the stap is sewn up and down, so there is a twist in the strap when you put it around your waist.  This was somewhat uncomfortable.  This waist strap "feature" worked for someone else and it may work for you.  But, I would never use it that way.All-in-all a good buy.
This is a great case for theCanon PowerShot A470 7MP Digital Camera with 3.4x Optical Zoom (Gray). Good padding and protection. Camera fits snug and the small pocket will hold four rechargeable AA batteries. The camera only needs two at a time, so you have good backup power.
I bought this camera bag for my Canon S40. Looking around I ended up with this bag since it combines good quality and price. It is a very small and nice bag, which is easy to bring whenever you need your camera.Most days, when I don't use my camera, I store everything in the camera bag, e.g., camera, extra battery, battery charger, 2 flash cards and a plug converter. All fits, which is nice, keeping all accessories stored at one place. The battery charger and one of the flash cards are stored in the front pocket and in the big pocket I store the rest. However, whenever I use the camera, I remove the battery charger and the plug converter from the camera bag, so that I can store the extra battery and the flash cards in the front pocket. This way, I will only have the camera in the big pocket so nothing accidentally drops out when I grab the camera to capture that moment.I have used the camera bag for a 10-day vacation in which I visited crowded places such as Seaworld and Magic Mountain. These days I used the camera bag as a "waist bag" by tightening the strap around my waist just enough to keep the camera bag comfortably attached. This way I could have easy access to the camera and safely bring the camera bag in the roller coasters. Furthermore, this way of wearing makes it really hard for a potential thief to steal it. Moreover, the camera bag can comfortably be worn as it was supposed to do thanks to the easy-to-adjust strap. However, this strap is not detachable but I don't see why anyone would want to detach it.Overall, a very good product and a highly recommended buy.
It is everything more than this camera at a lower price if you have a Canon S30\40. The Caselogic bag is leather(ette) , has detachable straps, and you can secure it to your belt. The only exception is that you can fit a compact flash case in it and nothing more. The Caselogic because it is leather has a better feel and a more professional look to it for less. I've seen this Samsonite and didn't pick it up becase I found something else that better fit my Canon S40.
I wanted a small case for my new digiital camera, and did not like those offered by Fuji.  No offense Fuji, I just didn't need all the bells ans whistles you include.This little case is a great alternative.  It holds my camera, a couple of memory cards, and spare batteries like a glove!There is a strap on the back of the case that can be used a belt clip, or as I will, as a wrist strap.My only complaint is that the shoulder strap is not removable.All in all, I am very happy with my purchase.
I bought this carry case for our point-and-shoot Kodak digital camera.  The quality and value are terrific.If you own a small point-and-shoot camera - seriously consider getting this bag.  Just compare the dimensions of the bag and your camera first, to make sure the camera will fit inside it.
A handy camera bag for small digital cameras. Protects the not only the camera but also the recharge adaptor. Worth the money spent.
this case is great for my camera and my needs.  i usually only take with me my digital camera, four extra batteries, and possibly one extra SD memory card.  everything fits in there great, and i don't have to worry about locating anything when i need it.  i know just where it is.  i bought this case for myself in december, and so far it has been to washington dc and new orleans!i did take the suggestion someone else had made about strapping it around your waist, and it worked like a charm...  until the heightened security in the museums in washington, dc.  i had to wiggle out of it so it could go through the x-ray machine!  but other than that, it was very comfortable, stayed put, and i had no complaints!
I love the compact size of this camera bag.  It holds everything I need for those trips where I don't need my large camera bag.  The size also allows me to store this bag inside my large camera bag. I always know where it is, and it is always ready for me to grab and go.
The product is great for my Canon A95 camera. It protects the camera, and hold extra batteries and cable.
We have had this little case for six years and it is still a very nice bag.  Durable and protective, we highly recommend it.
I bought this case to protect my first digital camera. I would never have expected to go through three cameras and continue using the same case with the fourth. Just enough room to hold a camera, extra memory and batteries. You can't beat it.
it is well build and nice looking camera case
Well aside from what has been said, I will say the velcro part could be annoying, however it is big and secure enough to make you feel safe for the avg user who wants just a camera and nothing more professional, has extra storage for batteries and your usb cable. All in all, better then nothing and good for the value. You wont feel the need to get rid of it anytime soon.
This is perfect for my Olympus stylus camera.  Enough space for the camera and guide book in the main part and 2 rolls of film in the front pocket.  This is just right when I don't need my big camera bag - all I plan to do it take some snapshots.It is compact enough to fit into my large camera bag when I need to take equipment and more film.
Great product.My Canon phone fits in great in it along with a set of extra batteries and a portable charger as well.Great deal for the price!
Love this product.  It's stylish and very compact.  It fits 3 rolls of film in the front compartment.  Got this for my Olympus Epic Stylus camera.You'll love this product once you have one.
Excellent item that protects my digital camera well; Has nice sized external pocket to carry extra batteries (4 AA) and extra memory card. Very durable and still looks new after 2.5 years of use. Have taken it to India/Abu Dhabi & back as well as all over the US and still hold up well.
This bag is good for carrying your compact digital camera and a few essentials, but you'll have to leave the extras at home. My Canon S230 fits nicely with its battery charger, spare battery and a few CF cards, but that's all. If you're thinking about keeping any cables, a mini-tripod, or pretty much anything else in this bag, you should look for a larger model. As for the bag itself, it's reasonably well padded, and the long carrying strap hides itself nicely in the main compartment when you don't need it. Overall, a good basic bag.
but the stitching was irregular on the front. I thought the company produced good products, but I was mistaken when I bought this item. Next time I'll just go to BestBuy for a camera case.
This bag is great, but make sure you don't have more accessories than can fit in!  Usually, an average digital camera (Olympus C-3000 size) and extra memory cards, plus another accesory or two will fit. Don;t leave home without it!
I returned the bag because it was too small for my camera and accessories. I purchased a larger bag from you.
I needed a bag with good padding to protect my digital camera (Kodak DC4800), storage device (Digital Wallet), Telephoto Lens, Lens Adapter, extra battery, battery charger. This bag helps me organize it all -- with good padding for protection. There are two removable padded dividers that can be positioned practically anywhere in the bag. The top flap has a zippered compartment great for smaller items like flash cards, several batteries, etc.I especially like the two quick-and-easy-access pockets on the sides that are made of mesh/netting. Great for temporarily holding small extras. A more secure zippered compartment is on the front, where my digital wallet is a perfect fit. But for maximum protection from impact, I choose to keep it inside the main storage area and use the outside compartment for batteries, chargers, cords, etc. (which leaves even more room inside).There is yet another compartment, a zippered pocket, on the rear where I store papers, lens tissues or maybe a passport.I like having the choice of carrying this attractive durable bag by the handle on top - or by the shoulder strap. By the way, the top zippers shut, and also has a snap-shut &quot;buckle.&quot; I haven't yet been in inclement weather with this bag, but it has weather-protection features on the top (lid) and bottom. It also has 2 belt loops on the back that permit hands-free use....If you have a 35mm camera with a couple lenses or flash attachment, you may need a bigger bag. I have a professional 35mm SLR camera with two lenses and a rather big flash. For that setup, I needed the larger Wordproof 3.2 BB. But the smaller bag is definitely more practical when I'm having fun as a tourist.
I am quite satisfied with the product for its vast array of compartments. It also served me quite well during an unexpected shower and my camera was well protected. The side and back pockets are rather small though, but overall a good product for the price you are paying
I purchased this camera bag for a larger digital camera.  While there is plenty of room for my camera and all of its accessories, the bag is not overly large or awkward.  The bag is sturdy and its compartments are laid-out logically.
This is a pretty good bag, sturdy and well made. I was disappointed though, with the closed cell dividers. I can't figure out exactly how to use them to effectively cradle the camera without wasting space. My digital SLR fits well if laid on its side, but the extra compartments will hold only one set of batteries with charger in the front compartment - the side &quot;fishnet&quot; compartments are too small for this purpose and seem too insecure for anything valuable.
the E-10 will not fit without bulging the top of the bag.There is about enough space for the equivalent of 4-6 AA batteries behind padded partitions on each side of the lens.  There is also a small zippered front pouch.The top is secured by a double zipper, an overlapping 1-inch rain flap around all three sides, and a large front flap with a snap buckle.  All combine to make it rain resistent, but difficult to get into easily.  Doesn't close well with only the snap buckle for temporary use.All in all, this is not a very convenient bag to use.  It is well-constructed and sturdy.
So I purchased this bag to go with my Nikon D50 SLR camera and two lenses (one telephoto and one 18-55mm).  It is great because it has room for everything--the camera, both lenses, exra battery and charger, two filter sets, manuals, etc.  I am sure it could also hold an additional lens if I had one.  It is BIG for just toting around and I kept my small camera case for holding just the camera for when I'm out with my kids.  But if you want a really functional case that will keep all your camera stuff in the same place and need access to all your lenses, this is the case for you!
This camera bag is wonderful. My Olympus e330 fits in perfectly with room to spare. There is plenty of room to carry extra lenses, and anything else I would like. Highly recommend.
Nice bag, haven't received the camera yet to put into it, but I think it will work fine.
With so many decent looking camera bags to choose from, I opted for this one because of the price, brand and good reviews.I am just thrilled with it, the materials are excellent quality, it is well padded and has a decent "low key" color scheme. It holds both kit lenses for my Evolt 510, a telephoto lens, wide angle lens, spare battery, a flash and a few other bits and bobs.Everything fits just fine and there is still room for more....and the carry strap easily extends into a shoulder strap and makes for comfortable carrying as you would expect for a decent camera bag.One reviewer said it was big enough to hold Canada, throw in Texas as well, with room to spare!!!If you have a DSL camera and need a decent bag at a fair price, don't hesitate to buy this gem!
I bought this bag to use it for my e-510 + the 2 kit lenses + additional battery and cleaning lenses kit. I also plan to buy 70-300mm lens. this bag could hold until now my camera and all its equipments. In addition, my canon g9. still there are places where I can put more things into it. the quality of the bag is great and will protect all your equipments easily. recommended for people who have many accessory and camera equipment. this is what I expected from Samsonite.
This is a bag for professionals!!people, this can easily fit 2 lenses, a slr body, battery charger, 2-3 cords, a few filters,even the manual and still have room for more :) and the padding aint that bad either..the build-quality is excellent and overall I would definitely recommend it if u really intend to carry a lot of stuff or else go for something smaller.Overall,a great product.
I read the reviews stating how big this bag was but didn't really think twice about it. It is quite roomy which is good to carry your equipment but it also has compartments that can be adjusted for a nice snug fit to avoid camera/lens shift. Good bag, wish it came in more colors.
Compared to the over-priced Lowepro brand, this is a good camera bag.  I would have given it 5 stars but I took away one star because the zipper sucks.  one of the 2 zipper handles came off the track and is useless.  Real pain sometimes but at least the other works.  I took away another star because it's not that efficient with space.  One or two more small dividers would be nice as well as larger side mesh pouches or straps to hold extra lenses, waterbottle, etc.  The mesh pouches on it are useless.  Maybe put a lens cap in there.  Max height of bag can hold a Nikon DSLR w/18-55mm lens.  When I have my 55-200mm on the body its a smidge too long but still fits.  A padded neck/shoulder part on the strap would be nice but then again, this thing is only $20.
I just bought a Digital Rebel and a bunch of accessories... this bag takes it all without a sweat.  Yeah, it is large, but that's what you need if you're serious about your photography.Here's what mine holds:  Digital Rebel, 18-55mm lens, 55-200mm lens, 420EX Speedlite, filters (several in one case), extra batteries and small manuals.  I even carry my old Canon PowerShot for quick shots.  I had to play with it a bit to customize it -- as expected with a &quot;generic&quot; case -- but everything fits excellently.The interior dimensions are:  9 x 5 x 7 (to top of dividers - 9 to rim of bag) inches (LxWxH).  You get two adjustable dividers for the main compartment.  There is nice .5 in. padding on the walls.  There is a mesh holder on the inside of the lid.  There is a tough front pouch with filter pockets, another mesh holder and space for thin items.  And there are mesh side pockets with drawstrings.Finding a configuration was interesting, and I didn't follow their suggestion, but it works.  I have my flash, camera (body) and big lens standing vertically.  I keep the standard lens sitting on top in bubble wrap.  (It barely moves, really.)  My PowerShot fits perfectly on the other side.  (Their suggestion is to keep the lens attached and pointing downward in the center space, so you can just pull out the camera and shoot.)The materials are tough where they need to be... and gentle where you want them to be.  The whole outer shell is fine suitcase-quality.  It has a stiff bottom with plastic feet.  The top handle is very comfortable and soft.  It comes with a shoulder strap (sewn-on).Because of its size, I don't always want to carry it everywhere.  So I also bought a Tamrac Small Lens Case.  That'll carry my other lens, battery and CF card... the essentials.The only &quot;complaint&quot; I have about the Samsonite bag is that once you put enough stuff in the front pouch its center of gravity shifts forward and it falls on its face.  However, this is FAR from anything to be upset about.I expect this bag to last a long time -- it is &quot;guaranteed for life&quot;, after all -- and I am very happy I didn't settle for one of the default Canon bags.
Good quality bag, velcro inserts to personalize the internal compartment to fit your camera, it works well for the new Digital SLR just purchased and seems like it will protect it well.  The only drawback is that the shoulder strap it VERY short, not much taller than the top handle on the bag (unless I have missed how to lengthen it).
This thing is great, and is less than half the price of a bag that Sony was selling with my camcorder. Fits my DCR-SR300 perfectly with all its accessories. Save yourself a few bucks and go with Samsonite.
Better than expected.  Plenty of room for all my accessories; battery charger, spare battery, camcorder, dig camera, cables, etc.  My cameras are small so size was not really an issue.  For me it is just the right size... works great.
Glad I got this.  It holds my Sony Cybershot camera and my JVC camcorder plus cords and extra batteries.
I bought this bag after months of searching for something that would hold both my camcorder (Panasonic PV-GS80) and camera (Nikon P5100). I bought it specifically for travel, and needed something that could handle all the man-handling by airport security as well as being banged around while hiking, and this bag far surpassed my expectations.The bag is padded throughout (top, bottom, sides) and feel sturdy while providing protection for the electronics. The bag is, supposedly, insulated and waterproof (necessary in extreme conditions) and I have no doubt that it is at least waterproof as the inside material is similar to jacket material (so water soaked from outside doesn't make it all the way through, I'm guessing). Construction feels solid and the sewing feels sturdy.I am able to fit my camcorder, camera, and charging bases (but not power cords) along with a few MiniDVs and other small assorted items into the bag (please see pictures I included in the picture section), and am more than please I can keep them together, especially when having to go through airport security. I do have to agree with the awkwardness of trying to open the bag when it is worn on the shoulder, and though it may be a safety feature, it is almost impossible to try to open the bag with one hand and try to capture those lightning-fast moments--by the time you've managed to wrangle the camera out of the bag, the moment is gone, otherwise I am very pleased with my purchase.
LIKE THE DURABILITY OF THE BAG, BOUGHT A YEAR AGO ACTUALLY AND HAVE USED IT ALOT, JUST NOW REVIEWING IT. HAS STOOD UP TO LOTS OF WEAR AND TEAR WITHOUT GIVING OUT. A GOOD OVERALL CAMCORDER BAG FOR OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL.
Large, tough. Only negative is that zipper closing is a bit awkward, and clasp closure isn't adequate.  Two clasps would be better.
Sturdy, compact, lots of room.  Compartments are adjustable.  I feel my investment is safe within these walls!  Better price and better quality than the Sony bag.
I needed a bag for my Olympus E-300 with the lens kit. And this bag does its job quite good....they are protective and it's got few pockets around which are quite useful. I just wish if the height was lil more. With this bag I can only have both the wideangle & telephoto lens if the wideangle is fitted on to the camera(not the telephoto lens).
barely space for a camcorder or one slr and 2 lenses. though was bringing more space for my nikon d70s with 3 lenses and a flash.
Quality's A+, got it cheaper than advertised elsewhere and the most convenient ever to carry my camcorder, regular and digital cameras + batteries, films and binoculars.
This camera bag is really great. Really the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it's actually a little TOO big. I can fit my digital camera AND my video camera (and it's not even one of those new tiny ones) and still have plenty of room for extra bags and cards and cords, etc.  It's really great for toting it all, but if you are trying to go with the bare essentials, this is certainly not the bag for you.
I bought this for my camcorder awhile back and it's a pretty decent bag. It's sturdy and it holds everything I need. It's decent bag if you travel light however if you're looking for a bag that fits all your camcorder equipment(if your intended use for the bag is a carrying case)then you're better off getting something else.
This bag is extremely well padded. I have taken it to Disney World and DROPPED it while hurriedly exiting a moving ride (people movers) and all of my electronics survived the fall in perfect condition.This bag has been to the beach, soccer field, pool, you name and we've done it. Just dust it off and head off to your next adventure. I have had this bag for nearly 3 years and it shows no signs of wear. The blue area of the bag is starting to get a little grungy looking but nothing that can't be easily cleaned.I love all the extra compartments. The removable/adjustable center divider in the main compartment is excellent for making room for all of your small electronics. I have discovered that with a little clever packing I can fit my camcorder, 6 minidv tapes, audio/video cables, camcorder charger, digital camera (a LARGE old one), APS camera, spare batteries, digital memory card reader, and 4 rolls APS film into the bag. (Keep in mind, my camcorder is a fairly small MiniDV camcorder. Measure your camcorder to be sure this bag will be large enough for your equipment.)For wearing comfort it has a nice padded carrying handle and adjustable, nylon webbing, shoulder strap. The bag itself is so lightweight that you hardly notice it is there, yet it is providing exceptional protection to your camcorder. Another winner from the people at Samsonite.
This bag has enough space for still, video camera, a small compact tripod, power charging cords and all other cords, mini DVs. However the outer look and quality of the bag is same as any other bag which you can buy under $10. Bieng samsonite brand I had expected to have outstanding look and outer finish. However it is just an ordinary quality bag which you can pick up in wall mart for lot less price.
What impresses me the most about this camera is that it takes really nice pictures.  I purchased it recently and took a test roll (Kodak 200 speed film) without reading the manual.  I took some in the bright sunny outdoors, some in dimly lit restaurants, some at night in my apartment with poor lighting, and some in the near dark.  And all the pictures came out with the subject(s) in beautiful focus, and crystal clear.  The only small problem was some of my apartment pictures had a little bit of red-eye, but this camera does have red-eye reduction, and I will be sure to read the manual about how to use it.In addition, it's a great travel camera -- it's very compact, and fairly sturdy.  I packed it in a full back pack (without a case) and also took it to an amusement park on a recent trip and found that it was light enough in my purse to carry around all day, and did not mind being jolted.All in all, I'm extremely happy with this purchase both quality and price-wise.  I would offer one tip I've learned -- the timer function does not turn itself off after a picture, so be careful when you snap the next one -- you might still be on the timer!
I'm impressed with this camera due to the metal body (my last camera was damaged in our luggage on vacation so this was important to me)and sharp pictures.  I take mostly "people" shots with action (kids) and they have all turned out great!  On a 24 shot roll of film I typically end up with 20+ excellent pictures - much better than with my old camera.  This is easy to use, too.
The Minolta we previously had produced better pictures without having to worry about settings. I can't get as good pictures with this Pentax--just very average ones. I won't buy this brand of camera again.
Strengths: Almost as small as a canon Elph2, looks attractive, easy to use, LCD panel light up for night shooting, panorama switch, light in weight.Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.Overall: The main reason I bought this camera is because it look attractive. It's design is small and the silver color makes it look durable and it is. It's like buying a car, you first like the looks then the specs comes second. Also, it's easy to use, my wife learned it in couple minutes and she know nothing about cameras. Couple people mention about the zoom being a little slow, but I find it just perfect, at less for normal everyday consumer use. I mean, if your looking for fast zoom you should be looking for SLR (some great ones on Amazon too) and not point &amp; shoot. The picture quality are clear and good. But then again, keep in mind that you must know how to use the camera or any camera correctly and your film developer must do a good processing job to get good prints. Overall, I recommend this camera to anyone. It worth the money. Great camera; you won;t be disappointed.
I have had this camera for about 5 months now, purchased to replace a Canon Elph APS. The switch to 35mm format has given me much better photo quality than APS. This Pentax feels like a quality camera, with an attractive metal body, solid buttons and a focus rocker switch, not a plastic lever.The automatic lens cover closes when it shuts off. It is slightly larger and heavier than the Canon Elph models, but still very compact, and easier for me to hold steady. The zoom is quite smooth, and the time between shots faster than average in my opinion. Red eye is a common problem, so you must remember to use the red eye reduction mode. I have only replaced the battery once for about 25 to 30 rolls of film, although I'm not sure how much of that was flash. I am very satisfied with this camera, and would have rated it 5 stars if the remote was not optional, and fit into the camera body, as with several comparable Olympus models.
My wife and I bought this camera as a Christmas gift to ourselves, as we needed a new camera.  We are very pleased with the quality of the pictures and the ease of use of this camera.  This camera is easy to load with film, has an excellent zoom, and works great even in difficult lighting.  The only complaint we have is that with the 'red eye reduction' on, it slows the picture taking process as the flash fires, so you can't take quick snapshots with that feature in use.  I think most cameras have this problem, so if  you are taking pictures of fast little kids doing something cute, don't plan on using red eye reduction, just get yourself one of those special 'red eye' pens at the photo counter.
For years I've either schlepped my old Konica FC-1 around and had to change lenses when I wanted close ups or I just took an inexpensive point and shoot camera with me. Consequently I didn't take many pictures. However, I'm going to Europe this summer for the first time and I wanted an easy to carry camera that would use 35mm film and have a zoom lens. I chose the Pentax 120mi.What a great little camera. First of all, it's light-weight. Fits right in your shirt pocket so there's no excuse not to take it. Secondly, it's rugged with the aluminum body (and it looks cool too). Third, it's easy to use. Turn it on, the lens pops out, point it, zoom if you want, push the button. If you need more light the flash fires, the film advances and you're ready for the next picture. Loading film? Slap the film in, close the case and the film winds automatically. If for some reason it didn't work right it tells you so you know to open the camera back up and try again. Want the date on your pictures? No problem. Don't want the date? Push a few buttons and the date is gone. Want to take panoramic shots? Move the switch on the bottom and you're in panoramic mode, and the viewfinder changes so you know what mode you're in. You can even adjust the diopter in the viewfinder so it looks clear to you (which is a bonus for people like me with crappy eyesight).However, the best thing about this little guy is the pictures it takes. I just got my first roll of film back and I've never taken pictures this good before. Colors are sharp and crisp and everything is in focus because of the autofocus. I took daytime shots, indoor shots, outdoor shots, and they all came out perfectly. What more can I say. This is one great camera. I know I'm going to take a lot of pictures in Europe this summer.
I researched many, many, many Point-And-Shoot cameras in early 2003 mainly for hiking.  I selected this one for size, quality, and many recommendations from other websites and in-store camera personnel.  This is my 3rd P&S; camera and by far the best one I have had yet.I had an Advantix  film camera (which I do not recommend to anyone)  last summer and took some of the same photos again with my new Pentax this summer.  Side by side the difference was NIGHT & DAY.  This camera takes amazing photos, especially outdoors.I'm coming back to buy another one for my mother for Christmas because she was so impressed with the print quality of my camera.  She has a professional Cannon SLR ($$$) camera and said she could hardly tell the difference between my photos and hers.As for the additional remote issue mentioned in other reviews, I bought it too.  But I've since realized with the timer function I really just don't even use the remote - I just set the timer and always have time to scurry into the photo.I highly recommend this camera for yourself or as a gift, you will not be disapointed!!
Works with my Pentax *ist Ds. And you can attach it to the camera's shoulder strap.
Works excellent! Don't forget to enable remote control on camera (Fn menu on K10D and K100D bodies). Compatible with all *ist, K100D and K10D cameras. Functionally is equivalent to Pentax Remote Control F Set.
One thing you can't easily find in reading through Pentax's documentation is that this little remote will work as a trigger for your camera just as the Remote F will.  That, and it will cost you a lot less.I can't say it is better or worse than the Remote F, but it has all the same functions.  The only flaw maybe for those who use the added grip; this remote won't fit into the spot provided for a remote.  Never-the-less, I don't find it a big deal as I am sure most won't, unless you really use the thing a lot.This items is a great deal, altough as others have noted, be aware of the shipping fees.**** UPDATE ****I recently purchased a Pentax K5 and want to report that this remote will for it as well.  I'm not sure that it is any better than other Pentax controllers, but if the price is right for you, it will serve you well.It still has a nice shape and form and slides nicely into a small camera bag pocket.  I'm not sure the K5 grip has a space for a controller (even the Remote F), but the ability to slide a remote into the grip is a minor convenience that can be compensated for with camera straps or your camera bag.
This think is as big as a USB flash drive, but is very helpful. Every Pentaxian must have it. K20D has an infra red sensors on the front and on the back of the camera, so you do not need the expensive wireless one. The camera AF works well before taking the sot! Buy it!
Works great. No problems. Easy to set up and operate. Have only taken some self-portrits but soon will use in B mode to take night time shots. More then if it does not stand up.
I initially hesitated to order this remote since I wasn't sure it would properly function with a Pentax K200d dslr.  It seems to operate the same as the newer and much more expensive 'F' remote unit.  Refer to page 120 of the manual and use the Fn button.  You have two choices:  immediate shutter release or 3 second release.  This particular item has the advantage of being significantly smaller and can find a convenient corner in my camera bag.  It is simply one more functional accessory that continues to amaze me about this camera.I refuse to complain about the shipping cost.  The current price even with shipping is a terrific bargain for a very helpful added function.  Make sure you have a tripod.
Looking at the specs on the Remote Control C and F versions, I can't find any difference. But even with shipping (check the vendors for this) the remote is less than half the price of the C model. It works.With my K20D it triggers any of the remote modes the camera offers, immediate fire, 3 second delay, or remote continuous shooting. It works fine in bulb mode, though there is no lock. You have to hold the button in. In the dark the range is almost 20ft. In sunlight about 12.The Remote Control C has a sleeve that can be attached to a battery grip and which keeps the button from getting activated and the battery run down when it's thrown in a bag.
This is a great item considering the price, size, and functionality. Don't forget the menu setting which allows auto focus to activate just before the images is taken. If you like expanding the capability of your Pentax DSLR without buying something expensive, you will definitely get alot of fun out of this tool.
As this remote has a larger button than thePentax Remote Control F for Pentax Digital Camerasit's easier to use. I can even trigger it with my teeth: [...]While I'm too active for the camera strap sliding mount mechanism it is quite clever and will benefit some users.
This little remote may be one of my favorite items on the Pentax K10 camera.  It works very well, allows me to shoot from far and is so handy I could easily lose it.My only complaint is with the vendor who ships this as they seem to have a monopoly on price and inflate the cost through shipping.  I ordered 2 remotes and paid $8 for shipping something that weighed less than 8oz total.  It could've easily shipped USPS priority mail for much less or amazon/vendor could've combined shipping.  Still happy with the product, even if not with the final cost.
Performs as it should. Haven't found a use for the second button with my K5ii.  If you had a very thin strap you could actually attach it to the strap and slide the remote out when needed. I stick it in my bag as my strap is too wide. Nothing not to like about this little remote!
Had this camera for 3 months now and absolutely love it. Been taking it out to clubs and raves (night shots, lots of laser lights, etc) and the quality has been amazing. I have had 3 people, whom after using mine, have bought the same model.  There are two drawbacks: the battery life is a little short if you use the display. But why use it? With smartmedia cards, you can afford to take as many bad pictures as you want. Also, another drawback is that if you're taking pictures where there is a lot of dust or fog and the flash is used, you'll see the particles being illuminated in the picture. This'll look like someone is blowing &quot;soap bubbles&quot;. But it's no biggie since I usually avoid taking pictures in this kind of environment anyway. I do recommend you pick up the 32mb smartmedia card (I've taken about 60 pictures in one night on highest setting with room to spare) AND a usb smartmedia card reader for your camera, though.
I have had this camera for several months and really enjoy using it.  The picture quality is excellent and the controls are easy to use.  You will definitely want to heed the other reviewers' advice and get a card reader to speed up the transfer of the pictures to your hard drive.I use this camera indoors and out to take pictures of my orchids and have no complaints in either situation.  If you are looking for a low-cost digital camera, give this one a try.
I don't remember when I bought this, but I'm guessing 2000 or 2001.  It's still going strong.  For "serious" photograph, it has been replaced by a Canon.  For emergency work, it's invaluable. It lives in the car, is easy on batteries, doesn't ask for special treatment and still delivers great photos -- just not photos you can turn into giant posters!Really, this camera has given me lots of pleasure and great admiration for Fuji. Surprised to see that they're still available. I just dropped by, looking for a new memory card reader.
Late coming to the review, I still want to share my 10 years of experience using the Fujifilm MX-1200.  I purchased this blister pack camera on December 31, 1999 as a New Millennium present for myself and for taking my first plunge into digital photography after shooting 35 MM film for almost 30 years prior.  Call it skepticism or a leap of faith with high expectations at that time, I started down the road of digital photography.From the very first time I picked up this camera, I loved the benefits of digital photography.  The MX-1200 changed my thinking and recaptured the excitement of photography for me once again:* The benefit of viewing the picture at the time it was taken on the 1.6" rear screen viewer.* The first real higher resolution (1.3 MP, sounds funny now) pictures at a reasonable price.* Continuous or resettable picture naming/numbering when saving to disk.* The ability to swap media cards for virtually unlimited picture taking.* Adjustable flash settings, White Balance control, EV settings to manually adjust different exposures.* Two image saving sizes and three different compression levels.* Using AA batteries instead of a proprietary battery as a power source.* Manual and automatic picture viewing prior to saving to the card.* Excellent tonal/contrast qualities, especially with interior flash pictures.* Light metering works great, giving a good overall exposure, considering the hardware available at that time.* Tough housing and durable internal workings -- after a number of drops, this camera still works fine.This camera is not without short comings either (many of these points were resolved with the advancements in digital photography technologies) .  Retrospectively, the MX-1200 shortcomings  included:* Right off the bat, the Fujifilm picture shuttle software was horrible.* Transferring pictures from the camera to the computer via serial cable was nothing short of pure torture!* Oh, yea -- flash memory was outrageously priced per megabyte -- in early 2000, an 8 MB SM card cost $50.00!* Low light shooting -- a real Fujifilm let down, even today.* The best pictures were obtained only when shooting at 1280 x 960 using minimum compression -- memory used was high.* It was not until USB card readers became available and SmartMedia cards dropped in price did the real joy of this camera grip me.* Fixed lens focusing is preset at 38 MM (35 MM film equivalent).  There is NO optical zoom.* 2 X digital zoom is a complete joke -- it shrank the picture down to 640 * 480 and was grainer with little enlargement benefit.* Macro mode worked, but it took multiple attempts to capture the shot.* NO internal storage flash memory.* NO multi-shot capabilities.* NO movie mode.* Settings must be reset when the batteries die or are removed from the camera (same issue today with my S100FS also).* The "White Dust" phenomenon is horrible when using the flash with this camera.* SmartMedia cards -- an Olympus/Fujifilm creation that didn't last beyond 2004 -- when they dropped it completely.Despite all of the shortcomings listed above, the age of the technologies involved and the lower quality image from a very simple 1.3 MP Point & Shoot camera, I'm still amazed at how the picture quality holds up after all of these years.  I continue to use this camera today as a backup to my Fujifilm S100FS in situations that I don't want to expose the newer Fuji to for the concern of loss or damage.  In terms of photographic quality between these two cameras -- there is no comparison for very obvious reasons.  But, owning and using the MX-1200, the Great, Great Grandfather of Fujifilm digital cameras has been a pleasureful experience for me as I watched and used succeeding generations of digital cameras mature into the quality cameras we now have today.
I have had my Fuji MX-1200 for 2 years now. I have taken it to Scotland, Hungary, Austria and Germany and have been totally amazed at how good a picture it provides in a small package for a small amount of money.I am not a newcomer to photography. I have owned several 35 mm. SLR's of various brands. I still have a Canon that I can use if I want to, but I havent't taken it out of the case since I got the Fuji.My recommendations are similar to those of other reviewers, with one exception. Forget about the USB reader. Get a &quot;Flash Card&quot; floppy disk adapter. It costs more, but it will download to any PC.Naturally, you should purchase as many addtional smart cards as you can afford. They are getting cheaper now, so a couple of 32 meg cards would be in order. I carry a half dozen of them when I travel and download my pictures to my notebook computer every evening at the end of my day.Nowadays, most of my pictures end up on the internet, so the Fuji was a step up for me rather than a step down. If you think you might want to blow a picture up, shoot Hi-res and do the work on the computer. It's easy. It's cheap! It's fun!
This camera is inexpensive (and a bit outdated at this point) but still manages to take great pictures.  Sure, you could spend a lot more for a camera that is a lot more high-tech, but if you just want a camera to learn on and experiment with or just take fun family snaps, then this camera would be great.My husband actually won a photo contest with a 5x7 photo taken on this camera (printed on an HP printer).Pros: low cost, easy to use, easy to figure out how to take good photos, takes good enough quality photos to replace your film camera (if you're ready for that... I'm not quite there).Cons: memory card pretty small if you want to take high quality pics  (We got a 64MB memory card--available on costco.com--so we could take many pictures at high quality settings: about 100 pictures on the highest quality settings.), slow upload to your computer using serial cable (we got a SmartMedia drive that hooks up to our USB port and is lightning quick), lower picture quality capability than many (more expensive) cameras on the market.These days, most digital cameras really aren't that horrible , and this camera is lightyears better than the ($) cameras that were out 4 years ago.  This camera would be great for someone who wants a camera for casual use, or for pictures for their website, or even regular pictures that won't be blown up much larger than 5x7.We take pictures with abandon now, not worrying about how much film we have left, not worrying if a shot is going to be a throw-away (you can delete it right on the camera, anyway), and we have gotten some truly beautiful and priceless shots just using this camera.If you're not a professional photographer, why spend thousands when you can get this camera at a great price?
Decent amount of options, good lens quality, but do wish it had exposure compensation and spot metering, I've found many lighting situations where this camera could have used those features. Also wish the lens were a little wider angle so found a used Canon Z90W.
We bought this camera after Consumer Reports gave it a Best Buy rating, and because we'd had an older Canon SureShot which had recently died after 7 years of very good service.I was initially disturbed to find that the camera requires DX-coded film. I usually order my film from a mail order supplier and they do not carry DX film which, from what I've been able to discover, means that there is more information bar coded onto the canister. This I could live without. However, the manual tells you that it's possible to use regular film though it may be a little more difficult to load, and furthermore it will always register as ISO 25 (not 100 or 200 or 400)! I was pretty unhappy about all this.We bought some DX film and had it developed, taking pictures in many different circumstances -- indoors/outdoors, with/without flash, articial/natural light, etc. The results were very good in all conditions.Next, we loaded regular Kodak film (ISO 200). I could not get the film to load. I placed the reel in with various lengths of film exposed but that didn't help. I tried to depress the shutter button as recommended in the manual, but that did not help. My husband got the film to load on the first try. (I believe this is because I had warmed it up for him.) Again we took pictures in many circumstances and the quality, surprisingly, was fine.The features offered work well. The manual is good.  Also, the battery is much more reasonable than previous batteries, which cost about [price].  I would say the only problem withe this camera, as with its predecessor, is a sluggish zoom mechanism.A very good camera at a good price.
great image quality. The battery lasts forever, and the camera its not too heavy. I have taken GREAT pictures with this Camera.
I swear, I couldn't find that info anywhere before I purchased this camera, including Canon's website. It does have one though - screw in type. I've found this little camera to be a catalyst from taking "snapshots" to taking really great family pictures. If you've read Nick Kelsh's book on photographing babies, this camera has everything you need to make them great. Love it so much, I'm buying another one for a friend.  And if you have a little one in the house or know someone who does, this would make a great companion gift with Nick Kelsh's book too. Maybe a shower gift from everybody at work??? You won't be sorry!
Great Camera for the price, especially if you're not into digitals; which I believe is the better way to go. Note the special batteries.
I've had my canon sureshot zoom camera for 4 years.  I've been 100% pleased with my camera.  I'm always complimented on the quality of pictures my camera takes.  I've never had problems with it and I'm buying one for a friend who loves my camera.
I purchased this camera about a year ago through Amazon.com after reading reviews of about a thousand different cameras.  Almost everyone had something good to say about this one, and I must say that I totally agree.  No camera I have ever had has taken better pictures, and I no longer worry about missing some great shots because of camera quality.I have never had any problems with it at all.  Two of my friends own it as well, and they complement it as much as I do.  It's fairly small and quite lightweight, which is always nice.  The batteries last extremely long, which is good because the kind of batteries it takes are fairly expensive.Something that most people might not realize is that it's extremely durable.  I took it to Disneyworld with me, and while my cousin was taking it out of a backpack, she dropped it on the cement walkway.  A piece broke off, and it got a few scratches, but what wouldn't when dropped from 4 feet above the ground?  Even without the piece simply taped back on, the camera works just fine and I still haven't had any problems with it.I strongly reccommend this to anyone who wants to have good pictures.  I've never seen a better camera.
I had experience with several cameras ranging from small point-and-shoot to SLRs, and I observed that zoom lenses have to be fairly expensive to provide decent image quality. Indeed, a zoom lens is usually more complicated than a lens with single focal length since it contains more elements, and it also requires accurate mechnics. This Canon seems to break this rule. The quality of pictures taken with this camera in daylight conditions is suprisingly good for the price. It is certainly on par with more expensive pocket cameras, and rivals low-end SLRs (i.e., priced below $500). The other advantages of this camera is that it is fairly light and small and the controls are extremely simple (off, auto-flash mode, red-eye reduction, fill-in flash, and no flash + two buttons to control zoom).The negative side of this camera is poor flash performance. It seems that the electronics built into it cannot properly determine how much energy should be send to the flash (or maybe it does not have variable flash power at all). The result is that a portrait taken in twighlights will be overexposed if the person is to close to the camera, and underexposed if he/she is too far. My daugher took quite a few pictures in the dark lately, and hardly any came out right. Further drawbacks are somewhat cheap look, sluggish zoom motor, and poor quality of paint on the program wheel (it started peeling off way too quickly). There is also no pre-programmed modes which more sophisticated cameras offer (such as portrait mode, night shooting, landscape, sports (quickly moving objects), etc.)The bottomline is that in terms of the feel of the camera and its electronics you get pretty much what you would expect to get for this kind of money; in terms of optics, you get a very good deal. If you are looking for a small camera with wide-range zoom that can take sharp pictures, and do not want to spend several hundred dollars for high-end models, this Canon is likely to be the best deal on the market. I rated it five stars for its price/value ratio.There is another version of the same camera available ..., with quartz date. My opinion that the price difference between the two is much more than that feature is worth.
What? StuffThe Canon Sure shot is the finest of all the film compacts.  For two years, the Canon Sureshot was my mainstay.  Simple in design and function, this camera provides dependable sure shots.  The self-timer comes in handy.
This camera is light-weight, it takes excellent photos, its easy to use and is a reasonable price. I first used the Canon Sure Shot 85 Platinum on my vacation to Niagiara Falls, and I got PLATINUM photos in return. The red eye reduction is nice, although the person must look directly at the camera. I would definatley reccomend this product to anyone. Picture taking has never been so much fun!
I bought this as a birthday gift for my daughter (age 21) about 8 months ago. She is actually a knowledgeable photographer having taken photography courses in school, but wanted a simple point-and-shoot that she could use without having to think about f-stops and shutter speeds. As I am also a photography fan since my mis-spent youth, its common ground for us, and I get to see all of her pictures.I have to say that the camera has far exceeded both our expectations. It does a very respectable job under a variety of conditions and produces sharp, well-focused, consistent photos. It is simple to use and the zoom lens is terrific. We have not seen the flash problems that some of the other reviewers have reported. The only difficulty she has had with it is the pause between pressing the shutter button and the camera actually shooting, but that is overcome by using "real-time" mode whenever red-eye reduction is not an issue.But I think perhaps the best feature of this camera is its portability. It is so small and light (and the lens retracts into the body and covers up when the power is turned off) that she is able to keep it in her pocketbook at all times. Whenever life presents her with one of those "Gee I wish I had a camera" moments, she does!If you're looking for something inexpensive and durable enough so that you can keep it with you, and that you can use without too much thinking, this is a good bet.***Update 10/02*** Just 3 weeks before the 1-year warranty would have expired, the camera developed a serious problem with it's autofocus. We called the Canon 800 number and were referred to a local authorized repair center to whom we brought it. They called after a week and told us that they would have to send it to Canon and that there would be a $10 service charge. That was about a week ago.Even though the situation is not yet resolved, I thought it was important to post this update, since I've seen exactly this same problem reported in several of the other reviews here. The camera was not heavily used nor was it abused in the year that my daughter owned it. I am reducing my rating to 4-stars because of this. I will update again when we get the camera back from Canon.
The camera is great.  Cheap, light, sturdy and decent quality snapshots.  The only drawback is, as another reviewer already mentioned, that it's sometimes tough to find the &quot;DX&quot; coded film that the camera requires.  For me, an inexpensive little 35mm camera is supposed to be about convenience; when I have to go to three drug stores to find the film I need, it's decidely inconvenient.
Consumer Reports rated this a best buy, so I bought one.  It's dependable, compact, lightweight and takes great pictures with a minimum of fuss!  What more could an amateur photographer ask for in a good vacation camera?  The Sure Shot is a sure bet.
Very disappointed.  The pictures are focused incorrectly.  The flash is off so that half the picture gets the flash light and the other half is in a shadow.  My disposable cameras take better pictures.  I was hoping for a very simple camera that took better than disposable camera quality pictures.  Very disappointed.
I think this camera is superb especially for the price, I have enjoyed using it to take picture of my 6 week old daughter and the pictures came out beautifully.  This is a great buy!!!!
Better late than never with my review I guess. You get what you pay. The price was cheap but the picture quality was very poor. Even in bright outdoor situations, the pictures were under exposed and grainy. Really disappointed with this and we ended up buying a new camera soon afterwards.
I have a Nikon Coolpix 5000, and needed this lens to help out the 3x optical zoom it comes with. The lens has great optics. No distortion or aberations.  It requires an adapter to use it with the camera. Screw on the adapter and the lens to the camera, tell the camera you are using the 2X lens and you are ready. Wish they had bayonet mounts like the SLRs.
Don't expect to be able to capture the stitching on a football during mid-catch from the sidelines with this, but it does exactly what it advertises, magnifying the normal lens by 2x.  The caveats are important though: it renders the built-in flash useless, but more importantly, it renders the viewfinder useless as well.  This makes taking pictures of moving objects especially difficult, as you need to watch them on the LCD screen.  (try doing this in bright sunlight for a real challenge)  If your photo requirements are just a little more zoom than default, and you're taking mostly photos of static objects, this lens should perform perfectly for you.  Just be aware of its limitations.
I bought this lens for my Coolpix 4300 along with the Wide angle (26mm) converter and am very pleased with the results. All the comments from my review of the WA converter apply to this one too. Great product! You can't go wrong.
...this is an incredibly sharp lens.If you own one of the popular Coolpix cameras and want to increase your zoom potential, this should be yoru first choice.  Not only are the optics first rate, but the lens is not overly heavy.  This enables you to screw it on and walk aroudn with it. Photos produced with this lens are stunning and very crisp.  The only drawback I'd say this has is the limit of only 2x telephoto/teleconverter aspect, but that is what keeps it relatively light!  Amazon also sells a 3x version, but it is significantly heavier and it will end up in the closet instead of on your Coolpix.Get this lens - you will be *thrilled* you did.
I was thrilled when I first bought my Coolpix 775 but after playing with it I became very disappointed with it's performance. Checking with local camera shops which offered no help in finding accessories for this camera, I basicly shelved it. After finding the TC-E2 (along with the WC-E24) has given this camera a "new" life. A tripod is a definite must and it does annoy that you can't use the view finder thanks to the lens adapter but for taking still static shots--it's great! The pricing of this lens (and others) are very reasonable. The 3x however is quite "pricey" but I'm really excited about getting one anyway. A good quality product.
A well made lens that balances well with my Nikon p5100; the TC-E2 is much lighter than the TC-E3ED lens. I purchased a cheaper 2X lens that was blurry in the corners and gave 1.26X rather than the listed 2X magnification. This lens gives me the 2X magnification (well just shy of absolute 2X - designed for 1/1.8 type sensor while the p5100 has a 1/1.72 type sensor) while still allowing me to use my optical viewfinder (1/3 of the viewfinder blocked at full zoom, less blockage otherwise). Here you would be out of luck and $200 extra with the TC-E3ED.I have also been able to use this lens without vignetting at much lower focal lengths than stated in Nikon's conservative specs. I get approximately 125-240mm (35mm equiv.) which works perfectly for me as the p5100 built in lens end at 123mm. For those who may not know - you need to purchase the corresponding adapter to use this lens with your camera; for the p5100 I bought the UR-e20.God bless and happy shooting!
As you would expect from a Nikon lens it's wonderful.What keeps it from getting 5 stars from me is that when using it with a P5100 camera the internal zoom is almost useless because if you put your camera on no zoom at all you see a circle in the middle of the screen.You need to put it from 60-90% zoom on your camera in order to have the image fill the screen.  Also the camera will not focus if you try and use the digital over zoom.With these limitations in mind it takes wonderful clear images.
Great item, one thing to note is you cannot take a picture with the flash, because the lens blocks the flash and casts a shadow on the image.  But man is it fun on a tripod or out side.
The belt loop failed after only three months use. Luckly I caught the case before it hit the ground.
I previously used a case logic digital camera bag for my Coolpix 950.  It was pretty nice, but it was a tight fit to get the camera in.  Alhtough the Nikon case seems smaller, the camera fits much better.  I also have room for an extra set of batteries, my PCMCIA flash card adaptor, and a video cable.  However, the one thing I miss is that there's no shouldar strap.  Just a belt buckle, and a little loop.
One of the reasons I like my Nikon 990 is its relatively compact size.  When I bought it, however, I did not get a case for it, which was not a good idea.  I could carry the camera in one of the larger camera bags I already had.  This posed the problem of possibly scratching or damaging the LCD on the back of the camera since the camera was somewhat loose in the camera bag with other metal accessories in it. The lens cover could also get knocked off in my larger bag since the camera could shift around in it.I quickly purchased this case and have been well pleased with it ever since then.  The camera fits snugly inside so there is no worry about damaging the display or the lens. There is also a small, although sufficient, pouch to place extra batteries, extra memory cards, or even an additional lens in.  Plus the whole package is small enough to fit in my briefcase or a larger camera bag.It's just right for what I need.
After using the case, I'm revising my comments.  I understand everyone's point about the missing strap.  My kids commented how stupid it looks to have the case hanging on the strap while I'm using the camera. (what can I say, I'm a nerd) And, the loop provided to hold the strap always manages to tangle up the strap.  Frustrating! Now, I'm left with taking the case off altogether.The belt loop doesn't look strong enough either. I never intended to use it, so I didn't buy the case based on that feature.  Still I love having the case that the manufacturer made intended for my camera.  The good fit makes for good protection.  And, I love that touch of purple and how it matches my camera.  This bag will be useful when I'm bike riding and want to take just my camera and cell phone along. Because, as I said before, the storage area is big enough to hold that little something extra.I compared this to the Nikon leather bag ... and the leather bag didn't have as much storage.  Yet this bag doesn't seem any bigger than the leather bag; it's storage areas are just designed better.
I may be in the minority here, but I like to take this camera everywhere - including places where it might just rain.  I was expecting this case to be a bit more well-sealed to keep out any moisture or dust.  The camera fits perfectly inside, but the seal is pretty loose.  The top flap (as shown in the picture) just pulls over and clicks closed with the single buckle.  So far, this has been the best one, but I am still looking for the perfect case for what is now firmly the perfect camera!
My Coolpix 995 fits snuggly inside this case. I had trouble finding an appropriate case for the camera and tried several before settling upon this one. The unique shape of the camera makes it both compact, but thick. My local camera stores didn't have this bag, and the bags they offered were either unnecessarily large, or too thin. As other reviewers have mentioned, it has no shoulder strap. It has an inconvenient belt attachment, but only those without any sense of style would consider using this. When the camera is in the bag, the strap from the camera can be used as the strap for the bag. However, when you take the camera out, you now are faced with the dilemma of what to do with the bag. The camera requires both hands, so you either have to let the bag fall, pass it to someone else, or awkwardly try to hold it. None are good options. Actually, my bag protects my camera during transport, but when I expect to use the camera, I leave the bag behind. All in all, this is a very acceptable product from Nikon, which could be improved by the addition of a strap.
Case is very well made of rugged Codura, with soft lining inside to protect the LCD screen, and fits the camera nicely. The shape of the camera doesn't lend itself well to generic camera cases, usually being too big or too small for a good fit; that's not the case with this one (pun). The unique rubberized texture makes it easy to pick it out by feel, from inside a backpack or such.As has been mentioned, it would be nice to have provisions for a shoulder strap instead of only a belt loop, but you can simply put your finger through the belt loop on the back of the case to hold it while using the camera, using it as a hand strap, (with the bag at the back of your hand). Not much of a problem.If you do decide to use the belt loop, the case works fine as a quick draw holster; it's very easy to unclip the latch and grab the camera by the grip.The camera's shoulder strap can be used when just carrying the camera around.There is a small strap clip intended to secure the case to the camera's shoulder strap when the camera's in use, but it's not very useful because it generally gets in the way when dangling from the strap, and it just takes too long to work with.The quick release clip works very well, both more silent and more secure than Velcro flaps, and the flap opens much wider than most zippered flaps, making it simple to take the camera out and put it back in.The external pouch fits an EN-EL1 spare perfectly, as well as backup CF cards.If you have a 995, this very sharp looking case is really essential for keeping the camera in good shape, both for transport and daily use. It looks much nicer than the pictures convey-
The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that because the Coolpix has a built in lens (unlike SLR), any modification (tele/wide add on) will invariably degrade the quality of the picture in both sharpness and exposure.  That said, the Nikon fisheye is excellent in both sharpness and quality compared to my Tiffen wide angle lens.  There is obvious distortion at the picture edges and you will have to compensate for exposure by increasing EV about 1+. Also, it blocks the internal flash so you will need an external flash if flash is required.
You'll love this thing. Nikon quality is amazing.  This lens gives a great effect to  your pics. If you photograph inside rooms, you can get the whole room in the picture, a full 180 degrees. Takse the two 180 's and combine them in your computer to 1 sphere and you have a full 360 degree room view. Awesome for real estate agents or for just having fun. Awesome potential.
This summer while taking wide angle photos with this converter, I set my camera with fish-eye and small tripod on an unstable rock. As I set the timer, I watched in horror as my camera and converter fell off the rock and another 50 feet down a rocky slope. I thought all was lost, and my vacation ruined. To my amazement, the Nikon fish-eye converter and camera still worked! The glass was pretty scratched up, but I was still able to take photos with it. Because it's digital I was able to touch up the scratch marks on the photos when I got home. I've since bought a new Nikon Fish-Eye replacement, but I continue to be amazed at its durability.
A truly fun piece of glass and I use it as both a toy and a tool. I love to shoot people and objects with it and see what the distortion does to the image, but it's also incredibly useful when you have no room to work or back up. I found it especially useful in the confined spaces of aircraft cockpits. But that fine thread to mount it on the camera drives me nuts! Especially when I'm in the confined space of something like an aircraft cockpit. But I always put it in my kit when on the road.
Slipped right on the CoolPix 995.  Almost slipped onto the floor as well - the lens cover is nice, but held on by friction between a felt strip inside the cover and the side of the lens. It's second nature to pick it up by the lens cover.  And the lens falls right out.  Be warned!  I caught mine just in time and spend 5 minutes cleaning off finger prints.  This is a common complaint from people I know who own this lens.  The rear lens cover is a pain - not fully threaded and a pain to get on.  Enough of the 'bitchin.The lens itself is great.  I had a Tiffen wide angle on my old Kodak DC290 - this Nikon is far superior.  The camera has two Fisheye lens presets that adjusts and locks the camera's settings for optimum results.  The resulting photo can be dark if taken indoors (the flash is automatically disabled) - but a few seconds in PhotoShop increasing the contrast and brightness fixed it right up (try that with a film camera!)For [this price] you can't beat this lens.  If you plan on doing panoramic or full room shots, get it.  Example: I stood my tripod in a corner facing the center of a room.  It captured EVERYTHING, floor to ceiling, wall to wall, except what was directly behind the camera.  I then import the resulting image into a panoramic editor, output a Quicktime VR file (takes under 20 minutes total), and have a virtual view of the room.  Cool. Plus everyone who sees it asks "is that a lens?!?!"
Beautiful razor sharp piece of glass w/circular image. Use w/58mm single adapter tube on a P7000. Lens cap needed to be modified though. Really dangerous cap. Lens would fall out of your hand when grabbed by the cap. Increased friction on lens cap by applying Gorilla Tape to the inner rim of the cap. Much better now. Do need to use the Flower icon close focus mode with the wide center focus pattern when using these adapter lenses.
This is my 3rd digital camera in 5 years ( AGFA e307 and Mavica 7 ) and by far the best of the lot. Every thing good/bad about this camera has already been said here so I would like to cover a couple other features not mentioned - some of these notes are mine, others from WWW sites and newsgroup posts.The one second shutter delay can be somewhat shortened by half depressing the shutter button. The S-70 will the autofocus, which makes up most of the shutter lag. When you then press down the button all the way you'll find it will almost instantly take the picture. Several other techniques can be used to minimize the delay: 1) go to manual focus, 2) go to AE mode, 3) go to manual WB - the less auto, the faster the camera.MPEG recording for 60 seconds. I would like to correct one reviewer regarding making videos with this camera - If you switch to the smaller resolution, and hold down the shutter button, you will get a minute of video. This is the max though. The camera has to store the raw video in internal memory, then convert it to mpeg and write it to the memory stick. The camera can only fit 15 seconds of large resolution video, and 60 seconds of small resolution video in the internal memory. There is no way to get more than this much video. OR.. reduce the size to 160 x 120 and  get 1 minute per segment.EXIF information - data is automatically imbedded into the file when saved in the camera. The data includes the time and date the picture was taken, but also all information on the f-stop used, program mode chosen, shutter speed, flash utilisation and more. Much of this information can be seen by opening the image in MGI PhotoSuite (the version that came with your camera--or a later version) and selecting &quot;Image Information&quot; under the Image menu. If you choose to keep the information after downloading to your computer, you must ensure that the original is kept ( if you save the jpg file as something else, you lose the exif information). You can RENAME the file, but opening it and saving or modifying it in any way will lose the info.I use Photoshop to edit and crop files, but always save as the PSD photoshop native format, which keeps the original jpg file untouched. I also chose the &quot;serial&quot; numbering option on the camera, which allows the memory stick contents to be moved to the PC in the same folder without having the &quot;file exists&quot; problem. (It carries on automatically with DSC00678.jpg etc, rather than going back to DSC0001.jpg every time a new stick is inserted or reused).
I have held off buying a digital camera with all the talk about batteries, but after using a Sony camcorder with a Info Lithium battery decided to try the Dsc and have been impressed so far. It does not equal a regular 35mm but for instant snaps to email relatives and shots of work projects it sure saves a lot of time over having things developed and scanned. As far as getting accesories I found it uses the same lenses as the camcorder and have had no problem getting items from Sony online.
I have owned my Sony DSC-S70 for many years now. I bought it for just under $600 at the Sony store at Woodbury Commons, NY. It was marked B Stock on the box which indicated it was refurbished. At the time, they were very hard to find and it was regarded as the best available digital camera on the market. Since then, I have tried several different digital cameras but none come close to the accuracy of the color reproduction of the DSC-S70. This can be attributed to the superior optics designed by Carl Zeiss. The movie mode is great too although, your limited to 15 second clips. I have posted some pics here on Amazon. Take a look at the quality of the macro shots. It may not be the fastest or the most portable camera but it does take consistently good pics. It also takes RAW images which you will not find on most point and shoots out there today. In order to get this feature, you would have to step up to a DSLR.  Enough jibber jabber. Check out the pics.
. . . you currently are using Windows 95.  I can't believe what a money pit this camera has turned out to be. And no one, even the Amazon professional reviewers are bringing up the following:1) IT IS NOT compatible with Windows 95, even though it says it on the box.  After speaking with &quot;Dave&quot; at Sony, he said that that was an unfortunate misleading statement. Misleading? the local Sony dealer that I went to didn't even know it.  2) You can't even update to Windows 98 or 98SE, the driver won't accept it, and if you are smart and didn't update to Windows 98 because of the bugs, and were deciding to update to ME --- forget that too with this camera because you won't be able to use it 3) If you have Windows 98 then it is a great camera and it does take great picturesI had to go out and get a Sony memory stick adapter (which cost another $100, plus a 64 mg memory stick another $300, I bought Windows 98 upgrade ($89) which didn't work.  So I bought the camera for $749, and $489 = $1238.  At that price I could have had the Sony with the CDR, and then some.
I found the camera easy to use out of the box and the quality of the pictures to be very good, 8 X 10&quot; come out great in high resolution modes. I was especially impressed with how good it shoots in low light situations. The rechargeable battery is very good, but buy an extra. The same goes for the memory stick, you really need to invest in the larger capacity memory sticks, I found a need for 3 when on vacation.Problems: The LCD is hard to read in bright sunlight (common to all) but you still have an eye viewer - that's good. Next there is a delay time between pressing the shutter and the actual taking of the picture (you get used to this) and secondly the recycle time between pictures is a few seconds, so rapid fire shooting is not possible.I have also switched this camera to &quot;black and white&quot; mode for outdoor scenery shots and it works very well. With easily obtainable software, like Adobe Photo Shop, you can change the contrast and brightness easily for more striking effects. When taking normal color photos you can also enhance contrast and colors to enhance or exaggerate for some great &quot;artistic&quot; effects. I then use a well known HP printer for $200 or less and get great photo prints when using their high quality glossy or matte photo paper.
This Camera is the best digital out there. Team it with a epson sp870 printer , and you will have photo's printed that will be impossible to distinguish from standard film. My recommendation is not to down on a product because of your computers out of date OS. Sony has had a 98 updated driver out since weeks after the camera came out and ME loves it. Only flaw is expensive memory stick media, and it dosen't come with an Aibo.
I bought my DSC-S70 because my family and I were about to go on vacation to London and I felt that the image quality from digital cameras had finally surpassed film-based cameras.  I absolutely love my DSC-S70 and recommend it to anyone that is interested in getting a digital camera.  I have not had any troubles with my DSC-S70.  The only real problem I had was finding 64 MB Memory Sticks since none of the local stores had gotten them in yet.  I had to settle for 2 32 MB ones.  But since each one is equivalent to a roll of 35 mm film when you use the highest JPEG setting, it wasn't really a problem.  I only took one bad picture during the entire vacation, and that was because my brother bumped in to me when I pressed the shutter and I didn't notice it until later.  Although I felt that the 8 MB Memory Stick was a little small, I'd rather pay for the little bit of memory that I actually need than pay for the memory that I will never use.  I may have needed 64 MB for my trip to London, but in most cases, I'll never need to take more than 8 MB with me.  Sony also gives you a ... gift certificate for its online store if you register your camera online.  If you use this gift certificate towards another 8 MB stick, it will only cost you ..., giving you the same amount of memory that all the other cameras give.  And now, I think they give you ... back if you buy a memory stick with the camera.  I found the MPEG performance to be quite pleasing, especially in the HQ mode.  It had no problems adjusting from a close-up to a wide shot and was able to catch details like the pixels on an LCD screen.  All of my shots came out crystal clear.  I took my shots of Piccadilly Circus and turned them into a 360 degree panorama that looked as good as any of the professional ones on the Internet.  Even on the brightest days, the camera produced excellent results.  I would have been comfortable with the camera and its menu system even if I hadn't read the manual.  The icons in the Program AE mode are confusing UNTIL you read the manual.  Remember that this isn't a cheap film camera with just one button; you actually have options about what your picture will look like.  I tried the Olympus 3030 in the store and was absolutely confused with its icons, but not with the Sony DSC-S70.  I am very pleased with this camera and would buy it again if I had the chance.
If you're looking for a digital camera that will give you film level quality (3.3 megapixels of data capture) in an easy to use, compact package, the Sony DSC-S70 is a great choice.  Not only does it take wonderful pictures in a variety of settings, but it also comes with a lot of small, easy to forget about features that add up to a great overall usage experience and that make the camera a much better real value than most of its competitors.Some of these include an internal, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery that shows you, in minutes, how much more time you have left before recharging is required, a built in USB port (no external cradles are required), all required cables, a built in memory stick slot and included memory stick (although the included 8MB stick is too small, you should definitely pick up at least a 32MB stick), and an AC adapter included (believe it or not, a lot of digital cameras don't come with an AC adapter and since digicams eat up batteries this really makes a big difference).These types of small things are often overlooked in reviews, but in long-term, real-world use, they really do make a difference.The only negatives that I've experienced are things that other reviewers have mentioned, the included memory stick is too small and the camera does not come with a carrying case, which you should definitely get if you plan on traveling with the camera.Some quick notes, while the camera works flawlessly with both Windows 98 and MacOS based computers, a Windows 2000 driver does not yet seem to be available.
its 2012 and this camera is from 2000. this camera is better than some camera out today. yea its BIG AND BULKY  but its grate.
Sharp, Clear Detail. That says it all. Sony has a new dsc 75 out now. Its just a bit faster in the re-load time between pics.  But a bit more $.  I love mine. Verry eays to learn &amp; use.
I needed a quick easy to use, high quality digital camera.  I've owned five already including the Olympus D-400, D-450 and C-3030.  I think the Olympus C-3030 is very high quality but requires four PhD's to learn how to use it.  I am not an amateur.  I've taught photography and I've built 15 different computer systems over the years.  I am a professional in presentation software, for example.  The Olympus C-3030 was an expensive disappointment.  This Sony camera has great optics and --- once you spend a little time learning it --- an extremely simply menu system!  I can take pictures of clients and rapidly download them and embed them into a Powerpoint presentation.  Others have noted the flaws: the USB cable is simply 'not ready for prime time' and the 8mb memory stick is a joke.  So: if you want a great digital camera (that can do excellent 5-15 second video clips--- something I really need) then get this camera and a PCMCIA adapter [and] an extra battery and two 64mb memory sticks [and] you'll have a great system to use.  Toss the USB cable and write a letter of complaint to Sony for not providing the PCMCIA adapter.  The attached unlosable lens cap is a good idea, but an automatically hidable one (as on some other cameras) would have been better.  Including all the goodies and a case in one 'kit' would have been smart and should have been done at the same price.  Putting the microphone in front instead of on top would have been a good idea, too.  Letting the user record 60 second video clips would have been great, too. But as a usable high quality system: I currently haven't found a better one.  And as a tool to photograph the misbehaviors of neighborhood vandals, it's been proving to be a godsend.  With some specialized accessories, it sits, high in a second floor window with an external powersupply and an intervalometer plus a motion sensor.  It gets GREAT shots, even in very low light!
I had read reviews for two weeks trying to decide which digital camera to  buy.  I had it narrowed down the the Coolpix 990, Olympus C3000/C3030 and  the Sony DSC-S70.  With all four of these in the store, I had a great  opportunity to compare.  I chose the DSC-S70 at the recommendation of the  sales person who also owned one.  It is very easy to use out of the box and  you can get as deep as you want into the many features of the camera.  The  pictures are very impressive - excellent resolution with vibrant colors!  I  am having a blast with the movie feature - excellent for e-mails.  The  rechargeable battery has a long life and is quickly recharged.  I did buy a  64M memory stick and that has been very adequate, the 8M does not cut  it.I highly recommend this camera.  If you do a lot of shooting I  would definitely purchase another battery and a larger memory stick  however.
Easy-to-use, light-weight and always dependable, this great camera takes perfect pictures.So simple --- just click --- whether in bright sun or in low light (with or without flash), under almost any conditions.  What a delight!Our Sony DSC-S70 has proven itself time and again, so --- even though we have two excellent Canon digital SLRs and all sorts of lenses --- we keep it with us virtually everywhere we go, both for backup shots and as our primary camera when we need a comfortable carry.  It's a real winner!
Bought this camera over 3 months ago, have no complaints.  Takes incredible pictures - no matter what quality pictures you want to take(high or low resolution).  The digital movie is a joke and hardly ever used.  You should consider buying extra memory sticks.  The camera USB interface is a breeze to connect to your PC.  Your computer will treat the camera as a computer and see the memory stick as a Harddrive.  The camera also have S-video interface to connect to the TV or VCR to entertain your family/friends during the holiday.
Sony quality and reliability. Camera used by son and family and still in use without issues. Quality photos and easy to use.
This camera rules. The Carl Zeiss lens (the best optical lens ever) makes colors in pictures clear and vibrant. 3.3 megapixel quality is higher than that of a regular chemical photo which is approximately 2.8 megapixels. It has plenty of options, yet it's easy to use. The only other cameras I would consider is ... which is less than $... (2 megapixels) and the current best seller, Nikon Coolpix 990 which is more expensive, has a terrible red-eye problem and more features that you can ever use. And now, if you could only find a printer that could match the whole potential of this camera...
For the amateur who can learn a lot from this little secret gem, would recommend this camera for many reasons, but ultimately it will depend on the user to figure out how to apply it's uses. The first one I've taken into waist deep ocean with big waves around and had it close to the sand, and amazed it's held together as long as it had, but luck is running out so wanted to get another for situations where concern about sand water and grit come tin play...for images on the internet  and with a little photo editing knowledge, this camera will get the job done to a certain extent. I have also a Canon T3i DSLR, but still love to use this puppy. It arrived timely with a memory stick still in it from the previous owner, that still had pictures on it .
I considered and compared digital cameras that were pricier than the S70.  However, the S70 earned my money because of its image quality, ease of use, and USB connectivity.In the past, Sony built good cameras with  innovative features; however, the image quality has always been suspect in  the minds of aspiring photo amateurs and professionals.  With the DSC-S70,  Sony got it right!One of the reasons that older Sony digital cameras had  mediocre image quality was because of their mediocre lenses.  Sony knew  this; so, they found someone who was really good at making lenses: Carl  Zeiss.  For me, the most impressive feature of this camera is the 21 mm  Carl Zeiss, Vario-Sonnar lens.  I've used and admired Zeiss optics for many  years in film photography.  This lens yields excellent resolution, coupled  with brilliant colors.  Lesser lenses yield images with a focused center;  however, the edges and corners would not be as sharp.  Not with this camera  -- every pixel is clear and the details are impressive for even the most  discerning eyes.Another reason that I got this camera is because of the  wide variety of apertures and shutter speeds.  The aperture ranges from  f/2.0 to f/8.0 and the shutter speed can vary from 8 to 1/1000 seconds.  Although the S70 doesn't feature a full manual exposure mode, you get a  reasonable degree of control.At the time I got this camera, Sony only  offered Windows 95 &amp; 98 drivers.  I'm delighted that Sony now offers  support for Windows 2000.  Installation was a breeze.  You can find the  Win2K drivers here on Sony's site ...The battery life is  pretty good.  On a full charge, you can take roughly 2 hours worth of use.  The battery meter is pretty accurate, which indicates the number of minutes  remaining.  Although the memory stick technology is proprietary, it's easy  to use and very convenient.  The 8 MB memory stick that comes with the  camera is pathetic.  You need more to take many high resolution pictures,  preferably the 64 MB, which is the Sony's largest to date.  Rumor has it  that Sony is making a 128 MB version of their popular memory stick -- way  cool!  I would recommend getting an extra battery and a 64 MB memory stick  -- using the 8MB memory stick as an emergency only backup.Good luck, and  have fun with your new S70!
I started out with this camera but quickly switched to the DSC-P1 when that model arrived.The DSC-P1 has nearly identical performance, but improves very nicely on the DSC-S70. First, the P1 is a lot smaller. The compact size really helps to make it easier to use. Second, the P1 has a built in lens cover that opens or closes as you turn the camera on or off. And the P1 is the same price as the S70.I would recommend that anyone looking at the S70 consider the P1 instead.
This camera is an excellent mid-range product that is option-packed.  Even the low rez pics are high quality; I've got an HP 952c printer, and unless  you look close, you can't tell that you're looking at a digital picture.  Editing pictures on the fly is a snap.  The only complaints I would have is  the low 4MB Memory stick it comes with, and it's a little slow when taking  action shots (for an extreme amateur photographer like me, I need every  advantage I can get!).  Sony continues to have my vote for high quality  electronics.
I have had the S30 now for 3 weeks. for home use I dont think you can beat it for the price.  The only flaw if you can call it that is you need to get a larger memory stick. The 4meg that comes with the camera is not enough.  You can get the case that is made for it from Sony for $25 including 2nd day air shiping.
Whether it's broken after a decade or more of use, or the battery won't charge in it... I always look for another one like it. This is a wonderful camera with great macro! Nice, nice, nice.
This is a great camera with a wonderful variety of features for the money. The use of this camera is intuitive - within 10 minutes I had more or less  figured it all out, and only really needed the manual for reference.  Battery life is good, with the supplied rechargeable battery. The camera  will take colour, B/W or sepia shots in a wide variety of resolutions.  Webheads may appreciate the camera's auto-thumbnail feature, where a  thumbnail image can be created and stored along with the high resolution  shot. The camera feels solid, and well, camera shaped, unlike some other  cameras I looked at. Sony did a great job here.Advice:Buy another  memory stick or 2. The 4MB supplied doesn't go very far in the highest  resolution (7 images!). Buy a 32MB (57 images) or 64 MB (~114). The memory  sticks can also be used in a few other Sony products as well, so will be a  good investment for Sony fans.Gripes:1)The camera's built in flash  isn't wonderful, and the lack of optical viewfinder means that taking shots  in the dark is guesswork, as you can't see much in the display. The higher  end DC-S70 has a viewfinder which would help here.2)The delay when  taking a shot makes this camera difficult to use for action  shots.Overall:If you want a high resolution camera for mainly daytime  non-action shots that is easy to use, feature rich, with good memory  expansion and generally well designed then buy this camera. If you expect a  lot of low light or action use, then it's probably best to shop around.
This was my first digital camera, and I still consider it an excellent digital camera - in spite of the fact that more recent models have much higher resolution.  Not one of my other cameras has the feature that this Sony camera has... the ability to raise the screen and rotate it so you can shoot yourself and see how your image will be centered.  I have kept this camera in spite of more featured, higher resolution devices that I have purchased since aquiring this camera in 2001!  I wish all cameras had the quality of the Sony Cybershot S 30!!
This camera is great for the beginner digital camera enthusiast.  I got this camera as a present last Spring and enjoyed it thoroughly, taking it on a trip to Italy.  If you want to see samples, please email me and I'll send you links to these pictures.  The pictures it takes are wonderful, bright, vibrant colors, great contrast, etc.  That should be the main thing to be concerned about when starting out.  One of the best things other than the image itself was the flexible lcd viewfinder.  You can twist it around in every which way, making it ideal for taking candid shots.  Another great feature is the infolithium battery which lasts forever (the person who said he had problems with his must have had a defective one) and constantly tells you how much time you have left before it needs to be recharged.  The menu system is a snap.  The camera is compact enough to fit in a coat pocket.  Obviously for a lower-resolution, lower-end camera, you're not going to find high-end features like manual modes, etc., but you do at least have some flexibility in terms of flash and exposure modes.  Another downside, though easily fixed with some extra money is the included 4mb memory stick.  You really need more if you want to take more than a few shots.  Obviously you can decrease the resolution which increases the number of shots you can take, and although these lesser-resolution pics are clear, they may not be suitable for printing.  At the highest resolution, 4x6 prints come out nicely, but lower resolutions produce prints that are not very good.  The other side of this is that memory sticks are proprietary to Sony products.  So in order to take full advantage of the medium, your MP3 player and PDA would have to be Sony products as well, so that you could use the sticks interchangably.  Sony still hasn't learned their lesson from Betamax or Minidiscs, but that's another issue.  Yes, speed is also an issue.  It takes quite a while to take a picture after hitting the shutter release, and even longer to take another one after the shot.  As long as you don't primarily take pictures of kids (or other fast moving objects ;-) this camera is great!
This is my first digital camera and for folks who are like me, too lazy to organize photos and sometimes even getting films developed, I think digital is the way to go. The best part is being able to delete unwanted on-the-fly and edit the pictures at home afterwards. The camera is easy to use for a non-techie. The battery has an incredibly long life. I bought an additional battery for my trip to Thailand and never really had to use the backup (of course, I recharged every night). Another good feature, the charger is also universal (can be used or both 110 and 220 volts). In the case of Thailand, no outlet adapter was needed. The zoom is great. Deleting photos using is a little difficult for me, I had removed the wrong photos a couple of times. My biggest complaint is that the memory stick is still quite pricey. I would like to get the 64 MB one but I am going to wait for the price to come down a little more.Also if you don't know this already, the USB port is not compatible with Windows NT. I had to get a diskette adapter for my NT laptop which requires a driver installation from the CD but the USB worked really well for my Windows 98 PC at home. Being able to show the pictures on TV using the sony-provided TV adapter was also a nice feature although I don't use it too often.
I just recently got the Sony DSC-S30 and I can't put the thing down.  I think the reviewers that had problems with the battery life and the amount of pictures that can be taken possibly did not take time to read the instruction manual.  This camera has many settings that you can choose from to manipulate how many pictures you can store at a time.  Of course if you go with the highest quality you will undoubtedly get less pictures.  This can be solved by getting an extra memory stick, or going for lower grade pictures, which are still crystal clear.  This camera has many options that will make a novice photographer look like a pro.  There are many picture effects to choose from.  You can take black &amp; white photos, sepia colored (to look old fashioned), redirect light sources and shadows, and much much more.  The movable LCD display is great, you can even turn it backwards and take a picture of yourself.  Antoher great feature that my family has used, is hooking it up to the TV.  Using this we took a self portrait with the timer and we could reposition ourselves and preview the picture by looking at the television.  Technology is so cool.  I'm glad we didn't take our salesman's advise and go with a &quot;starter&quot; camera -because we are young-, I would not have been happy.  Nobody gives you more cool options and buttons than Sony.  Great Camera- but now I wish I had gotten the DSC-S50, for the movie feature.  One thing I know for sure...I'll never go back to using film, and having strangers develop my pictures.
I have enjoyed this camera a lot and have taken consistently great pix that my friends with higher pixel-depth cameras (and what doesn't have more pixels at this point?) envy. The flippy swivelly viewfinder is the most useful feature I've ever had on a camera hands-down. I find it very hard to ever buy a camera again, that doesn't have one.However, I really hope there's an eighth circle of hell devoted solely to the jackass who invented, for lack of a better term, the "soft" on/off button. For a hundred years the on/off button obeyed you. It turned something on or off at YOUR whim. There was no equivocating. Now, your computer or electronic device thinks about it for a while and without explanation refuses to fire (turn off, take the picture...) because your not in the righ mode, the camera's "brain" decides it not in the right mode, or that I wouldn't like the picture I'm trying to take. Who knows why? Now no matter how much you want the camera to take your freaking picture, at best your volition gets an ambiguous response; the camera may or may not obey. Most electronic cameras not have this heinous funtionality.Can you think of any more worhtless time to not obey you, than when you need a specific time-based composition that will never recur? I can't tell you how many shots I've missed because of this idiotic feature. Really! A red-hot poker up the butt for eternity is not too much to ask, for the inventor of this modern scourge. I recently threw this camera across my car when it missed it's final shot that could not be recaptured.
I often buy this as a gift, especially for the 8-12 year old group.  It's easy to use and the pictures aren't bad - they're about 1 X 1 1/2 inches and have the same fuzzy flattering quality of the regular size Polaroids.  The film isn't cheap, though, and after the kids run through the  measly 5 picture roll that's included, Mom and Dad or older kids with allowances get to shell out close to [price] for another 3-roll pack (12 pictures each).  But it is fun and kids of all ages love it.
These things are addictive, and I already have a digital camera!  I'd give it 5 stars but the film is a little expensive considering how small the pictures are (but note it is NOT $5/picture ... - more like $0.60/picture).  Also, the adhesive is very light weight.  I guess it's good if you want to remove it from things but I was expecting something stronger.
I bought this Camera and it is the coolest thing for kids and teens. Its  also v. cool cuz Its the Official Camera of Britney Spears. The coolest  artist around. Take pictures, stick them anywhere you want, old people get  totally confused when you pull the picture out (which is one of the most  fun things about it) and u can give em to your friends or whoever you want.  It rocks. 10/10
This is a great fun item. Given the very small picture size several people have suggested taking photos close-up. I have to say that I find the flash extremely bright when you do this which is about the only problem I can think of about a great product.
This is a whimsical little Polaroid instant camera that would make a great gift to bring to a (Christmas?) party. It's also great for the kids' annual school yearbook signing ceremony. At twenty bucks, it's cheap enough to not worry about its long term utility, and its major drawback, the price of film (about fifty cents a shot for a postage stamp pic), will be the recipient's problem, not yours.
As advertised on TV and true to the original, the Polaroid I-Zone is instant fun and simple to use.Even better, the plastic camera is fairly  inexpensive (about $20) and really cool looking (think: VW Bug meets the  iMac).  Image quality and exposure are surprising good for a tiny plastic  lens.  In addition, the I-Zone comes with a built-in flash.The  caveats:1. The film is expensive (about $5/shot!) which really adds up  after awhile. 2. The prints are really really small (postage stamp size).  3. No negatives, so forget about making re-prints. 4. It leaks (somewhat)  caustic goo on you.All told, think of it as a toy and give it a whirl.  For $20, you can't lose.
This Sony mvc-fd95 has produced some very good pictures. It allows you to  use it as a 35 mm camera.  I am not sure that i would have purchased the  wide angle lens for it, while it does give you a near 28mm wide angle  affect, it is a little fuzzy. The camera it self is very forgiving, have  shot pics of bats flying at dusk, deer nursing in the woods, machine  screens at work, indian pipes growing in the woods.  A really nice camera,  Amazon's service was excellent as usually.
THIS IS A SOLID BUY. IF YOU JUST WANT TO POINT AND SHOOT, IT DOES IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY, THIS IS WHERE THIS UNIT REALLY SHINES. YOU CAN TURN OFF THE AUTOFOCUS FOR SHOTS THAT YOU WANT TO BLEND FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUND. THE MACRO FEATURE BRINGS THE LENS TO WITHIN ABOUT TWO INCHES OF YOUR SUBJECT. THE 20X ZOOM KEEPS THE FOCUS SHARP ON YOUR DISTANT SUBJECTS. THE MEMORY STICKS ARE GREAT; A 96 MB STICK HELD ABOUT 260 OF MY PICTURES.I ONLY HAVE TWO CRITICISMS. THE AUTO FOCUS MAY TAKE TOO LONG FOR ACTION SHOTS. AND THE MEMORY STICK FLOPPY ADAPTER(YOU NEED ONE OF THESE, A REGULAR FLOPPY WILL ONLY HOLD 4 PICTURES IN HIGH RESOLUTION MODE)TAKES ABOUT TWENTY SECONDS TO RECORD THE SHOT. A LONG TIME IF YOU HAVE WIGGLING KIDS, AND WANT TO TAKE MULTIPLE SHOTS.I STILL WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET ONE OF THESE. IT'LL MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A PRO PHOTOG!
I have had a Mavica MVC FD95 for over 4 years now. It uses a diskette for storage. The reason I chose it was the built in flash, the universal ability to print, and the Zooming lense for those great Memphis Zoo panda and other animal pics when they are far away from the viewing area. There might be better cameras, but none are as easy to use and take GREAT pictures.I love the two viewing areas. I look at the view scrren and see how the picture looks. You can sit at a wedding (I actually did this)and look at the screen and decide to keep or erase the picture. The diskettes are easy to keep in a dess coat at the wedding and change. My pictures looked better than the paid professional ones the couple paid big bucks for!!!! Plus, I did a brief video with the camera of the wedding march (with sound).My buddy is a camera buff and he has a FD 75, and when I pulled my 95 out, well it psyched him out with the look and the size.Every development studio and computer accepts diskettes, so it is easy to sent to another person. This is helpful to send by mail. You know those internet phonelines will not sent pictures very fast, and many have limits to the mail size to avoid spam. Just drop a diskette in the mail and grandma with her older clunkier hand-me-down computer can see the pics of the grandkids.Now for the real techie, you can use the memory stick adaptor. I bought mine remanufactured and didnt get the adaptor for memory stick. It is a great add-on, but not essential. I'll stay with the diskettes, because they are cheaper, easy to get and easy to use in any computer.One suggestion, get an extra battery. there are used ones and clone ones now that are cheaper ($15-$22.00), so it isn't the big investment it used to be of $35. to $55.00. Sony uses the same battery in numerous products. I found the battery gave out too quick (or I used it too much).  Plus, when you use the camera, you will be in a place that a recharge is not possible, and the extra battery is a great help.My only complaint is the switch from still-to-video-to-play pops too easy from one to the other. It has really played havoc with the pictures. BUT I think that is more all thumbs me and not the camera.Suprisingly, the price of a 95 has held up well in resale. I paid maybe 60.00 more than it is re-selling for now. That is a perk, if you plan to resell after a set time of use.
Howdi,  I got it couple of months ago and I must admit that it's great in terms of image resolution and quality. The like taking this camera to any concerts or shows and you have all the images on floppy..share it with people or publish on the net..just great. and on top it supports image stabilization just like my other Sony TRV87 and i can exchange batteries between them.The only thing which I don't like that much are the big size of this..due to 3-1/2 inch floppy and MPEG movie.. which is not very good in quality if you are moving the camera very fast and I don't even make many mpeg's out of this. Otherwise, it's so much fun using this and since I'm into photography, it let's me publish some photos online, quickly.
Pros: Great features include 10x optical zoom (incredible!), viewfinder LCD, photo size adj, mic and MPG recordign ability for quick little videos.Cons: Bulky, battery power can go fast if using a lots of features.Overall, I'd get this Mavica again. Good stuff from Sony!
I first saw this at a high school reunion.  I was impressed with the features my friend was doing on it, and that's what got me hooked.  I looked around and did a little comparison shopping and decided on the  MVC-FD95.  I like the feel of it (feels like my old 35mm Minolta) and it  was extremely easy to use.  I feel this camera has a slew of features that  make it very attractive.  The viewfinder and the LCD screen are very easy  to work with and the menus are easy to navigate also.  The MPEG movie  feature with audio are also nice too.  Primarily I was impressed with the  1600 x 1200 image size.  Shots came out really clear and crisp.  The built  in flash is adequate but it at least lets you hook up an external flash.  Probably the downside for some (but not necessarily for me) is the floppy  disk memory, meaning you can only put approx 4 shots of hi-resolution shots  on disk before its full.  However, I look at it as not a big deal, because  floppy disks are cheap and I carry a bundle in my bag anyway.  Plus floppy  disks can go directly into your computer's disk drive (an advantage for  me). The main limiting factor could be price... .  But this camera is  extremely easy to use and I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of mine.  Sony  also has a lot more features on it that I didn't mention, but go to the  store and look (and play) with one and compare it!  Good Luck!
I was very disappointed when I finally decided to purchase a digital camera and was unable to get the Sony FD-91 that my brother and friend both owned. I had used their cameras and loved what it could do but couldn't find it anywhere.  The only thing close was the FD-95. Although a bit pricier, I have not been disappointed in the camera.  I have gotten excellent results from it and was surprised at how light it is despite its deceptive looks.  It's very easy to handle and operate.  I highly recommend this camera, even for a veritable novice like myself.  The only downside I have found is something that was pointed out in another review -- it is slow when taking a picture.  You really have to hold that button down to get it to take and it makes taking my hockey action shots a bit of a challenge.  If that is the only thing that I can see as a problem, though, do yourself a favor and pick up one of these cameras.  You won't be disappointed.
I must say I love this camera.  It is so easy to use. What surprised me is the incredible image quality of close-up pictures in the macro-mode.  I knew i wanted a camera that accepted floppy disks and Sony is the only company that offers this. To me, the convienence of floppy disks outweighs the need to carry multiple disks. I cant think of a downside to this camera except: 1.  Forget about taking action shots, too slow in taking picture. 2.  Flash is underpowered, lighting is critical to good shots.Those are my only complaints.  This camera offers so many user friendly features, i cant list them all here.  Pricey, but worth it.
Just pick this camera up at my local Base Exchange, while I paid a lot less than what it is offered for here ..., I must still say that it is well worth the price that Amazon offers it for aswell.  The camera is actually very light for its seemingly encumbering size, and while it is bigger than most cameras (due to the floppy drive), it fits quite well into my hands.  People with smaller hands may want a different camera like the Sony Cybershot.  I have taken a few pictures in different areas, outside, inside, light and dark and they all turned out great.  The 2.1 Megapixels are more than adequate for the amature photographer.  I haven't even begun to explore all the options, the self timer works great giving you 10 seconds to get into place with your friends or family before the picture is taken, and don't worry about focusing because the auto focus does a great job as well.  The main reason I picked this up over my other too choices was because the Cybershot F550 seemed to leave some blur in the pictures when I took my test shot with it, and the Olympus 2040 and 3040 just didn't have the zoom capability that I needed.  My one complaint is that the battery just doesn't seem to last long enough but I'll pick up the longer lasting battery and use the original as a spare.  Don't want to carry floppys around?  I have taken all my test photos on Floppies so far and at 1024 x 7xx I seem to be able to fit 10 pictures per disk.  I also picked up the memory stick adapter ... and a 64MB memory stick ... for when I am in a situation where disks seem to be too much of a hassle, like when I'm out on the town in Romania or Hungary or something. All in all this camera is a great buy, I highly recommend it to anyone.
I had bought my first camera, a Pentax, in 1965 and graduated up to the Nikon family. Being immersed in black and white processing for years and needing a new camera I weighed getting a new Nikon and all the darkroom equipment necessary for color processing.Since I am a photo hobbyist, I was unable to justify the expense of the equipment plus having to buy a new set of lenses. The Sony Mavica with its SLR viewfinder capability struck me as an ideal compromise. You are able to actually view what will be taken while the LCD allows those surreptitious candid people shots.It is great being able to down load pictures into my iMac and manipulate color balance, crop, and electronically 'dodge' the darker areas to achieve what your mind's eye saw when taking it. The Sony supplied software is a waste of a CD, though. Get Photoshop to really use the capabilities of this camera.There are a load of features which make this camera ideal for both portraiture and landscape photography. But it is also eminently suited for those quick snap shots.Having a true 10X optical zoom with a compound lens lends itself to nearly any situation . I rarely use the digital zoom although, with its higher than average CCD size and pixel count, little resolution is lost.All in all, a great camera for the ardent hobbyist as well as the casual user. It will have longevity in the digital camera field.Okay, there are two detractions to an otherwise great product... the manual leaves much to be desired and the battery charge connector is very touchy.
We bought the camera in early December, a last minute splurge before our trip to Asia over the holidays. My only instructions came from a brief review of the manual but it was enough to take advantage of many of the features of the MVC-FD95 camera. The operation became second nature to me in no time. My wife, a true techni-phobe was able to operate it with great results with only a few seconds of instruction and felt very comfortable using it (unlike the VCR). One of the silliest (yet impressive) pictures I took on the trip was from the crosswalk between the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur of our hotel in the distance. Using the full zoom, it brought the hotel into the viewfinder and with the steadyshot activated, made the picture seem like it was taken from a block away. To appreciate the picture you would have to see the shot from that distance without the use of any zoom. I took some beautiful macro shots of orhids and other exotic flowers with unbelievable colour and clarity. The camera was a luxury for us, however I am as thrilled with it now as when I first used it and just wish I had more time to fully discover the features. I read several reviews of this and other brands and although I was a bit concerned about the size, I have had no regrets. The floppy disk system is fantastic. Take the 3.5, put it in the floppy drive of your computer and you have the images ready for posting or editing. On our trip, I used it under some extreme conditions, high humidity and temperatures without any problems. I feel very comfortable recommending this camera.
While I was in Jamaica I borrowed a MVC-FD95 Digital Camera. I took about 320 pics mostly at 1040x768 resolution. My thoughts: 1. Easy to use  2. It is quite light for its size.  3. It has very good telephoto facilities but the wide angle (39mm equivalent) is not really wide enough for landscapes.  4. I found that it was quite slow at taking pictures and if the shot was of a bird it had flown away by the time the camera had taken the picture.  5. I got 90 minute battery life and the recharge time was quite good.  6. Changing floppies was a pain in the rear (10 pics/floppy at 1040x768), it also has 1600x1200 resolution but you only get 4 pics to a floppy.  7. I loved the AE (shutter) mode (my real camera is a Canon AE-1).  8. It has a useful built in flash. 9. The mpeg video mode is useful (it captures the sound as well)  10. Quality of the pictures at 1040x768 was good to very good (enough for the web) Would I buy it? I would consider buying a newer model, the MVCCD1000 Digital Camera, with a three inch CD-R drive for the 3.5 inch floppy drive - vastly increasing the camera's image capacity.  I would like a wider angle model, but I will still borrow the Mavica FD95 when I go back to Jamaica.  The camera would be well suited to studio work.
After taking days worth of pictures, I enjoyed how easy it was to use. The zoom is the fun part when you zoom in the people's faces while you're at around 25 meters from them.Pros :-Too easy to use. Just points and shoot.-Floppy disks are [inexpensive] and simple to manipulate. Just insert the disk, copy, and "voil&agrave;". Some people prefer buying compact flash cards because of their size, but when they realize they have room to spare, money was wasted.-It takes excellent pictures. Bad pictures are made by the user, not by the camera.-Zoom, zoom, zoom.Cons :-I wish it could take pictures faster.-The compatibility with memory sticks is useless when their prices are so high. I end up paying 10 bucks the meg and it isn't faster with sticks.-The batteries are expensive. They are drained after more than 90 shots at 1024x768.I love to take landscape pictures and clouds as wallpaper. Buying a 3 mega pixel camera with a 3x zoom(optical) and 2x zoom(digital) is nothing compared to this one, because you can't even zoom in to see someone's face near you and you will get mad when the subject is too far away.Last words : night shots are darker than expected, but when you reduce the images' brightness, you could see more details. Go to a retailer store and see it for yourself. It may be heavy and big, but what could you expect from such a great camera. My second choice of camera would be those tiny ones with 3 mega pixel and 64 megs, because of it's size and speed.You can email me to see some pictures I have taken.
I got mine from Amazon a few months ago. I had a 73 and moved up to the Mvc-FD95. Couldn't be happier. I Never leave home without it. I have no gripes with the camera. I still use 35MM and 120 when necessary, but lean to Sony for most day to day shots. I have not found another camera I would swap it for as digitals go. If you are looking for &quot;The&quot; digital camera this is it! The 3.5 floppies are easy to work with and you can change resolution at a moments notice. It will have to pried from my hands!
With 10x Zoom and rechargable Lithium-Ion battery, how could you possibly go wrong!! If you are using the camera in bad light, or have to focus quickly, this camera does in both quickly and magnificently! Great for home movies of your wife and her lover getting it on behind the Chinese Buffet Dumpster!  With the 10X zoom you can really get close to the grease smears and nail marks on that dirty, dirty, dirty Jezebel. anyways, enough of my personal life. This is a good camera. Easy to use, Easy to figure out.  Sony, bravo. keep up the good work.  Much love to the Pacific Rim. Keep it (Digitally) Real. Word.
Be carefull. This Eyepiece is meant for the ETX-60 and ETX-70 scopes. I bought it for my ETX-125EC and had to return it. The ETX-125 and ETX-90 should use the Meade SuperPloss Series 4000 ocular lenses. Otherwise this is a good lens to use for planetary  and lunar observation if you can get a steady mount and calm skies.  The eye relief is a bit short though.  If you wish to get close up views of the planets you definately need this lens.
There might be be some confusion over the power (magnification) that an eyepiece will yield. Under the list of &quot;Features&quot;, it states that this eyepiece renders high power, and that its use requires steady conditions. Those statements are indeed correct. You should know however, that eyepieces are not manufactured with only a specific brand of telescope in mind. This eyepiece will function perfectly well with any brand of telescope in 1.25&quot; format.However, under "Product specs" (as of Feb 17, 2001) it states that this 4mm eyepiece will yield 68 power. Be advised that the power of an eyepiece cannot be established (or stated) without considering the focal length of the telescope it is used in. To state that this eyepiece will render 68 power assumes that the telescope associated with it has a focal length of only 272 millimeters. Considering the intended use of this eyepiece, that would make for an unlikely (though not unheard of) combination.This eyepiece will in fact render much more than 68 power in the average backyard telescope. For instance, in a scope with a focal length of 1000mm it will yield 250 power (1000mm divided by 4mm). In a scope of half that focal length it will yield half that much, or 125 power. Furthermore, the user of a scope with a 500mm focal length would utilize a 7.3mm eyepiece to get 68 power (500 divided by 7.3 = 68).Because this eyepiece is intended for high power applications, it will be useful only under extremely dark and stable skies supplemented by better than average "seeing" conditions. If you should experience such a fortuitous combination, this eyepiece in conjunction with a quality telescope will render very good views of planetary subjects, and some very impressive lunar detail. It would also be useful for "splitting" double stars.Be advised that if you normally wear eyeglasses to observe, you will have some difficulty using a high power eyepiece of this standard variety. Eye-relief with this component is severely limited. Eyepieces of short focal length with the luxury of longer eye-relief are available, but at a substantially higher cost. If you don't wear eyeglasses to observe, and if you're lucky enough to experience dark and steady skies, this eyepiece will do a very good job at a very competitive price.This is certainly a useful tool, and is extremely well suited for its intended purpose. Therefore it gets 5 stars, and deserves to be recommended for the practiced amateur who is looking for that righteous combination of bang for the buck.
To determine the power any eyepiece will provide divide the focal length of the scope by the f.l. of the eyepiece.  As an example A scope with a focal length of 915mm using an e.p. of 4mm will result in a power of 915/4 = 228x.  The same scope with an eyepiece of 6mm would be 915/6 = 152 power.
Overall, we really like the Meade telescope we bought.  But this eyepiece probably won't be used very often.First of all, the viewing hole on the eyepiece is TINY.  It's tough to find anything through it.Secondly, the loss of light when using this piece is so significant, that it's more worthwhile to just view it at a slightly lower magnification.You're better served buying one of the lower magnification lenses, and using a 2x or 3x Barlow lens with it.
Brings things right up close and personal.  It is about as far as you would like to take the magnification for the 60mm scope but it works very well.  You have to scan the moon to see all of it.  The only down side I see is the 4mm is a pretty small hole to keep in the focus of your eye.  It requires a steady head.  It might be better to use the barlow lens and a larger objective to realize similar magnification.  But I have no complaints.
It really works as advertised and is a wonderful addition to any lens collection.
This is a great accessory, because a 2X Barlow not only doubles the power of all your eyepieces, it essentially doubles the quantity of them as well. If you have two eyepieces and a Barlow, then you really have four eyepieces. By the way, a Barlow is not only meant to use behind a diagonal to double the eyepiece power - a 2X Barlow will TRIPLE the power of any eyepiece, when used in FRONT of the diagonal.Basically, you insert the Barlow where you would normally put an eyepiece - into the diagonal (in a refractor or Schmidt Cassegrain) or into the focuser (in a Newtonian reflector). Then you insert your eyepiece into the Barlow, and snug-up the set screw. A certain amount of refocusing will be necessary.The Meade 124 Barlow is a "shorty" design. It is short enough to use in a refractor or Schmidt Cassegrain without worry of clashing with the diagonal mirror. It is of fairly high quality, exhibiting well chromed and anodized surfaces, with a blackened interior to help eliminate glare and secondary reflections. Its 2-element design will yield sharp transmission to the eyepiece or diagonal. You may occasionally find that it appears to correct chromatic irregularities, though this effect will be slight at best.Meade offers eyepieces and optical accessories of extremely high quality. Their reputation as an excellent source of eyepieces, Barlows, and optical accessories is well deserved. The Model 124 is a good example of their popular mid-priced line of fine optics. I have noticed many of them in use, and have never heard a single complaint.I have frequently used this Barlow myself. Not once do I ever remember being conscious of it. That's really the truest test of an optical component. If it leaves you alone with the image and your thoughts, then it's done its job. This is an accessory I can highly recommend.
The Meade 124 2x Barlow Lens certainly zooms in a lot closer to the viewed object.  It's difficult for an amatuer like me to say for sure if it actually doubles the magnification, I'll have to rely on Meades assurances for that.  It's a useful addition for the ETX90 but it does have some drawbacks.  The light gathering capabilities of the ETX90 restrict the magnification you can use to certain limits.  To high a magnification and things start getting blurry.  I have 26mm, 15mm and 9.7mm meade eyepieces in my collection.  The 26mm is my most frequently used.  I use the barlow mostly with the 26mm and occasionally with the 15 and 9.7.  However, only in most steadiest of conditions do I get good results with the barlow and 15 and 9.7 combinations.  Most of the time I get a much clearer view with the eyepiece alone. Things just get less defined with the barlow and higher power eyepieces combinations.  Having said that, the barlow does give you a better range of magnifications and finding the most suitable one for a given situation is more likely.  I use the barlow both for planetary and deep space viewing and find I have to adjust the focusing when putting in and taking out the barlow, which is a nuisance.  I'm not convinced that the Meade Barlow I have is up to the standard of their other eyepieces in my collection as it seems to have some minute abberations on the lens itself.  This is quite possible unique to mine, I'm not sure.  Despite the above negatives, the Barlow is worth having with the ETX-90 and probably much more useful on the ETX-105 and 125. Recommended, but inspect and test your barlow on receipt of it and let Meade know immediately if it is not up to standard. Clear skies everyone.
The 2x Barlow lens practically doubbles your eyepiece collection.  it mounts easily to any telescope and effectivly dobble the magnification of your current eyepiece.  It is great for viewing planets and closer objects, when used with somewhat powerfull eyepieces on deep-space objects, the objects become really faint and hard to see.  The lens comes in a convienient storage contianer and fits in any of the carrying cases.
This is a no-frills Barlow lens.  It works well, as long as you know that, for example, using it with a 4mm eyepiece in a 70mm scope isn't recommended.  As noted, it will double the magnifying power of your scope, but more magnification isn't always a good thing.  It will make your view dimmer and more fuzzy, especially if you are magnifying past the maximum useful magnification.  Still, it is a good, functional instrument, and works well.  What more do you want?
As expected the Meade 2X Barlow appears to double the power on my Meade ETX-90 but it also slightly fuzzes the image.  It's interesting to use this lens but it's definately not a show stopper.
Item was recieved in a timely mannor and was packed as to protect item. would recomend this item for purchase.  great buy
the item is a 3X barlow and is of good quality. You may here a lot that all you need is a 2X barlow and you shall not get a 3X. This statement is not quite right and totally wrong in certain cases. Besides the use of barlows for visual observations in combinations with eyepieces, barlows are an absolute must for asrtophotography especially with some newtonian reflectors r\telescopes who will not reach focus with a DSLR camera attached directly to the scope (aka prime focus). Barlows fix this issue and as a matter of fact this is when you need to have a 2X and a 3X Barlow as well since using each will give you different levels of zoom on your camera and also stacking the 2 Barlows together works well for astrophotography and gives you a third option of zoom level. This Barlow works very well alone and in combination with my 2X Barlow for astrophotography on my Reflector telescope.
I am a novice space explorer and found this very simple to use.  Very effective too. Well worth the price.
Product works ok but there is a small black speck on outer edge of field of view. Probably just my bad luck. Maybe should have returned it but will just live with it.
I choose this rating because I liked very much, I didn't expect this product to be so clear and powerful to look at moon and jupiter
Right now we only have the 26mm lens that came with our Meade 90ETX.  This 3x Barlow was the first add-on lens that we bought - and we're glad that we did.  Images magnified with the 26mm + 3x Barlow remain crisp and well-defined.I can't wait to try this baby out with some higher power base lenses.
With this piece combined with a 2x Barlow I can get great magnification without using high-power eyepieces. Only problem I found is the thread does not fit with the Celestron filters. I clarify, I can couple the filters with my Celestron 1.25 eyepieces but I cannot screw it directly in the Meade Barlow. I can do it with the Celstron Barlow. Not a big deal because, anyway, I use the Celestron Barlow along with the Meade Barlow. I wonder why the manufactures does not establish a standard for the threads.
I bought the lens to match my Meade telescope, so am not able to compare it to other brands. I thought it was a quality lens for a reasonable price.
This Barlow gives close up views of planetary and deep space objects at a reasonable price.  Quality appears to be good and the Barlow may enable my son and I to dable in astrophotography.
I believe this barlow was released by Meade for use in the ETX-60 and -70, but it works in my EXT-90 EC.I first used it while observing the moon, which all of a sudden got a heck of a lot closer.The field of view changes a little when using the barlow, so that takes some getting used to.  Also, I had to slightly adjust the focus after inserting the barlow -- in other words, you can't just sight in an object with a standard eyepiece, drop in the barlow, and then be in perfect focus.  Not a big deal.I debated whether to get the 2x or 3x barlow.  Perhaps naively I went for the higher power (&quot;real&quot; astronomers advise against the abuse of power), but right now I just have the stock 26 mm eyepiece, so I don't think I exceeded my limit (with the barlow I get to 144x).
I haven't really had a chance to put this to the test yet but it fits well, constructed well and had great optics too.  Arrived on time.
Some people like Barlow lenses, some don't.  I found this particular Barlow worked well for my Orion refractor telescope and assortment of lenses.  I have a 2x Barlow, also (from Celestron).  I can't say one performed better than the other as far as optics.  You have to experiment with the various lens magnifications.  I was able to combine my 3x and 2x Barlows with my lower magnification lenses and this worked, too, surprisingly.
Pleased, fit with no problems on an Orion 8" dobsonian sky quest. Will now try a 5x lens and compare the two.
I love my ETX-90, but putting it on an object manually can be a literal pain in the neck. That's because the straight through viewfinder, which great for terrestial viewing, is not so good when you're trying to look up at the stars. (I assume this is why it is standard on th ETX-125 since that is more of an 'astronomy' scope).The good news is this viewfinder makes finding things easier because you're look angle is the same for the view finder and the eyepiece. The bad news is that you're most comfortable view is to tilt it off to the side (away from the eyepiece) and that makes &quot;driving&quot; the scope non-intuitive. I also found it harder to align than the straight through finder.On the bright side this leaves you with the original viewfinder as a nice spotting scope for your younger astronomers.
I own a Meade ETX-90EC and it comes standard with the straight through finder.  As most ETX-90 owners will testify, it is utterly hopeless for anything astronomical.  Meade should be ashamed of putting this useless finder on their otherwise cool scopes.  You can purchase the Right Angle Finder as an extra (which comes standard on the ETX-125EC) and locating objects manually will be dramatically easier, although not 100% suitable.  It's a relatively expensive purchase, but will make your viewing time that much more enjoyable.  Check out Mike Weasners site for the best information on ETX's and alternative finder scopes.  Recommended, but check out alternatives also.
I can't compare this viewfinder with any others because it was an accessory to my Meade telescope, so I bought it. I haven't used my telescope too much, so can't really give it a very detailed rating.
The Meade ETX is a cute little scope, but the supplied straight-through finder is nearly impossible to use. If you put the scope on a tabletop as Meade shows in their ads, it *is* impossible to use. Luckily there's a simple fix- this right-angle finder. If you own an ETX, you need it.
This finder, a standard on the ETX125, is a must for the ETX90 if one plans on using it for astronomy. The straight thru finder is fine for birding, or other terrestrial viewing, but is akwardly placed for most astronomical observing, especially near the zenith (overhead). The tiny screw used to hold the finder can be difficult to replace. Then again, it is still only a 25mm finder.
I was really confused, I ordered a T-ADAPTER for my telescope (a Mead ETX-60) for my Canon T3i. What I got was the part that actually attaches to the telescope. Not the T-RING I needed for my Canon T3i Camera. This part does me no good without the specific T-RING adapter for the removable-lens. The item shown looks like one piece not two and does not tell you that you need the other adapter piece to use it. Make sure you do some research before you buy this item. Because you need more than just one part to make it work.
This came into the mail system the same day and I received it with no problems and it adapts the Nikon mount that never came from another Co.
I have had my telescope for several years and was never able to take a picture of what I was looking at. I finally am able to snap pictures.
Be aware.. the 64ST T-Adapter is for the Meade ETX70 ONLY. If you need one for any of the other models, you want the Meade #64 T Adapter.
I was just getting interested in amateur astromomy when I bought my Meade telescope, so wanted to buy a quality one that would last for many years. Meade telescopes had an excellent reputation, so that was a major consideration. I'm still not very involved with the hobby, but am pleased with my telescope.
After ordering a number of different devices I finally go this one, which is perfect! Couldn't be happier with this.
Just a little research into how this works shows that this is a two-piece system.  First, something to attach to your particular model of telescope and then something to attach that piece to your particular brand of camera.  Such low ratings based upon not understanding this are unjustified.Update:  I've used this (along with the appropriate adapter) with my Canon 300D and a Meade ATX70 telescope.  While it's difficult to focus (sensitive controls), it produced excellent pictures.  For the amount of money the adapter costs, it opens up a lot of possibilities for photography.
After years of my wife telling me that we could hook a camera to our Meade ETX telescope, I finally decided to give it a try. Well worth the expense and effort!
A simple adapter, does it's job.  Used it to connect a DSLR to a small Meade telescope, and  took really nice pictures of the moon with it.  The adapter is pretty solid and will support the stress/load of a camera really well.
As a photographer who has always enjoyed looking up at the stars, I love the fact that there is a way to attach my camera to the telescope. It works really well.It is very easy to attach. My suggestion would be to make sure you have a remote switch, just to help reduce the movement of the camera, since of course it will be longer exposures. Also, just make sure that the telescope is secure on the tripod and the tripod is balanced. Just anything to help reduce any movement while the camera is taking the picture.
I know I was really confused on what I would need to do this. But I figured it out so I thought that I would let you all know! First of all you need to get the correct T-ADAPTER for your telescope (For the ETX-60AT & 70AT the #64ST, for the ETX-90 and higher you need the #64) That is part that actually atteches to the telescope. Then you need a T-RING that fits your specific 35mm SLR removeable-lens camera. You should be able to get a T-RING at any camera reseller store, for around [..].The only other thing that Meade suggests is using a cable-operated shutter release cord. You should be able to get this on Amazon, through your camera manufacuar or an autorized camera reseller. I have not yet recieved my #64ST adapatr and T-Ring, I will write a review after i try them out!
I talked with a Meade representative and he assured me for my camera make and model, that it would fit. However it was WAY too small.If you have a dSLR or SLR that is 35mm, it will most likely fit. Unless you have a threaded lens or lens mount, you will need an additional adapter.
This adapter plus EOS T-ring and I'm shooting wildlife with my Canon 50d and Meade ETX90. Focus is touchy and rig demands a really good tripod head, but getting good shots! Use "Live View" for best results.
Bought this as an educational gift for a 13 year old. I also was given this as a gift for myself as a child  (which I still own), but at that time the plastic model was made by Renwal in the 60's. It was a great learning tool and a joy to put together, as were my other planes and tanks, etc. It is a plastic kit so it does require time such as painting of the parts and assembly with a tiny bit of model glue. The optional abdominal plastic cavity casing showing pregnancy at full term completed the model. I completed the educational gift by purchasing the complementary Visible Man also. Many model shops that sold these type of kits have disappeared over the years, but thankfully a search on the internet sourced them.
Had to return item due to some cost constraints on my part. Packaging was excellent.  Maybe someday I can purchase these kits.
It's a clasic model.  They don't make them like this anymore.  Got it for my wife as a study aid for anatomy.
The package showed up on time and undamaged bought for a friends daughter that is learning first aid. It is a great learning tool
Decades ago, my Brother had the Visible Man.  All the body parts were different colors and fit into the cavity without glue.All the parts in this model were the same color and had to be separated from the mold of plastic that held every piece.  We almost threw out the sternum because it looked like a piece of the molding holding the rest of the parts.
I had this product as a child and it was extremely educational to me. Here I am 30 years later and pruchasing it for my children. It is still a very educational and fun project especially for a parent/child team project.
Our daughter loves science and everything about the human body so the Visible Woman seemed like a great choice for a gift for her.  I had one as a child and was facinated by the complex way people are put together.  And the addition of a pregnancy option for the Visible Woman was an added bonus and something not available in the past.  The educational value of this toy is exceptional, however it would be nice if they would have included the proper glue for the model.  In order to put the head together, and other parts, glue is required, and if you do not have the right type of glue it just doesn't work since you can't just snap the parts together.  We never got past the head since we had to stop to go to the store to look for glue, then the model was put on the back burner because we got busy with other things. Paint is optional and not as critical as the glue, so I didn't have a problem with paint not being included.  I would have given the Visible Woman five stars if the glue was included.
'Twas indeed just as I remembered it from my childhood.  Still beautiful yetcomplex and overwhelming.  Much like a real woman.Some things really don't change.Buy one for Old Time's Sake.
This is a cheaply made model kit. It would be difficult to work with. I didn't get to use it due to missing pieces. I would definitely not buy this product or the other kits made by this company again.
I put this model together when I was 12, while my brothers did model cars. I found it fascinating, both glueing the pieces together and fitting them into their proper places in the body. Even today I still use the information I learned then. In fact, it started a lifelong interest in physical health.For those who complained that what was inside the box didn't look like the cover - that's because it's a kit, like a model car. It comes in bits and pieces that you put together - each organ first, glueing and painting - then you fit the organs into their right places, then close the body cavity and THEN it's supposed to look like the cover. Putting the pieces together was my favorite part when I was a kid. Later I did the same thing with the Visible Brain.
I bought this to put together with my 7 year old. It worked for that purpose. I'd have him paint a certain body part and when he had a few parts of it memorized (zygomatic arch, mandible) we'd go on to the next portion or piece. It worked for that purpose very well. We'd put it away and come back to it periodically to allow him to fully memorize what he had learned and then we started in on the organs. By his 8th birthday he could name all parts of the spine, all of the long bones, clavical, scapula, pelvic girdle, iliac crest, etc., etc. and has a very good grasp on the internal organs. The little heart splits into 2 pieces allowing you to view some rudimentary chambers in there, which he thought was nifty also. (Aaaaaand we added atria and ventricles to his list.)So, for the crude learning goals of a first grader, it was dandy. He's maybe not a normal first grader granted. (This is a kid that went into a cadaver lab that same year, walked up to the cadaver, pointed and said, &#34;Is that the femoral artery?&#34; And it was.) We're going to need something better soon, though, and if he had been older, this would not have cut the mustard, I'm afraid. It's just pretty basic and the pieces honestly don't fit together very well, thus the low rating. However, for a little something to teach basic beginning anatomy, it worked excellent. I guess it just all depends on your intentions for the product, but I'm assuming most consumers for this will be in the teenage bracket and I just don't think they'll be thrilled.
This camera is the perfect balance between high resolution and small size. The photo's I have taken with this camera are so fantastic, that two other picky people from my office finally bit the bullet and bought one too! I have traveled the world for 13 years capturing the moment - therefore -my photo's are important to me. By the same token, if the thing is too large, I am less likely to want to drag it along. This camera is so small, I carry it with me everywhere - traveling or not. It is also easy to use with auto or manual functions if you prefer. The macro lens is great - I have used it in lieu of a document scanner in a pinch. I carry a couple of spare rechargeable batteries (extra 5 bucks) so I am never out of juice and the smart media cards are only limited by MB = hundreds of pictures on one card. Another important consideration is the time it takes the camera to record the shot. Some digitals have more megapixels but are too slow to record initially or between shots. This one is as fast as a film camera. To sum it up - this camera takes beautiful pictures, is easy to operate, fast to act, and small enough to carry in a pocket while skiing. Top this off with ?Ofoto? (Amazon's photo printing service) and the results are amazing - worth framing. If this baby ever dies--&gt; I will buy another one!The digital video is fun for short takes with sight and sound that can be replayed on the camera. I have never used the MP3 function and I do not care if I ever do.Best of luck on your camera hunt. From Venice to the Swiss Alps to New Zealand, this is my choice. _ams
After a year of owning this camera I have to say I am still pleased with it. It has been the ultimate device to have for traveling & vacation, especially when visiting museums where you can use all the functions - still camera, video, and MP3 player.Those who wrote less than favorable reviews, seemed to have higher expectations of this camera than what was advertised. If you want to take professional quality photos, have lots of little buttons and settings on the camera to play around with, and be able to zoom in on distant subjects, then just buy a digital camera that has those features. Or those who expect more from the MP3 player, like ID3 tag support and being able to fast forward through songs, should just buy an MP3 player that has these options. After a year of using this camera I found I don't care about ID3 tags.I think the only legitimate complaint people should be posting are about it's reliability problems. I recently had a problem with the automatic shutter door not closing, so I have to send it in to be repaired - so 1 star off for that. But I am confident that once fixed, I'll resume using this great little camera.
This is one of the easiest camera's to use. The quality is great and in such a small , light but durable package! Megapixel !!!! I can't say enough about this camera. So many features. I do use the mp3 player and it works great , but to hold pics and mp3's I have to upgrade my smart media card. I will go to a 128 meg and that will be all I need. (I called Fuji and they said it will handle a 128 meg card) This camera requires a special ID smart media card and Viking makes it. Last time I looked Amazon was selling it [price] dollars for 128 meg. Nice! My wife has her eye on this beauty and now she wants one, so I ordered the metallic blue model. The movie function is nice and includes sound but I really don't use it. I noticed that although the movies have an .avi extension windows media player won't play them but quicktime does. .... Some camera buffs wish this camera had optical zoom, but I'm happy with the digital zoom and after all optical zoom means heavy weight added to the camera. No thanks, I love this baby just the way it is! Enjoy...
The instructions...very poorly written. English as taught in Seoul. I immediately bought extra batteries and a speed charger at Radio Shack.  Have not regretted it. I've had it about two weeks.  I love it. Never was big on cameras but being able to erase bad shots,  edit good ones, email,  print,  take close ups from 6-8 inches.  It is fun. Fits in my shirt pocket,  sometimes I forget I have it with me.  I am tempted to upgrade the memory but I have not reached its capacity yet. The picture quality is excellent. The video capability is a lot of fun too.  It seems too tiny to do so much.  Everyone who has seen it is impressed with it. I would buy it again.
I love this camera!!!  It has everything I ever wanted in a camera: excellent resolution, LCD screen, USB connection.  And it all fits in my shirt pocket!Of course this is a big step up from my other digital camera (a Kodak DC50).  Right now I am keeping everything on automatic and even then it takes great photos.  I need to learn play with the white balance some but it is nothing I cannot fix in a photo editor - I use VuePrint.It also takes good action photos.  Something I never thought to do with my previous digial camera.  And the movies it makes are great.The only thing I would recommend is go ahead and purchase a 64Mb card MINIMUM.  I purchased the 128Mb card.My only wish list item for this camera is to have the battery charger built in the camera so I can plug the camera in overnight without taking out the batteries.  But I would gladly keep this off to keep it from getting any bigger.
For those of you who have read the previous reviews, and think this thing is just what they said, your wrong. What do you expect from a Digital Camera and MP3 Player into one for only 500 dollars? Didn't think so.One thing is the design of this thing, it's just plain out nasty. Why would any one wanna buy a thing which looks a fat,overloaded, 25 dollar camera?The music quality isn't good either, and not to leave out the picture quality. The pictures come out too dark, even though you can make them light.IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT!
I searched and searched and searched for what-I-hoped-to-be-the &quot;perfect&quot; camera.  It had to be flexible, allowing for simple point-and-shoot AND manual photography.  I wanted to be able to use zoom, telephoto, and wide-angle lens.  I wanted a LOT of pixels.  I wanted it to be able to grow with my expertise.  Finally, it had to be affordable.It's not often you hit the ball out of the park in your first at-bat.  The DC4800 is a great camera!  I didn't buy it here (mine came with an extra battery and a 64MB CompactFlash card instead of 16MB), but I had to tell SOMEBODY!  ;-)  I was tossed between the Sony Mavica that writes to mini-CDs and this camera.  The Mavica sells for $1300, and is only a 2.1 megapixel.  The money I saved on the DC4800 went toward two extra batteries (4 total), a battery charger, an extra 64MB Compact Flash, an external USB card reader, and a trip to Boston for summer vacation!
I've had this camera for about 3 years now.Picture quality:- takes great pictures outdoors, and indoor pictures with adequate lighting.- flash is not adequate.  pictures with flash are horrible.  they come out all blurry - the shutter speed isn't fast enough/CCD not good enough (when using auto settings)Use:- I like having the ability to change the f-stop setting on the fly with the knob on top of the camera.  Sure beats using the menus.- The battery lasts a long time, but it's always good to have a spare, especially if you use LCD alot.Construction:- Solid.- I've fallen on this thing while skiing (back of case is cracked) and took it with me when I accidentally fell into Lake Tahoe (camera was submerged), but amazingly it still works.Summary:I've taken thousands of pictures with the camera.  Certainly got good use out of it over the past 3 years.However, newer cameras have better flash capability and record in video.  My friends have the Canon SXXX series.  They are 1/2 the size of the Kodak, and perform much better.
One of the problems with cameras and electronics in general is the lack of simplicity. So home runs in the electronics business (like the Imac and the Palm Pilot) try to keep it simple through thoough design and knowing what comsumers want.Kodak makes this not only easy to use, but fun. Most people who buy a camera end up with features they never use and don't bother to learn. Kodak gives you the features you want, and makes software to make things accessible to the average camera user who wants wonderful pictures right away and the ability to spread them around.This camera is what 90% of camera buyers are really looking for - but they end up with something else too often
This is my third Kodak digital camera and is my favorite to date. The reason I like Kodak's is I feel the menus are simple to use and the build quality / functions of the cameras are excellent.You can use the 4800 in a number of modes, as a simple point and click mode, or for the more professional photographer you can get into aperture, light, exposure etc...The resolution at 3.1 Mega Pixel is excellent and when pictures are printed out using services like ofoto or shutterfly the quality is exceptional. The camera has a 3x Optical zoom which is excellent, I choose not to rate digital zoom as attribute of a camera.My only dislike with this camera is its size, there are a lot of smaller cameras out there, however I am not sure if there are many with the same kind of quality.
for year 2000 it still takes a great 3MP pic, more than enough for web and 4x6.  Color rendition is just too beautiful, but hey, Kodak invented that.I have a few 2000-2002 cameras (Sony, Minolta, Olympus) and this far outshines any of them, and most of the point-shoot garbage sold today.  I still love to use it.  Got so crazy I have 4 ebay spares (~$10 for a year 2000 $500 camera!) and they still work perfectly after all these years.
P>I didn't find the camera very intuitive to use, which problem was worsened by the fact that I don't use a camera very often, so I tend to forget the solutions that worked last time. (Why should a camera be so complex that you need to reconstruct its systems after a lapse of a few weeks?) In particular, I found myself too often taking medium-distance shots with the close-up setting, and getting washed-out images in bright sunlight. Yet I once made my living as a photographer! I couldn't recommend this to the soccer mom or dad who only wants an occasional snapshot.That said, I'm glad I own it. I've gone almost entirely digital in my life, and if it weren't for the digital camera I probably wouldn't take pictures at all. The picture quality is good, and you have some (not a huge amount) of selectivity in how your photo will be framed and exposed. (You can select the lens opening, for example.)I recently changed computers, and I had no problem installing the software on a Windows Me box without a patch from Kodak.
I love this camera.  It takes clear, crisp images.  It offers quite a bit of creative control to the more advanced photographer.Quite frankly, short of buying a $6,000 Kodak professional digital camera, this is the best deal I found.3x optical zoom is a definite selling point.  Never believe digital zoom ratings on cameras, while they might enlarge the image, they lose clarity and sharpness.  Most other cameras out there offer 2x optical, and 3x digital.  This camera has 3x optical, and 2x digital.  A definite advantage.The Li-ion battery is an advantage and a disadvantage.  It has a nice long life, and it is certainly more environmentally friendly).  It is definitely cost effective, digital cameras eat batteries.  But, there is one problem.  It is not easy to just pick up and charge on the road.  If you plan on taking the camera away from power outlets, buy a spare battery and charger.  With regular batteries, any newstand can sell them to you.  The spare battery isn't cheap.  But, it is worth it.  It will pay for itself in about 10 sets of batteries (not long if you take a lot of pics).
Further to my review dated July 5, Kodak has confirmed to me that as originally shipped, the DC4800 camera was not fully compatible with Windows Me.  An upgraded software download is available on the the Kodak Website.  It is about 7 MB and so takes a while to download.  You need to delete any preexisting DC4800 software on your computer and then install the download.  I did, and the camera now runs fine on my PIII/800 Windows Me 'puter.  No more distorted thumbnails.  It runs so-so on my other PIII/450 Windows 98 machine.  Thumbnails load slowly.I earlier installed the firmware upgrade and have had no problems with low-light focusing or exposure.  The camera does well in remarkably little light.The zoom control has not worked on three or four occasions.  One moves the switch and nothing happens.  I am not sure yet whether it's a camera defect or I whether I may have had something set wrong.  I hope the latter.Generally speaking, the camera is a nice handling, nice feeling little piece of machinery. I just wish Kodak had taken a little more care with the software rather than leaving it to customers to put Humpty Dumpty together post-purchase.  Oh well, at least Kodak was responsive -- after I told them that if I hadn't heard back by a certain date, I would publicize their non-response here.
I started my foray into digital photography a few years ago with the Kodak DC120. It was a great little camera for taking candid and vacation photos that I could print at 3.5 x 5 or 4 x 6 on my Epson 740 printer with excellent results. Based on this experience, when I started shopping for a higher resolution camera, I gave Kodak serious consideration. The DC4800 was the latest in the Kodak line at the time. I ended up buying this camera due to my previous experience with Kodak and a trade-in offer for my old camera. I wish I had kept my old camera! This camera does take great photos -- if you only ever take photos in bright outdoor light!! The flash is TOTALLY inadequite for the camera, if I shoot 20 pics indoors, I am lucky if 2 come out usable...the others are too blurry. The bluriness is caused by either low light conditions, or the subject being closer than 3-4 feet from the camera. ... My suggestion? Do NOT buy this camera! I might consider one of the newer Kodak easyshare cameras, but I would read all the reviews carefully before considering another Kodak after this experience.
I love my DC4800. I consider myself to be an above average amateur photographer, and this is my first digital camera purchase. I like the flexibility for things like adjusting exposure and meter weighting. Photos I have taken with it have already been printed professionally in a theter pogram and came out really really well. The DC4800 takes fabulous pictures and was a great value as compared to the other 3 MP camras out there. In particular, it takes better low-light photos than the other 3 MP camera I have used (Nikon Coolpix 950) My two minor complaints:1) Power button is VERY close to the shutter release. If you hand a stranger this camera to take your picture, you have to explain it to them, because half the time they will turn off the camera instead of taking your picture.2) The software is a bit difficult to get started with. Like another reviewer said, be sure and download the firmware upgrade to improve the low-light focusing. Also, I could not get the camera to connect to my PC with the included software. Once I downloaded the latest version, it worked like a charm. I blame it on Windows more than Kodk, but still...
PROS: Vivid colors, astonishing picture quality and details, great design and ergonomics, USB connectionCONS: Battery drains fast, bad focus in low-light conditionsKodak's DC4800 gives you easy access to manual functions, offers a direct USB connection to download photos to desktop and notebook, more sturdy than other cheap cameras, accurate colors that rivals film cameras. Having access to higher resolutions (such as 3.1 mega pixels) is is important as well, b/c you want your picture to be sharp and crisp.Ergonomics are great and your hands will feel at home when using it!  The casing feels very solid, but the two plastic doors (for connectivity and the memory card) looks like they could break at any time.Here are the functions accessible manually:  - Self-timer: to chose the moment your camera will triggers itself.  - Burst mode: to take 4 pictures in sequence (at the lowest picture quality, you can take up to 16).  - Landscape: to prevent the camera from focusing on a near subject and have the horizon in focus.  - Close-up: To let the camera adjust the focus to take a subject between 0.7-2.3 feet in great details.  - Flash and flash settings: Will let you chose between flash, no flash, red-eye  - Exposure compensation (from -2 to +2): This will let you chose to over- or underexpose your subject, to adapt to various light conditions.  - Aperture (f/8, f/5.6, f/2.8): You can decide on the depth of field, so that you can have sharpness and blurriness where you like it on your photos. You can also choose P for the automatic settings to take over.  - Zoom in/out: You get a 3x physical zoom, and also a 2x digital (which adds up to the 3x automatically when you press the zoom button long enough). You could also choose to block your camera from entering the digital zoom mode, to prevent yourself from using it (I have yet to see a photo which benefited the use of the digital zoom... they're always grainy, not only with the Kodak's digital zoom, but with all those I tried).The Kodak DC4800 comes with a 16 mb Compact Flash memory card, which is a complete nonsense for a 3.1 mega pixels camera. You should buy at least 64 MB. Amazon has great prices on this.The BAD part of the DC4800 is its inability to focus in low-light conditions. It rarely focuses on the subject but looks for any source of light and focus at that point.The main complaint with the DC4800 goes to the battery.Kodak's proprietary Li-Ion battery that's used in the DC4800 doesn't impress at all. With the LCD on, it doesn't last more than 40 pictures, after which the LCD turns itself off. Get a charger and solve your problems.ALL digital cameras have their shortfalls, but this one has the least. It's simply amazing when you consider the price!
I'm a small-time enthusiast, and this camera has a great many things going for people in my category (people who aren't pros or experts, but care enough about photography to grimace at the quality of most point-and-shoot cameras; people who want a camera that can take a carefully designed photograph, as well as an on-the-fly fun shot).I won't get into all the details-- there's a great write-up of this camera at[...] ,but basically, the gist is that there are more options than you could shake a big stick at (perfect when you want to setup a nice photograph), which are all very easy to access (so you won't spend an hour doing it), that also works very well in automatic mode (when you want to take that on-the-fly shot), but also lets you combine any degree of automatic and manual functionality.Two great things I want to specifically mention about the camera, though, are its terrific options for color adjustment, as well as the ability to combine and adjust the automatic functionality.The options for adjusting color are amazing-- again, I won't go into all the different options (I'd be writing for about an hour if I did-- the article above describes the options very well), but the options are numerous, and are genuinely useful (i.e. produces real differences in the final shot-- they're not gimmicks).  For instance, saturated color does amazing things to green-- great for outdoors shots!But the really great thing about the camera is the ability to combine automatic and manual functionality.  Instead of forcing you to choose between fully automatic and fully manual mode, instead you can choose any number of settings manually, and let the camera do the rest.  Often times I will set the f-stop, or the color scheme, or the film speed, or the sharpness, or the white balance, or any combination of those, and let the camera do the rest.  This is absolutely WONDERFUL for people (like me) who often wish to add some specific element to a photo without having to take full control of all settings.  The only exception to this is shutter speed selection-- if you choose a shutter speed, you must also choose the f-stop.  Nonetheless, Kodak's implementation of automatic and manual functionality is really slick.You won't find this many options on any other 3.1MP camera that prices for &lt;= $600.Warning to potential buyers: buy a case, it doesn't come with one.
Fell in love with a friend's Kodak DC280 and started researching to see which camera would best suit me. Decided it was the DC4800 because of the  high 3.1 megapixel resolution. It has performed wonderfully. Installation  was extremely smooth and everything works as advertised. Lots of great  features. I especially like the compact size and traditional camera looks.  A few of the more commonly used settings are accessible without going  through a menu (like exposure compensation, and apperture priority  settings).And I use Windows 2000 which the camera works with without  exception.
We have used this camera for over 2 years running on a daily basis without a problem.  The pictures are fantastics and work very well for our website needs.  The flash is not that great and is not reliable for dark settings.  Other than that the camera is very handy and advanced.Based on my experience with this product, I would highly recommend a Kodak digital camera.For the price and quality, it is a 4 stars no doubt.  If the flash was better, it would have earned 5 stars.Best regardsJ @ Sadoun Satellite Sales
First of all, all the great reviews here and on other sites for this camera are well-deserved.  I will not waste more time repeating what others have said, except to say that the flash works as well or better than any point and shoot 35mm I have used before.  However, the flash does tend to wash out color, which you can compensate for by manually adjusting the white balance, which is excellent on this camera, or by not using a flash and taking a longer exposure.  I recommend the latter, and was very surprised at how sensitive the camera was in fairly low light.  Certainly far more sensitive than my P.O.S. film camera.  Battery life is a big issue for all dig cams, and I would say that if you do nothing to save battery life, you get about 2-3 hours of continuous use from one charge.  If you turn off the LCD and don&iexcl;t use the flash, you will extend this a great deal.  I am not sure how much more life this gives you, as the battery never ran out when I did this, but it is at least four hours.  Your expectations for the battery should be similar to a laptop or a camcorder, and this battery works as well or better than most.  As for complaints about the lens cap not attaching to the camera body, you don&iexcl;t have to be MacGuyver to figure out that a piece of string about 8 inches long should solve this problem. Pros:  easy use right out of the box (after 4 hours to charge the battery), excellent manual, super images, fast download to PC, image control (white balance, exposure, aperture, color saturation, uncompressed TIFF option for really high res).  Able to accommodate additional lenses with the adapter that you get free for registering the camera.  Price is a plus, esp. now with the $100 rebate.  Shop around and you can find this camera for... after rebate. Cons:  memory card is comically, if not criminally, insufficient.  At max resolution, one picture will be 9MB.  The included card is 16MB.  To state the obvious, this would give you ONE pic at max res.  Using minimal compression, files are ~2MB.  What is the point of having 3MP power if you can&iexcl;t use it?  You need a bigger memory card, the EZ upgrade comes with a 64MB card and an extra battery for less than the price of the card alone.  NB, the battery charger is not included in this package.  The included software is not very good, to be kind.  It is functional if you have no alternative, but I would say that Photoeditor is far superior and Photodeluxe or photoshop are too superior to even compare.  Also, the camera software is not compatible with windows NT.  You can buy a card reader for pretty cheap to overcome this, which you might want to buy anyway to avoid always connecting/disconnecting the camera from the PC. Overall:  Buy this camera with the extra battery, charger, and larger memory and you will probably have no complaints.
I also had problems with poor quality indoors images until I talked to Kodak's customer support (5 stars to them also). Now that I know how to handle the camera its takes great pictures indoors or out.
I've been using this camera for 2-1/2 years now. Even with all the market advancements, I'm sticking with my trusty DC4800.In 2001, going with 3.1 megapixels was a big splurge. Today it's still a pretty high resolution, despite the 4 and 5 megapixel models now available. But I feel no need to upgrade. I honestly don't believe the average user needs to go higher than what the DC4800 offers. At this resolution, you can get good prints up to 8x10. Extra megapixels just mean more space wasted on your memory card.The body is still sturdy, with a bit of damage from wear and tear. The worst is a hairline crack above the zoom dial. Additionally, the silver finish is wearing away at the corners. These signs of age are pretty minor considering the abuse I've put this camera through. I don't even own a proper camera case - I just throw it in my bag and go!The inside mechanisms continue to work perfectly. I've taken over 9000 shots with this camera, so that's saying a lot! Even the battery charges fresh and new as the day I bought it.If you're in the market for a used camera, I would definitely recommend the DC4800. I'd advise buying this even over newer Kodak models, which I've heard are not great. Kodak made a rare gem with the DC4800, and I'm hanging onto mine!
I've looked at quite a few digital cameras both online and in stores, but I never found one that even comes close to the &quot;manual&quot; feel of this camera.  If you know how to take pictures, you'll really appreciate the way this camera enables you to control aspects like shutter speed that most digital cameras insist on controlling themselves.I took pictures in total darkness (with the flash of course) and they came out perfectly.  I took low-light shots with a longer shutter setting (no flash) and those came out well too.  I took action shots, still shots, light-saturated, low-light, indoor, outdoor, with people, with distant scenery, and more...  All came out as well as could be expected from any analog camera.The USB connection is fairly straight-forward though it could use a better user interface.  The battery does get drained pretty quickly, so you can't just leave the camera on as you walk around on a tour.  But it's only flaws (besides a cheap lens cap) can be fixed with an extra battery and larger compact flash.  All around though, I haven't seen a digital camera yet that can even compete.
I received this camera complete with all accessories as a high school graduation present. I had already owned another digital camera for about two years and had outgrown it, as my photography skills improved by about ten-fold. This is definately a great camera for me and for anyone who is ready to take a more professional step with their pictures, and who wants to get a great, high resolution result.I've been reading some of the negative reviews and I have to say that the gripes that people have can be solved through a bit of personal involvement, or cannot be solved, because almost every other camera out there is the same!I'm glad Kodak uses lithium batteries, because my other camera drained four (name brand) alkaline batteries in 10 minutes. It's no different with any other camera. My dad works with lots of video equipment, and he said that there are no digital cameras out there that won't significantly drain batteries within a few short moments.As to software flaws I've read about, being unable to delete photos and send email are hardly huge issues that deserve giving this camera 1 or 2 stars. AOL, Outlook, or any email program gives simple instructions on how to attach photos to your emails in mere seconds, and deleting files is something easily learned and done through the use of a basic Windows or Macintosh file manager. These are basic computer user skills; if you can't do this, then should you be using a digital camera?My only disappointment with this camera regards a personal issue. I'm scared to take this camera outside my home, for fear of getting mugged for it. :) It's beautifully constructed, easy to use, not that heavy for a digital camera, and quietly functions. I am shocked how well my pictures come out in natural light without using the flash.This camera was one of the best presents I've ever received, and I think everyone who wants a high - end digital camera should purchase this one :)
For the general digital camera user, the Kodak DC4800 camera is one of the best buys around.  It's one of the cheapest 3+ megapixel cameras you will find, yet it's loaded with features and its incredibly easy to use.Also, unlike many other cameras which make you buy several key components separately, the DC4800 comes complete with everything you need to take great pictures right out of the box, including Lithium rechargable battery, AC adapter, 16MB memory card, and all cables.  The only things you may need to buy later are a carrying case and possibly more memory for longer outings.  The Lithium battery is key - I've been thouroughly frustrated with other digital cameras that use AA batteries which they use up after 5 or 6 pictures.I've also found the instruction manual to be extremely well written and indexed - the best instructions out of four digital cameras I've used - and the camera itself has proven very durable - I must admit I've dropped it several times, but it still works as good as new.The best thing of all about the DC4800 though, is the outstanding picture quality.  Compared to pictures I took at the same resolution with other cameras, the DC4800 pictures are always a little sharper and a little more vivid.  The colors this camera produces are really outstanding.  Even the lowest resolution is pretty darn good.I would take this camera over several cameras that are almost twice the cost - I am thoroughly satisfied with this camera.
This is Kodak's entry into the 3 megapixel market (and some reports indicate that this is the first of Kodak's digital cameras to be designed  by Kodak Japan), and considering that Kodak did so well at 2MP with the  DC280, one expects a formidable digital camera, and gets it, for the most  part.  This is my second Kodak digital camera and I've continued to  purchase Kodak because with digital cameras the camera is also the film and  no one knows how to make film quite like Kodak, a la Kodachrome.  The  previous DC280 is a point and shoot camera only, and while the DC4800  offers manual control of many functions, it still basicaslly a point and  shoot camera - for instance, with the DC4800 no control of focus is  possible, and if you want to change shutter speed you have to go through  several levels of menu (no less than 10 button presses to get to the  shutter speed menu and then as much as another 12 to choose the speed).  Hopefully, as the digital era progresses digital cameras will become more  like the SLRs of old with manual control of every function and all the  controls on the body of the camera, rather then buried deep in menus.  (I  understand Olympus is about to release its E10 which is like a digital SLR;  however the price will be about $2000.)That given, lets examine the  Kodak DC4800.The positives -For me, after the 3MP resolution and the  3X lens, what impresses me most about the DC4800 is the high quality, high  contrast, high resolution, high brightness backpanel LCD, which is now  truly useful, unlike that on the DC280.  The backpanel controls have also  been improved somewhat with a 4 axis &quot;joy&quot; button. The camera has  a strap post on each side of the body so one can use a neckstrap; the  wide/telephoto control is a &quot;wiggle&quot; switch under the thumb; and  the viewfinder has a diopter control for those of us needing glasses.  The  DC4800 communicates with the computer through USB only (and unlike the  DC280 can be used at the same time as other USB devices) and acts just like  a flash card reader appearing to the computer as a external, removable  drive, with the fast downloading of a reader.  The front of the DC4800 lens  is well protected, unlike the DC2800.  The manual is typical Kodak well  done, but strangely enough, as with the DC280 manual, the markings in the  viewfinder are not explained.  Exposure after pressing the shutter button  in almost instantaneous and despite the larger file size of a 3MP file,  saving the the file to the CF is considerably faster that the DC280.  Digital zooom is surprisingly good, thanks to the 3MP high density.The  negatives -I was very surprised to find that the lens barrel appears in  the lower right corner of the viewfinder at 28mm; I don't know if this is  not unusual for a point and shoot as I've never owned one before, but I  come close to finding it unacceptable.  The battery situation with the  DC4800 is not much improved so far as I can tell, even though the camera  uses an expensive (proprietary?) Kodak lithium-ion battery; the user will  surely have to invest in a $80 battery and charger kit if extended and  away-from-the-home use in anticipated.  Like the DC280, the battery cover  of the DC4800 can be knocked open by a blow to the bottom of the camera  body - those comtemplating active use should secure the battery cover with  tape.  The DC4800 is supplied with only a 16MB CF card and the buyer can  expect to spend an additional $200+ on a large CF card, which along  with  the $80 extra battery and charger will amount to an additional $300+  investment.  The camera acts only as a CF reader and is not TWAIN  compliant, which leads to lots of inconveniences in saving files.  The  backpanel LCD gets dark in sunlight.  As with the DC280, the tripod mount  is plastic and apparently not intended for serious use.One additional  comment - those buying a digital camera should check back with the  manufacturer for updated firmware - in Kodak's case there were lots of  early complaints about battery life problems with the DC280 which were  largely solved with later firmware.
After reading the reviews for all 3.1 Megapixels cameras for a few weeks, I bought Kodak DC4800.  I need a camera for panoramic picture and there aren't too many wide-angle digital camera.  I also need a camera to take close-up pictures in low light.  I have to say that DC4800 exceeds all my expectations.  The pictures taken outdoor or indoor are gorgeus.  The macro shots are GREAT.  I would definitely recommend buying this camera. While I had some problems with USB download with a Mac computer (but not with a Windown machine), Kodak is actually sending me a flashcard reader for FREE!  What a great company and I am extremely pleased with the camera and its technical support.
This is an example of Kodak's best effort to bring film camera buyers into the digital photo world. The 4800 looks and feels like a 35mm film camera, and offers dedicated user controls that will make transitioning users comfortable with digital cameras. The 4800 has spectacular resolution (true 3 megabyte) for perfect 8&quot; x 10&quot; printing, coupled with a very good optical 3x zoom. The CompactFlash memory cards are the best buy available today, with sizes that would allow for many hundreds of shots per card. When this camera is coupled with an inexpensive card reader (easier to use, but not absolutely necessary in light of the supplied USB cable on the 4800) and the user subscribes to any of the online photo printing services, the true beauty of digital photography is clear.
I was using this camera as recently as 6 months ago, though it stopped working when it had the unfortunate luck of shifting in the backseat of my car when traveling, and falling on to the concrete when I opened the door (I've got a new Olympus C5500 now).  Anyway, before that, I had the camera for about a year (I got it from a friend who had just bought a really great camera).  While this camera is no match for my new Olympus, it was quite a good camera and a good introduction for me into semi-serious digital photography.  I had a digital camera called a "JamCam" before this one, but it had few options and rather low picture quality (though for the price and the time when I got it, it was actually decent).The Kodak DC4800 is excellent under good lighting conditions, getting photo quality prints with a good printer.  I actually got some great indoor shots with the flash too, though you can't get to close (it will wash out the picture) or to far away (it will be to dark).  The camera can be fully automatic or almost fully manual (there is no manual focus, and the automatic settings are able to make use of more F-stops then when in manual mode).There are three focus modes: automatic (which usually works well except when dark, as there is no af assist lamp), Macro (for taking close-up shots as close as 10") and infinity (which allows you to lock the focus at infinity, which is good for distance shots).The camera includes a 3x optical zoom which is nice. When fully zoomed out, this camera gives quite a wide field of view (the only thing on this camera which is actually better then my new camera).Unless absolutely necessary, set the ISO setting to 100, as anything above that starts to get grainy.  At 200 grain is noticeable but usually acceptable, and iso 400 is usually very grainy.The camera also includes a nice neck strap, lens cap, tripod adapter, and a time delay feature to allow you to get into the picture.  The LCD display on this camera is good except when you are in bright sunlight, and then it gets hard to see, so you might need to use the optical viewfinder in some conditions.  The camera comes with a recharger.  The batter life was just okay, but I got the camera and battery used, so a new battery probably would have been much better.  The camera also has video out cables, but the friend I bought this camera from no longer had his, so I can't comment on them.  You'll also probably want to get a larger compact flash card then the one that came with the camera.Overall, this was a great camera in its day, and if you can find it used for a good price (be sure to compare prices as new cameras that beat this one are coming down in price all the time), it is a great starter camera which usually gets pretty good pictures (I won second place at the NJ State fair photo contest (amateur division) with a photo taken by this camera a year ago).  The camera is also quite durable, as it took many moderate bumps before the final meeting between it and concrete which finally killed it.
I've owned a lot of cameras (and still do), but this one is by far my favorite.  The quality of the photos is excellent and it's easy to use.  I am on the leading edge of the Baby Boom and consequently need glasses for close-up, but this camera and the digital menus are easy enough to read without my glasses.  I don't think you can go wrong if you purchase this camera.
I purchased an Olympus camera for my parents that was only a 2.4 mgpix and then did some research and thought that the DC4800 would be better.  I have used both and the Olympus by far has taken better pictures for half the price and almost have the pixels.  My DC4800 takes better indoor pictures without the flash even though the camera tells me to use flash.  Indoor quality is lacking compared to outdoor.  The Olympus also captures action shots better than the DC4800 as well.  Everyone has rated this camera well.  Maybe there is something wrong with mine?
After shopping around, I found the Kodak DC 4800 to be the best price versus performance deal on a mid level digital camera.  The hi quality picture (3.1 MP), USB transfer, manual vs automatic settings and powerful lithium ion battery are usually found on much more expensive cameras.Obviously for any camera buff image quality is paramount.  The DC 4800's high resolution pictures will blow up to 8x10 easily, and even up to 11x14 with a good quality shot.  There are a large number of controls that allow the user to adjust for a particular look (saturated color, neutral color, b&amp;w, filtered) or for unique lighting.  We found that the image quality on this camera was excellent compared to the other digital cameras that we tried out.  Some of our shots showed some aliasing (jagged lines) in compressed modes.  However, it disappeared once the images were shot in uncompressed mode (and without digital zoom).  As noted by other reviewers, getting the firmware upgrade from the kodak website is important for the quality of low light shots.Another important feature is ease of use.  The camera software is easy to install, the manual is well written and the placement of most common shot settings on a dial on top of the camera is very helpful.  I wanted simple point and shoot, which this camera easily supports.  On the other hand, my girlfriend is a commercial artist and wanted to be able to operate with manual settings on a traditional camera.  Both of us are very happy using the camera.The only negatives are lack of twain compliance, the small memory card and the long battery charging time:- TWAIN is an industry standard interface that will allow you to connect your camera directly to numerous photo imaging software packages.  This is not supported by the DC 4800 so most file transfers are a two step process. - A 16 MB compact card will only hold 10-15 images with standard compression.  ... The battery charger takes four hours.  A faster charger is available with a second battery but again it costs a little muchOverall, this was a great deal (note it pays to shop around as the price on the camera varies greatly) for a camera that will grow with your experience.  From day one, you will get great quality shots and as you become more confident, you can manually adjust many functions to produce your own look.
As a first time owner and user of any digital camera, I chose this camera because of the many features, as well as the price w/ rebate.  I have to say, this camera is EXTREMELY easy to use and operate.  I have never touched a digital camera before, &amp; I found this one to be very simplistic in operation.  It takes great pics, and although the memory card included is a bit small, this is a fantastic deal!  I also like the looks (more like an SLR), as well as it is lightweight.  No problems what so ever.  Other than upgrading the memory card, you may want to purchase an additional battery for backup.  Otherwise, you CAN'T go wrong w/ this camera!!  The software included is very easy to use and understand.  I found no problem figuring out how to modify / enhance digitally stored pictures.  (I started out w/ no clue)--I fiddled w/ it a bit, and next thing you know, I had it all figured out!  Don't hesitate to purchase this camera.  For the price, the 3.1 mega pixels, and the numerous features, you are definitely getting a bang for your buck!!
very good camera. well, it is too sensitive to light. We could not get good indoor pictures.
If you have kids you know how much money we were spending on batteries.  No more!  This charger for AA and AAA is the best purchase we have made since we had our three year old son.  We also purchased the rechargeable batteries that can be charged up to 1000 times.This charger paid for itself in less than a month.  It is crazy to keep buying batteries in bulk.  Recharge them and save money.
I love this charger. I really like the fact that it will charge just 1 battery or 2 or 3 or 4Often we just need one battery for a flash light and this charger lets you just pull one of and stick another on as it does not charge it pairs.We use Eneloops for everything and so buying batteries is a thing of the past.
I bought one of these for NiMH batteries several years ago.  Since then, I've given up on the NiMH but use this charger continually to charge ordinary alkaline batteries.  It does a great job on ordinary alkaline that haven't discharged below 1.43volts.  However, it sometimes recharges batteries more discharged than that and works but about 1.43volts is consistent. About two recharges is what you can expect for alkalines.  The reason this charger can recharge ordinary alkalines (while other chargers can't) is that it consistently stops the charging at the right point. Typically, it will recharge to about 1.59 to 1.6 volts while new batteries are typically 1.6 to 1.62 volts.  It's been amazing but even more so is that this charger is still working after all these years.  I'm sure the quality control had to be great.  Are they still that good - I don't know but it's worth a try.  HOWEVER, if they want more than $20, you might as well buy the ray o vac charger that does all batteries (AAA/AA/C/D/& 9 volt which sells for $24-28.  FYI - guess what battery recharges the best: Durocell alkalines but ray-o-vacs are nearly as good.Update:  I now use this charger for the newer NiMH batteries that are labeled "slow discharge".  These new batteries really work and are much much better than the original NiMH batteries.
There isn't much to review the device charges the battery as designed. It serves the purpose correctly, takes about one hour to charge.
This charger is unnecessarily large and bulky, but that is the least of it's problems. The unit requires over 15 hours to indicate full charge, but fails to charge batteries to capacity... typically stopping at 1.3x volt. It also does not provide a trickle ("float") charge  when batteries are supposedly fully charged. Additionally, after several months of use one charging dock appears to have stopped working.
Wow... I cannot believe this charger is still around. Ive had mine for AT LEAST 10 years.. if not longer, And its still going strong. Everything works just like the day I bought it, And charges batteries quite fast, with a smart shutoff when the batteries are full. I recently pulled it out of my old abandoned boxes down in the basement, And have been using it a week now since I found it. I was curious on the charging specs etc... Since it is 10+ years old, And on google popped up with this page... Figured Id leave a review. :)
I bought two  Fuji FinePix A101 a few days ago, and I have to say it is a good camera. It is accessible (cheap) and easy to use, one big advantage is that downloads pictures really fast.Maybe is not an impressive camera, but it is very useful.
I shopped around for digital cameras for a month before deciding on the Fuji 1300. Its low price makes it a fantastic first digital camera, and photo quality is excellent.I bought the camera a few days before heading off to France on vacation, and was up to speed on the camera's features within the first day.Installing the program onto your computer is a bit of a beeyach, but only took me a few minutes. I've never had any problems since installation.My biggest recommendation? Get two sets of rechargable AA batteries--like most digitals, the 1300 eats batteries.
This camera is alot like Apple computers, easy to use for a beginner, alot of options for more experienced people, and most of all great quality for price.  i bought this camera mostly, because of the price, right before a vacation hoping it would work out ok.  It turned out great.First off this camera is a great start for people not accustomed to digital cameras.  This camera is incedibly easy to use, novices can just use it as a point and click camera, with the camera automatically setting if flash is needed, and other more complicated details, which a more experienced person can set manually.  You can take two different sizes of pictures, one normal and one smaller for use on the internet.  The camera has 3 quality levels, but to tell the truth the normal is almost just as good as the fine level.I'm not sure what the other reviewers are talking about but i had no problem loading the pictures.  All the hookups are included, and it works on PC and Mac.The only complaint is the lack of a zoom.  On the smaller sized pictues you have a 2x zoom, but that's it.But overall this is a great, high-quality camera for the price, you can get 2-32 megabyte memory cards with it and still be under the price of many other cameras.  This is a great purchase, save you money in the first year, never buy film again.
I got the camera today and proceeded to try it out both at work and at home. I had no problems whatsoever setting up the drivers and software either on my iMac at work or on my Win98 machine at home. The camera's really easy to use, the only possible drawback is that all the menu items appear as tiny little icons on the LCD screen - perhaps not a good choice for those with bad eyesight. We've been taking pictures all night, and everything seems to be working out fine. Obviously, I haven't tested it in all possible conditions, and I know that battery life will be an issue. I did a lot of shopping around, and this really did seem like the best bang for the buck. ...I'd definitely recommend looking around on the web, taking your time, reading reviews, and deciding what you'd like out of a digital camera. If, however, you're a novice user, would like something that's easy to set up and equally easy to use, I'd definitely recommend the Finepix 1300. The USB interface is quite speedy, it's lightweight and portable, and picture quality is pretty good. I'd think about purchasing some rechargable batteries, a carrying case (there's no lens cap), and perhaps a wall adapter (especially if you'll be using it for Ebay or something like that). Anice beginner's digital camera, with a lot of good deals out there if you look around.
This is my first digital camera and I am extremely proficient with computers and the Internet, even so I was amazed at all the things that this camera can do.  You can go from just taking it out of the box to taking really great pictures and it's fairly fool proof.  It does use quite a lot of batteries and I will need to buy a larger SmartMedia card, especially since we go on a lot of trips.  That said, I couldn't be happier with it, it is possibly the best present anyone has ever given me! And the software is just amazing, it has great possibilities that I am just now beginning to discover!
This camera is just great !It's very easy to understand and use the controls. Inserting media and retreving it is also easy.Image quality straight out of the camera without tweeking is great and people that don't use Photoshop or don't know how end up getting great pictures hassle free.Battery consumption is very good and while we've had the camera for over a month and picture taking averaging 4 to 5 pictures a day, it's still working fine with the original set of alkalines we bought.I bought this camera as a gift for my 18 year old son and now he carries it everywhere, he loves it!
I was introduced to this camera when a friend sent me some stunning day and night photos taken in and around Kuwait City (one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in the world).  I thought he had taken the shots with a 35 MM and scanned in the prints.  I was shocked when I found out that not only were the pictures taken with a digital camera, but with what is considered a low-end digital.Here are some strong points:  the camera does a wonderful job of night shots without added equipment.  It is literally point and shoot, with both an LCD display and optical viewfinder.  It uses high-speed USB, which is a significant improvement over serial connections for uploading photos into your PC. Also it's small.  It fits easily in a man's jacket pocket or woman's purse (well, not my purse because I happen to carry three cell phones, a pager and a Palm VIIx - a girl needs her toys).The software with which it ships is, well, not so good.  I use Paintshop Pro version 7.0, which will directly download the photos and allow me to perform corrective action.  If you get this camera get Paintshop Pro 7 too!All controls are intuitive and easy to use.  It will also take close-ups well if you set up the shots properly.  I have a highly detailed photo taken with this camera of an intricate 1/4&quot; object that was taken 8 inches away.  Every detailed came out in high contrast and high resolution.  However, to achieve this I had to use a mini tripod to absolutely steady the camera and play with lighting (at 8&quot; the camera and photographer cast shadows that need to be compensated for with strategically placed lighting).Some people may view this as an entry level camera, especially with all of the mega pixel models out there.  However, I am completely satisfied with the quality of the photos, which print beautifully on my Epson 770 printer using glossy photo paper.  If you are a professional who is looking for a bridge between film and digital, perhaps this one is not for you.  If, however, you want a decent digital camera that can take low resolution shots for e-mail and web pages, or high resolution shots for printing and keeping, this might be all the camera you need.  I doubt if I'll outgrow it anytime soon.  5 stars for ease of use, gorgeous photos and value pricing.
After my mom bought me a Sipix camera (terrible device), I went on a search for an affordable, quality camera.  After reading several reviews from different sites, I decided to purchase this camera.  It has been absolutely great and didn't cost an arm and a leg like the others.  Highly recommend this camera for beginners
Easy to use, good documentation, small &amp; practical design. Great deal for a 1.3 megapixel camera. Excellent for beginners.Only downside I found: batteries run out fast!
Having used some other low-end digital cameras in the past, I must say that this one is a welcome relief.  Most of these other cameras have what I feel is a critical flaw - a long wait between pushing the button and when the camera actually takes a picture.  Some of the other cameras can take as long as three seconds between &quot;clicking&quot;, and when the photo is actually taken.  While this doesn't sound like a big issue, I can guarantee that you'll end up with a lot of pictures of floors and ceilings with the other models - especially when someone unfamiliar with the camera pushes the button and then looks at the camera to see why nothing happened.  Of course, you can erase these errors without any cost involved as the camera's digital, but there's no guarantee you can replicate the moment you were trying to capture.  Thankfully, this camera eliminates this concern.  The resolution of this camera is certainly adequate for web and email pictures, and would be ideal for anyone who needs to take digital pictures for online auctions like ebay. Plus, it comes at a very affordable price for people who would like to experiment with digital photography.
I got the Fuji Finepix 1300 for my birthday and boy is it a great camera. The usb connection is speedy, the pictures are pretty clear (sometimes blurry because of shaky hands), and the price is right. The LCD screen is very clear and responsive. The only thing I dont like about this camera is that it does not have a lens cover, so be very careful. Its recommended that you get some good rechargable batteries.
This is an excellent beginner digital camera - I used it for one year and loved it to death.  It is simple to use - gives great clear results, and doesn't blow the bank.  I am only selling mine now because I've upgraded to the fuji f601Z!
This camera is...convenient. I was first introduced to digital by an acquaintance who was shooting after the film ran out of my own camera. He said the shots &quot;aren't the best,&quot; but they're quick to send via the Internet, etc., in other words, a brief recommendation.I'm not sure, though, how much I'm &quot;into&quot; digital photography. There are more wires off the back of my computer than there are mens rooms on the Pentagon, and many of them are attached to devices I could probably do without (including an MP3 player the software for which I can't even figure out!) Then, the memory card or whatever you call it on this camera is NOT cheap. And the memory card that it comes with, yeah, it's convenient (again), i.e., if you need to take a picture, you can delete one that's already on it, and take another one. But there's not that much room on it.But if you're into anything fancy, forget it, this camera doesn't give you that many options.Oh, and I tend to agree with an earlier reviewer about the software too--to reiterate what I'd stated on the MP3 thing above: it's not the easiest to figure out.Overall, yeah, get it if you want to try it out. But remember that the software takes up more of your hard drive, you can't do that much with it, and, oh, well, read all of this again.
The FinePix 1300 offers good image quality and enough features to satisfy most casual photographers. The camera's size is convenient for carrying along on the spur of the moment. It's fairly easy on the rechargeable NIMH batteries I use with it. The flash works well. The camera's menu system is simple enough for almost anyone to grasp. The built-in LCD isn't huge, but it does a good job of viewfinding, reviewing photos, and displaying menus. Buy a larger SmartMedia card and you can store tons of photos before you need to download them to the computer. 32MB and 64MB SmartMedia cards are quite reasonably priced right now. Photos are stored as JPEG files, so it isn't even necessary to use the software that comes with the camera. I insert my SmartMedia card into a Zio SmartMedia reader and transfer photos directly from the card, or even open them in Photoshop without trasferring them first. It works great on both Macs and PCs, and saves battery power since you don't have to power up the camera to do a transfer.The only features I might add are an optical zoom and a better macro mode (for very close shots). Great little camera.
This is my first purchase of a digital camera although I have used both a SmartMedia and floppy disk-type digital camera. I was looking for a digital camera that was around $200 and I came up with this. I started at a great website that has reviews of most digital and non-digital cameras on the market. You can access them at [...] Choose a camera from the drop-down menu. They show you photographs of the camera you review from all angles (top, bottom, side, front and back) and they give you sample photos taken from that camera. They also have great reviews. I picked this camera over the Kodak and Fuji 1400 because of the features along with price. You either get 640 (Normal) or 1280 (Fine) resolution. You also get an easy-to-use timer. You also get a USB connector which is key when using this type of camera. You don't want a serial connector unless you want to sit at the computer for an hour while the photos download. The only problem I found with this camera (and knew this when I bought it because of the reviews I read) is the LCD screen. You really can't use it to take the photos because everything appears dark even in the lighter setting and the pictures have minimal quality on the playback feature. But, the rest of the camera makes up for the cheesy LCD panel. I used the viewfinder to take pictures and that worked fine. You can view the finished picture good enough on the screen to see if you want the picture or not. And, the quality of the photos is wonderful. It is worth the price. They also give you a hardcopy manual to use when figuring how to use the camera. The menus are a little confusing for a newbie but if you read the manual you can figure it out. And, to save money at Amazon.com go to Flamingoworld ([...]) and look for current coupons. I saved $50 on this camera with a coupon. Enjoy!
I received the FinePix 2400 as a gift, and the instant gratification factor of seeing and saving or deleting photos immediately, ease of USB connection downloading to my laptop, plus the resolution quality that, at a minimum, rivals film prints are keeping this thing in my hands more than my Canon Elan IIe SLR (which I still love).  I didn't expect that to happen, as I tend to turn my nose up at point-and-shoots, but this camera rocks.  It's a joy to play with as soon as you open the package.  Slide film might still have an edge on resolution, but hey, instant digital is instant digital - no wait, no fuss, and no distortions in contrast, scratches, dust inside the body, or what-have-you that unavoidably occur in developing prints.The downsides are several but all relatively minor.  First, it won't completely replace your SLR. The FinePix 2400 has a reasonable amount of added manual control which is nice for us tweakers, but it's slightly cumbersome to navigate menus and buttons, compared to most automatic SLRs that you have familiarity with and which have far more versatility for fixing the lighting and other problems another reviewer mentioned.  (Still, I've gotten some great photos of lit up buildings at night with some slight tweaking!)  Second, the viewfinder is a pain for people like me whose left eye is better than our right;  I find myself constantly wiping nose smudges off the digital viewscreen and hoping I don't scratch the latter.  Third, the viewfinder doesn't correspond as well as it should to the real frame of the photo--I keep thinking I've got the perfect composition only to find out the field of view on the actual photo is larger than I expected.  You move closer and hope, a bit.  Fourth, if you're sometimes impatient with the zoom, like I am, it occasionally goes a bit loopy in extending and retracting until you turn it off and/or shut the lens cover.  Fifth, as everyone else says, it eats batteries voraciously, particularly if you use the digital viewing screen in its &quot;movie camera viewing mode&quot; (I always turn it off completely except to view photos);  a rechargeable adapter of some kind is necessary and on my shopping list.  Sixth, get at least a 32 MB or bigger flash card.  8MB is not enough;  128MB will keep you more than happy.That said, I haven't needed a tripod with this camera.  It's been remarkably steady even with low-light indoors or outdoors, but  one can't hurt, especially not my ultra-compact plastic mini-tripod.  Plus, unlike other reviewers, I wouldn't want more annoying questions than the existing two stages standing between me and deleting photos.  No bigger than most point and shoots, the FinePix 2400 is nicely compact and its photo quality is such that I more often than not end up leaving my SLR at home, just to save weight and bulk and avoid attracting too much attention with expensive gadgets while roaming about Eastern Europe (unless I know I need the SLR for the perfect picture).  The software bundle is also a plus--although the included Adobe version is rather stripped down, it does fine in basic, necessary touch-ups of digital or scanned film. You can adjust color balance, do continuous shots, and all sorts of other nifty things with the FinePix 2400, but the basic point-and-shoot operation is easy and results are high quality!
It's been 9 mos and 1000's of pictures since I bought this camera and I have no regrets.  Although my wife still uses our 35 mm camera, most of the really good pictures we've taken in the past year (mostly of our kids) have come from my Finepix 2400. When I was shopping for a digicam last February, I compared this camera to the other 2.1 mpixel w/ 3x optical zoom offerings from Olympus (more money, no usb), Canon (digital elph...smaller, but more money, only 2x zoom, and proprietary battery), and Nikon (not as well reviewed as the others). The best features for the price fell out w/ the Finepix 2400. The only features it is missing  a video out to TV and movie mode.  I didn't think I'd ever really use these features so this was something I didn't mind missing out on.Advantages: 3x optical zoom. Price is great. Most important: picture quality is superb. I take all my shots at the best resolution and highest quality.  The 64mb card I added holds around 80 pics and I rarely fill it (thats like 3 or 4  rolls of film.) If I was going away, I'd probably step down a level in resolution or quality to fit more. I print on a regular two year old hp printer on photo paper and the results are amazing. Unless you specifically look from a few inches away, you'd never know the pics are from a digicam. Downloading to computer is a snap w/ the usb adapter.  Just plug in the camera and it appears as a drive so you can do whatever you want. The included software has run fine on two computers, one w/ Win 98 and the other with WinME. Battery time is superb with NiMH batteries. I had heard all sorts of horror stories about digicams and battery life, but they last fine (I use the LCD about half the time). If I go out with fresh batteries they've never run out on me.Downsides: Included photo viewer software is only fair and it took me a couple times to install correctly (note this was the photo viewing software, not the drivers...the drivers installed fine). Don't get me wrong, the software does the basics fine, it just isnt the greatest. On the plus side, Adobe Photodeluxe is included, and this is a terrific program. Low light performance is not great, but this is likely with any camera of this type. Startup and lag time between photos is also a little slow, but my understanding is this is also standard for digital cameras. Finally, the lag from shutter press to capture does take some getting used to.  Partially pressing the shutter button to &quot;ready&quot; the image helps, but you don't get the near instant response you do from a conventional 35mm camera. The zoom will also not work for a couple seconds when the camera is writing a picture to the card.Summary- There are lots of 2.1 megapixel digital cameras out there.  The combination of great picture quality, all the features I wanted, and a price below the rest of the other cameras in it's class made this a great choice that has held up over time. I would buy this camera again. The only things it is missing are a movie mode (gimmicky and useless in my opinion) and a tv out jack.
To be honest, it is hard to rate this camera because it is the only and first digital camera that I owned.  I have included some links of pictures that I actually took with the camera (see below).I rarely use the LCD screen to take pictures because it is usally too bright outside to view the screen.  I usually take the pictures with the viewfinder which is a good thing because it saves your batteries. The camera seems to take really great indoor pictures.  The camera seems to excell with panaromic views.For accessories I bought a case, two sets of rechargable batteries, a recharger and a 32 Meg SmartMedia Card (holds 40 hi resolution pictures).  You can get those accessories anywhere....I usually take my camera out of my case an put in my pocket for easy carrying.  I have taken my camera skiing this past season.....
We've had this camera for almost three years now and take it everywhere. The features are easy to understand and use and the photo quality (at top resolution) is jim-dandy for taking pics of scenery and people.For the price, this is an absolutely great camera.
I have had the 2400 for about a month now, and I must say I am very happy with it. I am a hobby photographer with a fairly expensive and extensive 35mm SLR gear which I still use a lot, but for the family-type snaps and when I really want to travel light, the 2400 is all I take. It takes really good pictures in most situations, and it is dead easy to handle. It is also small enough that you really do take it with you most anywhere. The lens seem very sharp and the exposure is right on most of the time. It does eat batteries, but that is not a problem if you get rechargeable ones. It is completeley manual with very limited ways for you to affect it manually. Shutter lag and focus lag is a bit slow, but something you get with this kind of camera. There is no way that I know of to mount a filter in front of the lens, but that is something most people would not miss. In bright outdoors light and in dark situations it is hard to impossible to see what is on the LCD, but then you always have the viewfinder. The problem with the viewfinder is that it doesn't show everything that will be on the photo you take (only 80% or so?). Buy a bag to keep the 2400 in (I got a LowePro bag to hang on my belt). Get some rechargeable AA batteries (I have 12). Get some memory (buy 64mb or 128mb cards). And as with any camera, using a tripod will increase the likelihood of you getting a sharp picture. Get a small tabletop tripod that you carry with you - it will give you better pictures.  I cannot really say anything about the quality of prints from the 2400 since I hardly ever print any of my snaps, but judging from the few prints I've made, I'd say you can print up to 8x10 from most frames (if you shoot at 1600x1200 with little compression) with good quality.
This camera is very simple to operate and takes great pictures!  They are very sharp and the color is great.  It doesn't seem to eat up batteries like some other cameras I owned.  The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the LCD screen is kind of useless in bright light, and sometimes there is a delay between the time you press the shutter button and when it takes the picture, but I heard that happens with some other cameras too.  Still, I am very, very pleased with this camera.
I've been shooting the Finepix 1400 for a year,  so I was interested in this camera when it came out. I recently had the opportunity to play with one for a while and I was impressed with what I saw. It's a well thought out design, still a good value, and an excellent example of technological evolution.More than just a higher-resolution version of the 1400, the Finepix 2400 is an evolutionary successor that builds on the features of the 1400. The ergonomics that made the 1400 easy to use are still there, but the resolution is doubled, and there's a lot more manual control available- something I find myself missing in the 1400. While the automatic mode produces fine exposures, photographers used to the flexibility of a manual camera will find much to like here.  There's more exposure control, a new color balance control, and a sequence shooting capability that should please sports fans. All this for a price not much higher than that of the 1400 a year ago.There are a few downsides. Shooters with a dominant left eye will find the optical viewfinder hard to use as their noses will tend to get in the way. The supplied 8MB Smart Card is far too small; you'll need a 32MB or preferably a 64MB card to take advantage of the camera's capability. Luckily the price of memory has plummeted over the past year, so that's no real drawback.In short, this is a reasonably priced camera with good resolution and good optics that's suitible for the novice or the experienced photographer. I expect it'll be as big a hit with buyers as the Finepix 1400 was.
I purchased this camera 3 weeks ago along with another different manufacturer's camera. Found it on sale due to the release of the 2600.  This camera outshines the competition.  Very easy to use, beautiful pictures, quick uploads, no install problems on Win ME.  I carry it with me daily and have used it daily to print pics from.  All I can say is run, don't walk to buy it. Only negative is battery life but that's a given. Be sure to invest in a camera case for protection and larger Smart Media card.
This is a neat and very handy little point and shoot digital with sufficient resolution for any web stuff, and useable prints. The controls are straightforward, the battery life reasonable, and the USB feature convenient for quick dumps to the computer. The white-balance options are also a good addition.Things to get for this camera in order to extend its appeal are the following:Photoshop LE 5.0 or Photoshop Elements. This software by Adobe is about a hundred bucks and will let you do some great things that are way beyond the scope of the included bundle. Think of it as your digital darkroom; - a priority purchase.An A.C. adaptor, and rechargeable batteries including a charger, are a must to avoid spending a fortune on batteries. You could also consider making up a battery-pack by using a  battery holder, D-Cells, and a power cord that plugs in where the A.C. adaptor would normally go: the larger size cells lasting a great deal longer than the AAs.Definitely get a tripod. And maybe a light meter as well, since this will let you experiment more easily, which is after all one of the great things about a digital camera - you can try things without wasting film.
I was a little leary of buying one of these because I was spoiled by having a 5Meg camera for 2 years, but I was pleasantly surprised.  First of all, the battery life is much better than I had expected for an optical zoom camera.  That alone made me very happy.  The pictures are acceptable at 2 Megs and as long as you aren't looking for perfection, they are good enough for most applications.  Finally, it is relatively small and light and easy to carry around.Drawbacks, the software included isn't intuitive at all.  I wasn't even sure if I had installed the correct program.  The camera menus are also a little hard to understand unless you read the manual a couple of times.
I dont use it a lot but when i do i am satisfied every single time.wonderful little product
I bought this remote mostly to take family portraits and vacation photos that include myself. The 2 second delay is an advantage because it gives me time to hide the remote. If you don't need the 2 second delay or if it's something that bugs you, definitely go for the RC-1.
I like the idea - I like how compact it is.  But you've got to be standing in front of the camera to use it.  The range is not great either.  I had to read all of what it actually did online, because mine arrived broken.  Disappointed.
I cannot complain about how the RC-5 worked when it worked.  It did its job as expected, but Canon's warranty is not a long one, and they are not into courtesy warranty.  Sorry about that. I am more than happy with my Canon cameras, but I'm getting the Opteka RC-4 at half the price.
We have way to many pictures of our little kids playing with the control and then photographing themselves or us or who knows what!  It is a great family resource so that no one is left out. It's a life saver after spending an afternoon setting up the studio and then being able to take hundreds of shots from anywhere in the room!  Getting kids to smile can take a lot of dancing
This thing comes in handy for group shots when you want to be in hte picture, or when you want to write messages, or draw (like SPRINT's commercials)  Exposure/time lapse shots.
I am using this remote with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel and it works great!  It would be nice to get the RC-1 so there isn't a 2 sec delay, but for my needs the RC-5 is fine.
The Canon RC-5 wireless remote is exactly what I was looking for for wireless shutter release. It is small and very light, perfect for when you want to shoot a picture and not see the trigger device. I was very please with the whole purchase abd delivery of this item. I would recommend this remote to all my family and friends.
This is a nice gadget, but with one disadvantige over RC-1.. With RC-5 you CAN`T take pictures instantly, but only with a 2 sec. delay, and on RC-1 you have the choice. Other than that there isn`t much more to say, i mean it is only one button remote.. :) But offcourse, before you decide to buy RC-1 instead RC-5 check will it work with your camera (i have 300D (digital rebel) so in my case both of them work)
Called Adorama because I wasn't sure how to use it. Very helpful.  Very good company to buy from.
Great product.  Works as advertise. You do have to be directly in front of the camera for it to work.
Like lots of other customers I had not read the specs before my purchase and expected it to let me take instant snaps... Well, I was wrong:there's that delay before the camera fires.But what sets me apart from many of the customers here is that I like using the mirror up function, for pictures with a long telephoto lens.The delay that you get between the raising of the mirror and the firing of the camera is just not long enough, especially if you are doing a vertical frame,as you require about 10 seconds to have the camera really stable.Well, it's not the infrared controller's fault: it's the camera's.
The Canon RC-5 does what it promises:  remotely trigger the shutter.  Keep in mind that there is a 2 second delay between pressing the button and the shutter action.  This allows you, if you are in the field of view, to put your hand down and hide the remote so that it is not in the shot.
I started doing landscape and macro shots to widen my range of shooting, primarily in late afternoon hours. I found that after setting my camera and tripod at the site I initially decide is ideal, I like to make a few adjustments here and there when I step back or off to the side to tweak my point of view. Having this remote, even with such a small delay, enables me to slightly adjust my camera position and then just click the shot on my remote. I love the freedom and the flexibility of having this remote!
Bought this for my Canon Rebel XT so I could shoot on a tripod and not have to worry about camera shake from pressing the shutter button, or wait 10 seconds for the timer for every picture.  It makes the wait for long exposures that much quicker and more efficient.Sometimes it's a little tricky to get a signal on it since you can only click it from the front of the camera, but it's a negligible annoyance.Also, it does auto-focus the camera when you click, so if you're auto-focusing through the camera yourself already, I'd suggest getting a focus on your object and then switching it to manual focus, so the camera doesn't try to re-focus on something else.All in all, great product.
I bought the RC-5 expecting an immediate shutter release - not just a 2-second delay. I was able to exchange it for the RC-6 which allows you to switch between immediate and two-second delay shutter release modes - a much better choice, in my opinion.
Unlike the many camera cases available locally, this one fits my Canon S400 perfectly - I did not wish to spoil the convenience of a small camera by a bulky bag.Functional, attractive, well-made, durable &amp; inexpensive, another Amazin' Amazon bargain!Did I mention I like it very much?
I tried my 410 in both cases Canon makes for them. This one is leather and I think it is just better--softer, better fit, closes easier. It protects the camera in my purse. When I go on a trip, however, and the camera needs a little more protection I can pop the 410 in this leather case into a SMALLER regular padded camera case than is possible if I had the other case Canon makes for the Elf cameras. That case (with the silver clasp) is vinyl and bulkier. Hope this helps!
I have this little case, and it's perfect for the S400.  It cushions the camera without being overly thick.  I can usually fit the camera in this case in my pants pocket.  It has NO room for accessories, so if you're looking for a carry-all look for something else.  This case only protects the camera.  It has a beltloop for wearing on your belt, and a little hole in the flap for the camera's strap to go through.  It closes securely with velcro.
Wish they provided one with the cameras, but this is an excellent fit and match for your digital Elph
This camera case is constructed with good quality.  The belt clip is quite handy.  The small size gives you the option to slip the whole thing into the pocket.  A reviewer suggested that the soft leather may not provide enough protection, but I think this camera case is a good compromise between size and protection.  Really on a daily basis, the most fragile part of the camera is the LCD screen.  This camera case would be sufficient to prevent scratches.  There isn't a whole lot of reason to get a bulkier case and sacrifice the option to slip it into the pocket.The fit for my S400 camera was too tight in the beginning, and it took some effort to get the camera out of the case.  However, the leather stretched to fit the camera after a week or so.  Now the fit is perfect.What I don't particularly care for is the large, gold logo &quot;Canon Elph&quot; which I'm afraid invites undesirable attention.If you have a Canon Digital Elph you need to get this case.
I am a professional photographer.  The Elph I have is my "play" camera.  I got it because of it's size.  The problem was it wasn't as convenient as I thought carrying it in my pockets.  I found myself leaving it at home.  SO>>>I bought this soft leather case.  It is exactly what it is supposed to be for me.  A way to carry my Elph on my belt.  I forget that I have it on.  Until that really cool oppertunity arises.  (Which, in San Francisco it does a lot)The camera is right there at my side.  Out in a second.  I can take my photo and slip it back into the case with one hand.Yes, it is a little snug when you first get it.  But, this is soft leather and it "grows" with use.  Fitting the camera perfectly.It protects the camera from scratches.  But, I wouldn't consider it as a protector, as much as a convenient way to wear the camera on a belt.  The perfect case for people who are on the go as much as I am.
What a nice suprise for the price.  The case is a super soft leather.  Quality materials here, no discount store stuff.  The fit for the Canaon S230 is perfect.  It adds as little bulk as possible.  I intend to keep the camera in this case all the time when not using the camera.  I also have a slightly larger case that will hold the camera with this &quot;slipper&quot; case and an extra battery, CF card, charger, etc when I am storing it or packing it away for travel.  For the price everyone buying a S230 should get it.
Canon makes two cases for their Elph cameras. A leather case and a slighly cheaper vinyl case. We have one for our s230 and one for our s410.The vinyl case is actually a bit nicer -- navy blue rather than black, a nice metal label rather than cheap printing on leather, it's a better fit for the s410 too (Canon moved the wrist strap attachment in that model).Either one is quite decent, nicely priced, and really essential. I recommend the cheaper vinyl case over this one however.
This is a cute little black case. My S410 4MP camera fits perfectly in this case (there is no room for anything else, so if you are looking for a camera bag which will fit all your accessories, don't buy this case).The only down side is the big tacky gold lettering on the case. I wish they used smaller fonts in silver lettering. But it's a good case to lug your camera around in if you go on short trips.
I use to have another case from Canon that had an extra pouch for extra CF memory cards, but this leather case just gets to the point.  Leather case for the small camera and the camera only so no extra space.  Hope that made sense, but yes, I recommend this case.
Great little pouch / case made of leather. It is light, fits the camera well and it protects the camera from  becoming scratched or damaged.I really like that there is a hole in the cover which allows you to put the hand strap through so when you take the camera out of the pouch you let it the pouch hang on the strap while you take pictures. This way there is no need to handle the pouch and it with you but not in your way. Also you are less likely to forget or loose the pouch.The cost is well worth protecting your camera.
I bought this for my Canon S410 camera - it's the perfect size.  It protects the camera, but does not add any significant bulk.
I bought this case for my SD300 and it has stood me in good stead ever since. The case is nicely designed, sleek, looks cool, and snugly fits the SD300. Don't go on the looks alone. Depending on how you carry it, this can be a very rugged case. I have taken my camera in this case on hiking and mountain climbing and routinely carry it in my back pocket. The case has kept the camera protected from many a scratches that would ordinarily have been there otherwise. I've even dropped the camera once or twice, but the case never failed me.
This case is effectively just a soft leather sheath. It has no strap or clip--just a belt loop--nor does it have storage for extra batteries or memory cards.OK, so it's a classy little case, the price is right, and it fits the camera perfectly, but it fails at its basic purpose, which is to protect the camera.  There is absolutely no padding or rigidity whatsoever, so when you put this compact little bundle into your purse or pocket, that vulnerable LCD screen remains just as vulnerable.When (not if) you bonk something against that ill-protected screen, it will crack, and the $100+ repair will not be covered by your Canon warranty.Ask me how I know this?  My daughter, who purchased her Elph with Christmas money and a year's babysitting savings, has had hers for all of two weeks, and it's already on its way to the shop.  I might add that this is NOT an irresponsible child, just one who carries pens and a calculator in her purse with the camera.Avoid a similar scenario and spend a few bucks on a REAL case, please.  Canon should be able to do better.
Made a mistake by buying this product. Didn't work as I thought it should. I returned it.
Based on other good reviews, I purchased this case for my Canon S110.  It fit well, not snug.  The case is a little baggy, which is what you probably want since you will be sliding the camera in and out when you need to use it.I was a little unhappy with the case for two reasons:1) It has large gold lettering screened on the leather reading &quot;Canon ELPH&quot;.  But I could forgive that, a sticker would cover it well enough.2) My major argument is the belt loop; it has a lip around the back of the case, which adds to the size of the case and made the whole thing a bit cumbersome for my tastes.That aside, this is a really nice case for the S110.  It just wasn't as slim and trim as I was hoping.
This is not the case advertised.  It is very small and not made of leather, but of some type of nylon material.  I was able to get it on sale and use it for a small camera, but it is not worth the full price for a lie of an advertisement.
The product itself fits my needs. PROS-  The bag is well made, stitching is consistent and even, the sides are straight and the flap opening has a velco closure to carry extra items and still close.  It has a separate compartment for 2 batteries, or a battery and memory card.  The opening flap also has a hole to thread the camera's lanyard through so you can strap it around your wrist/hand. It has a loop on the back to place on your belt. The only other thing is the small metalic name plate on the front of the bag.CONS- nothing really about the bag itself, but I do have one complaint about the actual description which is misleading!  The bag is NOT LEATHER!  The piping around the bag might be, but the bag itself is NOT LEATHER, it is made out of some blue synthetic vinyl material.OVERALL-I would buy this product again, even if it ISN'T LEATHER as stated.  It's well made/designed. it will protect the camera from small bumps and scrapes, and has extra space for batteries or a memory card.TIP- Use the hole to thread the camera's lanyard through, when you take pictures, take the camera out, then close the bag up,  loop the lanyard's other end around your THUMB,not your wrist. The lanyard will be longer and the bag will hang farther away from you, and the camera is still safely secured to you, just in case you drop it.
When I received this, I said "no way is this going to fit a camera!!"  It does, perfectly for the S110.  Has a loop for your belt, or fits into your front pocket.  Another advantage is that its [low priced]
The camera fits well , but this is not a lether case at all. Not happy after all.
I know it wasn't made for the Canon Powershot S100/S110 but it fits pretty well on it. I like it because it is much smaller that the PSC100 case designed for the S100. I can much easier slip the  camera in my front pocket of my jeans with this case. It's also very inexpensive.
The Canon Angle Finder fits my Canon Digital Rebel and my 1970's Canon FTb for B&W film.  It works perfectly for an SLR camera for getting down to the level of subjects shorter than me, which is just about everybody in the human race.  I use it on nearly every photo shoot when I want a different angle for a photo and keeps me off my knees.  It slips on easily and stays in place.  It's a high-quality optic device at a reasonable price.  It easily fits in a trouser or shirt pocket and comes with a useful case to keep it neat.
If you only take an occasional photo this will not be of much interest to you.  However, if you are like me and spend a lot of time behind your camera, you will love it.  You will no longer be mashing your nose against the back of your camera body.  I tried an extension for the view finder and found them of little use.I use one of these on a Canon EOS 1Ds DSLR  which is usually mounted on a tripod.  This Angle Finder allows much easier viewing without having to twist your body around to see through the view finder.  This allows you more flexibility on how you set up your tripod so you can get that perfect angle for the shot.The only down side is that it is basically more glass to reduce the light getting to your eye and also more glass to keep clean.  But I found these problems to be negligible and they are greatly out weighed by the benefits of using one of these on the camera.I never leave home without it.
Quality is outstanding, don't buy a cheap one first like I did, it's worth it!
I was excited to buy this very very expensive piece to shoot low angle images.  As soon as I fit the pieces together, I found a BIG problem - It requires a coupling in between to fit the angle viewfinder to my 5DM2's viewfinder.  Neither one fit tightly.  I can't believe this is the quality of Canon!  To solve one of the problem, I superglued the coupling to the angle viewfinder, but can't figure out how to keep it stay tight on my camera viewfinder.  Frequently I find the angled viewfinder loose and have to frequently refit it squarely on my camera (it's never tight).It happened when I was in Sedona, after coming down from a steep slope, I found my angled viewfinder missing.  Apparently when the camera was dangling on my neck while climbing down the rock, it got loose and fell off the camera.  Up and down the trail several times I couldn't find it.  I can't believe I lost a $250 QUALITY Canon product just like that.Update: Turned out I dropped it in the trunk under the mat.  After checking the coupling, I adjusted the tension and it now fits tightly to my camera.  Now I'm very careful about the tension to keep this piece on my camera all the time.
Nice piece of gear, lots of notes here.  The finder is a little frail for my likes, but I do use it.  It does provide convenience and a different camera prospective when using the finder.  The little zoom/power advance works well and lets you see more detail.  On the same subject it also cuts out a portion of your screen when you view through it.  I would still use it.  The order came in timely and was undamaged.  Thank you.
This is a great tool for those shots where you want to get down low.  Macro work and landscape/waterscape shots near the ground are so much easier with the angle finder on than without.  I have also used it when doing portrait work to get a more flattering angle without having to kneel or stoop over the whole time.Now for the negative.  It fogs up much easier than the normal eyepiece, which makes seeing anything a challenge under some conditions.  And the big one for me, especially with macro work, you loose some light when using the angle finder.  So if you are already working in a low-light situation, this only makes matters worse.But in well-lit conditions where fogging is not an issue and you want to shoot low, this is an amazing accessory, thus the 4 out of 5 stars.
I do a lot of low to ground shots.  So far it has helped me with getting a better angle on the object.
This item is great for macro photography and for use to help focus on a telescope.  Makes for a more comfortable view.
I absolutely loved my Canon Angle Finder and everything about it except for the adapter springs- they're made of soft mallable metal and they don't hold their tension.  They loosened up after only using a couple of times and I worried about dropping it, or worse, losing it.  I tried bending the springs back, but they quickly loosened again.  Well, while touring my gardens and hiking through the woods last week, shooting small flora and fauna, mine fell off the camera somewhere along the way and is lost forever.  I should've known better after feeling the way I did about the springs.  I truly loved this piece of equipment and used it very often and I'm really upset that I have to buy another.  I'm very hesitant to do this and may indeed check out other options but I've always used all Canon products so I'm in a quandry as to what to do.  If you buy this DO NOT leave it on your camera under ANY circumstance- it should be removed and stored everytime you move your set up.  Tsk tsk Canon, your cheap springs cost you a five star rating and have upset a long time faithful customer.Oct 11, 2010 update: My wife found the angle finder in one of our gardens when doing a fall clean up!!!  It was covered in mud, was filled with moisture/water and had two baby slugs living in it (eww!).  Initially it didn't look good but I decided to see if I could fix it and found a schematic online.  I took it apart, cleaned it all very carefully and thouroughly and let it dry out for a few days.  I just finished putting it all back together and it literally works as good as new.  Talk about tough!  The weakest thing on this amazing accessory is the adapter springs but I'll give it an extra star now for toughness (4 stars).  So glad it's back and that it had been on backorder or I would now have two.  Things sometimes work out.  ;)
Pros:Most likely the best accessory I have for my 30D.  Well suited for low angle shooting of flowers etc.Cons:I've found no way to secure the finder to the camera.  I cannot trust it to stay on the camera while moving about in the out-of-doors.  Also a little more friction would be nice as the finder is rotated around, it tends to flop around far too much.Update:  For my Canon 5D mk11 the same applies.
I really like this angle finder. you still might have to get on you knees when shotting some things but thats not bad.
The Canon Angle Finder C was a life (or more accurately a back) saver for me.  I've used it for astrophotography so far and whereas before where I would have to lie on the ground and twist into a human pretzel to see through the viewfinder I can now get a clear view in relative comfort and greater dignity.The viewfinder has two magnification settings, the greater magnification is helpful for focusing.  The image through the angle finder is crystal clear.  The angle finder also pivots so you can move it to a more comfortable position (it is still 45 degrees but it moves perpendicular to the lens).The build quality is top notch. It comes with a storage pouch.I use it with an EOS 40D.
Sure, aftermarket angle finders are available, but one cannot beat Canon quality.  Good optics and construction.  In this case one gets what they pay for.
I used an older model on my Canon film cameras extensively. Low angle or studio setups often require the camera at a height that is uncomfortable for critical focusing or depth of field preview. Using this relieves that problem. The eyepiece rotates 360 degrees around the camera eyepiece so it can be used in many awkward angles. The increased magnification setting is also very handy for those critical focusing and DOF situations. Of course, this is best suited for a tripod setup, but one can get used to it as a waist-level viewer same as a Hasselblad.
I use this very often as it helps me gain additional perspectives without putting my body into crouches. I would love to just leave it on my camera all the time but even after a week of receiving it, it fits poorly onto my Rebel XT. The first time it fell off, I was fortunate to be walking on grass. I probably should use a pair of pliers to bend parts of the metal bracket for a tighter fit but I am a bit reluctant because this was a very expensive item! It makes me wonder how the fit of the less expensive Hoodman version is.Overall, I am happy with what it is intended to do but am disappointed with the fit of the bracket onto my camera.
This is a pretty nice accessory for using low ground level or high level as capture the moon.Just spend sometimes to play with the initial learning curve in getting adjusted andyou will see ... a nice image in the finder.
Great little piece of hardware typical of Canon! Image is sharp from corner to corner.  The only possible negative is rotating the view angle from landscape to portrait the joint could be a little tighter.  Just feels a little loose but sets in the detent ok and doesn't move.
Well.... I have only had it on the camera a couple of times. But it was exactly what I needed.... or was it wanted? Its a Canon! What more can I say?  It performs as expected. I really enjoy the swivel View action. Also when your down low on a subject, you don't have to get behind the camera. You get on top of it... much easier.
After working in the studio without it, I knew that it was a necessary item for my EOS Canon.  Camera accessory vendors were asking a lot more than Amazon, so I ordered it before Amazon changed their mind and I've enjoyed using this original accessory from Canon ever since; Thanks, Amazon!
Photographers doing macro photography will find this an essential accessory. It can be difficult if not impossible to compose a shot if your camera and tripod setup are close to ground level-let's face it, who wants to lie on their stomach on the ground. With this item in your kit you can use the camera's viewfinder with ease, from a kneeling position.Used in combination with a sturdy tripod and a macro focusing rail (another essential, in my opinion) you have a good close-up kit that will make macro photography a breeze.An angle finder is also handy if using your camera tilted upwards at higher tripod settings. In these situations you usually have to bend your knees in order to use the viewfinder comfortably. Again, the angle finder makes things easier.Whilst this is made for Canon cameras, other manufacturers will have similar items for use on their products.If there is a negative, it's price. I find it to be on the dear side. However, I trust the Canon name for quality.  The image through the finder is sharp. The switchable magnification feature is great for checking focus.
Saves your back and neck.  I've captures some great shot with this Angle finder C.  It's a must for you Canon DSLR.Timtfarrisphotography.com
Angle finder worked as wanted.  Using it on a camera attached to a telescope to aid in alignment.  Easy to use.
A must have product.  The optics on this instrument are first rate.  Other similar products are 3rd rate. This and a pair of kneepads are indespensible for the avid landscape and macro photographer.The down side, is that Canon doesn't even include a warranty sheet for the product.  My first one disassembled itself at Badwater.  I cobbled it back together but a couple of tiny ball bearings got lost.  So, I bought a new one.
I bought mine for use on a rebel XT.  Between that smallviewfinder and the poor ergonomics of keeping my faceagainst the back of a tripod mounted camera, I was gettingworn out trying to capture anything from a sunset to amacro subject.  this little beauty solved all that.  And,I like that I can flip a lever and get a magnified viewto help in manual focusing.For me, it was well worth the money.
Let's say you want to take a macro photo of a flower that grows about 18 inches off the ground.  To get the perfect focus you would basically have to lay on the ground and contort your self to see the viewfinder.There is a better way.  Add the angle finder and you can look through the viewfinder from above.  What a wonderful gift to the photographer in everyone.
The batery pack really makes using the camera a lot more comfortable.  I wasn't totally sure how this would work out, but so far it has been great.  I'll answer a few questions that I was wondering about this product just in case you are sitting on the fence.  There is another tripod hole on the bottom pack and you do not have to remove the battery compartment cover to install it.  I feel as though the vertical shutter release is a little awkward to use, but it is nice to have it anyway.  This was a good addition to my camera, a great buy.
I have the BP-200 for some weeks now and i love it. First the use of normal aa batteries is nice way to lower cost. The extra grip and shutter release button are very helpfull. I use it with my Canon EOS 300 (european model) and i don't want to lose it.  It's Just Great.
It helps!!1) Camera looks more professional2) Camera feels heavier3) Gives a very good grip4) Has an extra shutter release button, makes handling easier5) Saves on costly batteriesOVERALL: Just buy it....
This grip provides more surface area for better grip of the camera, more counterweight for longer focal length lenses, as well as having a vertical shutter release, which makes it easier and more comfortable when taking vertical shots (and more comfort means a more stable platform, which means clearer photos!)I use Energizer Max alkaline batteries in this grip and have never had any problems.  I am wondering if the guy who said his melted his camera with this grip happened to use lithium AA batteries?Remember, Canon DOES NOT recommend using AA lithium batteries in this grip- The initial voltage of AA lithium batteries is around 1.8 volts rather than 1.5 and the Rebel 2000 does not have voltage regulation.  This means instead of the camera running on 6V as it was designed, it would be subjected to 7.2V- not a good idea!All in all this grip is a great add-on for your camera.
This is a great addition to the camera. It does more than just give you the ability to use AA batteries. While providing better balance when shooting horizontal shots, turn the camera vertically and you will be pleasantly surprised at the new found grip this battery pack provides.  It also adds a very handy extra shutter button so when you turn the camera vertically you don't have to reach over to push original shutter button. Therefore, giving you much better balance when shooting vertically.  Also when using an electronic flash, this pack acts as a counter weight to offset the additional weight from the flash and again giving you better balance while shooting. Excellent buy!
Fits perfectly, if not better than the original eye cup that came on my Canon 60D. The rubber seems to be a little bit more rigid, but nothing to  worry about.
Not easy to fit to the eye or the camera.  Doesn't provide any shade cover for the viewfinder.
Item was a little big for my Canon XSI but I'm sure that's my fault for not verifying it would fit. It does fit though it covers the sight adjustment. It is comfortable and appears to be well made.
As a replacement eye cup.....perfect.  But, do not expect it to have a diopter or any form of lens, it doesn't.  Being used on a Canon 60D, I also purchased a 'special' diopter to supplement the original equipment diopter.  In reality, I didn't need to, but now, I have a spare.  In other words, you can add a 'special' diopter lens without the need to purchase this.
What can you say???  It fits & work like the one I lost :)
Its better than no eyecup. My original one fell off and it was sort of annoying. Thats all. BOOOM! sadf
I bought a used camera and it did not have the full cap. So happy I got this, for the price I paid it is a steal.
My old eyecup started falling apart on my Canon T2i and I needed to replace it.The fitting was really tight, so I had to work a little bit to snap it into place.  No chance that it will be coming off.
I've lost the eyecup included in the original kit. This replacement from Canon fits perfectly and is exactly the same as the one I originally had.
This eyecup does fit on the T1i but it isn't like the original that came with it in two ways. One good, one bad.First the bad: it's too wide. It does slide down but only with a little effort. Once it's on there, it's VERY snug. It also is wider than the original piece and really prevents you from using the little wheel on the right side of the viewer hole - or whatever it's called. It also covers up most of the word 'display' but not the display button. It does not interfere with the proximity sensor that shuts off the screen when you go to take a picture.Now the good: it's too wide. Yes, same thing but in the good category, it's wider and therefore softer on the face in a larger more comfortable way. Also, the HUGE bonus is that the rubber surround is not loose and likely to fall off like the original eyecup. It's a better quality of rubber and it's glued to the plastic housing.I was going to return it after realizing it's not the one I was expecting but after a minute or two, I realized it's better even if it does cover that little wheel I never used. Hope this helps any T1i owners out there who lost that cheap rubber surround as quickly as I did.
I purchased a used Canon 20D which was missing the Eye Cup.I went for the original equipment replacement. It is a little more expensive than an after market replacement but, it fits as it should and I will not be wondering if I have something "good enough".Perhaps some 3rd party products are better than the OEM stuff but I'll find that out later. For now I have the right part on my "new" camera. :)Thank you Your Best Deal Inc. and Amazon.com
im so happy i got this because the original one kept falling off so im very pleased with this one.
Simple and it works especially for people who wear Eyeglasses.  It's wider than the normal Eye Cup that came with my Canon T2i.
The Canon Eye Cup Eb is an exact replacement for the eye cup on my Canon Rebel EOS T2i.I've stopped using the neck strap that comes with the camera.  This is because the camera bounces around when attached to the strap.  This is how I lost the rubber portion of the eye cup.Now I use a hand strap.  I like it better.  It fits easily, gives me a really solid hold on the camera, even with my battery hand grip attached.  Now I appear less conspicuous without the strap and the camera bouncing around in front of me.  This helps me get more candid shots in public before I'm noticed.
great quality fit snug better than the original, wont loss it again great price as well, bought this for my canon 5D mark II
This is like my 4th eyecup for my Canon 5D mkII. The eyecup just slides off too easily and later you pick up your camera and it is gone. Thinking about putting some rubber cement or something to hold it in place but not be permanent.
Works as it should, fits well, with the same quality as the original OEM version, fits all EOS versions that I have.
The eyecup on my 5D2 had broken and needed replacing. After searching around for a third party part, I realized that this part OEM was actually quite cheap in comparison. Fits perfectly, works perfectly, and I can use my camera again without worrying about the eyecup falling on the floor.
this is a replacement eye piece for the xxD series for canon. i bought an extra to replace my eye cup for my rebel, which are smaller. the rubber on these are stiffer and not as easily peeled off as the ones that come on the rebel series cameras.
The eye cup i ordered from this seller arrived as it was stated and was brand new. Item was legit, all name brands were there. Trusted seller +1
Since adding the Canon Eye Cup to my XTi I can get my eye closer to the camera.  It also keep me from smudging the display screen so badly.  I can actually see better with this eye cup.
The one came with camera fell, I don't think this one will fall. As expected from Canon it fits and works well, good quality material.
it's a part of my camera. I have always a spare because it's not very secure to the camera. I lose them a lot. But is a great eye peace to use.
This fits my T1i fine but it is not exactly like the original. Still recommend but a little diappointed that it was not an exact replica.
I bought this to replace my OEM for my canon T4i, but it did not fit right.  The actual piece blocked the sensor right above it.  This cause the camera does not switched between menu screen and live view shot.  Consider the EF instead of EB style.
Bought a new SLR camera without the rubber eyecup for eyeglass wearers. Price was reasonable for an OEM product. Now I can use the camera without scratching my AR coated lenses in my eyeglasses.
Canon Eye Cup: Can't do w/out it; gotta get a new one when you lose it :-)
This is a bad buy. When you try to buy camera accesories, check if it is compatible with what you have. It does not fit to my Canon 1000D and I have no use for it.
A perfect genuine replacement for the cup I lost of my 60D. Very much worth the price. This fit  my camera  better than the original.
This Canon Eye cup fits my Canon T2i perfectly. It's bigger than the stock one, but its batter for someone with bigger eyes, or wants more comfort while using the viewfinder. I'll give it 5 stars because:-It fits my camera.-It feels great.-Its not going to come out as the other one.Its compatible with the:-T1i-T2i-T3i-T4i-T5i- And many more Canon cameras, remember it will not fit all cameras
What can I say - this is a direct replacement for the original!
It seems I'm a little rough on my camera equipment.  Having a few spare items is handy.  Have had to replace in the field more than once.
I use this with the extender because I wear glasses. This keeps them from getting scratched. The first one I had broke at the plastic tips on the part that attaches to the camera. I wish it were higher quality but it will have to do.
Exactly the same as original on my 30D. Nice to have a spare just in case. Recommended for your carry around kit in case your eyepiece gets hooked on button or brush.
My original slid off and was lost while doing a video shoot.  Darn!  Unfortunately these do tend to fall of fairly easily, so I ordered a bunch to have handy.  This works perfectly on my 70D, which it should since it's the original Canon replacement!  :-)
I really wish there was a form of eyecup with a lock-in-place feature instead of the simple snap in place thing, but alas there is not. After losing my second eyecup while tromping around the forest, I purchased this and used double sided tape to adhere it to the body. Hopefully that will fix things.
This is the same OEM part that came with the camera.  It works exactly like the original part and fits perfectly.
3 stars since this part should not have to exist!  easy to bump off while carrying your camera which is waht happened to mine...
The original eye cup for my Rebel GII had broken. This what just what I needed. The price was perfect.
This attachment far exceeds the original eye-cup that came with my Canon camera. This one won't get lost, or snap-off the pins. It's very helpful as the DSLR I own does not have "Live" view through the LCD screen, but I must look through the viewfinder.
The viewfinder feels naked without this, so if you lose the original this makes the perfect replacement.  It will be like you never lost the original.  I think you can get a knock-off for slightly less, but considering what Canon charges for other replacement parts this is a pretty good price.
This rubber eyecup for my EOS digital Rebel fit perfectly and works fine.  It is not as soft as what came with the camera but this one will probably stay on the camera better, therefore not being lost.  Still comfortable for my occasional use.
This is actually the second time I've replaced the eyecup on my XTi after it has gotten knocked off or damaged.  Perfect replacement at a fair price.
It's an OE eyecup, no qualms whatsoever. I got this for an IR converted 20D which I purchased recently that was missing the eyecup. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my gear, so I had to have one even though it is by no means required.Took it out of the package, it slid on, and was snug just like it is on all of my other camera bodies.I have to wonder if the negative reviews got counterfeit products. There are certainly plenty of those floating around out there.
The goodSame piece of under-designed garbage that came with the camera.The badI love my camera, but I don't even know anymore how many of these eye cups I've gone through.Rock solid camera, but this piece has the dumbest little plastic clips that don't hold the eye cup solidly in place.The clips wear out and I'm constantly checking to make sure the thing is still attached (as I'm walking around).
This fit perfectly on my Canon 5D, which is exactly what I was hoping for. The rubber seems to be of good quality
I Had to get a new one for my 5Dii because the old one fell off one day.... so I bought 2 it works great!
This EB eye cup appeared as a search result when doing a "canon 7d eyepiece" search, of course thinking it was for the 7D... I ordered it.Quite irresponsible for the seller to not list the compatible Canon's this eyepiece fits and only states:"Compatible with some Canon EOS cameras"  LAME!  So beware!
I keep loosing this when I go hiking.  I wish it would lock on better.
Fits exactly like the one I lost on one of my film cameras. OEM part I believe, so same durability and feel...
OEM eyecup, as you will lose one. Best to have a spare for when the one on the camera gets hung up on something and flips away into nothingness. usually discovered after you take the camera out of the bag for the next shooting opportunity.
I bought this product to replace the eye piece I lost off of my Canon 7d. This piece does not fit. I worked and worked with it and finally it broke.
I lost my original eye cup in San Francisco while wandering around.  I ordered these as a replacement and they work perfectly.  They slide on and hold firm.
Perfect match. Nice cushioned rim and professional quality as expected. Works just as advertised and appears properly form and fitted.
I needed a replacement eyecup for my EOS 20D, since my old one had a broken tab on it after years of removing it from a bag.It fits like OEM, feels like OEM...it honestly might as well be OEM.No complaints in the slightest.
This is a nice little eye cup for the Canon camera series.  Only drawback is that it slides off relatively easy.Great price, good quality eye cup, just watch it for falling off...
Fits perfectly, works just as well as the one that came with the camera.... However, it fell out and broke, JUST like the one that came with the camera. Can't Canon come up with a piece that doesn't easily break?
I purchased this product because I was tired of my nose being pressed against my display screen.  I thought I was ordering an extension, but sadly I found out it was just an eye piece which already was on my camera.  I have a Canon 50D.  If you lost your eye piece, then this is what you need.  If you are looking for an extension, then keep on looking.  It's truly not Amazon's fault.  I am new to the digital camera world and learning the myriad of linguo as I go.
When the release tabs break on your eye cup, this original replacement is the way to go. I don't where glasses but it is nicer to have this on camera vs not having which is what happened when I lost it.
Works perfect. I wish they wouldnt fall or break off, but at least when they do, its not a super expensive part to replace.
I have a Canon 20D and it is perfect for my camera, fix OK... and it has a good price.
got this for my canon 5d mark ii and canon 60d fits perfectly. thanks!recommended oem genuine :D :D :D
First off while the name given by Amazon only lists the 580EX, 550EX and 420EX speedlites, the STE2 transmitter will also work with the 430EX.I got this transmitter after being inspired by the potential an off camera flash can have after reading Strobist. I got two 430EX flashes to get a very portable and easy to set up lighting system.The STE2 Transmitter allows you to control an unlimited number of flashes in a few different ways. As long as the visual signal can reach the flashes, they will fire (indoors this is easy because the signal bounces off walls).The STE2 lets you control the relative flash output between two flashes (or groups of flashes) through a simple control on the back. For example you if you set it to 1:8 between A and B, B will get 8 times the 'power' as A.Even without two flashes, the STE2 lets you move the flash away from where the lens is and creates more pleasant lighting. Additionally, if you take photos of people with glasses or of objects within glass, you can angle the flash so that glare is eliminated.All in all a great investment, I doubt I will mount a flash directly to the camera ever again.
I bought it used, used it with two 430EXs, no problem at all. Made in Japan. Nice, has 4 channels.
Straight on lighting from a camera mounted flash is unnatural and unflattering. The Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter is a must have item if you own a compatible Canon Speedlite (580EX/550EX/420EX/430EX). Your subject will really appreciate not having the flash pointing directly into their eyes. Plus, with the right angle, you can cast natural looking shadows that will greatly improve the look of your portrait shots. With this transmitter you can place your Speedlite anywhere you like to get the perfect lighting for the shot. It's a really great system when used with two or more Canon Speedlites. I own two Canon 430EX Speedlites that I use with this transmitter. One flash I use as the main light source is fitted with a unidirectional diffuser to soften the light. The other flash used as a fill flash is fitted with an omni-directional bounce diffuser. This transmitter allows you to easily set the balance of light between two Speedlite groups (group A and group B). You simply press a button on the back to adjust the balance. A lighted meter on the back of the transmitter shows you the balance setting. This allows you to easily balance the light between both flash groups without having to touch or move any of the flash units. Very handy! With this setup, you can create professional portrait shots with ease, and not have to worry about lugging around a bunch of heavy lighting equipment. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!
I am a serious amateur photographer and use this transmitter on my canon when I'm doing off camera flash.  Works great.
I am happy I purchased this! It's fun and easy to use... I'm an novice photographer, and I don't have a lot of flash knowledge (seriously should say no knowledge) and was able to quickly start using this transmitter. It works great, and I'm getting the lighting I could only dream about achieving in my pictures...
This works just as described. As long as flash i-red beams see eachother it works fine... But radio controlled flash is much better
This thing is amazing!!!But it cant really compare to pocket wizards.I have the 580EXII, and the only way to use the 580EXII wirelessly, i have to use the Canon ST-E2.The ST-E2 cant shoot wirelessly through walls like a pocket wizard would do for the 430EX and 430EXII.The ST-E2 emits an infrared beam, and so does the speedlite (when set to slave mode) and the Infrared beam from the ST-E2 and the Speedlite has to be pointed at the same direction/object, in order for the transmitter to control the speedlite and fire the flash upon triggering the shutter.
I can't complain about this unit.  It costs far less than an RF solution like the PocketWizard, preserves E-TTL flash metering, and adds as little gear to my camera bag as possible, at least compared to lugging, charging, and connecting RF transceivers.Of course it doesn't have the range of RF, requires line of sight, and doesn't perform as reliably outdoors, so ultimately it comes down to what your needs are.I shoot mostly indoors and find the ST-E2 exceedingly reliable and convenient.  If I needed an RF solution I wouldn't be writing this review.  So for what it does, this is an ideal little unit.
This handy little gadget does as it says and can control numerous remote speedlight flashes on up to 3 different channels, controlling their timing and brilliance. What is keeping it from getting 5 stars in my book is that the instructions on how to use it aren't very clear (that is hardly a surprise) and involved a fair amount of experimentation prior to use.
A while ago I wrote a simple review of this stating how well it works.  I've since changed that statement... I am absolutely disappointed in the performance of this unit!This unit will work fine if you are indoors - I have had a 95% failure rate outdoors in a variety of lighting conditions, and as close as 1' from the unit.  Everything I've read during my extensive pre-purchase research led me to believe (blindly) that it could at least get moderate success at a relatively close range (5-10').  All the DIY hacks in the world in regards to foil or other reflective attachments aren't enough to increase the communications between the flash and this unit.You are probably better off in the long run to save a fairly respectable chunk of your hard-earned money and put buy a set of Cactus V2 triggers (A.K.AL "Ebay" triggers/"Poverty Wizards").  They will set you back about $30-40 for a decent set.  True, they are NOT a Pocket Wizard in any sense of the word, and will not perform even near the same.  However, they certainly beat the annoyances that are sure to come when using this product (line-of-sight is not always possible with OTC flash).In fact, the best option for those not willing to shell out $200-300, may want to check out PC sync cables.  Yes, I know, it's an older technology (some say more cumbersome), but with the right quality brands on equipment - as many things in life - you get a very stable and consistent set up.  No more explaining to your client why you didn't get that last shot.Okay...back on topic...PROS- Compatible with all Canon Speedlites- Offers wireless triggering capabilities for off-the-camera flash- Has decent battery life- Can trigger multiple flashes simultaneously- Fairly simple to use- Convenient buttons for high-speed sync and flash power settings- Works well in small to medium-sized roomsCONS- Only works with Canon Speedlite series of flashes- Non-standard battery- No battery-life indicator- No 2nd curtain (slow-sync) flash capabilities- Unreliable in outdoor settings (and some indoor)- A little pricey, based on features
I have two 580ex i use in combination with it and it all work like having my portable studio lighting system.
I just opened the box to discover that the S2-E2 does NOT come with Batteries included. This is so disappointing, after waiting so long for the package to arrive, I wanted to test the new toy but now I have to start searching for the battery. This was never made clear on the Amazon website or by the seller that the batteries are not included other wise I would have bought the batteries at the time I bought the ST-E2.I am sure this item is going to work great but this is a huge deal for me and I wanted to make this clear for others who are buying this item. I Hope people would like to see why someone gave it a single star.I will write a review about the functionality later, once I get a hold on the battery and able to use it.
When I first bought it I used it a lot. Now, that the novelty has worn off, it is rarely used. However, it is a fine piece of gadget albeit a bit pricey, but still deserving the 5 star accolade.
While this item performs flawlessly, I will agree with those who say it would be an even better value if it were radio-controlled instead of having the 'line of sight' requirement.I have been fortunate to find a rechargeable battery and charger for the 2cr5 power source it requires at [...], which was at a resaonable price too.  Why pay $[...]a battery when you can get a rechargeable version for $[...] which will last you much much longer and save you lots of money.This item is a MUST if you own one or more of Canon's speedlights, be they the 430EX, 430EX-II, 550EX, 580EX or the 580EX-II.  This tramsmitter attachment will control them ALL... at once if you so choose.  Very handy gadget which has performed perfectly in every test I have thrown at it thus far.My only suggestion to the manufacturers, would be for them to re-release this item with the new quick-lock feature found on the 580EX-II Speedlite flash. :)~I tried it out with Gary Fong's flash diffusers and it was amazing how much they enhanced my portraitures using the ST-E2.  I am really really glad I got this item.
For a long time, I wanted to get the flash off the camera; and there are only a few options: Flash cord, STE-2, and Radio transmitters, to name a few; the STE-2 is a great compromise. It works great indoors; it even works outdoors; although, not as good as indoors. It works 90% of the time if you are in a shaded area; about 50% of the time in direct sunlight (depending on distance) I used it to shoot my daughter 50 feet away under some trees and it worked.One point to take away is that you need line of sight; even indoors, if you place the camera in portrait mode (having the camera sideways)make sure that the STE-2 is on the correct side; for example, i was shooting a talent show and I had the flash on a stand on the left side of the stage; I was in the middle of the auditorium, and all worked great; except when I placed the camera in portrait mode with the STE-2 to the right, so my hand and the lens were blocking the line of sight from the STE-2 to the flash.In conclusion, I highly recommend the STE-2 as a great way to start with wireless flash.
I have been wanting to jump in to flash photography a bit more. I had first started by using an off camera flash cord and it didn't fit my needs as I just couldn't put the flash where I wanted to put it the most. As I only have one flash unit,Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash. I intend to add another one and aCanon Speedlite 580EX II Flashin the near future. And this amazing item will make this all possible. I highly recommend this to anyone starting with off camera flash photography.
this thing works great! exactly as advertised. very helpful for getting non-direct lighting on a subject, eliminating 'red eye'. totally rocks
I'll just say that this product does exactly what it claims to do. It's limitation (needing to have a direct line of sight to the flash) takes some getting used to but if you can make that happen, it works. I'm glad I bought it because there are times that E-TTL is just easier but it's not a perfect solution. That being said, I'm not sure that a perfect solution exists yet.
I've been using this transmitter for over 2 years, and it does a good job.. but it doesn't handle obstacles very well, even indoor. I love the fact that it helps you focus even in extremely dark situations, very handy even when you are not going to trigger a flash. I've use it with canon and metz flashes and they both work great with it, you can graduate power between flash...Overall it's ok, especially because you don't need receivers connected to the flash. I wouldn't recommend it if you take most of your pictures outdoor.
This has performed in a professional capacity both in our studio, and at locations. Would be ideal for pros as well as recreational photographers who know their way with correct lighting.
This product is accurate to the tenth power, I have never had a miss fire, the product was very useful at events where you need a second flash unit to be an additional light for the subject, I fully reccomend this product, the price is right for the service that it gets you.
Does not work well in bright sun, but indoors, and when dark, the IR does well. I shoot weddings and local shows, and lighting is always changing, the Ettl is a must, and is also great as a auto-focus assist (really great in low light).
I got tired of my off-camera cords breaking, so I decided to try this handy accessory.  It's great&#8230;recycles quickly and allows you to fire your Canon flash on a bracket without cords.  It's perfect for indoor jobs, but the IR sensor will not work in the sun.  The newer ST-E3 solves this problem with a radio signal, but Canon didn't include a focus-assist in this model.
I used the STE2 with two Canon 430EX Speedlites to do some portraits with excellent results.  I mounted the Speedlites on stands with 30 inch shoot-through umbrellas using hot shoe multiclamps.  I shot with a Canon 50mm f1/4 lens on a Canon 30D set to manual with a 1/60 shutter and f4 aperture.  With E-TTL enabled, the flash power is automatically adjusted to obtain the correct exposure.  I found the flash power to generally be right on but on the occasion I felt it wasn't, I simply adjusted the flash compensation on my camera.  I did not need to meter or use a gray card so I was able to focus more on composition.I really like the convenience of this wireless setup because there are no cables to trip over and that makes it really easy to move my lights around and try different angles.  With a two flash setup, you can easily change the ratio between the two flash units on the back of the transmitter without touching anything else.  This often helped me get better shots because I could quickly modify the light setup to capture a moment without stepping out from behind the camera.I would prefer radio control but this setup is very compact and I did not have any problems with the Speedlites not firing even if they were not quite in direct line of sight.  I even turned my shoot-through umbrellas around to act as reflectors, effectively blocking the line of site between the camera and the Speedlites, and they still fired so apparently there is a bit of flexibility in that line of site.Update 5/25/2007:  Although the STE2 worked well for portraits in relatively small rooms, I recently tried to use it for some wedding formals in large churches, reception halls, and outdoors and found it didn't work so well.  Even after putting in brand new batteries, I was quite limited on where I could position my flashes so they would still fire.  I had to have the flashes in front of me and just off to the sides for it to work.  I have since decided to purchase some radio slaves for my wedding work.  The other thing I noticed is that if you are shooting a bride in a white dress, E-TTL will tend to underexpose the shot so its value is diminished which makes non-TTL flashes and old-school metering for off camera formal work much more desirable.
while it certainly does the job of transmitting and metering the flash to an off camera (or two) flash in the eos ttl series (im using a 550 ex and 430 ex, i have also found some of the shortcomings if it.distance in a large room or outside is limited, especially if you are attempting wide angles to the flashes.it is also rather large and 80's looking.my personal reccomendation is to save a few bucks, and get an additional 550 or 580 flash.  that would allow you to still offer the master function this provides, as well as offer some front fill flash...  just a thought.after owning this for almost 2 years, i find i use the 550 on the camera and my 430 off the camera mainly.- On a side note, i was able to use this unit with my two flashes for doing some very up close macro work with fish fry ad larvae..  so aside from large group shots and studio work,. this can make a big impact on macro work as well!very easy to master buttons, you will figure this out much quicker than all the functions of the large flash units.  80's styling and 80's buttons i guess...
(See updated notes at bottom!)First off, awesome idea!Unfortunately, the idea wasn't perfected.Getting your camera off the flash has gotten MUCH easier over the years - wireless triggers, ETTL cables, hotshoe-slaves, PC-Sync cables, you name it.The problem is getting that flash to carry ETTL wirelessly. So far only a few transmitters do it, and they're all VERY expensive (requiring not only a transmitter, but also a receiver for each flash). That's where this little guy steps in.The STE2 pops in your hotshoe and wirelessly triggers your Canon flashes (with slaves). The first problem here, is the "Canon" part - unlike the other options which work with ANY brand of flash, this one works with the Canon system. If you only own Canon flashes, no problem! If you own a mix, you've got a problem (the Canon's don't come cheap!)The next problem is that it's line of sight based. This means it has to be able to "see" the other flashes. Not so much of a problem indoors (it'll bounce off walls and generally hit the flash), but outdoors you'll have issues. Sunlight, especially, causes signal loss and (especially using multiple flashes) it's not something you want to have to rely on (you'll spend time either trying to correct it, making sacrifices or not notice that half your flashes didn't fire (which would be too late)).If you already own a Master/Slave flash (like some canon 580EXII's), try that on wireless mode to see how well it works outdoors, that should give you an idea of what to expect from this. Unfortunately, with it being unreliable, I just can't recommend it for anyone planning to use it outdoors. Indoors, you should be fine, but is it the option you need or would a cheap transmitter or sync cable do the same job for you?Next problem is the battery - for some odd reason I can't understand, they decided to use non-standard batteries. No AA or 9V here, we've got a "2CR5" here. Have a bunch of these lying around? Chances are you don't, and  you'll want spares for when you need to replace it!One very cool thing about it is that it has Focus Assist - that's the little red pattern that the canon flashes use to help you focus in low-light situations. If you don't need to use the flash, you can still use this thing to help focus in darker locations without needing to mount a high-flash on top. I know I've used my 580EXII as a focus-assist tool (not using the flash output), so having this (much smaller) option is very nice. The question is, is it worth the asking price? For me, I say no. For you, maybe it is.There are much better options out there - if you just need wireless, pick up a transmitter/receiver combo for 1/10th the price of this. If you need ETTL, spend 1.5x the price of this and get one of the new pocketwizards and a receiver - the extra range (and not having to fight with getting a line-of-sight) is worth it in the long run.--UPDATE 11/15/2010A 3rd party manufacturer, Yongnuo, has since released their version of the ST-E2 transmitter. Costing a bit less than the Canon model, it's nearly identical but with some improvements (including longer range (Autofocus assist beam and transmitter beam, ability to swivel left/right, runs of 2 AA batteries). While still not perfect, the Yongnuo version is a considerable improvement and one I can actually recommend if you're using ETTL!
I really like this Transmitter don't get me wrong. But frankly I mostly do Automotive shoots and it can get quite limiting, namely because the IR sensors have to be facing each other, which means that you have to move the flash positions to face the camera and transmitter each time you change your lighting set up....it also means you can be creative and put a flash behind a car or wall as the signal won't reach behind obstacles of any kind. I would invest in a Pocket Wizard system which is much better which is what I'm saving up for now. But this is nevertheless a decent item to have if you have some Canon flashes and want to experiment with wireless flash set ups.
This transmitter does cost a lot more than off-brand transmitters, but it's well worth the cost.  Because it's designed specifically for Canon it fits in well with your equipment.  It's small and streamlined and doesn't look bulky, which is why I chose it over Cowboy Studio's transmitter.  My first time using it I didn't even read the manual.  I inserted the battery, slid it onto my camera, turned it on, made sure my flash was on channel 1 and fired away.
I am quite pleased with Canon STE2 transmitter, it works with the speedlites series and also I've tried it with Photoflex and Visatec flashes and it did a great job.
nice producti faced some problems with sync is with more than one flash
I have a 580ex and it works great. I was hopeing that it would work for a studio light but nope so dont try it.  The only thing you have to be mindful of is the distince that the flash is from the subject.
A lot of people here seems to think this thing is the greatest thing since slice bread and to a certain extent it is good...indoors.  Indoors in a small to medium size room with walls where the infra-red signal can bounce around it works great!  Outdoors unless the transmitter has a good line of sight to the flashes...not so great.  I would easily recommended this for indoor work. Personally, I am looking into some kind of radio trigger for the flashes.
I have been reading the Strobist ([...]) for inspiration to take my flash off camera. I have been using one of the Gary Fong Lightspheres with great results in casual portraits at gatherings or events. But for more formal portraits, I'd like to be able to do some side lighting, and yet keep it simple and mobile. Goal 1 was to get the flash off the camera, and onto a stand. I debated whether to go the more expensive route of radio control, but decided that for the first round, this would be fine. So far, in experiments around the house, it works great - there are limitations as to range and visibility, but it is not as if there needs to be direct line of sight between the STE2 and the flash.As mentioned in another review, the battery CR25 is a little unusual, but I found it at BestBuy - just be aware that you can't get them at the hardware store.What's neat is that you can adjust flash compensation through this unit, via your camera, if it is capable. So if you shoot manual or in assist modes, you can easily dial the flash up or down by two F-stops by changing the setting on your camera (check whether your camera is capable of this - I know the 40D and 5DMkII are).So I would say that for a modest price you can get the flash off the camera, and have some fun with better light setups. Next for me will be a second flash, and then you can also adjust ratios between the two flashes on the STE2 without touching the flashes.
I have not been able to use it yet as it needs a special battery (2CR5) It also arrived with no manual and no warranty card. I know I can download the manual and I can probably register on-line but why should the onus be on me? I hope it works as advertised. It is aggravating to get a new gadget that cannot be used immediately.
This is an unchanged 10 year old antique.  The ST-E2 ONLY controls groups A and B slaves.  So, another wireless method for the group C slave(s) to fire would be to have them attached to slave hot shoe(s) and hope that no one else uses flash near the slave(s).  A better solution is to set another group A or B Speedlite on manual and dial in the required output.Flash exposure compensation (FEC) can be set on a hot shoe mounted 580 series Speedlite used as a slave trigger to control FEC to compatible Speedlite slave groups.  The ST-E2 CANNOT perform this task.  Instead, you can walk over to each slave and set the FEC to achieve the same effect.Direct line of sight indoors is USUALLY not required.  The building's interior hard surfaces help in bouncing the wireless signal to the slave(s).The ST-ET comes with a black coloured pouch having the same rugged material as the 580 series pouches.To conclude, one star was removed for the:[1] odd size battery which is not carried in all stores[2] inability to control group C slave(s)[3] lack of control over FEC (not a problem because the unit has rear buttons to adust the flash ratio in 1/2 stop increments for groups A and B slaves), manual flash (each slave must be individually set) and stroboscopic flash (each slave must be individually set)The Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter is not as sophisticated as the Nikon SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander.  The ST-E2 which doesn't come cheap is half the price and size of the more versatile 580 series Speedlite used as slave triggers.
The ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter is a wireless controller and trigger of compatible EX series Speedlites. The ST-E2 also sports a powerful near infrared AF assist light, a welcome feature for EOS cameras lacking an AF assist light. The ST-E2 should be used with an E-TTL capable camera and Speedlite for best results.APPEARANCE: The ST-E2 is small and light, weighing in at 100 g. The power source, a 2CR5 lithium battery, is light compared to AA batteries. I can't feel a difference in weight with the ST-E2 attached to a DSLR. Although light, it appears well built, perhaps a little more beefy than a 430EX Speedlite.AF ASSIST LIGHT: One of the main reasons I bought the ST-E2T was for the near IR AF assist light. AF assist works with or without a slave flash. However, if you wish to only use AF assist, best results are achieved by disabling flash/enabling AF assist in your camera menu. Otherwise the camera is expecting to trigger a flash and exposes accordingly.The ST-E2, circa 1998, is optimized to work with the 45-sensor AF arrays of the EOS 3, 1V and 1D series cameras. Indeed, the AF assist light works perfectly in ECF, manual AF sensor selection and auto AF sensor selection modes with my EOS 3.  It works with other EOS AF arrays but is not 100% compatible (more below). The deep red AF light is discrete--I can hardly see it--and won't offend most subjects.I tested the ST-E2 with my 5D MKII in a dark bedroom. It projects the AF pattern for auto selected AF points and covers all of them. However, when I select individual AF points, it does not project for the upper and lower most center points of the diamond. It works perfectly for the other 7 AF points, including the far left and right points (will snag AF on a plain white wall). The results are the same on my 40D and 50D.In low light, I often prefer to AF with the center cross sensor and leave the others off along with ECF. In automatic sensor selection mode, I found it locked on to anything in total darkness, even a blank white wall while using a slow zoom. However, the outer edges of the horizontal line pattern are fainter than the middle, leading to focus difficulties with outer AF sensors after 20 feet. However, I can often snag focus with the center cross sensor with objects over forty feet away. The official AF assist range is 34 feet for the center area.OFF-CAMERA FLASH: I walked around with the 5D MKII in my right hand and the 430EX flash in my left hand and shot party portraits. I could quickly control the angle and height of the flash for more pleasing results than shoe mounting the flash. Also, bouncing off a ceiling or wall was much faster than using the normal tilt and swivel features of the 430EX. Of course, there were no red eye problems whatsoever. For small group shots, I often placed the 430EX 5 or 6 feet to one side (on a stand or held by a volunteer), enough for good modeling and a little bounce off a white wall for fill. I've used similar techniques with the Off Shoe Cord 2 many times, but the ST-E2 is more convenient and flexible. The ST-E2 works great with the Off Shoe Cord 2 if you need to trigger Speedlites behind your shooting position.While in slave mode, Speedlites omit near infrared pulses, making them easy to find in the dark!I was impressed at how easy it was to set ratios with the ST-E2: enable ratio control and scroll to the desired ratio. Ratios from 8:1 to 1:1 to 1:8 are available for the main and fill Speedlites. The modeling flash, activated with the DOF button on most EOS models, was helpful in selecting the correct ratio. Unfortunately, it is easy to burn through a set of flash batteries playing with it!NO SECOND CURTAIN SYNC: Unfortunately, second curtain sync is disabled in slave mode (wireless mode) with the ST-E2 and EX Speedlites.IR TRIGGER: The IR trigger beam is wide and strong, so line of sight isn't usually necessary indoors for small product, macro or portrait shoots. The ST-E2 can trigger my 430EX Speedlite even when facing the the opposite direction (it reflects off nearby surfaces). However, outdoors, or without reflective surfaces, line-of-sight is needed. The ST-E2 is a great choice for two flash macro in the field or small studio setups. Outdoors, in sunny weather, not a good choice as sunlight can overwhelm the IR trigger. So, not the best choice for wedding pros shooting large groups in bright light and diverse surroundings (no line of sight).LAST BLURB: If you need a wireless multiple-flash system for field work, the ST-E2 is an essential tool along with a 430EX or 580EX Speedlite or two. The precision and flexibility of the system beats the tar out of wires and optical slaves. Plus, you also get a wonderful AF assist light to boot.
I just purchase this speedlite transmitter ST-E2 and also purchase 3 batteries Im setting up for my first  real wedding getting paid kinda gig. I did my first test indoor with my wife using 2 canon 430ex flash its a wow factor respond . I felt more confident the speedlite did not fail not once and the outcome its great. Then I went outside to see how far I can shoot using 2 flash, one of the flash is about 26ft away I twist the body so that the wireless sensor face towards me the 2nd one is about 5ft away I have my daughter to  stand on the far one and my wife is closer to me. Im shooting with almost no light hardly see my object the AF assist beam focus so quick took about few seconds before is almost impossible, the shot was incredible theres a dark no light in between them and both of them are so clear and sharp imagine this shot on a wedding where theres a pool in between nice...... Anyway what  I love the most is I can shoot in almost no lights and the pictures is soooo artistic. I feel like a pro Im confident  my canon gadget sort of comunicating to one another , I can be more artistic now I have less equiptment to bring wireless and ITS A CANON highly recomended wish me luck this saturday the 14 th of may 2011
The only reason i give this a 4 instead of a 5 star is that it could use some updates. ie. metal foot, weather sealing, to bring it up to current standards. This transmitter works great and does all that Canon says it will.
I am very happy that I decided to invest in this Transmitter. I had read for some time that many photographers follow a rule never to use a camera mounted flash. I don't subscribe 100% to that rule, but when I want to use an off camera flash, or multiple flash units this is a dream come true. I have found it exceptionally helpful using one or two flashes mounted on tripods at different locations. A criticism I read was that it is works on line of sight, but so far I haven't been inconvenienced by that feature. Bob Pavelsky -- A Thousand Words -- [...]
nice to control flashes and play with light for creative photography.. keep in mind it need batteries which is not included and you need to order them separately.
It's not a Pocket Wizard, but for what it's intended for it'll do fine. The more I shoot, the more I shoot full manual - Radio Poppers and PW's are the way to go there.Sometimes though, when we have people over, I will set up 2 580EX's pointed at the ceiling and use the ST-E2 to capture group shots.  Works great - never ever fails to trigger the flashes.  For portraits indoors I have been known to hide a flash behind a chair, set to manual at 1/64 as a hair light, and a main light camera right or left. The flash hidden behind the chair fires too, with the IR signal bouncing off walls and such.For fast, ad-hoc throwdowns where I don't have time to set the shot up perfectly, I'll use this thing with ETTL and let the camera meter the shots.  This is what I imagine this thing will be best for: clackering off quick shots without thought, when time is tight, let the camera's meter do the work.So while this device is perfectly fine indoors...it's outdoors that it starts to cool off - better at night, oddly, but still not great unless the flash units are pretty close to the emitter.  I knew that going in, though, so I'll limit my review to indoor stuff.4 instead of 5 stars?  That damn battery.  This thing is showing it's age, using a 2CR5 battery.  They're expensive and sometimes hard to find.  As for battery life...we'll see.Meanwhile the Radio Popper people state this device is use ALONGSIDE their remotes...I don't know how, but I'm going to find out...
I have been using this unit to fire my 430ex and 550ex flashes. It works flawlessly indoors. It can auto focus in complete darkness and the flashes do not need to be in line of site. Outdoors is another matter. It's difficult to line up the sensors even at close distances. Not that it's impossible, but it will require some patience.
Well I was very apprehensive about buying this item as it was overpriced, typical Canon sales.I was very surprised with the unit, (make sure you buy a 2CR5 battery)The unit is very easy to control, you set the flash to slave and attach the ST-E2 to the camera hot shoe and lock it into position, switch the unit on and you are now ready to use the unit.I wish I had bought one at the same time as my 580ex flash, I have been using the Canon OC-E2 off camera shoe cord for a while and have recently hacked it so I can extend the flash a distance of 50ft.The ST-E2 wireless transmitter frees you of the hassle of cables and it is great indoors with off camera flash per the Strobist techniques,outdoors might be a slight problem with distance and depending on how bright the day is when trying to use it, radio poppers or the pocket wizards are probably the way to go, but with the Canon ST-E2 you do retain full E-TTL.If you are requiring further distances and already have this product then Radio poppers would compliment this however they are more expensive than Pocket wizards but they do retain the full Canon E-TTL system.I wish Canon would come out with an updated model to this so that it would be a radio trigger and not optical.At least with pocket wizards and the correct cords you can trigger the camera remotely or the flash if need be.If you're on a tight budget then go with pocket wizards straight away as the system is expandable, They are more expensive than this unit, but you're not limited to one brand of flash either, a lot of photographers are using the Vivitar 285HV brand of flashes with pocket wizards and are getting great results.Hope this review helpsUpdate, I now own Pocket Wizard Flex TT5's and Canon 7DThe ST-E2 is no longer required.
this is great if you feel you don't need to bounce off tricky places. in a small room it will bounce to the target strobes.if you need more range go for pocketwizards.
I'm not impressed for several reasons:1) The build quality is poor... feels more like a toy compared with the flashes2) The thing didn't come with a battery, and uses an obscure battery type3) There is no sealing or locking mechanism for the hot shoe... you'll put it on a $250 flash, but not a $250 transmitter?4) No second curtain control... this is a big boooo to canon in general, who has turned their back on pro strobists and advanced hobbyists alike.Not sure I'm going to keep it, rather than spend $55 on a 30 foot ebay OCE3 cable that will maintain my rear curtain and doesn't need line of sight...Come on, Canon... get with the game.
Adorama Camera had a great deal and I enjoyed working with them. The product was used, but worked for my purpose.
Not much more to add to S.F. Roney's excellent review, except to say that the specialist 2CR2 battery shown as an accessory is in fact an essential extra purchase - clicking on "see more technical details" will tell you that the battery is not included with this item.This I find rather surprising from a $200 accessory that doesn't run on regular AA cells like the speedlite flash range does.A small criticism however of an excellent item: the ST-E2 will give you so much more flexibility than the off-camera shoe cord which has a limiting 2' range - not ideal for using with an umbrella!
From the perspective of a serious enthusiast, this is a really cool item to have. It recently went down in price (I guess because Canon just came out with a new radio transmitter) so I went ahead and got it. I really like it, I do not do a whole lot of flash photography, but I can now see the potential for some really creative shots using this. It has been dependable, it is compact/light, and works great even when it is not in direct view of the slave flash. I do not have a studio setup, and I know that a radio transmitter like the pocket-wizard is more reliable because it uses radio signals which can go further and even through thicker walls. But the advantage of this trigger is that you do not need to use two devices to set it up, it works with your speedlite system right out of the box! You do not need two pocket-wizard devices (one for the trigger and one for the slave flash) which are more expensive and bulkier/heavier.The only downside is that it does not come with batteries, which are not-cheap and not-easy to find. But once you get the battery it lasts for quite a lot of shots!I really recommend this item, it has been working flawlessly for me. Unless you have a very large studio, or the need to shoot outside in bright light, this is a perfect companion for your speedlite!
I first bought this transmitter as an alternative to the pocket wizards. Most of the work I do with this transmitter is outdoors. Greats pretty good outdoors, even if both, the flash and the receiver are under direct sunlight (flash has fired every single time). Of course, since it is an infrared wireless trigger system, the only limitation you have is that the flash has to be in front or above the camera to be triggered. Outdoors, you have to be within a horizontal  working distance of 10-15 feet, and you can be about 30 feet away from the flash within the horizontal working distance (although most of us, will be working within 12 feet of our subject). I would highly recommended. i even got to use it with an umbrella directly in front of the flash, and the flash could still be triggered without any problems.
PROS:+ affordable way to have remote, wireless triggering.+ unbelievably efficient battery life.+ very straight-forward and easy to learn the controls.+ very lightweight.CONS:- unsatisfactory range.- has to be within "view" of the slave light source.- any small obstructions between transmitter and receiver results in communication loss.This is a fun transmitter to fool around with when just starting out with wireless triggering and studio shooting. But unfortunately, after just a few times of using it, I outgrew it's pretty meager capabilities. Unless you shoot a lot in nightclubs or small events, I HIGHLY recommend that you instead save up more money and invest in Pocket Wizards.
It gave me the option to change the angle of the light... this is a nice option to have I am sure!
This flash cord shares the defect of its cheap-o imitators.  The plastic part that attaches to the metal arm breaks easily.  Yes, the flash will still work - you just will be unable to safely attach the flash cord to the off-camera flash arm.  When it breaks you will be embarrassed as your expensive Canon flash goes crashing toward the ground.  Lucky you, the cord is too short for the flash to actually be harmed.Canon makes a more expensive flash cord of the same length.  It's sinfully expensive.  This one is just a marketing ploy.I have extremely mixed feelings about the Canon company.  Why do they have to be BOTH the best and the worst?
I got this cord mainly for Macro work so that I could use long Macro lenses along with my flash without having to deal with the lens shadow in the picture.  It is also very nice to be able to control the direction of the lighting by placing the flash above, below, or beside the subject.  Red eye can also be almost entirely reduced by moving the flash further away from the camera body, so this cord is helpful for portrait work.  It could be a little longer, but the longer it gets the more difficult it would be to pack it small spaces, so all-in-all I think they did a pretty good job.  It works fine, if you want all of your flash's functionally, but don't want it in the hotshoe, this is a good choice.
Yes, way too expensive for what it is, but it's not made by anyone else and it DOES allow much more flexible usage of your flash unit.yes..Canon should have used metal foot given it's price.. add-on foot does the job.I also feel they could have used a bit more flexible cord as when you need to use full length like in your free hand, it wants to pull back too much.Rather than use just the replacement metal foot, I attached a metal flex joint type foot that allows even more adjustment.What are you going to do ?  You really need it and only Canon sells it..6/03/2008 update;New improved OC-E3 version out now... even higher price to match.Also a couple of clones added to the market, not sure of their quality.Jan 2010 update;Item is still working fine and has no broken parts.
This is an excellent item if you want to position your external flash off of the camera.
Unlike the 3rd party brand off camera shoe cord, which did not work with some of the automatice flash functions, this product works great!
I was somewhat hesitant about ordering this but after using it for a few weeks I like it.  I would rather have something that fits into the camera body instead of mounting on the camera shoe.  I have not had any problems with it so far.  I also think like other Canon products, the price is a little steep.
Let's face it... if you're shooting with a bracket, you need this device.  The problem is it's not well made.  I'm on my third in a year's time.  The hotshoe that hold the flash has a nasty habit of breaking at the base, making it tough to keep the thing on the bracket.  That means my 580EX has had a couple of tumbles, which not only puts your equipment in a bad way, it makes you look unprofessional on the job.  It was a relief to switch to using Gary Fong lightspheres and ditch the brackets altogether.
Great little cable, necessary for that flash bracket - I am a little concerned with my Canon 430EX flash unit on it and have tried to be careful not to bang it around while on the adaptor as I'm concerned it seems a little flimsier than I would have hoped, but no trouble so far (just shot my first wedding with the equipment).
good for the purpose intended and is very well built.
Does what it's supposed to.  The price is a little bit on the costly side considering it's just a wire.  Of cource it's needed if you are going to do off camera shoe flash photography with a dedicated Canon flash.
The Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 is indispensable for those who use a speedlight bracket for portrait photography. Raising the speedlight off the camera body helps eliminate hotspots, redeye and lens hood shadow in flash photography.Canon needs to make the cord much, much longer (don't know what electrical resistance problems this will cause) to utilize directly (as a master) with umbrella lights. I must use the umbrellas as slave units - because of the short cord length.One look at the set screws in the base reminded me of a problem pair of eyeglasses where the set screws backed out if you just looked at them wrong. A very careful application of CLEAR nail polish over each screw has prevented problems others have had (so far) with the screws backing out. This etches the plastic - apply sparingly and carefully.I'm CONSTANTLY checking, tightening, checking, remounting this cord and speedlight interface to insure reliable function of my 420EX and 580EX speedlights - mounted on a flashbracket with an adjustable arm. Flipping the arm back and forth for landscape and portrait picture formats - puts stress on the hotshoe and speedlight sides of the cord. After some failures - these compulsive actions become "normal" procedure!If someone has a better cord - I'll use it. In the meanwhile - if you use a flashbracket - you need this cord.
Great accesory for your Canon EOS flash. It's neccesary if you don't want to be sticket to the direct light of the flash.
I bought this as a back-up cord but haven't had to break it out of the box yet since the first one I purchased has not failed in over two years.
You gotta have this if you're serious about flash photography. It makes a world of difference. If you're using your strobes on a stand you'll need a longer cord than the base model. My next one will be longer, but this model is good for things like hand held off camera shooting or for using with camera grips like the stroboframe.
Using a flash bracket allows the flash unit to be located away from the camera, which reduces shadows and generally improves the quality of your flash photography.  Canon's Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 is a convenient accessory that provides the required link between the camera's hot shoe and the flash bracket's clamp.Cord 2 is easy to use, and is generally very sturdy, however care should be taken to avoid putting excess stress on the critical screws that hold the components together.  This applies primarily to the connector that the flash unit is attached to, as this connector bears the weight of the flash unit and batteries.When attached to a bracket, and the camera is held horizontally in the landscape mode, the flash unit is upright and the stress due to gravity is minimal.  However when the camera is held vertically (portrait mode), the weight of flash imparts significantly more stress on the connector, and the screws that hold it together.  The affect of gravity on the flash unit tends to pull the connector apart.  Similar stresses occur when the arm of the bracket is rotated between the vertical and horizontal position, or simply when the camera with the bracket attached is swung around.  The housing of the connector is made up of two hard plastic sections held together by three tiny machine screws.  Over time, stress and torque can cause these screws to work loose, or even strip their threads.The flash contacts area a second potential problem area.  The flash contacts are mounted to a plate that is held in place by four screws located under the metal retaining clip that holds the flash unit in place after it slides in.  Under stress, these screws can also work loose, resulting in the flash failing to operate.  Tightening the screws will usually make the cord usable again, but you may need to have a small screwdriver handy in case this happens during a shoot.In my case, the four screws securing the contacts became loose, causing my flash to fail to operate.  By tightening the screws after every use, I was able to continue using the cord a few more times, until the connector actually split apart and broke.  While the camera was in the vertical position, the screws stripped out of the base of the connector.  Fortunately the wiring remained attached between the broken pieces, because they prevented my flash unit from falling to the floor and possibly being damaged.I'm on my second cord now, and am constantly aware of any stress that I put on the tiny screws in that critical fitting.  Cord 2 is a great accessory, but it definitely has a weak spot.  Care must be taken to minimize the stress that gravity places on the flash unit connector, to insure that it lasts as long as possible.  It is not an inexpensive item, so buying replacement cords is a rather costly proposition.
I am on my third off-camera cord (about one per year).  Two have broken.  As other reviewers noted, the four screws under the metal retaining clip on the "female" end of the cord loosen and eventually fail.I have found that a thin narrow knife can be used to remove the black "spring" cover over the screws on the shoe.  You can then tighten the screws with a screwdriver.  If you use Locktite on the screws then they will not loosen.  Canon should do this at the factory.I use this cord with a Stroboframe "portrait/landscape" grip which raises the flash over the camera by six inches thus eliminating red eye and providing a much more pleasing light.  The stroboframe grip comes with the right size threaded screw for this cord.When my cords failed I lost the extended-through the lens metering just like another reviewer noted.I am not a professional photographer and only use the camera occasionally yet the cord still fails.  Canon should re-engineer this cord to make it more durable.Unfortunately, I do not believe that there are alternative cords. It looks like I will need to keep buying Canon cords.
I bought this bag after the addition of my New Canon 60D into my array of gear. The bag is a great size. In the main storage area I managed to fit my Canon 60D with 18-135mm lens, Rebel XT with 18-55mm Lens and Battery grip, Canon 430EXII Flash, Gray Fong Light-sphere and Puffer, Audio Technica hotshot mount Stereo Shotgun Mic, and i still have room to add the battery grip onto my 60D with no spacial problems. In the side pockets i fit the battery charger for both cameras, battery holder for the grip, extra cables, filters, lens cleaner solution and literature. This bag is perfect for someone who brings their camera (or two) everywhere as this bag has adequate padding around your equipment.
This bag works well with 1 camera body and zoom lens and accessories. The padding inside does quite well. Would buy again.
I wanted to know the inside dimensions of this bag so I could lay out my equipment and determine if it would all fit before buying.  I found the inside dimensions on several web sites, but all were wrong.  Even Canon exaggerates the inside dimensions. From those dimensions I was expecting more room than I got. I was expecting that my Canon 70-200 F4 lens could sit on end in a pocket, and it could, but only with the bag's inside cover pockets removed and with a bulge in the cover. I was also expecting my Canon 5DIII to sit face down with a shorter L zoom lens on it.  That was possible but was marginal and wasted space on either side of the lens. Nonetheless, the bag worked out well for me.My final design has my lens-less 5DIII on end in a pocket, two L zoom lenses on end in similar sized pockets, an L 100mm IS macro in another pocket, two non-zoom lenses stacked in another pocket, and a collection of stacked lens hoods with the detachable camera strap inside of them in yet another pocket (total of six roughly 3-4" diameter pockets.  That leaves room for a 3.5x8" pocket across one end that holds the 70-200 f4 on its side on the bottom, a piece of foam rubber over it, and a flash and lens mount on top.  I can put a flattened bean bag on top of all of this and get the cover zipped comfortably.  I do have to be careful that the four permanent snaps on the inside of the cover left exposed by the removed inside cover pockets do not rest on anything of value.  The bean bag helps with this.The actual INSIDE dimensions are 8" wide, 6.5" deep, and 13.5" long. A box exactly this size (on the outside) would probably not fit fully inside the bag, but because the bag is a bit flexible and will conform to the contents, it will hold the equipment that would fit in those dimensions.There was no room left inside of the bag for my filters and the outside pockets would not accommodate my tamrack filter case, so the filters are wrapped in flannel and tucked into the bottom half of an old sock and then into a side pocket.  A 40mm pancake lens is also in a side pocket as are a charger and other accessories.  I'm going to make a map of the contents of the side pockets and keep it in the main compartment so I don't have to unzip and root through four outside pockets to find what I'm looking for.If you have Canon F2.8 lenses (24-70 and 70-200) your fit will be a bit tighter than mine.  The 24-70 should fit okay but the larger 70-200 will be tight in the end pocket.  The longer pocket may need to be along one side instead of across an end of the bag.  The 2.8 lens hood might also be problematic.  If you have one fewer lenses, you should be fine.The side pockets could be a bit larger and less rounded, but they are roomier than they look. The bag is excellent in all other respects.The shoulder strap is nicely padded though this is not a bag most of us would want to carry very far on a shoulder if it's well stocked. I will use it to store my equipment at home and transport it to the car and into a hotel and such. I generally only take the body and a lens or two in a holster or smaller sling bag when on a hike or other outing away from the hotel or car.If I'd been able to ascertain the exact internal size of this bag before buying, it would have been a five star purchase.  Instead it's a four star purchase. I don't know why product listings often don't contain critical information.EDIT:  I've uploaded some top view photos showing my gear arrangement.  This should help you decide what you can squeeze into this bag.  See the photo has has labels.
Has with any Canon product that I have seen, the bag is very well made. all pockets have flaps and zippers to keep everything secure. As with many other reviews I found that at a "professional" level of equipment that the bag will NOT fit the amount they say. This bag is great for an amateur photographer such as myself. I fit almost all my equipment in the bag with exception of a SLR body (I have 3), and my tripod (which there is a strap on the bottom of the bag for).Loaded in the bag: Nikon D3000, Nikon N6006, D3000 battery grip, Nikkor 50mm 1.8, Vivitar 50mm, Vivitar 135mm, Nikkor 70-200mm, Nikkor 18-55mm VR, Vivitar 2.0x Tele-Converter, Vivitar 283 TTL Flash unit, Macro filters, miscellaneous other filters, M42 to F mount adapter, TTL cord, USB cord, extra battery for D3000, chargers, AA batteries for Flash, 35mm FILM, manuals.I wish the bag was a little bigger but for the price and as well as it is made I am VERY happy with the purchase. I would recommend this bag to anyone, no matter what they shoot with (Nikon, Canon, etc).
I can fit 2 Canon 6D's, 3 telephoto lenses, 2 audio recorders, cleaning kit, 6 camera batteries, LED light box, shotgun mic, and etc...Basically, it has a lot of room for your stuff. The outer material repels away water fairly well, (took it out in snow). The bag even has adjustable straps on the bottom for carrying your tripods! Price could be a litter lower.
The used materials is durable and workmanship is good. The design & dimension is practical. The provided padding & partition is sufficient.
First bag I have ever owned that truly carries everything that I need in the field.  Great size and very flexible design.  Bag is well constructed and light-weight (for its size and capacity).  I haven't pushed the bag to its limit but it seems to hold everything except a  l-o-n-g telephoto and I never expected that to fit.  With so many well-placed pockets and compartments, the hardest part was remembering where I put everything.  Bag has survived a heavy and unexpected rain and the water-proofing and design seemed to work well.  No water inside whatsoever!
This bag fits my Canon 50d with 17-85mm lens attached.  My Canon G15 in case, Canon 100 Elph camera, 70-300 canon lens, 100 mm macro and all the filters, 6 batteries, 3 charger, and other attachments.  Plenty of room.  Highly recommended.  Very well made bag.
THIS WILL HOUSE ALL THE CAMERA ACCESSORIES THAT YOU HAVE. EXCEPT YOUR TRIPOD OF COURSE....... GREAT FOR YOUR CAR BUT A LITTLE BIG TO CARRY.
This is a solid bag, well designed and assembled. Very flexible interior comparment components. Easy to access external pockets with solid zipper action. Quick release clips for main flap are secure but easy to open and close with one hand. Strap is comfortable and configured in a way that keeps the bag upright when open, even while you wear it. The bottom is rugged - I'm always confident that my gear is well protected. Details like zipper pulls, contoured shoulder pad, and handle grip are not overlooked.However, I'm not sure what lenses they had in mind when they rated the capacity. I carry a single body, three zoom lenses (with hoods reversed), a flash, a doubler, and a few accessories on the inside. Granted, one of them is a fairly large 70-200 2.8 with tripod ring on. I can't imagine putting much more in unless I was going to pack it for long-term storage.The outside pockets are very useful and make extra batteries, memory cards (film), filters, and other accessories easy to access without compromising security. There are also two handy removeable zipper pouches that attach to the inside top with velcro.Plenty of bag for me. For situations where you want to carry a similar set of gear, it could be a great bag for you.
Needed new bag for increasing size of hobby...and equipment. Fits multiple lens's and camera body well. Only wish is for external strap/straps to attach tripod to outside.
This was a gift for my son who is a photographer.  It was bigger than I expected, but he was thrilled.
It has everything my old bag did not. Bag will out last my camera. This is what I should have bought 8 years ago.
Its a nice bag if you don't have larger lenses.  Its rated to hold 1-2 bodies and 7-10 lenses.  I currently have a 40D/grip, 580EX II, 70-200 f/2.8L, 28-135IS, and then tamrons 28-70 2.8 and 17-35 lenses.  thats full to the max.  I contacted Canon to find out what lenses it was rated for, they considered the 17-35 lens even to be larger than what it was designed for.  They designed it and rated it for two bodies, no grips, no external flashes, and the lenses are all small prime lenses like the 28, 24, and 50mm's.  They couldnt list 10 different focal length lenses that would fit in the bag...so why do they say that?  I had to special order this bag from my shop, so there are no returns, and Canon is sticking to their word that it holds what they say so they are doing anything about it either.If you can live with the camera/grip, flash and 4 lenses, then its a great bag, but if you are getting it to hold anywhere near the gear its rated for, go with something else.  If anyone wants mine, just email me...im selling it on here for cheap now.
What can I say, this bag stores my gear and does what I need it to do. I had outgrown the smaller, backpack style bag that Canon makes, so I upgraded to this bag. I am really satisfied with the quality of construction and the layout of the interior.
I upgraded to a larger Canon bag. Less expensive than other brands. I pack a 6D with battery grip, A 20mm, 50mm, 28-135 Zoom, 85mm, and a 100-200 F4L. Also battery charger, batteries for the flash, filters, two remotes, cables and books. Tight fit, but its a lot of stuff and it works well.
I love the capacity of this bag, lots of pockets and little storage spaces.  Very professional looking bag. I have a digital SLR, 5 lenses ranging from a 300mm to a 50mm.  I have a large flash unit and numerous filter sets.  I cannot say that I would appreciate about 6 more inches of space, but this will do for now.
Just got mine a couple of days ago.Very well constructed and well laided out.Not as big as what people say but for an average person it holds pretty much everythng.I like the fact that flaps cover the zippers so if anything drips on to the bag it will bead and roll off.
I keep a lot of stuff in here.  Nicely made and holds everything I need.  Canon 60D, 2 lens, 2 GoPros, Flash, Hoods, etc.
Quality A++++ Durability A++++ Value A++++ Storage Space A++++ I'm able to fit in (1) Canon 5D Mark II camera, (1) Canon ef 50mm f/1.8 lens, (1) Canon ef 24-105mm f/4L lens w/hood, (1) Canon ef 85mm f/1.8 lens w/hood, (1) Canon ef 70-200mm f/4L lens w/hood, (1) Canon 580 EX Speedlite Flash, (1) 430 EX Speedlite Flash. The hoods are inverted to fit them in. The bags has 5 zippered pouches to hold numerous memory cards, spare batteries for the flash units, filters, and (1)David Busch's Compact Field Guide for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IIin the rear pouch. Yes I managed to fit all that gear into the bag. Is it heavy but it works for me!!! I do like the zippered main compartment. So far so good the bag is holding up nicely.  I would I trust in this bag to keep my gear dry in a rainstorm... no!!! It's designed to carry a lot of gear w/out falling apart! I would recommend this to everyone....yes!!!
I was looking for a Canon bag to adequately hold my Rebel, it's additional lens, a large Sigma flash unit, and lots of pockets for other photography gadgets.  It's light with comfortable shoulder strap.  I have a small amount of left over space inside the bag, but am quickly filling it with accessories like the Canon remote cable...  Lots of flexibility in arranging the interior pockets.  Rear pocket with zipper is handy for instruction books etc.  Would like to see a pocket for my name and address in event case it &#34;misplaced.&#34;
I have had this bag for about a year now and it is great for keeping a grab and go kit together.  The comments about how many lenses you can really carry in this thing are valid.  I carry 28-135mm EF on my 20D most of the time and I lug around a 17-85mm EF-S and a 50mm EF.  I figure I have room for two or three small lenses like a macro, tele extender, or macro tube - Or on big lense (I think I can get a 100-400mm in there without much of a problem.  I keep my battery charger, filters, cleaning kit etc. in the bag all the time.  But if you know what type of shooting you are going to be doing then plan accordingly.  If you filled this bag up with glass you would not want to carry it all day anyway.My only grip are the little metal clips creak a little but a few inches of electrical tape cured this.
Reading all the reviews, I started to wonder exactly how large OR small this bag actually was.  My opinion is that it should be considered a large bag.  I'm completely satisfied with the purchase.  All of my gear fits easily, with some room left over.  It's quite heavy when fully loaded too, so I can't imagine carrying around a larger bag.  I wanted something where I could store most, if not all, of my camera equipment.  This bag fits the bill.  I'm satisfied.
This is big enough to hold the camera and all the accessories including flash and camera battery charger.  The detachable 'pockets' on the inner side of the top are great. The versatility of the removeable 'pockets' and dividers allow for many configurations and uses.
Lots of compartments. Big enough for a 40D and seveal lenses plus manuals and other trinkets. Quality constructon. Rugged. Was a toss-up between a backpack and this bag... Still thinking about the backpack.
Lots of room for camera and lenses. Very comfortable strap and the bag contours  to the body.This bag is a great value for the money.
Couldn't ask for a better camera bag. Well built, good warranty, adjustable compartements, waterproof, excellent protection, sturdy, well padded, lots of room, well designed.  What more can you say! Canon always has the best products, bags included!
This is far smaller than expected. It will not hold two cameras and lenses. Only a body and very few accessories. Having said that, the build quality is excellent, or outstanding whichever is better. If you do not need a lot of equipment this bag is great. Camera with lens, flash, and a couple of smaller items will fit on the inside with pockets on the exterior for cards, cables or other small items.
This is the bag I have been looking for, well, until a better one comes along...
I bought this bag to use it to carry all my gear and to work from it from a site.  I don't have a whole lot of stuff (5 lenses, Canon rebel body, speedlight, minor accessories) so this has more than enough room for me.  It has enough organization features (internal pouches, external pockets, dividers) that everything has it's place and is easy to find.The shoulder strap is pretty comfortable and is curved to sit on my shoulder well.  It could use some grippy-er stuff on but isn't slippery.The tripod straps on the bottom are not removable, but that's a minor issue (they are semi-permanently flat from storage so they don't dangle).The default camera dividers are designed for storage of body only, but since I'm using the kit 18-55 lens primarily, it fits w/ it (or similarly sized lens) pointed down (or up) with a grip installed.It has both a zipper and two buckles for the lid.  Each on it's own is strong enough to carry the bag by the handle, so you can decide what is faster/better to use to keep it closed.As I have other bags (and a Blackrapid strap) for walking around and hiking, I can't vouch for how comfortable this bag would be loaded and carried all day.  I primarily use this to keep all my gear near me when in transit or at a site (it sits on my front passenger seat whenever I drive somewhere, and is easy to grab my camera quickly).
that when I was looking for a new camera bag I saw this and bought it.  Great bag.  I must have thought that the first time I saw it.  Turns out I bought the same bag again.
It is as advertised and works for me. Well made and reasonably priced. I have used it ever since it arrived.
Plenty of room for my 6D Body, Canon 24-70mm, Tamron 70-200mm, Canon 15mm and Metz 58 flash with room for misc. accessories!  The bag isn't too bulky either and very portable!The fact that it's a Canon bag and I have Canon equipment is a bonus!
Bought this bag to hold my old Olympus OM-1 35mm film setup and my Sony H5 Digital.  It can easily hold the rated 2 bodies and 7 to 10 lenses.  However, those old Oly lenses are pretty small compared to other brands so doubt you could fit the rated number with Nikon, Canon or other systems.  Still it is a great bag.  Very well built, well padded, comfortable and affordable.  The bag has the protective flap for the zippers, but this slows down access to the gadgets inside.  Still it is quick enough for my needs and most other serious hobbyist.  For the price, I doubt there are many other bags this well made and this size. Would recommend to others.
I like this bag, meets my needs as a semi-pro photographer. Mostly use it to store my lenses and extra photo stuff. Very strong and durable. Would buy again. Price is good too.
I've had the bag for a little over 2 weeks now, and am enjoying it well...I can carry 2 Canon DSLRs quite comfortably with 4 lenses (16-35, 24-70, 24-105, and 70-200), and 1 flash (420)Only issue I have is the bag height - it is a little tight having the 24-70 mounted on a body, and loading it vertically.Overall, great price and sturdy build (bag stays firm fully loaded), and the non-slip shoulder pad keeps the bag secured when carrying...Would definitely recommend!
I got this bag to carry around my 7D & glass.  The only thing is that I don't know how they fit 2 DSLR camera bodies &how ever many lenses they claimed to be able to fit in there.  But I am only able to fit my 7D camera body with Battery grip,  the 24-105mm f4, 70-200mm f2.8 USM II, the 100-300mm f3.5-5.6, the 100mm f2.8 Macro, The 580 EX flash, Duster brush, Canon Battery charger, USB cable, rechargeable battery charger, 24 rechargeable batteries, 2 microfiber cloths and a little room for my phone.  If anybody else has been able to fit more cameras or lenses in their 1EG bag please reply to my post.  So I am not complaining but I just can't figure out where they put all the stuff they said they got in their bad :)
Not sure it would be good for more than one body although two with limited lenses could fit. If you have a Battery Grip Extension on your body then it takes up a bit more space. As is, have to store the body with the lens detached for it to fit the best. Other than that - no arguments. Fits a Camera Body, 3 lens, three filter sets, chargers, batterys, flash, and assorted other items with ease...plenty of space to add other items within reason. Should be able to safely carry most any thing you'd need so long as you aren't carrying more than one or two bodies and no mega lens - says Professional but it's signicantly smaller than most photo bags you see the pro's carry.
After purchasing a new camera, a camcorder, all the accessories and lenses, I needed something big to store them in.  This bag is the perfect answer. Its beefy and well-cushioned to protect your expensive equipment. Amazingly, it holds everything, with a few empty compartments left over. I highly recommend this bag for all your camera gadgetry.
The bad feature of this product is that it does have one velcro pad on the inside that allow you to re-size the storage compartments to your own personal needs, the rest of the pads, only have the velcro to adapt, but it is very limited.  I had the Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras, it's zippers were strong but difficult to manage, so I changed it for this bag; but I'm disapointed, because of the difficult to design your own space, the pads make it very limited.It can carry very well the tripods that are light.  I'm buying a 6 pounds tripod, and I don't know how is going to work in it.
This camera bag is extremely well made and a bargain compared to other web sites.  However, it was much larger than I expected so I returned it for a smaller bag.  The return was extremely easy, much easier than returning a product to a local store.  I am very pleased with my shopping experience and will continue to purchase from Amazon
Spacey. That's one word to describe this bag. It has room, and it has style. Well built, with good padding, and protective covering for lenses and stuff. Good quality fabric, and material. I know that if I ended up slipping and falling, my camera would be stable and well protected inside. In fact, I am thinking, I should throw this bag off a few floors and then come back and write a review..nah!! Just kidding. Good job on the straps on the bottom to hold a tripod. Works like a true canon product.
I gave it to my son, I have a smaller canon bag which I like better than 1EG, my son thinks it is a really good bag
Maybe 7-10 lenses if you carry all 1.8 50mms.  I can barely get 2 5dMKIII, 4 lenses and a flash in it.  It is stuffed!  It is much better than the last bag I had which was a 100DG.
Great quality materials have gone into this bag. Plenty of room for Camera body, lenses, cleaning kit, hdmi cable, and any other accessory you could think of. I use one of the compartments for my point and shoot camera as well as my Canon DSLR camera. I have also purchased the smaller bag, the Canon Gadget Bag 100EG for when I just want to take along my camera and a lens.I'm very pleased with the look and durability of both bags.
This is way beyond my dreams.  I have enough room for my camera, all lenses, 17 filters AND a second camera.  I keep a small tripod on the case and strap a full sized one to it.  More room than I could have imagined.
This is my main camera bag and I continue to be amazed that a bag of this quality can be purchased at this price. Have used it for 3 years now and the full closure hooks on the front are very robust metal and I have no worry about breakage or using just the hooks without closing zipper when moving bag around during a shoot.  True pro grade weight of nylon denier. Good assortment of well padded interior dividers. Exterior pockets just the right size for chargers, 430 flash, filters, blowers etc. and access with bag closed. Top flap is generous and keeps everything protected.  Interior holds 2 gripped 7Ds, 24-70L, 70-200L, 1.4tc, 16-35L, 50 1.4, 580 + 430 flash + odds and ends. The large flat rear pocket is perfect for manuals and papers. I think there's an error on Canon's capacity description, but my bag is heavy enough with what I pack.I use this bag for my event shoots with its easy top access. It's not for hiking to catch your favorite nature shot or carry your sports teles. I use a Tamrac Expedition 8 for outdoor shoots with my long lenses, mono or tripod and a good size walk ahead of me.(UPDATE AFTER USING THIS BAG FOR 18 MONTHS)This is a robust bag, a great value for the money and still looks good after heavy use. I use it for all my indoor or around town general shoots and have had no problems lifting the bag with just the metal hooks secured. You can access the exterior pouch compartments without opening the bag and the generous wrap around flap protects everything from weather exposure. It is well thought out for quick access and the right type of space for everything I carry. I continue to use my Tamrac Expedition 8 for packing my big teles, multiple 7D's with grips attached and my computer along for sporting or field events with a good size hike and the need to be self contained but WOW, that configuration is super heavy.
LOVE my new bag, I was worried that it was going to be too small from the reviews. But I was wrong, it is a big bag, I am not a professional or anything but there is plenty of room in this bag. Good quality zippers and straps. Canon makes great products.
It's been awhile since I made this purchase of this bag, but I had to kick the tires and find out if it would grow with my needs. So far so good. The bag offers highly adjustable velcro compartments to customize any size components. I currently only use one camera body (EOS 20D), but a do own a variety of accessories, (lenses, filters, timers, etc.) that do store neatly with room to grow. Overall I'm very happy with the purchase.
There are plenty of configurable pocket areas within the bag. My camera has a vertical grip on it and that seems to take much of the space where a second camera could go. For the most part, I get all of my essential items; lenses, two flash units, filters, etc., in the bag with little room to spare. I had a backpack carrier and it always seemed to be in a mess. This keeps everything close, clean, ready to use.
I haven't found a way yet to pack in two camera bodies, 4 lenses and accessories. Its a nice bag, just not large enough. Especially if you have a full frame body (Canon 6D) and a couple of L lenses (even though the largest is just the 24-105 F/4L). Storing the lens hoods is very problematicIn addition - the height of the bad is not high enough to safely store your flash units (Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT) in a vertical position.Its a good quality bag - just not big as advertised by Canon. I'm rather disappointed with my purchase.This is one of those purchases that doesn't work well in doing remotely. Your better off going brick and morter store. This is not a fault of Amazon, but that of Canon.********** Update ****************I've given it a few months ...I take day trips often for photo opportunities, hell sometimes for days or a week. I have yet to find a practical way to use this bag. Its awkward in every way!So it just sits home - I never use it - still in brand new condition if someone wants to purchase!
when i got the bag home i thought way to big how am i gonna fill this thing just purchased another lense and all the extra stuff i had with the film camera and i'm glad i bought the larger bag solid bag with lots of nooks and crannies to store the little things you always need highly recomend  rick selsor
This is a very large camera bag and it has many pockets to store different items.  It is very easy for a person to organize items with this bag.  I saw another Canon camera bag at Fry's Electronics with a black rain proof bag.  Why didn't Canon provide a bag with 1EG?  Other than that, there are two straps at the bottom of the bag.  I think the straps are for the tripod but I am not sure about that since even Canon's own website does not explain its design features.Nevertheless, this bag feels fairly sturdy so  Iam giving it four stars.
This a good looking bag and well made.  Beyond that it is a joke.  In the discription it states that it will hold two bodies and six lens.  This I would love to see.  I was just able to house my 5d with a 24=105 attached.  Had to remove walls and lay the camera down.  My 70-200 would not stand up and again it had to lay down.  My flash unit has to be laid on top of the 70-200. The room that was left houses cf cards, batteries and remote control.There is no room what so ever for my 100-400 lens.  The bag really should be higher in order to stand up long lens.Another bag that doesn't do the job.So if you have one body and all short lens this may be the bag for you.
Well made bag and well padded. Holds everything I want it to. The pockets on the outside have a lot of room.
I still wish I had more room for zoom lens's and an extra camera. Can't have everything I guess . Still is a very sturdy and safe bag to carry equipment. Good job Canon .
I was looking for a bag small enough to fit under the seat of a regional jet but big enough to hold my gear.  I stuffed in two DSLR bodies, three bulky lenses, a flash, and various accessories.It has, in addition to the main compartment, four large pockets for accessories: lens shades, filters, batteries, etc.The main compartment and two front pockets are well protected by snatch-thieves by both zippers and a cover that clips down over both the compartment and the two front pockets.The construction looks good, but, as I got the bag only yesterday, I cannot comment on its durability.  However, two smaller Canon bags have held up well under light use.
This camera bag is great - highly flexible, tons of removable/adjustable dividers for bodies/lenses, a slew of pockets inside and out!  It can easily hold 2 bodies with lenses attached plus another few lenses on top of that.  The only downside to this bag is that it is nowhere deep enough for a 70-200, thus one must lay a 70-200 on its side.  While that is no big deal, you do lose some of the usable space putting a lens on its side.  Still, this bag is just big enough that it is not cumbersome and one can arrange the organizers to their needs.  Highly recommended.
Super cool bag. Fits my wife&#34;s Canon 70D and 3 lenses with plenty of room to spare. Room for extra batteries, SD cards, Canon Flash is in there as well. She has some other things in there but i don't know what they are, but they are Camera related items. It's not some flashy bag, but it's there to protect and carry your camera safely and securely. For that reason alone it gets 5 stars.
All the pockets on it allow you to have a space for everything. I use one pocket for my cell phone, one for camera batteries, one for flash batteries, one for lens cleaning supplies, one for maps and the mesh one inside for miscellaneous accessories. As a news paper photographer were you are rarely sure what you will be taking photos of, it is great to have what you need there and ready when the shots come around.
This is the best camera bag that I have ever had. It is large enough to hold my camera, flash, filters, and wide array of lenses. Plus has straps for larger tripods and pockets for spare batteries, card readers, and just about anything else you might need to haul around. Extremely well built and heavy duty.
Top of the line materials with top of the line workmanship. Would have been 5 stars if the hooks on the front were easier to work one handed. At first I thought it was going to be too big, but now that I've started to use it I would have to say it is about perfect in size. I carry a Canon 20d with 17-55 and 70-200 lenses all the time. I have plenty of room for spare batteries, flash cards, card readers, a small water bottle, and a couple granola bars for long days in the field.
I can fit a canon eos camera body, a 50mm, 24-70, 70-200 and 580exII flash in the bag.  The pockets I use for filters and flash cards.I wish I had just a little more room, but really can't complain. It is a very sturdy bag compared to others.
Have 2 of these bags, really big to fit all my DSLR components.One for my Canon EOs 7D, Now I need to get a Canon 5d Mark iii
My Canon 1EG bag is stuffed, and I have a Canon 5D Mark II, two very small film bodies, and 4 lenses in my bag. There is no more room in the main compartment! It will not fit 2 bodies and 7-10 lenses plus a flash, unless you have extremely small lenses (that means no "L" lenses, guys!) And if you attach the hoods and keep them in their protective pouches, just forget about it. Nevertheless, I do not need any more room, so this bag is adequate. The strap can kind of be uncomfortable at times, but if you wear good clothes, you'll get over it quickly.This gets 4 stars, but Canon needs to make a larger bag for people that have a few telephoto L lenses.
This is a very nice bag. I am going to Alaska and wanted a bag that I didn't have to set down to change lenses.I purchased this bag to replace the backpack style bag. Both are made of the same material(like) I can not fit anymore equipment in the 1EG bag than I have in the backpack.I carry;2 camera's (no lens attached)a 70-300 lens which I stand up. A bit long but it fits.and 5 other lenses.The pocket on the back I use for waist strap storage. I put Lens caps and filters in the other pockets. And a Tripod or Monopod strapped to the bottomNo more room can not carry books.In the backpack style, I carry the same equipment plus 2 photography books and a note book.The thing I like about the 1EG bag is I can keep it on my shoulder when changing lenses. Just spin it around open flap and everything is accessible.This bag is bulky I don't like it when traveling. I used the waist strap to keep it close to my body and not flopping around.The backpack I would have to put it down to get into bag for anything.I like this bag for traveling.I will keep both bags but I think I will use the Backpack most.
I bought this for my wife who does wedding photography and has a fairly large selection of equipment , multiple cameras and several lenses . She has been able to fit her cameras , lenses , flashes , Etc . in this bag without having to &#34; force &#34; them in or out . With a nice array of front and side pockets for memory cards , batteries , cords , etc.  she say's : there still room to buy more !  Thanks..... I guess.......
I tried several bags for my photography needs and all of them had issues like flimsy plastic zippers, cheap construction, and mostly lack of space for my equipment.  I would say that bringing 11 lenses with you is preposterous but who would do that on the field??What I can assure people of, is that this bag is seriously solid with ample room for most needs.  I transport my camera, 2 zoom lenses and a primary 90mm lens in it.  I also have a flash with a ring flash, 2 small tripods, a set of ND lenses, a microphone, batteries and charger, and various other accessories.  I can also attach a full size tripod to the bottom of the back.  This comes at a price since it gets heavy, but still transportable.  It is not the kind of back where you get the camera out in 5 seconds and are ready to shoot.  But these bags don't allow for much equipment anyway.  I would highly recommend this bag, and propose that you get a smaller bag for certain occasions.  Then you transfer what you need at the moment and are ready to shoot.  You will have the piece of mind that you got what you need in this bag for most occasions.
I like it for the same reasons stated by other reviewers, so I won't repeat myself here. The part I worry about is something I discovered when I tried to adjust the dividers slightly & tried to rearrange one of them. As the velcro pulled on the fabric along the inner walls when I tried to separate them, the fabric stretched so much that I thought I would tear it. I also wonder how long the fabric will last after years of use and enduring climate changes. However, the outside of the bag is well constructed & provides sufficient space for the amateur camera enthusiast.
I purchased this for a Canon EOS 70D and accessories. When I first began using it I thought it was perfect but quickly realized it's pretty small when you try and load all your gear into it. I bought a Lowepro 450AW to load most of my camera gear in and now use the 10EG as a supplemental bag for items I don't need fast access too. The bag is very well made and may well be just perfect for most amateur photographers.
This is a GREAT BAG. It holds the camera and the standard lens and at least 2 more lenses. 100-400mm and 100-300 mm with room to spare.
Canon once again delivers an excellent product. plenty of storage space durable and very user friendly. Thanks Canon!
I purchased this bag to replace my smaller Canon bag 100 EG.The 100 EG was great for my XT and XTi but I needed to have a bag to hold my Canon 40D with a Canon 200mm lens attached.This bag holds the 40D and the 200mm with the power grip attached with plenty of room left.I was able to also put in 3 other Canon lenses, a 15mm, 28mm, and an 85mm with the 40D with power grip and 200mm lens attached. I don't keep these lenses in the bag all the time, I just wanted to see what could fit in it.You customize the bag yourself as best you can for what stuff you need to put in it. I took out all the padded inserts at first, and position them in the bag as needed. Right now I am only using one insert.Front and side pouches hold extra batteries, remote cable release, and charger. I still have empty space. The material is the same as the 100 EG that I have used for a few years now without problem.
As long as you know you won't fit 2 bodies and 8 lenses in this, you'll be fine : )Super good construction, think padding, high quality metal latches, great materials all around.  Has two straps on the bottom to secure a tripod.  I'd personally prefer the tripod attached to the back instead of the bottom, but it's not a big issue.  I couldn't be happier with it.  The hardest part is deciding how you want to arrange all your stuff inside.
The Canon gadget bag's fit and finish is top notch.  Nice looking bag, well built and appears highly customizable.  I have nothing to compare it to and have just started with photography.  I left it in the default configuration which carries the camera body with no lens on one side followed across the bag by six individual compartments for lenses.So far so good - if anything changes with use, I will update the review.
just what i needed
I  am thoroughly impressed with a camera bag that hold my Canon EOS 60D with 55-250 lens, 18-55 lens and all my accessories.  It is perfect and is easy to carry, either by the top handle or the shoulder strap.  This was money well spent!!
Other reviewers have been nearly consistent here in praising the quality of the Canon 10EG. Many, however, have expressed disappointment with its size saying that it holds far less than Canon's blurb suggest. (2 bodies and up to 8 lenses).Having worked as a pro for almost forty years, and having amassed a large collection of bags by most of the major makers, I can attest to the first point and possibly provide some context for the second.This bag WILL hold 2 Rebel-sized bodies and up to eight lenses, but only when arranged for storage, not quick access. This is how:Put one body over another with their body caps on without lenses attached or battery grips. One of the padded dividers is designed to go between the bodies and protect them. The eight lenses have to be either very small zooms or smaller single- focal length lenses and they too would have to be stacked one over another with caps on both ends, sans hoods.I used a similar set-up for years with a Nikon f3 system when I was traveling. It is slow and cumbersome, but doable and for some shoots very usable.But that said this is NOT what the 10EG is really designed to do best. Its real purpose is to provide excellent protection and quick access for a smaller system. The key to making it ideal for our individual set-up is to think 'out of the box' when putting in the dividers.My own Rebel T2i system will in the end consist of four lenses. (I presently own three of these) Since I use the Rebel for quick grab-it-when-you-can shooting I placed the body - grip and 18-55 zoom attached - centered in the bag with the back of the camera rearward so it rest against my hip. My 55-250 lens sits in one upper corner, my 60 2.8 Macro in the other. Both are held in place by a single affixed divider curved around the lens. Smaller dividers create two more protected zones left and right of the camera body. One of these will hold the 10-22 zoom when I get it, the other (possibly) a small flash.I have posted a pic of the configuration in the picture section.Some have commented about the waist belt expressing the POV that it is largely useless and a waste of space. I disagree. It is to me beautifully designed to serve two important functions.1) It keeps the bag firmly fixed against the body under all circumstances. This allows for quicker (and safer) access and return when one needs to grab the camera or change a lens quickly in less than ideal circumstances.2) It will help prevent the most common type of theft the 'tourist' typically is threatened by - especially in some southern European and Central American locations: The quick 'cut the shoulder strap and snatch' maneuver so favored by crafty youth whose lively hood (such as it is) is based on victimizing unsuspecting tourists.I could not rate this bag more highly. And its price here on Amazon is half or a third of what I would have expected for a bag this well designed a well constucted. Wonderful!
This is my second bag. Both are the same bag. It is perfedct for all of the needed gear for a photoshoot.One bag has my camera, extra batteries, charger and two lenses and the second has a back-up camera, my two flash units and three additional lenses.I like to carry one bag for day photoghaphy. The second comes in handy for flash shoots.Bag is heavy duty for years of service.Great product.Thank you,Ed
I have my Canon D60 (equipped with extended battery attachment), 2 lenses and external flash light in main compartment. A lots of other attachments and accessories fit in the pockets.This bag is for people that take photography seriously and like to have their gadgets handy and well protected.
Holds my DSLR with 18-135 telephoto mounted a second telephoto & a couple of standard lenses plus all the other gear I carry in a well protected fashion. No complaints it's just the right size. Well maybe one, it could have a Pentax label on it.
This one was for me. It is perfect! All of my &#34;stuff&#34; fits. I am so excited about making some pics.
This bag was exactly what I needed. The descriptions were spot on and the product arrived quickly. It easily holds my T2i with the standard zoom lens, motor drive 75-200 f4 L lens and it's fairly sizeable lens shade. Extra batteries and charger fit well into the ample side pockets. Look no further for a trusty case. The front flap uses a rigid metal clip the secure it to the body of the bag. Fabulous design.
As I'm not a heavy user at this point, I can't comment on its durability over time.  Other reviewers have raised legitimate concerns about the handle putting strain on the main zipper compartment, since there is no attachment from the main handle to the body of the back to help distribute weight.  I can see the strain breaking down the material over time.  Also, I verified as one reviewer stated that Canon provides no product warranty with their bags.  Those misgivings aside, however, I like how my items fit comfortably in this bag.  It's small enough to be very portable, yet gives you enough space to fit quite a bit of equipment. While the overall dimensions are smaller, the space allotted for each lens is larger than say, the Tamrac 8, for example.  A quick aside on bag specs: it seems many manufacturers inflate the number of bodies and lenses that can be carried inside.  Perhaps they're all using 50mm primes and entry level dslr's to arrive at those numbers.  In this bag, I fit a pro dslr without a lens attached, a flash beneath it, 2 wide angle lenses (roughly 16-35mm), a standard prime, a nifty 50mm, and a second flash.  Another note on these bags: where do you put the filter hoods? I have mine resting on top of the dividers, but none of the bags I've seen allows the type of filters that go with wide angle lenses. I digress-- the side pockets work great for stashing batteries, stray cords, and filters.  It's been put through the paces only a couple of times, so continued use will give me more information about it's reliability and resistance to the elements.
Great gadget bag!  For once everything fits... extra batteries, battery chargers, memory chips, small tripod etc.  I don't have to leave anything behind, anymore. I even have room to pack an extra small camera and accessories! Bag comes with side pockets, a waist belt and straps on the bottom in case you want to attach more stuff!I also have a smaller version which I am happy with. This influenced my  decision to purchase the bigger version.
I really like this camera bag, the only thing I dislike is there is no pocket in the back to hold my camera book.  Instead there is a strap (that tucks inside a flap that snaps shut but the sides are open,) to put this bag around your waist.  But if it was full I would find it hard to carry around your waist.  Also the strap is attached to the bag and I can't remove it. I can't see that I would ever use this.But other wise very well made, price is kinda high but it seems all camera bags are, but after looking for awhile for one that would hold my camera, 2 lenses and flash, this is the one to do it.
I carry my camera (Canon T2i) with the 18-55mm lens, a 55-250mm and a 50mm lens in the main pocket.  I also stash the Speedlight up there too.  I would say the bag is roomy, sturdy, and professional looking.  I would definately recommend this bag.
This bag has great room for our t1i, extra lens, card reader, manuals, all wires and chargers, video camera and all accessories, plus more our digital p&s and accessories. It is great construction, don't know if we'll ever use the tripod straps, but some may. It is stylish, and well padded with zippers that hold your stuff in with out those big gaps in  bags that just use buckles!! Over all we love it for big trips and storage we did buy the exact bag style in smaller version for day trips, where we just wanted camera. Love the products, and don't have to worry about my stuff getting banged around in this padded bag, Thanks a lot!!
Each compartment has zippers + Velcro. The main compartment has zippers + Velcro + snaps. So, depending on your needs you can have either quick access or very safe containment.
Great construction.  I really like the metal clasps and other fittings.  The internal space fits my camera, clash, and a couple of lenses just fine.
Nice and roomy, Can move the partitions around to fit your equipment. Comfortable shoulder strap that fits either shoulder. Good price and well worth the money.
After ordering the Canon Gaget Bag from AMAZON,I was happy to receive it so promptly! I am alsovery pleased with the camera bag. Since I do notlike the top flap attachments most camera bagsseem to use, I like the snap located on the frontof this bag. It is roomy, well made, and reasonablypriced. I would recommend this bag to others.
It is a Canon brand, I fit 6 lenses (no telephoto fits however). The idea is not to carry all your equipment, but the basic  which  fits tightly in this bag.  I like it a lot. It is water resistant and the strong. You can adequate to your own equipment with velcro liners inside so that the lenses  remain well fit inside the bag.
This has done me well for a very long time. It looks the same as the first day I got. It holds up well to wear and tear.
has lots of room for all my accessories. straddles my shoulder and it doesn't slip off which is perfect while moving from spot to spot.
Nicely made, we were able to fit both our video camera and our rebel dslr in the bag and it's a reasonable size to trek around with.
very good for the price ;)
We purchased this bag to carry a Rebel S1 and it works perfect. We have a 75-300 mm  lens (it barely fits), the camera with a 18-55 mm lens, a spare battery and the battery charger. there is some room left for a few filters. the camera comes with a shoulder strap that can be adjusted and a belt strap that can be concealed when not in use.
I know this product doesn't have the best reviews, but I think it's great!I bought the S2 camera (on Amazon), and this bag works JUST fine with it.I can get the camera, my extra batteries, and the wall adaptor all in the bag just fine :)  It's a very sturdy bag to!  I wouldn't recommend it for a professional though, who has to carry around a lot of camera stuff.  But for me, it worked great, and I recommend it :)
Product is of excellent built quality. It cannot house 3 lenses with DSLR camera body (in my opinion). I have Canon SL1 body, 18-55mm STM lens, 4 filters , extra battery, battery charger, SD card, cables, 1 prime lens placed inside this bag and in my opinion this bag cannot have any more camera body or zoom lens. However it is a well built, compact and durable product which is excellent for the price. Shipping and packing was excellent. Zips, pockets and padding is remarkable. Overall a very good product. Only the product description is misleading otherwise deserves 5 stars. Will recommend to those who don't want big bags or have less equipment (DSLR camera and lens).
Just perfect for my t4i camera with 18-135mm lens and some accessories like external flash, cables and chargers.Not too small and not too big to carry around.
The pictures made the bag look much bigger and hold more than it does. I can barely get my camera and long lens in it.
This bag is excellent quality. However the space is tight if you want to carry multiple lenses. The bag could take my T3i with Kit Lens and there was still some space left for just one more lens. The bag won't carry 3-4 lenses as advertised.
I bought this as a present for my budding teen photographer. It was perfect for a beginner. Would need a little more compartments for a more serious hobbiest or professional.
This is a finely made bag by Canon. It isn't spacious, but just big enough to fit my camera body, its kit lens, and a 55-250mm telephoto zoom (each sectioned off using the included divider pads). Not to mention the front pouch is good for storing the charger and battery which fit in two perfectly sized internal pockets respectively. The rest affords room for lens cleaning patches, SD cards, cables, etc. It is put together mostly from a tough nylon-weave fabric with matching heavy-duty metal clips and zippers. The bag offers generous padding and features a hard bottom-insert with plastic feet that prevent the bag's underside from coming into contact with a potentially dirty or wet surface. I also liked the oversized zipper flap that goes around the top and hangs over the front pouch. I can see how that would help if rain or liquid spills ever materialized. Oh, and just to top it off: there is an integrated belt in the back you can pull out or hide behind a nylon surface that looks so inconspicuous I wasn't aware of its existence for several days.
This bag is small, but it fits my Canon Rebel XT with the kit lens and battery grip. I also carry the 50mm/1.7 lens in there and still have room for the manual, battery charger and other small components. I will be getting a bigger bag when I start acquiring more lenses, but it is great for now and for summer travel.It also looks nice and is very sturdy.
This is a great little well made bag for a beginner. Will fit a SX40 with charger and batteries/memory cards. You'll need a bigger bag if you want to bring along say an external flash or video lights.
I just received a Canon Rebel T3 to start taking photography classes at my college. This bag fits the body and lens intact and separate also a lens hood, USB cable, and the camera charger with room for a few more things. It is small but I'm very happy because it allows me to travel light and only bring what I need to school. I plan to go to China and Mexico soon and this camera bag is just right for that as well. Obviously 3 to 4 lenses will not fit so don't buy if you need some serious storage space. The bag itself is very high quality and protects from rain which is great for the NorCal winters. It has no plastic pieces for the latches and is padded on the inside but that's probably insinuated. I recommend this bag to all who would like a nice small lightweight bag and for beginners who don't have a big kit.
I have a 60D, 18-135mm lens and a 50mm lens. It does not fit with my 18-135mm attached. Would not recommend to anyone.
This bag is absolutely perfect if you ignore the false advertising. You will NOT be able to fit as many lenses or camera bodies as it says you can. But you probably already knew that, so I'll get to the important part.You can probably fit one body and two (or three, if you took out the pads) lenses, or one lens and two bodies in the bag.The most important thing about this bag has to be the metal clips for the shoulder strap, by far. Most bags use plastic clips that will break eventually, but these feel very heavy and solid.It's also very well padded with customizeable pads on the inside to fit your needs.The strap is also nice and comfortable.Sometimes I have to film high school football games, and for this past one I had brought my SLR and had the bag over my shoulder for 3-4 hours with little discomfort.Overall, if you have a minimal camera setup with one body and a few lenses, this bag is for you; however, if you have something a little more, like multiple bodies or more than one telephoto lens, then go with something much bigger.
The bag also has a zipper pouch in each of its front and top compartments, for holding little extras like film, wallet, etc. You may feel differently based on the weight/size of your gear. The inside includes some embroidered canon accents on the zipper/mesh area, giving it that extra polish which makes you feel like you bought a superior.
The bag is about as big as I imagined (since I heard so many people complaining I was hesitant at first to buy it) but it fits my photography needs. I'm just beginning so I only pack my t3i and one lens and everything fits nicely. If you do however carry more than one lens, be aware that it may be a tight fit in this bag.
The bag is extremely well made and has the necessary pockets,  The bag is little heavy and could use more light weight material.
just some examples to know what size of bag you are buying.It didn't fit my canon 7D with the battery grip and the 24-105mm attached.same thing about my canon 40D with the battery grip.but finally will fit me canon 70D.or 2 powershot camera,
It's got plenty of room for your camera and two lenses, plus all your extras (battery charger, cleaning pen, ect.).  I would highly recommend this to all photographers!  Fast shipping too!
This is a small, compact bag perfect for my new digital SLR. Its clips make me feel as though the camera is secure, unlike other bags I looked at.  I happen to have purchased a Nikon, and the case that came with it was laughably cheap and tiny in comparison.
Very high quality bag but it was purchased for a DSLR.  The camera and a normal lens leaves little to no room for much else.  It would be great for a point and shoot camera.  As far as delivery, it was quick and painless.
Took me a long time of reading reviews before I settled on purchasing this bag. Too big, too small, what is right for me? It fits my t3i 18-55mm kit and my 55-250mm zoom lens without much issue. The spare battery, charger, USB cable all fit in the front pocket. There isn't much room for anything else though.
I bought this for my boyfriend and he loves it! It holds everything he needs all packed up nice and tidy in a sturdy bag.
This is a fabulous bag for my Canon SX 40 and it stores 3 batteries, 2 chargers, a car charger, lens hood & all cables and still plenty of space for my smaller SX 100 with its case !! The quality of the case is also very good with metal zipper handles and shoulder belt clips. The padding is excellent and it is very easy to remove and place the camera in. I have had a Caselogic 304 case and while it fits an SX40, the battery charger, 2 batteries and USB transfer cable, it does not take the lens hood or the HDMI cable or the video cable....The only thing I hoped was there were some options other in color other than  the dirty green bottom. Well worth the money that I spent for it.
This is my first camera bag. It is true is a little small but I don't have a lot of things so it fits good for me. If you are looking for a bigger bag this is not exactly for you.On the other hand, the bag is very well made and it has like two straps so I like it so much.
this bag is the perfect companion for the Canon EOS Rebel I bought, is plenty of room and pockets and provides excellent protection.
When I acquired a second lens for my Canon T3 DSLR, I needed a larger bag. This one fits the bill, easily handling a 55-250 lens, a flash, a battery charger for the flash, and the T3 with attached 18-55 lens in the main compartment. I have the charger for the T3 in the front pocket, along with lens cleaners and other accessories. I have not had reason to use the built-in strap that lets it be used as a fanny pack, but it is nice to have the option.I believe the bag could be used to hold a third lens, especially if it were something like a &#34;nifty-fifty,&#34; but might require some rearranging in the main compartment. Anything larger (such as the 18-135 zoom) would probably require leaving one of the chargers at home.Quality of construction and materials seems very good.
This bag is pretty nice quality and the front clip is great (love that it is metal not plastic) but it is too small, and just will not fit more than 1 lens comfortably.I ended up returning it for the slightly bigger amazon brand, but I think the build quality on this bag is much better, it just doesn't fit things as well.
I love this bag it is very small and light from the outside but it holds my camera, several lenses, filters and other goodies with no problem!
Am pleased with this bag. I didn't want a large, bulky, heavy bag and this one is great for being compact. Only problem IS the size. I have Canon T1i with the standard 18-55mm lens. Also bought a 70-300mm IS USM lens and bag is too small. Oh, I get it all in. Thank goodness for the separators that keep one lens from creaming the other one. I put the 18-55mm lens sideways and have the 70-300mm lens attached to camera and it barely fits on top of the other lens. The bag has room for the manual in top slot (although it sticks out and won't close with the zipper), and the front baglet has room for battery, charger, all the cables, SD card, and extra lens cap. This bag is not too bulky to carry around, everything DOES fit snugly, and I am happy I bought it. In the future, I might go for the next size if not too bulky. All the bags in the stores and online seems to be huge (and heavy) backpacks. I have the shoulder strap attached and have never even thought of using the waist strap as it seems ridiculous.
Bag was of good quality, but was smaller than I expected.  Wish I would have opted for the larger bag for a few bucks more.
I was looking for a case large enough for my camera body and its two lenses plus smaller extras and this is perfect!  Construction is adaptable to an acceptable degree and includes enough padding so that the camera and lenses are adequately protected.  Seams are sturdy, as is the material. I liked the option of using the longer strap or the handle on top.  And, the price was right.  One picky thing, if I had to say anything not positive, is I would have liked it in a beige canvas.  Overall, a good, solid, well made, well-priced bag.
Yes, it is a serious camera bag and yes, it is small.  But what I did not know until mine arrived was that it has a "built-in waist belt" inside a "rear pouch" that adds weight and bulk.  It is not removeable altho the shoulder strap is.  Minus one star.Otherwise it is perfect for my Canon G6 with my Canon 220 EX speedlite mounted and ready to use.  I'm going to keep it.
Perfect for body and 1 lens plus some other small equipment. Nice bag overall. I highly recommend it. . .
Bought this at a great price, it fits my camera with a lens attached, plus a second telezoom lens and the charger with extra battery and a micro tripod.
Not too big and not too small.  It will hold my camera (Canon T2i) with lens on it and one more lens, but that is about all except for a few small things like maybe a couple of filters.  Enough to carry on vacation.
Love this bag! did a lot of research and i think i picked the perfect one! I highly recommend it for cannon rebel owners!
I got this bag, it is very Robust, Even better than LowePro one ........ I sold it because of my new lens (70-200 mm one). But build is execellent, it can maintain in any condition. Go for it
Truly amazing quality and design.  I could easily see this bag being costing much more but the price is a FANTASTIC value.  I would like a different color on the bottom but really the olive is lovely.  !!0)% satisfied with my purchase especially as it was delivered so fast.
Useful and safe way to transport your gear.I would have bought one size bigger had I known how much gear I would accumulate to carry.A well made and fairly priced bag nonetheless.
i got this bag through amazon. i love it. it fits my canon rebel xs with the kit lens perfectly. the little "walls" inside of the bag are removeable, if you didn't already know. the front pouch is great also because i can put my point and shoot camera in there. the only thing i don't like about it is the color at the bottom, that greenish poop color. but other than that, it's perfect.
Can fit a camera body with lens attached and one extra lens for me 50 to 250.  In side pouch can fit extra battery's and charger.  Probably still space for a couple other very small things
This is great and holds a lot I have 2 lenses, a flash, my camera and extras such as cleaners and all kinda of other little thing it's a little tight but that is a lot to fit in it and super sturdy like all canon products love
This bag works well with our Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera. We took it on long treks through Petra and other parts of Jordan among other places. It's a bit bulky, but i think that's going to be true for any camera bag cause the camera itself and a couple of lenses are a little bit bulky. I felt like it provided great protection for the camera and lenses though.
This is a great camera bag if you are looking for a small bag for camera, a lens, and some accessories.
Doesn't hold as many lenses as it was advertised to hold.  My camera body barely fits into it with a second lens.
I had to return this bag because it was too bulky for my needs. I wanted to carry my video camcorder (Canon M30 and Canon SX20) together, which it can but it is so wide (width); 7-8 inches! However, it is an excellent quality bag that could easily cost twice as much.  Very well made; material, zippers, straps are all 1st class.  Inside dimensions are 8.5-9 ", 6.5-7" height and 6" width.  Has a large front pocket.
This affordable bag is spacious, stlylish and hardy. It is strong-built and fits my Rebel DSLR perfectly. It might be a bit small for those with lots of lenses but if you're traveling with just one lense it's perfect.
My sister bought this product and absolutely loves it. It fits her camera perfectly and she uses it to keep it safe while traveling.
I am using this back to carry my Canon Eos T3i, 18-55mm lens, 75-300mm lens, the basics of my cleaning kit, my cell phone, wallet, Chapstick, camera charger and cord, and the USB transfer cable for the camera. All of the items fit though it is a bit snug. :)
I purchased this bag for my Canon EOS Rebel T3. My camera with its lens, a spare battery and the charger. cord, and owners' manual fit comfortably.  There is no room for additional lenses but that was not a consideration for me.  The bag is compact and easy to carry.
Read several reviews on different bags and chose this one for my canon.  Great bag and just what we needed. Flexibility is awesome.  Carry it on the shoulder around the waist in the hand... interior is fully adjustable. Stitching well made. Great job Canon...
K. Larson's review covers it very well, but I'll add my two cents. For the 25 bucks currently asked, this is one of the best values in a camera bag I have seen. The quality level is exceptional. Extremely well designed, top notch materials, all the right 'extras' and a lot more than you would expect at this price. High quality rubber/plastic feet, super nice straps (two), easy to fasten, durable, and well machined metal clasps, a great pocket with interior storage on the front, nice padded dividers inside, and a very compact, yet highly usable size.This is not big enough for a DSLR and 2 lenses, flash, and so on, this is more of a compact kit bag, think compact P&S; or  a mirror-less compact system like the Samsung line (NX300, EX2F, NX1100/1000, etc.) or Olympus E-PM2, or Panasonic LX7 and similar. I'm using mine with the Samsung NX300 and the 18-55mm Zoom. There's just enough room for the camera and kit lens, maybe an extra pancake lens, charger, batteries, cards, and cables. If you want a light, compact kit to go, this is your bag!The bag is moisture resistant, has a nice pull-over top flap, great zippers with added &#34;tags&#34; to make them easy to find and grasp, very nice fabric, just an excellent bag in every way.Highly recommended!
I bought this bag for a new Canon EOS Rebel T2i (18-55 lens kit) that I bought in the same order. It fits perfectly. I don't have any additional lenses, so I store the battery charger in the bag as well. I really like the rugged material, and all the buckles seem solid and well constructed. This is a bag built to last. Good padding for the camera. The bag fits the camera plus one other lens, the EF 50mm f/1.4 lens.*update 8/8/2013*I bought a new Canon EOS Rebel T3i with the 18-135 kit lens, plus the EW-73B lens hood, plus the EP-EX15 II eyepiece extender. No problem - the camera, with all attachments, fits in the bag. However, I also just got the BG-E8 battery grip, and the camera with battery grip attached doesn't fit in the bag unless I remove the lens hood. I'm returning the bag now, and ordering a bigger bag, probably the 200DG or the 300DG.
This bag is nice looking and keeps all my gear secure. I have a Canon SX40 camera, Flash, spare battery, and cleaning cloth and pen which all fit nicely in the bag. The bag is well made with solid zippers and removable carry strap.
This case will help protect and keep it together.  The user is only 18 years old but she was editor of her high school yearbook and loved using the schools Canon EOS  Rebel.
Very nice bag. I would reccomend this product to any camera user. Arrived just as described, as well as within the time frame set advertised.
I purchased this based on the description provided by Canon. I noted the size and compared it to my previous case I've had for 30+ years. The stated size was close to my old case. Canon stated, even on the tag attached to the bag, that you can get two camera bodies and three or four lenses and a few other accessories. Let me correct that: I have a T5i and two lenses in the main section with dividers. There is no more room for anything. Interior padding takes up a lot of the dimensions. This is good, but Canon needs to be honest in what can fit. This bag is essentially the same size as the 10EG which has the side pouches for $56.00, not enough added features to justify the extra cost. But for one body and two lenses it's not bad. Quality is excellent. Size is convenient for hiking or long walks. The waist strap is one feature that I thought would be good, preventing the bag from flopping as you hike. The shoulder strap is not the most comfortable, but OK. For tall people the shoulder strap might be a little short. The padded section is sewn in place, not adjustable. For the price it's merits three stars.
Nicely designed and made. Will hold my Canon 40D with the present walk-around lens mounted, the 28-135 USM IS, lying on camera's left side. In remaining space in main compartment on the other side of the divider, have the three pieces of a shutter remote in a baggie, the std battery charger, and one battery. Would hold a little bit more, certainly another battery. Front compartment carries body and lens caps, a filter case, and a Pixco flash diffuser, and there's a little more room in there too. Upper zippered mesh pocket presently empty. The main compartment comes with two dividers, Velcro at edges, and can be moved anywhere or removed.
I think the word Deluxe is thrown around entirely too much these days.  What exactly is it that makes something "deluxe?"  I ate a deluxe hamburger a while back.  Or did I?  Whether this bag is deluxe, or not, it is well made and my Rebel XS fits snugly and securely.  It could also hold another lens and an external flash.  I also like the pockets for computer cords, lens covers and whatnot.  It makes me feel good to purchase something so deluxe at this price!  If only they had TOLD me it was 20% off, I would feel twice as good!
I like this bag. When I got my Cannon camera it didn't come with a gadget bag and I like to carry all my filters etc most of the time. This hold everything I need plus has the open of turning it into a fanny pack if you need hands free.
Some of the earliest reviews (back from 2003, 2004) gave this bag 1, 2 or 3 stars because the measurements were very misleading.  OK well it's 2010 now.  Everyone who researches this bag knows it won't hold 2 bodies and 4 lenses lol  Why Canon never updated the product tag, I have no idea!  But whatever, it's a known typo.  So I wanted to move on from that and write a review for what this bag is: Small in size, BIG in quality.For such a diminutive bag, it packs a big punch.  Internal dimensions are (W * H * D): 9 * 6 1/2 * 5 1/4 inches.  The main compartment holds my Canon 50D with a short prime attached (35mm, 50mm, etc.).  Rebels are smaller so it can hold one with the kit lens.  With my 50D there is space leftover in the main compartment for an additional lens (up to 6" in length), or other similar sized item(s).  Outside there is a small front zippered pocket, the inside of which is further divided into several more small pockets.  It more than big enough to hold myCanon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control for EOS D30, D60, D10, 1D, 1V & 20D SLR Cameras.  It's also perfect for filters, lends caps, cloths, pens, etc.  The top flap also has a zippered pocket but since this pocket comes down on top of your camera you won't want to put anything large or jagged in it.  It's wide enough to hold the 50's user manual but it's not deep enough to zip shut with the manual inside.The case comes with two straps, a removable shoulder strap and a built-in waist strap.  The waist strap tucks away into the bach of the bag so if you never use it, you never see it.  And if you don't like straps, the top of the case has a nice padded carrying handle.  The hardware is all metal, very high quality.  The zippers, pulls and clips are all sturdy brushed metal.  It's really a handsome looking bag, more masculine than some of the others I looked at.I've uploaded some photos here in case that helps.
Bought a new camera (Canon PowerShot SX50 HS) and wanted a good bag for it. Went to Target and saw this bag and loved it, but it was $50! Of course, it was about half that price on amazon, so I snatched it up. Plenty of room for my camera (with attached hood), extra battery, charger, cellphone, money, etc.
My niece loves it. Her camera fits perfect. The smile on her face was worth every penny I spent on this bag.
Excellent quality bag. This is great if you like to travel light. The padding on the strap is curved which doesn't make sense to me but whatever.
I purchased this bag before a beach trip so that I could make sure I had somewhere safe to stow all my camera equipment.  It's large enough to fit my camera, extra lens, and all the other cleaning gear and whatnot in its many pockets.  I love that it's a durable bag and that all the fasteners are metal and durable.  If you've made the investment in a pricey DSLR, you simply MUST have this bag to tote it around with you!
Large, well padded camera bag, that holds the camera as well as all the additional equipment I have for it.
Short and Sweet: 1. Excellent Construction.2. Plenty of room for camera and accessories3. Bought this for traveling - it meets our expectations.It's not pretty but it does the job very well.
This bag is great quality.  As described in other reviews, it is just a tad small.  It does, just barely, hold our T3i and 2 lenses.Overall good product at a nice price on Amazon.
I've been using this bag for several months now and it has worked really well for me. I have a Canon T3i and only have one lens, and everything fits almost perfectly. I only wish they had a larger pouch at the top where I could put my external mic, but other than that, everything I use fits neatly in the bag. It seems to be of good quality and I think it will last for a long time to come.
This bag fits our camera with two lenses, plus the charger and our other small camera. Such a great price for this.
Camera fits in it and is so easy to find everything you carry for a camera. I love this sturdy bag!
I really like this bag's construction but the description is a little deceiving.  My Canon XSi and the 55-250 lens are the only items that fit into the bag.  I could probably jam in another lens but don't feel comfortable doing that.  I was hoping to store my camera, three lenses, external flash, and a few smaller accessories in this bag, but it won't work for that.  I'll order something larger for storage and use this bag to carry the necessities.
I bought this to hold my new cannon camera and wide angle lens when I need to take them with me to go and do my photographs.  The Cannon t3i with the kit lens on it and a cannon wide angle lens both fit well in the bag.  I would recommend this bag to anyone looking for a good sturdy bag.
I purchased a Canon 70D and was looking for a good bag to transport and protect it.  I didn't want an overly large bag and this one fits that bill perfectly.  It holds my 70D with the 18-135mm lens attached. The outside pouch has plenty of room for memory cards, cleaning supplies, etc. and there is also an inside pouch on the lid of the bag that is a good place for the small camera manuals, etc.  The bag is of high quality materials, including metal rather than plastic rings and clips. This is an excellent small bag that will definitely protect your camera and I definitely recommend it.
It is a nice sturdy bag. One thing to note is that it has the handle (shown) along with two straps: one goes around your waist so you can use it like a fanny pack. The other is removable and hangs over your shoulder.There is a lot of padding and you can move the sections of foam padding around or remove them. I can fit my Canon T3 w/ lens attached into the main section. If I took the lens off, I could probably fit two lenses and the camera body and maybe a flash. The other pockets can hold batteries, cords, etc.
You can not fit what the product info states. Try it. This is a joke. You can not put more than one camera body with two lenses or two camera bodies with one lens in this bag. When you do, you are forcing the camera in. You cant even put the camera with the lens attached to the body and add another lens in the bag. Another thing, you can not zip the inside pocket where the manual is suppose to be stored. Funny thing, this is a Canon bag, which cant even hold most canon items including the manual. Returned mine and ordered the larger one 10EG model.
It wasn't as big as I thought or would like but that is my fault I should have paid more attention to size description.
It's everything that you might need for your first camera, great manufacturing and very resistence. I am only concerned about the size for my next lens.
This bag is not too big or too little.  I have a larger bag that is cumbersome to use and another that is too small.  This one carries my camera plus 3 lenses.  It also has places for batteries and charger.
I'm the amateur photographer, and for my needs, this camera bag is perfect! It securely holds my Canon Rebel 2000, and has room for two lenses. The dividers in the main compartment are well padded, and they fold over, I suppose for extra padding, or for protection on top. The bag also has a zipper pouch in each of its front and top compartments, for holding little extras like film, wallet, etc. Being an amateur, film, my camera, and a lens or two is all I need to take pictures, a professional might desire a larger bag that can hold more items.The bag is good looking, and has a nice solid construction, the material feels as if it will hold up to years of use. The details in this bag really impressed me. It has two plastic feet on the bottom for added stability, the clips and rings are all made of black metal, rather than plastic, it has a nicely hidden strap to convert it into a waist pack (though I find it a bit bulky to wear that way), the bottom padding is removable and is hard sided for extra protection. Altogether, this is a great bag for the cost, and I'm sure it'll come in handy for carrying things besides my camera.
As others have noted, this bag is described as being able to hold more than 1 camera and lens. I have a pretty large camera body (60D) and 18-200mm lens. I wanted a small bag for JUST these two items... this bag will hold just this much, maybe with my USB cord and a few index cards. It's extremely well made like all Canon bags. It's made with a lot of padding and really strong zippers and carrying strap clips and little &#34;feet&#34; for setting it on the ground outside. I got a larger size bag with my camera and was unwieldy for kids sports games. I'm very happy with my purhcase but don't get it if you think you'll carry cameras and lenses and stuff... it's not that big at all.
This is a great camera bag. We use it for our Canon Rebel XS, point and shoot, chargers, and extra SD cards. The bag is of superior quality and works perfectly. HIGHLY recommended!
This product was very well described. All measurements were exact. This fit my Canon just like a glove. Very satisfied.
After reading rave reviews about the capacity, I was confident the bag would accommodate my Rebel xsi body, one short lens and multiple other accessories.Big disappointment.The bag held only the camera body and lens--just barely. This rendered the bag entirely useless.The bag is very attractive.  I cannot attest to its ruggedness or reliability, as other reviewers have done.If you have a Rebel xsi, choose the bag made for that camera. It isn't as attractive, but it is a much better choice for that camera and lots of gear.
This camera case is soo nice...and the price is beyond great! It was a total steal...I couldn't find a cannon camera case anywhere for this price...I got it and it fits my camera and accessories plus has some cool straps!
just big enough for a body with lens 85mm and shorter, the charger, extra CF cards, and that's about it. A basic great grab and go bag that will not attract attention on the street (much) but gets the job done. Still, kinda smallish so get a full size bag to carry your whole set up. THis has good padding to protect your stuff, but it is kind of a tight fit. Good for the guy on the go, though
We have been looking for a travel compact bag for our Nikon D80 with our 18-200 lense. Our current Nikon bag is too bulky (it does hold at least 2-3 lenses, the camera body and all the accessories though).We found this one on promo and gave it a try. We took it to the beach side last wkend. It worked beautifully. the size is right, the weight is right and we even have room for batteries and power chargers. it does not have room for more lenses (with the current 18-200 lense attached to the camera), but we do not care.one more we like this bag is it is kinda of "water and dust resistant". The day we went to the seashort, it was very windy and we could see a lot of sand in the wind. there was no sand in the bag whatsoever at the time we returned from the beach.Overall, great product to fit your Nikon in, if you are like us not caring much about the match btwn the camera and the bag.
I've had this bag for about 5-6 years (since 2009) with a Canon 50D. I generally carry a 50mm lens and a 28mm-135mm lens in it with my camera body and they fit comfortably. Occasionally I swap one out for a 75-300mm lens which fits but is snug. Even after all these years, it had held up very very well. It has not broken AT ALL (zippers still work, D rings are still in place, etc) and I have taken it with me just about everywhere.I'm finally upgrading to a larger bag just because I want to be able to carry more of my lenses with me at once but this was a fantastic bag for everyday use. The only thing I wish is that the front pocket was just a little bigger but other than that definitely a good buy.
holds my camera (canon powershot sx20is) and has plenty of room for 1-2 lenses or misc. items, front zip flap holds batteries and other small items, nice metal clips hold strap and fastens top lid which can also be zipped for further protection. i like the two end pockets for small items and easy access. only thing that could be better is a more comfortable strap.
The Canon Gadget bag is, stury  compact and well designed for camera equipement. The main zip has a protective cover helping to prevent rain from entering.
Read review from a photographer and decided to give it a try. Guess what, for the price, excellent quality bag. Fast ship too.
I had to return this case because it was just too small for my new Canon Rebel t10, and just a few accesories that I have.
We really like this bag, which is very well made.  It has a zipper to secure the contents, as well as a solid metal clip on the front.  The rest of the bag seems very durable and well made as well.  Would have liked to have more than one color to choose from though.
I got this bag for my canon t3i. it works awesome and protects everything very well. amazon is the cheapest place i found it too.
My canon 3T fits nicely in the bag. Also enough room to keep my cyber shot and the battery chargers. Its very rough and tough and has absorbed enough shocks already. The great product!!
This is a nice bag for my recently purchased t3i with 55 mm lens. It fits well all standard equipment such as cables, memory cards, charger, manual, and camera with 55 mm lens. Its quality is amazing. I recommend this bag if do not carry lots of extras all the time.
I had purchased the huge canon camera bag first and had to return it because it was sooo large, and then I got this one instead, and it is just right.  It is perfect for my reg 35mm lens as well as my zoom lens.  Great buy!
I bought this as a gift for my grandson who just got a Canon Camera for Christmas! He was surprised and is enjoying it very much.
I got this bag as a package deal with my Cannon T3.  It is great if you don't own too many gadgets.  But be honest, who doesn't start looking for gadgets once they own a DSLR?  lol ... It is great if you know your venue and can anticipate what you will need.  But, it doesn't hold much - I have a body, 18-55 lens and 80-200 lens, 1 battery back up, filters and that is about it.  I bought a computer backpack for 27 bucks, reinforced the main compartment with extra padding for safety and when I am packing for a long trip, it does great to carry EVERYTHING ...
So I bought this gadget bag a few years ago and it's still going strong. The zippers are really strong and is made of really good materials. i'm a scuba diver and I keep all my dive cam stuff including my housing and dive camera in this bag. It's especially handy when travelling with the extra spacious pockets. I'd highly recommend this for the avid photographer to the regular Jo like myself. cheers.
I bought a camera bag for my canon rebel from best buy and it would constantly pinch my fingers - I also paid over $30.00 for it! Went amazon and found this little gem. Love it! Great quality, good carrying around size!
I'm giving this bag a 4 star... but only because it's almost too tight for aCanon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)with aCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasimage stabilized lens (and that's without its lens shade).You can get your 60D with 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens into this bag.  Remove the LHS velcro side cushion & re-mount it on the bottom RHS of the bag, then position the camera in the bag oriented "portrait mode" (side with shutter button oriented up).Overall, the bag is sturdy yet light, and has enough compartments for the 60D charger & a few filters.
I only have one camera for the bag but alot of extras to carry along--this bag is built like a tank.  Rubber bottom so it doesnt get any water through the bottom the zippers are metal not plastic. For me this is a perfect bag and its built so well probably will never need another one.
Everything fits perfectly in the bag!  Canon T5 body, 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS lenses, filter kit, extra batteries and charger.  Shoulder and waist straps included.
This bag fit one camera and one lens, easy to carry, high quality. Good purchase!! And the price is good.
Although not expensive, this is a well made, not too bulky, very functional and good looking bag, I can put my Canon 5diii lens, flash, battery,... all in this bag, very happy with the purchase.
Daughter got an EOS Rebel for Christmas.  Even though this bag is not designed specifically for that model of camera, everything she needs (accessories included) just fits into the bag.  So nice to have the moveable partitions.  A keeper.
perfect size
I'd like to see somebody get all that stuff they claim will go into this bag.  I got a Canon T3 Rebel with 75-300 lens and a 18-55 lens and yes I can get it in the bag but its not pretty.  I've got just enough room in the front pocket for the charge, extra lens cap and filter.  Not a bad price though.
Good, cheap bag that will fit your camera and a few lenses.  I already saw the reviews that said it would not hold 2 camera bodies and a few lenses, but it will hold 2 t3i bodies and 2 zoom lenses.Right now I keep my t3i with a 50mm lens attached in the middle compartment, a zoom lens on the right compartment, and a cable on the left, which will also hold a lens.There area  few other small pockets where I keep my memory cards, cables, batteries and charger.
I wanted a case that would fit the camera, one lens, and a couple other small accessories without being too bulky.  This dos just that.  Quality construction, good zippers and clasps.
The Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag is a really nice, functional camera bag and its size is just right.  It is not too large and bulky yet holds my EOS Rebel Ti and my Powershot Digital Camera with room to spare.  There are pockets that allow you to carry extra rolls of film, lens filters and any of your accessories.  Unfortunately, the bag is not large enough to carry a mini tripod but if you are looking for a bag to simply carry your camera and few accessories, this bag is a nice choice.
This is EXCELLENT. I am a customer from Canada and do not expect the shipping speed. However, my items arrived 4 days ahead of the estimated delivery date. The plus is that the products are great and well-packaged.When I look at it at the first time, I think it is small and cute. But after I put my T5i and other accessories into it, I have to say this baby ROCKS - small, convenient but POWERFUL.I highly recommended this bag if you do not have more than 2 lens. I promise you will not be disappointed.Thank you Amazon.com.
I purchased this bag from Amazon for $25. This bag is for my Canon T4i with 18mm-135mm STM lens. The camera fits perfect. I also have space for my charger and my Canon Powershot point and shoot.
Good quality bag. Sturdy and water resistant. Works perfect for my T2I camera. I was searching for a smaller bag than the one made for the T2I and this bag works perfectly!
I bought this case for my Canon Rebel T3i, which I got for Christmas. It fits all of my stuff, which includes:-Body with kit 18-135mm lens (attached to each other - it would be awkward without them attached but could probably work)-50mm fixed lens (in front pocket, a little snug but works)-An extra batteryThe description seems to overstate how much can fit in here - it is near capacity with these items, and I don't think I could fit another lens in here, maybe if it was something small like the 50mm. If you have lots of accessories, this is not your catch-all storage facility. But if you're new to the DSLR world and don't have a lot of accessories (like me), or you're looking for an on-the-go case that fits a couple of necessities instead of your whole collection, you can't go wrong with this bag. The bag is well-constructed but still lightweight - the clasp and zippers are metal and the whole bag feels solid. Some might like a little more padding, but I am pretty careful with the bag anyway. For $25, I got a good deal.
This bag is great! It has many compartments for batteries, memory cards, and whatnot. Its well made and very sturdy! It also comes with different straps to use. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because for one, its a little bulky to carry around. And two, every time I want to put my camera away for a little while I have to take it apart to put it in the bag. I know for some that's not that big of a problem, but I'm running around taking pictures and then when I have a 30 minute break before the next team goes on, I don't want my camera hanging around my neck. So I have to take my camera apart to put it away, zip the bag up, then hook it, all in a crowded place. So for me it just gets a little redundant after a while. But for some this product may be perfect!
A little smaller than expected, but still looks good with the Canon logo. Would recommend it to all my friends.
I got this bag before my trip to Hawaii.  It helped keep my camera safe through 20 hours of airline travel and everywhere I took it on my trip.  I was able to fit all the cables, extra battery and charger and neck strap in the bag with the camera.  Great price too!
This is a wonderful camera case! I wanted a roomy case for my Canon S5 IS, to hold cables, batteries, and instruction manuals. This case totally fits the bill, and I still have the front pocket available for keys, cash, and cell phone. The inside padding velcros to the sides, so you can move it around and adjust the size and location of the camera compartment however you want it. That allowed plenty of room for my additions. Plus, it looks great, has a thickly padded shoulder strap, and has hard plastic feet on the bottom. I don't even notice the back part that has the belt pack. It is well covered.Also, when it was out of stock through Amazon, I bought it through one of Amazon's third party suppliers, and had no problems.
Like other posters, I agree about the descriptive copy being misleading. But, my Nikon D200 with 18-200 lens fits in this bag (lens hood clipped in storage position). No room for other lenses or flashguns. I had to collapse the gear-dividers and put them on the bottom of the bag for extra padding, to get the camera to fit. Plenty room for three extra batteries in the outside pocket and memory cards on the inside, with room to spare for minimal cleaning supplies. It's a travel bag, a very sturdy and relatively light product. Study the dimensions before purchasing to avoid whining after the fact.
big enough to fit the camera with extra lens ,with extra pocket for accessory , nicely design, great value, good material.
It is a little on the small side for everything I want to carry.  You may want to find something just a bit bigger.
I bought this bag for my Canon 60D. It is the ONLY thing that will fit. My smaller Canon XTI fits with room to spare. If you are considering this bag remember that a larger DSLR will be a tight fit. With no room for extra lenses.
Bought another one that was too small and not supportive enough. This is quality stuff! Pockets, waist carrying thingy, and even a strap on! Well, a strap that goes around your body!Buy this RIGHT NOW. Forget your next paycheck, stop reading this, just tap/click that &#34;Buy Now&#34; button to save yourself the stress from not buying it! You only live once.
I bought this for my lenses for my new Canon Rebel T-3. It holds the lenses and gadgets well. It's fairly easy to carry. I got one just like it at Wal-Mart for the T3. I paid more at Wal-Mart. I do have one small gripe- the color. Olive green is fine but it feels a little GI Joe camo to me. I would have preferred all black or possibly sea blue on the bottom.
If you have a big lens like 24-105mm or bigger, it will not fit when its fixed on camera.I will get a bigger one for my extra lenses and othe gera like flash and ect..but its good for body and one small lens. Good quality too.
This bag is so well organised with a place to carry everything...it  has a good protection for your camera and lenses...
i love this bag.It has adjustable movable holders makes it easy for me to hold one or two lens or the camera all together. But i love it the only thing i would like is if it came in any other color but this.
Looks great.  Perfect size if you have limited items to carry.  Sturdy and good looking.Great choice.  Priced right.  Would definitely order again.
It is a very practical and safe way to keep your camera secured. It is a little bulky to carry on walking trips, but still a good choice. Room for a single lens, though.
We had the benefit of looking at this bag at a Department store before buying it.  It is made very well with strong, bigger than average zippers and is well padded.  The material is thicker than most gadget bags and it is nice looking.  We originally purchased it for our Canon S5 and it was perfect for a camera that size.  I recently upgraded to a DSLR and I am able to get my Canon XSI, 18-55mm lens, a few filters, cleaning pen and battery in it with no problem.  If you have more than one lens or more gadgets you like to travel with I would suggest upgrading to another bag.  I am already in the market for a  bigger bag as I have some gadget purchases in mind. However, if you are traveling light this bag is stylish and sufficient.  We love it!
Great cannon quality. Good zippers , Nice padded curved strap and very good bag ! Nice rear access strap stash.  THANK YOU !
Great for the price. Very well made. Looks terrific. Just enough room for my 50D, 17-85mm EF-S, 10-22mm EF-S, 70-300mm DO IS, 580EX II Speedlight, ST-E2 Transmitter, TC-80N3 Remote and some extra bits and pieces like filters, cleaning stuff, hoods etc. So really it is not, as many are saying, too small. I find it just very neat indeed. Very happy I bought it!
If you just want a small bag to travel with the basic camera, flash and small extras this is the perfect bag. Nice construction and protection for your Canon camera. If you have extra lenses get a larger bag.
I am very satisfied with the Canon Gadget Bag as all of my accessories fit perfectly inside as well as the camera.  I couldn't be more pleased with this product!
When I sawCanon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EGon Amazon I was immediately taken by its compact size, ideally suited to my Canon SX30 IS. However, its low price compared to similar products had me thinking that it was either a knock-off, or a factory second and what I got for my money hasn't changed  that view. Don't get me wrong. The bag is well made, with plenty of padding and enough room for the camera and a few accessories and the clips and zippers are robust and should stand up to everyday use. However, my purchase arrived with one of the clips on the shoulder strap missing its spring mechanism, so it won't close - it will stay on the D-ring only when the strap is over my shoulder. It's too much of a hassle to send it back - one of the drawbacks of on-line shopping, I suppose - so I'm stuck with it and will have to look for a shoulder strap with the same robust clips. By all means buy it, it does the job, but prepare to find a defect that hopefully won't compromise the integrity of the bag itself.
My camera fits neatly inside. If I want to leave my zoom attached I just remove the dividers which are held in with Velcro. Plenty of room for everything.
This has been a great camera bag.  It is well padded, the zippers are thick and of high quality.  The various compartments fit everything I need to carry, in a protective way.  I would definitely buy this bag again.  And I don't even have a Canon camera! (I store my Nikon in here.)
We are very impressed with the quality of this bag. It is water resistant, very well made, and it fits everything we need for our camera. The camera fits well and is protected.
Ideal space for a camera including a couple of lenses and accessories as battery, cable, memory, filters. Great design and high quality materials
Others say the bag will not hold what it claims and indeed it still comes with a tag claiming 1-2 bodies and 3-4 lens. Now, read between the lines. It does not say 2 cameras and 4 lens. That hedge probably means 1 camera  and 4 lens or 2 cameras and 3 lens. Depends on size of cameras and lens, right! Here is what I got in it as a test. Not sure it is what I will carry as it is not easy to whip out to take a photo - more on what I really will carry in a moment. Depends if you are talking pure "storage" or space to pull out a camera ready for action on an actual photo shoot.  It comes with two padded, moveable partitions held in place with velcro that have a flap on the top. I suppose they could be held in place vertically as I have done or horizontally.  I stored a Canon T2i body on the left side, a partition, then a Canon G1 Powershot, another partition, then a 55-250mm lens on the bottom, the partition flap over it, then the 18-55mm kit lens on top. The flap from the left partition lays over the G1 leaving top of the T2i exposed. A piece of bubble wrap could lay on top of the T2i. Then, I could set my lens shade and G1 lens extender on top of that, as well as the battery pack for the T2i. Now that is a bunch of stuff and ideal if I want to transport a lot of stuff on a trip. I can even put two battery chargers, one for each camera, plus a couple of extra batteries in the front pouch with room for several memory cards in the top inside cover. Now that gets me to where I am going, but not so convenient for popping out a camera for immediate action.My tests also say that you could put a T2i body on the left and get four lens sitting vertically, maybe horizontally, depending on size of course. Anything over my 55-250mm in length or width would be problematic in that scenario, but if not trying to cram that much in, something wider would fit. You could also sit the T2i, or another in that series upright with a longer lens attached and still have room to place at least one more on the right.On a shoot, I may carry my old backup G1 in my cargo pants. What I intend to carry on a shoot in this camera bag, most likely, is the T2i on the left with battery pack installed, facing up (LCD screen down) with kit lens installed, then one partition with the 55-250mm lens lying down on the right side. With the partition's flap down, the lens shade sits on top. When I want to take a normal photo, I just reach in and grab the camera. True, the lens shade just cannot fit  on the lens whether the lens is sitting vertical or horizontal in the bag unless perhaps you have it installed on the T2i and camera is upright, not vertical as I plan - have not tried that scenario. Perhaps the kit lens could still fit under it. To me that is the only flaw. I have to screw that on any time I need it. I will have a polarizing filter and UV filters installed also. Do not let anyone tell you the t2i battery pack will not fit in this bag while on or off the camera - not true. Snug, maybe, but do you want any of this flopping around? Not me! I have not given this a water test - may just give it a spray with some Scotch-Guard to be on the safe side as I will spend time with it in the outdoors and setting it on possibly damp ground. Sharp looking! Would not hesitate to buy it again!The bag appears very well made. The shoulder strap looks sturdy and well padded. I will get a chance to test it in an airport setting in a week and have a few days of intense photography over several days as all my gear is new. Exciting!7/22/13 UpdateI stand corrected about the lens hood. Just discovered I can put the hood on my Canon 50-250mm lens, place it hood down vertically in the bag and it will still close fine, snug, but close. Previously I had it hood UP. For some reason that was more awkward. Plus, now I can insert a second battery charger next to the lens, or I can add my 7" Aputure Timer Remote Control. And, since I am still learning this camera, really a mini-computer, if you will, I can put the 3/8" thick instruction book in the mesh sleeve inside the top flap and it still all closes. I am totally amazed with this bag. No need for a shoe horn to get stuff in or out, but I think I have room still for a shoe horn in the front pocket if needed. Disclaimer: I don't work for Amazon or Canon although my glowing praise may make it sound as if I do.
This bag easily accomodates my new Canon S3 IS, along with the lens adapter and hood, with room to spare. Recently, during a trip to Europe, I was also able to fit several other items into the bag: a rechargeable battery charger, AC adapter, and outlet adapter, along with two sets of rechargeable batteries, as well as a UV filter, and I still had room for more. I've no doubt the wide- and tele-converters for this camera would also have fit, with room to spare.
great product, well made. I wanted a (Canon) bag that would carry my camcorder and my Canon G9. this does it perfectly!
Nice bag, Carry's my camera with standard lens attached and my telephoto. Pockets work for smaller items like filters and manuals. Sturdy, seems like it should last. Easy to carry along with shoulder strap or handle.
As with virtually all Canon products, the quality of this bag is excellent. Were I to rate it based upon this alone, I would give it 5 stars.  HOWEVER, I purchased it based upon the dimensions clearly listed on Amazon's site, and when it arrived, it is just as clearly listed on the tag as being a critical 1.3 inches SMALLER! Hence, the item I purchased to store in it doesn't fit. I would have sent it back, but it turns out it will fit my Digital SLR with lens attached. Yet even there, my camera is the compact Pentax istD, and I only have that one lens. Those alone will fill up the bag! As another reviewer noted, there is NO WAY that the amount of equipment that the description claims will fit in it actually would. It's a case of buyer beware. Great bag--but only for smaller items!
I bought this bag for my Canon EOS Rebel T3i and it barely fits the camera body and kit lens. The camera bag construction is nice and overall a nice bag
First of all let me start by saying that this big is the perfect size for the on the go photographer. I can fit my 18-55mm, 50mm Fixed, 70-300mm lens, Canon ti1 Camera body, lens hood charger/cords and a couple other items no problem . Maybe possibly another lens or flash depending on the size. Very sturdy and well padded inside to protect your gear nice zipper and latch close top. This same bag is selling at Tar@et for $50 so if you want to see what it looks like you can head there but buy it for half the price on Amazon!!!! Would buy again in a heart beat from this seller .
I bought this for my 1100D - it's just the right size with out being too big. The padding is nice and thick so that my camera feels very secure. In my opinion there are the right number of pockets, some bags have far too many pockets and I can never find anything.One of the things I especially appreciate is that the clasps are all metal rather than breakable plastic.
good, i like this and price!, it's comfort and easy to carry, i can;t say it has bing room...but not bad
I only recommend buying this if you have just one camera and one medium sized lens that you want to keep safe. I thought the case would be bigger but it is the perfect size when I take out the dividers. The only thing I can complain about is it's size.
Purchased for my Canon Camera with 2 lenses. Great for carrying just the camera and extra lense.
I like the compact size of the bag, but it doesn't leave much room to carry extra lenses.  I can manage to take one zoom lens and a small lens and that's it, but it's still a well made bag.
This bag is great!  Ample space inside for the camera (Cannon Powershot G12), the battery charger, and flash module.  Has zippered pocket inside the lid for additional memory cards or whatever can be stored flat.  Nice front zippered pouch.  2 rubberized feet on the bottom to help protect the bottom of the bag from damage.  The shoulder strap clasps and rings are solid metal, as well as the front clasp.  The nylon is thick and with well sewn seams.  And in the back, there is a hidden strap for you to use to wear this bag around your waist like a fannie pack.  Would be a little big and ackward as a fannie pack, but it's nice to have the option.  The bag IS NOT LIGHT in weight.  But this should be expected considering how durable this bag was constructed to be.  This bag does justice to the Canon name.  Absolutely worth the price.
I settled on this bag after a long search.Inside, I keep a Canon EOS Rebel T3 and a Canon 75-300 lens.  The camera is turned on its side, with the standard 18-55 lens attached.  The long lens stands upright in a corner, with the (included) partition dividing the two.In the outside pocket, I keep the Canon battery charger and some lens filters.Its understated appearance means you can bring it to most occasions without fanfare, and its square bottom means it never tips over.  The cover hasp means you can quickly - and quietly - open the bag to get the camera out, without disturbing people with a zipper (although it can be zipped for more security).  This is especially good for school concerts.  The carry handle is most convenient, much better for my purposes than a long shoulder strap.
I purchased this bag for Christmas for my daughter without actually seeing it and hoping that her camera and attachments would all fit.  They did and she is very happy with the bag!
This is the perfect bag for (1) Camera Body, (1) Camera Lens, (2) Batteries and Chargers, (2) Filters, (2) CF Cards!Everything you need.Oh, you can also throw in an Intervolometer for Time Lapse Shots.This is a very nice compact camera case to keep all your stuff nice and neat on location or on Vacation.
I like this bag a lot. Seems like in a very good quality. My old one did not hold well long so a good quality is really something that I am looking for. This bag may be able to contain more things than you think. I am able to put my camera attached with 18-55mm lens, as well as a separated 55-220mm lens. In addition, there is one pocket inside on the top cover, and one outside at the front pouch as you could see in the picture. This design is very helpful that you could separate small things like SD card, screen eraser, battery charger. I actually hope it is down-sized than how it is as some space is still free. Last, it can be used as a waist bag if that is something you'd like to have although I probably won't be using it much. Overall, I like it a lot and I would recommend it.
This bag is awesome if you only have one camera, I recently got extra lenses and I can not store them all in here. But, it is awesome bag for traviling and/or outings. Small and unassuming. I can put my 600D with a Auto Chinon 50mm Prime and the kit lens off to the side in here though, and that keeps me going in nearly all occasions.
This is really a cool bag. I can fit my Canon T3i with 55 mm lens attach in it!Excellent for Traveling with ur DSLR
Bought this for my husband for his birthday.  Great starter bag for those getting into photography.  Holds the camera base and 2-3 lenses.  Also has many different pocket areas for batteries, memory cards, cords, etc.  Durable and pleased with the purchase.
Great DSLR Bag, I bougth this bag for use with a Nikon D3200 and the bag is perfect for the camera size with the lens attached and one telephoto len aditional. One thing more, the protection is excellent A+.
Well made bag with all metal hooks. Generous padings all around.I'm a hobbiest photographer, I don't have that much gear to go around with. The main compartment of the bag is an exact fit for my 550D with lens and lens cap on (17-40mm f4 L). Front compartment fits lens back cap, camera body cap, 2x AA flash light. I managed to squeeze in a lens cleaning pen. The charger, my 50mm f1.8 lens, laptop and tripod goes in my backpack. For $25 bucks this bag is very well made, just wish it were a little bigger.
This bag is good, only too small
Just purchased this for my Canon rebel t3 and the body with 18-55 lens attached fits perfectly. There are two padded dividers included. I'd say the bag can fit a body and two lenses max which is NOT how it's described by Canon. All the other specs seem accurate, including the interior measurement. I don't plan on using the waist belt. The bag is a little bulky to be wearing at the hip, but will be perfect using the shoulder strap when traveling. I would have given this 5 stars if it actually held 1-2 bodies and 3-4 lenses.
Wow! This little camera bag is perfect.The main compartment easily holds my Canon T3i/18-55mm & 75-300mm zoom lenses.I also love the zippered storage inside and the outside zippered and pocketed storage, great for lens cleaners, caps, hoods etc.It is very durable and constructed with common sense (The top flap is oversized to fit larger zoom lenses vertically, or for cramming in a map etc.)  It comes with a padded, durable shoulder strap and heavy duty, easy to use clasps.  the back of the bag has a pocket which hides a heavy duty waist strap, making it very versatile.The overall size is perfect for traveling, hiking etc.
in the customer upload photos, some one said they did not know why the shoulder strap was curved. the shoulder strap is curved so when the camera bag is at your left hip, with the hip strap seccured, you can put the shoulder strap over your head and rest it on your right shoulder with out it being uncomfortable. sure you may look like an idiot walking around with a fanny pack. its no longer the 90's and fanny packs make us look ridiculous but, if im going to disneyland or disneyworld, i will fit right in with my camera at my hip and the strap over my shoulder.i purchased this bag strickly for its fanny pack possibility. when im at disneyland all day i want to be able to remove my jacket with out asking my husband to &#34;hold this for me&#34; while i do so. this camera bag fits my canon eos 650d (t4i) as well as my sony hx200v. both cameras fit and i believe i can even manage to squeeze in a gopro camera in here as well or a slim point and shoot.the bag is a bit small. i would only be able to hold the camera, 1 or 2 additional lenses, some extra batteries if i need them memory cards if i need them and maybe the HUGE canon battery charger... but i doubt the charger will fit in here. it also has 2 pouches in the front for what i first assumed would be lenses but a lens wont fit in the pouches. maybe a nice spot for hand sanitizer and thats about it. maybe lens cloth?over all this bag is great for some one with one camera not to many lenses and who doesnt need to bring their huge canon charger.
The back is light weight, nicely padded throughout to protect your lens and camera.  I like the pouch in the front portion of the back, good space for the battery charger and cable.  When you open the main compartment, you will find a zippered pouch for small items such as your lightning bolt connector for your IPAD to transfer pics from your media card along with other small items you may choose to carry.It is easy to clean when it gets dusty from being out hiking.  The dividers are nicely padded, although somewhat frustrating to remove and move to change the compartment sizes. However, not a reason at all to avoid this bag.My only reason for not giving this bag 5 stars is that the strap is a little short for a big person as myself. I wish the strap was longer to accommodate a better hang from my shoulder.  The solution I found is to replace the strap that come with the bag with another strap I borrowed from my laptop/office messenger bag.Great price for an Very Nice bag.  I would not hesitate to recommend.
The Canon camera bag would have received 5 stars if it was just a bit larger.  I bought the bag to house my Canon Rebel SLR, zoom lens and the option to tag along the battery charger plug in while on vacation.  When I placed the camera and zoom in the bag, it was snug...fit, but snug.  Instead of placing the camera on the base, it had to rest on the back of the camera with the lens portion sticking out of the bag just a bit.  NOTE:  Bag was able to zip closed without a problem, but you could feel the camera lens at the top of the bag if you pressed down.  The bag was able to close, but was not able to put anything with size in the zipper part in the top of the bag.  There was another zipper part in the front of the bag that provided more storage for extra card, battery and wire to the charger.  However, the charger itself did not fit in this area of the bag and it had to rest on top of my zoom lens.  Even taking out the padding didn't give me extra room since the problem was more with the height of the bag, not the width.NOTE:  On a regular photo shoot, I most likely would leave the battery charger at home which would give me some extra room to throw my keys and phone in the storage section in the front.The price was amazing as I saw the exact bag in WalMart for $53.Would still recommend this product:  good quality, padded & adjustable strap, handle on top and 2 removable velcro padding (2).
The best part about buying this through Amazon is that it's cheap. I bought the bag on here for 25 dollars, and it retailed 50 at Target. The velcro compartments make it easy to carry about 2 lenses (depending on the size of them) and your camera, battey charger, and extra wires or SD cards in the front pocket. I carry around my Canon T3i with the kit lens on, a telephoto, and 50mm, and they all fit snugly in the bag.
Everything is O.K. except for that fact that the handle stitching is a little slant. All in all, it.s good.
I have a Cannon  SX40.  This case is perfect for carrying the camera, battery charger, lens cleaning items, card reader, extra SD cards and camera cords.  Perfect for me.
I would have rated this bag with ***** if it would have been a little bit larger.It will fit only a SLR camera with its lens on. No aditional space. Actually, there are some good spots to keep your extra flash cards, you extra battery and charger.So, if you want to move around with your SLR with at least two lenses, get a bigger one.
I couldn't be more pleased of purchasing this Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag. This is all I need for my Canon SX40. It's very well built, and it fits perfectly with my Canon SX40. I am very happy with my purchased. Thanks Amazon!!!
This is a great size bag.  Holds camera and 2 lenses. The side pouch holds extra batteries, filters and memory cards. Very well constructed.
Bag holds my camera body with a 35mm lens and also the 55-200mm lens, SD card, battery , charger etc. Great for beginners who do not have a lot of equipment. Obviously if you are a pro, you would require a larger bag for your multitude of lenses and other gadgets.
Like it because it is sturdy and well built but 4 stars because it gets pretty cramped in it with 1 EOS Rebel and 2 lenses. The camera would not fit in it with the 55-250 mm lens attached to it.
Impressive quality, functionality this case has many offices, the material is excellent, professional. Apart from camera you can carry lenses, batteries and other things that you think necessary
I bought this (elsewhere for more $) for my Canon T1i and its kit lens.  I now have the DSLR w/lens, a Canon G10, a small flash, spare batteries and chargers for each, and memory cards, and there is easily room for another lens.Don't be swayed to a too-big bag by the naysayers. :)
This is perfect for my T3i and a couple additional lenses that I may acquire over time. It is not too big, not too small. Well built, nice zippers and clips, well padded. Perfect beginner / intermediate bag. If you're a seasoned photographer with tons of gear, you might look for a bigger bag.
this bag is pretty awsome it protected my camera in the rain its got alot of extra pockets and a seperator inside for lenses and camera body.
This bag is perfect for your canon camera.  I was able to fit my canon EOS rebel T3, 18-55mm and 75-300mm lens in the bag with ease.  Have not used the waist strap but I think it will come in handy when on vacation.
This bag is neither too small nor too large for my purposes.  This bag holds my S3, battery charger, spare batteries, car adaptor, cables, etc...  Great quality; all metal hardware, no cheap plastic.  Three ways to carry; padded no-slip shoulder strap, handle, and stowable waist belt.  The primary compartment has moveable partitions (two) held in place by velcro.  In summary, this bag is great if you have similar sized items as I listed above.
This bag was purchased in conjunction with the Canon T4i dslr camera, and it's been perfect for us.  It fits the camera perfectly, along with spare batteris, and the charger.  It also has extra room to keep a lens pen, and our PnS camera.  All the while, it's not overly bulky or large,  it's not like carrying a giant backpack around.  It's been great and if I lost this bag I would certainly order it again.
I got this big to fit my Canon T1i and some of its accouterments. It is nicely compact and easily fits a camera with lens, 1 extra lens, and some cables you may need. The extra front pocket will handle a lens cap or two, battery charger and some extra cards if you have them. It's a good size for air travel because it is small enough to count as a personal item and not as your carry-on bag. If you have some big telephoto lens and a larger camera than a Canon Rebel, this bag probably is not for you. It is very well constructed and made from very strong material. The zippers are durable and the clips are all metal. It's also very well padded, and the dividers inside are fully movable. For the $30 or so this sells for on Amazon, it is a very good camera bag for someone who has a Canon Rebel or similar sized camera, an extra lens and peripherals.
NEEDED THIS BAD WHICH WAS ALMOST DOUBLE AT BEST BUY.  IT IS PROTECTIVE AND SERVES ITS PURPOSE.  SMALL ENOUGH TO CARRY AND LARGE ENOUGH TO HOUSE AND EXTRA LENS.  GOOD DEAL.
Great looking authentic canon bag, serves the purpose well. My only complain is its a bit on the smaller side, and is only big enough to carry you camera, the kit lens and one other medium sized lens.
This camera bag holds our camera, an extra lens, and cords.  It is roomy and it protects our camera from getting damaged.  The camera bag is light and well padded.
I bought this to hold my Canon T1i camera and 18-55mm lens.  It also holds all my cords, charger pack (one was actually included in the bag so now I have an extra, score!), a lens filter and the camera manual.  Yes, the bag is small (I can probably only hold one more lens in it) but that's what I wanted. I'm learning with this camera so I don't plan on buying any more lenses any time soon and wanted a bag that I wouldn't feel burdened carrying around.  This bag is perfect...and amazon had the best price!  I saw it at other stores for almost double what I paid! It seems to be very well made too.
CHECK THE PRODUCT PHOTOS - The description for this bag IS poorly written and should include the word "OR" a few more times when describing what all it will fit.  I suspect for a veteran photographer with more gear, this bag would fall short except for limited use.With that said, I just purchased my first DSLR package and needed some way pack it around.  This bag does the job well.  It holds my Canon T2i camera body, two lenses (18-55mm, 75-300mm), and extras like an auto/wall charger (not the Canon charger w/cable), the book, an extra battery, an extra memory card and a 3 piece Lenspen Pro-kit.  I can put this bag fully loaded inside an Under Armour Adult Varsity backpack with my tablet, phone, and a rolled up light jacket.The bag itself seems very well constructed.  Strap and flap clips are metal and very solid.  The bag has a shoulder strap AND a waist strap (hidden in a flap on the back of the bag).  I'm not a fan of waist-pack style bags, but it's a nice option.This won't be the last camera/gadget bag I buy, but it's a great bag to start.
The bag looks great, and was well made what I did not like is it was just too small for me. If you just have a point and shoot camera this is all you would need but anything else, and it will not be enough space.
Absolutely love this camera bag! I hate dealing with a purse and camera bag while traveling, so I just carry this bag. Everything I need (wallet, cell phone, car keys & chap stick) plus all the camera equipment fit just fine in this bag.You can't go wrong with this. My husband will even hold it for me since it's not a purse!
The bag is very well made with heavy stitching, large zippers, metal hooks etc.  Interior padding is excellent and adjustable.  The bag holds my Rebel with the standard lens, a large separate zoom lens, and a lens hood.  The bag also has a built-in waist strap (fanny sack) that stores out of sight while permanently attached, cool idea if needed.  I store the shoulder strap with the waist strap.  The bag has zero extra space, but is absolutely perfect for my needs.
The bag is suppose to hold two cameras,I have a rebel and two lens and cant fit them in with lens filters and extra batteries. I recomend you buy a bigger bag it does not meet the billing here. might be good for a couple of point and shoot cameras but not SLR
Really great bag. I can but my dslr with it's lens attached and 1 to 2 extra lenses depending on size. Offers great protection and all the additional pockets are great for my charger, aperture rings, extra memory cards, tiny props, etc.
Does just what I need it to do. Stores my camera, 2 lenses and accessories! Just wish it came in different colors as this is  bit manly for me.
I ordered this bag from Amazon after looking at several similar bags in Best Buy. I had read in another review of a camera kit that the buyer was dissatisfied with the quality of products that came with a camera kit. I decided not to buy the kit when I purchased my Canon, and ordered this gadget bag as one of my accessory items.  I received the bag first, and my camera is due to be delivered today, so I can't review how well the camera fits in the bag.  I'm judging from the dimentions that it will fit just fine.  I have a larger camera bag that holds several cameras, but what I needed was a small one for when I don't need to carry all my equipment with me.  This gadget bag really is Deluxe. It is made of durable material and is well designed for travel use.  It is also a very nice looking bag.  I'm sure it will last for quite a long while.  Just what I wanted.Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch Clear View Vari-Angle LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
I've been looking for a camera bag ever since I got my S3 IS Canon. The bags were either too large or didn't have enough protection for my camera. With this bag I was able to adjust a compartment in the center that gives my camera maximum protection. On either side I can keep items less delicate. There is also a pocket to keep extra batteries and memory card. So far I haven't found a down side.
A lot of the reviews are complaining about this bag being too small. However, I love that it's small, and I think that it's a perfect size for my needs.I have a Canon t3i with the kit (18-55) lens. It fits perfectly in this bag, with not much room for other equipment. I'm pretty sure I could fit another small lens in there, maybe the 50mm, if i squeezed a little.It seems super durable and I'm confident that it will protect the camera.Edit: I now have the 50mm lens too. They both fit in this bag with the camera and I also have room for the charger and some memory cards.Edit 2: So I've had this bag for over a year now, and it's traveled the world with me. I've taken it backpacking through Europe and it's held up extremely well. I 100% recommend this bag.
I bought this bag as a Christmas present for my daughter. She had purchased a camera off Craig's List that did not come with a bag. It was a perfect! She had room for all the extra lenses and can store her digital camera cord. She liked it very much! I was worried that the size would not work but it was fine. The bag is well made and my daughter said the strap was very comfortable.If you need a good bag-you can't buy a better one for this price.
I bought this to try out with my Nikon digital SLR camera and it still felt too bulky for my camera and lens -- it just didn't work for me.The bag seemed to be well-constructed and had a nice easily accesible zipper pocket.If you're looking for something small, this might not be the best option... If you aren't as concerned about size, it's a great buy!
Works great.  Hold My T3 Camera, a 75-300 Lens and has space to hold a third lens. Has shoulder strap, carrying handle and a fanny pack strap.  Heavy quality nylon.
I went through two other smaller camera cases before I ordered this Canon case, and I couldn't be more pleased with the Canon!  I recently purchased a Panasonic DMC-FZ47 camera (my first 'real' camera), and I can't stand the smaller bags where everything fits tight with no room to spare.  But with this Canon, it has plenty of room to spare for my accessories and if I add more accessories later on, or even a camcorder, I'll have plenty of room.  And this case is very good looking as well and very sturdy. I'm very happy with this purchase!
Probably one of the best made camera bags I've used - it's strong and durable and the production overall is really well done. We use this for our Cannon VIXIA HF G10 which fits the camera and the hood scoop but not enough to carry additional lenses or any other equipment such as stabalizing arms, microphone or lighting.
I BOUGHT THIS BAG WHEN I PURCHASED MY EOS REBEL T3i AND THE CAMERA FITS PERFECTLY IN THE BAG.  THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM IN THE BAG FOR ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES.  THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BAG IS VERY GOOD.  ALL IN ALL I AM HAPPY WITH IT.
Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EGJust wanted a bag to hold my S5 and all the "stuff" I have with it. Looks small but I was able to cram into it the "stuff" plus a charger and the manuals for the camera. A well made piece of equipment.
This bag is exactly as the photo shows.Quite a bit of storage too.You can adjust the deviders in the case or even remove them and have one big storage area.I have a Canon SX50 and a bunch accessories like a filter wallet, lense cleaner, wide angle lense, 2 extra batteries, charger, a remote switch, and extra SD cards.Everything fits perfect and theres room to spare.It has a shoulder strap and a waist strap too so if your on a hike, it won't bounce around.I was really impressed with the metal buckles and D rings that hold the strap.Great bag, great price!
It was exactly as expected priced economically, constructed well and met all expectation. I would definitely recommend and buy again.
All the stuff you want.  It is compact, protects the equipment well, nice look, not expensive, movable dividers for lots of storage possibilities
Large enough to fit everything.  Well made.  The fabric is sturdy and has nice extra pockets.  I recommend this purchase!
Some of the reviewers say this is too small, but I have found that it is just right. If you want to carry 3 additional lens then get a larger one. Quality is first rate. Sometimes I use the shoulder strap and other times the built in waist strap, which tucks away very nicely.
I bought it for my Canon Rebel T3i with an extra lens and everything fits perfect. Bag is a little big but it keeps your camera and accessories organized and well protected.
A great camera bag at a great price! Amazon had it for 1/2 the price of the camera stores. High quality bag, just right for one camera for quick shoots.
I purchased a CanonDigital Rebel T3I camera.  This bag is large enough for the camera, extra lens, charger, wires and extra batteries.  Glad I purchased it.
I just got my new camera, a Canon Eos Rebel T4i and needed a bag. I didn't want a big bag and i know i will be getting a backpack later on . So my goal was to find an inexpensive small bag for everyday use.  This fits the bill.  It has two &#34;modular&#34; inserts that can be removed ( they attach with Velcro)  and the bag has the ability to be worn on the shoulder, carried in hand or ( which i totally missed when i got it ) worn around the waist..It's very well made, you can get this bag with confidence as long as you want something small ( it fits my camera with the zoom lens and the battery charger maybe a filter or two but not much else).
The Sony Nex-5N fits into this case with all accessories including a long focal length zoom lens.  The case is well built, weather resistant, light weight, and good looking. You might also put a Canon SLR in it, but it works better for the smaller Sony. Good case - good price.
Good product and solid build quality. Looks very good.  Wanted to really keep it and tried hard to accomodate my Canon EOS 7D with EFS 17-55mm, f/2.8 attached. If you take the lens apart from the body - you can store both...but not attached. Plus not enough room left to store accessories (battery charger, cables, filters etc. Didn't fancy taking off the lens everytime..so had to return it and got the Canon Deluxe 200EG backpack instead.
I recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel T3i for my girlfriend this Christmas and bought this along with it. The bag is very well made and has a lot of cushion pads inside for the camera, lenses and or accessories. It has about 5 little compartments, some of which are closed with a zipper, which like the main and exterior bag zippers feel well made and of high quality. It comes with a shoulder strap that is of decent length. The main clip in the front is steel and or metal and feels sturdy and strong. The Bag is perfect (at least in my opinion) for the camera I gave my girlfriend and I would strongly recommend it for those looking for a small, sturdy, durable bag.
I love this camera bag!!!!  I mostly just take my camera to family gatherings and to cemeteries for photographing headstones (I am a F-A-G volunteer), but occasionally I go on nature walks and just out-and-about taking photos.  This well-designed bag fits my every need.  And it is small, very compact, extremely well made, and great looking.  It feels extra secure because in addition to the shoulder strap I can strap the bag around my waist with the extra strap that when not in use can be hidden securely within a flat flap attached to the bag of the camera bag and fastened with snaps.  Check out my photos to see how this waist strap works/looks.  There are also ridged rubber runners on the bottom of the bag from prevent wear and to protect the bottom of the bag.This unassuming looking bag will actually hold all I need for any of my outings.  The following list of equipment fits fine in the bag.In main body (very well separated with, and safely stored between, velco attachable, movable well-padded dividers):Cannon Rebel EOS 500d 10.1 MP camera; with strap + Cannon 18-55mm lens (including lens cap and ultraviolet filter) + PUFFER flash diffuser, all attached to body.Cannon 55-250 telephoto zoom lens with lens cap, ultraviolet filter, and lens end cap attached.Cannon fixed 50 mm lens with lens cap, ultraviolet filter, and lens end cap attached.Wall-Plug Cannon Battery Charger.Wall-Plug Sony Battery Charger.A small change-purse can also be tucked in for ladies who don't carry wallets in their pants pockets and don't want to tote a purese.In Top pocket:Camera instruction book (the inside zip mesh pocket will not zip, but book fits well within top of bag and is quite secure and accessible).In Front pocket:Sony CyberShot 7.2 pixel Digital Camera.Extra battery for Cannon Camaera.Extra battery for Sony Camera.Extra Data Cards.58mm Heavy Duty Rubber Lens Hood.52mm Heavy Duty Rubber Lens Hood.Pen.Small note pad.While strong and well made with metal clasps for the shoulder strap and to safely fasten the top of the bag closed (top also closes with a zipper closure designed to allow extra room in the top of the camera bag), the bag itself is extremely lightweight.  In fact, the bag with strap attached and all the above listed equipment weights only 5 pounds and 13 ounces.  That is only a little more than the every-day purse I carry most all the time.Of course, I don't need to carry all this camera equipment for every excursion.  Granted it isn't easy to get everything out of the bag quickly when it has all the above listed items packed inside.  However, once I am where I am headed I usually put my camera around my neck; that opens up a lot of space to be able to get to other items, get them out for switching lens and put them back in place in the bag much quicker with the camera body not in the bag.If there are any cons worth mentioning about the Cannon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EG, there are only two minor ones that come to mind:1) The clasp on the strap that hold camera bag around your waist works like most clasps on fanny packs but with a stronger, heavier clasp than the fanny packs.  In fact, this can make the clasp a little bit difficult to open. This of course makes it safer for your equipment.  However, I have just a touch of arthritis in my fingers and for me it is a bit difficult to open.  I have to concentrate and grasp it exactly in the correct spot on the clasp. But - it just takes a second longer.2) I am too dense to understand the point of the 'curved' shoulder strap.  The strap itself is well padded for comfort.  But the reasoning for the curvature escapes me.  I have to assume that it has something to do with comfort.  However, you really couldn't get enough weight in this bag, due to its compact size, for it to be too uncomfortable on your shoulder even if it had just a straight style strap.  To me this curved designed lessens how secure the strap feels on my shoulder.  I don't think I have seen this mentioned in any other review, so I am guessing it must just be me on this one.I checked this bag out at some local stores, at nearly twice the price I may add ($44.97 and $49.95 at discount stores).I wanted to get a visual feel for whether I could fit at least my camera body with attached lens, puffer, and strap and my telephoto lens both in the bag.  Actually, I didn't feel after looking at the bag in person that I could get even those minimum pieces of equipment to fit.  I am, obviously, not a very good judge of logistics.  So I drew a diagram to scale and measured my pieces of equipment.  The measurements didn't lie.  When I received that bag and got everything inside, I found the bag had originally fooled me with its compact size.  But I wasn't ever fooled about the price, which is why I bought it at Amazon's great and economical price and added a toy for my kitties in order to get free shipping to boot.  Shipping was surprisingly fast. What an extraordinary deal!!!  Now I can quit toting my camera in a hot pink six-pack cooler.Believe the reviews when they tell you - you'll be pleasantly surprised if you have 2-3 lens and a body plus extras gadgets.
I love my case.  It holds my 250mm zoom lens along with necessary pocket for extra battery and memory card and any cords that might be necessary.  Of course the DSLR camera with my 18-55mm lens attached fits in as well.  There is a long strap for carrying plus you can attach it to your waistband if you prefer.  I wish it were slightly larger in the eventuality I might get a larger zoom lens.  On the plus side, it fits easily into my Swiss Army backpack when flying.  These days travelers can only take one personal item to keep at their feet and one carry-on for the overhead bin.  If you are like me, you don't ever want to check your IPAD, camera, cell phone, IPOD, GPS and all accompnaying chargers in your checked baggage, so it's nice to know a camera bag like this will easily fit into that single carry-on backpack or other tote bag. No worries about safety then.
Based on the other reviews it was a bit bigger than I was hoping for but everything else I could find was too small or way too big and not necessarily of good quality. I like to travel light- I have a canon sx50- I'm happy with this bag.
I use this bag for my Canon PoweShot SX50, the camera fits perfect and there's extra room for additional accessories that I carry.  My camera only takes about two thirds of the space inside the bag, you can make more room depending on how you set up the cushion pads,  it also has other accessory compartments.
I had to return this bag because it is so small.  The camera I purchased (Canon Rebel T3I) barely fit in the middle. I also got a telephoto lens and there was really no room for it.  I would up getting a backpack instead.  However, if you have a small camera, it is a very nice, quality bag.
This is just right for a Canon Rebel EOS camera with a few pieces of support gear.  Everything in it fits.
The size is cool, but the padding inside for that extra protection is AWESOME! I hate I want a whole year before I bought this item.
First, the quality is outstanding.  I expect this bag to last practically forever. Not a big deal, but I prefer bags with one buckle rather than two.Second, as several have mentioned, the bag appears smaller than I thought it would be.  I consider it to be the minimum size I could accept for my Canon 60D.  The main compartment barely holds my camera with the attached Canon EF 24-105 mm lens.  It's a tight fit at 7 1/2" long, and this is with both Velcro partitions removed.  The camera width of 6" is also maxed out. With the camera and lens installed there is little room in that compartment for anything else except the carrying strap.  I suppose I could stack small extras on top of the lens, but that would interfere with the removal of the camera from the bag.  Although my big Canon lens hood, model EW-83H, could rest on top of the lens, I'll probably leave it home unless I plan on using it constantly. Otherwise it would be a hindrance. Extra lenses?  Forget it!However I am able to carry a 77mm filter and a 60D Pocket Guide in the mesh pocket under the cover. I store a small Canon flash, model 270EX, in the front compartment. I am also able to squeeze a battery charger with the flash there together. My charger is the STK LP-E6 (optional) which is smaller than the 60D OEM Canon charger with its charging lights.  And a DC adaptable cable is included.  I wouldn't be able to install together the stock Canon charger with the flash there.In summary, this bag is the minimum size I would accept for my camera and accessories.  I have yet to decide whether to move up to a slightly larger bag or not.  In any event the quality and design of this bag are excellent.  It deserves 5 stars. If you carry only one lens which, when mounted to the camera, measures no more than 7 1/2"L x 6"W, and compactness is important to you, you should consider this bag.UPDATE:I've found another way to insert the camera and lens into the case that may be more convenient than the previously listed method (above).  Instead of inserting the camera into the case- bottom first, I put one side of the camera down first onto the case base.  By doing this the pressure of the 6" wide camera pushing against the sides of the case is eliminated.  The width is now situated vertically instead of horizontally, resulting in less effort required to remove the camera from the case than previously.  There is even extra room to add a Velcro partition under and in front of the lens to protect it and help keep it level.
If you have more then one extra lens, don't get this bag. It only fits the camera with attached lens, and one extra lens which is nice if you only have one. But if you need to take a couple lenses with you, I'd suggest something bigger like this backpack:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6TA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i02
I Prefer my Tamrac Explorer 1 DSLR bag - but to be fair, I got this Canon bag to hold a bunch a extras that i'd accumulated for my S3 IS and in that capacity it functions quite well.
Extremely well designed, great workmanship, and actually accommodates my daughter's Canon T3i; other bags we had ordered online claimed to fit a camera of this type, but they were painfully too small. VERY pleased with the entire transaction.
exactley as described on amazon. well built just what i wanted. i can fit my two camares and cables no prob.
I bought this bag through Amazon because the one I used on vacation held only my digital point and shoot.  While this bag won't hold all my cameras it will manage my SLR and my point and shoot plus a few other things like a phone and batteries.  It also has the ability to be used as a fanny pack with the self contained waist strap which leaves hands free and no concern about the bag flopping around.  This bag is extremely well made and secures everything with padding and a zipper as well as a rain flap.  This is the bag I will grab most often for short or impromptu outings. I have a larger Canon bag which is also very well made.  It is worth the investment.  I like it
I've had many camera bags over the years, and this one seems to fit the bill the best. It is roomy - carries camera body and one lens, plus charger, extra batteries, manual, memory card, and has room for another lens or two. I wouldn't say it would be able to hold more than three lenses. We recently took this on a trip to St. Lucia and it held up well, even repelling some unexpected rain. We were very pleased. The size is perfect - roomy but not overly bulky. I'd highly recommend this bag!
I bought this for our new T4i Canon camera and lens.  55-250 lens, camera, 2 extra batteries and charger are a perfect fit.  Great quality. Couldn't ask for better.  Best purchase in awhile.  Get it .  You will love it too.
Love it! 1 camera 2 lenses and info pamphlet fit perfectly! Love the option to use as a fanny pack for hands free. Strong and durable.
This camera bag easily carries my fairly large camera (a large point and shoot digital camera) and extra batteries, chargers, and cords, as well as memory cards.  It provides good protection for all of the equipment.  It has a shoulder strap and is easy to carry.  The latches are sturdy and will not accidentally open.  Overall, a very good camera bag.
I bought this case after I purchased my first ever Canon, and was pleasantly surprised with a) how cheap it was, and b) how well made and durable it was. It holds my two lenses, and camera, as well as a front pocket to carry your charger.
I was looking for a cannon camera that would fit my needs and this is perfect for me I love
The photos on this page do NOT go w/this bag. My camera barely fits in this bag on it's own and forget about putting the camera with lens attached + spare lens in here.
This bag is exactly what I was looking for. I have a Rebel Cannon camera with one lens (the one on it). The camera fits perfectly in the bag and it has a few pockets for the camera book, cords, etc. It is made of a durable material and I like the black and olive color tone.
I'm not a photographer but this is small, smart and organised and makes carrying lenses and filters etc. a doodle!
I've been looking for a heavy duty bag that could hold all of my stuff.  I have a Canon SX-20 that I have gradually added many filters, flashes, and other accessories to and I outgrew a total of three other bags.This one is heavy duty, somewhat water-resistant, and has lots of pockets.  The shoulders trap is nice but open of the greatest features is the waist belt that can be hidden away when not needed.  Wow, what a great idea!  You can use one or the other, and in some cases while hiking with a heavy camera both.The clips are actually metal and the main pocket has both a heavy duty zipper as well as a clip.  So if you want security zip it and clip it, if you want to be able to get the camera out quickly you can use just the clip.  There's also a good overhanding flap around the cover so if you use neither the camera and equipment is protected from the elements at least.The nice big CANON logo on the front will shows off what you got in the case.It's a great bag, and I have no complaints about it.  For those with larger cameras you're going to find less space available for your lenses of course.
Perfrect size for my Canon SX40, plenty of room for another lens, external flash, extra batteries and charger, and lens cleaning kit. You can't go wrong with this bag, if you are a camera enthusiast, surely not for those who carry a lot of lenses, but for most it's perfect.  Well constructed, and durable bag, am sure it will last many years.
Great bag for the money it fits my rebel with the extra lens and everything I need a no brainer
It's a bag, you put stuff in it and carry it around, but not a cat, that would be cruel.
This bag is the perfect size for my uses. I keep my 50mm f/1.8 (really compact) lens on my rebel T1i camera, and can fit both kit lens in here along with that. (Take note that that is smaller than advertised, but it is no problem for me.) There is a stretchy mesh pocket on the underside of the top flap, and between the top flap and the inside of the bag, there is an empty space that can fit  other accessories: lens cleaner, lens cloths, etc. I cannot emphasize how FANTASTIC the quality is. It is very well padded, sturdy, and compact (Canon brand whoo!)
This is a well-made gear bag with top quality material and details.  If you carry a lot of equipment you'll no doubt find it small.  But I can fit my sx40 and everything from the charger and spare battery to a cleaning kit, small tripod, and a spare pair of glasses, all organized and protected with the two plush divider strips.  Plenty of room in the zippered inside pocket and front pouch for extra SD cards, lenses and small carry-alongs, like a cell phone and keys.  The zippers are top quality.  D-rings and the front clasp are all metal, no cheap plastic anywhere.  The stitching is reinforced and heavy-duty. The carry strap is 1st class; it has two adjustment clasps and a curved shape that's comfortable on the shoulder when the bag is carried cross-over style.  I didn't unfold the waist strap yet, but that's another extra I didn't expect for such a reasonable price.  The Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EG is a very professional-looking bag.  I'm very pleased with this purchase.
This well made gadget bag holds my Canon SX40, lens hood, filter container, camera battery & charger, Speedlite 270EX and AA batteries & charger, and assorted cleaning supplies with ease.
While I own several camera bags, from theCanon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)to the tiny ones, this oneCanon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EGis just right for my every day use.  It's not big and bulky or heavy and I can carry just the lenses I need. I can fit two lenses, one with the hood on backwards and the camera with an 85mm lens with the hood backwards.  I fit the remote control on the inside pocket and cleaning cloths and on the outside zipper pocket I fit the external flash.  I have a little bit of everything I may need on a quick trip to the park with my kids without it being big and heavy.  The quality of this bag is the best! The zipper on top and on the front pocket makes is perfect at not worrying about my lenses falling out and the metal clip is perfect for a quick close between lens changes.Overall, I am very happy with this bag.  The size, the quality and how it feels carrying it around.  If you have lots of equipment to carry then you will need a bigger size but for two or three lenses on quick every day trips, this is the one to use.  I love it and I know you will too. :)
This product is not as described. It is very small and only has room for one camera body with zoom lens attached. I wanted to keep my telephoto in with it but really have to cram it all in. Quality is good, I like the heavy duty zipper but needs to be at least 4 inches larger to be of any use. This is not deluxe and there is no room for gadgets.
I bought a camera and the bag that came with it was way to small, so after looking at 25+ bags I decided on this one. I am so glad I did, the zipper is heavy duty, in fact everything about this bag is well built, double stitches and this will last a life time. Highly recommend buying this bag...
This is a perfect bag for the camera we bought for out son and daughter for Christmas. It fits their Canon EOS Rebel T3i perfectly, along with their additional lens.  The bag is durable and yet lightweight.
Looked for Canon SLR bag in Walmart. I got the last without any lable. The sales asked the manager who said USD20.When I got home checked at Walmart web and it shows USD49. When I check at amazon, it's USD25.I put a 85mm f1.8 in the side booth and a EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 in the other. They fit perfectly.Be aware that it can't hold my 75-300mm lense.
do you want a bag to protect the investment that gives a tons of memories? this is what you're looking for, you'll have room for eveything. 100% reliable and also very good looking
I love it! It has a good quality. I recommend it. Excellent purchase and I would buy it again. Thank you.
A quality OEM Canon Bag.You are not going to get a suitcase full of camera gear in it, however...I had no problem getting a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 58mm Lens plus a Canon 55-250mm Telephoto Zoom Lens inside.I did have to take out one of the two dividers.I also got the instruction booklet for the camera and a small cleaning kit inside.It is full with these items, if you have more than this then you should look at a larger bag.I'm happy with it because it is small and not a large bulky bag.
Good buy. Keeps all your camera and camera lens nice and comfy and cozy. Not expensive for what you are getting.
The camera bag that came with my camera was too big and burdensome to carry, so I found this one which is sooo much better and more convenient.  It holds my canon rebel and two lens easily.  Not a lot of room for the CD's and manual that came with the camera, but then again I do not need to carry these other items around so that isn't an issue.  Very happy with this purchase.
This bag is of great quality and perfect for my camera and gopro.  It is just the size I wanted, not too big yet big enough to carry some extra batteries and accessories.  Nice camera bag.
Really nice size for travelling around, very comfortable. Just came from a trip to England and it was really useful.
I wanted a good quality bag for my new Canon T3i camera.  The camera and 50-200mm lens store easily inside the bag.  It is very ruggedly build and has room for extra batteries, charger cord and memory cards.  I comes with a should strap, and waist belt as well as the pictured handle.
There is just enough room for my Canon T2i, an extra lens or two, lens covers, extra batteries, all those cords and if I am lazy - I can put my cell phone and license in it, also.  It is very sturdy with a great shoulder handle.  Also, noted that there is one on the back to go around your waist - just in case you are lazier than I am!!
Could be a tiny bit bigger but overall a nice bag and very easy to carry.  If you have accessories for the camera they don't fit into it.
This camera back fits my Cannon (regular size lens) camera and another small digital zoom camera plus both of their charging devices and cords to hook them up to a computer.  It has many options to close it and the extra pocket in the front is great to store a wipe cloth to clean the lens off on the bigger camera.  I could not be more satisfied.  And it is sturdy enough that I think it will last long enough to make it more than worth the price. :)
My husband uses the bag for his camera. Plenty of room, lightweight, durable, and we took it to NYC yesterday when we took the Circle Line tour....
It is no wonder this bag has great reviews. It is of excellent quality, but then I would expect no less from Canon. It fits a lot more that you think it can. We fit in our bag our DSLR camera body with 2 lenses (a 50mm and an 18-55mm), along with 2 extra batteries and the battery charger. I have no doubt this bag will last us for years to come. Great buy!
I use this bag for my Canon S3, works perfect. It is tough too. It went on trip on my ATV with no issues and keeps everything protected.
This is a great bag.  I own 2 of them, one for each of my Canon Vixias.  There is ample room for the camera, and plenty of storage space on the sides for accessories.  Canon caters to it's own gear, so you just can't go wrong!
This is my second bag I have purchased from yall and really like the style and room for my new camera.
I bought another bag for my Canon DSLR but it was too bulky so I was looking for something smaller. This looked appealing so I bought it. I looked at a ton of bags before this one. The interior size is a bit smaller than I thought and when taking out one insert fits the DSLR with the 18-55 lens sideways and a bit snug and then fits a telephoto next to it, but very tight. You wont be able to get anything else inside. However it does have a lot of pocket space and is compact enough and stylish to be carried all the time. I like the clasps on this as well, very durable metal and the canvas is very thick and durable and nice colors.
I recently purchased this camera bag for my Canon Rebel T2i, and it is exactly what I needed. Because I am starting to buy new lenses, my old camera bag did not have sufficient space. With this bag you can fit all of your camera accessories and two extra lenses. It is also not to bulky and well made. I highly suggest it if you're not carrying to many pieces.
Works great for the Canon EOS Rebel T4i. You can fit the camera, a second lens, cable stuff, battery and screen protectors or whatever you want. Even a space for my iPhone 5 is provided. Very nice bag and also nice and fast shipping!
I had bought a camera package that included a camera bag, but the bag was so flimsy and cheaply made I just threw it away.  I saw this exact Canon Gadget bag at Wally World for twice the price, and with Amazon's free shipping it was a deal!  This bag is stoutly made with heavy duty zippers and quality materials.  It is just right for my Canon SX50 and all the gear.  The inner compartment has dividers that can be repositioned as needed, and the walls of the bag are padded nicely.  I use my camera gear a lot - I believe this bag will last for many years to come.
I really love this camera bag. I had an older no-brand bag for years and it was falling apart, foam flying out of it. I finally upgraded to this bag with my recent purchase of the Canon T3i, and I love this bag. Great sturdy quality. Fits my Canon t3i with standard lens, and I can fit my zoom lens and another 50 mm lens, and the charger.Thats about it.. but thats all I need for now as well. I would say this bag is for your basic lenses, its not a large bag. But perfect for me. I can tell it will last years as it is so well made. Would recommend.
It holds everything that my daughter has currently for her camera. It holds her camera and another lens. If she decided to invest in more then she will need to get either another bag or a bigger bag but this one is perfect to travel with.
Camera, card, charger, battery, and room for a few more small need items. This bag is way better than trying to pack my camera safely in my clothes for traveling. I no longer have to dig through my bag if we stop off some place to rest and walk around. Keeps my camera safe and handy for use.
If you&#8217;re looking for a small/simple camera bag to tote your camera around, this might be what you&#8217;re looking for. I got a Cannon Rebel for taking vacation pictures and needed something to stash my gear in (warning: I am NOT a professional. My definition of &#8220;gear&#8221; is: the camera, its lens, the neck strap, an extra lens, an extra battery, an extra memory card, and the charger.) I am VERY happy with my purchase! The bag fits all of that and still could carry a little more (would make it harder for easy/fast access of the camera though). I LOVE that the bag is high quality &#8211; metal clips (not plastic), durable fabric, runners on the bottom (stands up to being placed on rough surfaces), and thick walls to absorb moderate impacts.Added bonus: it&#8217;s made for all-day lugging around without causing fatigue. NOTE: there are actually 2 straps! The shoulder strap is well padded and works as a side shoulder strap or a diagonal-across-the-body shoulder strap. If you choose to use it as a diagonal strap, that&#8217;s where the 2nd strap comes in handy &#8211; the 2nd strap (not padded, but still high quality) comes out from the back of the bag and can be secured around your waist, thus minimizing the movement of the bag, and turning it into a stationary object on your body. [Ladies will understand the frustration of digging through a purse, only to have the purse move away from you as you dig. Not the case with this 2nd strap!] I got to the point where I didn&#8217;t want to take the camera bag off of me while we vacationed at Yellowstone &#8211; the two straps working together made it so that I had a nice constant arm rest, and a bag that was actually easier to access than my purse!All I can say is that if you&#8217;re like me and need a durable bag to stand up to vacations and is not a pain to lug around (assuming that you don&#8217;t own multiple cameras/lenses) this is THE bag to buy!!!!
I have used it and feel well, I am very like this bag. It has high quality and better style. But it is big than my camera.
I love it. So cute and comfy looking. Canon is always the best in electronics. I have been using it for a while and very sturdy for my cam.
very handy bag, I fit my canon t4i in it and it hold everything i need, not to big not to small, nice for travel
Well made bag.  Fits camera and gear.  Has plenty of storage for small parts but yet is a manageable size.
This bag is nice and sturdy and I like how it zips and folds over the zipper, a little extra in keeping out dust..  I tend to be pretty nervous with my camera and lenses and I feel comfortable with this bag.  It doesn't hold a ton but it's great for the quick trips out I make with my camera.
My T4i with a 18-135 mm lens just fit well and there's still some room (1/2'') for extras. I usually put my 40mm lens on and I can set the 18-135 mm lens perfectly in the bag while I'm travelling. The bag has enough cushion so you do not need to worry about normal bump. The accessory bag is also spacious and useful.
I got this bag I didn't want a big one I want something that I could carry aroundIt's not small eighter I have three lense large medium small lens and k30 PentaxCamera it fits just right Nice bag recommed it
This bag is nice. It is thick and I feel that it protects my camera well. Inside it has a netted zipper compartment for more storage. I keep extra memory cards in it. My only complaint is that the inside seems are unravelling and I have had it less than a month.
It's a great bag for a DSLR+ one extra lens. Unlike the other DSLR Bags the size of this bag is just right,Prons: Great QualityPerfect size for one DSLR and 1 lensSmall and very convenientCons: Some Certain DSLR's won't fit perfectly with an extra lens specially if it's a 50mm-250mm.My DSLR is EOS Canon Rebel T3 (or 1100D) which is a bit smaller than the other EOS camera's thus I am not facing any problems in terms of size. it fits my Camera and a SIgma 75mm-300mm Lens.I would Recommend all my friends to get these bags
I first bought the 'Canon 2400 SLR Gadget Bag for EOS SLR Cameras' but it's just too big. This one is the perfect size for me, for 1 camera plus 1 lens attached, and 1 longer lens on the side. Very durable.
We originally bought this bag at Wal-Mart for my husband's Canon T3i camera, we hesitated on it because it was so expensive. However, we got it and were happy with the quality of the bag. We knew that if you were going to spend that much on a camera, you would absolutely need to get a durable bag to protect it.Well, we love getting great deals and my husband, feeling as though he did not get a great deal, decided to check out the price on Amazon when we got home. Wouldn't you know it, it was more than $20 cheaper on Amazon! So we returned the one we got and ordered it here. If it could be possible, the bag that arrived from Amazon, seemed to be in better shape for some reason. Meaning that it didn't seem as beat up as the one we had just bought at the store!Many have commented on the size of the bag being misleading. They aren't lying. We weren't disappointed because like I said, we had just got one at Wal-Mart.  We only use one camera per case so we didn't need to put more than one camera in it. I really don't see how you could put more than one camera in it. My husband has one other lens that he puts in this bag and it does fit. We keep our extra batteries in here plus an extra card or two.  We got the big grip that goes on the bottom of the camera and houses the two batteries. We don't take it off to put it in this bag and it still fits fine.It also comes with a shoulder strap for those who want to sling it over your shoulder. I like the shoulder strap, but my husband doesn't so he took it off (it unclips).The material for the bag is thick and sturdy. There is an extra little zipper in the bag itself as well as on the outside. There is all sorts of neat little compartments on this bag. Plus the front has a clip that keeps the front flap hooked down, so after you zip it up you can also clip it for extra security!I love this bag and would recommend it to those who only want to take one camera and one lens at a time. If you need to take more than this, well, you might want to consider something else.
Was nice bag ,except for the fact it is tight for a DSLR camera, large lens and extras ok for a smaller camera with no added lens.and battery packs. no place for instruction book.
The bag had a little more room than I anticipated.  I was able to put in the Canon Camera, the regular lense, and the zoom lense in the main case.
It's not the bag's fault I just have more junk than will comfortably fit but I get it all in. Lets see! T3i w/grip, 50mm lens, 15X55 lens, 18X135 lens w/hood, 55X250 lens w/hood, 2 extra Canon batteries, 8 AA rechargeable batteries,2-chips, 270 EX II Speedlite Flash & Quick Strap. It all fits (barely) and has to go in and out in a certain order but nothing rattles!
I got this bag to hold my Canon Digital Rebel XSi (12.2 MP), my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens and my 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens.  At first I was worried it would be too small, but after looking at the images submitted by other reviewers, I decided to take the chance.Everything fits GREAT.  I love the easy clip in the front/all around zipper combination and there is plenty of room to keep extra betteries, cards, my charger and more.I use the handle to carry it around, so I leave the shoulder strap off, but my husband loves the waste strap when he is using it.If you are looking for a compact bag with lots of options, this is the bag for you!
Just what was needed for travel.  Accessories can fit, too.  Now I need to get some accessories to put in it.
Great for people who keep the body + lens + a couple of extra accessories. I put on carrying case "Ever Ready"MegaGear ''Ever Ready'' Dark Brown DSLR Camera Case for Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18-55mm IS 18-135mm IS /Canon 600D 18-55mm 18-135mm ISto my Canon D600 18-135 and carry it in your bag 100EG. Also in the side pocket, I place the battery charger and remote control. Carrying case is easy to carry on the walk, but for travel I use a camera with a "Ever Ready" in this bag 100EG. Convenient bag for my needs - a bit of weight, good quality and the right size - not a little, but not too big.
I like this Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag--It is exactly as the name. Why expect so much more.  It's great for when I am going site seeing, visiting family and don't need to take all of my camera equipment. The canon T3i and two lens, batteries and charger and much more fits perfectly.  If you are just starting out and need a camera bag immediately, this is the one and it's a good price.  I purchased my gadget bag about a year and half ago to carry my Canon and it cost me $50.00.  This is a great price.  Thinking of getting my daughter one as a mother's day gift.The best deal will be to look at the one I purchased recently the larger "Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)," for $39.99 at Amazon and it's great too. Canon sells this bag much higher.  I use this one to carry my DSLRs and the lens.I highly recommend if you can afford both to purchase this one and the Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG.  They match in color and looks great when you doing a photo shoot (that's a fashion statement).
The camera bag is well built and sturdy construction.  I gave it therating, because the inside padding cuts down the actual spaceavailable for a DSLR T3i, lense and bare  basics for daily photography.I returned the camera bag.
I bought a larger bag as I didn't want to cram all of my camera equipment in there. I have the SL1 plus an additional lens. I also have room for my small digital camera, point and shoot, and some extra items. This is a good size for someone with some photography interest, but definitely still an amateur.
Amazing construction, heavy metal zippers and clasps and thick material makes me feel safe keeping my new DSLR in it.  Shoulder strap is nice, could probably fit my amateur body and 2 med-small lenses in it, say the kit lens and a 50mm with ease, could probably squeeze in another if I kept one on the camera.  Pretty good price for something so well-made, would buy again.
This bag will meet all your needs. It is very durable and has lots of room. The price is also very good. It can hold all of you photographic  elements.
all good, camera fits with other lenses, or with the whole thing assembled. enough amount of pockets and space. Good for taking the basic kit around
Just what I needed. It is the perfect size and will definitely protect my lens and camera. Very happy with this purchase. Plus it was reasonably priced.
I like the bag. And the price is cheaper and acceptable. I think it will be better if it were a little bigger. And the waist  belt is not useful to me.
I bought this bag for my Canon Powershot SX 40 and am extremely happy with it.  I took it to China with me for three weeks and found the following:1. It is big without being bulky.  I do not like to bogged down by a bunch of &#34;stuff&#34; while I am traveling, but this bag seems to be just the right size.  I not only put my Canon in it, but a full-sized pair of Nikon binoculars.2. Well organized.  The interior pocket works well for extra batteries and SD cards, while I carried two different battery chargers in the exterior pocket.3. Takes a beating.  I put the bag under my feet while on the airplane and it protected my camera and binoculars well.  It also got knocked around a lot as we moved across China, but everything inside was fine.4. Convenient.  The handle on top and the strap give you two different options for carrying it.5. Looks good.6. The front clasp can be a little unweildy to use, but for most uses you probably don't even need to snap it as the zipper seems more than adequate to keep everything together.Overall, a good product and does its job well.  I used to carry my Canon in my backpack when I traveled - like I said, I like to travel light - but this bag has made a believer out of me.  I like the extra protection it provides, plus it is nice to have all my photographic stuff in one easy to find location.  Hightly recommended.
I bought the 100EG for my Canon EOS-10D with a Canon 28-135mm IS lens and a Canon 420EX flash.  My camera with the lens attached BARELY fits in the bag, and only after all the dividers are removed.  A longer zoom wouldn't have fitted, period.  Very dissapointed with the &quot;1-2 camera bodies, 3-4 lensees, &quot;AND&quot; accessories&quot; claim.  Sure, if you own toy cameras.  What's the point of removing the dividers?  As far my setup, this bag is only good for 1 body and 1 small/medium lens, NOTHING else (as far as camera components), not even my Canon 420EX flash.  Also, the waist strap is annoying since it pretty much useless and CAN'T be removed.  I do, however, like the build quality and looks.  I am going to gamble on the 10EG and HOPE to get ONE camera body, TWO lenses, and ONE flash in it.  You'd think Canon would know how many of their OWN components could fit in their own bag!!!  It's too bad Canon doesn't post more views of this bag with an example camera and lenses inside.
This bag works well for my Canon XSi. It holds XSi, kit lens, 50 mm lens, remote, pop up flash diffuser, manual and lens filters all in the large compartment. The front holds battery charger, extra lens caps, extra SD card, USB flash drive. This is a great size for traveling. However when I get another lens it will not fit in here too. But It's a nice compact size with no extra bulk but still protects the camera well.
I found the bag to be better than I expected. Sporting both a waist belt and shoulder strap. The clips are steel instead of plastic. This is a first-rate piece of gear.
I flat out love this camera bag, it was exactly what I was looking for.  I like that it has adjustable compartments inside so I can get a good fit for my cameras.I use it for a Canon Powershot SX50 and a Sony NEX.  They both fit in there perfectly, with room for chargers, manuals, memory card and cases.It is extremely well-made and looks great.  I'm very happy with this gadget bag and would definitely recommend it.
An excellent choice for the Lumix FZ 200 camera.  There's room for a telescopic adapter and lens with the camera.  The inside is well padded including the bottom.  The side belt actually works.  I am opting to use this feature versus the sling.  Zippers and latches are top notch.  The sling is well made and designed.  Partitions inside the bag have velcro to make them adjustable to meet the needs of the camera.  Well done!
I was worried about the size (that it would be either too small or too big). In the end it was just right for a beginner like me, as it fits my Canon T2i with the basic lens and a couple of add-ons. You can also change the distribution at will, so it's very useful if you want to keep different things. The price was just right, too.
Made of quality material, good zippers, many pockets, This unit has been well thought out. Features strong, clever hardware with spring loaded snaps that are fun to use. Front pouch has room for lots of gear: memory sticks, smart cards, battery charger and even has an inside zippered pocket. A large pocket with snaps is present on the back of case. It hides a belly band to circle your waist and keep the bag snug against you when active. Main compartment has padded dividers you can configure to your needs. All in all a good piece of gear that I like using for the confidence it gives me knowing my camera are well protected and easy to hand. Should last many years.
Nice smaller bag, not bulky like others. You can carry the camera with 2-3 lenses no problem, plus storage for extra batteries and cards.
I like this bag because it's sturdy and roomy.  My camera, the USB cord, the standard lens, and the battery charger fit with extra room to spare.
This bag is great for anyone who is just starting photography or just has a DSLR and wants a safe place to keep it. It easily holds my T3 and 2 lens or 1 lens and a flash. the little pockets are nice for spare SD cards or the data cable. Over all this is definitively worth the money.
It's a nice bag but a little small.  The ad said &#34;to hold all your camera gadgets.&#34;  It barely holds my camera and an extra lens.
The Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag 100EG is great for day trips. It is ideal for folks who just want to bring a long their camera and perhaps one lens. If you need more space, I would recommend it's cousins the Canon Deluxe Gadget Bag 10EG or the Professional 1EG. The bag is very sturdy, a bit small. I have purchased the Professional 1EG as well. I plan on having many years of use with both bags.
This is a good quality bag at a resonable price.  Whe I first started photography I had a big bag that allowed me to take all my equipment with me.  You quickly learn that weight is the enemy an to only take the minimum needed.  This bag is big enough for a DSLR with a second lens and a few small items such as filters or spare memory card.  I wanted a compact bag and this works nicely.
It's a Canon product, not much more to say about the quality. However, my 7D with EF-S 17-55 lens on barely fits into it. I would have to take the lens off each time, if both have to fit in comfortably. There is no room to store the flashlight unless I take the lens off. Even then it might be a squeeze. In near future, I may consider a larger bag.
Unfortunately this bag was too small for my camera. (Canon Rebel T3i).  I had to return it and order another bag.  It was nice looking and perfect for a small camera.
this camera bag is made good but it's way too small. It's good only if you are taking just one camera and no lens out for the day.
UPS drop off at my door on 12/19/12 @ 6:50 PM ! Bag is excellence size for what I wanted for my Canon Powershot SX 40hs , charger, flash and small stuff all fit nicely.padded bag. I have been looking for months for this . Was not sure at first about the size now I  highly recommend for Canon Powershot cameras. Thank you for the speedy service
I just purchased this bag and the quality is much better than I expected.  The materials, zippers, clips, and straps are all top quality and I would have expected this bag to cost much more.  I am very impressed with this bag.That said, it is almost too small for me.  I was able to fit a Canon EOS DLSR and two standard lenses into the main compartment.  I could fit spare batteries in the front pouch and spare memory cards into the zippered pocket under the lid.  However, there is no room for anything else.  I need room for filters, lens hoods, and eventually a telephoto lens.  I will keep the bag for now, but I expect I will need a bigger bag very soon.To summarize.  The quality of this case is terrific.  If you just need room for one DSLR plus one lens, this is a great size.  If you have more than one lens, you probably should get a bigger case.=== Updated after one month ===We did buy a larger bag that can hold our camera, several lenses and accessories.  However, I find that we use this smaller bag all of time.  For most events, you will only use a single lens.  We just put the desired lens on the camera and load it into this bag.  When we get home, everything goes back into the larger bag.
I can fit my 18-55mm and 50-250mm and my T4i body in the bag. I can also the wires and the charger in the pocket with a pen lens cleaner. Love it.
I don't need space for but one camera and this fits all my camera and charger and strap along with itsmanual and small collapsible tripod. very happy with this purchase
This is a good case.  Sturdy and well built.  But there is only enough room for body and lens (attached).  Maybe enough room for two lenses if detached from body.  I plan on using this for bike rides and hikes, so I think it will work.  It is the best I've found for this balance of mobility and protection for my equipment.
I checked my local retailers and saw this very same bag priced at an average of $56 dollars.  I liked the quality of the bag but was not willing to pay the price.  Came home and looked for it on Amazon and I was able to get it for almost half the price!!! The bag itself fits my T3, 2 lenses, filters, extra battery, 2 chargers, mini-tripod, and a few other accessories comfortably.  I received the item faster than expected. will definitely do business with this seller again.
Nice, well built bag. But you gotta really squeeze stuff into it. Comfortably holds my Rebel XS with a grip and lens attached, and another lens. Forget this item for any of the White "L" monsters. For BIG, go with the Canon 1 EG. It holds 5D II with grip, attached White monster, and one or two smaller lenses and a Flash unit.
I really loved this product it...I used it for a long time...now...and the way it works is really awesome...love it....
Looked for bags like this in the well known local cheap goods national store chain and I saved half price and delivered via prime in 2 days.  No complaints with the bag.  Holds all I need it to and then some.
Built quality is good. But when it comes to space it's just too small. I could barely fit my CanonT3i, and the extra lens I got with it. Feels like I have to struggle arranging and pulling things out of it. Everything is so tightly packed feels like I am probably gonna break something one day considering how difficult it is to fit all my stuff in this bag. I wish I checked it before buying it. Go for bigger bag this might be too small if you planning on putting more then your camera and an extra lens.
I've had mine for over a month now and take it everywhere every day.  The zippers are really good!  The zippers are usually the first to fail on products, but the zippers on this one should be the last to go!!About as large as you'd want for a "small bag" to hold things like camcorders, cameras, cables, cell phones and etc.  This bag barely tops out fitting in a grocery size bag when I travel with all my stuff on my bicycle.  (I have baskets on the back of my bike.)This Canon Gadget Bag has plenty of room for all kinds of things.  Very well made as you might expect Canon products to be or might have experienced they have been.
our son really likes it and uses it all the time. it is great for taking with us on trips.
This is an awesome bag for the price.  I was looking for a small bag to keep my new T1i in and has a little extra room for another lens flash and some small extras.  This bag is perfect, has a shoulder strap the is good quality and padded that you can remove easily.  It also has a built in belly strap to make it a hip pack that tucks away in the back.  All my stuff fits in nice and snug and still leaves me a little extra room.  Bag quality is very good and has hard runners on the bottom to keep the bag and camera safe.  A very good buy!
I wanted a small camera bag that would hold the camera and a few other things.  It comfortably holds one camera w/ lens attached and has a little space left over for some other small items.  Since I don't have a lot of attachments for my camera, this bag is just perfect without the bulk of the larger camera bags.  I like the heavy-duty construction and padding of the bag. It has both a zipper (with two zipper handles) and a latch for the top flap to secure the contents and/or keep it latched closed for easy access. It can be carried three ways: with the handle, over the shoulder strap, or worn on the body with the belt.  The belt stap stores hidden on the bag (not taking storage space away) for easy conversion. It seems to be well thought out and has options for many situations you'll find yourself in. Overall, I am satisfied with this bag and highly recommend it.
I bought this gear bag based on reviews I read and most said this bag was huge so I was a bit surprised at how small it is. My fault for not double checking the dimensions. I guess if you're using a point and shoot, then it is huge. A bit small for a DSLR though. The tag claims it will hold 2 bodies and 3-4 lenses but I don't know how this is possible. It barely holds my EOS XS with two zoom lenses and Albinar 90 MDT-Z strobe in the main compartment. Neither lens is really very big. I'm not sure how it would hold 2 bodies and 3-4 lenses but it does what I need it to do and that's really all that matters.The build quality is superb and I expect this to last a long time. The strap clips and attachments are metal, not plastic, and the zippers are large and heavy duty. Though they are made of nylon, they appear very robust. The main compartment layout is adjustable with very nice padded detachable dividers and the gear is very well protected. The dividers fold over on the top for a layered effect which is how my strobe fits over the lenses and body. Overall, I am very satisfied with this bag. For the money, it really can't be beat. Just make sure you check the dimensions and match them to your gear and needs.
A Canon T2i with spare lens will fit tight, however, this is advantageous if it gets dropped or slammed.  Top cover has flap to improve water resistency.  Everything will fit.  Also has separate fanny strap, if that's what you are into.
As others have noted (mainly in the negative reviews), this case is rather smaller than I expected.Nonetheless, it's perfect for my needs, namely transporting a Canon SX40 with a UV filter, lens cap, and Op/Tech neck strap attached, a Canon S100 in a small carrying case, a Canon Speedlight 420EX with spare batteries, a polarizing filter for the SX40 in a carrying case, some cleaning cloths, a LensPEN, a cable for connecting the cameras to my laptop, a lens hood for the SX40, two battery chargers, four spare camera batteries, and a few memory cards.It's very well made of sturdy materials, has adequate padding to protect everything, and has very good zippers and hooks. The zippers are covered by a flap to keep water and dirt out, and it's supposed to be waterproof. It has a comfortable, adjustable neck strap AND a waste strap that hides in a rear pocket, all connected to the case with strong metal D rings, plus a comfortable carrying handle. And it looks good, too.This case is a very good value at under $25 from Amazon -- if it's large enough for your gear.
great size and shape.  just what was needed.  I would have liked to have a few more color choices rather than black but then I am a girl.
Great size, easy to use, lots of pockets, bag fits quite a lot of items. Would definitely recommend this bag.
I found the bag to small for my needs. I have more gear than what it will hold. If all you have is the body and a lens then it would be ok. The bag is nice just to small for my needs.
I love this bag! It is rooms and holds everything I need! This bag to a far drop with my camera and lenses in it, and not a thing happened to them (whew)This bag protects very well! I love the hidden waist band too! makes it easier to carry when you have kids and your camera and your diaper bag!
Purchased it because it was smaller, therefore handier.  Can put everything I need in it.  Was very affordable and well made
This is a great bag, but the tag says you could put 1-2 camera bodies and 3-4 lenses. Maybe one OR the other! I used to store a Rebel XSi with the kit lens and the 55-250mm zoom, and it fit ok. Then I bought a 50mm f/1.8 lens, and managed to squeeze it in (it's such a small lens that it actually fits almost anywhere). After a while, I got a 10-22mm lens, and since I only put the lenses in the bag, and I carry the camera inside my backpack, without any protection, as all that gear doesn't fit inside the bag, as expected.The bag is very good, but it's small. If it actually held all the stuff it was supposed to, it certainly would get 5 stars.
Excelente bolsa de transporte de cameras e acess&oacute;rios (lentes, baterias, carregadores, etc), o design e a cor so compat&iacute;veis a cmera.
WELL MADE AND SOLID STRAPS FOR SECURITY AND EASE. ENOUGH ROOM FOR CAMERA WITH LENS AND ADDITIONAL TELEPHOTO LENS IF DESIRED
Good bag but very small. If you plan on carrying anything beside a body and two small lens buy bigger.
Purchased a Canon 60D combo deal that came with a very large(too big) gadget case.  This case is just the right size and very nicely made.  Looks and feels great. This will be my main case when I'm using my Canon 60D, G-12 or G-2( do you think I love Canon cameras!). I highly recommend this case.
This bag suits us just fine. It's big enough for the body and two lenses, charger, and some extra accessories.  Awesome price.  Wal-Mart sells this same bag for $49.88. Thanks again AMAZON for being AMAZING!
it was a great buy and at a great price I saw the exact one at wal-mart for $40! so yea if your looking for a beginner bag this is the way to go!
We purchased a Sony SLT-A37 and a telephoto lens. Everything fits just great in this bag including an extra battery, lens filter set and a few other accessories. Looked at the Sony bags, but couldn't find one at a good price that everything could fit in. This bag works JUST GREAT!!
This is an incredible buy. I saw it in Target for twice the price and bought it here instead. Lots room for all your goodies. AND. It's incrediblt well built !  really. I can't describe how nice it is.. Buy it.
I got this bag for my wife for Christmas 2012 when I got her a T3i.  This bag is well made and holds all kinds of stuff that I got her for the camera.  My only complaint would be that the camera with a lens attached has a hard time storing an additional lens.  It can be done but not with ease.
My wife and I were looking for a camera bag to hold our DSLR (Canon T2i) with prime lens, a spare kit zoom-lens, pocket video camera (Kodak Playsport ZX3), and associated cables/chargers.  We needed the smallest bag possible which would fit all of our items.Upon receiving this bag and zipping it open, I was concerned that the few things we DID have wouldn't fit.  Thankfully, the bag includes pre-creased velcro separators to partition the inside and allow some organizational creativity.  We ended up arranging the walls so we have a left, right, and center pocket.  The walls fold down to cover up the left and right pockets (cables on the left, kit-zoom on the right), and the DSLR rests lens-down (holster-style) in the middle pocket.  This gives us exactly enough room to fit everything inside the bag.  The pocket video camera rides up front in the outer-zip pocket.Other than being a tight fit, the quality and construction of the bag are very solid.  The padding seems good for the price range and the bottom has four rubber feet to help it stay put.  Let me put it this way: if this slid off my kitchen table and hit the floor, I wouldn't be worried about my gear.  You may feel differently based on the weight/size of your gear. The inside includes some embroidered canon accents on the zipper/mesh area, giving it that extra polish which makes you feel like you bought a superior (aka name-brand) product. I expect this bag to last me well beyond my current camera.So, who is this bag for?  The person who needs the smallest possible carrying case to keep their small amount of gear safe.  If you've already got a second bag, or have to lug around a diaper bag for your young ones, this comes along for the ride without hogging all your space or attention. Also, if you primarily shoot with a small prime lens, you can exploit the separators to create a center-holster and jam even more stuff in there.On the other hand, I would avoid this bag if you are planning on toting more than 2 lenses.  Also, if you are planning on using this to carry a long lens, I would recommend finding one of these in a brick-and-mortar store to test-fit your goodies.No doubt, this is a tight bag which was probably created for camcorders, but it is perfect for us!
I use this bag for my external light, camera and two lenses not counting the extra batteries and two wall chargers that all fit nicely. I think it's a great bag for the size and what it can hold but again I'm not a professional.....
I wanted a small bag but this is almost too small, it says 2 body's and 2 or 3 lenses no way, I can fit a t3 and a lens barely that's it. But it is a nice bag if you are going on a hike and don't want a big bulky bag and only need one lense
For the price and the assurance of the brand name, I'd say it's an awesome deal. The padding's great, and the hooks are very strong and heavy, hence, reliable. And let's not forget, it's Canon. They really do stand behind their products.This bag was purchased by a Christmas Gift Card from one of my church sisters. I bought it for my T1i and the basic 18-55mm lens. I couldn't have made a better use for the price.Love the bottom part. Again, it's strong and reliable. I'm one of those people that are very [...] about their gadgets. Even my girlfriend whines about it all the time. And trust me, this bag is definitely a good buy. I don't know, I love to have the same brand bag as my DSLR. Feels kinda royal. lolHappy shopping,,,
Huge Bag ordered as a birthday gift  for Canon Rebel Camera seem to hold the camera securely and still have room for camera supplies
Yeah so this will fit two lenses and body comfortably. You probably could tetris more into it, but two lenses is already a bit awkard. The pockets fit caps, batteries, strap, whipes, and cords, pretty easily. Quality is great. Looks to last years ahead. Light too.
Great bag, very portable.  Great for vacations or short trips when you don't want to carry ALL of your camera equipment, just a few lenses and filters, cables, etc.  Durable, well padded.  Fits your Canon SLR great.
My latest purchase - Canon Deluxe camera bag - although a little smallfor my Canon Rebel XS-(also purchased from Amazon.com this year) and a "future" Telelens 70-300mm/250mm I plan to purchase (Its between Tamron-Sigma-or Canon) -I am presently comparing prices on the internet .Must admit that Amazon.com has been my preferred shop to buy from ,due tomost of the time lowest purchase price  and free shipping with predictable arrival date .
First, I'd like to say that this bag is well constructed and offers great protection to my camera and accessories. With that being said, I must also say that I'm not a big fan of the bulky shape. When carrying this bag with the long shoulder strap (which itself is very awkward and uncomfortable), it feels huge! I guess this could be good for people who need to carry more accessories. I just find myself leaving the bag in the car when I take my camera out, which kind of defeats the purpose. Also, the clasp closure gets twisted sideways and sticks and the zipper is not the easiest to access. Opening and closing the case is a little difficult.Conclusion: Good quality, too bulky for everyday use in my opinion.
I returned this camera bag shortly after I received it because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. The product itself is perfectly fine and does as it describes. It may be a bit small, but is not advertised to be a large camera bag. This bag is great for carrying and storing your camera and one or two lenses, but that is about it.  What I was looking for was a bag that would allow me to easily access my camera and I found that in a different camera bag.
I might have to change as number of lens increases, but for now I hve more than enough room for body and lens.
The above reviews sum it up well- I have a 500D body, 18-35mm lens, 75-300mm lens, macro filters, and a remote for the camera. It fits just so, and it's definitely NOT a 'grab something out real quick' or 'throw everything back in and run' kind of bag. However, other than that, this thing is solid- it is not made cheaply, which is great. The zippers and latches are all metal, not plastic. The pouch up front fits a spare battery and all my charging cables.
I purchased this for my Canon ES40 and it fits perfectly. There is enough room for 3 extra batteries, a charger, memory cards, cables and even a small tripod. This is bulky, but it protects everything inside. Very well padded.
This has room for my camera, an extra lens, the charger, and at least a few other things. It's made sturdily and carries with ease. If you want something simple and don't have a ton of gear, this is a good choice.
I have a Canon SX40.  I am able to fit the camera, my filter holder, batteries, charger, and SD card holder in it with room for my small waterproof Sanyo video camera.  Everything I need for my vacation will fit in the bag and be well protected.  Top flap folds over the zipper to provide protection from rain.  It had a comfortable shoulder strap and a waist strap that tucks into the back side when not in use.  I love this bag!
I am not a professional photographer by any means, but I am a daily hiker, and more often than not, I like to bring my camera with me.  This camera suits my needs perfectly.  It holds my Canon SLR camera with the standard lens on, and has a second compartment where I can put my Canon Zoom lens.  The camera and the lens is held snugly and safely without being cramped.  There is also a very convenient front pouch where I can fit in my simple photo paraphernalia: my lens brush and cloth, and my lens hood.  The bag is also very nicely made: sturdy (even though its a soft pack), well stitched and detailed.  Frankly, I was surprised by the quality of the product given the price, which was by no means exorbitant--I might have bought it when Amazon was having a sale.
I was searching for other bags before I decided to purchase this one. However it is hard to find one which has good quality and good price . I bought it with Cannon rebel T3I and 32g sandisk memory card as package and it is really good choice!!!
This is a very good Cannon camera bag and was purchased with a new Canon EOS T3. Camera fits well with 300mm zoom.
Great case! Very protective and spacious with out being obnoxiously huge! Multiple pockets and easy to carry with me anywhere!
This bag is perfect. I have a canon rebel and another lens and it all fits. Granted it's a little tight but you can rearrange the Velcro stuffing inside to make it fit. Sturdy zippers and strap. Would purchase again. Not too bulky
I like the bag! It has enough room for the Canon PowerShot S3-IS with the LA-DC58E 58mm extended lens adapter and UV filter installed and room for the LH-DC40 lens hood. That was the primary purpose that I bought the new camera bag for. It also has enough room to store cables and batteries. There is a thin zipper pocket within the main pocket that I assume is intended for cables. You would think they would include suggestions on what each pocket should be used for. The main pocket has Velcro dividers too. The outside pocket has two special round shaped pockets for lens filters. I thought that was pretty cool. And there is another one of the long thin zipper pockets for more cables. The top lid wraps, zips and snaps over the whole thing to protect both pockets. I was pleasantly surprised at the high quality of fabric and zippers that the bag is made with. There is a carry handle on the top, a shoulder strap and a waist strap so you can wear the bag like a fanny pack although; I have not tried that feature yet. I think it would be nice if they had made one accordion shaped pocket to put papers in; like an owner's manual. Also, since this bag is most likely going to be used for digital cameras, I am surprised there are no special little tiny pockets for memory cards the way Port/Targus bags have.
-Very well padded (rubber feet on the bottom too)-More spacious than it looks on the outside-Light rain didn't affect the camera in the bag-Like the mesh storage area inside the main compartment and smaller comartment-nothing i don't like
This is a nice, sturdy, bag. I like the metal clip; I like that its sturdy; I like the inserts to help provide protection.That said, it is small as so many others have noted. I just barely squeeze my Canon 50D in, and nothing else in the main compartment. I had to lay the inserts down and set my camera on top of them as there was no room to have any of them upright. My instruction manual fits in the top zipper in the main compartment, without zipping shut though. The small front compartment holds my battery charger and some other very small miscellaneous items. Nothing else would fit in here. It holds what I need it to hold and keeps it protected so thats what matters. Its a tight squeeze getting the camera in but it works. My camera has its attached lens of course; there is no way another lens or anything else would fit. Overall its a good product for a good price so long as you are aware of the size and okay with that.
This bag is OK at best. its very bulky and difficult to use (swapping lenses and stuff). the bag is super cheap though and a great starter. I would go with a better bag in the future once you get used to the camera. This one gets the job done but its definitely not a &#34;long term&#34; bag.Also, the straps it offeres are very useful. i strapped it to the back of a snowmobile when i went up north and it did a fine job. its exceptionally durable.I'd recommend this more for the mirrorless (smaller) cameras than i would for a dslr.
This is a nicely designed and beautifully crafted bag that provides excellent protection for its contents. It may not be big enough for multiple SLR bodies and a big assortment of lenses, but it is more than ample for an S3 IS and all the lens adapters and accessories you could reasonably want. The fanny pack feature looks like it might come in handy on a long slog, but you'd want be careful turning around in crowded places with such a big appendage strapped to your waist.
I received this on time as described, yet upon assembly i noticed there was no direction as to how to insert my camera safely . There is velcro adjustments inside and i fiddle with them but i guess it just kind of sits inside and you fasten it on both sides to cuddle the actual camera from wobbling inside the bag. I bought this for my dslr canon rebel t5 and it fit akwardly inside. there was a nifty side pocket for storage of charger,etc. NOt impressed but worth it, mostly because the bag emblem on the outside.
Great Bag!
This is a nice bag BUT it is too small for the Canon Rebel with large lenses and extra equipment. It would be ok for a small camera as it seems to provide good protection.
If you are at the intermediate level with photography and need a camera bag that is strong and comfortable this bag may be for you. I can fit my canon s2is, adapter, two filters or a lens in this bag. This is all I expected from what I read about this product. If you have a SLR with multiple lenses,,, sorry,,, you will have to spend more bucks for a bigger bag.
Bought this bag to house my Canon sx 40 HS, Vivitar Lens kit, battery charger with two extra batteries, a cable, collapsible lens hood, and instruction booklet.  All these items fit perfectly.  The camera is well protected from side to side and from top to bottom.The bag is made of heavy nylon canvas.  The interior is well padded with two detachable dividers.  All hardware, d hooks, swivel oval clasps, zipper closers and tabs are made of metal.  The lid of this bag has a very sturdy handle as well as an extension that covers the zipper of the main compartment .  This lid is secured in the front by a swivel oval clasp .  The interior of the lid has a mesh zippered compartment which can house extra batteries, extra SD cards, and a microfiber cloth. The shoulder strap has a  stationary well padded middle section which allows adjustment of its length to be made at either or both ends.  In a hidden snapped sleeve located on the back of this bag is a strap with a plastic clasp.  This strap can be used to secure the bag to your waist as a fanny pack.  That configuration is a bit bulky but it beats letting the bag and its contents to swing from the shoulder when walking around.  The front zippered pouch has two side by side inner pockets as well as a mesh zippered one.  As an amateur photographer, this bag suits my needs and is  a great buy.  Same exact bag in my local retail electronics store is $49.99
This camera bag has it all - padded storage for your camera, excellent protection w/a snap clasp as well as zippered closure.  Extra pockets in the top, on the front and inside for storing computer connecting cords, and other accessories.  Zippered front that I use for keys and small coin purse to have my identification and credit cards w/me.  I love the feature of the what I call 'hiking belt' hidden in the back that I can fasten it on me like a "fanny pack" when hiking and not have to fool with the over the shoulder strap.  The over the shoulder strap is well designed with the padded part slightly curved to be able to position the camera comfortably crossing over your body and is adjustable as to length..  The bag is also rain proofed so if you get caught in a shower, there's no need to panic. I particularly like that all the clasps, and hooks are metal and not plastic, making it much more durable.  All in all I would recommend this camera bag to anyone.
The bag is perfect for the Powershot SX40 camera.  The camera fits in the middle section of the bag with room on either side for extras such as a tabletop tripod or other small accessories.  The bag itself is very well made with heavy duty metal hardware, no plastic pieces to break.  It has thick padding to protect the camera and made of sturdy fabric.  If you are looking for a bag for your SX40 I don't think you'll find a better one. I highly recommend this case and am extremely happy with my Amazon purchase.
This bag is sturdy and well constructed - but beware that it's really only going to fit a camera and maybe the flash.  My husband has a couple lenses in addition to a flash, so it was just too tight of a squeeze for all the extras, so we had to return it for the bigger Canon bag.
I have a sx20is so dont have alot of extras.fits the camera and bat charger,cords,usb card reader and mini t pod, extra cards just fine. velcro would have been nice instead of zipper but when using i just latch the hook and its just fine and when in trasit i zip it up for extra security. this is heavy duty and am impressed with the quality.the fanny pack option is just a added bonus. would highly recomend for this type of camera.
This bag is great for my Canon DSLR camera.  The price is great, too.  I tried buying this bag at another discount store, and the cost was nearly twice as much!!
I chose this bag because of other write ups on it vs. several other bags.  I was not disappointed!  The padding is very thick, the flap covers the zipper which protects it even more from rain or splashes getting in!  My full size Canon SX 40 with the standard lens fits perfectly in the center compartment, with the two side spaces for other items. The dividers can also be moved to allow room for the camera & another lens or as is for batteries & chargers.  And you still have the outside pocket!  The bag is a little larger than I would usually carry, but I wouldn't have another one for my camera!  Well worth the money!
THIS BAG IS A PERFECT FIT FOR A KODAK EASY MAX Z990. EVERYTHING FITS INCLUDING AN EXTRA AC/DC CHARGER WITH BATTERIES. GREAT CASE. DEFINITELY WORKS FOR ME.
I have a larger camera bag that has both my Nikon and Canon DSLR's in it with a tripod strapped to the outside. We are going on vacation and I want to take one of the cameras with me, but I don't want to strip down my larger gear bag to make it air travel friendly. Enter, this smaller, rugged little bag which is just right for the single camera and a handful of accessories. The price was reasonable the the seams appear quite durable. The front flap overlaps the zipper to make this bag weather resistant. Not a bad looking bag either. Inside is cushioned to protect your investment. Decent little bag!
Jus the right size for my camera, but I hope it works with a larger lens and a few extra filters!
This is not a bag for the big dslr cameras. I use it with the Canon G11, a small Canon flash unit, extra battery and charger, and extra AA batteries an charger for the flash. It gets a little crowded but it is exactly what I want to be able to have everything I need without hefting a monstrous bag. Perfect for the right camera. Just don't expect it to handle the big ones.
For the price I think it's good. Space is lacking if you have a DSLR camera. Material is good so case is well made.
Only store my T4i and the charger, don't have multiple lens so I can't comment on if there is adequate amount of space, but it seems like I could definitely fit another lens in there.
This Is a Good bag, its really good for the beginner Camera Guy, i just got a rebel camera, and so far i can fit the camera and 2 other lenses in , (really kinda looks like its made just for the Rebel slr cams nothing bigger) i may be able to fit 2 more lenses depending on the size, i dont have enough room for my cords like my adapters and things. i can kinda fit my charger inside, i can fit my sd cards inside as well, but its worth it , has a fanny pack strap as well as the shoulder strap
Quality construction and plenty of storage space. My camera and accessories are well protected in this bag.You won't find a better bag at this price.
I like this bag as it's large and roomy for my Canon Powershot SX50 and my accessories for it.  There is space for batteries, cleaning clothes and even my large flash unit if I want to take it along, but it's not too big and bulky to deal with for a days outing.  It costs a little more than some other camera bags, but the quality is definitely better and I think it should hold up better in the long run.
I wanted a bag for my slr that wouldn't take up too much space.  Just enough space for the camera with 1 lens attached and room for another lens or flash.
Smaller than I imagined but a high quality case.  I was hoping this would be the next case, but the move was more lateral.
ok so the biggest worry for me was is this thing big enough. i will list everything i keep in mine, and where it is located that should help you decide.in the main compartment, split into 3, i fit the camera body (rebel xsi/450d must remove lens) with the battery hand grip attached in the middle. to the left of that i fit a canon 55-250mm ef-s IS lens and completely colapsed it fits perfect width wise. to the right of the body i keep another lens 18-55mm ef-s IS which even if left completely expanded fits width wise with room to spare. on the lid of this compartment is a mesh pocket which easily holds a tiffen 3 pack filter kit (uv, polarizer,warming) inside the little soft case they come in. in the main compartment thats all that will fit everything including the neck strap attached to the camera will fit and the top will zip down and clip down snug but NOT so tight it might damage your equipment. the front pocket actually held more then i thought it would for how small it is.in mine it has a retractable USB cable, both the battery charger, and its wire. a table top tripod (one of those little ones with the flexible legs),a extra sd card (in its hard plastic case),and an extra lens cap (still in the hard plastic case it came in).and with all that in there you could still squeeze a few other little things, like maybe another memory card or two. so for a trip or vacation or something this bag is ideal and really compact, an easy carry on for a passenger plane.it will fit the whole camera with battery grip and 55-250mm lens attached length wise if you needed it to be ready quickly without assembly, but you wouldn't really have space for another lens. it also has a waist strap that completely tucks away in the back of the bag so you can wear it like one of those man purse's (hip bag?)and the waist belt thing has it's own pocket in the back so it doesn't take up any of your storage space.it also comes with an ergonomically correct shoulder/neck strap. if your wondering what makes the strap different? it has a curve on the top that allows the top of the strap to fall perfectly on the load bearing sections of your shoulders rather then around the thin of your neck.... leave it to the japanese to think of everything... all in all i like it and gave it 5 stars if you have more then 2 lenses this WILL NOT hold everything. i hope this helps you in deciding.
I easily fit my Rebel in here with all the basic pieces that I needed. I didn't want a camera bag to hold a bunch of stuff, I wanted something compact that would hold just the basics and this is exactly that. It's got a material that is durable and easy to keep clean.
The construction of the bag is very good but I was disappointed that it was so small.  Guess I didn't read the ad correctly.  When I have my large lens installed on my camera, it will just barely fit in the bag and there is no room for other lens or other attachments.  The outside pockets would hold some of my accessories but there's not enough room for everything I have.
I love to take my DSLR camera places, and most of the time I don't need all the accessories that I have in my bigger bag. I wanted something to protect it, but not something overly bulky like my other one. This is perfect for my camera!
Great bag but wish I would have went bigger, once I get my camera and charger in there ...there's no room for any other lens. but it's good and sturdy
I bought this for my Canon EOS Rebel XS/1000D camera.  The camera fits perfectly.  I like the two moveable dividers inside because they allow you to store the camera with the lens attached to the camera or separated.  It also keeps the camera and lens very snug.  I feel like my camera is very safe in the bag.  The bag itself is very lightweight.
This bag is quality.  The only thing I wish was that it was a little bit larger for more items.  However, I recommend this highly for a SLR, a single small lens and a few other small items.
I got this bag for a couple of my small Canon cameras to use when I travel.  It will work beautifully and it's so sturdy i know it will protect my cams.  It's plenty big enough for my two little Canons and all their accessories.  The quality is very impressive.  I have another Canon bag for my big Canon Rebel and all it's lenses and was hoping this bag was as sturdily made as my big bag.  I was not disappointed.  I went in to this purchase knowing it was small, thanks to all the feedback here about it's size.  It is made with really tough materials.  The snaps and clips are strong and the handle is comfortable on my shoulder.  It was perfect for what I needed and it's too bad the description is misleading about it's size for those looking for a bigger bag.  The price should be a good clue as to the size, my big Canon bag was over $70...just saying!
The picture makes it look bigger. Pay attention to the y sizes. It worked for me but my camera barely fit.
Great Camera Bag.  Looks good.  The only thing is, it sure looks like a theft target as there is no doubt it's a camera bag.
With &#34;system&#34; meaning the NX1000, the SEF 220A optional flash and the 50-200 zoom lens.  The camera comes with the 20-50 primary lens, and the basic flash.  Those items, and the cables, charger / charger cord and a few small misc items fit perfectly in this Canon bag.  Good value for the money.
This camera bag holds comfortably the charger, extra battery, memory cards, Canon T2i, 250mm lens, 55 mm lens, and lens cleaning materials. It cannot hold much more though.
I like the bag very much. I just need it can include at least two lens and a camera. It's very small and convenience for me.Excellent Choice for me!
This is a well built bag, I've had others where the handles eventually came off the top, but this seems to be well constructed and should last a long time.
This is a great bag for a Canon S5 IS or one of its brethren.  You can easily fit it with a Lensmate adapter and a couple of other adapters.  Also holds other accessories.  It offers the ability to carry it by a handle, shoulder strap, or a cleverly executed fanny pack.  Construction is good, with heavy duty zippers. If you are getting it for a DSLR, you may be disappointed. It is too small to carry one unless it just has one small lens attached.  You would do well to look to a larger bag.  To carry a camera like the S5 and all its gear, you can't go wrong, though.  The only thing that would improve it is a couple of compartments on the side of the bag.
I haven't travelled with it yet, but so far I really like it. The waist option, versus the shoulder strap, is neat. I didn't realize it had that until I was packing it up. Of course, I'd love something a little slimmer and more lightweight, but that just isn't practical when you're looking for the convenience of a carry-all, with the reassurance of protecting your investment.
Love, love, love this camera bag! I got a Canon SX50HS, Sony Alpha 35 with 50-80mm lens attached, a Canon S100 pocket camera, a Panasonic HC-V100 camcorder, and ALL power cables/chargers for each of the above cameras, plus a small SIMA 10-led light w/mounting bar and a mini-table tripod all fit into the bag with the expensive stuff all separated with dividers. The quality is ridiculously good and FAR better than the cheap, plastic-laden, LowePro Adventura 170 bag I replaced.
If you're like me & you've just spent $$ on a nice SLR/D-SLR camera; you want a nice protective bag for your kit, but don't have a lot of spare $$ to spend on it.  This bag is well designed, seems well made, and is low priced.  It has storage space for your camera & 2 lenses, as well as some additional compartments that are perfect for spare batteries, SD Cards, external flash, filters, and an external flash.  I think it's a great value for the money, even if you end up getting several lenses down the road & need to replace it with a bigger bag.  If you don't see yourself having more than what's already been mentioned then this bag will fit the bill for you long-term as well.
I bought this for a canon t3i and it fits very well. it fit the canon t3i with 18-55m lens attached plus an extra 55-250mm lens and some little things like extra battery and memory card. But that's all you can cram into it. If you think you need to put in some more then you'll need a bigger bag. If not then this will do just fine.
Saw this bag in the store so I knew this would be perfect. Fast delivery,perfect shape,and everything we wished for.
The positive reviewers of this bag are on the money. Top quality construction, metal loops and buckles on the bag and shoulder strap, and thoughtful touches like feet on the bottom of the bag. The shoulder strap is well padded, tapered for the shoulder, and quality is comparable to the bag's. Not sure about the body and lens capacity claims since that configuration is more of a personal preference, but if you just need a bag for a camera with lens on, this is perfect. Fits my Nikon D5200 with 18-140 lens perfectly upright or lying down. Buying another for my daughter's Nikon. The Nikon bags that I looked at didn't come close to the quality of this one. So what if it says Canon. If that bothers you, tear the brand logo off or chance it with another bag.
It works perfect.
&#2951; Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150; Highly recommended with warm fuzzies!Canon packages their macro ring lites with an EOS camera and macro lens for use by dentists for good reason: for close-up macro photography inside someone's mouth where you want to be able to either avoid or control shadowing effects, this is an indispensable flash that provides better close-up illumination than you can get with just a hot shoe flash.  I am using this on an EOS 30D (updated posting: and also 40D) with their excellentCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR CamerasandCanon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camerasalong with aCanon Macrolite Adapter 58C for Canon G2, G3, G5, G6 & Pro1 Digital CamerasEven though the "Canon Macrolite Adapter 58C" says that it is for G2-G6 cameras, it fits their 65mm and 100mm Macro Lens also due to its 58mm size.  The flash secures onto grooves in their 100mm Macro Lens, but if you prefer to leave a UV-haze filter on that lens, the filter covers up the groove.  Therefore, to not have to remove the protective UV-haze filter lens in order to attach the ring lite, you need to screw the "Canon Macrolite Adapter 58C" onto the end of the filter lens, which then provides the grooves that the ring lite then attaches to.  Yes, $15 is still a bit pricey for a skinny little ring of plastic adapter, but comparable to how Canon prices their lens hoods also... and it is the only way to attach the ring lite to the macro lens while still leaving a UV-haze filter screwed on (without resorting to black duck tape :-)I use this ring lite for both indoor and outdoor nature macro photography and it is the perfect flash when the natural lighting is less than optimal.  A macro ring light like this is optional equipment if you use Canon's 50mm, 60mm, 100mm, or 180mm macro lenses.  But either this flash or the more expensiveCanon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash for Canon Digital SLR Camerasmacro flash is really absolutely required equipment if you use theCanon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameraslens, especially if you do not always use a tripod.  The diffuser plastic that is on this flash gives it a nice soft warm light that is not too harsh.  You can adjust the "ratio" so that one of the half-circle ring's flashes are brighter than the other half-circle flash, to get better shadow contrast (when zooming the MP-E 65mm between 3X to 5X, I like to use a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1).  The MT-24EX does have a distinct advantage over this MR-14EX when using Canon's MP-E 65mm at magnifications of 4X or 5X because the MT-24EX's two flash heads can be positioned and angled more directly at the subject.  But I find the MT-24EX's light to be more harsh than this MR-14EX, unless you create your own diffuser setup for it.July 22 2010 update: Since my original writing of my review, I sold myCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand bought the newerCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.  In order to use this new version of Canon's 100mm macro lens with the MR-14EX, you need to also purchase the pricyCanon Macrolite Adapter 67.
Very usefull for Marco pictures !! a must have item if you can afford it !
I'm no professional, but I do enjoy some of the high-end accessories for my camera, including this marvelous Ring Lite.  It does have one drawback in that it doesn't fit on all lenses.  In some cases, you can sort of make it fit long enough to use it, but others are just straight no-go.  Learning to understand and control the settings is very challenging, so unless you are VERY well-versed in the subject, this is something you probably should consider.  I admit to not knowing the first thing about controlling the settings, and am disappointed that there is precious little literature accompanying this item.  If you can find a good book on the topic of flash photography, I suggest you include that with your purchase.  I do enjoy using this with just default settings with my macro lens and a fun little pop-up light tent with sidelights.  Great for photographing items to be sold online where a good image (or lack of one) can make or break a sale.
The Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite is a great flash unit for use at fairly close range. As the model number indicates, it has a guide number of 14, which means that its effective range is about 14 meters (or 46 feet). This is only slightly more powerful than the built-in flashes in Canon's low-end DSLRs (which have a guide number of 13), and considerably weaker than Canon's other external flash units (the effective range of which varies from model to model, from 22 meters to 58 meters). But the low guide number is not really a problem for the intended use of the MR-14EX, which is close-up and macro photography. By mounting the Macro Ring Lite on a lens, the subject of a photograph is made to seem to be illuminated equally from all directions. This avoids the harsh shadows that are commonly seen in pictures when a single flash unit was pointed directly at the subject.The MR-14EX allows each of its two semi-circular lamps to be adjusted individually, allowing one side of the subject to be illuminated more strongly than the other if desired. It also provides two smaller lamps to aid auto-focusing in dim conditions. It can even serve as a master controller for off-camera Canon Speedlite flash units. It is powered by four AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended.The MR-14EX mounts easily on theCanon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens, theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens(now discontinued), and theCanon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens. To mount it on the newCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens, aCanon Macrolite Adapter 67is required. To mount it on theCanon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Lens, a Canon Macrolite Adapter 72C f/ML-3 is needed. On some other lenses, it can be mounted with reasonable stability simply by attaching an appropriate 58mm step-up ring to the lens. I have done this with aTokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lensusing aKenko 55mm Step-Up Ring to 58mm. Other lenses will probably require different rings to step up from their native filter size to 58mm.Canon also offers the somewhat more expensiveCanon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash, which also mounts two lamps on the lens, but instead of a ring the MT-24EX provides two small lamps that can be positioned independently. I have not used it, but it seems to be well regarded.
got this for my dad who is a professional photographer.  He still uses it and loves it.  It eliminates shadow in phots
Yes it's expensive.  Great build quality and so far has worked flawlessly. In the product description on Amazon it says, &#34;The MR-14EX attaches directly to Canon's EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro, EF 100mm f/2.8 macro (both versions), and MP-E 65mm macrophoto lenses, and can also be used with EF 180mm f/3.5L macro USM via the Macrolite adapter 72C.&#34;  Wrong, it does not attach directly to EF 100 f/2.8 macro you need an adapter (Canon Macrolite Adaper 67) For the price should come with adapters(IMHO).  I recommend this product, if you like shooting macro and you have the cash.
its a good unit but the price is a bit rough to swallow (even though its fair)my unit seems to work well 95% of the time but the other 5% it either fails to fire or its exposure drifts.the build feels weak specifically the cord.a note before you order this unit, it requires an adapter ring to mount to your lens so make sure you get the right 1
If you are a serious close-up or macro photographer, sooner or later (but probably sooner) you will need an illumination source to make up for the falloff in light transmission that occurs with close focus at short distances. If you can't do all your macro photography outdoors in bright light, or if you don't have the luxury of building a macro stage with flood lights, you will need a flash attachment -- or perhaps even a primary flash and a couple of slaves to illuminate complex macro scenes. For general purpose illumination on close subjects, the Canon MR-14EX is one of two macro flash units that are just what the doctor ordered. More about the other one below.An ordinary camera-top flash won't help much with macro photography. Even if you can angle the head down far enough to illuminate your subject, you will cast unwelcome shadows below and behind it. A lens-mounted flash like this ring light will push illumination straight forward on your subject, minimizing and in some cases completely erasing unwanted shadow effects. There are two light sources in the ring, and electronic controls allow you to balance the light to be stronger on one side of the field of view than the other if you are looking for an effect other than intense flat-field lighting. Secondary flashes can be slaved to this unit for more complicated close-up scenes, but in many cases this flash will be all you need to take properly illuminated photographs. The dashboard puts as much control in the photographer's hands as he or she may want. Completely automatic illumination, programmatically determined decrease or increase in light output, manually determined light levels -- all is possible. This is a wonderful device that will either calculate and produce solutions to your illumination problems after you have set your camera preferences, or it will grant you as much control as you desire or demand.Not all macro lighting is appropriate for all circumstances. While a ring light is a good general purpose solution, sometimes you will be so close to a subject that you need greater control of illumination direction. For that kind of photography, Canon makes the MT-24EX, another lens-mounted flash but one that puts the two light sources on short adjustable arms to either side of the lens. With this flash one can angle two different illumination sources at a close-in subject. Subtle modeling effects can be achieved with the direction and intensity of each tiny light source. The MT-24EX is more expensive than the ring light; for the most serious macro photographers the additional money may be worth it. I suspect the ring light will be sufficient for most of the macro photography I wish to do, but if I run up against limits at some point I will probably acquire the other design as well. I suspect the adjustable twin-flash unit might be a better choice for the limited purpose MP-E 65mm macro lens, which cannot be used to take pictures of objects further than a few inches away from the front of the lens. The ring light may be the better choice for Canon's longer prime lenses that include a macro function.If you plan to use either the MR-14EX or MT-24EX on Canon's superb 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, you will need a threaded adapter that permits attaching the flash to the lens. The adapter is sold separately. The dedicated 65mm macro lens needs no adapter. The front of the lens is designed with a flange to which either flash head can be directly attached by a pinch-lock mechanism.
This unti is used with my EF 100mm Macro. Great lighting and also triggers my 430EXII used to back light the subject.
The Canon MR-14EX was a perfect addition to my macro photo equipment.  It snaps onto my 50mm compact macro lens quickly and easily and illuminates extreme closeup subjects that a regular on-camera flash could not reach, and it saves futzing with an off-camera extension flash.My only beef is that the inside diameter of the ring is too small to fit larger diameter lenses (I often like to use my sharp Canon 24-70mm lens with macro rings for extreme macros).  There is no easy way to mount the MR14EX on this lens.  I have sometimes hand held it in place, but this risks wiggling the rig during exposure. The ring is specifically designed to snap onto only the 50mm and 180mm macro lenses.  That said, the small ring diameter does allow you to deliver light onto smaller, closer subjects.The diverse selectable features of this flash unit allow you to tailor the results to your specific macro needs.  The price tag is an eye-popper, but if macro photography is an important part of your photographic repertoire, the MR14EX will expand your creative possibilities considerably and give terrific results.UPDATE: A caution about taking macros of reflective subjects, especially with water droplets: you will see little parentheses ( ) in every droplet - reflections of the two flash tubes.  I have since updated my equipment to include the Macro Twinlite (MT-24EX) and Canon's new 100mm hybrid IS Macro lens -- a dynamite combination.  The ring is less complex to rig up, but the Twinlite is more versatile.  Both items are pricey.  The 100mm IS requires an adapter ring (another $40!)to fit either of the flash setups.
Great for macro close ups. It really brings out the detail.I also use it for portrait photography and wish it recovered faster. I use it frequently and would recommend it to others. I gave it a 4 because of the slow recovery time.
I take pictures for an orthodontists, and this has drastically improved the lighting on my photos. Its great for close up pictures. I use this in conjunction with a Cannon Rebel XT and a 60mm lens.
Arrived fast, well packed, my brother will love this flash. I dont know what he will do with it, but its a gift
it's OK.over pricey, very heavy, blocks your view,I wish if they make it wireless instead.but it's a genuine canon.
I bought the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite to go along with myCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lensto be used on aCanon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR. I really haven't explored extreme macro photography before, so I thought I might as well see if it is something I could love. So as I do with most things I get interested in, I went a little nuts and bought a ton of equipment, including the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite. Note, I am an amateur photo enthusiast, so my perspective is offered from the point-of-view of an  enthusiasts who just loves to go out there and capture as many nifty exposures as I can for fun, not necessarily a perspective for the pros.Observations: Even though the f-stop for the Canon 100mm Macro lens is a 2.8, you still need a ton of lighting to get good shots without cranking up the ISO or slowing down the shutter speed to something that will invariably lead to a blurry picture even when using a tripod. This Macro Ring Lite offers a fairly reliable solution to the problem. You could also invest in theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lenssince the L-series comes with image stabilization and is very well reviewed, but there are many situations where I could see needing the Macro Ring even with the L-Series w/ IS. That and the L-series lens is almost $900. But that upgrade will probably come in due time. Until then, I will continue to use the Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens, which is also very well rated.On to the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring LitePros:Nicely built with a heavy feel to the unit, especially the cordAA batteries make it easy to powerCommunicates with the camera's E-TTLThe guide LEDs are a very helpful for quick focusTakes nice pics without too much washout like other flashes can causeVery useful for inanimate object closeupsHelpful with living subjects that aren't afraid of the flash's guide lights or noisesMakes your camera look kick-assCons:Adds quite a bit of overall weight when loaded with batteriesI would have liked it to also work with Canon batteriesIt is on the higher end of the price spectrumReally doesn't work well on human subjects (from my own experience, you make have different results)Not perfect when trying to get spontaneous shots since there is so much fiddling with the flash settingsGuide LEDs and noise seems to startle the more jittery of my small subjects like anoles & skinks, spiders and winged creaturesThe exposure color tends to be too white (5400K) and the lite doesn't come with filters for color offsetting (but I am a dirty cheater who loves PhotoShop and uses it shamelessly, I solve many of the filtering issues in post)But after using the flash for a week or so, it has its unquestionable benefits and works perfectly in most of the situations I have used it in. But there are a few drawbacks that hold the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite form being a perfect addition to the macro photographers arsenal. I would still highly recommend the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for the more serious enthusiast who won't mind spending a little time with it to learn its strengths and secrets.
Canon's usual quality; great for macro shooting (in my case, orchid flowers). The only drawback is its price -- pretty high. But it has all the bells and whistles and makes quality exposures a cinch.
Great product, BUT against as stated in product description, it won't fit directly to new Canon 100mm 2.8 L macro lens, and adapter from 58 to 67mm is required.I received both, Canon 100mm 2.8 L and this lens, just to see that spend US$38 more is require, and worst, need another week to start using those products..
$499,00 is a LOT for a strobe.  You'd expect such a purchase to be honored by the seller.  What you do NOT expect when you open the box is a bare strobe tangled in it's wires rattling around in the bottom of the too big box -- improperly packed, with no Canon box, bag, instructions, warranty -- and with the etched bonus of deep scratches and a cracked casing.  I don't know what BATTERIES the strobe is supposed to take, much less how to turn it on and program it!!! (Instructions would have been WONDERFUL to have!!!)Clearly this is a &#34;Dump off&#34; return used until foisted off on an unexpected customer such as Fryes is famous for doing.  They are hoping I won't make too much noise and will accept their &#34;offering!&#34;May I highly recommend that you go to a store that will compete with Amazon for any camera purchases?  I've asked for a refund.  I'll keep you all posted!
Canon makes a Great product to be able to connect the Canon MT-14EX Macro Ring Lite to the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM L Lens. The adapters that Canon make are specific for certain Lenses, otherwise you coudn't use the Canon MT-14EX Macro Ring Lite on other lenses due to their different ring / filter size, because lens barrels usually differ. I purchased the Canon Macrolite Adapter 67mm for this Specific Lens mentioned above, so that I could use the Canon MT-14EX Macro Ring Lite.
After using my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro lens for a year without this flash, I was pleasantly surprised at how many more successful photos I can get with it.  The flash enables me to use a fast shutter speed, small aperture and low ISO to freeze the movement of the petals when it is slightly windy outside. I can also use it handheld where I normally would only consider using a tripod.  I found though, that you don't want to take photos of reflective objects straight on because there will be a reflection of the flash in the photo of the objects.  If you shoot at an angle, however, the reflections won't show up. Also, if you shoot non-reflective objects, this isn't a consideration at all.  All in all, I am enjoying this flash.  It is easy to set up and easy to use at the default settings.  I haven't tried adjusting the lamps to flash at different ratios just yet, since it works so well at the default settings.
the unit comes with a nice case and installs easily on the camera.  No additional setup was required on my Canon t4i.  The unit is sized to fit on a 58mm lens and requires a 67mm adapter (not included) to fit onto the canon 100mm macro lens.  The clip on latch for the flash clips on directly to canons 65mm 1-5x macro lens without any adapter.With this unit, I am able to produce professional quality macro shots with a minimum of fuss.
After spending four months in Asia including the opportunity to visit the Gardens in Singapore, I quickly realized I needed a dedicated macro lens and flash to capture the beatiful orchids. I got some good shots, however, after practicing taking shots of the dying roses in my garden with this flash, I realize I will now be able to get some great shots.
I use this for taking photographs of my orthodontist patients.  I have it mounted to my 100mm macro lens.  Perfect.
If you are going to shoot macro, this is essential, especially when shooting outdoors in shady areas.  Expensive but another great Canon product.
Exactly what I expect from it. Excellent performance. For pictures with no shadows at background for preoperative pics and perfect images during surgeries.
I was unsure of wether or not I needed this item to shoot table top light box jewelry photos. After extensive use , I have to say that I am so glad that I bought this item. I read quite a few reviews from people using this item in a dental office for teeth pictures and thought to myself, &#34;Does anyone use this for jewelry photography?&#34; Well I have shot several hundred shots with it and the fill light it gives is awesome, not too harsh, just enough to get the bright even light that I wanted. This is not the only light that I use in this application but I definitely think that it is worth the price.Make sure that if you are purchasing this item for use with the canon 100mm Macro lens you get the adapter.To conclude, build quality is nice and overall value is definitely here. Great item!
The 220EX is surprisingly petite, about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It's small enough to comfortably carry it in a shirt or coat pocket. I power it with four AA lithiums to keep weight as low as possible. Despite its small size, the recycling time is amazingly fast, 0.1 to 4.5 seconds with alkaline AA batteries or 0.1 to 2.5 seconds with rechargeable batteries. That's faster than both the 420EX and the 550EX!The shoe lock of the 220EX is fast and simple to use. Once mounted, you simply flip a small latch to lock it. Much more convenient than the thumbwheel found on some Speedlites.Although compact, the 220EX is surprisingly powerful and full featured: GN 72.6 feet (22m) at ISO 100, 28mm full frame coverage (17 or 18mm APS-C), near-infrared AF assist light, flash exposure confirmation light, E-TTL, TTL, second-curtain sync, FE Lock (flash exposure lock), flash exposure compensation and FP Flash (high speed sync). You won't notice most of these features as the control panel is nearly barren: on-off switch, ready light, FP Flash switch and flash exposure confirmation light. FE Lock, flash exposure compensation and second-curtain sync are controlled from the camera. To access all flash features you need a camera with a flash menu, e.g., Elan 7 series, 3, 1V and most EOS DSLRs.The 220EX was discontinued in 2009, so does it work with newer cameras? Yes, it works fine with any EOS using E-TTL flash metering, e.g., , all EOS DSLRs. I used the 220EX on a 5D, 5D MKII, 6D, 7D, 40D, 50D and 60D and it performed like a champ.Where the 220EX falls down slightly is compatibility with flash menus of newer EOS. With the 6D, the menu can set FEC, second curtain sync, toggle between E-TTL II and Averaging, set sync speed in Av mode and disable flash firing (with AF assist enabled). Flash bracketing, manual power and custom functions are grayed out. High speed sync (FP Flash) can only be set on the flash itself. The 60D, 7D and 5D MKII are the same as the 6D except sync speed can't be set in Av mode.Focusing in the dark is quick and discreet thanks to the near-infrared AF assist light. The AF assist light has a range of about 16 feet (5m). With the 220EX mounted, low light AF is vastly improved. Unfortunately, the AF assist light of the 220EX only covers the center AF area. It affords no slide sensor coverage for multiple AF arrays such as the 5D MK II or 7D. However, the top, center and bottom sensors are covered by the AF assist beam. With 45-sensor arrays--e.g., EOS 1V or 3--it only seems to work with the center AF sensor. Nevertheless, I find the near-infrared AF assist light a welcome feature and greatly preferable over the disco strobe AF assist of the 270EX.This Japan made flash was discontinued in 2009 and replaced by the 270EX. Why buy a 220EX when you can get a newer design like the 270EX for $150? For most buyers it's all about the near-infrared AF assist and/or a bargain price of old stock or used. In my experience of dropping a lot of Speedlites, the single piece design is stronger than two piece units. However such strength means no swivel and tilt so look elsewhere if you need these features. Of course, you could use an off-shoe cord and use your hand or a bracket for bounce functions.I bought my 220EX in 1999 for $125 and, nearly 15 years later, it's still going strong. If you need a basic compact flash with E-TTL features, the 220EX is a great choice. It is a perfect travel companion due to its petite size. I refuse to let go of mine because it's the smallest E-TTL Speedlite available with near-infrared AF assist. The 220EX is a wonderful blend of simplicity and power in a petite package that fits in your pocket.
This is Canon's smallest EX flash. With a guide number of 22m it is  about 2.9 times as powerful as the typical onboard flash (guide number 13). It does not allow for tilt or sviwel. There is a cheaper Cullmann flash, the 20 AF-C, that does allow for tilt but unlike the 220EX it does not support high speed sync. The support of high speed sync is crucial for use of the flash for daylight fill. For me fill is the primary use of this flash.The small size is a big advantage over its larger cousins. It has adequate power for bounce flash of standard height ceilings though you will need a flash bracket and off shoe cord since the flash does not support tilt.
I wanted an extended range flash for taking indoor group pictures and I didn't want to spend more than I spent for my camera - a canon S5 IS.....It does what I want it to do. very satisfied........
I purchased this flash for my G9, but now use it with all my EOS SLR's also.  This week I used my expensive 580 for class pictures and ebay photography with dismal results. I switched the 2nd day to this little baby and the class pictures were perfect. I was amazed! Eliminated redeye with the G9 and perfect for many uses.
I bought my G6 in December, borrowed a Canon 420 EX speedlite and liked the results but I wondered if the smaller, lighter, less expensive 220 EX would be good enough?  Some of the reviews here say it is underpowered.  Is it?  I bought one to find out and took both out into my backyard in 8 PM darkness to try them at 5 feet, 10 feet, 20 feet and 40 feet on the G6.Conclusion #1:  The G6 has a good builtin flash.  It makes good images within it's limited range of 5 meters/16 feet (or 4 meters/13 feet when the lens is set to telephoto) and works well as a fill flash.  Complete failure beyond 20 feet.Conclusion #2:  The 420EX (range 24.2 meters) and the 220EX (range 15.7 meters/51.5 feet) both make better images than the builtin flash and both offer longer range.  But both are limited by the autofocus range of 5 to 7 meters.  That's right, neither flash can focus on a subject more than 20 feet away in darkness with the lens set to telephoto.  Both worked fine when the lens was set to wide angle at 40 feet.Final Conclusion:  I'm keeping the 220 EX.  The G6 is small and light, so is the 220EX.  They make a good team, but the G6 also does well alone up close.
The speed light does not adjust automatically to put out enough light in AUTO mode. The light output is dismal and less than the flash on my camera making this speed light useless.
Bought this flash for my Canon digital rebel xt. Had the same results asthe built in flash, so I returned it. May work better with a differentcamera.
I bought this tiny flash for my digital Rebel XT. Mistake. A few test shots in the dark indicated that the Rebel's pop up flash was more powerful than the 220. I called Canon customer service to ask about this and was told that yes, in fact the pop up flash IS more powerful than the 220. Stay away from this flash. If you can't afford a bigger, better one, than you'll have to do without while you save up your money.
This works well with my Canon PowerShot cameras. Excellent lighting for moderate distances and crowds of 15 to 20 people.
I recently purchased a new Canon G7 and ordered the 430EX flash. Turned out to be way too big although it did take great flash pictures. I sent it back to Amazon and ordered this much smaller flash. It's a perfect match for the Canon G7. Small yet quite powerful! The built-in flash is good for close-up shots up to 7 or 8 feet away but quickly loses it's strenght over longer distances. This is where the 220EX steps in and saves the day. I have posted comparison pics using the built-in flash and then the 220EX flash on the customer images above. Overall very satysfied with this small flash and works perfectly with the camera's E-TTL.Buy this flash. You won't be disappointed.
I like the flash because of it's  light weight and good range. This unit also looks good on my camera. I have used this flash for over a year and it always works with NO problems.
I purchased this speedlite for my Canon G-10. It is the perfect companion to the build in flash. It is small, lightweight, easy to stow & carry. It certainly enhances G-10's photos and syncs perfectly with the camer. I would highly recomment it!
A great flash and it really compliments my new Canon Camera.  I have used this numberous times and have not been disappointed with the results.
I already own a Canon Speedlite 420EX and love this flash unit, which I use with a Canon Digital Rebel, but needed a smaller unit for a Canon Powershot and the 220EX is the perfect companion for it. It's light, accurate and as any Canon an attractive, excellent product. I recommend it without hesitations if what you need is extra clarity in your pictures and the flash that comes with the camera doesn't do a good job. Give the 220EX a try.
Built-in flash on Canon EOS digital rebel is flawed.  This inexpensive add-on works great and is very useful for the casual photographer who likes the flexibility of the digital SLR but who is not a fanatic about flash photography.  Price is right. Feature-full for all but the highest end photographer.
I purchased this flash to go on a Canon SX10 IS camera.  The built in flash is just too slow and not very powerful at all.  This flash is GREAT for me.  It is small enough (eventhough I did order another camera bag) to go anywhere and it recycles fast enough to catch the expressions of my singers as they are singing.  This is really important because one half a second after you see the expression, it is gone.  Also, the flash is cheap enough to compete with the off-brands.  I went with the little Canon and I am very happy.
The unit works well, and works well on a shoe. The range is very limited though, especially when shooting indoor sporting events. I should have gone with the bigger flash.
This is a great flash and it is too bad that the followup versions don't have the same capabilities as this one had. If you can find one, and need to get a flash in this price range, go for it.[...]
This is a great flash! I is defiantly worth what I payed for it. It fit perfectly on my Canon XTi and I really like it. Just remember you need 4 AA batteries for it that are not included. I would recommend this flash.
I notice another reviewer called the Speedlite 220 the perfect companion for your G1; I thought of it as the perfect companion for my G2. Whichever camera you have, the Speedlite 220 is indeed the perfect way to get better illuminated flash photos and extend battery life in your G-series camera.The single most important thing you can do to get rid of red eye and insure that your flash photography subjects don't have that flat, pasty-faced, deer-caught-in-the-headlights look is to seperate the camera from the flash. (You'll need Canon's off-camera extension cord for this) You can shoot with the camera in one hand and hold the flash in the other, or use a bracket to hold them. Or you can get creative, bouncing the flash off the walls, lighting behind your subject, etc. It's great for providing fill flash on sunny days, lighting shadows- and with digital cameras it costs you next to nothing to experiment with lighting and get immidiate feedback.The 220 talks to all the G-series cameras (as well as all modern Canon SLRs) so you can concentrate on lighting and composition and let the camera worry about exposure. Add a couple sets of rechargeable AA cells and a small charger- cheap these days- and you have an inexpensive but powerful lighting studio. Some may recoil at the price- after all, you can get a tiny flash unit for half or a quarter the cost- but the ability to integrate withe the camera electronics are well worth it.
I purchased this flash to use with my Canon G1 digital camera.  When using the latest Canon camera lines there is a huge benefit in going with the Canon &quot;EX&quot; flashes, as they deliver E-TTL metering.  Without boring you, the essence of this is that when you press the shutter button the flash is momentarily fired so the camera can measure the actual light and determine the best exposure, and then it fires the flash again and takes the actual picture (all in a fraction of a second).  Sorry, if you don't have a Canon camera, you don't get E-TTL.Why is this important?  Because it is measuring the real light and not estimating what might be needed or trying to turn off the flash while it takes the picture when it thinks enough light has been delivered.  Its complicated, but trust me you're pictures will be a lot better.Now the 220EX model is Canon's smallest and lightest.  You can opt for other Canon models (380EX is discontinued, 420 EX, 550EX), and you'll get higher light output (so you can use flash from more than 100 feet away), and swivel/tilt so you can bounce flash - but at the added cost of larger size, more weight, and more cost.The 220EX also provides a long battery life (check out Amazon's price on Kodak photolife batteries) - I seem to get well more than 300 shots per set of AAs.  And it also manages power by shutting down the flash after inactivity.The 220EX makes sense for any smaller Canon camera, or even a larger one where the photographer is less likely to use flash form more than 70 feet away or use bounce flash capability.  If that sounds like you, then buy this flash.  Its a winner.
You really need an external light when you are at a wedding or in a dark room and people are moving.  Excellent value.
Excedes my expectations. Wonderfully integrated into my Rebel XT, always good photos. Powerful, able to shoot telephotos up to 60 feet outside in the late dusk. Versatile, fine indoor photos as close as 10 feet.  Closer, use built-in flash which is also very good. A good value.  In the bad-old-days twenty years ago, I paid twice as much for half as good a strobe flash.
For those who have bought a Canon digital camera with an external flash shoe, this is a very useful adjunct. Of course if one has the camera with which this unit is fully compatible, it is essential to have this. I have tried shooting objects 30' away upping the ASA to 200 and got excellent results which no in-built flash can give.
This is a basic flash that makes all the decisions for you-it's auto only. However, the fixed flash head does not allow bounce flash which to me is a deal breaker. Indoor shots can be so beautiful and evenly lit with bounce flash, but this unit is just a better version of what's built in to the Rebel or G series, complete with harsh lighting and blown out detail. It's too bad Canon feels this is a good entry level flash-Nikon has the very basic SB-400 for a similar price, but has bounce ability and is much more powerful than a built in speedlight.
Excellent flash.I had an accident with the first one and had to replace it. It was worth the expense.
I bought this for my boyfriend, he has Canon Rebel Xti camera with several lenses and was just missing a flash. He absolutely loves it, says its easy to use and has a good performance.
Bought the Canon Speedlite 220EX for my Canon G9.  I find it to be very compatible with the camera and not nearly as bulky as the more expensive higher-end Canon flash units.  The compact flash is well constructed, lightweight, and has good range.  I certainly recommend the 220EX for any compatible compact cameras.
I was waiting on this flash unit and then I got a message informed me that they canceled the order .
I ordered this flash as a replacement for a 420ex (that I was borrowing from a good colleague). The minute I opened I had the ominous feeling that it was going to be a disappointment. Indeed! The very first test shots were incredibly telling as to how lousy and shoddy this flash is. First, it does not swivel so you can kiss your hopes for bounce flash goodbye. Second, it's lacks punch and power. In many of the informal tests I performed, the built-in flash of my camera (and even that of a point-and-shoot I have lying around the studio) is more powerful!!!!!! I re-packed it and sent it back. Got a 430ex and am nothing but satisfied. In short, stay away from this flash! In this case you won't even get what you paid for--avoid!
Canon speedlite 220EX is a great small flash for my Canon G-10 and back up flash for my Canon 430 EX....Great flash for the money....Love it...Richard B.Cartersville,GA
I got exactly what I wanted and it came in a timely fashion.  Completely satisfied.
Does exactly what it is meant to do on powershot cameras -- easy, no frills. Lights up a room nicely. For those occasional moments where the casual photographer needs a bit more lighting beyond what is available on the built-in flash. No advanced features on this item. I love mine -- I do next to do indoor photography, and once or twice a year will do some portrait or headshot work on request at a party with my G9. At those times, this flash works great, is economical, and small and lightweight to throw into any bag. Please note that this flash is intended for smaller units such as the Canon G7, G9 or Pro 1...if you have a dSLR like the XTi, 30D, 40D, this flash unit is NOT AS STRONG as your built-in flash already and would be a waste of your money.
Unless you can convince yourself that you need the features of higher models (such as the 430EX), this is a great flash.  It is very simple - turn it on, take the picture, turn it off.It seems to be a little less harsh than the popup flash on my Rebel XT.  it also claims to be a little more powerful than the popup flash.  Finally, I have lens hoods on a few of my lenses.  Thus, the popup flash often creates a "shadow".  This flash takes care of that problem.If you fall somewhere between being a clueless photographer who has no idea what this flash might do for you, but are short of an overeager hobbyist who might want to fiddle around with more advanced features, then this is a good flash.It does not swivel or tilt, but I don't care about that.  I mainly wanted a little more power than my popup/builtin flash and I wanted to get above my lens hoods to prevent shadowing.  This flash works for me.I give it 4 stars b/c there seems to be a notable reduction in light output if you take rapid fire shots.
Does everything it was meant to do. Only reason for the 4* is the (relatively) steep price
the speed light is a very good flash. but it was not as powerful as i needed. I used it with canon S5 IS. It is very much a keeper.The size, power and batt. use make it very useful.
This little flash is fine for what it does.  I ordered it without really checking carefully and found it couldn't do bounce flash so I gave it to my son and ordered the 270EX II, which does have a moveable flash head so you can bounce.  If bounce isn't an issue for you, it's a nice, inexpensive little flash.
I received this flash for my birthday, and it was exactly what I asked for.  I found it to dramatically improve teacher quality and to be a wonderful product.  However, despite the fact that I am an amateur photographer I really wanted a flash that I could position in an arbitrary direction and this flash cannot do that.
this is the perfect flash for my G10  it works perfect would recomend for anyone using a smaller camera
I have a 550EX but it is too heavy for hiking. So I got this one. It is good enough for fill in flash when I snap shot in the hiking trail.
Not a fancy remote transmitter but it does its job. It is also lightweight virtually taking up no space in your camera bag, or virtually no weight when attached to your camera strap.
my only gripe is this; i bought this remote to take pictures without having to touch the shutter button (to avoid camera shake)the remote only works if it is pointed at the sensor in the front of the camera. you could be less than an inch from the sensor, but if it is not facing the front of the camera, it wont take.  i know i could have bought one of the corded remotes, but i like to use the remote for taking family pics too(i dont have to run to get in place every time)it's not a big deal, it still works great.
I like the fact that it is small weighs little and is attached to the camera strap. Kind of like a earbud though you better keep it in mind or it might get misplaced as it is small. It worked and has no wires to get in the way, nothing to plug in just set the camera and use it. Thats all I need, something that snaps the shutter. It does. I'll give it 5 stars if it works for a year. Longevity is something that takes time to observe.God bless each of you.
This remote is so little and can be attached to the Camera strap. You need to point it infront of the camera to activate. I like it and it comes in handy. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
I lost the wired remote for my Digital Rebel XT, so ordered this as a replacement. Also, if I happen to find the wired one, I won't end up with 2 of the same remote. So far, it has worked just fine. The IR receiver on the camera is on the front of the grip, which is odd, but that's not a ding on the remote. Range seems to be decent (good enough for a family photo from about 20 feet), and the battery is holding up nicely. The ability to lock it in the "Off" condition is nice, too, especially if you keep it in a bag where the button could possibly get depressed by other gear (a bit hard to do if it's stored in its strap-mounted base clip).
Grabbing one of these for myself, since I found my camera on the list, at the canon site. Here's the list, if it is of help to anyone. Or you can visit the canon site, find your camera and check the accessories list:Digital Rebel XTDigital Rebel XTiELPH 370ZEOS Digital RebelEOS Digital Rebel XT (Black)EOS Digital Rebel XT EF-S 17-85mm Lens Kit (Black)EOS Digital Rebel XT EF-S 18-55 KitEOS Digital Rebel XT EF-S 18-55mm Kit (Silver)EOS Digital Rebel XTi EF-S 18-55 KitEOS Digital Rebel XTi EF-S 18-55mm Kit (Silver)EOS ELAN 7/7EEOS Elan 7N EF 28-105mm KitEOS ELAN 7NEEOS Elan 7NE EF 28-105mm KitEOS Elan II/IIEEOS Elan IIEEOS IX LiteEOS Rebel GEOS Rebel K2EOS Rebel T2EOS Rebel T2 Date BodyEOS Rebel T2 EF 28-90mm III KitEOS Rebel TiEOS Rebel XSiEOS Rebel XSi EF-S 18-55IS KitEOS Rebel XSi EF-S 18-55mm IS Kit (Silver)EOS Rebel XSi Kit (Silver)Limited Edition Digital RebelLimited Edition Digital Rebel kit 18-55mm KitSure Shot Classic 120Sure Shot Z135Sure Shot Z90W
I love this remote!  It's very small and light, can attach directly to your neckstrap so it is always handy, and is very easy to use.  I am by no means an expert, but an avid "hobby" photographer and do lots of family shots, and this is a perfect addition to my gear.  Great value for the price.
I just love the product....it helps me do a lot of bulb exposure shots without touching the camera. I would recommend the product, although a Canon dSLR has the sensor on the front side of the camera and the remote needs to have line of sight.
Great device simple to use and very portable especially like the clip on holder that attaches to your camera strap.Does the job well 2 settings for instant and 2 second delay good range as long as you are in front of the camera.Remote unclips from holder on the strap and can be easily replaced after the shot. Battery is a typical watch type that can be purchased at walmart all in all a very handy and useful investment.
Great little item.  Clips to the Canon camera strap so there's less chance of losing it.  I purchased this remote at the same time that I purchased my XTi/400D.  I was familiar with this RC1 remote from previous use with my Rebel XT/350D.The RC1 remote has the same problem with the XTi of not being able to trigger the shutter from behind the camera.  I'm not sure why the eye proximity sensor next to the XTi viewfinder isn't used for the remote IR also.  I use the remote mainly just to ensure that I'm not in contact with the camera/tripod during the shutter release.Overall, this is still a very great item.  For night shots, I secure my camera on the tripod, set up a decent shot through the viewfinder, and then stand to the side and use the remote for three or four shots (holding the remote near the front of the camera).
I've owned and used this product for several months now, and have found that it does everything that I need.The range works as advertised, and I also love that you can attach the clip holder to the camera's strap for easy, quick, and convenient access. The adjustable 0 second or 2 second delay is great, too!The only (very) slight issue that I have with it is that the remote has to be in front of the camera for it to work... which is great for self-portraits, but say you're taking a night shot on a tripod you'll have to do a reach-around (be careful not to get your hand/arm in the shot). That said, it's not enough of an issue for me not to give it 5 stars, or buy a remote switch instead.
Glad I bought this product.  It is worthwhile to not have to push the shutter release button on the camera and race to get into my spot in the family picture (and smile, acting calm, like I've been there all along.)I also like this alternative because it is wireless and eliminates my shaky hands from ruining the picture.However, this remote would be a lot better if I could activate it from behind or to the side of the product, instead of needing to be directly in front of the camera.  In addition, I wish I could activate the shutter release while holding it in my pocket so every picture doesn't make me look like I'm switching channels on my t.v.  A little more subtle would be nice.
I purchased this remote for my husband for use with his Digital Rebel (And for ME to use with HIS Digital Rebel).This remote is great for many reasons.  First, it works.  Not only does it work, but it's extremely easy to manage and has a bunny slope learning curve, unlike my TC80N3.  But that's a different show, Oprah...It's also cheap as can be.  It's so cheap, in fact, you can't lose.  Ok, sure, it's twenty bucks, which could pay for some gas or a few cheap and fattening lunches, but it's ONLY twenty bucks and it's a Canon.  Does anything else by Canon come this cheap?  At this price buy two!  I just wish it worked for my 40D.My next point is both a pro AND a con: Its size.  It's teeny weeny.  The good: it's small enough to fit in your pocket.  The bad: it's small enough to get lost ANYWHERE.  The ugly: it has no hole or other way in which to rig it/tie it and the cover/clip thingie which supposedly clips to your camera strap to keep it handy is really not sufficient in my book.My only real complaint is this: I found that if the remote remains idle for 4 minutes or more it "sleeps" and you must "awaken" the camera for the remote to work again.  That is a huge p.i.t.a. when you want to pick it up and click when the moment grabs you, but it is what it is... If one could somehow override this little problem then this remote would be the bomb.  This little problem is the reason I rated the remote 4 stars instead of 5.My mom always said, "You get what you pay for."  She's right.  And as long as you know what you're paying for, and you're willing to give up some creativity and sustained impulsivity (I realize that last thing may seem like an oxymoron, but just go with me here), then you just can't go wrong.
Its indredible how much you can do with so small thing, now I am always on the shots!!and its definitively worth the price!Alvaro
i had the very same remote but it was sold earlier along with my rebel.  i was very happy with it at that time.  it was simple, it worked and it was relatively in-expensive.  just bought it for my the 5d mark ii and it works well and meets my needs.  someone must have good reasons to pay more for a wired one but i certainly don't at this point of time.
I have had this remote for 2 years and love it. It is one of those things that you don't use often but when you do it works awesome and people are always amazed. Recently at a family reunion we had 2 canon DSLR's set up for family pictures and I just set the second one to remote along with mine and I could remotely take pictures with the two camera's. For this reason my uncle asked that I purchase this for him to give to his wife for Christmas this year.Works great with an on/off/2sec switch. Also works good for shooting in bulb mode, just push once to open the shutter, and again to close. Also attaches nicely to the neck strap so it is always there and ready when needed. I would not be without one.
It woks! Love it. I use it when I take photos with longer exposires even using the tripod so the camera doesn't shake when I trip the shutter.
I ordered the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel on a Saturday and was using it on Thursday afternoon. The unit works flawlessly. DBROTH is an outstanding source to purchase electronics from.
The Canon RC1 is a great remote if you are aligned directly in front of the sensor.  Or maybe the battery is weak? The nice thing is that I can store the RC1 directly on the shoulder strap of my Rebel XTi.
When I first saw this item I thought that it couldn't possibly be worth what I paid for it, but it was!  It attaches easily to your camera strap, and because it is so light it does not add to the weight of your camera. I take a lot of pictures and in the past I have rarely been in any of those photos. With this great little tool I can be a part of any photo I want!
The only drawback is that it must be aimed directly at the camera sensor, otherwise great tool.
This is a must have. Just buy it because it works beautifully and I can promise there are many things you will purchase over a lifetime that will give you buyers remorse but I promise you it won't be this. No one should be without this no matter what level of interest they have in photography.
This is an amazing remote that is small, has great reaction time and works from across a large sized room.And you cant beat the price!
This is a gret remote for an IR remote. Yes it is limited to line of sight and 16 feet (as advertised). But given that it IS an infrared remote this remote is just about perfect.The slide switch has 3 positions Lock, Instant shutter, and 2 second delay.But the BEST feature (which is not list in the description) is that the remote comes with a clip that holds it to the camera strap. You can leave this thing on the strap so you always have it with you. When you need it, press a button and pop it off the clip. If I had known that the choice between the rc-1 and the rc-5 would have been easier.
I've had my RC-1 remote shutter for years.  I was using it with the original Digital Rebel.  Now I have the Rebel T3i and decided to see if the RC-1 would play well with it.  Works like a charm!  I don't think I've ever replaced the battery in it, it's lasted a long long time.
If you're debating getting this remote, just go for it.  It's really great for those times you "want" to take a family photos.  Not to have to run back-and-forth, tripping over things is enough.  Being able to take multiples with minimal effort is great, too.It's got two modes -- instant and short delay; the short delay (2s) is great for those family occasions.  It's nice to have the instant option as well, since you can get some nice "candid" photos if you have the camera  set up during a function.  Battery life has been amazing so far; we always turn it off, but I can't remember changing batteries, even after a couple of years of light/big-holiday usage.
I have been using it for quite a long time now and I am really happy with it, it is small easily attached to my camera so I have it right there when I need it, really easy to use and working just perfect from the very first moment I got it. Really small and light, no cords so you don't have any contact with the camera when shooting making your camera more steady when you needed it to be...I would go for it over and over again with my eyes closed.
It's nice to be able to be infront of the camera!!! Small enough to fit in your pocket. Good investment.
Great for use instead of the self timer, as well as for hands-off operation for tripod setups. This model has instant shot and 2-second delay modes, both of which I have found useful.
Helps when you're taking group shots with you included in them (don't have to run on a timer-shot) and also when you have to take shots after placing on a tripod to avoid shake induced by manual hand click.
This remote is awesome! I use it everytime I need to take a shot where I keep the shutter open. Although I haven't used it for such yet, it would also work awesome for those family portraits so you don't have to hit the shutter and try to run back for the shot. It's small, simple and clips right to the strap on my Digital Rebel XTi. I don't even know it's there normally. I love this little remote and highly recommend it to anyone.
Very nice little gadget that makes taking photos so much easier while the camera is on the tripod.  I do wish it was easier to see the on/off switch, (the switch is black and written with black lettering on a black remote), and would be nice if the shutter release button was better situated, but overall this is a very convenient, handy little remote for the Xsi
I really like this remote control.  I've experienced the range to be what the description says.  The only frustrating thing - which I've now gotten used to - is that you have to be to the camera's left to use the remote, otherwise the lens blocks the sensor.  This is a great little remote.
Took several re-reads of the instructions to get this to work with my camera.  It's been working well ever since.  Great products with below average instructions.  BTW - I'm an engineer who reads manuals and instructions and usually get things right the first time.  Reading instructions is time well spent.
Can't understand why it doesn't work with the Canon 30D, but does with many other Canon cameras. There seems to be no wireless remotes for the 30D. It does work fine with the XT.
I only use this remote once in a blue moon, but it works like a champ and I haven't ever replaced the battery in I don't know how many years.
This is a must have item. It's very small, fits in the palm of your hand, and can be attached to your camera strap so it's always with you. The size of this unit is perfect. You can get yourself and your family together, press the shutter release button with the 2 second delay turned on, and then close your hand, hiding the remote in the palm of your hand! When the photo is taken, no one will see the remote hidden in your hand! It's perfect. You'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
I enjoy using the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1. The only drawback is that it is a line-of-sight controller and it needs to be in front of the camera to operate properly. The Canon radio control remote is more handy and can operate from behind the camera and for greater distances... but the radio control remote cost more.
This is probably the best money I have spent on my camera in a very long time.The holder attaches permanently to the neckstrap so you always have it with you.  It can also be used to prop the camera level using the indentation in the holder base, even while on the neckstrap if you are careful where on the strap you put it.I have found there are three settings:  the dot is instant focus and shoot, the 2 has a 2-second delay before shooting, and the L is off.It works from a variety of angles (but all must be from in front, even slightly) of the camera body (not the lens).  I have also managed to get shots at 90 degrees from the camera and slightly ahead of the body.Full moon, fireworks, and any other dark shot is a breeze with this.For fixed distance shots, I recommend using the auto focus and then switching the lens to manual.Play with the ISO settings as well.  Darker images can be obtained with using the BULB feature and a lower ISO setting.Lighter images higher ISO and longer delay.To take a photo with "perfect light" set the camera to Manual and adjust the dial to the length you want the shutter to remain open.  Focus, press the button and it will take the photo.Longer shooting times just set to BULB and focus.  Press the button on the remote once, wait the length of time you want and press the button again.  The shutter remains open until the second press.
I have used this for many pictures, especially images where I either wanted to be in the picture or images where the natural shake of my hand would have caused blur.  My only complaint about this is that the distance from which you can take a picture isn't very far (MAYBE 10 feet?), and you always have to have the remote right in front of the camera and aimed right at the lens (which causes you to look unnatural in some photos).  Overall, a good product.
The Canon RC-1 Wireless Remote stores attached to the camera strap so it's always handy. It is perfect for close-up and long exposure shots when camera shake might be a problem. It's also great if you want to get in the picture. The downside for this (and most infrared remotes) is its limited range and susceptibility to some outdoor settings.
This is one of those items that should've been purchased when I bought my camera. Instead it was bought a few years later, and now I'm wondering how I lasted that long without it. For someone taking self/family portraits or night photography this couldn't be more essential. My family has had me be the portrait photographer for the past few years and I spent a lot of time setting the self timer and running into the photo so that we'd all be together. The remote helped reduce the running back and forth.For night photography I don't have to hold the shutter on the camera down and worry about camera moving (even with a tripod) when set to bulb. Instead I can set the camera up and push the button from a safe distance.The remote slides onto the camera strap nicely so it's always there which means I don't have to pull everything out of my bag searching for it.
good remote.  Can be finnicky at times if not lined up correctly with the camera.
Not much to say here that hasn't been said.  The RC1 does exactly what you think it does: triggers the shutter on my XT (and many other Canon cameras) remotely.Two simple controls: a three position switch (off, immediate, 2 second delay) and a trigger. Set your camera to timer mode, point this little guy at the infrared sensor on the front of the camera, and click.  That simple.  I use it to trigger long exposure macros, and it works perfectly.  It's also great for group shots that I want to appear in (use the 2 second delay).Comes with a base that slides onto the camera strap, allowing it to be stored on the strap itself when not in use, then unclipped when you need it.  I've had it for a year, left it on for months, and have yet to change the battery.The ONLY improvement I could think of is if the system were radio frequency so that you didn't need to point it at the camera - but since the cameras themselves aren't set up that way, I can't ding it a star.Great.
I haven't had a lot of oppurtunity to really play with it yet, but I do like it a lot better than the corded one that I have for my film Canon Rebel.  With the cord being about 3 feet long, it's not very ideal for some things.  But, with this wireless remote, that's no problem.  Also, you can set it with a delay so that you can take shots of yourself and not look like an idiot holding on the the remote :)
I was reading about a remote for my Canon, and found this to be the one I wanted.I like the fact that it clips to the camera strap...which makes it easy to keep track of.  It's also nice to have a switch which allows you to operate the shutter without a three second delay.  It's not hard to learn to use it...as it's about the most simple remote you'd ever find!  I think it's great...fantastic price too...considering other accessories for Canon.
Very easy to use. Just flip your camera into the remote mode and your all set. Works great! I have been using it for night shots so I don't have to touch the camera preventing any shake. I haven't tested the range yet but it seems to do fine. I am glad I bought it.
Terrific remote control.  Can be used for instant or delayed shots.  Highly recommended.  This is a great compliment to the wired remote for the Canon camera.
Unless you need a fancier one, this remote is truly a must-have accessory, if you ever want to shoot from a tripod.  Being able to choose a 2-second delay is useful for getting your hand out of the way when doing a group shot including yourself.The remote is simple, small, and snaps onto the camera strap, so it is always available.  I've now used it for taking several hundred wildlife shots with a long lens, with great results, as well as several hundred shots of baseball and softball games.
I decided to get this after buying the Rebel XTi and already owning the Rebel XT (this works with both.)  I already had the corded shutter release which was nice when doing long exposures or macro work where even a little camera shake can make a huge difference.  But this goes to a new level, you can set the camera up get everything in focus and then step back and take as many shots as you want without any risk of touching the camera.  Make sure to cover the eyepiece when using this so stray light doesn't ruin your exposure.  This is also handy when you want to take pictures with you in them.  I have even used it with two cameras at once to get multiple angles of the same shot.  I am thinking about setting up a blind and setting up the camera on a tripod to try to get some close up pictures of wildlife that would not be possible otherwise.  Basically if you ever have a need to take pictures without holding the camera this is your solution.
This should have come with the camera, IMO. I like that it attaches to the camera strap, because it's so small you'd lose it otherwise.
Great item.  It was great for doing the selfies back in the early 2000's before the iphone made selfies hip.  Dam I'm old.  ha ha.  But it is a great device that works well.
We are not professional photographers, but it is nice to get a family picture every now and again.  Normally we wrangle all the kids and dog together, get them where we want them, and then run to the camera and run back into position to get ready for the flash.  With this little goodie, I never have to move, so no one gets distracted, I just click click click, get a couple shots in, and then its over.  VERY easy to use, just point and click right out of the package.  Batteries are a little hard to find, I have looked at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Home Depot, anywhere I thought that sold small batteries, but to no avail.  The batteries did last a long time though.
I had this remote for a while before I really used it.  I misplaced the instructions to get it to work so I had to find them on line.  One I got this working (didn't realize I had to put it on the timer mode then use the remote)I have never used my camera on a tripod or stapization unit without the remote.  Very much work the money.
I just got this remote for my Rebel XTi a few days ago and I love it!  Using it is so much better than having to race to beat the camera's self-timer.  The 15 foot distance limit isn't a problem for me since I photograph people - if you get further away than that your flash isn't very effective anyway.  The small size of the remote is great, too.  It clips right onto the neckstrap of my camera.  I highly recommend this product - I love it!
Yes, you have to be at least somewhat in front of it for it to work, but not directly in front of it. you can definitely be at an obtuse angle from the lens and it will still work. It automatically focuses with a half press just like the camera does, which is fantastic.
The RC1 allows the freedom required for steady shots. It is simple to use, and the attachment clip makes it convenient for quick access.
It does, just as it says it will. I have a XSI and use the remote for tripod shots. It has a great range and it is not nessesary to be right in front of the unit. Wonderful for group shots also. Every product I have purchased from Canon has been great to use.
Worked fine until I dropped it. You'd think it could survive a four foot drop!
It works really well, but it does have to be pointed DIRECTLY at the camera to be able to use it. I wish it was easier to do that with all photos, but sometimes it's hard to.
This control is pretty cool, it works great but you have to be pretty close to your camera.
...but it only seems to work if you are pretty much dead-on square to the camera.  I was hoping for wider area coverage.
this is not usable with the EOS 20D camera
Once I learned how to use it, the remote work fine.  Certainly a big help with no restricting cords attached.
This is great!  Was able to setup take family pictures and won't have to wait for 10 seconds.  Nice tool to have.
I have Canon Digital Rebel EOS.  Worked perfectly right away.  no problems. I really like that it has a setting to take a picture right as you click the button, and one that takes 2 seconds so that you can get your hand with the remote out of the way before the picture is taken.
Works as advertised.  Works great for group shots.  100x easier than setting the timer and running into the shot.  2 second delay makes it easy to move it before the shot is taken.  Allows the camera to autofocus when autofocus is switched on.Love it.
This lil remote is great for me to take my tripod pictures. So simple and easy to use. I just had to have it! Can't always ask a RANDOM person to hold my thousand dollar camera...
Great range and ease of use.  Set the camera to "remote", point and click the button on the remote.  Focus and photo are taken, and you have a lasting image.  My only reason for not being a 5* is the price- but it's Canon, what should I expect?
it's working great, Fast like the cameras shooter button. it's even work for remote autofocusing.my only complain is the Remote has to see the front of the camera, that  because it's works with infrared.
Don't fuss with any other remotes or wired shutter releases.  This thing is awesome.  It even threads through your camera strap.  It's easy to use and works seamlessly with my Canon Rebel XT.  A must for anyone shooting with a tripod.  I highly recommend getting it.
The RC-1 is a simple, effective device that controls the shutter on a compatible model of camera. (I use it with a Canon Rebel XSi.) It can be used simply to trigger a shot, or to trigger it after a two-second delay. When the camera is in Bulb mode (for long exposures), you click the RC-1 once to open the shutter, and then again to close it. This is all it does; you'll need to go to the camera if you want to adjust the focus, the aperture, the exposure time, the ISO setting, or anything else.I mostly use the RC-1 for long telephoto shots and long-exposure night shots that would be ruined by the small vibrations that are caused by pressing the shutter release button on the camera. It does this job well.The RC-1 also comes with a simple mounting bracket that fits onto your camera strap. When the RC-1 is on the bracket, it is held securely and won't fall off, but it's easy to remove by pressing the release button.
I decided to buy this remotre control after I got $10 gift certificate - so I wasn't able to leave it here for $15! It is good piece of plastic! It is very small remote but nothing is missing. The cool things I like is, you can simply add it to your strap (You may have little bit problem to put it in because there is not enough space but after little bit of playing, you can do it!). This small light black bloc has small red button to release the remote from the strap. Remote is small. In his inside side is small shutter button and you can choose from OFF, Normal Picture, or 2 Seconds delay picture. Second cool thing is, you can use the holder on the strap under your big heavy zoom lens. It is made for it and I think it is nice! You may have problem, because the strap is so short but it is possible to do it. I think Canon made this little thing very well and didn't forget anything. It is small, light, useful and helpful! One thing I would appreciate to be better is the actual remote button. You have to really reach the chip on your camera to activate the Shutter. The length is good enough but pressing it like from a sid (especially right side) is little bit complicated. But I am glad I bought it! It is good help!
This product would be great if the range of the remote wasn't so short and narrow.  Its not very good from any angle other than the front and at close range.  It might be best to get stronger or wired remote.
The wireless remote works great and it's easy to use.  No problems at all.  Just push a button on the camera, turn on the remote, and you're ready to snap away!
I purchased the RC-1 remote to use with my Canon 400D XTI. This is a no-frills, easy to use wireless remote that is small and very light. It can even attach to your camera strap so its on hand wherever you are. There are 2 shutter settings you can choose, no delay and 2 second delay and the remote will easily work up to a 15 foot distance.My only gripe is (like alot of others have mentioned) is that the remote doesn't work from the rear of the camera which would be handy when doing portrait shots and trying to prevent camera shake. If not for this, I would have no hesitation to give it 5 stars.
Works exactly as described and have have zero issues.  Very easy to use for several options of tripod shooting a must have item.
This is like an RC5, but smaller, more compact, and with dual button functions!!The RC1 has 3 switch settings, 1 is off, 2 is 2 second timer, then the shutter releases, 3 is instant shutter release.Great wireless remote to have for the Rebel XTi.
Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital RebelIf you are going to use this to take your own picture, make sure that you hold it discreetly, other wise it is very obviuos that you are using a remote.
It works great but I am hardly in front of the camera.  I always have to reach over the camera.
I like using this remote with my Canon XTi, but I always have to remember to switch the camera to timer mode and the lense to manual focus. I still think it is more convenient to use the wired remote because I have a preference to be behind the camera instead of dangling the wireless remote in front of or over the camera. However, the wireless remote is convenient because it is wireless and it is faster to access for those quick shots if you are constantly on the move without spending the additional time to unwrap the wired remote. I especially enjoy using the wireless remote for group shots with myself included instead of the camera's automated timer. Overall, I use both the Canon wireless RC-1 and the Canon wired 60E3 remotes. For some it might not be necessary to have both, but I like having the option to use either. It just depends on what the specific situation calls for.
I like this remote a lot - nice to be able to be in the pictures without having to use the 10-second delay.  My only issue is that the remote must be in the line of sight with the camera's sensor.  It would be nice to be able to trigger a shot from the side of the camera in certain situations.
It's simple to use.  I have a Canon Rebel T1i.  You simply set your camera drive mode to "Self Timer/Remote Control", set the RC1 switch to on,  and push the button to take your picture.  Form factor is fine, comes with a little holder that allows you to keep the remote attached to your camera strap, bag, etc. (Which is good- it's small so could easily be lost/misplaced.)The problem:  Mine doesn't work.  Never did.  Unfortunately, I didn't figure that out until after Amazon's return grace period.  (I just didn't need it for a few weeks.)  So I had to go to Canon for support.  They had me test it to prove to them that it didn't work.  Now I'm sending it off (I'm paying for shipping) to Canon to see if they can "service" it.  Had I done something to it, I'd be fine with this.  But since it never worked in the first place, I'm quite disappointed with the quality of the product, if not the quality control process at Canon.
This is the best valued accessory offered by Canon. A quick way to remotely operate the shutter for my XSi. Works either as an instant release slight time delay. Extremely light, compact and well-built.
The range is shorter than hoped for, but around 10ft. I like that it easily attaches to camera cord and has severed me well
This produce does exactly what it claims.  I have attached it to my lanyard and have it ready at all times.
I have one. And it is lovely.It makes taking blur-free nightime photos a pleasurable experience.I am thankful to my Lord and Savior to have the privilege of owning one of these remotes to use with my Canon DSLRs. -Just kidding! I don't believe in god.I am overly pleased and moved to own such a wonderful small remote control.UPDATE!!!!I am still sporting this little fella... and guess what? I haven't changed the battery. Ever. I bought new batteries three years ago, and despite the abuse this thing is still working with the original. I love it.
I ordered this item about a month ago and I think its great. Its tiny so you can just slip it into your camera bag or pocket. It allows for on the spot shooting or gives you a short time shot so you can get your subject in place. Its just what I needed.
I ended up getting two of these...one sent from my wish list two days after I ordered it myself (forgetting to check if it was ordered).  The first one stopped working after the first time I used it. I don't know why, but I suspect it was the batteries that I have not replaced yet.  The second one is working great, so far.  It's convenient for me to use since I am using it to take pictures of myself and my two kids (ages 4 and 1).
I wanted a cheap remote to use to try out astrophotography. I was concerned that this remote might require you to hold down the shutter release button while you want the shutter open.  Fortunately it didn't.  I can set it to shutter release mode and click it once to open the shutter and click it again to close the shutter. My camera (Rebel Xti) also has the option for a 2 second timer when using a remote so that you can get your hand out of the way.  I'm pretty happy with this product. Now I want to get one with a sophisticated timer. :-D
Works great for what it is. I was looking for a wireless remote to use from behind my camera, not in front of it.(My Bad)Since I do Scenic photography not Portrait and I don't photograph myself in them, I don't need to be in front of the camera.
Works great for our Rebel T1i!  As I had read, you do need to be in front of the camera and have line of sight.  I love the 2 second delay in order to hide the remote in family shots.  Easily clips to camera strap.
I had to buy about 2 of these when I started using them. They are small, efficient but do not last forever. But at the price point, i can afford to buy a couple of replacements once in a while. Recommend for those interested in self portraits or prefer to shoot with controls.
I bought this little gadget from Amazon in Aug. 2008. I really have only used it a few times. I tested it today on my Canon 60D. It works great on the 60D and the ORIGINAL batteries still work just fine.
This remote control works fine on my Rebel Xti. I have used it from as far as 15-20 feet. Once nice feature is the two second delay, which allows you to have the camera take a photo 2 seconds after you press the remote button -- allowing you to not have your arm sticking out and pointed at the camera in the photo.I also use this as a way to activate the camera without causing any motion, such as in astrophotography or other low-light tricks. Works great.
This is a great remote.  If you have ever found it annoying having to set a timer and then run to get in the picture, this can help you out immensely.  Just a quick click of the button, 2 seconds later, *shutter sound.*  It is especially useful when taking low light photos on a tripod.  You don't get any shake from pushing the button, and you dont have to wait for the timed clicks either.  If you think you can use it, you probably can.  If you don't think you can use it, it is probably still worth the 20 dollars.
A must have for Rebel Xsi, if you want to include yourself in the picture.
I have used it a lot. For group pictures as well as night shots. Its truly value for money and serious photographers should consider buying this for un-touched night or low light snaps. As usual the price on amazon was steal.
Experienced photographers know you just can't take 'shake-free' clear photos while holding the camera, so remote control from a tripod is the solution.  This device is simple, durable, and effective.  I'm not an electronics expert, so I can't comment on all the parameters.... I just know it has worked faithfully since I bought it.  The design, ease of use, etc, are all first class.  Don't need to be more technical than that.  Price is very fair.Note:  It's small, as it should be, so be prepared to find a 'special' place for it in your bag or it will get misplaced easily.
thanks to amazon and canon....nice product for such a cheap price. if people want to use it from behind the camera..plz buy a cable release. thanks.
Works great in FRONT of camera. Wish it could be used BEHIND the camera so I could set up for taking Wildlife shots and release the shutter from a distant location.
This remote is great for self or family portraits. You do have to be in front of the camera to use it though, which somewhat limits it's uses.Pros:1) Very small, includes attachment to camera strap so takes no room in bag.2) Said strap attachment also works to prop up the end of your lens if you're using a table instead of a tripod.3) Long battery life4) No cords to trip over, possibly damaging the camera or at least the photo.Cons:1) Have to be in front of the camera to use it2) Have to change the camera settings to use it, and camera doesn't seem to work correctly if you forget to readjust the settings when you're done.3) Doesn't have a half press to focus the camera4) Doesn't wake the camera if it's gone to sleep5) Doesn't work with certain lenses / hoods if they block the IR sensor.For me this device is useful enough for family portraits that I wouldn't return it now that I have it, but had I seen RF devices likeOpteka Wireless Radio Remote Release for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, G10 & G11 Digital SLR Cameras (650' Range), I would have saved my money and bought that first.
Awesome little gadget, has good range, great for self portraits or for when you need a photo from an angle your body wont fit in.
It works as expected in Canon product: very well, performing the announced functions without problems
There's nothing flashy about this product, but it works great with my new Canon Rebel XTi to either snap a photo immediately or with a two second delay. Includes a nice gizmo to attach the remote to the camera strap so you'll always have it available when you need it. Thumbs up from me!
Works as described.  You do have to be in a relatively close range for it to work, say within 15 feet.  I was trying to capture a picture of myself and a very tall waterfall where I was at least 30 feet away from the camera and it was too far away.  Works great for photos that you don't want any camera motion with camera set on a tripod.
I gave this to my son inlaw for Xmas and he was very pleased with it's ease of use.
I have taken some of the coolest photos since I got this. It's so hard to get photos of me and my kitties, and I was able to do so with this. It was sooo easy. I feel like I'm having a professional photographer take my photos... because I am one : ). Always wanted one and my bf (now hubby) got me one for my birthday and I LOVE IT.  Dudes... if you want to impress the woman in your life, if she doesn't have one, get her one! It's one of those want-it-but-never-get-around-to-getting-it, sort of gifts. When she sees it, she'll love it!!!
This wireless shutter release works great with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi.  A must have if you are going to get into fotography to minimize camera shake when shooting with a tripod.c
the best thing I ever purchased. I could be free of bending over to get my camera shutter. as long as I have a mark on the floor for my subject to stand. Good good good. Recommended to anyone.
This little piece of equipment is wonderful!  It's so small and light that you won't even notice it when it's attached to your neck strap.  Rather than using the RS-60E3 remote switch with a tiny 4ft. cord which can get tangled up, use this and have all the flexiblity in the world...well at least up to 16ft.  You can use it like a standard shutter release or with a 2 second delay.  But the main reason I purchased this remote was to use for bulb exposures--just push the button once to open the shutter and when you're done just push it again to close.  And the best thing about the RC1 is the price.  At just $20 you can't go wrong.
This is a must if you intend on being in the picture or if you want to take pictures at night. Great buy.
This is exactly what came with my EOS Elan when I bought it.  It is just a very basic remote but it allows me to do things like group photos with me in them and makes it easier to do better stitched together panoramas.  I am happy that this remote was still available for a camera that is over ten years old.  The folks at Yongnuo did a great job of packing and very quick shipping.
A cordless remote switch is useful to have if you want to be in some of your shots, in or outdoors.  If you are setting up a portrait studio, and using yourself as a trial model, it is invaluable as setting the camera timer becomes a chore.
Works exactly as Canon says.  It's easy to use, takes up almost no space, and eliminates having to run before the timer goes off.  I think it was worth every penny.
Remote has a switch that is OFF / INSTANT SHUTTER / 2 SECOND DELAY SHUTTER so you can control the behavior of its button.  Handy little cradle allows it to snap onto camera strap if you want to carry it with you.  I am using it with my Rebel XSi and it works great.
I bought this remote to use with my canonCanon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black).  To my surprise I could also use it with my film camera Elan II as well as my XT.  I had no problems with the remote its small and the battery life wasnt an issue since I only used it occasionally.  It's not compatible with the newer model cameras but still it was more than worth it for me.
Excellent product.  Works perfectly and stays attached to it's holder on the strap.  Still using the battery supplied 2 years later.  My only negative comment is that it's ridiculously over-priced for a little piece of plastic.
I purchased this in order to help me take HDR nature Photos for ForestWander Nature Photography.This is going to work great for (AEB) auto exposure bracketing and HDR.This will greatly expand my nature photography work.It was a good price and works well with my 5d Mark II.
It took a minute to get the hang of the adjustments needed to the camera, but after that (10 mins) I was all smiles.  Great little gadget.
I have been using the remote with the cable which works extremly good besides that the cable is somewhat short.I'm very disappointed with this remote as it only works if the remote is very close to the camera and if it's pointed in a specific way.After just using it for a couple of times it doesn't work at all anymore. I'm not sure if it's the batteries but I would think so as I just bought it......I would not recommend this remote to anyone.
Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel that I bought through AMAZON is a real jewel. What a pleasure to use.
Great productultra tiny !!fits on the neck strap of you camera2 modes:- instant shot- 2 sec delayTotally worth the money
Oh boy, is this fun! Just don't forget to turn on/off and the camera mode must be set for remote to work. Try a few times, then read the manual!
Fastens right on the shoulder strap, easy to use. Great for using the camera on a tripod for blur-free shots. Just place the camera on the tripod, hold the remote to the front at an angle, out of lens range, click the button, quickly remove the remote away from the camera, to make sure you don't get any shadows on the lens, and get a great shot!!
easy to use and set up.works best from the front of camera. so if you needa cable release get the wired one.
I love taking group shots and having a remote control is priceless.  I'm really happy with this product.  It works great, feels great, is very light and small.  I love it!
I asked this question at a local camera shop, and ignited a huge discussion between the five employees there. The answer? No one knows. Just some mumblings about the RC5 being targeted towards point-and-shoot guys.Don't know, but they seem to work the same. Maybe the RC5 is smaller.Either works great! I use my RC5 for super-still tripod shots.
I bought this for my Rebel a while back and kept it for my XT.  I use it for Macro shots on a tripod (so I don't introduce camera shake).  I use it at night for long exposures (lots of second curtain flash sequences with the kids and flashlights...).I use it for family photos where I want to get into the picture (and use the 2 second timer).I just found out it doesn't work on the xxD line (ie the 40D).
Works great indoors.  Outdoors worked well most of the time.  I'm very satisfied.  Certainly better the regular auto timer.
Pros:It really is wirelessCan be set to take the photo immediately or timedIt's small and includes a neck strap cover to attach to camera's neck strapI have heard this remote will work with the new Canon 5D Mark II (Will keep you posted when I find out)Cons:Range is pretty short, you must be closeMust be in front of camera to useMust point at camera to useMust set camera to timer mode to use (Note remote can release shutter immediately)Must wakeup camera manually before you can useCan change the exposure slightly in dark or night shotsMirror lockup mode will not work with remote!It works but...It works but I really have a problem with the several different unanticipated things that happen when you use it.  Please note all use of this remote testing and use was on a Canon Digital Rebel XTi camera using the included 18-55mm kit lens and a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 Lens on a tripod in RAW mode at ISO 100 your results may vary.Overview:I bought this remote to trip the shutter while taking photos of birds at my bird feeder without being next to the camera and to trip the shutter when shooting fireworks and taking Astrophotography (photos of the night sky, moon and stars etc.)  Having to be in front of the camera to take a photo is one of the biggest problems I have.  I BOUGHT this so I could be behind the camera and away from the birds so I would not scare them.  Why didn't Canon put a sensor on the back of the camera??  Or make this a radio controlled sensor?Self-timer mode to use:The other problem is having to put the camera in timer mode to use it.  After you put the camera in timer mode and you are using the remote on immediate exposure mode it will indeed take the photo when you press the button.  HOWEVER, if you are in the timer mode and you happen to be up next to the camera and see a bird at the feeder and press the camera's shutter button you will rudely find that the camera is in timer mode and will not take the photo for 10 seconds!  You have to use the remote to get an immediate exposure.Sleep mode:Also, if you wait too long to take the shot, the camera will go back into sleep mode.  Guess WHAT?  You can't wake up the camera using the remote.  You have to walk up to the camera, scare all the birds away press the cameras shutter button to wake up the camera then the remote is active again.Use a mirror:I did find a round about way to take exposures of the birds from behind the camera by propping a mirror up in front of the camera and aimed back at the camera.  The remote signal would bounce off the mirror and back and the camera and work.Low Light Astrophotography etc:Another problem is photography in low light conditions.  The exposure is OK in bright light, but, when using the remote in the dark while the camera is on a tripod I have found the illumination from the remote is bright enough to affect the camera meter and therefore underexpose what you are taking a photo of when shooting Astrophotography etc..  Therefore I am going to have to either return this wireless remote and purchase the wired remote or keep this remote for self portraits and also buy a wired remote.  Please note you can't see the light from the remote but the camera's meter must be able to.Self portraits:I thought this was were the little remote would shine, but guess what?  You have to point the stupid thing at the camera for it to work!!  You look a little weird in a self portrait holding this little remote in your hand and trying to point it at the camera without being conspicuous.  I think it's actually better to use the camera's built in timer.Low light photography exposure:I thought I could use this remote to trigger my photos when I use the mirror lockup function so the camera would not shake.  Guess what??  The mirror lockup mode does not work when using the REMOTE!  When you trigger the camera using the remote it takes a photo normally with the exposure happening immediately after the mirror goes up causing the image to blur anyway.10-24-2008 Update:I have a new Canon 5D Mark II on order and I heard that it can use this remote.  That probably means that the new 60D when it comes out will be able to use this remote.  Will let you know when I get the 5D Mark II if this is so.
Works just as advertised with my XTi. However some people commented about using it behind the camera, unfortunately I could never get it to work that way.
I love this remote with the 7D for several reasons.One, it is tiny and light and comes with slots to mount it permanently on the Canon camera strap that is supplied with the 7D (and other Canon D-SLRs).  So mounted, it is so small it is unnoticeable. In fact, for several days of shooting I forgot it was there!Two, the piece that mounts to the camera strap is actually a remote cover that the rest of the remote clips into, so you just pull a small recessed tab on one end of the remote to remove the remote itself, and the cover also serves to prevent button presses while the remote is clipped on, preserving the battery.Three, the cover/clip design seems quite robust and I do not fear losing the remote, so I plan to keep it on the strap eternally.Finally,  the remote supports the optional mirror lock-up 2 second delay for tripod mirror vibration elimination.  Combined with the camera's AEB feature, you can simply momentarily press the remote button once then sit back and marvel as the camera:opens and locks up the mirror,waits 2 seconds,snaps 3 bracketed frames instantly.Recompose and repeat at will!You end up with perfect, vibration-free HDR with very little effort(at least with the 7D -- I have not used it with the other compatible cameras).  Of course, you don't need to use the 2-second mirror lock-up feature and/or the camera AEB feature to get benefit from the remote, but I love to use these features.
Ok, so I'll admit - the only reason I originally bought this was because I figured a Canon accessory was better than a no-name accessory that was $5 cheaper. I knew that might be a mistake, but I risked it.Turns out I was right - this risk paid off, and I'm very happy with it.The big feature that this has going for it is that it is designed from scratch to fit easily onto your camera strap, so you can always have it with the camera (and it stays there really securely).This means I don't have to worry about carrying MORE stuff with me. Anything that means I have more options when taking photos without any additional fuss is worth a few dollars.For the rest, well it does exactly what it is supposed to. It's not going to improve your photos, but it will let you do things that are hard - if not impossible - to do without a remote.Highly recommended for all levels of skill & ability. You will use this.
I purchased this remote for my Canon T1i. It is an infrared remote which is the root cause of my two complaints about this remote. First thing I noticed when trying to use it that you had to be accurate when pointing it. You couldn't just aim it in the general direction of the camera. Even though I thought I had it pointed at the camera there were many times when it didn't work and sometimes I almost had to aim it like a gun. Sort of defeats the purpose of being in the picture if you are aiming a remote at the camera. It does have a two second delay option which allows you time to hide the remote once you fire it assuming your aim was accurate. To be fare I didn't check the battery to see if it had a full charge. I assumed it did because it was new.The other bad thing about this remote is you have to be in front of the camera to make it work. If you are using your camera on a tripod and want to use a remote to minimize shaking this remote is not for you.I gave it three stars because it does work and if all you want it for is to get yourself in the picture then it will work for you. But I think there are less expensive options out there. I'm going to get a wireless remote that is not dependent on accuracy of aim and will also work regardless of where I am in relation to the camera as long as I'm within range which seems to be 100'+ for most wireless remotes.
I usually mount my camera on a tripod when shooting wildlife with a long lens.  To further steady the shot, I got this wireless remote so that my hands do not need to touch the camera (and introduce some shakes).  But the receiver of the 350D is on the front while I am usually behind the camera.  This means shooting is a bit awkward as I would have to arch my arm over the camera or around the tripod before clicking the remote.For group shots that include me, this remote is perfect.  But for the purpose I got it for, I guess the wired remote would be better.
I got this for my wife, who loves it.  She likes taking pictures on your tripod and this little gadget works well.  Even though it does have to be in front of it, she likes the fact that she just "reaches" around with it and doesn't have to manually hit the camera button therfore not accidentally shaking the camera.
works well. The distance isn't as far as you might think. But  far enough to fit a 6' 4" man in the frame away easily in landscape orientation, therefore big enough for a group of 15 people or so, maybe more if you have them organized right.It also can be used a remote release like a cable but this way you don't have to own two things. And the bulb exposure works with it too; press it once to start the exposure, you don't have to hold it down, press it again when you come back or whatever to end it.I own a Canon EOS digital Rebel xtiit is a small remote. size of ring finger.just buy it.
Mine went through the washing machine by mistake, and still works!  And, at those family photo moments, the ones where you have to run back to the tripod, press the button, run back to the group, and wait 12 seconds for the photo to take, you can quickly click about 40 photos in the time it used to take to get 2.
I like this wireless remote. Now i don't have to rush to my spot in 10 seconds.
I received the Canon RC1 remote control in October of last year. I have been using this with my Canon Rebel Digital xti camera. It works flawlessly and allows the photographer to get back into family pictures easily and while sitting with the family making sure everyone is "picture ready" before triggering the camera. This does away with the many takes required by using the delayed timer feature built into the camera trying to get everyone set at the exact moment the camera triggers. I find this an excellent accessory at a great value.
It's not the best looking remote you'll ever find but the design is made practical to fit the strap. You'll never lose this remote and it works like a charm.
A small and simple unit. It does just what it says it does - i.e fires the camera remotely.It's not something to get excited about, but, I would recommend purchasing one sooner, rather than later, as it certainly helps, not only to get yourself in those group shots, but also to take sharper photographs in low light.
Perfect for helping you get in the picture or keeping the camera from getting camera shake. Only downfall is the remote needs to point at the camera to get the shot. So if you're using it to prevent camera shake/blur, it makes it a bit difficult. But if you're using it to get into the picture, it's great as you won't see a cord in your shot. Good investment.
Handy little gadget to add to any camera bag.  Trust me, sooner or later you will want to take a picture using a remote control device to eliminate camera shake.  MIght as well buy it now and keep it around.  Good luck.
This item works great and a tip for those that have reviewed it and didn't like the fact that you need to be in front of the camera to use it - while that is true I was able to use it by placing a mirror out of the frame in front of the camera.I take night shots sometimes and need the steady shot on the tripod.  I used to try to set it up then hit the button and let the camera use the times release but this is much quicker, the moon won't shift out of place.Plus I don't have to run from the camera position anymore to setup a good group photo or have people who cannot frame a picture ruin the shot of the family at a monument in DC or a waterfall in Hawaii.If I want to be sure that the remote doesn't show in the shot it has a 2 second delay so I can click the button and hide the remote.If you haven't had one you won't know how much you've missed it until you have one and forget it sometime.  There is a strap lock that comes with it so you can clip it to your camera strap too.
The remote works great with my Digital Rebel. I can now take pictures with my tripod without shaking the camera (the shutter on the camera is a no-go for macro photography), and I like it better than using the delay shutter of the camera.I suggest to attach the remote to the belt on the opposite side of the shutter button, to avoid it banging on the camera body when taking portrait pictures.Overall I like the 2 seconds delay and immediate picture shot modes it offers.
I bought this remote for a party and loved the fact that I could then be in the pictures. I'm so accustomed to being on the "other side" of the camera.The remote is very easy to use and the settings are layed out for you in the instruction booklet.  Not much else to it.I'm really happy I bought it.
Small, goes everywhere with me dont notice it on mi strap there all the time, havent changed batteries ever since I got it.
I am glad I have this remote, but I wish it did a little more, like have a trigger type setup where I could open the shutter, and then push again to close.  Other than that it is a great peice.  I do a lot of night shooting at fire scenes, and using this with my tripod really helps cut down on the movement with the low light situations.
Small and clips to your camera's strap. Easy to use for both long exposure shots and group shots using a tripod!
One of the problems with taking pictures in low light, for pictures taken with longer exposures is that of camera shake.  Often a minute movement of a camera can be the difference between that perfect crisp photograph and a blurry mess.  One of the things that Canon users turn to in these circumstances are the image stabilized lenses which eliminate a lot of the camera shake at the expense of your hard earned dollars.  While the IS lenses are great (I own a few), many times the extra expense can be entirely negated with a solid tripod and this quality little gagdet.I love mine, it has improved my pictures and it only cost $20!
ive had this product for well over a year and it pisses me off most of the time. if you arent within 4 feet of the camera you just end up clicking the button wildly 20 times until it finally goes off when your not ready. lol.. but i still use it rather than setting the timer on the camera. keeps you from walking back and forth if you are taking multiple pictures.
I bought this to use with my Canon Rebel XTi. It works great. Every time I push the button, my camera takes the picture. Even in strong lighting, I have had no issues with the camera sensing the remote. It is small and lightweight, so it hangs nicely on the camera strap without being obvious or bulky. It has the ability to immediately take the picture or take the picture on a delay so that you have time to hide the remote when you jump in the picture yourself. I have had it for 2 months and use it all the time and the battery is still going strong.
The RC-1 works great with my 5D and XTi. A good investment for tripod shooting!
I got this to reduce camera shake and have been very pleased with it. once the camera is on a tripod I just use the remote for every picture. the carry case hooks on to the camera strap and its so lite you forget it's there. Highly recomend this.
Haven't used it much, but it's a great addition to my Canon Rebel XTi!  I love that it's designed to be stored on the neck strap with the buttons toward the piece that's connected to the strap.  This way, there isn't any accidental pressing of the shutter release causing your battery to become drained.  I's also nice that it has both a 2second and 0second delay, so it can be used for either situation.
Have only used it a few times since getting it and I am very pleased with the way it worked. It is very simple to use and it simplifies taking pictures when you want to eliminate any jitters and when you want to be in the shot.
Works as advertised with my XSi (450D).  It was a lot smaller than I expected, about the length and width of my thumb.  It's so light weight I'd say that it's about the same as a ballpoint pen.  It comes with a holder/base that can be threaded onto a 3/8 inch strap so you don't lose the small item.  The clip that secures the remote to the base feels flimsy due to the light weight, but there are not any gaps which may snag an errant object.  In agreement with the other reviews, the toggle between off/instant/delay is very small and definitely not accessible to fat fingers or gloves.  One other thing, you'll need to stand to the right of the frame to point the remote at the IR receiver.  Standing on the left, sometimes the lens will block the line of sight.  Similarly if you're tilting the camera on a tripod, sometimes the IR receiver won't be in your line of sight.  However, compared to the cost of an wireless setup, which cost about 80 dollars more, this device is cost effective despite the deficiencies mentioned.My decision came down to this product versus the Opteka RC-4.  The difference was only 10 dollars, so I splurged.  However, only 4 stars because the thing feels so flimsy and the aforementioned limitations.
This device should be standard with all digital slr's. The versatility it adds goes far beyond including yourself in group shots, I was at the Kentucky derby this weekend and I wanted pics of the enormous crowd, so I mounted my camera on a mono pod without extending it I held it up high above my head as if it was a scepter or the Olympic torch and used my rc1 to trip the shutter. the shots are amazing.One reviewer comments that it doesn't auto focus that is not true!  when you press the button your camera will quickly auto focus and then snap the picture it's true you can't press it halfway but why would you want to, if your using the rc1 then your not looking in the viewfinder anyway.Some reviewers mention difficulty in positioning the rc1 to effectively trigger the shutter. It is kinda tricky at first and it is IR so it is LINE OF SIGHT. I believe some of the blame for this falls on the size of the camera sensor. Its really small and the front of the hand grip may not be the best spot to put it. For the size that it is you would think there would be additional sensors on the back and side. But getting used to the sensor placement is a very small hurdle to overcome to really  enjoy the benefits of this device
This tiny remote contol is a dandy little gadget!  I esecially like that I can control the camera from behind - so I can get those great bird shots!  I love it!
HOWEVER!!!!I lost it and for all I used it, I'm not going to replace it.  I have the wired remote which I find MUCH more useful.So Five Stars because it works exactly as Canon says.The ONLY reason I can think that this would actually be needed is for taking self portraits alone.  But instead of getting the remote I suggest getting friends, focus on them, then set the timer.
I am quite impressed with this item.  Other than having to be directly pointed at the receiver, everything works great.I would recommend this item to anyone who needs to take hands off images.  Keep the camera shake to a minimum in night shots. Be in the picture with the family.  (Although you will be the one pointing the remote at the camera!)Good product.
I bought this to take pictures of my infant and for macro picts.  It allows me to be away from the camera to trigger the shutter.  It does what it claims and does it well.
In comparison with most cheaper third party remotes, this one looks much cooler on your Canon shoulder strap.  It's slim and black so it blends well with the look of your Canon camera.Most importantly, you never need to look at your remote in order to operate once you have it in your palm.  It has a good tactile button switch at an ergonomically designed location.It still has a function selector slide switch for instant and 2-sec-delay shots - all I need for my Canon XSi, although it's a little bit tricky to switch to the middle "instant" position in total darkness.  If it had a 2-position (instant / 2sec) switch rather than the current 3-position (off / instant / 2sec) switch it might have been easier to change modes without looking at the switch.Anyway I am very satisfied with it and unless you want a "universal" remote that works for other brand cameras too, I highly recommend this.
It's a very usefull divice, but It don't have a focus function, and only two shoot settings, direct shoot and 2 seconds delay.
I bought this for a Canon Rebel XTi, solely for the purpose of setting up a makeshift photo booth (with props) for guests to use at my wedding. Out of the box, it just...worked. I didn't have to do anything except turn the camera on and enable the remote access. Quite a few people used this remote during the course of a few hours without any trouble.The remote has a nice plastic piece that shields the button when it's not in use. It's very easy to snap it off, flip it around, and reattach it as an extender. The remote's so small that it's good to have a way to make it just a bit bigger. As mentioned already, it has three settings - off, immediate release, and 2-second delay.
Works as described.  The holder is nice, preventing accidental pushing of the button when carried in the pants pocket.  You just have to have it in view/range of the IR receiver on the camera.  For this reason I prefer the wired remote for tripod work (unless I'm in the picture).
You can attach this thing to the strap of your camera. it's very small and works great!
This is an OK remote.  We use it with my wife's Rebel XTI. It gets the job done eventually.  It doesn't always take the shot when you want it to, so you'll end up with some interesting photos.  It's better than setting the timer, and running to you spot though.
Got this one with wierd looking cover?Made me feel uncomfortable from the very 1st moment.I took about a dozen pictures with this gadget.Worked pretty good.Few weeks later, tried to take pictures,didn't work, tried few times, took one picture &no more.Something is definately wrong with this product.The funny looking cover is world-class design,nobody seems feel uncomfortable, not mention anybodyquestion the rational.I guess i kept it with the slide switch on position,batteries may have drained out in few week of non-use.I have no idea. Don't even know where to replace batteries.If batteries are indeed the problem, thenthe wierd looking cover should protect it fromuser's innocent mistake of leaving switch on.I think i have to buy this product againsince i have to have remote control, this product is cheap,small.Buying it again is easier than replacing batteriessince i don't know where to get them & what price.
This is a great product whenever you want to be in the group photo you are shooting.  Also, if you like taking self portraits, this product comes in handy instead of using the timer on the camera.
I recommmend this product to all Canon DSLR owner, especially who has family & kids. This unit is thicker than RC5 but it has option 2sec. timer delay prior take picture which is very very good ideal and useful. It came with the clip that you can mount on the Canon trap loop. It uses two 3V batt.(Sanyo CR1220). On the remote, beside the big round shutter button, it has a 3 postions slide: OFF, S(for instant shot) and 2s (For 2 seconds delay).
This remote is cheap and gets the job done well.  I just wish Canon made a simple cheap wireless remote like this for all of their bodies.
We purchased this product to take macro close up photography of small items to sell at online auction.  The motion of pushing the button to take a picture moved the camera enough to blur the photo, even with a tripod.  This little gem made taking the picture a hands-free job, no more blur!
When something works as it is supposed to, and then it also has an elegant form to it, I will always give it five stars.  I have used this remote a lot, and this is actually my second one for a second Canon camera.  I consider it to be an essential tool for the camera.  Indeed, it probably should come as a standard feature.  If you have any use for a remote at all, don't hesitate to buy it.  The batteries last well and are a common hearing aid battery, easily found in stores, cheap to replace when you need it, if you need it.  Mine last years!  It clips to the camera strap, is innocuous when it is there, and therefore it is always handy.  I use my camera for work and pleasure, and this item is indispensable for all of it.  When we are traveling my wife likes to have photos of us taken together, and with a small portable tripod or monopod, I can usually prop the camera up and get a shot of us standing together without having to bother a passer-by who will usually screw up the photo anyway.  You press the button to how long you want it to "lapse" before it actually snaps the photo, that being adjustable, giving you quite a bit of time to pose if you want it.  I even took photos at my own wedding using it.  Are you getting it yet?  Very useful, flexible, well designed.
Works great, attaches to the neck band and you can use it with the bulb feature for extra long night shots! a must have for night photography
This is a great device.  There are many useful applications for this device.  I use it because I draw and many times, I'm my own model when it comes to poses.  This makes it easy for me to take photos of my self for drawing purposes(sounds weird, I know).  Besides that I've been able to take professional photos (with my Canon Rebel XTi) of my family... with me in the photo.  Once you set up your shot this remote focuses the camera and takes the picture at the touch of a button.  It is also useful when you want to take a picture in low lighting where you dont any camera shake.  You can set the camera on tripod, use your remote, and there will be absolutely no camera shake.  I love this remote, I wish I bought it sooner.
Works as advertised mostly. The only complaint I have is that you really have to be directly in front of the camera sensor.(used with a 400d)
A little cheap feeling (very lightweight plastic) but it has a good range and if you still use your original camera strap the holder threads right on to it so it's always nearby.
I love having a remote for my Canon now, however it would be nice if the remote was RF (radio freguecy) instead of IR (infra-red).  I don't like that I need to be right in front of the camera and aim.
My only gripe is that this remote is low-powered IR - it has to have a fairly clear line of sight to the camera's sensor - ie. remote triggering from behind the camera sometimes doesn't work - i've even had a very large lens block the signal.Other than that, it works as designed - no complaints.I like the two modes - instant and delayed triggering.
If you plan on buying a tripod and setting up some lighting for a particular shot and are considering to have the mirror locked up to reduce any shake, then take another step and get this remote trigger.It does have a limited range. So, if you want to take pictures of yourself and find that the remote is not really triggering the shots at your will, don't be surprised. Use the timer instead.$20 is not much of a price to pay for a product that can sometimes make the difference between a castaway and a keeper picture.
I recently got this remote and I love it. I mean whats so special about a remote? Well it's wireless and you don't have to set the timer and run to get into the picture. I have used it for landscape pictures on my tripod to reduce camera shake. It was very cool to set up the shot, wait for the camera to be still and then take the shot. If you have a camera that works with this remote (I have the Canon Rebel XT) and want a remote, get it. It is compact, appears sturdy and works well. It comes with a clip to put it on your camera strap that covers the button so it doesn't get pressed when it is mounted into the clip.
Not what I was expecting.This little remote may be wireless, but at a cost.You have to be almost right in front of the camera for this to fire the shutter.Really disappointed that you cannot get too far away from the camera and you cannot stand behind it for this remote to work.
This remote works great. I don't know what I would do without it. I would highly recommend you get it you are thinking about it!
I've been using this wireless remote for a couple years now and it is great. You can pictures of yourself from far away. You can also use it when you have the shutter speed really slow so not to shake the camera at all.The only downside is that you have to be on the right side of the camera so the lens doesn't block the sensor, but other than than I've never had a problem with it.
No surprises, it does exactly what it is supposed to do. A bit expensive (I guess one pays for the Canon Brand). I used to have the Opteka equivalent and found it less reliable.I really like the following points: solid build, nice design, the fact that it can be attached to the strap; the delay and immediate mode.I use it mostly for outdoor landscape photography and indoor studio portrait and no complaints. The only drawback is the fact that one needs to face the camera (OK from angle, but reduces the distance and definitely unusable from behind the camera, it is IR activated, not radio).
This little gem is small and simple to use.  It fastens right onto your camera strap and the top stays there so that you can snap the remote off and use it, then snap it back on when not in use.  Easy to use - great for all those shots YOU want to be in and can't figure out how to sit just right, wait, wait, wait for the camer to click.  Now YOU control the click!  I am using it on a CANON REBEL EOS XTi.
I use this whenever my camera is on a tripod.  It works great - photos are tack sharp.  I use it with a 5d, and I love how I am now free to look over my camera at my subjects (particularly children) to build rapport, make them laugh, or give them directions, i.e., "chin down", etc...It requires a line-of-sight to work, so I do have to curl my right hand around my camera to the right of the lens (same side as shutter release) to reach the sensor, but this is not a problem.  And you can clip it to your strap so it is always accessible.Oh, don't forget to change your camera mode to timer or the remote won't work.Highly recommended.
If you have any desire to be in the shot this is the tool you need.  With the 2 second delay, you can point, click, and have the remote out of the shot.  I love it because I don't have to worry about my toddler stumbling over a cable or wire.  Combine this with the wired remote, and most remote possibilities are taken care of.  For the price, you really can't go wrong.
You have to get one of these. It works very well, if you are shooting portraits, macros or self portraits, this remote awesome tool to have it. I use it all the time. Unless if I need burst, this is a perfect for tripod single shots of any kind :)If you buy after you read my review, I will have your bless :)
I concur with the other reviewers.  The RC1 is a simple little remote that easily lets you get in the picture without having to rush.  I have it attached to my camera strap so it is always available.  It is very easy to use. I was conducting some training and wanted pictures of the students and me together.  I set up the tripod and camera, framed the shot, and took pictures at will without getting up.
The remote control works as described.  The setting controls on the device are very small and you have to make sure you select the correct function. You should read the instructions before you use it.  It has two functions , a 2 second delay and one for an instant shot, so be ready.  It is very small, about 2 1/2 inches in length X 7/8 inches width and can be lost very easily. All and all it works for what I need and would recommend it to photographers,who need a low cost remote control.
This worked right out the box on my XTi. I tend to do macro and noticed the camera shaked on the tri-pod when I pushed the button. This was bought to solve that issue. Now, I need to figure out if it does autofocus!
I have no complaints about this remote, it works just like it should, and I am very happy with it.
Simple and very easy to use. I have only used this inside and works just fine. I have not had the poor performance some have experienced. It is a line of sight device and works virtually every time the button is pressed. I found it better to use the 2 second delay but that is personal preference I am sure. I do not use the holder to carry it on my camera strap but keep it in my tripod case as I only will use it when the camera is tripod mounted.UPDATE: My wife and I went hiking and I took several pictures of us, probably around  12-15 feet and it worked flawlessly every time. I have a very large lens hood on this particular lens and it proved to be no problem at all.
This item is a good add-on to my canon DSLR. It is compact, simple and works well. The only problem is this remote control seems not very sensitive. You have to point it straight to your camera accurately, or it won't work.
I've had really good luck with this little convenient remote so I bought one for my daughter. Didn't work :( Looked for a phone number to see if I was doing something wrong or perhaps didn't fit her Xti. Saw a notitaton 'if batteries are cold may not work' Right they are, put the batteries in my pocket presto** they work :)
This is a very nice product... it works just fine and I can take slow pictures (long time exposure) without waiting the timer.A nice thing that I do often is to set up the camera somewhere and take shots without people knows... normally on family events... I always get funny and spontaneous pictures... I do recommend it
I was so glad to find this item on Amazon.com.  I didn't even realize the wireless remotes were available.  I know from some of my older Canon 35MM products the wired remotes with extension (to allow you to be in a group shot and also take the shot) could quickly add up to the area of $100.This made it much more affordable and I no longer have to deal with that cumbersome cord stretched around the family photos.The only complaint I have about this product (if you could really call it a complaint) is that it is almost too small.  Thank goodness it has a built-in clip that easily attaches to your neck strap or it could be lost easily.
This thing works just as advertised.  Its a lot smaller than I expected it to be.  Nice price.
This remote works as it is advertised, but not to the extent that we needed.
Can attach to the strap using the companion plate, very handy, 3 modes (lock, instant, 2 seconds delay). Tripod, this remote timer & mirror lock-up can make some amazing pictures.
I use this remote control with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. The remote is simple to use and works perfectly fine. It clips on the neck strap and is ready when needed. I don't know what else to say - it is inexpensive and does the job well!
Haven's used it that much yet, but when I do, it works great.And the battery has lasted for four years already (though lightly used, mind you).
This remote control helps a lot when you want to be in the pictures. It is quick and very reliable. I have used many times and I have never had issues with it. The battery last a long time as well.
This remote works great with or without mirror lockup enabled on my Canon Xsi.  Highly recommended.  The only thing is that it doesn't work both ends of the mirror lockup process, but instead is on an automated timer - so you can't decide when to have the shutter actually trigger - at least I have not determined how to do this as of yet if the exact time the shutter release were to be crucial.
It does everything it's suppose to. Just overpriced for what it is. 5 stars for function. 1 stars for price.
I bought this when I purchased the Canon Rebel xsi. It works well, just not from very long distance. And thus far in using it (if I'm taking a picture with me in it), I haven't been able to take the shot inconspicuously. (In other words, I sort of have to have my arm up to aim it directly at the camera.) But it does allow you the freedom to avoid the timer and run thing. And you can take multiple shots with it, which is great. And it's small and can clip right onto the camera's strap, which I like. If I had to make this purchase again, I would probably go with this one again. (The tipping point for me was at the time I bought it; it came with the free shipping, which ended up making the price comparable to the other brands. And since I was buying a Canon camera, I just took the path of least resistance went with the Canon product.)
Fantastic idea. Works great about a quarter of the time. Can't figure out why the engineers would've designed this thing this way. I'm referring mainly to the fact that for it to be "seen" by the camera, you need to be standing directly in front of it aiming in the precisely right place. Also, what the hell were they thinking requiring the camera to be in self timer mode, especially when self timer mode times out in a minute or two? When trying to wrangle a large group of people to pose for a shot, it can easily take longer than the time limit before it kicks back over to regular shooting mode.I was delighted with this product when i first received it and played around with a few self portraits, but after a few months of frustration, have completely abandoned it in favor of the wired remote.
Once I figured out that I had to hold the remote off to the side and to the left of the camera (facing me) in order to get it to work, it worked fine. Might have been nice if the instructions included that little tidbit of helpful info, since I thought the thing was broken when I tried to use it with my right hand and it only worked one out of 10 times.
I purchased this remote to help take family photos, or long exposure shots of the sky at night so I won't jiggle the camera. So far it works great! I have not had to replace the batteries and I often leave it on for weeks at a time because I'll forget to turn it off. So I guess it only uses up battery power when you press the shutter button. Its range is pretty good too. If conditions are optimal you can probably use it from twenty-five feet away. But I've never had any trouble with not being able to get far enough away from my camera.The remote is very simple to use. It has essentially three modes. Off, Shoot, and Two-Second Delay. It comes with a little thingy that allows you to keep it on your neck strap when you're not using it, then just pop it off when you need it. I find it gets in the way though, so if I know I'm going to be needing it I'll just keep it in my pocket. Most of the time it stays in my camera bag though.
Good price, good service, works well with the new camera and fills the bill for my needs.
I have used it up to about 20ft. away. Maybe it goes further. Original battery for over a year. only bad thing is you have to use it in front of the camera but off to the side is ok and out of the shot.
remote works as described and somewat from behind in doors, but not well outside. just from front of camera, but works well from there.convient on strap near camera
I've had this remote now for about 2 weeks and have used it several times for a beginning photography class I am taking and our first assignment was taking self-portraits. If you are taking self-portraits or group photos with you in them in a well-lit scene, then this remote is perfect. I have found that you DO need to point the remote pretty much directly at the sensor on your camera (so that will be just to the left of the lens as you face your camera). It does not seem to register the click from any other angle. And as I stated, there MUST be good lighting to use it. I tried a few shots in a candle-lit setting and the remote did NOT work. The camera sensor doesn't seem to be able to pick it up in darkened situations. So if you want something for more than self-portraits in any lighting condition and at any angle from farther than 15 ft, then you should get a remote that uses radio frequencies, but I think those cost upwards of $100+. And one more note, this remote comes with a plastic cover that you will want to keep on it when not in use because it prevents the button from being accidentally pressed if you have it stored tightly in with all of your other equipment. My friend learned this the hard way when he pulled it out to use it and the batteries were dead because some of his other equipment happened to be pressing against the button when he had it in his pack.
When I ordered this, I made sure to research that it would be compatible with my camera - Digital Rebel XS. After all, the Amazon page says it is compatible with the Rebel line. However, after I received it, and looked in my handbook, the RC-1 is not compatible with the XS.So, before you order this, make sure that your camera model is compatible with this remote! I would have loved to use this remote, but I cannot. Don't make the same mistake that I did!
I use the wireless remote with a digital rebel camera and it's nearly perfect.  Sometimes it can take a couple of button clicks and a little bit of moving the remote around, but it is a a great addition to your digital SLR.  I have used it several times when shooting at night with a tripod and when shooting group shots.  I've been at a distance of up to 10-15 feet and never had a problem.
I ordered one for myself and a friend since we both got new cameras for Christmas.  No more rushing to try to beat the camera timer and no cords to try to hide in pics.  I'm very pleased with this product.
I bought the remote control so that I could trip the shutter while my camera was on a tripod.  Mostly landscape stuff.  It works great for my intended use.  The only minor problem is that you have to point the remote control at the front of the camera.  I have found that it works fine if I hold the remote in front of, and below the lens (out of view of the lens).
You can't beat this remote for the money. It's great for taking long exposure shots where you don't want to bump the camera. Also nice for taking self portraits. It has a 2 second delay setting so you can hit the button and hide the remote for the self portraits. Excellent buy for the money. Very useful.
When looking for a RC for my XSi, I repeatedly came upon this product from various website. It got great reviews, and now I know why. It is small, wireless, works as stated, battery life is great, and is made from Canon. I think this is a must for anyone who likes to take pictures and be in it too!
I bought this item long time ago and still works as expected, I think it was a good buy, thanks.
Nothing to really add to the other great reviews. It's wireless, it's Canon brand, and it works .. 5 stars.
It works what suppose to be. But I need to be infront of camera within about 20 degree viewing angles and within about 20 feet. I no longer need to run to get my self in the picture like in old timer.
There's not much to be said about the wireless remote. It does what it should. I primarily bought the remote to avoid camera shake when housing my XT on a tripod. Unfortunately, the XT and XTi only have a sensor on the front so you still have to use the two second timer, hold the remote in front of the camera and then pull it back before it fires. That's not the remote's fault though so it still gets 5 stars. If you want a more versatile option, you have to go with theZap-Shot Wireless Radio Remotewhich gets around the sensor issue. You just have to decide if that's a $100 annoyance or not.
This thing works great, all you have to do is put the camera in remote mode and push the button!
Works great with my Rebel XT. Being able to shoot remotely lets me take pictures of myself nekked with great ease! *HIGH-FIVE*
I have had this little guy for about 3 years.I love it. It is well designed and works like a charm.It clips on your camera strap so that it is always available.
Works great!  If you need to take group shots you dont have to wait and work instantly.
The only reason i'm rating this transaction a 4 and not 5 is because the wireless remote control i ordered was delivered to the wrong address at first (and i'm guessing this was USPS's fault for mixing up my new address with the old one). However, according to the tracking record, the item was delivered the day after it was shipped which was pretty cool despite the mix-up.
This was a gift for my niece and she loved it! I will shop again!!
This is perfect.  We used it for christmas and took a gazillion pictures and I was able to be in them!!!
Works only within a very narrow line-of-sight.If you have any lens longer than a 50mm, the remote becomes very difficult to use from in front of the camera. Even with a 50mm using a lens hood, it's very difficult.With a hooded 16-35 or a 100 macro, forget about it. The IR signal gets blocked by the lenses and hoods.Your best (and only) bet is to use the 2 sec delay so you have time to aim the remote, then reposition your arm.Canon really should consider changing the placement of the IR sensors on all of their cameras so that Canon IR remotes are actually useful with Canon cameras.
I have to ditto the more negative comments here. Got mine and it didn't work.  I figured the battery was dead.  Waited too long to get a replacement battery. when I figured out the whole unit didn't work, it was past deadline to replace it.
This infrared switch requires no setup on supported cameras, but is only usable at limited angles, and unlike the shutter on the body, does not reset the camera's countdown to standby mode.On myRebel T1i, the only setup was switching the camera to "self-timer/remote" shooting mode, and setting a switch on the remote to either "immediate" or "2-sec delay".Unfortunately the placement of the receiver, and the size of my lenses, makes it such that there's a very small arc within which the remote will trigger the shutter on the first try.  I'd normally position the camera at some kind of angle (rather than head-on) on a tripod mount, so the lens further blocks the receiver on the camera, making the usable angle even smaller.  I usually ended up waving my hand around and having to press the button a half-dozen times per pose before finding an angle that worked. As such, I can't effectively use the 2-second-delay mode since I'm not sure if a single button press has actually registered.Worse than the limited angle is that the remote trigger won't act like the shutter-release on the camera.  That is, the remote doesn't wake the camera from sleep-mode, and doesn't seem to reset the inactivity timer, like using the shutter-release does.  I could turn off sleep mode while using the switch, but that's something else to remember to do (and to reset again later, lest the battery drain off unnecessarily).  Since this remote is officially supported on this camera-body, it seems an oversight and a major inconvenience to not have it at least be able to wake the camera.This remote switch is a good idea, but its design limitations make it useful very few circumstances.  I'll keep this remote in my kit, but will try out thewired remote switchwith an extension cable as an alternative...
I had it with my canon, but i decided to give it to one of my friends. Now he is my friend forever.
This remote is very basic but it does the job well and wirelessly! Read all the other reviews for more in-depth, insider hands-on knowledge of it!I love this little remote!
This little device is so useful one could argue it should be included with the camera!  I purchased it soon after the camera and use it very often.  It attaches to the strap and snaps on and off as needed.It would be too clever for words if the power switch automatically got shut off when attaching this to the strap but that's just the obsessive engineer in me.I have found this to be an absolute necessity when using long lenses on a tripod.  I have found that I can "bouce" the signal off a close wall and get the camera to fire without having to point the remote directly at the front of the camera.With the camera in Live View, mounted on a tripod, and running auto-focus, I can sit in a chair and fire away without being near the camera.  I have not included myself in any group photos yet but that day will come soon enough!For the price, this belongs on every Canon camera strap!
I have had this handy little device now for many months and it has repeatedly proven itself when I have wanted to be in the picture, or take a photo without pressing on the shutter release, and causing camera shake.  It is well worth the money, reliable, and extremely portable.
I was reading a bunch of the negative feedback and really wish people would not rate based on their inabilities to use a device or to do proper research BEFORE making a purchase to make sure the device will work in the manner they expect.It is an IrDA, meaning, infrared, line of site, transmitter pointed at receiver. Canon placed the capture port on the front, smart engineering? Yeah, when you consider that most will take pictures of themselves. How many IrDA TV remotes work when standing behind the TV? Come on...If you want something more or, a remote that will allow you to shoot from the back, sides, or from a football field away, get an RF device.This remote works perfectly! I used it while on vacation to snap sunset pics while the camera was on the tripod, and yes, I was sitting behind the camera. I had it set on a 2 second delay, reached around to the front, and pushed the button. It could not have been any easier, really!  Used it for some bulb shots too.You pay for the Canon name, and I don't mind that, because I get a quality component, every single time.
This is one awesome accessory to your Canon Rebel XT. Easy to use and portable. Every Canon SLR owner should have this. Very convenient.
I purchased this as a gift for Christmas but I tried it out to make sure it worked correctly before wrapping it. I am not overly impressed although it works well in front of the camera not that great as a remote trigger to prevent shake on a tripod when you are behind the camera.
My daughter had this item of her Christmas wish list.  Found it on Amazon.  She tells me that it works well.
There are 3 remotes for the Canon Rebel XTI.A wired remote, and two wireless remotes.This is the one that can take instant pictures, and be programmed with a 2 second delay.It works, exactly as expected. It clips on your neck strap securely.Be warned, the infrared receiver is on the front of the XTI, so both wireless remotes will only work from the front.
The Rebel XS/1000D manual states that it's not compatible with RC-1 nor RC-5 remotes; I only wish I read it before ordering.  Won't take any starts off for my own mistake.
This remote works great with my camera. I love that it takes the picture instantly.
It is small enough to be always attached to the cord of my SLR and not be intrusive. Range would be about 10 feet - after that its touch & go. But all in all a very convenient way to take pictures with a tripod.
It's a tiny gizmo that hides in your hand when you take a group photo or you just don't want to touch the camera because of vibrations or whatever reason.  I find it to be a very valuable little tool.During group shots you can keep firing the shutter descretely to capture candid shots with you in it and doing night or macro shots you can use it as a cable release.It has a strap clip but I just toss it in the bag when I'm done. It weighs just a couple of grams too.I luv it and wouldn't leave home without it.
Wish I bought this sooner.  This is wonderful for taking photographs of yourself on trips. I had my camera for a long while, and have only rarly taken pictures of myself on my trips. I end up coming back with pictures of my wife, the scenery...but rarely myself. This remote changed it. The reason I dont give it 5 stars is that you need to be relatively close to the camera. Wish it worked from a greater distance. Also, it would have been nicer if it was radio-controlled rather than infra-red. In order for it to work, I have to stand on one side, in direct line of sight of the sensor. Not a big deal, but you have to take this into account when positioning yourself in a group.
This little remote is a good product and a must for self- and self-family protraiture. I found the shutter release options very handy. Very small and easy to carry around (in your shirt pocket if you wanted to). The caveats (and hence why four stars): you MUST be in front of the camera (or at least the remote). The small size though practical in some respects it also presents a problem since it's fairly easy to misplace. Trust me when you carry around $3-4K worth of equiment or when you're doing paid work, the least your mind is thinking about is this little remote. Thugh for the price it's OK to lose it, I suppose. But in conclusion, I think this is nice product at a fair price.
I really like this thing.  It allow me to take really candid pictures of people and animals.  The remote is a lot better than setting the timer and running to be in the picture.  It has good range, and is really responsive.
After half an hour on tech support, a dead and worthless CR-1 sits before me as I type.  You get what you pay for; and buyers ought beware that Canon offers NO support whatsoever for accessories.  Best they could do was a lame suggestion that I mail the corpse to a factory in New Jersey where some guys would dork around with it.The only reason I haven't given it a bottom rating of one star is in recognition of the fact that it did work as advertised until it died.  It is useful for releasing the shutter without touching the camera and it does afford a measure of freedom in getting yourself in the frame.  Its range is limited, however, so you're boxed in to composing with short lenses.Bummer.
The device came quickly, and works as advertised. Limited to about 15 feet. Works on 5D2 and 500D. Drawback: receiving sensor is on front only! Plus: Cheap!
This is the second one of these Canon wireless remotes I've purchased.  I purchased the first one for my Digital Rebel XT and then kept it when I up graded to an XSi.  I kept the XSi and bought a 5D MK II which utilizes the same technology.  In order to always have it on the camera I'm using at any given time I bought a second RC1 for my new camera.  It's inexpensive and  works well for any line of sight triggering you want to do.  I especially like it for doing long exposures and macro photography.  I highly recommend the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for anyone who owns a camera with that technology.
I am very impressed with this product on short acquaintance.  It works very well and does exactly as it says.  You simply set the camera, turn on the remote and decide if you want no delay or a 2 second delay and hit the button.It works from both in front of the camera for self portraits or from the side (slightly in front but nowhere near in frame) for shooting from a tripod without touching the camera.All this in a VERY small, easy to carry and attach to your strap, package, and the price is right.Great addition to my bag, highly recommended.
It was inexpensive and it works.  I don't use it all that often but it does come in hands for group shots.
Works like a charm with my canon 50d and now my canon 60d. No setup required, just point and click.
Neat little gadget-use it when I need to sit on the floor photographing toddlers. Do not like the fact that it has to be pointed directly in front and to the same side as the sensor. I have not been able to get mine to work from the side or from behind and not very far away at all. Amazon was by far the best priced outlet, and it was low cost enough to be considered a waist.
This remote works as I expected and advertised. Enables me to get into photos without having to hurry in to the frame using a timer. The price is great concidering the functionality. This is the second one I have purchased. The first is still working great after 2 years of ownership, this one I bought to go along to my son when I up graded to the Rebel Xsi from the Rebel Xt which I am giving to him.
No major complaints about this product, it is small and easily fits on camera strap. It is very light and does not add to weight. It is a bit difficult to remove from the strap but if it were easier it would likely be falling off all the time. Some complaints by others rating this can be addressed by adjusting the camera's or remote's settings (I use this with an XSI):1. To avoid taking a picture of the remote itself when taking pictures with you in the group set to use the 2 second delay instead of immediate release. 2 seconds is long enough to hide it in your hand.2. To avoid camera powering off and having to be manually woken up, simply set the camera sleep setting differently.For the price this really can't be beat. Not much with the Canon name can be had for under $30!
i have the rebel xsi.  purchased this remote to do family shots.  it works great.  i had an different after market remote that i lost and i'm glad i did.  range is respectable on this model.  do keep in mind that if using for tripod shots with slow shutter speed you need to be able to place the remote in front of the camera for it to work.
I have been using this remote for well over a year. it is a low priced but good IR remote for compatible canon cameras
The wireless remote works as described.  My only issue is you can only use it from the front because of the camera's sensor placement.  As a landscape photographer, I spend the majority of my time behind the camera composing my image.  Therefore, I have to move my hand awkwardly to the front.  However, if you're looking to be in photographs and you're no more than 10 feet, it's a good buy.
I don't use this frequently but is nice when I do need it! I like that I don't have to pay anyone else to take our pictures when I can pose and do it all myself!
I love this remote control for simple remote shooting. It works only in front or side of camera though.Its light weight and easily hidden in palm but also easy to lose.Mine broke after one week because I dropped it, no warranty or repairs from canon, so consider this a disposable remote control which is why I think its too expensive for $20.00.I had to get another one but shop around to get it &lt; $20.00.
I received this product a day ago and am happy with it.  It's simple and reliably does what it's supposed to do.  I bought it primarily for 'bulb' exposures [with my D-Rebel], but, of course, it is also useful when you want to avoid camera shake or to get yourself into the shot.As others have noted, it is extremely light (15g) and tiny.  Those reasons are why I picked this remote over the RC-5 and RS-60E3.  Also, there is a camera strap clip included, so it will be quickly available.  Canon is even kind enough to include batteries.  This is definitely the one to buy.
The remote is very small and mounts on the camera strap for easy storage. It's an IR remote so you must have line of sight to the camera to operate it. Because of it's small size, if you have large hands like myself, it can be a bit hard to push the button.  There are times when it took two presses to activate the camera because my finger wasn't pushing it down all the way.  Still, a great addition to my camera.
I'd like to echo what a few other people have already said and say that this should come in the box with the camera!  I really like the ability to switch between immediate shutter release and a 2 second delay, for either long exposures, and for group photos, so you can put it away before the shutter releases.  I keep mine clipped onto the neck strap all the time and it is very securely attached.
I do a fair amount of goofy project photography with me in the scene, and some studio work as well.  I use this remote all the time.  The two second delay is crucial.  And battery life is superb; I forget to turn it off all the time, it doesn't drain at all.
This is an awesome thing to have! No more running to the camera to set the timer, missing it, or having to wait forever for it to go off!  I set my camera up, get everything ready and click my remote- I have my picture!  So simple!
I chose this over a wired remote so I could have the flexibility to take self portraits.  It works great for that and as a remote switch for my hobby (night photography).  However, my one major criticism is that it lacks a lanyard loop.  It is small, plastic and easy to drop and lose...especially at night!  I recently dropped mine while shooting on a pier and it fell through the cracks in the boards and into the water.
This has been working great since it arrived. I have not had many problems at all with having to find the right angle. Just aim and shot.
I didn't think I'd want this on my camera strap but it fit so well and is so unobtrusive that I left it on once I'd tried it.  Having it right there makes it incredibly convenient.Good for tripod work, though you have to reach around the front of the XTi because that's where the sensor is.  The 2-second delay mode is great for long exposures, as it locks the lens up and eliminates that shake.I wish the buttons were a little bigger, to permit use with gloves.  I also wish the instructions were a little easier to read.  It's one sheet with 10 different languages in tiny print and are a little vague in spots.
I had one of this in '93. The device is quite the same, but it works!!! Useful for tripod/low speed shots.
Before discovering this product I read so many negative Amazon reviews about the $50 shutter release which attaches to the camera via a short cord that I nearly gave up.  This product, however, is less expensive and completely wireless.  Since Canon is nice enough to include batteries with the product, I was able to utilize the remote controller immediately.  What a great product!  It works perfectly with my Canon Rebel Xti.  Now I can be in our photos, too!
Works pretty good to capture things such as family photos.  It does seam a bit "touchy" in that you have to get it pointed at the camera perfect.
For less than $25, you can't go wrong with this little guy.  It's extremely convenient for those low shutter shots as well as perfect when you have a big group photo you need to get into.Just line up the shot, go join the group and click the button for an instant shot or a 3-second delayed shot.
I liked it so much I bought two!  Actually, I lost the first one and then found it the same day my new one came in.  Now I have a backup.My only complaint is that the holder is meant for use with a thin (stock) shoulder strap.  I put on a much more comfortable (and thicker) aftermarket strap and the holder won't fit.Until looking at the pictures in this review, I didn't realize that the holder can also be used to stabilize the lens (prevent camera from tipping forward) when the camera is set on a flat surface.  Nice touch!  (Unfortunately, I usually have the Vertical Grip installed which obviously makes the camera too tall for this feature.)I guess I have another complaint, but it's not exactly about this product, it's about Canon's placement of the product: Canon does NOT support this infrared remote on their higher end digital cameras.  They probably do this to avoid canibalizing sales of their much more EXPENSIVE (hundreds of dollars) but also MUCH longer range LC-5 (which doesn't work on the Rebel).  They do the same thing with their wired remotes, so if you upgrade, you can use your lenses and flashes, but you have to upgrade your wired and wireless remotes.  Not a good PR move.
...except that this is what you want for group pictures where you want to actually appear. It has decent range and I like the fact that it has a clip that can be attached to the camera strap so you'll never lose it and you'll keep it handy all the time.The remote can also double as a tripod firing trigger (by reaching under and in front of the camera to hit the sensor) if you don't have a real cord trigger. It's clumsy but it works.
This controller is not only appropriately priced, but it adds a level of convenience back to my shooting that I once had and lost.  I used to shoot with a Rebel XTi and the Digital Rebel series have infrared receivers for this controller.  When I went to the 40D, I lost that (why Canon didn't have it in that camera is beyond me).  Now that I'm shooting with a 5D Mark II, they brought back InfraRed support!  yay!This controller is particularly useful in Bulb mode.
nice little remote works very well. It has three settings and comes with a direction sheet and a clip that allows you to attach to the neck strap.Attaching the clip portion is a little hassle, but once it's in there, it's very secure and convenient to use.there seems to be very slight lag, but nothing really noticeable. I only saw it because someone mentioned it. comes with the button type battery which will probably last the life time of your camera unless you are constantly using this remote.
Sor far I haven't used it a whole lot because I don't take many family/self portraits.  Still, up to now it's worked great.
Yes, it's true that you do have to hold it at a certain angle in order for it to pick up, but it's still a priceless little piece of equipment.It eliminates any shake caused by manually pressing the shutter, and allows you to get in the picture (the two second delay is easily enough time to regain your ultra-cool pose).
I love this little remote. It just works for me.  After reading the reviews for this little remote, I was convinced that I needed to get one.The remote works well that I can get into the picture as well, rather than be the one taking the pictures all the time :) I haven't experienced any of the problems that some people say, such as the camera not responding to the remote in some angles, maybe they are using the remote with a super super wide lens.All in all, this remote works a 100% for me, just don't forget that it's attached to your camera.  When I first bought this remote, I kept forgeting that it was with me cause it was so small.Have fun getting into the shots as well!!
I just got my RC-1 Remote Controller, and wow.  It was so easy to use and worked without fail (just take it out of the box and turn it on).  It does what I need it to do.  The only thing I did not care for was that you have to make sure that the remote is pointed at the camera or at the side of the camera, you cannot stand behind the camera to take pictures.  I was presently surprised by size of the remote (it is about 2"). Once I have used it more than just the 15 minutes, I will write a more in depth review and I can share so pictures.
Works well from a good distance.  Others have spoken of the 2 second delay mirror lock, this also means that you can do a self timer photo with you in the picture and the camera on a tripod or propped on something and get your hand out of the way / not have to run from the camera into the picture etc.It's worked on my EOS10 (film) / EOS100 (Film) / Ixus APS / A80 and now my Digital Rebel Xti and is still on the original 12+year old batteries.
This remote control has been a great addition to my camera equipment. The handy carrier threads on to the camera strap allowing you to snap the remote control onto the camera strap for easy/handy access.The delayed release works great for pictures that you want to be a part of and the instant release is great for vibration free time lapse shots from a tripod for those lowlight shots.
The products were fine, as expected.The packaging for shipment absolutely sucked. I ordered two items, which arrived in a box much too large, without padding, so they were rattling around inside. Thank goodness that the manufacturers packaged their individual products reasonably well.
perfect pocket size item that i like to take everywhere with me. love the idea that i don't have to ask random stranger to push the button, especially when you have an expensive camera. this can be only my issue, but it seems like battery run out when i keep them inside. I should take the battery out each time after use. Other than battery issue, I love this product and very happy that i purchased it.
Smaller than a tube of chapstick, this remote toggle is easy and fun.  You don't have to worry about losing it, because it has an attachment to your camera photo strap, so it is always with you when you need it.  This great little tool has worked great for me every time I have needed it, and it has been a fun way to take self portraits in different lights, with different settings - with camera mounted to a tripod of course.  All of this has meant that I am able to self-teach my camera's many features.It comes with a small battery that looks like a watch battery, etc.  I guess I will be going to radio shack for a replacement when the time comes, but for now, it has been a fun little tool or toy that would make a great gift for that photographer in your life!
I was actually looking for a remote control for viewing photos on my TV like my old Olympus had.  When I got it I realized it was only to use when taking photos that included myself.  Handy, so I will keep it, but it was about $25 and it only has one function and that is to trigger the shutter.  I was looking for a way to sit a distance away from the camera and TV and view a photo show via remote control.
I sent to son for Christmas and he said it was great with his camera.  He loves it.  Now he can be in the pictures.
This remote uses a small infrared transmitter to trip the shutter of many of the EOS line of cameras (EOS 10, Elan, Elan II/IIE, EOS IX and possibly others).
This remote is nice for when you want to be in the picture and you don't want to have to run after setting the timer to get in the shot.  Also, if you want to take multiple shots in a row, you can use the remote instead of having to walk back after each shot to reset the timer. However, if you take too long to figure out how you want things set up in the picture and try to use the remote, often the camera will go in standby mode and the remote won't work so you have to come back to the camera and wake it up.  I haven't tried to figure out if maybe you can lengthen the time the camera is awake before stand by mode, maybe that'll help.  I still think it's worth buying, this as well as the RS60 E3 (the remote switch with the cord).
I love this remote. It has two speeds. I like the 2 second delay, so when I am in the picture I will have time to hide the remote. I have one and I have got one for my sister. I recomemded a friend to get one and he also loves his.
this is a backup to activate remote video for my canon dSLR. it took a bit of tricky testing to figure out to take a picture to focus then activate video but this works fine for the price.
Was able to use this remote during the Thanksgiving holiday with family. Something to know, though, you don't have the usually "blink, blink, blink, then flash and picture taken" - it's one light blink then the picture is taken. Caught us off guard the first time but we soon had it down. I was about 12 feet away from the camera and it took just fine. I haven't tried any farther away than that. Works great close to the camera also. Would recommend this purchase.
Pros:  It is an inexpensive solution to control camera in a distance. It's more convenience to make self shot than to use camera's 10 second time release. Since it is so small, I carry with camera all the time.  I have used it for four years, it still works as a new one.Cons: Working distance is very limit, in normal condition, you could get about 15 ft working range. Under strong sunlight, you may not be able to control camera above 5 ft. You have to point it accurately toward camera sensor, and you have to be in the position that camera sensor can see you. Other wise, it does not work.  Therefore, it will not work if your are on the left side or behind camera, since sensors are on the front and on the right side of the camera (Canon Rebel).  Serious user should use radio frequency based remote control instead of this one.
Easy to setup, use and makes taking pictures a little more exciting. Definitely beats setting a timer, and then running back to try and get in the shot in time...
I love this remote a lot. It's very nice to be able to be in the pictures without having to use the 10-second delay.
The rebel wireless remote is not a good device.  I see there are several reviews that praise the device, which I don't understand.The device has a very weak transmitter that only work with line of site.The device does work, but NOT WELL.  I like watching people hold the remote and try to fire the camera.  It looks something like a conductor, conducting the LA philharmonic in the 1812 overture.  It's IR port is like a laser beam.  You better point the device RIGHT at the IR port on your camera.  Forget taking a photo while standing behind the camera with the remote.  If you people already own this device you know what I'm talking about.  Very weak sauce.  Very cheap device.  A corded plug in remote is the only way to go.This is a piece of junk.  I hope you believe it, or you will end up buying two remotes.  Not to mention that the rebel remote has no features or controls.  My corded remote allows me to set any feature on my EOS, as well as intervals, and much more.  I use my remote for time lapse photography.
This remote does everything it was advertised to do.  It has great range as long you are in front of the camera.  For a 'behind the camera' remote, you should get the wired RS-60.  This remote has a nice fast response time - making family portraits with the kids and the dogs and everyone trying to run away a little easier.  Just turn it around in your palm, or crop out your hand and no body will notice you are using it.  It is better than the RC-5 because you can choose the instant shot or the delay.Pros:  works great - just as advertised.Cons:  ...... still looking for one I guess.
Seems to work beyond the distance shown in the manual.  Only used it a few times, but it's definitely worth the money.
This remote works great for quick shot and if you are close to cam, the remote will work with video recording. The small size is a plus but I am also afraid of losing it.
I just purchased my Canon Rebel XSI and wanted to include myself in some family photos. I always used the delay timer in other cameras I have owned and it was always a rush to get back into the picture before the timer activated.The other feature that is great about using this wireless remote is you can take multiple shots if someone moves or you think you want to retake some shots with different facial expressions.This is a tiny small accessory that attaches to the neck strap and is always with you when you travel with the camera.
THE REMOTE WORKS GREAT WITH A CANON XSI !!  HELPED ME TO IMPROVE MY SHOOTING ON A TRIPODupdate:::  07/26/2010This little gadget has been a joy to own ... not much to know as far as using it and it has helped me to take some stunning shots both on tripods and sandbags etc.  It is very good for long exposure shots on a tripod .. I really like using it for HDR captures when i set up a 3 shot exposure .. i find then when i go to align the 3 shots later there is less post work needed to be done and the clarity is better overall.  The distance is fine and I would still suggest to others thinking about this to get it and use it oftenupdate ::: 03/21/2012Still using this a lot and I have yet to replace even the batteries in it !!! Works awesome and would tell everyone to get it !!
This is a cool tool for your canon camera. It makes taking portraits a whole lot easier by not being tied to the camera. It also makes it much easier to be in the picture.
The remote comes with a gizmo, so you can attach it to the camera band.Once you remove it from the gizmo, you have 3 functions on the remote: 2sec. delay, immediate shot, and off. It worth the price. Good quality.
Very cool remote. My four year old son can use it easily.  It took a few of minutes to set it up, and it's ready to use.
I really love this remote. I own the Canon Digital Rebel XTI and this remote goes right onto the camera strap. It has a back part of it that is installed onto the camera strap, then this remote just snaps onto it, so it is always with you. The remote stays on very well. It has a tiny red button that removes it from the strap, and the button is recessed a little bit so there is no accidental release or anything. Basically it will not come off unless you intentionally take it off.This remote has a switch with three settings: 1) off, 2) press for shutter (take picture), 3) timer.I bought this remote for numerous reasons, and have used it for numerous reasons:* I have used this for many many long exposures, especially for night shots, where you needlong exposures on a tripod, or want to take logn exposures to get car lights streaking, etc.* This works very well when you want to use the mirror lock up function on your camera, whichthe point of all of that is to get the least vibration and movement so your picture will bethe best focused and detailed while having minimum blur, etc.* I have used this for self-portrait shots, and also many times for group shots.* This also works well when taking multiple exposures such as HDR's (high dynamic range) and Itake tons of them.* Another very good reason for using this is to use very slow shutter speed to capture thingslike blurred waterfalls or running water, to get this blurred soft effect.Whatever reason it may be, this remote works fantastic! I use it for every single one of these instances. The battery life is great too! I have used this for about a year now, with the same battery that came with it. And last, I want to clarify that when taking a long exposure, you don't have to hold in the button. You click it once to open the shutter, then you click it the second time to close it. This is awesome, because the remote my friend has, he has to hold it in, and he gets tired of holding it in when doing long exposures that last a minute long or longer. For multiple exposures, you can either hold it in, or click it to take each individual photos.This remote works great, and it is completely flawless in my opinion. I would most definitely recommend!
I picked up this remote and its great.  It connects to your strap and is tucked out of the way.  Nice design.  I highly recommend it.
This is a very good remote for canon cameras and the battery life is wonderful.  Only drawback I saw was not much options, like 1s, 2s etc.
This remote works well. I use the 2 sec delay mode most often because it gives you enough time to move your hand away from in front of the camera. I have used the remote both for scenery photos that need long exposures as well as for self/group photos. I am currently using it with an older Canon EOS-300D (Digital Rebel) and it works fine. Since I have had it only for a month, I don't know about the battery life. The cover is useful when storing and carrying the remote to prevent accidental button activation.
Works only when pointed directly at the front of the camera. Otherwise...a great product. A must if you do not have a IS lens and want to shoot at higher focal lengths.
This is a great little toy.  Granted, the last time I used a remote trigger it was the screw in kind on an AE... Still, if you think your camera is just a big toy then this is a really neat accessory.It was easy to sync up to the camera (digital Rebel).  It works from pretty much any angle.  I love it.
Product came on time and intact.  Easy to set up and very compact.  Attaches directly to shoulder strap for easy carrying.  Used for the holiday season in 2008 and found that it needs a direct line of sight to the XSI for signal to be received.  Tried from different angles and distances and found this to be true.  Often times, you simply need to be next to the optical reader on the camera to activate the shutter release.  For group portraits with family and friends, you may need to hide remote discretely and in line with the camera for line of signal site and to release shutter.  Outdoor and indoor single portrait shots are simpler since I simply mount XSI on the tripod and focus on subject.  I can stand by the camera and activate remote to get a steady, no vibration shot.  It works great for those kind of shots.  I recommend this product for group/individual portraits but beware of signal receiving issues.
I bought this so that we could shoot a family photo in front of the Christmas tree ... works great.  I don't know what the max distance would be for this, but for most purposes, this seems to work well.  You can also use it with your camera on a tripod to make sure that the shot is still (since you're not pushing a button on the camera itself).  I'm sure most photographers know this, but I'm just a guy with virtually no photography skills so I'm easily impressed.  For my needs, this was perfect!
If you have read my review on the Opteka Remote you will know already how great this remote is for my Canon XTi. Ok, it is a bit more expensive than Opteka's, but if it works, it is worth the price. And that is the difference between the two. The Canon worked first time. Opteka's did not with the XTi. It is a handy little remote with 3 options. Instant shutter, 2 second release and lock so that you cannot accidently take a shot. There is a strap holder, which I think is great. It took me a while to have to undo the strap on my camera to add this holder but the end result is worth it as the remote is now where the camera goes. Great remote and worth the extra price compared to generics.
I purchased the "Canon RC-1 Wireless Remote Control" a while back and for considerably less and it's been indispensable to me over the years.It works by infrared, line of sight, therefore it is necessary for the remote to be in front of the camera when used, however, I've never found that a negative issue as often I'll just reach in front of the camera and voila! And I've used this remote an extraordinary number of times with my 5d mkII for stacking macro photos and, yes, even for photos of me in the photo, with superb results.This remote is small enough for me to have it secured to the camera bag and has never failed to operate.
I bought this to use with my Digital Rebel XT.  Actually I've bought two of them.  The first one broke after I dropped it.  OF COURSE I should have been more careful, but I believe that if they are going to charge this much for a cheap plastic device they ought to make it a bit less fragile.
In order to avoid camera shake in certain photo situations (macro photography, fireworks, etc.), it is important to have a wireless remote, or other typs of shutter release. The Canon RC1 does a great job at a good price. The only drawback, is that the remote must be fired from in front, or to the side of the camera. Generally this is not an issue. I also like the fact that it can be stored right on your camera strap, so it is easily accessible.
The remote works great... Easy to use.. Either Immidiate Response or 2sec Delay. The 2sec Delay gives you time to hide the button in your hand or shirt pocket.Distance from the Camera is somwhat limited, but designed to do what you want it to.I hooked up a little TV on the camera output and use that as a preview monitor.I can have the baby on the Sofa, sit next to him and fire away untill I get something I like.... no walking over to the camera all the time.
Easy to use.  There are two settings which are 2-second and no delay.  Working great for me.  I don't need to wait 10 seconds for family shooting, especially for my out of patient kids.
I think is better have two ways for take the pictures without touch the camera.... but is a good deal any way!!!
I've had this remote for a couple of years now and I highly recommend it. I've only replaced the batteries once and it makes taking self-portraits much easier, or at least easier than using the timer. This would also be useful for taking family portraits, or anytime you want to minimize camera shake as much as possible by not even depressing the shutter button.
Does what it's supposed to.  I wish it was wireless, but that option is not available for my model camera, unfortunately.
Having a remote shutter control is great.  I bought the wired version because I'd read horror stories about the wireless remotes.  My wired remote works well and is great for tripod shooting.
I read the reviews for this device and noted that the main shortcomming was the fact that the cable was too short.  I picked up a 6foot extension on line for $3 and paid more to ship it than the cable itself.  I have used it several times and it is really a great device.  Highly recommend it.Dan Orr, Maryland
Nice quality and smooth in operation. tried few night shots using tripod came out very nice. I am happy with the product
This is a must have if you want to get the really clear pictures with out the camera shake.This is also needed if you want to take those repetitive shots for long periods of time, time laps,night shots or what ever your needs may be, very much worth the money for me.
This thing works great--and I am an ammatuer.You can start to push the button and it will focus, then lock the button and it will start photographing.If the cord were longer, you could get in the picture viewer and then start focusing.However, if the camera re-focuses, then everything works out anyway.It served my purposes perfectly.
I almost went with a cheaper version, but I am glad I stuck with the Canon brand.Works great, Quality is top notch, and I won`t have to send back some cheap piece of junk that failed on me when I needed it most.It may cost a little more, but you usually get what you pay for.....And my time is worth more than a couple of bucks....even though I am a cheapskate sometimes !!Highly recommended
I tried to save a few bucks by buying a 'no-name' remote that was supposed to be compatible with my Canon Rebel XTi- it wasn't.  The 'no-name' remote would only work if the connector wasn't fully inserted into the camera- and even then it'd only work 20% of the time.  The Canon RS60 E3 remote works all the time, every time.  If you're shooting with a tripod and are after 'razor-sharp' pictures- you need this remote.
Yes, there is no mistake. This Canon RS-60R3 remote cable also works perfectly with Pentax K10D and with some other Pentax cameras too.Highly recommend!
This allows you to take pictures and release the shutter without having to touch your camera. This helps eliminate vibrations and shaking, allowing for great pictures, even with longer exposures. It was a good price, is very simple to use, is small and easy to carry and is exactly what I needed.
This is a simple electronic cable release I bought to use with the Canon 7D, and it works perfectly with it. Gave it 4 starts instead of 5 because it is very easy for the slider lock to become engaged. I disabled it by simply taping it so the slider switch cannot move.
If you have a tripod and want to take a great long exposure shot without camera shake from touching your shutter button, you should purchase one of these. I like the feature of being able to hold down the button for continuous shooting as well. I've used it on several occasions to stage family portraits, set the continuous shoot mode, and then hop into the picture. It's a lot less tedious than trying to set a timer or use a wireless remote. With a timed shot, you only have a couple shots before you have to go check everything and start over, going back and forth. With a wireless remote, your arm might be in an awkward position trying to get the remote to hit the camera's sensor. With continuous shooting, there is no camera shake, and you get plenty of shots within a couple seconds. I've also used it for taking pictures of the night sky on long exposures, which is where I think having a tool like this is really helpful. I borrowed one from a friend first and then I wanted my own and purchased this one. Very happy with it.
While I haven't used it yet, I know that it is just what I wanted and needed for my Rebel XT.
I had the wireless remote, but I had to get my hand in front of the camera so the IR connects the IR receiver in the camera, and gives the camera the command to release the shutter... (NOT Convenient)... but with this, I was freed to take shots from any place, and not shaking the camera when it was on the tripod.TIP: there is an option in the Canon 350D (A.K.A. Rebel X) that locks the shutter once you click the first time, so when you click again to take the shot, there will be ZERO shake (Because the Shutter does shake the camera when you take a macro shot)
If you have a Canon Rebel and want to take open lens shot then try this Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3 I get crisp pictures day or night and great for shooting fire works,I got it at a great price at Amazon.com. Check with Canon.com for help in setting it up to work proberly.
This is a very simple remote control.  It provides just the bare minimum capability that one would want in a remote control.  Used with my Rebel XTi, it supports the 1/2 depressed auto-focus and exposure and the fully depressed shutter release.It also has a nice, simple slide plate that will lock the button in the fully depressed position to hold the shutter open for the "long duration" exposures.The product is made entirely of plastic (which feels a bit flimsy; but is surprisingly rugged in my experience) and has an oval cross section (which takes a little getting used to).  Being made of plastic, this product is very lightweight (which is a plus in my opinion).My only complaint, echoed by several other reviewers, is that the connecting cable is very short.  In fact, in my estimation, it is even too short for when you actually want to be close to the camera (which is the case for me doing a fair amount of close-up macro-photography).  It is so short that I have a hard time making sure I don't bump the camera.But the good news is that, as at leat one other reviewer noted, you can easily get an extension from any electrical supply house or from Radio Shack.  The plug is an 8/32" stereo plug and, if you get your extension from Radio Shack, you'll need to gat a couple of 8/32"-to-1/4" stereo adapters and use the 1/4" stereo extension cords (the one I got is 14 feet long).  Total cost was about $5 so it's no big expense.My only complaint with my solution is that the adapters stick out quite a bit from the body of the camera and they can cause torque on the camera if you're not careful to ensure that there isn't any tension pulling on the adapter.I am most happy with this product.  For me, it is a much better solution than the wireless solutions which (1) require you to be almost directly in front of the camear and (2) which, in my experience, tend to frequently but inadvertantly get the infrared signal showing up in the photograph.It is a shame that Canon doesn't make the cable on the product about another foot to two feet longer.  I think that show poor engineering judgement on Canon's part.But the problem is easily enough remidied so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product to anyone looknig for an inexpensive, simple, and flexible solution to remote triggering of their Canon cameras.
I bought this product for taking pictures of the stars, and moon. It helps elimate camera shake from using a 1000mm lens for the moon, and to make long exposures for the stars.Easy to use, can be locked for long exposures. The only downfall would be how short the cord is. Like someone else mentioned, a quick trip to an electrician can fix that.I uploaded a pick of the moon that I took for an example. Hopefully it will show up. The image quality will be reduced a lot from amazon shrinking it, but you will still get the basic idea.
This is a must for any photographer pro/amateur...get one....you will not be sorry you did.  I had a wireless one a few years back and was always forgetting it on my pocket.  After many near misses...one day I washed it with my jeans.  This one is not easily forgotten in a pocket.
It was a christmas gift for one of my kids.  I guess he likes it.  It came is a good amount of time
A must for slower shutter speeds, or any time that touching your camera may disrupt your shot (photographing insects, for one).
I am using this with 2.5mm male to female cables to do family photos. It has been working great! I would highly recommend!
Good remote switch although, the cable should be a little longer to use it more confortably. Greetings from Mexico to Amazon
The Canon Remote Switch R560 E3 works great. The cord is a bit short....I think its maybe 2 ft. I would have liked to see it come with a 36" cord.
Works perfectly with my Canon camera, enables me to take night sky photos of meteor showers without jostling the camera.  I've better control with this remote than using the self timer.  Works great for photographing lightning as well.  A bargain at the price.How to make it better?  Perhaps build in a variable length exposure timer, with auto repeat?  But then it wouldn't be the bargain it is, I suspect.
7D needs 3 pin connector. This will not work for 7D. Got this as a gift and was excited but apparently Canon has to have two different types of connectors. Maybe there is a good reason for this. I don't know. If you have the 7D and you want to buy Canon brand, you'll have to get the more expensive switch.
I really like making photographs in low light, but I don't care for coarse grain or the 'bugs' artifacts created by using high ISO settings (above ISO 400) with digital cameras.  This is my one issue with my old Panasonic Lumix FZ50.  I had always used a cable release with film cameras, and finding an electric one for my Lumix and a subsequent Olympus E-510, I decided this was a must-have for my camera bag.I found the Canon Remote on Amazon to be about the best price.  Receiving the remote, I found it worked great, but I felt the 2-foot cable was a little short.  It's generally not too inconvenient and it does what I expect it to do, but another foot or so would be welcome (hey Canon, why not a full meter?).  I found a 6-foot, 3-conductor stereo extension at the local cables and connectors store, and now I can get as far back as I need to.  Now, if only I could rig a decent remote monitor...In short -- I love the product, but I would love it more if the cable was a little longer.--Perfesser
I have been using it for almost a month now and it's been a great help to me when taking night photos. I only wish it can do more.It's compatible with Canon EOS Rebel XTi,XSi,XS, and the latest Rebel T1i, also compatible with EOS Rebel G, EOS Elan II, EOS Elan IIe, and EOS IX. Great price. Thanks to Amazon and Adorama. If you'll ask if I will recommend this, Yes I will recommend this.You can see some of the photos I've taken at [...]
I'm not sure what some people expect when they buy this item.  As it states in the description, it replicates all shutter release button functions.  It has a two-foot cord.  Folks, it's a two-foot shutter release cable!  If you think that's too short, and your camera will support it, buy theCanon Wireless Remote Control RC1which extends the range wirelessly to 16 feet.  The only drawback is that you have to use it in front of the camera, but with at least a 2-second delay on your self-timer you can easily move your hand out of the way.  Or just use the self-timer and wait at least 2 seconds.  (Either way, kind of hard to get the right shot for a regular portrait though!)None of the shutter release cables that I used on my old 35mm SLR were any longer than this.  As the instruction sheet states, it "prevents camera shake when taking photographs using a tripod, such as when taking close-ups or long-exposure photographs (bulb photographs)".  It can also be used for tripod-mounted portraits or any time that it would be easier or better to trigger the shutter release without touching the camera.  But you have to be close to the camera!  It's not designed for self-portraits (although you can extend the cord with a 2.5mm M/F extension cable).  There's also many places (eBay for one) that you can get a non-Canon switch with a 3 foot, 10 foot, or 16 foot cord.I use mine with myCanon Digital Rebel XSi DSLRfor night photography or for portraits, with the camera mounted on a tripod.  For the purpose for which is was designed, it functions perfectly.  You can even press and slide the switch to the lock position for long-exposure (bulb) photos (see the instruction sheet under [Usage] #2).  When I want to be in the picture, I use the RC-1 wireless remote that I mentioned above.
I really enjoyed this remote at first and it did a great job.  However after using the notch in the side to retain the cable, the cable fell appart.  The notch tore the sheath of the wires and they are now exposed.  I did not have it that long, about a year, before that happenned.  It was not heavily used and spent most of its life in my camera bag.Not sure what I would recommend instead but given the price I needed it to last longer.
7D needs 3 pin connector. This will not work for 7D. Got this as a gift and was excited but apparently Canon has to have two different types of connectors. Maybe there is a good reason for this. I don't know. If you have the 7D and you want to buy Canon brand, you'll have to get the more expensive switch.
I purchased one of these for my brother-in-law for Christmas.  I thought it would be helpful for his light painting.  I had no reason to purchase one for myself, but I did anyway.  Wow!!  I love it!  I was able to take some awesome shots of an Asiatic lily that my husband gave me for Mother's Day.  It proved extremely useful in low light situations.When I researched this item, the main negative was the short cord length.  That isn't a problem for me - at least not yet, as I haven't come across a situation in which I needed to be farther than two feet from the camera body.I can't wait to continue playing with my new toy!!
I love this device.  I find myself using it often for slow shutter and HDR shots.  I bought a wireless remote too but I cant seem to get it to work.  This is great if you are going to be behind the camera.
So far so good.  This item has worked well with my Canon camera.  It works better than a generic version I previously had.
When you've got that perfect picture in your site and you just can't have any movement, this is the best.  You don't touch your camera you just press this remote button.  Easy, Easy!!
Love it! I carry it everywhere I go when doing a photo-shoot.Rate as a 5There's nothing I dislike about it.I would recommend this product to everyone!
This switch is a must if you're shooting with tripod & if you're into night photography. As many reviewers have remarked, the cord is short. Although some reviewers have suggested a trip to Radio Shack to buy a few components to extend the cord, I found a simple 2.5mm extension cord to be the most cost effective solution. The "252-662 Steren 12Ft 2.5Mm-2.5Mm M-F" can be had for less than $6 on Amazon, especially if you don't have Radio Shack nearby or you want to save yourself about $20 odd dollars (I totalled up the cost of getting adaptors for the 3/8" etc as suggested by some reviewers and it came to over $25). Overall I'm really pleased with the purchase.
I mean it...you just have to have it! Before this, when using a tripod, I used to use the self-timer. And I hated the fact that on my digital rebel xt, I couldn't speed up the duration of the self-timer (10 sec) and hence would loose important time-dependent shots. This has made life SO much easier! Get it NOW! You won't regret it!
This remote is super easy to use, compact and works great. It is a simple product but it makes taking a crisp photo so much easier.
Helps take a better picture with out pressing the shutter button. You also can set up your camera & use the remote from a short distants without being right with the camera.
have used this remote in harsh weather and raining and it performs fantastic in all manners and highly recommend it.
Not much to say except it works perfectly. It does what it's supposed to do. The cable could be a little longer maybe but no real problems at all.
Definitely a great accessory to have, it will do bracketing and if your camera has the "Bulb" feature you can lock the shutter open using this remote. Great purchase!
Works as expected. Just way too short of a cord but very fix able if you have an Radio Shack close by. I picked up the following and now have an extra 20 ft now to the shutter button.Get the following.1 - 2740397 - 3/32"SPG-1/8"SJK1-  2740373 - 1/8SPG-3/32"SJK1 - 4202562 - GP,20FT 1/8INST EXTEverything is working excellent now, have 20ft extra to take pictures. I believe there is a 50ft ext cord as well available.Cheers,azbobs
This works so much better than the cheap unit I bought. I should have got this the first time well made and works great, The only issue is the cord is to short needs to be 2 feet longer. One star off for that.
Not quite as slick as Canon's wireless remotes, but it's cheaper and serves the same purpose. You might watch the way you hold it though, because the lock mechanism activates easily, which causes continuous shooting. Not a big deal though, once you get used to handling the remote. Overall the best budget option.
The Canon RS60 Remote Switch is an excellent and essential addition to any photographers camera bag. I do a great deal of macro photography and having a remote such as this comes in very handy. I have tried the wireless remotes with less than desirable results but this switch has never let me down. I use it with my Canon EOS camera.
This is a must have shutter release for anyone really. Obviously it's great for long exposure shots to reduce shake, but it's also great because you can lock it on BULB or to take continuous shots at any shutter speed. I've had my Canon RS60 for about 5 years and it's still working. Originally got it for my Rebel 2000 and carried it over when I got my Rebel XSi. It's an absolute must have. I also have the Canon RC-6 wireless remote and I can say that it's really only designed for that one person who never makes into the group photo. In order to use the RC-6 you have to hit the infrared sensor from the front and it can only be synced with the camera with a shutter delay. That's why the RS60 is much better than the RC-6.
This is not a very complicated accessory. Plug it in, take photos. I find the button is a bit "squishy" in  that it has a lot of travel before you hit the halfway point for autofocus. That's not difficult to get used to, though. It's also a bit overpriced in my opinion, but as long as you don't lose the thing I don't see why it won't last practically forever.
I take a lot of pictures that requires the camera to be mounted on a tripod.  Using this remote shutter release seemed like the obvious choice.  However after receiving the switch, I noticed the switch mechanism seemed a bit cheap.  Well, I was right.  After a few months of daily use, the switch quit working.  Even before it quit, the switch started acting finicky and wouldn't take the shot right away.  I still needed to take photos so I bought a second one.  Just like the first, it stopped working in a few months too, ARRGHHHH!!!  After the second one failed, I bought the wireless remote control RC1.  I wish I bought that the first time.  It works so much better and without any wires to get in the way.  The only downside is you can't take a photo from behind the camera with the wireless.  I guess you can't have everything. I strongly recommend you skip buying this poorly made switch on buy the wireless switch instead.  You will be much happier.
I bought this cable release to use with my Nikon D300 and theCustom Idea GeoPic II - Direct Connect Geotagging GPS Unit for Nikon & Fujifilm Digital SLRs.  The Geo Tracker plugs directly into the 10 pin connector of the Nikon - which blocks using the normal Nikon cable release.  However, the GeoPic has a connection to add the Canon or compatible cable release.  The combo works great together.Bill
It dose what it was made to do, and dose it well. I prefer a shutter release that works every time. I got this one to avoid err with the "wireless" cable release, which is finicky in the sun, and can decide to run out of batteries whenever it wants.Pros-Shipping was very fast.-The Cord is the perfect length (1 1/2 ft.) for using with a tripod-The half pressed trigger auto focus is a very nice option if you want AF-I paid $18.00 from Adorama Camera, which is almost half the price as in stores ($30.00 + tax)-Not battery operated. Works everywhere all the time. No problem.-And obviously stops camera shake, and gives you manual control of exposure time in Bulb... which is what its for after all.Con-It was not free
works and its very simple. solid construction and does exactly want you want to do with it. wish the cord was longer tho.
I bought this switch thinking it would trigger my camera in movie mode.  It only works in picture mode.  Maybe I missed something in the description.  It would be nice if it was about 12 feet long.
Well made and works just fine, I have a Cannon EOS 60D and it works well. 5 stars but the cord is way to short. You need to be sitting right next to camera for use. Better than remote for Bulb shots.
Not complicated...push half way to focus, all the way to release shutter, slide up for extended open shutter (bulb mode).  Easy peasy.  I didn't even look at the manual.
Looking for a remote so you don't shake that camera? This is the one to buy.
I like taking pictures of small objects from my tripod and this remote switch is very helpful for this job. The cord lenght is just right. Very much recommended tool for those who like macro photography.
The Canon remote performs great. However, if you don't want to spend the $$ you can accomplish the same result using the timer but you'll wait 10sec for each photo. This device eleminates shake and waiting.
This remote works terrific.  I have used it to make my own passport photos.  I suggest that you buy the wireless remote as well for shots when you are further away from the camera.  This remote will work well with a tripod and a telephoto lens to take pictures  of the night sky.
Works great for me and I didn't mind paying a few extra bucks for a Canon product.  I know others have complained that this cable release is overpriced but quite frankly, I didn't trust the ones that are $3 or $4 bucks - worth the premium to know I got a premium brand.I love it for Bulb mode - worked for my XSi and now works for my T2i
If you are doing true macro or long telephoto work this is an absolute necessity, along with mirror lockup, for sharp photos.  The only real alternative being the self timer, but that does not give you any real composition control if your subject is moving.  This is also nice for portrait work because it lets you interact with your subjects without having your head and hands right near the camera (use your eyepiece over to avoid stray light from tricking your sensor when doing this.)
Have a night shot without a flash problem and can't hand hold the camera, tripod it and use this cable release...this is just the electronic version of that...A must have for night shots. This is a Canon product and is designed to work with all modern Canon camera's. I own a T3i and it works just fine. Great asset to have for night shots where the lens has to stay open for long periods and cannot be jostled.
I bought one of these and hacked it so it would work with a Canon A570 IS.  Very cool little switch.  You will need an extension cable to do any kind of self or family portraits.  I made mine wireless. :)
I needed a shutter release so I could take shots on my tripod without the shake associated with pressing down the shutter button. I have used this release for a few HDR shots on my Rebel XS, and it works perfectly. I just tried it on my 35mm EOS Rebel 2000 and it works in that as well! It's not fancy, but it gets the job done.This release also has a plug hole in the bottom and notches to make wrapping the cable up for storage easy. Canon thought of everything!
I purchased this to use with my Canon Powershot SX50 HS, so I could remotely trigger the shutter on long zoom shots while having the camera mounted on a tripod. I wanted this in order to prevent any camera shake (and the resulting blurry image), without having to resort to using a timer on the camera itself. The remote does exactly what you would expect, it triggers the shutter on the camera, and since it doesn't require batteries, is always ready to be put to work without any fuss. It works really well and overall, am very happy I purchased it.The cable is very short, which isn't much of an issue when you're standing right at the camera, but if you want to move away from the camera at all, then the short cable becomes more of a liability. This is easily (and cheaply) remedied by purchasing a 2.5mm headphone extension cable. I went with theYour Cable Store 12 Foot 2.5mm Stereo Headphone Extension Cable(available here on Amazon for under $7 at the time of this writing), which now gives me a combined cable length of 14 feet. That said, the short length of the cable is the primary reason for me knocking off a star. Other than the short cable, this is a good, quality remote shutter switch for supported Canon cameras, including the Powershot SX50 HS, and I have no problem recommending it to anyone who has a supported camera (though I would recommend picking up an extension cable at the same time, just to make your life easier.)
This is a good value, works well for both time-lapse photography and low light conditions. I've read about the battery running low because it does not have an off switch but when I'm finished with it I just turn the battery upside down and it shuts off. Works well.
Just what I needed. It would be nice if the cord was longer, but I love the increased stability it brings to my shots. Easy to use, supports bulb exposures and allows for "half-press to focus".
I got this remote to use with my Canon Rebel XT. It works great. I like the fact you can lock the shutter for long exposures. Works great for fireworks too.
This has really improved my ability with the camera. I no longer need to disturb the camera to take the pisture. I must have heavy fingers because they always introduced some shake into the shots. With this remote switch that has been eliminated.
I've used this remote a number of times already and it works perfectly. I like that he cord is long enough but not TOO long.
Have been meaning to pick one of these up for ages now.  It's really small so I will likely buy a clip or something to attach it to my camera strap while in use so I don't use it.  The only downside I can see straight away is the very short cord.Looking forward to trying it out.  Great packaging.
You seriously can't beat the price on this. It's a bit bulky, but I'm not sure if the Canon model is the same in the way of bulkiness. It works great and the price is awesome.
This is the best deal from Canon that I made. I have a Canon Rebel T3i and do a lot of close up photography and this accompanied with a Tripod gives me some of my best results. The cost was minimal for the results I get. Four Stars.....
I bought this as a gift for my father in law who is also an avid photographer.  He loves it and says that he uses it all the time now.  It is a great asset if you do a lot of tripod work!  The only thing better is the Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control.
i bought this for a canon T2i and even though it is not listed as compatible it works perfectly on it.this item works in the same way your on body button does... half down focuses, all the way down shoots, hold it down and it continues to shoot and you can push it down and forward and it will hold the continuous shooting until you unclick it. love it.
I love taking pictures with my camera on a tripod and now with this switch I can sit and drink my coffee and just press the button to get great pictures.
Works fine with my Rebel XTi (450D). Easy to use, cord can be extended with a universal cable.
I've used this switch and found that it does not always work. I haven't figured out what caused it to miss, but I usually keep firing until it trips the camera. It's okay for the price.
This is great!  No more shaking and am able to capture nice shots.  Would recommend to any one who has a Canon.
This is a great product if you are taking picture where having in which you want the camera perfectly still.  It is simple and therefore less likely to break.  A must have for shots that require a slow shutter speed.
This is a very useful item in conjunction with tripod for night shots!Came quickly as was just as advertised.
I've been using it with my camera on a tripod pointed at falcons waiting for them to take off and look photogenic in flight. Standing there with my finger on the shutter release becomes tiring and annoying. Holding the switch is more comfortable. It is particularly nice that the &#34;half press&#34; function works: you get to hold it half pressed to pre-focus and reduce the time to trigger the shutter.
It does what it says it'll do, and while it's pricey for a couple of contact switches in a plastic handle, considering the cost of parts and my time to make something similar, it's a bargain.  I would have liked more heavy duty construction, and the contacts to have more definite tactile feedback for the focus vs shoot position, but it works just fine, and it lets me take pictures while talking more easily to the subject, in addition to the obvious vibration reduction.
sometimes it will take the picture and sometimes it won't work. If you are using it for family pics beaware
switch is ok really wanted a wireless remote, but this will do for now, it comes in handy and helps to steady my shot......Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3
Another reviewer suggested an extension. I got it per his suggestion and the cord is plenty long and responds well with my Canon Rebel SL1.
Canon Remote Switch RS60E3 is excellent choice. The cord is short but good for taking shots at long shutter speed in Bulb mode. Shipping was very fast and arrived when it was suppose to.
If you are shooting landscapes, macro shots, stacking shots, nightshots, you get where I'm going...you need this. It's made by Canon and it is a little spendy for such a small item but it's worth it. It hasn't failed me yet and I've been using it now for two years almost every day. I recommend this. I did research the wireless remotes but in order to use them sometimes they down't work unless you are to the direct side or in front of the camera. That doesn't work for me.
I got what I expected and love it, but the one flaw is the length.  I dont need the extra length but someone else might.
Use it when zoomed to 1200 mm for wildlife photos
Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3This is a greatb tool for the macro shooter or slow shutter speeds. Very usefull also when you need to lock the mirror up for less noise.The only draw back is the short cord. Would be much better if it were longer, maybe 6' or more for different applications.
Great for eliminating any vibration when taking pictures with your camera on tripod. Also works great for long exposures, just lock the button in place until your exposure is done! No problems with the connection that is firm and secure.
I use this release a LOT!  Easily attaches, works well, and I like being able to lock the lens open for long exposures.  Well worth the money.
If you own a camera that this handy little item works with, you better get it and add it to your camera bag. There will be a time when you will need it, and like I always say, &#34;It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.&#34; Feel free to use that one if you wish. This item is very compact, easy to use, and well built. You won't be disappointed.
It is a switch and it works.  I love the black color.  I would like a twenty foot extension.  Bye
I purchased this shutter remote after looking around for something that was not too pricey, but at the same time was of great quality. I got this for my college photography class and it has served me well, I especially like that it can lock in place so that I can easily keep my camera's shutter open. I have had the remote for several months now using it almost every day and it still works like it arrived in it's box yesterday. I definatly recommend this to anyone who is starting out in photography and want to enhance the quality of their photos.
This little device works exactly as you expect and it's small enough to put in your camera bag and take with you wherever you go.  If you need it, it works.  If you don't it's small and hides away easily.I also have the wireless remote and the wired version works better for taking long shots at night.  The wireless version is better for taking group photos since there is no cable.  Also you can't use the wireless version from behind the camera but this one works fine so you can shoot live mode and never have to touch the camera directly to take your shot.
Works perfectly and that LONG lens stays in focus through the shot -- not even a heartbeat blip.  I am using it on the SX 50 HD
Sure it's poorly made. And very over priced for what it actually is, but it's definitely a handy item to have in a gear bag. I'm glad I got it. I would probably even recommend it to a friend.
The release works but I cant say I love it.  The button you push to release moves back and forth very easily, so when you are trying to push it is also sliding.  Wish Canon made a plunger type release but cant find them any where
I am so pleased with this wired shutter release, it enables me to setup my camera on a tri pod and shoot a picture and know that the expose will be rock solid. I love this device and throughly recommend it.
This remote works perfect with my canon rebel t2i.  I use it on when i shoot on bulb mode for long exposures.
I have just recently gotten back in photography when I got a Canon T3 for Christmas.  When I got the camera I immediately started searching for accessories.  I have always been intrigued by HDR images and wanted to try my hand at them.  However, even with a tripod I was still getting some blurry images just from me pressing the button.  I had always heard of the remote switches but never used one before.I searched the Canon website and saw on the page for the T3 that the Canon Remote Switch RS60 E3 was compatible so I searched it out and ordered it.  I have used it several times already and it has worked flawlessly.  Definitely a must have and great for low light and evening shots.Highly recommended.
This remote solved my problem with camera shake from pushing the button to take a picture. I also have an rca cable to extend it to take group photos with me in them !
I originally didn't know that such an item would mate with my Canon camera.  After reading the reviews, and checking with my owner's manual, I decided to take a chance. It was a great choice and I have no regrets at all.  It is just the thing for close-up shooting that lets me move away from the camera.  A real need for anyone who needs to assure no shake while taking a picture.  A great find at a great price.
This thing is one of the best camera thingys I've bought yet...for under $20 no less!Long exposures, I can't wait.  Night shots, here we go.  Tripod and remove switch in hand, I'm ready for bear!
I love my cable release.  It is not the original Canon cable release (as stated by the seller) but it was in excellent condition and works great with my camera.  Just what I needed!
Works as designed, functional and light weight.  Provides good control for a wired device and is easy to carry around.
Glad I bought this. I have used it often for night shots with time exposure. Truly worth the expense to save against blur from camera vibrations that happen when you click by hand.
This product is very well made and easy to use. I use a tripod quite a lot when taking low level light pictures and videos. This item is absolutely necessary to produce stabile, rock solid images and videos.
A great accessory.  I had the cordless remote and could never get it to work. The remote switch is just the ticket.  Everyone says the cord is too short, it's not, it's just right and you don't have to get in front of the camera to make it work either.  I wished I'd bought this a long time ago.
This is an absolutly perfect remote.  It's simple, lightwieght, and has a long cord. It also wraps up neatly.
I love this product. I first heard about this while watching videos on photographers who take long exposure photos. So since then I became curious and bought this myself. I have no regrets what so ever buying this. Imagine a steady shot of the Golden Gate Bridge in the evening with San Francisco well lit in the background. Now imagine the stars in the night sky over the city leaving streaks of stardust behind as if airplanes were passing and all this was possible because your shutter was open and your camera undisturbed on your tripod. All you have to do on this remote is push, slide up and let go to let the camera do it's job. It's now up to you when you want to release that button and see what your camera sees. Now you know why I gave this 5 stars...
The Amazon product description says this switch works with Canon EOS cameras... but it only works with some EOS cameras.  My Canon 5D Mark II takes an entirely different remote switch.  You need to go to the Canon website and find out which remote switch your camera uses before ordering this switch.
I ordered a cheap version from another companie to replace another cheap version that stopped working. The cheap version is supposed to arrive between June 17 and July3, However, I needed a replacement much sooner so I ordered this one and got one day shipping. I have been using it for macro photography, With macro photography a tripod and remote remote switch  are needed as the deph of field is crittial requireing f stops of f32 or better and even then the depth of field is very limited so a very slow shutter speed is needed and camera shake must be kept to a minimum. I plan on keeping the cheapie when it gets here as a spare.
I expect nothing but the best from Canon and I wasn't disappointed with the RS60 E3 remote switch.  It is well constructed and easy to use...performs as advertised.  I also own the Canon wireless remote, but you need to be in front of the camera to use it.  The wired switch is essential for eliminating camera shake during long exposures and it does the job well.  Every photographer, novice to pro, needs this switch.
Does the job it is designed for. Wish the cord was a little longer, but it's perfect for use on a tripod.
Super product. I have already used it. All battons are working well and very high quality item. Quick shipping and good packing. Thanks for this product.
This thing is mainly useful for bulb exposures (you have to manually lock the shutter and unlock it when you have completed the exposure time, it doesnt count the time since it doesnt have any procesors or logical electronics inside). Another thing it may work great is to be taking pictures with the camera mounted on a tripod when you dont want to move it even by the shutter button being pushed.It works just great for those two things. The remote has a shape to make easy to roll the cable around it in the bottom has a little hole to "connect" the cable so that it can be stored without the cable going everywhere, its kinda clever. I would recommend this product if this is what you want it for and if you dont want to spend much.
Works great with my Canon EOS Rebel 1000D.  It's a pretty simple product, but it's a nice way to take a picture without jiggling the camera.  I would have preferred an infrared remote, but the 1000D doesn't support that.
This switch is great for photos with high zoom or long exposures...just pressing on the shutter can move the camera and make the image blur.Unfortunately it does not start or stop video recording in video mode with the SX50 and of course  there is no zoom control....this camera really needs a remote for zoom control because just touching the control makes the camera shake.
I have a canon 60D and it works great! easy to use, and pretty durable! just gotta plug it in and your good to go.
It really works great, for bulb photography is just what you need, but I would like a long cable, maybe 5 feet.
I didn't get a remote switch when I bought the camera. I bought it used so what can you expect. Anyway, this switch works just great and is easy to use
A corded remote switch is a must have for any tripod photography.  Cable could be a  couple of feet longer.
I bought this to use with an EOS Rebel XSi and it does exactly what it should do.  I've always successfully used it to take some really nice astronomy and wildlife shots.  It's a must for tripod and telephoto shots.  The switch attaches quickly and is easy to use.This is a necessary accessory and is always in the bag and goes with me whenever I travel with the camera and tripod.
I purchased this for use with my old Canon Rebel XTI. It works great, and I love the shutter lock function for long exposures.
A must have for anyone doing long exposure photography. I use it for taking photos of  the night sky with my T3iEasy to use and well built, the only con - it's a little small for my hand, not a big deal though, very happy with this product....
Besides that the cable is somewhat short, this remote works extremely well. I also bought the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 which doesn't work well at all and only when it's held close to the camera and in a specific angle.....I do recommend this over the wireless one...
This Remote is very solid. It feels well built and sturdy, it does what it's supposed to perfectly. It's great for bulb and any other slow shutter speed. The only reason why i have given 4 out of 5 stars is because despite all it's greatness I believe the price is a bit to high. Don't get me wrong, it's not cheaply built but It just feels that part of what you're paying is because of branding. I definitely recommend this.
Great product to use when using a tripod shooting merchandise in a portable photo studio
I bought this to be able to take exposures at night that would make the camera shake if I tried to push the shutter by hand. It is a fairly simple device that plugs into a port on the camera side and acts as the shutter release button. It can also be locked into an open position for long timed shots or for continuous shooting.The problems I found were that it is made of inexpensive materials and it functions properly only with great care. I used it for the first time to take some photos of trains passing. I didn't need the lock down....just to be able to release the shutter and let go to be able to take the pictures I was trying to get. On several of the attempts, the device locked open and went into continuous shot mode. Even when pulled out of the forward lock mode, and with the finger off the trigger, it still stayed in that position. In all of the cases where this happened, I had to shut off the camera and turn it back on to get the thing to work properly.While I haven't seen a better release device for my camera, I have to believe there is one and am looking now. This will work for you, but beware as it seems to develop a mind of its own at times.
I have the discontinued wireless remote that occasionally worked for a while but finally gave up for good. This one is fool proof. Its hard wired, so it works every time. Their is another wireless by canon which I will eventually try.
This is everything I thought it wold be. I just wish there was more line between the camera and remote.
Shooting macro and long exposures with your Canon APS camera is much easier with this remote. But while it is more pleasant to use than the 2 second timer, it is an extra part to carry, so sometimes I forget or don't bother using it. Also, an infrared remote is more versatile since it lets you take shots of yourself as well.This switch is essential if you wish to shoot bulb.
I've found that the switch/trigger is quite sensitive and it likes to get in the "lock" position quite easily.  Other than that, this is a quality Canon product!Pros:  It's a remote shutter release.Cons:  Short cord, gets tangled & twisted up easily.
This is one of my favorite things I've ever bought for my Rebel t2i! Without it, I don't know what I would do. It's so easy to use & very intuitive. Press it half way down to focus, all the way down to take a picture, and if you've got the Bulb setting on you can press it & lock it in the up position to expose your photo for as long as you want. This is a wonderful tool & I am very happy I purchased it. My only teeny-tiny complaint is that the cable is somewhat short, but hey, I don't really mind.
The remote is awesome. When i first thought about buying i was a little concerned with the length of the cable. Well I got the remote, used it, and its great. Long enough for normal use. when used for BULB mode its awesome. I used it for the first time to photograph the Perseid Meteor Shower and couldnt be any happier. great tool.
I am no longer able to hold a camera steady with out my tripod. I now use and carry my old Gitzo tripod everywhere, this Canon remote switch is now in use everyday.
I purchased this for use with my Canon Rebel T3i to stop camera shake during low light photography. I used it during a practice photo shoot with my local photography club and I am absolutely pleased with this item.
I use mine all the time for macro and longer exposure. Plug and go. Press half way down and it focuses, all the way down and it takes the shot. I have had mine for over 10 years and the housing finally came loose and wouldn't stay together. Wrapped a rubber band around the housing and it's still going strong.
I wasn't sure if I'd actually use this when I bought it but it's turned into one of my favorite accessories! Anytime I'm shooting on a tripod I'm using this remote. Obviously it's not helpful if you (the photographer) also need to be in the shot, get the wireless for that. I always carry both this and the wireless remote in my bag, they each serve their own purpose and don't take up much room.
I love to go onto amazon.com and find my OEM accessories cheaper than the manufacturer offers them. That way I get a good deal and the knowledge and satisfaction that the equipment will work as described and expected.I know that their are cheaper aftermarket wired remotes that I could have purchased for my Cannon T4i, but now I have piece of mind. Remember the old saying. "You get what you pay for."P.S. For those that have complaints about the length of the cord. I purchased the Steren 252-662 STEREN 12FT 2.5MM-2.5MMM-F M-F (Cable Zone / 2.5 & 3.5mm Audio Cables), also from amazon.com for $11.00 which adds 12 ft. to the Remote Shutter Release Switch with no issues whatsoever.Keep Snapping!
I've been working on a lot of night photography, and this switch has made my life a LOT easier for that type of shot.  In manual mode, you can click and hold to control how long the exposure is - and you can click and slide to set it to hands free (for those really long exposures - just set and stand back, and slide it back out when you're done).  No more shake, no more trying to manually keep the lens open for a long time.Only down side is on the camera end.  The plug is underneath a rubber cover. The cover folds back awkwardly/protrudes when the switch is connected.  The cord is somewhat short - not a issue for me, but you can buy a cheap extension cord if you need it longer.Well worth $20!
This product is great for those long exposure shots when you are try to avoid camera shake. Works well with my Canon 60D. I would recommend this product.
This is a great Shutter Release cable.  I bought this a couple of days ago and received it today.  I've taken some test shots and I really like it! I'm going to use it with the BULB mode in M and take some good shots of the night sky.  I also have the Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel XTi, and it works great for being in front of the camera (group pictures).  I recomment both as each has their own purposes.  Glad I finally bought it and wish I bought it sooner! :)
I bought this unit for my Rebel T5i camera. I checked throughly  the compatibility and it is OK. However, when I connected it to the camera, nothing would happen.I noticed that while inserting and removing the plug from the socket, the LCD briefly displayed some information, so something was happening. Knowing that this is simply a switch, I cheched its functioning with a continuity meter, and sure enough, the shield was seemingly not connected.My product was still under warranty, but living in Brazil, it was going to cost me more to send it to repair than it would cost me to make a DIY unit. At least I could try to salvage the cable...By opening the unit, I found that the shield wasn't at all connected to its tab, There wasn't even a hint of a proper connection, the tab was clean as new. In just a few minutes, I had the connection repaired and the unit is now working as it should.I uploaded a photo of the open unit showing how I found it. Check in the user's pictures.Shame on you, Canon, for charging so much for such a simple mechanical switch and not even having it soldered properly!!!! Although it now works, I am giving you only 1 star for the high price, low quality and for having to troubleshoot it myself.
When I opened the box, I realized how small the remote control is. I guess good things do come in small packages. =)I tested this accessory and it works as advertised -- half shutter, full shutter, shutter lock, and winding the cord for storage. I haven't been it for any serious work within these first few days of having it. While the remote is kind of expensive for its function, it's quite inexpensive compared to other DSLR accessories -- particularly lenses. =PI anticipate to use this for bulb mode shooting, e.g. to shoot fireworks. I also anticipate to use this to help portrait subjects relax, as suggested by another reviewer.I'd like to also note that theOpteka remoteis just a few dollars cheaper than the Canon cord, but I decided to get this one because I like the Canon brand, and this one looks much nicer.
A good product, works well in the canon, very useful for pictures of precision. It would be better if he had the longer cable
Works like it's supposed to. Easy to hook up. Has made night photography much easier. Can't beat getting name brands.
Working in conjunction with the 12' extension cable, this remote allows the camera to be &#34;alone&#34; and thus attract the type of wildlife that otherwise is easily spooked by human presence.  Just plug in, set the desired setting and wait for the photo shot ~ perfect.
The remote switch works well. I have used it to control the shutter and minimize the shake from pressing the shutter release.
Doesn't seem to trigger video.  Still takes pictures even when in video mode. Works great for time lapse pictures though.
Quality 5 star, ease of use 5 star, delivery as promised 5 stars, using it on a regular basis. will buy again if needed.
For some reason the difference between a $5 3rd party and $20 OEM accessory never seems to justify that $15 gap.  I think this is one of those cases.  The remote feels like decent quality when you hold it.  The half-way press for focus works as you would expect.My only real complaint is that the cord seems rather short.
Just got this and I can't wait to use it.....your camera system is not complete without one....would suggest it to anyones camera bag....ThanksDarrell
If you are in the studio or on location and want to see your subjects as they are to the naked eye and not through the small view finder, this is a must have for any photographer using a tripod.  This will eliminate unwanted camer shake.
Used it with my Canon G11 - worked like a charm. Great for reducing vibration with a tripod!
If you use a Canon 20D, this little item is worth its weight in gold. It plugs into the camera, and provides a way to fire the shutter remotely. In the old days, a big air bulb was used by photographers with their big view cameras. Today, a little electronic thing like this helps me avoid the shakes (and blurs) because you're not pushing anything ON the camera to move or shake the camera. Just a slight squeez of the fingers and your image is captured. These little guys are available for most quality cameras.
Using this on my Canon DRebel XT (350D) and works great.  Would be nice if the cord was a bit longer, but this can be fixed with a few things from Radio Shack.  All in all, a good buy for what it does.
This remote is great for taking long exposure shots.  You can control the length of the shutter speed by pressing and holding the button on the remote.  I think this is a must have for taking stills on a tripod.
The build is sturdy, works great.  Better quality than most third-party remotes.  Being wired, and not a very long wire, this isn't good for self-portraits.  The shorter wire means it fits nicely into the pockets of the Canon bag.  This is more for stable tripod shooting.  Great for astronomical shooting when the camera is attached to a telescope.The T3 does not have a wireless shutter receiver (the T3i does).  To achieve wireless on the T3, you must instead get a two-piece wireless kit which includes a dongle that hangs from the camera, and the remote button.
I got this for a gift for someone else. He loves it. It works on his TSi and he is very happy. I first got it (thinking without reading) that it would work for the 6D but it didn't so I gave it to him as a birthday gift. He loves it.
It works.  Get this one, don't get the $3 cordless ones that die after a month of use.  This is essential gear, along with a tripod,  for anyone who owns a camera.
This little item is an absolute necessity if you plan on taking long exposure astronomy photos. Works like a charm. Just love it. It is also quite small and can be easily tucked away for storage. I've not had any issues with cord being too short as some suggest in other reviews. If it was longer, I think it would be easier to get tangled.
Very handy item when using a tripod.  Helps keep me from shaking the camera as I press the shutter button.
this remote works great with my G-11. However the cord is too short.  I was aware of the cord length when I purchased the control but didn't realize it would be a problem.  That said, I've used the remote many times.  I found instructions else where on the internet to lengthen the cord.  Will probably do that later.
If you're planning on having any type of longer exposure shots, or if you want to make sure that you don't end up with any movement of the camera from pressing the shutter release, then this accessory is a must have.It's easy to use, works exactly as you would expect, and is solidly made.The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the way that the cover on the camera must remain open when it's plugged in, but that's not a big deal at all.I've used this shutter release quite a bit and don't have anything bad to report about it's operation.Highly recommended.
This is a great little product, specially if you use a tripod or are into astronomy photography. It mimics the functions of the shutter release button on the camera, without introducing any vibration to the body & lens. This is the main purpose of this remote. If you want to take a photo of a group of people including you, the wireless remote may be a better idea.The cable is short, around 50cm or so. Contrary to other reviewers, I think it is good idea. Cables are usually too long and may knot and get in your way. The cable can be extended with a standard audio cable for very little $$.Definitely recommended!
Its is a very good Canon product and works as advertised I choose it over the Wireless Remote versions when I discovered that in using the wireless remotes, I could not stand BEHIND the camera to acivate the wireless remote, BECAUSE the sensor is on the front of the Digital Rebel.I would have prefered the wireless. The cable on the RS60 E3 is a bit short but works OK.
I bought the Canon remote switch because of need.  What I wanted was a wireless remote.  Why Canon doesn't offer a wireless remote is puzzling and frustrating.  I am a loyal Canon customer, but this was a stupid decision on their part.  It works perfectly well and is nicely made, but it's not wireless, so I will never be satisfied.
It works great and not that expensive. I bought it so I could take pictures with the camera on the tripod without having to push the shutter release on the camera. Now I use it all the time, tripod or not.
I use this hand little device almost every time I put the camera on the tripod. It's so much easier than trying to press the shutter release without moving the camera or using the delay timer. I wish all digital point-and-shoot cameras came with a shutter release input. I mean, why not? Everything is electronic now anyway. That's one really big advantage to Canon G series and similar cameras, but consumers shouldn't have to spend $400+ on a camera just to get a remote shutter release.
A reote switch should be used more often. A lot of people who take posed pictures sometimes don't realize how much their cameras move when they press the sutter release. This doen't come up as often when you're shooting  candids or in photojournalism. Using a remote switch takes care of this issue. It should be in everyones ki bag.
This works well with my Canon PowerShot G1X and my G12. I ordered another brand that was supposed to fit Canon cameras, but the plug was too long (3.5 cm instead of 2.5 cm, or thereabouts). The cord is not too long, but I find that it meets my needs and wraps up compact and fast. This will be helpful for landscape shots with a tripod or very long "bulb" exposures at night. Even has half-press pre-focusing, just like actual shutter button.
The ability to remote control the shutter without touching the camera is great for long shutter speed situations, I highly recommend this to any one looking for a shutter release.
This remote switch is easy to use, works reliable, and eliminates camera shake that results if the shutter is released by touching the camera with your finger. Very important for photos taken using long zoom with relatively short exposures, even when using a tripod.
If you plan on taking any photos requiring longer exposure times (particularly "bulb-mode" photographs in which the shutter remains open until you close it), you need this accessory for your camera.Though the cord is shorter than would be desired, a quick trip to any electronics store should provide a simple solution in an extension: a 3/32" stereo extension cord, or a 1/8" cord with adapters to 3/32".  As these can be had for well under $10, you can easily extend the reach of the shutter release beyond what Canon provided.
I needed this &#34;remote&#34; in order to work with my new Canon SX50 camera.  I have everything that I need now to utilize the HDR settings on the camera.  I will need it for slow motion work as well as time lapse.
WONDERFULL REMOTE SWITCH. GREAT FOR THAT PERSON WHO WANTS TO BE IN THE FAMILY PICTURE. A MUCH HAVE FOR THE SPECIAL PERSON.
It's a simple remote control shutter switch. The purpose of this item is so you can take pictures with long exposure times without having the camera shake upon releasing the normal shutter button on your camera. It is not meant to be used as a remote switch for group portraits where the photographer wants to take the picture and be in the picture as well. If that is your purpose, then you need to buy the wireless remote control instead.Having this attached to your tripod-mounted camera makes you look much more like a professional photographer :)
Overall, its a pretty cool little product. I bought the corded Remote Shutter Release because, I find the wireless one don't work as well. Great Purchase.
I was buying this as a button to help me to start/stop video recording. It doesn't work for that, it helps on the focusing (60d over here) when pressed halfway, but all the way down it takes a picture and it doesn't record. As no one posted something about video recording I suppose that I would give it a shot, but no It doesn't work for that if anyone was planning using it for that purpose.
If you have a crappy tripod like me, you'll love this remote. its reugged, small, canon, etc.If you have a good tripod the you're a more wealthy amateur than me or you're not an amateur at all but a pro so you know you wanna buy it. :)
great little helper for my tripod work.works in my Cannon SX50-HS as directed . lets me get some great outdoor and night time pics.
No option, if you have a tripod, you must have this accesory. It enable you to lock the button for long term exposure pictures. Very light and very reliable.
I really want to learn to do a star trails picture, which is why I bought this cord. I love the cord, and it was a great buy for only $20 something. But now I just need to learn how to make a better looking star trails picture.
I decided to go with the Canon brand on this purchase, and the product is of the high level of quality that I expected. It's completely functional, as to be expected.
Makes shooting images with my Canon T4i a lot easier when movement is a problem.Great value and a great OEM item.
I can't believe how economical this remote is. Great quality. Seems to be working very well on my Canon rebel xs 1000d. Great purchase and great service.
USED IT AT FIREWORKS AND THE CAMERA ON TRIPOD. STEADY AND GREAT PICTURES WERE PRODUCED. NO MORE BLURS OR UNCLEAR PICTURES.
Love this little gadget.  Works as described. Very helpful when taking photos of my grandson & I'm trying to get his attention.
This is the best invention since swiss cheese. Works great for a hands free photo. I would recommend this for any photogragher.
I bought this little gadget months ago and haven't had the chance to use it until now. Well, I guess I didn't USE it, as it does not fit my 50D. This bit of information would have been useful in the begining. Lesson learned.
I got this longer one and it works great you can do just about wht you want to with it
Son is a professional photographer and uses it often for his photography, he says it is a necessary tool. I
I use this when shooting at night, low shutter speed, blub and astrophotography. This remote works great, without it, I wouldn't have my awesome Lightning pictures and star trails. I highly recommend it
works really well when taking photos with out moving your camera!!! i would recommend this product to any body. thanks
This is the replacement for the old 35mm's mechanical cable release. I put my Canon 60D on a tripod, use this, and get supremely sharp pictures. It's also small enough to slip in my pocket; if I can find a place to prop my camera, this allows me to take ultra-sharp images without working at warp speed to re-position my camera after setting the time release. Coupled with the 60D's twisty-bendy LCD screen, I can often dispense with a tripod on dry days when I'm tramping around doing hand-held. This is a needed accessory; get one.
I havent really used this yet i tested it here in my office on my rebel XS it seemed to work really well. I was presently surprised at how compact this unit is, i am really looking forward to using it
This is a great product. I have had no problems with it. Shipping was quick and efficient. Easy to use. I would recommend this to a friend.
I don't know because I never opened one!You don't need one!  You find the place where you plug in the remote (it's above the USB connection under the rubber door) and plug it in.  If you press down on the button, it trips the shutter.  If you press down and slide the button forward it works in bulb mode, holding the shutter open.This is ALL that it does.  It has no timing function, etc., and the cable is too short for you to say, do a good self portrait (better off using the timer or getting the wireless remote control if your camera will accept one - mine does, but I bought this to do close-up and night-time photography and wasn't concerned about taking pictures from in front yet).It does what it says and is simple to operate.  I have no complaints.
Not too mush to say. Click the button and it takes a picture based on your timing delays. Great for astral-photography so you don't shake the camera when hitting the shutter.
I bought this for my Canon Rebel XS so I could do remotely shooting. This plugs right into the same area of the camera where you could plug the cord that uploads the pictures. I bought an extension to this as this cord alone is pretty short. So unless you plan on standing directly next to the camera to take the picture, I suggest buying a long cord to add to it as an extension.
This is an electronic cable release, nothing more, nothing less.  It works easily and flawlessly, but then again, if it didn't, I would switch my allegiance to Nikon.
Highly recommended.  Needless to say more, just buy it if you do need it. Amazon.com is awesome. If you find out that it's not what you need, you can return it.
It is great!!! I think wireless would be better .. but this does the job!!
Great little accessory, but a tad expensive for what you get. The remote has a super fast response rate, and the running lock takes excellent fast frame by frame images. It is very light and small, and a great accessory for any photographer. Mostly going to use it for tripod still shots, for landscapes, or long exposure sunsets to get a super still shot. Very well made product. Auto focus responds to it, will not take a image without adjustment. Just needs to be a tad less money. Maybe 15 dollars, not 26!
Anyone that is into landscape photography this is a must have. Has a nice length to the cord and seems to be very well made. If you need something for long exposures this is your product. Canon quality and that says it all. You won't be disappointed.
The remote is working fine on my Canon SX50, and I know some folks need a long cord to the camera, but for my use, it's always in the way or tangled in the tripod or camera strap: Larry
Great product. The remote works just as the shutter button does for excellent use with a tripod when you want to avoid camera shake. The remote is light yet well made.
Was looking for a remote switch for my Canon T3.  This is what you would expect, works fine.  Price was good.  Only complaint is that I wish the cord was just a little longer.  However, reading the specifications prior to buying I knew it was going to be shorter.
I originally bought this remote switch because I love to do macro photography. It makes things so much easier because I can zoom in very close to my subject and not have to worry about camera shake. It works just as well with my telephoto lens.
If you use a tripod, you need a shutter release cable.This isn't a "gee wiz" device... but it does what it is supposed to and it does it perfectly.Contrary to most reviewers, I find the length just fine.  You can easily plug an extension in to get more reach when you need it, and you don't have a bunch of extra cable flopping around and getting in the way when you don't.
I would give this 5 but it does stick now and then. Allows me to use Bulb and photograph fireworks and all sorts. Brilliant piece of kit.
Using photoshop, and being a big fan of bulb exposures the RS60 E3 is a must have accesory.  You can use it just as you would the shutter button on the Digital rebel, as well as lock the shutter open, which is very good for painting with a small flashlight, etc.My only qualm with the switch is the shortness of the cord, but if you're trying to take a self portrait with the remote, then you need to get the Infrared remote.  The two of those combined makes for a perfect pair of tools for any remote picture taking needs.
This cabled switch works great for having the camera still on the tripod. Ideal for long exposures. Sometimes the product is simple and so the review is simple, yet, Amazon requires more words...
Si tomamos en cuenta lo sencillo del accesorio y el precio de venta no podemos esperar otra cosa que un perfecto funcionamiento y una buena calidad de dise&ntilde;o y construcci&oacute;n.Dispara la c&aacute;mara en cualquier situaci&oacute;n y en cualquier programaci&oacute;n que estemos utilizando (lo &uacute;nico que no prob&eacute; fue su capacidad para activar el autofoco pero en la web mucha gente asegura que lo hace perfectamente) y puede mantener el disparador en  modo Bulb con un seguro que evita que mantengamos presionado el bot&oacute;n del control.El cable permite disparar aproximadamente a 60cm de distancia de la c&aacute;mara.If we take in consideration the simplicity of the device and its relative high price, we can not expect nothing but high construction quality.It works in any camera mode, and activates the auto focus too, with two step button travel like camera shutter.The cord is approx. two feet long.
It is an essential part of my camera accessories and will use it when the camera in mounted on a tripod!
This switch is an excellent purchase and works as intended. Very good product for the price.  I would recommend it to all Canon camera users thisproduct would fit.
Works with my Canon Digital Rebel XT but the cable is really too short to be useful. Had to buy extension cable.
On time, very helpful.  It s what I was expecting in the product.  No problem at all.  I will buy again from this company
I was constantly having trouble with blurry photos when using my 70-300m zoom lens, even with using a tripod.  So I scoured the internet for tips on how to remedy this problem, and came across many articles recommending using a remote switch because the camera would still shake a little from the pressure of pushing down on the shutter button on your camera.  I am getting excellent results with my photos now using this switch.
Using the camera at significant zoom requires it be held very still..  Using the remote switch with the camera on a tripod improves my picture taking capability enormously..
Great little gadget for keeping the camera super steady and tripping it remotely. Like the other reviews say, the cord is a little short, but other than that it works great!
This unit works just as it is supposed to.  The only negative comment that I could think of is that there is a slide switch on it to keep the button down to continue shooting pictures without having to hold the button down with your finger.  It is very easy to accidently hit that slide and have it activate the continuous shooting mode.
its almost useless with how short the cord is! works fine but cord is soooo short. if it was longer i would give 5 stars
The quality is good, but the switch isn't in too good a position.  If the release were on the end,,,,, it would be easier to use.
I use this for tripod work. Especially when using my 1600mm telephoto lens on my XTi, where breathing almost can cause movement, its a MUST HAVE piece of equipment. It has not got a very long cord but I have found no problems with it and I am sure a couple of bucks worth of components from your local Radio Shack could make a longer extension cord if necessary.I also have the RC1 wireless remote for getting pics of me and the missus in photos together and it also is a handy bit of kit.
Just got a new T3i in time for July 4. First time using it for fireworks and the results were terrific. The remote was essential to the quality of the results.
The remote switch works as it should and gives you enough cord length to avoid moving the camera when you wish to use it.
Very nice little product that hooks directly into the side of my XSi. I really love the fact that if you press the shutter button and slide it forward, it keeps the shutter open until you move it back. (Of course you must be in bulb mode for this.) But I love doing firework photos so this will really come in handy, even with the tripod there is still a slight shake from the force of your hand pressing the shutter button, and this will eliminate that!
This remote does exactly what I would expect. No issues whatsoever. If you need a simple wired remote then this would be a good choice. I have however purcahsed another 3rd party wired remote which allows me to do Time Lapse photography and other creative photography as well as just as a simple remote so I use the other one much more frequently. It is a bit bulkier though due to the features but also much cheaper than the original Canon.
For just a minor piece of equipment, it works just as expected.  There really isn't anything that you can say about a basic switch.But.. hey.. it fulfills the job for which it was intended!
Everyone who would like to take clear photos needs some sort or remote. This one is a good starting point before you upgrade to the RF model.
What can I say that hasn't been said? It's a good remote switch for your Canon DSLR. The length of the cord is good. I rated it 4 stars because I seem to always need another 6 inches of cord. I primarily use this to take shots while the camera is mounted to a telescope. The button is fairly solid, for a completely plastic housing, and it slides forward to lock in place when you need a bulb shot. Buy one and take pictures of things that require you to not rock the mount.
The canon remote switch works as advertised.  It would be nice to have a longer cable.  Works on my 70D.
Product works EXACTLY as advertised - 100% reliable - actually more consistent than the cordless model.  Highly recommended!
I wanted a shutter release for my EOS Digital Rebel XT, and that's exactly what this product provides. I give it four stars instead of five because of the short cable on this device, which is not very useful or practical.However, I did take the advice of John Nolley II (January 11, 2006) and purchased a 16-Ft extension cable and adapters, which works perfectly.Here are the part numbers from Radio Shack:- Part# 42-2493: Audio Extension Cable (16-Ft, Shielded) - $12.99*- Part# 274-373: 1/8" to 3/32" adapter (for the end that plugs into camera) - $5.49- Part# 274-397: 3/32" to 1/8" adapter (for the end that remote plugs into) - $3.99*I think the 8-Ft cable was $7.99 (instead of the $12.99 for the 16-Ft one).All total (before tax) - $22.47, which is a bit more than the $10 cited by John, but still totally doable (and I did not bother comparison shopping). It brings my total (remote plus cables etc.) to about $50. Worth it? I think so, since, as far as I know, there is not an existing Canon shutter release with a longer cable. Others may disagree. So far, I am quite satisfied with this product.
Can't complain. It does what it's suppose to do. Only think I would complain about is the quality. Seems it's made of cheap plastic but being they are inexpensive. If you break it buy another one
This is the kind of accessory you're really glad you bought. It does what the manufacturer says it will and does it reliably without muss nor fuss. Yes the cord is short, but as I use it primarily to avoid camera shake and not for including myself in the picture, this isn't an issue. If I should need a longer cord, I'll follow the advice in other posts and head to radio shack, drop $5 and have one as long as I like.The button issue mentioned in other posts  (where the button slides into multi shot mode) is easily gotten used to. It happened to me a couple times but then I became accustomed to it.
This shutter release cable works great, does what it is suppose to do. I use it with my canon G10 and I have not had any problems at all.  I wish the cable was longer but what can you do.
It's a must have if you are taking macro shots. It helps you to take sharp pictures. I have been using since.
Arrived in good condition and as advertised.  It works great on my Canon EOS T1i, I may have to order the extension cord now.
Works as advertised.  Nice to be able to shoot on tripod with out disturbing the camera anyone who shoots and needs a stable camera should have one.  It allows you to press half way and get focus too.
I used this remote while shooting photo's of kids at our YMCA Santa Day, while on a tripod. It worked great and the photo's came out fantastic. It is now always in my bag when I need to use the tripod.
I thought it was a universal remote; however did not work with my Nikon camera; I ended up tossing it.
Works well, has two settings.  Press once for a regular photo, or press and lock for time lapse photos (with manual settings on the camera).  No problems to report.
This cord is not a remote control device as you might assume from its name. Rather, this is the same device that professionals would call a shutter release cable. It is meant to release the shutter button for long exposure shots to avoid shaking the camera when you touch it. You can also &quot;lock&quot; the shutter open for REALLY long shots (anything longer than 2 minutes). When you reach the desired exposure time, simply slide the button out of lock mode and the shutter will close.Unless you have four foot long arms and a fish-eye lens, you won't be able to use this cord to do self portraits. You will have to make do with the self timer. Unfortunately, according to my local rep, Canon does not make a more useful cordless remote that works with my Rebel 2000.
I'm sure everybody's review mentions this aspect, but the cord doesn't let you walk far enough away. I've used it for simple marketing-style shots, and I wish I could keep the remote in my hand while moving and adjusting product.Another side note: I have a T3i, so when I use the remote to focus, all it will do is focus on the middle of the screen. That's fine, if your subject is in the middle of your shot... but I found myself constantly moving the focus point, and standing next to the camera to take a photo. Having the aperture wide open made this very necessary.Other than that, this product does what it says: press lightly to focus, press firmly to snap a shot, hold and slide the button to keep the shutter open.
I am soo glad that i bought this item, i can take long exposures images like Lightnings, Fireworks, Streets, Stars, etc.Really recomend it.
The Canon remote switch RS60 E3 does what it's supposed to, you push the button and it trips the shutter.I wish the cord was longer. Also, it doesnt work when the plug is pushed in all the way. I found that I had to pull it back out a bit or it wouldnt connect.
I purchased a wireless remote shutter release for my Canon Rebel XSi camera and it did not work with the camera! Maybe it was a dead battery, or something? I don;t know. So I bought this wired remote release. It worked perfectly! I bought and extension cable to extend the release to about 12 feet of length. I bought this for a special project for my daughter's wedding. We set my camera in a separate room in at the reception and filled the room with old dance props from her 20+ days of dancing. Also some props from the groom! Once the camera was set on the tripod, various people used the props and took their own pictures!!! It was a big hit and over 250 pictures were taken that night! The remote shutter release really did its job! I also recently used it with that same camera to take pictures of the recent &#34;super moon&#34; and I got the best moon pictures that I have ever taken!!! This is the real deal, if you don't mind it being wired.
I'll start off by saying that this item IS compatible with the Rebel XTi (I've seen conflicting information floating around).I just recently purchased my XTi and noticed that even when using a tripod that my pictures would come out slightly blurred a lot of the time - I'm assuming this is from the vibration when pressing and releasing the shutter button. This made long-exposes such as night photography difficult for me and often left me disappointed with the results.Fortunately I found this great item! It plugs into the side of the camera by the USB connector and features basic controls (half click, full click, and the ability to click and lock the button).One of the first things you'll notice is the short cord - something almost every single review has mentioned but I really didn't think it would be THAT short - this is both a Pro and a Con.. A "Pro" because it doesnt leave lots of slack that can become tangled or drop loosely to the ground but also a "Con" because you still need to remain relatively close to the camera for this to function.. If you're dealing with Macro (up-close) photography with live animals it would be nice to set the camera up and sit 5-10 feet away and remotely trigger the camera without being close enough to scare them away. Another time a long cord would be nice would be for self-photography and to place a camera in a place which is otherwise not reasonable for you to get to (such as a high location, on a roof, in a tree, etc..)Apparently you can get a little "Do it yourself" with this item and splice a longer cable onto it if you feel the need. They also sell a wireless remote which is probably even better for these needs  but you have to keep a direct connection between the camera and the remote).Back to this remote switch though:By half-pressing the remote, the camera will autofocus (much as it does when half-pressing the shutter button on the actual camera) and fully pressing it will release the shutter and snap a picture.The part that becomes quite nice is the "Lock" function. This lets you lock the button down (done by full-clicking and sliding the button to the side) for as long as you want while the shutter remains open - this means you can lock it for 5 minutes for pinhole photography or night shots - something you would otherwise need to keep your finger on the shutter release button for (which will almost always cause some vibration/shaky pictures).You do this by setting the exposure time to "Bulb" mode (from what I can tell, its only available in [M] mode on the XTi).A very excellent remote switch that is more than worth the $20-30 selling price (just don't tell canon!) - If I could make one change it would be to have the camera use a replaceable cable so that you could easily unplug the 2 foot one and replace it with a 5 or 10 foot one since it appears to just be a standard audio cable.All-in-all, a must-buy which is also very affordable!
I purchased this to take tripod photos and it works like a charm.  Especially when taking portraits of kids, they don't even know it is coming!
Good buy, great price. A definite must to keep the camera still for those &#34;moon shots&#34; with a longer exposure :)
As i grow older I find it harder to hold my camera steady and even with image stabilization I can use a little help. This is the perfect solution.
I will start out by saying that I AM NOT a professional photographer. I am a sometimes-paid hobbiest. I do wedding and portrait photography as a supplement to my full time job.That being said, I got this remote switch for my secondary body, the Canon Rebel T2i. It fits and functions perfectly with the camera. I use it mainly for studio shots and long telephoto lens shots using a tripod of course. It does give you the ability to get more relaxed looking portraits from your subject, since you do not have your face pressed against the rear of your camera. You can have eye contact and judge the best moment for the shot.It also helps with Macro shooting (with a tripod), since that is another time when even minimal camera shake can blur a shot.All in all, I would say that for the price you cant go wrong. Every photographer, pro or amateur, should have one in their bag.
I like to put my camera on a tripod and use this item at the same time. It is much faster than delayed photos. I use this when I am taking pictures of hats that I crochet so I can zoom in and get at the details without blurring from my less than steady hand. It also comes in handy when pairing my T3i with the 55-250 lens zoomed all the way to 250mm.
This is not as bad as some accessories but still, $23.00 for plastic is bad.It does the job and works fine. Cord is too short for my liking - YMMV.
This is ideal for taking those time exposure shots which sometimes get a camera shake when operating the shutter normally
You don't need one! You find the place where you plug in the remote (it's above the USB connection under the rubber door) and plug it in. If you press down on the button, it trips the shutter. If you press down and slide the button forward it works in bulb mode, holding the shutter open.This is ALL that it does. It has no timing function, etc., and the cable is too short for you to say, do a good self portrait (better off using the timer or getting the wireless remote control if your camera will accept one - mine does, but I bought this to do close-up and night-time photography and wasn't concerned about taking pictures from in front yet).It does what it says and is simple to operate. I have no complaints.
I don't know how I ever did without this little item. Its indispensable for taking pictures with a tripod. It works easily and efficiently exactly as described
This was a lot smaller than I expected.  It's manufacturing is of high quality and you can feel that it's solid.  You can't go wrong with Canon products.  Totally worth the price over other off brand switches.  I love the switch that allows you to lock the shutter.  Highly recommend.
I have other remote switches that need batteries.  It always makes me nervous when the battery will run out.  But with this in my bag, I have a guaranteed to have a working remote switch.
It could be longer, works great for what I need it for normally but would enjoy a longer cable but that is cannons fault not this vendor. I have had no probs with this item.Bill
must be a good product but i asked for a remote switch for a canon 40d and this is what turned up and unfortunately it was not correct ! im now not in a position to return it as i don't have the invoice nor am i in te usa ! they should be more accurate with the products it matches !
This little gadget has several uses.It works on Canon Rebel and G series compacts like G 11. You can get steadier tripod pictures when you don't touch the camera when firing.Also if you can't see over a wall or a crowd you can stick the camera over the wall on a tripod or mono pod. Then take the picture with the cable. This works best with a tilt screen camera like the latest Rebel, g-11 or g-12. Or if you are narcissistic you can take pictures of yourself.You can also lock the shutter open and take long time exposures such as night photography. Obviously this device works hand in hand with a tripod
The more I use my Powershot G10 on tripods or try to do long exposures, the more I realize that when my finger presses down on the shutter, it slightly vibrates the camera and I get a slightly blurry exposure. Well, after untold numbers of photos and me scratching my head like an idiot, I decided to get a remote switch.The remote switch works fine as advertised for the Powershot G10 and works on the Rebel series digital SLRs as well (XT, XTi, etc). And this being a Canon accessory, you'd better believe you pay more than you should for the Canon brand. The cord isn't that long, but can easily be extended with a trip to Radio Shack and for $10 (Google "rs60-e3 extension".)
Had been trying to use the wireless remote, but often missed the shot I intended because I would have to click repeatedly to get it to work.  Also the wireless remote has to be placed at the very front of the camera within an inch or less of the camera's sensor which often caused me to scotch a shot by inadvertantly bumping the camera.  All those problems are solved with this remote.
Nothing wrong with the switch and functions, but for my purposes I needed one longer to get away from the wildlife. I knew it was short when I bought it so it met my expectations and I already knew how to extend it with adapters and an additional extension cord so I'm happy with it. Now I can hide ten feet away and snap pictures of birds, etc without leaving my blind or spooking the wildlife by setting up too close.
I looked at several other generic remotes, and chose this one simply because it was Cannon, it works Flawlessly and would recommend it for those that need the camera to remain perfectly still.  It was not that much more than a generic one either...  Note that I did not need it to take self portraits, the cord would be a bit short for that.
Simple, easy to use, functional, some people complain about the short cable, but guys, come on, we are talking about long exposure here, you will let this run for over 30secs and to infinity or as long as your battery will last, are you trying to walk around with this in your hand ? Your camera will be on a TRIPOD for crying out loud !!! prepare your settings, click the remote and walk away, you may want to set a timer on your cellphone in order to get back and click this again, but that's it !!! For every canon rebel series owner, this is a must have accessorie.
I purchased a wireless remote before this one from Best Buy, came home and played with it only to learn that you need to be in front of the cam for it to work; not the side or behind it but it must be pointed directly at the camera and this is HORRIBLE!!! Took it back the next day and ordered this one.  I could not be happier, also purchased the 12 foot 2.5mm extension cable and it allows me the ability to move around.
What can I say it's CANON. it works really well love the lock feature for long exposures. Worked awesome for my 4th of July fireworks. Met my expectations. Will be buying more.
Definitely a must-have accessory if you are doing long exposure or macro photographs.  I'm using mine with an EOS Rebel XTi and it works exactly like I expected.A half press sets focus/exposure and a full press releases the shutter.  Identical to the shutter button on the camera.  To hold the shutter open, you can continue holding the remote button down with your thumb, or you can slide the "lock" upwards and it will hold the button down for you.  Slide the lock down and it will release the button.  Ideal for use when the shutter is in "BULB" mode.For the price paid, it seems a little bit flimsy and fragile.  I wouldn't expect it to hold up under heavy duty use, but for my purposes, I expect it to last quite a while.  The half-press/full-press of the button is hard to "feel."  Unlike with the camera's button, you don't get a lot of feedback on when to stop pressing for a half-press.  Not a huge deal - the worst thing that would happen on a digital is a few extra shots on your memory card.If you need an external shutter release for your photography, don't hesitate on buying this Canon model.  If you see it for less than $10, buy two!
I needed a remote switch to control my t2i and this one has what i needed,  the bulb to hold the shutter open and shutter button is nice to use when taking those shots you don't want any vibration.
Have not used this yet, but I know that I will like it b/c it will work with my Canon Rebel Xsi camera.
It even has built-in cable management (ridges along the grip which the wire wraps onto, and a notch that the end of it can tuck into). Cute.
If you are shooting and a tripod and still struggling with camera shake, you should get one of these. Easy to attach, works just like the shutter button on the camera.
Works as advertised.  Price is fair.  Length of Cable is perfect for my uses.  Purchased from Adorama Camera who provides very fast delivery.
I've spent my month of May on investing equipment for my Digital Rebel XT.  I've ran into this product while searching for camera lenses and decided to buy one.  Overall, this is a great product for the price.  I use this Remote Switch for long exposures in BULB Mode when I'm taking Astrophotography.  This product has the option of releasing the camera shutter instantly or locking the camera shutter as long as you want.  The 2-foot cable is not bad since I don't really stay away from my camera very far.  Most if not all Digital Rebel XT photographers should have this item as it takes up very little room in your camera bag and it is one handy product.
It plugs in to the camera in a plug kind of manner. And it's switch acts just like a switch in a switch kind of manner. :o) It works perfectly fine.
I always use a remote when shooting on a tripod and sometimes when i'm not. I like to shoot evening and night shots. With a remote I get less vibration which is a killer for long exposures. This is my second remote (for a different camera). I've had the first one for about 3 years and have never had a problems of any kind with it.  You can pre-focus with this remote as the button goes half-way down just like your shutter, or you can push it all the way down if you are manual focused.  There is no risk of radio interference from other photographers with a wired remote.  The length of the cable is adequate for most all situations.  I keep the remote in a ziplock baggie in my camera case at all times.
Canon quality, works exactly as described... only complaint is the wire could be a little longer but a $2 extension cable also works just fine....
I broke my right arm two weeks before a vacation to Algeria and thought my photography would be be voided. Instead, my sis (who owns this exact make and model) suggested I buy this Canon remote switch. The shipping was very fast: I bought and got it within a week. I held my SLR with my left hand and the switch in my right hand. Trigger response is identical to the switch on the body of my Canon Eos Rebel Ti 2003 35mm film camera. Very fast on the half-point, instantaneous on the shutter release. There is no delay. The cord is just long enough for maneuverability without getting entangled in my neck strap. I even held my camera high over my head during the wedding to get some nice wide-angle shots and used the remote switch to get the shots. I held my camera in my lap and pointed it out the window to get some candid shots during cab and car rides. It is very discreet; no one knows you're pushing the shutter release when you're just holding the camera in your hand without a finger on the visible trigger. I truly enjoyed this switch and will continue to use it after my arm is healed. Excellent price point, high-quality plastic and secure plug into the camera body. My sis recommended this to me and I recommend it to you.
So far it works.  If it still does in a few years I'll be happy and I would recoomend it.
Works Just as described! Plug it in, and snapping pictures without all the shake, used for a canon t2i. Even has a hold button for continuous shooting.
I do mostly nighttime shooting so this thing is a necessity! I was using a wireless remote or the time delay function, but this is MUCH BETTER. You can depress half for focus and then shoot. Also, works wonderful in &#34;bulb mode&#34; for super long shutter situations which I tend to use often. Definitely a great buy!
This switch is just what I needed for long exposures and low light photographs using a tripod.  I like he fact that you can stand  behind the camera and take the photograph.  This easy and simple to use.
Very nice addition for telephoto photographs. I have a problem with movement when taking time exposed photos but this remote allows me to shoot without touching the camera once the camera is set up. Also this remote is plug and play strait out of the box.
A must have for night photography. It eliminates camera shake, allows bulb mode, and with only one big button it's easy to use even if you can't see what you're doing. Plug means you don't have to worry about extra batteries. Compact, sturdy and reasonably priced. A great accessory to add to your bag.
This is a very handy little tool for picture taking.  No more worries about camera shake or blurry pictures.  I would purchase this product again.
Works very well.  However, we wish the cord was longer so we could be farther away from the camera.  Also, not being able to hold the shutter open with the switch is disappointing.
If you take night picture or close up then mount the cannon camera on a tripod and attach this remote in the slot provided and you would get nice pictures without any shaking or blurr!!
After attending a local photography workshop, it was recommended to purchase a remote camera trigger. I was tempted to get the wireless trigger but decided on this as the price was better. I also didn't see the point in a wireless remote. Unless I'm in the scene, there is no reason to be worried about cables since if I'm using this remote, I'm using it while my camera is on a tripod and I'm not in the shot. This will allow you to get slightly sharper pictures by helping prevent camera shake.
The remote works great on the new Canon SX50 camera. In the past I would use the self time when taking photo's with the zoom on a tripod. The camera I am using has a 50X optical zoom, not having to touch the camera to take a photo eliminates any blurring you could get.
I love this when I remember to use it.  I like it better than the wireless remote as you can use it from behind.
I have been using this remote for lightning shots and have had good results.  The lock feature works perfect and the overall quality of this product is great.
Very handy (no pun intended) shutter release. Reliable and keeps camera steady for night shots.  Set your camera on a tripod and use shutter release for virtually vibration free shots
It's very useful, but could be much more useful if the cord was longer or Canon made an extension cord compatible with the EOS Rebel2000 model. Currently, this 2 ft. appliance is the only give a beginning photographer has to take a photo remotely. (Not to be confused with a remote control!)
Having bought my Canon DSLR about a year and a half ago, I had always planned on buying a remote switch, just never gotten around to it. I image alot of astro/star/nightime scenes. I finally bought the Canon RS60E3 and WOW, what a lifesaver! It works great. Press once for mirror lockup, and once again for shutter release. Couldn't be more simple. The added lock for bulb exposure is a real bonus. Couldn't be happier.
Great product from canon ..a must have for serious photographers.  Pricey but as advertised.
Theres nothing wrong with the function, but the problem is the condition of the product! This is the second time this happened to my orders, and all of them were sold by your 'our' very own Amazon. Note that I ordered BRAND NEW. The screws are not properly sit and they are in different kind, the wire are curled damaged to cut and bruised! I opened the remote itself and there is a big cut int the wire that connects to the metal trigger. The box are like being exhumed from the landfill. Too bad for your company or maybe just please strict supervise you staff, you are putting to shame the brand you are carrying, I respect Canon so please take care of their products! I do not want to return this product because you may re-sell this again your customer.
This remote shutter release works as designed. Cord length is good. Easy to store and carry. Has 2 functions. Immediate and bulb. Inexpensive accessory that should be in your bag along with the wireless remote so YOU can get in the picture without the need to use the timer.
A little pricey, it works as advertized. A must have if you are using a telephoto lens.
Fantastic product that works flawlessly.  Been using this for night photography and hasn't missed a beat.  Looks well made and should provide many years of use.
Can't say much else about it. other than it couldn't be any better unless it was free and maybe a longer cable.
still in the process of learning how to work this but so far so good. it is just a matter of reading up on how to increase the shutter time. the older film 35mm were easier to manipulate than the digitals so i have to practice more. i also bought a long cable to go with this. a fun accessory!
I have just recently started playing with Macro photography and even on a tripod I was experiencing some slight movement when pressing the shutter.  With the remote it eliminates movement that I was causing.  It works very well and is a nice accessory to have.
This is the one to have for a Canon DSLR.I've had a couple of &#34;less expensive&#34; ones that were not reliable in use.Pay a little more, and get something that works right.
If I have taken the trouble to bring along a tripod and then set it up, I do not want to risk jarring the camera just to trip the shutter button.  This remote switch accomplishes the task nicely; the limp connecting cord isolates the switch holder's unsteadiness from being transmitted to the camera itself as the exposure is made.
Great buy, product works really well. The control is ready to use on my 60D, just plug it in and that is it!
It works - and works well. I didn't expect much out of this other than the fact it has a shutter button on it... what I didn't realize when I purchased this is that it has a slider lock that can hold the button down for you!That's a bonus in my book. 5/5.
easy to connect, light weight, efficient. Very handy for taking night pictures and pictures using a tripod. Good cord length.
Good product but over priced. But, part of that is the Canon name. There are products like this that are equally as good, however.
I bought this after learning that my Rebel XS does not support wireless remotes.  This device works how it should, no muss and no fuss.  The cable length is a little short for anything but standing next to the camera so I purchased 2.5mm extension cables from an internet retailer.  R. Shack did not carry the cables I needed, neither online or in stores so after searching, I found PCH Cables online that sold 12 foot extension cords for under [...]
So the whole purpose of this is so you dont shake the camera..  But yet the cord is like maybe 1' 1/2 Long?  The slightest tug and you shake the camera..  would be great if the cord was just a couple more feet longer.
This remote switch is great for taking night shots, or for any situation where you have a tripod and need to prevent camera shake.  I own a Canon DSLR (theDigital Rebel XTi), and I got really tired of waiting for the timer to go off when taking night shots.  If you don't use the timer, when your finger  presses the shutter button you get some camera shake.  But with this switch, you can just connect it and then take shot after shot without waiting.  It's especially nice with auto-bracketing, since you're taking sets of 3 shots in a row so it's just click-click-click and you're done.  Waiting for the self-timer when auto-bracketing gets old really fast.A nice feature that you can see in the product image is the set of two little grooves that the cable clips into (one on the left up near the switch, and one on the right almost at the botton).  You can wrap the cable around the handle and clip it in place into one of the grooves for easy storage.I also like the shutter lock, which lets you hold the shutter open in 'bulb' mode.  You just depress the shutter button and then slide it forward and it's locked.  For exposures more than a minute when it's cold and dark, it's handy to be able to leave the switch alone and put your hands in your pockets so they don't freeze.For the do-it-yourself crowd, this switch is just a simple electrical switch with a 2.5mm jack.  You could make your own for a few dollars in parts, but I think the design of the Canon version is worth the money (especially the cable grooves).This is NOT for group portraits that include the photographer: the cable is too short for that.  If you want more than a foot or two of reach, you can extend it with a 2.5mm stereo audio cable, and then you could use it for shooting yourself.  But the self-timer is almost always better, if only because you won't have a switch in your hand in every photo.Overall, if you're using a tripod and especially if you're shooting at night, a useful, well-designed tool to have handy.
Really nothing to say, item works, only flaw is length of cord. Other than that no complaints. Used with Canon T2i. Recommended for lengthy Bulb shots.
Performs exactly as advertised.  Cable is a little short, but easy to extend with connectors from Radio Shack.  Worth the meager investment.
Well the first part of the title for this product is true $25 for this is a rip off.It is the size of a bic lighter and about a well made, for this it gets three stars max. I have not used it yet but even if it works $25 for this? I was forworned by other reviewers but I was to gun shy to make my own, their are many post on the www on how to do it your self and save some coin you can put towards one of their $1,500 len.So this is another one of those situations where canon rips you off.so it goes, you need a cable release if you use a tripod.PS chicks are never free.... ever
When I first purchased this cable release I expected it to last a year a the most. I've had it for 3 years now and it still functions as well as it did when I first got it. It has taken a 30 mile trip hanging out of my car (and consequently dragging against the pavement) and some how survived. There is room for improvement: a longer cable and a better wrapping mechanism would be greatly welcome. Overall, this cable release is well built and holds up very well.Note: if you are doing long exposures, make sure you use your camera's mirror lockup to minimize the vibrations caused by the mirror flipping up and invest in a sturdy tripod.
Remotes like this when used with a tripod make them a great pair. When using &#34;bulb mode&#34; on my Canon T3, the remote helps reduce camera shake that you get right when you press the shutter button on the camera.
Good product but will not connect with Canon 7d. Returning.The product description needs to state the compatible cameras for purchase
I just got this cable release last night for my EOS Rebel T2i. The first thing I did was open it up and plug it in. I only used it in the house but it seems to work very well. It also has a slide lock to lock the button for the bulb open. I like this because when it's cold at night and I'm shivering I don't have to worry about accidentally releasing pressure from the button. I'm looking forward to trying this out one night on stars or fireworks.
Works like a champ with my T3i.  Just plug it in and you're ready to go.  There were no issues whatsoever.
As others have pointed out, the name might be a little misleading on this item. It is what most would call a shutter release as opposed to a remote. Calling it a "Remote Switch" implies to some that it is wireless. But the picture and description clearly state it is corded, so you're basically just arguing semantics at that point. Even Canon calls it a remote switch, so take it up with them.In my mind, the major reason to buy this is to eliminate the very little but potentially noticeable shake your hand exerts on the camera when you take a long-exposure shot. Those who are complaining about not being able to take self-portraits or the other limitations of a 2ft. cord need to look at the existing wireless solutions; there are different tools for different needs. And I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of not having a few feet of slack cable hanging down from the a tripod that's top-heavy and holding ~$3,000 worth of equipment. I'd rather the cord be relatively short so anyone walking by doesn't accidentally snag it and pull down my whole setup. If you're shooting immediately behind the camera, the cord is long enough; my wife has even used it to keep her hands in her pockets during cold shoots, and it had slack enough for that.All that said, it does what it says it does: act as an extension of the shutter button while easily allowing you to make extra-long exposures. The build quality doesn't feel great, but I've dropped it several times and have it packed in the large pocket of our main camera bag that it shares with many other accessories, and it still works perfectly. I think part of it is that the device's electronics are very small and simple, so it's very light and feels cheap even though it might be pretty well constructed.Unless you're going to be far away from your camera while shooting or otherwise need the range, this will work perfectly and, unlike the wireless switches, does not require batteries that always seem to die at the worst times. I personally prefer wired connections where possible because, with all things considered, they are more reliable than wireless ones.A note: this does not work with the 40D/50D models. We got this for our Rebel XT and thought it might be usable with the 50D we recently bought, but no go. Understandable, but it would have been nice to not have to buy another one.Pros:- Reduces shake during long exposures- Allows photographer to keep hands in pockets during cold shoots- Wired, so doesn't depend on batteriesCons:- Overpriced- I would say cord length, but if you're looking for long range, you shouldn't even be looking at this item- Can't continue using it if you upgrade to anything higher than the 40D
I primarily use it when I am shooting long or in dim light to reduce camera shake. In addition, of course, I use it when the camera is on the tripod. If you have a T3i or other Canon with infrared, you may be able to buy a third part remote release without the cord attachment. If I want to be in the picture, I just use the self timer and don't miss the infrared.
Used this to take some amazing night photos in Yosemite recently.  Works perfectly, very easy and the price is right!
Just wish it had a longer cord. No complaints though, I read the description and got what I paid for.
I chose this remote switch because of the Canon brand and expectation of quality.  It works as intended and I'm happy with it.
Excellent remote.  I wanted one of these for my camera and saw that Amazon had this one.  Works well and easy to use.
I really don't know what to say about this except that when your camera is on a tripod you really need this to prevent shake when you press the shutter button.  I would have preferred wireless, but I'm not complaining.
These are great for tripod use and slow shutter speeds to prevent movement. Since it is a Canon product you know what you are getting.
If you do time lapse or want to hold the shutter open for several second to minutes you will need one of these remote switches. I light taking photos at night and exposure times are significantly longer that what the camera allows with normal settings. If your new to photography and buying this I assume you already have a tripod. Car hoods, grill tops and rocks work for a little while..How do I know?
It works as advertised. I use it for macro work. While it reduces camera jitter well, it's not an electronic remote.  It is a good buy for the money.
ive used this product about twice and dont really have any major complaints. my pictures came out great. i used it at a drag strip and needed it for taking pictures of the cars flying by at nighttime and i was able to capture them nicely due to no camera shake (using a tripod of course as well). the only thing i dont particularly like is that it goes into the lock position quite easily taking extra pictures that arent needed, and also the small hole for the wire to be inserted in for packing doesnt really hold it that well and the wire just kinda unravels, but i would recommend it to anyone who has a need for it.
It seemed to work well initially but recently when I reached for it, it had stopped functioning. It opened it up to see if there was a battery I could replace but found none.I wonder if there is a way to make it work. Other than that it appeared like a nice handy accompaniment to my camera bag.
*Short review: definitely worth owning (this and the wireless)Longer review: I own both this remote and the RC1 i think it is (the wireless remote for standing in front of the camera).  You can't really compare the two because I feel they should both be used for different occasions.  I found this remote really helpful for taking pictures of others, taking pictures when I don't want to risk any kind of camera shake, and when I want a really long exposure (i.e. shooting at night).  It has a hold option so you can press the shutter on the remote and lock it in place and walk away while the picture is taking, come back and unlock it to end the exposure.  Definitely happy with it, allows me to experiment with all sorts of exposure times.
After hiring a small child to hit the shutter button on my camera, I resorted to other methods with the sequestration budget issues quickly approaching. I had to get a cheaper solution, and since the imported workers were being deported left and right, I resorted to this gadget. It does what it says - it lets you remotely operate the shutter button - excellent!
It does the job, would be better if it was wireless, or at least if the cord was longer, but I like it, it works for me...
This is so easy to use.  I prefer the corded variety so I don't have to worry about obstacles interfering with the operation.  If I want to get into a group photo, I can always use the camera's time delay.I used this to capture photos of small (very fast) birds at a bird feeder.  The ability to take continuous pics was invaluable.
I use this for macro shooting, and it is easy to use and eliminates any camera movement caused by operating the shutter. Combine this with mirror lockup, and you get very sharp picures with no shake.
I love this remote. It's a must have if you are into taking long exposures, HDR shoots, lighting and etc. If the cord was any longer it would just get in the way and tangle up. Plus it's not hard to make it longer if you need it. You can always splice more wire into it. I considered going to the wireless one but after reading that the remote has to point to the IR sensor in front of the camera I opted out. I'm always the one taking pictures.
I bought this device for long shutter speed shots.  I love it!!  It is exactly what I thought it would be!!
This remote is awesome. Its does exactly what I needed it to do. Simple instructions great results, you want be disappointed. I would suggest this item to everyone.
Not exactly, but close. I was hoping the remote would also work with video, but it doesn't.  The cord is very short also. Works good for stills.
I purchased this remote switch for my Canon T4i. It operates just as I expect it to, and makes shooting pictures from a tripod much easier.  I received the item well in advance of the estimated delivery date.  I would not hesitate to do business with this company again.
The switch is easy to install on and remove from the camera. It functions well. It is well designed; the shape makes it easy to hold. The trigger button works smoothly. I especially like that it's designed for the cable to be wound around the body of the switch and cable stores into the notches to keep it wound. There's also a storage location for the plug. Good design.
If you are taking tripod shots, you've got to have this.  No sense using a tripod if you've got to press the shutter on the camera.  Since you are not using stabilization with a tripod, it doesn't make sense to press the camera shutter as this causes movement.  You want perfectly still - and this switch does that!
pro: cheap, simple operationcon: the slider is way to easy to activate.
this product does exactly what it says it does. it works great and has no issues. i do recommend buying an intervalometer instead for the same price and having more features.
This plug in remote for the Cannon EOS 60D is Awesome.  You can do rapid shutter shots or long exposed shots, it rocks.  This is a definate accessory that you must have for any digital camera.
Bad ordering to begin with on my part, but I ordered this only to find that comparable remotes were available at a fraction of the cost. This one didn't even have the features I was looking for and was way more expensive. I sent it back 'right out  of the box.'
When your worried about camera shake this switch does the job and works exactly like your shutter button the camera.  The locking position allows for long night exposures, suitable for light painting and simalr projects when a very long shutter speed is desired.  It's small and solidly built and does not take up much room in my camera bag.  What it is not is a remote control for your camera, it's short chord, for instance, will not allow you enough length to do &#34;selfies&#34; or group shots--but that's not what it's intended for.  What it is intended for is so that you can get a long exposure without introdcing any camera shake provided you lock down your tripod well enough and you don't jar it during the picture.
This is a great inexpensive alternative to the &#34;official&#34; Pentax remote. I use this with my K-5 all the time and it works like a charm. It's very sturdily built as well and should last me quite some time.
This handy device is great for taking pictures without touching your camera. Most lens these days have IS, but if you have lens without IS, I highly recommend this remote control (and a tripod).The cord is about 2 feet long and some might argue that it is too short, but I don't like being very far from my camera anyway.
This is an excellent switch to use when you cannot stand in front of the camera to use the wireless. It hooks up fast and works perfectly. I also purchased a 12' Stereo extension to place me inside when shooting.
Cannot get any easier than this.  Love it.  Works especially well for those extra slow shutters, and now I get to be in some of the pics too!!!
Easy to use. Useful for tripod shooting and long exposures. It is good paired with a wireless remote.Cable could be longer.
Trying to take macro photos using the button on the camera is damm hard.  That is why canon makes the remote switch.This makes it so much easier.
Great product, makes photographing kids a lot easier if you cannot stay behind the camera, allows you to move around more and keep their attention
The Canon RS-60E3 is all that Canon says it is....it is a simple one handed operation switch that can open the flash, focus, then release the shutter once, a multiple of times, or hold it open for bulb exposure.  Although the cord is not long enough to include the photographer in the picture, it was simple enough to make an "extension" that allows for very remote exposures.
I have a SX50HS Canon Camera. With its powerful zoom (50X optical) and (200X Digital) it gives you an excellent way to take pictures of distant objects. However, in some cases you will need more stabilization that the camera offers with its internal automatic features. In this case, you need this device.PROS;- Small size- Simple operationCONS:- Cord is shorter than would be desiredI recommend it.
Replaces the old cable release of yester-year. I only gave it 4 stars becauseit is rather expensive (to me) for such a simple item. But it works great,and you need one for any exposures done from a tripod - especially forportrature.
I hate to rate this too low, because I'm sure that the product is great for it's intended use.  However, I was looking for a remote control so that we could shoot a family photo in front of the Christmas tree.  I assumed that this would be the item, but when I received it I realized that I would need a ten-foot long arm to accomplish my task as the cable is very short ... only about a foot long or so.  My bad.  I then purchased the Wireless remote RC1 for Digital Rebel, (also from Amazon), and love it.  This one, however, is basically used for keeping the camera steady on a tripod so that you are not actually pressing a button on the camera.  Great for that purpose ... just a heads up to anyone looking for a way to take pictures with you in it ... this is not your item (unless you want a picture of you nostrils close up).  I'm keeping mine in case I ever need to do just that ... you never know.
Great remote trigger switch.  I bought for use with my Canon EOS 350d (in the US known as Rebel XT).  I have had no problems with it an use it very frequently.
I use this on a custom photo/video rig that is mostly Manfrotto parts (502 head, 509HLV pan handle, 294 Tripod)
This Remote is required for a Canon T3 DSLR.  This remote is an absolute requirement for Macro photography, it definitely improves the performance of Macro photography for people that drink Coffee or if you just have a case of the shakes.  The only reason I gave it a four (4) star rating was due to the short lanyard cord.  It appears that the folks at Canon ran out of wire.  It would be good if it was at least another foot or two longer.
The unit works great as advertised.  It compares very good with other remotes that I use. i highly recommend this product.
I love taking long exposures, and with this tool I have taken many great pictures from Polaris, fireworks, planets & stars, city night life, etc... It is simple to use. This can also, mostly by accident, be used to take multiple pictures at a time (speed shooting).
I recommend purchasing an extension 12 ft. cable to use with this switch. It can get you far enough away from the camera with the extension cable. Otherwise, you have to stand right next to the camera.
It's exactly what I ordered.  I liked the proce for a brand name item. I haven't used it as yet.
Would rate this five stars if cable was a longer needs an extension which can be purchased from RadioShack for about $10
Love this little remote shutter release switch.  The only thing I would want more is a little more footage.  I plan to buy an extender to go along with it.  This little gem is a must if you are doing Landscape, portrait or long exposure photography where photo sharpness is critical.  My night photography work improved tremendously by using a remote release.  The only other way around this is to use the 2 second timer to avoid camera shake (tripod of course) which slows you down.  However you may miss opportunities when you need that shutter open but the timer will not allow that.  This remote solves that problem.  Yes I am a beginner Hobbyist and I am discovering these little nuances that make a difference.
The remote shutter button greatly simplifies shooting tripod shots.  I've found that I can depend on Cannon products for quality and reliability.
This wired remote is one of the most useful item I've ever used. I frequently photograph night scenes at slow shutter speed. Camera is Canon EOS Rebel XSi attached with 55-250 mm telescope lens. This remote works exaxtly as standard shutter, such as half pressing to focus and mirror locking. To me, the wire length is perfect and I have no problem. One improvement I made on this unit myself is putting a fluorescent mark on the shutter button to help shooting in dark. I think the price is just right.
works well very good for macro photography  wish it was cheaper never the less does the job. can be used for night photography were you need steady hands and long exposures
I had a wireless remote and I wasn't happy with this.The wired remote is much reliable and is working as expected.no need for batteries.
Nice remote that works well. I use it all the time in my home studio. If you're getting a remote for your Canon camera you may as well get the original one.
Yes, you guys would be surprised to read that title. The case itself is a very nice product: beautifully designed, soft to touch, but I was very disappointed for my New S20. This product said it is for my S20 Powershot digital camera too.  The case is too big. My camera is moving freely inside which will scratch all over my brand new toy S20. Why the model S100 has its own leather soft case (PSC100), and it fits neatly with the S100, why not this model, the S20??? Why? Sony can you answer why?I have been browsing so many web sites, I have seen all of them do carry the S20 camera, but when I search for its case, they always recommend or post the PSC10 which I have right here in front of me, though it said: for Powershot S20, but Sony can't claim it's for S20, because it is so big for this S20. We need one that fits and holds tight the camera, but not big like I am wearing Michael Jordan Nike's shoe.
The case is perfectly sized - camera, one extra battery, two extra memory cards fit snugly inside.  Soft thin leather.  I liked it a great deal until it ripped off my belt when getting in the car, ruining the case for good.  If only it had a snap-on belt hook, it would have been perfect.
I saw another review stating that the camera slide all around in the case because it is too large.  It is true that the case has room inside, but if you slip a spare battery in the loop on the side and 2 spare compact flash cards in the back loops the camera fits snug.I like that this case is made of leather and not that other material.  Also clipping to the belt is very convienient.
When you put a battery and two CF cases in the included slots, the case is the perfect size for the S10/S20.  I think a zippered closure would be better to keep there from being any gaps when the case is closed, but otherwise I am happy.  Now I need to find a way to carry the manuals, cables, software, and charger along on trips!
I waited for several weeks to get his which may account for some of my emotional letdown.  Though the camera fits in nicely, the case wouldn't do much to protect the camera and you pull it out to use it, so in use its not much help at all.  I am still looking for something I can really use.  I do agree that Cannon could have included it with the camera considering how much you have to fork out for it.
... I was very happy with the quality and fit for my [price].  This case even features a Power Shot logo on the close flap (very smart looking).  It also lets the wrist strap extend and has a strong belt loop for carrying.  The best case for your expensive camera! Fast access and safe protection.
I bought this camera for my business.  I am an architect, and often have to rely on my photos for reference.  I had the DC50 (Kodak) for about four years.  I loved the convenience, and the ability to organize the photos on my computer.  Now, as the technologoy has improved, I turned to this DC3400 to replace my old digital camera.  I am also an ameture photographer, and have been disappointed with earlier camera print qualities and digital imaging products (i.e. Ofoto).  I have finally reached the perfect combination of equipment and software - this camera, the HP DeskJet 990Cse printer, Ulead Photo Explorer, and the Kodak Picture Paper.  I cannot tell a difference from a normal 4&quot;x6&quot; photo.
This is as short as it can be:THUMBS UP:- Turn On/Off in 3 sec (very good).- Turn On LCD in 1 sec, turn Off in a split second.- 2x Zoom is not bad at all (1.5 sec from W to T and vice versa)Equal to 38-76mm.- TV Out is really convenient for presentation. I used this whenI took almost 80 pics after a farewell party and everybody justloved it.- Tons of options to enhance your pics (add a border, exposureadjustment, white balance)- Internal memory that allows me to take 3 rapid shots. Betterthan nothing.- Battery is OK, not great though. I took around 120 pics withLCD + connect to TV for presentation and the battery stillalive (in a very critical condition).- With full battery, you can turn on LCD for a little more than10 mins.THUMBS DOWN:- Zoom is a little noisy.- LCD is more pixelate and has a slow refresh rate (around 15fps)- Software is really bad!!! Doesn't work with my comp (Celeron1.1Ghz, W2K, 768RAM). I used a CF reader.Summary:I don't have to read the manual to use it. Get an NIMH battery, and you are set to go. Very good if you can get it around $200.
I was hesitant about buying a digital camera thinking I'd end up being too confused and frustrated to use it, so I did a lot of research before I bought one.  Price, feature and picture quality-wise, Kodak was always in the top of the list.  I took the plunge and got this model and have not been disappointed.  For my purposes (web, e-mailing, some printing), the picture quality is excellent and the camera is easier to use than the SLR we have thanks to an easy to use/navigate menu built into the camera that explains all the features and settings.This package includes both serial and USB cables (with a serial port adapter just in case)and a TV video cable. The included software CD is full of utilities for both MAC and PC.  The only one you really need to install is the mounting software (to transfer the photos) unless you want to input a photo directly to your hard drive or create your own picture borders.The mounting software threw me a bit - I was expecting some fancy interface, but you basically just click through a couple of directories to get to your photos.  From there, you drag them to your application or double click to open them.  You delete them just as you would any files on your computer.  The other software features (formatting, controls etc...) are accessible by using the right mouse button.The only thing I had to get used to was that the power button does not slide &quot;on&quot; and stay put - you have to slide and hold it for a few seconds to turn the camera on or off.  And the photo button has 2 distinct positions - focusing (like when you lightly depress the button before shooting on a regular camera) and taking the picture.  I did a lot of focusing thinking I was taking pictures - you really have to press down on the button to take the picture.  These aren't faults - I'm just mentioning them in case you're like me - somewhat gadget impaired.
I bought this camera for my wife.  She is a technophobe... To my amazement, she has taken to this camera as if she had been using it for years.Being keen on doing my research, I found this camera to be rated number one EVERYWHERE I looked.  If you're looking for an easy to use camera that takes exceptional pictures (both on-sceen and in print), look no further - this is the one to get.  It works and looks just like a 35 millimeter camera, so anyone should have an easy time having fun with it.On of the greatest things about this camera is its picture quality.  For a 2 Megapixel camera it is superb and has tested to be better than some 3 Megapixel cameras.  One reservation my wife had was that she couldn't get photo quality prints with a digital camera (she loves to keep scrap books).  We tried Kodak's print@kodak service and were blown away!! The service allows you to upload your DC 280's digital pictures to Kodak's web site and they print and mail them to you.Nobody that we showed the pictures to could tell that they were not from a 35 mm camera - crisp, clear and bright.  Pictures at print@kodak are $.49 for a 5x7 print.  About $.09 more than regular 35 mm film at the neighborhood photo lab.  Think about it though - when you go to the lab with 35 mm film, you might get 4-5 &quot;good&quot; pictures in a role of 24 and discard the rest... The cost for those &quot;good&quot; 35 mm pictures is actually a lot more than you might think!  With a digital camera, you know what you're getting when you pay for the prints.Believe me when I say that you'll love everything about this camera.
I'm late writing the review for this camera which was a Christmas present, but it's only because I've been too busy taking pictures!  The camera is very easy to use with good prompts like we're used to seeing on our computers (giving you a second chance to change your mind before you delete a picture, for example). It is fairly lightweight and produces outstanding prints when set for the highest quality pictures (I use a Kodak Personal Picture Maker 200 printer).  Enlargements I've printed myself are every bit as good quality as enlargements I've had professionally made from 35MM negatives.  A friend borrowed the camera and took a lot of pictures at night at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and even those came out great.  We had a family wedding recently with a lot of long-lost out of town guests; the preview display on the back of the camera eliminated the anxiety of wondering if once-in-a-lifetime pictures were really going to turn out.  The DC 3400 was a good buy although Kodak does kind of cheap out by only supplying an 8M CompactFlash card with the camera; a 16M card would be more useful.
(...) The camera is very easy to use and takes very nice pics. It has nice options like Sepia mode(gives the photo a old fashion look like brown tone) and B&W; mode. I bought a 32mb memory card a few days later - the 8mb it came with will hold about 25 pics on middle resolution and with the 32mb card it will hold about 77 pics at the same resolution.I would say the only negative things about this camera are the ready-to-shoottime after turning it on is about 5 or 6 seconds mainly due to extending the lens out and it takes about the same time to store pics in the memory card after each shot- but then again how often do you need to take rapid fire shots anyway!Oh yeah one more thing is that I highly recommend buying an HP Photosmart printer - they have a memory card slot built in so you can bypass your computer if you want or you can download the pics into your computer that way also. (...)
This camera takes great pictures with all the auto features!  The color is brillant!  I got the EZ kit with my camera, so I got a battery charger and 4 rechargeable batteries --- these are wonderful!  These batteries last forever before they have to be recharged. I have taken at least 24 pics and then downloaded them to my computer, using a USB connector, and the batteries still have more use before they have to be charged.  I also have a 32mb compact flash card.  It is great also!  I have enjoyed taking pictures with this camera and feel it is a great buy for anyone wanting a digital camera.
I am actually very glad I have finally gone digital in the camera world. This camera has surprised me over and over with its excellent quality shots and capabilities.  I have used it for nighttime and low-light shots with great results.  For static shots and portability, this camera is wonderful.  With the USB adapter and the provided software, hooking it up to the computer was simple.  With a photo quality printer, I've already started cranking out pictures for distribution to friends and family.  I could go on about how happy and pleased I have been with the quality and facilities of my DC3400, but that would take too much space. There are a few downsides though.  As with any camera, film or digital, that does automatic focusing and exposure settings, there is a bit of a lag when you try to take a shot, so response time can be a little slow for those &quot;surprise&quot; shots.  The time between photos, several seconds at least, is sometimes a bit annoying.  Also, it does tend to eat alkaline batteries.  Rechargable batteries (NiMH) work very well, except of course for the classic rechargable problem of draining when not in use (left out for several days).  My advice is to get a few sets of rechargables and make sure they are all charged up before you head out each day. High points: easy to use, high-quality photos, hook-up with the computer was a breeze (usb), low-light capable. Low points: eats batteries, lag between pictures and when you want to take 'quick' shots, minor difference between viewfinder and actual picture (correctable by either experience or use of capture mode)
...this is a great camera for the beginner, someone new to digital cameras or an "average" user of cameras in general. even for a 2.1MP camera, it takes great shots. granted, i have nothing to compare it to! uploading photos is easy on winXP, but i couldn't do it on win98; i had to buy a flash card reader.PROS: affordable (now, anyway!), easy user interface, with a 64mb flashcard, you can take 103 high quality photos. 3X optical zoom is nice.CONS: heavy. image viewer is kinda hard to see; images are fuzzy. 2X digital zoom is useless. sucks batteries like crazy. get rechargables.
I have really enjoyed my Kodak DC3400, but it does have some &quot;issues&quot;.  After about two or three months of use the battery cover broke, and it does not close totally securely.  It does close, but one jolt, it pops open and out fall your batteries.  I have to be especially careful to hold my hand over it while taking photos.  It also makes the &quot;battery low&quot; icon pop up occasionally, which in the beginning cost me a lot of money in replacements.  My husband did temporarily fix it, but it still isn't perfect.  Anyway, that was the only physical drawback.  Another issue I have is the battery life.  I got smart and turned off the display while taking pictures, which significantly increases the battery life.  You can easily find a model that is just as easy to operate, but has a battery charger to accompany it.
This digital camera will blow you away!  I am so very impressed with the crisp picture quality that I will no longer go back to conventional film.  I would dare say that the picture quality sure beats most 35mm cameras.  I've been told by more than one person that my pictures are much clearer than those of others taken by other brandname digital cameras.The thinking that went into this camera, as well as its solid construction, is extraordinary.  It is so easy to use that you could literally take it out of the box, pop the batteries in, and immediately take it with you to the event you want to photograph.  At the price Amazon.com is offering this camera, you will not go wrong.
This camera is great. Awesome picture quality in 2 megapixel mode.  You will however need to upgrade to a 32mb compact flash at least to be happy with it.  This way you can take a ton of great pics without having to d/l them right away. I have a 64mb card and can get 108 top resolution pics on it at a shot and on one set of batteries.  With the 8 mb card it comes with, it only holds around 12 or so (top quality). It's also a great looking camera.
I bought this camera 5 months ago and am pretty satisfied with it. The pictures it takes is of very high quality and it compresses it to JPEG by default. There is also a million options you can tinker with the get the picture you want. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a 64+ Meg Compact Flash Card, NIMH Rechargable Batteries and Charger plus a Kodak Lens Cleaning Pen. You will definitely need all of it. My only gripe about this camera is that it is kinda heavy and also the lens cap keeps on falling off.
If I didn't I canot see why so many people like this camera. I have gone thru 8 BATTERIES, in 1.5 days and I haven't even used it that much at all. I figured that the batteries it came with were just cheap so I bought a pack of 8 AA ultra duracels and after about 10 minutes total use, the thing dies on me. And when it was working it kept asking me to format the card. I take 5 pictures and by the way, you have to wait like 10 seconds between shots (too long), so I take the 5 shots and then the light on the camera which tells you the reader is reading the card says it MUST format the card again. Now I lost my pics !! I am REALLY disliking this camera totally. I also own a AGFA 780C which I also purchased from AMAZON.COM and this thing works SOOOOO MUCH BETTER, just the picture quality is not nearly as good as the KODAK DC3400. Amazon.com get ready for incoming junk, it's being sent back to you.JohnPS: It just aggravates me so much, I waited over a week and half for this camera to get here and then I get these problems, if there problems. I really needed and wanted this thing for the holidays. I guess it's the AGFA or a roll of KODAK 800 Max film again.
I've had this camera almost a year now and have taken over 1,200 pictures with it.  The Quality of the pictures are fabulous.  Much better than comparibly price 'beginner' cameras.  The only  thing I don't like is the lense cap.  I'm afraid sooner or later it will come off in my pocket and the lense will get scratched.  Otherwise I love it.
I use my Kodak DC3400 in my profession. I am a pet photographer and my camera performs great indoors or outdoors - automatically. I can focus on my subject and not have to worry how the camera is set. Love it!!!
Above average camera. Overall, a good starter digital camera. The pictures are great, with color reproduction being its greatest strength. In addition, as many reviewers attest to, this camera is easy to set-up and use right out of the box. No problems with the software installation, although I quickly uninstalled the included Arcsoft PhotoImpression. Quirky interface and useability issues. The LCD is more than adequate, and unlike some reviewers, I actually had no issues with battery life. I got 40+ pics from the included alkalines and have been using rechargeables since then with well over 100 pics before recharge. Pretty much what I expected from a digital camera. The menu system is easy to navigate, but some settings that I use more often, such as resolution and compression, should have quick buttons on the camera to make switching back and forth easier.My biggest complaint is with the zoom. I knew what I was getting with the 2x zoom, and it has been a limitation at times. Wish it was a true 3x or greater mechanical zoom. In addition, the zoom settings are not variable like a true SLR. Also, as I get more used to the camera, I wish I had greater control over more manual settings.Thus my overall conclusion is that this is a good &quot;starter&quot; digital camera, although one could argue that $399 is a little pricey for your first digitial camera. What makes the price more justifiable to me was the quality of the highest resolution pictures. They are great, leaving only some camera features as limitations.Pros: Great color reproduction. High resolution pictures are excellent. Easy to set-up and use out of the box.Cons: Limited mechanical zoom (2x). Limited manual adjustments.
I got this as a Christmas gift and I really like it. It is great for the user that takes phots for fun.FEW THINGS I SUGGEST:Get a AC adapter. It uses batteries fast like every other digital camera. I bought the AC adapter for uploading my pics to my computer.Get a few rechargeable batteries. Charge a few extras to take with you.Get a bigger flash card if you are going to take it on vacation. That small card they give you fills up fast.
I'm just an amateur when it comes to photography.  All I really want is an easy-to-use point-and-shoot camera that I can take on vacations to snap shots of places I find interesting, to use around the house to take photos of valuables for insurance purposes, etc.  In other words, my expectations are pretty minimal.That said, I'm extremely happy with the Kodak DC3400.  This is my second Kodak digital (my first was a DC240), so obviously I'm pleased with the Kodak product line.After unpacking the DC3400, I spent about 10 minutes getting it set up, and proceeded to take a few pictures.  Another 10 minutes or so, and I had the photo software loaded on my laptop.  Connect the USB cable, and I was able to load the photos onto the laptop immediately.  The camera shows up as an icon, like a disk drive, which you can double-click to open and transfer the pictures to a folder on your hard drive -- piece of cake!The quality of the pictures is amazing.  I use the Ofoto service, and had some prints of some of my digital photos sent to my mother.  According to her, you could not tell the difference between the digital images and those taken with a 35mm film camera.  The colors were vivid, the images sharp -- just what you'd expect from the Kodak name.I'll agree with most everyone else and say that batteries might be the only downside to this camera.  It's definitely worth the investment to get the Kodak NiMh rechargables and the charger.  The ONLY time I use NiCads is when I'm my NiMh set is in the recharger, and I need to snap a few pictures.For the money, I don't think you can top this camera in terms of features, quality, and ease of use.
Hillside Strangler: RestrangledDon't let the 2MP fool you.  The Kodak DC3400 is not a low resolution camera.  You get the picture quality of a modern camera with the ease of use of something earlier.  Its like a modern digital in a big friendly robust frame.
I replaced my Olympus D-460 with this camera and so far, I am very happy with it.The two big problems I had with the Olympus were, white colors tended to look yellowish (a problem reported with many digital cameras).  This may have been fixed with a firmware update from Olympus, but I couldn't successfully contact their customer support.  This is NOT a problem with the Kodak.  Particularly, I have noticed that white skin tones indoors look correct and very crisp on this camera.The second problem I had with the Olympus was that pictures were consistently over-exposed whenever using the flash.  I have not had to try any custom settings to get the flash to work correctly with the Kodak.  None of my flash shots have been overexposed with this camera.Some people do not like the graphical interface with the Kodak.  I have to admit, I found it easy to navigate and understand.  I wish a few of the settings could be made directly without using the LCD, but this is not too big of an inconvenience.The Kodak also allows you to select custom options, such as black-and-white shots, sepia toned shots, and borders.  I just mention that because this is a fun feature that isn't mentioned in a lot of the reviews I've read here and on other sites.Also, the USB support is great.  Much better than waiting for a serial download.All in all, I think this is a very good, point-and-shoot digital.  Much better than my first digital camera.
The 3400 is a very solid 2 megapixel camera, but so too is the 280. Sowhy spend at least 25% more on the 3400? In terms of features, itoffers almost nothing to recommend it. The fact is a camera in thisquality range should not cost this much. If you want an all-around 2meg digital, check out the 280; if you want a more limited (but stillvery functional) digital camera for mostly internet apps, look at the3200 (1/2 the price). If you want 35mm quality, controls and feel,look at the 4800 (twice the price).
After working my way through a Kodak DC50 and then purchasing a DC215 Millennium, I've found another great camera in the Kodak Lineup!The camera is easy to use and great on batteries.  The USB connection works like a charm and allows you to be up and running in a matter of minutes.The color saturation is picture perfect, and the camera settings allow for beautiful 8&quot; x 10&quot; prints.  I print quite frequently on an older Hp 880c but the pictures are outstanding.  The only negatives are the placement of the viewfinder and corrections to the manual.  Sometimes your nose smudges the screen when you're looking through the viewfinder.  As for the manual, they mistakenly printed it to include a &quot;beep&quot; setting.  There is no such setting and Kodak assured me that they were printing new manuals to correct their oversight.All in all this is an awesome camera, that sets up in minutes and is a snap to use.  Go out and get one!
i have owned this camera for about 2 years and have taken thousands of photos with it. i take pics of everything, everywhere i go. pics of my 5 year old son and pics for work (we &quot;trim-out&quot; custom homes). i then download the pics, edit them, make photo groupings. email them to family. print them out and use them as scrapbook pages. i even have a &quot;custom options catalog&quot; to show customers and every photo was taken with this camera. i use the best setting, so i dont get many photos per disk, but i get great photos. and once i edit them with printmaster they still download in email within less than a minute-and that is with my standard 56K dialup connection. i have the 8MB card that came with the camera,plus a 32MB card that i carry for backup. it is so quick and easy that sometimes i take pics, download, edit, email, format the card and start over again in well under an hour. this is a great little easy to use, easy to carry camera that is Always with me!
After reading reviews posted below I deicded D490 to be my first digital camera.  I took advices to go out buy a Delkin reader-4 ..., 8 NiMh batteries..., a charger ..., one 32MB smart media card ..., Microsoft Picture it ... all at local Fry store.  The result is hundreds of great outdoor photos and few family movies over this thankgiving weekend.  Comparing to my other SLR Olympus camera baught at over ... used with a  scanner, this camera does comes out greater pictures on the computer screen, plus it's lots more efficient and convenient.  The ability to instantly view zoomed new shots surprises friends and kids too.  This is a great product at this price.
This is a great little camera. The pictures were execellent in the HQ and SHQ modes (1600x1200), the SQ mode (640x480) was okay for posting on the web. I have a 35mm Olympus XA2 which is almost the same size so I am comfortable with the D490Zoom. If you're the type of person who's in a rush all the time you might want to get a different camera as you do have to wait a few &quot;long seconds&quot; for the lens to come out or go back in when open/close the front sliding lens cover. It isn't a big deal for me. Also the flash doesn't present a problem to me and I like the fact that I can control if it is up or down. You do have to be careful when closing the sliding lens cover (but I haven't lost a lens cap yet either).The only negative I found was that the manual mentioned the 5 modes but didn't say how to get to SQ-HIGH and SHQ-TIFF. But there was a smaller quick-start booklet that tells you to hold on the up arrow for 2 seconds to get to the other two modes.I found the menus (one for picture-taking and one for pictrue-viewing) real easy to navigate thru and the icons made sense to me (kind of scary). I ordered the bare camera and not the extras.
I am having a lot of fun with this camera.  Takes great pictures, and I actually think the software supplied is pretty good for sorting and downloading the photos onto the computer--for actually tinkering with the photos, I use both Adope Photo Deluxe and Corel Photo-Paint. Couple of bugs with my unit explain the four stars:1) I cannot select all five resolutions--two intermediate settings are displayed, but the camera won't select them.  2)  The battery life indicator doesn't seem to work--it's displayed, but the Lithium batteries died without warning (after lots of use). The Movie feature is a fun gimmick.  So is the ability to plug directly into a T.V. to view the photos as a slide show. The camera is small, which makes it easy to take along.  Fits in a jacket pocket.  I like the lens cover, and the unit seems sturdy. I am looking forward to getting the USB reader in the mail.  Downloads with the serial port take too long. I bought this as my first digital camera.  I wanted the zoom, and I wanted a convenient size and 2 megapixels.  There were a few models that met these criteria, and the zoom on this Olympus (as well as the video feature) sold me on this one.  I am hoping that the two minor bugs described above are easily resolved.
I bought my Olympus D490Zoom a few moths ago to replace my broken D220L (a point and shoot olympus digital camera) and it blew me away! Finally I was able to zoom in on things with optical zoom and get a bit closer with the digital zoom. Picture quality is excellent. The fact that it has a serial port adapter rather than the USB is a big plus, since not all of us have USB. My only complaint is the camedia software that came with it. maybe it acts a bit different on the PC, but on the mac its a bit slow and not as good as the software that came with my previous camera. Also it didn't come with rechargable batteries and a recharger like my other one did (which wasn't a big issue) and it came with one 8MB card with no sort of case. The camera itself is one of the best cameras, film or digital that I have put my hands on.
After much research &amp; returning a Canon model (too confusing to use) I decided on this one based on a review in PC magazine! This is a great camera, easy to use &amp; download pictures. Flipping thru modes is a breeze, not complicated at all. I enjoy action photography and this freezes people in motion. This camera literally froze snow flakes in the air! I have a  Canon 35MM that takes 5 frames per second and it has never caught snow flakes in mid air! The D-490 is great on batteries, even tho I use the display all the time. Very efficient. I've used this camera quite a bit in the past month and have yet to replace the two batteries (Olympus Camedia CR-V3). Even tho is is not USB, I had no trouble downloading the pictures to my computer with the D-SUB 9 pin connector. I'd read that it can take forever if you don't have the USB interface, but with a pentium II, 500mhz, 32ram... I had no problem getting my pictures loaded in about a minute or two. I'm still getting the USB card reader, since is supposed to load faster! The print quality with the software that came with the camera is incredible. This camera will never compete with  $1,000. 35MM setup for resolution, but for what I use it for, it is a five star value at Amazon's price! This camera will pay for itself in about 6 months with the savings on film and developing! My next purchase is the printer that Olympus makes for digital cameras. I had fun with the quicktime movie mode, even without sound, it's a fun extra. The LCD display is easy to read, altho on a sharp angle, is harder to see. Great for taking those candid shots... no one realizes you are using the camera!The only negative thing I can say about it is the way it turns on &amp; off. You have to be careful how you close the cover, because if it hits the extended lens, it won't close altho you can hear the motor trying to. Cannot be too good for the motor.
This is a really nice camera, as you've seen from the other reviews.  Get a USB port, the serial port is a pain.  You need steady hands or a tripod.  THe most important thing is to be careful with power off.  In another review somoene mentioned that it willwear out the gears in the game, when brining the lens in.  The trick is to hit the lens with cover, then bring it back out just so it's not touching it anymore.  Gotta be quick.  You'll get used to it, and the camera will last much longer.
I am an avid amateur photographer and bicyclist. After many years using an Olympus OM-1 SLR, I wanted a light camera to put in my backpack and I wanted freedom from processing of film. My only hesitation was the loss of lens interchangability that was a feature of the SLR.Now, after a year of constant use, I am sorry I didn't make the move to this digital camera earlier. It has been riding with me daily and is always ready to pop out and shoot. The case is getting a little scratched but I've taken care to protect the LCD viewing surface, though I find the optical viewfinder is fine for almost all my photos, with the exception of close up shots (macros).I've dropped the camera a foot onto a carpeted floor with no ill effects. Very occasionally it will refuse to operate but I've found the difficulty is with either weak batteries or poor battery contact, both of which are easily remedied. The lithium cells supplied seem to work forever but are not rechargeable. Alkaline batteries will not work in chilly (less than 50 degree) temperatures. The best batteries I've found for price vs. performance are nickel metal hydride rechargeables. The camera uses lots of current, so if you take many shots in a short time, especially if the flash and LCD screen are used, the batteries will become warm.As a long time 35mm film user I was concerned about color quality and sharpness. No need to worry. Picture quality is outstanding and excellent 8x10 prints are easily obtained with the standard "HQ" setting that has some compression and allows 16 shots with a 8MB memory card. This setting also produces excellent photos for PC wallpaper when reduced from the 1600x1200 native size to 1024x768 for PC's. The Camedia software that comes with the camera is adequate but if you do lots of photo work I'd recommend a graphics program for ease of picture manipulation and titling. Light sensitivity is amazing and nighttime shots without flash (tripod required) produce excellent results when the sensitivity is set to ISO 400. The flip up flash is great because you can be sure the flash will not go off simply by leaving it folded down. Sunrise/sunset shots come out very well on full automatic. The ability to use "spot" light metering will turn a dark subject against a light background into a very nice picture and fill flash is always available to help. Auto white balance makes adjusting for inside or outside light a memory. For almost all situations this camera really is point and shoot and I've caught many scenes that would have left me fumbling with my old manual SLR and lenses. I couldn't be more pleased with the D490. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made.
After using this camera for the last few weeks I found that it has exceeded my expectations.  The camera has enough nice features to make it a pleasure to use without overwhelming the user with too much configurability.The two things I like about the camera the most are the ability to take rapid sequence pictures and the quality of the flash.  The rapid sequence capability allows you to take actions shots (like kids playing soccer) without the standard 2-3 second delay.  The camera has an onboard cache that allows HQ quality pictures to be taken at a sub-second rate. The flash is adequate at illuminating an entire room with enough light to capture a quality picture.Accessories that I have found useful are 2 sets of rechargable batteries, Viking USB reader for the flash card and another flash card.
I've only had the camera for about a week but so far I love it. Ihave used the Nikon coolpix 950 and the Olympus d360l at work but this one has been the easiest to use.  I decided to get the 490 over the 460 because of the higher quality pictures. But if quantity is your game you can lower the quality to be more like the 460. I spent about 30 minutes reading the manual and was able to figure out how to use all the features on the camera. It is very user friendly.  In fact the first time I hooked it up to my computer it corrected the clock to my computer's clock. I don't understand why Olympus did not use the USB, but apparently they are compensating this by giving a free usb reader rebate.  I don't mind having to open the flash because the camera lets you know when it's not open.  The lens slide is a little cumbersome but it does protect the lens very well.  So far I haven't had a problem with with this camera.  If you look around you can find the Olympus 64mb smartmedia for $ (I found several places).  That's only $ more than other memory cards and you get the panoramic shots.
I am an absolutely electronically disadvantaged so was on the lookout for a great camera that was easy to use, and didn't cost an arm and a leg. This camera met both criteria quite easily and takes phenomenal photos. On my personal website Italian Food Forever, I like to put photos online with each of my recipes, and the photos I take with this camera have gotten many compliments. Although I still haven't investigated all the various options available with this camera, I found I was able to use it and take exceptional photos after a brief run through of the manual. If you are looking for a great camera at a reasonable price, that doesn't take a physic's degree to operate, I would suggest looking into buying this one.
I bought my camera new in March of 2001.  I have used the camera without problem for a long time , &quot;BUT&quot; (see below).  Note to those having problems with battery life - stop using the screen and just use the optical viewfinder except for really close up shots.  That's what eats the batteries.  I have gotten 250+ shots (more than one 128MB card's worth of pictures at high res) on a single recharge of my NiMH recharagable batteries.  Maybe 50% of the time with flash.  But avoiding the use of the screen at all costs!  Oh, I also really like the fact that the flash is manual;  newer versions are completely automatic, and I don't like that at all.Now the &quot;BUT&quot;: like several other folk, my camera just stopped working after 2 years of faithful service.  I was debating sending it in, but my brother-in-law and I played with the battery compartment a little and, by holding the door partly open (but all batteries in contact) it would work.  Looks like age and plastics and tenuous connections, since, having taking it apart and prodded gently at some of the connectors, it now sometimes works.  I suspect the flex of the plastic body is too much over time.  The method of turning on the camera is just too mechanical.Since the price of &quot;official&quot; repair is a large percentage the price of a new camera, I won't go that route.  But I will open it up again and look more closely with a loop to see if there are any obvious solder cracks or other loose connections.  Hey, it's long out of warrantee.  Anyone with more experience with this problem (all three of you) holler.The very high cost of repair and lack of DIY information on the Olympus site are why I give my otherwise awesome little camera just two stars.
Pros: Easy to use.  You can whip it out, pop it open, and shoot, all with one hand.  Compact.  Nice user manual.  Nice pictures!  I have been pleased with the quality.  Works great with the NiMh rechargeable batteries, which I would highly recommend.  Uses smart media, which is convenient, and pretty cool.  Some other nifty features: red eye reduction flash, rapid fire sequence shooting, makes small videos at 15 frames per second, video output jack, comes with decent software.Cons: Only two resolutions to choose from: 1600x1200 and 640x480.  An intermediate resolution would have been nice (of course, you can resize the images on your computer).  User interface is okay but could be better (sometimes confusing - you get different menus when the camera is open vs. when it is closed, and the menus aren't that intuitive).  I needed an hour with the manual, and I'm not all that stupid.  No USB connection, and the serial cable is really REALLY slow (but there are alternatives, like the USB reader and the Flash Path adapter).Conclusion: This is an excellent mid-level digicam.  Not a good choice for a serious photographer, but great for someone like me who likes to snap pictures of friends and places.  I would have given it 3.5 stars instead of 3 if I could have.
I guess the title says it all. After going through lots of reviews, spending endless nights at the comparometer at the.. website.. poring over the differences in the camera images I finally got fed up. Since my Olympus film camera has been serving me wonderfully well, I on a hunch decided to go for the D 490 Zoom though the Kodak Dc 4800 was on my list right till the moment I clicked the submit button.And I am really glad that I bought this camera. Extremely intuitive interface, very very easy to setup, handles like a film camera and excellent 2.11 megapixel images at an extremely affordable price. This camera is ideal for almost everyone except perhaps professionals wanting to shoot NASCAR races.  The indoor photographs are very detailed, with brilliant colors. Flash works extremely well. Outdooe photographs are equally brilliant. You can change the settings to make the camera behave like ISO 100 , 200 or 400.My roomie has a Kodak Dc 280 and we have been using that camera for about six months now. And D490 beats..[around]..that camera. You have to give this to Olympus that these people do not spend a lot of money on advertising etc. but when it comes to optics they know there stuff and do not cut corners.I clicked a lot of photographs in high quality mode (1600 * 1200 around 350 K for a jpeg image) and low quality (640 * 480 around 60 K for a jpeg image) and image quality was very good in both the cases.You might want to go for D460 if you are a bit tight on budget but if you are willing to shell out [the] bucks or so then D 490 is the way to go really.Pros: 1. Brilliant Pictures (that is what is paramount in any camera) 2. Very intuitive interface. 3. Light weight and quite portable. 4. Brilliant Flash 5. Motion picture capability for 2 minutesCons: 1. Serial transfer to computer. Slow. Though Olympus was offering free USB reader by mail until recently and for which I qualified. 2. Camedia software no great shakes. 3. No battery charger or AC Adapeter supplied with the camera. 4. Only 8 MB memory card.
I've been waiting to buy a digital camera for about 2 years but I never considered the resolution good enough to leave my standardd film camera aside. With the 2.1 megapixel generation, I started to consider that idea. The first item that I started looking for was a company that already in the photo business (like Kodak, Olympus, Nikon and etc). After that, I wanted a camera that had the look of a standard camera and was as easy to use as a film camera. I'm not a professional user, then I needed a point-and-shoot camera. After a loooooooooooong research, I got this EXCELENT product. The quality is amazing! As good as a normal camera. Besides the features of recording short quicktime movies and panoramic photos (and it's fairly easy! I got it right at once!). If you can complain about this camera you can complain about two things: the Flash is not really automatic. You need to open it, it does not pop by itself. After open, then the camera uses if it's needed or not. Another point is the conection; it's a paralel connection and not USB. With the free Smarmedia reader that Olympus is offering, this problem is solved.If you're planning on buying a point-and-shoot camera that anybody can use without any trouble and that takes picture with GREAT quality, consider this camera.
I recently bought the D-490 Zoom camera (which is regular in terms of picture quality) and it stopped working after one month. The camera just got off and never came back on.  I tried Olympus support in internet and after a week got a message advising me to reset the camera but it didn't work. After some more days (a lot of them) I got the answer that my camera doesn't have a worldwide warranty and that I would have to pay for the repair (or ship to USA) since I live outside USA where  I bought the camera. This is the second Olympus defective product I bought in a year, the first was a Smartmedia memory card.In my opinion 2 defects with the same customer in a year is too much.  Although Olympus states having a world class service, it's far  from it in my opinion. I don't recommend Olympus digital picture products for anyone, specially if you live abroad.
Camera took great pictures!  Fell in love with it - until the day it froze up - Olympus suggested new batteries, resetting the camera, and nothing.  You will also have to invest in a USB Reader to expedite working with the pictures.Have sent it out for service, but noticed a lot of retailers no longer sell this model (hmmmmmmmmm).Will get this one back - but may invest in a new, other model camera soon.
I almost took a point off because this camera doesn't have a USB port, but  I found a SanDisk USB card reader locally for $40.  Amazon didn't sell this  reader at the time I write this.  The card reader is a necessity, a full  16MB card will take about 20 seconds to transfer with the reader, using the  serial port you can go have lunch or something while it downloads.  NiMH  batteries are also a necessity, for the price of a few lithium batteries  you can get 8 NiMH batteries and a charger, that way you can always have a  set charged up.Image quality is excellent.  I was looking at the C3030  and couldn't see spending that much for a few extra features and another  million pixels.  Unless you plan on printing out 8x10 prints the extra  resolution isn't needed, use the extra money on accessories.  Printing the  D490 HQ images at 3x5 inches they look as good as 35mm prints.  I have run  several tests shooting the same image using all the modes of the camera and  found the best mode to use is normal HQ, under certain conditions SHQ will  give you  better color reproduction and slightly sharper edges.  The  SHQ-TIFF mode images are huge and I have yet to see any difference between  it and SHQ mode, even in macro mode with a complex object the images look  the same.  As for the soft setting and the digital zoom, you are better off  taking a normal HQ image and using software on the computer to soften or  resize.The QuickTime movie feature is fun to play with, kinda like  having an old 8mm movie camera.  I like the fact that you have to raise the  flash manually, if you don't want to use the flash you know it's off when  it's down.  That's better than having to find a button and look at a  display to tell if you've turned it off.The size, price, and image  quality make this a great camera to have.
This is my first digital camera and I am very very happy with it.  Having the 3X optical zoom was a major factor in buying it, as most of the 2 MP competitors have lower optical zoom and rely more on the digital zoom.  (The digital zoom works well too but my understanding is that you don't gain any resolution on your subject, only size.)  Comparing to the other similar cameras, in retrospect it looks like Fuji and HP offer cameras with similar features at lower cost; but I cannot tell you whether they provide worse pictures or not.  This one (490Z) has many good flash, exposure and focus modes as well as an easy point and shoot default.  The QuickTime movie capability attracted me but in reality I have no use for it.  I suppose it would be good if you have a web site and want to put 10-second QuickTime movies of your cat up on it or something.  The camera is also a little bigger than I would prefer- it doesn't fit into my shirt pocket for example- I believe Fuji's comparable is smaller.  Again, I cannot vouch for Fuji's or HP's quality- Olympus might be worth the extra cost, I don't know.  Also, be aware that this camera does not include an AC adapter or a recharger or a USB reader....though they have a free USB reader offer by mail at the moment (January 2001).
I received the Olympus D-490 Zoom camera three days ago. Out of the box I was taking still and movie pictures within about ten minutes. Not only is the camera extremely easy to use, but the manual does a great job of explaining the features and functions with minimal confusion. The only exception here is that I didn't find information in the manual on how to switch to the SQ-HIGH and SHQ-TIFF modes. I later found out that to switch to the latter, the user must hold the &quot;up&quot; arrow for two seconds. I still haven't figured out how to access the SQ-HIGH.Quality wise, the D-490 Zoom takes crystal clear and colorful images, capturing details that my Olympus film camera couldn't possibly match. The zoom features allow the user to take close-up shots of subjects quite a distance away, while the macro feature allows true close-ups from as little as four or five inches away.My comments about specific features are:1. The built-in multi-mode flash does an excellent job of balancing degrees of light on and around the photo subject. 2. The red-eye and slow-synch features, combined with the 12-second timer resulted in a warm close-up self-portrait that makes it hard to believe no one was holding the camera! 3. The LCD screen is clear and true to actual color, giving the viewer a good idea of what the actual image will look like. 4. The clarity of the images that I downloaded were extremely clean, even at the mid-setting (HQ and SHQ).The only real downside I found to the Olympus D-490 Zoom is that downloading images to the computer using the serial cable is VERY slow. I had read and heard this, but until I downloaded the images myself, I hadn't realized just how slow. Still, once the download was complete, the resulting images made up for the wait.The Olympus D-490 Zoom is overall a wonderful camera, far exceeding my expectations, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quality digital camera. I would suggest, however, purchasing at least a 32MB memory card, as well as the USB card reader. With the 32MB card, you shouldn't have to worry about running out of image space, and the USB card reader will allow you transfer/download images at about 1MB per second.
This is the best digital camera in the 2.1 megapixel class that I have seen! The pictures are crystal clear, and the camera itself is jam-packed with features. (The flash assembly doesn't feel flimsy to me at all.) The QuickTime movie mode is great for times when you want to capture a whole room, or a memorable moment that lasts for several seconds. The serial connection is not blazingly fast, but it isn't all that slow either; and it allows connection to older Macs and PCs without USB. There is also an offer for a free USB SmartMedia reader/writer if you have USB and want to take advantage of its speed. I had a problem with the serial connection at first, but Olympus's excellent online tech support service guided me straight to the problem (the HotSync software for my PalmPilot was using the COM port). I would highly recommend this camera for anybody wanting a simple yet powerful camera with lots of flexibility. This is my first digital camera, and I've loved it since the minute I got it.
I recently purchase this camera at 300 dollars and it's a really great camera and it's easy to use.  The picture quality is great and the zoom is great. This is my first digital camera and I think it's a great buy especially with the USB reader because the other cable the came with the camera is to slow.  It's also great that you can zoom in your photos after you've taken them.  I was going to by the elph canon 2.1 megapixel camera which cost around the same price but this was much cheaper and a great product.
Like others, I have absolutely loved my Olympus D-490 Zoom digital camera -- until now.  I have seen several reviews in this list reporting a sudden and unexpected electrical death of the camera.  I am now mourning just that same event.  Love ya, Olympus, but I fear I cannot now trust ya!
I purchased this camera two months ago and have taken approximately 400 pictures to date with it. The first digital camera I had was a Polaroid PDC 640. The reason I first looked at the Olympus D-490Z is it also used the same Smartmedia cards. Smartmedia cards are credit card thin, they are cheaper than compactflash, and I was already familiar with them. The main reason why I wanted a new digital camera was zoom capabilities which my former camera did not have.The highlights of this camera are: 2.1 Megapixel, autofocus 3X optical zoom, 2.5X digital zoom, 6 mode flash, Quicktime movie mode, it's compact size, color LCD TFT display, and Smartmedia compatibility. The lowest picture quality is 640 by 480 and the highest is 1024 by 768. There is also a panoramic picture mode. This feature assists you in stitching images together. But, if you want to utilize this mode you have to use Olympus brand Smartmedia cards.This is a menu driven camera with two discre!et menus. All camera options such as exposure, simulated film speed, resolution, and flash modes can be operated through these menus. These options also give this digital camera the feel of a filbm camera.The flash that is mounted on the body of the camera is slightly confusing to use. This is because you have to manually pop-up the flash before the camera can choose to use it when taking the picture. If you do not manually pop-up the flash, the camera cannot use it when photographing.What I found particularly unusual about this camera was that when using the zoom feature the lens moves inside of a housing. This means that you can mount an additional lens onto the outside of it. I have purchased an additional lens which allows me to do extreme close ups. The camera has a feature to do "macro" shots, but this lens allows me to get even closer and take pictures of matchbox cars, insects, and flowers.I was considering other cameras in the Olympus D-400 !series, however this was the only one with the ability to do Quicktime movies lasting up to 15 seconds in high quality mode. I didn't think I would use this feature because there is another mode that the camera has called sequential shooting. But, for some moving objects that I tried to capture with my camera, I was unsuccessful using sequential shooting. The length between captures is too large for fast moving objects. Using this "movie" mode makes it easier and quicker. The only negative about movie mode is that the flash does not work in this mode. This camera gives you the greatest ability to change parameters, but continues to be a fully automatic point and shoot camera.Since I have purchased this camera, Olympus has come out with a D-500 series camera, which has a higher digital zoom, but the camera itself appeared to be made of cheaper materials. I strongly suggest reviewing the manual that comes with this camera as you really can't operate the camera sucessful!ly without reading it. As for a suggestion for the other reviewers, I would recommend using some sort of adapter for transferring pictures to your computer. I use a 3 1/2" disc adapter that lets me avoid using the supplied software.
Really like this camera, takes great shots and has lots of features. The video looks great too for a still camera. Uploads to your computer are cruddy slow, hopefully the USB should speed it up whenever I get it, it's been 6 weeks. Definently get the NIMH batteries and charger although Alk. AA's work good in a pinch. Also the 32MB card is a good buy it will give you around 170 shots in .jpg mode but of course it will take you over 4 weeks to download them all. ha  I also bought the Tamrac 5694 Digital 4 - Digital/Photo Bag here on Amazon. Definently a good camera though.
I just bought my D490 so I can take pictures and send them to my parents and friends. This was definately money well spent. The camera is user friendly, just point &amp; shoot. It has a great zoom and it's very light. I love it and highly recommend it.
I've been reading everyone elses reviews and I am shocked.  I have had nothing but good experiences with my camera.  Yes, it does eat up the battery if you use the LCD screen but if you use good batteries like the energizer e squareds, it works great.  The software is fairly easy to use (contrary to what most say).  I have to agree with most though when they say the serial port is too slow.  I bought a smartmedia USB reader the same day and haven't had a problem since.  With the price being so low now a days with used cameras on the market, you might as well pick one up.  They work great.  I've never had a problem and I've had mine for over 2 years.  i am a very satisfied customer.
AOL is advertising two digital cameras.  One of them costs[more than] $200 and with barely any memory and 640x480 resolution!  They are also advertising another camera with 2mb space and 240x480 resolution!Now, if you are looking for a digital camera in order to create GOOD pictures, then I'll give you some pointers:1)It should have optical zoom2)It should come with AT LEAST 8mb of storage space3)Smartmedia is more convenient than compact flash4)Sony cameras that require memory sticks are NOT GOOD (they could easily change their memory format soon, and they are the only company with memory sticks)5)It should have about 1084x1280 resolution or more in order for it to come out good6)Always remember that you can always buy more memory for your camera, so don't worry about that too much (the memory does cost a lot, however)7)Go to activebuyersguide.com for their opinion (that's what I did)8)Most importantly, if you don't find anything better, GET THIS AWESOME CAMERA!Good Luck!
I bought the D-490 in December 2000 and am very impressed with the camera so far. I'm always amazed at the clearity and sharpness of the photos I take. When I print them out, they look like regular 35mm photos, as long as I don't blow them up too big. This is my first digital camera, and I love being able to email photos so easily to friends and family. They have told me how remarkably clear the photos I send them are. In fact, one friend was so impressed, he bought a D-490 too. Batteries last a long time in this camera which is nice, some cameras can really eat up the batteries, but this one suprises me. I must take like a hundred photos in between battery changes. The only down side to this camera is that sometimes the photos are a little dark, but this is easily remedied with some photo enhancing software. I may be able to change the exposure setting on the camera to lighten it up a bit, but haven't played with that yet. The downloading hardware that comes with the camera is way to slow, so just go buy a USB reader and you'll be set.
The Olympus D-490 offers a great camera to take wonderful digital photos.  If the intended purpose is digital display of the photos this is a wonderful camera.  The down side is you will have to provide your own rechargable batteries and get an external USB digital media reader.  These two additional items will help your enjoyment and use of the camera.
Unlike practically every point-and-shoot digital out today, this has a viewfinder. When taking photos outside, in sunlight, an LCD is essentially useless. Also, with the D490, I can turn off the LCD and conserve batteries. The D490 uses ordinary batteries that you can buy at any 7-11. The case closing to protect the lens in nice. The photos seem very sharp to me, even though this is only a 2.1 megapixel. The D490 seems to take photos with less delay than many of today's point-and-shoot digital cameras. On the down side, it's easy to forget to flip up the flash.
I upgraded from the Olympus D460Zoom to the D490Zoom. The D460 is a fine camera - I was generally very pleased with it. But having owned the  D460Zoom for six months, I found two major faults. First, the &quot;boot-up  time&quot; (how quickly after you turn the camera on that it is ready to  shoot) and the lack of &quot;burst&quot; shooting (the ability to take one  shot quickly after another). These two faults lead to frustration when  trying to take any type of action photos with the D460. You see the action  emerging, but the camera is still booting up; you take a shot, but the  action gets better and you want to take another but the D460 says &quot;not  yet&quot; because it is still writing the first photo to the media.  Infuriating.The D490 addresses each of these problems beautifully. Boot  up time is about 20% faster. Timing both of my cameras side-by-side, the  D490 is faster (1.1 seconds versus 1.3 seconds, in five trials using the  same 32Mb media cards). More important than boot up time is burst shooting.  The D490 has a RAM buffer that allows you to take about 1 shot per second  in the &quot;HQ&quot; mode (2.1 megapixels with JPEG compression). The D460  requires about 2.5 seconds between shoots in the same &quot;HQ&quot; mode  (but the resolution is 1.3 megapixels). Also nifty if you are using the TFT  screen to take shots, there is a &quot;gas gauge&quot; showing you how full  the memory buffer is as you are shooting.I simply can't express how  happy these faster response time made me, especially at this price. I was  so unhappy with the D460's sluggishness that I was about to buy the $900  Olympus C3030. Similar to the C3030, the D490 also can take QuickTime  movies (though much shorter ones). Another nice D490 feature is that you  can erase all photos off a card while the card is still in the camera,  instead of having to do the erasing on your computer (I often forget to  erase after downloading to the computer, put the media card back in and  find it still full when I want to take more pictures).While the D490  lacks the C3030's B&amp;W options it does have the two more important  features - the QuickTime movies and the burst shooting (both admittedly not  as good as the C3030, but likely good enough for most of us). Beyond the  $400 saving, the D490 still retains a much smaller footprint; it can easily  slip into a pants or shirt pocket.As for the enhancement from 1.3 to  2.1 megapixels (D460 vs D490), I can't really tell much difference. I took  two identical shots both &quot;HQ&quot; mode, printed them 4x6 on my  HP970Cxi; they look the same. Currently the D490 is about $100 more than  the D460. I would say the &quot;burst&quot; shooting alone is easily worth  the extra money. Go and get one! Shoot happy!
It takes great pictures for a small amount of money.  I'll never buy film again!
The Sony DCR-TRV11 is Sony's least expensive MiniDV camcorder. There are cheaper Digital 8 camcorders, but MiniDV allows you to hold more video and is more compact (although MiniDV tapes are somewhat more expensive).MiniDVMiniDV tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality - since the data is stored in the digital format. You should be careful with the tape loading mechanism though - it is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place.PICTUREThis MiniDV camcorder offers the resolution of up to 500 lines (other digital video sources like DVD players and DBS offer similar resolution), higher color bandwidth (Sony claims three times higher than VHS) and virtually no video noise.The picture is very sharp and clear. You have 10x optical/120x digital zoom, the camera also uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality, special coating reduces glare and increases contrast. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.The camcorder has an ADC (analog-digital converter) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format (for archiving purposes) or send it through the IEEE-1394 (i.Link) initerface to your computer or another device.SOUNDTRV11 uses the Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes. This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration. The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no "background" noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in analog world.CONTROL INTERFACESThere is an L (LANC) Editing Interface that provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller. TRV11 also has an I.Link Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers.The TRV11 also has the Super Laser Link Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. The transmitter is built-in, so you can buy a receiver and connect your camcorder wirelessly. The IFT-R20 IR receiver is optional.Memory StickYou can use the TRV11 as a digital still camera at 640x480 resolution (enough for emailing), the images are stored on a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. You can use the supplied PictureGear Lite 4.1 software to transfer images to your PC (using the supplied serial cable), edit and store/catalog them.FEATURESThe camcorder features a 680,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has 7 modes AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones.Manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool. You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch on the left side of the camcorder (by LCD), it also has a position for "infinity" focus.The camcorder has a 3.5&quot; 184,000-pixel LCD in addition to the color viewfinder. The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback. You can also shoot in total darkness with Sony's Super NightShot&trade;, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet.The Super SteadyShot system can be employed for image stabilization There is also a built-in speaker (you can control the volume) and camcorder comes with a remote control and an intelligent accessory shoe (which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that "zoom" with the camcorder).The camcorder has 8 picture effects (6 digital effects), 7 A/V fader modes, 16:9 and LP mode recording.The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The cool A/V fader modes I like include "dot" and "bounce". You can also manually adjust (if you want, otherwise it's automatic) shutter speed and exposure.VCRThe VCR mode allows you to see your material. When you switch to it, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes). In "camera" mode you can use "Edit Search" to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use "End Search" button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording.POWER SOURCEThe power source for the camcorder is an InfoLithium battery, which has large capacity and no &quot;memory effect&quot;, that "old" Ni-Cd batteries used to have. The best feature: you can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower&trade; meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder - this estimate is very accurate.The Stamina Power Management that power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use - you can shoot for up to 11.5 hours with an optional battery.The backlit LCD on the outer side of the 2.5" color LCD shows the remaining battery power in minutes while charging and tape counter when operating VCR.
This is a great camera and they've packed a lot into this tiny unit, but for Mac users, beware: the PictureLite software that comes with the camera is for Windows users only. Be prepared to plunk down another $60+ for an adaptor in order to access jpgs on the Sony memory stick in the camera. Don't bother looking on Sony's website for answers to why there is no Mac version existing or coming...the issue simply isn't addressed anywhere and related Belkin products that promise to transfer still images do not transfer jpgs; only still video frames.
I bought the Sony DCR-TRV11 specifically for an African Safari, and am extremely pleased with the performance.  I filmed through drenching rain, low-light conditions, over horribly bouncy roads, and the results are amazing.  It is easy to learn to use the basic functions (I only had it for a week before departure, and didn't have much time to practice filming), and the quality makes even the most novice film-maker look good.  Battery life is great (I took two with me and never ran out of power--even on days when the Safari Lodge generator failed and I couldn't recharge), and while the outside casing is a little worse for the wear, the camcorder performance is undiminished.
i bought this camera by mistake around 3 years ago, in NY city for 1300$ plus aditional battery, lents, etc.... While the first year, the camera show and exeptional preformance, latter i had some few problems, it all started with the Cassette Jaming and latter on the camera wont record due to some problem with the reading/recording mechanism... final solutions was 400$ best buy fix witch i compleatly refuse.... today this camera is worth 400$ on ebay...During my good experience, this camera travel around the world, not to metion Israel,the Desert, Las Vegas,Egipt,France,Caribean,etc... during travel time!! the behavior is great! even is a 120-240v included so no worrys...Effects and Editing is easy and very profetional, i have some awards won by this camera!,...but now is time to get a little pro with HD Cameras!!!
FYI...this camcorder comes with an i.link SERIAL cable. If you want to transfer your images to your iMac, you're going to have to go out and get an additional cable: either the Sony MSAC US1 or the US5. The US5 is actually a mouse that accepts the memory stick; the US1 is just a cable. Or so I'm told. I'm going out looking for mine tomorrow.
A little pricey but this camera is loaded with features.  You can send wireless video directly to your television or monitor using the laser link. Many other features make this a gadget persons dream come true.  An all around great camcorder.
This is a very good mid-entry Camcorder with the more than the standard features.  This extremely compact unit nails the basic necessities (LCD screen, LCD swivel, steady-shot, 2-nightshots, and excellent output options - IEEE, S-video, RCA).  You get all the Sony amenities of scroll-select dial and a slew of A/V rec/playback options.  Sony pushes the value-added package with the tight Carl Zeiss lens; the true optical zoom capabilities has something to be desired with the 1.7-3.3-33 ratio.  However, you can't complain too much with the 20x and 120x digital option that performs quite decently.  The color view finder can extend and pivot - quite a nice mechanical option while having the ability to save battery life or if you're doing fixed-position video taping.The digital photo on Memory Stick is a thing of beauty (transfer to tape and vice versa also an option). The TRV11's size is comparable to a digital camera.  This allows me to just carry the TRV11 around having the option of motion or still capture - forget the digital camera (as long as you've got good lighting).My only complaint is a Catch22 - the MV tapes can only be inserted from the bottom of the unit.  This creates a problem for tripod mounted shooting.  Sony organizes all this technology into such a small package - it's hard to complain.  4 stars for the standard Sony-pricing premium though.
I've had a Sony TRV-27 for about a year and a half now.  It a good general purpose miniDV camera; however, low-light performance is not its forte (even with a video light).  I shoot mostly home (family) video - much of it indoors and often after the sun goes down.  By most accounts, the VX-2000 has very good low light capabilities; however, I was on the fence for quite some time because of the size and weight of the unit (roughly twice the size and weight of my TRV-27).  After owning my VX-2000 for a couple of months now, I can only say I wish I'd bought one sooner.  Yes it is heavier and bulkier than the TRV-27 but I don't find it unmanageable.  As I generally try to keep video clips under 5 minutes, I have not had any problems.  If I plan to shoot anything longer, I generally use a tripod anyway (same goes for the TRV-27).  The picture quality is outstanding - even my wife who was VERY skeptical about this purchase was blown away when she saw some video taken indoors with very dim lighting.  For the record, the VX-2000 also takes great video outdoors and in good lighting conditions.  Overkill for home videos?  Maybe - but it's tough to put a price on precious family memories.  With the VX-2100 now available (which offers very, very little in the way of additional performance/capability), now might be the time to pickup a VX-2000 while you still can.  Highly recommended.
I have had the VX2000 for a couple of months now and I've shot countless hours of footage for a couple of low-to-no budget independent movies (and more in the making) and this camera is fantastic! It can be incredibly easy to use yet quite flexible if you need it to be.  No, it's not a palm-sized recorder that you'll be toting casually to family get-togethers and if that's really your only need for a camcorder, go with something smaller, lighter, and less expensive.  However, for those who want to play on the edge of prosumer recorders, this camera is a joy to have. Beyond picture quality there's also sound quality.  The VX2000 records STEREO sound unlike most lower end camcorders and I can't imagine using anything else now. For the down-side of things, yes, it is rather hefty though I find the extra weight actually helps with smoother motion and the battery that comes with it is completely inadequate for any lengthy shooting "in the field".  The optionally purchased bigger batteries do add to the weight but you won't run out of power in the middle of that important shot if you get the largest one.  (I can shoot all weekend and never drain a single one of those big babies and I have two in my kit.)  It doesn't come with a camera bag or case and you really need something to protect the investment.  (I purchased the hard body aluminum case made for the VX2000 and though it's big and bulky, my camera can breeze through on-location shots without fear of injury. Another investment that you will want to consider with this camera is a tripod but when selecting a tripod make sure you take the camera's weight in consideration. And if you want to play further, check out the Sony gun/zoom mike that works great with this camera, the optional hotshoe light for casual shooting, the lens filters, the....  Well, you get the idea.  Personally, I've played with one of the smaller, lighter consumer Sony camcorders and absolutely loved it but I wanted more beef, better quality recordings, and greater flexibility because of my involvement in independent movies.  Is this camera overkill for the average consumer?  Certainly!  Is it great?  You betcha'!  Do I regret investing serious bucks in the VX2000?  Heck no!  I would gladly recommend this camera TO everyone but not FOR everyone.  Judge what you really need and really want before purchasing a VX2000 because, for most people, it IS overkill and the purchase of the camera itself is just the first investment. You can easily double the price of the camera by the time you get done with a case, batteries, charger, filters, special mics, windscreen, camera cover, light, etc., etc.  Obviously many of the optional accessories you can do without but once you have the camera it will be that much harder to resist getting that really neat camera stabilizer or that LANC zoom/focus controller or....
Before buying this camera, think carefully about what you'll be using it for, and when.  I also recommend playing with one at a store, to feel its size and weight.  (Even if, like me, you'll ultimately buy it at Amazon.)I've owned the VX-2000 for over a year now, and I'm very happy with the results.  Arguably, the picture quality is better than the Canon XL-1 (and the vx2000 is significantly -- thankfully -- smaller), it's rugged and reliable, and it's somewhat portable.  I carry mine in a backpack that has a padded pocket designed for laptop computers.  It was the best solution as most smaller camera bags don't fit this beast.  Those that do aren't useful for toting other things as well.Anyway, I know a handful of other people with this camera.  Some of them are *filmmakers* and these people use their VX-2000's to document events that they'd later like to make movies of.  The filmmakers, as a whole, LOVE this camera.  I also have a friend who does casting for television ads.  Often, for his boss, he walks around with a VX2000 and shoots people on the street, later bringing the tape to the boss for evaluation.The other people I know own the VX-2000 because they *like electronics*.  They *Like To Own The Best* and they like to play with gadgets.  I advise, if you're one of these people, and really, I KNOW YOU ARE, get a different camera.  Something smaller... granted the quality will be slightly less, but you're more likely to have it when you witness your kid's first words (or your best friend's wife in a rendevouz with a neighbor. you get the point)  Furthermore, this camera is somewhat lacking in toy features.  No night vision, no silly effects (save for a few wipes, swipes, fades, and sepia, etc.), no bluetooth transmitter, etc.  It's just good, strong, somewhat rugged, and takes a great shot.I give this camera a 5 for quality (sharp, beautiful, accuracte colors, good in medium/low light, backlight compensation remarkable, optical steadyshot rad).  Just keep in mind what you want... this camera is neither professional nor amateur, and therefore I believe it serves best a select, picky subset of the population.Last, if you do buy it, go for (1) a bigger battery, well worth the cost, and (2) a wide angle lens.  Both are cool.
For fans of electronics, particularly bleeding-edge, technologically packed gadgets, nothing is sadder than knowing your particularly product is past its prime.Such is the case with Sony's DCR-VX2000.This is not to say that Sony's 3-CCD "prosumer" Mini-DV digital camcorder isn't a good product. For those familiar with "The Blair Witch Project", that film was shot with the VX1000, the predecessor to this model. The VX2000 outdoes that previous model by adding digital snapshots that can be stored on Sony Memory Sticks, along with a 2.5" foldout LCD viewscreen. This is not your average consumer camcorder.Having three CCD imaging chips, each one dedicated to red, green, or blue light, puts this in a league with cameras that you'll see in TV studios. You'll find other pro features such as digital image stabilization, built-in digital effects, titling capability, timers, zebra, shutter speed choices, built-in manual and automatic mic leveling, focus locks, auto and manual focus on the 48x zoom, color viewfinder, neutral density filters, spotlighting and backlighting controls, fade in and out - the list goes on and on.Once you've captured the video, you have several ways of transferring it to other media via one of several ports: RCA, FireWire (IEEE 1394), and S-Video. Playback is via the unit and it sports a full complement of VCR-like controls. The unit also comes with a very powerful remote that can control virtually every capability of the camera in both playback and recording modes. It takes Mini-DV tapes in 60 minute lengths, but can record 90 minutes when selecting tape speeds. Tests have shown virtually no image degradation and only a slight loss in sound quality when recording at the slower 90 minutes speed.Few camcorders can touch the battery life (an astonishing 9 hours on a single charge with the optional NP-F960 battery) or the actual image on tape. I've never seen a consumer camera with such beautiful color rendition or sharpness. Everyone who sees recordings made by this camera is amazed.But as I mentioned before, while state of the art in 2001, changes in digital video technology are rendering the VX2000 old news. This unit cannot record video that takes advantage of HDTV as its resolution is not high enough for that new standard. JVC has recently released a model ...that has similar capability to the VX2000, but adds HDTV. Panasonic is also changing the game by eliminating the achilles heels of the VX2000 and all other camcorders: the tape transport mechanism. They've announced a completely solid state camera that records onto a series of compact memory media similar to the Memory Stick in the VX2000. (The Memory Stick on the VX2000 is only for snapshots, not video.) Since the most likely parts of any electronic device to fail are the mechanical ones, having no transport mechanism means a far more reliable unit. Such a system also does away with tapes, another weakness.With this in mind, the ideal customer for the VX2000 has a dilemma: with new technology on the market, but priced a bit higher for now, is it wise to buy the VX2000?There are other issues, too. The vast majority of people will be satisfied with the capability of single-CCD units. Some of Sony's single-CCD units are mind-blowingly tiny, far smaller than the very bulky VX2000. They also take higher resolution snapshots than the VX2000, something to keep in mind if you want a digital camera and a digital camcorder in one unit.Do I recommend the VX2000? Absolutely. It is a stunningly powerful and capable camcorder. However, it is getting long in the tooth and no longer is the unit of choice for consumers who want the cream of the crop and the latest technology.
I got my Sony VX2000 in 2000, when it was introduced. Before I switched to high definition in 2007, I was very satisfied with it picture quality. As a matter of fact, it is the best standard definition camcorder I have owned, especially in low-light conditions. This camera has professional design, performance and features, suitable for event videography and other serious applications, which is what I mostly used it for. In addition to its performance, it is a great looking and solid camera. I like its form factor, ergonomics and large lens.Before the VX2000, I bought the Sony TRV900 the year before. The TRV900 was one of the first mini-DV camcorders that permitted line-in recordings from other video sources, such as a VCR, so you can archive old analog video recordings to a more robust digital format. That ability took a few years to appear on a mini-DV camcorder, but was long sought after by many videophiles, such as myself, in the early years of the DV format. I mention this because the VX2000 also permits line-in recordings, but unlike the TRV900, it doesn't require the special A/V cable, which integrates the video and audio into a miniature plug on one end and RCA audio and video male plugs on the other end (which can plug into a VCR). In other words, the only line inputs on the TRV900 and similar camcorders of its small size are one S-Video input and one miniature A/V jack that accepts composite video and audio together.However, the VX2000 has both an RCA (composite) jack or an S-Video jack for video and separate RCA jacks (L and R) for audio. So, if you just have conventional (RCA male) audio and video cables, but you want to connect an old VHS VCR to the VX2000, it will accept it. Not only do these more traditional inputs/outputs permit more convenient connectivity, they are more rugged than the more fragile A/V jack found on small (Sony) digital-8 or mini-DV camcorders. This might seem quaint today, but bear in mind, back in 1999-2000, affordable DVD recorders did not exist yet. It is still a very useful capability even today, because the VX2000 has "pass through" analog to digital conversion capability, which digitizes analog video for import straight to a computer without even needing to record to its tape drive. If your computer has a firewire (IEEE 1394) port, you can use the VX2000 in place of a video capture card.The VX2000 is a great camera, but since switching to HD shooting in 2007, I haven't used it as much since then, because I grew accustomed to HD. However, for standard definition, it is excellent. The recently discontinued Sony VX2100 is virtually the same camera, but with slightly improved low-light sensitivity. To my knowledge, that is the only real difference. Otherwise, they are essentially the same camera with the same three 1/3 inch CCD sensors and lens.
If video quality is on top of your feature list and you have the money, buy this one and you won't regret. Its image quality is the best I have ever seen and its low light performance is amazing.When I bought this expensive toy, my wife feel a $... camera is good enough and I was crazy to spend the money that could buy 10 cheapest SHARP DVs. Now when I compare DVD from my brother's $... DV and mine, she agree that it worth to invest and baby's every moment is priceless.Yes, it is bulky, it is expensive. But if you can afford it, you (will) have a baby/kids and you will mainly shoot indoor, don't hesitate. It is not perfect. Some guys will point out that Canon GL1/2 have better ergnomics. But hey, just take a loot at pictures from VX2000 and GL2, or even XL1, you judge it. Its color is so accurate that when I play the video of my niece, everyone is surprised to see how good  it is.Finally I need to mention its low light performance. I have to use amazing to describe it. When my eyes have difficulty to look, man, I can see it on LCD, color is still good, with moderate noise. With $... range DV, what you can see is just gray and black, lots of noise, no color at all.
I know this camera is a favorite of most people out there, but I have used this camera and was not super impressed. It is a pretty damn good camera, don't get me wrong, and for the price, it is very competitive. Price aside, I would recommend either the Canon XL1 or the Panasonic DVX-100 over this camera. I have been on set with all three cameras many times and have found that the DVX has produced the most pleasing results and has the most amount of useful features for true cinematography.On the up side, this is the camera that has been used for some movies released that are a little lower budget. This camera has been around long enough now that it is beginning to become noticeably outdated, so unless the price is right, try something else.
i am a producer/camera operater and this is one of my favern cameras in the studio i would love to have one for my home. i felm sports, in studio tack shows movies and other things for tv brodcast it has great pixlization and i love it.
I am only 13 years old and I purchased this camera because me and my friends wanted to make movies. I use it every day and have had it for 8 months! It can be used for stop motion animation with clay and legos at 8 FPS and is 30 FPS during normal record. The remote is great for seting up the camera and then starting it when your also in the movie scene. Slow Motion is cool to and the Night Shot feature is great! Night shot has a 10 Foot range out side and from personal experience it has over a 50 foot range inside because it can bounce off walls. Night Shot is even better with the night shot upgrade attachment (Sold Sepretly, boost to 100 feet outdoors and over 300 feet indors!) Also in playback mode the buttons light up orange, a bug plus! Also the 25x OPTICAL gives you close ups at great quallity. For example you can zoon into someones PUPIL from 10 feet away with that much zoom and then 450x digital degrades quality but is helpfull for those far away shots. Super Steady Shot is great image stabilization to! The Carl Zies lens can focus at only .5 CM away! If you press your finger on the lense you can see your fingerprint clearly! Photo mode is great and so is the 100 min battery life! LCD screen degrades life by 10% when on. The 480 min batter (8 hour) lasts a long long time and is sold sepritly .... Has IEE 1394, S VIDEO, LAN (For pictures) and RCA COmposit cables for output and RCA Composit cables, S VIDEO and MIC input ports. Also a HEadphone jack and inteligant accesory shoe. YOu can search for pictures, dates, and times on the film and has 14 picture effects like negative and Pastel. 2.5 inch color LCD screen and manual/auto focus and exposure. So many more features I cant list. Has been a great buy and VERY durable (Has been dropped at 4 feet, fallen in puddles, ect). GREAT BUY!
I just recently purchased this video camera after deciding to upgrade from an old Hitachi 8 mm analog camcorder and I am really very pleased with this decision! This particular model is no longer being manufactured by Sony but Sony has a full line of parts and accessories for it and you can find some really excellent deals for a new or refurbished model if you do a little bit of web searching.The cheapest digital camcorder far surpasses the best analog out there so if you are considering a new video camera, consider this one. I personally do not need, or want to pay for, state of the art features that many more expensive digital cameras have. This one has all of the features that I personally find important:1.) Really nice resolution @ 460,000 pixels (Same as the 130,140,240,310,340,520,530 for starters)2.) 25 X Optical and 450 X digital zoom3.) Electronic image stabiliztion4.) 2.5 inch swivel LCD screen5.) Nite Shot and Super Night Shot modes (you can vid in total darkness!)6.) Backwards compatability with my 8 mm and Hi 8 tapes7.) Firewire (IEEE1394) output8.) LANC interface for editing on pc9.) Last, but not least, a reasonable price!It has lots of special features that I don't use such as different fade options, titling and special effects but these also can easily be created by editing on your pc.As a side note, Sony has put together a nice editing package called EZ Editor to go with their digital and digital 8 video cameras that contain the firewire card for the pc, the I-link cable for the camera's connection to the pc, Pinnacle 7 Studio editing software and a thick user's manual. It is so easy and so much fun to edit videos on the computer adding music and titles and voice over's along with different fades. I believe you can also edit analog video as well.I am very happy with this camera and with the quality of the video that I am taking, especially at the price I paid! It is well worth the money and a high quality Sony product.
Digital home video is the wave of the future, and this camera truly expresses it.  This camera comes close to perfect.  It offers EXCELLANT picture quality.  The quality is so good I compare it to twice the quality of a full size VHS camera (no not VHS-C).  This camera has everything you need. An explanation of the features: Video format: Digital 8: Digital 8 is a digital signal recorded onto a High Band 8mm tape.  There is less degradation as the film is played over and over because it's all Digital. Audio: 16 bit PCM Stereo: This meaens that even with that little microphone on the front, you're getting much better quality than with a 8mm or hi8.  And it records with 2 channels instead of 1. Maximum CCD Resolution: 460,00 pixels: Thats a freaking ton of resolution for a home video camera.  Thats more than anything you've probably ever used. Other things this includes: Super Nightshot 0 LUX: This enables you to shoot in perfect darkness at a better distance than normal nightshot.  The camera emits two infraed beams from the front of the camera.  This beams scatter and bounce of objects.  The camera detects the beams bouncing back, using them to see. i.link DV Interface: This is the new standard for high speed transfer of information, usually digital video.  This way you can plug into your computer and edit with it, with out having to sell the farm on equipment to turn analog into digital. 450x Digital Zoom: This means you can zoom in 450 times what the camera normally sees.  Perfect for football games or looking for people far away. Auto Focus: The camera focuses it self, so you don't have to do any focusing to shoot S-Video Output: Amazon.com claims it isn't there, but it is.  This enables non-digital transfer of very high quality video, your DVD player probably uses this feature. There are other features, but there are too many to mention! Over all this is an EXCELLENT camera.  It lives up to the name Sony.
I recently purchased this to replace my old Canon Hi8 camcorder. I've been always the fan of Canon camcorder but this is very solid and high quality camcorder. I have lots of old 8mm & Hi8 tapes and this is a great camcorder to transfer them to DVD or upload to PC (since this camcorder is Digital8). Being able to digitally transfer your old 8mm & Hi8 tape to PC is a great function to have. This also has amazing Zoom and very good video quality. I am very satisfied with the purchase.
I have had the same problem another reviewer mentioned.  The tape will stop moving and the indicator flashes the icon for 'tape end' even though it's not at the end.  This has happened to me both in recording and in playback.  Then, when you try to eject it, it doesn't open all the way - it gets stuck midway so that you can't get the tape out, and you can't push the thing closed.  The only way I've figured out how to move beyond this is to unplug and plug in the AC cord while you've got the camera turned on - sometimes SOMETIMES this works, until the next time it does it.  Curiously, another camera I use at work, the TRV 58 (which is the same body but only HI 8, not digital) - has done the same thing to me.This is the second problem I've had with this camera.  When I first bought it, the colors were strange.  Reds were extreme and off.  I had to take it to SONY twice before it started looking okay.  The images have been pretty good since then.I used to be 'lucky' enough to have a SONY place near by that I could take it to.  Now I'm asked to ship it a pay a lot just to have it looked at.  Since then, I've bought a Canon ZR 60 that's pretty decent, but I don't love it.  (Loading and unloading the cassette from underneath is a pain.)  I'm envious of all the people who say how wonderful their camcorder is.  The TRV 120 has been a pain since I got it.What really bothers me is that, once you've plunked down the money, you're stuck with what you've got.  If there's a problem, you send it away and you're without a camcoder for awhile.  Then when the problems recur, it's the same old story.  There ought to be a lemon law for camcorders.
I got one of these used a few years ago after doing some research into the features and reputations of similar cameras. I've had no problems with it.Video quality is excellent, and it works seamlessly with iMovie, which I use for editing.I disabled the digital zoom (which degrades the picture quality); 25X optical zoom is already impressive, especially with the SteadyShot camera-shake compensation.The camera operates surprisingly well with low light, even without engaging NightShot.The "digital still photo" feature on any video camera is essentially a gimmick, so I'm not counting this camera's poor still-photo quality in my rating. Even the cheapest pocket digital camera will take a better still photo than a high-priced video camera -- so hey, buy a used DV camera and get yourself a cheap still camera to go with it.I've found Digital-8 highly convenient, because I can get Hi-8 tapes in many stores that still don't carry MiniDV tapes.I only wish the camera were super-tiny, but hey, it's not a cutting-edge supercamera -- it's a good, solid camcorder. Works for me!
I bought this for my high school daughter to use as a "fun" camera for the most part--she & her friends love this i-zone concept.  My thought was this would also provide the digital capabilities she needs for some of her group school projects in a package inexpensive enough that if it were damaged or stolen it wouldn't be that bi a deal.The i-zone functions work as well as those of stand alone i-zone cameras her friends have.  The problem is that the digital functions are so [bad] that they are essentially useless.The problems:  The camera is just about impossible to focus.  The viewfinder is apparently off kilter and you never seem to get the right segment subject matter you wanted to photograph.  The resolution is horrible--even relatively small prints are out of focus and distorted...
I thought this would be a good, inexpensive way to explore the world of digital cameras for my son.  Unfortunately the the first one was defective (the flash only worked sporadically).  It was quickly and easily replaced.  Then there were problems with getting the &quot;right&quot; type of batteries - which didn't last very long.  When it was working it was fun but I thought I would have been much better off saving my money and buying a &quot;real&quot; digital camera.
I have actually purchased 4 of these cameras.Two as Christmas gifts. I've only used the digital section on both my cameras. From one to date, i've taken well over 200+digital pictures, quality looks good to me. Have them all stored away and still send some along with emails ! And still taking more pictures. For the price as compaired to one costing hundreds, this isn't such a bad camera. I've also got a good digital &quot;only&quot; camera that takes 30 regular, 10 fine and 5 extra fine pictures. To me the Polaroid i-zone's picture quality isn't much different from the picture setting of 30 on my more expensive digital camera. I'm sure there's some i-zone camera's made that are duds, but lets face it, no matter what's made, there is always bad ones ! Just trade it back in for another !!!  Or put out the cash for a expensive one----but you'll find a bad apple among them also ???
This camera is cute. Period. It's great for kids who are learning to shoot photos, but the film is kinda pricey when you consider that kids don't really shoot well and might run through LOTS of film.  Nevertheless, it might be a good learning tool for them since they can instantly see the photo they took.If you are an adult, you will be disappointed with this though. If you want a real Polaroid, look at the Polaroid Spectra.Otherwise, the camera and kit are great. COmes with film, focus-free camera lens (bult in), flash, etc.
I bought this camera for my five year old daughter so that she could take pictures and I would not go broke on film development costs.  The after-rebate cost ... seemed acceptable.  However, three months after I purchased the camera, I still do not have the.. rebate check and my recent phone calls went unreturned.  The check was supposed to be sent within six weeks.  The rebate is imperative to this purchase because the camera is not functional for much more than use by little children and is not worth the pre-rebate price.
I received this camera as a birthday present and I have loved it since I first took it out of the box!  It combines the best of both worlds...a fun instant polaroid and a digital camera all in one!  I started taking pictures the second I took it out of the box and haven't stopped for the past three weeks.  The polaroids are fun and if you ever want a bigger picture all you have to do is scan it and print it out on photo paper...the quality of the instant prints is EXCELLENT!  The pictures are clear, sharp and full of vibrant color!The digital part of it has basic features, but still allows you to take great pictures that can be printed out on photo paper (and if they turn out a bit fuzzy any basic photo program will allow you to manipulate it and clear it up.)  This camera has come in handy quite a few times since I got it because if there's a picture you want to take really quickly, you don't have to waste time looking around for film.So far I haven't had to replace the batteries yet, and I've used it every day for almost three weeks so far.  Contrary to what another reviewer said, the time that it takes for the digital pictures to download to the computer is just seconds!I would absolutely, DEFINITELY recommend this camera!  After seeing how awesome mine was, my boyfriend decided that he now wants one of his own!  The best part of all is that it's so light and can be carried anywhere!!
This camera, though it appears somewhat bulky, fits the hand well and is comfortable to hold while shooting.  The fun, sweet little pictures are a hit, no matter who you show them to!  It's so quick and easy to grab a picture and bring a smile! :)One thing I became aware of... a couple of times when trying to transfer the digital pictures to my computer, I got a &quot;No camera connected&quot; error.  In each case it was just that the plug wasn't all of the way plugged into the camera (it took me awhile to figure this out because it appeared to be plugged in well, but wasn't).  I was relieved to find that it wasn't a fault in the camera, because I was having so much fun with it!The biggest drawback I find with this camera is that it seems to be made somewhat cheaply (though I haven't had time to either prove or disprove this impression).  For example, the battery compartment cover on mine doesn't fit really well, and made me that much more aware of the concern about breaking the plastic when closing the compartment. I don't think the plastic will be a problem as long as it's not rough handled.  I also found that, while a lot of instruction isn't so much necessary, I think the manual is lacking.  For example, I had no idea if I should pull out the film right after I made the exposure, or leave it in the camera (I don't have instant camera experience, yes, you can pull it right out) and all I found in the instruction manual about that after the camera's operation instruction was &quot;press the shutter button to take the picture&quot;  DUH!  (no, I'm not from Florida &lt;j/k!&gt; &lt;grin&gt;)...I should also say that the &quot;troubleshooting&quot; part of the manual was very helpful!The quality of the pictures, both digital and instant, is good!  I just had to be sure not to get too close because the flash will blast out the image if it's less than... maybe 4 or 5 feet away.  So resist the temptation to get in close because the picture is so small on the instant shots.The software that comes with it is a blast!  Lots of fun stuff to do with that!I like the camera A LOT and am so far VERY happy that I bought it!  This really is a positive review, I just wanted to give a very honest review of the product. I'd buy it again in an instant (no pun intended)!It only comes with a 6 exposure non-sticky &quot;roll&quot; of film (but everything else you need), so you might want to get some extra of that right away.  ;)
This is the most worthless camera you can buy. Mine stopped working a week after I bought it. The image quality is very poor. Its simply IMPOSSIBLE to take a decent looking shot with this. The chances that all condition will be perfect for this camera to work correctly are 1 in 100 (distance, lighting, etc.)
... this limited capability hybrid is an affordable toy. It blends the popular I-zone Polaroid instant camera with a *very* basic digital camera. Well, it does neither task well, and no one is going to come to love this thing once the initial cuteness wears off. As an I-zone, a fun little camera that prints instant postage stamp photos (from pretty expensive Polaroid-only film), it's no longer way overpriced, though the film will keep setting you back. As a digital camera, it's way underfeatured. It lacks a zoom, an expandable memory, a decent resolution (it's not good enough to print even 5 x 7s), and, most woefully, a USB connection to download the few pics the onboard memory can handle. You may think that's no big deal, but it makes getting those pics onto your computer a slow, painful and battery-consuming process. If you want an I-zone, buy one; if you want a basic digital camera, look at Amazon's great collection (or the ones I've reviewed). If you're looking for a bargain on Christmas gifts, this just might fit the bill!
The Polaroid i-Zone combo digital camera is a 640x480 digital camera with one meg non-expandable memory, fixed focus lens, automatic flash, and no preview screen on the camera jammed onto a mini-polaroid i-Zone camera. It's big and awkward, which is probably why it hasn't been successful. I can never figure out how to grab it without putting a finger into a lens. I only bought it because I got an extreme bargain on it at my grocery store of all places. Overall I'm happy with it and will use it for my web site and to send photos by E-mail, but it's no replacement for a 35mm camera and a scanner.It's a TWAIN device so you can acquire photos directly from the camera with any TWAIN-supporting software, such as Paint Shop Pro. Photos are compressed as JPEGs inside the camera. It holds "up to" 18 shots, but unless you're taking photos of blank walls, it'll be more like 16. It takes about 2 minutes and 20 seconds to transfer a full load of photos from the camera through your PC's serial port. You can download the photos selectively, but you can't selectively delete. You can only clear the entire camera memory at once. The JPEGs are copied directly from the camera to a folder, so you don't have to worry about appropriate recompression unless you want to make modifications. The compression is a little too extreme. If you brighten with gamma correction, you can really see the JPEG squares.The flash doesn't go off unless it needs to, so you can get non-flash-lit pictures by providing enough light. The exposure isn't very well controlled. Indoor pictures at less than 2 feet are totally washed out by the flash, but that's easy to fix. Either light the subject better so the flash doesn't go off, or partially cover the flash. I used several layers of masking tape. The lens is so small that you can take pictures really close, like a few inches, and they'll only be a little blurry, but the flash must be totally covered with aluminum foil.It uses 4 AAA batteries and doesn't have a plug for a DC adaptor. I'll probably install one myself.It uses a 9 pin serial port, so if you have a serial mouse, you'll need a second port. Most computers have a second port, but it might be a 25 pin rather than 9. If so, you'll need a converter which will be about (dollar amount).It does not have a tripod mount or a timer, so you'll need help if you want to take pictures of yourself.It comes with a mosaic application which converts images to mosaics of other images. You'd think it would be fun to play with, but it lacks a simple browse option to select your own photos to use in making the mosaic. They don't let you use your own images because they want to sell you their supplemental image CDs. Of course they don't tell you this up front. I got very aggravated struggling to make it use my photos.
It's a fun camera if you don't mind expensive mini prints.  The sticky film can be fun.  It's a fun digital camera too, except Polaroid is too stupid to put even basic software on the web.Don't lose the CD.  If you thought you'd take the camera and your laptop on a fun trip (because the camera only holds small photos) don't lose the CD!!  You won't be able to view pictures ever again if you lose the CD.And without USB?  What were they thinking?  Getting pictures out of this thing is like watching paint dry.
I've noticed a lot of people who wrote reviews here complained about the lack of features on this product as far the digital camera part of it... well did you honestly expect more than that from something designed for 10-15 year old girls? If you want &quot;professional quality&quot; photos then go buy a professional quality camera. But if you're looking for a cute present for a niece or something then this is it. It's fun, it looks cool and it's not impossibly difficult to operate (yes, even grownups can figure this one out too).
My wife took my original Tamrac camera and even though I could have tried to go to Walmart and buy something, I decided to get the same bag since it's the perfect size for my camera. The other thing I like is it's sturdy construction and belt loop which means it won't get lost. For a small digital camera it's perfect.
I don't think this bag is as small as people are saying. I just bought a Canon A630, not a "super" compact camera, and it fits in here nicely. Snugly, but perfectly, and all that I need. There's also a little bit of room in the small zippered pocket for a memory card or spare AAs. Recommended.
nice case. two compartments. durable exterior nylon.Large drawback for me is that shoulder strap is not removable. i like to wear the case on my belt- have to let the strap hang down.  should have been removable with clips. had i known, i wouldn't have bought it.
I bought this bag online for my Canon S300 digital camera. It is an absolutley PERFECT fit for this camera! It will fit the S100 and S110 as well but it is probably just a bit big for those models. The outer pouch fits an extra battery and compact flash card very nicely. Like the S300 this bag is very compact which is a huge plus in my mind.If you bought the S300 or similar sized APS ELPH camera, you wanted the advantage of the small size so you want a bag that is also compact. This one is just right. It protects the camera with it's quality water resistant material and foam padding yet doesn't add much bulk at all. You can attach this bag to your belt or use the strap to carry it around your neck or shoulder. Originally, I thought I would just remove the strap and use it strickly on my belt but found that many times it is much more accessible by shortening the adjustable strap and wearing it around my neck so that it hangs just below my chest.Note:  The case Canon makes for the S100, S110 and S200(the PSC-100) does not fit the S300 camera.
I bought this bag, and was shocked to see how small it was.  However, I did find a pretty good way to use it. I store my spare batteries, Smart Media cards, lens cleaner, and other small items.  This is kind of handy when on a short shoot outdoors, and don't want to lug around a huge camera bag.  Buy it for this purpose, and it's a good deal.  I don't reccomend this case for Digital cameras, or any camera for that matter. The case is unlined, and not padded. Only the very tiny Canon Elf would fit this bag ... I Think!
Simply, this is the perfect case for my Canon SX130is. The manufacturer's website indicates that it is made for this camera. Holds 4 AA batteries and a memory card as well. A perfect fit for an almost perfect camera! (Yeah, read my review.)
This is the best case I've found so far for my Panasonic Lumix LX-5. It hold the camera snugly but not too tightly, there is room left over for memory cards and a spare battery. I think it is a little too large to hang off your belt (though it does have a belt loop), but you can use the shoulder strap just fine. I would highly recommend this case for any camera the size of an LX-5.
I bought this case for a Canon A70 and it is a perfect fit for the camera, even though the camera has a little protrusion.  There is a lot of padding in this case which should keep the camera safe.  Space for AA batteries is also a plus since those tend to wear out more frequently.  I like the velcro-plus-buckle design of the flap.  The case is a little bulky but I guess if you want to store accessories and have good padding that is unavoidable.  Overall, a great camera case!
After reading many, many reviews, we decided to buy this camera case. This fits our Canon G12 perfectly. The camera has the shoulder strap attached, and still fits fine. We also have a backup battery/memory card stored in front. I would recommend this camera case for any G12 owner.
I bought this for the Kodak c813.  It is a great size.  Not too big, not too small.  Nice padding inside.  Long adjustable strap.  Perfect pocket for batteries and memory card.
This is a super camera bag.  It is small and roomy; holds the camera, extra batteries, memory cards, and the small tripod. It is durable and packs easily.  I bought one for myself, one for my daughter, and recommended to our friends.  This is just the thing if you do not want a bulky bag.
Bought this item for my Canon A620. I just completed a 3 week trip and it worked great. The camera fits in snug and is surrounded by padding....wish there was just a little more room so the hand strap did not dangle at times but I just take a moment to tuck. I used the small pockets in front to carry extra memory cards. I used the shoulder strap and crossed it over my chest if I wanted added security while moving around.Designed to fit the camera, well made & works well.
Tamrac's reputation for building rugged, innovative camera bags comes through in this little gem. Built for smaller digital cameras, its high quality makes it a superb value.PROS:1. Nicely stitched, with rugged nylon construction.2. Holds its shape, not at all flimsy like some bags. Excellent padding on all sides.3. Double-locking mechanism (snap and velcro) means your camera's secure and won't be easily snatched from the case by pickpockets.4. Belt loop is the most solid I've seen on a bag of this type. Also includes a nice shoulder strap with metal connectors instead of plastic.5. Zippered front mini-compartment comes divided in three distinct sections to hold memory cards, batteries, and miscellany.As for cons, you won't find any. Tamrac did this bag right and it shows. I'd easily consider this bag over those offered by the camera manufacturers. Absolutely worthy of five stars.
If I had to do it again, I would buy a smaller bag since the camera I have doesn't need batteries, but it looks like a great bag and with the extra room I'm sure I'll find something else to go in it.
This has turned out to a very handy sized bag for several different cameras, presently a Canon G12 which fits perfectly and has a nice pocket for extra items - memory card, spare battery, etc. It is very well made and designed. Very highly rated! If I lost this I would replace it in an instant.
The Tamrac web site recommends the 5692 case for the Canon "G-series" so I bought it for my G10.  At the time, I did not pay attention to the front pocket which can carry 4 AA batteries.  The G10 does not use AA batteries so this pocket just takes extra space.  I sometime use it to carry my Blackberry Curve and it makes the case much bulkier.  Also, if one has a strap attached to the camera, the case's strap is redundant.Tamrac has since developed a new case specifically for the G9/G10 (model 5689).  For those of you who prefer a tight and compact fit, the 5689 may be a better option however it does not have an extra opening for the other end of the camera strap.I finally bought the Canon PSC-5100 case and it was a perfect fit.  It allows one to carry the camera horizontally by the strap or via the belt sleeve and be able to pull the camera out quickly when needed.
After spending several days trying to track down a case that would fit my new A620, I finally found one that met all my needs.Unlike the Canon recommended case (PSC60), this case fits the A620 perfectly with room for extra batteries and memory cards (something the PSC60 lacks).The construction is sturdy.  Both the front flap closure and the belt flap use two closure methods (velcro & plastic latch and velcro & snaps, respectively) for added protection.The shoulder strap is attached using swivel hooks, so the strap is less likely to get twisted.I really can't find a downside.The blue in the picture is a bit lighter than the real thing.
I purchased this case for a Canon Powershot A80.  The camera fits perfectly.  The case seems to be well constructed and sturdy.  The only thing you have to watch out for with this product is the S/H charges (mine was $10).  I couldn't be happier with this case, though.
I got this to fit my new Nikon Coolpix L610, and it is perfect for it.  This is slightly larger than the next size down, which would probably have fit but perhaps more snugly than I like.  This slightly larger size makes it much easier to get your fingers in there to slide the camera in and out more easily.  Although a little pricey for such a small case, it is certainly worth it -- the quality and workmanship are top-notch.  The zipper compartment easily holds four AA batteries and a memory card, along with a cleaning cloth or brush.  I am extremely pleased with this and would highly recommend it.
This bag has a really secure feeling, thanks to the thickly padded walls, close-fitting top, and heavy duty clasp. None of the photos show the back of the bag, but it's a stiff panel with snap closures. It feels like it would be pretty secure, although an extra band of velcro would have made it better. As it is I'll probably use a small carabiner through one of the shoulder strap loops to make sure it doesn't get pulled off my hipbelt while hiking through dense brush. I haven't had it out in the rain yet, but it's worth keping in mind that it doesn't have a watertight closure, so in theory the case and your camera could collect some water if it's wet enough out or you're bushwhacking in a wet place. In that situation I'd probably enclose the whole case in a shower cap or something, but for normal conditions I think it would work fine. For my camera, a Canon G-12, it's a perfect fit, snug but not so tight you can't easily extract the camera. The pocket on front is just the right size to carry two spare battery packs and probably an extra SDHC card.I give it four stars for not being absolutely bulletproof, but in normal conditions I think it would merit five.
I bought his a while back for my Canon A70 camera and I love it. Lots of room for extra batteries and cards, plenty of cushion to protect your camera. A good buy for me. Still holding up for years of use.
After searching around for a good case for my RX100 i finally found this one. It is just big enough to fit the RX100 snuggly but not tight. Very sturdy material, love the metal clips. The front pocket has plenty of room for accessories or whatever you want. Like that there is an option for belt loop or strap. Nice padding on the large compartment - it's perfect.
I went to a local store and was able to fit the new Lumix GF1 +20mm lens into this bag! it is a bit tight at first but it stretches nicely after a few uses.
Tamrac continue their best tradition with this bag. It is excellent all-round winner. Very comfortable and handy, quality is unsurpassed, I am very happy with it.
I just purchased a Leica D-Lux 6 so wanted a good case. Read the reviews and went with this case. We're traveling all over Europe right now and the case is working really well. No case is perfect, but this case is probably as close to perfect for my needs.
I love this bag. I carry a powershot A620 in it along with a crucial usb SD card reader, and four spare double AAs. It has rolled out of the car door several times onto the driveway and lands like a pillow. It is snug around the camera and small enough to be no trouble, yet large enough to carry my essentials.
I have a Cannon A80 and the Cannon bag made for this camera.  It started to wear at the seams when I decided to purchase another bag.  Fortunately I bought the Tamrac 5692.  The Cannon bag doesn't compare with the Tamrac in both quality and utility.  I am very satisfied with my new purchase.
I have used this case for a few years now with both my Canon PowerShot G11, as well as my A620, and it has served its purpose well. As shown in the pictures, there's enough space to bring spare batteries and memory cards in the bag.
Overall a nice bag. Fits my Canon G12 perfectly.  I will be wearing it on my belt though it's pretty bulky--front to back distance is same as the length of the G12.  I have a retro looking leather case, like those used for 1960's and 79's rangefinder cameras, that I will use when I want to wear the camera with a neck strap.I marked down this case because its shape isn't smooth as in the pictures.  I bought two of these, both tops are a bit wavy, and both the opening lips and tops' edges are a bit deformed by the neck strap being hooked on the D rings but forced inside the cases.  This is a little nit-picking, and it will not bother most people probably.  But I was not expecting it and most carrying cases I see in stores, though not this model, don't have this problem.  And it wouldn't bother me as much if it were a cheap import from China, but it's not priced or marketed as one.  Also the slight curved-in lip (again caused by the way the strap is packed) of the top opening tends to catch on the hot shoe of the camera when I try to put the camera in.  Tamrac should just put the strap in the bag without attaching it to the D rings IMO.I do most of my buying on the Internet, but this is the kind of thing I'd rather buy in a local store where I can see the actual item I'm buying.  I'm tempted to return both of these, but I was able to straighten them out a little after warming them with a hair dryer, and I haven't seen this model or a similar design at the local stores.
I bought this for our newly purchased Canon Powershot A80.  It fits the camera as if it were made for it.  I wanted something minimal in size for day trips that could carry an extra CF card and 4 extra AA batteries and this does the trick.  Very well padded.  I like the fact that it uses two closures (buckle and velcro) to keep the camera secure.  You can use the shoulder strap or carry it on your belt.For longer trips I am looking around for something bigger that will have room for my battery charger, manual, and the USB and A/V cables that came with the camera.
I absolutely love this bag.  It is just the right size for my Canaon PowerShot A85.  It holds 2 extra CF cards, and a set of 4 batteries.  There is even room in the front for extra batteries if you really need them.The padding is great.  I dropped the camera once, and there wasn't any damage at all.  The velcro and the snap closure make sure it is all safe and sound.  The shoulder strap is long enough to wear it cross-body if you want.  Or it is removable, and you can wear the bag over a belt.  I found this more difficult, and prefer the shoulder strap.A great bag for a great price!
Perfect as far as I'm concerned: compact size, plenty of padding, a belt loop (and shoulder strap I never use), plus multiple storage compartments for mem cards and a spare battery pack.I use it as a case for my Lumix LX-5. The whole of it fully packed fits into the stretch mesh area outboard on my back sack where a water bottle would normally go. Makes it a breeze for travel. Rugged too. I love this case.
This is a nice little camera bag.  I have owned a couple of point and shoot canon cameras and they both fit nicely.  The pocket has good storage for extra batteries and memory cards as well.
This is a good-quality product.  It's strong but a bit bulky.  I like that it has storage for extra batteries and extra memory cards.  That's all that's needed for the camera.
Based on the other reviews here about this bag fitting the A80, I ordered it to go with my new A95.Its a very nice bag - plenty of room for a second set of AA batteries in that front pouch, plus 1 or 2 extra compactflash cards.  The strap is sturdy and the clips that hold it to the bag are metal, not plastic, and quite strong.  It has both velcro and a buckle closure to ensure the camera will stay in the bag, and the A95 fits perfectly.  You could probably SQUEEZE the USB cable in, but for a longer trip you'd want your battery charger and cables in separate bag, probabaly.  If you're taking a laptop for downloading pictures, they could go in that bag.
Just a  little bit big for my fuji finepix 2650 and 2600 but never mind.I like it. It has a shoulder strap.
I love this bag!  It hold my camera, extra battery, memory cards and even a mini tripod I have to take family photos.  It fit on a belt loop so my husband can carry it without feeling silly and I can carry it like a purse.  Its just big enough to carry what you need without feeling like you're carring around a photo center.  We took it on our month long honeymoon last year and it still looks like new.
I do like this bag. It's small, light, and sturdy. It has a small front pouch for CF cards and spare batteries or battery pack. You can attach it to your belt or use the adjustable shoulder strap. Very versatile. It would have easily gotten 5 stars if it had just a little more room.  I have a Canon Powershot G2 and the fit is snug, which is what I wanted. However, there's no room for any cords (and barely room for the neck strap on my camera). The Digital 4 bag could have used one thin, long pouch on the side for extra little camera accessories.If you don't have a camera larger than the Canon G2 (and most are not larger) and you want a bag that's compact and well built but only has enough room for the bare necessities instead of a lot of pouches and pockets for extra items, then this bag should suit you very nicely. It's perfect if you want a camera bag that is small and unobstrusive but have no desire to carry any extras while you're on the go.
I bought this for a digital camera and spare memory cards and batteries. It holds all of those and room for a bit more. There is good padding that I am sure I will be thankful for when I drop it. Heavy duty... yes but, light weight. It's not slim at about 4&quot; thick. Comes with a detachable shoulder strap and a built-in belt loop. It has combo clip and velcro front flap.
This is a nice bag with well-designed compartments and versatile carrying options that will securely hold your camera. However, I found it to be too large for the Canon PowerShot A40 (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.5 in). The Tamrac Digital 2 fits the A40 perfectly and seems much smaller on your belt or over your shoulder.
I have an Olympus 3020, and this bag fits "just right."  I can get the camera in, a battery charger, and an extra memory card.  That's all that fits perfectly, though.  The USB cable doesn't fit in.If you want a bag for a smaller camera, this is great.  The clips on the strap are solid metal, and the inside compartment is useful in that it has places for batteries and memory cards.  If you get anything bigger than a traditional point-and-shoot, though, you should look a little harder for a better suited bag.
This is a reasonably priced and nicely constructed bag. I use it for my Sony dsc-s85. It's a great bag for when you don't want to drag along something too bulky or cumbersome. You can attach it to your belt and keep your camera in reach without it getting in the way. There's room for an extra battery pack and memory. Definitely worth the price.
I use this Tamrac 5694 Digital Camera Case to carry my Olympus C-700 three ways:1)  First, slung over-my-shoulder or across-my-chest.2)  Second, on-my-hip looped through my belt.3)  And lastly, attached (like an accessory lens) to my full-size Tamrac SLR camera holster.This versatility is made possible since the Tamrac 5694 has both 1) a removeable shoulder strap and 2) a Velcro-and-snap-fastened belt loop.  The latter works especially well with Tamrac's MAC (modular accessory components) system, which allows for the infinite mixing-and-matching of camera and lens cases (of all sizes).The Tamrac 5694 is a bit smaller than my normal digital camera case, Tamrac's slightly larger 5696.  With the 5696, I can leave the zoom lens extended inside of the case.  With the 5694, since its smaller, I need to retract the lens (turn the camera off) each time before storing.For additional stuff, the Tamrac 5694 also has a convenient front pocket large enough to hold extra memory cards and fresh batteries.The nicest thing about this Tamrac 5694 Digital Camera Case, though, (besides the versatility listed above) is its fairly small visual profile.  I like how others may think I'm carrying an inexpensive point-and-shoot 35 mm camera -- rather than a more expensive digital model.I sometimes tote my digital camera by itself -- or in combination with my other 35 mm SLR or autofocus cameras.With the Tamrac 5694, I can now do both -- very easily.  I love it!
I purchased the Tamrac 5694 bag for my Canon S45 digital camera.  The bag is a little too big for my camera.  However, by using the recommendation of another reviewer of stuffing a sock into the bottom of the bag, I was able to ensure a snug fit around my camera.  The bag has little pockets for the compact flash and memory.  The top of the bag is fastened by a clip and Velcro on the front face of the bag.  The fastening method does secure the camera in the bag, but I would hesitate to put any loose items in with the camera since the top flap could easily let unsecured items slip out of the bag.  Overall, a good bag, but a zipper around the top would have been more appropriate.
Adquir&iacute; este producto para mi c&aacute;mara digital Canon S1 IS y result&oacute; adecuado para el transporte y cuidado de la misma. Tiene un compartimiento para baterias AA adicionales y para un par de memorias. El &uacute;nico detalle es el velcro para fijar el estuche al cintur&oacute;n, poco pr&aacute;ctico y de paso quedar&iacute;a muy grande el estuche para ubicarlo en esa posici&oacute;n.
I bought this bag for my new digital camera (Canon A40) and I love it. It has the right size, looks pretty good and protects the camera.  It allows you to carry two extra CF cards and a second set of batteries. All that at the right price.
I love this case.  It doesn't take up anymore space than I need.  I like the black ballasitc nylon material it's made of.  Also, my Nikon Coolpix 990 fits perfectly in the main compartment.  In the smaller pocket, there is plenty of room for an extra CF card or two, and four AA batteries.
I wanted a quality case for my H1 without shelling out $40 for the sony case.  I shopped around and found the Tamrac Digital 6.  This case is the one that Tamrac recomends for the H1.  I decided to order it since it was the only case that I could find that had the right internal dimensions to accomodate the camera with the adapter attached.  When I finally received it, I knew I was going to like it the minute I opened the box.It fits the camera with the lens adapter on like a charm (there is a horizontal divider in the case that I moved to the right a little bit so that the camera sits upright with the LCD on the top).  There is room inside for my tripod mount and A/V cable.  In the outside pocket I can put my USB cable, Memory Sticks, lense hood and extra set of batteries (it will fit four extra sets).The case is built very well and has ample padding to protect my camera.  The lid stays on tight thanks to the velcro and buckle.  It even has a 5 year warranty!  (From what I hear, the Sony case isn't the best quality).  I think that this case is a very afordable, higher quality alternative to the Sony case.I wanted a case that would carry some accessories and protect my investment, and this case fits the bill!At only $18 dollars this case is a bargain!
I had to remove the inside padded divider to get the camera in the bag, and it fits snugly. I do not load it the way others say you have to... my S5000 can be loaded sideways, so the rugged grip on the camera is always available from the top.The only reasons this bag doesn't get 5 stars from me: The battery compartments are a little snug - my 5696 Tamrac bag does NOT have the elastic battery loops, they've replaced those with two battery compartments with velcro closures. Each of those holds 4 AA batteries, which is great for digital photographers! If I were redesigning this bag, I would add two extra pouches on either side of this bag below the shoulder strap loops for things like cigarettes, pocket knives/tools, etc. I'd also like a place to put my checkbook and credit cards, and my sunglasses case.  If this bag had all that, I would throw away my purse and use this bag everyday for everything.
I don't have enough experience with this kind of product. I want to carry the manual with the camera (I'm a rookie) but dosn't fit easy.
I bought this camera case for my Sony H1 zoom camera.  The camera fits great, there is no wobble, it fits securely.  It will also hold your lens hood and adapter ring, spare batteries and extra memory.  But it won't hold your battery charger or manual.  It will also be a tight fit to get your AV and USB cables in.  They might go in but I think it would harm my memory sticks so I'm leaving them out.  This is the bag for you for day trips or an overnight journey, especially if you only want the bare essentials.  But if you're leaving for a week and want to take everything with you (as I usually do) you'd be better off with a small camcorder bag instead.  The case is very sturdy but its not waterproof so forget about those flume rides.
I bought Tamrac 5696 Digital 6 camera bag at Extremephoto (via Amazon.com). This product is suitable for my Canon G6 camera.
So I have had this case for maybe 6 or 7 years.  We use it outside and on the ocean, but with long times between use in the elements.  Most of the time it's in my climate controlled office.  Within a year or so the ballistic nylon strap on the top started to fall apart.  Little black dust-like pieces of the strap were all over shelf where it is kept.  So I cut off the handle to stop it from shedding.Then it was the bottom strap that held on the buckle to hold the lid closed.  Then it was the straps that hold on the shoulder strap.  Now it's the strap that you can use to hold it on your belt.I really like the case for all the storage.  We have a Coolpix 5700 and a flash in the main compartment.  For personal use I have a case that's maybe 2 years older and it has fared much better.  Next time I will try to find something that doesn't fall apart so quickly.
The materials and manufacturing are very good quality. I bought this as a gift for my dad for his Nikon 8700. It seems to be a very good choice. The dimensions listed in the product details section are the external measurements. The camera compartment inside measures approx. 5 W x 3 D x 6 H without flexing the case sides. The case is flexible so it will accomidate a camera with a body slightly wider than 3 in, possibly up to 3.5 or 4 in. The camera compartment has an adjustable/removeable divider so you can fit another large accessory.
As with all of Tamrac's products it is inexpensive and well made. This is the 5th Tamrac bag that I have bought for various cameras that I have. The first one I bought is still holding up almost 10 years later.
Bought this for my Canon Powershot S2 IS and it's a great snug fit. Love the double latching system (both a latch and velcro). Feels very sturdy and well padded. Lots of carrying options: strap, belt strap, and padded handle. Lots of little pockets for accessories, can hold up to two sets of 4 AA batteries. Plenty of space for extra cards, cables, lens cleaning pen. I haven't gotten my Lens adapter and telephoto adapters for the PowerShot S2 yet. I hope that they'll fit though.
I like the bag but it is not as large as I had hoped. I am able to get the supplies into it, but it is not roomy and I cannot fit the guide book in. If I had it to do over I would not have purchased the bag. I would have waited, and gotten a larger bag at Walmart. Then I would not have had the shipping or the size issues.
This bag might have been &quot;built for larger digital cameras and smaller digital camcorders&quot; but it isn't big enough for them!  If you get this, you'll find you have to squash your cam in there with little room for other supplies in the main compartment.  Also, the front pocket looks nice, but it only holds conventional items and can;t be made to fit what YOU want to hold.  Pass on this one and check out Case Logic bags if you have a digital camera.
It's an excellent camera bag and I was dissappointed that it's too big.  It's a good size for a larger camera.  The Camedia C3020 Z kind of gets lost inside this bag.  Otherwise the construction is great and it has pockets galore for accessories like batteries, USB cable, charger, SmartMedia cards, AC adapter, cell phone, wallet, kitchen sink, etc.I'm returning mine. Unfortunatley Amazon.com does not carry the bag that's the perfect fit for this camera. It's a Tamrac 5693.
I have two smaller Tamrac Digital series bags, and have been very pleased with the construction, looks, and convenience of them.  I am likewise impressed with the Tamrac 5696 Digital 6 bag.Unfortunately, despite Amazon's description that this is "built for larger digital cameras and smaller digital camcorders," I will have to return the bag as it is too small to fit my Panasonic camcorder and accessories.  The camcorder itself (Panasonic HDC-TM700K Hi-Def Camcorder) fits OK, but there really isn't enough room left over to hold the AC battery charger plus cord, a component video and/or HDMI cable, extra battery, and camcorder remote.  I ended up getting aLowepro Camera/Camcorder Bag (EX-140)at a local store which is about 1" taller and 1" wider and has enough extra room to carry the TM700K plus accessories comfortably.  (Amazon'sLowepro Adventura 140 Camera Caseappears to have dimensions similar to the EX-140.)So just a suggestion to consider not just the camera or camcorder you'll be carrying but also the accessories you need to bring.  If it all fits in the 5696 then this bag is a solid choice.
I picked up the lens adapter for the Canon S1 which increased the dimensions of the camera.  This Tamrac case is the perfect match for it and I am able to carry 3 extra memory cards, an extra set of 4 AA batteries as well as a cleaning pen and an audio/video cable.The top down storage of the camera also makes for fast removal/storage.Excellent design and quality.
Tamrac makes a great camera case, and this one was no exception.  Sturdy and well-made.  It was advertized as being the right fit for my Fujifilm S-9000, but it is actually a bit too small for this camera.  By the time I got the camera pushed in, the surrounding pouches were squeezed so tight little else would go in.  I should have gone with a bigger case.
The C-2100 fits in. But it is a snug fit. If you have any kind of accessories, other than two sets of batteries and a media card or two, forget it. You'll want a bag that is bigger. I don't like how you have to put the camera in on its back. I think I will find a bigger and better bag for the Olympus.
This camera bag is perfect for my needs. Provides excellent protection for my camera.  I also use it as a wallet when I travel so I have my wallet and cash in one place.
This is the best bag for S2 IS, I can carry my camera, 58mm adapter attached, cloth to clean, 4 battery, CBK4 200 charger and two filter in it`s cases....all in one bag and still i got enought space to TCdc58B....... What else can you ask for?
Tamrac makes the best camera bags.  Before buying a particular bag, check out [...] and make sure it fits your camera.
As a user of an Olympus Camedia C700 which, as a digital camera -- due to its 10X zoom -- has a lightly longer lens, I was happy to find this medium-sized Tamrac 5696 Digital Photo Bag since it holds my camera perfectly.The main section carries the camera.  The front accessory pocket is great for batteries and my extra Flash Media (or other memory) cards.  There's even a zippered compartment in the bag's top flat which I use to store my camera's USB sync cable.The camera bag comes with a convenient shoulder strap.  But it also has belt loops (for wearing on your best if you so choose) that work with Tamrac's MAS (Modular Accessory System) line -- which enables various mix-and-match camera, lens and accessory cases to be attached to a MAS system wide-web belt, or to each other.I use the Tamrac MAS system to tote a combination of 35 mm SLR's, lenses and auto-focus cameras.  With the new Tamrac 5696 Digital Photo Bag, I can now carry my digital camera as well.Tamrac makes great equipment.  You can't go wrong.
Just as described for the Panasonic digital camera . Excellant constuction, good fit , handy for all battery and chip storage.
A really nice camera bag for compact digital cameras.  This bag will hold most accessories a compact digital camera owner want to carry and can be either used with the shoulder strap or the belt loop.
I went to the company's website to the chart which tells you which bag to get with your camera, and it just does not cut it on size at all!! From the photo it looks like its wider then what it is in real life. I could have gotten myself a bigger bag to put everything in it including my slim point and shoot from Walmart for $10 cheaper, and still had the memory foam inside! The front zip open pocket is too small, there is no way to fit 4AA batteries in the pouches as it shows, and there really is no room for anything like extra memory cards, ext as it claims. Save your money and get something you can look at in person when picking out, the photos on Amazon and their own website are very deceiving when it comes to size and what can go into the bag. It is well constructed, but not for my camera and needs. Paid way to much for the name on the bag, and for something I will gift to someone with a smaller camera and no use to carry anything else since shipping back will be a pain!! You really need to pick out the bag in person since the dimensions provided are also very wrong!!
I was about to recommend some gear to a friend, and started looking to see which of my favorite items were still available. I didn't honestly expect to find the Adventure 2, so I was delighted to find it for sale. And since I've had mine for over a decade, I figure I'm qualified to review it, right?For its size, this backpack holds a surprising amount of stuff. Mine currently holds a film SLR body with short lens attached, a telezoom, plus an Argus rangefinder in the padded compartments, an in the other various pockets and compartments I have two flash units, about 14 filters, various cables, extra caps, and various other bits, and there's still plenty of room. It also has tripod straps.The only real downside, for me, is that it can get very bottom heavy due to the design. This is especially true in my case, as my film gear weighs a ton more than my digital gear (there's a reason they call the Argus &#34;The Brick&#34;). That's why I'm considering swapping my gear around and putting my main DSLR in this bag and retiring the film gear to one of my less-useful packs.Though I haven't used it much in the last few years, it got a lot of use before that, and it has held up beautifully. All of the straps and zippers are still in perfect condition, and all of the seams are holding tight. Too bad you can no longer find them in other colors. Mine is purple.
This product is well made, just very small to be worn as a backpack. I should have reviewed the size information more closely.
This backpack is the perfect size. It's large enough to hold the camera and several lenses, plus has many extra pockets and compartments for other things too. Right now I'm carrying a zoom lens, a 50mm lens, and the camera with the kit lens attached. I also pack plenty of cleaning supplies, filters, external flash, extra batteries and more. The top section (inside) is very roomy; this is where I store the contents of my purse so I'm not having to carry a purse AND camera bag. The lens compartments on the interior have nice thick padded walls to keep your equipment from banging together. I store my camera in the lens part with the attached lens facing down and the body of the camera laying on top of the compartments - this works great because it frees up the top for purse contents (wallet, sunglasses, makeup, sunblock, etc.). My cell phone sits in the mesh pocket which has elastic at the top - this way I can reach it quickly if I get a phone call, but the pocket is secure enough that I don't worry about my phone falling out. The backpack comes with straps to go around your waist, but I cut these off because I prefer to just sling it over one shoulder. The quality is supurb, very sturdy zippers and the fabric is thick and sewn well - this camera backpack was made to last. It's also a nice size - not a fullsize backpack but it's got plenty of room for all the essentials and has a nice compact design. If the bag were any larger it would not be as portable and would get heavy with the camera equipment. If it were any smaller there would not be enough room for lenses. I highly recommend this camera backpack, I just can't think of anything negative to say about it at all!
Room for 2 camcorders, a P@S (point and shoot), accessories and more in the pockets. Straps on back good for carrying tripod, or monopod.I like this design over the other ones.Def a recommend
I had an older version of this bag and it was discontinued when I needed to replace the old one. It is great for short trips when you just have camera body and 2 lens and a few extra items. My old bag lasted over 20 years - I expect this one to do the same. For my needs this is the best bag. I'm so happy to have finally found another one.
Bought it for my dad as he had exactly same one and it just got work out by over years. He is very happy and picked this one after trying about 5 other newer bags. So 100% satisfaction.
I will be honest, I purchased a Rebel T3 about a year ago and haven't really used it.  I didn't want to take this big camera bag on my hikes along with all my other hiking gear.  This little backpack is perfect!  Not only does it fit my camera and my 2 lenses, it also has other compartments for snacks, extra batteries.  It's perfect and I'm so glad I bought it.  Great bag, great price, great company.
I traveled all over Germany with this backpack and it was perfect.  I always had my various photographic equipment close at hand and never missed a shot because I left something back at the hotel or in the car.  And I was always able to pack extra batteries, film or lunch in the convenient storage compartment.  It also protected my equipment very well during plane and bus traveling.
I just received this bag as a gift. It's perfect. I own a Canon AE1, a standard 50mm, a 25-80mm, and a 75-300mm (lenses). This bag fits it all EASILY, including rolls of film, cleaning materials, my wallet, cellphone, keys, and other such items. Also, I feel like it definitely keeps my equipment safe from the elements and packed neatly in a padded enclosure. Plus, it's very convenient to have a backpack (I used an over-the-shoulder strap bag before, which always got in the way) The backpack stays out of my way so I can concentrate on the picture I'm taking. This is a great deal too.
Tamrac's Adventure 8 backpack is well suited for all sorts of day trips.  The bag has a padded compartment for camera equipment, a main compartment suitable for holding a variety of goodies, and an assortment of smaller nooks and compartments for holding the rest of your gear.The Tamrac website boasts that the padded compartment has the capability to hold a camera body, 3 lenses of varying size, and a flash.  While this is essentially true (assuming one of your lenses is attached to your camera body), squeezing that much gear would be a tight fit.  I generallycarry a camera body, a table-top tripod, and either 2 extra lenses or a lens and the flash.The bag is small in size but large enough to handle a day's worth of gear and goodies.  And because it looks like a backpack, the bag passes through certain security checks where traditional camera bags may be red flagged.
I'm the type that obsesses before I make a purchase. I looked at tons of bags online, some in stores and initially purchased a different backpack that I HATED. I saw a smaller version of this bag and set out to find one big enough to meet my needs. This bag is well constructed. I feel like my camera and lenses are completely safe. It comfortably holds my Canon XSi with one lens on and 2 in the bag as well as multiple other accessories in the other pockets. The small pocket on top does well with my keys, cellphone and a small snack. My only complaint is the big flap over the top. It's not enough to deter me from wanting to use this bag as it is comfortable to carry with the sternum strap clipped and holds what I need, but it is the reason I rated 4 stars and not 5. It's just an inconvenience more than anything. You do, also, have to remove the pack and put it down to get anything out of it. There's no quick ease of access, so if that is something you are looking for, this is not the right bag. But overall, I like the size, materials, construction, comfort when carrying. Oh...and I wish it had a water bottle holder on it. But I'd definitely recommend it to a person who knows these limitations and feels it'd meet their needs anyway!
I recently purchased this very sleek backpack and it holds all of my equipment perfectly. It has so many compartments for storage that I couldn't find enough stuff to put in it. My only problem is that it can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear because it is smaller than a normal backpack. The hip strap is more like a chest strap. If you are an adult than you might not like how it looks or how it feels. I love this pack but it could be more comfortable. I suggest going to you camera store and try it out before you buy it.
Tamrac has designed a small/medium bag for single camera body carrying that I have found very convient. Over the year plus I've used the bag - I like it VERY MUCH.This is not my primary camera bag - simply because I cannot fit everything I might need for a professional photoshoot. For this I use a $200+monster bag and a cart to wheel it around. One backpack bag will not fit all needs.Here's what I like about this Photo backpack:1. Great Value for the money2. Comfortable when under full load3. Adjustable shoulder and chest straps4. My vacation configuration: Canon dSLR Rebel w/kit lens, BGE-1 battery grip/w2 canon batteries, a 70-300mm telephoto, 420EX speedlight, bounce flash portrait diffuser, camera battery charger, 4AA Ni-Mh ( for speedlight and Powershot A75 or A-85 + AA battery charger, a mini-tripod, Canon Powershot A85 backup camera, printer cable, extra Compact Flash cards, 8 in 1 flash memory reader, camera/speedlight instruction manuals, 58mm lens filter sets, and lens cleaner kits.5. Plastic coated overflap makes the bag somewhat weather resistant (except for side pockets). (IMHO) This is NOT a weatherproof bag, and do not attempt to use it as such.6. Adjustable internal padding allows for many different configurations.7. My Homeland Security airport checkpoint bag of choice. Throw it on the X-ray belt - easy to open if necessary.8. Carry handle between shoulder straps is a convenient feature.9. Cargo net pockets allow handy storage of manuals.Things this bag will not do - no matter how much you wish it would:1. It's NOT a two camera-body photo bag (unless you want to leave speedlight or telephto or a whole bunch of stuff at home).2. It's not an ideal shooting event bag because of back flap and and zippered main compartment - it must come off your back - and on the ground or table to take out what you need easily. This is a two hands and a firm surface to change your stuff bag. You'll still need a fanny pack or belt bag for quick changes of lens.3. I can't use it as an all weather bag. I wish entire backpack were made of more water-resistant materials and designed to be more equipment protective.For limited photoshoots; vacations or a casual backpack bag to carry a limited load of camera equipment the Adventure 8 is a GREAT purchase. It's convenient as a carrier bag for modest amounts of equipment. Perfect size allows me NOT to tempt fate by carrying backbreaking loads. Paired up with my roller laptop computer bag and backpack - I'm only looking like a minor uber-geek road warrior when on vacation.
I went to France last summer and was searching for something that would fit my needs: hold 3 cameras, maps, 20+ rolls of film, etc.Without a doubt this backpack made the trip a joy. I was able to carry a Nikon CP990, an SLR with an extra lens, a Lomo LC-A, all my filters, film, maps, a bottle of water, keys, passports, etc. It all fit it. And while the backpack may have felt heavy to lift, on my back it didn't cause any difficulty wearing it for extended periods of time.I love it, it feels great on my back and can carry more things than I need to.I now use it at home to carry all my stuff around. The rebuildable compartments are perfect. The greatest thing is that it just looks like a regular backpack.
I've had this bag for at least 6-8 years and I think it's great for 1 dlsr , a 70-300 mm lens some filters, and pens, paper pads,wiping cloths and a few other small things,  gum ,sunglasses and a small radio you might wear on your wrist. At this price if it's in good shape it's worth it! , when I bought mine I paid $75 or more. and the best thing you can just grab and go!
I bought this seven years ago at a camera store.  Recently I bought a new camera, and I felt really happy that I still have this bag for two spare lenses and a flash, some batteries, cleaning cloths, etc.  Of course you can't transport a studio in this, but it sure is light, rugged, and convenient for outings when you know you will want to change lenses and have the flash handy.  It is also fine for weekend trips to scenic locations, for sure.What is truly amazing, in this day and age, is the enduring quality.  Mine still looks new, feels tight.  Been all around China, Thailand, Vietnam with it, and traveled extensively here in the USA.The dust/rain flap over the zipper is tough material, but very easy to move when you want to get to the zipper.Just be sure to understand this measures 6.2" x 13" x 9", meaning it is small, very small.  But it comes with great padded velcro dividers that let you arrange it lots of ways for different needs.  If you are walking or standing for hours and want something easy to carry and quick to access, this is great.  If you are one of those neurotic photographers who must carry every piece of gear you own every time you step out the door, look elsewhere.Happy shooting!
This backpack is a lot smaller than I expected... granted, I did not take the time to actually think about the measurements.  Also I think the straps of the backpack are very uncomfortable.  It's probably good for anyone who is not thinking of professional work... but I am already thinking about what I want in my next backpack.
4 stars because it's really tight. But I can handle it. Currently I put into it Nikon D90 with 18-105 VR attached, SB600 flash, batteries charger and theres still space for another 2 lenses(small ones). Front pocket is nice to put your wallet, memory cards etc.. It's weather proof, so I don't have to worry about getting wet if caught under the rain, it's a small abd so the advantage of it is I can take it with me wherever I want to, biking, walking etc. I fell safe with this bag knowing my stuff won't get damaged, its pads are really thick and the bag itself feels VERY well made. If you plan on carrying more equipment than go for a bigger one, but for my needs it's a perfect size and the price, no one can beat it.
This bag is very good for a DSLR with 2 zooms and a macro.  It also holds cleaning supplies, flash unit and charger.
I don't have a lot of photography gear--SLR body, 2 lenses (1 80mm and 1 300mm), a hood, a few filters--but I needed a good way to haul all of it around.  This is a wonderful bag to do that.  It is built very well and I believe that it will protect my equipment from injury should an accident ever arise.  I still have room to add a few more lenses before I outgrow this bag.  I am a petite person and was able to adjust the shoulder straps small enough to be comfortable on my back--a big plus.  (Only downside is that I suspect adding my tripod to the mix may be a little awkward, but nonetheless I believe I will be able to lash it somehow to the outside of the bag with minimal trouble since I don't take my tripod along very often.)  All-in-all, if you need a convenient and safe way to haul &quot;the basics&quot; in camera equipment around, this is a great, sturdy bag for it.
I have 2 digitial slr cameras, 2 lenses, and a add-on flash. When I looked as the picture of this product, I saw that it held an SLR and 5 good sized lenses ... When I got the product, it was EXTREMEMLY WELL CONSTRUCTED but also smaller than I had hoped.I decided to keep the item based on the quality of construction and not include the flash inside the bag.Take care.Jack
I bought this bag with the intention of going hiking with it. When I tried to get my Nikon D70 with 18mm - 70mm lense attached in the compartment that holds the camera, it was a tight fit. Then when I tried to add my 70mm - 300mm lense and SB-600 flash light along with other items, it would not all fit. This is a good item (and a good price) for an amateur photographer, but not for someone that needs to carry 3 lenses and a camera body along for the ride. The description of this backpack was way off it's mark.
This is a nice, well-made, durable backpack.It just arrived today and I immediately stuffed it with my Nikon D50 SLR, with an 18-55mm lens attached and 2 additional lenses. It was a VERY tight squeeze getting this little bit of gear into the backpack. The bag is bulging at the sides making it a bit of a pain to zip up. If I had it to do over, I would probably opt for something larger than this backpack but for what it is, and the price, it'll do. The good thing about it is that the space constraints can be somewhat alleviated by purchasing attachable lens cases such as the MX5378 and MX5375.
Very inmpressed with this backpack.  The camera and lens fit snuggly into compartments.  The is enough room to store the my Canon Rebel ST with the 75 to 300 mm lens attached.The backpack has storage space for battteries and memory cards, plus your id.  The outside has pockets and straps for caring extras like a tripod, water bottle or straps to hold your sweater till you need it.The backpack is well-built and the design carefully thought out.  I recommend it.
There is no way the picture of the bag is the same one they send you.  The bag will hold an SLR with a lens, an additional small zoom lens, a flash and a few small accessories.  The pictures showing 3 - 4 other lenses and a teleconverter in addition to an SLR with a lens is completely misleading.  This backpack should probably be called a backpurse.  It is very small compared to ANY backpack you have ever seen.  It will not hold what the pictures show.  Amazon's description "Capable of holding an SLR body with up to a 7-inch lens attached, as well as four to five additional lenses and equipment, the Expedition 3 is roomy enough to fit the needs of most photographers." is simply not an honest statement.  Remember the obscure Pentax 110 SLR?  That little known interchangable lens SLR might fit per the description.  This bag is the size of a medium sized shoebox.
i've had this camera pack for a while now and i just can't live without it. after reading tons of reviews and researching other sites and stores, i decided this would fit my needs best.it's small, light weight and carries EVERYTHING inside it without drawing attention to itself. i can carry my canon 20d with all my accessories plus a few personal extras all day without back pain or tiring out. trust me, when it's Mardi Gras in the Big Easy, that means a lot!I CARRY THE FOLLOWING IN MY PACK:(while i was able to fit everything listed below inside, mind you, it's tightly packed)**Canon 20D with 100mm lens attached (without hood) and strap**18-55 Kit Lens**Promaster External Flash Unit with 2 Stofen Omni Bounce diffusers**backup camera battery with charger**3 4/packs of AA batteries (for flash unit)**all my owner's manuals plus a medium sized handbook (i'm a beginner)**lens cloth and small airblower bottle for lens cleaning**cords for hooking camera to TV and PC**2 backup memory cards (the red flap is extremely handy to keep track of used cards)**small notebook & pen, few personal items such as chapstick, headband etc...**cell phone (hooked on the outside)**water bottle (hooked on the outside)**sunglasses (in outer pocket -meant for the tripod)PLUS:1. size - perfect for a medium sized female2. construction - extremely well made, sturdy fabric, lots of padding and does a great job at keep humidity out (big deal down here)3. organized - with it's repositionable/removable compartment dividers, packing what you need is a breeze...plus there are lots of hooks & such on the outside for additional options...and you can add a tripod if you choose.4. color makes it look like any normal back pack.5. price was great for what i got.MINUS:(very minor, but these are my reasons for giving 4 opposed to 5 stars)1. rain flap over zippers make opening and closing somewhat combersome, but you get used to it. besides it's like an extra layer of protection (both from rain and thieving hands).2. if you want to fit an external flash along with extra lenses, you may consider a larger bag.3. it doesn't really do a great job at carrying my tripod. it becomes too difficult to get my camera in and out of the pack with a tripod attached (you have to remove the tripod before you are able to open the bag, not the most convenient while walking around).
I originally purchased the standard Nikon bag which by the way holds nothing and quickly found out that I needed something a bit larger and could carry more than just the camera.  While I was a little disappointed with the bag at first i think it is just what i need at this point in photog life.  The picture from the manufacturer is a bit misleading.  Bottom line, it won't hold a lot of stuff but thats not to say it's too small.  Here is a list of my pros and cons:Pros:1. Scalability.  The M.A.S. and S.A.S. attachments are where this bag excels at.  While it won't hold everything at first it can definitely grow as you collection does.2. Rain flap.  This flap is not as cumbersome as some would have you believe.  It can get in the way but that is why we have two hands and opposing thumbs.....just move it over.3. Configurable inside and out.  You can move the dividers around to suit your needs and there are more straps on the outside to attach things than Carter has peanuts.4. Well cushioned which means your prized possessions are in good hands.5. Well constructed.  Stitching is great and no signs of it going to wear out in the forseeable future.Cons:1. The pockets in the front flap are almost laughable.  They won't hold much but thats not to say they can't hold what they were intended to, pen cleaner, maybe a notepad, extra batteries, a usb cable, and some memory cards.2. Super long shoulder straps.  I have no idea who is expected to carry this thing but the straps could have been a bit shorter.  BTW they do adjust....I'm just griping. :)All in all, this is a good little bag that can grow as your collection does and is perfect for the photog that needs more than just a camera bag.
I LOVE this backpack!  It's easy to carry, and holds all of my equipment and then some!  Even has a holder on the bottom for a tripod!  The compartments are easy to change sizes on, so that all your camera equipment is organized and easy to get at.  Won't go anywhere without it!
This is a secure and hard backpack for your DSLR!!! You won't have to be worried about the health of your camera if you have it inside this one...And the cool part, is that you have a lot of compartiments to put all your stuff: lenses, memory, etc...I use it for my Nikon D40
I bought this bag after seeing the illustrations, and it looked like it can fit a digital SLR and 3 lenses, The fact is it does, but really really tight, you need an extra effort to make them fit in it. I have a Conon EOS 20D and 3 lenses, 18-55, 28-135 and a 70-300. They all fit but i can feel the camera telling my "this is too tight". Consider buying a larger model.
Pretty good small bag. Although a little tight for the camera body since it is positioned near the top where the pack is curved, there is plenty of padding and a tight fit does not cause any harm to the camera. The pads wear a little and the fit gets better over time, so this is not really a big deal, but it did make me worry initially. The padded velcro dividers in the bag can be positioned just about anywhere to make any combination of compartments. The bag also has a ton of extra pockets and compartments that were able to handle all my storage media, cables, batteries, etc. I have room for the camera, two other lenses, and the lens hoods on the inside. I am still trying to figure out if I can include my compact conventional film camera in the bag somewhere. Another great thing about the design of the pack is that the bag readily accepts other velcro attached accessories for water bottles, film, or other gear. I may see if my other camera will fit that way. There are two issues that might be a problem. 1 for the pros is that the bag is too small to handle larger lenses and professional gear. 2 for the beginner is that it is 1/2 the size of a regular backpack and not as convenient as a plain 35mm camera case if you are just headed out to the family picnic. One general gripe is that the straps will defninitely be a pain for those that prefer to carry it as a tote rather than wear it. They are not detachable. If they were, this would be nearly perfect for my needs. That said, I'm pretty happy with it and I won't be looking for any other cases.
I bought a larger version of this bag previously and I like the comfort of carrying in on my back. This bag I bought the Expedition 3 was used.However, it was in good shape. Nothing torn or missing.  I would recommend this product.
I was looking for a backpack upgrade after finding my over-the-shoulder bag too small to hold a two lenses, film, a filter wallet, and a cleaning kit for my Nikon N6006, (which is an average sized SLR). The Tamrac Expedition 3 disappointed me for several reasons:(1) Too small -- the bag is NOT the size of an average backpack; it is about 40% smaller, and closer to a shoebox in profile.  There is no room for lens hoods.  Even the slack from the camera strap causes space problems when trying to zip/unzip the bag.  Tamrac certainly could have made this bag much more functional had it been the size of a standard backpack.(2) No room for film -- upon buying the bag, I found out that it requires a film holster accessory in order to hold film (sold separately).  The other alternative is to leave a lens behind and use that space instead.(3) Inadequate space for filters -- a filter wallet will fit in the front pouch with a bit of finagling.  But they are somewhat unprotected, and if a tripod is mounted on the outside, it will be applying pressure on this space and compromising the filters.(4) Slow access due to hard to open zippers -- the fabric and zippers are stiff and difficult to unzip and access.  Spontaneous quick-reaction photography is nearly impossible if your camera is packed away.This bag is a great idea without a market:  it's far too big for a point-and-shoot camera, but far too small to carry the standard accessories any SLR photographer would normally keep.  I strongly recommend looking at other options, and do carefully compare dimensions.
Almost too little for a backpack. It just doesn't sit well on the handsome build I had :) Plenty of compartments, excellently built & high quality too. Remember this only holds a mini-tripod, not a normal sized one.
I was finding that many of my activities were going unphotographed because I didn't have a way to safely carry my equipment.  Activities such as bike riding, cross country skiing or canoeing have not been a part of my photohistory--until I got the Tamrac Expedition 3 backpack.The &quot;Expedition&quot; holds my SLR with a 300mm lens, my standard lens, my off camera flash, extra film, standard filters and cleaning supplies, with room left over for my keys and money. Everything is well padded and secure, and the pack is quite small and sits squarely on my back.  A sturdy top handle allows it to be carried in hand, and its small size makes this possible without dragging it along the ground as I do so.  The materials used are very sturdy; the pack can stand on its own and does not &quot;collapse.&quot;The only down side, and this is true of any camera backpack, is the need to take it off and zip it open to get at your gear. If this would be a concern, you may want to check out the top-loading hip packs, which I passed on since they always feel awkward to me.  Years of hauling backpacks make the &quot;Expedition&quot; seem like second nature to me.  No longer will my photohistory suggest couch potato-dom; now I can shoot my exploits on trail or river, thanks to the &quot;Expedition!&quot;
I like the versatility inside - meaning you can arrange the inside velcro panels to fit lenses, etc. I fit my camera body with 28-80 mm lens and a 70-210 mm and a 70-300 mm lens in the body of the bag and still have an extra "compartment" that I fill with film. Cons: 1)Description indicates it comes with the side straps etc for a water bottle or other gear - you actually have to purchase those separately.2) Not much space in the outer pockets. Once I get a few filters in, there isn't much room for my i.d or a notepad/book. 3) Straps are awkward to adjust. Pros: 1)Appears sturdy - its been on 5 planes with me and placed in the overhead bin with no trouble. 2)Doesn't announce that you are carrying a camera. 3) It is compact so if you can travel light it's great. I guess I just want to carry too much stuff. I would consider this pack in a larger size except that this one already gets heavy on long hikes.
Works great for my nikon.  I have two extra lenses: a lensbaby muse and a macro lens.  They all fit snug along with the external SB 800 Flsh.  I cannot imagine a telephoto lens fitting in the bag.  This bag was brand new so i am sure it has to get worn in a bit, but very durable and many places to fit accesories.  I am glad i have this bag because everything i need will fit in here.
This backpack is a very high quality product and is very compact (too compact for me). I was so pleased with the quality, however, that I returned the item and just got the next size up, the Expedition 4.
This camera bag came as described. Timely delivery and very reasonable price. The bag will replace an original Nikon bag. The space in this one is greater and much more organized and padded. Great seller, will do busines again.
Tamrac 5273 Expedition 3 SLR Photo Backpack (Black)This is a great little backpack.  It works well for what I need for some trips.  Yes, it is SMALL.  Although the picture of the backback may be a bit deceiving, the product description described it perfectly.  The dimensions were 9.5x8x14.5.  The size of the backpack allows me to place the backpack under the seat in front of me when I fly and still have room for my feet.  I don't like to put my backpack in the overhead as on some flights the flight attendents have re-arranged and re-located my backpack to other overhead compartments.  I can fit my Nikon D80 with lens attached, one additional lens and flash.  In addition, I store my Cannon Elf, chargers for both the Canon, Nikon and cell phone, extra battery, manuals and other small camera related items and some personal stuff.  I even store a paperback book in the outside pocket. Yup, tight fit!  Much easier for me when I'm dealing with luggage as well.  I usually leave non-Nikon related stuff in the hotel room while I'm at my destination which lightens the pack.  On trips where I have more time for taking pictures I usually take my larger backpack that stores my laptop as well and any other lens that I might want to take.  As others have mentioned, getting into the packback because of the rain guard is a little tricky.  Havent' had the zipper stick, but it's a two hand operation.  On the other hand, I doubt that anyone could get into the backpack in crowded areas and you not know it.  The shoulder straps are stiff and not the most comfortable, but tolerable for me.  The backpack is very well constructed. I would recommend this backback, but, do your homework.  Read the product description and not rely on the picture. The backpack is small....great little daypack!
The Tamrac Expedition 3 is well constructed, but there are a few caveats.First, the camera backpack is really small. If you want only to take your camera and a lens, then this pack is ideal. If this is your principle camera bag, you will need to purchase MAS and SAS accessories to accommodate your gear.Second, the pack is water resistant. As such, there is a rain flap that covers the zippers. Unfortunately, this design can make opening and closing the pack a hassle.Third, the storage compartments will not allow for much in terms of accessories. Again, the design philosophy of Tamrac is centered on modular and strap accessories, which will often total more than the initial price of the camera bag.If you're willing to spend $36 dollars for the MAS medium side bags, $26 for two SAS filter pouches @ $13 per pouch, $13 for a water bottle holder, and $xx.xx for whatever other accessories you deem necessary, then you will have the principle camera bag you desire. Or, you can use this rather expensive, but well built, camera bag to carry your camera and very little else. Or, you can buy a bigger bag for less money.
I really liked this bag when I first got it - it was exactly what I wanted: a small backpack that I could carry my camera with its 18-55 lense and my extra 75-300 zoom lense as well as my camera's batteries and battery charger and extra do-dads like memory chips and the like.And then I went on vacation and put the bag to the test.What I determined was this: Even for such a small bag it was heavy with all my gear in it and ended up hurting my shoulders.  I also found it really annoying that every time I wanted to put my camera away or take it out or switch lenses or get at anything else I had to take the bag off put the camera and bag down somewhere and switch everything around.  It ended up being a big ordeal and not as easy as I wanted.Overall, though, the bag is well made, feels pretty heavy duty and has lots of good pockets and places to stuff things away.  I did find the zippers to be a little sticky and hard to pull due to the heavy fabric flap covering it, it seems like the flap was sewn down too tightly.I would have given this bag four stars except for the zipper issue and the fact that it didn't end up suiting my needs.
Just bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D3000, and this bag to store it in and I couldn't be happier. It's light and compact, just the right size for the camera, extra zoom lens, and there's even room for my back up point and shoot. If you're a pro with a lot of equipment, look for something bigger, but for someone just starting out, this is outstanding. Everything is snug, but what's best is the inside is reconfigurable to customize for your equipment.
shipping was fast, product was great. the only thing i did not like to well was the size if you have any large lenses they will not fit to well. i have a d80 a nikon17-55 and a 80-200 and it was a squished fit. but overall the this is great!!!!
I bought this backpack for my new Olympus E3, flash and three lenses (14-22mm, 50-300mm, and 50mm.  It hardly holds just the camera and the 14-22mm and flash, leaving no room for the other two lenses.  I have jammed my other supplies such as lens cleaning kit, filter kit, battery charger, etc. and I can hardly close the thing.  I bought this style because I liked the way the interior is designed, I just think I bought the wrong size for my needs.  Am going to try and return it and buy the larger version.  Other than the above, the backpack is well put together with strong materials.  It is small and light weight without any gear so would be better fit for a smaller SLR with one or two small lenses.
i bought this bag first becasue of it's compact size. After using it I found a serious problem that the zippers can slide open when they are not completely closed. I dropped my Canon 35-350mm USM L lens twice becasue of the zipper. It wouldbe nice to have another strap outside the bag to prevent the flap opening too wide.
I got this bag and it is small. I can fit my E 500 with one lens attached, one extra lens, battery charger, USB cable, extra battery, lens hood and everthing is full and its tight. Secondly, on the back it is a small bag than a regular bagpack. When you have to take it out, you will have difficulty but if you want to change the lens also, you will need a place to put it, cannot do it standing or need a help. A normal 57 inch tripod will hang on the back but it will be hanging.Given a choice, I would not buy it again.
I like this bag, it's quite small but it keep all my stuff, a canon xsi with a sigma lens 18-125mm, a canon flash speedlite 430 II, a canon lens 50mm and my manuals, filters, and lenspen. It's comfortable and well buid. A good product with good price.
I knew I was buying a small camera backpack but I had no idea that it was that tiny! The photo makes us think it is bigger but it is really tiny! It fits just a small camera such us Canon XTi (no batery grip), one extra small lens such as Tamron 17-50mm, and some memories or bateries - THAT IS ALL - The thing that really bothered me most is that it is too narrow, shallow, and tight. It is really impossible to fit all that gear showed in the photo they use for the commercial. DO NOT BUY IT! IT DOES NOT WORTH!
This is definitely worth it if your a beginner or just a hobbyist but even if your a season pro it has it's advantages.  I bought this bag about ten years ago and I still swear by it. I will agree with most of the other users in that it's small and cumbersome to a point.  You have to think open about this though. It makes you think what you really need therefore eliminating clutter and making hiking much more manageable.  Also it's great for metropolitan work in that it looks like a regular bag. It won't be so obvious to prying eyes to what you have therefore making yourself less of a target unless your carrying a tripod with you.
I bought this bag after reading all the reviews here. Many say they can stuff a dslr and three lenses in here.Maybe that is possible with little lenses but if you have anything decent in there, rest assured it aint going to fit.My kit was Canon Digital Rebel XT with kit lens, Canon 70-200-F4L + hood, usb hub & cable and lastly the battery charger.All that would fit- as long as the 70-200 was on camera. No space for even a small flash.When I tried to install the kit lens and keep the 70-200 in bag, i all goes wrong. This bag is not wide enough for the 70-200/camera+kit lens/70-200 hood.The straw that broke the camels back as it were, was the battery grip. The grip puhed the contents over the edge. The combination of camera/grip height is about 3/4" to high for the bag.And now I want to add a flash + spare batteries this bag  up for sale.Lastly, the tripod straps look great but need a really small or compact tripod to be effective. If you have a regular tripod getting it secured is 'challenging"!!To sum up - This bag is great if you have very little gear or you only carry bits of your setup.It would also work if you have the cheaper lenses that usually tend to be smaller and lighter than kit like the 'L' Canons.
Great product for the price.  Easy to carry and roomy for on the go hobbyist!
I have the Expedition 7 as well for when I need to lug everything I have around. But if I go on day-hikes, this bag is it for me.It easily fits my camera with grip, long lens, and a couple small lenses. I reserve some of the other space for snacks etc so I guess if you don't eat you can carry a flash.
works great and looks great holds all of the camera equipment with out being bulky. I has a space for everything
I own the Sony DSC-717 digital camera and have found this bag complimentary to the Sony.  The only improvement I believe it needs is the addition of a chest strap.  To correct this problem I went to a local outdoor supply store and built one myself for less than two dollars...  All in all it's an outstanding backpack.
I had no idea how small this was going to be.  A normal human being would never be able to use the shoulder straps on this.  It seems like it might be made for an infant.  But why would an infant need this?
I have used this bag with my Nikon D50 and later with the D80.  It fits the body with the 18-55mm lens attached.  Also I carry a 50mm, 55-200mm and a 120mm lens.  The flash unit goes in its own bag but it hangs from outside of the Tamrac. I also carry some filters, memory cards, a pen, ID, and other flat items that can go in the front pocket.I have take this bag to several trips as a carry-on item and it has a perfect size for carry-on!  The most surprising experience with this bag is when I left it unattended in a boat and it rained dogs and cats! All my equipment was 100% dry!!!I  have already 2 years with this bag, and the only reason that I may change it will be to get a bigger one for more lenses and flash space. 100% recommended!
This bag is well made, but the photo is VERY deceiving.  My Olympus body is way too large for this bag, and so it will not even hold the body and two lenses.  Don't get me wrong, the bag is nice -  but for a point and shoot camera and a tube of lipstick - but not for a Pro!
This is a well made bag which can carry most all of your camera needs.  I found it works well to carry on my camera on airplane trips.  I can pack 3 lenses and a slr camera body.  Room for accessories and a way to strap on a small tripod makes this a good bag for hiking.Well worth the cost for the value.
This is an excellent backpack, well-made, and high quality. It also looks very durable.Please take note, however, that this is a small backpack. But it definitely  is worth the money. I use it to carry my Canon Powershot S3 IS with the converter attached. It also contains my slave flash, as well as extra filters and hood. I am planning to buy a tripod which I can strap to the bag's exterior.There is no doubt about it -- Tamrac products are of excellent quality and durability for the serious photographer.
I have a rebel XT, 75-300, 50 1.8, and the 17-85 IS lenses. This bag claims this should all fit. I didn't mention that I have lens hoods for the 17-85 and the 75-300. I can fit the camera and lenses, but as soon as you add a flash (580EXII - Excellent flash), or the lens hoods, it goes from *unnngh-TIGHT* to *A pool of extra items sitting on the floor that wont fit*. Its a cute little backpack assuming you aren't serious (even halfway serious) about photography. If all you have is a kit lens and a 75-300, you might be OK, but any more, Go for something larger. Seriously.
I'm not sure why people are complaining about this backpack being so small since the description and pictures are accurate (though it looks smaller in real life and the scale is not all that obvious).I easily fit a medium sized camera with a 28-300 lens attached and and an 18-55 lens directly below it.  I don't have other lenses to fill up the side partitions of the main compartment, but could easily fit 2 to 4 more lenses (depending on size) in these areas.  The sides of the main compartment seem a bit tighter to fit things in, however.Even being conservative, this pack should fit a camera with lens attached, 2 additional lenses and a flash in the main compartment.In the smaller front pocket I fit 2 memory cards, compact lens cleaning kit, larger lens cloth, 8 AA batteries, compact charger.  A mini-tripod or compact water bottle would fit in the outside pocket/strap.Don't expect to carry huge amounts of additional things in this pack aside from additional small items like keys, wallet, map, cell phone.You're not going to be putting your thermos, picnic lunch and jacket in here.  It's not even as big as most computer backpacks, but it certainly doesn't claim to be.  You might fit some small additional items, but not anything bulky.The construction seems good and it's reasonably rigid and well padded.  It's a good value for the price.
I ordered this bag over a canon bag for my rebel XT and lenses due to reports of problems with the zippers on the canon bags.  The tamrac bag's zipper feels quite sturdy, but it seems to get stuck or a little tight towards the top when zipping or unzipping both main pockets.Otherwise this was a great purchase.  There is plenty of room so far, for my Digital Rebel XT with 50mm f/1.8 lens, 18-56mm lens, 75-300mm lens, charger, two batteries, various cables, manual, lens pen, and tripod mount.  Theoretically you can attach a tripod to the bag as well, although mine is too large and even if it weren't I'm not really sure it would hold it in an optimum fashion.The shoulder straps are comfortable and sturdy, as is the carrying handle.  There are enough pockets and seperators to hold most of the little knick-knacks that you might need.  I'm quite happy with the purchase.
This is a good backpack for someone with a small amount of equipment.  I use it with my Nikon D40, which usually has the 18-200 zoom attached.  It's easy to get that combination in and out without completely unzipping the bag.  I also carry my SB-800 flash, and there is room for a couple fixed or small zoom lenses as well.  The bag will also accept a small book, up to trade paperback size, or notepad lying flat on top of the equipment.The outside pocket is good for temporary storage of filters while you're shooting.  It's not my style, but if you like to have your phone clipped to the backpack straps it's set up for that.  When I was shooting at the AirVenture show I used those clips to carry my aviation radio.One thing that can be a little frustrating is that the tolerances around the zippers are pretty tight, meaning that it can occasionally be a little tough to get the zippers to move.  The upside of that is that the zippers are pretty well protected from light rain if you're wearing this as a backpack.Like most backpacks, you'll need to grab some of the straps to avoid having them drag on the ground if you're using the top carry handle.The tripod holder is useful.  You can't put a monster tripod on there, but any basic 3 leg tripod would work just fine.  The straps that hold tripods in place are not fastened to the backpack (they loop through straps on the bag), so there is some potential for losing them if they aren't closed after use.  The plus of that is that they are replaceable and if you needed something different it would be easy to install.  It's not clear whether the tripod straps are enough to hold a monopod in place.Overall build quality is excellent.  I expect the one I have to last for several years.
Tamrac is a brand I trust from past experience so I bought this Expedition 3 backpack style bag for my new Canon T2i.  The interior of the bag can be customized for use with several different cameras and accessories and is the perfect size to accomodate the camera with standard lens, a 55-250mm zoom lens, and a 60mm macro lens, plus all the cables, cords, extra battery, battery charger, extra memory cards, and the camera instruction book.  I will be buying an external flash unit which will also fit in the bag with room to spare.  The tripod or monopod holder on the outside of the backpack makes it easy to take along my tripod for those low light or family shots that require a stable base.  I am really impressed with the overall contruction quality, zippers, and weight of the materials used to make this bag.  I am confident it will protect my camera and gear from any weather or rough handling that happen to come along.  Now I'm ready to just sling my gear over my shoulder and take it any where I want to go.
Ok this bag is small, I knew that before I bought it. But what I didn't know what that the bag has a piece of material about an inch over the zipper that makes it difficult to open the bag quickly. It is irritating, I wish I never bought this bag for my camera. I went back to my old camera bag.
Although this is a small bag you can fit the essentials in it, I carry my Nikon D70 with a couple of lenses, the charger, and the lens cleaning kit and that all fits fine. I would have rated it a 5 but due to the tripod straps the main bag zipper can be a bit tricky to open.
Be aware that this is a small bag.  Realistically, it will hold your SLR camera and 2 lenses, max.  And they had better not be really huge lenses.That said, this bag is perfect if you understand what you are buying.  It is well made, protects your camera, and is small enough  to ride on your back with perfect comfort.  I love mine.
This is a nice pack!  One thing you should be aware of.  It's not as big as it look's.  If you have a large lens or many items to pack then maybe you should get a larger bag.  Check out the picture's and you will see.  Other than that it's an excellent bag.  Very weather proof.  I got rained on once already and there was no problem.  A good purchase even though it's a little expensive.  It's worth the buy.
Tamrac is a quality built company with quality built products.  The backpack may seem small at first but can really pack a lot of punch.  My DSLR and all my lens fit snug.  Trust me you want that.  Everything is secure and safe when traveling.  It's waterproof and highly durable.  Lots of accessories available as well.  The only fall back is that you want to travel with a light weight tripod or monopod.  I have a heavy/sturdy tripod that I carry by hand and won't rest well with the Tamrac backpack.  Other than that, a great buy!April 2008 update:I quickly outgrew this backpack! After 3 months, I needed something that would be capable of holding my D80 with battery grip as well as something that I can quickly can remove my DSLR in a flash. While I still have this backpack, I am now using something else to accomodate my new needs.  What I wrote above is still on point, but rather I needed a new pack to adhere to certain situations.
I purchased this eons ago and it survived a lot of outdoors photography trip just fine. It's compact, it's reasonably priced and it lasts. I have no problem recommending it. I particularly like the number of pockets and the movable/customizable compartments so as one buys new gears, you just reconfigure it.
I work for a private school as the official photographer.  We have two Olympus digital cameras--the E-10 and the E-20.  We were using a shoulder strap bag for the E-10, but when we bought the E-20, I decided to look for better bags for both of them.  A photo backpack seemed much more comfortable than a shoulder strap bag (which I can't stand).  Contrary to what people think, schools like the one I work at don't have a big stash of money sitting around, so I needed to find a relatively {inexpensive} bag and I ended up buying two of these bags.  I found them to be great, especially during the summer, when I took the camera on a couple camping and hiking trips.  When we went on hiking trips, I was responsible for a group of kids in the range of 10 to 12 years of age.  Naturally, they didn't bring enough water, but I was fortunate to be able to pack five small water bottles in the backpack along with the camera and an extra lens.  At one point I also had a small bag of trail mix.  Now, remember that I had a digital camera that required no film.  The camera is about the same size as a regular SLR camera, maybe a bit larger.  The only other accessories I had were some extra sets of batteries.  There a couple of zippered pouches that I used for this.  When I'm not going on these hiking trips, I've had plenty of room for the camera, two extra lenses (a telephoto and a wide-angle), a charger and a water bottle or two.  So unless you are planning on bringing a bunch of extra lenses, this is a great bag, especially for the price.
This bag will likely hold 1 camera body, and two lenses - with a couple of other misc.  If that second lense is a large zoom lense, consider purchasing something else.Also - think about different colors.  I purchased this before I noticed that [someone else] was offering the identical model in black for cheaper.The backpack is comfortable to wear enough, but that front mesh pouch that is depicted holds next to nothing.  The internal velcro compartments are awkward to use if the backpack is packed too tightly.
I own several Tamarac camera related bags and holders, and they have yet to disappoint me.  This backpack is compact and easier to lug around than a full blown camera bag.  Perfect for that short trip and still take enough to get the job done. Outstanding product
Others have noted the cramped dimensions of this photo backpack, but, as you might suspect, it all demands on what equipment you're using.  I have a Nikon D70 with Nikon 40-120 VR zoom, Nikon 70-300 VR zoom, and Tokina 12-24 zoom lenses.  Also Nikon SB600 flash, a couple of polarizing filters, and the usual connecting cords and chargers.Just couldn't get it all into the Expedition 3, even with a shoehorn.  The lenses weren't too long, just too wide.  Traded this model in for an Expedition 4 model which carries all of the above comfortably.  Pricing for the 3 model is much better than the 4, but if you can't carry your gear the price doesn't matter.  So, you'll either need to measure your gear carefully or actually try to fit it in the backpack itself to insure your needs are met.The Expedition 3 doesn't have a waist or sternal strap like the 4, making it harder to position just right on your back.  Fit and finish are excellent on both models.  Both accept the modular pack and strap add-ons by Tamrac.
I've used this bag for nearly 1.5 months and find it small enough to carry everywhere, yet big enough to tote a camera and all of my necessary accessories.  There are plenty of compartments for sure.  The best feature is the ability to "re-velcro" the bag's interior, guaranteeing a snug fit for all of your gear and allowing you to reconfigure the bag as you acquire additional lenses, etc.  The only reason I gave this bag 4 stars instead of 5 is because the zippers get caught on the overlapping fabric which can be annoying when you only have one free hand.
If you are looking for a bag to fit your laptop, or a change of clothes, as well as your DSLR /SLR, keep looking. Crumpler bags might better serve your purpose. This little bag snugly fits my Nikon D80 with a mounted 70-200mm with lens hood, a 12-24mm lens, an extra battery, a few extra memory cards, a monopod (strapped to the exterior) and little else. It is however, well constructed, attractive, and offers good camera protection. If, like myself, you are a person who prefers to pack light when it comes to your gear, this little bags offeres a great  way to tote your camera at a very affordable price. You will not be dissapointed.
nice compartments, well constructed, insulated, comfortable to wearzippers are a little snug but function okfits my camera, manual 3 lenses, xtra battery all misc accessories and lens filters and caps nicely
My Tamrac has been dropped, kicked dragged and soaked. It has protected my valuable gear throughout and it still looks good. It contains cameras, radios and GPS units. I sell land in remote Maine. All my gear is reliably protected.
I returned this item because it was just not big enough for my SLR.  I have two lenses, neither is huge.  I tried to fit the camera with one lens on and another off, plus flash and a few other gizmos.  Everything was too tight.  There were several pockets inside the flap allegedly for accessories (they mentioned filters), but my filters, my notebook, my lens tissue -- none fit!  They make some dubous claim about strapping on a tripod, but they don't mean a professional tripod, I guess.I'll try the larger model and see if things are better.
This is a good bag to hold your SLR body, a 28-80 lense and an assortment of filters (in their cases) and other small items. Front pouch easily holds up to 6 rolls of film and cleaning kit. This bag definitely will not hold more than one lense with the body on the inside. But it securely stores your gear and is lightweight and easy to carry around. A good buy for the money.
I'm am amateur photographer and basically needed a bag for my SLR camera, lens, and an extra slot for a future lens or flash. This bag was fine for my needs. However, I must point out that I was disappointed by the dividers inside the bag. The pictures here give the impression that the &quot;walls&quot; inside the bag are of a sturdy material, when in fact they are sponge-like and attach to the sides and bottom of the bag with very strong Velcro. I've had some trouble moving them around, in fact, because the Velcro on the sides catches before I get the bottom in and vice versa.  Overall, if you only have a few pieces of equipment, this is a good bag. It's light, its made of a durable material, the dividers do adjust to accommodate the size of your camera/lens/flash, there are several pockets of various sizes, and there is both a small handle on the top of the bag and a wide shoulder strap.
It's well made, and comes with lots of little compartment-dividers (I tossed them in order to put in a full set of headphones), but this thing is h-e-a-v-y. Unless you don't mind hauling extra weight, look elsewhere
I bought this bag to hold a Canon Digital Rebel 35MMcamera. The description lead me to believe there wasenough space to hold the camera, an extra lens andflash. This simply is not true. The camera will fitsideways with a lens attached if one of the dividersis removed. This will leave space for a small extra lens orflash unit in the other space, but has rendered the baguseless to me.If you have a digital camera with a built in lens, thismight be a good choice, but for an SLR digital, looksomewhere else.I recommend going to a camera store and "try before you buy".
I bought one of these bags for my Rebel XT.  I wanted the smallest bag possible as I like to carry the camera  all the time with at least one extra lens, but I don't like bulk.  I can carry the camera with the 18-55mm lens attached and two additional lenses (35-80mm and 75-300) without a problem.  Everything fits perfect.  A guy in the store also showed me a trick if you only intend to carry one lens.  Remove one divider and place the camera in the bag lens facing up. This makes the camera easier to grab leaves plenty of space to quickly tuck the neck strap and I don't have the bulk of the extra divider.All the pockets and pouches are also excellent for carrying and organizing extra memory cards bateries charger,USB cable, or whatever.  This bag is just what I was looking for.I would recommend trying various bags in the store before buying as I just happened to find this bag while looking for the bag I "thought" I wanted.
I have long been a fan of Tamrac for my camera bag needs.  About a year ago I bought a pair of Steiner 8x30 binoculars that did not come with a carry case/bag.  The Tamrac 5401 did a great job to make a binocular case.  Have enough pockets for cleaning supplies, etc.  Good for outdoor and ballgame travel.  I bought one for my brother and his digital camera.  He likes to keep all the accessories in one place and this bag is big enough to do that and small enough not to be cumbersome.  Quality and price of the Tamrac bags have been excellent.
I can easily fit my camera and four lenses, not to mention a charger and manuals.Plenty of side pockets. Excellent build quality.
This is a great bag! Lots of storage and the layout of the main compartment with the Lens Bridge is pretty nice. The zippered top flap with buckles and velcro is a great feature as it allows quick access with only 1 buckle to remove. And the zipper helps to keep dust out when stored. Very satisfied with this bag!
I needed a new gear bag to hold my new d-SLR,and the lenses I bought for it.The bag holds:d-SLR(Pentax k2000)1 18-55mm1 50-250 zoom1 28-80mm1 75-300 zoomExtra filters.Batteries.Tons of digital memory cards.Pentax Optio P&S;,with its chargerAll cables to be used w/my laptop.Sunglasses.GPSCell phone,if neededThere are lots of pockets that can hold a lot more stuff.I like it because it has like a double-protection security system,where everything is securely fastened with Velcro straps and extra connectors.I actually bought two because I am collecting more lenses for my camera.I am very satisfied with this gear bag.I think it offers a very secure way to stow your precious camera stuff.
The Tamrac System 3 camera bag is perfect for SLR owners who also have one or two compact lenses (e.g., the typical 28-200mm or 70-300mm zoom lens) in addition to the lens attached to the camera, plus a small external flash.  The bag is small compared to other SLR gadget bags, but the inside can be partitioned in flexible ways.  It's also well-padded, both inside and outside.  It also has lining pockets for things like USB cables, camera body cap, lens caps, filters, etc.  At the front, there's a compartment for miscellaneous items such as film, memory cards, pens, lens cleaning paper, etc.  Hidden behind this is a pull-out pouch for batteries and memory cards, plus an ID tag (kinda hard to write on, though).  You can also use the compartment this pouch is in to store film, etc, although stuff might fall out if you are not careful.  At the back is another compartment, which I use to store the manual of my Nikon D70.As you can see, this "small" bag is very versatile.  In addition, you can get Tamrac's add-on pouches and pockets to attach to the strap or the sides of the bag, for additional storage.I looked at many bags before settling on this one.  It's compact and weighs about 1.5 pounds, so it's material enough to withstand tough conditions yet light enough for shoulder-use.  As I mentioned it's also well padded and can accommodate extensions.  If you are the typical SLR enthusiast with a total of 2-3 compact lenses and/or a small flash unit, you'll find this bag a very good fit for your needs.
This bag is everthing it was advertised to be.. very secure, lots of compartments and well built. I recommend this bag whole heartedly.
This bag holds all my camera accessories and my camera with room to spare.  There are plenty of velcroed pieces to configure the bag in any way you may need.  I have a Canon Rebel with a 24-70mm lens, 70-200 mm telephoto  lens, 10-24 mm ultra wide lens, & 50 mm macro lens; along with a variety of filters, wires and battery charger in my bag now.  This is a must for any photo enthusiast.
Perfect size for an SLR and one or two lenses or a lens and flash.  My favorite feature is the pull out CF card holder.  I've used this bag for over a year with no complaints.
I bought this bag specifically to enter my first pro game stadium at Qwest Field in Seattle because of their bag size restrictions. It held everything and more.It holds my Sony Alpha 300 with stock lens, telephoto lens, Sony Cybershot, waterproof case for Cybershot, wide angle, extra batteries, filters, memory cards and my HD camcorder which I left at the hotel since the stadium didn't allow video recording. Oh yeah and a microfiber hand towel.I also took it out in Portland during a steady drizzle of rain and my equipment wasn't even touched.I thought the bag did come with a rain cover but it didn't - no biggie as I don't intend to carry it out in the rain anyways.It does get a tad heavy if you load it up and I wish it was juuust a bit contoured so when you have it on your hip it doesn't sit so awkwardly but overall it's a great bag if your intentions is to carry ALL your gear.
I think that this is a great bag for the price.I have a D90, the kit zoom lens, a Nikon55-300mm ED, an SB700, and quite a few small accessories in this bag.  It's a snug fit, but I don't have any trouble closing the bag, and if I added much more stuff it would be too heavy to carry around all day any way.  The strap is very comfortable, and I like the front flap system.  I can fit batteries, some other junk, and even a pocket camcorder.I'm not really sure why some people would write critical reviews of this bag due to it's size.  It's a small bag, and sold as such.  If you need a bigger bag, just buy a bigger bag.  Would you write a critical review of a pair of size 9 shoes for being to small because you wear size 10?
We use this bag to organize our digital camera and digital camcorder. There's a pocket for everything, including all the cords and everything has it's own place. It's not easy to get into, great when you have kids but not quick for the adult. You just have to know when you will need the camera. Offers great protection for those expensive cameras.
Holds my Canon Digital Rebel XT plus lenses. Organized well, plenty of room, well designed and sturdy.
Got this for my hand-me-down Nikon D80 & all the works that came with it. I can get everything into it, including a couple of books & have a bit of room left over. Wonderful assortment of storage areas that make one drool! I think I have 2 lenses in my case, but nothing huge....there are larger cases for the extreme pros out there....Suits my needs perfectly!
The Tamrac System 3 (and other &quot;System&quot;) bags are very well crafted camera bags. The bag has several very attractive features.--Handles and straps are strong and very comfortable.--Access to bag is easy, zippers very smooth, clips easy to manage.--Main body of bag can be reconfigured with velcro separators.--Surprisingly high capacity (I carry an SLR body with standard lens, a 75-300 zoom, spare short focal length lens, hot shoe full flash and digital 6x zoom camera all in central pocket)--several additional useful separators, film holders, documentation, places for lens cleaner, paper or cloths)--durable outer shell that can take some abuseAll of this is contained in what appears from the outside to be a very small bag that easily stores for travel. Perhaps most importantly the separators, outer shell, and body construction real do appear to protect your equipment (yes I am ashamed to admit that I have had my fully loaded bag drop off of tables and down steps). Don't buy more bag than you need. If you've got a reasonable amount of gear this bag probably can handle it.
Decent sized bag. I have two cameras and one lense. They fit nicely into the bag and I still have enough room to put more gear. Very nice.
Not too big, not too small ... just the right size for my DSLR, a rather large flash, three extra batteries and memory cards, and three lens. The bag is well designed to protect your camera against rain and bumping. The camera body with lens attached is designed to sit on the left side center with the lens running down the middle - the bag's design is flexible enough to support short stubby lens or the longer telephoto lens. There are two accessory pouches with one up front for batteries and memory cards and the other up on the cover for anything else. I put my cables, tools, and cleaning cloth up there. The top secures with three rather large strap clips and it comes with a nice shoulder strap. There are straps on the left and right which accept accessory pouches from the Tamrac MX line. The fit and finish seems top rate and worthy of years and years worth of service.
I purchased the Tamrac 5603 System 3 Camera Bag for my Canon T5i with battery grip and it works perfectly!  The camera bag is big enough to fit the camera with battery grip with an 18-135 lens (or similar length lens) installed, an additional lens, and small flash.  The pockets on the front and inside of the top of the camera bag are perfect for additional batteries, memory cards, lens cloth, and even the lens hood for the 10-22 lens that I have; the hood does fit in the front pocket.  Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and recommend it if you have a similar camera/lens setup.
After researching a number of bags for my new digital SLR camera, I thought this bag had the best combination of price, size, and features.  I'm very happy with my selection.  I've never owned a Tamrac bag that I didn't feel was quality made.  The MAS (Modular Accessory System) and SAS (Strap Accessory System) are quite well thought out and the available accessories are very economical compared to other brands.  The bag has a small footprint, but had plenty of room for my new camera (w/lens), flash,  extra 28-300mm lens and all my other necessary items.  Other bags seemed to lack the perfect combination of WxHxD like this bag.  It would be hard to find camera/lens cominations that wouldn't fit in this bag.  Plus, extra battery sets and memory cards have predesigned pockets so everything is quick and easy to find ... everything in it's place with quick, easy access.The only things I could find that could be improved was 1) Heftier hook/loop closier for the flap and 2) more hook/loop material to enable more compartmental options inside the bag.  But, these are very small nits compared to the overal quality of this bag.
I purchased this bag for my Canon EOS Rebel XS, an additional lens, and a few other accessories.  The bag I had previously was way too small and I felt the camera and lens were packed too tightly together.  This bag is the perfect size for my needs.  There is room for another lens as well.  I'd say if you have several lenses that you'll be toting around, this bag may be a bit small.  If you're looking for a decent sized bag that will hold your camera, a lens or two, and a few basic accessories, I'd say this is a great choice.
I believe this camera bag is  quite big. But my wife is happy. Anyway, great material.
I bought this nearly two and a half years ago to carry myFujifilm FinePix HS10,La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger, twenty fourEneloop AA, Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries, a few filters, cleaning cloths, USB cords and other miscellaneous small items. The Tamrac 5603 bag has provided solid protection from rain, snow, spills and vehicle vibration for all my camera equipment and accessories. The bag actually has more room than I need for my equipment, and I occasionally find myself forgetting what I put where.The bag is constructed of material that resembles Cordura or ballistic nylon, and is very water resistant, if not completely waterproof. The main compartment is secured with a padded flap that both zips and straps closed and has a lip that covers the zipper to prevent water from making its way into the bag through that avenue. All sides of the bag and the top have some degree of padding, and the main compartment is not only padded, but also filled with a network of Velcro secured padded panels that can be manipulated in a variety of positions to accommodate a wide array of camera shapes and sizes.After two and half years of faithful service, my old camera is due to be replaced, but my Tamrac bag still looks like it did the day I bought it, and will be housing my newCanon PowerShot SX50 HSwhen it arrives in a few days.It's not often these days that I find a product that exceeds my expectations in any way, but the Tamrac 5603 has done just that for me, and it has done so in every way.
Holds both my video camera, and two regular cameras. Lots of pockets for all the gear, and SD cards with empty flags. All the compartments are adjustable to fit your gear. Get it!
I bought this bag thinking that I could get my 40D  with a 28-70mm zoom mounted (with lens hood) and then my other 3 lenses into the bag.  It turns out I couldn't include my 170-500 Sigma lens.  I put it back in its original bag and hooked that bag to this bag.  I had to take out just about all of the dividers as they came.  I was able to get my camera with the lens (no hood) and the battery grip into the bag, my 70-200 Canon L lens, my flash and my 100mm macro Sigma lens into the main compartment.  The three lens hoods are all just laying on top.  The other pockets and such are fine.  I was just very disappointed with the room of the bag inside.  I think from now on I will have to go to a brick and mortar store to see the product and buy it there.
I recently reviewed a camera bag that looked (by the picture) like it would handle my needs. Long-story-short: it didn't and I should have questioned the image vs. dimensions, but I don't want to revisit that one again. Since that review I sold all of my 4/3 gear and went with the micro 4/3 format. My old camera bag, which I purchased back in the late 80's was a Tamrac, and I carried it through many airports, up and down the mountain trails in Colorado and it always protected my gear. It's been showing some signs of wear, and I chose this Tamrac bag as it's replacement (judged by the photo and dimensions). While I haven't moved all my stuff into it completely I just wanted to let you know that I didn't have any problems put my Panasonic GH3, and G5KK camera bodies in it along with the following lenses (all Panasonic Lumix): 25mm, 100-300mm, 45-200mm, 7-14mm, and a 45-150mm in the main compartment. I see no reason I won't be able to put various accessories in it either, and just in time for a field trip. This was well worth the price paid!
a place for everything and everything in its place describes this bag perfectly. if their is a flaw i didn't find one.
saw this case in a camera store and it was exactly what i wanted except for the price. looked around online and found this one at a fairprice and purchased it. very good quality with enough pockets and seperators to keep all you need at a monents grasp.
I was surprised how much stuff I can fit into this bag - 2 bodies, lenses, filters, memory cards, extra batteries and so on.  Well organized and like all Tamrac bags (which I've used for many years), it's sturdy and well-made.
This camera bag does a great job It holds both of my cameras and all of my equipment And is comfortable to.
Tamrac is a great company. This bag is well constructed, visibly durable and nicely designed, but it just isn't a good size. If you really do hope to fit in two DSLR's with lenses attached of normal length, you'll be disappointed to find out theres hardly any room left to fit a long lens or a even two normal lenses. It's just too cramped. Although the pockets on the top, front, and sides of the bag are great and fit lots of things, the main compartment is too small to fit two cameras and lenses comfortably. I'm returning mine and upgrading to the Pro 12, which is a perfect size for two bodies and 2 or 3 lenses and a flash.
A great bag with all the protection you would want for your gear. Would be a little tight for two bodies and all the related gear. Quality construction throughout. Amazon gave great service again and the bag arrived in a timely manner. I would definitely buy this bag again.
I looked long and hard before deciding on the Tamrac Pro 8.  I received my bag a little over a month ago and until last night I was pretty much satisfied with it.The division system is a bit hard to get used to but you can rearrange it since the walls are velcro.  It is important to point out that with the default configuration you will be stacking lenses.  The lenses on the bottom row will be covered with a velcro pad and not easily accessible. I will point out that after coming to a setup I could work with I had a nice amount of velcro debris in the bottom that I ended up vacuuming out, you will want to do the same so those buggers can't make it into your gear.I mentioned I was more or less satisfied until last night.  A trident on one of the quick snap buckles broke off.  I'm more careful than most with my gear so if the bag is already breaking down with light use I'm a bit worried about the long term implications here.  Tamrac has a 5 year warranty on their bags but the caveat is you must pay shipping each way and they quote at least a two week turn around.  There are plenty of other snaps so I'll hold off on getting it serviced for now.  It is nice to know that if it degrades any further I can have it repaired or replaced for the cost of shipping both ways.
Like everyone else I did all the research and read the reviews.  I wanted this "style" bag, not a sling or a backpack or a holster, just a traditional shoulder bag that could hold two Rebel XTs with the normal 18-55 lens attached.  So it came down to the KATA WS604, the KATA SB904, the Lowepro Magnum AW, the Tamrac 5608 and the Tamrac 5612.  Dimensions were all within 2" and prices (on Amazon) varied from $100 for the Tamrac 5608 to $180 for the Lowepro.So I decided to try the smallest of the group - the Tamrac 5608 and it WILL NOT confortably hold 2 Rebel XTs with their 18-55 lenses attached (one has a lens hood).  The front of the lenses will bump each other in the middle of the case.  And it would have been very difficult to arrange and access all of my other 'stuf' with the two cameras taking up so much of the top area of the case.Aside from that, it appeared to be a strong, well made bag so I opted to spend another $35 and go for the Tamrac 5612 and I'm damn glad I did.  Camera lenses don't bump, enough space for all my 'stuf' and easy access to everything.  Check out my review under that product for more details.
I was looking for a bag that would be big enough to carry my Nikon D300, 18-200, 70-300, 28-70 and 17-35 lenses.  Not to mention assorted filters, batteries, flash cards, etc.  I thought, after doing quite a bit of research, that this bag would suffice.  And I suppose it might, if you carefully tucked everything away in the bag and never actually tried to get at anything.  Sure, the bag will hold a bunch of 'skinny' lenses (problems stuffing in my 17-35), but those lenses are buried under layers of padding velcroed in such a way that makes all but the exposed camera and attached lens readily accessible.  For example, the camera and attached lens has to sit on the 'second tier' of padding in order to use the 'lens gate'.  Under the body, totally hidden, might be another lens.  Another problem with the body and lens sitting high up, is that the bag's center of gravity is higher up and more prone to dump out your gear.  And speaking of velcro, trying to rearrange the pads is sort of like herding cats.  Another problem are the storage spaces- there simply aren't enough zippered compartments to hold loose items.  The front compartment is less of a pouch and more of a sleeve.  The side pockets only velcro shut, good luck if it rains.  And inside the top lid?  Great for storing pieces of paper, that's about it.  The bag comes down to personal preference.  I misfired by choosing this one.
This is a great camera bag.  It holds a lot of gear.  This bag is rated to hold two cameras, but is better suited to hold just one along with all the gear that you need with it.  This bag will easily hold the camera with one lens with room for possibly four additional lenses and one or two flash units.  I would suggest that you figure out just how large a bag you need and then get at least the next size larger.There are four clips and a zipper that you must undo to get at the section that houses the camera and lenses.  It is not something that you could normally access in a flash, but then it would slow down anyone thinking about removing a lens or two fro your bag without your knowledge.One feature that I wish that they had included with the bag was somewhere to store AA batteries that would keep them safe from accidently being discharged in the bag and could be retrieved quickly.
Strong.  Room for lots of gear.It seems as though someone at least slightly paranoid designed the fasteners for the top flap of this model bag.  It had a velcro patch (noisy), AND four latches, AND a zipper.  I removed the velcro and two of the latches.
Well finished, balanced, beauty... a very very nice camera bag. I'm not fond of back-packs or kangaroo pouches for carrying my photo gear. I prefer the classic, standard, shoulder-hanged bag. I particularly feel this one as a very safe and rugged one.You'll find enough space in it to accomodate bodies, lenses, flash, and several minor gadgets. Side-slip pocket is a real hit, very handy indeed.
This is my second Tamrac camera bag and I've been so impressed with the quality.  My initial bag was purchased for one body, and two lenses... about three years ago and still looks brand new!  Now I've upgraded to two bodies, 5 lenses, and an abundant amount of accessories.  This bag doesn't flinch at handling it all!The way Tamrac designed this bag makes keeping all of your gear safe and organized.  This is critical when your shooting and need to access something specific, (most of the time small!) in a hurry.  The inside compartment which holds your bodies and lenses is very customizable to accommodate a variety of bodies, lenses, flashes, etc.  The compartment dividers are well constructed from high density foam, the stitching holding the velcro is heavy duty, and all of the interior and exterior materials allow for easy cleaning.If you've owned a Tamrac before then you won't be let down.  For the price, the protection and ease of use it doesn't get much better.Highly recommended to anyone in the market for an affordable, quality, long lasting bag.In this bag I carry:Two bodies (Nikon D70S with battery grip & D3000)5 lenses (Nikkor 35mm prime, 55 prime, 18-70mm, 18-55mm, and a 70-300mm all with lens hoods)Two camera battery chargersUSB 12 in one card readerNikon MC-DC1 Remote CommanderNikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote ControlMultiple SD and CF cardsExtra batteries ("AAA", "AA", and button cells)Hoodman HD70s Flip Up LCD CoverNikon SB-400 FlashMultiple manuals for the above equipmentSmall flashlightHeadlamp
I already had the smaller version of this bag but it was time to move up a little.  I have a larger Tamrac backpack bag I use everyday, but doesn't have room for my "strobist" gear.  I can fit 4 SB900 Speedlights with some smaller modifiers plus a few Justin clamps in the bag, along with a few other odds and ends.  I toss this in the back seat of my truck to have what I need in a hurry without weighing down my regular bag, kind of a second bag for me.I am not fond of a regular bag for everyday use, much prefer my backpack style bag.  My only complaint is that I wish it was bigger, but that was my mistake in ordering, not their fault.
I was looking for a camera case that was large enough but didn't break the budget. I couldn't find any locally so I went looking online. This one fit the bill.
I never tried a Tamrac camera bag before, and I must say that I really like this model. Nice durable construction with a padded interior to protect your camera(s) and equipment. That being said, I am a little dubious about the claim that it will fit two SLRs with lenses attached. Certainly if your lenses are fixed then it shouldn't be a problem, but if both are equipped with zooms then you may run out of room. I have a Nikon D70s, and with the 18-70mm DX kit lens attached it reaches just about to the center of the bag or slightly past it. Either way, two cameras like that would result in the lenses touching tightly at the caps. As my other camera is a Coolpix 5400 room isn't an issue, but it did factor into me giving the Pro 4 stars instead of 5. So basically, if you have one SLR and want a roomy bag with adjustable dividers and pocket space then this may be what you're looking for, otherwise you may want to look for a larger model.
Tamrac's 5608 camera bag is well constructed, made of durable materials, and adaptable for various uses.  It is heavily padded, with a stiff solid bottom, and is large enough to carry a couple of SLR camera bodies, even with battery grips attached, plus a fair amount of accessories.The interior of the bag can be divided into up to eight smaller compartments.  Each camera body however, will take two spaces, so if you carry two bodies, there will be only four compartments remaining.  The bag is bout 8" deep, and lenses, flash units, flash meters, battery packs, and the like, can be stored in these compartments.  If you carry your SLR unassembled, you can carry quite a lot in this bag.If you want your camera ready to shoot with a lens attached, the dividers are designed so that a body with a zoom lens can be place down the middle of the bag.  A camera with a telephoto lens up to around 10 inches will fit in the bag.  If the lenses are about three inches each, two SLR's with lenses attached can be accommodated in the down the middle configuration.  Whenever a camera is carried this way, you may need to arrange your things carefully if you want to carry other gear.There is a zippered pocket with two compartments on the bottom of the bag's cover flap, that is suitable for carrying things like filters, flash diffusers, memory card cases and the like.  There is a zippered drop down compartment with pockets in the front.  A pouch with velcro fasteners is on each side of the bag.  The flap may not be likely to slip open, but carrying a valuable or heavy item in these pouches might not be a good idea.  They are a decent size, and are good for items that are not too fragile.  On the back of the bag is a shallow zippered pocket.The bag has a padded heavy duty carrying strap, and also has straps at the base for carrying a tripod.  If you don't use a memory card case, there is a wallet for carrying digital media, batteries, and other small accessories. The wallet is attached to the bag with an elastic band, and sides into a compartment on the side of the bag.  The wallet is about six inches smaller than the compartment, resulting in more space to store items if you like.The design of this bag is excellent.  Spaces are easy to access, gear is well protected, and there is capacity to conveniently carry a large amount of equipment.  As with any camera bag, its ultimate usefulness depends on the user, and the particular gear to be carried.  Getting hands-on access to different bags is not always possible, so study the photos and diagrams here, or at Tamrac's website, and make a determination if this bag has enough space for your gear.  The 5608 is available in either black or blue color.  In general, camera bags are expensive, and prices are on the rise, so if you can afford to wait, try and get one on sale.
I received this bag today and overall I'm pleased with it but I think they're being very generous in the description they provide. I have a Canon 7D with 18 to 135mm zoom attached and a Canon 40D with attached 60mm lens, both cameras have attached battery grips. I wanted a bag that was big enough to carry both cameras with attached grips and lenses as well as my Sigma flash, Canon remote unit and battery chargers, spare batteries, etc. The bag accomodates my gear but just barely and there is absolutely no way you're fitting other lenses in it! I don't know what size flash they used in the picture they show but it has to be very small. I had to remove all of the dividers to get my cameras to fit and then squeeze two of them back in to provide some protection for the cameras. Overall I'm satisfied, it does work for what I have currently and that's what I wanted, but I won't be adding additional gear in this bag. I'm mentioning this because they make this bag sound much bigger and more versatile than it is. If you want to remove your lenses, not have battery grips attached or if you have some smaller cameras you may be able to carry a lot more equipment but with any substantial gear it's gonna be tight...  with that all said, it appears to be a well made bag, nothing sexy or exciting but functional...  I suspect it'll last me a long time.
I'm an amateur/hobby photographer and this Tamrac bag is perfect for my needs. I have two camera bodies (Nikon D3100 & D3200, which are smaller model DSLRs) and 4 lenses (Kit lens, 35mm, 105mm macro, and 70-300mm zoom). I was able to fit one camera body with either the zoom or macro lens attached, the zoom or macro lens on it's own, and the other camera body with no lens attached in the main compartment. I put the smaller lenses in the side velcro pouches and they fit just fine. There are plenty of other pockets for extra batteries, memory cards, and other accessories. The bag was well worth the $110 price tag. It is a sturdy and attractive bag as well. I see that some people complained that the bag wasn't large enough to meet their needs. To this I say just use common sense and look at the dimensions of the different bags. If you own 5 or 6 lenses (or even 3 or 4 larger lenses), an external flash and have two cameras, chances are that the smaller and cheaper model Tamrac bags aren't going to fulfill your needs. The more expensive bags are much bigger and well suited for more accomplished photographers with larger arsenals at their disposal. The more equipment you own usually means the more money you're going to spend unfortunately.
Pretty good bag!
I wanted a case that could store all my gear and be used to transport it by vehicle.  It will hold two pro-dslrs if you cannibalized the space below them which means that a lens will never fit in those spaces shown in the diagram.  Standard dslrs with fit easily.  It is a very good case but it would not allow me to store two pro dslrs and seven lenses and three flashes.  I just had too much gear for the case so it has been returned.  It is very well made.  I should have probably considered the super pro 12.  It does look like it would be easy to carry using the handle or the carrying strap.  Just remember that the diagram shows two cameras without grips in order to place lenses below the bodies.  The spaces are narrow so that any mounted large fast lense may crowd out other lenses.
probably this was over kill both of my cameras will fit in this with room to spare.I think I could go out and buy a couple more lens
Very roomy, has compartment for all photography needs. Just the right amount of cushioning. Great bag. One of the best selling points for my husband is that is can be used as your second carry-on on an airline. It is designed to fit under the seat. We planning a trip that's a photographers dream. This way he can keep all his important equipment with him.
This is an awesome bag. Well designed with solid zippers, pockets and cushions. But as big as this is, I still think I need two of these. And will probably get a second one real soon.
I've crammed this thing with nearly all my gear except for lighting grip stuff and I think I still have room for a 55-300.
I had a very old (1985) TAMRAC bag and needed a new one, for 2 cameras, so I chose this one based on the online description only.Like:- Many pockets- Size appropriate for most camerasDislike:- The quality of the 2013 model is very far below the 1985 model. Especially disppointing: the zippers that feel cheap and fragile- The lower-level pockets are not easily accessible. From the picture, I thought the lower-level pockets were accessible from the front of the bag, but actually you need to remove the cameras from the top compartments and open up the velcro-sealed lower-level pocket covers: not very convenient...
I love this bag. It fits 3 bodies - one body by itself, and 2 bodies that are connected to its battery grips and lenses. It also fit 3 more lenses and 2 flashes. Tons of accessories fit in the front compartments and there's lots of storage for batteries/memory.
This bag is just what I wanted.  It holds all my stuff including several lenses,  2 camera bodies, 2 flashes and a bracket and has pockets everywhere for cards, batteries, filters...  It is sturdy (lots of padding) and well made and I couldn't be happier with it.  It is a fantastic camera bag!
This Tamrac bag is big, heavy, and holds an incredible amount of gear. I use it to carry an Olympus E600 and a Panasonic Lumix G2 with 12 extra lenses. (For both the E600 and the G2 - using Fotodiox adapters on OM lenses to the M4/3 Lumix mount) Lenses range from OM 200mm down to 28mm, and I still have space to spare. As you can see, it also has compartments for flash cards, extra batteries, manuals, and battery chargers with their cables. I haven't found a place to toss in the kitchen sink, but everything else fits without having to crunch it all together. The design of the bag, with the ability to customize the dividers, makes it easy to get to what I need very quickly. Fully loaded, it is heavy, heck, even empty it's heavy. Seems the Tamrac people followed the old farmer's saying "When in doubt, make it stout." I don't think the Tamrac folks had any doubts about the design of the bag, but it is very well built, and strong. Since I've bought the bag, I've done some traveling with it, and I have no concerns about the safety of the equipment inside it - it will arrive at the destination safe and sound, and this is worth it's weight in gold.Another reviewer mentioned using a water repellent spray on the outside of the bag, this is very good advice. I travel to tropical rain forests, and they are called 'rain' forests for a good reason. My bag has gotten rained on, (like tropical deluge type rain...) and with the spray everything remained dry and in good condition. I use Kiwi Camp Dry,Kiwi Camp Dry, Heavy Duty Water Repellent, 12ozyou get get it on Amazon.Again, this is a BIG, well-build camera bag. (though you can use it for other things if you want) I have a TenbaTenba 632-301 Shootout Small Backpack (Olive/Black)that I use with a Pentax system, and I hold it in high regard also. However, it does not hold all the gear that the Tamrac can.
The picture is not very useful illustrating flashes, telephoto, 2 dslr body's and lenses. I have just about what they have and no way with what I have.  My lenses are just a fuzz longer making this marketing illustration not so accurate.  Use a tape rule and measure what you have against marketing meausrement for the best idea if your gear will work.  It took me hours to reconfigure the interior using dividers from other bags. Wasn't able to use hardly any of the velcro partitions inside that came with the bag. I had to glue in velcro on the left and right ends since there was only a little 1&#34; wide strip centered on the end, top to bottom.  There wasn't enough velcro to allow dividers to attach on the ends where I wanted or needed it.  The front storage pockets are OK.  There are two zippers to each of the front pocket that go left and right of each pocket.  The problem is the zippers go all the way down to the bottom of the pockets and beyond making it difficult to get the zipper back up in any speedy fashion especially in the middle where two zippers are side by side.  They wanted the pocket flap to lay flat which is ok but closing the pockets using the zippers is funky and takes a bit of time, if your in a hurry forget it. If the zippers fail,  this bag will be worthless.  Should have used connectors more somehow and zippers less.  Live and learn.
It is a good bag and holds most of my gear. It is a bit narrow, in that my 70-200 2.8L fits well without the hood but with the hood (reversed of course) it expands a bit into compartments on both sides.It is very secure and seems like it will last a while.
I bought this bag for bringing to events where I needed to carry two cameras and multiples lenses. I had no trouble fitting two camera bodies, a flash, bracket, 4 lenses including my Canon 70-200 L which is huge. That is thanks to the movable velcro dividers. Tons of extra pockets for all other accessories you need, and being a woman, I will admit that included a few beauty products. I have used for only 6 events thus far, so I cannot comment on wear and tear other than it still looks brand new. I have taken it on a plane, and it fit fine in the overhead compartment. Now if I only had my own personal Sherpa...
This bag holds more than most bags in terms of clean, organized groups of equipment. I fit 2 full sized dSLRs (Canon 1D series bodies). One with lens attached. 5 lenses including a 70-200 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 17-40 f4, and 2 prime lenses. Also packed in the bag were 2 external flashes, cards, batteries, and misc little gadgets I use on a regular basis. Once filled, it weighed quite a bit, but still felt comfortable considering the weight on my shoulder. This bag is great for long trips when luggage space is limited. I can't stand rollers, so I found this to be the best fit for me. For shooting sports/nature/portraits/ etc... this bag can take whatever you throw at it. For the price? It's a no-brainer. I'd recommend this bag to anyone who is looking for more space to lug camera/video equipment. My favorite feature of the bag is probably the external pockets which are designed so well (IMHO). They are easy to use and organize with as well. They fit cards/batteries/flashes perfectly. It's like they designed it specifically for a professional photographer! Who'd a thunk?
LOVE this bag. I've had a few bags (Nikon and Lowepro) and they were always smaller than I expected. This bag is very large and has two layers inside. It holds my Nikon D800, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm and 70-200mm. It also holds two flashes SB 600-700 and two triggers. My memory cards, wires, accessories, etc. all fit too. There is still room for more! I could fit another body on the top level and another lens.I like that the bag opens from the top, so that I can lay the bag down and take out what I need. It has velcro, zipper and buckles to keep the gear safe. It can be rearranged on the inside, although I left as is.I'm a professional with a lot of camera gear, so this is perfect for me. However, I wouldn't recommend it for personal use or compact travel. It would be too large for those purposes.
This is a nice camera bag and has a great deal of storage capabilities. You have the ability to store many things and it easily customized to accommodate a diverse array of lens/camera body collections. This is an undeniable fact but is it a so-called "pro" bag? I sure doesn't seem like it to me.First of all, It simply isn't convenient and in the field can be frustratingly difficult to get gear out in a hurry. For instance, the shoulder straps interfere when you try to remove the locks that allow the top flap to be opened. Using only the front straps seem like it would be a good option but not if you have any weight in the bag.While the bag is probably great for DX bodies and kit lenses, if fails when it comes to the larger FX bodies and professional level lenses. I use a D800 and a D800E for my work and I require my 14-24mm f/2.8G, 24-70mm f/2.8G and a combination of either 28mm f/1.8G , 50mm f/1.8G or 85 f/1/.8G or 105mm f/2.8G micro, and unfortunately I cannot fit my entire combo in the bag at the same time. I work around this by keeping one of the bodies and lens out of the bag and only use the bag for lens changes and for other gear items. Not perfect but a workable situation, for sureEven though the bag does not hold nearly as much gear as I hoped nor does it allow the ease of access I had hoped it would, it does a good job of keeping a huge amount of non-lens/camera items well organized and are all somewhat easily accessed.If I wasn't so busy and really needed a bag for my work, I probably would have sent this back and tried another option. However, the time has passed and I'm trying to figure out a work around that will allow me to get the most out of this bag.
I have had this bag, the Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 since March 2010. The storage capacity and ease of use makes this bag a must have.  I carry two camera bodies, 4 lenses, 3 flashes, memory cards, required cables, and all the user manuals and they all fit and are easy to put in and take out.  For everyday use this bag rocks.  The big test was going on vacation.  I just spent a week in Puerto Rico and this bag more than paid for itself.  Fully packed this bag weighs more than 20 lbs but the balance and comfort of this bag makes it easy to carry around.  But the main thing for me was all my equipment made the trip and back in perfect shape.  I was in and out of this bag many times a day and never had any problem finding or replacing my equipment.  I actually wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I had a Tamrac Pro 8 but I quickly outgrew it and wanted to upgrade.  I generally carry two DSLRs, an assortment of lenses and filters, a flash unit, and a host of cleaning supplies and various other gadgets.  Based upon other reviews, I felt that carrying anything larger than the Pro 12 would increase the risk of bag checking requirements with the airlines, so I chose this bag.  It's expensive for a bag, but if you've ever owned a Tamrac photo bag, you can easily see the quality, strength and durability for which you are paying.  There are plenty of pockets and compartments in this bag to store most everything for a professional photographer (which I am not).  IMO, If you need a larger photographer's bag than this, you will likely be too weighted down, are probably carrying too much gear, and likely need to practice more discretion in what you carry.  Anyway, the one drawback is that the bag does not include a rain cover.  It's not enough to knock it down a star but I would expect that to be included at this price.  However, you may do as I do and carry a trash bag or two in one of the many pockets to protect the bag and your gear from a sudden downpour. All in all, I am very pleased with this bag and highly recommend.
I needed a camera bag that is light weight but able to hold all that I need when using a film 35mm  camera and a digital SLR. This bag if perfect. It will hold 2 35mm cameras(SLR digital) with lenses attached and additional lenses, flash,filters and gadgets. It has a special place designed for extra memory cards and a system to show which ones have been used.It has another special place for film.The best part is that it is very easy to get in and out of this bag when you  are out taking pictures.
This bag will hold a large amount of equipment for your camera to incluse the camera body.  there's enough room that you can store 2 camera bodies in it with lenses attached.  the wife loves it, but doesn't like the weight when she loads it up with everything.  It does get heavy.
This bag is GREAT. I use it toghter with a tamrac backpack. But i prefere this one. It's nice and big. and easy to adjust to your needs.I use this bag when i travel by plane as my handluggage. It fits my basic travel camera gear and some other stuff like a book and a bottle of water.The strap is good and doesn't hurt.
Oue son makes his living by photography and needs a sturdy and dependable bag.  Arrived in time for Christmas.  Great buy.
This is the highest quality camera bag you will find. It's made in the USA of tough nylon construction. Plenty of storage for two or more SLR cameras and all their accessories. Strong zippers and locking clips. If you're looking at Tamrac bags you probably already know their reputation for outstanding bags. Highly recommended.
Bought this bag for my daughter. She is working as a professional photography. It can fit everything Isherwood needs to do a job. Highly recommend.
This is a great bag. I switched from a backpack style bag to this bag. It works better for me and allows easy access to all of my lenses and accessories. It is large enough to carry two camera bodies and several lenses and a flash unit along with filters, batteries, memory cards, and other miscellenous items. Over all a well constructed and well thought out bag.
My wife bought me this bag for Christmas and I've been waiting to write a review until I had a little experience with it.  I love this bag.  It holds all of my gear: Canon 40D and Rebel 300D bodies, 17-40 f/4L w/hood, 70-200 f/2.8L IS w/hood, EF-S 18-55 and EF-S 55-250 w/hood, and Speedlite 430EXII with diffuser.  It also stores all of my camera cleaning supplies and has ample room for manuals, filters, memory cards, and batteries.  I would highly recommend this bag to anybody looking for a high quality bag to hold a lot of gear.
Good price, excellent product, I have no complants at all.Tamrac is a great brand. This is not the first time that I have something made by them. I have always been pleased.
This is my second Tamrac bag. My first bag is 25+ years old and still in fairly good condition (no rips or tears). Wanted a new bag for increased capacity and this bag has everything my old bags has,except loops for film cannisters (how times have change:). The construction of this bags seems better than my old one, so it will probably be the last bag I will ever need. An excellent product at a very good price.
I had a Tamrac bag that gave good service for a number of years and wanted a larger bag. I investigated Tamrac bags at their website to be able to make comparisons between products.This camera bag has plenty of space and is very well made. I do miss the opening in the old bag that could hold my 8x10 grey card,a notebook and my camera manual The partions inside are formed to support your camera with lenses mounted and you can customize since everything is anchored with velcor strips. The bag seems very durable, and is very roomy as this is one of their larger bags. Quality at a reasonable price. :)
I need a big, but not too big bag so that I can have most of my things (camera, lenses, flash etc.) there and are still able to carry it around on my shoulder. I got the 5613 Ultra Pro first. That' s a good, bigger bag. I can have almost all my things in there, but it is too big for me to carry it around as a shoulder bag. Then, I got 5608. That's way too small and the description isn't accurate for its size. This one, 5612, is a good balance for me. It is not as big as some claim. Smaller than this one would be difficult to have a full-frame DSLR and a few lenses there. Even at the 5612 size, I cannot have all my lenses there. With two cameras, it is inadequate. But, this is a compromise shoulder bag. I'll keep it. The downside for improvement is organization of the compartments. With long or wide lenses, one has to reorganize the spaces because most are too small for lenses with hood on. If you switch lenses often and don't want to take the hood on/off often, there is  a good chance you won't like the way the compartments are divided. The two layers room arrangement is inconvenient but I'm not certain there is a better alternative for a  shoulder bag. Well, I may have to keep the 5613 as well because that one gives you much easier access of things quickly. But, it is just too big as a shoulder bag to carry around for long. Overall, 5612 is a good balance for a serious photographer, amateur or professional.
This is a fantastic bag! I have it loaded with some pretty heavy camera equipment and I trust it's structural integrity. I recommend keeping an eye on lint that can accumulate in the bottom of the bag from removing and attaching the velcro dividers. It does happen but cleaning it out is a breeze.
As others have mentioned this bag holds a lot of gear. One of the biggest selling points for me is that is that is can be used as your second carryon on an airline. As big as it is, it is designed to fit under the seat, so it counts as your hand held carry on. I've traveled with it many times and never had to gate check it. It's a little tight on the commuter planes, but I've always been able to carry it on to the plane with me.Generally I have two camera bodies and an assortment of lenses, flashes etc. It has separate compartments for extra flash cards and batteries as well as a few other pockets useful for battery chargers, note books etc.
I bought (and then returned) four bags before staying with this one.  Is it perfect?  Of course not, there's no such perfect camera bag.  Backpack?  Sling?  Rolling?  Shoulder?  I wish there was one that had the benefits of all of these, but it doesn't exist.  The backpack I had been using is wonderful for having both hands free, but it doesn't hold enough and when the "Kodak moment" came along, I had to wriggle out of it, put it on the ground (regardless of how messy the ground might be) and then zip it open to get the camera out.  Whoops - my subject was gone.  The 5612 is heavy when full of my gear, but I don't have to leave anything out and I can get my camera out quickly when I need it.  Like all Tamrac products, it's made of strong materials and can take a beating.
When I ordered this bag I swallowed hard as I spent $150 on a freaking BAG.  In the past I've spent between 30-40 for what I thought were pretty good camera bags.  But when I got it I immediately understood why.  It is a true workhorse, and it's HUGE.  The build quality is better than I've ever seen.  I feel like this bag could last my whole photographic career, and then be passed on to someone else.  I am shooting weddings lately, and being able to have all my gear (two Canon cameras, 4 lenses, 2 flashes, and a bunch of small things like cards and batteries) in one place, safely packed up, is very nice.  If you put everything inside in a way that makes sense to you, you can easily be in and out of this bag when you need to grab a new lens, change a card, etc, and go back to shooting.  The shoulder strap seems durable, though I'm sure they make a more comfortable one, but this isn't a bag you'll have on your back for too long.  If you fill it up, it will be HEAVY.  So the strap is just there for you to carry it to your location and work out of it.If you have normal sized lenses (I guess I mean prime lenses 200mm or under and zooms that aren't your crazy 70-200 Canon L series zooms) on your cameras, you should be able to fit both of them in the bag WITH the lenses on.  If not (I for example do use a crazy 70-200 Canon lens sometimes), you will probably have to store your 2nd camera without a lens attached unless it is really small like the 50 f/1.4 or something.  This is unavoidable though, unless they made the bag twice as big, which would be much too big to carry around in my opinion.If you are pro or semi-pro and wanting a great bag that protects your gear while giving you easy access on the job, I recommend you spend the extra money and get this awesome bag from Tamrac.  If you have less gear, maybe just one camera and a couple lenses, I'd definitely get a smaller bag, though still stick with Tamrac as they make the best bags on the market.
I really love this bag.  It holds everything and is really heavy duty.  I have a canon 20 D, 30D, two ex 580II's, canon 70-200 2.8 L, canon 24-70 2.8 L, 50 mm 1.8, sekonic meter, all my owners manuals, notebook, tons of extra batteries and chargers, rain jacket, 4 CF cards, with room to spare.  At one time, I also carried my holga too.  Highly recommended.
This bag is as good as it gets.  Incredible quality and protection for my Nikons.  Would recommend this bag to anyone.
I needed something for two digital SLRs and all my lenses and accessories.  It all fit nicely into this bag...but now it is too heavy to carry anywhere without my hubby being long to carry it for me! HA!  I guess I will hang on to my smaller camera bag for when it's just me!
My current equipment consists of a rebel XT, 75-300 4-5.6, a 50 1.8, a 17-85 4-5.6 IS, a 580EXII flash (truly excellent), mini tripod, spare batteries and charger, Cleaning Kit (The big one with the little spatula for cleaning the sensor), Lens hoods for the two big lenses, misc filters, and a full size cheap-o tripod. I took this bag out for the first time on our Disney Cruise and found myself with room to spare for everything I may ever need. The problem with this is before, when using a random old camera bag I had for my cheap-o video camera,  all I could take was the body, and lenses. Now I can fit all this other stuff, and it is just too big to take with you for a day at Disney. I find myself wanting a smaller bag for daily carrying around, and using this bag for major traveling. It is comfortable, but heavy due mostly to accumulation of items.. (OOH Look! I can fit this thingy over here!. I might need a Russian nuclear submarine today, Ill stash it here!) Its fastening system is good, though I find myself using the plastic buckles more than the zipper, and the tripod carrying loop, uh.. carries a tripod. Only complaint is that my cheapo tripod sticks out past the edges of the bag, so I find myself banging it into walls and hallways sometimes.Pros:BigConfigurableSturdyComfortableCons:BigIrresistible urge to fill it with more items... (L Lenses...)
I've been using my Tamrac Pro12 bag for several years and it's still in like-new condition. The bag is plenty large enough to hold all my gear with room to spare. The dividers allow for a large variety of layout options and has plenty of pockets for accessories. The bag is well padded and made with a tough snag and rip resistant fabric. All the seams appear to well stiched too, with box-stiching on all the major stress points. The carry strap is contoured, well padded and slip-resistant which makes for a much more comfortable day of lugging heavy camera bodies and lenses around.Every couple months I recommend spraying the outside of the bag down with a quality water-repelling spray such as that used for tents and other camping gear. This will do wonders for weatherproofing the bag to prevent your delicate equipment from getting damp if you're out and get caught in an unexpected rain.
I really like this product. It is very well built and has plenty of room for two camera bodies, several lenses and all my photo accessories. I highly recommend it.
Fits most of my camera gear.  I just haae too much stuff gut it fiits my two cameras and a numger of lenses and excessories.  Bag is very well made.  Enough pockets for everything.
I just got this bag.. It looks well made.. I am not a fan of the overlap cover..cause you can't unzip fast with that system..but it seems well made and lots of small pockets etc..However: It I s Too Small for BIG Lenses and Big Bodies..You need to re adjust more than you should need to for a big camera bag.My original Lowepro Pro bag was stolen..Miss that bag.. (yes with gear inside)..That bag in now discontinued.. So this one looked half decent..This bag shows a whole lot of potential when looking at the photo on Amazon.. but in reality..it is just too small for the following..Two dslr with battery packs..and two large zooms mounted will not fit.. I just tried with 2 Canon 5D's with battery packs-one with a 24-70 the other with a 70-300..and NO WAY NO HOW..and there's barely room for these big lenses to sit alone...This bag needs to be a little bit larger on all dimensions.The new Lowepro Pro that replaced the one I had is also too small and costs over 200 bucks..not worth it...I guess this Tam will do for now..
I take a lot of photography trips on weekends.  One thing I like to do is to leave my 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens attached to the camera, on top of the photo bag in the passenger seat of the truck while I drive in rural areas.  If I see something of interest, I stop the truck grab the camera, get out and take some images.  That's what attracted me to this product.The issue with this bag is that if you have a lens with a lens hood, the lens will not fit in the compartments of the bag, and still be functional as is advertised (and as I described above).  I have a 24-70 with lens hood, a 16-35 with lens hood, a 70-200 with lens hood, a 100-400 with lens hood, a 100mm macro with lens hood, etc.  These lenses don't fit in the bag, with the hood inverted, if you want to carry your camera across the top as pictured.I tried to make it work, and ended up returning the bag.
I got this bag because my old Tamrac 8 was just out of room and I have to say, this bag is pretty big and fits everything I want in it and more.Pro'sLarge size, many separate compartments, adjustable dividers inside, hard bottom and comfortable handleCon'sNo rain coverIf you have a lot in your bag or you have two bodies you need to carry this is the perfect bag for you, I have a lot in my bag, triggers, flashes, batteries, two bodies and 4-6 lens's, remotes, chargers, cables and so much more. everything fits and I still have room to add more goodies.I did a youtube video on it as well, search for Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 Camera Bag and I am Techrunnr Wesley
I was lead to believe, based on reviews and the item description, that this bag was large and in charge. Nope. I have a Nikon D700, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G, Nikon 50mm f/1.4D and a Nikon SB600 flash. There is no way all this fits in that bag. A 4th lens? Not happening.First off, if you plan on putting your lenses in this bag with lens hoods on, forget it. Even if you reverse the hoods you'll be out of room with just a zoom and a flash if you keep the hoods on. You *might* be able to squeeze in a smaller lens. 3 to 4 though? There's simply not enough width to accommodate for everything they advertise plus lens hoods.Ok, so I tried again with lens hoods off. Looking better. I put the 24-70 in the bottom left pocket, the SB600 in one of the flash pockets up against the back, left the 70-200mm on the camera body, and put the 50mm underneath where the body+zoom lens were going. I placed the body on top of the 24-70 and immediately could tell the top was going to be bulging at best with the height of the lens underneath + the body on top, and wouldn't close at all at worse. Sure enough, the zipper was struggling as the camera body and lens underneath was simply too much height. I'm not comfortable with that since the top of the case doesn't have much padding at all. Now, I have no intention of letting over $5,000 worth of camera equipment get bumped around, but when I'm traveling the last thing I want is to be paranoid that the only thing standing between the top of my camera and contact with other objects is a piece of fabric less than 1/4" thick.So to sum up, this camera bag is well constructed and has a lot of flexibility with adjustable pockets, but there is no way in the world that this bag lives up to its description with regards to all the gear they claim can fit inside it. Maybe if you cram everything in with a shoe horn, but with the prices people pay for DSLRs and lenses I seriously doubt anyone is going to willingly shove everything in there. It's also entirely possible that they are using much thinner lenses and smaller camera bodies. Nikon users however, as well as other camera models of similar size, look elsewhere if you have multiple lenses and flash units, especially if you want to use your lens hoods.
I have been a Tamrac fan for some time.  I started with a smaller bag for my Nikon D5000.  I also had a zoom lens which fit nicely.  As I obtained other parts and wanted to keep my point and shoot and flipcam, I began running out of space.  This bag keeps it all and I have plenty of room for expansion.  Again I keep a D5000 body with 2 lenses, 2 other cameras, a flash and various batteries, chargers, memory cards, filters... etc. Love this bag!!!! Great for amateurs like myself.
Very happy with Tamrac. A high quality camera bag, I'm able to fit all of my equipment easily into the 5606 and as I've owned other Tamrac bags in the past I know this will hold up for a long time.
I highly recommend this camera bag to any photographer whether a pro or a weekender. It holds all the nifty little things a photographer needs plus the camera and attachments.
The Tamarac 5606 camera bag is very versatile, with lots of storage space and extra compartments for extra batteries, filters, lenses, etc.
This bag works well for my camera equipment.  Plenty of compartments for my lens filters, cleaning kit, microdisk etc...  This bag is durable, great looking and has enough padding to ensure the safety of your equipment.  This is well worth the money spent to purchase this product.
When it comes to camera bags Tamrac sets the standard for all others in my opinion. This bag is made of top quality materal and llike my other Tamrac bag I know it will last longer than I will be here. Very thoughjtful storage for two of your Nikon forrmat digital SLR's and the sister lens, Lots of cool storage areas for all the extras we photofreaks need. You get what you pay for and this is no exception, not the least expensive bag but the best for sure.
I found the bag to be the perfect compromise between portability and storage space.  It fits my D50, 3 medium sized lenses and SB-600 flash in the main compartment.  The camera is easily accessible by lifting the top flap, which can be closed either with a zipper (for storage or transport) or three clips (useful while shooting, when you don't want to mess with a zipper).  The pocket in the inside of the top flap is perfect for holding filters, while the flip down side pocket provides convenient storage for memory cards. I agree with a previous reviewer regarding the side pockets, which have non-ideal velcro closures that make me wary of placing anything breakable in them for fear that they will fall out.  However, the pockets are still useful for storing lens caps, a blower brush, etc.  The strap is very comfortable, and I've found it easy to carry the bag on my hip for long periods of time.All-in-all, I'm impressed at the amount of thought that went into this bag.  Highly recommended.
Years later update: still no complaints.  Stitching is still as good as new.Overall, this is a very solid bag.  All aspects are quite favorable - space, construction, ease of access, and durability.It contains easily enough room to store 2~3 zoom lenses, an additional 2~3 short prime lenses (underneath the camera), a full hot shoe flash, as well as a plethora of accessories (charger, cords, discs, manuals, etc.  Even possibly more important for the amateur - you can fit a netbook (~10" screen) at the top of the bag inside the main pouch and zip it up safely (this is in addition to the 4~5 lenses, camera, attached lens, flash, accessories, etc).The bag itself is solidly constructed.  The stitching is very well done, the straps are comfortable (the shoulder strap especially is quite good, with nice padding), and the bag closes very securely.  The bag includes solid tripod straps (for a medium sized tripod - I haven't gone so far as to jam a 60" on there, but it feels like it'd work as the stitching is quite strong).  There is not an overabundance of interior padding, so I wouldn't be throwing around the bag roughly, but it can handle small scuffles and short drops.  It is NOT a hard case, so you do have to be more careful.  I definitely wouldn't check this bag on an airplane, for example (they throw that stuff around mercilessly).A big plus is the ability to grab the camera & attached lens quickly.  Since the camera sits flat with an attached lens in its slot, you can just unzip the bag while it's still over your shoulder and be shooting in 5~10 seconds.  You do have to unlatch a buckle thingy and unzip it (and the zipper is typically covered by a flap to protect against elements).  The zippers do have handy straps though, so if you get used to it you can easily extract the camera without even looking.  The shoulder strap is stable enough to feel comfortable about taking the camera out or even using it as a platform to switch lenses without setting everything on the ground (a big plus if you're tooling around in sand or dirt).In short, I can't really think of anything I would change about this bag.  If you keep a waterbottle in the side pocket, it fits with the top open.  However that means that you will attack anyone walking nearby you with vicious velcro clothes grabbing.
This is a great value for the money!  I originally bought a smaller Lowe camera case at a local retailer and tried unsuccessfully to jam my Olympus E-Volt 500, two lenses and a flash into it.  The Lowe bag cost as much as the TAMRAC did at Amazon.  The Tamrac fits everything, in an easy organized way, and is very well made.
Camera's are an expensive hobby. One that I continually buy more and more equipment for. I've outgrown this bag much faster than I expected. I'm only able to store 2 lenses, my 5d MK II and a flash in here. I put my S90 on the side pocket as well.Currently I have a 580EXII 50mm 1.4 and 24-70 2.8 but am totally out of room. Just a heads up for all you aspiring photo pros you might want something bigger
I really do love this bag... suits my needs perfectly. I needed to fit 4 lenses in this bag and can still put one on the camera, making five in all. And with all accessories, flash, battery charger, extra batteries, camera cords, etc. Anyway, seems to be a place for everything. Hey, works wonderfully for me. I haven't carried it around yet with everything in it. Only for a short distance anyway...It's always a bit awkward to place something with a square bottom on your shoulder or up against your body, but It works beautifully for my needs. And the shoulder strap is quite comfortable, just a little irritating to have something square up against your side, like I was saying... Iiiiii don't know how water proof it is. It doesn't come with the wrap around water resistance, but the material itself I know something about and it will probably bead any rain away. I'm just not to sure about around the zippers. I mean, if you were to say, have the bag upside down or drop it in a puddle... It has the fold over top which will keep any immediate water out of the top of the bag. Anyway, love it... seems to be built pretty well. Padding inside the bag... ha ha... who can actually say that 'to much padding' is ever enough to protect your high dollar camera and lenses. But, it seems to have adequate padding. It's what I would call a cozy bag for everything. I would have liked to have padding on the outside zipper pockets.... 'bout it!~
This bag is exactly what I needed for my existing camera system and planned expansions.I have had Tamrac bags for years, and have always found them to be top quality. I purchased a Nikon D90 earlier this year, and purchased a Tamrac Explorer 2 bag to go along with it.Tamrac Explorer 2 bag: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EOUYH6/ref=ox_ya_oh_productUnfortunately when I finally got the MB-D80 battery grip that was on backorder, the camera wouldn't fit in the smaller bag anymore. I ended up returning that bag and did more research to determine what bag would work for me.I ended up with the System 6 bag, the largest of the Tamrac System line, which are intended for one SLR and several lenses and accessories.I knew when I fit the D90 in with the battery grip attached it was going to be a great bag for me. I was able to keep my camera, grip and kit lens & hood attached and ready to go in the bag. The extra dividers allowed me to put in a couple extra lenses and my external flash with no trouble. I also have some extra room for later purchases.I recommend this bag to the advanced amatuer and semi-pro who needs to hold a larger SLR/DSLR. It would fit the bill for a D300, D700 and probably a D3 if you needed a smaller bag.
Got this camera bag for my new Nikon D3200 and it holds not only the body, but two lenses and a my flash....Excellent design and top notch quality.  Would def recommend this to anyone looking for maximum space.
This is a great well built bag. I am using it for a second bag in its perfect for my 40d with the battery grip and speedlight. I also have the larger system 8 bag. These bags are very sturdy and will hold up very good. I perfer it much better over the canon gadget bag.
The bag's construction is very good, with enough padding for your typical camera buff. It held my D80, with 2 lenses, and the SB600 Flash easily. The side pockets are great for chargers and anything that won't fall out easily as they only close with a velcro fastener. The back pocket is great for paperwork, and the front pocket has plenty of pockets for all sorts of accessories.The one thing I wasn't crazy about was the wasted space that you end up with, using the interior dividers in the provided configuration. There is space below the camera body that's very hard to get into without removing the Velcro'd dividers. I ended up not using any of them and instead inserting a smaller bag I own that holds the camera and two lenses. Then I sandwich the flash (in its pouch) and a small tabletop tripod in the remaining space. Sounds crazy but it works better. Also cool if I want to grab the camera and just use the small bag for a quick shoot or for a lighter bag for a day's travel, leaving the larger Tamrac bag at home, or in the car. This way you don't have to move the camera and vital accessories from one bag to another.All this got me thinking. Tamrac could create a system like this, kind of like a backpack I own, the CamelBak Transformer, that allows one to remove sections depending on the hike you're planning.
I purchased a Sony A57, and needed a good camera bag that would hold my camera body, two lenses, my camcorder, chargers, extra lens filters, sd cards etc.  I can fit my camera body in there with the 70-300 mm lens attached to it, which is a great plus for me, as my previous bag didn't have the space.  I would always have to detach the lens before putting it away.  The photos of this bag do a great job showing just how many things you can fit in it. The side pockets on each end are great for throwing my car keys and other small items in so I don't have to carry my purse also.This bag is a nice size, not so large that it looks gaudy, but big enough to hold everything you need.  It also seems to be the perfect protection for the camera and accessories.  The should strap is very comfortable as well.Great camera bag!
I have a D40 with two lenses (with hoods on both) and a flash (SB-600).  This all fits easily with room to grow (and I keep an extra battery and charger in the bag too).  Excellent build quality too.  I highly recommend this bag.
The bag is a good bag with good padding but doesn't fit enough. I have a Canon 7D with battery grip, Flash,70-200, 50mm, and a 28-75 lens that stays on the body for travel. The bag is advertises that it fits these things...but it truly doesn't.
This bag is nearly perfect for the photographer who is looking to carry 3-4 lenses, a compact flash, battery charger and a DSLR safely with quick access to all its contents.  It has pockets galore for memory cards, instruction books, spare batteries, filters, and all the other little things you may want to pack.  Mine has a tape recorder for notes, a flashlight, a Swiss Army Knife,  It also has straps for a small tripod, and a neat attachnent on the back that goes over the pop up handle of your luggage.  Not only convienient, but makes the bag more difficult to steal without taking all your luggage.In all a very thoughtful design and very well constructed.
Many years ago, when I bought my first Nikon SLR, I bought a Domke photojournalist bag.  It was canvas, with sewn in dividers and it was perfect for my F3AS and 3 lenses.  It lasted 10 years or so and I replaced it with a similar bag in black and it too lasted about 10 years.  Finally, with the clips rusting and the corners fraying, I had to replace them.  However, the prices had greatly increased.  So I repurposed an old backpack and made due while I researched options.  I had this bag on my wish list and when the price dropped by about 45%, I ordered it.I keep a lot in this bag: 1 Nikon D7000 body, two zooms and one 35mm fixed focal length, an SB700 flash, an SB200 flash, set of filters, hoods and caps, a cleaning kit, spare batteries, and a Fujifilm X10 camera.  There is room for all of that and the it's still comfortable and secure to carry.One feature I really like is the Velcro patch near the bottom center clip.  How many times have you picked up your bag by the strap and watched your gear tumble out because the top wasn't secured?  The Velcro helps hold the cover on and while it won't prevent a spill, it limits it.  There are a total of three clips to secure the cover, so it will put up with a lost of jostling about and will prevent opportunistic grab and run theft.Very happy with this bag and I would recommend it.
I have had many bags in my time as a photographer.  Canon's SLR bag is pretty weak.  This bag, although similar in physical size is MUCH MUCH better.  The pockets, zips, section, seperators all make lots more sense and make setting up a custom home for your camera easy.  Carrying it around, which is real importnat, is fine.  Nice shoulder strap, and it stays put without swinging around.  Opening the bag while holding is good, but I would love it if the top portion opened the opposite way - inside toward the person holding it.  That hasn't been so bad though.  Everytime I use the bag, I realize how much I missed out on with other bags.  Love it!
I intended to use this bag for a 20D DSLR, a 70-200, 17-85 and 10-20 lens (with hoods) plus a 580EX flash and a small assortment of accessories.  Simply not enough space in this bag for these items.  I'm returning the bag and I'll shop for one slightly larger.  If you carry fewer items, this might be the right bag for you.
Fits 5 lenes and my D4;  battery charger .most important 70-200mm with Teleconverter attached. Shoulder strap very comfortable. Handle makes it great for grab n go! Great quality and padding inside with EXTRA dividers!
Bought this bag specifically to take to the Galapagos Islands for my D200. Carried my D200, a 70-300mm and 24-85mm lens with no problem, I also carried on a regular basis my Epson P-5000 photo viewer and all the additional batteries, cards, and cables. Sometimes I even used the left over space for water bottles. Its a good compact little bag. I dragged it all over 5 different Islands over a course of 25. It went everywhere with me and took everything I threw at it. Good Choice here.
This is my second bag. Holds camera, three lenses, flash, exposure meter and all ancillary accessories. Works like is was designed for and is a Great value.
The Tamrac System 6 is the Amateur DSLR User's Dream shoulder bag.  It is rugged, attractive, and best of all won't break the bank.  I'm fond of blue, so the blue accent on black background really pleases.  This case is very accomodating; it carries my Pentax DSLR with lens mounted plus 2-3 extra lenses and a large hot shoe flash unit along with cords, users guides, and cleaning brush.
There are all sorts of things to love about this bag, and, having purchased Tamrac bags in the past I do love the brand and their quality.  The inserts are easily movable, and the bridge for the camera is a very nice feature.  The pockets in the lid and front are roomy, and the side pockets easily fit my filter wallets.  The only downside for me was the top flap.  Yes, there is a inner pocket that causes this to be thick, but the lid isn't designed for easy entry.  It is thick, bulky, and (as seen in the picture) covers much of the front of the bag.  In order to gain entry into the bag you have to lift this heavy flap up and hold it out of the way while you pull out your camera... a move that is not feasible if you are wearing the bag at the time.  Sometimes those great shots come along that have you wanting to whip out your camera, not have to stop, put the bag on the ground and fiddle with the lid until you can get to your camera.  As a travel bag though it would be great, its just not what I'd use in the field.  Otherwise, spot on.... I'd just prefer a zipper along the top that would allow for a faster grab of my camera when needed.
Tamrac's 5606 camera bag is well constructed, sturdy and versatile, and is suitable for use with either film or digital SLR cameras. It is a mid-sized bag, designed to carry up to two camera bodies. The crucial issue with this type of bag, is whether it has adequate space to carry exactly what you need, including lenses and larger accessories like flash units and battery packs. Check Tamrac's website, and look at the diagrams showing the interior compartments of the bag, and how components may be stored, and judge if there's enough space for the particular gear you have.The interior of the bag can be divided into up to six smaller compartments. The layout is designed to accept a body with a zoom lens up to around 8 inches in length attached. While a camera with a long lens will fit in the bag, you'll have arrange things carefully if you want to carry too much else. Also this setup does not work well if you have a battery grip attached. One solution is to store the camera and grip with no lens attached. Doing this, there is more than adequate space for the body, and three or four lens, and a flash unit. Stored vertically, a long lens can be accommodated with no problem. Carrying your gear this way, you're not immediately prepared to shoot, as you must take a few moments to assemble the camera.Though the bag is really better suited to accommodating the gear to fully outfit one camera. In a pinch, the 5606 can accommodate two camera bodies, even with battery packs, but that will leave just about a third of the available space for lenses and a flash.There is a zippered fold down compartment with pockets in the front. It would be nice if the pockets had some kind of fasteners. Pouches with velco fasteners are on the side of the bag. Velcro is an extremely poor design choice. One should not risk putting valuable or heavy items into these pouches. They could easily be lost, or fall out and be broken, should the fasteners fail to hold. This wasted storage space is the bag's major flaw. Some type of modification would be required to make them truly useful.The 5606 has an excellent heavy duty carrying strap, and also has straps at the base for carrying a tripod. A semi useful feature is a wallet for carrying digital media and other small accessories. The wallet is attached to the bag with an elastic strip, and sides into a compartment on the side of the bag. The padding in bottom and sides could stand to be a bit thicker, but that can be said of most bags.As with any camera bag, it's ultimate usefulness depends on the user, and the particular gear to be carried. The 5606 isn't quite perfect in all situations, but it is adaptable enough to be useful most of the time. Available in several colors. Read more &#8250;
Tamrac's 5606 camera bag is well constructed, sturdy and versatile, and is suitable for use with either film or digital SLR cameras.  It is a mid-sized bag, designed to carry up to two camera bodies.  The crucial issue with this type of bag, is whether it has adequate space to carry exactly what you need, including lenses and larger accessories like flash units and battery packs.  Check Tamrac's website, and look at the diagrams showing the interior compartments of the bag, and how components may be stored, and judge if there's enough space for the particular gear you have.The interior of the bag can be divided into up to six smaller compartments.  The layout is designed to accept a body with a zoom lens up to around 8 inches in length attached.  While a camera with a long lens will fit in the bag, you'll have arrange things carefully if you want to carry too much else.  Also this setup does not work well if you have a battery grip attached.  One solution is to store the camera and grip with no lens attached.  Doing this, there is more than adequate space for the body, and three or four lens, and a flash unit.  Stored vertically, a long lens can be accommodated with no problem.  Carrying your gear this way, you're not immediately prepared to shoot, as you must take a few moments to assemble the camera.Though the bag is really better suited to accommodating the gear to fully outfit one camera.  In a pinch, the 5606 can accommodate two camera bodies, even with battery packs, but that will leave just about a third of the available space for lenses and a flash.There is a zippered fold down compartment with pockets in the front.  It would be nice if the pockets had some kind of fasteners.  Pouches with velco fasteners are on the side of the bag.  Velcro is an extremely poor design choice.  One should not risk putting valuable or heavy items into these pouches.  They could easily be lost, or fall out and be broken, should the fasteners fail to hold.  This wasted storage space is the bag's major flaw.  Some type of modification would be required to make them truly useful.The 5606 has an excellent heavy duty carrying strap, and also has straps at the base for carrying a tripod.  A semi useful feature is a wallet for carrying digital media and other small accessories.  The wallet is attached to the bag with an elastic strip, and sides into a compartment on the side of the bag.  The padding in bottom and sides could stand to be a bit thicker, but that can be said of most bags.As with any camera bag, it's ultimate usefulness depends on the user, and the particular gear to be carried.  The 5606 isn't quite perfect in all situations, but it is adaptable enough to be useful most of the time.  Available in several colors.
&#2951; Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150; Highly recommended with warm fuzzies!This is now one of my favorite lenses for my EOS30D.  I sometimes use it in conjunction with the MR-14EX macro ring lite.  There are some situations, every so often where the amount of light is not optimal, when I really wished that Canon would make a macro lens with Image Stablization (that you can turn on or off anyway); none of their three macro lenses have IS.  But that is just a minor nitpick.  The sharpness and color of this lens compares well with Canon's L-grade glass.  This 100mm lens also makes a wonderful portrait lens with beautiful background bokeh.  For up-close macro use, just remember that macro lenses do have a far shallower depth of field than what you may be used to, if this is your first experience using a macro lens.
The good news: Great lens! I cannot believe the sharpness of this lens on my Canon 5D. Close ups are sharp but it really excels with portraits. Maybe too sharp for portraits! It is as sharp or sharper than my 70-200mm L lens. Like everyone else, I would like to see the lens with an included lens shade. But you can buy a cheaper version on eBay from Hong Kong. Same with the tripod collar.The bad news: I bought this through Amazon and the seller was Beach Camera. Like a dummy I paid extra ($20) for two day shipping. It took Amazon 2 days just to get the order to Beach Camera. Another 3 days to have the lens arrive.  I just barely got it in time for a shoot before the weekend. I then ordered a 580ex II directly from Beach Camera. I paid less than $10 for standard shipping and it arrived in 4 days. Amazon: your 2 day shipping is a rip off!
I was always interested in minute objects so this is the lens for me. This is one lens u can have fun with. But at start its very difficult to get the DOF right. it has a VERY shallow DOF when photographing really small objects as at 1-2x n that makes it very difficult to handle and get right part on focus. But with the learning curve I am now able to get it right. The pics are very sharp n life like. Portrait is also very nice n superb bokeh.Best piece of glass I have. Highly recommended if u love photographying small flowers & insects.
As you can see lots of the people talk about how great this lens is and some compare it with the Canon 100mm L series,  I have both of them and honestly after almost 300 shots from each in the same situation, I still can't see anything different between this two the only difference is the price, now chose which one is better for you. this lens is awesome without a
Allow me to first state that I want people to learn from my experiences below (initial review) - a bad unit can bite you, and depending on the seller, getting your money back may be harder than with others.I have upped the star rating from 3 to 5 based on receiving a functional, refurbished unit that I received directly from Canon.  If the lens was not up to the highest possible degree, I would have kept the review at 4 stars, based on my bad experience after purchasing my first lens.  It exceeded all of my expectations once I received a fully functional lens.  I will try to explain how in the following review.I have now used this refurbished lens to take (at time of this review) around 700 pics in the last couple of weeks.  I could not wait to update the review.My initial impressions are extremely positive.  Most reviewers have already gone over how the lens feels sturdy, the focus ring is smooth with a nice throw for easy manual focusing, and how the lens is tack sharp.  I could not agree more.  After getting a working lens (the autofocus now operates as I would expect) I can report that all of these statements are true.  The thing that struck me the most, though, was the accuracy and speed of the autofocus system.  At macro range, it will track an object and keep it in sharp focus even though my hands are twitchy and the subject may be moving around.  There are a few moments where the focus will stop tracking, but a quick retap of the autofocus button will resume the search.  As was stated in one of the comments, the autofocus does not like going from macro range to standard range, but this is a good thing.  It tries to anticipate where the focus will be, instead of hunting all over the range.The sharpness of this lens is the next massive asset in this lens's bag of tricks.  The level of detail you get from pictures taken in a standard magnification range is absurd.  Every line of every feather is in sharp contrast on a bird (assuming you can get close enough to fill a good portion of the frame at 100mm).  Get close and the smallest details pop out.  The tiny hairs on a grasshopper are present in the photo, and compound eyes become a nest of interwoven latticework.Because this is a 100mm lens, in theory, one only needs to be 1/160sec on a 1.6x crop lens to avoid visible blur from camera shake (not sure if this translates to macro though...) which means you can hand hold this lens in moderate light (I have a very good amount of keepers at 1/160th).  My recommendation, though, is to have a flash unit.  I have a 430 ex ii which has been wonderful.  I do not miss the lack of image stabilization on this lens due to the fact that I mostly use an external flash.  I have tried to use the lens without a flash and unless you have fantastic natural light you're better off with a flash.  Also, some claim IS assists in composing and framing.  Composing a hand held shot is not difficult to me, even at maximum magnification and without IS.  As I stated before, my hands are shaky, too.If your photos require a close up perspective, this is a fantastic option.  The results from a working version of this lens speak for themselves.  In the first 5 minutes I was hugely impressed, and with a small amount of experience my love for this lens has only grown.  I have also used the 100 f/2.8L which is very similar to this lens, but with the addition of IS and a red stripe (ok - a few other things, too).  In practice, I have not seen an appreciable difference between the two lenses.  The non-L is good enough for me.Hope all this helps!---------------------------------------------Original Review:The autofocus on this lens did not operate.  It would hunt for focus for a few seconds and then stop trying.  This was the case in all light levels.  I also tried this with multiple focus distance limits (the switch on the side) as well as multiple camera bodies.This is so sad because the lens has so much potential.1.  The pictures taken really are tack sharp.2.  The auto focus ring is smooth and has enough throw to finely adjust as needed.3.  The lens really opens up a world of fun in your photography.  I found myself shooting everything I could to "test" the broken mechanism.  It was hard to send back, even though I knew it was broken.As far as the return process, I purchased this from Amazon, sold by Adorama (a company I've followed for quite a while and have trusted).  They claimed that because I did not purchase directly through them (but rather on Amazon's site) I could not receive an exchange for a working unit.  I could only return for a refund.  They were going to charge me retroactive shipping from them ("free" on the original order), a restocking fee, and I had to foot the bill to ship back to them.  WHAT?!?  After a [mostly] calm conversation with their phone support I was told I would receive a full refund and a shipping label to ship it back.  I'm out no money for a defective product shipped to me, so I'm now a happy camper.Since the refunded money has already been reallocated, I now have to save up for this lens again...It's that good that I wouldn't go without it for too long after briefly having it in my possession.  Thus it hurts to give it a 3-star...I just can't give higher without receiving a working unit.  :(
This is definitely the sharpest lens I own and ever used. I have the canon ef 17-40 f4, and canon ef 50mm f1.4. I previously owned the canon ef 50mm f1,8 and canon ef-s 17-55 f2.8 is.This lens is great for macro shots and portraits. I used used it on canon xsi and 5d mark ii. Great results from both cameras. For marco shots you will need a tripod because even the slightest movement from your hands and you will mis-focus.Sharp throughout all apertures.Great bokeh :)
This is a truly awesome lens that has detail that is unmatched for the price and abilities.  I have been able to get some pictures with great clarity and detail.  Sharp as a tack and I haven't seen any issues with the lens.It's a must buy lens for anyone with a Canon D/SLR!
The first macro lens I got and excellent first choice.This lens is sharp, REALLY fast and has a superb construction quality.Great option for those who don't have more money.I'm using it in almost all my wedding shoots, to get that romantic look of the couple dance without being intrusive.f2.8 rocks.
I use this lens all the time when shooting my food photography. I've been using a dinky Canon t3i to shoot and despite that, this lens still makes everything look crisp.
The 100mm macro lens is a must have for any serious photographer.  It costs a little more than other primes within it's class but this lens is VERY sharp.  Great for taking pictures of nature, as well as portraits.  The long body and 58mm filter size seem to hide the silent potential of this mighty lens.Highly recommend this lens.  This lens is so sharp it should be an "L" series lens!
Let's start with the obvious from all the reviews. The bokeh is fine. The lens is pretty fast. f2.8 to f22 is useful as a creative range. The optics are sharp and the all-time focusing is a boon. So what's not to like?Well, here's the thing. The Canod EOS40D, which I use, has the ability to use the viewfinder in "live preview" mode, and when doing so, will allow you to zoom in on your focus point (or anywhere else, but that's irrelevant to my point here) such that you can see extremely fine detail. At which point you can manually focus the lens so that it is exactly right. Marvelous, right?It would be. But the lens has some mechanical backlash problems. Let me explain backlash; if you're not familiar with it, it takes a bit of describing.Backlash is a problem that occurs in gear trains or arrangements that causes the finest adjustments to repeatedly over or under adjust, depending on which way you are going, because the gears don't (can't, really) fit perfectly together.In a standard gear train, the gear teeth have a little bit of freedom to move before they make contact with the teeth of the next gear in the gear train, and this causes movement of the gear to be without resistance.The gear turns relatively easily, because it isn't actually engaged, and then when the teeth actually make contact a fraction of a turn later, they "slam" together and more of an adjustment is made than one would expect.Which in turn requires adjusting the other way, but now the gear has to move back across the non-engaged space and slams into the tooth behind in just the same manner. This can result in a VERY frustrating experience.So now we get to the issue with the lens. The focus adjustment has a noticeable backlash problem which becomes evident at the very highest magnification of the EOS 40D's live preview.I recently took a picture of a small creature (about 50 thousandths of an inch across) on the wall of my salt water aquarium. I used live preview, max magnification, and manual focus.Let me tell you, this was an experience of great disagreement between the lens and me. I spent literally ten minutes trying to get the lens to the best possible focus.I would touch the lens ring, and the focus would get sharper, and then frustratingly, slide right past that setting to slightly blurry again. I'd then adjust the other way, and the same thing would happen again the other way.The camera was on a tripod, it was orthogonal to the plane the object I was trying to focus on was attached to, the object was agreeably motionless - all the recipe ingredients for an easy to focus situation. Except we are talking about a VERY small object, and so very fine focus control is required.Is this going to bother you in your application? Probably not, unless you shoot very tiny things, as I do from time to time. Even then, we're talking about trying to squeeze the very last wisps of focus accuracy the lens is capable of out of it.But after spending almost $500 on a lens, would you not want to get all you can out of the optics? I know I do. If what you're shooting is moving, you could easily lose the best possible shot because the focus is just about uncontrollable in that last percentile or so.It is possible that I got a bad lens; perhaps others would be so good to check this out before they post their reviews. But I have to review the lens I have, because that's the experience I've had.
After using a zoom lens with macro feature built in a decided to make the jump to a dedicated macro lens and I'm really glad I did. Canon doesn't disappoint with this one. Lens takes nice sharp photos and was easy to get used to. You can't go wrong with Canon!
Canon makes the BEST lens I have ever bought.  This one is small, quiet, and easy to use.  The pictures are lovely and just what I wanted.  Other manufacturers make good lens and I own several that are very nice products but this is the best in an affordable lens for the non-professional photographer.
Great lens for macro photos or portraits.  I read the other reviews and they influenced by purchase - no regrets.  I do miss image stabilization, but the difference in price points is too great.  I'll just need to hold more steady :)
Love this lens!  It's very sharp and easy to focus for macro or portrait photography.
I got this lens because I was hoping to get a two for one for my wedding photography needs. I was hoping for a nice macro and a decent long portrait lens. I've discovered this is more than I had hoped for and something altogether different. This is a beautiful portrait lens and a very decent macro.Pros:- long focal length (160mm equivalent on crop body)- wide aperture- beautiful bokeh- lovely build quality- fast, silent, very accurate focusing- amazing IQ- no distortion As Far As I Can Tell- little or no chromatic aberration- very sharp throughout- oh, and it also does lovely MacroCons:- no ISSeriously, that's pretty much the only con I can really attribute.If you consider purchasing this lens consider that it has no IS which can limit it's hand held use to brighter situations, longer exposures or high ISO. Also note that the Macro functions wide open will have an extremely shallow depth of field. I find that stopping down to around f/8 makes this lens much easier to use, and produces just beautiful, perfectly sharp pictures.BOTTOM LINE:If you're looking for a very fast, long lens with great image quality with the great addition of Macro, then this is the lens foe you.I've used this lens for some great macro shots, even hand held. But my favorite use is portraits. I got to shoot some concerts from close to the stage with this lens (some wide open) and this lens performed above and beyond what I had hoped for. Focus was on the money for 98% of shots ( I don't want to risk saying all of them). Sharpness was stunning even wide open. Color rendition was bright and gorgeous.I love this lens, and I will stop talking about it now because I will probably shed tears of joy.Just want to say, this is definitely my new favorite lens, and I can easily see it being so for a very long time.
I love this lens. My brother gifted it to me when I started getting into photography and I was hesitant because I hadn't ever used a prime lens. After using this lens for about 3 months I can say that I could not be happier with it. It's tack sharp even hand held as long as your light is decent. I think this lens is the start of a life long love of primes for me. Highly recommend.
I like this lens.  It's very sharp.  My only complaint is the focusing on this lens tends to be slow at low light, just low light not dark.  The lens seems to search to much.  I had the tamron 60mm 2.0 which is incredibly sharp but it had the same problem.  I figured since the canon has USM that it would be faster at focusing even while hunting.  I also have the canon 100 - 400 which has USM and is incredibly fast at focusing.  It doesn't hunt as much as the 100mm but when it does it locks on much faster. I use a 7D with a Canon EFS 17-55 f2.8 which is incredibly fast focus and it hardly ever hunts so I don't think it is the camera.  Bear in mind I am not describing super dark situations just low light.
I use this lens all the time, and never get bored of finding things to photograph with it. It is really a good lens and you will often see people comment on the fact that it may be one of those special lens' that could be L glass but gets away with being reasonably priced.Build: This is a solid well built lens. Its mostly metal construction ensures that it will last a long time. The focus ring is of course rubber and is easy to use. However this lens is heavy, so much so that if you are handholding it and using manual focus your camera holding hand will get tired. I have attempted to do this with a 430EX flash mounted on top and it is literally hand cramping after a while. You will most likely want to purchase a tripod collar with this lens, as a lot of focus will be lost due to camera shake.AF: This lens isn't the fastest lens on earth, and in conjunction with an XTi I find that it is sometimes annoyingly slow. It also tends to hunt a little in all but the best light conditions. Another reason to get a lens collar and use a tripod. However I rarely use autofocus with macro work, and prefer the control of manual. Given the shallow depths of field, manual is much more useful. Also the only time you really need a fast AF with macro is outside shooting bugs and such, and you will probably have the light of the sun which would of course be plenty to ensure the AF functions as you want it to. I wouldnt pass this lens up on account of the slightly slow AF.Picture Quality: I find that this lens produces incredibly sharp pictures (again, do not expect really sharp pictures hand held, I feel like a lot of people complain about this, but dont realize its their fault, not the lens'). The saturation and general color is amazing, and I rarely find that I have to up the saturation or vibrance. Personally I have found this lens to be tack sharp at f/4, and it stays there most of the time, as f/2.8 is a very very shallow depth of field.In Comparison: Although I do not own the 60mm macro, I have had a chance to use one, and although the 60mm is more versatile (i.e portraits), I would not give up the reach. Even at 100mm I find myself wishing I had the 180mm L lens. But 100mm is certainly better than 60mm. This is definitely a macro lens, if you also want to do portraits get the 100mm and the 50 1.8. Personally this is a better choice than loosing the 40mm.Overall: amazing lens, you will be satisfied if you are looking to do macro and some portraits if you have enough room (outside). The only reason I give it four and not five stars is the slow AF in darker lighting situations. But you can work around this. Great lens from a great company!
This is one of my Targeted Purchases for Additional Lenses with my Digital SLR Camera (Canon XSi and XTi).  Being FINALLY FREE (As an Empty-Nesting Retiree) .. I've gone back to College ... and a selection of the courses are in Photography.  The skills/techniques I am studying necessitated the purchase of a Macro Lens -- and since this one Arrived .. WOW ... I've gotten a LOT of use out of this one lens -- everything from close-ups of the Spring Blooms to Insects/Butterflies and nature in all its wonderous glory.  I LOVE it ... but realize this -- if you are photographing blooms -- you MOST likely will be using MANUAL Focus -- for the lens itself will zoom in and out (sometimes repeatedly) -- trying to focus where IT wants to .. so if you want the BEST quality (based on your tastes), set it to MF and go for it!
There are plenty of rave reviews about this lens.  I'd like to add something from my experience using it for 2+ years.  Sharp is right, but more important - little or no distortion.  And great color resolution.  Photographing artwork, this is critical.  This lens is nearly perfect.  If you don't know what this means, take a photograph of a piece of graph paper.  On most lenses (and yes even L series) you'll see the outer lines converging in or out.  If this is a painting - a rectangle, guess what, outer areas are distorted and lose sharpness.  Sure you can correct in Photoshop, but any stretching - and I mean any stretching loses sharpness.  Have I made my point?Here is a surprise that I learned on this lens, smaller aperture is not always sharper.  What?  Didn't they tell us in photo class the bigger the number the sharper the photo?  Not true.  There is light distortion at small openings.  Here's the sweet spot in my experience: f5.6 to f7 (1/3 less than 8).  Higher, you get greater depth of field which you sometimes MUST have, but sharpness drops gradually until somewhere past f11, then way down.  I'm using strobes, so not really an issue (plenty of light).Focus - sometimes tough as others have mentioned.  You have to be patient and have good eyesight.  I don't even bother with the autofocus on this lens.  A breath will take you out of focus.  And I'm working on a tripod. At the beginning of every project, I just kind of accept that I shoot a photo, run into the the office, put the card into the computer and check it on Photoshop before I continue.  Bummer, but that's the deal with this lens.Distance from the art.  If you photograph large work, as I do sometimes, you'll need some room.  A six foot painting will put you back about 16 feet.  An eight foot painting will put you about 25 feet.  That's a big studio (remember you still have to get your body behind the camera). I've got a 50mm sigma macro for the big ones that does an excellent job, but I always miss this one.Bottom line - GREAT lens for photographing flat artwork.  AMAZING lens for photographing small products like jewelry (you swear you're looking at the molecules sometimes).  Take your time and use the lens the way it was meant, and you will never be sorry.  Oh yeah - you have to own the lens hood, it should have come with it, it's so important.Ps. Macro photography is just fun.  Every once in awhile you have to take a picture of something very small to marvel at it blown up to king sized proportions.
This is a good lens for portraits as well as macros. I managed to get mine fairly cheaply in the circuit city closeout(for about $320). It gives a good working space which I've liked the most of all my lenses- neither too close nor too far. Also, be aware that this is not a wide angle lens, so if your preference is landscaping or that sort, then this is not for you.The only issue I have found is that the lens is heavy. My forearms had some strain the first day I used it, but now I'm used to it. Overall, it is an excellent buy if you are interested in Macros. The quality of the glass is top notch.Remember to check out circuit city to see if they have it in stock..Its a great deal there right now!
Really shallow depth of field on this one. Awesome for portraits but you need to back up quite a bit to get the right range. Really crisp detail, more than any other lens i own. You can see the pores on someones face. Of course a macro lens is meant for macro photography, but this one is useful for a lot more.My second favorite lens to my 50mm 1.4f. Go ahead and buy it, unless you own a ridiculously small studio in which case you might be a bit cramped for space.
I have a bag full of lenses and this is easily my favorite (I'm sure I would think differently if I could afford the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 macro.) I've really gained an appreciation for macro photography since buying this lens. There's a whole world of creative possibilties located right inside YOUR house!For the technical... This is a true macro lens. Many lenses like to claim they are "macro", or have a "macro mode" but if the lens does not do 1:1 magnification, its not true macro. This is the case with Canon's 50mm "macro", which requires you to purchase an additional adapter for nearly $300. You'd have saved money by just buying this lens in the first place.
Hey listen, we oughta give this lens a reward or something....I used to use a Minolta X-700 to which I would thread onto my 50mm lens either one, two, or all three of my "close up" lenses to get semi-decent shots of bees, flowers, ants, etc., etc., but for the hassle I'd have to go through compared to this lens, it was just plain inconvenient.  I've had this lens for about four hours now. I'm in awe of how SHARP the images are with this lens, whether it's manually or auto-focused. And then, just swing it up from the close-up target, and you've got a great portrait lens. I had some qualms about spending almost $500.00 for a lens of this type, 25 times what I spent for the close-ups for the Minolta, but of course, that's an apples and oranges thing. The build quality of this lens is absolutely top notch. The attention paid to detail in every facet of this tool, whether outside or in, is full gratification of the dollars spent for it; all first quality wherever you look. If you're looking for a great lens for macro work with a lot of versatility, this is the one to buy. I can't wait for summer to get here to utilize its inherent superior attributes. Now, what'd I just say? It'll be a lot of fun to do stuff with!  Thanks.  Mmn.
I originally purchased this lens to shoot corals in my saltwater fish tank.  Originally purchased the Tamron macro lens (not the exact same focal length, but their macro in this range), but the Tamron's lens extended from the front of the lens, to focus.  The Canon's lens does not extend from the front of the lens, which may make a bit longer than the Tamron, but you can have it right up to the object you're shooting without having to readjust because the lens is closer to the object now that you've focused.  For example, when shooting through glass (or acrylic in my case), you want the lens as close to the glass and as perpedicular to the glass as possible to avoid distortion.  With the Tamron, I would focus and it would push the lens, camera and tripod away from the tank, and I would have to reframe the shot, trying to again get it as close to the tank as possible, while also allowing myself room for the lens to extend while focusing.  It truly was a pain, and it did go back (thanks for the easy return, Adorama!)I've since sold the saltwater tank, and have found this lens takes EXCELLENT portrait shots, in addition to the wildlife/nature macro shots.  You end up being the zoom, moving closer or further away to get your object in the frame, but the results cannot be beat!!  unless you want to spend a couple thousand dollars more)I love this lens and will not be getting rid of it anytime soon!  It gives great shallow depth of field, great color and just an overall well-built lens, as well.
Necessary addition to my bag-takes tack sharp pics. What did I do without it?? Sweet bokeh with this one always.
First, this lens is awesome.Now, Pros:crispnessclosenesscomfortquietfast/smooth focusingthat "macro look" that makes you say "Oooh, Ahhh"Cons:I had to boost in-camera settings quite a bit to get the contrast and color that I wanted.  I gave those attributes 3/5 stars but that feels somewhat generous.  I will admit however, that I am still getting to know this lens and it is a little tricky, especially if you have not done much macro photography.  Don't expect to rely on the auto focus to catch those scurrying ants and bees, that requires instinct and practice.  Also, I found the lens to be somewhat heavy and could stress my wrist after a long time with it.  Ideally for those unique macro shots it could be a shorter/more compact shape but that is a minor complaint.  Lots of lens flare/ glaring.Why I got it: There are a few other good Canon options out there for macro, but this lens is the one that will cross you over into wonderful portraits as well.  Likewise, you can point it at a pair of jeans and be amazed by the fibers you will see, or point it at a red ant and look at the tiny hairs on its head.  It was easy to use the lens handheld for bugs and flowers (even in overcast lighting).  I do not regret this purchase at all.  I really wanted the Canon 65mm Macro lens, but I feel that for the price, this lens will curb my need for macro for the time being.  I still want a ring flash for the end of it, and I purchased a very cheap tulip lens cover for it. I'm a photographer on a budget.  I think you will find that you can really push this lens to capture the crispness and detail that you are looking for.Sum up: You wont regret this lens if you are looking to delve into the world of macro and enjoy some wonderful portrait work as well.  Best if you have some sort of editing program (like photoshop) to boost up the colors and contrast.
I really love this lens, it is now my favorite one, it delivers like an L lens and with better price. The pictures are extremely sharp and very easy to focus.
I really love this lens. I mostly use manual focus, a tripod and RS-80N shutter release when setting up my shots. My mistake was buying an off-brand macro ring light that eats batteries so I am saving to get the Canon MT-24EX which costs more than the lens.  This lens does not need much light to get great shots but the effects of macro lighting makes for those colorful vibrant macro pics you see in National Geographic. I have several L lenses and the 100mm Macro is every bit as sharp as those lenses.
I love this lens. It takes incredible pictures of my flowers and the critters that visit them. I was told that it would probably only work with a tripod but I have been able to get some pretty amazing pictures without one. I am using it on an entry level Canon so I can only imagine what I would get if I had a nice camera!
It is a big investment, but worth it.  You need to play with it and I highly recommend always using a tripod. I am glad I purchased it.
I am a wedding photographer and this is my favorite telephoto lens. I use it religiously for all the detail shots and it's 2.8 aperture allows for that in some of the darker churches and reception halls. I do find it's a little slow to focus (goes back an forth) in low light, but after some time you learn how to work around that. There's always the option to manual focus (while leaving it on auto) so I do that then use the auto focus once i've given it a 'hint' on what I want sharp... On my 30D it's about a 160mm so it's great for formals as well- it blurs the background and you get that tack-sharpness that you can only really get from a fixed lens. Excellent buy- It does not have image stabilization, but if you hold still and shoot at 1/125 or faster it's good. Or use a tripod!
Bought this fantastic lense a few days ago. The lense arrived on time and in good condition. This lense is very fast, yes, you have to believe me! Despite without IS, I still manage to get extremely sharp images. This lense is also fairly priced despite it's reputation and performance. A little heavy though, anyhow not really a big issue for me. You've got to try it. It truely deserves a red ring!
I love this lens it and the f2.8 is awesome for a macro lens.Pros:  sharp, contrast, close-up shooting, fast focus, lightweight, build quality, f/2.8Cons:  hood is espensive, size is a little bigPros:  Amazing clearity,I can consider this a "L" series lens even though its not listed as such..well balance,very smooth.over all a excellent everyday shooters lens.Cons:  nothing at all...one of the best 1:1 lens on the market hands down.if your a newbie here's some infoA lens is "fast" when it has a low f-stop... ok so when you have a smaller number the apature is bigger which allows more light through, so this means you can up the shutter speed. and still have enough light reach the sensor.ok so lets say you have an out door shot if you have say an f/4 lens the shutter speed could be 1/250 of a second and you would get a good exposer. Now this lens can only go f/4but if you in the same outdoor setting, had an f/2.8 lens you could jump to 1/500 of a second and get the same exposer. and freeze the action mmore effectivly, this i believe is why it's a "fast" lens.ok have fun and get it done
I bought a used copy of this lens and am extremely happy with it.  I also have a 24-105mm f4 kit lens and can say that duplication of the focal length was a little concerning... however... as far as shooting macro, you just can't get the same results with the tele-zoom... the 100mm macro gives razor-sharp results.  Works great for portraits too if you're a casual portrait shooter.If you're worried about the IS on the &#34;L&#34; version being lacking on this lens... consider that you're likely shooting bugs and flowers etc and that outdoor lighting is pretty strong... you'll have pretty quick shutter speeds.  It seems sharpest at about f8 or so (like many lenses).  If you shoot dimly lit stuff - get a ring light.  A cheap one is probably fine unless you're doing product photography or something like that, in which case, you're probably getting paid and can spend the extra $$ for a pro-quality ring flash.Just my 2 cents.  I think it's a great lens and a great addition to a kit if you already have a good long zoom, a good mid/wide zoom and a wide open prime like a 50 f1.8 or f1.4 or the 40mm pancake, which is another bargain lens that you can't really go wrong buying.
This lens is used on occassions.  I am just learning about macro photography and enjoy the work that this lens provides.
Although this lens is intended for macro photography, it's also a great lens for general purpose shots, or portrait shots.  The lens produces beautiful sharp images and is a fast, accurate focuser.  The lens is moderately heavy and bulky, so I wouldn't classify it as eminently carryable, and without image stabilization, you might suffer hand shake blur if you're not shooting at the wide end; at smaller apertures, using it with a tripod is highly recommended.  But if you're buying it primarily to get into macro this shouldn't much matter as tripod shooting with macro is virtually a necessity, and completely expected.The 100mm focal length is a nice compromise when you want to get close to small subjects (particularly insects) but are limited to how close you can get before scaring the subject off - as a comparison with the 180mm macro, you would want to factor in a consideration as to what you might like to shoot most of the time - big spiders that you'd rather stay well away from might be an application more suited to the 180mm, for instance, but if you are keen to shoot mostly flowers, the 180 might be more length than you really need.In short, the 100mm macro is one of my "keeper" lenses, a real performer.
Great lens for macro work. I can get great shots without getting so close as is necessary with other macros. It is a heavy lens and not one I pack around on a hike. It should have a tripod to avoid camera shake,however I seldom pack one. I hand hold but if the subject is still I shoot several shots and usually find one that is acceptable.
it worth every p....... dont miss itthe 60mm ef-s is good but you must be sooo close to the subject and non movable...  so it's good for non life macro's, but this you have enough space"i have them both&lt; & both are great"
This lens is great. I will never buy an imitation. Canon is the way to go... The key to using this lens is light. Be aware, If you are planning on taking pictures of tulips in the bright sun, fine. But if you plan to take pictures indoors, I suggest going to for a 50mm or getting the flash ring. And don't consider a tube without it. You lose so much light that your depth is cut down to about  of a mm! The flash makes all the difference. This lens sat for a good while until i got the flash. And a standard flash does not work either.However, the lens does it's job wonderfully. Everything is remarkably crisp and HUGE! You just need the light to focus and get a decent shot.And BTW - For more controlled environments, the flash ring also has a lamp to focus and setup with. It's extrememly handy with a decent tripod for those indoor shots.
I'm not a professional photographer, meaning that I don't make money from my hobby. So I couldn't see spending the money on the 100mm L series so I purchased the less expensive 100mm macro lens. Macro is one of my favorite photography genres and it is the main one I use when out in the field. So far this lens has not let me down. It is so clear. Now again, I'm not a professional but even I can compare sharpness when compared to the kit lens and the macro lens. There is so much difference! if you enjoy macro photography you will not be disappointed with this one.
This lens is fabulous! I feel in this case you get what you pay for and more. Being a newbie to the photography world this lens is a great place to start. I would highly reccomend this lens to a beginner-intermediate photographer if you know how to use your camera. At a constant 100mm you have to MOVE with this lens to get that perfect shot!
The Canon ef 100mm f/2.8 is a perfect lens for a narrow band of applications. For portaits and life size (full picture of a small object) it serves very well. However, I found it difficult to give up the flexibility of my 17-85mm zoom lens. I don't carry a pack of lenses around so the versatility of the 17-85mm trumps most other characteristics most of the time.Don't get me wrong, the 100mm is of excellent quality, with no problems. It is capable of very sharp photos and is fun to use. Some people say it's too heavy. I don't think so. Its weight and size don't bother me at all (I use it on my 350xt). I've gotten some very sharp and interesting pictures using it. However, wide angle capability and being able to compose pictures by including or excluding elements of the scene has spoiled me. (I would have liked a little more zoom on the 17-85mm though.)The net result is that I occasionally use this macro, and very much enjoy it when I do. I'm happy with it and recommend it for portraits and closeups, and even as a walk around lens provided you can compose the picture by walking where you need to be.
I have only had this lens a short time but I am quite impressed with the high quality of both the pictures and construction. It doesn't have IS but being a macro lens that is not a feature that should be missed. If you want to take a lot of hand held photos but don't shoot much macro then get the non macro 100mm. The sharpness of the colors are comparable to L series lens. I've read other users comments that agree with that too before purchasing. I have read complaints that the lens is very slow to focus. That really depends on what you're shooting. I experimented and found if your focus is on a subject that has good contrast (not something with mostly uniform colors without much texture)then the AF is quite good. I focused on a thin object a few feet away using only the center focus point, then refocused on another subject at least 70 feet away and the lens hit the focus in a fraction of a second. The times it wants to hunt for focus is in lower light situations or when adjusting focus for a macro shot. The focusing ring works to fine tune the focus even when the lens is set in AF mode. Having a 2.8 min aperture allows for higher shutter speeds in lower light conditions  without having to up the ISO. All in all I definitely recommend this lens. The important thing to remember is take the time to LEARN how to properly use the lens before judging it. If you've never used a macro lens before it has a bit of a learning curve but well worth the time to understand it.
This is a great macro lens and a super portrait lens too. Excellent bokah, sharp, and reasonably priced.
I am very picky about the sharpness of my lenses. I own a number of Canon lenses including theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, theCanon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, and several others but this is probably the sharpest of the bunch. I mainly use it for macro work and it is too long to be used as a general purpose lens on an APS-C sensor camera such as Rebel T2i or 7D. You don't really need the image stabilized version for macro and if you're serious about macro you should invest in a ring flash. I own theOpteka RL-600 E-TTL II Macro Twin Ring Lite Flash for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i & T2i Digital SLR Camerasand it works great, you don't need to spend over $300 for a Canon ring flash. If you're interested in macro photography, I think this is about the best lens there is, but if you're a general purpose hobbyist, stick with one of the zoom lenses. A great all-purpose zoom for APS-C cameras (Rebel series, 50D, 7D) is theCanon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.
This lens is amazing. It takes great close ups, love it for facial shots. A bit pricey, but if you love taking photos and want details it's a must.
I have had this lens for over a year, and It is the best I have ever used, it's very fast and 100mm allows you to use it for many things, not just for macro. It works great for high DOF portraits and headshots, I also use it for product shots and of course, for macro close-ups. It excells in every field. Totally worth the money.
A good piece of glass for the money. I use this lens for macro shots and seldom add extension tubes because of its one to one ratio. I recommend this lens if can't spring for a &#34;L Series&#34;.
First I would like to say this is my most expensive lens I have bought to date. When I placed this lens on my camera the sound of the focus was so smooth. I could not believe how smooth it sounded. My other lens seems so clunky to this lens. After the initial shock on how beautifully it sounded I decided to take some shots with it.I am not technical, but the glass on this lens puts out extremely beautiful images. This lens is by far way better then my tamron. I really don't have any cons. I really am amazed at this lens.
Had this lens for a number of months - really great.  This is not a heavy neck breaker.  It is super fast to focus and the sharpest of all my Canon's - even better then the 85mm L.  Have done some shockingly good flower work and also been amused by what you can get with insects that I had never seen before.  Highly recommended and I consider cheap for the quality and flexibility.
I purchased this lens primarily for use as a macro lens.  Since I shoot mostly wildlife (including bugs) I thought the field of view of 160mm (used with my Canon Rebel XT) would be just about ideal.  In reality the FL was not enough.  I had to approach the bugs much too close and they frequently left the scene quickly.  The pictures taken with the lens were extremely sharp and the bocah (out of focus area behind the subject) was very nice.  I wound up selling the lens on eBay since it didn't meet my needs.
I like the lens a lot. Have not been able to use it much as I want due to an accident I was in. I did notice there is a feature that makes the lens 5X and 10X magnification I stumbles upon by accident. Great lens.
I am an advanced amateur. I bought this Canon lens to round out my array of lenses for my Rebel XSi.  I was interested in taking macro shots of bugs and other small objects, plus have the capability of a portrait lens.  I haven't had it for very long and I haven't taken a lot of pictures yet, but it is impressive in its sharpness and accurate focusing.  It focuses to .9 foot but you have to have a steady hand since it doesn't have IS.  Construction is solid (notice the weight) and all focusing is internal, so the barrel doesn't move in and out. This is a great feature for macro images.I recommend it highly but if I had the extra money I would go for the Canon 100mm macro lens with IS.  That is the only reason I gave it a 4.0 rating.
When shooting small objects close to the lens the depth of field is impressive, down one or two millimetres. I find the manual zoom super smooth, giving very fine control over focal points. AF is very fast but limited by the cameras focal points. The lens satisfies all my needs and then some. At very close range and not ideal lighting a try-pod is handy but that is expected. The new IS lens is twice the price! Photography is a hobby and I consider myself an enthusiast but If I was a professional I would still rate this lens highly. It is well made good quality product. Some reviews of this product left me concerned that the lens had some issues but having used it I have come the the conclusion that the poor reviews are as a result of not reading the instructions and limited knowledge of macro photography.
good lens and enhanses my photo.  I use Canon products almost exculsively and am very pleased with this product. Would purchase again.
Not just for portraits and up close macros, this is a very functional lens.I have a friend teaching me about cameras and photography, and this is what herecommended, and he demonstrated to me what it can do, and it's great.Now I just need to learn to do more with it myself! ; &#62;)
If you want to jump into macro photography without making your banker angry and making compromise in image quality, this lens is the perfect choice, here is why:- Almost half the price of the IS version (and even more if you get a nice used one).- Very good image quality, L rated.- Nice build quality.- A joy to use the very large focusing ring.- Pretty good for portrait too.A couple of things:- Don't think about doing macro photography without flash! I'm personally using a 580EX II + pocketwizard.- Prefer close-up lens (like the Canon 250D) than extension tubes, because they are much more easier to use (no need to get the lens out of the body) and you don't loose any light.If you need real world samples, just check my website and blog:[...][...]Emmanuel.
I bought Canon Macro 100mm for fun, because of the deep cashback from[...]in the thanksgiving week. First I think if I don't like it, I will sell it, but the lens is just too amazing to be sold.Canon Macro 100mm is quite affordable and do a fantastic job. No wonder a lot of professional use and recommend it. The lens is primarily use for macro, for small things. The lens have ability to focus really close to object so that the camera can capture a life size image.The depth of field is very shallow, especially wide open at f/2.8 as you can see in some samples that I have uploaded. So, f/8 or higher is recommended if you want to capture a sharp object.But the shallow depth of field is not bad thing for many people, it helps the photographer to point out where is the most interesting part of the picture.The focal length of 100mm, make it ideal for portrait lens because it flattens out the facial features and blur the background making the subject more appealing especially girls portraits.The color contrast is also very good, it turns everyday boring object becomes interesting.Physically, the lens are slightly longer and heavier than most general purpose lens, the built quality is almost similar to 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and slightly better than 50mm, 85mm primes.The focusing bar is big make manual adjustment becoming very easy (manual focus is important for Macro work to ensure accurate focusing, although the auto focus is very fast due to USM (UltraSonic Motor). We can adjust the focusing to macro range (close up) or standard to long range.This lens focal length is bit too long for indoor shot and in crop sensor camera (Rebel series, and X0D series) but ideal for full frame camera (5D, 1D(s) series), but it is perfect for outdoor.Other alternative for APS-C camera is theCanon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Digital SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR Cameraswhich is smaller more suitable indoor and have almost equal price and image quality. The drawback is the EF-S lens can't be use in full frame camera if you want to upgrade later. Visit my blog [...] for sample photos, video and more reviews.
I agree with other reviewers that this could be an L lens! It is crisp, clean, clear, and has amazing bokeh. I use this as a portrait lens and couldn't be happier. The colors are amazing and I am constantly surprised by the quality of this lens. Definitely a great piece to have in your lens collection.
I mostly use this lens for flowers and moss.  The detail is amazing down to the bugs and the water droplets.
I love macro photography and each time Im outdoors I have to have this lens or I'll see something and I'll regret that i didnt have my macro with me.Auto focus works good, manual focus works good, you can get as close as down to maybe 20cms it will still focus.Mybe The only thing its missing is the IS technology
It really is not the best piece of glass out there. I want tack-sharp and beautiful clarity if I'm bothering with macro, and this just doesn't deliver in the same way that the L-series does. I'm going to be returning or selling mine and upgrading to the L.  This lens is just nothing special. Save your money and go L.
The 100mm Macro lens is great.  I'm trying to get in a lot of practice before I REALLY need to use it for wildflowers and butterflies.  I am using my tripod and remote triggering device to cut down on any movement of the lens.
This lens has extremely fast (and quiet) focus, and is razor sharp.  What more could you want, when photographing wildlife up close!The lens is not only quiet, fast, and razor sharp, that I have even used it extensively for butterfly shots.  You be the judge for great close-up shots, check it out:[...]
The 100 f/2.8 macro is very sharp, even for general shooting, so it works great for portraits, too. When I'm not using a zoom, this is my walkaround lens for people, relatively tight scenes and even indoor sports. Think of it as a great lens that also shoots macro than the other way around. Hard to beat that versatility at the price.But it comes into its own at close distances. If you've never had a macro lens, you'll run around shooting everything in sight because everything looks new from a macro perspective.Canon has several macro lenses. I prefer the 100 mm over shorter lenses because I don't have to get quite as close to that bee or wasp. The 180 mm gives you even more distance from your subject, more background blur and amazing sharpness. But it's much more expensive and in most cases you'll need a tripod, and I shoot a lot of improptu macros as I'm hiking.For extreme closeups with larger-than-life images, there's the MP-E 65. It goes up to 5X, compared to the 100mm's 1X, but you lose autofocus with this lens. In fact, you set your magnification and then move the camera until the object is in focus! As you get beyond about 2X, the viewfinder gets fairly dark. If you're doing still life macro work, it's amazing. I'll probably get one someday for shooting my mineral colletion.One thing to keep in mind with any macro is that because of the close distances, you're often in lower light conditions. Althought it's fairly pricey, I'm using the MT-24 EX, which lets you adjust the direction of the twin flashes. The MR-14EX ring light is a couple hundred dollars cheaper but will produce a slightly flatter image. And you can always use one of the standard flashes, though the closeness of your subject may cause some odd shadows.
No complaints, just cudos.  It arrived in good shape and in good time and was just what I ordered.  The lens does great close-up work and is easy to use.  Quality is excellent.
While this lens was actually purchased as a gift for my daughter, I have seen the results of her initial work with it.  I am truly surprised at the versatility of the device.  It seems able to focus from a few millimeters to virtual infinity easily, quickly and the photos taken at various distances are outstanding.Although the lens was classed as used, it looked and functioned as though it were brand new. It interfaced to the EOS digital camera as fully as it does to my EOS film camera.I'd recommend the vendor without hesitation.
I bought this lens a little over a year ago for macro shooting.  I quickly found out, however, that to shoot Macro-only with this lens is a crime.  It is a very versitile lens.  Its fast f/2.8 aperture makes for good shooting in low light.  I pretty much use this outdoors as the 100mm with the 1.6x crop factor of my Rebel XT eliminates most indoor oppurtunities.I frequently use this lens for family portraits, the resultant photo is so crisp and clear and the bokeh really helps add snap to the primary subject.As others have stated, this is a heavy lens.  It doesn't have Image Stabilization (IS) so a tripod or monopod is a great accessory to get the best images.  I use a beefy monopod for my best shots, although I have a lot of handheld gems...If you are tight for cash, this isn't the "one lens" that does it all.  If you are looking for a versitile lens that can do outstanding macros and portraits, THIS is that lens.
A super lens even for a mediocre amateur like myself.The only downside is that it's heavy one causing a bit of balance problems but overall well worth the expense.
OK, first and foremost, as you might have gathered from the other reviews on here, this is an awesome lens for macro.  It's even pretty good for portraits if you have room to back up far enough!I got this lens several years back and you know what, the retail price is pretty much the same as it was back then, who can say that about their DSLR body they got years ago?  I have kept this lens in great condition so I could probably sell it for 85-90% of it's retail price easily if I needed to (and I'd ONLY sell it if I needed to, LOL).  Nice glass like this holds it's value very well, and this is an excellent investment if you don't have anything comparable.  I own 2 L lenses and this one is on par with those in terms of quality, and this one cost a lot less!The one word of warning is that when shooting very up close macro, at f 2.8 the depth of field is VERY short, like 1mm or something very small.  So, even though you CAN shoot 2.8, when you are up as close as this thing can shoot, it might be better to use more cut down F-stop such as F-8 for increased DoF if your light/subject motion allows, and use a tripod too if you can.  It all depends on what you want in focus of course, but the DoF on this thing can be very shallow at close distances on 2.8.
I purchased this lens to serve as a macro lens, but have been very surprised by its versatility on a full-frame body.  While it may be a little tight on a crop sensor, I have found that this lens produces beautiful images ranging from macros to portraits on my 5D Mark III.  Focus is fast, colors are vibrant, and the bokeh is very smooth.I feel that the quality of this lens far exceeds its price, and it is an outstanding addition to my collection of lenses.
This is a must have lens for graphic designers delving into photography. Having the right lenses and equipment completely transformed my creative process. I shopped around for about a year looking for the right macro lens. I did test shots with various macro lenses in my price range at camera stores. I rented this one and eventually I bought it from Amazon because they had the best price. The lens has exceeded my expectations. It's worth every penny.
The lens is superb. The pictures are clear, sharp and colorsare true. I don&#34;t have to get close to the subject to get anyMacro shots. You won't be sorry if you buy it. Mind you, thereis not IS with this lens. If you want that, you'll have to shell outanother $400.00.
This lens is intermediately priced, good Macro Lens.This focal length is particularly useful since its 100mm focal length (160mm on APS-C lineup) can achieve reasonable result for both Portrait photography and Macro Photography.With this lens, you can get pretty close to your subject without much of compromise.  Focus is reasonably fast, that is somewhat sufficient to chase small animal if used with camera such as 20D, 30D, 1D MKII.But, if you shoot small creature professionally, you might feel bit awkward at some point as it is very easy to hit limitation of current AF technology, if so, it might be better off switch to MF quickly to chase the subject.  And this lens perform reasonably well on the MF mode as well.But, you really have to use it with full sensor DSLR such as 5D or 1DS series to get your money worth from this lens.  You will love bokeh this lens will create when you shoot with this lens.While it will not match optical performance of EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens  (As it cost nearly 2.5 times) as macro lens, it will certainly focus faster, easy to carry, and It is very sharp and perform well for other function such as for portrait .Of course, I will not say it will match performance of true portrait lens from Canon that sports much wider aperture, but this lens came pretty close, and you can get away with the most of professional assignment with this.I just recently completed photo shoot for some professional magazine article that catered for designer and photographer, and this lens perform superbly along with more expensive L variety lens.  So, this lens is pretty reliable.Some professional pointed vignetting issue at f/2.8, though I did not notice much.  My shooting style does not required to take notice as I tend to stopped down to shoot subject when I am using this lens, but it is possible to be a issue for some people who tend to shoot at wide open.As a Macro Lens, this lens will really shine when stopped down to beyond f/16 or so, as it is true macro lens designed to shine at those f-stop range.This focal length are popular for macro photography, and there are other budget solution from third party manufacture, and few OEM brands that sports Auto Focus mode exist, but they will not match optical performance of EF100 f/2.8 USM Macro Lens as this lens is very nice at almost all f-stop whereas third party solution is tend to be good at particular f-stop .It does not weigh much, so it will not going to be your burden.  When I am on the field, I tend to carry 3 large zoom + one or two fixed focus lens, and this lens will be one of such lens to bring if I have to choose among prime lens.It also makes decent product photography lens, though if you have extra budget, I would go for the TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens as it is a lens designed for that particular purpose.  But, when you are on the field, and asked to do quick work on the spot, EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro will handle job just fine.Pro:Excellent optical performance at all f-stop. And it is suited for number of purpose.  Consider it as utility telephoto prime lens.Good Starter Lens for Macro Photography, and easiest to master compared to other Macro solution offered at the Canon EF system.Con:Hood or Pouch are not included, and you will need them!
I purchased this lens a few years ago. It's a great Macro lens, but there is no IS (image stabilization) so make sure you're utilizing a tripod for those close up shots. It's a very fast lens, great glass, sharp images. DOF is awesome with the right settings.  Don't get discouraged in the beginning, when it seems that your shots are coming out blurry or slightly blurry. It isn't the lens ... It's YOU. I learned this the hard way, when I first got it, because I am used to IS (image stabilized) lenses.Started breaking out the tripod and things changed for the better. Don't get me wrong, you can shoot without a tripod, but when you're looking at your subject real close, and bending down perhaps to get that ant or bug that's moving, you are going to run into trouble. Tripod. Get out your TRIPOD.Also a great portrait lens.This lens is very solidly built and I'm very happy with it.  The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens really is good glass all the way. Just be patient if you've never used this type of lens before.
I was looking for a lens to eliminate the need for extension tubes. While I don't think this will totally eliminate using them, it is looking pretty good for eliminating them most of the time. The brokeh is excellent. I posted 3 quick shots to represent the quality of the image. I was also surprised by the heft of this lens. You definitely know it is on the camera body (using an EOS T2i) and for shots that take time to get just right you will probably want to use a mono or tripod as the weight of the lens will affect shots that take any amount of time to set. Make sure to use the distance setting on the side of the lens next to the AF setting as this will speed focusing on longer range shots.
I was told I didn't necessarily need the L serious version, and I'm happy I bought this.  It gets really close to the subject, wish i could of taken the pics a little further away, that way some of the critters won't get scared and fly away.
This is a really handy lens to have in your bag.  I added this lens to my collection several months ago, and I haven't regretted it one bit.  I took a trip to Montana in August and used this lens to photograph a ton of wildflowers.  I was also using a 70-300mm telephoto lens and a 24-70mm wide angle lens heavily, but most of my favorite shots on that trip were taken with this lens.Autofocusing is very quiet since it's USM powered, but it's often tricky to get the right focus if you're doing an extreme closeup.  This is a general facet of macro lenses, so you'll probably find yourself using manual focus 90% of the time or more.  The manual focus on this lens is quite excellent though, and responds well to fine adjustments.  It's also quite easy for me to handhold it, as long as I have a decent amount of light or pop up the flash.With all that being said, this is a nice lens to grab after you have a decent telephoto lens, if you like photographing small things.  Otherwise, you might look into getting some other lenses first, i.e. wide angle, fisheye, etc. (unless you already own all of them :-)).
I do a lot of small product photography particularly of watches and I was in the market for a good macro lens. Everywhere I looked seemed to say this was the lens to get and it does not disappoint. I'm no expert pro photographer but the image clarity is truly fantastic and it works as a good portrait lens as well. I will definitely find more uses for this one than I had originally planned.There are a couple of downsides: 1.The lens is heavy. I don't find this to be a major problem but it is worth mention. 2.It can be a bit difficult to use without a tripod. In low light conditions and at macro distances I find it is really difficult to get a clear picture without using high iso speeds, but I don't have the steadiest hands.  This is not really a flaw in the product and I was expecting this. It does not have image stabilization but it is about half the price of the image stabilized version so it is an ok compromise in my book. However if, for some reason, you absolutely must be able to take handheld photos in low light or at macro distances I would look for something else. Overall a great lens that does everything it is supposed to do.
I love this lens so much. Almost every image I take for my fine art photography is with this lens. [...] Great detail and focusing control. I use mine with my Canon EOS Rebel T1i and I couldn't be happier.
Macro opens a whole new world to photographers. It gives a different and fresh set of challenges for any photographer. This lens is crisp and operates smoothly. Be sure to use a tripod or bean bag to keep your image stable. Personally I use a gorillapod to get the perfect distance.This is a fixed lens. You will not be able to zoom on a subject.Happy shooting!
This was my first lens for my merger into the digital world. I use it with the 20D and it is a very sharp lens. Wide open the depth of field is great for portraits, but stop down a bit for macro shots and it greatly improves your shot.Image colors are a little on the warm side, nothing that photoshop can't handle. The lens is quite heavy, but very well built. Very quiet autofocusing. A good thing for Canon to consider would be putting image stabilization on this baby!  This lens is a keeper. I find myself using this on the majority of my nature outings. Bokka is FANTASTIC!!!!  A tripod is a must in low light conditions however.For the price and quality, go with this lens! Highly recommended!  check out some of my images at [...]
Great lens for a great price considering the L-series alternative.Lens performs well and is well built, very fast with sharp images and good auto focus.Great for not only macro but portraits also.Love this leans.
Its a great macro lens, good quality and great pictures can be taken with it, but its now up to $600 on amazon (currently at least) while on B&H photo the exact same lens is $490. Certainly a lens worth having though!
Simply a superb lens - the images it produces are outstandingly crisp across the frame (APS-C in my case).The internal focusing of this lens really is a must for serious macro work, as it means your lens isn't moving in and out and poking the thing you're trying to photograph (or isn't scaring the subject off as it focuses). f/2.8 means great bokeh and control over depth of field, leading to some great images.Moving outside the macro world, this is also a super portrait lens and produces very flattering images with the ability to really play with the DoF and focus attention on the subject.I would recommend that you budget for the lens hood as well (I think they're essential for all lenses, frankly).Overall - I have no idea why this isn't categorized as an f/2.8L, but if that keeps the price down, then I'm all for it. You can't go wrong with this lens in my opinion.
This lens is simply an AMAZING - fast, quiet, great picture quality and color, and MACRO.  If you don't already have a Macro (and not the pseudo-macros like the 28-135), you should strongly consider getting one, you'll be quite suprised by the difference it makes.
This is an excelent lens, I use it to shoot jewellery, such as watches, and the quality is almost perfect, I definitely recomend this Canon EF 100 Macro Lens, altough is Auto focus, the motor is fast and noiseless. I have no complains about this.
I borrowed this lens for about a month and have had a great time with it.  It takes really nice pictures and the macro is a lot of fun.Previously I've only put dioptic filters on my 85mm 1.8.  The real macro lens works much better in all areas but autofocus (which is  macro work anyways).  The autofocus on the lens used in portrait applications is not bad, but much slower than the 85mm 1.8.  It is also twice the size.
I have taken many macro photos over the years, but this is my first quality macro lens and now I know what I have been missing all these years.  This lens is a must have for clear macro photography and with the felxibility of the 100mm range, one can take great photos without distubring the subject in cases of photographing incects or other small living creaturs.
This lens has served me very well over the years that I've had it, both on a cropped sensor camera and a full-frame camera. At 100mm, it is long enough that you can get great bokeh or a soft focus look at f/2.8 (remember, shorter focal length macro lenses will not give you as short of a depth of focus), but not so long to make it bulky to carry through, say, a forest as you're looking for shots. I've used it for shoulders-up portraits to great effect, and of course for macro photos. The focus is quiet and smooth.If you're interested in getting into super-macro photography, this plus a 50mm prime lens make a perfect pair. As for sharpness, Canon's MTF charts won't steer you wrong, but I can say that the sharpness has been great for me.
I have heard and read favorable reports of this extremely versatile, quiet autofocusing macro lens which can focus down to a 1:1 life-size reproduction ratio without any additional extension tubes. Although it may not be as stellar an optic as its Carl Zeiss and Leica equivalents, this lens does perform well at least from f4 and below. Even wide open at f2.8 this lens is a fine performer. While the best lenses in Canon's autofocus lens lineup remain the critically acclaimed - and expensive - L series, this macro lens remains one of Canon's best in its moderately priced range. I have been impressed with its performance from seeing photographs taken with this lens. Those interested in nature photography who own Canon autofocus cameras and lenses should strongly consider adding this lens to their kit if they haven't already.
I have done many focus and DOF tests. In every case, I was happy with the results. This is a real macro lens and offers outstanding sharpness. It is well built and a little heavy, which it should be. My only complaint is the type of UV filter and hood I purchased. Look at those carefully before purchasing. I still give the lens 5 stars.
Image from this lens is superior, deep and field come incredible and very sharp pictures. The macro allow you to take very small objects...almost every picture I take with this lens come out as high quality wallpaper.It's a little bulky but this is what you can expect considering the optics involved.Highly recommended.
I've used this and the 100 F2.8 L series macro and this is as sharp under most circumstances at half the cost.  The L series offers image stabilization (IS) and while I don't see that as a macro issue, these lenses are GREAT for portraiture and general use.  So, if you plan to do that sort of thing (and are not always on a tripod) and especially if you love sunset landscapes or candid portraits the IS might throw you to the L series.  If not, this is your lens!
I bought this lens after going through many reviews and mainly used this with my Canon Rebel XT, this lens is very good!Though it's a macro lens, I have used this for portrait photos and it works like a charm! I have yet to test this on my new Canon t2i. I am sure this lens will give me better pictures with the new camera.I am using this camera for past one year...You can check my sample pictures.This lens is well worth the money!Cons:Don't come with a camera hood :-(Not weather sealed  (If I can afford a weather sealed camera in future :-) )
I no longer own this lens - I have replaced it with Canon's EF 180m MacroOptically this is an excellent lens, the focus speed is very good (better than the 180mm) - it is quite light and easy to hand hold. It also makes a very nice general purpose short telephoto.However for small shy creatures it lacks sufficient 'stand off' distance resulting in missed opportunities - it also is not compatible with Canon's teleconverters.My biggest issue with this lens was the optional tripod ring - it comes with a plastic sleeve that fits around the lens to which the tripod ring attaches - I found this system inefficient - it was stiff in operation and fragile.  As most of my Macro photography is shot from a tripod this was a big issue
...but it'll work for portraits.  It's as sharp as the more expensive a 24-70L lens and its color rendition is nearly as good.  I've loaned it to budding photographers who have used kit lenses only and they can't believe the image quality.  Some of my best photos have come from this lens.
I have been delighted with the quality of pictures I get with this lens.  The autofocus is fast and quiet, while the manual focus is very solid and smooth.I'm finally taking pictures worthy of the jewelry my partner creates!
I am working on some close up scientific photography so I use the 100 mm macro lens almost exclusively.  It allows exquisite close up photography that is (finally!) in focus at most points of my three dimensional subjects.  This camera and this lens are a blessing and I couldn't complete my project in a high quality manner without them!
This is a great lens. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I wish I would have purchased it with image stabilization. Being so long & heavy, there is quite a bit of camera shake when handheld. But, if you don't have the extra $500 to spend then it's a great piece of equipment. There should be no issues with using it on a tripod.
Exactly what I needed for my close up shots - flowers, tiny animal life etc.  Auto-focus or manual still extremely clear and amazing detail
This is a great lens to add to my collection. I haven't had much opportunity to use it yet, but I can't wait to test it out more. Definitely not a wasted buy!
This is an awesome lens. I use it mostly for Macro photography.I used it for portrait before i got my 85mmL f1.2. This make a nice portrait lens too, but i wouldn't use it since i have the 85L.The only problem i had with the lens was the AF which isn't that fast in Dim light... i usually find myself using MF i those cases.AF is pretty fast in normal light conditions.When taking macros know your working distance, otherwise you'll have a heck of a time using the AF, and you might miss potential amazing shots of bugs and animals.But overall this is a great lens. It worth every penny.The lens is unbelievably sharp for the price. And it gives you great Bokeh to your shots.If you are not sure to buy it, I'd say go for it.I've also got the Kenko extension tube for it... which makes the magnification even better (higher than 1).
Canon quality is the best and this lens is the best of the macros.  The lens works well with both digital and film EOS cameras.
Have had this lens about 4 days. I have extensively tested it out. This is a well made lens with a nice feel to it. It has a wonderful review on Photozone and by reviewers on Amazon. It takes excellent pictures on both crop & full frame camera bodies.However I found close focusing, macro photography,  literally impossible unless a tripod was used. A monopod improved focusing but it was still not tack sharp. I found the 100mm focal length, actually 160mm on a 1.6 T3i crop body, to be difficult to hold steady without a monopod. The autofocus also gave me a lot of problems indoors. The lens focusing just seems to jam in low light situations. It gets stuck and the only way to release it is to point it long distance. This has happened on several occasions and really is very annoying.Like i said before, this lens has great reviews on Photozone, and other professional photographic sites, but it is just not working for me. My (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 -"IS" lens)  is slightly heavier but it took better indoor and outdoor pictures than this EF 100mm Macro 2.8. I could not believe it when I compared the pictures.Will test it out a little longer for macro purposes. If things do not improve I will be returning it to Amazon as being defective due to autofocus jamming. Just a real diappointment.  It is possible that mine might be just a bad copy or maybe the autofocus technology is still lagging in this area of photography?Update: 7/21/12 -  After nearly 2 weeks of using this lens I decided to return it as I just could not tolerate the jamming on autofocus and lack of IS.It is however a well built and excellent lens for those who love spending hours doing macro work with a tripod and manual focusing. Autofocus however needs to vastly be improved in this area of photography.I gave it a 3 because I find autofocus for MACRO SHOOTING useless. I also find the F/2.8-100mm focal lens, 160mm on 1.6 crop frame body, very difficult to hold steady without IS.
One of my favorites.  I tried the 50 and 100mm macros before buying the 100 and I couldn't be happier.  I take a lot of pics of flowers and bees and the extra reach of the 100mm allows me to get the good shot without scaring off the bees.
Great lens! It will open a whole new world for me in photography. I'm a professional photographer and this will take me to the next level.
This is a wondferul lens with great sharpness and color.  I have owned two over the years and have been very happy with them with the quality of construction and reliability.  What makes me even happier is it is a great value since it can be purchased for less than $500 now.  The only issue that I have is that due to its age, the lens is somewhat slow to focus compared to my newer lens.  I would still recommend this as a great buy, regardless.
This is my first macro lens, so I'm still getting to know it.  I love the fact that it's a sharp walk-around lens as well as a macro.  It's helpful to encourage me to &#34;zoom with my feet&#34; instead of with a lens. For real macro shots, it is necessary to use a tripod, but I've enjoyed hand-holding it to get some fuzzy close ups of spring flowers.  I look forward to learning more about macro shooting, and this seems to be a terrific lens to work with.
Pros:Excellent lens for anything macro, I have had the lens for over a week and it has been excellent, the detail is astonishing and the auto-focus is great. It does not however have IS but for this lens you want to have your shutter speed at a minimum of 1/100 so the capture is always great and i don't own a tripod yet. this lens is the BEST macro lens for the price, and the best you can get without paying another 400 for the luxury lens. although it does not sayit DOES HAVE 1 to 1 zoom.F/2.8 is amazing.Cons: I bought it at 630 so the price went down in the short time that I've owned it and thats a bit depressing.The auto focus can be a bit screwy with moving targets and your better off using manual focus for some things but, for me that adds part of the experiance.Overall excellent for everything even portraits come out excellent. Nature is an obvious thing to use it for but if you get this lens USE IT FOR PORTRAITS TOO!!!
There are lots of competent reviews about the photographic qualities of this lens here, and I second them: This is a great lens, amazing picture quality, and it focuses well in low light. What I want to add is a description of my personal use of it.I bought it a year ago to do some under-water photography with it on my Canon EOS 400D. Lots of animals in the ocean are minute: gobies, blennies (small fishes), shrimps, individual coral polyps and many  nudibranchs (sea slugs), are all less than 3 cm in size. The detailed features of these very small creatures are impossible to see for the diver's unaided eye. Here is where this lens come in. already when looking trough my camera's viewfinder I can make out the individual spines of the gobie's fin or the coral polyp's tentacle. Back on dry land, in front of my computer screen, I can routinely see individual scales or pigment spots on the skin of a small fish. At times the magnification achieved when close to the subject was so fantastic that I discovered things on the pictures which I had completely missed under water, like the fact that a blenny was gravid. Usually the colors are fantastic, and the images are sharp and crisp. This lens is really a fantastic tool for visualizing small underwater life.During one dive a couple of months ago my camera housing's o-ring shifted and the camera including the lens under review flooded. I was fortunately insured, but it genuinely hurt my feelings as a photographer that I had damaged this amazing piece of photo equipment by submerging it in seawater, and I swiftly bought a replacement lens.The blenny and the redfin dartfish in the example pictures are mine.
I adore this lens. The photos are great if I can hold it still enough. My tripod broke so as soon as I get a new one I can't wait to use this lens even more! I'm very happy with my purchase, Takes great portraits as well. :)
Great lens! I am loving it so far! I am a bit bummed I didn't spend the extra on the lens with IS. But, this one does great considering it doesn't have that feature. It's a bit tough to focus on tiny details without a tripod, but it does AMAZING for regular portraits!
I have had this lens only a few hours, but am so impressed with its sharpness, even at large apertures and for distant objects.  The bokeh (blurred background effect) that you can create with this will really inspire you, and the color saturation is gorgeous.  I have a 30D and own several other Canon lenses, including the professional-grade 24-105 f/4L zoom (That zoom is a great, sharp lens, and I think this macro lens is its equal in terms of the way it handles and the sharpness you can get with it.)  Autofocus is very smooth and fast, though the full-time manual really comes in handy for those super close up objects.  The only downside to macro photography is that for objects in very close range you really need lots of light.  I posted three handheld shots just as examples here, but know that to get best results I should set up the tripod and use longer exposure times with higher f stops.  So much fun I'll have with this lens!
First, I shoot with a Canon 40D and am an on-location photographer of families and children.  I also love shooting nature and "things" - close ups of rust, the curve of a bench chair, dew on clematis, etc...This lens is amazing for my purposes!  At 2.8 I can follow playful toddlers around in a variety of lighting conditions and still get the shot. And for posed portraits, the bokeh is amazing, people have never looked so good!  So overall, I prefer this lens to my 70-200 f4 L, even though I can't zoom and have to move myself to compose shots.  But the lower f-stop, the tack-sharp images, the ability to shoot macro, the weight (it seems lighter and less bulky than my 70-200), all tip the scale in the 100mm's favor.If you were considering the 70-200 f4 and decide to get the 100mm, you might want to consider picking up the "nifty fifty" 1.8 - another prime lens, and quite inexpensive too, but one of my FAVORITES, so versatile, I just love it.  You can get wonderful dof effects by shooting things up close - the eyelashes of a child, an engagement ring perched on a newborn's foot, the stamens of a lily....plus it lets you shoot group shots indoors with relative ease....Anyway, back to the 100mm - a great investment, I use this lens all the time and it is fantastic.ETA:  December 2011 and I STILL love this lens.  It's always in my bag.
This is a review for beginners by some one who's still learning. If you're an experienced photographer, just consider the 5 stars and read other reviews.The quality of this lens is great. As many reviewers have pointed out, the image quality is sharp and the colors excellent. This should come as no surprise, macro lenses are usually some of the best lenses made. And of course it focuses all the way to infinity as well, so that you can use it as a "general purpose" lens.Depending on what you use the camera for, this is probably not a carry around lens. The 100mm focal length (equivalent to 160mm on APS-C sensor cameras such as 20D) makes it difficult to use it - I find myself having to move back and reposition myself very often, and may result in a missed opportunity.A few other accessories will come in really useful to get consistently good macro photos.- A stable tripod- A remote release cable- External flash- Books about photography, if you don't have them alreadyI have the first, just bought the second, and thinking about the third. Amphoto has some very good books on photography. I find "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson to be very well written and easy to read.A remote cord will prevent camera shake when pressing the shutter. I've tried using timer mode to compensate for the lack of a remote cable release. The problem with that is that when the timer goes off, the breeze that died down may have picked up again, and my carefully framed flower is now halfway out of the photo, and is blurry as well. I never realized how windy it is in my backyard until I tried taking macro photos of plants.Why a tripod? To achieve maximum depth of field (more areas in sharp focus), you need a small aperture. A small aperture means a slower shutter speed to get a correct exposure. Boosting the ISO too far will result in noise. That means that unless there is a blinding amount of light (this is where the flash comes in) you're unlikely to be able to hold the camera still enough to prevent blurring. The only thing worse about a macro photo with only a small area in sharp focus is a blurred macro photo. And remember, stable is the key word. A cheap shaky tripod may not be much better than no tripod.Speaking of light, try not to take outdoor macro photos (or any outdoor photos) under strong direct sunlight if you can avoid it. You'll find the color washed out compared to an overcast day, or early morning / evening. Or you can use a light diffuser, but that's yet another accessory to carry around.As an alternative to a remote release, you can use a laptop, USB cable and software. It is rather more difficult to carry around, and you can get a 3rd party remote release for around 1/3 the price of the Canon original.
I have to admit I am still on a learning curve with this lens. I have taken some really great pictures while learning. Keep your tripod handy with this lens.
I have so far enjoyed this lens. The images are nice and crisp and it allows a very nice shallow dept of field when necessary (which is rarely the case for a macro).Being 100mm, plus the 1.6 factor of the small detector, it allows to take macros staying at a reasonable distance from the subjects.
These lenses are great, my brother uses it a lot as this was a birthday gift. I would buy one for me. Only downsize is the price tag
One of my new favorite lenses. Its crisp, very detail oriented.  Can capture things so detailed that when you zoom in it's all there.  I love it, keeping it for years to come.
Purchased this item from seller Peruaja through Amazon.  The lens arrived in excellent condition as stated stated in the product description. The lens is a great lens  and surpassed all expectations. Peruaja was a pleasure to do business with.  Responded promptly to questions about the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens. When the decision was made to purchase, Peruaja promptly processed my order and I received it promptly in 3 days.  Would definitly do business with this seller again.
Sharp, really sharp, great images with loads of detail.  The focusing ring is just slightly loose, like the gears could mesh a bit tighter, but it doesn't hinder precise focusing.
I have the Canon Rebel XT and buy ONLY Canon lenses.  This one, however, is in a class all by itself.  It is so sharp and the colors are so warm that I don't like to use any other lens.  It will change the way you see the world and the way you take photos.  Fun,fun,fun!!
If you've only worked with zoom lenses, you may be pleasantly surprised by the sharpness of a prime lens like this one. I only dabble in macro photography but also wanted a good outdoor portrait lens and this fits the bill perfectly! It's fast, has lovely bokeh and is sharp all the way to the corners. The 100mm length gives you a bit more distance when shooting insects which is a good plus, but be aware that this is a fairly heavy lens and not easily handheld (and does not have IS as many of the zooms these day do.) Use of a tripod is certainly recommended when possible as for good macro shots you do often need to stop down and may have to sacrifice a bit on shutter speed as a result. This may not be marked as an L lens, but it certainly is that level of quality. My only real gripe is that Canon does not include the accessories (hood, case) with the lens, as is typical for lenses in this price range. Otherwise, an excellent lens for anyone wanting to try their hand at true 1:1 macro photography.
This lens without a doubt deserves the "L" label that Canon only puts on their 'best' lenses.  Not only are the pictures *incredibly* sharp, but the focusing is fast (includes a USM motor with overridable manual focus), quiet, and the lens is constructed like a tank.  It's my favorite lens and I highly recommend it.
I felt that this lens necessiate IS and without it, its mostly unusable due to the percentage of blurry shots you get. That is because at 100mm, you need a shutter speed of at least 1/100 for mostly blur-free shot. So i look at the IS L version of this lens but that was out of my budget. I then came across EF-S 60mm/f2.8 lens and realized it will require only a 1/60 shutter with no IS and could deliver steady shots so i purchased that lens and am much happier. The 60/2.8 actually gives you same optical quality as the 100/2.8 - it is superb both for macros and for portraits (espacially if you have an external flash). Consider getting the 60/2.8 if you have a crop-body camera over this lens. For full-frame users, if you are using a tripod then this lens definitely works over more expensive L version otherwise the f2.8L IS will be a better option over this. Though if you are serious in macro photography, the 180mm Macro is best and for portraits, you got lots of other options including the excellent 85/1.8. But if you want both a macro and a portrait lens for your FF, this is pretty good.
I have to say that this lens is maybe the most fun lens in my bag.  It's tack sharp, with good color and contrast.  I use this quite often with theCanon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite for Canon Digital SLR Camerasand results are flawless.  I've also used it for on-the-spot portraits and with a great f2.8 max aperture the bokeh was beautiful.  The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is Canon's continued refusal to provide a lens hood with their non-L lenses.  I bought theCanon ET67 Lens Hood for Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lensseparately which was pretty pricy, but makes a big enough difference in sunny conditions to be a "must have" item.Update 12/4/09:  This lens is one of the most fun lenses I own, but now theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasis out and, since I do a large amount of macro work, the IS is a must have.  The new lens has got nothing but good reviews, so I've sold this lens to a friend to pay part of the bill for the new one.
A very good lens, gives sharp images. Can focus at a 1:1 magnification, so for a full frame 35mm sensor (like the Canon 5D) a 24x36 field of view fills the frame.
This is a great choice for those looking for a macro lens.  It's also a good medium range telephoto.  I do recommend this highly.
Bought this about 60 days ago and it's been my primary lens since.  This is by far the sharpest lens we have and with the biggest aperture.  Just yesterday was at our daughter's dance rehearsal and no flashes were allowed.  I tried to use the 28-135 telephoto that came with the camera but it's was just way too dark.  Moved back a few rows and slapped on this baby and everything became so much brighter and I got some really good action shots at 1600 ISO.  By the way, the Canon 40D is so good that 1600 ISO shots are useable.As to the macro function, it's great.  For small insects you will need a monopod, a steady hand, and manual focus.
Great lens for taking photos of butterflies, caterpillars, wasps, and other small living things. Lets me keep a distance from things that might sting.
There is so much already written about this lens so I will only add what I feel is relevant to why I love this lens. This review is from the perspective of an obsessive enthusiast not  a professional.I already own aCanon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lensthat I use on myCanon EOS 7D Digital SLR Cameraand have been happy with the overall results but I was looking for something more versatile than the 50mm Macro. The Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro Lens  came to the rescue. It can be used for very tight and vivid close-up shots. Almost to the point of insanity, it can get super clear shots of insect eyes and butterfly proboscis with incredible detail. But you can pick it up, adjust the focus and get a clean portrait shot with little to no effort. I wouldn't call it an all around lens, but you could easily spend a day walking about in nature without needing to change lenses and still get a fantastic variety of shots.There are some issues with the lens. It requires a great deal of light, even in well lit situations. The f2.8 is great, but it will not solve lighting issues. I purchased anNEEWER 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light, aCanon MR-14EX Macro Ring Liteand aNEEWER Macro Ring LED Lightto work with this lens's lighting requirements. They have each worked adequately but each has its uses and drawbacks. The lens's coloring with these macro lights leaves a bit to be desired, but some of the lights have filters to deal with this, but I likeAdobe CS6 Photshopas my primary color compensator and photo corrector. The RAW from the Canon EOS 7D has been fantastic and theHoodman RAW 16GB Compact Flash Cardshave worked seamlessly with the camera and lens.PROS:Very good macro and also takes great portraits, great versatilityThe USM is very fast if you use Auto FocusThe lens is not very heavyThe pricing is reasonable for such a good lensWorks well with macro lighting optionsCONS:Needs a great deal of light to take fast shutter speed and low ISO exposuresTakes patience to get focus on super close-upsUSM is a bit noisyTheCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lensseries is about $500 more than this lens and I have heard great things about the L series 100mm Macro, especially the Image Stabilization. If money is not an issue, I believe that the L series may be a better choice than the Canon 100mm. But for photographers that want great performance on a reasonable budget, I would highly recommend the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro lens because it simply exceeded all of my expectations.
purchased this lens mainly for close ups for wedding ring shots.. images look really nice, however this thing hunts on auto focus like none other in low light. background blends quite well when used wide open but you will want to manual focus whenever you use this lens, and don't even try to use it on a moving target..
I've only had this lens a day, i hope to return and add to this review as I use the lens.I struggled for some time trying to decide between this and the f/4L 70-200. since i already own a 55-250 i decided to wait a while to upgrade (I've gotten nice shots out of the 55-250, and i dont use it very often, no need to the 70-200 yet)back to this lens, i chose it because everyone said it rivaled L glass. while i do not own an L lens yet, i can say that my initial results with this lens blow any of my other lenses out of the water. it will probably become my favorite lens soon. (right now my most used lens is the 50mm 1.4)focusing in a macro set up has been slow as others have stated (and inaccurate). but i've found i prefer live view with manual focus for macro. the focus ring is well built and feels smooth. its very easy to find perfect focus on manual. and honestly, who auto-focuses in macro anyway?using it as a normal 100mm prim I have found focusing to be fast and accurate. especially when i restrict the focus range. the lack of IS hasn't been an issue. though admittedly i've used a flash with it up to this point. (it arrived at night)Bokeh is terrific. smooth and creamy. it rivals if not surpasses my 50mm 1.4 lens but i'll be testing this out tonight.construction of the lens is solid as others have said. its my heaviest lens by far. the front element sticks out a bit, i strongly suggest a filter and lens hood. you may want the tripod ring as well but i dont think its required. as i stated before, the focus ring feels good in my hands. turns smooth, and the ability to overide autofocus is well recieved here, i wish all my lenses could do this.very  impressed with this lens, and my decision. the image quality is absolutly outstanding. I might skip the 70-200 in favor of the 200mm 2.8L prime in the future. (im falling in love with primes :-p )
The first day I had this lens it snowed outside. I took it outside and shot the snowflakes up close. AMAZING clarity and detail. DO NOT HESITATE to buy this lens.
This lens is a must-have. The macro shots are absolutely amazing.  The lens has so many other uses that makes it multi functional.I'm not experienced enough to list all of the gory details that some of the reviewers do but they can take care of that.  From a semi intermediate user I can tell you that the shots I produce using the lens are absolutely amazing.
This is a mediocre portrait lens and a not so easy to use macro. Would get the is version.half of the pictures I took were out of focus.
What can I say? This is the lens to have for macro.  The photos are soooo clear. I am going to use it for portraits also. I'm not sorry that I bought this lens.
I'm a stickler for sharp lenses and rich contrast. My 70-200mm/2.8 is VERY sharp, so I was wondering how this 100mm Macro non-L lens would compare. After using it for several days, I'm convinced it's from another planet. The images are so striking I'm blown away everytime I open them up in Photoshop. I've read tons of reviews stating the same thing about the sharpness of this Macro lens, and they are RIGHT. BTW, this lens needed no backfocus microadjustment on my 5D2. Funny, I had to sell my 17-40mm and get the 16-35mm because the 17-40mm couldn't keep up with the 21mp sensor. This 100mm Macro laughs at it. I can't understand why this Macro isn't marketed as an L lens, it's that good. I'm starting to realize just how much better prime lenses really are.Lastly, 100mm on a full frame body is an excellent all around lens! I've barely taken it off since getting it, GREAT focal length.'Nuff said... get this lens and be blown away.
I do a lot of flower photography and I'm very pleased with the performance of this macro lens. It's fast and sharp. I have haven't done portrait photography yet and that's my next move.
This lens is sharp, obviously gives you all the benefits of a true macro lens, and for its quality, is reasonably priced. This is one of the few areas where spending twice as much on a pro lens of the same type won't afford any more sharpness, and realistically very little contrast or color improvement, but gains additional working distance. I can live without it, as can most, and so this lens suits me fine.
Great macro lens which is also very good for walk around,  routine use.  Arrived securely packaged and on time.  Thanks&#8230;..
If I were to take a picture with this lens and then an identical picture with the &#34;L&#34; version of this lens and you were able to tell me what the difference is, I would seriously give you $100.  Good luck.  This lens is unbelievably sharp.  It's like looking through a microscope.  You may want to consider a set of Kenko extention tubes once you buy this, though.  You'll just want to get closer and closer once you experiment with this lens.Side note, don't forget about this lens' wonderful ability to take portrait shots.  Fantastic lens!
I love the clarity from this macro. The ability to magnify the smallest plants and things are amazing! Im so in love with it!!!
This lens does not have image stabilization which accounts for its very reasonable price, however the quality is first rate. We use this lens with a Canon 6D and, as is normal for macro work, mount it on a tripod so the lack of image stabilization is not an issue.We have taken around 500 shots with this lens and can vouch for low distortion and chromatic aberration (although the camera has built in compensation). Pictures are very sharp and the MTF seems to be a close match for the camera sensor.Thoroughly recommended as a budget buy for a high quality 100mm reasonable fast Macro lens.
After seeing many terrific macro photos of diamonds, flowers and watches on Flickr.com, I had to add this lens to my collection of glass.  Not only is it an excellent 1:1 macro, surprisingly the lens also takes an impressive portrait with that "WoW!" reaction.  Setting the aperture between f/2.8 and 3.5 is great for subject isolation.For portraiture, the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens set at f/2.8 can challenge the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens set at 100mm and f/4 for overall image quality.It is recommended that off camera flash be used to freeze a macro image to eliminate camera shake.  This method will ensure a sharp image.It is also recommended that either the ET-67 or shallower ET-67B lens hood be fitted onto the lens for non macro photos.Canon makes a few great lenses.  This macro is certainly one of them.
I am not a camera expert but this lens is great for taking closeups, especially of flowers, plants, and bugs.
I was agonizing between this lens and the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.  Basically, the reviews and specifications are similar.  The 100 mm lens is EF while the 60 mm lens is EF-S, so the 100 mm lens is compatible with full frame cameras.  However, most people willing to invest in a full frame camera are probably considering the 100 mm L lens.  My thoughts on comparing the two lenses:1.) Price is similar, with the 60 mm being $100 less only2.) 60 mm lens weighs half as much3.) Both get 5/5 stars with around 100 reviews on Amazon4.) Magnification is the same on both (1:1)5.) You can stay a bit further from your subject with the 100 mm lens at max magnification, 1 ft rather than 8 inchesAnyway, I was unable to decide between the two, and I saw that the 100 mm lens was available from Amazon.  I decided to test-drive it and keep it if I was happy.  My thoughts:1.) The lens didn't seem that extraordinary on my camera, but I was extremely pleased with the results once I looked at them on a big screen.  It's sharp and the colors are beautiful.2.) I thought I'd rather have a 100 mm lens than a 60 mm lens since I already have a 50 mm lens.  However, I think 100 mm is a rather awkward focal length on the non-full frame camera.  It's not long enough to take much in the way of animals and birds, but it's often too long to take pictures of pets or people you're with.  For things in macro, it doesn't make much difference since you're going to be so close to the subject either way.3.) The lens felt very heavy on the camera given that it's a fixed lensFor me, the main argument for the 100 mm over the 60 mm was that I had a 50 mm lens already, and I thought it would be great to have another fixed lens at a different focal length.  The main argument for the 60 mm lens was the weight.  After using the lens, I think the 60 mm is probably a better choice for non-full frame users.
I had always wanted a macro lens but it wasn't on the top of my list. However, when Amazon had a superb deal on the price of this lens a few months ago, I snatched it up instantly.At first, being the novice I am, I wasn't too thrilled about the lens. As someone who WAS accustomed to pointing and shooting with my Rebel T3i, the lens was difficult to use, blurry and slow to focus and I had expected something more out of the most expensive lens in my amateur lens set-up. It took me some time to figure out how to work the lens but this only encouraged me to explore the camera and my photography in new ways.Some things I learned using this lens that will probably be beneficial to beginning photographers and those who are new to macro-photography:First of all, this lens works best with a good tripod if you are using it for its' macro capabilities. Once I learned that, it makes the lens much more enjoyable to use. I find that handheld and with autofocus on it can do portrait and landscape pictures decently. Handheld macro shots ARE possible but I personally find that there are not as sharp as when I use I tripod. There is a noticeable difference in sharpness... this lens can be insanely sharp!Secondly, the autofocus does not work that great for macro mode. This is not a bad thing. I usually turn off the autofocus and focus manually using the screen rather than the viewfinder and then use the digital magnification capabilities on my T3i to really sharpen the parts of the photo I want to focus on. I don't have a remote so I set the 2-second timer on my camera and take pictures that way. Without autofocus on, you can determine what areas of the the photo to highlight creatively and take advantage of its sharpness. This process may be a little slow and tedious for some people.Thirdly, it's not a microscope. I was initially disappointed that I could not stand inches away from an object and look at it's molecular breakdown. Haha. Shows my initial naivete but magnification capabilities from a distance allows you to photograph insects and animals without invading their space.I also use this shot for tripod telephoto shots. It can take some pretty amazing and sharp night shots (with a good tripod!) so I love that it is a very multipurpose lens despite being a macro lens.I love the USM motor. It is a bit slower than I expected but I assign that to the fact that it's a macro lens. It is super quiet and has introduced me to a level of quality beyond the kit and budget Canon lenses I have in my bag. For budget photographers, this can be a dangerous descent into lens acquisition syndrome.This lens definitely isn't for everyone. If you're a stubborn point and shooter with no desire/need for creative photography, this lens may not benefit you and will probably frustrate you. However, if you are willing to be patient and thoughtful, you can learn to make some amazing shots with this lens and expand your photographic creativity. If you dislike having to use a tripod and have money to splurge, there is the much more expensive L, image stabailization version of this lens.I also use this lens for my eBay listings and I feel that it really helps my items pop on the search results compared to competing listings. Highly recommended.
If you are into photography and want to show detail then this is the lens for you. This lens is the best for showing great details in your photos. I photograph nature alot and this lens can even pick up the little white flys. If you want things that small this is the lens. When I photograph people it is awesome with closeup shots in showing how smooth or rough the face and hair are. I think this lens is the best lens Canon could have come out with.
This is an AMAZING lens! The images are really sharp, and the 100mm allows you to be a little further back from your subject and not right up on it (which is great for insects!) It also works well as a portrait lens, super clear and sharp, however you have to be set back a ways from your subject to get a good shot (because the lens is so close up). But still, I've used this for true macro photography and some event/portrait photography and its really great! You won't be disappointed!
I have had this lens for 3 years now, so I am a little late posting a review, but as I am considering picking up another one, given the current discount, it might be a good time:There is really nothing wrong with this one, it has superb optics, very fast and accurate auto-focus (especially for a macro),nice bokeh (not quite as good as the 135mm 2.0 L, but close) and 100mm is a very versatile focus length on a FF body.  Considering performance, decent build quality, and price, I'd consider it the best value of any Canon lens out there.  It's not an L lens and the 100mm L Macro version is more rugged, weather-sealed, and offers IS.  However, rest assured that optical performance is on the same level and if you can't take good macro shots with this one, then the L version will not do you much good either.  Also, IS is not very effective at a macro level.  I take a lot of shots of bugs in flight, which works best handheld with auto-focus, and this lens provides impressive results.  But keep in mind that this is a challenging area of photography and expecting every shot to yield a perfect picture, is setting yourself up for disappointment.
This is a very effective, versatile, and easy to use lens.  I would give it 5 stars it it was not competing with its more expensive brother, the 100mm 2.8 IS L, but at half the price I would buy this lens with a macro twin light and tripod for the same cost as its big brother.  The only reason I would purchase the other lens is if I were going take most macro photos without an external light source.
every time I look at images taken with this lens I ask myself "why dont you just use this lens every time?"Best $500 I have ever spent on photo equipment, period. I had no idea lenses could do this at ANY cost.Blows my zooms out of the water and is noticeably better than any prime I own or have ever owned.not much of a list for comparison but better than my:17-55 2.8 IS28-135 IS28-10550 1.8kit lens (aka doorstop)The only thing I wish it had was IS because with a 1.6x sensor crop you basically have to shoot 1/200 sec or better to avoid handshake blur. I go for 1/250 just to be sure.get it, you will love it, i promise.
This is the lens I leave on my camera for general purpose use.  At non-macro focus distances, it is a very fast lens in a convenient short-telephoto length.  The images are sharp out to the corners.  This is one of those great Canon lenses that probably deserves an L-series rating but is available without the red stripe and exorbitant cost.Tested in an astrophotography context (point sources on black backgrounds - excellent for revealing aberration and coma), I have found that this lens is reasonably sharp at f/4 and completely sharp by f/5.6.  For daylight terrestrial photography, the tiny aberrations caused by the wide-open f/2.8 aperture are hardy noticeable and by f/4 the images are exquisitely sharp.There is a lot of glass in this lens - it is heavy.  I highly recommend buying the tripod collar as it allows you to attach the camera and lens to a tripod or ballhead with much better balance.Also, if you plan on using the macro functionality, keep in mind that the effective f-stop of the lens goes way up when you're focusing at very close range.  At 15cm from the front surface, it performs as though it were an f/9.  You'll either want a lot of light or a very steady subject and a good tripod (another reason to buy the hideously overpriced tripod collar).
I love this lens. It's great fun to have the special tool you need when you want to work really close.
Works just like they said it should. Arrived new, in the original box. Came with typical canon lens cap. Lens came with directions and a video explaining how to make it work.
It's a Canon. Unless you spend a whole lot more money, it's the best. Built for your camera. Use a tripod.
My son, a professional nature photographer, says it is the sharpest lens in his kit even though it is not an "L" series lens. I have been testing mine and it seems to be as sharp as my best lenses none of which are "L" series.Since I wrote this review, I have discovered that due to shoddy packing the lens is actually damaged. The rear element got jarred loose and now dust has gotten in and is showing up on the images. I don't know what to do about it. I have stopped using the lens because of this problem.
I like this focal length in a macro, and I like the aperture.  I wish the L series macro were not 180mm, because I want a shorter macro. But Canon, those cads, don't make a short Macro in a L Series lens. So I had to buy some plastic. Oh well. It's fine, I guess. But not as sensual as my silky smooth L lenses. As a matter of fact, I am kind of embarrassed by it's lack of a red ring, and plasticky-ness. But it works ok, and someday, I pray Canon will make me a nice L Series, honest to god METAL macro in a shorter focal length.  Like 65mm, and f2.5, OK Canon gods?
I am enjoying macro photography and this is definately the lens to have. It's almost as good as the 'l' lens equivelant, but at almost half the price. I enjoy the quality of image this lens will help you get.I would recomend if you're looking at getting a macro lens, first get the largest lens you can as it allows you to be further away from the subject than you'd be required with a shorter lens. Check out lensrentals.com and rent one or a few weeks and give it a try. That way you can see what you're getting first before you pull the trigger. As far as comparing it to the 'l' glass, I can't really speak to the benefits of the 'l' glass macro lens as I am not a professional photog. I'm sure a pro could find some minute differences in the details, but for what I'm using it for this one works great.
This lens gets used so often that it has an almost permanent home on the camera.  Sharp and reasonably fast, it takes gorgeous photos.
This is an engineered &#34;macro lens.&#34;  One of the best of that type I've ever seen or used.  In addition it makes a dandy prime portrait or light telephoto on smaller sensor cameras like the Canon T2.  One the Canon D6 is fills the frame with sharp to the edge image. Rapidly becoming my 2nd favorite lens behind the 24-70L lens.
I never thought a prime lens would give me so much flexibility, I thought it'd be the opposite.  The small minimum focus distance gives you all kinds of room to work in.  I debated for awhile between this and a 50mm, I'm glad I went with 100mm.I don't own any L series, but I own some decent lenses...  this one is a step or two above anything I've ever owned.  It's ridiculously sharp, to the point where it's something you have to be cognizant about.  I could see the spines of my shoot-through umbrella in the reflection on an ice cube in a photo of mine.  I didn't notice it until I saw it on full screen and had to shoot it over again.  Unbelievable.I can't imagine justifying the paying twice as much for the 100mm L series lens, I couldn't think of a bad thing to say about this lens.
Got my tax return and decided to buy this lens.  Great buy I love everything about this lens! A must have!
I enjoy occasional macro photography and prior to purchasing this lens, I simply used extensions to do macro work, but I wanted the results in macro photography that I was attaining in "standard" photography with my Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L USM IS lens, a lens that had been giving me extraordinary results hand-held at 400mm.After considerable research, including reading the reviews here on Amazon, I decided upon this lens and I cannot express how excited I am with the results.  Without getting into extreme technical detail, which is more than adequately covered in other reviews, I submit a sample from my first day of shooting with this lens.  It is a shot of a small, red-headed brown anole lizard that was handheld:[...]If you are looking for a great macro lens which will also serve you very well for portraiture and video (I use a Canon 70D camera), give this outstanding lens a try!
I ordered this from a 3rd party vendor as a used item. Well, it may have been listed as used but when I received it, it was just like new, not a scratch or mar anywhere. The box had been previously opened but everything was there including the original registration card which had not been filled out.I am not too pleased with the way it focuses sometimes but that is the lens and not the vendor. I am just not used to this lens. I have used it and it is sharp, sharp, sharp. I would order from this vendor again and can certainly recommend the lens.
On my Canon 7D, very close to the subject the lens does hunt. For this camera; if I either backed up a few inches or switched to manual focus and it worked fine.  However, using the same subject and camera settings with the lens on either my Canon 5d mk11 or my Canon 1Ds mk11, the lens does not hunt at all.  Focus snaps in immediately, even getting very close to the subject.  I tried to make the lens focus hunt on these two cameras but no matter how I tried to mess it up, the focus snapped in and stayed there.  I own several &#34;L&#34; lenses and this one is as good as any of them.  Very sharp and the color is beautiful.  Great for macro shots but also a perfect walking around lens.  Built like a tank.  I don't miss the IS feature, have been able to get sharp photos hand held.
Prospective buyers of a macro lens for a Canon EOS system have a great first choice in this 100mm Macro.  The extra length over a 50mm macro gives much better working distance (space between lens and subject) in the field, and EOS-compatible lenses by other manufacturers match poorly with accessories and are nowhere near as sharp.Compared with the earlier Micro Motor 100mm Macro that Canon made (which I also own), the USM lens focuses *very* fast.  The USM lens also can accept Tripod Collar B (by use of a small plastic adapter)--I recommend you buy the collar with the lens, as adjusting to a vertical composition with a tripod means repositioning everything.  The front element is not recessed in the USM model, which makes lens cleaning easier than with its predecessor.  And build quality is improved--the earlier model was prone to its switches breaking (could fix it yourself with the ordered part, but really annoying) and eventually the Micro Motor gearing gave out (no trouble so far with the USM ring motor).  The USM model will work with Canon's 2x teleconverter by interposing a 12mm extension tube, allowing 2x magnification with lots of working distance, though this is not nearly as nice a solution as the 180mm lens referenced below.I will quibble with another reviewer--Canon does make sharper lenses, and sharpness compared with the earlier model is virtually the same.  But this is still one of the sharpest lenses you can buy, and ergonomically a huge improvement over its predecessor.Having said that, Canon now has an L-series 100mm macro that is a bit sharper and has better bokeh (out-of-focus highlights).  A serious hobbyist might consider that lens, though it costs about 40% more on the street.  I purchased the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro Lens less than a year ago, and am very impressed with its greater sharpness and working distance relative to this lens.  If you work much with small critters, take a look at that lens before making a purchase.If you are building up a set of lenses for outdoor/nature photography and you do occasional macrophotography, this might be the first or second lens to buy.  If you work significantly at magnifications greater than 1:1, consider the Canon 65mm 1x-5x Macro zoom.
I'm a hobbyist, and I'm currently using this lens with my 40D (1.6x crop sensor).This is my first 1:1 macro lens and I've been having a ton of fun with it... getting insanely close details on ordinary things makes for extraordinary photos (it's hard to take a 'bad' photo with this lens, but it takes quite a bit of photographic knowledge to take 'great' photo with it). I've been using it to photograph nature, toys, food (some beautifully unflattering pictures), the moon (although small in the frame, the details are there), and portraits (I love the portraits it takes... not too flattering, but honest in a kind of brutal way). This lens is razor-sharp in the details so even for taking non-macro pictures, you'll get great results.You'll need a flash to get the most out of this lens when shooting macro. I ran out and bought a flash after getting this lens (and gave myself another thing that'll take me months to learn the basics of). I'm still discovering how best to use all of my gear together, but it's a fun process.Highly recommended.
I'm a professional child portrait photographer. I bought this lens for "fun", just wanting to play around with some macro photography. And it is very fun! Aside from a little extra hunting for the focus, which should be expected from any macro, this lens is a dream. I'm using it on the Canon 5D. The clarity and detail from this lens is superb. The bokeh is beautiful. I've found I'm even using it professionally, and it's working out to be a wonderful portrait lens as long as I have time to let it focus. This is on my list of favorite lenses!Updated in 2010: It's been over 3 years since I bought this lens, and I still love it. It is my standard lens for newborn portraits, allowing me to focus on all those precious tiny details. It still focuses tack sharp, and I admit that I can be rough on equipment. This is one lens that has been worth every penny I paid for it and then some!
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens is an extremely good lens.  I spent weeks researching which single lens I should first purchase for my (now extinct) 10D, and this lens won out on three points: sharpness, f/2.8 and 1:1 macro capability.  The only thing it's missing is zoom... and that I can do with my feet.I have since added a set of L lenses from 16 mm to 200 mm and a 2x converter.  The 100 mm macro is not the lens I usually use anymore, except when I am doing studio work of small things... which means that whenever I am working in my studio it's on my camera except for portraiture and modeling work.That's not to say it isn't good for portraits and shooting models; on the contrary, it's great for those purposes.  I just have too little room to work with indoors for it to be very useful as a portrait lens, and only parts modeling is therefore possible with it in my studio.This lens was touted as being "as sharp as L glass", and "one of, if not the, the sharpest non-L lenses Canon makes".  I can attest that this lens will make even critical pixel peepers like myself quite happy. It is actually as sharp or sharper than some of the L lenses I now have.I use two methods for getting exceptional focus.  First, I tap the shutter button to achieve focus five separate times.  This achieves and then fine tunes focus automatically.  Second, when I am doing macro work, I always fine tune focus manually if possible, but I must admit that sometimes my eyes just aren't good enough to do that.No rails or ring lights here; I'm not a macro photography expert or specialist.  But I have never failed to appreciate the sharpness this lens offers in all usages.Another nice thing about it is the small 58 mm filter size.  Much easier on the wallet than 72mm, 77mm, 86mm, etc.I love this lens.  The only "drawbacks" I can find with it are:1. It is a prime.  You have to move it or use rails to get a different "zoom".2. It is actually *too* sharp for doing portrait photography of anyone but infants, babies and young children.  You'll have to manually "soften" some images to minimize skin blemishes if you don't want to airbrush.3. Distance from subject in macro mode is only a handful of inches... not enough for doing macro work of most animate living things without getting them to move away while you are trying to focus on them.Otherwise, I love this lens, and it has remained in use and in my bag even though I use L's now for most of what I do.By the way, I find that reviews are not as useful unless I know the experience level of the photographer and their camera type.  I am using a Canon 5D Mark 2, which is 21.1 mp.  This allows me to be supremely aware of flaws to the optics.  This lens keeps up with the full frame 21 mp sensor just fine.  I am also what I would call a semi-pro photographer who is in the middle of "medium" level of skill/experience compared to the top pros. I have been studying photography, on my own and in college, since 2000.  Hope that helps.UPDATE (April 4th 2010) - After shooting a wedding with my Canon 28-135 a few months back, I now have three specific points to comment on.1. This lens positively puts the 28-135 to shame in sharpness.2. f/2.8 gathers light much, much better than f/3.5 maximum aperture... but it has no IS, which requires a minimum shutter speed of 1/160th for my taste, and that fairly kills it for available light use in dim reception halls during a wedding.  At ISO 6400, I still couldn't get clear properly exposed hand held shots in the candle-lit reception hall with this lens shooting 1/160th of a second at f/2.8 without a flash.3. This lens shows much less CA than the 28-135.I wouldn't recommend trying to shoot an entire wedding with this lens but it's definitely useful for portraits and macro work during the pre-ceremony set-up.  A purely photojournalistic wedding photographer working with plenty of space (outside?) might be able to pull it off.All in all, great lens, and still my favorite.UPDATE (February 2nd 2011)I now have this lens, the 16-35 2.8 L II, 24-70 2.8 L, and the 70-200 IS 2.8 L II lenses.  This lens is about equal to the 24-70 L  for sharpness and actually beats the 16-35 L II if I have it set at 16-20 mm.  I don't use it much anymore, but it's still my go-to lens when I need macro. No longer my favorite, but still a much beloved part of my kit which will not be going anywhere unless I replace it with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens or the Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens. It will always have a place in my heart, and it will always have my respect.
I wanted to get a macro lens and everyone told me this was the one to get... I'm so glad I did. With the smaller sensor on my 30D, the 100mm is more like 150mm or so, so it's a nice , wide-open telephoto/portrait lens as well. I've uploaded a few photos I've taken w/ this lens to show what it's capable of in macro and telephoto. I thought the 17mm-85mm IS USM lens that came e/ my camera was sharp - but compared to this lens, the kit lens might as well be from a DIY pinhole camera.My less than perfect rating is that there is no image stabilization available for the macro lenses. When I'm trying to hone in on bees pollenating a flower, there is a lot of shake. I can't practically use a tripod when the insects are bouncing from bud to bud, so I have to take 100 shots to get one that's not shake blur - and I miss some really cool shots.In addition to the lack of image stabilization, I am frustrated w/ the sometimes unpredictable focusing that will happen as the lens is trying to decide whether it should be focusing at telephoto or macro. I wish there was a switch on the lens to make it macro only or telephoto only, so it wouldn't be bouncing from one focal length to the other all the time.I've taken far more successful telephoto shots than macro. The telephoto focal length is a bit long (for those of us who cannot afford a full-frame sensor camera) for most casual photography. I recently used this lens to shoot some promo shots of some massage therapists in a small eatery. I practically had to set up in the restaurant's bathroom to get the photos I wanted, but opted for this lens because it's much faster (2.8) and I wanted to use natural light over flash.The lens is long and heavy for its range. With the addition of the battery pack grip, this lens added on is very weighty, so I may not take it w/ me in my kit bag on every shoot. Once I add another short fixed focal length lens and a moderate telephoto to my kit, my guess is that this lens will be pulled out for only special occasions.It's tack-sharp, but it can be frustrating at times.
I own a Canon Rebel Xsi. I mostly had just done amateur photography but now my job entails lots of jewelry photography. I had pushed my kit lens to its limit. I figured this macro lens would only be good for our extremely small items, but I have found it works great for the larger pieces as well. The clarity has been greatly increased and the colors are just amazing. Pictures zoomed at 100% remain crisp with hardly any grain. The difference is night and day from what I used before. Auto focus can get confused at times trying to find what to focus on, but I generally prefer to manual focus. It's a great versatile lens for non-macro pictures as well. My only regret was that I didn't buy it sooner.
Unfortunately, I ordered and received this lens at the worst time of the year....during winter, and we haven't had any extravagant snow falls or winter weather wonders happen this year.  I'm so excited for Spring to arrive, because lord knows I won't be spending too much time indoors once flowers start blooming!  I'm very anxious to see the full capability of this lens.  I've used it a few times, just for practice, but nothing to elaborate.  The one thing that it's hard for me to get used to though is how hard it is to keep an object focused.  Once I've zoomed in on a subject, the slightest movement of my body moves the image out of focus, which is kind of frustrating.  But regardless, I'm very pleased and glad that I purchased this lens!!  Everything that I read out it before I purchased it said that it was the best lens out there for Macro photography.  Couldn't have made a better choice!
yes, this is an amazing lenshowever, you will love the L version even moreI owned both lens and still have the L version nowYou will not regret your decision on the L lens!I have to say thisupdate on 10/2010here is my comment (not that scientific though) you can find better comparison online somewhere but still want to give you my thoughts1 the stabilization of the L version works very well! this allows me to use f4 or f5.6 without blurring the photos the old non L version has problems when the light is low2 the center image is very similar but I find that the contrast and color seems to be better in the L version if you go to photozone you will find that they say the L version has about 5% increase in sharpness in the center3 i like the shape of the L version much better
This lens is all the good things you've read in other reviews.  It's incredibly sharp.  It's sharper at 2.8 then my 70-200 2.8 is wide open, and I have a pretty sharp copy of that lens.  I'm just starting into macro photography and it's winter... and I live in Buffalo... so not much to shoot yet, but the shots I've taken so far are impressive.  The only down side is auto-focus is pretty worthless when you're within a few feet of your subject, but I guess that's normal for macro lenses.  At normal ranges it doesn't focus nearly as fast as my 70-200 in low light but that's an L and this isn't.Overall I'm very satisfied.  The build quality is pretty good... not "L" solid, but pretty good.  Can't wait for spring!
I am a novice photographer and researched this lens for well over a year before I finally got enough money together to purchase it. From what I have read and heard, this lens is great for people getting started in macro photography and I felt it was perfect for my needs. It may be a little pricey for people just starting out in photography, but it's WELL worth the cost. This lens pays for itself many times over in just a few weeks of use.I don't have a problem with the auto focus. It's a little slow, but it works just fine for my needs and is very quiet. If I need to focus precisely, I will just switch to manual focus. My sharpest shots tend to be f/5.6 - f/8. The lens is a little heavy and takes some getting used to if you're not used to heavier, better quality optics. It probably just feels heavy to me compared to the tiny Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens which I bought right before this one and was using a lot. A tripod helps a LOT from my experience, especially in low-light situations where it is hard to stay still long enough.This is definitely my favorite lens. A whole new world opens up to you when you're shooting with it. It's just amazing and I'm very happy I bought it. Highly recommended!!
I bought it, got it within 2-3days. I do not remember. No problem with billing, shipping or the actual product. New out of box. I will return for my future camera needs.
Excellent Lens!!! If only it had IS it would be perfect. Takes a steady hand or a tripod. Very sharp images.
Purchased this lens for macro work, also find it works great for portraits.  Canon did a great job with this lens.
I have done macro flower photography over the last three years. I can honestly say that this is one of the best macro lenses that I ever used. To use it correctly I do recommend that you use a tripod. Keep in mind that unlike some other Canon lenses this one does not have image stabilization. The lens light, and very easy to handle. I highly recommend it.
In terms of clarity and color, I'd give this lens 5 Stars. But for my use, I only give it 3 Stars.  I purchased this lens because I love macro photography and I wanted a lens that would let me get closer than my Canon 28-135mm lens. And the 100mm macro lens sure does that. But what I don't like is how susceptible it is to hand shake. BUT, I do have a slight tremor in my hands, so this makes the lens more of a problem for me than it would be for most people. In terms of clarity and color, the lens is outstanding. And I think most any photographer would be very pleased with it. But for me, I need a lens with image stabilization. I'd like to get the IS version of this lens, but at twice the cost, it's not worth it to me at this time.Bottom line, this is a great lens at a decent price. (It's made by Canon, so you'd expect nothing less.) Just be aware that hand-shake, especially on the real close up photos, can ruin some good pictures. If you're shooting close up, use a tripod or some other way to stabilize the lens....unless you have a very steady hand.BTW, if you need a good way to stabilize your camera and lens, just find a short bolt that will screw in your camera's tripod mount. Tie a string from the bolt to a LARGE washer (a large fender washer works great), and make the string long enough for you to put your foot on the washer and hold the camera at normal eye level. Amazing how this simple contraction helps to stabilize your camera.
I love this lens, great clarity and sharpness, well worth the cost. It makes the camera a bit heavy, but again, is worth it.
All I have to say is-This lens will make photos limited only by my skill and imagination. Alright, I need to make more points than just that. This lens is the best for showing great details in your photos. It's amazing! However, why it didn't come with a hood?
I would recommend looking at professional reviewers with equipment designed to measure lenses if you are interested in macro lenses. However, as a user of this lens, I would simply say, it's sharp, it's fast, and it's a good lens.
I've been wanting a macro lens for quite some time now, and I'm so very glad I use this one!  I do lots of wedding photography and this lens is all around wonderful!  I use it for those close up detail shots, and even use it as a fixed lens at the reception.  I love it!
I took a few photos of flowers with this lens.  They're great.  I even framed one for my friend's birthday, and she loved it.  This lens provides excellent Depth of Field.
Can't beat this lens for detail shots! I use it for close ups of wedding rings etc at weddings and it makes a killer portrait lens as well.  One of the best purchases I have made for my lens bag.
this lens is fantastic.  It is flexible, durable, and most of all, not wicked expensive for what you get.  OK, so I found a better deal and got one for about $400 even, but if i knew the quality was this damn high, i would've paid $600 at circuit city in a heartbeat.  Its kinda heavy and long, but i'm used to my Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens which is wider and heavier.  The pictures ive taken are amazing.  Only thing is, for some reason, with this lens your camera will try to make the image brighter by holding open the shutter longer at spots with normal light for other lenses.  Also, there is a switch for a distance limiter, yet it doesn't do anything different for me.  Supposedly its better for taking pictures of things that are farther away.  Did I mention that its great for a medium telephoto lens too?  plus it only has a focus ring.
The Canon 100 Macro has been around for several years.  It is a true macro (1:1, lifesize) lens.  It's not too heavy or excessively large. In fact, it takes up relatively little room in the camera bag or pack.  This lens is very sharp, and as an f2.8, it's fast.  This is very helpful in low light situations. It is solidly built with a fast AF, but it also has full manual focus.  It will also focus to infinity and can be used as a portrait lens.  I'm surprised Canon did not designate it an "L series" lens.  It's a great value.
This lens gets 5 stars from me on all counts - color, saturation, sharpness, contrast, clarity and bokeh. This one sentence should sum up my review.  Just for reference, I own the 135/2L and the 70-200f/4L IS lenses, both incredibly sharp, high quality  lenses and this ranks very much among the two in quality.  I also own the 85/1.8 and 50/1.4 and I would have to say that the 100/2.8 outranks the 85 and the 50 in IQ, color, saturation and contrast.  While the 85 and 50 are both excellent lenses, the 100mm just holds its ground.  I do have to add that the focus hunts quite often, which is more a characteristic of macro, and something that I am ok to put up with.  If slow focusing or hunting is not good enough for you, you may want to consider the other two macro lenses in the canon line up.For those who are interested in seeing proof, you can either see my amazon pictures or view my flickr links (please leave comments)[...][...]This lens has never failed me in any situation.  Even though I have had this for just 3 months, I have been tremendously pleased and very happy with the quality of the images.This lens has brought out a whole new dimension in my photography and I couldnt be more pleased.  If I have a gripe, it is with Canon - they dont provide a hood for the macro lens, which you can very well debate if that is even necessary for for a macro.  The other gripe I have is that the macro ring lite flash is >$400!  Either ways, it has nothing to do with this lens itself, which is why the 5 stars.
I bought this lens 4.5 years ago and am still surprised by how crispness of my macro and portrait pictures.  The background of the pictures is also nice and smooth, which makes the people or foreground objects in macros really pop.  The contrast of pictures taken with this lens is also impressive.  Over the years with different cameras systems I've owned I seem to gravitate towards the same basic kit to start out with: 50mm, 100mm macro and a super wide angle lens.  I find this is what I shoot with a lot of the time and I'm glad I picked this lens to be in that collection as it has served me well over the years.
I must have received a bad copy.I had focussing issues even in broad day light.. I heard constant whirring.  I must first state, that I'm still a "film" guy, I don't yet have a Canon DSLR.  This purchase was what was going to make me make the move.When it did focus, the shots are crisp, and I agree this is a fantastic lens.  I took the decision to return it, rather than be stuck with a lemon.I'll certainly buy another, and hope it will be a better copy.A word about Amazon.com's great customer focus and service :I realized I'd gone a couple days over the return period, and initially got a partial refund.  But, Amazon being Amazon, a phone call fixed that.  I was issued a full refund and I'm a happy camper.  That's why I love Amazon, and will be for a long while.
A wonderful lens!  I re-purchased this lens after selling it to upgrade to the 100 MK II IS.The cost difference and average reviews of the newer upgrade didn't merit another $600.This 100 f/2.8 works fine and it costs are reasonable!
I've owned this lens for not quite a year now and this is one of the sharpest lenses in the Canon lineup. I just posted some pics of a pair of newborn robins I shot hand held and they are super sharp even cropped at 100%. I recently purchased the 135 f/2.0 L and while it does have better bokeh than the 100 it is not sharper in decent light. I now have my eye on the ring lite, although using the 430ex or the on board flash of my 30D works well, I think I will get better results with the ring flash.I give this lens a big thumbs up, you will not be disappointed.
This is a good lens for macro photography, but it is not without its shortcomings, and if your camera can use Canon EF-S lenses, you may want to consider the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 MACRO USM lens.  First, the 60 mm is considerably cheaper.  Second, the 60mm lens has a circular aperture - the 100mm lens does not.  Next, as the Canon website shows, the 60 mm lens has better MTF than the 100mm lens.  Also, the 60 mm lens weighs about half that of the 100 mm lens.  Finally, for portraits and other non-macro photography, the 60 mm length may be more convenient, and with its 2.8 aperture, the 60 mm lens can be used as a fast "normal" lens.All that said, the 100 mm lens does take good macro photos, although it is not always easy.  As with all macro photography, you need to close the aperture and use an external flash.  The Canon macro ring light will cost you another $450.  And, since a tripod is also usually needed, macro photography can become rather expensive.
I read many reviews at fredmiranda.com before I purchased this lens and I was not dissapointed one bit. I was lucky enough to receive a very sharp copy of this lens on the first try. The macro shots were very sharp and contrasty. The center part is already reaching near maximum sharpness at F2.8  Anything beyond F4 is tack sharp. Be carefull with this lens though. The DOF at F2.8 is extremely narrow. Don't mistaken the out of focus shots for being unsharp. Focus properly and crank up the aperture and you'll get some very satisfying macro shots. The only thing I wish this lens had was image stabilizer. Canon, how about a 100mm macro with IS?
I have Canon 30D and I needed the macro lens to come with my other 3 lens. I read good reviews on this lens and I don't regret I purchased this. It can take a very sharp pictures. There are more expensive macro lens from Canon, which can take much better macro photos; but, I decided to go with this as I though this lens hit the right balance on the quality and price. The construction of the lens is well made as well.
Though it can take some time to learn to use it, it has been very helpful in taking pictures that can't be taken with a normal point and shoot.
I bought this lens along with a couple of other Canon "prosumer" zooms several years ago when I switched from Nikon to Canon SLR's.  I hadn't used it much until I recently rediscovered how useful it is.See, I have the venerable 70-200/2.8L.  That lens is truly outstanding.  I use it a lot with the Canon EF 1.4X Extender which makes the 70-200 into a 98-280 f/4 zoom.  When I got the 70-200, I pretty much stopped using the 100-300.I recently realized that I carry the 70-200 around more than I actually use it.  My most used lenses are in the normal to wide range unless I have a special purpose in mind that requires a longer focal length lens.  But sometimes opprotunity presents the need for a long lens when you least expect it and, even though I was never a Boy Scout, I do like being prepared.  The 100-300 is smaller and lighter than the 70-200/2.8L.  It's a pretty sharp lens if you recognize its limitations.  Limitations include being a notch or two down in sharpness at the 300mm end of the zoom range unless you stop it down to around f/11.  At 200mm or shorter, it performs well even at maximum aperture even though it's not up to "L-series" optical quality.It's not "L-series" quality in build either.  It has a plastic barrel and the manual focusing ring was an afterthought.  It grows in physical size when zoomed to the longer focal lengths.  It sucks in dust by doing this (I have lots of speckles inside my lens to show this--but they have no affect on image quality).  It also has an annoying tendency to zoom itself back and forth by its own weight.  I carry a large rubber band around to keep this from happening if for some reason I use the lens on a tripod and tilt it up or down.I like this lens more today than I did when I first bought it, despite the fact that the 70-200/2.8 is a much better lens on all fronts.
The Canon EF 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM is the best entry level 300mm zoom lens.  In order to do any better you have to get into Canon's L line which means a lot more money.  Many people, including myself, start off with Canon's EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III USM because of the low price.  This lens won't break the bank but is definitely worth the difference.  The build quality is much better on the 100-300.  Also I have found this lens to be sharper.  Along with that, this one has ring-type USM instead of micro USM so it focuses faster and quieter while allowing full time manual focus--you can manually adjust the focus without having to switch between AF and MF.  Also, since it uses internal focusing, the front of the lens doesn't rotate or extend when focusing so it is easier to use a circular polarizer.  For the money, you can't beat this lens.
This lens is a nice tele for beginners.  It takes fairly crisp images with proper light.  There is no stabilization so low light situations, (even evenings or shaded areas) will require a tripod.  The lens is quite heavy but that is to be expected.  The build quality is a tad suspect.  There is actually several small specs of dust on the inside of the lens.
I'm no professional, but I love taking photos.  I have the XTi and only have two lenses so far: the 28-105 and this one, the 100-300.  In reading several reviews, I seem to not be alone in this setup.Overall, I absolutely love this lens and haven't had any problems with it in the six months I've had it.  My images stay pretty sharp throughout the zoom range and I rarely have light problems.  Most notably, I recently used this lens to shoot an evening choir concert at the church where I work.  Despite the low light and the distance, I was able to get some well balanced, crisp, and well-lit shots of the people singing.If you're just the average joe-photographer looking for a great telephoto zoom, I'd very highly recommend this lens.  If you're any sort of professional, read the more intelligent reviews around here for the information you're looking for.
This is not a lens for anyone shooting events indoors.It MAY be great for those of you who don't mind using flash, but I really try not to (preference here). So, others like it and keep in mind the type of photography you do and take it for a test drive - returned.
All summer I have been taking pictures of dragonflies and damselflies. The detail is amazing!I can see the hair on the legs of dragonfly! Wonderful! A little slow to focus sometimes but overall the picture quality is so much better than a Tamron my spouse was using.
I bought this lens along with a 28-105mm zoom to get a wide coverage of focal lengths for as little money as possible.  At the same time, I wanted to maximize my sharpness at 300mm for bird and astronomy photography.  If this is your goal, then this is the perfect lens.  It is significantly sharper than the 75-300mm lens at 300mm, while still staying under $300.  If saving money is your absolute priority, then go with the 75-300mm.In the end, I have become dissatisfied with the sharpness at 300mm.  As stated in other reviews, it really drops off after about 200mm.  At full zoom, I am finding the softness intruding on my pictures so I have started using it only as a 100-200mm zoomer.  The 1.6x crop on my Canon 300D makes up for this somewhat, but it's still a bit of a letdown.Another aspect of this lens that I have found aggrivating is the tendancy for the lens to zoom/unzoom itself if mounted vertically.  The weight of the forward elements is suffient to actuate the zooming mechanism.  Sometimes this happens quickly and noticeably, but I've had long-exosure shots where the lens has slowly zoomed out during the exposure and ruined it (weird effect, but not what I was after).  Astrophotography in particular tends to see frequent use of the lens in a vertical position and this lens is really not the right choice if you're going to be aiming up.
This lens have the qualitys I need for allround use, fits easily into my backpack, or just mounted on my camera it's not to heavy. It has a fast and prescise autofucus. Mounted on a good tripod it takes excellent pictures with little noise, and crystal clare imagery.A good deal both in quality and price.
I have only had this lens for a few days and I compare it with Canon's 70-200mm f4L which I have had for a couple years. For the price, this is a great lens, especially if you can really use the 200-300mm range. I however have little need for that much zoom. The large f-stop at the long end is definitely something to take into account because it makes this lens impractical in low-light situations (think night sport games), especially when you realize that you need 1/300s shutter (or faster for aps-c). This isn't a problem during daylight.Pros:- Decent build quality- Very fast and responsive focus (even better than my 70-200mm f4L)- Decent picture quality at every level- Price, price priceCons:- Lens extends quite a deal for zoom (and does so on its own if the camera is pointed down or up)- Not weatherproofed (and with the amount of lens travel, dust is prone to slip in and get on lens elements)- Ineffective in low-light- Colors don't seem that great in high contrastAll in all, it is a great lens, especially if you really need that extra 200-300mm level.
I've used this lens for 4-5 years for many High School prom and senior photo shoots as well as sports and while there are slight limitations in aperture, most of the photography I've shot was with good light.  I left a couple of pictures on the main page to see for reference.  Even though I have several very fast lenses I use most of the time, this one always ends back on my camera at some point.  It's a durable lens, have never had any dust in the lens and is built better than the price.Pros: Great glass and optics that give good Boque and brings out the shot you are looking for.  Good price for such good optics.  Focuses fast and is a worry free lens.  Durable lens that was made with use in mind.Cons: A bit heavy (not compared to my 2.8 lenses).  Zoom ring doesn't have good tension and if you let your camera hang with the lens down, it slides out.Over all it's a great lens at the price for novice to simi-pro photographers.  I doubt I'll ever sell it even with the much higher priced lenses I have as it does give excellent results.
This Japanese made lens is compact, light weight and well made. I use it in combination with a Canon IS 28-135mm lens and a 50mm prime lens. These lens cover most of my photo needs. Focusing is fast and accurate with the ring type USM auto-focus. Ring type USM focusing allows fine adjustment to the focus without switching to manual focus mode. This is not the case on the USM motor focus found on the lower cost 75-300mm Canon lens.My lens stays quite sharp to the eye at full zoom. The lens is effectively a 160-480mm with the 1.6 cropping factor of my Canon 30D.AS the lens does not have image stablization, it is best used with a tripod in lower light. Perhaps some of the softness reported by others at 300mm is actually the result of camera shake which is hard to avoid at full zoom.Finally in my view the build quality of the Canon 100-300mm lens is superior to the lower cost 75-300mm USM lens. The Canon EF70-200 f/4 L is sharper but far more expense.
For anyone considering this lens, according to Canon's site, there will be a newer model to supersede this one which will out perform it. Item # 0345B002 will be a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens available at sometime in 9/05.
At 300mm this lens is VERY soft, it's hard to get a shot that looks like it's in focus.  To do so, you need to shoot at about f/11, and then since there is little light available, you usually have to bump the ISO to 800 or 1600 just to get an acceptable shutter speed. Of course, the high ISO then introduces other artifacts.  The focus is also dead slow and often doesn't lock on.  This is a lens that I have constantly fought with.  Don't upgrade to the newer 70-300 IS either, as it's only marginally better.Buy the 70-200 f/4L.  It's a far superior lens!
I use this lens with my Digital Rebel 6.3 megapixel camera. I'm one of those shaky photographers, and I knew from past film camera that anything beyond 150mm I would not be able to keep steady enough.  I also wanted to have the ability to take photos in low light situations beyond 100mm.This lense is basically the most affordable that Canon offers with this range flexibility (100-300mm) and with autofocus and image stabilization.  Canon makes a wide array of higher end lenses, and some will offer faster image stabilization or clearer picture quality, but for most photographers, you'll find this lense works very well.If you use the image stablization a lot (like for every picture) you may want to carry a spare battery too, as the IS feature does cause some minor battery drain depending on how much you use it.  I found with my Rebel that adding the battery grip with both batteries installed not only lets me take pictures (tons of pictures!) but it also further helps balance the weight of the camera with this lense attached.
Yes due to be released in Sept 05 is an updated NEW version of this lens. It will be a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens with a new IS set up which can be viewed at the Canon Website. The Canon item number is 0345B002. The MSRP of the NEW VERSION LENS is $649.99I have the older version 75-300mm III USM w/out IS and I have had nothing but good things to say about that lens! (I only paid $189.99 for it) Can't wait for this new version to come out!
I love this lens.  I read some of the reviews above and I believe they are nit-picking on small issues.  I have used this lens in various settings, and I have not had a problem with it.  The quality of the images I get are terriffic.  They are always crisp and clear.  The focus speed hasn't been a problem for me.If you're looking for ultra-professional performance, perhaps you should be looking at those gigantic lenses you see on the sidelines of pro sporting events that cost 5 times as much.  Otherwise, if you're just shooting your kids at the park, animals at the zoo, and general family and recreational based photos, this lens will work wonderfully.The image stabilization is teriffic.  I get crystal clear pictures at 300 while holding the camera by hand.Just terrific.
This is my third lens, I already have the amazing f1.4 50mm and the truely great 28-135mm IS.  Comparing this lens to the 28-135 IS, this lens is very slow to focus, has difficulty focusing in low light, and the photos it takes are not nearly as sharp.  On the other hand... it's a 300mm lens - it'll take you quite close to a subject, and the IS means that you can handhold it in reletively decent light.  Two big drawbacks - the IS doesn't work on tripod, and it doesn't have a &quot;real&quot; USM motor, so you can't mix AF and MF modes, you have to choose between modes with a switch.  If I had to do it over again, I'd probably still get this lens, since the next level up (70-200 IS) is four times more expensive, and even the 50-500 is twice as expensive.  If you intend to handhold shots, the IS is probably worth it over the non-IS version.
For the average user (that's me), this is an excellent choice for a zoom telephoto. The Image Stabilization feature works very well in outdoor settings. It focuses quickly - even on a moving subject.This is the lens I take to airshows. Nearly every picture is perfect. As long as I keep the subject in the viewfinder (often moving over 300 MPH), it will quickly focus, and I get sharp pictures - usually so clear that I can read the (small) writing on the side of planes that were over 1/2 mile away when I photographed them. And, there is no need to use a tripod.This is not a good lens for indoor or low light photography. But I didn't purchase a telephoto to use indoors. I am very pleased that I spent the extra $$$ for Image Stabilization.
This lens has gotten some bad reviews, I think, partly because it is starting to show it's age.  This was the first USM IS lens, and the technology has REALLY grown since then.  If Canon were to come along with an updated 75-300 USM IS lens, man, it would blow everything away.That being said, yes, this lens IS a little slow to focus.  But, if you are not using it for work like one of the professional sports photographers you see on the sidelines at baseball games, you should be okay.  It also could use an extra stop (or two, or three!) because when you are handholding, you need that aperture to be as open as it can be.All of this aside, I really have gotten some gems of pictures out of this lens.  It lets you get as closer then you possibly could hope for.  If you have asteady hand and plently of availible light, you can get some really nice shots.  If you are in a low light situation... you will need a tripod.  The IS of lens works... pretty good, but I have had a number of ever so slightly blurry pictures that wouldn't have been had there been some more aperature room to play with.All in all, its a good starter telephoto lens, especially for digital SLRS since it really extends the zoom on those.  Its great for the price, and when you decide to upgrade to one of those white canon L beauties, just sell it!
I ordered this lens after reading mixed reviews of it, but I was really pleasantly surprised.It focusses reasonably fast, and the pictures I have taken of bugs, squirrels, kids playing, and still objects were all sharp with nice color.  I can't wait to try it at the zoo!It is best in bright sunlight and about F8, which I expected, but what I did not expect was that it is surprisingly good at 300mm wide open too.  Also, the IS is a must-have for me.  It enables me to handhold shots at 300mm, which I would normally not be able to do and get sharp pics.All in all, I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants good telephoto pictures and doesn't have $1500 or so to get these same features in an &quot;L&quot; lens.
This lens has changed my whole outlook on photography. Compared to my old Canon T50 80-210mm lens, this lens is 10 times better. I can zoom up to 300mm and with image stabilizer on and get breathtakingly clear pictures that are bright colorful and just plan beautiful, even in cloudly weather.The lens is quite heavy and feels solid compared to cheaper Canon lenses. It costs about twice as much as canon's non stabilizing lense but definitely worth the extra [price]...I'm hoping this lense last me for years as I am just really happy that it takes awesome photos. Don't think twice about buying this one, spend the extra $$ and you really won't be sorry.
I shot a roll of a film with a newly purchased 75-300 IS and returned it shortly afterwards.  I was satisfied with the image quality (although it could be sharper at the 300mm end), however I found the performance of the lens to be unacceptable.  The focusing speed is WAY too slow.  For those of you who don't already know, there are TWO kinds of USM motors.  One of them is very fast and allows focus override, one of them is very slow and does not allow for focus override.  This lens has the latter.  This lens flaunts the fact that it has a USM motor, but believe me, in terms of focusing speed, you will not be able to detect any difference between this lens and the non-USM 75-300 lens.  The fact that the lens is a slow, dark f/5.6 at 300mm doesn't help things either.  The image stabilizer does work well, but the focusing motor is just too slow.  This is the first lens Canon made with IS and therefore contains the older USM motor (as far as I know, none of the other IS lenses contain this type of motor).  Canon should really update this lens and put a better focusing motor in it.  If they were to do that, this would be a KILLER lens.During the event I shot using the 75-300 IS USM, I lost many good shots because the lens kept hunting instead of locking onto my subject.  At one point I actually ended up throwing it into manual focus because it was just easier that way.  Unfortunately, if you want a long telephoto zoom that focuses quickly, you have to throw out a lot more money and buy something like the 100-400 IS USM (which contains the GOOD USM motor) or the 70-200 USM (also containing the good focusing motor).I'll close by saying that this lens will *probably* work well for you if you know you'll always be shooting places where there is VERY sufficient light (aka outside).  Otherwise, I'd stay away from this lens.
I get frustrated by all the negative reviews this lens gets on the web. Yes, the AF is slow and the IS is first generation. Yes, it's not totally sharp and it's slow at the long end. But what other $440 (inc shipping) 300mm lenses with IS is there?* The DO costs $1100 and is shorter but heavier and the optics are not much better.* The 100-400L costs $1400, is much larger and just as slow.* The 70-200/4L is 50% more expensive, only 200mm and lacks IS.* The new 70-300 IS that replaces this lens will probably be a better lens than this version but it costs 50% more and currently (Oct 05) is still not available in the US.The 75-300mm IS is my zoo lens so I don't use it nearly as much as my standard zoom for everyday photography. On my Digital Rebel with its 1.6x crop factor this lens is the equivalent of 120-480mm in 35mm terms, and with the image stabilization feature it makes for some exotic optics. Play to this lens' strengths (middle of the aperture range [don't be afraid of higher ISO settings to achieve this] and not the extreme long end) and your images will be able to be printed at 8x10 without an issue.You're not going to be able to easily track a speeding cheetah with this lens but that is not what this lens is for. It's also unfair to compare this lens to L series alternatives - if you can afford L series lenses then use them but don't cut those of us down without your disposable income just for enjoying this lens. If you own this lens and you want to improve the quality of your images remember to always use a lens hood. Also, the IS is amazing but there are limits; a monopod will improve image sharpness no end. But both these tips apply equally to most lenses both cheaper and more expensive.This lens has earned a permanent place in my camera bag. It's cheap enough and light enough to carry just in case you might need a strong telephoto. The IS really works and is really useful on a telephoto with this kind of zoom range. Don't be put off or intimidated by lens snobs and line counters. This lens also holds its value well; buy it, and use it, now while you're saving for your L dream telephoto and you will be able to sell it for not much less than you paid for it when the time comes to upgrade. When that time comes you just might decide that you want to keep the 75-300mm IS around as well. This lens is great value and very useable even if it is not a great lens.
I got a really good deal on this lens when I bought it more than a month ago.  I read the reviews at the time and there were mixed reports.  I was buying this lens to replace the kit 70-300 lens that came with my camera.  I wanted the IS and the USM drive.  I have used the lens quite a bit over the past month and lately, I am experiencing some strange problems with it.  I was using it over the weekend to take some telephoto pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The lens would focus on the bridge and then immedately go out of focus.  I would try it again and it would go out of focus.  I said the heck with this, turned off the AF and used the manual focus instead.  I don't know what the lens was trying to focus on, but it wasn't the bridge.  There have been times also that the AF would make a lot of noise trying to focus and finally would focus on what I was trying to get a photo of.  I am not sure if there is something wrong with my lens or this is just a characteristic of this lens.  I am looking at another lens to replace my 18-55 lens and would probably look at the Sigma 18-200 lens to cover a larger range.  If this Canon lens keeps up its current ways, I may have to get rid of it and reuse my original telephoto lens.
This lens has surpassed all my expectations for the cost.  Photos are clear and sharp.  I am very happy with this lens!
Very practical to use and attend all my needs and expextations. Easy to carry and avoid changing frequently  lens. Just this one resolves my everyday capture pictures.
This lens was a hand-me-down so please keep that in mind when reading this review.  It could be that the lens is just used.So with that out of the way, I can't seem to take a sharp image with this lens to save my life.  I've tried it with and without the image stabilization feature, with and without a tripod, several ISO modes, several F stops and shutter speeds... nothing.  I thought throwing it on a tripod, turning the IS feature off, and also having a 2 second delay would surely do the trick but to no avail, I zoom in on my photo and it's still slightly blurry.The photos look pretty good when you're not viewing at 100% but that's not very ideal.  So, I'm glad I didn't pay money for this.  Again, it could be that the lens has just been used too much, but I'd recommend spending some extra bucks on a higher quality lens.  If you're looking to zoom in on your subject, I'm assuming that you want it to be sharp and this lens just isn't.
Owned 2 weeks:The only thing to cause me to stop short of 5 stars is the weight of the lens. Stabilization is great and worth every dime. Don't even think about the other 75-300mm non-IS version, it is junk - I tried it.  You can hand hold this lens at 300 mm at 1/60!!  No kidding.  Focus is fast and accurate with my Digital Rebel - almost no hunting like on the other 75-300mm.  You *must* get a skylight filter to protect the front element.I'll update this review after a few months' use.
This is a good outdoor lens for sunny days photos due its small aperture. I'm using it to shoot dragonflies, other small animals, and birds. Unlike his sister, the 28-135 IS USM AF, it lacks the possibility of doing full autofocus manually when AF is set. This means that whenever we didn't manage to get focus automatically we must shift the operation from AF to MF. In the 28-135 IS  USM AF we can make fine adjustments in the focus manually  wihthout changing to MF. Otherwise this is a good lens. The USM motor function very well and the IS (image stabilizer) works proper and silently. To obviate its small aperture we can change the digital camera ISO to a high one, ex: 200 or higher. Bigger the shoot speed (above or equal to the focal length) better the photo, this a thumb rule in photography.
I use this lens for shooting my 13-year-old hockey player in action.  Even in a fairly dark rink, with 800 ASA film on my Canon A2E I get good results at speeds as slow as 1/15 second, which is incredible for a telephoto lens.
I've had the opportunity to compare this lens to the newer 70-300mm IS, to Canon's fast focusing 100-300mm ring type USM lens and an L series lens.These observations are based on use experience, not detailed testing. The 75-300mm IS lens is well made and the optics are better than many dealers admit. The optics and the IS stabilization produce photos that are excellent, when the lens is used properly. This lens is very effective at reducing the impact of camera shake on image stability. The lens is very sharp up past 200mm, and quite good all the way to 300mm.There is some sharpness fall off at the edges of the lens in full zoom mode, wide open, but this is somewhat true on the excellent L series 70-200mm which does not extend to 300mm zooming. The lens has pretty good contrast.The newer 70-300mm might have slightly better contrast in a few situations. Sharpness seems about the same at all settings with the 75-300mm. The newer lens does focus somewhat faster but both are much slower than ring style USM motor Canon lens such as the 100-300mm USM Canon lens and the L series lens. I found no difference in photos between the 100-300mm and the 75-300mm IS lens.The new 70-300mm IS lens has a panning mode for the IS which improves the lens ability to stabilitize when you are sweeping the camera to track movement.The L series lens is sharp, focuses very fast, has a stable front element that works well with polarizer filters. Note that this L series lens has less range the newer 70-300mm IS or my older 75-300mm IS lens.Bottom line, if you own the 75-300mm IS lens, I would keep it. If you can buy the 75-300mm IS lens used at a reasonable discount from the newer lens, I would save my money, go with the 75-300mm IS and buy an excellent 50mm prime lens to use for portraits!Buy the way, the 75-300mm IS was Canon's first commercial stabilized lens. The build quality of the lens reflects the importance of the product and their pride in offering it. Highly recommended for general use.
To me the lens is okay.  I do not love it.  I use it for some sport action shots. It is something about the focusing that seems off.  Plus, when it is focusing the noise is distracting.
The camera handles very well - it's light and drives my Zoom lens and 18-55mm lens beautifully. I get professional photographs and can use it all day without suffering from heavy weight, which it does not have. The view finder is excellent and the readout on the back of the camera is extremely helpful, showing photos as they are taken - with zoom on the back screen, which immediately gives me the idea of the photo I want to use in my books. I say this is an outstanding lens and camera.
hi i have this camera lens 75-300 and for the price is not bad at all i love it this is my first SRL camera and i take some amazing shots on it if you are a pro maybe you see it better but if you are a new one to SRL digital then this is great thank you and i hope this help>>>>>hola yo compre una camara SRL con este lente 75-300 y es espectacular me gusta la calida es facil de usar pero si eres profecional con esperiencia entoses quizas no te guste mucho pero si estas empesando como yo con fotografia pues te lo recomiendo gracias espero que esto te ayude
This is a very cool camera.  I am a scrapbooker (I have two small children) and this is right up my alley!  I can take a picture, preview it and if it's a good one and I know other members of my family will want copies, I can select extra copies.  If it's not, I can select 0 copies and the picture will not be printed.  However, it is not erased.  It still uses up film.  You can also print titles on the back of the picture.  How cool is that? Choose between panoramic or regular and it automatically prints that way during photo processing. The viewfinder didn't bother me any and I found the zoom to be adequate for my needs.  I would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA.
I recently brought a new Labrador puppy into the fold, so we wanted to have a good and reliable camera on hand to document her growth into maturity, which happens so fast with Labs that you want to make sure you keep at it. This camera system serves us well, with its many conveniences and features. You can get a good look at the snapshots you've taken before you develop them, and have the opportunity to re-take the shots if you aren't pleased. It has the convenience of being both a digital camera as well as a traditional film camera, which suits us to a "T". It has, of course, that all important zoom feature, which we learned how to use quite quickly and easily. This is an affordable yet high-tech approach in a device that is simple to use and wonderful in its results. I highly recommend it! Enjoy!
I purchased this particular camera July 2003.  Thus far I have taken 7 rolls of film with this camera.  First off I found loading the film to be the easiest I have encountered.  You just drop the film in, shut the door and the film sets itself.  All of the features in this camera allows the photographer to take GREAT pictures.  Every picture I took, using this camera, looked as though a professional had taken them.  To get familiar with all of the features I purposely took pictures that utilized each feature.  Again every picture came out GREAT!  Close ups of people did not have the red-eye due to the Flip Flash feature.  Photos I took of objects far away seemed a lot closer due to the Infinity feature.  Photos I took at night looked as though they were taken in the day light due to the Night View feature.  The 3 picture sizes also produced fabulous pictures.  The Preview screen, on the back of the camera, came in handy for viewing the picture right away to make sure I got the shot I was after.  I also like that I can set the date, time and event to print on the photo.  I love this camera so much that I am trying to find one for several members of my family.
After reading all I could about this camera, I finally invested in one (hint--it's one hundred dollars less at... than it is anywhere else) about a month ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The freedom to choose how many prints you want without messing with reprint hassles is terrific! I have a 16 month old who is my main subject, and often I either get a great shot that I know EVERYONE will want a copy of, or he moves and I miss the moment. With this camera I know right away if I got a good one or if I need to try again. I took it to a Mardi Gras party this weekend and my friends loved seeing the pictures as the night progressed.For my own stubborn reasons I am not into the digital camera thing...I like film, 1 hour photo shops, etc. This camera gives me a hybrid of technologies and I love it.The camera is a little bulky compared to the Elph2 I traded for it. But the red-eye problem I had with the Elph is eliminated by this camera, probably due to the distance of the flash from the lens.Check this camera out--I really am pleased with mine, both function and photo quality. Eckerd's equipment was able to read the encoded film with no problem. I especially recommend this camera to parents of small children--what a convenience!
I love the Preview feature.  The film Mid-roll change feature is very sweet its so nice having one camera and being able to change film speeds in the middle of a roll.  Great camera!
The kodak preview camera is one of the most innovative camera's on the market. and when you are using it. you are sure to get many admirer's.  My small problem with this camera is with the view finder, and that IS the problem.  The viewfinder is VERY small.  Myself and other's really had a hard time seeing through it.  I'm hoping kodak will address this problem soon.
I purchased this camera b/c I was tired of taking pictures and not having what I thought was a good shot.  This camera did what I had hoped!  I am extremely glad I made this purchase.  It saves me money and frustration.  It allows me to preview the shot, hence the name, before I accept it or not have it developed (less processing fee).  I used to waste so much film on shots.The only gripes I have about this camera are 1.) it is a shot in the dark whether you get a good distance shot and 2.) it does not take quality pictures with low light.  But, for me at least, I have always had those problems with any camera I have had.This camera really is what I needed.  I do not want a digital camera b/c I just don't.  No rhyme or reason, I just like film cameras.I recently took this camera with me to Hawaii, and I got back some of the most unbelievable pictures I have ever taken.  The variety of pictures ranges from sunsets to close-ups to action to portaits.  I could not have been happier with the results.I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who thinks that have taken a picture of one thing and always gets back something completely different.  It has been a truly tremendous purchase for me.
I've owned this gem for about six months and taken a few hundred pictures with it since then.  I'm glad I bought it. Here's the scoop.Pro:1.  It allows you to take 4 x 6, 4 x 7, or 4 x 11.5 sized pictures with a touch of a button.  Even more impressively, though, you can CHANGE THE PRINT SIZE after you've already taken the picture!  So, you take it in one format, examine it through the large display on back, and then can accept that format, change it to a different format, or delete the picture.  It's a great feature when you're out shooting scenes or landscapes, and you want to compare how the picture will look in each style.2.  With the right film (400 and above), this camera has taken solid pictures for me.  I've had several folks tell me the quality is professional looking.  This was one reason why I chose this camera over a digital camera -- the picture sharpness.  For those of you considering digital cameras, remember that all but the most advanced of them won't have the tight pixelization of this cheaper APS camera.3.  The battery is long lasting.  I'm on my 400th picture or so and the battery is going strong.4.  This camera uses drop and shoot APS film.  APS film, unlike 35 MM, allows for the digitization of your pictures direct from your local processor.  I've developed every roll with print pictures and a CD-ROM.  I can keep the pictures in an album and e-mail some images from the CD to friends and family far away.  The Kodak software (Free with the cd) allows you to manipulate the images, make desktop pictures, and other fun stuff.  Also, APS processing gets you a neat one-page sheet with the negatives numbered and shown in miniature in case you want to order reprints.5.  The LCD preview, obviously, makes this camera stand out.  It's a clear picture (mostly -- see below), and it is 100% accurate in predicting the size and clarity of the final photo.6.  Advanced features -- the camera has some advanced flash features (low light, portrait mode, etc.) that prove useful in some circumstances.  More impressive, though, is that the camera has an auto-flash mode that 'knows' when to use the special features.Neutral1.  The zoom lens isn't as powerful as some other APS cameras, but it does its job.  Basically, it allows me to get slighly closer than my eye can see, but you're not going to see a basketball player's eyes if you're shooting from the upper level of the arena.  For that, you'd need at 35MM camera with a zoom lens.  But, if you're using this camera for ordinary landscapes and close-ups, the lack of a strong telescopic lens doesn't make much of a difference.Cons:1.  The flash is rather weak, and if you're doing a lot of nightime photography, even with fast film, you'd want to get a 35 MM camera that can accomodate a wider range of flashes and lenses.  I've had several good scenes not turn out so well, because I overestimated the reach of the flash.2.  The LCD screen is great with photos in daylight or dusk, but does less well with photos in the dark.  I've had a few photos look completely blacked out on the screen but then actually come out looking *okay* when they came back from the lab. But, unless a whole bunch of your photos are taken at night, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.Overall:For what you're paying, you're getting a great APS camera with some digital features that takes great pictures, allows you to correct your mistakes, and preview your work.  Unless you're a professional photographer, it's hard to beat.  I'd definitely buy mine again.
This camera is perfect for beginning photographers because it allows you to view the picture immediately after taking it. Here are the features:1. Preview Screen: This helps a lot with issues of lighting, but the preview is not large enough to see small details, such as if someone's eyes are closed. Also, you can't see the preview clearly when you're standing in a brightly lighted area.2. Cropping: After taking the picture you can preview the different cropping options and then choose either a close-up, a normal shot, or a wide shot.3. Number of Copies: After taking the picture you can choose how many copies you want, from 0 to 9 copies. If you choose 0 copies you do not get to reuse the exposure, as with digital cameras. It simply tells the machine not to print that picture. The fact that the camera tells the machine how many copies to print can cause some confusion with film developers who are used to asking how many copies you want of the entire roll. However, the camera comes with a supply of stickers that can be attached to the film envelope to explain this to the developers.4. Preview for One Shot Only: You can only preview and modify the last shot you took. Once you take another shot you cannot go back to previous shots. The worst part about this is that you can never see the last shot on a roll of film, because the camera rewinds it before you get a chance.
I have to admit I hated this camera.  I could be a little prejudice because I traded a Nikon Nuvis in to get this camera, so bear with me.  The Nuvis just quit on me in 1week.  This camera for me was too big.  I like a camera you can slip in your pocket this could not happen with this camera. Also the resolution on the LCD screen was very poor.  One of the selling points for this camera is you are suppose to be able to look at the LCD screen and choose which pictures you would like to keep or discard.  this is really a tricky fete when the LCD screen is so grainy that you can tell if you want the picture or not so I ended up keeping the picture anyway.  The zoom is non existent. Some people praise it for the features that ALL APS camera have and don't tell you how they feel about the one feature that is exclusive to this APS which is the LCD screen.  If you can I would recommand you view the LCD screen for clarity before you buy it.  No I was not expecting digital quality but I was expecting to at least know if I want to keep the picture.  I can tell you it was not worth the money.  I wanted this camera for that one specific feature and I read the reviews and other people seem to like this camera and in truth I am glad I did buy this camera could I would have always wondered should I have brought it and now I know the answer. NO
I was planning my wedding and realized I couldn't afford a professional photographer.  I took a chance and bought the Advantix Preview Camera and what a great idea it was!  I got to preview all the pictures that were taken and delete the ones I didn't like.  I ended up with 7 rolls of perfect pictures and my wedding pictures are BETTER that what I would have had to pay a photographer for.  The Advantix Preview Camera was the best wedding gift I received!
This camera is an amazing hybrid of digital and film technology.  It shoots normal APS film, producing negatives and prints like any standard camera, but it also has an LCD preview screen on the back like a digital camera.  Some sneaky optics capture the scene simultaneously on the film and on a digital sensor, allowing you to see your image on the screen -- Was it in focus?  Did someone blink?  Plus, it allows you to select how many copies of that print you would like the photofinisher to make, from 0 to 9.  If you shoot a bad picture, choose 0, and you'll not waste any prints.  If you shoot 5 friends and everyone wants a copy, choose 5.  Most labs offering APS processing will comply with your wishes, as they are magnetically encoded on the film itself.  It should help organize your photographs by not wasting bad prints and by allowing &quot;reprints&quot; right at the camera instead of later. The only drawback is that each new image deletes the previous preview, so you can't flip through a whole set.  Very cool, overall.
This is a pretty good APS camera, but nothing extraordinary. The 'preview' screen allows you to see a small, low resolution image of the picture you have just taken. From that glimpse you can decide whether to encode the APS film with a 'do not print' instruction to the processor, you can order multiple prints and you can change the format (like from std to panoramic). [Please be aware, though, that not all film processors have the equipment to process this extra data, and in many cases it counts for naught] You cannot store the image (as on a SmartMedia or CompactFlash card) to view later or to download to your PC. You can only look at the last photo you've taken and then only on the tiny screen (there is no 'video out' that would allow you to preview it on a TV or PC screen). However, as the price has fallen, this extra digital trick has become a fairly justifiable and certainly an innovative addition to an APS camera.
On several fronts, this didn't meet my expectations.  The display quality is far inferior to what I expected - the pictures even on the box had to have been retouched because they were far clearer than anything I saw!  I waited until I had developed two rolls of film using this camera, and was not impressed with the picture quality.  For close-up pictures, it was not bad - about equal with any other point and shoot.  For distance pictures, however, I found the quality poor.
I agree with almost all of the good things you have probably already read about this camera, so I won't repeat them.  Still, there are a few areas where Fuji really failed.  The most annoying is that you cannot buy an adapter for mounting filters to the lens.  When you pay this much for a camera with a good lens, you should be able to protect it with an inexpensive clear filter.  As it stands, you have to buy an expensive macro adapter you may not need in order to get the filter ring.  This seems like a customer-unfriendly approach.The autofocus is very slow in all but the most ideal conditions.  You can't capture an expression on someone's face indoors (even in a brightly lit room) unless you go to manual focus.  Also, battery life is too short, especially when the spares they sell are expensive and have a lower capacity than the original equipment.I know this sounds very negative, but in fact the camera is very good in other ways.  I have taken some very nice pictures with it.  Just think carefully about what you want out of any digital camera before you buy.
I'd like it. The quality is very impressive, interface is very good and communication (through USB) with PC is O.K., but could be better. There could be some problems with USB driver installation on Win2000, but true profis could fix it very fast. [On WinNT the software does not work].To compare this thing with classical photo camera, i would say, that the problems are only with fast moving objects on the night. All others things are much, much better.
This camera is simple enough to use as a point-and-shoot yet has many advanced features. The color and clarity of images is superb. It does well in low-light situations although the built-in flash will usually improve the picture.My only complaints are the irritatingly short battery life (buy a spare battery and the optional battery charger - it shortens charge time to a mere hour!) and the shutter lag. It is almost impossible to snap a good shot of my 3 year-old who can't stand still.Addendum: This is now my camera of choice.  It takes much better pics than either of my 35mm cameras.  Like any digital camera, however, it still doesn't work well with fast-moving subjects because of the shutter lag.
This camera takes some really great pictures and videos BUT, if you aren't a computer whiz, you better know someone that is to download the .avi video files because neither the owners manual nor the software users guide mention ANYTHING relative to getting the .avi videos on your hard drive to save them.Installation of the camera and viewer software is a breeze but after that, your on your own to figure out saving videos.Something that is not mentioned in advertising is that theres a warning in the owners manual about using it in the desert(which is where I live,LOL). Oh well we shall see.
I've had this camera for over a month now and I love it. I tried many digital cameras but decided on this marvel. Its loaded with features, has a quailty build, feels good in the hand and best of all it takes beautiful pictures. It's also one of the fastest on the market at this time (no shutter lag) You just can't go wrong with this purchase. Enjoy!
This review is probably a few years late.Fuji 4900 is great camera. Lots of different modes of operation, easy to switch different modes of flashes (auto, force on, force off, red eye, slow flashes). Impressive 6X optical zoom.There is a adapter tube and clear UV filter lens at ebay.com, they are reasonably priced.One note about batteries. Make sure you get batteries with > 2000 mA-hour. There are batteries that look the same, yet only has 1200 mA-hour, i.e. lasts half as long.
As far as picture quality and ease of use go the Fuji FinePix 4900 is by far one of the best digital cameras you can buy. Fuji probably discontinued this model though because the battery only lasts about 45 minutes to an hour if used with the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). If you use the EVF (Electronic View Finder) the battery will last longer, the LCD just looks cooler is all. The software that comes with this camera is also very user-friendly and appears to be compatible with all OS's. Overall an excellent digital camera!!!! Extra batteries can be bought through the following web site. --> [...]
I did a fair amount of research before replacing my current digital camera. This camera is great. It has the &quot;Auto&quot; setting for my wife and the 35mm type manual features I wanted.. It takes great picture. I would HIGHLY Recommend it to those who want a good digital camera with advanced features..
The image quality produced by this camera is spectacular. However, I think Fuji has some scope for improvement in terms of the user interface. I find setting the time and selecting the image quality to be a bit tedious.
I don't claim to be all that knowledgable about cameras, films and photography, but for the uninitiated, this is as good a camera is you could possible need if you're anything like me. My 70 year old father, who'd not taken pictures in years, picked up the basics pretty quick.The camera is old and a bit clunky for today's streamlined standards, but for someone like me it makes it harder to drop and the photos are as good as newer models (if not better).The biggest grumble for me is the memory card. It takes SmartMedia cards which are smaller (memorywise) and more expensive.
Bought this camera about three weeks ago, and have zero problems with it.  Pictures in automatic mode are perfect, and scene specific modes work well too.  The picture quality is fantastic - my wife is using Nikon Coolpix 995,... and my Fuji takes better pictures.  It also has an auto-timer, TV out, macro mode, the 6x optical zoom works great, and can film 160 sec films.  This camera is lacking these following features which I would add in a perfect world - sound for films, no web cam capability, and comes with only a 16mb card. Buy yourself a 128mb smartmedia card and an extra battery and your set. Takes professional quality photos.
I have had the camera a month and so far it has lived up to its expectations and stated specifications. Using the big LCD display without the battery-saver enabled, I was only able to operate it on a fully charged battery for maybe 20 mins before the battery needed recharging, so if you were bringing the camera to an outside event and you like the LCD display, you will need to buy another spare battery...
I've been using the Finepix 4900 for several months right now and I love the camera's features.  I think the one big negative point about this model is the poor battery life.  If you use the flash and the LCD display, expect about 40 shots before you get the low battery indicator.  I would recommend purchasing a second battery and charger for long trips.The LCD viewfinder is another problem.  The image you get from using the viewfinder isn't very clear in low light situations.  My previous digital camera was the Fuji MX-2900 which had an optical viewfinder.  If you get a chance to compare an LCD viewfinder to an optical one-you would agree that the optical works better.  This also puts another strain on the battery life issue too.Enough on the negatives.  The best part about this camera is the image quality.  It's excellent and I love the 6X optical zoom.  I would avoid using the digital zoom whenever possible.  The lens on this model was the main reason for purchasing this camera.
This camera has all of the adjustments a person could want. It's very similar to my older SLR cameras that use film, only much less expensive to operate since the images are electronic.  There are several automatic settings, or the aperature can be set manually while leaving the speed automatic.  The speed can be set while leaving the aperature on automatic, or bot can be set manually. There are several levels of picture quality.  You can have lots of pixels for high quality, but fewer pics on the memory card, or choose lower quality and more pics, or somewhere in-between.  Lots of flexibility.  Cons:  The camera had a defect that causes it not to be able to connect to a computer.  I had to buy a card reader separately, which is a hassle, but it works (requites removing the memory card from the camera and connecting the reader to the computer).  The battery is a special unit and doesn't last long, but is ok for my needs.  The memory cards are of an older design and don't have anywhere the capacity of the cards the newer cameras use.  The bottom line:  I got a very flexible camera for far less that the price of a new electronic SLR.  The picture quality and flexibility are excellent.  The seller could have been more open about its up-loading problem.
If You thought Chung's review was late, mine is much later, just got this camera off EBAY for $50.00, seller said the batteries only lasted 3-5 mins and included two spare NP 80 batteries, the wide angle lens and adapter and a nice case for $50.00. I found out the "battery problem: was the camera's auto shut-off setting after 3-5 mins. I'm not saying the batteries last a long time, far from it and as everybody has stated, get an extra one as they warning light did start blinking after about 60 shots. Took some amazing shot using macro and flash together. Good camera if you can get a package deal like I did along with some Smartmedia cards with it too, too expensive to buy alone.
The Olympus C-2100 was my first digital camera, and boy was it fantastic. I eventually sold it and "upgraded" to a camera with higher megapixels because, as great as the C-2100 is, 2.1 megapixels is paltry these days. But even the newer cameras I've tried pale in comparison to the C-2100's ability to take pictures in low-light situations. I captured absolutely stunning photos of sunsets and extremely low-light scenes at night by the fireplace with no lights on. I've never even come close to getting pictures like that with my newer cameras. I'm actually thinking about buying a used C-2100 so I have that capability again. They're dirt cheap now compared to when they were introduced many years ago, so if you get a chance to buy one, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. It's a real shame that Olympus never followed up by releasing the same camera with higher megapixels, because I certainly would have bought it, and I'm sure a lot of other people would have as well. I'll never understand why this camera went out of production and why Olympus essentially walked away from a segment of the market that it completely dominated.
I purchased this camera about 6 months ago, but wanted to wait until I had real experience with it to review it. I am 95% thrilled with this product!Before I purchased I completed a very detailed feature/benefit analysis of this and four other advanced amateur products, including those made by Sony and Nikon, all within the same price range at the time. I was looking a camera with excellent picture quality, SLR-like image control (shutter priority, aperture priority, etc.), a powerful optical zoom lens, and a small footprint (as small as possible). Obviously with these requirements, there were some compromises - for example, this camera is larger than those with 3x optical zoom lenses, but among the 10x lenses at the time, it was the smallest. I decided on this camera because it had the best score on average of all my requirements, and because every single independent review that I read was excellent.For advanced amateurs, the camera is excellent, with different shutter priority, aperture priority, bulb, fully manual and fully automatic. You can bracket exposure, flash intensity - hold the shutter button down and it will take 3 or 5 rapid shots of the same subject with different settings - then you can view them and delete the ones that you don't want. For beginners, the camera might be a bit overkill, but it has a fully automatic mode, which makes it hard to take a bad picture - even in almost total darkness, believe it or not! (When dark, the camera emits a red light that's used to focus.)Olympus was one of the first companies to release the 128MB SmartMedia card, too, and it works flawlessly with the camera - and with my MP3 player - allowing me to store both music and photos on the came card - and use it interchangeably. There's no special formatting required, and the card retains the "special feature" (panoramic photos) that Olympus added to the card. (Just don't format the card or it will be lost!). The 128MB card and the included 8MB card were all I needed for a 10-day Caribbean cruise during which I took about 500 pictures.Originally I thought that 2.1 megapixels might not be enough where there are higher resolution cameras available. But I rarely even use the highest resolution of this camera. Normally I use the second highest (1280x960), which combined with an online photo service like ofoto.com (or probably shutterfly or Yahoo) produces exceptional, vivid prints up to 5x7. I use the highest resolution when I want to print 8x10's.The software with the camera allows you to "instant fix" your prints, too. This feature automatically balances the brightness and contrast. On bright days, photos taken with this camera usually don't even need to be fixed. But for some shots, this feature really brings the image to life. In one example, I took a picture of a skunk in my backyard at night in manual mode with the shutter set way too fast. When I viewed the shot on my screen it looked completely black. I ran it though "instant fix" and the image of the skunk was suddenly plain to see - though it looked like a black and white shot, I couldn't believe the detail that came from what I thought was a lost image!On the down side: The camera has frozen on me a couple of times for no apparent reason. A couple of times I've needed to remove the batteries to get the camera to reset properly. This doesn't happen often enough to make it too much of a bother, though. Also, the viewfinder is digital (not optical), so it's still difficult to get a good focus sometimes. (When manually focusing, the image in the viewfinder doubles in size, which makes it a bit easier, but still it's not as easy as an SLR.) Also, I wish there was a focus ring on the lens like on SLRs - the hardware interface for focusing and aperture setting takes some getting used to. Automatic focus works very well, though.The camera came with four high-capacity batteries and a charger. You'll want to get an extra set of batteries, too. Though the camera uses batteries slower than I expected, it always seems to run out when you least expect it. Unfortunately the camera doesn't give much warning when it's about to run out of juice. The charge indicator will go from "fully charged" to "empty" and blinking in a matter of minutes.If you're an advanced amateur who likes exceptional picture quality and exposure control, plus lots of other cool features (too many to list), then you'll love this camera. When I studied these cameras, it was the best there was without taking the step up to true digital SLRs. If you're a novice, you'll find many features you don't use or don't need. You'll still like the fully automatic mode, though. And if you don't use the zoom a lot, you'll find the camera more bulky that your typical point-and-shoot. (The zoom, by the way, is exceptional - 10x optical with 2.6x digital - a total of 26x zoom, it's like having a telescope on your camera!)I hope this review helps you in your decision!
I am about to replace my stolen C2100. It will be my third one that I have owned. This camera is a workhorse. Don't let the 2 megapixel rating scare you. Most of my highly acclaimed photos I have taken with this camera and my other Olympus cameras are down the list in ease, quality and zoom length. Buy this camera if you can. It will not disappoint. It is especially good for &quot;personal&quot; and candids which require stealth. The zoom will get you incredibly close and remains the best cropping tool for reaching the latent image from a distance.
This digital camera is truly amazing! When looking at pictures of the camera online, I thought that it would be big, bulky, and uncomfortable to carry around, but it's smaller than it looks in the ads and comfortable in the hand.The digital image stabilizer is truly helpful for people like me with unsteady hands. I love the customizing options it has such as, increasing or decreasing the intensity of the flash, taking portrait like photos, taking photos of moving objects, and much more! The manual is as easy as can be to understand. And, the most important thing of all, it takes wonderful photos, better than some 4.3 Megapixel digital cameras. You will absolutely love it!
I have had this camera for about nine months, and love the zoom and it takes great pictures.  About 2 weeks ago after downloading about 200 pictures to the computer from a 128 meg card, the camera lost power and wouldn't power back up.  I had to send it in for repairs, which I found to be a flat rate repair of a high price if your warranty has expired.  While researching online to try to find what had happened I also found that many others had the same problem, and it appears to be something that Olympus shoud recall and fix.  It appears that if the batteries get low, the power circut board burns out!  Because of this problem I would tell everyone to beware of this camera, snd it appears that other Olympus models have this same problem.  I have purchased a card reader so as not to have the batteries get low when downloading, and hope this will solve the problem.  If it breaks again, I will just throw this camera away as the cost of repair is too high.
I now use an Oly E-500 dSLR. I have more money in filters and toys for my slr than the original C2100 cost me. And i'll admit there are times im still tempted to break out the c2100. This camera will do everything from ultra closeup macro's to extreme handheld zoom out of the box. Toss in a few filters et al and you have an entire system. The lens quality is just plain excellent and the image stabilisation makes it possible to shoot at max aperture with addons (i rigged a 2x video camera converter to it). With the rigged up 2x i was getting 1000mm. Handheld. My dslr wont do that. Period.The 2 megapixels is a drawback but 2mp is plenty for a 4x6 and acceptable for 8x10's with a very good printer (I use the hp8750 and the canon ip6700d). If they had come out with a 5mp version of this within a year or two of my purchase id probably be using it instead of my slr. The camera is that good. But oly decided to put out a cheaper knockoff consumer camera next. You will not go wrong with this camera. The secret is in the lens and you simply arent going to find a fixed lens camera with a better lens period (ask a professonal photographer he'll tell you the lens is the whole ball game). I'll admit suprise at it still being priced at 150 for a 2mp camera. But thinking about it , it is a more capable camera at 2mp than most of the consumer p&s;'s are at 10mp.
The title says is all I'm too busy taking great pictures to elaborate.
This is a wonderful digital camera.  The stabilization feature helps me out alot, because it is so hard to hold anything completely still.  I haven't taken a bad picture yet with this camera.  I love how far I can zoom.  It comes with it's own batteries and charger !  Make sure to get at least a 64 meg memory for it though (especially if you want the really wonderful pictures this camera is capable of).  Believe me, you want this camera !  Buy it !
The description above covers the waterfront on this outstanding digital camera. Some of the features that make it my idea of the best buy are:1. An important feature to me is single-lens-reflex (SLR) viewing, in addition to the LCD viewer. For me, I've been composing pictures for decades through SLR viewers with the camera to my eye. I don't like holding a camera out and looking at a tiny LCD image. I can hold this Olympus steadier in the old conventional way and get faster, more accurate composition. For me, the LCD screen is for RE-viewing, not for viewing while shooting.2. Hefty 2.11 megapixel image. Double my old Sony (which I thought was just fine), and likely to capture everything I will need for the professional work I do. 8&quot; X 10&quot; printouts are beautiful.3. USB port connection. Absolutely essential. Serial port is way too slow. If your computer was made in the last four of five years it'll have a USB port.4. Must those of us who have grown up with f-stops and film speeds unlearn all that? Not with this camera. It has the same familiar settings, including ISO film equivalencies of 100, 200, and 400 - it just converts what we understand to what the camera understands.5. Exposure of 1/800 to 16 seconds in manual mode. That will cover any possible range of shooting I'll ever encounter.6. Outstanding and almost instantaneous autofocus. When you need to shoot you can't be waiting even a half-second (like some popular digitals make you do) for the camera to get a fix.7. Incredible 10x optical zoom, equal to a 38mm wide-angle to 380mm telephoto - I'll not need more than that range, ever.8. Image stabilization. An excellent feature, especially for those quick shots, for long-range telephoto hand-held shots and those in low light that need longer shutter-open time.9. Lightweight, about 21 ounces. And very well balanced, considering the great zoom lens.Consider getting the 64-meg Smartmedia memory card described at left --($). 8 megs will be sure to cramp your photo capacity. The whole thing: less than (#). That's not peanuts, but this is the most digital camera you'll find for anywhere near the money AND for the widest range of practical use. Perfect for photogs from novices to pros and you won't be craving to trade up anytime in the foreseeable future. You could easily spend ($) and not get beyond the practical features of this camera, and that price won't even get some of the critical features found here.After ordering your camera, go to ..., who wrote the Product Description at the top of this page, and sign up for their newsletter on digital photography. This stuff is different from shooting film (all on the plus side), and there are some things to learn if you really want to get the most out of this incredible technology.
I've owned the c-2100 for 6 months and am very pleased with my purchase.  For this price point, you're looking at buying a 3 megapixel camera with some features or a camera like the c-2100 with all of the features you could need.  The true optical zoom is awesome and I've also had good results with the digital zoom.  I've used it indoors, outdoors, on manual and automatic settings and have been pleased every time.  The only two negative things I can say are that the size of the camera is larger than the average digital camera and the flash refresh is slower than I am used to with a traditional SLR.
The only negatives that I have found are heavy battery consumption and the old memory card.The picture quality is terrific, and it is obvious that this is a camera designed for SLR enthusiasts- all kinds of control, or just set it all on auto and fire away.The image stabilization makes the 10x zoom useful, and the video mode was an unexpected bonus.If you have to have the next best thing, this is not it.  If you love having top of the line N-1 technology, you'd be hard pressed to beat this camera for the money.
Have owned this camera for 2 years.  The stabilized 10x optical zoom can take clear shots without blur from camera movement.  Great indoor picks with flash.  Full manual to full auto works as you see fit, old 35mm buffs with like the options available.  If you need a camera that can take zoom shots that are close up and clear, you can't do better than this at its current price range.  If you have kids in sports, this camera can take nice close ups from the stands.  2.1mega pix allows clean and crisp 4x6 prints.  (Size is its only distraction.  I would also like to own a pocket camera such as the Pentax/Casio mini 3mpix or the Minolta to take with for unplanned moments.)
I got mine 18 days ago.  I would prefer more megapixels, but in the price range, I had to choose between megapixels and zoom, and I went with zoom.  I simply like a strong zoom.  I took it to the zoo to test it.  For some animals you need a strong zoom and for some animals you don't.I feel that the picture quality is better than the Canon Rebel 2000 35mm/Kodak picture CD combination.  I used to get my film developed with the picture CD option, but that costs too much.  I wanted to say goodbye to film.  My Canon has easier to use manual focus, but my Olympus has easier to use exposure compensation.You can shoot short films with the camera.  6 minutes fits on a 128 MB card.  At the zoo, I filmed a bald eagle in flight.For my new digital camera, I paid extra to get a 128 MB card, spare batteries, and AC charger.  I would recommend those items.
I was considering the Nikon CoolPix 990 and the Canon 3030, but what really sold me on the 2100 was the 10x optical (plus 2.7x digital) zoom. Everything has worked just as advertised.  I get nice 8x10 glossies (you have to look real close to see pixelation).  I took it to a couple of evening Christmas parties in very mixed (mostly low) lighting, and got good focus and available light shots across the room.  The claimed 13 foot range for flash seems conservative. This was my first camera with &quot;red eye reduction flash&quot;; it did its job, but I turned it off because of the greater delay between clicking and shooting.  Better to remove the occasional red eyes with PhotoShop, I think. A worthy replacement for my OM-1 and OM-77 for most purposes.
I have owned my Olympus C2100 for over 13 years.  It the first digital camera I have purchased.  Before buying I compared it with Sony, Nikon, and Canon.  I had never heard of Olympus until I saw this camera at Wal Mart.  I was looking for a camera that I could use up close to take photos of jewelry that I hand make.  I was looking for a camera that I could focus up close to show off fine detail.  According to the information I had read the C2100 can focus in 10 power as close as 3 inches from the subject.  The C2100 was the only camera at the time in that price range that had that capability.  The only problem that I found is that with SHQ setting you do start seeing individual pixel points if you try to expand the picture too great.  However for showing on a 25 inch TV monitor it still shows a very sharp picture, more than what I would need to show off my jewelry.  The camera is very easy to handle, and I seldom use a tripod.  I have taken photos using the full 10 power zoom and can usually steady myself against a pole or car top and get a great shot.  With a set of freshly charged batteries I can shoot most of the day before have to change batteries.  I usually carry an extra set of batteries with me so I can go a full day and fill up a 128 meg card without a battery change.  The biggest problem is finding new memory cards for the camera.  It uses Smart Memory cards, and the largest available it 128 meg.  Because Smart Memory is no longer the medium of choice for cameras of memory the cards are difficult to obtain.  Also the cards will bend and break if you don't handle them properly.  That has not been a problem for me and I have used the same cards since I first purchased the camera.  The camera originally came with an 8 meg card.  I immediately pruchased two 32 meg cards with the camera and also a 128 meg card that I found at Wal Mart.  That gives me enough to last a couple days before uploading to me computer.  I currently own two more digital camera's, a Olymput E VOlt 410 SLR, and a Pentax Kx SLR.  If I want to get up close and personal with a flower or a small bug I use the C2100.  The lense on the C2100 is just about the finest I have used.John R. Engelhardt
I have had the C2100 for about a year and a half now. I loved it when I first got it and still love it today. I have taken THOUSANDS of pictures and carried it for thousands of miles under all kinds of conditions including being dropped twice. I have had exactly zero problems! A solid five and a half stars!!
Have only had this camera for a week now.  Moved up from Fuji MX1200 (beginner grade).  The Fuji took excellent pictures even in macro mode....but this Olympus takes the cake.  I have a lot to learn yet, but I am having soooooo much fun!  The zoom was the determining factor for me.  With the 10x zoom and the 2.5 digital zoom...you are right on top of your subject. Great, clear, sharp pictures.  The price is right and the name Olympus was enough for me.  I highly recommend this camera. Could not ask for more. Shop around...lots of difference in prices.
Just got it 5 days ago, and I have very few wishes not acomplished: more resolution (3Mpix would be nicer), a hotshoe for the external flash, interchangeable lenses and under $... price.  I have used SLRs for 20 years and this is great, the quality of the prints is amazing, even without using the flash indoors or low light conditions in witch a film camera would be useless, and this way you get to know that you DID got the picture. I'm using an HP SmartPhoto 1215 to print (it includes it's own SmartMedia card reader, wow!) and I'm extremely satisfied with the overall quality.
Based on the reviews, I was convinced to replace my Mamiya 645 and OM-2 with the Olympus C2100 UZ.  The features are aimed at the professional and/or serious amatuer photographer.  Althought the fastest shutter speed is 1/800 sec., this is still fast enough for action and sports photography.  I can remember when most 35mm cameras max'd out at 1/500 sec. with good results...
fellow shoppers. Please be very careful and test the camera relentlessly as soon as you get it. But it is a great camera nonetheless:i)Can't beat the 10X OPTICAL zoom.ii)The menus are user-friendly.iii)Flash is fast and responsiveiv)Sequential mode is shot accurately and as expectly
I chose this camera choosing between pixels vs lens.I preferred less pixels in view of the reviews I read regarding the lens and I made the right decision.Pictures are great enough but the 10x zoom is remarkable!Don't miss it!
My criteria for a digital camera: macro capability, big zoom lens, excellent print quality at 4x6 (I have never blown up a vacation photo in my life) and ease of use. What I got with this camera was everything on my wish list and more.I spent days researching digital cameras and decided I needed more lens than megapixels. How many of you have enlarged your photos past 8 x 10? I was ready to purchase a 5 megapixel camera when I realized I didn't need it. The photo quality is amazing and I have taken some shots in horrible conditions to push it.This camera is very light but feels solid. It communicates seamlessly with my Mac for downloads and the controls are designed well and are easy to navigate. The people at Olympus obviously know what they're doing. Good job!
The zoom is excellent.  The c-2100uz takes excellent photos in low light and night time with out the flash.  The flash on the c-2100uz works great, lots of light produced.  The c-2100uz used batteries up fast.  So I recommend getting rechargable NiMH batteries.  The c-2100 uses 4 AA batteries.  I recommend getting a older memory card reader to read the memory card for the c-2100uz.  Hooking up the c-2100uz directly to the computer only works in windows XP and with the official olympus c-2100uz software.  You don't want to try hooking up the camera directly to the computer to get the photos as it will break the camera if the batteries run out while hooked up.  The c-2100uz is only 2mp.  But the photos look great on my 1080p monitor.  The c-2100uz does not take good moving action shots, as the photos are most often blurry from motion.  The c-2100uz takes excellent macro shots.  I love taking macro shots of flowers with my c-2100uz.  The memory cards are expensive and hold very little photos storage as compared to today's SD cards.
I had the chance to borrow this camera and use it for a couple days. The camera is easy to operate, looks nice, and produces pretty good results. This camera is proof that for 8x10 prints, a 2.1 megapixel CCD is sufficient...but I wouldn't go any bigger than that. 8x10 is really the limit with 2 megapixels. It's easy to connect to the computer and download images. The 10x zoom is sweet. After using this camera and going back to another camera with only a 3x zoom, I felt deprived. AND IT'S IMAGE STABILIZED!!! However, there are a few things that really bothered me about this camera:a. Fastest shutter speed is 1/800 of a second in non-automatic modes. That's not very fast. If you're trying to capture fast moving objects, forget about it. Your picture will be a blur, especially if you're using that 10x zoom.b. The purple fringing, aka chromatic aberration, you see on digital cameras sometimes is pretty bad on this camera. From what I've been told, this is common on Olympus cameras.c. I don't like how the on/off/reset-settings selections are all on the same switch. It is WAY too easy to accidently push the switch up too far to the reset-settings selection, and wipe out all the custom settings you've made. Olympus really should've made this a seperate switch.Overall I liked the results, but I decided not to buy this camera due to the faults I listed. If Olympus makes another camera like this, with what I listed fixed (and hopefully with a 3 megapixel chip as well), I'll be the first to buy it.
This is a good camera for infrared photography.Just get yourself a 49mm infrared or red filter and have at it.About the only thing I didn't care for was the reset option on the onoff switch, don't know why they did that. Nice glass, real nice.
It's going on 2008 and this Olympus 2100 is still going strong.  It is not a camera that's been on the shelf waiting to be used.  It's been in at least half of ths U.S. taking pictures the whole way from Disneyworld to the back woods of Maine. If this camera is an example of Olympus quality, I am waiting for the equivalent of this camera to come out today.  I see lots of cameras out there but when you get down to it, this old camera does everything they do.  If anybody can suggest it's equivalent, please add on to the messages on this page.
This replaced a Sony Cybershot, an Agfa ePhoto, and a Panasonic Superdisk camera.  The best camera I've owned yet with it's optical zoom.The memory door can be a little hard to open, so I have to carry a quarter with me, but with a 128 Mb card that's not often.
Excellent picture quality and level of control over the pictures you can take.  10X Optical Zoom is incredible for its time and is still hard to beat.  The optics are remarkably distortion free at all focal lengths.  2MP CCD makes this a very fast camera, as a lot of time is not waste writing to the card while the photo opprtunities slip away.  Great low light capabilities with slow shutter speed. This is a bargain to be had in the used camera market.  There are other cameras that sound better on paper, but when it comes to putting pixels on a memory card, there is none that surpasses the versatility and fun of this camera.
Last night I inaugurated the 2100 at a Friday night football game. Taking the place of my JVC DVM70U, Canon S100 &amp; Olympus Camedia 700 (all of which I like), the 2100 had a lot of big shoes to fill. First of all, I bought it for the 27x zoom, which from the sidelines is absolutely necessary to get into the action, and for its built-in stabilization system, the lack of which made long range zoom shots frequently blurry in the JVC &amp; Camedia 700. I bought an extra set of batteries, a nice, leather Olympus case and a 128 meg SmartMedia card.I spent about 2 hours with the fairly complicated and not too well written manual before gametime. I pretty much had decided to leave the camera in its 'sports setting&quot; for my first night,  which is accessible easily through the thumbwheel control knob atop the camera body (though this requires a little time in the setup menu, which I found pretty intuitive).Well, 48 plus minutes later I had shot 83 pics at a medium resolution (1024 x 768), and about 12 30 second QuickTime movies at low resolution (320 x 240). There was still a ton of room left on the 128 meg card, and the batteries were still juiced!The camera was easy to operate, easy to hold and the new electronic viewfinder is about as nice as it gets. The zoom was fine as frog's hair.When I got home, I installed the nice software package and connected the camera via the USB cable (supplied). Downloading took about 5 minutes (BTW, I ordered a SmartMedia FlashPath reader, but you-know-who didn't get it here on time, despite the overnight shipping charge...but I digress) and playback was a cinch. All in all, the photo quality was very good, though I think I can do better at freezing the action than the so-called &quot;sports program&quot; did. The QuickTime movies, even at the lower of the two resolutions available, were magnificent; they were better than the JVC digital camcorder and the sound was really high quality.Now this is no point and shoot, but if you have a little time and interest, I think the 2100 represents a great multipurpose digicam.
I bought this camera a few years ago after doing weeks of homework.  It was the best camera I could find at the time for the price... Let me just say it was one of the best purchases I've ever made.  This camera has crossed half the states in the US, and a handful of countries in Europe and I've never been disapointed in a single shot.  The zoom lets me take pictures of animals accross lakes and then later zoom in on the details.  I have the most amazing pictures from going to watch the bald eagles in Illinois thanks to this zoom.  If you are looking for a digita camera I'd strongly encourage you to purchase this one.
This is my first digital camera and I bought it after becoming interested in birding and checking out the cost of good optical telephoto lenses.  The optical zoom to 380 mm gives great results and I think that this is largely due to the stabilization.  One of the strengths of a digital camera is that if in doubt you go ahead and take the picture because you can always erase it.  I've taken quite a few pictures that I would have never tried because of motion and been very impressed with the clarity.  When the zoom is pushed between 380 mm and 1000 mm the quality drops so my impression is that this is really a 380 mm lens that crops to make the picture sized for 1000 mm.  The manual is not clear on this.  Still, the zoom is impressive as are the multitude of options.  If you are interested in a digital zoom camera I don't think that you could do better.  If you don't care about the zoom then you probably should get a cheaper camera with slightly better resolution.  The camera is surprisingly light and has a good feel and at the basic setting is very easy to use.  I would recommend the 64 mb card as well and an extra set of rechargable batterys.
I have been an SLR photographer for about 20 years and a digital photographer for about 3 years.  This camera gets you the best of both worlds.  The lens is fantastic, the ease of use is a joy, and the full range of features boggles my mind.  I was able to get a good deal right now at compusa and the price difference paid for the extra batteries, 128 Mb card and a card reader.  These are the three accessories that you must get, in my opinion, as well as a UV filter and a bag.  Do yourself a favor and quit shopping around.  Buy this camera now.
This camera opens up whole new realms of use, thanks to the STABILIZING 10X telephoto.  You can nab wildlife in the field and take the images home to the field guides.  You can collect human behavior at its most candid and beautiful, because you're at a distance where the camera is effectively invisible, even if the subject knows you're shooting.  You can do serious telephoto in low light because the stabilized lens permits low shutter speeds.I only wish it had Compact Flash storage as well as Smart Media, because the joy of digital shooting is that you can just blaze away and then cull once you've dumped to the computer.  This is my third Olympus digital camera (after the 2500 and the 490).  I keep all of them busy.
There lots of digital cameras on the market, many very similar in features and many with high prices.  The 2100 'UZI' stands out amongst them.  No it doesn't have the biggest number in megapixels, but it DOES have a true 10X OPTICAL zoom, and add to that image stabilization to improve image sharpness of telephoto handheld shots, along with many, many adjustment features including an ELECTRONIC viewfinder that show the same TTL image and setting data as the large LCD display and you have a wonderful tool for digital photography.I enjoy my 4mp Canon G2, but the 3X zoom is a bit lacking in many settings outside the home.  The Olympus 2100 is much more able to get the picture when you are outside and need to get close to the action but can't physically move closer.Try it, you will like it.
Before I bought this camera I hadn't ever touched a Digital Camera before.  I had read reviews about this camera in 2 different magazines in the same month (March/01) and these magazines did nothing but say great things about this camera.  10 other cameras were reviewd including the new Coolpix and 2 of Sony's, it stated that the Olympus C-2100 was the best and if could only have been 3.1 Megapixels it would've been unbeatable.  So I went out and bought this, and I love it!  I have been taking beautiful pictures with stunnig image quality.  I can't even see why anyone would ever need a 3.1 megapixel camera unless your wanting to blow your picutes up to Poster size or something.  The 10x zoom is of course the greatest feature, and I'm glad it has a smartcard instead of floppy disks like some of Sony's.  Floppy disks are not dependable at all, I am a tech support rep for a computer company and you don't really want to save much on a floppy disk.  I understand that smartcards don't last forever either, but the way floppies are made;  you could lose your pictures at any time.  But this Olympus camera is a beauty, it has so many modes and options that you could take just about any type of picture.  The only thing I don't like is the Panoramic mode, but oh well.  I don't really see using the video and sound function when it only records a few seconds, especially if you have a camcorder already.  But this is an awesome camera that produces stunning images.  I definitely recommend this camera, just read all of the other reviews!!!
WE AGONIZED FOR WEEKS BEFORE SELECTING THE HP 618---WENT TO THE OFFICE SUPPLY PLACES, CIRCUIT CITY, SAMS CLUB AND OTHER DISCOUNT PLACES---LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE US BY THE HAND AND RECOMMEND A CAMERA THAT WOULD SATISFACTORILY TAKE THE PICTURES WE NEEDED.  WE TOOK A SAMPLE TO EACH STORE WE VISITED AND TOLD EACH SALESPERSON &quot;THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE PICTURES OF, PLEASE SHOW US A CAMERA THAT WILL DO IT&quot;.  MUCH TO OUR DISMAY, NOT A SINGLE SALESPERSON COULD SUGGEST WHAT WE NEEDED; ACTUALLY MOST OF THEM COULD NOT EVEN TURN THE CAMERAS ON!!  WHEN WE SAT BACK AND REVIEWED ALL THE DISCUSSIONS AND INFO WE GLEANED FROM THESE STORE VISITS, WE FELT WE NEEDED A CAMERA WITH AT LEAST 2 MEGAPIXELS AND A 2X OR 3X OPTICAL ZOOM FOR THE CLOSEUP WORK THAT WAS PART OF OUR REQUIREMENT AND IF WE FOUND A CAMERA THAT COULD HANDLE THE CLOSEUPS, THE REMAINDER WOULD BE A NO BRAINER. HAVING HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE USING HP EQUIPMENT(COMPUTERS,GAS CHROMATOGRAPHS,AND VARIOUS TEST EQUIPMENT) WE FELT IF HP PUT THEIR NAME ON IT THEN IT HAD TO BE BETTER THAN MOST, SO THE HP618 WAS OUR FINAL CHOICE(OUR PURCHASE CAME WITH A 30-DAY RETURN POLICY). WE FELT THAT WITHIN A WEEK WE WOULD KNOW IF THE CAMERA WOULD DO OUR JOBS AND HOW TO USE IT.  WELL, WITHIN AN HOUR AFTER RECEIVING THE CAMERA, LOADING THE SOFTWARE ON THE PC, AND READING THE SHORT &quot;HOW TO GET GOING&quot; BOOKLET, WE WERE TAKING PICTURES LIKE A PRO!! THIS CAMERA CAN DO IT ALL!  SINCE MOST OF OUR WORK IS INSIDE, WE BOUGHT A POWER ADAPTOR, A MUST!
We've had the 618 for several months now.  It's a been a great value.  We particularly appreciated the higher resolution and flexibility that this camera offered in the price range.  We paired this camera with a Photosmart 1215 printer and that has made printing very simple (we print by sending images through the camera's infrared port or through the smartcard).HP's basic photoprinting software is very easy to use and allows you to make basic adjustments in photographs prior to printing.  The included 3rd party photoediting software is adequate but not a match for Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements which we purchased later.We'd buy the camera again, but in our next camera we would look for these improvements on the 618:(1) Printed colors seem a bit faded for shots taken in daytime lighting.(2) The LCD display washes out in normal daylight (a problem most of these cameras apparently share).(3) The 16 MB smartcard included is large for cameras in this price range but insufficient (we immediately bout a 64 MB card).(4) Battery life seems short, I'd recommend purchasing the rechargable battery.
This camera offers impressive quality and features for a reasonable price. This was my first experience with a digital camera so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was surprised to find that the camera is exceptionally easy to use and takes great photographs.You really don't even need to read the manual to start taking pictures. The &quot;getting started&quot; guide helps you install the memory card and batteries and then you are off and running. For the most part, all camera function can be figured out by navigation the well designed menus. This is especially good since the full manual is only included in PDF format on the software CD.So far, all of the pictures I've taken have had very nice color balance and depth. Naturally, the quality setting on the camera (of which there are 3) has a signficant effect on the imagine quality.. but I have been satisfied with the results at all quality levels.The included memory card has 16 megabytes of storage.  This will get you about 29 images at medium quality, ~ 15 at high quality and 2 at the high quality setting (which uses no compression).  16 megabytes gives you plenty of storage to get started with the camera, but you'll probably want to invest in something larger once you start using it more.Of course, this camera has it's set of downsides.- On occasion the response time from the zoom is a bit slow. You'll press the zoom buttom (which is nicely located right where your thumb rests) and it might take a second or so for the zoom to move.- The screen on the back of the camera isn't bright enough for outdoor photography. This only becomes a problem when you are using the macro feature. Normally the viewfinder gets the job done, but with macro photos the viewfinder doesn't accurately show what the lens sees so you must use the screen. Unfortunately the screen can be almost impossible to see on a sunny day.- When looking through the viewfinder your nose presses against the rear screen. This doesn't present a problem from a usage perspective but you'll find the screen needs constant cleaning.
HP C618 has one of the best price/parformance values on the market, yet it only proves the inferiority of digital cameras.Pros:* Great image resolution for a very low price* Very good ergonomics, including the memory card storage* Up to 30 medium-resolution pictures on the accompanying memory cardCons:* Flash-happy.  Basically all you have to do is to stand in a shadow and the camera will trigger the flash.  You'll have to disable it manually very often.* Color shift.  The camera tends to use an excess of green color, which you'll have to offsett with adding yellow and red on most pictures.* Automatic options are shifted towards a low-end point and click cameras, so you'll have to use the display to adjust the picture options exstensivelly.  this has a negative impact on the battery life.
I have just spent 2 weeks or so with the camera but have loved it and would highly recommend it to someone who wants the ease of being able to email your pics driectly without scanning them and at the same time wants to indulge in slightly more serious and artistic forays once in a while.My only crib about this camera till now has been with regards to the power requirements. Make sure you get the best rechargable batteries out there. Other than that the results have been just WOW till now.
In addition to all the other comments here, the HP C618 has a couple of very appealing features:- Traditional Pentax "retro" appearance, more resolution than most people need, very nice onscreen menus, unique IR blasting features, automatic lens cover, and picture quality is light-years better than my last camera (especially on outdoor shots). The default 16mb card stores 100 800x600 images or 29 1600x1200 images at "better quality"- PC Connect mode simulates a generic hard disk to both Macs and Win2K (no software or adapters needed for to connect to an average PC, plug it in using any standard USB printer cable)- Scripting language is very useful, I downloaded several free scripts and documentation from the ... site and had them copied to flash in minutes...I've since written a couple of scripts, including one for "bracketing" shots (takes multiple pictures with various exposure or zoom levels)On the flip side, you'll need to accept that...- The battery drain is significant at times...I found some AA couldn't provide enough oomph when the camera what shooting (especially several shots in a row). The includes AA Photo Lithium batteries were flawless and provided 200 shots with a high percentage of flash shots, screen usage, and USB connections. I plan on trying Radio Shack NMH rechargables as people suggest- The flash is too bright  on indoor shots less than ~5 feet...as others suggested, I've taped some tissue over the flash and sometimes also have to reduce the exposure setting to get  a good shot in these cases. If you're doing eBay or inventory work you'll need to set up other sources of light. and disable the camera flash.- There was not as much software included for Macintosh computers...just some generic image editing tools (the ... site claims to have a free software download for Macs but the link is broken and you end up getting their software for an older HP camera). I honestly don't think this is a big deal, as the connections to my Mac are so easy in USB drive mode I'd just assume not clutter up my disk with stuff I wouldn't use.I love this camera...originally I'd thought I'd wanted the cute little Canon ELPH S100 but  the HP has better optics, value, and customization using the scripting language. I also was very impressed with the Kodak 3400 (this was a close call but the asthetics, scripting, 3x zoom, and USB drive emulation on the HP won me over)
After extensive research into 2 and 3 megapixel cameras, I settled on the H-P C618xi (identical to the C618 except for included software). I was going to Europe for two weeks and wanted to give digital photography a serious workout. Boy, did I make the right choice!The camera is worth much more than it costs, an idea supported somewhat by resell prices higher than what I paid for it new. It has tremendous versatility: Easy to use automatic features for carefree snapshots and excellent manual capabilities for greater artistic control.I do professional work for feature and spot news stories. Over the last two or three months, I gradually have pared down the "film" equipment I keep with me until all I take along is the C618xi. The lower JPEG settings are great for newspapers, yet the highest rez TIFF images reproduce perfectly in 4-color glossy mags. Instead of a bulky kit, now I have only a small tote with a wrist strap, containing the camera, 4 spare AA's, a lens brush and CF memory cards. That will last me all day in just about any setting. If I'm doing a flash-heavy shoot, I carry along 4 extra AA's just in case.This camera is not as power-hungry as some I've seen. However, any user will find that 1600mAH NiMH batteries are the way to go to keep the energy costs down. My personal recommendation is to go with Ray-O-Vac: Their AA's are the highest potency around and they make a great compact 1-hour charger that will charge 4 AA's at once (...).For the amateur or the professional, I can't recommend this camera highly enough. I wouldn't part with it for anything.
This was our first digital camera and, after a lot of research, we are happy that we chose this one.  It takes great pictures, lets you know if it is in focus or not, it's easy to use and has a lot of features.  My least favorite things are 1) it occassionaly takes some effort to get an indoor shot &quot;in focus&quot; if it's not really bright inside and 2) it takes very few pictures with my rechargable batteries in (so I would hesitate to take it on vacation or something). We use it several times a week around the house and have been very happy with it.
The Sony DCR-TRV20 uses MiniDV format as opposed to the line of Sony's Digital 8 camcorders. MiniDV allows you to hold more video and on a more compact tapes.The camcorder weighs just 1lb 7oz and looks very nice.PICTUREThe TRV20 features a resolution of up to 520 lines (other digital video sources like DVD players and DBS offer similar resolution), higher color bandwidth (Sony claims three times higher than VHS) and virtually no video noise, since the signal is stored in the digital format.The picture is very sharp and clear. You have 10x optical/120x digital zoom, the camera also uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality, special coating reduces glare and increases contrast.MiniDVThe camcorder uses MiniDV format. These tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality - since the data is stored in the digital format. The tape loading mechanism is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place, so it pay attention to pressing in the right place while loading a cassette. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.ADCThe TRV20 has an ADC (analog-digital converter) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format (for archiving purposes) or send it through the IEEE-1394 (i.Link) interface to your computer, i.Link-equipped VCR or another device.SOUNDThe camcorder uses the Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes (you can select the mode through the menu). This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing mode that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration. The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no "background" noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in case with analog recording.CONTROL INTERFACESThe L (LANC) Editing Interface provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller. The camcorder also has an I.Link Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible edit controllers, computers and digital VCRs.The camcorder also has the built-in Super Laser Link Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. You can buy a receiver (IFT-R20) and connect your camcorder wirelessly to the TV or other equipment. Some Sony TV models will even switch to the appropriate channel when signal from the IFT-R20 is received.Memory StickYou can use the TRV20 as a digital still camera, for which you can use a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. The resolution is 1152x864.LCDThe camcorder has a 3.5&quot; 246,000-pixel LCD in addition to the 180,000 pixel color viewfinder. The picture on the LCD is visible even in sunlight and you can control brightness and color through the switches on the LCD and the menu.FEATURESYou get a high-resolution 1,070,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has 7 modes program AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones. Manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool. You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch on the left side of the camcorder (by LCD), it also has a position for "infinity" focus.The camcorder features a Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The TRV20 has 14 picture effects (4 of them digital), 5 A/V fader modes, 16:9 widescreen recording and 20-segment assemble editing.The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The cool A/V fader modes I like include "dot" and "bounce". You can also manually adjust (if you want, otherwise it's automatic) shutter speed and exposure.The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback (but it's cumbersome to use). You can also shoot in total darkness with Sony's Super NightShot&trade;, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet.There is a built-in speaker (you can control the volume with a rocker switch) and intelligent accessory shoe, which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that "zoom" with the camcorder.VCRThe VCR mode allows you to see your material. When you switch to it, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes). In "camera" mode you can use "Edit Search" to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use "End Search" button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording.POWER SOURCEThe TRV20 uses Sony's InfoLithium battery, which has large capacity with no &quot;memory effect&quot;. You can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower&trade; meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder, and this estimate is very accurate. The Stamina Power Management that power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use - you can shoot for up to 8 hours with an optional NP-FM91 battery.The backlit LCD on the outer side of the 2.5" color LCD shows the remaining battery power in minutes while charging and tape counter when operating VCR.Although not cheap, the TRV20 is a good choice if you demand high quality and willing to pay for it.
I love this camcorder.  I never owned one before, but I'm a photographer and a computer programmer.  I wanted video.  I got so much more. It's easy and completely excellent.  I love the interaction between digitized analog (mini-DAT) and the memory stick and the PC cabling.  Fun fun stuff in any-which-way you can concieve.  Grab stills from your video, dump them to the stick and then the PC. Or if you like, upload a logo with a bluescreen to your stick and then record live video with that logo blue-screen-burned in it.  There are too many options to talk about. It does take your fingers a tiny bit of time to get used to where buttons and levers and switches are.  I counted them and came up with 50+ of them.  But the ones you use often enough come easily to remember.  The ergo is fine.  I usually use the viewscreen to film and snapshot.  But the single eye view is great too.  I don't think I could ask for a feature it doesn't have.
My husband bought me this camera for Christmas.  It is one fantastic camera.  I had to work out some bugs first.  It can do just about anything.  My memory is not great so I must keep reading the 155 page instruction booklet so I don't forget all the features.  I am starting to remember them now.  I also had a small problem with the firewire.  The first three they installed did not work.  I have a gateway computer and most of the firewires did not work with it.  Eventually after 8 hours at the store with the technicians they installed an OrangeLink firewire and that did the trick.  I went home a happy camper.  I did camp out at Frys for 8 hours refusing to leave with the camera until it worked with my computer.  The stills worked just fine right off the bat, but the video was another story.  Now that everything is working great I am having a wonderful time.  It is more than I had expected from a camera.  I can shoot videos of the grandkids and print out stills of them from it and they think I know magic.  If you have the patients to learn about this camera it is a fantastic buy.
I have owned this camera for over two years and have produced about 10 video productions with it, ranging from 3 minutes to 30.Overall, the camera works great. I got it on an open-box special at Circuit City, and I think it must have been dropped or something, because there are definitely loose connections somewhere. The viewfinder flickers and the firewire port is very sensitive to how far the cable is plugged into it. I sent it away to Sony for repair and after 6 weeks it came back in the same condition. Since I can't be without the thing for long stretches like that, I've never re-sent it.Other than this nuisance issue, it has performed flawlessly, even though it's been through some tough situations. It has happily accepted different brands of tape, which many will tell you is a no-no. The pictures are clear and crisp, and my 40+ year old eyes love the 3 1/2&quot; viewfinder.I would give the camera a 5 star, were it not for the sound quality. In anything other than a hand-held, home video shoot, you should always use an external microphone. I don't know what's wrong, but the audio quality from such a setup is very poor. OK, I'm being picky and comparing the unit to others costing 2 or 3 times as much. But because the video quality compares so well, it makes the lackluster audio a real disappointment. With the on-camera microphone, however, you'll never notice the difference.For someone who wants really good looking video and doesn't want to have the camera in the repair shop every year, this is a great cam.
As much as I love Sony's megapixel sensor implementation in this camcorder, I no longer think it's the best one out there. If this cam is on your shopping list then definitely check out its closely related sibling: PC110. It has the same features, it is over twenty percent smaller, has a decent built-in flash, and in addition to being capable of megapixel shots, it records short MPEGs to the memory stick. The drawbacks could be the smaller 2.5-inch LCD and the vertical form factor (I actually prefer it). But other than that, everything else is the same or better, even the price...You should also consider TRV900 which offers three CCDs instead of one, resulting in much better video quality, especially in low light conditions (worse resolution for the still pictures and slightly larger body size though), and many additional semi-professional features for not much more money.Whichever you choose, stay with a Sony camcorder and their miniDV tapes. Their quality is great, drivers widely supported, and countless sites and newsgroups will help you enhance your digital movie and photo experience.
This is a great prosumer (entry level pro) camera. Although it has only 1 CCD chip, it produces pictures close in resolution to that of the 3 CCD camcorders. The size and weight make it perfect to carry around and on vacation. The pictures are near broadcast quality, and if you want to shoot good looking movies, go for it! I plan on shooting stuff for church that I will edit on my PC (with Premiere) and I'm sure it will look great. If I decide I want to shoot something to be widely distributed, I will probably get one of the Sony 3 CCD chip 'corders.All the controls are intuitive. The right hand holds and controls the camera. You can switch the camera on and into recording mode with the thumb, and then use the thumb to start/stop recording. You can zoom with the index finger, but be careful as the zoom works fast and you will need to get used to it (which is probably true with any camera). There is a small screen that pops out and replays, or can be used as a viewfinder. Both the eye-view finder and the screen are color. The VCR controls (electronic, no buttons) light up and can be used when the camera is put in VCR mode (by thumb control), and there are controls underneath the screen. Finally, you can take and store your digital still pictures, as the location for the memory stick is right underneath your hand as you control the camera. I can't speak to any still pictures as I don't have a stick and have never used that feature....The most pressing problem I see is the tape entry location. It is on the bottom. That's fine if you always shoot by hand, but if you use a tri/monopod as I have done (and many would want to do for comfort) you have to take the stand off to access the tape. This one obstacle is why I ditched the camera a star, so if you plan on always shooting by hand, it's great. Also, with steady shot you can get away with hand shots. But if you want to do weddings (and you can do that professionally with this camera) you will probably want some sort of stand device, otherwise your arm will give out on you.The Carl Zeiss lenses, as you photo buffs know, are the best in the business, but there are no interchangable lenses on this camera. All in all, the people that this camera fit perfectly are those wanting the best vacation pictures, those getting started in digital video, and anyone who wants a great resolution camera that doesn't cost 3 grand. No complaints except the tape entry and with the size, Sony may not have been able to help that.
All in all this camera has a very useful set of features for the amateur videographer and those who simply wish to record interesting experiences.It's got full DV capabilities, as well as a few built-in transitions that some may find useful.  It also has a useful selection of effects that are not too cheesy.  Likewise, the menu system is easy to get used to and becomes second nature after a few uses.The SuperSteadyCam feature works and works quite well.The Supernightshot capability is a great, allowing footage to be taken in complete darkness, albeit with less color quality.  I find that mixing the SEPIA effect with the night shot capability results in a more natural effect than the default green cast provided by the nightshot light (built-in).The unit also functions as a digital camera, which is a great bonus.  You can choose resolutions up to 1152 pixels.  This should be good enough for amateur webmasters who simply want photos for their sites.  Photos are saved to Memory stick.  You may find that the 4MB Memory stick that is included is way too small in capacity.  It can hold as many as 20+ photographs at medium resolution.It also supports the &quot;SMART&quot; tape cartridges that can be indexed and titled.  For those who use up little tape per session and end up covering more than one event on a single tape, I highly recommend the use of the smart cartridges to allow proper indexing of the differing events on the tape.The automatic white balance adjustment is commendable, as is the wonderfully sharp optics of the Carl-Zeiss lens.There are only a few things that may make you think twice about this unit.- Tape loading happens from beneath the unit, making tape changes a bit fussier.  You'll have to take your hand out of the retention strap and put the thing down.- The unit is very small, and it does tend to cramp the hand when used for extended periods of time.  However, I've found that it can be avoided by not using the hand retention strap altogether.  I just tilt the LCD panel upwards and hold the unit at waist level.  It also allows more powerful compositions in your videos.- The unit is not the smallest out there.  The vertically oriented camcorders are much smaller.  So if you're out for ultimate miniaturization, this unit ain't it, either.- Not enough wide-angle.  I find that the default focal lengths achieved by the carl-zeiss doesn't allow for wide-enough angles.  This affects those who wish to take nice vistas and comprehensive panoramas.  Sony does make a wide angle lens attachment / adapter, but I have yet to try it.Aside from those forgivable and slight caveats, I find the unit wonderfully well priced for the full range of features and the excellent video quality it can provide.Of course there are much better units out there, but I feel that they provide little added benefit in relation to the large jump in cost that they entail.All-in-all, five well deserved stars!taj d.
I almost didn't buy this camera, due to the bad reviews.  My first camera choice was USB only, and I needed a serial connection.  So, with great trepidation, I bought the Jamcam3.  Initially, I was extremely disappointed.  The first images you see are in the "JamCam photo shop viewer".  Don't give up here!  I think some people have seen these blurry blobs of grey and assumed this was the image they were stuck with.  Not so.  Be sure to "Download Picture" to thumbnail form.  Also, I had to change my screen settings to 640x480 to see the controls properly.  I might also mention my PC (586-133) is below the recommended minimum and I'm making out ok. The pictures are not bad. I am satisfied. Remember, this is a 640x480 camera, so don't expect too much. The flash is good for dark areas. One final item...I heard batttery life was short, according to some reviews, so I use my camera with a 9 volt adapter plugged into the wall.
It is not compatible with Windows XP despite the defunct company's claim on the web site. I spent hours trying to install the drivers to get the software to work, to no avail. Not at all user friendly. Additionally, the company is out of business (wonder why?) so there is no tech support via phone or email. Stay away!
the quality is less than stellar(to put it very nicely). The batteries die really quick too. I got it as a gift but if you are debating on whether or not you should? dont buy it. I would definitely save up and buy another camera. You can buy it on ebay for $5 -10...which is somewhat worth the price.hope I helped.
For less than $50 Digicam, this thing is awesome. I used AMD K6-2 500Mhz, 128MB RAM, USB Connection (for the Cam) and Win 2000 and it works really nice. But somehow you need to download the updates from their website (jamonline.com). The CCD is not very good, you can see quite much color noise.My biggest complain is the cam use the battery power to transfer pictures and not the power from USB. As a result, the battery needs to be replaced  too often (less than 50 shots).Don't think to use the 320x240 res as the 640x480 res is not excellent. What I do is take the pic using 640x320 and resize the image using photoshop to 320x240. Do a little trick and you'll get a decent pic (not very well).The best part: the memory is expandable to whatever you can afford using MMC, USB Connection, Win 2000 support, built-in flash, durable body and not too expensive.For best result, use Accu Rechargable battery instead of regular 9v or alkaline. Believe me, I spent 3 regular 9v (the square one) for less than 100 shots (only 20+ are decent). Bring extra battery when travelling and transfering image.For expandibility, get Sandisk MMC, NOT Viking. I got my self a Viking MMC and doesn't work. Read my review in Viking MMC 16MB.Recommended for children and very light user.
This camera would be great for kids.  It's easy to use and does pretty much what it is described to do.  For this price, though, don't expect miracles.  I'm afraid you'll have to pay much, much more for a good digital camera.
I received this camera free over a year ago when I bought Windows XP upgrade, and even at a price of $0.00 it's NOT worth having!  Here are some reasons:- No ability to selectively erase pictures.  You either erase ALL of them, or not.- No viewer on the camera to see your pictures.  You have to wait until you transfer them to a PC.- Very poor picture quality.  Don't take any or vacation family photos with this:  you'll be disappointed.- The smaller resolution setting (320x240), which allows storage of 30-some images, does not work:  the PC software always crashes when attempting to retrieve them.  The response that I got from their tech support was that this was a known problem, and to always use the 640x480 resolution mode.- The MMC memory chip I bought to expand beyond the 8-picture limitation worked once, then the camera fried it.- The company is out of business:  good luck getting support and software updates....Amazon even sent me a replacement camera, and it too experience all the same problems.I've since bought a used Sony CyberShot camera, and been completely happy!
I waited a long time to write this review, I've had the camera for about 4 months now.  First let me mention the serious problems this camera has.Jamcam error with Windows XP.  As the others stated they were having problems with Win2000 and drivers, WinXP renders this camera almost useless!  I have downloaded the drivers for WinXp from the Jamonline website and installed them perfectly, still have serious problems just extracting the images via usb to my computer.  After installing the xp drivers, I was able to make 1 download set of pictures from jamcam twain source!  After that, I get an error.  If you reinstall the drivers over, same error. You must uninstall the drivers, from the device manager (not the uninstall program) while the camera is connected (otherwise it will not appear in the device list).  Then run the driver update, which tells you it is uninstalling again, then run the xp driver update a third time.  Then you can download one set of pictures, and start all over again.  This is VERY time-consuming.Also I don't know whether the camera is broken or it is Windows XP but I am now losing several images with every download.  If I take 30 pictures, I may only get 18-20 back.  I don't know where they go, they're simply not on the thumbnail bar.  I have not checked to see if this happens on Win98 or ME so hopefully it's Windows XP.  The only other workaround to the problem with xp usb drivers is to use the included serial cable (com port), the transfer rate is VERY slow on this also.  The pictures take about 40 seconds EACH to load via serial connection.  But it works, however I still lose photos with this method.The camera is slow.  It takes about 4-5 seconds for the camera to "think" before it's ready to take another shot, and a bit longer if you need the flash.  It is also definitely not a fast-motion camera, you have to keep the camera steady and tell people to freeze or they will blur up badly.The camera is easily fooled into thinking the subject is well lit by ambient light, avoid taking photos with a window in the background or light source.It is possible to take decent pictures with this camera, for a 640 X 480 camera, the images are pretty decent most often.  The flash does a good job, but you will end up overexposing if you take pictures with a flash close up.Internal memory is insufficient.  You can take 8 pictures at "hi-res" with internal memory.  Don't even bother using the lower "r1" setting to save space.  You can pick up a cheap 16 - 32 mb MMC card along with the camera.  MMC card memory prices keep getting lower.  Sandisk is the most popular but a little expensive, I bought a Delkin Devices 32mb MMC for around $22.  Don't believe the other review stating that MMC cards lose their memory, they don't.  But as I stated earlier I do "lose" photos for unknown reasons.Battery eater.  This is no surprise, all digital cameras eat batteries.  It uses 9v batteries. Get a NIMH recharger and/or a cheap universal wall outlet battery adapter with 9v connector to power it while transferring images to your pc.Now for the positive:For the price, this camera is definitely worth it.  I suggest using (another Web site) to compare prices, there was a $30 rebate but I think that has since expired, and I never got mine.Bottom line:This is a great kids camera, but also a capable camera for snapping photos for email etc.  However 640x480 leaves a lot to be desired and I am going to move on to a 1.3 megapixel now because prices are lower now.  If you do use it be sure to get extra memory and take 2-3 photos of whatever scenes you don't want to "lose".  A 32mb MMC card will give you space for 130 photos on the camera so you can snap away (in 6 second intervals :)DO NOT buy this camera if you use XP.DO do some research for the cheapest price on the web.I will update this review if I figure out anything on the WinXp and lost photos problem.
What can I say? By the time you develop a disposable camera and get the film printed, it costs nearly as much as a JamCam. I bought my JamCam to keep in my desk at work and snag the occasional sunset or broken fire hydrant with. It's great for cheap snapshots. It comes with software that works acceptably. The USB interface is not the fastest I've encountered, but it eventually transfers photos. I haven't tried a memory card with it yet, but might in the future. I'm glad I got mine. It was worth every penny of what I paid, and I don't have to worry about wasted packaging or toxic chemicals going into the environment. I just transfer my photos to my computer and email them to friends....
... I hope XP Pro works a lot differently from XP home.  I purchased a JamCam 3.0 for my 9-year old and tried moving pictures to a Dell 8200 machine.  So far, no luck: XP Home complains about non-compliant software and drivers, KB Gear tech support offers updated drivers and updates to the JamCam software (both, incidentally, are needed to make XP happy.)  Well, I followed all the instructions and advice - hours of work checking cable connections, USB ports, telling XP where to find the new updated JamCam drivers  (c:\windows\system\system32\drivers) - to no avail!  I am now convinced that the JamCam software is not XP ready.  I'll try it on a laptop with 98 and see how it goes.  Bad, bad, bad.  It's really too bad because the JamCam is a nice piece of hardware for kids.
I purchased this camera as a gift for my husband at Christmas, and we've been really pleased with the pictures this little camera has taken.  It's inexpensive and very simple, which is great if you don't have a lot of experience/technical knowledge of digital cameras in general.One problem:  this camera won't work with Win2000 until you install drivers and some other fixes (and that's not mentioned anywhere on this site).  It works fine with WinME, but as Win2000 isn't really intended for this, you'll run into the problem of incompatibility (even if using a USB hub).  However, my husband sent the company some mail about this, and within a few hours, he had the fixes and everything works great.  The website did have suggestions to remedy the problems, but that wasn't enough -- it did take an email, but the company was quick to respond.  The reviewer from Paris, TX had an awful time with this, but I'm stunned by that review because we got such a quick response--and this was on Christmas Eve night!The camera takes pretty good photos, but the price will tell you that they're not high-quality, printable pictures.  This camera is ideal if all you plan to do is send photos via email or publish them on a page.  Software to edit your pictures is included with the camera, so you'll be able to correct red-eye and play with the images a bit.Unfortunately, this camera doesn't perform well in low light situations.  It does take clear, sharp pictures in sunlight or in situations where there's direct lighting.  I recommend getting the memory card so that you can take more pictures with the higher resolution.  Another downside:  no picture preview window, but hey, until recent years, we never got to take a sneak peek on a regular camera anyway.  You can't miss what you never had...  Besides, you're not wasting film; you can always just delete the shot on the PC if you don't like it!A BIG plus:  it can take a beating.  If you're worried that all digital cameras are fragile goods that need to be pampered, you need not worry about that with this one.  My husband dropped his on a tile floor, and like a champ, it took a picture right after the fall without a problem.  I felt instantly better that I didn't buy him an expensive, fragile one...  (whatta klutz!)All in all, it's just the ticket if you want to try out digital photography before making a costly investment. I think kids would enjoy this camera because it looks cool, and let's face it, techno stuff is instantly attractive to a kid.A good way to start and worth the money!
Three days ago I received this camera. Initially I had some problems when I tried to make the software work with my Windows XP Hewlett Packard PC but the website (whose URL is written in the documents but I cannot write it here) offered me all the necessary new drivers, programs, updates, and also some very relevant information and the reason of the error messages was fixed soon. Don't expect miracles; the main miracle is that a (Chinese) machine for this miniscule price like that works at all. You can impress the people who have bought a single camera for the price of 34 JamCams, e.g. my roommate.The resolution is 640x480 but I have to reduce the size to 400x300 or so if the picture should look smooth. But the resulting 20kB JPEG pictures are appropriate for fast websites and you can do a lot of them. For example, you can try to search for &quot;hyupsing qong&quot; at Google and you might find some pictures prepared by JamCam quickly. The flash recharges every time you turn the camera on and it is probably the main killer of the (9V) battery. But don't give it up: the battery is sometimes down only for a while and then it gains the lost power again. I believe that one battery could be enough for 100 pictures or so. The timer works, too. Colors can be &quot;washed out&quot; if you use the flash from less than 6 feet. But without the flash, you can sometimes see a strange pixelization of some nearby objects. I recommend to take mostly outside pictures during the day but the camera is good for many other practical purposes.
I just got this camera and started using it.  While it's certainly nothing for fine art photography, it's really a great deal!  I'm actually reluctantly going to give it to a friend who's driving cross-country, and then I'll order another for myself.  It's also a *great* gift for a kid--I think I'll get one for my 10-year-old nephew for xmas.  All the parents have to supply him with are batteries, which is better than a film camera!I took 5 photos and 3 came out very well, one so-so and one poorly.  The poor one was back-lit, so the flash didn't go off, and was kind of blurry.  The software is very easy to use and I think you can even use their website to share photos.  I had the thing working and emailed a photo of myself (with the self-timer) to friends within about 20 minutes of UPS delivering the camera.This is a great replacement for a cheap point-and-shoot film camera.  Enjoy!
After a lot of reasearch, I picked up this camera, used, for $18.  I knew that it was a very simple model, initially aimed at youth, but oddly containing an expansion port.  And with that expansion port, I added an additional 32 megs of memory.  So at high quality, which is only 640x480 on this unit, I can take 130 pictures at a time.Now, before you start thinking this is the best thing you ever saw, it is very simple.  If you're used to your Olympus Stylus not letting you take lousy pictures, this one will let you take those lousy pictures.  It's greatest weakness is backlighting, but if you can alter the gamma with your software (and the stuff that comes with it is that standard dumbed down garbage) you'll be able to compensate.Great for playing with, taking pictures of the cats, cars, and sunsets.  But don't do the wedding photos with this one.  But by adding a $10 32 meg expansion, you have much more capacity than many of the low end ilk.  And if you want smaller, look up the Philips Key007.
If your needs are for quick, web-based pictures. This camera will do the trick. It's handy to use and will give you decent shots for use on the web. Keep in mind a few things though... It needs plenty of light to give a good image. It eats batteries (I got about seven shots before having to replace the first one). The fact that it supplies both USB and Serial cables for connectivity is nice (something that many high-end cameras don't do).Overall, this is a high-end toy - or - a low-end digital camera. Don't expect too much from it. I moved up to the HP PhotoSmart C315 almost immediately after purchase. But this is a decent camera for the price, and one of the few at this price range which has support for Macintosh.Comes in a blue finished body as well.
Good camera for the price. The sweet spot for the fixed focal length lens appears to be about 5 feet. This is the perfect digital camera for a child or young adult - a much better choice than those &quot;disposable&quot; 35mm cameras.  Noticed some weird pixelation when the camera got closer to the subject (at or around 3 feet).  The colors sometimes get washed out by the flash.
Use the search to check for the blue version of the JamCam - there is a link to drivers for XP and 2000 (and others) there.Quick summary: decent 1st camera, if you can stand 640x480.  An MMC card is not needed but makes the camera much more useful.  You can't use an MMC reader to read this card, only the camera.  The flash is too powerful at close range.Stop by the blue version's reviews for lots more.
this is a great camera for web pictures and around the house, and taking along with you, where ever. I've have fun with it. no complaints. great little camera. compared to my cusins hi tech camera. this is simple. and love it. get it. its great, but small pictures arnt very good, so get a MMc card with this.  because the big pictures are better but only get 8 with mmc card you get 38 pictures then. is great!!
I have wanted a digital camera ever since buying my mom a Largan Chameleon Digital Camera earlier this year. I paid $100, which was a good price at that time. The Jam Cam produces nearly as good a photo as the Chameleon for what amount to the cost of buying and developing three conventional rolls of film.It is extremely easy to learn to use this camera. There are two buttons on the back that control all the functions. It is very easy to read the little symbols that are displayed on the back. The camera itself feels sturdier than most cheap digital cameras, thanks to rubbery black grips on each side. It goes very nicely with the world's most popular color du jour, silver, that comprises the body.It comes with both serial and USB cables. Use the USB for very fast downloads. The software that you download into is very easy to use and performs most basic corrections without having to use the included Adobe photo software. I can't comment on that product because I use Photosuite IV for more advanced editing, but as I said, you can do most stuff right in the download mode.It uses a plain old 9 volt battery, which is great. It doesn't come with one though, so make sure you have one on hand. I plan to use a rechargable one to avoid replacing them. The battery life seems good. One thing I've noticed is that when it shows as half used, leaving it plugged in to the USB for a few minutes, it goes back to full. A fluke, or does the USB carry a charge? I'm not a techie so who knows. I've taken over 100 photos so far and the battery is still showing full, with the occaisional half full.Another review correctly said that the flash washes out indoor closeups. A sheet of toilet paper over the flash corrects that problem. An old trick. Personally, I'm grateful for the strong flash, the Largan is a bit weak in that area.With any inexpensive digital camera, you are going to have to learn how to play with it in order to work around it's shortcomings. This camera does best in good lighting, either indoors or out. You can get some graininess in some outdoor shots in the shade. Foilage can come out as a green monolith rather than branchy, for instance. The next shot can come out perfectly with just a little change in lighting or angle. The Largan does better in this regard.I've already captured some really nice photos of my dogs and house with this camera. Using the self-timer, I even got a good photo of myself, which is quite an accomplishment. I usually look like a bloated third world dictator in my photos, so I was surprised to actually get a good photo of myself in the first attempt.An optional memory card expands the capacity of the Jam Cam from the rather paltry 8 it carries without it. I am getting along nicely without it because I do a lot of stuff around the home where I can shoot and download instantly. (That's one of the nice things about a digital camera, the Polaroid-like ability to see what you got while it's still possible to re-shoot if you didn't do so well.)With the $30 rebate currently available on the Jam Cam, you are getting a functional everyday camera for the cost of three developed rolls of 35mm film. How can you go wrong? It's also great for Realtors or Appraisers who have to take &quot;disposable&quot; photos for work.
My daughters were each given a Jam Cam 2.0 last summer. We were unable to get either to operate despite all attempts by ourselves, very computer-savvy friends and calls to tech support.  By the time we gave up it was too late for returns or exchanges.  I wrote the company's corporate AND consumer relations offices to explain our predicament.  It has now been months without so much as an acknowledgement of our letters.  Given KB Gear's utter disregard and lack of meaningful support I feel compelled to discourage purchase any of their products!!!
This camera is so basic that it's not even worth the $23 some odd dollars that you pay for it. Save your money and purcahse something better. This, however, is not the main problem. I got this camera for free from a company that I do business with, so I didn't even spend one penny for it and I am still frustrated (and mad) enough to take the time to write a review. The software disk that came with it is WORTHLESS!! It does not function with windows 2000 or XP. It also may not function with other versions like ME or 98SE. When you call the customer support number found in the instruction booklet, you get a message that the number is no longer valid. If you try to go to the website that is in the instruction booklet (jamonline.com or jamcam.jamonline.com) you get junk sites. Try them and see for yourself! So what the H ell are you supposed to do to get this piece of junk to work on your computer so that you can download the pictures that you've taken?? Where is the support?? I have three words for you when it comes to this camera, JUNK, JUNK, JUNK! That's it! Save your 23 bucks and go buy a nice chinese dinner for you and whoever you were thinking of buying this camera for.
I've owned mine for over a year &amp; have been impressed with it in several ways. First is the new, lowered price; real digital cameras at such a nice price are quite a development! The applications this camera seems best suited to are: e-mailing photos, webpage posting or limited photo printing (4&quot; x 6&quot; max), as in school papers or nonprofessional grade work reports. The resolution is up to these tasks, but not much more. It has no zoom lens, which limits its usefulness. It does have a good indoor flash, and it has an expandable memory (MultiMediaCards, generally harder to find &amp; a bit higher cost than other memory formats). The camera will download into the PC via USB (forget about painfully slow serial port options), but the only way to fly is to use a separate MMC card reader (a little more $, but no battery use and much better speed). All in all, this is a great camera for younger students and beginners whose main interest is computer-based digital photography.
This is my first (and currently my only) digital camera.  I find that the camera is an adequate snapshot camera; I wouldn't use it if I were trying to receive an award in a photo show.  But, as a quick, easy to use snapshot camera, it works great. My scanner is a superb tool for scanning photos and beats this camera hands down.  However with the scanner, I have to wait for a lab to develop the film before I can put the picture on the computer.  With this camera, I can get it instantly and free (though the transfer rate from camera to computer is slow and occasionally gives error messages, so you must have a little patience when uploading the images.  For those of us who have websites and low budgets, this little camera is really great.  It does have problems in some lighting conditions, and if you are to close to something when the flash goes off, it will often over expose the image. When first learning to use the camera, try 2 shots of your subject, one with flash and one without, and don't trust the auto-flash to always pick the right setting, set the flash on or off manually.  It also has no preview LCD to view the pictures.  You also cannot delete images form its memory one at time, you must delete them all at onceAlso, if you find that the image comes out a bit to pixilated or grainy, try using software to adjust the brightness and contrast, as this will often work wonders for the picture, or at least make it acceptable.  Speaking of software, try to get a hold of other photo editing software besides what comes with the camera, as all its really good for is getting the images from the camera into the computer.So in conclusion:  If you want to buy a really cheap digital camera and use it only as a snapshot camera, you can get by. Though if you want a little more flexibility, I would recommend looking at other cameras, there are some good deals to be had in the 100-200$ range, and I will probably replace this camera with one of those myself eventually.Good Luck
Great digital camera for the price, but KB Gear did not upgrade its software to run under Windows XP. I gave it to my son who has an Apple computer and he still uses it.
This camera gives you good quality pictures, especially when you consider it's price. While it is short on features, It does what it says it will do.The only problem I've had is most of the pictures come out with horizontel lines. However, this is where the included software really shines. With a little practice, you can work use the included photodeluxe software to make great quality images. While this is a hassle if you have several pictures you want to work with, it is fine for a casual photographer who doesn't need the features or cost of a more expensive digital camera.
I have more than 50 years experience with professional quality cameras and photography, so I feel qualified to give an informed opinion. If you are expecting Leica or Hassleblad digital quality this is not the camera for you.  But if you want surprisingly good digital photos to send to friends or to sell stuff on eBay, this is a perfect solution at minimum cost.  I liked mine so much I bought a second one.I understand it isn't compatible with Windows XP.  This is not a problem for me because I use the latest iMac (flat screen on a stalk growing out of the top of half of a basketball) loaded with OS 9.6 and OS X, and the JamCam works flawlessly.Most of the problems I'm reading about in reviews occur because the owners haven't bothered to read the manual.  For example, battery life isn't a problem if you just follow the instructions and turn off the camera after use (..duhhhh!...) I've taken more than 40 shots on my first battery and it's still going strong.Download the instruction manual, print it out, and READ IT.  The associated &quot;Most Frequently asked Questions and answers&quot; should also be printed out because this list clarifies things not covered clearly in the manual. If you don't read the manual and most frequently asked questions you won't know how to use the camera properly and you will be disappointed. 'Nuff said.You can't beat this little digital camera without spending big bucks. Quality of the shots is surprisingly good, even on printouts. Hope this helps.Al Thompson, Brady, Texas
This is a word of advice to any would-be buyers of the jamcam 3.0: &quot;Don't!&quot;. The product is a toy at best. But the real problem (yes, there is one worse) is the business practices of this company. Non-existent customer support (emails bounce), invalid toll-free numbers, and unclaimable rebate offers. There is defintiely something fishy going on. I would go as far as to say beware of KBgear in general. I learned at a price. I rate this product a one-star only b/c a zero rating is not possible.
It's always great to find a product where the maker keeps the price down by omitting features rather than by cutting corners on quality.Sure, this camera isn't super-high-resolution, nor does it have many extra features. But what it does it does well. It's easy to use, and the photos are fine for most snapshot-type uses. It's also rugged - highly recommended for kids.The software loaded with no hassles and has a simple user interface. The camera hooks up to a PC easily, and I haven't had a single glitch uploading.I will recommend that you add the 16MB MultiMedia Card. Without it, the camera only holds 8 shots. With it, the capacity goes up to 69 - much more useful.
...P>I bought this last year and initially it worked great.  It does what it says and if you're taking low-end pictures for things like online auctions (which is the exact/only reason I bought it) you get a great value for your money.However, there are 2 things you should know about.First, this company is no longer in business.  If you purchase this with a rebate voucher, then forget about ever getting the rebate.  The company's website is still up but you won't receive a response if you e-mail them.  If you try calling them you'll get an 'out of service' message.  I verified their present state of affairs (out of business) by doing some other research on the internet.  Although this company once had great service and support, it is now a passive system--what you see on the internet is all there is.  HOWEVER, their websites are still up, and downloads are still available.Second,  this camera was not designed to work with Windows XP.  I had Windows 98 when I bought it and had 0 problems with this OS.  However, once I upgraded to Windows XP it wouldn't work.  Although I downloaded the patches/drivers from the website, I still couldn't get it to work...I finally found a website where someone gave me instructions on how to find the .sys file and get it working.  The program now loads but it crashes 75% of the time...very frustrating....
A good starter camera.  I bought mine as a gift for a child who likes to take pictures.  Figured it would save the parents some film and development costs.  It takes nice pictures in good light within it's stated range of 3 to 8 feet.  And when they say a max of 8 feet, they mean it!  Pictures taken at any greater distance are utterly useless.  But you can't beat the price and it is extremely simple to use and download to your PC with the included USB cable.
This was a great little camera for its day.  I think it has been overcome by technology now.  It did take some good pictures.
I was looking for [an inexpensive] digital camera for posting to web based auctions. Well, this is about as [inexpensive] as it gets. Yes, the OEM battery won't last a day, but the good one I bought has lasted for 3 dozen pictures *and* downloads and is still going. If you're looking for something to use like a *real* camera, buy something else.  If you want to email pictures to friends or post pictures on an auction site, this camera will work until you want to spend enough money for a real digital camera.
The old cliche that you get what you pay for makes another apperance with this digital camera. Although the specs look OK and the pricetag looks excellent, the reality is that unless you're in an office-setting (regarding the lighting and general distance the camera will have to deal with) the camera performs very poorly. It's a great teenager camera (which is obviously the entire point from just looking at the camera packaging itself and the name) because it's cheap and it does the job, but if you're looking for any pictures from your trip to France that you can look at 10 years from now and sigh over with your kids, this is not the camera. Under no circumstances have I found it to be good taking outdoor pictures, no matter the lighting. The camera also reacts poorly to colored lighting (like house lamps).Great birthday present for your 16 year old, but if you want real pictures, I look elsewhere.
This camera was purchased for our 12 yr old son to use on field trips, vacation, ectc.  We added extra memory so he now takes about 160 shots on any given trip.  The photos are clear enough for his purposes.  The only down side is I hate downloading 160 photos... it takes forever.
This is a lousy camera, even for the price! It drains alomst an entire battery with 8 pictures. Do not buy this under any circumstances!
I bought one of these when they first came out almost two years ago - bought it strictly for auction sale pics.  I have dropped it several times, it still works.  I added an extra 28 MB memory card, and it made a world of difference in the capacity, BUT it totally messed up the LCD screen - my USB connection is loose, so I have to jiggle it sometimes to get it to work - BUT!!!  I have been less than nice to it, and it has been great to me for what I paid for it.  Close ups are non exisitant (meaning don't even try) flash pictures are always washed out.  I believe there is no longer a web site for the company - check that out too. You DO NOT need ANY extra software to download or alter the pics - Jam Cam includes that with the Cam.  I WOULD recommend this (with a 28 MB memory card) for a younger person just learning photography, or someone like me that 2 years ago could not afford anything else!!!
I just got this little camera and the pictures that I have taken so far have been good. It seems easy to use and for a starter camera it is great. I look forward to taking more pictures with my little camera.
If you haven't guessed, this is a toy digital camera. What a great little toy tho!It performs as advertised. It setup fast, software is fairly friendly and the kids can take it without a worry. The images are only good for emailing or lite web publishing. Don't expect to print anything worth framing.I got web pages for my nephews with this camera and they can take pictures and publish them on the web.On the downside, a memory card expansion was a tough find. I ended up buying one from KB Gear because I couldn't be sure what other cards would work. The KB cards are expensive.
The JamCam works great for a relatively low end digital camera and it's the only digital camera I found that will work with a Mac.  An excellent camera for kids: they can shoot all the shots they want without the expense or time delay of film processing.  It was a big hit at my daughters birthday party.  The indoor flash worked great and the bundled software allows image manipulation like swaping heads and putting the subject of one picture into the background of another. - Hint for Mac users: it requires OS 8.5.1 or newer (8.5 wouldn't work).
You get what you pay for and this camera is cheap, cheerful and great for those people who want to tinker with a digital camera but don't want to pay the earth.  For this much money, you can't go wrong with this solid little number that takes pretty good digital pictures and is SO easy to use.  The instruction booklet is simple to follow and isn't too technical.  It also comes with a both a USB and serial port cable so you can choose how to download your photos.  It runs off a 9v battery, can hold up to eight photos but be warned you don't have the luxury of seeing your photos before you download them to a computer. Remember this is a basic digital camera and has next to no fancy extras.  As a bonus however you can increase the memory with an expandable memory card but that costs extra and will put the price of the camera up if you choose to go down that avenue.Like I said this is a cheap and cheerful camera so it's pot-luck as to how good your photos are.  It does have a flash so it can be used indoors and there is a low battery indicator to tell you when to change the old dry cells.  This camera isn't for the serious photographer, kids will love it, adults who just want to muck around with something remotely digital like will enjoy using it, and it takes a pretty good photo for something at the bottom end of the digital camera market. A good stocking filler for Christmas if there ever was one.  What more can you ask from a cheap digital camera?
I own a JamCam 3.0.  It can write but not read all photos on a 32MB MultimediaCard -- it times out downloading and the camera shuts off after 100 photos.  Also, it uses a proprietary format which is not compatible with USB card readers such as the MicrotechInt ZiO MMC USB card reader.  Other than that, it is a good, rugged, cheap camera.  Just don't buy a 32MB MMC card or ZiO reader to use with this camera.
For a sufficiently low price, this is a pretty decent 640x480 camera, especially with a cheap MMC card added. With the driver updates listed in other reviews, it works tolerably with WinXP as well, though it's much smoother going with Win98SE. The flash works tolerably well at night, though it's rather overpowering if you're too close to the subject. Its TWAIN driver is also annoying, as it apparently gives no way to download raw images (all are pre-processed before download).One suggestion made in another review, though, is completely off-track: an MMC card reader CANNOT BE USED with this camera! (Has the reviewer who suggested it ever actually used this camera...?) Photos are saved to the card in an annoying proprietary format, which means that it cannot be read other than with the camera. I'd strongly suggest use of a 9V battery eliminator for downloading, or you'll find yourself going through batteries at quite a clip!Another shopping site also states clearly that MMC cards >16M in size do not work properly with this camera.  There's a lot of misinformation present about this camera in the reviews and links here - caveat emptor!
If you need Windows XP or 2000 drivers, they are available from (...) as well as help with installation, instructions and other helpful hints.  Great starter camera and fun for kids.
Bought this as a gift for a teenager. It seems to work, but has limited memory space (8 pictures) and a slow serial connection to download pictures (as opposed to faster USB). But what can you expect for the bargain basement price. Good introduction to digital photographer for younger folk.
Bad software, hard to understand manual and just too difficult for the child I bought it for. We did much better spending more money and getting a "real" digital camera!
Try any email support or phone number for reaching this company they will said: disconnected! And I can guest why. JamP3 or JamCam both have drivers that crash the operating system! The software of JamCam is very annoying. The quality of picture is very bad, my cheaper Logitech webcam and Labtec webcam have better quality. You have to wait 8 seconds between pictures, not because of the flash even with picture without flash. Time is money, buy anything else than product from kbgear! The camera can take just 8 pictures because of its low memory...
KB Gear has gone out of business!!  Does not work with XP and never will.
These lithium batteries from Mybatterysupply were not fresh and had reduced capacity.  I used them in a laser sight that was starting to dim noticeably after a few seconds from having used it extensively and run down the original battery. I ordered a six pack of new ones and they dimmed right away also.  When I checked the voltage on them they were the same as the one I had already used extensively.  There was no expiration date on them and I assume they must have been close to or past expiration.  In the future I'll only buy replacements with an advertised expiration date that shows they are fresh.
How do I write a review about a camera battery?  The item I ordered is exactly what I received.  The order arrived in a very timely fashion, was exactly what I wanted, and the price was very much more reasonable than I could obtain locally.And it arrived a day or so before I expected it!It just does not get any better than that.
Always worry about date codes when I can't tell online.  This vender puts out NEW production and I got it quick=!Buy from them and you will be happy.
I bought some batteries from another company, and after just a couple weeks my camera quit working so I thought it was broken. My brother suggested I try other batteries, saying some brand new batteries were already dead. I got these and they are fully charged (The other ones WERE dead!) and they work wonderfully. I got them very quickly and am very happy with the service and product.
Recommend all Energizer products as I can attest to the fact that they back up their products without question. I had an expensive flashlight that I used their batteries in and one leaked and ruined the light and they replaced the batteries and the flashlight. Good company.
this case looks kinda cool not really big maybe small but if u put a extra battery in additional pockets it's stikini out but enough place for memory card
The PSC 100 case looks great plus it is very soft too. The pocket provides enough room for an extra memory card and battery. My only complaint is it adds a little too much bulk for your pocket. The case adds around 1/2 inch of thickness to the camera which is a lot considering the small footprint of the Elph. I can put up with the bulk for the added protection the case provides.
Canon came out with some tiny digital cameras. I personal have the Canon ELP S110. No difference in size with the S100. This case is a must have. Velco strap secure the camera inplace with an extra zipper pouch allowing you to carry an extra CF card and a spare battery. Protect your investment. Go and pick one up. Note: This case will not fit the S300.
This Korean-made case for the Digital Elph is a disappointment.  The main compartment can barely hold the Digital Elph.  Every time I put my camera in the case I have to use a lot of force, fearing I would do some harm to the camera (a fear admittedly not well founded).  It can be a very frustrating experience.The case also looks ugly and feels cheap.  The front compartment can hold a battery and a CF card, but there's no easy way to carry the case except just holding the whole thing.But right now (Jan 2001) you have no choice if you need a case for the S100.  Shame on Canon for not including a case in the Digital Elph camera kit.
I was a bit sceptical when I bought this case after reading some of the reviews. I must say the case does the job perfectly. It does what it is supposed to do. It protects the Elph and fits perfectly. It's stylish and classy and keeps the camera clean and free of dust and other particles. It's well worth the money. Afterall, you spent a good buck for the camera, why not give it some protection. Realistically, this case should come with the camera. Maybe Canon will eventually do this.
Unnecessary bulky, although perfectly functional with room for extra cards and batteries. Good if you want to keep your elph in your backpack, but doubles the size of it in your hands. In it you can no longer put your elph in your pocket. You will love it if you like things hanging on your belt.Edited 08/02/2002: just came back from hiking Mount Rainier.  This thing was keeping my S110 on my belt without bothering me, yet was close whenever I needed it!  Changing my rating from 3 to 4 stars
It's a simple little soft case that fits snuggly on the camera.  The case has a belt loop on the back so you can slide your belt through and hold it safely at your side.  The case also has a nice little pouch on the front for an extra battery and memory card, and if you REALLY cram it, you can even get the cable that connects to your computer inside that little pouch.  I only wish there were an easy way to attach a should strap to the case for the days I don't have a belt.
This case is great.The only complaint I could have is that the case should have come with the camera in the first place!With that said, this case is very cute and nice and durable. There's a slot to slide it on to your belt. A compartment to store several other memory cards (if you use more than one)  and a snug fit to keep your camera from bouncing out suddenly.I'll have to buy this one again since I didn't attach it to my belt and lost the case in a night of revelry. Whooops!
I was so anxious to get a camera case I almost bought a generic case for my S200 from Best Buy.  Good thing I waited to buy this case, as it is far superior to any generic case I could have bought.  This case is the perfect size for my Elph, it does add size to the camera, making it harder to get in your pocket, but the belt clip works great, so its hardly ever a problem.  Good color for the case, and the front pocket holds enough to help out when you need another battery or flash card.  The strap still comes out of one of the sides of the case, so you can still use it.  Not a case to protect from the elements, but it will protect from impacts VERY well.  For it's price, less than the generic cases, and its great fit and quality, I would most definatly buy this case again if my current one were to ever wear out or become lost.
This item is the best match with my Canon Power Shot S100. It's cheap. It fits the camera perfectly well, and covers it from being scratched or dust. The model is simple, yet stylish, and importantly it doesn't make my camera bulky.
Since I was mainly looking for a case to protect my camera from the accidental drops when I'm not taking pictures, I'm pretty happy with my selection. (and I have dropped it from a height of maybe 2-3 feet onto pavement with no harm to my camera.) A couple of details:1) The picture on the website seems to be a much darker grey than the actual case. The case seems to be more of a heather grey.2) The case has a little zipper in front that it is perfect for storing additional memory cards and battery packs. It's well designed as after you open up the zipper, it has two pouches inside so your memory card/battery fits in snuggly.3) The case protects the camera reasonably well. However, on one side of the case, it is open (probably so the camera cord is not covered by the case. This side is held by velcro. Generally pretty good, the velcro sometimes comes apart if not velcroed well.If you're looking for a case that protects your camera when you're not using it, I would say this case does the job. However, it does not shield the camera (slightly open on one side) and it basically just makes your camera larger (not as easy to put in your pocket yet not so large that you can carry it around your neck, etc.) All in all, if you're looking for a general case, this is probably a pretty good choice.
This case is the perfect size. My S110 fits into it perfectly, and the pouch on the front allows for storage of an extra battery (could fit an extra memory card as well). Velcro restraints in the case keep the camera from sliding around.I recommend this case for anyone who is looking for a no frills functional case, and doesn't plan to carry around more than a camera.
This is a nice little case from Canon that safely holds not only your S110, but also up to two batteries, two compact flash cards, or one of each.  However, this case doesn't fit well inside the pocket of your jeans.  It's great as a belt clip case however.  For more pocketable needs, I say just sew up a thin little bag for it out of non-scratching material like from cloth lens wipe. It'll be paper thin and if you can find your mom or someone experienced in the field to measure it correctly, it wouldn't add any additional hassle when being used.
I purchased this for the S200, when it came I thought it was too small.  But it is perfect.  Fits on your belt never gets in the way.  Took it on a trip to Maui in March and it was great.
I have an S100 in it, and it fits very snugly. There is room for an extra memory card and that's all. I like it, but I would have made it just a little less of a squeeze.
This thing is great! It fits the s100 perfectly. You can wear it on a belt like a "holster", which is perfect for guys because we don't have purses to throw a camera in. A few suggestions: don't carry both a memory card and a battery in the front pouch at the same time. It makes it too bulky. Also, when velcroing the camera in, push the front and back of the case together as far as possible before letting the velcro touch. In conclusion, a great buy for [for the money]!
Slim, light and nice. What else do you expect for your Canon Camera ? Space for CFs and extra battery is included. Recommended it.
All I can say is that it is reasonably priced, designed specifically for this camera, has space for another CF card and battery pack, and it even has a belt loop. What else could you ask for? Buy one!!!
This battery is an over-priced piece of junk.  Here's why: Li-Ion batteries are the worst possible option for a digital camera.  Why?  Because in order to extend their life, they need to be topped off continuously.  For digital cameras, Ni-Cad batteries are the perfect solution.  Who takes three shots and then recharges the battery?  Not me.  Instead, a Ni-Cad battery lasts longest if you discharge it fully and then charge it up.  It's the perfect solutions for a camera.  I've bought five of these batteries.  I hate having to pay so much for them.  Next time, I'll buy a camera that takes a standard battery like an AA or AAA.
If you own the Canon Digital Elph series, you enjoy a camera that is superb at being totally portable, as in pop it in your shirt pocket, always at the ready, but small batteries have limited storage capacity. Maybe someday, technology will remedy that, but for the present, bigger is better. I bought one of these Canon battery packs for my brother as a Christmas present. His Canon digital elph 100 was capable of getting about 25 pictures, as long as he didn't use the LCD preview sceeen, or the flash. If he did, then it was further reduced. So one of these batteries is a neccessity. You trade off convenience and portability for function. The battery is not inexpensive as well.I bought an Olympus C-240, which is almost the same width as the Canon, but significantly deeper, due to the battery storage area at one end, and the lense. Consequently I get over 150 shots, with inexpensive rechargeable AA batteries. It holds 4. Seven times the usage, and less than half of the price.I must admit, my brother gets a lot more use out of his Canon digital elph than I get out of my Olympus. He has the luxury of carrying it with him most of the time. He pops it in his pocket at will. For me I have to lug a somewhat small, but nevertheless, a camera bag around with me. He loves his Canon, and because of the convenience, wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. As a matter of fact, he bought three altogether, so his teenage sons would have one as well.Get the extra battery. It is the only one that will fit into the Canon cameras custom fit and enclosure. (I am not sure if a replacement mfr is available, and what that would do to the warranty) With the second battery, a fun night of picture taking is assured.
[Money] for a battery? Sure is [pricey], but I can get an extra 40 or shots with a battery that fits in the change pocket of a pair of jeans with room to spare.
The price is abit high; nevertheless, the camera is useless without power. Note: When charging, there is a whining noise. Seems harmless (at the moment) to the battery or the outlet.
I purchased a S100 about 2 years ago and also an extra battery.  After taking several thousand photos, these batteries are toast!  Starting fully charged, it seems the "low power" icon now blinks on after taking only a few photos.  Charging also seems way too fast, under a half hour (and it makes no difference even if I charge them overnight).  I am looking for replacements, but Amazon doesn't seem to sell these any more.  I suppose it's possible my charger is to blame, but these batteries don't last long under heavy use in my experience.
A must for extended sessions of photo taking - the Elph generates a surprising amount of heat. This battery is well engineered, incredibly lightweight and it performs. I've recharged mine 50 or more times and it never seems to develop those &quot;conditioning&quot; problems that other batteries get.The most helpful advice I give to other Canon Elph owners: to conserve the battery, turn the LCD viewfinder off and just use its optical viewfinder like a regular camera to take pics. After taking a pic, leave the button depressed and it'll pop-up in the LCD after a second for you to review it until you let go. I have yet to even open my backup battery using the camera this way.
this battery provides a good amount of power considering its rather small size. however, when being charged, the battery produces an easily audible whine. At least you'll know it's done charging once the whining noise is gone.
This battery lasts about 20 shots with the Canon S100, if you're lucky. You simply have to buy a backup battery if you want to do some serious photo taking. It's a bit pricey, but since no other battery fits the S100, Canon can charge whatever they want. It does a full recharge in about 2 hours and doesn't seem to have a &quot;memory effect&quot; with constant charge and recharge. If the price was less I'll give it 5 stars.
You can't have one of this nice cameras just with one battery. This one is original, more expensive than others you will find in ebay (with a doubtful origin). Justified difference.
... the NB-1L is ridiculously high priced, but you will definitely want to buy one if you do any amount of photography with your Digital Elph S100!
Not too much to say about this. The cassete looks polished and sturdy. It work as expected however I'm still having problems while recording. Guess the VHS itself is too much old.
I have used it a couple of times and it seems ok but I have no real way of gauging it
Quality VHS tapes are hard to find these days with everything going digital.  This are a must have for the older crowd who still uses VCRS to record their shows.
VHS is barely alive but good tape such as this Fuji cassette will extend the format as long as you need it. Getting harder to find each year.
It's good to know that I can still by certain items on line,  for there are times that I might not be able to find it in the store.  Thanks!
...and I did a lot of research before buying this one. Unless you're a fine art photographer or *really* want to make poster size blow-ups of your shots, you don't *need* any more resolution than this offers! ...so why let the marketing droids convince you otherwise and pay a premium for it? This is an *extremely* easy to use camera that takes sharp photos in all daylight conditions. In extremely poor light the flash may slightly wash out things that are too close but that is the *only* caveat I have to offer. Most important for Linux users is the CompactFlash. With a PCMCIA adapter CompactFlash cards simply appear as another filesystem on Linux, so it's easy to transfer photos to a PC running Linux. (I don't use Windoze so I haven't even loaded the included Kodak software and can't vouch for it.) Hurry and buy this while it's available. Sooner or later &quot;They&quot; will decide everyone needs at least 6 megapixels.
A very simple camera that yields acceptable photos with a minimum of fuss. You won't be able to fit many pictures into the internal memory, so be prepared to spend at least $... more for a memory card. One annoying thing - once you have that memory card, you have to remove it in order to record into the internal memory. While this camera works for me, I think that it is worth the extra money to buy a camera with a zoom lens. The 2x digital zoom on this camera is useless - yes, images are magnified 2x, but the resolution goes down 2x as well.
My wife just gave me this camera for my birthday and I can sum up my feelings in one word: WOWI have a high end Kodak digital camera that doesn't always get used due to it's size, weight and cost. The DC3200 is a perfect addition to my collection of cameras! It's point and shoot easy and the picture quality is excellent. If you plan on printing standard 3x5 or 4x6 pictures, this camera will give you super results.Hey, it's not fancy by any means. You turn it on and press the shutter (so to speak) button. You can use the onboard memory (only 2 Meg so you can't fit very many pics on it) but when you add a larger (15 Meg or so) card...you have the ability to take a ton of pics.You'll need to buy some rechargable batteries and a memory card reader to complete your package. Add a good photo program like MS Picture-it and your digital darkroom is ready to go.If your looking for a point and shoot digital camera at a VERY good price this is it.
Overall, I love it.Pros: - good pictures quality - Bright LCD - Easy to use, easy to understand controls.  On the other hand, I  alway have to refer to the user manual for my Canon A50.Cons: - The flash is too bright for show distance shots. - No lens cover - No self-timer
This was my first digital camera. I bought it a year ago and I have had a lot of fun with it. It is great for e-mailing pictures to your friends. The image quality for e-mail purposes is very good. Also I love that you can see the picture you just took in the LCD screen. I delete a lot of bad pictures before I get one I like.This camera will not replace your regular camera however. The 1 megapixel resolution is not high enough to print a large regular photo quality picture. If you set the camera to its highest resolution you might be able to print an acceptible 5x7 photo. The memory included with the camera is not enough. It will hold two or so highest quality photos and about 16 normal e-mail quality photos. I would recommed you buy the compact flash card to extend the memory.If you want to use this camera mainly for e-mailing photos, the Kodak 3200 will do very well. If you have visions of creating your own professional photo processing center please save your money a little longer and get a 2 or 3 MP camera. I eventually plan to get another digital camera with more kick, but I am content to use this one for now.
I bought this camera and thought it was too simple for me.  The picture quality is awesome and they print great.  The only down side to this camera is that pictures taken at a very close range come out over exposed because of the bright flash.I returned this camera for a Fuji Finepix model.  Fuji seems to have it going on with digital cameras in my opinion.  This Kodak camera is good for beginners but since I enjoy using digital cameras I needed something smaller and better.If your looking for perfect quality on every angle I would recommend a Fuji model.  If this is a first buy, then this camera would suite your needs because the prints are great and the photos are of great quality.  I enjoyed this camera in the short time I owned it but my demands are high for a camera to be worth while.
I have been searching for a megapixel camera for some time, well my time has come! The Kodak DC3200 is very basic, but has very good image quality. CCD image devices are NOT all the same and Kodak has a great one.  The camera is very compact.  I know, it looks huge in the pictures.  The camera also has some very nice power saving features (which are annoying at first)that do extend battery life a good 25%.  Once a new user quits fiddling with the LCD view screen, he will realize the benefits of these power saving features.  To maximize camera function go out and immediately buy a flash card.  Look on Amazon for the Lexar 16mb compactflash card with the JumpShot USB cable.  With it I can download 187 pictures in less than a minute.  Downside is that internal 2mb memory is bypassed when using the flash card but it is no big deal.  If you use the 2mb internal memory it can be downloaded to the flash card so you NEVER have to use the slow poke serial port.  Try this camera, you'll like it.  Better yet, add the Lexar flash card and JumpShot to your purchase!
My friend has this camera, and it works so much better than the camera I have at work which cost almost 400 bucks.  Last night I purchased the HP215, because it is a 1.3MP.  I tell you, I'm taking it back to get this camera.  The quality of the HP215 doesn't compare with the quality of this camera.  They come oou kinda yellow, and somewhat pixelated.  Not this camera.  It's the same as a point &amp; Shoot 35mm.  I would definately recommend this camera to anyone.  The reason for only 4 stars is that it doesn't have a timer, and it doesn't have USB capability, so uploading photos to your computer will be slow, but worth the wait.  Hope this helps
I bought this camera for my mother, and I was afraid that she wouldn't use it because it would be too complicated.  I have an older Olympus digital camera that is complicated to use and the software is weird, too.  My mother was emailing me Christmas pictures within an hour of unwrapping the thing!  She loves it, and I enjoy all of the photos she sends.  I only have one detraction from my review and that is the flash: it is too powerful.  I think you can set it to be lighter, though my mom hasn't read that far yet.
I can not belive how much the price has come down on the DC3200. I pay over [$$] for mine year and half ago. For this price you can pick one up for the kids. It has work well for use on trips to the zoo. But if you think you can get some good shots at christmas or the every moving new baby-forget it! It did take some nice shots at my brothers' wedding. You need to get close to the subjuct and not very much movement to get the shot. This camera is NOT forgiving. It will however make good 5x7 size pictures, but it is not too good for larger sizes. I did have some large size photos come out. The larger the more blurry they will become. We bought this thinking we would save some money on developing cost. I think we may have spent it on on ink. It is good for basic still somewhat close shots that you will be archiving with a cd burner and to lets the kids learn the art taking pictures. At this price do buy then you will know what you will what. It's a great price i might even buy one for my mom she loves my camra, but I am wanting a lot more. Like getting the shot even it the kids move a miro amount. No kid will stay still very long even olan mills has trouble with my 3 boys at one shot.
Really nice digital camera which won't be a waste if you get a high-end one later.  Inexpensive but not cheaply made... a great companion for a laptop.  Pictures are excellent.  If you use a Flash Memory and a reader or a PCMCIA adapter, downloading is fast and you don't drain batteries.  LCD can be shut off, again saving batteries.  Incidentally, if you are an &quot;occasional use&quot; photographer, rechargable batteries may not be as good as non-rechargeables because rechargeables discharge at a rate of 10 percent per month while they are not in use.  Regular batteries can hold their charge for years.
As an avid 35mm photographer, I've put off going digital because the cameras themselves are so limited compared to SLRs.So, first: The 3200 is a fixed focus, wide angle camera. It has a digital zoom feature, but it's only available when your using the lowest quality image setting. And, as a very picky 35mm photographer, I should point out that even at the higher quality settings, you shouldn't expect to get high-quality prints larger than snap-shot size.*BUT*: Given the resolution of the camera, the quality of the images is excellent; My first use of the camera was on a disney vacation, and I gave it a huge work-out. I added a 48 meg memory card to it, shot hundreds of photos, and really appreciated the ability to delete pictures right out of the camera - that way you can go crazy take a ton of pictures, then delete the ones that didn't work out.I'd give the camera five stars, but the fact that it doesn't come with a video cable or memory card is kind of frustrating. The built in 2 megs isn't enough memory to do anything except test the camera.
one of my friends saw this cam for cheap 3 years ago so me and another of our buddies went out and bought the cam. it was our first digi cam and for what it is its great. nothing fancy here, just a simple point and shoot digi cam which produces some pretty good pics. i have took it anywhere and everywhere i have gone, and have always been happy with the pics, a few weeks back i updated to a Panasonic FZ-20, so this Kodak will live its life out in my glove box, never know when a cam will come in handy and this one is great. its rugged and tough so it will with stand the glove box tumbles.please remember that this camera i bought 3 years ago and in todays world its not worth the price of 150 though if you find it for 50 or less then by all means buy it.
It takes very nice pictures, excepting at night or dark places.
I bought one a week ago and, like most people here, am more than happy with it. I list more dislikes than likes simply because other people have gone over the good parts already.Likes:Look/Feel: It feels and handles like a point-and-shoot 35mm. Kodak didn't try to reinvent the wheel.Performance: I started out lookng at a cheap 640 by 480 camera. This is a great improvement. There is a high enough resolution to let you trim your images to correct poor aim or reduce the size before emailing.Ease of Use: Worked great right out of the box.Dislikes:Serial Cable: It takes forever to download photos and burns through batteries like crazy.Small Memory: 2Meg is not large enough to be practical, perhaps 6 pictures at the highest resolution.Software: The &quot;Pictures Now&quot; software isn't very good. It runs very slowly on my AMD 380 PC. But, it is free. I've been using &quot;Vueprint&quot;, a shareware package from Hamrick.com for quite a few years and it's phenomenal.No Lens Cap: What were they thinking? For much less than a dollar they could have included one and I'm not spending .... I've been looking around the house for something I can use for one.I'd buy this camera again in a heartbeat. It's a winner. By adding a 64Meg memory card and a USB interface I've eliminated my two biggest gripes for .... I can now take somewhere around 200 pictures at the highest resolution at one time and download them in about a minute without using up the camera's batteries.
This camera is an great value and I am very pleased with it.  The photo quality and color is excellent.  The video output that allows you to view your photos on a TV is nice feature, for those times when your computer is not available.  The serial port interface is slower than the USB interface that most new cameras come with, but it is a plus if you do not have a USB interface on your computer.  Some say the battery life is to short, but I have been pleased with battery life so far.  Like most digital cameras, the DC3200 comes with inadeqaute memory, so plan to buy a separate memory pack.  My average photo uses just under 0.2 Megabytes of memory.The negatives are:1. Close up photos with flash are over-exposed.2. There is a delay (perhaps 1 sec) between the time when you push the button and the exosure occurs.  This makes action photos very difficult.3. You cannot take phoses in quick succession because of the processing delay. (perhaps 3 or 4 seconds beteen photos)
This is a pretty good deal on a Kodak 1-megapixel camera. What is a 1-megapixel camera you ask? Well, it's about the maximum resolution (the best) you would want for a digital camera whose main task will be taking pictures for emailing or website posting. Higher resolution makes for larger files which require not only more time to upload (i.e. to transfer to an email or to post on a website), but more time to download for your reader. In fact, the new 3-megapixel cameras make photo files so large that a person with a well-tuned 56k (regular modem) connection would have to wait almost 6 minutes to download (view) a single photo! This particular camera then is well-suited to internet apps, and you'll probably use it on lower than 1-megapixel resolution most of the time.  PROS: 1) Price 2) Quality  3) USB connection  4) CompactFlash (expandable) memory  5) Through-the-lens shooting. CONS: 1) Limited zoom (digital zooms are poor relatives of optical zooms)  2) High battery usage  3) Mediocre flash capability.
While it is by no means the most feature rich digital camera available, it is a fine point-and-click camera that will get you good quality photos without busting the bank.It has its pluses and its minuses like anything else, but it still remains a fine digital camera especially for first time buyers. It is pretty inexpensive but you don't really loose quality for a lower price. Its main shortcomings are that it has a flash that could be seen from the moon. It is way too bright for taking pictures up close in a dark situation. However, the flash can be diffused somewhat by securing a piece of tissue over the flash. Since it is a budget model digital camera it has only a 2X digital zoom, which is not really very useful, but it does have it anyhow. Another downside to this camera is its use of a serial cable to transfer the pictures from camera to computer. This isn't bad at all if you have only five or six photos, but more than twenty will be a tiring experience. The camera also comes with a tiny amount of internal memory (2MB). This is not nearly enough memory to allow a user to store photos from a week long vacation. To combat this shortcoming a CompactFlash memory card is a must. I personally have a 32MB Lexar card and it works splendidly. Rechargeable batteries are also a must. It also lacks a self timer.Despite all this the camera does have several pluses. For one thing it is very easy to use. There are only five buttons on the back of the camera and two of those control the zoom feature. Deleting photos from memory can often be accomplished using only two buttons. This camera also comes with an LCD which is a welcome addition. I think the LCD is too bright and doesn't give you an accurate preview of the picture, but it is much better than having no LCD at all. It also has a slot that allows the user to install an inexpensive CompactFlash card in order to store many times over what the internal memory can store.While you will never get really high quality photos from this camera, you will get lots of use out of it if you are content to store pictures on your hard-drive or a CD-RW. As I said before, this camera certainly has it's faults, but it also has plenty of reasons why it would make a fine beginner's digital camera.
I purchased this camera for my 8 year old daughter. she loves it. she took 96 pictures in the first two days. this camera is very easy to operate. I also puchased a 32 meg compact flash card and a card reader (USB), the camera does not come with USB.
Are you looking to begin digital photography? How about just looking for a new camera that is modern, and won't break the budget? If so, then this is the camera for you!When I bought my DC3200, I had never owned a digital camera. I wanted to begin digital photography, and so I visited my local Meijer's. I asked the guy to recommend an inexpensive, decent quality camera, and this is the camera he pointed to right away!This camera is easy to use, and highly expandable. Buy a FlashCard, and a FlashCard Reader (it will save you a lot of time waiting for slow downloads), and you will have more room than you know what to do with.The only limiting factors, are the low zoom rates (1x or 2x), and the fixed lens, but then what can you expect from a camera this inexpensive? If you are new or just need to take pictures for your family events, then this camera will take care of your needs and then some.
I recently bought this camera as a bundle package with the Kodak PPM200 printer. After reading some of the reviews online both negative and positive I decided to give this package a try. I DO NOT REGRET IT!!!! The camera itself is very easy to use. The quality of the pictures are excellent. The printer is great, very convenient. NO need to upload to your PC. Just pop the flashcard into the printer and presto great quality pictures within minutes. You can upload to your PC with this camera but I found that since it has a serial port connection it can sometimes take up to 5 minutes but the solution is to purchase a flashcard reader. You uploads are instantly on your PC. I am glad I took the chance and bought it.
We bought this camera from a relative who wasn't ready for the digital age (even though it's extremely simple to use).  We've had it for 4 years now and it has never failed us yet!  We use it for every function and with our outdoors lifestyle and 2 active little girls, it's been dropped repeatedly with no problems in function--it's tough!  The only problem I have with it is the aforementioned battery door problem (which was already broken when we received it) but a thick rubberband has worked wonders and we have no problems with it draining batteries as long as our 3-year old doesn't pull the rubber band off!  This is a great camera for a first-time digital camera user and with the Compact Flash card, it holds an amazing amount of photos!  We do print ours out and they are just as clear (if not clearer) than a regular 35mm film camera when the digital is set to 'best' so it's really a bargain! This is a great camera folks, we highly recommend it!
I have wanted a digital camera for SO long, but never wanted to pay the high price for some of the &quot;necessities&quot;. This camera fit the bill. Within 10 minutes of opening the box, I was taking pictures and emailing them to grandma. Within and hour, I was taking pictures and loading auctions to help pay for my new toy! Yes, it could have come with an AC adapter,lens cover, etc. BUT, in my case, I would prefer to buy that next month. You can always add on buy buying a memory card, USB flash card reader, etc. That would make it faster, but for my purposes, as a &quot;mom&quot;, this camera really works well for me and my budget!! Oh, I might add, I did have to call Kodak for one teeny little question and they had my question answered in 30 seconds or less! So, they do back their product! If you go to their website, you can even play an interactive demo of this camera and see actual photographs!  One feature that I really love is that I am able to crop and modify pics all from one place before sending them out. No more wasting download time on boring backgrounds!!  So, if you need/want an inexpensive solution to the digital camera, this would be it. If you want all the add ons and want to pay the price now, you would go with  a more expensive camera. However, the quality of the pic is tremendous!
This is my first digital camera and I love it. It was easy to use right from the box. It takes great pictures, and I had some prints made from the photos I had taken, and you can't tell them from a regular camera print. Some people have stated they wish it came with a lens cap, well I called Kodak to order one and they said yes they had it, and when I asked how much he said he would send it to me free of charge. I dont think you can get better service then free. Great Job Kodak. and all of you who need a lens cap call Kodak. Hope this helps.
This camera takes really nice pictures and considering what we paid for it, it is wonderful.  The flash distance is a little short but other than that it takes nice simple pictures.  The software was easy to install and easy to use.  We bought this primarily for computer imaging for a remote control robot project we are attempting but we ended up using it to take pictures of our kids too.The camera is way more than we need for the robot and the kids look great.
I'm not at all a &quot;photographer&quot; or a camera expert, but in my opinion this is a great little camera for its quality and price.  I had priced dozens of cameras from 1-megapixel and up.  What you get with the Kodak DC3200 is a camera that you can use to take your everyday photos: birthdays, vacations, kids in the yard.  NO, you can't make posters out of any of the pictures you take, but have you ever?I use a 64MB Compact Flash card that I share with another device.  While I've never used the entire card, Kodak stated that at high quality you can get over 200 pictures, at regular quality over 800, and at lowest quality (they don't say).  You would need 34 rolls of film for 800 photos, but you can reuse the flash card.The DC3200 is not fancy, complicated or expensive.  It is an easy to use, everyday digital camera.
Three main features of the CoolPix 880 make the camera my favorite of the four I have used extensively.First, the camera is very small! It is no larger than your typical advantix film camera, and is light enough so as not to be a burden in a purse, bag, or even large pocket. As a result of its small size, I find myself taking it most everywhere I go and getting some great shots!Second, the quality is incredible. Though this camera, like all other digital cameras, does not perform particularly well under low-light conditions, the resolution and clarity of the images is incredible if you give the camera a decent amount of light! Edges are crisp, colors brilliant, and details clear.Third, the camera has a variety of helpful but EASY TO USE features. This is important. Unlike the Canon G1, using the more advanced features (such as Snow and Beach mode, Portrait Mode, etc.) is as easy as turning a dial and selecting which mode you want. Really! No fussing with multiple menus and dials. Setting up the date and time, resolution, quality, etc. is also very easy and quick.The only shortcoming of the 880 is that it is by no means a complete camera out of the box. I had to spend quite a bit of money to get a suitable memory card and a rechargeable battery. It's a small pain, but for a camera as cool as this Nikon is, I can live with it.A great buy.
I looked at the Coolpix 800 and 880, before deciding on the 880.  It is more expensive than the 800, but WELL worth it you'll see. Here's why:Megapixels. The Coolpix 800 takes 2.1 megapixel pictures, but the 880 take 3.1 megapixel.  (More pixels are preferred to less since this will affect your image quality. And believe me - you will SEE the difference!)Zoom. The 800 has a 2x optical, plus 2.5 digital zoom lens; however, the 880 has a 2.5x optical and the digital zoom.  You always want as high an optical zoom because using pure digital zoom will make your pictures look fuzzy!Memory. Both the 800 and 880 come with 8 MB of CompactFlash, but most people would agree that this isn't enough.  Purchase an additional CompactFLash card for 32 MB or more and you'll be happy you did.Downloading. The 800 only connects via serial port, but the 880 connects via serial OR USB. THe USB connection is MUCH MUCH faster for downloading pics to yoru computer, but the serial (800's only method) is horrendously slow.Batteries.  THe 800 uses 4 AA batteries, but the 880 uses far superior and much longer-lasting 2CR5 lithium batteries. The 880's batteries also weigh less.Price. This is the ONLY reason you shoudl consider the 800 (...) over the 880 (...).  But let's face it, if you have ... for the 800, you should fork over the extra ... and get the 880 so you can have a digital camera that will last you more than a year. The 800 is being phased out by Nikon. Buy the 880 today! It's simply amazing :)
I would be hard pressed to find anything negative to say about this camera.  It is my first digital but have owned it for 10 months; used for pleasure plus to send photos to clients attached to email.  Have not received a single durogatory comment from a client.  If fact, they praise the clarity and color.  In short, I strongly recommend it!
The 880 is a compact digital camera which produces excellent images. It does have its good and bad points:Good points:1. Nice body - resembles a standard camera - viewfinder is useful  except for macro when you have to use the LCD to aim. It grips and feels like a standard camera, which makes framing and squaring up an image easier for those trained on old film cameras.2. Easy to use - despite some claims, the instructions are clear, and for the most the settings seem intuitive. It is easy to move between the various preset exposure-speed settings. These are preferrable over the generic "auto" setting. The base "auto" mode makes too many compromises, and results in images which are just "off".Bad points:1. Missing some stuff. It comes with a small memory card, and without a rechargeable battery. Like nearly all digitals the Nikon inhales battery power. You MUST get a rechargeable battery, and a larger capacity Compact Flash memory card. Luckily the price seems to be falling on these. You should also get a card reader for your PC. Hooking up the camera to the PC is possible, but a card reader is far more convenient. No software included.2. The lens cap must be removed manually, and if you forget to do so, you'll get very angry and worrisome sounding whirling and grinding noises. Most basic point and shoot and APS cameras have a warning mechanism to prevent the recessed lens from deploying while the lens cap is on. The on/off switch is convenient, but at times too much so. It can be jostled and you'll reach into your bag to discover it in the "on" position with the battery sapped. A firmer switch with a "snap" would be an improvement.3. It is a bit pricey - I think that it would sell quite well, were it [...] cheaper...Still it is a nice camera with good technicial features, and capable of producing beautiful images.
I am amazed by the number of positives reviews for the 880 ... and can conclude 2 things:  either these folks have little prior experience w/ digital cameras, or my camera is broken.  And although my camera is sorely in need of a firmware update, I do believe it is operating as designed.The good points first ... in good lighting conditions, and when all of the camera's parameters are appropriately set ... this camera has the raw ability to take exceptional pictures.  The lens is quite good (for a digi-cam), and the resolution provided by the 3.4 M-pix CCD is fantastic.  However, such fantastic pictures are rarely obtained.The bad points ...  1) The camera is incapable of automatically setting its own parameters (focus, aperture, speed, etc.) on its own.  Its &quot;auto&quot; and &quot;Scene&quot; modes stink.  The worst is auto-focus.  Even in bright outdoor pictures, this camera almost always produces focus errors.  So far, I can always guess the distance to the subject and manually set the focus better then the camera can.  And believe me, setting the time on a VCR is a lot easier than setting the focus distance on a Nikon 880.2) Indoor pictures are awful.  With less light, the focus errors increase.  Even more importantly, the &quot;grain&quot; is awful (like using an ISO 1600 film).  The &quot;auto&quot; modes set the ISO to 400 (max), where grain is the worse.  When I override this (ISO=100), I can reduce the grain, but the dumb camera doesn't compensate for the change in film speed, so I end up with very dark pictures.  Finally, all of my indoor pictures have the white balance heavily skewed toward red/yellow.  The amount I have to &quot;push&quot; my pictures with the computer afterwards is tremendous.3) The User Interface ... this is a non-trivial device to master. I probably have invested over 20 hours of experimenting to try to master this camera.  One can just use the &quot;Auto&quot; modes, but then one is stuck w/ very mediocre to poor pictures (worse than my old 1-Mpix cameras).  And if one was to use their famous &quot;Scene&quot; mode, it takes almost 20 seconds before you are ready to take the picture (10 seconds to power up, 10 seconds to navigate/select the Scene menus). And the manual overrides are very difficult to master.  For example, to set the ISO, one holds down one of 4 buttons while moving the zoom in/out.4) Lots of other annoyances, which make this camera frustrating to use everytime I pick it up.  In a typical social situation (trying to capture the memories), perhaps only 20% of my pictures, w/ the Nikon 880, are keepers.  With my older Olympus D600 (1 M-pix), I would get 80% good pictures in similar situations.I bought the Nikon 880 through the internet, so I don't have the option of returning it.  Why did I buy it ...  I thought it was the best bang for the buck.  Note: when comparison shopping for price, always always add an additional $150 to the base price of the 880 to account for the charger, the rechargeable battery, and a larger flash card.  This camera will eat a $12 disposable CR5 battery in under an hour.If I had to do it again, I would have bought the G1.  This assessment is based upon playing w/ a friends camera,  and based upon my personal bias toward performance.  My 2nd choice might have been the Kodak 4800 (no 1st hand experience, but my sense is that this is a fairly easy-to-use point-and-shoot that would produce good pictures using their auto modes).Hope this review helps.  Since I am stuck w/ the 880, I will be publishing my preferred settings for this camera on some of the news groups in the near future.
Being a photo enthusiast, I didn't want to get a digital camera at first, but since I'm also a long-time web user, the process of shooting a whole roll of film, waiting to get my film developed, picking up the photos, scanning them into my computer, and resizing the images were a bit time-consuming.  I wanted a camera that was compact, took good photos and easy to adjust the settings, and I'd say that the Nikon CoolPix 880 comes pretty close.After using a manual camera for years, this took a little getting used to.  There are many features on this camera, including pre-set &quot;scenes&quot; that adjust light/color/speed for those who just want to point-and-shoot and not worry about the settings - I took this camera on a trip to Mammoth Mountains and took GREAT photos in the snow (There's a scene for &quot;snow/beach&quot;).  Also, I used the &quot;Indoor/Party&quot; scene and the photos came out GREAT.  Another great thing about this camera is its size.  Unlike most digital cameras out there, it fits in the palm of your hand and feels very natural to hold while taking pictures.  The pictures are sharp with great detail and vibrant colors.My favorite thing about digital photography is INSTANT GRATIFICATION!  No more wasting rolls of film - you see what a photo looks like right after you take it, and if you don't like it, hit delete!  No more waiting at the photolab, and best of all, total customization!  The USB lets you download the photos in a flash, and with my trusty photo software, I can adjust colors, change brightness and contrast, and even air-brush out an imperfection or two ;-) and you don't need a fancy color printer to print out great photos - I've been using my Epson printer and using glossy photo paper - output looks terrific.  You can hardly tell that it was produced at home.Now the cons: The CoolPix 880 comes with a 8MG compact flash card, if you are taking photos for only web use, you can fit as much as 90 pics.  If you're going to take higher-rez pictures for printing, you'll definitely need to shell out for a bigger card.  Another common problem with many cameras is battery life - they eat batteries like crazy.  For the planet's sake, don't buy disposable batteries!  Unfortunately, the CoolPix does not come with a battery charger, so you'll have to pay [more] for the charger.  With normal use, the battery will last about 2 hours, so you'll need to buy another battery and have it charged and ready to go.This camera is perfect for those who want to invest a little more for a digital camera that takes great pictures with no fuss.  Highly recommended!
My 1st digital, so maybe I'm somewhat biased, got a great deal (less then $500) on camera, battery, and charger was display unit, local Bxxx Bxx had close out on this model for some reason.The good:GREAT detail, 3.4 meg is fantastic, have had 8 x 10's made, very comparable to 35mm.Easy to use in AUTO Mode Easy to use in SCENE ModeThe Bad:One irritating point is the &quot;noise&quot; the camera makes as it tries to focus. The Nikon 880 makes a lot of &quot;whizzing&quot; sounds as it focuses -- a bit too conspicuous in quiet environments.MUST have rechager and rechargeable batteriesNo photo editing s/w included.If you get beyond point and shoot, it is VERY complicated!Bottom Line: I REALLY like this camera it takes incredible pictures.
Having used this CP880 for about 2+ yrs, I've still on the learning curve and have only scratched the surface . Although most shots are quite good with the Auto sequence, it's nice to have flexibility with manual settings. Be prepared to buy the extras to make your digicam experience practical: 2 re-chargeable Li-ion batteries and the charger; upgrade to a 64 or better yet a 128 MB CF card with card reader (supplied with my Lexar 64 MB CF card. USB connectivity reader greatly expedites transfer of files to PC); optional digital wallet (Minds@work 3 GB portable HD for travel and downloading on the road); belt case (to keep the CP close by for those "once in a lifetime shots"). I'm familiar with many controls but the manual is a bit cumbersome. I'm now reviewing "Nikon Coolpix 880 Photography by Dan Curtin...to pick up more nuances. The CP4300 may be a more current version and deserves consideration. All in all, a great camera. My 1200 shots taken in Oregon,Washington,Vancouver, and Victoria were burned to CD's with relative ease thanks to my CP880 and peripherals. Some of my Butchart Gardens shots were spectacularly polarized courtesy of a hand-held 52 mm polarizing lense from my old 35 mm Nikorrmat!!
I have only had my camera for a month, so regard these as first impressions. The camera is quite intuitive and good in usability (and I should know because I work as a usability engineer!), with enough controls and default features to satisfy anybody. I had an absolutely hellish time installing it with usb on Windows ME. I have since learned that Win ME and USB devices like this one are a major pain in the neck!!! I spent a lot of time with technical support troubleshooting this device. Hours!! But once it was installed, everything was okay. The package came with Adobe Photo Deluxe, which I'm ashamed to confess to loving (it handles a lot of stuff I used to do with Photoshop) The good thing is that their technical support is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, a really remarkable thing!!!I bought a 96 MB card, which carries about 60-70 pictures at fine. I found the default settings (night, fireworks, landscape) to not work particularly well, but this may be my inexperience showing.This camera really drains memory, and apparently it seems that the LED display must be on for the camera to take pictures. One problem I noticed is that the auto-shutoff feature doesn't work particularly well, and you have to always be on top of that. (sometimes I have to actually remove the batteries to turn it off). The battery charge display is somewhat misleading. A lot of time when it powers up it will show full power, but a minute later, that indicator will indicate only a quarter charge.I'm not a pro, but I had so much fun taking pictures and playing around with the settings.
The most important element for me is the quality of the pictures. In that regard, the Nikon 880 does an outstanding job compared to past digital cameras. Sharpness, brightness, etc. are all pretty good.  At the Fine Quality/Full Image mode, I can squeeze 81 pictures onto a 128MB Compact Flash card - perfect for a full day's use. I also bought the rechargeable battery, which is an absolute must given that digital cameras eat-up batteries. I like the fact that the camera can also fit a CR5 battery, which is readily available in most shops. That way, if I run out of juice half way during the day, I can always just walk into almost any photo shop and buy an extra battery (some of my older models did not support this simple option).Nikon has preset scene modes that are great to use. I like the fact that I can easily switch to a landscape or indoor mode with a few clicks. The menus are also very well laid out and quite intuitively easy to use. I was a little distraught though when I went to install the software and the computer refused to recognize the USB connection. Then I realized that I had to download the USB drivers from the Nikon website in order for the USB connection to be recognized (the software included is for the &quot;serial&quot; connection and the updated software has to be downloaded). This was extra burden I would rather have avoided, but maybe this was a problem only for the early Nikon 880 shipments.I cannot sing enough praise for such a detailed, yet easy to use camera. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, and that perhaps is its biggest selling point.One irritating point is the &quot;noise&quot; the camera makes as it tries to focus. The Nikon 880 makes a lot of &quot;whizzing&quot; sounds as it focuses -- a bit too conspicuous in quiet environments.In the end, the Nikon 880 is simply an outstanding digital camera that should last me at least two more generations of digital photography. The only thing that bugged me was that I had to dish out extra money for the rechargeable battery, which in my opinion should have been included. Nevertheless, this is the new ESSENTIAL product for digital photography.-DC
I originally got this camera 2 years ago as a gift.  In the first year of owning it I had sent it to be repaired twice because the LCD screen burnt out and a third time because the whole camera stopped working.  The Third time they sent me a whole new camera.  The bonus to sending the camera back so many times is that I now have 4 cards for it now.  The first camera I had was pretty good on batteries the new one however I can't say the same for.  Also I agree with other reviews, that the flash takes too long to heat up.  The picutres come out pretty good up to 4 X 6  any larger and the pictures become hazzy.  At first I thought my printer needed to be updated, then I took my child to see Santa and ordered the floppy disk, printed them out and the quality was outstanding.  Now I realize their cameras are much more expensive and more advanced, but none the less, made me want better quality.The camera is easy to use when it works, I found the photo max program to be very useful, and the camera was a great starter camera you really don't need to read the manual for it, its light weight, I can't say I really regret buying this camera, it got me started for a decent price, but for me its time to move up a step or two.
This is was my first camera. Slightly overpriced (I paid +- 167 uS$). It's heavier than you think. Uses 4 AA batteries that drain rapidly, it's fast enough to take photos, but I dont like quality of them. Seems granulated.. it's no crystal-clear picture to me.
I actually got two of these (one was a gift) so I returned the other.  I read the reviews below and started using this camera with some doubt based on a few of the reviews.  I needn't have doubted.  This is a great little camera.First, to address some of the negative reviews.  The camera is not a battery hog.  It does, however, give that illusion since the battery metter reads empty well before the batteries are actually drained.  If you use the batteries with the built in tester the batteries still register a near full charge even though the meter reades low.  Just keep using the camera until it doesn't flash and only then change the batteries.Picture quality is very good.  When printing, as with any photo, be sure to use photographic paper and use the settings the paper recommends.  If you don't use a good paper and the correct settings (the printer won't set itself) the picture will look grainy.  But that goes for any photo from any camera.  Also, take the pictures with the highest resolution setting, not the default setting.The pluses for this camera when compared to others in this class are the macro settings, the large number of photos that will fit on the SmartMedia, the four mode flash, the four resolution settings, the optical and LCD view finders, the second LCD screen for settings, the video cord for displaying your pictures on a TV and the included photo software.I think some of the negative reviews come from people that expect this camera to compare to a [$] camera.  Well, it's not a [$] camera but, compared to cameras in this price range, it's a champ.
This is an excellent starter camera for anyone who doesn't want the best resolution of pictures.  Basically, if you are going to use this camera to send pictures over the net you will be set.  If you plan on printing and framing themm, then you better step it up.  Yes, it [uses] up batteries but so does every other digital camera!  This is a great camera for the $$$ and will get you started.  Plus you get a 8MB card to store pictures, and if that isn't enough you can pick up a 16MB card at certain auction sights (...) All in all, it is an excellent camera if you don't want to spend hundreds.
I've been using this digital camera for several years.  I purchased it remanufactured from a closeout store.  Even though I've had to exchange it a couple of times, it's been a good camera.  It is very easy to use and doesn't suck down batteries like some cameras do.  I use it to e-mail family and friend's pictures and for eBay listings.  It has served its purpose well.
I just bought this camera and played for it all day trying to get the pictures to come out right. Nothing helped, the pictures look like [bad]. Anothing thing that [is wrong] with this camera is that it uses a serial cable to connect to your computer. What does this mean to non-techie people? You have to power your computer down, then connect the camera, and then power your computer up each time you want to download the pictures. There's a reason nobody uses serial ports anymore, it's 5 year old technology. Don't get a camera unless it has USB connection and I would strongly advise you not to waste your money on this camera.
This is the perfect item for the new user. So easy to use you barely need to reference the operators manual.  The software leaves a lot to be desired, however, so I use it with  &quot;picture it&quot; software and have enlarged framed photos of my family and friends everywhere. Picture quality, even with 8 by 10 enlargement is excellent.
I came by my camera through an auction so I paid quite a few bucks less than the asking price [....]  Also my camera was refurbished through Polaroid. Nonetheless I found this camera a great buy for the money. It carries a lot of features not found in other cameras in it's price range. I use mine mainly for uploading shots for auctions or sending pics to friends. The quality of the shot when using 640 x 480 is pretty good ... anything less and the shots tend to run dark even with flash. I found the LCD screen very useful for viewing pics and deciding which to keep and which to delete. You can also set up your shot through the LCD screen which is nice but is a surefire way to consume your battery life. This camera receives four stars in my book because I had minor difficulties uploadng my pics from the camera to my PC. Polaroid customer service was very nice and knowledgeable. Apparently I had a bad cable. I have since rec'd the new cable and it works fine. The only negative atributes of this camera is the outrageous battery consumption and the fact that it utilizes a serial port.
I just purchased this camera for my daughter.  I wanted something inexpensive but with a lot of features and decent quality pictures.  This camera has surprised me by being better than any of us expected.  I own a 3.3 megapixel Canon that I payed a substantial amount of money for.  This polaroid has ALL the features the canon has except zoom.  Features it has like lcd VIEWFINDER/display, video out, macro, 4 photo quality selections, tripod mount etc. are usually not available anywhere near this price range.  Another nice feature is everything you need is supplied.  I had to pay quite a bit for an ac adapter for the canon.  As everyone knows, an ac adapter is a NECESSITY with a digital camera since they all consume batteries FAST!What has amazed me most about this camera is the quality of the pictures.  I had serious reservations about a camera with only 640 X 480 resolution, but in the highest mode the pictures are a lot nearer my 3.3 megapixel pictures than I expected them to be.  In fact, the color is great and the resolution is very good, without the grainy look I expected.  Without tweaking them in the computer, we even printed my daughter's pictures out in 4X6 on photo paper and they are great!  We put them in the photo album.The only drawback I have found is the battery life. My daughter took 11 pictures then the batteries died.  This may be because she used the lcd display with every shot, but why have it if you don't use it? There is a battery monitor that tells you the charge left, which is a nice feature.My only suggestions about possible add ons to this camera are a card reader, which made transfers easy and avoided using the slow serial cable, and also RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES WITH A CHARGER.  You can get them so cheaply now there's really no reason to hesitate.All in all, this is a super camera!  In fact, I'm going to get one for myself to use as an extra camera.  At this price, why not?
If you're looking for a digital camera for beginners this camera might be nice for you but don't expect great quality pictures.  Printing and enlarging the photos renders them extremely blurry.  Even when printing small prints the quality isn't much better.  If you are only interested in using the pictures from this camera on your computer then you might find this camera better suited for you.The batteries drain very quickly.  Distance shots are very poor.  The camera does have a nice look to it and it feels good in the hand.  Operation is fairly simple.  It does have a screen in the back to view photos.  The software that comes with the camera is actually better than the camera.  I would suggest that this camera be given to a young person just starting out in the digital photo game.  Adults may find this camera very disappointing.
I just got the Polaroid PDC 640. I think it is a GREAT camera. I took pictures in all types of lighting conditions, even in pitch black, and the pictures came out GREAT!  So, in my opinion, another well done job by Polaroid!
I am a long time analog (Flim) photographer. I think the PDC640 is an excellent &quot;first time&quot; digital camera. One feature that is very much welcomed is its capacity. It holds a lot of pictures. They are very easy to download and it has proven to be very durable. I take a lot of nature shots, so I have it with me on the trails. The only thing I could ask for is higher resolution, but everyone I have shared the images with is very pleased with the results. It is not a waste of time or money folks.
This camera is very easy to use. You can select different picture quality. I use it a lot to put picture on my website and find this camera very handy. Little problem, you cannot see the picture in the little screen if the light outside is too bright and the batteries doesn't last long. This is a great camera.
For someone who wants to start taking great pictures, this turned out to be great camera! I like how Canon has divided the dial into pre-set and creative zones so you can select to take a quick picture or use the easy programming feature to capture the scene the way you want. For example, you can select the shutter speed and it will select the correct aperture automatically. That makes it a lot easier for people who are not professional photographers. The best part is that by turning the dial to the green box I can use it as a point and click for those run-of-mill quick pictures. Its a regular Jekyll and Hyde, this one!On the downside, a beginner like me had real trouble figuring out how to take great pictures using the manual that came with the camera. I found that the $... for the CANON EOS Rebel 2000 book by Heiner Henninges and Bob Shell was well worth it. If you are not quite conversant with Canon SLRs spent the extra few bucks and you will really enjoy using the great features of this camera.
I talked my wife into letting me buy my own Christmas present and after much deliberation I finally decided on this Camera and kit.  She now wishes that she had found something else for me.  I can't go anywhere without taking along my camera!  With this kit you get the better lens (over the 28-80mm) than the normal Eos Rebel Kits, the quartz date and all the extras things that everyone needs anyway- so why not get them all together at once.  The camera gives me the ability to be as creative as I want, but can also be so simple that I can give it to my wife to use as a point and shoot.  I have used it for both color photographs and black and white, night and day, action and stills shots.  All the photos have turned out great!  I would highly recommend the camera for anyone who is buying an SLR for the first time or for someone who has used many before- it's an all around great camera!
I'm an amateur photographer an decided to buy this kit because of the camera, the looks, and the fact that I've purchased many times from Amazon and have no complaints about it.I did some research on the camera and in simple terms this one is great, from full automatic to full manual it has many features that don't come by this price with other brands.But after more reading and experience I found that what really matter besides your camera skills are the lenses, so my recommendation would be to buy just the camera body and finda set of lenses that will enable you to get the widest range possible with the same diameter for filters and the price that match your budget.  If you find your self loving photography as I did you will also be willing to buy a tripod, the remote switch and some filters ... .I also recommend the National Geographic Field Guide book, it's great reading, with good tips and great photos.
I bought this camera not knowing much about cameras but wanting one that would allow me to expand later. I read the manual and knew I'd be using the auto feature most of the time for now. The manual is concise but efficient for beginners. All my pics taken so far have been with Kodak 400 film and are very clear and crisp. The evening shots I took in Vegas were using the pre-set auto feature for darker environments which came out amazing! The vista shots using the pre-set for background shots of Grand Canyon came out spectacular: wide area covered with great detail. It is light weight enough that I walked around Vegas with this on my neck and the battery is still strong after 5 rolls of film. The styling is very updated with the silver body and the 28-90mm lens covered every possible scenario I was interested in taking. The kit I got included (...) a nice Canon canvas case, camera straps, mini-album and battery. Good value for the price. Considered the Olympus IS-50 also but wanted the option of changine lenses later on.
This my first SLR, although I'd borrowed others from friends for a while. I bought this right before spending three months driving cross-country and shooting in a ton of different conditions. I hiked hundreds of miles, shot over 50 rolls, and it always did a great job, regardless of whether I was using the manual settings or the automatics ones. The advanced features are easy to use if you just spend a little bit of time reading the instructions. Having been used to older SLR's without any sort of automatic or digital features, I was thrilled with all the options this camera provided.I think the lens Canon include is somewhat cheap, as it is very lightweight and plastic. I bought a Sigma 100-300mm lens for the camera and it feels much more sturdy and well built than Canon's included 28-90mm. However, Canon's lens never gave me any trouble, it just felt cheap.I would suggest buying a number of accessories for the camera, such as a tripod, polarizing filter, UVA filter, remote shutter release (to avoid shaking the camera when it's on a tripod and for long exposures), and a larger zoom lens (Sigma makes some great ones that are less expensive than Canon's).
its a really good camera i really like the pictures i can take and i really like the color of it
Strengths: Lightweight, easy to use from full automatic to full manual. Depth of field preview (excellent feature!), AE lock, quick auto focus for price range, seven focusing points. Countless lenses and accessories available both from Canon and third party mfgrs. If you have large hands, I recommend the optional battery pack ... which also doubles as a vertical grip with duplicated shutter control and port for remote switch. I simply can't imagine these features on any other camera at a comptetitive price. Thinking about a &quot;point and shoot&quot;? Save your money and get this camera instead.Weaknesses: Included manual not very comprehensive, but spend a few hours with this camera and you can figure most features out yourself. If you need written instructions, I'd recommend the excellent Magic Lantern guide....Also, try another lens, like a 28-200mm aspherical lens, if you want just one lens to carry around.
We pulled the Canon Rebel 2000 out of the box and started shooting pictures immediately.  It was so easy, and all the pictures came out beautifully.  Now we have started playing with the &quot;create zone&quot; functions, and have got some incredible close-ups, awesome portraits, and other fun shots.  Now I'm looking for an affordable zoom lens to start playing with. I'm hooked!
I bought this camera for my girlfriend for her birthday, but I have seen the wonderful results this camera produces...The first thing I really noticed about this camera are the great looks of it.  The whitish-silver body and the lense make a very attractive combination compared to the dark silver and black... But that is honestly second to the features that really matter about this camera.  The Rebel has the ability to be used as an automatic or manual camera.  This includes all settings.  Dispite what other reviewers have said I looked over the manual for this camera and it does contain enough information to simply read and start using... Although I must admit the camera on auto-mode makes the pictures come out flawlessly almost everytime.  It does everyonce and a while have trouble focusing if you have multiple images all close together, but usually it gets to the point and zooms right in.  The kit is also very nice... The bag is completely customizable with velcro seperators, a film section and a seperate lens cap zipper.  (...).  The strap is also very nice, emblazzend with the canon logo.Anyways overall this is a great camera.  With a little artistic vision and a couple sample rolls you will be amazed with the type of picture you are shooting.  The zoom is excellent getting the right down to the intricate details of a what seems almost microscopic quality...  I would also suggest shooting some black and white film with this camera, it comes out beautifully...
I bought this camera for my photography class and it met my expectations and then some. I like this camera for a few various reasons one is because it is fairly user friendly I am able to explain to people what every button does and how to change the lenses which were very easy to change. The only thing that was not that great on the camera was that some of my lenses would not work very well on it I would get errors that they were not connected sometimes, but then it would work others. Overall I would recommend this product it has a fast shutter speed and it is a great camera to use manually or to use as a point and shoot. I would recommend bringing extra batteries where ever you go since it uses them up like water!
I just bought this camera a few weeks ago and from the begining took great pictures.  Very easy to use and fiqure out.  I am very happy with the quality and performance. Love the date factor. Love the camera!  Good job by Cannon!
I had a few miscellaneous comments to make. I've had my EOS Rebel 2000 for only two weeks and already am extremely satisfied with it. The first roll of film came back and the photos are nice and sharp. The only thing I could have done differently in the photos was to use some exposure compensation--I was on vacation and was shooting wildlife at a beach on an overcast day, and even then, the sand was reflective enough so that the some of the subjects were a little dark and looked somewhat silhouetted.Happily, this little camera gives you manual control over shutter speed and aperture, as well as many other nice features, such as depth of field preview (which even the ELAN II lacks), and a respectable 1/2000th of a second top shutter speed. If you've been mostly a point and shoot camera owner until now, your fastest shutter speed will only have been about 1/ 500th of a second, unless you own one of the Contax point and shoots such as the T2, which go up to 1/700th of a second, but cost about 5 times as much as even the more expensive and capable point-and-shoot cameras, not to mention the Rollei, which, at about 10 times the cost of a typical point and shoot, will truly cost you a pile of green stuff, although it has that amazing 1/8000th of a second top shutter speed.I'm getting used to the controls, which are a little different from my Rollei QZ35W. The jog wheel feature, for adjusting ASA settings and so forth, I find an interesting feature which I'm more used to seeing on Palm PDA clones such as the Sony CLIE, but I find I like it here, too.In addition to the lens that came with it, I found a Tokina ATX 28-70 mm constant F2.8 Pro Series lens used at a great price, and decided to buy it for the little EOS Rebel. The camera fits comfortably in my hand, if I have one complaint, it's that the grip on the right side is a little small for me with the much bigger Tokina lens mounted, but it's okay.To give another plug here for this great little camera, a friend at local camera shop says he knows a pro photographer at a large newspaper who uses nothing but EOS Rebel 2000 bodies, and he just puts his expensive pro lenses on it. He says they're capable enough to do anything he wants, but inexpensive enough so he doesn't worry about hurting them. He carries 3 of them at a time with him, and if one has a problem, he just throws away the malfunctioning body and grabs a new one out of his bag.One final thing I wanted to say is the manual is really well written, very clear and concise. They seem to really want you to learn and make use of the camera's features to make you a better, more technically aware, photographer. So be sure to read the manual.I've found this to be an exellent little camera at a very reasonable price given all the features Canon has packed into it. Canon has produced an outstanding value and a very capable camera in this little package. I can recommend this camera without reservation, especially if you're considering moving up from the point-and-shoot category to a camera with more advanced features.
I bought this Canon Rebel 2000 kit after much research and investigation - and I know I made exactly the right choice! It is loaded with features if I want them, but it is also able to &quot;point and shoot&quot; when I don't want to have to think about it. The most noticable feature is that it is as light as a feather - even when compared to my digital pocket camera. The seven focus areas are terrific, allowing for flexibility and creativity. I'm an amateur and find this to be something I can easily operate but it leaves room to grow into later on.The most helpful thing in my decision making process to buy this camera was a visit to my local camera store to rent one for a weekend. The minute I got back the best prints I have ever taken, I knew I needed to have it!Drawbacks - The instruction manual is nothing more than a glorified parts diagram. It isn't helpful for beginners or experts... can't imagine who the audience is supposed to be. The flash isn't very strong - its purpose is to be a fill flash, not a substitute for a full-featured detachable flash. Knowing what I know now, if I had it to do over again, I would buy just the body and accessorize it myself.
First let it be said that I am a total novice at photography. I was looking for a camera with the ease of a point and shoot, but the flexibility of an SLR. This is it. It takes picture of exceptional quality and clarity, and in Full auto mode has super-sharp focus in a fraction of a second. It also has custom modes that will help you in specific situations, such as portraiture or high-action situations - like sporting events. The camera is also extremely light! It gets comments on how light it is whenever I let someone hold it. I had it around my neck for an entire weekend, and never got tired. I highly reccommend it.
I Just got this camera for christmas. I had to get the gray market version(EOS 3000) though. It's lens is great! With EF it can be set to AF or MF either. The camera comes with 13 pre-set modes for ametuers but also has many pro features as well  Shutter Speed settings 30&quot; to 1/2000 of a second.  Apeture settings 1:4-5.6 I am on my school photography staff so i found it very useful and takes beautiful pictures.  Canon supplies over 50 EF lenses to go with your EOS Rebel 2000. So gear up and get ready for the photoshoot of a lifetime.
I love this camera.... almost as much as my digital one!! grin... about 6 months ago I upgraded to this camera from an AE-1 program I have had since the 80's... yes high school.... I love this new rebel as much as my old camera and love the advanced features available on it.... it has a variety of accessories available for it and takes great pictures under almost any circumstance...as well as has many built in features so that even an amateur can get great shots....
This a very beutiful and good start camera. 28-90 mm Lens, Silver, Date are specialities of this camera. You will love itto have this in Hands. For more serius photographers may seekhigher end models for reasons such as Plastic lens mount and widerange of accessories. But for a beginer, This is a wonderful canon to own.
I bought this camera kit for my 13-year-old son for Christmas because I own a Canon EOS A2E and a variety of lenses that he can share with this camera.  The Rebel 2000 is fantastically lightweight - kind of amazing compared to any of the more expensive Canon SLRs (A2E, EOS-3, etc.).  It should be noted however that although the camera takes all EOS lenses, the lens mount is plastic, so it is not likely that you would want to use this as an extra body on a jungle expedition (but chances are if you own an EOS-3 you already know that).My son especially liked the silver lens that comes with this kit - it is not to my taste at all, but I guess his generation thinks silver looks more cool than black!Although the Rebel 2000 does not have eye-control focus, it does have focus points that can be manually selected with the rotary dial - this is not as cool technologically as an A2E or EOS 3 (that actually tracks your eyeball to focus on what you are seeing) but in many ways is more practical.All-in-all this is a nice gem of an SLR.
I have used this product for over a year.  I bought it because the on-camera flash on my EOS D30 was too small for certain situations.  I have been very happy with the results in all conditions.  The flash is very easy to use and does its job without the need for any great technical expertise.  I decided against the 550EX because it seemed too complicated and I wanted a 'point and shoot' type product to use without any fuss.  One bugbear - there is no battery indicator, so there is way of knowing how fresh your batteries are so you only realise that they are running down when your recycle time slows down.
If you have a Canon G1 or G2 digital camera, you've probably noticed the limitations of the built-in flash.  It's way too close to the lens, which causes images to look flat and lifeless, and the color of the light tends to wash out colors as well.The Canon Speedlite 420 is a pretty big device; it's basically the same size as the camera, and about the same weight w/ batteries.  For that additional bulk, however, you get a powerful flash that can bounce light off walls and ceilings, creating much more professional-looking results.  The improvement over the built-in is really like night and day.
I bought 420EX flash for use with Canon's G3 camera, which is one step less than conventional SLRs. For long my indoor photography has suffered. But now with this great accessory, I can bounce light to create brilliant and vivid images. The flash utilizes E-TTL and also adjusts to the camera's zoom.The only reason I rated the flash 4 stars is that the auto-fucos assist beam function is not working with my camera. I probably will get in touch with Canon and find out if this feature is compatible with G series camera or not.
Bounce capability of the 420ex is worth the money over the 220ex. I use this with a Canon G5 and while the 420ex seems too large in proportion to the G5, the flash is light enough, even with batteries, that it doesn't feel overbalanced.
I bought this flash hoping to improve my indoor pictures with my Rebel XT.  Amazingly, I find absolutely no difference between using the built in flash of the camera or this unit.  I find pictures taken at a very reasonable distance (8-10 feet) to be under-exposed unless I correct the exposure using the menu.  Would be curious if the more expensive units including the 430EX are better, but I cannot recommend this one.
I just used this flash for bikini models during the morning and evening hours where there is bright sunlight and it did not have enough power to counteract the sun's bright light. This is primarily because of the e-TTL feature that adjusts the power of the flash according to the focal length of the lens. Normally that is a great thing, but in extreme circumstances a manual option is needed. So I am now going to buy the Speedlite 550 Flash. The Camera that I was using it on is the Canon Digital Rebel which unfortunately does not have a Flash exposure adjustment. So, I couldn't compensate for this.
I'm new to the digital SLR world. I had been using the built in flash on my Rebel XT. The built-in flash had done alright, but was nothing to write home about. Since I had spent most of my money on the camera, I needed a flash that was both affordable and would get the job done. This flash met both requirements. IF you are an advance user, you will want a higher end flash because the flash has limited adjuastable features. Yet, if you a newbie like me, this flash is GREAT! It has improved my picture quality dramaticly.
I use this with a Powershot G2 and have found it to be an excellent product.  The range is very good and it's pretty easy on batteries.  One of the perks of a digital camera is that I can shoot as many pictures as I want (which I do--I have two small children at home).  I have not changed batteries yet in the approximately three weeks I've owned the flash.  I'm very happy with the product.
I think this is a high quality flash, but it may not be able to handle heavy use.  It heated up under heavy use and quickly broke.  For every day use, it is probably OK - but I would always have a back up flash.  I sent the unit back and was quickly reimbursed for my return.  For bounce applications (off of walls and ceilings), the unit does an OK job.  But this is not a powerhouse flash.  Maybe with added slave units, it would be better.A HUGE downside to this unit is there is no external A/C power plug like you might see in the old standby, Vivitar 283 or 285.  Canon needs to get this message - stop wasting batteries and provide an alternative power source.Overall - OK unit, but I am exploring other options.
My original goal to purchase this unit was to enhance the flash effect from the built-in flash on my EOS 7. But I found it provides not only more output power in flash, but also assistance on AF. As you know, EOS 7's AF is almost blind in dark environment. Once the unit is mounted, then my EOS 7 can do auto-focus in dark as quickly and precisely as in bright.Although it has only auto setting, it is powerful enough for me to use under most circumstance.
Bought this flash about two weeks ago for use with my Canon Powershot G1 digital camera, and have been nothing but impressed with it. it mates beautifully to the Canon, although it does make it somewhat bulky. The bounce flash photography is beautiful, and the E-TTL system just makes you look like a total pro. I also look forward to using it for wireless flash photography.There are SOME things missing, however. Compared to my Canon 430 EZ flash, there is no LCD display. No flash compensation (but this isn't a big deal, since that's controlled from my G1). No strobe. If these are important to you, step up to the 550 EX. Otherwise, the 420 is a beautiful workhorse.
I use this flash a lot (along with my Canon 28-135mm IS zoom) in bounce mode.  The bounce mode really helps to eliminate the overexposed subject and fill in the entire frame.It is not overly bulky, it fits in my Tamrac bag just fine.I originally bought this for my Digital Rebel (300D) and am now using it on my new Rebel XT (350) with no problems (as expected).Battery life, for me, is nice and long.  I don't take tons of indoor shots, a set of NiMH's gets me 100's of photos before recharge (to tell you the truth, I don't keep track as I've never actually run out of juice at an inoppurtune moment).I would recommend a diffuser, something I don't have.  If you use Johnson & Johnson baby powder (the large bottle) you can make one from the bottom 1/4 (when it is empty).
Hi have a Rebel Extreme, and needed to use the high-speed mode... but the flash couldn't even vaguely keep up.  I was taking pictures of dancers, so needed a flash system that could keep up.  The Speedlite really does this perfectly - I'm able to take a rapid-fire sequence of photos, and this flash system is there each time.  I don't know if it really helps when taking a single photo, but if you want a flash that can keep up, this one is great!  I like it so much, I'm planning on buying one or two more for my next shoot, to run in slave mode with this one.
Great for people shooting indoors.  Bouncing is flexible with the tilt-and-swivel feature.  I also like the auto-zoom from 24 to 105.
Recently purchased a 420EX and I am very, very pleased with the flash (and with Amazon).  All I expected and more.  However, you should be very careful not to lose your manual, because Canon does not provide downloadable replacements for the 420EX manual.  No idea why - they do for the Digital Rebel XT (also a great product)and they do for other flashes, but not for the 420EX, at least not in English.  Canon Germany provides one in German, which is fine if you read German.
This was my 3rd (or fourth?) Canon flash for my EOS cameras. With almost 500 weddings behind me, the Speedlite is still my choice. Its recycle time keeps pace with the demands of wedding photography. Am retired now and my church appreciates my almost weekly use of the EOS and flash. I rely on Amazon for numerous purchases of various items year-round.
The flash works.  I bought it knowing the limitations, but needed a flash at a reasonable price, so I bought it anyway.  If I could do it again, I'd save a little more to get the 580EX.  The good thing about the 420 is that it acts as a slave for the 580, so it's not a total loss.  My gripe with the 420 is that there are no manual controls for it.  I can't truely adjust the power setting.
I recently upgraded from my old Digital Elph S330 to a Canon G5 and had been very pleased by the results--that is, until I realized what I was missing in not having a capable flash!Adding the 420EX suddenly made my photos that much more vibrant and corrected a number of problems inherant in relying solely on an in-camera flash (overexposure of white objects, red-eye--particularly in animals, etc.)  Being able to bounce the flash makes all the difference in the world, and having a flash that can intelligently communicate with the camera and work together with it for the best photo possible is a major plus.The 420EX is a wonderful flash priced at the mid-range of Canon's flash units.  Although it can't be a master unit in a chain of flashes, the price-conscious consumer will be pleased to know it will work as a slave unit should he or she later upgrade to a pricier flash.
I was thinking of using this higher power flash than the built-in flash (on my Canon Digital Rebel) because it seems that people keep telling me too.  I never paid much attention to it because I rather spend my money on another lens or accessory.Fortuneately, I ran out of things I thought I needed.  In a nutshell, this flash is amazing and I wished I got it a long time ago.Everything is automatic, and it takes out all of the guesswork for my amateur needs.  When I tried the bounce flash (by adjusting the flash 75 degrees-up to bounce light off of the ceiling in a 10 ft high room), the pictures came out with more vibrant colors than I expected.  In contrast, all of my past pictures became dimmer the instant I saw the new results.Colors in objects that you don't pay attention to become visible and vibrant (the house plants in the corner, color of carpet, furniture, background painting and decor, etc).  The bounce flash made my evening pictures as brillant as pictures taken in the afternoon.In addition, since I bounced the flash from the ceiling, my pictures didn't have the dark and glooming shadows behind people.  I have tried a side bounce to produce better results than a direct flash when I cannot bounce off of a ceiling.I only wished that there were some emphasis and tips on using the bounce flash in the manuals.  I guess it is a simple-enough method, but it produces amazing results.  I was fortuneate to be reading a book about digital photograph (40 Digital Photography Techniques) that had 2-3 tips on trying a bounce flash.I also purchased this flash for my loreo 3d lens attachment.  Although it produces better and brighter picture than the buit-in flash, my picture with the loreo lens are still too dark.  My best results are from pictures under the afternoon light.  (I will continue to use software like photoshop to adjust the brightness and contrast in my loreo pictures when a flash is needed--which afterwards can become amazing.)
I really like a lot of things about this.. It gives an even amount of flash but sometimes if you are a little farther away from your subject It doesn't seem to do very much.not so great:the refresh rate is somewhat slow.
Loved this light. I used it on my Canon T1i for a number of years (until my house burned down with it in the house). I like these older lights as they are not a finicky as the newer ones.
I needed a flash for my Elan 7E, and received this one for Christmas.  It has met all of my expectations:  Portable, easy to use, flawless operations with the automatic features of my 7E.I can't wait until the Canon SLR Digital gets below $... so that I can use the flash with it.
If you've been shooting with a film or digital slr camera and you've always used the built-in flash on the camera for indoor shots, for the love of God, STOP!  Buy this flash immedietly!  The quality difference is a amazing and will make the built-in flash on your camera seem worthless.The 420EX is a nice flash for the money.  A VERY nice flash.  Everything I've shot with it has come out evenly lit, NEVER blown out looking.  I shot an entire wedding and reception with it and the pictures came out great.The flash is noticeably slower when the batteries start to run out, so I recommend high capacity rechargables.The only slight problem I've had with the flash was during the formal wedding group portraits, the flash wasn't syncing with the camera.  I had to turn both off, and then back on and the problem was fixed.  To this day, I still don't know if it was the flash or the camera malfunctioning, but it's not something you want happening while your on the job!  Other then that, it has preformed beyond my expectations.With that being said, I know I am going to eventually upgrade to the 580ex flash.  The possibilities that exist with two flashes being able to communicate together are infinite.  If you are a serious photographer looking to up grade your flash system, this is a great place to start.  It is an investment because if you later choose to upgrade further, you can use the 420ex with other flashes which makes it well worth the money.
If you have one of the Canon EOS cameras.  This is a must have.  It made the pictures come out so much better.  The flash that comes with the camera is no comparison to this one.  Your pictures will have more color and overall just look better.
I have been dissatisfied with the built in flash on my Digital rebel.  Bought this two weeks ago and have used it extensively.  The batteries last forever.  Main improvement is when using it as a bounce flash.  Much better colors, softer light, no redeye.  It can be used as a slave flash but only with the much more expensive 500 series.  The only reason I give it a 4 is that the new 430EX just came out with significantly improved functionality. However, the pricing is probably much higher than these closeout prices
The greatest shortcoming of the Canon Digital Rebel Camera is its built in, pop-up flash. The pop-up flash produces inadequate light and greatly underexposes many situations - and often is not spaced high enough from the camera body to avoid red-eye, lens hood or telephoto lens body shadow. I purchased the 420EX to improve on these situations.After a year of use - I LIKE my purchase of the 420EX.Things I enjoy with my 420EX:1. More powerful than the built in flash of the Digital Rebel2. Swivel/Bounce head offers great flexability for many different situations.3. Synchs perfectly to the Digital Rebel's exposure computer through the hot-shoe or hot shoe extender cord. Measures zoom level of standard zoom camera lens - and gives a good overall automatic exposure.4. Light enough to mount on an L/U aluminum bracket without throwing the camera out of balance. Use of a BGE-1 battery grip is highly recommended with a portrait photographers U bracket.5. Not a power hog. Can get up to 150-200 photos out of a set of four 2300 amp/hr Ni-Mh AA rechargables. (Always have a second set ready to go if on assignment - with a charger for the expended batteries.)6. Works well in slave mode. This is where it earns its money for me!7. Works well with a bounce light diffuser hood for portrait work.8. Height above lens eliminates most red-eye situations.9. GREAT VALUE for the money!10. Hot shoe mount eliminates all but the longest telephoto lens shadows.Things I 'd like to see improve:1. Not powerful enough. You can NEVER have enough light. The 580EX gains almost two full F-stops over the 420EX - though you pay a price almost double in cost.2. Battery door is flimsy - and sometimes fails to latch securely. (This is embarassing when you're shooting for a client and batteries are rolling all over the place - I know... I need to be more careful!!!)3. Tends toward underexposure in large or high ceilinged rooms. (You can never have enough light!)4. Lacks strobe, LCD display functions of the more expensive 580EX.A good solid product for most occasions. A great value for the money. Improves on the Digital Rebel's anemic pop-up flash. Eliminates most red-eye situations. Still not powerful enough for the discriminating photographer.
I bought this flash to go with my Elan 7E and it has worked great.  It has all the features that most EOS users would ever need (vertical and horizontal bounce, fast sync, and E-TTL control).  It isn't as good as the 550EX, but if you aren't planning on using mutliple flashes slaved together this is the better deal at almost half the cost (though the 420EX can be used as a wireless slave flash with the 550EX as the master).  If you are shopping for an external flash for your EOS camera, you can't go wrong with this one.
This is the middle of Canon's E-TTL flashes.  Looking at the lineup, the small 220EX is easy to transport and a good match for the Canon G series of digicam, but its not powerful enough for larger indoor situations (and it does not rotate to allow you to bounce the output).  The 550EX is huge and offers lots of manual controls, but IMHO its better suited to professionals and super-enthusists who want to diddle with an additional set of controls.  This model, the 420EX is just right to meet my needs.Size wise the 420EX is right in the middle.  It does not offer any manual controls, although it does support wireless operation.  In terms of light output, it is very powerful.  I have used it from well more than 100 feet away from my subject with very good results.  And it supports bounce flash, which I prefer over straight on light output.  I tend to use the 75 degree bounce, and I've also used a light diffuser to softer the light from time to time (check out the Stoffen diffuser that is a custom fit for the 420ex).I get more than 200 flashes on a set of AA batteries (it uses 4), and the flash unit does a nice job of managing power by shutting down.  The flash cycles pretty quickly, so I can frequently get off a quick series of 2 or 3 flash shots.And the 420EX supports E-TTL, where the camera manages the level of flash output based on what the camera meters (as opposed to what the flash meters independent of the camera).  As a result, I believe that it does not make sense to get this flash unless you are using a Canon camera that supports E-TTL (you are paying a real premium to get the E-TTL feature).Overall, this is a fantastic flash, manageable in size and very powerful in terms of light output.  Now smile!
I needed this to complete my camera that I have, for it will work out for my equipment, I highly needed. I recommend seller.
I've got nothing negative to say about this bad boy. It's great for the price, and if you need to do basic shooting, it's right for you.
I've used a 420 with my G3 for about 2 years:the two things that have most improved the quality of my photos are (1) external flash and (2) tripod...... mostly take the usual home photos (proms, birthday parties and so on) and some garden pics...... use rechargeable batteries with the 420 and have taken more than 100 pics on a full charge (have never used them up but carry a spare set of alkalines anyway)..... also have a diffuser for the 420 but have not found it to be useful..... now looking into getting a 20D or digital rebel and the 420 will work with either
con este poderoso flash he logrado iluminar escenas donde hay muy poca luz, me gusta demasid, es excelente. adem&aacute;s de sus controles manuales & automaticos.
If you use a speedlight all the time, a more powerful or versatile model might be in order. But, if like me you do general photography, indoor and out, close-up, normal, and landscape shots, where a good flash that matches the features and capacity of your camera is needed, then the 420EX, used with the Canon Digital EOS or Digital EOS XT (which I have), may be the perfect solution for utility and price! The flash covers the lens fields from wide-angle to medium-long perfectly, and exposure in the automatic modes hardly requires any more deep thought than natural-light exposures. It also does excellent outdoor fill for people shots in bright sunlight. And if the need arises for multiple speedlites with slaved operation the 420EX can be used off-camera as the second light easily.
An external flash is one of those things many people think only a &quot;pro&quot; has a need for -- like a tripod.  Once you get one, though, you realize how essential it is and couldn't imagine going into the field without one.I recently purchased this as part of my Digital Rebel package and am quite impressed with its features.  The E-TTL -- the ability to adjust to the scene according to the camera's metering results -- is really amazing.On the back of the unit is an LED display showing your approximate focal length (24 - 105mm), which also determines how powerful the flash will be.  Additionally, there is a pilot button/light (for a test flash), exposure confirmation light, high-speed sync switch, &quot;slave&quot; setting buttons and the power switch.After its flash flexibility, the 420EX's most impressive feature is its physical flexibility.  You can move the flashhead within 90 vertically and horizontally, and it will lock at several angles.  This enables the bounce-flash -- assuming you have a reflective surface nearby.  Bounce-flash softens and distributes the light so you don't have overexposed, stiff looking subjects.Speaking of which, I'd like to say that I bought a Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce diffuser when I bought the 420EX because it seemed like a good accessory.  I have found that I generally don't need it because the 420EX is able to fine-tune itself to each shot.I can't comment on its functionality as a slave because I have not used it in that capacity.Ultimately, the 420EX is a great tool, whether you're shooting your kid's birthday party or a macro of a flower.  It will allow you to take much better photos than you can with the built-in flash.  And at its current price it is absolutely unbeatable.
Nice intermediate level flash, works great within its perameters.
I'm an amateur photographer, with mediocre skills. This flash makes all my photos look better vs the built-in, with little to no intervention on my part.I use it with a Digital Rebel. I like that the flash varies in intensity, depending on ambient.  Time between flashes is reasonably quick (particularly when ambient doesn't require a full flash).  To avoid washed out faces, I'd always gotten accustomed to bouncing the flash off walls/ceiling (on my old camera setup).  I've learned that I don't need to do that with the 420EX, and almost always keep it directly pointed at subjects (unless I'm trying to purposely create shadows across people's faces).I also seem to get much less redeye vs built in.
I will not be telling too much about this device - it is so good it just works. I think this is how it is suppose to be with real good things.I got this flash in addition to G3, which followed C2040 without hot shoe and I have been always happy with it. Photography is all about light and this device provides it very well.The reason I picked this one is because this is cheapest in Canon line with swivel head so I could bounce light from ceiling and walls while shooting indoor. To get decent light outdoors on close distances use Omni-bounce (I use Sto-fen), scotch tape (with less effect) or white grocery bag (better and easily adjustable). Onmi-bounce greatly reduces working range so you don't want to use for large distances.It has nice indicator whether flash provided enough light or not so you can correct you scene or remove bouncer. It is also good if you planning to extend you inventory in future - it can serve as slave for upper level models. Neat feature is the ability to zoom in and out automatically so you have larger range on tele. Little bit annoying absence of external power source or at least connector but handy man can solve that easily (loosing warranty unfortunately). Also Canon could make AF assist light to work with G-line.Battery lasts quite long, with brand new set of AA I was able to get at least 300 shots indoors. Set of NiMH makes it charge faster and cheaper in long run but it is annoying to recharge them after 2-4 weeks of shelf life. Set of Lithium batteries is absolutely necessary when you are planning on shooting around freezing (don't forget to put lens cap on when you go back to building ;))This is must if you want you photos to look different from huge crowd being printed by one hour services every day.
Excellent performance and value for the money. The Canon 580 EX is best, but for my purposes this unit is just fine.
You can get more flash for your dime if you go offbrand, but I wanted HSS. The 420EX is e-ttl only: manual flash cannot be set on the unit or from my T2i. It works great as an off-camera fill flash outdoors (HSS with e-ttl cord) or as an easy bounce flash indoors (on-camera for its focus assist). It does auto-zoom when you have an appropriate lens attached; it defaults to 50mm for other lenses. Tilt and swivel are great. Construction quality is excellent, but due to the design of the battery hatch, I feel as if I might break it any time I change the batteries. I don't really require quick recycle times, so I can't evaluate that. Battery life seems great. If you have a commander, the 420EX can be an wireless slave. I'll report more about that after I win the lottery and buy a 580EX II.Edit (Aug. 2012): I now own three Canon 420EXs. They're a lot of flash for the money, and they have Canon wireless and HSS. I trigger mine with Yongnuo's ST-E2.The 420EX has a plastic foot. I broke the side of one foot when a light stand blew over. I've glued it back, and all systems are good,
I bought this flash as an upgrade for my (now almost ancient) Powershot G2.  I had originally liked the idea the G2 had a "hot shoe" and would someday take an external flash.I waited too long!  The difference is night and day on the quality of any picture, inside or outside, shot with the flash.  It easily mated with the G2, and the bounce adjustment creates really nice effects with light on indoor shots.  Lighting is much more natural, and the distance that the flash will light is a big improvement.  Personally I believe the bounce option makes this a better choice than the 200 series canon flash.There is simply no comparison with using the built in flash.I highly recommend this flash for anyone with a decent digital camera that can take an external flash - you'll be very happy with the improvements.
This flash is working great for me. It has an amazing recycle time. I have been able to easily fire off multiple shots indoors in low light without missing a beat. I have also used it in a completely dark room, and all worked great. I don't like the locks on the bounce head, it is necessary to press the release on the side prior to tilting. Just a minor annoyance.
I bought this flash to use on my Canon Rebel XT. The first thing I noticed was that without even reading the instructions I was able to get much better results on pictures taken indoors. Being able to bounce the flash off the white ceilings provided much better color contrasts to the built in flash. Even when I set my camera to shoot quick pictures in succession the flash did not let me down. It did not need anytime to recharge at all.I recently just came back from vacation and took a lot of outdoor evening shots. Most of the pictures came back with great results. The only dissappointment I have is that when taking shots from further distance than I normally would, the pictures came back darker than I would've liked. So, to compensate for this I adjusted the flash exposure on my camera and although it was an improvement it was a hassle taking several test shots before getting it right.Another problem I have with the flash is the battery cover. It's flimsy and I find it awkward to open and close at times. I always feel like I'm gonna snap it off by accident.Overall I am happy. It's a good flash for the price you pay. The battery life is good. I still haven't even had to recharge the batteries and I've almost taken 200 shots with it. My low light picture have improved dramatically by investing in an external flash. Anyone with a decent camera should never use the built in flash. The difference is night and day.
I bought this to go with the new Rebel I bought. EXCELLENT lens, makes the camera look and feel and best of all, take photos like a much higher-end camera. Highly recommend!
Love this lens. Its very sharp and big :) that have a very good zoom range I use in my old canon 20D and its perfect.
If you're not willing to keep changing your lens quite often, this is a great beginner- to mid-level lens. Have had this lens for the last 3 years without a one single complaint.Arun
This was my first EOS zoom lens, purchased years ago with my original D30. Decent sharpness, decent range, and nice, smooth operation. I personally prefer the 28-135 IS, but if you need the extra reach the 200mm gives you then this is good choice for a walk-around zoom.
The initial results were excellent, but I must admit I was a little surprised to see how long the lens becomes when at maximum focal length.  The weight also intimidated me at first, but when mounted on a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a battery grip attached, it seems to balance out decently.I do have to say that, in accordance with other reviews, low light is not a friend of this lens.  I haven't done much outdoor photography (due to time contraints, time of the year, etc.), but what I've done has turned out very clear and pleasing.  I have a feeling that well-lit outdoor shots is where this lens might excel best.This is definitely a massive upgrade over the kit lens (in focal length, size, weight, and quality), so be prepared for all four.I'm not sure if the price justified the purchase, but I think that if good care is taken of this lens, then over time it will surely pay itself off.Do I recommend?  Only if you find the Digital Rebel kit lens too limiting, and want that extra focal length, if you don't mind the extra size, if you have a need for the extra zoom, and are ready for upgrading.  Otherwise, practice on the kit lens or a cheaper lens for a while before moving up.
I am generally pleased with this lense, and if I could only carry one lense with my digital rebel, this is the one I would take.
This lens is the perfect all around zoom for your camera. There is really no need to have to keep switching lenses when this 28-200mm is attached. Quick auto focus and clear pics. The only drawback I have experienced so far is the lack of a lock on the lens. It has a tendency to entend itself from the movement as you walk. But all in all I am extremely satisfied.
I got this lens for a wedding I shot. Since I only had one camera at the time, I was afraid of losing shots as I switched back and forth. Since I was in need, I paid full retail price. Couple of comments. You need to have an external flash and be able to do bounce lighting for this lens to be really useful inside. Its a slow lens as the aperature is small. This lens is what I would call an "average" lens. It does everything good but nothing great. The advantages of this lens is the great focal length capability. 28-200mm covers alot of ground. If you travel and you just want to keep memories for yourself and keep your film/digital camera at full auto or f/ 5.6 to 8, you will get great results. use a 580 or a 430 ex flash and that will help compensate for indoors. I think the focal lengths work better for full frame or film cameras over the small sensor digital cameras.The thing about this lens is the greatest asset of the lens is also the greatest weakness. To be able to provide 28mm-200mm at 350-500 bucks, it requires alot of compromises. Its slow indoors or requires flash which for most people is okay. you will get softness if you blow pictures up past 8x10. Its heavy and long. It doesn't have a small depth of focus for your close ups, it needs to be on a tripod for 200mm unless you can hold it very steady and even then you will want a flash.If you want a good all around lens under 400.00 this is your lens. If you want to spend a little more you get IS and USM with the 28-135mm. My feeling is, you take great pictures with a lens you have, not a lens you don't have. I think for begineers and for a fun day just shooting regular pictures, this is a great lens. Save the artsy pictures and the emotional pictures for a 50mm 1.4 or a 85mm 1.8 or a up close picture for the 70-200mm. This is a good all around for good pictures, not great ones.
I really wanted an IS lens but they were all really expensive. I settled for this on because the price was right and it was a Canon product.  I was not disappointed with my selection at all.  For an amature photographer this lens will do everything I need it to for now.  I may get a wide angle lens.  But I think this one will work.
From portraits to sporting events, this is wonderful multi-purpose lens.  Prior to purchasing the lens, I asked a buddy of mine (photographer for the Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Hockey Team and long time Canon user) if this was a quality lens.  He told me to go for it as it is the best buy for the money and that distortion and spherical abberation are extremely minimal with this lens.  Truth be told, I've never seen an EF lens I didn't like.
Good for the price.  At either extreme of zoom there is definite ghosting/shadowing and loss of focus, but this isn't the lens' fault, this type of artifacting is common among large zoom ranges.  I can easily see this lens being used for amateur family trips.  And if possiblly used with extension tubes or a homemade magnifying setup to allow for some interesting macro shots.  But this would be used only in a recreational context and not as pro solution or even a pro am.  Also it might be good for beginners to use as a single lens and decide what subject matter they might want to focus on.  The 7x magnification gives a wide variety of use, but lacks either the very wide lens one might want for truly majestic landscapes, or the extreme zoom for long distance wildlife.I am sure that USM is vital in some situations, but I have yet to come across a situation where it has made any difference.  Maybe if  you are trying to do some definite outback wildlife shooting, but I live in the burbs.
I received my 28-200 yesterday from Amazon.  Having read the customer reviews, I immediately put my Rebel XT on a tripod and ran two series of comparison shots with the 28-200 and my Canon 28-135 IS.  Three shots each at f-stops 5.6, 11, and 20, one set indoors at ISO 1600 and the other outdoors at ISO 200.  Focal length 135 using the same scenes with each camera, highest jpeg setting. After shooting both series, I compared them fresh out of the camera, side by side.  Results:  the 28-200 was at least as sharp as the 28-135 in both foreground and background in most instances.  It was visibly sharper at ISO 200 with f-stops 5.6 and 20, (the 28-135 took the honors at f-stop 10), and at 20, it was visibly sharper in both the foreground and the background.  The 28-135 was one-stop faster shutterwise.  Both lenses produced pictures which would sharpen nicely in Photoshop.  There are the vagaries of autofocus and different shooting conditions to consider; different test scenes conceivably produce different results.  My conservative conclusion:  the 28-200 is as good as it gets for a super-zoom on your Canon (unless you are going to drop $2200 on the L Series 28-300 IS and carry it), and the 28-135 IS has no clear sharpness advantage.  Between these lenses, its a tradeoff---an extra 65 mm of focal length (105 mm after a 1.6 conversion) versus image stabilization and low-light shooting capability. Both lenses focus quickly and silently, and both lenses produce usable shots.
If you're a professional photographer, you can probably ignore this review. But then you probably won't be thinking about buying this lens anyway, as you'll be off to purchase a nice L series.However, if - like me - you just happen to have a nice Canon Digital Rebel camera (or equivalent) and enjoy taking decent pictures, this lens will probably work out very well for you. I've taken well over 1000 pictures with it in a couple of weeks, and it has performed very much as expected. For the price, it's perfect for a go-everywhere lens.A few main points. Okay, it's not the best image quality. Even on low/medium ISO it seems a little grainy and its not as sharp as some of the more expensive Canon lenses. It struggles indoors unless you have a good flash unit, but for well-lit outdoor shoots it's works  very well.Of course, it would be nice to have a nice L series with IS, but if you can't afford that then this is a very good value lens. Not for the real professionals, but great if you don't take things too seriously and just want a bit more zoom - and, let's face it, who doesn't want a but more zoom!
This is a pretty handy lens, given it's 28-200mm range, you can capture almost any scene.However, if you're a serious hobbyist, and have a desire for tack sharp images, this lens just doesn't cut it.  When I had it combined with myRebel XT, it produced images that were comparable, to slightly better than,old point and shoot.  But, even with a tripod, the images produced were too soft for my liking.That said, I still think this is probably a pretty good starter lens - if you're used to the reach given by super zoom point and shoots, this is probably your best option if you don't have thousands of dollars and don't want to carry a bunch of lenses around with you.I'm selling mine and upgrading to aCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L.
This is great lens that i use all the time. There is only one problem i had and that is dust.  After less then a year i got one big peace of dust on the inside of the lens that cost over $100 to have removed.As long as you take care not to let this happen it is a great lens to have.
This is a good lens for all around shooting, especially outside.  It does well in bright light but blurs badly in low light.  With a tripod it does OK but this would not be my recommendation for inside or low light shooting without a flash.  However for an all around carry lens at a reasonable price this is great.the zoom range makes it really nice.
I bought this lens instead of the normal 55mm lens. I am glad that I did this because I could do wide angle as well as far distance. Its mated to a Canon 30D and for all these years, the camera and lens worked perfectly for me.
What a wonderful lens!!  I'm purely a hobby shooter, but I do like to take nice shots.  I took this to the zoo the other day and was able to take fantastic closeups of the polar bears, even through glass, and pick out the details on the butterfly wings.  The lens is not as heavy as I had feared, and unlike some zooms it does not telescope out under its own weight, so it was comfortable enough to keep carrying all day.  I'm using it on a Canon D60 and am nothing but pleased with the performance so far.
i bought this lens to use on vacation or other when i didn't want to carry 2 lenses. this lens does that - i know some of the reviews stated that this lens was not the quality they were looking for but so far, i have seen that.pro - it's canon, and it covers a lot of rangecon - it is a heavier lens
This is the few non-L lens I still keep in my gear collection.  The other one is the fisheye.This lens produces sharp images when you use f/5.6 for the wide angle and f/8 for the 200mm.After very careful comparison, I feel that it is really useful in shooting events when you do not need too much background blur and when you cannot carry that big 28-300mm L lens.I have used that one before and it is so big/heavy that I was totally exhausted after an 8 hour shoot.This lens is so light and small that I feel very happy about its use.Afterall, when there is good lighting, this lens can be a pleasant surprise!Overall, I recommend it!
I purchased this lens for my Canon EOS 20D digital camera and so far I really like it.  It focuses fast and produces very sharp, clear images.  As with any longer lens you do have to be careful about camera shake; I've had a few images come out blurry but these are usually interior shots.  I really like the 28-200mm focal length range and find the lens to be very versatile for framing wide shots of buildings or landscapes to zoomed in shots for portraits or close detail shots.  The lens feels solid and appears to be well constructed, which is typical for Canon products.  For the price range, this is an excellent lens.  You can only do better by spending considerable more money on an IS lens.
I am a railfan, and having a very large range of zoom is important.  Shooting on the fly from a distant bridge shot to a closeup coming around the bend.  Focuses quickly too.  I have a Canon 10D and I HATE changing lenses because it gets dust inside the camera.  This 28-200mm is very practical for my hobby, and gets used on Waterfall and other outdoor scenery too.One note of interest, it is hard to get super-sharp background details with this lens, compared to any of the IS lenses or the L Series lenses, (a buddy and I shot the same closeup shot with an ore dock way in the background and the dock details looked a LOT sharper on his 28-135 IS lens).  Same Camera, same settings.  Closeup Focused object looked great on both, just when looking at the out-of-focus objects, the IS lenses seemed to do better.This lens is worth the price in my opinion, and superb for amateurs and hobby-photographers like myself.  But those looking for a touch more in distant details out of the focused field, the 28-135 IS USM lens by Canon seems to be a little step ahead of this.  The L series lenses, of course, are in a league of their own.
Talk about bang for your buck. This camera has everything you'd expect from a mid-range camera and some you usually only find on high-end cameras. The eye control focus works great though you do need to calibrate it many times in different lighting conditions. The controls are well placed and easy to use. The custom functions are relatively simple to set and allow you to customize how the camera operates. Functions like the true mirror lock-up and the 4 fps advance speed help place this camera securely in the top ranks of its class. The thing that surprised me the most was the near silent operation. Even on rewind you can only hear it if you place your ear near the body (unless of course you choose to rewind at the faster speed). Of course there are options I'd love to see added like a PC cable port and an interchangeable focusing screen but thats why there are pro class cameras. Like I said before, this camera is hard to beat for the price.
I upgraded to this camera from the EOS Rebel 2000.  This time around, I did things right by just buying the body instead of getting the body+lens option.  I did this b/c the quality of the lenses that come with the combined package usually are optically a joke.  This time, I picked this camera up with 2 separate lenses...Canon 28-135mm IS USM and the Canon 100mm macro USM lenses. Both of these lenses have a super fast and quiet ultrasonic motor...the crappy lens that comes with the combo option will likely not have this option.  You get what you pay for.I am very very pleased with the performance of this camera.  The weight feels very good in my hands...the knobs and buttons are well placed.  Although this camera does not have a spot meter, it has a partial meter which will serve you fine.If I could do it all over again, I would have gotten the plain old Elan 7 w/o the eye control.  I find that eye control is not effective with only 7 focusing points...also, the need for repeated calibration to perfect this is annoying.  I find myself using the center focusing point only and recomposing.  Save yourself some cash to spend on lenses/filters/etc. and forget the eye control or the quartz date options.While this camera has a very quiet whisper drive, don't let the marketing fool you since the slap of the mirror still sounds the same as you trigger the shutter.Love this camera...it doesn't feel flimsy at all.  Great buy for an intermediate photographer.  I would also recommend picking up the 420EX speedlite as it was designed to work specifically with the Elan 7/7e.
camera works well and it.s condition is flawless, thanks guys,great job.i need a good case for it now, and a tripod.
Absolutely the finest camera I have ever owned! A bit pricey for the dilettante, but certainly worth the money for anyone serious about their photography.
I received this camera as a gift and have thoroughly enjoyed it.The instructions were easy to follow and gives tips throughout on becoming a better photographer.The camera was light and easy to carry and button use was simple.  My only complaint was I felt the flash was inadequate but overall its a good camera.
I was using a Canon T2i when I thought I needed a step up. While the price difference from the T3i is large, the overall quality of the 7D is superb. Just by holding it in my hand I could tell this was the real deal. Every picture I take is clear and comes out just how I imagined it when I planned the picture out. I would recommend this camera to all those amateurs out there that want to step up their game but not shelve out the bugs bucks for a fully &#34;Pro&#34; camera. But if you are a novice to digital photography, do not get this camera because many of its features will be wasted.
This is a brand new film camera introduced in Oct 2000 as state-of-the-art technology at the time priced at over $1,000 MSRP. Seller had several in stock. Takes excellent pictures. Body design is ergonomically superior to other film SLRs of that era. Can be seen at [...] What a joy to use!
I moved up to the Elan 7e from a Rebel 2000 soon after it came out. I was feeling a little bit limited by the Rebel and really felt the need to upgrade. I've been very happy with that choice.The Elan is a great product. It packs a lot of features and control into an attractive, strong, and well-sized package.The eye control focus is neat, but I don't use it much. The only major weakness is the strobing flash autofocus assist. Luckily, you can turn it off.I can heartily recommend this product, and the entire Canon system.
Till yesterday I was all praises for this camera and would have given 5 stars. Its got the features for a beginner to reach a serious amature role with low cost. Well yesterday it died on me. I have had the camera for 2.5 years and shot probably around 100 rolls with it.Now its a great camera. Its given me some awesome pictures. I like the metering except the fact that is does not have spot metering. This is a disadvantage. More over the the partial region of the camera is not well defined. I have the eye control. 85% it works and its great. But it does fail and irritates me at times. Low light focus is not so good but with the speedlight(420EX) it focus in a sec. What a difference. The depth of preview button is at time hard to findI love the fash 4 frames per second. I used it twice but it gave me great results. I love the feel of the camera.With all its defects I love the camera and might go in for the same.
I've been a many years user of Canon cameras. My latest EOS 630 served me very well for the last 12 years.Needless to say i was very excited when I got this one. The user interface is very well done. The controls are very easy to use and located in convinient places.The film advancing motor is very quit, in fact the shutter door sounds much louder then the film advancing.Build-in flash works very well. The red eye feature is much better than on any other camera, since it doesn't flash the flash light but uses a special bulb for that.I highly recommend to get 28-135 IS USM lens with it. The image stabilization worth the extra money, since it allows you to take pictures in very low light without flash or tripod.I didn't found the eye-controlled AF very usefull. It's nice as a toy, but you can live without it.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this camera for several reasons:1. There is no better point and shoot camera.2. It has well written instructions, that allow me to learn advanced photography.3. It is relatively light (without the flash)4. All of the buttons are easy to use while taking pictures.5. The eye tracking works well.But,1. The flash is not adequate in the dark unless you are inches away.  I got the 420 flash and have been very satisfied.2. It does not have the time and date stamp.  Not sure why considering the cost of the camera.3. The eye tracking works well, but is not completely automatic.  You have to know which modes to use it on.I would get the camera again.p.s. I was torn between an SLR and Digital Camera.  I am happy that I got a SLR camera.  I have my photos developed online, and choose which pictures that I want to have scanned at high resolution for Digital Photo Art.
I purchased this camera almost a year ago after my old manual Canon was stolen.  I was very hesitant to switch to an autofocus/autoexposure system after using a totally manual SLR for a few years.  But I have to say that the Elan 7E has totally won me over and is now my favorite camera.The eye controlled focus works great, it will amaze you.  For best results be sure to calibrate it under a variety of circumstances - the more you calibrate it, the more accurate it will be.  I love this feature so much - it is definately worth the price difference between the 7 and the 7E.  While the regular autofocus is good on it's own, I've discovered that the eye control feature can really be helpful under circumstances that fool the regular autofocus.  I leave the eye controlled focus on all the time now.This is a dependable, fairly rugged camera for serious amateurs or aspiring pros.  It has tons of features, half of which I haven't even had the time to experiment with.  The controls and the layout of the buttons are well designed and intuitive, and it's comfortable to hold in your hand.  My only gripe is that the depth of field preview button is too small and hard to find.  I tend to use the DOF preview a lot when shooting macros and I always fumble when I'm trying to find it.  I wish the button was either bigger or located on the back of the camera.Overall this camera is a dream to use and I would totally recommend it to anyone.  As for the USM lens that comes with this kit, it covers a good focal distance range and the USM lens are fast at autofocusing and much quieter than others I've tried. I can't comment specifically on this lens as I bought this camera elsewhere and chose different lenses to go with it.
I decided to upgrade my SLR camera. I've had a Canon T-50 for about 14 years and really liked it but now I would like to do some more creative things with the aperature and shutter speeds whereas the T-50 didn't have any controls for creativity but was a great point and shoot SLR.This camera is much bigger than my T-50 but has tons more features. I just love auto focus now. This camera lets you focus on whatever your eyes look at and focuses quickly and quietly. And film transport is basically silent compared to the T-50 which is so loud that whenever I would take a photo the noise would draw everyone's attention.The lens that comes with this is the lower end but is USM (Ultra Sonic) and is fine for point and shoot and does have a nice wide angle and fairly good zoom (90mm).This camera isn't quite as solid as my T-50 as that camera could be tossed around and held up beautifully over the years but this camera needs more TLC as it is more plasticy but considerably better than Canon's other SLRs (excluding the higher ended EOS's such as EOS 1D and EOS 3).The flash is adequate for most close up purposes but suggest an external one for large groups at a distance where you can also set the angle of the flash.Over all this is a fun camera. Has so many features to experiment with. And the tracking focus is awesome for photographing anything moving fast such as cars, horses, etc.I'd recommend it to anyone and prices seem to have dropped since it was introduced. Enjoy!!
I find that most often, when people are looking for an advanced-intermediate type camera, they usually narrow it down between the Nikon N80 and the Canon Elan 7/7e. I used to be a Nikon guy, but after working in a camera store for about a year and in that time playing with all the different cameras, this one won me over. Sold my Nikon stuff and bought a Canon system.The N80 in comparison handles like a wet diaper. The focusing is slow and it's noisy. The Canon is much faster and quieter, especially if you stick an Ultrasonic lens on the end of it. To get this kind of speed out of a Nikon lens, you'd have to buy the multi-thousand dollar lenses with AFS motors (the only lenses Nikon makes where the focusing motor is in the lens instead of the body...hmmmm...where did they get that idea from I wonder). The Canon's motor drive is almost twice as fast (4fps as opposed to Nikons 2.5fps), which may or may not be important to you. The Canon also has mirror lockup, which I find useful--the Nikon does not.Don't fall for the &quot;nothing beats a Nikon&quot; hype. Like anything that says &quot;Nikon&quot; on it, you're paying for the name. Try one of these out--you won't regret it.
ELAN 7e is an outstanding camera with a very impressive performance. From the day I have purchased this body, it has functioned flawlessly. I believe that this body is suitable for serious amateurs who wish to work either fully manually, semi-manually or full-automatic modes, whichever they desire. I have preferred Canon to other brands for the following reasons: 1. The dials are more handy and easy to access to 2. Canon provides USM lenses capable of working very silently. 3. Unmatched reputation of body endurance 4. The built-in eye-controlled auto focus system allows very fast and accurate way to focus (and it is a miracle, it has not focused on a single wrong focusing point as of yet.). In my opinion, it IS worth the extra you pay for it! 5. The body is very sturdy. 6. Canon has a wide service network. 7.  Infrared remote controlling is enabled, allowing as much as needed time to compose the picture and place yourself in it. The diopteric adjustment is also useful for myopes like me. It has a lot of additional features that come in handy.  I have to emphasize that I am not a professional so I can only recommended this body to serious amateurs. For beginners in photography, Canon Rebel will be just as good. If you intend to buy this body, do not go for 28-90mm lens but prefer the 28-105 F/3.5-4.5 II USM lens instead and definitely purchase a tripod.
The Elan 7E is a great camera.  I bought it to replace my Rebel S camera that I bought back in 1992 (I dragged my Rebel through numerous countries and National Parks.  Its been rained on, dropped and banged around and it has never given me a day of trouble).  I bought the Elan because I wanted the more advanced features that my Rebel didn't have.  At an amazing 4fps (frames per second) shooting rate, it is hard to miss the action with this camera.  EOS cameras are so simple to use that you will get great pictures even if you don't know anything about photography. If you are going to buy this camera, get a RC-1 wireless remote.  It simplifies the process of placing oneself in the photo or when you don't want to shake the camera when pushing the shutter.
This camera is definitely a GREAT camera. From the amount of features on it, and being a real gadget nut, I would definitely classify it as a high-end guy toy. It's as much fun as having a remote control with 5000 buttons and a 600 inch TV to use it on. From someone who has been using an SLR with manual everything for the past 25 years, upgrading to the ELAN 7E has been just plain fun. The technology on auto-everything cameras used to bug me because I thought it took out some of the creativity and thought from photography, but the tech wizardry on this camera is advanced enough that I can really enjoy the automation. For example, the eyepoint focus. Yeah, it's a gimmick, but darned if the thing isn't just a kick to use. The autofocus is quiet and quick, and the ergonomics of the camera controls have been worked out quite well (I would definitely recommend the external battery pack for vertical shooting. A second shutter release is positioned on the corner 90 degrees off from the regular shutter release for easier arm placement).  The camera has a good feel in the hands, and has just enough heft that it's not jiggling around in your hands every time your heart beats. The LCD panel, once you're able to decipher all the arcane symbols on display, rapidly becomes easy to interperet. A quick glance and you know just how the camera is set up. A note about this camera- READ ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS! There's enough technical gee gaws to keep an electrical engineer happy for a month (not to mention a photograper), and it's completely worthwhile to read up and learn the true versatility of this camera. The pictures that I've taken so far have shown that this camera is worth every penny, and would be a fine investment for any photographer, amateur or pro. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go buy a whole lot of film...
For the record, I have been using this camera for over 2 years now and I shoot mainly nature and people.The Canon Elan 7E/EOS30 is a fantastic all around camera for beginners/intermediate photographers.At the time of buying this camera, there was a confusion whether to choose the rebel or the elan 7E. I would very strongly recommend anyone to consider buying the intermediate Elan 7 as compared to the basic rebel. The rebel has a very &quot;plasticky&quot; feel to it and if I remember correctly, there is a single knob to set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Once you move away from shooting it as point and shoot, you will realize that the single knob can get incredibely irritating.As for the &quot;E&quot; i.e. eye focus, I never really used it too much but am planning to shortly. So you can save some money by getting the Elan 7, if you so wish since the Eye feature is essentially just a gimmick. Now I also wish I had got the date feature, since down the road it might be an useful tool. (say, 40 yrs, from now, you want to know when the picture was taken ;) )The most wonderful thing about the ELan 7E is that it allows you to grow with it...It offers a whole bunch of features, that I think will take you from a beginning stage (point and shoot) to a more advanced stage (total manual) phase. After shooting over 20 rolls of film and slide, I still find myself reading the manual and noting down some new feature to try out on my next roll.Small piece of advice for beginners.. I realize now that the money you spend on lenses might be worth almost more than the money you spend on the camera. Coz even the best camera cannot produce a decent picture with a bad lens. I would strongly recommend avoiding the standard lens(28-90mm, I think) that comes bundled with it (even if the total package is cheap). I bought the body separate and then a canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 lens and I have never regretted the decision. Its a relatively sharp lens at both ends and is always mounted on my camera for shooting almost anything. If you are on a tight budget get the Canon 50 mm 1.8 II which sells in most shops for under $100. I am now slowly saving up for a L series lens.Besides the usual preset options like portrait,landscape,closeup,sports,night mode,the Elan 7E offers a whole bunch of features that I found really useful. Here are some of them,1) Depth of field preview button.2) DEP (depth of field AE) - this really helps if your lens does not have a distance scale (like the 28-105mm). Say for e.g., you need to preset the depth of scale from 0 to infinity, this feature helps you to achieve that effect without the distance scale on your lens.3) AE lock4) Exposure compensation - you can set the exposure compensation upto + or - 2 stops in half stop increments and you can do it without taking your eyes of the viewfinder.5) Auto exposure bracketting - for those really important pictures that you dont want to miss :)6) bulb exposures - allows you to have as long a exposure as you want. I found this really useful. I hear that some cameras have limitations on how long they can be exposed. (RS - 60E3 shutter release cable is really useful for this)7) multiple exposures8) mirror lockup etc etc etc.The built in flash suffices for all my needs. Lots of people in this website recommend the battery pack, but I would suggest anyone buying this camera to first check it out themselves. I find the grip good enough for me.All in all, I just love this camera. I have been having great fun for past 2 yrs with it and am confident of having lots more fun for few more years at least and I dont think you will get a better performance for this price...If you have the money, just get it &amp; start shooting !!Strengths:1) Solid feel and good looks2) Enough bells and whistles to keep you curious and interested for quite some time.3) focussing point selection with seven focussing points (auto or manual)4) whole bunch of lenses to choose from5) built in flash6) Rugged build - have used extensively in real hot weather(AZ) as well as sub zero temperatures (MI)7)Relatively light and compact.8)Best price/performance ratioWeaknesses:1) I feel an LCD would have been invaluable tool to have during low-lit situations2)Lack of spot metering - this is one feature I would have loved to use.3)Auto focus fails to activate when you try to shoot closeups(macros), cloudy landscapes or under low light situations4) Depth of field preview button is hidden...I have never been able to activate it without taking my eyes off the viewfinder !
After years of happily using my Canon AE-1,F1 and F1N I finally ventured into the 21st century with this EOS 7E. I was stunned to see how wonderful Canon continuety even applies to their latest models: many of the user features familiar from AE-1, AE-1 program, F and T models have evolved and the feature set-up of the camera is extremely easy to learn if you have ever had ANY type of Canon SLR. So if your are an electronophobe: don't worry, this camera will not take you weeks to learn. Also, as always with Canon: you can have any level of operator involvement - this camera allows you to shoot in fully automatic as well as in totally manual mode, and everything in between. This is great as you are learning to handle the camera and maybe tackle serious photography as a beginner: you can start fully automatic and then gradually gain more manual control. The camera is extremely quiet, even the winder and the mirror reflex, so it is very good for wildlife shoots. The eye-controlled autofocus also helps in this area as well as in any type of sports or action photography. The flash reloades pretty quickly, and the winder does 4 frames per sec, not superfast, but it is integrated into the camera, which makes it worthwhile. The camera is much lighter than the EOS-1 models, which are the more heavy-duty pro models. Those have an external winder that is pretty bulky, but does 10 frames/sec. I opted for the compact and light 7E, a camera that already incorporates many EOS-1 features and I believe will satisfy even the most discerning hobby photgrapher.
This camera takes GORGEOUS photos! Such a lovely grain, great autofocus, and superb features make this one a winner! Just attach a 50mm f/1.4 lens on this baby, and you're going to get extraordinary photos for life. use ISO 200 or lower for the best effects. I use ISO 160, it is great and contrasty!
This is my walk around lens for a 20d quickly replacing the kits lens that came with it.  For the price you are getting a good performer optically and focus speed is snappy. Although I do find that most shots need some lite photoshop touches to bring out the detail.  Recommend using f/8 to avoid softness in the lower f settings.
This lens should have come with the canon rebel xt.It is noticable improvement over the kit lens.Within a month i purchaced the 70-200F4,non i.s.L lens and love it.I needed a better quality all around lens and chose the 28-105 usm.Image and sharpness are good at f5.6 or better and overall results are very good outdoors.I have only taken 30 or so shots with it so far but plan on using it alot in the future.I purchaced the canon hood at the same time.My next investment will be a good flash,but for now i am set on lenses.For the price you cant beat this lens,i recommend it as and upgrade for rebel xt kit,or buy the body and lens seperate.
I've had this lens for about a year and have been very pleased with it. I spent a good bit of time traveling around Europe with this lens as the primary work horse and was very happy with the results. The auto focusing is very quick and quiet, produces a good quality picture, and is an overall good value for the price. Those interested in purchasing filters for the lens for protection or other effects should get a 58mm filter. It's certainly not on the level of a professional grade lens but provides a good step up from a basic kit lens.
After purchasing my first dslr (Canon Rebel XSI) I quickly discovered that the kit 18-55 just didn't have the range I needed.  I somehow landed a job doing freelance work for the local newspaper the same day I got my camera, so I needed something that would give me more versatility on a very limited budget.  After reading the reviews I ended up with this, and I've been pleased.Granted, this is not an "L" lens, but at this price I wouldn't expect that.  Also, if you have shaky hands or take a lot of photos in low light this may not be the right lens for you.  It might be worth looking into the 55-250 IS.  In decent light this lens takes beautiful photos, and I've had many successful results with it.  It is great outdoors (I recommend purchasing a lens hood).I recently purchased my first "L" lens--the 17-40mm, and while it's a great lens, the 28-105 still lives on my camera for its versatility.  And even though I'm now in the market for something with IS, faster, and with more range, I think I'll still be hanging on to this one for awhile.  If I wasn't serious about photography as a career and used this as just a hobby lens I would be thrilled.  If you want something affordable with decent quality, I highly recommend this.
I just wish it was a bit faster, but for this price, I can't complain too much.  For general photography, this is my go-to lens.
this is way more lens then the price i paid it blows my kit lens out of the water, i love it take 90 percent of my photos with this lens
While it's not a very fast lens, one will be hard-pressed at finding one with as wide of a focal range and as quiet of a motor as this one at this price. I've shot with this lens in a church and I couldn't hear it focus even then. Images could be a little sharper, but I'm not complaining. I highly recommend it!
THE BOTTOM LINE:I needed to replace the lens on my Canon Rebel XT D-SLR.  The EF-S on first glance seemed like the perfect replacement since Canon produced the EF-S series specifically for the compressed sensor D-SLR line.  After weighing the pros and cons of the two, I chose this EF lens largely on the basis of price.  It was the right choice, and I haven't found any loss of features or quality.Multiplying the range by 1.6 for a 35mm equivalence (if you have a Rebel XT, 20D or 30D), this model is really just a slightly wide angle to stronger telephoto zoom. (about 45mm-170mm if it was a 35mm film camera)  If this range suits you, then this lens is an excellent value over a EF-S wide-angle/telephoto zoom.  You'll keep all of the features, save money and have a faster lens.The EF series meshes well with the current line of Canon digital SLRs.  In addition, unlike the EF-S series, they are compatible with all of the Canon EOS products including higher-end cameras like the Mark II.SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS FROM WEEKS OF USE:My first concern before purchasing this lens was the MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE of 0.5 meters, or approximately 18 inches.  I do a lot of macro work transferring images into digital, so I was a tad worried.  However, after getting the lens and zooming in, I realized that the focusing distance wasn't really an issue after all.  In most cases, I could manage to stand six or so inches further away and still get a highly magnified shot.  So that you can see that the macro function works well, I've uploaded an image of a small hamster photographed at 102mm.My second concern was lens QUALITY AND SHARPNESS, particularly in the wide-angle setting near the edges of the photo.  This lens exceeded my expectations.  So that you can see the quality of this lens, I've uploaded an uncropped picture of the SF Bay Bridge taken at the 28mm wide-angle setting.  You'll see that the photo is sharp all the way through the edges of the frame. (it is a web-sized jpeg, so you should take that into consideration and use it mainly to see the sharpness of the photo, particularly near the outside edges)I did get an unexpected bonus with this lens.  The MANUAL FOCUS ring is in the front.  I love it.  Disabling the auto-focus is a snap, and the position and feel of the manual focus is perfect for sports or social activities where the subject is often not the closest object.  The ring itself is ridged and made of rubber, making handling a breeze.While I hadn't expected to replace my stock lens so soon, I think it ended up for the best.  This lens is actually superior to the one that came with the XT.  I lost some wide-angle function but gained much more telephoto.  The price is excellent and the quality of the lens is high.
This is my favorite all around lens. This lens makes up for my laziness when I don't feel like dragging out my tripod to get great close-ups. You will not be disappointed with this lens.
This is my first lens that I have purchased for my new Canon XTi and I couldn't be happier.  The lens shoots way better than the kit lens that came with the camera, so far i haven't seen anything that I don't like about it!  I recommend this lens to anyone who wants to upgrade from the kit lens and not spend a whole lot of money, its built great, shoots great, and the auto focus is faster and quieter than the kit lens.  Can't beat it for the price, my local camera store wanted $330 and they woulda had to order it! Amazon comes through again!
I was looking for an inexpensive everyday "walkaround" lens for my new Canon Rebel T1i. I have a Disney vacation planned for the spring and wanted something that I can leave on the camera all the time so I'm not searching my camera bag for lenses. I was really ready to buy either the Tamron 18-270 or the sigma 18-250, but after seeing their price tags, I opted to do a bit more research since they both go for over $500; closer to $600 for the Tamron. That's a bit more than I wanted to spend. After all, with that much cash we can actually "do" more Disney instead of just look back at it in pictures.After doing a bit of research for a cheaper alternative, I stumbled across this at my local camera shop. The one I bought was used, but was cosmetically perfect with little to no dust inside. Picked it up for $200 plus a hood. Construction feels really solidSo here's the performance run down:This is definitely an outdoor lens for how I like to shoot. Without image stabilization, you'll want to avoid shutter speeds under 1/60 hand held (1/160 and over is ideal). I've been working on my steady hands and have been able to get a decent picture hand held, braced against something at 1/20, but that's a rare occasion. Use flash indoors or increase ISO or both. I'm a fan of natural lighting so I try not to use flash. For indoors I usually switch to my 50mm f1.8 prime if I can (if I have room to move about).Now for where it shines: Since I'll be outside most of the time at Disney, low lighting and indoors did not concern me too much. I really wanted something with decent reach and 105mm is pretty good. Not really telephoto, but I can always crop if I need to. Most of the time I'll be shooting pictures of my daughter so I better not be too far away!For a crop sensor camera (all rebels, 50D, etc) 28mm isn't that wide, but seems to be just wide enough for me. I'm thinking of the occasions that I'll need to put my 18-55mm IS back on, maybe where we are cramped?I am a fan of fast focus. My daughter is 4 years old and does not slow down. What good is a shot if it's out of focus? The USM on this lens is lightning fast! From close range to infinity is well under a second and with full time manual focus, you can quickly override it. It can search a bit in low lighting, but as I said, I use this mainly outdoors in lots of light. Oh, and it's very, very quiet.As far as image quality, set it to f8 and it's sharp as a tack, especially in the center. At f4.5 at 105m the edges do get soft, but with a pretty nice bokeh. At 105, I'd even stop down to f11 and it's really sharp (just check out picks of my cat maggie and a bluejay spotted in the back yard added to the gallery of this lens - both at 105mm, f4.5 and f8 respectively).Overall, I really like this lens. It's relatively small compared to superzooms like Canon's 18-200, Tamron's 18-270 and Sigma's 18-250. I may try to get one of them used in a year or two, but this lens is a really good bang for the buck. Good image quality, fast zoom, fairly light... This lens is a keeper.
I dont know all that much about lenses, Im starting with this one as a replacement of the kit lens that the Rebel XTi comes with. All I can say is that Im happy, it feels well built and the quality is very good in all aspects.
Pretty decent for a zoom lens. It does the job if you need a zoom lens Auto focus can be a little tricky.
This is by far the best "all terrain" -CANON- lens you will ever find at this price.It doesn't give the best posible quality, but you will be able to make pretty remarkable photographs.This lens covers almost every basic need.If you're not a professional, and you are looking for something affordable and well made, don't even doubt.
This is the lens that I used to keep on my Rebel XT most of the time until I got the 17-40 f/4L.  The 28-105 range on the Rebel is equivalent to 44-168 on a 35mm camera.  The wide angle is a little lacking on a 1.6 crop camera but most of the time you can take a step back if you really need to.  The ring-type USM provides fast, silent and accurate focus.  Full time manual focus means you can easily adjust the focus without having to mess with any switches.  The quality of the lens is way better than the EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and for the money, it can't be beat.  You have to step up to L lenses to beat the quality of this lens.Make sure to get the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II and not the cheaper f/4-5.6  It's definitely worth the difference.
When people talk about this or anyother EOS lens and the 28-105mm digital being equal to a 44.8-168mm film, You need to understand "THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE IN FOCAL LENGTH" but instead is the crop factor. This Lens 28-105mm WILL NOT MAGNIFY THE IMAGE EQUAL TO A 48.8-168MM FOCAL LENGTH LENS. It instead has a field of view ie:"CROP FACTOR" equal to a 48.8-168mm film lens. The only way to increase the magnifacation is to increase tha FOCAL LENGTH OF THE LENS=PHYSICS.Thank YouMichael E. Burk
This is another great, standard zoom lens by Canon.  To save money, I have tried lenses from different manufacturers.  Eventually, however, I end up coming back to Canon.  Why?  1.  Build quality:  Canon lenses, even the "cheapie" ones, are well-built. I don't "baby" my camera equipment, my canon lenses seem to last a lot longer than off-brand lenses.  The 28-105mm telephoto lens is rugged and well-built; I expect it will last a long time.  2.  Optical quality.  Here again, Canon lenses outperform all other similarly priced lenses.  Canon glass gives me better quality photos than other comparably priced glass.  The images that I have obtained using the 28-105mm lens are sharp and well-defined.  3.  The Canon autofocus system in the 28-105mm lens is fast and quiet.  I have used this lens to track moving action and invariably it can bring images to focus quickly and VERY quietly.  The quiet part is important to me because I photograph animals in natural settings and there is nothing more distracting that the loud "whirring" of a cheap AF lens disturbing your subject.  I recommend this lens to anyone looking for a standard telephoto lens with quick, quiet AF, great build quality, sharp optics and a price that won't put a major dent on your wallet.  My only complain is that Canon should include the lens hood as part of the standard package - a lens case would also be nice to have.
[...] This lens will not knock your socks off, but if this is all you can afford, it will do the trick as one step up upgrade to your kit lens.Good things are that the focus is really good at 105mm and it will produce good saturation  at times -- both of these things I couldn't say about the kit lense.Bad things are soft edges and just overall not very sharp images.Overall, it's fine for a while but it will leave you longing for something better if you are serious about photography.[...]
My daughter needed an all around lens that was used and in good condition and it is exactly what she needed. We appreciate the fact that he shipped is asap and iy was well wrapped. Thanks ever-so-much!  Jim
I have had version 11 and sold it due to a soft right edge. Purchased used the original version 1 with the flower designation and it is better. This lens is fine on the apc crop cameras ie; rebels,10d-7d models but corners and contrast are weak on the 5d. I compared this lens under different conditions to the Tamron 24-135mm and Tamron xr 28-200 and the Tamrons have better resolution to the corners and superior contrast and detail. The best setting for this lens on the 5d is at 50mm.  It focuses quick and accurate so it's just an ok lens.
While this is obviously not an L lens, it still has great quality for the price. The auto-focus is second to none in most situations and the pictures are very crisp. It is extremely well constructed, and if your on a budget like me, is the best lens to upgrade from the basic 18-55mm lens. The ability to Manually focus while still on Auto-focus is great for those shots you can't get it to perfectly pick up on. All in all a great Canon product. For the money its definitely 5 stars, but in the grand scheme of things a 4 is more appropriate.
I bought an XTi when they came out and skipped over the kit lens to buy this one.  I have not regretted that decision once.  This lens not only has taken absolutely spectacular photos, but it has shown itself to be constructed extremely well.I was at a family gathering and was in the midst of switching lenses when the stupid family dog squeezed between me and and the chair behind me, knocking me off balance enough to drop my 28-105.  It fell about four feet and landed front-side down onto the concrete porch.  After recovering from my heart-attack, (and completely missing the moment I was transferring to my telephoto for) I reattached it to my camera and continued to take another hundred or so photos.  That was about 6 months and 3k photos ago.  It's still going and taking great photos, though it doesn't zoom as smoothly as it once did.  I guess that's the price for my stupidity in conjunction with idiot dogs.
This lens isn't something uber professionals would probably use, but for a novice like me with a Canon Rebel this lens has been great!
I bought this lens and was pretty excited about it, but I've been disappointed. Previous to this I bought the 50mm 1.8 for $70 and that lens completely puts this one to shame. I need a wider angle lens and went for this one, but all too often found myself quite disappointed with the results. Edges of subjects were all messy and just looked terrible, even at higher f stops. I shoot with a 20D.The USM is awesome though and will for sure be an option in whatever lens I choose to buy in place of this one. The focal range of 28-105 was also very nice, but to me the picture quality was not so good.
As other reviewers have said, this is a great step up from the kit lens. I bought a Canon DSLR for a photo course. I've been a shutterbug all my life (going on 60 years) and I decided I needed a retirement project. A photography course seemed just the ticket. Based on a recommendation on bobatkins.com I upgraded my 28-80mm, which was already an upgrade, to this lens. The 28-80mm was light and flimsy, kind of loosey-goosey. Took good pics mind you. But this lens blows it away.It is built better, more solid. The operation is smoother and faster. It covers a more useful range. And the picture quality is excellent. The experts may disagree, but that's what experts do - nit pick.One caveat has to do with the geometry and interaction between the lens and camera. Depending on the camera, this lens is closer to a 45mm than the 28mm rated, but it goes out a bit farther. This is truer on older Canon camera models.I've bought from KEH before and while you may pay a bit more you'll get an honest evaluation and a guarantee. This lens is easily a step above the 'official' grade they gave. If I didn't know it was used, I'd swear it was new.An easy five stars both for the lens and KEH.(update) I just bought a 24-105 L lens. Honestly I don't see a difference in picture quality. Given I shoot on an T2i, a crop body camera, I may be wasting glass, but the problem with most lenses are at the edges, your smaller sensor crops that nonsense so you get only the middle, the sweet spot. I'll keep the L, but it's way heavier and not much fun to carry around. I'll probably only pull out the L to impress my camera snob buddies.
Bought this for a friend of mine who is into photography. He just absolutely adores it and now uses it on a full time basis vs. switching from regular lens to his zoom lens. To this day, he just raves about it and has taken many professional quality loking photos with this lens.
I use this lens on the Canon Digital Rebel. It gives me great color &amp; sharpness up to 11x14. Canon makes better lens than this but for this price range you can't beat it. I'd reccommend it to any one. If I lost this one today I'd order another one tomorrow.
Very good optics, very well made, you can focus even with the AF on, te top of the lens does not rotates so if you're using circular polarizing filter you won't lose your adjustment when focusing.If you're looking for the very best zoom lens for almost every situation (except macro and wide angle) this is the one... believe me!
This is a good general lens. I bought a Canon 40D body only. The kit lens was out of stock and I wasn't getting good enough reviews to wait around until it was available. I purchased this lens as my primary lens. I had read good reviews and it was well within the price range. The autofocus is quick and smooth and picture quality is very good-excellent. I think this is a great choice to replace a "kit" lens and not break the bank.
As a model photographer who often does outdoor photoshoots at Joshua Tree, I needed an excellent compact zoom lense which would give me more reach than what I already had, Tamron 28-75 f2.8, because I often found myself too far away on one boulder while the model was on another. Well, the Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5 lense fulfills this purpose. Even though it's slower, I still get good DOF (depth of field) and the speed hasn't been a problem; of course, that would not be the case if one was using this lense in low light situations. Not only that, but I've noticed that it, on the average, gives sharper pictures than my Tamron lense. The lense is very compact, having the size and weight of my Canon 85 f1.8 lense which is another plus allowing me to have the lense on the camera in my backpack without taking up much space. It's actually more compact than the Tamron and I'm able to use the same size B+W filters as my Canon 85mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4 lenses, which saved me money. So I heartily recommend this lense for anyone who needs a good quality moderate length zoom lens and can't afford to pay $800+, I paid $250 for it. This lense won't disappoint.
The Canon EF 28-105mm lens was a great purchase. I could bring it anywhere for those every day shots and still zoom in or out as much as I needed! My portraits and scenery shots turned out great. The quality of the lens is very durable and I have loved the crispness of my pictures using this lens. A great buy if you only have enough money to purchase one lens for your SLR.
This is an update on my first review of this lens.initially I had many issues with this lens but after sending it into Canon for repair it has come back much sharper. This is an issue I've heard from others regarding Canon lenses. The moral is: If the lens has a woble when you get it new, send it in to Canon for their free factory service immediately.While this is infinately better than the kit lens and a steady on zoom, the colors are still not completely accurate. If you are looking for perfect color accuracy you will be dissapointed. The zoom functions quietly and smoothly though and focus is nice throughout. There is a decent Bokeh (for this type lens) at 3.5 and even 4.5 if th4e background is seperated a bit from the forground.The zoom range is good as a walking around, but not quite enough for nature photography. It doesn't have the closeup focus capability you might hope for to get a nice image of a flower nor the zoom capability to get a nice image of a bird or a deer. It's just in between booth of these.For shots of people and places though, it's just right. This has been a very useful lens but if I were making the purchase again, I would go for something that either extended out to 200mm or shot closer in rather than this compromise that is not quite enough of either.As a first lens upgrade from a kit lens, this is a pretty good economical choice. No doubt many people will upgrade to this lens and stop there finding their needs fully satisfied.
This lens is just so versatile, and available at such a great price as this is not recent IS (Image Stabilizer) model. That's a major reason that I don't mind if I lose it or something happen to it, thus this is the all around travel lens for me. The 28-105mm covers quite a range of distant object. The weight of this lens is only a wee bit less than 14 oz. (13.7 to be exact), which makes it great to carry around. The picture quality is not amazingly superb but completely adequate and produce wonderful pictures. Totally recommend this lens for frequent traveler!
Sure this lens isn't an L, but for a starter or a cheap walk around it's great. I bought it as a walk around instead of buying a point and shoot. It's much better then any P&S camera I've tried, and cheaper then most of the good ones too. For the stuff I really want good IQ on I use my primes. I only gave it 4 stars because I don't use it as much as my other lenses, and it is a little cheap feeling. But it's very light which helps on long hikes so I can deal with it being somewhat cheap feeling.
I had knocked my on the ground.. and still works great.. a bit lose in focusing.. but it is awesome!
This lens is Canon quality. Works great and I have no complaints. Fits nicely onto my EOS Rebel Xti and takes great pictures!
This lens came in a box with a bubble-wrap. It had a gray filter on it instead of a lens-cap. It gave me err99 for the first few shots, which told me this lens wasn't used for a long time. After a few more shots and with my "secret" cleaning technic without opening the lens (for the aperture) the error message gone forever. Right now this lens is working perfectly with excellent results. Consider how much I paid ($179), I feel lucky :)
This is the first lens I bought for my DSLR. I have gotten some pretty good shots out of it and I'm sure that if I would shoot in better lighting, the shots would turn out even better. It's not great for low light, but I've gotten some nice shots without a flash at f/3.5, a shutter speed around 1/40 - 1/100, and the ISO raised a bit.The zoom is better than a kit lens, but it would be nice if it went a little further.I have used this for video with manual focus and it's pretty comfortable to focus with, although the zoom ring doesn't spin smoothly, so I can't really use zoom with video at all unless I zoom in before I push record. Also, the aperature changes throughout the zoom range if you start out at f/3.5.The construction feels and looks good and the size of the lens feels good on a T3i body.
Happy with the lens.  Great lens for people on a budget.  It gets me closer to my subject than the kit lens.  I would like to get really close but those lenses are out of my $ reach right now.  I keep it on my camera at all times.
I've had this lens for about a month now and have used it on several occassions with wonderful results.  The first time I layed my hands on its well made body I was changed forever.  Moving up from the kit lens to this is a WORLD of difference.  Images are sharper, more colorful, and the image is ALWAYS exactly the way I want it.The 28-105mm's build quality is impeccable with near silent focusing and non-creeping zoom.  My XT has always felt a little too light and breakable for me so adding this lens to it made it seem better somehow.Moreover, with the EW-63 lens hood flare is not a problem.  Some reviewers have said images are too soft on the 105mm end but if you don't shoot graph paper for a living it doesn't really matter.  I was also worried that I would miss the extra 10mm that the kit lens offered but I've rarely thought about it since I've gotten this lens.Many of you are also probably deciding between the 28-105mm and 28-135mm IS for your walk around lens.  Ignoring the extra 35mm (I never really needed 105mm myself) the IS feature is just not worth the extra $$ you have to shell out unless you know that you're doing sports or night photography.I could not recommend this lens more for any hobbyist looking for great photos.
I'm using this on an XTI to replace the substandard lens that came with the camera.  I purchased this lens because of the great reviews of the lens and the price.  I wanted this lens to get me through until I could purchase an L lens.  I have been very pleased with this lens.  I have shot all kinds of photos, day and night using this lens.  At night I use a tripod ... sometimes I need to manual focus at first shot if there isn't any light near.  Once I have the initial focus (manual) then the autofocus will normally "kick in" and work to obtain a more fine focus on the subject.  I have taken some very, very good night photos using this lens this way.  In low light I either use a tripod or a monopod ... flash helps much indoors of course.  I now have the 50mm 1.8, for a low light and a great price and sharp pictures.  I also have the 70-200 4L IS, which is a great lens with excellently sharp pictures.  The 28-105 gives me a bit wider shot of course than the 70, but not as sharp as the L lens.  However, the 28-105 is sharp and does a very good job for me.
This has become my go to lens for everyday pictures in and around the house. It's quick, quiet, and is very versatile.
This lens is truly a 'must have' if you don't have lots of cash to spend. Simply put, it is an excellent performer for the money. I recently got this lens for my Rebel XT, and noticed a HUGE improvement over the 18-55mm kit lens. Sharpness has improved considerably. The 18-55mm has some SERIOUS issues in that area. First of all, sharpness was REALLY bad at large apertures. But smaller apertures were not really much better. The 28-105mm still is not the best performer at large apertures. But it is MUCH better than the 18-55mm. However, at around f8 or higher, the 28-105mm is tack sharp. In addition, this lens does not suffer from the problem of having a clear foreground and soft background that my 18-55mm suffers from.Color accuracy has also GREATLY improved with the 28-105mm. Colors look MUCH more natural with this lens than with the 18-55mm lens. This is particularly true of lighter colors, especially when you go to increase saturation with Photoshop (or other software). Increasing saturation to improve the appearance of dark colors on a picture taken with the 18-55mm would typically make lighter colored objects look VERY unnatural. This sort of problem is MUCH reduced with the 28-105mm. I should also say that this lens appears to overexpose somewhat compared with the 18-55mm. This is more good than bad, however, as it has the effect of making the lens faster.Of course, this lens is not without its drawbacks. I mentioned the slight softness at large apertures, for instance. Also, it is not the fastest lens out there. But then again, what do you expect for the price? And finally, 28mm is not exactly wide angle on a cropped sensor digital SLR like the Rebels or the 20D. But despite these drawbacks, this lens really performs like a champ. And when used in its element (ie higher f-numbers), it works quite well. Also, since it is not an EF-S lens, it will not become a paperweight should you decide to upgrade to a 5D.
For the times when I want to travel light and only take one lens, I usually throw this lens on. Through its entire focal range, it does a great job. Its performance is exceptional considering it's not an &quot;L&quot; grade lens.The lens is constructed well and has a nice feel. I have an Elan 7e body and this lens complements it very nicely. The Ultrasonic motor is definitely a nice touch. You can't even hear the lens focusing it's so quiet, not to mention fast. I find that 28-105mm is a great range for everyday shooting, and if you're into taking closeups, it has a fairly good macro mode (although I wish it could be a little better...Nikon's equivalent lens has a macro reproduction ratio of about 2.7:1, which this lens doesn't come close to...but it's a Nikon...bleh).I would advise anyone buying this lens to also purchase the accessory hood that's available for it.
Needed a general lens for a wedding after battling with switching between the 20-35 and 70-200. This one fit the bill on my Canon 10D. Most of my shots were done at f16, but even the ones wide open seemed to come out as I had intended, with a little PhotoShopping at 50 percent. Glad I got this lens! Of course, with a boatload of dough, I'd probably get two camera bodies, matching flashes and a lens on each. Until I earn enough, it's this lens for sure.
Due to budget constrictions, this is the only lens I own for my Canon Rebel XT.  It's medium focal length lies perfectly between a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens and works perfectly for portraiture photography.My only complaint is that it is not an IS (Image Stabilization) lens, but with decent lighting and a tripod, blurry pictures can be easily avoided.
I am very satisfied with the overall performance of 28-105 mm. It focuses instantly and silently. USM is definitely an advantage and that was one of the reasons why I preferred Canon over other brands. The high pitched sound associated with focusing becomes quite irritating even at occasions when you do not need a silent operation. With a USM lens you do not hear anything and this is really fascinating. This lens produces very clear photos and is definitely better than the Canon EF 28-90 lens which is usually sold with the body for three reasons: 1. The grip feels much better. 2. The lens provides a larger aperture at longer focal lenghts. 3. Basically it has a focal length of 28-105 mm (vs 28-90).  Even if there is a significant price difference I would suggest the 28-105 mm. You will NOT regret it.
Lens too soft at 105 mm and F3.5.  If you must have an inexpensive zoom this lens is acceptable but there are much better (and more expensive) lens out there.  The 50mm f1.8 II for $70 is much sharper- of coarse it is not a zoom lens.
This lens has replaced my stock 18-55mm lens on the Canon Digital Rebel.  The lens is very sharp for the photos I take (close-ups as well as longer distance pictures).  One "negative" - the lens is a little heavier than the stock lens which came with the camera.  Not a real problem though.  One difference - the manual focus ring is to the rear whereas the stock manual focus ring is in the front.  The motor is extremely quiet and quick!  Am extremely pleased that I purchased this lens and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
I bought this to replace my kit lens and love it.  At the time I bought mine, it was going for closer to $300 and I think it was a bargain at that price.  I have since moved up to Canon's 24-70 L.  I'm not going to tell you there's no difference in image quality, there is.  But the L is 5x the price!  And the quality difference was really small and subtle.  On some shots, I suspect people couldn't tell if I used this lens or my L; image quality is that good.  Focusing is fast, silent, and precise.  Focal range is just what you'd want for an every day lens.  I also love how light it is.  I originally planned to sell this lens on eBay to help pay for my L, but that lens is so heavy and this one so light, I've elected to keep it for walking around and general shooting.  For this kind of price for performance, I can't imagine going off brand.
One thing I've learned from the reviews here is that it would be easier to weight comments if you knew more about the reviewer.  I am still a relative newbie, and have progressed from an old Pentax film SLR, through the basic point and shoot digitals, to a more advanced point and shoot, and about 18 months ago I bought a used Rebel XT from a friend.  I thought the kit lens was a huge step up from the p-s cameras, and was amazed by the image quality of this lens.  Most of my comparisons are to the Canon 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, which was the other lens I was considering when I made this purchase.  I have had the chance to use both, and am still happy with the choice I made.The lens makes beautiful photos throughout its zoom range, although it likes natural light better than artificial.  It is the best first upgrade I can imagine for anyone who isn't a professional, but then... you aren't really considering this lens if you are.  If you do more of your shooting indoors, consider spending the extra $$ for the 28-135 IS USM, which handles low light better.  Outdoors I find that this lens works better than the 28-135, producing sharper images especially when you are able to shoot at f7.1 or higher.  Images are sharp, colors are true and beautiful, and this lens is capable of some stunning bokeh effects if you take the time to experiment with it.  I am able to get sharp images all the way to f4.5 at 105mm, unlike some of the other reviewers here... maybe differences in copies of the lens?  I'm not sure why, it just works.Having said all that, lately I have had the opportunity to spend time shooting with different lenses, borrowing from a friend who is something of a semi-pro, and I am starting to see the weaknesses of this lens.  As I mentioned before, it tends to focus slowly in low light situations, and images tend to be underexposed in tungsten light.  It can be compensated for once you know about it, but the 28-135 IS is easier to use indoors.  If you don't mind using flash it's no big deal, but it's worth mentioning.  It's also a little short for my liking lately. I'm finding I prefer to sit outside the action where my presence won't influence the shot, and 105mm is sometimes a little short for that.  That's more an issue of suitability rather than a weakness in this lens though.In summary, this is the lens to get for the first upgrade from the kit lens.  It works great as an every day lens, giving up only a little at the wide end compared to the kit lens, but capable of far sharper, brighter images everywhere.  For the money you can't beat it.  Would I replace it if lost or broken?  You bet.
This is a great all-purpose lens for Canon cameras. It covers the vast majority of situations that a typical photographer will run across and it works admirably across all of the major functions that one needs: autofocus is quick and accurate; zoom functions easily; lens quality is good; weight is reasonable; et cetera. There is nothing to dislike and the price is very reasonable too. One additional note: with the new 10D which I use this with, the digital magnification factor translates this to roughly a 45-160mm lens.
Light weight, very fast forcuss and pictures were very sharp and bright with Drebel 300D. Very high recommended. I have a Sigma lense but the pictures taken were not as sharp as Canon lense.
This is the first lens I got for my Canon 20D. It's a great lens to start out with, as it covers a great range. 28 is pretty useful, but it's not something you can really use for actual wide-angle. Still useful for relatively close shots. 105 has proven incredibly useful for portraits, nature stuff, pretty much everything I've tried out so far. The versatility of this lens-- that it can be used close to the subject and far away-- is definitely one of its best features.3.5/4.5 can be a bit blurry. I generally do pretty well, but I was taking some odd pictures today that didn't come out too well-- different objects at different places, which a higher f-stop would have totally solved.  I think someone said in another review to go for around 8...USM is absurdly fast. I can't get over it. (Having lived in point-and-shoot / Canon FD land before I got this camera...) Definitely don't settle for the cheaper version of this-- this lens is ergonomically and optically an excellent lens for $100 more than the cheap one. USM, great range.
I have this lens on my camera most often. I have kids and the zoom is great for taking pictures of them when they are running around.I was surprised the first time i went to use this lens, its very quiet.This lens has a little weight to it and doesnt feel cheap at all.I recommend this lens to friends. Its fairly inexpensive and is of good quality. And it takes some great pictures.
Lens is pretty much brand new.  As described, great lens for what I need.  Great price and arrived on time.
I purchased Canon EF 28-105mm USM II lens a few months ago to go with my Canon XSi. I love taking photos of nature and have captured some really beautiful photos of butterflies, other insects, flowers, and animals with this lens. My pictures have come out sharp, and with excellent color. I appreciate how easy it is to use the manual zoom and the speed of the auto focus is really wonderful.  To take close up photos, I just set the camera on the close-up setting, look for my subject, set the zoom, make sure I am 18 inches from the subject, depress the shutter half way and wow - the auto focus is amazing on the subject and the background has just the right amount of blur. The quiet USM motor is nice too so that you don't scare away the insects with a lot of noise. All I have to do is crop my photo - no need for touch up of any kind.  This camera and lens go great together.As far as value, I think the quality is excellent for the money. It is worth every penny.
I purchased my first DSLR in July - The Rebel XT. Everyone suggested that I get this lens. Well, after buying it - putting it on, I can see why (compared to the kit lens that came with the Rebel XT).This lens is SUPER fast Auto Focus (but then again, coming from the P&S; world, no duh). The zoom is incredibly far (more than I would ever need). However, due to the Rebel XT - it isn't as wide as I would have liked. I read about this before I purchased. So when I'm doing portrait shots - I just step back a little and everything is just fine.Definitely recommend this lens. You can't even hear the USM focusing... Beautiful.
I also bought this lens for my Canon Digital Rebel and i think it is a really nice little lens. it is well constructed with a metal lens mount and has a super fast and quiet USM motor. be sure you get this lens and not the cheaper F4 version!the Canon 28-135IS is also a fantastic lens but it costs twice as much and is also larger. so if you are in the market for a high quality Canon lens that does not cost an arm and a leg then i would highly suggest you get this one.
I have owned this lens for about a month now. I opted for this one instead of the 18-55mm kit lens upon reading numerous reviews that it is a great general purpose lens for starters.I have to say I am impressed with Canon's USM system... and a relatively fast auto focus. I havent had a single time when the subjet was out of focus because of the len's mistake.It is pretty sharp around f5.6 all through the focal range.. mostly within 28-80mm range.To sum up:Pros:- A good general purpose Canon branded lens. 28-105mm is a decent focal range for starters.- USM is great.- AF is good.. mostly accurate.- Light weight, not bulky in size.- Decently sharp throughout most of the range.Cons:- Colors are not very bright or vibrant.. but a little post processing is all it needs.Final notes:The 28-105mm is great for its flexible range and the decent sharpness and USM... I have used it for everything from semi-macros to portraits to landscapes to long exposure shots at night to birds. And the build is professionally solid. Worth the money!!
First off, this is a very good first lens.  If you are looking for an inexpensive lens to take photos of family and friends then this lens is perfect.With that said, I am looking for a lens to do more.  I have outgrown this lens.  It's just to soft for me.  It's pretty sharp for the price but not near as sharp as I would like.Bottom line:To soft for anything other then general family photos.  Hope this helps.
This is a very good all-around lens.  When you consider price, image quality, and its range of uses via the zoom range available, it's hard to beat.The image quality is hit or miss.  Mostly, it's just average or slightly above average.  Again, though, I recommend this lens mainly because it's flexible in its zoom range, not terribly expensive, has USM focusing, and takes respectable though not superb pictures.  That's a pretty good package of offerings if you want one lens to do a lot of different things within an attractive zoom range of 28-105.Of course, if you have an APS size sensor, as opposed to a full-size sensor, those zoom ranges are effectively 44 - 168mm.  So, be aware that your "wide" end of 28 is not so wide.
I was given this lens after my Sigma 28-135mm lens broke.  While that lens has been fixed, I haven't used it since attatching the Canon lens on my camera.  The Canon 28-105mm may have a smaller zoom range, but other than that is clearly a superior lens in every respect.  It's sturdy, fast-focusing, sharp, and has good color.  In short, it's what you hope to find when purchasing a consumer grade lens.  There are other cheaper lenses on the market, like Sigma's lens or Canon's f/4-5.6, but this lens is worth the extra $100 for its reliability, sharpness and overall usability.
This is a excellent lens for the price.  I've brought it on vacation several times since purchasing it in mid-August and I find that this is the lense I've used probably 90% of the time on my Digital Rebel XTI.Pros: Autofocusing is very fast and quiet!!  Sharp and solid build.Cons: Autofocus shifts/stutters slightly in extreme low-light situations.  No other faults that I've noticed yet.
Otherwise this lens is merely good.  I've had this lens for a little over a year and have taken numerous rolls on it in all kinds of settings and conditions.  It does what it promises to, which is to provide a nice wide-to-medium telephoto focal range (suitable for 99% of casual photography) with the fast ring type Ultra Sonic Motor autofocus.  It also lets you focus manually even if the switch is on AF, which is really slick.  If it weren't for these features I might not have given it a 4 because the optics are just not that good.  It's not very sharp at any focal length, and it produces duller colors than the other 2 lenses I have.But like I said, the lens performs as it's meant to - as a better than entry level consumer grade lens.  The USM is so fast that it justifies the lens's optical shortcomings.  Your subject simply *pops* into focus instantaneously when you start to depress the shutter.  I'm about to move on to a sharper and more &quot;contrasty&quot; lens, but it'll be heavier, bigger and won't focus as fast.  The time that I did spend with this lens produced some very nice results and it served its purpose quite well as a solid stepping stone in my continuing education as a photographer.
I bought this lens as a step-up from the kit lens on my Canon Rebel XTI. I needed the extra distance it offers. It works great for my purposes and the price is definitely right. The USM motor is a great feature. The AF is pretty good and it's not too bulky. There is no IS, but that has not been a problem for me.I've used this lens for close-up shots, outdoor photography, and aquarium photography. It works pretty well in low-light situations (such as in an aquarium) and has produced some excellent shots.This is an excellent all-around zoom lens and is a great upgrade to the kit lens that comes with the Canon XTI. Recommended!
This is probably the most used lens in my camera bag.  The construction is great and the lens feels good to the touch.  The focus and zoom rings move smoothly without any catch or &quot;grit&quot;.The ultrasonic motor is both very quiet, and very fast.  Autofocusing this lens is a joy as it snaps to focus so quickly compared to other autofocus lenses that I have used.The focal range is nice going from a wide angle to a short telephoto adequate for the vast majority of casual shooters.  Even the macro settings are good, although they could be a bit better only going to about 12 inches.  But with everything else this lens has going for it I can over look that.This lens is definetely worth having, and most photographers could get by with only this lens.
I bought this lens for my Canon 30D and I use it all the time!  This USM is very fast and quiet, and the 28-105mm provides a very good range.  This makes it great for travel, and at an affordable price!Pros: wide angle and telephoto, has macro function, price is affordable, quiet.Cons: no image stabilization(but really not a big deal)
This is a fabulous lens and the seller was absolutely great about trying to get it to me on time while working with me to figure out the best way.  I appreciated their efforts and I ended up with a great product!  Thank you!
For around $230, there is really nothing to complain about. It has almost the same optical quality as the twice expensive 28-135 IS. If you do some google, you may find it compares very nicely with the much more expensive EF 24-105 f/4 IS. It is not as good, but very close. The optical difference, if any, will only show itself with 100% crop and pixel peeping.The only weak point I observed so far is that it is a little soft wide open (3.5) at 28. However, if you stop down a little bit, e.g., 4.5 or 5.6, it becomes very good.I roughly compare it against tamron 17-35 2.8-4 (model# A05, which is known to be a sharp lens) at 28. As I mentioned before, tamron beats this lens if wide open (3.5). But when stopped down to around 5.0, there is no difference (in fact, canon may even be a little better in terms of color & contrast).I tend to use this lens mostly outside with aperture 5.6 or smaller. I used it for some portaits, as well as travel photoes. For this purpose, it does its job perfectly.I am debating to give it a 4 star or 5 star (due to the soft issue wide open at f3.5). But considering its price, I am inclined to give it a 5 star.
Good Sharpness, quick & quiet focusing, and good constructure. I have used it for thousands of shots on my CANON Rebel XT, since I bought it in May, 2006.  So far so good.  I have no complaints on it.
wish it had I.S. but besides that it's a good lense, Pretty slow  focusing at very short range probably because i dont have very steady hands, which is also why i wish it had image stabilization, but if you have steady hands I wouldn't worry about it. i tend to manually focus at that point, besides that its pretty quick and works well.
Great for taping up that box to ship without having to get out the tape dispenser or scissors. A little expensive, but so handy it's worth it. Easy to tear.
This is the best tape ever. It's easy to use and tear. A few minutes with another tape with the metal razor edge and  you quickly will miss this tape. Can't say enough good things. Thanks Amazon.
Last November, I needed to move quickly -- in just over a week, and I had to keep working.  My apartment was furnished, so this meant getting personal belongings packed, for the most part.  I packed my things into two suitcases and a few boxes.  I flew to my new destination with the suitcases and the boxes were shipped via USPS Priority.  The boxes (all fairly solid, with the exception of one) had been taped together with this stuff -- I had bought a roll, ironically, for an earlier Amazon return.The boxes were all taped with two or three layers of tape, because I was already observing the tape to be weak.  I had to take the tape with me to the post office, because it was already separating from the boxes as I was moving them.When I opened the door to them at my new location, one of the boxes had almost come open in the wind(!) and they all had obviously been re-taped a time or two -- the adhesion was even weaker than I remember.  It's probably only because of some careful postal courier that all of my things actually got to me after my move.Don't pack boxes with this stuff unless your shippers are equally careful.
This is good tape....would try to find something alittle stronger for packing boxes...but otherwise good, and it is easy to use.
I've been using this tape for years.  It isn't meant to hold 50 lb boxes together but it's great for so many things.  I mail boxes weighing up to 15-20 lbs with it. I use it in the kitchen and other places to label jars etc (it's easier to remove than other labeling sources).  I use it to temporarily hold things in place when it applies (crafts, sewing, carpentry etc).  I like the tape for many uses.
I took a photography class in college and have owned various Nikon SLR's. This was the first digital point and shoot that satisfies both easy carrying and wife use and still is super high quality.  The guy who says its garbage on close up shots should have checked the Kodak website and done the firmware update, the new software fixed that glitch.  The update was super easy to do.  This camera won me a photo contest with a pic of my cat, and it constantly amazes us with its quality pics, and I hardly use anything but the 2.2 megapixel or LESS.  The exposure controls 2stops +/- are excellent and right on top of camera.  Depth of field is also on top, easy to use.  A diopter is given on the view finder.  (...)  The battery is a high quality one and lasts a decent amount of time if you don't use the screen much.  Only non's want to use the screen anyway, use the viewfinder.I would like to have a remote for slide shows on TV, and maybe movie capacity but like my review is titled, this is a very solid camera (fell on it once on a rock) that just takes awesum pictures.  The software is basic, you can only transfer files pretty much, but I already had some olympus software for editing.(...)FYI - We use amazon's o-photo service and love their service.  Its by Kodak as well and provides fast service that has not dissappointed us.Enjoy!!
There are very few things not to like about this camera and they are far out weighted by the many things this camera does. I don't like the overall feel of the camera, it feels cheesy. I don't like the LCD in the sun, you must use a shade to see it. But that is really nit picking once you get down to the features that include saturated color for overcast days-it's like putting Fuji Velvia in a film camera to punch up color. Black and white with red and yellow filters as well as sepia and I don't have to carry filters! I love kicking back, with the camera hooked up to my TV, and watch the slide show feature on a big screen, which you can do because the images are so sharp. I purchased the wide angle attachment and, although it has some distortion primarily when photoing buildings, it is sharp. 11X14&quot; prints come out looking like a lab did them when you shoot in raw mode. Here's a tech tip -put the camera on a tripod, set the ASA to 400, set the film to black and white and hold a wratten 87 filter in front of it while exposing and get the look of black and white infrared film. This camera puts fun in photography and is well worth the price.
I have been using a Kodak DC4800 since last June. This is an excellent digital camera that takes excellent pictures. One thing that disappoint me is the weak built-in flash unit. Most of the digital cameras on the market today has the same problem, not only the Kodak DC4800. I am using an external Vitivar 285 flash unit with an L type of flash bracket with the Kodak DC4800. Now, the indoors flash pictures are very nice when I use the Vitivar 285 flash unit.  The outdoors pictures that this camera takes are just breath taking, excellent.  I am very happy with the Kodak DC4800. The first thing that I brough for the DC4800 is a 128MB CF card and an extra battery w/charger.  The reason that I brough the Kodak DC4800 digital camera was for the 28mm wide angle lens, the small size and that it can be use as a Point &amp; Shoot camera. And it was the less expensive 3.x MP digital camera on the market at that time.  Highly recommend this digital camera to anyone.
This new Kodak digital camera's color and sharpness is unbelievably crisp and clear. Includes all software for editing on your PC. This is a great camera to bring on a long trip or just shooting around for fun. Recommendation: Buy
In case you're womdering... the &quot;internet bundle&quot; included in this camera means that you get a 64MB flash card instead of 16MB, and you get an extra rechargable Li-Ion battery. You definitely need both items.  (You can survive with 16MB if you carry your computer with you everywhere so you can contstantly empty the memory.)  You have to have an extra battery for this camera.  The Kodak supplied battery is only rated at 3.7V and 1100mA-hours, which isn't as much as a camera with 4AA batteries usually gets.  (4 Ni-MH provide about 4.8V and 1200mA hours!)  And Kodak's special battery is the only one this camera takes!!  So you'll need an extra for sure.The pictures themselves are excellent.  You get a 3x zoom lens, a choice between ISO equivalents of 100, 200, and 400, MORE than enough shutter speeds, and there are 3 choices of aperture (f/2.8, f/5.6, and f/8).  You can have manual control over all of these settings or let the camera automatically choose, although with the automatic control the camera doesn't always take very good pictures.  If you take control, however, and you know what you're doing (and its easy to learn!) you will always get good pictures with this camera.The reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is Kodak's choice to include its own expensive battery instead of using cheaper rechargables, and the fact that the camera doesn't do very well on the automatic setting.
As stated in an earlier review, you will have virtually no luck finding batteries under the RCA listing.  However this camera is able to use all batteries compatible with the JVC DVL500U. (I believe that this camera is actually built by them.)Haven't had it long enough to make any detailed comments. So far so good.  I have been succesful transferring files/videos via 1394 to a PC running Sonic Fusion Video Factory.  However, I did not have success using Ulead Video Studio that wasa bundled with my 1394 I/O card.  (I believe that this is a problem with the Ulead software, not the camera however.)
I've really just started out with this camera, so my rating at the moment is based on the ease of use.  It's incredibly easy to get up and running in no time at all.  All the controls are easy to reach and understand, and the video quality is very good.  The only problems I've had was the first time I attempted to hook it up to my computer through the FireWire.  It took Windows ME a long time to &quot;install&quot; the camera, but once it did, it took next to nothing to download the video in Windows Moviemaker.  I'll be exploring other software soon. I'll update this review when I'm more familiar with the camera, but for beginners  like me, I think this is a great choice.
Haven't had the camera too long but electronics change so fast that if I delay I run the risk of writing an review on an obsolete item.  I've probably only run the camera for an hour or so but I haven't had a problem.  The camera is easy to use and works great.I've been able to download and upload video to a windows computer using the "actiontec" firewire card (which I don't think is sold here).  The card works fine with this camera.  When using the video editing/capture software you can completely control the camera from software and don't have to touch the camera.  Its easy to get the impression from reading online comments that its rare to get a digital camera to play nicely with a computer.  Well, here is one case where everything worked without a hitch.  With an [$] piece of hardware and software and a huge hard drive (well, a few free GB is enough to get you started) you can get introduced to the world of digital video editing.One strange thing I did notice about this camera was that in the manual it mentions that if the LCD screen is swiveled 180 degrees (pointing towards the subject) the viewfinder becomes active.  This doesn't seem to be the case for my camera.So far I have been unable to figure out how to extract the still images from the camera.  Its easy to use this feature and I believe that it captures slightly higher resolution images in this mode but my DV software doesn't seem to support this feature.  I would really like to use this to send quick snapshots over email (videos are still not very practical over email).Overall, great sharp picture, decent microphone (no support for external microphone however), good exposure, auto-focus seems a little slow sometimes and in extreme cases (too close) fails.
...  I would avoid the temptation of the cheap price and look at something else.  RCA is of course a decent company, but this is the ONLY digital camcorder they make anyway, so they're not exactly experts at it.
This camera works great with my Mac! Just puug it in and go!
I purchased this camera on 12/31/01 and used it for the first time on 1/18/02 after less than 5mins of taping a message came on to clean the heads the picture was choppy and big red lines were across the lcd screen when played back. Also the camera would not hook to my ieee 1394 port on my gateway performance 1700 pc. I called rca and was told there was no adapter for this camera to fit my pc needless to say I returned the camera to the store and am now waiting for .... to ship my Sharp wish me luck. I will reveiw the sharp once I have used it.
i like my camera and all but the film is kinda over priced but what is there to be expected its an old camera so i recommend it.
I was heartbroken when Spectra PolaroidPolaroid Spectra Film Single PackCameras were discontinued.  I've enjoyed using mine so much.  But after a spell of non-use it began to develop kinks.  Then I couldn't find film.  Well, I've finally a good supply at good ol' Amazon and the price isn't unreasonable.  Thanks again Amazon for being just where you're needed.  I'll stick by you because you stick by me.
I found this film on Amazon to be reasonable in price (of course I understand the limited supply drives up the cost), and I know the film is way past its expiration date, so I won't bash this item for not being up to my expectations. The film ended up being kinda yellow-ish green after taking, which as I understand, means that the camera itself or film has been too hot at one point. (Probably the camera I bought at a garage sale) Luckily the film worked with my camera and I now have some great old photos to show off :)Due to the price and practicality, I probably won't buy any more film, but I'm glad I got some, and I probably wouldn't have bought any if not for Amazon.
I gave to my dad as a gift since he has a polaroid camera. He needed to take pictures of all his children and grandchildren right away. This was a great deal although a little pricey for my taste.
It was great being able to buy this film for my old Polaroid. We don't use it often, but sometimes giving someone an instant physical photo of a special occasion is wonderful.
I got these naively thinking that the film would be usable and in good condition.Unfortunately I have to admit that the film had expired long ago. None of the images came out as expected, and instead were a very vague faded silhouette of the subject. On top of that, there was ink that never developed, and instead leaked and formed a puddle effect on the film itself.I really hope that Polaroid starts re making the 600 film. I love my Polaroid camera and it's a major disappointment that the purchase didn't turn out as hoped.
I'm guessing that the Polaroid film will make a comeback. I used to by this film at CVS for a lot less than $38.95.I'm hoping it does make a comeback even though it was bought out.
Obviously you can never tell until you've opened and used them if they work. The pack that I bought didn't work, but as I said, there was no way for the sender to know that. Hopefully the next pack will.
Purchased a vintage Polaroid that used 600 instant color. Hard to find item and glad that product performed as expected on vintage camera,
A bit expensive for these films, however I can undertsand why. Not sure where they had it stores but I think the first pack I opened the films was exposed to light.Other than that I love these kind of films and will continue to used them as long as it sells. Price can be reduced by 25.00
Even in a digital world sometimes you just need something quick and simple.  Polaroid film fills that role perfectly!
It did not take a clear pictre with the polaroid  camera.  I took some pictures and they didn't look clear.
This is good film if you have a camera that requires Polaroid 600 film, but when it comes down to numbers, you're paying five bucks per shot which is a pretty penny. The film is good quality - or as good as you can get, but then again, I shouldn't complain. If I find myself whining about the quality, I'll just use my digital camera.
Polaroid 600 Instant Color Film (3 Pack)This product is now very hard to find at local stores that seem to only sell digital and disposable cameras.Yet, the Polaroid instamatic film truly is most convenient when traveling or when you just dont have time to go to a drug store and get digital film or disposable camera film developed.Polaroid 600 film along with the Polaroid 600 camera is the least time consuming way to preserve with fine quality those pictures that mean a lot to you.I wouldnt be without it.
my biggest fear with polaroid films is that the battery may not be operational, as the film pack is also the camera's power source, but it worked great and my girl was super excited for her gift. good product, will probably buy again unless i can find it at cheaper price
With polaroid film being expired making this purchase is always a risk. Out of the three packs I purchased I had maybe five photos that had emulsion damage. Its always disappointing when that happens, especially because each photo ends up being $5 - $10 with the price. I'm still going to continue to buy it and hope someone starts making it again. I've tried Impossible Project and its just not the same. Sigh...I'm a nostalgic.
Nice for the camera but this is priced entirely too much. But I must say they are moreso good films
I just received the film in a timely manor and was excited as my niece just told me she still had the polaroid camera I had bought many years ago. She said she looked for the film and couldn't find. I jumped onto amazon and sure enough there it was. I bought a pack (even though the price was crazy HIGH) but hey it was for my niece BUT the experation date is 2007 so I think I will just return it after reading the reviews as to others who used the expired film and it was bad.. Not worth paying over $50 for..I have a compact HP A646  printer for my digital prints and it's GREAT.. I like to be able to view a picture before printing. between the ink and photo paper it's about 30 cents a print and soooo easy.. Also small enough to take with you anywhere.. No computer is necessary, you just need an outlet to plug it in.. and within about 1 minute your photo is printed..
This item was terrible. Ill never buy here again. My film was all whited out and was labeled "Jekel and Hyde" on the developed film.
This film is way too expensive for everyday use.  The photos came out mediocre, blurred and they did not process fully..
great pictures. I use this on trips with my kids when they were small when they went on school trips. i gave all the kids a picture to take home with them to remember the fun they had!
First of all expired film. Second 54.00 for a 10 pack is ridiculous but thats my fault for not reading the small writing on the pack.
Daughter is into old fashion instant photos and she wanted this film to use her old poloroid camara.  we hope it works good for her.
The item was received quickly and in good shape, however it was out of date (last batch produced, I guess) and way over priced.
Polaroid films are great. The only downside is sometimes you lose one picture because device gets stuck. It is getting more expensive today since it is not made anymore. It might get to be $5 dollars per picture. Right now is $2 dollars. So, you might want to buy a few packs right now. Of course, that's if you have the money and you really, really, really want those pictures taken. Good luck.
I purchased the film as my grandchildren had never seen a polaroid camera and film is very hard to get.  Although the kids thought the camera was great, I believe the film might have been old as the pictures were not bright enough.  I am giving it 3 stars for the fun it brought them
The price seemed high, but the film is dated OK and I'm sure is alright.
With our Dad having Alzheimer's he couldn't remember who visited.  We found an old Polaroid Camera but had difficulty finding film (until we looked on Amazon).  Now whoever visits Dad takes a picture with him and posts it on his bulletin board.  Makes him smile....and us too!
I bought this film along with a polaroid camera for my daughter and she is very pleased with it
The film I recieved was in storeage too long anf I was't able to replace it because Poloroid no longer makes film for MyPoloroid One Step camara.
This is a great concept and was delighted when I learned that I could get the Polaroid One Step camera.  However, as of 2009 (next week!) the film will be discontinued.  What good is the camera if you cannot get the film?I returned everything!  Very disappointing as this was a gift for my husband for his birthday.  O well.
I don't know if I can come up with 20 words.  It is what it is.  Polaroid film; if you have a Polaroid camera and still want to use it, bite the bullett and buy this item; otherwise, go buy another camera and move on.  Is that 20 words?
Bought in May 2011 from MonsterHotDeals; product arrived promptly, with the box in good condition. Seller feedback was 96% as of 30 days back when I bought the film.Film expiration date on box: 09/09.I used this with my Polaroid 600 camera (exact same camera as the one for sale on Amazon under: "Polaroid One Step Express Instant Camera, Midnight Blue").I used the "no flash" option as I was shooting against glass. The pictures are yellowed, more than I think they should be when using this feature, but the subject is clearly visible.I didn't want to waste any of the other shots left in the film pack to see how well it shoots pictures with the flash, but I did accidentally shoot one shot of that same subject with the flash on. Keeping in mind the reflection from the flash on glass, it nonetheless looks like the shot was okay - not great, but okay.When you knowingly order film that's out of date, you definitely take a chance, and I decided to buy a single pack to see how things would go.I think it depends on what kind of quality you need for your pictures as to whether or not this film (with this expiration date, from this seller) works. For my purposes this film (again) was okay, but I wouldn't say great.As far as this seller's promptness and the package condition, I give MonsterHotDeals high marks. Again: when you knowingly order film that's out of date, you take a chance, so I don't necessarily blame the seller for the somewhat less than stellar quality of the product, and I would buy other products from them in the future.NOTE: I think it's helpful to list the seller's name when reviewing products that ship from multiple sellers. They won't all have the same film batches, nor will they have all stored the film in the same way, so expected quality from various sellers could be different. I didn't see any previous reviews stating who the seller was; I'd be very curious if anyone who writes new a new review got the same product from a different seller and had better results.
When I used the film, the photos were so cloudy, the objects were hard to discern.  I suppose if they had mentioned that it was 7 years expired, they would never have sold it, but then THAT'S THE POINT!!!!  YOU SHOULDN'T SELL PRODUCTS THAT YOU KNOW ARE FAULTY!!! SHAME ON YOU.
They've stopped making polaroid film, and the expected final availability (according to polaroid's web site) is the first quarter 2009. At this point in time, I'd think the main interest would be in artistic work with the film. Check the expiration dates, and get some before the era comes to a complete close.
The film's worth, as it was, was questionable, just due to its high price. But it was a gift for my boyfriend, a photography enthusiast, so I figured it was worth the splurge. He unwrapped it and loaded his (also new) camera and everything seemed fine until he took his first shot (which he was hesitant to do, as there are only ten pictures to spend). The upper corners of the photo were ruined. And upon taking a second photo some days later, we learned the whole pack must be ruined. It looks kind of cool and it's not too big of a deal because we both appreciate photo accidents, but it wasn't worth $60. Maybe the store should check where it stores their packs or check its source.
I was so excited to find this film because I went to numerous camera stores and could not find the film for my camera! Quick shipment too!
Polaroid 600 film is always fun to take pictures with, nice color, unfortunately it will discontinue very soon.
The film did not work.  It would not produce a picture.  It was totally useless.  I have mailed it back to the seller expecting to get a refund, I hope.  Forty-two dollars is a lot of money to spend on film that produces not one picture.  So far, the seller has been nice and cooperative.  We'll see if that remains true.
Well, it is a shame this era has passed, but alas a new and better time has come for all to enjoy!
even though the film was expired whwn I purchased it was guaranteed to work.....however it NEVER WORKED INSIDE and the pictures outside were very dark and brown.... Not satisfied for how EXPENSIVE the film was. VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!
Do not buy it:1.  This ad was misleading because this picture of polaroid 600 film item did not match what I ordered.2.  I think that description of item was not enough accuracay beause expiration date.3.  This is suck.
I haven't tried using the film yet however I'm very dis satisfied with how I received the item as the package was torn etc so I'm not comfortable as to whether it will operate and the price was very high so I'd never purchase another
A group of investors has leased the Polaroid process, building and equipment for 10 years to develop a new film for old Polaroids. They call it the "Impossible Project" group. I saw the article today dated 03/23/09. Good news for those of us who have held onto them. [...]
I got my non-photographic boyfriend a Polaroid camera last year for Christmas, and we found that he had undiscovered talent!Since then, I have periodically bought him 3, 4, or 5 packs of film. This is the fastest I have ever gotten any of the film I ordered. He was able to take pictures on the weekend trip that I irresponsibly waited until the last minute to order film for. Thanks for making up for my short-comings!
As described, the film is expensive, only 10 exposures in each pack so you have to scale down the snapping if you have become used to digital.  Buying it as a 3 packs saves a bit.
I bought this film last month for about five dollars less and I just now noticed that they sent me the wrong film. Rather than sending me 600 film I got three packs of 779. So I got an even better deal.The color still isn't as true on the 779, it has a darker saturation giving it this vintage feel. As an avid artist, I do lots of photography work along side painting and drawing. For the artist, this film is very nice if they like color distortion. For every day use, the user may be more satisfied with a 35mm film or digital camera.
the film was a gift for my granddaughter who loves to take pictures with her vintage Polaroid camera.She loved it.
Although I am no expert, I was very pleased with the quality of the film I recently used...I had stored them in my refrigerator for at least 9 months and they still came out ok when I used them in February, 2013.
Was super disappointed. I bought this for a Christmas gift and was so embarrassed, when she tired to use it the film was burnt. Never again.
Got this as part of a present for a good friend. Didn't realize how hard it was to find Polaroid 600 film these days, but Amazon made it easy enough. The reason I gave it four stars is because the price of these film packs are ridiculously expensive - not just from this Seller, but anywhere currently selling them on the internet.The Seller did advertise that the film packs were technically expired, but provided a guarantee that it will work through a certain date.My friend was ecstatic about the present and said she liked how the older film gave unique exposure effects to each Polaroid. So as far as I am concerned, it is expired, but it works!Seller sent the film promptly and the package was heavily padded. Thanks!
Film is trash.  Was stored vertically instead of flat, and the chemical coating that captures the image has flowed significantly downward 25%-75% (rough avg) leading huge sections of the shot blank and the rest rippled.  Useless.About to contact seller for refund.
This film is hard to find, so I always get in from this site for my daughter-in-law, who loves to use the Polaroid camera.  It came quickly and in perfect condition.
It has many nice features... the best of which being the TIFF compressionless capture.  The only problem is that you can only fit 4 of these onto a 32mb stick.  The normal JPEG pictures are good, but the compression does show through.  In the earlier model of this camera you could control the amount of JPEG compression that the camera uses.  Unfortunately, I have yet to find a way to do so on this newer model.  It does have trouble with motion pictures... they tend to be extremely blurred.  But, it is a very nice camera all in all.  However, I may wait if I were you to buy the Mavica... as soon as the technology is proven.
Great camera, no doubt. The image quality is outstanding, only the colors are a bit dramatic (SONY style..) but that is easy to fix in Photoshop, just reduce the hue a little bit. Light sensitivity is not overwhelming, like ASA 100, the low light pictures are a bit noisy - I cool the camera to below 20 degrees Celsius for reduced thermal noise from the CCD. The lens is top quality and it shows, unusual for a digital camera. My main problems: There is no real view finder, only the LCD. In low light situations (night, romantic restaurant shot, etc) you see plain nothing on the LCD. You have to shoot a couple of times to adjust the frame. Basically not usable in real life conditions when you have to deal with moving objects - shame. Great plus for low light is the manual focus, though. If the autofocus doesn't work properly you can switch to manual and adjust a ring on the lens like in a SLR camera - great idea, but poor execution, the ring is so sensitive that you jump from infinity to 1 meter so quickly that everything inbetween is very hard to adjust to. Also the time from first pressing the button to autofocus ready to exposure can be some 2 seconds - try shooting kids with that, a nightmare. But, since the extra tries don't cost you anything extra, you can just freely fire away, eventually you will catch a nice shot that way too (need a 64MB stick though, the 8MB it comes with are plain useless - not very customer oriented, SONY!!). The video modes are just a joke, at 320x240 pixels the 15 sec movies look horrible on anything but a tiny window on the computer. Alltogether a great piece of equipment. I made 2000 images in the first three weeks and I still love it. Maybe future versions will even have a better low light viewer function, faster response, better manual focus and pseudo-motor function. Then it would deserve 5 stars without hesitation...
This was an old and used item, and might seem odd to rate it at this time when smartphones rule. but the reason I got it is because of all its features. I simply think this camera rocked!
I'm a photography novice who chose this camera because I wanted: 1. a point and shoot that would make good shutter speed and F-stop decisions for me.  2. a single, high quality lens that telescopes and does wide angle, so I wouldn't have buy or change lenses.  3. excellent picture quality in prints and on screen. 4. an easy to use camera.  (I was quickly up to speed on most features after 1 read of the manual and a few experimental pictures.) 5. easy transfer of pictures to the computer.6. easy to use photo software that comes with the camera.The product excels in all these qualities except #5.  Also, I'm glad the battery's rechargeable, and that the lens cap is attached to the camera.I'm deducting the 5th star for 2 reasons:1.  I followed all the instructions in the manual for downloading my pictures and it didn't work.  I had to call customer service and be walked through an entirely different procedure not in the instructions.  Also, they recommended that I save pictures on my desktop so I won't lose them.  She told me other people have had the same downloading difficulty, but I don't know how widespread it is, or if it's been corrected.2.  I had to buy a couple extras to be completely satisfied with this camera:  (1) Extra battery because the one that comes with the camera only lasts about an hour.  (2) 64 Mb memory stick, because the 8 Mb memory that comes with the camera runs out very quickly.Bottom line:  Now that I've troubleshot the downloading problem and bought the extras, I'm very happy with this camera.
I've had this camera for about 6 months now and STILL nothing beats it!I come from a 35mm/medium format back ground so to ME - this camera is nearly perfect. It is VERY ergonomic, contrasted to what another reviewer said. In fact, that's one of the MAIN reasons I bought it! It just feels so good! In fact, it's about the ONLY camera out there that you can say that about.Second, low light etc. - I think that review was for the F505 - the F505V has MUCH improved all of that and I am quite impressed! I've taken the thing ALL around London, Europe, NY, LA, Las Vegas, South Africa etc. and taken GREAT, stunning night shots with it in almost zero light. It's awesome! Ya just gotta 'work it' right. (and have a tripod or very steady hands!)It works like a standard 35mm - slightly depress the button and it comes to focus - then you hold it - compose and wait for the right moment - then - press all the way down and it's taken THAT instant! That's the way to avoid the delay. Still - less of a delay would help!Lack of viewfinder?I thought that'd be a real problem - but have not yet found it to be. It's an excellent screen - I've compared it to many and it is just gorgeous with detail. In bright sun you hold it 'waist level' style and actually capture the sun light in it to make your image clear. Quite cool - like those waist level 2 and a quarter cameras. Once I got used to it - I love it.All and all - a gorgeous - beautiful camera that EVERYONE will admire and ask you about. (trust me - I met MANY people at stonehenge, South Africa, Rome etc. just asking about it.)Ya don't get that with those cheesy 30 dollar-looking '60s silver box cameras or with the plastic 'don't-drop-me' wimpy looking Nikon cheesy sounding 'coolpix'. (and I'm a 35mm Nikon fan - I'm just let down by their digital work.)Anyway - that's my two cents - hope it helps!~ jayse(ps - in April I'll be posting pics, at the moment I just got home and need abreak! Check 'em out!)
I like the camera very much.  What is especially nice about it is the size.  Yes it is rather large, but that is a plus when you are a large handed person and this is one of the most comfortable cameras that I have tried out to handle.  The buttons aren't microscopic and the lens makes a pleasant handhold also.  Smaller is not always better.The one thing I do not care for is the response time when taking a picture and also when viewing pictures that have been taken.  The camera also tends to get a little testy when you try to do close ups.Otherwise, lovely.
With the left hand wrapped aournd the lens, it containing several important controls, and the right at the shutter and AE controls it fits my hands perfectly. The rotating body allows you to shoot over the crowd in front of you.  I had learned from using it's smaller brother, the F55, that the lack of a view finder was not fatal. In fact using the LCD as the viewfinder allows shots that would be difficult otherwise. The Carl Zeiss lens is superb. With 128mb memory sticks now available, shooting tiffs is attainable. Extremely satisfied, until tempted with a F505X?
This is a 3.3 mega-pixel digital camera, and is a very high quality product, as you would expect from Sony.  It has a lens made by Carl Zeiss, a world-renowned leader in the optics field.  It has a 5X optical zoom, and a 10X digital zoom - the lens itself can magnify what you're zooming in on up to 5 times, and the camera's electronics can double that, effectively giving you a 10X zoom.  It has auto-exposure/auto-focus, and the exposure and focus can also be adjusted manually, which is a big plus on a camera like this!  It has a built-in flash, a connector for an external flash (very handy!), and the controls are easy to use.  It comes with a 8MB memory stick to store the pictures, and can record up to 1 minute of mpeg video with sound.  Also comes with a USB cable and software, along with a rechargeable lithium battery and charger.  A little expensive, but definitely worth every penny!!
The heart of any camera is in the lens, and the Zeiss lens on the Sony DSC-F505V is one of the best, if not *the* best, lens I've seen on a fixed-lens digital camera. Add to that the high resolution and Sony's novel pixel interpolation software, and you've got a camera that will produce absolutely striking 8x10s- prints so good that you'll find it hard to believe they weren't made from film. Add to that the manula override and incredible cool looks of this camera and you've got a winning package- almost.Unfortunately Sony decided to equip this otherwise outstanding camera with their own proprietary memory stick storage format. These sticks cost anywhere from 20-50% more than SmartCards and are only available from Sony. And with the resolution this camera produces you'll need at least one 64 meg memory stick- more if you plan on extended outings. The ergonomics aren't great, either. This is not an easy camera to use with two hands and work the controls as well. It almost looks as if ergonomics were sacrificed for style.Hence only 4 stars. If Sony had used a more standard high-density storage format nd made it a little easier to handle they'd have a 5-star product.
I used the crap out of this camera. It was amazing &#8230;back in the day. Because of the size, I liked it better than it's bigger brother.
I've had this camera for years and don't use it becauseI can't see what I'm shooting! The LCD screen is washedout from the light of day. NEVER BUY A CAMERA THATDOES NOT HAVE A VIEW FINDER ALONG WITH THE LCDSCREEN! When I first bought the camera I thought it hada view finder and ended up keeping it too long beforeI could really determine that I needed one. By that timeI couldn't return the camera! I think Sony deliberatelyomits this information on all cameras in order to sellthose with LCD screens that don't have view finders.Wouldn't you know it, SONY upgraded thismodel with a 5 pixel WITH a VIEW FINDER! This seemsto be a problem with SONY. There are just too manydifferent models that Sony should retire (pull andtake the loss) instead of confusing loyal customersand selling out dated and techno defective productsto a public that still tends to trust the SONY Brand.I think my next digital camera will be a Cannon!
What is good:  Fantastic optics. You should set it up never to use the digital  zoom. If you need more zoom than the optics provide, do it  yourself later in Photoshop.  Great ergonomics.  Great battery life (close to 2 hours including file transfers.)What it needs:  An optical viewfinder.  Non-proprietary memory (though at least it's not overly expensive.)  An extra battery (always keep one ready to go.)The next generation:  A charging / file transfer cradle (drop it in the cradle and you're good  to go.)I LOVE MY DSC-F505V!
I purchased this camera for my girlfriend, since I know very little about using a camera.  What can I say?  I find myself using it more everyday.  Once I started using the spot meter and exposure controls I was hooked.  My pictures come out perfect almost every single time.  The camera gives the user control over just about everything.  I found the interface to be quite simple.  There are even settings that will allow you to shoot ambertone and b&amp;w (amoung other filters).  I can't say enough about how much I LOVE this camera.
A few of the reviewers have highlighted the low-light problem with this camera, and I must add my voice to the chorus of complaint.  I've taken some stunning night shots, but dudded out on what I would have thought were easy twilight pics.  Go figure.  I'm sure there are ways to overcome this problem, but I have yet to mine them out of the manual.  (I bought my camera in Japan, and I think I got the hastily translated version of the English instructions!) Backlighting the screen more in low light would, of course, spoil the low light of the environment, wouldn't it?That said, I 'm really pleased with my purchase. It's several classes above the silly toys which passed as digital cameras until now.  Yes, the memory sticks are expensive, but I use mine in other Sony devices (like a dictating machine) which makes the price a bit easier to take.  And, yes, you do need to supplement the puny 8 MB stick you get with the camera.I had no problems with the software, in contrast to some of the other reviewers.  In fact, I use it in preference to Microsoft Photo Editor for images I capture elsewhere.The lens is marvellous.  It makes the camera a truly professional instrument--in fact, one of the reasons I chose it was because I noticed an art-director friend of mine had bought one.I must admit, though, the lens doesn't seem to go as wide as standard cameras.  But maybe I'm just using it wrongly.Highly recommended, especially since prices seem to be coming down worldwide.  My friend paid about ... for the Japanese domestic version when it first came out, and I paid about ....  I see it advertised here for considerably less...grrrr!
This was an upgrade for me.  Previously I had an old Sony Mavica which I loved -- but the photos were never good enough to print.Bought this new toy right before a cruise to Alaska.  What can I say?  The pictures are stunning!  They're as good if not better than those from my 35mm SLR.Despite many complex features, it's incredibly easy to use.  Be prepared -- people will stop you to see what kind of camera it is.  It's sleek shape is an attention getter!
Sony's product support was so bad that I decided that I would never, ever buy another product with their label on it.  Within days of my purchase, the software became obsolete and they refused to update it.
I love this camera.  This is the camera that has converted me from using standard film to &quot;going digital.&quot;Without the cost restraints of standard film or the space restraints that digital camera memory place upon the number of pictures I take I feel free to take as many pictures of I want at no risk.  This results in far more pictures per event than I would normally have taken.The automatic aspects of the camera work great.  It is extremely rare for a shot to be out of focus or exposed improperly.  Out of appx. 1000 vacation shots I took in August only 1 or 2 were inexplicably out of focus and only a handful more were too dark, and those were due to the lighting conditions themselves being far too dark for taking pictures.The camera is large and bulky compared with almost every other digital camera but is lighter than any SLR I have ever used.  The lens is big and provides a remarkably wide range (10x optical times 2 digital - total 20x zoom - excellent).  Shots taken at 20x zoom are not pixelated in the least!At the highest resolution I get somewhere between perhaps 100 and 180 images on a third party 3&quot; CDR (less than $1 each).  At the lowest resolution it looks like one could get in excess of 1000 shots onto a CD.The single drawback I find with this camera is that during a day of really busy shooting it can really drain the rechargable batteries.  I keep a spare (charged) battery on hand.  We spent a 9 hour day at Disney this summer and I used 1.5 charges during the course of the day.
This is my second digital camera, I am very happy with the ease of use.
I purchased one of these.  After I got it, it took me 5 minutes of reading the excellent manual to figure out how to use it...(read about initializing and finalizing the CD).  I proceeded to take about 20 pictures in bright sunlight, shade, very dim light, animals, flowers, trees blowing in the wind (to test the steady shot).  I took the CD and inserted it in my generic WIN 95 conputer with a color printer attached. Within 5 minutes, I had opened a WORD document, created a title, and by repeating the simple sequence of &quot;Insert picture&quot; (from the cd drive)and titling each picture with a piece of text, I created an index of 3 pages with each picture (about 2&quot;&quot;X1.5&quot;&quot;).  I personally sized them by corner pulling. I printed some of the pictures particularly dear to my heart, in draft quality (8x11)  on reqular paper. They came out fabulous.  They were from recording in &quot;Normal&quot; mode.  I have owned many leading edge of technology video, still, and video/still cameras.  NOthing I have ever seen matches the simplicity and power of this camera.  You can record a sort audio title with each picture, so when creating your index (NO SPECIAL SOFTWARE!!! Just Microsoft word), you can label your picture!!
I have had the opportunity to review many of the recent digital cameras.  From the 1.3 to 3.34 megapixel.  I wasn't sure I would like this particular camera because of the 2.1 megapixel technology.  It was the CD-R that enticed me to order one.  When  I opened the box and started using it I was pleasently surprised.The camera takes some very nice pictures at any resolution.  Tiff images @ 1600X1200 take a good 15+ seconds to write to the CD-R.  JPG pictures @ 1600X1200 take a little less than two seconds to write to the CD-R.  This camera is not designed to take bursting pictures or situations that require rapid succession of shots.The flash works well in normal and red-eye reduction modes.  Macro shots do not do well with the flash.  The lens assembly prevents the flash from reaching a macro subject.The MPEG movie mode works quite well and just like any of the other Mavica series cameras.  The limitation is a maximum recording time of 15 seconds.  If you shot is longer than this you have to take multiple 15 second shots.The USB connection is really nice.  I can transfer pictures in seconds from the camera to the computer.  The supplied drivers allow the camera to become another drive letter on your computer when it is plugged in.  I am using WindowsME without any issue with this camera or software.  I little FYI note is included in the box informing the purchaser that USB drivers for Windows2000 are not included.  The note gives a URL to check for the Windows2000 driver.  As of this writing the driver is not on the web site.Initializing a new CD-R is fast and easy.  It takes about 20 seconds.  The included adaptec software will also let you format the CD-R in the camera from your PC with the USB cable attached.  The included software will also let you copy files from your PC to the CD-R on the camera.  Finalizing a CD-R when it is full is easy and straightforward.  After the CD is finalized it's contents can be viewed in any computer that has a CD.  3&quot; CD-R's are readily available from many sources and are priced very attractively.  Buy them in bulk and you are really saving a lot of money over single CD-R purchases.The image stabilization makes a noticeable differences in both the optical and zoom modes.  Battery life is excellant.  I get about 120 minutes of usage between charges.All in all I really like this camera and will keep it.  However, I will really be interested in Sony's next version of a CD-R camera.  It should address some of the minor short comings of this one.
Great camera.  This is my second one and intend to buy another when I need it.Would love another if you have one around.  Or just need a new viewer screen ... mine cracked.
I bought both 95 & 1000 used from Amazon.com! The primary  difference is one uses Diskettes (95) and the other uses mini CD's (CD1000).I usually take both and I have an extra battery. both use the same battery and are designed the same, except for the door and way you load the diskettes or CD's.The advantage of the CD1000 is that you can almost take an endless supply of pictures on one CD. Ok it does end but I've been able to get over 55 pictures on one CD.both the 95 and the 1000 operate about the same and look very similar. They are big and bulky, but take good >NO&lt; great pictures.What do I not like about it? well, you have to format the CD in the machine and then perform a finish task  before being able to view in the computer. To finish involves going through three layers of menu on the camera. Its a tedious process for one spoiled by the FD95, where one just pulls out the diskette and puts it in the computer. People claim you can read the CD in the CD1000 without finishing the CD, but I found it impossible to do so. I did play with a disk by finishing and then re setting for pictures without losing a photo, which the camera Instructions did not say it could be done, but it can.WHichever one you buy, it will be used because they are no longer sold new.  You see people want small and neither is small.  But let me tell you, size does make a difference people are intimidated by a big camera. The bells and whistles on either are worth it!  I've had friends pull out their FD75 or their CD250 to take a picture, but when I whip out either, it intimidates those with the smaller cameras.I would say for novice with the old Windows 98 computer should get the FD95, but the pro with the big monster computer on Windows XP and photo printer should get the CD1000.With the prices listed now (both new stared in the $900.00 to $1000.00), there is no reason to get both!
The Mavica CD1000 is as good as it sounds. The 10x optical zoom is terrific (don't bother with 'digital zoom'. If you want pixelation, you'd be using a low-res camera). The 'steady shot' works well, the 'twilight-plus' flashless function is no less than magical (although you will need a tripod). And it's just plain cool!The best thing about it is the cost/picture. You need the battery that comes with it, (maybe a backup -I got a 4 hour for less than ...), a protective lense filter (a uv filter costs about ...), and some mini cdr discs (comes with 5). No memory cards, smart cards or equivalent! Look around and you will be able to find the mini cd's for somewhere under .../disc (don't look and you will pay about .../disc in a case). I paid ... for 50 minis on a spindle (no cases) delivered to my door. Now, you will take somewhere between 140 and 180 high res (1200 x 1600) pictures on each disc (minus whatever you useup taking mini mpegs). So, lets be conservative. Assuming the low of 140 images/disc, and the high of ... for 50 discs, that works out to less than one penny/shot. And the images are NOT low value! I took two shots, one using the tiff sorage format  (taking 40 seconds to write a 5 Mb file to disc), and the other the std. High res jpeg. In plate by plate comparison, the jpeg was so close to the tiff as to make the extra time and disc space of the tiff format unnecessary. I have been in digital pre-press for 15 years, and these shots are equivalent to quality 4x5 scans.Once you get used to the &lt;1 second delay from first touch to shutter, you will be taking great shots, and lots of them. The delay can be eliminated in most cases by half pressing the button, allowing the auto focus to set up, then when you push, the shot is instantaneous. You'll quickly figure out where and when to turn off the auto focus and rely on distance read outs etc.You will want to get a UV filter for this camera before you take it out of the box. Not to improve your pictures, but to protect your lense. Replacing the lense on an intgrated digital system like this will probably cost as much as the camera itself. The uv lense can be replaced for ... .Anyway, I have used some 'high-end' Kodak DCS professional series cameras in the past, and some low end digitals as well. The Mavica CD1000 is the best all around device I have seen, and certainly the least expensive to operate.
Purchased same camera in 2000, have worn it out and wanted one like it as I still have discs and also like the camera.
You can't believe it! The looks of envy from other camera owners is just the start. Using this camera is pure joy. I've taken 293 pics so far on the 1st of 5 discs included.I've found that the 640 x 480 resolution looks perfect for emails, web site use and printing, and at that resolution I can get over 1000 pictures per disc. The manual states for email it uses a smaller resolution, but what you  display on the LCD can be captured straight onto email or used on your web page. And get this...you can zoom your taken picture size with the zoom lever and print out the close up view. The slideshow feature is excellent for presentations being the time interval can be set for narrating during playback. And with audio pics you can speak about your subject for up to a minute while taking the picture. Also using the movie mode allows both action shots and sound recording of your event.For birding with a camera, the color viewfinder and 10X optical zoom is excellent for that golden-cheeked warbler in the Texas Hill Country or for hawks at the Cape May Birding Observatory with a picture to show. Pictures of photos hanging on the wall look like you took it yourself. Postcard prints do likewise. I amaze myself each time I use this camera - The SONY MVCCD1000.
I have had this camera for 4 years now and its still a great camera!!! I bought this camera new.Writing to cd is really great. I can take 155 pictures on the highest quality setting.The disc needs to be initialized before using, this can take about 30-45 secs. Then it has to be finalized, another 30-45 secs. That has to be done before you put it in your computers cd rom drive to view your pictures. However, you can just connect the usb feature and save from there.The lcd on this camers is great too. You can also take a 1 minute long video.Still very happy with it.
In the past I have had Hallmark albums (magnetic pages) and I searched for them first.  I couldn't find any but came across the Pioneer Album.  It's much bigger and can hold more photos, newspaper articles, etc.  I would order another one when needed.
Great for family travel pictures. We use these albums to chronicle our travels. We have a stack of them and we refer to them often.
Nothing fancy, just a nice looking album that allows me to mix 8X10, 5X7s and more throughout the book, making it more interesting to the viewer. Works well for me.
The Pioneer X-Pando magnetic photo album holds many photos per page, with ample room for elaborate captions, if desired. The magnetic page-covers allow complete freedom to arrange your displays as you wish. Refill pages and a brass custom-engraved plaque for the cover are very reasonable when ordered by mail from Pioneer. A giant, heavy album for special projects!
I bought it as a present and it's great. The pages have the sticky clear plastic over it so you just slide your pictures in between that and the page and you're good to go. It holds way more than the 4x6 ones that you find like everywhere. So yeah, my Grandma loves it and it's great. Oh by the way, you can add pages so that's neat.
These albums are fantastic in that I can put *ANYTHING* in them anyway I want, and not have to worry about "sticky stuff" ruining the items. The clear coverings are held in place by some sort of "static", not glue. I shoot mostly 4"x6" prints, and can fit 6 on a page when laying them all out horizontally. Sometimes I mix and match... putting 6x4s in with the 4x6s. The pages can even hold 8x10 images, and special photos you might get while on vacation spots. For example, when you ride a roller coaster and have your photo taken on the coaster... you can fit the photo and the cheezy books amusement parks usually put them in, within this album. Best of all, these albums conveniently fit in a bookcase like a regular book, and they come in an assortment of colors... I color code my albums, using a different color for each year. That is, 2000 was in green, 2001 in blue, 2002 in majenta, etc. Makes it easier. :-]
Have used these for years. Always high quality and durable for years to come. I can always recommend using Pioneer.
this is my fourth jumbo photo album. I like them because you can get a lot on a page, even certificates . Plus its easy to use
These books are getting hard to find in the stores so I am so happy I was able to purchase these online. They come with 10 pages and I fill each one with 4 refills. Works great!
The jumbo size is perfect for mixing and matching photos and trip memorabilia to create a lovely album. We jave a digital frame for viewing our photos that way, but this allows for adding in hard copy &#34;treasures&#34;, too.
Good quality.  Just keep adding pages.  The large size  works well for a variety of different picture sizes if you mix them up.
Album is a good size and can fit many photos on one page. Easy to apply the photos and remove.
I have been using these particular photo albums for 12 years and am generally very pleased with how well they preserve photos.  The major problem is that when more pages are added, the covers tear away due to added weight and stress.  I have recently discovered that putting metal washers under the screw pegs substantially increases the durability of the album.  They are not, I repeat, not infinitely expandable as has been implied by the manufacturer in the past, but they can be expanded safely with the additional reinforcement afforded by metal washers.Otherwise, these are the best hobby-level albums I've used.  I've tried a lot of albums.Janet Arrowsmith-Lowe
This is my second Pioneer jumbo magnetic page album and I plan on purchasing more of them. They are just perfect for all those pictures that aren't 4X6 size, which is what most albums are for!
I had lots of older, random photos that I wanted to organize and display in an album and Pioneer makes the perfect album for me.The design is simple but is beautiful in the way it expands (if needed). It is sturdy, the pages caress your photos snugly but allow for easy removal and re-positioning.
Large and can fit photos on a collage style if you wish, or many on a page at least.Good binding style on binder without the 3 rings that pop open all the time.Great buy!
This product exceeded my expectations.  Loved the color & look of the album itself.  Was larger than I expected, & that was a pleasant surprise.
We had lotz of odd sized photos mainly from Picture People. It was really hard to find photo book for those.Pioneer Jumbo Magnetic Page X-Pando Album, is a great way to store and save the photos. It makes photos look good too.
I have been using these photo albums for almost 20 years.  The photos I put in them back in 1987 and 1988 look as good today as they did then.  I don't know what other people mean who say they ruin their pictures -- perhaps they get their film developed at some cruddy service place which uses cheap chemicals and paper.  I like the capacity -- any size photo up to 11 x 14; great room for making nice layouts with mixed sizes of pictures; room for extras and captions, even.  I have put in newspaper articles, cartoons, and stickers -- anything relevant to the photo subject of the pages.  I print all captions on cardstock on my computer, cut them out, and add them to the album pages.  I even went back and re-did albums I put together as a teenager in the 1970s.  I color code each album by year.  What also is nice about this company is that, like Crayola crayons, they issue new colors every so often and "retire" others.  I have albums ranging from the basic burgandy, navy, green, brown, and white.  I also have teal, mauve, turquoise, and light blue.  I agree that the cover holes around the posts do get warn; I'll look into the washer trick.  I've been using strips of duct tape inside the little cardboard fold over portion (so it isn't visible).  Long live Pioneer albums!
Had these before, pages takes any size pic, so it makes it easy to tell a story. Expandable with extra pages.
Well made and with the ability to add longer page holders these can be used to hold a lot of pages.
The glossy covers have started gatting small white spots all over the pages, and I have only used it for no more than 6 Month. BAD QUALITY, don't buy!!!
Great choice for odd sized photos also, new paper articles as to not have to be folded. ONLY drawback that I have found is: adding the expandable pages!!!! Have not done that...it looks SO complicated that I am hesitant as  not to ruin my album  :(  I am open to suggestions if anyone has any ideas LOL!
I've been a user and fan of Tiffen filters for nearly 40 years with absolutely NO complaints. This filter is no exception...nor reason to change my mind. It does as promised, economically and efficiently. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.
Good filter, does the job.  Using this on my Canon 24-105mm Lens, no problems. ... ... ... ... .. ..
I have been using this filter with my Canon Rebel XTi and 17-85 mm USM IS lens. My expectations have been ruined. I expected to see bluish shade when photographing the sky. This did not happen.The things that worked for me were:1> Sun reflecting on the snow.2> Sun reflecting on a water-body.In both these cases, the filter made a difference, (i couldn't call it remarkable).Overall I would rate this filter a two and half out of five.
Just a nice thing that it's good to have for taking a picture in front of the sun and for creating interesting artistic photos
This polarizer just darkens - barely polarizes.  I tried using it with a blue ocean and cloudy sky and it did not enhance like other polarizers i have bought.  Save your money and buy a better one.
I have good results with this one, for a Tiffen is very good.The price is affordable for anyone.Totally recommended it
this thing eventually fell apart and after pretty minimal use...filters should simply not fall apart or should have a lifetime warranty, will never buy from this company again.UPDATE: Called customer support and they are either going to fix or send me a new one at no additional charge.  Spoke directly to a customer service rep, he took the initiative for this course of action...great customer service, back on the Tiffen train.
I really like this polarizer.  Works greatest when you are 90 degrees to the sun.  It works great to make the sky a nice darker blue during the middle of the day.
I use this on my 18-55mm kit lens and it works well with no issues. Tiffen is known for making decent quality filters.
This is a quality product at an incredible price. There is simply no reason that I can of think of to pay more for a similar product of a different brand - I'm not certain what more you would be getting.
Great fit on my new 55mm lense.  Arrived as described, on time and the price is great, as well.  Excellent choice.
I have not had a chance to use this filter yet.  It looks like it's of good quality and it's made in the USA.  I have bought Tiffen in the past and never had any problems.
This is a good reasonably priced filter for any camera.  The polarizer filter works well and is a good addition for special occasions requiring a polarizing filter.
I use this (Tiffen 67mm Circular Polarizer) with my Tamron 17-50 mm lens(with hood) and I am much happy about it. Its costly (amateur photography) but well worth the price and it gets the job done (protection and polarizing). Smooth movement and all and not a bit loose.Though I should mention that the outer rim cuts seem to get dented by slight nail pressure, but doesn't affect the polarizer or the lens.
It's must for anyone serious about outdoor and landscape photography.  It's a great product. One criticism I have is about the container, which can be smaller, therefore not taking up too much space in your bag. I replaced the container with an old much more compact one.
I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. I took it out of the package, attached to lens and sighted through it.  It seems to be perfect.
I have had many polarizers over the years. I have used filters such as this for over 25 years. I like the Tiffen as it is not too dark for most uses. I keep it on for almost every shot (unless it is night time or quite dark) to protect my lenses and for it's mild polarizing effect. (I take 1000s of images on a shoot, mostly landscape) Some other brands are too dark to do this. The dark ones many times look too polarized, and post processing has to take much of this out anyway. I do have a few of these and use them occasionally. I have found that an image that is properly balanced that does not need too much darkening or lightening post processing is much better,  I have a Hoya but it is always falling apart (and way too dark). I have Heliopan 77mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters and like the quality, but again they are too dark to keep on all the time. The Heliopan is the one I keep for special uses when I want more polarizing effects than I get with the Tiffen. The Tiffen polarizers I have had only were replaced when they became too scratched for use, broken from being dropped or run into things, or lost over board in my boat. As I said a couple of Hoya ones were replaced because they fell apart.I use a Canon 5D with all high end L series lenses (most costing well over $1000.00) and have sold over 1300 framed GiClees ($300-$800 each). I feel that this filter does not compromise the quality of my images.So in review. I don't want an unnatural appearance due to my filters. I do want the pleasing effects I can achieve with the Tiffen filter. I have never had a problem with any I had purchased, so recommend them to others. And I will continue to use them myself.Albert Mach Fine Art
Nothing bad to say about this purchase. Does everything I need it to and for the price my wallet is still full. You don't need to spend a lot on any other polarizing lens.
The construction of this filter is very acceptable, not B+W league but close. The performance is also great with no color cast perceptible. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an affordable polarizer.
Good:  Everything is good on this product.Bad:  I have no complaints to say about this product shown in the picture.
Was this a 72mm circular polarizer?  :  YesWas it new? :  NoWas it priced as used?  :  NoIs it worth it to pay for shipping to return it?  :  NoDo they count on that?  :  I'm sureDoes it appear to work?  :  YesIs it scratched?  :  NoDid I use 4 sheets of cleaning paper trying to make it usable? : YesWas it packed well?  :  No, it was loose in the boxWill I buy the rest of my filters somewhere else?  :  YES!!!
Polarizers are excellent for reducing atmospheric haze.And this one dims background glare, adding contrast,and sharpness.--Photography by heartfulSoul
I really like this filter and the opportunity to really enrich a photo by eliminating the glare.  With that said, at first I was not sure that it was working correctly, as I was not getting the results I was expecting.  I then realized I had no idea how to use it!  So for those that may not know, you need to the 90 degrees to the light source in order for the polarizer to work, or close to it.  Once I learned, I really like it!I would and have recommended this product!
Bought this for my Canon lens in 58mm.  It's excellent and the price was right!  Tiffen filters are excellent so when they are available at such a competitive price, it's time to buy!
Its a real good polarizer. Tiffen 55 mm circular polarizer fits well on my Tamron 90 mm Macro. It cuts the reflection very well and this is useful during macro photography. I would have loved to attach a "multi-coated" polarizer, but this does its job quite well.
The CPL is a basic filter  that should be in your kit it intensifies skies and reduce reflections on non-metallic surfaces.  Tiffen has a good reputation making filters.
This reasonably priced polarizer has good glass, no distortion and rotates with just enough resistance. For me (Sony camera and lens) it will enhance the sky at the right angle, get out some of the glare in water/glass and I see no color issues with the rest of a shot. Recommended filter.
Using my NIKKOR 18-140mm lens on a D7000, I get great picture quality, but I fully expect the filter to fall off at some point. as the fit isn't very snug. That being said, it's a $20 filter and the Nikon one is $120, so I can't expect that much.
Tiffen has been around a long time. Why? Because they make good products. This is one of them. Worth the price.
It enhance the color ... Better to use filter rather west time on photo shop... ... ... ... .. ..
It does a good job.  It is a bit difficult to put on and take off.  There is no reference mark so user can cell the position it is is.  This works a bit different than the old traditional Polarizer Lense that was rotated to create polarizer effect and was more visable through the view finder.  No instructions came with the filter.  I assumed I knew how to use one, but these for Digital are different.  I am sure it will be great when I get acclimated to using it.
i bought this filter for the price, but was very disappointed when i used it.  it does not attach well to my canon t1i.  it seems like the threading is not really a fit.  it fell off my lens once already. it came in a packaging that makes it hard to tell if this filter has previously been returned.  there was a lot of dust on the filter and when i called adorama (the seller) about it, they said that it's "not a dust free environment" so they just told me to "blow" off the dust.  in hind sight, i would much have rather spent $10 extra dollars to get the hoya filter that had much better reviews.
Just to let you know - I am not a professional and am just beginning to take my first, baby steps with filters. I read about polarizing filters and I became interested in trying one out. Not being sure about the results I'd get and most definitely not being able to afford an expensive one, I picked the Tiffen 58mm to experiment with. I purchased this filter for use with my Canon Vixia HF G10 video camera in the hopes that I could get some satisfactory sky / beach shots. (in this humid, hazy summer time weather, my outdoor shots are just meh)This is my first polarizing filter and my first day with it and so far, I am having nothing but problems with it.First, I suspect that I have received a used filter because the package was not sealed and the filter was dirty on both sides. (shipped and sold by Amazon.com)I cleaned it off and attached it to my UV filter that was already in place on my camera. This brings us to the second issue. It kept falling off. Luckily I was seated at the time and it fell into my lap rather than onto the concrete sidewalk. So then I got the bright idea (not!) of attaching it directly to my camera. This solved the problem of it staying in place (boy, did it ever!) and I thought that I could actually begin testing it out however, I could not adjust the outer ring with the camera hood in place. (In broad daylight, I *must* have the hood on my camera otherwise I get lens flares.)Trying to adjust it and then putting the hood on causes the filter ring to move.Lastly, I absolutely can not get it off of my camera. Yes, I am aware of which part of the filter that needs to be grasped and turned. Yes, I tried the rubber band and bottle opener grip and latex glove methods all without success. I have to go purchase the filter wrenches now and hope that works otherwise, I'll have to take my camera to a pro and see if they can get it off (I wonder how much they charge for that?)I wanted to do some "with and without" shots for comparison but was not able to do so.This filter seems to be more trouble than it's worth. I don't see myself ever attaching it directly to my camera again (that is, if I ever get it off!)Edit: I had to wait a few days for my order of filter wrenches to arrive (I couldn't find any shops locally that had them). Once they arrived and after a few attempts, I was finally able to remove the filter from my camera.
A must have if you want to cut down the glare from water reflection or from/while shooting through windows. Makes skies a prettier and darker blue as well. You can also &#34;see&#34; fish through water from high angles as opposed to that ugly glare typically found in bright sunlight.
Bought to go with a 18 to 300mm nikon lens. - Works well, I took it on Safari, and it was a definite boon when used on photos of Hippo in the water. - no one else on the trip had anything close to the shots I did they just got a lot of reflection off the water, this cut it out.
I honestly wouldn't pay $5 for this. It's hard to screw on. It comes off too easily. I rarely see difference when I do use it. I would rather use the iPhoto software than this filter. I love my 58mm Moose/Hoya and haven't ever bought a Tiffen product before. I never will again.
May be the nature of the beast, but it is rather difficult to gauge visual effect on either the (Lumix G6) camera viewfinder or LCD screen when shooting. Need to wait until viewing on larger monitor to determine which of several shots and lens positions came out best.
First I'll just say this is pretty good glass. But why would we want it?Most of us started wearing polarized sunglasses years ago and I for one just thought they work and that's enough to know. The more I got into photography the more gadgets I acquired and polarized filters seemed a good idea.So I studied on the science behind it and won't bore you with it but it's about reducing reflected light and an easy way to see a dramatic change is being in a boat on the water. The next is to be on clear water and see the bottom 20 feet down.So I have this filter and another lighter polarized filter and one or the other is usually being used in bright sunlight. The reason is that reflected light tends to wash out the picture. If you're thinking that you can just use contrast for that, to some degree you're correct, but it's not the same. To get close to the same will take a combination of  very careful program adjustments rather than screwing on your filter which is doing it before the picture instead of after.This filter is wonderful in the brightest sunlight and does its job admirably, it's very good quality and I've only had one issue. With one of my lenses it messes with AF if it's not bright enough out, in which case I switch to a Polaroid filter with less effect if I choose not to go manual focus.In the end you'll save time in your program while getting better pictures and learning how you prefer to use it won't take a real long time. Polarized is my most used filter and if I need a replacement I'll by another of these. I hope I've been of assistance.
I bought this filter as part of a package with a UV and a warming filter through Amazon. They're all Tiffen thought the Polarizer is what I really wanted.In use I can see difference in colour saturation especially in blue skies which actuall gained a richer contrast from the white clouds. On the downside, if you're using a wide-angle lens, expect to get some vignetting on the corners. That turned out to be just annoying when reviewing my shots. I also noticed an increase in noise on my shots but I cant say for sure just yet if this was due to the filter.Im an amateur so I guess I cant complain about what I got for this price range. But in hoping to develop in the field, I think next time I'll put in the extra to get a better more professional filter. Be sure to try shooting B&W; with the polarizer, you'll enjoy the results.
Makes ski blue. Tricky getting it right, when you do, it's golden.
I'm not all that experienced with polarizers, but this one works well and is easy to handle (it turns easily and smoothly and stays in place). The only downside is that it is prone to lens flare (which isn't much a problem because for the polarizer to be useful you kinda need to be shooting at roughly 90deg to the sun). I do get the sense that a better polarizer would have a stronger effect, but I'm actually VERY happy with the pictures I get with this, so I'm not complaining.Overall great for the price. I'm sure there are better filters, but I'm happy with this one.
Does a fine job; doubles as neutral density filter. I wish it came in the older style container, which was round and small. Now comes in a large rectangular box that wastes a lot of room in my backpack.
A pola filter is one of those things that separates the hobbyists from the pros. I use one on all my lenses when shooting outside during the day. It cut the glare and make your skies look great. It will also help protect your lens in extreme environments. So instead of sticking a useless UV filter on the front of your lens start using a pola.
I don't use filters much at all, but this circular polarizer works fairly well in removing unwanted reflections.  You get what you pay for.  This is not a bad filter, but hardly the best one out there.
I love the different effects that I can get with this filter.  I can filter out so many reflections and a lot of glare.
I have owned a few Tiffen Polarizers in the past and they never disappoint. The price is reasonable and the quality is up to standards.
Easy on the wallet and great on the photos. I love Tiffen products. This is a must-have-polarizer in every camera bag.
This is not great, but it is what you expect from cheap tiffen. I like it though and don't use a filter enough to consider buying again a more expensive (much better) hoya pro filter. And it's soooo much cheaper.
Not at the very top of Quality Filters but close enough to always be a great buy. If you buy a filter to use, not mainly to show friends or others how much money you have to spend, Tiffen has both quality and price, other photographers will know you know your stuff.
If you want your outdoor/landscape shots to really look great, this filter is a must have. Skies are more dramatic, colors are richer and unwanted glare is reduced. The outer ring rotates smoothly and is easy to use.
This product by Tiffen does the trick.  It lives on my Canon 100-400mm lens and helps make colours pop out.  Because this polarizer spins, I wish it had indicators to let you know where you had set it last, or where maximum and minimum polarization occurs.
Seemed to be good quality and do the job. I am not an expert, so I bought one in a mid price range and was pleased until my Sigma 18-250 mm lens died after only 15 months (so warranty gone) Lens never seemed &#34;right&#34; from the start but completely dying in 15 months is the pits. So I can recommend the filter but not the lens
The polarizer is excellent.  It is a very sturdy construction and does it's job very well.  What more can you say about a polarizing filter?  I would recommend this one.
Bought this filter in the 82mm size. Upon opening the package, noticed that there was a significant rattle when using the filter. Upon further inspection, I found that the actual glass in the metal filter housing was loose! That is, while the glass would not completely fall out of the metal rings (which rotate around each other so you can rotate the filter while keeping it mounted), it could still shift significantly around within the housing. Not a good feeling.Ended up returning it due to worries about it breaking, or possibly damaging other equipment.
What more can you want from a filter than it be good glass, the right size, and the right price.  This meets all these requirements.
handy circular filter for mounting on your 77mm lens. easily adjusts for the amount of polarization you desire for any particular photo.
Just as described, perfect fit and good quality, I would redone this product to anyone as it is working out perfectly.
Cheaper and good quality...The diff in this one and high brands and not very noticeable.. I would recommend all beginners to have this as their CPL
Good quality/low price: hard to go wrong with Tiffen, and at Amazon prices it makes it very reasonable, (I have Tiffen filters purchased in the 70's for my SLR that I am still able to use on my DSLRs).
I have used polarizing filters before, and this one does exactly as I expected. Tiffen is a great brand too.
I already own polarizer filters for other lenses in my bag, so this was an addition for a specific lense.As with any filter, air to glass surfaces add distortion, although I haven't seen any problems in my images with this; Tiffen makes a good quality filter for the price.I would recommend this polarizer to any photographer serious enough to want to one to their camera bag.
This is my first CPL, it's amazing, sky becomes more blue, glass becomes more transparent.It's good enough for me.
The rotation of this polarizing filter is not at all smooth, but the filter does what is build for, pretty much pretends to reduces the polarizing effect and also causes glare at bright lights.
This fits on my Nikon 28-300 FX lens.  I normally use the clear filter and only pull this one out when I'm shooting cityscapes or nature shots where I'm attempting to get a mirror like reflection in the water.Fits great and allows you to control the reflection
I live up in New England and was looking for rich, vibrant fall foliage photos. This lens was just the ticket--I like taking rich, saturated photos with high contrast, and this lens does a lot of that work for me, pre-processing. I still haven't tried it on the foliage, but I love what I see so far!It fits my lens perfectly, but because of the auto focus and because the filter is adjustable (moves around), it's difficult to remove. Sometimes my camera has difficulty focusing. I think that these things are just me and the filter getting to know each other, but it can be a bit frustrating at times.All in all, I'm not at the place where I can (or need to) spend beaucoup bucks on a "quality"--or glass, or whatever makes them professional grade--filter, so this is a big step up in quality of photos at a much lower price point.
I love it great for the price. If you have the money to upgrade to one of the better go for it . However, I was ust trying to find something to protect the glass of my lens
Tiffen is a reliable maker of camera filters. This filter does not disappoint. It works exactly as advertised without degrading image quality. The filter surround is made of metal.  Not sure what more you could ask for.
This was a replacement after loosing my polarizer.  Carry it with me at all time.  Also good to slow down the shutter making good moving water shots smooth.
I've used this filter with great results.  It fits my lens without a problem and is ultra-thin so there is no vinetting.  Great value.
I returned the filter because it was used, old (ancient packaging) and had scratches and fingerprints on it. It was advertised as new. All this is a seller thing, and not the filter's fault.The filter, though, was very weak. That is, I doubt it would take my glass down 1/2 stop-seriously. I also noticed (without mounting it) that when used on an LCD monitor for testing, it was very weak at rejecting light at 90 degrees. That is to say, the effect was very weak. In addition, the filter's outer glass just spun freely. How would I fix that?I feel that my best glass (70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM) deserves to look through something phenomenal, so I traded up to the:Heliopan 77mm Circular Polarizer Lens FilterBaddest piece of glass I could find! Brass rings instead of the aluminum ones in Tiffen and Hoya, and a calibrated wheel with markings make this the choice.There comes a time when checap is just too expensive. I want to make my L glass better, so why would I put layered/laminated glass over it?If you have a cheap lens (at 77mm? OK, whatever!), then this might really be a value. On the other hand, if you know what a circular polarizer even IS, you probably should be buying the best.:)
This Tiffen filter is a great quality product. i have put it to the test in midday sunlight (its summer here in NZ). This is a good quality filter that does not degrade image quality. Also very easy to clean. I would recommend Tiffen to anyone who is looking for an affordable high quality filter.
A circular polarizer is a must add to your kit to sharpen and contract outdoor photography.  It is easy to use and provides great contrast.
High quality CPL filter. I do not see any change in white balance while using the filter and it produces great color saturation!
What a revelation! For the longest time I had been taking photographs without a filter only to end up with hazy skies and washed out scenes near the water. I got this filter before my honeymoon to Tahiti and as a result I came back with fantastick pictures. You simply turn the filter to get the correct angle for the UV rays. Clouds appear crisper and blue skies are much more vivid. The filter also helps to drastically reduce reflections particularly off of water surfaces.
Nice filter.. Isn't too extreme with effect but works great. I use it all the time. Just make sure you compensate for exposure.
I use a circular polarizer to enhance the sky and clouds of outdoor shots.  The filter rotates so that you can optimize the polarizing effect.  It can also be used to reduce water glare, or to allow you to see sub-surface objects in the water better.  This is a well made filter and does the job well.  It does reduce light transmission ( just like polarized sunglasses) so I only use it outdoors.
Bought this for my 18-55mm Nikon lens on my newly purchased D80 D-SLR.  Threaded onto the flange nicely and is low profile enough to not interfere with wide angle shots.  Element rotates smoothly but remains in place between shots and even during transport.  Great filter, great quality, very affordable.
Great machining, no internal reflection. If using with the X100s lens hood, buy the 58mm one, since you cannot put your thumb between the filter and the outer aluminum circle of the hood.
A must for sunny days and good value for the price, you could pay a lot more and that's ok if you camera is earning you cash. Budding photographers shouldn't be without at least this filter in their arsenal of photography gadgets and gismos.
I've owned MANY lens filters throughout decades of shooting.This filter causes Odd Muddy-Mutated Tones..Very weird looking.You Get what you pay for.  I recommend, don't waste your money.
It's a nice, smooth-to-operate rotating filter and I'm pleased to leave it on my lens nearly all the time unless shooting a subject where it really isn't needed.
The filter works great, no negative impact in my photos and they work great, totally reccomend it, Be careful with the installation.
I'm going to order another. It arrived quickly, intact with no issues. I have used it several times and it really makes a difference in the quality of the picture.
The circular polarizer does a great job of bringing out the clouds in my landscapes, and getting rid od the reflections in water when you want to see into it.
It's a great polarizer. I highly recommend it.  One good thing, it hasn't got stuck on the lens so far. My last polarizer is still stuck to an old lens and probably always will be.
one of three really great brands for a much more tollerable price.  adfsipj df ]d9ofibgv f9oi \s9oi sdf09gvi adfbk]r9 bi\a
I've only used this once but liked it.  I'm upgrading soon and didn't want to invest in a pricey 67mm filter knowing I'd have to re-purchase when I get to upgrade :)Standard shipping was fine, it only took a few days.  Packaging was great!
Great deal for the price. Only moves my f-stops a few ticks for the benefits of a polarizer. If you haven't used one of these before, you should try it. Make sure you choose the right mm size for your lens!  It screws onto the threads of your SLR lens, and can still rotate 360'. Rotating it will greatly reduce reflected glare (water, metal, glass) and it will make shots of sunlit blue skies much, much deeper blue. You can see this effect as you look through the viewfinder to tune the shot.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ35 has a really nice Leica super-zoom lens that opens to very wide angle - great feature, very useful. When this filter is mounted on the lens (it screws onto the end) the four corners of the frame show the edges of the filter. All four corners are black. Once you zoom in a bit this goes away, but it's annoying. I don't know if this is a problem with the filter or the lens but I'm disappointed.
Works for me, along with my sx50, pictures are great, like Sherman William paint, smooth and beautiful.
Have taken many pictures with the polarizer and the photographs have been excellent. You can certainly tell a difference in the color and clarity of the photographs. Very happy.
I have only used this for 3 days at the beach. I did a great job of cutting reflections and glare in the bright sunlight. Also, did a great job of deepening the blue sky.
This is the sort of gear you only notice when you don't have it, or it fails. I've had mine for a couple of weeks and it does the job. When I consider another filter, I'll gives these guys a look.
Photographers at any level know what a CPL filter is and what it does. I'm a fan of the Tiffen brand and have nothing but praise for their products. I know opinions vary but I am entitled to mine. I never hesitate to recommend Tiffen and I don't believe you can go wrong here.
I have issues with the budget Tiffen UV-filter not being multi-coated due to the potential for flare.  While this is not multi-coated, you are less likely to experience flare due to the types of scenes that you typically shoot with polarizers (not into the sun).  It does do a decent job of polarizing and while I would prefer a multicoated one, they are significantly more expensive (unlike multicoated UV filters).  This does the job and I am able to manage the flare, so I'll stick with this until I can afford a better one.
It's not as good as BW or Hoya, but it gets the job done well.
I use can a Canon 5D MK III an threads fit great, images look great, im very happy with filter.
I'm writing this review to encourage anyone considering the purchase of this filter, feel free to make the expense and get this filter.The quality of this filter is exceptional. I've read reviews by those who misused them.Please note, when you screw this on, do not turn the filter, i mean rotate the filter in the opposite direction of how you threaded it or you just may unscrew the filter and accidentally drop it. it has a good ability to cut down reflections on water and everything in your scene. If used correctly, you should see an immediate color boost if you turn the polarizer to the right position.for those who are first timers to a polarizer: this means that when you look through the viewfinder and turn the filter, the glare should disappear on the water, not entirely, but see an increase in color and watch the sky turn a deeper blue to know you have it dialed in correctly.I also own a .9 ND filter from Tiffen and am thoroughly convinced that Tiffen makes quality for people on a budget. they're not on the expensive side of the scale but in between inexpensive and expensive.
This filter was ordered through Amazon.  If I remember correctly, I got the filter in record time.  It is a circular polarizer, 86mm.  It fits the lens that it was purchased for,a Sigma 150-500mm.Now for some not so good news, it has been very wet here in Washington state.  i have not used the lens and filter combo yet.  However, bright sunny days are coming and I will be getting outside with my gear before too long.  I look forward to updating this review.Thanks,Chuck
A pretty disappointing example of a Tiffin filter.  The threads are inferior, so the filter is VERY difficult to attach.  And the optical quality isn't good at all.  (The polarizing function does work properly, but pictures taken with it are obviously not as clear.)  This isn't my first Tiffin filter, but it will certainly be my last.
I bought the Tiffen 62mm approx. $30 polarizer from Amazon.  When it arrived it was all smudged and dusty.  But even worse, it had a small scratch on the glass.  Also the thread on the ring looked badly made, or else must have been scratched during transit, because if you looked closely you could see that the paint had come of from the edges and the edges themselves looked slightly jagged.  It made a disconcerting scraping noise when I put it on the lens, and that's when I decided I'm not going to use it because I'm afraid the unfinished edges will damage the threads on my lens.  I got a Sigma UV filter along with this one and wow, what a difference in quality!  The glass on the Sigma was smooth and clean and the ring and threads were very cleanly made.  You could just see how poor quality the Tiffen was by comparison when you looked at the two rings side by side; the metal was all scratched looked like it had been crafted by hand with a hammer.  And both filters came in the same shipment so it wasn't the case that something happened to the Tiffen during delivery.  I don't know if the problem is bad packaging on Tiffen's part (the box did look like it would not hold the lens so securely as Sigma's) or just poor quality control, but in any case I now seriously question the reliability of this brand.  I am returning it to Amazon and buying a different brand.  I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 because the polarizing effect did seem to work pretty well, for what that's worth.
I think a circular polarizer is a necessary piece of equipment for outdoors photography.  A circular polarizer is great for cutting glare and increasing the drama in a cloudy sky.This filter has not disappointed me.
It wouldnt fit on my camera and it was the one recommended by Amazon for my lens.  I ended up having to throw in aside in my camera bag and go to a camera store to purchase a new one as I needed it and didnt have the return packing anymore.
Love the improvement I've gotten in my shots so far with this filter! Well worth the value, glad I picked this and the 58mm Tiffen UV filter up as well! Great products.
Works well with lens and canon 60d camera.  Good protection for lens.  Would recommend filter for any lens needed for your camera.
I got this to do some video recording outdoors, specifically radio controlled air planes in the sky. This CP filter will darken the image, but not too much. Sometimes it's hard to get the polarization effect, but if you're perpendicular to the light source (sun), you can sometimes get the effect, which can make your video look nicer - especially clouds and water. The effect is subtle enough to appear real and still add to the overall image quality. The quality of the threads is great and the rotating ring is how a rotating ring should feel - not too tight, not too loose. This can also add a sort of protection to your lens glass; it's better to scratch a $15 filter than it is a many hundred dollar lens!
I'm still a working on my photography but I do think that this is a big help to get to the depths of water and for cutting down on sun glare.
A polarizer can make the sky look richer or take glare out of reflections.  Wonderful.  Did learn something recently - use a polarizer on the end of the lens by itself.  Do not stack it on top of a UV protection filter.  You don't need 2 pieces of glass out there as you want to take pics as close to the original lens as possible.  Plus, the polarizer would stick to the UV filter and I had to use a lens wrench to get them apart.
I just received this filter and the first thing I noticed taking it out of the oversized shipping box was that the plastic case the filter came in was scuffed all over as if someone had rubbed it with sandpaper.  I didn't think it was a problem as long as the filter was ok.  Unfortunately, upon opening the unsealed case, I noticed that the lens was very dusty on both sides and there was a big fat thumb print right in the middle of the lens.I tried cleaning the filter with a lens cleaning cloth and it helped to remove the dust but I could not remove the thumb print completely.  I can't see the print anymore with the naked eye but when I blow on it, the steam makes it reappear until it evaporates.  I decided that it was probably not going to affect the pictures much since I couldn't see the print when it was dry.The performance of the lens is decent.  I can see the picture change on my viewfinder as I rotate the filter.  I do find that the rotating part is loose.  If the camera shakes or moves too much, the lens can rotate slightly on its own.  I wish there was a little more resistance to it but most people will try their best to take shots with a steady hand so it shouldn't be a problem.  The photos also come out a little darker than without the filter so I use it only in bright sunlight.I decided to keep the filter since it wasn't too expensive.  It was disappointing to receive a filter with the permanent thumbprint which could have come from the Tiffen factory or from amazon sending me a used items as new.  I've heard of others claiming to receive used items from amazon so I wouldn't be surprised.  You may end up receiving a new one but its no guarantee.
I have other polarizers for other lens sizes, so I pretty much knew what to expect performance wise.  It has met my expectations, no issues with the clarity or glare reduction at all.  Fits the threads well, spins well, again no issues.  I can't say that I have the trained eye to compare it to the super high-end PL filters, but I think it's great.  As an avid amateur, I'm very happy with this purchase.
Tiffen has been a leader, in my opinion, in affordable, durable and important lens filters my whole life.  Their may be more expensive models out there, but they are probably equal, not better, in quality to Tiffen.  Perfect for any camera.
This polarizer is useful to reduce excessive glare on my outdoor shots. The polarizer can be rotated to control the amount of polarizing effect that your camera gets.Overall this is a good buy for almost any kind of DSLR camera to enhance outdoor photos and giving that deeper blue sky and more vivid tone of outdoor shots.
This polarizing filter seems a bit on the week side.When aiming it at LCD screens, I can not get it to black them out completely.
No complaints. I was just looking to do some longer exposures and wanted to try out a polarizer method. That I had heard about.
Bought this filter with a UV filter for my new canon lens. It fit both the budget and the lens perfectly.
I have been a longtime fan of Tiffen filters anyway, but I am very happy with this polarizer, which I got for my ultrawide 12-24mm lens.  It was a very affordable price and I even purchased it used through Amazon Warehouse.  It arrived in wonderful shape and has been improving my skies and taking the reflections from water and windows ever since, beautifully.  Thank you Tiffen, for always creating affordable, high-quality filters and products.
Reduces reflections magically and really does sharpen colors. I definitely recommend this. The only problem is that, if you normally like to manually focus, you have to switch the lens to automatic focus before adjusting the polarizer or else you'll lose your focus! Turning the polarizer will also turn the focus unless it's in the automatic function.*it is very hard to take off your lens though. and you cannot tighten it loosely or else it'll unscrew as you turn the polarizer so you kind of have to tighten it onto your lens all the way
This is the first camera filter I have ever owned, so I'm not an expert.  However, it fit my camera perfectly, was an excellent price, and produces a very pleasing result.
A very fine crafted filter. TRiffen makes great filters without the outrageous price. Needed to add the pizazz to outdoor photos
This filter is very good and delivers the expected results. Very little color tinging, and good quality construction. Excellent choice for photographing daylight outdoor scenes.
I needed a CP in a hurry and was on a tight budget for some photography I was going to do out in the desert.  Although it DOES have a high degree of polarization, when you are doing landscapes with large areas of sky there is VERY pronounced color banding.  Depending on how you have it set, it is very easy to end up with a dark stripe right in the middle of the sky with lighter bands on both sides.  I've not seen this issue with the more expensive CPs.
I own a Panasonic video camera and needed some glare reduction on it and so this seemed like the perfect choice between price and function.  The filter does spin as it needs to be set but this is a bit unsmooth for my liking.  Other than that, it works well.
The Tiffen 77mm circular polarizer is an excellent product, I am very happy with it, the service provided from Amazon was great and I will buy other Tiffen products from Amazon again.
Being budget minded, I didn't want to spend $300+ for a CL polarizer since I'm not a high end user, but I didn't want to buy a $10 cheepo either. This seemed some where in the middle with good reviews.The Tiffen polarizer really brings out the definition in the clouds and removes glare on water or shiny surfaces just as it should. Super snug fit, smooth rotation, good photo results.Definitely get the plastic wrenches for removal though. Once it's on your lens, it's on. Tightening ring is so narrow, fingers just won't do.Overall though, very happy with this filter.
Not sure why you would need anything better than this. I get the effect I want at a price several times cheaper than other units. For how often I use this, it is all I need.
As always I seem to not have the negative experiences other people do with these filters. It is what it is a CPL filter. Works fine, smooth and threaded perfect to my Nikon 18-105mm.
It's a circular polarizer, a pretty good one too.  This particular one takes about 1 to 2 stops out of your exposure.  I use it for the ND effect sometimes.  No problems with it on my Nikon 80-200 or 24-70.
I accidentally ordered the wrong size and returned it -- no problem.  I did make a thorough inspection before ordering another size.  This is a good value for the price.
After buying this polarizer I removed it from my lens just couple times (when shooting photos at night). All other time i'm using it. Awesome!
love it
I've already had a linear polarizer for my Powershot S3IS and I never really had any complaints about it. Now I have a Rebel T3i and wanted to get a new polarizer so I can keep one with each camera. What a difference! Your camera's light meter gets tricked by a linear filter making it difficult to find the right exposure (which is news to me) so get a circular. I am also a big fan of Tiffen because they make great quality filters that you don't have to take out a second mortgage to afford.
Tiffen has always been one of the top leaders in lens filters and I was happy to see this at such an incredible price. What an improvement on my photos!
The use of a polarizing lens can make the difference between a blah photo and one with real punch, while shooting on sunny days. This polarizing lens does everything it's supposed to. The turning action is smooth and easily spun with one finger. Easy to install and remove.
My husband is a photographer.  Being a photographer's wife you learn certain tools are necessary to get the look YOU want.  He can take lots of great photos in the bright day of the sun now.
Purchased for a new D5300 with 67mm lenses.  Works well and does what it is supposed to do. Screws on easily and removes easily. Produced  nice results.  Would recommend and purchase again.
Nicely made, smooth movement.  No obvious workmanship flaws or glass imperfections.  Makes for rich coloring, as expected.  Wonderful.  No hesitation in recommending this reasonably priced polariser.
This is the first Tiffen filter I have purchased in decades and it is a huge disappointment.  I remember the older ones having more threads on each side.  This filter (58MM Circular Polarizer) is so minimalist it barely has enough threads to fasten to my camera. Trying to rotate the filter is a trick.  There is nothing to hold onto and if I am not careful the polarizer can come off the camera.
Good quality and arrived sooner than expected.Come in a nice case however would recommend a pouch if you have multiple lens sizes and filters.
I selected this product to give me more vivid colors and reduce glare. I did not realize the polarizer would reduce my light levels so drastically. Otherwise I am pleased with the quality and the shipping.
Works very well.I can see the diffrence in pictures.It's a cheap but very useful thing.It came very quickly,packed very well.
I compared this to a promaster filter than was supposed to be worth over twice as much and this polarizer was much better in quality.  This filter was much thinner, rotates freely, fits perfectly on my Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm lens, and overall just appears to be much better quality than the promaster.  I am definitely happy with this purchase and it worked factastic during our cruise!
It is a great asset for the beginner to advanced photographer. Works just like it should. I would not be without it and it is great for the price
This is my first circular polarizer, but from other reviews of this and other products, it appears to do what it is suppose to.Good price, fast delivery.
This is  a good filter. It moves smoothly screws on nice and does a real good job polarizing my photos
The Tiffen polarizer works as well as much higher priced polarizers. Cheap filters and polarizers can actually do more harm than good. Perfectly satisfield
Name brand and quality build.  I use it on a Canon 'L' series lens without degrading the image.  I would recommend it to a friend
I have other Tiffen filters and I love their overall quality but I ordered this polarizer on-line and it was defective.  After studying the lens itself, I found that it was assembled backwards!  As you look through it from the male threaded side of the lens, there was no polarization but looking through from the female threaded side I would notice proper polarization (I set out a bowl of water with sunlight shining on it at an angle).  I quickly returned this one and went to my favorite local camera store to purchase the same filter, at least I got to inspect it before buying.  I highly recommend this filter but if you buy on-line be sure give it a close inspection as soon as you get it!
The hype is real...filter does everything its supposed to do,(eliminate the glare) and brings out the blue sky...most of all protect my camera lens.
I was told to get this by a professional picture taker. I was taking pictures of snow covered hills and the Sun was ruining my shots. This is very light and thin, about 1/4 inch thick. The filter is two parts, each about 1/8 inch thick and bonded together with the ability to rotate the front part. Make sure to screw the filter snug into your lens, then you can spin the front 1/8 inch thick part. It is a polarizer and must be rotated as you view your subject through the camera. As you turn the filter clockwise, you will see the glare disappear and if you keep going you will mess up your shot. This is a quick learning device and fun to play with.I remove it for indoor shots and Moon shots.
Great for waterfall pictures. Makes it easier to take waterfall pictures during the day.
Seriously, If i see you rocking a dslr in Broad daylight without one of these....In any case, this is a must have for any DSLR person. That and some grads but i don't think Tiffin makes Circular grads for the 34-105mm crowd. This coupled with a decent DSLR Shoulder Mount does a world of wonder from 11-3:30pm timeslot.
I have used polarizers before and use them with any camera that will accept them. This was an inexpensive filter but it works well, it has occasionally unscrewed from the lens while rotating the filter but that could be fixed by a dab of silicone of other product on the mounting threads.
i order three different polarizer filters two of them arrived in good condition and with nothing wrong but my 62mm pol. filter came with problems. it seems like it was used before. it was dusty in between the ring(where it moves)and to ruin everything it did not fit correctly on my 70-300mm lens. i rechecked to see if i order the wrong size filter but i didn't, i screw(put) the filter several times into my lens but it kept popping out of it for some reason. bought another filter from somewhere else and it fit perfectly, that filter was clean, wasn't dusty and it fit perfectly into my lens.
Amazing background tones with colorful skies and detailed cloud contrast even at high noon.  Immediate reaction from people.  Extremely convenient design allows to keep it on lens indefinitely.
the tiffen polarizer filters are high quality filters at a very nice price. (comments apply to both 52mm and 58mm filters which were bought together.)
Works great, fits camera, makes the sky pop ... clouds have definition, blue is deeper ... and protects camera lens
If it would fit directly on the lens it would be a good product. Unfortunately, an adapter is needed to mount it, which gives a porthole vignette effect that can't be used for any type of photography.
There is nothing not to like about this Polarizer.  I don't know much about these but the price was right and I didn't have any problems with it.
Tiffen is one of the most respected filter manufacturers in the world, so this is a quality product. And a polarizer is a must-have filter for any photographer.
I am a newbie and know little about SLR, it's my first CPL. how to descript it? just like a sun glasses to the lens
Lens fits very well to my 18-135mm WR lens and it does its job. Couldn't expect less from Tiffen, which a renowned brand.
You know that you must have a polarizer, right? Such a simple yet powerful tool in the photographers arsenal. This one works great and is priced very reasonably.
Save your money. Had seen others write that filter was assembled backwards and other flaws. They were right.Cheaply designed and made. Get a Heliopan from Adorama, you'll be very pleased.
I am using this filter on my everyday carry lens. I previously had a Hoya Pro Multi-coat filter on this lens, but it broke. I wasn't excited about spending $175 on another 77mm CPL, so I gave the Tiffen a shot. While I don't have a quantitative set of comparisons between the two, my impression is the Tiffen is not capable producing the same results as the Hoya. But, the results are good enough. I'm taking candids of my family, high school sports, and vacation snapshots, not producing high art.
Its a Polarizer, and it works great, as advertised!  Installs nicely in front of my UV filter; stays attached.  Provides nice, crisp filtering for my photos.
I've been suckered into those cheap polarizers at the national electronics big box store.I use polarizers often, and I'm very satisfied with all of the Tiffen polarizers I've purchased, including this one.
When I opened the package, surprise! the lens was outside of the original plastic box. And the plastic box has a lot of scratch. Fortunately the lens itself doesn't have any scratch, but the result of photos I took with this lens is too dark. I am not satisfy the quantity of this lens. The $7 Zeikos circular polarizer has much better result than this $35 one.
Took it with me on my trip to Italy...made my photos really come out crisp and colorful and not washed out.  You have to remember to remove it, when necessary.
It's a polarizing filter. It does what it is supposed to do. Pretty good quality, too. Using it at wide angles will cause vignetting.Pretty expensive.
not adjustable
Very happy with purchase, enhances picture quality in bright sunlight, the glare some people report is fixed by rotating the filter until your subject is balanced. Sturdy and well built. Recommended.
I have been using polarizing filters long enough to be considered very old school -This filter has little to no polarizing effect - useless for its intended purpose - basically it is a Neutral density lens protector.
A circular polarizer has three mechanical components. One is the set of threads for mounting to the camera. The second is the mechanism that mounts the rotating polarizing glass to the camera base mount to the camera. The third is the set of threads that allows an additional filter or a lens cap.  Only the last is functional.  The first two are loose. The problem with loose mounting between the filter and the camera can intermittently (one time it works, the next time it doesn't) cause the filter to require a plumber's wrench (hyperbole) to remove the filter; other times it comes off as one would expect. With the rotating glass, it is too loose. Set it and bump the outer ring and the setting is off. Don't think that it can't happen between shots. Other manufacturers' circular filters, have more resistance. Both the filter section and the lens-mount section jiggle in their settings. I only use the outer filter threads for the lens cap. I haven't had any problems losing a lens cap because of the threads. I have had no flare problem with the optics. The unit reviewed is used with a Nikkor lens, 18-200mm. The problems haven't occurred with other brands of filters on the same lens. After a frustrating 3+ years with this Tiffen filter, I'm replacing it with a B+W.
I've only used this polarizer twice since I purchased it, but the first time I downloaded photos using the filter, I was stunned. I live in AZ and had been disappointed that my pictures were not coming out nearly as vividly as what I was seeing. I asked a professional who explained the problem and recommended this product by name. I used to resort to Photoshopping all of my images, but these last two batches have come out so well, I've only done a small touch up here and there. It also protects my lens from the elements.
See my review of the Tiffen 77mm straight polarizer.  Tiffen is a good brand, reasonably priced and a  good performer.
In the past, all the filters I purchased came in a round plastic case that held it securely.  This came in a square one, and there is a lot of slop inside, so it slides around to get marred up.  I was planning on writing a complaint to Tiffen.
The Polarizer does extremely well, especially if you live in an area like San Antonio where there is so much sun. The price point was a definite reason for the purchase
I leave this filter on my camera constantly. The sky is brilliant when in use. Price was good quality is also good.
... since they effect of a polarizer is difficult to duplicate in Photoshop. This one performs well at a good price so picked up a cooupleof different sizes for my lens collection in my new micro four thirds mirrorless system.
This is the first polarizing filter I have purchased.  My first experience proved challenging to figure out exactly what the filter would do under different circumstances.  However, I can see how it will be a real benefit to my photos as I master it.
Good quality, especially for the price.  However, as a newby photographer, I learned something... circular polarizers don't really work very well on ultra wide angle lens's... too much variation in color change across the viewing angle expanse.  Better to use polarizing filter plates.
does the job though not as dramatic of change as other cpl's i have had. use it on my sigma 17-70, and with adapter on the canon 70-200f4.
Wanted to take some landscape photos and needed a polarizing filter. My lens is a 28-300 vr fx so the filter had both to be accessible and not alter the cameras ability to focus.This filter does an excellent job if used properly in landscape, however I would recommend removing the filter once you have finished as you can get some unexpected results if you use it indoors or with flash.
I use the circular polarizer extensively for landscape shots.  In fact, I leave it on my lens (Canon EF-S 17-85mm) instead of a UV filter because I use it so much.Pros:- good value.- darkens skies, controls glare on wet surfaces, makes colors pop.Cons:- vignetting at widest focal length (but then again, you shouldn't use it at the widest end due to uneven darkening of skies at widest angle).- doesn't play nice with cokin filter holder (spins when you screw on the filter holder, can be annoying to have to reset it).Overall, this is a good deal for a filter that will really help your photos look better.
Good price, work really well.Tiffen is not the higher price for filters but the 4 I own do the job.
I bought this after it was recommended to me as a way to make my pictures more vibrant and to reduce glare. It works perfectly! Sadly, I lost it on a shoot in the country, and I bought a Vivitar as a replacement when I was at a camera shop. Bad move. This Tiffen filter gives a much better result. I will be purchasing another one.
I ordered this particular model of polarizing filter for my Canon T3i. It works, but I just can not see much &#34;polarizing&#34; when I look through the viewfinder, and turn the filter ring. However, the pictures are fine. It seems as if an older model of polarizing filter that I had would enable me to visualize easily the changing brightness. This filter does seem to be doing a decent job.
My son is a budding photographer and was eager to find this filter at a great value. Thank you for your service.
After reading many reviews I have decided not to buy B+W and to save some money.Thought CP filter will take my photography to next level after seeing comparison images from other customers.To be honest I used it 2-3 times and I was so dissapointed since then it is still in original box.I understand user should know how to use filters but effect from this filter is just discouraging.
Polarizing effect works as advertised.  It does cause significant vignetting when used on a tamron 17-50mm on an a700.  May work better for telephoto lenses.
I went to my local camera shop looking for a filter that would give me the deep blue skies and the nice green landscapes.  The 58mm Tiffen was the recommendation but the costs was $70 and that was a bit more than I really wanted to spend.Of Course, Amazon was the logical next stop and I spent less than 1/2 as much for this lens and it turns out it was worth the price I would have paid at the camera shop.  I felt like a thief, but buying smart often seems like this, so I just enjoyed my purchase.The Camera shop was right, this is the best filter on the market, Tiffen Rocks.
86mm filters are difficult to find.  And the ones you are either $200+ or not worth the money.  The tiffen filter is worth every penny.  Would be looking for other filters for the 86mm lens.
I bought this item now for the third time.  Last summer I purchased 2 of them, and they worked out great.  I have another camera now and decided to get a 3rd one for simultaneous use on 3 cameras.  Not sure about the other reviewers, but this 58mm circular polarizer glass filter works perfect for capturing and enhancing clouds, which is what I mostly do time lapses of and use this for.  I've not had any issues with the construction at all.  I received the item in mint condition, no scratches or fingerprints on the glass.
It takes much more work with this polarizer, in comparison to others I've used, to beging to understand how to use it correctly. The biggest challenge is eliminating unnecessary vignetting that can not be eliminated--even with pain-staking efforts--in the development process (I use Lightroom, Photoshop, and a full suite of Topaz products). The real challenge is the vignetting is tough to pick up through your view finder and in reviewing it on the camera monitor. Despite all of that, it is capable of toning down sun-drenched objects, and in bringing out brilliant colors. My best advice for the Tiffen is to shoot wider then you normally would when using it, and shoot more photos of the same subject and angle than you thought necessary.
I have both the 52 and 58mm circular polarizers from Tiffen and they both work fantastically.  The outer ring spins easily and smoothly, and the filter doesn't reduce the image quality one bit.  This is a must have for taking outdoor pictures as it really makes clouds pop and cleans up reflections.  Want to get a shot through a glass window?  Use this filter to prevent unwanted reflections from getting in the way.  Like your framing and exposure, but getting blown out reflections in that lake?  You'll lose a stop of light, but it's worth it to get rid of those stray sunbeams in the water.I've taken them both on numerous hikes and in some fairly dangerous conditions.  I've thrown them in my camera bag without much regard to their safety, and yet they work fine without any scratches.  For the money, Tiffen is great.
Pro quality filter. I have used Tiffen filters for more than 30 years. I needed a small one to go on my Sony RX100 and this fit the bill.
Works perfectly and will be very handy when I photograph outdoors, by water, and through glass so that I don't have reflections that I don't want
Standard nikon 52 mm fits most older and smaller lenses . Rotates for best effect for the lighting . The quality seems good in the image  taken with it . I would recommend it .
This polarizer really makes a great difference in image quality.  Brings out the blues and greens with vibrant depth. A steal with at this pricing
This filter is built with good material and it is made in USA. Very good quality glass and is making a difference on very bright sunny days with white fluffy clouds in the sky that normally don't show much in photos with no polarizer filter.The price is very reasonable as well.Highly recommended.
Wonderful fit, for what I require in a product and I think this product is worth the price and when it comes to saving, Amazon is GREAT! ON A SCALE 1-10 the product rate as a 10, highly recommend, overall this is a great product.
I couldn't find my circular polarizer and wasn't happy about buying a new one. The price was about $10 less than I thought it would be. I'm sure once I start using this polarizer, I'll find my other one.
its from Tiffen  USA made.  nice . reasonable price and a must have for most outdoor shooting, really cuts glare if needed. some are better but not near this price.
In my experience Tiffen makes a very good filter and this one is no exception. Threads match nicely and the filter seats firmly yet is easily removed. The rotation of the filter is buttery smooth and stays put. The Tiffen adds a nice degree of polarization that gives colors a bit more saturation and contrast with a minor loss of overall transmission. If you're not shooting with a polarizing filter you probably don't realize just how much stray/reflected light is affecting your photo's. Once you see the difference a good filter like this can make you'll wonder why you didn't start using one sooner. Put your UV filter back in the bag and put something in front of your lens that will actually improve every shot. I've spent bigger money on other brands of filter (Hoya, B&W, et al) and I just don't see that money buying me a better filter. Maybe I'm missing something but, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and Tiffen filters do the job for me without breaking my budget.
l purchased this polarizing lens but returned it today for a refund.  as i rotated the lens to create a different look nothing happened.  l have read the positive reviews on this lens, i guess i just received a defective  one, either that or these people know nothing of what they say.  i have never had a polarizing lens fail as this one has.  hb
We went to Hawaii to see the whales and I wanted a polarizing filter to reduce the glare. This filter did the trick. Not having used one before, it took a little practice and trial-and-error to work out what looks good. The cost was a big factor for me and this one performs will for the price. I found it doesn't work well for sunsets over the ocean, I kept getting light streaks. I figured this was due to using a polarized filter which just isn't appropriate for that situation. I got some really great pictures of the whales and glad I got this filter.
I've used Tiffen filters all the time and you can't go wrong with them. They do the job they are advertised for and they protect your camera lens as well. Good warranty, durable, safe, well manufactured and they last!
These things are rather binary.  Either they work, or they don't.This one seems to work in most cases.  Just attach to the end of the lens, and rotate until you get the image you like.
I generally get two filters for my camera and lenses, a UV  and a polarizer.  This works well and does the job.  I have been using Tiffen filters and they appear to be fine.
It is a good quality filter at a good price. I would recommend it for any photographer who wants to be creative.
I came to know about Tiffen through Ken Rockwell's site. I really love the product. Glass is extremely sturdy, the threads well cut, easy to clean of smudges and rendition is excellent. After using the first Tiffen, I have not even sought another brand.The best part about dealing with Amazon.com is that they are honest and clear about things. If there is a problem ( which hardly there are any) they do everything possible to resolve it. I rate Amazon.com the highest amongst the online sites.
Tiffen has always been known to make a great product and that is why I always buy Tiffen filters for all my lenses. Definitely worth the money for any lens.
This lens works well and seems to be very good quality.  Just a note that I neglected to pay attention to whether it was multi-coated or not.  My next filter will be.  It is especially significant on the UV Protection Filter that I got along with the Circular Polarizer as I seem to get much more in the way of reflection & sun flares than i think i should be getting.
This is a decent filter, it will make your skies bluer and your clouds a bit more contrasty. The effect could be more pronounced though, I can't get the skies quite as deep blue as I would like, even at 90 degrees to the sun. The filter also does a decent job at removing reflections but I feel this could be better also.So in short, this is a decent filter for the money spent but could use some slight improvements.
I expect Tiffen to produce good photographic material and they continue to live up to my expectations with this polarizer.
Maybe if I was a professional photographer I would buy a different product but this is good for me at a very reasonable price.
Seems well built and should do fine job, I am pleased and at this price you can't go wrong, really
This is a good filter, it helps me take better pictures when I am outdoors. Makes the sky bluer when the sun is out.
Great purchase again I would not have a problem recommending this product to any of my friends.  nice filter go get one.
Tiffen and Hoya both make decent, mid-priced filters. For the basics, you can't go wrong with these. I've owned many Tiffen filters over the years, never had a problem.
I needed another Circular Polarizer and bought one through Amazon.  It worked great and I would recommend Amazon for anything you need.  I have bought other then through them and they always come through.
Love the polarizer and fits perfect on my lens. I bought it for beach shots and the color was perfect without the harsh glare.
read all the reviews how a polarizer enhances the colors; so I was sure that I should get one. It darkens the the picture but I upon comparison I honestly saw no enhancement to it. More importantly, during a vacation thru the southwestern parks, I put this on my most versatile lens and could not get it off-which made that unusable except high light situations the rest of the vacation. Thought I would have to take it to a camera shop to get it off without ruining the lens. After I got home where I was able to remove with a low heat blow dryer it went into the trash. So buyer beware.
After receiving this one, I have purchased others from this brand and am very happy with the quality. Highly recommend.
not the best, but for price it is good quality product. little to light on strong light but for increase contrast and saturation of colors is perfect. Made much better pictures than without.
EOS 60d, this is a terrible fit. I have super cheap, like $2 UV filters I use for lens protectors that fit better than this. This filter turns indefinitely, and falls off with very little pressure. This, and the filter was absolutely filthy with dust and small scratches upon arrival. The &#34;case&#34; is plastic with a foam insert, the issue is they are oversized, allowing movement during shipping, thus explaining the issue. As for the fitting, really not a buy for EOS 60 D IMO...
I've had this filter before, and mis placed it. The filter adds the missing color saturation to your pics. For the cost, this filter is great. I am by far a professional photographer, and shoot for fun. I really enjoy shooting, and playing with my pics after.Great product.
I use this on my Lumix LX7 ( with a filter adapter tube). The polarizer saturates colors and cuts glare.
Does what it is supposed to do, no more or no less.  Also helps to preserve the lens from scratches.
Great quality and smooth working mechanism.  Nice to have different sizes for each lens.  This makes my 3rd Tiffen Polarizer 58, 72, and now 67.
On my 30D, the lens caps do fit this filter, but they don't catch very much of the thread (maybe 1 or 2 threads).  This isn't a problem, but if this filter was on my lens ALL the time I might not like the fact that it doesn't fit all the way to the bottom.Other than that, this filter seems to be a good value.
Ok, so it's not a Hoya or B&W but this filter significantly improves your landscape photos at a much cheaper price than some other higher end models.  Keep in mind that your images may become a bit &#34;flat&#34; for color saturation when using a polarizer but the trade off for the punch in contrast is worth it.
This Cirucular polarizer was a definite must when taking pictures. It takes the glare off of the water so that I can see down through. It also can take the glare off of windows and glasses too. Definitely a must.
Filter looks fine, however the Canon lens cap for the camcorder did not fit very well on the filter, so I will have to get another lens cap.
Good quality filter. Not too dark. I have used it extensively since I received it. The sky is chamber of commerce blue and clouds are beautiful.
this is a great filter, it keeps the glare of light indoors or outdoors, I use it all the time
This is a great filter.  Does its job. It will last as long as I need it to.  Appropriately priced.
The 1st time I used it it got stuck on the lens and was impossible to get it off.  I ended up dropping the camera and breaking the bottom plate of the camera.  This was the most expensive filter I ever bought.
If you have an autofocus camera and shoot photos outdoors, this filter needs to be attached to the end of your lens. (If you have a manual focus camera you need a linear polarizer) The polarizer darkens blue skies (if the sky is light blue, you get deep, rich blue) and eleminates glare and reflection in glass and water.With this filter, you can take a photo of someone standing in front of a window and not have the glare or reflection of the window shooting back into the lens. It also helps you shoot indoors at an aquarium (you can take crystal-clear photos of the killer whales and dolphins without glare from the glass).This filter can't take the photos for you, but it can make your photos look much more professional. The only thing to be careful of is the fact that the polarizer makes the image a little darker, so if you are shooting in dark light, you need a flash or a slower shutter speed.
Even though Nikon lense covers are thick and of excellent quality, Tiffen brand is just as thick and almost equivalent in quality.  A great price and fast shipping.
I bought this polarizer for use with my Nikon P7700 and I'm absolutely delighted with the images that I've been able to take when I'm utilizing it.
I bought this recently for my Nikon D3200 and it fits perfectly. It is very easy to screw on and off (haven't encountered having to use pliers to take it off like some reviewers).This is my first CPL filter i have owned, so I cannot compare it to more expensive filters. However, it is clear that a nicer CPL filter would exist in the world. I took some difficult photos of snowy mountains (Idaho sawtooths) yesterday and had a tough time aligning the dark polarizer onto the blue sky behind the mountains (see photo). However, when taking pictures of rivers/creeks the polarizer cuts through the whitewater and allows you to see the river rocks (see my before/after photos). Also, the green foliage beside the river 'pops' with the filter. Unfortunately, at time, the polarizer gives the photos an artificial look (as opposed to a more natural look). Like it's been touched up.It is a great filter, i love it. But definitely amateur quality (perfect for my needs), if you want to take professional-quality photos then you will need something nicer.
Great product, as I would expect from Tiffen.
I can't live without this filter! What else can I say. Its amazing for midday shots. Excellent! Highly recommended! Perfect for washed out landscape photos that need a pop! Amazing! High Quality!
I'd been missing the brilliance a polarized filter adds to photos.  This was affordable and does the job.  I may wish I'd bought a nicer one some day, but for now, I'm appreciating the money I saved and the pictures this provides.
Nice filter great for sky and water shots. I liked the results using it to shoot in a forested area that had a lot of different lighting.
I-LOVE-THIS-FILTER!!!! This makes my outdoor pictures so much better and cuts down on light and saturates colors. I keep this on my main lens at all times.
Received a t3i as a gift and wanted to get some filters to play around with it and this is one I had heard about. A lot of websites on filters are for going pro camera folks, while I wanted some info on just amateur and regular photos, as I'm not a pro, never will be. I'll leave that to the actual experts. I wanted this filter to improve family photos and vacation photos, so I'll leave a small blurb about what I found out the filter does. Anyone, feel free to correct me!I bought the Tiffen as I had read the Tiffen and Cokin filters were the best, and because of other reviews. It is a glass filter that screws in to a 58mm lens end. Others have info on how you can find out if this one will fit yours. I'm sure you can buy it in whatever the right size is for you.The polarized filter is for blocking reflected light from glass and bodies of water (lakes, ponds, streams, puddles). It can also help to darken the sky in pictures, while not affecting other parts of the picture too much. It does not darken the entire scene, just aspects of it by blocking reflected light. You can control how well it does this by rotating the filter, which is good because if you block out too much light a small puddle can look like a piece of glass on the land, and lose the effect.
Great value here folks. I used the polarizer stacked with a Tiffen UV filter/on my canon 200L prime. ZERO light fall off on the edges/no vignetting. I used during a 4th of July family gathering on a bright sunny day. Up to 50% cropping and could not see problems with sharpness/detail/contrast. The circular polarizer blocks 2 stops of light which helped maintain the aperture at a constant f/2.8 @ 200 ISO -2/3 ev shooting raw. Later in the evening I took the polarizer off and took photos with the UV protection filter. Kind of a cheap insurance policy to keep my lens abrasion free and a quick solution when i need more light to work with. For me very practical to stack the two filters & store the filter case in my pocket...no worries bothering with my camera bag..just take off the polarizer and put in my pocket.
Tiffen filters have always given me what I expected from them.  This filter is no exception. This is a high quality circular polarizing filter.
I've had this on my Nikon 18-200mm for a few weeks now, and really like it. It truly brings out great colors in the photos. However, it's much darker than I would like for a polarizer. This, combined with the aperature of the 18-200, has resulted in some blurry photos for me (especially indoors when ambient light is crucial). That is mostly my fault for being too lazy to take it off, pero ni modo.
This filter was a Christmas present to my oldest son.  So far, he has no complaints.  Good product for a good price.
Simply put, this is one of the best purchases that I've ever made for outdoor photography.Basically, polarizers filter light out of your lenses and the circular nature of this filter allows you to rotate it to experiment and get your ideal results.I've only been pleased with my photos so far.  Colors are staying bright but not overly saturated and filter seems well built and sturdy.  Does not "feel" cheap in other words.
I was really impressed with this filter, works great, glass was perfect, the turning darkened the landscapes, etc.  Definitely recommend.
I ordered this for my mom, who had dropped hers and bent the rim. This was priced very fairly, and it works well.
Works very well for making blue skies; lose some light but no problem on a sunny day.  Does the job.
Works as advertised.  This filter does what it is advertised to do and would buy it again. Would do it again.
Well constructed. Has a quality feel. Made in USA.It polarizes the light coming through your lens--twist the two-piece filter ring to see the variation.It's not easy to operate with a lens hood on. I reach into the hood to twist the filter ring, but that blocks part of the viewfinder while I'm doing it. Not a huge problem.
I bought for a trip to the desert southwest (New Mexico) and it does wonders to clear up haze and also brings down the light enough that you can safely use fill flash. On our photo tour, our guide explained that the sky wasn't as blue as usual due to no fewer than three forest fires currently burning in the state. Fortunately this filter helped to remove a lot of the haze and I've never taken better high-sunlight desert shots than this.I didn't realize how much the filter helped until I looked at my girlfriend's shots, which were taken without such a filter. Many had blown-out highlights, and I noticed the same on my shots taken on the day I went without the filter.The only problem I experienced was due to laziness: I simply put it on over my existing UV filter, which caused slight vignetting on some of my wider-angle shots. But some slight cropping took care of that.All in all I can't recommend this filter enough.
I bought this as a higher end circular polarizer to reduce glare and it does everything I bought it for, just be careful about over tightening it, I actually cut my hand trying to take it off once
It works good. Got it on time and gives good look to photos. What can I say it works good and came on time. I like it.
You can get a really cool effect, with a lot of adjustment and its pretty cheap. Interesting to see the visual change
Liked this one so well I ordered another for my other lens, much better than the AFGA Photo polarizer  that I also bought from Amazon as it had issues.
The whole digital thing is different than film, but this is a nice filter and gives me the effects I want.
This is a great filter. Really helps with color and glare. I have it on a Canon XSi DSLR.  Love how you can rotate the filter for the effect you want.
I had previously purchased a cheap circular polarizer filter and I could not get my lens to focus properly with it on.  So I spent a little more on this filter and I am very pleased with the results!  It worked great and has fine clarity.  I'm looking forward to creating much better landscapes with this filter.
I've used Tiffen filters from way back and their quality is still top-notch. Nothing fancy, just a well-made accessory filter.
It's 2 pieces of glass together and the front element should be rotated clockwise for best effect after the lens is in focus. Worth the extra effort in giving less glare and improved contrast in most pictures
You can't go wrong with this Polarizer at three times the price.  I shot a few shots with sun  coming off a windshield with and without.  Works as it should
checked pricing, thought I give it try, worked easy into lens, worked as I wanted would back again if needed.AAAA+
i used this filter for my nikon 18-140mm. i can feel the different to the filter that i have before. the contrast is great. It came with a great case too.
I bought this for landscapes, but the effect is not as good as you can get with lightroom shooting raw material. I will use it just for glass reflections, or water. The sky and the trees don`t have the color punch that I saw on tutorials and reviews. Used on a lens Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L USM with a camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
It really makes a difference on the quality of the outcome of the pictures. I love it!!!! If you love photography try this polarizer.
I have used Circular Polarizer Glass Filters before, but didn't have one to fit the 58MM camera lens.  This lens goes on and comes back off easily.
Awesome. Works well for very sunny days and on photos where have a lot of reflection from glass or water.
As described, works well. Delivered quickly. Lens rotates to let you choose where you want the polarization effect. A must for every photo kit.
My father got me started with Tiffen filters many years ago, and I've never had any reason to change. This is exactly what I expected and performs perfectly. Unless you are a serious pro, and know that you have specific needs that require something else, I'd recommend this to anyone.
Very good polarizer for the price. It doesn't filter out ALL the light, but I think only high-end expensive ones would do that. For the price, this is a very good easy to use polarizer that does get me nice results by increasing colours and contrast in images. I would definitely recommend buying one, and I would purchase this product again if I needed to.
The Tiffen 72mm Circular Polarizer is affordable, but I couldn't see that noticeable of a difference using it compared to some even cheaper polarizers I've used in the past. It also got stuck on my lens the first time I tried it. I struggled with a rubber band, putting it in the freezer, etc. for nearly an hour trying to get it off. I finally handed it over to my roommate so he could give it a try. (I was terrified he'd break it so I watched over him and coached him on how to hold it). Luckily, he got it off without incident. Needless to say I've ordered some filter wrenches in case this happens again.
No complaints. Fits my lens great & is durable glass. Excellent at cutting glare. I have several Tiffen polarizer, ND, and UV filters & would recommend this to any photographer.
If you're taking pictures outside with a dslr, YOU NEED THIS.  The change of intensity in the colors is amazing.  It's not great inside because even on the low end of polarization it still makes the exposure a lot darker.  I took mine with me on my last trip and put it on when I was going to the beach for the day and removed it when we explored the town at night.
Works fine.  Enhances color and makes sky and clouds more pleasing to the eye.  Good value.  Threads match perfectly.  Rotation is smooth.
Kinda worry when purchased it because its low price. After using it for my whole trip, I love it so much!! I use it on my Sony Nex-3N and I can really tell the big difference. No more reflections when I takes pic from inside the window, more natural colors and sky comes out so detail!
I needed a quality circular polarizer to take with me on car shoots.The Tiffen filter works very well. It came free of any marks or dirty on the filter itself.The rotating portion feels really nice. High quality and with smooth operation.This filter helped reduce the reflections the can be seen in a cars paint. It also held to bring out the sky and improve overall contrast of the images.Overall this is a must have for any photographer.
Every photographer and DSLR video producer should have one of these and a variable ND filter in their bag. I personally buy 77mm filters and have adapters for my lenses. Saves money and space.
received shortly after I ordered. Works fine. good value.
I've had several Tiffin products in the past, so I was pretty confident with my purchase here. I was looking for a circular polarizer to capture the bright blue Mexican sky on my recent honeymoon. Sadly, this filter disappointed.Pros:-NoneCons:-Could barely tell I was using a circular polarizer compared to non-filter photo.-While not super expensive, I've had good success with Tiffin in the past, but this was a waste of money.I understand that this isn't a $100 Hoya filter, and its my own fault for taking a mid-range filter on my honeymoon, but I still expected more from it.
On my Canon T3i Kit 55-250 lens, this polarizer works well. Make for awesome sky pictures with deep, rich colors. If you are looking for a cheaper polarizer, this is a good one to get.I took off a star because of how it works in screwing it on and off. If you don't pay attention, you can keep twisting the top piece of the polarizer and never actually screw it on or off. It's a two piece assembly that can twist on top but not turn the threads. It's not really a flaw, but is frustrating until you figure out how it's on there, and with big fingers it can be hard to get just right.I'd still buy it again though, I don't really ever take it off my telephoto lens.
After using 1 week in Rocky Mountain NP, with Sigma 10-20mm, and Canon Rebel XT, I feel this is an average polarizer, but the effect seems less pronounced than other filters I have used. It did attach well and seems to have no imperfections. Price is very attractive.
As expected, this CPL is an asset, especially for landscape photography in bright light.  I would recommend this accessory to anyone who enjoys outdoor photography.
Product arrived when expected, and quality is as expected. I am still trying to learn to get the best result of the filter, by how far to rotate it. I still need more work, but it is an experience thing, not a product problem
Very good value and the performance of the mechanism is what I expected and received.  A temporary disappointment with a significantly loose lens, however a pin inserted into the locking ring and a full circumference twist fixed the problem.
Awesome results...
I was hesitant to buy Tiffen as opposed  to my usual Hoya but I was on a budget. I must say I am happy with the quality, its sturdy and does what it meant to do.
The price is right and this is as good as any of the more expensive ones I have used on my primary camera and the backup cameras.
but not a superb filter - however you will know that by the price. I bought it for an inexpensive lens so only wanted a sufficient product
There is not much you can say about a polarizing filer unless you have a problem with it.  I have not detected any distortion or aberration due to using the filter, and it rotates quite easily.  It works for me.
Just received & tested ASAP: photos taken with and without CPL filter. For my camera Canon Powershot SX40HS I strongly recommend the 52-58 step-up adapter the bayonet style not the threaded one (I purchased and tested both): It's easy and faster to install/remove. Once fixed the CPL on the 52-58 step-up adapter I'll leave them together always. This will prevent thread cuts and misalignmentsCPL usage - It makes the difference even I was expecting a little bit more cutting of the reflexions but for the money spent it's very good. Tested at 90 degres (as all indicate) vs sunlight direction and the stones are visible in the pond due to reflexions cut at water surface. As you increase the angle the more effective it is: it's doing the job! At the beginning you need a little experience till you find the max open and max closed positions (CPL ring rotation) then you play with the ring for effects. I'm looking forward to enjoy this CPL filter furthermore for better pictures.
I've had some spectacular results already with this filter. We recently had about 12-15&#34; of snow-fall. The next day was a beautifully sunny day, and the results I got using this filter were amazing.
Nice filter for the price, I would buy again.
Simple and cheap. Improves my daylight landscapes remarkably well. Dual purpose protects my lens also. Another necessity for any serious photographer.
Nice fit for the lense. Works well helping do both protect the lens and add to the colors of a bright shot.
Provides sky colors in overcast conditions where the naked eye doesn't pick them up.  Didn't expect it to change the whole image, or by any means make a great photo out of an ok one, but I haven't taken any pictures at twilight with city lights, to really test out the top-bottom contrast.  Time and shots will tell, but so far, it looks pretty good.
I didn't want to spend a fortune on a polarizer, and this one fit the bill.  It produces really good skies without being too contrasty and seems very well built.  It also has good action - I never accidentally unscrew it from the lens turning the front the wrong way like some other polarizers I own.
If you take a close look at the filter you will notice it has 2 parts. It must be screwed in with the knurled part and it will stay in. Not the circular top filter, but the knurled ring. Admittedly it is not intuitive or obvious on first use, nor always the easiest operation to perform. But it is a very good filter for the price (the base Hoya is around $70) and until I get to be a much better photographer I will keep using it. It is no where as bad as the other reviewers say. For the average DSLR user and pro-sumer this is a good filter. (Someday I will get the Hoya Pro 1D at $200 but I bet it is not 4 times better than this filter.)
Tiffen, always being my number 1 choice. At larger f-stops and wide angle (18mm or so) I get some vignetting - although it is stacked on top of a Tiffen UV filter. Wishing I would have purchased the 'lower profile' filter.
The filter has the Tiffen traditional quality at a very good price, It's not Multi coated and that makes it a breeze to clean, plus the ring shows no play...a perfect fit I say. If you are worried about glare, use a lens hood and when shooting, changing your angle of view can possibly eliminate the problem. Remember this filter is made essentially to eliminate reflections indoors or outdoors, and to darken sky's by turning the outer ringI.If you are not a Pro, and are on a budget, and still want results....this is the filter for you. Thanks Tiffen!
If you love blue skies and fluffy white clouds, you should try a polarizing filter.  If you sometimes enjoy photographing through glass, the filter can help eliminate reflections.  It is an essential part of a filtration kit and should be in your camera bag.
my brother is a guide for fishing and he asked me to purchase for my camera so he can take me out and capture video and photos of fish in the water.  I have not had a chance to use this yet but hope I will soon.
This is my first polarizing filter, so I can't compare it to any others.  I can compare it to my other filters though, and it seems well made.  The rotating movement is smooth and works great.  I was able to take some photos with the filter and it lives up to my expectations.  Seems to be a very good value.
Works as advertised.  Filters out reflections from water and haze from our South Carolina sun. Pictures are sharper with no &#34;fuzzyness&#34;
This product worked very good for my trip. You need to adjust it so you know exactly where it has its full power and where it doesnt. The Tiffen sign of the moving part ir a great help for that.
it buys the filters 58mm UV and polarizer , and for my surprise they arrived both with a ray in the glass! , they are of VERY BAD QUALITY, costs much to clean them, I have others of smaller quality and the polvopor almost does not stick they, I do not recommend them are very bad and above they came failed
good thankS
not much to say other than YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE ONE ... buy a decent one for the extra $20-$30 bucks and enjoy the this multiuse filter
This filter is okay. It didn't really WOW me by any means but it did work (although it can produce flares sometimes). The Nikon filter costs a lot more money than this so I'm still happy with it. And for anyone wondering, this fit perfectly on my 18-55mm kit lens that came with my D5200.
Fast shipping. The difference compared to regular pictures wasnt as great as i wished but it certainly reduced a lot of extra glare. Its worth it
Works great. A circular polarizer allows you to get a more even exposure with the sky and the foreground. This is a must for landscape photos on a sunny day especially when there are clouds in the sky. Without it the sky will often "wash out" and overexpose, killing the contrast in the clouds and sky. This is my third filter from Tiffen and I am very satisfied with all of them.
This filter fit easily on my camera and adjusts very easily also.  I like its small size and the compactness of its storage case.
It fit the lens perfectly, plus the lens cap snaps on easily A polarizer is a must-have filter in my gadget bag.
A friend told me to get a circular polarizing filter for my canon lens so the sky here (which is always blue) would pop if there were any clouds.  I needed a protective filter anyway so thought I'd try it.  I really cannot tell the difference when I move the lens as to the difference in polarization.  But, it is a protector for my nice canon lens, even though it is a bit too expensive than just a plain polarizer lens,for just that purpose.
Filter works fine for the price. It does exactly what a circular polarizer is supposed to. As for the user below who says it causes light loss he's obviously new to photography, all cpl's cause 2 stops of light loss, no matter which brand, how many coats they have.
Polarizing filter, like it says.  Made with aluminum.  Has a nice grip texture so rotating it is easy.  Drops your light level so slower shutter speeds can be used.  Makes skies really POP and reduces glare considerably on reflective surfaces such as windows, cars, and water.  Some things photoshop can't fix, try this.
Works great and the price is right.  It cuts out the haze and darkens the blue in the sky for landscape photos.
I really can't tell the difference between the $7 filters and the $90 filters. So I guess it wiil be ok.
I use it taking pictures of the ocean, the sky and the sea are now much visible with it. You can adjust the density of the darkness or the filter effect by rotating it.
This is a very good polarizer and makes the sky in my photos more blue and less blown out by the sun. Also great for eliminating glare on water.
this didn't align with my lens so it was a pain to get off. it got stuck until we used a credit card to realign it so i could screw it off. it also was very easily broken.
A must for large aperture lenses. Great for long exposures and bright conditions, or just experimenting with. I keep a range on hand.
I bought this filter because I figured it would be a nice addition to have for a visit to an aquarium in a month. I read up on polarizers and what they could supposedly accomplish. I tested it out and was rather disappointed. Depending on the situation, it can indeed improve your photos by reducing glare and darkening an over exposed sky. But I've had little luck in eliminating reflections in lakes, windows, and displays.I guess I was expecting a simple turn on the front and all reflections gone. Not a fault of the filter than just being told and expecting this to easily achieve an effect that it really can't. It's well made, no defects, and does work. So I can't dock it too much. Hopefully I can figure out further things I can do to reduce reflections by next month or I will be disappointed in this purchase.
I have used these for many years and this was a replacement for one that I unfortunately dropped from a bridge to the water below.  It is a great filter, easy to manipulate and gets great results.  Certainly one of the best values in polarizing filters around.  I highy recommend.
Tiffen filter are quality made. I have used them on most of my camera lens for the past 50 years
I used this on my canon rebel t3i and it was very good  for the pictures i took at sandy beach on a sunny cloudless day
I use this on a Sony-shot  HX 300I love it takes all the glare away without compromising your picture .I received my product fast as well as well packaged .Sincerely  Hairy Butt photography :-p
Eh, too much messing-around at shutter-time to be useful on anything except staged (tripod) photos. I can do 90% of what this filter accomplishes in Photoshop. Wasn't happy with water-landscape photos at all, as the setup to make the sky look good messed-up the water and vice-versa.  I stopped using this with my Nikon D3100 probably 1-week later. Let me know if you want to buy my polarizer!
The Tiffen 405CP Circular Polarizing Filter screws neatly on to my Sony E series 16-50 zoom lens, eliminating unwanted reflections and deepening sky colors during daylight shooting. One simply turns the polarizing filter while observing the effects in the viewscreen. It will improve your daylight shooting instantly.
It does prevent some flare but the main reason I use it is for protecting my lens. However, it does let flare in so that's why I'm giving it 3 stars
I bought this for my son, he requested it for his camera.  He does a lot of research before buying anything and when I asked him about this circular polarizer, he said it works great and showed me the photo's he took using it.  Very impressive.
A great simple filter at a very affordable price. Makes exterior shots pop out. I used it on a 24-105mm Canon L-series lens and am happy with the results.
This was a gift that was sent to a grandson and I have not had a report back from him yet.
The Tiffen circular polarizing filter does exactly what it's supposed to do, and it does it well. The threading fits on my Nikkor lenses perfectly, screws on and stays put. The rotating ring on the filter is not too tight, nor too loose and rotates very smoothly, staying put where it's set at. When comparing identical images taken with and without the filter, there are no noticable distortions or color shifts present.
This filter arrived in good condition, it works, the metal ring is thin so that it does not interfere with my wide angle lens. It is better than what I had expected. Based on past experience, Tiffen is my last choice for filters. Maybe I need to revise my belief about this brand because there was nothing wrong with this one.
I currently live in Hawaii, and therefore take many pictures of the ocean.  Nothing has made them look more spectacular than this polarizer.  I definitely recommend it!
Some of the people at the local camera shop don't have a high opinion of Tiffen.  However, I have used this lens for hundreds of photographs along with my expensive B+H and see no difference.  Unless you're a professional or plan on making large posters, I bet you won't see any difference, either.
Does the job, its an inexpensive addition to the camera bag for occasional use.  As lense barrel turns I need to focus first then reset the filer, but what I'm shooting is not changing.
I must say this is not a bad filter for the money. I'd buy more for other cameras and lenses.
What can I say, it works well, doesn't break easily, and is making my skies look better!
I am continuously purchasing Tiffen filters to keep up with different lens changes and have been doing so for a number of years.
I can't tell you if the lens cover is good or not. I have to return this item. This is more of a review on Amazon's distribution center in North Las Vegas. Horrible job.Received the item today. My order was two polarized lens covers, a camera lens, and set of forks (don't ask, just need them).Packaging.For camera lens and len covers for cameras, you expect a decent packaging to keep the items from moving around too much. All the items came in a like a 10" x 8" x 5" box. Almost double the amount of cubic space needed. But okay, it needs room for packaging peanuts or air cushion bags. This came with 35 air cushion bags with 21 of the cushions deflated randomly along the single strip of bags. Was someone having a s***ty day? C'mon, be a professional at your job.The Lens cover.The lens doesn't appear to be damage in any way. The problem is the item is sold as "New." There is evidence of the item being used. The condition of the item's case shows signs of wear and stored in a very dirty area. The perforations on the item are already torn and the adhesive use to keep the label on and perforations in place is covered in dust and grime. Upon opening the case, there is a layer of dust and grime on the inside case and on the lens. The only explanation I can think of was someone opened the item in the warehouse and left it open to accumulate this much dust and grime. I attempted to clean the lens with some lens cleaning tissues but what came off looked like if I tried to clean the bottom of my oil pan on my car. Dirt and grime. The condition of this "New" lens was unacceptable.The other items I received with this order were perfectly fine. The other lens cover and lens all were new and no damage.
Beautiful results so far. Just got it and leaving this review after chimping. I will let you know after I have some shots on the computer.
I love this circular polarizing filter!My friend got it first for his Sony Nex 3N, and since I just bought the same camera he recommended me this Tiffen filter. Product function as describes, best of all it is made in USA!
This item is a must have for any DSLR camera. Fits over most filters already used. Easy to spin for the polarization and also easy to take off.
I am big fan of Tiffen. The last circular polarizer I had was for 77mm diameter lens and worked great. It was the ONLY filter I ever really needed and it put life in every outdoors picture for most part that I ever took.So I consider having a circular polarizer a must for any outdoors or nature shooter.Having a great faith in Tiffen filters due to past experience, I did not think twice before buying the 82mm version.Sad to say that this particular filter is poorly designed. It is too think so it is difficult to find it to even rotate it. It doesn't seem to fit very well so difficult to rotate.I could live with both of those characteristics. HOWEVER, if I am at 90 degrees from the sun, I am used to getting great picture as that is perfect angle for circular polarizer to do its MAGIC.With this particular filter, it is difficult to say if it is having any effect at all. Sometimes it appears it is having an effect, but I am used to effect being strong and clear I had to over rotate them to reduce the impact.So for passionate photographers, I would recommend they try their luck elsewhere. This filter is bit cheaper, but it is not worth spending whatever it costs.
A typical Tiffen product. Great filter with good quality glass. Nothing beats a polarizer used properly on a blue sky day. Superb for minimizing reflections and adding punch to your pictures. Every photographer should have this one filter in their camera bag.
Works as aDdvertised- does a pretty decent job- might cut down just a bit on sharpness, but the lenses we have today are so sharp to begin with compared to lenses years ago, that it doesn't really matter much- plus using today's superior processign softwares allows us to get back any lost sharpness quitre nicely-
Good value and instantly worked to change the way I take photos outdoors. Worth the money if you are thinking about it.
I noticed a fall in the picture quality using the Tiffen. I would rather by a better filter at a higher price rather than losing picture quality.
I got this filter but not use much anyways still like it it will help you some time.When you want to shoot in slow speed
Bought this for my canon,  seems to be of good quality and it was reasonably priced.  Arrived quickly and in good condition.
I like it ok but I wish I had more instructions on how to use it.  I saw somewhere that you could turn it to adjust it.  I guess that is my fault, I am just a novice photographer.  I got it mainly to protect my lens.  I leave it on all the time.
CIRCULAR POLARIZER:If you have ever owned a pair of Polarized sunglasses, then you now what this filter can do for your camera. By reducing reflections and stray light waves, this filter makes any scene that much clearer.You will see more vibrant colors in bright scenes, your skies will turn a deeper blue, and clouds POP right off the picture. Reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as metal or water.A polarizer works on a specified plain, meaning that the lens must be perpendicular to the direction of the main light source. As with sunglasses, they are parrallel to the ground, which works in most cases since the sun is normally above you.The key to using this filter is that it swivels. Looking through the view finder, turn the filter until the picture is clear and vibrant. You'll notice the image changing as you turn it. In this manner, you may even adjust the level of polarization.A great deal for a very valuable accessory. This filter works perfect, and compared to the higher priced filters, is a steal.----------------------------------------------UV FILTER:The UV Filter prevents haze and reduces bluish tint in photographs by reducing stray UV rays entering the lens. It also has the added benefit of protecting the lens and glass from scratches and accidental damage.There have been stories of photographers dropping their lens and the filter acts as a sort of impact absorber, shattering but leaving the lens unharmed. I would much prefer replacing the inexpensive filter, rather than a lens.In my experience with the Tiffen UV Filter, I have noticed an increased amount of lens flare and reflections over my slightly more expensive UV filters. If I were you, I'd put out the small amount of extra money for a better filter, preferably multi-coated to reduce glare.Enjoy!
i like this filter too much, but i think it need more deep color, but the pictures that i took with this one are sooo great for real, completly recomended
Not only does this filter reduce glare and reflections, but it helps to make it possible to use a fast lens in bright light.
This is a good filter for the money, and gives good results if you're not shooting toward an extremely light background.  But it creates serious vignetting if you shoot toward a light background, such as a tree against the sky, or snow-capped peaks in the distance.  The resulting dark vignette is so extreme that you can't eliminate it with PhotoShop--you can reduce it, but it's still visible, and if you go farther you will start to create a light vignette at the corners of your image.
Use this for all landscape photography for crispy clear photos.The clarity is very good and recommend this good product.
I bought this because my husband said we needed one. I just can't figure out when I need to use it. I like Tiffen lens so I know I will like this one, I just have to get use to it.
This filter works great to filter the intense sun that creeps through windows in photos of buildings.I'd highly recommend this filter!
most have especially if you are in a place where the sun is intense. not a bad price or buy
Can't complain, eliminates reflections nicely and the colour saturation on rotating the cpl produces a very nice vibrancy. I am pleased.
I bought both &#8211; Tiffen ($24.95)  and B+W ($149) polarizers for my Canon 24-105mm f/4L and 70-200mm f/4L on 5D Mark III.SO FAR NO DIFFERENCE IN POLARIZATION PERFORMANCE, PICTURE QUALITY OR SHARPNESS!!!The only difference between the two filters is the smooth buttery rotation on  B+W.That&#8217;s all.  Is it worth extra $124? I don&#8217;t think so. I think I wasted $124.I am keeping both, but I will have to now rate B+W XS-Pro Kaesemann CP.Having Tiffen for $24.95 makes BW&#8217;s price to  performance ratio 1 star &#8211; 1 for smooth rotation.The rest is the same &#8211; I can&#8217;t see the difference between Tiffen and BW shots (blown up to actual pixels size on HP ZR2440w).If I didn&#8217;t have Tiffen at all I would have rated B+W 5 stars..It may change -  all I did was just a 100 test shots on a sunny day on the beach.I don&#8217;t think  I&#8217;ll be using polarizers in any other setting anytime soon.So if you are debating this Tiffen v.s. B+W &#8211; don&#8217;t.  Just buy it!
be aware to the fact that the lens may come cover with dusty film. It is advised to clean the lens before use or your shoots with be with no real contrast ..
Works fine, just the extreme Blue Sky does not come out as with the original Canon Polarized Filter
I prefer a dark polarizer this  one is ok.I have a couple of off brand polarizes the name escapes me very dark very cheap and you really see the difference in the eyepiece.This one not so easy to see the effect unless you specifically want to reduce reflections very hard to see the darkening of colors with this one.
Good product.  Hard to get off the lens once it is on. But is really good for those would be blown out photos.
This filter worked well for me. I searched for a good polarizing filter to used when shooting Koi ponds and a lot of them cost hundreds of dallors. I ordered this one and it worked great!
This product does a very good job and love how it makes the sky blue when you adjust. Makes pictures come out with no glare.
A circular polarizer should be standard equipment for everyone with a SLR digital camera, and Tiffen makes a good product.  My sole complaint is that I found the same lens in a store for 50 cheaper a week after buying this one...
Was a bit hard to get threaded when I first got it, but stays in place nicely and accomplishes what I bought it for
Polarizers are surpisingly expensive, with the nicest ones ranging up to or even over 100 dollars... this one, at right around 20$ seems just about right. I get nice deep blue sky colors with it, deeper greens, and that cool transparent/anti reflection/glare effect shooting into water, which is just what i wanted. I really don't plan on using it all that much, so anything more expensive just would not have been worth it to me. That being said, I'm not sure how big of a quality difference in image quality there might be between a filter of this price and some of the more expensive ones, but for me this one is just perfect.
Fit and finish is good. The filter works as expected. This is a good circular polarizer for the money. I could have spent much more but will do the job I needed.
I returned this since I returned the lens, but the clarity of Tiffen has always been excellent to me. I check the clarity at the two extremes and the middle of the lens (assuming a zoom lens). I am an amateur and only 'test' by eye.
Make Shure you know your ambient lighting, if not your photos may come out a little distorted in color - It's very good for very bright sun light
Not sure if this is the best out there - but for the price it works great!  We took it on our trip to the Southwest and were very pleased with the results of our pictures because of the polarization!
This is a rotatable polarizer, great for removing any glare from water, chrome. Since its rotatable you turn it one way and you have it and the other way you don't have it, or art way with just a little pit. It also adds deeper colors.
All I can say is that it's a polarize filter, I do like how it does turn to let you adjust contrast in clouds. I used it during this past winter photographing in the snow.
It is a very good lens for taking outside shots.  It filters out the bright sunlight that I have here in Hawaii.  You do have to take it off for indoor use due to it making some shots very dark.It's ideal for outside shoting and protects my lens very well.
Perfect for my 70-300mm lens.  Solid construction, threads are clean and precise. No effort to install or remove.  Highly recommend.
I use it in conjunction with the Canon FADC58C 58mm filter adapter for my Canon G1X.  It works just as advertised.  Great for using when shooting water scenes or around shiny, non-metallic objects.
I needed a polarizer for my 18-35 mm lens, looked over what was available and bought the Tiffen.  Works great easy on and of the lens, full coverage with no vignetting
This is really dark, you will have to compensate with your exposure to get this right, more than usual. It's durable but you pay a price for that because it is heavy.
Excellent value. Purchased for a new P7700. Can see a profound difference in my outdoor photography. Water, especially is fun to shoot/experiment with now. Recommend.
ALthough it is specified by Panasonic, this filter does not fit on the HDC- SD1 AVDC camera.  the vendor did allow return but I had to pay shipping and was not pleased.
It's another great Tiffen product! It delivers great results all the time. I shoot with a 50mm 1.4 Nikkor and I never take this filter of my lens.
Cuts down extra light, glare, reflection from water. Sky looks real blue, green is more greener. Water has less reflection. In fact, Circular Polarizer is one thing which every DSLR enthusiast should purchase while purchasing the camera itself.
This filter is well made and the rotation of the polarizing element is smooth and flawless, however, while it "fits" on the Tamron 200>500 zoom lens I purchased it for, it does not allow the lens hood to be attached and so should not be sold for that lens. I was able to return it for full credit and purchased the Sigma AF11960 EX DG 86mm polarizing filter instead and that filter fits and allows the lens hood to be attached. Note that the Tamron lens has its own filter ring rotation element.
Tiffen makes some of the very best filters. These work perfectly with any Canon. I bought these along with the UV filters.
Works as expected! The skies are prettier. Better contrast. Easy to turn. The CPL has front threads so I was able to attach a metal vented lens hood over it. Overall, it made taking outdoor photos pleasant!
tiffen filters are good glass,it is the brand used in hollywood,this is good enough for me
This filter does exactly what I want it to do, and it does so without creating more work for me at the end of the day.  It mates nicely to my lenses with a feeling of &#34;cross threading&#34; / &#34;hard threads&#34; that other filters in my gear bag do.  The CPL portion works just like you would want it to as well, your able to rotate the filter to best align it performance to the shooting environment your in.  I would recommend to my friends.  Good quality at a good price.
Tiffen 72mm Circular Polarizer filter is really improved the DSLR photo result.The quality of filter is really good.I would recommend this product.
I did not want to spend a bundle on a CP as I am not a professional photographer and what I have learned is self taught.  I found this to be great for the bright out door colors.. truly brings them out.  Learning how to turn the lens to get the picture I wanted was fun, but I found that I have to check frequently to make sure I'm not unscrewing the lens all together.  It came off and into my hand at one point.  Oddly, when I wanted to take it off that night, it was difficult to grasp.  Overall, I like this lens and recommend it to those that want something of decent quality but is affordable.
To be fair, the falling off may be the lens - I can't tell. Basically it seems like there just aren't enough threads engaging. I am using it on a refurbished (by Nikon) Nikon AF-S 55-300 1:4.5-5.6. I have NOT tried any other filter on the lens.I  have the same filter in 52mm and have used it on 2 other lenses (18-55 and 55-200) and it seems to engage more than this bigger filter in the longer lens.As long as you get it seated and remember to twist the filter orientation in the direction of tightening the filter it's okay. I got it backwards and ended up unscrewing the filter (which only seems to be less than a full revolution - less that one full thread) and it fell into dry sand. It doesn't look like it got damaged but I just don't enjoy using it because of the high possibility it may fall off again.And, it's hard to get the threads started.Again, I haven't used any other filter on this lens so it could be the lens too, which is more of a question because the lens was refurbished (although the threads don't look bad or as though they'd been truncated somehow).As for the pictures, I used it to effectively remove glare from a water body. It seems to work fine (as does my 52mm which I've used a lot more). No complaints but I may not see differences between this and a B+W anyway. I can certainly see the difference between this and no filter. I'd buy one again. I think the Tiffen's are a great cross between results and price. When I start seeing artifacts maybe I'll spring for a B+W or other brand.
Just replaced the same product that shattered when I dropped my camera. This polarizer does it's job leading to some great fishing photos.
Sunny day & you are out shooting, this is a must have. Easily, the best item I ever purchased & my favorite. The colors are all enhanced and so vibrant after using this. Must have for any photographer.Amateur alert: Make sure you do not have the polarizer mounted while shooting low light. It can bring down the light by a stop or two.
I bought this item believing it was a return or had damaged packaging, and thus was drastically reduced.  The list price was around $150. or something, I don't remember exactly, and I bought it for around $25, so I figured it must be a good circular polarizer with good coatings.  It isn't - this item can be purchased from any reputable photo dealer for $25 all day long.  It doesn't have good coatings, so if any direct sun hits it, your image will be flared and quality will suffer.Too bad the pricing was so deceptive, and I fell for it!
Generally, Tiffen makes good UV filters and other static ones. I found this circular one to not be very effective, didn't notice much difference when rotating. I was at the 90 degree angle too the sun as suggested, too.
I have already taken several pictures with it.  It does appear to enhance the blueness of the sky, however I do not see a difference when rotating it.  Will try it against the glare of water.
The two piece of glass rattle in the frame and turning the end of the filter can easily rotate the whole thing right off the threads or tighten it up.
For outdoor photos, I would definitely get a CP so that the colors of the landscapes are deeper. As an amateur photographer, its great bang for the buck, especially since I can't tell the difference between this and some $200 CP. Please do note, that this CP does get tight on your lens sometimes. My personal favorite and reliable way to get off a stuck CP is to wrap a cord (such as USB) around the CP and twist it off that way. Works every time. =)
This is a great addition to my lens filters.  It worked well on making the sky blue and filtering out the hazy color. Great buy!
good quality but then again I.ve never had a bad filter from tiffin. my earliest filter was purchased in 71.
I love CP filters.  This filter has no noticeable loss of image quality, though you do lose a bit of light with it, as with any CP filter.  Just learn how to use it correctly and take good care of it and it will give you blue skies and transparent waters for a long time.
great product works well. Wish i had bought it earlier but better late than never. works well with my ex3, never leaves the camera bag. any serious Videographer needs one.
It's amazing how a good circular polarizing lens can help your camera see through glare on the water and cut other glare.  You can actually tune in the effectiveness by rotating the outer ring. You don't want to use them in low light situations because they cut down your lens by a stop or so.  This is a good one for 46mm lenses and it comes at a very reasonable price.
I've only used this a few times since I bought it so my review will be limited.  I'm still finding it difficult to get consistent results with this filter but from what I've read it's not unusual. With continued use I expect that at some point it will be 2nd nature.
Good to have especially in sunny shots. Seems to make all photos more clear. Good feature to have when taking outdoor photos and under flourescent light.
This is a good filter for the price. It does a good job and is easy to use. It is however, poorly assembled - needing constant re-tightening. Dirt or haze on the inside requires disassembly to clean. Lens should be shipped with spanner wrench for disassembly and a proper cloth for cleaning as Polarizing filters are easily damaged while cleaning.
This was a good purchase. Did not realize what I was missing in my outdoor photographs until I started putting this filter on and taking pictures. Definitely makes a difference in every shot! Just remember to put the &#34;Tiffen&#34; logo towards the sun as you spin it...it does need to be in the right spot to work properly. But can easily be adjusted for more light as needed too.
The Tiffen Circular Polarizer is a good match for my Canon 'L' glass.  Since this lens focuses internally, you simply rotate the filter to achieve the desired results. For outdoor photography on bright sunny days, you can easily achieve some pretty dramatic results. Unwanted reflections (...on non-metallic surfaces) are reduced, and the enhanced colours, and deep blue sky will definitely improve your digital captures.
Couldn't justify $100 or more for another brand. I am  not going into hot dusty deserts or steamy jungles so this works just fine for me in local state parks. My pictures look beautiful on my Nikon D3300 and I am very picky about the way a picture should look so I am very happy. If you are going to be in very harsh conditions when you photograph then yes you probably might need super multi coating and hard metal super duper metal casings but bring $100-$300 to pay for the filters.
It fit's and works as a polarizer should. This company has been making filters for a long, long, long, time.
Arrived on time.  Ordering from Amazon, as usual, was very easy.  Also the price was reasonable.  I have other Tiffen items and this is a great addition.
The Polarizer filter helped out tremendously, while on my recent trip to France. Because, most of my shooting was outside (during daylight) at various sites in Paris and other cities, this filter came in handy to help even out my shots.
I was looking for a filter that would provide me with a good performance at a good price, and this one definitely nails it.
I sent it back because it had been cross threaded and it had finger prints all over it.
Good quality for hobbyists and amateurs. Get those wonderful pictures of glass, water, whatever you do or take pictures of. Polarizers are a great tool to have.
I used this on a videography shoot lately. Now it may not be one of those top of the line filters like the Pro's like to use, but it gets the job done. I had no problem with it at all. I definitely give product a great review. Just set up your shots accordingly and you should be just fine!
Good quality filter, metal and glass construction. So many of the lower cost filters these days have plastic mounts, but this one feels like brass. Threads on and off easily without being too loose. Seems to be pretty tough, although I haven't drop-tested it yet. Since it's not a warming polarizer, it cools colors slightly, but on most days I like that.
If you're looking for something to bring out the blues in the sky or cut glare, this will do the trick.On the downside, there's a loss in clarity with any polarizer, and at the long end of my 30x zoom, I really notice its shortcomings.
This polarizer is being used on a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens. It removes glare from water and darkens the sky as it should. I don't see any problem with this polarizer.
If you haven't used on of these you cannot imagine the results. Clouds pop out of the sky and reflections are a thing of the past. Belongs in every camera bag and this one seems to be good quality 'course you get what you pay for.
Once you get use to it you will wonder why you did not buy it before. It is a amazing fitter. Keep it clean and your pictures will be  amazing and remarkable. I bought it for my new Nikon 55-300mm and I'm glad I did.
I have to say for the price, and the fact of being an 86mm filter, i didn't expect much. Boy was I surprised  when i open the tiffin box to look at the filter, it came in its own pouch, and beautiful piece of glass, i normally by B&W but for 350 for a circular polarizer i decided to take a chance on the tiffin. I'm impressed
Very poor build quality... my ring was shaking/rattling... and its extremely prone to attracting dust... gives u decent amount of contrast... probably u get what u pay for i guess....apart from that the biggest problem was the treads are too tight and rough... was a pain putting it on and getting it off my lens...but as i said its really really affordable and give u fair amount of contrast in ur pics... just wish build quality was a bit better.
Nice product, was not expensive and works, is making the job.Of course that exist better filters of this kind, but for the price for me works great.I recommend to buy it if you can't pay more, because in any way is working good.
It gets the job done and is no where near the cost of the expensive ones. I use it on my Nikon D600 and it works fine for me.
I got some terrific landscape shots using this polarizer.  I would not go on vacation without it.  The price is competitive.
I paid $23.40 for this filter, and I have also ordered several other of their filters.  They get the job done, but they arrive in TERRIBLE condition. They always come covered in dust and somtimes small smudges -- not what you expect from a new product.  However, a compressed air to blow off the dust and 100% ethanol with lens paper cleans them up nicely.  This item does not turn smoothly to adjust the polarization.
This filter is absolutely the best for outdoor photography especially when near water or want to accent clouds in the sky. I have use this filter almost every time i  photograph outdoor landscape.Perfect fit for nikon lens. Very versatile filter at a reasonable price.
It polarizes well, but does not rotate smoothly.  Therefore you can't always get it on the sweet spot for the best photo.
I have not yet used filter on this 35mm lens so I cannot rate it but, have used on other lens and use them a lot.
This is my first tiffen filter and I am planning to keep buying from this manufacturer. Affordable price and delivers quality colors.
Bought this one to fit my larger lens.  It's amazing how many people don't understand that the polarization is only effective when shooting with the sun to either side.
Looking forward to taking advantage of the anti-reflective qualities of this filter! Tiffen products are always a high quality piece of equipment.
I shopped around for quite a while to find the right polarizer lens for my camera and shooting needs. This filter really helps to enhance the colors of the photos I take.
Inexpensive and very good value, there is no tint or any degradation in image quality. I'm very happy that i choose Tiffen. Highly recommended.
Why doesn't a polarizing filter just come standard? I can't believe I've taken all these photos without one. When I take a picture outdoors, now the sky is actually blue! Where there used to be glare, now there is none. Using this everything just looks better.I'm using this on a Panasonic DMC-GF2 on the popular 20mm lens. It screws on perfectly, and then allows you to spin it to adjust the polarization. Just get one.
I've never used a top-of-the-line circular polarizer, but I'm happy enough with the results from this one that I don't think I will ever upgrade much above this one. It's stayed free of scratches and cleans easily in the field.Used with various Canon EF L-Series lenses, you can see sample images at 500px.com/seannmhogan
Great polarizing filter for the price I don't think you can do much better. Just don't get anything cheaper than this (son't risk it)
The Tiffen circular polarizing filter does exactly what it's supposed to do, and it does it well. The threading fits on my Nikkor lenses perfectly, screws on and stays put. The rotating ring on the filter is not too tight, nor too loose and rotates very smoothly, staying put where it's set at. When comparing identical images taken with and without the filter, there are no noticable distortions or color shifts present.
Don't waste your money- this is a cheap polarizer- instead of bringing out the proper colors in my photographs it just turns them a nasty shade of green- not the effect I'm going for when I'm taking landscape shots! Do yourself a favor and save up for a higher quality filter.
Polarizer provide color and contrast enhancement. Reflected light often shows up as whitish glare that washes out color in an image. A Polarizer corrects this problem producing deep, dramatically blue skies. It also removes glare from non-metallic surfaces, such as windows and water. I was using it on my Nikon D80 and my pics from Cancun came out beautiful. Regardless it cheap compare to Hoya its delivers a good job.
As a photographer this product is good for the price it really does what its suppose to do I can tell how different my photos look with and without the polarizer.
What I requested as a gift to improve the photos and different angles that I take.  So far have been impressed with the quality of the photos when using the filter
If you know what this does and you know how they work, they're amazing! Works just as good as the more expensive ones. Get it!
build quality is super and i never expect this with the price range. was able to take good shots in direct sun. finaly Texas sun is a blessing.
It's really nice, and works great with my NEX-5R.Really easy to put in front of your camera lens.I totally love it :)
Does exactly what it is supposed to do and great price!  I use it on my Minolta 35mm 2.5 and it enhances the image clarity and contrast...
I'm using this currently on my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens for day time shots and to reduce unnecessary glare aside from better saturated colors if not add some warmth.Construction is great, solid, no distortion looking at the filter and the 58mm fits perfectly on my f1.4 lens.  Like any filter you'll find the lens cap won't be a solid fit as the thread on the opposite end isn't as tall.  But the cap will stay there but just be sure to watch for any bumps that may cause it to come off.The range which it cuts the glare on glass, windows, water and any reflective surface is great.  The sky can look washed out all the way to saturated darker blue color with clouds popping out while depending on the orientation you can add a cool or warmer feel to the photos.I've used Heliopan and B+W so compared to the pro-grade filter, you'll probably find that this polarizer isn't the best out there but for the price it does what it's supposed to.  When I had B+W 77mm multi-coated CPL ($150 here) on my Canon 70-200mm lens, the sky really popped with dark saturated blue skies and the control was better.Overall it's a great polarizer.  Unless you absolutely need more saturated colors and reduce glare to the maxium then go with the more expensive multi-coated filters.  I would say this Tiffen filter is a standard for circular polarizer and won't disappoint.  Plus it protects your lens like any UV or other filters used.  I'd rather smash a $20 filter versus a $400 lens.Circular polarizer does make daytime shots more fun and less correction post processing.  And sometimes you can't control everything you shoot with so a filter becomes a must in some cases.  With a lens that can be as wide as f1.2-f1.8 sometimes putting the ISO level 100 doesn't always allow you to shoot at the widest aperture.  In a sense it does act like a neutral density filter to a degree while cutting glare and allowing you to shoot a fast moving subject or freeze the moment.
I was worried how this will work for me, but it is.will explain the details later with pics if possible..- SJoseph
Really brings out the definition in clouds.  OK for cutting reflections on water too.  Another quality product from the folks at Tiffen.
It is hard to believe the SRP as this is not a super thin filter (which allows multiple filters without getting into the field of view) but it is an excellent coated polarizing filter with smooth circular action.
Got this for my 17-40 F4L USM. It screws on smoothly, the ring also turns smoothly.There is no image quality loss as far as I can tell.
I tried every way I know to get this to thread on without stripping the lens, including putting the filter in place and counter-rotating it so it would &#34;click&#34; into place then I could thread it on.Nothing worked.  I did gently try to force it to mount, but it would just pop off.  I suspect it was part of a bad run, and it doesn't look like the threads are cut properly in the filter.The lens is a brand new Canon 18-135mm.  The filter threads in the barrel look perfect so it's not the lens for sure...I pulled it out the box new and tread to put the filter on.  No luck.I've been a pro magazine photographer for 30+ years, I know gear.Bad filter.I see some others in reviews here had the same problem .  I rolled the dice and lost, now got to go through purchasing all over again.
Bought three of these. Works great but two of them is kind of loose when trying to turn. May be it is me.
works very well, just recently go this and a Hoya for a different lens.  Both work very well on their respective lenses, and I've quite happy with both.
I have used polarizers for years and expect to have no issues with the Tiffen brand. I did have to remove the filter for indoor shots because it seemed to have an affect on sharpness of images.
This is a nice quality polarizer.I've not gotten full use yet, but I still need to check this out compared to another polarizer.I like the quality of this polarizer because it is smooth is how it rotates and is solid.A great buy if you are looking for a polarizer.You should check out photographic reviews to see if how Tiffen brand polarizers are what you are looking for.Each brand may be lighter or darker in the image you get so look into that as part of your research.
I bought this polarizing filter because I do a lot of scenic photography. It helps bring out the shapes in cloud formations and gives a richness to greenery and sky.It easily attaches to my lens and pictures turn out sharp and clear.Does exactly what it is made to do.
If you're into landscapes or outdoor still life photography, or if you do commercial work and copy artwork, this is invaluable.  Also works as a ND filter.  I've used Tiffen filters for decades and have never been disappointed.
The lens filter fit perfect for my T3i Canon.  No complaints on the quality that I received. Can't beat the price as well
I have never owned one of these before so when I got it I looked through both sides, turned it all the way around, and didn't notice any difference.  I concluded that I received a defective filter.One poster here suggested to look through it into a mirror.  One way it should look clear and the other, dark.  It did!.Another person on YouTube suggested the same thing, but instead looking at a computer monitor.  Again, clear one way, dark the other.Finally I took it outside and tried it on automobile reflections.  Without the filter there was a wide splotch of glare on the hood of the car and with the filter, the splotch was reduced to a tight circle about the size of the sun, so it does work.  After all, it was a direct reflection of the sun.As for bluer sky's, I tried that and it made them bluer (I think?).  It also made pronounced differences on the grass color which was easier to see.  Anyway, I understand that how much difference this makes is determined by the angle of the light so I have some more testing to do.Anyway, at first, I was ready to send this back because I didn't know what to expect or how to test it.  This is one case when ignorance is not bliss.I have to assume that a better filter will be better, but for the price difference, this seems to be a good filter with which to get your feet wet and perhaps will be all that many of us need.On the issue of whether the filter degrades the image...I have only taken a few pictures, but I cannot see any degradation what-so-ever.  If fact, I see an improvement in shadows making everything seems a little more defined.
You have to have this for better quality photos, both indoors and outdoors. Its easy to assemble and it protects your lens glass
The lens works beautifully, and rotates cleanly. It is easy to install and remove and gives great results in my photographs.
Does the job providing the appropriate polarizing work. One issue I have, though, is that it doesn't screw into my Tiffen UV filter very well, and that's odd. It almost appears as though the polarizer arrived ever so slightly warped. &#60;shrug&#62; It still does the job.
Fits right in to my Canon 17-85mm IS USM lens. Does what its supposed to do without any degradation in image quality.
Tiffen 58MM Circular Polarizer Glass Filter is a good CPL. My  photos look much more professional.I would recommend to buy.
Just took this filter on my trip to Kona, Hawaii.  It was great.  The price was excellent and it worked well.  Great product for the money.
This filter has an okay effect and it spins pretty easily, but the part that spins is extremely loose. It moves about a full millimeter forward/backward just from tilting the camera. If I take it off and shake it, it sounds like the glass is about to fall out. It is extremely loose and I will be returning it.I may have gotten a bad copy and I suspect it could have been damaged in transit since Amazon put virtually no padding in the box. Either way, I was looking forward to using this and I am disappointed because this is the third time I've had to return some piece of camera gear I just ordered from Amazon. Sometimes I think Amazon orders sub-par batches of goods and I really wish their warehouse would put some more padding in the box. I'm not sure if I will reorder the same item or if I will reorder from Amazon.
This is an easy to use polarizer - just attach to your lens and it's ready!  Arrived quickly and in perfect condition.
Works as I expected. It was quite difficult to get on my Canon EF 10-22mm lens the first time.  I thought it wasn't going to fit, but then finally it lined up.  Once it was on it worked great!
We have a Canon SLR and our first polarizer wasn't very nice, so we went looking for a new one and this seems to fit the bill.  The only problem is if you accidentally tighten it a little too much, it can be difficult to get off.  But, now that we are aware of this, it's no longer a problem.
I did some research on filters and I found Tiffens seemed to have the best bang for its buck.Its a solid filter and performs really well but the polarizer can be a bit on the annoying side.it does suffer from that weird overlay due to the polarizers meeting.Either way it does what it needs to without being overly priced.Great item.
I should have stuck with what I know works, bought it took it all the way to australia just to find out that it makes everything VERY VERY dark and leaves wierd streaks on your images1!!!
I bought this to shoot surfing, many times I am shooting nearly into the sun or atleast intoa  huge reflection, this works fairly good at cutting the glare, my only issue and who know why this happened but mine had a slight micro flaw in the glass, couldn't get it of with a microcloth, but I needed it so i kept it and dealt with it...
A polarizing filter is almost essential for many types of photography and this one seems like a very good value. You can spend a lot more for another brand, but this one does the job just fine.
Nice quality. Really enhances the contrast composition, especially during early mornings, sunsets or golden hour just after the sun sets. A must for reducing glare from reflections on lakes and bldg. windows.
It's a polarizing filter.These are great for making clouds puffier like the yellow filter in B&W; photography.  It's also nice for reducing glare from water and windows, and makes snow sparkle.
I bought both this Tiffen circular polarizer and the Tiffen Haze-1 filter at the same time. Shooting across a broad valley on a sunny day at some distant mountains I used both filters separately and together. The circular polarizer did a better job of reducing the obvious haze producing more saturated colors both in the viewfinder and on film. The Haze-1 did deliver a noticeable effect, but the circular polarizer was better and is priced accordingly. The atmospheric haze was so bad on that particular day that, without the filter(s), the resulting images were useless. I had also tried a cheap no-name circular polarizer for comparison. This Tiffen was superior to the no-name by a wide margin.
The optical quality of this polarizer is all fine, however the thread, both inside and outside is *very* short. It only takes a quarter of a revolution to screw it in, meaning it can very easily come loose and fall on the ground. I would recomment getting a filter with a deeper thread if you want to be safe you don't accidently unscrew it while rotating the filter.
I am not a pro, but I like the effect of being able to see deeper into water and capture rays of sunlight. Brings colors to life and protects my lense and camera sensor from damaging UV light.
Use when you need to cut down on too many reflective surfaces messing up your shot. Works as intended, well.
I thought I could always fix some pictures in post production, but since I got this filter, my pictures are much better. THe blue and the green really come out very well, and the contrast is awesome. I will have to buy more filters for my other lenses, as I get tired of switching it all the time...Now I can't do without it.
Item arrived as expected.PRO: it does take glare out of pictures, it makes the green and blue really stand out in your photos.CON: it is difficult to rotate with hood in place, also difficult to find the correct area for the optimum picture.  these are not problems of the polarizer filter, but of me the operator.I would not recommend using this filter inside.
This polarizing filter fits fine on the 55mm lenses of my Sony Alpha camera.  However, when I first removed the filter from the case it was very dirty.  I don't expect to start out by having to clean a camera accessory before it can be used.  I'm in doubt about this having been a factory sealed item.
Everyone always says that you should use a CPL filter to really make your landscape photos pop. I'm not entirely sold on that, though. There've been a few shots with a lot of glare or a really bright sky where it's helped - and there's been just as many shots where it seemed like it was helping, only to cause the photo to look horrendous and unnatural once I loaded it onto my computer.Perhaps I just need to get better at learning when to use it and when not to, but it seems that much of the benefit of this filter can be achieved by shooting in RAW and doing a bit of creative curve-balancing in Lightroom.
The filter is very easy to screw on and very easy to shift when shooting landscape, then moving to portrait.The lens brings out beautiful colors, and sometimes totally removes all glare. It was definitely worth the extra money to get a good polarized lens!
I use a Nikon D3100, I bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens. That lens has 58mm threads. I bought the 58mm Tiffen Circular Polarizer filter to use on that lens. At the time of my order it was sold and fulfilled by Amazon. I paid for shipping and received the filter in less than four days. The filter came in a hard plastic box that I use for storing the filter. It looked new and works fine. No filter problems and I give it 5 stars. The only issue is screwing it onto the lens is a bit tricky because you only have half the width to work with but I blame that on my fingers and lack of any real nails. I have noticed that if the filter doesn't go on straight it may make a glare effect but when I see that, I rescrew it on and that takes care of the issue.
Exactly as described - great quality - perfect for the job and really easy to useExactly what I wanted
Helps reduce the solar glare off water, shooting directly into the sun and allows me to take water fall shots without have me to  use a longer shutter to create that smooth stream water fall effect when not using a tripodThough I not see a huge difference when turning the circular polarizer, but it does work well and is made from glass and not plastic
I'm super excited about having htis for my new camera... It does an amazing job with the sun while taking photos
I'm still learning to use this filter, but so far it's pretty cool. It is very easy to reduce glare and reflections from different surfaces. Of course there will always be some reflection, but the difference is amazing.
This poloarized lens fits well and does what it says it will do. I'm happy with the purchase. The price was right too.
This item saved me $450 when it cracked on my Tamron 18-270 mm lens.  $10 vs. $450.  As my daughter would say, DUH....
I like Tiffen more than my Hoya. But I think the ring is a little thicker.
Tiffen make a good &#34;middle of the road&#34; polarizer.  This is one of them.  No issues, and better than generics.  Price on these is really good, and the quality makes for great pictures.
It doesn't seem to adjust when turned as it should, no clue why. Works ok...but, wish it did asmy other polarizer did and went light to dark when tuurned.
Love the way product fits over my Camera. Its a nice filter which fits accurately over my camera.  A Must buy for every DSLR camera owner.
Honestly, it does not do anything. Literally, nothing at all. Aside from lower picture quality. It is very cheap, so really cant be upset. If you want a Circular polarizer, get something nicer.
This polarizer helps when I'm looking to enhance the colors and mood of my picture without overpowering it. Makes things &#34;pop&#34; a bit more- blues and greens especially. Doesn't seem to work on my Canon 70-300 lens but perfect for the 18-55mm.
It's optically clear and effective.  The only thing about it (and I figure all screw on polarizers would do this) is that if you are not careful about which way you rotate it, you may unscrew it and have it fall off.  Yikes!  Just be mindful of this problem and you'll be fine.
it is just the right thing to give the photos I take a bright color.  without it they are flat
Could be smoother and less resistant while being turned/rotated.  Solid performer otherwise - performs optically as it should, and fits snugly.
Thanks for the help with getting the right lens for my camera. Makes everything work better when working in the sun light.
Nice filter for very reasonable price. The result image is sharp and contrast. I would highly recommend this filter for photographers at all levels.
I'm not an expert photographer so I can't make detailed review of this filter. I am just an amateur but it seems to do the job. I can still take photos inside my home where it's not that well-lit and the photographs turn out fine. I keep this on my lens at all times.
I recently purchased this CPL for a trip to Orlando.  77mm is an awfully big filter size and when you get into this range, prices just really seem to climb.  I know some people don't have trouble dropping 150 dollars on a filter, but when I really don't use it that often, this filter seemed much more what I was looking for.Basically, it is a simple, uncoated polarizing filter.  Construction is decent.  I found the filter had a tendency to stick a little, but never had any trouble getting it off.As others have said, it isn't super strong, but does make your skies bluer in a nice, not over bearing way. I did shoot into the sun occasionally with the filter on and found that it did increase flare slightly, but not too badly.  Certainly it doesn't soak up enough light to be used as a neutral density filter.All in all, I am pleased with this purchase.  If I were a professional photographer, I probably would opt for one of the multi coated options, but as it is, I found it very good for the price and more than adequate for my needs.
Great quality.  I'd recommend this to anyone who does a lot of outdoor work.  You can't go wrong with something at this price.
Not of the quality I needed. Leaves dark spots on all 4 corners. Will not be able to use. Appears to be low quality.
You can check the polarization extinction by holding the outside (non-threaded) side to your LCD monitor and rotating it. It is almost entirely dark at 45 deg angle when I try this. I have a polarized laser pointer that I used to determine the polarization angle of this filter. It makes my LCD monitor dark when the polarization of the filter is oriented along 1:30 - 7:30 (12:00 being upright -- this means my LCD monitor is polarized along the 10:30 - 4:30 line). Don't know if all LCD monitors have the same polarization.Quality looks good. It is easy to rotate after I have it screwed on to my camera lens. I scratched a line along the edge to mark the polarization. I gave it 4 stars because I bought another CPL (Goja) that is just as good for &#60; 1/2 the price.
Tiffin doesn't claim that this is a multi coated filter (and at this price point, you shouldn't expect it to be), but just to dispel and lingering thoughts....it isn't.It is, however, a good budget level filter.  It has more glare and light loss when compared with a coated filter, but it works just fine for most applications.
a Polarized lens filter that works great.  Packaged in original packaging, shipped very quickly.  I would definitely recommend it for anyone.
It does what a polarizing filter should do. Quality... only time will tell. Not sure how "amount" of polarization is measured. Is an image either polarized or not? Sort of polarized? Lightly polarized? Works in the Arctic but not the antarctic? Hmmmm. Perhaps other reviewers would expand on this. From a practical point of view the results are fully satisfactory so far. Good for pics of politicians too using the horns or halos feature.
I seated this on my Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII lens, The thread depth is very narrow and difficult to seat on the lens.  Unfortunately I have discovered that putting it on the lens was the least of my isues.  Getting it off is a whole new challenge in its own right.  Might as well order the filter removal tool when you buy this filter.  I will say functionally it did a nice job on my photos, but getting this filter off my lens has jaded me on this product.
Tiffen filters might not be the very best filter onthe market, but they are very well built and perform just fine unlessyou need the top of the line for some reason.  Everyday photography results are not degraded in any way using these filters.  The price is great for the quality.  Don't even try these filters that cost a couple of bucks as they can/will degrade your photos, no question.
This great quality Polarizer is attached on my Nikon D600. It is always on my camera unless I am shooting indoor or in low light situation. Great for details when shooting outdoors especially when eliminating reflection from your subject. I would highly recommend this filter.
It is well built and is not too harsh of a polarizer, gives a nice even polarization effect to your pictures.
Tiffen filters are great for the price.  The circular polarizer turns drab midday skies to beautiful blue.  You will not be disappointed.  You can certainly pay more for a polarizer, but why?
This is the only Polarizer I have owned but it seems to do its job just fine.  I have used it to capture fish under the water.
Great for taking out glare and keeps the picture looking sharp and no discoloration . Use the lens filter it is good.
Very useful to remove the glare on non-metal surface. The ring is not as smooth as B+W but the optical is as good as B+W Pro CPL. Negative: no Muti-coat
Necessary for intensifying morning and evening light when shooting landscapes or warming portraits.  It is one of the trinity filters; cpl; nd and warming filters
I have Tiffen 812s in several sizes. They are a slightly different color than the 81 series warm ups and anything else I've seen. The 812 offers a special warmth that no other can offer. Sometimes I even use it with my digital SLR because the white balance settings don't quite equal the color of these. But beware, sometimes the effect can be too strong. A 81a or 81b is needed when you don't need that much warming. I'm not one to keep a filter on the lens all the time to protect it. Generic screw in rubber lens hoods offer protection to some degree(that's what I use all the time). The only time I put a filter on is to improve images. And the 812 does improve landscapes and portraits on a cloudy or overcast day when the light tends to be bluish. You can further enhance the warmth on a sunny day also. If you're on a tight budget like me, these inexpensive Tiffens do the job well. I haven't noticed any degrade in image quality. And using a lens hood all the time, I haven't had a problem with flare while using the filter that I wouldn't have without it on the lens.
it def gives a nice tint to photographs. Makes images look almost a little more vintage. Great for outdoor stuff, or for people who are pale.
Was pleased to see this filter arrived on time and had no packaging issues. This warming filter is not only great for portraits, but is also good for adding warmth to landscape scenes. Filter arrived with no scuffs or scratches, and with all Tiffen filters it attaches to the lens smoothly. I would highly recommend this filter!
I read reviews in a few photography magazines before I purchased this filter. Several reviewers rated it highly as an all around filter. I did not want tohave to take several filters and keep changing them, especially while traveling. I am pleased with my purchase.
This is a nice addition to any camera bag.  Took 2 photos of my wife without the lens, and then 2 with the lens.  Her skin tone with the filter is very nice and natural looking. I recommend this filter for any portrait shots, and maybe group shots.
When doing portraits of people with pale skin, they sometimes &#34;wash out&#34; into the background and you don't see many of the facial features; however, this filter does a great job of giving a little color to the person without it being noticeable that a filter was used. Great tool to have in your bag whenever shooting portraits.
I had got this filter to use in bright snowy days and it works really great it keeps coolers from washing out.
I really like this filter.  It does a great job at adding warmth to flesh tones...especially when photographing people who are pale.
This filter not only protects my lens, it makes my pictures more vibrant.  I notice the biggest change when I photograph flesh.
Extremely well made filter. Its so subtle but so effective. The skin tones actually becomes radiant. The dull and boring look under normal circumstances while clicking people just disappears.I was introduced to Tiffen by Ken Rockwell and I thank him for that. In fact, I discovered Amazon.com because of Ken.TOday 90% of my filters are Tiffen and they are at par or better than my previous set of filters at 40% the cost.I would recommend this to everyone only make sure if you are shooting with direct light in your focus , do buy the COATED ones.
As an amateur photographer I don't want to shell out big bucks for filters so I've always been a big fan of Tiffen filters.  Their filters are of good quality and the price is good for us amateur photographers.
Brings out wonderful colors.  Helped communicate what I saw when I visited Israel during a sunny trip.  Best investment I have made for my Olympus e510.  Protects lens and enhances photos.  Especially brings out great colors in portrait shots of my wife, who has somewhat "pasty" skin.  Makes photos look alive.
The effect from this filter is not very noticable. at all.. from the preview images and reviews I was expecting something along the lines of an Instagram filter, where things really change. But Alas, it is nothing like that and post processing will always be needed I suppose! the build quality is great though.
Great little filter for my lens.  I use it and enjoy the look it gives me in my pictures.  Worth the money online versus in the store.  Feel confident to order.
Excellent. Only reason I give it 4 stars is because it was out of the package when I received it and was just laying next to the container in the box.
The 812 warming filter is my favorite filter to have on all my lens. Tiffen does not dissapoint with this filter.
High quality filter.  Creates warmer (as per the name) look in many images.  My wife loves how it helps her pale skin tone look a little more brown and lifelike.  I leave it on my camera lens all the time.A filter is one of those things that is very personal opinion.  Try it for yourself - if you like it, keep it.  If not, return it.  I like mine.  Some are cheap and use cheaper glass.  This one seems good.
It warms up the color but I wouldn't use it solely for everything. I wouldn't recommend to use it in portrait. The filter pink-like color. So, it pop ups anything in range of this spectra, means: the red tone will be added to your face. A combination of 812 filter with UV Sigma filter reduces this effect and, actually, makes skin color look more natural, I'd compare that combination with Cokin 81C filter. The Tiffen 812 transparency is about half stop, what adds a bit contrast to your pictures. The filter (62mm) well made and did not give a vignetting at 18mm focal length (with Sigma 18-200mm lens) even with UV Sigma filter on. The filter has internal thread which allows to put on another 62mm filter.All in all, the 812 warming filter enhances pictures, it did make my pictures soft, the price is right, in my opinion - worth to buy.
Seems like very good construction and was a very good price.I have yet to take any real photos with it, but even just messing around I can see that it definitely works well.
Aerial photographs typically have an excessive blue tint and haze from dust and moisture. This filter is much more effective (than either a SKY 1-A or UVA Filter)  at cutting through the haze and warming the photo by reducing the excessive blue, especially on cloudy days. Also warms skin tones in portraits. Worth adding to your filter collection.
I use this for color and black and white infra red photography with my Canon digital camera.  Keep in mind that with this filter on the camera you won't see anything in the viewfinder and may have to focus manually with the filter off before taking the pictures.  Exposures may be long also.
Very pleased with this IR filter. On a 14mm prime lens the photos taken were exceptionally beautiful. If I can figure out how to do so I will happily share two photos with you taken with this filter. Pre focusing is a must.
Don't know why this product is linked to reviews of 'Tiffen 58mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit' but I've seen stranger things here. I summarize it is from reviewers misusing the Product Link option.The Review: The #87-IR is a true Infrared filter and is opaque. See my photo example under `Large Images' above (lastly, after all the unrelated other photos). The photo was taken thru a Digital Samsung NX-10 w/Rokkor 20mm/2.8, 8 sec.Tiffen as been in the optic biz nearly forever and this filter carries the same heritage. It is costly because good IR filters are very costly to manufacture. In addition, the treaded-ring is not cheep and will run smooth without locking-up and the glass is of professional photo-optic quality. Hope this is of help to you.Technical Details: The Tiffen #87 Filter Transmission; Max at 850 - 2000 nm (approx) and begins at 780nm (half-bandwith). This is very good transmission, many IR-filters are not and can not reach into Far-Infrared.General Info: 730 - 900nm is NEAR-INFRARED and 900 - 1200nm is FAR-INFRARED Transmission.F.Y.I. at present, I would not say that the Samsung NX-10 is a good camera for IR photography but perhaps can be after a sensor modification by a reputable service lab.
Although there is a note saying this filter is for use with black-and-white IR film only, this is an excellent IR filter for use with some digital cameras, such as the Olympus C-2100UZ.If there is any visible light passed through the filter, it isn't visible in the images.This is a superb filter for taking true IR photos.
Looking through the viewfinder - you see nothing, since all visible light is blocked.Looking at the final pictures - the blue sky is black, leaves and clouds are white - a spooky effect - very cool.
I had been wanting to try Infrared for some time, but always kept putting it off. Finally, I bought a few books and studied for a while, then took the plunge. Let me summarize what I've learned.1. The term Infrared photography has two meanings. One is to gather heat images. The other is to gather reflected IR light. We're talking about the second here. The first takes completely different equipment.2. Make sure your camera can take IR. All modern digital cameras have a filter over the sensor that blocks IR light. Some of them are far more sensitive than others and the ones that are too sensitive make using a filter like this impossible.  There's an easy test. Grab your TV remote and set up to take a photo of the business end of it (as if you were going to use it to control your camera) then press any of the remote buttons while taking a photo. If you have live view, you don't even need to make an image. What you're hoping for is to see the IR light from the remote. Ideally, it will look like the light beam you'd get form a very tiny LED that you might buy for a keychain to use at night. More is better (shorter exposure times). If no IR light is present, stop here or use a different camera.3. Now, get this filter in the right size for your lens. In my case, my SLR blocked all IR, but my Canon G12 was fine. I bought the filter adapter for the G12  (which I also use for other filters, such as a polarizer) and I bought this filter.4. It will be hard to compose and frame your images. Use a medium or high F/stop and set your camera to bracket exposures if it has that feature. Pick something far enough away so that you can manually focus on infinity. If you really want to focus closer, get a measuring tape. Either way, manual focus is pretty much required.5. When you take shots, they'll appear in shades of red when you first look at them. If your camera has a setting that lets you see images on its LCD in monochrome, you can use that. Either way, you'll have to convert to Black and White in some editing program.6. I use Photoshop and Nik Software Silver Efex Pro to do my IR editing. You can start with Google's Picassa for free if you're just getting started with photo editing.7. One of the major benefits of IR photography is that the best IR times are mid-day, which is usually the worst time for color images. The opposite is true, too. Great morning  or afternoon light won't usually give great IR photos, tho there are notable exceptions.All in all, I'm very happy with IR in general, and with this filter in particular. As with all filters, it makes no sense to put a cheap, distortion-prone filter on an expensive distortion free lens. Tiffen makes quality filters. You can pay more for other brands, but there's no need to do so.
As a 0.9 filter, this works well.  I bought this to see if I liked neutral density filters enough before I spent over $50 on a 10 stop filter.For myself, it does not work well at all.  A 0.9 filter is a three stop filter, which means one-half of one-half of one-half of the light gets through, or 1/8 (0.5*0.5*0.5=0.125, which is the same as 1/8 because 1/8=.125). What does this mean?  Take a picture and look at the shutter speed.  If you're in daylight condition, let's say 1/200th of a second.  If only 1/8 of the light gets through, you're going to need to take 8 times longer to take the same photo, or 1/25 of a second.  Those nice smooth lines in the water are going to take a lot than 1/25 of a second to capture!  You can try and force your camera to take longer to take a photo (drop the ISO, increase the F-stop of the aperture) but this 0.9 strength isn't going to work in daytime at all.  Perhaps it could work in sunsets or you could stack two or three of them, but you run the risk of imperfections becoming more visible.
I've had no issues with this ND Filter. I baby my camera, so the protection of my glass hasn't been an issue, but in daylight situations, it evens out the playing field quite nicely.
Got this mainly for photographing waterfalls and it does a gr8 job. Didnt notice any loss of image quality because of this.Very useful accessory.
I was looking for a ND 10, or in Tiffen terms, a 3.0.I thought 9 was as good at 10, dint see the 0. in front of it, was too excited reading tutorials.It works at a 0.9 filter. though I dint find the 0.9 great in a tropical climate. I need moar!
Its a good ND filter for the starters and also it cost less then $17. However it does not filter light well for long exposures (>3 secs). It reduce f stop only by 3, however if you combine a CPL filter effects will be good. Built is good, does not feel like a cheap product.
I use this stacked with my variable ND filter when I need it a bit darker in a range where my variable tends to get a bit noisy and IQ becomes a concern. This covers that range nicely getting my image dark enough for day light long exposures. This does not get dark enough to use for daytime long exposure photography by itself if that's what your using it for.
the ring is solid metal.  Probably aluminum or something to that effect.The tinting is even, and when you take pictures you can't tell its on there.
Exactly what it should be.Good: EverythingBad:  No complaints.These are filler words so I can submit the review.
Great filter, easy to use.  It came and the case it was in had been damaged (closing clasp had broken) but it had not opened.  The filter had a lot of dust on it, which was easilly remidied with a quick puff of the blower.  I have gotten good results with this, it works as intended and gives me the 3 stops it advertises.  I bought 2 of these so I can do a 6 stops.  I cannot see any optical issues with the filter (even with using both of them simultaneously), so it is a great one in my book!
This filter is nice quality definitely worth the money. I've used filters that cost twice as much money I do not work any better.
I have an antique film camera (Canon Canonette QL-17) with 1/500 as the max shutter speed.  When I try to use 400iso/asa film in it on a sunny day, it doesn't work; unless I use the ND filter-then it works quite well.
I used this all summer for a landscape photography class and it was very useful for getting longer exposures in bright light and bringing out color in the land, sea and sky.  Very reasonably priced.
You can't fault this filters quality for the price.  I use B+W filters for UV and Polarizer duties and they cost many times more.  Their glass and construction seems superior, but it should for their history and price.  For my photographic purposes I won't use this filter as much.  Nice filter that's made in the USA.
Eell built, 3 stop reduction in light as advertised, works just fine. No color cast that I can detect.  Good price. I recommend it.
Just what I needed for my new Canon camera.  Works great and keeps my lens well protected from dust, dirt and scratches.
It works great to make long exposure photography i.e. water silk effect, panning, etc. during the day (even in a very sunny tropical day)works well too in landscape photography (when high DOF is needed)
I am a professional film maker and have a kit of Canon L primes that I have used on everything from DSLRs to Red Epics. ND filters such as these are indispensable. However, some ND filters will give a red color cast due to the disproportionate IR spectrum they are not filtering out. These inexpensive Tiffens seem to filter the spectrum well. Better than some of the higher end filters I have in my kit.
Bought this to try out some long exposures and motion blur pictures. I would definitely recommend this product to any wannabe photographers as opposed to cheap chinese ones. These are heavier and made of glass. You can feel the quality difference. And this is not overly priced as well. I am keeping this for ever.
You get what you pay for. It works as advertised. It's not the greatest of quality, but for the price it's good. Honestly unless you're a professional you wont notice any decrease in quality unless you're a stickler. But for someone starting out, or someone on a budget this is great, and you'll be happy with the purchase. PLEASE NOTE: I use it for videography so maybe that's why I don't notice a change in quality.
If you think this is the strongest ND filter you can get, then it is wrong. DO NOT BUY THIS. This is only 3-stop and there are 9 or 10 stop filters available. Learn about ND filters before settling on one.With this ND filter, you cannot take pictures of water falls in bright day light (even with smallest aperture (F22)). But if you want to take the same later in the day (around sunset), this will help you a lot. I took lots of pictures using this filter during my trip to Yosemite. I could take really nice waterfall motion (with 1 sec exposure during sunset) but all the pictures I took during day time were washed out...they all became too bright.If you have a polarizing filter, you may stack on top of it (be careful with vignetting) to get more darkness.The filter itself is very well built and I was able to easily screw/unscrew from the lens. I would put some more money to get more f-stop. I will post some sample pics I took soon.
I've enjoyed using this for long exposure photography. It does what you'd expect. I am using it on a Nikkor 18 - 135 DX lens on a Nikon d80.
Just as ordered and does a nice job on the camera
Good product at a great price. It did not take long to arrive. I would recommend this filter it really does its purpose.
I'm an amateur photographer, so if a $50-100 filter does something that this one does not, it's lost on me.  It has certainly enabled me to take some nice long shutter photos, mostly of water, and I've been pleased with the results.
Cuts the light like I want it to. I use this on my 24L and its great for those sunny california days. I don't use it a ton, but thats why I went with Tiffen as opposed to something more expensive like BW.
Brings the camera down about 2-3 stops which I can't complain for the price of this item. Quality construction and crafstmanship
The filter was delivered on time and is very high quality.  I would (and most likely will) purchase from this vendor again.
Works fine for me , the price is right for this item. I've only used it a few times so far but it does the trick on a bright sunny day now I can get more detail in my photos.
This filter works great for slowing down waterfalls, and swift moving streams. Still keeps all the great colors too.
you can say many good things about Tiffen filters, good glass, well constructed.at the end is just that you can't go wrong with Tiffen
Love it!These allow me to be more creative in my photos and the price was not bad at all!  I bought a few different ratings and sizes for my other lenses.
This is one of the great purchases I have made. I have been using it since more than 1.5 yrs. And it always gave me gorgeous pictures. Be it waterfalls or midday sunlight it always did a wonderful job. Very satisfied.
I use this filter when im outdoors and the sun is beaming at everything in sight. Sometimes i use two .9 filters at the same time. This allows me to go to a 1.8 aperture and get sick looking shots. For the price, it's a great buy.
After my experience with a $5 Vivitar ND8 lens, which cast a red/brown hue over any picture I shot, I did some research and found this to work well with most Canon DSLRs, including my T2i.  Lo and Behold, it seems to be magic.  No more brown hue, and pretty, pretty neutral.The red-brown hue cast by cheaper filters has a lot written on the subject online: it's IR leak, it's not easily fixable with Photoshop, you can buy a $70 adapter to neutralize it...My advice is this: don't waste your time reading how to make your cheap ND filter better.  Throw your cheap ND filter away, and buy this one for less than $15.
I have always been please with Tiffen filters.  They are reasonably priced and are a good, sturdy product.  Learned something recently - take off the UV protection filter before putting on this filter.  Only one piece of glass should be at the end of you lens at a time, keeping the original lens as intact as possible.
Used with aCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras, and works pretty well. Best conditions would likely be early morning or early evening as afternoon sunshine, even with clouds, is too much light for this filter to lessen.
Needed 10x filter, item returned because it could not be used. Will order a 10x next time I order from Amazon.
If you think this is the strongest ND filter you can get, then it is wrong. DO NOT BUY THIS. This is only 3-stop and there are 9 or 10 stop filters available. Learn about ND filters before settling on one.
Significant color shift and image degradation on my 50mm f1.4. Returned it and added ANOTHER Hoya filter to my collection
Enjoy using the filter during sunny days. Here is California we have a lot of that. Doesn't change the color of photos. Able slow down the speed a little to get a milky waterfalls.product received in a timely manner, no problems there.
Not really that dark, should have put the money towards something alot darker. Research alot more before you make this purchase.
A good value for an ND filter. Can always count on Tiffen to produce a basic item in size you need.
Great filter while you're waiting for the big stopper. Won't break the bank. Easy to use, easy to screw on.
I find this product to be very helpful when filing taxes.  Looking at it from a business standpoint, we can tell that there is a clear improvement in efficiency of shutter speed decrease.  I have used other brands of filters, Fram, K&N, Valvoline and this Tiffen doesn't leave motor oil all over the garage floor.  I would tell you to buy it but you should wait until next years version comes out.
I wish it was multi-coated to make it less susceptible to lens flare. other than that it is a good filter.
I use the Neutral Density filter to take waterfall pictures with my Canon T3i. Works great.
First off - this filter isn't horrible! if you have cheap glass or want a certain effect but if you have a premium lens - get a premium filter - it really does make a difference.
Great filter!  I have used this many times for a sunrise time lapse project and it really balanced out the exposure.  I kept it attached to my 50mm most of the time and it didn't take long before the glass came loose inside of the ring.  I don't think it effects the performance at all but it feels much cheaper when handling when you hear/feel the glass rattling.
I need one ND filter so I choose it on amazon. But this one should be second hand! Some paint was miss on it! bad luck...
I've used this with Canon's 70-200mm L series and 24-70mm L series lenses. Slipping it on and off is easy and the results are great.some of you are thinking -- why do I need filters, well there are two reasons:1. To protect your lens. If you're doing a trip to the beach or desert or to the middle of the Serengeti, you'll quickly realize how dirty your lenses can great. Also once those fine grained sand particles get into the small crevaces on in your lens... they are really hard to clean!2. Yes, you can achieve some of the same effects in post processing with Photoshop, but that's time consuming. Anything I can do up front on my camera, while taking the shot, the better. Also you can see the effect, straight away Vs waiting to see if you can reproduce it in post.
I use it nearly all the time - especially during exterior shoots. It allows me to use a wider aperture and also capture the details that would otherwise be lost in the highlights. And I can maintain a shallow depth of field. You can certainly spend more on an ND filter, but I'm not certain that you would be gaining much. I review my photo and video work on a 24" HP back lit monitor with 1920 x 1200 resolution, Nvidia Quadro 4000 video card and 12 core Xeon processor and see no color aberrations or other problems caused by the filter. The ND brings up the colors nicely, putting the blue back into the sky on a bright sunny day. This filter works well and the price is right.
How did I ever live without this?? If you don't own one, how are you living right now?  It must be tough!I love fast lenses.  My favorite is an old 50 1.4.  That's a beautiful lens, so long as it's not particularly bright outside.  What's the fun in stopping down a 1.4?Using this filter I'm able to shoot at 1.4 in even the brightest conditions.  It does seem to warm the colors a bit, but we're all shooting raw (right?) so that's no big deal.If you have a fast 50 and don't own this filter, you're just doing it wrong.  Order this now.  Seriously.  You'll be doing yourself a favor.  It's only $16 and you'll get photos in the daylight that nobody else can.It also makes your 1.4 useable with off camera flash (set to low power), virtually impossible without the filter.Only one concern with this filter, I've used it in some fairly extreme conditions and come home to find that the retaining ring on the front side of the glass does wiggle loose on occasion.  You'll feel/hear it rattling a bit before anything bad happens.  There are two indentations in the ring, just use your fingernail to tighten it down.  No biggie.Quit reading, click buy!
The filter itself is very well built, the perfect amount of power it's terrific!easy to screw on and off. allowing you to take some beautiful shots, if you combine a CPL filter effects will be good.It works fine at 18mm with the Canon 18-55mm kit lens.
This filter have a very solid feel to it and fits my micro 4/3 Panasonic 25mm 1.4 lens like a champ. Great for recording video at wide aperture with proper shutter speed in bright light situations. I believe this is the darkest (the most amount of stops) filter Tiffen makes in the 46mm size. I wish there was a 5-6 stop for 46mm, but oh well, it'll serve my purposes. One thing though, I wish it was packaged in a smaller case. The case is too big for this size filter and it slides too much back and forth inside the case.
You can't go wrong for the price.  Very fast shiiping and the Filter let me get the creek shots I was looking for...
Great filter, easy to use. It came in the case, I immediately took it out and put onto camera and down to the water fall. The filter was not scratched or damaged in any way. I have gotten good results with this, it works as intended. I cannot see any optical issues with the filter, so it is a great one in my book!
Decreased shutter speed 3 stops without and noticable loss of image quality. A must have for anyone shooting waterfalls or anywhere a slow shutter speed is required.
A great filter. Lets you control the dept of field. Unfortunately I bought the wong size and I ned to use a step-down filter. This let me with some vigneting in wide open mode.
Haven't used filters on my DSLR but this one makes good results.. Need to try more shots with waterfalls and streaming river
Feels REALLY sturdy and looks great on my 24-105. I used it in this video, and it turned out wonderful:http://youtu.be/GE1uHhS2sAI
I got this filter for my NX20 but it didn't seem to fit my camera lens, but besides that, the picture quality was great in very lit up areas, and it pretty much does what you'd want it to do.
Now that you want so many words I must get unnecessarily wordy.  Good filter that I did not ever use.
Tiffen makes good filters.  What can I say?  It works ad advertised.  used one on my SLR and wondered how they would work on my new DSLR.  They work the same, and allow for more ceativity ni your shots.
Want to shoot wide open (1.4 on my 25mm Panny m43 lens) in the day?  Get an NDR filter or it will not happen.
I love waterfall photography and this filter makes the smooth water technique possible, especially in direct sunlight. Cuts just enough light to allow for a long shutterspeed without cutting so much light that it's hard to compose a shot.
my son bought this to use on his nikon D-60. he said the shots had a orange cast to them, but i'm not sure what his wb and other settings were at.
I got this filter and put it on my Canon 70-200 2.8L lens assuming this was a 9 stop ND Filter, turns out this is only a 3 stop filter and does not really make much of a difference at all.
I've put this filter on many Canon lenses and it's worked just fine with no perceivable loss in image quality EXCEPT on one lens.For about a week, I used this off and on a 24-105/4L IS. Near the end of the week I noticed a faint scratch/abrasion in the dead center of the filter as well as on the front element of the lens. Thus, I stopped using it (on the trip). When I returned to civilization and the land of the internet, I did some searching and found quite a few other folks (on dpreviewDOTcom) complaining about the same issue with the Tiffen filter and their 24-105/4L lens.All in all, I'd recommend this filter, but try it on all the lenses you intend to use to make sure there's some clearance between the filter and the front element.
Purchased this for the main purpose of getting those silky smooth water shots.  It will reduce the amount of light entering your lens but is not dark enough to get that really slow shutter speed under bright light conditions.  Even with the ISO turned down to the slowest setting and the f-stop at the slowest (f-22 or so) you might not be able to get what you are looking for.  When shooting under overcast sky or near dusk this works pretty well.  If you are looking for really slow shutter, with the ability to control your depth of field I would suggest stacking more than one.Unless you are looking for graduated ND filters I would suggest this over the square slide ins as this doesn't allow light to reflect off the back side of the glass (or plastic in cheaper models).At this price I would suggest getting this along with at least one more of the same or a lower density to allow for more flexibility.Overall highly recommended for those wanting to get creative with their photography and do stuff you just can do in PS.
This ND Filter work well outside on a bright sunny day, so that you don't get over exposure and can finally get balance exposure.
I tend to avoid filters. I'm not a photoshop guy. I like my images to be as natural as possible. With that being said ND filters are one of the very few filters that I will attach to my lens. Yes I said ND filters. Reasons are below.I purchased this filter for night photography. I wanted to create the trailing headlight/taillight cityscapes that you often see online. One of my favorite things about owning a DSLR is the ability to leave the shutter open for a few seconds of time. This enables things like Light painting (google it its awesome). I was frustrated to learn that leaving the shutter open for a few seconds at dusk will leave your image blown out, i.e. way too bright.I did some research and learned that you need this filter in order to leave your lens open for that long. Tiffen does a great job of darkening your image while preserving the colors that you see with your eye. I am extremely happy with the purchase.ND FilterS?Yes. My girlfriend bought me the same exact filter. She felt terrible and thought she ruined Christmas. I was excited to give her purchase a try because i read about ND filter stacking. This expands your possibilities even further. With two filters stacked I was able to take daytime photography of Niagara falls. The long exposure creates that seamless flow of water that looks so great.Summary:1 Filter will work great for dusk exposures where you want that trailing headlight/taillight effect. It will also work for day shots but with a quicker shutter speed than at night.2 Filters work great during the day to really show the water flow.Either way these filters are some of my favorite to use. The build quality has yet to fail me and I don't see any drastic color degradation. Hopefully if your reading this you are making the same &#34;mistake&#34; that my girlfriend made :)...except you can say that you meant too and give the reasons why.
Tiffen puts out a great product and this lens is no excepition. Does a wonderful job of bringing wide f stop images within range of the cameras chip and allowing you to get shots you could not get otherwise. Don't even think about another lens it is a keeper
Great but for the money. I used it for last two years and still got a lot milage to go....
I have used Tiffen filters on my Nikon pro camera and have been extremely satisfied with them.  I ordered this for my Canon SX50 HS so I could slow down my shutter speed to capture smooth waterfalls and cascade shots.  It works beautifully!  The frame is metal and the glass is of high quality.  I am going to try to attach a link to a photo I took using the Canon SX50 HS with this lens.  The picture is of Buttermilk Falls if it posts.  I would not have been able to capture it this way without this filter and slowing down my shutter speed.[...]
bought it for low depth photography on bright days (1/4000 second isn't enough for f1.4) and for videography.  I'm impressed.  Colors look great.
Don't think two times. Just buy it. After try and see the pics i decide to buy another to make a super slow effect of the waves on the beach.
I needed a darker neutral density filter than I already had.  I got this one and used it on a recent vacation to shoot some sunrises and sunsets.  I was extremely pleased with the results.  Also, I thought the price on Amazon was excellent.  There are other brands out there that cost more, but I have always liked Tiffen products, and knew that I would have no issues with it.
Just what I needed to do low depth of field in very bright settings with my 50mm lens. Fits great
Not a bad ND filter at all.I purchased for my Canon 50mm f1.8 to do shoot video. This is absolutely necessary when taking video outside on a DSLR. When your shutter speed is 1/50 (at 24fps, recommended) any sunlight will over expose the video greatly without a ND filter.This filter knocks down the exposure by 3 stops so that you can shoot in daylight easier and get that nice natural color to things. However, even at 3 stops it seems a bit bright on sunny days. I may look for a stronger one.All in all great little filter. Good build quality, nice packaging, solid price. Definitely suggest picking one up if you're just getting into DSLR cinematography.
Fits on lens and does its job. Filter makes the picture a lot darker than anticipated. Definitely have to crank up the ISO for outside shots.
Let's get straight to the point--this thing does its job! For me, it meant better photos outdoors  (in almost ALL situations), cool effects with water and clouds and things of that nature, and just a better contrast to your photos when working with lots of light! This can really help in situations what involve a lot of lighting (like a closed set, lights on the subject, etc...almost like photoshoot?) yet you want a photo with lots of depth. For people taking senior photos, wedding photos, or family photos outdoors, this is a must.Some might say "you just need to increase your shutter speed / raise the f-stop number." That is one way to achieve a similar result in terms of light spillage, but for me, this filter is just a different method of doing so. If you're taking photos of people outdoors--especially during a sunset or sunrise--you don't always have a lot of time to sit and play with the manual settings getting the perfect photo. You can get close if you've done photography for a bit of time, but honestly, this thing helps you get a better outdoor photo with less effort. Plus...it's under $20. What can it hurt to try it out?
Excellent for making creative photos, explore and enjoy other times light photograph of a slightly differently. you will not regret it.
Works exactly as a neutral density filter should.  Got it to use with a Canon SX40 HS using a generic of the filter-adapter needed, and that is a great way to go - even at wide angle.
But I haven't used it as much as I'd immagined I would - much less since I got a d-slr
I was trying to get a foggy water effect and this made a difference.  Also good for the very sunny days we are having.
This is a very good lens. I have only used it once but the photo came out very clear and nice
The filter is good quality, but it is nowhere near enough effective for what I was trying to accomplish with the filter. I realize there are different levels for these types of filters, but the .9 filter barely did anything to assist with me trying to get the blurred motion of water. I would definitely recommend getting a stronger filter that can block out more light.
I ordered three ND filters at the same time.  Two arrived in perfect condition, this one was clearly used.  It had been very badly "cleaned" and was rattling around in the hard plastic package.  I have no idea how well it works because I sent it back to Amazon immediately.  When I get a replacement, I will post a review on the product rather than the condition of the product.  I have been ordering from Amazon for years and this is the first time I have ever received anything that was in anything but pristine condition.  Considering this was the most important of the three filters I bought, I am very disappointed.Amazon sent me a new filter and an RMA.Basic ND filter.  I have stacked it with other ND filters to get even the brightest day dark enough for long exposures.Not much else to say other than the customer service is why I buy from Amazon.
Nothing more frustrating than being on location and discovering even at ISO 100 you cannot stop down enough to get max depth of field (too much light).I bought a pair of these and use them single or stacked to reduce light for that added depth of field.
For the price, this can't be beat.  It's a great product, well made, and does the job I ask of it.  What more can I ask?  Perfect!
A good filter for reducing the available light down by 3 stops because the light is too bright or, as in many ND situations, a long exposure is desired with a slow shutter speed to enhance certain aspects of the photograph being taken such as waterscapes.
This is my first ND filter. The price was right, it works, what more is there to say really?  I have a few other Tiffen filters and I'll buy more in the future.
It came in a small hard case which I love and its easy just to have it in my camera bag and be protective. The filter itself is nice I used it a few times and I was not disappointed.
The filter is the one I ordered and it works fine on my Nikkon. I will order more filters in the future since that is my husband's wonderful hobby and he enjoys it.
I need some ND filters without breaking the bank for a quick shoot and these did the work! I ordered 2 of them and stacked them! Got exactly what I was looking for! Awesome product that took a good beating out in the hot ass Johnson Valley Desert!
Not sure if this is fake or just a different batch, but the writing and finish on my Tiffen 58mm is smooth and glossy and the one on the 52mm is matte and rough. As for function it works good and the fitment is exact.
Delivers excellent performance for a fraction of the cost of other filters. I have not noticed any loss of image quality.
I actually purchased this not for taking waterfalls photographs, but because I wanted to get some really nice depth of field during the day while shooting video.  I've been using my SONY NEX7 a lot lately for video, which by the way is a great great camera, I cant say good enough things about.  But during the day I was at around f22 and wasn't able to get those super nice depth of field cinematic shots.  This allowed me to bring my aperture down to around f5-7 which is great.  I imagine if I wanted to get even more depth I could purchase a .6 or .3 and stack the lenses to get down to a 2.8 or so, but for now this thing does the trick.  I did contemplate buying a variable ND filter, however in the past I've had weird zebra-ing effects, and crosses through the image.  I didn't want to mess with that this time and just decided to go with a fixed filter.
I have a bagillion tiffen filters.  They always work.  Not much more to say here.  I never had a problem with a single stiffen filter.  Their quality is OK but for the money great deal.
Purchased two n/d filters (0.9 and 0.6) from Amazon.com Warehouse Deals.  They cost me less than half of what I would've paid if I bought new ones.  They arrived in perfect condition and work as I hope they would.  Will definitely continue to purchase filters from Warehouse Deals if they arrive the way these two did.  Very happy.  ~MichaelMPerez.com
This is a must have for daytime shooting with sun.  Does not reduce image quality for a screw on lens.  However, adds more depth and detail that over exposure takes away.
if you want to make water look &#34;silky&#34;, or bring out the more color and beautiful contrast on your day photos, it's a must have.  I like the fact that you can screw another filter on top, to stop it down even more!
Great price and built, exactly what I wanted for my camera to take day time long exposure pictures, Tiffen Thanks for a great product.
This review is for the 37 mm filter.I've taken a few pictures of the same scenes with and without the filter to test it.* The filter does cut the amount of light by approximately a factor of 8, which is what it should as a ND 0.9 filter. If you need more, look for a different filter, but this works as advertised.* In images of the same scene, with auto-white balance on, I notice a *very slight* yellow cast. Gimp (freeware version of Photoshop) fixes it easily, and I'm sure I could fix it by fiddling with the camera's white balance.* The filter did come a little dusty, but with no damage.* My filter is held tightly in place, but a few reviews mention it being loose. If it is, you should be able to fix it by tightening the retaining ring.I also tested it with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The OD is about 0.9 for most of the visible range. It is 1 at 405 nm and drops to 0.8 at 682 nm. The OD increases sharply at shorter wavelengths and decreases sharply at longer wavelengths, which explains the (again, very slight) yellow cast.
I'm very satisfied with the quality of this ND filter. I suggest that you buy a couple of them so you can stack them.I really don't have much to say, aside from the fact that it works great and was quite affordable. IMHO it's a &#34;must-have,&#34; for any serious photographer. (Again, you'll probably want a couple of them.)
For the price on this item, you really can't go wrong.  It's not &#34;precision optics,&#34; but for most photographic applications it works like a charm.  This filter is great for experimentation with moving objects/water during daylight hours and you can use pretty much your full ISO range with it, depending on shutter speed.  I spent a day in the woods with it and came out with some great results with little to no practice.  Lots of fun for the hobbyist photographer!
this filter is not bad. i is a strong neutral density filter that fits on a 58mm lens.there is not much to say about it. its good. good price. good look.i got this filter because i am trying to take pictures of the sunset and I want to see the outline of the red circle of the sun. this filter will not do that by it's self and I stacked all the filters I have on to my camera (including this new one) and still didn't achieve my goal. but if i get half a dozen of these things i think that would do it.
Ever seen those photos of rivers and waterfalls where the water is all blurred and misty?  This filter can help you achieve that and other effects.  It drastically cuts down the light passing through your lens, forcing slower shutter speeds that will give the blur effect.This is the strongest ND filter, you may want to look at the 0.6 or 0.3 for a less noticable effect.  Also, be prepared to use a tripod.  This filter will easily push your shutter speed into multiple seconds, so you'd have to have one.
I don't know how I've done amateur photography and a few paid gigs in the past 4 years, and I never knew that this filter is what you need for a blurred water effect. It's like every pro wants to hide the basics as secrets. Anyways, this will allow you to set your shutter speed to 1/4 and less in daylight so you can do the blurred water effect. It was either this or spend $90 at my local shop for a variable density filter, and this has worked out fine. Why spend more
The Neutral Density filter is really nice it is not as dark as I expected but there are more darker filters depends on what you want to do with it
This has been a quality product.  I have been very happy with the lens filter so far.  This filter is recommended.
One filter will reduce enough light for you to open up the aperture bigger while allowing some motion blurs under a bright sun.Two filters stacked will reduce the exposure to anywhere from 3 seconds to 20 seconds shooting waterfalls, waves and streets under a bright sun. Pointing at the sky, the exposure goes down to a second or less, so basically you can't blur the clouds motion in daylight.One note though, stacking filters might create black vignetting at the corners on some wide-angle lenses. It works fine at 18mm with the Canon 18-55mm kit lens.
A must use in today's DSLRs filming, if you need to shoot at a 2.8 stop or less, using an ND 9 is a must.  I would recommend this one  highly.
This is quite a well made filter for the price.  Works great on my Pentax K-r and K-01 cameras.  I also have a Vivitar ND 0.9 in the same size.  I haven't had any major problems with the Vivitar either, but it does sometimes throw off the camera's white-balance, making images look purple.  Not a big deal, as the purple cast can be removed easily in post-processing, but for a few dollars more, this Tiffen filter avoids the white-balance issue altogether.  It is well made, and even with a lot of pixel-peeping, I can't discern any degradation in picture quality.  I can even stack both filters (this one and the Viv) for an even stronger effect.  Even with both filters stacked, you won't get nice blurry water at the beach on a sunny day.  There's just too much light.  But at dusk on the beach you can get some great shots.  For waterfalls, if you are under the canopy of trees you might get nice blurred water in the daytime, especially if it's an overcast day.  One of these days I'll treat myself to a nice 10-stop ND filter, but for now I use the Tiffen 0.9 for moderate darkening and the Tiffen and Viv together for stronger darkening.
I've enjoyed using this Tiffen filter - it's a basic filter, and does what it's supposed to do without problems or hassles.
First off, this is a Tiffen. Not the best brand out there, but good for price. It's my own fault for not knowing enough, but I thought that this would slow it down more than just three stops. My goal was to take some late daytime pictures of moving water, and this just did not cut it, at all. This may work okay, but honestly I just wished that I had the Tiffen circular polarizer instead of this, because I can't think of a use for it that I would not use a circular polarizer for. I'm probably going to buy the B+W ND 3-1000x for my goal.
It appears to be of good quality. It has a nearly flat transmission of about 10% in the range of 400 - 680nm, which means that it would not change color tone in visible spectrum to a noticeable extent. The average 10% transmission is in good agreement with its description of ND 0.9(blocking 90%). Its UV transmission is neglegible (&lt;1% at 380nm). Some cheap ND filters (such as Vivitar ND8 and Bower ND4) have large variation in transmission in visible range, only cut off light below 640-660nm and still letting lots of red end light through resulting in overly warm images. It only cost $10 more than cheap brands so it's good value and will not degrade your photos.
Good quality filter. I notice no aberration or image quality issues.  I like the predictable nature of the filter knowing that I'll get even exposure all around the image.
What can I say? It does the job. Build and optical quality are good. I am happy with this purchase.
Price was right. I shy away from cheaper filters but have had good luck with Tiffen, especially for filters I'll use occasionally. This one is great for reducing light so a slower shutter does not blow out your photo.
Really helped improve my landscape images. I would definitely recommend this for any photographer who wants to get some dynamic colours, and I am going to purchase this filter for another lens very soon.
This is a good ND filter.  This is not full 10 stop filter but does the job.  Came in OEM box but the filter had few finger prints on it - had to clean that up before the use. Fits well, light yet strong (not solid but strong) - Does the job... Took few good shots from it...
I do a lot of waterfall photography in Oregon's mountains and this filter is an absolute must to get quality photos.
Not sure why I chose this one, now that a variable filter is available, but it will still likely get some use.  I can't carry my camera bag as it is.
I used this on a Nikon D5000 with a Tamron 10-24mm lens.  the wide angle lens was perfect for a water picture.  When I did not use the filter the water looked choppy.  Now it is smooth
If your aperture is already at the max of usually 22, and you still want a slightly longer exposure time to show the motion of the leaves or such, this works. I got a set of ND's from different manufacturers up to a factor of 1000. Very useful tools for the artistic photographer.
I paid $16.99 for this filter, and I have also ordered several other of their filters.  They get the job done, but they arrive in TERRIBLE condition.  This particular item's case opened during shipping and this added a couple little scratches to it.  They always come covered in dust and somtimes small smudges -- not what you expect from a new product.  However, a compressed air to blow off the dust and 100% ethanol with lens paper cleans them up nicely.
for bright sun! We don't have much cloud cover here so it's a perfect filter to help with that. It's always sunny here!
This is an excellent product. It was exactly what I was expecting. Removes 3 stops of light just like they said. So I can now get wide open aperture in bright sun with my 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens.
Someone told me (A film student of all things) that these filters would not fit on any prime lens. They were sadly mistaken. This worked out great on my Rokinon 35mm T1.5 lens. If you are in need of a ND filter for this type of lens you will not be disappointed in this. Works great, fast shipping, and no problems with the filter so far.11/13/2013Purchased a 72mm ND filter also from Tiffen. Again works great! I can't really speak to so called "Higher End" ND Filters as I have never seen the need to spend extra money. This does exactly what I need it to do. Bought the 72mm for the 85mm Rokinon T1.5.
This is a great filter and for the money it is hard to beat. I have the 77mm version of this filter and use it all the time. I bought this for my Nikon 35mm f/2D lens. I haven't noticed any lost in sharpness with this filter. It does add a brownish/blue tint to the image but it can be easily fixed in photoshoop.
I bought this product last year to use in long exposure photography during daylight hours.  My negative review of this product is not in relation to the amount of light it reduces, it does that just fine and as advertised, but more in the quality of images that can be taken with this filter over the lens.  To put it bluntly, it sucks.  The clarity goes WAY down and the contrast goes way down.On the plus side, it does fit my 67mm lens perfectly and comes with a nice case with which to carry it in.  That said, the nice case it came with is where it will stay from now until the end of time.If you are after taking some nice long exposure shots in the day, look elsewhere.  If you are a soccer mom dSLR owner, then this is your ND filter.
Was not able to get enough effect to be able to reduce shutter speed as much as I would have liked.
Great quality, but I need more ND filters to make it useful so I bought a variable ND filter made by Tiffen, which serves me very well.
Excellent filter. Packaged in a nice hard case, it was clean and ready to use. I use this filter for sunsets to get whisper clouds (long exposure) and for waterfalls. Performed as expected.
Yes this is a lovely produce for the price. Good solid piece of glass and ring. But one that disappointed me to give 1 star less. Quality Control for this product is awful. When I took it off from the box it had lot of dust and smudges. Seeing that I couldn't believe this is &#34;Made in USA&#34;. That was rather disappointing though after using a micro fiber cloth it was good. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a decent pocket friendly ND filter. I use it for my 24-85mm kit lens of Nikon D600 to get good smooth water surface. But note this is not ideal for getting slow shutter to capture smooth water fall/flow since it's only ND 8. But ideal to shoot good depth of field during bright light. Please Tiffen improve your quality control
At this price point, you get what you pay for and this filter does its job.  If you have spent good money on your glass, though, go ahead and spend good money on a filter and get a higher quality one.
It's cheap, but it works. Knocks exposure down 3 stops like promised. The only complaint I have about the filter is that the threads seem a little off - I've managed to drop it in the snow a few times because I thought it was seated in the thread on my lens and it wasn't.The filter arrived in decent shape (just a little dust), and with a quick clean it was ready to go. If you don't want to spend much on an ND filter, this is the one for you. Don't expect perfect optical quality, but it's very functional.
This lens ads so much to my images . It was recommended by a fellow pho graphed and I am so glad I have it
As described & on time, a Tiffen 58mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter in original factory packaging. Just what I expected.
Meets all required functions.  Skys are much better.  Colors crisper.  A good lens attathment.Solid construstion and does not flop around.  Easy to mount and unmount
I think I just had bad luck, but my filter arrived with very loose glass that rattled when you shook it.  It was close to falling out so I had to return it.  Sounds like this is not common from the other reviews, however.
While not the strongest Nd filter out there, it offers (for my needs) the perfect amount of power.  I'm very big on landscape and waterscape photography and this allows me to take the photos I want in just about all of the conditions imaginable.  Some have stated that they can't get wispy waterfalls during the day and please allow me to correct them, yes you can and I will upload photo examples if someone would like to see them.  I've shot with this filter in all conditions, ranging from full sun to cloudy skys and it's terrific!  Again, you do not have to wait for sunset!The Filter is high quality, easy to screw on and off and it drastically cuts down the light passing through your lens allowing you to take some beautiful shots.
This was what I ordered, but I guess that it wasn't really what I was looking for. It really doesn't make all that much of a difference. It will let you increase the exposure by a little bit, but it won't be a huge difference. I was hoping to make rough surf look like fog with, like, a 30 second exposure, but, even on an overcast day, iso 100, f/22, and this filter, I could only go a second or two.Consider buying a more powerful filter, especially if you want to take long exposures on sunny days.Oh, and it's really hard to look through the viewfinder with one of these on. You're almost blind when you're using one of these, so there will be a lot of guess-and check.I would really recommend some strong, stackable square filters instead. They're a lot more useful. Look into it. That's what I'm going to buy next.[...]
Beautifully made.  Works as described.  Will likely have to look for others slightly less tinted as this is quite powerful for cutting light.
I'm an amateur photographer and thought this was great for the price. Had a tiny scratch near the edge. Was just small enough for me to not want to deal with returning it. My dad, who is much more experienced than I am, tells me that it's a decent filter, though he notes that there are much better ones on the market (albeit for a higher price).
I do a lot of landscape photography and ND filters are invaluable for photographing waterfalls, winter scenes and many other views.
It is a three stop filter, it works. It is for very bright days and using higher shutter speeds, while leaving the iso at a low level. It does not change the color of your pictures, wit just darkens them. If you want to get that sunglasses look, you need a CPL.
Bought this for daytime shutter dragging and love the results! Def a need to have for those super bright days and to drag your shutter enough for cool effects.
I bought this for video work. I find that a lot of the issues some other people point out for this is easily adjustable on post.Starting a photography hobby? Get this. Experience how to use these tools, don't get caught up with IQ and exercise your technical ability, composition.Buy expensive alternatives that will save you post-processing time when you start making $$$ on this hobby.
A fine filter for the money. A little tricky attaching to camera lens due to the fine threads,but what filter isn't.Somewhat hard to view through the viewfinder at times as it sometimes appears awful dark to compose. I bought it for slow exposure waterfall shots and it really cuts the brighteness of the sunlit water. A good buy.
This filter allows me to take long exposure shots without over exposing.  Produces clear images with no noticeable color change.
Excellent value, quality build - would buy again! I didn't expect this thing to be any less than a complete POS and I'm very excited by it actually being fantastic quality. This is way better than being told by a local camera shop that these filters cost $80!
I purchased this filter for a Photography final project I was doing involving the use of very slow shutter speeds.  I needed it to help me be able to shoot at super slow speeds while the sun was still out (evening).  It helped me out a lot and I have no issues with the quality of it.
Not bad for an inexpensive filter. This is the filter you want if you're looking to get the long-exposure shots of water etc. in daylight.
Not an expensive piece of glass; but works just fine for imaging at slow shutter speeds. No problems with image degradaion due to the lack of expensive filter coatings. A fine value for the money spent.
This is not blocking as much light as I had hoped.  I want to be able to leave the shutter open for longer periods for moving water, etc.  I can hardly tell a difference with this.  I am going to have to get a stronger filter.
Good lens filter, that does about 3-stops down. Makes it much easier for adding motion blur and blur to a waterfall and water.
It's doing the job, however It's a little bit thick, because when I attach another filter over it, I start noticing some vignetting on the edges of the frame (At 11mm f/2.8). So it's better to use it alone if your lens is ultra wide.
this product is not even worth a star, first it's not a 9 stop like they said, it is a big huge lie. DO NOT BUY EVEN IF IT FOR $1
Good filter at a good price. Better than many of the cheap imports and made in the USA. Good value and very good performance.
Using this linear polarizer together with a circular polarizer (same brand) to create a -2EV variable neutral density filter. The camera can focus through them if the circular is mounted first. Works fine and the threads are of good fit and quality.
I have both this and a circular polarizing filter.  And both appear to work fine with my D60 even with auto focus and setting it to an automated (child or sports for example) setting.  I might be missing something, but the photos look great with both filters.
I bought 3 identical linear polarizers. I was expecting polarizers which would let pass almost no light when turned 90 from one another, because I wanted to perform the impressive experiment where one introduces a third polarizer between the first two, and gets back some light: the "home experiment" demonstrating a quantum mechanics effect.  But a pair turned at 90 created only a slight shadow. So I returned the three polarizers.
This filter does not work like a lineal polarizer, it is more like a circular polarizer. I compared this product with my Sunpak circular polarizer in front of my laptop screen and the Sunpak turned completely black the screen, and the Tiffen &#34;lineal&#34; polarizer only turned the screen into a blueish hue, didn't turn it completely black as it should have. A lineal polarizer is supposed to polarize more than a circular polarizer, due to the way the light travels thru the filter. It is obvious that this is NOT a lineal polarizer, tha'ts why I gave this product 2 stars, I should have given it 1 star but it works like a paperweight.DONT BUY THIS UNLESS YOU WANT A SOFT POLARIZER. NOT WHAT I WANTED.
I live in a very dusty area and these are great to keep my lenses protected. The polarizing functions work well when I remember to rotate the lens filter. Most of the time I forget, unless I am shooting into water, which I don't do much. Most of my pictures are taken at night and the filters do not seem to block enough light to make a difference in my pictures. Solid quality glass.
This is a Tiffen product at a greatly reduced price.  There us no need to say more.
Seems good.  Does what it is supposed to.  And did not fall apart like a Hoya I had bought.
The product was received promptly and in great condition.  It was easy to install on the lens and it's fit and finish were great.  The pictures on my digital camera improved tremendously during daylight hours and I'm very pleased with the results.
I bought this to construct a variable neutral density filter in combination with a circular polarizer.  It turns out that the polarization ratio of this filter is only about 20:1, which is significantly less than the cheap CPL I was going to pair it with.  While this is OK for uses against clouds and reflections, it means the for a neutral density filter you can only get down about 4 stops.In terms of build quality it is fine.  It would be nice if the ring were a bit narrower, as it vignettes slightly at 18mm on an APS-C camera.
I got this polarizer filter thinking it did the same thing as a circular polarizer but it's not the same. It's a LINEAR polarizer as opposed to a CIRCULAR polarizer. If you have a DSLR, get a CIRCULAR polarizer. A LINEAR polarizer won't be able to meter or autofocus correctly. I didn't know this when I bought it and it didn't say anything about it in the product description. It didn't work on my Nikon D7000, so I returned it.If you're shooting film, I'm sure this could be a nice filter.
Along with the same size Tiffen circular polarizer I have a  great performing variable neutral density filter.  These Tiffen filter are a great value and performers.  No need to use cheapo ones or unreasonably priced filters.  The thread feels exact and they do what they are supposed to do.
Tiffen offers better than average quality at a decent price. This is no exception. This same filter would have cost me twice as much if I bought it at a local store.
This is a very well made filter. Glass with metal ring.Thin, so it doesn't cause to much of a problem with vignetting when shooting with your zoom lens at wide angle settings.Overall I am very satisfied. Great value for a well made filter. This IS a circulating polorizing filter. Does a great job at capturing those blue skies and filtering out reflections in water, glass and uv rays. No photographer should be without this lens.
Tiffen quality is always good.  This filter does a beautiful job.  Rotates smoothly and I'm sure will last for years to come.
For me, the principal consideration in a polarizer filter is the overall tone, tiffen offers a very neutral tone, very close to the high quality hoya filters, but half or less in price. The assembly maybe has a cheap feel because their uses a non very polished aluminium frame painted (or coated/anodized?) in black, and the treads are non perfect also, but in the optical im very happy with the results, glass, perfect effect (some polarizers doesn't do their job almost at all) and a very neutral tone to keep colors like the original scene. Sorry about my bad english, my mother tongue is spanish.
The polarizer works jut fine. The thing I don't like about it is that there is not a lot of depth to hold my lens cap on It's barely holding on!
Excellent small polarizer for my smaller cameras.  Tiffen quality in a smaller package.  Handy for blue skies and other creative shots.
Just make sure it's the right size.  Also for indoor shots this is obviously darker but on outside shots it helps a lot! This is a must for any photographer that shoots outside.
The feature I like about this filter is the mount is slightly larger than the exterior ring, makes adjustment not only easier but stays in place unlike older polarizers with the adjustment handle.
Bought this for our DSLR. Now we can take pictures of things behind glass with little or no reflection in photo.
Stacking two polarizers, and rotating one, should at a certain angle lead to no light getting through, black, dark, nothing. Not so with this one, it's very weak in this regard. This might be fine for landscape photography, but in many applications a very strong elimination of reflections is desired. If this filter is weak, why don't they say so in the tech specs? I bought some better polarizers, and much more expensive ones, which actually do what they are supposed to, total black when stacked and turned in a specific angle to each other.
Works as a linear polarizing filter should. I'll need to get myself a couple more to fit my other lenses.
This is a linear polarizer, as opposed to a circular polarizer that people usually buy for SLRs, so this is somewhat of a specialized review.I wanted a linear polarizer since by stacking two and rotating them relative to each other, you can block some or all of the light transmitted, like a variable neutral density filter. With good polarizers, this works great. When the filters are at 90 degrees to each other, no light is transmitted at all. But with these Tiffens, very little light was blocked when crossing them at 90 degrees. Bottom line: the polarization ratio of these filters is very weak, meaning that these polarize light only a little bit. See similar comments about the 77 mm Tiffens.
Was recommended this for my Canon EOS-M 22mm pancake lens and it fits just right. Pretty low profile and no problems using the stock lens cover on it. Works great!
It reduces polarization as it should and rotates freely for you to adjust the amount of filtration. Just as advertised. Doesn't come with a carrying pouch or anything, you'll need that, and probably some cleaning wipes to clean off dust and particles after taking out of the package. I do wish there was a little bit more tension in the rotating ring, but it's not too bad.
Amazon's product description is misleading.  While this may be a great filter for B&W film photography, I would not recommend it for color pictures or for digital photography.  Effects on B&W digital pictures are not as dramatic as the manufacturer claims.  No mention is made that the filter may not produce the same effects on digital pics, so perhaps it doesn't work as well as claimed for film, either. And it does not produce good results with color pictures at all, unless your intent is for the colors in your picture to show up as many different shades of red.  Might be a good product, but be careful what you intend to use it for.
When I first got this I noticed a bunch of swirl marks on it that I wasn't able to get off.  I ended up sending it back for a replacement but the replacement had the same issue.  What I did next made the whole difference to the poor reviews seen on this.  I contacted Tiffen, they had me send it to them at which they sent me a new one without defect.  The guy I talked to told me this happens when the lenses get too hot such as being stuck in a shipping container in very hot conditions.  It is wrong for the guy to sell these defective items but at least if you get a bad one definitely contact Tiffen as they will help you.
This 67mm filter is supposed to fit on my Sigma 35mm lens, which, according to the specs is 67mm.....but it didn't sit on properly, had to use good old duct tape to stick it on.  Otherwise it works as a red filter just fine.
Both times the filter was delaminated around the ring do not buy this product it is defective.  Amazon returns was stellar as usual.
Works just fine.  Good fit and finish.  Have used Tiffen for many years and the quality is still there.  Can't go wrong.
I actually was not buying it for a camera, but for my son's science fair project where he used it as a red filter to help him identify the existence of red in color blindness testing. It is a strong filter for this, but works great.
The research I conducted before my purchase showed that Tiffen was a brand one can rely on. A trusted name in its' field.
Havn't had occasion to use it yet . But no way I want be happy with it . A red filter has some amazing effect on black and white photos .
I had initially bought this for infra-red photography, but I use this filter all the time for regular black & white photography with excellent results. It really enhances your image if it contains blue sky and/or clouds. Another plus: it comes in a nice, sturdy carrying case, which is very handy.
I'm a professional, certified photographer.  This filter was defective.  Two, large and bad spots on it.  At first I thought it just needed cleaning.  But that wasn't the case.  I own over a dozen Tiffen filters.  Love them.  I was insulted that whomever packed this, either didn't check it by holding it up to the light; or didn't check it at all.  Now I have the inconvenience of having to return it.  Which is a huge pain in the A**.
I use this to enhance the contrast of Black and White photographs. It has nice results when there are interesting cloud formations in the sky. Orange, green and yellow may also be used, but I find the red most effective and don't like carrying a lot of filters with me. It's inexpensive, and if you like monochrome photography, it belongs in your camera bag. If you visit the websites of any of the major filter makers, they generally show a with/without comparison of all their filters.
I usually use a yellow 8 for most anything b&w but when the situation arises I'll put this on. Works well and can darken the sky.
Although I've long used Tiffen filters, I had to return this one I bought from Amazon as it was delivered to me in a defective condition; the lens was discolored all around the mounting ring, possibly even separated.
I've had to send this back twice now.  There are bubbles between the layers of glass and the filter element.  Aside from the bubbles, the unit looks fine and much like my other Tiffen filters.  My guess is this is a bad batch, but be careful to inspect the item.
This red filter is great to emphasize clouds and for landscapes in general, (only in B & W). In the old days of Black & White photography, this filter was a must-have for any competent photographer.
It is a basic filter that works pretty well with my DSLR. Different than film, however. Good quality.
I use this filter for Black and White photograpy on my Nikon N2000. It does exactly what a Red 25 filter should. I also use it with Ilford SFX 200 film with good results.
The filters I ordered arrived together-this and and Hoya UV.  Very nice filters, go onto lens smoothly and with very vivid results!  Shipping was very fast and arrived a few days earlier than predicted.  Excellent prices on both lenses, a great buy!!!  Only downfall I would mention is that they were shipped in a bubble envelope and the Red Tiffen filter had a huge crack on the case.  I was worried it meant that the filter was damaged, but fortunately it wasn't.
This filter is primarily for b/w photography, although you could use it for color with a rather obvious and unusual effect.The lens works by filtering some of the blue from your photo.  This means that for cloudy sky, and some vegetation and architecture shots you will see greater contrast.  There are more or less intense red filters available depending on the degree of effect you want.
These folks have been making camera filters since someone said, "hey, the ends of these camera lenses are threaded, Irving hand me your spectacles."  Seriously, you can't go wrong with Tiffen filters, and if you are still using black and white film it's a great way to get good contrast.  I know, all you Photoshop geeks are rolling your eyes and thinking,  "old school bozos!"  I don't care, they still work great.
I love red filters.  This was well priced and perfect.
A must have for any B&W; photographer &#937;&#8230;Let's hope that it work for digital b&w; photography on cameras that shot in B
Does what it is asked to do, protect the front element of your lens. besides who has time for lens paper when an all cotton t-shirt is handy! seriously folks you must use a filter for any lens and a sky or haze does the trick.the t-shirt reference was that it is cheaper to buy a new filter than a new lens!
Really smart investment to make, since this protects your expensive lenses. This should be the first accessory you buy for your DSLR.
Do not see any problems with the image when I took the pictures with the camera and no distortions on the picture
Purchased this to protect my lenses, it works great for protection, however I am not a pro photographer to comment on the image degradation but I am happy with the image for my indoor and outdoor shots.
Tiffen filters are usually of the highest quality so I was quite unhappy when I received the filter that I was sent. The glass was not fabricated large enough and slips around in the frame-ring.  A close examination shows that the filter glass does not completely fill the inside opening of the frame-ring.  The price for this handy filter was really very good, so I do hope (and expect) that the replacement will not have this defect, as again Tiffen is and has been a leader in lens filters and the others I own are quite perfect.
For under $10 (not counting shipping), this is a good 'protector' for the lens. Have taken pictures with and without the lens and can't see any difference in the pictures even during the daylight where it's supposed to mitigatae the bluish tinge. So, if it does nothing else but protect the lens from harm, it's worth it just for that.
used sky 1-a on my 20mm wide angle for years. it rely brings out the blue sky without changing other colors. not to mention great protection. I never take it off  my lenses.
received it quickly and works great to protect my lens.  Highly recommended the product.  I used it on my Canon t4I 18-135mm lens
There's not much to say about this. Most people buy skylight filters to protect their lens optics from damage, and this filter does a fine job of that.
I bought this filter to keep my Nikon 35mm prime lens from getting scratched up. It does make my photos *slightly* warmer, making the sky a better, vivid blue. I noticed no distortion, except for slight lens flare in bright sunlight. Using a lens hood helps to eliminate that in most scenarios. Highly recommended for those looking for a good quality filter on a budget.
I was lead to believe this filter was multi-coated, probably from Amazon giving me similar results in my search.  It's quite obviously not.  For a casual photographer, they probably wouldn't care, but such filters will cause ghosting and reflective flares.
Very good filter allowing protection of your expensive lens and does not affect the light coming into the lens adversely. I would buy again.
I like the filter, mainly because it helps protect my lens from any danger or breaking or being scratched.Would definitely recommend people to buy one.
Tiffen is, I find, an old and reliable purveyor of optical products that has earned a reputation for quality. In this era of outsourcing this filter is made in the U.S.A. and provides it's designated filtering aspect as well as keeping the camera lens clean and a bit safer from accidental impacts during transport in the field. Good product, well made and at a fair price.
I was lured by the price. It is definitely worth buying at that price. The rest is up to the optical taste of the photographer.
It really helps to make the sky look better and not washed out. A good product for the money .
Tiffen makes some of the best filters.  This one is no exception.  It fits perfectly for the size indicated and produces crystal clear photos enhanced by what the filter says it will do. Excellent color comes through on all your pictures with this filter. I am VERY happy with this purchase!
Filter is ultra clear and very cost effective. Recommended....always protect your lens...as it is the gateway to every perfect photo.
Long ago learned that a 1-A is farcheaper than a scratched lens..... so I have 1-A on all lenses..so my lenses last a long time.
I have been using Tiffen filters for more than 20 years. They are reliable and their customer service is superb!
The effect on my pictures is negligible -- hardly a difference, if any. Bought it to protect the lens, though -- and it does do that. I've found it impossible to COMPLETELY clean up this baby -- which was, relatively speaking, very dirty when I got it. In fact, I thought it was all scratched up, but most of the stuff came off -- with a lot of effort and time. At the same time, I bought a dollar-something generic filter to have as a back up -- it fully cleaned up in no time. Seems crisper to the naked eye. But, spooked by the price, I'm leaving that as the back up. Though it does look better. It's a Japan made UV filter. This one is a US made sky1 -- for what it's worth.
I bought it mainly for lens protection.Does not affect color negatively.You can't go wrong with the brand name and the great price.
This is what I use on all my cameras. It not only protects my lenses but also really cuts the UV.
If you want a basic filter to provide service & also protect the lens, the skylight filter is ideal choice.
PRO- Adds a potentially reasonable amount of protection.CONS- So does an expired condom. It doesn't matter how well this protects the lens' surface if you can't actually take good images with it attached. If that wasn't the case, why would anyone by something other than a lens cap?SUMMARY:You get what you pay for, and maybe even a little less.RATING BREAKDOWN:- Good protection at a great price, which is job one for a UV filter: 5 Stars- Super-ultra-spectacularly crappy glare control: -4 Stars- Allowed me to work an expired condom reference into a review in a context-appropriate manner: +1 StarTHE REVIEW:This is an inexpensive filter that's also cheap. The glass is stable and mounted securely to the metal ring, so I'm sure it will do the most important job a UV filter can do: protect the lens from incidental scratches and light impacts.However, in terms of optical quality, this filter sucks. Part of the problem is the 67mm barrel. The other part of the problem is the cheap optical coating. It doesn't reduce glare;It enhances it.This isn't very noticeable until shooting into direct light in low-light... such as shooting people in front of things like Christmas trees. The light goes in the filter, hits the lens, bounces off the treated layer, hits the backside of the filter and stays there. Whatever specks of light you have out in front will stay there as ghosted &#34;lightows&#34; (I couldn't think of the technical word, so I figured a lightow is like like a shadow, only with lights instead of shade).As a base layer of protection: excellent. As an addition that will lend itself to any quality other than detrimental: excellent.
Purchased product to protect Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens. Seems to be a quality filter.
A UV filter is a UV filter.  If you own a crop camera then why pay good money for great glass?  You have already shorted yourself on the camera so there is no need to pay big money for a great piece of glass as a filter.  Go big or go home!
I've purchased many filters made by Tiffen and I've only had an issue with one of my CP filters which did have too many ghosts. Out of all their filters I enjoy the Sky 1-A the most. I use them mainly for portraiture or candids, and mainly outdoor. Indoors I usually switch to a UV simply for protection. For the price you can't beat these filters. For 20 or 30 more sure you can probably find heavier duty glass. I also own some higher end filters, but that isn't always necessary.
covers and protects your lens, its good quality and does what it is supposed to.  Great price compared to others!
Tiffen is the best.  Combine the 1A with the 2A at the same time to photograph fluorescent minerals.
Started shooting right after received the lens tonight.  Tried to shoot at the light bulb and could see the flaring.  Took off the glass, shooting the same object, flare was gone.  Tried different light bulbs and results were same.  Too bad.  So I guess it maybe same results with day time into the sun?I were paring with Canon 50mm f/1.8mm.  Not sure if I want to keep it.  For protection, it's the one but the flare really bothers me.
This was a good choice for my lenses.  It will protect the front element of the lens as well as filter.
Fast shipping!!! Fits well, clean and clear and provides mild polarization. I was worried about it being too dark. Just what I wanted!
Awesome skylight filter to protect the lens on my wife's D5000.  Nice machining and fits snugly.  Nice neutral lens filter.
The filter is awesome.  Tiffen makes great filters and this one comes at a great price.  It is a great addition.
I purchased this filter for the sole reason of protecting an expensive lens. I can wipe dust and fingerprints off of it easily without worrying about scratching my lens.I use lens paper to clean the lens, and have never had issues with scratching.
Perfect fit on my Fuji X-100s. The jury is still out on the quality of the glass though. I'm using it as an adapter for the EzFoto 49mm Black Filter Adapter Ring and Metal Lens Hood. They play well together.
Protects your lens from scratches without altering the image as it's intended to do, at a reasonable price to boot. You should have one of these on every lens you own, just be sure to get the right size. Much cheaper to replace a sky filter than a scratched lens.
This filter does what I expected. It provides some filtering but mainly acts as a main lens protector.It has excellent optical qualities and is at a very good price.
I bought this filter and when I received it, there was a little silver point in the glass of the filter. Not usable. Amazon, quickly refund my money, but I'm without a protection filter for my nikon 50mm 1.4G. I think Tiffen never presents this type of problem. I live in Brazil and here is too difficult to buy these accessories.
I use a Sky filter on every lens I own.  One of my more expensive lens, in its case, fell off the shelf, causing a crack in the filter lens.  It was much easier to replace the filter than it would have been to have the glass replaced in the lens.
Great protection and filter for my lens. It's perfect to avoid your lens being scratched accidentally. Currently using this item on my T2i, and I like it a lot.
I bought this filter to use as a protective cover for one of my lenses.What i liked about it, is that it was inexpensive at $5, and was made by Tiffen. Also it looks pretty neutral to the lens ability to take pictures. I did not see any difference between the pictures with or without it (which is what i needed).The reason for the 3 star rating is that this filter came dirty with a whitish haze on the glass. I was able to wipe it somewhat but not completely. I do not know if this is poor Tiffen quality control or if Amazon.com has slipped me a return, but in any case, in my opinion degrades the overall desirability of this product.
I still shoot B&W film with my Nikon F cameras.  Yellow along with green and red are standard filters for B&W analogue shooters.  This will be used on my RB67.  The yellow is a good general purpose filter for B&W for darkening blue skies and for skin tones.
The filter I received (62mm 8 filter) is in acceptable condition, but it's definitely NOT a new product. The plastic case is scuffed, and the filter itself was dirty until I cleaned it. There are no visible scratches or blemishes on the glass itself, but on the ring there is a slight blemish in the paint (or powder coating or whatever it is).I'm not going to return it, because that would be a pain in the rear, but I'll definitely be wary of purchasing filters and camera products from Amazon again.
CC20Y = 20 Color Correction units.  Often used to make color corrections to transparency film, that comes out Blue after being processed. Can be used separately or with other warming filters to improve shin tones on people, as ,most people look pasty white when photographed.  Another use for CC20Y is with black and white film.  For example, if the subject being photographed is yellow, when using the correction filter, the yellow portion in the image will be slightly lighter or less muddy looking.
Tiffen is made in the USA! Good stuff. Purists may disagree! For the Pix I take it's plenty good enough. Just right for enhancing some black and white shots I wanted.
Have this or my red 25 on when shooting b&w, depends on the situation. Most of the time the situation calls for this Yellow 8 and I love using it. Works well in general b&w shooting, like it better than not having a filter on.
I discovered the joys of photoshop and so these colored filters have been relegated to the shame of obsolescence.I have had no issues with the tiffen filters not being glass however.
This graduated neutral density filter has transformed many of my outdoor photos to near postcard quality. I'm very pleased with the results!
This GND filter works well to very well on a partially cloudy day in an open scene or by the sea.It meets my expectations and I strongly recommend it.
Not a bad product at all, but make sure you know what you're getting. I had one major concern about the design of this filter that I did not think would be such a big deal until I started using it. Since this screws onto the front of your lens the center of the gradient is always fixed in the center. It's nice that it rotates but can cause serious composition problems. Even at wide-angles I was finding myself cutting off important parts of my landscape shots so that the horizon was centered (which is usually not the greatest way to compose a shot). Eventually I got so tired of dealing with it that I put the filter away and never used it again.
This is a great filter to bring out birght skyies and prevent them from washing out. Used It on recent trip and some of the photos were great.
My boyfriend has a Carl Zeiss Lens, and he shoots video. He opened his Xmas gift and said that Tiffen is great quality filters and that he is really happy with it. The shipping was fast and punctual :) I highly recommend the seller and the product!
Well built filter that arrived on time. I recently used it shooting a nice sunset at Point Lobos State Park CA. Definitely helped with foreground exposure. I would recommend it.
This filter threads on easily to my lenses.  The Tiffen filters can be turned much easier than B+W filters.  It feels like the same mechanical quality as my high end Nikon polarized filter.  The resulting images are very natural and free of distortion or discolouring.
I purchased this for use on my Sony NEX camera and it worked like a charm!  I shoot primarily in RAW, which means that I can typically pull a lot of detail out of the shadows and end up with an image with an HDR look without multiple exposures.  Even though shooting in RAW increases your ability to take advantage of your cameras dynamic range, your scene may still exceed it during sunrises and sunsets or really any shot where there is a large dynamic range.While software like Lightroom can help balance out your image by opening up shadows and bringing down the highlights, it cant balance out what's not there.  What might not be there are your highlights if you are not using this filter.  If you are unfamiliar with the term "blown out highlights" its when the high end of the exposure is out of the dynamic range and you have no information at all... it will basically remain a white area regardless of how much you try to adjust it.  This filter will help pull down the exposure of the brighter areas so you can at least get all the information.  If its not too drastic, then your image may be ready to go out of the box.  If not, at least you'll have something to work with when it comes time to work on it in post.  Worth the price if you want a better chance of capturing those dramatic scenes!The only disadvantage is that the graduation is fixed, so you lose some flexibility, but its much more convenient and cost effective to carry this as opposed to a set of plates and a mounting set like theCokin H250 P-Series ND Grad Kit.  That being said, if you need multiple sizes or want to consider stacking (ND + Graduated ND), then you might want to consider the plate system.  I have heard good things about theFormatt-Hitech 0.9 (3 Stops)filter.
Had this filter a little over a month now, and mainly use it for landscape shots. Images that are produced while using it seem to be clear and crisp with no distortion that I can see. Item arrived promptly, and was packaged with care. There were no visible scuffs or scratches on the filter. I guess Tiffen lived up to their name again! I would highly recommend this product!
This filter is used to balance the brighter areas of your picture to the darker ones, e.g. lighter sky with a darker landscape. It works well with digital because although you can't place the line of density anywhere (it's fixed in the middle but can be rotated), you can later crop in you're editing to get the desired composition. Filter is glass and better than Cokin which is plastic and scratches easily. Cokin filter holder has the advantage of complete adjustability because you slide the filter in and out as well as rotate it. By the way .6 ND is equal to one stop of light, something Tiffen doesn't explain in their marketing materials. They also have half stop, two stop and three stop grad NDs. There are high quality glass filters made for the Cokin system, but they cost 2x or more than the Tiffen.
I like it so far.Just FYI... Tiffen (unlike most other brands) named this a &#34;color graduated neutral density filter&#34; as it is part of their &#34;color graduated filter line&#34;.  It has no color-cast.  It seemed to work very well at a neutral darkening to the half of the filter.  I've used some other Grad/ND filters which have given a somewhat magenta cast.  This one DOES NOT and seems to be well suited to help with a washed out sky or other typical similar use.
I have wanted one of these filters ever since I subscribed to Outdoor Photographer magazine. I made sure to add this to my list as soon as I bought my camera and I love having this thing around, it is very easy to hide the line between the ND and clear part of the filter because it is so soft. I have even used this for taking landscape shots of mountains and you really can't tell where the line is. I recommend this to anyone who wants to take a picture of the horizon, everyone should have one.
The Tiffen filter is quality made.  And is really nice for doing beach shots where the sky or the water sometimes gets overexposed or blown out when trying to get the perfect mix of sky and water detail.Highly recommended.
This was a Christmas gift for my husband and he states that it performs exactly as advertised and as he expected to. It is a great addition to his hobby.
I love this filter, It is so handy i had used 40 times on many of my great photo. I love not having to go and adjust exposer composition all the time. I many use it on sunny day land scape photos so i can see the grass and sky at the same levels.
i had wanted to try a graduated ND filter but I didn't want to try it with a high priced filter.  I ordered this one and have used it many times.  i will be buying one of the more expensive ones next but for what i wanted to try it worked perfectly.
This does what it is meant to do.  The graduated piece turns smoothly.  I tested it on my D800E and Nikon 70-200.  I admit I was surprised how much better the shot of the mountain range looked with this on my lens.I would buy another if this one broke
This filter is of good quality and is worth the price.  If you only have one ND filter, it should be one like this.  The glass is clear and the threads are clean.  Worth the price.
I was a little hesitant when I read all the reviews about the graduation being noticeable on the filter.  Yes, you can see it visually when you're looking at it off the camera.  However, there is nothing noticeable in the photos.  It does exactly what a graduated filter should do.
It does exactly what it claims. A must for all shooters who want the finesse under the harsh daylight and difficult light conditions.
Does the job of cutting a couple stops of light to one hemisphere of your frame. Has really improved my photos when shooting landscapes against a bright sky. Has a nice graduation so as not to be too noticeable in the pics. Nice quality and easy to pack around.
Not as great as I expected and not as great as the one that I had for my Pentax K-1000 lenses.  The pricing was such that I will not feel badly about replacing it with another choice.
This works well for skys, but it can cause vignetting, especially if using it without any sky showing.I'm using it on a Nikon D90 with both an 18 - 105 and a 70 - 300 lens.It's possible there are secrets to using it that I don't know.  I have only tried it on one shooting expedition.  If I use it again and like it better I'll update my review.  And if anyone has any suggestions about how to use it, I'll be glad to hear them.
A must have for any outdoor photography.  Tiffen makes great products for the money - not the most expensive filter, and not the best, but perfect for the pro-am photographer.
I've used the filter several times now, and the results are excellent!  I did the research and Tiffen consistently ranked high in customer satisfaction.  They were right.  I highly recommend this filter.
** Please note, this is the same review that I gave for the 58mm filter of the same type**These filters are very useful when there is a large difference between light and dark in a scene and the fact that it is graduated means that the effect is less noticeable at the transition because the dark fades to light(the hard stop filters don't fade and the hard edge can often be seen in the image). The outer ring of the filter rotates and allows the photographer to adjust which part of the image gets the dark side of the filter.Tiffen is a good quality company, and this is a good product. That being said, if you have the money you might want to consider this same filter made by B+W or Heliopan.
i bought this and used it on a new nikon d5200, took a couple test shots with it installed on my lens and then took a couple more pics with it off, when I compared the images I could not see any difference in the exposure on the pictures. Couldnt even tell which ones had the filter on it. It was a bright sunny day here on the gulf, and was not early morning or late evening, so i will need to try some more test pics, however my first impression is it just isnt dark enough to make a difference, either that or the new nikon adjusted to give an almost identicle exposure even though my tast shots were done in aperature priority mode all at the same aperature. Next time I will try it in full manual mode and lock in both aperature and shutter speed to make my test shots. If that helps then I will know manual setting will be the best way to go, I will update this review after my next test photos, I returned the d5200 and am waiting for delivery of the d7200, as soon as that gets here, I will re-try my test pics, and update this review.
Love my graduated ND filter.  Great for landscape photograpy. Softens the clouds and sky so they are not "blown out".  Real glass so it's durable.  My only complaint is that it is sometimes difficult to tell when the filter is level with the horizon so I took a silver marker and marked the rotating filter so that I'm confident I'm not going to have a crooked filter effect. I use it all the time with my Nikon 18-200mm with a 72-77mm step up ring.  I highly recommend it.
Have just started using and getting used to it. Really does help in not blowing out the sky in my shots. Just have to be careful where you place the dark part in the shot. I need to practice with this filter to really get what I hope .
I have never written about any filters but I would be remiss if i did not comment on the high quality and reasonable prices of Tiffen filters--I must have a dozen or more and they have been flawless, fit the camera lens perfectly, come well packaged with a great summary explaining the common uses of filters.  Also, I have purchased several times through Mel Pierce and find them to be fast and reliable with excellent customer service.
The filter came in a sturdy case and threads easily onto my lenses.  It works as I anticipated and I am happy with the filter to use in my landscape photography.
I use this filter with my Nikon kit lenses.  Works very well, but you by design, it is less graduated with the lens zoomed in.  I take it with me  every time I shoot outdoors and use it as often as my polarizer.  I just keep it in the case that it came in, but if that ever breaks I will need to find a good filter case to protect this beauty because I do plan on keeping it :)
An excellent tool for enhancing the sky in your landscapes. By being graduated (and rotating) I can put the filter right where I need the effect.
Super filter, just love the ability to tame the light.  Wish it were thinner because vignetting becomes a problem if stacked.
I trusted some of the better reviews both here and elsewhere. I felt I needed it because I love to include the Sun in my shots. Also if I encountered an unevenly lit scene then I can balance the light.Problem is that this is NOT really a Graduated filter. It is ABRUPT filter. Lower half is clear and upper half is 2-stops dark glass.Only way this will be useful is such perfect scenarios can be found where upper half is lit and lower half is dark. Problem is that only once in blue moon do you get such opportunity, otherwise in most of my shots, the horizon is NOT in the middle of the picture. Which means that a CLEAR DARK LINE CAN BE SEEN ABRUPTLY. Now many can miss it, which is why I said this is a great filter for untrained eye.I have a sick feeling it is going to take up space and weight and never really be useful. It is very hard to line up the bright and dark areas as well. It is NOT easy to see it in viewfinder so you have to guess little bit where the horizon is as your tripod is not intended to be perfectly even, but in post processing it is obvious where the dark line is.Maybe one day I will get a perfect sunset shot.....and it would be worth it.
I thought this would be more useful than it is.  It's graduated but there's still a hard stop at the end of the graduation and not an imperceptible transition.  That stop line is obvious in any shot without a continuous merger across the scene (i.e. the horizon).  It makes this of limited use for anything beyond scenery shots.The build quality is ok, the rotating ring is loser than my Hoya circular polarizer but it's not a problem.  The first time I put it on my lense it was so lock tight I thought I'd cross threaded it and had an ordeal getting it back off.
A graduated neutral density filter can be extremely useful when taking photographs. It can go a LONG way to improving photographs of a bright sky with a medium foreground. Without this if you set your camera for a properly exposed sky the foreground will be too dark and if you expose for a properly exposed foreground the sky is all washed out with no detail. With a graduated neutral density filter like this one, though, you can rotate the dark part of your filter to cover the sky and leave the clear part on the foreground. When you set your exposure for the foreground the darker neutral density top part of the filter tones down the sky so it appears properly exposed, too. It's a fantastic addition to the filters you need for a lot of outdoor photography. The 0.6 rating of this filter means the darkest part of the filter reduces the amount of light transmission by two stops. It graduates from 0.6 to clear.I'm not a photo lab or professional photographer so I didn't do a qualitative analysis of this particular filter against other graduated neutral density filters from manufacturers such as Heliopan, Cokin, Nikon, Leica, Hoya or others, so I can't say how it compares against other 0.6 graduated filters or against other graduated filters with higher or lower density. I can say, however, that I'm satisfied with the performance of this Tiffen filter. It's a glass filter which puts it a cut above plastic filters. It has a black aluminum frame which makes it sturdy and the black finish won't cast reflections or glare on the filter glass. It's not multi-coated. Multi-coated filters are recommended for digital photography because they eliminate problems with reflection and glare on the filter glass which can end up in the image and ruin the image. Apparently this is much more likely to occur with digital images than with film or slides. I haven't had any of those problems with this filter yet, though. It's easy to use and so far has produced clear nicely exposed images with my digicam for the recreational amateur photography I do. There are certainly higher priced graduated ND filters out there and if you're shooting professional photos with a high-end DSLR camera you'll probably want to choose a higher-end multi-coated filter. For recreational amateur photography, though, this filter adequately meets my needs.
Useful filter, you need something like this if you taking landscape pictures - it removes extra brightness from the sky and makes land look more bright.
Even though I'm still learning all that I can do with this filter I'm already impressed with the results I'm getting.Great filter. Shipped quick from Adorama. No regrets.
This Tiffen Grad filter is all I've expected it to be. Although mine is new it has gone through some abuse, and barring some dust and dirt on it (easily removed) I can only sing the praises of using a GND filter like this Tiffen. Your photos will have much more zing (especially skies) and I've even used it for evening and night shots. Truly amazing.
I am not a technical camera equipment person but this works great on my 58 mm lens and does what I wanted it to do.
I have always had good experiences with Tiffen filters.  I am happy with it and I would order again if I had the need.
The Tiffen Colour Graduated ND 0.6 Filter, is a recent purchase so I really don't have too much to say about it, as I have not used it yet.It appears to be well constructed, and rotates very easily when attached to my 'L' lens. Based on other Amazon.com reviews and remarks, I should expect to obtain some satisfactory results, as I do a lot of sunrise, sunset images, semi-shaded light and dark captures, as well as bright snow scenes.A quality addition to the DSLR camera gear, for a minimum expense !!
I'm always very happy with the optical quality of Tiffen filters. Why put cheap glass that may be flawed in front of your best lenses? This gradient lens offers just enough darkening in the upper half of your images to prevent loss of detail in sunlit clouds, which also allows for greater exposure in the bottom half of the image that would otherwise be too dark if you exposed properly for the sky without this filter. Like all gradient filters of its type, it's half clear and half darker - you can't adjust that. You can rotate the filter, though, so if you shooting a subject where the light and dark areas are at an angle instead of level, that is easily accommodated. Think about whether you can live with the limitations of this type of filter. If you can, the Tiffen is among the best available.
I had experienced with some other filters in the past so I had great expectations on this one. I found out that the density is somewhat mild and that because of this the results are barely noticeable.
I now wish I would have gone for the interchangeable filters with varying degrees of density.Biggest turn off to this product is that it has a tendency to get stuck on the lens.
I finally used this the other day at the beach, taking shots of the horizon (and subsequent cliffs and waves crashing against rocks) and wow... I was able to get a contrasted sky with cloud definition and still get solid detail out of the waves and rocks.  I cant wait to try this again.  If you take pictures mid day, this is a must have.
I'm still learning photography. I liked the ease of using a normal filter rather than some complex set-up.
Really was pleased with some sunset pictures I took with my nikon d5200. Fits great and you can even combine it with a polarizing filter if you wish to take out reflections and bring out a bit more colors. Easy to adjust.  A great essential to anyone that loves taking landscape photography during dusk and dawn.
...for anyone wanting to improve their photos. This pretty much eliminates that awful whited out sky often seen in landscape photos. I do a fair amount of traveling and this filter has saved many photos. (and cut down on post time in photo shop) I can't always keep to the dawn/dusk timelines when I'm with vacationing with family.
This is a review of the:Tiffen 52mm Color Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 FilterBottom-line: useless. It makes no difference for exposure. A cheap equivalent cokin works much better than this.This filter is pretty much useless. I've recently bought a cokin grad neutral density 0.6 and is much better than this useless piece of glass. It makes absolutely no difference in my pictures (while the equivalent cokin one works fine).My suggestion is: stay away from this and save your money.
I haven't had the opportunity to use this item yet. Tiffen makes good filters for photographers. It can only be used in landscape photography where you want to see richer colors and dramatic lighting in the sky. I'll give it a shot one of these days.
I live in Florida.  Lots of blue sky, sand, and GREEN stuff.  I like my blue sky, green foliage, sand shots with this ND filter.  You get good depth, lush color, and overall richness and makes selecting exposure less of a chore.
I went for this as a cheap and convenient alternative to the square GND filter that needs frame and all. The results have been disappointing as well. I hardly use it now as the situations where this is helpful is very less.If you are reasonably serious about GND filters, don't waste the 30$ in this product.
This Tiffen filter works as advertised. I use it for sunsets and sunrises and it adds a little more drama to the skys, also seems to have good clarity.
This is the first Tiffen filter I have purchased that does not stack with other filters. Also the product markings on the side of the filter does not match my other Tiffen filters. Finally there was no brochure included with the filter. All of this makes me suspicious that it is a counterfit.
Well built filter that arrived on time. I was able to get better landscape results shooting in sunlight conditions. Inexpensive way to improve your outdoor photographs.
This filter was a perfect addition to my camera accessories.  I used it while taking pictures at Glacier National park and it served well to reduce glare and bring out the true color in my digital SLR.  It's a must have if you want to prevent contrast washout.
ND filters should be standard equipment for any serious photographer. Primarily I use ND filters for use in the blazing bright mountain snow; the  perfect solution without changing colors like a CPL filter can. I have been very please with all the Tiffen filters I have purchased and never hesitate to shop Tiffen first when I'm in need of a new filter or a replacement. I know are bothered by the vignetting you can get from screw-on type ND filters but I haven't noticed this to be a problem as long as enough light is available. I fact, this filter is most useful when too much light is available. Until something happens to change my mind, I will tell everyone, "You can't go wrong with Tiffen filters."
I'm no expert in ND filters, but I'm getting some great shots with this filter. Just got back from Costa Rica and used it a lot to shoot surfers in the foreground and sunset in the background with amazing. Looks like the cover to the Endless Summer movie(s).
I love the Tiffen brand. Unfortunately I bought the wrong size, but even so, the 0,3 is very weak. My camera has even some difficulty in sense this filter. I think you'll have better results with the 0,6 and 0,9.
Never got to use it so I can not offer any input on it.  No input.  No input. No input.
Pretty decent ND filter for the price. Not much I can say about it, it's a #2 CND by another name and a staple item for just about any photographers' bag. Overall it feels sturdy and well made, and it fits my Nikon 18-105mm zoom just like should. I noticed pretty quickly it also adds neutral density so, yeah, how sweet is that?! Unfortunately this neutral density filter does not improve my car's MPG nor does it whiten my teeth. Really, Tiffen... Is that asking so much??
I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet cut it is well made and the price was right.  Very nice.
ND Filters are a great addition for videography. Many high end video consumer cameras have them built in (through software) so they are not as popular as they once were, but my preference is to make as many changes optically to the incoming light rather than using the in-camera software. For those of you that are new to Videography or Photography, a Tiffen ND 0.3 Filter is the same as a ND2 filter from other brands.* Look under the products picture 'Customer Images' to see my pictures and how I use the ND Filter on my Vado HD pocket camcorder. *
Awesome filter! I always read about Tiffen filters, so when I got my first DSLR last week, this was one of the first things i ordered and couldn't be happier. Screws on and off nicely. The filter does move around a bit in the case but that doesn't take anything away from this great filter. I will be getting all my filters from Tiffen from here on out.
The filter worked as advertised. I am a far cry from being a proffessional photographer. I came across advice from others about using these filters and I must say the results were great
As usual, the product was delivered quickly and in good condition. However, I ordered a Tiffin 3-stop neutral density filter and that is how the box was labeled. However, the filter inside the case was actually a 2-stop filter. I've decided this filter works for me, but I would have preferred the 3-stop filter. I don't know who messed up here, Amazon or Tiffin, but these kinds of errors are unacceptable!!
I like the .3, 77mm neutral density filter.  It is a good high quality filter at a reasonable price. My only concern was that when the package arrived, the filter container was not sealed, and the filter had slight smudging.  I cleaned it off and inspected it closely and did not detect any scratches.  The filter works nicely and is just what I need on those bright sunny days shooting water at the beach to slow it down just a little.
Has anyone tried this?I have a problem with a video projector that is too bright for rear projection; despite running it under Theater mode and lowering the brightness as far as the Epson S1 allows. I'm hoping that one of these filters...probably the .3 version...will cut the brightness down yet retain the colors while reducing the annoying light spot bleeding through the screen. I just have to figure out a way to hold the lens at the proper distance from the front of the projector so it doesn't interfere with the projected image. The larger filter size would be more flexible, but the trade-off is expense. I thought a 58 might work well, but I have to check what my old 35mm lens will accept. Might as well get something I could use with my film camera, and I think I remember having a 58mm wide angle lens.Update: still waiting for this item to ship, but I did end up buying a 55mm size that will also fit my wide angle SLR lens.
I do a lot of photos of people in the outdoors. I use the filter so that only the people are in focus and not the background. It works for me.
This is an ok product. For the price, it is ok but it does affect the clarity of my pics when i use it on my 50mm 1.8 prime.It is usable but I would not rate this filter highly as it affects colors and clarity. It helps in cutting down the ambient in sunlight.To summarize,  For the price , it is OK. could have been better.
As described & on time, a Tiffen 58mm Neutral Density 0.3 Filter in original factory packaging. Just what I expected.
I love your neutral greynessand the way you reduce the light raysthat strike my sensor by one stop.You screw-in and screw out, 52 mmno doubt. You are something I cannotdo without. I Adore--rama you.
Although you can buy an ND filter to decrease the depth of field, I find the decreased contrast of the filter much more obvious and desirable.  The .3 filter definitely reduces the overly contrasty look of outdoor photos.  The filtering is also so fine that there is no visible grain from the filter itself.  The only inevitable and occasional consequence is a slight reduction in color vibrancy in some shots but that is not the fault of the filter.  This is just a compromise that comes with reduced contrast sometimes depending on lighting conditions.
This Filter is amazing. If you like clouds it is a must have.  You'll get a very good filter, Made in USA, clear, crispy images for a excellent price.
I was seriously skeptical about the quality of glass and the possibility of a blue color cast. I was WRONG. I am so glad I spent the whopping $11 on this filter. I shoot Canon L quality glass, although this particular filter I put on the 50mm 1.8 lens (cheap but awesome) ... the clarity and sharpness did not suffer at all and there was absolutely no color cast. So far I've only shot using this for help in getting a shallower DOF when using my studio strobes outside. I highly recommend this filter for any strobist lovers, you can't beat the price .. next I'm getting a 82mm filter for my super wide and trying out the .9 level. This review is for the .6 ND. I plan on trying some waterfalls with it next, can't wait!!
Great filter, easy to use.  It came and the case it was in had opened, and the filter was floating around inside of the box.  The filter was not scratched or damaged in any way.  It just had a lot of dust on it.  It was easilly remidied with a quick puff of the blower.  I have gotten good results with this, it works as intended and gives me the 2 stops it advertises.  I cannot see any optical issues with the filter, so it is a great one in my book!
I bought this at the same time I bought a polarizing filter and a 0.3 ND filter.  I'm sold on Tiffen filters and they are priced competitively on Amazon.com
one of the filters that you should get.Great and does its work perfectly.the price is fair.i will buy from the manufacturer agasin and again...
I've used Tiffen filters over the years and this filter did not disappoint.  I mainly bought it for using my flash outdoors, to open up the lens 2 stops and soften the background.  The filter does wonders is this area of photography and I've had no problems with color shifts, even at the slower shutter speeds.  Extremely happy with this filter.
dont know what to say. you probably will need it a few times like a rare food spice. I wanted it to catch a reflection on windy days.
This is not great, but it is what you expect from cheap tiffen. I like it though and don't use a filter enough to consider buying again a more expensive (much better) hoya pro filter.
Not a whole lot to review, product is pretty simple. It arrived on time, is well built and works as advertised. Better results can be achieved in hard light situations. Allows for slower shutter speeds in bright conditions. I would recommend it to anyone.
This is a great filter for the price, easy to put on or remove from your lens. Great for keeping glare out of your lens and camera. Used it on my trip to the Grand Canyon and it remove most if not all the haze that was over the canyon from my pictures.
I have a Canon 5D Mk 2, with L series lenses. I have more expensive filters by B&W and this one looks just as good! They are stackable as well. I have a 3, 6, and the 9. You can screw them together to make it even darker and do really long exposures (4 seconds plus) without it blowing out! My advice is it's great buy all three!
Good build, good enough optics, does what it's made to do.  Oh yeah, and since it's Tiffen- it is cheap!
Tiffen makes wonderful filters for relatively small amounts of money.  I wouldn't be without my ND filters to act as sunglasses for my camera AND protect my expensive lenses at the same time.
To be honest, this is the first filter I've ever ordered and used, so I'm no authority.  However, the price, the correct camera fit, and results are very pleasing to me.
I was really amazed by the price at first and I had high expectations when I bought it. But, when I actually tested it on my camcorder it did not actually make a whole lot of difference compared to a shot without the filter. And it was a bright sunny day. I thought it would bring the colors to a better contrast or better-looking but all it did on the camcorder was to allow it to have a higher exposure - which can result in a deeper depth-of-field - which makes your movie more focus-centered and look more like a film. My point is what I got was not what I expected.In conclusion, I would say only buy it if you know what to use it for. To me this is professional level stuff so don't even bother if you are just looking for better looking videos for your $300 camcorder. There are other Tiffen filters that will do that.
I did a lot of research on neutral density filters, and this one came highly recommended, without having to invest $50-$100.  A must for serious photographers.
No flare issues, no focus issues, no soft spots.  This is a great glass filter that does what it's suppose to do.  I use it with my D300s for stopping down video and giving me more control over my DOF on bright sunny days.  You need this ND, a UV and a circular polarizer in your camera bag, they are essential.
Get reflection on the lens. But for this price, it's good filter.I could get slow shutter with this.Little hard to open filter case.
Here is an updated review....I have used the filter A BUNCH of times, and it has worked great. It does a good job cutting down (blocking, reducing, filtering...whatever you please) on the harsh light (if you happen to have any...such as sunset photos or photos in snowy situations). It is also does a good job aiding the photographer in those action shots where you want background blurring while the subject remains in focus.Not an expensive filter and worth the money.
didnt really fit my fz35 the way i thought it would.if i turned the camera off with this still on, it would get crushed.
If you are not using Neutral Density filters, you are missing out on an easy, simple and inexpensive means to improve your photography (and videography if you're shooting DSLR). ND filters allow you to shoot with a wide aperture without over-exposing your images. While you can stop down your lens to compensate for bright lighting, you will increase your depth of field and loose the &#34;bokeh&#34; -background blur - of the wider aperture. An ND filter allows you to shoot with aperture open, maintain a shallow depth of field (desirable for video) keep the details in the highlights and preserve a nice color balance. ND filters can cost $100+ but this Tiffen does a great job a fraction of the cost. I use it for still and video images and I'm very satisfied with the results. At this price, it is a good starting point and my just be enough for you now and in the future.
Order this mainly for photographing waterfalls,it does a great job. I didn't see any looss of quality because of it.Very useful filter.
Good price and good filter, no regrets. Just buy it, no need for a better one if you are not a pro. Besides for the price you can have one for each lens :P
it works perfectly for my nikon D5100. Fit well and doesn't do anything funny to my lens. it even fits a lens cap i bought from amazon.com too. recommended for people who wants to do heavy lighting pictures.
If there is anything cheap about this filter, I don't know what it is? It was way cheaper than some other name-brand options yet it did exactly what it was supposed to do - which is allow me to extend my shutter time on beach shore photos taken at sunset. I am VERY satisfied with this purchase! I am not a pro but the image I shared on my 500px.com gallery was well received. To view that image just go to 500px.com and enter "Driftwood Port Hueneme Beach Sunset" into the Search field at the top of the page.
An ok ND filter.  Got it and never used it.  I am currently looking into a variable ND filter which I think is a lot more practicable.
Tiffen usually has good quality control. This particular ND filter has spots in the coating. I still use it, but have to remove the spots in post. Just take a picture against a blue sky, and if the spots are there, return the filter.  If i had known about the coating issue i would have bought a Cokin or Lee filter instead.
Okay so I don't believe that every ND filter from this company will come with 30-40 small cracks the entire length of the filter, but mine did (only on the coating).  It still works because it's so close to the lens it doesn't effect the images... unless you shoot at f/16-22, then we have an issue.
I bought this ND lens to try to capture the flowing techniques of water and wind. I had to play a little with the shutter speed to get the photos just right, but I had a lot of fun photographing a windy Iowa day. (See my photo under Customer photos here). While I think a .9 would be better for the wind shots, I am very pleased with the results of my first experiment. I can't wait to try it on water. A tripod is a must for these kinds of photos. I am also looking forward to experimenting with panning shots for background blur. The photos I took turned out sharp where needed (Tree trunks). I am very pleased with it and would recommend it to anyone looking for this type of lens. It worked great with my Canon Rebel XT digital SLR.
This product works great for taking pictures of waterfalls (with a tripod) or for any time you need to use a slower shutter speed. I haven't had any problems with it, used it twice.
After opening my package from Amazon I immediately came back to the website to read reviews. Was I really shipped a used filter when I ordered a new one? Someone else had the same thing happen to them as what happened to me. My shipping was also delayed, maybe I had to wait for someone else's RMA to complete before I could have it.What makes me think this filter was used?1. The huge fingerprint on the lens. Not a hint of a fingerprint, but a firm, very visible print. It looked like CSI already came by and dusted it as evidence before I ever opened the package.2. The cracks in the case. It looks like someone walked all over the plastic case the filter lives in. You can't crack these things by dropping them, you need some force.3. The short black hairs inside the case. Why are there hairs inside this? Most new things are hair-free. Some would even say "clean" in appearance.4. The scratches on the threads and the missing paint from the face of the filter. Looks as if it were dropped. The damage to the threads however could only be produced by using the filter. Making me believe it was previously used. Maybe the CSI used it after they captured fingerprints off of it.I gave the product 4 stars because it looks to be good. But the actual product that I received I would give 0 stars. I was tricked. Now I have to go to UPS to return this only to have to order it again in the hopes of getting a new one.
This neutral density filter worked well on a recent outside photo shoot.  Also gave me some nice sky images and even helped to cut the glare from open windows while shooting some interior photos of a home.
does what it should and that is all that really matters in the end, if i need it a little darker i just throw on another ND filter
I have layed off to purchase a ND filter for a very long time, but had never done it. Finally, I bought this one a couple weeks ago and love it. So far I've taken shots of streams and a waterfall, and been able to "smoke" the water like I was never able to before. I don't know why I waited so long. This is definitely a must for any photographer.
When I need depth of field (think f/22-32), and long exposure times (think 10-40 seconds) when it's too bright out, the only remedy is a ND filter. I actually bought two .9 and one .6 so I can combine them sensibly.These are for my Sigma EX 10-20mm DC HMS f/4-5.6. It is so nice to be able to stop down and capture in-focus shots from 4 ft to infinity and yet retain the subtlety of the shots when in moderately bright situations.
I bought this product for day photograph. Not to complain about it, but i will have to buy others filters to make it darker
looked for an inexpensive ND filter for my lenses, good combination for the money. Could have spent more but for my basic needs it was perfect
I use it with my Olympus E-330 Great for water falls and depth control. Great for sports events where you want to blur the background using pan motionVery nice product
I've had this filter for a couple of months now and have enjoyed using it.  It truly is "sunglasses" for the lens.  My only gripe is at times it is hard to screw into the lens.  But again, it stays on my main lens unless I'm shooting in low light.
This is just a pointless filter to have.  It does very little for my Sigma lens.  I keep it on just to keep dirt and other garbage from actually touching the lens.  The difference in photographs is so minimal to where it is not really worth the price.  If you are worried about protecting your lens, get a filter like this.  As for it being a Density filter, I have not seen any results.  I have owned other filters but find myself using them less and less since I have really figured my way around LightRoom.
I ordered this filter in order to shoot "slow" waterfalls on a sunny day, and it fit the bill perfectly.  I was able to expose for lovely slow water shots in full sun with no blowouts.  Very happy!!
I was thinking of buying one of the adjustable ND filters, but heard a lot of bad things about them so I went with the .6 filter and it works great for waterfall shots.
Review of the Tiffen 77mm ND 0.6 FilterND filters reduce the amount of light entering your camera's lens, slowing down your shutter speed and letting you blur backgrounds when shooting panning action shots. Instead I bought it in lieu of a polarizer to bring out the color in skies, because it has effects similar to polarizers with respect to fixing washed out skies, although it doesn't offer some of the other features polarizers offer.Nevertheless, I brought this filter on my school trip to Spain for outside shooting (it takes away 2 stops of light so it's not recommended for indoor, night, or available light shooting) on my Sigma 10-20 and Canon 40D, and the pictures it produced are absolutely breathtaking. Sure, part of it was due to Spain's beautiful architecture, but the filter made the skies a deep blue and the buildings really stood out against the blue skies.I haven't done a lot of action shooting since I bought the filter, especially not on a 10-20 lens, so I can't comment on what effect this lens has on blurring backgrounds in action shots, but for my own purchases I was extremely pleased I bought this filter.
This product was exactly what they said it will be. I am using this with Nikon 18mm- 55mm kit lens. Am on a crop sensor D5200 so am not sure what will happen on a full frame.
I used this lens on my Nikon 1 V1.  I was able to use a longer shutter time, allowing me to take a picture of a waterfall with a flowing image.  A must have for nature pics.  The filter was flawless.
I have not had a chance to use lens filter so, I can not really give a rating on it.
I'm an amateur photographer that's lucky enough to get sent all around the world. Recently on a trip to Alberobello, Italy I was taking pictures of Trulli houses during sunset. I found the absolute location to take pictures of the houses on the hill, the sun was in the perfect spot, there was great contrast between the clouds above the sun and the rays of light shooting up into them, but because the sun was only setting behind the hill and there was another 30 minutes before true sunset I was still essentially taking pictures of my light source, I simply couldn't capture the scene like I was seeing it. I thought to myself, man if only I had something like sunglasses for my camera. Enter the neutral density filter. That's the best way I can explain it. As much as I enjoy tinkering with photoshop, I much prefer to get the picture perfect at the camera and never even open photoshop. This ND filter allows me to tone down the lighting, but still giving me the entire range of adjustments my D80 offers. I've found it works best there's slightly overwhelming light that you can't control, and it's produced some pretty interesting effects during sunset when I increase my exposure a bit. The filter is thin enough that I can stack it on top of my UV filter and it doesn't crop the frame on either 35mm or my 18-55mm that it fits on. The quality is great, I have some no name filter that came with the 18-55 lens and it feels like it was assembled in a garage, not so with the Tiffen filters.
What can I say? It fit; and it does what it's suppose to do. It was a decent price and I'm happy with my purchase.
it's a nice lens cover that does what it says. It makes things a bit more vivid when shooting outdoors.
What can you say about a piece of glass?  No distortion, even coating, accurate, works as advertised, all around nice item.
The Tiffen 52mm Neutral Density 0.6 Filter is a nice start with my experience with ND filters. Give very good results.
As described & on time, a Tiffen 58mm Neutral Density 0.6 Filter in original factory packaging. Just what I expected.
I wanted to photograph water falls with that milky water look. The 0.6 along the 0.9 does the job. I just have to watch out if I use s zoom for edge darkening, it is something to be expected when you piggy back filters. Good fit good finish.
Just wanted to throw some advice out there for those of you shooting video.  I bought the .6 and .9 Tiffen 77mm filters.  I just did a test on an FS-100 with a Rokinon 35mm prime video lens.  First off, with my setup, two filters cannot be stacked.  The image turns soft.  I didn't expect this based on the other reviews I read before buying these.  With just one filter attached (the .6 or .9) there is some mild to medium color shift (or WB change, I should say), but nothing that can't be tweaked in post.  And, with just one of these filters attached, I picked up some slight ghosting from a bright light source - a computer monitor framed in the upper left third of the shot, reflected dimly in the lower right third of the shot.  Not severe enough to ruin the footage (for me) but it's there.  Your camera/lens combo may yield different results but at least as far as resolution is concerned, the camera I'm using is sharp, so I think it's safe to at least trust the no-stacking suggestion.  Cheers.
It screws on easily. It reduces the amount of light in to the lens. It's well built. Any other questions?
I purchased this filter too use with a Canon Digital SLR. I have primarily used this filter for longer exposures with waterfalls. It has worked great, did not effect the quality of my images ether. Great value for the money.
I use this filter predominately for waterfall shots as it helps me achieve a longer shot without having the water be washed out white. This filter has held up to a steady state of abuse from being in the field taking pictures and has shown no signs of wear. Also, a 0.6 is perfect for the applications I use it for, waterfalls. If you are looking for a great low cost neutral density filter, buy this product.
This attaches to my Canon sx5o using the adapter ring,beautifully.It fits snug and tight,It tones down the lighting,enabling great water shots without the over exposure so common on a sunny day.
Tiffen filters are good enough for general use but do not use the same quality of glass as the B+W and other often more expensive filters, nor do they have the multi coating of the surfaces to minimize flare and ghosting. That is fine for occasional use and for people on a budget.This filter is an exception in that is priced at the same level as the B&W; filters with their Schott glass and other higher quality coated filters. Anytime you add a piece of glass in front of your lens there will be some degradation of image quality. You can minimize it by using multi-coated filters and the best glass you can afford.The Tiffen ND filters are not a good value at the current selling price as you can buy B+W and other better quality filters in the same price range.B + W 77mm #102 Neutral Density Glass Filter - 0.6 - 4XHoya 77mm 2X (0.3) Neutral Density Multi Coated Glass FilterFilters are a life long investment. They will never wear out and can be used over the years with many cameras and many lenses so it is not a place to try to economize. You can get double duty often by using a step up ring so that a 77mm filter can easily be used with a lens that takes a smaller size filter. The rings are not expensive and take up very little room in your camera bag. Better to buy quality filters in the largest size you are likely to use for your lenses and then make use of the step down rings with your smaller lenses - though lens hoods may not work with these rings in place you can use a "flag" or your hand to take the place of the hood.Adorama Step-Up Adapter Ring 72mm Lens to 77mm Filter Size
I own the 67mm thread set, and use it with my Fujifilm S100fs.The S100fs has a very close macro distance of about 1cm, unfortunately only in the 28mm position of the lens. That leaves the object kind of small in the picture. To counter that, I bought this close-up lens set. The three lenses work like a magnifying glass, with different power.I generally only use the one with the greatest power, and the results are very acceptable. I tried to use all three lenses together, but that gives you noticeable degradation in picture quality.Those close-up lenses are by no means an alternative solution to a dedicated macro lens (with extension tubes), but if you have no choice, like with a non-interchangeable lens camera like the S100fs, it is a very good work-around. What you get is a bit more creative freedom, but it certainly is no silver bullet. Nonetheless, I am pleased with the quality of the pictures I get with the close-up lenses, finding the greatest power lens the most useful.
I bought these to help with my macro scale photography for a Canon 7D with the 15-85mm lens. The lower end 1-2 magnification really have very little effect - you can tell this simply by holding it up and looking through it as you would a magnifying glass. The 4x lens has better magnification but the camera just couldn't focus through it at all so I ended up returning these. Thanks Amazon.
I bought these just for playing around.They are worth the very low price,something to fool around with but dont expect a lot.The case they come in sucks bad.If you want to see if you should invest real money into a good set but are not sure if you should or not ; Buy these and consider it your practice close up filters,if all goes well dump these and get some good ones
For really close detailed shots of plants, flowers, equipment, jewellery, this set of lenses is incredible!
I am very pleased with the quality and price of these close up lenses.  I couldn't afford the macro lenses and these filters are a great alternative.
I'm barely getting started with macro (yes, I know, not really macro, but you know what I mean) photography, so I didn't want to pay for a macro lens, so t got this close-up set recently, and have been playing around with them for a while.So far, I've had great fun with them, and gotten some good shots. I mostly use these on a 55-250mm and they work great, plus I get the added benefit of not having to change lens every time I find a bug on the ground. Versatility and mobility are very important to me when traveling, so I really enjoy being able to take close up shots without having to carry another lens in my bag, and for now, I'm perfectly ok with sacrificing real macro quality for it.Since I've been enjoying pseudo-macro photography so much, I might eventually upgrade for a 1:1 macro lens, and even then I'd keep those close-up lens in case I don't have the time to switch lenses, or I find myself in a very dusty environment and I don't want to risk getting my sensor dirty.
This is an amazing set! Comes with a nice felt lined case and the lens' are very clear. I bought these during a $16 fire sell and I'm so glad I did. We've taken amazing Macro photos with these and they also work great for portraits! Very pleased with the quality and price of these!
Lots of distortion.  Much better off using macro rings.  I am glad these were cheap - for some reason the 55mm wereh cheaper than the other sizes and I bought rings to step up or down.
Early on in my photography I thought these were cool so I purchased them.  After playing around with them for about 15 minutes I really wasn't happy with what you could do with these.  I guess if you did a lot of macro photography you may find these helpful.  I decided to keep them around to see if I'll find use for them, but I have pulled them out since the day they arrived.
This lens set is great for getting those nice close shots.  I have a nice DSLR and wanted to get in tighter shots.  I saw the lens set as an option and tried it and it's great.  Love using the lenses but after working with them I noticed in the documentation that you can enhance the magnification by stacking the lenses but I have as off yet figured out the stacking order.  They are numbered +1, +2, +4 and by combining all you can get +7.  The lenses also came in a nice semi-hard case which I thought was a nice touch to the package and fits nice in my camera case with the other Tiffen lenses.  If you want to add a nice close-up to you shots I would highly recommend these lenses.
Tiffen are renound for making excellent filters and this set meets the expectations. I would recommend this product but was just unlucky with my purchase as the size was incorrect for Nikon DSLR lenses so I had to return the item.
I'm confused by these reviews.  Amazon, what's going on?  Am I wrong or does Amazon have to pay more attention to these reviews?I googled "close-up attachments" and went into amazon.  No, I did not want a warming filter, polarizer and UV wrapped into a 3 filter package deal.  I wanted information on the close-up attachments that usually come numbered 1, 2 and 3, indicating each filters relative close-up focusing capabilities.These reviews are a mixture of the above.Pay attention Amazon.  And stop profiling my interests and saturating me with offers on items that you are certain I will like.....all the while trying to make the automation look personal.  Do you people really believe that we consumers are that stupid?  If all that selling is what pays for amazon..........you can have it folks.
This was very worth the money, and allowed my lens to go closer to objects, as expected. The quality isn't great but it's just right for amateurs like me.
Pros:  This close-up set is a great alternative to expensive (but quality) macro lenses for amatuers like me.  I'm still learning how to use it correctly in order to get optimal results. Initially, I thought the lens was just cheap quality, but now I'm convinced it's really my lack of experience and skill in utilizing the close-up lens correctly.Cons:  Although the little pouch (included with purchase) is convenient, I don't completely like it because the fuzz from the inside velvet easily sticks to the lens. Consequently, I have to wipe/blow off the dust each time I remove it from the case to use.Overall a very good set for non-professionals/hobbyists, at a very affordable price. It has opened up a whole new adventure in photography for me - close ups!!
Filters are always needed when purchasing new lenses, and Tiffen makes a great product.  I have ordered several over the years, and I have never been disappointed.  Thank you.
The most important part of a camera is the lens. And in the lens is glass, and the optics of that glass will in many way set the price and the quality of the lens.  That is why proline models, like the Canon L series costs more than the standard models and if you compare them you will see a difference.  One thing to keep in mind, is that if you damage the image coming in to the lens, the lens and camera can't repair it.  The quality of the filter you put in front of your lens will affect the quality of the image you get.  Most filters, even some of the top Hoya are just plain window glass, granted some are coated but the optics of the glass are still low quality!  This will affect your image.  If you are using a simple basic lens like a Sigma or Tokina then a lower optics quality filter like this wont make much of a difference.  However, if you are using a higher grade lens, you need a higher grade filter.  The only 2 ground glass filters that I have found are the B+W and Heliopan.  They are more expensive, but well worth it!  You get what you pay for!A UV filter serves a 2 fold purpose.1st it helps to protect your lens and keep it from getting  scratches or damaged!  I have seen a camera dropped and the uv filter shattered but the lens was still working and so was the camera.  What would have happened w/o the filter, I dont know, but I would guess it would not have turned out so good.  I am often out in the outdoors, and the UV filters I use, B+W mostly, have protected my lenses from several scraps and scratches that could have cost thousands to repair or replace!2nd the UV filter does filter out some UV light, and thus you will see less haze in some of your shots.  Not a Good Circ. Polarizer can also help in this matter as well!Note if you have a very wide angle lens, like a 10-18MM you should get a slim model UV filter or else you can see black corners in your picts when you are at max wide angle.Hope this helps.
I take my camera to the beach for photographs.  The filter acts as a barrier against mist being blown around in the humid atmosphere.  I don't worry about wiping this filter down nearly as much as I do the lens.
This is one of the very few that actuall does what it is supposed to! It does block UV better than much more expensive filters.
No question that Tiffen manufactures quality products.  I have been very happy with all of their filters.  Now I have had strong discussions with fellow hobbyists as to the practicality of UV Haze Filters.  I have used my equipment with and without filters.  There is an obvious benefit to having the filter.  The photos are so much richer in colors and details.  The side benefit of course is lens protection.  Recently I was on a sojurn to Las Vegas.  As many know, October is the worst time of the year there for high desert winds.  Without any protection, it is the same as sandblasting your lens.  No problem there with the filter on.  If you are a believer in UV Haze filters, and other types of filters I strongly recommend Tiffen and the array of products that they offer.  Again, Made in America.  I like it.  Many thanks for reading.Best regards,Tony
I am not an expert on filters, so I can't speak to is intricate properties. It seems to work effectively. It mounts easily and I know it protects my lens because this is the replacement for the one that cracked when my Canon T3i slipped from my hand and landed lens first on a marble table :( Results of the fall: Filter cracked......18 -55mm lens fine......camera body - no damage. I will always keep a filter on my camera!!
I bought this primarily to protect my zoom lens for my Canon Xti SLR. It threads on easily and offers fine protection. As far as being a Haze filter, I feel that my pictures often have too much of a "blue" cast to them and I have to color correct in post production. You get what you pay for, so as a lens protector, this does the job.
After reading pro's and con's on U.V filter  i thought i give one a try after looking around at websites and reading reviews and reading what tiffen website said "Eliminates ultraviolet problems from most situations where increased haze tends to wash out color and image clarity. so for the price i gave it a try no need in buying a expensive one if don't do what its supposed to do you just wasted money.so for the price i went for it and wow  does it make a differance i see the reason why this filter has gotton so many rave reviews i wish i could post photos to show you but due to amazon new trend of not posting photos so heres a link  [...] its to my flicker account the first 5 photos are made with this filter along with a tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 A16 model on a nikon D7000 i am now looking into buying a much more expensive one but so far this tiffen has proving to me for the money it just amazing I.Q you get with a fast lens so if you are looking to try a U.V filter or wont one you can not go wrong with this one i look so forward  to getting there top of the line model and seeing what it could do
This is perfect for my new Olympus E-PL1. I bought this to protect my lens and, for that, it's perfect.Personally, I don't see any difference in my pictures but I'm very amateur and haven't done any tests.Note: I received mine with a very small crack at one point at the rim of the glass. It's like someone twisted the metal band a little and caused a small pressure crack. It doesn't show up in any of my photos so I didn't return it.personally:Perfect lens protection for the price (compared to olympus' 40.5mm for $30).I would recommend it to anyone
The filter works great with my Nikon D5100 and Nikkor 18-200mm lenses. I purchased multiple due to their relatively low cost and good reviews on some photography blogs. Their Nikon counterparts are $60.I mostly use the filter to make sure it takes the hit for my $600 lenses if I do have an accident.
I bought this for protection of the kit lens (18-135mm) on our new T3i. The quality of the construction is great, and there is a heft and precision to the filter that we like. Functionally, the impact of a haze filter is not huge, but it works for us. Get it if only for the protection.
Apparently the filter was no match for Alaska's temperature changes. It cracked the first day out. Must have been a fluke as have always had great performance from Tiffen.
I've used these filters since the mid-70's for protecting the front element of all my lenses. Invaluable. This one is no different.
An essential for the front of my HV30. Works just fine as far as I can tell. I think the footage from high altitude is slightly less washed out.
This is the second same filter of this brand that I've purchased.  These UV type filters are pretty basic and meant mainly to protect the actual lens.  These don't do much other than that.  But, that's why I purchased them for my daughter's Olympus E-PL1 and a Nikon SLR that I own.  As someone else mentioned, there's a bit of flare.  Strangely, I don't notice it on the SLR.  At any rate, it's not enough to not recommend it.On the other hand, this Ensenda shipping company stinks.  They marked the package delivered, yet it wasn't.  I suppose it's good for their statistics.  Not so good for customer service.  Hopefully you'll be lucky and get FedEx or UPS.
On all the other filters I have ordered the plastic filter box usually holds the filter in place. That was not the case with this filter. The filter cam loose in the plastic case and had been rattling around. Luckily there was no real damage.
This filter is one of those things you can't leave behind when you're using your camera. It protects the lenses against dust, fingerprints and even some bumps. I leave it on all times.It's crystal clear to the camera. In my personal experience, I recently bought some cheap filters thinking I made a big deal but in the end, the camera wouldn't focus well. Then I bought this one, well I even hook the telephoto on it and still get great shots.
I have found that a pre installed UV haze filter on the various camera lenses I expect to use saves a lot of time and fumbling around while changing lenses.  I acquired a tele-photo lens for my new Canon Digital.  So based on past experience, I purchased this filter. A perfect fit at the right price.
I've used this filter with myCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand LOVE it. However, I recently bought one to protect the lens of my newCanon EF 24mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand it didn't fit properly. The lens is so rounded that when you put this filter on, the filter actually touches the lens. It creates a spot about 3-5mm in diameter in the middle of the lens/filter. I had to buy a more expensive filter that was thinner in order to work with the lens.
its probably the best lens protection without cutting down IQ or light. helps with glare but not really needed more for protection of you high dollar lens.
Bought this for a trip to Disney, as we were riding up to the first park, I Said to myself&#34;Self, it's time to put this on to protect your lens.&#34;  I had already taken a pic of the parking lot sign, we were parked in Jafar.  It was a bright sunny day, and I said &#34;Self, with the haze on that pic, this will make it better.&#34;  Boy was Self wrong.Put it on, took the same exact pic within a minute of the other one, and it was noticeably less clear than the first one, with more haze on it.. So Self took it off, put it in a bag, and returned it.
I use this filter in conjunction with my Olympus EP1 and the pancake 17 mm lens. It fits just fine and does a great job keeping the lens clean. Picture quality is crystal clear. You'll get some lens flare if you're near a bright light source, but if you want to avoid that you should go with a polarizing filter anyhow.
I have known about TIFFEN filters for many years and that they represent very high quality but, had always bought, not by choice, what was offering from the multitude of filters made in China, some good some hopeless.My new TIFFEN filter is nicely presented in a nice case with a little booklet about the product and, best all of carries the slogan "Made in the USA" How refreshing!Kenneth Williams resident of Australia
The concept of writing a review for the filter is not appropriate. It is a fillter made of glas and woul be OK or failing. This rating system is not a good one for an item that does not have many things that diierentiate it from other brand filters.
I bought this after reviewing a review site, probably the reason why most people buy it. It does cut the glare but in terms of general purpose use, i shoot a lot of outdoor event photography, and i get tons of flare from this filter. If you shoot a lot of outdoor where direct light sources may be an issue, get high quality multicoated filters. I will be returning this product as it does not fulfill my needs.
In reading up on the subject lately, I learned that both films and the CCD's in digital cameras can "see" UV or ultra-violet, which is just beyond the normal human visual range. (Interestingly, bees can see into the UV end of the spectrum, which enables them to see when the nectar is flowing in flowers by enabling them to see the nectar guides in the flowers).Anyway, too much UV light can produce a bluish image, and can affect the saturation and tints of the other colors. UV and skylight filters are great for reducing haze, and for  eliminating chromatic desaturation of colors (i.e., the bluish washing out effect that occurs with distance), and enhance sharpness as a result, too. These filters are designed to remove UV and can help to some extent with the bluish cast. UV filters are colorless and skylight filters are pinkish. Both will work well as far as removing excess UV light, but note that skylight filters produce slightly warmer photos because of their pinkish tint.Haze filters work similar to UV filter. Because of light-scattering due to microscopic dust particles in the air, different wavelengths are scattered more or less than others and can cause reduced sharpness. Haze filters can help with this problem. According to the specs, the Tiffen Haze-1 blocks 71% of excess blue at 400 mm wavelength. The Tiffen Haze-2A provides greater UV correction and filters 100% at 400 mm wavelength.Excessive bluish tint frequently occurs in outdoor photography, especially in open shade under a clear, blue sky and near the water front. Unlike pink skylight filters, haze filters are yellowish--the opposite visual color complement to blue, which allows it to counteract a bluish effect.I'd like to thank C-K's digital camera page at Michigan Technical University for much of this information.
To the untrained eye, like mine, you really can't tell if it's blocking UV rays or not. What I can tell you is that this filter is great protection for your lenses. Especially if you have really expensive ones, you don't want to take a chance on getting a cheap filter that will break easily. This filter looks and feels heavy duty and performs that way also. Plus, you can't beat the best filter brand out there!!!
This is a clear filter for either a camcorder or a digtial still camera/its a 43mm application/having purchased this ITEM--I also needed the Shade Hood(also a 43mm)as direct light now has a poor effect to useing the Haze-1 Filter. Excellent price and arrived in excellent condition--my camcorder doesn't allow a Screw-ON Filter so this part was a modification for a Canon zr800.
I'm not a believer in the effectiveness of so-called UV/Haze filters to do very much, photographically, but since they don't alter exposure and serve as protection for a potentially expensive lens underneath I bought one of these because I needed SOMETHING to protect the &#34;glass&#34; in front of several old and expensive Nikon rangefinder lenses. What can I say? It works, and as far as I can tell the glass is sufficient to introduce no optical distortion. And, of course, the price is right.
Tiffen's Haze-1 filter blocks dramatically more UV light than others on the market... by FAR!
An economical haze filter is a useful accessory for scenic and landscape efforts. Easy to mount and remove. Does not interfere with autofocus or zoom functions.
Some people would pay big money to get the better UV filter.However for me, UV filter is nothing but a lens protector because I am not so picky about the Picture quality and don't believe that an UV filter can make so much diffence.It's cheap and fits to my camera well tight and strong enough.I'm satisfied with this deal.
Overall this filter works OK in protecting my Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm F2.8 pancake lens, especially in controlled lighting. However it did actually introduce flare in some of my night shots against fluorescent or neon lighting, which is very hard to correct in post processing.I am adding a link in the comments to show you this effect. My lens without the filter works better for night photography.
Good protection for my lens with a reasonable price. Light weight and doesn't give me the light reflection like other lens.
Great little useful filter and handy when I need it.  Works great to provide a light haze on my pictures.  I use it occasionally and glad it's in my bag.
The tiffen 58mm lens filter offers a level of quality to your photos on less than clear days! I have recently used this filter on some senic photos of the White Tank Mountains in Arizona. Althought I am not a pro,I am a seriuos amateur and I am very pleased with the reults that I get using this filter!
Cons only, can't find any pro yet!!!1. There are plenty of dirt on the lens itself!2. Light scratches found on the side too! Lucky me, it's not at the center!Go get a better one! Avoid this thing like plague!!!
When i first ordered this the wrong filter came to my house I got the circular polarizer instead and the wrong size also.I told amazon about it and they gave me overnight shipping of the right item but there wasn't any in stock for 2 weeks.So i waited for it for awhile.But i do love the filter.Helps keep out dust from the lens and is a must to have if you're a new digital SLR camera owner.I have the Sony nex-3 and it fits perfectly!
This is a good all around scenery filter. Its better than a UV and does clean up some haze present in mountainous shots. Be ready to re-tightin the glass lens as it loosens up with use. Get a proper cleaning cloth !!!
I purchased this for Nikon lenses to prevent damage to the primary lenses, and to facilitate easier cleaning.  Glass surfaces are polished, flat, and thin to prevent edge distortion at wide angles.  If &#34;haze filtering&#34; represents the ability of this product to prevent haze from touching the primary camera filter, it does that. I have not found any UV Haze filters that effectually filter haze out of photographs.
I like Tiffen filters.  They're metal and the glass is usually clear, well-polished, and without waves or distortions.  I have on occasion received one or two in which the glass was not firmly mounted in the frame and there was a bit of wiggle.  Nothing ever came of it so I just didn't worry about it.  Just have to nick Tiffen 1 star for quality control.  Filter glass shouldn't rattle around in filter frame.  Period...end of discussion on that one.  I still buy Tiffen as their track record is on the winning side and they represent high value.
I purchased a Canon Vixia HV40 camcorder and needed a UV filter mostly for protecting the lens.  I have used Tiffen filters before and have always found them to be of the highest quality.  It is even made in USA.
I'm a photographer and I'd like to think I know a thing or two about filters. But all you need to know is that whatever digital equipment you've invested on deserves its lens protected unless hundreds to thousands of dollars is chump change to you, you will find this item handy.I own a Canon VIXIA HF200 which I bought this filter for. Keep in mind that different lenses have different diameters so check your lens or your manual just to make sure. Of all the different types of filters out there, all you really need for your digital equipment to protect the lens is a piece of glass. So unless you need the enhancements/effects other filters offer (such as neutral density or colored filters), this UV/haze should do. Not to mention UV/haze is the cheapest option you have in terms of protection.I know that UV is no longer effective since many no longer use film. So don't expect this to enhance your digital video/picture in any way. Tiffen is a known US brand in the photography community and it's pretty reliable. Of all the top brands, it's not on the high end side but it is on the cheaper side, though.This filter should never be removed. In fact, I recommend you buy this filter and install it the minute you unbox your gadget. Not only does it keep your glass pristine, your gizmo will last longer and hold its value better if you decide to resell and upgrade. If you plan on using other additional filters, I would suggest you buy a different UV/haze filter with a slimmer profile --not this one. Stacking other filters on top of this one might cause vignetting. I don't know this for sure because I haven't tried, but from my experience in photography, this Tiffen is pretty thick and would add a lot when stacked. Other than that, I highly recommend this product.I feel a lot safer when handling my equipment especially when children are around me. You never know when someone accidentally touches the lens with their oily fingers. And the scary part is, if you record a precious moment, you won't even know it has been tainted by a smudge until it's too late. By the time you review it, there's nothing you can do about it.
I can't speak to the effectiveness of the haze reduction as I purchased this 99% for protecting my Pentax 75-300mm lens. However, I did choose this one over a base UV in the hopes that for long shots it might have some benefits at cutting haze.
I have not used much yet so can't comment of quality of filter. Construction seems to be fine and it fits on lens as expected.
I bought both this Haze-1 filter and a Tiffen circular polarizer at the same time. Shooting across a valley at distant mountains using both filters separately and together, I did find that the circular polarizer did a better job of reducing the obvious haze producing more saturated colors both in the viewfinder and on film. The Haze-1 did deliver a noticeable effect, but the circular polarizer was better and is priced accordingly. The atmospheric haze was so bad on that particular day that, without the filter(s), the resulting images were useless.
Learned quickly the value of Tiffen filters, both for protection of the lens element and for functionality. The Haze-1 filter adds something to color and light balance a simple UV filter does not. Continue to be very satisfied with Tiffen filters!
I purchased this filter primarily to protect the front element of my 18-105mm Nikkor lens. My secondary reason was to use it as a UV haze filter when taking panorama and landscape photographs. As far as a good lens protection filter I'd give it a full 5 star rating, but now that I've used it, I wish I would have purchased Tiffen's higher quality (and more expensive) UV haze filter. I find that this filter helps reduce the UV haze in my photos where it's a factor, but it doesn't totally eliminate it, and it's performance in this regard could be better. For it's UV haze filtering capability, I'd rate this filter a 3 star, hence my overall 4 star rating.If you're looking for a decent lens protection filter for the price, this filter is a good pick, you'll get some improvement in your hazy shots as a bonus. If filtering UV haze is a priority, get the better model.
I got this Tiffen filter to protect my new Panasonic FZ28's lens, and it has just proven that it cost $10.81 more than it is worth. I was testing the camera outside during the evening and, as I focused on the city lights, I suddenly noticed that the lights were bouncing off the filter and reflecting into the camera. I took a couple of test shots with the filter, removed it and took another couple of test shots. When I downloaded the images into my computer, there they were: horrible "ghost" lights scattered in the dark sky over the real city lights, and only in the photos taken with the filter in place. I know there is a technical term for them -- glare or flare or something else? -- and I also know that they shouldn't be there. This obviously means that the Tiffen 46mm Haze-1 is worthless. I want something that will protect my lens but that won't spoil my photos.My FZ18 (which is my mom's now) has a Quantaray multi-coated UV filter that never interfered in my photos in any way. I looked for that filter on the web but unfortunately couldn't find it. By the reviews here I thought I'd be okay with the Tiffen. I was wrong, and must now look for a new filter.
Great filter, well built for the price. No aberration i can see so far. No vignetting at 50mm.
I have always found Tiffen product to be goodand reliable.  I have several others andthey all work nicely.  Would not hesitate tobuy more in the future.
The build quality seems to be ok for the price. But be very careful, it will be very difficult to remove the filter from your lens. I tried tens of times but failed. I do not want to take the risk of damaging my camera lens. So, this filter will stay forever. And, there is no way that I can ship it back for a return.
I am rebuilding my photographic equipment inventory after a long time absence from photography.  Although a bit pricey, Tiffen filters are my first choice.  This one is another great product  The threads fit smoothly and nicely into my Sony lens and the rotating part of the filter operates smoothlly and easily with no unexpected movement once you stop turning it for effect.  After snapping the picture, removing the filter is equally smooth and effortless.  This is an excellent product and my only concern is the cost of Tiffen quality stretches my budget a bit more than I'd like.  There could be some less expensive alternatives, but I haven't found any.
Knew what it was, had one before...no issues. Not the most expensive ones but does the trick. Proper settings and subjectno need to edit in a multitude of stars.
I have a Cannon 7D and a 5D ii and have Tiffen star filters for both. They produce some great pictures and I am really satisfied with the clarity that I get with these filters. I would definitely recommend these filters to my friends.
as advertised and a nice filter.  A bit pricy but if you want special effects, this will help.
This is great for getting that star effect but I would not recommend this for pictures with people in it.  The quality of the image is little more blurred due the filter from my recent test.I used this on my Nikon D3s with 70-200mm 2.8.
This filter works great. Tiffen products are top quality. This filter adds a great touch for Christmas light photos. Adds some drama to the scene.
I've bought this same refill previously from block and mortar stores and have paid alot more.  Appreciate the low price!
Great addition to my album! Love the album itself, love the refills even more. Cheap enough that it makes sense to buy the album. The columns are a bit tall but that makes sense. Just a tip, if you do put in the extra columns, you'll need at least two of these refills to keep the album stable
The refill pages are easy to add to the main album.  I am pleased with the Pioneer album and the refill pages.
Love the size of these refills......great for scrap booking ..... The larger size is great for adding newspaper articles .... I am purchasing more of these
Have used these for years. Always high quality and durable for years to come. I can always recommend using Pioneer
Outside of traditional good Pioneer quality, good adhesion and a good shipping time, I like how the page is hinged.  The hinge is a clear plastic and bends back much easier than the cardboard ones I have seen before.
I got this item because I wanted to make a scrapbook of my sister's baby shower/baby book for the expected baby. I had taken photos and created baby wishes card that I wanted to put together from the event.Pro: They hope the photo and cards real well. It's easy to use and doesn't have bubbling. It doesn't feel flimsy and didn't feel cheap. The price is cheap so definitely will be getting these again in the near future for my next scapebook.
Performed as expected. Good Price.
I started putting together albums of all my photos and wouldn't use anything else to hold them in place. The magnetic pages are great and photos can easily be readjusted.
These extra-large album pages are exactly what I needed to complete an over-size album of ocean-liner paper memorabilia! The local drugstore which formerly sold these album sheets, discontinued selling them for some odd reason... Going to Amazon was the PERFECT solution!!
I could not find these in the stores so again Amazon to the rescue. These came in perfect condition and just what my husband needed. Recommended if this is what you are looking for.
Purchased for my father who was working on his old scrapbooks. The paper used in the scrapbooks that dated back to his high school days was trying to return to dust. These worked great (with a little trimming) to become the new support for the crumbling scrapbook pages.
I was looking for a Photo Album where I could arrange the pictures the way I wanted, not stick them in a sleeve.This album lets me do this and also I can add extra pages. Only Amazon always has what I am looking for,thanks.
these pages worked just as i hoped they would. would recommend them to anyone wanting to arrange their own photo pages
Nice album, BUT refills are VERY HARD to figure out as album WILL NOT COME APART, and directions are miniscule :( haven;t figured out how to take it apart yet so have not benefitted from refill :(  yet...
I didn't get the chance to really try these out because one of the extention posts was defective.  Very aggravating!
This filter causes lens flares/internal reflections when used on my Nikon AF-S 50mm 1.4G lens. It's unusable when I have a light source in a photo because it will have a green lens flare on it.I gave it two stars instead of one because it does it protects the lens from dust/damage.
Does as advertised. No problems or distortions as I can see. But I have issues with filters and flares and hot spots shooting towards the sun, but use this mostly for protection and remove in special conditions.
Like I said, if you just wanted something to cover and protect your lens this will do its job. However, if I had to re-do it all over again I'd go for something like B&W, especially if I had an L lens.
I mean for what It costs it is decent. I got it for protection on my lens but I don't use it because of the degradation of the image quality. It also has extreme glare/reflections in low light or super sunny conditions. If you want a cheap way to protect your lens this is the way to go. But if you want good image quality along with protection id say just pony up the extra bucks and get a better one. Especially onethat has coatings on the glass.
This is something that I would recommend to everybody to have for your lens. I got it for my 18-200mm which helps the lens screen plus the pictures comes up great. Fast service and god company to purchase from. Highly recommend it.
This works great with my new Nikon 70-300mm lens. This UV filter offers great protection for the lens....which is important given the lens cost. It's dumb not to buy this.
This UV filter works well at protecting the front element of my lens. As is the case with most less expensive UV filters this filter is prone to light refraction depending on the angle you are shooting with the sun or lights. In those situations I tend to remove this filter for cleaner images .
I use a Nikon 18-300 lens which is 1,000 dollars, This does what it's meant to do, protect the lens from dirt, dust and accidents. I haven't noticed any refection's or ghosts in my photo's and have shot 100's of photo's with it on my lens. Love it!
I bought this as a cheap way to protect myCanon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, and it does what its supposed to do.  Fits securely and accepts the lens cap.  I have not noticed any change in IQ.
Not much to say about this, it's a good general UV filter.  No problems with it nor anything stellar to write, just nice protection for your lens.
This was an accessory for a 16-35mm F/2.8L Canon lens that I purchased (separately). The filter works well during the day in bright light and otherwise conditions where the particular wavelength of blue-green light is not present.. When in the dark - whether setting it up for long exposures of the night sky or for birthday pictures with the candles lit up - I still have to remove the filter to avoid ghosting. However, at this price point, I don't expect the filter to handle this and it's kind of understood that I need to do this.Why buy this ? I travel a lot - with my lenses and in my experience, having an extra layer of glass over the lens in itself makes it easier to clean and one less thing to bother when considering minor spills (or people trying to check out your lenses) . When I do need that clarity, I take the lens filter off, take a picture and back on goes the filter after it's temporary housing in my back pocket.I've had previous lenses banged up (18-55 kit lenses .. in the infancy of the art) and another lens with milk shake on it (lens face down on a McD's table + clumsy skier friend = Milk shake accident ) where a UV filter has resulted in lesser pain and loss. So I'd recommend this product if you know when to take it off and when to keep it on. It does it's job and let's you do yours.[EDIT 03/07/2012] The filter did it's job when my lens skid off a bench onto a hardwood floor. It was inside it's leather cover but it was still a hard drop. The filter took the impact and shattered keeping the lens safe. I ordered another one and is on it's way.Please note : the filter does have ghosting issues and that's true with all but the most expensive filters. The filters I use are for lens protection - both in case of accidents as well as to protect the glass from everyday grime and dust. When I'm shooting low-light, I take off the filter and put on the lens hood - works like a charm !
A must have - I would suggest getting it for all your lenses. Typically they suggest it only for film cameras - for the way UV reacts with the film (typically blue light). However, there are some other schools of thought that suggest not putting cheaper glass in front of expensive lenses.This doesn't feel that way to me - suggest trying it out for yourself and check out the difference on many daytime photos.
I bought this filter to put on the front of the 18-70 DX lens on my Nikon D50.  It works well and protects the front element of the lens from dust, dirt, fingerprints and whatnot.It seems to cause a little vignetting (slightly darkened corners) at extreme wide angles (~18mm) -- but from what I've seen so far it isn't terribly noticeable, 'specially for the price.
I ordered this to help reduce the sun glare in photos and it works pretty well and is decently priced. I got it to go with my Nikon SLR camera and it fits perfectly.
thing is fine, you get what you pay for, not to expensive because basically all it does is protect the lens element from getting scratched, and thats it, it does nothing else :) lol cheap though so whatever
I think this production is a good because I used it very comfortable and have not found any uncomfortable things.
It's not the most clear glass, but it works.  However, I bought it for the protection on my Canon 17-40mm lens.  It always sounded a little loose and moved easily... then finally it CRACKED.  I'm lucky it didn't scratch my new lens.  I'm going for the B&W filters from now on.  So much for savings, now I'm paying more than I would have if I just did it right the first time!
A must to protect the front element of your expensive lenses without interfering with the optical quality
I bought this filter for my new Fuji HS50EXR that I recently bought to protect the lens.  It is made in the USA and it works very good.  This filter size also fits the Canon lenses.  The price is very reasonable for a quality American made filter.
I'm not all about filters, but I am very happy with the way this filter has worked with my lenses. :)
nothing hard about this. provides easy, clear, inexpensive protection for your expensive lenses...goes on with a few turns then you breathe a sigh of relief when your kids grab your lens when you're not looking.
This filter does a good job of both protecting the front element of a lens, as well as filtering out excess UV light. While modern lenses don't really need the UV filtering that much, if you are using an older lens designed for a film SLR it can be very helpful. Modern sensors tend to be more sensitive to UV than film is, and if the older lens coatings don't filter it out you'll notice in highlights.
Don't waste your $10!! I'm not a prosumer even, but the blue ghosting/flare is very noticeable on half my photos! This cheap filter is useless, I can't see anyone using it for more than a couple of weeks. Go for the better multi-coated ones, I don't know which but I'm researching it right now.
This is my second one of these.  I dropped my camera and this broke but saved my lens from breaking.  I would not go without one now.
I knew when I purchased my new Ditigal Camera that I would have to protect the lens from getting scratched, at Amozon.com I found this Tiffen 72mm UV protection Filter at a resonable price, it also help me take very clear pictures. I would recommend it to everyone.
I only use this filter when I'm shooting in extreme conditions. It is very durable, and can be cleaned by the edge of my shirt. However, flare is common. I use a Hoya multicoated filter under most conditions if durability is not an issue. The price is right.
I really like this filter mostly for it's protection.  I tend to drop things a lot, including my expensive camera.  This filter has saved my lens many times......including the time it shattered but left the lens untouched.  I had to replace the protection filter, but it is well worth every penny.  Photos turn out great in any conditions with the filter in place.  I highly recommend it to protect  your expensive lenses.
it is always smart to cover the end of the lens,so thats why i bought this item. So thank you....for reminding me .
Tiffen has been in the filter business for as long as I can remember and they make a good product for the money. Their typical filter has better quality glass than most camera store off brand filters. Not nearly as good as a Nikon or Canon branded filter some of which are built by Tiffen but to a better specification using better coatings. All that said, if you are just looking for basic UV function or lens protection from the this filter it is just fine as long as you don't have an ultra wide angle zoom or ulta wide angle lens as this filter does vignette on my Nikon 12-24mm lens. There is a newer filter made especially for ultra wide angle lenses that has a reduced ring sidewall thickness.  It is naturally priced at double the price of this filter (go figure huh?).
This came free when I purchasedNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasfrom Amazon.  It did not have the best reviews so I purchased aSigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filterto go on the lens primarily.I have put this on the lens a few times to see what I thought and it definitely reflects light when its coming from a shallow angle more, leading to more flares and ghosts.  I plan to keep this as a backup for the Sigma filter in case I break or horribly scratch that one, itll work in a bind.I would not recommend buying this filter - spend a few more dollars and get one that wont end up annoying you when you look at the pictures.
Anyone using a DSLR should have some form of lense protection.This UV filter serves that function while adding a means tominimize adverse solar impacts.Good value for cost.
I have always used Tiffin filters for almost all of my lenses.  The price is right and the quality is good.  What else is important?  You will always be satisfied with Tiffin products.  This UV Protection filter is no exception.
I can't give it a perfect 5 due to the fact that all uv protection filters are very much similar. The only differences is that some can distort your photos, but safety first when dealing with any of your lenses.
It does what I needed for the price I wanted to pay, simple and easy to use. I recommend it
It's just a filter and i don't know how i can made de review of this, i use just to protect my lens. The good is because i don't notify any problem use that, my photos stay at the same quality using this filter.
the filter arrived unopened but was totally useless, it was damage with fungi
If you do not have $$$$$ to spend on the high priced brands, this filter will just do the job perfectly fine !
It provides some UV protection, and best of all, protects the lens. Not too much more to say than that.
Standard UV filter. It's pretty good quality, I usually always use tiffen but I can't say it's amazing because I've since moved to Lee Filters and B&W filters which are much higher quality.
I purchased this it's good quality I putted on my lens canon 50mm f1.8 it fitted very well on it
I always buy this filter to protect my lens. It is much better to have something happen to this inexpensive lens then to the actual lens itself.
Just get my lens protection filter from Tiffen, nice product very good for the price, I ordered one for my nikon 70-300mm, and 105mm and for my nikon 35mm..
Not as good as Hoya but within its price range, it is definitely worth every penny. It is easy to clean and a great barrier to dust and moisture.
i bought it more for the protection of my lenses from scratches rather than the uv protection but it works all the same, they do not distort your photos.
I received a genuine Tiffen 58mm filter plastic carrying box.  And a piece of paper with the usual graphics.  And... nothing else.  Seems that the shipper likes to remove the filter and just ship the plastic box.  How nice.  My query to Amazon regarding the situation... netted nothing.  No reply.  Not even an acknowledgement.  Zip.Beware.
I use this for my 50mm that I also just recently bought. It came in good condition and serves the purpose well.
This filter does what it was designed to do. It protects the lens from damage, along with filtering out UV light. With most people shooting digital photography at this point, the filter is more to protect than to filter out the UV rays. This Tiffen filter is of solid construction, and threads easily onto the lens. There are two issues, however, that might be a problem for some users. First, the stock Canon lens cap does not fit properly on the lens with this filter in place. It does work, it just does not attach cleanly. I have not tested to see if other manufacturers' caps work better. The second problem is that because this filter is uncoated, it can create a "ghosting effect" in some shooting situations. The workaround for this problem is to simply remove the filter. My final verdict is that it does a great job for the price and on my budget it meets all my expectations. If you're willing to shell out more money, a multi-coated filter by B+W will not have these problems.
This is the filter that I tend to keep on my camera unless I need a specialty filter.  Protects the lens from dust, scratches, and other debris without interfering in images.  A must for any compact DSLR.
Fit my lens perfectly and mu cap still fits too!  Very nice.  Make sure that you are ordering the right size for your particular lens.
This was pretty easy to install, just make sure that you are buying the correct size (I needed a 52mm for my 55mm because it screws on the top). It does it's job and protects my lens perfectly. I was very impressed with the price!
Even though most lenses have a UV coating on them, using this filter adds protection to the camera lens, which is the main reason I use this item.
As a professional "field" photographer and cinematographer I have always used Tiffen filters for the front of my lenses. They've always served well, never fogged or glazed and the threads on the ring have held up on every one I have ever purchased and that goes back a long way.Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)One For The GipperThe Sporting Chef's Favorite Wild Game Recipes
Works perfect for my 22mm lens. It protects it from dirt and the occasional bumps. Price is good compared to other non branded product. I always use Tiffen for my cameras.
I wanted lense protection at a very low price.  I can't see any difference in my digital pictures betwen filtered and unfiltered, using this filter.  Now, if I get dirt on the filter, or a scratch, or whatever...  I can just dump the filter and buy another one.
I've had my Nikor 12 - 24 for about 8 years without a filter on the front.  Simply never took the time to purchase one this size.  A year ago I took a fall down a steep embankment and broke the sunshade that did provide protection for the lens (limited)  When I ordered the replacement lens hood I added this filter.  I haven't shot with it since I placed the filter on the lens so the jury is still out on that part.But the quality of the filter and ease of mounting it to the lens is what I want to see in a filter.
Tiffen does not make the most expensive filter on the market, but as long the focusing time and image quality are not degraded, the difference in price between a Tiffen filter and a B+W is a savings I will take. Offers good lens protection, does not scratch easily and as long as you keep it dust free will reduce the UV haze and produce good pictures.
Does exactly what I want; protect the lens.  Quality enough for crystal clear pictures and inexpensive enough to replace immediately.
Excellent compatibility with my camera (Sony NEX-5).  Ordered immediately when I purchased my camera but couldn't find one in town (didn't use the camera until I had this filter in place).  Considering cost of camera lenses this UV protection filter is a great investment in protection.  Easy to clean between photo shoots.  I would buy another Tiffen filter when I purchase a telephoto or wide angle lens.
Fits great on my Canon EF 50mm f1.4 Prime lens. I feel much safer with this on as an extra layer of protection for my lens for dust and scratches. Be careful in certain lighting situations though...there may be funky reflections etc...**NOTE: This is NOT a filter, it's a COVER. Don't expect anything more.
Good fit on my Sony HDR-SR11 and well packaged by manufacturer.  Polarization seems adequate, but not impressively so.  Would be nice if it shipped with a lens cap to prevent accidental handling contact.  Decent filter for the price.
I attached this to the front of my Tamron 2.8 17-50mm lens almost two years ago and forgot about it. I didn't realize the beauty and importance of it until an accident that shattered the Tiffen. The important thing though, is that my lens is completely intact because tiffen took the entirety of the impact. I am so thankful I had this little one protecting my lens and am definitely ordering another!
I bought my Nikon D3000 kit from Costco a while back, which did not include &#34;skylight filters&#34; for either lens. I dawdled at getting them, even though I knew they were good insurance against dust, scratches, etc.Then my brother visited from Singapore, and somewhere along the way his camera took a beating. When he pulled it out the UV filter was shattered, but the lens was good to go.Needless to say, I got onlne that day and ordered them.
I bought this 77mm UV filter to help protect my Nikon Nikkor 18-300mm lens. Lens still takes great pictures with this filter on.
I subscribe to the idea that every lens should have a clear filter on to keep greasy fingers and cleaning scratches away from the lens.  To those who don't, how many times do you shot with the sun partially or directly as the subject.  And UV and skyfilters don't cause a problem beside lens hoods were designed for that.  It does what it does!!!!
I take my camera almost everywhere and purchased this filter as protection for my camera lens.  It is also for UV protection. I don't worry so much about fingerprints or dust knowing I can take the filter off clean it.
It serves its purpose.  I got it on sale so I'm happy with it. I've always liked the Tiffen brand.
I use it as a protector for the lens itself. It fits fine and takes a snap-on cap securely.  If I wanted more versatility, I would order the 3-filter pack, which I have for other lenses.
Nice filter which works well to protect your much more expensive lens so keep it intact and protected. Worth keeping in your camera bag to knock the ultra violet rays down.
Oh man, my husband dropped my camera today, and the $10 filter broke, but my $800 lens stayed in one piece.  Happy I had this thing on today!
Really protect the lense. I enjoyed it not interfere with the use of my on board flash. I do event photography and some times the lens gets bumped.
Received it quickly.  Found that it was the wrong size, so have not used it yet.  But anything from Tiffen I have used in the past has been of great quality.  Thank you!
Seems to be a nice filter and doesn't seem to cause un-sharp images. Screws on easily and doesn't stick to the lens.
This was purchased along with the Tamron 18-200mm Lens for my Canon T3 camera.  Everyone should know by now that it makes sense to include one of these on their camera to protect the lens itself, from bangs, bumps, dust, and dirt.It's a no-brainer, really and Tiffen has been in the filter business a very long time.  Trust me, I'm old! Worth the extra cost.
works nicely
Works very well with our Lumix as a protective filter. It makes us more comfortable when using the camera.
i'm a hobbiest mostly photographing my kids.  the filter was strongly recommended for protection of the lens and it's great (especially with the kids wanting to use the camera too!).  i've been very pleased with it so far but i don't have the eye to tell if there is any distortion or artifacts from using it.  it does what i wanted it to do (protect the lens) and was a very reasonable price.
My daughter and I both recently got Nikon D90 cameras.  I bought us each one of these filters to help protect the camera's lens.  I've had Tiffen filters before and found them to very good quality for the price.  And, these are no exception.  If you don't use a filter to protect your lens you're looking for a big repair bill down the road.
I have had one of these filters on my Nikon 18-70mm DX lens for a couple of years and had no trouble with it. So I let Amazon add one to my order when I bought the Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens. The filter ruins the performance of the 70-300 VR, the lens doesn't focus correctly and there are strange reflection patterns in the out-of-focus areas of the image when you zoom in to 100%.
I was super bummed with this filter.  The glass is floppy within the frame of this filter and the lens cap doesn't fit on it.  Once I got it on, gently hand tightened, to test it, it was stuck and I couldn't get the dang thing off.My lens is going naked for now.
Very cheap, good build quality, made in USA. I also have a more expensive Hoya filter, could not tell the difference, both perform the function well. Own two for over 6 years, recently ordered another one, the price seems to be even lower. What a deal!
I can't say much about the UV filtering qualities because I have never noticed a difference, but like most people I bought this to protect my lens and it does that very well. It fits tightly and accommodates the lens cap without an issue. Fingerprints and dust are easily cleaned off and gives you the peace of mind that your lens is protected. I will buy one of these with every new lens, put it on immediately and never take it off.
The product felt strong, solid, and well put together. The glass was clear with no visible tint or imperfections. Although this and another filter (same type different size) both arrived with smudges on the glass. The smudges were fairly easy to wipe off, but I suspect the items are either not cleaned before packaging, or I received someone's returned item. However, I had to return this item since they DON'T contain any anti-glare/reflective coating on them. When shooting towards a light source (light bulb, tv, sun, etc) a green reflection of the light source would appear on the recorded image. The green reflected image was caused by a reflection bouncing off of my lens's green tinted anti-glare coating which was bounced right back into the camera by this filter. If your lens isn't coated in an anti-glare coating the result will be even worse.Instead I picked up Quantaray filters from a local Wolf Camera that were coated with the anti-glare. They only cost a little more, and the green reflection is now gone. Make sure you look for a filter with the anti-glareCamera: Canon 20d, Lenses tested: 18-55, 28-135, 70-300
This is cheap gear.  The only things I can say it does as expected are 1) it fits, and 2) it will protect your lens's front element...mostly.The glass fits the ring poorly and shifts, letting dust get to your lens, thus requiring you to clean your lens's front element, which presents the opportunity to damage it that you were trying to avoid by installing this "protective" filter.The optics are questionable, as other point out.If you're broke, and just want to keep fingers off your lens, sure.  Otherwise, get anything better, like a Hoya, or splurge and get a B+W.
Got this filter for about $5 so can not complain. The outter ring of the filter seems to have some type of paint on it, and the paint is alrdeay chipping when I took it out of the box. The quality of this filter is very bad.
Great filter to protect my lens, great service and quick delivery. The only problem i had is my Canon L lens will have problems sometimes focusing with this filter on.
I havent noticed any flares in lens or artifacations from the filter so I tihnk the coating is OK. Ring is good quality steel, I've used it for about a month daily at work as a photog.
Tiffen is a good mid price filter if you just want to protect the front element of your lens. I am satisfied, if I was to spend more it would probably be for a Hoya.
I used this on my Panasonic camcorder. I don't notice any negative effects. Seems just fine.
I ordered a 52mm UV Protection filter, but got a 58mm filter instead. Packaging read 58mm but the label slapped on the outside said 52mm.
A product with more than 2500 reviews!!! How often do you see that? And that count of reviews speaks for itself: this is an awesome filter at an awesome price (6 bucks with Prime. Although you have to buy it as an add-on item)!!!The filter does a good job of blocking (or atleast reducing) the UV light while shooting in sun. I could clearly see the difference when I shot pictures with and without the filer on my lens. You see a marked decrease in the bluish hue in the pictures. And it also does the added job of protecting your lens from scratches, dust and getting it broken accidently!!!And the best thing is they have the whole range of filter for virtually any lens you have !!!! I have one each for all my lenses and would recommend everyone to buy one!!
I recieved three Tiffen UV protectors for each of three protectorless lenses I had. Upon opening the protectors I found them to be terribly dirty, covered in dust and particals and rather filmy looking. I, of course was on my way to a shoot and didn't have my cleaning gear. I used a lintless, streakless wipe made by the manufacturer of spendy lenses. The grime came off alright but I was bummed that I had to clean them up. I shot a few times with these protectors and each time I had the sun near my shoulder or near the front of the lens I got horrible colored blobs in my shots. It didn't matter if I shot indoors or out, there they were, a ghost hunters dream, hazy apparitions right where my amazing shot should be. When I noticed this on some shots I was taking at a wedding, I quickly took the protector off and tossed it in the bottom of my camera bag. That is where it lays still, much cleaner than when it arrived in the mail but likely never to be used again. I gave this product 3 stars because it did "protect" my lens.
One thing that I always worry about is scratching my camera's lens.  With this UV filter, I get beautiful pictures and can rest assured that my camera's lens is safe.
It is just a filter, mind you. Provides good value, especially when some similar filters cost 10's of dollars. Recommended
This item protects your camera lens like it should. If you take a lot of hand held photos, then every lens should have one.
I got this filter for my newly purchased Canon 17-40mm f/4L lens. It's a winning combination. The colors are magnificent, the blues in the sky amazing and no negative impact on IQ. Highly recommended this filter! Don't even hesitate - get it :)
What can I say. It is a UV filter. And it also protects my new Nikon lens. A good product to a very reasonable cost!
This filter is American which made me happy! Presents a good quality and offers good performance. UV filter is essential to protect the camera (lens).
I bought this filter replacing a Hoya that I had accidentally scratched. I received the product quickly BUT with small nicks and scratches all over it! WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND! I'm very dissatisfied! I'm expecting a full refund ASAP!
This is my second filter.My first one was on my 200mm Canon Lens. I opened my carrying case and found the lens cracked, looks like somehow it took a hard blow during my recent travel.So what can I say, I saved my $2000 lens for a $9 filter, works for me.I bought another one to replace my first one, I can do this all day long as long as it can save my lens....Buy it, I never thought I would crack one of these but clearly I was saved by the filter.
It's important to protect your lens from scratches and dust and such. It does that obviously well.But when held up against light, it leaves a horrible apparition. Ruined some of my photos with this streak of cyan. But for a cheap filter, this is your buy. For an actual filter, i would spring more money.
I like using a UV Protector Filter on all my lenses to protect the lens glass itself for a fairly nominal cost. This one works great.
I have a UV filter on each of my DSLR lenses to protect them from dust and scratches.  The Tiffen one is OK, but I prefer the Hoya filter for the superior build and glass.
No color or image alteration.Had many of this filtre brand in the past and the quality is always there.
Perfect for protecting my lens.  I keep filters on all my lenses for mostly protection.  This one give clear photos.
When trying to shoot outdoor photographs with this on the lens, it casts a green flare sometimes across the photograph ifyoure shooting into the sun. It is great to shoot indoors with and if youre using it as lens protection it works well too, but outdoor shooting i'd rather not.
The filter is well made and without any defect and works well, as far as I can tell, without resorting to lab tests!  :)
This is a great filter. Iused it with my camera which is a Canon 5D. works with Canon 5D Mark II
Needed this filter for my camera.  This Tiffen filter met my expectations and I highly recommend it.  Verry, very nice!
This Tiffen 52mm filter fits well on my Nikon D40X 55-200mm lens. I bought it more for protecting the lens from smudges and debris than for the UV protection.  It is working well and easy to clean.  I highly recommend this $9 investment to protect your lens.
It's a good product. I use it to protect the lens. There is no difference in the quality of pictures and it's a great protector.
I keep this on my camera all the time except when changing for another filter.  Just great protection for my lens from getting scratched.
I used the filter with a new lens at a track meet and a historic battlefield tour. The images had the appropriate colors on a partly cloudy day.
I purchased this UV filter for use with my Nikon D300.  I am very satisfied with the results.  I recommend this seller and would purchase again from the seller due to great pricing, accuracy in product description and quick shipping.
Quick to ship and items are exactly as advertised. I recommend this product to any photographer that is looking for this item
TIFFEN FILTERS ARE ALWAYS GOOD NOT ONLY THEY PROTECT YOUR LENSE THAT ITS VERY EXPENSIVEBUT THE FILTER ITS SELF HAS A LOW PRICE
The filter is ok.. I keep it basically to protect the lenses, but yesterday I almost freaked out. I was using my Rebel XTi with my new EF 70-200 F/4 L IS USM at night (first use after an international flight) and in all the shots I had reflection of lights.. just like if there was a horizontal mirror. My first thought was.. some shock damaged the lenses. But then I removed the filter and the reflection went away, so it was being created by the filter.During daylight shooting, it works ok and it fits perfectly in all my lenses. I'll give it 5 starts.
It is a savior for my Nikon 18-200mm lens. I haven't really bothered for the UV protection, but it definitely saves my pricey lens from dust and elements. Fits nicely, and it is almost not noticeable. The lens cover also fits well on top of it.I have lately realized that I need to remove it when doing low light photography. Thankfully I haven't needed to photograph in low light conditions in dusty environments.
A UV filter is essential for any one with a DSLR. It helps filter out harsh light and it also protects the actual glass of your lens. It's better to have to pay $16 to replace a filter, than paying $500+ to replace a lens!
this filter has a very thick lens and itlooks cheap compare to hoya standard coat filter. It can protect your lens but it will not reduce interal reflection. Buy hoya standard coat.
I bought this to replace an identical one that was broken when my camera slid down a plank and ran lens-first into a sharp stone. I was surprised and pleased that it broke without shattering and protected my prime lens from any damage.
The filter quality is acceptable for most lens applications - especially to protect a lens that is primarily used to shoot birthday parties and vacations.  However, for high-end lenses there are much better choices.  The packaging for the filter is extremely poor (filter in zip lock bag and box).  A high-end filter should be supplied in a hard protective case to minimize potential for micro-scratches on surface.  Personally, I prefer Nikon filters.
I recently had a mishap where I dropped one of my Nikon zoom lenses and it landed face-down. The filter rim took the brunt of the fall, so while the cap and filter glass were smashed, the lens itself was thankfully intact.Get a clear or UV filter like this for each of your lenses as a safety precaution against scratches and other accidents that could ruin your perfectly good lens. This Tiffen filter is a good option because it's pretty affordable and comes in a size that's common among Nikon lenses.
Works as advertised and have not noticed any negative affect to my pics.  I would rather have this scratched or damaged filter versus an expensive lens relatively speaking.  Highly recommended.
I bought 52mm and 67mm sizes of this filter.  The primary reason I bought these filters was to protect my lenses.  They do this job quite well.  The 52mm filter fits myNikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lensjust fine, as does the 67mm lens on myNikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.The botching, however comes whenever I have this filter on my camera, which is almost all the time, and I try to shoot toward the sun, which is occasionally.  Whenever the sun is in or nearly in the frame this filter produces an annoying greenish spot to appear on the image.  I suppose I could continue to use this filter, and I will for the time being (until I get around to replacing it), but I will have to Photoshop those annoying greenish spots out of my images until then.3 stars.
This is just a good basic lens filter. I don't like to leave any of my lenses exposed to anything so this to me is kind of like a screen protector.  Pictures still come out clean and crisp from this.  I just wipe it down with a lens cleaner when it looks like it needs it.Filter is sturdy and feels like good quality.
Worth the money and you wont be disappointed.  I needed one for my 300mm and it fits like a charm.
Bought this for my EPL-1 and it fit prefect. I feel a little safer having it installed to protect the lens. So far I haven't had to test it out.
must have in order to protect the lens. nothing worse than going into the woods and scratching your lens. cheaper to replace the protection filter than the lens.
this product provides your lens a protection barrier in case of a fall and also helps with UV rays.  Made of good sturdy materials.
This filter does what its name implies; it protects your lens from scratches, dust, and other problems. That's about all this filter does, but it does it well enough.
I ordered two of them. I use these as protection for my lenses. It's much cheaper to break a filter than a lens.
The lack of multicoating is inexcusable in the 21st century. A well built filter with good quality glass ruined by the lack of multicoating. If there is any source of light within the frame, nasty reflections of that light hitting the filter will ruin your photos. Pay a little more for a multicoated filter. Amazon should be ashamed of insisting on this filter as suggested item to a lens purchase.
I just use this as a protection layer for my expensive lens.I do not observe any reduction of picture quality. Well worth the price  as it prevents scratches from daily use.
I'm not a pro (yet) and I can't compare it to all kins of great filters, but it looks nice and clear and it protects my lens. So, I'm happy with it. I've used Tiffen filters on my other lenses before and never had any issues with them. Not to mention, the Amazon price was great, better than eBay.
This could save you hundreds of dollars, or in the case of a point and shoot, the need to replace the entire camera.
The glass was a little bit thicker than I was expecting, but this is going in place of a lens cap on my FD 50mm f/1.4 on my AE-1 35mm film body I inherited from my dad.Bought it because it was only around $6
I use this for my Sony NEX-5N camera and it works well.  It doesn't darken the picture at all and provides a layer of protection to the lens.
They are okay. No real negatives. They fit they protect the front element of lens. They could be thinner and have a more noticeable multicoating. But for the price hard to beat
I use this filter on my 1960s Japanese rangefinder camera.  It fulfills all my UV filter needs for that model
Purchased this for my son in conjunction with a telephoto lens purchase ... srsly, what could possibly go wrong?
No problem getting it, and it does what these do - protect the lens and cut out some haze.  Not much more to say.
One of my friends brought it from here for a new 18-105mm vr nikkor (from D90 kit). After attached it to the lens, you will see a small spot at the middle. He showed it to me for finding the reason. I said Oh god remove it immediately.But it is too late. The glass of the filter hit the glass of the lens. The filter was returned, but the spot is still on the lens forever. - -"Update 07/06/10One of my friend bought this filter for 18-105mm. Again !!, the same problem
It is quite cheap. I definitely did not buy it for UV protection. I bought it just to protect the lens. Glass is okay-good. Nothing special. Don't put this in front of costly lenses.
I purchased this filter through Amazon/Adorama for my FZ18k - primarily to protect the front element of the zoom lens. The filter was delivered in it's own case and the packaging is much better than many other brands that I have used in the past. The quality of the glass is good. I have not noticed any distortions in photos takes with the filter. It is a great buy to protect your zoom lens!
I've never written a reveiw before (made hundreds of purchases)but I had to after purchasing this lens filter. I just dropped my camera - couldn't breath for several minutes especially seeing a broken lens. But that's just it, I didn't break the lens - this lens protection filter did, and thank goodness my camera is OK! I went right back here and purchased another lens filter. I just protected a brand new lens for my camera and this filter saved it! All I can say is WOW. I'm a return and totally satisfied customer of the Tiffen 58mm lens protection filter. Hope this helps anyone making a big purchase lens - You need a protection filter!
I ended up going to Zurich with this new lens. The filter came with it.  I noticed that I kept seeing orbs in the view...  I finally had to remove the filter to get the shot orb free. It felt like there was a coating but I think it was just dirty...  I mean it had something on it and I ended up needing to use a wet cleaner to get it cleaned. Anyway I had some beautiful shots trashed because of the reflections coming off the filter when hit with night lighting.  I have not yet tried at night with lights to see if I fix it...  Other than that I can't say much about a UV lens...
I ordered two of these to protect two new Nikon lenses.  Unfortunately the lenses were backordered and arrived so late that I never thought to test these filters out, now I can't return them.  :(Price: ExcellentBuild Quality: Poor!  The glass in both my filters slides around as if it's too small for the threaded metal ring.Image Quality: OK in even, soft lighting; Poor in the presence of any strong light source.  Both produce green ghost images when shooting in bright natural light or strong light source in dark room (e.g. birthday candles).Verdict: If you've got a lens worth protecting, you surely want good images from it, too.  Do yourself a favor, spend a couple bucks more and get a better filter.  I ended up with a $15 Quantaray UV filter and get no ghosts when shooting in similar conditions.
I purchased this for a 50mm prime canon lens.  Have always had good luck with Tiffen products but when it arrived I noticed the glass filter was "loose" inside the ring allowing it to shift around slightly and make noise as it "clicks" against the ring.  I returned it without issue through amazon and they promptly sent a new one.  Initially it seemed ok, but within a couple minutes of handling it presented with the same issue.  I took a few pictures with it anyway just to see how it would do.....Big glare spots...which certainly could be due to lack of talent and skill but when I read other reviews glare was noted as a problem from some users .  Either way the filter should not slide around and make any noise in my opinion.I'd add a photo with the glare issues but not seeing a link to do so. Someone with more experience may be able to tell if it is the lens, the filter or the user...
What can I say about a filter. It fit. the price was right. It protects my lense from getting broke.
This UV filter does it job to protect the lens well.The build is solid (metal construction).The glass is also descent quality.
Find the size you nee for every lens you have and get one for each of them.  This isessential to avoid fingerprints, dust, etc. on your lenses.  This is a lot easier to clean than your camera lens.
I bought Canon TI3 a 2 months ago. Bought a case with it. I will review the case in the other review. The problem for the case is, it has a handle on top of case cover, which is only secured by buckling the 2 traps.Here is the story cut short. In the middle of my shooting process, I took a brief rest and put back the camera back in case. Since I will pick it up a few moments later, I didn't buckle the straps for the cover. My wife tried to move it by the handle on cover. Guess what?The whole case is flipped and the camera dumped on the ground.Fortunately the only broken part is the protector.
Ordered on Aug 15th and received on Aug 21th. Very fast shipping to FPO address. Usually, the quickest is 2 weeks and of course, up to 2 months. Anyhow, I'm not a pro photographer or do I have to have the money to spend 100-200$ on a filter. I bought it just to protect my lenses and it does a good job. I'm still shocked how quick I received the products. To a point when the guy from the post office told me I got some camera stuffs in the mail, I did not believe him. I actually bought a 77mm, 72mm, 62mm and 58mm all together. Why buy 3 and pay for shipping when I can add the forth filter and get free shipping. I will buy from this seller again.
A protective lens like this just saved another camera of mine! I dropped the camera, and the protective lens cracked, but the camera lens (and ring) were fine. I think the fact that this lens has a metal frame helped a lot. I strongly recommend using protective lenses on your cameras! It saved me from costly repairs!
Everyone should have a UV filter screwed onto the end of each of their lenses.  It's a lot cheaper to replace one of these when it gets scratched than a lense.  This does what it's supposed to do.
Well priced, great value. meets ones needs. will be able to stand up and protect the camera lens. arrived on time.
This filter is a surprisingly good deal, great quality price ratio!  It protects my 50mm f1.8 without costing the same price as the lens!  I have noticed no problems at all.
What can you say about a filter company that's been doing it for so many years. Inexpensive, dependable and does what it's supposed to.
I got few of them for every lens what i have. You know that how important is protection.
This product does the job it is intended for. It is well made and does not affect the quility of the picture. I am very pleased with this filter.
Its fabulous protection for my camera lens. Its easy to install and does the job. Bada bing bada boom...I'm out of words.
To be honest I just paired it with a new lense I bought to protect it. But it seems to be good quality and a good price!
Overall I'm very satisfied with the product, it arrived on time and the packaging was great and frustration free. The product I bought it as a gift for my cousin and he is very happy with it, no complaints so far.
Great filter but need to by bayonet mount for canon to use it. Canon's fault not the filter. NEED MORE WORDS TO POST!
I purchased this filter from Amazon based on positive reviews I read here. The filter is very poorly made, I am shocked that so many rated this highly. Normally the reviews on Amazon are accurate indicators of quality. The glass in this filter is not fixed, in fact it doesn't fit properly.  The glass moves back and forth in the casing,it is as though the filter housing was made for a much thicker piece of glass. As others have written it was also very dirty as though it had been handled.  I'm guessing somebody else was unhappy and returned it.I have experience with Hoya filters and have always been pleased with their build quality. I have returned the Tiffen filter as of today and ordered the Hoya.  I find the filters great for both the protection they provide and function they serve.
This is a great filter. It works great with my Tamron 100-300mm. Price is very good and the quality is excellent.
This filter works great for protecting your lenses. I purchased 3, and put one on each of my lenses!
Great protection for my Nikon J1 lens (I am from the thought that ALL LENS should at least have a UV filter on them).This is a great quality filter (glass, not plastic). Gives the UV protection needed, especially for smaller point-and-shoot cameras.
It doesn't color/alter the image at all and it's a hell of a lot more easy to clean/replace than the $1500 lens you're putting it on.  Get it.
My Tiffen filter arrived quickly, was packaged well and in perfect condition. Nothing negative to say. If you're going to buy a lens don't forget to protect it with a filter!
Solid and quality you would expect from Tiffen. Screws on to the lens well, and does its job. Not much more to say other than it is worth buying.
You can't go wrong with a filter at this price.  If you are trying to cover your lens end with something for protection from children or dust or whatever this will do the job.  I've never noticed degradation in my image quality or incoming light.
Purchased this item along with Sony Sal 70-400 lens, it fits perfectly. and it was delivered on schedule.
Ordered 2 of them for protection of my new Canon lenses.Reasonably priced, very prompt delivery. Excellent quality. US made.Perfect fit with camera lens and cap.Very satisfied with seller.
It has better quality than other unexpensive brands, it works just fine, I replace a &#34;Rocketfish&#34;  on my 18-55mm vr Nikon lens
It protected my lens and did the job! My camera fell off of my dryer and instead of cracking the lens I was able to protect it with this filter - which not only protect my lens from the sun but protected it from cracking!!!
This does just what it is supposed to do, I didn't have one and this one fills the bill without a big cost so I am very satisfied.
Tiffen 46mm UV Protection FilterWhen you have a good camera you need to protect the lens or you could have to pay a lot more to fix it than to protect it. This was perfect. Arrived in short time and in perfect condition.
Cheap and appears to have no noticeable effect on my pictures. I wanted some protection for this non-removable lens. I realize that such use of filters has both supporters and detractors.
Filter works good for general use and protects against some of the light relection. I would purchase it again.
DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK...  spend a little more and get better quality. I wish I'd read these reviews first. They mention that the threads on this filter are not well made... I put it on the camera and couldn't get it off. Took ten minutes to loosen it. I tried again...this time not tightening it. Same problem. It is in the trash. I wouldn't even give it away.
filter works great. works works works. extra words inserted here. thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks
What can I say.  Every lens needs a UV protection filter to keep it safe while in use.  This lens seems to be of good quality, screws on and off easily (a good feature if you tend to occasionally want to take it off although you can screw another filter on top of it) and generally is a good working lens at a reasonable price.
Got these to protect my lens and they are clear and didn't change my pictures.  Would recommend them to a friend.
Not too much to say about this filter other than it came at a good price and exhibited Tiffen usual build quality. Threads on and off the lens effortlessly, and does not loosen up when it is installed on the lens.
This filter was ordered for my Nikon camera. I already had one on the camera however it came loose and I lost the filter somewhere on a  cruise. This one fits perfectly and has provided the protection I needed. I normally only use filters to protect the lens.
What can you say about Tiffen lenses.  Always good quality and the shipping was quick.
Tiffen, a company you can trust.  Anyone that actually takes photographs knows that you should protect your lens, and tiffen filters do a great job.
UV Filters are standard for stopping UV rays and protecting your camera's lense.  That is the main reason I bought this amd a 67 mm filter was simply to protect the lens.
Recently picked up the Nikon 28-300 lens. I'm a big believer in &#34;scratch the filter, not the lens&#34;...so ALL my lens get a UV filter before I put the lens on the camera. That said, all UV filters are not created equal. Many discolor or scratch easily...this one doesn't. After three weeks in the bush, and ten subsequent months of usage, no issues whatsoever. If you get a 77mm lens, get this filter with it. You'll be glad you did.
These things save you thousands of dollars. I fell into the mud with a lens and ruined it just before buying these. They are worth the $5 if it means saving you a $500 lens. BUY Them.... Note: If you take pictures directly aimed at light you will get reflections. (common sense)
In retrospect I probably should have bought a 72 to 77 step up ring and a 77 mm filter and cap. So as to standardize my filters.
This filter is very well made.  You can tell by looking at it that it is of good quality.  do it.
Tiffen has always produced quality products.  Although the UV filter is a simple accessory, it is absolutely necessary to protect your lens.Tips:  Have the correct filter size ready for each lens you own.  Put the filter on the lens as soon as you get your lens.  It is much easier to clean the filter than to clean the surface of your coated lens.  Also, if the filter is scratched, replace it.  Easier to replace a scratched filter than to repair a scratched lens.
the UV protector does pretty much what it's known for nowadays... just a protector.  The question really is would you spend twice as much or more for something that does the same thing as this product's price?  i gave it 4 stars for the construction because it the ring seemed like it was losing paint and the box itself seemed liked it was thrown around a bit cuz it had a bunch of scratches everywhere.  good thing the glass itself wasn't scratched.regardless just buy this to protect the front class of your lens because investing in an inexpensive product will save you loads of money later if you something just happened to nicked the lens glass
For me this is as good as it needs to be, I cannot find fault.
This is the second one of these I've purchased.  The price is right, the quality is good, and it does what it needs to do.  That's exactly what I wanted.
Not much to add to the 5 stars and title - Just what I needed and it does the job!
Good filter and price - I'd buy again if this one ever broke.  Standard filter for 52mm lens threads. I'd recommend this.
It got here quickly and packaged to withstand Armageddon. Good fit, good shape, just what I needed for lens protection.
This filter is just as advertised.  I feel comfortable now that my lens is &#34;scratch proofed&#34;.  Sometimes I tend to just toss my lenses in my bag, but no worries, no more.
I'm using this filter on my new canon lens to protect the lens and for UV protection.  It works great.
Bought this from Amazon.com for some protection for my lenses. Seems to work fine, have not noticed any duplicate images as mentioned by other reviewers but will watch for them. Bought it mainly as UV filter for daylight photos and to protect my lens.
I have not had any problems with this filter.  It stays on my camera all the time.  I have dropped the camera with this on it and it has not affected the glass at all.
I'm using this with a Nikon 18-55 lens and it fits perfectly with no visible distortion in my photots. Good price, excellent fit. I'd buy it again if I needed to.
I got this filter for a 50mm 1.8 Nikon but this filer will sit in my drawer.Filter attaches well on the lens but you are now a happy flare owner. A lot of it!I can now make the difference between a $50+ UV multi coated filter and a $10 UV filterI will stay without it as the glass is very recessed on my lens anyway and the risk of scratching/ touching them is almost zero.Not recommended....
This filter is cost-effective when you consider the value of the lens you are trying to protect from scratches.  It was well-priced and easy to apply.
Ordered it back in Dec '11 and still waiting this filter to arrive.I'm with US Army and stationed overseas, so I typically expect shipping to be delayed.. but in this case after 2 months of waiting I would have to say this is either never sent by the seller or some how got lost in the mail.Not sure what I can do in this case.. so if Amazon customer service can able to help track this, I'd greatly appreciate it!Tks,Bon
I know there are a few other reviews that talk about this filter creating spots on the lens. I concur with those reviews. I've used this with my 35mm prime lens, and have gotten to the point where I just take it off before shooting, as most of my shots would come out with a green spot/tint. I still keep it on for when I carry the lens around just as added protection, but I doubt I'll even do that for long, as it gets tedious taking the filter on and off.I got this free with the lens, but even so I still feel a bit ripped off.
Quickly shipped. Difficult  to say anything else about this :) amazon requires that I actually say more so I am just filling in words that have absolutely nothing related to the product.
I use this filter as a permanent fixture on my lens.  It fits great, is easy to clean, and does not interfere with my lens hood.
After purchasing the Tokina 11-16mm lens I got the Tiffen 77mm UV filter for protecting the lens.It fit without any problems and does what its suppose to do.
great to protect your lens! I have dropped my sigma 24-70 straight to the ground and shattered one of these. My lens is still perfect! this saved me. I have taken photos with and without this filter and cannot notice a difference.
I am glad I got this to protect my 70-200mm lens. It just gives me a little extra comfort. Especially when my 2 year old wants to grab at my lens.
It's a Tiffen filter, so you know it's well made. Like the title says, every lens should have this basic filter!
Product was ordered and received within 5 days. Chose the Tiffen brand due to high quality. A photographer's "Must Have" to protect valuable lenses from dirt, dust and smudges at a minimal cost. Well worth the investment.
I'm no professional, but the previous filter I bought seemed like a higher quality than this one. But, if you're looking for something to just protect your lens, especially against those "little kid sticky fingers", then this will work and it's very cheap.
It does what it's supposed to. Protects the lens element from dust and scratches. I have no complaints and I see little reason to spend any more money on a filter. It does add another element which can increase flare when shooting directly into light sources, but even more expensive filters do this. Just take it off when this causes a problem (probably pretty rare for most people).
so I was in the market for a UV filter and the prices can be all over the place. this is a great price for this filter. It is NOT the best quality option but is was better then my friend's $50 filter she had so i strongly recommend it, especially for beginners.
The Tiffen 72mm UV Protection Filter is quality at a very affordable price! Be careful with the filters you choose as they may add a slight delay to your lens focusing. This on the other hand it just great. Tiffen filters are great and priced decently.
UV protection filter.  Does little but serve as extra protection from your lens.  And its cheap.  What more can you ask of it?  Get one for all your Nikkor 52mm lenses.
It's little more than some extra lens protection. It's cheaper to replace a scratched lens filter than the front element of an expensive lens. Easy to put on and take off. I've noticed no problems with this filter.
Im very happy with this Filter.. it was a great deal and does just want it needed to do. Go Get one!
Perfect fit, and does exactly what it is designed to do. It fit my lens that I had perfectly..
Great lens protector at a great price. This filter is solid and the threads are high quality. Would certainly recommend.
Just right. Fits lens perfectly, sturdy, quality. Great way to protect the actual lens... always have a few of these on hand.
If you're going to spend the money on the nice lens, you need this to protect it from the fingers, dust, water etc.
Buy a lens, buy a filter, a small investment to protect the lens. UV filter is always good to have.
Great Price delivered without problems. It is on my lens to protect it which it does. It feels a bit thin or light, but should work for most shooting projects.
There is nothing to tell about this product. I've bought only to protect my nikkor lens. It fits fine and arrived in a protected case.
Luckily I bought this cheap filter to just act as a lens cap for my 85mm lens, but the glass recently (two weeks old) started spinning within the metal frame of the filter, so when I clean it, it spins round and round. Would like a replacement, but for the $8 spent on it, it's not really worth pursuing.
I attached this lens to my camera and my camera did not explode. It fits. It is transparent.It appears to do the job it was intended for, which is to be unnoticeable.I have not attempted to damage my lens so I can not attest to its strength but I can confirm that it constitutes a physical barrier.
I just use these to protect the main lens from getting dirty or scratched. If this gets scratched, or bent from dropping it, I just throw it away and get another one. It is cheap lens insurance. Plus it helps seal the lens from rain.
Cant beat it. I am very pleased with these filter. I have purchased 2 for the lenses I have. They work great would recommend them for anybody who is budget conscious.
we got a new DSLR and I knew I immediately needed to get uv filters to protect the lenses that came with it.  These fit perfectly and were very reasonably priced and with Amazon prime's 2-day shipping...they were here almost immediately!
Purchased these 55mm filters to put on my new Sony A57 camera. They work well as protection for the lens from scratches. There is no optical effect or filtering from these filters.
I have used Tiffen for many years when I used film cameras.  I recently bought an expensive lens and wanted to protect it so I bought this filter.  As my title says it causes reflections and those reflections show up green!  I know that with digital cameras you do not need UV filtering and I assumed that the coloration would not show in a digital--but I was wrong.  I was shooting into a glass door and got the perfect outline of it reflected back onto a dark chair.  I especially noticed this when using my new K5 II Pentax camera body.  It was less noticeable when using my Pentax KR.  I really don't want to have to buy some super expensive clear filter--but it looks like I may have no choice.
Amazon really cuts the price and they're the real McCoy. I won't have the front element exposed on any of my lenses with filters this inexpensive.
It fits my 18-135 lens great, but in low light there are a lot of flares on the lens. Looking into getting a Tulip hood to fix the issue. I recommend anyone get a filter for your lens, better to break a $3 filter than a $500-$2,500 lens/camera.
This is a great product - it is worth the little extra money to protect my lense.  I recommend this investment.
I have this on my 50mm. It does protect it and I feel Safe from dust particles. Biggest problem is that when i take photos with light source in the frame it shows some glare like windows do. It sometimes shows a upside down reflection of the closest light source. Please check out the image of where the lady is taking the photo in the living room. You see the lamp upside down in a reflection. That is from the filter.
I bought two: one for each lens I own. Perfect fit and it does the job: protects the lens (I hope:).
Not much here to talk about other than it was exactly as described and worked right out of the box.
This filter is great and fits like OEM.  It's blemish free and always works.  I usually buy Hoya but Tiffen is on the same level from what I've seen.
This Tiffen does its job to protect lens. The price was far below German and other competition. No problems with quality of photos taken.
I love this accessory to my camera, it protects it when I am shooting pictures outdoors. I plan on purchasing more accessories in the future.
I installed this today on a Canon EFS 18-200 lens.  My daughter has the identical lens and recently had the lens drop but fortunately had the Tiffen 72mm UV Protection Filter.  So she is going to buy a replacement.  And I now have the Tiffen filter on my camera.  I have also been using a 58mm Tiffen UV on my Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens and expect that if needed it may provide the protection I want.
These work pretty good on my 18-55mm is lens and my 55-250mm is lens. I'd rather replace a scratched filter, than a scratched lens, and they haven't failed on focusing yet. Great clear pictures every time. Thanks Tiffen and Amazon.
I bought this to protect my actual lens and it paid huge dividends.  Not sure how it  happened but I took the camera out of the camera bag and the protection filter was cracked like a spider web.  Fotunately, the lens underneath it didn't have a scratch on it.  If I hadn't spent the little bit of money on the lens filter, I would have been looking a costly repair of a $1500 lens.
Tiffin has been making filters for years, and I have used them for over 40 years. This filter is no exception. When I buy a lens, the filter is purchased at the same time. It goes on the lens the minute the lens comes out of the box and never comes off. This lens does what it is supposed to.
Always keep this on on my lens for protection. A must if you don't want to break your bank account over replacement lenses.Fits well with the lens hood but please purchase the Canon lens hood.
I like the new Tiffen filters as the quality is much improved, the frames are smaller, and the glass is certainly good enough that it doesn't negatively affect the lens performance. I see no difference in use between these USA made filters and the Japanese filters costing three times as much, and you can't say that very often.
The information section for this is a bit messed up and hard to read, but you'll see that other versions are available for this UV filter.This one is not a multi-coated version at this price but does work to reduce the danger of damage to your camera lens.Here is what they are TRYING to tell us about the various versions in the description area:UV filter- Standard UV Most popular protection filterUV MC - Multi coated for extra flare protectionUV Warm - Combines UV with Tiffen's '812' warming filterHaze 1 - Absorbs 75% of UV lightHaze 2 -Absorbs 100% of UV lightHaze 15-Absorbs 81% of UV lightHaze 16-Absorbs 86.5% of UV lightHaze 17 - Absorbs almost all UV lightUV Wide Angle Thin - UV filter for use with wide angle lenses.
Excellent filter. As is the name, so is the filter.  Worth the money spent,  Looking back, I feel, I should have bought the three protection filter
very nice filter. It came with the camera and I can't complain about it. It was a good purchase. Recommended
I always use a UV filter just as a protection for my lens surfaces.  Tiffen has been my choice for over 40 years.
these are a must to protect your lens and this one works great. Not much else I can say but get one if you don't have one :)
It does exactly what an UV filter is supposed to do: protect my lens. It comes in a nice case so you can keep the filter safe too when you're not using it.
works as described, no issues putting it on or with the item. Useful product and fits perfectly on my lens
This does what I expected. It fits my Canon lens with no issues. I have used it several times without any problems.
Utilitarian UV filter for basic lens protection.  What can you say about something like this?
I love having my lens covered since it keeps the lens from getting damaged. Also, it is much easier to clean a lens cover than to continually clean the lens itself. All my cameras have lens covers.
Great build quality and comes with a solid case.Does the job its supposed to do and has good optics.
I bought this to protect my Nikon lens. It does the job and arrived scratch-free. It's easy to mount and unmount.
Cost effective, serves it's purpose.  I'm sure paying more for the better quality filter would be beneficial however this does the trick for me no dramas.Shipping and packaging both good.
You really can't.  This is a well known company with great products and I would never go without a protection filter on the end of my camera.  Everything was prefect.
...this is an excellent value. It is sturdy and protects the lens from dust and the elements. I was surprised at how well made the filter is.
I didn't get any paper work for this and cannot return it, it is the wrong size for my camera.
never want to risk scratching my lenses so this is a good by.  The UV filter is secondary for me.
does what it is supposed to. had one episode of lens flare, but otherwise great buy
I purchased enough of these to go on all my lenses.  I see no distortion from the filters and they keep my glass safe!
When you purchase an expensive wide angle lens, then this is a must.  Although this protective lens is expensive, it will make replacement on a bumped cracked lens a lot easier on the wallet than replacing an entire lens.  There are cheaper ones made by other companies, but if your lens is expensive then get an expensive filter. Oh and it is good on UV protection (but how can that be determined without lab test?)
I didn't know why I needed this but ordered it anyways.  I was astounded to see the quality (real glass) and threads in so easily.  Would highly recommend for lens protection!
I had purchased one filter with my new camera- $60.  It was an unnecessary expense, as Tiffen does the same job for a fraction of the cost.  I'm very happy with thi purchase
It's a 58mm UV Protection Filter. So far, I haven't noticed any anomalies on the glass, so it's working just fine for me.
I bought this filter with the Canon 50mm 1.8 II, and it is a perfect filter for it.  I've been shooting in cold weather with it and it has never fogged up and resists dust buildup well.  It is a perfectly priced filter for a budget consumer lens like the 50mm.  It is threaded on both sides to facilitate filter stacking or lens hoods.
This is just a basic filter, and it does what it is supposed to do. It keeps dust off of your lens, and protects your lens against small accidents.The only issue with this lens is that if you are using it at night, lights will reflect off of the inside of the filter, causing small "ghost" reflections of the lights. Not a bad thing, actually it can be a little cool, but I can also see how it could get really annoying really fast.
This is a must have accesory.  I purchased it only to protect the lens of the camera and works perfectly.  It fits perfectly on my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
I also had trouble with "ghosts" - basically glare in photos taken with this filter.  I never had that problem with other multi-coated products.  I bought this filter for protection and to leave on all the time.  It ruined most of the photos of my sister's wedding because there were light sources from every angle (flashes, indoor lights, etc).  It was a huge disappointment.  Actually you can see a very mild example of this in one of the submitted sample photos of a sunset by Kaushik Ghose "kghose".  This is a mild form, mine were much worse.  Unfortunately this lens filter is now worthless to me.  So save your $10 and buy something that will actually work.
Works great, protects the lens and that is why I purchased it. Have not take to many photos so I could not comment on any hazing, shadows etc. But for me it is what I wanted.
No problems with the Tiffen 58mm UV Filter. My main reason for the filter is to provide protection to my Canon EF-S lens.
I now feel a lot safer with this filter on my lens. Don't feel like I need to baby my camera as much now.Only down side is that in certain lighting you will get ghosting and weird stuff going on. Use this when you're messing around and leave it off when you want the best quality.
I ordered two of these filters for new lenses I was ordering at the same time. When I began to attach the first filter I thought there was something wrong as it would not tighten at first. I discovered that the threads on the filter were minimal, almost seemed worn. The second filter actually rattled. The glass is mounted in the filter so poorly that it actually rattles around in the holder. They both function but I feel the Hoya filters is what I will stay with from now on. I have always purchased Hoya's in the past and never had this type of issue before.
Does just what it's supposed to do, protect the front lens of my RATHER EXPENSIVE ( but marvelous ) Canon ef 70-200mm f2.8L IS lens.I always put a UV filter on a new lens right out of the box and LEAVE IT ALONE. Cheapest lens insurance you can buy.
FOr the most part, this is the least exciting filter you will ever purchase.  Yawn!  Look at it - it is clear.  It does nothing that you can see.  That is the point with this.  Most of what it provides is protection and safety.Note that this is NOT one of the thin type filters that allow you to stack several on a lens without getting that nasty vignetting.  However, that being said, I did stack this filter and a CPL filter on the 18-55mm kit lnes yesterday with no problem.
I bought this product as a package deal with a Nikon lens.  Obviously I wanted the protection filter to be immediately placed on the lens when it arrived.  The lens arrived yesterday and God only knows when our Postal Service (an oxymoron if I ever heard one) may get around to delivering the filter-- that is, if the Postal Person carrying it doesn't think it is too inconvenient to carry. and simply drops it in a trash bin.I am sure that many reading this will consider my evaluation to be too harsh. So be it, but I think that any merchant who values his product and his own reputation so little as to make them depend upon our Postal System doesn't care. For that reason I consider the 3 stars I have awarded to be excessively tolerant and generous.
Good quality, good price. It protects the glass that costs a lot more and the UV blocker is a plus.
I've had Tiffen UV protection filters on my lenses for a couple of years and have been satisifed with them.  Sometimes, there have been reflections in my photos, and recently, one of the UV filters developed a small scratch near the center (where else?).  When I went to order a replacement, I looked at reviews of other UV filters and saw several people recommending more expensive multi-coated filters.  (I'd thought this Tiffen was multi-coated, but it's not.)  So, even though it was [...], I ordered a "Sigma EX DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filter" [...] It arrived today.  I compared it with my Tiffen and immediately ordered two more of the Sigmas.When the Tiffen catches a reflection, it looks like a reflection on any smooth surface: bright and noticeable.  When the Sigma catches a reflection, it looks like a reflection on a camera lens: dark green and much less noticeable.Most of the time, it probably won't matter, just as, most of the time, my inexpensive little pocket camera will do about as good a job as my good DSLR.  It's for the "rest of the time" that I bought the expensive camera... for the once-in-a-lifetime pictures.  The better equipment captures them better, and in this case, the price difference is only [...]
I purchased this lens based on Amazon's suggestion that it went with this camera.  When it arrived it did not fit.I have no idea how goods this lens is, so I  feel  am not  qualified to give a lens a low rating because it did not fit.  Other reviews can give you their rating on this product.
The primary purpose of this filter is to protect the newly purchased tamron lense from scratches and finger prints. 1
I purchased two of these for my Canon SLR lenses, and they work great.  They fit the lenses perfectly and I haven't noticed any detrimental effects on image quality.
My dad is a long time photographer, since the 1980s, and all he has ever trusted for filters and UV lenses is Tiffen lenses. They are durable and long lasting. Keep in mind, better to scratch these Tiffens than to scratch your camera lenses. One thing I will speak to if you are debating whether you need these, consider that you probably wouldn't purchase a smart phone today if you didn't have a case. Well, these are pretty much the &#34;case&#34; for your lenses. I am glad I went with these. They screwed on easily and the cases they come in are well built. The cases are also sealed to keep dust out. I highly recommend these to any photographer at any level.
This is really no better than a generic filter or a piece of glass.  It is not multi-coated, so you can expect flare.  Its too bad that Tiffen even put their name on this.  Hoya has an inexpensive multi-coated UV-filter that only costs slightly more than this, so there is really no advantage to this when there are better, affordable alternatives.
The Tiffen UV Protector Filter is a good investment to safeguard your expensive, and fragile, camera or video lenses. I have learned the hard (and expensive) way that every camera lens should have a protective filter. The 30.5mm filter is made for the small lenses on video cameras, such as myJVC Everio GZ-HM200 Dual SD High-Def Camcorder (Black).The filter does not affect auto-focus or change the lighting on the camera; it only protects the lens from UV exposure and physical damage. It is an inexpensive bit of insurance to buy a little piece of mindHIGHLY Recommended!CFH
You know what this is for.  Get one to protect the front element of your expensive lens.  Cheaper to replace.
This filter does what it's supposed to and is reasonably priced.  Others have reported that there can be some reflection problems, but I have not experienced any myself.  At least not yet.  I intend to purchase another size of these filters for one of my other lenses.  The cost is small, and it's a good idea to protect expensive lenses.
Tiffen makes a great product. This is the most important filter for your camera lens. Don't skimp! I would buy again
Superb quality as usual from Tiffen. Unless you are using a professional camera and are looking for professional glass you cannot go wrong with Tiffen.Buy 2 and never have to worry again
This filter is a necessity for that lens you just spent a ton of money on, why not protect it against any scratches?
Using this on my Canon f/1.8 50mm lens, it's fantastic.  Great price, great quality, can't go wrong.
I have some expensive B&W filters that are made of higher grade glass and cost more than three times this one. This one looks just as good! Tiffen has my vote. I'm going to save my money and buy these from now on!
Up front: This filter is cheap cheap cheap. It came in a cheap case and was dusty and smudged.It fits my 60D very nicely and looks great. It protects the lens well and keeps out dust like a champ however, it will occasionally create reflections and sun spots in my pictures. I use a lens hood and I took the same shots without the filter to test. The reflections are only there when using the filter. Please keep in mind that I am not a professional photographer. I do not use the protection filter any more unless I am climbing over rocks, etc... I think I will most likely end up saving and buying the Canon one. It is very expensive but reliable.I hope this helps.
I bought this filter primarily for protecting the front lens element on a telephoto I shoot outside.  The filter appears to be of as of good quality as many on the market.  Great value for the money if you are looking for UV or lens protection.
Got if for my 50mm lens to protect it.The fit isnt perfect but it will do its job.No flare on the photos.
I wanted a lens to protect my expensive Nikon larger lens. This worked great. Attached with no issue, screwed in easily and offers much needed protection for my lens.
I am comparing this with an multi-coated UV filter that is twice the price, and the difference is evident.  This is not a bad filter by any means, but if you have a good lens, you owe it to yourself to get a better filter - you'll see the difference.
Fit nicely on the end of my Canon EF 28-90mm lens.  Takes good(not great) photo's in most light conditions.Like the title says, for 7 bucks shipped I'm not sure you can beat the protection.  If you want high quality glass and perfect shooting in every condition get out your checkbook.
Tiffen has always been a trusted name in photography and their tradition continues. This item is built well and certainly does its job. Highly recommend all Tiffen photographic products.
I couldn't be happier with my money saved here.  Quality without breaking the bank.  I would buy it again if I ever need one.
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Since I'm a professional photographer frequently working in nightclubs, I feel much better knowing my lens is protected from people banging into me.  Also, was happily surprised to find I can just leave it on and put my lens protector right over it.
This little sucker came dirty from the factory, after a deep cleaning about 40 mins of cleaning, it was acceptable.
UV filters are great for protecting the end of your lens from bumps but from what I have read, the UV filter was created for film cameras and is not needed on a digital camera.  Some will even say that they degrade the image quality.If you need a clear lens to protect your lens or to complete the water resistance of a lens, then go ahead and get this filter.  Otherwise, save your money for a polarizer.
I had one of these lenses on my Canon and dropped it and the lens shattered. I mentioned it to a professional photographer and he told me that is one of the purposes to protect my big lens. My lens wasn't even scratched after this one broke. That was enough for me to order another right away.
This filter is reasonably priced, fits the lens perfectly, and is great protection for a truly expensive lens that needs protection. The item arrived in good time a day or so before I was going off on a winter vacation and did not want to worry about a heretofore-unprotected lens. I would recommend this seller again without hesitation.
This is the third UV filter I have bought for my camera.  In all cases, the camera dropped and the UV lens cracked.  I was VERY happy because the camera lens did not break.  For a few bucks, I saved my camera.
good quality glass and metal. the threads seem to be made very well which is a common problem on many other cheap filters I've used. they seem very clear and don't affect the image. Very pleased with the product and the price is perfect!
This filter lasted me a couple of years on my Tokina SD 11-16mm f2.8(IF) DX lens before the filter inexplicably incurred a chip right inside the frame.  Not sure what caused it, but I am sure it wasn't caused by mishandling that I'm aware of.  I treat my camera gear very gently.
Great filter to put on to cut out any undesirable effects from light and to prevent scratches on your lens. Well worth the price, though I also recommend buying the Tiffen 58mm Circular Polarizer Filter as well!
The Tiffen 77mm UV Protector works great as a lens protector and keeping some UV out.
This is my second Tiffen lens protector of the same size. It fit the camera lens well and was clean when I received it. The next time I purchase a new lens, I'll purchase another one of these.
These provide protection from dust, scratches, and minor collisions for my DSLR lens; best of all, it was nice to see that it was American made.
It's a good deal. I use this as a lens protector and it works pretty well. Also the UV filter also makes the picture with better colors
The filter itself is fine. But the package is horrible. It is not air tight and there is no plastic bag to protect the filter.So you can image how much dusts can get on it during shipping and handling. Actually, I had to clean the dusts on the filter by myself before I could use it!
I  like all Tiffen filter products and this one (I have sevral others) continues to meet all expectations.I recommend it highly.
Purchased to protect the glass of a very expensive lens.  Any Tiffen filter is going to do what's advertised so there's not much need to wax poetic about the product.  It does everything it says it'll do.
I just purchased 5 different sizes (52mm to 77mm)Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filterto replace the old UV filters that I've had on my lenses for some time now. If you read some of the other reviews you'll see that some users have experienced  some issues with these lenses.  As they are not multi-coated it's likely you may experience some of the same issues under certain light conditions, nothing however that you can't work around.It's much less expensive to put these filters on your lenses than having a lens destroyed by a scratch or pit on the front element.They came shipped in a convenient and reasonably sturdy plastic cases for storage however, two of the cases I received (52mm cases) were cracked and broken. They had to have been shipped that way because they were shipped in a larger box and there's no way the degree of damage could have happened in shipment, especially since the box nor any of the other cases were damaged.They filters were not scratched or cracked but the cases are no longer functional
If you have a DSLR camera, you really need this! It doubles nicely as a lens protector in the event you happen to forget you lens cap! I don't know a whole lot about DSLR cameras, but I can tell you from a protection standpoint of the lens, it is 100% worth it!
I bought this filter to basically protect the lens of my camera. It arrived in perfect condition - screwed it on my camera and took several pictures.  No difference in image quality.  This is just what you want at a great price.
When I ordered my canon powershot S5IS  (from Amazon), you recommended this filter, both as filter and as a lense protector. Naturally, I wanted it. It arrived a few days after the camera, which was not too much of a problem, but the thing is a SCREW mount, and the mount on my camera IS NOT A SCREW MOUNT!!! The size may be appropriate, but without duct tape (not a real attractive option), it is positively useless to this camera.
I have never had any issues with a Tiffen filter, be it protection, polarizer, neutral density.  They are well made of good glass.
Not sure there is much to say about a UV filter, but I found the product arrived in good shape and is of excellent quality.  Constructed of metal and very sturdy.
This is a great investment for protecting valuable camera lenses from scratches. It seals tight and keeps the dust and grit out. In my opinion, the UV protection is secondary to protecting the lens.
I only use tiffen filters and have never had a problem with quality of fit.
Fits my lens great. It helps protect my glass. Pretty cheap investment to protect your glass.
THIS FILTER WAS FOR MY SON WHO GOT A NEW CAMERA FOR CHRISTMAS. HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE FILTER AND DID RECOMMEDED IT FOR ANY ONE WHO IS LOOKING FOR A FILTER AND THE PRODUCT IS GREAT AND MY SON IS VERY HAPPY AND THANK YOU!
I needed a way to protect my lens. With out it my lens gets dirty or scratched. When buying a filter be careful to get one that's not to dark.
The 58mm UV filter would not fit any of three 58mm Canon lenses in my bag. The threads are just poorly cut. In the mailbox for return already.
Nothing much to say about a UV filter for your camera except that it protects the delicate front surface of the camera lens and when (If) it gets scratched up, you can replace it for a few dollars rather than a few hundred dollars for a new prime lens.
Thank goodness I had this on my lens! My camera was in its bag, this filter and a lens cap were on my lens, my camera bag fell from the height of a regular Dining room chair onto a hardwood floor and my $1000+ lens was protected because I had this filter on it; the filter itself completely shattered (of course a filter is a pretty thin piece if glass) but I believe it protected my lens from breaking.
I wanted to protect my Canon f1.8 lens for my Canon XSi.  I had no problems attaching it this filter (as some reviewers have noted).  This feels like a substantial lens and because it is multi-coated it works great. Its effect on overall image quality is subtle, but I am really pleased with my outdoor shots with this filter.
I use this mainly as a lense protector for my 50mm lens and it does the job very well. It doesn't affect image quality at all.
I bought this to use as protection for my new Nikon 1 camera lens. I also bought a B&W! This one was less than 1/2 the price and it seems to work OK! Craig S.
this lens filter fit my nikon lense very well, i was very surprised on the delivery it came within a few days of ordering it!i would recommend this company for it's prompt service and delivery! my old lens was bent and i couldn't attachcertain adapters to it, now i can, i'm very pleased!rick~
Haven't noticed ANY issues with UV rays since I put this filter on my camera.  Not that I noticed before, I suppose, but I guess that if there is going to be something blocking things that I can't see, then this is certainly probably maybe, ok, possibly doing the job.  Might actually just be a piece of glass that I put on the front of my lens, but hey, it's round and it fits, and it will keep my lens from becoming an expensive paperweight, after I inevitably do something stupid and drop it or get run into somehow.  Not that I am doing contact sports with my camera around my neck, but you get the idea.
I had gone without a filter for too long.  I finally got around to getting one and it fits perfectly.
I bought a T3I as my first (and only) DSLR and also purchased the UV Filter. I have not noticed a big difference in image quality however it has helped protect my lense on several occasions. I would highly recommend getting a UV filter for that reason alone. The only negative is that the lense that came with the camera does not fog up when going from a cool building to the muggy hot outside climate that we have in Louisiana, however the filter does. So when I go outside I have to either wait five minutes for the filter to acclimate itself to the outdoor climate, or take it off for a few minutes negating any benefits it may have for that period. It's very easy to install (threads on the lense) so it's only a minor inconvenience.
Nice to have to protect my lens glass. Last filter looked just like the broken one on the label of this one.
I basically use these more to protect the lens and have never really taken enough photographs without one to know if they make a difference.  These can be considered as very inexpensively priced insurance items for your much more expensive lens.  I have one of these on every lens I own.
Multi-coated lenses help reduce reflections off the filter glass, something this doesn't have.  It is almost guaranteed to detract from any image where a strong light source (sun, street lights, Full moon, etc) is in front of the plane of the camera.  it will protect your lens at the cost of your shots.  Better to look for a multi-coated lens.  Pretty easy to find for less than 20 in 52mm thread.
Protect your camera lens by using a filter. This Tiffen does the job at reasonable price.
The only thing this filter is good for is protecting the lens from physical damage (dust, prints, scratches, water spots, etc.)  Some say that cheap Tiffen filters degrade the quality of the images, but I haven't noticed any degradation.  If you want a filter that will actually improve your images, do not get this filter, go with a circular polarizer or a neutral density filter instead.  It's better to crack this filter than crack your lens.
The plastic box is very clumsy. The crew is hardly fitted on my Canon and Sigma lenses. Don't waste your money on this.
I got this filter for my Tamron 70-200 mm lens. It is priced decently. I received the item on time. I will do business with this seller again.
Does exactly what it says on the box. Great service, good price. Better to use one of these than scratch your lens.
only reason i didnt give a fill 5 stars was because while riding an airplane in my carry-on camera backpack, the filter cracked right across with no explanation while still on my sigma 70-300mm, im thinking it might have been from the pressure it the cabin fluctuating? i dont know, but it cracked with out even being physically touched by anything, so yeah, that was lame. loosen the filter before boarding airplanes to avoid the pressure differentiation behind the filter, and you should be good.
The lens is beautiful, I didn't know what to expect, but I am not disappointed! Love the clarity and view!
I needed to get a UV filter to protect my new lens. This one fit the budget and my lens. Works great!
Very well made and terrific item.  Tiffen is one of the best companies and I have several filters made by them.  Very reasonably priced.  Tiffen is a great company and their products are top notch!
The item is as described .. it was promptly delivered and well packaged .. I just don't "love" Tiffen filters.  This was handy, that's all.
All still and video camers need a lens protector. The Tiffen UV is an excellent value and quality.The other added benefit is the glare cut by the UV filter. All my cameras have filter lens protectors and they also keep moisture and dust out too.
I am new to the use of filters because I have a new camera that uses them.  However, the price was right, they fit extremely well, and give good protection.  I am very happy with it.
I use it to protect the lens and it work. It fits perfectly and does what it is supposed to.
Went into a camera shop and they were trying to sell me on a 60$ filter that &#34;doesn't reflect back&#34;,  i have not noticed any odd reflections with this filter and it has already saved my lens once from possible damage(with no damage to the actual filter).
I bought this just for protection of my Canon SX50 lens. I had to get a lens adaptor for this.
Great for overall protection of your lenses - but not multi-coated glass so pretty significant problem with ghosting and lens flare when shooting towards a light.
Good quality product that does the job. No complaints. Highly recommend it.I'm using it on a Vixia HG21 Canon HD camcorder
Want to protect your lens from scratches? This is perfect. I really treat this filters without much care, i replaced them often. They help a lot to avoid hits on your lens. Do not espect nothing else. the UV protection is something you cant even tell is happening.
My order was wrong, but ok
Does what its supposed to do. You get what you pay for. Got this in a pack for my 50mm 1.4 USM.
Amazon lumps together ALL the Tiffen filter reviews.  So unless you specify which specific filter you are reviewing, no one will know!  This makes all those reviews that say something like, "this filter made my pictures too dark/light/red/green/whatever" totally useless.Amazon tends to lump together similar products (like all or many cameras from one manufacturer), so in general it is a good idea to specify the product you are reviewing in your Amazon reviews.
The product never came. I paid more in the shipping than the actual product and it never arrived at my place. Very dissapointed.
A very fine crafted filter. Tiffen makes great filters without the outrageous price. Keep on the lens at all times...
Great price for this item.  Works well with my wife's canon digital EOS camera.
I haven't tested it a lot yet, but it fits perfectly well on my Panasonic Lumix FZ28. The build quality looks fine to me, and the protection against finger prints is all I wanted.
This is my first Tiffen filter.  I received it free as part of an Amazon promotion and I keep it on my Nikkor 55-200 lens.  From the test shots I have taken with the filter on and off, I can see no change in my images or reduction in image quality with this filter, and that is what a UV protection filter should do.  Also, it is extremely easy to clean, much more so than my multi-coated Hoya UV filter.  Construction quality is excellent and I am quite pleased with this filter.  If I were to purchase additional filters, I would definitely buy another Tiffen filter.
I bought this filter to remove UV light from my images and afford an extra ounce of protection for my $50 lens. Let's face it; I have no way of knowing whether it works or not: I can't see UV! And it hasn't protected my lens yet; that's an insurance function. So yeah, it's working great! Fits well. Looks classy. Nothing to it. Yay!
I cannot respond to how the product was.  I didn't get what I ordered.  I picked the product that I wanted with the aide of the discription and pictures on the website and made the purchase.  Amazon shipped me the wrong item, via 2nd hand vendor? and because it was not their (Amazons') mistake (and I know it wasn't mine), Amazon is going to take the return shipping charges from the credit they will give me on the 30 day return policy.  After much searching, I found an e-mail to lodge my concerns.  I wrote an e-mail to question them on the return policy and to my BIG suprise, no response.  Buying from Amazon was not the best choice in saving money....
I've been using this kind of filter in other 2 lenses and it mostly protect the lens, avoid dust and water coming inside the lens.Cheap for its use.
Tiffen makes a good quality filter, and this one is no exception. It fits well, the quality of the glass is quite good, and the ring is well machined.
This product is perfect for the more serious photographer who is looking to remove those lens flares from pictures. Unless of course you are J.J. Abrams and revel in imperfection.
Its a good lens cover, protective cover for my lens. It fits perfect and keeps the dust off of the ain ens.
I had just recieved this for my Canon Digital Rebel XTi Camera and it works great! Just screw it into the lens and you are set and ready to go! The price I found on this was $6.99 and does not change often if at all when I have checked...For that price it is absolutly great because it saves a lens thats worth $500
I had bought his with prime membership and received it within 2 days for being a PRIME member for amazon.com.I had a little photo shoot late at night, car to car shots and debris was flying all over the place that night. Some debris flew and hit my lens dead on, and luckily, i had this protection filter as the filter took damage and my lens remained save.Great to have to protect expensive lenses!
If you're a pro, you're not looking at this filter, but those of us enthusiast and budding hobbyists, may not know. This makes for a pretty good filter for protecting your lens, but there is a slightly visible loss in light transmission when compared to the much more expensive filters from Hoya and B+W. For a quick cheap protection filter, it's pretty good, but if you enjoy photgraphy more than the average person, spend a bit more on better filters. I
The filter was as promised, and we are happy with it. Really, there's not much more I can say about a UV filter!
I have always used a UV or Haze filter on my camera lenses mainly to protect the front element of the lens. Tiffen products are top notch. I remommend then to anyone who uses cameras with interchangeable lenses.
Bought this to protect my Tamron 55-280mm lens and it gets the job done. For a great price I could not ask for more.
great price and service! items comes as described..... unit screw on perfect on my Fuji HS 35EXR! great product! no frills!
Just wanted to warn, that this filter on my Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens causes a lot of flare. Be aware. I'll likely buy a nice B+W filter soon to avoid this. With any bright light source there is a noticeable amount of flare. Thank goodness with digital you see it before you take the photo!
If you're looking for an inexpensive filter to protect your camera's lens, this is a great choice! I found that it scratched easier than I would like, but for the price this does not bother me.
If you want a standard UV filter - here it is. Good construction and works as expected. I own the 52mm also and it is the same quality.
I've found this to actually hurt in terms of glare as it's not coated.  I still use it unless I see glare in my videos but in the end, I've got to suggest you save up and get a coated filter for UV protection to correct this problem.Other than that, the build quality is solid and it does not distort my images in any way.  I'm using this on a Panasonic AG-AC90.
This is a good economical UV Lens, I have not noticed any discolorization. Stops smudges and finger prints from my camera lens, that is it's main job, also does a very good job at mist and rain.
A must have, good quality.
I wanted to give a try to this cheap lens uv filter with my new canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM.The result was just dissappointment. I got lots of unwanted extra reflections on my pictures, from light sources that were not even in the picture. Reflections are immediately noticeable on low light condition pictures.It seems a well built filter, fits nice on the lens, and it do protect it, but if you're serious about photography and details on it, should better get a B+WB+W 58mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)or Hoya filterHoya 58mm UV (Ultra Violet) Multi Coated Glass Filter. They are more expensive, but you won't get any unwanted results in your pictures.
For years Tiffen has made a good, well priced product.  I immediately put in on the lens and shot a job with it.  The packaging was good and the product was as I expected.
I only gave it a 3 star rating because it protects my lens, other than that it isn't that great. Also after dropping it a few inches above the table the lens became very loose and rattles around
works very well dose what I hoped it would do. The cost was lower than I expected it would have been.
The price on Amazon is what makes this Tiffen 82mm filter a good deal. Most professional photographers were not pleased to learn that Canon had upped the diameter of its relatively new 16-35mm f2.8 lens to 82mm, which makes it incompatable with the mostly 77mm diameter L-series lenses in the Canon lineup in terms of filter use.Bottom line: Buy this product so that you protect the glass surface of your expensive lens, which will cost a heck of a lot more to replace than a filter.
We always get uv filters, primarily to act as protection for the lens itself.  This one fits, so it does what we need.
A good filter for what I use it for....I put on my lens to keep the element from being exposed...it works great.....doesn't interfere with the resulting photos protects the lens...enough said
I purchased this filter not only as the "protector" to my lens but for its quality and photographics characteristics. I could not believe the low price, shipping included deal that I got.
I'm rather new at photography even though I have had a D80 DSLR for more than 5 years but have mostly stuck to the auto mode but am now trying to learn more about it. Still need to find out what all these things are, mean, and do.
Great price, works fine, seems sharp, but I recently noticed it produces substantial glare when pointed towards bright objects such as a window on an overcast day. Oh well.
I haven't used this yet but it should be a good addition to my Canon accessories. Time will tell. Thanks, David
Fits my camera but now I can't put the lens cover on. I have a canon xha1s. Very glad to finally have lens protection on it.
I've never expereinced a issue with the Tiffen filters.I have this one on a Sigma 10 - 20mm with no vignetting.
i bought this for my girlfriend, because she lost her camera cap, with this filter, she doesn't have to worry about removing the cap when shooting photo and put it on when not, also very natural view from the filter
This stays on my 85mm F1.8 lens at all times, protecting it, and allowing me to be ready to shoot instantly, without messing with (or losing) a lens cap.
Fits lens great, protects it, just what you need. I bought it for my canon 18mm-200mm lens
Great add-on filter for use with the Canon EOS Rebel Digital Kit w/ 18-55mm lens.  Offers protection for the lens and keeps out unwanted UV rays.
When I got this for my wife's new Panasonic FZ35 last year, it was slightly loose in it's housing and then today (Christmas 2011) it completely unseated within the circular frame and the camera kept trying to focus in on it rather than the intended subject.Threw it away and just ordered the Hoya in hopes of a better filter (at double the cost).
I got this filter and haven't had any problems with it getting scratched... Its doing what I need it to!Protect my LENS!!!
When I bought my camera I bought both a Tiffen and a B+W filter just in-case there was really a difference.I started noticing strange flares and reflections on some of my photos. Having seen comparison photos in other reviews of this product I decided to test. After extensive cleaning of the lens and filters, I put the camera on a tripod and swapped out the filters. The Tiffen created quite a few obvious spots and halos. At night it caused reflections. Without the filter it all went away. With the B+W I was able to produce some very small spots in the same situations, but nothing noticeable without pixel peeping. I plan to replace my Tiffen with a B+W even for my cheap kit lens.
Just needed a simply protective filter for a lens -- nothing fancy.  This filter works just fine, and at a fraction of the $50 that the camera shop was going to charge me.
Product came in used condition. Discoloration on the product surface. The glass surface of the filter had smudges and fingerprints on it. Sent a e-mail to adorama which responded they would send me a return label. Amazon responded that they wouldn't refund until the product is returned. All this trouble for a $10 filter. Don't by from Adorama. If you read other reviews on them they are hit and miss. The miss is how they turn a profit. Wonder why Amazon allows these type of vendor to sell through them.
I've read so many photographers advise people to buy these mainly as insurance for their glass. I was never going to drop a lens but bought these for insurance anyway. I dropped the whole camera and broke the filter but no other harm. I can't remember ever dropping a camera but the insurance paid off.
There is not much to say here. It is what it is. I use it to protect my lens. It does it's work. End of story.
It's like not having anything on at all.  But isn't that the point.  It is there to take the abuse if an accidental bump to the lens happens.  I think it is a wonderful investment to protect a $1700 lens.
I accidentally ordered the wrong size and returned this item -- no problem.  I did inspect it thoroughly before ordering another size.  It is a good value for the price.
I've got this filter as a free add-on for nikkor 35/1.8f lens. It can't handle any direct light, literally, any light (lamp, reflect from the lamp, etc). It has enormous reflects. Basically, it has the same optic properties as piece of regular glass. I wouldn't spend any penny on this item.
Protects the front element of the lens. Easier to replace if inadvertently hit and much less costly  then the actual  front lens element.Also  reduces the effect of UV on the photo.
Tiffin filters have always been my choice of filters plus it serves as great protection for your lens. Very pleased.
I use a UV Protection Filter on every lens I own.  Not for the UV protection, but for the protection of the lens.  This one was a great value.
A good insurance to have on the end of your lens.
for the price it was worth getting just to protect my new sigma lens, used in various lighting with noe big issues. wish i could afford a better and higher quality lens butI am no pro.
the uv filter is perfect and is clean and clear and for the price excellent buy for anyone for lens protection.
THE GOOD:  Compact size - works well as intended.THE BAD:  Seems like I never have enough of these - they should sell them in a multi-packOVERALL:  worthwhile purchase, would recommend to others.
All I wanted was a basic lens protector and this does the job well.  The first filter I got from Amazon had a bubble near the perimeter, so I sent it back for a replacement.  Not sure if this is an unusual miss or a ding on Tiffen's quality.  Replacement was fine.  Amazon shipped the replacement the day I complained and paid for the return.  Go amazon!
Buy one for every lens you own and never take it off (except when it is scratched and you are putting the new one on. Cheap filter to protect an expensive lens, you never have to clean the lens and run the risk of scratches with this on because it keeps dust and fingers out. This takes a lot of stress off, for me at least, because with this on my lens, the filter will take the damage and it is cheap and replaceable.
bad filter doesn't work because it puts glare and flare all over your pictures it sucks don't don't don't buyi don't want to use caps that sucks and i save that for product i rate five stars
I am not a professional photography just a casual hobby user so take that into account when reading this review. The main reason I bought this filter was to protect my Camera lens. I take my camera out hiking and in the woods, often off trail so having protection from scrapes and scratches is tremendously helpful. They are shipped fast, packaged well and install flawlessly.
This was just was I was looking for by a trusted brand! It has improved my outdoor photos tremendously. I consider this my secret weapon ;-)
Product arrived on time and in excellent condition. If you have an expensive lens, you will want to get some of these! It is much cheaper to replace a filter than the whole lens!
I purchased this with a lens as I always need a filter to protect the exposed lens glass. The metal surround/thread on this filter is huge, the glass is very thick and causes chromatic aberrations. As I used the filter I did not return it but I will never use it again. At the first opportunity I got an alternative filter that is light weight, thin and causes no extra chromatic aberrations. This may have cost less than the alternative but it was not money well spent.
Protects the lens.  Great price.  Sturdy build.  Worth the few bucks to add protection to the camera lens.  Nice buy.
Anytime I get a new lens, I automatically come to amazon and buy a Tiffen UV Protection Filter. Not only are they cheap, but they work great for protecting your lens. I really dont see why anyone would buy a UV Filter that cost a lot of money if you are using a DSLR. The UV filter makes no difference on your pictures unless you are using Film. This is cheap and it protects my lenses. Very satisfied.
Product review: You get what you pay for.Customer Support:Very unprofessional.If you go directly to their website,you will find out the true colors of their employees.I don't know why there are still lazy employees exist on this world!
Would NOT screw into my brand new lens.  Other filters that I have screw in easily.  Very disappointing performance from Tiffen!
The filter is decent. I paid only $3 with free shipping so im not expecting much out of this filter. I bought it for protection and it does that perfectly. Not the best for night shots obviously but overall a good buy.
Um... it's a UV filter... and it fits 52mm lens... um... um... and it's clear and stuff... Oh, and it's very rigid! Buy it!
Just a basic lens cover at a fair price. It's a lot cheaper to scratch or damage this than the lens itself.
This is what I was looking for. The package came faster than I expected, and was well-protected. I would definitely recommend this brand of filters.
What a relief to have the protection for the lens I have. It is very delicate. I use it close to the ground a lot and have confidence that only the protective lens will bet scratched. Easy to remove and clean both sides.
Good general purpose protective filter
No issues found on the product. It fits well with the reversible flower for the lens, and no distortion on the image. Not an expert to evaluate if it is excellent product or not
As with all of the filters I have purchased from Tiffen, Nikon or B+W it fit the need.  Nothing to get overly excited about but also nothing to get chafed about.  It seems to be a quality product.
AWESOME. I BROUGHT THIS FOR A PHOTO SHOOT AND THIS WORKED PERFECT. I WILL BUY AGAIN. GREAT PRODUCT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
There is nothing much a UV filter has to do, so of course I cannot give it a 3 star or lesser rating. I have a UV filter from kenko and they seem much better.But for the price I bought ($2.93) who am I to complain :)
This "Tiffen 67mm UV" is really interesting results.With well-made fittings makes its main functions: to protect the lens from UV and also preserve the main lens.The brightness is very good.Nothing to complain about in my photos.
No obvious workmanship flaws or glass imperfections.  This is a nicely priced, quality product.  It does the protection job for which it was purchased.  I have no hesitation in recommending this ... or buying another.
Wanted to get something at the same time as I bought my 50mm 1.4 on Amazon, this one was perfect, nice slim filter and works perfectly.  Didnt need a $100 filter here.
I bought this filter to protect a Canon EF 85mm/f1.8. It does the job, but I get noticeably better photos with it off. I guess the debate rages over whether a filter to "protect" the lens is even a good idea, but I usually like to have one on, especially if I'm outdoors or in a dustry environment.If you are going to go the "protect the lens" route, I'd recommend something better, like the HMC / multicoated filters from Hoya.
It's cheap and it keeps your lens from getting scratched. There isn't much more to say.
I use a large aperture Canon lens 17-55mm and needed a 77mm filter in front to protect the lens.  This fit the need.
glass lense filter rattles in the housing????I am filling in with this comment to fulfill the word requirement! dumb requirement.
I use these currently as added protection for my lenses.  The ones I bought from Amazon all had a promotion for a free 58mm filter.  Who am I to turn it down?  I haven't noticed too much image degradation altho in certain low lights I have seen some flaring and ghosting.  However, the main use for me is to have an added layer of protection from the elements.
Since Amazon offered this filter for free with theNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasI figured "why not".  But just a few random shots taken from the living room sofa showed the prominent bizarre green reflections mentioned in the other reviews.  Even though they are most obvious in high-contrast situations (bright lights in a dim room), the same reflections must certainly exist in normally-lit situations, reducing image contrast even if no specific reflected objects are visible.  For that reason, the only times I'd ever put this filter on my lens would be for throwaway shots (trying out camera features) or shooting in dirty environments (potential for dust or water spray).The image artifacts are so severe it makes you wonder if this was actually designed as a special effects filter with a reflection-enhancing coating.  I can't imagine why a reputable company would put their name on this product - although the filter feels solidly built with metal and glass (not polycarbonate) construction, it's optical performance is atrocious.
Good price for a protective filter, the only real issue I've had like many others is the lens flare. If you are shooting near/ towards a light source it seems to flare frequently, but to me its worth having the protection.
I use mine to protect my lenses. I know some pros say that these turn your lens into a coke bottle but my amature eye is not that discerning. I shoot mainly outdoors on my boat or in the woods and it has kept "stuff" off of my lens. If I ruin the filter, who cares.
Tiffen is uncoated, causes flaring but when the glass breaks it stays in one piece. It is easier to clean than a multicoated or the lens. Hoya multicoated filters sell for a few bucks more and has no flaring, which is a must for telephoto lenses.Before buying this I knew it would cause lens flaring in certain situations. It is easy to screw on and off. I can't really tell a difference with picture quality with it on or off. I use it with aNikon d5000 with cheaper lenses. Most of the time I take pictures at the beach, so I keep the lens filter to keep out sand and ocean spray. I also use a lens hood to prevent flaring. Most other situations I take the filter off. Feels well made for the price.
I got this filter for my Sigma 120-400 telephoto lense 2 years ago. So far so good with no complaints or issue. It 's fit like a glove and provided protection for my lens surface and some enhancement to picture. So here's the low downPro:-1.) Quality glass from trusted name of Tiffen2.) Easy to use, mutiple lens compatible and easy to clean3.) Provide good protection to lense and photographic enhancementCons:-1.) A bit pricy compared to other just as good filter like Zekios.Bottomline:-While is a bit pricy and other substitue are widely avialable. I'm very happy with this filter and will recommend other to the product.DMAN
UV filters are a waste of time on digital cameras! Digital sensors do NOT READ UV!!!So why get this? simple, they are cheap and work great to protect your lens! I use this filter on my 35mm f1.8 when I travel to dusty environments, because it does not scratch as easily as more expensive UV filters from Hoya. When I have this on, I dont bother with lens caps and just put the lens in my pocket or camera bag and go. I inspect the filter for scratches daily and replace as necessary... they are cheap so I just keep a stock of them.
There's not a whole lot to this filter, really.  It does its job, and it does it well.  No complaints so far.  Does a great job protecting my 50mm f/1.8!
Ordered a 67mm. This arrived in dirty condition. Didn't even bother putting on a camera. Returned for instant refund.The plastic box that this comes in allows this filter to move around inside. There is a little piece of foam only on one side. Fail packaging. Couldn't believe how dirty it was!Ordered a Hoya 67mm. It doesn't slide around loose in it's packaging. Perfectly clean filter. That is the third Hoya I have purchased. Well worth the little extra I paid for them.
Not much to say. It seems a good filter. Clear. Solid. Protects the glass below.Normally I prefer Nikon and B&W; filters on my better lenses, but needed this for a kick-around lens.
A few criticisms. It's packed in a plastic case (from the manufacturer) which is far too large for it, so it slides around and rattles inside the case. No foam or anything to hold it in position or even cushion it slightly.The glass on the one I received did not look clean. I thought it was dust, but cleaning with proper lens cleaning materials failed to get the glass looking properly clear. It looks permanently pitted or marked in some way. I will not even bother putting this on the lens it was ordered for.
The price for these at the Box stores are higher You can beat the price Tiffen has. I bought this for my Canon Rebel T3
It is just a must when you are putting it on a $2550 lens like the one i just bought to protect its glass. [i bought the 28mm to 300mm IS canon...]
It is much better to break one of these than to break a lens. It works exactly as it should, you don't know it's there.
one thing you will always need. Clear UV filter protects the face of your lens, much easire to replace a 20 dollar filter then repair or replace a 200 dollar lens.
Works perfectly. Perfect fit for Nikon D3100. Also works on my larger lens. Does exactly as it claims at a much lower price than the competition.
High quality at an affordable price. Inexpensive protection for a high price lens. No noticeable image degradation.
Purchased this to protect the front element of my DSLR lens.  It's much better to accidentally get some trash on this inexpensive protection than to have to replace or scratch an expensive lens.  The UV protection is a secondary consideration.  Protection of the lens comes first.  Why pay more?
This unit does the job.  I have had good luck with Tiffen.  Would recommend it to anyone that needs a filter.
I bought this filter for my Panasonic Lumix LX-3 camera as part of a package deal that also included the Panasonic DMW-LW46 wide-angle conversion lens and associated DMW-LA4 adapter.  It seemed like a good deal at the time.  I should have read the multiple reviews that criticized the filter's unacceptable tendency to ruin photos with reflections.  More to the point, it's completely useless to me.  It only fits on the adapter tube, and the only time I would be using the adapter tube is when I'm using the wide-angle conversion lens mentioned above -- which is far too big for this filter.
I bought this filter to protect a Canon 50 mm f1.8Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lenslens.It does what is supposed to and no more.  It is not multi-coated so there is no great reduction in flare, but for the price is is a solid, well-constructed filter.
I bought this to protect the lens on my Panasonic Lumix G5 before a trip to Alaska.  I have to say I am very pleased with the purchase.  The price was very good compared to similar name brand filters.  I do see slight reflections in a few shots, but for the most part, there is no apparent degradation of the images. I bought a second one for my other lens.
I use the Tiffen filters just to protect the lens from the accidental drop or scratch. It's cheap and does the trick.
Quality products.  Tiffen filters have been around forever, and this one does its job as expected.  I bought one for each of my new lenses.
Does everything it needs to do. I haven't really checked the difference when it come to UV but I would much rather have this get scratched rather than my lens.
A decent little piece of protection.  I keep one on all my lenses at all times (In fact, I don't think I've ever taken a picture without some sort of filter on my lens).  After all, it's much easier to replace a scratched filter than it is to repair a scratched lens.There are some flares and reflections if you're not careful about where the sun is in your photos.  But, if you can't shed the money for a multi-coated, higher-end filter, this one is certainly good enough.
It does it's job quite well. Seems to be durable enough to survive a drop onto a hard, sharp surface without damage. Good product, great price. Try it if you need a quick replacement.
I would not take the camera out the door without something to protect the lens. This filter was purchaced just for that purpose.
I got this filter for use with myCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasand have been fairly satisfied with it. I am not sure how much of UV protection this filter gets - my primary purpose was to get something that protects my lens under the everyday working conditions. The built of the filter feels very solid and I trust it to get the protection job done. I use the zoom lens primarily outdoors in non-direct natural light, so I have not experienced any of the light reflection problems that other reviewers have had.
The glass rattled around, bad assembly. I bought a local filter pack from Kodak for the same price and no problems.
a decent quality lens filter at a great price. Lens cost too much to let chance have it's way with them so protect them with this lens filter and keep that expensive lens out of harms way
The filter is a great help to protect the lens, remove some glare, and allows clean colors to flow to the lens.
This filter flares excessively and is unworthy of any optical system.  All inventory should be recycled immediately.  Once again you don't get what you don't pay for.  The clear Nikon filter that I replaced this with functions very well.
It feels cheap and fake. The filter glass shakes, is not securely attached to the rim, and it looks cheap.
It was shipped in a reasonable length of time, is well made and screwed inside the NEX 3 lens so that the hood and lens cap worked just as before. I have not looked at the pictures taken yet. One disappointment is that there was an additional shipping charge for the lens which did not show on the invoice where a telephoto lens was ordered at the same time for almost $290.  The shipping was as much as the lens cost.
I use these filters on all my lens to protect from dirt or damage. Locally, they charge a small fortune for them. I get great price and free shipping on the same high quality product.
This is an inexpensive way to protect your 35mm or digital lenses.  High quality, no distortion, and additional filters can be added to this one.
I tried series of test shots with the same vantage point with and without this filter and all the time I get the same or negligible difference in exposure between with and without photos. That means, amount of light eaten up by this filter is almost Nil. For $6, this is a well investment I would say.
Great clarity and well made, however I clicked the add both to cart without really checking it out. I am always out shooting at night and this filter does nothing to reduce lens flare, it may even amplify it. Sending it back.
Whether or not it actually does anything for UV protection is beyond me, but for $14, it's a lot cheaper to replace a scratched filter than a multi-hudred dollar lens
nice filter. easy to use.  just screw it on and go. use it to protect my lens cause easier and cheaper to replace than a lens.
I keep this filter on my main 18-55mm lens on my Sony NEX-5R. I have never had any issues with it. I've taken out in the snow, rain, and dirt/dust. It has never scratched and has been great for protecting my camera and enhancing my photos. I have a pack of these threaded filters and can only stack two before the vignetting gets too severe.This is definitely essential camera gear to have!
Why does anyone buy a clear filter like this in the first place. The answer is obvious, to protect the lens. That is all this is for, buy it, use it, protect your lens. Nuff said.
I bought this to protect the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens I acquired at the same time. I have UV protection filters on all my lenses. They are worth protecting.
Received filter and it worked fine. Was leaving for trip and had to have it. However, looked as if it had been used.
A very good, high quality camera lens.  Well priced.  Had no issues in using the filter on my new Sigma 70-200 zoon lens.
I bought the Pentax DA 50-300mm lens and at the time Amazon was running a deal of getting a free Tiffen UV filter with it.  Normally I'd go out a get a hight end filter but this was free so I went for it.  It's been a very good filter, have not noticed any significant difference between it and my much pricier Hoya.  It has definitely exceeded my expectations.  I'd recommend this filter to anyone looking for a good quality inexpensive filter.
is a must with an expensive lens.  I have not experienced any negatives with this filter like some reviewers have.
good quality product.  I have to protect my lens and it does that well.  i never take it off my camera lens. easy to add other filters as needed.
Was a joy to find these filters at a great price and to have them shipped quickly, perfectly packaged and excede my expectations. Will buy again.
When you spend hundreds of dollars on a lens it makes sense to protect the lens from dirt and scratches with a UV protective filter. I have been saved major repairs and replacements from this small investment.
Serves it purpose for a bargain price
The price was very good for what I received. Lens arrived on time and was packaged to prevent damage. Lens had some white debris on it that was hard to remove, it did come off with some elbow grease and a good microfiber cloth
I bought a set of two of these because they were dirt cheap compared to quality glass and even though I read a lot about how one should not skimp on the filter when you have a good lens, I have yet to see any difference in having it on versus not having it on. (Maybe they mean expensive attachable lenses). I also read about shadows appearing in zoom mode but I have taken 50X zoom and the photos look great. Maybe higher priced filters are better, but I fail to see how since identical shots with and without the filter at 12MP are the same to my eyes. If you want the protection but not the debt incurred by higher priced filters, these are a great choice.
Like many others, I use UV filters mostly for lens protection. I have one on every lens I own and I simply replace them as they wear.
This filter fits perfectly for my Nikon lens, it's affordable and does the job well! I have no complaints and would purchase it again!
This filter came with my Canon 70-200mm F/4 IS USM lens "FREE" from Amazon. First night I took few pictures of the moon.... guess what, the photo was not too bad but the flare was very bad like there were two moons. Well, what do you expect?..It was free! For the time being, I kept it attached to my lens as a protection. Will definitely buy another filter.
arrived on time, fit perfectly excellent quality, have used tiffin for many years and have never been disappointedcan't beat the value for the price
So far, I have tested only the macro mode of this lens, and with that I am very pleased. This well made Tamron lens produces very pleasing results on a grandkid's face using Minolta 7D and wireless flash - actually beautiful results! Good compatibility with my 7D and wireless flash. Great aperature control yielding sharp focus of all parts of the head while background Christmas tree is reduced to soft out of focus sparkles (large aperture and high speed shutter)! This lens is worth its price for its macro mode only. Anxiously awaiting opportunites to test the quality of the 300mm reach of this lens on my backyard birds!
A necessary component for any lens.  I could not see any flaws in the glass when held to the light.
I have this on my Lumix FZ35.  For those of you who are not sure how it fits on, it screws into the threads on the inner lens barrel.  I took two identical shots inside at full zoom and noticed a slight difference in brightness which is expected.  At the lower zoom levels, it is very difficult to see a difference.  This is really beneficial outdoors but if you are like me, you want something you can just leave on there to prevent dust from getting inside.  You can't go wrong with this especially for the asking price.
Tiffen 62mm. Well, it is a little silly to ask for a review on something like this. It fits the lenses, what else is needed to say?
this is an excellent filter, it doesn't distort, fits perfectly to my Tamron 18-270 lens, and I recommend it. Also it protects your lens.
Quite a simple device I bought for my Canon camera lens protection. It works fine and is easy to install. Delivery was as expected. If you needed something like this filter, I would recommend buying it through Amazon
the filter has done a very good job of protecting my camera and lens auto focus works without any problem, excellent product.
ok  the filter protect the lens but I did  a class where the teacher said that the lens company work put on coatings on the lens to make shoot better  and we put filter on the to protect them . it ok if you what to protect from sand or dirt  but take some images with out  and check out the  difference
I am a new to photography. My first tiffen uv filter came with a lens I bought. I was getting spot in my pictures. I later noticed the coating was coming of the filter. The second tiffen uv filter I bought with new lens. I was taking pictures of my christmas tree and getting red flares in my pictures when I did not have any red lights. I took of the filter and that got rid of the flare. Now I just spend more and buy B&W filters.
This filter is trash, it causes a funny reflection on your photos. It ruined a set of me with my newborn and we can't get those moments back. Useless.
This filter was inexpensive yet works perfectly for what it's needed for, to protect the expensive lens.  It cuts the UV also.  I would recommend this as the first thing you buy to protect your lens.
I got these for a couple of my lens and so far they've worked great.  It's a simple and cheap thing to get to protect the camera lens.  I got it mostly to protect my lens from scratches and dust, but it also does a decent job protecting it from moisture and UV light.
love the uv filter by tiffen, saved my lens many times.  I will always have a uv on my lens..worth the money!
I have had great results from Tiffen filters.  They are durable and protect my lenses.  The price is reasonable also.
multicoatings, etc. do not make a difference with uv filters for dslrs, according to pop. photography.therefore, this filter is really only for protecting your expensive lens.so there's really no need to pay more.i have this for a d80 currently mounted with a tamron 17-50 (the filter size also works for tamron 28-75 and nikon 18-70).i can't see any evidence of vignetting at 17mm setting, unlike 12-24 lens which does require slim mount filter.pay more if you must, but it's uneccessary.
GREAT!!! Works fine on my camera.
This filter works fine.  I use it to protect the lens objective.  It does this and I can detect no distortion or light loss while using it.
The first filter I received had scratches all over the rim so I returned it.  The second one also had scratches, so I decided this was the average quality of this product even when new and kept it.  It does the job of protecting the lens and keeping dust out so, given the price, I guess it's OK.
The UV protector was as described.  I have since read that you should not use a protector to shoot landscapes and the moon to avoid a reflection in the shot.
I bought this to protect myCanon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-inch LCD and and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens.  So far, so good!  No fuss, straightforward product that does what it's supposed to do.
what can you say about UV filter. Easy on , easy off, no blur. was packed not so good. I got it when it was misplaced in original box. But after close inspection didn't find any damage so i'm using it and it dose the job.
No issues whatsoever.  Tiffin makes great filters / lens protection.  Of course you don't need the UV... It's protection of the front element of your lens.
So it works, and things are good so far.  it is not multi-coated, but it will protect my cheaper lens quite well
I got these because I kept getting fuzz or dirt on the actual lens and was always scared I was going to scratch the lens when I cleaned it, but not any more! With this product it protects my lens. And for the price, you rather be safe then sorry!
My brother gifted me the filter when I first got my camera and I'm so thankful he did! Taking pictures in a crazy kids birthday party...  inevitable that the camera would get dropped.  The filter completely cracked but my lens was ok. thank you!  only 4 stars because I had a hard time taking off the filter after it cracked, and some of the glass scratched the lens, but since I'm not a professional photographer, it's still serviceable.
I suppose this is quite good one. I have no complain about it. It hasn't killed my image quality really either !
the reason I bough this filter is only to protect my lens. I can not refused the discount, and then bought it. up to now, the glasses is so good
I dropped my lens, but luckily had this baby on it.  The filter cracked down the middle but protected my lens, so definitely worth it.
I use filters mostly to protect my lenses. A few months ago, one of my lenses slide from an unzippered bag (my bad) felt from 3ft. and the filter absorbs all the damage. Sorry for my filter, when i check it, there was only pieces of glass on the ground :-(
Same as the hood offered together with the 50mm lens; it fits the hood but not the lens unless you use an adaptor, which is not the idea. It is NOT for a Pentax 50mm lens!
nice and clear and protects the lens.  No problems or visible differences in my photos.  Sturdy and well made very happy with purchase.
For the price, you can't beat this filter.  It is good quality and fits perfectly on the camera I bought it for.  I wanted to get one to protect my lens and help with "blueing' on photos.  It has worked out great.  Don't expect professional quality however for the price.
Compared to other stores that sell low cost filters, Tiffen's 77mm UV protection Filter was a world of a difference. It's solid and feels like it would protect an f14 from crashing into your lens glass. That's about it. It does what it says it does and it does it well. I never notice any difference in picture taking with these on. Some people notice distortion and pixelation. When you're shooting RAW, it's tough.
Nothing special about the filter.  It's just your standard UV filter.  Came packaged in a nice hard plastic case so was in great shape plus would be good for storing other filters.  Service was prompt and I had no problems.
I have had numerous Tiffen UV filters, and the all do what they say.  For the price, this UV filter does what it claims to; protect your expensive lenses from UV light, dust and scratches.  Why risk an expensive lens when a low-cost filter will take the damage?5 Stars for doing what is advertised at great price.
Gets the job done, no questions asked.  Installs easily and allows my polarizer to install in front of it.  I couldn't ask for more from an UV filter.
I got this filter before I understood the difference between cheap filters and ones that actually work well. I was getting such great results with my new 50mm f/1.8 lens during the day, but at night i was getting a lot of ghosting and flaring in my pictures. It took me a while to realize it was because of the filter. After doing some online research, I decided to remove the filter, and my pictures were all suddenly better with that lens. The glass was affecting my picture quality!The glass used is cheap, and not very good quality, so it can actually degrade your pictures. It works well to protect the glass on the lens from scratches or dust, but it's a much better idea to pay $20 more and get a good filter that will actually help you get better pictures. If you don't want to pay the extra for a decent filter, you might be better off just leaving the filter off. I reccomend Hoya Pro1 and B&W; filters; and in the 52mm size, the price is very reasonable. Once you start buying nicer lenses that require 77mm filters, that's where the good filters really start adding up. But again, you aren't going to want to put a cheap filter on a $1000 lens.I know this review might sound negative, but if it helps someone capture a  memory better because they decided to get a little nicer filter, it will be worth it.
I bought this because Amazon suggested together with my Xacti 1000, however it was the wrong size which needs an adaptor plus another lens cap.  So I had to return it and buy a correct one.I understand it was an automated system that Amazon provides according to the orders, but consumers must be very careful as well.  I was in a rush and try to be hustle free.
i ordered the 82mm one, for my Canon 16-35 II,on full frame. This filter is totally useless if you pointed against any kind of light source. Greenish Flare will be  always on the pictures. Won't buy it,or recommended for anyone.
I've owned numerous Tiffen lenses over time. This is perfect protection for your lens. It came quickly and the price is right.
Like the other reviews stated I also receive the unwanted glare and have stopped using it after just one use.
The main reason for purchasing this UV filter was to protect my lens from everyday use. It does the job well. I haven't had any ghosts or lens flare issues that other reviewers have stated. If you are looking to protect your lens, look no further!
Great quality product for a great price.  I do not have money to splurge on photo equipment and this product provides the protection for my precious lens.  Plus, it really enhances the photos I take!  Highly recommended.
Although this protector works very well and my pics were not distorted, I was really looking for a clear protector not a UV
I'm pretty new to using an SLR (did I get that right? :o} ), so asked a professional photographer friend if this was a necessity. His response.."YES!Without a doubt YES!" Then he told me about a $1,000 lens that was saved because of a simple little lens like this. AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR YOUR CAMERAS!
I've had both 35 mm SLR and DSLR cameras over the years and I don't know if I'd really notice the difference of a picture with or without one of these filters.  I'm really just an amateur.  I do know a few people that ended up buying a new lens because they didn't have one of the on their camera.
I bought this UV Filter for lens protection. I am very happy with the construction and performance but a little unhappy with the cleaning they gave it.Pros:1- Good quality of construction (not the best, if you want a great one try multi-coated)2- Great image improvement (for low budget)3- Probably the best feature: INEXPENSIVE4- Important: it leaves front capacity to put another thread-accesory for the 52mmCons:1- It didn't came clean as I expected. For a lens filter you hope for a better state. It could be the packing or some trouble on the store.Overall, if I had to classify the filter (on the UV's Not coated) it could stand between a SigmaDG 55mm (great one) and the Cokin 55mm (very low construction and lens quality) I own on my Sony A-100.I use the Tiffen filter with my EOS T2i + EF 50mm 1.8 II
This is cheap. It fits well and protects my lens. I have bought several of them actually. Will recommend this to anyone.
I got this filter for free as a part of the deal when I bought my DSLR. I am a DSLR newbie and find the filter to be a good fit for the kit lens. The images taken after putting on the lens do not distort the pictures. So far so good. And for free, its really good.Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter
Some say filters are unnecessary. Others use it for protection.Some say a filter is needed if you don't use a lens hood.Bottom line is if I have a spill Id have to worry about my lens damage instead of throwing a filter away and buying another one at 8$8$ will save you hundreds
It's the product I expected. Nothing special to remark, it properly fits and protects the camera lens at a reasonnable price.
If you want to protect your lens that is. The easiest way to protect your investment because if it calls the filter will absorb most of the impact.
I PURCHASED THIS FILTER TO PROTECT THE LENS ON MY CANON HF100, AND IT DOES THE JOB WELL.  IT PROTECTS AGAINST DUST AND SCRATCHES, AND ATTACHES WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY.  I WILL, HOWEVER, BE PURCHASING A COATED FILTER ONCE I BEGIN USING THE CAMCORDER OUTDOORS THIS SUMMER.  I AM CONSIDERING THE CANON FILTERS FOR ABOUT $60 ON AMAZON.Canon FS-H37U 37MM Filter Set for Canon HF10, HF100 & DC50 Cameras
Nice way to protect the lens. NO glare or issues with the threads as far as screwing it into place.
I don't know the function of this UV protection filter because I did not realize the function this product when I was using this. I got this for free with a deal.
a ver useful and importante acessory. Helps keeping your lens free of scratches and still filters UV radiation that it potentially harmfull to sensor
I bought this thinking "Wow, a UV filter for this cheap!  Awesome!"  Well, that's exactly what you get.  A cheap UV filter.  It's build quality is good and doesn't rattle or anything, but it has a terrible lens flare problem.  This might be just my lens (Nikon 18-105mm VR), but when pointed at the slightest light source (even the moon) it creates a horrible ray of lens flare all the way across the picture.  When you take the filter off, it's gone or reduced significantly.  On the other hand, this is a cheap filter so you won't be sad if it cracks, scratches, chips, or detonates.  It's your pick
The UV filter, received on time, buy it to protect a lens and the results have been favorable since the lens is not going to harm me, for I recommend for quality
Does a good job keeping my lenses safe.  It's not the top of the line filter out there but I haven't noticed any difference in image quality with and without the filter.  Good value for the price.
This Tiffen UV filter is more economical than some of the alternatives.  However this filter uses uncoated glass.  This means it is reflective.  As a result, there is a serious problem with flare in certain lighting situations, such as might occur with indoor flash photography or shooting towards a bright light source.  In a side by side comparisons with a multi-coated filter, I observed a dramatic difference.  To resolve this problem, you could take the filter off or use a hood.  However, given that the lens this is going on probably cost a lot of money, I recommend a close look at a multi coated filter such as the Hoya Pro 1 Digital for much better overall performance.
This is a very reasonable priced filter that helps both protect your lens and assists in diminishing light glare.  Worthwhile to have it on your lens at all times.
This filter does not have anti glare so anytime you take a picture with a little more light around, the "green ghosts" will appear. I noticed it doesn't even have to be facing the light... So outdoors with this filter is impossible.The two stars it's because it's strong and looks like a good protection, but no use if it ruins your pictures. Sending back for a refund.
Having used other filters before I was not expecting the result of this filter. After using the filter, I reviewed the images and they look like there is a film over the whole image. I wondered what I did wrong. Then I remembered the filter was on my lens. On my next shoot I took some shots with the filter and then without. Yep, the filter was making it so my images were not sharp. I cannot even use this filter.
This was a fast and easy way to get a lens filter for my new digital camera. Shipping in 2 ways worked out easier for me than going out to check for best prices on such a small but necessary item.
This is a good protection to my canon camera and I loved it. it is highly recommended to everyone with a canon camera
Just as described and good as gold. Would not think twice about ordering for the same reason as I did. Good Protective lens!!!
Tiffen has long been a name known for quality filters.  Of the lower-priced filters, they are probably the best.
This filter is not coated, and the reflections are awful.  It wasn't worth returning it, so I use it as a lens cap and take it off to shoot pictures.  I got a Hoya coated filter and it was well worth the extra money.
As the title says, the filter is pretty decent for the price.  I'm using it on a Pentax Kx SLR camera.
It's a great filter for the price and works fine on my Tamron AF 70-200m lens. the lens cover works fine on it and snaps into place. Can't beat the price as comparable filters were two or three times the price.
good product. feets my needs (amateur photographer). maybe not the greatest filter, but good value for the cheap price you pay.
I bought this filter because it had good reviews, and It broke during a flight, I didn't even have the time to test it. Bad quality.
How can one review a filter like this one?  It's just a very plain, simple filter... that will not produce flare or make light bounce within the front element and the back of the filter.  That alone merits mention: buy this filter for your lenses with a 77mm diameter front because it will do what it's supposed to do.
I have used Tiffen filters before and never had a problem. Better spending money of a filter then scratching and expensive lense..
My experience with these Tiffen filters has been great.They feel solid, they are affordable and do their job.  I have purchased UV, CPl and linear polarizers (to make a variable neutral density filter).  However, here I'm writing about the UV.I have not had one with defects (purchased approximately 10 of different diameters).  The glass is clean and reliable.  I broke one due to an impact and I was glad I had it.  It was like realizing you have collision on your car insurance after a crash.The threads are reliable and pretty smooth.  It is unlikely for a smaller (relatively speaking) diameter filter to 'get stuck' on the lens and these are no exception.  I will purchase again unless quality or price change negatively.
Purchased it primarily as a protection against abrasions of the lens on my new Panasonic Lumix DMC- FZ435 camera. Fit the camera fine. Received promptly and was the product advertised.
I received the product on time and it was in excellent condition. I willkeep on ordering more stuff from you guys!  Thanks.
When I take photos with this filter at night, there are strange light glares in the photos - ruining them.I return it and will buy a "real" filter with "real" quality...
I've had good luck with tiffen filters.  The 58mm is one of their cheaper ones and the quality isn't great.  The glass rattles in the frame, but once I had screwed it onto the lens tightly (i mean really tightly) then the rattling stopped.  It's just for protection, and I'll probably scratch it soon and replace it, so if you're like me it's fine but if you're looking for something better, pay more!
Purchased this to protect the lens.  Cannot really say about how much UV filtering it does.  No adverse effects noted and the front of the lens is clear and moisture free.  This is a standard item to purchase for each lens in any photographers kit.  With digital, there isn't as much of a problem with UV or excessive blue in a photo (skylight filter fixed that) as there is with film. This is a good product.
I have always placed a lens (UV) or similar item to protect the lens from scratches.  It does that plus shooting a lot of outdoor shots this is a help.
Despite the manufacturer's claim to the contrary, if you can't tell the difference when a shot is taken with and without it, you will be fine. Mostly these are used for protection since their visual effect is nil. Tiffen seems to hit the sweet spot - expensive enough to work well but not so cheap as to distort. Get one for each of your lenses.
good deal, nice item, i like it, it is fit well, i will recommend it to my friends. awesome 1!
bought for step mom.. I am a believer in a lens filter on all slr lenses as an added layer of protection
Seems to works well on my Pentax K01 40mm lens cap. Was not sure you could even get a filter at this size.
Received quickly. Good vendor.Good quality product.I always use a protective lense on my lenses.  That is why I still have and are using lenses I purchesed in 1974, and they are like new.
I don't know too much about all the multi-coatings and types of coatings, but these filters are awesome at doing what I bought them for...protecting my lens from dirt, scratches, etc.  And they're quite reasonably priced.  One filter did arrive broken, but it looked like someone may have broken it, and returned it to amazon, and they didn't check it well enough when it got returned (you had to pick it up and jiggle it to realize the glass was loose) before it was sent out again and I got it.  But as always Amazon customer service comes through again!!  They sent out a new one right away and it arrived a few days later, before I had even had time to ship the old one back.  I love Amazon!!
Amazon offered the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens bundled with the TiffenUV Protection Filter, for my Nikon 3100. Since the filter was supposed to be for the Sigma lens, (58mm) I was expecting a 58mm filter and not a 52mm. Since I failed to pay attention, obviously the filter is too small. I need to have a 58mm. I know, it was not a big investment, but if it does not fit ... it does not fit.
this comes free if you buy a nikon lens, but as many customers said, it has very bad flares when shooting next lights. so not much useful.
Yes, I am one of those photographers that won't shoot without a filter on my lens. A UV filter is the most useful of all the filters available. This one is a mid-grade quality filter at a very low price. If it doesn't do anything else for you, it WILL save your expensive lens from getting accidentally scratched.
This filter creates tons of lens flare.  Might leave it off my lens.  Only got it cuz it was free with the lens I purchased.  Might want to spend some extra dimes on a Multicoated UV Filter to reduce the lens flare when using filters.
Nice accessory for protecting my nikon's lens and at less than $10 it was a bargin
Pros:-the packaging-was clean out of the box-perfectly fit my 50mm 1.8 af-sCons:-produces ghosting when pointed at lights, this is unacceptable and the reason I give this product 1 star
I'm using this Tiffen filter for the 18-55 kit lens that came with my Nikon D5100. This does what it's supposed to do. Here are my thoughts:-FUNCTION-The pictures come out great. I cannot tell the difference between pictures with and without the filter.-FIT-This fits perfectly on my lens. Simply screw it on the end of the lens. Fits tightly.-DURABILITY-The filter is well constructed and doesn't seem flimsy in any way. I'd like to believe this would last as long as the lens itself.-PROTECTION-Hard to tell without actually trying to damage the lens but I feel that this would protect the lens from minimal damage like a small drop or potential scratches.
This is not a multi coated filter. Using this on your lens makes the picture quality come down by 2 notches.If any direct sunlight hits the glass (even if the sun is not withing the picture frame), the whole picture appears washed out. I only bought this because I got this free with my lens purchase. I always buy the sigma multicoated filters for my lenses. They are truely multi coated and reflect a dim green just like the expensive camera lenses. Unfortunately tiffen does not make any true multi coated lenses.
After buying a Canon L-Lens.. I thought this would be a good investment in protecting the from lens from scratches and fingerprints.It is well worth the peace of mind.
Just bought Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras on Amazon and needed a protectant, works great.
No camera should ever be without one of these.  I found the plastic lense cover I intended to use did not attach properly to the UV protection filter.  That could be an issue for other purchasers.
Everyone should use UV filters to keep from scratching those expensive lens.  Bought two of these for my Sony A65 lens.
The Tifen 46mm UV Protection filter screws on to the lens with ease.  There is no distortion or color loss with this lens.  When viewing the video you can't tell there is a filter on the lens.  Great for protectin from scratches on the lens also.
Only really using it for lens protection.  Works just fine for that.  Price is right for what you get.  I see no reason to pay more for a better filter.
There's no coating on these Tiffen UV filters so you may get lens-flare, internal reflections, etc.  It does do a good job at protecting the front element, though.
When taking 35mm pictures it was recommended that one of these be on every lens that you use.I felt that it would be the same with DLSR so stocked up for my lenses, only to find out from tour guides and instructors that the lenses of today have this filter built in. Not only that, but when used they can cause sun flair, okay at times, but only if you're wanting it. So, they were all removed and are stashed away in my camera drawer.
You need to protect your lenses and for the price this was just what I needed. I am very happy with it and recommend it to anyone with a camera lens.
Don't know if the UV itself works or if it causes ghosts on some shooting modes.  It's the cheapest and it works for protecting the lenses.  If it causes issues in some scenes, just take it off and put it back later.
perfect for my T2i. Though my camera has sensor cleaning. Let's see how long will this thing last..
Bought this to protect the front element of a wonderful Nikon lens as much as for its UV filter ability. It does its job just fine.
Nobody should you his/hers camera without filters on the lenses. I saw a lot of lenses broken that didn't have a filter on it. Also, you cannot beat the price and Tiffen filters are also a good quality products.
If you care about that lens on your camera, you need to protect it and this filter has all the protection that you need. Light weight, easy to install and does not affect focus or color. Also eliminates cleaning the actual lens which protects it from cleaning scratches.
Its a UV Filter. Works as expected. Clear glass no anonalies in the surface protects the new Pentax 50-200mm Zoom I purchased well.
The filter was fine, but Amazon was selling it with the Fujifilm FiePix HS10 camera which takes 58mm accessories NOT 46mm. I had to return it.
Although used, the filter was not damaged or scratched in any way. Very affordable and worth the chance you sometimes take with a used product.
Soy Venezolano, compre este Item ya que soy Fotografo, y poseo una Nikon D80, y lentes sigma, proteje de verdad, recomendado.... I'm from Venezuela, Bought this Item Because I'm a Fotographer, I own a Nikon D80, and Sigma Lenses, Really Protect, Recomended...
Great filter. I fits my Canon T3i perfectly. I use it for lens protection, so It stays on all the time. Excellent quality too!
Yep, it's a UV filter, 67 mm, and fits 67 mm lenses, What more can you say? Just buy it!
I bought this as a protective filter and chose Tiffen because I'm familiar with the name.It was the right item for a good price.I'm happy with it.
I have no actual experience of this product as I purchased along with a lens for a gift only from the recepient that the product was very good.
Initially, the retaining ring that holds the glass in place was loose and had to be tightened. It was no problem doing that but it shouldn't have been that way.  After two weeks of use the retaining ring loosened again...if it does it again, it gets a drop of super glue or Locktite.  Other than that I have no complaints.
The last commenter is not kidding: you'll see spots of green perhaps because of the anti-reflect coating of the filter. It's an overall great filter for its price, but I used it at a wedding. The outdoor shots were great, but when it came time for the indoor banquet, all my pictures have green spots everywhere, some more intense than others.
This is a fine filter, but it does not fit a Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet 35 Optic. I am returning it. Too bad, it appears to be of excellent quality.
The filter itself worked just fine, clearing out a lot of unwanted haze issues.  However, I had to replace this one after only a week, as the metal frame bent when I was trying to attach a lens to it.  I was not using a lot of force to make the attachment, in fact, the lens went on rather easily.  However, once I took it off, the glass began to rattle in the metal frame, and upon closer inspection, I saw that the frame had split across a seam.  I will use other Tiffen filters, as the quality to price ratio is very good.  I just need to treat them with a little extra care, as they may not be designed to have lenses attached to them.
Inexpensive and easy to use, protection for very expensive lenses.  Only regret not buying more than one at a time, since I have multiple lenses.
Good cheap price, and fits perfectly. Used this on one of my camera adapters and its a good way to protect the lens.
the price was right to protect the front element of your lenses, will protect me from any damage caused by accident, Sturdy build.never buy a lens without a UV filter to go over it.!!!
What more can I say?  It serves its purpose.  It works.  It is not a piece of crap.  Well worth the low cost to protect an expensive lens.
Usually, uv filter is used to protect the lens from scratches so there is not a whole lot to rate.  Tiffen is a well known brand that has been around a long time so you can't go wrong buying this filter.
This is exactly as it says, I bought a Nikkor 18-200 VR lens to use this on, and when I got it I took it out of the package, cleaned off both sides to remove anything from the factory which might change the view through, and then I put it on. Haven't given it a thought since. Good as any other, just much cheaper.
I'm just starting out with photography as a hobby, so take this review for what its worth. I got this filter to go on a Nikon AF-S DX lens attached to a D5200 Camera, primarily as a inexpensive way to protect my lens from dirt and getting scratched. I can say that the filter seems well constructed with an anodized aluminum bezel that screws firmly to the lens, and still allows use of the original lens cover. The glass is easily kept clean with just a lens cloth, and so far no scratches! I have not seen any ill effects of using the filter, though so far I have only taken shots outside during the day, and have not taken comparison shots with the filter on and off.
This is the second one I have purchased since the first one broke when my 2 year old got a hold of the camera.  I did have one case where this filter was putting spots on the pictures. It was inside with Christmas lights creating the problem.  Other than that, it has always worked well.
when I used it I found it softened my sharpness of my photos. I further learned that I do not need UV protection as digital cameras are not affected by UV rays
just what one needs for beaches and bright sunlight
The big debate....Do you need UV filters anymore with DSLR's? I do not know the answer to that question, but what I do know is that if it comes between trashing one of my expensive lenses or trashing this inexpensive filter, the filter will lose every time.And if I find that it adds to distortion to my photo, I'll just simply take it off and keep shooting and then put it back on. Simple, end of story.I love Tiffen Filters made right here in the USA! And I have one for every one of my lenses.
4 stars only because it took me around 5 mins to slowly screw this on the camcorder. It can be shifted or uneven when you put it on easily. So, I have to take it off and re-screw on a few times until I get it right in the groves. The camcorder video comes out great.I tested with it on and off, and I can not tell its there when I watch the video in HD.GL and enjoy.
Good for the price.
I am using this cover on a nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens.  Been using it for about 4 months.  It does what it should protect my lens.  It is built tough, glass and metal, not plastic.  Tiffen is a great brand.  Price was low also.
Happy with these filters, perfect for any beginner photographer. Using these with the lenses that came with my Nikon d3000.
I mainly bought this lens filter as protection for my Nikkor 80-200mm lens.  Works just as it should, no more no less.
I purchased this Tiffen UV filter because I recently bought a used Nikon 55mm-300mm lens and wanted to protect the glass. This UV filter is very high quality I am very happy thank you!
To me, this is a requirement when my camera goes with me as many locations and environments as it does. I have one for each of my lenses and this one is great without the great expense that you could go to. Thanks for a great product!
great price and great quick service.  I would recommend this company to all of my friends and associates.  I love it.
This was a great addition for the $5 I paid for it. It will help protect my lens purchase with little investment. It screws on easily and you just forget about it (unless you have other lens filters, of course). I rate it a 4/5 because if it wasn't included in the package, I wouldn't have purchased it.
Good product. Very economical. Highly recommend having a UV filiter to protect your lens glass from damage. Tiffen filters are very good quality.
Este filtro es bastante bueno y protegue el lente de mi c&aacute;mara. No hay aberraci&oacute;n crom&aacute;tica ni cambios sustanciales en la imagen . Es tonto tener que dar tanta explicaci&oacute;n por un filtro. sirve o no.
There are different brands and different qualities of filters out there, and I've found that Tiffen is a name I can count on.  I use this as a permanent protection on the front of my lens, as well as it's stated purpose - UV protection of course.  I don't know what else I can say beyond that - it's an excellent filter, has excellent quality, and does a great job of what it's designed to do.
This filter has been sent quick and without delay. I will return to Amazon again next time.
I used this for a few weeks before I got tired of all the artifacts and glare present in my pictures.  I should have bought a higher-quality UV Filter right off the bat.  Oh well, live and learn...
Feels solid. Fit great. No issues so far.Going to shoot some more with it on and then determine if it effects my shots in any negative ways.
Brought it mostly to protect my expensive Canon L lens. My wife dropped the camera this week and broke the filter, but not a single scratch to the lens. Worked exactly as expected :) Wouldn't recommend dropping your camera just to test the filter, but if it happens, there's a good chance your lens will survive.Also didn't see any chromatic alterations after using the filter. So far photos and colors are true to original.
I wanted to be sure I had protection for my lens from day one.  That is the only reason I purchased this without much thought, due to the very low price.  As of now, I have no complaints (or positives) about this filter.  It seems to be doing what I want it to do without getting in the way.
Works very well with my camera, plus it protects my lens, my pictures have a clear look to them now
Just learning about DSLR cameras, but I am very satisfied with this purchase. Gives me peace of mind that my lens will be well protected.
Just what I needed with out having to spend a fortune on a glass filter to protect my expensive Nikon Lenses.  I bought one for each of my different lenses because I would rather break the filter than the glass on the lens.
I bought this filter for my new Tokina 2.8 wide angle lens.  Fits perfectly and protects the lens.  Great bargain.  Packed well, shipped promptly.  I can also use this filter on my Nikon 2.8 70-200mm lens.  77mm is hard to find in a store, so it's great to have a few on hand in case you scratch or break one.
put it on the lens right away, and it works great. note that this has both male and female threads, so it can be put on lenses that has female or male threads respectively. great item for the price.
Nice filter and I do not take it remove it from the lens.... Real protection and the colors it is really enhance
Fits easily onto my glass. I usually leave it on. The reason is I can clean my finger impressions and dirt easily without touching the lens. I have not checked how much it affects the pictures - have just followed what the experts say about it's use. Long time users say these products are long-lasting so I expect it to be like that.
It is what it is.  Not much to say, use to protect your lenses from being damaged.  Cheap enough to get more than one!
I suppose it does the job, but it's very cheaply made...the glass isnt glued or set into the metal, so it moves around makes an annoying noise everytime you move the camera.
Good sturdy design. A must have to protect your lens from getting scratch. This is probably one of the best investment you can buy to insure your lens is being protected.
Lost my lens cap and this UV protector functions like my lens cap but also blocks UV rays and makes the photo come out great.
I got this filter for free because I bought some other items, and up until I got it I had been using B+W filters, but I decided to give this one a try just to see what it was like.First of all, this filter has a metal ring, which is really nice especially for a filter this cheap. Unfortunately, the optical quality is lacking. You get a lot of ghosting during the day and even more at night, so there is a noticeable degradation of image quality. I wouldn't leave this on my camera because of this.The filter works fine for protecting you lens, but the question that you need to ask yourself is if you are willing to suffer lower image quality in order to save a few bucks by buying a cheap filter. I would recommend staying away from cheaper Tiffen and Bower filters and going for something that will actually improve your images, such as a B+W Filter (B+W 52mm Clear UV Haze with Single Coating (010). If you're really looking for something that will exceed in performance, go for the model with an MRC coating.
Fits perfect.  i needed a replacement for a broken one and this fit the bill.  Great item for the price.
I leave this filter on my canon 55-250mm at all times it does not change the quality of pictures taken. High quality uv filter.
This is a very good uv filter and it is also a great way to protect the outer lens on a $2000.00 lens.
I use these to cut down glare adn as a lens protector-- I'd ratehr replace this instead fo a new lens.
My grandson received a camera for his birthday. I have been using Tiffen UV filters for years and I wanted to give him some.Good price for a good product
the worst thing is,the Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter I received just like uesd old stuff,there are some heavy scratches on the surface!
If you want more serious UV protector, then go for MC.But, it's cheap and protects the lens from dirt and possible damage.
Very simple , don't not buy , it made in US but the quality is worst. You will end up waste your time to return it. I bought one from BestBuy, I think the brand is call Rocketfish, very good quality
This lens filter works as mentioned.  For the price, you can't beat a better product to protect your lens and keep it clean.
When I put this on my lens it made me not worry as much about it. This was cheap, but good quality so as not to affect my pictures and if something scratches it I can easily replace the filter as opposed to the entire lens.
The "Tiffen 77mm UV Protection Filter" was included "free" with my lens purchase from Amazon, and is ideal for protecting the lens' front element when I do not use the lens hood indoors, or during inclimate weather outdoors.  Personally, with rare exception, I feel the lens hood provides the best protection for the front element, and feel any extra glass in front of the lens makes it prone to reflections ... so I use the lens hood 95% of the time and the "protection" filter only 5%.  Nonetheless, I find Tiffen filters to be very cost effective and several are a part of my photo equipment collection that spans 50 years.
A good way to limit UV while protecting the lens from finger prints and damage.
Ok well bought these with the thought in mind that I could use them just to protect my lens when I didn't have another filter on. And they work great for that and they aren't a bad filter for shooting outdoors; but almost the second you move inside you will start getting light flare on your pictures. The only time I didn't get it inside was when I heed my flash. So if all you do is shoot outside; maybe its ok, but if you ever shoot inside buy a coated lens. You can buy decent coated Uv filters for $12-20 its worth it.
This item is a great item to protect your lens from scratches.  It also makes it easier to clean.  A must have.
I've been using Tiffen filters for years and they've been sturdy and reliable.  I haven't noticed any ghosting/flaring with them at all on different lenses.In this case, I have this protecting a Canon 58mm close-up lens (250D) which is mounted on another lens using step down rings.Yes, it's a bit of a contraption, but the Fotodiox rings are sturdy and thin - the lens is thicker/heavier and since it wasn't cheap, I figured I'd definitely protect it.
I am using Tiffin Lens filters for Past 30 some years or even more and I always like them. Tey filter unwanted Light and best they protect your Camera Lenses.
I shoot a lot of sports so I'm constantly changing lenses. Putting a finger, or worse, on the glass happens.  This UV filter makes an excellent protector without affecting photo quality.
I got this filter with my new lense and it fit my new 50MM F1.8 Canon lense perfectly.  What more could anyone ask for?
this one is not to bad if your budget is not enough to spend, it blocks a little bit light on your picture. For the price 10 buck, so I can not ask for anything more. However, I recommend it to my friends
If you're buying this, like me, you're having a hard time justifying the extra expense of a B&W and figure, "maybe later I'll get one." After the expense of the camera kit and extras, I had a hard time spending the extra money. And it's fine. It does what it should, it is good glass and after shooting a full holiday weekend I'm very happy with it. The B&Ws are probably better. I've heard it's one of those things you don't get, till you get it. But for the price this is a great little filter. Fit fine on my 14-42mm Olympus kit lens and does the job it's designed for. I would definitely recommend. If you have the extra money for the B&M, go for it, but you won't be disappointed with this. Not for 1/4 the price.
Perfect cheap solution for protecting my lens from drops and UV rays. I don't notice any distortion to my pictures from these filters. They screwed on the front of my lenses very easily. I have a Nikon D3100 package from Costco, and this fits both lenses provided in that pack. The filters seem high quality metal and glass.
This is my first filter for my first DSLR camera. I put this on my lens and it never had any issues. I do not have any benchmark to compare it against but it protects my lens and doesnt come off from the lens so I guess its working as expected.
I bought this to protect my nikon 18-140mm lens.  I know there are more expensive and &#34;better quality&#34; filters, but I've bought tiffen for 7 years and all my photos come out just fine.
It does the job, nice constuction,what more can i say?It well save me money in the future by protecting my lenses.
If you going to leave a filter on while you are shooting get the best filter you can afford.  Good lens protection though for the price.
I bought this filter for my lens when my old filter broke. I just expected it to protect my expensive lens but I didn't expect it to change my life! I look thru this filter when I take pictures and everything looks more beautiful! The world is a more perfect place! I went out and bought two of them and made me a pair of cool glasses with them so now when I walk around, I can only see beauty! All the ugliness in the world has disappeared!! Don't pass up on this filter!!btw, it protected my lens perfectly without much color change. Shooting into direct sunlight will give a bit of flare tho..
I'm not an avid photographer, but this filter is great for the price.  It's also a great way to protect your lenses.  I'd recommend this to anyone looking to protect their investment and get good uv filtering.
Packaging of first filter was a very simple thin cardboard box, like a cigarette case, with plastic bag full of glass shards.They kindly replaced the item, quickly and in better packaging, and it works great!
I purchased a Nikon D90 along with my Tiffen 67mm UV Protector Glass Filter. The Tiffen lens fits perfectly onto the standard lens that came with Nikon. I was surprise as to how heavy the glass lens is compared to some of the other brands I've purchase. The glass was thick enough to product the camera lens from being damaged if something were to hit it. You can tell that build quality is excellent with the metal threading instead of plastic ones I've seen.
I bought this to use on my 50mm 1.8g lens, it fits perfectly on the lens with the lens hood and lens cap attached.  The images I take with this filter on look exactly the same as without it.
Alright for the money but if you're looking for clarity, look for something a little better. It's not multi-coated so obviously will experience some ghosting and other unwanted byproducts.
Buy the sunpak brand filters. Tiffen filters will not fully tighten down on my Canon xsi.
I am  impressed. This thing mostly shoves the water around and absorbs hardly anything. Also even after my standard couple of washes before use it feels harsh to my hand and I'm sure if I put any pressure on it at all it would micro mar the paint. My old &#34;cheapie&#34; 320GSM towels are softer, safer and better at absorbing water.
I like this filter! Nice glass and very clear and clean without a tint. Feels strong. Screws in perfect and not expensive!
Does what it's meant to..............Not much more to be said. It is a 'filter' after-all.Ian SmithDunedin, New Zealand
excellent price and high quality build,, i will buy more from this filters to my lenses.. i recommend to buy it if you want to protect your lenses
This filter was very inexpensive at the time that I bought it and I have been using it for the past month. It prevents scratches, dirt, and the like so I would highly recommend it.
Simple to the point and affordable. What more do you need to get the job done?  Just a few more words to allow you to submit your review.
Highly recommend this filter. It is pretty good for its price range.I'm using this filter on my Sigma 50mm f1.4 to protect the big front element of the lens.I highly recommend buying this filter.
I got this Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter for my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens. it fits live a glove and protects the lens well. so far I haven't noticed any image deterioration or side effects. for $6.99 a pop i'd recommend it to anyone!
with the assumption that , this will be a good protector for my lenses and, and also a stabilizer for over-exposed (direct sun light) photos, I bought this filter. I should accept that, it is a cheap model, so i was not expecting much but something with admissible level of qualityhowever, it turns out that, the picture i took, when this filter is installed, has significant loss of quality, and there was a distortion in the colorI am not sure who can get any value out of this, but i am not suggesting
One of these comes for free with many Nikon lens purchases. It's great to use on costal shores, and play with the blue tones of the water and the sky.
I do not like using lens covers at all, but I purchased this for when I cover events that I know, my lens may get damaged.  Example was mud wrestling.
Bought this and installed it immediately on my new camcorder. Its been over a year now, and there is no dust or scratches to my lens. This allows me to not worry about scratching my lens and lets me shoot more crazier videos in the woods when we go camping.
UV protection appears minimal--I did take photographs at a brightly sunlit harbor with and without the Tiffen 58mm filter, and could not notice anything conspicuously different. However, my take is that the main purpose of UV filters is to protect the lens from getting dirty or getting damaged, and I appreciate not getting dust and particulates on my lenses.
I expect Tiffen filters to be good.  So no disappointment here.  Just what I needed.  Fits perfect and protects the lens.
This is a solid filter. It does the job well. I would recommended it to anyone looking for a good UV filter.
just a simple protection filter.. works like it is suppose to.. how do you rate something that works?.. it works.. there...
Great choice for everyday use: protects your lens from scratches and almost doesn't impact the image colors
Works as advertised. It is a good accessory for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens. Worth the few extra dollars.
just got this today with my Sigma 18-250mm lens. You can go crazy and buy really expensive ones but honestly this gets the job done just fine. I will never ever use a lens without a UV filter. Somebody dropped one of my lenses on the floor and the UV shattered into pieces while the lens itself was almost intact (got a tiny crack in plastic). So when buying a lens I also get a UV filter with it. Later on I might look into other more expensive options or what have you and just want something reasonably cheap but not of horrible quality. So far this filter has been great. Will see how it holds up.
Solid, strong, has saved my lens many times... well worth it.  If I were you I'd buy one for every lens you own and then buy one for every friend you have and then buy one for me.
The Tiffen UV lens is a perfect addition to my lenses. I use this particular filter to protect my polarized lens as well as provide additional UV filtering. Most definitely worth the money I paid for it.
This lens works well and seems to be very good quality.  Just a note that I neglected to pay attention to whether it was multi-coated or not.  My next filter will be.  It is especially significant on this UV Protection Filter that I got along with the Circular Polarizer as I seem to get much more in the way of reflection & sun flares than i think i should be getting.  I just ordered a replacement that is multi-coated.  Would have ordered a Tiffen MC but couldn't find one online.
It seems like the glass filter moves around.  Is it suppose to do this?
If for no other reason, I picked up this filter as a protective barrier to protect my lense.  Plus you really can't beat the price, either!  After quite a few months of heavy use, there are still no scratches and is easy to put on and take off.  5/5 for sure!
I had this filter two days after I ordered it even though it was standard shipping. I am in the NY metro area so that is a factor. The filter was packed well and was the high quality that I had expected.
Works great... Glass is perfectly clear and flawless. It fits my new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM perfectly !
It's cheap and works as protective filter well.Does not fit my Nikon cap perfectly but so far works.Don't know how it compares to other filters though
It reduces haze to improve the clarity of outdoor pictures. Tiffen filters are well constructed. I think it will only degrade picture quality as we added another layer between the sensor and object, but I decided to use them anyway for all my lens. And I would recommend everyone to get one of this filter if you don't have any filter for your lens yet.
Ok, it;s a cheap one, but it;s very good.... i'm using with a AF-S 70-300mm VRII, no problems at all.... no vignetting at all.... ultra clear.....
I was quite disappointed with this filter. The glass is crooked within the metal rim. It was not obvious at first, until I put a lens hood over it, and then I saw that the lens hood was not even, relative to the camera body.
Good protection for my lens without sacrificing imagine quality and sharp nessHas protected me from damages many times already
it was to easy, what i wanted...works perfect and crystal clear. and would recommend to anyone to buy the product
If you have any of the Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras with their new lenses, this is a must have. It protects the lens from dirt and scratches,
Very good protection. I got this before a trip to Mexico and it protected my new Nikon lenses very well.
This filter served me well until I accidentally smashed it. My telephoto lens, encased in a thin pouch, toppled out of my camera bag when I set it on a wooden floor; the impact must have been solely on the filter. I'm glad it protected the glass of my $1200 lens from breaking, but I was very surprised that such a small fall would break it. Before this incident, I detected no technical problems and still consider it a fine product, as I have purchased myself another to replace the old one.
The filter fit on perfectly and works just the way I expected it would. It is a very good value.
this filter filters...lol i use it only for lens protection
Great cheep camara protection . A must for your camera and order an extral one just incase it gets damage
Low price and does the job of protecting my lens and I leave it on all the time to protect against dust, scratching and breakage..
It's Tiffen, you can't go wrong.  All I will use on any of my lenses is Tiffen.  Great for protecting the real lens surface.
Was thinking of going to a multi-coated lens to avoid those ghost images, when it occurred to me that you will never get a ghost image if you remove the filter before shooting a light bulb.  No big deal.Have used these filters for years and they have never been damage in cleaning.  Those fancy multi-coated filters require equally fancy cleaning methods or you will destroy the coating.So if you think it is an inconvenience to remove the filter before shooting a picture of a light bulb, think of all the time and trouble you saved with the simple cleaning process.  I did and will stick with Tiffen's uncoated glass.
It's a great filter for the price. I'm no professional but it protects my lens which is all I needed.
Not much you can say about a UV Filter. Tiffen makes a credible product. It doesn't compare to Hoya, of course, but for less than $6 it will suffice to protect my lens which is what I bought it for.
There is not much to write about the filter.  It was the right size and was made to protect the camera lens and it does.  Good price.
No problems with this filter. Using it on a nikon 18-200 VR and it works just fine.
Can't beat the price and Tiffen optics are very good. Perfect fit on both my 18-55 and my 75-300 Canon lenses.
Works well and looks good.  Does everything in is supposed to do and would recommend it to all my friends.
I received a Tiffen UV filter for free with one of the lenses I ordered from Amazon. I immediately ordered another one to fit my 50mm lens. These protectors have been life savers since the majority of what I photograph is food and animals and I don't want to subject my lenses to dog licks and crumbs.
This protection filter fills the bill at a reasonable cost.  No real reason to spend more for a basic protection filter.
I have bought several of these for all my lenses! One of my lens I had dropped over a year ago but I dropped it with the camera attached so the lens actually got damaged from all the force and weight. However, I dropped another pair of lens on New Year's Eve (camera not attached) and the filter cracked. I was so scared that the lens got damaged as well but turns out, only the filter was damaged and the lens were fine! What a relief and I am so grateful I put down a few bucks for this filter. Had I not, I would have been spending probably two hundred dollars on a new set of lens. THANK YOU TIFFEN 58MM UV PROTECTION FILTER FOR SAVING MY LENS! They are super easy to attach too! I love it!
This is a great price for a filter.  It appears to be glass and protects well.  Hasn't scratched so far.  I would recommend it instead of the very high prices some stores charge.
Perfect fit. Came on time. Works great! Much needed protection for my camera lens. Now all I need is another lens for my camera and then I'll buy another one of these!
It's essential to protect expensive camera lenses with a UV filter, and Tiffen seems to be the brand of choice.  I'm very happy with this purchase from Amazon.
Have ordered several from Tiffen.  Good quality for the price.  Highly recommend to anyone looking for a moderately priced filter.
Always good to use UV filters to prevent damage to lenses. I use them with a 2nd Polarized filter. They easily fit on the lens and on each other.Tiffen makes good products and you shouldn't go wrong with one. I use both Hoya & Tiffen, so don't go brain dead trying to decide. You can't go wrong with either.One note on UV filters, in some sunny shots they can reflect off another filter you may be using (i.e. polarized, colored, etc.) or off the lens face itself. If you want to avoid this with sunsets, simply remove the UV filter, the few shots aren't going to kill your lens. Some of us leave them on to get the multiple sun ghost images in sunset shots; your choice.This is a good UV filter, used them for years.
I recommend always protecting your lens with one of these.  The price of a lens protection filter is worth the saving of a scratched lens and filteringout UV light.  Never shoot raw with lens for too long it will eventually catch up to you, taking this risk.  The price of this is worth it's saving graces.
for price is good quality , I try B&W and didn't see difference except much higher price for B&W. It is basically for dust and scratches protection.
This lens filter seems pretty standard, it is made of glass and feels like its good quality.It's always worth investing in one of these lens protectors instead of having to buy a new lens if something goes wrong.The case in which the lens protector comes doesn't seem to hold onto it very well. If I shook the package, I could see and hear the lens bouncing around.Other than that, it's a standard protection filter that is worth the overall investment.
I needed a UV filter to protect the lens and its really nice and cheap. Just in case, you never know!!
Got this filter for free when I purchased my Nikon 35mm 1.8G from Amazon.  I was planning to order one anyway, and the fact that this was free made it even sweeter.
Bought this separately from my camera.  Its a good addition, you do not know its on your camera, lens still clear and you are able to protect your camera easily
Doesn't really provide UV protection. It is more of a lens protector from damage and fingerprints. This filter does give a glare so I took it off and just attach it when I'm not using it.
It's like not having anything on at all. But isn't that the point. It is there to take the abuse if an accidental bump to the lens happens. I think it is a wonderful investment to protect a $1700 lens.
Works well. Review could change based on its purpose to protect the lens. I'm happy for now. Works as expected.
I get glares and reflection artifacts so I never use it, just sits in the bottom of my camera bag
I've been able to use this one time so far. Delivery time was exceptional and the product arrived as advertised. Love having this as an extra layer of protection for my lens.
Fits perfectly in my lenses. Doesn't affect image quality, you hardly even notice it's there.Buy this (or any UV filter) for every lens you have. It's cheap protection for your expensive optics
This is not going to be in depth but works great with my Canon USM 50mm lens as a good protector filter. Nothing more, nothing less
This is a must for any lens you may be buying. It has save me a couple of times already.
This UV Protection filter certainly does it's job.  It saves the lens from scratches and the sensor from UV damage.  It is small and light and I like the black ring.
A UV filter is, basically, a lens protector.  However, the fact that this filter has a coated lens puts it in a category with filters that cost much more.  It's a quality filter at a very good price.
Bought this for my Nikon Nikkor 18-55 kit lens to protect it against dust, smudge, scratches etc.....and it does the job.The good:Easy to useCheap (price)Decent built qualityMade in USAThe bad:None so far
Exactly what is needed to protect the front element of any lens. Would never do photography with one of these.
The filter basically acts as a protective cover to my camera lens. I use them on all my lenses. I recommend this type of filter to all.
Great price, does its job. It is not as good as my B + W MC UV filter I have for my L lenses. The main difference is flare. Cheaper UV filters like this one are way more prone to optical flares. Especially in low light, when a light source is present in the frame. (Such as a street lamp). I have $100 MC UV filters and they too are more prone to flare than the bare lens. My philosophy: Cheaper lens, then save the money and get a UV filter like this one. Expensive lens? Grab a B + W Multi-Coated filter.  Can't go wrong with this one though.
The lens is great and the vendor sent it as advertised. Look forward to working with them again and again.
Crap, crap ,crap!!! Glass came loose the moment I put it on my lens. So it just spins around inside of ring.
I feel so much better about using my camera with this on the lens. I was always really nervous when using them and wouldn't let anyone touch my camera. This helps me relax a little.
This like all of the other Tiffen camera lens accessories that I have, or have used in the past, is of excellent quality and is cost effective.
Tiffen came highly recommended, and I can see why.  Less expensive than some filters, I like these because their optics don't seem to affect my pictures, they feel sturdy, and they protect the lens.  Exactly what they're supposed to do, for what I believe is a bargain price.
I have used many Tiffen filters but this one is of lesser quality than the others I have purchased. I've notice some marked discrepancies in my photos that are not there when I remove this. This is only related to this one Tiffen filter and I supposed it's because I opted for the cheaper version. I will look at acquiring the more expensive one soon.
It works with the Olympus E-P1 14-42 Kit Lens, pretty much the only 40.5mm UV Filter I could find on Amazon at a low price. The glass quality is OK, but the build quality isn't great. The threading on the front isn't smooth, and looking at the edges of the glass, it doesn't look like it's glued or cut perfectly. However, this hasn't affect the image quality at all.
What can you say about a UV filter?  I've used Tiffen filters for decades.  They're good quality and last forever... with normal care.  A good value.
Such a low price for a UV filter.I don't notice much difference in picture quality but for taking pictures of celestial objects it's good to have some protection for your lens and sensor, this seems to do a good job.The filter arrived without scratches or blemishes indicating it was in fact a new item I received. The item arrived in a nice (retail) hard case like other filters for storage when not in use.
UV filters come in handy for taking some haze out of skies and such. But even more important, UV filters art very inexpensive so they are also a great investment for protecting your lenses. The first time I went to Yosemite I jumped out of the car so fast that the camera slipped out of hands. The camera landed lense first and I had a $700.00 VR on the camera body. The only thing that happened was a cracked, inexpensive filter. A must for any photographer. John Crippen, photographer and writerAnimal Portraits with the Digital Photography of John Crippen: Learning Photography with Animals
I really just use it to protect my lens, but considering it remains permanently on my lens and my most common lens for well over a year, it has held up without any issues.
This is my third Tiffen UV filter I've bought and I they've worked great, just put them on your lens and forget they are there, of course until that unlucky day arrives when you drop your lens and this filter will be there to save your precious investment (the lens).Being an uncoated lens it does have some flare when pointed toward super bright sources of light. If you can't get the shot you wanted, just remove the lens momentarily or buy a coated filter.
Filter looks fine, however the Canon lens cap for the camcorder did not fit very well after screwing in this filter, so I will have to get another lens cap.
I keep one of these on all my lenses it is much cheaper to replace one of these filters on all my lenses to protect them from scratches, specking, etc. It is the best protection you can get for your lenses
When I was cleaning it gently the glass came lose and now it just rattles around.  It's a piece of junk.
This is ok....it was free. but you get what you pay for and the next 2 protective lens's I bought were more expensive and much better quality.
I use the UV Protection filter to one keep the lens form getting scratched or dirty second the filter blocks ultra violet light from the sun that can cause flares and you get a clearer outdoor pictures with CCD's they are very susceptible to ultra violet light unlike film CCD can pickup ultra Violet light have you ever seen night shot every one looks green and your eyes glow that's the CCD picking up the Ultra violet light that is projected from the camera our eyes can not see it like infra red lay just out side our vision but a CCD can pick up Ultra Violet light so this filter blocks that light and can give you a better picture I have them on all my lenses. I like this filter it is well made and the results I get are excellent I have 6 of them they and all my work is very consistent.
I bought this Tiffen Filter for my Tamron AF 18-270mm lens and kept it permanently attached to the lens.  This past summer I dropped the camera (a Nikon D90) on a hard tiled floor, lens hitting the floor first.  Happy to say that with a few minor glitches, the lens and camera have continued to perform beautifully.  I credit the Tamron filter, which splintered and was destroyed when the camera hit the floor, with saving my lens and camera.
Using primarily to protect expensive lens from scratching.  Does the job at a reasonable price and allows for beautiful exposures.
Great UV protection filter for any 52mm lens. The price was good and ordered it along with several other items. Well packaged and shipped well. Just be sure to wipe any dust of with soft brush, and intall in as lint free area as possible.
Perfect purchase to protect the lens of your camera, and easy to replace.Mine has held up well, doesn't change the quality of the picture at all.
Not much can be said about a UV filter. It either works or does not. Tiffen has never disappointed me before. This is a quality filter for the price. A great product and price!
This is a great filter that does its job well. All the images you people uploaded showing lens flare???!! You took them of light bulbs! morons! Who takes photos of a desk lamp ?
I had used it for quite a while and I love this brand. I'm not a professional but I'm looking for quality products in my budget. This is one of them, love it ...
Good price and works as advertised.  Definitely a good product to have and protect your lens.
A 46 mm filter is hard to find and they had one. It came fast and was very inexpensive, Works fine. (glass not loose in ring like some one said).
Product came fast. Lens crystal clear. Easily screwed onto the front of my camera. No issues after prolonged use. Did not loosen after being left on for months, unlike my previous lens from a different company.
Tiffen makes high quality filters.  The UV acts as a cheap lens protector.  If your lens gets scratched, it is ruined.  If you have a filter on it, you can cheaply replace the filter and the lens is fine.
bought this mainly to use as a protector for a lense. Can't really tell a difference that it makes in the photograph but it does a good job of keeping the front lens clean and clear of scratches.
No to much to say. Its a camera filter and it works. Shipping and packaging were great.
The UV filter is used by most of us as simply protection for our expensive lenses. It is the primary reason I bought this filter, and at this pricing, it's unbeatable. It fits nicely on the business end of my Nikkor 17-200mm VR lens, with absolutely no issues on focus, clarity or even the lens cap.But I discovered that it's a bit more than that, and this filter actually works as designed in blocking UV light. Add that to the price and fit, and this filter gets my highest recommendation.
It fits my Panasonic DMC-FZ35 and protects that great Leica lens so I'm happy with it. I must confess that I was momentarily confused as I'd expected it to mount on the outer ring, but it fits on the lens itself. Just extend it and it fits like a charm. I personally feel quite relieved knowing that the lens won't accidentally get dinged or scratched while I'm using the camera. I'm not intending to play catch with it, but why take the risk when you don't need to.
I bought this filter for my Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. The price was right, and I thought it would be a good way to protect the lens, which this probably does well. And while I am shooting under normal lighting conditions (flash or natural) the filter stays out of the way, but as soon as the lights go down this filter will ruin more photos than I can bear, due to an abundance reflective artifacts. If you take a photo of Christmas lights for example you will see the lights again in a faint green glow on the opposite side of the photo... VERY ANNOYING.
does what its suppose to keeps the lens safe and dirt/ dust free. Thats all I ask for.
I buy tiffen UV protectors for all my lenses. They don't seem to degrade any of the images optically, and provide an added layer of protection against dust and scratches. A sound investment.
Just got this filter and thus far Im happy with the images and the general benefits of its use.  Believe it has been a good idea to get this filter to protect the large glass of my expensive 17 to 35 mm, which is too exposed to the ocasional human touch and elements.  I have not noticed any significant effect on my images when this filter is on, but I would have to run a more technical test.
This is a high end filter. Very well made. Glass with metal ring. Great for preventing damage to your expensive lenses and even filters out UV rays. Easy to clean as compared to cleaning finger prints off of a lens. I had dropped a lens and broke the filter, but the lens was unharmed thanks to the filter. Replacing the filter was far less expensive then replacing the lens. A great value for a high quality filter. No lens should be without one.
Bought this product to protect my lens from dust/scratches.  I have used similar ones for lenses in the past, and they have worked well.
But that's about it. There is noticeable degrade in picture quality and there are green &#34;ghosts&#34; for every light source in the image. Eh,I figured they would be hit or miss for the price. They will make good lens protectors until I get some higher quality multi-coated ones. I have on on a Pentax DAL 18-55mm lens and another on a Pentax DAL 55-300mm lens. Both with same results.
I am not sure what it filters, but it is worth the price.  If not for anything except to protect the lens.
After dropping a good chunk of change on a 70-200 2.8 is II I knew I needed to get a filter on it to protect it. It does the job, no issues with picture quality through it. Would buy a tiffen again.
There's not much more to say than this low-cost accessory is a necessity for protecting one of those high-cost accessories for your digital SLR.
This is a great product. I bought it to protect my Nikon 18-200mm lens, and it hasn't failed me. I can't tell of any issues unless shooting at an extreme angle with the sun. Even then, I kind of like the effect! The filter appears to be extremely high quality. I would purchase this again.
This is basically lens insurance. Despite my photography professor's ominous warnings that it'd degrade our image and that a pro could tell right away, he never once noticed it in my prints. The filter arrived in excellent condition and works great.
This is made in USA. Better than Japanese made HOYA filter in other camera lenses. I wish i knew better.
nice price, well packaged, good quality, including glass quality.
It's hard to notice a difference with this filter.  However, it does a great job of protecting the lens and thus makes it well worth the price.
the glass (as other say) is like used, it is dirty with some dust inside. i have to wash it with water and dry it. but still its not too clear. the package doesnt even have a cleaning cloth or foam inside it.
Tifeen one is good for protection but buy hoya or b/w if you have $$ and want  top 1 picture quality.
I mount this filter on Micro 4/3rds lenses and have not noticed any degradation in image quality.(The argument over whether or not to mount filters at all is another topic altogether).Good value for the money.Recommended.
Bout this filter to keep my second lens from getting dusty and scratched up.  Quality not the greatest, but worth the $10.00 to be protected.
Fits my Tamron 70-300 (A005) and my Tamron 18-270 PLZ lenses.Cost effective way to help protect your lens investment.
Received in decent time and in good shape. Now on my new camera and working as it should.
it is what you expect. not the best but gets the job done. must have if you value your lens. great investment.
You can't go wrong with a Tiffen filter. I have a Nikon D80 and just purchased the Nikon 35MM 1.8 lens and this filter is protecting it and it works perfect. A perfect fit and the quality is great, very durable. Highly recommended. If you have good quality lenses like I do and you want to protect them, trust them to Tiffen. They will definitely treat you right.
Not much to say in regards to this filter. It works as it was designed to do. I would recommend it to my friends.
Made in the USA!
Overall, it does what it's supposed to do. I'm not sure if the photo quality is better because of this filter though.
For a cheap lens protector - buy it.  I bought spares and they've saved my expensive lens more than once.  I can't detect any image suffering from using this, and it is cheap insurance against lens damage.
Our pictures changed significantly when we started using this filter.  Each photo is clearer and sharper.  We use it all the time, indoors and outdoors.  Provides protection for your camera lens.
Bought filter.  Put filter on camera.  Snapped pic.  Huge lens flare.  Put filter in garbage.Don't waste your time or money with this product.
I bought a few of these last month when I bought my Nikon D3100 and lenses (actually I bought one, but 2 came free with lens purchases).In terms of build quality and protection, they are fine.  The filters are made in the USA, felt solid and were free from marks.  Tiffen is a well-known company and I've found their products to be good generally.However, after a month of use I've decided to upgrade to better filters.  The major problem is that these lack anti-reflective coatings and will show flare from sunlight, flashes and other light sources in your photos.  The photography review site Lenstip did a review of 16 UV filters and uncoated UV filters like the Tiffen came in last place for light transmission, about on par with plain window glass.  I've also tried uncoated Sunpak and Rocketfish filters with similar results.I decided to go with Hoya and Marumi multi-coated filters based on the Lenstip review, which rated them much higher.  They cost about twice as much as the Tiffens but less than B+W filters which are 5-6x or more.  I'll update my review once I've had a chance to test the new filters and compare them with the Tiffens.UPDATE: I tested these against the Marumi DHG and the Marumi are much more flare resistant. I decided to replace my Tiffens with Marumi.  In terms of image quality, nothing beats a bare front element (you can see loss of fine detail using any filter) but I definitely recommend going with a coated filter over uncoated if you use one.
This is an effective UV Protection Filter.  I am a semi-professional photographer.  I do macro photography and use this filter to photograph maker's marks on silver.  This filter reduces the problem with distractive reflection with silver and glass images.  I LOVE it.
Should never have gone with the cheap filter.  There is too much lens flare/reflection.  Taking pictures in front of a lit Christmas tree & the reflection off the filter is ridiculous. Might make a good coaster for an energy drink, but nothing more.
I use this as a cheap pass-through, which it does well.I have no idea what happened to my camera, but this filter totally saved my Tamron lens. I think a car seat was slid backward and it hit the camera, but I'm not sure. Regardless, the filter was shattered and bent on one edge -- this surely would have destroyed my good lens had the filter not been in place! Ordering a replacement right now.
Nice clear glass protection for my Canon EF 100mm Macro L series lens. Don't risk using your lens without one.
Good basic lens protector from Tiffen. Thou this is much better quality than the UV protection filter from opteka.
Ordered a Tiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter.  Received in timely manner.  No hassle.
I use this filter on my 50mm 1.4 cannon lens. It works what more can I say. I shoot allot of video with that lens and I have had nothing but success with the filter.
I bought this to protect my lens and it does that well.  It's a great way to protect your lens investment.
I got this filter for free when I purchased a Canon lens to take with on a 2 week vacation to Italy, and I thought what the heck I'll give it a try since it was free. I used it for the first week of the trip, and once my card filled up I transferred the pics from my camera to my laptop and I started looking through them. The pictures looked fine at first glance, but when you zoom in on the pictures you can see that everything is extremely "soft" looking and if there is a light in the picture there will be glare or reflections around the light. I thought it was something wrong with my new lens, which was odd because it was supposed to be a really good lens - and then it hit me: the UV Filter. I immediately took it off and went outside to take a few shots to compare with and without the filter. The picture taken without the filter are sharp and without glare, whereas the ones taken WITH the filter look like they were taken with a cheap $100 pocket camera rather than a $1,000 semi-pro DSLR camera. I'm so furious that the pictures from the first half of my trip were wrecked, but at least a I found out about it half way through and was able to take decent pictures the rest of the trip.Just look at the reviews - 131 out of 950 (13.8%) are 1-star negative reviews with the exact same complaints that I posted above, and that should tell you something isn't right! I would guess that the majority of people who left a positive review for this either aren't very knowledgeable photographers, or they didn't really examine any of their pictures before leaving a review. I would return this filter if I could, but it was free so I guess I will just throw it out or maybe just leave it on the lens as protection when not being used and then remove it when I take pictures.As further proof that this filter should be entirely avoided, a few years ago a 3rd party company did a study of 16 different filters from 6 different manufacturers and this filter finished in DEAD LAST!Do yourself a favor and pass on this filter, even if you have an entry level DSLR or are on a very tight budget, because it will make your pictures look like absolute garbage. Save up a few extra dollars and buy yourself a niceB+W Multi-Resistant Coating UV FilterorHoya PRO1 Digital Multi-Coated UV Filter(which placed first in the above-mentioned lens study).
That's what I attempted to do. If you are planning on doing the same learn from my mistake and do not buy this product.
Fits perfectly on my Canon Rebel T3i kit lenses. Good quality, provide clear pictures. I recommend a lens pen to clean the lens before attaching.
I always use either this or a plain glass filter on all my lenses to protect the inner lens glass. It's much cheaper to replace these if they get scratched or broken than an entire lens.
This filter does what it says.  Mostly it protects expensive lenses.  That is it's main purpose and it arrived quickly.
I have had this filter on my lens for years. It does a great job and not only providing UV protection but protects my lens.
Tiffen offers this excellent UV protection filter for your 77mm lens (my Canon 24-105 lens). This is a must to give your lens a protection for a very inexpensive price. I would rather crack a UV filter then an expensive lens, wouldn't you?  Well worth the price.
As intended, this lens filter reduces glare and protects the more expensive and delicate lens surface. It is clear in most settings, though I have noticed an occasional glare in certain indoor settings, as if the light is reflecting from the lens surface to the back of the filter, then back to the sensor. Simply removing the filter for this setting suffices, and it is probably more my fault for leaving it on in a setting where the UV filtering isn't necessary.
The UV lens cap fit perfectly and really added to the camera's protection.  I suggest that anyone who buys a Canon EOS camera should add this to their shopping list.  Think of it this way, when a UV filter lens gets scratched it cost very little to replace as compared with the lens it protects.Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter
This filter will help protect my pictures from so much sun. This is a very good device to use on your lens. I am ready to start with taking my pictures. Thanks Again Amazon.
I should have paid more attention when ordering. I got a 62 mm lens and the lens entry said people normally order this with the lens. I don't know why they would order a filter that doesn't fit the lens. How annoying, the postage cost of returning it is more than the cost of the item.
If you're an amateur and doesn't use L glasses, then this is a great addition.I mainly uses it to protect my kit lens from scratches because digital camera does not need UV filter.The quality is comparable other more expensive brands.
High quality, great price, speedy delivery! Adds great protection to your photographic investments! A must have for everyone who wants to protect their hardware.
I ordered one for my E-PL1.Unfortunately, it had an air bubble close to the center.  I'm not so sure about Tiffen quality control, but it's $9.95 so YGWYPF.Amazon credited me the $9.95 so I'll order another and hope.  Twice bitten, I'll go with another brand.I'm in a photo shop dead zone and have no local purchase/inspection options.  Though BB now sells the E-PL1, the local BB doesn't... and they don't yet have a 40.5mm filter.
i have no complain about this product. This filter is primarily used to protect my lenses and it works, and it doesn't interfere my photography. If you want to protect your lens from dust and scratches get one.
A basic protection item you should have.  Does not appear to be multi-coated, as the more expensive Hoya filters are, but clearly worth it.  Fits the Nikon 18-55mm ED perfectly and allows the Nikon lens hood to fit well.
I received this item and I am very happy with it
A cheap filter that protects your lens and not a whole lot more. The glares are more prominent than with most multi-coated filters. If you can afford it, go for a multi-coated filter for your lens. Hoya/B+W are worth the extra money paid. When you're willing to pay hundreds for your lenses, why not add a fraction of the price to get a quality filter?I own a couple of these filters for emergencies but mostly packed away in boxes.
Always buy this type of filter to protect my lenses.  The tiffen was perfect and not overly expensive.  Compared to other sellers the price here was great.
Well I got this item last week. I finally took out of the packaging it was in at a photo shoot I was doing . When I took it out of the packaging I dropped it by accident and it was shattered.
Used on my 35mm Nikon lens. Excellent protection to keep your glass from getting scratched up. There was a few times on my trip to Italy that I was glad I had it.
I have had this filter mounted on my lens for more than three months as of the time of writing this review. I know intellectually that there must be a valid reason that other brands cost three times more, and that some folks will cite reasons why the more expensive products are better. But in my usage, in the type of shooting which I do, I cannot see the value. This filter has not caused me any image degradation, flare issues, of other photographic problems. It has caused no mechanical concerns, like stripped or crossed threads on my lens. In short, I am well pleased and happy to have saved money to spend upon other accessories.
You always should have some kind protection for the working end of your lenses.This filter is as good a choice as any and came with the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4 lens Iordered.
This is a really good filter for the price.  The main reason that I use a filter is to protect the lense from scratches.  for the price of this filter, you could be a little mor care free about getting the perfect shot and scratching up an expensive lense or filter.  I could not tell you the difference between a Tiffen and a Hoya filter except that the Hoya costs almost twice as much.  If you dont use filters, it is worth it just for protection of your lense.
I have been a fan of Tiffen filters for decades, and I have always purchased UV/Skylight filters to protect my lenses. Inadvertent scratches and nicks are inflicted on the filter rather than the lens glass, and this simple investment has saved me a considerable amount of money over the years.When using this filter with my Nikon D3100, however, I have found that the auto-focus function is impaired to the point that the camera is unable to automatically focus in average indoor light. The resulting images are either out of focus or the camera fails to focus altogether. Once I remove the UV Protector filter, the functionality is restored. I don't experience this impairment under outdoor lighting or studio lighting conditions.I don't know if other camera/lens brands experience the same drawback, but this cripples the Nikon D3100 auto-focus technology indoors since the camera focuses pre-flash.If you rely on the auto-focus capabilities of your DSLR for candid indoor photography and you notice problems with focus, this filter might be the culprit.
Item arrived as described. We have been using the filter for 2 months with no issue. Recommend these filters as protection on every lens.
Good quality and value.  I have purchased many tiffen filters, they are always good quality, value and performance. A +
The filter seems to be well made.  I wish it had come in silver to match the lens but other than that it appears to be good quality and adequate to the job of protecting your lens and reducing UV haze.
I returned the Tiffen UV filter after comparison with a Calumet 58 mm multi-coated UV filter I have. Of the two UV filters, the Tiffen filter had considerably more glare and relection. I think I paid around $25 for the Calumet filter (only slightly more money for better quality). Doesn't make sense to me to put a mediocre filter in front of a high-quality lens... in my humble opinion.
When it comes to a filter I guess you get what you pay for its hard to put screw on to the camera lens.
Not much to say about this filter.  It screws onto the front of the camera lens and protects the lens from UV rays.  I haven't done any tests to see if it degrades the image in any way.
OK, you know that a UV filter helps block some of the same pesky UV light that causes tans and skin cancer. By doing this, it also makes your pictures look more like you remember the scene. Also, if you ever drop the camera, it's better to have to replace a twenty dollar filter than a $500 lens. 'nuf said.
As always it pays to put UV filters on your lenses so as not to scratch, smudge or ding your precious lens elements.
Always secure your camera bag cover. I wasn't paying attention and tripped in a parking lot. I saved the SLR camera I was holding but my telephoto lens came out of my camera bag and landed on the asphalt. The UV lens protector took the brunt of the impact as it was shattered with the lens cap partially wedged into the ring. Amazingly, I removed the lens protector, and found the lens to be intact with no loss of zoom or autofocus!
I Was unsure when I read a one star rating for this filter. But it fits my Lumix FZ18 perfectly. Took a picture through it about 4 inches away from subject at f 2.8 and another 250 feet away using 18x zoom. The pictures were rendered sharp and the colors accurately .  Enlarging the 18x pic another 8 times still showed a sharp image. It is also excellent protection for the Leica lens on my camera.  Adorama was promt on delivery and well priced. Thanks Amazon for recommending another good company
The filters arrived as per scheduled. I purchased these filters primarily based upon price. I noticed no degradation in picture quality after affixing the filters to the applicable lens. Amazon.com as always provided a professional experience with respect to my purchases.
I shoot outdoors in blowing dust and dirt. This does the job and protects the lens from impacts. No weird colors or other issues.
It is a simple item and it performs it's intended function; no more, no less. I got it as I always do to protect the front of my lens.
After overpaying at a fancy camera store, I was happy to purchase an identical filter from amazon for a fraction of the price. These filters give you piece of mind, protection from sand, fingerprints and baby spittle.
The filter is a great help. This the way to goI have filters for indoors out doors for different lights.They are really good to have.
Got a couple of these to serve as lens protectors for Nikkor lenses.  Not one of the classiest filters I've owned - but it does the job I want it to do and at a very low price.
Great safety piece. Already saved my 24-70L lens. I was rellieved and happy. Ive bought this for al my lens
After attaching the filter to my Canon Lens I felt secure knowing that the lens is now protected. Great Service!
Use filter with Tamron 28mm to 300mm lens on a Canon 20D DSLR body.  the filter does what it's supposed to do without the slightest complaint.  I consider it a very good filter and the price was excellent.
Outstanding blade.  Fairly smooth cuts for ripping and cross cuts!  Would buy again!
Glad I got the filter for use on a Panasonic camera.  However when it arrived it had dust on it and I cleaned it with lens cleaner and a soft cloth.  It is now covered with fine scratches in whatever coating was on the lens.  It's still usable, I guess, just not crystal clear.
Very good delivery time and easy transaction with Amazon.  The quality of the filter was excellent -- use it to protect my lenses.
I bought this for my Canon VIXIA HFS100, and it does what I wanted it, protect the lens.Images still look great.You can spend much more on filters and I can tell you that they are 100% worth it, but until I get some more cash this will work great, not to mention the fact that it will make a great cover for rougher adventures.
no problems had I ordered the correct size
Protects my expensive lens investment.  Does what I need it to, threaded on very smoothly.  Love the Tiffen brand and have never had any problem.
It gives perfect protection to my lens. Now I'm sure that my new 50mm won't have any scratches.I love it.
Fine everyone. This is a lens protect for your very expensive lens.  It does the job well. Reeses Peices. What else can I say about it.
I used this filter in conjunction with my Nikkor 50mm lens.  It works well keeping my lens protected, however I guess due to the UV coating, I would get a bit of unwanted glare when shooting at certain angles.But solid nonetheless.
I don't like the threading (too tight), I don't like the lack of adapters for different sizes and i don't like the weird artifacts and reflections and glares I got from using this filter. My shots came out looking worse! Honestly, if you're going to use a UV filter for anything whether that be lens physical protection, or better images, go for high end brands. With filters it's all about the price, the cheaper the price, the cheaper the quality.I recommend this to no one, not even a newbie.
I have used Tiffen Filters before and always pleased.  This fits perfectly on my Nikon 5100.  It is a quality product and I would purchase again
I use this basically as a lens cover. Rather than having to take off a lens cover on my recent trip to Africa, I kept this on all the time and was able to carry the camera around without fear of scratching the real lens. It makes your picture taking experience much nicer when it's one less thing for you to do when you're about to miss that &#34;perfect&#34; shot.
When I first got my DSLR I made the mistake of cleaning my lenses with my tshirt not realizing I could (probably was) damaging themThese Tiffen UV filters make great lens covers.  ALL of my glass is protected by them now.  Cover your Glass so you don't have to replace it later because you accidentally scratched it!
Does what it's supposed to.  No vignetting on my Sigma 10-20mm on a Pentax K-mount.  Works with the factory lens cap perfectly.
As other reviewers have pointed out and posted pics about, this filter gives ghosting sometimes. I got it free with a 55-250 lens. At 250mm with this on, it was a terrible image. This worked great on my 18-55 though. It's nice to have to protect the lens but that's pretty much it unless you have a wide lens. Zoom lenses will hate you if you put this on. I don't have a nice filter to compare this to but I have another cheap one to compare it with that doesn't do the ghosting(Neewer). Overall I think it's an ok product for the price.
This thing screwed on perfectly to the Sony 35mm 1.8. No complaints. Also have this on my 50mm 1.8L Canon.
The filter is pretty standard, and as always Amazon has made it easy and affordable showing why they are without a doubt the best place to shop
This filter is an excellent cost efficient way to protect your valuable lenses.
This filter does its job of protecting your lens.  Price is so cheap you can't really complain, although it does cause some odd colored flaring of some sort from time to time (a lens hood will help avoid this).  If that kind of thing bothers you then you probably should go with a more expensive filter.  If you don't really care about that (or if you think that kind of thing looks cool like I do) then by all means this will do the job.
This is a fantastic cheap lens filter for protecting my lens.  It is essential that you protect your valuable lenses and this is the easiest way to start out.  I use more expensive filters that have better UV coatings for filtering light, but this is still a great cheap alternative for protecting your glass.
I have used tiffen filters for years & once had to deal with customer service because of an error I made.  They were great!
el filtro est&aacute; muy bien, ningun problema con las construcci&oacute;n y cumple con el pbjetivo opara el que fue hecho. Por el precio est&aacute; bien.
I use a UV filter on my lens to protect it because unlike others it has the least effect on the amount of light passing through it and does not affect color. I use it indoors and out with both black and white and color films. The only time it is off of my lense is when I want to affect color or contrast by using a special filter. It reduces haze to improve the clarity...
Good product. Good value. It's thin and you can still attach a circular polarizer. It does not vignette the corners.
Not much to say really, its a simple screw on UV filter that gets the job done! The price of $0.00 was perfect as it came free with purchase of my 50mm prime Nikon lens!
Another 'extra' for our JVC HD Camcorder, I got this really only to help keep the camera lens cleaner. I liked the idea of the self closing lens cover but also felt that this filter in front of those covers would protect the lens even better! I received it very fast and it fits perfectly on the camcorder. In bright outdoor shooting no issues. In some less bright locations I do feel that it made the auto focus less accurate and did take it off a few times then. Overall still a good expense, less than $10.00, so I'm glad I got it.
Buy this to protect an expensive lens.  It is what it is.  Does its job without issue.  Its not very glamorous but it not supposed to be.
replaced th efilter that I broke on my wifes Nikon D40 and it works very well. Down here in the south a UV filter is a must.
I bought it without doing much research. The filter isn't coated, so all of the wonderful coatings on your lens become almost pointless. I've since decided to go without filters for protection. I replace the lens cap immediately after use anyway.
As other reviews have said, this is a great filter for protecting your lense and UV filtering .. but has lots of ghosting in images (in certain situations).  If you're looking for basic UV filtering and Lense protection, this is a good inexpensive choice.  But I would recommend you spend abit more and get Hoya UV Multi Coated Filter.Hoya HMC Haze UV(0) - Filter - UV - 52 mmHoya SUPER HMC Haze UV(0) - Filter - UV - 52 mmHoya 52mm HMC Multicoated UV Glass Filter - A52UVC
Just what I expected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nicely priced and got it quick! Always recommend amazon! I use these for mostly lens protectors!
A must have for protecting your lens glass. Cheap, easy to attach, good quality. There's no reason not to have this on every lens.
As an amateur photographer I don't want to shell out big bucks for filters.  Throughout the years Tiffen filters have proven they're worth the price and maybe even more.
This is the kind of thing you buy when you have absolutely no money and just needs something to temporarily protect your lens. To simplify here are the ups and downs.Ups:-Good build quality. Glass is nice, smooth and without any noticeable warps. The frame is pretty solid for what it's worth.-It's dirt cheapDowns:-The threading on the frame is OK. It screws down all the way, but it's not very smooth. The biggest downside is that the OEM lens cap won't fit snuggly. I dislike the fact that sometimes my lens cap will pop off if I don't secure it tightly, but it's difficult to tell when the cap won't fit all the way down.-There's not coating. Not even one. This will affect the IQ. Not a lot, but it's very noticeable when there's bright lights. You will see some ghosting and unintended flaring.So in the end, this could be a good insurance filter if you have nothing else to cover your valuable lenses. But try to get something doesn't compromise your IQ.
The filter does the job as advertised; protects the front glass element of the lens.  Being an uncoated filter, there was a slight amount of ghosting, but nothing serious.
I like Tiffen filters because the mounting ring is metal, not plastic. They are at least assembled in the USA. And the price is right: it's the same or less than other brands. I also like purchasing these as Add-On items with free shipping, too.The only thing I don't like about this particular filter is it is not multi-coated. But those cost more.Five stars for a USA made filter at a great price.
What can you say about a UV filter, other than it fits perfectly, does not change the image and protects my new lens. And of course at a great price and delivered promptly.Thanks,J
I have been using this type of filters forever and they are great. Good value, resistant, and provides great security for camera lenses. Delivery time as psomised.
Cheap and easy protection for the camera lens, keeps dirt, moisture and scratchs form effecting the camera lens and balances uv rays making pics more true to colors we see.
I thought Tiffen was a quality company, but although the 46mm filter arrived packaged safely and securely, the glass rattles every time it's moved or touched.The lens I want it on is for sneaky photos, but there's no sneaking up with this rattletrap attached. It probably does everything else it's supposed to, but boy is it loud. Never thought a filter could do that.Tiffen 46mm UV Protection Filter
This lens filter works great and is very good protection from scratches on the lens glass. I highly recommend it.
Great Value
I bought this filter, thinking it would be fine, I bought a $18 filter for my 50 mm and it's been great. I thought price wouldn't matter so I bought this one for $6 for my 24-75 lens. Within two weeks, it lets all humidity in and locks in humidity and water moisture. I literally cannot take one photo with my filter on. Missed my return window by a day which is my own fault.
This basic UV 37mm filter is ok for protecting a camcorder lens (really the main reason people use UV filters, I think), but it has two main issues:1) the filter didn't screw on very well onto my Panasonic PV-GS320.  It would partly screw on, but even with repeated attempts, and verifying that the threads were ok, it would never seat fully down onto the camcorder.  I tried it with both the camcorder hood on and off, and it had the same issue in both cases.  This seems to me like a basic defect.  I later purchased a Hoya filter which seated perfectly, so I know the camcorder was not the problem.  Ultimately it's not a huge deal, but when it's poorly seated, I'd be concerned about the stability of screwing on something else (like a polarizer filter), or of permanently messing up the threads on my camcorder.2) the lens produces a lot of solar flare if you're pointed anywhere near the sun.  This is not really a defect in the lens, as an uncoated lens is not designed to avoid sun flare (after all, it's just a piece of glass).  It's really just a matter of you-get-what-you-pay-for.  All the camera websites state that you need a multi-coated lens if you want to really deal with sun flare.  I later purchased a Hoya multi-coated lens for only a few dollars more, and did some experiments and the multi-coated lens works much better when pointing into the sun.  I haven't used the Tiffen much indoors, but other reviews on this item confirm it has the same issue indoors when pointed toward a lamp, which doesn't surprise me.Pros: cheapCons: poor threading, major sun flare issueOverall, I'm going to solely use the multi-coated Hoya that I purchased, and just keep this Tiffen as a backup if for some reason I ever scratch the Hoya (since these UV filters are really just scratch-prevention for the main camcorder built-in lens).  But my recommendation is just get a multi-coated lens in the first place (from Tiffen or Hoya or whoever, I'm sure they are all good as long as they are multi-coated) for a few extra dollars rather than this cheap uncoated one.If it was just a matter of the sun flare, I'd probably give it 3 or 4 stars, since it does what any other uncoated filter would do, but I knocked it down to 2 stars due to the threading issue.
My wife dropped our Nikon slr in its carrying case, which offered some protection, on a concrete floor and shattered this protective lens, but the protective lens saved the Tamron 18-200 lens that was on the camera. The Tamron is still going strong, and I replaced the protective lens. Well worth the price for this Tiffen filter. Don't be without one.
The UV filter is not as strong as it could be, however, this filter is more meant as a protector for your lens and it does that perfectly well.
Hard to rate this beyond it's basic function as a filter. I've used Tiffen filters for years and they seem to work and wear well. Time will tell more with this one. If you want an inexpensive extra barrier for your glass, this is a good option.
What more is there to say about this must have safety feature.  Lens is free of optical defects and a must for anyone who does not want scratched primary lenses!
I am by no means a professional photographer.  However, I have used enough combination of SLR and lenses to know that filters should not a create glare or reflections onto my picture.  When I used this filter with strong light source, especially with a flash, I see in my pictures faint reflections caused by the light hitting the glass filter.  When I take off the filter, those reflections are gone. So the only time I ever used this filter is during evenly lit settings.  Otherwise, it's just a glass lens cover.
Accomplishes the goal. Protects lens. It's not a big deal. But the price is good.With a hood is a good combination.
It works great, it fit perfect my lens. You'll Never Be Disappointed with Tiffen, its protection filter are very good.
This is a good choice to prevent dush on lens.Good to protect lens Crystals.That's better invest on protection.
So far it looks good, quality is OK.I am taking one star cause it looks as it gets dirty easier than other cheap filters. I also notices some reflections on some pictures. However, both dirtiness and reflections may have been caused by specific circumstances under which it was used.I will update later if this behavior stops (up to 5 stars) or to lower it if it gets worse (probably to 2 stars).Right now 4 stars seems fine, mainly because it is good quality at a very low price.
I primarily wanted something to protect the lens on my FZ35, since it's a super-zoom and if I scratch the lens, the thing is trash. I haven't noticed the issues that other reviewers have, but they wouldn't surprise me. The thing costs $7. If the filter causes problems in any of my shots, I can always take it off. So far, in daylight and indoor (with and without flash) I haven't had any problems. The shots look the same as if the filter wasn't there. Exactly what I wanted.Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 12.1MP Digital Camera with 18x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD
The lens is good, the only problem is when I try to take it off the camera, it sometimes becomes difficult to remove.
Excellent for protecting lenses.  Easy to screw onto the lens.  I would recommend this filter to protect the glass on a lens.
Perfect filter to protect your original quality camera lens. I have a CanonEOS Rebel T4i camera and a photography instructor just told me I made an excellent choice in this filter as it is necessary item for all lenses.  And the price is right.  Delivery was quick.
I bought this UV filter as a replacement for my lens cap.Just to lazy to take off/ put on the lens cap so I always buy a UV filter to put on my lens as protection. As a real amateur, I cannot tell what this UV filter does to my photos I take, but I'm sure it's doing some good. As a protection, it's doing great though.
Best purchase along with my D90 - especially if you do a lot of photography. Minimal cleaning as the lense protects your original lense.
This seems to be a fairly basic cover for your expensive lens.  Simply, this is good insurance.  The optics looks perfectly fine to me.  I can discern absolutely zero difference between photos taken with - and without - the filter applied.  That said, the filter arrived covered in white dust and I was suprised that they didn't include a cheap lens wipe in the package.
In the forever debate over whether to have a filter or not I choose filter.  I know that a hood is going to protect the glass as well but this can also protect.  I've been one of those people that have managed to seriously gash my lens on my Canon Powershot point and shoot and got a little scratch on my Sigma 17-70mm recently.  No clue how these happened but I do know that when it comes to my Canon 70-200 I'm not taking many chances.For this filter specifically I will say that I haven't seen any degradation or problems during normal use.  The one thing I have seen is lens flare.  Shooting with this during concerts or towards the sun definitely can give extra flare.  If I'm shooting towards lights, filter off, if I'm really worried about picture quality (possible future large prints), filter off (just to be sure I don't lose anything), all the other times, filter on.
Price wise still the best out there. Ive been using Tiffen filters for over 30 years and have not had any problems. This filter was received in pristine condition and fit the lens perfectly. So far I havent experienced any flare or other abnormalities. Great price and its made in the USA.
I had a hard time getting this to thread on to my Canon 55-250mm lens. Once it was done it was easy to get on and off again. Overall a very good filter.
This filter does all that it is supposed to do at a cheap price. Nothing really special about it either good or bad.
I never quite got used to putting on my lens cap without putting an occasional fingerprint on my lens. So I went and bought a lensmate 46mm adapter and this filter. I works great to keep dust and fingerprints off the lens, but indoors the meter for my camera is now a little less reliable, which I attribute to reflection off the inside of the filter.I'm very careful with the camera so no mechanical problems!
It's good for protection against dust and scratches to actual lens. Easy to mount and came in a protected casing.
i bought a bunch of UV filters to keep my lenses safe, but in truth, the filters add light noise to many images and i've found that my lens hoods are almost as good at keeping my fingers off the lens as a filter with the additional benefit of shading the lens. My advice, unless you're using filters for effect, spend your money on a nice lens hood and leave the UV filters for the uninitiated.
I got this because I need for my new L frame. Its actually pretty cheap and the quality of Tiffen is pretty good.
Fits and works well on my kit lens: 18-55mm. Great buy and a must have!
Bought as a free deal from the camera purchase. No problem putting it on and no issues. Pretty decent product. But, there are cheeper option if you are paying for it. For my other zoom, I got one filter from eb&y and it's $3 include shipping
I needed a new UV protective filter to and camera strap for my new Canon T5i which I absolutely love...love...love.
Tiffen is a decent UV filter if you are looking for simple cheap protection for your lens.  B + W filters are known to be top quality.  If you are willing to spend the money, then go for that one.
I have several Tiffen filters & they work great. I always want to protect my lenses and these filters do a great job. The glass is durable & they fit right in the lens threads perfectly!
Unopened. Tiffins are fine. I do believe in using protection for expensive lenses. I can't think of more to say.
Fits perfectly onto my 18-55mm lens, Nikon D5100. Came just in time too! It's a good quality filter as well
It did the trick - so I'm happy that it fits perfectly and will protect my lens in case I drop the lens
This product protects the lens from dust and scratches.It works as it should and it arrived on time, as well.
I have found that Tiffen filters are always a good buy as is this one. No problems so far with any of them I have purchased!!
I wanted protection for my expensive camera lenses and these were perfect! I have a Cannon Rebel T4i and they fit perfectly.
1. Cheap2. OK for protecting lens when no bright light source in front3. Causes ghosting with bright light source (not multi coated)
I purchased this filter for one reason which is to protect my lens. Difficult as it is to rate the filter simply based on that factor, I'd say it appears that it'll help keep my lens clean, scratch-free, and hopefully protect it if a mishap occurs! As everyone is saying, better to break the filter than your costly lenses.As for the effects it has on photo quality, I've read some other reviews that it affects photos in low light/night shots. I'm just a beginner so maybe it'll be helpful to look into that via other reviews.
I bought this last year for $13.65 (omg! it's $7.50 now! urgh!) with my Tamron 28-75mm.I used this lens to take portraits and I notice the images are not sharp at all when I zoomed in.I later switched to my Canon 70-200mm (I know it's different quality compare to the Tamron) with the B+W filter, and it was super sharp.Even if the shutter was fast and the light was even, 9 out of 10 images still came out blurry.  It bugged me so much to do a comparison test with and without the filter.without the filter, my images were so much sharper.As long as you don't zoom in, it's fine.So, you really get what you paid for. IF you want to protect your lens and not really care about sharpness, go ahead to get this thingy.  But, if you care about the sharpness of your photo, stay away.  Might as well donate the $7.50 to SPCA or whatever charity you support.
This little filter protects the "expensive" lens of my camera while helping with UV filtration.  Every camera should have one.
Cheap UV filter that protects expensive lenses.  This doesn't do wonders for photo quality or anything, but will protect the lens from getting scratched.  Good price.
**UPDATE**I discovered that since there are just different "sizes" of the lens that I bought, I need to review them both for here.I still have the 58mm on the two lenses below, but also I have the 52mm filter on my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Again, the thread fit well directly to the camera and do not need adaptors; no visual distortion and UV filtering works as expected.However, I have discovered that with typical night use, on all three of the filters there is ghosting congruent with the shape of reflections of lit objects. It varies from whitish-yellow to a faint green tint that reflects to both corners of the photograph. I've also noticed this with low-light or sunset/sunrise conditions. If you don't mind having idiosyncrasies of uncoated filters, this may not bother you; however if you shoot regularly in low-light or highly reflective situations, I recommend an anti-glare coated filter (regardless of size). Otherwise, for an amateur or sub-pro photographer using in mostly daylight conditions this filter will work well.**INITIAL REVIEW**The 58mm UV filter I have on two lenses: the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto and the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle lenses. The filter screws in without an adapter on both lenses--you will never need adapters for threading these filters. UV correction does well and there is no distortion. I've actually tapped these filters a couple of times on accident before I got hoods on them, and they are still scratch-free. Highly recommended for any lens with a 58mm thread--don't ruin a lens because you refuse to splurge on a protective filter!
This filter screws on very easily onto your lens, and it has done its job well with protecting my lens, i've kept it on ever since i purchased it, no complaints!
This filter not only protects the camera from UV but its also provides protection for the main camera lens. The seller show a picture of the filter cracked from being damage by some foreign object but the main lens looked OK.
so far so good.  I used this mainly for lens protection and it doing it job.  NICE PRICE & GREAT BUY!
Any lens that accepts a filter this large is fairly expensive.  Putting a non-multi-coated filter in front of it will badly affect your image quality.  Why?Unlike film cameras, a digital camera sensor has a flat glass "low-pass" filter (LPF) in front of it. A certain percentage of light striking this LPF will be reflected back into the lens.  Any flat glass surface in front of the lens will reflect back, creating multiple images of the reflection.  This is somewhat like the effect you see when you place two mirrors facing each other.  You see multiple copies of yourself reflected in the mirror.For this reason, when shooting into any light source, pros will not put any filter in front of their lens. Look around you and you will see all sorts of light sources (light bulbs, LEDs in power-on indicators, shinny reflections) so you are almost always shooting with something in the picture that can cause ghosts.If you must have a filter, then it should be a high quality multi-coated filter.  The multi-layer coating minimizes the reflections (but doesn't completely eliminate them).This filter does NOT have multi-coating and will create internal reflections, ghosts and reduced contrast.  I suggest you either get a good multi-coated filter or go without.  I'm a pro and no longer use any "protective" filters since the switch to digital.  Modern lens glass is far stronger than the thin flat filters and I've never damaged a front element in 30 years.There are others that disagree with my opinion, but cost of a high quality 77mm filter can be over $100.  Better to save that money into a lens repair fund, which could be used for any kind of damage.  A lens hood does a better job of protection than a filter, and reduces flair with no side effects.  I suggest B+W brand filters if you must have one.And protection?  Thin flat glass is easily broken, while a thick glass dome (the front of a lens) can be quite strong. So stories of a filter protecting a lens because it broke and the lens didn't, are usually of little value.  Believe me, I've tested this on an Instron test machine at a client's lab.  It is shocking how weak these things are.So don't fall for the old camera store salesman's trick of suggesting "protective" filters.  They were high-profit items, and were OK in the old days of fragile lens coatings.  Today's lens coatings and glass are very durable and usually need no protection, other than a proper lens hood (usually included with the lens).
Good option to protect your lens from dirt, salt spray and accidents. Despite creating some points of light caused by reflection, I recommend.
Good value for the money.
haD TO TAKE IT OFF AS THE LENS FLARE WAS RIDICULOUS...I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT ...pay a little more get something better
I bought one of these to protect my LensBaby 3G, and other than the occasional reflection from a very strong light source it does a great job.
This was included as part of a lens deal. However, it is poor quality glass, not really worth bothering with.
I bought this filter for a Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5/6 Di VC USD telephoto lens. The filter was rather 'dirty' with speckles of dust and some mild 'grease' stains unevenly distributed across the filter area when I got it right out of the box! I managed to clean the filter successfully using a lens-pen without scratching it (phew...). However, I'm not sure who's the culprit.. the manufacturer or the seller (Overstocks Closeout). For the benefit of doubt, I'd still rate it 5-star as it isn't a big deal and the filter (after being cleaned) does it's job effectively without any signs of 'ghosting' in the photos I took so far (at least > 100 since using it).
I bought the new Canon 60D and looking for Lense protector and UV filter.This is pefectly fitting my camera working great.
a good product at a good price, arriving in a reasonable time frame. I am very pleased with this item.
I AM SORRY THAT I CANNOT GIVE A PROFESIONAL REVIEW.  IT IS HOWEVER A GOOD LENS PROTECTOR!!I DEFINATELY RECOMMEND THIS TO ALL WHO WANT TO PROTECT THEIR LENS FROM SCRATCHES!Rom 5:6  Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful.Rom 5:7  No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person.Rom 5:8  But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.
This UV filter is a good item to put on your camera as soon as your buy it. It's original purpose it to improve outdoor photography however pro's use it to protect the special anti-glare coating on there camera lens. This filter makes no changes on indoor photography however it is cheap to replace if it gets scratched as opposed to the price of replacing your actual camera lens.
It's a filter. What more can I say about it? It fit the camera. It filters UV. It protects the lens. It was reasonably priced. To me, it's a no-brainer. Just get one.
Why would anyone NOT pay for the peace of mind that the lens won't get scratched, cracked, dusty? The filter doesn't mar picture quality at all and I am very happy with the purchase - for all of my lenses!
Very easy to put on and use.  It serves it purpose of protecting my lens.  I have always been happy with this product.
I use one of these on every lens to protect the front elements. Have this one to fit all lenses. No need to pay more for a digital camera lens since there is auto white balance any way. If you have a special need and the bucks for a pro quality HMC or such, then by all means go or it.
Not going to ever order another tiffen item ever. I put this on one of my favorite lens, canon 16-35 for my trip to Sequaia..big mistake. My hoya filer got cracked and in a pinch I went with the less expensive item. i have double glass flare and lens flare  on almost every shot, completely ruined photo ops.I was glad I had my back up lens 10-22 to take over so I didn't waste every landscape shot. That  was the first and last time I will ever do a non-hoya item.
I bought this **SEVENTY SEVEN MILLIMETER** UV Protection Filter for my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX HSM lens to go on my Canon 400D.Since Amazon groups all the reviews (the 58mm, the 72, this 77, etc) together, (the reason for which I cannot fathom, considering they are different products and function differently if they're smaller or larger! AND have different prices!) I figured I'd make SURE I was clear on which I was reviewing.The filter does what it's supposed to. Simple as that - it removes haziness from pictures and keeps you from busting the front element of your lens on a table corner or when you inevitably drop your lens/camera. It does exactly what it is advertised to do. Therefor, it receives a 5 star rating.
Was what I needed and is a very good product - manufactured well, fits nicely, and works great. Price was remarkably low for such a great filter.
Fits like a glove
There is so much written that it makes no sense to write this filter is excellent.The quality is excellent, everyone can to buy.
I have bought so many various filters over the years, mostly Brand X.  Sadly, the thread in many were not compatible threading with my lens. I managed to screw them on, but not smoothly. Or all the way in.  I've learned to stick with the named, reputable brands.  TIFFEN one of the best and never a problem with screwing in a filter, Company highly recommended for filter quality and customer support for that matter.
Good built quality, greate price, work fine by itself, but it is too thick to stack with other filters without getting dark corners :)
This is a must have if you don't want to scratch up your lens. It's cheap, works and fits perfectly on the 14-42 mm lens of my Olympus EPL-2.
As an SLR photographer for 20+ years, I've learned that a UV filter is cheap protection for a very expensive lens!  Thank you to my teachers and mentors!
I bought this filter for a 70-300mm lens so I'm not concerned that it is thick. For my 18mm I spent the extra money to get a thiner filter. I have not stacked filters on either lens so I am unsure if the added thickness matters. If you plan on using this just to protect your lens then it is good and cheap.
It needs a coated lens.  This filter causes flare distortion because it has a highly reflective surface.  Spend more and buy the coated version.
Well, I've considered more well know name brands and at higher price but I decided to take a chance with this Tiffen UV filter for my camcorder.It came with plastic case to carry and the product is comparable to more expensive brand name filters. It is solid, protects the lense and at a much lower cost then others. I highly recommend this filter to anyone.
Great way to protect your expensive lens!  It is easy to attach and doesn't interfere with the clarity of pictures.
That about sums it up!  I have owned many Tiffen filters over the years, and none of them have ever let me down.  Some of them I've had for over twenty years.  Best filter brand on the market.
I'm not all that worried about Hi Quality UV Lens Filters.  I needed this little guy to protect the new lens on my Cannon 70D.  Perfect fit and piece of mind. All this for 6 bucks.  How can you beat that?  I would purchase this product again.
Very good uv filter to protect my very expensive canon long lenses. Tiffen is a staple for filters for a very long time. High quality at a low price. This will not disappoint.
Well, this works. but please don't buy an eight dollar filter for a 1200 dollar lens. You can always spend up to 5% of the lens cost in buying protective gear for them.
My husband got this for his Canon camera.  We live in the desert, so he wanted to make sure he had a filter.  This one certainly works well.
Excelente calidad, el producto lleg&oacute; sin problemas e intacto. . . . . . . . . . . .
This filter does what it is suppossed to  do, at least for me.  It offers good protection agaisnt finerprints, dirt and the rest that can get on the lens.  Much rather have it on the filter.  Seems to still allow me to take photos that come out fine, so I have no issues with it.
Does what I need it to.  Feels a little cheaper than my Nikon filters (but, hey - it IS cheaper!).
Like many photographers will tell you, it is good to buy one of these fitters even if it is just to protect your valuable lens. I wouldn't be without this.
Did the job and the price was right.
I ordered this to protect my NEX kit lens, and as much as I would like to know how well it works, they sent me an empty package. I have the Tiffen filter case, and nothing in it. Thanks for nothing. Literally.
The Filter not only protects from the UV rays... but it also helps protect from scratches and everyday usage.
This product does just what I need it to. I'm a professional portrait photographer (lots of kids/families) and a photographer for a university. My equipment ends up in all sorts of unpredictable environments, so I use filters as an extra layer of protection from dirt, fingerprints, etc.
this lens works great, it does nothing! just what it is supposed to, and no more dust will get on my lens
I just purchased Canon's 50mm 1.4 lens and this came free with it. I said to myself, well heck, maybe I don't need to get my go-to Hoya Multicoated UV filter this time. It's Tiffen, the name is synonymous with filters - how bad can it be? Well folks, it's bad. I only really experimented with it on indoor shots, but the reflections and ghosted light blurs are just ridiculous. It's almost comical how bad this filter is.Maybe it is ok for some conditions, but once a shot is ruined because of a UV filter, that's it in my book. Tossed it in my pile of retired photo gear and just pressed "order" on a multicoated filter. Do yourself a favor and pass on this one. See my images for examples of the reflections.
This is a good lens to put on to protect your more expensive camera lens.  can't say much about it other than it does what it says and protects.
I use this for lens protection more than for UV filtration.  It fits smoothly and is nicely finished.  Front threads allow for stacking.
Nice quality, good buy.
Extremely useful to protect your lens!  A must from day 1 of owning your lens, especially to protect your investment - perfect for Canon L series lenses...Tiffen is solid quality and build, and great value for the $$!
Purchased this filter (ca3yrs ago) for lens protection. During this time I've noticed no physical, nor image distortion problems with the filter.
For at least 40 years I have used Tiffen products and have never been disappointed.  These filters area great, fit and work as they should.
I like Tiffin equipment.
Used this to protect lens from damage,holding up well so far
For the cost, I found this filter that I use mainly to protect my lense front element to do exactly what is expected. I have not noticed any loss in quality.
This was an expediency purchase basically. UV filters are a good thing to put on a decent lens. It is just fine for what is does and all that needs to be said is, Tiffen makes a dependable filter.
don't spend too much money! this is great! I keep it on my lens at all time as a protection as well!
Works great for the price! And I haven't noticed any distortion using it. Fit perfectly on my 40mm pancake canon lens.
Most popular protection filter This is a must for each Lens you own, size of lens cap pleaseProvides basic reduction of ultraviolet light52mm diameterHelps eliminate bluish cast in images
It seems to provide the protection and filtering I desired so this product would seem to be doing the job!
This filter is on my Tamron 70-200 f2.8 lens and functions mainly as protection for the lens glass.  It might make sense to get a circular polarizing filter as well.
This is not my first time buying this product, even though cheaper counter parts are available this is the perfect fit for all 58mm.Screws perfect and feels safer.
I never buy a lens without a UV filter to go over it. This one was just what I needed, didn't have any rough spots screwing it on, and fit exactly like it was supposed to.
While this basic filter, does physically protect your lens for cheap... I warn you that when I put it on my 50mm f/1.4, *every* picture (99% use in low light) that contained a light source had light flashes/reflections - which completely went away when I removed this filter.I haven't tried with a coated filter yet, but I don't usually shoot in harsh conditions (ie. sandy, misty, etc...), I will likely leave a filter off my 50mm lens when shooting.UPDATE: it got annoying screwing the filter on/off, so now it just sits in my bag.  I can only imagine using it in adverse conditions (windy, mistly, etc...) - for now will use a lens hood.
A USA made filter for protecting your lens. I would recommend this manufacture if you are considering a USA made product. Machined perfect.
I bought this filter before I even bought the lens I am using it on. I always use a filter on my lens to protect them and Tiffen makes a wonderful filter, this filter will also filter out UV rays. I think that this filter is as good as any out there and it will not break your budget.
Nice filter and extremely clear but it did have a slight flaw/bubble or something on the very edge.  However it's not noticable when I take a picture so for the price I didn't even bother to ship it back since it's just cosmetic.  Great product for the money and very pleased with supplier.  Shipping got it here in a just a few days even though the tracking number showed it coming in about 2 weeks.
Had a problem with keeping smudges off my lens.  Could have sworn I never touched it....  Anyways this works great.
I really can't write a review, as I don't bang my camera around. I'm just glad it is there, in case something unforeseen happens.
It doesn't make the photo quality any different. I highly doubt it filters any UV light, but it protects my 1200$ lens so it's a must have if on a budget. the glass doesn't lower the quality so no worries about that.
Tiffen filters use cheap, optically low-grade "GREEN" glass.  Get a Hoya UV filter.  It's only $6 more.
Filter is intended to protect lens on videocam. Tiffen is a top-notch mfr and it was well packed, does the intended job perfectly.
As it was made for, I haven't noticed that it exists! ; )I even noticed any distortion or aberration when taking pictures.
It is better to save the camera's real lens which can be replaced with this filter being broken than the expensive lens behind it.  This is a real "lens saver".
this filter is pretty good, though it is not expensive as others and serves the same function of protecting my goal shipment was fast and without problems, I recommend it.
I bought this filter to protec my lenses, it well built so it do the job. also i notice tha my images show reduce in flares and uv noise, really. It's also easy to clean witch helps lot.
It make no sense to purchase high quality lens and not protect them with a filter. I have this filter on all my lens and they work perfect to protect my quality lens.
Hi everyone!I live in Russia. We quencies this product more expensive. By this I our it in the U.S.. Today I received an item and I loved. Appearance is not bad. Thank you. I'm pleased. I recommend.
I was trying to take some pictures of my son close to the Christmas tree and I was getting a lot of reflections from the Christmas lights on this filter. I had to remove it. I'm looking for another one. I don't know if they will all do this. I hope not. I wouldn't buy this unit.
for lens protection it's great, i use it instead of lens cover, it's cheap enough to replace a new one really often although it don't need replace a new one often
Does what it is made to do. Great for lens protection too. Reasonably priced! I would highly recommend this filter.
I have nothing bad to say about this little filter. Does what it's supposed to and protects my Olympus camera well. Wonderful price too! Would not hesitate to buy another if needed! Highly recommended!
I bought this to protect my new lens for my Canon XSI.  It works well and was a great price.
I got this filter at a reduced price when I bought a lens. Excellent product. Better than excellent price!
good product, protect the len of my new camera, used right away after recieved from ups. cheap.........
I am so glad I had a lens protector on when my camera fell - the protector cracked saving my $500 lens. For me - a protector lens is a must! This same Tiffen lens cost almost half on Amazon then what I paid for it a local photo shop - and the shipping was free.
I just received the filter, so I'll have to experiment with using it in different settings and types of light. But this model definitely fits the Lumix DMC-GF3 (42mm lens).  In my experience, it is always a good idea to use a filter to protect a removable lens from scratches, dirt, or other damage.  The price is definitely right!
I received my product well packaged and on time. The only minor things was the filter was a little dusty, but no big deal. A soft cloth took care of that without a problem.
I got this filter to goon my Canon 18-55 lens and it is OK but not the best filter I have ever used.  It serves it's purpose of protecting the lens and it doesn't seem to effect picture quality.
It's perfect and so was the price! I just got another from a camera store - same thing - only $5 more!
I'm not sure how to give a meaningful review.  The filter fits on my lens they way it is supposed to fit, and it filters out UV rays without distorting the photo.  You can't really ask anything more of a filter.
I have 2 Hoya multi-coated UV0 filters, both of which are more expensive than this filter. That being said, I would recommend this little gem wholeheartedly. It's a quality item for the price, if your budget doesn't stretch to a high quality Hoya filter, or if the filter is there as lens protection. This particular filter attaches mainly to my 18-55mm kit lens.I have banged the front of my lenses on 2 occasions, and have decided that I like the idea of protecting the front glass of my lenses with a filter. I'd rather break or scratch a filter than my lens, any day. One of those times I whacked the front of my camera hard enough to knock the filter off. Rather a $10 filter than a $200 lens.These work great, especially here in the harsh light, humidity, haze and dust of the Middle East. Get one, they're a fantastic item, durable, slip easily on and off and won't interfere with your photos.
I got this filter since amazon was offering it for free with my nikkor lens purchase.  It's junk. I was getting all kinds of lens flare and ghosting with it on.  I will probably use it for my flash light mod one day to replace the plastic lens.
It was cheap.  It protects the front element on my lens.  I have not used it discriminately enough to decide if to decide it there is any distortion or degradation to my picture.
Would recommend these to anyone with a decently expensive lens - offers great protection for your investment at a reasonable price.  We have added to all of our lenses.
this is on my camera lens that I use almost daily capturing sporting events for my kids.  indoors & outdoors
It fits my lens, it has good optical clarity, it does the job I expected it to do, and I would purchase it again.
It does all it's advertised to do, is great protection for camera's lens and doesn't change the photo's colors...it works with my camera's plastic lens cover also...
Nothing to technical about this product.  The construction is precise and solid and unflawed  Just what I expect from Tiffen.
I bought this to protect my lens.  I have read that I may get a reflective glare when taking photos inside.  As of yet I have not had this problem.  I will update if I do, otherwise I am very happy with this product and service.
This does what it says it will.  I would never own a lens without a protective filter and Tiffen never fails to deliver on quality.
Great quality @ a great price..I placed this on my sigma 50-150 and it fits perfect...Will be picking up a few other sizes for my other lenses..
I bought the Tiffen 72mm UV filter for the Tamron 18-270VC lens I bought thru Amazon. Tiffen is one of the best filters around. I try to get one for every new lens I buy. I've used house-brand filters in the past, trying to save a few bucks, but have been disappointed with the quality of the glass and consequently the quality of my photos. Some people don't like adding another layer of glass to their lenses; my thinking, though, is that I'd rather replace a scratched filter than a scratched, much more expensive lens!! And in all my years of shooting, I haven't found the Tiffen filter to detract from my images. The Tiffen gets very high marks from me!!
Mounted this filter on a Canon 50mm F1.8 lens.  On semi-strong light sources, it has significant flare.  Removed filter, flare went away.  Looking for a higher quality 52mm UV filter now.  Can't recommend this filter due to flare.  Check the pictures for this product to see flare and no flare example (Tiffen UV filter removed from lens).
Meaning nothing special. It came in  hard plastic case for storage. I bought this b/c my last UV filter did the job in protecting  my lens when I dropped it.. So this was just to replace that. I broke my old one over a year ago so getting the UV filter back is nice. No more dropping for me..yeah right.
This is a fine filter, it protects my glass nicely. Good quality and does the job. I would recommend it.
This item is great for protecting your lens. It can help you against scratches or falls. The quality is great and once you install it, you forget about it.
So far I've had my camera and this filter for about a month.  I love the quality of my photo's, the filter seems to be doing a great job without interfering in the quality of my pictures.  Easy to put on and easy to clean.  So far very happy with it.
This filter is purchased for my micro lens. It fits perfectly. I have several Tiffen UV filters for various lens. They work well and serve the purpose.
I used these for years and was completely satisfied.  If this is what your budget allows then it's a very good choice.
it buys the filters 58mm UV and polarizer , and for my surprise they arrived both with a ray in the glass! , they are of VERY BAD QUALITY, costs much to lompiar them, I have others of smaller quality and the polvopor almost does not stick they, I do not recommend them are very bad and above they came failed
Producto esencial para la proteccion de los objetivos, de calidad optica comprobada, excelente calidad Made in USA.
Solid build, just not much use to me. It slows down the lens and don't over any more protection. The lens hood on the other hand is very helpful in that regard. Software (PS, Canon's DPP, ACDSee) is far more effective in removing haze than this. I bought a few filters of various kind out of curiosity in the beginning now they are all collecting dust ...
This item was a special offer included at no cost  with the purchase of a camera in December, and seemed to be packaged well, but the glass within the round frame is loose.  It doesn't fall out, but it rattles and doesn't doesn't stay on one side or the other within the frame.  I'm  concerned it will do more harm than good to my lens, but unfortunately by the time I opened it, I missed the window to return it for an exchange.  I've had filters before that didn't rattle and spin.  The idea is good for a protective piece that also helps reduce the blue tones, so this product may be a good one in general.  This one may just be a lemon.
I recommend purchasing a UV filter for all your lenses. While it offers some protection against UV light, it also provides scratch protection to your lens glass. if your lens falls on it's "face" or gets hit by a flying stone it will break or scratch the UV filter first. It's much cheaper to replace a scratched uv filter then a scratched lens.
I use lens filters for the soul purpose of protecting the front element of my  lenses (UV, ND or Sky Light 1A). This does the job (without degrading image quality) very well
As an amateur photographer, I like Tiffen lenses. This one, like all the others I've used, is very good. No problems.
I bought this to protect my lens. It fit nice and have not have any problems with it.
Works as a filter and protection for nikon lens that are used in a classroom.  THis will help keep the lens from being scratched.
A UV filter or a neutral-density filter is the best way to protect your lens from dust, fingerprints, scratches, and so on, all the time, since they can be kept on the camera at all times. The UV filter will also help with haze a bit, since most haze occurs in the blue area of the visible spectrum, and UV is just below that in terms of wavelength.
Great replacement for my hand-me-down camera that came with a busted filter. Fits great on the Cannon t2i lens and does the job!
If you do any outdoor photography, a UV filter is an absolute necessity.Tiffen is a "name brand" as far as I am concerned, and you could do worse.I have had many Tiffen filters in the past, and have bene very happy with them, so choosing this one was a no-brainer for me.What I Liked:- the overall quality of the glass- strength and durability of the screw ring- the priceWhat I do not like (from past experience)- the glass can get easily and permanently stained if you use alcohol based cleaners - caveat emptor!- it can be damaged/fogged up if you are using a compressed air duster - so use a hand blower to get rid of any dry particles
I used this filter as a protector on my 24-70 2.8 lens. I expect it to take scratches and such instead of the front lens element.The Good;-It's cheap. For something that's effectively disposable, this is a good thin-Glass seems clear, no issuesThe Bad;-Not yet found anything to dislike.I would and will buy these again, especially at Amazon's prices
I consider this the cheapest protection you can get for your lenses. Of course there is the fact that in darker environments light sources can produce green ghosting. In those cases check your pictures and be ready to remove it. I always do for interior pictures with no flash.
I buy UV filters for all my lenses to protect the front of the lens from accidents and smudges. This filter was cheap compared to a lot of others out there costing 5-6 times as much. I have no basis of comparison, but I assume the more expensive filters are cleaner/clearer. Seems like a shame to put a cheap filter on a fancy lens--it defeats the purpose, right? On the other hand, my photos seem as sharp as I expect. I'm still mulling this over. I think it makes sense to purchase the inexpensive filters to start and if/when I get to the point that I notice or must have better clarity or sharpness, I'll shell out the $75-$125 (per filter) for what purports to be a better quality filter. I have four lenses--that's a lot of dough for filters--I can wait.
What could I write about this? I use it just to protect my lens and nothing more than that .
I bought this for my nikon 18-300 lens.It fits well and results are very pleasing.I am not a professional photographer but fact that results are being appreciated makes me feel good.Tiffen filters are anyways known for being reliable.
I cannot speak to the UV protection aspect (not sure how I would measure that) but I purchased this to replace the first one I had of these.  My camera fell from the top of our pantry cabinet (I put it there to protect it from the kids, but it got pulled down when an adult grabbed something from above the cabinet).  The glass protection filter shattered, but the actual lense was well protected and did not suffer any damage.  For this reason I bought another protector.
I have not used it as I use to be careful not to face the camera towards the direct sunlight. But its good to have one like this.
Got this for my new 50mm 1.8 primePack was a good hard plastic box. far far better than other filters I have had for my 18-200 lensNo change in IQ after adding this  filter.Go for branded ones like this (or HOYA etc) not those cheaper ones that they give for 15$ for three filters (UV, CPL and some other)
Works fine so far! This filter is inexpensive but works as advertised. You simply MUST put a filter on your high-dollar lenses, or risk damage to the glass of the lens.
Bought this for Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens, first as protection and second to reduce haze, does a great work on both
Think of this UV filter as a protection for your lens. Some lenses can cost you several hundreds. One scratch will ruin your day. Its cheaper to replace UV filter
The quality of the brand speaks for itself. Don't ruin your photos taken on an expensive camera because of a bad quality filter! Those are the best!
Tiffen 58mmUV protection filter.  the filter has done a very good job of protecting my camera thank  you very much
I am not a professional but I think this is a good item, especially around noon when the sun is very bright.
I was mainly looking for a protector for my lens, but this has done the trick. It adds polarization that I was looking for and it gives another layer of protection from dust, rain and snow. I don't worry about getting finger prints anymore and it is easy to remove and clean. (I do worry; but now I just have to take off the filter.)This was a great purchase and a decent price. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a UV protection filter!
When you spend thousands on a lens, it makes no sense to leave it unprotected when you can get a clear filter for under $20.  I always buy a Tiffen filter for all of my lenses.  I'm often out in the woods or mountains and I feel my lens is protected from scratches and dust.
It is just a piece of glass that protects your lens but I filters saved my expensive lens before and I cannot image not having one on every lens.
the UV protection is not really even the reason I bought it.. I bought it more to protect the glass of the lens, and it works perfectly for that.
I bought this to protect lens and it does its job.  Price was right.  Not sure how it affects Images.
I actually bought two of these, one for each lens. They are easy protection for the lenses and work just fine. I almost did not try these because other reviews talked about bad  threads and difficulty with taking on and off. I found no such problems and they screw on smooth and easy.
Although some might question adding another layer of glass between the subject and the sensor, I find the protection of a UV filter good insurance for outdoor photography. Protects from rain, too.
This filter is fine for normal shooting, but if you do low-light work, beware; you will see bad internal reflections on night shots, and will need to remove the filter.
Hey, it's a &#34;clear&#34; filter!  Glass looks perfect, what more do you want?  Comes in a hard plastic box, which will probably never be used again.On the Tokina AF 100mm, the lens' cap fits securely on this filter.
fits like a champ and protects my expensive lens, what more could I ask for?
Not an exciting product to rave about.  Works as expected to protect my lens.  I didn't buy it because I thought it would actually help filter UV light and make the IQ better.  The IQ seems fine to me, even if this is a single element.  I don't have any Hoya doublets or others to compare to though.I'm an amateur and maybe pros would be more discriminating.  I'm using it on a Canon 18-35mm IS kit lens and it works as intended.  Threads fine.  Quality of build is fine.  Comes in a decent case.
It does nothing but protect the camera lens from dirt and scratches. That is what it is supposed to do. It seems to do it very well.
Tiffen is made in USA. I would like to pay minimum for a disposable accessory even at 10% less performance.Each lens should first see a filter before seeing air, that will make the concern of cleaning a lens out of the picture. Feel free to clean or replace the filter whenever there is scratch.
This filter does its job just fine. I haven't done any real tests to see if there is significant image distortion, but it goes on/off the lens well enough.  It was just a little hard to get started threading, but that seems to be getting easier.
I like all tiffen products for my lenses, if a have to take care with my equipment, i have to look for tiffen...
OK, It's a UV filter.  I use it mainly as a piece of "clear" glass to protect the front element of a lens. What can you say about this one?  It is round. The mounting is solid and a nice black color with legible lettering. The threads are accurately cut and it easiy screws in and out without getting stuck or coming loose. The middle part is transparent so you can take pictures through it. It looks to be of a uniform density, with neither darker nor lighter areas. All in all, it is everything anyone could ever want in a UV filter. The single negative thing I saw was that it is inexpensive.  If you get a charge of telling everyone how expensive your camera and ancillary equipment are, forget this filter.
The glass on this filter is so very clear and clean that it works just as well as higher priced filters.  I cleaned it very carefully and put it on my new lens and there it's remained ever since.  Simple and efficient.
This 52mm filter is priced great. It doesn't offer much polarization shading but to protect my lens, it's perfect. I try to buy one for each new lens just for the protection. I would much rather crack a filter than a $1500 lens.
Bought for my son.  I think it broke where the threads join the camera.  He is not currently using it, and I am out the price I paid for it.
Very nice filter. Ultra Sharp fits nicely no problems at all. I have to say it does a very nice job of deflecting sun rays which can leave awful reflections in pictures.
Every serious camera buff needs to protect their lenses by placing a protective layer over the glass.  UV filters give that protection without interfering with the sensor readings.  Tiffen is a good filter maker; reasonably priced, with quality products.  I highly recommend all serious new photographers to invest in a UV filter to protect their lenses.
This is a great filter for a long lens. It does cut down on water glare and other types of reflections.
I ordered a sigma lens the same time I ordered the filterand the wrong size filter arrived 52mm instead of 58mm the lens size for the filterI sent it back and they credited my account. need to tighten up QC double check your order before clicking on it
The Tiffen lens filter is well-made and protects the camera's lens, but hardly any difference--still almost as much bluish tint when taking snow pictures. Notice green bubbles when a bright light is overhead, but this probably no fault of the filter, but rather a reflection by the camera's lens. I don't know what is true here, but I would recommend spending more for a multi-coated lens filter, or use the Snow Scene on the camera to handle the bluish cast.I don't recommend this filter unless you are willing to go the inexpensive way of protecting your camera from a potential lens-shattering fall, and maybe help reduce the risk of damage to the lens if you aim it directly at the sun (pardon the suggestion--furthermore, vertical bars appear in the viewfinder, which could make almost everything in the photo look extremely dark). Be glad you did!
Ever since I started using DSLRs, I've been using Tiffen UV filters to protect my lenses. I've seen far too many ruined by a short drop. They might not seem like much, but they take a good hit. Even if you ruin the filter, it's a lot more replaceable than a $200 lens.
This filter has not disappointed and was exactly right for my Sony Alpha A200 camera. Have now bought one for each of my lenses to protect them. Delivery was astoundingly quick.
Works well for it's intended purpose, to protect my lens and keep it from getting scratched and chipped, easy insurance
item was used for Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm... needed to take pictures with as little glare as possible unless you  chose to buy a camera worth thousands
it shipped with a very dusty plastic case, on which the tags were blurred. the filter looks ok with the cheap price. anyway, not as good as the items in local store.
This part is a great alternative to the more expensive Canon UV filter. It also fits well. I've had no problems.
Bought for under $20 to put on my Canon 16-35mm lens. Fits snug. Metal ring. The filter was dusty out of the package. There were slight splotches on the glass itself in some places, as if the coating were coming off. I've not seen that on other filters from Tiffen, but the pictures I took so far have no inconsistencies that I can tell. I wasn't expecting much for a $20 filter, just something to weather seal my lens, and I'm not disappointed. For the price I can't complain; it is what it is.
Fine quality. I was impressed by the filter both in its plastic box and on my camera lens. This is a must have item if you don't have one already on your SLR. Buy one or more without delay since you wouldn't want to scratch or put finger-prints on your lens.
me encanta!!! este filtro es muy bueno y ademas me sirve para proteccion del lente al polvo y otras inclemencias ademas provee colores y nitidez a mi sigma 17-70
I always head to Amazon for my filters. Great price and fast shipping. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a good priced and quality filter.
After investing in such an expensive lens it would be horrible if it was scratched or damaged by outside elements. So after speaking to a few photographers I purchased this lens strictly to protect my glass. The uv protector isn't that good when it comes to viewing your subjects and while shooting in long distance your subject often looks blurry but in the end the product looks good. I am an amateur and didn't want to invest in such an expensive UV cover until I learned how to properly use my camera and lens. But if you can afford it, I would suggest investing in a more expensive UV lens cover because you will end up buying it later anyway.
I got this, the product itself seems good, but didn't fit my camera, didn't get it returned so stuck with it.  Guidance on sizing, models, etc would be very helpful for the novice camera person.
It took me a while to figure how to attach this lens. Beside that, I hope this filter protect my lens.
purchased primarily to protect my lenses --  seems to work great -- I purchased one for each of my lenses
This came for free when I ordered a 100mm f/2.8 macro Canon lens. It took it because when you sell a lens people like to see that it has a filter and its good to throw in as a "bonus."  That being said, I wouldn't have paid anything for this UV filter. Don't put a $10 piece of glass in front of a $500 - $1,000 lens. If you really feel like you need one, try thisHoya 67mm HD Hardened Glass 8-layer Multi-Coated Digital UV (Ultra Violet) Filter.
Perfect
I like having the filter to protect my lens. It helps me to not worry about finding my lens cap!
I've been taking shots with this filter on since the day I got it two months ago. I'm not very impressed with it. It doesn't seem to filter out any UV, and can easily cause problems with light reflections (because it's another pane of glass against the lens).If you need a UV filter, do yourself a favor and try the multicoated UV filter instead.
It works amazing, protects the lens from the sun, and heat. The best brand to buy, and use! Best price, and easy to get other one fast.
our older filter broke when my 7 year old dropped the camera (quite by accident).  this new filter fit my Nikon D90 and functions as expected.
I'll be honest, I don't necessarily use this product for its advertised use, but it has protected my more expensive lense from scratches or bangs without affecting the quality.
Easy to shop on line. Products came promptly and properly packed. Saved time, gas and money. This is used to protect the lens of my new DSLR. Necessary item. Nice to purchase it wihtout any complications or frustration.
A must have to protect your lens from scratches.  This came in a nice package too.  It didn't seem &#34;cheap&#34; like some of the other filters I have gotten.  Happy with the purchase.  So worth the few extra dollars to save your lens from getting scratched.
if you are getting a good quality camera and you are spending a lot of moeny on it, definetely have to protect the lense. This is a good product and works well with my Canon Rebel T4i camera.
for the price, and for a klutzy camera owner, it is perfect.  Also, I have a pretty deep gouge on my main lens from BEFORE I bought this filter that causes some light flares when I shoot into bright light.  It went away when I started using this filter.
Looking forward to using it on my other camera lens.  These things do protect the camera which is why I ordered it.  Hopefully this one works just as well.  Satisfied with product
Fits beautifully onto my Canon15-135mm lens... As good as any higher priced filters on the market.Never again will I pay camera shop prices again...Shipped on time as stated would buy again from this manufacture....
Received the filter as a promo for buying a matching lens.  I'd read the reviews - but thought it would provide reasonable protection for a price {free} that couldn't be beat.  I should have taken the option to apply the purchase price to a better {coated} filter - but - not having seen the consequences before - how could you really know ??.The filter IS reasonably well constructed, and I did not see any visible flaws in the glass itself.  But as noted by others - when shooting just off axis against a bright point source, internal reflections will pop up, causing noticeable artifacts..I shot a photo of an incandescent light (one purchased before the BULB ban takes effect) in my ceiling fan - at just a slight angle off axis.  The reflection of the filament is clearly visible against the dark base of the fan motor. Please note that while the image was NOT selectively retouched - it was down-processed, and center cropped from a much larger RAW image.  Image was shot with a Canon 7D using Canon's 55-250 IS at 55mm, f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 1000, distance 3.06 meters.  The image IS posted as a user photo on the main product page.  You'll know it when you see it (ceiling fan gives it away)..Conclusion: this filter will protect your lens front element, AND {the main reason I got one} should decrease the amount of dust sucked into the Canon 55-250 zoom lens.  BUT - it won't be staying on my camera.  While I am NOT a pro photographer - I just don't want to take the chance of having what might have been an otherwise 'perfect' shot marred by an inadvertent reflection.  Nuff Said.
This is a great filter to keep on my lens.  Tiffen makes great products!
Not much can be said for this filter. I have been buying Tiffen products for 35 years and have never been dissapointed with their quality.
An insurance policy for you lens. I'll gladly replace one of these over a lens.  It's very clear and doesn't have any ill affects on your photos.
Must thing for your camera. It will protect the original lense from dust, stains and scratches. Dont forget to buy
I find that the filter works good under many conditions such as in natural light and indoors and it appears sturdy enough to protect my expensive lens. However, when I shot images of a burning fire in my fireplace, I got several glare spots on my photos. I shot the fire from several different angles and with different apertures and the glares never dis appeared. Finally, I removed the filter and got great shots with no glare or distortion. Had I read other reviews on this product before buying, I never would have purchased this filter.
Bought this for the GF1 pancake lens.  Works great protecting the lens.  Didn't need to keep taking the lens cap on and off. However, as others mentioned, reflection from night time lights can ruin some shots.
I got this filter for my Nikon D5200 for use with my Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens. Filter screws in smoothly and still has enough lip to accept the stock lens cap. I often throw on this filter when I am taking pictures of family as it has saved my camera lenses from fingerprints from grabby kiddos on more than one occasion.
I have used Tiffin Filiters for well over 25 years and have never been disappointed.  They are also one of the best values in filters around.
The thread is good, doesn't get stuff.  Adds another layer to protect the lens while I constantly loose the lens cap.  Would recommend it.
I'd probably consider the Hoya HD today.  But, this works fine.  No extra reflections on my 20/1.8.Works good.  Cheap.  Protects my glass.
I purchased this filter as it was practically the cheapest cost, while still having a decent reputation.  I have a Tiffen 52mm Circular Polarizing filter, and I love it, so I figured this would be good buy.  I don't know if I received an item that someone previously returned, but the item was not sealed.  It also shook around in the container; nothing was holding it in place.  The previous filter that I had purchased from Amazon (the Tiffen 52mm) was held in place by a foam insert and a mini product catalogue.  While the foam insert was on one side of this 72mm filter, there was nothing on the other side holding it in place, and it was able to shift around quite easily in the box.The filter was dirty, and had some smudges (they did not look like fingerprints). So, I took out my lens cloth and attempted to clean both sides of the filter.  I managed to get out the smudges, but there was a lot of fibers left on the glass.  I tried to use a air rocket to remove them, but they did not budge.  I then took out another lens cleaning cloth (different type) and attempted to wipe the filter again.  It removed some of the fibers, but left a lot more.  I once again tried the air rocket to no avail. I tried again with both of the lens cleaning cloths that I own and I could not get the fibers off.  They seem have melded with the glass somehow, mimicking scratches in the glass.  I cannot use the filter in that condition.
Thanks for the great prices on this.I needed a new UV filter for my Canon camera.This one works great for a great price.
Fits the lens and seems to do what it is supposed to do. I would buy it again for sure.
The filter came as advertised and properly packed. It is a good fit for the Sigma lens I have it on, really like the way it looks
Ordered this lens to protect my primary lens from any physical damage. Good lens great price very pleased with supplier and Tiffen products in general.  A must for your camera.
I'm using this filter on my new nikon d7100 lens to protect the lens and for UV protection. It works great.
This is great protection for the lens.  It cuts down on the UV rays and is a perfect protection for the lens.  If the lens gets "touched" by accident, I don't mind wiping this clean with a cloth as aposed to wiping the lens itself.
I actually broke this last week, but it protected my 18-135mm STM lens from damage in a fall on granite rock, so I am more than happy to buy another one.
I use this filter on my 100mm macro lens. Used strickly for protecting the glass lens, however im finding that it has a slight haze in one area that i cant get cleaned. Otherwise i still recommend anyone who wants to protect their investmest to buy this.
Simple UV protection, doubling as dust shield for Canon camcorder. Much of my work requires a polarizer. When not running that, I run the camera with a lens shade and/or this filter.
Provides good protection for your glass. You get what you pay for quality-wise. I always make sure to put a filter on my lens the moment I get it and the Tiffen does it's job.
It fit perfect on my Panasonic lumix fz35 and I haven't noticed much of a difference with the pictures I take. All I know is that it keeps my lens safe.
This is a cheap UV filter and if you are only using the 50mm f/1.8 lens to shoot indoor portraits, don't bother with this.
Normally, I would have never used something like this, but I invested in the Canon 70-200 2.8L USM and thought I should protect my investment.  I'm glad I did.  I dropped my lens front element down and shattered the filter.  I'm glad it wasn't the front element that shattered.  However, I would recommend a plastic thread if you can find it.  If you are accident prone like myself you will like the fact that plastic just breaks.  Since this filter has a metal ring and thread, after I dropped it the lens the metal ring bent instead of snapped.  Removing the the thread was a pain (via pliers/wire cutters - Oil filter wrench won't do it), and the filter thread on my lens was useless because of the bending too.  If you can, don't drop your lens, if you know you might drop your lens, put a UV filter on it just in case.
This does its job. There's not a whole lot else to say about it. Make sure you have one for all of your lenses!
Bought this protection for my Tamron lens. Fits well, and the build is solid. No complaints so far. Would recommend.
I put it on to protect the lens of my camera when I'm not using it. However, you definitely want to remove it when you are taking pictures, otherwise a considerable portion of lights is blocked and the quality of picture would be substantially reduced.
What's to say?  Tiffen produces good quality stuff for every product line - at reasonable prices.  Unless you're in the market for ultra-elegant filters, click on through to Tiffen.
I bought this as a gift for my son who is into photography.  He loves it and says it works well. No complaints, very happy.
There is no problem with the filter itself, however, when I received it, it was dirty. I bought this filter new and it wasn't sealed properly, and it was dirty. I'm not returning it, I just cleaned it, but they need to do a better job when packaging
I was looking for an UV filter as double purpose: UV Filter and shock protection for the lens.  Its construction is hard enough to absorb little impacts, and the result in photographs is good enough.
I'm using it mostly to protect my lenses. And it does what is supposed to do.- No interference with the image quality as far as I can tell.
Functions as expected.  T2i standard lense is operationally impacted when installed due to mechanical interference.  Works good on telephoto lenses
What a waste of a few bucks. I knew I bought an inexpensive filter but please, couldn't you just run a marker around the cut edges of the glass? The edges looked cheap and reflective. Don't make the same mistake, mine is aging in a drawer.
You should have a filter on every lens you buy. Works just as expected. Protect your investment. This thing is great.
Tiffen filters are the filter of choice for me. I'm not a professional just a hobbyist . But I've always received my worth out of Tiffen filters.I've never felt like I just got taken by buying a Tiffen. I've been using them since 1971 when I first started in Photography and I've always been satisfied with them. They work great !
It fit my purposes nicely.
A cheap filter. It somewhat alters the image because it is such a cheap product. I bought it for my Canon 70-200 f/4L and realized it would ruin the stellar image quality so I don't use it unless I should use protection.
I have uv lins filters on all my lens. Basically to protect the lens. I've tried taking pictures with and without the filter and the quality of the pictures is nil to none.
Great UV protector -  It works fine for me and the price is right so I have bought many of these for my other lens.
This is a great find, and inexpensive. I can't believe I was about to shell out $20 at a camera store for one of these. It's easy to attach and remove, and I really do need another one since I have two lenses!
I use these as lens protectors and they work well at that. With the closure of many local camera stores these are often hard to find locally. And, of course, the Amazon price is much, much lower.
Wanted a filter to protect the glass on a new lense.  It fits, and will serve the purpose.  Not a high end filter, but meets my expectations.
The lens filter seems to work great. I couldn't believe how FAST it arrived, despite it being ordered the day before Christmas Eve (23rd, and it arrived the day after. faster than 2-day shipping! I have yet to &#34;develop&#34; all my pictures from vacation but the ones I have printed are great! It feels sturdy and I know my lens is protected.
It is 10x less expensive than some of the big name ones, and I simply don't believe it is of 10x lesser quality...it protects my lens, and that's what I'm most iterested in!
This is a simple UV filter that I use to protect my lens from dust, scratches, cracks, etc. It is way better to break a $10 or so filter than it is to break a multi hundred or even thousand dollar lens.This filter fit perfectly, appears to be durable, and had no scratches, etc on it when it arrived. I've been using Tiffen for years and they always deliver a great product.
I read a bunch of good reviews on this filter. I had compared this Tiffen (I bought 2 of them) and the Hoya and another brand. Let me tell you, do yourself a favor-- and get another brand.Here are my complaints, and why I am terribly disappointed:1) The instant I picked my  [...] package up off the porch, I heard a rattling. I immediately thought the filter(s) may have broken. But since there was other stuff on the box, I decided to hold judgment. Well it turns out it was the filters, and they were not broken-- the just RATTLE-- A LOT. So badly, I heard it through the Amazon box when I picked it up from the porch! The glass is too small for the frame-- significantly small, not just a tiny bit. So, you can immediately forget keeping dust out. I cleaned the inside off, and put them on my lenses. Next, I sprayed some Nikon Lens Cleaner on the outside surface, and cleaned off the filter's outside face... got it all nice and clean, only to find out-- some of the liquid ran inside the filter, and onto the lens surface. So I had to take it off, reclean the lens, and try again... what a fiasco.2) I used the Nikon Lens Cleaner (high quality stuff) to clean the filters. That stuff contains isopropyl alcohol, so I know it can clean almost anything. No matter what, there are spots that WILL NOT come off. They are embedded in the glass somehow.3) The filters were FILTHY when I received them. I spent 30 minutes just cleaning them, and was still unsuccesful. I used the Nikon Lens Cleaner, as well as a Microfiber cloth... didn't work. Then I used a Q-Tip instead. Guess what? The Q-tip head was BLACK after I cleaned off the filters. There was a greasy film and dirt all over both surfaces of both filters. And I still cannot get it all off!4) The packaging they came in was poor.These are junk-- save your money and buy a better one. Or, go cheaper and at least expect to get a piece of junk and save yourself $4 each.
This product is great.  I dropped one of my lenses but because I had this filter on the lense, only the filter broke.  My lense had no damage and all I had to do was replace the filter.  Thank goodness I had this filter on!
Perfect fit for my camera.  I bought it as both a UV filter as well as for protecting the lens on my camera.
Use on Lumix 14mm lens. great for outdoor. Not great for indoor.Good quality with no rough edges or threads.
I have used cameras for many years and I have used tiffen filters to protect my lenses. Also it it cut down on the glare from external lighting.
No complaints. Good enough for my 5D Mark II. Main reason I have is for lens protection. There are UV filters that cost tons more but I haven't seen any differences.  I will buy expensive CPL and ND filters but for UV, this is good enuff.
Great well made product.  I can't think of anything else to say about it but I have to type more words!
I haven't had it very long so I can't say how well it does over time, but it seems to work just fine as a protection for my lens.
I absolutely love the tiffen uv filters. not so much for the uv part but just the fact that it is a tiffen filter. I had the camera on a table and somebody knocked it off the table onto the concrete floor... the filter broke but the lens glass didn't even have a crack in it. All i had to do is blow off the glass fragments from the lens glass and it was ok to take pictures. Some of the components inside the lens were broken but thats why I had the kit lens on it and have a 2 year geek squad accidental waranty. I have since purchases a tiffen lens filter for each of my lenses just to be safe.
What do you say about a &#34;UV protection filter? It works is about all ya can say really. But don't leave home without one as they protect your glass!
I bought two units of this item. I figured if one of them showed up bad in some way I wouldn't have to wait on a replacement. And yet both arrived with noticeable imperfections in the coating on BOTH units. While I appreciate the discounting on the items compared to retail, what good it it if I can see the imperfections with a naked eye and hardly trying? DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.
Little money to protect your expensive lens. Almost all my lenses have one. no change in your quality of pictures. It is like one payment insurance for life of your lens.
I bought this filter for my Canon Vixia HF M500 with a 43mm lens and it fit great. It protects my camera even better than the built in lens protector since it never moves obviously. I even added a lens hood to it. I say buy it. Its inexpensive too!
You spent a lot of money for your SLR or digital SLR camera, and then you plunked down another large chunk of cash for a quality lens.  Do you really want to blow another heavy chunk of change for a basic, thread on UV filter?  Well, I would normally advise that you don't skimp on quality when it comes to filters.  After all, would you pay a premium price for a high performance automobile, only to fill it with watered down fuel?  I should nope not!  So is it such a bright idea to buy such a low cost UV filter for your high-end SLR lens?  Well, maybe it is if you are considering the Tiffen 77mm UV Protection Filter.This filter does NOT offer the highest level of UV filtration, but it is rather sufficient for most conditions, and the build quality and materials used in this filter are very good.  For most digital SLR users, a UV filter is a must have for protecting your lens optics, and it helps to clear up the hazy and washed out look in many of your outdoor photos.  This filter has proven to clean up many of my digital photographs, and I have found almost no internal reflection artifacts.  Notice I said ALMOST no internal reflection.  I leave my UV filters on all of my lenses almost all of the time, and this filter has produced some minor reflection when shooting indoor photos with my Sigma 10-20mm ultra-wide angle lens.  This seems to only happen when shooting in dim lighting conditions, and when aiming the lens in the direction of a strong light source, such as a table lamp.  Since my Canon EOS 40D has a "Live View" feature that lets me see what the picture is going to look like (displayed on the 3" LCD), I can see the reflection artifacts before I shoot the picture, and therefore have found ways to reframe my shots to avoid the reflections.  However, I recommend that you simply remove the UV filter when shooting in these conditions.As I said before, I typically do not recommend buying low cost filters for your high quality lenses, but I prefer to invest my money on creative filters and not pour too much into a filter that is primarily used to simply protect the front of the lens.  Many manufacturers, including Tiffen, offer higher quality UV/Haze filters for SLR lenses, and you may wish to spend the extra money if you are looking for deeper UV removal from your pictures.  However, if you are looking for great lens protection and a decent level of UV filtration for a modest investment, you honestly can't go wrong with this filter.  Just remember to remove the filter, or frame your shots carefully when shooting in situations where direct light reflection may be an issue.Quality = **** (4)UV Filtration = **** (4)Value = ***** (5)
One should always purchase a protection filter when purchasing a new lens for your camera.  At least that is what I taught in the photo classes I conducted.
How I lost the original filter I will never know, but this was a perfect replacement. It gave me peace of ming knowing that my lens was protected again.
Works well.
Purchased thru Amazon the filter arrived on time in good order and the glass is good quality no flaws.  UV filters are Lens Savers from getting scratches and chips.  A necessity for any professionally used camera.
It is fairly streamlined and mounts onto the lens pretty well without interfering with the lens hood. Works well to protect the front of the lens too.
This little filter saved my ass already... need a new one. Clumsy me.. ought to buy them by them dozen.
This product does the job of protecting an expensive camera lense.  What else can be said?
I bought this to go on my new lens and I'm pleased that it is a fair price, it fits on my lens with no problems and that the glass quality feels strong. I've got no problem with it and I'd suggest that you buy it!
A really nice filter, does not interfere in any of many ways into the photograph and adequately protects the front element of the lens. I use them on all my lenses -irrespective of lens value- and simply take them off if I need a polarizer or any other kind of special filter attached. Great value for money. Well built, sturdy construction. It earned my trust!
So it works... just not what I was expecting out of it from the reviews of you know.... subtracting glare so I can take photos of water, glass, and other reflective objects. IT DOES however prevent my camera lens from being cracked.
With DSLRs, UV protection isn't really an issue - but for $4.50, why not add a layer of protection on a lens that cost many times that? I pick these up when I get a new lens to do just that.
I always keep a UV filter on my lens for protection and this one works great.  A good investment for your camera.
Very clean glass, no scratch and light. Screwed onto the Nikon lens effortlessly. CPL filter attaches to this UV filter with no problem as well.
I bought this for the price and really to protect my lens. It has performed as expected. I'm pleased with the value for the function.
Seems to do what it is supposed to do. For the price, simply protecting the lens underneath is all I expect of it.
WOW, I bought this lens filter for panasonic HMC150 HD broadcast video camera and it fitted on just right and the image is stay crystal clear. strongly recommand it.
The filter was a good price and the one I received had no artifacts that appear in my photos. A good investment to protect your camera lens.
This is a must have for your camera lens and you absolutely need one in your kit. Reason being to protect from the suns rays and crack protect.
This inexpensive UV filter is a cheap insurance policy for the optics of your lens.  I carry a couple spares in my camera bag.
I use this filter for the Canon 50mm f/f.8 lens. It doesn't add a lot of bulk to the lens while it keeps the front glass element and the top plastic rim of the lens from getting damaged. I know it's a cheap lens, but the filter -- currently priced at 4.49 -- is very cheap insurance against accidental damaged to the lens.(Note: This filter will also fit theCanon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens.)Now, the so-called UV protection is a marketing gimmick. UV protection is a throwback from the days of film SLR's. Modern DSLR's have a built-in UV filter. Therefore, the Tiffen UV filter does nothing in the way of improving the quality of your photos. In fact, in some situations, it may actually DEGRADE image quality because this filter is NOT multi-coasted (like the higher qualityB+W version) to reduce or eliminate flare.If you're on a tight budget and don't want to shell out the extra money for the B+W, this filter will work just fine -- as long as you're not shooting into a direct light source, like a sunset or incandescent light -- which MAY cause light flare to appear in your photos.---For the price, this Tiffen filter is a good buy for those on a tight budget. Just be aware of the potential problem of flare when shooting into direct light.
not much to say about this... fits on perfect.  no issues with it.  just as i expected it to be.
What a great product! I have been looking for one of these filters for my digital camera. It is a great find!!
I have recently taken up DSLR and I have a dog who likes to put his nose on the lens so this is a great option, and not to mention, it protects our lens.  I am not a professional so I couldn't tell you about glare, or if there are shadows or anything, but for the price, I recommend protecting your lens that may cost you in the hundreds to the thousands.  Enjoy
I picked this up to protect the lens and innards of myCanon VIXIA HFS10.  Even though it has an automatic lens cap (a shutter that opens when you turn on the camera), there's still a chance of getting dirt and other debris both on the lens and in and around the lens casing.  It's much easier to keep this clean than to get in to the actual lens and clean it.Anyhow, this seems to be solidly built.  It screws in easily, and is, as far as I can tell, perfectly clear.  Just what I needed.If you do pick this up for use with the HFS10, it's probably also worth ordering aCanon E-58U 58mm Snap-On Accessory Lens Cap, to minimize the need to wipe this off every time you pull it out of the case.
When I bought this, I wasn't buying for the actual UV protection; I just wanted to put something between the glass of my (rather expensive) lens and the ground should I accidentally drop the camera. However, since I put this on the lens, I have noticed a marked increase in the quality of images that I get out of the camera. Green and blue casts seem all but gone, and everything just generally looks sharper. For the price, I couldn't ask much more. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Not much to write about - it's a filter which protects the lens - works as advertised and the price is right.
i am an avid amateur photographer for 20+ years. i used this purchase as a test of "economical" filters. i have B&W on all of my other lenses, but for 7.99 i decided to jump in the boat with all those who say the filter is for mainly protection and does little to help your pics. i used this on the new s 17-50 tamron, which i like for what it does. i now have B&W on this lens, and in my opinion it lifts a veil. even if not, the pleasure of screwing that german filter (so well machined) onto your lens, and realizing that you will probably NEVER have to clean that lens is very reassuring, and worth the price. i have returned the tiffen to Amazon, my fav online. associated equipment: 30d, 2.8 70-200 IS (phenomenal), 24-105 IS, 1.4 50, 1.8 85, 580II. all of this equipment seems to work well, but the L lenses are magical, and the others serve their purposes nicely, but  aren't as consistent in giving great fast shots.
I'm used to buy filter, not for UV protecting, but for protecting of the lens. It's a good choice to have have one, anyway it doesn't effect the image quality visibly.
This lens is perfect for protecting your lens and blocking UV rays.  What more can I say?  If you own a camera, you MUST get one of these and this is a solidly produced filter.
I use this filter with my 18-200 mm nikon lens and I have another (67 mm) with a 18-135 mm nikon lens, I don't have problems with them and help me to protect my lenses, I recomend this UV Filters and this brand because is cheap and usefull. The filters don't affect my photos.
A filter what more do you asking for it does the job as it made for. just buy it you will be happy with what you get for the price it cheaper than other filter.
My filter came in from Adorama in perfect condition and brand new looking.  No movement of the glass and no scratches or other signs of use as mentioned in some earlier reviews.  The glass is pristine and, in addition to giving me protection for the lens on my Panasonic FZ18, it appears to add some clarity and sharpness to the pictures, especially in bright light.  I am not a pro photographer by any means, just an enthusiast.  This filter gives me the protection I desire at a lower price point.  Adorama's shipping and product was great!
I would like to return this product to amazon! It does not fit my lens properly and I have to exert force to make sure it fits on my lens.
I have these lens caps on all of my lenses. I suppose they show through the UV in the air, but really they protect your lens. Do yourself a favor and protect your hundred/thousand dollar glass with a solid filter.
Nice lens cover for protecting my lens.  I purchase a UV filter for all my lenses mainly just for protection to my lenses, no complaints.
Got it for my 50 mmm 1.8. protects my little guy! Would reccomend to anyone wanted that extra protection for their lense
I bought two of these to protect my nikon lenses.  They work fine, and don't seem to give any distortion/color.Great price!
Honestly it gets the job done. I am happy with it and it does not make my pictures lose quality. What more can you ask for!
I got it from Amazon being a gift as a package. I put it on a mat with a dark background and it is reflective like a mirror. I didn't even want to use it.
This UV filter was a "special offer" when I bought a lens for our daughter's Nikon. She had told me about the special deal, which was a free filter with the purchase of a lens. The price was not taken off when I checked out, so I called Amazon, and they did help me. The filter did end up being free, it fit the lens, and it was just what my daughter needed.
Fits well.  No distortion to pictures. Now my lens is protected with or without cap.Good buy for the money.
I have these on all of my lenses. They are well worth the few dollars you will pay to protect expensive lenses.
This morning, my camera fell and hit pavement directly on the lens.I had this UV filter in a closest since 2011. For some reason, two weeks ago I stuck it on my Sigma 30mm.The glass on the UV protector shattered, but the lens seems fine. It took me a while and some serious force to get it off because of the impact.I just ordered two more.
Quality is nice considering price. Delivery is also reasonable period and comes almost exactly delivered. Performance is so far no complain on it.
It works as described.I know that recent lenses originally have a UV protect function, but to protect my lenses from damage, I purchased 2 of them.They fit perfectly on my lenses, and now I don't have to be worried too much when I shoot. Good!
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE SIZE BEFORE YOU BUY. I APPARENTLY DIDN'T. THIS IS PROBABLY A GREAT FILTER!
The product was as described.  Did have trouble getting it, apparently the first one got lost in the Christmas mail.  Vendor did send a replacement but it took too long for my need.  Still provided good customer service.
great protection for your expensive lens.  Protects against scratches and helps to keep dirt and dust off the lens.  Good price
I'm sorry to have to return this filter - didn't even put it on the lens that I ordered with it.I noticed several marks all in a line near one outside edge - and couldn't clean them off. I assume it's a small scratch.So - I'm returning it (thanks to Amazon's easy process) and will re-order another brand of potentially higher quality.
This filter does what it should. It screws on to the end of the lens and knocks out some light glare so that I can see the color.  The only draw back that I have seen to it is that in freezing temps, it can fog up. This only means I have to take it off the lens and wipe it down and keep on on cleaning it, but that is very minor and only in freezing temps.
This one is really necessary to protect the costly lenses which we have on the camera..Easy to fix and fit....Highly recommend this product....
The UV-ness is not that necessary for DSLRs since they have built-in UV filters but protecting the front element of the lens is still something I do. I did not notice image quality degradation nor incread ghosting/flaring.
Please do NOT buy this item! I'm all for filters just as protection for my lenses, but this was the worst buy. I accidentally dropped my camera (and lens with the filter) from about a foot off the ground and the filter shattered- not just crack, I mean shattered! I spent several minutes very carefully picking the glass off my lens hoping that no damage was done. The glass from the filter put a very small nick on the edge of my $350 lens. The lens is still more than usable as the nick is very tiny, but I'm more than disappointed in this product, which is supposed to protect the lens, not damage it.Please look for a shatter proof lens filter before buying this one! It's not worth the risk!
I bought this primarily as an extra layer of protection for my lenses and have been pleased with the results.  You simply screw the filter on to the lens and you've added a cheap layer of protection to the end of your lens.  My small gripe is that if you're working in cold or humid conditions it WILL fog up considerably.
I have used Tiffen products before on other lens. This is great. It can be used as a protector but it also a UV filter & it does the job of filtering in that area.
This product was ordered and payed for by me, BUT NOT RECEIVED.  I have reported this previously.  But have received no responses, whatever.  ;-(PLEASE RESPOND.
This is a good filter. I have never had a bad Tiffen filter by any means. Made well, glass is clean. People giving this filter 1 star because its not coated is not fair and just bad reviewing. Its NOT coated so it wont perform as one. If you are on a budget and just need some protection it will suit you fine.Now its middle of the road (hence the 3 stars). If you have an expensive lens, then you are better off with a coated version from Hoya, Sigma or B+W. This list is from least cost to best quality. Of course better quality is more money but again, if you have spent some good money on your lens, don't waste it with un-coated filters.
on time and as expected and they work great on time and as expected and they work great on time and as expected and they work great
I'm totally devastated.Went on a pelagic birding trip, took 600 photos, and they are all fuzzy/hazy because of this piece of crap so called "filter." Yes, apparently, you do get what you pay for. In the trash it goes.Just went thru my pics, now I'm writing this review.... for no real useful reason... and then I shall go smash it to smithereens.
Bought this filter for my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens for my Canon 60D. For the price and protection, it can't really be beat! It protects the lens from getting scratched & damaged. It doesn't effect the quality of the photos or video when recording or taking still images. I highly recommend anyone who wants to protect their lens to get this filter! Good stuff for a decently cheap price!
I had some Tiffen filters but one of them broke. I decided to get them for all my Canon lenses. It was worth it to protect them. The price and Amazon's fast and free shipping were a great deal.
this is a good Uv protection filter, I just keep forgetting to take it off when I don't need it.
back in my 35mm days we always added a uv filter to protect the fragile outer glass lens.  Being old school I thought to be a good idea to cover up my new 50 mm lens on my canon DLSR.  I purchased the filter along with a new 50mm lens from Amazon.  Two days later my package arrived as expected.  The Tiffen has a stout metal ring and crystal clear glass, nice.
I wish this filter was multicoated, but I've used basically the same UV filter for years on all my lenses from my old Minolta SRT101 SLR back in the late 60's to my recently purchased digital Panasonic FZ35 high-end compact zoom. Your lens is the heart of your photo capture system, and stuff happens from bumping it, to dropping it, to splashing it or getting dust and sand on it outdoors, etc., and this is the best way I know to keep it like new for years to come.  If you do have an accident, you're looking at replacing the filter for $10 instead of a major lens or camera repair bill or total camera replacement. I believe you should always and immediately slap on a good quality name brand UV filter for protection every time you buy a good camera with a non-retracting lens, you'll be so glad you did in the long run. All my old cameras with good lenses still have them installed on them. My old Minolta's lens looks and performs exactly as it did the day I bought it. So protect that lens from scratches and damage, and get some bonus UV filtering to boot! And yes, the lens cap does fit over the filter and provides another important layer of protection so be sure to replace it whenever the camera is not in use.
Amazon.com offers the bundle of this lens with the 70-300MM sigma lens for nikon: IT DOES NOT FIT!The lens is 58mm. I now have to return it and order a new one. Thank you Amazon for costing me all this shipping for nothing.
It's just a protection filter. It's does a good work by day though it can create weird flares by night if you are trying to picture below a bright light or if there's one pointing towards you.It also has a weird glass finish in the edges that make it look cheap (even though it is)
Bought for use as a live shooting lens cap replacement.  To this extent, it does work as long as I don't shoot into a direct light source. Produces flaring and artifacts.  The effect is way more pronounced during night shooting when there are several ambient light sources entering the filter. It works okay during daylight when I'm shooting away from the sun. Even if the sun comes in at a side angle, I've seen flare.As a comparison, I get zero flaring or artifacts when the filters are removed. I've tested these filters (46 and 52mm) on both the Panasonic 14-42mm kit lens and the 20mm prime lens.  Same result with both lenses.I suppose you get what you pay for.
This is a great piece for lens protection.  Never leave home without one on my camera lens.  Worth the price given the cost of lenses.  I have one on every lens and extras in my camera bags.
Nothing fancy just a well priced filter used to protect the glass element in my new lens. I have bought Tiffen before and will buy again.
My daughter dropped my Nikon DSLR with my 28-200mm lens.  It seemed like nothing happened and I put camera away.  When I was ready to use and I opened the lens, the protection filter was all broken...  Luckily, it had protected my original Nikon lens and all I had to do was buy another Filter.  This filter is great and it protects your equipment.  It is a must!
I purchased this filter along with universal car charger and I received shipment today. When I opened Tiffen filter there is no UV filter in it. I got empty box there is no filter inside the box. This seller is awful I am never going to buy from this seller again.
I have used this lens about 9 times since  purchasing it. My first picture was that of my church on a sunny day. The picture was sharp and the sky looks really authentic.  On the other hand, I feel good about the protection it gives to the lens it covers. I think I have made a very good investment.Otto G
These filters work as advertised and only help your photos by reducing UV (affects far off shots mainly I'm told). More importantly I keep one on all of my lenses ,mainly out of paranoia, but I'd rather replace a cheap filter than pay to repair the front element or worse from scrapes and scratches. I recommend this filter to anyone looking to just give their lenses a little extra love for only a little extra fee. It's like buying a good screen protector for your LCD, its just a good idea and the price is low enough that it doesn't really make the already steep price tag on entry to DSLR photography as a hobby any worse. I currently have 3 of these filters.
Cheap filter that does not distort images and i used it for a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Camera Lens
It's not Leica glass but it's a very nice filter that does what it is suppose to do. Test it by shooting two shots of same landscape...one with it & one without. Plus it does protect your lens. Buy one for each of your valuable lens.
I bought this for my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens and it has been wonderful! I was impressed by the quality of the filter considering it was very cheaply priced. Great buy!
some people spend way too much on UV filters... basically people only use them to protect the front of the lens from dust or scratching, so i really don't see the need to go out and spend $50-100 dollars on one. If it compromises image quality as some people claim, i'll simply remove it for the shot and then screw it back on afterwards. Better safe than sorry when it comes to expensive lenses, right?
I love Tiffen filters. I find them to be every bit as good as the other high end filters and their prices are reasonable
Filter fits, additional cleaning gear supplied was very useful and a bonus. Quality glass and quality product.  Like the package and would recommend it.
Seemed to take no time to receive the filters that I ordered.  These were not just for me, but other family members and they were impressed as well.  Thanks.
This is permanently on my long lens, and is great.  Good fit, doesn't alter the speed of lens or distance ratio.  Not much more I can say.  order away an don't lose but it does screw on well.
Perfect, It does not interfere with the quality of the image. It does not creeate chromatic aberrations, nor ghosts or flares.
I think every lens which takes front-mounted filters should have a UV filter like this permanently fitted. It doesn't make a difference to the light, but it's excellent protection - if something hits (or even just scratches) the end of my lens, I'd much rather replace a $10-$20 filter than a $360 lens (which is what I've got this one attached to). Even getting a lens repaired (if you're lucky and that's even possible) is more expensive than just replacing a filter.The only exception to this general rule is for really cheap lenses - it's hardly worth buying a $20 filter to protect a $100 lens like the (excellent and highly recommended) 50mm f/1.8, for instance.
The main purpose of this product is to protect your camera lens from scratching or cracking by hitting it against something. The few dollars spent allows you to keep your much more expensive lens safe but at the same time allow you to keep it ready (keep the never ready cap/ lens cap off) for when you want to shoot. It offers no benefit for your picture taking. I would get one of these for each lens that you have along with getting a camera skin for your camera. You didn't buy the very expensive camera only for it to get ruined because you didn't want to spend a few dollars in comparison to protect it, do you? I am not saying that you have to buy this particular filter but I am saying that you should buy at least some filter to protect your camera.
If you're loking for protection for your lens at a great price, this is the one to buy. It's resonably priced.
I purchased this filter to protect my Canon 70mm-300mm lens.  I always buy filters to protect my lenses from scratches, dirt, and debris.  Also, the reds are toned down but not even noticable by ameteur photographers or anyone in general.  This filter serves its main purpose for me-- protection.
The Tiffen UV filter is a good purchase for the cost of the lens. It threaded onto my lens quickly and I have no problems with it distorting my pictures.
The main idea is to protect your expensive lens from wayward fingers, dust/sand, and loving doggie noses.  It does this fine.I do a lot of photography of fluorescent minerals where I use both long wave and short wave ultraviolet light as the source of illumination.  One can imagine that you only want to photograph the visible light fluorescence, not the UV light used for illumination.
I purchased this filter to protect the front camera lens. I was unable to see any anomalies in the pictures resulting from the filter.
Bought new lenses for my Rebel T3i and I put one of these on as soon as they came out of the box. So I guess they will do the job I bought them for to save the lens.
What can I say?  This is a nice and inexpensive accompaniment for my L lens.  It was nice to have them both delivered at the same time and start shooting right away and not run off to camera store to buy UV filter.Nice feature for Amazon to bring the accessories to your attention at check out time!
It's a must for ALL lenses. I have this filter on all of my lenses - it's a two fold item ... It helps in your photo shots and additionally it keeps your camera lenses cleaner
What can I say?  It does the job and doesn't appear in my photos.  That is the best one can say for a UV filter!
I have looked and looked and found just the right one for my Panasonic automatic camera
Tries to screw on the filter, but would not go all the way. It start binding after 2 turns. inspected it under magnification lens. Noted the thread are slightly different in their pitches. I return the item.
I chose this item primarily as a lens protector and it serves the additional advantage of filtering UV rays for better image clarity.
Tiffen filters are made in USA, and are a great value at a very reasonable price. They are probably the economy level of quality filters. Many of my filters are Tiffen, because I know I can depend on them for the quality I need!
bought this to protect a L lens I just invested in and worth more than it cost. Tiffen cover will make it much easier to clean the len and protect it from scratches. Well worth its cost to keep the lens from damage.
I have to say, this filter is the best addition to any new lens you may have.  It prevents dust, scratches and the elements from reaching the actual front glass of your expensive lens. It is a must whenever you buy a new lens to accompany it with one of these to protect your larger purchase.
I don't have a camera that this filter will fit.  Somehow I just ordered the wrong filter for my camera.
There seems to perpetually be some discussion regarding filters, no filters, expensive filters, cheap filters, on and on. Well, I personally believe in using filters, and going with branded, but cheap.Well, maybe not anymore.I've personally used a 67mm Tiffen UV protection filter for about 4 years. I recently purchased a EF-S 17-85 IS USM, and decided that instead of just buying another 67mm Tiffen, I'd invest in a B+W MRC filter and see what all the hype is about.This review is not about the physical protective characteristics of the filter, no review is done on the MRC coating of the B+W.The two filters are physically very similar, both are slim filters, and both feel very nice in the hand. The B+W has brass lettering (the filter itself is made from brass) while the Tiffen is aluminum, with enamel lettering. Both are very well built. The B+W is somewhat better labeled, with labels that are less likely to get damaged located on the inside of the filter ring. The Tiffen has slightly rougher knurling, and i lighter than the B+W, but the feel of the B+W is slightly better.When it comes to filters, we're most concerned about filter flare. I have noticed slightly better color depth on the B+W, but this is somewhat subjective and easily corrected in post-processing.If you choose to use a filter, the B+W is worth it. If you're not sure if you want to use a filter, I personally will continue to use my B+W. While i understand small scratches on my 70-200 are minor, I value the resale value of my lens, and I also work in the rain, with sand, and accidents happen - you will touch your lens one day. I would personally rather accidentally scratch my filter than my lens.Additionally a common cause of scratching is cleaning your lens with a speck of sand under the cloth. This can happen to anyone, and again, I'd rather scratch the filter than the lens.Also take a look at the images I've uploaded. I have also posted this review with the B+W.
I bought this in conjunction with a new macro lens to act as a lens protector. So far, it has performed exactly as I had hoped.
I returned this item because it did not work with the new Canon 18-55 IS STM lens that I purchased.
I go through these filters every couple of years, replacing when damaged from banging the camera around.  It's time to replace when the outer ring gets dented or the glass gets a scratch that you can see in the viewfinder.  Before they reach that point, in daily use the coating on this glass holds up well from repeated lens wiping, and the metal of the outer ring is hard enough to withstand on and off.
This filter fits over the camera lens and protects it from dust and scratches without affecting the pictures I take in any way, which is exactly what I wanted.Considering this one cost me one third the price of the original accesory for myPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K camera, I consider this an excellent purchase.
This UV filter renders the Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 useless because of the noticeable glare it produces. I gave it away to my friend who uses it only for protection.
I bought this to keep the dust of Iraq out of my Canon EF-S 17-85 lens. It does a fine job and I've seen no noticeable change in the quality of images that I'm capturing with my Canon 20D.
Purchased this to keep the lens safe and this does exactly that. It was a fair price and I got exactly what I expected.
I was looking for a reasonably priced UV filter for my 50mm 1.8 and 105mm 2.8 macro nikkor lenses.  I believe I found that with the Tiffen 52mm UV filter.  Definitely recommended.
ok it could happen i got the one bad filter on the rack, but unlikely. my gear lens wise was given to me by my sister really sweet stuff awesome quality, either she unloaded tons of cash on the lenses or the quality has dropped like crazy over the years.this really just a sup par product, it gets stuck on the lens hard to get off, then the build quality is just terrible.the glass seems pretty cheap, but im probably gonna have to keep it cuz it'll probably cost more than 5 bucks to ship it back, we'll see what they say at the post office.
It's always a good idea to have a UV filter, even if you don't feel UV is a problem.  At the least, the filter provides protection for that much more expensive chunk of glass right behind it.  I purchased the Tiffen to go on the kit lens of my Sony A77 and have not noticed any off-coloration or loss of contrast.  I have no problem buying more from Tiffen.
I put this on my 50mm 1.8. It cost me around five bucks. I had been very happy with it until one day I suspected that all the ghosting, glares, and reflections of light sources on some photos might come from this filter. I do an experiment with a light source, a lamp, in the photo. Yes, the refection is in the photo. I can even see the reflection through viewfinder. I then swap it with a HOYA HMC. The refection is gone. The reflection for sure is not there if I don't put any filter on. This filter does protect my lens well. But the whole purpose of the lens is to take quality pictures, not to be cherished behind a glass.Tiffen filters of different sizes have been Amazon best sellers. Yes, they fit well. The build quality is good. But you will be very sorry when you finally find that it is the cause of the glares, ghosting, and reflections. I believe Tiffen has coated versions. But I didn't try them.The problem is not on the quality of the filters. They are simply not coated. But if I have to be mindful about what it might harm my photos when I take them in certain situations, I cannot use them.I know B+W has good filters, but they are expensive. I have been having good luck with HOYA HMC. It is around twenty dollar range. Very affordable. So my suggestion is dump this filter and go with that one.
I bought this filter to attach to the front of my Sigma 70-300mm digital camera lens. I cannot see any lowering the quality of the images taken with this filter attached. This was a good price for this filter.
I bought this mostly to protect my lens and it works great. I was inexpensive but the quality fits my needs
What can you say it's a UV protective filter which everyone should place over your lens to protect the lens from being scratched.
Do not buy this filer for the G-9 Canon camera. It does not fit. The lens on the G-9 cannot have a filter attached.
I was happy to receive the filter so that I could put it on my new Canon 75-300mm lens for protection in this winter weather
This is a good quality protection filter but not particularly special. It provides adequate protection but does not warrant better than an okay rating.
This lens fit my nikon D3100 perfectly. Protects my tele lens from scratches, dust and weather. Much easier to replace than tele lens. Great investment.
I used this filter to help protect my Fuji 18-55mm. The filter is made out glass which is a plus. I always used Tiffen when I buy filters such as neutral density, polarize, and UV filter. I just like the quality of it. Overall I'll say this brand has been great.
Not much to say about a basic neutral filter. Fit perfectly on my 50mm/ f.18 lens and so far, so good.
I will begin by saying I am not a professional photographer.I bought this to protect my Canon 18-135mm 3.5-5.6f lens. It arrived in fine condition, and was very easy to attach.I have noticed no abnormalities in image quality, and it's perfectly fine (and cheap enough) for my purposes.
I use this on my Canon HD video camera.  The kids are always bumping it around and touching the lens.  This is a real must when you let your kids use your camera.
I've read a ton on filters for protection of my lenses...  Don't buy Tiffen, don't even buy Hoya...  spend the money on B+W clear protector filters.  They really don't mess up your images.  The Tiffen filters pickup everything and add nasty ghosting to your images.
Tiffen should tighten up their quality control checks. This filter had two blemishes on the glass surface approximately 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter that actually appear to be chips in the glass from some sort of handling impact before packaging. At first I thought it was just tiny smudges but you can easily feel them with your thumbnail. Into the trash it goes.
I have alot of lens filters from Tiffen and as always the filters fit and do what is expceted of them.
It serves the purpose to protect the lens and I can't see any optical distortion, so it is fine for me
I learned the hard way why it is a good idea to protect your lens with a filter- because rocks are hard, front lens elements are not hard as rocks- so, enough about that little incident. So, when I bought my replacement, I was smart enough to buy a uv filter. The only issue I have experienced with this filter is ghosting (lens flare) in some lighting. I use this particular lens for shooting basketball games and have experience very few issues-probably due to the proximity of the lights in school gyms, but I have noticed that when shooting in my living room, where the light source is closed, I will get flare from time to time, I haven't gotten any while shooting outside. If you just need a basic, cheap uv filter- get it.
Anyone that actually takes photographs knows that you should protect your lens, and tiffen filters do a great job, such as this one.
Doesn't fit the Panasonic HDC-SD1 DV camera. Despite the vendor says.  They did accept return but charged me shipping.  Get it rigth Panasonic
While some high end photographers will dispute the optical quality of using a UV protection filter, there is no reason for the common user not to use such a product.  These filters provide peace of mind when using your camera lenses in extreme or hazardous environments.  This Tiffen filter does the trick, and is replacing my old filter, which got scratched on a rock while backcountry hiking.As a reminder, certain low light or ultra high contrast situations will generate reflective artifacts in your images, so use wisely.
This is a quality photo product and I would gladly recommend this specific manufacturer of this product. Thee more words.
The product is well made and would for sure protect a lens from breakage but it is not coated to prevent secondary reflections.
I bought this just to protect the lens on my camera.  It has worked great and is super cheap.
Got this for my 50mm as protection.  Its well constructed and no issues with image quality.  I was a little concerned with the thickness, but no vignetting with my lens.  Get one!!!update (July 2010).  Am disappointed with this filter.  After some use I have noticed that the glass does not seem to be clean no matter what I do.  Used all sorts of cleaners etc but no effect.  Have been leaving it on instead of a lens cap, but I take it off before shooting.  Have recently acquired a Nikon NC filter that is head and shoulders above this...and well worth the price.  Lesson learned.  Will not make this mistake again!!!
Tiffen filter works great, good quality at a superb price. Every lens you buy should have a UV filter, and this one is a great choice.
I got this as a free gift with the purchase of my DX 35mm Nikon lens...it serves the purpose of lens protection.
Arrived quickly, Packaged well but the filter itself was loose in the case. I would have thought it would be secured in the case itself. Not that it was damaged or anything. Its very nice.
When it arrived, it was rattling. My other lens filters did not rattle. I put it on and it still rattles, and the lens cap can't fit properly into the filter. I'm quite disappointed in the product and will be purchasing a different brand of filter for my lens.
I bought this for my Sony A300k's two lens. It did it's job: protect the lens from dust, finger prints and reflected some of the UV.For the price, what more can you expect?
I bought this Tiffen filter to protect the lens of my Lumix digital still camera. Tiffen has always been a fine brand for filters. This one serves the purpose of protecting the camera lens -- and that is what I bought it for. No complaints.
Tiffen makes some of the very best filters. These work perfectly with any Canon. I bought these along with ploarised filters.
and it protects the lens very well. I keep the lens hood on at all times for protection also, but their are those times when you can't avoid a bump here and there. This does the trick.
I ordered the Tiffen 58mm UV filter to use on a Nikon 50mm f1.4G.  It didn't look all that bad, but I immediately noticed increased flare and degraded sharpness in my pictures.  It required a filter wrench to remove it from the lens because the mount is very soft and threads not quite machined right.  After I removed the filter, the glass was rattling loose in the ring.  It is now in the trash bin.  I purchased the B+W 58mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010 to replace it.
This is just your basic protective filter. It is not multicoated but you can also wash it, wipe it with your shirt and do whatever else without damaging it. I will not de-rate it because "oh, it is not as good as a Hoya Digital" because, well, it isn't and it is not priced as such either. You get a decent protective filter for fifteen bucks, if you need multicoating - buy a different filter.I use it in place of a lens cap and will remove it on occasion, shooting into the sun, to reduce glare. In 90% of what I photograph, it is not noticeable. I also read that Tiffens are pretty tough mechanically but I did not yet have a chance to find out.The threaded ring holding the glass can unthread a bit with use. Just tighten it with a pointed object if it does.
I was told by my photography class instructor that there is no need to buy expensive filters. She was right!  This is a great filter, my pictures still look sharp and detailed and it fits my Nikon 18-55mm lense like a charm.  Great value and protects lens just as it describes.  Don't spend alot of money on other products, this will more than meet your expectations.
This lens protector is great and is exactly as advertised.  I definitely recommend this lest filter.  I have nothing else to say.
Hard to find large lens filters like this one - price is right and it does its job of protecting the lens.  Using this on Canon EF 28-135mm IS USM lens with lens hood.  No problem so far.
Immediately put it on my Canon 60D and felt that my 18-200mm lens was protected.  Works like a hand in a glove with my EW78BII lens hood.  Ready to shoot Baseball and Softball games, YEAH!!!Oops!  Second time at a ball game camera secure in camera bag bumped the side of the car continued to the ball game took my camera out of the bag and the "TIFFEN" protective filter was shattered. I have been shooting sports for 25 years using Canon protective lens filters and NEVER had one break or even scratch. YOU guessed right, replaced the Tiffen protective filter with a Genuine Canon Lens Protective Filter!  You get what you pay for!!  Protect your Canon lenses with Canon Protective Filters and they will last a lifetime.  You can't beat Canon superior products I'm convinced!  Now go shoot a great photo......
In comparison with a Sunpak 52mm UV filter, the Tiffen counterpart produces more glare than the Sunpak does, but both serve their main purposes well: protecting your lenses.
Have been using this on my Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 for video. I've had a few scenes that had glares on them but other than that it does the job just fine.
It's the only way to go to protect the front element of your lenses. It stays on tight without compromising the resolution or color balance of your photos.
There is ongoing debate over the use of UV filters. If you buy an expensive lens, why cover it up with a cheap piece of glass? Or why not take a cheap but effective insurance policy on your expensive lens? Which brand is the best? While that debate rages and while you search for and save up for the ultimate, perfect UV protection filter, just go ahead and pick this one up. This is a really good and cheap way to test drive UV filters.Why? The price is cheap enough that it's not a huge loss to your wallet and it's a cheap and usually unobstructive method of keeping your glass protected from dings, scratches and perhaps drops.Construction is satisfactory enough. You can tell where the metal meets the glass, it isn't the most precisely cut piece of glass but after having two both survive a year of my carelessness they are still going strong. The rim is made out of good quality metal and screws smoothly into my Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras,Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasandCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. Haven't had any threading issues at all. It also cleans very easily with lens solution and microfiber cloth. The original lens caps also still fit onto this filter though they will sit a little higher than before.I keep these on most of the time and I haven't noticed any image quality loss issues between when I do have them and when I don't. (however, i don't spend my time magnifying pixels on my shots). That being said, this filter isn't without its' faults. It's susceptible to ghosting issues and flare issues as mentioned in other reviews. However, those problems are pretty rare in my experience and so obvious when I see it in the viewfinder that I just take the filter off for those shots and put the filter back on when I'm back to walking around. It is sometimes inconvenient but I don't expect perfection at this price and a little inconvenience now and then is worth protecting the lens.You could obviously do better when purchasing a UV filter but you will probably have to pay for it. In this price range however, it's hard to go wrong with this filter. I have other cheap UV filters and those filters have obvious flaws in image quality. With this filter, you will know when it's flaws are acting up and you can deal with it on the spot. If you're a new photographer or a budget photographer who wants to keep their lens protected until they are comfortable shelling out more cash for a more reputable filter, this is the way to go.I have two of these (though I'll admit that I got them free as an promotion from Amazon when I purchased two of my lenses through them). For the price and substantial quality you get for that price I would gladly buy it again if needed.
UV lens filters are pretty common stuff.  Rumor has it that there are only a few sources in the world and the product is package differently.  Tiffen seems to have a pretty good reputation and the price was right.
It's a good product for the price. I am a newbie in camera, I don't know much about filters, just need one as a scratch protection for my Nikokk 75-300mm.
It fits nicely on my Canon lens. Keep the dusts out and prevent scratches. I'll buy it again whenever I buy another lens.
This UV filter produces high quality pictures at a fraction of the cost of many ather brands.
Does exactly what it is supposed to do...it protected my lens from all the knocks it took recently aboard a ship.  Still in great shape!
UV protection filter is really improved the DSLR photo result.The quality of filter is really good.I would recommend this product.
Hey people! I bought 2 of them on eBay it was a little cheaper and no TAX! So I got them pretty much to protect my lens from getting scratched, the build quality is great and it comes well packaged in a nice little case. I mean c'mon its under $10, what do some people expect from this filter. I DO NOT notice any difference in my pictures, it's just like having a clear protection glass in front of your lens. I would buy it again if this filter gives up it's life protecting my NIKON lens.
It keeps my Canon 700 D camera lens always dust free and always from fingure prints. Value for money product.
Been using it for a month now. Its paired with a Canon EOS Lens 18-55m kit lens for a Canon T1i. Over 500 shots with it and it works flawlessly
Forget messing with the cheapies, junk. Forget messing with the real pricey stuff, don't make no difference. Just find the right size and order it. End of story. Great value. Great performance.PS. I know some of you hot shots will take exception. Unless you're better than Ansel Adams, hush yo mouth and do what I tell you. Besides, I got mind control on Amazon.
Very happy with it does what it is made for. I would recommend this filter to anyone that buys a lens.
I purchased this filter, not for it's filtering capability (which is quite adequate), but rather for protection of the exterior surface of a new Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens.  I place UV or Skylight filters on all my lenses for protection.
A must for all photographers that need to protect there expensive lenses and UV protection & scratch protection! Highly recommended to anyone! &#60;3
That little piece should be installed on every SLR camera to protect the lens from damages. Easy to clean and install.
I'm not a pro, but wanted the filter to protect my lens. This one did the job, and I didn't notice any visible change in the quality of the photos.
Nice product, construction and value. I always recommend buying a UV filter for any lens to protect the main glass.
Was buying lenses as gifts and this popped up. For the price I thought it was a good idea and the two daughters I was giving it too thought so as well. Very pleased.
Just as expected. This product fits my lens nice and tight. This is a great way to protect you lens from finger prints and water spots.
Delivers as advertised.  Good thread mount, secure.  Bought primarily for lens glass protection, and now do not use to avoid any possible defusion of lens glass.
This name-brand filter for my Nikon D60 was a fraction of the price charged in photography speciality stores, and much cheaper than in the so-called "discount houses." It came quickly and in perfect condition.
The product was received in a timely manner and was as advertised. I am satisfied.
I knew this was to cheap but this thing is junk. I have used Tiffen for years but this is just plain junk. If I taped a nickel to it and threw it away at least I could say I threw something away. As a matter of fact I think I will. On every lens I used it on all Canon L lenses the images were soft and it has a wierd glow coming from somewhere. Beats me but don't buy it. I gave it a one because I think you have to give it something.
I bought it to protect the front element of my 300mm zoom, and it's doing a great job!
I just use this for protection in dusty or sandy or saltwater situations and it works well.
The Tiffen glass looks fine.  The glass in the metal ring however is loose and does not exude quality.  Not sure about reflections with this filter and whether it has any antireflection coatings.Also purchased a Quantaray CP filter which I have been using and is great and a Hoya Neutral Density filter that screams precision.
Beware of  assuming that  the UV filter recommended by Amazon for a particular camera with a fixed lense size that I purchased is the correct  size.  It wasn't even close.  No size was given for the lense diameter. I returned the filter for a full refund minus my shipping & all the hassel of  packaging it.
I bought a lense on Amazon and it was recommended that this filter be purchased with it - unfortunatly it doesn't fit the lense- I requested a refund and Amazon refunded my money.
I have used Tiffin UV Filters on all of my lenses throughout the years and after this purchase, I will continue to do so. They are exactly as described and provide great protection to my expensive lenses. It is much cheaper to replace a scratched filter then the actual lens.
How can you go wrong?  Durable, cheap protection for an expensive lens.  I'm very pleased (and bought two).  I'll gladly buy these again if they ever break.
Nothing fancy, just a piece of glass to keep your good lens from being scratched/damaged from UV rays or errant drops. Way cheaper than Ritz camera and I notice no distortion. If you're reading this, go for it!
Yeah, there is some debate on whether UV filters are needed. Some people say it degrades quality, so say it doesn't make a difference in the real world. Blah blah blah. My take on it is get it to protect your lens. Its just a cheap way to prevent dust, scratches, or your expensive glass to be accidentally broken. Personally, I haven't seen any degradation of IQ (image quality) from the pictures I've taken and it just gives me a better peace of mind.
More than once have these filters saved my expensive lenses from scratches or falls... They are inexpensive shields for any lens to have.
I always use UV filters to protect my lenses.  This one is on my new 55mm-250mm canon lens and will stay there forever.
This UV filter is excellent insurance against scratching your lens.  The build quality is solid.
This works as good as filters four times the price.  I have one for every lens to serve as a protective layer to the lens itself.
Protects the lens and fit just as needed. I would buy again if needed or in another size. It doesn't cause any picture distortion.
What can one say about a product that, when it works as it is supposed to, it is almost completely invisible? No discernible quality reduction with the filter on, and the added comfort of knowing I am protecting my non-replaceable lens. Clearly a great buy, very reasonably priced, and works as it is supposed to.
You will find that this lens will enhance the sharpness of your photos and reduce glare.
It's just what it was an inexpensive way to protect a $900.00 piece of &#34;glass&#34;.  Fits perfect and no problems.
This filter was a nice addition to my Nikon 40mm f2.8G AF-S DX Micro lens.  It helps give it the additional protection it needed.
Not much to say about this except it works and that's all that matters.  It protects my lens and is also has UV protection. What more could I ask for for such a good price?
The Tiffen 58mm uv filter does the job. My main purpose is to protect the lens, which it does fine , with no noticeable optical effect. Any improvement in picture quality is a plus.rcjp
Fits tightly, gets rid of some glare. Offers some good protection should you drop the lens. Overall, it's a good filter.
A UV or 1A filter will protect your valuable front element of your lens.  The filter needs to be optically clear with no imperfections that can affect your photo.  This Tiffen works well.  altho I have to agree I cannot see the minor imperfections that could be there.  You can spend much much more, I use it on a Canon 16-35 L and cannot see any vignetting.  I recommend it.
Tiffen filters is all I use for a protection filter for all my lenses. Probably not rated as high as other filter companies, but for the price, Tiffen makes reliable filters. I always cover up my expensive lenses with a Tiffen.Thanks Tiffen
Not a whole lot can be said about a UV filter.  It keeps my expensive glass from getting scratched.  So it is a must have!
Buyt it to fit my pancake 1.7 20mm lens from Panasonic, fit well and size i can put the lens cap at top.  Buy mainly to prevent dust and other material get to the lens surface, you shold do that first thing when you got the lens.
I recently bought a new camera and needed to buy a filter to protect the lenses that I got for it. Good quality UV filter is perfect for this application.
this filter fit fine and i have seen a bit of color improvement on some of the outdoor photos i have taken.
This basic UV filter is great for protecting my expensive lenses. I recently took a photography class where the teacher told us about the various types of UV filters. This is the basic type that is really made for protecting the land and not much more. The great thing is that you don't pay for more.
This filter looks good and I have not experienced a shift in color. However, the build worries me. The lens is loose in the ring housing, so there is a slight rattle when shaken. The lens turns a bit within the ring when cleaning. I had hoped for better, coming from a reputable manufacturer like Tiffen. Otherwise, the filter seems fine. I will updated this review if I have anything more to add as I use it more.
These work well but you have to remember to take them with you.  This somewhat defeats the 'S' series IS cameras.
I purchased the Tiffen UV Protection Filter to permanently affix it to my first Canon 'L' glass.For the reasonable cost, and added lens protection, it was almost a no brainer !!
I saw mixed reviews on Amazon, but went ahead and bought it. It turned out to be an item that was probably re-packaged. (Someone else had a similar experience too. See review dated April 13, 2011)It had a long linear scratch one one side. There was dust. The plastic case protecting the filter had no seal and was fully scratched. It was an item sold by Amazon, so the return process was easy. But what a waste of time. I went ahead and ordered a different filter
When they say 77mm they mean 77mm! Fits perfectly on my Nikon 10-24mm lens. Just using for protection of the expensive lens. The prior filter did its job and took its punishment well. This is a replacement.
For the most part, a UV filter is used by many people to protect their lens without adding distortion to their photos.  For that, this Tiffen works perfectly.  It arrived in brand new condition, screwed onto my lens, and has provided good service with no noticible distortions in picture quality.
I've seen some write-ups that bad mouth Tiffen UVF's.  But I've had good luck 100% of the time - and I've had a couple of dozen in many sizes.  The glass is clear and the fit and function is always spot on.  Doesn't interfere with the lens and provides protection in front of some pretty expensive glass.  Don't cost an arm or a leg either.  I have no reservations.
I use this filter on my Canon 28mm-200mm lens and it works great. I actually used it to protect the camera lens from dust/damage. So far it has done that and I am glad I got the filter.
Works as advertised. No noticeable loss of picture clarity. Tiffen's a known brand. Price was right. So buy it already!
This protection filter fits my Cannon T3i lenses perfectly. The pics are not affected by attaching the filter, but it does protect my lens nicely against dust and water drops if any. Definitely a must buy for the costly lenses.
Great product
as described.  i it helps prevent finger prints on glass of lens ..filter can be cleaned easily...that the main reason..
As someone else commented, the filter was dirty with it arrived. This is not the first dirty Tiffen I've received. My Canon filters are always very clean. Why can't Tiffen ship a clean filter?When I cleaned the filter with lens cleaner, a black substance started started running off the metal ring. I had to wash the entire filter with soap and water to remove this. It stained my hands.The glass itself looks OK. But stained hands from a new filter? Not good.By the way, Amazon shipped this small filter container in a good sized box with no packing material of any kind.
When you are using your camera you need a UV filter on top of what ever other filters you want for the lens. I bought this so that I would have a UV on all of my lens without having to change them out.Then you can easily add another filter for lights, for anything that you wish.
This is a quality optic.  Shipping was lightning fast.  Arrived on time and in new condition.  I have already placed it on the lense, no abboration from the filter being hooked to the lense.
I purchased this filter to use on my Canon T2i camera's Tamron 18/270mm zoom lens. Though I'm sure that there are better filters out there ( with much higher price tags I have been satisfied with the Tiffen filters I've purchased in the past. I have taken a number of pictures usingthis filter and am pleased with the results. I am nota professional photographer, but have been takingpictures for over fifty years, and was active incamera clubs for many of those years. I believe that many amature photographers would be happy with this filter.
I have always protected my lenses with a UV filter. I'm not sure that the filter actually does anything because of never shot without one, but I recommend spending a few dollars to protect an expensive investment. The Tiffen brand is always reliable.
This filter was recommended with the purchase of the Sigma 70-300mm lens.  The problem is it doesn't FIT.  Although it was not expensive, what good is something that doesn't fit and/or work for you.
It's a filter that protects my glass investment; as all it does it screw onto the lens and filter out the UV the light, it works beautifully.The cost of a filter is much less than the expense of a scratched lens!
I use these as just an added safety measure for my lenses. I'll occasionally remove them in low light if I have a flaring problem, but most of the time it's a non-issue and they're reasonably priced.
Not a lot to say, it is a UV lens filter. I have used Tiffen filters for a couple of years now no complaints and Amazon has good pricing.
FILTER PROTECTS THE MAIN LENS AND DOES NOT DISTORT LIGHT ENTERING THE LENS.  ORIGINAL LENS CAP FITS PERFECTLY ON TO THE FILTER.
Not only a tidy UV filter, but it main purpose in life is to protect my new 50mm 1.4 lens, which is probably most photographers would use it for.
i am very satisfied with the camera lens filtor.it is installed on my nikon d80 slr camera.
Needed it...works fine and well worth the price.  No need to hit the big stores and pay more.  Most of my cleaning gear bought on Amazon.
These filters have a wide range of costs and quality. Tiffen has always been top quality and finding them at a discount is great.
I purchased the 55mm filter for my Konica Minalta 18-70mm lens.  The quality of the filter is excellent.  My photographs are exceptionally sharp and, of course, the filter protects the lens.When using the lens at 18mm, due to the thickness of the filter band, a small bit of vinetting is evident.  This is to be expected with a standard filter used at a strong wide angle focal length.  For those doing extensive wide angle photography, a special thin banded filter is a better choice.Overall, an excellent filter at a great price.
fit perfectly. protects the lens. my pj professor told us to always get one and install it on the lens right out of the box. she's right as usual.
The protector comes with kind of tiny spots on it. It does protect the lens from scratches and fingerprints, dust and other things.
No complaints it fit my Panasonic fz35 gives me peace of mind about not scratching the lens.  Worth the purchase I took some pictures with it and so good quality pictures. I imagine is because I learned a couple of techniques but I can tell this lens protector will not limit your camera in anyway.
I bought this Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter to protect my Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.
What can you say about a filter.  What are your expectations - that it be threaded metal and clear glass.  They got the threaded metal part perfect, the clear glass part is a different story. The filter had a definite used appearance to it. There were finger prints on the glass, the case was dirty, the foam inside the case wasn't entirely in the case.Having worked in a camera store, I know that things go in and out of their boxes so that people can try them for fit, etc.  Usually they are restored to new condition before they are put away.After a careful cleaning, I felt comfortable installing it on my new $1,000.00 lens. It now meets my expectations.
It's the little things that attract me as a customer. How was I treated when placing my order? Was the person helping me knowledgeable about the product? Did they make suggestions based on my needs? Was the item received the same one I ordered? Was it delivered to the correct address in a timely fashion? I give a resounding yes in all these areas to my merchant. You'll be hearing from me again.
Bought this to go with the Olympus four-thirds E PL 2 camera.  It is totally useless because it does not screw onto the lens.  Shame on Amazon for recommending the purchase of this turkey along with the camera.  It was cheap enough so it's not worth the hassle to try to return it and get a refund.  Don't waste your money on this.
After spending lots of money on camera and lenses I needed something reasonably priced to protect my lenses.  This filter has worked fine for me, I don't notice any difference in pictures taken with and without the filter.  I have to say though that I am an amateur photographer.. and wanted something for protection until I become more knowledgeable about filters.
Cheap protector for my camcorder. Stops dust, debris and bugs getting on my lens. Much easier to clean than trying to mess around with the lens. Would buy again if needed. It does not seem to effect any issue with the recorded image that I can see.
I'm not sure if it's only the filter that I received, but mine arrived with dust on both sides of the glass and the glass was not sitting tight in the ring, it's loose, slightly moves.But it does the job now, so I don't think that I'll return it.
I experienced severe ghosting when a light source was in my viewfinder with this filter on my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and Canon 50 f/1.4 prime (both using different sizes of Tiffen UV filters).  removed the filters and the ghosting immediately went away.  I replaced with premium, coated Hoya filters and have no issues.  It's strange because I didn't experience this problem on a Tiffen UV filter I bought 3 years ago.
A necessary essential for all lenses you purchase, this one works just as well as to be expected to protect my lense from dirt and sratches
works perfect on my sigma 30mm lens will protect me from any damage caused by accident, right out of the package I noticed it had a spot of gum stuck (thats why the 4 stars) so I decided to clean it with LENSPEN already had and left him, is what you expect have a cover for your lens. easy
The first thought one has about UV filters is as an affordable protection of your much more expensive lenses. Or maybe a desire to enhance a blue sky. Either way, both points are valid and when considering the noticeable increase in clarity both inside and out with this well constructed and smartly priced filter you can only say "At'll do, Tiffen."Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter
Fits perfect. Very nice filter.I you it in a 18-55mm lens on a D5100.Keep protecter the lens.I'd recomend it.Very nice price.
excellent productsI love this product, its function meets 100% and the attention was good, also the packaging that protects it very well.
This filter is good for protecting the lens of the camera to avoid damage and suffers no scratches and protect the camera
This one is adequate to protect your lens that is about it.  No anti-glare coating though.  If I had it to do over again I would probably pay the extra money for the Nikon version for my 24-70 F/2.8 lens.  RJB.
Have used these filters, either Neutral Density or UV and have always found them to be distortion free.Great quality, would recommend to anyone!
I have several of these filters in multiple sizes for all my lenses. I chose the Zeikos filters for their quality & price.
This just plain old works well, and it looks great! The glass is good quality, and it will serve you well on your 82mm lens. I got mine for the Sigma 24-70 HSM, primarily for lens protection purposes. But it does its job well, and helps reduce some glare as well. Recommended.
Do not really need to screen UV with a digital camera but this has saved me having to clean the primary lense with resulting potential for damage.
Thanx  Your lens filter is by far wonderful and a  must have for any photographer ..Again Thanx for a Great item ..
Once you get use to it you will wonder why you did not buy it before. It is a amazing fitter for cutting out UV from then or night lights at a ball game. Keeping it clean and your pictures will be great. I bought it for my we Nikon 55-300
This is a "Tiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter. The operative word is "PROTECTION". This lens protector is OK. A UV blocking filter is only needed on a film camera. Digital sensors never see UV light. So this is a stupid accessory for filtering light. Anyway, if I spent more, I would end up with a better image, since a $50 filter from BW, for instance, gives better results. No UV filter helps the image. They all result in less contrast and less sharpness.  But if you have an expensive lens, you might want to protect the front element. I do. So I put up with the slightly degraded image. This filter is cheap, and the images are still fine for me. If I was a pro, I might decide to forgo the filter and risk the front element. A lens hood such as the one on my 100mm macro keeps the front element protected pretty well, so maybe I will decide to forget the UV filter one of these days. But when I get a shiny new L series lens, I kind of don't want to expose that pretty glass to any risk. Instead, I put up with reflections, flares, and lower contrast. What is wrong with me????
I swear by the clear basic UV filters. Not due to the images they produce but because of the protection they provide. Think of it this way, would you rather scratch the glass of a $1,500 lens or the glass of a $8 filter? To me it's a no brainer.
What can I say about a lens filter other than I'm glad that I have one on all of my lenses all the time!
Filter offers what I wanted - basic, economical lens protection for my camera. The threads were not as finely milled as I would have liked, but for the cost, it is OK.
Don't know what I did wrong, Amazon bundled it with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, but it doesn't near fit, too small! Useless to me.
I don't know why it was recommended for the Canon 85mm. It doesn't attach to it at all!  What the heck?!  I want a protection filter but I'm not sure my lens will take one??
Can't be used while shooting- it flares.Useless filter. Very surprising Tiffen would put their name on something like this.
Sky and water do funny things to the expected outcome of any exposure in these elements. This filter is expected to make the pictures of family sailors and adventurers worthy of their efforts.
Very disappointed. Glass slides around within enclosure and appears to have defects on edges of glass. Will try to return, but it was so cheap, I expect I will eat the loss if they give me much hassle trying to retun.
Doesn't affect color and the most important: The product felt strong and solid.. I use it indoors and out and works great!!!
Bought this filter to protect my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.  It keeps the lens finger-print free, protecting the front element from damages, while not introducing any significant image quality loss.  Since my lens was pretty cheap, I didn't feel that it warranted a B+W or Helopan filter - I think worked out pretty well.
I have several of these filters. They are good filters, but in time (several years), they can get tiny scratches if I'm not careful. The little ring that holds the glass to the metal ring has come loose on occasion, but I just tighten it and the problem goes away for several months. Keep in mind that I'm a professional photojournalist and I use my gear heavily (daily). I keep coming back to this filter because I keep buying new lenses. It works great in fog and dust. It works so well, that when I'm in a situation that I NEED to show the fog or dust, I must take the filter off because the filter cuts through so well. I would also recommend the Skylight filter too.
UV Filters are good, protect the lens very well. I have been using for couple of years. Photos look good. Definitely recommend this!
Tiffin makes a quality filter at a good price.  I always purchase some type of protective filter for my camera lenses and these do the job.
Not much to say for this.  The filter is clear, fits the lens and protects the glass.  It is relatively inexpensive and I believe it to be the industry standard.  Great product.
A UV Filter is about as standard as filters get. Tiffen makes a good quality filter and this was just as expected. The price was equilivant to other vendors and as expected I had no problems; ordering was simple and the product came on time.
I haven't noticed much of a difference in my photos with the UV protection filter on or off.  I guess mainly I use it as a lens protector.
Tiffen has always had a good reputation for making good quality products.  I have purchased their products in the past and chose them to purchase the 52mm UV Protection Filter for the Nikon Lens on my recently purchased Nikon camera.  I would choose Tiffen filters in the future.
i don't understand the difference on having this filter and not having it on at all... so, this is just because others simply recommend it.it fits just as they offer into my canon ef 50mm lens.
No fingerprints, no cracks and if there are any in the future it will be on this lens and not on the expensive one connected to the camera.  Great price!
I dropped my Canon Rebel with a 85mm lens and luckily I have a Tiffen UV Protection Filter on it. Filter broke, but it saved the lens and camera from any damages.
I bought it to protect my lens as I do for all my lens. I would recommend doing this for all lenses.
I put it on my Sigma 19mm F2.8 and Sigma 30m F2.8 lenses and they fit perfectly. There were some dust specks on the filters but I blew them off.
The filter fits perfectly with my Nikon D60 18-55mm lens. And it does its job. My pictures of sky and clouds are very clear without haze. Most of all, I think it is a good investment for your expensive lens. I put it on my Nikon D60 right after I took the camera out of the box for the first time and I keep it on all the time. I have to mention the Amazon customer service. It is unbeatable! When I put my order for the D60, I realize that I should have combined this order with the camera to get free shipping. I called the customer service and they helped me to get a free standard shipping for this order because I just ordered Nikon D60. So this order even came before my D60! (I used super saver shipping for D60, which takes longer time.)
Good product as a protective cover for the lens.  It does provide some color improvement and is much more economical than Canon branded UV filter.  I am pleased with it.
I can't add much to the reviews already written. The UV filter gives the protection you need and accomplishes what it is supposed to do, cut out the UV.I would recommend this filter. It has the right combination of price and quality.
The filter fits perfectly and is optically perfect.  Great deal getting it with the Canon EF-S lens.  Received promptly, no  problems!
This filter never comes off my lens, I actually have one for each of my lens so it keeps them protected from scratches and keeps the lens in top level condition.
This product works to keep our 1 year olds finger prints off the lens and seems to take good clear photos, but I have a hard time putting inexpensive glass in front of a good lens when I am trying to get high end shots.
Bought this to protect my kit lens.  I'm not one to put extra glass in front of my lens/sensor, but this guy hasn't had any noticeable effect on pictures.  And it took the brunt of an impact after the camera slipped off my shoulder.At the price, I'd definitely pick another one of these up if I ever needed to.
Some people say the front lens element is really hard and can take alot of abuse so you don't really need a UV filter, but for the price it's a nice peace of mind.  I bother less with the lens cap and the filters are easier to clean.  I don't notice any ghosting or flaring problems.
This fits well on my lens, protects it against everyday hazards and cleans easily, but as with cheap filters it adds unwanted artefacts to my photos, even more so with long exposure shots. I would leave this on for everyday shooting but suggest taking it off (or upgrading to better brands) for more serious photography.
I may have received a defective one but the glass is loose in between the metal ring holders.  It still works and acts as a protector but it is annoying to have the clinking sound of glass if I tilt the filter.
No optical problems and mechanically sound. No loosening of the retaining ring, as with some filters. Only issue is that I wish it were thinner.
I won't start to use a new lens unless I have one of these before unboxing it! you never know! the coating on todays lens's can scratch easy and ruin them, also this is the real thing I have purchaced a lot of filters that were of questionable quality possibly counterfeit but there is no doubt with this Tiffen that is the real deal!!!!
Performs as intended.  That is after I spent a lot of time cleaning it.  I will add that the filter wasn't scratched, just dirty w/water spots.
Since I wear UV protection lotion, I wanted that safety for my camera, too. This filter fits perfectly and insures that my camera will not suffer from sun damage. And, as an added bonus, it protects the lenses from dirt and scratches. GREAT product.
It's great! i love it in ever aspect as possible. But I recently just got it stuck on my camera by accident..... I need to get filter pliers or something like that. But other than that.  This is great!
I never put a lens on my camera without a uv filter. Tiffen products are always high quality and reliable.
I was impressed by the great reviews everyone leaves this UV filter on Amazon, so I tried it. However, after a few light days of use, the glass element became lose. While it doesn't appear that many people have had this problem, I suspect it has to do with overall quality control at Tiffen. If you are going to put a piece of glass in between your photographed object and your expensive lens glass, spend a little money and get something good. The best thing you can get is something that you don't notice.That said, if you're budget conscious, use a kit lens/equivalent,  and don't mind having to possibly send one of these backs for a replacement that works - this is probably a good filter for you.
THIS WAS ON THE SAME PAGE AS MY 5D MARK 1I AS SAYING "CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THIS CAMERA BOUGHT THIS" AND SINCE I WANTED A UV FOR THE NEW CAMERA I CHECKED IT.  IT WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND I WENT ON A FOUR WEEK TRIP WITHOUT PROTECTION FOR MY NEW 24-105 LENS.  WHICH I LOOKED FOR ALONG THE TRIP BUT COULD NOT BE FOUND .  I WAS STEAMED.
my favorite camera and accessories - fast shipping - good quality
This is the cheapest filter to protect your camera lens from dust and finger prints. Always keep one spare handy in your camera case.
Whenever I order a lens I always order this UV PROTECTOR filter. I use this filter from day one to protect my outer element of the lens.You should use it.
I've been using it for some time, and, obviously, I have had no problems with it. So, it's worth the price.
I decided to try the filter in an old Beckman UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and replicate optical transmittance results in Poland.  Sure enough, Tiffen and window glass appear to be optically related in transmittance of long-wave UV.  Frankly, I've alays had the impression that Tiffen filtered images were less clear than B&W, and this kind of study may well explain the difference.  Here's a link to the original study results [...]
I purchased this filter and used it for about 5 months. It did what I wanted it to do during those months (ie protect my lens). However that was during the summer. Today was the first cold day of the winter (around 27 degrees F) and I was out shooting for about an hour. I then got back in my car and drove home. Either the cold or the rapid warming of the filter once it got into the car broke the seal on the glass. The glass of the filter now rolls around in the metal frame, when I shake the filter I can hear it rattling bath and forth.I had a backpack full of gear and all of my lenses have UV filters on them. Other filters are from other brands (some of them as cheap as the Tiffen) and none of them broke.The filter could still be used in this condition, but I can't help but feel trepidation now that it is rattling around. I think I will simply buy a new UV filter and avoid Tiffen UV filters in the future.
It fits my Nikon 300 mm lens and it's a UV filter. Not a lot more you can say :).
This filter works great for my Canon Rebel xsi. Fits fine, doesn't fall off or anything like that. Doesn't change the color or quality of my photos as far as I can tell. Does it's job like it's supposed to.
buy it for my panasonic 20mm F1.7, It work fine. and buy a 37mm filter for olympus 45mm F1.8, this UV filter just has the black color, hope it has  silver just like my 45mm lens.
I knew ahead of time I was going to require something to protect my camcorder lens when I was planning on going to such places as waterfalls and highly sun-lit areas.  The lens protects not only from sun-damage but also from water and/or dirt particles from entering the opening of the camera.  I highly recommend this product...but I also recommend getting lens tissues for you will be needing them to wipe this cover.  If you have dirt or water marks on the lens it is certainly doing its job.  The tissues will ensure you will be able to use the lens filter for a long long time.
This is one of those "must gets" if you cherish your Micro 4/3 lens. Sadly, on the Olympus E-P1 it sticks out a bit, not really annoying, but since the 14-42mm lens on the E-P1 retracts so nicely, you'll immediately notice that the lens isn't as compact as it used to be.Still, better to have a small filter sticking out than damage your $300 lens.Quality of the filter is fine, but then again, there isn't much you can mess up on a UV filter.
I purchased this as low cost protection for the glass on my new Sigma 50-150 1:2.8.  Appears to have no impact on lens clarity so it does what I need - protects the lens.  I'm sure a multicoat filter would perform better shooting into the sun, but I needed cost effective protection for a somewhat expensive lens.
Tiffen is a great company for getting a camera lens, will buy this brand again.
The main purpose I bought this lens filter to be honest, was to protect my glass. And it does just that. For the price, you can't beat it. Now, comparing this filter to the likes of B+W or even some of the higher-end Hoya, well, its no where near as good. But ultimately it all depends on your budget and weighing the pro's & con's. It does what its supposed to. Reduces UV light and protects your actual lens from scratches or worse, potential cracks/shattered glass if you drop it (not that this filter will save your lens from a 40 foot fall, but you get what i'm saying).Overall, I'm pleased with my purchase and once I upgrade to say, some "L" type lens, at that time I'll invest in a B+W. But for my kit lens, this Tiffen does the job just fine. And you can't beat the price.
I ordered a Tiffen 86CUVP 86C mm UV filter which was recommended for my Nikon 500mm lens. I buy protective filters for all my lenses and am a professional cameraman. I have never seen a filter come in a plastic after market zip bag. Before putting the filter on the lens, I held it in the light and low and behold this lens is used not new. I would give this seller a 0 Stars if I could. The filter had smudges as if the person had rubbed to clean it without using lens cleaner and there were hairline scratches... probably from the way they cleaned the filter. NO Tiffen filter comes without a hard case. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM DR. BUYS!!!!!!!
This filter is a few dollars. Every camera lens you own is probably at least a few hundred dollars. Why take a risk of something scratching and ruining that expensive lens? I automatically buy one of these for every lens I own. I have not noticed it changing the quality of the photographs at all. There really is no reason not to have this.
Much has been said about how poorly this lens performs since it is not multi-coated, but that is the least of its problems.  The lens I received is very poorly constructed.  The glass does not sit tightly within the metal frame; it moves and rattles around.  I would never install this on a lens a care about, and I certainly will never consider another Tiffen filter.  Fortunately, I did not pay for this filter (it was free with a new Canon lens) and thanks to the reviews I had the good sense to order a more expensive mutli-coated filter at the time I bought my lens.  I'll keep this one around in case I ever want to try some type of 'risky' shot where I'm likely to end up damaging the filter.
This is a great product and we have had NO issues with it...does not distort or color pictures. A Great product.
It does what it needs to do. Works out great. Protect my lens from all the crazy sand storms out here.
It is hard to review a generic item like this. Perhaps it is more important to warn buyers that ALL high end optical objectives REQUIRE  protection. Camera lenses and binocular lenses are particularly subject to incidental damage. Pay a little, protect a lot!
Does what it is supposed to do protecting the lens from UV rays and works as a protector if I bunp into something.  I even forget that it is on the lens.
You need something to protect your lens and this is it!! get if you care for you glass lens. do it!
This filter fits the Panasonic FZ28 perfectly. It seems to be very well built and does a fine job. Don't notice any impact on pictures.
Great value.
I recently purchased this filter as a lens guard. I tried taking a picture of our family's Christmas tree. The picture was a mess of smally, blurry light spots. I'm not sure on the exact number, but it looked like about 2 to 3 blurry lights for each light that was actually on the tree. The "ghost" lights certainly ruined the picture.The other pictures I took with the lens all turned out fine (no noticeable effects). My guess is that the filter only has problems with point light sources. If I could do it over again, I would have spent an extra $10 to get a filter without this problem.
This filter is great!  I purchased it to protect the lens on my camera and it does the job.  I had no problems fitting it to the lens and it is very sturdy.  I was a bit worried about the possibilities of glare, but even shooting against direct light doesn't cause any noticeable flare.  I can't think of anymore more I could ask of it for the price.
Good quality, very easy fit with excellent light properties for this lens filter. Construction is solid and appears to be top grade. Excellent value and a better buy than canon.
I bought this to help protect my lens and nothing else. The best thing about this filter is that you can fit the lens cap even with the filter on :-)
There is a reason some filters cost $115 and others (such as this item) are less than $15.  That being said, I suppose it's about 95% as good as ones that costs much more.Pros* doesn't rattle* will take one for the team so your lens' front won't have to* can serve well enough until you buy a real filter* it's available on Amazon Prime--few filters areCons* really thick ring, twice as thick as others* vignetting due to this ring* you'll likely want better as soon as you can afford it
The glass did not fit properly in its housing.  It rattled around inside the ring.I'm sure it would've done what it is supposed to do.. i.e. protect the lens, but I did not even bother putting it on my camera.I returned it and I am planning on spending the extra $2 and buying it at Ritz Camera.
It's a filter. It does what it should.
I just received a Tiffen UV filter that I ordered refurbished.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought refurbished meant the product was checked and any defects were corrected.  However, when I opened the package, the glass was full of spots which look  engrained in the glass.  Not only am I saddened by the fact that I can't use this and expect decent pictures, but I also don't have a UV filter to use for my new camera.  I've been holding off on taking pictures, and now I have to wait even longer.  I plan to return the product and visit a store locally.  I don't know if Amazon warehouse is to blame, or the manufacturer.  From what I read on customer feedback, the lens is a big heartache anyway.  I should have went with my initial instinct and got the Hoya.
I just want to express a brief review from what I had experienced with this UV protection filter.The build quality is good. In order to decide what to buy, I spent a month reading reviews and compare the sample picture of each of them and the chart that shows the result, (I am an engineer, so you can guess how I make my decision). If you don't want to spend too much on UV filter (the good ones are more than $100), don't think about any other UV filter. Save your money to buy a better lens or a circular polarize filter. Buy this filter at the time that you buy your lens and install it on your lens while the lens is still clean and the dust is not on it.
I bought this Tiffen 77mm UV Filter for my Canon 100-400mm IS lens. Since I got the lens I have not been getting the quality of shots I expected. Long story short, the problem was this filter. I took it off and instantly had the lens of my dreams. If you care about image quality you may want to reconsider.
The seller shipped promptly. I do not have a problem with the seller. Unfortunately Amazon had recommended this as an accessory for the camera I bought, but it was not the correct size and I am unable to use it. It would cost more to return it than it is worth.
I've got this on my 70-200 L USM 2.8 Canon lens and works great as a UV filter and as el-cheapo protection for the lens. If I should drop the camera or more likely, accidentally bang it against a door jamb, wall, etc. while traveling with 2 cameras around my neck, only the filter is in true danger of getting bent, while the lens remains intact. All photographers that invest in a pricey lens should invest in a proper UV filter. Tiffen is a long-time trusted brand, as well.
I love these little Tiffen Protection Filters. I have them over all of my Canon Lenses, and they do a great job of protecting my lens. I don't have to panic if a drop of water hits it! A very inexpensive way to protect your lens.
I use this filter on my Nikon N80. Works great. For under $10, this is a great buy.
a good valuable protection to ur dslr. build quality of these lens are very good and you can feel that whn u take it n hold it. metal n also the filter is very useful.
I totally love it, 49mm fits my NEX-5R perfectly. And it gives no dark corner when I use my camera.So I like it :)
Fast service, however the Nikon lens that it was purchased for and marked for a 62mm filter, it did not fit. Didn't go to the trouble of returning it for I have other lenes if I need to replace their UV filter I will have one
This is just a great, simple product that will save you a lot of money - greatly reducing the chances you will damage the lens itself.
This lens came as part of a special offer with the Nikon 50mm F1.8 lense.  It is a great idea to offer a protection filter with a lens.  The cover does what it should and I was happy to see that is was made in the USA!
Use it with hubby's Nikon lens so we don't have to move the filter from lens to lens when swapping out lenses.  Now they each have their own!
Just as the title says, inexpensive protection.  If this gets broken, it's only a couple bucks, if you drop and smash the lens, you're out hundreds.  It's simple as that.
Its size and effect is good and suitable for my nikon lens.And the price is also low. I love it
What can I say.......It works! Very well made and the threads work perfectly. But that is what you would expect from Titten. They make quality products. Amazon delivered on time as usual.
Again, the headline says it all.  I bought this for my VIXIA HF S200.  Does not fit.  Kinda bummed, ya know?
This UV filter does it job to protect the lens well. The build is solid (metal construction). The glass is also descent quality.About the performance, it absorbs some UV light. The UV light absorbtion is hardly noticeable, probably the sky 1-A and the haze filter version will absorb more UV light than this lens which is fine for me.Now, about the one problem which is the internal reflection. I've heard many people say that it mostly happens during night or low light shooting. I found out that it is not caused directly by the low light/night situation. The internal reflection will appear when there is a strong/bright source of light in comparison to the overall exposure (the surrounding environment). To put it in example (which hopefully is easier to understand), when you take a picture of a lamp during nightime and the light is much brighter than the surrounding area then you will see the internal reflection. as you move the position of the light to be closer to the sides/corner of the picture (and not in the center of the picture), the internal reflection reduces and finally dissapear (if you move the light far enough from the center). And if the light isn't too bright/contrast compare to the surrounding environment then there will be no internal reflection. but of course most of the time, a lamp at nightime is often very bright. But the point that I'm trying to make is that the internal reflection doesn't happen all the time during low light or night time.Additionally, the internal reflection isn't only happening at night. it can also happen in the afternoon if you are taking a picture of a sun for example. basically same rule as above, on how bright is the light source compared to the surrounding area, and as you move the sun from the center of the photo and near the side the internal reflection will move to the side/dissapear (also depending the angle). But the best way is just to remove the filter during these situations.Hope this explanation helps you to reduce the occurence of internal reflection by identifying correctly when the internal reflection will occur and then remove the filter during those situation (which is not hard to do).I'm actually not a fan of lens filter (any filter) as I think it will only degrade picture quality as we added another layer between the sensor and object, but I decided to use them anyway for all my lens. And I would recommend everyone to get one of this filter if you don't have any filter for your lens yet.
Great filter for the price-no reason to spend more. The filter threads are high quality, and it is possible to stack filters if you want-not recommended, though, if you are using it on a wide-angle, as I am.No vignetting, sturdy filter.
This lens filter does the job like it says. Good result for both indoor & outdoor. No complain so far.
My dad introduced me to the UV filters. Its not really so much the UV filter but the fact these things save lenses from breaking!! I came close to breaking a lens before but thankfully I had a UV filter on my lens. Not to mention they help protect from dirt and other things of that sort.Get a UV filter for your lens!
Loved them to protect my lenses from spills, rainy days and allowed me to take superb pictures. Very easy to install.
the filter is good. I would prefer if it came with a sturdy case to keep it safe. Otherwise it is working perfectly.
filter is ok..I get a lot of reflection on the pics taken with flash or if bright lights are in the background( Christmas lights etc)
This is exactly waht I needed for my 350MM lens. Fit perfectly and is crystal clear! I would recommend this product.
We use this to protect our Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD lens.  It is great for protecting your investment.
I've been looking for a good filter for my portrait lens and this one was recommended by a blog I follow. I was excited to find it for a good price, and free shipping too! Imagine my disappointment when I realized that every time I used this filter with my lens,  the photos had a bluish-green ghost in every image. When I take the filter off, the ghost disappears. Others before mentioned this same issue, so I know it's not just a fluke. The only good thing? Amazon refunded my money without an issue. Great customer service, but awful product!
I bought this to protect my new Panasonic Lumix FZ100's lens.  Wifey is not too careful when handling cameras (I hope she's not reading this).  I wanted to prevent constantly cleaning fingerprints off the lens and the blame-game.  When I took pics of some birds on a sunny day, the birds were slightly off focus in many pics even though the camera has a terrific AF capability.  The pics did come out very nice except for the auto focus part.Indoors, in low light, the camera took a lot more time to autofocus than it usually does.  Once the filter was removed, focusing was rapid.  I think I'll buy some other brand.
The filter screwed perfectly into my lens, and if nothing else, it protects your lens from UV and the glass on the lens from fingerprints (very helpful if you have small children).  As others noted, there are better filters, but this will do fine for most.
The filter keeps the lens from scratching, the price was good and it shipped amazingly quick just before Christmas. I would suggest investing in one of these to protect your lens!
I have purchased Tiffen filters before and have been very happy with them, but this one was bad.  The usual documentation was missing from the inside the filter case and the threads on the filter were damaged.  It appears it had been opened and returned.  I returned it for a refund and ordered the Polaroid Optics 52mm Multi-Coated UV Protective Filter instead.
I put this Filter on my Sigma 18-250mm Macro Lens and it works just fine.  The Lens Hook that came with the Sigma works with this too.  However the other Hood I have does NOT work with this filter, it does not line up right and show up in some wide angle shots.  I don't know if its the filter or the hood, but since the factory hood works, I'll be sending the extra hood back and keeping the filter.
I purchased this filter and upon opening it found the glass rattled in the frame. Seems the factory had left out what ever secures the glass in the frame. Amazon agreed to replace it.Wish I had read the reviews on the glare before I purchased or I would have gotten the no-glare type.
When I purchased this UV filter I had low $ in mind because I was going to be using it on a lens that I paid under $120.00 for and wouldn't be using all that often.  Every lens needs a UV filter for protection and it actually does a pretty good job.  For some of my more expensive lenses I've gone with Hoya multi-coated or B&W filters but the bottom line is this Tiffen filter works good for a low price like $13.00 or so.
I bought this for my Sony nex f3, and it fits perfectly and is good quality. An essential item to protect lenses.
Worked perfectly, was easy to screw on. Doesn't even feel like an extension .. very thin and seamless coupling with the lens.
I just bought another one of these filters to replace one that cracked.  My camera fell on the ground and I was glad that this lens took the brunt of the fall vs. my lens taking it.  There is no impact to image quality and protects the lens glass from getting scratched.  I'll always make sure I have one of these on my lens.
I bought this filter to protect the glass of my 50mm lens. It suits the purpose just fine and doesn't affect image quality that I can tell.
It's a piece of protective glass.  Not much more to say, other that it fits my old school Minolta 28-135mm af lens.
works just like it should.  I put this on the front of my new tamron 70-200 f/2.8 lens just for protection.  Figured it couldn't hurt to have a barrier for it.
Love the filter and it is just what I needed to protect my lense.  Tiffen makes great filters and this is a great price to pay for the MUST HAVE lense protection.
So after a weekend at a racetrack in the desert i learned sand gets in everything. It was my second day out with a DSLR and was about to just wipe the sand off the lens with my shirt and lucky for me someone stopped me. Sand will scratch the glass. They then told me to buy some a couple UV filters for harsh conditions like this, if it gets ruined it is only a few bucks vs couple hundred or more for a lens.So I took his advice and bought these. Now outdoors in bright sunlight taking pictures of animals and cars.. the pics come out good as far as I can tell.  But in low light indoors with things like candles, small lamps, etc.. there is lots of ghosting and i guess what could be called haze.So if you need  cheap protection for a day outside when you are going to pass your camera around or have the elements flung at you. These work - OK at best. Professional eyes will say they are not much better than a sheet of glass, or so I have read in multiple UV filter comparisons.I have now read the articles about how dust, grime, (even small pieces of tape) on the front element is hardly noticeable in pictures to most people. So if the pictures need to be nice, drop the protective filter concept and use your lens how it was ment to be used.But when I am out taking 1K shots at a racetrack in the desert, having dirt flung at me from dirt bikes, or mud from dirt oval cars.. I will keep the filter on in daylight. If mud gets on the front it is a quick swap to another UV filter instead of cleaning(I carry 2).So yeah you get what you pay for, they do protect.. but just think when it is really needed or not.Side note - I only have 2 lenses the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my D5100 and a refurbished 55-200mm VR that I got for $130..  I really do not need to worry so much about my glass. If I spend big money on a lens and want to protect it, I will order the highest quality filters for it. Why buy a nice lens if you are going to throw a low cost filter on the front? Why not just use a cheap lens then?
Fits perfectly to all of my 58mm lens.  Couldn't ask for more.  Pictures do come out much better, and I feel so much more secure knowing that my Canon lens are protected.  Highly recommend this product.
A good brand. Can effectively protect the lens, than I ever use UV. Is worth buying! The price is right
I use it to protect my circular polarizing filter for shocks and also fingerprints. The only thing is you have to clean it before use.
I bought these UV filters to protect my new Nikon lenses.  I was a little uncertain of the quality, because of the low price, ( 1/3 the cost of Vivtar or Nikon equivalents), but after receiving them and inspected them they look great. Seem to be well built and there is no visible distortion.
This uv filter works fine- on my Sony a100!  The Panasonic DMC 30FZ I bought it for on the accessories part of amazon recommended it and it is not the right size for that.I guess everyone but me knows to double check the small accessories that amazon says go with a unit.  Taught me to be more careful, at least, when I'm buying adapters, batteries, etc, have not had a problem since.By the way, it's a good quality filter!
It is not the best UV filter you can buy, but definitely good value for the money.I have it mounted on my tokina 11-16/2.8 to protect my investment.So far I removed it only once when it was causing a flare that I did not want in the picture.Definitely a must have.
Not much to review here as everything went fantastic, the price was great and when push gets to shove, decent, name brand UV filters are all about the same. However, I was really shocked at how fast these came using standard shipping. I had them in a few days. Good work Tiffen (sold by Tiffen through Amazon)! I also bought a polarizing filter the same day from Amazon using standard shipping and it took over a week to get here. So there you have a little comparison.
Would you rather have something graze your lens - and then see scratches and regret not buying it? Nope ... not a good idea.
I have nothing but good things to say for these filters; they have saved many a lense from damage.  However, I purchased this as a set with a SIGMA 70-300 zoom lense; when it popped up as associated I did not think twice about getting one for the lense.  What did not occur to me was that it was not the correct size - the filter advertised was 52mm, the lense needed a 58mm.  Luckily, I did have another lense that needed a filter, but this was still a bit frustrating.  Again, good filter, but do not assume that Amazon.com puts the right items together all the time.
Amazon sent me a defective one. The filter came a little scratched on the rim. Returning it to amazon. I am great fan of B+W. I thought I would try this since this is cheaper than B+W. But looks like I will go back to my B+W.
I purchased this with a Tamron 18-270 and it does exactly what is should. For the price, it can't be beat!
I bought this basically as a dust protector, so I didn't expect much. However, I was seriously upset to find that pictures are ruined by the filter because of distortions and lines.
Tiffen filters have been around for years so must have stood market forces through time.I always wanted one so bought this and fitted it to my son's 50mm lens.Looks great and comes in na beautiful presentation case.Stan ChunWellingtonNew Zealand
This 52mm UV filter is a great way to protect your lens.  The lens I used it for is the EOS M 18 to 55mm.  Its great quality and does the job well.  The original Canon lens cap still works with the filter installed.
I use filters to protect the lens between shooting. This does it s job. I don't know about the optics, cause I remove it during shooting.
It worked. That's all I care about. Time is money. It does what it says it is supposed to do!
Puts a protective glass over your expensive gla$$ without distortion.
It may be the filter that I purchased, but there was visible glare throughout the lens in any light condition. I returned this filter to Amazon.
Fabulous glass. Clear, clean...I use this to protect on my Sigma 85mm f/1.4 & it works perfectly. I would recommend Tiffen any day!
I bought this filter to protect my lens on my GF3.  The filter will provide great protection for your lens but photographs will be negatively affected with this filter.  Shooting into a light source at an angle will affect your pictures.  This filter is priced really good but it I was looking for and hoping for something different.  The filter also came very dirty with smudges and finger prints.
We recently tipped over in our RV. My 100mm lense was inside the trailer and I had my 17-40 was with me in the truck. Both lenses were saved thanks to these filters. The glass on the 100 mm was totally shattered, but lense was safe. The 17-40 filter got a crack in it, but it also saved the lense.So I immediately re-purchased these. I necessity when you pay hundred or thousands for lenses.
Stays on my lens and does what it is meant to do: protect the expensive glass.My images turn out clear and sharp.If you aren't using UV protection filters, you should be.Buy thyself a tiffen UV protection filter today.:-)
I bought this for my Nikon 70-300 VR lens and it works just as it should.  It keeps the front of my lens safe from impact while not interfering with any of the lens or camera functions.  I'd rather buy 10 of these "cheap" filters than having to replace or repair my lens!
I gave this 2 stars instead of one only for the protection it adds to the front element of the lens.There is no advantage to screening UV from a digital sensor.  One thing this filter will do is create double imaging of light sources in your shot...gross!
Encountered some serious ghosting issues with the UV filter when taking pictures that included a light source.  Honestly I was taken back by the reviews here and should have known that a $6 piece of glass would perform sub-optimally.  I immediately took this off my 50mm lens.  Would I recommend this? Not in am million years.  At $6 I won't be returning it, the hassle of shipping for $6 just isn't worth it.
Don't know what to say, bought this mostly as lens protection.  Have one on all my lenses.  Doesn't distort and protects the lens from scratches and UV.
This is just a basic UV filter, and is usually pretty useful, but occasionally creates serious problems. I've noticed that I get blue/green noise on my images in back-lit or bright photographs. This is a serious problem, and isn't always noticeable in the viewfinder. It's no fun to get home and find out that some of your favorite compositions look like crap.I'm usingNikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)with aNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, which both function beautifully, so the filter is definitely the problem.If you can't afford a better filter, go with this one. Be ready to take it off when you are outside though.
If I am not using another filter, I find it judicious to leave a UV filter on my lenses.  The price was good, so I bought this online to go with my nice fast 1.4 Pentax lens.  Putting the filter on prevents finger prints, oils, dust, scratches degrading the new lens (unless your lens is "into" being degraded as are some humans near Folsom St. in San Francisco).
Does the job and has held up to everyday use. Would buy again. Qualty build at a very good price
I bought the Canon T5i with the 18-135mm lens kit.  This filter helps protect the lens from dust and scratches.Screws right onto the factory lens and doesn't seem to cause any issues with performance at all.
This a essential in photography, it protects the lens glass ,it takes the uv rays away from you shots and its at a good price
I'm not a pro photographer and maybe my eyes aren't so I good so i really couldn't really tell any difference between this piece of glass and a high-end piece of glass. All I know is that it protects my lens from the elements, knocks, hits, spit, etc. If you own a lens you should own a UV Filter. Period.
Came on time and does what it's supposed to do at a great price. I have order many Tiffen filters in the past and will continue to order from this company. Prices are great.
There is no much to write about this filter as it performs as it should be as any UV protection filter would do, I supposed. The main driver for my purchase was the price - it was the cheapest I could find.
Always top quality and made in USA ..what more could you ask for?Tiffen is a brand worth looking for.
I am not a photography expert but have taken many photos over the last 30 years. The filter seems to be exactly what was advertised though I have not done any "testing" of it other than to use it. No problems. Seems to be well made. Got it mainly to protect main lens.If I needed another UV (protection) filter I would not hesitate to get another one of these.Was delivered promptly and well packaged.Gave 4 stars (instead of 5) because I don't have a way to completely test it's ability to deal with UV problems.
Great lens protection, it comes free with lens purchases thru Amazon.  $10 value for free.  I actually use it.  Unlike many of the cheap filters I have encountered, it did not have any defects in the glass!  Looks like a pretty good quality product.
This is inexpensive UV cover lens mostly for protection of the actual  lens glass itself.  As for nighttime shots I did see ghosting and doubles of light reflections.  For me if I am doing night shots it just comes off.  I also have more expensive ones which when shopping you can read the description which advices of you of the coating and glass type of which will NOT have ghosting, but it will cost 2-3-4 times as much.  If you take loads of night shots or indoor party shots I suggest buying the better glass or having extra lenses.  I have both so I am covered and understand that photography in general is not a cheap hobby or profession when it comes to equipment.
I threw it away.  What a rip-off.All kinds of glare and reflections coming from this *very* cheap piece of glass.  I had to re-shoot a lot of stuff because of my choice to use this filter.  The amount of glare it picks up is ridiculous.  It was my fault for buying it.  I knew it had to be terrible at this price.If you have any doubt, buy one and find out for yourself.This product is 100% snake oil.  Buy a good filter or use your lens cap if you want to protect your lens.  Tiffen = Trash.I would rate it 0/5 if allowed.-Mike
Avoid this filter like the plague, unless you like having ghosts, flares, and glares in your shots. I just returned from a trip to NYC. I had this filter on my Zuiko OM 24mm on Canon 60D. Most of my shots had very bad ghosting and glares. This is my fault for going cheap and not getting a multi-coated filter. I bought this on a rush because I wanted a filter to protect my lens while in New York. In hindsight, I should have waited and invest in a better one.On a side note: I also used an inferior Super Takumar 28mm lens that didn't have any filters on. All my footage/shots came out very clean without the above issues.My advice to anyone out there, spend a little bit more and invest in a multi-coated one.
Perfect for protection my lens.  I already broke this one when the camera fell on the floor.  the filter broke but it saved the camera lens from breaking.
this tiffen 77mm does the job. protects my 24-70 lens and so far no complaints. ive had it for about 3 weeks now and it has not given me any negative dissapointment but one.I was trying to clean in between my camera lens and the tiffen uv filter but the uv filter is stuck now (i probably tightened it too much).other than that. go for it. its worth every penny. protect your expensive lens.
What can I say. This is Avery good way to protect your canon lens from dirt and sand while enhancing your photo quality
This filter fits well and very clear. I think I should've bought another one to protect my other lense, so I do not have to change every time.
This is a very cheap piece of glass and to top it I got a copy that is loose with no foam pad & folded catalog in the case. I think I got a returned item. Add $10 more and get a better filter.
Must have filter for the lens.Not only blocks UV light making photos better but it protects thelens from scratching and from damage when droppedBelieve me i went through that ordeal
I purchased the 40.5mm version for my Alpha NEX-3N with 16-50mm Lens. It easily screwed into the lens and I love the feeling that my lens is protected. The only caveat is that I am definitely aware of the green flare that pops up in some of my pictures, especially when shooting at a hard light source, which is a bit annoying. However, I really bought this filter for protection and it's easy removable if I don't want to compromise my shots.
Fits Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens and Zeikos ZE-LH52 52mm Soft Rubber Lens Hood (Black) very well.  Product as described.
What can you really say about it? It's a chunk of clear glass you use to protect your expensive lens.
I have always used lens filters to protect my lens on my SLR's, even pre-digital days.  It is much better to accidently scratch these or nick these then your actual lens.  Once the digital age rolled around I made sure to always have one of these on my DSLR lens.  For $10 or less it is a great protector of that lens (even if it is just the 18-55MM that came with your camera).  I always reccommend that someone get one of these whenever they move into the DSLR's.
A great protector for the camera lens. Use this filter for all of my lenses.
Needed to protect my lens at dirt track races, this did the job and the photos are great. Quick shipper as well! Thanks
I love that this protects my expensive lens. Best insurance you can buy for the price! Fits well, does the job
I've used Tiffen brand lens filters for years and never had a problem with them. It's not the only brand I've used, but one of the brand names I trust. I just bought this 77mm UV protection filter for a new lens. It fastened on smoothly and securely and I found no obvious defects. (I didn't put it under a magnifying glass to seek imperfections, but did hold it up to the light for a good look, with my reading glasses on.)
I was initially excited about this UV filter for my 28-105 Canon L lens. It's metal and came in a nice box. But the glass part feels cheap and produces glare and artifacts in low light conditions. No other UV filter has done that. Currently seeking a new one.
I bot this filter to protect my 28MM 1.8 Lens.  Well worth it.  Nuff said.  You won't be disappointed.  I would recommend this to a friend.
With this price its really good to buy and protect your lens. I have not seen any glares or any other problems with my pictures i use it all the time.
I know there are pro and anti UV filter camps out there. I'm just going to say this, protecting the front element is an excellent idea! Taking shots through this filter (whatever size Tiffen) is a fairly horrible idea.I did 2 simple tests, one at a fairly close distance indoors with decent light and the other outside in daylight. Both tests showed a great loss in detail shooting through the Tiffen and very little if any loss at all when shot through a B&W; vs no filter at all. I also tested a UV Heliopan filter on the same 100mm L Macro lens, the results were excellent!Would I recommend a Tiffen filter for front element protection, of course. Would I recommend taking pictures through a Tiffen UV filter, no way.
Tiffen makes excellent quality filters. Just bought this to protect my new Nikon 50mm f1.4 lens.  No shortcomings when you buy quality optics.
I have bought 2 of these now at 2 different times and always packaged well and at my home in a couple of days.  Great company and great service
I bought this for a friend. They said that it was really great and it was worth the money. Great product
It's works to serve it's purpose. This is good to protect your camera's expensive lens at a very cheap price.. Better to scratch a $5.00 lens cover that a $1000.00 lens.
This protector has been great for me. I liked it a lot. Thank you for providing such a cool product.
I'll be honest, I don't know too much about UV filters, and I get them mainly to protect my main lens.  I sometimes have to take this filter off when shooting lights because of the reflections, but otherwise it's great for most shooting.
This is like the 3rd filter that I have bought from Tiffen.  It's screws on easy to my lenses and I have still not seen any scratches at all.
Hey, 77mm UV protection filters are expensive.  For a good one, you will pay for a good filter what most people pay now for digital point and shoot cameras.  When I first saw the prices for a Nikon 77mm UV filter, I almost fell over, so I bought this.  This lens absolutely fits the lens and for the most part is fine.  However, I later purchased the Nikon 77mm UV lens and held them up to the light against each other and THAt is where you will see the difference.  Clearly, you get what you pay for.  The Nikon UV filter was absolutely clear and didn't provide the &#34;ghosting&#34; that you might get in some shots with the Tiffen.  This UV protection does the job, I have it, and I am glad I have it as a back up, but ...especially in photography, you get what you pay for.
I dropped my camera on the floor during a trip and my heart sank expecting the worse... When I picked it up, I realized this protector was completely shattered but my Nikon lens was intact! I swear, there wasn't one single scratch on it! Not sure if it was pure luck, but I was so glad I had this on my camera and will continue to use this product on all my lenses. Also, unlike some reviewers, I never got any strange glare w/ this, it never affected my photos in any bad way. It's super easy to clean, sturdy and my pics were always great! My advice is to keep yours on ALL the time -- it's worth not only for the UV factor but to create an extra shield on expensive lenses.
from the 'sun' and your carelessness&#34; - which is what my lenses were saying before I ordered this and other UV Protectors from this vendor. Its purpose is well served and I am happy to have made this purchase.
Filters are crucial to a photographer's gear. Not a lot to say about this filter other than the price was great and it protects my lenses perfectly.
This is a quality filter at a reasonable price. Worth the price of the filter just to protect your lens.
These are for sale at my local big box store for 3x the price I paid. To be honest, I would have been equally as pleased paying that as the quality of this filter is great.
Nice protective filter. I have had no issues with it. Definitely heips keep my pricey lens from scratches and dings.
I bought this to replace a Canon UV filter that rolled down a mountain. Yesterday I was at Lake Louise taking pictures outside of beautiful scenery only to find that this Tiffen filter created a problem where there were reflections of the lens and adapter for the filter on my pictures!!! The reflection problem was sometimes just an extra smudge on the bottom-- but very obvious and pretty bad. It was worst in very bright conditions. I am going to order the Canon filter again. The problem was not that I had any condensation or smudges on my filter, because I had cleaned it off that morning.Given that most of my pictures are with lots of light/ outside, this is useless to me and I regret bringing it with me. I will finish this trip out without this filter.
Nice filter, just what I need to protect my old film lens. Price was right and it works very well.
Bought it to protect the lens on my Fuji X100.  It does the job, and I thought the price was good.
No complaints on this one.  Does a great job on atmospheric haze and protects the front element of my lens.  Exactly what I needed.
These is a great filter. It does product the lens totally. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for everything.
Received FAST and in EXCELLENT condition, and arrived in its own protective storage box.  I was worried that it might not fit my older lens (1985-1986 Nikkor AIS f1.8 lens).  I sent and email to the seller, they checked and said it would fit.  They were correct; it fits perfectly.  In addition, being an artist who does not compromise his work by buying products from slave-trade (non-fair-trade) suppliers -- I appreciate the fact that the UV filter was made in the USA.  Great job seller -- I'm very happy with your products.
Ordered a couple of new lens and use this filter to protect the lens. With the way modern lens are made a UV filter really isn't needed so I pop this on so the lens doesn't get scratched.
Better have it to protect your lens. If you want clearer picture against sun, remove the filter. Other than such situation, no problem with it.
A UV lens protects my lens....only reason I use one.  This is good quality at good price.  Fit my lens well
This is an exceptional value for a UV filter. Excellent quality that is only found in more expensive filters.
got a good Canon lens with IS and just trying to protect it...  nothing special about this filter.  that said, I've always had good results with Tiffen products!
this filter protector is very helpful item in my photography, thank to iT my lenses are easier to protect, easily mounts on lens it came with nice strong packaging and definitely it is great item
I bought this filter to protect the front end of my lens from scratches (better it scratch the $7 filter than the $400 lens). It went on to the lens easily, and hasn't come off on it's own yet (I leave it on all the time as a protective layer). The only issue I've had is that the lens cover doesn't seem to attach as readily to this as to the lens itself, though that hasn't caused a problem yet.
This product does what it's suppose to, protect your lens!  I didn't notice any difference in the photos which is a good thing.  This is an easy choice and cheap purchase for great protection.  Also, Tiffen makes quality products
It doesn't fit my camera,  I wrote to you.  You said to keep it and you would refund my money, which I have not see either asyet.Can you shine any light on this matter for me?  Thank you.
It's is just a protection for your lens ... not more then that... better buy another filter that useful for outdoor taking picture.Not recommend
Filter is ok for use in protecting the camera lens.  Ordered a much higher quality UV Haze filter from B&H via Amazon to replace the Tiffen.  Of course the new filter was much more expensive.
Do you want to replace your lens or just a filter.  A must have.
Helps to keep dirt off the lens and protects from fingerprints, a simple way to save your lens on the cheap
perfect accessory for your lens. the screen is very clear and has no color what so ever. installation was easy and the threading was perfect for my 18-55 lens for my canon t2i.
Cheap and works, does not take any quality away from pictures, it is a little big though. You cannot use this and another filter, or you will get some vignetting.
I just use this mainly for protection I have a 1yr old girl that loves to touch my lens and this makes it easy for me to clean and add extra protection against scratch... O yeah it helps with glair also
Decent quality, UV filter.  Not necessary on a digital camera like my Olympus E-PL1, but as any experienced photographer knows, the protection value is the biggest value.  Definitely worth the money.  It does detract slightly from the aesthetic lines of the 14-42mm kit lens, well, TF bad.
Great price for an excellent product.  Tiffen products are top notch and always a good investment.  Will buy from again.
Its a good filter. Period. Not much to say about it. I will probably buy more soon for my other lenses.
While this filter is priced in the basement...its durability is solid and the images I get with these filters on my lens are crystal.  Why pay $150 for a UV filter.  Buy this one and pick up a spare 50mm 1.8.
Nothing to say here...  It's a filter and a filter is a filter...  It keeps the dust and fingerprints off the lens glass and protects from unwanted flying objects.  It's a filter, ya know ??  If you use one (which many do not due to I. Q. )  then it's good for the price.
Arrived on time and its the right diameter. No defects, doesn't detract from the image quality, what more do you say about a UV filter?
works fine on my d5100 kit lens. It fit good and the lens cap goes right on it without any problems.
I purchased this filter with the sole purpose of keeping my lens clear of scratches, knowing that if a scratch does occur, I can replace the filter for less than $10 rater than replacing a $180 lens. Once I added the filter, however, I noticed that my outdoor pictures seemed much crisper and clearer than before. This is a great deal for the price.
These are cheap enough to use as protection for your camera lens!  You should invest in one, it's worth it!
Not much to say other than this product protects the lense on my new Panasonic Camera ZMC-28.....Fit perfect and has threads for addition add ons....
Took a tumble during a shoot and the front corner of lens took a blow but held up.  The UV Filter cracked but is cheap compared to replacing the lens.
Happy with Amazons ability to make suggestions by knowing my previous purchases.  It makes some purchases so much easier.. This is an example of that!  Thanks Amazon!
Bought for a trip to Alaska for use on an all in one lens.  Saved lens from salt spray and rain throughout, and I would much rather clean the cover than the lens.  Shipped fast!
You need a UV filter in front of your lens.  Simple as that.  Tiffen is quality.
Tiffen makes amazingly clear lenses, and when I'm shooting outside I wouldn't go without one.  This UV Filter is crystal clear and attaches easily to my Sigma 24-70 lens.
I have purchased Tiffen for over 10 years and never had any problems. Protects lenses and cameras very well. They don't unscrew easily by themselves so you have security. If you want to unscrew the filter, it is very easy as well. Affordable and convenient.
We bought this filter to protect the main lens on our new camcorder. Filter keeps dirt and dust off the expensive main lens while not altering captured video. A must for any camera user.
Truthfully, would you rather buy a news lens for several hundreds of dollars, or another UV filter for less than $20?
This filter came free with my lens purchase and so far has worked well. No problems with my pictures. The sharpness is great and there were no imperfections in the filter that would cause problems. I used it for taking photos of waterfalls and the beach and it worked well to protect the lens from spray. A good all around lens protector.
I'm sure this Tiffen 30.5MM UV Protector Filter is a perfectly good piece of equipment. *In the description of the camera that I purchased it read there wasn't a protective filter provided. In AMAZON'S accessory list of things I may want to purchase with this camera was this filter. ONLY THING IS AMAZON HAD THE WRONG SIZE LISTED THAT I ORDERED! The camera bag and extra memory were just fine. Returning the filter would've taken more energy and time than I wanted to put in for the $ I would've received back. So the camera wasn't as good a deal as I thought. (Still a good deal, though).
My experience with Tiffen has been mixed. Tiffen used to make quality filters, but since it was bought a few years ago by an outfit called Topspin they started cutting corners and quit multi-coating their filters, so like this UV filter, they will cause ghosting & reflections on your pictures. They protect your lens OK, but if your pix turn out bad, what's the point?
I bought this several years ago when I was new to photography and was treating every piece of equipment like a baby.  I bought this because it was the cheapest UV filter money could buy, and it served its purpose for a while.  Eventually though, I came to the conclusion that cheap filters such as this only detract from your photography.  Sure, it physically protects the lens, but it adds artifacts, additional glare, etc.  In the end, I decided not to shoot with filters anymore.  If you are into landscape photography, I would recommend a polarizing filter..
This is very easy to put on a lens.  It is quite clear, but might need a once over with a micro fiber cloth (a little styrofoam was on mine).It comes in a solid plastic case, which can double as a cheapo carrying case (just because it can doesn't mean it looks good, carrying it like that).I'm just using it to protect my lens from any damage or smudges and it works really well for that.
For the price I pay, this filter services the purpose.  This filter does not affect the image quality of my shots.  It is on my lens all the time for protection.  Now I don't have to take off and put back on my lens cap during a shooting session.
Filter performs well.  I can't detect any image deterioration.  Costs much less than some competitors.  I'm happy with the purchase.
Got it at a good price and it does exactly as it is supposed to and this protect the lens glass.  Did not have any imperfections at all and was shipped as requested.
Took a few photos with this and the UV protection offered was ok but not for landscape pictures. Took pictures of Red Rock mountain in Vegas and as my guru photo buddy told me, this was not sufficient enough.Overall fitment and size is spot on.  But for noobs to photography like me, I wouldn't even have known it was the UV filter but the actual photographer (me!)
Bought another lens and order this filter like I did for my first lens.  GREAT filter and easy to install and you can't even tell its on the lens.  WORTH buying it.  :)
For the price it is not bad. the glass actually moves within the ring when you shake it. None of my pricier filters do that. I have not taken any flash pictures with it to see if there are any reflections.
I am a photographer and purchased this product well over a year ago. I use this item too protect the glass on one of my camera lenses. It works great. if you are looking for a filter too protect your camera glass, I would recommend this product.
It's not the best but I'm perfectly happy with this one. It's not costly and it protects your lens. That's what I wanted.
I have experienced tons of flare in my night shot photos, and this is just too much for me. got this for free with my 55mm f/1.8d so no complain about the price but the quality of this filter is just HORRIBLE. well, it is better than leaving my new lens naked, but as soon as i find a good filter that can protect my lens in all day use, this is gonna get smashed.
Great product; no qualms. Does what it's supposed to - protects my lens while filtering out UV rays. The only thing is it can create a bit of an optical flare when hitting direct light; it can either make for a really cool effect or be a nuissance, but I prefer the rather. Enjoy !
it's always better to have your lens protected, if something bad happens you gotta spend only few bucks to buy a new protection filter, not lens!!! Sun flares are possible to be seen on pictures sometimes.
Got this because my wife started using my camera and gave the lens a small bump. Screws on perfect and lens cover fits fine. I'll get another of these when I get my 50mm f.2 lens as well
Product came pretty fast and it does the job. Its mainly a protection for my lens and the UV protection is minimal but the fit was great, construction of the lens is glass
Needed another article and this item added enough to make the shipping free. Well packaged and defect free.
Once again Tiffen makes great products.. this is a nice added feature to my new cannon camera it was highly recommended from my photography instructor..
I bought this to protect my Canon 50mm F/1.8 II lens. It does that no problem, fits fine and looks ok too. The actual glass of the lens if very far away from this filter, probably a bit less than an inch. This is just cuz of the construction of the lens. It does it's job and it's on there fine. My issue is that I took pictures at night with all the correct setting and it produced a glorious image (being the good lens it is) but I got SEVERAL flares and glares ruining the image! I took the same picture with the same settings and got no glare at all. I will keep it on mainly because it protects my glass, but I don't want to have to take it on and off to protect my images as well....I gave it a bad review because of my lens, IT MIGHT NOT DO THIS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Splurge on a multicoated filter. Don't waste your time with this one. I cannot justify putting this $6 piece of glass in front of a $400 lens. The results are terrible.
How can you go wrong? Tiffen makes a good, reasonably priced product.Sure better than ruining the not so reasonably priced lens below.
I'm going to have to invest in a higher quality UV Filter. I have problems with sun spots showing up on my photographs even with a lens hood in use.
i bought this to use on my Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR camera. and i mainly bought this so that i could use it to protect the lens. the original recommended filter from Fujifilm which is the &#34;Fujifilm Protective Filter PRF-62&#34; cost about $50 and to me that was just insane for a small filter that i only wanted to use to protect the lens. so i started searching amazon and found this for $6. so it fit great on my camera lens and i don't notice any difference in the pictures. but i do feel a heck of a lot better knowing that my lens is protected now. i am so much happier because if my original lens got scratched then i am sol. but this works great and i highly recommend getting this if you are looking for something to protect your camera lens.
Great filter.  Does what it is supposed to do-- protect the front element.  It's not a B+W but it's also much less expensive and gets the job done.
This is my 2nd Tiffen filter. I bought one for my $850 Nikon lens and recently dropped my camera while in the case. The Tiffen filter shattered, but broke the fall and my Nikon lens is totally intact. I just bought another to keep my precious camera safe!
this product does what it says it will do. i have had no problems and would recommend ti to others.
I would recomend it to anyone. helps make my pictures look professional with little work. Do not have to adjust picture before printing.
I get peace of mind from knowing that my lenses have an extra layer of protection. I'd much rather replace the $10 filter than the lenses that cost much more.
As the title states I bought this mainly for the protection of the lens and I installed it right away to prevent and finger prints & dust  from ever getting to the lens glass.
What do you say about a filter. It works, it fits, and it protects my lens.Remember to get a clip hood though...
Purchased these for my Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 and my Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8. They are priced well and do exactly what they are meant to do. Worth the money
I bought this filter for my 28-135 IS canon lens and so far it has worked out great.  Unlike some of the other tiffen filters I bought, this one fits just right on the lens.  All sides are even and it sits flush against the lens.  I haven't noticed any artifacts from pictures I've taken yet, but I haven't really had much of a chance to take many pictures with the lens.  The night shots I've take so far, I've been quite pleased with, however.
This $10 filter saved me $450 (Tamron 18-270mm) when I somehow found the glass cracked when I went to use my camera.  Lens was undamaged.  I ordered another today.  Don't take any chances with your lenses!!
These filters are usually used simply to protect your lens.  I bought this one for my Sony HDR-CX12 and CX7 cameras.  It does the job but beware.  Because of the unique design of the Sony lens with the built in shade you will lose the effect of the shade and this filter can cause some unwanted lens flares.
If you don't care too much about image quality and just to protect your hobby investment this is a good choice.When not to buy? You are unattractive flare when shooting or videographing in the night. It is cheap and it does not reproduce optimal quality of you lens.Durable easy to clean and easy to attach. I can't butcher it, it has it's place in the lens world.
I only buy Tiffen
how do you gain the long term customer is the fast turnaround!the slowest release for shipment ever.not the transient time is slow, but the release by the seller.
Seems to do the job.  No complaints.  Not sure what all the fuss is about, but it has been ok for me.
The rules state that I need to spell out 20 words within this review. The filter really is nice, as expected. If you need a good filter, you may consider this one with confidence!
Even lower priced Zeikos UV filters far outperform in clarity, sharpness and flare reduction. It took 3 Tiffen purchases for me to realize this.
Fell once with my camera and the filter saved the lens!  Filters are cheap, Lenses are expensive! A good safety investment!
Pretty good filter for the price being offered. My criteria was to have the lens protected from dust and wear. Pretty much happy with this filter.
I could not ask more of the Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter. Quality, fit, and finish are first rate. Amazon and its sellers continue to exceed my expectations for value, rapid delivery, and customer service.
I ordered 2 Tiffen 52 mm UV filters for the 2 lenses that came with my Nikon D60.  One filter was fine, the glass in the other filter was loose in the ring.  I immediately returned the defective filter to Amazon and they promptly sent me a new one.  I am pleased with the filters and Amazon's customer service. I just bought 2 Tiffen Photo Essentials scontaining the UV Protector, 812 Warming filet, and Circular Polarizer.  All of these filters appear to be O.K.
It protects the lens. But I still have glare from light sources; I think this filter needs better coating. But hey, it protects the lens.
buena calidad, resistente, producto bien hecho, la caja en el que vino este feltro UV es muy resistente y de buena caliad, no he tenido ninguna clase de queja...excelente producto, muy buena marca. saludos y suerte
I don't have much to say. This product does it's job and it does it well. It fits like a glove and now I'm not so worried about my toddlers touching the lens when I take pictures of them.
I bought this for my Nikon 80~400 tele-zoom.I disappoint with its quality but then I realize this is budget and non-coated filter. However I will stick to 3 star thought it&#8217;s a budget filterIt does good job to protect the front glass of my lens however I prefer to remove during shoot, especially it is highly recommended when you shoot in direct sun or against light.Things that I like&#8230;- It screw on lens smooth, there was no scratch noise when I apply first time nor gives me feeling of damaging lens thread- Build quality is nice and the filter thickness is acceptable, tried mounting to other 24mm lens and did not find any vignetting- The lens transparency is fairly acceptable as I test on bright and dark background- Comes is good quality plastic boxFinally I will suggest to go for NC quoted filter, I will be buying one for myself soon and promise I will drop review here :)
this UV protection filter is great for the camera, because it help protect the lens from getting damage and everything so that was a great deal.
Great lens that I needed to protect my camera.  It came perfectly packaged and was ready to put on the camera.  It fit perfectly!
Nice to know that I can protect on camera lens. Was nice finding what I wanted for my new camera and then getting to use it right away. It shipped real fast and was glad I could use it with in a few days.
I use this filter on my 50 mm prime and it does not add any weight or size to the already small lens.  Works exactly as described and have not had any distortion or deterioration in terms of captured image color/clarity.  Definitely recommended.
I never put a new lens on my camera without protecting it first with an UV filter. The quality of the Tiffen filter is excellent and it does the job.
I dropped my canon digital SLR T3i - yes - it happens ! And it fell on the lens (obviously the heavier part - especially if you have a long zoom lens...)The only thing that broke was this $2 filter - I was so happy. I have one on each of my lenses now...Enough said !
I like the product. Simple works as was described. Bought it with a kit for the lens and cover. Great!
Great filter. Protects the lens from UV, dust, and debris. I have no noticed it to hinder picture quality at all.
This was bought as replacement for the first one I bought. We use it as a protective measure for the lens. It worked perfectly because the first one got scratched. The lens is fine and now we are buying this one to replace the scratched one.
When I bought my new Canon camera I needed a new UV protection filter and Tiffen is a well-known brand. Am totally happy with it.
I found the protective lens was covered with find dusts when I twristed on the 50mm lens. The root cause was there is no wrapping outside of the hard plastic case. As I contacted Amazon customer service,  the options to me were to return-for-refund or to exchange.
I waited a couple years to finally get my protector but so glad that i did because I now have two little toddlers that get their hands on everything. keep your lens clean with this and also protect it from fingerprints and scratches!
Very good
The build of this piece is solid, it shows its of good quality. My main goal for this filter was only to protect the original lens there.so its doing very good for me
I am not one that believes that UV protection is necessary for shooting photography with today's SLRs. I cannot notice a difference in photographs with or w/o this type of filter. They DO, however, protect the lens on the camera from bumps and accidental scratches.. If you are going to use an expensive lens, you want to put a UV filter on to protect the your lens. Tiffen makes a good choice, and I buy one for each lens that I have so they are never unprotected.
I got this filter to go on my Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC. It arrived on June 11 and worked great for a while. About two weeks ago I was doing a shoot and pulled out my Tamron. I took off the lens cap to find the filter was cracked in half. There was no damage to the outer ring, the lens cap had been on, and my camera bag is padded well. I have had no trouble with any other filters I've bought in the past and maybe this one had a defect no one caught. Don't know what happened but now it's in the trash. Hope you have better luck.
You get what you pay for.... if you want quality you may want to consider paying a bit more.
It fits tight and doesn't rattle like other filters I have come across in the past.  Haven't had any issues with it affecting my shots. Good filter for the money.
It really does a good job of  protecting the lens but if shooting at bright contrasting scenes such as Moonshots I'd recommend taking it off due to chromatic abberations.  But for the price and decent daytime shooting its a great filter for the price
I never buy a lens without a good protective UV filter to put on it immediately out of the box.It is threaded on the forward side , so your other stuff ( filters, shades.etc. ) still works on it.Cheap protection for your lens and hey, it's a Tiffen. You can't go wrong.
Others commented on the quality of it.  I'm not sure the threads quite match the camera.  Didn't cost much but didn't work so well....
There is clear reflection of the filter. I keep it only to protect the lens. Do not hope to give any increase of the picture quality.
works as it should so no complains about it.  Just like any filter that goes on a lens.  Great price for it if you need one to protect your lens.
Not the worst way to protect your lens, this uncoated UV filter will keep your front element free of dust and scratches, and it'll protect your filter ring from dings and dents.  It's better than a lens cap because you're always fiddling with those and it seems like they're always on at the exact moment you need to shoot something.  I put one of these on every lens I own, and just leave them there.  Since my SLR uses film instead of a sensor, it also helps with keeping haze off my color film; I haven't noticed this problem when shooting black and white.Some advice: Keep a lens cap in your bag to use for help with long exposures, but otherwise stick with UV filters to protect the front element of your lens.
love how this fits all of my Canon lenses!! It's very easy to switch to whatever lens I will be needing.
This is a quality made UV protection filter. Not only does it protect your camera from the sun but no photographer should be without a UV filter. They not only protect from UV but also prevent lens breakage. If your lens was accidently hit by an object the UV filter would likely prevent your expensive lens from being broken. It is much cheaper to break a UV filter than your camera lens.
a UV protection lens filter that works great.  Packaged in original packaging, shipped very quickly.  I would definitely recommend it for anyone.
It's designed and made for duable use. It's very close to the orginal lens and functions as a good protector. Once I neglect the sandy floor at a school playground and the sand broke my filter, but my lens was protected.
This is a small piece of equipment but it is really important to have on many occasions for taking the best photos.
1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars  1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars  1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars
This is the company to go with when buying filters. USA made at a great price. i'll be getting more as needed.
Make sure you know the exact measurement of your lens before ordering a filter, they are not all exactly identical.
I have Canon Rebel EOS T3 and i love this UV Filter!I will get 2 more and anytime I ever need anything for my cameraagain-I will get it from you!!MADE IN USA--that is why!Thank you!Kimi Smith
Don't buy cheap UV filters. I did, for the same reasons you're looking at this (&#34;oh it'll protect the lens at least!&#34;). Useless when it flares everything you point it at. The flare doesn't look good, either. Don't bother. You'll just find yourself making your current lenses look amateur.
It's like wearing safety goggles...for your camera.I had one of these and was filming some welding.  Needless to say a spark flew right into the lens.  No worries...unscrew the old and screw in the new.  $5 instead of $500 for a new camera.The clarity is good for HD (1080) video but might not be enough for some crazy high resolution stills.  I can't tell its there in video but can't speak for it's use on a high res DSLR.  I'd suspect you may want to look at a higher quality filter.  But for 1080 video - you can't beat the protection for the price.
I bought this filter to protect my wife's Lumix FZ35. I have one on my Nikon D80, also. It's an inexpensive way to add another layer of protection for the expensive camera lens. Filter quality is excellent. I recommend buying this filter.
I have been using Tiffen filters for over 30 years. They are optically perfect and cost substantially less than Nikon or Canon brands.
This filter mounted on the lens nicely and the mating appeared perfect.  The lens cap snaps easily into the grooves provided.
Price was right and it did fit my Nikon.  I've not taken any pics yet so I'll have to pass on the rest.
combined with other items made for slow shipping, works no moving parts, just needed proper camera model and type, period
Using this filter to protect my t2i lens kit. Fitted on my lens kit lens, and it is working fine !That is all.
As a UV Protection Filter and just as a filter to protect the lens of the camera it is very much what it said it would do.  Keeps the dust and scratches off the 49mm lens.  Good price and it does not stick on the lens (removes easily).....
Transaction was great and on time.  This filter was purchased as a protective cover for the lens on a new Canon camera.  I immediately installed it and it will stay on the lens until I wish to change to a different filter.  Tiffen workmanship is excellent.
Simple lens doesn't appear like much (looking through it with the naked eye, you can't tell that it's doing anything at all). At worst, it protects expensive lenses from scratches. At best, it limits UV light from the camera. Excellent value, and I'm happy with the purchase.
Este dispositivo cumple su funci&oacute;n al 100%... solamente protege el lente de tu c&aacute;mara. Es preferible que se da&ntilde;e &eacute;l a que se da&ntilde;e el lente.Recomendaci&oacute;n: procura mantenerlo siempre limpio, sin huellas o cosas por el estilo ya que tu c&aacute;mara se puede perder en modo AutoFocus.Es protecci&oacute;n a bajo costo...
Essentially worthless, while it fits fine and protects the front element, it creates some bizarre optical effects, making it entirely worthless, I wish I had read the negative reviews....
This is a very fine lens filter, though not coated, for protecting your camera lens and for cutting UV haze.  This 46mm (thread size) filter is well-made, well-packaged, and at a great price.  Despite one reviewer's report that it didn't fit the Lumix FMC FZ-28, it actually does fit and fits perfectly well.  It is perfect for the FZ-28 as it goes on the lens itself and not on the shell that goes around the lens.  This leaves all the functions of the camera intact.  One should always equip a good camera with a filter so that there is practically no chance of scratching the orginal lens.  This one does it and at a very good price.
What else can i say, it works. I have a tiffen UV filter on all my lens for protection. So far, all lenses are in perfect condition
It came in a nice small box, well protected inside with bubble wrap. It is a quality-made product. And equivalent item from Frys or Bestbuy could easily cost twice what I paid for.
The filter looks and feels good, except when I got mine. The locking ring wasn't tightened down all the way. I was lightly wiping the lens and I heard a slight ripping/tearing sound and the glass lens can rattle inside the the frame. At first I thought it was glued down and I had ripped the glue off. I took a closer look and saw that you can tighten down the locking ring by using a small flathead and turning the ring with one of the 2 notches along the ring. After that, it was sturdy and no more problems.The outside of the ring is threaded to allow use of multiple filters or lens.
this is an excellent product it helps keep dirt an scratches from your actual camera lens an it help keep sunlight glare from messing with the picture
the metal ring is thicker than pictured . install it before the lens change the looking of the camera. optical quality is so so.
excellent product.  It does exactly what i purchased it for.  Good quality. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a good UV filter.
The price was good on this, which is why I bought it.  I have had it for a while and use it a lot.  The glass has become loose over time so I will probably replace it at some point.
This is pretty simple.  If you are a new DSLR shooter as I am, you'll learn that lenses are very expensive.  This is simple to screw onto any of my Nikkor lenses for my D40.  The UV protection is also nice for outdoor shots, reducing glare, etc.  I've already been really glad I had this attached to my lens as my camera was sitting in my car's passenger seat and I had to take a sharp corner...saved the lens, and I've only had the thing 2 weeks. Lesson learned, zip your camera back up in it's case before driving around town.
Seems to be fine, I haven't had an flare action from this lens protector.  So I seems fine.  Lighter weight than a B&W I purchased separately.
Another cheap Tiffen filter with acceptable quality. Good enough for lens protection. I bought it for Nikkor 70-300 VR. I will definitely not like it for Nikkor 18-70. And I really don't like how its low quality mark painting on the ring, though it doesn't matter much.
This addition to your lenses will save you lots of grief - simply as a lens protector, but it also staves off sun glare very nicely.
Does its job of protecting the lens, isn't as nice as the Hoya HMC but what do you want its half the price
I bought this clear glass filter to protect the lens. You should look into other type of filters for other purpose, like polarized filter.
Very affordable and does its job. Works with both my Nikkor lenses. Will recommend to anyone that has reasonably good lenses - please check the lens diameter before you buy.
I use this with my Tamron 15-200mm lens. It does its job, but when you are taking pictures of sunsets or w/e there is a reflection problem. Still really nice product. would reeccommend for you to buy.
i liked the B+W betterglass is not as clear as B+Wlooked cheap as it is price but if you just want to protect the lense and have another lense in the same focal lense it would be better to get a cheaper one for a second lense rather than buying x2 expenseive ones
This isn't the first Tiffen filter I buy, and won't be the last. These filters have good build quality and not much flare (at least not that I noticed). They told me when I first got into photography that I should always have a UV filter on my lenses, and these filters are great for that!
Actually, I bought it for a protection of my lens.  I think it should be good and worthy to owning it for your expensive lens.
I love it so far, but do not have the string to hold it them I will lose it again, now I have to buy another one(s), hard decision for me.
I bought this filter from amazon and they have great customer service! I thought the filter was the wrong size so I contacted them and was immediately sent a replacement.Now, it turns out it was technically the right size, but, horribleness occurred with his filter. As a freelance photographer for my town's newspaper, I am frequently shooting events and have damaged a lot of equipment doing so. I picked this filter because I thought it would protect the glass on my lens (which it should).I took this filter attached to my gear about two weeks after I bought it and went to work. Within five minutes, it fell off the front of my lens. Thinking I hadn't screwed it on tight enough, I reattached it and went on my way. Not two minutes later, it fell off again. Needless to say, this went on for the entire three hour assignment.The truth it, it sort of screws on, then just pops right off within just a few minutes of movement. Bummer.
It was my stupid idea to pair this with my newly purchased Fujinon XF35mm 1.4 lens. The only reason I bought this filter is it's cheap and review seems good, and I don't use my XF35mm frequently at this moment. (I had a B+W on the 16-50mm, because I use that more.) So I just need an extra glass to cover the glorious lens.The moment I received this filter, I can see some scratch on the edge of metal ring. Well, $5..., cannot complain that too much. The glass itself looks OK, but the boundary of the glass looks cheap and almost broken. It's like a chain of prisms, which can reflect busy lights. Bad sign...Put on the filter, took a few images. DISASTER!!! EVEN MILDEST LIGHTSOURCE CREATE HUGE ghost iamge. Think about lamp, or street light. You will ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA COPY OF ANY LIGHTSOURCE. TOTALLY USELESS.I have put it off my lovely 35mm lens. I would like to immediately call Amazon to get my refund. Even a waste of money for $5.Get a B+W or Hoya. Spend your $5 for a burger!
Two problems with this UV filter. (1) The glass is loose. If you hold the filter ring and shake slightly, you'll hear a clicking sound. (2) There is a scratch in the black ring, showing silver colored inside material.
This filter is a very affordable means of protecting the lenses that we all spend lots of money on !
I have used Tiffen filters for years. They have lasted the test of time and are well made. Image sharpness quality is unaffected by the filter and a UV filter is a must to protect the front element of your lens from dirt, dust and fingerprints. I put one on every lens I have, you could too.
Mainly used to protect lenses from scratches, dust. Tiffen has been around forever. I would not doubt on their quality filters. Stay away from cheap 2 to 3 dollars filter from ebay.
Let's face it... poor choice on my end. Why put a sub-$10 filter on a $1,000 lens? The image quality, overall sharpness, purple fringe, light detraction and light artifacts were all compromised with this filter. My guess is this is due to it not being multi-coated. If you are looking for protection only, this will do, but if don't want to compromise quality of your shots, I would not recommend this filter for you.
szybka dostawa do domu 2 dni ta cena jest zajebista za sam protektorlatwo sie go utrzymuje w czystosci polecam  PL.
It's perfect wrapped.When I opened it,I was suprised for it's good quality too.This UV protection filter is fit for my CANON 50-1.4 camera lens.
well i ordered one but got two, of course i got charged for both, but still i kept the second one for my sigma 10-20.you need one of these  simple as that, protect your gear ..... and it's cheap :)
I purchased this item to go with my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8It works exactly as it should.  I haven't used it much, but i mainly bought it to protect the lens.
Exactly what I needed- these are good quality and do what they're supposed to do. No quality control issues here. Work great!
This uv filter is a must for protection of any good lens. My friend had one on his lens and the filter broke but the lens was flaw less!
It does what it's supposed to go with no problems -- clear glass, threads nicely, protects the lens.  I've always had good luck with Tiffen filters.  Can't beat the price on this one.
I got this Tiffen 52mm filter free because I had bought a Nikon 35mm lens. At first I thought this should be an awesome filter because it is made by a good company I heard about before, but there is reflection and flare in your picture when you take them. So, I decided to buy a different filter. I ended buying the sigma dg multi-coated filter. Just looking at the filter you can tell the difference in quality. When putting your finger in front of the sigma lens you can't even see the lens at all, but do the same thing in front of the Tiffen filter and the lens is very noticeable. I would recommend getting the Sigma filter. It only cost like $10 more for something of WAY higher quality in build, performance and size.PS. The metal edge of the lens even came a little scratched up, which wasn't the case with the Sigma
One of the filters came in white paper wrapping, the other one in plastic bag + the carry bag that you can see on the picture.works well.
There isn't much to say about something as simple as a filter. These fit together and work together well and the polarized filter eliminates almost all glare.
Arrived before the estimated arrival date. There is a pouch included as well. Both the filters work great.No problems so far.
The only trouble I see is that the temperature of an image changes quite a bit when you rotate the polarizer. In general, it tends to make pictures quite a bit warmer (I would say you need around 500k correction and some fine tuning).
The Tiffen Filters are a great addition to your photography digital SLR accessories. The results are impressive and enhance any amateur or professional photographers work. Enjoy!
What's not to love? Tiffin makes great filters and I needed a little protection on my 70 - 200mm 2.8 PLUS I received a pouch to store the filters in. Delivery was great...maybe all of two days....and the price was as good as or better than most.
Excellent quality Tiffen polarizing filter after disassembling and cleaning the dust between lenses.  UV filter has good quality and uniformly coated.  Today it seems that no one has heard that a laminar flow hood should be used to assemble or repair lenses to keep them clean until packaged.
Had to send them back - VERY disappointed. The polarization of the circular polarizer was okay - but as you dialed the polarization down, a warm tone seeped into the image. So you either had cool (temp) polarized image, or a non-polarized, warm image. I could only handle it for about 30 mins before I went back inside and removed the filters and put it back in the box. Didn't even try the UV filter.
Tiffen Filters are good quality and will suffice in most cases. There was a great deal on this twin pack.
Apparently I am spoiled on Hoya filters... those are cheaper and not as good. They get dirty very easy and somehow dust came between them on some occasion. Will buy Hoya next time
filters are fine.  they came as advertised and were clean and work effectively.  No great shakes but tiffen quality is fine and worth buying.
Very satisfied with this purchase.  It does exactly as expected.  Am using them all the time now and confident I will be taking better pics with these attached to my lenses.  Thank you.
I was purchasing a T2i and needed a set of basic filters for the 28-135mm zoom lens I was purchasing. These lenses offered the best value I could find. I leave the UV filter on all the time as a lens protector and add the polarizer when necessary. Both feel well made and do not appear to distort the images.
When I bought my first SLR, a Pentax MX, the salesman pulled out a Tiffen UV filter and screwed it onto the lens.  "Always keep a filter on there, and and always make it a Tiffen," he told me. "It's the best filter out there."Nearly 40 years and some 50 lenses later, I've followed that advice and never been unhappy.  Oh, I've tried other brands, including some well regarded and much pricier brands, but I've always come back to Tiffen.This two pack came well packaged, with both filters in perfect condition both to my initial visual inspection and my later quick pic test (same shot, with and without a filter, unaltered by software, and printed one after the other).When my son asked me why they only gave me one carrying pouch, I told him what the salesman told me all those years ago; always keep a UV filter on the lens, and protect the lens.  Since one of the two is always on the lens, the you only need one pouch for the other.For me, there are only three things about the filter I really care about: is it well made, and will it last, does it thread on smoothly and remove easily, and most importantly, does it absolutely not detract from image quality.  these two filters deliver on my three criteria, and I will continue to buy Tiffen for all my future lenses.
Delivers what is promissed. I am not a professional, but have som experience... Not your tech fanatic, but focused on results and for that this is a good product.
Filter quality seems to be  very good. What seems curious to me is the fact that there is a nice padded case that you can place ONE of the filters in while not in use. I am familiar with filters of this type that often have small hard plastic (cheap) cases but they have one for each filter.This is the first time I have encountered  two filters delivered with a case that only holds one at a time.Other then the curious case situation, the optical quality and build of the filters seems to be what one should expect.
these are great, the polarized one is great when the sun is harsh, just keep your comfortable settings and it pretty much equalizes the hard light, i used it shooting Atlanta Caribbean Carnival in straight sunlight most of day with bright colours and it did the trick, heckuva test run and it prevailed! good product for the $$$ go to your local photography supply and you'll tack on an extra ten bucks for probably just one of them.
After reading good and bad reviews, I decided to order a set on a gamble I guess. Well, I took some Fall pictures with the polarizer and am happy with the results.My copy seems to be fairly tight and easy to adjust. I use this filter with my Tamron AF 17-35mm F/2.8-4 lens and have no problems that others have mentioned.I do Wish I could have purchased the Polarizer seperate as I hardly use a UV Haze filter. Haven't used any filter for lens protection for 30 years, and all my lenses are in perfect condition. I kinda like the haze in some landscapes. I may attach one when taking very long shots to cut through some of the haze.Again, if you need a 77mm Polarizer, this one will fill your needs and it's rather inexpensive.
If I were to purchase a filter again I don't think I would go for this set.  Not as happy with it as other filters I have.  Not as crisp and amazing as I was hoping.  I'm not a professional but this one didn't really wow me.
I bought theTiffen 77mm Photo Twin Pack Polarizer And UV Protective Filterjust to have something to cover the front element of my lens.My reviews are not full of tech terms and percentages. I don't tell you how many lumens it took before image quality broke down. If that's what you are looking for, I would suggest [...]. I try to write it in terms that anyone can understand. My test criteria was simply: put the filter on the lens; point it at a dark scene; pan towards the sun. When I noticed flare or ghosting, I quit.The UV filter. You get what you pay for, and this is no exception. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a high quality filter. But it is a good filter, especially when you consider what you paid for it. I seem to get more flare and am a bit more prone to ghosting with the filter in place, than without it. However, pointed away from any bright, contrasty, source of light, it does it's job, and does it good. I keep it parked under my lens cap, and use it most of the time while I'm shooting for fun. I take it off when I need to be sure of the shot.The CPL (Circular Polarizer). Again, you get what you pay for. But this time you get a little more. While not a professional filter, it does a darn good job. Fantastic for the price. It does tend to add to the flare and ghost factor, but keep in mind, this filter only works at right angles to the sun. So that should take care of the flare and ghosting issue.On the down side of the CPL. It may be just this filter that I have, but it seems a little difficult to get started on the lens. And it does not take many turns to seat (about 1.5). This makes me a little nervous about dropping it, or it falling off. Again, this could be my lens. Secondly, it's rotation is rather stiff. In fact, I have unscrewed it while trying to adjust it. Lastly, it tends to make the sky a bit too dark, or blue for my liking. But that could be just my taste, and is easily avoided by paying attention when I adjust (rotate) it.All in all, very good value. If you are looking for bang for the buck, this is it. If flare and ghosting matter to you, save your money and go for the professional line of filters offered by Tiffen.
I'm happy with these filters. Affordable price and great way to protect the lens.The pictures look great and I have no complaints
Tiffen Without A Doubt Makes The Best Round Filters Out There...But They're Also The Most [costly]...This Kit Provides A Solution For That Dilema...A Circular Polarizer Would Normally Cost About.., And For ..More, You Can Get An 812 (Warming Filter), And A UV Protector - With A Pouch...WOW...Every Camera Should Have A UV Filter - Even Just For Protection...Polarizers Are Pertty Handy Outdoors - To Bring Down Glare, And Add That Extra Burst Of Colour...And Warming Filters Are Great For Portraits...With This Kit, You Can't Go Wrong...Will Fit Any 62mmWide Lense...
I purchased this basic filter kit for my Panasonio FZ-28 camera.  They arerrived quickly in a nice case - could not have been easier.  These filters seem very nice and have added to the color qulaity of the pictures I have taken.
Read carefully. This package includes these three filters.Light balancing / neutral density / UV protectionThe Polarizing filter is extra.
I purchased these filter for a simple Nikon 50mm lens. Advertised is that the kit includes UV protector, Neutral density 0.6 and FL-D filter, which is true, but the box says it includes circular polarized filter which is not.The case is horrible and arrived in bad conditions, filter were full of dust and the FL-D filter came with a very big fungus that can't be removed, because it's inside the glass.I think that this is my last purchase of Tiffen filters. Have many others for my 6 lenses, and I have something to tell about each one. Very bad quality. I'll try B&W; and Hoya next time. Save your money and buy something else.
I ordered a kit that included a circular polarizing filter.  this filter was the main reason for ordering the kit, but it was not included in said kit.  what came in the package was the also advertised UV filter, a fluorescent light filter, and something else that I had absolutely no need for.  I see that I am not the only buyer who has had this same issue.  The worst part of the whole thing is that I was just outside of the 30-day return period when I got back from my trip - during which i had planned to use the polarizer - and Amazon made it seem like they were doing me a huge favor by making the exception to accept the return.  they did not apologize as expected for what was truly an inconvenience.  I will admit that the return was very quick, but amazon partially penalized me in the process because I used accumulated points to cover part of this purchased.  they have not credited this amount nor have they explained when it will appear on my balance and how I am to access this.To sum up, this experience was a hassle.  My advice is that readers purchase the filters individually even if it seems like it is more expensive and check reviews to make sure that there are no false-advertizing issues associated with the product.  This has become a common deal.  I guess that Amazon can't keep up with all of their 3rd party providers.  But perhaps they can provide improved customer service, weed out bad providers, and prevent bad practices.
I purchased this filter pack with high hopes. Granted, it's a low end pack of three filters, so I didn't expect world class optics. What I did expect is that I'd be able to use these filters out of the box without having to clean them. Straight of the box, they were covered in dust, pieces of cardboard, and in some cases even grease and fingerprints. (Literally, you could have used the prints on one of the filters to convict someone)After cleaning, and drying with a very soft, clean cloth, I discovered a number of scratches.I contacted the company via email and a very nice, very polite rep got back to me. WONDERFUL service (which is the only reason this review isn't a 1 star), but unfortunately the second, and then the third replacement they sent me were also filthy and scratched. On the first and second rounds, the black filters actually had multiple dings in the metal, revealing the underlying silver color.The service rep told me each time that he had personally inspected the filters before sending them out. Each time, they've arrived less than expected. The last time around, he promised a nice gift I was sure to like. For a company who makes filters as a primary business, I expected he'd drop me an extra filter or two. Instead he send me a garment bag marked from some photographer's organization. Very strange.I finally gave up after round 3. I'm accepting them. Lesson learned - don't buy Tiffen.
This was a good package of 3 filters.  Don't think you can get these 3 filters for this price in singles.  Worked well and I am happy.
They work the way they're suppose to and they are good quality at a good price.
Camera filters bring a photographer from the world of good to excellent pictures.  I always use the uv filter for protecting one lense, often use the shadow filter to prevent overexposure.  I really enjoyed the warming lense (15 dollars on amazon, not in this group), and use it almost every photo.
Occasionally useful filters for specialized situations. Be sure that each of the three fits your need or select a different kit. Tiffen makes good economy grade filters.
This is a very functional set that all cameras should use.  The three lens set will probably be the most used of any filters.  Great price and delivery.
I am not an avid enough photographer to be able to say one way or the other if these filters are high quality but a friend of mine that is recommended them to me. I trust his judgement. He bought them, so I bought them. And he is more frugal than me, but for good reason. He knows when you need to spend more money fro something and when you don't.Yes, I have used them and yes, I think they make my photos look better. So for me, an amateur, they are worth the money. They are a a little hard to get off and on at first so obviously not NASA grade precision threads but not so bad they are junk. After a couple times they do get easier. Are there better versions? I am sure. Are they worth the extra money to me? No, absolutely not. Not now. Not while I am still learning.I would certainly buy them again knowing all I do know about them, and unless you are pro with the money to burn, you might want to give them a chance. I think you will be surprised.Rob
Great kit filter for the price. Pity that are not more filters tiffen with so good prices.
Out of the box one of filters had a defect of coating. like a underpainted blob.Thanks Amazon for no hassle return.
I use this set with my Olympus E-10 and thus far the results are awesome.... recently my boyfriend and I went for a trip into the mountains and both took a bunch of pictures of animals.... I used these filters and my pictures were perfect! He just used a UV filter with his camera and his came out over exposed on most of his shots due to the bright sun that day.... Great results under a variety of photographic shooting....
everything are of great quality, the pouch and the filters. fit great on my 37mm to 46mm step-up ring.
There's some strong vignetting at 18mm on a Nikon D80 when using the polarized lens, and it only gets worse as you add filters.You can combine filters together via screwing them together.
I'm very pleased with this assortment of filters.  they craftsmanship is superb, and they have been very durable.  This is a highly recommended kit to be picked up.
If you are an amateur photographer and you want to take some nice pictures at a small budget, these are some good filters
Good basic set of inexpensive filters.  Nice case.  Great for a beginner/starting set.  If you're willing to spend more money on filters, getting B+W or Hoya will suit you better.
I have used Tiffen filters in still photography for a number of years now and I've been very satisfiied with thier performance. This kit was offered at a much lower price than the leading on line camera stores.Plus they are made in the USA
Great price for this three filter package that combines some of the most common filter requirements and super service by Amazon.com!
I am an just an amateur photographer, and I have owned these filters for about a year. I have been very very happy with them, although I have to say that the circular polarizer is the only one that I use regularly. You cannot believe how different your landscape pictures will look like with a circular polarizer filter unless you try it. This filter will really change your life (well, picture-wise at least...). If used properly, you will have pictures with incredibly neat colors. The way it will render the blue of a noon sky is unbelievable.I use these filters on my digital camera now, and the only minor drawback is that if you use the digital screen it is often hard to find the correct rotation for the polarizer filter. I mostly use the range-finder, though, and with that the filter is as easy to use as it was with my old film camera.overall, these filters are well worth their price. If you only want to buy one, you should definitely buy the circular polarizer.
The filters were shipped quickly and I received them within 3 days of ordering.  Nice quality.  Would definitely purchase again.
i am so happy with these filters,Tiffen really does great products.For suew  i am going to order from them again.The items are as discribed,and i recommende it for a friend for sure
I initially gave this product a poor review after using for about 2 weeks. At the time I wasnt sufficiently versed in its use together with the Panasonic FZ18 and therefore got some frustrating results. Here is my revised review after using the set for more than 8 months now.This package actually offers great value for the price. I've noted greatly enhanced colour saturation using the polarizer (especially with sunsets and rich hues of blue and orange). The UV filter has also proven effective in reducing the ugly blue glow look under flourescent lighting as well as cutting haze in my shots. While I've used the ND filter on rare ocassions to reduce over-exposure, I have yet to try it on other suggested applications, eg. blurring water movement, but this requires a tripod which I dont have. given the fact that I live in Trinidad where almost everything already has a warm tone, I have never once used the warming filter.If you're using a wide-angle lens then look out for vignetting (darked out edges)on our shots. To my knowledge, this cannot be avoided since the lens will also capture the edges of the filter given the expanse of its angle. You can overcome this by zooming in slightly until the dark edges disappear.Additionally, remember that with the polarizer, you lose a little light so you may need to widen your aperture, slow your speed or adjust your ISO to get the right exposure.Overall, great package, great price.
Tried the UV and Circular Polarizer, great shots.  Have not had an opportunity to use the warm filter, need a lovely model to test it on.
these lenses were decent for the money that you pay. I'm a beginner so i don't have anything profound to say about the filters. The polarizer definitely helps remove glare off of water and reflective objects. Haven't really used the red. I haven't had any problems with scratches or threading problems with any of the filters as some other reviews suggested.
The filters came unscratched and in perfect condition. They have not done much to improve my eye at taking pictures, however, they are doing the job they are supposed to do.
1) i put the polarizing filter on my canon lens and now it will not come off. it's stuck and i have no idea how to get it off, so if anyone knows, please resopnd to my review, because i don't want to ruin my lens that i spent like $600 dollars on.2) the kit came with no instruction manual, just a little book promoting their other filters3) the polarizing filter didn't make the picture look better, i took pictures outside in sunlight. the pictures just looked dull, like if you toned down the brightness on the picture on photoshop. there was no increased contrast. it just made the picture look bad.4) i got the filter and it had smudges on it.
This is a nice deal.You get 3 for a price of one.My set was flawless.
Low quality but great for learning how to use filters.  Not anything you'd want to use long term but acceptable for experimenting.
I did not know what I had been missing on my photos until I installed these filters on my Nikon D-90 and started using them. They make a great difference in the looks and quality of my photos, especially those made outside. The quality if very good and the carrying case was a plus. I plan on ordering additional Tiffen filters.
Love these filters! I would never spend a lot of money of filters for my camera so these are great!
I bought these for a friend getting into photography. The fact that it as a UV filter and polarizer in a kit is perfect for beginner photographers. The coating is what you expect from Tiffen and the circular polarizer rotates very smoothly. Not quite B&W greatness, but very nice for the price.
The filters are great, but the 'circular polarizer' filter causes vignetting in wide angle shooting. The small guide that comes with the lens kit mentions this vignetting -- basically to get you to upgrade to the thinner version of that filter. I just wish Amazon's product description mentioned this downside as well; it's a bit dishonest.Anyways, the two other filters are thinner, and do not cause vignetting. Sweet little filter case too.
The first set of filters I got, one of them had a scratch. Amazon, as usual, was amazing in quickly sending me a replacement even before I returnd the damaged ones.These glasses are fairly scratch friendly, so if you are buying these to keep your lens safe, be ready to buy them more often.
Super filter set!  The UV and the Polarizer are musts.  The 812 Color Warming is fun to use.  Nice combination and handy filter case that accommodates 4 filters.
Very affordable, but that comes with a quality trade-off.  The threads are not the greatest and the "laminated" filters can have slight manufacturing defects.  One of my filters came with a small air trap bubble in it.  Its small and near the outer edge.  Perhaps tiffen would replace, but since it doesn't affect image quality, I am not to worried about it.  If you want a set of filters that you can just throw in your pocket for a walk around then the price is right.  If you are very serious about photography, then I'd look elsewhere.
First time buying filters and I couldn't be happier. Exactly as described and IMHO everyone should get them to protect the lens.
Tiffen Without A Doubt Makes The Best Round Filters Out there...But They're Also The most Expensive...This Kit Provides A Solution For That Dilema...A Circular Polarizer Would Normally Cost About $80, And For Ten Dollars More, You Can Get An 812 (Warming Filter), And A UV Protector - With A Pouch...WOW...Every Camera Should Have A UV Filter - Even Just For Protection...Polarizers Are Pertty Handy Outdoors - To Bring Down Glare, And Add That Extra Burst Of Colour...And Warming Filters Are Great For Portraits...With This Kit, You Can't Go Wrong...Will Fit Any 72mm Wide Lense...
The filters fit my FZ28K perfectly. The UV filter is perfect for protecting the lense, which seems more important since the camera doesn't have interchangeable lenses.The CP filter works well to produce brilliant daylight photos. However, I do get a little bit of vignetting when I use the CP. I'm not stacking filters, so I'm not sure why it's happening. It only occurs right at the corners of the photos. I haven't had any problems just croping the dark corners out.Even with the vignetting, this set is a great budget addition for the FZ28 hobbiest.
the Circular Polarizer filter has very little filtering on reflections on glass, water or the sky, the UV filter I use as a lens protector and the other tinted filter has very little value on enhancement on light. I would not recomment this kit.
Any time Tiffen or Hoya filters are available, you can rest assured they are top quality. Other brands, not so sure
Set that I got came in a somewhat cheap case and has poor anodizing on them. Shiny and seemingly worn in some of the threads. At first I thought they had been used but at closer examination, they were just poorly finished. The circular polarizer does not turn smoothly, again probably due to the poor finish in the threads. I may return them and get something more acceptable, such as Promaster.
I purchased this set after seaching high and low for the best deal. I was about to just go to my local photography store when, low and behold, I found these here at Amazon. You certainly can't complain about the price!! I priced JUST the UV-Haze filter at my local photo shop, and was rather suprised at the price...  JUST FOR IT!! When you considerd that you are ALSO getting a polarizing filter AND, the warming filter, that's when this deal really hits home.So, if you're in the market for a GREAT starter set of filters, I can highly reccomend this set.
This set of basic filters is a must have for every camera bag...even new SLR users will find them easy to use and they will enhance your pictures - without a doubt.
Bought these for my Nikon D200 about 3 months ago. Never having used Tiffen before I took a chance on a recommendation. Vignetting can be an issue for polarizing filters and the vignetting on this one is the worse I've seen. Build quality of all the filters is really not very good. Going to go back to Hoya's which are much better.
Provides me with what I was looking for a quality, inexpensive lens solution for my telephoto lenses. No aberrations or distortions noted.  Nice package of useful lenses.
This filter set was a great deal. The polarizer helps on  sunny days. The UV filter is a necessity for any serious photographer with a nice camera, the 812 is nice for low light conditions.The price is the best thing, as this is a really good deal for 3 essential filters.
Had been looking for filters for the new lens that I bought and found these. they work well and were reasonably priced.
The title says it all. For the price you can't beat this item. It comes with a nice soft folding case with 4 total pouches. Since I keep my UV filter on my lens at all times I have space in the case for my pola, warming filter and two others that I have yet to purchase.
With these filters you pretty much get what you pay for.  They have good solid construction, and offer great protection for the lens.  Threaded in front and hold caps pretty well too, which is a plus.  But, once you start becoming more demanding of quality and move into more "serious" direction, the shortcomings would become more and more evident and very hard to compromise on.  My main issue with these is glare they produce in extreme lighting conditions (night photography or very bright light).  Some vignetting (although not terrible) is also introduced.  For these reasons I never stack them either.I feel that for kit lenses and less expensive ones they do an excellent job hence the 5 star rating with price-benefit ratio in mind.  However, if you're using professional glass or feel that photography is something that you will be sticking to for a while consider doing a bit of research before committing to these.
2 stars  since the polarizing filter was scratched upon receipt.  Didn't notice it until we were out on the water and I attempted to use it.
Kit gives me the flexibility for shooting outdoor and indoor subjects. Very pleased with results.
Filters were just as expected. High enough quality optics for the price, one of the better deals for consumers looking to enjoy the range of photo's they can give you.Great value. Just try to find something comparable without spending a ton more cash.
I was so excited to get this filter set I had to try each out the same day.  At first I didn't understand the idea of a circular polarization filter that spins.  And when I first used it outside my home, it didn't seem to show much difference.  I read the Tiffen booklet that came with the filters and it tells you how the polarization filter works better in certain situations than others.  You also have to be a certain angle from the sun to get the full polarization effect.  But once I got the hang of it after playing with it for a while, I love it.I like how you can spin the filter because sometimes when you have the effect working while you're holding your camera horizontally, when you turn it for a vertical photo, the effect goes away.  You simply turn the filter until you see the effect again, and shoot away.  One time I was taking a photo of a rainbow and went to turn the camera and the rainbow instantly disappeared.  It's kind of fun to play around with this.  You can also add filters on top of this one, but I'm not sure how that may affect the polarization filter.Overall this filter kit is wonderful and worth the cost since it normally costs more than this at a photo store.  I haven't played with the warming filter yet, but the circular polarization lens is my favorite and probably will stay on my lens most of the time.  I use this on my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi with a Sigma telephoto lens.
Although I'm just beginning to use filters for my digital images, I think that the Photo Essential Filter Kit is going to help me a lot and am pleased with them.
Tiffen has been a household name for amateur photographers for many years and I have bought their filters over the years.  The three pack of these filters was a perfect fit for my Nikon D80 and the 2 lenses (I already had a UV filter for one lens so this was for the additional zoom lens).No complaints on filter or the ordering process.
Picked these up for use with my NEX 5N. I use them in a variety of settings and have been very pleased with the results. The carrying case has been very helpful and since I don't have a lot of other filters to fill it up, I keep some spare memory cards in there. I have exposed them to some less than ideal conditions and they haven't scratched or smudged and seem to be of a rugged construction in addition to their great optic quality.
These are good quality filters that work as advertised. I like the warming filter a lot more than I initally thought I would. The price for the kit at the time I bought it was the same as the price as purchasing individually the polarizer (which I really wanted) and the warming filter. In other words, the clear UV filter was a bonus.I did not see any production problem or have any issue with the threads. The only complaint I have was that there was a little styrofoam or dust on each one straight out of the box. This is probably an issue more with my patience than it is with the product. Just clean the filters before you take them out to use them, or bring a reasonable lens cleaner along.The case is more or less useless unless you have a wide camera bag.
Set arrived BEFORE Amazon said it would! And it is peak Xmas shopping time now. Amazon is great.Only complaint is that two of the filters had finger prints on them . . . but at least that meant someone had done QC at Tiffen before shipping them out. Easy to clean.The case they come in is worth half the price.  I store the retaining ring from my Canon S3 in the case when I have the extension tube on with the filter.  The 812 warming filter is also great for overcast rainy days.  For the price, you can't really do better.Oh, and the polarizer filter did work fine when I checked it against my computer monitor.  Thanks to the person that suggested how to check it! Pictures of my Koi are now possible.
Excellent performance, at a reasonable price.  Highly recomend this product.
This is a good basic set of filters.Caution: these filters are NOT coated, so you may get quite a bit of lens flare-up when shooting in direct sun. It gets rather disappointing if you put it on some excellent lens, so I can't give it 5 stars. However, with a hood or hand blocking out the sun, you should be fine. The filters are definitely a great value for the price.
This is a perfect essentials filter kit for the beginner. These filters are must haves for all of your lenses.
Great for the money. I wanted to save a bit after buying the Hoya filters for my prime lenses so I purchased this kit with  handy folding pouch for my zoom lens. Awesome! These are made in the US and very good quality for a budget set.Some of the Tiffen line can be pricey so research to understand what you are buying. I love that they are Made in the U.S.A.Beware of the Chinese version.
Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter KitThis is a great starter filter kit for the 52mm lense which comes with the K-5 body. The indoor flash filter is amazing.
This is a great basic filter kit that everyone should have for their lenses!  The UV filter is a must for protecting your lens.  And let's face it, if you are getting a 77mm filter you paid big bucks for your lens and don't want anything to happen to it.  Replacing filters is cheap, lenses not!  The polarizer is a must for just about everyone too.  You really can't add too many more filters on top of this though because of the threading and impact to your photo.
I needed a polarizer for the 40mm Canon pancake so I figure getting the 3 filters and the pouch would be a great deal. It turned out that the filter works very well, Does Not add any distortion to the pictures as well as the movies. It is worth the money and I would recommend it to anyone.
I have a lens filter tha tis a direct 49mm for my Minolta, & I can only take pix, after extending the lens some. Otherwise, I have the ends of the filter lens in the picture. VERY SAD for a 49 to 49 lens. It ruined some great shots too. Well, not ruined, as in I can't use, but not the full shot either.Just a note about filters, that I have come across. Extend out, & everything is fine. But, can you rember to do that with every shot? Me either.Hope you find this useful, & get some great shots.
Taking pictures on a windy, dusty day can cause scratches to your lenses. Covering them with filters will prevent the damage caused by flying objects. It doesn't hurt that this kit also includes a warming filter to add just a little color enhancement and a polarizing filter to enhance light contrast. Great packaging with a sleeve to hold the filters and velcro closure. Very good value.
What can I say? These are Tiffen filters. They are nice filters. Hard to come by in this size at the local retail camera shops though. They come in a nice handy pouch that makes for easy storage in my camera bag. I got the kit mostly for the UV and Polarizer filters. The 812 is just an added bonus. You can't beat the price if you were to buy individually.
Good value, very useful for anyone with a good cameraI would recommend this product to anyone because it is a good price and basic item
These are a good price for three filters. I tend to use them as original lens protectors, but the colors turned out to be a nice addition to my collection.
Filters are well made, evenly coated, etc. I knock them a star for including an 'UV Filter', which is just an extra piece of glass as far as a modern digital camera is concerned. If they'd have called it a 'lens protector', I'd give them the star back.
I have never been disappointed with Tiffen filter kits. Great filters for a budget minded photographer or for anyone for that matter.
I read the reviews about the Tiffen Photo Essentials Filter Kit. I was hesitant to buy it, but thought let me try my luck. I bought for $38 with regular free super saver shipping and I received it just in 4 days. When I opened the outer box, the inside box looked already opened and does not have any seal to it. I carefully opened the box and it has a marketing booklet and the pouch with the filters. I could clearly see dust on all 3 filters. They do not have finger prints though. So this can be a bad manufacturing/QA or stored in a dusty place (doubt that though as it was in a box and a pouch - box seems clean) or someone used for sometime and returned it. In either case it remains with the manufacturer and the seller to correct the process of how they sell the product. Eventually it is the manufacturer's brand image that is going to be impacted. As someone already pointed out, the filters are highly glossy(even with dirt) and highly reflective.At this point, it is only day 2 since I received the kit and did not get a chance to use them, but I am sure in a couple of weeks, I will have the review with its picture quality, usability and output related review.
I bought these for my husband.  They were a good deal for the price.  He said 4 stars because they haven't made that significant of a difference in the quality of his digital photos.
Looking for a starter set of filters for your new DSLR, then Tiffen's 67mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit fills the bill.  These quality filters introduce you to the possiblities that filters can provide to the new SLR user.
This is top quality workmanship! The carry bag is OK but the filters are excellent. The bag does the job but isn't spectacular. The filters on the other hand are quality. I would only buy Tiffen or the camera manufacturer's filters. Those are much more expensive though. I think the Tiffen's do the job.
I'd recommend this to any serious photographer.  It allows you to control your environment more accurately.  The filters are of high quality.
I purchased this as part of a special offer with a new Nikkor 18-200 VR. I set out to just get a UV filter to protect my new lens but found this package deal and decided to take it. I have to honestly say the filters are not of the best quality. The optical characteristics of the UV filter are substandard. It has very bad glare. The polarizer and the color warming filter also glare but its not as noticeable because they actually alter the appearance of the image.I wound up getting another UV filter (B+W) which is awesome. I give this three stars because you do get a lot for your money and most beginners may not notice or care about the optics. If Tiffen could improve the glare on these filters this would be a great deal. Until then if you have the money I'd get something better (Hoya or B+W)
I bought it because it has 2 of the 3 filters I use mostly, Circular Polarizer & U.V. Protector, and the third filter is thrown in as a bonus along with a nice pouch to keep all three in.Best part is that it's Tiffen, a well-recognized brand, and at a price that was far less than if I went to purchase them separately.
Those filters  met my expectations as described. Works like a charm!The filter case is good and practical to store them
I wondered how these wuld work on a DSLR, as they were standard equipment on my SLR.  New lens size meant new filter size.  I would definitely recommend these to any avid digital photographer.
I received my photo essentials kit in a very timely manner.  The filters came through very well.  One of the reasons I purchased this kit was that they included a filter guide.  I did not receive the filter guide.  I am just a beginner with photography and I really could have used this guide.  Otherwise, everything else was fine.
I've been using Tiffen filters for while and it hasn't disappointed. This filter set contains everything you need to make your pictures have extra pop and saturation. I use the UV filter to protect my lens 24-7 and depending on the situation the circular polarizer and warming filter is also used. I've noticed a significant difference in my pictures and I spend less time on photoshop. If you want to start using filters, this is the set to get.
I am certainly happy I bought this filter kit. For a starting photographer, the price was right, and I have not noticed any quality issues. The UV filter stays on a lens at all times, as it's cheaper to replace the filter, than it is to have a scratched lens element repaired.The light polarizer is very handy, and also works very well, cutting down greatly on glare.I have not yet had the occasion to use the warming filter yet.The filter case is a nice extra, it fits right in my camera bag, and is out of the way untill I need it.
Well these filters do what they are supposed to. They are the standard set. There is nothing exceptional or disapointing about them.
Bought this before going on a 5 week vacation. The polarized filter and the color warming filter were handy in certain scenarios but the UV filter is something that I never take off.
A great set at convenient price. I guess a more expensive product is better, but is good to start experimenting with these ones, they come into a folder that protect the lenses. The Polarizing is good, and the warming is sutil.
Received the items in a well packaged envelope.  They appeared to be new.(some others stated that they looked used).  Each does what it is designed to do.  I think it should be noted that these filters give a modest result, and don't give an exaggerated result.  They enhance the photos and don't change them.  Plus, with the expensive lenses I have, they provide protection from scratches and possible breakage if dropped.
While this filter kit does a fine job with doing the filtration these 3 filters were designed for, you can be guaranteed that when you use them on wide angle and ultra-wide angle lenses you will get vignetting.  Vignetting is the darkened areas around the edges of your photographs.  This is caused because these particular filters have threads in front of the filter glass which partially block the light coming into wide angle lenses when set at their widest setting.  I normally like this type of filter because it allows me to replace the lens cap, thus allowing me to leave the filter on the camera's lens all the time - one of the prime reasons I like the UV lens - lens protection.  The alternative is to purchase an ultra-thin lens which doesn't have the threads on the front, doesn't cause vignetting, but doesn't allow you to replace the lens cap.  So, as you can see there is a trade off.  Do you want to leave the lens on the front when you put the camera away for the moment, but have to remove your filter as well....what a pain at a sporting event or where you need your camera to be ready all the time.  Or, do you want to be able to replace the cap on the front and protect the filter when you put the camera away or replace lenses, but realize you can't shoot at your wide angle lens' widest setting due to vignetting?  Tough choice.  I've done it both ways.  There's no real happy medium....just a choice.
I have always love tiffen and they did good again and did it with out breaking the bank and the quality is of a level that you would pay $100+ for each.
I was only interested with the UV filter, but for the price of all three, why not.  I have found uses for the polarized filter, but I still have to find out on uses of the color warming filter as of yet.  Overall, not a bad set to have.
I am a real believer in expensive lens protection. Filters do this and improve the photos you take. This small starting pack of filters is a good value for both reasons - a no brainer. Don't think about it - BUY IT!
The three filters that come in the kit are a very useful combo. I normally would buy these individually but when I can get all three for not much more than buying one in many stores, I had to jump at the deal.I've been in photography for years, from novice to professional and have used Tiffen filters most of the time. They are good quality and if I should  damage one, oh well. Better it than my lens.
Despite some of the negative comments I've read here concerning the quality of the Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit, I went ahead and ordered it anyway, and am perfectly satisfied with the Kit, in all ways.The item was shipped direct from Adorama; the filters were extremely well packed and arrived swiftly.I use them on my Nikon D40 with the Nikon kit lens (a 18-55mm zoom) and they fit it perfectly and perform even better than I had hoped for...the Circular Polarizer in particular is a delight to use and worth the price of the kit alone. If you've never used a decent polarizer filter before, trust me...it's a fantastic asset to any outdoor photographer's outfit and if you don't use one, you don't know what you're missing.Besides, the use of the filter to remove or greatly minimize glass and water reflections is something that simply cannot be done *properly* in software editing packages.The Tiffen padded carrying case (it came with 3 filters and there is plenty of room for others) is attractive, sturdy, and much better than I had imagined.Tiffen also included an interesting and informative booklet detailing their products for photo and video filters and I am delighted to add it to my collection of reference materials.I heartily recommend the Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit to anyone interested in improving their photographic endeavors!
These are great filters and especially for the price!  I was looking for just one UV filter, and after stumbling upon this set which was not much more than the price of one filter, I bought it.  These are great lenses.  I especially like the polarizing filter, but all 3 are great.definitely a worthy buy!
Tiffen came highly recommended, and I can see why. Less expensive than some filters, I like these because their optics don't seem to affect my pictures, they feel sturdy, and they protect the lens. Exactly what they're supposed to do, for what I believe is a bargain price.
I am not impressed with Tiffen filters I got in this set.  The finish of the rings are poor.  Despite of previously poor reputaion, I recently purchased some 67mm Quantaray filter from the local Ritz Camera store which are of much better quality compared to this set of Tiffen filters.  I never got Tiffens before, had good experience with Hoyas.  I will probably stay with those from now on.  Now come to think of it, Ritz camera indicated the Quantaray they had were made by Hoya.The glass on all the filters are quite a bit more reflective compared to the Hoyas and the Quantarays.  Not a good sign.The circular polarizer had some smudges and some lense swirl that after 10 sheets of lense tissue and quite a bit of cleaning solution failed to be fully cleared off.  Quite frustrating.  All of the filters came with lint and a few little smudges on them, not sure if the store handling or the manufacturer handling was to blame, but none of the other filters I got before had this kind of problem right out of the box.The set might be cheap, but it sure is for a good reason.
You essentially get what you pay for with these filters. The construction is not fantastic but they do the job well. I was dissapointed to find dust particles on 2/3 filters...wheres the Q.C Tiffen?I will use these on my Panasonic FZ-50 until I need a replacement, which won't be this particular set
This filter kit was a really good bang for the buck. A UV, Polarizer, and a rose lens... the ideal filters for someone just starting to experiment with filters and their camera settings.Animal Portraits With The Digital Photography Of John Crippen: Learning Photography With AnimalsScenic Photography Using Examples From The California Central Coast: A Visual Guide To The Central Coast And Digital PhotographyVisual Guide to the Wineries and Hotels of the Central Coast: with the Photography of John Crippen
These filters fit perfect on my camera. The variety of types are a good starter kit for beginners of outdoor photography. It can't wait to use them more and more
I need filters for a new lens I purchased for my Canon EOS camera. These were perfect for my application.They came well packaged and arrived a little earlier than expected, which I really liked. Thanks to them.
Great addition to the Kodak P712.  I like using the 812 filter the best.  It works great for evening sunset shots!  I generally keep the UV filter on all the time.  The filters are very easy to take off and put on the lens adapter.  I keep my adapter with the UV filter on my camera all the time.  It gives me the flexibility to put on the wide angle or switch filters if the situation requires it.  Would love it if Kodak had offered more accessory options for this fantastic camera!!  Too bad it's been discontinued.
These three lens were one of my best buys.  A note for beginners, I use the clear filter as a sort of lens cover just to be on the safe side.  It's a lot cheaper to buy a new filter than a new lens.
I am very happy with this set of filters. The price was right and they come with a carry case so you dont have to worry how you are going to carry them if you go lite, camera and filters.
I bought this kit about a year ago. I was so excited about my new camera purchase that I wanted to make sure that i was prepared. Please be warned that anything you put in front of your lens will degrade the image to some degree. The quality of what you put in front will determine the degree of that degradation.With that being said the UV filter in this package is garbage. It causes ghosting in images. Ghostings is basically where you can see a ghosted image of a light right next to the original light source. This is an easy indication of a poorly made filter.The Warming filter is pretty cool. Being a Caucasian in the winter isn't always the most pleasing of skin tones. Its gimmicky though.The polarizer is decent. When stacked i sometimes have spots on the image.The pouch is actually great. I use it to hold the warming filter my ND filters and the polarizer.If you are just starting out, trust me when I say that quantity in this hobby is not worth the sacrifice of quality. For the price you are better off buying a multicoated UV protector. Save up and buy a polarizer later if you want. As your skills increase you will notice that you will quickly outgrow this kit, rendering most of it useless. Also make sure your buying the right size. that MM is very important :)Happy picture taking!
These filters are great.  Made in the USA and still affordable.  They perform fantastic on my Nikon D40X and the pictures are super.  Many made in China filters out there are good too (even Nikon makes most of their equipment in China now also)but I was really happy with this purchase.  It comes with a case for holding the filters which is also very nice quality and can fit on a camera bag strap.
In spite of the fairly positive reviews I've read here at Amazon about these filters, my experience differs.  I returned the filters almost immediately after buying them.  I was planning to use them the Nikon 50mm f 1.4D AF Nikkor lens I use with a Nikon D200.  I was planning to use the UV filter primarily for protection of the lens. However, the filter glass is not "multi-coated" to reduce reflection.  From my perspective, a filter - particularly a UV filter used to protect a pristine lens like my Nikkor - is absolutely worthless (underscore the word "worthless") if I've got to take it off the lens in the field in order to get a decent shot without reflection.  As an aside, I thought the Tiffen filters looked and felt cheap.  Additionally, they arrived somewhat smudged in their holder.  Not a problem:  Amazon allowed me to return them.  In exchange, I purchased a Sigma multi-coated UV filter which cost roughly $19.00. Beautiful glass; great product; no reflections. Worth the price. 'Nuff said.
I'm a new DSLR person who just wants to make my family photos and vacation photos look cooler. I'd have a simple camera if the DSLR wasn't a gift. This review will just tell a little about each filter. (Feel free to correct me, dslr experts!)This comes with 3 filters, a UV filter, which is to protect the more expensive lens. A warming filter, which is to help with fluorescent lights in rooms to give a warmer look. I haven't used it much and haven't enjoyed the effect. The last one is a polarizing filter, which I bought separately also. It's used to block out reflected light and darken the sky for better looking photos. I've used this one a lot, it even works with snow.The carrying case is a must have, and holds 4 filters, which means you can take what you need with you and don't have to have filters lose in your camera bag.
This was an outstanding value.  The kit includes three often needed filters as well as an excellent filter wallet.  The wallet itself, along with the included Tiffen Booklet is an added extra value.  I found it to be a great value for the money.  You get all three for less than the price of one filter and the filter wallet is an added bonus.
Everything about these filters seemed great until I tried to thread them together (as I would on the camera).  The threads would not fit together.  I ended up with Hoya filters which seem to work fine.
I bought this set for my Nikon D3200 in 52mm (the inner diameter if the lens body) & couldn't be happier. You can stack the filters for combined effects or use them individually. I find the UV filter & the Polarized filter combine very well for almost all outdoor occasions. The UV filter protects your optics & you CCD from overexposure to ultraviolet rays while the Polarized filter rotates to give you three quite distinct options:cool, warm, or neutral lighting throughput. The filters offer tremendous clarity & allow colors to pass through unchanged, giving you a true look at the world. I couldn't be happier with my purchase, though do be careful when putting the filters on your lenses--you most definitely do NOT want to cross-thread either the lens threads or the filter threads or both. It will make using the items an extremely untenable situation.
There is a reason why some things are cheap, and it's because they are...ummm...cheap. Bad frame, uneven color on the glass. Polarizing filter aside from having AIR BUBBLES on front glass, almost falls apart. Screwing and unscrewing them is a pain. If you are even a little bit serious about photography, don't waste your money on this set. Get yourself at least a set of HOYA filters.
Good bundle for starters but not sure if it will fit pros
I was somewhat dismayed when looking at the prices for 77mm filters. However, I was able to purchase what I consider quality merchandise at a very reasonable price. The three filters have yielded excellent results. Thanks for the opportunity to pass this information on.Joseph E. Silva
Didn't come scratched and they seem pretty durable so far. I've shot a little with them and they have made indoor pictures warmer and outdoor pictures clearer.
The filters do the job as advertised; protects the front glass element of the lens.  Being uncoated filters, there was a slight amount of ghosting, but nothing serious.  I like the pouch, too, as it provides more than adequite protection.  Also, there are slots for two additional filters.
I use these with my Nikon D60 and they are worth the money, protects the lens and gives good pictures too, either you are shooting in the open or under light the pictures turn out to be very good.
Mainly purchased this kit for the 52mm circular polarizer that I needed on a fast shipment before a trip. I have Nikon polarizers for my other lenses and did not notice much practical difference in quality of the photos by comparison. Others have noted flare issues related to overcoating shortcomings but I did not have this trouble. Mechanical action is smooth.
Honestly I don't have any particular reason to say that these are bad in any way but there's nothing great or exciting about them and I don't notice any difference with my pictures so I guess all I can say is these are pretty good.  Give 'em a try.
Pros:- 3 filters together at very affordable price.- Can be threaded on the D60 lens- Filters can be threaded over one another. (Polarizer on the UV filer)- Carry case included in the price. Good for handling the filters without risk of scratching.- Improves image quality a lot depending on the type of filter.- Guide book supplied is also useful to decide which filters to use in what situation.Cons:- none so far
I bought the first set for a colleague while in the US and after looking at the pictures she took this set is highly recommended. So when a colleague asked what filter set to buy for her FZ18 i recommended this item. So this second purchase is for that colleague. Highly recommended.
These are really good filters! They work very well with my 35mm lens.The polarized lens is amazing! I definitely got my money's worthwith this purchase!
I use the UV filter as my lense insurance policy. The polarizer really makes a difference in highlighting sky/horizon shots. Here in the southwest the warming filter adds a really nice touch to a lot of my nature shots. Very nice package overall and the price is a hit versus buying all three individually. The fold up case also comes in handy.
I bought these for my Sony A55 and outside of a little lint of them they were fairly clean. I just brushed the lint of and they were good and clean.I didn't expect the this filter set to be of the $50 to 100 dollar quality and it isn't.All the filters look ok in my photos just great. The polarizing filter gives great blue skies and the uv filter keep the dust off my lens, so I'm happy with those two filters. I tried the warming filter, but I really don't use it as much as the other two filters in the set. I guess for the price I can't complain too much because the price was good for the set of three filters.
For everyday shooting and some special occassions these filters to the job.  Tiffen is a good product with consistent quanity
The filters by Tiffen are good quality filters.  This pack of filters provides one with a great range of filters that will allow you to extend your camera's capabilties.
Some blue stuff came off the glass when I try to clean it.  What does this say about the quality?
Failed to deliver. Poor results, poor performance. Did as many as 1000 shots to check it only to find out it is an empty promise
yes ... there are better and higher quality items out there... but for the average amateur, these will do just fine.  Don't let a camera snob tell you otherwise.  Unless you are making a living as a photographer.... these will do quite well.
I am an amateur photographer.  I just take pictures because I enjoy it.  I have not formal training or extended experience.That said, I find these to be very useful and have had no problems what so ever with them.  Screw on, screw off.  The polarizing filter is my favorite.
Very usable, very nice to have and a must for any photographer.  It comes on a very good case to protect them while not in use.&#8203;
I have had these filters for a few months now. I use it with my Canon Powershot sx20is. I think the glass quality is good, not the best, but it is pretty good. The warm filter works fine, there's not too much to mess up in that area. I didn't really find the UV filter to be very useful. I keep it attached to my camera to protect the lens but it doesn't really block UV light very effectively, in my opinion. The polarizer is okay, but it's not a very powerful polarizer so it just barely does it's job. At the time I bought these filters I didn't have to much money to spend so for the value they were very good considering what get pay for is what you get with photographic equipment. Overall, I'm happy with my purchase because these filters do fulfill my purposes. However, if you are looking for top quality filters for your top quality lens for professional use then there really isn't anyway around spending more money because while these filters are pretty good they are probably not the quality you are looking for.
The Tiffen line of filters appear to be adequate for most circumstances where a filter may be used.  Most of the time, I keep a filter on the lens for lens protection while at other times, such as neutral density and polarizing filters, they are needed for specific functionality. Most of the Tiffen line seem to work well for me.
The filters included have dramatically helped in getting me that one special shot I was looking for.  I had been troubled by glare in such in daylight and looking for a way to bring out the colors. Someone told me to try a filter and I couldn't be happier for this brand. My pictures now come out with the right color balance and have been great to look out.
This is the perfect set if you want basic, decent filters.  The UV protects your lens and the polarized greatly reduces glare and makes colors pop.  Highly recommended for the beginner photographer.
I bought those filters for my Canon S2 IS, and they work perfectly. I haven't seen a difference when I use the ultraviolet, but it's normal because it should affect what you see. The polarizer is great, it removes sun reflections, and you can adjust its intensity. I really like the warming filter, I use it when I have to shot with the flash, and it really helps to improve the natural colors in the picture.They come in a protective pouch, made of nylon. The pouch's size is around 20x10x2 cm (8x4x0.8 in), so it won't fit inside normal camera cases. The pouch has room for 4 filters, so I can keep my three filters and the lens cap I bought together.
The pak was excellent. It was very reasonable in cost, and, although not the fanciest filters you can buy, are good quality and very reasonable.
I'm not a pro but do some commercial work on the side.  These filters have worked well without producing any detectable distortion.  I can recommend this set.
Naturally these aren't professional quality filters, but for the price point they are a very good purchase. They are far better than dime store variety that you see offered in the package deals on various other sites. I'm using them on my Panasonic FZ28 and I've found them to be quite effective for their intended purposes. The glass is evenly ground and the colors uniform. They come in a nice case as well. I would label these as a "best buy."
I received these filters covered with fingerprints and greasy smudges that to this day I was unable to clean completely. As other reviewers seem to have had the same issues I suspect this is a Tiffen problem (my package didn't seem used) with poor manufacturing/packaging practices.The filters themselves seem OK, although the UV one creates all sorts of internal reflections with the front element of the lens. The polarizer is of good mechanical quality. Have not used the neutral density much. However, because of the smudges I doubt I'll ever buy a Tiffen filter again.
I've been using these filters for about a month and they seem pretty solid and well built. By the way, i'm o hobbyist photographer, so i'm in no way using these for professional results.The UV filter is on permanently and i haven't experienced much discomfort from using it. One thing is it contributes to vignetting when i use a lens hood, but i guess ANY filter would. Simple fix is to put them on in different order (just i don't like to have the lens hood on permanently, and switching them on and off is not my idea of fun).The polarizing filter works well, and the warm filter i haven't used much as of yet. They come in a nice pouch, which i feel could be a tad smaller. But overall it was a good purchase.
I am starting my career as a professional photographer, and I haven't had any problems with these filters. They come in a nice case, and are easy to attach to my lenses.
I'm pretty new to photography and a lot of photographers I've talked to have differing opinions about filters. Some swear by them and some don't use them at all. I guess the one real "pro" to using filters is that they protect your lens from potential damage...which seems worth it to me. I would rather damage a $6 filter than a $200 lens. In my initial order one of the filters actually arrived with a crack in it. As frustrating as it is to get your package only to learn that it's damaged, I have to admit that Amazon makes it very easy to return (simply print out label with bar code, tape it on to original packaging, include original packing slip, and mail back) and they were quick to get a replacement set out to me...I think 2 days...which was without defects. I've used all 3 filters but couldn't really tell you if they really enhanced any of my shots or not...for example, I couldn't really tell if the polarizing filter was really making the blue sky brighter/bluer than the photos I took without it. I took some distant photos of the Station Fire currently raging near my area and I guess it did cut through the smoke/haze quite a bit. I've read that multi-layered filters are better cuz I don't think these are multi-layered. Maybe I'll try a multi-layered filter and see for myself.
Every lens should be outfitted with a UV filter, with a polarized filter at the ready.  This set from a high quality American manufacture is a must for every lens in the bag, especially at this price.
This set of three filters is great for several reasons.First, I have been taking photographs since 1984 and I have always liked Tiffen filters because of their crystal-clear glass they use to make them and their lack of distortion.Second, buying these three filters as a set is less expensive than buying each filter individually.Third, this filter kit comes with a wallet-type pouch to store the filters that aren't being used. The pouch fits quite nicely in my camera bag next to one of my other telephoto lenses.
I've been using Tiffen Filters since 1967 when I was give my first good camera , a old Japanese Kowa.Both served well for many years till I was first married and finances got really tight with first child.Well now I'm 60 and Tiffen is still around and I'm still finding them the same great quality and decent price.Good stuff is all I can say !
I was concerned about the quality of these filters since the reviews here are kind of a mixed bag.But I decided to take a leap of faith and I'm glad I did!I bought this kit just for the CPL, as I already have a HOYA UV attached to my lens and in the digital realm I think that this warming filter is close to useless.So I was searching for a decently priced CPL and found this. Since the reviews for the HOYA CPL (the basic one, not the Moose) are also mixed, I decided to give it a try since they're on the same price range.I own a Canon EOS Rebel T4i (650D) with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. I'm not a pro, but I'm not a complete amateur either, so I do use it for freelance jobs as well as personal projects.It's my first camera and I think these lenses are, for my needs, a great start-up kit lenses. They're not the best out there, but they will do the job for both photography and video until I start investing on more expensive lenses.That said, I didn't want to spend a lot on some pro-level filters, as I think the cost/benefit right now would be subpar. I ordered the 67mm one, and it was sold and shipped straight from Amazon.The CPL works fine. I don't know how it fares against more expensive, "pro-level" ones, but for what I expected it to do and for what it actually delivers, I'm satisfied. I saw a lot of people complaining about poor build quality and/or quality control, but mine is fine, works fine and hasn't broken yet.The UV I'm saving to use in conjunction with my HOYA UV to achieve artistic bokeh. My idea is to cut black cardboard circles with the shapes and "sandwich" them with both UV. I thought of that alone but then read a few people doing that, so I think it might work just fine.As for the warming one, as I said, I'm keeping because it could be useful someday, but for now it's almost useless - but I had that in mind before I ordered it.I also saw some people complaining their kits looked like they had been previously used or were actually products that someone else returned. Mine looked like they were brand new - and if they're not, I appreciate the effort to make them look and smell like new.The pouch is a nice touch - not too shabby but does the job. If you're using a well constructed backpack/bag/case built for camera, I think the pouch can protect the filters well depending on how you store them. If not, I think it's a nice idea to get something better padded or even made of hard material to store them.I only gave it 4 stars because I can't comment right now on their durability, since I've owned and used them for no more than 2 weeks.Overall, if you're on a tight budget but want to try new things, I'd recommend it. I think it's a mater of luck if you'll get a working one or not, so if you're willing to gamble, go forth!
Worked well, well worth the money. I used it for a sunny day at the church. It created the pictures just what I was looking for. I would reccomend this product to everyone.
These work as sold.  They came in good condition and do exactly as they are supposed to.  I would buy again and recommend to someone for a less expensive alternative.
These are good quality filters. They could have been in a carrier of some type though, to make them easier to protedt.
This kit is exactly what I was looking for as an accessory to my digital camera. The filters offer a wide range of options for getting that perfect picture. They came well wrapped.
Just started using these with my new Nikon 50mm prime lens. So far no issues, and seems to be a great product.  thanks!
These filters are a great buy. So far, I have really enjoyed using these filters. I like the circular filter the best as it accomplishes one of the main things I wanted which was cloud pop on those cloudy overcast days where there are tons of clouds in the sky. All three filters are fun to use and experiment with. The case for the lens filter is ok, nothing special by any means. I would've liked the case more had it had sides on it instead of just folding over to a velcro lock latch allowing for dust etc to enter from the sides and get on your lens filters. This set would've been even better had they included a lens cleaning cloth as well, why?, it just makes sense to include one....don't you agree? Overall, this kit is worth the price you pay, while it does have some very minor weaknesses like the open sides on the case it is still a good buy. I would recommend this product for those in the market for a decent set of lens filters and case.
I've played with these filters numerous times and haven't been happy with the results. That said, I've only worked with them when using b/w film, so maybe they have a better response with color.
Another positive experience. Product is exactly as described. Shipment arrived earlier than posted. No disappointments from our end.  Satisfied customer.
I've been using Tiffen filters for more than 20 years and I have not complain about them. I'm planning to buy more for my new camcorder.
I bought these filters to compliment my Nikon D90.  Individually they fit the lenses nicely, but they don't fit into each other as well as I'd like, and the lens cap does not fit into the polarizing filter that well having fallen off after I thought is was set.  So, I have to be very cautious that it is properly seated.  The bigger disappointment is that the polarizing filter has no indicator.  Many years ago, I had bought one for my manual SLR and it had a dot that allowed me to quickly line it up with the sun to get optimal filtering.  With this one it is a guessing game.  So, to sum up.  The filters work, but i expected more.
Would prefer a narrower case rather than the square one it came with as that fits my camera case better.  But the filters work just fine.
Although Tiffen doesn't have a great reputation if you look at the digital camera forums, I've had no problems with the UV and the CP (haven't used the warming filter yet).The 3-pack seemed to be a good deal, glad I went for it.
The filters work as advertised and provide piece of mind for protecting my lens from dust and scratches.  I don't shoot without a filter.  Definitely recommended.
I am always happy with Tiffen filters and I have quite a few.  I use them as lens protectors mostly but I bought these to use with a couple of LensBaby lenses I have with 46mm threads.  They seem to work great and I would recommend them.
Just got mine, perfect condition, no problems with the vendor. I appreciate the other reviewer's comments concerning the Circular polarizer filter and making sure it was working the way it should, never would have checked if it wasn't for the comments.  Can't beat the price, for $25 you get 3 filters and a case to boot!
I had just bought a Nikon D5100 twin lens kit and wanted the Tiffen filter kit as a starter filter set. I am a total novice at photography and the expense of the better known brands seemed outrageous for what differences would be imperceptible to me. Fast international delivery and no hassles as product is as described.Plato
There is no doubt that the price is right with this set as it comes with 3 filters. but using relatively inexpensive UV filters on lenses as protection is not a good idea because it will degrade your image slightly. if you have superior lenses (like Canon L glass or IS) you will probably want to buy a much higher quality UV filter as protection. and if you have cheaper lenses, then i would not use a cheap UV filter because you will be degrading your image too much.the good news is that you also get a circular polarizer and a warming filter in this set. so that helps make this kit worthwhile.just don't fall into the trap of thinking that cheap UV filters on your lenses are necessarily a good thing.
You could easily spend $30-50 on just one of these filters. I've been extremely happy with mine so far. I especially love the circular polarizer. Ever wonder how photographers get that brilliant blue sky with perfect white clouds? Try that polarizer (you do have to rotate the filter to get results, mind) and see the difference!
Great kit for the price and the case is great to store them and future filters.
I bought these because they are the basic 1st set of filters that anyone with a camera shold have, other than neutral density filters to protect their lenses. They seem to be high quality and I have had a lot of tiffen filter in the past and never had any problem with them. So I would deffinetly recommend them.
I usually buy a set of filters for each size lens I have. Tiffen has always provided great value. These are no exception. I would recommend these to everyone.
These are nice basic filters and are well made. The polarizer works great, and I leave the UV filter on my camera all the time. I havent tried the warm filter yet but if its as good as the others Im happy. Please note that these filters are NOT multi-coated. They are very high quality optical glass and are actually two pieces of glass "sandwiched". They are optically distortion free and are easy to clean. The frames are aluminium powder coated and the "wheel" for the polarizer is plastic. The polarizer can be a bit tricky to take off if its too tight on the camera because the "wheel" is the same diameter as the filter..and this is done because some removable lens caps are the the "cupped" version..and the camera lens cap might not stay on unless the polarizer wheel is the diameter as the lens. Its no biggie..its still fairly easy to remove the polarizer. Many photo shops approve of these filters because they do a good job even though they are not multicoated. Multicoated filters are harder to clean, and you risk removing the coating when cleaning. Just use a lens hood if your worried about lens flare, and these filters will do a good job. Tiffen does make multi-coated filters in military grade high def..but they are very pricey for us amatures.
Filters perform as expected.  Nice pouch is provided to protect the filters when not on the camera. Used on the Canon S3 IS while I was on vacation.  Use the UV filter to protect the camera lens.  Noticed no degradation or distortion.
Where else can you get three filters essentially for the price of one.  Have tried them all, work great.
Amazing value on these filters.  If you are thinking about getting them, don't hesitate, just buy them.  The polarizer alone is worth the price.  I have some generic filters that these replaced, and they are much better.  I don't know how they compare to other more expensive filters, but these were much cheaper than the generic ones I had and they are better as well.
I am very pleased with the quality and usefulness of these filters. Not they're great lens protectors, both the circular polarizer and warmth filter works flawlessly, and for such econo-friendly price. Totally worth the money you're contemplating (if you still are at this point) on spending.Polarizer is a permanent lens company for me.
I have used these for the last 4 years and I have no complaints.  I have used them with different lenses from Nikon to Tokina.  The polarizing filter is definitely my favorite as it gives a nice a balanced photo every time.  I use the UV filter on my spare lens.  I have to admit I have never really used the color warming filter though, maybe I am a conservative photographer, but that's just me.
good product works very well will buy again in future perfect fit and works just fine with my camera wow
I bought this for my Sony Alpha A100 camera with a Tokina lens. This is a great kit and more importantly, comes with the filters that you really need. The product was as expected (no defects or faults).For $60, this is a decent buy if you want to get started quickly.
I got this at a discount with my Tamron 28-75 lens, so it was incredibly worth it. The filters work decently and the carrying case is well-built.
Three essential filters for an essential lens (50mm).  Every photographer should have one, and this set of filters is not only required, but at this price, is more than a bargain. i felt guilty purchasing it. The only reason for four stars and not five is that the pouch can hold more than three lenses. they should have filled it, and even with a little higher price, this item would still have been a bargain.
Would not buy this item, It`s not what I expected! Did not work well with my camera..
I purchased these for a Nikon DSLR 55 - 300 Zoom lens. My first impressions of these filters are excellent.. The polorizer seems to work great on ocean reflections, and the warming filter works well for portriate photos as well.. I good value for the money..
I use these on my Nikkor 18-200mm, and they are well constructed with no defect.  The filters achieve the desired results, but these aren't high quality multicoated or extra thin lens for better light emission.Overall I'm happy with the purchase.  They were fairly economical for what I needed.
The purchase went smoothly.  The shipping was fast and we received the filters in excellent condition.
These filters were bought for a Nikon D7000 with 18 to 200 lens. They appear to be optically perfect and well built and a high quality soft case to carry them.  The warming filter is just enough to bring out skin tones and take away the blue of cloudy days and the polarizing filter does the usual job of deepening skies and removing glare. I am not sure what to with the third filter other and use it as a lens protector when in salt water or dust circumstances.
it's definitely a great starter kit... but you can take pictures and adjust it on photo programs, so filters are kinda obsolete these days... but not all the time...
This is a great set of filters.  I only gave it 4 stars because the filters do not have protection in the container they come in.  I would have thought they would each be in a plastic bag inside the container, but they were not.  Other than that, the filters are great.  Tiffen makes great filters.
Here's a decent set of filters and certainly satisfactory for a cheapskate like me. The filters fit on my Panasonic lenses smoothly though an extra thread or so might make installation easier. After extensive testing, I noted differences between photos taken with and without the filters on the camera, especially pictures of blue skies with clouds. The polarizer turns smoothly, but turning it to different positions made little difference in the looks of the scenes.The UV protector is good for taking pictures through glass and stays on my camera all the time to protect the lens.A nice case for lens storage is included with purchase; it holds four filters.
I bought these filters as much for protecting my lens as for the filter effect and they work as advertized.
Just needed a clear protector but when I saw this kit I was happy to purchase the two other lenses.
Got what I wanted, and what I paid for. They work as suggested and as I need. Good buy. Good bye.
This kit comes with four things:- Circular polarizer: the filter that most people looking at this kit are interested in. While it is difficult to make a "bad" polarizer (it either works or doesn't) this one certainly is among the good working ones. Makes the sky look awesome, and takes away reflections from water and windows. Polarizer is a definite must for photographers of any level.- UV filter: if you read reviews online, the Tiffen UV filter is generally not effective at blocking out UV. So most people just use it as an additional layer of glass, for protecting their lens. My personal philosophy is "why bother", but you may find it interesting.- Warming filter: this is really more for the "authentic field" photographer who wants their picture to look right the first time. Any decent software can mimic this effect, so I also say "why bother".- A four-filter pouch: there is a single pouch to store all three filters. Since polarizer is a little thicker, in effect, it's just perfect for three. Since there no individual wrappers, and I only really use one filter, this pouch just sits at home.Overall, for a bit more than what the polarizer is retailing alone, you get some extras. I don't really find their all that valuable, but nevertheless worth the extra couple of dollars.Regarding the build quality: I am not discerning enough to tell any aberrations in the glass. The plastic frame, though, is a bit rough along the edges, and the printed labels aren't sharp, but doesn't really affect the performance. But basically, it doesn't *look* expensive. Made in USA.Also comes with a promotional brochure, but it's interesting 'cause it explains the effects of all current Tiffen filters, so good reading material :)
I'm an amateur getting into photography and this product was great for my purposes. The only filter that has been somewhat of a problem to get used to has been the polarizer. It has on 2 occasions really distorted the light on my composure. It may be something I'm doing wrong but it has only happened with the polarizer. I don't really use the UV protector and the 812 warmer filter is really useless given that you can just increase the temp on any photo editing software to achieve the same effect. The neutral density filter works great, though my dad tells me there are better ones available. Overall, for the price it seems that you're getting a great deal. It's a great buy for beginners/non-hardcore photographers.
Overall I like these filters.  I use many Tiffen filters without any issues, but there is one problem with the UV filter.  I use these on a Sigma 10-20 mm wide angle zoom lens.  Because of the wide angle, the glass protrudes outward from the lens in a bubble.  The UV filter, when screwed on actually touches the glass of the lens. The other two filters are recessed enough that they don't touch.Just a warning for folks with wide angle zooms, otherwise a great product.  The CP filter is excellent!  It really punches up the color and reduces glare on water and glass.
I bought this kit at the same time I bought myCanon PowerShot SX50 HSbecause it was recommended on the product page as commonly being bought together with the camera and because the filter kit was rated above four stars (my self-imposed requirement for most Amazon purchases). I chose the 67 mm size because that is what Canon says is required for the SX50 HS. For anyone buying this kit for the Canon SX50, do yourself a favor and get 58mm filters, as they work just as well as the 67mm and will simply screw onto the end of your camera lens.Upon opening and inspecting the lens kit, I found that that there is no adapter ring included to mount the over-sized filters to my camera, and they do not simply screw onto the camera lens as I'm used to with my Olympus and Fuji cameras. I know that I am at least partly to blame for the misunderstanding and it should not affect my rating of the product itself (and I'm not rating based on this); but I'm sure others have or will make the same mistake I did in buying this kit because it is shown by Amazon as being commonly bought together with the SX50 HS.I mostly bought this kit for the clear UV filter as protection for my camera's outer lens, and almost never have need for the other filters included in this kit. I inspected the UV filter, saw how much light was being reflected from the glass and decided that instead of buying an adapter ring, I'd be better served by returning the kit and buying a higher quality, multi-coated, 58mm UV filter, like the Sigma DG.
I love using my filters, as they are an important of my gear. However, even though I liked that these came in a 4 filter pouch, they weren't protected in cellophane wrapping. And while holding them up to a light source before putting them on my lens, I noticed several scratches. I ordered these to use at a photography workshop I was attending but, because of the scratches, I wasn't able to use them.
I ammend this to zero stars for lack of customer support.One lens has scratches all over it and I can not get it exchanged. No response. What good is the product without support.DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -DO NOT BUY - DO NOT BUY -
I am very happy with the performance of these filters, each have been used several times with the desired results.I would recommend them to anyone wanting to have a good quality lens package.
I am surprised with the result. The photos are with an excellent appearance. Excellent result. The light of the flash always leaves the object photographed clearly (cace with white spot). With the filters this does not happen. It seems to be a photo in high definition.
This is a three filter set that is quite cheap. Unfortunately, it performs that way as well. UV filter is OK, although I am pretty sure it is uncoated. It is quite prone to flare. I guess it protects your front element, if you are concerned about that, but I would take it off if you are shooting into any strong light sources.The polarizing filter is pretty weak. It is also quite prone to flare. Of course, you would hope that with a polarizing filter you aren't shooting directly into the sun, but if you would, you would get some pretty strong flare.I haven't used the warming filter -- don't really see the point when shooting digital, easy enough to do that type of effect in post processing.All in all, if you are compulsive about protecting your front element and want a (albeit weak) polarizing filter, this is probably the deal for you. On the other hand, if you want nice filters, expect to pay for them.
The first thing was opening moement, a nice package to hold and protect this filters, nice presentation, the fit, materials and effects are nice.
barely works as a lens protector. Don't waste your moneyThese are NOT multi coated, I doubt they're even single coated. I see they're no longer advertised as multi-coated. They were when I bought them. These are plain glass, they reflect every thing a sheet of glass will.Why someone is trying to sell a warming filter in this day and age should indicate that these are old technology, aimed at film cameras. Digital cameras can correct for light sources, so this filter is for the bin. The polarizer does polarize....... a bit. but not much. It doesn't handle reflections well at all. The "UV" is plain glass - it really is a joke.The pouch is a ridiculous idea. who can keep filters clean in a pouch?Mine were clearly used also. with scratches in the threads indicating they'd be installed several times before. the glass was also very dirty, and was clearly handled by several people. I'm not taking stars off for the seller incompetence, but the condition I received these in was unacceptable.A poor product, clearly returned by several others. look else where.
The quality is excellent, the most used lens for me is the circular polarizing filter. It's great for digital cameras, especially the canon a620  with its lens attachment.  Don't recommend this for professionals though.  Came with a nice lens pouch, but it's not compact.
They arrived quickly, and were precisely what I wanted.  I would recommend this to anyone wanting the filters.  Photographers shouldn't be without these.
This is a great starter set for those looking for some filters but not looking to spend too much. The set comes in a nice soft case that has four pouches for filters. They work just fine with all of my Nikon lenses. I may have been expecting them to have a greater effect on my pictures, and I don't use them too often. If you are a professional, I would look to high-end filters, but for everyone else, this is a good place to start.
this little stickers works like magicgood for souvenir and good for any project will definetly buy more and will recommend
There's nothing really wrong with these photo corners. Do they hold the picture in place? Yes. Do they stay put? Yes.The big annoyance for me, however, is that during the stamping process in the factory, several of the corners get stuck to each other, and it requires some pulling on the user's end to remove one from the adjoining corner on the strip. Which, if you aren't careful, can result in a ding in the photograph.One user had a good tip: bend the strip to open the pocket of the corner to let the photo slip in. I've also used my thumbnail to remove the surface tension.
The corners were unbelievable.  When I placed my pictures on the page you could hardly notice them and they held the pictures in place.  I strongly recommend these to anyone who starts an album for the family.
These don't seem especially sticky, they work, but are hard to position, and i worry that if i unstick them to move something, they won't re-stick.  They don't claim to be re-usable, and i get that, but they feel more like post-it stick than permanent stick corners.  I'll use the rest of this box, but i'll look for something else when i'm out of these.
I'm switching from an old sticky-backed format for my physical photo albums to more of a scrapbook format, using acid-free paper and these corners. They do the job well--although the larger size corners are needed for big photos.
now i can put my vintage postcards in an album and they won't fall out. the album i have is an old album and not plastic but real paper,so i needed the corners. thanks
These are basically as advertised/described- clear photo corners designed for invisibly mounting photos on paper. I actually purchased them to mount small illustrations and paintings in a presentation binder- I wanted a way to center the artwork on each page without applying anything to the drawing/watercolor itself. I wanted the artwork to stay put but also have the ability to remove it when necessary.These photo corners are mostly invisible when applied correctly, but getting them applied is kind of a pain. Because the corners are so small, the photos/paper don't stay anchored in very securely. And because of the design of the corners, not every corner fits "squarely" so from time to time you'll get one corner that wants to sit askew.I was a little concerned about the application- I sort of assumed that the photo corners would just be floating around in the box. But they are actually on a long roll of wax paper backing, so application is easy- just insert the corner of the photo into the photo corner and lift off the backing. If done right, you can just press the photo onto the page you want it adhered on, and presto! - it's stuck. But the corners like to fall off as you go around each corner, which is kind of a pain.All in all, they do the job. But when they run out, I'm going to try another brand.
There is no reason not to buy these. They are designed very efficiently - they do their job of securing the photos on paper perfectly while having a very minimalistic and non-intrusive design. They stick without issue but also come off easily.
Easy to put on and barely noticeable. Much better than the ones I bought at a big name craft store.
These photo corners aren't as easy to use as the old style.  You have to put the corner of your photo into the clear photo corner to remove it from the plastic tape it's attached to.  If the photo corner touches anything, it comes off of the photo and sticks to whatever it touched.  I'm trying to transfer photos from a very old, falling apart photo album to a new album and these photo corners are making the transfer slow going.
Would be great except pockets aren't deep enough to keep pictures in securely when turning albumn pages. They are not as deep as old traditional black photo corners. Wish this could be fixed because I like the idea of the corners being clear  and not taking away from the picture they are holding.
I've had trouble in the past with photo corners coming loose; I have not had this problem with these.  I even had to peel off and re-position a few of them and they did not lose any stickum in the process.  One problem I did have was that they can be a bit carelessly cut - some corners are deeper than others.  Not an issue for crisp photos or documents, but I had some old photographs and papers with worn or uneven corners and the inconsistency became an issue there.  But I was happy enough with this product that when I realized I had more stuff to archive than I had scrapbook pages or corners, I happily re-ordered and would do it again.
Needed something to hold my advanced degrees as the strips that came with my frames kept failing.  These were easy to use and have been holding strong with no ill effects on the paper.
This product did not work as described.  Sometimes the tabs would not detach from the roll.  other times two would come off at the same time.  by the time i got to the fourth corner of the photo, one would inevitably have fallen off.  May be ok for doing the occasional photo album but it was a pain using these to mount pictures on mats.  Double sided, acid free tape worked much better and faster for me.
These are really good for mounting photos in an album. I've gone through 4 rolls so far, and I've learned alot so far.Tips:1. Where it says "tear here", just remove the whole flap on the bottom of the box. If you only tear off the portion it tells you to, corners will sometimes catch & peel off as you're trying to pull the strip out further. It's better to remove the whole flap so that it's exiting the box at more of a natural angle, preventing corner from getting caught on the way out.2. If the photo & backing is going to be protected by a layer of plastic (like most albums), then you can save yourself time, frustration, and money by only doing 2 corners. I like to get albums with 4x6 slips, attach photos smaller than that to a 4x6 index card, and then slide it in. Doing 2 corners that are diagonal to one another means the photo stays still stays put, and it's alot easier to slip it in/out repeatedly in the future if you ever need to for any reason.3. Bend the strip so that it's concave when you go to slip the photo into it. If bending it doesn't make the pocket open for you to slide your photo in, then don't try to force the photo. Take your fingernail, corner of a thin card, etc to force the pocket open first, then try again with the photo. Sometimes the two sides to the pocket are stuck together (much like window clings), and if you don't get it open first, trying to slide/force your photo's corner in will ruin the corner of the photo.4. For older, more delicate, or smaller photos, leave a small amount of space in each corner to make it easier to remove/re-insert the photo (if you ever need to). The smaller the photo, the harder it is to minimally bend it to slip it back in to the corners if yo had to remove it for some reason. The older & more fragle it is, the less time you'll want to spend abusing it by handling it or bending it when removing/re-inserting.Pro's:1. Acid free2. Clear, so it doesn't cover up parts of the photo3. Reasonably easy to use dispenser4. Adhere's extremely well to every surfaceCon's:1. Dispenser needs additional "modification" to work well2. Sometimes two corners will be stuck together by a thin strip3. Adhere's so well that if you place it wrong, good luck lifting it back off to adjust its position4. Sometimes the pockets are stuck closed, so it's not as easy as "just slide photo in & lift off". I've had several I had to struggle to open just so I could slide the photo's corner in. It's usually the first portion of the roll that's like that (sometimes as much as the first quarter of the roll or so).Giving these a 3 seemed appropriate.
I ordered this product for my album. This product has a cheap quality and once it stucked on something, it is really hard to take it off.(I ruined several of my photos because of this). But the good thing about this product is that it is easy to take, like a tape. would recommend.
I'M A STAMP COLLECTER AND THESE CLEAR CORNERS ARE GREAT FOR MINT STAMPS I ONLY USE TWO PER STAMP, ONE BOTTOM CORNER THEN THE OPPOSIT TOP CORNER.MY ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY TEARS OF ONLINE PERCHASES I HAD TO PAY A TAX, AND THE SHPPING COST ME MORE THAN MY THRUSTMASTER JOY STICK THAT WEIGHED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES MORE THAN THE CORNERS DID.
These are the best photo corners I have ever used in my photo albums.  They don't detract from the photos as they are clear and they always stick to the pages.
These corners are clear so they do not block any of the item I wish to display.They come on a roll much like tape so they are easy to use, 1 at a time. Very sticky!!
It works. It's tape. It does the job very well. I use it mainly for scrapbooking and other crafty ideas.
The shoe was nice looking, good quality but didn't fit. Too big, too  wide ... a smaller size would havn't been long enough.  It's hard to find narrow width shoes.  There was no problem with returning the shoe.
Just what I needed. Keeps pictures in place very well, yet allows you to take them out if needed. I love the clear rather than the black aspect of these corners. Will order again.
Easy to use!  I found these to be well made, easy to peel off the roll and apply onto whatever paper surface I was attaching a photo to.
I really like these little guys. I have been using them in guest books for years and they last a long time and you can still have accessibility to a photo if you want to take it out of the book for a little bit.
I don't like to stick my photos directly on the album, so I bought this photo corners. It held photos without any problem.
I used these photo corners to attach pictures to my son's baby book and they worked perfectly.  They were easy to use.
I had to paste some photos in the back of a Mixbook that I made for my parents.  The original pictures were not found until after the book was finished and I didn't want to leave them out.  These are a great way to add pictures without ruining the original.  They adhere well and are easy to use.
Order received in timely manner.  I bought the clear corners to use for my family pictures and they are easy to use.
I bought these to protect the hundreds of photographs my mom has in boxes. They were very durable, and have served my mom well. They didn't ruin the photographs either. These are perfect for scrap booking, too.
It's important to devise a system to use these corners since they are sticky and difficult to handle.  But for old schoolers who still mount photos in an album, they seem to be the best available
I cannot find this particular item locally so I check on Amazon and there they were! They are perfectly clear and work very well. Once in place you cannot move them. They hold well and are a perfect picture corner for your photos and other items that need mounting in an album.
Does the job of holding brochures and ancillary card-like items in place that you don't want to glue into a scrapbook, but also easily sticks to everything, like if you accidentally swipe your clothes on it. The adhesive on them is not limited to the underside. Had to hold the photo corners with my fingers into the corners of my items before putting it on paper in the exact position I wanted them in. I liked that these were clear, but that's the most I liked about them.
Exactly what I was looking for to attach my photos to the decorative paper I am using. I think the clear corners are better so not to  diminish the looks of the decorative paper.
I love these clear corners.  My craft store doesn't carry them. They carry clear corners but not of the same quality.  I'd like to be able to purchase them in larger quantites at a good price.
I am on photo album #36 for my now 11 yr old daughter.  I have been using various brands of photo corners as I have done albums through the yrs since 1999.  I started w/blk paper corners you have to lick & stick, & then moved to the clear adhesive kind, which are easier & don't show as you flip through.  They have held up well, & are reasonably priced.
After reading other reviews, I have also just stuck on 2 corners, one top left and the other bottom right. I have tiny hands, so they were easy to work with.
This product came in handy, when I received an old suitcase full of old family photos.  Price was extremely fair.
These are the best photo corners!  The ones I got at Target and Michaels were thin and hard to peel off and use.  These are thicker and good quality.
These work great, I needed them to mount odd sized prints on a mat.  I can see how they would work well for scrapbooking too!
These corners are easy to dispense and use and work really great.  It's best to do a little shopping around before you buy.  If you need a good number of them, it might be wiser to buy from another source.
I like the old gummed paper ones better, but all photo corners are very hard to find now.These are good, but really need to be a little larger. I've used many boxes of these.
Great product in spite of my aging eyes being unable to find one that managed to escape, but it had help.  My cat snatched it off the roll and it stuck to his paw.  He tried to shake it off but gave up and grumbled until I removed it.  These things really stick well.  Because these are clear and small, I didn't lose any part of the postcards and photos when placing them in an album.  I love these.
Its not that great it does not stick to the scrapbook pages. I was not happy with this product at all.
I bought these photo corners to use in my stamp album to safely hold souvenir sheets in my album.  They hold them securely in place without damaging the corners or having to mount them in some way that might damage the gum or crinkle edges.
Don't ever use those photo albums with the sticky backs and cling film .. they ruin photos! I am the family historian .. and I actually use these corners to keep documents flat on archival paper. .. their are acid free ...
Very disappointed!!! Does not stick well to the cardstock paper or pictures. I had to use 5 per picture. Not worth it....I will never buy it again...
These are the BEST photo mounts!  Easy to use, really work well. We use them for photos on Christmas Cards, and stick just great.
Perfect for scrapbooking!  You buy what you paid for - since the product is as you would expect - and want your order to be when it arrived!
Product came quickly and is exactly as described. There are 500 sticky squares that work perfectly for my purposes: scrapbooking.
My fellow scrapbookers love these photo squares.  I think they work well.  I am just not as nimble using this product.  I prefer the tape glider.
good product. useful in attaching photos to a scrapbook. they are sticky and seem to stay in place. would recommend
Excellent product. I use to mount expensive Civil War photographs for framing.  They virtually disappear and I have never had one fail.
Very good quality in that you get all 500 squares, they dispense well, are easy to peel off, and adhere well.
These self-adhesive squares do the job for which they were designed.  I use them in scrapbooking and would recommend them.
They work great.  They really have sticking power.  I use them for scrap booking, posters, and crafts.  They are must to have around the house!
I appreciate the design of this product. I have used them many times and love that you can prepare crafts ahead of time and still have the other side of the double sticky square stay protected until needed.I definitely recommend this.
We printed pictures on them and stuck them in various places.  They're still there.  The paper quality is fair for photo printing and the adhesive is... well... sticky.
this one allows me to put old photos on album easily.  i will buy it again when i run out
Easy to dispense, and lots of them. I make photo cards and 4 of these, one in each corner, work perfectly to adhere the photo to the card.
DELIVERY AND PACKAGING WAS GREAT  JUST WHAT I NEEDED FOR MY SCAPBOOK WOULD RECOMMEND AND BUY AGAIN THIS WAS A GREAT PRICE I BOUGHT THEM ON AMAZON BECAUSE THE STORES I WENT TOO DID NOT SELL THEM . I FIND AMAZON ALWAYS HAS WHAT I NEED AND AT A BETTER PRICE
Great for making scrapbooks.  They make clean, neat pages without ruining the pictures as sometimes happens with glue and other products.
The squares are a really good solution if you have to take care of a lot of pictures  and for a cheap way) I bring home around a average of 1200 pic from vacation and I do not believe in, of having everything only on the computer, so I print them out. I need a average of two squares for one pic. It's very easy to handle and most importand i can take care fast of it. If you have the photo-corners it takes a lot of time to get them in and their also come easy out and you need 4 of them. So I think the squares are the best solution.
I am doing a scrapbook for a friend's wedding and was pleasantly surprised to see scrapbook accessories for a very reasonable price on Amazon.  The product was shipped in great condition and will be perfect for the scrapbook.
I prefer these for scrapbooking over other adhesives!You can also cut them in half if need be to stretch their uses,
I got these because I moved to a new office and was updating the pictures in my frames.I used these to fasten the photos in the frames.they work great.  happy to have made the purchase.
I also found the StoryBox service contract for the Kodak Smart Picture Frame to be confusing.  You can transfer pictures to the frame using one of two methods: 1) Compact Flash Card, or 2) Via the Internet using the &quot;StoryBox Network&quot; - the frame uses a built-in modem to dial into StoryBox and retrieve pictures that you (or others) uploaded to the StoryBox Network.It stated on the box that a one-year subscription was required for the frame to work.  It also states this in the StoryBox terms of service agreement.  The agreement specifies that a subscription to the service is necessary for the frame to work.  The agreement also states that the frame needs to dial into the service every 10 days or the frame will stop working. I found this to be very unreasonable, as the recipient of this gift (my wife) owns a Kodak digital camera (that uses a compact flash card) and has no need to use the StoryBox service to get pictures to the Smart Picture Frame.I spoke extensively with Kodak and StoryBox about this.  Both admitted that, after my initial 6-month subscription (provided free with the Smart Picture Frame) to the StoryBox Network expires I could discontinue service and continue to use the frame by transferring pictures using ONLY my compact flash card.The StoryBox website is VERY misleading with regard to this fact, while the Kodak website is very truthful and states that a subscription to the StoryBox network is only needed to share pictures to or from your frame, print pictures from the frame, and receive news, sports, etc.Bottom line:  If you have the ability to transfer pictures using a CF card, you won't need to continue to subscribe to the StoryBox service (Note: you will need to subscribe for the first free six months to activate the frame - after the free six months you can cancel with no early termination fee).I have yet to actually use the frame (Christmas gift) but gave it three stars based upon the headache I had to go through to figure out how this thing works!
I bought this item because you dont have to connect it to a network for it to work. You just store your pictures in a compact flash card. I did like it, however I must say that it would show some pictures too many times, and others would never be shown. It sounds like a small problem, but it gets very annoying. Eventually the item broke during a trip to Europe, when I tried a store bought DC adapter that didnt have the Amps needed. I know it might have been my fault, but given it being such an expensive item, I felt that it was made kind of cheaply to break just because it was pluged two seconds with the wrong Amps!
Gave it to my mom for xmas and i load the pictures.  Its easy to use and the pictures are vibrant.  the frame is weel built and the buttons are easy to use even for my mom.  The content for the channells is lacking.  We had one issue when the frame didn't work because in my moms area you need to dial the area code for a local call.  Customer service was very patient and helpful in guiding her through how to reset it and diagnosing the irregularity in the first place.  Im getting one for my wifes grandparents.
The frame is beautiful and the display is one of the best I have seen.  I've enjoyed the ability to update the photos remotely via the internet, but Kodak has discontinued this feature for new users.  As I understand it, new frames can only be updated by compact flash card...  this kills it for me.  However, if you just want a great desktop frame with no internet subscription issues, it may be just what you need.  A bit more expensive than other frames that I've seen, but the screen quality is much better too.
I have the "non-networked" version of this frame, purchased after the demise of the Storybox network. It has a CF card slot on the side, and I just keep all my pictures on the card.Pros: The picture quality is great - many people don't even realize it's a digital frame until the photo changes right in front of them. I keep mine in my work cubicle (securely tied to the desk via the built-in lock that works with a Kensington laptop locking cord). Everyone at my office loves it; I've gotten numerous comments about it. I used it at my wedding to display childhood pictures (showing a new photo every minute) of my husband and myself next to where our guests signed the guest book. After the wedding, I loaded 60+ of our best photos onto the CF card, brought the frame to work, put the card in the frame, and set the frame to change photos every 5 minutes. It's fun to come back from a vacation and get to load new pictures from the digital camera onto it. I love being able to have all of my favorite pictures nearby without the clutter of multiple frames. The frame displays pictures at a resolution of 640x480 and will compress or enlarge pictures if necessary, but I've found that I prefer to adjust the picture myself in Photoshop first, and then load it onto the frame.Cons: It's hard to find one now other than on some auction sites, and they're still pretty expensive. Without the StoryBox service, it's not a great gift for anyone who's not comfortable with manipulating and transferring pictures onto the CF card.Edited to add: It appears that somebody thought mine was really neat, because they cut through the laptop locking cord and stole it right off my desk at work in March 2003. So keep in mind that while the ability to use a locking cord is a nice deterrent, it's not infallible.
This is an awesome frame, but there is only one problem...the StoryBox network which is required in order to send pictures via the internet is no longer accepting registrations of new frames. I recently purchased one for my mother only to find out she cant register it and thus cant use it.The amazing thing is that no one tells you this. Even storybox.com doesnt tell you until you got to register a new frame (see for your self!!!). Storybox tells you that they are no longer accepting registrations and to contact Kodak for a refund. Save yourself the hassle and dont buy this.I can not belive Kodak, StoryBox.com, and all of the retailers are still promoting a product that obviously has no future and can no longer be used with the Intenet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted to get a frame for my mother-in-law who is in a nursing home. Saw the ads for the Ceiva about a month ago, Kodak frame wasn't shipping, so I bought it. Played with it for 3 weeks and shipped it back, image quality was very bad (washed out) no matter how much you boosted the contrast in photoshop and it would fail in slideshow mode (just would get stuck).  Ceiva web service wasn't bad.  Boy, am I glad I switched.  The Kodak Storybox frame is excellent.  Many more features than Ceiva like the direct CF input. 3x the number of pictures, the online service has better pricing options (you don't have to pay for channels and 3rd party content if you don't use it) and best of all, the picture quality is very good.  The frame automatically sets itself up and find the right phone number when you first plug it in where the Cieva ask you questions on the web site.  The controls are really easy to use. I actually like the weight and stability better too. All-in-all a great product.
I bought 5 of these over the Cevia frame because this one just looked so much better and has more memory as well as the CF card capability.I bought 1 for me, and 4 for different family members.Others have written about the confusion over the contract; it appears that you can use your frame with a CF card without an ongoing subscription. (I am picking up the subscription cost for my family members.)I killed one of the frames apparently by removing the power cord and reinserting it within about a second (i was trying to reset the frame to tell it it have 'moved' to a different location--just trying to get everything set up for my inlaws.) The frame never came on again. Not sure what really happened. Luckily exchanging it is fairly easy.When this happened, I had to call storybox tech support because I had already registered all the frames. I needed to take a working frame and register it with my inlaws account. I was on hold for about 10 minutes (this was Christmas day so I suspect there were a LOT of calls) and the person was able to take care of my request in about 2 minutes. Fully satisfactory.Tonight I powered off a frame and then removed the power for about 10 seconds. I then put it back in--again the frame would not boot. After waiting about 30 minutes it did start up. I suspect there might be some power problems with these first units. Life on the cutting edge is always an adventure. I will call Kodak tomorrow and get some information on what is going on with the power and try to find out if the problem is pervasive or if its just me &lt;g&gt;.It is a royal pain to have to reset the time each time the power is applied to the frame. An internal battery and clock would be SO EASY to add like almost every other product on the planet. This means when the power goes out in your house, you'll have to reset the frame. I think Kodak expects people to travel with their frame so it might be easier to always ask for the time..but I suspect they'll add this battery backup feature in the future.I found the software very easy to use and the storybox.com website is very nice. I was able to set up lists of people to share pictures with--including people without a frame. This is probably the coolest feature of the frame next to the CF card capability. (I have a 1GB IBM MicroDrive CF card so I can show 1000s of pictures in this frame--I wonder if the frame can handle that many? not a bad choice if you do serious digital camera stuff either! 400-1000+ pictures in your camera at a time)The channels worked well; nice to see the weather and traffic in the morning.So, all in all, I recommend this product quite a bit. Looks good, pictures are excellent, sharing pictures is extremely easy. However, a few minor design worries prevents me from giving this a 5.
This is the nicer of the frames I've looked at, but beware of the contract.  Even if you think you can just use the compact flash card to display pix, you can't!! Frame will cease to operate unless you connect to their &quot;big-brother&quot; sharing network within every ten days!!Rip off!
When I finally made the decision to buy a digital camera a sales person told me that the best camera to buy would be one from a camera manufacturer.  I decided to go with the DC3400 EZ, this has proven to be a wonderful buy for me.  It takes great pictures, it's easy to operate, the batteries last a long time and it is light weight.  If you can't afford the high end digital cameras and you don't want to buy a low end one this is a mid-range camera for a mid-range price.  A great buy for your money.
This camera produces better quality pictures than any other 2m around, probably due to better optics.  Kodak has produced a real winner.
I've used this camera for almost five years now.  Dropped it once, over six feet down-it split open, came apart.  I bought a set of jewelers screw drivers and put it all back together.  It has worked wonderful since then!  Fantastic, clear pictures.  Even on the brightest days, photos of skies or water are crystal clear.  Not grainy--ever.  Good in low light also.  Clear focus.  I truly love this camera.
After working my way through a Kodak DC50 and then purchasing a DC215 Millennium, I've found  another great camera in the Kodak Lineup!The camera is easy to use and great on batteries. The USB connection works like a charm and allows you to be  up and running in a matter of minutes.The color saturation is picture perfect, and the camera settings allow for beautiful 8&quot; x 10&quot; prints. I print quite  frequently on an older Hp 880c but the pictures are outstanding. The only negatives are the placement of the  viewfinder and corrections to the manual. Sometimes your nose smudges the screen when you're looking  through the viewfinder. As for the manual, they mistakenly printed it to include a &quot;beep&quot; setting. There is no  such setting and Kodak assured me that they were printing new manuals to correct their oversight.All in all this is an awesome camera, that sets up in minutes and is a snap to use. Go out and get one!
i went to a high school with 1 TRS 80 computer for the entire school to use, so i was not in the comp generation.i love this camera. easy to use. looks great. nice feel. incredible picture quality. i love to pull it out at snap away at family and public events. and if anyone has forgotten their camera i offer to email photos to friends or strangers. everyone who sees it &quot;ooohs&quot; &amp; &quot;ahhhs&quot;. i feel like such a high tech member of society :)
I was looking forward to using this camera, based on the reviews here, but I've actually been really disappointed.  Kodak got the form-factors right -- it's easy (even fun!) to use and I liked the little sound effects.  But the image quality is dismal, even for VGA resolution.  We have an old VGA-resolution Kodak digital camera at work, and I was expecting at least that level of resolution.  Instead, the edges of the photos were smeared and blurry, and there was very little usable detail in any of the test photos I took.  True, the colors were bright and it handled exposure/light levels well.  But what use is that when the photos resemble a Monet painting?  I wanted an inexpensive camera that produced small photos that I could email to relatives (and avoid having to shrink down mega-pixel files).  The quality of the pictures in this camera, however, is just way too low to be usable.  It's going back to the store!  It's a shame -- it's such a fun little machine!  If it were ... cheaper, I might consider keeping.  PS:  It's not just this camera -- this is the second one I tried and they both had the same problem -- extreme distortion around the edges of the pictures.  My photos look nowhere near as clear as the samples on ... website!
This is a good little camera for the price, don't get me wrong.  But the thing that bothers me about it is that you are always compensating to get the actual shot you are looking for.  Even though the lens is right under the eye hole, it seems to take pictures right, left, up, or down of that point and so when you are trying to use the camera for life's little events, you can lose a lot of shots!The quality of the picture isn't that great either.  Alright, but not great.Let's put it this way, when I wanted to take pictures of some jewelry I was listing on an auction site, I took better pictures with my scanner.  Nothing flat, we are talking rings here, and that's just a bit sad to me.
Chances are, if your reading this, your looking for an inexpensive digital camera. And believe me, there are some bad ones out there. Kodak arguably makes the best digital cameras on the market. Only Sony has as high a quality-to-price ratio. With that said, the Kodak EZ 200 is one of Kodak's best products.I bought the Kodak EZ200 expecting an &quot;adaquete&quot; camera, that I could just use to get a vague image of myself on the web. Color me very suprised when I discovered it took pictures that were slightly better than a $150 35mm camera. Even more impressive was the fact that this little camera, which was smaller than my wallet, not only could hold 64 of them, but take three shot bursts, 10 second video clips, and was capable of streaming video over the web. All of which it did flawlessly.Digital photography lives. And for $90, this camera is worth every dime, which is something you can't say for a lot of electronics, especially digital cameras.- Louis
For its price the camera gives an opportunity to experience the fun of digital pictures and making your own little movies. The camera takes low quality pictures that look a little grainy even on the screen. It can also connect to your computer as a video camera allowing you to record your own digital videos or use NetMeeting video conferencing.It's a lot of fun, relatively cheap and probably a good way to get started. Make sure your computer has a USB port available.
Please keep in mind that I bought my EZ200 a year ago. I am continually getting compliments on how great the picture quality is.  This camera is not recommended if you're looking for print quality photos.  I use mine as a webcam, and between that and film/developing costs, I don't regret a cent that I spent on this!
I have an Olympus D-360 that I am very impressed with as a snap-shot camera for adults.  I bought this Kodak for my 10 year old daughter for her birthday.  Perfect choice.  I'm sure the camera will pay for itself with what I save on film and processing.  Great little camera for learning and quick web-pix to Grandma.
I buy this film for SLR photography, which I do as a hobby only.  The 400 ISO speed is a good compromise in usability, since at least one of my film cameras (Olympus OM-10) does not have a flash.  C-41 process film like this is the easiest to get developed at any local photo store or pharmacy chain.  Serious photographers will probably want to shoot slide film for more accurate/reproducible prints.  Note that I purchased through Mel Pierce Camera and the film has at least 10 months left before expiration.
I am a freelance photographer and I go thru films like there is no tomorrow.  This is probably one of the best deals around.  Kodak is very high quality and I used them all the time.  Highly recommend this to anyone who takes pictures with any kind of 35mm camera.
I needed some film at a good price and this fit the bill, I normally use pro grade Kodak film but I needed this for camera tests and it worked great.
I received 5 rolls of film with no box and no expiration date.  I was assuming it would be as pictured.  I'm not sure how fresh the film is but I'll know after I use it.
and it works.... if you shoot film kudos to you . . check out the B&W development process called 'caffenol' for such as this color neg film
Kodak makes great film, and 400 speed is the only way to go.  You may thikn this is overkill, but consider that if you are taking pictures of kids, you need a slightly faster speed than 100 or 200 so your photos do not get blurred. With nearly all cameras these days, you can always adjust your speed down (so if you have 400 film in the camera, you can set it for 100).THe actual picture quality is very good, with grain structure great and holding well up if you blow it up to an 8&quot;x10&quot; print.Best part about this film is the price... you just cant find this price in Wal-Mart
Well, this film works like 35mm film should and was bought for art projects, so I have no complaints except about the cost of developing them! :)
THIS TYPE OF FILM FROM KODAK IS VERY DEPENDABLE AND ALWAYS WORKS AS ADVERTISED. YOU NEVER REALLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT WORKING JUST THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.
Thefilm arrived in the box but the area which identifies the batch and the expiration date for the film had been cut from each of hte 5 boxes. CLearly, I annot tell if I have out dated film or not until I use it.Poor action on the seller's part.
Receive it fast in a matter of days.. Used it and it took great pictures in my old 35mm with a 400mm lens. Had it developed and got it back the same day... and the pictures where wonderful..
Not comparable to Ektar or the Portras. If the light is off or low, not so good.  Rather low-contrast and unsaturated.  However, when scanned and manipulated digitally (I use LR) the results can be quite beautiful.  Very non-digital, sometimes lots of grain.  Nobody seems to have developed a digital emulation of this snap-shot, retro look.  The palette is sort of Martin Parr or William Eggleston.  Absurdly inexpensive. Does not convert to B&W very well. Actually, I kind of prefer it to Portra 400, which seems plasticish.  Curious to see what happens if it's pushed.  Will try it soon.
Yes, I still have an old 35mm camera.  It is so hard to find film in the stores and was very happy to locate online.  Arrived in perfect condition and film quality was nothing but perfect.
i LOVE TAKING PICTURES.I take pictures of everything or people.What it is to see the people that u love die but u can look at the pics and remember how special they were.
This is a great way to purchase film, especially since it's getting difficult to find it in retail stores these days.
A great source for those of us who are still advocates of using film. Yes, I suppose digital is getting better but film still captures an essence that digital misses.
No packaging...no outdate. 5 rolls of film in a plastic bag...What's that all about. The picture shows a five pack in a brandedKodak box. Feels like a ripoff, whether it is or not remains to beseen when we get the film developed.
Where I live I can only get Kodak Gold 400 or pro film, I needed 200 for a project so I ordered it from Amazon.
Gold is one of my favorites for a lot of reasons, mostly because it has its own flavor of color and texture. Digital is all the same, and Gold gives me a bit of something different than my usual Portra film look.If you are shooting film and want a bit of a different look,, try Gold for a shoot or two.
Kodak film the best going for the film buffs this isnit
I was very happy about this purchase, it came fast and was package so great, not a smashed packet in the bunch.  The company is very dependable and I will continue to use them
This review is not about the film which is good film.  It isn't about the listed supplier above either, which I am unfamiliar with.  This review is about the supplier that I purchased my film from on amazon and received today.  Unfortunately, the supplier that was here a few days ago is not listed now for the 5 pack of kodak 200 gold.  That supplier was Best Deal Supply in Brooklyn, NY  The problem is this,  in order to make this a 5 pack, this dealer had to use a coupon off of the back of the box and got the 5th roll that way.  The 5th roll came loose and unpackaged and undated  and just rolling around in the box loose.  The box that the 4 rolls had been packaged in had a big square chopped out of the back which also happened to be the place where these rolls had the pull date placed.  therefore, I have no idea at all how long the shelf life is that is left on this film.  I do not know how the film was stored so it's just a shot in the dark.  If I wasn't leaving on vacation in one day and didn't really need the film right now, I would send it back.  But since it can be a hassle to track down Kodak film anymore,  I don't have  any choice but to use the film or be without.  It is going to be a very important photo opportunity, one that I may not have again, so I sure hope the film is dated with a good date.  I wonder if the fact that they are now missing from amazon, has anything to do with this situation.  So just a heads up.  If you think of ordering from this supplier you may want to find another or check with them first to see if all of their stock has been cut open in this way.  Not at all professional selling.
Kodak Gold film is and has been a great product for years. We have several good point and click film cameras and the battery life is great compared to digital cameras. We get great pictures with this film.
I ordered this film because it was one of the few places I could find it.  When I got it, all five packages were out of date.  I've had one processed and the picture quality isn't very good--don't know if that was the processing or the film.  I would like to know before I order what the expiration date is on the film.
I have been using this grip on my D80 for about a month and absolutely love it. The grip itself is sturdy and comfortable, and with the wrist strap is attached there is no concern of losing control of the camera.One of the earlier reviewers mentions that this is hard to put on and take off quickly, but this isn't a fault of the grip so much as picking the right tool for the job. If you take up and put down your camera every few minutes, then yes, get a standard grip. If you're shooting for extended periods, moving through crowds, or find yourself regularly looping your neck strap around your wrist for stability, this is the grip you want. I'm willing to spend five seconds securing the wrist strap so that I can shoot comfortably for half an hour or more. It's also entirely possible to simply use it as a hand strap and let the wrist portion hang free for quick shots.The only downsides I have found to this grip is that it does effectively tie your hand to the camera, so scrambling over rocks and shaking hands becomes more complicated. Also, a moisture-wicking liner would be useful when shooting for extended periods in warm environments.So, the short answer: If you need a simple, solid method for keeping your camera secure and ready to shoot, this is a fantastic option.
Fits like a wrist support for bowlers (which is a good thing). I used to straddle the neck strap on my camera "sniper style" to give me a steady shot (which was really efficient). After buying this grip, I got an even more steady aim.  The neck strap can work in conjunction with this grip (I chose to remove the neck strap off my D80 permanently). I think another major plus of this grip is that it really aids with portrait/vertical shots.  Your camera is practically attached to your right hand firmly.  It's probably not for everyone, but it sure has given me better steady aim than I used to have with just the neck strap.
Got this Hakuba grip for my 5DMK2.  I don't like using the neck strap cuz my setup is too heavy for my neck.  This Hakuba grip is a great alternative.  The wrist velcro strap works as a secondary safety backup.  If someone accidentally knocks your hand and you lose grip of your camera, the velcro is a nice backup in saving your camera from hitting the floor.There are 2 downside however.1) the buckle that straps over the velcro comes loose very easily...it came off during a shoot and never to be seen again. I actually prefer using just the velcro strap only. So no big loss.2) On the Hakuba grip, there is a bottom mounting plate for a tripod connection. If you try to dismount a connected tripod, the Hakuba mounting plate will screw lose along with your tripod, which makes it annoying when you don't want to unscrew the Hakuba grip.  A quick release will solve this problem tho.Overall, I'm glad I got this grip.  I thinking of getting another one for my xsi.
Absolutely great item and super service.I just used both at the big swim meet event and loved them both .The camera grip helped me to hold the camera steady and also relax when I did not have to shoot but in the same time have the camera right on my wrist.Excellent buy,excellent place to buy from.Shipping and handling w/o any problems.I am giving you 5 star.Thank you very much.Professional Photographer[...]
I've used this strap to take over 7000 photos in the past 4 months. By all means I felt very secure with it and walk around the street while holding it. I mainly use the hand part and only occasionally wrap the wrist around. It does take some effort to loosen the velcro because the velcro is strong, and it's fairly tricky doing this walking around because you need to pry it apart with both hands while trying not to drop the camera. It's better to wrap the wrist around while sitting and putting the camera on your lap. Because of that, I use the hand part most of the time. Also it's really cold in NYC so I tend to put the camera away as soon as I'm done.If it's really cold, I suggest you get a cheap thin glove for your right hand and use your regular glove for your left. I didn't bother w/ "photo" gloves. I just got some $6 gloves at a street vendor. Yes, it looks weird and lobsided -- haha! After taking photos, the camera goes back into the bag and hands go back into my jacket pockets.Some people mentioned that the strap can loosen a bit. After a few weeks of use, I noticed it as well (several cycles of loosen/tighten/loosen/tighten). One trick I did was to take the excess strap at the top, which drapes down over the index finger, and loop it back into the left side of the plastic clip. This locks the length and it never loosened again. It should work for anything w/ this type of attachment as well, ie backpack shoulder straps.If I were to purchase either this (hand+wrist) or just a hand grip, I would still buy this one because it gives you the optionality of extra security when you desire. The flapping of the wrist section is barely noticeable, in view and in practice. However, please note that it does add another 1/4 inch in total lens+body+strap length, so please consider that if you are thinking of getting a fastpack/slingpack or a toploader. I was able to fit xsi + 17-55 is usm + reversed hood + filter + cap + this grip horizontally in fastpack 100 ... just right.Some people also mentioned difficulty adjusting settings on the top of the right side of the camera. Agreed. The way I compensated and even improved the experience on my xsi is to place my right pinky/ring finger on the plastic tripod thread attachment of the strap ... rather than on the hand grip part of the camera. The first knuckle of the right ring finger is at the bottom of the camera's grip, which gives pitch support (airplane terminology). This is especially useful if you're hand gripping heavier lens (like 17-55 is usm or some zoom lens). This setup rotates the whole wrist downwards by about 10 degrees, which makes the top-right control section of the camera less crowded around your right index finger.Hope this helps!
Because of many years working with (and abusing) my hands and wrists, my once-strong grip, although still strong when I'm paying attention, has become undependable -- I now occasionally drop things without knowing it ... until whatever it is hits the ground.  Obviously I was NOT interested in letting this happen to my Nikon D700.The obvious solution was to use the supplied neck strap (or a different one).  However, a neck strap can be a nuisance in some situations, and inconvenient to put on in others, so I looked into quite a few wrist straps and hand grips.  The Habuka Camera Grip is the only one that fit my criteria -- comfortable in use and not interfering with camera operation, supportive enough to relieve tension on my hand when carrying the camera for greater timespans, and securely attached to me in the event my grip checks out on me unannounced.Although one purchaser thinks the wrist strap portion is too difficult to remove quickly, I have NO problem in this regard.  The wrist strap fastens with velcro and then an adjustable quick-release buckle straps over that and ensures the velcro won't open when accidentally caught on something. Releasing the wrist strap portion is a quick two-step process.The upper portion of the strap connects to the right-side shoulder strap loop on the camera body.  The strap then passes through a sturdy molded loop on the bottom mounting plate included with the strap.  This nylon strap adjusts for a custom fit according to hand size, camera body, and personal preferences.  The molded mounting plate attaches to the tripod mount with a screw; the screw even has a tripod screw mount on its outer side.  I doubt I'll use this feature for my heavy camera (anything between the tripod head and the camera introduces risk for camera shake), but those with lighter cameras will surely welcome this feature.  When removing the bottom mounting plate for direct tripod connection, the Habuka Camera Grip's large-headed screw dismounts easily and it's permanently attached to the bottom mounting plate so it can't escape.The shoulder strap can still be used by leaving the left side attached to the camera body and threading the other strap end through another sturdy molded loop on the left side of the bottom mounting plate of the wrist strap; the camera then hangs vertically instead of horizontally, but really, this is not a functional issue, just a bit of a mental re-adjustment for those who've never had their camera hanging like that.When picking up the camera to shoot in a hurry, I've found I can quickly tuck the wrist strap portion under the hand strap portion and just shoot like that -- no need to fuss with strapping it on.  It's a bit tighter (assuming it's adjusted for use with the wrist strap fastened as intended) and less secure when the camera is held at one's side, but for quick use, it's a good option to have.I haven't had the Habuka Camera Grip long enough to evaluate the actual durability, but my past experience in outdoor gear quality control and manufacturing tells me this is well-made and I am confident projecting that it will hold up admirably.  The materials, stitching, and hardware are all top-quality.  I have, however, used the grip enough to be amazed by its comfort level.  Once I got it adjusted just right, I now find I forget my camera is attached securely to me ... and that's great because I got the camera to take photographs with, not worry about.
I've used this hand strap on my Canon Rebel XT the last few months and absolutely love it. It's comfortable and once I'm strapped in, I never worry about dropping my camera. Just be careful and use common sense when walking around a crowded place with your camera strapped to your hand. This came in really handy on my trips to NYC and overseas as it allowed me to hang my video camera around my neck while my Canon was ready to shoot at any time. Great product!
I was hoping for something to help me steady a camera for telephoto shots but misunderstood how this works -- I think some other reviews are misleading. I fail to understand how having something to put my hand though & and that I can't get my hand out of and that is like a stirrup on the right side of the camera is going to help. Plus it makes it hard to make adjustments for shutter speed, etc.
I purchased this product because I don't like neck straps.  When I got it, the strap that wraps around the wrist was quite small.  It would have been nice to have the actual dimensions listed.
Great for steadying the camera for those shots when a tripod isn't easy to setup. I find it great, but it's too small for my guy friend's hand (he's 6' 7").  Also, it attachs in the same places as my camera cover does, so it's a tight fit.
Unfortunately for me at a young, young age i've always had wrist problems from  arthritis to tendonitis. i love photography  but was afraid of my wrist going out or have an involintary twitch or shock of pain that would cause me to drop my camra. i love this product! no more worrie it's easy t put on and easier to use. if you have a heavyer camra i feel that it helps suports the weaght. i love it, i love it, i love it.
This is the 3er Camera Hand Grip I buy. The two other Grips were much cheaper and from other brands. This HAKUBA Leather grip is Magnificent. Very good and soft leather and adjusting strings are of excellent quality. No problem at all ajusting this grip to my hand ( Medium to large siza hand). After you adjust it to your hand size, it stays put without loosing that original adjustement. Very Good, you will not regret buying this grip. This is a must for your Point & Shoot or DSRL Camera. Get it, it is that Good!!!
I suspect most of the folks writing positive reviews here are using automatic AF-point selection with focus bound to the shutter button. To provide any support, this grip needs to hold your hand flush with the camera body. That negates the use of most of the right-side buttons without some serious finger contortions.I have a Canon 5D II without a battery grip and I use the hat-switch to select AF points and the AF-on button to focus. This is a typical arrangement for professionals and advanced amateurs. For this setup, if you're not using a battery grip, you don't actually have the bottom of your hand flush with the bottom of the camera. Instead, the upper half of your hand has at least a half-inch of clearance to give your fingers room to work, and the lower-right corner is supported by the fleshy part of the bottom of your palm.With this grip in place pinning my palm to the camera, I can't manipulate AF even on this full-size DSLR body. It'd be even worse with the 70D or a Rebel. I have to pull my hand partly out of the grip, and then the grip just dangles doing nothing. The primary benefit is when it's properly tight and I'm not shooting. I don't even have to close my fingers; the friction of my palm holds the camera.The build quality is solid, as is the tripod mount. It's an excellent grip. It just so happens the whole idea of grip is of questionable utility. I use a simple lanyard that I can loop my index finger around. It's very secure and allows my hand to maneuver. Belt-based systems will provide even more security and
I gave this item three stars because it is touted (and marked on the package) as "one size fits all" If "fits all" means it can be installed on the camera, then that is accurate. If "fits all" means it allows you to access the controls, then not so much. I tried lots of different strap lengths and several different hand-holds and couldn't find a way to reach the rear dial or the four-way controls on the camera back. In addition, the grip's base has a locator tab which interferes with the complete closing of the display.The grip seems well made, but it is not suitable for the Lumix G.
Unlike some other camera grips that make it so you'll have to screw in the basepad for your tripod off-center, this keeps that connection centered. The grip itself is comfortable and works fine. Doesn't come loose with use, and allows enough adjustments to fit anyone.
The shape of this camera means that when you hold the small body your hand sticks out pretty far. This is meant for a camera with a larger body where your hand lays flat on the body. If it is small like the D5300 then you will find this strap is not the best fit to your hand. It will work but it is not a comfortable and secure fit around your hand while actively taking pictures. Works well when not in use to securely just hold on to the camera. I ended up putting the neck strap on one side of the camera to hold it securely in case of a drop while actively taking a picture and be able to just hold onto it in the grip when not in use. Would only really recommend for a bigger camera body where your hand lays flat..
Comfortable grip. Fits my hand comfortably on my Pentax K-5.I wish I would have paid attention to the fine print that it was left-handed, though. I still use it right-handed, but it doesn't exactly fit like it should since I have it on backward. But I will make do. I still highly recommend as long as you get the correct hand!
I wish I had purchased one of these about ten years ago. It makes shooting at sporting events much, much more comfortable.
I bought this strap to use on my Olympus E-520.  I do not like long shoulder straps.  I wanted a simple, fast grip.  It works very well.The product quality is good and includes instructions.  It is simple to install and use.  Tripod mount is excellent.  It works as expected.I did find that the strap needs to be looser than I expected in order to be able to place my thumb and forefinger in the right spots on the camera.  So, one day I may try the other model with a wrist extension (KGP-01) to ensure the camera feels more connected to me.There is only a little bit of product literature available at the manufacturer: [...]
This is an excellent product.  It makes it so easy to hold the camera with one hand.  It's made well, and really does make a difference in making it easier to use the camera.  It was delivered quickly and I am very pleased with it.
Hakuba has created a GREAT product! It attaches to one of the strap loops on the right side of your SLR-type camera and screws into the tripod hole on the bottom. The grip is comfortable, especially for long shoots, and it allows a sense of confidence that you'll never drop your camera. You can actually relax your finger grip on the camera and the Hakuba keeps it in your hand without falling. Shooting one-handed is possible, but it's best for being always able to hold the camera easily when doing walk-around shooting. I hate shooting without it now. Highly recommended.
I bought this to use with my Nikon D200 as a way to "break free" from those Neck Strap Blues.  It works fine with the Mb-D200 vertical grip attached, although you do have to loosen it to change batteries (which you would have to do without the vertical grip anyway).  But that is only a matter of unscrewing it a few turns - easy.  The construction is pretty decent and it has a loop so you can still hook a neck strap on if you want.  Even with the weight of the camera, vertical grip, super-wide/long lenses, and sb-800 speedlight, the hakuba camera grip holds tight and I never worry for the safety of my camera.My only mild complaint is that it takes some time to get it adjusted right so you can still have enough slack in your hand to operate functions and focus.Overall, I am VERY happy with it and think that, for the money, it's the best hand strap out there.
When I'm actively shooting--as compared to walking around with my camera at the ready--then I've grown to prefer this grip over a neck strap. Basically this is a strap that helps keep the camera from slipping out of one's hand.  The reason I give it four rather than five stars is that in order to keep the camera secure, the grip needs to be adjusted to eliminate too much slack that would risk an accidental slip.  But that amount of tightness can make it more difficult to make adjustments to the camera settings.  I think that's a trade-off that is inherent in this type of device rather than this particular product.  I own two; one for each of my cameras.
This camera grip is a nice product and is very useful on my D300, although it fits a bit different than I expected.  In order to operate the camera properly I need to loosen the strap a bit and thus bringing the bulk of my palm off of the camera grip.  This means you're not really "gripping" the camera anymore, as much as you're wedging your knuckles into the strap to brace your camera.This sounds strange and my explanation is awkward, but when I cinched up the  strap taut right away, as I thought intuitive, I immediately learned that my command of all the features operated by my right hand was greatly mitigated.  I have slightly larger-than-average hands, so that is a small part of the issue, but loosening the strap and making a kind-of cup with my right hand restores the utility of my hand on the camera, and still feels very solid.The only thing I don't like about this is that the buckle loosens fairly frequently.  Granted, it takes only about a second to re-tighten it, but it is still slightly annoying tending to it consistently.I haven't tried this on any other SLR, but based on my experience, I would think that it would be less useful and more annoying (based on body size) on something like a D40, D80, D90, or any of the EOS Rebels.  On anything like a 40D, 50D, or any full-frame camera body, I recommend it!
The Hakuba hand grip is terrific, especially with cameras like the Canon Digital Rebel series with small grips that many find uncomfortable. I use it with the Rebel XT.Not only can one shoot more easily, but holding the camera all day without a neck strap is a breeze.Make sure you fiddle with the strap adjustment for a while so it is right for your hand and shooting style.Highly recommended!
So far so good.  I didn't want to spend the money to buy a Cotton Carrier so I took a chance and bought the Hakuba Grip after a recommendation by someone online.  I love it!  I prefer to hand hold my camera when shooting rather than have it dangling around my neck and this is perfect.  It's very sturdy and secure.
I don't care for neck straps, so this seemed like a good idea.  Unfortunately, it wasn't comfortable once installed.  It was fine for just holding the camera, but it made taking pictures difficult.
for handheld shooting, this little guy is great. i'm not a big fan of the neck straps but i like to feel like the camera's secure. i can tighten the strap just enough to have it hang on my hand without slipping off.i'm doing a lot of real estate photography these days so i don't get a chance to use this strap as much.
I decided to use a grip on my Olympus E-520 because I have wrist problems and holding a camera with a heavier lens for a long time can be tiring -- and I don't want to run the risk of dropping it.It took some fiddling around to attach the grip to the camera. The instructions state that the camera shoulder strap should be removed (you will only need to remove the right strap), the grip threaded through the strap fixture and then the camera strap attached to the camera again. This simply didn't work, either because the Olympus' fixture is a bit narrow or because I am using an Op/Tech shoulder strap. So I decided to thread the camera strap first, and then the grip. This worked fine. All that remained was to tighten the screw onto the camera mount. No problem there.Finding the right adjustment took some experimenting. Too tight and your right hand will probably gangrene -- it lies so flush to the camera body that you lose all mobility to the thumb, making it useless to press buttons and so on. Too loose and the setup just feels insecure. To me, the perfect position is when I can move all my fingers but the strap still steadies the camera safely, close to my hand; it feels natural and there is no muscle strain; and the camera nestles on my hand when I am carrying it.Now, shooting for a long time is not as tiring, I'm not afraid of dropping the camera (even when my hand sweats) and I can still use my right hand for control -- or even photograph one-handed if I want. The Hakuba grip works for me, and having both the grip and the strap attached to my camera makes me feel twice as safe.
As stated above, this hand grip does not feel cheap, and when you are relying on it to secure a camera that costs at least several hundred dollars that peace of mind is priceless. It fits my hand perfectly and makes the camera feel secure while still allowing you the freedom to push the shutter button without straining too hard. I use it on my Canon t3i.
Can't reach shutter release with this strap tight.  Can't reach either of the option dials with the strap tight.  Perhaps if it were on a smaller point and shoot it would be ok, but not on a full size camera
I ordered this lens after noticing in the item's picture that it has an aperture ring, which I need for an experiment. Unfortunately, the lens I got doesn't have an aperture ring maybe because they're selling a new version of it!The lens itself looks good for its price & I really like its build, also it came with a lens hood. I didn't test its quality that much, but the images looks fine when taken under appropriate lighting. The most annoying thing about it is its extremely loud autofucus.
I bought this lens when the kit lens that came with my XTi got broken.  I was hoping this lens would be a replacement for the similar Canon one.  However, once I started using the Tamron I quickly realized that it is noticeably slower in focusing than the Canon.  It also seems I have to be zoomed out farther or physically farther from the subject to get a good focus - and sometimes it just searches and never obtains focus.  While the Canon lens was not perfect, I think it was a little better than this one.  One great thing about Tamron lenses is that most of them come with a hood, which is great when bonus is keeping out stray light.  This lens is adequate for many shooting situations and makes a great "walk-around" lens for most folks, but it's not without it's drawbacks.
I started out liking this lens, but decided it was just too soft.  Hand-holding just didn't produce sharp images like my 50mm 1.8.  I am going to get the Tamron 28 - 75 - it has gotten great reviews.
I have bought 5 of these and three where gifts. The one I got this time must have been some very early model or a different grey market lesser lens. Mine will not auto focus on any of my old Cannon film cameras or any of my digital Canon cameras. I own quite a few so it IS the lens and not my cameras. I can use it manually and with the price I paid I will not complain anymore.
wow 49$ for one georgous zoom lens i give 6 stars on every catagory it is my main lens  does nyone need an 18-55 mm lens ???????
The lens has warranty card with it. It's light and fit quite nicely with my Xsi. The images are all good.
I'm not a professional photographer but this lens works great for me.  I love it! and would recommend to anyone looking for a great product at an affordable price
I bought this lens to use with my Canon Rebel XTi. I am not a beginner to digital or SLR so I know what settings to use in each lighting situation. It is impossible to get a good exposure with this lens. More often than not the pictures end up being overexposed. If they aren't overexposed they are underexposed. There seems to be NO middle ground with this lens. Getting a decently exposed shot is like winning the lottery...next to impossible! Out of 1500 pictures I managed to get 3 pictures that are properly exposed and they still look really bad. ALL of the pictures come out really soft. They are so soft that they almost seem out of focus. I have no issues while using a different Tamron lens on my camera. It is just this lens. I plan on sending this in to Tamron to see if maybe, just maybe there is an issue with my lens, but I doubt that it will come back in any better shape. If it does then I will edit my review accordingly, but in the meantime...I wish I had NEVER BOUGHT THIS!!!!
I bought this lens to augment, not replace the 18-55 kit lens (Also a decent lens despite reviews) and expected VERY LITTLE from it but it does a very nice, clean, sharp job. I've seen complaints of it being dark, slow, noisy, etc and while it's no L series lens competitor, it's a VERY NICE lens for that price if you simply want to expand you zoom range in a very cost effective manner.  I have to confess that it gets less use now that I purchased the Sigma 28-200 (ANOTHER great lens) but not because the lens doesn't deliver.
Wow!  I purchased this lens today.  I initially bought it because I thought it might be a good portrait lens until I can afford a good 50mm prime. I haven't tried a portrait, as yet.In the meantime, for grins, I slapped one of the "macro" lenses that'd I'd originally purchased for the kit lens that came with my Canon xti to see what it could do.  Did I mention WOW?  I set the lens for manual focus and hung out at my kitchen window, trying my African violets at different angles, as well as my Forget Me Not sprouts.Talk about sharp!  I think that this lens is going to be a good substitution until I can afford to pick up a really good (i.e. high dollar) macro zoom lens, as well.  If the portraits come out as well as the macro shots, I'll be totally impressed.I went outside and shot some pictures of cars on the highway against the neon pizza sign down the road, and they came out really well, too, for handheld shots.  I am going to go out with the tripod tomorrow and see how that goes.For the money, so far so good.  I think this will stay on the camera more than the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera!Now, on AF, it does search...quite a bit with the macro attachment, but I grew up on 35mm where I had to focus myself, so this is not a big deal to me.Not a bad lens at all for the money!
I am an amateur at photography but if your looking for a lens with decent zoom and and still take close up portraits, get this. This lens is really cheap and affordable.
This len is great for starter and beginner like me. For the price this thing just can't go wrong. It deliver quite sharp image despite some softness at either 80 mm or 28mm.The plastic does not feel cheap at all. At least you don;t want to drop it. Autofocus is quite noisy and it takes an average of 1' to focus. Overall all, it's a great lens for the price although it's not without its drawbacks.
I am a volunteer photographer at an animal shelter and needed a decent, inexpensive and lightweight lens to use in place of my Canon IS lens that was pricier and heavier.  The 18-55mm lens kit that came with my Rebel XT was not cutting it and I needed more zoom.  I had the Sigma 28-200mm lens but the barrel creep was becoming a nuisance although the pictures came out good.  So, after reading the reviews, I got this lens.  The price cannot be beat and the zoom range is perfect for what I need.  I have had to shoot in the shade, low and harsh lighting and it has performed well for its class.  I now have the 40D with this lens and the photos look better than the Rebel's.  If you are looking for a decent workhorse lens, this is worth looking into.  I plan on purchasing another IS lens but will keep this Tamron for my "rougher" work environments.
Fair is fair, and $50 bucks for a lens gets you a $50 lens.  Great starter for someone getting into SLRs.  Won't give you the greatest pictures ever, but for shooting snapshots of the kids on vacation, you really can't beat this.
Off the bat: I did not purchase this lens via Amazon.com. However, I offer this as general advise on the product alone. The lens strictly stating, is an unbelievably shocking underperformer. Shooting from aperature priority (in all ranges) to shutter priority, the lens is simply poor quality. It never reaches 'reasonable' looking sharp photos and ultimately fails in every catagory, from color to chromatic abberation. Though you could consider this a tough good 'first' lens to learn with - except the fact that it may allude the first time DSLR'r to think something is wrong with their camera, when it's really the extremely poor optics of this Tamron lens. I despise the Canon 18-55mm as well but the verdict of sharpness and linear quality is unmistakable...any alternative to this focal range is superior in all shots. I offer you to PASS on this lens entirely.B.O.L.!
very nice, and the important its that works easy to use and useful the quality very good i use it more that others.
Tamron 28-80 lens is a reasonable lens for the price.I noticed that pictures are a little soft at 80 mm range but they are crisp and sharp at the lower ranges of focus.Still unbeatable price for the quality that this produces..Thanks Tamron!!
Nice cheap lens. One of those all-around everyday lenses for the beginner or a backup for everyone who got to be ready for sudden occasions. Ahaa, and by much, a lot better than the kit lens which comes with the Canon XTi. It could have been better constructed, but light and capable of taking decent images that will surprise even the best professionals.
I bought my first DSLR a year ago from adorama, the Canon t2i (body only,) and a lens pack which was this lens, along with a Tamron 70-300mm Telephoto lens. This lens would be for novices, such as I was. Indoors, it isn't very "tack sharp" for you need a lot of light. Outdoors, you can get some decent pictures, however you WILL have to edit them. Feel free to spend $30 to $50 on this lens. But not much more. Because although it may be okay to take casual pictures at the [outdoors] family get together, you'll one day need to move on to a better lens. This is a good starter or learner lens. But I suggest doing research on apertures before looking into this.It's a 4 star learners lens. Get this if you want to start branching away from a kit lens.But 1-star if applying to any professional or even enthusiast needs.The bokeh is mediocre, depth of field is present but not great, and the f3.5-5.6 is sub-par.But it works well on crop sensor cameras for point and shoot needs.**UPDATE**I also forgot to mention that the mount is plastic. I had my camera in a book bag (Not camera bag..sadly) during a flight to another country, the plastic broke very easily. Not sure what the warranties on these are, but it's barely a year old and I will not be back in the states for 6 months or so.Be aware of the plastic mount (area that locks onto the camera body.)
I purchased this lens with my 35mm Rebel K2.  A the time of this review I have shot 4 rolls of B&W; film though it of Landscape and some action shots of people.The lens has preformed admirably thus far. I have used it in both manual and auto focus modes both have resulted in good sharp photos. The included lens hood does a good job of preventing glare on the lens and the lens cap included with the lens can be removed with the hood on the lens.The way the wide angle- zoom feature works seems odd in order to get this lens to act similar to a "prime" lens it makes some sense the lens is at it's shortest length a 50mm then lengthens when either going to 28mm or 80mm. Holding the camera and lens properly will prevent you from accidentally interfering with the focus ring in the auto focus mode. I prefer manual focus (old habits die hard) however when in auto focus the lens works well to quickly focus and allow the camera to shoot.This isn't a fast lens as far as maximum aperture is concerned but for the average user it will work well in most normal lighting situations.If you are doing photography in lower light this lens may not work for you.Over all the lese is good for a good price for about $50 this is a good lens for the average non-professional beginner / intermediate photographer
The picture quality, when there's ample lighting, was incredibly sharp. In low lighting, the lens performed quite slow because its aperture range doesn't open up very wide. Overall the pictures were quite nice and clear.I was disappointed that this lens is not autofocus compatible with the lower end Nikon DSLRs, such as D3000, D40, D60, D5000, etc. I would have to change to a lens with a different type of motor for that function. I know that now and learned from my mistake. Since I like to play with manual focus, it's not that bad, but the convenience of AF would be nice to have. I did get to try it on a friend's camera, and the autofocus seems pretty quick.I would only recommend this lens because it's cheap and image quality is decent. However, compared to other lenses, the build quality feels like cheap plastic. The aperture is not going to be very forgiving in dim lighting, so it's mostly useful during day time shooting.
This is a very good (and cheap) multi-purpose lens.  It is the lens I tend to use most of the time for general photography.  The 1.5x factor of my Nikon D80 makes the lower end rise to 42mm, but that is not the lens' fault.  The only negatives I have is that the AF is a bit slow and since it is a conventional lens, light effects can be noticeable in bright light.
Product was as specified, the product was new and ready to use. It arrived on time and I love the item.
This is a great lens for the price. I bought it to use until I save up for some really nice lenses. It takes a great picture and is easy to use. It won't be my main lens after I get my others; however, I am very happy with the results I get with it.
This is an excellent lens for the price it is set at. If you are a budget photographer you need to add this lens to your collection. The AF system is a little sketchy in low light situations, but it still works great. Also, the lens has the prefect zoom range to be your default "walk-around" lens. This is just a great piece of glass for the price. Highly recommended.
Lens delivers for its price tag.Yes its true, it will not capture front cover National Geographic photos nor pocket camera mediocre results.The main advantage is the additional zoom range, making good for portraits and has some wide angle for those spontaneous group photos.The lens tends to get lost in details at its widest range of 28mm when is very sunny and focusing to infinity, the Nikon D60 meter does not adjusts well on these light conditions. I leave the wide angle nature photos to the 18-55 giving better results.I did some testing at a birthday Playground party (sunny, cloudy day), +1 in sharpness, WB to partly cloudy set at zero. I played every now and then with Under Over exposure; +0.3,.7 when cloudy and -.3-.7 when very sunny. This lens likes to give very saturated colors so try to leave it on Normal, not vivid colors or will be super rich reds, greens.Portraits: I find this lens does well in this category, if the light is right good details, tones can be achieved with blurry backgrounds at 80mm, remember to use the lens hood. The lens delivers well on portraits, I love it for such a cheap lens, colors come out very good. I retouch many photos on Elements 6 and Camera Raw giving it darker values to shadows and highlights to white areas. Good details are revealed by lowering saturation and contrast  with no weird out of focus backgrounds.It may be me, but I have experienced adjusting the Image and quality to Medium instead of Fine gives better results, I guess less is more in this case.Close ups with the built in iTTL flash are extremely good, details are excellent, I found the lens to deliver easy and without any much processing with flash and set on Auto, piece of cake.Overall: very good lens, feels sturdy. I have heard bad comments about plastic lens mount, but the Nikon 18-55 is also plastic. I wish the focusing ring was smoother and zoom be linear instead of rotational, makes it hard to manual focus on moving objects like sports etc. I recommend this lensThis lens gives a very pro look to your camera especially with the lens hood on. Do not worry, this lens DOES NOT look cheap or in other words, it does not look like a 70 dollar lens. I replaced the Tamron lens cap for a Nikon one :-)...
I bought this when i first got my d90 kit and wasn't sure what to expect with the crop factor of the digital sensor. I have a nikkor 18-55 vr, nikkor 15-200 vr, and several larger zooms. This lens has rarely left the camera unless i needed more range. The af is faster than my silent wave motor nikkors, the image quality is sharp with accurate colors. It does have a lot of plastic and the front lens rotates when focusing making polarizing filters more of a chore to use but overall for the price this lens takes the cake hands down. If you own a nikon camera with a screw type focusing system (glad the d90 can focus swm and screw type) this is worth adding to your camera bag or leaving on the camera for a walk around.
I went looking for a cheap Tamron lens after a lady at a local camera store recommended I look into them. Found a used one here very cheap. First impressions, like the smooth feel of the zoom, love the larger focus ring (I manually focus 95% of the time). Got some decent shots, so it went into my bag as a mid-zoom option. This past Friday I went to a show, had room in my small bag so thru in the Tamron. The lighting was so bad I was having trouble focusing my 50mm prime, so I popped on the Tamron. I was able to get some decent shots in terrible lighting @80mm. Here's some examples. (...)
I bought this Tamron lens for a Nikon D70. I can't really judge this lens too much because my i have not tried too many Nikon or Nikon based lenses. I needed something on a budget. I read some reviews on different lens ,and it came to trying this one. It's a good lens for the price. I mean, C'mon, it's not even sixty dollars. I haven't found the sweet spot, but so far F8 has been giving me good results. I'm not happy with the results F5.6 and below. Focal 3.5 seems blurrier than F8 most of the time. I don't know if it's the lens, or just my lack of skills that is causing it. Probably my lack of skills. Overall, if you need something cheap and simple to carry around this will do ok.
Ok well slightly dissapointed with this glass.  I was hoping for something a little better but what the description was and what I got I don't think the seller was quite sure what they were selling.  It works with my D5100 but no AF (auto focus) function or at least I couldn't get it to autofocus.  I was able to manual focus but some pics were not tack sharp.  Still good glass and cheap too would be better suited for inside work macro mostly.
I've bought two of these. They are essentially an inexpensive alternative to the Nikon kit lens provided with its lower-end DSLR's.The first lens went with my old D70s when I gave it to my girlfriend's daughters. They like it very much, especially since it was free to them. Then my girlfriend broke the zoom lens on her D200, so I gave her my zoom lens and acquired the Tamron as a stop-gap. It has worked very well in that role, and the price was right, but I have no illusions about it being the best lens for a D90.Actually, I plan on getting a Sigma 18-200 OS zoom for the D90, but they cost about $360, and I think I'm broke right now. Once I get the Sigma, the Tamron will become a backup. I expect that it will serve very well as that.
Most camera kits come with a basic zoom lens, and my first Nikon camera came with a 28-80mm f/3.5 lens. It served me well for nearly ten years, but as of late it has not been focusing so well and in some shots I noticed what I thought were out of place hairs. A day later I took some shots of a lighthouse and once again noticed the out of place hair. Since lighthouses don't have hair, I took a closer look at the lens and noticed it was scratched. I needed a replacement les in a hurry for a special event and the only option was this lens from Tamron. I hoped for a Nikon lens that was out of stock, but was told by the dealer that this lens would be comparable since the Nikon lens was not one of the manufacturer's better lenses.For me, this lens is a "friends and family" lens. I use it for group shots, birthday parties and Christmas photos, and from time to time some scenic shots. I have better lenses for artistic purposes. This lens allows me to capture these moments just as I like. It's also sturdy which is a plus. When I'm capturing a building, lighthouse, or something that does not have too many intricate details I'm happy with the results. Some of the nature shots have not been a sharp as I would like, a f/2.8 would be a better choice for these situations, but they are still acceptable photos.This is a good all purpose lens for general use that works equally well in a digital and film camera. If landscapes and scenic are your specialty, you may want to consider a f/2.8, but for adequate quality photos, this lens will more than serve the purpose.While I am giving the lens a four star rating instead of five, it is due to the fact that there are better lenses available and its my guess that most people looking at this review may be considering two or three different lenses, so I don't want to be misleading, but if I were to give stars based on quality and value, I would give it five stars because it's more than worth its price.
This is what it is, which is why I gave it 4 stars. It's not a professional lens, but it works perfect for everyday amateur use. Nice focal range 28-80 (equivalent 42-120). Reasonable for anything indoors or fairly close, works as a portrait lens and does well with landscapes and architecture. Great general usage lens and compact as well. The price is really remarkable. I have 8 lenses and this one gets the most use. I have it mounted to a Pentax K20D
I received this lens two years ago.  I use this lens often.  Works great with my Pentax D20.  It was well worth the price.  Product shipped promptly.  Wouldn't hesitate to do business with vendor again.
At 28mm its not as sharp as i would've expected it to be(a bit soft, but still great a shot)...you'll have to go low on the f stops to get a sharp image. At 50mm-80mm you'll get sharp shots at almost all f stops. Its girthy, so it looks good on the camera, but its all plastic built.Comes with a 1/2'' hood.I used this as my everyday everywhere lens. Not too worried about it getting damaged.For the price its a great all around lens.Of course there are better lens out there, but for the price this beats them out. I would recommend to others.
I bought this to replace my 7yr old SMC 28-80 lens that just jammed up one day when I really needed it.  The Tamron lens is good, autofocuses quite fast and feels well built.  I have found that a 28-80 lens is the absolute best balance you can get for 90% of all your photos which is why it's on my camera almost all the time.Basically, this lens works, it's incredible value and the color reproduction doesn't have the tint that my old SMC lens had (which gave the same tint as using Kodak Royal Gold film).As a result of this purchase I'll probably buy another Tamron lens in the future when I want a telephoto lens.
This was the first lens I bought after getting my K200D. I wanted something beyond the 55mm from my kit lens but didnt have a lot of money to spend. At $44 it was hard to pass this up. Keep the price in mind when looking at this lens.For $44 you get a good lens for indoor and outdoor shooting of people and "stuff." When I am shooting people in candid situations, I find the 28-80mm range gives me what I need to get the groups and zoom in to get expresions. Its a nice middle. The Image quality is not the best but again, for less than dinner for two with drinks, it is more than acceptable.This is a fat but light lens. Lots of plastic but still seems well built. I dont think it will take any more or less abuse than any other lens out there. Then again, for $44, if it gets destroyed its not such a big deal. In fact, it has become my "Danger" lens - If there is a chance I might damage something, I use this one!The image quality is good - not great - but good.  It is a little soft at 80mm and wide open.  It shoots a little dark and a little warm but nothing that is too hard to adjust in post processing.  Again, this is a budget lens so dont expect too much.  The minimum focus distance is not close - closer to 3 feet than 2 (1 meter) - which limits the zoom a little.  For people shooting, its not a big deal because no one wants a lens stuck in their face!I am very happy with this lens and I would recommend it to anyone on a tight budget. But even if you dont have a tight budget, if it is the right lens 10 times a year, its a bargain.
I bought this lens to replace the kit lens that came with the Pentax K-x. I wanted something with a bit more range and was willing to give up a wider angle.The lens is bigger than I expected, about 1.5x the size of the standard 18-55mm kit lens on the k-x. Despite the size, it's still very light weight, roughly the same weight as the kit lens. The body is all plastic, with grippy zoom and focus rings.In terms of performance, it's on par with the kit lens in terms of Picture quality and focus speed. It does make for a better portrait lens though with the added range. But all in all, it's a great "do it all" lens for casual shooting (especially considering the price)... Just can't expect that "wow!" factor.Recommended for casual photographers who want a little more zoom range vs the kit lens or as a replacement for the kit lens.3.5 Stars for the lens build and performance4.5 Stars for the price.
Fantastic lens at an incredible price! This is really an unbeatable combination. Very sharp lens with good color rendition; an excellent all around lens.
The Tamron AF 28-80mm lens for Pentax SLR cameras is an inexpensive way to increase the zoom on you camera.  It provides a very useful zoom range for general photography and relatively sharp pictures.
Got this lens fairly quickly. Takes great pictures and easy to us. Great for regular shots landscapes etc. Good quality all-around camera lens.
It is really a bargain. The lens is ok, it lacks on a better wide angle end, poor zoom. The pictures it takes are not professional. But colors, sharpness are ok. Best match for short budgets, when you choose Pentax k-01 body.
The lens is a general use lens. For the money you can't go wrong. The lens is pretty good for portraits and landscape. Works well for close ups as well.
I am very happy with all my Tamron lense, I do not know that they will last Like Vivitar lenses, it will take many years to find out, so far, no one go bad yet, on the contrally, I bought my first Sigma on 1975 for my Konica, then a Sigma 50 mm macro for my Nikon, and a 28-200 for my Canon,...ect. and no one Sigma lenses last more than 2 years, everyone go bad with no exception.
I have purchased two of these lenses (autofocus version) for our Nikon N-70.  I dropped the first lens and something came loose.  This is a superb lens.  I studied the Modern Photography Magazine ratings to select this lens, which was/is the sharpest zoom lens in the 20-120 range.  Not even Nikon or Canon can beat this lens for sharpness across the focal range.  Spherical Aberration is marginally higher than an average lens with this focal range, so you wouldn't want to shoot professional architecture photos with this lens.  Tamron makes a semi-pro lens with an F-2.8 across a similar zoom range, but it is no sharper than this lens.
I brought this for my Sony Alpha camera but for some reason it didn't fit. So I had to return it.
For the price this is an excellent lens but did a side by side comparison with my higher priced Tamron 2.8 17-55mm and there is a clear difference in sharpness and contrast so don't expect perfection.  If you're extremely demanding then spend the money on quality glass, but if you're a casual shooter and want to save some $$ this is a good deal and great for every day photography. (see samples in Gallery)
I own a Sony DSLR-A300. I bought this Tamron lens at the recommendation of some other Sony DSLR owners on the forums at Steve's Digicams. At the time, one vendor had them for $39. I could not pass this up, especially after seeing the sample shots posted by users. I was not disappointed. The clarity of my photos is great, and the colors look clear and bright. Thought it is not a macro lens (minimum focus is something like 18"), I have taken many clear close-up shots with it. It is a film lens, but works flawlessly with the Sony Alpha cameras. Tamron makes decent lenses.
I needed to replace my Sigma 55-80mm lens for every day use and the Tamron was recommended to me as potential replacement.  Based on the price and 6 year warranty, it has exceeded my expectations.
I bought the Sony A300 and was immediately disappointed at the image quality produced by the kit lens. So, I started searching for a replacement lens and that's when I came across this Tamron 28-105mm. It offered less WA but longer reach, which I prefer. So, for a mere $40 with free shipping, I could not pass on it and I'm glad I didn't. This is a great, versatile little lens, far better than Sony's kit lens. It's quiet and fast focusing. It produces excellent, sharp and well saturated images right out of the camera. Could not be happier.
It is a great product, I had a lot of fun using it, planet doesn't see so big but it has an amazing clarity and sensibility to find stars.Set up the computer is difficult, I'm still using manually.Shipping was fast, and properly packed.
I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 114GT in preparation for a college astronomy course and I am sure glad I did! I am still learning how to use it, but so far it is exceeding my expectations. The fact that I can control the scope with the handheld control or my laptop computer is a real plus. If you plan to use your laptop computer with this scope, you will need to purchase an inexpensive serial cable compatible with the NexStar. With this cable you can hook up to the telescope hand control using your serial port or USB port (using a converter, that's what I do)I also found an Internet site for people who own any Celestron NexStar telescope. This site is wonderful! It is full of so much information ([...]) On this site are things like tips for viewing, controller the scope with your PC, updated NexStar Observer List software, and information regarding accessories (including the serial cable above)...plus so much more!Bottom line...the Celestron NexStar 114GT is an excellent value for the beginner or intermediate observer. I highly recommend it.
I bought this telescope about 2 or 3 years ago. I am not disappointed with it. For a decent price, you get a 4.5 inch reflector telescope with 2 eyepieces(10 mm for 100x and 25mm for 40x)and the nexstar tracking system. Set up was easy, and the optics were good. I have seen other reviews say that you can get a 6 or 8 inch dobsonian for the price of this. While this is true, I needed the tracking system, because I live in a light polluted area where "star hopping" just isn't going to work. The tripod is steady and is adjustable. The optics are good and clear.This isn't to say I don't have any complaints. One is the battery pack. The batteries slip out, and mine broke so I couldn't power the scope. I had to use a backup car battery jumpstarter to power it. Also, if you don't have a power source, there is no way to move it. It doesn't allow you to move it manually, only electronically. Finally, the accessories tray was very flimsy.But despite all this, I was satsified. I also recommend getting the celestron accessory kit.
A while ago I purchased the Nexstar 114GT.  I was impressed at the amount of features that came with the telescope.  Celestial objects catalogs, alignment options, tracking, ability to connect with a PC, tour, etc...The tripod is of fair quality.  It is stable and light.  The 'deluxe' tray would be better if it had holes for eyepieces.  The finder is basic as well.  Easy to tune and operate. I am considering upgrading to something better at some point.By contrast, the tube is made of higher quality, and the optics are good.  The 2 eyepieces that comes with the telescope are of entry level, but will provide a very good and clear picture.  I was very satisfied with what I was able to see, as well as the quality.  Mounting the tube on the arm, and the arm on the tripod is a snap.The hand control is ok.  Once you understand your way around the menus there's a lot you can do.  The auto-align works well, and tracking too.  I recommend going on the web, there's a site dedicated to the 114GT packed with very useful tips to get the most of this telescope.  Perusing the manual, no so user friendly, a few times will also help in operating the telescope and get some good results.Now, about customer service; and this is going to contrast from a previous reviewer's review.  After some time, the azimuth drive started to show signs of weakness: it wasn't as fast as usual. It thought the telescope did not get mounted properly and I opened the holding arm to see if I could do something.  I was able to tighten some of the clutches as they were loose.  But a while after that the motor ended up dying.  Opened the arm again, tested the drive and came to the conclusion that I had to change it.  Having opened the arm several times and messed around with the inner mechanics I thought that Celestron would just cancel the warranty and have me pay for the reparation.Anywasy, I called Celestron's customer service and explained my problem.  They gave me a Return Authorization number, and I sent them the arm along with the hand control.  About a week later, the arm came back with a brand new motor and power connector.  In addition they had adjusted the clutches and tested everything.  And this cost me a grand total of $0.  Thumbs up!
I have owned this telescope for a few years now. It is very nice and probably the most used between all the telescopes I own. At 114mm it is just the right size for ease of use and yet still collects enough starlight to go quite far into deep sky objects. The Go-to feature is very nice however can probably be difficult to use for first time users. It will take some getting used to... aligning the scope, setting it level.. etc etc. When using the scope I actually usually prefer to just control it manually, I find that searching for the objects oneself is half the fun of astronomy. Many objects are easily attainable with this scope... the planets especially highlighting Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter you can see the main moons as well as cloud detail in the bands including the GRS. Saturn is visible with its brightest moons and a fairly trained eye should be able to pick out the cassini division in the rings. As far as deepsky objects, all the bright ones such as M13, M27, M31, M42, M45, M57, etc are easily visible with some detail. This telescope is not limited to just the messier catalog, it can go deep! I would strongly recommend this telescope to anyone interested in astronomy.
This scope is certainly the best of the automated 4-1/2&quot; scopes, but at the same time, I think spending that much on such a small scope is really not the best way to allocate your telescope dollars. Adding automation to this little scope more than doubles the price of the scope- and if you can afford that much, you'd be far better off with a larger scope.For the cost of this scope, you can buy an 8&quot; or 10&quot; &quot;dobsonian&quot; reflector from Celestron, Meade and other suppliers that has much greater light gathering capacity and much higher resolution. There's just no comparison between the views you'd get in a little scope like this and those from a larger scope. Automation is better used on much larger scopes where it's a smaller part of teh purchase price.
I own This Telescope, all I do if I want to see a planet, star, moon, etc Just push and select an object you want to see and it will go there automaticly.
This is my first telescope, although I've viewed the night sky with far more expensive scopes.  I'm impressed with the capabilities and value (I paid far less than retail at Costco).I have not had the problem with the scope bumping into the base.  However I do think the az/el drive system could be driven a bit better.  On the highest rate - 9 - it seems to start up rather jerky, neccessitating a switch to a lower rate for short movements.The only problem I've had is with the various types of alignment.  It's hard to use a magnetic compass near the scope, for the quick alignment procedure.  I would attribute this to my lack of experience with the equipment, but it makes it hard to track Mars properly.
This scope is one of the best in the under [a high price] catagory. I bought it because it was a complete package (scope, eyepieces, "go to" computer, and full-sized tripod). It performs well and lives up to the hype on the box. The "go to" feature really works - the sought after object is almost always somewhere in the low power field of view. The only flaw is the battery pack, which seems like an afterthought and is always getting tangled. As another reviewer noted, the tube tends to bump the mount when viewing objects overhead, which forces you to realign unnecessarily...
I bought the Nestar 114GT as my first telescope and I'm really having a great time!Affordable for a motorized telescope and pretty powerful.Easy to set up, light, easy to transport.You can easily spot all the planets, even Pluto!!(.. if the sky is clear and your eyes are good), for the rings... well, that's different...you'll need a more powerful scope.The cons:- the manual: even if the scope is easy to set up and it's kind of "self-explanatory", I noticed that the manual is poor and not very helpful... you learn day by day.- the motorized arm: when sleughin to stars or planets, sometimes it "skips" a gear or two so that the alignment is not perfect. I don't know if this happens with every scope or just with mine.Some advice: don't expect the scope to do everything for you. You still need to know which star you're looking at and where to find it. The computerized alignment is not always perfect and you might ended up looking at Arcturus while thinking of Polaris.Buy accessories! The scope comes with two eye-pieces: a 10mm and a 15mm. They are good, but if you want to check some detail you need more powerful eye-pieces. I bought the set that contains planet filters (great for Moon-viewing!) and eye-pieces (with a good 2x Barlow lens). This set is sold at Amazon as well.If you like to see the Sun and its sun-spot, then you can buy a solar filter and you'll be stocked!!!And don't forget the AC adapter!!!
Disappointed that these filters are now plastic versus glass.  All my old Cokin filters are glass.  Perhaps it was just where I was, but this seemed to attract dust where as I have not had that issue with my older filters.  Still, it goes the trick until I can afford a higher quality filter.  Long term I am concerned with how easily this may scratch.  Time will tell.Update 3-26-14 - I meant do update sooner. I realize now I was mistaken. I looked at my other filters and they are not glass. They too are plastic. However, they do have a different feel to them though so I still think the newer filters are less sturdy. But with care they should be fine. Still not sure why it seemed to attract so much dust. May have just been a fluke. Still, it does the trick on a budget.
If you are an outdoor photographer, this filter is a must for your collection.  The gradual grey allows you to get the correct exposure for the sky and land.  For example, if you are shooting a sunset (or sunrise) it is easy to correctly expose the sky, living the bottom part of your picture underexposed and almost black.  This filter will help in these situations by giving both parts of your picture the proper exposure.The filter itself comes in a protective, plastic case that is well secured.  You could throw it in your camera bag and not worry about it accidentally opening.FYI - this filter is part of the Cokin P series, which are a bit bigger than their A series and designed for wider angle lenses.  If you aren't sure what size lens you are going to be using the filter with it is probably a good idea to be safe and go with the P series.  In any case, there is plenty of information on Cokin filters to be found around the web.  One summary can be found at ...
This is a great product, the plexi glass is high quality and certainly does it's job as a graduated ND filter.My only gripe is that I wish it came in a better case with it moving around and not being held firmly in place, it will end up with worn down edges and a scratched up ND filter. There are others out there with better cases, but for the price this does it's job. I ended up just replacing my case with a better one later on.
I really like the Cokin filter system.  With ring adapters a single investment can be leveraged to multiple lens and/or cameras.  Good quality, and reasonable pricing.
This was my first ND graduated filter.  It works nicely.  My two complaints are the it's plexi-glass, which will scratch over time and that the edges aren't rounded off.  I, like most people, will be hand holding this when using it.  These are made to be used with a holder but...  Cokin knows people hand hold these most of the time so why not round the edges off a bit.  Overall I am happy with it though.
I wouldn't say this is an exceptional quality filter. However, for the price tag, this is a great GND filter. Recommended to all beginners and low budget photographers.
Bought it for the Grand Canyon trip earlier and this one helped me to take some excellent pictures. I had had ND and CPL filters but in bright sunshine where the gound and the sky is in large contrast, GND helps a great deal and this one works brilliantly. It's a little unconvenient to install the square filters but the picture come out just as I needed. Brilliant product and great pictures with the help of it!
Like the price, doesn't seem to shift color, wish the case came with a liner, the filter is very fragile, but take care of it and you should be fine.  Drop it and it will scratch or break.
I have used aftermarket ND filters that tinted the picture.  For this reason I purchased the Cokin filter. I think I am going to love them.
I'm returning the filter because it wasn't the one I ordered. I ordered the Cokin P-Series Grey ND4 filter for my P-sized filter holder, and what I got instead was an &#34;A&#34;-sized (smaller) filter. If it was the one I ordered, then no where in any part of this part's description does it indicate it is for the smaller sized filter system. The catalog needs to be explicit in which filter system a filter will fit.
already had the holder so just got an adapter to fit threads of my other lens.bought specifically for slowing waters with a long exposure.does get scatched if not careful and the carrying case is too fragile.until i get $$$ for glass one, this will do job of stilling running water quite nicely.
Did you ever come across a beautiful landscape with big billowing, puffy white clouds on the horizon?  You try to capture the moment by taking a photo.  However, when you view the photo, either the clouds are completely washed out -- white with no detail -- or the landscape itself is dark, with no color.By decreasing the exposure, say 2 stops, the wonderousness of the clouds emerges, but the landscape darkens and loses form.  By increasing the exposure, the landscape materializes, but the clouds wash out.The graduated neutral density filter is designed to fix the problem.  The filter is square and slides up or down in its bracket.  The filter itself is dark on top and clear on the bottom.  The idea is to place the bifurcation line of the filter on the horizon, thereby darkening the clouds and lightening the landscape.  A 2-stop filter, i.e. ND4 0.6, will usually do the trick.  At times however a 1-stop or 3-stop might be preferable.The result is a picture with beautifully detailed clouds and a perfectly exposed landscape.
One of the big problems with time lapse photography is flicker and one technique for reducing flicker is to use a large aperture and slow shutter, this poses a problem in bright light (i.e. time lapse of lotus blossoms opening as the sun hits them).The ND-4 is a perfect solution, just pop it in the filter holder and get perfect exposure with the best combination of aperture and shutter speed. Super smooth time lapse results.
Does it's job perfectly. Must have for that smooth silky effect on water bodies. Cokin products have never disappointed me. But handle with care as it is prone to scratches.
Heavy as lead.  Slight &quot;stickiness&quot; in the zoom when changing directions at full extension, but nothing major, feels like it will work out.  Nice finish, kind of retro, speckled, grainy finish, good gripping and looking.  Good, very quiet focusing.  Excellent sharpness, using it on a D30 digital, so can't really tell about aberrations at widest and longest, since I lose the edges with my CMOS anyway.  FOR THE MONEY, I don't think you have a better choice.  Of course, if you can afford it, get the Canon &quot;L.&quot;  Don't think you'll be disappointed for the price.
This lens was heavy and not sharp...should have known better with that much zoom. I don't recommend it. The end
Its a good lens with with 500mm Zoom. It is necessary to shoot wildlife. However, the lens is EXTREMELY HEAVY! That limits its usage considerably. I went to shoot whales recently. Thanks to the fast zoom, I am the only one that got pictures of whales, everyone else I know, only got a small dark spec in the ocean!
I purchased this lens in 2005, and I have been extremely satisfied with it -- this is a high-quality lens that takes crisp, beautiful images! Yes, it is very heavy as some have complained, but this is a big piece of glass with rock solid construction. After paying this kind of money for a lens, I don't think I would be happy if it felt lightweight like cheap plastic. I used it until this year with my 35mm Canon EOS Elan 7. Sometimes I just hand hold it with the grip, but often I will use it with my Canon monopod, which I highly recommend when using a telephoto. The monopod is very portable, steadies and keeps you from having to hand hold the heavy lens. I took the camera with this lens on trips many times ... even carrying it around the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and other places. I have also taken it to the race track (horses) and it works great for action sports shots like horse racing. I used the monopod while at the track. Boy, did the crowd ever clear a path for me when I came through with this impressive looking lens! LOL  The photos are fantastic!  One review I read said the focus is slow, but I haven't experienced this. I got a lot of great horse racing action shots and wildlife shots with no blurring. I personally really like the auto focus on it, and the image stabilization is excellent. You will be interested to know that I am now using it with my new Canon EOS 50D digital SLR and they work together beautifully. It's fantastic for wildlife photography! All in all, I couldn't be more pleased with this lens and I highly recommend it for use with the new compatible digital cameras. I definitely recommend use of a monopod with a digital camera, because of the weight. Outstanding glass for your camera at a more reasonable price than the big brand names. Sigma makes excellent lenses. If you have the money, go for it!
I got this lens to replace my 600mm reflector which is fixed aperture with a dreadfully small depth of focus. This lens is spectacular by comparison: excellent focus depth, with F4-6.3 it is light-strong enough to get away with a lot of stuff that reflector lenses don't allow as they suck so much light. I do motorsport and nature photography, so fast exposure times are key, and this lens allows for good flexibility in difficult light conditions or where you need to be super-quick without compromising depht-of-focus. I use this lens on a Canon EOS 7E elan, and this is an outstanding combo for motosport and nature shots, since both the lens and the camera are very quick and very quiet. My two only complaints with this product are the weight (very heavy, bring Advil to shooting a whole Grand Prix weekend!)and the fact that the zoom is a little slow-going, but maybe that'll easen up with more use. Overall another very solid Sigma product, unbeatable value for the money. I shut off the autofocus sometimes when I do difficult action pics where there's potential for automatic focussing errors, but if you don't, be prepared to bring extra batteries, since moving the autofocus in a big lens like this will suck the power out of your camera in no time.
I love this lens.  It is very good for indoor photography , because the relatively wide angle it covers lets you take in what is happening in an enclosed space, and the speed lets you hand hold your camera without a flash.  It autofocuses quickly, and is plenty sharp.  Because it's wide angle, the depth of field at large F-stops isn't hideously narrow.  Well worth the money.
As another reviewer noted, this does not work with some newer cameras. I was able to use this on my Canon 5D set to Manual. It would not work on Program Auto or any other setting. Same problem with the Canon 60D. An 'err' message comes up on each camera that says the lens is not communicating with the camera. The contacts are clean, and the lens works on my old EOS3, so it's just a compatibility issue with the newer cameras.As far as optical quality goes, the pictures I took on my 5D, using manual settings, look just fine.Since it did work on my old film EOS3, that is where it will stay.Bottom line is: if you are thinking of picking up one of these lenses you would be wise to test it on your camera body first, or only plan to use it on older cameras.
This lens is a must. The photos are crisp and clear; the colors true. It is easy to hold because it is light and small. The 1.8 makes it extremely useful in lower light situations. But it is also stellar outside in bright light. Quick focus.
If you can find this lens, it is probably the best "normal" fast lens you can find to use on your digital SLR.  The 28mm focal length translates to 42mm in digital perspective, which is just about right for most shooting.  The F stop of 1.8 lets you do something you couldn't with film - shoot indoors without a flash.  The reason film didn't work is because the colors are always off.  With digital, you can adjust the color balance to be perfect without light-reducing filters.  Besides, with the variety of flourescents used today, the color on film never comes out right.  However, when used on a film camera, you now have a FAST wide-angle lens that will stop action.  Lenses like this will become rarer as manufacturers make "digital-only" lenses (see the Sigma 30mm F1.4 for example).  An additional benefit is that this lens is not overly large.  It needs 58mm filters (not 72 or 77 like a lot of slower zooms do), which are a lot less expensive.  Don't confuse with the newer Sigma 28mm F1.8 Macro, which uses the larger filters (and therefore is a lot larger lens).  If you do your shopping, you can pick this jewel up for less than 200 bucks.
This was a nice prime lens, but it did not &#34;communicate&#34; with my Canon 7D.  Basically i set it to f1.8 and was unable to move the aperture.  After several months, i finally drove up to Sigma in Long Island and they let me trade it in for one of their newest versions of this lens.  Which is awesome btw.  Sigma always makes great lenses.
I bought this lens for the Canon mount. The seller listed it under the Nikon mount because there is no listing on Amazon for the Canon version. But Amazon combines all the reviews together anyway so I will write my review here.I've had a full day to test the lens and even used it at a photo shoot last evening. There are so many things about this lens that I love:1. Ultra Wide Angle. This is the widest rectilinear prime focal length made. Canon has one, of course, and the Mark II version costs over $2000. I picked my Sigma up used here on Amazon for only $450, I consider it a great deal since this lens is becoming rare.2. Close focusing range. It focuses closer than the expensive Canon L lens. This lens focuses SO close, just 7.1 inches from the focal plane. This is actually a Macro lens! I already took some really cool shots at the close distance.3. Sharpness. Soft wide open but sharpens up nicely at f/4. At the center of the frame, this lens is sharper at f/4 than myCanon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameraslens is at f/5.6 @ 15mm. And I always considered that a sharp lens.4. Flexibility. On my full-frame Canon 5D Mark II this gives an ultrawide field of view of 114 degrees. Fun, but perhaps too wide for many uses. If you're not careful your subject gets lost. But on my 60D it gives a very useful field of view equivalent to 22mm, while utilizing the sharpest part of the image.5. Autofocus. Works like a champ, is fast and dead on. Not like my experience with some other Sigma lenses that I had to send in for calibration. Focuses well in low light too.6. Built like a tank. Solid. I'm used to using telephoto lenses, so to me it doesn't seem heavy at all.There is really only one thing I don't like about this lens and that is the poor performance in the corners. The distortion and vignetting can be corrected in software, but the corners are smeared so badly wide open and never fully clear up even when stopped down. The center reaches optimal sharpness at f/5.6 and the corners do sharpen up somewhat, reaching optimal sharpness at f/11. But even at f/11 the smearing is still there and it's not just the far corners, it's a fair amount of the outer edge that is smeared looking. In small photos for the web it's not really apparent and if your background is out of focus it won't matter, but if you're a professional landscape photographer this may be an issue.The good news is that if you're using this lens on an APS-C camera to get a 22mm "equivalent focal length", your camera's sensor crops out the offending edges. You only capture the center "sweet spot" of the image and although you can still tell that the far left and right sides of the image are not as sharp as the center, it's not bad at all. Still, I can't give 5 stars to a lens that is not acceptably sharp from corner to corner.So why did Sigma discontinue this lens in 2007? By all counts it was a popular, lower cost alternative to the Canon L glass with even better image quality than the first Canon version. Perhaps there is a revision in the works? Let's hope so. Sigma has been coming out with some great lenses lately.
Just got this lens as a Christams gift, and I'm really impressed with it.  It's a little soft at the edges wide open, but if you stop it down a bit, you get most of the corner sharpness back.  It's also a little heavier than I'm used to, and I was suprized by how large it is.  Nonetheless, it's a great lens for the landscapes I like shooting.
The Sigma 14mm f/2.8 aspherical wide angle lens is quite simply one of the best wide angle lenses available for APS-C (cropped sensor) DSLRs. I've owned this lens for the Nikon mount when I shot with Nikon DSLRs and I currently own it for the Pentax mount now that I'm shooting Pentax DSLRs.This lens is amazingly sharp wide open at f/2.8 so there's no need to stop down the lens for sharpness ... only if you want more depth of field. Speaking of which, because of the f/2.8 aperture and the close focusing distance you can photograph a subject close to the lens and completely blur out the background for creative compositions. This is just a FANTASTIC wide angle lens.You have to be careful about where the sun or other bright light sources are positioned in your frame because you can get lens flare with this lens ... but that's normal for most ultra wide angle lenses like this.I would actually say the Sigma 14mm gives a nicer wide angle rendering than the native Pentax 14mm f/2.8 lens. The only reason to buy the Pentax 14mm instead of this Sigma 14mm is that the Pentax lens can take filters on the front and the Sigma lens requires rear gel filters or you have to &#34;MacGyver&#34; a front-mounted filter solution using the large Cokin filters and a homemade filter holder that slips over the built-in hood. Alternatively, you can connect 72mm filters to the lens cap on the Sigma (the front of the lens cap can be removed to reveal 72mm filter threads) but if you use 72mm filters on the Sigma lens you get vignetting and you have to crop the image to remove the black corners.Bottom line, the Sigma 14mm f/2.8 is an amazing wide angle lens and -- as long as you're willing to deal with the filter limitations -- it's worth every last penny.
The Sigma 14mm f2.8 is a great lens. It does a good job of keeping line straight. As others have stated you need to stop down (5.6 or higher) to keep sharp focus. That's the case with most very wide angle lenses. It is difficult to focus as others as said. That's just the nature of very wide angle lenses. If you shooting something up close then let the auto-focus do it for you. It you want to make certain it's in focus then measure (the old fashioned way). I've shot numerous projects with this lens and find to be major player in the very wide angle lens field. I've shot home exteriors, home interiors, art gallery interiors and even food with this lens.My only issue with this lens is that it does not handle blowout hot spots well. It tends to shift the color on the fringes of the hot spot to the yellow. You just need to be careful not blowout hot spots which why I gave 4 stars instead of 5 stars.
This is for a Canon mount. All the other reviews pretty much sum up this lens. On APS-C it crops out the ugliness of the smeared corners. I can't get a sharp pic in any corner at any aperture on FF. On APS-C it's a different story. Just use f5.6 for everything and you will be ok. The FF vignettes and smeears the corners pretty badly. The 14mm F2.8L lens is over $1,000. Big difference but if you have FF i am sure the L lens will be better as it can't be worse..
Bought this lens brand new when it first came out, using it on a Nikon F5, then the original D1.Hadn't used it much in several years, but pulled it out recently upon finally getting a FF sensor camera (D4)--still works like a champ, and  built like a tank.Not sure if people understand the impact of its stated Minimum Focus Distance: 7.1 inches from the focal (film) plane---considering where the focal plane is in the back of your camera(sensor) and the length of the lens, it's like an INCH in front of the lens! ;)It can have some soft corners but it is mostly sharp (even wide-open) in general use.With that massive hunk of solid round glass, you can't put a filter on it...and it sometimes gets dirty getting THAT CLOSE to your subject...Think shooting a child blowing soap bubbles!Just a FUN lens to shoot with!
...I used the lens at a wedding and it was just perfect.  It's a little tough on the focusing and the zoom but that's ok at least I know it's going to stay put.I can't wait to use it on my digital SLR and see how it looks.
Good lens.  But if you have Canon SLR,  buy the canon lens (Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM).  There is a difference between the two while used with Canon SLR. Images are sharper with Canon lens, in my opinion.For other SLR camera,  I don't see such difference.
I had the Canon 35-80 and 22-55 zooms for my Rebel. They're very small and super light but feel flimsy, and they are fairly &quot;slow&quot; lenses, meaning no low light or really shallow depth of field. I bought the &quot;faster&quot; Sigma 28-105 from Amazon earlier this year. It's bigger and beefier than the &quot;stock&quot; Canon EF lenses. It looks quite respectable, and it feels very sturdy. I cvan't speak to the finer points of its accuracy, but the Sigma's ideal range and low aperture capabilities made it, for me, the only lens I'd ever want for the Canon - what a nice, simple, handy system!This summer, I took a spill into Lake Powell with the Rebel and the 28-105. Ooops! Youch! I may try to fix the water damage, but I'm getting another Sigma 28-105 right away, so I won't be without a reliable one, factory fresh. It's that good. I wouldn't want to be without this lens as THE BEST compact backup system to my more cumbersome and finicky medium format Mamiyas.
This zoom has a very handy range for all types of shooting. Its expecially helpful during the holidays, since lots of people are usually crammed into a small house.  I have taken many rolls of pictures over the last 2-3 years with this lens and had NO problems.  Zooming is smooth and focus is quick and quiet.
This Sigma 28-105mm is superb value for a general-purpose lens for the serious amateur. The zoom range is great, and the quality of images is fairly consistent throughout. It's faster than any other lens that you'll find near this price (meaning that it has a larger aperture to let in more light, so you could take the same picture at a faster speed).When I was purchasing it, the biggest question on my mind was whether to get a Canon lens or an off-brand lens. The most similar Canon is a 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. It costs about a quarter again as much as the Sigma. Advantages of the Canon? It offers USM (fast, silent focusing), and the Canon logo. Advantages of the Sigma? An extra half-stop, and price. Personally, I don't find the lack of USM to be much of a disadvantage. The focusing is quick and precise on the Sigma -- unless you're taking action shots, you're never going to notice the extra half second. I do like the speed of the Sigma. Having an extra half stop allows you to shoot in slightly dimmer light, or to achieve a shallower depth. Since I haven't done a side-by-side compison of shots from the two lenses, it wouldn't be fair to compare their quality. However, I'm absolutely happy with the Sigma -- it goes far beyond what I expected for a lens of this price.Just to clarify a couple of errors in other reviews: it uses 72mm filters, so be aware that you'll pay more for these than for filters for the Canon. (On the other hand, this allows the lens to be faster and to have fewer problems with vignetting.) There was a problem with the older Sigma lenses being incompatible with newer Canon EOS cameras, but newer lenses solve this problem.Overall, I think that Sigma offers superb quality and versatility for the money. If you're a serious amateur who is looking for that one lens you keep on your camera 90% of the time, this is the perfect lens for you.
This is a great DV camera - loaded I should say, all possible in/out options. I have used it on Win Win ME / Win 2000 / Win XP on my desktop and laptop and results are fantastic and no problem with any system to recognize the new hardware. I was a little apprehensive about the small size, but no regrets - it can do all the stuff the high end 1000+ cameras can (Barring still capture on media card) I have a digital camera anyways for that.I would have given it full 5 but for its poor indoor results and a little not so good battery life. But I still love this camera and which definately beats all cameras any day except I guess SONY...
I bought my camera about 18 months ago and it has worked flawlessly the entire time. Back in summer of 2000 I paid [a lot of money] and thought I got a deal. Now [the] prices [are] a true bargain.I bought the camera for shooting outdoor sports and the new baby. The camera is totaly awesome. At less than 2 lbs it is easy to carry anywhere and it works perfectly in a wide range of tempratures and conditions, 20 degrees up to 112 degrees. Worked perfectly every time.Some peopel have complained about poor perfromace in the dark, well buy the light, duh! The lens is small so it will not collect too much light in dim conditions. Apature, apature, apature.The controls are a snap and the all of the accesories are great.For the prices you are buying a great camera in the superior Mini DV format.
I bought this camcorder last year. It was good for taking video, but I don't like the way it keeps still images. The way it works is keeping the same screen for 5 sec, and is recorded on the tape. To transfer to a computer, you need another device, which only save into floopy disk. But overall, it's a good camcorder if you need something cheap and only need to make movies.
I've had this product a month and was very pleased with it. We had recorded about 20 minutes of video, part of which my wife had viewed once successfully. We then went to watch the whole tape again, and found that there were thick grey horizontal lines across the picture in playback mode. Based on the manual we used a cleaning tape which resolved the problem although after a further 10 - 15 minutes of viewing the problem re-occurred. A further cleaning again resolved the issue. I don't know if the heads were dirty when we got the camera or if the issue was the brand new TDK tapes we were using. We have bought some Panasonic tapes now which we will use for a week of two before deciding whether there is something more seriously wrong with the camera that needs to be checked out under warranty.
Watch out this Mini-DV Camcorder's lens! The Maximum CCD resolution only 460,000 pixels. It's only slightly higher than Digital8 camcorder's resolution. Most Mini-DV has CCD 680,000 pixels. Like the Panasonic PV-DV51, for similar price, got 680,000 pixels better lens but bigger body. Both Canon and Panasonic models have pretty good performance rated by Consumer Report.If you don't care the lens resolution, just go for ZR10!Beside that, the optical zoom (the most important part for zoom feature) lens only 10X. PV-DV51 has 18X.
Ditto all the other posts.  Worked for about 6mths, then started eating tapes.  Repaired twice under warrenty, then warranty ran out, then repaired for $120 and then it happened again.  No more good money after bad.  Worst electronic purchase of my life.  Will never buy Canon again.
I have owned the zr10 for 3 years.  Initially, I was thrilled to death over it's small form factor, quality of picture (in good light) and fantastic cd quality sound.Now, it just eats tapes, so I can no longer enjoy it's small form factor, quality of picture (in good light) and fantastic cd quality sound.Nope, it just eats tapes. It seems to enjoy eating maxell as well as TDK, but will eat just about anything you serve it.  I have placed my camcorder on a diet of blank tapes.  It is not to be trusted with the task of preserving the memories of my children.  It is now, basically, a $600 mistake.My advice to you? Buy from a company that will stand by it's product line.
After placing the order for this camcorder, I immediately began second guessing myself.  I was particuarly worried about all the posts I had seen about the picture being &quot;grainy in low light&quot;.  I worried myself to the point of wishing I had just gone with a Sony Hi8.  My camera arrived and the first thing I did when I took it out of the box (the battery was already charged and a 3 year old child can learn to operate it in 7 seconds) was to turn off all the lights but a table lamp and begin filming.  Man did I feel silly for worrying.  The people writing those comments must be used to watching HDTV movies, because I found the picture fine.  It wasn't as good as if I was outside in sunlight (WOW does the camera do well outside), but that's because I wasn't in the sunlight, I was in a poorly lit room that was too dark to read a magazine.  The image (my Jack Russell, Murphy) was clear and I could easily distinguish her facial features (in fact the camera picked up more light in the room than my &quot;nekkid&quot; eye could). You simply can't expect the same quality picture in poor lighting as in perfect lighting for less than 500 dollars.  And unless you are fanatical about high definition, the quality is as good as one would expect.The camera is so small.  Any doubts you have about this camera will disappear once you slide your palm around this beauty.  Also, the image stabilizer worked nicely.  Ultra tight zooms produced some shake (this was almost unoticable if I braced with both hands).  No shake was noticable on wide shots.I also looked at the other ZR models, but the best I could tell the main differences revolved around the &quot;digital camera&quot; aspects of the camcorder.  I wouldn't suggest the ZR-10 if you are looking for a &quot;digital camera/camcorder combo&quot;.  The ZR-10 just saves the picture to tape at 6 second increments (basically the same effect as pressing pause).  This function is for the most part useless if you have a computer capable of video editing, in which case I would say never use the &quot;photo&quot; button and just capture frames from your video.The ZR-10 has been out for a couple of years and is kind of hard to find new, but if you do find one or are thinking about buying a used one, I would highly reccomend it.  I bought mine for just under 500 dollars and am VERY glad I didn't pay the extra dough for any of the newer models (the &quot;extras&quot; were to minimal for the difference in price for me).
This miniDV camcorder I bought is the best piece of video equiptment I own, its so small and light its crazy. And to top it off the image quailty is just plain amazing. I am just an film student and it is perfect for making my movies and doing my small projects with.
My husband purchased this in early 2000 for a trip to Africa. It worked well back then, and it worked very well for our wedding in '04. He hadn't really used it since Africa, though. Since then we have used it very little, maybe 6 hours worth of total video taping before we put it away for about 3 years, until yesterday. I've been digitizing all our old home movies from VHS to DVD on a GREAT little Sony DVDirect(purchased through Amazon). Seeing that the camcorder will also work very nicely with the DVDirect (Mike's Camera charges $35 for 1st hr and $12.50 per hour after to transfer tapes to DVD so the Sony has saved us over $1000 including the cost of the unit), I was ready to see what was on the tapes and get them transferred (our honeymoon is one we didn't transfer from the mini DVM's yet). Well, it's doing nothing but eating tapes. For $70 we can maybe get the "capston" cleaned, but it will be another $35 to see if that's even the problem. From what I'm reading here, it probably isn't the problem. I wouldn't recommend purchasing this, for anyone. It ate 2 tapes that my husband was able to rewind (ate about 5" of tape before he got it out, on both tapes) so we're going to attempt to view them through another camcorder and see what we can do. I'm not going to attempt to clean this product or use it again. I'm just hoping that the 2 eaten tapes had videos we had already transferred.
This is my first camcorder.  I'm the kind of person who can't figure out how to set the clock on the VCR, yet I was able to take good video after just a quick review of the owners manual.  I am really surprised at the excellent quality of both picture and sound - even when the lighting isn't the best.  This camera was a great bargain through Amazon.  I'm really glad I bought it.  I highly recommend it.
Hello people!  I know that you must wondering about all the BAD reviews about this camcorder.  I just got the camera today and it was great.  The resolution is OK for the price (...).  I know it's not as great as other ZR series but this is actually OK.I like CANON products.  I've been using their Powershot A20 digicam and Rebel2000 SLR camera.  The function is easy to understand, nothing hard to learn.  Just press this and you're OK.The SOUND is great.  It takes 16-bit or 12-bit sound mode.  It has 40 or 200x zoom capability.  You can actually control the brightness of a dark room just using their jog-dial kind of feature.  They make it brighter or darker.  The image stab. is great too.  The size is small and fits perfectly on any hands.  I know it's been one day, but I'm planning to use this tomorow to take outdoor pics. Gor the price (...), it's a great camera.  I don't about you, but I don't want to spend (a lot) for a camcorder.  I'm thankful enough to have this camera.  Think about it.....how often you take this camera to record something, i would imagine only only once every 3 months.  It's not like I'm a cameraman in entertainment biz.  I'm just a casual user.  THis is a perfect one for me.  Budget yourself too to buy a camcorder.OK guys.....get this small and stylish camcorder.  I know you'll love it because I know I do.
I can't review this product, I didn't have a chance to use it because of missing parts, this product was not functional.
I won't give it 5 stars because it's just a remote.  It does work exactly as it should and it's a must have for taking your own pictures when out on vacation.I use it in conjunction with a gorillapod (awesome tripod):  http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP2-00EN-Gorillapod-Flexible-Digital/dp/B000HAVVFG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s;=electronics&qid;=1206992495&sr;=8-3I never need to ask someone to take our pictures for us - set up the gorillapod virtually anywhere & on anyTHING, use the remote to snap a picture.One note on the Optio A20 - You have to enable the remote functionality on the camera itself by pressing UP on the directional arrows and then choosing either "Drive Mode Remote Control" (3 second delayed timer or "Drive Mode 0 Second Remote Control"
I bought this remote a few years ago and it has worked without fail. The only slight fault is the senstivity. It dosn't work at more than 15 feet.Otherwise it is great.
This remote should work with most remote-capable Pentax cameras.  This is the "E" remote, which has two buttons, shutter release and zoom.  Pentax also makes an "F" remote which is compatible with the "E", but lacks the zoom button.  Check the documentation for your camera to see which version is best for you.The product description gives an incorrect size for this remote.  It is not 2.7" x 1" x 0.7".  The correct dimensions are 2.0" x 0.9" x 0.2" and it only weighs 0.2 ounces.This remote has many uses, not just for taking group or self portraits.  It is also useful for nighttime photography with slow shutter speeds or for macro photography, so that you don't accidentally bump the camera while pressing the shutter release.On some digital cameras, this remote can also function as a slide-show remote when the camera is connected to a television.  In this case, the shutter release button displays the next picture and the zoom button displays the previous.
The Wireless Remote Control E will also work just fine with the K10D, and likely other similar Pentax DSLR's as well. Of course, the smaller button for zooming (a feature limited mainly to P&S cameras with built-in lenses and electronic zooming) has no effect on the K10D, but the primary shutter release button works exactly the same as that on the Pentax Remote Control F. The two remotes are the same size and either will fit into the (BG2) battery grip for the K10D. They're also cosmetically identical except for the smaller zoom button.
I really wanted a camera that had the remote control functionality.It gets boring if when traveling alone all your pictures are of empty landscapes or buildings and one can't even take even a couple of pics of oneself in front of the lens... and the self timer is a hassle. Or when traveling with a friend and you can't take good pictures of you and your friend together. And forget about asking someone passing by: the few times i've bothered they rarely manage to take a good picture.I searched far and wide for a pocket camera that has as an accessory a remote control. And finally discovered the Pentax range of cameras. I'm a loyal fan of Canon, but few of their cameras do have remote control functionality (e.g. SLR Digital Rebel), but i was looking for a pocket camera.So i decided to purchase the Pentax Optio A10 - because of the remote control. But I'm very happy with my purchase. The quality of the pictures is very good.Note: the best way to check if any given camera has the remote control option is to go to the manufacturer's website, and download their electronic pdf manual. E.g. go to the Pentax website, select the model, and select download manual. For older models not listed, try the search text box.
This works perfectly w/ my Pentax K10D.  If you are looking to take extended release shots or anything from a tripod you will need this.
I produce news programs and documentaries, and I use my GL1 to suppliment video from the professional grade cameras used by my videographers.  Only a professional can tell the difference in video quality.  The unit is easy to use and has performed flawlessly in the field...and I can be pretty hard on equipment.  The only thing that keeps it from getting five stars is the small flip out screen...there are larger views on the market, but on DigiCams that I believe are more awkward to operate.
First, the visceral.  The image quality is stunning, and the creative license and possibilities afforded through DV are staggering.  With a GL1 and a good NLE like Premiere, the only limit is your creativity.  Effects that just a few years ago started at tens of thousands of dollars on film can now be rendered realtime.Now the practical.  I spent a fair bit of time looking through the market at the 'low pro' end.  Canon's GL1 and XL1 were clearly in the running, as were several Sony products.  What finally sold me on the GL1 was the flourite lens, which to my eye has a noticeably brighter image, as well as the optical image stabilization, which provides a more natural looking view also.  I have to say that I find the manual zoom feature useless as it's a servo controlled focus rate, and very difficult to 'stop' in a slow focus.  I've found that using the 'automatic/manual' focus switch to allow the camera to bring the subject into focus, then switching immediately to 'manual' to lock the focus is very effective as a workaround.  The only time this doesn't work well is at the limit  of either the optical focus or the digital focus when the subject is poorly defined versus its background.  In these situations, the rangefinding system seems to 'hunt', giving a nauseating soft in/out blur.  Truthfully, using the camera under these cirucumstances is rare, and this is the only criticism I've got for the system.  An often overlooked feature of DV is that the audio quality is about the same as CD, and is digital.  This means that even your home movies now have DAT audio quality!  Despite many comments to the contrary, I've been very favourably impressed with the quality of the audio, including the stereo separation.I also mentioned the XL1, but the only difference I could see was perhaps better audio, and for the considerable extra expense and size, it wasn't a good tradeoff for me.
I bought this camera about 10 months back, and at the time made a compromise in choosing it because I couldn't afford the XL1S. What I've learned though after using it for so long now is that Canon didn't compromise on this camera. The GL1 has essentially every feature the aspiring film maker or video professional needs to get underway quickly and easily.My favorite feature of this camera is the frame mode ability that allows you to shoot non-interlaced video, with results that are very similar in appearance to film rather than video. After shooting in frame mode and seeing the results, I've yet to shoot interlaced video again.The one thing that this camera lacks is any ability to manually control the audio levels for the internal or external mics, which can sometimes give you less than optimal results in situations where the noise volume fluctuates noticably, or where you are trying to achieve a specific audio effect.Summary - Excellent camera worth the price tag. Across the board, far more features and better quality than all competitors in its class. Probabaly the only camera that can top the GL1 in this class is the GL2.
This is one incredible camera. Here are some of the best features about it:-3CCDs-L Series Fluorite Lens-All Manual Controls-Progressive Scan-Optical Stabilization-Large Manual Focus RingOf course, we all know that 3CCDs are far better than one... I need not go into more depth there. As far as the lens goes, some have argued that they see no difference of quality over that of Sony's. This may be due in part to the fact that they are looking for a difference in resolution. When compared in numbers to some of the 3CCD models of Sony, you may think that this is a lower resolution camera (which can be a very deceiving thing). It is recognized that a camera with a high resolution in numbers does not equal a pleasing, or sharper image. When you compare the color of a Sony and this GL1 (or any other Canon against a Sony, for that matter), there will be no comparison. The Sony will inevitably lean towards the blues, giving a very cold, unnatural feeling, which can often result in having to waste time in post, by adding color corrections. The Canon will have a much warmer, more natural coloring. With deeper, richer blacks.The Progressive Scan (or frame mode) is beautiful. It gives the footage a much more film like jitteriness, instead of the liquid smooth interlaced footage that is usually the only option you have on most Sony camera models. It is called "frame mode" because it captures 30 FULL frames per second, instead of 60 FIELDS per second (top field and bottom field) being joined together to make the 30 frames, which when slowed down will show interlaced lines. Some say ...that Progressive Scan is only meant for a "digital motor drive" where you capture 30 frames per second with the intent of getting still pictures from it. Yes, this is a possibility... but no, video is not really high resolution enough to use this for any real purpose other than having a somewhat grainy image for a home web site. I have not heard of ANY professional using it for anything other than to shoot a real project, as true video footage. Video to film transfer locations prefer people to use progressive scan to shoot on their GL1 or XL1 for film transfer. It loses much less quality in the process. There are many commercials and documentaries (as well as independent films) which have started shooting in progressive scan on the GL1 and XL1, in order to get the higher budget film look.The manual controls on this camera give you such control, that you can achieve truly professional results. You have control over - Shutter Speed, Aperture, Gain, White Balance, Focus, exposure, etc. If you want the choppy effect of Saving Private Ryan, or Gladiator's battle scenes, just up the shutter speed to 250 or higher. Or if you want a lot of background blur, open the lens way up.Ah, yes... the image stabilization. You won't get anything close to it on other brands. They all have a slight shake, and jitter, never truly stabilizing it, especially when zoomed. This one has none. It only floats. And of course, if you want that jittery handheld look of some of the new films and such, just turn it off. But when you want smooth, non jittery handheld shots it's always there.If you are trying to decide what camera to get, always go down the Canon road. Almost all of them have features that Sony only tries to make up for with home userish built effects and such cheesy non-professional effects that one can achieve if they have a computer to edit on (and still want the effects by then. Why record it permanently, when you might change your mind later). Some Sony users complain about how Canon does not have good still picture resolution. I say, "who needs still pictures on a camcorder??" That should be left to 35mm, or a digital camera devoted to that form of media alone. I have yet to see a printable, good looking still even from a Sony. Both the video format, and the small included memory cards cannot handle the resolution required of this. With all the manual controls, the far superior color, and the incredible look of progressive scan, one must have only the choice to go Canon. If you are an aspiring documentary or commercial maker trying to decide between a GL1 and an XL1 (not likely), the advantage of the GL1 (besides the price) is that it is small. This allows you to be in crowds shooting, without stares from everybody. Or shoot where you would otherwise be unable. This can also be a downfall. It may look wimpy to the client (of course, once they see the footage, they will probably buy one themselves). ....Lastly, I just want to say that I would highly recommend this camera, but if you can afford it, go with the XL1 (...), it is even better!
Great camcorder! I am still learning to use it but what I have done with it I am very impressed.
This is by far the best camera for this price range. HOWEVER don't pay more than 2100-2200$US for it. I bought it for even less than that. Its size at first gives it the appearance of being a &quot;home-video&quot; recorder and not quite the sleak professional look that the XL1 has. However don't be fooled by this, it uses the same CCD system as the XL1, and just lacks the removable lens option in addition to a handful of other digital features. But the GL1 costs 70% less and produces very high quality images and video. Its size makes it VERY easy to carry around (just last weekend I saw someone with one at a bar in San Francisco). Its a great value and a great product, just hunt around and read up on it to make sure its what you want. Because Looks are VERY deceiving, this isn't your dad's old mini-betacam...this is a beautifully engineered camera that produces high quality results.
The quality of both the video and stereo audio recording is outstanding.  I have made some amazing pipe organ and  choral recordings, far exceeding what can be done with VHS  or 3/4&quot; machines.  It is very easy to use.  In particular its analog inputs allows you to convert your old video  recordings to digital to permit digital video editing, which  gives a long term stability in their quality.  Great for developing web video as well.
The eye piece view finder dose not  work but the viewing screen works so I will be keeping the item. Ate a tape once and cannot fast rewind tapes so i use my external rewinder there were several scratches on the housing but other than that it was worth the money and the seller response was aces.
I love this camera caompared to the Xl1. People say oh if you have the money go with the Xl 1 its alot better. How do they know that? Its just more expensive and harder to drag around. It would cost a fortune to waterproof it and I think its just alittle overrated. The GL1 looks weak for its small size but it really is the best one...easy to  drag around and the Firewire/capability makes it easy to edit on your home computer. The camera makes smooth nice shots and has a pretty good range. Im  started on a film and I want to buy this camera. One thing though does any one know the best Microphone to use? Biderectional, Superdirectional,Shotgun, Cardiod or Omnidirectional? Please Email the awnser! Thanks....
This is one Great camera! Works great no probs. I am shooting a movie and this camera works great for it. Good for anyone who needs a in the middle camera from customer to pro cameras. I have had this camera for 2 months now and I love it! P.S. The pic of the camera at the top of the page is the pic for the GL2 not the GL1.
Camera is a super nice set up. Unbelievable picture and sound quality can be attained with this camera. One of the best in it's price class.
I have been using the GL1 for nearly 3 years now. I take it out on shoots for a website I work on... sometimes I create QuickTime Movies, sometimes I take stills from footage and convert the stills to .JPG files.The 30-lux capacity means you can walk into a subdued lighting environment such as a dining room lit by a single candle and get very good, balanced exposure. It is not like an infrared camera or anything, however... there must be SOME non infrared light, or you get nothing.The 30x zoom can't be beat. You can be 50 yards away from a person and zoom in and get a shot of their nose... in many ways, it must be seen to be appreciated.Considering the features, the unit is light-weight, but newer digital camcorders of similar strengths are now on the market for far less and weigh half as much. Still, the GL1 is easy to hold with one hand while using the eye piece or the LCD panel.I only have a few criticisms. For one, the unit does not ship with a firewire cable. If you are ordering this item for its firewire compatibility, you will need to order a 6-to-4 pin firewire cable separately. (6-pin for your Mac, 4-pin for the GL1).Also, the GL1 has a tendency to eat tapes. For a while, I thought I was just getting deffective tapes, but a co-worker got a DV deck and the deck was able to view and use the tapes without difficulty. Just viewing the tapes on the DV deck seemed to &quot;fix&quot; whatever the GL1 perceive was wrong with the tapes. On occasion I will get an all red &quot;WARNING: EJECT TAPE&quot; display on the LCD panel... I then eject the tape, rewind it a bit on the DV deck and then I can use it fine for several weeks w/ the GL1. This has been a problem from day one and I have head-cleaning tapes.The unit has a tripod screw mount on the bottom and a hot shoe on top, so it's a good piece of hardware for professionals.The battery that ships with the unit will only run for about 30 minutes on a full charge... but that's 30 minutes of actual recording, rewinding, etc. I highly recommend getting an additional 2 hour battery as back-up, especially if you're stuck somewhere and don't have the luxury of having an AC wall socket nearby. You can run the camera straight off AC power, but it is awkward... you must run the cord from the GL1 to the charger and the charger is then plugged into the wall. This extra cord does not come with the unit and you must buy it separately. It would have been nice if they had included this cord as well as a DC charger for the car.Back when I was ordering this item, I spoke with Canon directly to ask them information about the firewire capabilities, etc. Afer speaking to a customer service rep. for over 1 hour, it was obvious that the folks answering the phones for Canon absolutely know NOTHING about their own products or terminology used in photography or videography... if the answers are not in the little book in front of them, they are worse than uninformed... they tell you the wrong information. If you want more information about the features of this camera, seriously examine the specs featured here on Amazon and read all of the reviews.
I agree with the points listed by others reviewing the Canon Powershot G1 camera and I am very happy with the product. I purchased this camera to take advantage of some of its more advanced features and have not been let down (after several weeks, I'm still making discoveries).A couple of additional notes I would like to add for those intending to buy this camera and for existing owners:1) I highly recommend Canon's PSC1000 semi-hard case for the G1. It is a two-piece leather design that provides significant protection for the camera body, as well as making the camera easier to grip for those with large hands.2) I have been pleasantly surprised with the software that Canon supplied with the G1 - the ZoomBrowser software provides a quick, convenient method of viewing large numbers of photographs. This camera also comes with a 'SE' edition of Adobe Photoshop - a rich product that enjoys industry-wide support. Competitors often provide a TWAIN-compatible driver and a simple/cheap photo manipulation program - leaving consumers to purchase adequate software.3) The 16mb card supplied with the camera is really included only to make the camera operable out of the box. In my opinion, this card should have been at least 64mb in size (high quality JPG images are 1.2mb in size). Be prepared to purchase a larger card immediately, or try one of the Microtech harddrives made by IBM, which the G1 supports fully.I've rated the camera 5 stars because I find it to be the digital equivalent to Canon's excellent line of EOS SLR cameras in every respect.
I normally use a Nikon Coolpix 990, but I recently had a chance to try this Canon for a few days.It's a very different machine to handle. I think it's actually smaller than the Nikon, but the Nikon falls more easily into my hands.The screen on the Nikon is fixed on the camera body, but the lens swivels around the body. The screen on the Canon can be swivelled in any direction. So the Canon's would appear to be more flexible, yet I found that I was constantly fiddling with the screen to get it to an angle that I liked. That may just be a matter of familiarity.The screen is very bright and shows up much better in sunlight than the Nikon's. But I think the Nikon's is better quality.They are both bristling with manual controls that make them exceptionaly flexible. They could be dauntingly complicated for the novice. The Canon has the advantage of a hot shoe in case you want to use an external flashgun. Quite a big advantage since the on camera flash on both is nothing special. You will probably want to be able to get the same high quality results with flash as in natural light - if you buy the Nikon, you will have to buy their expensive external flash and the adapter.Results-wise, in natural light, I can't really say one is better than the other. They are both superb.
I do not want to repeat all the praises of this great camera. I'd like to point out that the exact focusing may be a problem. The depth of field of these very short focal length lenses is very deep. I miss the rectangular marker for metering (when I do it and not in auto mode - the autofocus is so sophisticated you almost never need the override it).Not Canon's fault is the fact that many older studio strobes can not be fired from the G1. The high voltage trigger circuit may even damage the camera. Speedorton's 64V did not do any harm to mine but I can not use them together. The manual ought to warn against this.I love the G1 and use it almost every day...besides an S100 that is in my pocket :-)
I spent a good 2 months shopping for a digital camera before finally deciding on the Powershot G1.  I couldn't be happier with my choice.  While there are two things that bother me about the camera (I will get to them later), the benefits much more than compensate for the nuisances.When I purchased the camera, I bought both a 128 meg viking (~130 photos at full resoloution) compact flash memory card and a 1 GB IBM Microdrive (~1200 photos).  I bought the static memory in addition to the microdrive because I was worried about the increased usage of battery life due to the moving parts of the drive.  However, I was shocked by the length of the battery life in comparison to other digital cameras (even other powershots).  Using the LCD, flash, and the microdrive I can take over 270 shots before running low on battery.  The extensive battery life and number of photos that can be taken on a microdrive are a big plus, especially considering my first gripe: the cover for the USB/Power connectors.  There is a rubber cover over these that connectors that I fear I am going to break every time I take it off.  It is incredibly solid while in place, and then as soon as you push it hard enough it flips out and is only held in by a tiny little rubber plug.  Luckily I don't need to charge or download my photos that often.The second complaint, isn't much of a problem for me, just a comment that I've received.  Friends will use the camera, and say &quot;That's an absolutely phenomenal camera, it's just a little heavy though&quot;.  I agree, it is a little heavy, but the control I have over the camera and the benefits from its design are worth the extra weight.If you are in the field for a top level digital camera, I would reccomend this with no reservations, compared to the drawbacks of many other digital camera, the Powershot G1 presents unprecedented power and control for all your digital photography needs.
I researched digital cameras for about 6 months before deciding on this one.  I have a bit of experience with photography, so I wanted one that had a lot of flexibility.  Eventually, the decision came down to this camera and the Nikon CoolPix 990.  I decided on the Canon because I prefered its traditional design over the Nikon's weird swivel thing.  Also the canon uses Compact Flash, which is cheaper than SmartMedia.If you get this camera, buy a big memory card like one of the Viking 256MB CF cards.  You'll like the high resolution images it takes, but they eat up memory like crazy.Oh, another thing: this camera works with Linux!  Actually, that's only half-true.  You can use Gphoto...to download images, but you need the RS-232 serial cable ...  The smart thing to do, however, is to buy a USB Compact Flash reader, like the SanDisk ImageMate.All-in-all, I couldn't be happier with this camera, and I don't think I'd be as happy with any other camera out there right now.
I purchased the G1 in December as a carry-along camera as I travel on business.  The camera needed to serve two purposes, 1)substitute for a bulky SLR while traveling while providing high quality images; 2) be dependable and easy to carry.  The G1 has been an excellent companion.  I have actually used it to photograph construction drawings.  The printed images were amazingly clear and the detail superb, even when printing at 8x10 - note even the small print on the drawings was perfectly clear.I was initially reluctant to go digital, and am now truly impressed. As a compliment to a 35mm camera you can't go wrong with the G1, for the price.
This purchase was my first digital camera. I waited until now because I wanted a camera with good resolution at an affordable price. This is truely an excellent camera. When used properly, it takes fantastic photos. The battery goes forever. The addition of 64/120 MB cards allowed me to take tons of photos. Why 4 stars? (1) The resolution on the 30 sec video could be better. (2) In low light situations (camera on auto), if you turn the flash off, photos mostly blurr(not always). You get a &quot;shaky camera&quot; icon and even if the camera is on a tripod, photos are sometimes blurred. This has caused me to miss some great shots.
After struggling to like my previous 1 megapixel Kodak D215 for a year, I spent some bucks for a real camera: the Canon G1.  The Kodak was point-and-shoot, but the low resolution made "fuzz-balls" of trees and needed batteries every 20-30 shots.  The G1 makes it child's play to take great clear photos.While not the simplest appearing camera, it is extremely flexible and takes photos rivaling a good 35mm SLR.  If left in "auto mode", it takes great shots with virtually no "start-up" issues. The G1's ease of use facilitates exploration of the manual and semi-automatic features which can help open the eyes of those who have avoided pro type photography, thinking it was far too technical.That's the beauty of going digital.  After the initial purchase, it's cheap to play and explore the realm of photography since the cost of experimenting, developing, modifying the photos is nil--here I'm considering my own time to be nil.You will want to invest a padded case and in larger Compact Flash units ASAP, but CF costs have come down dramatically in the last few months.  I recommend the 128 meg sizes (. . .)The plusses of this particular camera are its simplicity for beginners, full range of features, long battery life, and high build quality of the body, lens, and electronics.  I've banged it around mountain trails and taken well over 100 shots in two days. The evening between, I used the the G1's LCD to review and edit-out pics I didn't like--without re-charging or using-up the full battery charge.I've had the thing for six months and have had excellent results with photos capturing close-ups of bugs on flowers, over-the-head shots at a junior high commencement (using the swiveling LCD), family portraits using the cool included remote, and gorgeous landscapes in Yosemite.  High quality prints using my PC and HP printer are as good as 35mm at 8x10 size and would make passable poster size prints as well.The biggest issues I've needed to deal with probably relate more to my expertise than the camera's fault, like over-exposure in very high contrast conditions: for example, faces or bodies being half-sunlit.  So, I do still need to overcome periodic "pilot error", and I've had only marginal success with the camera's sound and video modes.The camera is even "upgradable", as I have downloaded and re-configured its operating system (BIOS) from Canon's web-site, so I'm not stuck with last year's bugs--although I'm still not sure what the upgrade fixed since I'd never noticed operational problems.As far as the included Canon software, I think it's quirky and cumbersome, but I don't consider this to be a fault of the camera. The USB-camera connection is recognized by Windows and I prefer to take my photos straight to Photoshop or Paintshop Pro for manipulation or printing rather than using Canon's Zoom Browser.  Since I have a variety of CF modules, I usually use an external Sandisk USB-Compact Flash reader (about $20) rather than keeping the camera plugged-in for downloading.I'm looking forward to a long relationship with this camera.Note that the G1 has been upstaged by a slightly bulkier G2, but the on-line prices for the older model make it an exceptional buy.
I have been into digital photography for about 3 years, and have owned an Apple Quicktake 200 (lame), Nikon Coolpix 950 (decent), Nikon Coolpix 990 (almost right; read my review), and now the G1. I have it set up with the 340 MB IBM microdrive, as well as the Canon 420EX Speelite. This combination, I feel, is about as good as you can get without getting to the [price] range (Canon D30). Here are some things you may not see in the other reviews:* The camera, once it powers on after about 5 seconds, is very very quick shooting. You almost can't want to shoot faster than it will allow.* Focus can, however, slow you down a bit, especially in dark setting (despite focus-assist light), and in low-contrast settings. I am a dentist (couldn't you tell by the name?!), and the camera does have issues with intraoral focusing.* Playback of images is very fast, especially when you use the RAW format. You can flip through about 2/second. If you can, buy a BIG memory card. I have the 340 MB Microdrive, and can store about 200 images in RAW mode. This mode is important. It is the equivalent of a TIFF file, but only takes about 2 megs/image, instead of 9 Megs with the Coolpix 990. Also, shot-to-shot in TIFF mode on the 990 is almost 10 seconds; on the G1, shot-to-shot in RAW is about 1 second. Also, in RAW mode, you can alter brightness/contrast/color saturation losslessly.* Flash photography is a complete joy to do with this camera. The 420EX is a spectacular flash, there is tons of power, no red eye, and the E-TTL system makes even bounce and swivel photography a complete breeze. You can even over/underexpose the flash, and wirelessly control multiple flashes. Just totally unparalleled.  Nikon and Olympus just can't touch this. 990 doesn't even have a hot shoe...* The battery is on steroids; just never wants to run out (realistically ~400-500 shots 'til reload). With the Coolpix 990, you have to buy batteries and a charger. Koodos to Canon for adding this value to the G1.* The layout of the controls is such that just about every button is within easy reach of my fingers. Excellent.*Optional adapter (... LA-DC58) screws into the front, and allows you to use standard 58 mm lenses and ring lights to further expand your creativity.* Camera is fairly hefty, and builty like a tank. This sure isn't going to break in your hands...* Setting the ISO to 50 (Nikon can't do this) gives just absolutely fantastic photos with very minimal noise, even in the dead of night (Nikon had MUCH more noise).Negative stuff (hey, it can't be perfect!):* There is no Program Shift!!!  HOW could they do this?!?!  This actually is a bummer, and the standard Program mode always seems to favor wide open F-stops; stick to aperture-priority.  990 has this....* You cannot have multiple folders to store images to. This is a pain, since I can store about 200 images between downloads, and I never want to have my patient photos mixed up. 990 has this feature, but I consider it a minor inconvenience.In conclusion, the unique highs of this camera include the image quality (ISO 50), awesome flash capabilities, IBM Microdrive support, RAW image mode, great battery, and lots of great accessories. The negatives include suspect night/low contrast focusing and no program  shift. I've used most 3 megapixel cameras, and I think this is the gem of the lot.
I bought this camera a week and a half ago and I'm very, very impressed. The pictures it takes are outstanding, as is just about everything else about the camera. I purchased this camera after reading a review on Digital Photography Review ([...]) which was very favorable.I wanted a camera I could have complete control of and this is it. It has a full-auto mode along with program AE, shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes. It also provides a bunch of pre-programmed modes for things like portraits and landscapes (I've not made much use of them though).The battery life is excellent. The battery is the same that powers their full blown digital SLR, the EOS-D30, so it has more than enough power for this camera. I haven't come near running out of battery life yet.In addition, the camera supports CompactFlash types I and II and microdrives (muy importante!), has a 3x optical zoom (and a 2x or 4x digital zoom, but I don't use it), and supports an adapter for 58mm filters and additional lens attachments. The LCD flips out and twists making it very easy to position the camera where it needs to go and still see the image.The best feature of the camera, though, is without a doubt the image quality. Colors are excellent and the pictures are crisp and very detailed. The camera supports resolutions of 2048x1536, 1024x768, and 640x480. It can store images in a raw CCD format or in super-fine, fine, or normal JPEG. I use both the high and medium resolutions in super-fine JPEG and consistently get outstanding results. The raw format requires the TWAIN driver or other compatible decoder to convert the raw CCD data into a normal image format (such as TIFF), but this is a small price to pay if you want a totally unaltered image off the CCD.I have a gallery of images taken with the camera at my website, [...] for those interested in seeing what it can do.All in all, wonderful!
I have had my G1 for about 6 months now and everyone who has seen images from this camera are amazed.  I purchased this camera because it is substantial, well-designed, intuitive and produces outstanding image quality.  Many may find the camera too heavy, but I find many competitors flimsy and cheap.  That is disconcerting given the investment one makes in these gadgets.  I recommend everyone pick up the camera at your local retailer (...) to be certain its size and weight are suitable.The LCD flip screen is a big plus with crystal clear resolution and the ability to protect the screen while in the case or in use.The Canon G1 has only three problems.  First, in extremely sunny settings I find the background can be quite overexposed (burned out).  Second, I noticed a pixel in the periphery is intermittently bright green suggesting this portion of the CCD is not functioning.  Not a big deal, but I am inquiring with Canon about resolving this issue.  Third, the Canon G2 came out shortly after my purchase.  Oh well!!!I think it would be unlikely one will be unhappy with the purchase as long as it fits within your budget.Good Luck
All the power of my old Nikon SLR, PLUS the darkroom now travels in a brief case.  I am getting the best, most consistent pics in 20 years.  It takes time to get true professional results with this camera, but its the user that has to step up, not the camera. Overexposed flash pics on auto are simple to fix on the exposure menu.  Problem has been reported, but really not much of a problem.  Software setup with Photoshop or equivalent and good printer a must.  Clear, detailed, natural-looking images with sufficient depth to allow lots of manipulation afterwards.
I looked and looked for a digital that offerred SLR-like functionality, but without the price overhead of a true digital SLR.  My first direction was the Kodak 4800 - but after seeing the G1 demoed, I was sold.  Plenty of preset modes, durable, long battery, good lens, plenty of programmability, and nothing beats the panoramic stitch assist and short motion video features.  I originally shopped  around at photo stores, and everybody was sold out - that helped convince me too.  In the end I ordered it from Amazon and got it quicker than any dealer could come close to.
I have had my G-1 for over a year now and absolutely LOVE it.  It's my first digital camera and has given me a new found love of photography.  I'm what you would classify a camera moron, but the G-1 makes the photos I take look fantastic.  It's simple enough to use for those who need point-and-shoot functionality while allowing for more advanced photographers to play with speed, aperature, white balance, exposure, etc. to achieve the desired effect.  One of the greatest features of this camera is the battery life.  I'm reading reviews of other 3MP cameras and am blown away that they only offer 1-3 HOURS of battery life.  The G-1 will allow me 1-3 FULL DAYS of moderate to heavy shooting before I have to recharge. UNBELIEVABLE!!My only complaint (and it is a small one) is that the body of the camera does not allow you to use interchangeable SLR lenses and filters, but hey. . .given everything else, it's a flaw I'm willing to overlook.  It's a little on the pricey side, but this is one of those cases where you get MORE than what you pay for.Summary of things I like:Takes great photosBattery life, battery life, battery lifeEase of useEasy to download photos to my computer with USB cableComes with Adobe Photoshop LE & Zoombrowser photo management softwareAV out to view photos on your TVMotion video capableDid I mention it takes GREAT photos and has a fantastic battery life?Things I don't like:Not SLR lens compatibleThe PhotoRecord photo layout software is a little quirkyI purchased the G-1 as an impulse buy while on vacation and have not regretted it one bit.  It's a great all around camera.
The main things I like about this camera are the 1) 3 mega-pixel resolution. It is a noticable improvement from my old Olympus D-500L, 2) &quot;point-and-shoot&quot; shape (though on the large side) still fits in a large shirt pocket, jacket pocket, or small camera bag.  I will be carrying this one with me on vacation.  3) Supports both full auto and manual controls.  In most cases, I shoot in the Auto or Program mode, but I also do like to use the Shutter/Aperture priority and Full Manual modes.  4) Ability to store &quot;RAW&quot; (non-compressed images).  In most cases, I prefer to do the &quot;touch-up&quot; then store the images in .jpeg (and keep the original &quot;RAW&quot; file for archival.) 5) Battery life seems very good, and I like the fact that a rechargeable battery and AC adapter are included in the kit.On the downside, the included 16-meg compact flash card is way to small. It will only hold 5 RAW images or 8 hi-res jpegs.  A 64-meg or greater is recommended.  And as I mentioned earlier, the camera is a little on the big side.
While I like this camera, one shortcoming any serious user should be aware of - All shutter speeds above 1/500 only work with  f8.0 - So, if it's a cloudy day and you're shooting sports,  an exposure of 1/800s at f2.8 won't work.This makes the Shutter Preferred and Aperture Preferred modes of limited value. If you're not going to be shooting on AUTO, you might want to look at another camera.
I've had this camera for a couple months now, and have taken a couple hundred photos so far. I can totally agree with other reviews here that this is an excellent camera...* The &quot;night portrait mode&quot; does a great job of popping the flash to fill in the foreground (subjects) while leaving the shutter open for about 1/2sec to burn in the background. This feature produces really good results in parties and other darker rooms.* The long-exposure manual modes do a really nice job of uniformly exposing the shot, completely without any artifacts or other noise from the CCD.* This camera, with a little work, can be made to work with Linux. ... ... ... that explains the sprocedure. Being a Linux user myself, this was very important to me.
I've had mine for a week now, and I am totally impressed with it.  The G1 combines point and shoot capability with enough (optional) control to satisfy all but the most serious photographers.  Its 3 megapixel images, 3x optical zoom, and lithium battery offer exceptional performance.My only complaint is with the flash, which tends to overexpose shots a tiny bit.  I've found that changing the flash exposure down by -2/3 fixes this (you can change this one time and forget about it).For storage I use a 128 mb viking memory card, plus a 340mb microdrive.  With the camera set to superfine and large images I can shoot hundreds of photos.This camera is perfect for someone who wants high quality photos and is willing to spend the money to get it.  As an alternative take a look at the Kodak DC480 - you'll pay half as much but you won't give up control, a longer optical zoom, and some resolution.  Personally, this ones a keeper for me.
My experience with the G1 has been positive except for flash metering:  Superb lens and image quality; splendid battery longevity with charger included; good creative control; and RAW image option for large, super-fine images. However, when using fill-flash the camera consistently overexposes 1 to 2 stops. To compensate, I have to manually set the flash exposure to underexpose by 1-2 stops. I find this overexposure occurs when using both the built in flash and my (highly recommended) shoe-mounted Canon Speedlight 380EX. Canon's Web site has new firmware that Canon claims fixes flash-related issues, but even after installing the new firmware, the flash exposure was inaccurate for me. Hopefully the good folks at Canon will fix this problem with a future firmware release.
I certainly agree with the other reviewers and their praise for picture quality and total control (when wanted). The only thing I'd like to add is my accolades for two major features:1. Microdrive support The Microdrive removes the restrictions posed by limited in-camera picture storage on CF cards. You have to experience the loss of this restriction to really appreciate how important it is. We just returned from a week-long cruise where we took over 300 full-size pictures and still had a lot of in-camera storage left.2. Amazing battery life Using a camcorder battery to power this camera provides an enormous amount of long-term power. You can leave the LCD on and use a Microdrive without any fears of having the power come up short.These two features put this camera in a class by itself. When you combine them with the other outstanding capabilities, this is clearly the right choice!
I am not a &quot;Pro&quot; photograher in fact I never used any camera more complicated than a point &amp; shoot Fuji film camera. Back In 97 I got my first digital camera a Kodak DC50. The camera was pretty good back in 97 but in October 2000 when I started to really check out what was new in digital I could see it was way past due that I purchase a new digital camera. So I researched for about a month comparing Images &amp; features then decided to purchase the G1. After having the G1 for four months I can say I truly am happy with my camera. The G1 has a very sharp lens And with a external flash you can do beautiful portraits. The G1 has super low light capabilities. And lots of creative control, I most allways shoot raw in manual mode except for when I need that quick one, I use auto mode for the &quot;snapshot&quot;. The battery is one big plus of the G1 it really seems like it goes on forever, unlike the other cameras that eat up AA batterys like candy. All in all there has been no disappointment with the G1 for me. ... ...
Beyond the fact that this camera has accomplished everything it set out to do, the powershot G1 is just the pinnacle of camera technology bundled into a package that most middle market people can afford.To give you some piece of information that is helpful; stuff you might not hear about elsewhere i'll list a few attributes from the PowerShot G1.1. The little cover which is the plug for the powersuply/usb connector is quite flimsy, but with some care won't break. Just have to watch out for it.2. Get a decent Operating System like Windows 2000 that won't crash every two seconds with the use/development of the pictures on-line. I have a Pentium III 600 with 8mb video card and windows 98 Sec edition, and that thing would not handle the Canon ZoomBrowser Product that came with the camera. However i got windows 2000 loaded with a new 32Mb NVIDIA Video Card, and now the thing is yet to crash... SO smoothe... I forgive it...3. Don't be fooled with the 16Mb FlashCard (Give it to the kids to use as a coaster for their toy tea-pot set, because it has no other use). Go out, budget an extra card (i.e. 128 or 1GB Microdrive) its so much more worth it to get the extra space and keep your setting to LARGE (SUPERFINE QUALITY) because the quality of that print is so superior to its counterpart digital 3+MEGAPIXEL cameras'...The petty downsides are very very nitpicky, and you will find these "issues" on 90% of camera's... Some cameras will have a set of features, but lack in others... While others have different features, but lack in others as well... The Powershot G1 has all the features you can ask for. A quick List of Pluses (just to be fair because i talked about the minuses)1. The Optical Zoom is quick and provides VERY high quality shots. (Not to mention that the Additional Lenses you can buy will bring you so close to the action you'll need to buy cheaper seats to get further away from the action) (Sitting at glass level at a hockey game, i can get a photo of a Goalie from head to toe, with about 2 inches in top and bottom of image with the 1.5x lens)...2.The LCD flips out, allows for weird angled camera manipulation, (in a crowd, or under things etc..) You can put the camera anywhere at arms length to take very unique photos. It also closes face-in to prevent scratching between shoots... LCD high quality, and feels really sturdy.3.It has the capability of a HUGE SLR/DIGITAL camera all in a small package. Slightly heavy but Very small for its power. People will see you with this thing, and think you have some 80 dollar camera, when it really has capabilities beyond the intermediate camera enthusiast.4.Interface/Menus are easy to work with.5. Taking a picture, loading it to the on-line software, touching up, and presenting (email/website) takes LITERALLY less than a minute. (provied you are near your computer)...6. Expandability is amazing. It is FLASH 1 AND 2 compatible (if you don't know what that is; check it out because that is an important part of a digicam)... (very good quality) this means its compatible with IBM's Microdrives, and Normal Flash Cards...7. Litium Rechargable bateries are absolutly amazing. I have a 128mb, 192mb, and 64mb FC card, along with the provided 16Mb card, and i filled them all up at a bruins game (about 200 pics), and the batery icon just began to show some degredation.  The only reason you might need an extra battery is if you are on lengthy vacations AWAY from powersources... this also leaves room for improvement, you can get stuff like the "car outlet" reacharge station (which charges two at a time) or use the provided "regular power source" to recharge them...8. I could go on... but email me for about question you have...Overall, i'm very happy with the camera. I've had it for 6 months, and have never been disatisfied. I might add that to get the highest quality from the photos, (if you print your own) make sure you understand about DPI. I tried printing some of my shots (and was somewhat disapointed) but found out that i had set my dpi to 72 on the images i had... When i set it over 300dpi, i was absolutly amazed! And you will be too._____I've added this part, because it has been a year since i wrote this original review.Note only this change:There are two newer version of this camera out (As you probably know): The Powershot G2, and G3. If i were in the market today for a Digital Camera, (after seeing, and reading what i have) i would try to find a deal for a G1, or G2. The Newer versions (G2, and G3) don't have enough "extra" or "more" or "additions" to warrant the extra cost. New versions should only drive the old versions price down. I'd say the G1 would be a steal at 400-500 bucks. See if you can find a NEW G1, and make sure its a reliable source, and i'll tell you, you can't go wrong. :)
I received my G1 two days ago, made several sample prints on my Epson 870 yesterday, and still can't recover from the shock. The quality is unbelievable, I haven't had better pictures in my life, though I am close to 50 and have been a photography amateur since I was ten. My film photography equipment contains two outfits: 35mm Nikon N70 and medium Mamiya Universal. Neither gives me the sharpness or tonal richness of the G1. I am not in any way related to Canon and I believe that other digital cameras of the same class would impress me in a similar way. It just happens that my first digital camera is this. And impressed I am.
I've had my G1 for about two months now. It's a fine instrument. I'm a semi-pro photog. It's changed my shooting habits, my working habits, and the way I look at photography. It has resulted in some very interesting new information-delivery concepts.  My gripe is with the software. I'm a Mac user, so I expected rather crude interfaces ported from the Windows world. No big problem. And the Canon software for downloading, manipulating, viewing, etc. the images is quite powerful, but the user interface is fairly badly flawed, which is a shame. With such a fine camera, and such basically powerful software (the PhotoStitch and SlideShow functions are particularly nice), it's a shame that Canon couldn't see its way to smooth out the interface and make it more intuitive.  Some of the ways in which the software could easily be improved would be evident to a six-year-old. Others are a bit more subtle, but still readily evident.  The worst mis-function (besides memory crashes--and virtually no info about how to prevent them in the wooden documentation) is in setting up the camera for remote capture (ie, the camera is being controlled remotely by my PowerBook G3 courtesy of a connecting cable). It's easier to find the key to world peace than to figure out how to get this working first time around. If you write your own instructions, you can then do it in the future; but don't expect it to be explained clearly in the manual, or to be (gasp!) Macintosh-style intuitive.  We can hope for smoother versions of the proprietary software in the future, but well-designed, smooth-operating software is such a rarity now that I won't hold my breath. Still, it'd be great to have programs that match the camera in elegance, design, ease of use and just plain fun.
I love my G1! It's everything you'll ever need.The biggest advantage to G1 is that you can get additional IBM microdrive (340mb or 1gig) and NEVER take it out. I have 340mb and my camer always shows space available for 999 more pictures at a medium resolution, medium size. It just cannot show a bigger number. I brought home about 600 pictures from Disney, never had to change the card.The quality is just amazing! My Disney pictures turned out to be postcards - bright and full of color. I sent the files for print and print turned out to be better than from a regular camera.Another feature I love: the swivel screen. I take movies of myself and send them overseas to my friends. Or I take movies of falling stars and fireworks.There are things that I would change though:- Movies stop recording after 30 sec, even though I have plenty of space left.- It charges VERY slow.In short, this is the best digital camera on the market. Yes, Nikon is good, but it doesn't support Microdrive, what good is the camera if you constantly have to change cards?I love my G1!!! :)
I have had the G1 for 6 months now. Like most of the reviewers, I have been extremely pleased with the camera. The pictures are incredibly sharp. The printout using HP Photosmart printer on photographic papers are incredible -- much better than what I can get from a film camera at Wolf Camera.But instead of just adding more raving comments that you don't need, I like to share some of my experiences with it.(1)  Like one of the previous reviewer had said, the color saturation is not perfect. I don't know whether this is a problem unique to the G1, or it is a problem for all digicams. I recommend using high saturation setting instead of the default neutral setting. This helps a little, but the pictures are still under saturated. However, correcting this problem is easy with any of the softwares.(2)  While the default setting at ISO 50 is great for outdoor shooting during the day, it is not good for indoor shooting even during the day, or under artificial lighting. The on camera flash is simply not adequate. The best solution is often to set the ISO at 400, but the pictures will be VERY noisy. The median filter by Photoshop will not be of much help in denoising. However, some of the newer wavelet based denoising schemes work quite well.(3)  Don't overlook the manual setting option. I found it to be the best way to shoot night scenes or in low lighting situations. Set the ISO to 200 or 400, and experiment. Using the flash outdoor at night will give you a very blue tone. It can be nice but it is not realistic.(4)  The battery life is one of the strongest reasons to buy the G1. However, don't automatically assume you can get 700-800 pictures on a single charge. You won't! My experiements suggest that you get about 120-150 pictures if you use the LCD AND you use the flash for about 40% of your shots. Also, when the warning of low battery comes, the battery is gone within 3-5 shots.(5)  I had trouble getting the camera to work in cold weather. I use the 340 MB Microdrive. But after I warmed the camera using my hand for a couple of minutes it works properly.(6)  One of the most troubling problem with G1 is the optical distortion of the pictures. If you shoot wide angle you will see rather pronounced distortions at the two upper corners. Vertical lines of a far away building will appear tilted. I haven seen distortions this bad in cheap lens for 35mm cameras, but never in a decent lens. The problem disappears as one increases the focal length. This means the photostitching for wide angle shots is not a good idea. If you do plan to stitch photos, make sure you shoot them using medium to long focal length.(7)  The remote control in my package doesn't work. I don't really care about it, but you may want to  make sure it works.Despite of these minor problems I love the G1.
I bought this close up lens to use on my Olympus E510 telephoto kit lens to give it closer focusing. The lens works quite well with the 40-150mm kit lens.At 150mm focal length, you can almost fill the frame vertically with a US nickel...maybe a mm of blank space at top and bottom of the frame. I am not real good at the calculations but I think that would be close to 1:1 in 35mm equivalence.I really haven't noticed a drop off in image quality with the lens. DOF will, of course, be quite shallow so you will want to stop down a bit and probably use a tripod. Working distance from the end of the lens is about 8-9 inches. That is enough that you would have no problems with using natural light on inanimate objects or using a flash off camera. Even insects that are not real spastic should be ok.I also tried the lens on the 14-42mm kit lens but that lens already focuses quite close and adding the 250D to it does not improve it much. Very slight increase in magnification. So, if that is your only kit lens, I would not bother adding the 250D to it. But, for the telephoto kit lens, I am quite happy with this close up lens.
I am new to photography and wanted to jump into every aspect of it.  I bought a high end lens to work with everyday pictures but after looking at some up close photos wanted to try that. I bought this lens to attach it to the 50mm lens....I love it. It allows me to get much closer to the subject.  Well worth the money in my opinion!
This is the official close-up lens from Canon. It will allow you to focus closer (much like a macro) with your 58mm diameter lens such as the 50mm F/1.4 and can be used on G-series compact cameras (with an adapter)On the f/1.4 it allows you to get much closer focus than without it.  It is NOT a macro lens, it basically just allows you to focus closer.On the G1X and G15 I tried it on, both of the cameras had problems in auto-focus adapting to having this on the front of them. I got better results without the adapter and just using the built in Macro mode.3 stars due to the price.  Many of the &#34;off-brand&#34; macro or close up lenses will work just as well unless you are going to be using it all the time.
I bought the 250D lens to use with my Sony DSC-F717 and it is just wonderful. I can also use it with my Canon G3 because I bought a Canon LADC58B Conversion Lens Adapter (which is required and is inexpensive).I had been hearing a lot of good things about this lens in digital photography forums and I have seen many wonderful examples of its use.I recommend this lens to anyone who wants to make their "macro" photography shine. Get one!Just be clear that there is the 52mm and the 58mm and don't be confused as to which one will fit your camera.Edit:Just a clarification:This one 'is' the "58mm" even though above (on this page) when you click the links "See More Technical Details" and "See all Product Description" it mentions "52mm". This is misleading and confusing. At the very very top of this page it says "58mm". Let me just assure you that this particular one 'is' the "58mm" and 'is not' the "52mm".late edit (Aug 04, 06):Well, it looks as if Amazon finally corrected that misleading info I mentioned just above in my clarification.
This is great for close-ups, I am using on my Powershot A610, I recommend this for anyone.
Don't let the name of this fool you - I use it on my dSLR lenses and find it so much more efficient to carry than a separate macro lens.  In fact, with a telephoto lens of 200mm or longer, you may prefer it to a 100mm macro for the narrow viewing angle and added working distance.Since I typically stop down to an f/8 or smaller for macro pictures, I don't notice any vignetting on my longer lenses, even when I need a step-down adapter to mount this on them.  (I have a 60-250mm lens that takes a 67mm filter - when I use a cheap 67-58 adapter to mount this, it makes an absolutely wonderful lens for insects and flowers alike.)
This is a really good close-up addition.  I use it on my 14-50mm M Zuiko lens as well as the 60mm macro and it is really clear and easy to put on and take off.  It was a nice addition to my equipment.
I use this lens with the Canon A710IS.  It turns out, this is a pretty generic closeup lens (not specific to the Canon compact digicams); it is compatible with a lot of lenses.  It works fine with the full 6x zoom on this camera (210 mm equivalent).With natural lighting, this lens gives great results.  At closest focus with max zoom (about 7 inches), the field of view is about 1.4 inches across (compared to around 7.5 inches across at same distance without the lens, where you'd have to use 1x; or, with 6x zoom, you'd get about 4.1 inches across at closest focus, about 22 inches away).  The result can be stunning detail of small critters.  I take a lot of small-critter close-ups, and I find this lens most useful for the skittish ones (spiders, flies, butterflies).  But if the subject will hold still for you, you can do better without this lens, using 1x (no zoom), with a field of view about 1 inch across at about 1/2 inch from the subject; but, at that distance you often have a problem with the lens casting a shadow over the subject.  Bottom line:  If you have the Canon A710IS or similar camera this lens makes a huge difference and is well worth the money (especially with the A710IS where closeup ability is the greatest weakness).I use this lens only with maximum zoom setting.  If you go down to 1x (35 mm equiv.) this camera lets you go into macro mode, but it gives a field of view about 2.1 inches across at 1/2 inch from the subject.  Not good!A word of caution.  After blowing a bunch of photos using this lens, I figured out that even if the camera shows you a green "OK focused" signal, it will *still* be blurry unless you hold the camera between about 7 and 10 inches from the subject.  So, in practice, you will want to take several shots at different distances to make sure you get within the zone where focus is sharp.  Also, it is very hard to see if you have the right parts of the critter in focus, so throw in a few extra shots for that too.  But, it is all worth it to get a couple of sharp close-ups.  One thing that helps is the relatively speedy focus of this camera, so you can take the shot before your hand sways out of the plane of focus.There is no vignetting whatsoever with this lens at any zoom setting (unlike the 1.75x teleconverter).  However, a rather significant drawback is the shadowing the adapter causes in flash photos.  It is not a sharp-edged shadow, in fact it creates more of a linear gradient, darkest at lower right and brightest at top left.  Happily, many closeups will be of tiny subjects anyway that still occupy only a small portion of the image, so once you crop the image, the shadowing gradient is pretty subtle.  I got several excellent photos of this kind already.  However, when you want to keep the whole image (e.g. a close-up of lichens over a rock), the shadowing will ruin the photo, unless perhaps used as an added subtle fill-flash.  This is a shame, because with a working distance of 7-10 inches provided by this lens, you could imagine some really great flash photography otherwise.  (Normally the problem with flash with point-and-shoot close-ups is it is too bright.)The most convenient way to use this lens will be keeping it threaded onto the adapter already; you can then pop the whole thing on and off the camera very quickly.  Unfortunately, only a standard filter-box is provided with this lens so you'd need to find a larger container to hold it together with the adapter.Incidentally, if you try (carefully, loosely!! so the lenses don't touch) combining this lens with the 1.75x teleconverter for the A710IS, the results are:  Field of view about 3 inches across at 31 inches distance (farthest), or 2.5 inches across at 19 inches distance (closest focus).  Probably not worth doing.One nice feature of this closeup lens is it has 58 mm threads on both sides, so you can add a polarizing or other filter on top.  In fact, once you have the $20 adapter that is required for this lens (for A710IS), you can add 58mm filters for everyday use even when not using add-on lenses -- that was a nice surprise!
I bought a 58mm Canon 250D close up filter for the Canon 55-250mm IS lens and now I have a fantastic macro lens, that is capable of doing 1:1 macro with a working distance of 25cm (~10")! The 250D is roughly 1/7 th the price of the closest 1:1 macro lens with the same working distance - the tamron 180mm 1:1 macro. Even though the 250D is optically optimized for lens up to 135mm focal length, the results are fantastic handheld up to 200mm on this lens. Using 250mm (when you get a bit higher than 1:1) is a little bit of work, but gets decent results (with mirror lockup + tripod + f/25). No horrible color fringing that happens with cheap closeup filters on the market (like the Opteka +1,+2,+4, and +10 close up filters). I haven't used a true 1:1 macro lens, which I suspect will definitely be better quality-wise, but the combination of a canon 55-250mm IS + canon 250d for a telephoto + 1:1 macro + IS under 400$ is a true bargain along the lines of the 50mm f/1.8 for Canon crop DSLRs.
I got this for my FUji X-M1 16-50 kit lens.  I wanted a close up adapter for those close shots.  I did not want to spend the money on a MACRO lens.  This is a good option, especially if you are not super serious about macro but would like to have the option.This does the job, I use it to take pictures for flowers, and other objects around town.When I want to take pictures of people or landscapes I just unscrew the adapter, throw it (carefully ) in my bag and off I go.Don't expect amazing detail, I have included pictures before/after
I'm looking for a closeup lens for my Canon EOS Rebel XT.  But before buying I wish I can see some pictures taken using this lens.
After struggling with all the abberations(chromatic & flare) from using a cheap set of closeup filters,i investigated & found the Canon 250D 4X closeup diopter. Although relatively pricey, i swallowed hard & ordered the Canon 250D from Amazon. When it arrived i put it on my Sony DSC-H2's lens adapter & discovered a revelation; the quality of the Canon 250D's 2 lens elements eliminated all the chromatic abberations & flare artifacts that were present when using cheap closeup filters. Now instead of fighting my composition for a closeup & spending time trying to edit out all the abberations i was getting great closeup images. This closeup lens can be used with any 58mm threaded lens. I have even used it on other larger thread lens with a step down adapter, you just need to be aware of possible vignetting.
I use this product for the Canon G1.The quality of the photos i have taken are great, and i'm really happy with the pics. Huge Resolutions, a good printer, and a decent overall effect.I would say though, that for 60-90 bucks you should get this only if you plan to use it... (ie: Flower Close-ups, wilderness photos of small items etc...)
I bought this close up lens to use with my Canon T1i and kit lenses. I've only had it a few days. First impressions are good but it's going to take some practice to learn to use. The build is good, nice and heavy compared to a standard filter. So far, I've discoverd that it's easier to manual focus then physically move the camera forward and back to get the clearest photo, instead of trying to auto focus. Now, that may change in different light and situations.I'm glad that I bought this well in advance of my next vacation and flower season. Hopefully by then I'll have gotten a good feel for working with it. A dedicated macro lens would have probably been simplier but I'm not ready to spend that much to take photos of flowers (which is what I wanted it for).
I foolishly purchased two batteries when I purchased my camera (Powershot G2).  I quickly found that was overkill.  These batteries charge well and I can shoot for a weekend without a recharge (I have two kids and two dogs, so this can mean *lots* of pictures).  It's always a good idea to have an extra battery, but two extras seems excessive in this case.
Canon is a great camera and this is a great battery. I highly recommend it.If I ever need another one this is what i'll get.
These GENERIC batteries fit well in the camera (Digital Rebel), and work well.  But, they don't last even 10% compared to the brand-name battery.  They are good for an emergency, when your brand-name battery goes off.Be careful when you purchase these generic kind of batteries with different names.  They are all the same, with different names, brands, and prices.  I bought 2 of them, with different "characteristics" and names, and received the same twice, and was charged twice for delivery of a single package.  Buy the cheapest, is the same as the others.
It worked just fine because it was the one that fit and it worked just fine it was just fine because it was just fine
I have bought third party batteries for a variety of electronic devices over the years, and have learned that there is a price paid in performance cuts that more than makes up for any discount in actual cost. These Canon batteries are more expensive than the hundreds of third party alternatives, but it's because they are the best batteries you can buy for your camera. Highly recommended. I bought one a year ago and it still works like it's brand new.
Wouldn't hold any charge. Tried several times, packaging was questionable for a true Canon battery.  Return was easy except I had to pay postage
I was really worried about buying a super cheap knock off of the BP-511 battery for my Cannon Rebel EOS.  Cannon was backordered on their batteries, but I needed a new battery ASAP.  I found out that Duracell makes a battery (DR-C511) that also works with Cannon cameras.  I decided to order the Duracell brand and have found that it operates with my camera great and fits my charger too.  I decided to take a chance with the Duracell because they are a reputable company and I'm glad I did.  I just wanted to share that bit of knowledge with you.
Thanks guys. Great product and great surviceCanon NB-4L Li-Ion Battery for Canon SD1400IS, SD940IS, SD960IS and Other Select Canon Digital Cameras - Retail Package
This battery came with my Canon G2 digital camera about 18 months ago and it was very reliable and gave me a couple of hundred shots on a single charge.  I bought two additional ones to &quot;be safe&quot; as I was taking a two week cruise of Europe and didn't want to be caught short on power (this was about a year ago).  It was not a problem as I rarely needed more than one battery on a day's shoot.But I have found that the three batteries are weakening with continued use and charging.  I just came back from a vacation in Hawaii and was finding that I was going deep into a second battery on most days, even though I wasn't taking any more pictures than on my previous trip.  I charged up all of my batteries to shoot fireworks for the July 4th celebration and went through one battery very quickly (about 15 minutes) and almost drained a second in another 20 minutes.  I think the constant recharging of the batteries have taken a huge toll on them now and they are on their last legs.Given that these batteries aren't cheap, I was hoping they'd last another year or two, but I think that isn't going to be the case.  I think some other reviews are bearing this out as well.  But when these batteries are at full strength, they are pretty good and reliable.  But it looks like that only for a finite amount of time.  So if you are getting a Canon product that uses these batteries, you better have at least two on hand and be prepared to have to replace them at some point in he future.
So far so good. The battery fits properly and seems to hold its charge, so i am happy with it
Very good batteries. I bought 6 of these total and only had 1 that ever had a problem. Good basic batteries.
This battery can last a long time as long as you don't keep the LCD screen on to long, and depending on your usage of flash photography. You might want to keep a spare around!!
The Canon BP511 that was supplied with my Canon G-5 digital stopped taking a charge after 6 months and I hadn't used it all that much.  To replace it I bought a couple of Lenmar knock-offs for about half the price.  Since then I've shot thousands of images and the Lenmars have never failed me. I went off on a trip recently and shot several hundred images on the first battery, and never had need for the second battery, or the charger which I left at home.Canon puts out great stuff, but I wouldn't bet my money on the
I bought this battery to have as a backup for the identical one that came with my Canon Powershot G5. The battery is fabulous. I've always been very displeased with the shooting capacity of digital cameras in general - they would run out of battery in a very short time. This battery was one of the deciding factors for me buying a Canon Powershot G5. According to a test on dpreview, it's the best performing battery (when used in the G3) out there for any digital camera (at the time of testing).I've taken a few thousand pictures with it so far, and I'm very pleased. When using the LCD display for a mix of movies and pictures (on my G5), I get around 600 pictures out of one fully charged battery. I've never completely &quot;emptied&quot; the battery with the LCD screen off (preview only), but based on my experience so far, I would think that you'll get somewhere between 600-1000 pictures out of one fully charged battery - maybe more - when the LCD is not on all the time. If you take a lot of pictures (I can easily take 500 on a weekend trip), I would still recommend buying an extra battery though. I'm panicked about ever running out of battery (or memory) while I'm shooting.Should you buy a cheaper non-Canon brand equivalent battery? I've not tried an equivalent for the BP-511, but I've got a DigiPower equivalent for my Canon Powershot S200 (Elph II), and it's crap. I would never buy and equivalent for my G5 camera, because in my experience, it's quite apparent that you get what you pay for.Pros:* Extremely good capacity - 500-1000 pictures on one charge with normal use.* Charges relatively quick in my G5 - about 90 minutesCons:* Very heavy. It'll weigh down your camera, but for the capacity it provides, I personally think it's worth it.Conclusion: It's a very good battery - capacity is fabulous. I've had no problems with it - it doesn't overheat, it doesn't stop working, and so far after about 6 months of operation, I've noticed no drop in capacity. I give it an unconditional 5 stars!!!
sometimes the charger says the battery has recharged too soon and it is a false reading.  never completely sure of the charge
Buyer Beware!  I know this information has been included in these reviews before, but I was thinking that Ritz Camera would have fixed things by now.  What is offered is "Canon BP511 1100mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders" and that is what I want for our Digital Rebel (it was original equipment).  What they sent was "Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders" just like they did for another reviewer.  This battery has different power ratings because it is intended for a camcorder which has much higher motor driving requirements.  When I called to complain, the man on the line told me that it was a better fit for our camera.  When I told him that it may be, but I WANT the battery I ordered, he became very insulting and unpleasant.  These are not the type of people I want to do business with.  I returned the battery and am waiting to see if I get my refund from them.  Fortunately I paid for it with a credit card so if they do not refund my money I can dispute the charges.It may be that I cannot get the BP511 and will have to go with the BP511A.  But, that battery is available from another Amazon seller for $25 less than Ritz sells it.  Again, BUYER BEWARE of the old BAIT and SWITCH!
Amazon incorrectly states the following in its writeup under features: Compatible with Canon EOS 10D, D60, D30, Pro90 IS, G1, G2, G3 and G5 modelsThis does NOT work with the G3 model.  The battery has a groove at the bottom which makes it impossible to fit in the G3 battery compartment.  So, if you need a lithium battery for your G3, look elsewhere on Amazon.  I noticed in the writeup from the manufacturer, below the Amazon description, it does NOT list the G3 as being compatible.  I wish I had heeded that instead of Amazon's description, which is usually very accurate.BTW I love the Canon G3 and Amazon too.
Canon no longer makes the BP511 battery so I was very happy to see that Amazon letSterling Tek take over the ad. Sterling Tek makes great batteries. Amazon's policy of letting people take over others ads is not the greatest, I got stung about 3 years ago by order from a Sterling Tek ad that had been taken over by BarginCell with an Eforcity product. I was very disappointed in the product and had Amazon return my money and went directly to the Amazon Sterling Tek Store to buy the real Sterling Tek battery. Just wanted to report that the Sterling Tek battery that I ordered, is still doing great after almost three years of use. On an average, I have been taking about 500 pictures every month. No problems at all. In my last trip a week ago, it took almost 450 pictures on a single charge, some of them with flash. I cannot believe that a non-canon battery could be so good !  What I read about the Sterling Tek batteries on forums is really true !
works great and delivers what I need for the job to be done.  lasts longer than I expected it to.
I bought this a long time ago for my old Canon S70 and it worked great. Unfortunately, the camera met an untimely demise and I was not able to use the remote on the upgraded camera that I bought, but if you have a model that it works with, it will do the job well.
Just as stated above, although this remote may be compatible with many other models of Canon PowerShots, including the S1 IS (NOT THE SAME CAMERA) the SX1 IS is not among them. I bought this model remote in error, and unfortunately, it's not compatible. The remote for the SX1 IS is the WC-DC300, and as told directly by Canon customer support, is the ONLY remote compatible with this camera. I just wanted to let anyone know who might have lost theirs as I did. By the way, the WC-DC300 costs $15 including shipping directly from Canon!
Great for using with a tripod, now you can be in the pictures too.
This device works but you must be directly in front of the camera since that is where the sensor is located on the camera. If you wanted it for shots of wildlife from an unseen location this defeats the purpose unless you are hiding right in front of the camera and you want to get in the shot with the wildlife.  :) Good for self portraits I guess.
I looked everywhere on Amazon to find a wireless remote that is compatible with my S1 IS.  According to Canon's website, this remote works with PRO 1, PRO90 IS, G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, S1 IS & S60.  Since it seems to be under-documented here, I thought I'd throw that out there so other people don't waste as much time clicking around as I did.When I get the remote, I'll check back in with a full review.OKAY, I'M BACK.  I can't say that I'm entirely happy with the remote -- but considering it is the only option for taking steady pictures with these cameras, it will be worthwhile for some.First of all, the thing is tiny and thin -- with no way to attach it to a keychain or string (short of you doing it yourself with tape).  Secondly, at least for the S1 IS, it only responds at a distance of six or so feet, and only when pointed at the front of the camera.  The signal is not strong enough to pass through the camera so you can't use it from behind.  Thirdly, the buttons are not very responsive, especially the zoom buttons.Cannon's dv cameras like the GL1 have great remotes with lots of controls.  Why, for this price, can't Cannon offer something better for still cameras?
Works fine with my S60. This one will work in front of the camera, since there is only one sensor in the front of it.
I got this for my S70. First off, in order to use it, you have to set the S70 to "radio control" (about 9 button pushes). Then you had better stay no further away than six feet or so (and only in *front* of the camera-the remote doesn't work from the rear!). Oh, and if you want to adjust your framing, forget it-the zoom is immobilized.If you need a "cable release," I strongly suggest simply using the self-timer built into the camera. It gives you 2-second and 10-second settings, and you're almost certain to have a steady tripod by that time.
This camera is too expensive. It is only 3.3 Megapixels and costs about ($). For that price you could buy 3 Nikon Coolpix 5000 or Minolta Dimage 7 cameras (both which are 5 Megapixel cameras). I can't think of any reason to pay this much for this camera...(maybe if it could take pictures and turn them into gold bricks! LOL.) Is this a joke? This price will surely fall below ($) in the next year and you will save much money by waiting before buying.
I took this with me recently to Australia and shot landscapes as well as others, and the pictures came out better than the film cameras I have used recently, plus you don't need a scanner.  This camera works great, a must have for semi-pros.  Pros, wait for the new 1D.  Pictures come out great at 11&quot;x17&quot;.
Awesome Camera.  If you are interested in the sharpest digital photos this is the camera for you.  I recommend the Canon EOS D30 unequivocally; it is the best you can buy without breaking the bank.  If you already own one of the Canon EOS' then your lenses will fit.  The compact flash included is pretty skimpy and my Speedlite 430EZ didn't work.  Picture quality is outstanding.  Read some of the comparisons with the Nikon and you will see that the D30 beats it for about two grand less.  I am totally enthusiastic about it.  The instruction booklet is clear and easy to follow.  You can use the new 340MB to 1 gig mini-drives to store a whole vacations worth of pictures.  I recommend the Speedlite 550EX to expand your abilities.
Is the D30 the very best digital camera available, no. Is it a very good camera for the price, yes. (...)I paid about [x] for a D30 body, with the 1GB Microdrive+extra battery as free rebates from Canon. (...) If you figure the rebate was worth about $500, then I paid about [x] for the body.(...) The bottom line seems to be the D30 makes images about as good as typical 35 MM color film (I'd bet not as good as Kodachrome though).I did find the camera took some getting used to. For example, washed out highlights sometimes get color fringes and unprocessed images look flat and quite unsharp. After learning about sharpening and contrast adjustment (Photoshop unsharp mask &lt;search web for "D30 unsharp mask" for details>), I'm pretty pleased with the image quality. Being able to instantly get a image histogram moments after snapping a picture is a GREAT way to analyze the contrast range of a scene, and makes me now think how photography with a film camera was totally lacking in immediate feedback about picture quality.A few features are not so well documented (if you read the manual enough times it's in there), like if you activate mirror lock up, the self timer is 2 seconds instead of 10, perfect for long tripod exposures. I also didn't immediatly realize how important the dial on the back was (needed for white balance selection, exposure compensation, and manual mode control). Speaking of white balance, it's GREAT to snap a picture of a neutral (white) surface (I use a 18% grey card), and instantly get the camera to adjust the color balance. Remember daylight and tungsten filters for film?I suppose you can use fully automatic mode for quick pictures of UFO's flying by, but think this is a camera more for people who LIKE to adjust things for best quality.The ONLY reservation I have is resolution being 3.25 megapixels. There are now 5-6 megapixel cameras, but they either cost a LOT more (like the Canon D1...) or else loose a lot of that SLR'ness. Like no TTL viewfinder on the Sony 707 (...), and no interchangable lenses on the Olympus E-20 (at the same price or more as my effectiveprice on the D30). I was very surprised to find that EVERYBODY rates the number of pixels based on all colors. A 3 megapixel digital camera has generally 1.5 megapixels of green sensors, 0.75 of read and blue. This means in a 3 Megapixel RGB image, 2/3 of the final data is made up from interpolation. In my book, that's not REALLY 3 megapixels. Some higher end prosumer/pro video cameras have three sensors, one for each color, although these do cost more.Based on everything I know now (a lot more) I would still probably buy the D30... (...) I can't think of ANY alternatives that give so much for the price.
All of the nice things you're hearing about this camera are true.  If you already own a camera in the Canon EOS line and are ready to upgrade to digital, this is the path you want to take.  It has all the features a sophisticated amateur wants, plus a healthy serving of &quot;professional&quot; features thrown in.  And as others have said, all the lenses and most (not all) of the accessories you already have will work with the D30.There are a few drawbacks, however... For one thing the autofocus relies on an incandescent lamp rather than the infrared found in nearly all other EOS models.  This is a curious choice on Canon's part, it almost seems like they didn't throw in professional-quality autofocus for marketing reasons, since there's a true pro-level Canon digital SLR due out later this year.Another drawback is that the included software, called ZoomBrowser EX, is not that great.  It's designed to help you capture, download, and catalog your digital images, but it runs out of steam once your image library grows to a non-trivial size, and if you want to merge databases because you've done collection on another computer, the software more-or-less becomes unusable.Also, you end up paying a lot more than $3000, even if you already have the lenses from your other Canon EOS camera.  First comes the Compact Flash cards (you really need to get at least two of these so you always have a spare).  Figure on getting at least two 128MB CF cards, if you really must have a microdrive that will cost you more.  Plan on getting an extra battery too.  Then there are the Canon accessories, like a better (infrared) autofocus lamp, an electronic timer for long exposures and intervalometer work (which the included remote-capture software does not do well), and you get the idea...  you really have to budget $4000.Having said all that, this camera really is a joy to use, and once you get used to the instant feedback, your shooting skills will improve, and you'll start getting compliments on how good you are.  It really *is* that *good* of a camera.  Just be warned that you are jumping into the deep end of digital photography if you get this camera.  ... ;-).
I used it at my school once, but I did not find it worth the steep price tag. I would reccommend sticking with a cheaper megapixel camera which has the same photo quality, though it may lack the bells and whistles.
I have big hands and shoot a Canon 10D. This grip helps me handle the big lenses with ease.
I actually bought this before my D60 came in. Now that it is attached to my new camera, it will never be removed. Not only does it offer more battery power by holding a second battery, but more importantly to me, it makes thee camera much easier to handle, especially in vertical shooting by adding the necessary buttons within easy reach and a comfortable grip. Oh and for what it is worth, it looks cool on the camera too!
I used this thoughout camping trip in Sequoia's for six days.  Never once did I worry about recharging.  Attached to my D30 I went through a IMB 340 Minidisk and a small CF card without hint of the batteries running out of juice.  I used some built in flash and reviewed some pictures but mostly tried to conserve power.  I would recommend this to other canon users to hold two batteries and the additional use of a vertical shutter release and spot meter, etc.. buttons.
I have extremely large hands and simply cannot hand-hold a standard EOS 10D without the BG-ED3 battery grip. Without it, I cannot grip the camera with the little finger on my right hand, making the camera feel unbalanced. The front of the BG-ED3 grip rests neatly and comfortably in the heel of my left hand and provides support for the lower half of my right hand, making for very stable shooting in horizontal format. For vertical format shooting, Canon have neatly arranged the controls so that there is minimal difference in feel when shooting this way, again making steady shots much easier. It's ergonomically brilliant. The extra power provided by the second battery is really appreciated when you are shooting with flash. My battery grip lives on the camera and I will, like as not, never take it off. It's an essential piece of kit and I would not use an EOS 10D without it.
If you purchase a 10D, I consider this as a &quot;must have&quot; accessory.  The portait position auxillary button and data wheel are lifesavers when you're popping out a lot of shots.  The dual battery slots make for what seems like an unending amount of battery life.  I can honestly say that I've never run out of battery life on an assignment when starting with a full charge.  In between assignments I can go a couple of weeks of occasional use before I need to charge up even if I use the LCD a lot.  It does add a bit of weight to the camera and may be considered bulky to some but having used motor drives on my SLR film cameras for years, the feel is completely natural to me and I wouldn't leave home without it.
I hesitated to buy the battery grip because I thought I didn't really need it and that it would make the camera too bulky. But it is a great accessory that is ALWAYS on my camera now.I don't worry about battery power much anymore since there are always two inside.And best of all, I can snap photos in the vertical orientation so much easier. It's seamless.  In addition to having an additional shutter-button on the battery grip, there is a focus-point selector button.Certainly worth having.
I have been using my Canon D60 with BG-ED3 battery/grip extender to take aerial photos from Cessna 172 aircraft as my husband (a licensed private pilot) flies.  In the close quarters of the Cessna's front seat, the grip's button placement is especially appreciated, making vertical shooting much less stressful on my wrist. Further, the grip adds just enough weight to the camera to make it feel more balanced and solid in my hand -- an important element for any photography, but particularly so when in the air with minor turbulence. Aesthetically, the grip matches the Canon D60 and D30 cameras perfectly, looking exactly like an extension of the camera body itself. Solid, well-manufactured -- built to last.The cost of the BG-ED3 battery grip seemed a little steep, compared to the Canon grip extender I used on my Canon EOS Rebel 2000 camera. However, if you're looking to add significant battery life, some more surface area for gripping the camera and convenient button/control placement for vertical photographs (portraits and other vertically-oriented subjects), this is a great buy!
If you use larger lenses, you'll probably want this just to balance the camera properly.  And since larger lenses need more power to focus, and Image Stabilization drains the batteries more quickly, two batteries can come in handy.  Most likely you'll have power for at least a full day of heavy shooting.  Unfortunately, though the EOS-10D itself can take BP-512 batteries, this grip cannot - BP-511/511as or similarly-shaped batteries only.  It can use different batteries in combination, even with different power ratings; it will first use the higher-charged battery, then drain them both equally.  I use a Power 2000 1500mAh/7.4v together with my old BP-511 1100mAh/7.4v.It comes with a little slot in the side of the shaft that can hold the camera's battery cover (which must be removed) or an extra CF card.  Handy.  And you get extra control buttons on the grip for taking pictures in a vertical orientation, and a switch to disable them.The price is excessive, though.  If it were priced similarly to the Rebel's grip, I'd give this five stars easily.  At US$200, it's a much tougher call - it should still go on your wish lists, but at a much lower priority, depending on your purposes and equipment.
The Canon BG-ED3 battery grip is an accessory which depending on your shooting preferences, may provide features that are extremely useful.  The device is compatible with Canon's D30, D60 and 10D model digital SLR cameras, and accommodates two BP-511 type batteries, providing power capacity for an extended period of time.  BP-511 batteries are generally very long lasting, and having available the power of two batteries provides peace of mind for those who shoot for long hours, or frequently use the LCD display.Very handy for some shooters is an auxiliary shutter button, located on the grip, and positioned to be used when the camera is held in the conventional vertical shooting position.  The shutter button is activated by a recessed switch on the grip, and operates in a manner identical to the camera's shutter button.Though it is relatively light, some may find the grip's additional weight objectionable.  Others find the camera to be more balanced and easier to hold and handle, with the grip attached.  Especially when a long or heavy lens is attached.  Be advised that with the grip attached the space requirement in your camera bag or other carrying gear, will need to be increased a bit.  Another "benefit" is purely esthetic, as some users feel the camera simply looks "better" with the grip attached.  Secured primarily by a screw that threads into the tripod socket, the grip does have a tendency to loosen up with continued use, and just needs to be tightened occasionally.With some other Canon camera systems, buying a battery pack grip could be justified for cost saving reasons.  Using rechargeable batteries in the grip, eliminates the need to purchase non-rechargeable lithium batteries.  Over time, one could save enough to pay for the cost of the grip.  In this case, there is no such benefit, as these cameras only use rechargeable BP-511 type batteries.  So unless the other features are useful to you, the BG-ED3 may not be a recommended purchase.  It mainly depends on the kind of shooting you do, and perhaps the type of lenses you have.
I bought the Kodak Advantix film for my mother. I couldn't find this film anywhere and then found it on amazon. Good film.
Kodak makes the industy's best film. Period. Like the title says, the faster the film, the better the results (for amatures anyway). 400 is the minimum that any amatuer should buy, and generally the results are pretty good. 800 speed is even better, but be prepared to pay more for it. 800 is good for low light and high-speed subjects. However, for most situations, 400 should be fine.
I am hanging on to my APF film camera in this time of digital photography. The one problem I have now is finding film for the camera that takes great photos. The next problem I expect to encounter will be getting the film developed when I have used the film.So far I was very pleased to have a source where the film was available - will see how the photos come out.
A wonderful purchase of a product that I can no longer find in my local stores. My Dad also has a camera that uses this type of film, and was very happy I was able to share this purchase with him. Great service also, and I would definitely purchase again.
.Go the the PALM restaurant (in Manhattan or eslewhere), order an 8 lb lobster and bring a panoramic camera with this film.  You'll be able to fit the whole lobster in the picture and the color will make your friends green with envy.The film makes people look very natural and flattering.  I liked the color on all the photos I've seen taken with this film--especially the people pictures where other films have let me down with crappy contrast or dead colors.Nice film format.  Kodak has always been the best film.  Here is modern proof the haven't been sitting on their butts.
hard to find this film, and was so glad to find it on amazon.  my old camera still works great, and can't wait to take film in to get pictures developed.  I still like the old fashioned prints!
Did not arrive inside original Kodak package as shown - just 3 loose rolls of film with no expiration dates on them. No doubt the expiration date was on the original packaging.
I am so glad to still be able to find this film on the internet. Most stores have stopped selling this product and I am very happy with my camera and film even tho it is old technology. The quality is great, the price is right, and I am very pleased with this product. I shall order again as long as it available.Sincerely,John, from San Antonio, Texas
These films fill the bill, so to speak.  I need to have a film on hand when I go on trips so this purchase was good.
I have a Canon Elph camera that I bought in 1998.  Even with the change to digital, I have kept the camera for the &#34;important&#34; photos that I wish to take.  I have recently passed the camera on to my non-digital mother.  She loves the ease of use in loading the film and the winding and re-winding feature.  The saddest part is that they ceased production of this type of film in 2011.  Stock up now and put it in the fridge!
Without the expiration date, it's hard to determine what the quality of the pictures might be.  May want to check on the date before buying.
This was a gift for my sister and she still hasn't had it processed or even taken a whole roll as far as I know. Such a shame!
This product was a big disappointment, since the 1st roll was empty.  This product was not packaged, as viewed, so that's where some of the problem enters.  The 3 rolls were loose in a box.Thanks to Amazon.com for getting my money back.  This is the first (and I hope last) product received through Amazon.com that I have been disappointed with.
I purchased many rolls awhile ago.  When pics were developed it was clear the film is bad/old.  Don't waste your money.
So glad I found this via Amazon! I ordered this for my Dad who still like to have the old fashion camera where he can print it!. The seller was prompt with delivery with no problem. Thanks Amazon!
As more and more products keep coming out, it is becoming difficult to find supplies for products only a few years old.  I would prefer to buy this item at a local store if it was made available.
You do NOT save $9.00 off anything.  The regular Wal-Mart price for this item has been $9.95 for as long as they have carried it.I love this Advantix camera.  You can't insert the film the wrong way.  You can't snap twice on the same film cell.  It advances every time you snap.  You can't open the film compartment until the entire roll of film has been shot.  The film cannister is marked 1 - 4, so that you always know what stage of its use you are at.  You can choose the layout of the shot from landscape to classic dimensions.  You'll always know if the light-flash setting is ready to go.  It is about as error-free as any device other than the water faucet.  I love this camera.The 400, in particular, has never failed to give me excellent photo results.  If Kodak drops this camera, because of the existence of digital cameras, it will be another classical example of corporate decision-making opposing customer preference.
The film is fine. Its ASA of 400 is a good speed for outdoor pics with little motion. An ASA of 200 is however preferable for those whose pictures will be taken mostly indoors. Those who want to freeze motion (eg. sports) will benefit from an ASA of 1000. Portraiture should be done on slow, ASA 100 or lower (if available) film. Value within each speed should be calculated by exposures divided by roll price; in general, the 40 exposure size is a better bargain than these 25s.
I tried to buy film in our area...NONE available.  I was beside myself and then I went on line... YEAH!!  In fact, I need to reorder, as I have 1 roll left.
I am saving the film for a special project in June, so I cannot give a full review. However, the three stars are for my assumption it will work fine.I was disappointed that the packaging was not the best and was not in the orginal  Kodak package that is shown in the picture. Perhaps that can be added to the discription.
I bought a Canon ELPH camera at an estate sale.  It required this special type of film.  It is not round like regular 35 mm film. I found it on Amazon.com.  It fits inside the camera perfectly.  I am taking photos with it, but have not developed the film yet.  This camera was a generation between the 35mm's and the digital cameras that did not get a lot of recognition.  I wanted to try it out.  I am not rating the camera, just that this was the proper film for it.
Film ws good and when we got it developed, it was great in color also.  WEdding pics came through wonderfully and we were very happy with the purchase as they don't sell this 400 film in the stores any longer, well in MN they don't.
I was very happy to find Advantix Film at amazon.  It is impossible to buy from the big box stores or a neighborhood store any more.  I ordered 2-3pks as once that is gone I may have a digital camera.  I was disappointed in the cost of the shipping.  I know the shipping didn't cost no $13.00 so it must be the cost of putting it in the mailing envelope.  Service was excellent however.
I am very pleased to be able to find this film for my little camera.The only thing I could not find was the expiration date.  Is there one onthere anywhere.  I could not locate it.  Thanks
I bought this film October 21, 2010,the film expires Jan. 2010. If i had known this i would not have bought it
i do not think that this is good film.  i would suggest going with the 400 speed.
Digital cameras have left film cameras without a source for film. It is no longer available in local stores. The postage made the online source very expensive but much to my surprise, I was given several extra rolls of advantix 200 film. I had one developed today and the picture quality is great.
Could not purchase this film anywhere and went on Amazon and searched and found my film, need to reorder some more for vacation soon.
Being senior citizens, my wife and I find it difficult to exist in this IT world.I have a digital camera, but Ann still stumbles along with her film camera.Locally we find it hard to find film for cameras in stores, so she ordered some on-line;  it came, and she's most satisfied.
needed aps film for my trip and couldnt find it anywhere where I live. most sites were very expensive but amazon was alot lower and got it in time for my vacation. very fast service.
the film was supposed to be in a 3 pack but it came in 3 individual packs.the product is fine
The last films that I purchased had one film defected, when I took it to be developed it could  not be done because is was no good the filmwas defected and could not be developed. If I spend that much money for film then I think they all should be fine.  The defected filmshould be replaced. All my pictures lost.  Thank youUrsula Rohrer
This is a nice gadget to have with your camera.It's not that you will use it... everyday, but the moment you need it, you will appreciate the money you have spend on it...My only complain (that's why the 4 stars)... With my E-500 the zoom buttons doesn't work... although someone might as well say... why do you need the zoom???... you set the camera before you walk into the picture... you press the button... you smile and you are set... if you begin zooming... then you might as well lose the the picture you wanted to frame at the beginning :DBeyond this small complain... I will easily recommend it as an addition to all Olympus cameras...
However, if your intent is to use this as a remote shutter release from the side or behind the camera, then don't bother with the purchase.  It is designed to be used in front of the camera obviously so you can join in the  shot with your subject.  Great for those vacations where it is you and your significant other (with a tripod) and no one else to take the photo.Also a good choice if you want to reduce the chance of "blurring" during low light photos such as sunsets and candle light.  Again, you need to be in front of the camera (30 degree coverage directly looking at the lens).
Buen producto que reune las caracter&iacute;sticas que se ofrec&iacute;an. Es suficiente para el uso para el que fu&eacute; comprado. Buena relaci&oacute;n precio-valor.
This is the second RM-1 remote control that I have.  The first one came with my C-2020Z camera and served  me well.  I used it to take some 2000 pics.  In the  interim, I also threw in lots of abuse for good measure  |-) :  I dropped it numerous times, stepped on it, etc.When it finally conked out, the original battery was  still going strong.  Battery power consumption had not  been an issue.The remote control is great for taking self-portrait,  or for group shots.  It's *much* better than using the  self-timer: no need to run & get into position after  tripping the timer!The only problem that I experienced was when using it  outdoors, its range is somewhat limited.  Once when I  needed to take a pic of a group of people posing next  to their cars (i.e. a pic where the camera needs to be  a bit of a way away), I needed to walk up closer to  the camera (on a tripod) before the remote control  would work.-- Andy Nguyen \ aqn at panix dot com
An ideal remote for a number of uses: to keep from jarring your camera during long exposures, for extra-clear shots, and for getting yourself in the picture. An excellent item.
It only works in low light because the suns' rays interfere with the infra-red sensor. You have to be in front of the camera and at close range.I bought this wireless-remote control and it is SOOOO much better for wildlife, micro, sunsets and fireworks or anything you want to shoot, but can't be touching the camera:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KDXQLA/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_1
The price was the best at Amazon that I could find. I wanted a remote to take pictures with my new E-510 DSLR and use it for tripod shots where I do not touch the camera so it will be perfectly still, important for very slow shutter speeds. Olympus require you to use this remote that was designed for some other product, probably a camcorder as only 1 button works. The 4 buttons on the lower do nothing. The camera's receiving sensor is on the front so you need to point the remote in front of the camera so you need to make sure your hand is not in the picture. The product is over priced for what it does.
Handy device to make some shots easier - no chance of shaking the camera for certain shots. You can set the camera up and not touch it again til after your shot - great for time captures or slow shutter speeds. Sometimes I feel like I have to press the button a few times before it registers but it could be the battery, as I have has this item for more than 1 yr.
The product is as it describes. And it's much cheaper than any other merchandises. Great deal.
I have found this to be quite a handy device when having to make slow shutter shots in an area where a flash would be too invasive.  I have my camera on a tri-pod, of course, and use the RC to keep the camera from moving at all while taking pictures in a quiet area, like a church service, or wedding.  Though you do have to use it in front of the camera, you do not have to use it in front of the lens.  Plus, once you get it down, your hand it out of the way long before the shutter goes off.  It is a very handy device.
This remote works well, but a new one needs to be manufactured, that supports more functions in the E-300 and E-500 Cameras.
It's just a remote control.  I  wish you can operate the camera from behind
I use this remote with my Olympus E-30 DSLR camera.  The remote has six buttons, but only one of them (the large one that activates the shutter) is usable with my system and that is the one that is most important to me.  The packaging that came with the remote was misleading in places.  It stated that the battery tab could be removed to activate the battery.  There was NO battery tab in the remote.  Also, unless the camera is set to receive IR commands, there is no way to tell if the remote is operable or not--no light comes on or anything like that.  Over all, I am very happy with the remote as it does just what I want it to do.  Thanks.Olympus RM-1 Remote Control for Olympus Stylus Digital Cameras
Nice little remote for your camera if you want to do self-portrate pictures.I don't use mine that much, but when I need it, it's there.
Aside from complaints about short range, in trying to put a new battery in, carefully, I somehow managed to damage one of the battery contacts, bending it downward in such a way as to make it impossible to reinsert a battery inside the small plastic transport.  The tolerances are so tight inside that it could not accommodate the new battery inside the transport after the battery contact was bent downward.  Because the slot for the plastic transport is less than 1/16 of an inch, there is enough room to insert a tool to bend the contact back upwards, but not enough room inside to actually bend the contact itself.  One attempted battery change, and it was ruined.  I'm looking for a non-OEM compatible now.  Won't buy this junker again.  First disappointment with Olympus after an e-500 and an upgrade to the e-510.  Olympus shouldn't neglect these little products, but they did with this one.
I am using this remote with the Evolt E-500 DSLR.For the price? Not worth it... Poor range and delayed reaction time was annoying. Although, there is no other option for the model of camera I own. If you're looking for sustained exposure time, it'll do the trick. Anything more than that don't expect much.
For self portrait photos, you can't do without this remote.  It works great and pairs with the camera without issue.  It's small and easy to loose, as this is my replacement remote for that exact reason, but affordable and handy.  Recommended!
While offered as a remote for the Stylus Digital camera, this remote is a match for the Olympus E-500 digital SLR camera.  The unit is reliable, works perfectly with the E-series cameras, and works as expected.
I have now had six Olympus cameras: a Stylus Epic 35mm point & shoot, a C-2020-Zoom digital, a C-60 digital, two Stylus 410 digitals, and now a Stylus 800 digital. I have both the RM-1 and the RM-2 (with just the shutter release). Both work with all of the Olympus cameras I've owned. The RM-1 came with the C-2020-Zoom (ca. 1999, bought off eBay) and the RM-2 came with the Stylus 410. The C-60 also came with an RM-2. But for some reason, Olympus has decided to stop including the Remote.I have had no problems with this remote working in any lighting conditions. The zoom controls worked on the C-2020 and the new Stylus 800. Haven't tried it on the others.I also own a Pentax Optio S55. The Pentax remote (also called an RM-2 - but a different beast altogether), is very weak in signal strength and cost an extra $30. The Pentax button is very small and hard to press compared to the Olympus.
My wife has an E-5XX series Olympus DSLR and has wanted a remote so she could take photos while the camera was mounted on a tripod without the camera shake of pushing the shutter button manually. This remote allows you do to that, but not in the way you'd expect to be able to. Unfortunately, the E-5XX camera body only has an IR sensor on the front of the camera, not on the top or back. This would allow you to set the camera up and take a picture of yourself, such as in group photos. So, when she wants to set up the camera aimed at a bird feeder or other situations, she can't sit behind the camera and hit the remote to snap the picture. Instead she needs to hold her hand out in front of the camera body, trying not to block the shot.Ultimately, this isn't necessarily a fault of the remote. It does what it is designed to do. The direct problem is the camera body not having IR sensors in better locations. But because both the camera and the remote are Olympus designs, the functionality suffers due to lack of forethought.
The RM-1 is very compact and easily storable in the smallest of places.  I use it with my E-300 Evolt Digital SLR.  With this camera only the large shutter button on the remote is usable.  The other 4 buttons for zoom and +/- are not applicable to that particular camera.  A bit of a disappointment after getting it, but I probably wouldn't have used them anyway.
If you have a DSLR from olympus the only button that works with this remote is the picture button.  Which is the most important one of course.  It's worth buying to avoid camera shake while using a tripod.
I had no trouble with ordering or receiving this remote control for my olympus SLR camera. It works great and is a very handy tool for taking group photographs with me in them. It does take a little manual reading to figure out how to make it work. However if an idiot like me can do it, you won't have any trouble. I haven't used it a lot so I can't comment on durability, it looks and feels like it will last for a while. I would recommend this product.
First check if your camera will work with it.  If it does great!!!  Get it its great for taking pictures of yourself, or time lapsed photography (puting camera in tripod and you sitting comfortably in a chair), taking pictures without people knowing he he.  Also good for bird watching, aim the camera, (manual focus recomended for faster shooting) wait for the bird and picture!  It's so small, don't loose it, if you tend to loose small things attach it to the camera with velcro, you wont notice its there.
I got this very handy accessory item to go with my digital camera. It's compatable and very handy for taking family pictures on holidays where you can be included in the picture.I know the camera's have self timers, but who wants to run and be breathless to get in the frame in time before the camera fires.This way you can take more time to compose your picture and it turns out great. I highly recommend this if you plan on taking pictures at any family gathering-or taking informal portraits at home.
Part of the fun of taking group shots with digital cameras is the dance of setting the timer and running into the shot. Watching the blinking light count down. This remote allows me to fire off my Olympus E500 in either 2 or 10 second countdown from within the group. I actually purchased it to make time exposures because it is important not to physically move the cameras in "bulb" mode. I have not tried this yet, but I'll update the review when I do. I gave it 4 stars only because it is a very small unit and may be easily be misplaced. Amazon had a nice price for this.
I have an Olympus E-500 and I purchased this hoping that it would allow remote-control of the camera. I tried several different settings and none of them "worked". I downloaded a copy of Olympus Studio 2 and was able to make a nice series of 40 time-lapse photos without any problem. I hope the RM-1 works for you; otherwise, try Studio 2.
This is a good addition to your kit but I feel the usage range is not impressive. You need this if you want to shoot in bulb mode. Don't expect this to work if you want to take family portrait, placing you in the middle. Also you would not know whether it set the camera on.
this is a great accessory, I really like this for when wanting to take a self picture or for those awesome tripod shots.
This little device lets me be in the picture or shoot from a different angle. Glad I got it and the company delivery it on time.Thanks.
had it almost five years, still works well as long as you are in front of the camera and within a certain distancevery useful to have in the camera bagseems well made (i forgot it in my pocket and i put it through the washer and the dyer, works like nothing happened)
The less-expensive, third-party infrared remote control that I bought for my camera worked great for about eighteen months but finally went kaput.  I bought the Olympus brand this time hoping that it would last longer and it has.  Amazon's price is significantly below the full $39.95 MSRP.  This tiny remote control is compact and lightweight enough to carry in your camera bag at all times.  Just like the other brand, this one worked flawlessly with my Olympus Evolt E-510 right out of the box.You must, however, remember to turn on your camera's infrared sensor and this remote must be pointed toward the front of your camera for best range and results.  According to Olympus this remote is compatible with several of their other camera models.Using this device to photograph yourself alone or in a group is much more convenient than using your camera's self-timer.  You don't need to rush to get in front of the camera before the self-timer trips and you can take multiple shots by just pressing the button on the remote again.
The remote control works well with the Olympus digital camera.  It was deliveredon time and without any problems.
I wanted to use the bulb on my E-500 for shutter times of over 60secs.  The cable doesn't work, the RM-2 doesn't work.  This does.
I was a little nervous about the size of the remote when I opened the package but once I figured out how to use it I fell in love with it!
Works as stated. Could be cheaper for what it is. One issue with it is that you need to be in front of the camera to use it. Limited angle use. Would be much better if you could use it from behind the camera. For night-time longer exposure shots (ie. fireworks, lighted bridges), it works fine because you can click in front of the camera and pull away with no ill effect on the image. Good for (yourself included) family portraits. Very small so that it fits in any small pocket in your camera bag; but could also be lost easily. Not a necessity, but not bad to have as an option.
This is an awesome remote that I have found extremely useful when taking self portraits. Its easy enough to hide in your hand and works quickly. The only problem I have is that the zoom button isn't useful since the zoom on the camera itself is manual. Other than that its wonderful!
The description for this product says it is for all E Series Olympus cameras.  That is not correct.  It will not work with the latest E-P3 or E-P5 cameras.  Currently, there are no wireless remotes that work with these cameras, without buying outside Olympus using a transmitter and receiver combination, such as an Aputure II 2.4GHz for Olympus.  You can also purchase a wired remote, like the RM-UC1 which works great.  This is a nice remote, for the correct camera.
The remote works pretty well. I only have two problems with it but both I knew before I bought. The first is the limited distance, which is not a real problem for anyone who is doing self-portrait photography. The second is that you have to aim the remote directly into the lens because that is where the infrared sensor is located. Again this is not a big problem because for me and for most newer Olympus models because you have the option of delaying the shutter so you can get out of the picture. I own an Olympus E-510 and as I expected only the shutter button on the remote works, none of the other functions (as far as i know) do, for my camera. It is pretty sturdy as well considering I've dropped it and stepped on it more then once.
I bought this for my husband and it works great. Would recomend it to anyone who likes taking pictures.
Yes this remote control will only work with the sensor in the front of the camera. However do to the lack of a cable release function on the E 500 camera. The RM-1 remote control is just about your best option when you are trying to perform Micro or Zoom photography.
I know there are non-OEM units out there that are cheaper, but lately I have found fewer problems with the Olympus brand products than the non-Olympus ones.  This one has worked flawlessly since the day I bought it.One thing to keep in mind is that this is somewhat of a &#34;universal&#34; remote - designed to work with a variety of Olympus cameras and other equipment.  I bought it for my Olympus E-620 and the only button that does anything is the shutter release, but that's all I needed it for, so I'm good with that.
I bought the RM-1 remote because I was tired of running back and forth to the camera when I used the self timer. The RM-1 works exactly as described. What it will do depends on the type of Olympus camera you have. If your camera supports this device and has an electronic zoom, you can also do it with the RM-1. However, for Olympus DSLRs with a manual zoom, the RM-1 is essentially just a remote shutter release (including bulb). I bought it to use with an E-510 so I can only comment on the use of the RM-1 as a shutter release. The manual is very specific about how to use this. It is important to remember that the receiver is on the front of the camera (the small red window). The manual claims a maximum distance of 9.8' outdoors and 16.4' indoors and not more than 15 degrees to either side of the receiver on the front of the camera. From my experience these distances are an underestimate. Twenty feet outside or inside does not seem to be a problem. I have not had a chance to test different angles, but suspect 15 degrees is a bit of an underestimate. One thing that impressed me about the RM-1 was its small size - about 2" x 1.25" x 0.25" - making it very easy to carry. Although a little expensive, it works as described with minimal hassle and seems to be well made. Battery life is supposed to be about 10,000 shots so I really couldn't test this.
I love my Olympus FL-BK01 flash bracket and the FL-CB02 works perfect with it!Definitely would recommend!Used with Olympus OM-D E-M5
This piece of equipment is probably one of the most taken for granted units in my photographic equipment arsenal, but yet without a doubt this has to be one of the most important pieces of equipment I use when taking photos. I am a photographer for a lot of events. Most of them occur in dimly lit venues. To capture them I need to use a flash. I know that in dimly lit t areas as part of the autonomic nervous system the Iris of the eyes relax and open to permit more light gathering power for humans, A sudden flash of light into the eyes during a photo shoot will cause the light to reflect off the retina in the back of the eye which is a series of blood vessels. Thus you get the effect known as red eye. I knew from the outset that in order to alleviate this problem I had to make sure that my Olympus FL-50 flash was mounted as far away from the axis of the lens as I could achieve. To accomplish this I bought re FLBK01 Flash bracket and the CBL-01 hotshoe cable to connect the 2 units together, and I have been happy ever since.
This is a great cord that syncs my Olympus XZ-1 to my Olympus FL-50R flash and FLCB02 bracket perfectly.  It is well made and works great.  Unlike the sync cords from the OM system, the end of this cord actually screws into the bracket making it impossible to accidentally pull out.  I'm 100% satisfied with this product.
Considering this is nothing more than a cable with two connectors, one at each end with no electronic circuitry just a coiled cord between the two connectors , ( a rather simple extension cord ). I think it is, as much camera equipment overpriced for what it is.  It does work well enough and seems to be built well except that it has to be used with the special Olympus FL-BK01 Bracket which also in my opiniom is way overpriced (100.00) considering it's low quality with texture tape peeling off it/glue sticking to users hand after use. Olympus Customer Support is not what it used to be and I will no longer buy Olympus products due to their blatant failure to respond after repeated attempts to contact them.
This product works with the Olympus FL-BK01 Flash Bracket!  At first I was worried that the length would be too short, but it is perfect length!It is sturdy and well made!
I bought one of these when I got my first Micro Four Thirds camera. It's been durable, and because it's disassembles in seconds into two parts, it's easy to pack. It worked perfectly for at least 5 years with no signs of wear. After one of my flashes failed to fire, I tested it with other flashes and cameras, same result. The cable with the attached hot shoe adapter is replaceable, so I bought a new one, more test, same result.I replaced the bracket and the new one works reliably. One of the bracket's two electrical connections must have failed, hot shoe to flash or hot shoe adapter cable connector. I feel that I got my money's worth, and as the review title says, I don't think that there is another option on the market.
This bracket is a great combination with the hot shoe for my evolt e300.
I love this grip / flash bracket!  It's a little oversized for my Olympus OM-D E-M5, but it provides a fantastic grip and allows me to move the flash off center.  The grip is so great, I can shoot one handed, even with a flash!  (I would recommend using both hands!)You will not be disappointed!
I use these on the E500.  The fit is perfect and for general "walk around" photography the bracket is perfect.  If you want to get more creative, however, you would need a much more adjustable bracket.
Wrapping on handle peeled off after short time of use. Not sure if manufacturing defect or if item was used or damaged.
Amazon's service was great!  Flash bracket is a fixed flash bracket and feels solid and works great with my Olympus E-500 with an additional flash cable.  Being it is a fixed handle, this does not allow the flash to be flipped when the camera is turned vertically, thus the flash is on the side rather than the top.  Otherwise very nice.
I ordered this along with the Cable Flash FL-CB05 for my Olympus E-410 camera.  No problems, works very well, easy to assemble, no problems.
I'm used to shooting with my Olympus OM-4's, OM-4T's, and OM-2N's, all with power bounce grips.  When I purchased the digital XZ-1, holding the small camera was tough.  This solved the problem.  A great solid grip.  Not only that, but the added flash power of the Olympus FL-50R is amazing and also, by raising up the flash, eliminated red eye.  And just so you know, the XZ-1's built in flash can be used together with the FL-50R.  The sync cord does not block the operation of the built in flash.  I posted photos of this set up here at Amazon.  Well worth the money!  I only wish it accepted four C batteries like the Olympus Power Bounce Grip does, to provide addtional power to the flash.
This bracket (made in japan) and costing close to 100.00 in camera stores is not what I expected from Olympus. The problem is with the grip. It is a type of textured tape that is wrapped around a tube made of metal. (this is the part where you grab it). The tape was peeling off along the seem and each time I picked it up I could feel the glue sticking to my hand. Really cheapo design. I managed to fix this by removing the textured tape and glue and replacing it with a foam grip made for bicycle/10 speed handlebars. The replacement foam grip was hard to get over the metal tube as the tube is larger diameter than a bike handlebar but I got it on there. It now is working just fine and even looks factory. This is not a bad review on Amazon or the sellers part. It is Olympus quality is seriously lacking for such a costly piece of equipment.
The bracket isn't terrible, but it was a waste of money for me.  It throws shadows on the wall to the left of my subject because it positions the flash to the left of the lens, rather than directly above the lens, where it should be.  Yeah, the flash is placed higher, but I think the drawback of the shadows it creates (by being to the left of the lens) is actually worse than red-eye.  You can at least fix red-eye!  I didn't realize how much of a problem shadows would be until I bought/used this thing.  This was just a bad purchase.  I'll be buying a new flash bracket at some point, and throwing this one away.  I'll need a hot-shoe cable for any other bracket, so the cable that I bought with this bracket was a waste of money, too.  Live and learn.One good thing I can say about this bracket is that it allows you to remove the handle and manually hold/position the flash away from the camera.  That's nice I guess.  It's a pain in the a-- to screw the thing on and off though.  It should have had a simpler locking/unlocking mechanism.My advice to others would be to save up for a proper flash bracket, and a hot-shoe cable.  Like me, you may find that this bracket creates more problems than it solves, and you may wind up having to buy a different one.  So get it right the first time. Don't make my mistake.
I got this charger set bundled with my Olympus Digital Camera last year. I had a Ni-MH charger set already (which I spent a lot on), and assumed that when I got this, I'd pull out the batteries and leave the charger in the box. But then one day I wanted to charge 2 new sets of batteries before leaving on a trip, and was astounded to see the Olympus charger was complete hours before.Now I only use the Olympus. It works with all my Ni-MH batteries, and charges them up quickly. It doesn't get hot while working, so I am not afraid to stick in the batteries and leave it be. A few hours later, the batteries are ready. It's so convenient.Compared to the other charger I bought, this one is nicely priced. However, I bought that a while back so I don't know what the prices are like now. However, I can vow for the quality of this, so far.If you are trapped by an AC cord, or using regular alkaline batteries and having to throw them out after one hour, this will set you free. I can't tell you how much having rechargable batteries changed my digital camera use.
It charges quickly, lets you know when it's done, what more do you want?
This is a good recharging AA battery unit. I own both this one and the Kodak K1000 unit. ( AA battery usage in my household/business is rather common). This unit works just as fast as the Kodak unit, if not faster, and has most of the same features. But I like the Kodak unit better.The storage space of the device is very important to me. I don't like carrying around dead weight that could be eliminated. The Olympus unit is compact, EXCEPT for the extension cord, it takes up more room than the unit itself. The Kodak K1000 is a wall mounted unit, that does not require a cord. It fits perfectly into my camera bag, without any hassle. I've never had a "loose" wall outlet attachment with the Kodak, if I did, I would tighen it by pinching the plug slightly together.This Olympus system and the Kodak system both work very well. Both are compact, both recharge quickly. My preference is the Olympus at home, and the Kodak on the road.
These are the best batteries you can get for your digital camera that uses AA batteries.
If you are buying a digital camera this product will pay for itself very quickly. As a bonus, the rechargeable batteries actually last longer than standard batteries, and completely recharge in about 3 hours.Another nice convenience is that the charger uses a rather long power cord, so you can plug in the cord in one place and place the unit itself on your desk. Also the cord is a standard plug size, rather than a bulky plug, so it does not clutter your power outlet.
The charger is very fast and the batteries last...I bought a second set of RayoVac NiMH's to have on hand while the Olympus batteries are recharging.  I have the Olympus 490Z camera as well, which will come with a USB reader.  So if you get these batteries for your camera, hold off on getting the AC adapter and see if you really need it.
I have been using my Olympus charger for over three years.  I travel and need a dual voltage recharger.  This is just about the only dual voltage charger out there - you need a convertor for most.  Convertors tend to be heavy and also tend to fail at very awkward times and blow things up when they do so.  An especially nice feature is that there is a cord that you use for plugging into the wall.  The reason this is so nice is that other chargers that plug directly into the wall rarely stay plugged in or won't plug in when the wall socket is recessed which is so common overseas.  This problem is compounded when a plug adapter is used - the weight of the recharger and batteries pulls it right out of the adapter/wall.  I have had to prop them up with books and coffee cups to keep things plugged in.  The cord eliminates all of this.  I would not trade this charger for anything.
I thought it would be helpful to let you know that these are 1,600 MAH (the maximum as of this writing) and the charge has lasted me for several days during the holidays without having to recharge them.  Also they are a quick charge (a couple of hours and they are fully charged).  The last point of note is the plug is an extension cord.  I find this very convenient since most of my outlets in my home are covered.  I keep the unit plugged in, and the charger on top of a bookshelf.Well constructed item, a little more money than some of the other models (but very good price for this model vs. competitors), no negatives from me.
Works as advertised. It is small compact and charges 4 batteries in less than 3 hours for a full charge. Did not even have to look at the manual as it is very simple to use and intutive.Great value if you happen to travel to a country with 220V, all you need is a adapter for the socket.
These batteries charge fast and last forever on a charge!  I thought they'd last as long as regular batteries between charges but I was wrong!  Regular batteries were lasting one day - these last several days on one charge!  Well worth the money!!
It's a very nice recharger. 220V and 110 V ready.
I use this for my Olympus 2100. It is compact, fast to charge and not likely to break. The included batteries are 1600 milliamps, which is just great. I have a similar unit for my car with a DC plug, and between the two, I figure I have it pretty well covered.
I've had my Olympus charger and the same batteries for over 6 years now...and they have outlasted 3 sets of Panasonic, Kodak and Everready rechargables....that I've had as backup sets...I won't buy any other brand for my digital camera again...these are by far the best
Strongly recommended.  Great battery life and the charger works with other Ni-MH rechargeables.  Worth the price.
Olympus B-40SU Ni-MH Battery Charger, works great, charges fast and LED will go out when charging is done, which I like better than the one's that just stay on as long as they are plugged in.Have had this charger for many years now and it still works like new today.mm
Well, it's just what it says.  24 batteries in a box.  They seem to work well so far.  I checked reviews on best AA batteries by brand and these were very highly rated.  So far, so good.
But they (at least these are) made in China.  Honestly, I was disappointed by this.Still a good battey though!  Always good to have extra stored away.  Even with my initial comment, I may still buy more.Also, the batteries have a different look than what they do in the picture.  The wrapper (the black & yellow wrapper around the battery) is the old style.The expiration date is Oct 2019.  Good shelf life judging by the date.I put the volt meter to a few of them and see they are sitting at ~1.613V.  Perfect for a brand new alkaline battery.I have posted some pictures for you to see what I mean.
I have not used any of the batteries as of yet, but I did receive what I expected after purchasing the batteries on a Gold Box deal.  As we have many items that use AA batteries, especially in our camping gear, having extra batteries is always a plus.I ordered the batteries in June 2013, and the batteries have an October 2019 expiration date.  I will definitely use the batteries long before the expiration date.I have not used the batteries, but assume they are within specs, but I am docking the review a star, as the packaging (and more on the seller's part) was an issue.  The batteries are in a flimsy cardboard box, and my order arrived by USPS in a padded envelope.  I could not tell what was in the package, as the batteries were all through the package, with maybe ten batteries still in the box.  Had the box been sealed in plastic or taped shut, the batteries would still been in the box.Still a good value, and if I find any issues in the future, I will update the review...
They came loose inside the packaging, but I counted them and all were there. I bought these at a steal as my son and I camp a lot and use up batteries. They've all worked so far!
Seem to work just fine, nothing special but they work and it was nice to get them in bulk. I'm using them for trail cameras and I have been pleased with them.
I have read several articles on the strength of alkaline batteries and they all report that there is not much difference in the strength or long lasting ability of different brands of batteries? Anyway, I have found these batteries to be very good in any application.
Large lens.  Once on the camera you will not fit it into any carrying case.
I never realized I hadn't reviewed this, so just a quick comment. I was very satisfied with this lens. I stacked it with another and was happy with the results.
This was made specifically for the Camedia E-10, but will fit many other systems. On the E-10, this is a 203mm fixed lens (as considered in the 35mm film format). Although the base lens is a zoom, when using it with this extender you have to keep it pretty much locked in the full telephoto mode. There is a little play for framing, but any wider than say 180mm and the vignetting starts (viz., begins to look like you're gazing through a pipe).  I have a fairly broad experience with extenders. My judgment overall is that they're not worth bothering with - the amount of distortion, chromatic aberrations, flaring, and the lose of lens speed makes them a real trial - IN MOST CASES! In the case of this extender, however, I'm really impressed with Olympus. I think that they probably figured, well we're not offering interchangeable lenses with the E-10, we have to provide outstanding performance in our extenders. And that's exactly what they've done.  What I think was the best part of the surprise for me is the speed of this lens, and the others, in that there is almost no reduction. But I wouldn't care that it was fast if I couldn't get a good picture with it. The image brightness and contrast are really superb. When used outdoors, which is where you normally run into trouble with any lens because of the extremes of lighting, I've been very pleased with the performance. Gotta love this lens!  I've become a huge fan of the Olympus extenders. For my E-10, I have the 0.08x and the 3x extenders, as well.
Overall I like the Extension, however anyone purchasing should be aware of the following;It is somewhat heavy!It uses very large filters.With converter on camera you have to use the maximum zoom or it crops the corners.Other than those things I am very happy with this
Switching from 35mm film to digital? This is the system for you unless you are shooting layouts or high def posters for billboards. 4.1 megs with tiff format gets you a 36&quot; x 24&quot; poster size print (Kinko's if you don't have a 4x printer). Use Photoshop to up the definition 300dpi to 600dpi and be prepared to burn a whole CD for your cause. I used to shoot 35mm with fuji 50 with a Nikon F2 and the biggest frek'in lens (f 1.0) that you could buy. I'm so happy with not having to rent a custom color darkroom to get the photos that I want. If you are a low light shooter, you have to play with the camera a bit...easily done with digital, quick feedback. If you shoot speed one disadvantage is the E-10 only goes down to 1/640 sec. I have to admit I rarely used the 1/2000th on my Nikon, unless it was on a sunlit day with my 400mm f2.8 and I needed to &quot;freeze&quot; the shot. Rare with anyone, but outdoor sports photography.The compliment of lens allows for some very creative shots. In addition, going digital gives you the control of your very own darkroom. Enjoy!
This cable release does what it claims, no more, no less. I use it for an e-1; it can also be used for the newer e-3. Unfortunately, a different model has to be used for all other Olympus 4/3 cameras (a USB cable release). I wish Olympus had standardized on one or the other, but they're no different from other camera manufacturers in this respect. Otherwise, cable release seems well-made.
This is the standard electronic cable release for the E-3 body (as well as some older models). It attaches very securely to the dedicated socket on the side of the E-3 body. Like the old fashioned style, it features a lock mechanism for bulb exposures. Otherwise, it is a duplicate of the on-camera  shutter button.My main gripe with this well built device is the length of the cable: too long.  The whole thing is some 50 inches! To took mine apart and shortened the cable to a more manageable 12 inches or so. This is not for the faint of heart, as the moulded stress reliever end is bonded to the wire.  After cutting it to length, I drilled down through the stress reliever and then pushed the wire back through it.  This, of course, requires opening up the body of the remote and doing some soldering.  But it works fine!I am happy to finally have an Olympus body with a wired remote, even if the RM-CB1 is a tad long...
Overpriced by a factor of two, but it's the only game in town. I use it for getting a certain kind of shot. I put the E-3 at the end of my monopod, point the live view screen down, and hoist the whole thing high over my head. This way I get shots from the perspective of a 12 foot tall person... helpful in some situations like parades, crowds and riots.I have never seen anything poorly made from Olympus. But I have seen them take advantage of us by charging way too much for proprietary bits and pieces. Oh well... you know if you need a cable release, and if you do, this is the only thing that will work for the E-1 or E-3.
The RM-CB1 is used on multiple Olympus cameras.  I'll break the review into a tecnical review first and a fun stuff section you can omit.  DSLR cameras have some unique advantages in the scientific and research fields which the RM-CB1 opens up to you such as bulb exposures without vibration, long term sequenced shooting, multiple camera syncing, and event syncronized timing.  Lab geeks will have a blast.Technical summary:The RM-CB1 is relatively simple - a copy of the shutter release on your camera, plus a mechanical lock that holds it down for bulb exposures (on a tripod), a one meter high quality cable, and a 3 pin screw-down plug for the camera.  The jack/plug are nonstandard so you won't find them at the local electronics store, however, the back of the handle can be removed with one screw, and you can solder wires there where the cable comes in to attach your own trigger systems (I have one that captures lightning strike photos - the camera is preset, the shutter button is halfway pressed with a toggle switch, and when the moment arrives, my preset manual exposure and infinity focus settings are used to capture the event)How it works:There are two stranded wires in the cable plus a shield for a total of 3 conductors.  The brown conductor is the "half press" equivalent when connected to the ground / shield.  After this has happened, the camera will focus, so I put a toggle switch on it to hold the camera ready for the shot (have dual batteries or an AC adapter if you plan to wait a long time).  Connecting the red lead to ground takes the exposure.Depending on the model, you can take multiple exposures by multiple closures between red and ground without opening the brown to ground circuit - you need to test the "half press" logic in your camera.CAUTIONS / MISC applicationsAfter the E300 the remote cable release became a usb device and has a different part number.  I don't own one of these backs because I didn't know how the USB version worked, but my friends do and have engineered similar interfaces, so you're not left out in the cold if that's what you have.As of the olympus E3 they switched back to the RM-CB1 plug again, which was one of the reasons I bought an E3.Making your own exposure control means you need to know the various delays - I use an Agilent frequency counter that can be set to count 1/10,000,000ths of a second from start to stop (one ten millionth of a second - way more than you need).  Don't pay attention to more than the first 1000's of a second thogh - there are delays in relays between two poles when you run a clock that fast and the camera will vary depending on its temperature.  The E300 has different delays depending on what you want it to do - if you PRESET  exposure, focus, and just trigger it you can expose it in under 0.09 seconds (9/100's or 90/1000's of a second) on an E300 which is fast enough for lightning.  I use a fast shutter speed and photograph the agilent timer to see when the exposure was taken.E300's go for $187 now on ebay so you can buy several and use sequential timers between them for mini-high-speed photography.  If you know when an event will happen - you start the first camera at -0.090 seconds on the first timer (omron makes these and can be found at grainger's industrial section) - timer output two is triggered by the first then fires the second camera  at +0.020 seconds while timer three and camera three fire at +.040 seconds giving you 3 exposures only 2 hundredths of a second apart which can capture rapid motion inexpensively.  Most of the hardware can be found on ebay to wire this up except the RM-CB1!  The omron timers can be accurate down to 1/1000 second.The Bullet and the Apple - can you shoot that?  In theory, yes.  If your camera takes .094 seconds from the red circuit closing until it opens the shutter, then you need to know how far behind the apple to put a detector for the bullet about .1 second before it hits the apple and use it to trigger the camera (don't forget the time needed to detect the bullet).  I haven't done this but I'd recommend very slow bullets or else long ranges to shoot!  You could even condense this somewhat because it takes time for a gun to fire from the time the hammer falls which is to your advantage and another way to accomplish this.  Moving the apple gives you some help too.  Other options are a nightime bulb exposure and just syncing a flash on the apple based on how fast it fires which can be measured again with an Agilent frequency counter.The RM-CM1 is your entry into electronic, time lapse, high speed, automatic exposure, astronomic shots and a whole lot of fun beyond "normal" picture taking.  Because I use my E300's in a lab I've done alot with this part.  I like the fact that olympus cameras can be acquired inexpensively and take 8MP+ scientific photos under $1000 and still be used for "normal" portraits or bulb photos stabilized on a tripod with the remote release.Fortunately the digital format gives you the result immediately and you can adjust if you just miss a shot to get it the next time.  Be sure to bring a bushel of apples!
While this can be a bit expensive (depending on place of purchase) the cable release is a great option to have with your olympus digital camera (E-10, E-20, E-1, E-300 via grip, E-330, C-5050, C-2020, C-7070, C-8080,...)The cable provides for proper use of bulb mode (up to 8 minutes on the E-1 and E-300)and is great when taking portraits (especially if camera is controlled remotely via Olympus Studio). An advantage of using the cable of the IR remote to trigger the shutter is that there is no delay in tripping the shutter whereas there is a delay when using the IR remote trigger- sometimes that is just enough to miss the shot.
I am sold on Olympus, for products, lens, customer service and technical support. If you own a brand name camera I recommend staying with brand name accessories and parts!
This does what I need it to do, but Olympus sure is proud ($$) of their stuff. During the recent meteor shower, I was able to sit in a chair next to the tripod and snap pictures. The one small complaint is that the button was more sentitive than I expected. Just brushing it against something, particularly when moving the tripod triggered unintended shots. Overall, a good, but spendy, product.
For serious imaging a cable release is required. This is expensive but works great. Easy to use and a must for most tripod low light work. I do forensic imaging and this has become invaluable. A wireless remote is also available, however, this does not require a battery nor a front view of the camera. Often my camera is on a copy stand and the wireless unit is awkward. I only gave it four stars not because of any issues with the unit itself but the cost. It's only wires and plastic with small switches.
wired release you cannot live with out I have a remote but the wired release has features that the remote does not have like using the bulb and interval timingif your going to do anything serious with your camera you need one of these
I really needed a remote cable release I use for my E-1 and this is a well-made device. It's total length is 4'2"...  It's only a momentary switch for crying-out-loud. If I could find the cable end that would fit in the camera I would make one myself.  Unfortunately you have to pay the price since you can't find these specialty items at a WalMart. If you want a really sharp triggering device, consider a Pclix.  I us it for timelapse and remote triggering.  Google it.
My point-N-shoot Olympus camera will let you video record for about 30minutes. I was hoping this would not run the battery down. It does save thebattery but the weight of the wall wart hanging down really puts a strain on thesmall plug that goes into the camera. You had better tape the cable so the miniaturepin does not have any tension on it otherwise you will damage the camera.
Got this to use on my recent holiday to another state. Works perfect for my Olympus camera.
Four stars (not three). Only complaint is higher price than I think it's worth.
There isn't a lot of information on this.  Olympus advises caution on the type of Power Supply you use on the Camedia E-10.  This PS is designed to use with all Olympus cameras, but when you get the package, it explaines that it's for all Olympus cameras that use 2AA type batteries.  And even that is an afterthought.  The original blister pack has 4AA batteries, but it's been taped over with the 2AA label.  I'm sure it's a good unit, but not for the E-10.  That's the only reason for the 3 stars.
This does the job fine, exactly what it should do. but it only saves you a minute of juice while you download your images.  If this is important to you, you can get a very good card reader for only $15 that will not only read your cards but any future cards you might have if you get another camera or have a second camera with different media. As of now you can get the San Disk 8 in 1 reader for $15 or the 12 in one for $25, They hook to your USB. 8in 1 should be suffficient for every common card type.
It works great! Saves me from having to always have a stockpile of batteries on hand, especially if it is an indoor situation.
This product is a real life saver.  It's not too big.  It charges my camera up very nicely.  Just what I was looking for.
This item had an error on the printed label that came with the package.  I needed to call the Olympus hotline to verify that this adapter was for a 2 AA battery, SP350, Olympus camera and not a 4 AA battery camera as was stated on the package.  I also checked on the Olympus website to double check.  Otherwise it is the correct item and works fine.  Amazon should also indicate that this adapter will work with the SP series Olympus cameras.
If youre looking for an affordable simple camera, may be for kids, this is it. It has easy commands, the flash works fine and does not drain the batteries. you can take fast good photos. For the price you can not go wrong. They could improve the software a little. The cable is cheap and it takes AAA batteries.
This is a handy camera, great for the price.  It's great for Ebay and Internet stuff, and easy to use right out of the box.  The only problem is with the USB connection.  According to Polaroid, the USB connection will not work with VIA USB ports, at least not without substantial effort.  The serial port works okay, but it's a bit slow and tends to come loose - this must be a known problem, because the instruction manual suggest you tighten the cable each time you upload photos.  Other than that, it is easy to use and takes good photos!
The camera is lightweight and comes with the USB/serial port attachments, but unfortunately it's not compatible with WinXP.  Going to the Polaroid website is no help.  After emailing and searching the site, I found the appropriate drivers for XP.Taking pictures is a snap, the instructions are very easy to follow, the pictures are so-so, best to take pics during daylight.  It's a good entry into digi-cam if you're not familiar with uploading pics to the computer.
I bought this camera because it was an inexpensive way to try out digital photography.  I prefer regular cameras because I don't have a great printer yet, but I just wanted to have this type of camera around in case I wanted to take pictures I want to see right away.  It takes very nice pictures that print out great on my old printer. It was extremely easy to use and the pictures download very fast. The software was fun to use.Since I had my fun with it, and it's so easy to use,I am going to give it to my 5 year old son to introduce him to photography. He already took some great pictures and enjoys seeing the pictures pop up on the computer. He can take as many as he wants becuase I don't have to pay for film and processing.
This camera is nothing special. It's cheap, which is good (especially for people like me). But the picture quality really isn't that good, and I'm saying this wholeheartedly.I bought it for my website. I write stupid and sometimes not so stupid articles about random things, and I thought it was about time I had a functional digital camera to help flesh them out.I've had this thing for about two weeks now, and I've come to this conclusion: really good/not-so-bad pictures are only available under bright daylight, while any other condition usually produces very average/poor-looking photographs.Indoors is mostly a no-no, unless you have a lot of light (opening some windows does help). The photographs from normally-lit indoor settings create an ugly grainy effect. Also, even if the camera is completely still and so is your subject, it ocassionally looks like you've been moving the camera while the shutter was open -- making the pictures unnecessarily blurry.In fact, I haven't had much luck with the quality of the focus -- almost all of my results look a tad blurry.The software DOES work with Windows XP, you just have to go to Polaroid's official site and read a tutorial on how to get it to a functional state.If you have Photoshop, the &quot;special effects&quot; that can be used on your photographs are entirely useless. Even if you don't, you probably won't be using them all that often (one finds only so much excitement out of making a picture look incredibly distorted).Then there's a problem with even well-lit daylight pictures -- at it's normal resolution (640x480), it can sometimes look like a painting. Instead of nice detailed surroundings, you may have little blobs of color everywhere. Reducing the size helps matters, but it's unforunate that I have to do that anyway. The size 640x480 isn't asking for a lot, now is it?The packaging itself is less than stellar, too. The camera is made out of thin plastic that sometimes feels like it's going to break.The uploading speed is fast, if you have a USB connection. And it's a great camera for starters, especially younger kids who sometimes could care a less about how great or how not great their pictures look. It IS a digital camera, it DOES make pictures appear onto your computer. So they'll have some enjoyment with it at least.But I myself am frankly disappointed. What else could I expect from a camera this cheap? I'm looking forward to another digital camera purchase soon. Compared to the more reliable expensive cameras, this is just a piece of junk.
Bought this unit to use the DV features with my Macintosh.  JVC is not real supportive of Macs, but they do give you an extension to add to your system which will let other video editing software see the camera on your firewire port and bring in/out the video.However, to discuss the camera, it is amazing that so much can be packed into such a small package.  Due to all the editing features, shooting options for video, and options for single photo shots with it you will be overwhelmed by it all and maybe bit frustrated.  Hang on cus it gets easier.  Spent a LOT of time just learning how and went to use the features.  When it is all said and done, the quality of the video is great.  Good control of brightness during shots in low light rooms or bright light.  Zoom is fast, but can be made to go slow so not everyone is on a rollercoaster.JVC support stinks.  Call and hard to get someone to answer questions.  Leave messages and they dont call back... ever.  Recommend going to local camera shop for assistance, if needed.
And I thought all these problems were related to my mother dropping the camera down the stairs.Those that have this camera- be patient with &quot;cleaning tape&quot; errors. Cycle the power a few times. Take the battery on and off. It will usually work eventually.Having half the screen blue has only happened when I used the aftermarket Hi-output battery. It works fine for pictures, but will usually screw up video.For indoor video, I usually use the SLOW 2 video speed. Brighter video, but slower fps.Slow picture downloads are due to the Serial port, Video download with firewire is no problem.
I bought this small camcorder about a year ago just before I got married. Since then it went to my wedding, through my wife's pregnancy, and our baby's birth. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with it. Although it's small, it has what you need in a camcorder.Some drawbacks... 1) Sound capture needs to be improved. It records the movie taker's voice perfectly but if you are more than 5 feet away, forget it. Hard to hear on TV. 2) Poor low light performance. I took a lot of indoor shots and it turned out to be way too dark. If you stay indoors a lot, try to buy one with better low light performer. 3) Digital camera is close to worthless. Bad pictures, poor shutter speed (blurry shots). Well... If you need a better digital camera, but a digital camera. It's handy but not as good as a cheap digital camera. 4) Small buttons for Email and other functions too confusing. I hardly used them at all. 5) PC connection is way too slow. It took me over 10 minutes to transfer (via serial port) a few shots from MMC. Get a reader if you plan to use it a lot.Now adantages... 1) Small!!! You can take it anywhere with you. Just put it in your pocket. It's not much bigger than a regular camera. 2)Attention getter. People will want to take a look at it. Nice! 3) Picture quality is good. 4) DV editing (using Pinnacle Studio 7), connection is more than adequate....
I purchased this camera because of its size and advertised good features.  Well, let me tell you. First, unless you are in a very well lit place, the image is extremely dark and poor. Even in a room in the afternoon with natural light, the image will be too dark.Second, the camera started giving me problems and stopped functioning after only 2 months of light use (I was only able to record 4 tapes with this gadget)...that means I ended up paying about 300 for each tape  ...Geez...I am MADDDD!!!!I tried to contact JVC but they would give me no answers, I sent it by the mail to Florida where, after about a month they sent me back the camera and charged me $70 (Don't know why because thee warranty was still valid), but anyway, I coughed up the money beause I didn't want to miss any day of my newborn's baby without filming it.  Well, after about a week, the camera would not open and eject the tape.  Could I be more frustrated?  NO!!!  I will buy a Sony instead and NEVER!! EVER buy a JVC prodcut again.  If you buy this thing beacuse it hs been reduced (...), think again.  ($$$) bucks is still a bad dealfor such a crappy gadget with no tchnical suppost whatsoever.
The camcorder is small - to fit your palm and to make it difficult to man the controls equally. Close zoom in causes strong shivering in the video. So get closer to get close-up shots.I bought fire-wire ports and installed Studio DV. It works perfectly fine. You can eventually burn VCDs if you have the right CD burner (Roxio 5 and up). The digital quality is not very satisfactory.Overall if you buy the DVM90U it is worth it, for its lower price. Cheers.
I purchased the JVC for it's advanced features and size.  Little did I know how poor the video quality would be.  In poor lighting the images are at times unrecognizable.  The digital still camera is a joke.  The microphone records everything but what you are aiming at.  It is a pain to connect it to your TV or to your computer.  I'm still trying to fine tune it but I wish I would have read the reviews before purchasing it.  The camera is not a good purchase for the money.
I've had the 50U for 3 years and it has never disappointed me. It is compact, rugged and handsome. The quality of the movies is excellent (mini DVs), and the quality of the still pictures is very good (though not as good as any of the 3+ megapixel cameras available). The built in image stabilization feature is great and absolutely necessary at extended zoom ranges (camera shake increases dramatically as you zoom). The drawbacks, as I see them, are the expense of the media (the mini DVs for film and the MultiMediaCards for stills are about the most expensive choices around), the complexity of the JVC software/editing pkg and the rather poor JVC service reputation. Nonetheless, the 90U, with its image stabilization makes this camera an all-around winner, and at this price too good a deal to pass up.
Though the DSLRs get all the credit these days, the E-10 was actually the camera that convinced many of us that digital could simply replace film with no loss in quality.  It is built like a tank, with its rubber skin and metal frame yielding durability and feel that still haven't been bettered, and its controls are as sturdy and functional as any Leica's.  The glass is stunning, too, and being fixed to the body has advantages (durability and dirt resistance) as well as the obvious disadvantage of not being able to switch lenses.  Sensor technology improves at such a rapid pace, fueled by Moore's Law, that most digital cameras are obsolete within a few years &#8212;the E-10 is one that isn't entirely obsolete, though, just because it's such a pleasure to use.  More like this, please.
I was anxious about paying so much for a digital camera.  But after looking for a couple of months I bought the E-10 because of its form factor and the relatively high resolution of the images.  I have been using the camera for a couple of weeks and almost everything about it is terrific.  The extra lenses, especially telephoto and macro let you capture photos of just about everything you can do with an SLR.  The features are more or less accessible by the physical controls all over the camera.  Some of them are novel, but once you experience them (opening the flash, turning on the menu) they are pretty easy to use.  I thought the two form factors for image storage well silly at first, but it allows you to load your photos into almost all other devices (printers).  The only difficulties I had were based on the problems associated with managing the images and finding a USB driver.
When I set out to make my camera purchase, I was trying to decide between a Minolta Dimage 7, a Sony DSC-F707, and the Olympus E-10. After holding all three in my hands and shooting with them, there is no comparison -- the E-10 is a camera and feels and works like an SLR body, the Minolta and the Sony are just consumer electronics.E-10 photos in adequate light or with a decent flash system are excellent; resolution is great, noise is present but when exposure is good it is very gaussian and thus mimics good film grain perfectly. Though the E-10's sensor is "only" 4 megapixels, the lens is bright and perfectly matched to the frame; when you're looking at the 8x10 prints, it's very hard to tell the difference between the E-10 and the 5 megapixel cameras on the market. Color reproduction is very true, which means again much more film-like, but possibly flat for people accustomed to consumer digicams (which tend to try to make everything look "better than real life" rather than "like real life"). If you want to oversaturate, you can always do it afterward in Photoshop, GIMP, etc.Some user reviews have complaied about the E-10 autofocus, but there's nothing wrong with it. The E-10 has an SLR-style AF system; this is not a "focus-free" camera. You must pay attention at least to the AF target area and focus lock, and if you're not shooting in 'P' mode also to the depth of field and shutter speed. Many users who complain about getting out of focus shots with the E-10 are coming from low-end "focus-free" point and shoot film or digital cameras and don't know how to properly use the AF system on a camera like this one, nor how to adjust for the other variables.Positives: camera looks like a USB hard drive to the computer, no additional software or hardware needed to transfer images; adjustable quality settings -- SHQ, HQ, and SQ can each be user-defined to any number of resolution and compression settings; both CompactFlash AND SmartMedia slots and you can use both at once; excellent build quality -- my E-10 could survive a war; manual focus and zoom rings for rapid, accurate control; raw mode for highest quality shooting; histogram for checking exposure; all controls are locking controls and are on the camera body -- you won't have to be navigating menus all day while you shoot; settings panel on top is lit (nice touch!) for shooting in darkness; long tripod exposures in low light are stunning, noise-free, and very sharp; bright TTL viewfinder, not an electronic viewfinder like you'll find on some "SLR-like" digital cameras; easy-to-access rapid white balance measurement system; zero shutter lag -- you can get four shots off in one second; lit status display below the glass in the viewfinder just as you'd expect with any SLR so you can shoot, change settings, shoot, change settings again, without ever moving your eye from the shot.Negatives: noise becomes a problem in "pushed" (underexposed, then gamma-corrected) shots -- no "ISO-boost" trickery with the E-10; body and lens are heavy enough to cause strap-burn after a few hours; inability to reliably use microdrives; must be sent back to Olympus for firmware upgrades; maximum shutter of 1/640s can be a limitation in sunlight or when shooting action; only four shots in continuous mode before having to wait for buffer flush; focus screen can be difficult to see accurately; no depth of field preview; RAW images are not optimized/compressed and are thus 7MB(!) each, TIFF are 12MB(!!).This is a great camera for the enthusiast or the professional needing a backup or studio camera. On the other hand the E-10 is probably too much work (settings, weight, additional storage requirements of 4 megapixels, more complex AF) if you just want occasional shapshots or a thought-free, unobtrusive vacation camera. When all is said and done, the E-10 is without competition...
A good camera overall. Eats up batteries like crazy. I would recommend arechargeable battery unit.
I have owned mt E-10 for about 3 months now.  I am a novice photographer and started out with the Olympus 3000.  I love the E-10 as it takes great photos in spite of lack of experience but it does seem to have some drawbacks.  For one, the auto focus does seem to have trouble especially in any type of low light.  I mostly use the manual focus.  In group shots you may find some focus problems.  I would recommend nothing smaller than a 128mb memory card even though I used a 256.  At the resolution the camera is capable of I take only SHQ or Tiff shots.  Lithium batteries actually work quite a while in this camera.The manual that comes with the camera is quite easy to use and understand.  While the camera does come with lots of bells and whistles, it's not too difficult to understand most of them in a short period of time.  I did find it was very easy to take blurry shots with just the slightest movement of the camera during the shot.  Use a tripod when its reasonable to use one.  If not, HOLD STILL.  Use the LCD display only if necessary as it sucks the life out of the batteries.  Almost impossible to use it during bright sunlight.  Also its too close to the rear eye piece so always expect smudges on it from your face.The camera is quite heavy but it is constructed very very well.  The lense is non-removeable and this has been somewhat of a critcism but I find the lense on this camera is great.  I do recommend the U.V. filter and leave it on all the time.  A replaced filter is a heck of a lot cheaper than a replaced lense.As far as service from Olympus.  I actually damaged my E-10 (dropped the darn thing) and sent if off to Olympus.  (Keep the original box).  It was fixed, no charge, and returned to me in 7 days and it works perfectly.  That I was impressed with.In conclusion.  Is this a professional camera as touted by others? Naw, not really.  But for the money it's a close as you are going to get.  Most of the other professional digital cameras are 5k to 30k.  With this camera and some practice, you can take pitures that rival a pro.  Of course, a good photo printer is necessary.  I am an idiot when it comes to photography and the camera takes great shots in spite of me.  I do recommend this camera highly.
I've had a Minolta SLR for the past 10 years and been very happy with it, but after buying the my "other half" a Canon Digital Elph, I found the ability to immediately review photographs compelling. So, I looked for a digital SLR.Olympus has hit the price/performance sweet spot with this camera. Competitive digital SLRs cost 50% more than the E10 for the body alone -- i.e. before you've bought any lenses. However, I was concerned that the E-10 would be an adequate replacement for my film SLR. So, The E-10 passed with flying colors.What's good about this camera: terrific image quality, great lens (f2.0-f2.6!), all the control you could want (white balance, focus, zoom, exposure, flash), support for compact flash and smart media, and ability to take up to 4 shots in rapid succession, easy upload of images to a PC, Adobe Photoshop LE included and good battery life on Olympus NiMH AA batteries.I took scores of pictures every day and was generally pleased with the results. The camera functions well in program mode, but immediate image review on the camera enables you to use more control if you don't get the shot you need. And with digital, you can just keep on taking shots until you get it right without worrying about film.The ability to take 4 shots in rapid succession is useful when trying to capture spontaneous events -- like the procession of flag throwers (a Tuscan tradition that goes back over 700 years) out for a practice early one Sunday in Siena. Other digital cameras have big problems with both "shutter lag" (time from pressing the button to capturing the image) and the interval between shots -- especially with a 4 megapixel CCD where images take longer to write to flash.I made extensive use of a polarizing filter to cut glare under the Tuscan sun, and the images came out with strong colors as a result. The E10 seems a little "flatter" in its color balance than Canon cameras, but color saturation can be easily tweaked in Photoshop if this is a problem for any given image.I never managed to run the Olympus AA NiMH batteries (purchased separately) flat during a day's shooting, so camera power consumption seems to be excellent -- short battery life is a killer for many digital cameras.The lens is very impressive. It has a great zoom range, and as the camera was designed for digital from the ground up there are none of the multiplying effects of film cameras converted for digital use (e.g. Canon D30). This means that the E10 has great short-range capability as well as telephoto without having to switch lenses. This is very important if you want to travel light, as I did.What's not-so-good: problems with IBM Microdrive, autofocus requires care to avoid misfocus errors, viewfinder image location leads to orientation errors, general operation could be a lot faster, and the optional Olypus case is poor.The E10 requires the photographer to carefully monitor whether it has successfully locked on the subject. Early on, I got several poorly focused shots because the AF didn't focus on the subject. It's easy to miss this in the viewfinder or on the LCD image preview -- you only find out when you get home... However, once you learn to watch for mistaken AF lock, it is possible to re-focus and avoid this. Still, after Minolta's exemplary AF system, this was an unpleasant surprise.I also used an IBM Microdrive with my E10, but discovered that it does not work properly. I would be able to take several photographs, and then the camera would suddenly complain of flash card errors. It's easy to miss candid shots when you're wondering why the camera isn't working, then realizing there's a flash error, switching to smart media... so the Microdrive went back. Get a 256MB flash card instead.The viewfinder image is large and oddly focused -- it's easy to tilt the camera about a degree and not notice -- until you get to image review. This can be fixed in Photoshop, but it's annoying to have to fix it.Finally, the Olympus feels slower than many point-n-shoot cameras, and this is likely down to the embedded processor used in the camera. It takes several seconds before an image can be previewed, and it is slow to move around in image preview mode. Also, it seems to take a long time to compress an image and store it to flash. The 4 image buffer dramatically reduces the impact of this, but not entirely -- especially when you want to take one photo and see how it came out straight away.Finally, don't buy Olympus' case for the E10. It is very cumbersome and you'll end up wishing you never brought it. I left it at home or in the car most days. You cant open up the case and leave it hanging off the camera -- it gets in your way. That means you have to totally remove the camera from the case and either put it down, stuff it in a bag or squash it under your arm while you try to take photographs.The net is that I can't see why I'd go back to a film SLR. Although the Olympus E10 has its quirks, and Microdrive incompatibility is a drawback, it is a very good digital camera at an excellent price point for the value you receive. Olympus really doesn't have any competition for the money.
When you take group pictures, I foud problems with the autofocus.The rest is excelent.
Simply put, this camera is a SOLID machine that offers excellent image quality as well as photographic control. Being an SLR, I never used the LCD screen to shoot, which makes it more like using a standard 35mm. Get the battery pack/grip. Without it, the consumption of batteries is tremendous. With it, I easily got 1000 shots before needing a recharge. My major gripe, and the reason I upgraded to a Canon EOS D60, is that it is SLOW. The buffer is inadequate and I always found myself waiting for it to empty to take another shot. Viewing the images on the LCD screen takes forever. And the top shutter speed of 1/650 second is not fast enough.
I started my DSLR career with this cam. Have a film Leica R series with $15,000 in lenses but wanted to expand horizons. This camera is great. I have had mine for 18 months, still learning new thngs about it, keep the owners manual close. I also purchased the MCON and Telephoto 1.45. Macros are really great with the MCON. Tele is okay but only gives you 200 equivalent which isn't always enough. Some of my photos have been good enough to sell in the local art gallery. Buy this camera if you really want great pictures and a great price. I paid $1200 for mine and now they are down to $700 and more than worth every penny.
Ok - Wow.In digital photography, all you need is good photo-editing software (the E-10 comes with Adobe Photoshop LE) and a good printer - no eye-irritating chemicals and hours alone in the dark, like with film photography!  Oh ya, and a good camera!Using the E-10 is functioning on a whole different plane than anything I've used before (digitally, Kodak and Sony in the $800 - $900 range).  The control is total.  The product is eye-popping.  What pictures!  I'm producing 13x19 inch prints of amazing clarity.  And although there is still quite a bit of effort involved - the comfort level and the amount of ultimate control over the product is astounding.  And it all starts with the E-10.To the hand, the fit and feel are unmistakably that of a 35mm SLR.  Of course, there is no f-ring, and no gnarled knob dedicated to shutter speed control - too bad, I thought at first.  But with some adjustment to thinking, there is an easy (actually, easier!), total control of these functions - and so much more.  The zoom and focus rings are the smoothest I've ever used (and I have a couple of lenses for my 35mm that cost more than this camera).I also have the 0.8x and the 1.45x lens attachments, for wide and telephoto (or 28mm and 200mm, respectively, in a 35mm format camera).  Lens extenders exaggerate chromatic aberrations, flares and distortions - and they certainly reduce the speed of the lens fairly dramatically, among other things.  Regarding the Camedia extenders, though there is a reduction in speed, it's absolutely negligible.  And for image quality, I performed some tests photographing newspaper (a great test pattern, believe it, or not) and found nothing to complain about - quite the opposite.  This is really good stuff.  Not perfect, but very, very good.  The quality of the lens on the camera, on the other hand, may as well be perfect.  Similar, but more precise tests performed against this lens just made me smile.  There are some flares and barreling under certain circumstances, but nothing - absolutely nothing to complain about.  The contrast and brightness-uniformity (condensing) of the image are as good as you can get without spending a lot, like on some of Canon's Flourite lenses.Overall, the experience is just great.  The designers thought of everything.  This E-10 is easier to use, and fits the hand better than any professional grade camera I've ever used.Just a couple more notes:  The optical viewfinder is bright.  The shutter release is perfect for handheld, low shutter speed shots in that it requires only a very light touch (but there is good travel to prevent premature release).  The CCD is noise-free at any contrast (some owners claim noise at higher contrast settings, but I haven't experienced this.  Perhaps, Olympus had dealt with this by the time I purchased mine).  The LCD monitor really comes in handy with its multi-position feature - in making waist level and over-head shots.Olympus suggests that this camera will eliminate the need to ever return to film format cameras.  I definitely agree.  Digital photography really is a revolution.  And this particular camera really is the beginning of the revolution as far as cost/quality combination is concerned.This is a great camera.
Having worked as a 4x5 and 6x7 studio photographer for over 25 years, i have ventured into the digital realm with great skepticism. Superlatives don't exist for how pleased I was when I tried the E10. A freind loaned me his, actually he had to force it on me, for a family trip to DisneyWorld, and I didn't even use it till the last day we were there! Reluctantly on the last day, I decided to spend the morning trying it out. Well, I made 4 trips back to the room to download the card, and finally bought 4 more cards early in the afternoon so I could shoot faster.  A thrill to work with, great images, and more control than most of my 35mm cameras. The ability to manually set color temperature is like having a studio, a refrigerator full of film, and several light meters all with you at DisneyWorld!!!! Bottome line, if you are SERIOUS about photography, or earn part or all of your living via photography, this is a bargain. You will not regret it. Only drawback for amatuers, you must be able to use at the very least Adobe Photoshop LE, as the images are huge and you'll have to learn new digital terms like RAW and compressed images. But it's worth it!!
I recieved my camera about 4 months ago, and except for a few minor complaints, I have been very happy.  The camera takes excellent pictures, and the manual controls are very easy to use and allow very professional looking results.  Prints from the camera to a P400 Olympus printer look excellent up to 8.5X11 inches (I am sure they would look better on a bigger print, but that is as big as my printer can do).My only complaint in the LCD screen.  It refreshes slowly, and takes quite a long time to preview images.  Also, when zooming in and out on the pictures really takes longer then necessary (from both CF and SM).Just as one final note, although the camera literature does not specify support for the new 512MB CF cards, I use one with no problems.  I have not, however, used a Microdrive as of yet.
I've been a serious hobbyist photographer for more than 25 years and this is my sixth digital camera. After looking for more than a few months I settled on the Olympus E-10 for its high quality photographs. There are other cameras with more mega-pixels and more powerful zoom lens but few if any of those will come close to the quality that this camera produces.There are manual controls for everything and that big lens just sucks in the light for great low light pictures. The beam splitter view finder is sweet and the manual zoom allows for working the 4x zoom quickly. I bought the matching F-40 flash unit which integrates with the camera to expose flash pictures very well. The flash also follows the zoom lens shifting from wide-angle to telephoto as the lens is worked.This is a big solid camera that is not for causal snap shots - though when set to the "program" mode it can do that. Where this camera will excel is in the hands of someone who can put that big piece of glass, well matched sensor, and manual abilities to work.
I've completely switched from emulsion to digital because of this camera.  Not for the novice (although would take great pictures).  Coupled with a FL-40 flash and stroboframe bracket make this the envy of professionals.
I bought this used as a Christmas gift for my 18 year old son, it arrived quickly in great condition. My son is very pleased with this camera.  Its a great starter camera for a young novice with a natural eye for photography.
This has been a great camera. The body is largely metal, so there are few plastic parts to break. The battery door is located on the bottom, so batteries can be swapped out even when the camera is mounted on a tripod.The lense is not interchangable, which can be a disadvantage for some, but it ensures that no dust can get into the shutter or behind the lense. I love the dial controls. There are enough dials and buttons on the camera so that the LCD display is not required for most camera settings.There are a few disadvantages to the camera. The shutter speed only goes up to 1/640, and the aperature only goes up to F11, however the aperature can be as shallow as F2.2. Also, as time has worn on, the light meter doesn't seem to perform as well in low light as when I first bought this camera. Don't get me wrong, though. It still does an excellent job. Better than most digital cameras.Overall, I have been quite satisfied with this camera.
Incredible! Super! The first pro dg camera ever! It takes the best pictures and there's no competition. The quality is absolutely outstanding. Be prepared to spend twice the amount of the camera...PROS : -Very sturdy, well designed body-All the manual controls you'll ever need-Impressive night and macro ability-SmartMedia and CompactFlash Type II slots-Ultra-fast shooting speeds-Handy backlit LCD info display and swiveling LCD-Ability to preview shots on LCD as well as viewfinder (a first for an SLR digital)-Manual zoom(sweet!)-There are lots of equipment for this cameraCONS :-Lens not removable-Somewhat sluggish in menus and playback mode-Disappointing LCD quality-IBM Microdrive not supportedTIFF mode is just awesome, but the average size is... 11,3 megs. So it`s 11 pics on a 128 meg card. This is THE camera right now for the pros. The super fast shots are incredible, it takes jpg pics like lightning. What can I say else?
Ok... I have had this camera about a year now....Am still having a little trouble with low lighting situations, those where one can't use flash... but have learned some tricks....hold it steady or use a tripod!......or you need to up the ISO. I love that you can transfer files from one media to the other(ie smart to compact flash).The 4 megapixels produces great details and a variety of print sizes. Overall I am very impressed by this camera, I use it to take portrait and wedding pictures on the weekends and thus far it is producing great pictures! It has all of the features I need to adjust my photos the way I want as well as a program mode when I want it. Best of all I like that it feels like a regular SLR camera, ok a little heavier then my canon rebel, but none the less otherwise works and looks very similar. Haven't found any other negatives yet, although I did buy rechargeable batteries right away. Overall I think its an excellent camera and the price is getting better. Enjoy!
This camera is everything that the other reviews claim.  I now use the E-10 instead of my 35mm SLR for customized shots and don't really miss the 35mm's flexibility.  Built-in flash is quite capable (other than the short distance from the lens).  Battery consumption is excellent -- batteries last several days to a week of pretty heavy vacation shooting (if you don't go overboard on using the LCD screen and do remember to turn the camera off promptly).  Get the rechargeable AA NiMHs.  The CR-V3s last very well, but are quite expensive.  Alkalines will work in a pinch (i.e., there's an advantage to the standard battery form factor), but don't last.The positives have been said many times here already.  Just don't focus on the few negatives that I will mention!Setting up a customized shot (field-of-view, exposure compensation, etc.) takes a fair bit longer than on my 35mm because of the time to walk through the menus.... and, this camera is heavy!  That was obvious from the spec's (most people consider a 2 lb 35mm to be a heavy camera), so I knew that going in.  That's not even considering the excellent, but also heavy external flash.I have not yet tried my filter collection, but a lot of filter functions can be accomplished by digital post-processing.I'm very happy with it after 5 months of good usage.
The E-100RS is a great package. I've owned dozens of cameras, but this, without a doubt, is the most fun. A 10X optical, and 27X digital (the best digital resolution I've seen so far) let you reach out and grab things, even if they're a mile or more away. The rapid fire capability is great for getting just the right shot... take the best and dump the rest, but you won't miss that perfect pose or facial expression because you snapped at the wrong split second. The 640x480 movies look almost as good as my Sony Hi8 camcoder video and full screen, none of this postage stamp sized movie. I sold a 3.3 megapixel to buy this as in over 2600 photos with it, I never utilized more than 1280x960. This camera does a nice 1368X1024 which is more than I need. I have printed dozens of 8X10 enlargements from 1280x960 photos and they look fantastic. This camera is probably not  for the technologically phobic types. It only took me a couple days to fully understand how to run, but I'm a network engineer by trade and play with electronics all day. The menu could be a little more intuitive, but it's not bad. Many features that you use most often have external buttons so you don't need to go into the menu system. The electronic viewfinder is wonderful, giving you all the info that the full LCD screen would through the eyepiece at a fraction of the power consumption. Plan on buying an AC adapter, Extra NiMH batteries (probably 2 more sets as they give you one set of 1600Mah and a nice charger with it), a 49mm Haze filter to protect the lens, and a 128 meg Smartmedia or compact flash (or both for a total 256MB like I did!). No regrets so far from selling my Sony 3.3MP... and I am having a ball with this camera. Can't wait to take it to some motorcycle races or other sporting events where it'll really shine! And one last piece of info: I had to call Olympus tech support for a few questions on memory cards and external flash cord and their customer service was OUTSTANDING! Got a live, knowledgable technician in under 2 minutes and he answered my questions instantly without typing a query into a database... he really knew the product. I'm impressed!  Great product and service... hard to find there days!
I bought this camera in the hope that it would allow me to get close to the action in sports. (My daughter is a baton twirler; you get the idea.) I am not the least bit disappointed despite the fairly hefty price tag.This has become MY CAMERA. This is the camera that I take with me. I leave home the Nikon CoolPix 990 (which is also an excellent camera but lacks a respectable zoom) and the Canon S100 (which I find handiest as my wife's purse camera).I know that this camera lacks a zillion-pel CCD. But the pictures are really quite excellent. Printed at up to 5x7 produces no image degradation; beyond that I expect you begin to notice the camera's limitations. This camera makes you appreciate that there is more to a camera than pixel count. The E100RS optics and metering system are both excellent (IMHO). In short, this is a truly super camera for what it's designed to do --- action photos, especially when it is tough to get close to the action. And when you aren't using it in this manner, it's still a darned good camera for everyday shots.
I just purchased my E-100 last week and took it on vacation with me.  I used my vacation to learn how to use the many features of the camera and there are many.  I have been using a Canon, EOS IIe with a couple of different zoom lenses, so I was most interested in how much I was going to like the zoom feature of the E-100.  Of course one of my main concerns was the lag time after the shutter release button is pushed as this is rather slow on most, if not all, digital cameras.The first thing I had to get used to was the view finder.  This is really not an issue for me after using the camera for a week.  It only took a few shots to realize you don't really need a true through the lens view of the subject.  I would, however, prefer a lens that focuses like a true SLR, but then again once I got used to the zoom and learned to use it, it is no longer an issue.As for my main concern with the lag time after the shutter button is released, don't worry folks, with the right settings there is not only no lag time, the pre-capture feature will even capture the shots you normally miss.  I tested this on a go cart track my kids just had to go on.  It was evening so I had to rely on artificial lighting.  It was also a multi tiered, spiral track and there wasn't a good view of most of the track.  I picked out a small area where I could see the go carts for only about three or four seconds and was able to get some outstanding shots.  I can't wait to start shooting sports where the lighting will be a lot better.  Because of the speed of the go-carts and the dim lighting, however, some of the shots didn't turn out very clear.As for the digital zoom; I have digital zoom on my camcorder.  I never use it because it breaks the picture apart and is really not usable.  On the E-100, however, it is a totally different story.  Standing on the second story balcony of my condo I turned on the digital zoom and took a picture of a squirrel running on a fence.  Surprise, this feature really works.  I have read some reviews that say this is not really a zoom but a cropping feature.  Well, I don't know how it works but the squirrel was magnified and filled the frame.  And the picture came out crystal clear.Another feature, or lack of, that a lot of reviews criticize is the 1.5 megapixal resolution.  This does not seem to be a problem.  Although I haven't tried printing pictures from this camera yet, I have printed pictures from my Olympus D-360L which is only 1.2 megapixal, the pictures come out great.  I even printed an 8 X 10 on photo paper and the resolution is outstanding.  I suppose that a photo expert could tell the but I would say that at least 90 percent of us will never notice the difference. Bottom line, don't get wrapped up in the pixal count.Well, it won't be long before the kids are back in school and they are once again playing soccer, basketball, baseball, etc.  I can't wait to use this camera for these sports, as it certainly has been a challenge in the past.
I bought this camera (my first digital) to use for action photography. My kids ski race, so I needed a camera that had a good (250+mm) telephoto and a multi-shot sewquencing mode. The E-100 has both and a whole lot more. Although the highest resolution is not up to some of the other cameras in this price range, the E-100 can print beautiful 8X10 glossies on my deskjet printer (who needs 5+ megapixels). The only drawback is that I can't load into the supplies software on my mac powerbook G-3. I tried several fixes, but the best seems to be using a Viking card reader and Adobe Photoshop. All in all a fantastic camera.
I have used a Kodak DC-215 which I felt was a great value when I purchased it for [PRICE] a couple of years ago.  It has a 2X optical zoom and produces excellent quality pictures.I have used this and other digital cameras with a great deal of success, but have been dissapointed with the lens limitations compared to my SLR on which I can change lenses from 28mm wide angle to a 70 to 210mm zoom.The E-100RS is the answer to all of my concerns about digital photography.  Even without the external flash unit, which is really slick too, the camera as delivered from Olympus is complete and needs nothing to give you great digital photos.Given that most digital photography ends up on the Internet, the 1.5 MegaPixel rating is not an issue at all.  Photo quality is excellent even at 1.5.The only thing limited is that it comes with an 8MB card, which is almost useless.  Thankfully, memory card prices have dropped and a 128 MB Smart Media card can be purchased for less than [PRICE], and Compact Flash cards are even less expensive.Oh and the camera can hold both at the same time and only requires you to make a menu selection to store your photos on one or the other.  You can even copy from one card to the other!  Then, using the supplied USB cable, you can access the active card from your computer just as if it was another hard drive.  Excellent!The "rapid shot" features work well.  The issue of not taking shots right away is not a problem at all.I charged the supplied 1600maH NiMH batteries right away after getting the camera.  I played with it, taking lots of shots, quick time movies(it'll do those too), rapid-shot sessions, and only then, after a full week of this, did the batteries go weak.  High maH batteries are a must for this camera.  Extra sets of 1800 maH (even better) batteries are economical....  Keep one set in the camera and one in the charger to be safe.  I did run one set of Energizer alkalines through it and they did not last very long.This is a professional quality camera and slightly above a consumer price range.  The improvements are well worth it.Get one while your can!
You get what you pay for, and to get better, you have to pay around $300.00. Below that, this camera is a good deal. It is a simple, fixed focus basic camera. The flash tends to blow things out when used too close but at a distance over 15' to 20' it works fine. This thing is great for basic snaps you may want to send via E-Mail. The bundled software is very bad, but that is not what I paid for. The cable hook ups are a bit cumbersome, but work when you figure out that one cable has a little flat spot so they both fit. This camera is all that I expected for a under $100.00 camera.
I've owned the Largan LMini 250 for almost a year now and am happy with it's performance.  For the price, you can't find another camera with the same resolution and a flash.  I've had absolutely no problems with it.  The serial cable is a pain if you're used to USB but it gets the job done.  It would be nice if it used standard batteries, but the one included is easily found.  The camera is small and light weight and I always carry it with me in a jacket or shirt pocket.  A guy in my bowling league had a &quot;300&quot; and he was absolutely delighted to have a picture taken that night.  The picture quality leaves a little to be desired, but you'll find nothing better for the price.  It can be easily tweaked with software for a very acceptable result.
Hhhhm. I wanted to break-in to the whole digital thing and thought I'd start out with a faily cheap camera such as this one. I figured the cost was only equal to x-many disposables anyway. I knew beforehand that this only had 2MB internal memory and that the resultion wouldn't compare to my professional equipment. However, I wanted to give it a try and needed a little lightweight something (less than 5oz, compared with my 3lb Mamiya 645).I must admit I was very disappointed. The software which came with this camera was pretty good (for a freebie) but the camera itself is a little quirky. Obviously you can't review what you've got in memory unless you do the download; but I could live with that. However, one truly frustrating thing was the clearing of memory. I found this almost impossible: and if you can't clear the memory, it's full-up and you can't take any more shots. I ended-up having to take the batteries out and leaving it well alone for a week.Thereafter I re-loaded the thing and tried again. This time it seemed ok and managed to delete everything I wanted. The pictures were just ok (as I suspected, but you get what you pay for, right?). Then one day it just stopped working. I hadn't used it for a week or so and when I did it just stopped; and no, it wasn't the batteries.So beware guyz. Perhaps I was unlucky. These things are becoming cheaper and cheaper by the day; I would hold-out and get a real digital camera, not a digital instamatic like this thing here.
The camera seemed nice, but the Twain software included with it did not work on Windows NT4.0 like it was supposed to. Tech support couldn't help either, suggested that it just won't work on some computers. I sent it back.
I had this camera before and It was good for the price. I threw this camera away because I thought it was bad at the time than I bought other cameras in this price range and this is the BEST ONE, others you can't take a picture because its too dark ( even though theres a lot of light!) This has a flash so no need to worry. Great camera for the price. Buy it if you want a camera with SOME clarity, ( NOT the best) but good for the price.
Very good camera for the price.This was are first digital.We have been very happy with it.Yes,it does eat batterys.Definatly need a 64 cf card.Just ordered a 318 more megapixels
Despues de decidirme en adquirir una camara fotografica digital, explore multiples opciones, y es que con tantas alternativas en el mercado uno debe de decidir bien cuidando obviamente la inversi&oacute;n. Para ser honesto, en primera instancia decidi comprarme la nueva Sony Cybershot P30, sin embargo, al ver el precio de esta HP C215 como que le dude, y como no si me iba a ahorrar mas de 100 dolares!Lo unico que me importo fue tomar el cuenta la resoluci&oacute;n, y dado que ambas son de 1.3 MP decidi darle la oportunidad a la HP. Simplemente, esta camara cumple con su cometido: tomar fotos! y para el precio que se paga por ella yo creo que es una buena adquisici&oacute;n, sobre todo para aquellos que apenas se adentran en el pasatiempo de la fotografia.Esta camara cuenta como quiera con caracteristicas que pueden ser de mucha utilidad, tales como enfoque automatico, flash con reducci&oacute;n de ojos rojos, timer de 10 segundos (para cuando no hay quien te pueda tomar una foto!) una pantalla de 1.8 pulgadas a color (para apuntar al momento de tomar una foto o tener una vista previa de las que ya tomaste) y un zoom de 2x, que si bien no es tan impresionante como el de 6x de la Sony Cybershot, si es de utilidad para enfocar objetos a distancia.El uso de la C215 es de lo mas sencillo. Me tomo alrededor de 45 minutos el poder dominar la camara en sus funciones basicas, y para nada soy un experto en fotografia. Lo mejor del caso es que los menus son accedidos mediante una &quot;rueda&quot; similar a la de un mouse, que tambien funciona como bot&oacute;n para seleccionar la opci&oacute;n deseada. Por cierto, los menus son multilenguaje, estando disponible el espa&ntilde;ol.La camara puede ser conectada a una PC mediante conexi&oacute;n USB (cable incluido) para poder bajar tus fotos y publicarlas o compartirlas. Una vez que instalas el driver correspondiente podras tener tus fotos en tu PC de una manera rapida. El software incluido te servira solo para poder bajar tus fotos de la camara, y aunque un editor de fotos se provee, este no tiene para nada el poder de un Microsoft Photodraw. Al tomar fotos, estas son almacenadas en una tarjeta de memoria. Una de 4 megas se incluye en el paquete. El detalle es que solo caben alrededor de 7 archivos de alta calidad. Una tarjeta adicional de 32 megas es recomendada para poder tener un numero de fotos considerable.Los contras de esta camara? Pues en primera instancia la cuesti&oacute;n de las baterias, utiliza 4, y se las acaba rapidamente, aunque la verdad es que practicamente todas las camaras digitales son &quot;gastonas&quot; de baterias. Lo recomendado para ahorrar energia en estas es no utilizar de mas la pantalla LCD. Una opci&oacute;n es que compres un recargador de baterias, que aunque en el instructivo te comentan que no lo uses sin ninguna explicaci&oacute;n, mucha de la gente que aqui da su opinion de la camara a utilizado pilas recargables sin problema. Al momento de escribir esta critica no he utilizado este tipo de baterias, pero si las adquiri de antemano.El dise&ntilde;o de la camara es convencional y poco moderno.En conclusi&oacute;n puedo decirte que la HP PhotoSmart C215 es una camara que recomiendo ampliamente para aquellos que la requieren para las fotos familiares, de reuniones, fiestas o viajes y no para aquellos que buscan una camara para fotos de alto nivel. Mucha de la gente que aqui da su opini&oacute;n se expresa mal de la camara por esperar mas lo que que en verdad te puede ofrecer, pero si eres realista y solo la necesitas para lo que es sin pedir muchos lujos, esta es una gran opci&oacute;n para ti a un precio por demas competitivo.
For the price, I suppose this is a decent camera. Picture quality is reasonably good, some of the features are handy.  The camera itself is lightweight, and easy to use.  It's really a nice, expensive toy for the first-time digital camera owner, or a person uses cameras infreqently.If you're planning to use the camera more often, however, you will need to buy a few things to make it worth your while. Battery life is about 20 pictures if you're careful about not using autopreview, so get the AC adapter. If you want printable-quality pictures, the 4MB card that comes with the camera isn't going to cut it, so you'll need to buy at least a 64 meg card. The software that ships with it (Arcsoft PhotoImpression)is miserably bad, so if you don't already own PhotoShop or some other program that reads from digital cameras, you'll probably want to invest in something like that.The one that really burns me, however, is that (as packaged) this camera does NOT work with Windows XP.  Owing to what they have called a "copyright issue," HP can not offer XP drivers for free on their web site, but will ship them to you a CD for an additional $10 dollars.
This camera has two very bad problems.  First, it goes through batteries like they're going out of style. Several other reviews have advised using rechargeable batteries, but in fact, that's a very bad option with this model. The user manual doesn't explain why, but on page 47 it says &quot;do not use rechargeable batteries.&quot; I researched this a little - rechargeable batteries get too hot, putting the camera's innards at risk of melting.  More importantly, any use of rechargeable batteries will void the service warranty. A voided service warranty would be bad under any circumstances, but it's especially bad in this case, because this particular camera is more likely to break than many others; there is a bug in its  software.There are two ways to delete pictures from the CF card. You can use the camera itself, or you can use your PC when you have the camera connected. The bug comes into play if you use your PC to delete pictures - you run the risk of &quot;toasting&quot; the camera's firmware. &quot;Toasting&quot; sounds bad, doesn't it? It is indeed very bad - the cost of repairing a &quot;toasted&quot; camera is much greater than the original price of the camera. (Meaning greater than the price of the camera when it was sold new two years ago.)  Cameras under the service warranty are simply replaced, but if the service warranty has expired or is void, the customer must pay.This is a well-known defect; in fact, it is one of the most-discussed problems involving the HP 215 on HP's &quot;Support Forums.&quot; The original post dates back to September 19, 2001.I was fortunate; my camera was still under warranty when it broke.  I had an extremely difficult time with HP customer service, but eventually I did convince them to send a replacement.The replacement camera is adequate, but that's about it.  The on/off switch is poorly designed.  It takes a delicate touch to properly turn the camera off, and I've lost count of the number of times I've accidentally left it on and returned to find the batteries dead.The focus &amp; shoot function is aggravating - to &quot;focus&quot; you must gently depress the button half way, and then you must wait for a signal before you can actually take the picture.Judging the camera functioning as it was designed, I'd have given it 2 1/2 stars.  With the software bug and HP's lousy customer service added in, it really doesn't deserve any stars at all!
This camera is a great value, but it does have some flaws.  The biggest problem is that it eats batteries like there's no tomorrow.  I can get no more than 30 pictures out of a full set of batteries.  Picture quality is pretty good for a digital camera in this price range.  It's nowhere close to 35mm quality, but for digital cameras &lt; $300, it's hard to complain.  An easy way to improve this camera is with a built-in rechargable battery, like a telephone.PROS:1) Good picture quality for the price2) Easy to use3) Nice LCD display4) USB5) Memory upgrades are cheap6) Cheap7) Instant review lets you delete poor pictures instantlyCONS:1) Battery hog2) Takes severals seconds to reload between shots3) Each shot takes 2+ seconds4) Spontaneous pictures are impossible5) Built-in flash is sub-par6) On/off and LCD switches are poorly designed7) Cheap8) Memory access is slow
I think that this is a great enry level digital camera.  The pictures come out good and the camera has many features.  My take on the re-chargable battery debate is that it DOES NOT accept them. However, I found what seems to be a good alternative in Energizer's Double A &quot;Lithium&quot; batteries.  I have taken about 40 picturs using them and the battery indicatore still says full, while it said empty after about 10 pictures using Energizer's &quot;Titanium&quot; Double A batteries.
I purchased this camera last night.  The camera works fairly well, but most of my photos come out somewhat pixelated.  I have an older 1.0MP camera at work that does a much better job.  It does eat up batteries, but all digital cameras do.  This should just be expected.  This is probably a good starter camera, but don't expect photo quality.  Also, most of my pictures come out a bit on the yellow side.  I am trading this camera in for the Kodak C3200 tonight.  My co-worker has that one, and his pictures come out very nicely.  Hope this helps you decide on this camera.
This is my first digital Camera and I'm not disappointed.  The images, on the screen at least, look sharp.  The camera is simple to use.  The menu in the camera is great.The free software that comes with the camera is the only thing I can complain about.  There are other free software programs that are much better.  Ofoto and the Adobe Active share programs are much better.  Beware the free cd of Ofoto that comes from Amazon is an old version.  The 3.0 version which I downloaded from Amazon.com is better.Its a great camera if you are new to digital cameras and don't want to shell out the big bucks to buy a higher end model.
This little camera works.  By contrast, my new, four-times more expensive 3.1 megapixel camera died within two months and is off to the manufacturer (not HP) by mail for repair under warranty.  I hope I see it again.  I bought the HP as an interim replacement and to have as a backup.It's strictly a simple point-and-shoot, no optical zoom, no shutter- or aperture-priority overrides, few bells and whistles.  It has no lens cover, which is a major drawback since the lens can easily be smudged by fingers, etc. But the simple software works faultlessly, which my much more expensive camera's did not until upgraded from the manufacturer's website and with some further help from their customer service.  As a backup camera, adequate for email pictures and snapshots, the HP seems fine.I don't have enough experience with the HP yet to comment on battery life.  Based on what other reviewers have said, I will keep an eye on that, minimize use of the LCD and shut the camera off between pictures.  I think that as long as I carry along an extra set of fresh AA's, I'll be OK.
The pictures the hp 215 takes are decent, nice and clear and good for a webpage.  However, they're difficult to take because of the minute+ time it takes for the camera to start up, and the 30 seconds+ it takes between pictures.  Not to mention the batteries!  I use good batteries, and this camera can only take about 15 before the batteries are dead, not nearly enough if you wanted to take this on vacation!  In summary, good starter camera, but get something else if you want to travel with it.
Super good quality digital camera !!!! Takes very good pictures, espically in the #5 picture mode !!!! The #10 picture mode is also very impressive. Would highly recommend this digital camera, for the price is hard to beat for a digital camera of this quality. Has lots of special features that i really like and use, usually seen on really expensive digital cameras. Anyone who purchases one of these hp Photosmart C215 digital cameras will be very pleased indead !!!!!!!!!! One of these are all you need from a digital camera----take the extra money you would spent on a really expensive one and buy some other grown-up toys !!!!!!!!
at Goodwill. It is 14 y/o, a real collector's item. that's why it got 4 stars.Like a trip down memory lane. Thank you HP.
I bought the HP 215 camera last month.  It is a good value for the money.  The pictures are very good, although the memory card could have been bigger.  It's also a battery hog, draining most AA batteries very fast.  My advice is to get an AC adapter for uploading images, and rechargable NiCad batteries for shooting.  Overall, a great camera for people new to digital photography.
I only have limited experience with digicams, but I can tell you that the quality here is pretty good.  A few observations:The memory card is inadequate, but cheap to upgrade.  I bought 32 megs (at a low cost).  32 is plenty.  If you wanted to fill a 64 meg card, you'd need to walk around with your pockets full of batteries.It munches batteries like crazy.  Another reviewer gave suggestions for conserving.  But for me, the best solution is a battery charger and NiMH batteries.  I can use all the features without worrying too much about batteries.I don't see any difference in med-resolution pictures and high-resolution.  Image size is identical and quality appears the same as well.  Different file size is all I saw.  Maybe it matters if you're printing.Low res is good enough for web pages and email.The 2X zoom is a gimmick.  It's not zoomed, it's just lower resolution.  Don't let that discourage you.  It's still a good value.The other camera I have used is a thousand dollar unit at work.  This little camera has many of the same features.  Certainly all the important features.  Photo quality is fair to good.  Not top of the line.If you didn't already know, most digital cameras require a computer with USB, so don't expect to use it with your older computer.  That's not specific to this camera, just something to keep in mind.
I have an HP 215 camera. The other day I had deleted pictures using the delete feature in the software. After that, the camera wouldn't hold pictures into memory. I have used this feature many times with no problems.I called HP customer service. They told me DO NOT use the delete photos feature in your software. It can render the camera basically useless. I told the rep. that I have been using it since I got the camera in June with no problems. He said there is some sort of issue with all the editing software. I use PhotoImpression which came with the camera. He told me to ONLY delete pictures manually using the camera itself. I told him that they needed to post this somewhere. It even says to use the delete photos option (in the software) in the quick reference book.Luckily, my camera was still under warranty. They shipped a replacement asap.Also, the 215 isn't suppose to use rechargeable batties.
I see your point of conserving on battery power, but if you turn off the LCD you are gambling with the final &quot;Framing&quot; of the photo. I tried NOT using the LCD and after downloading the photo's, I saw that the pictures had magicly moved to the right and to the bottom a bit. I had to over correct for this and it became a guessing game that I did not enjoy playing! I had seen pictures from my brother that bought the 315 from HP and I decided to exchange my 215 for the 315 Camera. Now, I have never used the LCD and every shot is perfectly Framed! I felt like I hit the Jackpot!! The 215 is a very good camera for the price, but the 315 is a better value at only $100 more. 400 pictures from a single set of Eveready Titanium batteries!! WhoooHooo!!!
General Opinion of Camera-------------------------I am a gadget guy. I use this camera more than I was using my old 35 mm autofocus camera. I like being able to snap pics and email them right away. The quality is good enough for the internet and it is fun for my 9 year old to use. For people who are perfectionists, don't get this camera. Save your money and spend the extra hundreds for a 2.1 megapixel with an optical zoom. I, however, am having fun taking pics around work and on the weekends and rushing home to edit them in Photoshop. If you like gadgets and want to get in on digital photography and don't have much money, I recommend the camera:This is an autofocus camera, and as with all such cameras, you have to tinker with the focus to make sure your subject is focused right. It just takes a bit of practice.The digital zoom is a waste of time. Don't get excited. You get the same effect by taking the pic regular and then zooming in Photoshop later. BUT the macro is cool. I have gotten some cool closeup shots with it.The quality of the pics seems to be the same as with a normal film-based camera as far as color and exposure stuff.A lot of people have said the batteries get terrible life. This is not my experience. I have found that if I keep the camera off unless I am using it, as well as not using the LCD except for quick peeks at important shots to make sure things are okay, I can get many, many pics of a set off batteries in superfine mode. I am on around 400 total pics so far and on my third set of AA Duracell Ultras. Some have said that rechargeables work, and others have reported their CCD getting fried. I am not taking a chance. One more thing: when the camera is done with the batteries and can't take a pic, the batteries still have power and are worth holding on to for extras for flashlights, radios, etc... don't just chuck them.Issues------You definitely do get a parallax issue with the camera in certain situations (what you see in the viewfinder is not what the pic ends up being). This is not a big deal and is the same with all non SLR cameras. I have just gotten used to the tendency of the camera and compensate for it.The biggest design flaw is the on/off switch. It is way too easy to flip on. I am sure my batteries would last even longer if the off switch were to stay off.The second biggest flaw is that there is nothing protecting the lens. Well, the lens is behind a plastic clear covering, but still, you scratch the plastic covering,that's it, you are screwed.Tips for newbies considering buying this camera-----------------------------------------------It is REALLY important for those thinking of getting ANY digital camera to understand that you NEED to get extras that cost you more than you are expecting:1) You need to get a compact flash card with much bigger memory because the pictures are usually not going to make you happy unless you are using the superfine mode, and when you are using the superfine mode, you can only get around 10 pictures on the included 4mb card.2) You need to get an AC adapter to use whenever possible to spare your batteries. You should use the AC adapter when transferring pics to your computer unless you buy a SanDisk or similar card reader (see below) instead. Also, you need the AC adapter to use when reviewing your pics on an LCD when possible, or when inside, so you can snap away with flash and not burn your batteries.3) You need to get a compact flash reader like SanDisk. I use SanDisk. I prefer this to the included software because I can just drag the pics to my pic folder very quickly and open them up in Protoshop for processing. It is much simpler than having to hook the USB up to the camera and it saves your batteries.All this stuff will end up costing you [extra] bucks. This is not considering costs for glossy photo paper and the like, or the batteries.
Very simply, I am now waiting for my third replacement camera and I have only had it for three months. I only use it at home for low resolution Internet images. I am a photographer and also built my computer from scratch. It shoudn't be too difficult. One suggestion they had was that I should not use the software they supplied with the camera. Hello? Otherwise, they have had no solutions. They do however keep sending replacement cameras. What a waste of time, money, and telephone toll charges. No more Hewlett Packard!
First off, repeat after me, &quot;I will not use the LCD&quot;Seriously, you can extend battery life very well if you perform the following steps.1. Buy Good (E2 Energizer or Ultra Batteries)2. Turn off the LCD, if needed only use the Quick Review feature to review photos just after shooting.3. Get a Power Cable for when you transfer images to your PC.4. Turn off when your not taking a picture.5. Use the Flash only when needed.Enjoy!All in all it's well worth the money, I purchased mine as part of a HP Trio combo, (Printer, Scanner, Camera)Love it!
... I must admit I was very happy with the results I got from the first set of batteries. The regular gripe is there, It eats batteries for snack. Don't ask what it would do for dinner... I am using niMh rechargeable batteries without any  problem so far. But since the rechargeable batteries are 1.2 volt (instead of 1.5 for regular)the camera takes a bit of time before actually releasing the shutter. And I am pretty annoyed of the fact that the camera charges the flash each time it is turned on. Even when it is bright day light. Whats up with that? I wish the charging was dependent on the existing light.In summary great camera for the price. Quite happy with it.A lens cover would be great though.
This camera was nothing but trouble.  I thought the first one would be just a lemon, but the second one I bought tore up to!! The picture wouldnt take half the time on one of the cameras, and the other one, the LCD screen broke! The manufacter wouldn't help me out at all, so I am looking for another one now!
The on/off button is so poorly designed that you can't help switching it on by accident.  By the time you decide to take a picture, of course the power will have been drained. Even if you take care of this piece of (junk)like precious jewelry, you still need to avoid using any flash light and/or LCD display, for otherwise you will have to wait like 20 seconds for the battery to recharge before you can shoot another one. This would still not have been a problem if the camera could indicate the remaining recharge time. However, since the camera keeps the user in the dark, the user has no choice but to keep pressing the button until the camera takes the picture. More often than not, the timing is awkward; and the results, disastrous. It is simply frustrating.Even though this camera is cheap and does offer a lot of useful function, however, in my opinion, it is not worth the risk of trying it.
Our HP camera started taking pictures like the one at:  [...]  HP support is in a foreign country, and they keep wanting to provide suggestions for improving the image.  I'm sorry, but this camera is broke.  There is no improving the image.  Replace the thing already and move on.  "But have you tried holding it still?"  "Maybe the flash is off?"  If they would just look at the pictures it takes, it would be fairly obvious.  "Is the lens cap on?" Oh well, I'm off to buy a Canon.  Thanks HP.
Do not buy this camera! The batteries die in less that one set of 36 pictures. The quality is poor even on the highest setting. Don't compare megapixels, there is a difference in image quality between cameras of the same resolution. The flash takes almost a minute to charge sometimes. And it shuts off after taking a picture. mine is a combination of defects and poor design. It's going back. I made the mistake of thinking I could get a digital camera for $200. You have to spend $500 to get a decent one which is just too much for the mass market right now.
This is a great digital camera.  I was looking for a little digital with LCD, with in-camera editing and a macro.  A year ago the cheapest thing I could find was in the Nikon 900 series and cost about over $800.  We got an advanced Nikon digital camera for work, and it's good, but I didn't want to spend that much for myself -- espeically when I convinced myself that all I wanted was a snapshot camera.  I was so glad to find this HP camera!  (It's point and shoot, but it can be used as more than just a snapshot camera.  I love cameras like this with over-ride features that let me be in control when I want to).The only thing that came close to the HP 215 was a Kodak camera that cost about $20 more.  BUT, the Kodak camera had no macro, and you couldn't delete crappy pictures right after you took them (no in-camera editing).  For me, why buy a digital camera if it doesn't have those features?The HP 215 had the features I wanted and at a joyously low price.  It's fun and it's easier to use than I had anticipated -- I love the wheel feature that's part of the controls.  Downloading the images via the included cable is also much easier than I had anticipated.  A positive experience.For the incredible features I got, I can easily stand the camera's need for disposable batteries only.  These batteries are cheap compared to some of the specialized digital camera batteries, and the AA batteries are easy to find! (A friend of mine just spent the better part of a week trying to find a specialty battery for her digital camera here in Seattle -- I don't envy her).  Also, if you keep the LCD and flash off as much as possible it still takes great pictures and doesn't drain the batteries.
It's a very nice Digital Camera. I don't need anything more for casual picture taking. You need to invest in a new flash card... the 4MB one is nothing. The camera is a little fussy but once you get used to it you will be fine...If you want a camera to have fun with this is a good choice.I give the device such a low review becuase I had issues with it with Windows XP and HP was of no help what-so-ever. The person I talked to at tech support asked 5 questions prased differantly about when I bought the camera (if it was in warenty perriod). After answering correctly on the first 4 questions I said it was in 2000 instead of 2001 and I was immediatly transfered to someone who was going to take my information to bill me (it was early in the morning and I made a mistake!). I told the guy that is was withing the past year. I told him it was last summer. That is the most recent summer ago. I explained thoughly and then he asked "So what you are saying is that you bought it in the Summer of 2000" and stupid me I agreed! I just wanted to get my camera working and be done with all the blasted questions! So I had to dig up my recipt (luckily I bought it on Amazon). The person I talked to wouldn't even accept my product regestration!So now I will NEVER buy ANYTHING from HP again. If they want my business they darn well better help me out easily when their equipment breaks!
Battery Life: I was apprehensive while buying this camera, because some reviews pointed out that the battery life is too short. But it turned out to me that they lasted longer than I think they would. They have lasted for 34 snaps and 8 USB transfers, which is super good.Rechargable Batteries : Yes, the manual says, dont use them. But, a friend of mine has been using them with no problems so far. So I started using them with no problems so far. The best that is out there is Energizer universal recharger. A tip from experienced people is to buy NiMH 1600mA rechargable batteries. I found good energizer 1600NiMH Batteries , and bought them.Memory : The default memory (4MB)is good for 16-20 snaps. Currently two leading manufactures (SanDisk and Viking) are offering mail in rebates. So you will get a good 64MB memory for around 49 bucks. I feel its a must to have extra memory....Quality: I loved the pictures. They are not super fine , but , really good enough for me. Once I got the kick of just clicking and being able to email it using my PC instantly, I cant stop to shoot. I wish I bought a digital camera like this , long back.Verdict (IMHO) : Go get it.
This is a bad product. It shift the picture to the right and upper corner so when you take a picture of the person, you may lose half of the face even if you can see the whole face in the viewport. And now I have to return it. I do online shopping for convenience but alas, I buy all these lousy incoveniance.  I also had problems with other HP products.My advice: Don't buy this one and avoid HP/Compaq product.
I use my digital camera to photograph nonsensical things to add to my website, and also for snapshots.  I have not printed anything on photo paper yet, but the quality of the shots I have taken so far is OUTSTANDING.  I passed the files around the office to our jaded technophiliacs who were floored when I told them that this camera only cost $200.  It takes better photos than theirs, and theirs cost three times what mine did.
GOOD CAMERA TAKES PICS AS GOOD AS ANY OTHER 1.3 BUT IT HAS ONE SHORTCOMMING... BATTERIES DO NOT LAST AT ALL.  EVEN IF YOU DO NOT USE THE COLOR LCD DISPLAY.  YOU HAVE TO BRING A BOX OF BATTERIES IF YOU INTEND TO SHOOT MANY PICS
I just bought this camera 2 days ago. I gave it 4 initially, but It's worth a 5. I am not what anyone would call a &quot;technical&quot; person &amp; I was a bit daunted by this at the time of purchase (can I return it if I can't make it work?). However it took me little time (the instruction book is easy to read) to get the basics so I could at least take a picture and upload it. The included software was a snap to install and even stored my prints in an accessible location. Just a little playing with the PhotoImpression program and I was soon editing and sending pictures e-mail. Playing with the menu &amp; a quick referance to the instructions now and then, and I had it doing what I wanted.For those who need something they can point and shoot, this is a good choice.
Be prepared to spend a LOT of money on batteries because this thing will eat them up faster than you can buy them! I find myself turning off the camera between every picture, and every time my husband uploads pictures from the camera, I find myself nagging him to make sure to turn the camera off to save the batteries. It's a shame - this camera takes fairly decent pictures. My only other problem besides the battery problem is the fact that the view finder seems to be off - what I see in the view finder ends up being off. I have to aim up if I actually want to get what I want in the picture.This is a very nice camera, but I suggest that if the battery thing bugs you, you should find another camera.
This is our first digital camera, and we are hooked! It is so easy to use, and very reasonably priced. It takes great pictures, and the instant playback and delete is a great feature. You only keep the pictures you like! I highly advise getting this one for your first digital.
I bought this camera because of its price, the zoom feature and the HP name.  I haven't been disappointed.  The pictures I've taken have been crisp and clear with great color.  The &quot;shutter&quot; (do you still call it that if it's a digital camera?  hmmm) speed has not been noticeably slow, especially if you're on fresh batteries.  It was so simple to set up with my computer -- I use Windows 2000 -- and I really like the photo editing software they sent with it.  I also noticed that the batteries wore out VERY quickly, but this is a problem for ALL digital cameras.  Do yourself a favor and buy rechargable batteries, and this will not be an issue.
This is a good camera if you just want to take snaps of the kids to email to Grandma. The autofocus, autoflash, point-and-shoot style is good if you don't want to fiddle with a bunch of complicated stuff while your subject makes its escape. You won't get super-duper-high-quality shots in the low range, but they're still pretty good. The USB connection is so easy and intuitive, I was downloading pics in about half a minute. Plus you get the fun software packages, which not only let you crop, rotate, correct red-eye and all the usual photo functions, but also has a host of wacky frames, outlines, greeting-card templates... The kids' favorites are the PhotoFantasy templates, which let you layer your subject's face onto the body of a model in a posed scene -- stuff like a fighter pilot, medieval princess, matador, surfer dude...The main drawback to this camera is it's a real battery hog.  Stock up on extra batteries &amp; always carry some with you if you're going to shoot more than a few pictures.In all, this camera is totally worth it for the price. If you're a technophile, you probably wouldn't be looking at a low end camera anyway; this camera is the right one for everyone else who just wants to have some digital fun with pictures.
I brought my brother this camera for his job; he is a fashion stylist and he fell in love with it, the first time he used it on set! He said it was easy to use after just a couple of minutes with the instruction booklet he was taking pictures like a pro; zooming in on the details of his clothes and of the celebs in them! He loves the quality so much he no longer hires a photographer to be on set with him to grab the pictures for his portfolio that he does it himself and they look amazing! The clarity and photo quality is top notch and he even changes the background on the images and makes some truly inventive things. He raved about the camera so much that I went out and brought myself one and you know what? He was right! This is the best camera I have ever used!!
Purchased a used digital camera from individual. Received exactly what I ordered. It was shipped and received promptly and in a timelymanner. The camera was as listed and in excellent shape. The individual was very personable and promptly answered my initial query. I am very pleased with the product and Amazon's services.  Thank you.
If you can get this camera for less than $200, it's worth it. This is a perfect companion for those are new to digital imaging. Don't use the lowest quality (640x480) - not good for printing. The medium quality (1600x1200 with less compression) is best when you resize to 800x600 for printing (esp. in an under light condition). The best is to use 1600x1200 with the highhest compression - good for printing 8'x10&quot;.8MB CF won't be enough for anything. Get at least 64MB or 128MB + rechargeable battery.Pros 1: Don't need to install the software. Just plug-in the USB cable, and windows will take it as a removable drive. Very user friendly. The OS of the camera also very easy. My grandma will be able to use it without reading the manual. Pros 2: Not battery eater. I won't say it's the best, but I am quite satisfied. 80 pics taken with LCD on and transfer all of them with the same battery. Not to mention sometimes reviewing the pics taken. Pros 3: In almost totally dark condition, with highest setting, produce a decent quality.Cons 1: For Win2K users only: all HP digicam won't support CF higher than 32MB for direct transfer. You need to get a CF Reader. I have 128MB Viking and I need a CF Reader to download all the pics. No problem with other windows. Cons 2: Don't use the digital zoom. It's horrible.  Cons 3: USB Cable is very special - hard to find replacement. Cons 4: In the dark, there is no light/backlight. Not easy to control the cam.
I have had this camera for about five years and thought the poor photos were me.  But after all this time the camera is still taking bad shots.  Grainy(sp) pictures.
For the price, this camera gets the prize.  The quality of the images that it can produce rival cameras costing twice as much.  It has very little delay from when you press the trigger to when the image is imprinted. The camera is very durable and very easy to use.  The software that is included is ver simple.  In fact, I recently upgraded my camera, but I still use the HP software.
This is a great entry level camera. I have used it for years and had no problems with it. Just turn it on and shoot. Great use of battery life as well. I have shot over 800 pictures with lcd off before i had to change them.
I really like this camera for it's overall value.  It has all the functions that are important to me (2.5 zoom and 2.1 MP) at a great price.  I was a bit unhappy at the quality of the pictures in full glaring daylight.  Overall I'm very pleased with this camera.
Takes great pictures for a camera in this price range. Very easy to use. I believe the best bang for the buck. I do have complaints, but they aren't serious enough to lower the rating below 4 stars. 1)The LCD display draws .7 amps, draining your batteries fast. 2)If you purchase a larger flash card than 32 Mb must also purchase card reader if using Win XP. XP reports the card as empty or not formatted. Talked to Microsoft about problem and they state HP hasn't come out with a driver for XP [at the time of this review].
I paid [money] for this camera and couldn't be more thrilled. I did not do as some have done during ratingas as my rating was based on price/performance. While there are many cameras out there with better features, none beat this camera in price/performance ratio. You can set the camera for high resolution and it will take fantastic, detailed pics. You can set it for low res and save almost 700 photos on a 64 mb Compactflash card.(Not included, but cheap). If you are planning on using zoom then you will need to spend more money and get optical zoom.The digital zoom leaves a little to be desired but I didn't buy this for zooming. Therefore it gets a 5 out of 5.
COMPARED TO OTHER CAMERAS I HAVE USED THIS ONE IS EXCELLENT FOR THE MONEY. I HAVE OWNED A KODAK OF THE SAME QUALITY AND THE HP IS FAR BETTER. RESOLUTION CONTROL IS ON TOP OF THE CAMERA.THAT IS NICE TO HAVE AT YOUR FINGER TIPS. USB INTERFACE BEATS SERIAL PORT ANYDAY. HP STUFF IS GREAT ANYWAY. FOR THE MONEY IT CAN'T BE BEAT.
A maximum of 24MB Flash can be used on this thing without a card reader. 24 MB isnt that big. I am a bit teed off because I had to dig this info up. I had purchased a 64MB Sandisk. Dont buy more than 24MB unless you also buy a card reader which will allow you to remove the card from the camera and hook it to your pc like a floopy disk.
I really like the HP PhotoSmart 315 Digital Cameraby Hewlett Packard. This is my first digital camera. It's really easy to use, and takes very good pictures! Uploading the pics to your computer couldn't be easier. All you have to do is install the software and plug the camera into your computer. The software prompts you on what to do next. Great starter camera!
This is a very good camera for the price, and for anyone who wants to take snapshots and various shots for fun and leisure, it is probably the best I have encountered for the price (trust me, I did plenty of research before purchasing).  The USB download capability and camera recognition software has always worked flawlessly for me, and with a program such as PhotoSuite or PictureIt, you can really get great results with a decent quality inkjet printer.  The prints also look great on webpages where resolution can be lowered.For the serious buyer, I should point out a few shortcomings.  First, the batteries do tend to drain quickly, but this is lessened by using the lcd screen only when needed and keeping the camera off unless ready to shoot.  Also, the zoom is a bit awkward to use unless you have a stationary object that you are aiming at.  In addition, the lcd screen is not very well-lit and may not be visible at all in medium to low-light situations.  Finally, the pictures can get grainy if enlarges too much - grainier than I expected for a 2.1 megapixel.Still, despite the drawbacks, this camera is a standard in my house now for shots of family and friends, and can produce some very nice results.
I first purchased the HP 215 Digital Camera. I was low on money and thought it would do a great job. It did except for one thing. I didn't want to burn up the batteries so fast so I did not use the LCD. I trusted the Optical wievfinder and when I got the pictures downloaded, they were all shifted to the left and to the top by 1/4th of the frame. I upgraded to the 315 for $100 more and have been happy ever sence. With this camera, you can totally trust the viewfinder and know that &quot;What you see, is what you get!&quot; I can take up to 400 pictures in the &quot;Fine&quot; mode with Enegizer Titanium batteries. This is, of coarse, without using the LCD. Pictures are crystal clear and you can go as close as 10&quot; for close-ups. I use 64mb of compact flash and get up to 173 pictures in fine mode. If you take lots of pictures, this will be plenty of memory unless you go to Las Vegas and try to shoot everything there is! This Camera is the Best for the price. Very Easy to use. HP gets 5 stars from me!!
I bought the HP 315 Photosmart camera several months ago to learn about digital photography. Before using it, I had seldom produced a picture I would call remarkable, so the low cost of the camera was attractive. Thanks to the high storage capacity and reusability of Compact Flash cards, I have been able to capture hundreds and hundreds of images at a very low cost, and throw away the bad ones. Slowly but surely, I am becoming a better photographer, an accomplishment I never would have achieved at the high cost of film and film processing. I carry the HP 315 everywhere. I send digital pictures as email attachments to family and friends each week, and soon I'll burn CD photo albums as holiday gifts. This camera is perfect for me. With two 256MB Compact Flash cards in my pocket, I can travel and snap pictures for weeks without ever having to offload the images onto my Mac. In my opinion, the digital camera is to photography what word processing is to computing, a tool that enables everyone to create something useful, maybe even something extraordinary. Don't hestitate. Even camera and computer phobics will fall in love with this one!
The newer models are so weak and fragile comapred to this camera.  While at 2 MP it is now a dinosaur, the exterior is incredibly tough and has survived being dropped, fallen down stairs, had soda and gasoline spilled on it, been through flames (briefly by accident) and has been stepped on.It is still working and taking photos for my job that I need it for daily.  It is a VERY durable camera!The con to this one is that it only has digital zoom, no optical zoom capability.  Optical Zoom produces the best photo quality.  Digital Zoom makes the image look more and more pixelated as you go higher on the zoom level.  It is best for small pictures used for emailing - not the best for printing, though it will do decent for 4x6 photos!It also has a long delay for start-up and between the time you take the photo and the time it actually flashes....too long of a delay really so you have to hold still a few moments...But overall a very durable camera, good for kids where photos aren't as important and good for kids because it's very durable with them!The compact flash cards are very cheap now so the cards for this camera can be bought for around $30 at Best Buy for up to 512MB of storage!!
This camera came bundled with an HP printer purchased from Wal-Mart about..oh..5 or 6 years ago when I was stationed in Hawaii.  It was a great upgrade from our sub-megapixel camera that had just broken.  I can't even remember the size of the card that came with it but upgraded to a 1GB Flash card.  The amount of 2MP pics you can take are endless.  The printer stunk and I gave it away as soon as the ink cartridges ran out, but the camera stayed and I still have it today.Heres the meat, pros and cons:Pros:-It takes excellent pictures.  The pictures we were taking from Hawaii actually spawned an HP digital camera revolution amongst my family.  They went out and bought a few High Quality HP cameras (much better than this one).-It can take a lickin' and keeps on....working.  I've dropped it, my wife has dropped, my daughter has dropped it; the batteries will pop out, but we stick them back in and it works.  Dropping it on concrete gave the thing a few scuffs though.-Ease of use.  Turn it on, and it's a no brainer.  You don't need a stinkin' manual for this one.-It has a viewfinder.  Nice feature to have when it's sunny or you're trying to preserve battery power.Cons:-Bulky.  It's bigger than my 60GB camcorder.  It wasn't "cute" enough for my wife so I had to by her a Coolpix.-Battery.  It takes sooooo many batteries - 4 AAs.  That's a bunch.  And it goes through them quicker than a alcoholic through a 6-pack of Bud.Hawaii was sunny, which meant that we couldn't see the lcd display most of the time.  We used the view finder A LOT.-Charge time to next picture.  Yes, it's slow.  Missed a lot of shots waiting for the thing to get ready for the next available picture op.Tips:I've never had an issue taking an action shot.  I found that if I depressed the shoot button half way to initiate the focus and simply followed what ever it was that was moving, then depressed the button all the way for the instant shot, it would always take a clear shot.  This trick seems to work on many digital cameras that have issues with action shots.Overall:There's way better cameras out there now.  This was over 5 years ago.  Technology has advanced far enough now that you can afford a camera much cheaper than this with better quality and a higher mega pixel shot.  But at that time, it was a great addition to our family and is still occasionally used to this day (when I scrape up a handful of AA batteries).
I purchased this item from H. Lance of New York. The product turned out to be in excellent condition for use in my work. The seller was quite promt with the shipping and included a usb cord, camera case, and a kind note of appreciation/thanks for the purchase. This is a great product, which replaced my broken one, and I would not hesitate to purchase items from this particular seller again.
This camera was another one of those gifts I couldn't use because I wouldn't upgrade from Windows 95, and truth be told I just liked film, so the little camera found its way into the closet; however, when I upgraded to anApple iMac G5 Desktop with 17" M9843LL/A (1.8 GHz PowerPC G5, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)last summer I hooked it up and was very impressed with the results (I've included six examples in the "share a photo" section, all were taken with the "Fine" photo quality setting (1200X1600 resolution.) A "Basic" (640X480) and "SuperFine" (1200X1600) are also available. Be sure to get a case to protect your camera, the best one I've seen is theHP PhotoSmart Padded Hip Pouch for use with HP PhotoSmart Digital Cameras 215, 315, 618.This is a beginners camera that was outdated years ago, yet it takes pictures that are more clear and colorful than any comparable digital camera I've compared it to, including a few new cameras that are supposed to be marketed at more discerning customers. A friend of mine with a new and more capable camera was actually a bit miffed when he compared the results of our impromptu comparison test. I used it for Ebay and got fantastic results. I've also used it to print photos on aHP PhotoSmart 7760 Photo Printerand got very good results as well.I've been using this camera for almost a year now and it has weathered over 100,000 miles of driving, bad roads, getting tossed into bags (then carried into hotels), so long as I am reasonably careful (its tough, but not built like a tank.) The only objection I've had is a problem taking pictures of a very fast airplane that was powered by a rocket engine (and I managed to get a few ok pics of the plane anyway.) For the tiny price you pay to get an HP 315 today, plus the very inexpensive memory cards it uses, this is a fantastic starter camera.
The PhotoSmart C315 was actually my third choice when I was looking into digital cameras. I'd considered the Olympus, but ruled it out on features. I then settled on the Fuji, which was out of stock. Being in a hurry, I switched to this one and have been very happy with the choice.Being a Mac person, my choices were limited to begin with, but I made the right one here... even if it was by default. Not only does this camera give crisp images, but it also mounts to my desktop as an external USB hard drive for click-and-drag simplicity.FYI- When not using the LCD monitor as a viewfinder, the batteries will last quite a bit longer. Also, the Super Fine mode cuts the number of pictures you can take in half with negligible quality difference between the Fine mode. Stay with Fine unless you're just set on having fewer pictures.Overall, this camera gives high quality images and is easy to use.
I bought this camera 4-1-2001 and so far I am very pleased! I love to take pictures with it and love the software included. There are all kinds of fun templates for creating a photo album and editing photos... The HP315 came with everything I needed to get started...I knew that digital cameras drain batteries horrifically...The batteries that were included ran out within a few hours of playing with the camera using the LCD and downloading and what not, which seemed ridiculously fast to me!!! ... I think I'll buy another set of rechargeables (NiMH) so when I'm using one set, I can charge the others. Otherwise, I could just charge the set I have now when I'm asleep... I do love this camera's simplicity and quality, and I highly recommend it, especially for beginners &amp; intermediates. I've printed out some wonderful pictures of my kids and pets in fine mode on plain paper with great results! This is a great camera...
I searched for a long time before I decided that the HP Photosmart 315 was going to be my choice.  It has the right mix of features, ease of use, and so far I've been extremely happy.  When set on the highest resolution, it takes great pics, worthy of any traditional point and shoot.  I have an iMac running OS X, and I use iPhoto to manage all my pictures.  The two work great together.  The only reason I don't give it five stars is the LCD screen could be brighter, and it's a little larger than I thought it would be.  But for the price, those are relatively small issues.
OK, basics: Picture quality is very good, resolution is obviously not sharp as a film camera, but for e-mail and 4x6 prints the HP315 is very good.-With the 8 meg card it comes with, low res setting holds 79 pictures, med holds 19, high holds 9 pictures. Medium/low res. are good for e-mail, high/medium res. are good for printing.-I got a 64meg memory card for it, (by Sandisk) low-649 med-162, and high-81 pictures.(Maybe i bought too big. :) ) But larger flash cards take a bit longer for the camera to recognize: when you turn on the camera there is a couple of seconds you have to wait before you can shoot. The 8-meg card took 2-3 seconds the 64-neg card takes 5-6 seconds before you can shoot.-Transfering to computer is easy, (i'm on a mac) USB connection took about 1-2 minutes to transfer a full 8 megs.-Only cons for this camera are the battery life, because unless you have a couple of sets of rechargable batteries(I have three sets) or the more expensive NIMH? batteries, (which I have heard good things about), you will not be able to use the LCD screen when shooting your pictures, as this eats up the batteries. Which is a shame, because the digital zoom is rendered hard to use, as you need the LCD to choose it via the menu. And well I assumed the LCD was a standard function which HP should have thought of when making this camera. (Digital zoom of course is just an internal magnification/cropping of the image and not a true zoom like "optical" zoom) With the LCD off however i can go 3-4 days with one set of batteries. (4AA's)I am very happy with the camera though, the picture quality is excellent, a bit dark on most indoor shots. I use it for shots of friends, parties, sketching for work, sending via e-mail, etc. If you are looking for an excellent entry level digital camera this is a very good choice, despite the battery life. Buy more batteries and good luck.
I bought this camera at a store liquidation. I thought that Hewlett Packard would probably deliver a decent level of quality, but not necessarily the best. As I was planning on using it mainly to sell stuff on online auctions, I didn't need a camera with lots of features or spectacular quality.The controls on this camera are very easy. I suppose if one wanted to they could get away with just pressing various buttons until they got to the menu item they wanted. You can simply link the camera up to a USB port and not bother with installing software.The quality of picture, however, was rather fuzzy. I sell collectibles online, and the camera did not capture enough detail to show if the item I was selling was damaged or not. I stood from a few feet to 12 feet away, no difference. I finally gave up and sold it to someone else who didn't mind the quality issues. I think this camera does particularly poor at short distances. My work had a different brand camera, same megapixels. It did a much better job, and I currently awaiting my new Olympus.If quality is a rather low concern and the price you're getting is very low, this camera might be worth it. If there's not that much price difference between this camera and another with better quality (say a Nikon Coolpix 2500), I'd opt for the other camera.
I absolutely love it and wish I had had it years ago!  I love it so much that we have actually gone on to order all the lenses available, such as the telephoto..super close up...zoom...and the polarizer filter, as well as a tripod.  I still need a power adapter and am hesitant to pay [$] to HP to get one....I dont understand why just any 6 volt adapter wouldnt work if the polarity was correct....I am researching this.  I highly recommend this camera....it will pay for its self in just a few years... especially if you have kids and pets you love to take pictures of!
2.1 megapixels for under [price]!  Sound too good to be true?  It is.  This camera disappoints on a number of levels.  Image stabilization is non-existent.  Nearly every shot has some blur to it.  The delay from when you press the shutter button is unbelievably long, consequently, the picture you take inevitably is never the one you thought you took.  The flash is useless outside of 3 feet. The viewer cannot be seen outside in the sun rendering it unavailable for outdoor shots.  "Zoom" takes place in increments of .5x making it more difficult to frame a shot.  I rarely make poor purchases, but this one was a turkey. Caveat Emptor
I bought this camera in April and have had great luck with it.  I think that for the money, it is a great &quot;starter&quot; digital camera.  There aren't a lot of confusing options, and it is very easy to operate.  I suggest buying an a/c adapter with this (or any) digital camera to avoid draining the batteries if you are near an outlet while shooting, or while unloading the camera.  My only complaints are that it can't take action shots because the subject blurs.  To be honest, I am not experienced enough to know if this happens with more expensive digital cameras or not.  But for basic photography, I think this is a great choice.  I have never had a mechanical problem with it, and I think it has paid for itself in the film development costs I've avoided...you only get the good shots printed, and just delete the bad ones!
I just Bought this camera today and so far it is the simpleist one I have ever saw to use. I have not Printed anything from it yet but it should be Great. I do not know why some people have said that you can't turn off the auto focus because you can it is the button on the top next to the flash symbol.The battery issue is the only thing that worries me.I have looked for an affordable Digital Camera for some time now and this is it most 2.1 MP cameras are well over $200.00 and 4.3 MP cameras are mostly $500.00 this one will do till I can afford to get one of them.
I bought this camera about 1 month ago.I have used it to take pics for my websites and the pics have come out, for the most part very nicely. The pictures are very clear and look very nice when I upload them to my computer.It's a bit misleading to take pictures with the camera because I still haven't found the so-called zoom, and the images I am capturing look far away. But so far I know basically what I am trying to capture and I know (now from experience) that the details will be in the picture when I upload it to Paint Shop Pro (my editing program).The camera takes 10 pictures at a time for me, before becoming full. This isn't really a problem yet so I haven't bought a flashcard.The batteries remain at full power and I haven't had to change them since I bought the camera. I don't use an AC adaptor either, so that is promising.Note that I haven't used the viewing screen on the camera yet (I don't really like them) and this supposedly uses a lot of battery power.Overall, I am very happy with the quality of this camera.
Believe it or not, I got this camera from my mother who originally purchased it in approximately 2003, and passed it on to me in approximately 2007. It still works, though it has its downfalls such as dead pixels and it needs good light in order to take good/decent pictures (bad light often produces the noise), but it has withstood drops, dust, everything that has been thrown at it, unlike today's porcelain doll cameras which can't. Reading the other reviews here, I am SO GLAD that I am not the only one who feels this way, I was really feeling that I was. If only they didn't change a good thing. It is a decent sized camera and the non-retractable lens with a slide-able cover is not afraid of dust. It also drains batteries (AA) like crazy, you may want to use rechargeable ones with this camera or ones which last a long time. A SD card is a MUST, internal storage can only take 11 "large" photos (camera can take super small, medium, and large photos, but I imagine you'll only want large ones. Press the button with three diamonds under it to change the photo size, when I was first using this camera it was extremely disappointing to randomly get tiny photos and not know why, I later figured it out).
I have owned this camera for almost 2 years and absolutely love it.  For a point and shoot style of picture taking, in the digital realm, it can't be beat.  I've taken almost 2000 snapshots with my HP315.  I've used it on vacation, for family snapshots, for capturing images of woodcarvings for my website, etc.  Typically, I use the medium resolution, occasionally the high res.  Medium seems to be fine for viewing pictures online or for informal prints.  High res is definitely better for printing w/ photo paper.  The camera can be hard on batteries, but limiting the use of the LCD view screen greatly extends battery life.  I essentially only use the screen to review the picture immediately after taking it (the camera defaults to briefly showing the image and allowing you to accept or delete it).  I use the traditional view finder to take most pictures.  This REALLY saves the batteries; to the point where I can't remember the last time I've replaced them.  I would recommend a higher capacity CF card, I use a 128mb; also, a CF card reader is a must.  If you're looking for a digital camera at around 2 megapixel for casual snapshots, this camera can't be beat!
At [...] you can buy an adaptor mount for mounting 30mm accessory lenses and filters to the HP PhotoSmart 315 digital camera.The lenses available are: 30mm 0.7x Wide Angle Lens; 30mm Super Close Up Lens, +18; 30mm 1.3x Telephoto Lens and the filters available are 30mm Circular Polarizer Filter and a 30mm UV Protection Filter.I am delighted with this camera.  At first I was unimpressed with the image quality, but then I read the manual!  Turned out I'd had it on the lowest setting.I bought some glossy photo paper for my inkjet printer and printed some out only yesterday and already had a friend mistake them for actual professional photo prints.I solved the battery life problem by buying a set of Rayovac Ultra Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and they work *great*!  I should mention that I use the LCD screen all the time.  It's been days since I last recharged, even though I take my camera everywhere with me (and have a cute little kid just begging for photos to be taken).I would recommend this camera to anyone!
Excellent camera! 8mb card holds 80 pictures at the lowest resolution and are very viewable. Pictures print good and email quickly. When saving pictures to a computer a new folder is created using the current date and time. Very nice for when you begin using the same numbers and don't want to overwrite older pictures. The HP315 camera lets you look through a viewfinder or through a LCD display. We are really enjoying the camera. Great quality for the price.
I bought this camera for my husband not knowing anything about this type of thing.  I was afraid to do so on the net but I want to tell you this was the best little camera I could have ever chosen.  We take it where ever we go and it is less expensive to operate than our other camera.  We just print out our photos if we like.(have a hpPSC500 copier)and the photos are outstanding.  I am an artist and it is wonderful to get subject matter very inexpensively.  If you don't like the picture, you just delete it. We use this to go out and take a picture and shoot it to the friends and family all across the U.S. and world.  Great way to communicate.  This camera holds 80 pictures and that is a lot of memories and subject matter.  Love the quality of print, clarity and I don't know when I have found a toy for my husband that &quot;I love so much!&quot;  Incidently, he uses it more than he does his other professional 35 milimeter and he is a simi pro.  Started out with this interest as a teen ager and is now 70.  Wow, what a camera!
This is my first digital camera and knowing nothing about how to work them I have to say after reading all the reviews on this I'm so glad I chose this one,I found it very easy to use and the pics I took came out great even the one of a rock in the river with water over it came out great.I found even in very low light &quot;my&quot; pics still came out nice and clear,inside and outside shots.The only thing I found confusing was unloading the pics to my pc but after awhile I did get them in,I don't think it's the user's guide,it's just me(not very good at that kind of stuff).I gave this five stars because for someone that's real new to using the pc this is a really easy camera to use and the pics come out great.I even use the LCD but do have an AC adaptor that came with mine and I would tell people to buy one if your like me and like to preview evey pic that you take.Great camera and great price.
I just got my HP C315xi today and I think it is a wonderful camera. It's very easy to use. You just plug in the batteries and you are good to go. The instruction manual is very easy to understand. This camera is sized the same as most regular cameras. I also recommend getting the Viking Compact Flash card of about 64 Mb which is a [good price]. This card will store a lot more pictures and will be greatly useful. The pictures taken cannot be matched by a manual camera but they are quite good and I am yet to get them printed out. The software provided is easy to use and does everything for you. You may want to get a case for the camera (hp does not include one) and also an adapter to save on the batteries when uploading pics to the computer if you like.This camera from HP is a very good buy. HP has excellent customer service and amazon is very prompt and efficient with the delivery. Overall your reading the review of a very pleased customer !
Great starter camera that is very user friendly with absolutely no learning curve.  Extremely sturdy unlike new more sophisticated models.
I am very impressed with this camera.  I have owned several other digital cameras and this is the first one I have used that makes me even consider giving up my 35mm SLR.  The only feature I would need to make me give up my film camera would be interchangeable lenses.The only downside of this camera is that it tends to eat batteries.  I would recommend the Lithium batter pack or getting some high quality NiMH batteries.  Using the LCD chews up a lot of battery life.  After every picture is taken the LCD turns on and shows you the picture.  I haven't found a way to turn the LCD off yet but I feel sure there is a menu option to override the default.
This is the third digital camera that I have purchased (I sent the other two back because they were both disappointments).  I was jaded. I wanted many things on a digital camera that i never thought I'd find. I wanted easy features that i could control without having to go through a bunch of lame menus.  I wanted a good zoom. I wanted at least 2 megapixels. I wanted to have good control of my picture taking, and to be able to see 'through the lens', like an SLR 35. I was sure it wouldn't happen...And then, I found the 912. What can I say? Well, in a nutshell: this baby ROCKS! Great pics with excellent clarity and color; great detail in shadows; manual control on about everything. Aperture, focus, shutter speed, it's all easily adjustable! What's that you say? You like to play with the variables, but don't want to spend all day 'tinkering'? No problem! You want macro? turn the dial to the flower, and you are good to go. You want landscape? turn the dial to the mountain. you want quick and easy night shots without dealing with all the aperture/shutter/exposure levels? turn the dial to night, and you're DONE! Action? NO PROBLEM! This camera has so many great features on the body of the camera that everything is just soooo easy to adjust and play with! the battery drain kinda honks, but i bought some rechargeables, and snapped like 100 pics, about half with the flash, before they ran out. the software is probably the best that I've seen come bundled (don't expect photoshop, but you will get good applications that grab your photos right off the camera and save them right to the hard drive folder of your choice, AND, the previewing is super easy!).  also, the cam comes with straps, lens caps, and a little catalog of all the extras you can get for it from a third party dealer. This puppy has 47mm threads (i think they are 47 mm...?) and you can put tons of different filters, zoom lenses, etc. on this bad boy. This is the probably the best SLR-type digi cam for under $1000 on the market. if you want more megapixels, look elsewhere. but if you are a 35mm enthusiast that wants similar control, at a pretty decent price, on your digi, then look no further! Oh, by the way, this camera has a diopter on the eyepiece, that I still don't quite understand it's purpose... it allows you to focus on your subject, but has no effect on the actual image. Huh? Can someone help me out on that one... One thing: the price on this cam went up $100 between the day I purchased it, and the day I received it. I got the lower price, but what's with the sudden jump in price?...This thing is a champ! Best Around! KUDOS! HP/Pentax have done their homework!
I have always used a good 35mm SLR and owned a photolab for many years, so I know what I am talking about when I talk of quality photos.Wanting to get into digital photography on a budget, I bought Mustek MD800 a couple of years ago and it was a disaster. Pics were dreadful and the color/exposure was almost toxic. Every now and then I would check and see if there was anything exciting and affordable on the web and that was when i found the HP 912. I took a long time to make up my mind and to actualy buy it due to residual fear from the last digital fiasco, but the leap of faith was worth it. I just could not believe the list of everything it can do, and that made me even more sceptical. After it arrived, I was taking pics within 5 minutes and was amazed at the quality. Since then, I have put it through it's paces and everything works just as they claimed. Even the built in flash is far more powerful than i thought possible. In flash shots I am so used to seeing the faces over exposed (all bleached out) and the background pitch black, but with this camera the results are quite startling. I took a whole bunch of pics on Christmas day in the sittingroom while the kids were opening their gifts and was surprised to see that things were clearly visible in the diningroom - over 20 feet away and the subjects in the foreground were perfectly exposed! And it is all so easy to do! The results are far more pleasing than my 35mm outfit which cost me well over two thousand dollars. Another thing I found interesting is that I got 154 shots out of the 4 AA batteries that came with the camera! Very economical!
I Love it.. So far it has lived up to what it says.Will be taking a Lot of pictures with this. It was bigger than it looked too.I Love the remote my sisters and I got some good pictures no back of the head shots are up the nose shots. We just used the little remote and got all kinds of group shots. No More Running. It is just great If you want a camera this is the one you want.Also you can get a lot more goodies for it Like more lens and filters. Shopping at ... made it a lot nicer and easier  too..
I spent some time looking around before buying. This camera gives me the level of control/options/manual override that I am used to in 35mm cameras. My 35mm camera is a Pentax, so the controls and functions are familiar. I also like the SLR operation and the size/weight/feel of the camera.A couple of worthwhile plus points:1.  The battery is a rechargeable video camera battery and has very good life - you can take a couple of hundred pictures including a good number with flash without it needing to be recharged. Much better performance than my friends have been able to get from their cameras.2.  The direct, onboard, USB connenction makes downloading images to my PC very simple and quick. The CompactFlash card format is maturing - large capacity cards are readily available and not too expensive.Just two small quibbles:1.  The camera has a hot-shoe flash attachment but only works in manual (not automatic TTL) mode. This means my Pentax flash unit fits but doesn't work in with the metering system.2.  The 'continuous' mode takes a picture every few seconds. You'd be hoping for perhaps 2 per second. This feature isn't actually useful at that speed.Those two small things aside I've been very happy with the camera and the results I've been able to get with it.Michael
This is a circa 2000-2001 camera that on the surface resembles an SLR, but in function is more like a point and shoot.  I had one for almost four years, until the LCD died, and got another a few years ago off Ebay that had only 54 exposures.  It was the first "serious" digital camera I had, and the first camera period where I learned to shoot good photos.They're very scarce now, probably because they weren't popular, and the same model was also sold as the Pentax EL-2000.  In general appearance it resembles a "real" 35mm film camera and has about the same weight and feel.  It relies on buttons and dials rather than internal menus as most digital cameras do today. The lens is a 8.5-25.8mm which is 3X, roughly equivalent to the 18-55mm on most of today's DSLR cameras.  The f-stop is 2.5-3.9, which is fairly fast, but it's permanently attached.  The zoom is motorized with an odd turn, you twist the lens barrel to zoom in and out.  The motorized zoom is a prime failure point in digital cameras, and is my biggest complaint against the 912; there's simply no reason for it to have one.  The lens is non-extending and fixed, it would have been cheaper and more practical to have a manual zoom, but that's the way it is.It takes compact flash cards; coming from the day when 64MB was considered big even a 512MB card will hold 490 photos, plenty for any practical use.  The battery is very big and is a Lithium-Ion, which is surprising considering the age of the camera.  Battery life is good but not great, easily a few hundred shots.  There was also an adapter sold that let it work with 4AA batteries.The LCD flips up but does not rotate, and it is a true TTL (Through The Lens) viewfinder. However it's not a mirror like an SLR, instead it's a beam splitter, and bright light from behind you can find it's way into your image.The picture quality in the right conditions can be very good but not contest winning.  With 2.24MP there's no room to crop or squeeze out extra detail.  Some of the down points are very slow operation, reviewing pictures can take several minutes if you have a lot. The max ISO of 400 and burst mode of something like one frame per second means it won't be winning any speed contests. For older cameras like this I usually tell people to think of it as a film camera with a manual advance.It uses the standard (big size) USB cable to download pictures, advanced for the time as back then the big deal was Firewire.  The C912 is also notable as the operating system supported custom scripts for the camera's operation/processing and supposedly there was a website where people could trade and download them but I never saw any.There's something endearing about the C912, from the little hoot-toot chime it makes when it starts to the old school feeling of taking time to compose and set up a shot, but it's so far behind the times today it's really only a novelty.
I've been very happy with this purchase.  The 2.5 Mega pixels are just fine for printing 5x7 prints, and 8x10's if you set the picture up well.  The features of the camera are many, the automatic ones work great and there are overrides on almost all of the auto ones.  I take up close &quot;macro&quot; pictures a lot and was thinking about getting a ring flash, but so far I've been pretty happy with the built in flash lighting up my subject...  This feature and two others are why I would recommend this.  You can set the ASA from 25 up to 400 (a lot of other cameras have one setting 100).  The other feature is the compact flash memory, they work well and I feel they're very reliable.
The C912 camera takes great pictures but does not perform well when you want to shoot with manual settings. This camera won't replace a 35MM SLR as I had hoped. Overall, I think I would have been better off buying a new 35MM SLR camera and a smaller digital camera like the Olympus C700. I sure miss my old Canon AE1!Shortcomings:1) Manual focus is a joke. You have to select between distance settings measured in "meters." I haven't found a way to change the readings to "feet." Adjustments to the manual focus are done at the back of the camera where your left thumb is. Neither the LCD display nor the viewfinder work very well for judging focus. I'd suggest that you set the camera for a small aperture so you'll get fairly well focused pics. Manual focus on the lens like a standare 35MM would be way way better.2) The hot shoe only has one contact; you'll have to shoot with manual exposure settings when using an add-on flash unit.3) Very low light pictures shot at long exposure come out with "noise" in the picture that looks like snowflakes.4) When using the flash, aperture or shutter speed priority perform poorly. I would have expected the flash to compensate better for changes to aperture and shutter speed. I've taken some pic's that came out with poor exposure this way.5) The camera is as large as a 35MM SLR, too big to put in your pocket. On the bright side, you don't have to worry about it falling out of your pocket...6) Shooting in Automatic mode provides average focus so you get pictures that are often out of focus.7) The autofocus has a half-second or so delay that you have to compensate for. I guess all auto focus cameras perform this way. You have to shoot in manual focus to get instant shutter response. I sure miss my old Canon AE1.8) A 10x zoom lens like the Olympus C700 would be much better. A removable lens like standard a real 35MM SLR camera would make this camera the best thing since sliced bread! The 3x zoom is okay for general photography. I should have bought the C700!9) Zoom is electric not mechanical. It's adjusted on the lens like a 35MM focus ring. It's a bit slow to respond. Mechanical would have been way better.Advantages:1) Shooting in "P" for program mode and set with center point focus produces excellent pictures just about all the time.2) The flash is small but quite powerful.3) The camera has an excellent look and feel.4) Diopter allows you adjust the viewfinder to your eye so you can shoot without your glasses and see clearly.5) The camera is built very well. This is one of the main reasons I bought it. I'm sure it can take quite a hit without breaking. You could probably use it to break open walnuts! The lens is enclosed so it doesn't extend in and out like smaller cameras. The lens is built to accept screw-on filters and telephoto and other lenses without Mickey Mouse adapters. Install a clear filter the day you get the camera to protect the lens from dirt and finger prints.6) The camera uses a proprietary battery pack or standard AA batteries. Rechargeable 1700mAh AA NiMH Batteries and a Radio Shack one-hour charger perform well and cost half of what you'll pay for the HP battery and charger. I use the 6-volt AC power supply that came with my camcorder to power the camera without batteries and have had no problems.7) The date displays on the image. A note and logo can also be displayed on the image.8) Sound recording is a pretty cool feature. No video recording and glad.9) A PCMCIA adapter for the compact flash can be bought for [price]. It's fantastic for vacation. I bring along my old laptop to download pictures every evening. 64MB holds 58 pic's at highest resolution.
Excellent value in these all around binoculars.  Easy to focus and you'll appreciate that they are armored when you drop them.  Virtually indestructable.  A frequent travel companion that stowes easily.
What a joy it was to use these binoculars this last hunting season in NE PA.  Put them up and everything is in focus.  Well not everything because as others have posted objects near by are a blur.  But beyond that is clear as a bell out to the edge of what you can see.  The clarity is very good as is the brightness.  I wish I could report that without these I would not have seen the deer that I got but no deer this year.  However, I am really sure that I did not miss seeing one as it was so easy to look at everything around me I am sure that if they were there you would see them very clearly.I marked it down one star because of two reasons.  The first is that after using them in an all day rain one of the lenses fogged up.  I hope this is an infrequent defect as I am sending them back and replacing them with a new pair. The other reason is less of an issue but something you need to be aware of.  When you do have something close by that are in the view of the one of the lenses you get a sense of something blurring what you are looking at.  So if you are in really heavy cover it might be an issue when trying to see something that might be far enough away to be seen clearly but that view will be hurt by the blur of close by objects.  This issue is really outweighed by the simplicity of just looking and not trying to focus to the right range of something you want to see.  With previous glasses it was easy to completely miss viewing a deer you saw because you failed to get the right focus in time.  with these you just ID something unique in the area you are looking and then scan around near and far.  With the others I would have to focus on the unique thing and then focus in or out to where what I wanted to look at was.  Anyone who has hunting for deer know that many times they only give you a moment where they are visible before they fade into the background.  Being able to see everything at 10X really helped me ID birds, and squirrels that were making noises.  It really is amazing how easily you can spot anything.I am sure that the clarity is not equal to that of the more expensive brands that have this auto focus feature but I do not think that the difference could be all that great to justify more than twice the cost.
Bought these for my son who is new to hunting. He is very pleased with the product.  They  are better quality than a pair of Nikon binoculars we already own.
It worked out very well for both me and my dad. He wanted new ones so I bought him some and he gave me his old ones! ;)
The automatic viewing on these binoculars are great! I have paid more money for binoculars from other companies and they were not as good. The only drawback for this item is the case and cord. I will have to buy them separately so I will have a nice set. I like and don't like the color, but a least I can see them easier when I lay them down somewhere. I must say that Amazon is one of the best companies I have ever ordered from and they are good people!
Ok for the price. I liked the focus - less operation but it left no option for observing details on nearby objects. Much more expensive binoculars looked better, especially in low light. My pair have mysteriously failed about a year after purchase. The two views are vertically skewed making them unusable.
They are very nice looking but I could not get them to focus until after 40+ yards.  Does not work well for me when bow hunting.
Nice for the price.  I am a casual, occasional user and I am satisfied with the product.
These binoculars are wonderful, easy to use, not too heavy, and work for anyone who wants to see the nature in a whole new way!Nothing fancy about them, they just WORK which is great for someone like me who is going on a Christmas trip to Colorado and needs to take in the views. The sight is x100 so you can look up at the night sky at the moon and see the dark spots and craters in remarkable fashion. It's so close up and clear, I can read the inspection stickers on cars in the parking lot of my apartment building from the third floor, wowza!Truly spec-tacular..hee hee hee :)
I use them for hunting, I have a nice rifle and scope set up for when I need to see any closer.  I use these to spot my targets out to about 150 yards with excellent clarity.  They pick up light and are easy to use even during dusk and dawn.
Insta Focus lever bar enables easy, fast, accurate, clear focusing with index fingers. Light weight makes comfortable holding and wearing around neck. 10x50 power stable vision hand held. $31 and Prime incredible value.
Man, for the price it is one decent piece of equipment for my modest needs of occasional tourist. It also got some tough treatment and withstood it heroically. It is sharp enough for me. If you need a binocular of the size for general field trip where kids and other people who do not care too much about gentle optics will use it, it is one you wish to buy. On other hand, if you know binoculars and expect top performance you need something more refined. For a general, not fancy, public it is awesome buy!
I like the quality on this binoculars.First pair and none other to compare to, but is it normal to have double vision? Is it adjustable? or is this a defect pair? i really like the build of this binocular. planning to use it for hiking trip in future.
I truly love these binoculars.  I use them mostly for backyard bird and wildlife watching, and they are perfect for that.  I really like the sliding adjustment knob - it's so easy to home in and get a clear view of Woody Woodpecker or Screwy Squirrel, even from 100 or 150 feet.I would strongly recommend these to any casual birdwatcher, hiker, tourist, etc.
I'm buying the Binoculars for my grandchildren.  I bought one to check it out and now will buy two more.  They requested these for Christmas for birdwatching.  I found them very easy to focus which is a plus with young children.  The clarity was surprisingly very good.
I didn't realize how technology has changed since I got my first binoculars when I was very young.  These are very good quality binoculars and it is so much fun snooping on the birds and helicopters (but NOT the neighbors)
We have a Bed & Breakfast with an ocean view and I bought one for each of our rooms.  Easy to focus and the guest love watching Whales, Eagles, Osprey and all the other critters that come by! It was a good choice and the price was great!
Delivery was prompt and the price was reasonable. Our family has been through several pairs of binoculars! Having kids and grandkids has been rough on binoculars, no matter how careful they may try to be. If these get dropped, we will not feel  devastated because they are not that expensive.  The wide field of view (for 10X) is ideal for the rural area we live in. The focus is easy, with or without glasses and the image is sharp. There is no color distortion as you see with some binoculars.  We were not impressed with the lens caps, which are pretty loose, but we don't normally use them anyway.  These binoculars  are big and not as portable as the 7X35's, but that's understandable for 10X50's.  I have looked at the moon and some stars, although I had to to &#34;prop&#34; them to get a steady view. If you plan to carry your binoculars  for long walks, you might want to get something a little smaller, but for us, these are perfect.
I'm a total amateur using binoculars, so it took me some time to get used to focus clearly, however, I quickly discovered that focusing shouldn't be so hard, and then realized that the product had a defect in one of the objectives. It was twisted a little bit to the left, so it always made hard to visualize correctly and you needed to give some space between your eyes and the binos.I really don't recommend the product.
They are not easy to use. If its just you, then no problem, but if you pass them around, there might be a problem. These are not your father's binoculars.I do like the wide angle, and the lenses don't distort, so they're worth the bucks.
This is fixed 10x -- not a zoom. Didn't realize that when I bought... even so, it works fine for the price. Using this, in the suburbs, I was able to see (albeit faintly) the Andromeda galaxy and the orion nebula. I can't wait to try out somewhere in the countryside... these are useful but of course, now I am left wanting more.
This is an inexpensive pair of basic binoculars and is great for a beginner, as I am.  I want to see the birds in the woods and fieldswhere I live and to see some greater detail in the night sky.  I watched the total lunar eclipse on December 21 and got to see alsothe galaxies in the constellation of Orion.  Wonderful.
No matter what I try, get double vision with blurred outcome.  I willl try fussing with it some more but don't have much faith in getting it to work.
Our friend & Brother from Kenya got these as a gift & is thrilled with them. He loves the easy focus & also that they came with a bag. They are great for nature observing & also for watching out for thugs in Kenya at dusk & dawn times when others can't see so well (because the wide angle lets more light in).
My husband truly pleased with the binoculars since he had lost his. He is a deer hunter and feels he needs these.
I've had these binoculars for three years now. I bought them for hunting and they have been worth the money. On the other hand, if you can spend more for binoculars you probably should. I'm finally in the market for new ones and I compared them to two binoculars in the $125-$200 range, the Nikon Trailblazer and the Leupold Acadia. Here's some notes on the differences:1. The Bushnell Falcons have terrible eye-relief. I wear glasses and I need glasses to correct double vision, and with the Bushnell Falcons, I lose a lot of field of view because of the poor eye relief. With the Nikon and Luepold models, the eye relief is huge,and my glasses make no difference. I have full field of view both ways.2. Without glasses, the Bushnell Falcons have acceptable field of view. The Nikon and Leupold models have much better field of view.3. The glass is better on the Leupold and Nikon. Images are clearer and crisper.4. The Bushnell Falcons are heavy. Carrying them around on your neck all day is a pain in the, um, neck.5. The focus controls on the Bushnell Falcon are good. The adjustable eyepiece is ok, but I find that it moves too easily and I have to adjust it every time I bring the binoculars up for use.If you can afford better binoculars, then get them. The Bushnell Falcon is good for the cost if you don't want to spend more.
These are really great binoculars. Husband wants to order a 2nd pair for himself as we gave this pair as a Christmas gift. They look expensive and viewing through them was clear and focused well. Highly recommend.
liked it very much use them almost every day. they met my expectations. they are easy to use- only the caps fall off---
I use a couple magnifications of binoculars because I keep them around the house for the people who are visiting.  Although a little heavier than my others the 10X50 provide more magnification when you have the time to find your feathered friend.  Be aware that the higher the magnification the more difficult it is to site and focus quickly moving avians.  I usually recommend the 10X50 and the 7X35 for the beginning birder until they decide which best suits them and want to invest more.  I've found you can't beat Busnell for quality at an affordable price.
One minute is the longest I can hold these before my arms get tired. I admit I'm not the strongest person in the world but now I have to look for another pair that's lighter. The quality of the lenses were fine.
these came in a very timely manner, and were exactly what was described, thank you so much for your promptness, and would recommend them to anyone looking for a good nature or sky watcher.
Works very well for micro-to medium spotting.  Field of vision is adequate for bird watching.Did not give a 5 star because a friend bought the exact item locally cheaper and with no shipping charges.
These are my second pair of Bushnells in twenty years. My original ones  8X35 still work great. The 10x50's are awesome.
I am using these binoculars to watch birds and airplanes while sitting on my deck. I also own an older pair of 7X35 Bushnell's that also has the Insta-Focus, which I really like. I wanted to get a larger pair so I chose Bushnell because I like my 15+ year old 7X35's.These are perfect to look through and I can see more detail than with my other pair. However, the focus on these are sloppy, loose, has a lot of &#34;play&#34;,  as compared to my older pair. I am not going to go through the hassle of returning the item, for the price paid and for my use, I can live with the loose focus.The quality of my older pair is what brought me to Bushnell as a return customer, I would rate them as 4-5 star.If my older pair had been like this pair I would not have chosen Bushnell. I will not buy this model again.
I already had a pair without any adjustment, but these let me adjust for the days my older eyes don't want to work so well. They are crisp, clear images. Weight is an issue for me, and these aren't so heavy that they become unmanageable. With all the snow, I haven't been able to use them much, since I got them for star gazing & snow comes with a lot of clouds. I like that the lens caps come off entirely, since my other pair has a strap attaching the larger ones, which only get in the way all the time. For the price, you can't beat them. I should have gotten these first. There's a carrying case and neck strap, with lens cloth -- a LOT for your money -- plus the Bushnell reputation for quality no matter what the price you paid. All in all, a very satisfying purchase. I did check out our local woods when they arrived, and branches were so clear you could almost touch them, so I assume they would do for birding also.
recieved my binoculars in great condition and they are a great set. veiwing is clear and precicse. exactly a set like i was searching for.
I found these binoculars very good for the price I paid for them. They are better made than some of the reviews stated, at least in my opinion. They are easy to focus.  The only problem I have with them are the safety lens caps. They are too big and fall off.If you are looking for a very good beginner pair, then this is probably the one. It is my first pair and I really enjoy them.
For 33 bucks with 2-day Prime shipping these are a bargain. I just wanted something for casual viewing, like when I am watching my kid's high school baseball team practice all the way from the school parking lot (hey, it's a long walk) or for casual wild life viewing (I live on a river). The focusing lever seems a little loosey goosey but it works fine. Clear, crisp image. Came with a case, strap, lens covers and cloth. Great binocs for the price.
These binoculars come with an &quot;Insta-Focus&quot; focusing lever.  Unfortunately, the lever is heavy enough that it will drift away from where you set it.  Thus, you must constantly re-focus these binoulars.Additionally, these binoculars did not ship in the advertised 24 hours.  They shipped in 16 days.
They won't focus and never have were told these were the best for are money they were wrong you can use only one eye piece to see
they are not the best on the market but for the price they cant be beat. great case and lense covers. good out to about 200 yards on a perfect day. i was able to see the animals i was hunting
Buying these are like buying a cheap bike. They'll probably stay in your drawer and quash any interest you have in either viewing celestial or terrestrial (or in some cases, telestial) objects. In short, these binocs will probably last at least a  lifetime because they're so poor in rendering a respectable image. Seriously, buy a NIKON. You won't regret it. Also, if the people who gave these binocs a good review knew what they were buying, they wouldn't be buying entry level Bushnell binocs.There are so many things going on when binoculars are focusing an image, things like chromatic aberration. Colors focus at slightly different points and a good lens has to bring them all together into one crisp image. The best way to see what I'm talking about is by picking up a pair of these binocs and then comparing them directly with a decent pair. Now please realize, even NIKON isn't considered GREAT, just decent. To get GREAT optics, plan on spending six or seven hundred clams, and more than a grand for super-photo quality optics. But, as with bicycles and everything else, there is usually a point of diminishing marginal return somewhere along the way. The basic rule of thumb is to NOT TO BUY CHEAP. If your binocs have Busruby-coated lenses, run, don't walk away from them! (These Bushnells aren't that bad, but your eyes deserve crisp, contrasty images, and with these binocs, you'll find yourself first focusing and then refocusing, vainly trying to find that sweet spot of clarity that never comes.)So what are you doing still reading this? Point your mouse to a NIKON or try to find a pair of these used. You should be able to find them cheap.
Great price for excellent binoculars. I use mine for looking at wildlife in the backyard. Image is always sharp and clear.
Muchas gracias, compre desde Vevezuela con una Gif Card sin ningun contratiempo con el pago, me llego la mercancia acordada, gracias.
I bought this as a gift for someone who wears glasses.  He said that he liked how he can see through them fine while wearing his glasses.  I would recommend these.
For the money it worked great on our trip to Peru.  Yes the lens caps are a problem - they don't stay on well and there is no way to attach them so that they don't get lost.As far as useage, the glasses were easy to adjust.  The magnification and field of vision were good.  Obviously the detail or clarity of the birds was not as good as the expensive Zeiss lens.  I felt lucky to find the birds and monkeys in the trees.  I was satisfied.
My wife, the birdwatcher, thinks the rocker focus adjustment is the &#34;greatest thing since slice bread&#34;.  These quickly became her favorite set of binoculars.  Received promptly well packaged and no damage to the binoculars or the manufacturer's package.
Works great for the price. Purchased for a recent bird watching trip and these binoculars really enhanced the experience. I would definitely recommend them.
I bought this as a gift for my brother.  My two brothers tried using it and both found it to be distorted.  It worked better with only using one eye!  We think it was off or something.  I honestly cannot speak about the actual issue, but just understand that my brother put me through the hassle of returning it.  Well, it was hardly a hassle because Amazon made it quite easy.  Thank you Amazon!
I paid $29 for these binoculars.  Locally in stores they were twice that much.  I'm giving them five stars because I think they're great value for the money.  The lens caps are cheap, the case is a bit cheap too.  But the binocs themselves are awesome.  Great view, easy to focus, and no distortion when looking at landscapes.  I looked at Jupiter a few nights ago, and had just the slightest trace of optical aberration.  I could just make out the 4 big satellites and I live in the suburbs of a major city.  I can't wait to look again when I'm out in the middle of nowhere.
I like these alot...easy to focus and priced fairly. If you want a really nice pair of extra eyes....get these...you'll be a happy camper
very nice set of binoculars, comes in a nice case with nice covers for the lenses, i am happy with the product
MY AUNT LIVES RIGHT ACROSS THE CHANNEL FROM THE AIRPORT IN COOS BAY AND NORTH BEND, OREGON.  SINCE SHE LOVES PLANES AND HAS SINCE SHE WAS A YOUNG WAC BACK IN WWII I FELT IT WAS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR HER. I WAS RIGHT BECAUSE SHE CALLED ME AS SOON AS SHE OPENED IT CHRISTMAS DAY OF 2012.  IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST TIME IN SOME YEARS THAT ANYONE IN THE FAMILY HAD SENT HER SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS BESIDES FLOWERS OR FEMININE STUFF.  JUST GOES TO PROVE THAT WE ARE ALL KIDS AT HEART,  JUST GOT TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RIGHT TOYS TO GET US ARE.
Unfortunately, I dropped mine pretty badly on a rough surface and now I have double vision with them.  But, I am going to buy a second pair because these were so good!  Very sharp, clear views, excellent focus, great value.
The binoculars arrived and were just what I thought they would be....a little heavier than I would like but they work great.
I bought these for my husband because his old ones fogged up. He was very impressed. He uses them for birding or spotting boats since we are waterfront. Very clear.
I reviewed these as a real A+ when they arrived early May, but within weeks, the diopter focusing lense on the right eyepiece failed for no reason. Now you can't adjust it to focus, so that eyepiece is useless. The manual talks about the diopter being subject to failure if abused, etc, I never abused it; one day it worked, the next it did not. Not worth the freight and wait to return for warranty repair if they'd even warranty it. I disassembled it, see tiny screws, etc but don't understand what failed, so I give up, am buying a better pair to replace and hope this is not typical of Bushnell quality!
These Binoculars would be great for ball games, Boy Scouts, Hunting. They focus fast and would be easy for all ages to use and have fun with. At this price you are getting something you will be happy with. Clear viewing for a low price.
I bought a pair of these on sale (from my "gold box" -- 10x50 is supposed to be the ideal for stargazing. I figured that this might come at the price of some chromatic distortion (tolerable) or difficulty focusing (intolerable). Last night was a "clear" night here in the South Bay. I live about a mile inland, on the coastal edge of Los Angeles' vast light pollution. No marine layer, and I quickly pulled the full moon into focus, then adjusted the other eye-piece. They work for me, but if my eyes get much worse ... I'll have to pass them on to somebody younger.Enough of the moon, already. I wanna see something I don't see on a regular basis. A quick scan of Orion showed some nebulosity visible, even above city lights. They feel steady. I'm looking forward to more star time.I didn't notice any chromatic aberation. I have only three minor complaints:1) No tripod socket for making sure that kids can see what you want them too see. No socket was promised ... so this is not a really fair complaint.2) Lens caps are cheap and tend to fall off. Watch out for them. It wouldn't have cost that much more to manufacture better lens caps--Bushnell ought to fix this one.3) I would have designed the adjustable lens with a broader range of diopters for those of us who don't quite see as well as we used to.All in all, a great pear of binocs for searching the night sky.
Shame on you Bushnell with this product, made with recycled black plastic and bad smell, very easy to crack, the stupid makers add glue in inside all the eyepieces, you can not remove or adjust the eyepieces to get better images, (although it had got very bad images and low quality), the binoculars are in missed alignment. And one important thing, maybe you can not believe, but the back lens of the eyepieces are cheap plastic (i could not image that the big binoculars manufaturer like Bushnell made this useless items) the design of the eyepiece is Kellner type, but the single lens in this design is made of LOW QUALITY PLASTIC (that means you will get bad images and the plastic will degrade over time even you do not use the item). I bought 03 of these items and all of them are useless, misaligned, very bad product, i live outside the US, i lost a lot of money for shipping company to get 03 of the worst binoculars in the world (IMO), i have had over 50 binoculars now (i'm an optical engineer, i tested so many kind of optics and binoculars , but i can say i was wrong when decided buying thes useless items ( both types of Falcon 7x35 and falcon 10x50). Pls listen to me: Do not buy it, you'll get angry soon when the item comes to your hand. If you have any question or want to see more images of these useless items, let contact me: nguyenmanha777@gmail.com, i'll show you all, although i've crushed all of them with a hamer, but the fragments are in my home now.http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4184/6cv0.jpg
Well worth the money. My wife is on dialysis and she is able to set on our deck and watch weddings on the Golf Course behind our Condo. They are very nice. Thank You.
Great binoculars!!! You cant beat the quality for the price...I am more than happy with this buy!
WE USE THEM FOR BIRD WATCHING, THE BINOCULARS SEEM TO BE FINE FOR OUR NEEDS however we would like a stronger distance
Negative response-  Heavy for a woman out on a walk.Positive response-We like the quick focus feature when watching nature.
I was not happy about these at all, sent them back. They were defective, you would see double of everything.
Great tool for hunting and sports use.  Price is right, and the quality is good.  Good optics and light weight.
A very good product at a good price.  It's perfect for field work or just enjoying closeups of backyard birds and animals.
This are very well built and nice binoculars. We bought three pairs of them, one at a time. The first one was for my truck. I liked it so well, I bought a second one for our house, and when we bought a motorcoach a few years ago, we bought another set for it as well as you occasionally want to watch wildlife at close range, or figure out what the heck one of your neighbors at an RV park is doing at 4:00 in the morning...  :-) . These are great binoculars and for the money, you cant beat them.
These binoculars are very good for the money. The 10 power is a little hard to steady, but that is not the binocular's fault. Focusing is easy and straightforward, especially for those who wear glasses. The rubber protective covers are a little loose, but I would buy this same item again.
this is exactly what I needed for birthday presents for my grandsons.  lens caps fall off so must keep in provided bag rather than wear on neck as one is using or carrying.
Ever try checking your roof shingling with out getting on a latter? These babies do the job without breaking a sweat... This product makes life more interesting, just about everything in the great outdoors look more wonderous.
Bought two- both were not collimated properly and had to be returned.  Must not be much quality control at Bushnell these days.
I am an amateur astronomer and this binoculars get the job done letting you make a non deep observation of the sky at night.It's pretty easy to focus on this ones (and easy to get them out of focus).They include the binoculars (obviously) with their protective caps, a not very soft cleaning cloth, a string for hang them and a bag for carrying.The only complain I have is that after a while they feel slightly heavy, but could be because I point them up to the sky in a tiring manner.
Really nice optics, and outstanding up close viewing - I use this primarily for birding. Recommend a double shoulder strap for the added weight, but you cannot beat the results. Nicely priced for what you get!
These Bushnell Falcons were incredible. I took them on a safari in Kenya and we were able to see a family of lions chasing away hyenas! and a croc eating a hippo! We would have missed so many magical wildlife moments without these bushnells.
I bought this as a Christmas present for my mother and she loves it. It's great for viewing during the day as well as at night. Adjusting them is easy once you get the hang of it. Included in the box were the instructions, binoculars, 4 lens caps, the strap, a cleaning cloth and the padded carry case bag with an adjustable carry strap on the bag.
i enjoy these binoculars.  they are very good.  i enjoy the birds and looking out over the lake  blah  blay
These were exactly what I was looking for.  They are comfortable, easy to adjust with the middle rocker.  Just what I had hoped at a very reasonable price.
I purchased these binoculars because a pair of osprey had made a nest ouside my home, way up in a tree, and I wanted to watch them as they hatched their young.  These were outstanding, especially for the price. I could see the "whites of their eyes" and I would recommend them to anyone for bird-watching! Definitely got more than I paid for, which is pretty rare...
for the price they are terrific = may order another one for our other home - the only thing is they are big
I used the binoculars right away, on my next bird watching trip, and they worked very smoothly and I was extremely pleased with them..
I leave in the country and I love birds. These add so much more to my bird watching. I really enjoy them
This is one excellent binocular. Easy to focus and the clarity of the lens are outstanding. My wife said she can even see the tiny dots or specks on the bird 100 yards away on a clear day. Thank you Amazon for the excellent deal.
The viewing capability at moderate distances was okay, not spectacular, but better than many binoculars in this price range.They arrived with a small crack in the corner of one of the lenses, so this may or may not be a durability (or shipping issue) problem...I was too lazy to return them.
Good item for the money. Work just fine. We have been watching the wildlife in the woods regularly with them.
These  binoculars are as good as some I've looked at which cost 8 to 10 times as much. A great deal.
Need binoculars with good passthrough and 7x - 10x magnification.  These fit the bill.Pros:- 10x50.  Great magnification and passthrough- Price is great for the quality of the magnificationCons:- Build quality is pretty bad.  Very flimsy.  Lens caps fall right off.- As many others of mentioned, the collimation was off and there's no way to adjust it.  Had to return and get a replacement.  Replacement pair was better
I have used these binoculars for bird watching mostly. The center focusing bar is a great feature and allows you to find a bird quickly especially in flight. Jack Enright, Author of Return of the Ancient Mariners.
I bought this as a gift for my wife and scored a home run! Perfect for bird watching, fish spotting, and anything else you want to see clearly. Now, what will I buy next time to outdo this?
Disregard the people who are wishing for a $300.00 pair of binoculars for $28.00!  These binoculars are amazing; powerful, easy focus, truly amazing and all for $28.00!!If you are looking for an excellent quality binocular that rivals those going for $150.00 these are your nocs.Buy with confidence!
Bought it for my husband.  He hasn't used it much, but was pleased with the product and the case it came with.The strength provides the power he wanted.
A gift for my son although he has not used it yet, I am dying too Lol. Just got it for Christmas so any day now he will be looking at the stars or bird watching, very pleased with the durability of it.
It is longer than we expected it to be.  This will be used to gather wild cows and the long barrels are a little more and heavier than we can carry for this job.
The binoculars arrived on time, carefully and safely packaged, and they come with a nice case.  The only problem I have with them is they are a little heavy but that could be just me.
I absolutely love these Binoculars my friends have come to call them "The HD's" because it seriously looks HIGH DEF!! when you look thru them.I've used them for two events so far one was a UFC Event (indoors of course) with a little low light at times and the quality was still excellent. Every fight felt up-close and I could even see the sweat being pounded off the guys face, considering i was in the nose-bleed seats I had a great view anyway.The second was for a Yankees game (open air stadium) again i was up in the upper levels but still felt up-close and personal with the game, Clearly saw all the way into the Yankees Dugout with Robinson Cano, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez and the whole bunch. The sunlight was awesome that day so i had perfect viewing conditions but even without the good weather i think i still wouldve been fine. Highly recommend these binos for a average user such as myself baseball games, indoor sports events, Bird watching, hiking. I would prefer a larger exit pupil maybe a 10x 75 or 10x 100 would be better but ill look into it in the future im content with these.
These binoculars are great.  I couldn't really ask for anything more in this price range.  Optics and build quality are great.
For the price these are the best pair of binoculars I've ever owned... I've purchased 4 more pairs for gifts for family and friends... I truly believe you will not be disappointed...
The focus knob connector rod is made of REALLY CHEAP plastic that shattered in pieces.Lens are mono focus (both lens) focus together, so if you have a slight stigmatism there is no way to adjust and you end up only seeing from one eye....They are really Heavy & Bulky..Shame on you Bushnell for making garbage like that..
Bought these after using my brother-in-laws Minolta 10x50s.  Like these better than his!  Excellent product.
VERY POOR QUALITY WOULD BUY BETTER ONES IF I BOUGHT SOME MORE. VERY BLURY AND ARE NOT CLEAR AND MAGNIFACTION IS POOR
Great binoculars for all round use. Clear view, and easy to use. Great to keep in the truck, since I can never tell when I'll need them. And at this price, I don't mind letting the kids use them too.
Bionocular has marginal optics, but its only $15.  That is not the problem.  I used it once, stored inside a boat cabin on a shelf, no dropping or mis handling. After the second use,  the right and left images were found out of alignment.  Impossible to re align.  I would consider this a toy at best.  You can not rely on it for any even mildly important application.  Plastic junk. I am putting it with my non working Bushnell fx5 weather monitor.
I got both sets to do a side by side comparison.  While the Bushnells are OK...for the same money, you can get a different level.  For some reason the Tasco's in this power (not the little ones) are insanely good.
well satisfied. great for birdwatching
I wish I didn't buy this binoculars.They are very cheaply built and don't work very well.  I feel like I have a child's toy in my hands when I use them, not a good solid pair of equipment.I don't expect an inexpensive pair of binos to work perfectly. But they are seriously Wal-Mart quality. Poor materials and all around a junk product.
Now these are a great pair of Binoculars for the price. They are heavy, Rubber coated for better non slip grip and they are tough! The focus is sharp and clear too! They adjust well and the image fills in the lenses, which helps prevent eyestrain. These glasses are very good for spying and keeping an eye on your neighborhood block watches. Especially during these rough times.There glasses are a must purchase!
I found these clear and easy to use. No zoom but I can easily see a turtle or bird 100 yards away.
I ordered these binoculars based upon the brand name and the very good reviews they received in Amazon. I have another pair of Bushnell's I really like and wanted to pick up another. This is a different model from the one I originally bought many years ago. When they arrived I noticed two things wrong:1) The lens caps (protectors) on the larger end did not stay on - would fall off easily2) I actually saw double images no matter how I adjusted them.As it turns out, something called &#34;out of collimation&#34; was the cause and possibly due to either improper assembly at the factory or someone dropping them along the way. In any case, I returned them back to Amazon for a full refund. Thanks Amazon!
This is the first nice set of binoculars that I have owned.  I especially like the center focus bar. A few months back (before vacation) I thought I needed a new pair of bins. I purchased a pair that had a center focus wheel. I took them in the field to bird watch and was very disappointed with them. I had gotten so spoiled with the center focus bar that I had a hard time focusing fast enough with a center wheel focus. 9 times out of 10 the bird I was trying to look at flew away before I could bring the other pair (also Bushnell) into focus. I bought a pair of these about 2 months ago for stadium sports events.. I was very happy with them. Unfortunately they where broken on a recent family vacation. I came home and promptly bought a new set. I not only bought a pair for me, but also a pair for my two sons and my mother. I've never looked through a pair of ungodly expensive binoculars so I honestly can't tell you how these compare. But I will say I've owned several different pairs of 'nocs over the last decade and these are far and away my favorite.
The binocular assembly was sloppy and shows a lack of care and review of the final product.One of the lenses was not screwed in correctly and in another there was a loose prism. Both problems were easy to solve with a small screwdriver and screwing the lens in place, but this shows a lack of diligence in assembly.
Got these for my husband for Christmas...old ones were falling apart and we need to be able to check out boats and birds and love watching eagles.
Several years ago I bought a pair of Bushnell 10X50 binoculars and to this day they are amazing.  So, when it was time to buy a pair for a family member  I decided to buy another pair of Bushnell 10X50.  Unfortunately, I did not understand the specs of binoculars and the field of view of the new pair is much, much smaller than the old pair.  I also noticed that the new pair were made in China and the old were made in the Phillipines. Maybe the manufacturing differences between the factories has something to do with it?Anyway, I highly recommend trying the binoculars of choice at a store and then order.  Do not go by the specs!
Got the package yesterday but opened it today. Packaging was well done and so far enjoying the product. I think it might stay to get used to it but having fun so far. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee so its a win situation would recommend this to beginners like me
My husband loves these he talks about them all the time to everyone! He can't wait to take them deer hunting!
Great product at a great price! I use these at every sporting even and people around me are always jealous.
Good, durable, heavy set of binos. Works well for my hunting needs and rifle sighing/spotting. Well worth the price in my opinion.
I bought these so I could watch the ice fishing on the lake behind my house. They work well, easy to adjust, and comfortable for my use. They don't seem like they would be very rugged for hiking or that they are designed to take a lot of abuse. At this price point that can be expected. For my occasional use in the house they will be more then sufficient!
These are about the strongest binoculars that can be easily held to view images at a distance without having difficulty holding it steady.  The tab type focus mech is OK, but not great.  There is slop in it versus the old fashioned screw adjusment type.  You push down on one side of the tab or the other and the binoculars don't immediately start to focus as they do with the screw type adjusments.
Cheap, solid construction, good image even at extreme distance. I took it up the mountain in Colorado, and it quickly recouped my investment.The lens covers suck, but I keep mine in the stock carrying case, which negates that problem. Very nice beginning binoculars.
Great value, very quick focus and great field of view!  I use it primarily for bird watching and also for star gazing!
It arrived broken, next to no &#34;padding&#34; in the box. I knew before I opened it there was going to be a problem.Optic's shifted, useless. When you ship ANYTHING expect to be abused. Run away from this retailer.
The binoculars work great in almost any viewing conditions. Only draw back is the protective caps come off way to easily which can cause the to be lost. Very durable and well made. Great item.
They are cheap but work well. A carrying case and cleaning cloth are included. I look at objects about 300 ft away and can focus them easily. Lightweight enough to haul around with you in the field.
I thought for the price I'd give these binoculars a go. I paid with shipping, $25.95, now they're $31.99. It ends up, they're the WORST binoc's I've ever used. Very difficult to adjust without seeing double or blurry, depending on the distance, you normally have to make a slight adjustment, THESE you have to mess with if you're looking 20 feet further! If I picked these up a a garage sale with a $5 price tag, I'd set them down and move on. Trust me, they're junk!
I originally  bought a chaep binoculars at at neigbourhood store just for fun, after playing around with it and looking at neighbours and occasionally the night sky ,  i decided  this might be an interesting hobby so decided to look around for a better model, came on amazon and read the reviews for the falcon 10x20 binoculars, and ordered it, boy was i pleasantly surprised, what a difference compared to the cheap one i had before, images are crisp and clear and the focus lever is very smooth and easy to operate, well worth the money. i now spend time looking at the night sky and this does a good job of viewing stars and stuff on a clear night.
The price is right, the focusing mechanism is great, the light gathering qualities of these binos are super-due to the large front openings.You can pay 10 or 20 times as much as these and not get much better.They may not have image stabilization, but for the price, you can't do any better for what they are.
I am extremely happy with this purchase.  As a matter of fact I bought a pair for my mother as a gift after I received mine.
I bought these binoculars almost 2 years ago, and so far so good.  There are 3 things that I think make these binoculars great: 1) pretty wide field of view given 10x magnification - it makes it easier to find or follow a bird, 2) excellent quick-adjust mechanism that makes it really easy to keep things in focus, 3) great price.  The combination of these features is just really hard to beat.
The only gripe that I have with them is the lens cups just don't fit. They sit on the lens, so when you lift the binoculars they just fall off. I had to line each cup with electrical tape to make them lush onto the lens. Hopefully that will work in the long-term. One function that I particularly liked is the ease of focusing. Rather than turning a wheel between the lenses, there is a triangular block. You simply move this slightly to bring the object into sharp focus. I like also that the lenses are wide and bright.
The price was attractive but the quality of these things was pretty poor.  The rocker focus was imprecise and required a lot of dickering around with to get into focus.The dealbreaker - they were out of collimation (I was seeing double).  I called Bushnell's customer service line and while the guy was really friendly, he flat-out told me there was no way to fix them, that I'd have to ship them back.I'd rate the product low, but honestly, the customer service guy was really great, seemed concerned and had every intention of helping.  I just chose to return them and purchase another set of binoculars.  Five stars for customer service, one for the product.
I was looking for binoculars to use on vacations up the coast - butterfly, whale and sea lion watching. These performed well. The lense caps are too loose and will fall off and the focus mechanism is somewhat weak, but for an inexpensive binocular it worked well. Note - these sell for twice the price at Sports Chalet.
This is an out of the box review.  I was extremely impressed with how well it was packaged.  Given that level of care, I was truly shocked to find it is unusable because the right barrel was not installed properly; i.e., cross threaded and barely hanging on for dear life.  While it might be possible to unscrewed it and then reassemble the unit, I decided that I wanted one that is properly assembled by the factory so I am in the process of returning it.  Hopefully, the next one will be properly assembled.
It's OK but for the price it should have a zoom feature and the lens cover are usless. They will not stay on at all.
Gift purchase for Christmas. Safely packaged, shipped promptly, nice for both casual and travel use. Good value for the dollar.
broke a little too easily but, not bad, would prob buy the next one at a sporting goods store yo!
All of the positive reviews really fooled me on this one.First, the item came pre-broken. One of the magnifying end-tubes was detached. After screwing it back on I discovered that something else was broken inside of the binnoculars causing a terrible rattle. So I sent it back for a refund. Oh yeah, and it was horribly packed and the US portal service had it for a week.But that isn't the reason I am providing negative feedback. The thing is all plastic, and not the good kind. The image provided is small and grainy - probably due to the plastic optics. The people giving positive reviews of the image quality have apparently never even used a moderately good pair of binnoculars. I am not talking about expensive binnocs, the cheapest thing that Nikon makes will blow these away. These are essentially a toy and I can see why Amazon has dropped the price so low.
got this for my hubby for Christmas this year...sure hoping he will like them...I am pretty confident that he will like these...well made and great price.
I needed a pair of binoculars but was not sure which brand or style to purchase. As I searched, I came across this one and read several reviews saying that people loved this product! I decided to give it a try and was amazed when I received it! It came with additional materials as well, such as a protective case with strap, a strap for the binoculars, and a cleaning cloth for the lenses! I am very impressed with this product and have enjoyed it's features! It's quick and easy to use and has great focusing ability!
I purchased two of these for my twin nephew's birthday.  The LOVE them and take them everywhere they go.  Their eight year old sister is really into them too.  An excellent purchase for adventurous kids!  I will be back later this year to purchase a pair for my husband and me.
I purchased these binoculars as a gift for a young male. They are perfect for his first pair of binoculars!
Husband, who has many binoculars, was unable to get these to focus.  We were very disappointed when we received and tried these binoculars.
I really like this binoculars,  the focus is great for watching birds....others I have tried were not as good as these....so I would recommend this product to others that are looking for a good deal.
I can see everything (practically). Well made. Great price. I'm using the binoculars to wow my guests on the 40 acres I live on.
They are large, but hey deliver for first purchase binoculars with the intent of moon gazing.  Probably best used with a tripod.
I bought this pair of binoculars and I am satisfied.  The distance for gazing is not all that sharp but the nephews and nieces like to use them.
We bought these on sale and they are the only pair we have, but they work great and the function well.Highly recommended if all you need is a pair of binocs.
Quality built bonics. The cons I have that really count against it are the lens caps don't fit even remotely tight and fall off way too easlily. The storage case is kinda on the weak side as well.
My 11 year old nephew was quite happy with this new toy. Great value. I would recommend this for my friends.
The binoculars are very nice.  I purchased these on sale for my husband to look out in the back yard so he can see the animals and the birds.  They work great and definitely were the right price.
So  much lighter than my old ones of 40 years.  I can see the moon and stars so clearly now.
Bought this for a gift.  I received no feedback but she had wanted one for a while and I'm sure she loved it.
Poor design. There was glue all over the lens. The entire left eye piece fell of with the first good use of them. It goes back on. Focus likes to move. Once I cleaned them up they were OK. I take a couple binocs to NASCAR races. I always lend these ones out now. Everyone else seems to like them just fine (expect when the eye piece falls off and I blame them for it) Like I said, once I cleaned them up they were usable. They are a little bulky for what I needed them for but that has nothing to do with the two stars.
perfecto tiempo de entrega, el estimado se realizo tal cual como se se&ntilde;alo en el momento de la compra, excelente
These were one of the cheapest, decent quality binoculars on here. I figured these would be a nice general purpose pair.My only complaint is that when adjusting the focus, it kind of makes a weird sound that makes it sound broken but it's not... yet.
Excellent binoculars with great resolution and focus for the price. This product meets all my needs. I use them for fishing, star-gazing, and wildlife watching. Also good for neighborhood watch activities.
I was very impressed with the quality of the binoculars. They are very clear and easy to use. When it comes to optics Bushnell can't be beat. I use these for hunting and the field of view is excellent.
I am a newbie when it comes to looking at stars. I got this as a beginner's model for learning more about our near universe. The moon looks wonderful and makes me wish I had a telescope. I need to earn my stripes before I can move to a tele. I picked up a beginners book on astronomy to help me out. I also purchased an L-bracket so I can mount it on my tripod. It's hard to keep still when looking at the moon so hopefully the adapter will help.I've also taken it with me on a cruise ship. It's very powerful for being $35. If you're starting to learn about our universe, I would 100% recommend this. If you want to see the moon REALLY close up, consider something with a higher magnification.
They work okay, but I just don't feel I can see that well.  They lack clarity.  Guess I got what I paid for.
I use these to coach a rowing team from land, so here are some good data points about visibility at various distances. The boat is about 60 feet long and has eight people rowing in it.- Within 50 meters binoculars are not necessary in daylight but in very low light (e.g. at night) they are quite helpful in making out details.- At 50-200 meters away I can see all eight rowers clearly and steadily without having to use the zoom at all. This is frankly the optimal distance for these binoculars. Great resolution here.- At 200-500 meters I can see them but need to use the zoom to make out any kind of detail about who is doing what.- At 500-700 meters I can see the boat but have to use full zoom to observe it and details are nearly impossible to make out. At full zoom like this you have to brace your hands (or use a tripod) in order to see details because the free hand just shakes too much to be useful.- Beyond 700 meters it's very difficult to make out any details, even at full zoom. The oar blades are about 2 square feet in area and are a very bright orange and they are difficult to spot at this distance. (For reference, when a boat is rowing toward you, the oar blade face is alternately showing and then hidden, so they basically make a bright orange flashing square for me, and I have a hard time identifying that they have started rowing.)
Firstly, let me just say: Foreigner, Double VisionSecondly, that's really all I have to say.Looking through these made my brain hurt.  And honestly I would have returned them if I had opened the box sooner.  Some people just get a bad set, and usually I don't mind the gamble, but I did catch the short end on this one.  Got a smaller pair of the same brand.  Worked just fine.
I bought these thinking they would be a good investment.  I don't use them very often, so I thought they would last a long time.  They broke where the zoom feature is.  I am bummed.
This is a great pair of binoculars for younger or beginners with an interest in birding or hunting. Great quality for the price.
I bought these binoculars based on the many five-star reviews and the fact that they are from a reputable manufacturer. I immediately returned them because they were defective out of the box: the collimation was "off" (i.e., the left and right telescopes are not aimed at the same point, causing the viewer to see two laterally separated images instead of a single stereoscopic image); and not just a bit off, but way off.  The manufacturing process for this product must be totally devoid of any QA.  Based on the one-star reviews (which I wish I had paid attention to before placing my order) mentioning the same collimation problem, your chances of getting a bad item are probably in the region of 1 in 10.
I didn't know much about binoculars, and mainly bought these because of the price and generally high reviews. They work well over distances beyond 30 feet or so, and though they don't really feature anything special (focus is controlled two ways, by a ring and a lever in the middle), they do their job pretty well. As others have noted, you can sharpen up things even over long distances - last night I looked at a few planes overhead and even the Moon itself, where I could see sharply-defined craters and the rough outline of the sun's reflection across the outer rim of the dark side (it was a 1/4 Moon). This morning I was able to see cars going up a hill to a school in the distance, and the image was very clear. I mainly bought these for an upcoming Alaskan cruise trip, so hopefully they'll work well in spotting whales.The only negatives are the slightly loose eyepiece caps and the awkward strap, which should have been longer and had a padded part for your shoulder/neck. The binoculars aren't very heavy, but it's awkward having them hang on your side.
Bought these for general purpose and being able to sight my own shots at the shooting range. Still hard to see shots out at 100 yards sometimes but these binoculars are a simple and nice. Picture is clear and they even come with a soft case. Happy with my purchase.
I ordered a bunch of these and 20% of them turned out to be defective.  Amazon swapped them out, of course.  But if you don't have the time to be shipping back and forth, consider ordering different binoculars.
For the money these binoculars are very good. Will do the job for sight seeing birds. Also work good at the range.
I have found no problems with these binoculars. Well worth the small amount of money spent. Images are clear, and focusing is very simple. Great buy for someone not wanting to spend a ton of $.
These binoculars cost a hair over twenty five bucks on amazon right now - you're not going to beat that deal in terms of value for money anywhere.  They have decent optics.However, don't think you're getting high-quality construction for that money.  These literally disintegrated on me on a recent international trip where they were subjected to neglible abuse (they were mostly carried around in a small backpack on long hikes and sometimes tightly packed in my suitcase).  The shaft that couples the two eyepieces to the focusing mechanism is held together with flimsy plastic on both ends, and one of the ends simply snapped off, leaving me with an unusable set of binoculars.The warranty on these is laughable (you have to pay to ship these - at a cost that's well over half the cost of buying a new pair - to Bushnell where they determine whether it's a manufacturer defect and, if so, send you a repaired item in a few weeks), so my options were to buy a new pair or to try to repair these on my own.  I opted for the latter.In so doing, I took a look inside.  It looks like Bushnell cut every corner possible when throwing these together.  Most metal edges have been poorly milled, resulting in uneven surfaces.  A white adhesive substance has unevenly and sloppily been applied inside to hold the optics assembly together.  Not encouraging.That said, I'd buy these again.  Even if I burn through one of these every year due to the shoddy construction, I'd have to go a decade of doing so before I'd have spent enough to equal the cost of a well constructed pair of binoculars that gave me 10x50 magnification.
The product I received could not produce a single image.  The collimation is out of alignment, and there is no adjustment.  Objects appear doubled, no matter how the binoculars are adjusted.  I had to return it.
It get's the job done ! Can't be beat for the price ! Don't forget that it's pretty powerful at 10X magnification, work's BEST with your elbows on a table to steady the image but, you can get a great glance for a few seconds free hand as well ! If you go any higher than 10X magnification (on any binocs) the image starts to shake and you'll need a &#34;TRIPOD&#34; to steady the image.
Amazon did it again. This is a great pair of binoculars for the price. I got them for my grandson who is interested in birds.
The joke is that the instructions are in type so small it's difficult to read them even with magnifying (reading) glasses!  That's a good one, huh?  Of course, you can't use the binoculars to read the instructions unless you shoot them to the top of your roof.  Har deh har!  I'm just sorry I won't live to see the 20-year-old,  insert-writing smartass with perfect eyes get his ocular comeuppance one day!
I got these binoculars because i was getting into bird watching and they work great. They are very clear from far away
The screw holding the binoculars was unscrewed when I got the product in the mail. The thing was falling apart! I didn't want to mess with it, so I sent it back. Don't they have any quality control?
I was expecting too much for the inexpensive price. However, the lens caps are so poorly formed that they fall off the small side lens by mere gravity. A light breeze could blow them right off. It isn't really worth the trouble to send them back so I will figure out a way to make the lens caps to stay where they are supposed to and I will use some kind of lanyard to keep them attached to the binoculars whether they are covering the lenses or not. My father has a pair that has this feature that he purchased in the early 1960's. It would cost a few cents per pair to incorporate this simple yet useful feature. The optics are what is to be expected from a $30.00 pair of binoculars which is not so good, but good enough to satisfy my meager needs. Something I will take with me when I go hiking. I gave two stars because of the lens caps.
Work well.  Need instructions for neck strap...can't figure it out!  wish lens covers were on staps...last pair did and I forget these don't and when I pull them off in a hurry they hit the ground!  sounds like I'm being petty...but we're actually pleased with the binoculars.
For the price alone I was excepting low quality small binos. But to my surprise they are decent sized and work just fine. Can not be happier with this purchase.
I have purchased two or three.  Each time a neighbor child or a grand nephew has talked me out of it.  Need to get another soon.
Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Binoculars are not for star gazing period. They may be fine for bird watching but you can hardly see any better (compare to eye) craters on the moon.  Returning  for larger Binocular or Telescope.
For the price, these binoculars have served me well. They focus well enough and the zoom is good. I didn't want anything high end or expensive, just something I could pull out to look at things now and then. Comes with a case and plenty of caps. Well worth what I paid.
You are known for terrific products. However both of the sets of glasses I got from amazon were non functional. The first one the eyepiece broke when I put it to my eyes. Amazon replaced them and the second pair the optics were totally skewed. Am not sure if I will ever purchase another set from you
I was really happy that this item not only showed up early at my door, but for a used item it came with all the original paperwork and accessories.  I would most definitely us these guys again.
I bought a pair of these about 2 years ago for bird watching.  I was very happy with them.  Unfortunately they where broken on a recent family vacation.I came home and promptly bought a new set.  I not only bought a pair for me, but also a pair for my two sons and my mother.I've never looked through a pair of ungodly expensive binoculars so I honestly can't tell you how these compare.  But I will say I've owned several different pairs of 'nocs over the last decade and these are far and away my favorite.I especially like the center focus bar.  A few months back (before vacation) I thought I needed a new pair of bins.  I purchased a pair that had a center focus wheel.  I took them in the field to bird watch and was very disappointed with them.  I had gotten so spoiled with the center focus bar that I had a hard time focusing fast enough with a center wheel focus.  9 times out of 10 the bird I was trying to look at flew away before I could bring the other pair (also Bushnell) into focus.
OK, but very heavy and large. I haven't used them much yet, but only tried them out on the porch. For hiking or for extended use  I'd like something much lighter and compact.
Excellent pair, got it while in Kenya and I could tell you it was all need it for. I could spot animals at a pretty good distances. I am very happy with product and the price is awesome. Recommended. Only con is the size a bit  bulky.Nice
Seems like the lens aren't quite lined up somehow. Maybe it is supposed to take quite of bit of time and effort but I don't think so.
Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black) is a decent binoculars for the price you pay.I got this binoculars as a spare for my wife, since she did not want an expensive model. It offers an easy focus with its Insta-Focus system. It is much easier to focus than much expensive binoculars. The construction is decent for entry level binoculars. If you drop it and break it, buy another. Not too much damage on your pocket book.Personally, I was not satisfied with the optical performance it offered (not considering the price). It put a lot of strain on my eyes. I experienced some ghosting and flare issues. I also own a more pricier Nikon 10x50 Binoculars. Compared to the Nikon the light gather ability is not good. If you are above beginner to mid level binocular user, skip to hundred dollar range. Optical quality is a huge jump. You will realize every extra dollar was worth it. I did not like this binoculars for birding or star gazing, primarily because of the stress it caused on my eyes.The bottomline is, this binoculars is for kids (to play with them), and people who just want a pair of  binoculars and may not end up using it much.
Very good, excellent visibility and good  handleaand grip. It has given me the  ability to look at the distance I always wanted.
Nice binoculars for the price.  I have one that I use at the beach.  My brother used them when he was there, so I got him one for his own.  He loves them.
I wanted a nice pair of binoculars to view birds and maybe the moon.  I knew I wouldn't be out and about in the world crashing through the woods looking for birds, either.  After reading other reviews and looking through many different brands and sizes, I chose this pair.I am extremely happy with these.  The loose eye caps aren't a concern for me because I have no small children in the house and these will mainly be used by me.  They are easy to focus, too.I was pleasantly surprised to find there was a carrying case included.I am very pleased with my purchase and have already recommended them to my family.
These are a fine inexpensive pair of binoculars.  I live on a beach and they are good for watching the occasional whale or shark that wanders by.  Good magnification, great wide angle.  Their immediate focus rocker works well and they don't break the bank.
I use these for star-gazing. Crisp images, thanks partially to the nifty focus mechanism. These are a good, cheap starting point for amateur astronomy - 10x50 is pretty much the standard magnification/exit pupil for the purpose.The biggest con is the horrible lens caps. They're obnoxiously cheap and barely stay on; while the binoculars themselves have excellent optics and generally look and feel good, the lens caps aren't much good for anything except wedging under a wobbly table.
They focus easily, the image is clear, it does exactly what I purchased it to do.  I would definitely recommend this item.
I was looking for a pair of binoculars to watch birds in my garden.  Since I am a beginner bird watcher, I didn't want to spend a fortune.  The binoculars fit the bill as far as price range.  I tested them in my backyard and I wasn't disappointed.  These are perfect for the beginner bird watcher.  They are easy to adjust, come with a strap to hang around your neck, lens covers, and a case when traveling.The price that I'm currently seeing on Amazon is cheaper than what I paid.  I thought I was getting a bargain when I purchased, I would truly snatch these up at the current price.
The binoculars (Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle) really bring the birds closer for identification.  I am not crazy about all the covers for the lenses (loose and not attached) but they are necessary for keeping the lenses from scratches.
The mark Bushnell is very nice and very good performance.  I trust in its. Is very good zoom. Thank you so much.
These are excellent binoculars at a very good price. Arrived in fine shape and on time, very satisfied and highly recommend these. Runman
I bought this for my nephew thinking that because of the price it would be a binocular of low quality, but awesome enough for a kid. However, once it arrived and I had my hands on it, I could tell that the quality is nice and I would likely buy this for own self next time I need new binoculars. It also comes with a cloth case with a strap. My nephew loved it.
I was not knowledgeable about the magnification of a binocular. Brought it anyways as a beginner. Magnifies objects well within say half a mile.
This product is a bit too heavy to me. Sometimes it's hard to get it focused with clarity. I have to close one eye to get a better visual, which defeats the purpose of binoculars. But it looks sturdy. An OK product.
The picture is really impressive for a $35 set of binoculars. The focus toggle is a little cheap feeling and the lens had a small dust particle inside the casing that I can't get out. But both of those things are pretty minor for me. The rubberized casing is comfortable in the hand and the rubber eye padding feels good as well.Overall a good set of binoculars for the price.
These were just what I was looking for.  You get what you pay for and these binoculars are not going to show you the stars in the daytime but the clouds are so close you feel you could reach out and touch them.  You get your money's worth thank you Bushnell.
WE bought what we thought we going to be average binoculars for a merit badge my Son is working on.  When we got the binoculars we were extremely surprise to find out how well they work.  (Better than my Husbands $235 pair.)  Awesome will recommend to everyone.  Super value for the small cost.
Great for hunting or watching deer from across a field.  Bought them for my husband and he loves them.
I bought these to glass for deer in the fields behind my office building in the country. It is a 5 story glass building and from the 3rd floor I have already done some deer watching with these binoculars. They work as well, or better than I had hoped.
After making a mistake a purchasing a "less expensive" versionI was pleased to get these.Fabulous
Overall, I am happy with these binoculars. The price is right, and the quality is decent. We have mountains near by and with these binoculars, we can make out great detail.
I bought these binoculars for down the shore.  We use them from our boat to search for dolphins and birds.  They work really well and give a clear view.
I was looking for something for stargazing. I read a few reviews and bought it. I couldnt see the stars but the binoculars if of excellent quality, the optics are very clear without no color distortion. Its reasonably light weight for the cost and magnification. The material is very good and doesnt feel cheap. If you are looking for a binoculars to take on a field trip, hiking, trekking, sightseeing etc this would be pretty good.
Yes they work fine and are budget priced.  I want them to look at scenery to set up camera shots. One needs a telescope to look at celestial bodies more effectively.
I found these after I Looked up the best rated (cheap) binoculars on a website dedicated to binoculars. Got these from Amazon for $30, and they are great.
I live in a wooded area and was interested in following birds and animals with these.  They do a fair job, are good for the price, but I do wish they were stronger.
Nice set of binoculars that produce a nice clear image for the novice user and the price is right.  Unfortunately the lens covers are not attached so losing them is just a matter of time.  It would have gotten another star if it had a mounting screw hole for my tripod since I'm using them for star gazing and they are a little bulky.
I bought two pair of binoculars. These being less expensive and another that was about $30 more. These are almost as good but feel cheaper. They work great and would be just fine. For the money you can't beat it. It is a great back up pair, or for my kids to use.
First time buy/owner of a 10x50 binoculars and I was not disappointed at all.  Was hesitant due to some negative reviews, but mine came in prestine shape and excellent working condition.  Needed right away for a sporting event in which I was going to be seated far away.  My friend that came along with me was impressed and might get one himself too.  Must get for anyone looking for a high quality, easy to use binocular.  The InstaFocus lever on this binocular made it more convienent than past binoculars I've used/own.
I purchased these quite some time ago but the alignment or something is off on these. Only one eyepiece focuses and so you can only really use them like a monocular and not binoculars.
Bushnell does it again. These binoculars are incredible, especially at this price. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting the greatest, but being an optimist, I assumed Amazon.com wouldn't sell me something for $25 that seemed of $25 or lower value.The binoculars are not only what they say they are, but also of sturdy construction and quality with a tilt focus instead of the cheaper knobs you sometimes see. (This means you can change the focus without having to run your finger along a knob, shaking your view as it focuses.) It comes with a strap and a bag, too.The lens caps are a little loose on the eye pieces, but that's what the bag is for. Honestly, I intend to look through these more than I'll need eye piece caps anyway. The ones on the lens side are tight, though.In the way of extra notes, these do fog up if you get really, really sweaty, (was working out when these came in the mail) but I should hope I don't bird watching or star gazing, as these are ideal, especially with the 50mm lenses for extra light.Overall, I gave this unit 5 out of 5 because it far exceeds what you'd get out of $25 anywhere else and is more than suited for the tasks I have purchased them for. Good job again, Amazon.com!
These binoculars are good quality for the price.  I took them to the beach and could see as far out in the ocean as I wanted.  Great product!
We really like our new binoculars. They are just what we need when we go down to the beach to watch all of the sail boats at Newport. Probably will order another set so the both of us can watch at the same time. Thanks Amazon for such a great price on this product.
Once you adjust the eyepieces for your particular eyes, it is easy to use the "Insta-focus" bar in the middle to zoom in on details--just tilt it to the left or right. Has protective covers for large and small end, can be used with or without eyeglasses. I have not used these binocs much yet, but I expect to find many times when I can see something at a distance that I could only guess at before.
Ordered these for an ornithology class in college got a pair for myself and fianc&eacute;. One pair is holding up fine the others have an issue where on side is out off focus to the other causing a strain on your eye it looks like the focusing arm is bent. Lens caps are also useless fall right off. But for the price they cant be beat.
Bought these for my husband for hunting and he says they work great. I went ahead and bought another pair for my son also.
These binoculars are super easy to focus and comfortable to the eyes. It's my second pair like this. The first pair is over 20 years old and still working, even though the rubber eye cups came off after about ten years. These are worth every penny. They say you get what you pay for. In this case it's true and more so.
The binoculars work very well.  I went on vacation and I spotted a few birds way out in the ocean along with a few dolphins.
I bought 15 pair of these binoculars for my guests use aboard a riverboat.  They have served us well over a year with not a single problem.  Our guests are very happy with them.  I would highly recommend them to anyone who is wanting to view things with in a two mile radius, as they do a very good job in that kind of a field.
Great set for the price.Now that i have them, I wish I had opted for the zoom feature. All in all quite satisfied.
I was looking for a simple yet powerful enough pair for occasional use.  These did the trick beautifully.  I'm not an avid user or bird watcher but like to have a set handy which these are perfect for.
These binoculars are just average binoculars.  They are ok but nothing outstanding about them.  If you are looking for an average pair of binoculars these would be fine.
This product meets with all my expectations. I enjoy bird watching and star gazing with my binoculars and find they are excellent for both tasks.
I got these because the price was right and because they were Bushnell and the overall ratings appear good. They give a very good picture for such inexpensive binocs and the focus seems very intuitive to me. I am easily able to see my shots out to 100yds at the range, even using plain paper targets. They are a little more limited for hunting because you can't zoom out for a wider view but I knew that when I bought them. I also have a 4X and a 3X9 scope, so I normally do my broad scoping with the rifle scope 1st, then if there's something that needs more scrutiny these binocs give me a good view, at least out to distances I'm actually likely to shoot (I live where it's rare to shoot more than 100 yards and I won't even try a shot past where I estimate 300 yards to be. Maybe one day I'll have a range finder and a better rifle and I'll try that really long shot). I have had these out on a damp, drizzly day and had no problems. Low light use at just the 1st signs of dawn is OK if you're not looking too far away. My 3x9 scope is also Bushnell, and is designed to give better vision in low light. It's better than these in the low light of early morning except that at 9X it doesn't have the wide field of view these do. Of course it has a better field of view at 3x as I stated above. Overall I'm glad I got these. The case is just something to carry these in, nothing special. It has no padding to protect them. Again, I knew I was buying inexpensive binocs. The lense covers have an annoying tendency to come off. I just have to pay a little more attention to be sure I got them on well and then make sure I don't hit them on anything. They aren't attached, which would have been a great feature that shouldn't have raised the cost much. My scopes have caps that are attached by elastic cords, which keeps them on securely.Even with these minor problems I'm giving these 5 stars. I think they are great for the money.
These binoculars aren't the quality that Bushnell claims.I can't get them to focus clearly.Not very happy with this purchase
I bought these as a Christmas gift for a beginner. Very nice set for the price. Easy to use, comes with a nice case, caps for the lenses & a small cloth for cleaning. The recipient was very happy! I would definitely suggest these to anyone looking for a nice affordable pair for anything from bird watching, sports, etc.
If you are a bird watcher, serious hiker or peeping Tom..,these are not the binoculars for you.  They are an excellent product for someone who occasionally wants a better look at something.  Reasonably priced and very sturdy.  I'm quite pleased with this purchase.
The feel and handling of these binoculars are OK, but the image is not nearly as clear as most.  Only for very casual users.
I recently purchased these binoculars to take to the Arizona Diamondback's home game. They are light weight and easy to use. I would recommend them to anyone. The only draw back was when we tried to view the stars and the moon, they were very difficult to hold steady. I paid a whopping twenty-five dollars plus shipping and thats alot of Bang for my Buck.
The Binocular came with left lens crack on the outside plastic/rubber and bent inward a little bit. Seems like assembly defect. It is still usable but hard to see using two eyes. I have requested a replacement and hope the next one is normal.
I had to buy this film for use in a photography class and it is a great film. The pictures develop great, the film is high quality, and it doesn't scratch too easy. Buy this film if you plan to develop your own pictures!!
It arrived on time and the packaging had no damage. Cant wait to take pictures with it! I wish I had my own dark room.
First of all, this is black and white negative film, not the black and white C-41 process film that you can take to Walmart or Costco to develop. This is the real deal and you will need to develop this in your wet darkroom or take it to an actual camera/film store where they can develop this sort of film. Walmart, Costco, and other such stores cannot and will not develop it because they don't have the right chemicals or equipment. That said:It is a great film. After years of shooting with this Kodak, and with the Ilford brand, I have to say I personally like the Ilford a lot more but again, this is like arguing whether Canon or Nikon is better; you're never going to get a straight answer because they're both great films, each with their own little nuances and differences and those little things are what photographers side over.So, whether you use this Kodak film, or the Ilford, they're both excellent, high quality films and you can't go wrong with either of them.
I've found that this film Can't be beat. I'd rather spend the extra few dollars to get better looking pictures. I've shot this film out of my Howell+Bell point and shoot as well as my Canon Rebel G with very pleasing results both ways. a few tips I've found for shooting B&W use a R2(Red) Filter For better contrast, the pictures turn out sharper and Clearer depending on the lens your using. I shoot with Sigma's AF but I think it's the only way to go with a Canon Camrea. none the less, this film Can't be beat. SLR or point and shoot you can't go wrong.
This is one of my favorite films.  If you like smooth toned black and white shots, with little grain, great detail, and a bit of a silvery-gray feel to them, use Tri-X.  With a 400 ISO, it can handle a wide range of conditions, and has a lot of latitude in development.I have other choices for when I'm looking for a more old-time feel (Efke 50 or 100) or when I'm looking for the impact of a grainy film (Ilford 3200), but Tri-X Pan is probably the best Black and White film for everyday that I've used.
Sadly, this product is being discontinued.  I think other reviews have said it all over the years.  A great product that will be missed by those that made their reputations by it.
This film stock is no longer in production.  Kodak manufactured the last runs of Kodachrome in late 2009.  The film can no longer be processed as a color slide film since the world's last processor was Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, KS.  They shut down the last working Kodachrome color slide film processor 14 July 2010.If you have rolls of exposed unprocessed Kodachrome, the only way that they can now be processed is as a B&W; film.
Just a reminder...this can only be developed by Dwayne's in Kansas, and they will stop developing it reportedly in December 2010.Hurry up and shoot!
Almost the best slide film ever, surpassed only by its older and very missed brother: the late Kodachrome 25. Generations of photographer, amateurs and professionals alike, will get emotional thinking of it.
Hi there, I am 25 years old photographer and a relatively new Kodachrome user. My interest in this unique color slide film comes from the fact that I discovered boxes of my great grand father's Kodachrome slides that still look like they were shot yesterday. It was an incredible discovery that started it all. Then, I bought a roll of film, took pictures, sent it to the Kodachrome processing lab (Dwayne's Photo in Kansas). When I got the film back I was really impressed of what I saw. My slides are sharp with very beautiful color. The Kodachrome's blue sky is the most beautiful blue sky I have ever seen. The reds are so deep and vibrant and , oh.. those yellows! They're colors to die for! I also discover that this film produces the most realistic skin tones than other slide films I have ever worked with. In conclusion, this is a legendary film that Kodak Company should be proud of. Cheers!
Kodachrome 64 is a versatile, fine grain, high contrast color slide film that offers a bit more speed than Kodachrome 25. It offers splendid reproduction of colors; none of the colors are enhanced or souped up. It tends to be better for objects and scenes which have yellow, red or orange colors, though it will still work well with those of other colors, such as green and blue. Although it is among the oldest films in Kodak's color film line, it remains one of its finest, capable of extraordinary high contrast and resolution. For best results, I recommend using a tripod mounted 35mm camera, though it will be fine with a hand held 35mm camera in broad daylight.
I can't add much more to the reviews posted here, but I just wanted to say that I shot my first rolls of Kodachrome film last week and the slides I got back, frankly, just blew me away.  The tonal gradation, the detail and resolution, the color--if you haven't seen Kodachrome, you just haven't seen anything.  DIGITAL CANNOT COMPARE--digital's not even close, not by a mile.  Other slide films are a completely different animal and do not compare.  My father has fifty year old Kodachrome slides that he took while stationed in Japan and they look like they came back from the photo lab today.  When you see images taken fifty years ago in such living color, the effect is earth shattering.  You don't go back in time--the past moves into the present.  It's really unbelievable.Lastly, about processing:  You can't review Kodachrome anymore without also reviewing Dwayne's Photo in Kansas, since they're the only lab that processes Kodachrome in the US.  I put my film in a 1:00pm collection mailbox on a Tuesday and my slides were back to me, delivered right to my door by Friday.  To me, this is more convenient than a one hour lab because I don't have to go anywhere.  The mailbox is right across the street and my mailbox is at the front door.  Sure, you can't drop it off at the drug store and come and get it in an hour.  But how many times do you leave your prints at the one hour place for days or weeks because you can't find time to get there or you just don't feel like going there?  How many times do you go to the one hour place and they tell you that you can't get your film until the next day?  The next day becomes the next, and so on.Dwayne's convenient mail service assures that you will get your Kodachrome slides back with minimum hassle.  Just put the film in an envelope with the order form and payment (Dwayne's also takes credit cards of course) and a couple of days later the slides are waiting for you in your own mail box.  It's great.  In fact, I was so impressed with Dwayne's service, that I now send all my film there, not just Kodachrome.Everyone should try Kodachrome and Dwayne's.  The results will just astound you.
I've been shooting Kodachrome 64 since about 1983, so I guess that I'm a fairly "new" user.  When I first became addicted to the 35mm SLR photography hobby, I started out with prints, just like everybody else.  Since I wasn't doing my own darkroom work, I quickly became disenchanted with the wide variance of quality and color reproduction that prints offered.  Have you ever tried to take a properly exposed picture of a night scene with a moon in the background, and then have it printed so that it doesn't come out looking like a light bulb in a gray soup?  You know what I'm talking about.  Plus, I was displeased with the resolution that prints seemed to offer.After hearing and reading about Kodachrome 64, I tried a roll of it, and I haven't looked back.  Like others here, I was absolutely flabbergasted at the fine grain, detail, and color saturation that I saw.  This is what photography is all about.  This film allows a photographer to truly stretch his limits and try to develop his skills to their fullest potential.  When he does things right, he is richly rewarded by what he sees.  I have Kodachrome 64 slides in my library that I will cherish until the day that I die.While I've also gone digital within the past few years, I keep my Nikon gear and some Kodachrome 64 on hand for those, "I really want to keep this and have it turn out great" shots.  Plus, there's still something reassuring about having a moment in time that I can hold in my hand, rather than trapped inside a computer as a bunch of 1's and 0's.I hope that they never stop making this film.
With the cancellation in 2001 of KODACHROME 25, KODAK now offers KODACHROME slide film in only two speeds:  64 and 200.  KODACHROME 64 is, in my opinion the one slide film by which all others should be judged.Unlike other slide films that are developed using E-6 processing and which contain all the color dyes within the film, KODACHROME film stock is actually a black and white film to which the colors are added during developing.  This is a much more time consuming, tedious and expensive process, but one that delivers much more natural colors, finer grain and deeper contrast.  Using the K-14 process also means that you will have to send all KODACHROME slide film to a national lab.  Consequently, it will take about a week or slightly more to get your slides back.  But rest assured, the wait is more than worth it!One of the other intangible benefits of using KODACHROME slide film is that retains archival storage abilities.  There are slides available for viewing that were taken in the early 1930s, when KODAK first released this emulsion that look as if they were shot yesterday.  There is no noticeable color shifting, bleeding or loss of color or contrast.KODACHROME slide film has long been known  for its natural nd lifelike colors.  Unlike slide film from FUJI, which is known for super-saturated and eye-popping bright colors, KODACHROME delivers faithful images of what the photographer saw through their viewfinder at the moment they clicked the shutter.In addition, lesser slide films, but especially those from FUJI have been known to color shift while in storage.  This takes place even when the photographer made every effort to properly store his/her slides.Because this is a moderately slow speed film, it is best suited for bright daylight.  Many professional photographers use this film for landscape and scenic photos and for shots that will be enlarged, such as in full page photos for books and magazines.  This is a very fine grain film and that is why pros use it so frequently - they need to be able to ensure that the colors transition crisply and faithfully from the slide to the page of the book or magazine.  And the fine grain is also helpful should you want to enlarge the image to poster size and beyond.Unfortunately for the average consumer who shoots slide film, KODACHROME is not readily available through major retail outlets.  A truly professional film, it is generally only available at camera stores and stores that support and cater to professional photographers.  At the store in Parsippany, NJ where I have most of my lab work done and where I have bought almost all of my Nikon cameras and lenses, even they don't sell KODACHROME.  The reason?  They don't get enough customers asking for it.Instead, they sell some of the EKTACHROME line of Kodak slide films as well as Fuji's Provia, Velvia and Sensia films.  They also offer Agfa professional slide films.  Consequently, I have to hunt aroun d for this film or order it online from such places as B&amp;H Photo and Video in NYC.As inconvenient as finding it and having it developed can be, I still LOVE THIS FILM!!!  It is my belief that KOPDACHROME 64 offers the finest grained and sharpest images available anywhere today in the photographic world.Friends and strangers wwho have watched me work with my NIKON F100 often ask me when I'll switch to digital and give up on film.  I look at them and smile and tell them that I'll switch to digital when that medium offers me the sharpness, contrast, depth and overall pleasing color saturation of KODACHROME 25.  Since KODAK discontinued that film in 2001 and its resolving characteristics were in the 30-35 megapixel range and there isn't a digital camera available anywhere with that degree of resolution, I'll be shooting film for a long time to come.Shooting slides isn't for everybody. Slide film is much less forgiving of exposure errors than equivalent speed print films.  But slides are more realistic and they are sharper and clearer.  That is why KODACHROME 64 appeals to purists who like to receive exact duplicates of what they saw when they composed their pictures.Competing slide films don't really come close to matching this wonderful long-lived KODAK product.  Kodak has stumbled with other films, most noticeably with KODAK MAX 400 and 800, but with KODACHROME 64, they have created an enduring masterpiece.
The Kodachrome family is the most beautiful film ever made. As a professional photographer (now retired, but still using my favorite film of all time) I was dumbfounded when I heard it was being discontinued. A tradgedy! I hope they consider bringing it back as the cost is now prohibitive.
Others have already given wonderful reviews for the product itself.  I'm posting this as it seems the only way to alert you that when Adorama has a price that's several dollars less than anyone else (as they do at the moment I'm writing this, with a price of under $5), it's because what they're selling off is "short dated film".  You can see that by doing to Adorama's own website; the "short dated" K64 that have there is the only (non-pro) K64 that you can find on their site, and it's similarly highly reduced in price.At this moment, their "short dated" film is shown as expiring 5/2007.  Now, they've kept in freezers, so if you at least refrigirate it (until you use it), you can use it somewhat beyond it's expiration date.  Still, I feel you should know when you're getting "short dated" film, and apparently Amazon's setup with Adoroma doesn't support making that clear.
I was not aware that this model did not have a remote control like my very old carossel projector. Too bad!  It also cannot handle trays the contain 140 slides.  Maybe such short commings should be mentioned in the description.I was happy to see that I can use my Stack Loader.
Having decided to do something with the four thousand color slides I have in the attic, I found that Kodak no longer makes the projectors, but Amazon has at least one vendor who bought up a pile of product and will quickly supply projectors and accessories, as well as advice, with complete satisfaction.  I now have completed my slide inventory and am preparing for the next step which is digitizing.
My dad had an old Kodak projector, and as an adult I too went with Kodak for my slides. This all predates digital cameras by several decades. I consider myself an advanced amature photgrapher as evidenced by wins at several local photo club competions, several county fair competitions, and took a first place and a 4th place in ASHI Pentax's 1968 World Photo Contest, after which they claimed had it drew over 600,000 entries.After accumulating nearly 8,000 slides, I needed to consolidate the volume of storage for my dozens of 3" X 12" X 12" carousels; I added a Bell & Howell "Cube" system.  The B&H; offerred the capability of housing 640 slides within the same "footprint" space as my Kodak which maxed out at 140 slides/tray.  The Cube held 40 slides with 16 cubes in a box comparible to my Kodak carousels.  My brother went with a Sawyer vertical carousel system, but he always had difficulty of jams and fought with his projector at every family slide show marathon.I have moved many times over the years and even though I still had my Kodak, the lenses and parts finally couldn't take it any more and it wasn't worth maintaining.  So, I was stuck with the Cube system.  I found the cube system's only advantage was "space", as all other attributes paled in comparison to my original Kodak.  With the Cube, all the slides are stuck in order and are extremely difficult to change out or sort, difficult to find a specific slide, are difficult to load into the cube and are slow to advance to the next slide to be presented. The system was always much noisery than my Kodak.I've changed over to digital photography and wanted to edit and cull out meaningless slides and then to digitize several thousand "keepers" while retaining the original film slides.  I just couldn't do any of this with the Cube system.  I searched the internet and was quite surprised to find on Amazon, some Kodak's [still brand new] available.  I purchased the 4600 at a great price, and am extremely happy.  It has precision smooth operation, is quiet, has dual light levels, and you can easily pull out a special slide. I can't say enough that Kodak maintained the superior design and workmanship throughout the life of the 35 mm slide era.  Bravo and thanks Kodak. I am now digitizing with ease, and know that I won't part with my Kodak slides...my kids will have to part with it some day, but not me. PS, I've also had 3 generations of Kodak Digital cameras as well as my Pentax and parallel comparison to my daughter's Cannon Digital SLR Rebel. The Kodak's have served me well on two industrial construction projects taking over 16,000 images, and still compete with anyone up to 10 Megapixil.  I only miss the great light and fine focus - great depth of field available with an f1.4 50mm lense.
excellent near new 4600 replacement for my old 4600. Everything works. Great for a near new projector and a lot of bang for the buck
I recently bought this back-up projector -- am not quite ready to go "all digital" but wanted to be certain I could still use this fantastic tool.  Have been using this model for many many years and it simply does not disappoint.
This was the standard for projectors.  It still is.  This one appeared to be brand new.  This is what I want from Amazon, what is difficult to get.
Met my expectations.  In good shape with no mars or breakage.  Came packaged properly wo intct with no issues with product.
They are slide trays.  I have not had time to load them and see if the work...They are what I ordered...
last of the old reliable slide trays. Get them before they are history if  you like me have a enormous collection of slides
The items were exactly as advertised in the posting.  The shipper was wonderful to work with, adjusting the quantity of the items to fit my order.  Definitely a quality person to buy from.
Simple slide tray functions as it should, allows for more slides to be viewed at a sitting. Works on most Kodak projectors
I was reviewing my >6000 slides for our 50th wedding anniversary and found some of the old trays malfunctioned because the clips that control the advancing mechanism had broken.  These are original Kodak carousels and work as intended.  I still had price stickers on some of my old trays and these were purchased for the same amount!
Very sturdy, clean crisp lens.  It comes with a nice velour bag, and two lens caps.  It covers up 90% of the flash, so ambiant light (or external flash) is needed to take good pictures.You screw the lens on, set your 990 to &quot;M&quot;, and through the menu, you select &quot;Wide Angle&quot;, and you're good to go.No distortion is apparent on the pictures, which are the same excellent quality you're used to from the 990.
Frankly, I haven't used it but a couple of times. It won't allow my flash to work, and I bought it for inside the house, so it has not proved useful for what I got it for. Maybe if I had an external flash, but I don't. I haven't tried it outside yet. I'm afraid this review hasn't been much help. Sorry.Earlier reviews mentioned this, so I should have heeded them. It does fit my nikon E995.
Very well built, comes with two lens caps (front and read), and a nice velour bag with padding at the business end for travelling safety. Short adequate instruction sheet. External flash required for indoor, since it covers up 90% of the built in flash. I use it for outdoor landscape type shots.
If you are finding that your 3x zoom is going in the opposite direction of what you want then get this wide angle lens.I was impressed with the quality of the images that this lens can produce. There is very little distortion except when used at very short focal lengths.The only downsides are the size of the lens, the weight, and the fact that it blocks the optical viewfinder.
The Nikon CP990 is a great camera. After I bought this wide angle lens, it opened up a whole new world of digital shooting. It is a fantastic lens. You can't use flash or view through the viewfinder, but that's not a big deal.There are cheaper wide angle lenses you can buy, but they aren't made by Nikon. Nuff said.
I love this lens. This is my second one - I damaged the first one dropping it. I never take this lens off of my Nikon Coolpix 990. It provides fantastic photos even under low light conditions.
While is a small room during a dake-bonoist clicking session I am able to take photos of many people even when I've fairly close to them in proximity. Other Dake-Bonoist have expressed satisfaction with this lens as well.
Hey Andy, from Patterson: I also love my CP 990 (refurb unit, the camera is, though).Re: your wide angle: did you set the camera to &quot;M&quot;, then hit Menu, then scroll to Lens and select &quot;Wide Adapter&quot;? If you didn't, THAT'S why your 990 wouldn't focus!Everyone else, I don't have this wide adapter yet, but I'm sure it's just as nice as the fisheye I DO have. (And the wide angle is on my wish list.)
LCD is hard to read without backlight. The buttons are too small and heavily recessed which makes it very difficult to press them, even though its designed to make it hard to accidently press, its a little too much. Whats with the minimum setting of 2 minutes between time lapses, thats just silly, if you are lookign to do timelapse at anything less than 2 minutes internals, this won't do it. The remote knows when the camera is busy so it could record as quickly as the camera saves. If the camera powers down, I can't get it to switch back on from the remote, only from the main camera controls. The battery insertion diagram is misleading, I installed the battery upside down first time. ( + facing down is correct ). The big R/F filter is no doubt since nikon got its hand smacked by the FCC last year for emission problems with other accessories ( the 950 AC adapter ). However its the only remote release available if the 2min minimum is fine for you and you don't mind reflashing the cameras firmware ( which you must in order to use properly if you have version 1.0 ) then you are all set, on reflection I'd still buy it since a remote release is a must for steady work.
I suspect Nikon may have modified this item since many of the reviews were written.  I can't speak for the interval problem, as I don't use it for that.  However, in my version the RF filter just snaps around the cord.  It takes only seconds to get rid of the RF weight and gain several inches of reach--the cord is 40" long without it.
This is an excellent addition to any Nikon camera set-up.  Don't think about it. just buy it, period!I don't know how I would have ever taken several pictures without having the  convenience of having a remote for night pictures and exposures longer than a quarter second.
I don't know how to say what a terrible product this is. I bought it to use with my old Coolpix 990 (which I love), but I only managed to get it to work once for a few minutes. There seems to be something extremely sensitive about the connector to the camera. I had to rig up an elaborate system of rubber bands to hold the connector in exactly the right position to get the remote to work at all, and I was never again able to reproduce the same setup. I returned it to Nikon under warranty and got a replacement that performed exactly the same. I really hate the MC-EU1, and I've never said that before about any gadget of any kind.
Well, I've been waiting for a long time for this item and I finally got it a few days ago.  It's a pretty cool little thing that feels good in your hand and has neat features like a backlit LCD for low light situations.  But, there are many problems with it.  First of all...if the camera is busy storing a picture it just took, and you attempt to turn on the LCD backlight, 75% of the time the display will go completely blank and it will stop working.  You have to turn the camera off and back on to get it working again.  Second, the time lapse feature is awesome but get this: the smallest duration between each picture is 2 minutes.  If you've ever done time lapse of a sunset to turn into a movie, you'd want to take a picture about once every 30 seconds.  Or, taking a time lapse of a busy lake with boats crusing around, after 2 minutes, most boats would be off the screen and the time lapse &quot;feeling&quot; wouldn't be captured.  Now, taking a time lapse of say a plant growing, no problem.  It has intervals all the way up to 24 hours!  Thrid, it has a humongous thingee (some type of noise filter) hanging on the string (cable) that almost pulls the cord out just hanging there.  Also, the camera acts differently with this thing plugged into it and seems to forget some of the menu items I have set such as remember last zoom position and flash mode.  Was this device designed by Microsoft or something???
Very disappointing, wish I'd seen and heeded these reviews before buying.  Everything they've said, I've found to be true.  The cord on the remote is so short that it really defeats the purpose of purchasing one -- you gain less than an arm's length, making this really only beneficial for use with specialty lenses or extensible tripods.  I've also found the buttons to be quite difficult to use.  They're miniscule and set into the remote in such a way that makes them difficult to depress.  I've given up on this model.Also, regarding the retailer.  While I did receive the item, it had visibly been shelved for quite some time (more than normal wear to the box, inside components dusty).  It also appeared that my "new" purchase was a return as the packaging had all been opened and resealed, some of the informational packaging was missing and the included battery dead.
Received just what I ordered in a timely manner.  Will purchase from vendor again.
Got a generic battery before. Total waste of money. This original product from Nikon is totally worth the money.
This battery is just as good as the one that came with the camera. No problems.
You can buy cheaper replacement batteries, but you are gambling on quality at best. Many are just cheap knock-offs. I tend to stick with original name brand replacement. That way you know exactly what you are getting. The EN-EL1 that came with my Nikon camera worked reliably for several years and only recently did I see charge life diminish. I bought this new one as a primary battery and will use the old one as a spare. I would highly reccomend going with the EN-EL1
I own 2 of the Nikon EN-EL1 batteries and have taken a total of over 6,000 photos with my Nikon 4300 in the past 3 years.  About half of the photos are with flash.For my typical use, I get about 50 photos per battery.  For vacation photos, I am using one battery, while charging the other.After about 3,000 photos/battery and 3 years, I have not noticed any degradation in the battery life.Good value for the money.
I purchased this battery and the seller sent the wrong battery and I had to pay for it be returned.  Got the correct battery on the next try, but I am not happy with paying for someone else's mistake.  I have not had time to really use the product for the reason above.  So for little time I had the wrong product I could not of course use it, nor could I use it as it was shipping back.  Since that time I have only had a working battery for approximately a week.  This took 3 weeks to get the correct battery so I could use it.  This is starting from the date the original battery was shipped. Look carefully at who sells this.Nikon EN-EL1 Rechargeable Battery for Nikon Coolpix 775, 880, 885, 995, 4300, 4500, 4800, 5000, 5400, 5700 & 8700 Digital Cameras
Unfortunately - I did not have a great experience with these. You'd expect a superior product from Nikon (the camera is great) and I needed extra batteries as I use this camera quite a bit. I had found that these batteries were a tad expensive so I was looking for a cheaper alternative as well as avoiding having to go to local stores seaching for these. I found these via Amazon and a shop in San Francisco who had these for a much cheaper price.Unfortunately, they did not work...at all. They would not charge. I sent them back receiving one back which also did not work. I contacted the seller/customer service who were very good - they advised that I was not the only one complaining about the lithium-ion batteries and that the supplier was recalling all of them.The price was okay, the customer service great....the price for shipping was a bit high for just two little batteries. I just wished they had worked as now, I have to search for batteies for my camera.
I use my old Nikon 995 all of the time.  So I find that I have to buy new rechargeable batteries every few years because they seem to lose the ability to retain a charge for longer periods the more they are recharged.
Order received in good time - no problems.Battery lifetimes are short - not as good as firstoriginal from dealer, but twice as good as poorerchoice batteries from other suppliers.
I have the Nikon 995, and possibly the only problem I have with it is that it won't show you how much battery life you have left. It shows full, half, and empty, which really doesn't tell you very much. So, I wind up spending a lot of time stressing over whether a "half charged" battery was 30% full, and going to run out, or 80% full, and going to last the whole shoot.Save yourself the worry, buy a second one.This battery is a quick recharge (about two hours) and a long life. With the Nikon 995, you should have 110 minutes of use with the LCD, or days of use without it. I kid you not, the battery is good for days of continuous use if you operate without the monitor.Buy a spare battery, keep one charging at all times. Never worry about batteries again.Be well,Indra
I won't go with a no brand name battery again.  Frankly, I don't think any battery holds a charge as long as it should.  However, this one does ok but it's not generic either.  Spend the money and get the real thing.  Otherwise you'll spend the same amount in quantity of the other just to get the same amount of time.
This is the second rechargeable battery I bought for my Nikon 880. It's worth the price, since you'll otherwise eat up regular batteries at a frightening rate. It thought I could get by with one battery, but it can be a big problem to run out of power on the road -- you might as well buy two right off the bat.You need the charger (sold separately). It's annoying that you can't charge the battery in the camera, and even more annoying that you have to plug the camera into the recharger or it will forget date and settings when you take the battery out.
Does the job just as advertised. Plus having an extra can sure be a day saver.
With my Nikon Coolpix 880, two of these and a charger, I no longer go broke buying batteries.
Lets put it short and simple:If you want to spend a day out photographing, you must have a backup battery. There are few things more disappointing than running out of battery when you still want to take pictures.I didn't have a backup battery while visiting Paris. We ended up buying many EXPENSIVE disposable batteries.When you consider how priceless memories of your vacations are, it would be a shame to let a few dollars keep those memories from being recorded.
I received it on time and in new condition. I charged it for the recommended time and placed it in my camera. It only held a charge for 5 minutes. Since I waited so long before using it I didn't try to return it. It was an old camera so I think after so many years it no longer functioned properly.
nikon 4700 can take a lot of pictures using this battery... 2 time I buy it.
I have the coolpix 5700 and use this battery - it charges up pretty quickly (seems to be under an hour) and lasts a good long time.  We just got back from a trip to Turkey & Greece and I took this camera and two battteries along.  Took lots of pictures - battery seemed to last a good day or so between charges.
I bought this battery from SF Planet. It is useless. I believe it is yet another counterfeit version of this battery. It does absolutely nothing in the camera. I guess you have to go directly to Nikon and pay their price in order to get a genuine version of this battery.Do not buy! I learned the hard way.
it's probably just my perception, but these batteries just don't seem to last that long for the amount of use i give them. it doesn't help that my cooplix 4300 eats them like candy; fortunately it is now my back-up point and shoot to my real camera, but I have to have 3 of these in rotation for any serious shooting or travel fun. if you have a battery-gobbler like mine, you're probably better off with a cheaper nikon-knockoff battery, but I honestly don't know all the issues. best to ignore this review...nothing to see here.
I own six of these batteries, and they have all worked fine. I typically go on road trips with some mountain climbing, and I will shoot hundreds of images a day. Generally, I go through about two batteries a day, at this rate. I often camp, so am unable to get to a power source, then have to get a motel room sometimes every other day.Using my EH-21, I can recharge as many as five batteries a night--they usually take some 1.5 hours to fully recharge. It's so convenient to have the recharge light so I know when the charge is completed.I hope to upgrade to a higher MP Coolpix, soon, and the added recharger that now comes along with the camera should make for faster recharging, then able to use two at a time.You do need to keep these babies warm during the night camping, and take them out of the camera while you're not using them during cool or cold nights.I have to replace a exhausted battery quickly for my Coolpix 880, since if I wait too long, I must reset the camera settings, including the time and date. My Coolpix 2000 does not have this problem.It's good to have a few batteries since they take up little room in my camera pack, and beginners might be distressed to find with only one or two batteries, you can run out of juice after only a few hundred shots. I do use my LCD display heavily, and am often turning the camera on and off.Cheers for Nikon that they do not fail to support this product by changing to new types of batteries for their newer models. I plan to get either a 5400 or 8700, later, since they use the same battery type.These EN-EL 1 batteries last much longer than a set of AA batteries. They have lasted me some hundreds of recharges so far, and I have not had to throw away any of my batteries, going back to 2001.
Yes thats right,just what I mean.With this battery fully charged in your Nikon camera you can actually take the time to do both take the picture and smell the flowers ,without the worry about changing the battery(this can be done many times on same charge).Received this battery, charged it up and started  taking pictures right away.Have taken about 75 pictures, about 65 of them with flash.And at the time of writing this review battery is still in camera on its same charge.( PS. Always use save battery function,if your camera has this feature)
Purchase a second battery even though one can easily take 100-150 ( depending on flash usage ) on one battery charge. This is without any doubt the most useful accessory in my camera kit. I am using this with my Nikon 5700. No problem with this product and recommend purchasing it.
Works just fine and saved me a lot of money!  A great place to find supplies like this.
I have the nikon coolpix 4300 digital and two of these batterys. They work great as long as they last which is not 2 hours in my case. Maybe it is because I leave the monitor and flash on most of the time and take my pictures in a large size. All in all with two of these battery's I never run out of juice!
Amazing, glorious camera that provides much more than even most expensive competitors.The camera has metering preview !!! It shows the matrix with metered values for each segment ! It not just allows DOS preview it meters and shows the distances ! It allows  change middle exposure films! It can synchronize the external flash at any speed up to 1/8000 !!!! It is perfection and professional body, so convenient, smart and cool. I proud to own this Minolta's baby!
One of Minolta's best film cameras; great use of dials, buttons, and levers rather than menus, very useful LCD command screen and custom settings, unique brightness/metering map, fast motor drive, relatively light and compact, and more. Well built, wish the depth of field and metering map ideas had made it to DSLR's but I've never seen a DSLR with those particular features. Seems odd that a 35mm camera was the last camera to incorporate those ideas, but maybe Sony will recycle them in a future DSLR, since they've been recycling other Maxxum ideas in the last few years.
I purchased the Maxxum 7 to replace the Minolta 650, and cannot begin to compare the two. Although I will probably never use all the features, I can't wait to put it through it's full paces.
Minolta Maxxum 7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)I've had this camera for years and had to deal with the snobbery of Canon and Nikon owners. This camera holds its own. The autofocus is fast and accurate. The wireless flash makes it a perfect studio camera as well as making it's ease of use with a camera flip phenomenal. I will use it as long as they manufacture film.
I bought this camera just recently and I am very happy with it. I was reading up a lot before I made the purchase and came to the conclusion that with the extreme amount of innovation, the Maxxum 7 is a professional level camera worth comparing to any other.The 5th-generation autofocus is extremely intelligent; nine points, with the center sensitive to vertical, horizontal and diagonal subjects. It is the fastest ever to wear the Minolta name.The rear of the camera contains the illuminated LCD panel that is easy to read and tells you everything you need to know about the camera's controls in just a glance. Especially nice is the fact that it records all the settings for up to 7 rolls of film. (So one can go back and see what went wrong.)The &quot;Navigation Display&quot; LCD panel with a plethora of information also makes above-head camera shots more manageable.The body is compact, well sealed &amp; rugged. The Controls are optimally located. The two prominent knobs are very handy. One allows you to choose the different modes (A, S, M or full Program), while the other one allows for fast compensation settings.The 9-point autofocus system, with dual-cross center sensor, can be controlled by a dial in the back with ones right thumb. The Maxxum 7 boosts an 8X viewfinder magnification with built-in diopter adjustment and a sensational 92% X 94% coverage. Another great feature is the Distance-integrated flash metering with remote high-speed sync at all shutter speeds &amp; rear-curtain sync 14-segment honeycomb-pattern metering system solves the toughest of lighting conditions with ease. The Eye-start operation initiates autofocus &amp; autoexposure systems with just a glance into the viewfinder. One might never use all the 35 programmable custom function settings, but the Maxxum 7 is so loaded with state of the art technology, that as an amateur one will anyway never ever use all the possibilities this camera offers.
This is by far the best camera I have ever owned in my life, be it point and shoot, film or digital.  I'm in the Marine Corps and took this camera with me in Iraq and countless other places and it went through some of the most extreme weather imaginable and kept on working.  The camera is not labeled as splash-proof, but it should be -- I accidentally dropped this camera in a puddle of water and pulled it out and it was still working.  I never had it fail on me one time.  The LCD display on the back is huge and amazingly informative.  The backlight on the LCD is very handy as well.  The autofocus is also amazingly fast and accurate.  It's a professional quality camera with beginner level accessibility.
This is an excellent contemporary high-tech camera.  I tend to shoot in aperature controlled mode, and it is very easy to change aperatures, to bracket exposures so you get three to seven shots in rapid fire with slightly different settings, and to see differing depths of field.  Depending on the lens, it can also be relatively easy to modify the auto focus (so, for example, you move the center of the focus in front of or behind your subject to get the right part of the scene in focus), but note that some lenses will clutch and not be able to be hand-manipulated, leading to a need to switch to manual focus with those lenses in some cases.What really sells this camera, though, is the wireless flash.  Do not underestimate how much this can improve your flash pictures.  It is very easy to use -- I literally have shown my 3 year old, who was very curious, how to do, and got some good shots of him in the process.  If you buy this camera, you should buy at least one of the Minolta "D" flashes.As you take bracketed shots in continuous focus mode, the camera does a good job of remaining in focus.  For those of us with glasses, there is a diopter adjustment in the viewfinder that adjusts the viewfinder to our own current prescription.  On manual focus, this has a real impact on my photos, where my focus was previously a bit soft much of the time.I end up with a couple of minor complaints -- the selector button that lets you choose which sensor to use in focusing is placed right where my nose can hit it, and I've had to learn to take care not to accidentally change the setting with my nose. Also, I'd like to see the new anti-shake technology that is being incorporated in Minolta's new digital 7 incorporated into the 7.  I suspect it is just time until this happens.All in all, an extraordinary camera.
I got this camera new before Minolta bugged out of the camera business. Minolta was always a trends setter and the other big 2 scrambled to catch up. Minolta was terrible in the marketing department because all I remember was Canon commercials, I never saw a Minolta one = too bad. The Maxxum 7 is a super camera and out-of-this-world with the vertical control grip. It's plastic structure belies it's capabilities and it's what the Maxxum 9 (armored/combat camera) should have been. I'm still learning what this thing can do! So many intuitive switches make it like a semi-automatic camera for the enthusiast . One cannot go wrong if they get this camera if they have access to the old 1980s Maxxum lenses from a pawn shop and/or the new-in-the-box Sony ones also. Just baby the camera as Sony is hard to deal with when it comes to Maxxum repair work, along with other things they make new. When I was at a bridal show awhile back, someone thought it was a digital camera as it has a LCD screen on the back of the film door! ::Funny!:: I also have a 7D w/ the hard to find vertical control grip in my stewardship and the Maxxum 7 compliments it quite well andJesus has been good to me in this regard:Thanx Lord!You can't go wrong with this film camera!AWESOME! AWESOME!! AWESOME!!!Get some black and white film and have fun...
So there is no stablizer but with a steady hand you can get the shot.cheaper than the ism and well worth it if you have another zoom that has the 70mm range.  there is no need for the 70-200 if you have another good zoom lens.
I love this lens. I've already been shooting with it and have only had it for one day. So far, it meets/exceeds my expectations. I got it at a great price. So far, so good.
In the past three months I've fallen in love with this lens. I sold my70-200mm f/4L ISto purchase this, and I haven't regretted this decision in the slightest. The build quality on this lens is so much greater, and the images so much sharper, that I have never had reason to look back.I love the compression effects of a 200mm shot in portraits, nature, and events, and this lens hands them to me on a silver platter. Highly recommended.
Omg! words cannot explain how much I love this lens. It's not to heavy (of course you have to get use to it) . The bokeh is beautiful, The quality is superb &I;'m only shooting on a 60d.Trust me when I tell you If you like primes, this is one of Canon's hidden gems.
I needed this lens and it has helped me get better pictures for my night shots.  Much faster than my original zooms.
This prime lens is absolutely fantastic. It's fast to focus and quite versatile. The bokeh is stunning.I tried it with an extension tube this morning and it was even more spectacular. The minimum focusing distance was much shorter with no degradation of image quality.You won't go wrong if you choose this lens.
This lens is excellent optically.  Outstanding performance when used wide open at f/2.8.  It is a little on the heavy side weight wise though.
Images is clear but Image stability would be a great help. With IS this lens would probably be twice the price.
The grand appeal of this prime is that offers the telephoto reach and fast f/2.8 aperture of Canon's 70-200/2.8 professional lenses, but at far less cost and size. In practical terms, the 200/2.8 is fast enough to shoot nighttime football games that would have slower f/5.6 consumer zooms struggling to reign in motion blur.Unlike consumer zooms, it also takes well to a 1.4X teleconverter, giving the equivalent of 280mm at f/4. The USM autofocus system is quick, silent, and sure in almost any lighting, and because this 200/2.8 is essentially a longer version of Canon's legendary 135/2, it's plenty sharp all the way from f/2.8. Finally, because it's small and black, the security at sporting venues is far more likely to let you take it inside.It's not all roses though. 200mm on a 1.6X crop body is a 320mm equivalent in view angle. That's a lot of lens to handhold without stabilization. Pure sharpness doesn't stand for much when the whole frame is blurred by handshake. Despite the fast f/2.8 aperture, it takes a lot of light to keep the shutter speeds up, and this lens isn't all that forgiving below 1/400; good technique and proper bracing are essential. My copy suffers further from color fringing around highlights and loss of contrast in sunlight to a greater extent than any other lens that I own. Shooting into the sun, or with the sun just outside the frame, is not a forte.If you want versatility, there are also better choices than the 200/2.8. Framing options are limited, and you'll rarely find the composition afforded by 200mm exactly matches what you intended. While the 70-200/2.8 series are no stronger optically than this lens, they'll get the shot every time purely by the ability to track an object at 70mm and rapidly zoom to 200mm to take the picture. The addition of IS (image stabilization) alone doubles the number of keepers on the 70-200/2.8 IS. If your livelihood depends on your results, that's worth the price of admission.But if you're not molting fifties, and you just want a sharp and fast telephoto that'll manage better shutter speeds, sharpness, background blur, and contrast (in most circumstances) than a consumer zoom, this 200/2.8L is a great choice.
This lens works exactly as expected:1. Sharp corner to corner, wide open, as sharp as the 70-200 2.8 zooms2. Almost no vignetting wide open, completely gone by f/43. CA is minor, correctable in-camera in the 5D Mark III or in RAW4. Relatively light weight and small compared to the 70-200 f/2.8 zooms5. L-Quality build and optics6. if you use the 70-200 f/2.8 mostly at 200, this is a cheaper alternativeAll that said, I'm not keeping it. I find that image stabilization is an absolute must at anything over 100mm on today's high resolution sensor cameras. I check each shot for camera motion blur, and if it's there the photo is not perfect. Even at f/2.8, hand-holding this lens is out of the question in existing indoor lighting. I tried getting blur-free shots in a bright room and it's nearly impossible without going up into noisy ISOs. On a tripod, it's great. Today's 70-200 f/28 lenses have IS, as does the 100mm Macro L, all the telephoto lenses longer than 200, and even the 24mm and 28mm lenses got a makeover with IS (!). An IS version of this lens would make sense.A better option: Buy the 70-200 F4 L IS instead. Here's why:1. Optically, it's just as good at 200mm.2. Size and weight are similar.3. You get the versatility of 70-200mm zoom.4. Ergonomics are better.5. Four stops of image stabilization.You lose one stop of light but you gain 4 stops of hand-hold-ability; a net gain of three stops. And you can shoot hand-held down to 1/30 second.
This indeed is a fine lens. Excellent construction. Relatively small and discreet (with the lens hood off). Excellent image quality and very sharp. The colors it produces are gorgeous - it may be a subjective thing, but to me it has that certain look that you get from some of the finest L lenses. If you buy it, you will be very pleased.The one negative thing I can say about the lens is that it has less than stellar flare control. More than my other lenses, this lens is susceptible to washed out images if the sun is in the wrong spot. It is at times frustrating if you can't work around. It is a bit of an issue, but I wouldn't consider it serious enough that you should avoid this lens for this reason. I would give this lens a 4 1/2 stars, but Amazon forces me to take off a whole star.Once micro-adjusted on you camera, it is very sharp. I used this thing on both 5d mark ii and Rebel T2i. I found that on 2ti, while creating beautiful images, it was always slightly out of focus (evident only when you pixel peeped). On the 5d mk ii on the other hand, it is perfect, but as I said, had to be adjusted. I suspect that my copy needs to be calibrated. Make sure that you test it out if you don't the option to adjust in your camera. This issue can be easily fixed on the 5d mk ii.I don't think it is fair to reduce the rating because the lens a prime or that it is not a zoom and therefore not as versatile. That's the type of lens that it is. If it doesn't suit you, don't buy it. While primes have much better IQ than zooms, I understand that is not the case when it comes to Canon L tele zooms such as 70-200 2.8 ii. In terms of IQ, there would be no advantage to getting this prime. However, the pros of the 200L prime is that it is much smaller, it's black and more discreet and significantly cheaper.Lack of IS is not really an issue on a full frame camera where you can crank up the ISO a bit in lower light situations. At 2.8, this lens is reasonably fast to shoot hand held in daylight. I've used it hand held indoors where there was a lot of light and I had no issues whatsoever.This lens is quite versatile. It's wonderful for portrait and landscape photography. It would make a great sports lens I suppose, but I've never used it for that purpose. If you have kids, this will probably be your go to lens. I doubt that this lens is suitable for wildlife, as it just doesn't reach far enough for that purpose.I have one final suggestion to those contemplating purchasing this lens. I find that I love owning the lens, but I use it the least. Consider if you need this focal length. If your longest lens is a 50mm or 80mm, you may find that a 100mm or 135mm is a more versatile focal length.
I found this is a great lens for sports and wildlife and any situation where you want to get in close and get sharp as a tach photos from a distance. If you use a tripod or monopod you will get very pleasing results. The 2.8 appiture let's in all the light you will need. The price is not cheap but you have to expect to pay more for a quality lens like this. The only thing I would change is that I would  make an IS version to control hand held shooting.
I got this lens today and, in spite of pouring Spring rain, I had to test it out.  I can only say, "WOW"!!!I was looking for something to take mostly dog photos while they were farther away from me than I could cover with my 85mm.  I don't like zooms since I can't seem to get the crispness I am looking for.  The reviews WERE great and, although for a hobbist photographer it was a bit pricey, I decided you get what you pay for so I ordered it.I started indoors and was able to get some great shots but my colors were a bit too saturated.  Easy enough to fix!!!Finally, it stopped pouring and was just raining so I took it outside.  Once I figured out my depth of field, I had a ball!!!The lighting was terrible, it was freezing, and I was hand holding so I used the automatic sport setting figuring it would be fast enough to help with my hand shake.  This lens IS heavy, but can be hand held with decent results.  If you can brace yourself against a tree or something, it is even better.Sadly, I haven't learned enough to trust my use of manual settings so I take tons of photos at different settings and usually end up with a few that are what I was looking for.  This lens made finding a few keepers way too easy!!!Colors were impeccible, focus was right on, although I did use a bit of manual fine tuning due to the poor lighting, and the bokeh was superb! I was amazed at how quiet the focus is, and how little searching was done, even with the poor lighting and mist.Just for a test, I popped on my Canon 55 - 250mm is lens, set it at 200mm, and tried the same shots.  Obviously, it was NOT a fair test as I would never chose that lens with the poor weather conditions, but it DID make me way more impressed with the 200mm!!!I can't wait for a nicer day to REALLY test it out!!!  Admittedly, it is a relatively inexpensive "L" lens, but it is way, way better than what I have been shooting with and I am happy that I made the step up.
Canon L lenses are known for their great optics and priceyness.  This fast tele is an excellent value.  Some pictures I took at the Phoenix zoo with this lens are superb.  Use your tripod and get tack-sharp images.  The only thing that would improve this lens would be the addition of the image stabilizion feature found on a few Canon optics.  Of course, the advantage of large aperature lenses is that you can set a fast shutter speed and still have enough light for a shot.  This lens is surprisingly compact, (as long focal length teles go).  The autofocus is very fast and quiet.  Comes with a hood, too.
After realizing that I was using my 70-200 2.8L at the 200mm end way more than anyplace else, I decided to make a change to the 200mm 2.8L II lens. As expected for L lenses, it is nice and sharp with quick and silent focus. As an added bonus, this lens is nice and discreet compared to the much larger, white 70-200.The only reason I'd caution against this lens is if you need the flexibily of a zoom lens for your particular use case. For my needs, this is perfect.
I bought this lens for sports photography based on the stellar reviews. From the first shots I could see the difference and after working with the lens for a few weeks now my photos of high school football games rival the local pros.From the stands this lens won't reach out far enough to get great shots but from the sidelines it will do everything you want. It is fast enough for great shots in low light late in the game.I am very pleased and would recommend this lens to anyone wanting to take their photography more seriously.
A couple of years ago, I had my 70-200 f 2.8 stolen.  At the time I chose not to replace it (it's heavy, and I do mostly architecture and landscapes.  I figure I used it for less that 3% of all shots).  Well recently I decided I needed something in the moderate telephoto range.  I still did not want to pay $1500-$2500 for a lens that I would hardly use because of it's weight and focal length.  I realised, that most the the time with the 70-200, I used it at 200, not at 89, 142 or 187, so I opted to buy this much lighter prime.  It's much lighter than the 70-200 lenses (even the f/4 lens), it has supurb IQ.  The only drawback, the AF is a tad noisy (compared to the 24-70 f2.8L).For the price, it offers supurb IQ (even when coupled with a TC), it's very light, and it's not obvious (I have had difficulties in the past with the white lenses, as people assume you are a pro, and may not let you take phtoto's without credentials).
I purchased this lens for football. I needed a fast telephoto lens that was within my budget. I had been using a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II, but the pictures were full of blurred athletes because it wouldn't let in enough light except for games held during the day.This lens does not zoom, but I happen to like prime lenses. I have been able to capture most of the action on the field with it, except at the extremes (or if they get too close). During night games, I do have to bump the ISO up to 3200, but, with the lens wide open, I get acceptable results at a speed of 1/400. I generally handhold because I have more flexibility (and can get out of the way if a football player heads my way!). There is no image stabilization, but I don't need it most of the time.Indoors, I've used the lens at concerts: my school holds them in the gym under regular light. Outdoors, I've gotten some decent landscapes, and I really like this lens for track pictures and for cross-country pictures (and rodeo this summer). Wide open, the subject really stands out with good background blur. I can usually tell at a glance which pictures I took with this lens. The coloration is good, and the background blur is good.To be honest, I have not used this lens with a small aperture. I usually use it wide open and love the results.I've noticed that the photographers who work for larger papers use zoom lenses (and L lenses at that). This would provide more flexibility, but at much greater cost. Since I provide my own equipment, and get only a little bit per shot, I find that this lens allows me to get shots of comparable quality, but I do miss action close by or far away.If you can work with a prime lens and understand its limitations, this is a well-priced L-lens that will give you quite good pictures. I uploaded 4 samples to illustrate its range.
"Update"  After using this lens at 3200 ISO for a HS football game at night...unbelievable performance. Razor sharp at F2.8. I positively can't fathom how ANY canon lens or 3rd party lens at 200mm has an edge! Even the 200mm f2. valued at 6,000 MRSP under most situations.  Yes,you may get an extra stop but weighs several times more/monopod dependent. With the f2/8 several times lighter which means the ability to pan handheld which allows you to pinpoint where the action is. Too many folks concerned about style over substance. I talked to a photographer that was using the 70-200mm With a mono pod and a Tel extenderat the game. Are you kidding me??? he sacrifices 1 stop of light/focusing speed and puts a TOTALLY unnecessary ball and chain to mobility by using the monopod..Monopods are only useful in action photography for support when using huge Telephotos. Too many people trying to ape the pros using 400mm lens on TV.
I say this lens is fantastically specific because its only useful for a handful of situations, but in those situations it does its job fantastically... When you need reach and speed and can't afford to miss on the focus, this is as fine a lens to use to achieve those goal. In my case, I'm a wedding photographer that happens to hate 70-200 lenses with a passion. I find them to be big and heavy, intimidating to subjects and vastly overpriced for my needs. I only use focal lengths past 100mm during the ceremony and occasionally for a portrait where I want to compress the background. So for me it's not worth carrying around a big, clumsy, $2k anchor for 8 hours when I only need it for 15 minutes a day. If I were shooting sports or concerts or covering a press conference then I'd need a 70-200 but like I said, I shoot weddings and portraits.The 200/2.8 is a much lighter, much smaller, and much more affordable solution for me. Despite its light and manageable design, it still lives up to the 'L' lens standard in terms of build quality. It's tack sharp wide open. The USM motor is extremely quick, accurate and quiet. Color and contrast are phenomenal. And again, because it is SO light for a telephoto, its perfectly easy to hand hold without the need for image stabilization.For me, the discovery of this lens was a godsend. Since replacing my 70-200 with this my gear bag is lighter and my wallet is fatter. This lens may not be the perfect fit for everyone but if you're like me in that you have a limited use for telephoto and find yourself almost exclusively shooting your 70-200 at 200mm anyway, then this is the lens for you. If you think you may find the 200mm focal length a bit too constricting for you but you also want to avoid a 70-200, you might want to look at the Canon 135/2.0, the two lenses are very similar in terms of design, image quality, and price.
Although I have had the lens for only a week or so it has surpassed my expectations.  The images are extremely sharp from edge to edge even with the lens wide open.  I would have probably rated it a 6 star (if that was possible) if it had Image stabilization and zoom capabilities.
It's an L, so there's not a lot to say that hasn't been said.  It's sharp, fast, and still looks great even when extended to 400mm with the EF 2x Extender.  I'm very happy with this purchase.
This is one of Canon's under-appreciated lenses in my opinion. I used to own the 70-200mm IS II and that's a great lens, no doubt. But as I transitioned from a professional photographer to  filmmaker I started to collect prime lenses. Doing more run and gun, the 70-200 became too much lens. I wanted to be more discrete and wanted to use a C100 on a monopod without having such a large and hard to stabilize form factor.  I purchased this lens and haven't looked back. I do miss this lens not having IS, but at a fourth of the price...I'm happy.Sharp, easy manual focus.
My first L-series lens, and now I understand what all the hype was about. After only a few test shots, I'm both wowed, and sold on this line!Pros+ Amazing sharpness+ 2.8 is great asset in low light situations, and subject motion+ Lovely leather pouch+ Includes a lens hood+ Great price+ Focus distance limiterCons- Lens weight doesn't feel balanced, most of it is towards the front- Focus ring is near the front, would be better at the rear given the weight distribution- Built to accept a tripod collar, why not include it in the box- Lens hood and lens cap design are very dated, not very ergonomicIts easy to overlook the cons of this lens given its performance and price.
I am a hobbyist and only comment as one here - this is the best lens I've used so far as far as IQ goes. On top, it's light weight, discreet, not too expensive. Somehow I felt the AF on this is not as quick as my 70-200/f4 non IS zoom. Maybe just me. But the IQ (color, contrast, sharpness) on this one simply blows me away, wide open or not. I use this lens shooting in-door head shots of my little 4-yr old. She simply springs to life from this lens! The 200mm on 40D is even better than 5D because it gives the kid more room to be herself. The AF on this lens is not the best in low light. This is true with 40D, 350D Rebel, and 5D. 24-105L under the same condition works much better. This is true even with the build-in flash emitting AF assist beams. With the 580EX however, AF is instant. And so does most other lenses I use. I suspect this has to do with this 200mm lens being of a much older design while the 24-105 is far more recent.Update April 2011 -After some years of use mostly on 5D mk1, I get to know more about this lens:- IQ is great, but not the best. Actually, both 100/f2 and 300/f4L IS seem to be better in many cases. AF is not the quickest either, worse in normal indoor light. Flare can be a problem for this lens if shooting with a bright window in the background. 300F4IS is quite a bit better. 100/f2 is much better. But under normal light, this prime is great.
This lens is Canon's biggest bargain and a rather well kept secret.  The 200 f2.8 L lens is an amazing value and has the "red ring", Canon's professional rating.  One shoot will convince you of it's value.Photos taken with this lens are extremely sharp, with  colors rich and deep; it takes the 1.4x teleconverter well, adding range.  The lens takes sharpening extremely well.  I find it easy to handhold, and rarely use my tripod.  In comparison, the Canon 70-200 f2.8 was simply impossible for me to use without a tripod; it's size and weight defeated me regardless of the IS.  A direct comparison of shots between the smaller 200 f2.8 and the large 70-200 showed the prime in my case to always be superior.Although the zoom lens are a  convenience I personally find I am always at the long end of the telephoto within the 70-200 range.  I own 9 Canon lens, owned the 70-200 f2.8 IS L and sold it, keeping this lens in its place.  The advantages are many - I find it much sharper, easier to handhold than the white lens at 200, it is possible to take it to affairs where they will not allow the big white lens, and much, much, MUCH less conspicuous.  My husband uses the camera on  autofocus only, and his shots are outstanding with this lens.  He is an artist and has a great eye; matched with this lens he gets what he wants.The price is outstanding for such high quality;this amazing lens is a genuine bargain in today's camera world. Let's hope that Canon doesn't wise up and price this according to it's quality.  Have owned it for several years, definitely a keeper.  Buy it - you will not regret it.
Before buying this lens, I have owned a canon 70-200 f/4L IS, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS, Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 and Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 but sold them as I need a lens that is light and versatile. My first shot of this lens so sharp and vivid, this is now my favourite portrait lens, highly recommended.
I use my 200 almost exclusively for astrophotography, which places the highest demands on optical performance - albeit at infinity.  The 200 performs extremely well in this capacity.  At f4 star images are absolutely crisp corner to corner on my 40D, and the lens is quite usable wide open (f2.8).  I've never had a moment's regret about owning this lens, which I've had for about 3 years.
Let me start off by saying I ended up returning this lens and buying the 100mm f2.8L IS USM Macro instead. But that's not to say I didn't like this lens. Trust me, I did. In fact, I loved it. I thought the 200mm focal length was totally usable and not a problem by any means. If you can't frame up your shot like you want it, then you really don't know how to shoot. People complain that the 200mm length is problematic. Well, it's not zoom lens, that for sure, but come on, it's not hard to use your feet to set up your shot. I shoot with a Canon 5D3 so I have the luxury of using a full-frame sensor. So having true 200mm optics is probably easier to use than a crop-sensor body that yields 320mm. But again, use your feet to crop, people.The build of this lens is second to none. I was amazed at how solid it felt and how strong it was. It has great balance and looks killer on a DSLR. It's narrow at the base and widens as it goes out. A very cool, unique look for sure. The magnesium alloy used to build this lens is just rock solid. A really nice feel when you attach to your body. It click with a solid feel that transfers ZERO vibration. It's probably like closing the door of a Rolls Royce Phantom.The image quality is just amazing. The focus is fast! This prime lens has such superior optics. Wide open at f2.8, it produces a beautiful bokeh that makes your shots look as professional as the come. Truly remarkable. If you close it down a bit and shoot between f5.6 and f8, you'll get shots that are so tack sharp, you'll be blown away. I mainly shot with it at f2.8 as I was going for soft backgrounds and buttery smooth bokeh. It has slight vignetting at f2.8, but that, in my opinion, makes it look even better. No complaints at all regarding image quality. Isn't that what photography is all about????That leads me to the few complaints I did have - the reason why I returned it. I felt that for what I needed, the 100mm Macro with IS was a better fit. Less range with the 100mm, but I still got an L lens with f2.8 maximum aperture, but I gained the IS feature. I know IS add a premium to lenses, but at the same time, there are now some cheap lenses that have IS, so how much can it really cost? The 200mm prime needs IS. It's that simple. Outside, shutter speeds were fine, but go inside and it's a bit slower. Well, a lot slower for that matter. IS would help tremendously. Also, I do shoot macro photography, so the 100mm allowed for that as well.Oh yeah, the hood that comes with this 200mm lens is as bad as they come. It hardly snaps on properly and when it does, I felt like I wasn't sure it it was attached right. The hood with the 100mm is perfect, refined, and fits right every time. It's amazing they're from the same maker. Canon, you need to fix the hood that comes with the 200mm prime!But if you're looking for a great, fast, tank-like built lens that takes exceptional photographs - all for a great price.... This Canon 200mm f2.8L USM prime is the one for you. It's awesome in so many ways. I'll post some of the pics I shot  once this review goes up. If you're considering it, don't need IS and are planning to shoot outside mostly, this is by far the best priced lens you can get that has all of these features. And again, it looks killer!!! People with turn their heads and those who know the red ring will ask.
Several months ago a friend loaned me this lens at a company event at a bowling alley, and after rolling off 1300 action shots I proceeded to flip out. Santa just brought me this lens for Christmas. The only lens that one-ups it is the 135mm prime. For the money you will not find a suitable competitor. You do not have IS. However, if your shots are above the formula (1.6 * 200mm) for an APS-C sensor shutter speed then proper technique will yield sharp images. On a tripod shooting wide open at 2.8 is flat out crazy without any need for IS :). I've shot slower shots hand-held and while soft the images are passable if you stable yourself and practice good camera holding technique. It is L glass. I mean I don't what to say about this lens that hasn't already been said on B&H;, Fred Miranda, and here on Amazon. Once I used it and then compared it with the reviews it all jived. If you want to step your photos up to another level this price point won't seriously break your bank if you have the budget for it. It is a stealthy lens as it is not 'white' while containing all the 'white' L glass, going unnoticed anywhere you take it. It should have 'ninja' printed on it somewhere! Learn how to zoom with your feet and find out for yourself what all the fuss is about with this bad-boy.Brian
I had one of these lenses ten years ago when I worked for a newspaper. It wasn't an f/2.8 L II, it was the version before. This one is so much nicer. It has auto focus. I don't believe my other did. I wasn't shooting digital. It took great shots though. Sporting events were were cool to shoot with that, and I'm sure this lenses. I really dug shooting high school basketball and volleyball games. The ability to "get in close" to the action is a real plus with this lens. The only fault is no is. But I guess the money issue is the big concern. But like I said, this is a number one lens.
After three weeks with it I think that, although the Canon 70-200 is much more sold that the 200mm f/2.8L, you must ask yourself if your use of the lens is always at 200mm. If the answer is yes, then this is your smart election.
The EF 200 2.8 L is one of my all time favorite lenses. I love the perspective, speed, sharpness and feel of this lens. I use it around Honolulu, shooting candids, portraits and landscapes. The longer reach allows me to isolate subjects from the urban clutter. The large aperture helps keep my images sharp and imparts a beautiful background blur. This is the longest lens non-stabilized I can handhold with consistent results.BUILD: This handsome black lens is small for a fast telephoto, especially when compared to the EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM. Although not a macro lens, it focuses close enough for head shots (1.5m). Because it employs rear element focus, the front element does not rotate nor does the lens change in length. The 72mm filter size makes for expensive filters and isn't as common as the 77mm size used by man L series optics.The ring-type USM focuses extremely fast. Like all ring-type USM lenses, it has FTM and a distance window. Plus, the manual focusing ring is wide and turns almost as smooth and precise as a manual Nikkor. Build quality is solid but uses more plastics than larger L telephotos (barrel is mostly plastic). The black finish is discreet and attracts less attention than the white L series telephotos. I rarely get a second look when shooting with this lens on the street.IMAGE QUALITY: This lens is extremely sharp, contrasty, distortion free and flare resistant. I mainly use it wide open at F 2.8 and it is pin sharp but improves a little stopped down. Bokeh is smooth and pleasantly rendered, making a pleasing background for portraits.EXTENDER: I often use this lens with the Extender EF 1.4x, resulting in a sharp, close focusing and compact 280 mm F4 lens. With this extender, it's smaller and nearly as good optically as the EF 300 4 L USM, except for a little flare under extreme conditions such as Hawaiian sunsets (it still has less flare than most zooms). You may add an optional tripod ring but it is only necessary if you use both an extender and extension ring. However, a tripod mount is more convenient to switch from horizontal to vertical framing than a tripod head. Tripod Mount Ring A (black) is the original recommended mount, but the white version and updated Tripod Mount Ring A II work as well. If you own the EF 300 4 L USM or EF 80-200 2.8L (several other models as well), you already have a ring that fits.LAST BLURB: The EF 200 2.8L USM is small, light, tough, discreet, fast and delivers optical quality in spades. For discriminating hikers, travelers and amateurs this lens deliverers quality without breaking their shoulder (and bank) and can take the knocks they dish out. This wonderful lens sells new for $750 new and is a bargain in L-land. If you find yourself mainly using the long end of a 70-200 telezoom, the EF 200 2.8L USM II may be ideal for you.
its an awesome lens.. f/2.8 DOES make a difference in depth of field and shutter speed .. so comparing this one with the 70-200 f/2.8 its almost half the price and weight and just as fast and sharp if not sharper (it is) .. the fact that it is small and black makes it perfect for travel.. although i don't own the 70-200 f/2.8 i've tried it once or twice and i can't imaging carrying that bazooka in my backpack..the 70-200 f/4 is what made me think alot before i bought the prime.. if you are trying to make up your mind, consider the fact that 200mm is a long focal length and trying to stop action or wildlife will demand every bit of light you can capture.. most of my action picture shot with this lens, in decent light were in the range of 1/2000 @ iso 400 .. if this was an f/4 it would have been 1/1000 .. you won't get much keepers at that shutter speed..i recently got a 1.4x teleconverter and i see no change in picture quality when married to the 200mm f/2.8 prime... i love primes ...Samples[...]
If you are looking for value on some L series glass and you don't mind zooming with your feet, this is a great addition to your tool kit.Pros:Very sharp lens. Affordable for an L at this speed (Under $800 new last check) . Great candid street lens. Discreet with black body. Light weight. Lovely bokeh. USM for fast auto focus. Manual focus ring works wonderfully smooth.Cons: Not weather sealed. No IS.I rented this from lensrentals.com before buying and read many reviews before renting. I shoot primes mostly ( 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, and 100mm f/1.8 macro so I was very comfortable going into this purchase. Sure, the 2600 dollar 70-200mm f/2.8 would have been a better match to the 24-70mm f/2.8 I already have but I shoot mostly at high shutter speeds or tripod and the cost savings allowed me to invest more in other accessories like lighting and other support gear. No regrets.I use this with both full frame and crop sensor bodies and the results are always consistent with what I expect.My suggestion would be to research reviews from as many other pros as possible and try it out first before you buy.This is a kind of specialty lens that works with my style but may not work with yours.I hope this review is helpful to you but even the greatest lenses money can buy are no replacement for solid technique and using the right tools for the job.Best wishes!
Lo adquiri casi nuevo en Costa Rica, con parasol y bolsa por $400, o sea una ganga. He tenido muchos lentes fijos y zoom de la l&iacute;nea  L todos buenos. Pero ninguno supera al 200 f/28 en resoluci&oacute;n, detalle, color, etc. Este lente se ha convertido en mi favorito a pesar de que no posee estabilizador de imagen.  No es apto para fotograf&iacute;a nocturna pero de d&iacute;a para fotograf&iacute;a de personas y naturaleza es insuperable.  Para aprovecharlo al 100 por ciento se requiere practicar el enfoque con objetivos peque&ntilde;os como ojos de aves, flores peque&ntilde;as, etc.Si lo consiguen usado o nuevo comprenlo y no se van a arrepentir, pero deben tener en cuenta que es fijo y uno debe acercarse o alejarse, o sea es bueno para ejercitarse, lo que es un plus. SUPER LENTE!
With so many choices in the Canon line up this lens gets overlooked quite a bit. The reason... It does not have image stabilization and lacks the versatility of the 70-200 family.  However, what you gain is fantastic image quality, detail and sharpness.  I originally had the 70-200 f/4 IS and was amazed at how much sharper this prime is.  At f2.8 the two are about the same but as you stop down to f5.6 the prime makes the zoom look like a beat up kit lens.  And by f8 the prime is simply amazing with the amount of detail it captures.  The bokeh is much better as well.  For example if you take a picture of a bird in a tree the branches behind the subject blur much smoother with the prime than the zoom.Now there are some trade offs as mentioned.  No image stabilization means you will need to shoot at higher shutter speeds or find a way to keep your camera steady.  I have found it best to hold the lens with my left hand at the very end or even hold the lens hood.  Most of the weight is at the front of the lens which makes it a bit awkward.Focus speed is very quick and very accurate.  However, it does miss more in lower light situations with moving subjects.  More so than my 50mm 1.4.Overall a great lens and recommended.
I chose this lens over the costlier/heavier 70-200mm f.8 L zoom due to the fact this it is roughly one third the weight and one third the cost of the zoom.So far I'm very pleased with the lens and for my purposes I don't miss the zoom option.  My only complaint is that the lens takes a 72 inch filter, rather than the 77 inch filter which I had read was standard across the L family lenses.  I'm posting this review to point this out to others who might have the same wrong impression.
I replaced my EF 70-200mm F2.8 L to this one. I miss zoom sometimes but it's very light weight compared to F2.8 zoom. And it is sharp. That's another reason that I decided to buy this lens. I can use an Extender with it and doesn't lose the quality of photo. AF seems to slow down a bit. But as far as image quality with both 1.4x and 2x Extender, it keeps images pretty sharp especially with 1.4x. I could shoot with hand-held, even with 2x extender at a fast shutter speed. But normally I use a monopod or a tripod. To me it's a very impressive lens, and versatile with Extenders even though it's not a zoom lens. Does it need IS? Not if it increases the price and loses sharpness.
This lens is built with high quality craftsmanship. The auto focus is very fast. I'm using it primarily for astrophotography which really can test the quality of a lens. This passes with flying colors. Highly recommend.
Interestingly, the price has crept up a bit on this lens in the last few months. It's value must be becoming more apparent to more folks. Nice to have bought before it went up instead of vice versa.Nevertheless, this is the most reasonably priced of the Canon L Primes & is a perfect one to start out with, if you don't own any yet. This lens is tack sharp, has very true, very vibrant color and high contrast. In all these areas, it is probably just shy of the 135mm, 85mm and 50mm lenses, but this is a discerning eye speaking, and these are subtle (although modestly notable differences). The difference between this and an ordinary Canon lens will be much greater.As a side note - if you already own either or both the teleconverters (1.4x and 2x), they work very well with this lens. It maintains AF with both, due to it's speed. And this is a small light lens, considering the focal length. With a 2x it becomes a 400mm f/5.6, yet it is much lighter, narrower, and more portable than any comparable variation (the 100-400mm L, or any of the 400mm L primes, of which there are two, plus a non-L DO prime that looks like an L, and might fool you). If you intend to shoot all the way out at 400mm mostly, this is probably the cheapest method, and the quality loss is less with the 2x on this lens than with many/most others.Whatever your choice, this is probably the most reasonable L value on the market and is a very smart buy if you wish to see what all the fuss is about.And Yes, the fuss is warranted. L's are that good.
Anyone that shoots sports and can not justify the $2800 for a 70mm-200mm f2.8 ... this is definitely the answer!!
This is my second piece of L series glass.  I also own the 17-40mm f/4L and about 6 other lenses.  The body I'm using this on is primarily a Canon EOS 20d, with a 10d for a backup, both have 1.6x crop factors, which multiplies the focal length by 1.6x.I was researching the differences between the 70-200 f/4L and the 70-200 2.8L and how soon I could afford one or the other and somehow I ran across this 200mm prime.  Noone ever seems to talk about it and I hadn't seen it around the sites I was reviewing (probably because the 200mm 1.8L gets all the attention), but I found it one day and immediately bought it.  It's a reasonable compromise between the two lenses mentioned so I decided not to wait any longer for more L glass.  It performs as you should expect from L series lenses, I have no complaints about it and am well satisfied with it.  I do find myself missing a zoom range and so there are still decisions to make about a future upgrade path.  I've stopped using my non-L zooms altogether now as I get a very low percentage of sharp, rich, realistic looking shots compared to the L glass or my 50mm 2.5 compact macro lens.With this lens I have a combination possiblity that I've never heard discussed...  I could keep this lens and get a 70-200mm f/4 IS to pair with it.  This would mean that I would have one lens with IS for hand held stability, the other for sports action in low light.  The weight of both lens is about the same as the 2.8L zoom, but when handholding for long periods either lens would be light by itself.  I could leave one lens home when backpacking if I wanted to or be no worse off (weight-wise) bringing both than if I brought the 2.8L zoom.  Size-wise the 2 lens pack better in my kit than the one large lens would.  As luck would have it, they both can use the less expensive 200mm prime's tripod ring (though neither lens comes with one - Booooo!!! Hissssss!!!).When it comes to long tele shots with an extender I still am starting with a wide enough aperature with the 2.8 prime that the 2x is usable with Autofocus.  Also, I'm starting with a prime lens so the final photo would be theoretically sharper than the 70-200 2.8L zoom.  The 70-200mm f/4 IS zoom however, scores as high or higher as primes in it's range (according to Photozone) unlike most zooms, better than the f/4 non-IS or either of the 2.8 zooms according to their objective testing.What I would give up in this combination is the ability to do it all in one lens so that means I may occasionally miss a shot when swapping lenses.  Also, I give up the wide aperature if I decide I want 2.8 in the rest of the zoom range and didn't want to bump up the ISO dramatically in the f/4L IS zoom.  On the other hand, if a lens has to go in for service there is redundancy in the system and I still have something to use (or share with a friend on the trip who splits the weight).Because the resale value on L glass is pretty good, if I prefer a different upgrade path I can start over without much financial loss.  Oh... and I can buy both the 70-200 f/4L IS and this lens at about the same price as the 70-200 2.8L IS lens alone, but pay the price in stages as I go rather than waiting a while to get the single lens.Before I make that upgrade decision though, I think I'm going to rent some of the possible choices to figure out if I'd be happy with this upgrade path.  It has some pros for me, considering most of the time I'd be backpacking with it for quite a few miles and at least I have an option to leave some weight behind if I would want.  I really like the 200mm 2.8L as it is, and as you can see it has interesting possibilites for it's place in your kit.  I wonder too, if anyone else has gone this route and what you think of it...  I haven't bought that next lens yet and would be interested in hearing about others who may have already considered this.
Don't let the reviews make you think this is RAZOR sharp. I would have expected better from a prime L lens. However, this lens is still quite sharp. I would have wished for IS but, of course, that would have raised the price to a place that I don't have money for right now.Just know what you need a lens for and see if this matches. A prime at this focal length will mean a lot of walking around to frame your subject.Makes a great match for my 40D
This lens is simply fantastic.  We are amateur photographers and started building our kit a few years ago - this is our first "professional" lens and we are amazed with the results it produces.It is fairly heavy but no need for a tripod.
The only reason I have this lens is better picture quality than any zoom in this price range and more.  Forget the entire Canon "non L" zooms. They produce muddy non vivid pictures. With the good lighting condition zooms are fine, but any $200 camera can make OK pictures in the good day.And there is something more to this L lens; I mean better consistency of sharpness and skin colors. You know those nasty reddish skin colors. Not with this lens. Less work on Photoshop.Not as convenient as zoom?OK. The next level is.... white Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM.F/2 and IS (Image Stabilization) versus f/2.8 and no image stabilization.Sharpness level is the same. Any price difference?  You check yourself, you will be surpized.Addition. Hm, I did write this review just about 3 years ago. I do not have this lens anymore. I guess the only issue was front focusing with Canon EOS 20D (and 5D as well). Later I had Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, which I would recomend as a sharp lens. Colors on EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM are not that vivid though.
I bought this to 'replace' my 70-200 2.8L IS.+ Its sharp and buttery.+ Half the weight of the aforementioned lens. (Makes a big difference after holding it all day)+  Smaller form factor for a telephoto = less intimidating to a client during portrait sessions (They don't feel like you are pointing a giant lens at them, because you aren't')+ I shoot on a 5DMKIII so the small loss in range I can make up for in crop if I have to.
Stunned.  Just love it for portraits, especially outdoors where there is lots of room, and indoors where there ain't lots of light.As others have pointed out, you need plenty of space to backup if you want more than tight head and shoulders, but, wow, what a lens to have at weddings and model shoots.  (Sure, the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II is much more flexible, but the 135mm is faster, shorter, and seems light as a feather in comparison.  So comfortable to carry and use.)Resolution, bokeh, and color are superb.  You will actually appreciate the very slight softness at f/2 because, otherwise, even a model who knows how to apply makeup is going to need plenty of skin softening.  You will be surprised how many wrinkles, blotches, large pores, and whiteheads people you know well have lurking on their faces!  Actually, at f/2, this is almost as sharp as my 16-35mm (I) and 24-70mm (I) (completely different, I know, but still L's) get at f/4.  With the 135mm at f/4 - f/16, the resolution is as good as I've seen from my camera or any other.  I do have the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 primes.  This is a big step up.  This must be one of the best deals on any lens by any maker.  (Though I hear the 100mm f/2.8 L Macro also blows away lucky owners.)Maybe some of the older lens designs aren't ideal with today's digital cameras.  I'm using this on a 5D Mark III and can say it is a great match, for sure.  (This is indeed a "Group A" lens in the 5D Mk III manual, meaning it is one of the few which uses all available dual cross-type, highest precision AF points.  I'm really looking forward to using it for sports (basketball) next month.)
I am still learning how to get the best photos but the pics I am getting with this lens are awesome!
I sold my 70-200 4.0L lens in order to get this lens and I am very happy with my decision.The ability to shoot at 2.0 aperture gives you the ability to completely blur distracting elements from the background of your subject.As with all L series lenses, the image quality, sharpness, color and contrast are all excellent.Also like all L series lenses, this lens is built very solidly. Keep in mind that this lens may feel somewhat large and bulky to those who haven't used L series lenses before. The extra bulk is because of more high quality glass and the use of more durable materials (metal vs. plastic). I've grown to like the stability and the weight of the lens.The focal length of 135 is not for everyone, on a full frame camera (film or the 5D for example), 135mm is a great portrait lens that allows you to isolate the face instead of just the head.On a digital camera with a crop factor (like the 20D, digital rebels or the 30D), the 135 becomes something like a 210mm lens. This may be too much for  portraiture though it would be useful as a lowlight or indoor sports lens.The only real negative thing I have to say is that the lens cap is very annoying to take off when the supplied hood is attached (not much room for your fingers to get to the releases). {see the customer photos} I generally take the hood off and then take the lens cap off. Another option would be to get a different lens cap with a center release (Tamron makes these).
I own other L lenses and love them all.  But I have to say that this particular lens is BAR NONE the ultimate lens.  Yes, it's a tad too long in close quarters, but O M G is this lens sharp.  The photos taken with this lens always outshine my photos taken with other Canon L lenses.I read a review once that read, "You couldn't pry this lens out of my hands with a crowbar and dynamite" or something like that.  I feel the same way.  When the shot really really counts this is the lens I'm putting on my camera.  I treat this lens like a 3rd child (I have 2 actual children).  I love it and dote on it.Yep, it's that good.
Have this lens since 10/2012 and it has been on my Mark 5D II 90% of the time.  LOVE IT!!!.  Sharpness and almost no vignette, perfect for night time shooting without resourcing to flash (I don't like to use flash).  Use 2x Canon extension for outdoor shots and the pictures are as good as they supposed to be.I was wondered should I buy this lens or the 70-200 MKII, which I can afford.  But the later was so darn heavy, only advantage is versatile.  But after having 135 F2, no regret what so ever.  Start loving prime lenses now.  I known some of you might disagree with me when I said this lens is actually sharper than 70-200 MKII.  But I had compared mine before returned 70-200 MK II to Amazon. Then,I just got the 200mm F2.8 version last month.  Will post my review on that lens later after a month trip to Asia.
If I had been asked a month ago what the best lens I'd shot with was, I might have said that the question does not have a single answer. Ask me now, and I will reply, without hesitation, that the 135 f/2L is the best lens I've used. It earns this standing among a peer group that includes the 17-55 f/2.8IS, the 50/1.4, the 85/1.8, and six L zooms.On both APS-C and full frame, this lens produces images with color and contrast that I've seen matched only by the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. Bokeh is smooth and creamy and simply unmatched by any other Canon lens I've used; a boring background like painted tongue and groove board will turn into a wonderful silky continuum of color. Images are sharp and in-focus areas are very detailed and I found myself able to crop with confidence when needed - important in situations where there is not much freedom of movement. I found that the subject isolation at f/2 increases the apparent sharpness of the images.I spent a lot of time agonizing over whether to purchase this or the excellent 70-200 f/2.8IS II. Both lenses are very sharp; the zoom has the edge in versatility, but the prime has the edge in bokeh and I found the extra stop of light to be extremely valuable in low light event photography especially on a cropped frame with more limited high ISO capability. What truly set the prime apart for me though,  was the weight (or lack there of). Each time I used the fast zoom, I'd find myself resting after an hour to give my left hand and my neck a break from supporting the camera. With the 135, I could easily hold the camera with one hand and I found myself able to shoot for hours without issue. There is as much joy in taking photographs as in viewing them and anything that can add to the experience of taking photographs is a winner in my book.I have read numerous discussions about the usability of this lens on APS-C frames. I've used this lens quite extensively on my 7D and I'd buy it even if the 7D was the only camera I had. Autofocus is accurate even using the corner AF points, but does require a steady hand and a fast shutter speed. When shooting at f/2, getting a fast shutter speed is usually not a problem but having a steady hand can be. I did find myself resting against a solid object and removing unneeded weight (my flash) from the camera in order to keep the AF point where I wanted it to be through the shutter press. Mount this on a 5D Mark III though, and all these handling issues disappear completely. What results is the magical combination of an f/2 maximum aperture, a professional grade AF system, and good ISO 6400 capability that gives you the confidence to go forth and conquer all that stands before you.If you are contemplating the purchase of this lens, I'd recommend that you rent it and spend a weekend shooting with it. And then find yourself falling in love with it as I and so many others have.Update (December 14, 2013): I have now used this lens (rental or purchased) for over seven months, and I am finding it to be far more versatile than I ever expected it to be; quite simply, the combination of color, micro contrast, and bokeh (when needed) in its renderings have made me try to frame a shot using a 135mm focal length if at all feasible. I've used it for stage performances (where its fast auto focus makes it easy to track moving subjects), fall color shots, portraits (where it is simply stellar!), and even group shots, all with excellent results. About the only thing I've used that compares with or betters it for micro contrast and color is the Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8; for all that lens's virtues however, 21mm is obviously a special purpose focal length!Update (April 20, 2014): With my recent purchase of a 24-70 f/2.8L II, I now have a superb standard range zoom. I find that the 135L is an excellent complement to the 24-70. Its small profile and low weight allow for a level of unobtrusiveness that would be impossible with the larger 70-200 f/2.8 II when you are trying to observe and shoot action from a distance; on the other hand, the 24-70 is excellent for closer range shots. The 135's fast and accurate AF allows you to capture the decisive moment time after time - the camera becomes an extension of your eye and your mind to an extent no other lens seems quite capable of achieving. I find it an absolute delight to shoot with and it remains for me the one lens.
About me: I do photography as my only hobby and have decent skills. I use a Canon 6D full frame and often get pictures which are appreciated by many. Personally, i am very unforgiving on my pics, zoom everything to 100% and like to count hairs in eyelashes. I do little bit of editing on each and every picture in Lightroom or Elements 11.I already have following lenses: Canon 17-40 F/4 L, Tamron SP 28-75 F/2.8, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 85 1.8 and Canon 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS USM (non L).I used and sold the following in the past: Canon 24-105 F/4 L, Canon 28mm 2.8 IS, 50mm 1.8, 40mm 2.8 pancake.I use Canon EF 12 extension tube for occasional macro needs, have two 430 EX II flashes and Yougnuo 622C remote triggers.70% of my photography is about people/portraits and most of it till date has been covered by Canon 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 (and sometimes with Tamron 28-75 when outdoors).I was speculating buying this lens or Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II. Honestly, i can't buy 70-200 for the following reasons:1) Cost - Most important... i don't have $2500 in my pocket at the moment and can't buy at this price after seeing it for $2200 and waiting for better deal but price moved upwards.2) White color and size although i could have lived with weight if i had money and it were black.3) 1 stop slower aperture than 135mm L although it has 4 stop IS. At times, I can use a tripod or monopod with 135mm and negate its disadvantage of no IS. Personally, i prefer wide aperture over IS and often find ways of reducing shake by supporting my body weight and hands against some object/wall, pausing/stopping  my breath for a few seconds, keeping elbows close to ribcage, etc.4) My main subject most of time is my 2.5 year old who is always in action and 2.8 is sometimes slow to freeze action in average lit home conditions.135mm is very specialized focal length and not very versatile. I will advise people with crop bodies to stay away until it is very careful decision.Even with a full frame, it was a tough decision for me since i use 85 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 a lot which covers me well and felt that 135 could be a overkill.I rented a Canon 70-200 F/4.0L IS just to try what people are raving about. No, that is not my cup of tea. I knew that F4 is slow but still tried because of amazing reviews. Honestly, i believe that lens is only for good light unless you like high ISO pictures, that's not me. Even on 6D, i try to keep ISO within 2000 and mostly under 1600.I also tried 70-200 F/2.8 IS ii in lens rental shop with my Canon 6D, just took a couple of pics and was really impressed once i came home and downloaded the pics to my computer. It blew away the similar shots taken with 70-200 F/4 IS.I practiced to use 135mm length on my 70-300, didn't like it, still pulled the trigger because of 100 bucks off deal on 135 L.It arrived today, now realized that 135mm focal length on a full frame is not bad when it is giving such a fantastic image quality. Its little long indoors and frequently i find myself pushing my back into walls to get some more space. Anyway, i bought it for outdoors and spacious interiors. My 50 and 85 still be my choice in small spaces.I took it in balcony along with 70-300 and shot pictures to compare. 135mm L clearly outperforms 70-300 at 135mm. Also, the cropped picture of 135L was almost as good as 70-300 at 300mm. These pics were shot handheld and remember the IS on 70-300.Although, 70-300 is a good lens in its price range. I will be selling it since it will no longer find a space in my bag when i go out and its of no use at home due to nice primes i have. If possible, i could have kept it to cover that focal range with IS.I am yet to try 135mm with my Kenko 1.4 DGX pro extender.I will be updating my review after a few months of use. Giving 5 stars the very first day since it made a place in my heart on first use. Amazon doesn't allow 4.5 stars else could have rated it 4.5 to start with, even a 4 star can bring its rating down from perfect 5!I wish canon start upgrading longer prime lenses with IS instead of putting IS on  24, 28mm and 35mm primes.My future lenses could be:1) 70-200 F/2.8 IS ii or 100-400L depending on my interests and finances in the future, neither of them will replace 135L or any of my primes.2) Might replace 85mm 1.8 with 85 1.2, again time and finance will decide.3) Possibly replace 50mm 1.4 with 35mm 1.4 L at some point of time to configure my kit better although 50mm 1.4 is an amazing piece of glass.For people on budget, i highly recommend 85mm 1.8 on full frame and 50mm 1.4 on crop for portraits.Finally choosing between 135 L and 70-200 2.8 IS II: This is a tough choice if you have to buy one.Professionals should go for 70-200 for its versatility since they may not like to change lenses too much during an event and probably can justify spending so much.Amateurs: Go for 135mm prime if you wish to create magic/piece of art. Professional photography is mostly about taking pictures that is acceptable to client or exceed their expectations. Being an amateur is a bliss in photography, we can afford to shoot 'when ever we wish' rather than 'when ever have to' and it is easier for us to change lens.------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edit: 30-Oct-13I have used this lens for a almost 3 months and have taken more than 1000 pic with it so far. Here is my observation:1) I find 135mm very good for portraits where you have space for this focal length. As stated earlier, the disadvantage is lack of versatility. It it too narrow when situation demands something little wider and it is always short when situation demands something telephoto. That is where 70-200 F/2.8 IS excels, 135mm demands lens change frequently or you should have more than 1 camera body. If i have 2 full frame bodies, i can put 135mm permanently on 1 of them.2) Although it is F/2.0, i use it mostly in daylight/dawn/dusk instead of low light situations. It is really that good wide open, i use it 90% of time at F/2.3) Although, glass is simply flawless/perfect, still i feel that Canon should think of releasing Mark II, this lens could benefit from following:- Image Stabilization: This is a mixed bag, IS will make this lens better than everything else ever made but at the same time, lens will become considerably costlier and most people won't wish to put so much $$$ in fixed 135mm. Probably, 2 versions without IS and with IS like 70-200 lenses? There could be buyers for both kinds.- I find that it hunts for focus just a little more than newer L lenses, so Canon has some scope for improvement here.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edit: 16-April-2014:This lens has become the benchmark for judging/evaluating other lenses. I used to love my 85mm F/1.8 USM before purchasing 135mm F/2 L but not anymore. Also, i have lost love for my 50mm F/1.4, 135mm has changed the way i look at pictures, i look for perfection. It can shoot full wide open at F/2, very sharp with no CA or color fringes. In contrast, my 85mm F/1.8 becomes sharp only at F/2.8 and still there is lot of CA and color fringes which i didn't notice earlier when i had nothing to compare against.So, count it as a 'con' or disadvantage for 135mm F/2 L that it will kill your other lenses. My 85mm 1.8 is up for sale, i am retaining 50mm 1.4 just because it my widest prime and most importantly it is 1.4 which i will replace with 35mm 1.4 only when i have money.With the high standards set up by 135mm, i still like my Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 which i really recommend to everyone if you don't have money for Canon 24-70 f/2.8. If i need to live with only 2 lens, these will be Canon 135mm F/2 L and Tamron 28-75 F/2.8Recommendation: Don't purchase it for crop body if you are not sure of the focal length, it might be too long for you. If possible, rent it for a weekend. Without IS, you will be able to use it handheld only in very good light since you will need to maintain a shutter speed of over 1/200 and at the same time, usable ISO capability of crop sensor is limited. I am writing this since i have seen a lot of people in forums asking it.
I recently switched for Nikon to Canon and for the most part been unhappy, debating if I should switch once again back. I find Nikon just has better cameras and lenses than Canon, though a few lenses I would say is very close and might even give the edge to Canon. Then A friend handed me this to try and WOW, it is absolutely amazing in every way! I am really having a hard time coming up with anything I can criticize. I even like the color, something I wish all L lenses had instead of white. The photos are ultra sharp and have great contrast. The lens responds to your every wish at lightning speed and even the focusing rings seems to know just where I want it to be. For the first time since I switched I am stumped on a Nikon lens I have used that can beat this lens. If you are debating on this lens stop now and buy it. It is well worth the price and I now add it to my must-buy list. Though it will take me a month or two before I can get my own, it will see lots of action. By far one of the best lenses out on the market today.
Without a doubt one of my favorite lenses. Excellent build quality, dreamy bokeh and very sharp at the focal point!
This is a very difficult question.  Here are the qualities that both lenses have:1) Amazing image quality2) Very fast, accurate, and consistent autofocus3) Wide(r-ish) available aperturesYeeeah...Let's get into the fine differences of these lenses.  Okay,so there are two difference that are not exactly fine, but very large.  The 70-200 boasts consistently excellent image quality throughout a 70-200 range AND it has a robust image stabilization.  From the few times I've rented it, I feel like I could snap sharp photos of a deer while chasing it through the forest with this one.  So is the image stabilization and wide focal range give the victory to the 70-200?  In my humble opinion, not necessarily and here are my reasons:1) The 135 is around $1500 less than the 70-2002) The 135 is f/2 - unique look3) The 135 is about half the weight of the 70-2004) The 135 is widely considered to be the sharpest lens made by CanonAs a shooter who spends most of his time using a 50L, I don't find myself needing telephoto ranges very much.  When I do, the 135 does the trick and leaves more money in my pocket for other gear ($1500 can easily buy you an L prime).  The 135 is definitely not as easy to use as the 70-200 because it lacks image stabilization, but it forces you to develop a steady hand.This wasn't an easy review to write since I love using both of these lenses, being an owner of the 135 and having rented the 70-200.  If I photographed more wildlife or if I ever went on a safari, I would surely look to pack the 70-200 in my bag.  But if it's just weddings,the 135 is sufficient for my needs.
Sharpest lens I own with the most superior image quality. Focus ring is buttery smooth and the overall ergonomics are fantastic! Real solid!
This is my only lens longer than 50mm, because it's all I need. I am shooting this both film and digitally, and both full-frame and 1.6x crop.I have bought and sold an embarrassingly large number of other long lenses (70-200 f/4L IS, 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, 180L, 100 macro, 135 SF, 100 f/2, 85 f/1.8, 70-300 DO, 70-300L, 200L, off the top of my head) before realizing that this single, compact, light-weight, high quality, discreet, constrasty lens is all that I really needed. (Seriously, I've owned all those at one point -- cutting down on clutter is like a breath of fresh air.)This lens, at least for my shooting style, really does it all:* 135mm is an excellent long portrait length* f/2 is very fast, and allows for long shots at dark events where flash isn't allowed or desired* image quality if superb in all uses, but equally holds up for landscape photos where compression of distant vistas is desiredI love having this one simple option that covers me in so many different situations. Every photographer has their own shooting style as well as their favorite subjects, but if you primarily shoot landscapes, events, and portraits, then I highly recommend trying out this long lens.
The first thing I noticed shooting with this lens was the sharpness. By the time I got home from work it was dark outside so I just snapped some shots of things in my apartment - for low light, I couldn't believe the clarity in the shot! Very recommended.
I couldn't understand how a lens could get such high ratings until I purchased one for myself. Wow! I guess what makes this lens so amazing, especially for portraiture, is the way it captures a sharp image against a beautifully blurred (bokeh) background. Using this lens, and seeing the photos, people tell me, "I've never been able to get photos as beautiful as those." My secret? I let the lens do the work! BTW, this is a handy 220mm f/2 lens on my Digital Rebel.
If you are not doing photojournalism where you would really need a telephoto zoom, and you want the most crisp, colorful and bright images possible, then this is the prime lens to get after the 50 mm if you want a little more distance.Great for portraits as you can really blurr the background and focus sharp on the subject. Also perfect for standing back and not being intrusive to your subjects, this stealth lens takes such amazingly breathtaking pictures. It doesn't draw attention to you like the giant white lens tubes.You need to know where you are going and what kind of pictures you will be taking before putting this lens on your camera or else you will be swapping out prime lenses a lot. It has a somewhat narrow field, and it really isn't for long distances, but for any subjects from 10 to 100 feet it is great. The low-light capability is fabulous! You will need to steady it on something when shooting as it does have some weight and swing to it.
At a recent NYE event, I shot a lot of photos in a concert setting without a flash and am very impressed with the sharpness & clarity of this lens performance. Its so fast and the colors are vibrant. I am not a seasoned pro but with the 20D and this lens, it makes me look pretty close. I did shoot in manual and once I got my aperture & shutter speed dialed in, it pumped out a lot of great pics.I have also shot some pics of waterfalls (slowing down my shutter speed to get that soft flowing image) and portraits of people and again, it oozed excellence. The 135mm focal range is not as convenient as a zoom, but the quality of this prime lens makes up for any incovenience.
I absolutely adored this lense. Some of my best images came from it. I regret selling it instead of my 24-70 but live and learn.If you are thinking about buying this lense stop now and place your order. You will not regret it.
This is by far my favorite portrait lens, the colors, the bokeh, the sharpness, the bokeh.  I am not a pro and I cannot afford 85L so this lens did the job for my ridiculously expensive hobby.  The focal range maybe a bit odd to get used to but the IQ blew everything out of the water.
This takes gorgeous stunning photographs, but it is a lot of lens. I nearly returned it, but then couldn't bare to. I hope I get enough use out of it. Lots of bokeh, and fast shutter. Not so great in low light without a tripod or flash, as I am wobbly. I have to back away from whatever I am shooting. This puppy takes a lot of space, and therefore reqires, at least for me, planned shots. Thankfully I have a good smaller lens, and a great longer range one. This fills out my kit, and it will be fun to take it out and shoot some portraits. I can't wait to use it, hopefully this won't just be a &#34;backup&#34; lens.
This lens has been on my want list for a long time. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS and it is great for versatility but it is not an easy lens to carry around all day due to the weight and the white color makes it stand out. The 70-200 produces good bokeh but the best is at 2.8 and 200mm and isn't always possible. I purchased the 135mm f/2 to save on weight, black coating and the bokeh at f/2. This lens has not disappointed me and the image quality is superb. The auto focus is fast and accurate when mounted on my 5D Mark III. The isolation of the subject from the background produces fantastic results that make pictures stand out. For most of my photography needs this a good lens to compliment my 35mm f/1.4. I can shoot most subjects and I know that both lenses will deliver great results. The weight savings of the primes compared to the 24-70 and 70-200 is huge and makes the day more enjoyable by not being burdened by the weight of equipment.This lens and focal length does take some getting used to and for some subjects is probably not the best choice. I have found that I do sometimes miss the versatility of the zoom when I am taking pictures of my son playing and he is constantly changing his distance from me and I can't always get the picture I want. If he is is playing and moving more parallel to me this isn't an issue but depending on your subject it is something to keep in mind. I wouldn't call this lens a replacement for the 70-200 but more of a compliment to it. I enjoy the results from both lenses and am satisfied with both. For me most of the time I will grab the 135mm just because I prefer the results that I get and it is much easier to take with me everywhere.Pros:- Ablility to shoot at f/2 and have sharp pictures without stopping down.- Much lighter lens than the 70-200 2.8- Awesome Bokeh that makes your subject stand out against every background.- Decent price for an L lens- Consistent results- Black coating doesn't stand out- Great lens to use with the 35mm 1.4Cons:- Lack of versatility- IS would be a nice but it would take away from some of the other things I like about this lens (weight and price).Conclusion:I would say that this lens is a specialty lens and may not be for everyone. The pictures that it takes are outstanding and very few lenses can come close in terms of price and quality. You do give up some versatility but this lens has delivered on all the aspects that are important to me and is my second most used lens behind my 35mm 1.4. I would not hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone but I would suggest that you look at any of Canon's excellent 70-200 lenses first if you do not have one.
I've been using the 135L for several years now, and I can without a doubt say it is my favorite lens. It's amazingly sharp wide open, is a great focal length on both crop and full-frame, wonderfully solid construction, has fantastic color and micro-contrast, and is a bokeh machine. If I had to choose only one lens, this would be it.One of it's major strengths lies in the wide f2 aperture. Because of this and the focal length, it's a perfect indoor sports lens. Obviously, working with a prime like this, you lose the ability to zoom like with the 70-200 f2.8, but the extra stop of light due to the wider aperture on the 135L can save a ton of shots in darker situations. On top of that, it's remarkably light and much easier to carry around than a large zoom. When I used the 70-200 f2.8, I hated carrying it around and found that most of my pictures were in the 135mm area anyways.I love to go hiking with my dogs and often snap photos while out. There's no way I would be comfortable carrying something like one of the 70-200's, but the 135L is the perfect size. In fact, if you have kids or pets, this is possibly the perfect lens to snap outdoor photos of them with. There's some kind of magical quality to the photo's it produces. The combination of bokeh, subject-background separation, and super-fast autofocus leaves you with wonderful pictures.I've actually been tempted many times in the last few years to switch over to Nikon. They are coming out with some fantastic cameras. This one lens has kept me in the Canon camp. Photography just wouldn't be as much fun without the 135L.
my favorite lens in my bag. i use this lens on a crop sensor body, which makes it roughly equal to a 200mm viewing angle. a bit long for daily use but serves great for long distance candid photos or detail shots. focusing ring is smooth and autofocus is insanely fast. the background blur from this lens is smooth and soft, very appealing.
I can't believe how sharp this lens is, even at f/2. I use this on a 7D and I can't take it off. I also have a 24-70 f2.8L and I find myself using that less. Maybe because this one is new, but still. The silky smooth background at f/2 is to die for. Buy this lens. Just do it. If you're reading this then you're wasting time.
After having read the glowing reviews of this lens, and after consistently seeing it at or near the top of all those "best Canon lenses" lists, I recently purchased this lens used (from that famous internet auction site). I shoot mostly nature photography and am not a professional portrait photographer, but I was anxious to try this lens out for its famous depth of field isolation and sharpness -- this lens has been reported to be among the sharpest, if not THE sharpest lens that Canon makes.I have to say that my first results were quite disappointing with this lens. I have been using the Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS lens, which produces the sharpest and most consistently in-focus shots of any lens I have ever used. The image stabilization on that lens is fantastic, and adds at least 4 stops of "hand hold-ability". I have used it hand-held with the Canon 5D Mark II, the Canon T2i and the Canon 60D and it always produces remarkably clear in-focus shots in available daylight conditions, particularly at the 200mm end which is where I use it most. I was expecting that the 135mm f/2 would be as easy to use, since it is two stops brighter, however I found that the lack of IS severely limits the number of " keepers" due to random blurs from hand shakiness. My hands are reasonably steady, yet I was not able to consistently produce the crystal clear shots that I was used to with my 70-200 f/4 lens. Plus, the subjects that I shoot such as plants, flowers and wildlife are very three-dimensional and do not reproduce well at the thin depth of field that this lens produces wide open. You only really get a small portion of the plant or animal in focus and the rest out of focus. Also, the closest focusing distance of 3 feet means that I can't get "up close and personal" enough to really fill the frame with my subjects the way I can with some of my other lenses which offer macro or pseudo-macro settings.After my initial disappointment, I decided to try this lens out on a tripod and did some portraits, both using available light and using a bounce flash. The results were like night and day. The shots came out very clean wide open, with the eyes in tack sharp focus, and most of the face in focus, and with the nose and ears in slightly soft focus. The background was just a door but the features were completely blended out and it looks like a professional portrait. The controlled environment is where this lens really shines. When you put it on a tripod you really see what this lens can do. It produces a clean but soft quality that the f/4 lens never can achieve. However, I also have the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and that lens comes close to producing the same quality of background blur that this lens produces. That lens is also MUCH easier to work with hand-held. I guess the shorter length combined with the much lighter weight makes that lens a better choice for nature photography in the field.I feel that this is a great lens that is showing its age. Maybe it's a Canon "classic", but I feel that it is in need of an update. Canon has image stabilization on its 100mm macro and its 200mm f/2 lenses and most of the L telephoto zooms, why haven't they added IS to this lens? Sigma has a 150mm f/2.8 lens that has macro, and the brand new version has image stabilization as well. I recently picked up that lens, it's the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLRs. You can read my review about it here:Sigma 150mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLRsThe Sigma lens compares very favorably to the Canon 135mm for portraits, particularly on the full-frame Canon 5D Mark II. I shot some portraits using the Sigma lens and I thought they came out even better than with the Canon 135. Plus the Sigma lens has two additional things I really want which is true macro AND image stabilization. I usually prefer Canon lenses over Sigma, but in this case Sigma has now one-upped Canon in this focal range.If you are making your living doing portrait photography you will definitely want this lens. It has some unique qualities. But it doesn't really serve my needs, and I don't think it's a particularly good fit for a walk-around lens, due to its lack of versatility. It's a one-purpose lens, and personally I don't want to lug a tripod to the park or nature preserve. As a tripod-mounted portraits I'll still give this lens four stars, but in today's terms of lens technology it falls short of what many lenses can achieve hand-held.I took the lens out a second time and had the same problem with motion blur that I had before. This is definitely a studio lens. I'm glad I had a chance to try out this lens, but it's not my favorite. That's why I love being able to buy and sell lenses on the used market; it's a practically free way to "rent" them, and Canon L glass never really loses its value.
Perfect as a portrait lens. coming from Nikon I thought the 85mm 1.2 would be my best grab, it sucked, get the 135mm f/2. This lens rocks. The other reviewers have said it all. Excellent, excellent glass at a modest price.
This is the sharpest lens of my 5 "L" lens collection.  Light, smaller than I expected it to be, fast-focusing, and perfect image quality even when I shoot it wide open.  The lens is also very forgiving of challenging lighting conditions, such as a strong backlight that my 70-200 2.8 IS lens can't handle.  Get one if you can, you won't be sorry!
The first thing you notice about this lens is just how substantial the front and rear glass elements are. It's quite a formidable piece of glass, and it performs amazingly well indoors and out. For portraiture, it is extremely flattering, and being able to stop it down to f/2 allows for great depth and dimension in your shots. Shooting at 135mm requires either some forethought or careful choosing of composition, since you won't be able to catch typical candid shots from normal person-to-person distance. However, it seems like it would be great for wedding candids, where the f/2 aperture would allow for better low-light speeds and subject separation.I've only had one quick photo session with this lens, but I was very pleased with the focusing speed and feel. Colors were vibrant, edges clear, and bokeh rendered beautifully. Even when I flipped my processing over to B&W; for a few simple headshots, the results classic and true.Really enjoying this lens, already thinking of other ways I want to put it to use.
When I use my 85 for candid portraits at weddings etc., people tend to notice I'm taking a picture of them.  With the 135, they don't notice.  Seems people have "radar" out to 85, but not out to 135.  Just a thought for those of you trying to decide between the 85 and 135. The real decision is which to buy first - as you'll probably have both some day.  The 200 is even stealthier, but I hesitate in low light because it's 2.8.I purchased this lens last week for $989.  Today, I see it for $899. Aaarrgh! Both ship from the Amazon warehouse.  Pay attention to the prices!Update:  Just took a bunch of great "opening the Xmas presents pics".  Nice head/shoulder shots from across the room. Close enough to capture facial expressions. I used the 135L on a 5DII, Iso 3200, K2600.  I'm beginning to feel that my 2.8 zooms aren't so fast (aka "lens-itis").  The 2.8 zooms are great for vacations (can't be changing lenses all the time) and outdoors.  But for indoor natural light shots, you want f/1.4-2.0 (especially when motion is involved).  A fast lens means lower iso and faster shutter speed. Hope your wallet's fat.
This is by far the best lens in my kit. I use this with my 24-70 f/2.8L and 85mm f/1.8 lenses. When I was researching buying this lens, many reviews said this was the sharpest lens that Canon makes. They weren't kidding!I can take pictures at f/2 that are incredibly sharp, even indoors. Although it's a very strange focal length for some (many people prefer zooms in this range), I've found that it provides a lot of flexibility for portraits, indoors, close up pictures of flowers and general photography.The sharpness is great at f/2, and only gets better as you stop down to f/8. It's not cheap at $1,000 but it's worth every pennyPros:- Razor sharp pictures, even wide open at f/2- Jaw dropping bokeh (quality of background blur), simply incredible- Excellent color contrast- Relatively small lens, reasonable weight for what it does- A very fat manual focus ring, 1.125 inches wide!- Very fast focus speed- It's black, unlike the 70-200 lenses which are bright white, so you're less conspicuous when taking picturesCons:- None!
I actually bought this lens from Adorama since it 's slightly cheaper and has 2% rebate toward future purchases. When I received this lens, I immediately mounted it on my 5DMK3 and was amazed by the creamy bokeh with the aperture wide open. This is a must have lens for the full frame body. I can attest to all the rave reviews I have read in the past. I am now carrying this lens along with my beloved 24L MK2 and the 50mm F1.4 in my bag. And that 's all I need. Now the 135mm F2L also comes with the new center-pinch lens cap. This is great especially with the deep hood. If you have a full frame body, you should get this lens immediately before anything else. It is that good.
I went through all of the reviews here today. I have to say quite a few of the reviews failed to specify the camera body they are using. The difference of the sensor type will greatly affect the outcome of the review. Those who are complaining about no IS on this lens, mostly own crop sensor bodies. IS is especially a concern on a crop sensors for 2 reasons, you will have to multiple 135mm by 1.6 and this lens becomes a high telephoto lens. Second, you can crank up the ISO on a full frame sensor for higher shutter speed and that helps out the IS problem a lot. Anyway, it makes a big difference when you are doing a review, so please keep that in mind and edit your review if you left it out. I own a Mark III and the focal length of this lens is just right for portrait, at least for me. I find it a bit difficult to get close up shots with the 85mm F1.2 and I don't know how people do it with the 50mm F1.2. It is just too intrusive to get a nature portrait. May be some like the full body bokeh and I like the head and shoulder shots. I chose this lens over 100mm f/2.8L IS is because I already have a 24-70mm 2.8L IS which has a very close focal length to this and it is not creamy enough at 2.8. I know it is 30mm difference but I can just take one step foward with 70mm to equal 100mm. The 135mm also can be used with the 1.4x extender which comes in very handy shooting indoor sports with a tripod. It will be equivilent to 189mm F2.8 (I lose 1 stop with the extender) without seeing much of difference of the very expensive 70-200mm F2.8. If I don't have the 24-70mm. I would have purchased the 100mm but I do not know if it is going to work with an extender.Update 8/9/2012. I did a comparison between this lens and my 50mm F1.4. The 135mm are mostly head shots, unless you back up all the way against the wall, you will not be able to get head and shoulder shots. This lens also will not focus shorter than 3 feet which is a minor problem to deal with. The bokeh is well worth it as it is incredible better than any lens I have ever seen. Even the 50mm at F1.4 does not come close. On my 50mm, I have to space out the back ground and the subject much further which is not possible unless I ask the person to post. This is due to the ratio of focal length and the distance to the subject. If you like bokeh, the longer focal point lens will easily blur background and would be a better choice. Knowing the physics and the problem with the 50mm, I can see there is no way an 85mm would even come close compare to 135mm. It should be somewhere in between and marginally pass my tast. If you like bokeh, you should own the 135mm for head and 85mm for head and shoulder, the 50mm is simply not the correct choice IMHO, not even for full body shots because the background is just not creamy enough. Remember there is only a 1/2 stop difference between 1.4 and 1.2 so that 1.2 is simply not going to cut it. I got lucky that I did not spend 2k for the 50mm F1.2 so my 50mm isn't a total lost. This lens is a must own for wedding or to photograph young ladies and children. My next purchase is the 85mm but I would not expect better bokeh than this 135mm.
Very, very sharp  from f/2 to f/11.balances well on camera like the 1Ds Mark III and 1D X/\You can't go wrong with it.
I have 24-70mm L vers. I and Tamron 70-300mm, but this one is my best lens.Fast, razor sharp and very light compared with 24-70L. For less than $1000 is worth every penny. No wonder why many people review the lens and give 5 stars.
This lens is regarded as one of the best three prime lenses that Canon produce (Along with 85mm f/1.2 L USM and 35mm f/1.4 L USM).The images from this lens are very sharp, contrasty and show a lot of details even in wide open at f/2. The depth of field is very shallow at f/2. As a result, the background will be compressed.Because of that features, Canon 135mm is ideal for portrait, especially candid portrait, street photography and indoor sports.Build quality is very good, the best Canon can made. The lens is not as big and heavy as telephoto zoom.But unfortunately, this lens does not have Image Stabilization built-in. Image stabilization in telephoto is quite important so you can shoot with shutter speed lower than the focal length X crop multiplier. For example, when you attach this lens into crop sensor camera such as Canon Rebel series or X0D series, then you need to set a shutter speed to at least 1/200 or greater to get a tack sharp result. It is also depend on how steady your hand is. If you have steady hand, then 1/160 will be adequate.This lens have a decent closing focus (1m) this is better than most of the telephoto zoom range. You can also get a extension tube to get the focusing even closer (.6m with 2x extension tube). Therefore, this lens will be quite good for macro photography.ApplicationThe application of the lens will be quiet narrow. Candid photography is one in my mind when I think about this lens. It is because the telephoto range, maximum aperture, and the size is not that big and obtrusive.The second one will be close-up and head-shoulder portraiture, and then for indoor sports such as volleyball, basketball and so on.The downsideThis lens does not have a wide range of application because the inflexibility of fixed focal length lens (prime lens).Although the focusing is quite fast, but it is not as fast as EF 50mm f/1.4 USM or EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. The AF tracking is poor. So in the fast action sport, expect to miss some shots.Other alternatives:Other lens that you might consider to buy is Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L or 70-200mm f/4 IS.They are similar in price. the 70-200mm f/2.8 has more flexibility but bigger. The 70-200 f/4 L IS is great because it has IS but you don't have the luxury of big aperture. The weight of f4L lens is almost the same, but the length is slightly longer.Other 'budget' telephoto primes alternatives: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 and 100mm f/2. Both are not as sharp and detailed as the Canon 135mm f/2 but when stopped own to f/2.8-4 they will impressed you.In conclusionYou will love this lens if you are into close-up portrait, candid photography and indoor sports shooters. With extension tube, you can transform this lens into a macro lens.Is it worth it? This lens has a limited application, so if you are specialized in candid portraiture or indoor sports and want the sharpest lens. This lens is definitely for you.If you are looking for more versatile lens, then investing on high quality telephoto zoom lens is a better decision. For sample photos and video tour please visit radiantlite.com
Other reviewers have already covered the many positive attributes of this lens.  I already own an excellent copy of Canon's 70-200 f/2.8 zoom so I was curious to see how the 135 L would compare with a 1.4 TC installed.  The 135 is MUCH sharper and has noticeably better IQ (image quality) from f/2.8 to f/8--so much sharper that I am considering selling the 70-200.  The Zoom is more convenient and still produces great pictures, but I will be more likely to reach for the 135 L plus the 1.4 TC when shooting at 200 mm (135 L + 1.4 TC = 189 mm).  At 135 mm this lens produces absolutely STELLAR results.  I am currently using it on a 40D crop camera so it is a little long for portrait work but I purchased it with an eventual move to Full Frame in mind.  You absolutely cannot go wrong here if you are in the market for this focal length.  Five stars don't seem like enough!!
I bought this lens exclusively for portraits. In the past, I found myself shooting portraits at something very close to this focal distance and so it made sense to get a prime at 135mm. Like almost everyone else, I love this lens. It is very sharp and the bokeh is amazing. It i the best lens I have ever used for portraiture. There is somewhat significant vignetting at f/2 (on my 5d mkiii) but I don't consider this a problem for my application and it completely disappears at f/2.8 and above. I have not shot this lens on a crop-frame sensor so I can't comment on vignetting or focal length. However, I would highly recommend this lens to anyone looking to shoot at 135mm. The pictures I have taken to date are jaw-dropping.
I am a wedding photographer and I needed to purchase a lens with a longer focal length and fast aperture for low-light settings.  I spent weeks comparing this lens with the 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens that Canon makes.  I know they are different lenses with different capabilities, but budget-wise I could only add one to my arsenal.  Being a petite female, weight is a BIG factor in what I carry for weddings.  By the end of a 12 hour day, my wrists are shot.  I know the 70-200 f2.8 is touted as a must-have for photographers, but after renting one, it was just too heavy for me.  I did love the shots though.Enter the 135mm f2, a lighter, cheaper alternative to the 70-200.  Yes, it's not a zoom lens and doesn't have the versatility of one, but I'm a sucker for prime lenses anyway, so that was a non-issue.  I took the plunge and ordered this lens and I have not regretted it one bit.I shot my first wedding with it this weekend and was blown away by the images I saw just on the camera's display.  It took amazing shots in a low-lit reception. The couples portraits came out gorgeous.This lens is sharp as a tack and the bokah is smooth as butter.  If you're wondering whether or not to order it, just do it.  You won't regret it.
I pondered purchasing this well reviewed...almost legendary...lens for a long time. I certainly have other lenses covering its range, but the lure of crackerjack sharpness, detail and speed finally made me go for it. For much of my work the devil is in the details, so despite these belt tightening times I took the plunge. In the few days prior to it's arrival I started to regret my extravagance and was ready to do penance in some fashion to make up for my selfish decision. Unlike my usual glee at opening a new piece of equipment, I unwrapped this precious object and put it on the camera with a heavy and very guilty heart and headed out to the garden to test it out. In all honesty it felt unduly heavy and settling into the prime range distance challenged my zoomie habits. In no time however the lens showed me why so many find satisfaction with it. The brilliant detail, spot on color, and mind boggling speed dispelled any misgivings about the purchase of this sturdy workhorse of a lens. I have rarely felt such an instant affinity with a new lens in my career. My floral subjects are dazzling and precise where I want them to be and pleasingly ethereal where I want the treasured bokeh effect. As I worked my way through the brambles and bushes of my backyard, protesting cardinals and cranky catbirds became focused subjects of my photos with incredible speed and facility. The triumph of its' first days on my cameras was surely the way it captured the opening of my night blooming cacti blossoms. Always a tedious challenge to set up, the lens simply aces night shots with spectacular ease and clarity. No regrets! I love this lens!
I have 5 other canon L lenses and just got the 135L. This is by far the best in sharpness (at f/2) and bokeh. If you need this focal length, then look no further and get it! You will not be disappointed.
Some of my best portrait photos were made using this lens. I only use in in good available light, mostly outdoors. f2/135mm/40D combination makes focusing tricky (one eye out of focus), but the whole point of using this lens is f2... I like it's compact size. I would call it a highly specialized lens. It can give me an absolutely outstanding shot once in a while, but at the rate I use it, each of these great shots costs me $[...] bucks... On the other hand, I get 100's of nice shots from other (often less expensive) lenses and cameras.  I like having this lens, even though I also have 70-200 f4 IS, which gives similar results and has the flexibility of the zoom. I have a hard time justifying keeping my 135/f2, but I also have a hard time letting it go... I would probably not buy it again for the reason of cost vs. utility, but I would love to receive it as a Xmas gift... I am a reasonably advanced amateur, mostly photos of my baby son, 40D.
The Canon 135L is a lightweight, very fast, super sharp prime portrait lens. It is one of the finest lenses in the Canon lineup. If you need a portrait lens that is a bit longer than 85mm then you will be amazed at the superb quality of this lens.
The Canon is a great, underrated lens for low light action/sports.  It is small, light, unobtrusive, and fast focusing.  I've used it successfully with a 1.4 teleconverter (resulting in a 190mm F2.8 lens) with only a mild degradation in image quality.It is faster than any other moderately priced telephoto lens or zoom; to get a longer lens with the same speed you'd have to step up to the 200mm f2.0L for about $6000.  And it is faster than the renowned 70-200 2.8L II (or the same speed if used with the 1.4x), for less than half the price.Now of course the one thing this lens lacks is Image Stabilization, and I can see advantages to having this on the lens, esp. for portraits or general indoor photography.  But since action/sports requires faster shutter speeds (typically 1/500 or faster) IS will be of little value for this application.So for the right applications - low light sports, portraits with strobes, or whenever IS is not required - the 135L is a 5-star lens and a screaming bargain.  If you shoot handheld in low light and need slower shutter speeds, theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens,Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens, orCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lensmay be more appropriate.(Note that there are occasional rumors of an updated Canon 135L with IS.  Unfortunately that lens would likely cost almost twice as much as the current version if recent new lens prices are a guide.)
I just love this lens, I use it daily. It is the definitely the best lens I have ever owned. IT is my go to lens. Great for all types of shooting. I have nothing bad to say about it. IF you are on the fence on whether to buy it, BUT IT! You will be happy you did.
I was in the market to expand my prime collection. I had a rewarding experience with purchasing an 85 f/1.8 (a fantastic lens), and was interested in exploring the 135. After reading all of the reviews here (yes, every single one) as well as reviews on other sites, I got to thinking: can this lens actually be THAT good? A part of me didn't want to believe it. I wanted to think it was some sort of mass hysteria. But another part of me knew that such accolades aren't tossed so casually here. So I broke down and bought one.And I haven't looked back.I've been used to using zooms--and L zooms at that. I thought they were wonderful. I loved them. I never thought I'd want for more. However, this lens really drives home the difference between primes and zooms. The performance of the 135 is nothing short of stunning. I had read the reviews of people using this lens and then marveling at the results. I thought this was quaint, and a result of "lens placebo." But after seeing what this lens produced for me, I knew all the gushing was true. I then took comparison shots with this lens and my 70-200 f/4L. The results were quite convincing: sharpness and color produced by the 135 are definitely on another level than the 70-200 f/4L (and I won't even talk about bokeh because of the f/2 vs. f/4 difference). Since I bought the 135, I haven't put the 70-200 on my camera except to make the comparison shots.Believe the hype. This lens is THAT good.
Great bokeh, crisp images, wonderful for portraits when you want to capture head/shoulder shots.  Relatively heavy and bulky to carry around but it is worth it for the images that it produces.
I had read most of the reviews on this site and others. Ordered it and it is amazing, took pics of my wife and kids. Budget control (wife) was happy and OK with this purchase, that should tell you something. Best portrait lens period. Get it.
Great lens with a wonderful f 2.0 makes it amazing for low light and great for distance at weddings, receptions or other events that you might not want to be in someone's face and at not have a lot of light.  Love this new addition to our line of lenses, and at a reasonable price for a lens of this quality. Definitely recommended!
I have owned this lens since 2005 and it was my first "L" lens.  The fact that this is the oldest lens in my arsenal really says something.  I have bought and sold so much equipment in the past 10 years that I would struggle to recall every lens I've owned.  This lens, however, has never left me.  I have used it so much that the focus motor literally died two years ago.  A $200 repair later, it was back up and running and hasn't missed a beat ever since.People nitpick over all aspects of lens performance, but this is one lens that I can confidently say has no real weaknesses.  It's super sharp across the frame on a full frame camera - even at F2.0.  Bokeh is strong, smooth, and uniform.  The out of focus highlights are perfect.  Chromatic aberration resistance is among the best.  Focusing is probably faster than anything short of the multi-thousand dollar super-telephotos.  The lens body is plastic, but it's the high grade "engineering plastic" that is light, super durable, and probably just as tough as most metal bodies.Why would you get this lens over a 70-200/2.8?  It's smaller, lighter, and sharper than anything short of a 70-200/2.8 IS II (the one that is $2300).  You can be discreet with this thing. With a 70-200/2.8, you can't.  You can also use this lens for a much longer period of time without fatigue than you can a 70-200/2.8.For the price you pay, this lens is a slice of optical heaven.  You're not going to get any better than this lens for less than $4000.  It's an absolute bargain at $1000.
Nice blurry backgrounds at F2 and with a Double dip how can one resist.  If canon upgrades this the price on that will double like the 24-70 and these will hold there value and with the beautiful pictures who needs the next version.....
This lens is very sharp at f2.0 but at f2.8 it's incredibly sharp even at the corners.  I have nothing more to say.  If you can shoot with a shutter speed faster than 1/200, you'll get incredibly sharp pictures.  This lens was introduced in 1996 and there have been no revisions.  I can't see why Canon would come out with a Mark II version of this lens since its performance is already legendary.
I've had this lens for about 5 months I think.... and it's incredible. The bokeh is unreal, sharpness is fantastic... it's just amazing. I'd say it is a hard lens to shoot with though, you really have to be careful with the focus, on portrait/face shots, if you put your center focus on the nose, the eyes will be blurry (this is at f2)... so, the DOF can be extremely shallow for that.It's heavy and solid, the USM focus is awesome and very fast. I have NO complaints about this lens. It was my first L and my first big lens buy, but you can't go wrong. I can't give this lens enough stars. There are a lot of shots on my photoblog that were taken with this....[...]UPDATE - May 2008This is by far my favorite lens, nothing really compares. I just wanted to add that even at 135mm, or 210 on my 20D, I still use it more often than I should. I'll happily stand further away to use it instead of my fabulous 50 1.8. When you get used to the results that this produces, you'll try to use it for everything but landscape.UPDATE - OCT 2009I've now purchased the 5D Mark II and this lens is even more fantastic. The sharpness is almost too hard to believe. You can't go wrong with this lens. I'll buy the 1.4TC soon and have a near 200mm F2.8. Perfect.
This will be a short review.  All I'll do is relate a little anecdote.After my first session using the 135mm f/2, where I shot a young lady at a local park, a coworker came by while I was viewing the images on my computer, looked at the screen and said, "oh, cool.  Did you photoshop the background, or is that a printed backdrop?"  When I told her it was just the trees and flowers behind the girl, she refused to believe me.  "It's okay if you photoshopped it.  Everyone does it.  I think you did a great job."  I just smiled.If you shoot portraits, buy this.
This was a Christmas present a week ago. I could not be happier. This is L glass, fast, sharp and contrasty for about a grand. This lens is one of the most easy to use lenses I have ever put on my camera. It focuses fast and accurately and does not fight you, at least on my 20d body. The bokeh is smooth at f2 and the contrast and sharpness are what you should expect from an L lens. I have used the 50 f/1.4, the 85 f/1.8 and the 100 f/2.8 macro more or less continually on the same body over the past three years.  These three lenses are among the best of the non-L line, but the superior construction and operation of this lens was immediately apparent. I will have to keep the 100 macro for macro work; this lens needs to be about 4 feet or so away from the subject. But this is the one for portraits, indoor sports, and car and architecture detail close ups.here is a link to my initial impression test pics from the first couple of days, nothing fabulous, but an indication of how this lens works for you:  [...]BY THE WAY - If you believe in protection filters (which I do), buy one that is worthy of your glass - I recommend B+W filters, not Canon. The glass is of high quality, the glass is not loose, they are heavier and the threads are much better machined.  For some perverse reason, Canon-branded filters are made by hoya and they are no better than any other low-end filter, meaning you will have scratches, they are harder to clean and there can be additional flare in some weird instances.  If you are going to drop money on an L lens, why would you put cheap glass in front of it?  It is far better to replace a $60 filter than the front element of the $1000 lens. For that matter, I much prefer to clean the filter than the lens element.
Luscious portrait lens. Perfect focal length for the full frame head shot. IS would sure be nice. You need to work the camera, watch your shutter speed, take your time, and click with abandon to get that perfect shot. This is not a toy lens.
I compared both in a camera store in Hong Kong (attendant graciously let me test both). I mounted, test-shot. swapped, re-mounted, test-shot several times, before finally deciding 100% to buy this 135.In evaluating a portrait lens, bokeh of course should be the prime consideration. The 85 1.2 offers a 'surreally-too-creamy' bokeh. Perhaps it's just my taste, but it's too corny for me. This 135 on the other hand brings that artsy 3d, real delineation at f2. Although again, it's just my personal taste perhaps..But beyond my personal taste, the 85mm f1.2 is really more than double the price of 135mm f2. I bought this 135mm for 6100 HKD (785 USD), while 85 is priced at a non-negotiable 15,100 HKD (1930 USD)! The mount of the 85 at the back also has a worrisome, exposed glass that is too precarious when you mount and dismount frequently.I also tested 85 at f2 and this 135 at f2, and aharpness of both lens is also about the same to me. The wrinkles, brows, freckles are all crisp.The 85 is also noticeably slower in autofocusing (at same f2)The only downside for me of 135 is that you have to walk way way back from your subject to get the whole face. But I can imagine this brings the other advantage of shooting candid shots from a far. Candid shots, [just] to me, are the real priceless shots of people.This is now the proud portrait lens in my bag. You wont go wrong, as well. Highly recommended!
I wasn't sure about purchasing this lens since I already have Canon lenses/cameras that address the types of subjects and range of this lens ( 70- 200 mm f/4.0 IS L lens; 85 mm f/1.8 lens; 24-105 mm f/4.0 L; 100 mm f/2.8 L macro; 15-85 mm f/3.5 crop lens with 60 D Canon camera). But I couldn't resist the fact that with a small black prime L lens with f/2.0 speeed, that can take a 1/4 extender, I could emulate the 70-200 MM L lens w/out drawing much attention for journalistic purposes as well as providing terrific low-light capabilities for portrtaits, macro, sports--in and outdoors. So I bought it. You only live once. I absolutely don't regret it. Fast, fantastic resolution, and color rendition--particularly with my Canon 5d MkII full frame. What a lens-- for sheer clarity and color-- can't beat a prime, particularly a fast L prime. No regrets.
Well, it's Canon 135/f2, one of the best and sharpest lenses Canon manufacturers. It comes close to a legendary 200 f2. Autofocus is fast, colors are incredible, it's light (compared to 200 f2, 70-200 f2.8 ii or 85 1.2 ii). One of the cheapest L lenses. I wish it had image stabilization and weather seal, which probably will be implemented in impatiently anticipated new 135 lens. But then it would be much heavier and more expensive. Overall, absolutely fantastic lens. One of the few lenses many people who switch to Nikon/Sony regret of parting with.
For Canon 2L, this lens is nailed it! the portrait result i took was really sharp & clear. I preffered Canon 24-70 mm/2.8L but because it's so pricey so i had decided to choose this lens for less than $1000. I hope i wouldn't dissapointed having this lens for long time use.The only thing i don't like is this lens is pretty heavy!
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite lenses and I find that I use it all the time. It is very fast and I really like to use it for taking sports pictures. It can focus quickly and gives a good amount of zoom, especially when you're standing close to the game.It is also a great portrait lens and provides great bokeh. I love taking pictures of friends, family and pets using this lens.The build quality is also exceptional as you would expect with an L lens. I love using this prime lens. Great quality and great pictures.
I tried the 135 right out of the box, and found that this lens did not work as well as my 24-70 &#34;L&#34; lens on focusing. It just kept searching, then giving an OK before nailing the focus, even on a static subject. I don't have this problem with my 24-70, which is slower to focus then on my 5DII, but it does work with the Metabones.
I read a lot of reviews before settling on this lens.  I'm very glad that I went with it.  I am definitely an amateur, but have found that this lens makes my shots look professional.  I mostly shoot sporting events.  This lens has proven to be a winner!
I have been using this lens for about 9 month. Once my extensive research was completed I pulled the trigger and purchased the lens. Unfortunately I do not understand what people are raving about? For portraits on my 5d mark2 I much prefer a simpleCanon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasfor less than half the price. However the lens that eventually replaced this wasCanon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, for about the same price. I really like tack sharp resolution and both of the lenses I kept do just that with a great Bokeh in my opinion. I think that this is probably just an old design, which just does not keep up with the nicer digital sensors. It may be OK on some smaller and older APS-C sensors, but I just do not like the sharpness, especially that it missed way too many times for me. I gave this lens as much time as I could, but in the end I am much happier with the other two lenses, which serve me very well. And in the end you could probably stop it down to F4 and I think the sharpness will get pretty good, but then why am I paying for an F2 which by the way 100mm macro does tack sharp at F/2.8 with beautiful Bokeh, but it is a much newer lens design.4/12/2012 Edit:Upon reading the comments here I have given this lens a few more chances. Here is what I have found:1. There was a user error and I was asking this lens to do what it was not designed to do. Namely I used it to close near it's MFD which it does poorly ( especially on my 5d m2 ).2. I was demanding exceptional sharpness wide open. Not on a $1000 lensBarring these two I find this lens a great choice for some situations. Namely if you want a lens similar to Canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS II, but with half the weight and half the size and black stealth vs white glare, I find this lens very useful. If I have to shoot in the dark at 2.0 I just accept the sharpness loss. In the day I use it between 2.8 and 4.0 and as long as I don't have to have the zoom it saves me lots of weight and size as well as it's much more stealthy. Yes the build quality is very good, but filter size sucks. Though I think the new 24-70 m2 will be the same size. So in conclusion this is a very old design and looses in many ways to the newer sexier designs. However for the money and certain situations this is a great lens to own and carry.
Great lens, sharp focus, easy to get perfect focus, great bokeh, love the lens...what more can I say except I love the lens.
I have been using the Canon 70-200 for the last 5 years and loved it but there comes a time when you wrists just can't take the weight anymore. Thats where the 135 steps in and help me do my job even better. The clarity in this lens can't be beat!
Pros:* Very sharp* Auto-focus is smooth and responsive* F2 helps a lot with low-light (but see cons)* Not a white lens so you're not as noticeableCons:* On a crop frame like my 450D, you're effectively at about 218mm. Without any IS, it can be difficult to hold steady in low-light situations, even at F2.EDIT (2012-12-13): Three and a half years later, and now on a 7D, this is still one of my favorite lenses.
I have taken only a few dozen shots with this lens (on a 5d3), but I can already tell pretty quickly, by looking at one of my photos, if it was taken with this lens or with my 70-200 F4L, mainly because of noticeably better contrast and color with the former (the 70-200 F4 is no slouch either).  I don't have much to add to the top reviews, except that those, such as myself, who are not used to such a narrow depth of field, may be surprised by how hard it can be to get a usable picture at F2, and not by any fault of the lens.  If I focus on a person's nose, the eyes will be out of focus.  If I take a portrait of two or more people, I have to make sure that they line up perfectly, or only one of them (at best) will be in focus.  Interestingly, this suggests that for candid shots of people the wide aperture, in spite of the great ability it confers to shoot in the dark, may be slightly overrated.  I was considering eventually upgrading my 70-200 F4 to an F2.8; now I am thinking that perhaps the 70-300 F4-5.6 is a better choice for my style.
I use this lens for both video and photo with the Canon 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II and 7D.  The bokeh is creamy and the lens is sharp.  The f2 is great in low light however it is a bit slow with autofocus photography in low light situations.
Read the reviews - this is simply an outstanding lens, a great value and of all the lens I own my #1 favorite.  It lives on my camera.Just nothing negative to say and I have owned this for years.....the quality of my images is superlative - beautiful bokeh, very quick focus, fast, fast, fast.....Color, contrast, unbeatable.  I own many Canon L lens, including the 70-200 f2.8, 35L, etc.  Use this one for everything from equine photography to landscape and I never regret having it with me.  I simply cannot recommend it highly enough.  For detailed information about the lens, look at some of the lengthy reviews - they pretty well all give it the 5 stars it deserves.Buy it.
Got this lens today... It is amazing...! I used to own a Canon EF 85mm USM F/1.8 for portraits but I did not like all that color fringe that shows up in the photos taken by this 85mm F/1.8. Sold it and bought this 135mm based on reviews I read and the laboratory test done by PhotoZone.... They say that this is the best lens Canon has ever made and I BELIEVE SO. Posted a photo of three colorful pickle bottles taken in my kitchen just for fun and it came out wonderfully. I do stock of photo professionally and I believe that this lens is a true money maker for stock of photos. Excellent boken. Crisp and tack sharp images. Quality construction. Weather sealed... What else would you expect? Perfect lens. I recommend.
This is by far my favorite lens and money well spent. The auto-focus is lighting fast, sometimes I shocked how fast it locks on. The image quality and sharpness can't be found in any other lens. Out of the 8 L lens I own this lens is the best hands down. I use it on my Canon 6D which is nice balance for the camera. My only complaint is the lens hood, it's ugly and you can't remove the lens cap due to the size of the hood.
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR CamerasThis is a "great" lens. I cannot stress this enough. It is sharp, boy is it sharp. I thought that my 85mm f/1.8 was sharp but not compared to this lens it's not.This lens also has the solid construction and superb AF that one expects to find in an 'L' lens. Image quality produced by this lens is simply unbelievable. Great vibrant color reproduction in a sharp image.This lens is worth every penny you pay for it and more.I bought this lens to use for outdoor portrait shots but this lens can truly do it all. I have used it for flower, landscape, portrait and group photography with many more things to try with it. I put a 2X Teleconverter on it and you cannot tell the difference, performance wise. It's just as sharp and the AF is just as fast, simply unbelievable.This is one great lens.
When I first acquired Canon Lens Collecting Syndrome about three years ago, I thought to get a few primes, as Common Wisdom runs that primes are uniformly better than zooms.  I needed a portrait lens, looked at the 135 f/2 prime and thought "hey, that'll probably work ... f/2 will make for nice bokeh and all the books say to use an 85 mm for portraits but I've got a 1.6 crop, so 135's probably the way to go."  I also eventually got a 400 mm prime for wildlife.Looking at my three years' worth of wildlife pictures, most of the real eye-poppers... were with the 135.  The 400's sharp (especially when on a tripod), but the 135 simply blows away every other lens I own.  Yup, I do portraits with it sometimes, but in general it is my "go-to" lens when something neat's wandering through the backyard.The other day the "something" was a gray fox.  It was on the ground, I was on a top level deck with no time to get downstairs, and the sun was setting.  I grabbed the camera (which had the 135 on it already), got a few shots despite the dim light... and they're beautiful.  Couldn't have done it without f/2.Nine hundred bucks is a lot of money for a lens.  But if knew then what I know now, I might only own this lens, the f/5.6 400, the f/1.4 50mm, the 17-40, and perhaps the f/4 70-200 IS.  This 135 will make you look like a much better photographer than you are.  (At least it does for me!)
I needed a lens to use for indoor canine sports where a relatively long focal length was needed, and flash out of the question. This lens does the job and does it superbly! You get nice reach (add a 1.4x tele-extender if you need even more) and those wide apertures that are essential for indoors in low light. I also have a 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens and that just wasn't fast enough to handle these fast indoor sports. This gives me the speed I need and delivers great sharpness and lovely bokeh as well. The size is comfortable to hold and the autofocus fast and accurate. If you need to shoot sports, concerts, dance or music recitals, theater, etc. anything indoors where flash is forbidden, this is the lens you will need! Pair it with a 50mm f/1.8 when you need a wider field of view and you can handle just about any indoor sport.
I have been lusting after the 85mm f/1.2 for a long time because of the great bokeh and sharpness a friend suggested I look into the 135 f/2. After reading reviews and looking at images I figured I may as well give it a shot. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mkiii and I was really impressed with this lens. I also shoot with the Canon 100 L Macro f/2.8 and I will say that this lens does not appear as sharp as the macro but the bokeh is worlds better, shot wide open there is no vignetting and AF has been lightning quick and spot on!The only complaint that I could have about the lens is it cannot focus close and when shot wide open, it is tough to achieve accurate focus. But that is no fault of the lens, the DOF is just so narrow. Overall I am very impressed with this lens and would buy it again in a second. Truly amazing!
My first impression of this lens was that it is compact, built well, but not light. I bought this lens to replace my 70-200mm 2.8 non IS, which was too big and too heavy to take everywhere. While the size is much smaller, it is heavier than any wide angle or general purpose zoom lenses, which is understandable because it is a f/2 prime. The focus ring is very smooth. This is a big plus because you are probably going to use it often because the depth of field at f/2 is razor thin. Auto focus will get you in the ballpark but you will need to make slight adjustments. The build quality is the standard L lens build, very high quality. I am a little disappointed with the sharpness wide open. It is only decently sharp wide open, sharp at f/2.8, and tack sharp at f/4. Fast primes like this are meant to be shot wide open and at this price I expected better. That is the reason I gave this lens 4 out of 5. There is also noticeable vignetting at f/2 that gets better until f/4. Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT lens but coming from a zoom lenses and hearing all the talk about how primes are better I was a little disappointed. If you don't mind the weight and size, get the 70-200mm 2.8 non IS. It is tack sharp, even wide open, and very versatile. If you shoot mostly portraits and like this focal length, you will love this lens. It is not huge and intimidating and it won't make your arms tired.
This was my 4th L lens and my 2nd L Prime (35L is my other.)  Initially I was a little frustrated by the lens and kind of had to get used to it.  After doing some trial and error and applying a +6 micro focus adjustment, this thing is crazy sharp.  Even wide open, the sharpness is just unreal.  I can see peach fuzz on my 2 year olds face in pictures!  This has quickly become my favorite lens, particularly on my 5D2.  Focus speed is very good, color is great.  I think it has the least CA of any lens I own.  I can't recommend this lens highly enough.  For the price, it's the sharpest thing going.
I really wrestled with which lens I was going to get (thanks be to God I even had the choice to make), and went with the 135mm over the 70-200 2.8 IS II for the following reasons:1. The 135 is sharper.2. 135 is one stop faster.3. 135 is a touch brighter.4. 135 is about 1/2 the size (4.4 in. vs. 7.8 in.) and 1/2 the weight (750g vs. 1490g) as the 70-200.5. 135 does not stand out like a sore thumb. Perhaps some people like the attention getting white LAWs rocket appearance, but I'd rather not announce to the world I'm carrying around something worth a used car on my neck. (I've even considered covering up the red ring on my lenses.)6. The 70-200 is $1300 more money!Cons:Now what people have to consider with the 135 is that being a fixed lens, you will be doing a lot of moving back and forth, and that takes some getting used to. Not to mention, if you have a cropped sensor camera (about anything that's not a 5D or 1D), this lens will probably be too long for you, since it will be over 200 mm. Even with a full frame sensor, I still have to get some big distance to take full body shots. This lens is more for head and shoulder shots. It also does not have the Image Stabilization, so you have to be pretty steady if you are shooting at slow shutter speeds. That's not too much of a problem if you have a good ISO, or shoot in decent lighting most of the time. I can get tack sharp at 1/60, and just shot a great window light pic at 400 ISO, 1/60, and f2/0, so it does fine indoors.I already have a 24-70 f/2.8 on another camera, so I don't have to switch lenses if I'm doing a wedding shoot or something. But if you are not in that boat, then having the zoom would seem to be much more flexible than being stuck with a fixed lens.This is not a knock of the 70-200 2.8, and believe you me, if I had the extra money, I'd be super excited to add it to my lenses! But some more details influencing  my decision is that I already have the f/4 70-200, so I've got the same focus (though not the extra stop, nor the IS, which would be awesome!)I don't think a person would be disappointed to go with either lens, but I'm just here to tell you that I'm extremely pleased with everything about the 135mm. It's light, small, super fast, great bokeh, and much more affordable! Maybe it's just the newness of it, but since I've gotten this lens, the 24-70 has been in the bag unless I'm in the studio, or really need wide. Love this lens outside!! Could show you some awesome pictures!!
Wonderful lens! I've recently purchased 135mm to use it with my 5D and it's delivering nothing but brilliant photo quality! I love to use it for portraits and some macro-like shots, a must have lens!
Short Answer: Click Buy. Now.Long Answer: This lens has been nothing short of perfect. I bought it used and it had been used for 6 years before I had it but yet I love it more than any other lens I've ever used. If you follow rumors much you might be concerned by folks who think that perhaps there's some chance that maybe Canon might possibly update it and maybe will add IS and maybe it will be a better lens and maybe it will come in the year 201X. Notice how many "maybe"'s and "might"s there were in that sentence. This is a great lens, period. If Canon releases a MkII version of this lens it will probably be over $2k and even if it's better it will not take anything away from this being an amazing lens and phenomenal value. So why do I like it?1. Bokeh - The lens, as you have likely read, has an amazing way of isolating your subject when shooting wide open. The best part about it is that your subject will still be sharp when shot wide open (at f/2). I find that the sweet spot for me is f/2.8. Subject is super sharp and background is beautifully blurred (you don't even notice it except if it's hopefully got some nice colors in it).2. Sharpness - As measured above, this lens is amazingly sharp. I've used it for landscape purposes, portraits, action shots of my dog. Really it can be used for anything (except maybe group shots, you'd probably have to go pretty far back to get them which isn't ideal)3. Build Quality - It's built well with a large focus ring for manual override after autofocusing does it stuff. Autofocus is nice and quick, which helps when taking photos of my dog (might depend a bit on your camera body)4. Colors and contrast are excellent straight out of the camera. I do very little post-processing. The hood works well but the lens also handles flare very well (I rarely get any unless I'm looking for it). No chromatic aberration or distortion that bothers me.Those are the three main things I love about this lens. It is great value and of course will hold its value well. Buy it now and don't think about it any further.The only time I might hesitate to recommend this to someone is if you have an APS-C camera. It is quite long for that kind of camera since it would be 216mm equivalent. Without IS it means that you might have the jack up the ISO a bit when lighting conditions aren't ideal (cloudy days, evening, low indoor light). If your camera body doesn't handle high ISO so well that might be a drawback because you might find it difficult to get keepers.For those APS-C folks who might be on the fence about this I would say get the 85mm f1.8 or 100mm f2 lenses for around $350. If you find that you're shooting just fine with those and you would be ok with a little bit more reach then you will love this and should definitely get it.A lot of people compare this lens to the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II. I don't really understand the comparison too much considering that that lens is 2x the weight, greater than 2x the price and does not go to f/2. If weight and cost aren't an issue then it is a very potent zoom but I think a great kit would have both of these lenses instead of either or. If you find that you really need the 200mm end you could also buy this 135L and the 200L (f/2.8) for less than the price of the 70-200. Not to detract from the amazingness that is the 70-200 but I think that they are different tools and you will love both of them.
Despite reading glowing reviews about this lens, I was still surprised to see how well it performed.  The lens is SO sharp you can get very good cropped pictures of running athletes, from a distance of three quarters of a Football field away, shooting hand held, with late afternoon light, which will print a 5x7 and still look like a Pro took them!If you want a tack sharp lens for indoor sports pictures and can't afford, or otherwise do not want another long lens for outdoor sports pictures, then you should give this lens your serious consideration.
I shoot this on a 5D Mark II full-frame camera, so the 135mm is an actual 135mm for me.Since it is very hard to find fault with the lens (aside from the fact that they make you pay for it), I will stick with the highlights.At f2.0, this is one bright lens.  It means having the stop you need to rip a hand-held shot that you only get one crack at.  It's native task is people pictures, so when shooting candids you either get the moment or you don't, and with this one f2.0 means you can get it in available light.  I don't like spooking/annoying people with a flash.  This lens lets me shoot from the other side of a normal room, outside of people's personal space and possibly outside their notice. In a larger room, you get tight groups of people.  It's probably a touch too long on a crop-sensor body, but this is such a sweet lens that it would be worth it to rent one to see.When you aren't shooting candids "in the wild" and switch to posed portraiture, it gets even better.  Fast to focus, nice perspective, but you might have to "frame with your feet" to get everybody into the shot.The weight is quite reasonable and the handling is sweet.  There is a break point in lens weight for me.  This one is light enough to shoot comfortably a long while.  TheCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8Lby comparison is just over that line, that one is a touch on the heavy side and not as sweet to work.  The two are somewhat close in size and weight, but the 135 f2.0 feels far lighter and handles better.  When you have to move *now* this lens is just light enough that you might get off a one-handed shot without spilling the drink in your left hand.Exquisite backgrounds.  All those other comments people have posted about it are all true.Incredible detail.  This is one very sharp lens.  It gives all of those pixels on the 5d something worthwhile to do.  Every individual eyelash is sacred to this lens.This thing sees better in the dark than I do.  With the high ISO capabilities of the 5D mark II, you can take other-worldly night-time shots on available light and hand hold them.  "What did you do to get the sky that color?"  "The sky *was* that color, this is a night-time shot."You do have to watch your depth of field and focus point like a hawk.  You can play games and do some powerfully artistic stuff that way, especially with people's hair.If the focal length is anywhere near right for your situation, the results will be well worth every penny.UPDATE 24-May-2013After three years with this lens, it's still my favorite.We have discovered an additional capability.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U8Y88M/ref=ox_ya_os_productThe Kenko extension tubes lets you get closer than the normal 3' minimum focus distance of the 135L.  For example, the 36mm extension tube added to this lens lets you get "up close and personal" (one foot away) and still have usable focus range.  You can use combinations of the tubes to get the camera as close as you need.  As with all macro setups, depth of field is razor thin.  The solution, if your objects do not move, is "focus stacking."  It does for focus what HDR does for exposure.  Focus stacking software combines multiple images and uses the best details in the combined image.Extension tubes are highly demanding of the lens.  You need a bright, sharp lens to use them effectively and the 135L is both bright (f/2.0) and sharp.I have gotten some other-worldly macro shots this way.  The detail is so good and so visually enticing that it has you checking out the cost of 16 x 24 inch and larger prints.Since I shoot people more often than macro, the 135L plus tubes is a better match for my needs than using a slower-to-focus dedicated macro lens when shooting portraiture.
Previously, I relied on Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens for modest telephoto images. There is *no comparison* between the images that the 135mm lens produces and that zoom. The difference is not merely that the fixed lens is a lot faster (in practice, I rarely go wider than f2.8 anyway; the depth of field becomes too narrow for my taste). Rather, the pictures are sharper, colors are brighter, and people seem to have a strong preference for the bokeh in pictures taken with this lens. More than once, I've been asked "How do you blur the background like that?"You might expect that a fast lens is particularly useful indoors in natural light, and it does produce great results in such conditions, but I've also taken wonderful photos with this lens of children playing outdoors.No image stabilization, but I've never missed it. I've had mixed results with other Canon lenses but this is by far the best of the lot, I've no criticism of it at all.
The Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens is hard to describe unless you have had the pleasure of its company for an afternoon. To hold it is handle a very well made and solid feeling piece of precise technology. On the camera, in my case a 40D, it feels well balanced and secure. On looking through the viewfinder, the scene is clear, bright and sharp. The auto focus is silent, precise and speedy while the manual focus feeling totally smooth. Best of all are the super crisp and perfectly saturated images you will achieve with a creamy luscious bokeh a bonus. If you buy this lens you won't be disappointed. It is majestic.
I don't think anyone deleted any negative reviews of this lens because I imagine there were none: every rave I read turned out to be true. I love this lens. Sharp, fast. Great background blur when you want it. Other people covered the technical stuff. All I can add is "believe the great things you read, it is that good".
Just to chime in, this is a great lens.  While I use the 70-200mm f.2.8 IS more when shooting events, for portraits, this lens gives stunning results.  The sharpness, colors, bokeh--they're all great.  I own the 85mm f1.2, but would choose the 135mm first--if only for the extra reach and easier hit on your bank account.
An awesome lens, fantastic sharpness, light, and unobstrusive. Great for everything, dimly lit sports, portraits, macro (with an extension tube). My favorite all time lens.I own Canon's 200mm lens that costs 7 times as much as this, and I still like this lens better.
I like  this lens. Rebel XS is a Pro killer with this lens. Good balance hand held with the Bat. pack. Great IQ. Super killer on the 5D2. Best lens in my kit! Buy this first, throw the Kit XS zoom.
This is one of the sharpest lens in my line up.  The bokeh is fantastic and  I love it.  Expensive but worth it.
What really else can I say about this legendary Canon lens that's not been said before?Well here's my thoughts anyway...Context: I'm a portrait/wedding photographer that likes to moonlight as a bird-tographer. Body this lens goes on - 30d, 5d, 7d, 5d3, 1ds2.What's Hot:- Price. I think this is a really well priced L lens. Canon seems to like charging an arm and a leg for that sliver of red paint.- For an L lens, this isn't that bad. Considering it is f2.0! Look at the glass in it!- Fast AF. Fastest AF-ing lens I've ever used. Ever. Period. From MFD to Infinity, this thing rips. You think it, it nails it. I wish I can attach it onto the old EOS 3 with eye-controlled focusing system.- Quiet USM motor. What else to say. Very useable in quiet church ceremonies.- Images. Ridiculously lovely. It is magic on full-frame cameras. I am always blown away by the images from this lens. I don't understand. It obliterates the background and does it without having any fancy 20 circular variable angle blades. Just good old fashion awesome images.- Sharp. I seldom stop down. It's always @f2.0 for me. Images are tack sharp. Atleast for my copy.- Colour. Pop. Pop. Pop.- It is also light. I have shot with 70-200 F4, F2.8L IS... those white zooms. And I can tell you it gets tiring after awhile. I've since switched to using the 135L as my "long range" lens at church ceremonies. Haven't look back ever since.What's Cold:- Big hood. One of the things I like about this lens is the size, it is not obnoxiously large as my old white zooms. However the hood seems to extend another 30-40% of the size. =(- Lack of IS. Sometimes it is nice to have... especially when paired with a cropper.I found out many folks are not very confident with the 135mm range. Preferring an 85mm or even at most a 100mm. Perhaps it is valid as 135mm can be quite close. What with the ability to crop thanks to our large megapickels cameras these days. But there's something really special at this range with this large of an aperture. My principle is to circulate out any lenses that are not or see little use within 12-24months. I've had this lens for a while now. This lens will be one of my mainstays for sure.
What do you think? Read the reviews, look at the sample images. This lens holds up to its expectations. Nice and sharp, not really much longer than my 35mm 1.4L.
Read all of great reviews of this lens and believe them.  You don't know how good a photographer you are or how good your Canon camera is until you bolt this thing on.  The first time you look through the viewfinder with this lens in place you will smile big time, really you will.  Images are outstanding with great snap, detail, bokeh and color...if you can swing the rather silly, large price do it!
I believe this is one of the best lens for about $1000. Forget about zoom lenses even if they are L. This lens is far better than 70-200L in my opinion. It is very sharp at f2 and even more sharp at f2.5. With zoom lenses you have to set to f/5.6 for better result and f/8 to match this lens. It is very well built but not excessive heavy, come with hood and bag, but unfortunately, Canon have decided to remove the hard cases for all the L lenses.Combined with a Tamron 1.4X teleconverter this lens provide very good optical quality on par with any zoom L lenses at 189mm focal length. Yes I know I lost the convenience of a 70-200 zoom lens. But I am really happy that I decide to change the plan of buying a 70-200IS to 135/2L+1.4X. This not only saves me the money but also let me to get better pictures, especially at wide open. Better portrait lenses, like 200/1.8 and 300/2.8, would cost several thousands of dollars. Trust me, once you play with primes, you will not like zoom anymore.I am also using a 24-70L to shoot my small kid. After using this lens, I don't like it anymore and thinking about change to primes someday, the only reason preventing me doing that is the 1.6X crop factor of digital camera. A 35mm/1.4L will become 56mm which is really not good.Order from Amazon with free shipping even though it says not in stock. They shipped mine in 2 days and this happened before even though item stated "in stock soon".Pros:Very sharp at f2 and super sharp start from f2.5.Very fast lens with f/2Very good bokeh (background blurring).Overall extremely good picture quality with good contrast/color.Smaller size, less weight and black color compare to those white 70-200s.It is a L lens: best build quality, fast/quiet ring USM AF with FTM.Cons:No hard case.No inexpensive.Effective focal length is 216mm on 10D/20D/Rebel/300D which is a little difficult to use for portrait.
Best money ever spent on amazon, this lens is quick and incredible sharp. I use it on my 6D and it's amazing,
Purchased this lens as a alternative to the 70-200 f2.8 II. I have not been disappointed at all. Focuses extremely fast. Colors are perfect. Sharp as can be. I have it paired with my 5D mkiii and love using it at weddings.
Outstanding lens on a Canon 5D Mark II. Excellent in low light. I felt that it was a bit long for my 7D and found that a better choice for that camera was the EF 85mm f/1.8. From time to time you may run across a review that states that this lens, 135mm, is soft. I feel it is not soft, but it is more flattering than other excellent lenses when it comes to portrait photography. I'm comparing this lens to a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. Each of these are excellent portrait lenses but in my opinion the 135mm is outstanding. I do not like to spend time trying to improve images with software and there is very little to do when this lens is used. It's a good shot or a delete shot depending on the choices I made before I pushed the shutter button.
I was amazed with the quality of this lens. Absolutely amazing photos with this L series. Nice Bokeh. Its little heavy with the quality glass it has but returns are excellent. Its fast, little heavy, absolute sharp and clear. I took this on whale watching and got some awesome photos with this lens and canon 5dMarkII taken with continueous shots with unstoppable compact flash x600 transend card. Didn't miss any whale action as they seem to come up for very short time. I could see all droplets from whale tails and flappers. All caught with this lens. Absolutely sharp. Joins family of my primes. Hunt for wide angle is on as long as there is budget...Canon 5DMarkIITranscend 16GB x600canon 135mm F2LCanon 50mm 1.4canon 85mm 1.8Must buy!!!!!
This lense is great!!!  Crystal clear and ultra fast focusing with my 5D3.  The boken is fantastic!!! Details are absolutely amazing.  My 24mm to 105mm just dropped to second place in my line-up of lenses.  When shooting at f2.0, I don't even need a flash in most cases.  Well worth the price. The lense is built like a tank.  It would be nice if it had image stabilization but I'm not complaining.
excellent lens for portraits and sports. well balanced with my camera. pics are sharp. lens is well built. would definately recommend it to others.
This lens is legendary.  I know why it has a cult following now.  Unbelievable image quality.  Tack sharp and it really isolates your subject.I have a 70-200 f/4L and it is almost obsolete now.  The 135's sharp images let you crop out a good picture if the focal length is shorter than you'd like.The size and color of the lens doesn't scream "telephoto" either, which can come in handy these days.5/5 - Would buy it again in a second.***Update***  It is March 2011, and this lens still amazes me.  Best lens I own by a long shot (and a good investment as well).-Mike
Everyone gives this lens a rave so maybe i should approach this terrific lens from a shooting POV.Shooting wide open at f2at 135 gives your pictures a distinct quality you would never get from zooms, there isn't a zoom at this focal length that is this speed either. A few primes come close but they're nowhere near as sharp wide open.the af is fast and very accurate and the lens has a great feel on a 20d/5d/10d body even wo the battery grip of the cameras.Close up magnification of .19x to.21 therabouts is a nice bonus of this lens, letting you get closer wo being too in your face for tight headshots.I always felt that photographers usually have a sweet spot when shooting certain things like some portrait photographers like the distance the 85mm gives them when approaching a subject, turns out I'm liking the 135 focal length quite a bit for headshots and the 85 for torso and head shots.One thing I like about this 135/f2 combo is that there's enough DOF to get most of the main subject in view and focus but the background will still be blurred out. It's really great when you want the subject in focus and nothing else, as opposed to the 85 1.2 parts of the subject could melt into the background resulting in images that be a little too ethreal for some tastes. Couldn't you just stop down the 85? Sure but the relationship of the foreground to background would still be different with the 135.The 135 f2 can give a result that's juuust right. The backgrounds just a little more compressed with the foreground but the foreground is sharp but the background is gone. Almost like you lurred the background in photoshop. But you'll never get the same results from blurring in photoshop, for one thing the highlights would get muddied in a blur treatment in PS while the highlights stay clean at f2.Don't just use this thing for portraits, use it the way you would use a 50mm and try and frame as such, again the focal lenth and wide aperture will give an interesting result. I basically use it for candids and portraits during a wedding.Fantastic lens, very sharp, very handholdable, the focal length is terrific for portraits and the bokeh is very beautiful, equal in sharpness to the 85 1.2 or any of Canon's $5k lenses. This is probably the best lens you can get for the price, the only lens I've used with better saturation and contrast is the 35 1.4L.Downside: Not as handholdable as the 50,35 1.4 or the 85 1.2 during low light situations due to it's focal length.
This is the Canon L Prime that got me started buying a lot of prime lenses. I rate this equal in quality to the 85mm f/1.2 and the 50mm f/1.2. I bought this one first because it was cheaper than either of those and it got me hooked.For many photographers, myself included, 85mm is the perfect portrait length. However, I would argue this is equally good for portraits, and is an equally special lens. Not nearly as fast as either the 85mm or the 50mm, but definitely gives that special quality of tack sharp, perfect, extra vibrant color and high contrast that they have. The three lenses complement each other very nicely.This is consistently one of the most highly rated lenses you will find anywhere and is a perfect fixed focal, short telephoto length.If you're leaning toward buying, just click "Add to Cart." LOL. You won't regret it.
I love this lens so much I've refused to remove it from my 5D Mk iii. I'm going to have to buy a new camera for my other lenses.I shoot with it completely wide open and the results are amazing. Of course the DOF wide open is so shallow that you have to position your subjects in the same plane but that's a function of the DOF and focal length and not the lens.It's relatively lightweight and you get to zoom in fairly well enough. Too much zoom for the dance floor though unless you only want awesome candid drunken expressions.Can take forever to focus in low light (especially when shooting against the DJ's multicolored changing lights) but which lens doesn't?Let's just say I love this lens' IQ so much I'm blind to its flaws. I can't believe this lens was originally manufactured that many years ago without any updates. Actually, I can believe it!
Love this Lens. Like all the reviews I've read it is the sharpest and smoothest lens I own. I don't always use it, but when the situation allows and I want the best image, I reach for this lens.
After months of reading about this lens and saving up the money, I finally bought it. Wow - that's really all I can say to sum it up. Awesome photos, incredible bokeh and extremely sharp at F/2. I would suggest getting a three stop ND filter for it. If you are shooting on a camera with only 1/4000 shutter speed, you may not be able to shoot wide open in the middle of the day. Some gripes were that this lens has no image stabilization. Normally I would put that into the negative category, but it doesn't matter on this lens. You can open the aperture up as much as you need and still get a tack sharp photo. I recommend shooting with this lens on a full frame body. The length is perfect, but also the ISO sensitivity is much better on full frame bodies. Copy and paste the link inside the brackets. I shot this image at F/2.The macro on this lens is the standard fare of all lenses. I would recommend pairing this up with some Kenko extension tubes. You can buy them on Amazon for $199. I own them and they are amazing. I am not too big into macro work, but these tubes allow you to get some really close up shots.[img][...]]
It is very sharp, it is very fast, it is very well built and you will not be disappointed by this 135 L lens!The image is extremely sharp on my full frame 5DIII. It focuses fast and accurately even in low light. Excellent for an indoor action sports lens!It is an outstanding portrait lens, it has tremendously fantastic bokeh!I love this lens!
I can see why this lens is so popular now that I've got one in my hands and used for a month or so. I'm more used to shooting with the 50mm 1.2L and 85mm 1.2L so the focal length took a bit of adjusting to, but the background compression makes for a great effect when you're looking for that. Having the 70-200 2.8L II, I was a little hesitant to pull the trigger on this 135mm but as you will often hear, forcing myself to use the prime at this length really opens up some creative possibilities that one would miss with being able to zoom in and out. The cost vs benefit of this lens is very good being under $1000 (compared to other L version lenses)
Edit 2-13-12Been using it for indoor and outdoor sports for several months, and I have to say it's worked out great.  I keep getting pictures at f2.0 that i couldn't get with other lenses.  my current list of activities that I've used this for are basketball, football, volleyball, and competitive cheerleading.  it was a lot of money, but when I see the blurry pictures that other parents get, I know it was worth it.I was a little skeptical of 100% of reviewers giving this lens 5 stars, but I used it for the first time today, and I have to say I'm amazed.  The in-focus subject is clear and detailed and colors are vibrant, and the bokeh is fantastic.  It blows my sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 away.  And it's better than my canon 28mm f/2.8 and my canon 50mm f/1.8.  I was concerned about needing 200mm zoom, but I'm going to sell my sigma and just crop pictures with the 135mm f/2.  FWIW, my camera is a T1i.
The 135 f2 is probably Canon's sharpest prime. And you know that most of Canon's prime lenses are quite sharp so this speaks to the great quality of the 135.The 135 is better than any of the 70-200 zooms for the following reasons:-It's less conspicuous: it's black instead of white, it's lighter and shorter. This makes it the perfect lens for those people 'grab' shots at the mall or street fair. The people will not be taken aback by you pointing a large lens at them. Instead, they may not know you are taking a closeup/semi closeup of them at all since this lens looks like a wider lens.-It's faster.-It has better bokeh.-It's cheaper than the slower f2.8 70-200.As a semi-pro published photographer, I can recommend this lens. I originally purchased it (and still use it) for headshots (it's great for that) but found that there are a lot of other applications under which this lens excels.
Dont buy this lens and i will tell you why,It is fast in any context, anyway you look at it.It is sharp, any way you shoot with it.You will produce ridiculously magical images.Five stars simply aren't enough, I would give it six stars if I could.So don't buy it.  This lens will spoil you rotten, you will sell all your consumer zooms after you try it and you will never be satisfied with anything other than primes from that point on. That said you will have to spend even more money for more primes in the future.I know because it happend to me.True story.
This lens is sharp.  And at the cost of repeating myself, this lens is SHARP.For 135/2, this is rather compact, the hood is almost half the length of the lens and makes it look bigger and heavier. That was the first thing that struck me when I took it out of the box. Exactly the same size as a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 (without the hood), probably twice as heavy.  With this lens, hood, a 20D, battery pack and 580EX, you know you are carrying something in your hand that will make heads turn.  You look through the lens and realize that the opening is W-I-D-E...Not very handholdable with 1.6X even at f2...minimum 1/250s required, atleast for me.  My hands are not the steadiest, quite shaky.  So I dont go below 1/250s.The color saturation, richness, unparalleled.  Im tempted to say that the 50/1.8 gives the same amount of sharpness and color..im even tempted to say that the 50 is a tad sharper, but my reasoning would be that the 50 is more handholdable than the 135.  A lot more handholdable.Be warned, this is a high maintenance lens - if you are taking a portrait, (i) stand in the right distance (ii) focus on the eyes (iii) recompose (iv) make sure you dont loose the focus or move (v) click.You move 2 mm, the focus is off at f/2.  The subject moves a little or shakes his/her head, you probably need to refocus.  Thats when the focus override comes handy.  Seems simple, but needs practise...just a little.Hood, prefer it with a crimped finish, removing and replacing the lens cap is a bit of a pain.Built solidly like a tank, branded with a prominent red ring to be recognized by those who know what it stands for.  Yet to test it in proper day light, but I think I am going to be pleased, this one is a keeper.  My wife is no photographer, but loves the pictures and suggested that she likes this lens and wants to keep this one.Oh, and if I dont talk about the bokeh, either I dont know what it is, or Im just plain dumb.  The BESTEST bokeh I have ever seen, buttery creamy milky smooth.  I would pay $900 for the bokeh. The combo of 135 and f/2 makes it a killer.  And if I use this on my EOS-3 (35mm), I will be closer to my subject while the background is still far away, making the bokeh even smoother.This is the only lens which I can turn to f/32 for infinite depth of field.  Yet to take broad daylight shots with that. The only reason I will stop down the lens is for the depth of field.  For everything else, I know I am going to use f/2.Great lens, buy it.  It doesnt get better than this.  Take a look at the two pictures I posted, especially the Indian decor.--------------------------------------------------------------------------Update on 23 July 2007I have taken many pictures with this lens at f/2, f/2.8 and f/4 and simply put, this is a lens that will have its place in the Photography Hall of Fame.  If you stand at the right distance, you can keep the aperture at f/2 and still get most of the person in full focus without the ears or shoulders out of focus.  Having said that, there is absolutely NO necessity to stop down unless you want more dof.This one is a keeper, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.----------------------------------------------------------------------Update on 12 feb 2008.Oh boy, I love this lens all over again, any excuse to take this out and shoot.  I will do free portraiture if necessary.  One of the pros that I didnt think was highlighted enough in the above reviews (one or two mention it, not all) is that this lens gives a verrrry pleasing 3 d effect to the images.  The background is completely compressed into one thin sheet and looks like a (very pleasing) backdrop and the subject has so much pop and clarity that it creates a very good 3D effect.  If the 85mm/1.8 makes the subject stand out in a crowd, this lens make the subject pop out of the picture.  Simply put, the best portrait lens if u have the distance on a cropped sensor.  6 stars out of 5, again, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.
This lens IS everything everyone says about it.  It IS my favorite lens, that I own.  In fact I think the only lens I've ever handled that I like better is the Canon 200mm f/2 IS, at about 6x the price.  Of course the 200 will scare small children from 100 feet away, but the 135 looks like a regular old lens.  No big deal.  Of course until you look down the center of it,  It's a prime pipe, tons of glass in there.None the less, the AF is fast, the bokeh is as good as it gets and the thing I really really love.  You don't need to stop down to get sharp results.  At F/2 it's tack sharp, and it seems to have just enough DOF to get what you want in focus but blow out everything else.It's a bit pricey for a prime lens at an odd focal length but believe it or not, I think this lens does most of what a 70-200 does.  It's right in that sweet, not too close, not too far focal length in the middle of that range but it give  your images a unique quality that even the 70-200 f/2.8 can not give.  It's just a fantastic lens, no gimicks, no messing around.  Just one of the best prime lenses that Canon makes, and although it's $1000, it's way cheaper than the big boys people rave about, 200 f/2, 300 f/2.8, 400 f/2.8.  I'm telling you, it's on par with those lenses in image quality but in a compact easier to use and easier to afford format.Read my review, and all of the other reviews on the internet about this lens, negative remarks about it are almost absent from the internet.  This lens is worth the money.  I'd give it 6 stars if I could.  It's legendary.
I have researched this &#34;L&#34; lens. I found it to be every bit as sharp as the claims made by other users. I do use this lens on a Rebel T3i  so the the 135mm is more like 205mm, quite long for indoor use but awesome for wildlife /arena sports etc. Low light is very good but note a good tripod is a must for slower shutter speeds, no IS on this lens. This lens is relatively large and makes my T3i front heavy , you find yourself holding the lens and not the camera . I bought through Amazon and very happy with purchase.
It took me a long time to pull the trigger on this $900+ lens, but it's worth it. I was going to trade up from my Canon 5D to Mark II, but decided it was better for my purposes to get a beautiful piece of "glass." I have four other Canon lenses (two of them L) which I tested against the 135mm and none came close. If you love bokeh you will love, love, love this lens. Soon, I'm going to sell my 28-135mm for and maybe my 70-300, keeping the 135mmL,24-105L (l.4)and workhorse 50mm (1.8). Those 3 will suit my purposes about 90 percent of the time. When I sell the 70-300, the 70-200 will be next...maybe for the Fourth of July when I will have saved up and can celebrate the occasion.
I have compared this to several other wide angles, including the Tamron 17-35 2.8-4 (discontinued but still available), to the 16-35L (version I), and I consider this better than both. Arguably, the 16-35L II is the best Canon has done yet, but if you can find a copy in good condition (I did with a small amount of diligence), I consider the 17-35 a real keeper. Nice rendering of color and contrast, sharp center to near-edges, and without meaningful distortion. Function is smooth like L lenses are notorious for, and it is lightweight to travel with, and the 2.8 continuous aperture--well it is 2.8. Gotta love.
Ah the Canon 17-35mm F/2.8L...a diamond in the rough if I have ever seen one! I stumbled across this at Keh's website a few weeks ago (04/2012), purchased it, and waited impatiently for it to arrive. Everything I had read and seen about and from this lens filled me with the belief that this was a good investment - I was not wrong. Allow me to go over some bullet points in the name of brevity - I will discuss several of them in detail after.- The price of this lens makes it the second cheapest used L lens on Amazon (after theCanon 70-200mm f/4L)- The optics are FANTASTIC.- Build quality is not as good as more recent L lenses- 17-35mm is an excellent focal range- Doesn't focus as closely as theCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, the successor to the 17-35mm- Some barrel distortion below 24mm (expected)- Color and contrast are L quality, really fabulous- Has the USM for quiet, quick and accurate focusing- No Image Stabilization (IS), I don't count this against the lens- Slightly smaller than the 16-35mm linked to above- Lens hood is getting hard to find- No weather-proofing as far as I knowBUILDThis lens is not as well built as modern L glass - back in the late 90's/early 00's, many consumers complained to Canon asking for better-built lenses but this lens had already been out for some time when the change came. That said, it is not poorly built and is still infinitely better than regular EF/EF-S. It is slightly smaller and lighter than its successor, either good or bad depending on your needs and wishes.FOCUSAs mentioned above, this lens does have the Ultra-Sonic Motor for smooth and accurate focusing. I find it focuses VERY well, spot-on almost every time! I will say that coming from renting the newer ultra-wide L lenses, the lack of very close-focusing takes a little getting used to and can sometimes limit your creativity on-the-fly, but people have managed for years to create incredible images with this lens, and I can't see why one couldn't continue to do so. Not inconvenient enough to take off any stars!COLOR/CONTRASTThis is a VERY sharp lens, with excellent color reproduction and contrast. It is infinitely better than any kit lens, and even today will outperform the wide primes from Canon's EF line. It isn't as good as the newerCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, but definitely performs outstandingly. If you haven't, I would highly suggest jumping over to the Flickr group for this lens, the work there is exemplary.IMAGE STABILIZATIONNow, call me old-fashioned, but I think that IS on a ultra-wide lens is rather useless. If I need to shoot at anything under 1/17th of a second (maximum recommended for hand-held) I would use a tripod. Using a tripod trumps IS ANY day, and so I don't count this as a mark against this lens. In fact, I count it as a plus seeing as it makes the lens a lot cheaper!DISTORTIONObviously, under around 24mm there is barrel distortion, although this is to be expected from any super-wide lens and is not more prominent than any other I have used. There is some vignetting wide open, but stopping down or post-editing in photoshop fixes this quite nicely.OVERALLFor around six hundred bucks, you are getting a fantastic fast super-wide lens from Canon's L series. The glass is excellent, and while it lacks a few of the more modern features, it is still a pro-grade autofocus lens, and comes with me on every wedding shoot so far! If you have the cash, theCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8Lis better, but I'm not sure if it's a thousand big ones better. Highly recommended - a cheap and effective way to get L glass!!
A wonderful piece of glass for capturing quality landscapes and interiors.  Have take only a few images, but thus far very impressed with the sharpness and wide angle.
I bought it and Im super happy with it! thanks for providing such a good lens guys!MA@marcvsstmarcvs on instagram!
This lens is one of the best I ever owned. I create master portraits with this. See the example I have uploaded. This lens is good for events as well. The wide angle enables you to do close courtiers shooting. The lens is slow focusing but not very erratic on the focus once it finds it it locks on like a bull dog. Unlike some of the sigmas that get confused between 2 af points and go back and forth. This may be one of my most favorite lenses of all times. Almost never leaves my camera except when I need distance. Like 200 to 400 and above for wild life.
Do you ever find your pictures boring? If you do, get this lens, and your pictures will have a whole new dramatic look, becuase of its super wide angle. Another advantage is that a wider angle allows you to take pictures at a slower speed, good for darker occasions, because the shaking of hands would have a smaller effect. The third advantage is compared with most of the other Canon professional lens, this is very small, which makes it easier to use at public places where bigger lens means more attentions, and more attentions means less oppotunities. I didn't say anything about the lens's actual picture quality, because Look, this is a Canon Professional lens(the red ring at the top of the lens indicates professional, instead of regular yellow), there is no question about the quality of the pictures! ( And of course, though wide-angle, the pictures are not twisted at the corners at all.) It's the best you can get out of an SLR! But of course, good equipments is only half of good pictures, you will never be able to take good pictures even with the best lens if you don't learn and don't experience. Good Luck.  And by the way, ... send me the lens promptly, no taxes, good price.
This is not just my favorite lens, it is one of the nicest things I own.I love wide-angle photography, and the extra field-of-view I get with a 17mm wide-angle (over a more conventional 28mm) is dramatic.  I took this on an extended vacation in Japan and found it to be the only lens I really needed for the entire trip (I also brought my 28-135 IS and my 50 mm f/1.4 but really needn't have).  There is something about Japan that really cries out for a super-wide angle (small interiors for one thing).  On a more recent trip to Spain I admit there were times I wish I had my 28-135 with me for a little more reach, but this 17-35mm is still my primary lens.I think the optics on my 50mm 1.4 are noticably better than this lens, but I have become so accustomed to the 17mm view that I find a &quot;normal&quot; focal length practically useless.There is marvelously little distortion in this lens at 17mm.It is worth noting however that you will undoubtedly get shadows from even the thinnest filters (I have a very very thing polarizer filter that I use with this lens and even it will crop the image, the lens is so wide.)  Also, when I use the built-in flash on my A2E the lens will cast a shadow in the image, which is annoying (a little hard to explain, but the point is that you see so much at 17mm that the lens itself blocks the flash).  Someday I will get an external flash to avoid this problem.
This is my very first "L" (for "Luxury") lens and I'm just elated with my purchase. It's below $1000 (which most L lens inversely cost) but the quality of the shots I've taken looks so professional. Only drawback is its f/4 maximum aperture. But as long as I'm taking pictures outdoors, the f/4 opening is just fine. I did try taking pictures with it indoors, I just have to push the setting to ISO1600 and sometimes pop up the flash and the pictures also turn out well. For an amateur like me, this lens is a very GOOD buy!
I am so pleased with this lens. Got a great price and the image quality is far above my kit lens of a similar focal length.
Disclaimer: I am an amateur photographer, and lots of people have commented already on the qualities of this lens, so I won't be making  a review on that.  I got this lens yesterday, and I am using it with a Canon 40d.Here is my review:  if for some reason you are considering using this lens as your walk-around lens, don't.  For all the things a walk-around lens should be, this one is not (save for being relatively affordable, and having great IQ).  It's conspicuous in both size and color, heavy, and IMO the focal range is not flexible enough for walk-around duties.This is probably pretty obvious to most people, but for some it might not be.  So, there you go. It is GREAT for me though, and agree with others who say this is a very good value lens.
I have had this lens for several years. It produces color accurate pictures. It's a great lens for portaits. However I ended up selling it because  it's a tripod only lens. It's  seemed that even at high shutter speeds and spot focussing it is very difficult to get ride to the handshake blurr  when you zoom in.
At first, I had a selection of third-party lenses. Nothing bad, just none that were spectacular. I was somewhat disappointed in the shots I got. Then I bought the 85/1.8 and saw the contrast and colors I was expecting. Since then, I've bought several Canon lenses and this one is my latest.Like the title says, WOW. My first shots were in the house and around it and at all apertures and zoom lengths, the shots are simply incredible. Just fantastic sharpness - no PS USM needed! The colors are real and vibrant and the contrast is sharp and clear.This (and my 24-105/4L) is what lenses SHOULD be. Well built, solid and great glass. Sure, you do pay more. And you could enhance your shots with PS. But to see the results from these lenses vs the cheaper alternatives, you'll see what you spent all that money for!I'm sold on Canon.
I used this for a couple shoot after I got it to test it! The pictures were sharp and perfectly clear in the middle of the day, with the water in the picture. Everything came out crisp and clear! Easy to handle and very affordable!
The optics on this lens are out of this world. The daytime photos I've taken with it have been excellent. The colors, sharpness, and contrast with this lens make it worth every penny. When shooting with it, I rarely have to do any post processing because the photos come out gorgeous almost every time.
Came on time and it was exactly as the product was described. Cannot wait to use this! The weight isn't too bad and the bokeh is perfect.
I purchased this lens after many hours of careful research.This lens lives up to it's reputation. While not as fast as 2.8, not weather sealed as newer L lenses, I have yet to find fault with this lens in shooting architecture, construction or flowers, or even my cats.I am sure there is some CA here, a little vignetting there, but I have not seen it in four months. In that time I pretty much used this lens as my primary, leaving the 24-70L in the bag. But am now using each equally.If you can afford the 2.8 go for it, but I am not at all sorry I chose this older model!As is said, good equipment doesn't make a good photog, but if you know the craft this lens gives you that boost any top quality piece of equipment will!Btw - I'm shooting the 70-200 f4L on a 40D and a 30D.WJD (spoiled by a legend)
I have used this lens for 3 to 4 months now, I shoot almost every weekend at show jumping events (equestrian competitions)  and I am VERY happy with the lens.  I have improved the sharpness of my photos significantly and since I use a monopod, I simply do NOT need the IS feature,This lens is LIGHT, sharp and fast at servo AF mode, I just can't think of a negative comment regarding this lens. I use a 1.4x Kenko ring too ($100 less than the Canon version) and even though that brings this lens to a 5.6 max. aperture, I can still shoot great, sharp pictures @ 1/1250 shutter speed in a foggy day with my humble Rebel XSI body (well, with some "manageable" noise @ 800 ISO, I agree...)Bottom line, I would buy it again if I had to choose for a LIGHT, fast and sharp lens, while keeping an eye (or two) on my wallet...
This product has been extensively reviewed, and I don't have much to add. It is much less $$ than the 2.8L at the same zoom range. It does not have IS, which may be an issue to some but I don't have any IS lenses so maybe don't know what I'm missing. The optical quality is as good as advertised. On an APS sized sensor (like my Rebel XTi) the lens is equivalent to a 320 mm on a 35 mm film camera. It is the longest lens I own. This is good for "urban" birds and squirrels that let you get reasonably close, and may be good for larger wildlife. It is borderline for, say, small wild birds that will not let you get close enough to reasonably fill the frame even at 200mm (but I have gotten lucky here and there).I would guess it is good for sports, but you need enough light to allow a reasonable shutter speed at f4.I have used it for macro closeups, and you get great bokeh.You can get creative with it. Why use a lens this long indoors? Well, why not?There is an optional tripod collar. The lens weight is at that borderline where you should use some lens tripod mount to avoid damaging the lens mount. I wish this collar were included, or at least cheaper and more widely available (it seems to be about $130 for a metal ring with a tripod socket -- come on, Canon!)It comes with a lens hood, so don't order an extra.
some people may think that spending $600 on a 70-200 zoom lens is crazy but this is one of Canon's 'L' lenses. It's probably the cheapest 'L' lens they offer but the quality is super duper. I use this on my EOS 40d digital camera and the results are top notch. With the 1.6 crop factor of the 40d the lens is actually a 112-320mm lens. Not exactly a walkaround lens but a great addtional to your lens arsenal for when you need some reach. Excellent for outdoor portraits. And the lens is fairly light.If you have the cash and are looking for a top qaulity zoom lens give this bad boy some serious consideration.[...]
The 70-200 range is great for portraits and more.  The difference between bokkeh in f/4 and f/2.8 is subtle to most people, and the weight and price savings in very noticeable.  If you need more range you can add a 1.4x extender, but the lens greatest strength is for those who appreciate quality rather than quantity (compared to 70-300 lenses).  This lens is sharp even wide open, and non-IS hasn't been much of a problem.Warning: If you get an L lens, you will not want to buy non L zooms anymore.
I haven't used it for alot of just shooting around, but I have got some awesome images of the full moon - It is heavy, but great glass!
One of the sharpest lenses I have used. Great for both full frame and cropped. f4 fast enough for me. I haven't had any problems with the lack image stabilization - the lens is just the right weight to balance and hold image stable with stabilization. I use it on both the canon 7d and canon 6d. Fast auto focus close to silent and with fixed f4 aperture works great for videos.
I've used this on a 5D but usually use it on an XTi. The latter has 5.7um pixels, and this lens can easily create a very sharp image at that pixel size, so it's good to get at some wild birds. At 200mm f/4, you get at 50mm entrance pupil, so you get great bokeh for great portraits. It's a little long and slow for general indoor use, particularly on a crop body. The only real problem is that now I'm hungry for more L glass.
At first when I got the lens and started to useit, I thought all the reviews I had seen before buying it were all lies. But after learning how to use the lens, the fact is that it's a gem. I have taken a lot of pictures of birds with it and almost all of then handheld with a Canon Digital Rebel XT, it renders great sharpness. The thing is, you have to take pictures with  shutter speed of at least 640. Sometimes you can get by with less and it seems to be at it's best at 5.6 aperture.
Yes it will hook to the "L" lens. I have had no problem shooting in low light, just crank up the iso on my rebel 350dthis along with my 17-40L are a great combination, I bought a rubber lens hood from adorama as the canon hood is huge and makes it a bit obtrusive, anyway you will not regret getting this lens amd with the canon 1.4 lens converter you have over 400 mm lens on a digital 1.6 crop camera if you need it.
i mean its a really good lens, ive read professional reviews about this lens, and some say they prefer this one than the f/2.8; and i use it for photography and film and its been working fantastic ! the only odd thing i noticed was the color its more grey than white but it does not bother me one bit! also comes with a cd!
This is a great lens, although it is a little heavy. I use to it now quite often. The clarity is wonderful, very sharp. I was torn between this lens and the Canon 70 to 300mm IS lens, but decided to go with the quality of the L lens. I use a tripod most of the time, but occasionally hand hold it. Don't really know if I made the right decision, but I am happy with the results so far.
I've had this lens for almost 3 years now and it's still going strong. It continues to deliver incredible pictures.
this lens takes amazing pictures i use it both in nature and the studio this lens is awesome in studio and working with it is awesome so don't thin its just a telephoto for nature this is a great lens!
This lens is phenomenal.  Don't buy it unless you are prepared to purchase nothing but L-Series lenses from here on out.  You will find yourself using this lens in situations that it isn't ideally suited for because the images it produces are so much better than what you can get from your other lenses.
I mostly shoot outdoor sports, predominantly baseball, and had my socks knocked off the first time out with the lens at a nightgame, at  which there would eventually be a heavy downpour. The lens performed like a champ, even during the downpour! Unlike the EF70-300IS, the lens locked right away on the focus area, and in auto focus mode (AF), did not "hunt" for the subject to be focused on. A great buy and a lens I'd highly recommend,
This lens automatically comes with a hood, storage bag and lens cap.  (The way that the accessories options are formatted on the web page may mislead some to think that they need to purchase these items separately.)  As for the lens itself, the body is quality built and the glass is top of the line.  It does lack Image Stability but is a great L lens for the price!
I bought the Canon f/4 70-200mm L lens to go with my 20D along with the Tamron f/2.8 28-75mm. I am still learning how to make my camera work to its potential and have taken great pics at a Japanese garden and at a Zoo. I took some good shots with both lenses but after setting the camera up differently I noticed a huge difference. The Canon lens just blew me away. The only thing I used photoshop for was to crop and resize. I didn't need to tweak the levels or sharpness very much and some pics, not at all. I have no complaints with the Tamron (especially for the price) but this Canon "L" glass is the quality I knew existed but didn't think I could afford. From now on, I will not hesitate to spend the x-tra money for the Canon L glass.You cant go wrong buying this lens and from other reviews, it is very close in quality as the f/2.8 but half the price.
Sharp as can be!!!  A beautiful, sturdy lens.  I'm getting beautiful pictures with it.  It's the nicest lens I've ever owned!
i received this lens today and im already in love with it. it picks up amazing colors and has awesome clarity. i was worried that i would have to basically keep this on a tripod at all times since it doesnt have image stabilizing but during my shooting today i saw no ill effects from shooting handheld. that and the ~500 dollar difference in price is nice as well.i would recommend this to anyone and everyone
I just bought this lens Nov. 13, 2010 and it was my first "L Series Lens".  I am extreamly happy with the results even though it does not have IS, but if you know the right settings to use, you do not need the costly lens with IS.The colors, contrast, sharpness and quality are simply  extraordinary for the low price you pay.  You cannot get a better deal nowhere!!!This lens is a little heavy for my hands and I will have to get used to it. I use this lens with my Canon Rebel T1i; when I got the camera, it came with a set of the standard lens 18-55 mm IS and the telephoto 55-250 mm IS which take pretty good pictures for the low cost ... but this L Series 70-200 mm F/. 4 non IS, has no comparison with the other two.  This is a super excellent lensI will surely recommend this lens to anybody.  I am a regular customer of Amazon and never had a problem with any of my purchases ... Thank you and keep up the good work!!! ... :)
I really like this lens.. new to photography and having fun taking pics and learning what this lens can do.
The key wth this lens is the constant f/4 it keeps this maximum apature through the zoom range.  I'm going with the 70-300 usm/IS when the funds avail themselves.  that it's black and has IS is worth sharpness to me.Pros:  Fast focus, smaller size, excellent sharp, good priceCons:  Tripod collar sold separatelyPros:  Not too heavy (although a batgrip would help to balance in the XT's case), super-fast autofocus, very sharp pictures.Cons:  The lens hood. White color.if your a newbie here's some infoA lens is "fast" when it has a low f-stop... ok so when you have a smaller number the apature is bigger which allows more light through, so this means you can up the shutter speed. and still have enough light reach the sensor.ok so lets say you have an out door shot if you have say an f/4 lens the shutter speed could be 1/250 of a second and you would get a good exposer. Now this lens can only go f/4but if you in the same outdoor setting, had an f/2.8 lens you could jump to 1/500 of a second and get the same exposer. and freeze the action mmore effectivly, this i believe is why it's a "fast" lens.ok have fun and get it done
I would not hesitate to recommend this lens to anybody. The lens is super sharp and the colors are fantastic. I am shooting with a Canon Rebel xti and this is my favorite lens thus far. Highly recommended.
I purchased this lens used and I have been delighted with it. It is no problem to hand hold because it is so light.  I eventually want to purchase the F2.8, but I will do it as an additional lens, not a replacement. I would need the IS with the 2.8 due to the greater weight, and I don't see myself taking it along on everyday outdoor shoots like I do this F4. Solidly built lens, great images, easy to tote for outdoor pictures. Absolutely love it!
I have no complaints about the image quality and performance of this lens, but I wanted to post this review to note a problem I had with it that eventually led me to selling the lens and upgrading to another lens, in case this helps others with their decision.  The lens is rather long and heavy, and I found that I had consistent problems in anything other than the most brightly-lit conditions in achieving a shutter speed fast enough to prevent hand shake blur.  Apart from using this lens with a tripod, I consistently was frustrated by having all my handheld shots ruined by hand shake blur.  I eventually decided to upgrade to the same lens (70-200mm f/4) but the model with IS (image stabilization) and have been much happier with my output using the lens.  Would recommend anyone considering this non-IS version to take into consideration whether they are prone to hand shake or might have problems holding this particular lens steady - perhaps go to a camera store and try it in hand first before deciding to order.
I've always heard great things about Canon L series lenses. Some say it means "luxury".  I really think it means love. Once you touch and use a Canon "L" lense, there seriously is no turning back.  The sharpness, colour, contrast is unparallel. It stacks up to my Carl Zeiss lense on my other camera. The only thing I could ask for is a lower price for the 70-200 F/2.8 L IS USM lense. I'll be looking to upgrade to a faster lense sometime in the near future.
Buy this item if you want, but try to get a get a better price. The list price is misleading. You can buy it from Canon for this price. If you pay more than 650 for this lens you are not getting the best deal. That being said, at a range of $550 to $700 this is the most affordable L lens out there(L lenses are top of the line for Canon), so if $600 is all you can spend, and you want a 70-200mm f/4L lens, you won't be disappointed with this one. Just try to get a real deal, Amazon is trying to trick people into thinking that they are saving 44% of MSRP. That is a lie; their price is almost the same as Canon's MSRP. Another thing to consider is that, if you can afford to spend a lot more money, and if your camera merit it, Canon has better options and you will get more features, such as IS and better f-stop.
This review is for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM zoom lens.  I initially had some reservations about this particular lens, but it's been excellent since day one and I'm glad I bought it.  It has earned a permanent place in my camera bag, and I highly recommend it.  Here's why.So many versions of the 70-200mm L USM lens are available.  You can get it with or without IS, as f/2.8 or f/4, and now the f/2.8 IS USM Mark II model is on the market.  The f/2.8 versions are quite a bit more expensive, and from what everybody says, heavy.My camera is a Canon 50D.  I try to only buy lenses that have an aperture of f/2.8 or faster, but the outstanding price of this L lens together with reading all the complaints about the weight on the f/2.8 version were enough to persuade me to buy this lens.  I really haven't noticed much benefit from Image Stabilization on other Canon lenses I own, and actually find that under low-light conditions IS can sometimes cause the AF to hang-up and flash a "busy" message, so I didn't see the need to pay extra for the IS version of this lens.  I just planned on using a tripod all the time with this lens.....turns out that under most conditions, this is not necessary.My first photos taken with this lens were hand-held and under low light, and the color and sharpness was fabulous - just what I've come to expect from L glass.  A few days later went out for some landscape shots and forgot to bring my tripod.  Again, excellent color and clarity, and no blurry shots at 'reasonable' shutter speeds.  For landscape I found I could get a decent panorama at 70mm and then zoom in on a monument at 200mm.  During this shoot I needed to take a few portrait shots, and again thanks to the 70-200 range there's no need to change lenses.  Even at f/4 you can get awesome portrait-perfect bokeh with this lens.Fast-forward to my daughter's first swimming class.  Olympic-sized pool housed in a poorly-lit building, shooting hand-held from the bleachers a couple hundred feet away, so flash is not a realistic option.  This lens nailed every single shot at 200mm - I was amazed!  No tripod, no flash, and out of 42 shots not a single one out of focus or over/under-exposed.  Once again, faithful colors and detail so sharp you can see the water droplets in mid-air.  This lens is quite light for its length - even lighter than my shorter Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens.  I've read other reviews for this lens complaining about the weight, but I disagree.  The weight of this lens is never a problem, the only concern walking around is the length (7 inches without the hood).Sure, if I had more money, I'd love to have the f/2.8 version for those moments when you really need a large aperture and the extra weight doesn't matter.  Also, this lens does not come with a tripod ring, and it's a pretty good idea to have on on hand, especially if you're using a battery grip.  There are several cheap ones available, but I've had good luck with the extremely overpriced OEM one:Canon Tripod Mount Ring A II (W) For 70-200mm f/4L Lenses.  And if dust & moisture is a concern, only the IS models have environmental sealing, so you might want to pass this one up.  I rarely go out shooting in damp or dusty climates, and I baby my gear so I should be fine for a few years.  The bottom line: I love it!
This lens has worked great.  It produces sharp colorful images, havnt had any problems with it, I would recommend it.
I agonized reading all of the reviews, Canon 70-300 IS, Sigma, Canon L.  I finally went down to a local camera shop and took pictures with the various lenses.  I took the pictures home, and WOW - the L line really is worth the $.  The focus of this lense is incredible, and the pictures are bright and vivid.  Only this lense was able to focus on a close up shot of a brown fabric.  Seeing the threads was unbelievable.
This lens is very sharp. Excellent upgrade to my 55-250mm. No regrets buying the non-IS version. I couldn't justify the IS version for double the price.
Ok, first of all, I am NOT a professional photographer; I'm just a reasonably good amateur who always wants to improve.  A friend of mine, who is a much better amateur that I, has a couple of "L" series lenses he uses with his 5D Mark III (green w/ envy) and after hearing him sing the praises of these "L" lenses, I knew I had to have one.  The problem is, as a hobbyist, I could not justify spending more than my Canon 7D cost for a lens.  Then I found this one and started reading the reviews.  At the time I was able to get this lens new from Amazon for $689, so I took the plunge.  Seemed like a reasonable way to enter the "L" Series world.  Glad I did!The first real test of this lens was up at Angel Fire New Mexico this past August (2013) for the Red Bull BMX bike competition.  I took over 1380 pictures that day!  All I can say is WOW!  The clarity and sharpness of the pictures taken with this lens are nothing short of spectacular, if I do say so myself.  The lens is great for outdoor sporting events like this!  It is reasonably light weight also considering it's a 70-200mm zoom;  It's easy to lug around in other words. A couple of observations.  The lens is F4, which worked great as long as there was plenty of light, but not so great when the light wasn't fairly bright (in the shadows or when sun went behind a cloud for example).  Also, I tried a friend's 2X extender and found that there was too much loss at F4 except in the brightest of conditions, so I gave up using that.  This lens does not have Image Stabilization (IS), but that wasn't a factor except in a few instances.  Overall I love this lens and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get into the world of "L" lenses without breaking the bank. The only problem is, once you see the results with this lens you will want more "L" lenses which may break the bank after all! (I know I have my heart set on a good Wide Angle "L" Zoom now for landscape photography).  It's on my bucket list!
For years, this lens was considered the premiere bargain among the Ls. The caveat is that it's a daylight lens and the focal range is awkwardly positioned on a crop body. There are convincing stabilized alternatives.Optically, it's very good. Better than the 70-200/2.8L IS, equal to the 70-200/2.8L, and somewhat short of the stellar 70-200/4L IS and 70-200/2.8L IS II. The major advantage of this 4L is that you don't have to balance depth-of-field control with quality. Most lenses improve significantly a few stops down from wide open. This one is sharp from f/4 and holds that aperture through the range, so the quality/shutter trade is one less thing to think about.Like most L lenses, the glass inside has superior coatings and higher transmissivity. The practical result is higher local contrast; subjects 'pop' with less postprocessing. Autofocus is quick, silent, and rarely misses. The lens doesn't extend or rotate with focus or zoom. It's a pleasure to use, particularly relative to the brick-like 2.8L series.I don't, however, like it on crop bodies because versatility suffers. This lens needs a lot of light. The 1/focal rule is inapt. With an 18MP crop body, you'll want to be at 1/150 at 70mm and 1/400 or better at 200mm. That'll put you at ISO 400 in overcast and ISO 1600 or above in dimmer settings. The focal range shifts to 110-280, long for portraits and short for most subjects that demand telephotos.A lot of folks who buy this lens end up trading it for the extra reach of a 70-300/4-5.6 IS. None of them are quite as good as this 4L. Only the 70-300/4-5.6L IS is an optical and AF peer, but the other two (Canon's non-L and Tamron's version) are close enough and dramatically more usable with still subjects in lower light. Build quality aside, the only use case where the 70-200/4L compares favorably is with AF tracking in daylight sports.Full-frame is a another story. All the full-frame bodies have 1-2 stops of noise performance over the crops, so winding them up to ISO 800 or 1600 isn't so much of a bother. That's less necessary anyway because the 1/focal rule relaxes without the crop, so you can shoot on the long end at 1/300. And it becomes a proper portrait telephoto short enough to use indoors. The only caveat is that edge performance suffers a bit.So what's my recommendation?Full-frame professional: 70-200/2.8L IS or IS IIFull-frame sports professional on a budget: 70-200/2.8LFull-frame amateur: 70-200/4L IS or 70-300/4-5.6L ISFull-frame amateur on a budget: 70-200/4L or 70-300/4-5.6 IS or Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 VCCrop professional: 70-200/2.8L IS or IS IICrop amateur: 70-300/4-5.6L ISCrop amateur on a budget: 70-300/4-5.6 ISCrop amateur on a smaller budget: 55-250/4-5.6 IS or Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 VCThe 2.8L series are big honkin' heavy things that draw a lot of attention and make your back ache. If your living depends on your results and the only travel is traversing the parking lot from your car, that extra stop is worth the sacrifice. Everyone else, I would suggest switching to a small portrait prime as needed.If you find this review unhelpful, please leave a comment. Thanks!
The Canon 70-200mm /F4 lens is probably the finest zoom lens money can buy, yet it has a bargain price (relatively speaking). Sharpness, contrast, speed of focus, low chromatic aberration, superb mechanical construction and light weight (compared to the F/2.8 versions) make it a superb choice for a must have Canon lens for serious photographers. I along with others, find this to be nearly as good as many prime lenses (fixed focal length or non-zoom) which is pretty amazing. It works great with APS-C sensor cameras (such as Rebels, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D etc.) as well as full frame Canons (5D, 5D Mark II, etc). Sample to sample quality also appears to be very, very good -so you are less likely to get a lemon than with some other models.As some other people have pointed out with sensors smaller than "full 35mm" you have a crop factor. With an APS-C sensor crop factor of x1.6, you are not bringing the "subject" closer -there is no magnification (such as in 10x binocular), you are simply framing the "subject" tighter because the image is cropped. The image circle made by the lens is too large for the smaller sensors and edges fall outside the sensor area, whereas with a full frame 35mm sensor it does not.An excellent place to look at lens reviews written by more experienced photographers is fredmiranda dot com. The average rating for this lens on that forum is extremely high.If you can afford it, the IS (optically stabilized) version of this lens has some advantages, but it comes at a considerably higher price.In summary, having used this lens (for fashion and portrait work)-as well as many other lenses, with 4 different Canon cameras, I recommend it wholeheartedly.
The EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens by Canon is outstanding.  Because I am 83 years old I worried about hand shake, but the lens is so fast that was never a problem.I took photos from Coit Tower in San Francisco and the photos of Alcatraz and Treasure Island are so clear you can see details on the Islands.  When enlarged the houses across the Bay in Oakland are visible.I am very pleased with this lens.
So I'm starting to get more serious about my photography.  I went out and bought this as my entry to the "L" class of lenses.  I mounted it on my 40D at home and I didn't really see what the big deal was.  It wasn't until we went out for an Engagement shoot that I found the magic of this lens.  The Bokeh was wonderful for my portrait shots.  Absolutely wonderful.  Very crisp pictures.Almost perfect because of the f4 - it didn't do so well in the shade.  But, I can't really complain since the 2.8 is almost twice as much and the 2.8L IS which is almost unreachable for the amateur.  But one day it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.I don't mind the white paint either, makes it look "professional".  We were out on location and as soon as we took it out bystanders got out of the way of our shoot.So in summation, it's a great price to try out the "L" lenses.  This and the 17-40L.  But remember that it's an f4 and that it's white if that makes a big deal to you.
Really good for outdoors, specially the depth of field you can achieve with it. The materials are really good. Wish the lens hood was white, but that you can buy.
I have been using this lens for almost two years now. Sure, I would like the 2.8 version but I don't want to carry around such a heavy lens all day. This lens is not that heavy. I never get tired of carrying it. It comes with a lens hood, which is nice.This lens is fantastic for daytime shooting. For indoors, you will need to crank the ISO to 1600.The auto focus is very fast and accurate.So far, this is my favorite lens. It really is worth paying a little extra. The quality is very noticeable and appreciated.
Awesome lens for the price and I get excellent pictures with it.  I am glad that I bought it.
I replaced a 75-300 Canon lens and there is no comparrison. Much smoother and a nice clear picture.I may now have to replace all my other lens with &#34;L Series&#34; lens. The quality and general feel of the product is far superior to the &#34;standard&#34; Canon lens.
As with all Canon L lens you expect quality and this is perhaps my favorite lens in the bag.  I didn't buy it for portraits but have been using it almost exclusively for my head shots.
This lens is a quality product.  Others who have reviewed it and given 5 stars speak the truth.  It would be nice to have the IS and the extra light of the f/2.8, but for the significant dollar difference, this lens is worth it.  No complaints.
2nd possibly only to the image stabilized (IS) version, the f0-200mm f/4 should be every Canon owners 1st "L" lens.  Image quality is excellent:  sharpness, color, and contrast.  Build quality is excellent:  yes it has the "look at me" white Canon paint job, but it is sturdy and yet light and manageable.There are no "cons" with this lens.  There is simply nothing better in its class and price range.  Some folks will need help deciding between this and the image (IS) stabilized version.  Simply put, the IS version can do everything that this version does, and more.  The IS version will allow you to handhold the camera at much slower shutter speeds that you normally could.  For instance, whereas with the non-IS version you'll need a shutter speed of 1/200 or better to get sharp images, the non-IS version can be hand held down to 1/40.This comes in handy when the light is low.  However if you use a tripod or you shoot sports (in which case you need a fast shutter speed anyway) then you might want to go with the non-IS version and save a few hundred bucks.
Sold it after a year because I was tight on money and few months later I bought the consumer grade Canon tele zoom for those odd shots. Tried to believe that I dont need the focal range that much so I stayed on the non L canon and even tried the cheap Sigma telezoom. When I was reviewing the pictures on the album in my computer with my wife, we notice that the pictures taken by the Canon 70-200 F4 non IS are outstanding. Hands down the best telephoto lens that I use I don't care when people say that it is comparative to consumer lenses NO IT IS NOT. My wife even notice the difference and she doesn't know anything about photography. I bought another copy because I know I gotta have it. Something in the glass that makes this lens outstanding. I do understand if some people say that they are on a tight budget but this is the cheapest L you can get and if can afford it....you owe it to yourself, trust me it's that good. Needless to say that it is awesome period.
This is one of the best lenses you can buy for the money.  The pictures are crisp and of course being an L lens doesn't hurt.  I would recommend this lens to anyone looking for an l lense
This is an entry-level "L" white lens, but its optics are quite sharp even wide-open.  It is definitely sharper than theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasand has similar optics to the much more expensive and heavierCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.The main difference?  No image stabilizer and it is slower than it's f/2.8 brother.  But if you are going to use a monopod/tripod or have good lighting to get some faster shutter speeds in, don't hesitate to buy this lens.PRO:- Cheap, compared to other L class lenses.- Can take in 1.4x extender with little impact on image quality (IQ).- Very sharp, similar sharpness to its more expensive brothers.- Very light weight!  Other 70-200mm lenses in Canon's line are heavy!CON:- Not fast, not slow, the f/4 is just right for ideal situations or flash. Low light won't work.- Not weather sealed (though it will endure, it is still pretty solidly built compared to plastic lenses).
This is a great lens. I won't get into much detail because there is already so much information readily available about this lens. I do, however, want to warn potential buyers. DO NOT BUY THE LENS HOOD it already comes with one. It appears that a few of us have already made that mistake. I personally have 2 lens hoods now.
Being a Canon, this lens is very well made. I used this lens to do sports photography and it did a really good job or the most part.The only downside is that most of the time I used the lens to shoot high school football, which happens mostly at night, and most high school stadiums have poor lighting, so many of the pictures I took had a slight blur to them. Every now and then there would be a perfectly clear picture. So I would not recommend this lens if you plan to shoot a lot of pictures in low light conditions, unless you have a superior camera like the D series cameras. Otherwise, if you plan on using this lens where the lighting it good, then this lens will be perfect for all uses.I ended up selling this lens and upgraded to the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 and also upgraded my camera to the 40D.
Depois de usar uma 24-70 2.8 comecei a substituir minhas lentes pela s&eacute;rie L, pelo fator qualidade.Essa lente (70-200 4.0) tem um preo incr&iacute;vel pelo benef&iacute;cio. Uma lente com &oacute;tima nitidez e qualidade mesmo em ambientes com pouca luz (ISOs mais altos).&Eacute; muito leve (mais leve que a 24-70) e de f&aacute;cil manuseio (controle macio).Recomendo a todos que querem uma mini tele para o dia a dia, vai valer cada centavo.----------------------------After using a 24-70 2.8 I start to replace my lenses by the L series, because the quality factor.This lens (70-200 4.0) has an incredible value for money. A lens with excellent sharpness and quality even in dim light (higher ISOs).It is very light (lighter than the 24-70) and easy to use control (soft).I recommend everyone who wants a mini tele for the day to day, will be worth every penny.
I just received the lens (3 days early, thank you) and did a few preliminary shots.  All I have to say is I can't wait to get out on the field and get some more.  Excellent lens quality and durable.  Buy camera specific lenses for your cameras, they make the difference.Family Fhotos
I've been getting into DSLR photography more, but all I owned was the Canon kit lens (the older one that was still good), and the excellent Canon fixed 50mm lens. I went to multiple sites to determine what &#34;longer&#34; lens to buy that had great quality and a reasonable price. Almost to the site, reviewers said this was the lens to get.I'm not a pro or prosumer photographer, just aspirational. I wanted higher quality distance shots for when I travel. This lens did not disappoint. I immediately took it to Florida to the Everglades and to the Keys, and it was a godsend. I got wildlife shots I would have never gotten with my existing lens. Great quality, reasonable size and weight, and when Amazon runs specials on it, a good price. The lens is much bigger than my existing lens, so I can't carry it in my &#34;size and weight optimized&#34; camera bag, but that was expected.I can't recommend this lens enough. Great addition to a budding DSLR user's arsenal!
First off - let's hit the obvious thing that might concern many - the lack of IS on this lens.  At longer focal lengths with slower shutter speeds, this can be an issue on this lens..BUT with how well newer Canons are handling higher ISOs, many of the camera shake issues that you would need IS for can be addressed by cranking up ISO and shooting at a higher shutter speed...I won't lie though, IS is a nice addition to a mid-range zoom, but does it justify the cost increase to the IS version?  That will really depend on the user and their financial situation.I use this lens mainly for portraits along with my 24-70 F2.8L.  The 70-200 is a perfect complement to that zoom range, and if you really want the ideal situation, having the 70-200 F2.8 in addition to the 24-70 F2.8 is a great way to go...but, again, cost rears its ugly head when we look at the jump from the F4 to the F2.8 in the 70-200 lenses.I bought this lens because I knew I wasn't going to be using it in situations where I needed IS and because I wasn't going to need F2.8 either.  With those two considerations in mind, you can't go wrong with this lens.  It is pin-sharp throughout the entire focal range and produces wonderful bokeh for portraits.  I use this lens all the time for doing kids portraits and outdoor candids - the zoom range lets me stay out far enough that the child doesn't really know I am taking his picture (that sounds creepy - but you know what I am getting at here if you've done child's photography - the second they know the camera is pointed at them, they often stop being cute and start being awkward).  At 200mm, I get superbly sharp features in the eyes - sparkles are there, eyelash details, etc., while at the same time having wonderfully smoothed backgrounds.  The subject really 'pops' from the background.  This lens is also great for a formal portrait session if you are able to stand far enough away from the person.  So, if you are into portraits and need a mid-range zoom, or maybe just bought a new Canon 7D or Rebel XSi or XS or a used XT series and want some L-series glass at a reasonable price, you can't go wrong here.Some people consider using this with a Canon extender like a 1.4x or 2x.  That I cannot recommend if you want to preserve optimal image quality.  It will bump up the zoom, but your images will lose their L-series quality.  If you already own the extender and just want some extra reach without being too terribly worried about those details, go for it.This lens is also much, much lighter than its F2.8 counterpart.  In my review about the 24-70 F2.8 I recommend that you often go for as much aperture as possible when buying a lens - I still stand by that when the price isn't a big difference (in my review about the 24-70 I was comparing it to the 24-105 - so there wasn't a huge price difference).  If you can afford it and don't mind the extra weight, the F2.8 version of this lens is the choice, hands down.  But if you want a lighter lens and have a specific plan for this lens that won't involve a lot of low-light shooting (like using it in flash photography a lot), I don't think you can go wrong with spending around $600 for an absolutely wonderful lens.Please let me know if you have any questions about the lens, I'm happy to answer what I can.
So sharps, it cuts !  My thirty-some female friends are completely exposed around this lenses and now they are organized to prohibit me from using this piece of equipment around them.  Let me put it this way, the results are so sharp and vivid, you can counts the number of facial wrinkles and make-up layers, NO JOKE !  Other than your thirty-some female friends, everything else will be award winning works.
This is a great lens. Initially, I was contemplating between this lens, the 70-200 f/4 IS lens and the 70-200 f/2.8 lens. From a day to day practical use perspective, the 70-200 2.8 was just too heavy for my spouse and I. Also, because most of the pictures we take with this lens is outdoors, there is sufficient lighting with the f/4. IS would have been nice, but I couldn't justify spending an extra $500 for capabilities that I rarely use in a 70-200 lens (the practicality of using this lens indoors for me was neglible).As far as Amazon, the $560 price is excellant. However, amazon needs to work on it's shipping. Amazon stuck this L series lens in a very big cardboard box with almost no packaging material, allowing the lens to float around the box as it's sent via USPS. Not exactly the way I would treat an L series lens, and perhaps I would be more upset if this lens was $1000+ dollars. So amazon gets a 1 star on packing and shipping.
This is Canon's least expensive L lense but the pictures you'll get are anything but cheap.  Excellent build quality with fast and quiet performance.  Try not to cut yourself on with your pictures because they'll be sharp.  Other people have already covered the technical things about this lens so I'll just say that it blows all of Canon's consumer zooms out of the water.  It works well with the 1.4x extender for the few occasions when I need more reach.
After struggling with cheaper lenses over the years, this is my first "L" series lens. The optics are superb, the speed is adequate and the AF is spot on. Very good value.
I was very excited to receive this lens after reading the reviews here at Amazon. However, my disappointment was big as I didn't notice better image quality compared to my beloved Canon 28-135 lens. Also, the 200mm zoom is barely better than the 135 zoom. And I'm not able to shoot any people that are standing close to me. This requires a constant change of lenses, which is a real hassle. For this price this lens doesn't deliver much satisfaction. The 28-135 lens is way better, comes with an Image Stabilizer, awesome sharp pictures and is much shorter, therefore easier to carry around. I'll return the L lens....
Extremely sharp, smooth, quiet lens that is worth every cent.  I am very happy with the lens, the sharpness and contrasts of the produced images is stunning.  I cannot imagine being unhappy with the lens, the only improvement is to either go with the f2.8 or the IS version.  Both are heavy lenses, weight-wise and cost-wise, but they are as good as it gets.  For the money, this lens is a steal.  Buy it with confidence.
This lens is well made. Like all L series lenses photo quality is perked up. I used it in a comparison test with my kit lens and it out shined in every photo.
thats all.its a sharp lens wide open. i mainly use it for portraits, wide open. and it is very very sharp. F4 is not bad, its not the fastest lens but i also have an 85mm f/1.8 for low light stuff.the bokeh of this lens ins amazing and the compression it creates for portraits is very good and visually pleasing.it focuses fast, and it is sharp sharp sharp.it is very light, very good to carry it on the camera unlike my 24-70mm f/2.8 which weights as much as a baby elephant.its AN L LENS FOR UNDER 1,000 DOLLARS! that to me was a steal! and the quality of the lens lives up to the standards of all other L line lenses.it may not have IS but if you r shooting a high shutter speeds it makes no difference. images will still be clear and sharp. IS is overrated and people need to learn how to shoot images better.this lens delivers
My first L lens... great images, great build, not bulky, affordable compared to other Ls, No IS and low light poor performance, portraits in good light.. amazing. Absolutely recommended.
First off - let's hit the obvious thing that might concern many - the lack of IS on this lens. At longer focal lengths with slower shutter speeds, this can be an issue on this lens..BUT with how well newer Canons are handling higher ISOs, many of the camera shake issues that you would need IS for can be addressed by cranking up ISO and shooting at a higher shutter speed...I won't lie though, IS is a nice addition to a mid-range zoom, but does it justify the cost increase to the IS version? That will really depend on the user and their financial situation.I use this lens mainly for portraits along with my 24-70 F2.8L. The 70-200 is a perfect complement to that zoom range, and if you really want the ideal situation, having the 70-200 F2.8 in addition to the 24-70 F2.8 is a great way to go...but, again, cost rears its ugly head when we look at the jump from the F4 to the F2.8 in the 70-200 lenses.I bought this lens because I knew I wasn't going to be using it in situations where I needed IS and because I wasn't going to need F2.8 either. With those two considerations in mind, you can't go wrong with this lens. It is pin-sharp throughout the entire focal range and produces wonderful bokeh for portraits. I use this lens all the time for doing kids portraits and outdoor candids - the zoom range lets me stay out far enough that the child doesn't really know I am taking his picture (that sounds creepy - but you know what I am getting at here if you've done child's photography - the second they know the camera is pointed at them, they often stop being cute and start being awkward). At 200mm, I get superbly sharp features in the eyes - sparkles are there, eyelash details, etc., while at the same time having wonderfully smoothed backgrounds. The subject really 'pops' from the background. This lens is also great for a formal portrait session if you are able to stand far enough away from the person. So, if you are into portraits and need a mid-range zoom, or maybe just bought a new Canon 7D or Rebel XSi or XS or a used XT series and want some L-series glass at a reasonable price, you can't go wrong here.Some people consider using this with a Canon extender like a 1.4x or 2x. That I cannot recommend if you want to preserve optimal image quality. It will bump up the zoom, but your images will lose their L-series quality. If you already own the extender and just want some extra reach without being too terribly worried about those details, go for it.This lens is also much, much lighter than its F2.8 counterpart. In my review about the 24-70 F2.8 I recommend that you often go for as much aperture as possible when buying a lens - I still stand by that when the price isn't a big difference (in my review about the 24-70 I was comparing it to the 24-105 - so there wasn't a huge price difference). If you can afford it and don't mind the extra weight, the F2.8 version of this lens is the choice, hands down. But if you want a lighter lens and have a specific plan for this lens that won't involve a lot of low-light shooting (like using it in flash photography a lot), I don't think you can go wrong with spending around $600 for an absolutely wonderful lens.Please let me know if you have any questions about the lens, I'm happy to answer what I can.
Light weight and awesome.  The only draw back is that it is an F4 so you lose a full stop from  a 2.8, but for the price you can't beat it.
This lens far exceeds my expectations. Thought I would need a longer zoom, but was advised by a photographer friend to purchase this one. He was right. No regrets. Well worth the money.GlennTonawanda, NY
I recieve my Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens today, and for my surprise, the color of the lens is not white, like the all picture shows, the color is like brown...(...)?...this is a different type of lens L from Canon?. Someone have a explanation?Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I love this lens. It has a great eye, for a great picture, and the video is great even on moving shots. For the price, you can't get much better!
I bought this lens to use on a t4i, and it is awesome for outdoor shots.  I do wish that I sprung for the f2.8 USM version or the f4 IS USM version.  Either would have been a few hundred more dollars and would have given my much better performance.
I've had the 70-200 2.8 IS version of this lens for years and it is a great lens BUT the 2.8 is big and heavy. With today's fast sensors and high ISO, 2.8 is less important. I love this light little lens!
First let me start by saying I'm new to these types of lenses. That said, One of the first things you'll notice is the wieght and while some may argue it's not that bad couple it with a Canon 7d and you'll understand what I'm talking about.Second, almost instant magnet for enthusiast and the curious. I was recently at an event my son had and of the 50 or so people that were there some 20 asked what paper I worked for! It's one of those lenses that gets you noticed straight away.On the picture quality, It's an L, nuff said. I promise, with some work and some tweaks you'll be snapping pro type photos in no time. One of the situations that I tend to hear about reading this forum or others, indoor photography and the learning curve it takes to capture fast action shots. Yes, it is dificult, and yes, it will take some practice, but in the end you will master those shots.Since I have only had the lens for a short while I can tell you this, I have never seen detail in any other lens I own. Detail of such things include small bugs flying around my subject out on a football field (huddle) at 25-30 yards away.I don't have to say anything else other then this, read what many experienced photographers here have to say, You can't go wrong with this lens!
To be clear. This lens comes with a shade and pouch. Also, the lens is light enough that you do not need a tripod collar. My first lens did not have a functioning auto-focus, but Amazon shipped me a functioning lens by 2 day air before I could even take the defective lens down to UPS! I was able to print out a shipping label, slap it on the old box and take it to UPS no charge. No charge on the 2 day shipping for the new lens. So, I am a happy customer.
Really great lens, especially for the price (US629.00). I also have the 50mm l f1.2, but this lens (the 70-200) is great for situations that require something more dynamic for zoom. With the L series, the glass seems to be great quality in terms of providing a very comparable image (colour, sharpness) to my 50mm lens. I read that some people might need IS and perhaps at full zoom in low light (shooting at slow shutter speed) that could be useful, but probably I'd use this on a tripod or in medium to bright light settings. Even I like F4 in general as anything below starts to give too much bokeh for my liking, so all in all this is the perfect lens for the focal lengths.
This lens is a bit heavy but I'm sure there are heavier in fact that's my next purchase.  Takes nice portrait shots.
Image stabilization would be nice but this is a great price/performance lens.  Just needs a tripod for lower light applications.
When considering this lens, you will obviously think about comparing it to the competition:Sigma/Tamrom 70-200 2.8 for 600-1200Canon 70-200 2.8 I ~1200Canon 70-200 2.8 II ~2000???I WANTED the canon 2.8 I for 1200, it is reasonable and 2.8 is amazing for any lens. I settled for this lens due to being basically half the price.This lens is basically very good. It is very light weight(compared to the 24-70 2.8L, it is nothing) I don't even mind the size!! Goes well with the Canon t2I body due to the 1.6x magnification crop sensor. I will always keep this lens on that body, now that I also have a Canon 5d Mark II. I will have to find a good wide angle lens for that body.I just checked, and it can fit inside of my SMALL camera bag, just barely. This is amazing, I can now carry two bodies and two lenses(this and a wide angle lens) in my camera bag. My camera bag is very small, too small for a laptop or a paper notebook, yet I can fit this lens,attached to a camera body (w/o hood) and have it ready for quick shots.I like how the lens does not extend like other zoom lenses. My 24-70 2.8L lens does this which can be a problem. The lens hood would normally protect the extended area, and it can suction dust into the lens when you change focal length. Now I don't have to worry.In my dim lit house, lit by normal bulbs about 25 feet off the ground, I can shoot at 1/80, F4 at 6400. Not bad at all, I was expecting a lot worse!! Still, it is very difficult to get a sharp shot at 200(more on a 1.6 crop) at 1/80. Due to this, I would want a 2.8 lens still. This is not a concern at all in cloudy/sunny shots during the daytime.I was also surprised that the minimum focus distance is 4 feet, but that is not too bad. Should have researched more.The bokeh at F4 is not amazing in cluttered scenes. If there is a shot with something close in the BG, it will be impossible to blur and make it look pretty.The auto focus is very fast, yet in dark scenes and at 200MM it searches for focus A LOT. Not bad enough to be concerned about.Handheld shots at &lt;1/120 will be very hard to do.The sharpness is great when you can hold it steadySo the ONLY thing to consider when comparing this to the other lenses is what situation you will use it in. For day time shots, this lens will do. If you do indoor or night time shooting, I would go with the 2.8.This lens is fun and amazing. I will buy the 2.0x extender and the 2.8 version when I get more money!!
Excellent value for the money, although returned it because coughed up the money for the 2.8 IS version but would have kept it if money was an issue.
This was my first L series lens and I have to say, it was worth every penny.  The color is bright and contrast is amazing.  I have taken some shots, backlit by the sun, that you'd never get away with, using most lenses.I bought the L4 lens as opposed to the bigger 2.8, for cost and size reasons.  The L4 is small enough that you can hand-hold it for most shots.  I have taken some amazing shots of the full moon, without using a tripod.Camera shake can be a problem especially due to F4, so I just bump up the ISO on my Digital Rebel XT.It's a great lens, you will not be disappointed.
This lens is, as far as I know, the least expensive 'L'-series lens available, but it's built as good as any other.  There are actually four options for this lens - 4.0, 4.0IS, 2.8, 2.8IS (in order of cost).  While the 2.8 would be fantastic, and the IS would be great, both add significant additional cost.  This lens is, as one would expect, a bit heavy, but still works great handheld in appropriate lighting.Overall, this is my second favorite lens.  I shoot a lot of lower light situations, so I often use my 85/1.8, but for anything outdoors or in well lit indoor situations, this lens is a perfect compliment to my Canon 7D.
As a long time Canon professional, I can assure you that this is one of my all time favorite lenses (especially for the price). The lens is superbly crafted and fast in terms of max aperture and smoothness of zoom and auto-focus. It's a little on the heavy side, but to me that just tells me that the internal elements are solid and well assembled. I could not ask for more from this beauty.
Incredible lens.  use it for sports and event photography (with a flash) and the results are incredibly sharp and focus is always spot on.
I am not a professional photographer, but I wanted high quality lenses to go with my Canon 10D (which I may upgrade soon).  I researched for over a month before purchasing this lens, and I have not been disappointed.  I only wanted to carry around two lenses, so I purchased this one, and the Canon-EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultrawide Zoom Lens. I have found this combination works very well for me.  My uses include photographing landscapes, wildlife, sports events, and my family.  The speed and quietness of the autofocus is outstanding, and the zoom doesn't compromise the quality of the prints.  Even though the price is high, you really do get what you pay for in lenses.
This len is as claimed.  Great picture quality.  focus very fast.I would recommend it to my friends.Generally, great products
I use this with a Canon 40d.  You can not imagine how easy it is to look good using high quality glass like this.  With little effort this will produce pictures that are so clear and with perfect exposure.  You do not realize the level of reduced contrast, chromatic aberration and vignetting that you have in the consumer lenses until you shoot with one of the L series lenses.  If you want the rich color that you see in professional magazines, with clarity that allows you to enlarge photos all the way to poster sizes, this is what you are looking for.  This lens will be still be first class 20 years from now.My biggest uses:* Sports* Nature* My kids at the playground
This a great lens that is sharp and fast. The quality is far better than the other non "L" lenses. Can't get an "L" for much less.
This lens is amazing. You get super fast focusing and sharpness. The price can't be beat and the lack of IS or the F4 apertura haven't been an issue for me.The lens size and weight is perfect for this focal length not to heavy o you will actually use it more.
I have had this lens for more than 4 years. I have mounted this on Rebel XT (350D) and been to events, weddings, zoo, etc. This is by far the best purchase that I have made in the last 5 years after moving to DSLR.This is a very sharp, silent, and fast focusing lens and I enjoy the most among my lens collection.I have considered moving to Nikon or Sony (peer pressure!) from Canon. But, due to quality of Canon glasses such as this, I have decided to stay with Canon!(update May 2010): Now I'm using this on my 7D. With 7D set at 3200ISO, I don't need IS, 2.8, or tripod! This is the best $500+ that I spent 4+ years ago.
For the serious amateur, this is an excellent lens to start off your collection of well-known "L" series lenses. The image qualities are stunning as long as it gets enough light. The lens is much lighter in weight compared to its other 70-200mm counterparts (f/2.8 and/or IS) and a breeze to carry around.If available, either rent/try out the other versions of this lens at a local rental store before you buy so you don't end up with a "shoulda/woulda" moments.
If you're considering this lens, it means you are hoping theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasversion of this lens and theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasversion of this lens are unnecessary.  Let me tell you, I was in the same position:  I really wanted the f/2.8L IS version, but didn't know if spending the extra $1K was worth it or not.  I got this lens (f/4L, non-IS) and am COMPLETELY happy with my decision!  This lens is about as light as an L lens gets, and f/4 is completely acceptable for this level of zoom, I've found.  I'm really glad I saved my money (and put it towards the amazingCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens).This lens isn't as white as I thought it would be.  It seems to be more of an off-white, but that doesn't bother me.  This is my first L Series lens, and I'm completely hooked!  Everything about it is well-made!  Even the surface of the lens is easy to grip and adjust, and it comes with a lens hood, as does the 16-35mm f/2.8L, so you don't have to worry about purchasing one separately.  I got a good CP filter and an ExpoDisc for the lens, and that's really all you'll need for a modern camera.  I've learned that modern digital cameras don't even really see the UV wavelengths that the UV filters used to protect your shots from, so unless you want to spend money on a little bit of lens protection by buying a UV filter, don't bother.In summary:  If you're considering this lens, get it!  Don't waste your money on the f/2.8L or IS versions unless you really need it and can afford it, in which case, you probably wouldn't be considering this lens!  Keep in mind a couple things:  The other versions of this lens will be heavier and larger, so will be more difficult to carry.  Also, a 70-200mm on a 40D or Rebel will actually be 112-320mm, as most Canon digital cameras will have a 1.6 "crop factor" compared to the more expensive 5D or hyper-expensive 1Ds Mark III, which are full-frame cameras.I am completely satisfied with this purchase and would make the same decision again!  If you get this lens, you won't be unhappy!PS...  Does NOT come with pictured tripod collar, but doesn't really need it IMHO.
Everything the other reviewers say about the incredible sharpness, rapid auto-focus and build quality of this lens is absolutely true.  What else can you say?  It's a truly awesome piece of glass that will leave you wondering why you didn't get one sooner.  It will also make it impossible for you to consider buying anything besides "L" series glass in the future.  That's the bad part.  While this lens is reasonably priced, it stands by itself in that category for "L" glass.  Now if Canon would just come out with some "L" series EF-S lenses, they might be able to offer them at a similar price.  But for now, this baby's the bargain of the bunch.  And don't worry about the 1-stop loss of light compared to the f/2.8 version.  Just change from 100 ISO to 200 ISO and you've got the same shutter speed.  Worried that it doesn't have IS?  Get a tripod!  You should be using one anyway.  Stop reading and buy it already.
This lens provides incredible sharpness, clarity, and awesome bokeh throughout its range. Great when used outdoors!
Canon L Series lenses have earned lavish praise from serious amateurs and professional photographers for being some of the finest lenses available. This 70-200mm f4 telephoto zoom lens is among the cheapest lenses available in the superb L Series, but it does not at all lack the high quality expected from it and the other lenses in this line. I have seen excellent nature photography and photojournalism images taken with this lens. If I have a minor criticism, then it is that Canon lenses do not quite have the contrast one sees in lenses made by competitors such as Nikon, Leica, or especially, Zeiss. Otherwise, I might be tempted to trade my manual focusing SLR system towards a Canon autofocus SLR kit which would include this lens.
I have been using my Canon EOS 10D for a couple years now and I was always bothered by the lack of crispness in the photos. In focus pictures were still kind of smoothed out if you display them as their actual size. I assumed it was the jpeg algorithms or something to do with the digital sensor, but never really knew for sure. The thing is, When you shrink an image down to fit on your display, it has the effect of sharpening the image, so you don't notice unless you display at full resolution.Then I borrowed a friends Canon L lens and noticed a huge difference and then decided to get this one after reading the reviews on amazon (and other places). I wanted some good outdoor soccer/baseball pictures of my kids. I wasn't too concerned about the speed (F/4) because there's plenty of light outdoors.Anyway, the shots are amazing. Yes, it focuses faster and yes, the pictures are sharp! And on the 10D it is really a 112 - 320mm zoom lens.The lens is not as heavy as I feared.I read a report some place which suggested there was a problem with this lens and the Canon 10D (but not 20D, or 5D) having to do with the focus on one side of the image but I have seen no evidence of this.In summary, I am blown away, and - DARN IT - there's no going back to non-L lenses after this!
This was one of the first lenses I bought for my camera beyond the kit lens, and I must say it has served me very well.  At the wide end (70mm) it is just wide enough to capture the majority of the shots I need, and at the long end (200mm) it provides the extra reach I need to get closer to my subjects, without getting in the way.  This lens is also reasonably quick (f/4) and works surprisingly well in low light conditions.  Unfortunately I now need something a little longer and faster, and even with a 1.4x teleconverter, it's just not enough.Pros:Quick and decent performance (even in low light conditions)Good range with wide angle and telephoto abilitiesLight and Compact that makes it easy to carry around all dayCons:Not as long as I'd likeNot as fast as the f/2.8 lens (Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras)No Image Stabilization
I came upon this lens yesterday (June 11th 2008) and was excited to actually test run an "L" lens versus my regular canon/tamron lens and was disappointed. Is this what "L" series is about?This day I was out shooting landscape beaches, vegetation, flowers, and dockyard shots where I stumbled upon another photographer having shot similar stuff that day with this 70-200 f4 L. So I compared her shots to both my 18-55 ef s IS canon and my Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 non IS.SO I used my rebel xs( 1000d) and shot some similar stuff with the 70-200L vs my Tamron 70-300. Here are my findings.The test contained shots at sunset at a dockyard here in the Caribbean, in lowlight and almost no light to truly see the grade.1. In decent light the L was nice and sharp...just a little bit sharper than the 70-300 tamron. Nothing staggering here, but the tamron lens was brighter in colour.2. L 70-200series was solid built felt secure, but then I thought it was way too heavy for carrying around on my neck for long periods, compared to the light weight 70-300 tamron I had carried for almost 5 hrs in the sun.3. The daytime shots I had seen from the L 70-200 did not jump out or surpassed what I had taken on the 70-300 tamron, in fact the tamron responded better i terms of colour.4. It was nice to zoom on the L and the physical lens zoom internally as opposed to the outside plastic extend on the 70-300 tamron, just as this may be attractive to some with an L lens so it may be equally attractive to see your ordinary Lens extend its barrel...looks intimidating, draws attention.5. Both lenses had similar representations in the low lit pictures in the end, though the L was quicker to focus. Tamron had better colour still in lowlight. Both cameras found it difficult when it came to blurring because of the non IS so again camera man technique is important.My finding: Unless there is a big difference when choosing lens like IS versus non IS or desired focal lengths be careful in choosing a lens because of a NAME or expected performance as opposed to what it really does.Yes if I had the cash to waste I would buy an L series lens for every need, but even in this case  being non IS is somewhat of a challenge and I would prefer an IS lens with this focal length (70-200 or upward).A good camera person will make an average or lesser lens work well, good compositioning, contrast, colour modes, shutter speed etc vs a great lens under an average user.The end product picture is the measure mark, not all the features, this is extremely important in photography to remember, there are too many gimmicks concerning brands and so called improvements.Would I buy this L 70-200 f4: Not against a 70-200 or 300 IS lens of similar picture quality, weight is also too heavy, and this lens doesn't even stay on the cam that long, it's range is not very long say 70-300, and it's not that impressive for the price.But yes if I wanted a 70-200mm only and this was available for less money.
If this is one of the cheapest "L"s I cannot imagine what the more expensive ones can do.... if only I were rich.
I have been using this lens with Canon D350 camera for 2 years. It's my favorite lens and is so dependable. The sharpness, color saturation generated this lens are superb, better than my Canon 24-105mm L.I use this lens mainly for sports and wildlife pictures, and 90% of time, I use it with Canon 1.4 extender. The degrading of picture quality with the extender is unnoticeable. It gives me 280 mm reach, if times 1.6x factor, it's 488 mm !To overcome Non-IS, I use this lens mostly with tripod or monopod, and also keep the shutter speed higher than 1/200. I haven't find this is a significant limitation. Of course, for indoor sports, it has its limitation.For comparison, I have only another L lens: Canon 24-105mm L. I did detailed comparison, and the conclusion is that 70-200mm L beat 24-105mm. I even sent the comparison with my 24-105mm back to Canon for a recalibration.Overall I think this lens is the best one $600 can buy.
Really enjoy using this lens on my Canon 7D. It takes great pictures and gets me in close on wildlife and nature shots.
This lens is extremely sharp, and i use for outdoor shooting. Never have any problems withlight being a problem even on cloudy days. Quality build,and amazing photos come from thislens.
This lens is the best value in Canon's entire line up of L lenses (Not that i have used any of the other L lens ;) ). This is my first L lens and i have come to know what i have been missing. The focusing is very fast, sharp images and consistent quality as the aperture range remains the same throughout the entire zoom.I have tried taking many indoor shots and also when its very cloudy often just after a thunderstorm with a widest aperature of f/4 and a long focal length, it is disappointing to not be able to take shots without a flash or to get noise induced grainy photos in the outdoors. I've tried with over exposing by 1/3 to 1 stop but its not as sharp enough. most of the time i dont use a tripod and its difficult to maintain a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action. But if its outdoor sports like soccer then u can easily handhold this and shoot some great photos in good lighting conditions.But on a sunny day outdoors with good lighting indoors this lens is the king. i have taken many sports action shots and i have been amazed by the quality of the shots.I would also like to mention here that this lens is not long enough for birding photos. I have been using this to take photos of birds and 90% of the time i feel its not long enough and if i try to approach the birds for a closer shot they invariably fly away seeing me approach or by the sound of the USM focussing. I would suggest to either get a 1.4x converter and 300mm prime lens or buy the 100-400 L IS for wildlife photography.
This is a good lens, but get the one with the IS...now, that's an awesome lens.
Great Lens! I haven't had it out of the box long, but I was very impressed with it's crisp, clear images and it is not a heavy lens, if you are used to carrying around more than a point and shoot, this isn't going to wear you out. It will take up a good bit of your camera bag, but it's worth it! If you are thinking about getting it, do it!  I did and I am so pleased, it is worth the price!
Received the item quickly and in good condition from Amazon. This lens is just fabulous- if you have not shot with an L series lens before, you will from the first shot be amazed at the color and sharpness rendered by this glass. Beware though- this lens is heavy and if are shooting with a mag-alloy cam like the 40D- you will really need a lot of strength to shoot and carry it over log time periods. And a tripod is essential.
This is so far the best lens I ever had. I really like the weight for a L lens (lighter than the 24-105 L for example). Extremely sharp, no visible aberration or distortion. It is almost a work-around zoom with my 5D MK2 and a nice nature zoom with my 30D. I tried the 70-200 f2.8: obviously faster lens but much heavier (because of IS feature) and not better from an optical performance point of view. The lack of IS is OK with the 5D MK2 as I can use high ISO setting, it is however more difficult to use with 30D in low light conditions. Overall, extremely happy and would definitely recommend to fellow photographers who have limited budget or who wants a relatively light lens (important if you are on a day long journey with the camera on the neck).
I was a little concerned about going with an f4 lens, but with a full frame Sony a7r, this lens is really letting plenty of light in. It was a rainy day yesterday and I shot out the patio window at cattle grazing in a field about  a 1/2 mile away. Auto and manual focus were tac  sharp, and results  were bright and clear, ,edge to edge. The weight is wonderfully light for an &#34;L&#34; lens. I always shoot using a tripod, so I don't need IS anyway.
I had thought long and hard about this lens before purchasing it, and ive had it now a couple months and taken a thousand or so shots with it. I have had the chance to also borrow a friends 70 -300is while not an L lens it does yield good results.. for me  im not saying the 70-200 is a bad lens because it isnt  its a great buy for the money ... but the IS helps  and i know  in my heart the F2.8IS 70-200 was the way i should have gone. and will replace the f4 with it before long.
This lens is IDEAL on a tripod.  My photographs of nature and families have been tack sharp and beautiful.  And I can hand-hold it in bright light without losing much in terms of quality.  But as a natural light child photographer who acts much like a paparazzi catching little ones as they frolic or explore their environment, I crave IS to get sharp images of my playful subjects, particularly when I am zooming towards the 200 end and as the sun starts setting.I love this lens though.  I just purchased the 2.8 IS and am actually agonizing over whether to sell my F4 -- it weighs about half of the 2.8, takes excellent photographs under most situations, and I can carry it around for quite a while without getting tired.  But does a photographer really need two 70-200 lenses?  *sigh*.  Anyway, I highly recommend the F4 as being a fantastic lens at a great price.UPDATE:  4/08/11  -- I did not sell this lens, and I've continued to find uses for it -- basically, whenever I don't want to lug my 2.8 (family photography, vacations) or, whenever I know I can use my tripod (community theater, school variety shows).  I shoot with a 5dmii now and I can ramp up my ISO, taking care of the problem I used to have getting sharp images of "playful subjects".
This was my 2nd L lens that I had to return due to poor image quality. I don't know if there is some big secret to getting a good picture our of these or if I just have bad luck in getting defective ones (the 1st L Lens was the 100-400 F4). I did a side by side apples to apples comparison with this lens and the 55-250 IS STM lens and the difference in focus, clarity, colors and contrast was drastic, with all the wonderful reviews on the 70-200L f4, the only thing I can figure is that I must have received a defected lens. I did return the lens, and I probably will not try another L Lens (after 2 bad ones) real soon. I do highly recommend both the 18-135 IS STM and 55-250 IS STM lens as the IQ is amazing on these inexpensive lenses. BTW my camera is the 70D.
This is one of the sharpest zooms you can buy for the money.  And it has a constant aperture of f/4!  Not as fast as the f/2.8 but it's half the price and half the weight!
This is an amazing lens. There are some things I dont like but overall worth the money for what it can do.Ok so Ill just say that the Canon 70-200mm f4 lens on the 5d mark ii is a fantastic alternative to the more expensive counterparts. It's extremely fast autofocus is quiet and accurate. You even have 2 settings to further improve its already-fast speed. Next, 70-200 is a huge amount of space to work with. Not quite telephoto enough for wildlife shots or planets on a Canon 5d mark ii, but still a great range if you do weddings or sports, etc... This lens is also fantastic with a macro extension tube (but get the Canon tubes NEVER the cheap ones). The lens is sharp, very clean, and very accurate. If you know how to meter your shots right and expose properly then all you have to do is point, focus and shoot and this lens will ensure clean images.Ok so its clean and sharp and fast on the 5d mark ii, but there are a couple things I dont like that aren't a big deal but remind me that this is the cheapest of the L series lenses. First, it doesn't seal as well as you'd expect from an L series lens when connecting to the body. There is a little tiny bit of play there that doesn't quite seem as 'weather-resistant' as they advertise. Again, maybe this is only because its the cheaper version. I still used it in rain and wind but ended up having to clean my sensor and both ends of the lens optics. Second, that's it. This lens is great.
I love this lens... I got it within four days (would have been 2-3 if it were not for Sunday/memorial day) and yeah... it's fantastic. I think I will be cuddling with it tonight.
The lens is lighter than i thought it would be and can be hand held.  It is razor sharp which I would expect from a L series lens. Its relatively low price makes it a great price value. Doesn't quite fit into my bag though.
All I can say it - this lens rocks. You can probably say many different things about the lens - quote details and specifications of the lens - but until you put one on your camera - you will never know. My main concern was the fact that I was purchasing a lens without the IS - but that extra $600 dollars was just too much to bear. The one thing that people have to understand about this lens is the fact that you have to have light and a good shutter speed. If you have those combinations - you will get very sharp photographs. If you're lacking light and unable to come up with a fast shutter speed - you better get out the tripod or at least a monopod. I find that I can not hold this lens still below 1/250. But that is for any of my lens that do not have IS. Age sucks - but then again I want to get as old as I can. The other group of people will say - this lens is not water proof - well either is the 2.8 non IS lens. I could also name a number of Canon L lens that are not water proof - but who is going to take them swimming. Rain/snow/dust - well it's your reasonability to have a cover over the camera and lens to help protect it. I bet under these conditions - you're well protected.I would recommend this lens to anyone - sure if you have deep pockets - go for the IS model. You can always turn it off if you wish - but if your like me - and have to work very hard for your money or sell something to get a lens - then the EF 70-200 f/4 non IS Canon lens is a keeper for sure.
and worse, it costs a fortune by itself! I bought a cheap fake from eBay, no good. The thing stuck and scratched the white paint.Now the lens though, is phenomenal, very comparable to primes and beats my Sigma 17-70, Sigma 24-70, Canon 35-135 (current version is 28-135 IS), Tamron 18-250 by a mile. Prime is better, zoom is convenient. And this, is the best of both world! Better, it's light weight, doesn't extend during zoom, comparatively cheap (for the quality), and the hood is included (ya,you got yourself an L, like a Lexus comes with free oil change or something like that :)).Go for it if you like big face shot (kids are the best subject). Bird is too far, trees and mountains are too close, and F4 isn't great in low light when the subject is moving. Other than these, this lens is PERFECT!Now can someone please change the cover picture of this lens to have one without the tripod ring? This is very misleading.
When I first got this lens I didn't know any thing about cameras. I thought 200mm would get me close to what I wanted. I was sorely upset when I first looked throuhg the lens. I immediately wanted the 400mm. My ignorance made me discard the lens. My neighbor is a professional photographer and he schooled me on the error. This is a fine lens for the price and stays on my camera 65% of the time. Keep in mind I am amateur!
For the longest time, I had wanted to get an L-series telephoto lens for my Canons, but couldn't afford one. When I saw this one on sale, I knew I had a chance, so I bought it. Even though it's not the f/2.8 version, this is still a great lens. In fact, it spent more time on camera than any other lens. One of the first shots I took was of the Atlas rocket carrying the Curiosity rover into space. From an extreme distance, handheld, I was able to capture the booster separation.I have used this lens for everything from launches, to candids of friends, to wildlife and landscapes. A great tool and must have (unless you can afford the faster 2.8 lens).
This is my first &quot;L&quot; Series lens and I have to tell you that I'm very impressed. The focus is quiet and the images are sharp and crisp. The zoom is good enough to capture any shot. I think that I'm in very big trouble in the pocket book, because I don't think I'll be buying anything else but an &quot;L&quot; series!!
Absolutely the best lens I have ever used bar none!  Fast, quiet auto focus & great images.  If you are looking for a great lens at a moderate price, this is it.  Some of the reviews talk about the low light factor being a drawback because of the F/4 which is true but can somewhat be overcome by shooting a higher ISO.  I highly recommend this lens.  If you have twice the money the IS version might give you a better percentage of low light images that are keepers but for the money this is a fantastic lens.  Use the following link to read a review of this lens.[...]
Just look at the numbers, 292 people rave about this lens, 31 give it a four star rating, 8 give it a mediocre rating of three stars, 1 two star, and 1 one star. Does that tell you any thing, Well I can tell you, you get just what you pay for. This is a great lens, contrast, clarity, sharpness, color its all there.I read all of these reviews so you don't have toHere's my comments on the reviews.First the one star by Cordobes. He says the price Amazon is charging is too much you can get the same price from Canon. Yes I must say yes if you shop around you can find a better deal and I don't have any thing against getting a better deal but is this a good reason to give this lens only a one star?Next Gamerchix, she gives this lens a two star because she likes her walk around 28-135 better, she has to change lens to shoot people close to her. looks to me she did not know what she was buying.Eight people give this lens a three star neutral and every one of them like this lens. Thirty-one gave it a four star only because they would like to have IS or F 2.8 or both. Yes that's all fine I would like to have that too and I would like to get it all for 700$. Keep dreaming.That's 300+positive, eight neutral, two negative.Did I say I love this lens?
I don't like zooms. Sure, they are covenient. And you don't need to carry alot of lenses with you. But I never liked the excessive distortions, poor sharpness, muddy contrast, and limp colors that tend to go along with the package. Yes, you can use post-processing to deal with some of this to some extent. But let's face it. Post-processing will NEVER beat an image that is great to begin with. And that brings me to this lens. Simply put, it is not like any other zoom lens I have ever owned. I can honestly say that this one is equal to some of Canon's better, consumer-grade primes (although slower). And for a zoom lens, this is somewhat of an accomplishment. Then again, this IS my first L-series lens. So maybe this is what I have been missing. Regardless, I would take this les over ANY Canon consumer zoom. Alot, for instance, has been said about this lens vs the 75-300mm. But this is how I look at it. Image stabilization is a high cost option on ANY Canon lens. Do you REALLY think that the optics on an image stablized lens that is the same price (and with a wider zoom range) as a non-image stabilized lens is going to be as good as the non-image stabilized lens? I don't think so! The fact of the matter is that there is simply no other Canon lens out there that provides this kind of combination of quality, versatility, and price. This lens is a must-have.
This is the sharpest and most contrasty zoom lens I own, beating out several other L zooms.  It's actually sharper than my Canon 180mm macro lens!The price is very economical for such a high-quality lens, and it is light enough to be reasonably portable, though the size and color will still make non-photographers gasp.  It is the best bang-for-buck among any of the L lenses (the non-L 50/1.8 prime is the most bang-for-buck in the entire Canon line).Disadvantages are the attention-attracting size and color mentioned above, and the lack of image stabilization.  If you're shooting from a tripod, the lack of stabilization won't hurt you, but many people will want to use this handheld, and they won't get full advantage of the lens doing that.The biggest disadvantage of the lens is the annoying filter size--One of only a couple of Canon lenses to use this size.If you want to shoot it from a tripod, this lens can't be beat.  For those who won't use a tripod, I recommend the 70-300 IS lens instead (not the superexpensive "DO" one, but the one that costs around $500).  This will give a little more focal length, but it will have image stabilization, which is needed desperately at 200mm in all but bright harsh light.  Of course, that lens doesn't produce as nice-quality images as this lens.  You give some things up for the convenience of not using a tripod!
Sharp, lightweight, and excellent results.I am very satisfied with this lens.  Excellent for outdoor uses.  Sure f2.8 and IS would be better, but at 2X and 3X cost plus the bulk make this one a winner.
I was at the local camera shop when I saw this lens being put in the "used" case. I asked to see it and noticed the L designation, so I checked it out on my 10D. I immediately noticed the sharpness of the photos and speed with which it focused, and traded in my less-than-stellar Canon 28-135 and $200 to snap up this lens. I especially like the fact that the lens is fully enclosed and rugged, for those times when I shoot out in the desert. I've been using this lens for about six months now, mainly for naturally lit portraits.It is a big, heavy lens, so don't think you'll be too discrete when shooting with it.
This is the best telephoto lens ever. It worth it every dollar. The images are very sharp and bright. I love it.
Let me start off by saying that I've owned the 70-300 IS DO lens that canon makes.  It was a small and relatively light lens but it was soft and not quick enough to capture the action shots I was taking.  Disappointed I sold it and have been settling for my 100-300mm lens (also soft).Finally I decided to buy another 'long lens'.  In the past, I've also owned the 200mm f/2.8 and the 300mm lens...neither had IS.  The 300mm was way heavy so I was really hesitant to get another L-lens because of that....until I found the 70-200mm f/4.  For the price you can't go wrong.  I don't have lug around lots of lenses and this one is sharp throughout the enitre range.Yes it is a little slow in low light and of course IS would be great.  But to get those you pay a price--not only in dollars and cents but also in heft.  The f/4 is quite comfortable to hold.  I don't feel like my wrist is going to break while holding it to shoot.  Plus it fits nicely in my little camera bag.  Right now I want to 'go light' and only have 2 lenses-- the 28-135 IS and this one.  I couldn't be happier!You get what you pay for and this lens really is worth every penny!
this is not a fast lens. but if you are outside and have alot of light, worth the price of admission.
What more can you ask for?  Well, IS would be nice for those low-light 200mm hand-held shots.  Otherwise, this lens is nearly perfect in build quality and most importantly, image quality.  It is ultra sharp with eye-popping contrast and accurate colors wide open at f4.0 over the whole range from 70-200mm.  Stopping down to 5.6 gives only a very slight improvement, just in contrast.  I tested it against the new non-L Canon 70-300 IS lens and found the images of the f/4L to have noticibly higher sharpness and contrast at the same f-stops.  It also  beat the pants off the sharpness and contrast of the 3-times as heavy and 3-times as costly 70-200 f2.8 IS at the same f-stops (4 to 4, 5.6 to 5.6, etc) for all but 200mm, where the IS had virtually the same (but not better) image quality.  It also works wonders using the 1.4X teleconverter, becoming a super-sharp 98-280mm f5.6 zoom with fast and accurate autofocus.  This lens seems to get a very high percentage of rave reviews from owners and for a reason.  You get the best quality images and build with the most portability (low weight) for the lowest cost.  Yes, you can spend twice as much for the f2.8 non-IS version and haul 3-times the weight just to get one-stop.  Or, you can spend 3-times as much and haul the 2.8 IS for a Gold's Gym workout to get low-light performance (but maybe lower image quality from my experience).  There are many choices, but this lens seems to be a winner and a relative bargain for many reasons.
I have always had some kind of 70-200 lens since I started taking pictures many years ago.  Once I went digital, I realized that my old zoom lenses really were not that good.  I bought this lens and compared it to what I had, and a friend's Canon 75-300mm.  The difference is amazing.  The 70-200L is tack sharp.  The other lenses look as if they have problems or didn't focus correctly.  This lens also focuses quite fast, and when I use it with my newly aquired Canon 1.4X extender, there is hardly any quality degradation.  On my Rebel XT with the 1.6 factor and the extender, I end up having a 450mm tele which still delivers incredible photos.  I wish I had the 2.8 version but can't afford it.  If you're in this budget range, you can't go wrong with this lens.
This was the first L-series lens that I ever bought. All I can say is "spectacular". At first I was looking at the 70-200 f/2.8 but the sheer weight and price turned me off. Additionally, I was told that I wouldn't be able to get good bokeh at f/4 -- not true as it turns out (look at the sample I've posted of a Buddha statue). I own a 24-70L f/2.8, and 50MM F/1.4 among others and this is probably the best buy for the money. Teamed up with a good teleconverter (like the Kenko Pro 1.4x or 2x) you also get a decent 280 or 400 lens. If you have a moderate (but limited) budget go for this lens and the other two that I listed -- they cover all the ranges and crank out world class pictures.
I bought this lens as my first DSLR lens about 4 or 5 months ago.  I needed a high quality lens at a decent price that would have some versatility.  I shoot for my college paper and my college's main sport is soccer. So I ended up getting it because mostly I'll be in decent lighting and could really use the 200mm.  My big worry before buying this lens was whether or not the aperture would be fast enough.  I've shot at 1600 ISO indoors with this thing and it does a decent job, I wouldn't recommend it for that but with some decent noise reduction in photoshop or similar software you can still get some keeper pictures.  Again, I wouldn't recommend this for low light unless you've got a mounted flash such as the 430x speedlite.  But I still was able to get some decent shots in a gym shooting things like volleyball luckily.  For low light-basketball and such I'll probably purchase the 85mm 1.8 usm.I've also now been able to compare this lens to the much more expensive 70-200 2.8L.  The 2.8L is about twice the price of this lens and is about twice as heavy, but lets in a full stop more light.  2.8 STILL isn't enough for most indoor shots without flash, and the 70 end is pretty long for indoors as well.As far as sharpness goes I didn't actually compare the shots from this to the 2.8 with the pictures side by side(as I uploaded the pictures to a school server and not my home computer).  2.8 gives better background blur, but because of the long focal length it's still easy to get the shallow depth at f/4.Another much more expensive possibility for you is the IS version, IS will definitely help for sports, but I find with a monopod the lens is stabilized enough even indoors.  I'd rather have the non-is 2.8 than the IS f/4.If you can deal with less versatility, a slightly more expensive alternative could also be the 200 f/2.8L prime.  Sports photos will mostly be at the 200 end and the extra stop will help quite a bit.  But sometimes the action gets close and you'd be out of luck for all of those shots.The USM AF motor gives silent and quick focusing, pretty much a necessity for action photography or wildlife where every millisecond is one which could have had the perfect shot.My lens is tack sharp at f/4, but it does gain a bit of sharpness when stopped down to 5.6 specifically at the edges of the pictures.The sharpness on this lens will impress, thrill, and maybe even hook you into saving up for more L lenses as well.  .They call that "L fever" and this lens might just give that to you.I'd definitely recommend this lens for anyone who wants an extremely sharp, fairly long tele zoom at a very affordable price(for an L).
I am suprised it is still not big or heavy for quality it representsdefinitely 5 stars
In my opinion, this Canon lens provides the best value in Canon's entire line up of &quot;L&quot; glass (lenses).  If you have never used an L lens before, this will open your eyes to what you have been missing.  Very fast focusing, very sharp images, very little chromatic abberation, and consistent quality through the entire zoom and aperature range.One note; with a widest aperature of f/4 and a long focal length, you will not be able to take indoor photos without excellent lighting or a flash.  I've tried to take photos of ice hockey, where the rinks are notoriously poorly lit, and had very little success.  Even with a tripod it is a challenge to maintain a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action of a kids game (yes, even with ISO at 800).  But in good lighting or outdoors in the daytime, this lense rocks.Great sports photos.  Great nature photos.  This lense is extremely versatile.  I have even used it with flash indoors for portrait photography.There is not too much to mention on the negative side.  Its size and color do make it stand out a bit in public, and people may thing you are a professional photographer.  I've also noted that the depth-of-field with a wide open aperature, especially at f4, is very narrow.  As long as you've been careful to focus on your subject, the background will be blurry.  But focus on something other than your subject and you may find your subject to be blurry.All in all, this is one great lens that will let you take very sharp photos.  And it is a bargain price compared to its f/2.8 and f/2.8IS sibliings.
This is another great Canon L series lense. I've been very impressed with it, especially considering the price. It gives very good range from 70-200mm. I've used it for scenic picts, for sport and for wildlife photography.  This is a very light lense too. While it is quite long, it's not hard to carry it around.If anyone is considering a telezoom lense, then gives this one some serious consideration.  You certainly won't regret it.
I bought this lens to use outdoors and it is sharp.  This is probably one of the best bargain deals for an L lens.
I just used this lens at a youth football game last weekend and from the middle of the bleachers on top of a hill I got great pictures of the kids on the field. I have a Rebel xti ... the lens that comes with the camera is dreadful. It may be too early to tell but from the 150 pictures I took ... the lens is well worth the money. I DID notice that it is noticeably heavier than the lens that came with the camera! I plan on purchasing a Canon UV protection filter for it right away. A monopod would be nice. The lens hood is in the box with a nice soft lens case. The "L" lens is definitely a nice lens!
Despite most people giving this lens a five-star rating, i did not see anything overly great about it. Six hundred dollars buys you great build-quality- a metal mount, a real manual focusing ring, and a USM motor, but in practice this lens didn't perform much better than one of my Cheap Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom lenses. Like a few of my photographer-friends pointed out you pay for durability and optical quality, and you get those things with this lens. In my opinion, you could get just as good results with a general-purpose zoom lens- and this lens is not much faster than a regular zoom lens either. The lens hood wasn't that great either. It does its job, but it doesn't stay in place (it doesn't lock on). It's made of a great material inside though. I am sure most people reviewing this product here are professional photographers. I, however, am representing the at-home amateur photographer on a budget. The quality of the glass may be better, but in the end, i did not see a four hundred dollar difference (considering the cheaper zoom lens was $200 dollars). I found this lens great for portraiture, but it performed basically identically to my cheaper lenses with other subjects like flowers.In conclusion, you get a little sharper results and MUCH BETTER build quality with this lens. Do you get your money's worth? I do not feel you do. Perhaps it would be a wiser decision to save up a lot more and spend your money on the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens. I learned my lesson with this lens, and am going to stick with cheaper, sharper, prime lenses. If you are on a budget, you should perhaps spend your money differently.If you want to share an opinion with me, you can contact me at nathangrammatico@yahoo.com, or nathan_grammatico@hotmail.com. I am not giving Canon a bad name, i am expressing my opinion.
This is my first L series Lens.  I own other canon lenses that are tack sharp that perform wonders in their own right.  I read all the rave about this lens among a few others so I simply started with what I could afford. At first, I wanted to scream because not many of my shots came out sharp and at one point, I even thought my 85 mm prime lens is "better than this".  BUT.. with some time, and learning from the shared settings from other owners, my photos are now fantastic.  I am in AWE of the beautiful color and contrast. I recommend this lens to everyone, especially the budget conscious who are still wanting professional looking photos. With the right set up and lighting, you too will experience the beauty of the glass lens. You will kick yourself for not owning this lens sooner. It bothers me when I read negative reviews based on the users inadequate training or knowledge of a product. Had I reviewed it off my first few photos, I would have misguided a lot of readers by saying this lens is overrated. Just give it time if you are not experiencing razor sharp images.  Don't just review the photos on your camera, instead review them on your computer to see your dislikes (if any) then consult with someone knowledgeable about settings specific for this lens. You can be a professional photographer but lack the proficiency with an individual lens and that certainly makes the difference. This lens is worth every penny and you will not be disappointed. Yes, the many positive reviews this lens is getting are VERY accurate!! You'll work harder in dimmer light but again, with a little tweaking of you settings, that won't matter a bit. All the photos I have taken since receiving guidance and training, have ALL received compliments. Now that's the real "show and tell".
I've read a lot of reviews on this lens and see so many happy users, as well as many many users who seem disappointed they didn't get a 2.8 or the IS variant. Make sure any negative comments your considering aren't just a user who didn't buy the right lens for his/her application (Buyers remorse)If your looking at this review you've already investigated enough to know there are 5 variants of the 70-200F4F4isF2.8F2.8isF2.8isIIEach lens has its uses and there are different reasons you should buy one over the other. Make sure if your reading this you weigh carefully what you really need in a lens.Many people say this is the baby of the lineup. But that's misleading. It's just got different uses and should be judged on its own merits.Functionally, the f4 IS and non-IS fit the same user space, so getting IS or not getting IS is a matter of budget and of individual taste and need before buying this lens, consider..."do I need IS?". If you shoot video, you need IS. Period. Stop considering this lens. For still photography IS is less important but can be helpful. But if you have steady hands, it's not really needed.ask yourself "where in the range will i spend most of my time?" if you spend a lot of time at the bottom half of the 70-200 range (70-100ish) you probably wont really need IS. if you will spend most of your time at the higher 100ish-200 range, IS might be worth considering. but again, we come back to "is another $400 worth IS?There are 4 reasons an f2.8 should be considered over the F4 or its brother, the f4 ISUse, Budget. Money, Weightthe most important thing: Do you shoot indoors a lot? do you shoot mostly portraits? a narrower DOF might be useful.do you have the budget to buy a 2.8? if you can afford an F4 IS then you're nearly at the f2.8 price point.Do you make money from photography? different shoots have different lighting. f2.8 gives you more leeway in a darker situation.Do you have the upper body strength to lug around a lens twice as heavy as the f4. if you do a lot of walk about photography, you generally want to pack light. 2.8 isn't the best in a light weight set up.BUT BUT....2.8 IS II!!!!!!!! Its Bloody Brilliant!Are you willing to part with your first born child? do you have a saw sharp enough to remove your leg? You could buy 3 70-200 f4 usm's for the cost of just 1 70-200 f2.8 IS II USM or 2 copies of the mk 1 version of the 2.8 IS. so you really need to consider if that beast of a lens is worth 3 times the cost for you.the 70-200 f4L USM is an amazingly sharp lens, with a very useful focal length. its bang for your buck status is unconquerable. I got mine used in flawless condition for 500.00 USD. I still have my leg and my first born's soul. and i had enough left over to pick up another lens i needed.you cant go wrong, if this lens matches your needs that is.
One of Canon's best in quality... This lens exceeds my expectation, though I did my homework prior to purchasing and it's performance is awesome... It is quick in focusing and produces spetacular photos...This is a non-IS lens, so unless your very steady, it is advised to rest lens on a bean bag or brace yourself against something... I like bird photography so I use a tripod with this lens with a 1.4x Tele-Conveter connected and it produces really sharp photo's...  Ultrasonic Motor is quiet and very fast...For the price this can't be beat... It's an L lens which is Canon's best line.. Excellent build and the telephoto is conceled within the lens and does not extend...
The Canon EF 70-200 L f/4 USM is, in my opinion, one of the most classic affordable Canon lenses for SLRs.  As an avid hiker, and with the associated weight concerns, this lens almost always works its way into my pack.Pros:1) Sharpness across its focal length is superb, even when wide open.2) Constant aperture is wonderful.3) No external moving elements (barrel pull, rotating focus), makes filters a breeze.4) For its build and quality, it is fairly manageable weight-wise.5) Price.  $600 makes this one of the "bargain" lenses for the L-series, along with theCanon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.Cons:1) 67mm filter size is somewhat odd.  Would be nice to not use step-down rings from 77mm.2) Size.  This will take up a good chunk of room in your hiking bag.  (I use aLowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)from time to time, and it takes up 1/3 the space.)3) Weight.  Although it is light for L-series glass, it does come in at ~3oz heavier than theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras4) Reach.  The 200 vs 300mm difference can add up when you are looking at wildlife photography.Recommendations:I would broadly recommend this to users of Canon cameras.  It is a fantastic lens, with a great focal length, and many fine attributes.  My recommendation begins to wane for backpackers and those who hike, as the size begins to enter the unwieldy stage.  It also is too short for a pretty much anything short of large mammals if you are hoping to fill the screen.  Otherwise it gains great employment for everything from portraits (doable at the f/4, even if not as ideal as a f/2.8) to landscapes.
My husband actually declined the lens I purchased as a BD gift, but only because it was not the lens he was in the market for...HOWEVER, Cameta Camera was so helpful in assisting with the return in several aspects.  I will order items from them in the future.
This lens is unstoppable and unless you are a pro there is no need to have anything else.  In terms of quality it cannot be surpassed, the glass is amazing.  The best portraits I have taken are with this lens by far.  I would say buy this lens and you will be blown away.  An AMAZING value for the cost.
I dislike poeple who shoot this lense down without reading the specifications. I have gotten excellent images with this and the focus is superb. If you are on a budget and need good glass that works as intended, this is the lense for you. But please make sure you reasearch all the pro and cons of this before purchasing, like the apeture, lack of stabilizer and average low light performance all of which can be compensated for by knowing what you are doing.
I'm a beginner "photographer", if you can even call me that.  :-)  I am still figuring out all the right settings for different situations.  I purchased this lens to shoot at my kids' sporting events.  A lot came out okay, but I think it had more to do with operator error than the lens.  As a matter of fact, any shot that didn't come out, I'd attribute to operator error.A solid lens, and I look forward to learning about it as time permits.
This telephoto is perfect size, it doesn't have the Image Stabilizer, but works well with out it. Great contrast. I add a 1:4X adapter and its now a 400mm , This lens is Great for sight distances, weddings, and out doors :)
I will not say anything that hasn't been said before, but not enough good can be said about this lens. I use it on my Canon 300D (digital rebel) and frankly find it to be a great range. Very sharp, focuses fast (at least as fast as the camera will allow) and constant aperature is nice. One downside: very long, and heavier than the lenses I've owned before. The weight is a good thing, but the length makes balancing it difficult. I'll probably need to get the battery grip for the camera. Some have complained about the aperature of 4 to be insufficient on cloudy days. I haven't found that to be a limit. Setting the ISO to 400 seems to be enough to gain enough shutter speed for shooting larger birds and action. However, maybe it doesn't get as cloudy here in Minnesota as elsewhere? Doubtful. This is not a great lens for shotting stages though, unless a beefy flash is brought along. The lighting there is usually just too dim, even at ISO 1600. Even on a tripod, if there's movement on the stage, you won't be able to stop it.If you want the tripod collar, get it. It's not necessary though, even on cheaper tripods (mine is 30 years old, and it was cheap then).But mostly, as others have said, the biggest problem is that it introduces you to "L" lenses. This is a steal for the quality you get, but they definitely get more expensive, and buying anything less will be a noticeable step down for you. Don't let that inhibit you though. This is a primo quality lens at a spectacular price.
Hi there,I won this lens a while back from a photo competition. I was lucky to be chosen as the amateur winner in my category. I was excited to receive this lens and boy oh boy it didn't disappoint! The images with this lens are crisp and clean, sharper than ever. This lens carries a weight similar to the Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS lens which was my first telephoto lens that I bought. Unfortunately this lens doesn't have IS but not a problem, I practiced with my normal telephoto lens by switching off the IS. It took a little getting used to but I love the shots I get and now I don't use IS at all. The bokeh will knock your socks off on this lens. This lens really shines at Aperture F7-9.  I only really ever use F4 if I need the light however images at F4 to me seem a bit soft. I am by no means a pro yet. Just my personal observation.Auto Focus is very fast however it can be  problem at times. I will try to focus on a subject and the auto focus will focus on something else in the picture. Sometimes a readjustment of the position your holding it in will correct this or you can manually focus it.I prefer to manually focus my shots but at times it is hard to gauge whether you have your subject in focus or not. SO swap between AF and MF. You will notice that the focusing ring on this ens will continue to turn in either direction even after it's reached it's focusing points. At first I thought this was a fault however I now believe that this is how many of the high end quality lenses are. Guess it's better to protect from damaging of constant focusing.From reading reviews I believe this is the best 70-200mm Canon lens in it's line up. Even though their is a F2.8 version which means better light in darker scenes I have read that the F4's quality of pictures is the best.Find me on Flickr~Go to Flickr~Then type in a "/" then "photos" then "/" and last type in "suipeter"And that should take you there.
This is a great lens, amazingly sharp. Only thing I would say is if I had the money the 2.8 IS version would be even better and certainly something I'll consider as an upgrade in the future.Use a fast shutter speed or mono/tripod with this thing. Anything below 250/sec gets to be a problem at 200mm.
I previously owned the Canon 70-200 2.8 non-IS lens.  I loved everything about it other than it weighed about 5 pounds.  That may not seem like much but it feels more like 20 when you go on a long hike.Around to my point, this F4 version is amazing.  Seemingly 1/2 the weight, every bit as sharp and a delight to work.  It's silky smooth when zooming and very fast at autofocusing.  Tack-sharp.  If you're that concerned about upgrading to the 2.8 or not, save yourself the money and the hastle of the extra weight and just turn up your ISO by 1 f-stop.
Like the Canon EF 17-40 f4L USM, this is it's sister and $100 cheaper to boot!Excellent images at f4!  Outstanding images at f9.  A lightweight combination with the Canon 5D.  An even lighter and more compact combination with the Canon Digital Rebel XT.The only gripe I have is having to purchase the optional and expensive tripod collar ring.  The ring does add a bit of noticeable weight.Since I am not a steady shooter, I will be upgrading to the Canon EF 70-200 f4L IS USM when it is available in November this year.  At least the tripod collar ring should fit on the newer weathersealed lens.
I have used this lens extensively but the photos that are memorable for me have been the simple ones. Simple indoor, ceiling bounce external flash photographs/portraits of the kids in 'Green rectangle" auto mode with a Canon DSLR. These have come out extremely sharp, with excellent color and with no flaws whatsoever. Yes, it's a great portrait lens.It is 'cheap' as far as L lenses go, easy to carry around and quite forgiving. No "professional" skills needed to get great shots. Another must-have excellent lens is the (non-L) Canon 50mm f1.8II for Canon bodies. At &lt;$100 you cannot go wrong with this 50mm prime. I absolutely recommend both lenses.
Not much more that I can add about this lens that's already been said over and over other than to confirm this is still the best lens bargain there is.  I've not seen or heard of anything in the same price range that comes close to the construction and optical performance of the 70-200 f4L.  Not having the f2.8L aperture or image stabilization might seem like a handicap, but when used within the limit parameters of light and shutter speed, this lens delivers.  But for me the extra advantage is using this lens on the 7D where the superior high ISO performance lets me shoot in situations normally reserved for an  f2.8.  Stage performance shots where ISO 1600 was required at f2.8 - f3.5 at 1/125 - 1/160 sec is not a problem with this lens at f4 when you can dial up the ISO to 3200 or higher, still retain 1/125 sec and get sharp pictures.  If subject movement requires a shutter speed of 1/125 sec or higher, then image stabilization isn't really a benefit (I have steady hands for sharp pics down to 1/125 sec at 200mm).What I really like this lens for is portrait work at the wide end - dynamic portrait shots with motion where the 7D auto focus system and USM of the lens nails focus in an instant and the sharpness, contrast and color of the image is about as good as it gets with an APS-C.  The light weight of the lens makes it a pleasure to carry around.  The only negative I can think of is not having weather sealing, which is only on the IS models. Looking forward to adding a 1.4x TC for sporting/nature shots.Update 12/14/09: Still awesome - but wanted to add the second negative would be the somewhat ugly and loose-fitting lens hood.  In comparison, the Pentax DA* 200mm f2.8 has a higher quality, better looking hood with a rubber front edge.  A hood only needs to be functional, but for L glass, it would be fitting to see more quality there.
This was my first L lens.  The build quality was great and the image quality superb.  I since upgraded to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS Mk II, which has a wider aperture and includes IS; however, this lens is much lighter than the 2.8 so you can carry it around without getting tired as fast.  As for lack of IS, it depends on what you're shooting.  For outdoor sports you probably won't need it.
I'm using this particular lense on a Canon 350D ( Rebel XT ).I originally started with a Canon 70-200 F4.5 USM III and was sadlydisappointed.  I returned it to Amazon ( which was a breeze, very pleasant experience, kudos to Amazon ). I bought this lense to replace itand I have to say .. its wonderful .. great price . smooth, fast , quiet operation. Most importantly .. NO CHROMATIC ABERATION .. and the images are a great deal more sharp and clear compared to the USM III under thesame conditions. It even came with the lense hood ..
More and more it is apparent that the better Canon lenses are the way to go, especially the "L" series. If this lens were a little shorter in addition the long end it would be a superb walk around lens, despite its weight and size. It's a fast focus and sharp. If money is not  an object, I would say get this lens or its improvement the IS version for double the cost, and skip the kit lens. Save up for a good wide angle lens to complete the most useful range for lenses.
I orginally purchased the 70-200 f/4 L IS USM, but was not impressed. The IS version was very loud and the image quality was not what I expected. Maybe I received a defective lens. So I returned that lens and purchased the non-IS version which was about 1/2 the price, not to mention there was a rebate offered through Canon. This lens is much better. The image quality is definitely better, and although lacking in IS, that can be mitigated by proper holding technique and/or tripods. I do wish it was the 2.8L, but for the price could not be happier. Most of the time I'm using this lens is not in low-light so the f/4 is adequate. If trying to decide whether to get this lens or the more expensive f/2.8 versions, decide first whether you shoot in enough low-light that you need the extra f-stop of light. The only other real advantage of the more expensive f/2.8 is that it allows for better bokeh. If you don't know what bokeh is, or don't need the low-light capabilities, then get the f/4. If you do care about bokeh, or find that you need that extra f-stop of light for shooting indoors or low-light situations, then get the f/2.8. However, if you get this lens, you will still be happy with what it will allow you to do.
The picture taking quality of this lens is hard to beat - good clear crisp edge to edge images. However  if you are taking pictures in shade or low light, or want good depth of field and the shutter speed gets below 1/100 it is hard to hand hold without image blur from the shake. I do get some good pictures hand held at even 1/30 but not always -- monopod helps and tripod completely corrects the shake problem. I am not sure how much of this problem is corrected by the very expensive image stabilization offered in the 70-200 f/4L IS lens but I doubt it is worth the $500 difference. I do have a couple lenses with image stabilization and with low shutter speed and they can also blur.The main criticism I have of this lens is that it is heavy and bulky which makes it less pleasant to take on trips or hiking. I also have an EFS 55-250 lens, which doesn't take quite as good pictures but is shorter and lighter, and I find that I will select it for hikes. The EF 70-200 is too long to fit in my Canon Camera Carrier which means I need to carry it in a separate backpack.The two problems of size/weight and image stabilization can be worked around and top quality pictures can be taken with this lens.Added after original review;After taking pictures with this lens for three more weeks I find that I hate to take it off the camera -- it takes much better pictures than any of my lenses. Unfortunatly, now I won't be satisfied with any lens that isn't 'L'.
I had been looking for a few months since purchasing my 7D, to buy an L lens.  I knew why I needed an L series lens and the choice was hard at first.  Did I want to go with a prime lens or a telephoto lens first?  I saw the 70-200 f 4L and was shocked by how affordable it was in comparison to all other L lenses.  I wasn't sure about buying it straight from amazon without ever seeing what this lens could do, so I happened to take a trip to NYC and went to 17th Street Photo.  It was one of the sellers for the lens on amazon.  When I went in I spoke to Jose.  I asked him if I could see the lens and then he asked if I wanted IS or non IS.  I asked the difference in prices and it was way to big of a jump to seriously consider getting the IS.  And being that I don't take many night shots I figured I was well off enough to save myself the other 600 dollars and get the non IS.  He let me try it out on my camera first and I was using my over active son as a subject and experimenting with the features.  I can see why I would want an F2.8L, but I still was very satisfied with the contrast and clarity.  I had been using the kit 28-135 IS USM lens and it was not cutting it for me.So after the lens convinced me to purchase it, Jose sweetened the deal a little and didn't charge me tax because I am from California.  I don't understand how or why that would make a difference considering California's tax rate is near 10% which is why I did not want to buy the lens locally. I was so thrilled by everything that I even picked up the canon G12.  Or my wife did.  Either way it will be a great back up camera for when i am not feeling like hauling the big guy around. I would, (and have) recommend this lens to anyone that is interested in getting superb pictures that do not require all the photo editing that the other lenses need.  Hope this helps.
Never found a soft spot in this glass. Loved this lens. Got rid of it recently because I wasn't doing much zooming and this is a heavy lens to lug around.Now that I have a 7D, I will have to reconsider!
Background: I bought my first digital camera in January of 2012. Before that I had a professional Canon SLR 35mm. I got the T1i on a good deal off of B&H;, the camera is a great starter, and I'm not one for whoopty doopty features. After about 6 months, things got real, and I got the opportunity to shoot a professional gig for a Major league soccer game in the press box. My kit lens did the job for everything, but it couldn't get distance. So I started to look for a new lens.About the lens: Canon L lenses are known for their superior optics. These lens captures that and takes the features you may not need and removes them, giving everybody the chance to own an L lens. The f-stop is one *O.K.* for full frame cameras, and *O.K* for smaller sensors. The fact that there is no image stabilization has gone unnoticed by myself, and fellows friends who have tried this lens out. The faster the shutter speed the better it gets, the slower the shutter speed, the move motion blur you get. For slower shots try the following:* Use a tripod or monopod! for those who don't own either theManfrotto MMC3-01 Compact 5 Section Aluminum Monopod for Cameras (Black)is a good starter monopod. Read my review on it too.* play with your settings. Lower the ISO, or raise it. Play with aperture. Just play with your camera before anything important so you know how to peak it's performance.What's in the box? With the lens comes the following:* The lens (duh)* A soft sided bag with padded bottom. This bag works great, but put it inside of another camera bag like the:Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)* Lens hood. This hood is alot bigger than what I generally like to use, but it came free, so I can't complain as it has worked just fine for me.* assorted manuals.Bottom line: I don't know why canon hasn't decided to make a new lineup of budget L lenses. It could really improve sales for them, as many people now have moved from Point and shoots to either their phone, or a "prosumer" cameras like the 60d and 7d. If the go the latter, they don't want to spend on a good lens, so they stick with the kit lens, or crappy 3rd party lenses. So for those who are looking here's my point. Don't shy away from lens because of the lack of IS, it's not really noticeable. and for those more interested in photography, the f-stop is just fine. Yeah a 2.8 would be better, but I already said that canon should release another line of lenses. Absolute bottom line: don't think about it, just get it!
I use this lens mostly for landscape photography and I'm blown away by the optics. It's quickly replaced my ultrawide 17-40 as my most frequently used lens.I find the 70-200 reach to be perfect for landscape shoots. At 70mm, you can still get a wide enough shot for scenes a bit off in the distance. 200mm is perfect for closeups of textures or even further distances. It's great for shooting mountains, valleys, terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible (rock formations in the ocean), etc.The f/4 aperture has never been an issue for me with daylight. I use automatic ISO in shutter priority mode and the images are perfectly sharp while being handheld. After sunset or before sunrise, you'll need a tripod.An added bonus with the f/4 version is the light weight compared to the other 3 models of this lens. As an outdoor photographer and someone who has to carry my gear over my shoulder, every ounce counts. The heavy duty 2.8 with IS weighs as much as some tripods. The portability of this lens is nice.If you can get this during one of Canon's rebate periods, this lens is a steal. It's the best bang for your buck and most affordable L lens.
I bought this lens FIVE years ago for my Rebel XTI. I've used it in so many different situations. Most recently, I used it during a high school play. I was near the back of the auditorium with very low light. I had my camera set to ISO 1600 and tried to get close-up shots. I didn't think results would be great based on the LCD screen, but they ended up coming out wonderfully (with some processing). I shot freehand with a slow shutter (1/10), but was still able to get some crisp shots.I've used it at football/baseball games, marathons, zoo, walking around, etc. It's one of my favorite lenses. I paid $539, which an absolute steal for L-series glass. The only downside to the lens is the weight. It gets a bit heavy after a while, but the great quality is worth the 'sacrifice'. Also, I don't like the attention I get with this mounted on my camera, but what can you do?
I got my lens in a very swift fashion 3 days.  I really like the build quality, and the light weight.  This is one nice piece of glass. The only bad thing about this piece is that you have to have lots of light for it to be all that it can be, and the zoom and focus rings could be a little less gritty feeling, other wise its very nice.  One thing I would like to say is to those people that keep griping about the lack of IS (image stabilization) you are a bunch of wusses. I have been useing canon's and Nikon's amongst others for over 30 years, and until just a few years ago there was no IS.  I think you people are just a little bit spoiled.  Don't under rate this lens just because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles,  that a 2K lens has, if you want to throw money at something just because, or because its the latest flavor go right ahead.  As for me I can do fine without IS or even auto focus.you younger people can learn from using some of the old stuff. (just try using a vivitar 220sl, it has screw on lenses. Try that for awhile. (and try not to cross thread it).  to all the older photo guys, you need to teach these younger ones a think or two.  I really do like my new lens.
Like many people my decision on a telephoto zoom lens came down to buying the Canon 70-200mm f/4L or the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. The trade offs seemed clear at first. The former performs slightly better (see Canon website for MTF data), is better designed & built, is faster and has the "L" lens status. User comments and ratings (at more than one site) are slightly more favorable for the L lens. The 70-300mm has an improved IS and of course a longer focal length. Both cost about the same so money was not a factor in my decision.I eventually decided on the L lens and was initially disappointed. Photos ranged from wonderful to not very good at all. In fact, I almost returned the lens. Eventually I figured out the problem. My yard is heavily shaded so most of the initial photo's were taken in low light and I had selected shutter speeds that were too slow. To avoid camera shake you need to shoot at the reciprocal of the focal length or faster. Sounds simple but with the Digital Rebel XT (which I was using) you need to consider the camera's 1.6 multiplication factor. So at 200mm you need a shutter speed of 1/320 or faster not 1/200 like I initially thought. Once I made the speed adjustment things changed for the better.Still I have some mixed feelings about my decision. When the light is good this is a fantastic lens but with the IS feature offered on the 70-300mm I would probably get photos that I will miss with this lens.I can't fault the performance of this lens for its limitations and I have given it 5 stars. In other words it does what it is supposed to do very well but my message to other buyers is to consider where you are most likely to use the lens before buying. Remember IS becomes increasingly important as you extend the focal length. If your camera is already extending it by a factor of 1.6 you may find IS a very attractive feature.(Note the 70-300mm has a recall on certain model numbers because of problems when using the lens in a portrait position.) By the way, I purchased from Amazon and it was a flawless transaction!
This was my first "L" Lens.  Wow!  It truly blows standard lenses away.  Pictures are tack sharp every time and the color saturation is nice.  If you're looking to try the Canon "L" line, try this lens. You won't be disappointed!
This lens is excellent and sold at a great price for L series.  I can see how the IS would have been very nice, but the IS version costs almost double.  If used with a tripod, get a VERY sturdy tripod, and image shake is greatl minimized.  Without a tripod, great shots are still possible with this lens, but steady your hand as much as possible at longer focal lengths.Also, it's not very good in low light, as you would expect from an F/4.UPDATE: about 6 months into ownership....Amazon won't let me change the star ratings, so I'll just type it....this lens is 5 stars!!!  Each time I take it out, I come home with shots that are incredible.  Colors are great.  Details are great.  Contrast is great.  Price is great.  As good as it gets, without breaking the bank.FIVE STARS!!  (Yes, I was finally able to change my star ranking - 5 all the way for this GREAT lens!!)
I got the lens in a timely manner and it has been great. I love it and will be useing it alot.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS LENS!  THIS IS THE FIRST LENS I PURCHASED AFTER MY REBEL XTI PURCHASE AND I RESEARCHED FOR WEEKS TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH ONE TO GET.  IT WAS BETWEEN THE 70-300 IS AND THIS ONE.  I WOULD HAVE LOVED THE IS FEATURE AND THE 300 ZOOM RANGE, BUT AFTER CONSULTING WITH A SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER, HE RECOMMENDED THIS ONE.  I TAKE LOTS OF GOLF SHOTS AND THEY ARE PERFECT.  I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE PHOTOS SOMEONE INEXPERIENCED LIKE MYSELF CAN TAKE.  I CAN'T WAIT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY CAMERA'S FEATURES AND MORE ABOUT THIS LENS.  THE QUALITY OF PHOTOS I GET MAKES ME WANT TO TAKE PHOTOS ALL THE TIME.  TAKING SHOTS OF MY SON'S JUNIOR PROM TODAY.  THIS LENS GIVES BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT SHOTS ALSO.  I WOULD HAVE LIKED THE IS FEATURE AND THE 2.8F BUT THOSE WERE MUCH TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME.  PERHAPS I'LL UPGRADE IN THE FUTURE, BUT ALL YOU WHO GAVE SUPER REVIEWS FOR HIS LENS WERE RIGHT.  ITS WONDERFUL.  THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.  ALL MY PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN WITHOUT A TRIPOD.
I'm not going to regurgitate what has already been said in the 297 reviews of this lens already other than to say that it is a wonderful lens and it is priced right for guys like me that do not want to put down all of those greenbacks required to get the upgraded lens with IS capability.
Have to agree, with so many reviews already out there for this lens, one does wonder if adding another review does actually make sense. But since I'm one of the few people who weren't actually thrilled by the lens (happy but not thrilled), I still decided to go ahead and put down my 2 cents.To begin with, this is unquestionably a good quality lens. To doubt the quality of this proper L series lens is like doubting the space time continuum itself. (I wouldn't go into the technical aspects of it either, people more experienced and knowledgeable than me have done enough justice to it).The thing  which makes or breaks the deal is whether or not this would you be your first purchase of a zoom lens or whether you are purchasing this as an upgrade from another consumer zoom.If this is the first zoom lens, then this is a no brainer. Agree, it's almost double the cost of other consumer zooms from canon (or sigma/tamaron), but do yourself a favor. Wait and save the money  for this (or consider buying a used version, they usually sell for less than 500$), and you won't be disappointed!If you are considering this as an upgrade, think twice about it. I bought this as an upgrade from one of the sigma zooms and even though the autofocus/image quality of this is way superior, I just wasn't blown away. I eventually ended up selling this one and am now saving for the 70 -200 F4 L is (And contrary to popular belief, its not the same lens with IS added but a newer version of the glass as well)To sum it up, it's still a great lens and definitely one of the cheapest L series lens. But do consider the IS version before buying this.
Although it is an old lens, although is was the cheapest one in the 70-200 family, it works really well.The USM is always give you an excellent felling.
Bought this from Amazon and have to say its super sharp.  Remember if you have a crop sensor camera like me (e.g. T3i = x 1.6) you will be taking photos in the 112mm-320mm range.  But rest assure this beautiful glass will take some magical shots.  Over the weekend i took some photos of a few baseball games and the equipment that i usually carry for events like this are the following: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras, Black rapid sports strap, and a monopodManfrotto 680B Monopod 4-SCTN Replaces 680 (Black)This is what i got at 1/1000- 1/2000 F/4 ISO 100-400 around 11am-4pm in one the games.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/shotokun16/IMG_5825.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/shotokun16/IMG_5828.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/shotokun16/IMG_6259.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/shotokun16/IMG_6230.jpg*copy/paste these to your URL and they should work.Build Quality:A (doesnt have weather seal but a lot Canon equipment can take a beating; on a off-topic note, my t3i survived hurricane Isaac when i was in Louisiana)Value:A+ (got it around the $570 mark *Spring 2013*)Conclusion:I recommend this lens to any amateur photographer who enjoys hiking, sports, landscape shooting, and who wants to experience L glass quality.  I recommend not getting the IS version since it will cost you another $500+, i would recommend getting theManfrotto 680B Monopod 4-SCTN Replaces 680 (Black)andFotodiox Pro, Premium Grade Tripod Mount Lens Collar for Canon EOS EF USM Lenses, 70-200mm F4L, 300mm F4L and 400mm F5.6L Lenses as Canon A-2 Collar.  The monopod is just 2-lbs (little heavy) but your shots will be much more stable comparing to the IS and you will look like a pro photographer.  Cheers! Save that extra money and avoid the IS i would rather get F/2.8 non-IS or build up your lens collection.  IMHO (in my humble opinion) IS is kinda a gimmick unless you're a die-hard videographer; if you wanna use both worlds of photography and videography get that monopod.Sincerely,just another amateur photographer with his awesome Canon T3iPS: all of the following photos i posted haveB+W 67mm XS-Pro Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (010M)filter =D.  Leave comments i need someone to critique my baseball shots.
I bought this lens about 2 years ago, and it barely leaves my camera. It is by far my favorite lens to use. It takes sharp, colorful images that are perfect for blowing up to large sizes to hang and display.  I honestly can say that I haven't had a complaint with this lens. It's fast and quiet when focusing, not too heavy (though when you start going into telephoto L lenses, you have to expect a heavier lens); and to get an L at this price is fantastic!Pictures always help me in making a choice in a lens, so feel free to go to [...] to see my pictures taken with this lens. Most of my zoo shots are taken with this lens.
I used to have the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens and it was a heavy tank!  I still wanted a nice telephoto L glass but rarely needed it above 200mm (especially because I use a 30D and 40D with 1.6x FOVCF).  Image stabilization wasn't that important to me as I mostly use my tele glass during the day when I can use faster shutter speeds.This lens was the perfect choice for me!PROS:- lightweight- travel friendly- L glass quality- comes with the hood and carry bag- non-extending zoom!- TACK SHARP!!!!- two focus range modesCONS:- no tripod ring.  Canon makes one for this lens, but it's rediculously priced @ over $150 !!!!  WHY?  Knock-offs on eBay are $25 and more than sufficient!- only 67mm barrel.  Would be nicer to have a 72 or 77.price is JUST right!
This is my first "L" lens. (I'm an intermediate beginner.) Indoors at lower apertures (4.0 or 4.5) it gives some photos a soft, halo glow. Outdoors, if I set the camera to f 4.0 or 4.5 in Av mode, it forces a high enough shutter speed that I can snap away at (hand held) action shots and the subject stays in focus, but with a softened backdrop that makes it dramatic. I've seen pleasing bokeh even at f/9.0. It takes nice close-ups if you stand back a bit. The barrel length is fixed, i.e. it doesn't get any longer when you extend to 200mm, and focus is smooth and quiet. Obviously heavier than some lenses, the weight feels balanced on a Canon 40D body; I suspect it might overwhelm a Rebel XT or XTi. Bottom line: This lens can take an ordinary picture and make it extraordinary. I am totally spoiled.
I am an amateur SLR user and this is my second Lens for my Canon T1i camera which came with the 18-55mm kit lens.  The pictures are so sharp and clear outdoors even if I don't use a tripod when taking shots.  I could compare an L lens picture from the EF lenses output.  L lenses are really worth the price.I've been taking shots indoors during sports activities and this is where I think the tripod works well since this camera does not have IS on it.  I did not want to spend another $400 to buy the IS version since I only use this camera on weekends during volleyball and basketball games.Since the zoom starts at 70mm don't expect to take close up photo shots with this lens especially indoor pictures with ease. It was designed for it's purpose.For the wide angle shots I just bought the 23-135mm Canon EF lens with IS.  This wider angle lenses would be my walk around lens for sure.
this is my first L glass... and wow am I impressed!!! I use a lot of great prime glass... and I wanted to get a good zoom telephoto.... this lens does all I want it to! Sure it is not as fast as my 85 f1.8, but I do not plan to use this in low light... the build is fantastic, the focus is soooo fast and ultra smooth... you will look like a pro with this mounted to your camera! It is a great buy! if you have the cash just laying around.... sure get the f2.8... but for those who are like me and want a quality L glass at a great price.... get this one!
I agree with the 3 star review on the main page. This lens is nice... for certain things. I've used it indoor with flash and gotten some good results (you have to be at least 6 feet away from the subject for it to focus, it's not an awesome indoor lens, but you can get it to work if you can get far away from your subject). I've used it outdoors and unless it's incredibly sunny or nice out, I haven't gotten good results. You definitely need a tripod at dusk/dawn, or even if it's cloudy at all. And even sometimes if it is literally as bright as it is going to get during the day. I have steady hands and have other lenses that perform much better that are actually slower (f speed) at the same light settings. I'm not saying this is a bad lens. But it fits a very specific niche. You need a tripod, basically, for it to be worth using, or incredible lighting/flash. I would have been much better off saving up for the f2.8 IS or at least the f4 IS. The IS would definitely help with the amount of light this lens needs for it to work correctly. So overall, it's a good lens... but it doesn't really suit my needs very well. And it might not suit yours unless you plan to use a tripod or there are exceptional lighting conditions.
I have the 300D - Digital Rebel. I went with the standard EF lenses when I purchased it, but wanted to upgrade. I did some looking and shooting with the 70-200 f/2.8 - which is awesome - but simply far too cumbersome for me to consider. At half the weight and less than half the price - this lens is a no brainer. If you shoot mostly handheld like me - get this one - not the 2.8. That one may be faster - but you'll be shakier holding that monster of a lens up. The quality and speed(AF) of this lens over the consumer models is amazing. I truly am impressed and very happy with this purchase. The money I saved over the 2.8 allowed me to pick up a 50mm f/1.4 prime too and have some money left over. You will not regret this purchase. Buy this lens!
I highly recommend this lens. This is probably one of the best L series telephoto lens deals for the money. It is a bit slow at F4, but you get what you pay for. It is sharp, fast, usually accurate in focusing, and light weight. I use it primarily for nature shots and architectural details. I am amazed at the detail that is recorded on the pics.
I bought this lens about 5 months ago and have been utterly amazed at the quality of the pictures and how quickly it can capture pictures in all environments -- light and dark. I use it with my 300D and it is excellent for everything from sport shots to wildlife and flower shots. The color it captures just can't be compared to any other lens -- everything the other reviewers wrote about the quality of L lens shots is true and does set you up for an expensive addiction. Also, it is heavy but compared to the 28mm - 200 mm L it is much lighter but just remember that a day walking about with this on your neck will have you a bit sore. You will be very happy once you start shooting with this lens, even happier if  you buy a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens to fill in the gap for closer shots and night shooting without a tripod!
This lens is great!I keep thinking I need to be holding more weight or listening to focusing noises.The weight had me worried, but myCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Camerasis just as heavy.  This lens balances perfectly, and is virtually silent.At $650 for an L Class 70-200 zoom...  WOW.Probably one of the best bargains out there for Canon users.  This lens is very nice.I was also expecting my photos to be blurred, but I've had nothing but great results hand holding the lens at f4.  Once it is tripod mounted, then you are set.5/5 for sure.-Update 8/15/2010-  This lens STAYS on my tripod at home.  It is GREAT for the wildlife in my backyard / patio.  It makes a great portrait lens, it does MANY, MANY things well.Get ready for "Can you see (________) from here with that?" comments.  A big white lens stands out like...  a big white lens...Hope my ramblings helped.
I have owned this lens for two years since selling of my Nikon gear to switch Canon. I had over a dozen supposedly high-quality Nikon lenses. I was very surprised to see the picture quality possible with this lens was far better than I achieved with any of my Nikon lenses. I wanted a mid range telephoto zoom but could not justify the extra price of the f/2.8L. At the same time I had read that the lower priced consumer grade Canon zooms left much to be desired . After doing a lot of reading, I saw that reviewer after reviewer raved about the quality of Canon "L" glass. It's true, it is that good, believe the hype.The lens is large and heavy; with the included lens hood it become enormous. Solidly constructed and massive to hold, it makes cheap consumer zooms feel like junk by comparison. Autofocus with my Rebel 400 was surprisingly fast and accurate. On a whim I took a photo of a commercial jetplane in flight far overhead. This would have produced a blurred blob of color against a blue sky with my Nikon gear. On later review I was pleased to see a razor sharp photo of the underside of the plane with the markings clearly legibible. I haven't used it very much compared to my 17-40L f/4.0. That lens has accounted for 90% of the exposures I've made since switching to Canon. But when used it has not failed in terms of function and quality.Highly recommended, a bargain for the price given the quality of construction and images.
I use it for everything from portraits, weddings and everyday shootings.... fantastic results and good bokeh.
The build quality is solid and the aesthetics is nice.  Super fast and accurate focusing.  Along with the Canon 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 a must have lens.
It is SO sharp that it should be THE lens that any serious Canon user should have.  The price is right since it doesn't have image stabilization.  So - get a tripod lens mount and learn to use a tripod, like a real pro does!
I bought the 70-200mm Canon for my Canon 20D because I wanted a medium long telephoto that wouldn't break my back carrying it around or break the bank buying it.The Canon pretty much fit the bill.The 70-200 is fairly light for a medium long lens. You can carry it all day without sabotaging your arms or back.Build quality is very good.  It also has that sexy white look of Canon quality that impresses other photographers, unless they know enough to tell its the "baby" of the Canon long "L" telephotos.Shooting wise, it is fairly sharp and fairly contrasty to the point that it's a somewhat suprisingly good lens, but not mindblowing (unlike a few Tamrons I've owned which are mindblowing for the price).Autofocus is very fast.Some day I plan to get a 1.4x or a 2x tele extender.It would be nice if the lens were perhaps faster than F/4 but that's probably asking too much at the price.All in all a very nice medium long, light telephoto that won't break the bank, giving suprisingly good (but not mindblowing) results.And the build quality and that Canon white look are both a bonus.- Terry
This is my first L series lens. And I am amazed by its quality. I am quite used to the stock lens with IS, so this lens will take some getting used to, I am also awaiting a lens collar to attach to my tripod.The only downside, was I noticed that there is a SLIGHT mark/scratch on the inside of the lens, I have ordered a replacement, because who wants a $585 lens with a scratch?
This lens has been fabulous!  It's one of my favorite lenses and I use it on almost every photo shoot!  For the price this is definitely an awesome lens!
I love this lens. It takes great pictures and is a bit lighter then you would expect it to be by the size.
Amateur photographer getting back into the art after letting the digital revolution and the high prices of quality equipment get me down for quite some time.  My amazing girlfriend recently bought me aCanon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black).  I have been expanding my bag.THIS LENS IS AMAZING!Snapped this onto my XSi, and started shooting. The quality of the image simply blows you away. The colors, detail, everything!  The lens is as high as you want to go (for zoom) before using a tripod.  I would not go higher than 200mm without using a tripod.  Quiet, fast focusing. Amazingly sturdy build. Not too large to carry around.I have the kit 18-55 (will try to upgrade to L quality), theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens("nifty fifty") for low light, and now this. Coupled with aCanon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, myTamrac Explorer 2 DSLR Camera Bag (Blue)is pretty complete for anything I'll want to do.I tried to upload some photos to show the quality of this lens, but Amazon doesn't let you upload high res jpegs.
I bought this lens to fill in the gap in my focal range until I could get a better lens.  It's an economical L series lens so it was easy to afford (among the pro series lenses).  I was quite surprised to see the quality of the images.  Truly the only difference between this and the 70-200 2.8 IS is the 2.8 aperture and the lack of IS.  For the apertures that it has available it produces nice sharp images at every f stop and focal length.  I've had no regrets in buying it.  I will likely upgrade one day, but I'm in no hurry.  It's filling the gap just fine.  When combined with my 200mm 2.8L I have quite a pair.  I can take whichever I like and either is smaller and lighter than the 70-200 2.8L as well as I could split the lenses between myself and a friend out on the same trip or send one in for repairs while using the other.
I wanted to get a lens to use to take pictures of my son playing baseball, portraits, and landscapes. I have a Canon Rebel Xsi with the kit lens so a reach of 55mm was not enough. I did a lot of research on lenses and all the reviews of this lens talked about how tack sharp it was and how it was great in good lighting for sports and portraits. I couldn't really afford the IS version because it was double the price so I decided to give this lens a try along with a Cannon Monopod for stability to avoid hand shake. All I have to say is that this lens is incredible. It is best in good lighting but it still works great in lower light (I took some pics on an overcast evening of my son playing ball and they came out fine, I just had to adjust the exposure a bit). A Monopod takes care of the shake issue and my pics came out tack sharp (It was fun zooming in and seeing every piece of fuzz on my son's baseball hat!).Overall I highly recommend this lens if you are looking for a good zoom lens and want to get started with L series glass.
Photography has been my hobby for the past few years.  I own the Canon : 17-40 f4L, 17-55 f2.8 IS, 24-105 f4 L.This is my first zoom lens, and it has surpassed my expectations.  It is the sharpest lens that I own.  This is my first lens that really makes colors come alive.  I do not like to spend time post processing (photoshopping) my pictures.  The pictures from this lens are very good without additional editing.As a reminder, because this is a zoom lens with only f4 aperture rating.  It will only take superb pictures in adequate lighting.  This lens indoors would be limited, and you'd have to increase your ISO to 800 like any other f4 aperture lens.  Outdoors on a regular sunny day, pictures from this lens cannot be beat.I was debating this lens over the Canon 70-300 f4.5-5.6 IS.  With such good image quality, I have no regrets picking this lens.  I paid less than $500 for a Canon L lens.
This one of the best telephoto lenses for the price.
very nice lens: light weight, excellent quality, close to the f/2.8 but better price = excellent value
Canon can build a camera like no other manufacturer in the world, and their lenses are world class as well. Its heavy compared to a kit lens, however, it is light compared to a 70-200mm f2.8. Being a woman carrying around this lens mounted to my 7D can become tiresome, I will not lie about this. My arms can get tired while shooting for a lengthy time, so I have a really great neck strap and camera bag with which to rest the camera. I feel this lens is absolutely so worth the weight! This lens is amazing, focus is super fast, the zoom is so smooth, and it shoots up to 1.3 feet away! You get two lenses in one, a lens with long legs for those far away shots, and a macro lens for those up close shots. I know this lens does not have image stabilization which affects low lit situations, but if you are consistently shooting low lit situations you should really be considering the F2.8 not the F4.0. Great piece of glass if it suits your needs.
This is my main Telephoto lens. For the price, it is awesome. The L series glass is the best in the Canon line and this lens holds up. It takes great pictures and the autofocus is fast and precise.Now, there are some concerns that I would like to address for people who want to buy this lens.This lens struggles at night. Being a f/4 it does not allow in as much light the f/2.8. This will make you have to use a lower shutter speed and a higher ISO, resulting in lower quality images. Shooting at night on highschool fields produces &#34;ALRIGHT&#34; images. They are alittle blurry due to the high ISO and the slower shutter. If you are shooting stills or don't expect to get crystal clear shots of a baseball being hit off the bat, you will have no problems. If you need a lens that can do this, look to the f/2.8.During the day, I do not regret not having the IS. If there is enough light, you can have a fast enough shutter not to worry about the shakiness. At night you can have similar problems when shooting without a flash.Overall: In the day: almost perfect. Sometimes I wish I had alittle more range, but those lenses are so much more expensive.At night, you can still get good images, but don't expect to replicate the performance you get in the day.A great lens for the person looking for a low end L telephoto. I would recommend to a friend.
Very good lens. Amazing photos.
I've owned this lens for about 3 years, please look at [...] or our FB page for examples.  I'll also add one to the product images.As one of, if not, the cheapest lenses in the L series line up you might think it's going to be a bit sub-par.  Well, you'd be wrong if you though that.  This is a Canon L series 70-200.  Possibly one of the most utilized focal length ranges on the planet and Canon did not take the F/4 non-IS version lightly.  When I bought this lens, I bought it to augment my motorcycle track day photography kit which was primarily my 7D and 100-400 L.  This lens quickly became as utilized if not more than the 100-400 depending on the track.  If I don't need the reach of my 100-400, I'm using the 70-200 F4.  It's sharper, and faster and lighter, in fact this lens is not big at all which makes hand holding it very easy.  This means panning for those motion shots becomes a breeze even if you don't have IS.Basically, at around $600, you CAN NOT beat this lens.  I'm not saying the 70-200 F/2.8s are not better.  They are, after all they are F/2.8, 2.8 is better than 4.  But is the 2.8 sharper or faster?  Maybe a little sharper, not sure, but I've shot with both and it didn't seem to be faster to me and the sharpness difference was marginal.  The basic advantage I saw with the 2.8 was, 2.8.  But at over $2k for the 2.8 IS II, that's over 3x the cost of this lens.  I have not shot the 2.8 non IS which is cheaper but word on the street is the non IS 2.8 is being discontinued and support for the lens by CPS is also going away.  The one thing I will concede that I liked a bit better on the 2.8 was the color quality.  This is not to say that my F4 is bad, it's not, and again for $600 it's amazing, but let me reiterate.  I've shot this F4 lens, and the 70-200 F/2.8 IS version 2.  We are talking about a $1600 difference in price.  $600 vs. $2200.  Sure I want the F/2.8 and may buy one eventually but when you can get 80-90% of the quality at 1/3 the price, you just can't afford not to buy it.  On the other hand, if you have money coming out your ears, or maybe you only want to buy 1 BA lens and that's it, sure buy the 2.8, but if you are trying to assemble a comprehensive kit for your needs and your budget is limited, the F/4 will not disappoint.With the new DSLRs ISO performance increasing more and more these F/4 lenses are becoming very attractive, and not just from a price perspective.  The lens is lighter, less imposing and much more likely to end up in your bag on a trip where you can't bring everything.  You still get decent background separation with the DOF provided by F/4 @ 200mm, and like I said before, the keeper rate with this lens is on par with the 2.8.  The AF is blazing fast, probably because it's just got those tiny little lens elements to move around right?  I shoot motorcycles going around corners at over 100mph and I'm telling you, using the Al Servo mode AF on my 7D with this lens I don't miss, and I'm not trying to tout my talent, the combination of the 7Ds AF and this lens is killer.Anyway,  I bought this lens because it was cheap and I thought it would be a good addition, turns out, it's one of my primary go to sports lenses.  You can't afford not to put one of these in your kit.  It's too good and too cheap not to.So.... if you are weekend warrior like me, part time pro, and money IS an object, you are ON a budget, this lens is gonna deliver so much bang for the buck that you'll want to tell everyone you know and they'll be annoyed about it because they have no idea what  you are talking about.... so try to reserve all that enthusiasm for your photography buddies, everyone else doesn't get it.  :)
If you took the next step in digital photography from a 'point and shoot' to a DSLR and have not yet seen a "dramatic" improvement in your printed photos, this lens is a must for you.  I used a really good camera from Panasonic, the DMC-FZ20, before buying a Canon 30D.  The Panasonic produced great pictures.  Indeed, at times the photos from the Panasonic looked as good as what I was getting from the Canon.Purchasing this lens saved me from buyers remorse; the remorse that was starting to build in me after spending well over $1K on my new Canon 30D.  After pairing it with the 70-200mm f/4L, I learned the true value in upgrading to a DSLR.  Many of my pictures now receive that instant "wow" response from friends and family.  The lesson here is simple; when it comes to image quality, the lens contributes even more than the camera.The thing that stands out to me most about the 70-200mm f/4L lens, beyond the obvious such as image color and sharpness (outstanding, both counts), is how quickly and quietly this thing focuses.  It is incredibly FAST!  I've included a photo here to show what this lens can do.  One more thing to note is weight; the lens is a bit heavy compared to what some might be accustomed to; this will not be an issue unless you try walking around all day with it.  I've spent a few hours in the field lugging it with a 30D + battery grip; trust me, weight can become an issue...
This is my first L series lens.  I bought it to use with my Rebel XT, in anticipation of upgrading to the 40D. I am now reconsidering the upgrade!This lens is fantastic! brilliant DOF and resolution. My XT which previously struggled to give me raw files as large as 8mp is now given me files over 10mp.I now want MORE L series lenses.
OUTSTANDING!!!!This lens is as sharp and as clear as you can get.There are lots of 'good' lenses on the market, but this one is the best of the best.
I can't say much that hasn't been said already about this lens.  However, I'll simply offer a few thoughts without posting a comprehensive review that would likely sound similar to all others posted here.(1) If you have a DSLR with kit lens (18-55mm, etc), either this 70-200mm f4/L or the 50mm f/1.8 should likely be your next lens purchased.  The argument for purchasing the 50mm is that it's dirt cheap while the 70-200mm expands your focal length range.  I'd vote for the 70-200mm first if you can afford it.(2) The USM focus is great.  Additionally, the ability to eliminate close focusing (1.2m or 3m minimum focus selection switch) greatly assists focus speed when tracking distant objects (which is where this lens would most often be used anyway).(3) The lens holds its own when shot at f/4 aperture.  Many cheap(ish) zoom lenses can't say the same.(4) Although the mid grade 70-300mm lenses are probably cross-shopped against this 70-200mm product, I think that the 70-200mm would be the clear winner for most people.  Considering how soft that 70-300mm lenses tend to get at the telephoto end (just a generalization), I'd question the value of the extra published reach of the 70-300mm products.(5) Despite my comments above, I will say that anyone who can afford the IS model would not likely regret spending the extra money.  Nevertheless, this (non-IS) lens is optically better than anything I've seen around the price point.  This is the cheapest L series lens that Canon makes, though I could care less what the series is called and whether or not my lens is white with a red ring on it.
It is just everything as expected: fast focus, sharp and good color & contrast. In fact, I found it to be particularly good for portraits. I like its bokeh better than the ones from 50/1.4. I used it on 30D and it is equivallent to 112-320 on full frame cameras. I think it would be even better on full frame cameras as it covers almost all portait focal length.
Not bad  , I don't use it every day  but it seems to work well
I love EF 70-200 f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom lens. The price is right, super quality of pictures in color and contrast. It is light weight about 1.5 pounds in comparing with its siblings, 70-200 f/2.8 with or without IS (about 3.5 pounds).I am think about to buy the new model 70-200 f/4L with IS. With IS, I can take pictures in lower light conditions, which I could not do it with my 70-200 f/4L.
I love this lens. I made the error of initially buying the lower quality Canon lens (Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM ). This lens is simply amazing. It is fast to focus, quiet and smooth operating, comfortable to hold. The only thing that would make better is a lower price.
Now I have some update.1. My copy of this lens back focusing 2 inches on Canon 5D and Canon factories cannot find the problem. 2. Give the IS version of this lens comes out, I would say go for that. One star is removed.It is an entry level Canon L lens. A few points,1. Very sharp, essentially better than those non-L canon lenses, even the 70-200 F2.8L, at F4.2. F4 is good for most out door applications, an 1.4 extension tube will make it 292mm, without lost much in image quality.3. The price cannot be better for the performance.4. It is not good for indoor stage shooting - you need F2.8 one in that sense.5. It is not good enough for bird shooting, sports shooting, etc, even with 1.4x extension tube.  You will need at least 400mm in that sense.6. I do not think you need to spend 400 more for the IS version of this lens - it doesnot really worth - go for the F2.8 IS, or stay for this one.
This is a great lens. I do not want to repeat all the good things other reviewers have written about this lens. It is not so heavy so I use tripod without using tripod collar (costs 119.99 in B & H). This is the best value I have ever got for a lens. Now I can't wait to get 17-40mm f4L too. You can get a very nice bokeh when wide open at f4 and f5.6, of course depending on the how far the background is from the subject.People complain how ugly the hood looks but that is subjective. I like it because it works great and you can attach it in a reversed position on the lens so that it will fit in your camera bag. I think the fit and finish of the lens is beautiful.
Basically what I am saying about this lens here has already been agreed upon by all users of this superbly built lens. As far as Canon lens goes, this is I think the best value lens in the whole EF line-up. The 50mm is good but the build quality is dreadful when compared to this one and is not as versatile this one.I really want to stress the importance of value because I think many of us here cannot afford the best lens possible. So being able to get the best of what you paying for is really important. There are some lenses are sharper and many more faster than this one, but all about doubling the price and with certain limitations, such as the 85 F1.2. So if you are shopping for a lens with a limited budget, you have to consider this lens first!Sharpness wise this can be regarded as one of the sharpest telephoto zoom lenses ever made. Again I don't deny there are lenses sharper than this but once you consider the whole package the choice is a no-brainer.Build quality is equal to most of the L series lenses, metal finish, solid and durable. If you never own or use an L lens before, make sure you pay a visit to your local photography shop and have a feel. It will beat all those cheap plastic lenses easily.This lens is not terribly fast but definitely usable in most general conditions. In a bright day it can capture sports action photos as well as general wildlife. Because of the zoom range you will unlikely use this lens in a very confined space (room, bar) so those bad-lit rooms are off the range of this lens naturally. Or if you want more light there is always flash to use.This lens can be used in so many situations and there is basically endless  possibility. One thing I want to stress is that many people only regard this lens as a portrait lens whereas this is perhaps the best landscape lens as well. First of all it is sharp, sharper than most of the wide zoom lenses. Second it is light so you can carry it around hiking all day without getting sore shoulders. And since landscape photography doesn't require fast aperture, F4 is perfectly suitable for most conditions. I have been on few treks by carrying this lens only and it is fantastic in capturing beautifully compressed landscape photos. Also I have talked to some professional landscape photographers and many of them carry this lens on a hike.The range of this lens fitted on a cropped sensor cameras such as my 350D or a 30D is slightly too long for some classic wide landscape photos but again if you are able to change your positions and create different perspectives the results will surprise you. Do not limit your creative imagination by thinking only ultra wide angle lenses can do the job.Last thought:If you are considering the IS version of this lens, I suggest you go for the F2.8 version. Don't waste money getting a F4. F2.8 allows twice the light than the F4. With ISO 400 or 800 you don't really need the IS anyway. Or you can go the IS version of the F2.8 instead of getting a F4 which in the future you will want to replace anyway with a 2.8.Top Lens!!
I've used this lens for nine years for product, wedding, event, portraiture, and fine art shooting. Here are my thoughts:Pros:* For a full-frame zoom, it's very compact* Also, MUCH lighter than the EF 24-70mm  F/2.8 L if you can do without the 1-stop difference  (it's just 12 ounces vs 2.2 POUNDS in your bag)* Good close focusing (19.7 inches at all focal lengths), useful for product shots* Compatible with EVERY Canon EOS/EF camera body--I've used it on the Elan 7 film SLR, the 5D mark III, and almost every model between* Instant manual-overide focus ring, aka "focus-clutching" so you can grab AF and then fine-tune manually (no need to slide the AF-MF every time). A great pro feature.* Truly silent USM autofocusing. When I first got it, I was constantly checking to be sure the AF was on. A godsend for indoor wedding and events shoots.* Really fast autofocus too: keeps up fine with the 7D and 5D Mark III AF chips* Non-rotating front filter mount (so polarizing filters stay aligned)* Quite sharp wide open on my 5D Mark III & 7D (MTFs and perceptual sharpness ratings are excellent but not "L prime" level, see Canon and PopPhoto websites)* Rock-solid all-metal lens mount (matters if you heft around your rig by the lens barrel like I do)* A used specimen of this lens is a fraction of the cost of a 24-70mm or 24-105mm L.* Aspherical optical design renders nice out-of-focus backgrounds and transitionsCons:* Still much heavier than Canon's all-plastic kit zooms* Yes, moderate barreling and pincushioning (though Lightroom 3 and 4 and newer Canon DSLRs correct this automatically)* "Just okay" manual focusing "touch and feel" (like most AF lenses, focusing feels far "flimsier" than the well-dampened helical rings of vintage all-metal manual focus lenses)* Not a lens for bokeh freaks. Lacks the super shallow depth of field of a 50mm or 85mm 1.4 prime (my preference for head shots), but it will adequately throw backgrounds out of focus wide open at portrait distancesI'm giving it a "five" rating because, for what it is--an affordable multi-purpose full-frame zoom--it's served me well.If you're considering this lens, hope this helps. Happy shooting! - Andrew
this lens gave me the different ranges that I needed.  All photo equipment is Canon.The service provider was excellant and included lots of goodies.  Wouldn't have any problem buying from them again.
Here's another case where it all depends on how you use it and what you expect.  Personally, I like really sharp images.  This means, I can photograph something that has a lot of detail and examine the corners of the image at 100 -  200% and "read" what's there. If this sounds like you, then this isn't what you're looking for (unfortunately, neither is the 24-70 L but its much closer).If you just enjoy taking pictures and want a good, "walk around" lens that's not ridiculously heavy, you'll love this lens--and believe me, I envy you.Sharpness.  Its reasonably sharp at all apertures except wide open.  No big deal since few lenses are great, wide open.  Nothing is blurry (at least on an SLR with 1.6 crop factor) but nothing will make you break into a smile at the devastating crispness, either.  Best f-stop was between 5.6 and 8, just where it should be.Chromatic aberration.  Not great, but there is something about digital cameras that makes even the most well corrected lenses show some "CA".  If you can live with good-not-great sharpness, the CA shouldn't be a concern.Barrel distortion.  Gracious.  The test at photozone_de should have prepared me for this, but at the 24mm end this lens is almost in semi-fisheye territory.  So....flowers, people and landscapes, fine.  Walls, windows and anything flat or square, not fine.  Correctable in Photoshop but tedious to get just right.Construction.  Space age Polycarbonate (plastic).  Seems fine to me.  From the comments on "build quality" you'd think every doctor on vacation in Tahiti was embedded in Afghanistan.  Its a precision item, made out of plastic but it looks to me like it will be fine, unless dropped.  I did notice that dust gets inside but since lenses do not take pictures of themselves this shouldn't affect image quality.  Dust sure hasn't hurt my ancient view camera lenses.Focusing.  The ultrasonic motor works flawlessly.  Fast and silent.So that's it.  For me, the sharpness and barreling were an issue.  But its a perfectly usable lens; just not a great one.  Reasonably priced, too.  While I wait for a spectacular L wide angle zoom, I'm going to get the 50 macro and probably the 35/2 as well.  Not very convenient, I admit, but along with the Tokina 12-24 and my 70-200 L, I should be in good shape.
This lens isn't being made anymore, but you can still buy it used.  It is a gem of a lens.  I started photography with a Rebel xsi, then went to a Rebel T1i and finally a 5D Mark II.  The single change in my gear that made the most difference was buying a flash, but second to that was this lens.  This lens is exceptionally sharp.  The focus motor is quiet and fast.  and its extremely light.  Did I mention the colors and sharpness?  They are outstanding.Here's a picture I took with it recently.[...]
I was very disappointed with this lens. It has a very cheap feel and the image quality was terrible. I was only able to test it with my Canon 20d and not with film. I couldn't believe how lousy it was, I had read some other reviews and they seemed positive. I tried it on a tripod and shot a variety of things text and 3-D objects and never could pull a sharp photo. I noticed that I had to use a lot more unsharp mask than normal to be useable. I tend to use primes a lot and so maybe I expected to much.
Okay, so you are like me and think that standard 18-55, 17-55, or 17-50 zooms are too short for some outdoor events, but telephoto lenses are too long. SO you want a good in between. There are several choices including the Canon 17-85mm, Canon 28-135mm, the Canon 24-85, the Canon 28-105mm, and the Canon 24-105mm. While I would really prefer the Canon 24-105mm L series, it is very expensive, heavy, and large. The ones that start at 28mm aren't wide enough, so that leaves the 24-85mm.The 24-85mm F3.5-4.5 lens is excellent for a midrange medium zoom on a 1.6x camera. Image quality, even wide open, is far better than the 18-55 kit lenses, plus you get USM with FTM, and a wider aperture. However, this lens really is best used in the F5.6-11 range, where the sharpness is quite good. Contrast and color are excellent at pretty much all apertures. Focusing is fast and accurate, and it has a nice distance meter.The main downsides to this lens are it's mediocre build quality, which is a little wobbly at least on my copy, and the focus and zoom rings could have better feel. However, if you are comming from the kit lens or another cheap lens, it is right on par.If you compare it to the 17-85mm, the 24-85mm isn't as WA and doesn't have IS, but it has FF capability, much better edge and center sharpness at all apertures, a faster aperture, lower price, and is a little more compact.For full frame cameras, it covers a very important range, the wide zoom, which often used indoors, would preferably have good F2.8 IQ for indoors, something like the Tamron 28-75mm, or preferably the Canon 28-70mm, which is excellent indoors FF.Overall, if you can get the Canon 24-105mm instead, it's definitely a much better lens in every respect. But if you don't want to spend that, this is a great lens at 1/3 the cost.
This lens is very cheap as lenses go. I didn't realize it when I bought my Canon EOS 10D a couple years ago. I have had one complaint with this lens since I got it: not very sharp. Not having a lot of SLR experience I wasn't sure if the problem was the lens or the digital camera. Or was it the alorithms in the camera for convering the image to JPG? After all, sharpness is just one of the parameters you can set in the camera. So what I ended up doing was bumping the sharpness in the camera all the way up to get the kind of sharpness in the image I was looking for.What I am talking about is, say, the edges around your subject's face are not sharp, or your daughter's freckles aren't quite crisp enough, etc.So I tried a friend's L series Canon lens and got exactly what I was looking for: crisp, sharp, more like my eyes saw the image as I was taking the picture. So, in short, a really good lens that takes really sharp pictures costs a lot of money, 3 or 4 times what this lens costs. Sadly, I already bought one L series lens and it is so amazing I am now forced to buy another one.But, I just wanted to write this review in case you were wondering why your otherwise awesome looking pictures are just not as sharp as you might have expected. This lens is great in all other aspects, and as I am realizing now, nice and light weight. But if you're obsessive like I apparently am, you might want to fork out more money for a better quality lens.
I had been using the 24-85 for years on a series of Canon DSLRs starting with the original d30 and culminating with the 5d. Finally decided to spring for the 24-105L. I was immediately surprised that pix from the new lens didn't look so great as 3-4X higher price would suggest. Detailed comparisons showed the 24-85 was just as good in many instances. One edge (not the other) of the 24-105L was a bit better, but center sharpness was no better, even wide open. Contrast seemed equally good. I returned the 24-105L to the dealer and kept the 24-85. While it's true the zoom range is less, I also like the much lighter weight and more compact form of the 24-85.
This is a good-value lens that was designed back in the days of 35mm film cameras, although Canon still sells it as of 2008, and it works fine on Canon's digital models. It is a standard EF lens that will fit all of Canon's digital cameras. It is not one of those EF-S lenses that is restricted to the e.g. 400D / 40D range.I believe it is one of the least glamorous lenses that Canon sells, in the sense that it has a moderate zoom range that is neither particularly wide nor particularly zoomy; it is not the cheapest, or the most expensive EF lens; it is not the most or the least fully-featured; it is neither flimsy nor rock-solid. It uses USM focus, which is silent and generally accurate. It doesn't have image stabilisation. It doesn't have a constant aperture. The zoom range is roughly 40-135mm on a x1.6 cropped sensor body, such as a Canon 400D / 40D. The zooming mechanism on my example doesn't creep. The closest focus distance seems relatively far, something like a foot and a bit. The manual focus ring feels a bit cheap, but then again the autofocus is fast and quiet, so it balances out. It has a 67mm filter thread, which is an odd size.I have had a chance to take a few shots on a tripod at different apertures. At f3.5 it has a nice tight field of view, and it is decently sharp; it seems to jump up in sharpness between f5.6 and f8, and doesn't get much sharper beyond that. On my 35mm Canon 600, with an uncropped field of view, there is noticeable distortion at both the wide and the tele ends. This is less noticeable on a cropped 350D, although it is still noticeable. Otherwise the image quality has no obvious glaring deficiencies. The background blur is pleasant. I found that I had to underexpose by a stop to get the exposure just right, but that might be me, or the camera.It's attractive as a useful, well-priced walkabout lens for digital cameras, for people who don't mind the relatively tight field of view (40mm is just slightly wideangle). The only problem I can see is that the zoom bellows seems to suck up dust. My example had quite a few specks, although apparently this has an almost unnoticeable effect on image quality. It's a shame that Canon doesn't include a lens hood.
I love this lens and use it extensively on my T3, it is my go to lens for most situations except where I need telephoto qualities. Wide open it is wide enough for me to do small group portraits relatively easily and at full zoom it covers my basic outdoor needs. The lens is also sharp throughout it's range.Admittedly I am no professional, as this is my initial foray into SLR photography, and I know this is no L-Glass, but it focuses quickly and quietly and I am consistently impressed with my pictures when using this lens.
This zoom debuted in 1996 as the kit lens for the EOS IXE/IX (APS). It was a popular lens well into the new millennium, but was finally discontinued in 2009. Due to its range and small size, the EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM enjoyed tours of duty as a travel lens on my EOS A2E, Elan 7E, 10D, Rebel XTi, 5D and 40D. I've got a lot of sharp 11x14 prints on my wall from this petite optic.Polycarbonate construction, but with a metal mount, keep it to a featherweight 380 g (13.4 oz). It's only a little bigger than an EF 50 1.4 USM. Its small size and zoom range make it ideal for hiking and travel, especially for EOS film and full frame DSLRs. The twist action zoom is reasonably smooth and does not creep. Zooming is accomplished by expanding and contracting nested barrels. Like most AF lenses, the manual focus ring is small and not as silky or fine turning as the manual lenses of yesteryear.An internal lens group is focused by ring-type USM (Ultrasonic Motor). This motor dives the small rear elements easily, resulting in extremely fast AF. Thus, the front element does not rotate nor does the barrel expand or contract during focusing. Plus, ring-type USM features full-time manual focusing (FTM), allowing you to manually focus without switching out of AF mode. Of course, being an USM lens, it is silent when focusing. If you prefocus manually, the distance window in meters and feet is very useful.This lens sports a 6-blade diaphragm. Thus, out of focus areas (bokeh) are pleasantly smooth. A molded glass (GMo) aspherical lens element is used to correct astigmatism and to make the lens compact. Canon manages to pack 15 elements into a 69.5mm (L) x 73 mm (D) barrel! With all those elements, the optional petal hood, the EW-73II, should be used to protect the front element and reduce flare.My copy of the EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM delivered sharp and contrasty images. I found it on par with the EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM, perhaps slightly sharper at the wide end. Although quality is good wide open, the best image quality is at F8. The long end is slightly softer than the wide angle side, but sharp enough for excellent 12 x 18 inch enlargements.Like most wide zooms, this one suffers from barrel distortion at the wide end and a small amount of pincushion distortion at the long end. If you shoot lots of architecture, you'll want the superior correction of prime lenses. For general use, distortion is not a problem except with ocean horizons or close-up subjects with parallel lines. Indeed, distortion increases considerably in the macro range, especially at 24 mm. Distortion is normal for zooms and is an optical compromise that allows the convenience of multiple focal lengths.Flare and ghosting are well controlled for a zoom and this zoom has a high level of flare resistance. With an EOS 40D (DSLR) I experienced little or no flare or ghosting even with blazing sunsets--perhaps due to the small sensor size (40% less of the image circle is used). Or, maybe the rectangular flare mask between the first and second elements makes a difference. Nevertheless, I keep the lens hood on to help keep flare in check.The EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM is a wonderful lightweight travel lens for EOS film or full frame DSLRs such as the 5D MK II or 6D. If you don't need to go wide, it is a nice optic for APS-C cameras, i.e., 1.6x crop factor, like the 60D or Rebel. "New old stock" is rare but this lens is common on the used market, selling for $125 to $225 depending on condition. Not a bad deal considering this lens cost over $500 in the 1990s. Most samples are black but the occasional silver variant is a special edition model from the 1996 EOS IX/IXE kit.
I just love this lens.  Im  into portrait and background at the same time and this lens give me what i was looking for!!!
This lens is almost superb for its price! It's a middle-class lens, what appears in the following:- it has bigger light-factor (3.5-4.0 vs 4.0-5.6 in the low-class lenses). This gives you more possibilities, for instance to use faster shutter speeds or to decrease the depth-of-fild for special effects)- the first (outer) lens doesn't spin what gives you an opportunity to use square filters; using a poliriser becomes as easy as any other filter.- the USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) gives you a really super speed of focusing and completely silent engine. You'll catch the fastest actions and nothing will distrub your object!These are the most important and useful features of the lens. I should also admit, that the focal distance of this lens is almost ideal for everyday photography, because gives you an opportunity to shoot from landscapes (~24-50mm) to portraiture (~50-85mm) with an equal simplicity and quality.
I've had this lens for a few years now, and I absolutely love it.  It is compact, sharp, and dependable.  I'm a wide-angle shooter, so this one is just about perfect.  Canon's USM is beautiful.  Unlike Nikon, Canon seeks and achieves quiet, fast, and accurate auto focusing.  Coupled with a light and quiet EOS camera body, and you've got an excellent documentary kit, great for shooting people in close and personal.  At 24 mm, this lens gives excellent range for close work, with lots of depth and sharpness, making focusing and composing a cinch in evolving situations.  My only gripe with this lens is its manual focus ring.  I grew up with manual focus, and I love excercising that skill, but this lens has nothing more than an obligatory, plastic, and poorly placed focusing ring that discourages manual work.  Fortunately, Canon's autofocusing system is phenomenal.  Round-out your EOS kit with a Canon SpeedLite (compatible all the way down to 24 mm).
OK, so I am old skool. But considering the bucks I paid for my VCR equipment, I would like to get my money out of it.With most units cut to two speeds, this gives me a lot more flexibility.
My mother loves her 9 hour tapes so that she can turn the VCR on and let it run all day without programming it. These 9 hour tapes are hard to find.  Nice to find them here.  Good product, good quality.
we use it to record our hidden tiny camera and we have caught a criminal with it who was stealing our mail, so i really recommend this tape!
This is a great tape for recording and it's one hour longer than the usual I have found, so a plus. It works real well and I would recommend.
I'll have to see how they hold out but seem alright so far. I'm one of the remaining dinosaurs that still tape shows to watch on a vcr.
UNTIL I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO HOOK MY SECURITY CAMERAS UP TO THE COMPUTER THESE WORK FINE. LONG ENOUGH TO COVER THE HOUSE WHILE I'M AT WORK.
I've always appreciated Maxell's quality, and now I finally have the ability to record 3 hours (9 in extended mode) at a time!...
I had hoped to have no problems with these brand new tapes but 2 out of the 3 that I bought so far are depressing me with the video playback. I don't understand how it can record the show clearly, but the playback is scratchy with the tracking issues that won't stop even though I'm pressing the tracking button on the remote like crazy. I had began to think that my 8 year old VCR was going to the deep end, but then I put another tape that I previously had taped a million times on and IT PLAYED GREAT immediately after taking the NEW Maxell 9-hours tape out of the machine. I examined the Maxell 9s and I noticed that the tape tends to be not as tight as it should be and even if I attempt to tighten it, after a few short minutes of playback the tracking issues start again.Oh well, it's all understandable that videocassettes are being made to the greatest of perfection or value these days. I was basically shocked that I could still purchase them without paying too much. I guess I'll find the sweet spots on the tapes and only record and watch from that portion of it. I do own a DVD recorder, but I still love to record on my VCR. I can't let it go, not yet.
They do what they do; high quality and long lasting(9hours), good for the use of alternative media in a pinch.
The picture quality at the beginning was outstanding. Real crisp and clear, but over a period of a month, little lines started showing up in my recordings. I was going to return the item, but my return window has expired. I guess you get what you pay for. I do not believe I will purchase this item again in the future.
This is about the only place you can find recording tapes that are this length. In the stores you can only find 6 hour tapes
I don't care that people make fun of me for still using VHS but a 9-hour tape means I don't miss anything while away. Why pay for cable company to store shows? I'm not that fussy and refuse to toss perfectly good tapes. These tapes are perfect for my needs. I prefer to keep my money not throw at cable company so I can have the latest toy that keeps changing.
THE TAPES ARE GREAT. AS I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE US THAT STILL USES VHS.
My Maxell 213027 GX-S T-180 VHS Cassette Standard Grade T-180 arrived on time and in good condition.  Though I record with DVDs, I still once in a while record with VHS, I guess old habits are hard to break.  And when I need to record in 8 hours I use this product.  It is very hard to find in retail stores, and when you do locate one it is often very expensive, thank goodness for Amazon and similar websites that offer them still.  I highly recommend this product.  I give this a 5 star because it is very affordable and it arrives to my house at no extra cost within a few days.
It's hard to find VHS tapes at all, let alone 9 hour ones.  I was quite pleased to find these at a reasonable price.  They work well and I am happy.
There is no monthly fee to use a VCR. Not the most up to date technology yet certainly the cheapest. I rarely see VCR tapes in the stores and usually one product - no selection.  I stocked up on 9 hour tapes and they work just fine as SLP. I rotate a set of 4 and they usually last over 1 year.I also bought the dry cleaning tape.  I never ever cleaned any VCR and did not know what to expect. It was easy as pie. Pop in the tape and follow the on screen directions.  No fuss, no muss. Has many clean sessions for one tape.Since the VCR is several years old I ran the cleaner twice.  What an amazing difference. I now run it on a regular basis and the picture is clearer.I recommend the tapes and dry cleaner. Stock up now.
As a person who still uses a VCR, I love these Maxell 9-HR cassettes!  I often record movies and sporting events on these videos.  I can put at least 4 movies on them or a entire Final Four, and have enough room for another finals game.  So if you are tired of spending your money on 6 or 8 hr videos get this you won't be disappointed.
my mistake. that I ordered a 3 pk but clicked on wrong item in wish list. will use it but was too pricey for 1 tape
have worked like a charm for the most part. with these thinner tapes, they can get jammed, one tape got wrinkled for the first five minutes. took it apart and cleard the jam, reorderd another tape, can get seven hours of taping at slowest setting, sometimes eight. may not get a full ninge hours
It is fine.
It's really nice to know that one can still purchase this type of tape. And these are particularly good as they "hold" a lot of recordings.
Nice long old fashioned, these days, tapes...do a nice job of recording things to latch and not HAVE to watch commercials. Thanks for still having and selling.
Yes it's great that a 9 hour VHS Tape has been invented/created to date when before the maximum was 8 hours to date.The More Space the better.
Have only used this once.  Was very satisfied. It is impossible to find VCR tapes in the local stores.  One store told me I'd have to buy a DVD recorder for $340 if I wanted to record shows, etc., so was happy to find the blanks on Amazon.
Found these tapes to operate in a very clean, clear and noiseless manner.  It's nice to know that I was still able to find these!
These tapes are excellent, good qualitiy and performance. No complaints so far.I got other brand with a bad luck, all had some type of statict stripes atter 4 hours of recording and pood sound.Apparently the coating was low quality.
Considering VCR's are long gone (almost) I was surprised I could get these.  They seem to be still be good.
I have never had a bad bunch of these video tapes.  They have always arrived before their due date.  Thanks
With most people doing DVD's, it was a pleasure to find VHS tapes at bargain basement prices.  Some day I'll join the 21st century crowd...when VHS tapes are no longer available.
I was happy to get to order these tapes, because almost no one carries them any more.  What I was not happy with was the fact that the packs were open when I got the package, and one of the tapes was broken.  Other than that all is good.
I have a DVR, but I rely primarily on my VCRs that are working just fine.  Tapes have beome more difficult to find, so I tend to get them when I can.  I don't have any complaints about this product.  Every now and then, a tape is just not watchable in the VCR I use most, but (so far) the problem has been resolved by using a different VCR.  While the problem is not consistent, it could be the VCR and not the tape. In any event, I don't have any reason not to recommend this product.  The price is reasonable and there aren't a lot of options for us dinosaurs.
I'm not quite into the 21st century - yet, it takes me awhile.  I do have a DVD player and a new VCR/DVD that records on both CDs and tapes.  I have used Maxell primarily since way back when, and I have never experienced any problems.  Some tapes are ancient and I still use/watch them.  I am so afraid that any minute now they will cease making cassette tapes, so I am buying more now.  These standard tapes do a great job and are very clear.
These hard to find VHS tapes are excellent. We will continue to purchase them as we need more of them
We have a son who is Autistic and likes to use the older VHS recorder to make videos. It is hard to find these blamk tapes these days so we really were overjoyed at this find.
I've ordered these VHS tapes several times from Amazon. They're excellent quality & get the job done. Good for multiple tapings. I prefer VHS over a DVR because sometimes you want to tape a special news event & keep the tape, and these are perfect for that. Great price for the quantity, definitely recommend!
As advertised and listed. Maxell, what can one say about this products history, quality and value have always been a plus. So if you are a oldie and still use VHS, here is the one to use.
Have always been pleased with this product.  It is always good to have a copy of a show I like and can play it any time.
This tape skipped, when being recorded on, as they are no longer making this tape, and it was very old, having probably sat on the shelf for who-knows-how-long!! Once they stopped making VCRs, it seems they stopped manufacturing tape for them, and are now trying to sell off old stock! Since there is no "expiration date" on the box, you have no way of knowing how old it is, but the recording results do not lie . . . you get bad recordings that are not watchable!!
they are as advertisedthey work wellrecord with no problems at allimages are clear, voice comes out fine
My hubby & I still use our vcr's everyday and we need reliable video tapes. Maxwell has been a steady product. We're looking at dvr technology, but we get more on our tapes & my hubby doesn't get as annoyed with them. Long live the vcr.
I have been ordering this item for over 6 months, once, sometimes twice a month. In that time, I had maybe two or three defective tapes. This last shipment, the tapes had obviously being re-packaged (poorly, I might say) and closed with mailing tape. I assumed some kind of quality control had been done. Boy, was I wrong. 4 of the 8 tapes were defective (plastic case crushed in corner, or broken lid, and in one case, tape loose and off the spool.) Our nearest post office is over 5 miles away, and so is UPS. UPS will not pick up from my residence unless I am present to hand it to them. So, the nuisance value of a return makes this just not worth it. Beware buyers... you may be buying garbage.  Plus, the item description says "NEW", and in this case, it obviously was NOT TRUE!!! What a disappointment in Amazon. I have thought they were better than that.
Maxwell VHS tapes are very disappointing.  We tried recording programs.  When we played the tapes much to our chagrin, a majority of the tapes were defective.
All of the tapes performed excellently as I knew they would.  I was able to record and convert 3 movies to DVD without an error on any of them.
Standard packaging  and no surprises in such a commonly used product.  Maxwell has long been a dependable product and continues to be reliable.  No problem recomending thing product for as long as it is available.
Suprised, and glad, theses are still around.good tape for those who still enjoy (me) a good VHS tape.good job Maxell
It's VHS tapes.  If it tapes, how can it be bad?  I'm not picky on quality otherwise I'd go digital so if there are no physical damages (there weren't), then the tapes works good enough for me.
We liked the Maxell VHS Cassettes because we have used them before.  It is hard to find any VHS Cassettes so when I found them, I quickly ordered them.  We have been using them (me every day to tape my soap while I am at work) and my husband to tape and watch movies or programs later.
Have used about four out of the pack. So far so good. Video and audio are good. Meets my needs
We bought a VCR to be able to re-experience watching VHS like we did as kids. It's been a silly, fun indulgence for us. These tapes are terrific.
I have ordered tapes before. I am pleased that they arrive when they are supposed to. It is nice to still have a place to obtain VHS tapes since most stores no longer carry them.
These tapes are excellent high quality tapes and at a good price,unbeatable! I would recommend thse tapes to anyone,especially since you can't seem to find them in your local stores anymore.
I have been using Maxell tapes for about 20 years and they do a great job the tapes are very to use and good Quality
I ordered these, rec'd 'em in the mail and took 'em straight out to a friend of mine who was needing to do some recording for one of HER friends. 'Haven't heard any negative comments about how they perform. I'm thinking they're just fine. And.....'Can't beat the  price on these puppies!GET 'em!
I still use VHS to record tv shows and it has gotten very hard to find VHS tapes.  This is a lifesaver and saves on a cable subscription.
Fantastic recording tapes.  I much prefer tape to DVD and these tapes area great buy so I can keep recording my shows.
I USE THE BLANK TAPES FOR WHEN I AM GOING TO BE GONE FOR THE DAY AND WANT TO SEE A PROGRAM LATER IN THE DAY.
It is not the greatest tape around, but if you still have a VCR, these should work fine for you.
The tapes were as expected and work perfectly. The delivery was very quick. Maxell has the bigger writing area on the stickers and I like that.
I chose I like it because all but two of the tapes were to bad to use after the first five days
The Maxwell tapes are great for us. Since we still do use our VHS....Came in new condition and in plenty of time for us to use them. Just hoping tapes will be available in the future.
Not I. As with the former critique, I am not into all of this ''record everything on tee vee'' and watch it at some future time. I have more to do than that, thank goodness. However, when there is something I might want to watch and am not able to when it airs, the tapes are a great help.
My brother is stuck in the 70's, still tapes with a VCR, so he was thrilled when we found these blank tapes for him!
not really anything to say.  these are blank tapes, brand new.  so do not really now what else i am to stay.
These don't work and break the second you put them in any VCR. Garbage, do not buy - save your money!
I needed VHS tapes and considered this a  bargan price for eight tapes.  I've used them and they are a good quality tape. I've used Maxell tapes previously and would purchase them again if needed.
Tapes not of good quality - had to throw several away.  Tried using them on different machines and still got bad results.
I use quite a few maxell products, and I've never been disappointed.  These standard grade allow me to tape over them several weeks before they begin to have dragging or skipping, but I do push the limit sometimes (forget to date them).Highly recommend these standard garde 6-hr tapes - I am still w/the old equipment technology and love it more.
Great set of tapes i would reccomend this product yo all eho wit great productare looking for a grrat reliable product
This product was delivered in original packaging, within the scheduled delivery time.I've used these cassettes for years, and they always perform well. But, as with any analog tapes, they do eventually stretch out and distort, requiring periodic replacement.I use these cassettes for time-shifting and everyday recordings. There are better brands for archival recordings, but this does not concern me. Blank VHS tapes are for me a consumable product, and these do just fine for everyday recordings.
Just what I expected and wanted.  Great seller!
Buying a bunch of VHS tapes may sound odd, but they are used to record NFL games for later viewing. By fast forwarding through commercial the games are much more enjoyable.  Much cheaper than other venues.
I like using this product and I hope to always be able to buy it. I wish I could get more at one time
these must be old, very old unused tapes.On 2 identical dvrs  some of the programs taped showed many repetitive horiz. streaks, as if the tape was being stretched during the taping.so far of the 16 new tapes i have had to discard 3 without being able to watch what was recorded. i will not buy these nor sony tapes for my creating a dvd library.
the tapes were reasonable priced but the tapes were defectiveI agree with some other reviewsthe quality of the picture of the movie that I taped were not the greateddisappointed
Great tapes! Lucky place to find them,like looking for a dinosaur egg in the desert!!!! My vcr died finding for another one is almost impossible
The replacement tapes were also defective. The case was broken on one and there are others that have interference when taping. I suggest that you remove the rest of the lot from you warehouse.
The quality of the tapes was just okay.  After just a few uses the tracking was diffficult to stabilize. Next time I will try the premium grade.
I was pleased to discover availability of these VCR tapes, to keep my reliable system going a bit longer. Thanks for providing them! (th)
I know this is quickly becoming extinct but as I long as I still have a working VCR I may as well take advantage. It's still cheaper than paying for the DVR every month.I find this brand works well and lasts for quite a few tapings.
I have had to dispose of at least two of these video tapes because of an imperfect tape. So far the other ones have been fine.I have always used Maxell tapes and I still have old Masell tapes that are still videotaping beautifully. I guess they don't make tapes to last anymore. What a shame. I will now stick to Sony new tapes.
I know VHS is so yesterday, but I still have a VCR in good working condition, so I continue to use it.  I can use the tapes over and over again.  I don't like to clog my DVR with recordings so I transfer some of my recording to VHS to watch at a later time.  I do a lot of recording because I like to watch movies and documentaries when I want to, not necessarily when they are shown on TV.
VHS tapes are becoming harder to find I purchased these tapes to use for survelliance system to monitor activity around my home. The price was good and was glad to find this product still  exist in this world of cd/dvd use.
I have had this camera for less than two months, but I already know I bought a great camera.  After researching digital cameras for six months, talking to several people who have them, and reviewing what Consumers Report has to day, I settled on the Olympus C2040Z, which was one of the top rated cameras by CR for the money.  It takes absolutely great pictures, even at night without background lighting.  The color and sharpness are all that anyone could want.  Point and shoot - it couldn't be simpler.  This camera came with the super bright lense, which I highly recommend.  The menu is extensive, and I am sure I will be learning how to use the camera to its fullest potential for months and years to come.  So far, battery life has not been an issue.  I went through over 120 shots before having to change batteries.  I purchased a ZiO card reader with the camera which works great and helps conserve camera battery life.  It is a must-have accessory.  Bottom line:  I strongly recommend this camera.  One can hardly do better.
Couldn't get the software to operate properly on either of two relatively new computers. Good news: The operating system seems to recognize the camera as an ordinary storage device and handle file management just fine, which makes the clunky software from Olympus mostly redundant. Love the camera!
I had been wanting a digital camera for a while and had my eye on the 2040. I take a lot of pictures just for fun and film processing cost and delay were killing me. I wish I had bought one of these sooner.I've had mine for a week and I love it. I took a few test pics just using the default options and then connected the USB cable to my WinME PC. My PC then recognized the camera and then started my photo software. I was then able to manage the pictures on the camera as though it were a connected disk drive. I did not have to use the included software. The images look as good as the ones on my 35mm film camera.I also bought the optional 64MB memory card which gives me 128 HQ or 306 SQ1 shots. That's plenty for a day's work!The only downside is that lens cap. If it's on when you power up the camera balks as it tries to extend the lens. The AC adapter also seems a bit pricey but it looks like one of those have to have items.
I just bought one of these. Finding one was a challenge in itself. When I told Amazon to email when the item was in stock, I received an email from Amazon that I never received before. I was told it would be a long time before they would be available. Why, because nobody beats this camera.This camera sports the Super Bright 1.8 lense. This Olympus and the top of the line Olympus are the only two in the industry that have it. What it means is a larger opening, which lets in more light. Consequently, the auto shutter speed is faster, less chance to get a blurry shot. Also the background of the shot is brighter and more defined. I was in a camera store, the manager's personal camera was the C-2020, the predecessor to this one. He had shot a picture of a metal guitar, one with the 2040, and the other with the Nikon 950 (which is twice the money) He printed out a large 8&quot;x11&quot; glossy. Seeing them side by side, the definition in the shot was the same, I couldn't tell the difference, but the ivy leaves in the background surrounding the shot, were a lot brighter, instead of being dark and ill defined in the Nikon shot.Consumer Reports rated the predecessor C-2020 Olympus as being the number one camera in printed picture results, knocking out even the 3 and 4 megapixel cameras quality. Imagine that, 2 megapixels, half the money, yet the best results. Sounds like an avalanche trying to get in the door on that one. Well CR just came out with the November 2001 issue, and guess what, the C-2040 did it again. Making the number one spot, and this time they gave it special mention, because the quality rivaled that of the 3's and 4's. Usually a print out at 5x7&quot; size is what the 2 megapixel cameras are good for. Not this one, the crystal clear shot I saw was an 8 1/2 by 11.Ok, on to the camera. Some reviews, including CR, state that the menu was a little confusing. I did not find that to be the case. Shooting, zooming, previewing, deleting, downloading, etc is a breeze. When I tackle some of the more challenging tasks of manual settings, instead of the complete autofocus etc., maybe then I will learn what they are talking about.The picture clarity is unbelievable. I took a few shots of some metal objects, and thought something was strange, their was little dots on the metal. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the little flecks of dust. They were so clear blown up on a 19&quot; screen, something you would not see, little individual flecks of dust, bright and clear. The detail was phenomenal. The zoomed in upclose shot, looked like it was taken one inch away, and was larger than life. Like a real life microscope.The panorama feature, which was previously a Canon exclusive is nice. You can take up to 10 pictures, across a landscape, or a room for example, and then the Camedia software which is included pastes them together, which creates a single panorama. If you sent this shot to a friend, they would receive one pic, that they could navigate around, to see the entire room.One thing that really matters to me, is that this is also the best looking camera. It looks smart. Chrome body, with the larger black hub at one end was the style I was looking for before I learned of the C-2040. Many digital cameras have this metal early 50s look that I do not like. This camera is beautiful in its design.When I first picked it up with its .6 of a pound weight, and relatively small size, I thought it was a toy camera. Then when I took the lense cap off, and turned the camera on, the zoom lense gently whirred when it came out, and it was an immediate feeling of, this is high tech. Oh by the way, having had a Nikon FE with 80-120 zoom, (I still do) I wanted a zoom that was more than 2x optical. That feature was available once again, on more expensive cameras. The C-2040 has a 3X optical. Zooming in, and filling the frame with your subject, makes for a interesting shot, and the 3x is very nice for that. The Olympus model that is directly above this one, has a 10x zoom, but it doesn't have the 1.8 lense. For those of us who were into the 35MM SLRs, know all to well that the cameras with the 1.5s were more expensive lenses, and the 1.2s made the lense look like it was all glass.Also the 1.8&quot; LCD on the back is large, and crystal clear. Easy to read menu functions, and nice picture views.A few final notes, be careful buying one of these for a cheaper price, make sure the camera you buy has the US guarantee. Gray market cameras come without the guarantee. Digital camera repairs are running a couple of hundred dollars these days, so the warranty is nice.This camera also takes short movies, but they never replace a digital camcorder in that regard.The optional remote control is way better than a timer, which this also has, if you want to get into the shot. That way, your not stumbing over things to get into the shot, and you can wait until the ideal moment to take it. Also, you can fire away multiple shots once you are there.You definitely will want to get a larger smart memory card than the 8 meg they supply with the camera. A 64 meg is nice, and the 128 gives you over 300 shots in standard resolution. The panorama feature only works with Olympus cards, so be sure an pick up at least a 32 meg in Olympus and preferably a 64. Then go out and pick up an aftermarket 128 at a bargain, for relatively unlimited regular shooting. More than one card is advisable. Although the smart cards are pretty robust, going on vacation and discovering a defective card would be disasterous. So multiple cards, covers that base.Additionally the rechargeable batteries are nice. A fast charger with a 2 hour charge time is great. The lesser expensive chargers are overnight chargers. You will want to pick up an extra set of 4 batteries, in  addition to the 4 that come with the charger. It is a good idea to keep the lithium batteries that come with the camera in your camera bag, because they will last a couple of years in storage, and always be there in case you get stuck without charged ones.I bought two bags. One which is smaller, but large enough to hold the camera, batteries, and your smart cards, but not large enough to hold the charger, and your lunch. :-) I like that for local shoots and being small, it doesn't look like you were the hired photographer. The other one which is larger, for getaway weekends, is designed to hold your digital camera, with enough room for all of your gear, and even an SLR. Quantaray makes a nice black leather one for that. You may want to visit your local camera store, to actually see the style that most appeals to you, then come back to Amazon to take advantage of the prices.Their is an available AC adapter, but I chose to buy a stand alone Smart Card reader, that reads and writes. You park it on your desk, leave it plugged into the computer. Saves you from wearing out the electronics on the camera, and batteries don't become an issue. The one I bought is 10 dollars more but it reads and writes, that way I can download pictures from the computer also into the card, and then show them at my destination using the combined slide show feature, and the included cord to hook it up to any TV. Great for presentations.I guess I am getting kind of windy. I am just in love with this camera. Having had a 1 megapixel Sound Vision 209 Mini Cam with a fixed telephoto range, and limited capabilities for indoor shots, this camera is a quantum leap. The super bright lense, gives you great low light picture taking ability. Coupling that with an adjustable &quot;ISA&quot; setting of 100, 200, or 400, makes it all the more effective for different conditions. I had heard a professional photographer complaining of having only an equivalent of ASA 100 fixed setting on his Canon Digital elph, he obviously wasn't introduce to the C-2040.Using the camera with your PC is a breeze. You plug in the USB cable, or use the smart card reader I just mentioned, then just go into my computer, and you will see a new drive called removable drive. You click on it, and instantly see the file names of all of your pics. You can copy and paste the whole bunch into a new folder, they copy real quick, then just edit-select all, hit delete, and they are wiped from the cameras memory. A true Windows intuitive interface.Store managers personal use camera, Consumer Reports number one pick in the 2 megapixel category, and they are just plain back ordered at most places, shows you that this camera is the one to get.These features and quality at this price is a winner, considering that you will be picking up 150 to 250 dollars of extras no matter what model you buy. So it makes this one a nice comfortable price point. I know with the money I saved over buying a 4, is enough that I can probably pick one of those up in a year or two for the difference. Although I don't know why I would want one, considering the amazing quality of the C-2040.I'm in love with the camera, did I already say that? Find one and check it out. You will see what I mean.
I'm not up on the technical jargon, but I know what I like. And I like this camera! Unlike some previous reviewers, I've had NO problem with any aspect of installation and use. It worked like a charm right out of the box. Coupled with my new Phillips CD-RW I have been able to create a great system for storing pics on CD. And the camera itself is a breeze to use. The pics are great, and even at the lowest quality resolution, I can print a great 8 x 10 photo. I have been using NiMH rechargeable batteries, and they lasted for a month with lots of use. I find that the 32 mg card is plenty for me, and I can't think of anything else I would need for great pics with total ease of use. I highly recommend this to anyone!
I have a C-2020, which is a slightly older version of this camera model.  This has been a fantastic camera both in terms of quality, reliability and battery life.  Between some friends and myself we have just about every model in this family (C-2000 through C-3040) and we all love our cameras.Quality: I have taken hundreds of shots, mostly outdoor.  I tend to shoot at the high-quality jpeg level so I bought a 64MB smart media card.  Paired with my HP DeskJet 952 I regularly printout 4x6 prints on photo paper that are absolutely perfect.  I have printed a few 8x10 pictures and they are fantastic.  No one can believe they were taken with a digital camera.  I have to zoom in quite a ways with my photo editing software before I can see any pixels.  The only negative thing I can say is that I wish it had a better macro mode.Reliability: It has been rained on, splashed by a wave, and dropped a short distance onto a rock.  Despite all this it is still going strong a year and several hundred pictures later with no negative affects.Batteries: I use the rechargeable batteries and during heavy use they last 2-3 weeks.  During light use they last 3-6 months.  Compare this to most Kodak or Nikon cameras that last a few days of heavy use.A few comments on my accessories:Forget the 16MB card that comes with it.  I keep only mine as a back up.  You will want a 64 MB smart media card.I bought the Olympus T-CON14 tele-converter lens 1.45x (152mm equivalent) and I am very happy with it.  It can retail up to $200 but I shopped around on-line (I went to cnet.com and looked under "Latest Prices - Camera Accessories - Lens") and found it for around $79.  My next purchase is the wide-angle lens.I bought the Olympus Accessory Kit (which is the same for C-2000 through C-3040 models), mostly for the UV filter, adapter tube and 43mm-55mm step-up ring, and AC adapter.  I bought it for about $95, which is close to what all those things cost separate.  The mini-tripod, software, and case that come in that kit are not overly impressive but I considered those `free'.  The lens cleaning kit is handy.
I learned photography on an SLR, so in looking for my first digital camera, I was frustrated to find that most digital cameras in the price range I was looking for were point-and-shoot. In addition to an idiot-proof mode that is good for when you're not looking for a great deal of photographic control, this camera has Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and a manual mode that allows you to control both. I was thrilled to find a camera with these features for under $500!The optics on this camera aren't the greatest. An aperture of 1.8 @ 40mm is OK, and enables one to shoot in some pretty low-lighting situations as well as take some cool low depth-of-field pictures, but with a maximum f-stop of 10, high depth-of-field shots are compromised, and sunny conditions yield little control. The shutter speeds leave a little to be desired as well, ranging from 4 seconds (useless without a place to put a cable release!) to 1/800 of a second.I don't know how they compute a focal range of 40mm-105mm to be &quot;3x,&quot; but it is pretty adequate. I don't understand the benefit of some of these super duper zoom cameras: unless you're using a tripod and cable release, or you're shooting at a very high shutter speed, there's no way you can hold the camera steady enough to take a crisp photo. There is also a digital zoom, but that is nearly useless on any camera: all it does is &quot;enlarge&quot; the pixels. If you can get your paws on a copy of Photoshop, it is MUCH better for zooming and cropping photos.Being able to select the ISO speed myself makes it easier to make the transition to digital photography, but I don't understand why there would only be 100, 200, and 400 ISO equivalencies available on this camera.If you can afford a more expensive camera, you may be able to get more control, but if this is your price range, then this is THE digital camera to get. You won't find more for your money in any other camera.
This is our first digital camera.  (...)we researched a lot of cameras over the last 3 weeks and picked the 2040.  It works as well as advertised, with picture quality as we expected.  The picture quality was the deciding factor, and I think it can be attributed to the 'Super Bright' camera lens.  Low-light pictures are excellent, in fact better than my SLR (this may say more about my photographic skills, but you get the idea).  We also decided on sticking to cameras in the 2 megapixel range. For those who are new to digital camera, 2 megapixels will allow you to print photo quality pictures up to 8x10 inches.  This is adequate for most people.Pros:* Super Bright lens works as advertised - low light and natural light pictures are excellent.* Picture quality is superb - most of our pictures have been taken with the 3rd highest quality mode and look great.  This allows for 128 photos on a 64mb memory card.* Can be used as a point-and-shoot or fully manual camera.* Flash has degrees of brightness you can manipulate.* Photo transfer with USB port is quick and easy - the camera appears in My Computer as a Removable Drive, allowing you to look into the camera like any other folder, copy and paste the images and even delete them from the camera.Cons:* USB link has not worked as advertised in Windows 2000 but works like a dream with Windows 98.  I went to the Olympus website, where there are NO troubleshooting recommendations for Windows 2000 - just Windows 98.  So I emailed tech support, and he writes back with copies of the Windows 98 instructions I found, obviously not paying attention to the fact that I designated my OS as Windows 2000, had specific questions, AND that I had sent the link of the instructions I had found - the same information he emailed to me.  I asked for further assistance, and that was a week ago (the first response took 2 days).* Remote not included ... The timer can be used in the meantime.* No 'sepia' mode.  (You can tell we're trying to find faults...)This camera is probably the best bang for the buck out there.  ...All in all, an excellent first camera and a true value.
A feature that often determines the price of a camera (film or digital) is the quality of the lens. Unfortunately, the general public looks at magapixel or zoom numbers. I think this is why Olympus is looking towards competing with those numbers as opposed to continuing to produce 2 megapixel cameras with fast/bright lenses (which I'm sure costs much more for them to make anyway). The 2040 is one of those. Doomed for "close-out", this camera in my opinion is the best combination of a great lens and perfect resolution - by perfect I mean a good balance of clarity and memory used. Bear in mind that many 2 megapixels can take better pictures than some 3 megapixels. From what I see in stores nowadays, Olympus no longer offers 2 megapixel cameras with their F1.8 lenses. None of the other brands offer a lens this fast/bright at any megapixel.  Buy one of these now while they still have it if you want a professional level camera at 2 megapixels, a resolution which is much more than what most of us need.
Other reviewers have wrote at lenght about the technical aspects of this camera, you should read them. My c-2040 has been wonderfull as well. I like very much the lens wich is very clear, allowing pictures imposible with other cameras. It also has a lot of pro options wich makes it great afterwards. The learning curve is a little bit steep with some of the options, but  the manual is very informative (yes , you have to read it) .I was amazed by the fact that this camera  use the same interfase of the Olympus E-10 digital SLR, the only difference being the fact that the E-10 puts almost all the controls as buttons (great: you don't have to go in to a menu to change options before a shot).Do buy two 4 reachargeable batteries sets and a fast charger, this puppy eats power like crazy .
This is a wonderful camera.  The instructions that come with the camera are at once complete and concise.  It is versatile, it can take motion pictures, it is totally adjustable allowing for wonderful artistic control, and the price is very reasonable.
Olympus makes great cameras!!!! This camera is an exact replacement for one that was stolen & I was so glad I found it's twin. Simple to use & not too many bells & whistles. The most important feature is the lens, because of the images the camera produces. The only downside is the difficulty finding memory cards(apparently they aren't made anymore). This is an excellent camera for those who still like to look through a view finder &/or have trouble holding a small digital one.
I love my Olympus 2040. It takes awesome pictures at a great price. The colors are true and the detail is phenomenal. I bought it over the C-3030 or any other 3.3 megapixel camera because unless you're going to print pictures LARGER than 8 x 10, those extra 1.2 megapixels are a waste. 2.1 megapixels fits more pictures on a memory card, too. On my 128 mb card you can take 257 pictures at the default 1600 x 1200. A 3.3 megapixel camera could only fit 164 or so at its default resolution. 2.1 is actually the smarter buy! (3.3 megapixels can only print sharper pictures than 2.1 when PRINT size EXCEEDS 8 x 10. Below 8 x 10, it's virtually impossible to tell the difference between a print from a 2.1 megapixel camera and a 3.3 megapixel camera.)If you're considering the 2040, though, you might want to check out the C-700. you get sound with the movies (no sound on the 2040) and best of all a 10x optical zoom. The 2040 only has a 3x optical zoom (3x is equivalent to about 85mm, 10x is equivalent to 185mm traditional 35mm zoom lens. 3x zoom is merely "fine", nothing to jump up and down over.) Plus the C-700 has a new menu structure, although the 2040's really isn't that difficult if you spend some time with it.Be sure to add in the cost of a 64 mb SmartMedia card, though. The 8 mb card is just a waste of time unless you bump down the resolution to, say, 1024 x 768, which you can do in the menus. I recommend you buy at least one Olympus brand 64mb card since only Olympus brand cards can make use of the fun "stitch" panorama feature in the Camedia's software. You'll probably only use this feature once in a while, but when you do want to do a panorama (like I did atop the Eiffel Tower) it would be nice not to have to fuddle with changing to the tiny 8mb Olympus card.Other niceties: The 2040 while it doesn't come with a remote, is remote capable. Remote operates zoom and shutter. The lens cap now comes with a cord unlike its predecessors. The flash can be turned off, forced to flash all the time, or be set to auto. Also has red eye reduction.Dislikes: Power saver mode cannot not be turned off. Even with the LCD screen off, after a while the camera goes into snooze mode and takes a second or two to be available. If you hand your 2040 to someone to take your picture, be sure to wake it up for him, or like me, he'll end up confused as to why your camera isn't working. This is easily gotten around by anticipating a shot.ONE YEAR UPDATE:  I've had the 2040 for a year now and I still love this camera.  I've taken over 1,000 pictures and haven't had a single problem with it.  I did find out that the Camedia software (ver. 2.5) must have memory limitations, though.  I had about 550 pics in one folder (I'm building a house and collecting photo evidence in case the builder tries to gyp me)  and it just couldn't handle that many without crashing when I tried to run the slide show.  Simple solution was just to divide my collection into folders.  Buy this camera.  It's great!
Many will wonder why I wanted this camera now, with only 2.1mp when there are cameras out there with HUGE resolution and lots more bells and whistles. The answer is easy--I had this camera and lost it, and HAD to have another one like it (I actually bought TWO through AMAZON!!!)This little camera comes with a 1.8 "super-bright" lens which permits me to take wonderful photos in very low light, without the flash. It takes crisp, lovely pictures, and for my purposes, has all the bells and whistles I need. I'm usually taking pix to be seen on the internet, or for small (4x6in) prints. If I were taking pictures for HUGE prints, or for reproduction into a magazine (ha!) then the better resolution available with higher megapixel count would probably be better.I think I bought the only two available on Amazon, but I recommend it to anyone who can find one. MAKE SURE that the camera includes both the download cable, to import the pictures from the camera to your computer, and the AC connector cord, so that you don't have to waste your batteries downloading pictures using the camera's batteries.In case you are unaware of this, downloading your pictures uses much more of your battery's charge than picture taking, too. If you use a card reader, of course this wouldn't even come into play. But if you DO download from your camera directly into your computer, be sure the seller includes the AC adapter cord.This is, as far as I am concerned, "The Little Camera that Could" and I heartily recommend it.
I really like this camera, which has very good optical elements (an F1.8 equivalent lens) which is not seen in many lower-end digital camera. The light-gathering power is very good... and I even snapped shots off of a screen showing slides (with flash turned off), and only held by hand; it worked!The 2.1 megapixel image is plenty for the average user. This results in a shots that are about 405kb set on default settings (though you can change this), and images that are about 12&quot; by 20&quot; (can't remember exactly)... such that when they are printed the resolution is excellent (even to 8x10)! I saw 5 x 7 printed enlargements that I defy anyone to tell that they came from a digital camera.The menu system on the back screen is a bit confusing, but one gets used to it fairly quickly. A remote control might have been nice, but the timer-delay feature sort of obviates the need.My only real trouble was setting up the software/cable for downloading images (and ended up calling Olympus); the &quot;Camedia&quot; software is nearly worthless and I prefer to use PaintShopPro7 to edit shots (and any good graphic-editing program would work fine). Basically, you install a CD-ROM in your computer and it walks you through a procedure whereby you end up with a &quot;removeable disk&quot; entry in Windows Explorer (only when the camera is plugged in). The manual didn't clearly explain that. You simple open flap hatch on the side of the camera and plug in the cable (which you can leave attached to the USB port on your computer).As an aside, be advised that most digital cameras have a optical view-finder that does not fully &quot;agree&quot; with digital one. Only looking at the digital image preview will truly tell you what you are about to shoot. Of course, one can edit their shots later on a computer (croping, etc.)One MUST buy two additional things: 1) at least a 32mb SmartCard (the 8mb is good for about 16 shots) 2) a metal-halide battery pack and re-charger (and I'd only use the Olympus battery pack that came with it as a back-up set) 3) some sort of case (which the camera does NOT come with)... get one to also carry spare batteries and memory cards.All and all, in a sea of competing digital cameras, I really like this one. A good compromise.
I really like this camera.  The operating instructions included a quick start page of just the necessary basics to get started taking pictures.  The more detailed instruction booklet was clearly written and included diagrams.  This was very helpful. The camera's controls are easy to use.  The picture quality in daylight or flash is very good.  I had a problem connecting the camera to my computer through the USB port.  My computer running Microsoft XP wouldn't recognize it and would freeze up.  The software that came with the camera did not seem to help.  I currently download pictures to the computer through my hp Photosmart printer which can read the smart card. A little round-a-bout, but workable for now.  Overall, however, I am very satified with the camera.
I have had this camera for about two weeks and absolutely love it.  It is extremely easy to set up and use.  Very intuitive, so you can have success if you just skim the manual (my method).  The images are terrific.  I purchased a SanDisk USB thingy which is a much simpler way to transfer the images to my computer than by hooking up the camera, and keeps me from having to have an AC/DC adapter for the camera.  I don't use the Olympus for video, so the lack of sound is not a huge deal for me.  The price is right, the technology is great and I could not be happier.
The camera comes with an easy set up extra instruction sheet.  Easy?  Sounds good. First the Olympus batteries wouldn't fit. Wife says &quot;Take it back&quot; Finally a VERY hard push got them in.  Second the SmartMedia memory card wouldn't connect. Wife says &quot;Take it back&quot; Finally a hard push got it in.  Third was setting the time.  This was a major production due to the very complex menu.  &quot;Wife says &quot;Take it back&quot;  Finally it's time, maybe, to take a picture.  Turned camera on.  No picture on the back screen. Hmmmm, this is not good.  Re-read the easy set up extra instruction sheet word for word.  Wife says &quot;Take it back, it doesn't work&quot;  Finally in very tiny print we find that there is a &quot;monitor&quot; button.  Take some snaps.  So far this was the easy part.  Installed the Camedia software on PC which comes with virtually zero documentation.  Plugged in the USB cable and camera.  Win98SE sees camera but doesn't find a driver.  Easy set up instruction says nothing about software or drivers.  The thick, mostly foreign language instruction book says see driver instructions on the Camedia disk.  I look and look and look.  No driver instructions could be found on the disk.  Based on previous PC experience I point Win98SE to the Camedia disk sub sub directory for drivers.  Win98SE finds driver. Whew. All is good, so I think.  Boot up Camedia and attempt to transfer pictures from camera to Camedia.  NO GO.  Camedia can't find camera.  Call a friend for help.  Friend tells me actually the camera is now just another hard drive.  Shut down the worthless Camedia and let Windows98SE go find the new Olympus hard drive.  FINALLY I find the snaps on the Olympus drive and insert the snaps into some family email.  Time to call it a very long night.
Purchased with a 128MB flash card, which gives about 120 low-compression JPEG 1600x1200 images.  I'm very happy with the image quality, but it takes the camera about 1.5 seconds to focus &amp; shoot from initial shutter press, which is too slow for my style.  However, you can pre-focus by holding the shutter down halfway which reduces the shoot time to about 0.1 sec.The autobracket, white balance, priority and full manual, and flash intensity features are welcome (and necessary for many shots), but it takes a lot of button pushing to access them in the menus.I don't have much use for the QuickTime movie feature; the 320x240 resolution is too low to be useful and it eats RAM like crazy.If you buy this camera, I highly recommend you also purchase the Olympus CLA-1 lens adapter tube and a 43mm filter for same, to get some armor on the delicate zoom lens.
I love the reviews by people that have purchased this camera.  I just ordered it along with a bundled kit that contains a 32Mb card, charger, case and batteries.  The only unfortunate part is that I found mine through ZDnet for $100 LESS.
This is my first digital camera bought after researching the web reviews. I took 16 pictures at a 4th of July parade and the results were fantastic. It's easy to use the default mode and just point and shoot with excellent results of clarity and color saturation. I made 2 4x6 prints on my HP 932 and people couldn't believe these weren't photo lab quality. I tried the software on a Windows 95 computer and couldn't get it to work (possibly no Windows 95 driver on the disk) but my Windows ME with USB had no problem with fast downloads.
I spent weeks researching digital cameras and the more reviews I read, the more undecided I became. But, in the end I bought an Olympus C-2040 digital camera. The main reason why I decided on the C-2040 is the fact that it has the new super bright f1.8 lens. Digital cameras in general have had a history of taking poor quality pictures in low-light situations. The C-2040 and its bigger brothers the C-3040 and C-4040 have same super bright lens, which in my book is the best lens on the market for the price. The only disappointment that I have with the C-2040 is the fact that I have to use the SHQ mode to get anywhere near the quality of pictures that I desire. I am a graphic/web designer and I am by far so much pickier than what the average photo enthusiast would be. So, I have decided to return the C-2040 and I have ordered the 3.34 mega-pixel C-3040. The average user will be more than satisfied with the C-2040 and its list of features. However, if anyone is as picky as I am, I demand only the best in my images. In another year or two I hope to upgrade to a 4+ mega-pixel SLR digital camera and when I do, Olympus will be the first manufacturer that I will look to.
The Pro90 IS is my third digital camera and it is the best of the bunch. It is a great package of quality images and an outstanging lens. While it is a little large to carry with you everywhere you go, it is worth the effort to take it with you nonetheless!!
I am a great fan of this camera.  I've used point-and-shoot 35mm cameras for years, always being intimidated by the jump in expertise needed for a &quot;real&quot; SLR camera where all the decisions were not automated.  After a trip to Alaska, I was intensely disappointed with my pictures from the point-and-shoot.  Most wildlife photos were of the &quot;See that brown dot? It's a moose!&quot; variety, and many of my photos on snow or glaciers were overwhelmed by all the brilliant white in the image.  I'd always told myself I'd one day go digital, but always thought the technology wasn't &quot;ready&quot;.  When I returned from Alaska, and saw this camera, I decided the technology was ready, or at least I was! I was initially attracted by the 10x zoom, and was further impressed by the image stabilization, and the ability to go &quot;full auto&quot; on all the technical settings, yet ease myself into setting such things as f/stop, white balance, and shutter speed myself.  The camera has fulfilled all my expectations. It takes fine pictures in most circumstances if you let the camera make all the decisions, but you have the ability to experiment with manual settings yourself, and the quick availability of the digital image means you can learn faster, and without having to wince over paying for film and developing.  I bought the camera only a few days before leaving on a trip to Florida, focusing on the Everglades.  I got some excellent photos using the telephoto lens, and the image stabilization made using the maximum zoom easy, even with handheld shots.  I used automatic settings almost exclusively for the Everglades trip, but now am practicing and experimenting with the manual settings. I have a few minor quibbles, though they do not detract from my positive feelings for the camera:  1) The camera is a bit slow--If you want to spend most of your time taking pics of athletic events or similar places where &quot;split second&quot; photography is needed, it may not be a good choice.  It has a maximum frame rate of about 1.5 seconds per shot.  2) The battery life is workable, though I did need to shell out for a second battery (about $75, though they are rechargable).  One reason for this is because I chose to use the camera with IBM Microdrives, which have a huge photo capacity, but put more drain on the battery. 3) The camera is certainly less convenient than a point and shoot to carry around, but compared to a 35mm SLR with a 370 mm lens, it is VERY easy.  I doubt I'd even notice this if I wasn't used to sticking my teeny Olympus point-and-shoot in my front pocket and forgetting about it!  If you use any digital camera while travelling, I suggest you consider getting the Iomega Fotoshow to store your pictures and free up your memory cards for more shooting.  It also makes a convenient way to review and show off your pictures on a television set. 4)  The price is a bit stiff, but if you want a camera of this class, you are going to have to bite your lip and pay up!
This is one great professional grade camera. The zoom ring on the lens is a nice feature. The picture clarity is very good for 2 MP but I believe the lensis more important that how many megapixels there are.The camera is a bit slow to start  up (4 seconds) and charges the battery in the camera.It's also quite big and heavy. It's about the same size as a Panasonic Lumix FZ30.I would recommend this camera and own one myself.It also has lens threads so you can add a macro or wide angle or a filter to it.It's made in Japan.
I recently recieved this camera and i love it! I prevouisly owned an Olympus D-360L, which was a great first camera. This camera is an amazing upgrade. The only negative, that i have encountered, and it is not a big one, is slow start up time from when you first turn on the camera to when it acutally starts working. The zoom is great, the features are easy to use and the battery is long lasting. The dials that control the camera make it much easier to change between features then on cameras with complicated menus. I purchased a 64 mb. card, which also increases this cameras versitility. I love this camera, and it takes great pictures. I also use it wiht a P-400 printer, and the prints look great.
The Canon Pro 90IS Digicam has basically been everything I wanted in a "Super Zoom" all-in-one SLR style camera. The Image Stabilized 10X Optical Zoom is great and has given me opportunistic shots that I would have missed either due to the need for a tripod mounted shot with my A40 or acceptance of a blurred image! Focusing problems, slow lag times and short battery life have been a few problems I'm learning to overcome. Even though it was discontinued,  I still made the purchase for the overall features and have obtained some great pictures.  Although most of my picture portfolio (torretab) was taken with the Canon A40, my Pro90 gallery can also be seen at Webshots.I am disappointed that Canon seems to have chosen to not to upgrade this camera. As a new user of the Pro90 and relatively newcomer to digital photography,  I need to experiment and find solutions to the quirks of the Pro90. Thanks to all who have posted comments here. Your successes (& failures) help a great many of us!
The others who said great for kids where right.  This camera sucks.  It was cool at first, I was excited about having a webcam/digital camera.  Well, the webcam is better than the camera.  Though it shows the video way too close up, and there is nothing to mount it to.  And the usb link cord is way too short.  The digital camera, oh my, that't not good at all.  There is no flash, even in light, it's still dark.  It takes tiny pictures.  After a little while, the only way you can use the camera is to keep it hooked to the computer, which means you can't go far.  I thought my batteries were dead, but that wasn't it, it just doesn't work.  The webcam still works but it sucks.So I don't even recommend spending $20 on it.  Save your money and get something better.
After reading a couple other reviews I was not expecting a lot from this camera.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got it.  It's easy to use.  It installs flawlessly in W98SE.  The photos are actually quite good.  It doesn't have a flash, so don't expect to take photos in low light.  The software that comes with it is very nice.  I actually unpacked this camera and had pictures on my computer in about five minutes.  If you don't have a quick, convenient way to get photos into your computer this is an excellant low-priced option.  It does do a short video clip also, which astounds me for the price of the camera. This is a great way to get started with digital photos.
This camera is a complete piece of junk. You get what you pay for, plain and simple. When you spend the same amount of money on a digital camera that you'd spend on a hair cut well... I wouldn't even sell this thing on eBay.
OK, so you don't get a lot of fancy features with this camera--but for the price it's really quite a nice little bargain for someone who wants to try digital photography! Great to take along on a trip or give as a gift to a young photographer. And it comes with ArcSoft software that you can use to make greeting cards and photo collages with any image, not just the pictures you take with this camera.
I bought this for my son last year. Its a great &quot;toy&quot;! The quality of the pictures are not very good. But try telling thatto a six year old who is in awe looking at the pictures he captured. Its affordable and durable. He once left it in the yardand because it rained I was certain It was a goner. Once it dried. It still works! So for that I give it 5 stars!!
...  The unit would _apparently_ take pictures, but included software always said no pictures in the camera to acquire, and the webcam program showed a black screen then crashed.  Tried alternate USB card, reinstall of software, even reinstall of windows (98se), at tech support request, no go.They shipped a replacement.  The replacement unit works as a webcam, but still always shows no pictures to download into the acquire program, so its useless away from the computer...
Despite what the documentation claims, this camera is not supported by Windows XP.  windows XP installs its own drivers before the camera has a chance to install its own drivers, and then it takes forever to override Microsoft to install the proper drivers for this camera.  If you don't really know what you're doing, you'll never be able to install this camera on XP.Not that that's a bad thing.  Because once you jump through all the hoops to install this guy, you wonder why you bothered.  The picture quality is miserable, (espcially in video mode--I think my daughter's Barbie camera takes better photos), it shuts off after 30 seconds of not being in use (so if you're trying to take a posed picture of a baby, *forget* about it!), and it doesn't come with an AC adapter.Ugh, is all I can say. Ugh.I took this camera back to Office Max the day after I bought it.  The only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of the 1 star my experience says it deserves is because a friend of mine was able to take a few decent outside photos with it.  But for me, trying to get this camera to work was two hours of my life wasted.
I like almost everything about the C-3040. It is indeed, user friendly, very well thought-out.unlike the Nikon coolpix 995, which i also own. with the Olympus, i can make onboard computer changes quite fast.but.......with the type of photography i do, the camera fails.the problems that the C-3040 and other digital cameras have , that should come to an end quite soon, i hope, are; 1)slow computer speed after a shot has been taken.and 2)have to use a lower quality picture mode to stop action, under low light conditions. (like SQ1) you will get grain . what's the sense of having a 3 or 4 meg camera when you can only get that quality under ideal shooting conditions?
this camera takes excellent pictures, even under extreme lighting conditions, like complete darkness and with the bright sun in the background. i was impressed. note that when you look thru the viewfinder, your nose will touch the lcd and make the screen dirty. also in win2k, when i hook it up via usb cable i get bluescreen crashes! win2k USUALLY is stable compared to win9x/me. i hooked this thing up to my winME computer and it worked flawlessly. another point: the control to zoom in and out is right by the shutter release button and you have to use you right index finger to zoom. this is not good because you have to take your finger off the shutter release button, which is just wrong! they should have designed it so you could zoom with your thumb while your index finger stayed on the shutter button. make sure you get rechargable batteries and some smartmedia with this baby. i picked this camera up for under $....
My Olympus C-3040 was delivered on Aug 27, 2001 and I've taken more pictures with it in these 4 months than I did in the last 4 years with my SLR.  It's simply a fun camera to use, and I'm sure I haven't even used half the features, yet!  I won't list every great feature because the reviews that have been posted cover everything in detail, but I will relate some of my experiences:- buy a 128 MB SmartMedia card, but only the OLYMPUS card will allow automatic stitching of panoramic shots.  The included 16 MB Olympus card has this feature, but the Viking 128 MB card does not.- buy a charger with 4 batteries plus 4 extra batteries.  Keep in mind that most people like to use the display all the time, so batteries will run out quickly.  I only use the display to review the pictures taken, 99% of the time I use the viewfinder to take the picture.  Consequently, I get great life out of my batteries.- the automatic mode works for just about every situation.  The only problem I've had was taking pictures of a Christmas tree with lights, which seemed to confuse the focus and every picture came out blurry.  I had to read the manual and when I put it on manual focus the pictures came out sharp.- although a large-capacity SmartMedia card will NOT increase the length of the video clips (75 seconds is the max), it WILL allow you to store several 75-second movies.- I bought a USB card reader that does both Compact Flash and SmartMedia.  It works so well that I've gotten in the habit of taking pictures of just about everything.  For example, I bought a power tool that I wanted to tell my buddy about, so I just shot two quick pictures, downloaded them, an emailed them to him.  &quot;A picture IS worth a thousand words&quot;.  Popping the memory card out of the camera and into the card reader is a snap, and it doesn't use any of the camera's battery.- the included Remote Control makes self-portraits a snap; no more hurrying to get in position before the red light blinks; and you can take several remote control pictures in a row if you like.
I have had this camera for several months now, and I am extremely happy with it. I find that this camera is easier to use than I expected (but that is not the same as simple). Don't lose the manual! Nevertheless, most of what you need to do often (resolution, macro, etc) are easy to remember. A negative is that the display can be difficult in bright light. Plusses are excellent optics, fine color and edge rendering, light weight, and availability of storage media at a reasonable price. The USB connection makes it very easy to move my photos from the camera to a PC (and relatively fast). This is a high quality camera in every way.
This camera is a first class piece of workmanship,with a couple of exceptions.1) The lens cap is the biggest piece of S**T! The design engineer should be hung, it will cause you to destroy the camera out of frustration! It doesn't stay put. Buy four extra.2) The tiny flash card should NOT be a purchasing point! A 128 MB card is a must3)The battery's that come with the camera are useless, buy rechargeable ones. The camera should come with a charger and rechargeable battery's
I upgraded from another Olympus, and found this one to be great fun in taking pictures, accepted an up-grade Smart Media card, and does what I expected.....except for one thing.The USB connection between the software and the camera didn't!  On three different computers running current editions of Windows 98, the computer couldn't find the camera.  A card-reader solved the problem, and, on balance, offers improved speed.  I was just surprised that the included software didn't read the camera.Otherwise?  superb
I agree wholeheartedly with the many others on this site who have already told you about the excellent image quality this camera can produce. It's truly exceptional! Even on its default image-quality setting of &quot;HQ&quot; (medium), image quality is superb.I'm not a digital camera expert, although I've been using a Canon A-1 35mm SLR for 22 years. I've spent almost a year researching my digital camera alternatives - I should have switched earlier! The end results I got from the 3040 using its out-of-the-box &quot;point-and-shoot&quot; settings are substantially better than what I've generally been able to previously achieve in my years with a Canon A-1. Compared to several other digital cameras I've tried, I find the TV output from the 3040 is superior - very high quality. Note: some reviews I've seen say this camera supports both PAL as well as NTSC TV outputs. Olympus tech support web site says no: it's one or the other but not both. USA models only support NTSC - European models only support PAL.I found the camera easy to use and set up for the first time. The documentation is adequate and accurate but could use some help in the readability department. The supplied Camedia software is very ordinary, there are much better software products available at very low cost. USB connectivity to Windows Millenium worked great, dragging and dropping picture files couldn't be easier, although other software packages have a nice &quot;Transfer all pictures from the camera to a specific folder&quot; function that isn't available with the supplied Camedia software. If you connect the 3040 to your computer using USB, read the manual for the Camedia software carefully! The apparently obvious &quot;My camera&quot; icon on the Camedia PC screen is in fact non-functioning when USB-connected. The QuickTime movie function of the 3040 works well and is adequate for casual use but it won't replace your camcorder anytime real soon.To get the best use out of your camera, expect to purchase several accessories not provided in the box:  1. The provided 16MB SmartMedia is pitifully small - replace it with a 64MB or larger. I use a 128MB Olympus card (the *only* SmartMedia card that currently supports Olympus' panorama feature).  2. Buy an AC adapter to minimize use of the rapidly-consumed batteries - especially when uploading photo's to the PC or displaying photo's on the TV.  3. Buy two sets (that's eight altogether) of rechargeable lithium ion batteries - and a charger, if you don't already have one. Taking a lot of pictures - especially with flash, uploading pictures to your PC or showing photo's on your TV consumes batteries very quickly! The batteries provided in the box are not rechargeable!  4. Buy a protective case to carry your camera, spare batteries, and spare SmartMedia card.I marked this camera down to four stars solely because of its price. I think Olympus needs to include several, or all of the items I found myself buying as &quot;accessories&quot; above. Having said that, don't be afraid to shell out the money for this camera - you won't be disappointed with the end results. At the end of the day, that's what really matters isn't it? This camera takes really, really great pictures - no if's, and's, or but's. Enjoy!
I've lusted after a digital camera of my own for over 5 years now, but only recently made the leap to get one. A great deal of comparison shopping (and some time spent with a friend's Kodak which I found close to useless) lead me first to the C3030, then to the C3040 when it was released. First off, the enhancements to the C3040 make it definitely worth getting, if only for its storage-class USB interface. This means that you can plug it into a Mac, or a PC running Win 2000, Me or XP and access the pictures WITHOUT installing drivers. I can't say enough about how wonderful that is, especially given the flakey nature of some drivers I've encountered. Next up, the big negative: No built-in battery recharger. This, I don't like. It's too easy to drain the batteries accidentally with this camera. Definitely buy the AC adapter for it and use it any time you plug the camera into your computer. My experience is that this is when you're at the greatest risk of draining your batteries. It's also not a bad idea to get a set of rechargeable batteries. The video mode is nice, but be aware that a bigger memory card will not necessarily allow longer movies to be recorded. It seems that when you record a movie, it stores the video in its internal memory, then copies that to the memory card. I've gotten video of 30-60 seconds at a time, and that seems to be the limit. Another note on the video format: The QuickTime format that's recorded is not widely recognized. The Apple QuickTime player will play it, but other QT "compatible" apps generally don't. If you want to convert it to MPG, AVI or RM, you'll need to use either the full QuickTime app ([amt.] from apple). I've heard about, but not tried, a freeware app from abc.com which will also read these files. One would hope that future releases of this camera will include the full QT on the CD. One last warning: I found cheaper prices for this on the internet from an assortment of camera stores, but without fail, all those stores would only sell the camera at those lower prices if you bought an overpriced accessory pack along with it. Otherwise, they tended to claim that they were out of stock (in one case, I was told that the camera was discontinued (2 months after introduction!) and that I should get the C4040 instead). Amazon's recent price drop brings them in line with the few camera stores I found with allegedly good reputations, and I know I can trust amazon to deliver what's promised.
I have had this camera for a couple of months and have really come to lke working with it. I consider myself a serious amatuer photographer and have a range on Nikon cameras and a darkroom in my home.  This is my first digital camera and it had to do alot to make me happy given my background with film.The camera is very easy to use and the menu system is quite straight forward.  For everyday pictures of friends and family the automatic program mode offers very good point and click shooting.  I do not hesitate to let others snap away with it.  On the flip side, if I want to take photos requiring more control of the cameras functions I've been able to do so without having to resort to the manual.  Exposure compensation, flash control (red eye reduction, synch, exposure comp), aperture and shutter priority modes are all very easy to manipulate through the menu and cursor.  There are still a few controls that I've not yet tested and that I think says much about the depth of functions given how much I've tried to push this camera.The images are quite sharp and very esy to work with.  All of my computers run either Windows ME, 2000 or XP andthey all support plug and play USB so getting files from the camera to the computer has been very easy.  I've used this camera with at least a half dozen computers without any trouble.I have a few complaints, but I think these are endemic to digital cameras and not limited to this model.  The camera uses batteries quickly.  I wish there were more and better lens accessories.  I would especially like to work with graduated nuetral density filters for landscape shots.  Memory cards are expensive.  If you buy this or any digital camera you should consider at least a couple 64 or 128 MB cards and rechargeable batteries.  Adding these will boost your purchase price by a few hundred dollars, but will make your shooting that much more enjoyable.  In standard mode this camera will take 80 pictures on one 64 MB card.  Given that you can delete bad shots instantly this is like having three or four roles of 36 exposures in one camera.I would not hesitate to buy this camera again.  However, if you have some additional money to invest I would consider the Camdia 4040 which is basically a 4 megapixel version of this camera.
This camera is incredible! With all the features it's one of the lowest priced and versitile camera's I've found (and I did alot of research before purchase). It's got BW, sephia, white board, black board and normal modes. You can adjust white balance, flash intensity (it also has an external flash output), shutter speed, ap. opening, picture format (HQ JPEG, SHG JPEG, TIFF, etc), etc. It's got a movie function that will record high quality video (better than my Sharp 8mm camcorder) and audio for upto five minutes! It's very easy to attach things like a wide angle or telescopic lens with a tube adaptor. It's a 3.3 megapixel camera, but Olympus has a better quality 3.3 than other cameras (I know, 3.3 is 3.3, but the pictures speak for them selves). It's got a tripod mount, timer, red-eye reduction, and remote control (that's right, it's got a remote control). It's got 3X optical zoom (meaning it uses lenses to zoom) and 2.5X digital zoom (meaning it blows up the image losing resolution). On top of all this, mine has taken a helluva beating (extreme cold, droppage, even mud), but there's no stopping it! You will love this camera!
I have owned an Olympus 340 for two years and I've been very happy with it...but I felt like I needed to graduate to the next level.  The quality and features were not as good as I would have liked.  So, after MUCH research where the Olympus 3040 was frequently popping up, I bought it about a month ago.  My first set of photos, when I still hadn't learned how to use any of the features, printed beautifully!  Stick them in a frame and you'd have trouble telling them from a 35mm photo!  That is what I was looking for in a digital camera!  The only problem I might mention is just that I've been using it for a month and I still cannot figure out how to use much of it!  The menus are not very intuitive and I end up doing a lot of searching when I want to do basic things like change the default photo quality setting or use the timer!  I'm sure I'll learn it all soon, but I think they took a step backward on the "user-friendliness".  But, for the HUGE upgrade in quality, I wouldn't go back to my 340 for anything!
...I have been very happy with this camera.  It is simple to use, and the Olympus Camedia software is very good.  Users can begin snapping pictures immediately by just reading the quick start guide that comes in the package.  Software installation was easy, and I like the fact that it connects via USB and that my computer sees the camera as another storage device (I am on Windows 98).  Moving pictures from the camera to my hard drive is as easy as clicking and dragging or copying and pasting.There are many advanced settings, like aperture, exposure, etc.  I don't understand any of those yet, so I haven't touched them.  The camera is smart enough to make the adjustments for me.  Give me some time, and I'll start monkeying with the more advanced settings.I HAVE played with the resolution quality, and found it easy to change by navigating on the camera's menu.  I have also taken Black and White photos, color photos, and something called Sepia, which makes the photo look like an old fashioned picture you may have taken at Knott's Berry Farm or Disneyland.One neat feature that I found was the ability of the camera to capture sound and video in QuickTime format.  I took a 30 second clip of video at the office just for fun.  I don't know how much I'll use this feature, since if I really wanted to do a decent "family event" video, I'd go out and buy a digital camcorder, but it was kind of neat and easy to do.The only thing I didn't like was the battery compartment cover.  On a camera that has a very solid, almost German sedan-like feel to it, I was surprised that the cover seemed rather flimsy.  I sense that if I do not exersise care while closing the cover after inserting a new battery, that the cover may snap at the hinges.My wife was able to use the camera after only the briefest of tutorials, so that in itself was worth the purchase price.  My son enjoys mugging for the camera, and he especially enjoys being able to look at the picture immediately after pressing the button.I've read reviews that comment about the high price tag, but think about it.  It is an Olympus camera that looks great, takes great pictures, and is super simple to use.  It has advanced features for the expert photographer, but the menu is easy enough for novices.  ...
This camera is wicked.  Only way to get anything better is to go get a pro camera !  This is good for me - full manual, full auto or anywhere in between.  In airplanes you need to cotrol the F-Stop manually.  No prob - just go to a/s/m mode on the dial and press up/down to change f-stop and left/right to change target light level and shutter speed is adjusted autmoatically.  And the lens does collect light like no other.  1/40-1/80 shutter at nighttime stadium at ISO100 and 1/200 shuutter at ISO400.Cool thing with the digital zoom.  Bump down your resolution to 1024x768 and use up to 2x of digital zoom with no quality loss (a 2048x1536 picture is taken and them middle 1024x768 is kept).  max Digital zoom is at advertised 2.5x at 2048x1536, 5x at 1024x768, and 7.5x at 640x480 (Multiply by the 3x Optical zoom!  -- 22.5x total zooming power if you don't mind quality loss from full digizoom and shooting at 640x480 (I use 1024x768 at the games for 3xO/5xD/15Xtotal.).
I have had the 3040 for about 6 months now, and am very pleased.  I find it easy to use and it takes fantastic pictures.  I am not an experienced photographer, but am finding the size and versatility of this camera to be great.  I am glad I did not buy a point-and-shoot.  While the 3040 is as easy to use as a point-and-shoot, the ability to add lenses and external flash will allow it to grow with me.  My only complaint is that many of the features are buried in the 2nd and 3rd levels of a menu, making them less convenient to access.
There really two perspectives here, one from someone who has owns/uses a high-end Nikon (2 1/2 *), and the other from a new digital camera user (4 1/2 *).  I point this out because mid-range digital cameras are NOT really going to placate all of the needs of the amateur photographer, but may be appropriate for your situation.  Caveat photographer.The biggest adjustment I've had with the C-3040 is the slowness in taking pictures -- delays of 1  to 5 seconds (fresh batteries, not including the startup time for the lens to extend to the default setting) before the photo is actually grabbed.  While fine for still life, this is a problem for truly spontaneous photos, such as of one's kids.  Expect blurry pictures on anything that's moving at more than a walking pace.A second criticism is the flash seems too bright and colors wash out.  You can compensate for this in Photoshop, but I don't really think you should have to.On the positive side, uploading pictures is extremely easy: on my Win2000 machine, I just plug the camera in, and the camera's pictures appear as a removable device.  Just cut and paste to your local machine.Resolution is very good and services like Ofoto can print up to 20x30&quot; prints from the default (2048x1536) image size.  (With a 128Mb memory card, you can get 162 pictures at this resolution.)The menu system in the camera is fairly extensive and you can alter default behavior such as turning off the camera's beep, changing color mode, shutter speed, color balance, date, and resolution.  Another nice feature is you can enable verbose data display, which will show you what settings were used for each photo.The movie feature is actually more fun than I thought it would be.  Pictures are jumpy and the audio is fair, but I enjoy having it as an option.  You can record up to 74 seconds in one swoop -- this is a limit of the camera's internal memory, not the memory card size used.
I started with a Olympus 400Z I think. 1280x960 still printed great 8.5x11 on my photosmart. Now I've got 3.3 mega pixels, and I can't wait to print one of those at that size.---------------------------------Things I love:Quality of photos3.1 high resolution photos/second, to capture the action. I took some pictures of my daughter whipping a bubble wand around in a circle. With a regular 35mm camera I would have wasted 10 shots using the same approach. I got some spectacular action shots which you can see at ..., userid=jpayne.Takes great indoor pictures. No problems with red-eye, and I am pretty sure I haven't even been using red-eye reduction. The Nikon Coolpix cannot be used for indoor pictures, if you believe the reviews.QuickTime movies are a great way to share an experience with loved ones. I use the 320x240 (I think) resolution with sound. 75 seconds of that produces about a 24Mb .MOV file, which QuickTime 4+ can read and play back. In order to share that with my family on the east coast, I had to fork our $29 to apple to get the quicktime pro, which allowed me to compress that movie. That quality goes down, but I was able to produce a decent movie with a size of 1Mb instead of the original 15Mb (this was a 45 second movie). Awesome.  The fact that sound is part of the movie is critical. The Nikon Coolpix 990 doesn't have sound with its movies.I copy the images to my laptop with a PCMCIA card. I just plop the smartmedia card into the PCMCIA card that's already inserted, and the "Removeable Disk" appears in Windows Explorer, and I can copy megabytes of data/second onto my hard drive. Don't waste your time with the FlashPath floppy adapter.I manage my images with ThumbsPlus by cerious software (...). For $75, this is a dream come true for photo management software. In addition to all the image manipulations you could ever want, it also allows you to (a) apply a similar operation to a whole set of images at once, (b) associate keywords with each image, (c) allows you to associate user-defined fields to each image. The result of which, you can perform queries of the form: "Find all imagines with Mom, Dad and Madeline, in Hawaii, out doors, in 1999". Up pops a slice of your image database in seconds. Sure beats combing through photo albums (that I never get around to putting together anyway!)I like the panoramic mode very much.  The software does a good job of stitching the images together for you.  You need the olympus card, though - the feature is disabled without that card.The camera is nice and small.---------------------------------Things I don't like:The lens cap doesn't automatically come off, so you MUST remember to remove it before you turn the camera on, or else you will hear a grinding noise as the camera lens tries to extend. I am already over this.You cannot zoom when you make QuickTime movies if you are recording sound.  When you try to zoom, it does a digital zoom instead of an optical zoom.  Why bother?The speed at which the camera copies images and movies to and from the smartmedia is less than inspiring. SO you will take a QuickTime movie for 75 seconds, and then wait another 45 seconds while the movies is copied to the smart media. Then when you want to play it you will wait another 45 seconds while it's copied back into the 32Mb internal buffer. I usually just play the movie back on my laptop, which can copy to/from the smartmedia in seconds (actually, it just plays the movie directly off the smart media card).Previously I had mentioned I had trouble with 128Mb smart media cards, but it turned out to be the card.  I wasn't able to determine the brand of that card, otherwise I would warn y'all about it---------------------------------You can go to ... and look for albums from userid=jpayne to see some of the photos I have taken with the camera.  The pictures are all taken in the highest resolution, and most of them are taken at highest quality as well.
I had been using the Olympus D-460 Zoom the past six months and was very pleased by the quality and ease-of-use provided by the camera.It was time to upgrade, so I picked up the 3040 and was immeadiately impressed.  The picture quality is absolutely stunning, and the huge array of options and features are great.If you're looking for a high-quality, reasonably priced 3 megapixel camera, this is the one.
When I went shopping for a new digital Camera, I had several things on my wish list. One of the most important was that when I clicked the shutter, I wanted the picture taken THEN, not in 1/2 Seconds. Not in 1/4 Seconds. But THEN, before the subject moved. This camera has met my needs. I line up the shot, press the shutter 1/2 way down and the camera gets ready to take the picture. When the time comes, I press the button all the way down and I have My shot.I also wanted to be able to enlarge my picures to 8x10 and have them look good. They do.My object here was to get something to replace my 35MM SLR camera for vacation and family party shots. Since I normaly take about 10 Rolls of film at a family event, I feel that the camera will pay for itself after about 10 eventsIt does eat batteries for Breakfast, lunch and dinner so I recommend 2 sets of rechargeables.With a 64 Meg Card it will take 81 HQ (2048x1536) Jpeg Shots, or 26 SHQ (2048x1536) Jpegs with less compression, or 6 (2048x1536) Tiff shots with no compression.  In my tests, I could find no aparent difference in the quality between these options. Since they are the same pixle size and since 8x10 is my target size, I shoot with the default HQ setting.  You can get more than 300 shots at a lower resolution, But I only tested the HQ and above.Did I mention the IR remote control? or the optional bounce flash?
Although I'm hardly an expert photographer, I feel like one now with this camera.  I love just about everything about it.  First of all, it looks like a real camera, not one of those pieces of junk that pass for cameras these days.  It takes incredible pictures right out of the box.  I have the option set for the camera to ask me everytime I take a picture whether I want to keep it or not.  That way, I can quickly zap any bad pictures.  The LCD monitor is easy to see so you have instant feedback as to whether or not you want to retake the picture.  The manual was very well written -- I spent a good deal of time reading it.  Even thought the camera does many things, the menu function is very intuitive.  After a day or so, I was able to do pretty much anything, even use shutter priorty mode or aperature priority mode.  Although many software programs have color options, I love the fact that you can shoot in black and white, color or sepia tones.  Also, this camera has both a digital and an optical zoom -- beware of false claims by other cameras.  I did a great deal of research before buying this camera and I'm happy to say after a month of using it, I have not been disappointed at all.  Some suggestiosn for accessories:  buy a card reader!  You don't want to drain the battery by using the USB cable right from the camera.  They only cost around $35.  You'll want at least a 64 MB card!  The one it comes with is too small (for the price of this camera, I think Olympus should throw it in).  The battery it comes with was dead on arrival and since it is not recharchable, forget it.  Buy AA rechargable batteries (one charger, two sets of batteries) and switch them often.  The batteries lose charge fast when you use the monitor feature, so beware and carry spare batteries when you travel!  A great camera.
Takes GREAT pictures, just like my D-490Z did/does.  I love the Olympus camera products, just beware of the gray market Olympus cameras that are out there.  Olympusamerica.com provides you with info. on this, and provides the legit product numbers/serial numbers they place on them.  My lens cap works fine, some say it does not fit right, but I have no problem.  My telescoping lens did not "grind" like others have described; it does emit a slight mechanical sound though. Also, pictures can be erased or lock protected immediately after taking them, if desired.  The video/sound combo option is sweet, only dark in picture when indoors with NORMAL lighting.  Video too can be viewed/deleted using the cameras LED screen immediately after filming.  Just a note on the sound/video portion. I was having problems with a skipping and jumpy video product when viewing it from a camera/card reader to computer connection.  Turns out the READ speed is too slow for this, the video clip must be transferred from the cameras Smartmedia card to a file folder on the computers hard drive first, then viewed from the file folder.  David B, via-Olympus' e-mail Tech Support solved the problem for me on the first try, I truly thank him. When I tried them, the phone Tech Support didn't ask the right questions, and I wasn't smart enough to provide the right additional info. The camera case Olympus makes for it is a little tight in the lens cap area, so a little larger after-market one might be a better fit.  Definitely get a 128MB Olympus Smartmedia card, it allows you to take so much more video/picture wise, and only the OLYMPUS SMARTMEDIA CARD has the panoramic capability, not the VIKING or others.  If you put a little time and effort into this camera to learn it's features and displays you will be greatly rewarded, but keep the book handy for quick referral. Finally, make sure you call the company you are purchasing it from first to make sure it's not GRAY MARKET, comes in the original box, and has all the manufacturers accessories (i.e. strap, lens cap, connection cables, CAMEDIA software, instruction manuals, etc).  Olympus does offer manuals online if you lose the original...I look forward to using this camera more in it's auto-mode, or if I desire, in it's full manual mode. You will appreciate the manual capability later if you are used to full automatic type cameras- your developing skills begin to crave it! For the price to options/capability, this is the camera. Enjoy, and I hope this review helps you to make a decision.
Like many people have said, this camera has so many features, it's hard to figure out how to use all of them.  I've had my 3040 for several months, and I haven't gotten around to trying out half the features.  Overall, I have been pretty happy with it.  While it does eat batteries, most digital cameras do, and it's easily solved by picking up some rechargables.  My only complaint is I can *not* get the lens cap to stay on.  It's not much of a problem if you always keep it in a camera case, but sometimes I throw it in my purse and inevitably, the lens cap will come off while I'm putting it in because it does not attach securely at all.  A minor inconvenience mostly, but still happens often enough to become frustrating.
I used to be a serious camera buff. Loads of Nikon gear, etc. My first shot at digital was the Olympus D600L, a nice TTL digital. Not really comperable to a film camera, but good enough for small time digital only work - still used a couple of film cameras for 'serious' stuff. Just got the C-3040 after looking at its specs and reviews of the C-3030 here on Amazon. Amazon did not have the 3040 yet, so bought elsewhere (NY camera store).  The 3040 meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a REAL camera. Compact, light, easy to use for point &amp; shoot yet with almost all the 'serious' capabilties. No wait between shots, low light capable with f1.8 lens and ISO 400 ability. See the reveiws for the C-3030, kick in the added speed, and you know what I mean! Plus the little things - lens cap tied to the camera, ability to use the LCD for framing, index at the back of the manual, easy to understand manual (but too much to remember because of the many, many functions available). Although you need to go through menus for some stuff, most of the commonly needed functions are either on the dial or telephoto control. Can't say enough good about this puppy - it looks like our film cameras are going into early retirement. May seem pricey, but easily worth every cent.
I didn't think I'd enjoy the video capturing feature as much as I do - and don't fool yourself, having sound makes a BIG difference (c-3020 doesn't have sound).  People are not aware that it records video because it looks so much like a regular camera.  You can get some truly funny captures.Having a strap for the lens cap is a simple but NICE addition, too.  The c-3000 doesn't have it and you're always losing the damn thing.The f1.8 is great, too.  Every little bit helps in those low light situations.The only thing I didn't like is that, though it has serial output (along with USB), the serial cable itself is considered optional and is not included.  Chincy (...)!!!Buy a large memory card - you won't regret it.  At the highest resolution with a 128MB card, you can snap 163 photos.Max record time on the high resolution is 75 seconds.Navigation though the menus are intuitive and easy - the manual is only necessary for advanced features.I have now seen and used the c-3000, c-3020, and c-3040.  The c-3040 is my pick!
I have had  similar camera  for  years..  it  became un useable and desired  same one.. this camera always served my needs  -- thanks
This camera has been a joy.  I've seen other reviews state that getting to items in the menu can be difficult, but if you spend some time reading the manual and actually using the features, finding the various settings is not that bad.  I keep learning new ways to use it and now carry it with me to work for those photo ops.  My two 35mm Nikons may end up gathering a lot of dust.  If I had to refine my review to three items, it would be:1) good ergonomic design; fits the hand well and finally fixes that bad lens cover problem2) exellent features (burst, MOV, manual adjustments, etc.)3) accepts rechargable AA batteriesI waited 3 years for cameras to get their resolution/features up and prices down.  It was a toss up beteen this one and the new C-700 (love the optics), but I'm glad I waited.
I'd been waiting for affordable digital cameras to get good enough to give me better pictures than my scanned 35mm negatives. Obviously I've waited long enough because this camera more than meets the test. There is a learning curve if this is your first digital camera--I recommend reading the manual--but the full complement of modes has not limited anything I've wanted to do. The macro focusing distance is close enough for normal flower shots--roses, lilies--and the camera fits my slow, cautious shooting style very well. I find the monitor easy to focus with, even with my post-middle-aged eyes. I can even use my reading glasses if I have too. The telephoto is long enough to be useful; shots from plane windows came out well. The f1.8 lens is great for indoor photography. If you're tired of futzing with film processing, dust&amp;scratch cleanup, negative and proof storage, it's time to go digital! If you want to see your shots as soon as you take them, go digital! On my iMac, all I have to do is connect it, turn it on, and it looks like a drive. Copying 35 shots takes about two minutes. Get the rechargeable battery kit, have AA's for backup. With a 128MB card I get 55 shots at max resolution in the SHQ jpeg mode, and no file so far has been bigger than 2.1MB. Wow. Now all I need is a great photo-vacation!
After loving my Olympus C-2020 for the past two years I decided to give it to a relative and step up to a 3.34 Mega pixel CCD and faster lens.I already knew that I liked the camera since the controls and interface are very similar to my old camera - Olympus has been smart enough to make small improvements to a great design.  The battery life is as great as ever too (mine lasted for 2 weeks of heavy daily use).  I still have the original set of rechargeable batteries that came with my C-2020 and they are still going strong many charges later.I have been keeping my old SLR around for taking the "serious" shots with but I think those days are over.  I did some test shots on a vase with a multi-colored design in varying light conditions (with no flash and uncompressed).  I printed the digital shots on my HP-952C and compared them to the 35mm shots when they came back from the lab.  I couldn't believe it.  In all but the lowest lighting conditions the digital shots were better.  I had the best 35mm shot enlarged to 8x11 and printed out the best digital shot on 8x11.  I really expected the digital shot to be a little grainy but I couldn't see any distortion.  It was easily the equal of my SLR!Good bye film, digital has finally crossed over the line.  I am never going back.A few tips:  Spring for an extra set of batteries so you can swap them out.  Buy a 128MB or 64MB Smart Media card and spend a few extra bucks on a name brand so you don't get stuck with a dud.  Buy a telephoto lens to give that 3x lens a little help.
This camera brought me back to photography, after many years away not being able to afford taking pictures the way I liked. With this you take as many pictures as you want, delete the ones that don't work, spend no extra money.  The camera has all the features of a fine camera, and produces excellent prints up to 8x10 or more with "film" camera quality.  Easy to download to a PC with the USB cable, burn onto a CDR, edit up to make even mediocre pictures look good.  Small and handy to carry around.I considered the 4 MP+ cameras, but I thought the extra price was steep for extra resolution I couldn't even see; plus the penalty of the extra storage space needed.  (When you get one of these cameras, be sure you have 20 to 30 GB for storage, or a supply of CD-R's.)Two shortcomings easily fixed:  get rechargeable batteries and a charger: the 2 CR-3V's are great but too expensive to replace.  Better to use the CR-3V's only while the others are recharging.  Also, the 16MB memory card is way too small: pick up at least 2 64 MB cards, maybe even 3, which allow you to do a 160 to 240 picture excursion between PC downloads.
Normally, I am one of those poor souls who has to be first on the block when it comes to consumer electronics, but I held off buying a digital camera because I was unwilling to sacrifice image quality for digital convenience.  After witnessing the near 35mm quality of the new generation of 3.3 megapixel models, I decided the time had come.  Of course, much research had to be done, but I came to my choice of the C-3040 fairly quickly after triangulating information from photography magazines, Amazonians and online photo sites.  The superfast lens cemented the deal, as I prefer to shoot sans flash whenever possible.Getting started with the C-3040 was fairly straightforward and within a couple of hours I had taken 20 or so photos and uploaded the good ones to Ofoto.  When the 5x7's I ordered arrived in the mail a few days later, my jaw nearly hit the floor.  The quality of the image and trueness of the colors are just amazing.  I hate to admit it, but the images have more clarity and detail than those shot with my Nikon N2000 SLR!  Also, I hadn't fully appreciated the convenience factor of using a digital camera in conjunction with an online photo service.  I'm a touch sad to say it, but my 35mm days may be behind me.
I had the C3030, but sold that and bought this because of the f1.8 lens on it (vice 2.8 on the 3030) which makes an already outstanding camera even better. This camera outstrips the performance of my 35 mm SLR, and after much research, I concluded it outperforms most digital cameras as well.When it comes right down to it, picture quality is what makes or breaks a digital camera. The C3040 sweeps the field. Color quality and sharpness exceeds my 35 mm. I took a face portrait of my son and blew it up to just his eyeball - you could count the tiny veins in his eye. You can easily blow up pictures beyond 8 x 10 and still have sharp pictures. It does a better job reproducing sharp, realistic colors than most Kodak film. I show the pictures to professional photographers using ten-thousand dollar cameras and they are all surprised at how close the performance comes to theirs.Low light capability is very good with the C3040.  The menu is easily navigated (although it will take a little study of the manual; the camera has a lot of capability) and the controls are, for the most part, very easy to use. The camera is nicely programmable for those who want to venture there. The memory-buffered multi-picture capability (like a fast motor drive in an SLR) is very handy for action shots. The camera is extremely compact considering its capability and can be carried easily. When taking pictures, it is very comfortable and natural to hold, unlike many other digital cameras.The 3040 improved its interface capability since the 3030 model.  You no longer need software loaded on a computer - plug in the USB cable and the camera is recognized as another hard drive for dragging and dropping files (or you can use the included software).  I took it a step further and bought an inexpensive Smart Media PC card adaptor. I pop the card out of the camera and into the PC slot and it is a near instant download of 128 MB of pictures! (I purchased the 128 MB card and it holds a huge number of pictures).It uses up batteries, but no more than other digital cameras. I purchased 1400mah NiMH batteries and travel charger...it works great and lasts a reasonable amount of time; hasn't been a problem.I have taken many hundreds of pictures, perhaps thousands, without a glitch. One of my few complaints is the flash performance, but the camera takes such great pictures without the flash, especially with a tripod, I mostly don't use it.Olympus has come out with a new model already to one-up this one.  I believe it's the C-4040, at 4.2 megapixel or something.  I'm sure that's a great camera too, but you don't need it unless you routinely blow up your pictures to greater than 8 x 10.Bottom line is you will love this camera.
+PerformanceThis digital camera allows FULL control of picture capture - apeture size, speed (1/800th sec!), film speed, a white balance differential, manual zoom, and basically everything you have in an SLR and more.  The pictures are excellent on the auto setting for outdoor shots. Indoor shots are more difficult, but can be done well with some steady hands and setting customization.  Close up shots are limited to greater than 7-8 inches.  However, there is a macro option allowing the range finder to know you are focusing up close.  The flash can bleach out images, but I've been using the white balance to correct this easily. From a straight forward image quality and ease of picture taking, I cannot complain.The LCD screen is fabulously clear.  The interface does take some time to understand, but is no more difficult than a computer monitor interface.  The read/write can lag if you really push it with semi-auto like shooting or using repeated multi shot.  The zoom is not bad, but has something to be desired with the tube extension making the proportions not quite a true point-shoot camera or an SLR.+BonusThere are some nifty and useful functions like a 3-spot light meter that gives you the average, a 360 panorama stitching function, 5-shot `autowinder,' and video recording capability. The tactile feel is excellent with a non-slip surface on the hnad-interaction areas.+ConnectivityNo card reader needed with the included USB patch cable.  Super simple and a very fast download time.  Using XP makes it even easier - don't even need the 3rd party software.+LongevityWith a 128 MB card at 1600x1200 resolution (medium) I can burn through the card 1-2 times with downloads no problem, dependent on the flash and LCD use.  This is a lot of shooting on 4 AA NimH - from my past Kodak and Nikon dig cam experience.Peeves include no immediate delete option when you've just taken a bad picture. And you can record audio to a picture, but can't playback on the unit until cpu download.  I could continue with the lame 16 MB card included and one-time use batteries, but the overall verdict is that Olympus made a very professional camera for people who want total control but the convenience of semi point-shoot size dimensions.  5 stars for rock-solid performance at a fair price.
This is my third Olympus digital camera. I also own the D460Z and D490Z. The C3040 overcomes the main shortcoming of these other cameras: speed. The C3040 is speedy two critical ways. First, it has an onboard memory buffer, so you can shoot many shots immediately after each other. Indeed, it features a &quot;rapid shoot&quot; and &quot;exposure bracket&quot; option to take 3 or 5 shots rapidly in about 1.5 seconds. This is a great option if you need the &quot;money shot&quot;. I was at a friends wedding and wanted to provide a few unique candid photos. The 3040 did not disappoint. Second is the F1.8 lens... which means that low light shots are definitely possible. Last month I was on the Great Barrier Reef as turtles came up on shore to nest at night. The turtles are frightened off by light, so flash photography was out. With the speed of the lens, plus a near full moon and cloudless sky; I've got some grainy, but still incredible pictures.Other great features: sound recording/annotation and built in USB connector (soooo much faster to download).The C3040 is not perfect. Three issues... yes, the lens cap is a problem. No solution I know of. Second, the viewfinder is not WYSIWYG. The mismatching is significant... though at least the viewfinder errors on the side of showing you less than what is actually captured. Third, versus Olympus's digital point-and-shoots, the C3040's form factor is large, which sometime discourages me from carrying it.So the search for the perfect digital goes on. I'm going to also pick up the C2100, which solves the WYSIWYG viewfinder issue.
I was able to get this camera cheap for about $56.00 and it included a 128mb card and it was in flawless shape. It was made before the newer "bar of soap" compact digicams came out. Don't let the 3.3MP steer you away, it produces GREAT shots up to 11x14 without any loss of quality. Again the only flaw is the lens cap design (it really sucks)but having an optical viewfinder makes up for it,you don't see them anymore :( Smartmedia media prices could be better and is outdated but Ebay is the best place to find them. 5 stars even after almost six years since Amazon's last review of this camera.
When I use this camera, I tend to shut it off when I'm not using it for a few minutes to save battery life and cover up the lens. This exposes a few flaws in the interface:- It's slow to start up from power-on to ready-to-shoot- It can remember certain settings between power-downs, but it's cumbersome to set those values (white balance and speed in particular)Also, it doesn't have a very wide range for exposure; the minimum aperture is f/10 and the maximum shutter speed is 1/800. That can be overwhelmed on a sunny day (and you lose depth of field).Another annoyance is the chromatic aberrance; bright white objects often appear with a purple fringe around them.That said, if you stick to the camera's strengths, it's decent. If you plan ahead for the right shooting situation, the settings don't get in the way. It's fun for shooting macro stuff too. The saturation and color fidelity is very nice.
This camera was given to me for Christmas a couple of years ago.  It has good video quality, and the ability to play back the tape using an S-video jack.  The fade options are limited when compared to other Sony products, but for an entry level camera it is a good value.  I recommend this camera to anyone who just wants to record special occasions and for playing around.  If you are a serious shutterbug, I would recommend something with more bells and whistles.Overall this camera is a very good quality at a reasonable price.
This may be an older camcorder, but it is pretty good for users who aren't interested in speculative HD recording or who do not have money in their budget for something better.  Having never used high-end video equipment, I have no frame of reference by which to judge the quality of the Sony's features. I can only say that it serves my needs fairly well with a couple of small flaws.But first, the good.First, the picture quality is fine. This unit was released when high definition was not affordable to most consumers, so the picture is merely adequate. But let's not forget that this was considered an entry-level Digital8 camcorder. Playing back the video on a good display reveals good detail despite this. I find the optics quality far better than the Sony digital still camera I owned, which was NOT entry-level. I also appreciate the 10x optical zoom, which pushes in quickly, but not too quickly. I have never been a fan of digital zoom, so I don't use it. But it is OK.Another feature I enjoy about this camcorder that seems to be lacking more and more in modern devices is an optical viewfinder. It has the requisite LCD screen, but it is always nice to know that you have a battery-saving viewfinder to fall back on when you have a lot of filming to do. I own an extended life battery that gives me about three times the capacity compared with the stock one, which yields only about 1.5 hours of stop-and-start filming.As far as the LCD screen goes, I do think it is pretty good. It's colorful and fairly clear. The menu display is intuitive and laid out logically and simply. However, I do not like how the menu is brought up by pressing the "Menu" button located on the side where the LCD screen closes, but navigating it involves a scroll wheel found on the back of the unit. They should have combined these, as I find myself having to always look to make sure I am pressing the correct button for the Menu. A small gripe, indeed.The camera's light is actually pretty good. It is incandescent rather than LED or gaseous, so the light is bright but soft. Nothing can replace a lighting rig. But if you're purchasing a budget camera, you probably don't have money for a lighting rig anyway. In a pinch, though, the light does the trick without washing out the subject, provided the subject isn't too close.I really like that this camcorder is kind of weighty. Since this unit uses cassettes, the transport mechanism surely adds to the weight. I find the weight adds to stability during shooting. It also gives the camcorder a sense of durability and reliability. It has proven to be quite reliable throughout the six years I have owned it. As far as actual durability, I cannot say, as I am very careful when it comes to electronics.Now, for the bad.Actually, nothing is really wrong with this camera. Some of the features seem to either be afterthoughts or are just unnecessary. For instance, the Night Shot. It isn't entirely useless, but all it does is slow the shutter speed to let more light in. Video taken at night is slow, kind of fuzzy and noisy. Improved optics and CCD might solve this, but I just don't use it.Another feature that seems unnecessary is the Photo feature. Now, this IS useless. It works, but I find it just as easy to capture a frame from filming using pretty much any video editing software. And the quality is the same. Now, if this camcorder used removable Flash memory (i.e., MemoryStick) then it might be justified. Otherwise, it just seems like an afterthought.Overall, if you're searching for a budget camcorder for everyday needs, this is a good unit. It can be picked up cheaply used (less than $200), as it is no longer available. Obviously several modern video machines capture HD images, but this comes at a price. If you would like a camcorder for less than $200 and do not mind using cassettes, pick one of these up. You won't be sorry.
I'll be honest and admit that if you want to spend a thousand dollars on a camcorder than you will definitely find something better. However, if you are somebody like me who had limited funds to spend but wanted all the everyday features a ... person would want, then this is the camera to buy!  All the basics are included (still photo shots, fantastic zoom abilities, picture stabilization, ability to film in complete darkness and amateur picture manipulation capabilities).It also hooks up to a PC using a fire wire cable (IEEE1394) and a video capture board, which I recommend buying the StudioDV from Pinnacle Systems that includes both for ... then getting sucked for ... by purchasing Sony's brand.  Also I found the Laser Link feature to be the best features, allowing me to play back my tapes on the TV without having to hook up the camera to it every time.Overall, the DCR-TRV130 is a great camera for what you're going to spend on it.
I've had this camera for almost a year now, and it's the first movie camera of any kind I've ever used. I have a digital still camera (an olympus 2100cz) so I'm not a neophyte.I'm finding it easy to use. I use to film my wifes speaking engagements. So i've used this camera in a small room with only 5 or 6 people in it, or in very large auditorium with 200 or so people in it. It worked beautifully. The remote helps a lot when using a  tripod. It does an especially nice job picking up audio even at distance.I had to get a special cable to do transfers to my Macintosh, but once on the mac everything gets really easy.I guess it doesnt have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive cameras, but if you look over the stats in the discription above, you should be able to figure out this one is for you.
Wow, I can't believe theis camera is still offered.  I came on Amazon to look for a new battery charger for mine.  I purchased mine new from Circuit City in June of 2001 to take on my honeymoon cruise.  It has performed flawlessly over the past 9 years, recording the birth of all three of my kids as well as countless birthdays, Christmas mornings, and school programs.  The only drawback to this camera is the size.  In the age of tiny cameras, this thing seems like a beast.  It was not a small camera even when it was new, as the advent of the DV capable iMacs had created a market for ever smaller miniDV cameras.  I opted for the this over the entry level Canon miniDV of the time, which was $100 more.  That was a lot of money when you are poor and have a budget-busting honeymoon coming up in a month's time!  Looking back, it might have been worth it only in terms of the size.  Otherwise, I never regretted opting for digital 8 over miniDV. The quality of this camera's video is stunning to this day.  The audio is not spectacular but adequate for most home video situations.  We'd been thinking of upgrading for the past couple of years but just couldn't do it b/c this camera has performed flawlessly for so long.  Finally, with an important event coming up the next morning, we discovered that we'd misplaced our charger.  Only then did I scramble to Wal-Mart in the middle of the night and purchase a new Canon that records in standard def to SD flash cards.  I realize that this Canon, an FS100, is an entry level camcorder and even a year and a half old model.  But you'd think it would be light years ahead of the old Sony.  I have to say I'm not convinced.  And quite honestly, the Sony shames it in low light situations.  After realizing this, and also the fact that I'm still going to eventually have to upload the video from all those tapes to a computer, I frantically jumped onto Amazon to order a new charger for my DCR-TRV 130.  If you are in the market for a camcorder that produces outstanding quality standard def video, do not overlook this model if you can get past the size.  Mine's taken everything I can throw at it for almost a decade now, and keeps going.
My fiance and I just purchased this camera and boy was I impressed!  This is our first camcorder but not the first one I have used.  It's light weight make it easy to handle.  And the steadyshot works quite well.  My hands are quite shaky but you could never tell by watching something I taped!  The picture quality is good, but I am only using the standard A/V cables.  Once I get the S-video cables I should see a dramatic upgrade in picture quality.  The battery it comes with isn't the best, only about 90 minutes fully charged.  I particularly liked the nightshot feature.  Although the images come out in a green tone the picture quality is outstanding.  I was fooling around with it in a pitch black room and you could see everything clear as day(green of coarse).  The LCD is exceptionally smaller than the 530 but it is still big enough to fit most people's needs.  Of coarse if you want to save battery power just don't use the LCD.  The only thing I can't comment about is the still picture option.  I just spent a large sum of money on a straight up digital camera so I don't need to use that option.  So I am sorry I can't help you out there!  Overall the camera is excellent and I would suggest it to anybody looking for a new camcorder.
Numerous reports of camera stopping (type DCR trv38 and problem in google and you'll see what I mean) .  The screen goes blank and that's the end of your DCR.  Costs about $300 to repair.  Reports from 2 months to 2 years usage and not linked to how often used or how treated.  It is a problem with the "board" and your camera WILL die it's just a matter of when.  It happened to us and we are thinking it was just us.  We're buying a new DCR and you can bet it won't be a SONY even if they gave us one--they are too unreliable.
I love my sony dcrtrv330!  i have taken it everywhere with me this summer.  It is small and compact enough to carry around and gets the job done very well.  The digital still camera function isn't the best.  But i suggest just exporting frames from your actual video tape for that.  Its very easy to do and you can get it in higher quality as well.  You can also avoid closed eyes and the like b/c you can choose frame by frame what to do.  i definitely recommend you get a ieee 1394 firewire adapter card to get better connectivity with your computer.  The usb is fairly useless!  Works better in brighter lights but does fine even with no light at all!  I love mine and will never own anything else but a sony in the future!
My review is for the Sony DCR-TRV340, but the picture and features of the 330 look awfully close.  My wife and I were dragged kickin' and screamin' into the new and scary world of technology and I must say this Sony product has made it easy.  We approached the camcorder counter with trepidation urged on with the primal need of expecting parents to capture a new life inside a TV box and I must say, Sony has made the experience rather pleasant.We've had this camera for about 3 months and I think have only begun to scratch the surface for what it can do.  This may mean that there are way too many features here for what the average camcorder user may need.  Here are the features that I like...the 25X digital zoom works like a charm and allowed us to film El Capitan in Yosemite and zoom into the rock climbers on the wall that was absolutely indiscernible to the naked eye.  I also like the stop-photo feature that allows the camcorder to double as a digital camera.  If you need photo quality digital imaging the resolution may not be enough, but it serves our needs to e-mail stills and post them to the web.  Which brings me to yet another thumbs up feature:  it is USB and firewall 1394 cable capable which makes it a home video producing machine when matched up with our DVD writer (it scares me that I know what those terms mean).Word of warning, with any digital camcorder purchase you have to buy a lot of accessories.  Account for an extra couple hundred dollars to the cost of the camcorder alone.  A salesman talked us into an extra memory stick, which I still haven't found a good use for it yet.  I suppose the Sony memory stick is handy to save JPEG's directly to, but the firewall cable connection seems to be working just fine.  If you don't need the memory stick, you may opt for another Sony model to keep the price down.  This model could easily omit the memory stick and frankly at this point, I can't say I'd miss it.Pretty phenomenal camera and has been reliable so far.  Well worth the money spent.  Now where's that slobbering poop-filled diaper wonder so I can get me some 25X zoomed in shots of his creative endeavors...ohhh I can even shoot it at night with the Sony Nightshot IR feature.
I bought the Sony TRV330 camcorder after reading the various reviews. It is my first digital camcorder. I had owned two Panasonic VHS-Cs in the past. While I have not been totally disappointed, I have not been impressed either with the camcorder. I expected broadcast quality video but but so far, what I have got has only been marginally better that what I got with my old Panasonic VHS-C camcorder. Indoors and in low light, the pictures are grainy. Outdoors in full light, the pictures are washed out.As noted by other reviewers, the the digital still feature is only good for e-mailing. The quality is too poor for printing. However, I did not buy the camcorder for that feature.On the possitive side, the camcorder is really easy to operate and hooking it up to the computer is quite a breeze. The supplied software works very well (at least for the digital still). I am yet to try the downloading and editing the video on the computer.My recommendation: A fairly decent camcorder for home and family use but if you are aiming for professional level work, look for something else.
We bought this gently used to video our kids in drama productions and also to view our 8mm tapes (from our old camera that died some years ago).  It has worked perfectly for us.  No problems ever.  Easy to use, easy to hook up to our TV with the RCA cable and play with the remote.  Pictures are outdated for today's cameras, but not terrible for a portrait or snapshot.  Overall we are very pleased with it and impressed with Sony's handiwork.  Out of all our 8 mm cameras it has lasted the longest and worked the best.
this model is being discontinued by Sony, replaced by the TRV-520.  Biggest change is the new one will no longer play the hi-8 tapes, only digital.  Smaller screen, other minor changes.  but because it's being discontinued, you can get it really cheap elsewhere.  ....  by the way, camera is awesome.  A little bulky by today's standards, but it can do tons of stuff.
This can be used with regular or Hi8mm tapes... If you want a better quality picture, choose the hi8Pros:Large 3 1/2" LCD, good picture and sound, features and Digital8 valueCons:Only 640x480 still picturesThe Bottom Line: This model is a good choice for those who want Digital8 compatibility and value and prefer large LCDs.
I purchased this camera a few weeks back. I've had camcorders for nearly 15 years and I can tell you that this camera is definantly worth every penny. The 3.5&quot; screen is so easy to use. It makes every shot a breeze. The 7oox zoom allows you to get close-up that were previously not possible. I use it alot at my daughters musicals,etc.No longer do I have to position myself near the front on the floor. I can go to the back of the gym at the top of the bleachers and do my filming. Having the memory stick feature to be able to take digital pics is just an added bonus that puts this camera over the top. Hats off to SONY for an all round PERFECT camera. No complaints.
I have been using a Sony 8mm camcorder for a number of years.  I bought this because my wife wanted a digital camera and I wanted to edit video on my computer.The digital editing has worked out well and it has been fun, once I got my firewire card to work right.  The software that comes with it works adequately.  I was disappointed in the video quality in low light situations.  It gets very grainy compared to my old 8mm unless you turn on Nightshot, but then everything is a shade of green.The digital camera piece is also disappointing.  The picture quality is very poor, though OK for my wife that prints mostly 2X3 inch pictures for scrapbooks.  She went with this size because anything bigger looks bad.  I do not like looking at the pictures on screen because of the poor quality.For the price I don't know that you can get any better and I still enjoy and use it, but the quality wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I'm very happy with the image quality presented by this camera.  The built-in mic, however, is quite sad.  It picks up the buzzing of the camera when recording.  This is especially annoying during quiet moments, but it can still be heard even when there are other environmental sounds.Will a external mic fix this problem?  Guess I'll have to shell out around 80.00 Sony dollars to find out.As noted by others here in the reviews, the digital still picture component of the camcorder is useless (but taking digital still pics is not the reason to buy this camera - - moving into the digital video recording/editing realm is).Also, it is true that the picture quality degrades quickly under minimal lighting conditions (more so than my previous analog Cannon Hi8).A decent camera, overall.  I hope to be more on the positive side once I start editing video with it.
I purchased my FD75 for the birth of my second child as I have not captured too many images of my firstborn and I knew I just needed a gimick to get going.  Well, it worked!  I take pix almost every day of my family, friends and everyday objects.  Living in a different state than the rest of my family has been hard but now we all feel a lot closer sharing pix all the time (my parents have a FD75, too.)As for prints, I have gotten good 4x6 prints from Ofoto.com and have been very pleased with the quality.  Only upon colse inspection do they look less than lovely.  As a dedicated scrapbooker I am really quite pleased with the quality.  I've even gotten some nice 5x7 Sepia toned prints.I have only good things to say about this camera.  Disregard the  reviews of &quot;one star&quot; as it seems that these people did not do their research and wanted pro-quality prints from this little (low mega-pixel) wonder.GREAT CAMERA!ps This format works really well with my dinosaur of a computer... I don't have a UPC port and the floppy disk was a deciding factor for me.  Very nifty feature.
We bought this as a back up for our primary digital camera (Sony FD95 - a GREAT camera). Came to discover that this one will not accept a Sony floppy disc adapter and memory stick! Takes only a floppy disk, which has very limited storage when you shoot high resolution (which we do.)Very disappointed, which we had been more careful about checking this out, just because its a Sony doesn't mean it accepts a memory stick. Buyer BEWARE!
This camera is the best for sending hundred of pictures at a tim. With this camera i can get 3 to 400 pictires on a report and never reach our 6M sending capabilities, I have a newer Camers that and canot get any mort then 20 pictures reduced in size on my reports.
I purchased this camera over a year ago.  I choose this camera because of the floppy disk.  It is far cheaper than buy the extra menory chip for other cameras.  The easy of taken pictures on a floppy makes it the best camera for long back woods hiking trips or just being away from a computer.  Just install a new floppy and your ready to go.  Also i really like the disk copy feature where you can download the pictures into the camera and make a second disk for a freind.  Other features areeasy to lean.  The camera has one of the best Zooms 10X really get up close to the action.
This is my first venture into the world of digital cameras so I don't have any comparisons but I CAN tell you how easy it was to use this camera with minimal learning. I sell on the auctions and asked other sellers....the Mavica was the camera of choice for online selling.  This model has great zoom and the perfect quality for internet use (I was told that it wouldn't do very good quality home prints, for that you need a higher model). I found this camera VERY easy to use after just a quick browse through the manual and it was the first time I'd ever touched a digital. I love the fact that the images are stored to regular floppies, no climbing under my desk to hook into the back of the computer. The pictures are a nice quality and the snaps and the download was quick and easy.  Wonderful little digital at a GREAT PRICE, I wish I'd done this sooner!  A++ in my book!
I have been wandering the world for6 years. Andy the HoboTraveler.comI am on my second Mavica with 3.5 disk.The reason is the 10 Optical Zoom andthe 3.5 disk. This is the perfect camerafor making webpages while traveling.I can buy the disk in any underdevelopedcountry and use in an internet cafe.The 3.5 disk drive is a little fragile andyou should wait and not take photos too fastor you will damage the floppy.I have taken about 5000 photos with this camera.I use this camera to post the page or links tomy travel newslette. ...
I bought this camera at $300 for my web-based business.  The deciding factor was it's ability to write directly to floppy disks which saves time and memory downloading to my laptop computer.  The advantage of this camera is it's versatility in picture storage.  The typical memory card is also available.The picture quality is excellent for a 2 megapixal camera.  It meets and exceeds the requirements for photo-editing for web content.  Using photoshop 7.0 is simple with imports from disk on this camera which saves me using hard drive space for stages in production.The disadvantage to this camera is it's size and weight.  I took it on my most recent visit to Europe and felt that I needed a pullman bag just to accomadate my camera.  I originally thought that it's size would be outweighed (no pun intended) by it's advantage of floppy format, thereby saving the need to buy expensive memory cards.  It doesn't however.  I bought a small digital camera with higher pixel ability for travel which suit my needs much better. I would recommend this for anyone who wants 35 mm quality. Taking my laptop is as easy as taking the mavica.Again, if your usage is web based, the mavica cannot be beat.  I would reconsider if you want an easy camera for travel/everyday pictures.  The size and print quality is not feasible.--Kathryn White-Fidram
The deficiencies of this camera are so obvious as to not be worth mentioning. Of course you can buy a smaller camera today with more features and a higher megapixel count. However, the FD75 is still a good choice for several applications.1. It's built like a tank. Mine has clearly had heavy use over the years, and it still works perfectly. This durability is ideal for commercial and industrial applications, which is why realtors and insurance adjusters used these cameras for many years after they supposedly were obsolete. The large size also makes it easy to grip and less likely to get lost, bouncing around in the back of someone's car.2. In these days of &#34;administrative privilege&#34; and &#34;device not recognized,&#34; a camera that stores images on floppy disks is the ultimate in simplicity. There's no need to &#34;install&#34; a new device or call the IT department for &#34;authorization.&#34; You just pop the disk in and it works. Newer laptops and notebooks of course no longer have floppy drives, but this is (or should be) a commercial and not a personal camera. Many businesses still use desktops which typically come with floppy drives. The .3 MP size is also ideal for e-mail attachments. It's not intended to take vacation photos - but it's more than adequate for an insurance adjuster who has to send two dozen shots of a wrecked automobile to an attorney, or a realtor who wants to send photos of a house to a potential buyer in another state. Even today, most cameras, including professional-grade DSLRs, have a .3 MP option just for this purpose.3. The 10x optical zoom on this model is competitive with many of today's cameras, and better than many modern compact cameras. Zoom is like money: &#34;it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.&#34;Aside from the commercial applications, considering the low price for a working used model, this is a great choice for a child's first camera or for someone who has never used a digital camera and doesn't want a steep learning curve. Until a manufacturer decides to buck the miniaturization trend and put out a modern version with these same features, these old Mavicas will be irreplaceable.
This is an excellent camera for it's price. You should definitely NOT purchase a digital camera cheaper than this. I've tried others that are valued [at less], and they are garbage. If you plan on using this camera for pictures only, it's the perfect camera for you. It's ideal for taking pictures to post on the internet as about 17-45 pictures fit on a single floppy disk, meaning that the images are between 30 to 60 kilobytes depending on the quality you set (the quality is great though). This is a perfect camera to use for sening pictures via e-mail and for posting pictures on E-bay. Also, since you save pictures on floppy disk, you can give the disks to friends and they can have the pictures without needing any complicated technology for getting the images on their computer. I'd recommend this camera 100%!
This is the digital camera par-excellence for any beginner. It is also the perfect camera for an experienced user whose needs are web-based. The Mavicas use floppies that are not only dirt cheap, but reuseable. The standard 1.44 floppy will hold about 24 (in default resolution) pics that can go from the camera to your PC without cables or cradles in just seconds. These images are more than adequate for emails or for posting to a website, though they will barely make for good 4&quot; x 6&quot; photos (the available higher res setting will allow for adequate 5&quot; x 7&quot; prints). The camera is sturdy (albeit a bit heavy), the optics &amp; zoom are very good, the flash is better than average, and the battery life is acceptable. If you're considering a digital for non-professional work, this is a fine choice.
This is a fantastic Camera!  Camera has a huge 2.5 " screen and motion sensory is in real time (no choppy delay when looking at the screen).  It's VERY easy to use.  Even though this camera is now old for the industry standards it takes Beautiful pictures.  No need to mess with USB ports or downloads.  Pictures save directly on the disk in the camera.
Our elderly Mom loves her 'older style' Sony camera but she just wore it out!  We were delighted to find an upgraded Sony Mavica model for her and it was a great replacement gift!  The price was excellent, the online description was perfect, it was shipped immediately and exactly as promised.  We tested the camera before sending to Mom (leaving a few photos of us) -- but we know she will love her new camera!  This seller took extra care in packing the goods by inserting into a plastic bag & double bubble wrapping - he included all the parts & pieces ... even tossed in some extra discs & hard to find software.  The shipping was more costly than posted but we didn't have to pay extra charges - thanks for that!  If we need another camera -- we'll look for his camera site first!  Thanks for making our Birthday Mom very happy.... we can't get her to switch to a new smaller camera - but finding the old style for her 83 year old hands was a treat for all of us!!!
The MAVICA records it's images on an ordinary 3.5&quot; floppy -just like is sold for computers ($.30, in packs of 10).It can even view the images taken without a PC! When you're ready to see them on your PC, or send them as e-mail attachments, just pop them into you A: drive and select the version with a .jpg image (the other one is used by the MAVICA,so it can view the .jpg image without a computer).
I have had this camcorder for 6 months now, and its worked like a charm. Very good picture quality, easy to use once you get the hang of it, very light weight. A Sony camcorder is definitely  the best value for money.The camcorder battery runs out in around 90 minutes, but I have  not yet run into a problem with that. You just get a 4MB memory stick with the camcorder. I had to upgrade to a 128MB memory  stick, since I take a lot of still pictures. The photos when  printed at 4 X 6 come out very well. Very easy to transfer the still pictures (and 60 second clips which is also recorded onto the memory stick) if your computer has a USB port.I did not face any problems accessing the camcorder buttons as mentioned by some of the reviewers.
Ok as a proud owner of a DCR-pc100 I was amazed to see that pc110 had all the improements that I wished for on the pc100 model.  The buttons are well placed, the hand holding with the flip out lever extension is a plus, and the pop up flash is a nice touch.  But it still only has a 1 mega pixel still camera capability, which is not good enough for most camera buffs.  The video and sound quality are still excellent, auto focus appears to be the same, good but not perfect.As with the pc-100 if you have either a iMac (or mac with firewire) or a Sony pc you can edit the digital video without to many problems.  Likewise the Sony USB card reader is a must!  The serial reader will not work with a mac and is so slow to download on a pc.  Also get the 32 MB card over the 64 MB card, for some reason the 64 MB card seems to get slower as it fill up.If you get this camcorder you must realize that the conventional VHS tape copies will lose some of the high quality video image and some of the sound quality as well.  S-VHS seems to do a better job but few pwople have S-VHS units so sharing could be a problem.The best solution would be one of those nice DVD recorders that are just starting to appear onthe market.  Digital to digital media, what could be better?
I tried more than 20 camcorders, and read all the reviews before buying this one. Other than the price ([amt]is a bit steap for a single CCD camera), this is the most fun you'll have this side of ...! Trust me! The features are numerous, the quality is fantastic, and the fact you can take 1 megapixel stills will come in handy even if you don't think so now. I had this camera at a Christmas party, and I was able to take video and a couple stills without much adjustment or bags full of.....The size makes it easy to carry around, no more lugging that heavy monster from place to place. There are hours of events slowly slipping out of my brain, because I didn't want to take the camcorder. Oh well, who needs another hour of wedding video anyway? I guess I do, because I'll never miss another moment! This thing fits in my coat pocket.I'm not sure some people know what this camera is all about. They are writing about putting the digital video back on to VHS and losing quality. Huh? If that is what you are considering, I'd just go buy a cheaper Super8 or Digital Tape camera. The whole point of this camera is to use the Firewire (IEEE 1394) connection and edit the video in your computer. Sony even includes the MGI VideoWave Software to edit the video right away! Then you can copy it to a DVD or CD for safe keeping. No fuss, no muss! This thing is beautifu! And, it is 520 lines, near broadcast quality in a little handheld camera! You can't beat that!I must confess. I am a gadget junky, and this thing is full of gadgets! I can take footage at night with Super NightShot, and send it to my Sony notebook through the LaserLink Wireless Transmission System. You can use the Analog-to-Digital Conversion to get old VHS to digital. That's more like it! If you don't have Firewire, you can use the slower, but just as easy to use USB Interface. The camera also has Picture and Digital Effects that I haven't used yet, because I use Photoshop and After Effects, but they'd be great for those who want to save some money after buying this baby.All in all, this is the camera I'd get. The only thing I'd change is to have a better sound recorder, but that might make the camera too big, and that would be a shame. Maybe some day the technology will be better. With Sony, they will probably upgrade next year. I'll get that one too! Buy this now! Thank me later!
This camera does so much!  Even after taking it on constant assignments over the past year (I bought it in June 2001) I have never had trouble with it.  I've used this camera everywhere from Pompeii to ground zero NY city.  Not to mention rainforests, deserts, Chicago cold, etc...I'm a journalist.  I take a lot of photos for the newspaper I work for and also do a lot of interviews for articles I write.  This camera has been a great help to me in getting my job done.It's true that the resolution of the stills the Sony PC110 captures is not the best quality available, but they are easily good enough for web and email publishing, and, they even look good for newspaper print when shot correctly.The DV digital video format is fantastic!  It's better than any analog video I've ever shot(VHS, BETA, HI8, etc) and believe me I've shot a lot of video!  I used to work for a TV news outlet in my previous job.  The thing I love about digital is that I can record my interviews and easily download the video to my laptop, cut out what I don't need and then burn it onto a CD in MPEG format or in an AVI file format.  THis means all my notes are ready to access whenever I need them, and I can keep tham archived for as long as I need them.There are dozens of video editing programs that will make the process easy for you.  I use Sony's DVgate software and Adobe's Premiere, and both are great.  You can even take your digital stills and record them to a videotape som you can send copies to your family and friends that they can watch on their TV.I highly recommend it even though it is a bit expensive.  If I were buying a new camera today I would almost certainly buy a Sony.
I have had the PC110 over a year now and still like it very much.  The size is perfect for traveling and is easy to take on hikes, etc.  The DV quality is very good and the still shots are good if you shoot at high resolution and keep the pictures small when viewing on a computer.  The camera has a good zoom, but close up pictures require the extra wide angle converter.  I can take a picture of my house without it and get maybe 1/2 of the house.  Standing in the same spot with the wide angle lens, I can get it all.  You really need this accessory if taking pics or video of close up groups and things where you want to get a wider view. There are many good features: nightshot/super nightshot lets you take pictures in TOTAL darkness.  Clarity is not that great and of course the picture is green like in the movies where a soldier is looking thru night vision.  Special effects like B/W, sepia, fader, etc is nice if you are not using video editing software and want a few neat effects on the finished product.  The PC110 does have a digital converter built in so you can plug a VCR into the camcorder and the analog signal is converted to digital and you can output that to a computer via firewire IE1394.  A stand alone converter is about..P>The factory battery is ok, but I bought the larger one for an extra ... and can get 5hrs on it.  We toured the Grand Canyon and I shot all day and still had a little juice left.  I also purchased a 128M card for stills and can get several hundred pictures on it in a higher resolution.  I also purchased extra, the wireless link where you plug the wireless receiver into a tv/vcr via RCA connectors and the camera sends a wireless signal to the receiver and you can watch your video and pictures instantly on tv.  Very nice accessory.  The camera is very nice if you upgrade to the better accessories.
I have no complaints except one: the digital pictures it takes are print quality but, the pixel could be greater for the amount of money you're paying for this. Since Sony has such advanced technologies, the least it could do was to incorporate their superior technology towards the digital picture function.  More megapixels would've been better. Afterall, Sony does make good digital cameras, why didn't they combine the great features?
I love this camera.  The hard-earned cash I bought it with was very well spent.During a week of painstaking research I happened upon this DV-camera.  I had set a budget of $700 and of course the PC110 is quite a bit over this price.  I felt I wanted a camera that would last well, and would deliver excellent picture quality so I splurged and hoped for the best.What I got was better than I expected.  The video quality is superb.  The LCD is bright and clear.  The unit is very compact, and well-designed as I expected with Sony.  Using device-control and a firewire card, I can import, edit, preview and save video back to the tape in the camera.  Bags o fun, and be warned if you aspire to do it, a major time commitment and steep learning curve.As a digital still camera, it is not on par with a good prosumer model, but I find it useful to incorporate stills into video where the still is taken at around the same time as the video.  The 10x optical zoom and good lens makes this a great still camera for snapshot close-ups.  It has a pretty decent flash, and the big rechargeable battery allows for lots and lots of stills.  USB performance is rapid.After a month of using it, I would thoroughly recommend the PC110 to the hobbyist videographer.PROS: It's best features are its incredibly compact form-factor, fantastic lens, menu jog-dial controller and every control you could possibly want (gadgeteers rejoice).  I think you can have up to eight different cables attached to it at once.  The battery supplied ("smart Lithium" rechargeable) is acceptable, but an extra would be welcome.CONS: I received a 4-MB memory stick with the camera.  This gives you room for 3 15-second MPEG videos or 6-8 stills.  It is a waste of time really -- I've assigned it to my Cli&eacute;.  You need at least a 32-MB memory stick, and preferably a few of them.  The camera makes MPEG video clips which are cool, but will only allow 15-seconds worth at the highest quality setting.  No case came with the camera either.Once you see the quality you get with DV, I'll wager you'll never go back to analog.
I recently decided to get this camera and sell off my TRV900 because I really found I needed something smaller to carry around. It was a tough choice, as the image quality and stills from the TRV900 were decidedly better. But I just couldn't pass up the size. This one is so small for the features you get. It has many, many well thought out features. For instance, it has a little swing-down handle to make filming easier (always an issue with these little digicams). You can hook the camera directly to your computer through USB, no need to get a card reader. Pop-up flash is nice for doing indoor shots. Easy to use menus. Fairly high resolution stills for a digital camcorder. I love the Sony batteries that tell you how much time you have left...same for the tapes and memory cards. Plenty of features that a camera at this level should have.Now, for the negatives. No progressive scan. Let me say that again. NO PROGRESSIVE SCAN!! Heaven knows why Sony continues to leave this feature off. It was so noticeable between this camera and the TRV900 which does have progressive scan, when you capture stills off of video. The ones from this camera are nowhere near as good. Not even close. If the subject is moving at all (which is usually the whole point of trying to capture a still from video), without progressive scan it is just not as clear, sharp, colorful, etc. Why Sony does not put progressive scan on their cameras is beyond me. Most of the other gripes I have with this camera are fairly minimal. Some of the buttons are fairly hard to locate, the zoom is hard to use and rather touchy, the photo button is right next to it so I often hit the wrong one, etc. Fairly typical problems for a camera of this size. Were it not for progressive scan being missing though, this would definitely be a 5-star camcorder. Without it, sorry Sony. You blew it again.
If you are considering buying the Sony DC-PC110 Camcorder, you should ask yourself, &quot;What am I looking for in a camcorder?&quot;. I spent a long time debating between buying this camera, the Sony PC9, and the Canon Elura 2 (all great camcorders). My final conclusion is that the PC110 is the best all around... but if you don't need to extras, you needn't spend all the extra money. The PC110 functions perfectly as a camcorder for movies AND as a quality digital camera, something that other camcorders can't boast. It also includes in-camera editing and special effects controls, image-stabilization (hands naturally shake, and this makes movies more smooth), night-shot (for recording in total darkness), and intuitive ergonomics (contrary to what other reviewers have said, the pinky doesn't belong on the controls, the index finger does...), and the camera is very easy to operate (once you get the hang of it). The 120X Zoom is very good (even at extreme closeness, the quality of the image does not suffer). Hooking it up to your computer for editing is easy (cables &amp; free software are included).As a digital camera, it's perfect. You can take pictures (&quot;stills&quot;) while recording by pressing the &quot;photo&quot; button while in recording (&quot;camera&quot;) mode, or you can take a series of pictures &amp; delete the ones you don't want in digital memory (&quot;memory&quot;) mode. You can play back your movies on your camorder (or hooked up to your TV) while in &quot;VCR&quot; mode. The camera charges quickly while off &amp; plugged into an AC adapter, but the battery that it comes with only lasts around an hour, so you'd probably want to buy a bigger one for vacations.The bottom line is, if you don't want to use your camera as an all-purpose two-in-one, you needn't spend the extra money (if you buy the camera as-is, you will need to buy an extra battery, a filter, a bag, digital tapes to record movies, and a 64MB memory stick for digital photos, which adds up to quite a lot of money). However, I recommend this camera as a long-term investment for all your camera needs... it is sturdy, takes quality movies, is easy to use, easily hooks up to PCs &amp; Macs to edit (or to TVs to view), and doubles as a great digital camera. It also helps that it's very small and light (and looks very sleek...) If you don't want to use it as a digital camera, I'd recommend the Sony PC9 instead, which is basically the same as the PC110, but a bit smaller &amp; takes lower quality digital pictures. Overall, I highly recommend the PC-110 -- it's the best personal camcorder on the market.
Fantastic, compact advanced camera.  Best feature: viewfnder.  My original camera broke (after years of flawless use) on a trip and I had to buy a new one at duty-free shop. The only options were ones with only LCD screen viewing.  In bright sun or in forests where there is a great deal of details in the image, it was impossible to find the subject I was trying to film.  This forced me to ether zoom out or scan w/ the camera often missing the bird or animal I was trying to film.  With the viewfinder, on the DCR110, I can see everything. This camera,as old as it is, is advanced enough to download movies onto iMovie on my Mac.Too bad the one I was sold &#34;like new&#34; was missing the lens hood.
The PC110 appears to be a slight re-working of the PC100 with the aim of making it a better still camera and integrating it more closely with Sony's other video imaging products. It takes true megapixel stills, and also will store very short MPEG videos on its memory stick card. Viewing these requires a PC.Unfortunately, the way this is implemented makes this device more like two cameras than one. You are either in &quot;Memory&quot; mode or &quot;Camera&quot; mode when recording, &quot;Memory&quot; mode or &quot;VCR&quot; mode when playing back. Stills and MPEG are transferred through the USB port, DV video through the FireWire. It all makes sense, when you realize that this camera does not consider MPEG to be a tape format. But it does take some time to get used to. And after you get used to it, you can move on to tricky little things like transferring small portions of your DV video onto the memory stick as MPEG etc. I think you can even transfer stills from memory stick to tape if you'd ever want to do that.The message here is: this is the camera for people who want to do something with their images other than just watch them as is. It has a lot of features for in-camera editing and effects, though as has been pointed out in the editorial review, you can do this more easily on a PC than in the camera.Finally, ignore the comments about the ergonomics. The author was holding the camera the wrong way. Your pinky should be nowhere near the focus or still photo controls. A closer reading of the manual and some experimentation would have put him straight.
To engineer a remote that is SO small, with no way of attaching it to anything, as not to lose it, is short-sighted and inane. To further add to the annoyance, one cannot, according to the instructions, replace the battery, but, must return it to the manufacturer. Please!
what a novel idea to put the remote in your hand without any wires -- before this, i had to ask someone to take our picture and each time I worried they would run off with my $1,000 camera.  Now we can set up the camera where we want and take our own pictures.  I love it.
What a sweet little product! If you own a Pentax digital camera you must get one of these! It works from the front or back of the camera and is programmable for release time!Be careful! It's so tiny you may send it through the laundry in a shirt or pants pocket!
I would have given this 5 stars but it is so tiny that it is too easy to misplace, or worse.  I put some Velcro on back and camera body and that's working so far.
Finally got to use this remote and it will not work AT ALL! Changed battery, cleaned contacts, nothing would resurrect this thing. What a waste of time and money.
Works pretty well with my K10D. It's IR so it requires line of sight, and it doesn't have a terrifically remarkable range. But it works as advertised and I didn't want to waste my time spending 4 bucks and waiting a month to get a cheap knock off from china that may or may not work.Another thought. It's TINY. Look at the cheap flash drive you have lying on your desk, it's a half inch smaller than that.
The remote works as it is supposed to. It is very effective for taking group or family photos that require you to be present. It is a lot easier than setting the self timer and then tripping over the dog! It is a fairly robust unit, but running it through the washing machine will cause it to stop working. It is so small that it is easily placed into a shirt pocket and forgotten! Contrary to another review, I was able to replace the battery with one from Radio Shack. It still is working fine.
I ordered the cheaper, off brand remote before I bought this one.  The main thing I noticed when comparing the two is that the Pentax brand remote is about half the size--little bit thicker but much, much, smaller.  I also noticed that this remote has a much farther reach.  Really both remotes work great and the main thing is to keep track of them because they are both so very small.  This is great though, because you do not have extra weight to carry.
Works from the front only with my Kx. I guess I should have read the camera's HUGE manual to determine that, but if I am mre than 150deg from center, it's hit or miss. But, hey, it works. That's a +1 nowadays.
The Pentax Remote Control F for Pentax Digital Cameras is a hand held life saver for a photographer.  This remote works great with my Pentax K10D Digital Camera.It's small and your can conceal it in the palm of your hand.  Beware, you can lose it if you forget about it.  It works straight out the box and helps stablize your shots (when used with a tripod) in low light and night situations.It gives me the confidence to walk away and be able to time my shot, adjust lighting and props before triggering the shutter.  I love using this device wth the Bulb mode on my Pentax.It is great for self portraits and group shots.  I have used it several times since my purchase and am very pleased.  My husband also used this remote and found it easy to use.
It's very tiny. It's great if you're close enough but I found myself actually needing it at more than it's 15 foot limit so it just sits in my camera most of the time.
Had to search very thoroughly to believe it would work with my Pentax WG-1. It works just fine. Set timer mode to remote et voila! remote shutter release activated. A bit flimsy when you open it up since the &#34;main board&#34; is not glued down, but it's simple enough in build to easily place it back where it belongs after replacing the battery and closing it back up.Primarily for the Pentax WG-1 than the remote, but: angle of effect is from approximately 3 degrees to the left (facing the same way as the camera) to 25 degrees to the right (partially blocked by the lens ring), for a total of 152 degree field of view. While you are in remote mode, the red light on the front of the camera flashes.Worked up to 12' away directly in front of camera in shaded indoor lighting.
Here's a hint about using one of these: when including yourself in the shot and if you don't want the picture to show you with this in your hand pointing at the camera, then put your camera on the 2 second (delayed) timer to give yourself time to put your hand back in a more natural position. You may also have to find your eyepiece cover and install it to keep the light from coming in (normally blocked by your eye up to it) and changing your exposure settings.
I've used this several times and it works great!  It's small enough that when you are taking family self portraits, it's not noticeable in the pictures.
I've hesitated purchasing this remote, or the wired one. Well the wired one was more expensive so I took a shot with this one, and I couldn't be happier. I have a K20D and it works flawlessly, even 20 feet away. That is the furthest range I've tested it with. The only feature I wish it had, or my camera had, was a sensor on the back also. I'm looking forward to more opportunities to use the remote!Edit: The k20d DOES have a sensor on the front and back! Thanks to the person who cleared this up for me.
If possible, I would RATE THIS ITEM 4.5 STARSI've been using the Pentax Remote Control F with a K20D camera body and BG2 battery pack and have high praise for the small device. For me, the wireless remote performs the task of operating a K20D camera and after 5 months of uses, without any hiccups and has never let me down. The unit is very compact and the engineers at Pentax found a way to store the device inside the BG2 battery pack. A smart design feature that I appreciate very much as I know I will never be without the wireless remoteA side note, when pointing the near IR LED on the remote with in the field of view of the lens you are using, the near IR LED at the pointing end of the wireless remote is visible to a K20D camera and appears in photos as a small light source in the operator's hand (see photo). Hence, if the operator of the remote includes themselves into a photo, it is advisable to bounce the IR signal off of a surface such that the LED on the remote does not appear conspicuous in photos taken with the device.As stated by other reviewers, the Wireless Remote Control F is very small, not much larger than the size of 2 SD memory cards end to end, approximately twice as thick and easy to lose. Therefore, it would be very convenient and without altering the exterior dimension of the device, if a small pass through sectional could be cut out from one of the corners and or modify the housing of the remote so a small key ring could loop through the remote. That way, if a user is without a BG2 battery pack, the wireless remote could be easily clipped and secured to a camera case or bag.As a whole, the price to value and function for the Pentax Wireless Remote F is excellent and a device I recommend every K20D user to have.Minus 0.25 for IR Transmitting LED being visible to the K20D camera.Minus 0.25 for no secure storage method other than the BG2 battery pack.
With this little remote, I can now be in the pictures!  I set up the camera on the tripod and include myself in the pictures with ease.  Just click!
This little device does exactly what it says it does, is incredibly small (about the size of a wide USB key) tucks neatly in your bag, lets you easily set the camera up on a tripod and trigger it for self/group shots or something like animals, birds, etc.  A great option to have handy.
My husband will be using this tomorrow to take pictures in some of the mountains and gorges in our area. He will be much safer now having the remote and he has already tested it and it very happy with it's performance.
Got this as a gift and was surprised how small it is.  It is about the length of my thumb, and the thickness of a couple of stacked coins.  Basically, smaller than a car alarm fob.  It has one button to control the shutter, depending on how you set your camera.  With my K-x, it will either hold the shutter open while you hold the button, or toggle the shutter open/closed with each press.
This little thing works great.  I was afraid it might be more complicated or require batteries or something, but you just take it out of the box, set your camera to accept it, and click away. Using the 3 second delay gives you enough time to hide the clicker from view before the shutter goes off.  The only problem is that you might loose it, because it is very small.
As all the purchases I have made on Amazon, it was so perfectly handled and received on time.  The product came perfect and it works great.
Works good with my K20D. Tried it a few of times, works from at least 15ft away (thats the farthest i've tried it so far)
This is a nice small remote - VERY small. I have a K5 and it works fine - the remote gives you a bit of flexibility when you need to take pics but need to be a bit away from the camera. It is an ok value - it is just a piece of plastic with one button and a small battery. Pentax does not recommend changing the battery - but you can if needed - you just need a really small screwdriver. All in all - try and get this on sale and it is worth it. Note - the bast battery grips from Pentax used to store this remote - but the one for the K7 and K5 does not (still holds an SD card though).
Just because don;t know whether the amazonbasics will work on my k5, I bought this one. Kind of too expensive.
Nice and small remote control for Pentax digital cameras, it seems to work with any Pentax Digital Camera.  It works with both of my SLR's and my Point and shoot. More than I expected.  Extremely small stores in the aux base for my K10D.  No batteries to replace.
This worked on my Samsung GX20.  It tripped the GX20 on a tripod just fine even from across a 60 foot street to put me in the picture.  It is very small and hides well. Nothing not to like.
Works as it should. I'm big on durability.  Taking it apart to change the battery requires disassembly and exposure of the delicate internal component and I'm afraid I'll break it one day. Other than that it's a good buy and i trust it over a universal remote.
I love this little remote control for my Pentax  K10.  For those times when you want to include yourself in a photograph, it is just plain terrific.  The unit is extremely light, responsive, and unobtrusive; and it also has a good range.  With this remote, you can easily get spontaneous shots when playing for the camera - specially if you delay the shot a few seconds.  And you can also use it to reduce shake even further when taking photos at night for example.The problem lies in the size of the remote and its black color. The unit is so small, dark, and light, that it is easy to lose.  I had to replace the first unit I lost.  I wish Pentax had designed this remote with a key chain orifice. In the meantime I think I am going to place a yellow fluorescent tape on its back so it becomes more visible.  Other than that, don't leave home without it.
First of all, I'd like to comment that I tried to order this product through Amazon and had major problems. First, when I placed my order through amazon it was eligible for free two day shipping with amazon prime and so I did not think anything of it. Then after a week went by and it never arrived I realized something must have happened. I went on amazon to check the status of the order and according to Amazon it still wasn't shipped! I contacted amazon immediately to try and figure out what the problem was. The product "magically" changed its "shipping details" to "ships in 1 to 3 months" and the "expected delivery date" was now schedule for nearly 2-3 weeks later than it should have been delivered. I was very unhappy needless to say. Amazon claimed that it would have been faster for me not to choose the 2 days shipping. Huh? That made no sense to me. It never said the item was out of stock or low in stock or anything of that nature. I told them if they could not fix the problem and send my item in two days then I would cancel the order. Since Amazon could not resolve the problem I canceled and bought the Pentax remote F from B&H; photo instead. It was purchased for about the same price and I splurged an extra $5 to have it shipped within 3-5 business days because I wanted to use it on a trip. Well, B&H; was so great they shipped it the very next day. Amazon, shame on you. Don't advertise "2 day shipping" through amazon prime and then days after I place my order you sneak in "ships in 1 to 3 months" SO SNEAKY of them!!!!....That "1 to 3 months" bologna was NEVER there when I placed my order and it was in stock. I've never had a problem like this from amazon, but I'm very disappointed and wanted to warn anyone considering purchasing this item through Amazon to order it from B&H; instead. Save yourself the aggravation.As far as the remote goes, its incredibly tiny and I'm afraid I'll have to be extra careful not to lose it. I wish it was a little larger. I also would like to have had a larger button to press. No instructions were included so I'm going to flip through my camera's manual to see what I can find. I tried to get it to work right out of the box, but it appears to have no battery installed? Maybe it doesn't come with one and I have to purchase it separate. I'm guessing it takes something small like a watch battery. Anyways, for the price I guess I can't complain too much. I would have spent an extra $25 to have this thing a little bigger and more user friendly.
Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. I had a wired remote for another camera, and never had to guess whether or not it was working properly. I may very well look around for one, because this wireless remote only seems to work periodically. I'm using it with a Pentax K2000.
The Pentax Remote Control F does exactly what it's supposed to do, but is quite pricey for that functionality.  It's just an infrared remote, not unlike what we use with our televisions.  If you have a programmable, universal remote or a PDA with an infrared emitter, you can actually program your own remote release.  Since universal remotes are all different, you'll have to find the code on the internet or use the manual search function of the remote.  If you have a Windows Mobile PDA, go to your favorite search engine and enter "pocketpc pentax remote control f" without the quotes.Pros:- Very small and compact so you can easily store it.  It's about twice as long and just as wide as an SD card.  I've uploaded a picture to the gallery above.- Easy enough to use.  For Pentax digital SLRs, just set your drive mode to use the remote control.  On the *ist DL/K100D, hit Fn + Up + OK to get to the drive mode menu.- Wireless so you can easily participate in group pictures.- Supports Bulb mode on DSLRs.  This lets you take long exposures by holding down the remote release in B or Bulb mode.  I didn't actually expect this to work, but it does. :)- Supports auto-focus in the auto modes: AUTO PICT (green), SCN and any of the scene modes.  You need to set "AF in remote control" in the camera and the camera will focus before releasing the shutter.  On my K100D, "AF in remote control" was under the Custom Setting tab in the menu.- Battery is replaceable, but you need a small screwdriver kit to remove the back.Cons:- Very small and compact so you can easily lose it.- Doesn't support AF in the manual modes: P, Tv, Av, M and B.- Doesn't have a lock to hold down the shutter release for extended exposures.- Requires line of sight since it uses infrared.If you need a remote for long exposures, I would suggest getting a wired remote because it'll have a lock feature to hold down the button for you, and the remote won't need line of sight to trigger the shutter.Aside from that, the Remote Control F is a great addition to my camera bag.  It makes it a lot easier for me to be in group pictures, especially since I can easily conceal it so it doesn't show up in the photo.
I have the Pentax K-r DSLR (red), and really enjoy it. I wanted a remote to get shots where I don't what my actions to affect the shot (blur it) in certain shots. The remote prevents this. It's very easy to use. For Pentax DSLRs, simply use the menu to get to the remote icon and activate it. Once this is done, simply click the remote, the camera will shoot.  One special note, some DSLRs will auto focus prior to the shot, others will not; the remote merely tells the cam to shoot the shot. In the second case, just revert the camera back to Manual focus; an easy flick of the switch, then use the remote. It just as well for me.
I use this remote with my Pentax K100D DSLR. I believe this works with other Pentax models as well (you may want to check the Pentax website to check if your equipment is compatible)  This remote allows me to take pictures much easier than using a self timer (when I want to be included in the picture).  It is very simple to set up (just set the camera's function switch to select "remote".  The K100 has two settings, one has a 2 second delay and the other setting is instant.  The only negative I can mention on this product is that it is too small so it is very easy to misplace.  Overall it just works great and it is also very reasonably priced.
This is a very cheap infrared remote that ONLY works from the front of the camera. It also doesn't work well in bright light situations, i.e. outside in direct sunlight.  The guy that paid 18 bucks for it paid about 3 dollars too much. I, sadly, paid $33 after shipping.I suggest anyone looking to purchase this other than for occasional use look at wireless remotes that use radio. There are a few available in the $30-$50 range that you will be much happier with.
Bought this remote to use with my Pentax K-x DSLR. Works well so far, no complaints. The unit is incredibly small so my biggest concern with it is not losing/misplacing it!To use the remote with the K-x you need to set your drive mode to Remote Control (You can also do Remote Control w/ 3 sec delay). By default, you need to focus your camera on the object first (using the shutter release), then you can snap pics with the remote. However you can adjust the settings to also focus upon pressing the remote button (in the menu settings, "Custom Setting 2" you can set "AF with Remote Control" to ON).The flash does not automatically pop up if you want to use flash --- you have to manually pop it up before shooting.The manual says that the remote will last about 30,000 presses. After that you will have to contact Pentax themselves to replace the battery (fee associated with this) but unlikely you will need to do this.If you have a K-x DSLR and are looking for a way to remotely take pictures look no further.
Mine worked only occasionally. The rubber button is awkward -- you don't know for sure if you have fully push the button enough. There is no led lighting up. Is the battery in my unit too low?
I have a Pentax S-40 digital camera and this works as it should.  All it has on it is a button.  You aim it at the camera, from within 15 feet, and it triggers the shutter response that is set in the camera - immediate release or three-second release, for example.  Note that the battery is not user-changeable.  However, Pentax claims it can be operated for over 20,000 times  before you send it in to Pentax for a new battery for some unknown charge.  I doubt I will ever need to do that.
I Love The Way You Can Set Your Camera On A Tripod For Long ExposuresFor Doing Infrared And Not Have Shaking And Group Photos That You Can BeIn The Photograph
Every Pentax shooter who owns one of the digi cameras should buy one for remote camera shutter release.Remember - you can use this BEHIND the camera - you need make sure that you have the remote setting engaged from the camera's menu and to be in front of the camera or off to the side for the remote &#34;beam&#34; to be received to trigger the camera.
It's a simple and small remote, which I love, but considering it has one function, it's overpriced and doesn't perform as well as I'd like such as more range. Suites my needs well though so I'm very happy with it.
This is extremely simple, one button, no synching with your camera, no programming.  Just put the camera in remote mode and hit the button. This comes with no instruction whatsoever, probably because it is so simple.  Does what is is supposed to do.
I am using this with my Pentax KX. Short and sweet, barely works further that 10' and you have to be direct line of sight. In my case I wanted to be able to shoot wild life, this is kind of hard to do if you are 10' away from the subject matter.
I just received the Pentax Remote Control F and was thrilled with it.  Couldn't have worked better with my K-x. I actually stood to the right and slightly behind the camera and it worked.  Had no problems, set my camera to remote and it worked on the first try!!  Also worked with the 3 sec delay!!  Simple.  It is small so I taped it to an old "Lord of the Rings" membership card (can you believe that). Now I don't have to worry about losing it!!  There are probably a lot of things you could tape it to, use your imagination.  I know it was expensive, but I bought a cheaper one that said it was compatible with the K-x, but it absolutely was not.  Better to stick with the Pentax I think.......at least from my experience.  One of the other reviews said they wished theyhad purchased one sooner, well so do I!!
Pentax has made a very simple remote for my camera. My *istDL doesn't have power zoom ability anyway so basically all I need is a shutter trigger anyway. It works just the way it's supposed to.
I started using this as soon as it arrived and have not stopped... The only potential issue is that my camera has its IR reader in the front and I shoot from behind... IR bounces off of mirrors though. and I shoot reflective things... worked out for me.
Not too much to say about this - it works! It is very small and light - almost too small so you are definitely at risk for losing it! Still it works great for long exposures or self-portraits if you don't want to use the timer. I am using it with my Pentax K-r.
Would be nice if it worked. Tried everything my Pentax K-x manual indicated that I should do and still no action. Not impressed. Perhaps a two pound mason's hammer would do the trick.
This is a good remote for my Pentax K-X. What I liked most was its size, it is very small so it will almost not use storage space in your carry on bag. You can even store it in your shirt pocket when travelling.For me the only drawback, is its lack of functions since it only can trigger the shutter (you can add auto focus, but it must be configured in the camera). I would have liked to see other functions as Sony have in its remote control for its alpha models.
Works as advertised. I particularly like the fact that there is a special compartment for it inside the battery grip (I use D-BG2). It needs a lock mechanism for bulb exposures to make it perfect.
Not much to say about this - it works very well with my K30. I just have to be careful not to lose it because it's so tiny!
This remote is small and easily carriable. It functions smoothly. It does exactly as it is advertised.
Great item to have with your Pentax camera.  Makes life a whole lot easier, especially when doing portraits.  Just remember to get extra batteries (although they do last a long time).
The product description says it works up to 15 feet away.  I'm not sure if there are conditions to this statement, but all I know is that it doesn't work that far away for me.  I have to be right next to the camera when outdoors in the bright sunlight.  I purchased this item so I could do family group photos more easily.  I was tired of trying to run and pose for a picture before the camera timer ran down.  This summer we were all posing out on the beach and I never could get the remote to work unless I was practically standing nose to lens with my camera.  I'm not sure if it works better indoors, but if you're planning to use it outside, I can tell you it's not a good choice.
This remote control is both rugged and very small. I accidentally washed and dried this remote because I forgot it in my pocket and it was small enough that the casual check missed it but it came through the incident working perfectly. Pentax makes some rugged stuff. I'm thinking about gluing it to something bigger or getting the battery grip. The battery grip has a compartment for the remote. Oh, and it also works nicely as a remote control.
I bought this remote so that I could take some pictures with me and my wife in them during a Alaska vacation.  For that it worked great.  The only downside is that you just want to use it remotely as a way to lesson camera shake for long focal shots, you have to be on the front side of the camera.  I would rather have one that works anywhere (360 deg.) around the camera.
Pros:-Useful for getting yourself in the image or remote triggering for tripod mounted long exposures. I use it a lot more than I thoguht I would.Cons:-Possibly the Price. I got it as part of a bundle with the battery grip for the K20D.Advice:-Always take the time to completely read the manual for the camera. Although a lot of it will be boring and previously known, the few tidbits you do get will help immensely. Initially I did not know that a setting in the custom menu of the camera allowed for it to also focus in certain modes.
So here is the deal.1-It is tiny.. it comes in a box the size of a AA battery2-It has about a 7-8 foot radius at best if you want it to work guaranteed every time that you push the button. From 8 to 15 feet you have to be pointing it on a perfect line to the camera to get it to shoot and even then it only works about 25-50% of the button pushes.3-IMO 20 bucks is too much for this thing, BUT I don't know if there are many better options for Pentax anyways. This item should sell for about 5 bucks.4-If there was another remote that would give me a bit more range I'd be much happier with that5-If your going to be taking all your pics via remote inside a 7-8 foot radius it will do its job and as long as you don't lose it I don't see why it would ever stop working.
I purchased the remote today at a Going Out of Business Sale at Ritz Camera in Chciagoland. It was $18.00 I'm using it for the K20D Body.The remote can be taken apart to change the battery. Three screws need to be removed. The battery is a small round flat Panasonic CR 1620 3V. See Photo's I've included above.The remote works as advertised. On the K20D You need to set the "Yes" setting in the Custom Menu in order for the Auto Focus to work when using the remote.You also have to set which type of Shutter release you want to have fire. Press the fn button then press the 4 way controller button (arrow up) to get to the remote settings. You can choose single-immediate fire, Fire after a 3 second delay or Continuous Firing. On the continuous firing the camera will keep taking pictures until you press the remote button a second time to stop the camera from firing.While you have the remote control feature selected the Self Timer Lamp / Remote Control Reciever Lamp on the front & rear of the camera body will blink (RED) on and off to let you know the remote feature in ON.NO instructions are included with the remote control F, only a a warning sheet that the remote may interfere with TV/Radio reception. For instructions see your camera manual....
The remote is decent, but I should have read more before ordering it.  I would like to have the ability to focus, especially if I'm doing tripod work and the subject(s) are not stationery.  This remote control is basically only a shutter release, with a slight delay and if your target moves out of focus, you end up with a blurry picture.  Additionally, it's way too small.  When I opened the box and saw how tiny this remote was, I was disappointed.  This remote is good for remote shutter release, and that's about it, really a novelty.  I wouldn't have bought it, had I known this up front.  I need to pay closer attention to the reviews next time.
This remote is a great product. Low cost and works with all of the DSLR Pentax cameras we have owned. Had it 3 years now and use it frequently. It really helps the wife when I am not there and she is taking pictures of dogs. They are worse than kids at times. this remote is lightweight, compact and has about 10 meters of practical distance with a good battery. Cameras we have used this remote on include: K200D, K-X, K-30 and Optio W90 (this is an adventure camera not a DSLR)
This remote works great with my K-x. I am able to use it in bulb mode to keep the shutter open until you hit the button a second time to close it. It also has the option of keeping the shutter open for as long as you hold the button down. Many people have commented on the size, yes it is small but I doubt that I will loose it easily. If it was any bigger it would kind of seem silly as it only has one button.
Cannot complain.  It works fine with my Pentax K-x DSLR and it's tiny.  It's definitely cheaply made and probably not worth what I paid, but Pentax isn't really a major player in the market.
I have another wired remote which I use when I use a tripod, but I wanted one that would fit in the base of my Pentax K-20. This one works perfectly and the price was right. I was also shipped quickly. My only negative comment is that I wish the zoom worked with the remote.
It's like most other IR remotes... it works... Even in bulb setting!! Just hold the button as long as you want the exposure. Works great for capturing those light motion shots at night. COOLEST PART IS IT FITS IN THE BATTERY GRIP FOR MY K-10D AND WORKS WITH ALL MY OTHER PENTAX CAMERAS THAT USE AN IR REMOTE.
works fine, it really does do all it should! it is very nice... it is small tho, easy to misplace
I was using an Optio S5i mounted on a tripod in my car to capture video from motorsports. I bought this remote control because I was tired of reaching back to turn it on / off. It never worked. I searched for solutions, and could never get it working. What more is there to say? Waste of money. Maybe I got a bad unit, but who cares? I bought a ContourHD with a window mount instead.
The size on this is tiny, like every one else says. That is not a bad thing, as I keep it in a small accessory pocket in my bag,Range is good, though the beam-focus leaves a little to be desired. With good aim, it serves well. Though personally, I use it for long-exposure and macro shots from behind the camera than I do from in front of it.
I ordered to use with my K20D. Yes it works to snap a shot, but doesn't focus or work in bulb. It would have been nice to know this before buying, but with very limited info on Pentax's site you can't find that out with out extensive research, or other people's reviews here. I think I'll get the corded release later to handle the AF and bulb functions. I guess if you were setting up a shot of the family or friends and pre-focused it would work very well.
This remote is so small you can carry it in your pocket for those just in case times you would need it. The only drawbackis the small button is sometimes hard to find in the dark - a little bigger or taller would be helpful.It also is priced right.
I photograph a lot of art so it has to be really sharp.  This remote works perfectly when using the tripod.  There's a setting on the camera in the self-timer section for the remote, and you have to point the remote at the front of the camera (off the the side is fine obviously) - a couple of seconds and then it shoots.  I love it.
You have to be in front of the camera for this thing to work..kinda a pain but it at least keeps the camera from shaking when it's on the tripod.
What can I add to all the other reviews?I had a K-x and then I got a K-5II. This remote worked with both and I still have not changed its cell after something like 5 years of occasional use.
Opened it up and removed the three screws to verify that there was not a battery saver. There was not. I checked the battery and it bounced off the green signaling that it was fuly new. Changed the mode on my Pentax K7 under the timer screen to remote and tested out to 30 feet and it performed wonderfully. These are small units and this is my second one. They are easy to lose so invest in a lanyard and tether.
I was a little shocked by the price, but felt I really needed it.  (The price has been reduced since then).  I use it mostly for long exposures with the camera mounted on a tripod and group photo's that include myself.  Pretty handy and very small.
This was an addition to a new Pentax DLSR camera.  It works great and I am happy with this product.
I have only used it once and sent one to a friend (the price was really good). I have had other remotes for other cameras and was surprised how small this one is.
Used with a Pentax K-x.1) It works from the front of the camera only2) There is only one button but Bulb mode works (you can specify a setting in the camera such that you press once to fire and press again to stop)3) Tiny! I dropped it on a dark cold night outside and if someone didnt see me drop it it would've been gone.
This remote is small enough to take a picture with out any one looking at the photo being able to see that you had the remote in your hands. It is about the size of an average man's thumb
I'm using a K7.  For many people this tiny remote is a 5 star for photos of the family during a birthday party, posing for a wedding and using a tripod. But I'm challenged and not excited. The position of the sensor on the camera is at the bottom front right side of the camera. When you put the camera on a sweater, your backpack, some object that supports the camera, fiddle with the camera to compose the photo, then try to take the shot, I frequently find the sensor is covered. Even if you put the camera on a tripod, but stand to the left side of the camera (imagine 5 people lined up and you are to one side) the lens can block the signal to fire the camera. You need to stand in the middle or right of the camera.  Some fiddling and planning is required to use the remote. The sensor on the K7 needs to be high and central to make excellent use of the Pentax remote. I'm going to need to purchase a more expensive but for me a more user friendly remote. This is so far my only complaint about the K7. I'll keep and use this remote as it's so tiny, but it can be "quirky" to use.
As in any shutterbug's arsenal, one should always find a remote control for one's camera, be it film or digital. This remote for my Pentax k20d is a welcomed addition. Since I now look to shoot HDR images alot, this is an absolute necessity. Also comes in handy for portrait work since it frees you from looking thru the camera and enables you to get more candid shots. My only complaint is that it is rather small and that is a personal thing. Hence the 4 stars. It may not be an issue with others.
I was disappointed with the short range of the remote, not the 15 feet advertised, but more like 3 feet.  It comes with no instructions.
I use this remote to control my Pentax Kx DSLR.  It works reliably as long as it's in a line of sight of the front infrared sensor on the camera's body.  I only wish this was a standard accessory that came with the camera in the first place.  All the functions are integrated so all you have to do is set the camera to &#34;remote&#34; mode (instead of &#34;timer&#34;) and now the photographer can be in lots of family portraits without having to run back and forth from the camera to your portrait spot.
veru useful when taking pics whenever you need be away from the camera. very reliable and solid constructed. My friend's still works fine after washed and dried once.
If you have older Pentax screw mount lenses (Spotmatic, etc.), this accessory is a must have!With it, I found that I could adapt my old Pentax prime lenses, including my 50mm/1.4 lens to my Pentax K200D and K100 DSLRs, saving a small fortune (for other Pentax accessories).The only gotcha I ran into with my older Tamron 400mm lens was that I had to unscrew the lens from the adapter, and release the adapter clip with a small screwdriver, a very simple task.Money well spent !
For the little money that i spent on this, it has done me great service.  I have no problems putting it on or taking it off.  I don't need the clip, I just use my nail.  Like other reviews have said, don't waste your money on the cheap knock offs, this is what you need.
This simple, easy-to-use adaptor allows classic Super Takumar lenses from the 1960s to fit perfectly into a contemporary Pentax DSLR camera body. The lenses remain manual, but offer the opportunity for a skilled photographer to use some of the great screw-mount lenses made by Pentax from about 1959 to 1975.
Edit:Someone asked in the comments if the ring allows focusing to infinity, and honestly I don't know. I've only used it with a few lenses that required it and got good results. I would definitely buy again if I lost this one.
It worked like a charm. I own 2 other SLR lenses and wanted to use them on my Pentax K-X. The mount is easy to install and simple to use.
If you need a M42 adapter for your K-mount body, this is the one to get.  Price is reasonable, build quality great, and unlike OEM versions you can mount and unmount this using your hands only although having something like a pen or small screwdriver helps a bit (other versions require using a special tool to unlock before unmounting).
Wonderful to be able to buy a Genuine Pentax Adaptor rather than those cheap imitations.  Works perfectly except that when the M42 screw lens is screwed into the camera body, it does not always line up with the lens setting exactly on the top.  But at least I can be sure taht there no risk to the camera and I avoid all the (on-line) horror stories from generic adaptors.
This lens is not as good wide open as I had hoped, but it is still a very good lens for indoor, lowlight pictures without a flash. It performed well at a wedding I went to, and I was able to take informal pictures at a fairly low ISO setting without flash - appreciated by the guests, no doubt.
This is an incredibly fast versatile lens. There are few lenses at this price point that deliver such value. I've used this in low light situations (museums where flashes are forbidden) and with a flash for portrait shots. If you can hold out for another rebate from Pentax, it makes it more the bargain!
Have been taking a few test shots, and I can tell that once I get the "hang" of it I will be favoring this lens.It makes great shots with very little light and wonderful depth-of-field.One drawback is that because the aperture is so large, and the depth-of-field so broad, getting a sharp focus can be a challenge.
I got around to putting this lens to some serious use. It has beautiful bokeh and the fast lens does well in low light. It takes getting used to when working with a fixed lens at 50 mm, which is bordering on telephoto. All the features work on my digital Pentax.
I received perhaps a bad copy. Nevertheless, the lens would not focus properly on any subject. Even adjusting in-body had *no effect*. I do not mean I was not able to adjust it *enough*. I mean AF tuning *had no effect at all*. The lens would find a random point and focus. Switching to manual, I was not able to focus the lens more than one of four shots. This indicates a mechanical rather than electronic problem. Perhaps transit damage? Who knows?Switching to MF, I found the AF confirmation to be incorrect. chose then to ignored the AF confirm which would *appear* to find the correct focal point but in fact, the shot would be front *or* back focused. Now if it were one or the other, one could compensate. But the focal point appears to be quite random. I had better luck ignoring AF confirmation, but at that point I might as well have been using my Takumar MF lens.I needed a guaranteed solution quickly so I returned this unit to Amazon and, yielding to my true desire, purchased the DA* 55m f/1.4 instead. Now THAT is a lens and a case for a separate review.I gave this lens three stars on the lifelong knowledge that Pentax products, for me, are the best in the world with consistent quality beyond that of N*kon or C*non, or the other makers. I did not want my experience to skew the rating of the lens. A lot of things can go wrong from the factory door to one's own door, so it is not even safe to assume the lens was not performing well at the factory.If considering this lens, please read all the reviews to see if other purchasers had problems. If not, then you should assume I just received a bad copy. My decision to choose a different lens rather than a replacement was just that--my decision. I assume a replacement would have performed well based on other reviews.I am providing this review as information only, not judgment. Please use it accordingly.
My first Amazon review.After many productive years of using a Panasonic FZ50 with a 2.8 aperture, I finally went for the mighty Pentax K20D. At $630 the camera had a compelling IQ to price ratio. I got 3 lenses to go with it; the Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL (first edition), the smc DA 50-200mm F4.5-6 ED WR, and this smc FA 50mm 1.4 prime.What a powerful tool this lens is. Wide open it produces some really stunning bokeh. It has six blades which can give a hexagonal shape sometimes. It has really lovely rich colors and doesn't seem to have a lot of flare. Wide open the speed is amazing; you can go out at night and handhold using only street lights. Yes 1.4 is a bit soft as all fast primes tend to be, but I've still got some good results. Stop down to 2.0 or 2.8 and it will get plenty sharp. Focus is another story. Using manual focus wide open is difficult. I will reserve judgment as it is new to me and I suspect it takes finesse and practice to master. I've had some trouble with the K20D's autofocus on this lens too. I think there is a front-focus issue with my copy, and I need to do a proper optical test, and try the in camera focus adjustment feature on the K20D to make corrections. I think the K20D's matte focus screen has a wider depth of field view as well. Seriously thinking I need a split-screen upgrade like the Katzeye because of this. The shots I have managed to get in focus so far have been pleasingly sharp, with brilliant bokeh and exceptional colors. With practice, you will get great results with this lens. I'd give it 5 stars but for the crazy price jump here on Amazon. I paid less then $300 for this lens elsewhere (sorry Amazon) and feel this was money well spent.PROS: Great colors, bokeh, speed, IQ, value (if under $300-350)CONS: Overpriced, challenging focusing wide open
I got one of those rare lemons, so I cannot speak about the lens quality. Despite having everything set correctly, it would not give me an F-stop reading and would not focus on AF or MF on my Pentax K-5. Amazon was wonderful as always about a return and refund. I would not consider buying electronics and camera products from any other retailer. I LOVE amazon.com
To put it simply, this is the best lens I've ever used. Image after image turn out better than any other lens I've used -- including "L" glass from Canon! Beautiful bokeh.
As most Pentax users know, this lens has been upgraded to the 55mm 1.4 DA version. According to digital photography review and a few other sites, the new one is MUCH slower than this original design AND the new one has SERIOUS back focusing problems. So unless Pentax fixes this problem, I would stay away from the new one. I was ready to upgrade to that my standard lens (which I use as a portrait lens for my models) would be weather sealed like my camera. But why would I upgrade when this lens is just GREAT! Plus all the problems with the back focusing AND the slower autofocus made the new lens less attractive. Open this lens at F2.4 or higher and the background blurs out to a nice buttery smooth bokeh. My girls just love it! And I love it too. When it comes to contrast and color, Pentax lenses are tough to beat. Plus it's light, small and quick so what's not to love? I will say that there is a small matter of Chromatic Aberation at wide open with severe backlighting. This can be problematic. Granted it's rare that I shoot this lens wide open, but on one of my shoots, there was a slight purple fringing around my model. She didn't notice, but I did. So just be aware of this CA problem when shooting wide open in bright back lighting. Other than that, this lens is a winner!
This is a great lens.  Beautiful pictures, great build quality, everything you want in a lens.  If you don't have one, buy one.  You won't be disappointed.  I'm serious!  Listen to the person on the internet and spend sub-$200 on this lens.  I'll understand if you'll forget to thank me later, really; you'll be so busy shooting with this you'll forget I even told you to buy it.  But if you do remember to thank me, you're welcome.  Enjoy this beautiful piece of glass.
A really nice lens for low-light, but I noticed quite soft and bit of CA at f1.4 to about f5. Nice and sharp around f4 up.Minimum focal distance about 45cm, so not suitable for macro work.Build quality is fine, plastic is fine. Focus quite good.
I've gotten several really good chances to put this lens to good use since I received it on March 6th, 2009.  I have used it at nearly wide-open (f/1.8) which left the background nicely out of focus on some tulips I was photographing, and I used it on assignment for a magazine to photograph details of an elegant restaurant--table settings, chairs, chandelier etc.  I haven't tried it with people yet, but I cannot wait to.  It really seems to give marvelous results--wonderful color, clarity and sharp focus.  As I have heard, it is a little soft at f/1.4, but even that apparently, can be corrected for by doing selective sharpening in Photoshop afterwards, but I found that at f/1.8, it gave me exactly the effect I was looking for and is super fast, even when taking pictures with one candle as the only light in the scene at night.  I am very, very pleased with this lens and truly feel that it is going to be a major asset in my photography.
This lens should be in every Pentax/Samsung camera owners bag. This is the lens I would recommend that beginners use to learn their camera's with, As you can really "See" the changes with this lens when trying different settings on your camera. And the photos this lens produce is really amazing. So much better than the kit lens. And its low light performance is really outstanding. So don't think about it any longer just do it and get this lens, You will not regret it. GET IT!
This lens is simply wonderful!!!!  I did a lot of research before purchasing it and found it to drastically improve my photography skills.
I bought one of these after hearing all the hype around them. I also needed a portrait lens anyways, I didn't expect the image quality to be so sharp. Ever since I bought this, I use it more than any of my other lenses. I own a Pentax K-m/K2000 DSLR and this lens goes perfect with it. I always carry this lens around when I am going somewhere, I can't get enough of taking portraits of my friends, the image quality is superb. For all Pentax owners, this is has got the be the first prime lens you buy when you decide you need a prime. The quality of this lens surplus the pricing.
This is probably my favorite lens for any indoor shooting.  Sure, it's not a zoom, so I have to get up and actually move around, but with the speed of this lens and not having to use a flash or the awful built-in flash to wash everything out, this lens is well worth the exercise.
This lens has been a fundamental piece in my new photo portrait business. Great quality, bokeh, sharpness. I am very happy with it.
This lens is soft at F1.4, but sharp at F2. And it can handle low light. These I think, everyone knows already. But F1.4 is not totally useless. If you like experimenting with wafer-thin depth of fields, you can get plenty of interesting special effect shots. That is versatility for me.
This lens is ideal if you are in an indoor setting and don't want to disturb others with a flash.  Allows more candid shots to be taken as well since there is no flash.  I noticed shooting wide open really narrows your field of focus, it's best to go to f2.0
Have owned this lens for a few weeks.  Very pleased...pictures are sharp and f/1.4 is fantastic in low light.Pentax will likely replace this lens soon with a DA series, so get it while you can.Highly recommend!
I just got this lens to replace or add to my Pentax M 50mm F1.7.  The M 1.7 is a nice quality lens taht produces some fantastic results, but without Auto Focus, it's a little hard to take pictures of children.  Many people say this FA f1.4 is a "little soft wide open" or "Pentax F/FA 50mm f1.7 is sharper wide open"--because of those rumors/posts I was debating on FA 1.4 or F 1.7  I am glad that I bought this 1.4.  I found some examples of images taken at same aperture value, both lenses at F2.0 or F1.8 and the FA 50mm f1.4 is much sharper.  So I don't know why so many people comparing wide open when F1.7 can't do 1.4??? you just don't have that option at all and that is the value I find in this little amazing lens.I have uploaded a few pics to product image on amazon, take a look... (I am using it with my K-x)
With the Pentax K10D sensor the equivalent 35mm focal length is about 75mm.  Coupled with the fast f1.4 aperture of this lens, this is a great low light short telephoto lens...very good for indoor personal shots. The low f also allows autofocus and metering to work well in low light conditions.Wide open (f1.4) this lens is soft, but sharpens quickly (noticeable difference from f1.4 to 1.8).Nice small lens.  The downsides are: (1) elements are spherical, so the lens is a little heavier than it could be with aspherical elements, (2) focus ring is locked to autofocus on body...you can't turn the focus ring when the body is set to autofocus, (3) a little soft wide open.The upsides are: (1) even with spherical elements, the lens is small, (2) feels like a good precision instrument, (3) it's nice to have a very well defined "soft" focus region.All in all I really like this lens.  It just feels good in the hand, its small, its fast, its sharp, it works well in low light, and the price is great.
Everybody needs a 50, and to learn to shoot with the 50. This just so happens to function a bit more like a 75mm on the K10D, but is still a 50 at its heart. Look at some of the review sites, and it is soft in the corners wide open, but stopped down is a razor. The real issue is that the depth of field at 1.4 is negligable, and therefore focus needs to be dead on. Unfortunately, the K10D has the tendancy to backfocus with this lens. I would correct that, but then it would ruin the focus with the kit lens I have. bummer. but, with adequate light, and at f2.0, it is superb. plus, even if it is flawed, it is unbeatable for the price. and, it uses 49mm filters and could be part of an excellent system when combined with some of pentax's other primes (a system of the 21mm pancake, the 50, and the 100mm WR macro comes to mind). Check out the images to see what it can do:[...]
This lens is just way under priced.It has very good coatings and optics. The color looks natural when the camera settings are Natural and it is a little more vivid with more contrast when the camera is set to Brite.  It is ultra fast, and sharp as a tack through the middle of it's range and it is plenty sharp enough opened up to sharply render the hairs on my dog portraits beautifully while creating that soft and appealing background that comes from the  shallow depth of focus that a F1.4 lens can deliver.  This is a great mild telephoto for DSLRs at a price that is a gift from Pentax to all of us.
This lenses takes extremely sharp pictures. I've found out they work best at f/1.8 and f/2.0. Bokeh is amazing - like a work of art, I just love the way it blends all colors in the background. It actually does a better job than my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 DI LD (IF) Macro. I love the compact size, my one and only complain is not the price, but the lack of lenses hood.
Lens is everything I expected from reading previous reviews,,timely service with no problems,, happy with purchase
I cannot rave enough about this lens, but trust me, it is a must have for any Pentax shooters.  Pictures are sharp and crisp, even at low lighting.  For the price, you cannot beat it!Your neighbor,HN
I'm using this lens with a Pentax K-7.  There is nothing wrong with it besides incorrect automatic focusing, so I have to do it manually.  That's the only thing I found to be wrong with it.
For the price, this lens gives you amazing sharpness, super smooth bokeh, excellent colors, excellent contrast, and a really wide maximum aperture.  It's definitely a lens that every Pentaxian should own.Pros:+ The obvious pro is the f/1.4 max aperture.  This really comes in handy in low light situations.+ One less obvious side effect of the f/1.4 aperture is a brighter viewfinder.  A lot of newer photographers don't realize that the camera only closes down the iris when you take the photo.  The rest of the time, the lens is wide open so faster lenses mean brighter viewfinders.+ Amazingly sharp at smaller apertures.+ Works on film and digital bodies.+ Really smooth bokeh (out of focus area) once you stop down a little (about f/2.8 and up).  This helps create photos where your subject really pops out because the background is blurred out so nicely.  Some lenses can create harsh and distracting bokeh.+ Very thin depth of field at f/1.4.+ Excellent colors and contrast.  I was surprised when I compared my kit lens photos to photos taken with the FA 50mm.Cons:- Pretty soft at f/1.4.  This might be a desirable effect for portraits though.- Autofocus is a bit slower than more modern Pentax lenses.- The very thin depth of field and the general softness of the lens at f/1.4 can make it difficult to create pictures that look like they're in focus.Compared to the DA 40mm f/2.8 pancake:* The FA 50mm is bigger, but is still a pretty compact lens.  The FA 50mm feels better because it gives you something to cradle when you're holding the camera.* Both the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm produce excellent color contrast and sharpness, but I think I prefer the rendering of the FA 50mm.* Both the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm work on film bodies.  The DA 40mm doesn't have an aperture ring so it has to be used on a film body that can electronically set the aperture like on the digital bodies.* The FA 50mm gives you a bit of extra room with f/1.4 vs. f/2.8.* The DA 40mm auto-focuses a bit faster.If you're deciding between the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm, I would suggest that you buy the FA 50mm.  The DA 40mm is a fun lens to use, but the FA 50mm is a reliable workhorse.
After recently switching to the Pentax line I have been attempting to purchase a variety of lens that allow the biggest 'bang for the buck'. This lense came up repeatedly as a great choice and after having tried it out I can see why.Although small and fairly lightweight, this no-frills little lens takes beautiful shots. It's very fast, has absolutely fantastic deep color rendition, performs wonderfully even in low lighting and is worth every penny. As an example, my other two purchases included the Pentax 18-250 (super versatile zoom that is a great walk around lens) plus a Tamron 90mm macro (great macro work plus is a terrific portrait lens). However, the Tamron was problematic when working indoors for two reasons - first, the 90mm is great for head/shoulder shots indoor but simply required far too much light to get good results on a full body shot. That is where this little lens picks up...less light, more dimension without sacrificing clarity and still provides beautiful background. Very pleased. This lens has earned its reputation and is a delight.
I've had this lens for almost 2 months now paired with my K-5 iis.  I've taken some great pictures with this lens specially at 3.2 Aperture. Image quality is excellent, bokeh is awesome specially in wide open  2.8 and above. This has been my walk around lens although I just purchased the 18-55 kit lens to cover more focal range and weather sealing for themeparks/beach etc.  If your looking a very sharp lens at low cost and dont care about weather sealing, then get this lens, you will not regret it. I have sample photos from this lens posted; #'s 88, 89, and 105.
I recently picked this lens up about 3 months ago for my Pentax K-x.Previously, my "workhorse" lens is my Tamron 28-75mm f2.8.The low-light performance of this lens compared to my Tamron is impressive. With two additional stops (1.4 vs 2.8), I am now able to capture low-light pictures of my baby that were previously impossible to capture with my Tamrom (due to such a slow shutter speed). Where my Tamron at 2.8 may indicate a shutter speed of 1/15 for accurate exposure at a given ISO, with two additional stops from this prime I can go to a shutter speed of 1/60 at f1.4, which is much more suitable for capturing kids (not ideal, but much much better!)Images are sharp. At f1.4 sometimes images are soft but I more attribute that to user error due to the razor-thin DOF you are working with a 1.4.Cons would be the price, but there are rumors that Pentax lens prices will drop sometime this year back to their "normal" price levels. Also 50mm on a DSLR like the K-x is a little long for regular use...I find myself needing to back up a lot if I want to capture everything in the scene i want to (indoors, w/ baby)For what it's worth, I bought this lens from Amazon Warehouse Deals (Used - Like New) and it came as described. I saved a bunch of money and the lens works great. Hopefully you guys can catch a deal on this lens too, because it is definitely a keeper for any pentax user.
I have aPentax K-5 16.3 MP Digital SLR with 3-Inch LCD (Black Body Only)withPentax SMC DA* Series 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL IF SDM Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR CamerasandPentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Digital SLR Cameraslenses.  I think this is a great set, as I get a huge range out of two quality lenses.  I have been using the wide angle most of the time, probably 85-90%, as I find that it is a good general purpose lens and great for landscapes and most other situations unless a long lens is needed.However, I had one problem: If I was at a party or social gathering and wanted to take some extemporaneous portraits, the 16-50mm was not working well for me.  For one, it is pretty heavy and bulky to lug around at a party.  Secondly, it is a pretty big piece of glass to point at someone, and it can freak people out a little bit (the lens diameter is 77mm, and if you zoom to 35mm or beyond it telescopes out pretty far, giving the impression that you are getting in really close even when you are not).  A lot of my subjects had a "deer in the headlights" look to them.  Not to mention, it is a $1000 lens with "steal me" written all over it!That is why I picked up this great little lens.  It is small and unassuming, but wow does it take breathtaking photos.  I have been completely blown away by it.  Don't let the images on Amazon fool you -- it looks plasticky and frankly a little junky on the images they show here, but in person it looks and feels very solid, although indeed there is a fair bit of plastic casing.  With this lens you can sneak up on your friends and get great shots without their even noticing.  The 50mm focal length I find is quite suited to this.  And perhaps most importantly, the f1.4 aperture allows you to take photos in unusually low-light situations without a flash, not to mention remarkable bokeh effects.  In situations where previously I would have left the DSLR at home, I have found myself snapping on this great little lens and bringing it along, and getting some really memorable shots as a result.Some reviewers here have described this as a good "walk around" lens.  I'm not sure I would go that far, as the focal length is a bit long for my tastes on a DSLR for a lot of situations.  But this is of course depends on your personal style whether you would prefer to use something wider.  For portraits, this is now my go-to lens without question.
If you're still running around with your K10D kit lens, you don't know what you are missing, especially if you like to shoot people.  This purchase made a world of difference.  Looking back, I have rarely even used my kit lens since I purchased this one - unless I want to take a wide angle shot.  Otherwise, the clarity and speed (f/1.4) of this lens are incredible.  For the price, I highly recommend it.
The focus of this lens is spot on.  For a fast lens with a shallow depth of field it focuses very well.  It has great bokeh and good brightness.  This is one of Pentax's great lenses an deserves to be a part of every Pentax owners kit.
I've had this lens for several years, and have used it on both a K200D and a K-5.  In my opinion, it's a "must have" lens for any serious photographer using the Pentax system.The lens is usable on both full-frame film and the current Pentax digital cameras.  With the smaller sensor size Pentax currently uses on the digitals, this lens is equivalent to 75mm in 35mm film equivalency.  And if Pentax gets around to making full-frame digitals, this lens will be a natural for use on them.Its versatility is amazing.  If you want natural-light shots indoors, the f/1.4 max aperture allows easy no-flash shots, often required in museums, for example.  With the great high ISO performance on the K-5, the K-5II and K-5IIs, you can take usable shots in a near-dark environment.With a wide lens opening in the f/1.4 to f/3.5 range, you can make your subject sharp and the background blur out.  The bokeh is quite pleasing in the blurred out areas.The color rendition is outstanding with this lens.I take many pictures for publications, as I am a free-lance writer.  This is my lens of choice when photographing objects being discussed in my articles.  I find that stopping the lens down to f/5.6 or f/8 gives me the "sharpness sweet spot" range and plenty of depth of field.  Below f/2, the image is likely to be somewhat soft, and your depth of field will be quite narrow.  For best results with this lens, invest in a lens hood.  I use a 49mm screw-on originally designed for a 135mm lens with no problems.  The objective glass is quite close to the forward edge of the assembly, and this can induce unwanted reflections and highlights if you aren't careful.  A hood is a particular advantage when using the wider apertures.  As ordered, the lens does not come with one, but get one and use it routinely.The very outer edges of the photos you take with the lens will not be quite as sharp as in the center of the frame.  For this reason, for maximum sharpness, I often back away from the subject and then crop to the center section so that my subject is sharper throughout.  In the center, at f/5.6 and tighter, this lens produces extremely sharp pictures.  The edge sharpness falloff is only noticeable if you are a perfectionist, which I am.  Properly used in this manner, crisp images don't get any better.You will find that your view in the viewfinder will be quite bright, a major advantage, particularly if you use manual focus.  You must choose the manual focus mode via the switch on your camera, as there is no autofocus "quick shift" override here.For portraiture, for sharp closeups of smaller objects, for natural light photography indoors, this lens has no peer.  You'll be very happy with this little jewel.
This lens is one of the three I bought with my k10d.I use it 85% of the time.I know that I had reservations about getting a prime lens. However, with a little movement, this lens gets out of your way. If a picture doesn't turn out, it's because I screwed up the settings on camera.The reviews that say this lens should be in every Pentax owner's satchel are absolutely correct.This lens absolutely deserves its five stars.Update:Several months later, I still agree with this assessment.  I've started looking into wider angle prime lenses, but this is my go-to lens.  85% is a low estimate.
If you've never had a fixed lens you don't even know what you're missing. If you've never had a lens that fast you don't know what you're missing. If you've never had an original Pentax lens on your Pentax or Samsung camera, you don't know what you're missing.Just go and buy it. What are you waiting for?
I own 5-6 lenses for my Pentax *ist DS and this is bar none, my favorite. Why? Mainly because I love taking portraits whether the subject is my children or my furry friends. I don't know all the "technical" jargon but I do know "bokeh" which is that nice, blurry background this lens will give you. Everyone is always impressed by the pictures I take using this lens and always ask me how I got that "blurry" background. I always tell them "it's the lens". If you can only buy a couple of lenses, I would recommend buying this one and the 50-200mm lens. That should cover 90% of your needs. Only "negative" is that it doesn't always focus super-fast between shots but it is worth the wait. Trust me, some of your most stunning pictures will be with this lens. I am glad I bought mine several years ago as price seems to have skyrocketed. Try to find a nice "used" one if you can.
Really love this lens!I just have it for several weeks. Very sharp! In term pf price, it offers too much comparing similar lenses from other vendors (if you have Nikon, Canon, ...). I do observe some soft when wide open. But this is a problem for everybody. Pentax does an excellent job already. Shooting from 1 meter away, at f/1.4, dof will be only 0.023m. For cameras, it is very difficult to focus correctly. In practice, I found it really helpful to use spot focus mode.In summary,pros: 1) solid build quality2) extremely sharp lens3) good for indoor or other low-light environments4) very good price5) extremely useful if you have a shake-reduction bodycons: 1) soft wide open
Its really a shame the price of this lens has gone up so much recently because this is one lens we should all own.  Not for the fixed length and how it forces you to move around but for the speed!  If someone made an affordable f/1.4 18-55 zoom I would buy that instead.  Until then, I am sold on fast primes.  This "Fast Fifty" has unlocked times and locations I didn't think I cold shoot.  You NEED this lens!The lens itself is small and light.  Light because it has a plastic body.  Significantly, it has a metal mount so that area is not a concern.  After getting used to zooms it is amazing how small your camera gets putting this on.For sharp pictures, try to stay at f/2 or better.  At f/5.6 or more the sharpness is amazing.  That is not to say that 1.4 and 1.7 are unusable but it is like pushing ISO - there is a price.I have not had the front focus issues some people have mentioned.  In low light there is focus hunting and sometimes it locks on the wrong place but that has as much to do with the camera as the lens.One feature I wish it had was the "quick shift" focus.  It is either auto or manual - no manual override like the newer Pentax lenses.  That is my only gripe.I cant say enough about this lens.  It spends a LOT of time on my K200 and once the sun gets low, its the only way to go.
I bought this lens for my Pentax K10D for it's low light capability.  It's a great performer and such a low price.  I've found focusing at f/1.4 to be very critical, as expected.  Lens is very sharp.  I had been using an older f/1.4 Mamiya lens with an adapter and in manual mode.  This lens is much sharper with less chromatic aberation.  Made me a believer in modern lenses.
It's been months since I bought myself a 50mm f1.4 Pentax lens, the first fixed focal length SLR lens in my arsenal. Sure enough the first things I feel is how different, if not difficult, it is to change my way of shooting photographs, especially when my everyday lens is the famously discontinued Pentax 18~250mm.But that discomfort disappeared quickly when I started to know what this lens is good at. The impressive aperture, and the shallow depth of field it brings, is just so overwhelmingly amazing. It turned many of the ordinary shots into masterpieces, at least in my eyes that is. For portrait photography, the large aperture allows me to capture the slightest changes of my subject's emotions. Their quick facial expression variation is only visible when you have a fast lens. That is particularly true when shooting family events or parties. After all, not everyone has the privilege to ask a model to post for your camera, again and again.For the bad side of the story, Pentax jacked up the price a few years ago. When similar lens of Canon and Nikon are selling at ~$200ish, a 400 dollar comparison does not seem that much logical. That price eventually promotes the question constantly haunting my mind: is the 55mm f1.4 a better deal for the money?
I don't to duplicate everything that dpreview did for this lens.  They have an excellent review with detailed analysis of this lens.[...]Some quoted highlights:Pros:*  Excellent image quality when stopped down to F2 and smaller* Very low lateral chromatic aberration* Almost no rectilinear distortionCons:* Very soft wide open* Extremely 'busy' rendition of out-of-focus backgrounds at wider apertures (larger than F2.8)* Bokeh chromatic aberration, most visible at wide apertures (F1.4-F2.8)Short is that this is a very good lens, but if you want the best pictures you will want to not use it higher then f2.8.  The sigma 50mm F1.4 HSM for pentax would give you better wide aperature performance, but you will pay for that as well.
This is my first prime lens and its an f1.4. While I don't completely understand the science behind that number, I do know how to increase of decrease the f value while framing shots and make my background more or less blurry. This lens does a remarkable job of making the background look blurry while keeping the subject (foreground) in focus. Some of my best shots were taken from this camera. Before purchasing this, I was under the impression that this will be a manual focus lens but happy to reports that that is not the case, the auto-focus works fine with my Pentax k-5. I bought this used from amazon warehouse deals for 140 or so... needless to say that was such a bargain for this lens. Recommended.
This lens brings out the bright colors and the rich tones. The contrast is amazing as is the focal point. The lens zooms quickly and locks in on it's subject. Low light is the sweet spot here for me, as I don't have to rely on the popup flash that often. This is a great lens on a bargain price. For portraits, this lens will work some magic.  Lens tested on a Pentax K10d
I own this and shoot it with a K10D (which I love) and it's a must for your gadget bag.Bottom line: It takes beautiful, sharp photos, has a fast stop and is priced right.Shoot this for really pretty low light portraits.
This lens is amazing!  I just recently bought the Pentax K10D, my first dSLR, because I wanted to take better pictures indoors.  I purchased the camera without the kit lens and bought the FA 50mm f/1.4 instead.  The difference between my new camera/lens and my "Advanced Compact Super-zoom" (Canon S2 IS) is night and day.  I used to take hundreds of shots in continuous mode to get a few sharp ones -- which were still rather noisy.  With this lens I get sharp pictures indoors without using a flash.This is a great lens for head shots indoors.  It is a moderate telephoto on a dSLR (due to the smaller sensor), so it is sometimes difficult/impossible to move back enough to get a full body shot in a smaller room.  Depending on your needs you may prefer the "normal" view that the 35mm f/2 would provide -- but that lens costs about 50% more.I am loving this lens.  I find myself using it at about f/2.8 most of the time, thus far (to keep the subject's entire head in focus).
I purchased this lens through a different retailer (B&H) for the same price as advertised here. At first, I used it because my standard lens was not capturing my flash at a distance that I needed to photograph a large item that I was selling. Instead of a more powerful flash, this seemed like a better alternative. It worked perfectly. Zoom lenses are nice, but there are too many situations, especially with a DSLR, where they just don't cut it. For medium-low light, I prefer this to flash anytime, especially for $200.00.
Grab one while they're around. Buttery-smooth bokeh, decent performance even wide open, good image rendering.
I went to Egypt the first in May 2001 with my 35-80mm lens and I thought it would do well in the museums.  How wrong I was. 98% of all the pictures I took in the museum were literally fuzzy - camera shake!!  To add to my woes, I used low speed film. I went back this time armed with a Pentax standard 50mm F1.4 lens and iso800 films (flash not allowed).  The result: everything, from the dimmest areas, was sharp with a good colour balance, except the effect of tungsten and flourescent light on pictures I developed back home - which can be completely eradicted when you develop your indoor pictures in Egypt since they know exactly how to develop such pictures).  I was delighted with the lens. It even gave me good pictures in the tombs!The only 'disadvantage', is that the lens is too sharp and therefore if you do not focus very carefully, u will get a lot of blur (not camera shake).  Yet, a bit of practice will sort this out.It is a rare lens and therefore a must have for people who need to take pictures indoors without FLAH! Unfortunately, I did not have the relevant indoor colour balance filters. They are necessary for indoor pictures to reduce that greenish and orange effect.I recommend this lens!
This is my 3rd lens in this range. The other two are M50 f/1.7 and K55mm f/1.8. While I like the f/1.7, it is manual focus only. Even though I still do MF for static subjects, there are many other situations that are better served with AF. The 55mm has a beautiful glow for OOF which can be really special for some subjects. The f/1.4 is sharp wide open but resolution is reduced. But the OOF background is nicely diffused and not busy. Under highly controlled conditions, the f/1.4 is a hair sharper than the f/1.7 at same aperture. Construction is good and solid but the f/1.7 & 55mm are slightly better. Some people thought contrast was reduced at wide open aperture, I have not yet seen this issue.I was actually waiting for the new 50mm f/1.8, but I gave in. The f/1.4 satisfies all my needs and wants.It has 8 aperture blades while the f/1.7 only has 6. I'll update on the effects of more blades on IQ.
If you are thinking of purchasing this lens then you know your photography skills have reached a new level.  You will not be dissappointed.  I have read many reviews on this lens and have found it all to be true.  For the price paid, it compares to Nikon or Canon lenses in the same focal range costing much more.  I'm not a professional photographer but my pictures have reached a new level. I use it on my K100d camera. I can't wait to experiment with this lens.  The main reason for purchasing this lens was the auto focus.  Shooting my 6th graders indoor basketball games was a challenge with my manual focus prime lens.  With the shallow depth of field these lenses give you, auto focus was a neccessity for me.  It performes well.  Go ahead get it!!!
Let me just say that theres a whole other pricepoint for pentax glass and gear than the big houses, just for reference, I'm coming from being a Nikon guy, my film kit got stolen, and so I'm getting into the digital scene fresh....I purchased a K10D, and have been sold ever since....now to the lens in question, the 50mm f/1.4 has been such an eye opening experience (pun?) I paid waaay under $200USD and got a ridiculously awesome prime lens, I had no idea that such quality could be had for such a low price.Bokeh, I've seen the term used throughout various websites and reviews, and let say that I now know from experience what a creamy, smooth, out of focus backdrop, while your subject "pops" right off of the picture will do for your self esteem in photography. Absolutely lovely.....Focus, is quick enough, yet I've found it hunts in low, or tricky light situtations....no biggie, if you need fast focusing, you're using another lens anyways.I'm not going to get all technical on you, all I can say is that if you have been into Pentax for sometime, you already own this lens, if you're just geting into or are considering Pentax, please do, and make this prime a part of your kit.Nuff' said.
Despite the plastic outer skin, this is one excellent lens. Its f/1.4 maximum aperture combined with the clean high-ISO performance of Pentax digital SLR's allows you to get some amazing shots without the assistance of a flash, while stopped down a little you can get all the sharpness and detail you want. This lens also produces an amazingly smooth rendition of out-of-focus details (bokeh) which makes it a fabulous portrait lens. An alternative to this lens is the Pentax SMCP-FA 35mm f/2.0 which is closer to the normal perspective on a DSLR.
I got the Pentax K100D with 18-55mm lens,I needed something that could work in low-light and thisis just amazing for low-light and outside...The colors are just crazy greatand the sharpness is perfect.
When I bought this lens it was $180 and I eventually sold it and got the older smc 50mm 1.7 which I think is a better lens.  This is not a bad lens for $200 it was one of the best 50mm for the price, but there is absolutely no way that this lens is worth its current price hike.  For a matter of fact none of the Pentax lenses are worth their current price hike.  Pentax used to be known for their price to performance ratio, now they are going beyond what most people can and would pay for a lens considering the limited variety of lenses.  I'm highly considering switching brands because I cant find lenses that I would be willing to buy for Pentax.  I prefer primes and not the DA primes.  I'm sorry but the current quality control for the price coming out of the Vietnam factory is not appealing.  Of course the other brands have primes that cost a lot more than Pentax primes, but I wouldn't buy those either.  Not being a pro and being in grad school paying thousands of dollars for a tool is a bit ridiculous for me.
I love this lens. I forget how inexpensive it is. The low light capability and sharpness are great. I forgot how good it was in the old film days to have a kit full of f1.4 and f2.8 prime lenses. My exisitng light bride photos are going to be enhanced greatly.
This might be the best lens (for the money) I've ever purchased. Smooth bokeh, lightning fast, and an amazing price. Pentax has done it again. With a sensor (crop) factor of about 1.5 for Pentax DSLRs, the 50mm focal length act like an invaluable 75mm prime. My K20D has never been happier.
For a very inexperienced photographer, this lens was a good purchase.  I recommend getting a prime lens to force you to move when composing your shots.  And this lens has such a great depth of field when wide open, you can get really creamy shots.  I'm really happy with the performance as well.  When shooting faces, everything was very sharp and looked really great.  The construction knocks off 1 star.  The aperture ring can shift a tiny bit so that the camera thinks it isn't on automatic.  You have to twist the ring back over to get it to register.  I only have to do this a couple of times, but it's worth noting.  The autofocus can be finicky if you're trying to shoot in really low light.
And now I do and am very happy with it. No let down here. Beautiful lens very sharp and great true colours. I have four other lenses but this one comes with me always. Oh and it is fast.
This lens rocks! I was very pleased with sharpness and clarity I got from the photos I took with this lens. I recommend this to any one who is looking for a good, affordable prime lens for the Pentax mount. I gave it a slight ding on the construction. The lens body is plastic but, it seems like it is pretty durable.
This is a great lens.  I was hesitant about getting an older lens that was under $200 (iffy quality?!) but was pleasantly surprised when I got the lens and it really was worth every penny.  As some others have mentioned, the lens may be a bit soft, but overall the lens does just what you'd think it should.  Great low light shots can be achieved with this lens while still hand holding the camera, a feature I really like.  Also, it really is amazing how small of a depth of field you can get with this lens if you want.  Overall I recommend this to anyone with a Pentax DSLR as a great lens to add to your set.
I bought this lens a little under 2 months ago for 2-fifty slightly less than 2 months ago. At that price it is one of the great camera deals period.It seems someone has bought up the remaining supply of FA 50's and is playing the extortion game. For 3-fifty I would still get it but I am partial to FA's because they work perfectly with my PZ-70 film body.If I was digital only I would look at the DA* 55, which in comparisons I've seen is a cut above the FA 50--and that is saying a lot. Plus the DA* is weather sealed.The current price of being greater than a 77mm Limited is just nuts.
This lens makes all the difference in low light situations as well as depth of field.  I'm also impressed at the clarity of the photos.  I would recommend this to ANY photographer.
For less than 200 bucks, this one can not be better. It can give you very clear and sharp images, especially for portrait. If you are PENTAX fan, and just a little more than freshman, this one will bring you lots of fun.
I must say, stepping up to a DSLR from a point-and-shoot camera was one of the best decisions I've made regarding electronics; the picture quality is out of this world, and I can take shots in challenging lighting that allows me to get pictures of my ever-moving daughter that I never could dream of before. Typical P&S; cameras take far too long from focusing to capturing to get the photo before my daughter's out-of-frame, but the Pentax DSLR does the trick. Trouble was, I still couldn't get perfect pictures in very dim, low-light environments, like a living room at night.That all changed with this lens - for about $225 lightly used, I got an amazing value that's totally transformed my camera! Low light holds no fear, and I've taken pictures in dim lighting at speeds that don't allow subjects to blur! Furthermore, the lens quality is fantastic, and the bokeh it produces is gorgeous. This lens suits me for both portrait photography and low-light family photos, and it saved me from buying another DSLR with better high-ISO performance. I never go beyond ISO 400 now, and my photos are much better for it.Pentax's new lens might be fine, but this one provided an amazing value and quality that will surely keep me enjoying my Pentax DSLR for years to come.
I have the K20 and this has worked great! So sharp and fun to use. Great for low light situations. I recommend this to anyone looking for a sharp inexpensive lens.
I couldn't be happier with my Pentax 50mm lens and the proof is in the photos. It's worth every cent.
This is the first prime lens I have used in 20 years, so there is some adjustment to moving my body rather than the lens for good composition. The autofocus is quick and quiet.  The lens is plastic, but is compact enough that it feels solid.  As far as value, Canon and Nikon make similar lenses for hundreds less, but since I'm into the Pentax system it was the best option.  I bought this lens for the very limited DOF.  This lens gives you great bokeh, so I am not disappointed.  The DOF at 1.4 is incredibly small, yet the pictures are still very sharp.  I recently focused on my daughter's nose which is a pretty safe bet with my slower lenses, but not with this one: the tip of her nose and eyelashes and her eyebrows were in focus but not her eyes.  Focusing is easier with slower moving subjects.
This is a nice fixed lens.  Clear and sharp photos.  Fast action and good price.  Would recommend it to a friend.
Like many other reviewers I didn't expect to much from a sub $200 lens. But the reality is that this lens stays on my K20D 90% of the time even though I have six other Pentax lenses.I use it for portraits, landscapes, street photography, and more. Bang for the buck - you can't beat it!
**Updating of original entry, which praised the lenses performance, but dinged the wacky price fluctuations up to $600+!**PRICING:Pentax bumped up the prices of their lenses around February 2009, changing the purchase of this lens from being a 'no-brainer' to at least something to be mildly mitigated. This specific lens enjoyed a 37% price increase. It remains one of Pentax's fastest existing production lenses.AMAZON PRICING:So hence the wacky part. By virtue of temporary scarcity and some weird vendor shenanigans, the primary (anchor) price of the lens was being listed for three times higher the bargain price, and roughly twice as much as the new elevated price. Pricing has stabilized albeit at the newly designated elevated schedule.PERFORMANCE:This lens still shines compared to its contemporaries. While not a macro, it provides reasonable close focal range, Autofocus is on par with what we've come to expect with Pentax lenses, and the colors are reasonably good. This lens does a good job at adding that extra dimension of "oomph" of contrast that your eyes don't capture at the time, although the mind blowing vibrancy of the 77mm Limited or 85mm 1.4 isn't there.The lens is fast and does what you expect to accomplish with ambient light. It's also great for hand held shots. It's not razor sharp wide open with low light, but lends itself really well to portraiture as it softens the skin tone. In bright daylight however, the lens is respectably sharp.BUILDThe lens is plastic and may fool you if you haven't used some of Pentax's other quality FA based lenses. It takes a 49mm filter and does not come with a hood. It feels fairly well built, but I wouldn't go dropping it any time soon. The lens cap stays on pretty well, but only without a filter. The focal ring is pretty narrow, but placed in a way that you don't have to search for it too much when manual focusing. It does not have a declutching mechanism built-in like the DA* lenses have, so you'll need to hit the MF switch on your camera body to easily focus.FA vs DA (& DA* LENSES)If you don't need weather-proofing of the DA* 55mm, and you're really price conscious; I'd recommend going with this lens.This is an FA-type lens so it also has the manually selectable aperture ring on the lens, something the DA* 55mm 1.4 is missing. If Pentax ever releases that full frame camera we've all been dreaming about, you should consider whether or not the DA line will support sensors bigger than APS-C. The FA will work like a charm and is fairly flawlessly downwardly compatible with other Pentax bodies. The DA's have limited downward (and possibly upward) compatibility, depending on the sensor/negative size.BOTTOM LINE: I still think this lens is worth it, as its alternatives still cost too much, or lack the feature set that this lens possesses. As of today (1/7/2010) this price is still reasonable for this caliber of lens performance.
This is my favourite lens to complement my K10D and *ist DS I own. Although this lens is not as versatile as a zoom, the focal distance is just right for a vast majority of scenes. The outstanding image quality (sharpness, contrast & microcontrast, bokeh) and wide aperture make it perfectly suitable for various jobs - like portraits, paysage, nature and available light shots.I like shooting with prime lenses, and if I have to take only one prime with me, in 80% of cases it is FA 35 f/2.0 AL.
I currently own this lens, the Pentax DA40/2.8, and the FA50/1.4. This lens trumps both of them for the kinds of shooting I frequently do, and I think for most pictures in general.The 50 is a beautiful lens as well, but has a finicky auto-focus and is frankly a little bit too close for an all around lens. It will always remain my go-to lens for really nice portraits, but this 35 beats it for all-around sharpness, it focuses faster, and it has a much more workable focal length on the DSLR crop.The 40 is a delight to use and focus, and is a stunning piece of workmanship in it's own right, but I've always felt like it didn't quite do what I needed it to. The size is only marginally smaller than this lens, and the sharpness is comparable, but you lose an entire stop of speed. While I enjoyed having and using it, the 35 comes out on top for me, and I'll be selling the 40mm shortly.Everything just comes together perfectly in this lens. The depth of field is comfortably large due to the wide-ish focal length at - I haven't had hardly any pictures with a shot-costing focus problem. The focal length also means that slow shutter speeds are easier while hand-holding. The sharpness is unbelievable, and really makes the textures in pictures look 3 dimensional. To beat it you would pretty much have to spend $900 on the 31/1.8.I just recently shot a wedding, the first with this lens, and I got some pictures that I would only have dreamed of with other lenses. It was the first wedding I shot where I wasn't constantly looking for a different lens. This one is my new go-to, and I expect it will be for a long time. Combined with the 50/1.4, you have the ultimate duo.Are there better lenses out there? Of course. At this price? Not even close.
This is one sharp, fast prime lens with great color, contrast, and lovely bokeh (character of the out of focus areas).I find the 35mm focal length to be far more versatile than the 50mm traditionally recommended to beginning photographers. It's wide enough to be useful for scenics, and still long enough for environmental and half length portraits. Pentax's SMCP-FA 35/2 AL is a super example of what the 35mm focal length can offer.I've been using FA 35/2 for over two years and, despite having added another six primes (all very good, btw) to my 35mm kit, I still expect this lens to have the longest legs of all.If you prefer the virtues of primes over the convenience of zooms, this is a prime you owe yourself some time with.Enjoy.
The FA 35mm quickly and easily replaced the DA 40mm as my walk around prime lens, and I've found that I can use it exclusively when I go to crowded events like conventions or fairs.  The focal length is just wide enough to still be usable in a crowded environment, but it still works well for close up portraits.  I find it must easier to handle, especially with the lens hood, than the tiny DA 40mm.  A maximum aperture of f/2.0 also really helps in crowded events where lighting can be iffy.Pros:+ Solid build quality similar to the FA 50mm and the FA 28mm.+ Comes with a solid, bayonet mounted lens hood.+ It's a pretty fast lens with f/2.0 max aperture paired with the 35mm focal length.+ Excellent colors and rendering.+ Good bokeh.  In certain situations it can look a bit distracting, but I generally find it to be very smooth.+ Pretty sharp at f/2.0!+ Light and compact build.+ Works on both digital and film bodies.Cons:- Hard to find.- Not SDM, I guess.
This lens has very good IQ. The first lens I had for my K-5iis was a FA 1.4 50mm, great IQ, color rendition was excellent, well built, bokeh was also good.  I bought this lens because of that same reason and for the larger focal coverage.  The 50MM was great for portraits, and single/smaller subjects but I definitely needed a lens for the wider range.  This lens is perfect for that. The focus is fast, IQ is excellent and I would definitely recommend these FA lenses for that. Somewhere down the line, I would probably try the Limited's specially the 77mm, but in the meantime this 35mm 2.0 and my 50mm 1.4 cover what I need for my KIIs.  I didn't buy my lens here on Amazon, because BH photo has it $399 no tax instead of $549 here.
While this lens may not be as 'sexy' as many in the Pentax Limited lineup, being from an older design for the 35mm Film cameras, it is still one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned. This focal length (35mm) is a good approximation for a "normal" lens on the Pentax DSLRs due to the APSC sensors they use and their 1.53 multiplier - makes this one's effective focal length come in right around 53mm as compared with a full-frame sensor or film. It's a great walking around lens that's fast, versatile, and provides a perspective that is similar to that of the naked eye.When you combine this fast, sharp, contrasty lens with the K20D's shake reduction and low light performance, you have an awesome combo for low-light candids. I've found that I can occasionally get tack-sharp pictures at speeds as slow as 1/8 and 1/4 - often enough, in fact, that it's worth trying the shots.I just can't say enough good things about this lens - I would recommend it for anyone who likes the speed and contrast of prime lenses, or for any photography student ( being roughly equivalent to the standard 50mm lens that we all had on our K1000s :D ) , or for anyone who wants a versatile lens fast enough for low-light candid shots.
The bag is well made and fits my K-x with 18-55mm zoom nicely. Inside top flap pocket for extra batteries and SD cards is nice to have.Only problem--the strap is too short to wear over the opposite shoulder. I'm not huge, but when I put the strap over my opposite shoulder the bag comes up to my ribs. The strap needs to be at least 10" longer to sit at waist/hip level. Hanging the strap over the same shoulder isn't nearly as secure.This strap uses 'male' side release connectors on each end, most camera bags use clip-type fittings so I haven't been able to find a replacement strap.
This is a great bag.  There's lots of room left even after placing your DSLR pentax camera in it.
A very nice bag, bigger and more quality than expected.I could fit my Pentax k2000 with 18-55mm kit lens perfectly with a bit of room on the sides so it doesn't squeeze my camera too tight. There is a front area to store things also. I stored my filter case in this pocket.The only downside is it's a hassle to get the zipper to open because you have to pop out the front flap to do so. It's still not that big of a deal and other than that it's a great bag.
This bag seems well constructed and looks like it will last awhile. The Pentax K100D Super w/18-55 mm lens fits fine and the storage pouch will fit extra batteries, memory cards and some lens filters & cleaning items perhaps. Won't take much more than that.  I would like to have seen a little more padding throughout but I'm very pleased with it anyway.
This product is made well enough, but has a really bad flaw. The lens goes in first ahead of the camera body making the bag top heavy particularly if you use a lens that is taller in size than the 18-55 mm standard lens. This means that if you pull this bag off your shoulder and have not zipped the camera into the case, but relied on velcro only, the case might flip upside down and dump your camera on the ground. This happened to me. If you are disciplined enough to be sure to zip the case before taking it off your shoulder, or to hold the case in one hand while taking off your shoulder, then this is OK, otherwise don't buy it.
perfect fit for my grandson's camera and very quick shipment on it. He loved it cause it was like gramps
Good quality Bag for digital or film Pentax SLR. Sturdy construction, side pockets etc. at good price from Cameta Limited capability for extra lenses and extra long lenses
Looks cheap, won't fit my 28-200mm zoom lens or even the kit lens with the hood attached. The zipper broke the first week I had it and there isn't enough padding to protect the camera.
On current price,it is value for money. It can holds my camera(K100D) and other accesories (wires + Rechargeable kit+ book ). If you need to carry an extra lens I woud recommend you to buy SLR bag instead of Holster bag. However if you wish to carry just one lens along with your camera, like me then you can go for it.
this will come handy , easy for the children and fun fun fun thank you so much. God bless.. Now hope these works as it looks good&#60;laugh&#62;
Recently had a 90's themed birthday party and wanted to institute a &#34;No Cell Phone unless it is a Nokia with SNAKE on it&#34; rule.  Of course, the question of how we would take pictures came along.  Luckily, I was able to get my hands on a few of these (they even had the flash!)  Worked perfectly.  Now, if I can just remember to drop them off to be developed... ;-)
2 Kodak MAX 35mm Single Use Cameras with FlashNote: Please read my full review and followups regarding this purchase.  While the product in question may have been defective, the seller, Mel Pierce Camera, made good on their 100% money back guarantee.  My 2 star rating is the rating I gave the cameras, and not Mel Pierce Camera.I ordered 4 packages of these Kodak cameras -- a total of 8 cameras -- for our grandkids and us to take to Disney World next month.  I placed the order last Friday and they arrived today, somewhat ahead of their scheduled delivery date.However, when I unpacked the cameras and examined them I noticed on the bottom that they have a "develop before 08/2013" meaning they are already past their develop by date.  I contacted Amazon to see what was going on and they put me in contact with the seller, Mel Pierce Camera, out of California.  I talked to an associate by the name of Cameron(sp?) who ensured me that the film was still good and that they guarantee their film for a year beyond the date of sale or they would give me a refund.  That's fine but what do you do about all those memories you hoped to capture on your vacation.Cameron also insisted that it clearly said on the web site what the develop by date was for the cameras, but I checked and re-checked the Amazon description and could find nothing which gave the develop by date or anything which suggested the cameras and film were past their date.  What the description did say was that this product was NEW.  Clearly this film is NOT new if its already past the develop by date when it sold.I know a lot of film can still be good beyond its date, but not sure I want to take that chance.  I suspect this is the reason the film/cameras were about half the price one would find at Wallyworld or other places like Walgreens and CVS which sell the exact same product.  Debating whether or not to return.Will post a followup review and update my rating once I have more information to share.UPDATE UPDATE Sunday Sept. 1, 2013:  Today I decided to see how well these cameras worked rather than wait and use them on our vacation next month in Disney World with our grand kids; so I took one of the 8 out of the pack and took 27 pictures in and around my home.  I took most pictures outdoors -- it was partly cloudy/sunny, which should have been ideal weather conditions for taking photos outside, but also took several photos indoors to see how well the camera would function using its built-in flash.  Then I had them developed at a local chain drug store where we have taken many of our photos for developing over the past several years with good results.The pictures were horrible, all 27 came out a very dark gray, almost as if they were taken during a rain storm or light fog but it was relatively bright out; furthermore they lacked color -- totally washed out, were on the blurry side with almost no sharpness of detail. Just really bad pictures.  And the pictures indoors were no different from the pictures taken outside.  The flash worked but the pictures came out the same, dark gray, no color, and no sharpness. I shudder to think what we would have been stuck with had we waited and taken them to Disney next month.I contacted Amazon this afternoon right after I got the film developed and told them what I had done and indicated I wanted to return the remaining cameras for a full refund.  They contacted the seller, Mel Pierce Camera, and indicated the seller should contact me within the next 48 hours to arrange a return.  We will see how it goes.  I am confident Amazon will make good on what it sells -- they always have and is one of the main reasons why I shop there.  But now I am back in the market for some single use cameras that hopefully will not be past their develop by date as these were.FINAL UPDATE:Sept. 5, 2013.  As Amazon promised, the seller, Mel Pierce Camera, contacted me within 48 hours.  In fact I received an e-mail from an employee of Mel Pierce Camera who goes by the name of Jim R. who not only offered me a full refund, but because of my bad experience with the Kodak single use camera in question, offered me a 10% discount on any future purchase from them in addition to a full refund and said I could keep the remaining 7 cameras.I am also happy to report that within hours of receiving their e-mail, the purchase amount I paid, had already been fully credited to my credit card account. I consider this outstanding service on the part of Mel Pierce Camera, and would not hesitate to do business with them again.  Its just really nice to know there are still company's out there who treat their customers right.Thank you both Mel Pierce Camera and Amazon.
My girlfriend and I brought these with us to take pictures on our trip to the Bahamas. We took nice pictures and brought them home. It was actually difficult finding somewhere to develop these. We did have a few pictures that refused to come out but the majority of them came out nice and we were able to distribute out the family some nice pics.
I was asked to purchase a disposable camera for my daughter's school. I really like Kodak and figured that this was a good camera to buy. The pictures we got back were excellent and the quality was amazing!
I'm just not comfortable with the digital.  I get really good pictures and have a safe feeling about dropping them , neediing to spend exhorbate money.
I have used many cameras in the life, Cinemaster II for single 8, double 8, 126, 110, Disc, 35mm, but I always went back to my 110 camera because it gave me great picture quality, good real color and perfect lighting.I was going to take a vacation to Disneyland and California Adventure, when I realized that you could no longer have 110 film developed anymore. I even called  the Kodak Film Shop in Disneyland and they were closing and no longer developing film there.I always think of Amazon.com, so thru my searching on Amazon, I found the Kodak Max 35mm Single use Cameras with Flash (2 pack). Now first of all you get 2 light-weight cameras in one package. Each camera allows 27 pictures each. That's 54 pictures in all. Each camera contains already inside an 800 Speed 35mm film.My first time using the camera, the instructions were very simple. Just turn the little wheel. Put the back of the camera up to your face so that you are looking through the viewfinder with one eye. Hold and steady the camera at your subject. With the finger of your left hand, press that little indented circle with the purple lightning bolt. The automatic flash will go off.Horray! You did it. You made a picture. Now turn that little wheel gently until it stops on the next number. You are ready to take another picture. The one-touch flash will automatically recharge.Sorry, for the elementary instructions, but their is a first time for everyone. I always keep the foil-like wrapper and put the camera back in it and back in the original box in my camera case for extra protection. Do not get your camera wet.When you are done taking 27 pictures. Do NOT attempt to open the camera. You will over-expose the film and it will destroy your pictures. Unless you are a professional in the photo darkroom.When you are ready to have the film developed, just put the entire unopened camera in the developing envelope (not included) with your personal info written on it.***Hint: I always put a return address sticker on my camera before putting it in the envelope.I never have my pictures developed by a department store (like W) because they have the right to refuse to print your photos and they also look at them.I have used a trusty film developing-by-mail company for almost 30 years and never had any trouble with them. I even get credit coupons for each photo that doesn't develop well. I use the credit coupons on the next order or save them up for an almost free development.You know, I did not have the film developed for over 1 year and a half. It was past the expiration date.The pictures still came out wonderful. I did think the flash was too much and made the pictures look too bright, but you can always cover the flash when taking pictures outside.All in all, I was pleased with the 2 Kodak Max 35mm Single use Cameras. I would buy them again through Amazon.com.
Bought these for my 83 year old Mom, who hates new complicated things. Perfect for taking Christmas photos & easy for her to manipulate.
I have used Kodak disposable cameras many times and have always been satisfied with the quality of the pictures.  These cameras were delivered promptly and appear to be all right, but are a year and a half past the expiration date on the cameras.  I am concerned that the pictures may not have good quality and the film may not even be able to take pictures.
I have a digital camera now, but for years I used these exclusively - mostly on trips.  My camera is in the shop, so I've reached into my bag of single-use cameras with a few exposures left on them.With these new shots, I've finally gotten around to developing images I took up to 3 years ago, and I'm amazed at how nice the images are.  I'm even more surprised at how well the colors have held up after sitting in a drawer all this time.  The flash even still worked on some cameras that I bought in 2005.I love my digital camera, but I'm going back to single-use for situations/settings where I'd rather not take the digital one.
I have used these cameras many times on vacation and the pictures really DID come out fairly well! Oh, sure, the quality of the pictures won't be 100% as good as the pictures you would get from a digital camera or a standard, more expensive and more professional 35 mm camera. The pictures may at times be very slightly grainy but they provide excellent records and memories of my experiences.Each camera is also very lightweight so you can carry several at a time in a bag as you travel. I especially like the built in flash that is easy to use (just push a button in the back of the camera and after 10 seconds or so the flash is ready). I remember my mother's Kodak Instamatic camera from the 1960s when if your flash cube had been used (after only four pictures) you were out of luck unless you had another flash cube. No such problem here! Thank goodness!One cautionary note, however: Amazon correctly notes that the best flash range is when you're taking pictures of people or things between 4 feet and 14 feet away. Remember that to get the best use out of the flash!The camera is a single use camera; this means that after you use it you take the entire camera to the place where you can get film developed and they will take care of the rest. No worrying about whether or not you removed the roll of film negatives correctly without exposing them to too much light. The Kodak "MAX" 800 film speed also makes it useful for taking pictures under a wide variety of lighting situations! You get 27 exposures, not just 24--a nice plus! SMILEOverall, this is an excellent camera for the many, many people who want to travel light or who are on a budget. It is compact and easy to carry; keep one in the glove compartment of your car just in case there's an accident and you need to take pictures of the scene. The camera is also affordable. I give it four stars instead of five simply because the picture quality just isn't the very best although for most people like me the pictures it takes are fine. Thank you, Kodak!
Despite all the numerous electronic devices that we have all seen become available to the everyday individual in recent years, I would honestly have to say that the disposable / one-time use 35mm camera is notably one of the best invention(s) of the last umpteen years. This Kodak Max 35mm Flash One-Time Use camera most definitely serves it's intended purpose very well. In fact, these disposable cameras work so well (for me, personally) that I have made the decision to - not move up to using a digital camera (for now). Reason is simply: I have had better-than-expected results in the long run from this + the Fuji-film 27 exposure 800-speed disposable camera. I am very pleased with the quality of photos that I've taken of friend's get-together, visiting a tourist attraction and especially live concerts. Downside is the ca$h you need to dole out for these disposable cameras - at stores (that even) still carry them like Walmart, Kmart, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, etc. Plus, of course the processing & printing. Nonetheless, highly recommended.
Bought a few of these cameras and laid them out at a retirement dinner at each of the table, and boy, people really enjoy taken pictures with them. which they had more to purchase.
I bought this for parties because I thought it would be a lot easier than carrying an expensive camera around risking the chance of losing it. The quality of the photo came out grainy but that is exactly the way I wanted. I would definitely buy it again for future parties since it's always fun to see what I took while feeling tipsy.
Gave it as a gift to a teen going to Hawaii so he did not lose his expensive camera while out with friends on the beach. Took great pictures and you can't beat the price.
wish the expiration date had not been removed.packaging was a bit banged up.these were for a gift . I hope my friend can use them with good results.thanks
I bought this little gem after the price dropped about $70.  It is really easy to use and is great with the 128 megabyte card.  I can shoot about 8 minutes of video or store over two hours of mp3s.  The mp3s sound great and you can select shuffle or repeat.  Also the powersave features really make it last pretty long.  However shooting movies or transfering files require the batteries to be pretty full.  As a result, once you are at a certain point with your batteries (just less than half) you can't opperate these features but the others will still work.  Also it requires three AAA batteries which is kind of an odd amount.  I suggest buying NIMH rechargeables, that way you can recharge them even if they are not dead yet so you can return to shooting video or transferring files.  Even better is to buy a card reader, they are about $30.  The video is 20 fps (best quality) and it looks pretty ok on a small window on your computer screen.  The software works fine once you get the hang of it unless you have Window ME.  The onboard microphone is good if your subject is within about three feet.  Outside of that they need to talk loud.I took this little baby out mountain biking and shot a small video on it.  IT is a lot of fun.
This is a really cool gadget, a must have for other gadget lovers. I travel a lot, and it has reserved a permanent place in my travel kit. The MP3 player is great for the plane, and the camera and camcorder are great for when I land.Keeping that in mind, if you have a specific need for a digital camera, camcorder, or MP3 player, it does not do a fantastic job at any of these.  The camera doesn't have great resolution, and it takes a long time for the lightmeter to adjust for genuine &quot;snapshot&quot; use.  The lack of backlighting on the LCD screen preserves batteries, but often make picture taking difficult even where there is enough exposure light.  The MP3 player does not have all the bells and whistles that dedicated MP3 players have.That said, I still love this device.
Go camera but, it is a toy and not for serious pictures. Kodak get real and add a flash, it wouldn't cost that much more. Mr. Jones's review is right out of the company handbook. Kodak's man comes on as a sales pitch, no one talks that way.
I have had this for over 2 years now and I still love it. The camera part is great fun, though low resolution is noticable in prints, prints look good.  I upgraded to a 128 mb card which holds about 1.5 hours of music or 900 photos or 45 minutes of video. The best thing about this is it's TOUGH. I have dropped it numerous times, it has gone flying off of my desk. Sometimes the card pops out and the batteries always scatter, but it is always fine. It works just like the day I got it. Although there is one thing that I did not like. When Realplayer updated Jukebox, they did not upgrade the drivers for MC3. I eventually was not able to transfer files to the unit, so I bought a CF card reader. It works amazingly fast and lets me transfer my files through Windows Media Player. It now works like a charm, I would recommend this for anyone who uses Windows XP. If you can get a card reader, don't install the included software!
I bought the MC3 because I wasn't quite ready to buy a real digital camcorder, and because I currently work overseas and didn't want to worry about power conversion, etc.  Overall, I can't complain.  As an MP3 player, it's solid.  64MB is a good amount of memory and the earphones are better than most (maybe it's just mine, but the wire for the left earphone is MUCH shorter than the one for the right.  strange.).As a camera, yes, the lack of a flash can be annoying, but if you want quality still-photos, you should NOT be considering this product.  Even expensive camcorders take lousy photos.  Outdoor, particularly long-range cityscapes/naturescapes, shoot pretty well.  Anything up close, especially in low light, will come out blurry.I've been pleasantly surprised by the video features of the MC3.  There are two settings: high and low resolution.  The high setting can capture very clear video, but results in HUGE files.  Low-resolution picture quality is ok, but the files are still pretty big - not a very good trade-off.  E-mailing videos of either size to friends (a big reason I wanted the MC3) can be a hassle.There is sort of a contradiction when shooting video.  Outdoor shots can come out great, but even a small amount of glare can make it hard to see exactly what you're shooting.  Conversely, when indoors, the viewfinder might display a clear image, but the final video will usually appear much darker.Software is included to add titles, effects, etc. to your video, but the program is awful.  Adding even the most basic title screen, etc. can triple the file size.  Functionality is minimal and online support (from the software manufacturer, not Kodak) is a joke.  I haven't tried the program for still-photos.The MC3 seems pretty durable, too.  I dropped it on a concrete sidewalk from a height of about four feet with no problems, although the batteries did pop out.Bottom-line: this is something you can have fun with, as long as you don't take it too seriously.
I've had very good results with this camera. The pictures are of excellent clarity. May be the best bet for a 1.3 Mega pixel digi cam. No provision for using rechargeable batteries.
This was my first digital camera. I found it very easy to use with the quick start intructions. The pictures came out nice and they downloaded easily into my pc.  I took 8 pictures, downloaded them, and spent some time learning the menu options. I figure about 60 to 90 minutes. I turned the camera off. The next day I went to take pictures and the battery was dead. It was late, so I used some Duracell AA batteries, which the instructions said you could use. It took 8 new batteries to take one picture and download it. Forget about making any changes to the settings. I had to put batteries in and take picture right away.
came with out memory card or usb adapter I recieved a partial refund I managed to find a card and usb cord from other sources. takes great pictures
For the price, the camrea takes fairly good quality pictures. It is easy to learn to use. The video output port is wonderful. The pictures you take while traveling can be viewed on any TV that has an A/V input jack, making it nice to share the pictures with family and friends - when a computer is not available. The camera will take about 24 pictures in its normal mode. I recomend buying a 32MB smart media card - it is like having the equivalent of 4 rolls of film on its normal mode. I am running it on Win 98 and have had no problems.
Have used it for 2 weeks (40 shots) and so far a happy camper.  I post a long comment hoping to save some aggravation to digital cam newbies like me.I wanted a simple, practical, medium priced, good optics, moderately featured, small digital camera that allowed me to put up pix in a web site or send via email with an easy to load into PC procedure.  No sound, no video, no super ultra resolution (no memory, no printer, no special paper, no patience and no need for more than 640x480 pictures).In the Olympus the USB solution is the best part (although I agree the manual does not make it clear how simple it really is): hook the USB cable into the PC with the camera turned off and without doing anything else you have another disk drive instantaneously, with the Windows File Explorer, click down two directories into your new disk, then click to view or select and drag and drop to copy all your pictures in your PC into any directoy like any old file.  No need to even install the included Camedia photo editor (of which I already have 3 in my PC that do the simple retouch things I need to do to family pix for sharing).I bought and returned a Polaroid PCD 240(?) that cost a bit less as the &quot;hassle free&quot; software did not install at all and I had no way to transfer the pictures into the PC.  And when it worked (in my old PC with the broken screen, to add to my frustration) I realized had to suffer a rotating parrot flash screen from Polaroid and use a program with special buttons and a slow 3 step process every time wanted to download pictures and the loading procedure worked 2 out of 3 times I tried it. So much for user friendliness.  The USB port is quick: less than 30 seconds to download 20+ or 1.6MB worth of pictures and no extra program to run with the Olympus.With the initial Polaroid purchase I discovered ALL digital cameras have the same Alkaline battery gobbling problem, as this Polaroid came with regular AAs and it ate them up in some 20 shots plus the normal testing and showing off you do with any new gadget, I read up a little and discovered this is not a specific problem of the D-100 but of all digital cameras.Accept the fact that you need better (1600mA Ni-MH batteries) if you want to use a digital camera, as you accepted the need to replace your regular AAs for long lasting Alkalines when electronics got more complicated than transistor radios.  The business here is consumables.  Think Polaroid instant photos and the roll prices, think bubble jet printers and cartridges, think Microsoft Windows and PCs, think Internet and DSL monthly bills. They have to make money somehow. After all, you are buying a product that is more powerful than early PCs and you want it to use the same power source as your flashlight?  Think again.The previous comment about the D-100 lacking the see through viewfinder is plain wrong: that is one reason I preferred it over other other models in which you had to aim through the digital screen, which makes for awkward and shooting. In the D-100 you can turn off the digital viewer and it only comes up for a couple of seconds after a shot, displays it briefly and then shuts off again to save power.Other issue is memory size vs resolution. The Standard (Low) Quality mode alloes some 80 shots at 640x480 resolution with the included SmartMedia 8MB card. This resolution makes 80KB-120KB files per picture, which actually bigger than they should be for email attachments or to put several shots in a family web page. In a web site with several pictures per page, a large graphic item should be 50-80KB so it downloads at a reasonable speed for regular earthlings.  Sending email attachments over 500KB to international friends which may hook up via a pay-per-minute setup is not a polite thing to do.Finally, I have read in several places (and believe it from Olympus) that the optics top quality for a low-end camera and the that it makes pretty smart corrections to color/focus/lighting and its reaction time is pretty fast.  This was not an initial worry of mine but realized after using two models that it makes a big difference as subjects (especially babies) don't wait too long in the perfect picture taking position.  The D-100 allows you to take 2 pictures per second in its Continuous Shooting mode.The only (very minor) criticism access to some functions like the picture review function (press and hold the TV button: sounds easy but I could not remember it 2 weeks after I read the manual and tried all the options) and what some options mean, as due to the small size it crams several functions into 6 buttons, but this is a reasonable sacrifice for having a pocket camera that easily fits into your shirt or pant pocket (try that trick with the Sony Mavica or any of the semi-pro models). Again, for family uses or with newborns around, pockets and shoulders are a precious commodity. It much smaller than most other models and its shape feels very comfortable to handle.  The zoom models felt awkward.  Again, for amateur/email/web use, you can do all the cropping in your PC in 4 seconds flat AND reduce file/image size.  Printing digital photos is not for me.  Regular film is more practical/quick/cheap if you want hard copies and I believe will remain so for amateur needs for at least 5 more years.
So, I'm new with digital cameras and I'm not a photography buff ... but I have been surprised (happpily) with this camera. I also bought the 32mg SmartCard and some rechargeable batteries, based on others' reviews.  I've only had it a month, but was on a 2-week vacation during that time and took maybe 200 pictures. I'm very pleased with the quality of photos I'm getting; some of them are astonishing (a lighthouse at sunset from maybe a quarter mile away! Beautiful!). I expected a significant difference in quality from my 35mm but did not see much, if any.  I post photos to my web site where they look great; I also printed some 4X6 in color and BW and they turned out wonderfully. An added plus: It was very easy to learn to use.
I found that plugging the D-100 into a USB port on my Dell 330 running Windows 2000 Professional consistently produced a &quot;Blue Screen of Death&quot;. In other words, the computer completely froze up. I have many other USB devices on adequately powered hubs, none of which have caused such problems.Although Windows XP was not listed as a compatible system, I found the D-100 worked flawlessly with my Dell Inspiron 5000 laptop running that operating system. The camera was detected automatically without my loading any new software. XP presented me with wizards to transfer, print, or view the contents of the camera.
I got this camera for my birthday last week, it is very easy to use, put battery and mem card, and off you go.At first I couldn't stop taking pictures, and the battery lasted about 3 days of almost non-stop usage. Although by the 4th day the battery had died and I put 2 alkaline batteries, and after maybe 5 pictures, it would just turn itself off. I think it just drained the alkaline batteries extremely fast, so I don't like that one bit, maybe the rechargable batteries won't be so bad.The camera itself is very fun, although it doesn't have the same features as the D-370, but it comes darn close!If you want to use this camera for basicly just emailing pictures, this camera will be definitely a must have for the quiality (quality is pretty descent) and price (around $200)!I just don't like the battery drainage at all, and that's one thing that really worries me, because I've read reviews on this camera on here, and people are saying the same thing about it!Just one thing, rechargable batteries/AC Adaptor are a must!!
I bought the Olympus Camedia Brio D-100 in Oct 2002. Got it for about a hundred greens. Thought I had a landed an awesome deal, until the camera proved you get what you pay for.CONS:1. Battery eater: No rechargeable battery is good enough for it to last through 20pics. I couldn't leave batteries in it for a week - they would be run down in that time.2. Major issues with focus: The whole user interface with communicating when its ready to shoot is incredibly unreliable. I would switch it on, and wait for the green and amber lights to stabilize. They would sometimes, and not others. Even worse, they would and wouldn't on the same shot, with the same composition. Very frustrating.3. Unreliable save: I was never sure if it saved a pic. Sometimes I would press the button - but nothing. No indication on the camera what's wrong. Then I would have to close the cover, reopen it to switch it back on, and pray it will shoot this time - 50% chance. No indication of what's wrong. Using the LCD at the back is a pain too. Often it wouldn't have enough power left to let you browse through to see if it took pics alright.I could go on and on, but the sum total: very frustrating, unreliable camera, best take your money elsewhere. I don't care about bells and whistles, but one expects if its called a camera, it will take pictures. If its called a camera 100% of the time, it will take pics a 100% of the time!!As for mine,after missing some critical pics on a very important family occasion, and some more of household items while documenting before a relocation, I finally hit it against my tiled floor, broke it in a hundred pieces, drilled through it in various places, and am sending it to Olympus's HQ with a letter explaining what they should have done themselves that I had to PAY them to do!
Remarkable camera for a reasonable price.  Flawless downloading to my PC.  Took me a few days to get the various options in mind so I could access them quickly -- especially "erase this picture" so I could free up card space.  Don't know where I would go upwards from here without spending a lot more money for features I really don't need.  This is the perfect vacation, travel, weekend camera and taking pictures at lowest density allows more than 160 frames on a card -- which turns out to be the perfect size for sending along with e-mails.  It does go through batteries more quickly than I had imagined, but that's the name of the digital game -- ... PS: All my previous camera work has been done with single-lens reflexes and other small Olympus models.
This is my first Olympus digital, but it will not be my last. It is a very nice beginner's purchase, and would also make a very good backup for a more dedicated digital photographer. The size and weight make it a breeze to carry in a pocket, purse or glove compartment. It has good quality optics, a 1 megapixel resolution (that will allow pretty good 5&quot; x 7&quot; prints), good battery life (and can use readily available alkalines) and easy USB connectivity to your PC for transferring images. The included 8 meg card is adequate, though it seems to me this camera, which when attached to your PC is automatically recognized as another drive (a nice feature requiring no software installations), would have benefited from some on-board memory. Furthermore, I do not like cameras that require using the LCD panel to view &amp; frame the image, much preferring a traditional through-the-lens viewfinder, which is absent on the Brio. However, its most glaring short-coming is the lack of an optical zoom (it has a digital zoom, but these are vastly inferior digital tricks that halve the resolution while doubling the size of the selected portion of the photographed image), but if that's not a problem for you, you'll be happy with the rather handsome Brio.
When I needed to replace my Olympus camera, I never expected to get such a good deal! It was like a brand new camera and even had the card included! I am very satisfied with my transaction!
My wife and I are very disappointed in this product.  Pictures were very grainy using both 100 & 400 ASA film and the red eye reduction should have been labeled "Give Everyone Intense Red Eyes".  Bottom line, don't even think about buying this cameria.  It [stunk]!
This camera is a great compact camera.  It has all the basic features of an expensive camera (e.g., zoom, red-eye, self-timer, etc...) and it fits in your pocket.  I like the fact that I could just dump it in my pocket without remembering that it is there but having it when I need it.The only downside to this camera is that the really kool feature of mid-roll change is not available.  Although Amazon says it has it in the spec description this camera does not support mid-roll change.  If that is an important feature then you may consider the Elph 2 model.
I bought this for my wife and used it on our recent vacation. The picture quality was fair, but I think that can be fixed by getting the correct speed film (we bought a bunch of 400). At one point my wife exclaimed &quot;thanks for buying me such a fun camera.&quot; Enough said...
I have 2 of the Elph models and I must say I think they're the best APS cameras available. They are incredibly compact, very sturdily built and take wonderful pictures. The LT270 has some fine features, the best of which are the true-image viewfinder that allows you to see what your selected APS mode will actually encompass on the print (this may help you avoid the dreaded error of having selected the wrong APS setting and shooting an entire roll in panoramic), as well as a very smooth 2.7:1 zoom and a better than average flash unit. Whichever Elph you choose, you'll be pleased with it for years to come.
I have owned this camera for about six months now, and overall I like the compact design, the variety of features it offers and the pretty decent zoom. If you also have a Canon EOS, slow your trigger finger, since the autofocus of the elph is not quite as snappy as the one on your high performance SLR. The flash is very limited in range, so this is ideal for indoor shots at smaller parties, but not at bigger events where you want to cover some distance. Twice I have had problems with fresh APS film involuntarily rewinding and popping out of the camera as used even though only one picture had been taken, but that may have been an issue with the film rather than with the camera. The zoom and autofocus use up quite a bit of battery juice, and the power will go pretty much without warning, so if you travel, have extras handy.
I owned a Fuji 6800 for 5 years and used it a LOT.  When I purchased this camera in 2001, it was something of a curiosity, with it's unusual shape and control layout.  But I needed something small and light for my work as a technical writer (photo illustrated user and tech manuals) and I'd had good luck with Fuji in the past, so I gave this camera a try, despite what was at the time a nearly $1,000 price tag.6800 ExperienceWith a 3.3 mp sensor, I knew this camera was never going to take the sort of images I was used to with my film SLR cameras.  But, for the type of work I was doing at the time, this level of resolution was more than adequate.  In good lighting, the images from this camera could easily be printed at 8x10 with no difficulty.  In low light, this camera delivered somewhat grainy results (max 400 iso), but given the fact that I was usually working in either well lit or "use flash" situations, my customers were always impressed with the images from this camera.  As advertised, this camera offered a 6.0mp shooting mode, taking  advantage of the octagonal design of the sensor elements, but frankly, I found the 3.3 mp mode images to be of higher quality.  The zoom range on this little camera was fairly limited, but again, for the type of work I was doing, it was satisfactory.  VOICE - I loved the fact that this camera offered a voice recording mode, so I could not only use this device to take pictures, but I could also record up to 2+ hours of voice notes on just a 64mb card.CONS -No Manual Mode - this camera doesn't offer any manual mode options.  If you need manual mode, look at the 6800's sister camera, the Fujifilm FinePix F601 3MP (SCCD) Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom.  I purchased the 601 for about $100 a few months ago (when the sensor on my 6800 finally died after 5  years of heavy use) and it's GREAT.  It's a superior successor to the 6800 in just about every way.  And it comes with manual mode for exposure and white balance.  VERY nice.  See my review of the 601.Image Quality - the image quality on these cameras is pretty good, but not great.  For illustratingISO Limit - This camera only offers up to iso400, so if you do a lot of low light shooting, look at the 601 with it's iso1600 limitNOTE - IF YOU'RE LOOOKING AT THIS CAMERA (6800 or 601) IN 2007 ... the memory cards for this sort of camera are VERY hard to find these days.  I had a friend look for them on E-bay for me (for my new 601) and in any seriously large size, the memory cards cost more than the camera itself.3x Optical Zoom - Given the fact that I know own a 12x optical zoom Panasonic with image stabilization, the unstablized 3x zoom on the Fuji seems very restrictive.  But, for close up work (such as I do for my manuals), it works fine.601 ExperienceSee my review of the 601 for a detailed discussion of it's performance and features.These are great little cameras, I never had any trouble with them (I don't consider death after 5 years of heavy use a real issue) and I can heartily recommend them, given the caveats above.
I got my Fuji Finepix 6800 this past Friday.  Let me tell you...this thing has it all!  You can pretty much turn it on and start popping off shots right away as long as you use the Auto setting.  Granted, with the 16 MB card that comes with it and the default setting, you only get a few pictures.  If you get this, make sure you read the manual.  Even for an electronics-minded person, I found the interface a bit tricky at first.  Also, get yourself at least another 16 MB card.  I got two 64 MB cards, myself.  Inside the manual, it gives you a table of exactly how many pictures you get at a certain setting for a certain card.  It's pretty neat!  You can do Black/White photography (which significantly increases your shot count), Night time photography, Landscapes (not panoramic), Multiple shots (5), and movies.  For those used to the good ol' aim and focus, manually set this, manually set that, it has a pretty neat Manual setup.  You have to use the menu to get all of those (including white balance, shutter speed, and alot of other technical settings.  It comes with a USB cradle, so downloading to your PC is pretty simple.  It comes with a case that holds two more storage cards, so you don't need to buy that.  I really love it!  It's by far the best Birthday present I've gotten since I got the really "neat" toys as a kid.  This one lists at [price], but many places (including Amazon) have it at discounted prices.  This one is definitely worth the money.  Hope this has helped.
I've owned the 6800Z for about 10 years, but it was kept in the drawer after I bought smaller Sony and Lumix digital cameras with better technology/picture quality.  That being said, it is a terrific WEBCAM for my PC.  The camera comes with a cradle and has a USB mode that is easily recognized by Windows.  I use it routinely for Skype calls and it hasn't let me down over the past 4 years.  Yes, it was pretty expensive when I bought it over 10 years ago (~$500), but it's one of the few digital products I've owned that is still in routine use after a decade!PS:  Do not bother with this device for picture/video use these days.  There are too many much more effective options readily available.  Also, the memory cards used in this device are rare and costly these days, making it rather ludicrous for use other than as a webcam.
Update: Used this camera on our trip to China and loved it. Quick shots out the tour bus window were easy with the 5 shot burst mode. Took great pics of the Great Wall, etc. Charged batteries at night, and shot all day on one battery.Previous review:This is a great camera! After a lot of deliberation I chose this camera over the Sony DSC-P1 and the Ricoh RDC-7. The images are fabulous (not a word I use often). Very easy to use. The five shot burst mode is great for capturing moving or blinking subjects. The optical viewfinder is to the left of the body so you don't have to fight your nose to see through it. This also keeps you from smuding the LCD. The battery holds up well. The software is hassle free. Place the camera in the cradle and press the power button, the FinePix viewer opens and shows you what is in the camera, what could be easier? A case with a couple of places to store SmartMedia cards is included. If you find a price that is too good to be true, it is. Those are gray market cameras, be sure about the warranty (or buy a third party warranty) if you're considering one. They also probably produce PAL video instead of NTSC, which means you can't use it on your US/Canadian market television.
I bought the Fuji 6800 as a replacement for a Fuji 1700 Zoom camera that lived a long useful life. The 6800 is almost a solid block of metal of high build quality. It has a decent optical viewfinder, a feature missing from most current small digital cameras. It charges its battery in the camera, no special charger required. The 3 mp sensor is a novel Fuji design using interpolated pixels that provides excellent images. Certainly suitable for the web or for modest enlargement, say to good 5x7 or acceptable 8x10 size. The camera offers a number of features. It records sound and takes decent standard TV video. The display menu is a bit confusing. The 6800 is a good camera to keep as a spare, sort of like an old screw mount Leica. The only downside is that it uses hard to obtain SM memory cards. While no match for modern high megapixel P&S cameras the Fuji 6800 is tough enough to crack walnuts with the case.
I looked very carefully at digital cameras before landing on this one.  What ultimately sold me was its size and physical design.  Some find the configuration awkward, but, like anything else, try it yourself.  Get a feel for it in your hands.  As other reviewers have noted, the zoom buttons (on the back) take a bit of getting used to, but, in the end, are very functional.  Placement could be a little better, though.  This is a solid, small performer.As for the bread and butter, the picture quality is excellent.  The only other digital camera I tried out and found to have equal to or better picture quality is the Canon G2, but the Canon is both bulky and flimsy feeling, and is far less user friendly.  I urge  you to give both of these cameras a try before buying a digital camera.  They'll give you a good sense as to what you like and don't like.  I didn't care for the Sony cameras--the design simply isn't up to par and the pictures simply didn't seem as lively and accurate to me.  Finally, if you're willing to settle for a fewer megapixels, try the Canon digital Elph.  Cute camera, really nice pictures, and very, very convenient.  However, you won't be able to crop/blow up pictures the way you can with the 6800.
A great camera.  Fairly simple to use if you leave it in auto mode.  The other modes (manual, video, etc) are straight-forward and not too difficult to learn.  The camera is fun to use and more feature-packed than other digital cameras I've used.  Best of all, it's size makes it easy to carry with you.  Being fairly compact, you're more likely to take it along.  My one gripe is it's limited ability to take good pictures when it's dark outside (or inside for that matter).  But that's a minor issue.  Most of my night time photos look okay.  When using this camera in high-resolution, the picture rivals most high-end film cameras.  I recommend it to anyone who wants a high-quality, fun, cool camera.
As of the writing of this review, I've had my new camera for four days.  I've shot still photos, portraits, action shots, and taken video and audio recordings (the good fortune of getting the new camera right before a major holiday with parties!).  I have NEVER adapted to a new piece of technology this fast before, and had this much fun!I took the opportunity while the new battery was charging the first night to read the camera manual.  A easy-to-dial wheel lets you pick single shot, multiple, video, etc., which is great at a larger gathering where just still photos might not best grab the moment.  The ability to instantly discard those headless photos, or just bad expressions, will make you an instant hit with your subjects.  Especially when you just turn the camera around and show them the picture you just took.  I never had so much "camera compliance" at a Thanksgiving dinner before.I did spring for a 128MB SmartMedia chip for the camera, upping my picture taking capacity from dozens to hundreds, if necessary.  I tend to shoot mid-range quality and size, and can easily get the equivalent of two 36 exp. rolls of film onto the card.  I've only got the one battery so far, but it held up for three hours at a San Francisco dance club where I was shooting before and during a fashion show, which needed the flash on all shots.  Not too bad for one battery.  I'm pretty sure another one of those, plus another card will get added to my gear.  I've got one of the older, beige, G3 PowerMacs and for [dollar amount] added a 5-port USB card to my computer, allowing me to hot-swap the camera for quick and easy download.  The included software senses when the camera is hooked up and pops open thumbnails of the entire contents of the chip, so editing goes really fast!The pocket-size and one-hand operation allows the Fuji FinePix to travel in a shirt pocket and easy to handle.  This camera was entirely worth the year I shopped the market and compared models and features.  I almost went with a Sony, but this one did more for me.
I love the size of this camera.  It fits in your shirt pocket or pants pocket with no problems.  Because of this I carry it with  me more than I would a larger camera.  The picture quality is excellent.  I have taken hundreds of pictures with very few failures.  Battery life is great, did get a 128 meg card.  Cant go wrong with this camera.
Okay you Digital Camera buffs!!!  This is one hell of a camera.  I have taken appx. 1000 shots,  and I am impressed each and every time.  The resolution is superb, and the overall quality of shots is amazing. Although the manual controls such as white balance and shutter speed is not quite up to SLR standards this is a compact digital camera.  About the size of a pack of cigarettes... this baby performs for it's size.  I have compared pics taken with a Nikon 880 and Canon PowerShot Series, and the winner is the 6800. The 6 megapixel interpolation with a 3 megapixel CCD is not a true 6 megapixel camera by no way or form.  However it does produce prints that are of better quality than the top or the line 3.34 megapixel units within its price range.  It's features of Night, Scenery, and Macro add to it's versatility ... and by the way it takes some great night shots.  The movie mode records both sound and video, and even allows playback with both video and sound ... a rare feature in digital cameras.  Some allow this feature for short intervals the FinePix is no exception... but at a 160 seconds... it is by all means acceptable ... especially for a digital camera.  After owning this digital Gem for appx 4 months, and using it's features to it's fullest, I have to say that if you are looking for a system that offers much of the bells &amp; whistles, but require a compact size ... this is the camera for you! The pics I print using an Epson Photo printer is totally AWESOME!  The one complaint I have is that this unit sucks the life out of the Lithium Ion batteries required for it's operation (not bad battery life if LCD is turned-off).  Puchase a Rapid battery charger (BC80) is recommended.  I hope this writing was useful in your quest for Digital excellence. Also, the unit is a very well made solid piece of engineering, using metal alloys instead of plastic!
I owned Finepix 6800 and also Finepix 6900 Zoom and both are awesome.Easy to use, so much like SLR but digital.get Canon S800 printer and either of these and you got the best ..
Image quality you get with this digicam is excellent--you chose from 4 different quality settings: VGA, 1M pix, 3Mpix and 6Mpix.  If you need up to  39 inch width by 29 inch height, you' select the 6 Megapix mode. Otherwise, I find even 1M mode, excellent. I got this camera partially because MacWorld (Nov issue) gave good ratings and put a recommendation star to it. I am definitely finding it quite useful at school taking &quot;scans&quot; of images I want from books and shooting visual studies.At low lights, the camera creates a red tint to the pics. If you have Photoshop, you can simply adjust this with auto level adjustment. Otherwise, you will have to use the manual mode and select the white balance that's right for the surrounding. Further, under low lights, without the use of flash, the image will be blurry. Use flash. If for some reason, you want to get the underexposed effect w/o the use of flash, you will have to use manual mode and set the shutter speed to 400. You have a choice of setting the shutter speed of 100, 200 or 400.. For the aperture, the setting isn't like what you would find on an SLR--marked by F stop. You will just have to manually adjust the exposure and play around with the manual focus to get the right effect.The battery: not bad. The charger takes too long to charge up the batteries fully. Fuji say you can buy a charger accessory that charges at faster speed.The Memory: comes with 16 MB smart media. Fits 12 fine 3MPIX, 24 normal 3Mpix,  25 fine 1Mpix, 49 normal 1Mpix and 163 VGA (640x480) pics.Overall: very happy with the quality of the pics it takes. The size is small and design is beautiful. Unfortunately, you can't add filters or various lenses like the 6900zoom version.
this thing can take about 80 pictures on 1 card (that are thin and are hard to find now) right when you are at a concert or something and taking tons of pictures, it runs out of memory.it also records really bad quality videos, and the sound recorder isn't the best.
I spent weeks researching a digital camera for my recent trip to Europe.  I wanted something very portable, easy to use, that didn't drain down batteries like crazy.  After much thought, I decided to go with the Canon Digital Elph S300 and boy am I glad that I did!  I couldn't be happier with this item.  It has a nice durable metal case, a fully retacting lens and integrated lens cover, which is great for simply slipping it into your pocket when not in use without worry of scratching the lens.  The battery useage is another incredible selling point.  I shot nearly 200 pictures (about six days of sightseeing in Holland) before I needed to charge the battery pack!  If you buy an extra battery pack ... you'll never be caught without enough power on the road.  The 256MB FlashCard I purchased with it was more than double the amount of storage space I needed for my entire 8 day trip. ... Upon my return home, I used the supplied cable to review my shots on my 36" TV and WOW...the pictures are incredibly sharp, colorful, and lifelike.  The camera performs very well, even in low light conditions.  The controls are easy to use and easy to figure out.  A five minute read through the well written user's manual and you are good to go.  My only complaint is that ... Canon doesn't give you a little protective pouch or case to put it in, like they do with their ... APS Elph Cameras.  This camera is truly amazing.  If you're at all considering this stylish little camera, JUST GET IT!  It is definitely worth the price.  The Elph S300 will not disappoint you!
This is a great camera.  I love the size, construction, and controls.  Even better, the image quality is fantastic.  Pictures have a great warmth/tone, and the detail is wonderful.  I bought the extra battery and a 128MB card.  Even at the highest resolution, with the lowest compression, I can fit about 150 images on it.  Glad I spent the extra money.Downloading to my PC is fast and easy.  Prints from Ofoto come out as though taken on film. A long time film photographer and early experimenter with digital, this camera has convinced me digital is now the way to go.
Good camera, easy to use, handy.  Limited flash, and don't try to use an aux flash.  The unit flashes 2x, to determine the correct exposure, thus firing an aux flash, and when the exposure flash is firing, the aux isn't.  Anyone found a solution?
I recently purchased an S300 and have been extremely pleased.  This is my second digital camera purchase (first was in Jan 2000) and I'm impressed with how the technology keeps improving.  For a camera that fits easily in a shirt pocket, the S300 does it all.  Daylight pictures are terrific, and I've been very impressed with the camera's low light pictures (something many digitals do poorly).  The camera's manual settings give enough flexibility for great photos in a variety of lighting conditions, with or without the flash.  The movie mode is a cool feature (decent video quality) and the panoramic capabilities of the Stitch Assist mode are just amazing.  Battery life is fine unless the battery-draining display is in constant use.  The bundled software is excellent, with solid photo management programs and an easy-to-use interface for downloading photos from the camera.  The only real gripe is the puny 8MB flash card that is included, but users can just buy a card that suits their needs.  My recommendation is if you want maximum features from a very small form factor you need to give this little camera a try.
Our first digital camera.So very simple with so many features.Get the 128MB memory card.  I bought the viking (sp?) one.  Next will get an extra battery but it's not essential unless plan on taking lots of pictures at a time between rechargings.It fits in my shirtpocket!  Great picture quality up to 8 by 10.  haven;t yet tried larger but it could still be very good.The zoom is good but digital zoom is a waste of time as picture quality declines rapidly.  Overall a great buy.
The quality is excellent.Buy an extra battery and more memory.A small s300 case is available...Learn to use the white balance for indoor pictures.So small you can put it in your front jeans pocket.You'll love it!
Yes, the 3 megapixel cameras are here, but I was thoroughly satisfied with the S300, liking its compact size and sleek look.The first batches of pictures were about as good as film for 5 x 7 size.  Some comments:  You MUST have a bigger memory flash card, preferably 128 mb.  The other reviewers who also suggest a spare battery are also right.  The camera has both a digital and optical zoom.  The optical zoom was excellent, but the digital was of little value because the quality degraded rapidly. If you're looking at other cameras, forget digital zoom.  I found it a solid camera, easy to use. The software worked fine and I was cranking out good looking pictures after only a little tweaking of the printer and the Photoshop color settings. I'm an experienced amateur with 35mm film, and wondered whether digital was really ready.  For me, it was.
I just spent a weekend learning-testing-downloading - what fun!  This is an easy camera to learn how to use.  I found the buttons, dial and menu easy to find, use and navigate.  The manual is clear and it doesn't take much time to review the manual and then start experimenting.  I spent the extra for the small size and mini-video capability.  Size is great - it fits in a pocket - the integrated lens cap protects it and yet it is not so small that it is hard to hold steady or find buttons.The download software loaded with no problems - a little tricky to use (I'm a programmer) I thought, but it all worked.Buy a larger capacity flash card (or 2) and an extra battery.
I did a lot of research online,  I knew I was paying more for the size and style, but I haven't been dissappointed.  This camera takes great pictures.  My wife and I have taken over 700 pictures (we have a new baby) and we have been very pleased with the results.  I took the advice of others on the site and skipped the costly AC adapter.  We have one spare battery and keep it charged.  You have little warning when the battery is going out.We bought a flash reader and a 64MB card (we never use the card that ships with the camera).  We get about 100 photos on the factory default image settings, 1600x1200 and Fine resolution.  That works well even for our new parent photo appetite.A couple extra points, after having this camera for about a week, I dropped it on a tile floor Ouch! and it landed on the extended zoom lense Ouch! Ouch!  That's a feeling I never want to relive, but... Although the inner most part of the zoom was jammed against the outer barrel, I gently dislogged it, turned the camera on and off a couple times to get the lense to retract and extend.  The camera issued an error code once, before the lense had fully readjusted, but since then it has been working perfectly.  I consider it to be pretty rugged despite it's small size.  I suggest using the included wrist strap.  Before this incident I had mostly used it as a convenient way to pull the camera out of my pocket.I like the automatic lense cover, the panorama feature works well and is fun to play with, the movie feature is a lot more useful than I expected, the clips are of good quality, and are convienient to put on a web page or e-mail someone with broadband  net access.  We have a digital camcorder, but this is more convenient for web clips.  3X zoom is something I would not be without now that I've used it.  Sometimes it's not convenient to get closer to your subject.I was concerned that I might be overpaying, especially vs the new  S110 which has most of the same features, other than the zoom, but I can say I have been very happy with the purchase.
I bought this camera based on size and 3x zoom. The image quality was better than I expected.You will need several accesories. I bought four extra batteries, two 128 & one 256Meg compact flash cards, a padded neck strap, and a little CaseLogic nylon case to hold everything.Pros:Small SizeGreat Image qualityCamera software speedUSB cabled remote controlJPEG compression very clean, artifacts hard to find even at highest compression setting.Cons / Missing Features:Camera does not draw power from USB cable.Battery life is short.Autofocus delay makes candid shots impossible.Small lens aperature makes action shots difficult in all but brightest of lightNo IR remoteMovie length limited to internal memory not flash card size.Camera does not hold "motor drive" setting through power cycling.Creation dates of files all set to 1979.Supplied Image Browser software sets file modification date to date file downloaded, not date picture taken. There is no provision to have camera name files with embedded date format like 2002_02_12_14_56 00002.Many button pushes go unrecognized. You must watch screen carefully to make sure correct mode is selected. Simply counting button pushes may get you self timer instead of "motor drive".Supplied 8meg card is useless because of small capacity.The batteries are very expensive and the supplied charger only charges one at a time.Automatic white balance setting does poor job, can't even recognize daylight. You must manually select correct setting, or risk nasty blue cast to outdoor photos.Tripod socket not centered on lens opening.No provision to turn off digital zoom.No optical viewfinder indication of digital zoom range access.Zoom non functional during movie capture.Macintosh users shouldn't suffer with the included image browser software.  Try Cameraid and GraphicConverter instead.
Amazingly fast start-up, shut-down, and picture focusing/recording. Fine quality pictures that give terrific 4X6 prints. The size and build quality is superb, battery life is reasonable, and the LCD is quite useable even outdoors. I really have no complaints so far.
This camera exceeds my expectations. Which were high to begin with. I bought this because it was small, looked really cool and had enough manual mode muscle to keep me interested. And the picture quality received high marks. All of these expectations were met.I find these things most noteworthy:- The ability to change settings to approximate brightness and color balance accessed through the white balance button in manual mode. It's much more than a point and shoot if you want to dive into the manual mode settings. But the point and shoot aspects are pretty good for almost all situations I face.- Response time is very good. I don't feel any undesirable lag time between clicking the shutter and taking the picture.  The  s300 fires up fast when turned on.- The software is very easy to use on a mac, a little less intuitive on a windows machine.- It's small and TOUGH. I dropped it on the way home from the store, but there is no discernable scratch, or malfunction, or even a rattle. For this price (...)it should be nearly indestructible, and it is.- The controls are fairly easy to understand.- The battery life is more than adequate so far. Up to 40 shots (that's as many I've done w/o recharging. Using the LCD display much of the time, but turning off if not in immediate use.-- The s300 will shut off automatically if unused for three minutes. very nice!!I bought a 128 Mb compact flash card to replace the 8mb card that comes with.One thing to be aware of:- Right after you take a picture, The "review a shot" setting can be set to 2 seconds, 10 seconds, or off. For me, 5 seconds would be about right, but the s300 not user-configurable to that degree. The way around this is to depress the shutter button as if you're ready to take another picture during the 10 second cycle. The display switches automatically to previewing the next shot.Otherwise, this is one of my happiest gadget purchases ever. recommended unconditionally.
I own an Olympus E10 which is a 4+ Megapixel camera, and although the image quality is superb, it is hardly the camera to take out for the &quot;fun&quot; shots or to carry around all day (the thing is the size of a standard 35mm SLR). That is why I purchased this S300. And I am pleasantly surprised with the quality of the images considering they are half the resolution of my other camera. Not to mention it is packed with features that even my E10 does not have (or should be as easy to use). I'll stick with the E10 for the professional photography, but for everything else, this camera surpasses my expectations. By the way, the first thing I did was put a 128MB CF card in. The 8MB card makes a good storage card for the Visor handhelds.
I've read most of the reviews on this camera before I bought it.  I wont give an extremely long drawn out hypertechnical review here. What often gets lost in these reviews is the most important aspect of this camera:  it's small.  What's so important about small ?  Well, small is everything.  With a camera this small, it fits in your pocket.  If the choice is between carrying around a normal sized camera or taking one of these babies in your pocket, there's no comparison.  I bought mine a few months back and have spent the summer with it in my pocket wherever I go.  Little league ball games.  Vacations.  Wherever.On the technical side, the camera takes outstanding pictures.  It's a 2.1 Megapixel (1600 X 1200 pixel) camera, so it's not on the leading edge (3 megapixels have been out a while now).  But  2 megapixels are plenty.  This is more than twice what you need for a sharp display on a computer monitor or to print out an 8" X 11" photo on a printer.  The camera comes with a puny 8MB compact flash card, so I'd suggest you pick up a 64MB or 128MB card to store pictures.  Figure you'll store 2 to 3 pictures per MB, so 64MB will store over 128 pictures and a 128MB will store over 256 pictures.  A 64 MB card will cost you...Pros ---- Compared to my Epson PhotoPC750 (1 Megapixel, circa 1998), this camera excels in quite a few areas.  It has a jog dial on the top which is very handy to allow you to choose various modes (playback, manual, automatic, movie).  The camera is very quick (few seconds) between modes (the Epson took close to 5 seconds - extremely annoying).  The controls are much easier to navigate on this camera than the Epson.  The 3X Zoom on the camera is a really nice addition (forget about digital zoom...), and I like how the zoom button slides from optical into digital zoom when the optical is exhausted.  The cartridge battery on the camera lasts longer than I'd expected from the reviews, and is more of a snap to load and charge than the Epson individual batteries were.  I find night shots of the camera work a lot better as well.  I haven't used the movie mode that much so I cannot comment on it too heavily, other than it's use is limited since you can only take small ( less than 30sec) movies.Cons ---- No AC adapter is Supplied. AC adapter requires you to remove battery to use it red eye adjustment doesn't work so well lack of manual controls 8MB card Price...
I just got this three days ago and I love it already.  It is easy to understand and use for a novice techie such as myself.I also found the software that comes with it pretty helpful.  You can export images in varying resolutions - lower for things you just want to email to friends and higher for images you want printed.  I upload my .jpg files to Shutterfly and send them to my friends so they can view and have prints made at their leisure.It is just a bit bigger than the film Elf (which I also have and enjoy) so it is fairly easy to tote around.I can't say enough nice things about it.  Try it for yourself!
It is amazing how this camera fits so many great features into such a small package.  The simplicity of use of the included software and fantastic picture quality from the camera would be hard to beat no matter how much you pay for a digital camera.I can't think of a negative thing to say about it other than the included 8MB flashcard is probably too small to fit most people's needs.I recommend buying at least a 64MB flashcard and one spare battery pack if you are like me and take lots of pictures. Other than that, don't be afraid to buy this one. It won't let you down.
I'll make it short, simple, and straight to the point (just got this camera 2 days ago so I don't know ALL about it yet):Pro's: Nice and small.  Pretty easy to use.  Easy to upload pictures into computer - just plug in camera's USB and you're set.  Has video mode.Has good zoom with a digital zoom - after zooming in 3x, you can zoom in more "digitally" (although looks too digital) up to like 7.5x digital zoom.  Quite interesting, but of course the picture quality starts to look more digital, but useful.Con's: comes with 8 MB flash card, camera gets HOT when taking too many pictures at once and using flash, weak flash, pictures don't come into focus too well (but then again, I don't know how to use this camera thoroughly yet. I saw some examples on people's website using this camera and it comes in CLEAR - how do I do that?), cannot hear audio in move playback mode.Bottom line: if you like point and shoot camera's, this is THE one to get.  And get a 256 MB...
I have had this camera over 2 weeks and have taken a lot of pictures. I will try to cover some things not mentioned on other reviews.Pros: -Very accurate result of human skin tone(unlike s10 and s20 with bluish cast). -Virtually no chromatic abberations which other digital cameras suffer from! This is nice for such a small camera! -Very fast start up. -Excellent LCD with coating (protects it from being scratched) -Metallic body, very durable.Cons: -A bit pricey but worth it for a compact with 3X zoom. -No included case. -AC adapter NOT included -Still 2.11 MPThe reason I got this was to replace my Canon 370Z APS camera, and so far, it has done an excellent job. Size wise, it is EXACTLY same as the 370Z!
Probably the best compromise between power and portability, the Canon PowerShot S300 Digital Elph (OK, so the name is silly) is an outstanding camera. Slightly larger than a deck of cards, I have learned to carry it anywhere, everywhere, since you can't take a great photo if you don't have a camera.On a recent scientific expedition to Alaska, roughtly half the photos I took were made with this camera, as well as all the QuickTime clips...  Under brutal environmental conditions (bouncing boats, vibrating ships, dim light, mist, fog, rain) the camera did an outstanding job.Two recommendations: buy a big CompactFlash card (the included 8 MB card is a joke) and buy a second rechargeable battery. With this camera and a USB-equipped laptop (I used a PowerBook G4), plus the excellent software included in the package, you can do amazing things.Don't leave home without it.
If you want a digi cam at the moment this is the best choice. I have been reading hundreds of reviews of all the competitors before I bought the S300 (IXUS 300 in Europe). And they were correct. I didn't experience any problem with the cam, everything works fine or even better than I imagined. It is so easy to take pictures and delete them (something you have to do often, not because of the picture-quality but because you shoot so many pictures!). The most important thing for me was that the camera fitted in the pocket of my jeans. You can take it anywhere and don't need anything else. If you turn the flash off, you can make &quot;silent shots&quot; or videos which no one recognizes. This way, I shot great pictures of my teachers in class! But don't forget to order a 128mb Compact Flash card, IT IS USEFUL!
I bought this because I wanted a compact, fit-in-your-pocket camera, and it is that.  The integrated lens cap is just great.  But be warned -- this camera has a few significant (to me, anyway) limitations.  First, it's basically only good as a snapshot camera in fairly bright light.  It simply can't focus worth a darn unless there's a lot of light on the subject.  This is particularly troublesome because you can't manually focus.  Second, if you use reading glasses (as this 43-year-old reviewer does), then keep 'em around -- you need to decipher small icons on the small LCD to control the camera.  (Better keep the manual handy too.  Hmmm, those reading glasses and manual make the camera a big less portable.)  Third, if you ever want to take closeups, then you've got to use the macro zoom function -- but after hours of trying, for the life of me I can't make it work worth a darn. That said, the camera IS quite nice for daylight shots.  I'd be inclined to buy the underwater housing for it, but underwater shots are by their nature low-light.  The battery charger is very cool -- the battery slips into a cartridge which plugs into the wall.
Its huge. I got it fr my boyfriend who is a tattoo artist to help document and create his portfolio. Bad idea. I misread the details of the camera and since I had read the words "camera kit" in the product title, I figured a kit would come with more than one single object. I recieved just the camera; no battery, memory card, charger, anything. I couldn't even turn it on to see if it worked. I was very pleased with the seller though; he sent me a 2 batteries and a charger for free. I still have to go get a memory card and who knows if they even make them anymore. not impressed. F
This is my third digital camera, and my hands down favorite!  The Canon Powershot S300 is my idea of a perfect camera for the average &quot;on the go&quot; family.  First, it's photos are top-rate, and require no touching up.  Second, the camera is not much larger than a deck of playing cards, so you'll always have it with you; no more missing that special shot.  Finally, it has a very nice optical zoom lens that permits a greater degree of creativity than many other cameras.You can create prints from these pictures, up to 8x10 (which is all most folks go up to anyway).  Buy it - You'll love it.
I've had the camera for a week now; here are some observations.Like- true &quot;pocket&quot; camera- resolution is fine for 8x10 prints- most of my pics ~800K at highest res, so 128MB card fits 150-160 shots- automatic lens cover- movie mode (I'll stop carrying my Sony-cam everywhere)- battery life is fantastic - over 150 shots this week and I'm still on the original charge (~half have been flash)Dislikes- No case included with &quot;kit&quot;- unable to put UV/scratch-protecting filter on lens- CompactFlash card literally &quot;pops out&quot; when you press button; in my case flying 2 feet across the kitchen counter- flash photos not as good as our CoolPix 950; I'm not a propeller-head, but I'd guess S300's flash is not as powerful- zoom is not as smooth as our CoolPixOverallGreat point and shoot, but not a replacement for a CoolPix if you take photography at all beyond &quot;point and shoot.&quot;
This camera takes great photos.  I brought it with me on a recent vacation where I took over 200 photos &amp; 6 videos, and there was plenty of room left on the 248 meg viking card (purchased separately).  The photos were great, however it clearly has limited low-light capabilities.  I'd recommend having a portable mini tripod available if you want to take low-light photos.  ONE CAVEAT!  If I had to do it all over again, I'd take a closer look at the size difference with the Elph 110, which I didn't do.  This camera is small, one of the smallest, but smaller is better &amp; it is possible that I would have gone with the Elph 110 (with the 2x zoom rather than the 3x zoom of this model) if the size difference was significant.  This model is pocket-sized, but barely.
I've had this camera for about a month and I love it. It takes great pictures and I usually just use the medium quality mode. I like that I can take black and white pics and movies for a more artistic (read: comedic)feel. The white balance is adjustable in several modes (sunlight, cloudy, flourescent, tungsten, auto, b/w) plus the exposure can be set in a +/- scale to take in more light or not.I only have two complaints with this camera: the movie length is limited to 30 seconds (not the size of the card), and an 8mb card is kinda silly. I get enough shots on my 16mb card, but this should come with at least a 32mb.
I will start this by saying that I am not a "real" photo enthusiast.  I WANT a point-and-shoot camera, not one that I have to focus and play with light setting.  Been there done that, and didn't enjoy it.  So I spent a month researching various digital cameras, in order to buy my first new camera in 14 years.  There were three reasons I chose the Canon S300 over the other ones I was considering.  First is size.  Smaller in this case is better = more likely for me to bring it with me.  Second was the mostly metal case.  I drop things.  Often.  So I wanted a camera with a sturdy case.  Third was the relative ease of use and no-brainer picture-taking.  Oh, and I liked the 3X optical zoom.I have had my camera for 6 months and have taken more than 400 pictures.  It stood up to three trips, a wedding, several parties, marathon-watching, and various other activities.  I love the fact that I can edit out so-so pictures as I go along.  And yes, I've dropped it twice, so far.  It still works fine.There are a few negatives, however.1.  Images in the view-finder are close than they appear.2.  Uses up battery juice like nobody's business (get that second battery, folks)3.  Macro close-ups ...4.  Flash is too weak.Advice:  Buy an extra battery and keep both charged up.  Don't bother with the AC adapter.  A second battery and a CF memory reader are better than the AC adapter.  Buy a nice, big CF card or two (I can't even find the ridiculous 8 meg card they supplied).  Buy a nice case.  I eventually settled on the Lowepro D-Res 20AW.  It has a nice, big, soft inside pocket for the camera and a pocket each for the extra battery and CF card.Enjoy!
Having searched for a digital camera for almost a year, the little Canon is quite extraordinary.  The small size, compared to other digital cameras, means that you could carry it in your pants pocket if you like so it makes a good camera for taking on your trips.  Its sleek-looking steel body was what drew me to buy it.  There really is no visible difference in a 2.11 megapixel photo and one with 3 megapixels.  Photos have very sharp lines.The 8MB compact flash card that it comes with is really not enough.  You would need at least a 32MB or 64MB card.  The bigger memory allows you to store more pictures at the highest resolution, or if you prefer, longer MPEG videos.  It also comes in handy when you travel and don't plan to lug your laptop or notebook along so you can't transfer your pictures to your hard drive that easily.Love it!
(This would have been a 5-star review, except for one detail we'll get to later.)  On the whole, this is an amazing camera -- it's small, easy to use and the buttons are intuitive -- you won't need to sit there days on end trying to figure out which button does what.Let me get this point across: the photos are crisp.  Absolutely, crisp.  You don't even need to use the highest setting for crisp, clean photos that are 100% true-to-life.What really convinced me that I had a great camera was the consistent brightness of an LCD screen.  When you're taking a picture, you want to be able to look into that little TV screen and see exactly how your pictures will look once you press that button.  If the screen is dark, you generally can't adjust it using the &quot;brightness&quot; button; that just washes out the colors in the image.  (Same thing with your computer -- when you significantly adjust the brightness, you're basically just fading out the colors.)  I can be in any light with this camera, and I know I'll be able to see what I'm taking a photo of.As I previously stated, this would be a five-star camera, except ... one detail.  Uploading pictures has been a total pain for me.  I could never properly install the software that came with this camera!  I'm an avid computer user and I generally know what I'm doing, but for some reason this software drove me (and my computer!) nuts.  (FYI, it's a Pentium 4 machine, loaded with Windows 2000 Pro.)I've been using Photoshop 6.0 to upload my photos, but this is slow, and I lose the original date/time when the photo was taken.  AAAAARGH.Still, I'm very happy with the camera -- it's worth it to have your photos digitally stored for a lifetime.  The picture quality is incredible and the camera is easy to use -- don't worry if you blow your budget purchasing this, you'll be glad you did later.
Having spent the last 40 years doing photography, I am not much in favor of point and shoot cameras, digital or film-based.  Yet, I found myself wishing I had a camera on so many occasions when I didn't have one along.  The digital Powershot Elph S-300 is so tiny, it is truly purse size, (fits in a small cigarette box size cell phone pouch), and is bound to be with you and ready to go all the time, whenever you happen upon an image you just must capture.I was hesitant to buy something as low res. as 2.1 megapixels, but find that for web work it is more than adequate, and I am able to get decent five by sevens on an ink jet printer.  The color is realistic indoors and out, and you can override some controls manually.  My only complaint is the short battery life- less then two hours.  Buy at least one extra battery and at least a 128 Compact Flash card and you should be all set.My next purchase will be a matching CP-10 printer, despite reviews that it does not produce great quality prints and is only capable of mini-prints.  This is the Polaroid of the future.  I can envision traveling in third world countries and being able to give smiling photo subjects a small print in exchange for being able to take their picture. It beats passing out dollar bills, as I have in past travels, and you can still do that, as well, if you are so inclined.Without even having loaded the enclosed software that Canon bundles with the Elph 300, I was able to easily transfer the photos I'd taken from the CF card to a ZIP disk in Windows Explorer, from a CF card reader directly to the ZIP.  For serious photo shoots, I will stick with my film cameras until I can afford a high end digital equivalent, but this is a great carry along for daily use.
I have been a dedicated S100 user since its release, and have really gotten my money's worth from that camera. It is not, however, a perfect camera, and the S300 attempts to address the major shortcomings. First of all, the new zoom is a 3:1 rather than the old 2:1, yielding a big improvement in utility. The S300 also adds a 30 second movie function, which once you master the download process, really adds new zip to your internet photo apps. Lastly, the new control wheel with embedded power switch works far better than the old recessed power button, which in my mind was a real problem with the S100. Now, the only question is, are these changes worth a 40% price premium?
I shopped around before buying this camera and finally bought it for the incredibly small size and sharp pictures. I have not been disappointed. The camera looks so sleek and small that people around you invariably comment on it. The buttons are intuitive and the small screen is incredibly sharp. I have a coolpix 950 at work and I can't believe it but the images off the s300 are sharper and the tones are more precise. In adddition the canon lenses are superior to Sony and Olympus  and are rivaled only by larger Nikon cameras. My only regret is that the camera does not come in a 3 megapixel variety, but realistically, one almost never needs 3 megapixels for home use anyway. 8 x 10s are sharp and beautiful on the s300 using maximum pixelation and superfine mode. Needless to say a 128 mb CF card is a must. The 8 mb card this comes with is a joke! Also, if you use the display to shoot images and not the viewfinder you will need a spare battery. One more point; the s100 case does not fit this camera; canon makes a hard to find PSC 300 case for this camera which fits well, although it adds a tad too much bulk. Neverthelesss, you should get it otherwise the metal will scratch. I found the case, a battery, and a neck strap. My wife, who is not tech savvy, also loves this camera for it's size and ease of use.  Although pricey, I think this camera is exceptionally well made and designed and worth the investment. All in all this is the hottest digital camera out there for good reasons: size and outstanding images!
Got the Powershot S300 for Christmas and I couldn't be happier.  I went out to Chicago for New Years and took a ton of great pictures.  The camera is very compact, I carried it around in my jeans pocket for most of the trip.  I got a Viking 128MB compact flash card for the camera that works great and I didn't come close to filling it.  Downloading pictures to your PC is easy with the included USB cable.  Works well on Windows ME and XP(I downloaded some pictures on a friend's laptop while in Chicago.)The software is pretty good.  I need to play with it a little more, but it seems to have everything I need.  The PhotoStitch mode is pretty neat too.  I took five pictures of the Chicago skyline in the PhotoStitch mode.  Using the software I created a great panorama in less then five minutes.I had read in some other reviews that battery life is an issue.  I haven't invested in a second battery yet.  Right now one battery appears to be sufficient for me.  I use the viewfinder instead of the LCD to frame shots.  I'm sure that helps with battery life.  This is my first digital camera and I would recommend the S300 to anyone interested in getting one.
I used to own a Kodak DC240 (1.2 megapixel) digital camera and I always found that it was a real pain to lug the thing around wherever I went. It was too big and not quite advanced enough for my needs. Don't get me wrong, the DC240 is a good camera and is perfect for those of you that are new to the digital imaging field, but it just wasn't for me.I'd always heard that the Canon ELPHs were great for portability and their quality was usually above par. So, I started looking into them and the S300 really caught my eye. It has high-quality resolution and it's small enough to fit in the pocket of my cargo shorts/pants. Although, the price tag was a little hefty, I thought I would give it a shot due to the amount of positive things I've heard about it. I wasn't disappointed.The first thing I noticed when I removed the camera from its packaging was the rugged design. The entire camera is nearly completely encased in metal. Yes, folks, I'm talking real metal here. Not plastic, which shatters or cracks when dropped. The camera has a very solid-feeling design and I don't mean that it's necessarily &quot;heavy&quot;.. I mean that when held in your hand, it feels as though it could take a good whack and keep on working... Which is good, considering that it doesn't come with any sort of case, just a wrist strap.The camera itself takes extremely crisp photography, which can be printed out into 8x10 inch prints, if you have a decent printer. And, thanks to the rechargable battery pack, you don't have to worry about shelling out cash every time you want to take some pictures.Overall, this is an excellent piece of equipment that will keep serving you for a long time. My only real complaint is that the memory card supplied with the camera (8MB) isn't worth a wooden nickel, as it only holds a few high-resolution photos. If I were you, I'd grab a 128MB card. It's well worth the extra investment.
Ok, let me start by saying I love this camera, I got it when it first came out and have been using it for several months.  Over all it is a great balance of size/ simplicity and quality (both images and workmanship)  I have printed 100's of photo's mostly snapshots of friends etc. and images captured on the highest setting make great 8X10 prints.The Video mode is very "cool" but after several months I have a ton of 20sec clips of people saying "Hi!" and waving.  Although the feature was helpful for some video walkthroughs of restaurants (work) as well as for an insurance claim, think twice about how much you will use the movie feature, before shelling out the extra cash. The s100 is considerably smaller and less expensive, the s300 is just a bit too big to throw in the front pocket of your jeans and take everywhere, so if you don't need the video mode or the extra zoom, buy the other camera.  My best friend has the s100, and I find myself leaving my camera at home and bringing my 128 card and battery to extend the life of his camera, instead of carrying mine.Again this is a great camera, I am just spoiled by access to both models.  I take primarily pictures of people and am much more into "gear" than photography, so now that I bought the camera, it is time to learn to take pictures.  If you are looking for an alternative to point and shoot cameras, or what I was using... Disposables!  You will love this camera, it is packed with features, while still easy to get started with.  So if the Video, 3x zoom and black white are features you need, go with the larger s300, if not stick to the s100. Either way you will love the Cannon Digital Elf.Recommended accessories:1) Larger flash card (MUST HAVE) the 8mg is an insulting joke, what good is a $700 camera that can only take 8 photos as purchased, no card at all would be better at least you would know you needed to buy another.  I bought the 128, I usually run out of batteries before space.2) USB flash card reader, for about $30 is makes getting the pics on your machine a snap, and makes it easier to use other photo software.3) Extra battery, I have finally begun to take pictures with the view lens instead of the screen, but the extra battery is still nice to have because everyone wants to see the pictures and that chews up the battery.4) iPaq, ok so not really an accessory, but a fun way to see the pic's with a flash card reader, I wouldn't suggest that you buy and iPaq specifically for this purpose but if you already own one it is a fun way to show the pictures, without killing the camera battery, and an easy way to transfer digital images from the card using a familiar interface.
This is my first digital camera. I've been impressed by the ease of use, the quality of the images, and variety of features. The only downside is that the 8 MB Compact Flash card which is included is insufficent; you will need to buy more memory, so budget accordingly.I'm somewhat tech-savvy so the S300 presented no problems in terms of getting up and running. I was able to intuitively grasp how to use most features without reading the manual. Those wanting or need to read the manual will find it understandable and well-written.There are several settings which determine the size and quality of the images. On the best settings (which is why you'll need more memory), the quality is excellent for on screen display. I've not printed any pictures yet, so I don't know about that. This is a 2.11 megapixel camera, so there are cameras out there with better image quality. That said, none are this small or ease to carry around.The S300 camera has a variety of shooting modes: auto, manual, stitch assist, and movie. You can also set the white balance so that you're shooting in black-and-white. The auto mode takes good shots under most conditions. I've not played enough with the manual mode to comment on it. The stitch assist, which allows you to create panoramic shots, is amazing when used in conjunction with the included computer software (in my case on a Mac). It'll put everything together and you can even save as a QuickTime VR if you have the appropriate software. The movie mode shoots at 20 frames per second and includes audio. The image quality is acceptable, but the audio is weak.The included Macintosh software (it comes with Windows versions as well) consists of an image database, an image editor, a video editor, a photo stitch assistant, and a camera remote control program. Excellent stuff, all.You have two ways to get images into your computer: Via the included USB cable  or by using an optional Compact Flash PCMIA adapter (cost: about $10). The USB cable, at least on the Mac, works great, though I suspect the download of lots of images from the camera would take a minute or two. I'm ordering a CF PCMIA adapter.As I mentioned, the 8 MB Compact Flash memory really isn't enough. At best quality the camera holds 7 images before running out of space. With 128 MB (which is what I've ordered) it will hold 128 images. Movie times face similar constrains.That aside, overall Canon has succeeded in delivering point-and-shoot ease-of-use to a digital camera. The S300 is small enough to take anywhere, and the result is that any moment becomes a photo opportunity. Users adept with Adobe Photoshop will find that a camera like the S300 allows any image at any time to become part of their digital world, and if that's not bound to enhance creativity, I don't know what will.Highly recommended.
A few words to augment some of the other (and my own) reviews:I still consider the camera a great product, especially for beginners. We actually gave this as a Hannukah gift to three different people.Definitely get a second battery, as well as TWO big memory chips. They really don't cost THAT much, and you shouldn't limit yourself to harsh compression or low resolution just because you don't have enough space. 1 Meg pictures will seem small two years from now anyway. I bought two 128 Meg chips, they give me all the snapping space I need...Which brings me to the second point:You want the space, because you don't want to constantly look at every picture you've taken. It's tempting, and everyone will want to see the picture that was just taken on the very cool display. The problem is that it saps your battery life more than anything else. So either be a picture grinch, or buy a second battery, allowing everyone to editorialize...hey, it's supposed to be fun.The flash (in my humble opinion) is too strong for portraits and two-shots. It seems to wash people out, and throws terribly high-contrast shadows.My biggest gripe is the time it takes to auto-focus, white balance, and god knows what else it goes through before it finally shoots. I've missed numerous shots simply because the camera refused to snap, or took too long. In the beginning this is occasionally annoying, but once you become a proficient frequent user, this becomes a real issue.Overall, the camera is solid, and surprisingly heavy for an object as compact as this. I've dropped it a number of times, and it works just fine. I've even managed to dent the metal case without problems. If there was a case for it (one that could also fit the spare battery and CF chip) this wouldn't be an issue. Buy one.The software it comes with is good, but not fantastic. It is absolutely newbie-friendly, but once you've become a more advanced user you'll find it a little clumsy. WinXP is better any way, and renders their photo-browser software obsolete. The ability to stitch together pictures (like standing on a mountain and taking three or four snaps as you slowly turn) is very cool, and easy. Worth buying for that alone.Instead of the cable, think of getting a CF slot PCMCIA card while traveling with your laptop. Less [stuff] to lose, and you'll always know where your second CF Chip is.BOTTOM LINE: Thanks to this camera, I have graduated to advanced user status, and will be buying a more sophisticated product, while my fiancee takes full posession of this one. It's great, and I wouldn't have the skill or interest in digital photography if it weren't for the S300.
this is a wonderful camera. the pictures look great even at close zoom. i looks complecated but it isn't.the only i wish it came with is a waterproof case.
I had a Powershot Elph S100 and although I liked the small size I wanted something with more accurate colors, less of a blue cast, and better battery usage.  The A20 fits the bill.The colors on the A20 are great.  They are more saturated and a lot more accurate than the Elph.  I will no longer have to go in and filter out any blue casting.Low light capabilities are better than the Elph with the exception of focus.  The A20 automatically adjusts to ISO 150 in low-light which is something I don't think the S100 did.  I notice the background in regular and slow-sync to show much more detail at night on the A20.  I have however noticed less accurate focusing in low-light than the Elph.  Pictures also tend to be a little grainier at times perhaps due to the higher ISO in low-light.The battery life is great.  I am using the AA batteries supplied with the camera and I have taken over 150 shots and used the LCD half of the time and I still have not received a battery warning.  The batteries however are listed as "Industrial" Alkaline which may mean they have a much longer life than regular AA batteries.I do miss the size of the Elph, the fact it looked just like a regular Elph2 camera, the rugged metal body, the anti-glare film on the LCD (the A20 has none), and the slick look of it.  However, the A20 produces better pictures, has a much better underwater case (goes to a depth of about 100ft), and will last much longer on four AA batteries than the Elph did on its ... proprietary battery.Of course, for a smaller camera there is always the S300 however it still uses the proprietary battery and is ... more.  Plus, it is still bigger than the S100 was.  The image quality of the S300 however should be the same as the A20 except that the S300 will focus better in low-light due to a better focus-assist lamp.
I've had the PowerShot A20 for about 8 weeks and have taken several hundred pictures with it of subjects ranging from single portraits, sporting events, macro stills and scenic panoramas. It's very comparable in size, weight and print quality to my  point-shoot APS camera. But it's digital! ahhhh...Pros:ease of use - the entire family *likes* to use it; mode indicators are clear; menus aren't too deepfast - even without locking the focus, the shutter is quickimaging - skin tones are good; strong colors look good; white balance options are simple but effective;optics - 3x optical zoom; good results in a variety of lightingdimensions - about the same as my APS cameraAA batteries - you can find them anywherevideo out - immediately replay your latest photo-fest on TVCons:flash - eats batteries; no hotshoe; weak red eye reductionmemory card - the included card is way too smallflimsy doors - the battery and CF doors don't inspire confidenceRecommendations:read the manual; at least one 128MB CF; USB CF reader; at least 8 AA NIMH batteries; lowepro Z30 bag; and a bigger hard drive!For printable snapshot work, the A20 is a keeper.
When my granddaughter lost her digital camera I looked around and did a little research on a replacement. This is the camera I came up with and my grad daughter dearly loves it. It is easy to work , easy to carry and very lightweight. The picture quality is very good.She loves the 3X zoom lens. Even after weeks of heavy use the case still looks new.
This is my first digital camera, and I've been using it since 2002. It has taken more than 10k photos and still works like a charm. The only reason that I decided to replace it is it's getting bulky, also the LCD screen is too small in nowadays standard.The size: it's a big and bulky, but with 4x AA battery can last you 250+ photos before replacing themBattery Life: i use 1800amh batteries and they last 8 hours before I need a new set of batteryQuality: The usual Canon quality, and it's still beat some of other entry level camera that's released in 2010. The only problem is noise level is quite high at ISO 400.Control: it doesn't have the 4-direction button for you to choose from.Reliability: the best I know! It's been 8 years and it's still going without ANY problem.
I just bought a Canon A-20 two weeks ago.  In short it&#8217;s a great camera.  However, there are several problem areas one should be aware of before buying this camera.The first big problem is it eats batteries.  Depending on the resolution you are shooing at (I always shoot at the highest) you may only get 20 &#8211; 40 shots before the batteries run out.  The solution is to buy several sets of rechargeable batteries and always carry a spare set with you.The second problem is the flash is rather weak.  In my opinion the subject should be less than 8 feet for the flash to illuminate properly.  Even within this range some shots seem underexposed.  There are some exposure adjustments you can make but I haven&#8217;t tried them yet.  Also I don&#8217;t want to screw up the exposure for normal daylight since these shots usually seem fine.Another problem arises when shooting indoors with the flash.  The flash refresh seems to be quite slow at times.  I tried to shoot pictures of my daughter swimming and I missed several good shoots due to the delay in refreshing the flash.  I kept holding down the exposure button and nothing happened for perhaps 15 &#8211; 20 seconds. This may be due to the batteries running down.The 8mb flash memory card supplied with the camera doesn&#8217;t hold many shots at the highest resolution. Less than 12 I think.  When thinking about spending the ($) or so for this camera you also need to budget an additional ($) or so for a 128mb flash card.The camera does best in fairly low contrast settings.  If there are bright areas in the background the subject usually comes out too dark.That about covers it on the downside. On the plus side.  Under controlled or even lighting conditions the pictures are awesome.  Colors are really vibrant and very sharp.  For general snapshot photographs the camera is great.  The size is small and very comfortable to hold.  In whole it is a keeper.  Hope this review helps.  Good shooting!
For the price, this is a very good camera for the casual photographer who mainly wants point-and-shoot ease, with a few adjustable features, and a mid-range zoom (3X optical - avoid the digital except for previews!). It's about the same size as a basic 35mm film camera, and I like the hand-hold ridge (although I'm glad I'm not a lefty!). It takes very attractive, clear, and accurately-colored shots IF there is sufficient light (either ambient or within its flash range): everything from scenic panoramas - the included software is easy and produces nice results on the computer - to macro-mode closeups (I recommend pulling back a couple inches, and using the zoom to narrow the view). HOWEVER, the flash range is naturally limited, and if there are deeply shadowed areas in the image, or not enough light in general for a wider-angle view, the picture comes out blotchy and grainy. The ISO comparison is only 100 up to about 150 with +2 exposure - I didn't realize just how limiting this would be when I purchased it.The other main drawback is shutter speed, or lack thereof. Every digital camera has lag between pressing the button and finishing the image file, but be aware that many things add more delay to its focus time and shutter release, too, e.g. automatic focus (which is always on, except for subsequent shots in panoramic stitch-assist and _?_); red-eye reduction flash (which uses a pre-flash red light); and any flash slows down subsequent shots, for recharge time. All this makes it harder to capture a quick moment with sports, kids, animals, special occasions, etc., especially during the period of learning its timing. The "continuous shooting" mode helps, when you know such a moment is immanent, but it's still slow, especially when you need the flash.My only problem with ease of use - the controls are mainly self-explanatory, and the manual clearly explains everything (even if it is rather scantily indexed) - is the "half-depressed" step of the shutter button, for getting the focus / focus-lock (signalled by the optional Beep) - I've had the camera for several "rolls"-worth of snapshots now and, too often, I still push the button all the way before I intend to.Also, remember: You'll need to buy AT LEAST 64 Mb total of CompactFlash memory, to avoid running out, and 2 sets (8) rechargable batteries to "leapfrog" in use. (Lithium ones aren't compatible, by the way.) A USB card reader is also worth getting, so you don't have to connect the camera every time - unless you have a printer with a built-in CF slot(?).Overall, if you mainly take still and/or scenic shots in good light, this is a nice, user-friendly, compact, relatively inexpensive option.Oh, by the way, don't bother buying the closeup add-on lens - if I can clearly photograph a pair of earrings and hardly need to crop the image, what more would anybody want?
I bought the Canon PowerShotm A20 over a year ago and think it is a fine digital camera. It takes crisp clear pictures that can be easily downloaded to your PC using a SanDisk. The only draw back is that it eats batteries (4 AA).
This camera is simply amazing! I read up on almost all digital cameras finally deciding on this one because of the price and features.Picture Quality - The picture quality is great! It has surpassed all my expectations as a 2 megapixel digital camera. The skin tones are right and colours are not overly saturated. Chromatic abberation is minimal and overall it takes very good photographs. However, camera shake is an issue so you might want to hold the camera still, but this only happens when you turn off the flash in dark conditions. The photographs might appear a little (only slightly) out of focus but don't worry because they will look fine when printed in 4R sizes!Battery Life - Although this camera does not come with a rechargeable battery, I bought 2 sets of 1600MAH rechargeable (Sony and GP) for use. Don't go for anything less than 1600MAH! The battery life is superb even with the LCD screen on.One of the main functions of a digital camera is the WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) feature, so why compromise by using the optical viewfinder?
I looked for a digital camera primarily to use for emailing photos, taking photos to post to a web site, and for use in taking photos for online auctions.  The last thing I was thinking of when I purchased this camera was just how exceptional a job it does of taking excellent photos that can be printed out as 4x6 photos.  It does all of this better than I expected for the price.I had looked at the similar Sony, Olympus, Nikon, and even the Canon Elph cameras, but came away with this one.Aside from MPEGs, video or shots with sound, this camera does everything I have asked it to do.  The extra bells and whistles of some of the other models were not required for the applications I am using.The camera is small, very close to my compact 35mm camera, also very close in price.  It has a good feel to it.  It's built, as are all the Canons I am aware of with a plastic body.  It is certainly durable enough.  One comment left a star off because of durability.  My thought on that is try dropping any digital camera and see what's left of it.The Canon A20 incorporates an excellent flash, simple straight forward menu...yes, you will have to read the manual...,excellent download time, bare minimum photo editing software, as most of the others do.  The viewfinder, again, as with other brands does not capture the full picture results, but that is a minor point.  It fits great in the hands and acts like some of the compact 35mm I have owned, except that it takes better photos than any of my 35mm cameras.  That was the surprise.If you want a digital camera at what is very possibly the best price and value, and you want one for printing photos, general web usage, along with a Macro feature, and good zoom range, I have not seen a better camera.  While you cannot control the shutter speed on this model, it does take superior photos in low light conditions without using the flash.  This camera is sensitive, so...depending on what you plan to photograph and the conditions you will be taking pictures in, I recommend getting a decent tripod.While this camera does go through alkaline batteries very quickly, it certainly does not do so as fast as other models I have used, but you will want to get the NiMh batteries (two sets), along with the charger, also a larger memory card.  Toss in your choice of photo editing software and you are off to the races.I have not used all of the cameras in the 2.1 megapixel range, but for the price, the funtions, and the quality of the photos, I don't think that for my use there would be any point to look further.  This is truly an outstanding product.
I must have researched purchasing a digital camera for at least six months, including reading hundreds of customer reviews, before I finally broke down and took the plunge.  At first I was leaning toward an Olympus C-2040, but finances and a re-evaluation of my digital photography needs led me to the PowerShot A20.I've been using it a lot in the two days since I got it, and it is a *very sweet* camera.  I barely had to look at the manual to get up and running with it, although the manual was helpful in explaining some of the more specialized features.I plugged it into our TV, and not only can it display pictures from there, I can also use it as a monitor to take pictures!I installed the download software that comes with the camera, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that you have a choice in which image editing program you send the pictures to.  I am not usually a fan of bundled software, preferring to use Photoshop, but the PhotoStitch software that comes with the camera is really pretty good!  It allows you to stitch together images in several ways.  I was concerned when the pictures I took in PhotoStitch mode didn't seem like I had matched them correctly, but the software is incredibly intuitive.I also like the rapid-fire shooting option.  I used it near the goal at a soccer match yesterday, and it helped me catch the moment when the goal attempt was made!  Later I just deleted whichever rapid-fire shots were blurry or didn't capture the action.  I can also send pictures from my computer to the storage disk on the camera, so if I wanted to create a slideshow to travel with I could!  Like I expected, it is a battery hog, but I bought myself a good rechargeable battery set with charger when I purchased the camera, and I'm going to buy another battery set this week so I can rotate them out for charging.  I also need to get a much larger CompactFlash disk.  I have two of the 8MB ones right now, which work fine for short trips, but it would be nice to just take photos for a while and not have to clear a few of them out for space periodically.Overall I am thrilled with the performance of this camera, and it looks like all my research paid off.  It does some pretty incredible stuff for the price, as well as starting up quickly, being ready to take the next shot quickly, and having a responsive zoom control.
This baby shoots great photos with rich, accurate colors, good detail, and it's a pleasure to use. The A20 isn't meant for professionals who need to do lots of manual adjustments - it's perfect for pointing and shooting. You can adjust some settings manually, and there's even a panorama stitching mode, but don't get this camera if you need total control over every shot. Do get it if you want a camera that fits perfectly in your hand (not too big, not too small), has a powerful optical zoom (not like those cheesy digital-only zooms), and takes beautiful photos.You'll DEFINITELY need to plan on getting a bigger CompactFlash card (at least 64MB) and rechargable batteries. This baby drains batteries pretty quickly and you'll find your wallet drained in no time if you only use standard batteries.If you're in the market for a 2MP camera, you should seriously consider the A20. I did the research and couldn't find one in this price range that even came close. I love this camera!
I decided I finally had to get a digital camera just before I went on vacation so I did a quick search on Amazon and came up with the Cannon A20 after reading all the good reviews. This camera has not dissapointed, and works great with windows 2000 pro. The picture quality is awsome as well are all the other features.
All I know was that I wanted a digital camera. After looking at some high-priced models with major megapixellage (is that a word?), I decided that this Canon was the best. It's quick, simple, and does what it should do best: take digital pictures. Add a Canon S600 printer to your computer, and your images will rival that of any high-priced photo shop! The USB connection is terrific, as well as the video out cable for putting the pictures on my mom's TV after we got back from vacation!! Not much else to say except this camera is highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and get some rechargable batteries, though. This thing uses alot of power like nothing else. A great buy.
This camera is great.  The quality is good, once you figure out what your doing.  It's extremely simple to use and great camera for taking pictures of family and friends.- HelpfulReviews.com
This camera can be as simple as point, shoot and you have great pictures. The software is straight forward and easy to use. It really makes picture taking a fun family event. My only complaint is it does not support a USB connection to Windows 95. A NIMH battery charger is a must as well as a larger compact flash card.  It also has many advanced features that will keep anyone interested.  The picture qulity is much better than I expected. Film is done.
This camera is a beauty. It is small and compact, easy to use and takes very good quality photos. The software with it is also easy to use. Whilst 2 weeks into the warranty my lense died I found Canon (Australia) reasonably quick in repairing and replacing the lense. Since then it hasn't missed a beat and I am really click happy.
I've had this camera about 2 weeks now. I've formed these opinions:Pros: 1.  3X optical zoom lens with Canon lens quality.  2.  Excellent picture quality.  3.  Great full auto mode shooting. 4.  Nice variety of picture sizes and compression options. 5.  Able to take Macro close ups. 6.  Photo stitch several pictures together for a big panorama. 7.  Some manual features available such as forcing a flash or turning it off, and exposure compensation. 8.  Everything you need to get started except a computer is included.  9.  The camera is has a fairly speedy operation.  The time it takes to turn on and snap a pic is just 2 to 3 seconds.  Other operations are generally fast too. 10. Able to turn off LCD screen and greatly increase battery life.Cons: 1.  The 8MB Compact Flash that is included is ridiculously small for a 2.1 Megapixel camera.  You will spend extra money in buying a 32, 64, or 128MB Compact Flash module.  Factor that in to your overall cost. 2.  The LCD screen is tiny.  While you can get a good sense of how your photo will look, those little icons telling you things are tough to read unless you have the eyes of an eagle. 3.  The controls are not very intuitive.  You WILL need to read the manual that explains what they are and how to use them. 4.  The software included is the bare minimum needed to download and print your pics.  You will most certainly want to buy some supplementary software for editing, creating albums, etc.Contrary to what others say, battery life is acceptable.  ALL digital cameras with LCD screens drain batteries fast.  The A20 is no worse than the rest.  You may want to invest in some Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries.  Radio Shack sells some with charger for around $22.Overall, I find the A20 a good point and shoot zoom digital camera.  Canon skimped some of the stuff that comes with the camera, but the camera itself is a fine product.  If you are like me, you will wind up buying a bigger Compact Flash Card, Ni-MH batteries, and some better photo editing software.  Probably spent another $100 for all three.
I gradually built up my digital camera collection as I searched for an ideal combination of megapixels, zoom capability, image quality, &amp; price.  The search is over.  This is the one.  The pictures I took on two recent trips to national parks in Wyoming &amp; Utah were sharp, breathtakingly beautiful, &amp; when printed out on photo paper by my HP 970 printer looked as good or better than those taken by a film camera.  So much so that many of my friends had no idea that the prints were digital photos.  I repeat, this is the one to get.
I bought the camera for my wife's b-day. She is a professional photographer and she has been interested in dabbling in digital photography. I didn't want to spend a lot of money just in case she was disappointed. We are also going to Europe shortly and I wanted a point and shoot camera that wasn't bulky and something that a novice, like myself, could use. At minimum, my wife wanted controls over exposure, white balance, and shutter speed.After months of research I was down to 3 cameras - the Canon S110, A20 and a Sony DSC-P50. Since they all have received very good reviews it was really down to ergonomics and personal preference. ... My wife loved the A20 because if had excellent ergonomics with a grip on the right side and room on the left side for you fingers. The layout of the buttons on the A20 was also straight forward (as were the S110). All cameras had a solid feel to all of them. Personally, I would have chosen the S110. I love the size of the camera.Overall a great camera that met my wifes expectations. We will be taking this camera to Europe and leaving the 35mm at home.Strengths:Ergonomics - the hand grip and locations of all the controls, lcd, and viewfinder remind my wife of a 35mm camera. The camera also has a build in lens cover when off. Size - not too small, not too big. It is smaller than our 35mm point-and-shoot camera.Photo Quality - excellent excellent excellent. The colors and sharpness are better than I ever expected. Prints come out wonderful.Features - for our purpose it has everything we need. It doesn't have a manual shutter control but that is ok. The auto shutter does a pretty good job. You can affect the shutter speed by placing the camera in manual mode and by using, or not using, the flash.  I also appreciate the camera not having a "movie" mode. That is what a camcorder is for. I've seen "movies" made with digital camcorders and i don't find them useful or even viewable.Shutter Lag or lack of - this puppy is quick. I pretty much treat this camera like a 35mm point and shoot. This is especially true when the shutter is pressed half way to first set the exposure and focus.Uses AA batteries - this is how it should be (I think the Sony also allows for Lithium batteries). If I need batteries in an emergency I know I can easily find them almost anywhere. I bought a great charger (Maha C204F) and 1800mAH batteries.Price - it can't be beat.Menu Layout - the menus are easy to follow and have a simple hierarchy. I hate having to got through layers of menus to get to where I wanted to go.Download speeds - very quick.Weaknesses:Compact Flash I only - doesn't allow the use of IBM's microdrive. However, a couple of 128MB CF cards have been more than enough for meFlash - it could be more powerful but that could probably be said with all cameras that I've looked at.LCD Screen - the size is fine but it is difficult to read in bright sunlight. I think the S110 has an advantage here.Bottom line ... if you want a great point & shoot camera at a low price then you can't go wrong with this.
I've had the Powershot A20 for about a week now, and I love taking pictures with this camera!  The lens is great, the zoom is great, the software is great....I've used the Olympus 3000 and a Kodak DC240 extensively, and I can't believe how much friendlier this camera is!  It turns on really fast, it focuses quickly, and if you prefocus, the notorious digital camera shutter lag is almost non-existant!Make sure you pick up a larger CF card and rechargable batteries, though.  8mb is not enough, and I've gone through 2 sets of AAs in 150-200 pictures...
I wanted a point and shoot camera to take on vacation, that was convenient and takes good quality pix--for both digital use and to print snapshots. The cannon A20 Delivers! Effortless picture taking, sharp quality pix, good colors and a flash that doesn't wash you out. I tested it out at my friends wedding earlier this month....Now the caveats:1. Factor in the cost of a 128mb memory card. That will take approx 128 pix on the highest setting 1600x1200 at superfine compression. I've found that this setting gives you nice 4x6 prints comparable to a film camera. ...2. Battery life: the change battery signal will come up very quickly if using the display. However, THIS SEEMS TO BE MERELY A WARNING--DO NOT CHANGE THE BATTERIES. I've been able to power up again and again after the warning and take the rest of my pix on the memory card.  I also invested in a 5hr nimh quick charger with a spare set of 4 AA batteries ....(NOTE:camera will NOT take those lithium batteries, I called cannon and confirmed this)3. When taking pictures, be very careful of camera shake. This camera is very sensative to this, especially if taking pix without flash in lower light conditions. Be careful or your picture will end up BLURRY. So take a deep breath, hold and snap! Ok, maybe holding your breath until you turn blue is a tad of an exaggeration--See what works for you. Most of my pix have turned out nice and sharp.4. Using the viewfinder only, without the LCD display will show you only about 2/3 of the final pic. (It ends up with space all around.) So, contrary to everyone's posts here: Have fun with the display! Even if it is a battery hog! This is the best way to see the lighting conditions and actual appearance size of the final picture.
The Cannon A 20 is a nice middle of the road digital camera and is versatile and easy to use. In the high resolution mode you can get very fine 4x6s and nice 8x10s. In lower resolution modes you can fill up the cards with lots of pics for use on your computer (web sites etc.,) The camera has OK software, easy to use, but not lots of features; but it does have a cool panoramic feature and on the camera and has software where you can stitch together many photos, which is really cool. The A-20 is ergonomic and fits in the hands nicely. If you looking for a good Digital camera at a good price the A-20 is a good one.
Just recieved the camera on the 11th of February and have took some pictures and printed some out. It is very easy to use and the quality is great. I had a Agfa CL30 1.3 megapixel. It worked good, but I wanted a zoom lens and more pixels. This is a very good camera for a beginner also. I would highly recommend this camera.
I just received the A20 this morning, and have been playing with it ever since. The button layout, controls, and interface are easy to understanding and pretty much straight forward unless you got hit on the head by a club when you were a kid... Anyway, compare to the S100, which I also have, I would definitely pick the A20. Besides the fact that the S100 is all metallic, has a much smaller dimension, and a superior anti-reflection LCD screen, the A20 out shines its brother in every other terms... Okay, maybe S100 has a overall advantage in the exterior compartment, but I was looking for easy to use digicam that can give me excellent pictures, good battery life, and ease of usage. The A20 hit all the sweet spot with its 3x optical zoom w/ 2.1MP CCD, utilizes Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, and large user friendly button. I love this digicam... Now, on to my trip to San Diego Wild Life Park.
I knew I wanted to get into digital photography but I knew virtually nothing about it. The expert that reviewed the A20 finished his review with the comment that the A20 should be at or near the top of my list. I purchased the camera about a month ago. It is a gem. The 3X optical zoom gives it the versatility I need to compose most shots. The colors are outstanding, especially the flesh tones that are so important to family pics. The macro mode allowed me to take some stunning floral shots. The digital advantage has allowed me to produce our car clubs monthly newsletter using Microsoft Picture Publisher Gold, with photos of the club members automobiles inserted. I purchased the ACK 600 AC adapter to allow hookup to the PC with no battery concerns. The Canon Zoom Browser software is excellent, downloading is a snap with the USB hookup. If you're looking for a lot of camera for the money, excellent photos, good software, "warm" color, then look no further. I have also enjoyed the direct hookup to the television set using the connector supplied with the camera. I love this camera. Good Luck!
I had an Olympus Accura for seven years and loved it so when it crashed I wanted another Olympus.  I've only had this one for a few weeks, am still getting used to it.  It's different than the other Olympus in that it doesn't take AA batteries and you have to hold it differently because of the flash and because it slides open whereas the other one opened when you pushed the button on top.  That's the only problem I've had so far -- a couple of times I inadvertently shut it off by holding it wrong.  I was pleased with the first roll of film I took with this camera -- only one blurred shot, and a nice close-up of a rose.  Sometimes to get a close photo you need to use the zoom instead of just getting close. It always takes me awhile to get used to new stuff, but I think once I learn to use this camera I'll like it as much as the other.  The zoom is cool and easy to use.  Everyone says go digital, but with digital you lose the element of surprise and imperfection and that's what makes photography interesting.  Plus all the girls see their picture and say, Ooh, I don't look good in that one, delete it! With this camera you can't delete so you don't end up tossing pictures that someone will like when they're old and gray and didn't recognize how good they looked at 23.  I give this four stars -- I can't give it five stars because I haven't mastered it yet.
I've owned several point and shoot cameras, including models by Vivitar, Fuji, Olympus, and Rollei, and have gotten excellent photos from all of them. The Rollei is one of the very high-end cameras in the point and shoot category, and the price reflects that fact. However, it has an extremely sharp lens and has a 1/8000th of a second maximum shutter speed, which is amazing for a point and shoot camera. It's probably fast enough to freeze an airplane propellar, not just a golf swing....I did want to mention a couple of things that you should be aware of when you buy a camera with this extreme a zoom lens.Several makers have recently come out with point and shoot cameras with 5X zoom lenses. I recently saw one from Pentax being sold at a major chain. The first problem with these cameras is that it is very difficult to make a lens that is very sharp and at all focal lengths. With this extreme a telephoto lens it is much more difficult to do this, and you have to sacrifice some sharpness as a result.It's true that there have been some important advances in camera lens optics that are going into these cameras, such as the use of aspherical, plastic lenses. The new Nikon 125i and the Minolta 125mm Freedom Zoom incorporate these lenses, for example, and they are excellent cameras. If you decide not to buy this one, I would highly recommend either of these, and the Minolta is available also...However, these cameras don't exceed 3X. My own preference is to stick with point and shoots that don't exceed 2.5X or 3X. This way you will probably get a camera that is pretty sharp at all focal lengths. I don't know if this particular camera has aspherical, plastic components, but if it did, it would be another factor in its favor.The second issue you should be aware of is that you won't get a very fast F-ratio at the low end with this extreme a telephoto capability. Often the F-ratios at the low end are only 3.4 or 4.2 or so, so they're not very fast. If you do buy one of these cameras you should probably use ASA400 film most of the time, unless you're pretty sure you won't need anything that fast.The last thing I wanted to mention is that telephoto lenses this long are prone to more mechanical wear. For lightness, these cameras use plastic gears that do wear more quickly over time. I've seen long telephoto lenses on point and shoots that start to droop slightly with age, so that the telescoping sections don't precisely line up anymore. If you stick to a 3X or less lens, you are unlikely to have these problems.If you're seriously considering this camera, you should test it out and try running a few rolls of film through it and see how it performs. The photo shop where I bought my Fuji Tiara had a 30-day return policy. Try taking photos at different magnifications and compare them. You will probably notice that the photos in the middle of the lens's telephoto range are the sharpest, but the others might be perfectly acceptable. Try it out and see. It may be just fine for you, and in that case, you will get a camera with an amazing telephoto range that can replace a whole bagful of equipment for a typical system camera with interchangeable lenses, and which will weigh only a fraction of that and take up only a fraction of the space, not to mention the cost savings.
I always carry this camera with me. To me, the most important feature in street photography camera is it's readiness to shoot after I've drawn it out of pocket. This camera is very quick, in a second you'll be ready to make a shot. It's lens is ok, but not as good as in Stylus 140, which I also own. I would love to carry around stylus 140 for its smaller size and nicer image quality, but it's very slow with it's lens ejection and readiness to shoot. Thus, Stylus 170 is my choice.This camera gets one star off for not remembering it's flash settings after it's been turned off.
Simple point and shoot. Awsome zoom. Pictures are consistenly sharp and clear. I'd recommend it, specially for travel when a digital camera just doesn't have enough memory to hold so many pics.
This is simply a great camera. I have used it for over 2 years. I bought it at buy.com when it was newly released. We bought it primarily for the zoom. The zoom is simply excellent. This is one of the best point and shoot i have used. I have used Canon and Minolta before. The controls are all conveniontly placed and the zoom works great. I have never missed a picture.
Happy with it. Wish I'd read the battery specs. A different version of the camera takes standard AA, but this takes one of those funky little camera batteries. Not the end of the world, obviously, but my mom (who this is for) does best with easy-to-maintain items. I'm worried this camera's battery might be a challenge to her.
I purchased this camera a year ago and it has delivered as I would expect for a quality Canon product. The detail is great and transferability to my laptop wonderful.
First, a disclaimer: I've only been using the Canon S10 for about 10 hours after receiving the &quot;value package&quot;.  So,  this review is based on first impressions,  and not heavy usage.That being said,  I have to commend Amazon.com yet again for an extraordinarily quick delivery,  and I appreciated the &quot;digital camera phone help&quot; line,  since I used it,  and enjoyed the conversation.  I highly recommend the phone line if you're shopping for a digital camera,  since the Amazon.com online resources are fairly thin.The S10 value pack seems to be a great buy,  in that the camera resolution,  ease of use,  quality of images,  and peripherals are all very good to excellent.  First of all,  the extra 32Mb flashcard is de rigueur,  since the capacity of the included 8Mb with the stand-alone camera has only enough onboard storage for a small roll of film.  Second,  the extra battery pack is welcome,  since the battery life for this camera is quite short if you use the LCD display constantly.  Third,  the extra memory and battery pretty much make up the &quot;value pack&quot;,  since the carrying case is a nice but quite cheaply made nylon sheath that isn't large enough for the manual and camera together.That being said,  image resolution is excellent,  both on the viewfinder screen AND in the finished product.  Just for the hell of it,  out of the box,  I took a few shots using the AUTO setting,  in the dark,  with low incandescent lighting,  and expected to see nothing.  The shots were vibrant,  bright,  and quite clear,  much more so than my eyes.  After that joyride,  I've been snapping various things between the hours of 8:00 PM and 1:00 AM,  and the results are fun--the damned camera gets a good picture even when it shouldn't,  and I'm left with having to decide how to deal with the downloaded picture.Canon did a nice job with peripherals and software.  Cables for USB connection,  video connection,  and serial connection are included in the box.  The software includes Canon's own photo download and treatment software,  as well as a version of Adobe PhotoWorks Home,  which can be used together or separately for image storage,  treatment,  modification,  or whatnot.  Further,  the Canon &quot;Camera User Guide&quot; and &quot;Digital Software Starter Guide&quot; (i.e. the manuals included with the camera) are concise,  informative,  and easy to read--quite unlike many electronic toy manuals which seem to have been translated by aliens.Incidentally,  I've only read the above manuals after setting up (in about 3 minutes) and using the camera for about 3 hours.  If you have half a brain,  you can set up the camera and get impressive shots in about 5 minutes after tearing off the Amazon.com tape from the outer box--that's what I did.PROS: Easy to use,  excellent quality shots at any resolution,  onboard splicing features (for panoramas and conjugated shots including several combined photos),  extremely clear viewfinder screen,  understandable controls and input/output links.  Camera can be set for different lighting and &quot;image&quot; situations,  most of which are right on the mark.  Images can be viewed and photographed in black and white.  2.1 megapixels provides photo results that are very good at 8x10 on a 19&quot; monitor.CONS: Battery hog--I just ordered the battery charger/AC unit,  since the battery I installed 8 hours ago is quite low after only 50 shots.  Then again,  I've kept the viewfinder on for some time,  so my stupidity might not reflect yours.  The other con: though the camera body is for the most part metal,  the cover for &quot;digital&quot; communication (i.e. USB or serial port) is a flimsy piece of rubber,  and I'm sure it's going to drop off after a few uses.
The Cannon S10 was the first digital camera I have ever owned, having bought it close to two years ago. I decided to up-grade to a higher megapixal camera so a few days ago I bought the Minolta 404. I wanted a camera that I could add audio to the pics so I would know when I downloaded the pictures what pictures they were.  Seen one mountain, seen them all but which is which? I figured the added audio would solve that problem. Second, I wanted a camera that was small enough to carry on my belt but able to shoot short movies, like when you see wildlife walking. So I spent big bucks, bought the Minolta 404 took some pictures with it at the settings I have my Cannon set to and was very disappointed in the quality of the pictures.  I just arrived home after returning the Minolta 404.I may not be able to add audio to my pictures with the Cannon S10 but one thing for sure, it shoots far superior, cleaner and clearer pictures then the Minolta. Lets face it, audio would be nice but quality pictures is what I really want and the S10 Cannon is the best so far. By the way, the Minolta had 4 megapixals and the Cannon has only 2.1 but the pictures of the Cannon are a lot better.  I have several photos blown up to 8 X 10 and they are great.  Don't buy a $600 camera and print on a  $100 printer,,,you will be disappointed.  With a good camera and a good printer you can't go wrong. I use a HP Photosmart 1218 printer.  Nice thing is I can take the media card and use it directly in the printer and download my pictures that way without using up batter power.  On batteries, I use a battery charger and always keep an extra battery on hand and never have I had any problems running out of power. I also don't use the LCD screen, just the view finder.
First off, I ordered this package deal from Amazon almost 2 weeks ago. With 1 week of very solid use, over 300 photos taken to date, and both myself and my wife using the camera, I believe that I can make a good assesment of this camera.First, the complaints about the battery are all correct. The lithium batteries are not worth the cost. You really need to get the rechargeable package from Canon. Yes, it is an additional cost, but it is not a hidden cost. Anyone that does a very brief background on this camera knows about this issue. However, the rechargeable battery does a very good job. I have seen comments on digital forums that the battery wears down after 50-60 high-res photos, usually with flash. If you fully charge the battery the first time, fully discharge it, then recharge, you can significantly improve the performance. I am up to 150 photos on the third recharge.The image quality is fantastic. You can certainly look to a 3 MP camera, but the added cost is probably not worth it. If you will be posting to a website, or looking to get 5x7 prints, this is all that you need.The camera feel is solid. You won't worry about dropping it, except for fear of scratching the LCD monitor on the back. The camera controls are easy to use, once you play with it a little. And playing with a digital is very easy. Neither of us read the manual, and we figured it out.The 32MB card with the kit is essential. 8MB just does not cut it. Large size, fine resolution allows 55 images. More than enough.For a camera that is almost 2 years old, and with several siblings out there (S20, S100, S110), it is still a very good buy, and a solid performer. Certainly a rechargeable battery would be nice to have included, but it isn't. Purchase something else if you don't want to purchase that separately.
I see most reviewers have written raved reviews for this Powershot S10 digital camera. I also find that it has no glaring weaknesses. It is an excellent camera and the price is just right. However, I would like to just point out a few minor weaknesses that prospective buyers might want to know:Using the camera the first time is not easy. Navigating the camera software is accomplished by the mode dial and menu, which is shown on the LCD screen. Many of the buttons on the camera are unlabeled and can be confusing. Commitment to reading the manual is a must to utilize the potential of the camera. However, once the controls are mastered and settings adjusted, the advantages and benefits outweigh these minor flaws.If the resolution and pixel settings don't meet your photography needs, the PowerShot S20 should be considered. It combines all the features and benefits of the S10 with a higher resolution, with a suitably higher price tag.
The ZR25MC is a great camcorder and camera.  The pictures do not have the resolution that you would find on your digital cameras.  It only supports still pictures up to something like 640 X 480 (this is true with most DV camcorders).  Everything is absolutely great about this camera except for indoor recording.  It's VERY grainy and doesn't have near the quality that it could have.  Outdoor shots are awesome.  You can tweak so many settings on this thing it's unreal.  Manual focus is a bit bogus because it is done with a small scroller thingy on the left side of the camera. This should be done with the lens or somewhere where your right hand (which is already on the camera) can reach it.  You can fit about 50+ pictures on the memory that comes with the camera (8 mb).  Taking pictures is SLOW.  Once a picture is taken, you must wait 5+ seconds for the camcorder to do something about it (i.e. Save it).  To transfer the pictures from your card to your computer, you must do one of two things.1. Buy a Multimedia card reader2. copy the images from the card to the tape and capture the tape onto your computer.  Once it is captured on your computer, you'll have to grab the frame and save it.I know that most of the things I've mentioned here are negative, but I must emphasize that this is a good camera otherwise!  Now, I just need some creative people around so that I can make some movies!
I ended up returning this camcorder because of poor low light performance.I looked long and hard at many digital camcorders.  I did a couple weeks research and narrowed it down to about six choices, then my wife and I spent an entire day going to all the local camera shops and playing with the cameras and we narrowed it down to three, the Canon ZR-25, the Sony DRC-PC9, and the Sony DCR-TRV30.We liked the size of the small Sony DRC-PC9, but it was too awkward to hold and the buttons were hard to reach while filming.  The Sony DCR-TRV30 seems like an awesome camera, the resolution was obviously better than any of the others (we did a lot of A/B testing on video monitors), however it's nearly as big as our 10 year old 8mm Sony (...).The Canon was nifty to hold, ergonomically it felt the best in our hands (...).  So as far as low light, we did some testing in a relatively dark store and aimed the cameras into a dark corner painted black and spent time focusing on some dark camera bags that were in the corners.  All the cameras seemed to do just fine.  Of course the night vision was cool on the Sony's, but we weren't sure how useful that would be for us.  And this was a dark store, a mellow upper end audio/video store, not a brightly lit super store.  So for the cost and ergonomics, we bought the Canon ZR-25MC.  We choose it over the ZR-10 for the multimedia card.  We liked the idea of snapping quick low-res pictures of the kids that we could send as emails, plus the ZR-25MC hasprogressive scan.OK, so we get it home and start to take pictures that night.  It was in our living room and we had two bright lights on and a Christmas tree lit, also this room is painted white.  So I took about 10 minutes of video and snapped a bunch of photos.  First gripe, you have to switch between the video tape and the multimedia card via a toggle switch.  So if you hit the picture button while you are using the video tape "mode" the camera will send the picture to the tape for 5 seconds, instead of just sending it to the card!  How stupid! I bought the camera to send video to the video tape and pictures to the multimedia card.  True, we should have noticed this before we bought it, but we didn't.  There is no way to change this,it should at least be a set-up option.  I could understand capturing pictures to the tape if the card was full, but I don't want to have to flip a toggle switch that I have to stop and look for when I want to snap picture.  I think that was a poor design on Canon's part.  I don't know if the Sony's behave the same way.  OK, second gripe, and the reason we returned the camera, the low light is terrible.  I had read user reviews on every web site I could find (a lot of them) and had read about this issue, but some reviews said the low light was OK.  So I figured it would be OK for taking pictures of my kids.  But these indoor videos were shockingly grainy.  I'm not a resolution or quality freak, I'm a casual video user and these indoor shoots were un-usable.  I had expected this camera to do at least as well as our 10 year old Sony 8mm camcorder and it was no where near as good, the 10 year old Sony ROCKS side-by-side to this brand new digital camcorder in low light.  OK, so we decided to reserve judgment until the daytime.  I took about another 10 minutes of video in our house during the daytime.  All the dark areas (not in direct light) had grain and even the shadowed areas in a room with four skylights had grain (at was a cloudy/rainy day - without direct sunlight).  We were flabbergasted.  This was exactly what we bought the camera for, to take pictures of our kids playing (at least 50% of the time indoors) and the camera was virtually useless.  There aren't many times we can film outside in the sunshine here in the Pacific Northwest!  We decided to return the camera.  Believe me, I hate returning things and it was a big deal for us to decide this.  So after about an hour of badgering the salesman that we bought it from, he agreed to return our money without the restocking fee.  He actually took me aside and said all the digital cameras did this.  He picked up a three CCD (...) JVC camera and said it too was bad. He said that some of the three CCD Sony's (big $$) were pretty good, but basically that consumer digital cameras aren't as good as they should be yet.Wow, I was surprised by this.  I guess they can't use that as a sales pitch before you buy the camera.  Well that's our MiniDV camcorder tale.  We are still using our 10 year Sony 8mm camcorder.
I never used a camcorder before and several people strongly recommended this one.At first, I was impressed by how light it was and compact but between the instruction manual and what seemed liked 200 small switches, hidden doors and gadgets, it got confusing.Last week was my birthday and I took it along figuring why not?  Everybody who saw it was more than impressed by how small it was.  But it began to show it's true colors when they also finally figured out how to use it (some of those switches are too small for even the smallest fingers).  It did not do too well under low light conditions (even though the restaurant had patio windows and the sun was pouring in) but it picked up EVERY word and acted like a pro.When I got home, I discovered how ultra-easy it was to put the recording onto my home computer (with the IEEE 1394 cable which really should have been included.  Come on Canon!)  I had to zip the file but it has impressed the daylights out of everybody who has gotten it.  More impressed by this were the people who were at the party as they could not believe how something that small could do so many tricks.So, if you want something that is easy to tote about and reliable, this is the one for you!
The first thing to get out of the way is that this camera - like all other cameras that have ever existed and will continue till the end of the universe - will not produce good pictures in low light. Why is this surprising to so many of the users? The limitations of film and now electric storage are such that images in low light will not be as resolvable or as colorful in low light as in "normal" daylight. Any 1st grader would know this!!!This so caled isue aside, I  found the features and ergonomics of the canon far better than any other camera in this price range. I tried the Panasonic DV101, Sony TRV30 and an RCA , and the Canons layout of buttons, small size (it could literally fit in a large shirt pocket) , excellent lcd screen, and s-video output made this the best deal of the bunch. The differnece in sound between this and an analog recorder is astounding - its much more crisper and cleaner (contrary to another previous reviewers remarks about hum/whirring - I taped a very quiet room once and didn't hear a thing on replay). I also took this picture indoors for a family get together at a restaurant and had very little if any graininess.I have only haad this camera a few weeks  but wouldn't give it back for anything. Its so handy I can take it anywhere.
I've recorded about 20 minutes with my brand new ZR25 and have already had to send it back to Canon twice for repairs for an identical issue.When the camera was brand new, I had recorded 15 minutes worth of tape when the recording and playback became distorted. While playing tapes back, four horizontal, pixelated  lines would scroll down the screen and render the image unwatchable. The sound playback was also garbled beyond comprehension.I called Canon and they said to try a head cleaner.  A $16 head cleaning tape later, the problem persisted. I called back and Canon said to try a new tape. I bought two brand new tapes ($14) and neither made a difference.Then I called Canon back and asked them if they would replace the camera and reimburse me for the cost of the head cleaning tape, which did not solve the problem. They refused on both counts.  Though I had used it for a mere 15 minutes, Canon insisted I send the camera in for repair--and they would not reimburse me for the cost of shipping, thank you very much.$25  worth of shipping and insurance (and related hassle) later, I got the camera back from Canon. For the first 6.5 minutes of recording, the problem seemed resolved...and then the garble came back. Once again, the images have pixelated distorted bars running across the screen. Canon says I have to send the camera back yet again--shipping at my expense--for a second round of &quot;repairs.&quot;Considering that I bought this camera when our child was born three months ago, and that the camera has not allowed me to record more than 10 minutes of our baby without 4 giant stripes perforating his body, I'm not satisfied. The camera's low reliability, failure to serve me in recording my child's infancy, and Canon's unwillingness to replace the camera or pick up shipping costs show a surprising Canon unwillingness to do right by their customers.I'd pass on this model and go with one of the other brands and models available on Amazon.
A friend let me see this unit when she was over in Belfast from the States a few weeks ago. I was very impressed with its capabilities and thought it great value and to be solidly put together. It's also a very handy size.A lot of other reviewers have commented on the poor low-light performance of this unit, claiming that it's not even as good as their old Hi8 machines. The mistake here is that Hi8 doesn't suffer from the black crushing* that DV's high compression codec imposes on the picture to be recovered from tape. Any DV machine will have this problem, except for three chip units, which will be slightly less compromised. The only way around this is to make sure that the scene to be captured is reasonably evenly and brightly lit.*Black crushing occurs when a scene has many details tending towards dark grey to black, the DV process causing nearly black tones to be treated as black.
This is by far the best little camera I've owned. After losing my Pentax in a burglary, I searched for a compact, versatile replacement and decided, after reading the reviews, on the Advantix C750.  I've taken about 8 rolls of film so far and been delighted with the results. Outdoor shots are perfect and I love being able to decide before each shot whether I need panoramic or "family" sized prints or just "regular" prints.  The only photos which haven't been quite up to par are telephoto indoor pictures in less than great lighting ... these turned out somewhat grainy but I'm being very picky here. The compact sizing encourages me to carry the camera wherever I go.  Even though the film and processing are a little more than with regular cameras, I am so pleased with the APS results that I still think it's a bargain.  Although there are a great many "menu" features available, such as deciding right before the shot how many prints you will want of it, and adding a title right then and there, for most people the simplicity of use is what will appeal.  It's pretty much idiot-proof, especially as the film winds itself on and off - no slipping possible. I highly recommend this camera for every day use.
As a former professional photographer used to expensive and high tech cameras, I bought this for its panoramic feature. When ever I buy a camera for something, I have a reason to buy it and I test it to make sure it will work for what I bought it for. I bought this for my vacation so that I could have a reasonable camera for scenic opportunities. To make sure it does what I want it to do, I went to a touristy area like Old Town Sacramento which is very divers in lighting and opportunities. I used Fuji 200 for the film and what I found is that, it works great indoors but is very limited outside. It's not very sharp and somewhat grainy. The sensor does not have the latitude for light and shadows, something that will always be a factor when taking pictures. My daylight shots came out washed out from being in competition from the shadows. The panoramic feature works well but still grainy. I would not recommend this as an overall camera. My pro SLR will still be my #1 choice and this will stay in my bag just for panoramic shots.
I purchased this camera for my parents for an upcoming vacation they were going to take.  The overall impression was that it was Kodak, came with a better than average zoom feature, provided different modes of APS picture taking and came with numerous rolls of film.When the camera arrived, we were all pleased with its size and weight.  It is extremly small and fits my mothers small hands and purse great, and it's one of the lightest camera's I've ever held.The functionality is pretty straight forward: Takes classic (standard), Panoramic, and HD pics (slightly large than standard) on APS film.  We were able to set the date and time and take pics within minutes.  Came with a wrist strap, battery, and a decent case as well.However, the first rolls we developed were blurry, clearly the lens was defective upon arrival.  We returned the camera and had it repaced with the same model.  The pictures turned out excellent, however, the acryllic lens cap was cracked upon arrival.  This suggests to me that the lightweight materials and construction may a bit to light weight and fragile for the cost.The saving grace is that it does have one of the better zoom features, it's size, and the extra film you get with this bundle.  Though you get more B&W; than color.  And despite the slightly cracked lens cover, it takes fabulous pictures for a point and shoot.The only awkward feature was the lens cap/flash combination.  The flash is part of the tilt up lens cover.  Of course you must fold up the lens cap/cover anytime you take a picture (flash or not), but it seems like it may possibly be susceptible to accidental damage.  Especially if you forget to place the zoom feature back to normal.  Takes some getting used to.
This camera was for my mother and she takes photos everywhere she goes. She is known as the pictures woman. Family reunions, fish fries, gatherings of any family group and many many nature pictures. She has gone through a lot of cameras in just the past year and this one seems to be the best one ever for what she needs. I want to thank you because this is a major part of her life and you  just made it easier. About the title, she gets lucky and would never consider herself a photo genius but and her love for nature inspired to write the photosynthesis  as my form of humor. Again thanks for the speed and condition and the easiness of the operation of the camera. Amazon and your affiliates are a dream come true. I will always shop here for the unbelievable prices and quality
I bought the C750 over the Canon Elf series due to way the camera fits nicely in your hands when taking pictures. I didn't like the Canons square shape when compared to the Kodak.For the price this is very nice camera. Great features and good quality pictures. I used for the first time on a cruise taken in October and was pleased with the pictures. Two pictures came out poor quality due to humidity fogging up the lens when I took a picture right after going outside from an air conditioned room.I love the lens cover compared to earlier Kodak APS cameras. Earlier ones locked down with a cheap plastic clip that broke easily. The lens cover on the C750 closes tightly without the cheap clip.Overall I would recommend this camera due to its features and price.
I have bought other kodak advantix cameras like T550, T700, and C700. However, I give or sale them to some of my friends after I bought C750.  Because I feel this one is best one of all of my advantix cameras. you can compare this price of C750 which is cheaper than T700, and C800.  It also is lighter than C800, and has more power functions than C700.  I like it.  If you want to buy a advantix camrea, it should be the best one for this price.
Great buy after searching many sources.  Had a quantity of film on hand but a broken camera (damaged by unruly use). Now I can take good pics; just wish the processing cost hadn't gone up so much.
I am not a camera expert, but I am a 'perfect picture' fanatic...and this camera leaves me complaint-free.  I traveled to Cancun in April and the Bahamas in May, and my pictures captured the weather, water..and scenery so well that I was the envy of the office. I couldn't believe it! You could see every ripple in the pool and the exact color of the ocean and sky (which I thought wouldn't be captured). Crisp doesn't even begin to describe how my pics turned out. While in the Bahamas we took a professional family portrait, then took some shots on my camera for the heck of it.  Had I been able to see (beforehand) how my pics would have turned out I NEVER would have paid for a professioanl portrait.  They looked EXACTLY the same!! Right now one of my co-workers is a little upset with me because he took my pics home to scan them and upon seeing them his wife threw a tantrum, and demanded a vacation....
I love this camera. It's a good size, not too small too make for awkward handling, but still fits nicely in my purse. It takes great photos in a variety of conditions, including nighttime shots. For the first time in my life I'm taking pictures I can be proud to show off. The zoom is a little sluggish but not enough to really bother me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good point-and-shoot.
i could see the honolulu airport and the airplane almost 20 miles away.  i watched a basketball game at the st louis arena. glad i did not buy the  12 x 50 or else it would be too big for basketball. but overall it is a good price for a binocular
I am pleased to say that these binos work great. I was skeptical of the auto focus function. works great for fast acquisition, great for air shows, racing ext..
Great Binoculars. I use these at the horse tracks and they are absolutely perfect. The auto focus is great as well!
For me the Bushnell Perma Focus 12x50 wide angle Binocular is a fantastic unit.  We use it on a Bushnell Tripod and keep it at the Beach in a fifth floor condo.  We enjoy so much watching the wildlife and birds, and also the fishing boats, and cruise boats leaving from cape canaveral.  I am not sure how the perma focus works, but I wear corrective lens as well as my wife, and we both use the binocular's without our glasses and it is always in perfect focus.  Inside of 50 yards is a bit blurred, but at real distance, you can count the feathers on a Pelicans wing span.  These binocular's are perfect for my wife and I, and I would recommend without reservation.
they are good binoculars but they aren't what we were looking for. These did not have any type of wheel focus for looking near and only could see distance...if you wear glasses they aren't that goodwe reurned them for credit on another pair
Impressed with the perma focus technology. Allows more light than ambient conditions at dawn/dusk, which is a big plus when hunting. Good value for the $!
The Bushnell PermaFocus Wide Angle Binocular is the best  general purpose binocular a person can own.I works equally well with or without glasses.
nice, sturdy and the perma focus is fantastic. Don't know how it works but it does. Going to buy a another pair for Dad.
I received these as a birthday gift from my wife.  They were perfect!  The autofocus, wide angle view is amazing.  Views through these are crisp and crystal clear.  They work great with prescription glasses, contacts, sun glasses.  They made our recent Sedona, AZ trip so much better.  Trips to the beach are more enjoyable, watching the ships and water.  They handle their task with ease.  You will definitely not be disappointed should you choose these.
The Perma-Focus feature works remarkably well.  I cannot tell you how they do it.  What I always thought I understood about a lens focusing light from multiple distances at points in space that require your eye to refocus seems somehow to have been accommodated in this design.  They are great!I have had cataract surgery, and both eyes sport fixed-focus intra-occular lenses.  Somehow, the Perma-Focus provides a crisp image at just the right virtual point.  My wife has her own eyes, and she finds the effect spot on, as well.  It's a pleasure to pick up the glasses someone else has been using, and not have to spin the wheel to refocus, and twist the eyepiece to add a diopter correction for one eye.  These things just plain WORK.
The reason for getting this is it focus automatically.My husband says its much easier to use. Also alot lighter than the old form of binoculars
Being x-navy and knowing a few things about binocular's, I found these were the best buy for there intended purpose.  Both of my stepsons hunt and fish so they work great..
I was amazed at how crisp and clear these binoculars are.  We are about 120 miles from Yosemite as the crow flies, and clear skies permitting, I can see many of the peaks and places in Yosemite Valley.  For around $50, I do not believe you can find another pairthat is on a par with these.  BJG
The key with these binoculars is the AUTOFOCUS aspect. It makes it so much better for the average binocular user. No need to spend time focusing, just put up to your eyes and enjoy. Great for anytime and anywhere. Highly recommend.
Anyone can pick these glasses up and see perfect over 100 feet or so. I have no problems seeing the jets from Nellis fly over and it is very easy to find the object.
I had a pair like this when I wore contacts and they were great.Now my eyes are 20/20 20/15, it's a no go now darn it.They also will not focus closer than 20 + or - yards.They are very clear and good binos just not for me.Longboard
This is a great purchase for those wanting a set of binoculars to look at something quickly, such as while hunting, boating, etc. The fact that you do not have to focus the binoculars works great for spotting what you are looking for very quickly. As other reviews suggest, they do not work well at close distances, i.e. within 50 feet or so. However, I purchased these knowing I would never need them for something at that distance and they have been great.
I initially bought a pair of these binoculars on a trip to Yellowstone for wildlife watching. They were a spur-of-the-moment purchase and I appreciated the price. The binoculars surprised me with their clarity and brightness, even in low-light conditions. When my father-in-law was getting ready to celebrate his birthday we purchased another pair from Amazon for him. Amazon, as usual, had the order to him on-time and the price couldn't be beat. He called three times the next week because he was so amazed at how good these binoculars are, and he was also amazed by the fact they are always in focus, no fumbling around.Excellent product, excellent service ... does it get any better?
These binoculars do their task perfectly. I don't give them the fifth star only because they don't have an eyesight correction. Images (for me) are not crystal clear but they are highly acceptable. I wonder if a person with a higher sight distortion than mine will feel confortable with this!
This needs a stabilizer or tripod to work better. This is pretty bulky and heavy. I bought it for whale watching in Hawaii and wish it were a lot lighter and smaller. It hasn't been a great improvement from my old 7x35 wide angle binocs.
I love the fact that you do not have to focus the binoculars, this allows for easy sharing without making adjustments each time. I use them to see dolphins and surfers, they work very well. They are a little heavy for my grandson, but I do not have a problem with the weight. I would recommend them to others! One thing though, you might want to change the strap that comes with them because (to me) they aren't comfortable.
Not only are these convenient, but for the price, they offer an extremely wide angle, and good image quality.  Lacking are eye diopter adjustments--this is a serious handicap.  But for the price, a really good deal.
I think that they're a fine product if you don't need to focus on anything really far away, or very close.  As a photographer, I was curious how they could get everything in focus without moving elements.  Apparently, they can't.  It's kind of like how disposable cameras have no adjustable focus.They've essentially got a focal point of a moderate distance, with a large depth of field, so that anything farther than a gently lobed softball, or within the confines of a football stadium, will be pretty much 'In Focus', or close enough.I think that the specific results you get will vary with your eye's range of compensation, though the more it has to compensate, the more eye strain you'll likely get.  I tried them at 35', and I quickly got a headache.The focal plane apparently isn't flat, or even spherical. Up close, and when I mean close, I mean closer than 40 yards, I couldn't get any kind of clarity in the center, but towards the edges, I could get my eyes to focus.  When I backed up to 80-100 yards, the center focus was great, but the edges became blurry.I looked at objects much farther away, without my range finder to verify distance, and the image allowed you to see better than with nothing at all, but it certainly wasn't in focus.If you want something to watch a football game, or soccer, or hockey, or whatever, and you're not too close to the field, these would probably be great.For me, not at all.
This was a.Christmas gift for my husband. He has wanted a good set of binoculars for years and this set hit the spot. I was concerned that they would be too large, but he doesn't mind the size. He especially likes the auto focus. We have already used them in several settings (from mountaintops to rooftops) and been amazed at what we have seen. Great choice!
I bought these because of the feature of not having to wear glasses while using them.  They work great!  For all of the men who use them when we go out in the boat.  Me?  They don't turn enough for a womens face, so they are useless to me.  Kept them to have on hand for the guys who want to use them,  wish I could return them though. I don't believe it is right for them to exclude the fact that an average size woman cannot tip urn them in enough, or for that matter, neither can kids, or teenagers....wouldn't have bought them if I had known that important issue.
My husband wanted these, I haven't heard any complaints. He uses them often to observe objects that appear as specks out on our view of Damariscotta Lake.
These binocular have a great telescopic feel.  The perma-focus lenses are great at distance not at anything close-they do not have any focusing capability so do not look at anything below 500 feet.  For sports, birdwatching, astronomy their fantastic!
What a great product!  It has been a long time since I used such a great pair of binoculars.  Every time I use them I am amazed how good they are.
We just got these for a trip to Alaska. I LOVE them! They are so easy to share. The sharpness of the image is AMAZING! My Dad wears glasses and I don't. No problem. We can both see CLEARLY! The amazing part is he doesn't need to have his glasses on! My husbands eyesight is completely different than mine, same story.Very cool item! Very well constructed. Highly recommended!
I have absolutely no idea how these are so cheap, these things are amazing. I'm a big Wyoming antelope hunter. These things were reaching out about 500 yards ( remind you focusing themselves instantly every time) with perfection! I love these things!
I can see everything now.  My previous glasses were dropped and lens were broken.  I can see the cars on the highway.
Always focused binoculars are AWESOME!  These were actually a gift for a friend who used them hunting and couldn't stop thanking me for them when he got back from his trip.  He had no problems with them fogging up and the ease and speed of not having to focus when trying to pinpoint movement was tremendous.
I bought this because my daughter is a competitive sailor and it's not easy following her boat from shore. These binoculars will auto-focus for any viewer. I'm very far-sighted and my wife is near sighted, yet the binoculars will adjust to each of us automatically!Well worth the money!
These are fairly good inexpensive binoculars. There not a $800.00 Zeiss pair of binoculars. But for the price well made and do the trick for sitting by the breakfast table looking at birds. There's a couple of things that could of used improvement. End caps aren't secured the the body, guaranteed they'll get lost. Second. they neck strap was pretty cheap and the holes that they attach to are extremely small. Put a after market set on and could hardly attach them due to the hole size
Perfect for the casual bird watcher.  No time lost in focusing.  Catch many things you'd otherwise miss.  Bought two more for others.
Bushnell Perma Focus 10x50 Wide Angle BinocularYesterday Inde the dog, and I went to Comanche Lookout Park and hiked up to the tower.While there I tried out my new Bushnell 10x50 Perma Focus Binoculars and tried some terrestrial distance viewing, and wow, they really do work.  Like the reviewers stated, they don't focus on anything closer than about 100 feet, but everything else is really clear and sharp.  I could read the writing on the Converse water tower with these things.I have looked at the moon, and the sun (with filters of course) and they are dead on with focus.  It is nice not having to focus binoculars.  They are truly amazing.  They work equally well for my wife, who has much worse eyesight than I do.  Truly awesome how they are just in focus all the time. They are so good for Astronomy since the distance is always great enough for things to be in focus, and I don't have to wrestle with the fact that both of my eyes focus differently.  Somehow, with the Perma Focus binoculars, both eyes are just always in focus.  Unbelievable.
I have really poor eyesight and wear bifocals.  These binoculars are wonderful!  I can look through them either with or without my glasses and distant objects are instantly in focus, as they are when I have passed them around to friends and the objects are quite bright in a large field of vision.  Autofocus works impeccably every time.  Don't understand the complaints from other reviewers.  My only minor gripe is that the strap is cheesy; easily replaced for $10 or so.  Excellent product.  Took them on a river cruise on the Danube and they were great for looking at the activities and scenes on shore.  Fellow passenger who was a birdwatcher tried them and raved and asked his wife to get him a pair for Christmas!  I have the 7x50.
I would give this a 5 star but I purchased this pair to replace a pair of the same brand but only 10 power.  The 10 power worked great and even though I hunt in fairly dense woods the distraction of blurred objects that are too close to the lens was not really that big of a problem. But you hunt when you can and I hunted in an all day rain.  Next day they were all fogged up. They are supposed to be sealed so If water can get in I assume that the gas got out.  If could not return them as I did, then I would have probably set them by a heater until the water evaporated out.  Had a similar problem with a gun scope and that fixed it until it got around water again.  So I assume that these are not to be used in the rain which is a problem if you use them for hunting were you are not always going to be out in fair weather.As far as these go they look to be new even though I got an open box pair.  They have a nicer case than the last pair I got and the strap is better but still not worth using.  They are very clear and you can see very clearly across the whole range that is promised. Perhaps I succumbed to if 10 is good then 12 would be better.  You can see better but the added magnification really makes your movement while holding them more noticeable.  So I think that using them when I had just hauled my butt up a big hill might be a problem unless I can find something to prop up against. That is not a knock on the glasses and common discussion is that even 10 power is too high but I found it to work out just fine in that they actually helped me see distant objects very clearly and they even seemed to brighten things up and made the colors stand out so that you can tell if it was a deer or something that had the same color as a deer.  I have not hunted deer with these so I cannot say if the added magnification will help or hinder.Given that the other pair of always in focus binoculars that I really want to get are almost $200 any short comings that these might have in comparison are not a significant factor when considering the huge price difference. I guess the fact that I purchased these says something about how I had more positive thoughts about the 10X glasses than negatives.  So if you are limited on how much you want to spend these are a great value for your dollar. But in all optics the difference between the lower end and the top end is pretty dramatic and if you have the money it is worth getting higher end glasses.Oh and if you want to use these to look at something that is close, well forget it.  For that you need something that is adjustable, but if you are looking out beyond 10 or 20 yards (not sure the exact distance) and want to be able to find what you are looking for quickly these are great.  With the adjustable ones you can set them towards infinity and see most things but you really have to focus to see some things and for hunting well that often takes a second longer than the animal is willing to hang around.
Works the way you expect them to work, which is not true with all binoculars:  Good magnification, clear view, in focus, and not necessary to tinker with a bunch of adjustments to get the perfect match for every different user.  Not compact, but I didn't expect them to be.
The optics are clear and crisp. Yes you may have a slight issue with focusing on things that are very close (30ft or so) but the point of binoculars is to view things far away. I would definitely buy these again if I ever happen to need another pair. It is an amazing thing to just look through these and see things instantly in focus and not have to worry about adjustments.
My company recently moved to new offices with a great view.  We purchased this pair for around the office; everyone here liked them a lot.  I wanted a personal pair for hiking, traveling, sports, etc.  I purchased this for home use as well.  I don't know much about binoculars, but this gets the job done for not a lot of money.  The only drawback is that all four lenses have covers that each detach and can be lost easily (the only reason I give 4/5 stars).  This is an easy fix by buying "cover keepers" at a camera store.
This pair of binoculars is identified as &#34;Perma&#34; because they are always in focus. Great for sports or nature or anything that is rather quick moving since there's no need to adjust the focus.
These binoculars are quick and clear.  No fuzzing with dials.  But that means keeping one's glasses on, if one wears them, since there is no adjustment possible to compensate for uncorrected eyesight.  The cups that are supposed to roll down to accommodate glasses more easily will not stay down, a minor problem.  Still, for the money, they are fine.
Does exactly what it claims to be capable of doing.  Not good at close range but Excellent for anything else with no need for any adjustments.
These focus great at any distance that I have tried. Showed them to a bunch of hunting guys and they loved them.
I had to return this product as they were not mini auto focus that I needed.  There is nothing better than auto focus or perma focus binoculars unfortunatley they were not the size I needed.
We work in Yellowstone National Park for the summer season. We had met many park visitors that were using perma focus optic devices and decided to get one for ourselves. We determined that tne Bushnell was the best value available for our needs. Then, we shopped Amazona and saved 40%. Also, delivery was simple, the merchandise was shipped directly to our campground.The perma focus allow was to scan for wildlife far and near our car as we drive through the park or as we view nature from an overlook. Simple to use and we see more wildlife now than ever before. When it comes to optics we are not interested in technical specifications. We want easy to use and great performance. The Bushnell Perm Focus are a perfect fir.
My 12x50 Auto focus binoculars are perfect for every day or night use. Yes night use. On a clear night sky with a full moon I put my binoculars on a tripod then point it at the moon then take my digital camera and hold it tightly against the rubber eye piece and it takes perfect pictures of the moon. I highly recommend them.
My sweet wife gave me one of these for my boat .... I liked it so much I bought one for a good friend for his boat ... Well the truth is ... he kept &#34;borrowing&#34; mine so he could check out the chicks around the marina .... the kayak chicks, the paddel board chicks, the sailor chicks, the chicks strolling down the marina sidewalk .... He was even checking out all the weird bird watcher chicks !!!  I was sick and tired of getting my Binoc's back all fogged up and slobbed on with greasy finger prints all over the lense .... Dude ... get a girl friend already !!!!  So his birthday was coming up and I wrapped him up my old slobbered up pair and bought me a new non-heavy breathed on set .....  There .... I feel better now !!!!
We bought these to replace an old pair when we went on vacation.  My wifes and my eyes are not what they used to be so we wanted an easy focusing product and these didnt disapoint us.  As others have said, the auto focus works great for distances but not up close.  If you are a bird wathcher these are not for you.  We were able to clearly watch dolphins out in the ocean on our vacation clearly and I use them at home to watch the deer and elk.  I would definatly buy these again
The binocular work very well.They are very bright.They are the the best binoculars that I have used.They are a little hard to hold still.
I was leary of the Perma Focus feature as I purchased these binoculars.  Yet, I still bought them for my father as a gift.My father tried them out for the first time at a basketball game.  He was having diffiulty getting good focus.  Like me, one of his eyes is stronger than the other.So, I explained how my Bushnell binoculars handle differences in focus between two eyes.  I simply turn the diaptor adjustment ring on the individual eye piece.I was surprised that these binoculars offer no such adjustment option!  I guess the "Perma Focus" is supposed to take care of that.Well, at least they work properly with 20/20 vision.  So, I suggested that he use the binoculars with his glasses on.  He then pointed out that these binoculars don't have the option to recess the eyecups.  They are fixed as they are, making it nearly impossible to view with glasses!I then looked into the return policy---too late for that.  So, I called Bushnell as I know they have excellent customer service.  They suggested that I mail the brand new binoculars in for inspection and to be sure to include a $10 check for return shipping and handling.  Additionally, I am responsible for the S&H; to send them the defective item.  Well, at least I hope they are defective and not intentionnally designed to work this way.Needless to say, I am not pleased with this product.
That works great, watching wildlife without the hassle of focus adjustments. Will not work for close by objectsbut those you can see without binoculars.
I suppose this is a good product if you have 20x20 vision.  I could have overlooked it, but I don't recall seeing this mentioned.  Unfortunately I don't have 20x20 vision and everything had a uniformly blurry look.They might be good for you, but they weren't for me.
I've had several higher-end binoculars over the years, but I needed a pair one time when I was short on money... and it turned out to be my favorite pair by far.  Ok... so they don't focus at all for something closer than 50 feet... That's an acceptable loss for anything farther than 50 feet being crystal clear.  You focus these by naturally refocusing your eyes.  I use these for sports, if need be, but mostly for nature viewing, and astronomy (along with a telescope)  In fact... these are almost as good as a $500 pair of astronomy binoculars I considered.  So if you want something that performs very well out of the box with no instructions, this is your ticket.
These work great when looking at things at a distance. They don't focus very good on things close by (30-40 yards) very good. I used them at a concert and as long as I was checking out the audience, they worked fine. Looking at the stage was a bit harder on the eyes and i had to wear my glasses in order to have things in focus. Great for outdoors, but get a piar that you can focus when you go to a concert!
The auto focus is amazing. And yes it is true you can not look at things within 100ft but who need binoculars then?
Right out of the box these work great.  No adjusting necessary.  Just look through them and everything is closer.  Very crisp images.
As the other reviews have stated, if you want to look at anything close up (30' or so), not good, but distances for basic backyard birdwatching is great.
I'm glad I chose this pair and am very pleased with them.  Took them on a cruise last week and was fun to use from our balcony at sea or in port.  The perma-focus is just what I needed, especially since I'm not looking at things 20 feet away (why would you need them this close anyways).  I'm not sure you could find a better set for less than $200.  They are a bit heavy, but no problem for viewing for a minute or so at a time.  I would recommend these to any price-conscious shopper.
Unless you have near perfect vision, without glasses, or are considering these binoculars for a child, DO NOT buy them.  For looking at scenery in the distance, they are fine.  Move in to fairly large signs at perhaps 175 yards, like on the golf course in my back yard, and you will likely not be able to read them.  I couldn't with these binoculars, even though I can read the signs with a pair of 7X35 wide angle binoculars that I purchased at a yard sale many years ago.  Move in to a tree or bush to look at a bird from 50-75 feet, and you will be extremely disappointed.  The image is very blurry.  I just had a lengthy conversation with a rep from Bushnell, and that individual confirmed everything that I have said.  If you have corrected vision, or need correction, these binoculars are NOT for you.
Very pleased. I am baffled as to how permafocus works, but it does. I have reasonably good eyes and only wear glasses for reading. If you wear glasses full time these might not be for you, so try it first.
I purchased this product on a heads up from a friend of mine that uses them in his lifeguard gig. He swears by them in scanning the ocean for events. My son used them last night while working on his Astronomy Merit Badge and was scanning the night sky. The "Perma Focus" technology really works. Just set the adjustment to fit both eyes and the technology automatically gives you a perfectly focused view of whatever you are looking at. Amazing! Can't wait to take them to the football game this Saturday.
This is the 3rd pair of these exact binos that I have owned!  I love them.  Pull them up to your eyes and instantly see what you are looking at.  No focusing knob to mess with, no blurry objects to look at.  A +++
After doing quite a bit of research, I chose these binoculars primarily for use at athletic events. I've been very pleased with the Perma Focus feature, the clarity of the image, and the durability. The downside is the weight and size. That might make it difficult for continued use, i.e., wildlife. But unless you want to pay another $100 or so, this is a very good choice.
We are so happy we purchased these binoculars.  We both love watching birds and boats, etc. and now we don't have to readjust each time we want to look.  Also, showed to our friends.  One couple bought the same ones and the other is going to soon.  Sales should be good.
I purchased these binoculars to use at our shooting range and they are perfect for that purpose.  They are heavy duty, come with lense covers, neck strap and carrying case.  Great package for the price.
Very nice binocular.  Bought them for my husband as a Christmas gift.  I'm sure we'll enjoy them when we're boating
The Binoculars I give 5 stars but the case brings it down to 4 1/2 stars. The feel of the Binoculars are great! The auto focus works perfect.
Very clear! Bought them for my brother and he loved them when hunting. Great light at dawn and dusk! Worked great at night with the moon out!
Our low vision toddler found these easy to use.  She was able to see animals at the zoo and birds in the trees without needing a grown up to readjust the binoculars over and over.
Wife's favorite
I bought these for my father who likes to watch animals in the wild. He loved them and the clarity. Just from the roadside he will spot deer, fox etc....and enjoys them very much
I use these in hunting situations where game has to be identified quickly.  Its great not to have to fiddle with focusing.  You can scan large areas of land very quickly with this great piece.  The image seems to be a little less precise than my insta-focus Bushnells, but its good enough to handle 99% of what most people would require.
These are great binoculars.  Would never buy anything but perma focus again.  We liked them so well, we just ordered two more pair.  Nice size, perfect for bird watching.  We also do a LOT of traveling and these are simply perfect in every way.  I have used compared the view from these versus binoculars costing many times more.  They are just as good in my opinion.  Can't go wrong with these.
The rating was not higher because, even though it's always focused, what your looking at is not as sharp as it should be.My older manual focus gave a sharper image. Did not return because of the hassle.
We were in need of new binoculars for our lake home.  I looked at the reviews on these and took a chance.  NOT DISAPPOINTED at all.  They work perfect. Hubby has some vision issues and the self focus works great for him watching eagles and osprey feeding in the lake .  So happy with my purchase.  Fast delivery Amazon, thank you
GOOD VALUE.......... ............... ........... .......... ........... ...........  .  ....... ............. ........... ......... ............ ............. ........... ........ ............ ........ ......... ..........
I use these to take on the trails and they are pretty good. Nice and clear. A little wobbly so it can be hard to focus your eyes on your objective sometimes. Not very good for star gazing though. Not heavy at all. The case it comes with is crap, so i would suggest something a little tougher that can withstand the elements better.
Love these Binoculars, very clear and not having to focus is great when passing from one person to another, they are no good for looking at things that are up close, but I got them to look at sporting events and things of that nature while siting in the cheap seats, and they're great for that. Love them, highly recommended.
I remove my glasses to look through binoculars as does my husband. I have far-sight in one eye and near -sight in the other. He is near-sighted in both eyes. We simply could not get these to focus clearly for either one of us
Just what my son -in-law wanted for Christmas. He's happy , I'm happy  and the price was great and the rebate was just the frosting on the cake!!
I bought these for my daughter and we used them this year deer hunting. I she seamed to really like them. I tried them out and I really liked the auto focus and am considering buying my a pair.
My mother in law has arthritis and it is painful for her to focus binoculars.  She loves going to the beach and using binoculars.  These binoculars were a God send to her.  She loves them.
Excellent, solidly built binos with limitations.  Light gathering ability is great with the 50mm aperature! Simply put, the binos will not improve your eyesight. If you have 20/20 eyesight, the binos work perfectly whether you are looking at objects near or far.  If you wear glasses for distance viewing, you will need to wear glasses when using the binos and looking at distant objects - same rules apply for objects that are closer. In my case, I remove my eyeglasses to see close-in objects and when I want to view distant objects, I use my glasses with the binos.  I use these for watching events as well as birding and recommend them to anyone.
This is a easy to use set without problems with or without eye glasses.  Case is cheap, but I like the binocs.
If you want autofocus compact binoculars this pair is perfect. Everyone that has tried really liked them and they all had the same question,&#34; how do they always stay in focus&#34;?Very nice product!
What It Is:  Binoculars, with a fixed-focus feature.No diopter or focal adjustment available.  (it cannot be adjusted to "your" eyes.)It does have sufficient relief to use with eyeglasses.What it give you:  The ability to share the viewing of objects without the need to change diopter or focus settings.  These are a great tool for the ease-of-use.  Since focus is achieved using your eyes, it is easy to pass these around without having to adjust them for each user.  And since glasses or contact lenses may be worn while using these, you may take advantage of these devices for your specific correction.Keeping in mind that more expensive / traditional high-grade binoculars have both focus and diopter adjustments, you may be disappointed with the behavior and performance of these binoculars.I have used these to locate the Andromeda Galaxy near Cassiopeia, with very little problem.  I anticipate that it will be great fun to use these this summer to share deep-sky objects with non-astronomer friends.I do not give 5-stars except to truly exceptional products.  This product does exactly what it is advertized to do.  solid 4-stars.Product arrived intact and on time.
I bought this as a Christmas present for my daughter's family.  They live next to a wooded area and pond and have been thrilled to see the deer and ducks up close without needing to focus!  It's great!  They will also use it to watch the kids in their sports.  Definitely happy that I purchased it and a good value.
Great set of optics for the money. Love the perma focus and although they are heavy they will do great with the harness that I bought as well. Taking these hunting in a moth and will report back with my big ol buck!
Our relative has an old pair of this Bushnell 7X35 Wide Angle Perma Focus Binocular which they use to view wildlife and track sources of wildfire in Wyoming mountains. We've been searching for a good quality binocular with affordable price. We're glad to have tried this and think this is the one. The focus-free design is great for glasses wearers. Durable design with good quality potics, perfect for wildlife or theater performance.
I use these binoculars for hunting.  It is great to just be able to throw up the binoculars and see crisply whatever it is I'm looking at.  Not having to focus in to see detail saves me precious seconds that I have to judge the game I'm looking at.  When paired withAllen Company 4 Way Adjustable Deluxe Binocular Strap, BlackI'm all set to hunt comfortably.  Great combo of products at reasonable prices.  I will always buy PermaFocus bino's.
I don't know how this works but as soon as I put this up to my eyes it focuses on what I'm looking at.  Clear picture and comes with a carry case that I don't think was mentioned in the product description.  I thought I would have to purchase a case separately but happily didn't have to.
We bought this pair of binoculars for our three granddaughters (ages 2 to 7) who often have deer in the back yard of their weekend home. The no-focus feature is great for kids. I wouldn't want this pair for more general use, but given the fact that the deer are always at least 50 (more often 100) feet away, the autofocus works well. The alternative would be an inexpensive regular pair that you kept focused for distance, but younger kids are likely to mess that up and then be unable to see much, requiring more adult intervention to refocus. (I had that experience using our regular binoculars with them.)
This binocular is great for watching action sports like auto racing and football. With most binocs you miss the scene by the time you get them in focus, not with these! They are also excellent for bird watching since the depth of field is quite long. The only drawback is that you can't use them to view anything closer than about 30 yards but that's also the plus as you never have to try and focus anything and the view is crystal clear.
Ordered this for a gift. And liked them so much, I had to get one for me. I have both the 10X50 and the 12X50 now. Totally satisfied with both. I would highly recommend either pair when looking for game. I use them for everything from Coyote to Elk. They are always in focus, and very durable. Field of view is excellent on either pair. The 10X50 has more field of view, and of coarse the 12X50 brings them in closer. But I am sure anyone would be happy with either. If I could only have one pair, I would take the 12X50. But I am glad I have both. Hope this helps when trying to determine which one to purchase.
These buggers are bigger than I thought they would be, but they really are wonderful!  I guess to get a really decent viewing distance, you have to buy the &#34;bigger&#34; binoculars to get the proper optics.  I am very happy with these.
So far, so good. Plan to test it out at the shore in a few days. Like to take it to Longwood gardens, for vast viewing. I don't know why anyone would not want a perma focus kind of binock, no matter what they tell me. My five year old can use it like a champ. Everybody in the house is impressed with it, at least the ones whom I let try it. Should be enjoyable for years, everywhere we use it.
I bought this item to spot game during hunting season.  As I haven't been out hunting since I got it, I'm unsure if it will meet my requirements 100%.  However, the optics seem good and the field of view should be wide enough.  The near new condition is certainly correct.  I'll take them out when I have the right opportunity.  PM
Bought these for the lake and love them. They are perfectly focused, no turning dials trying to focus on something.By the time I got my old ones focused, what ever I was looking at had moved.Can't say enough about these binocs!
These binoculars are spectacular!  Sharp vision and we love how it auto focuses.  It's been great for the kids.  We definitely don't regret this purchase.  The only thing is that the auto focus does give my husband headaches as his eyesight is sensitive, but it's not the products fault.  I wonder if he'd do better with something that you can focus yourself.  Just a thought for those that experience the same sensitivity.
I use these binoculars a few times a week to view wildlife in and around my pond and back yard.  They worked really well on a recent trip to Alaska for quickly spotting wildlife on the move.  Even my wife loved them!
NIce size for general use and hiking. Perfect focus for many eyes...just pass them around! I have another set on order.
It took almost a month to receive, due to being on back-order, but it was well worth the wait!  I was replacing an old pair of extra-wide sports angle Bushnell's I had used for 25 years.  I was leery of the perma focus, but I wanted the extra wide angle. Well I tried them at a few NASCAR races and they worked perfectly. Three people in my party all used the binoculars and the focus was perfect for all three.  Plus I wear mono focal contact lenses, (the lenses for each eye are a different strength), so I was a little worried what I would see. The view was prefect and in focus for both eyes. Plus I had lost a lens in one eye, at one race, and I still had perfect focus!!  a Great price and a perfect view!!
The Perma Focus didn't always work for my left eye and there is no &#34;manual focus&#34;. They only worked sometimes.
I was not impressed with the auto focus,  To big for my purposes.  Would not recommend for close up bird watching on patio.
These are great, just put them up and look no adjusting, don't know how I lived without them. I take them everywhere.
These are good and easy to use binoculars.  The Perma Focus feature makes them very easy to use.
I really like the ease of use on these 7x35 Perma Focus binoculars.  They make it easy to pass around for group viewing.  The only negative is the objects viewed should be about 50 feet or more away.
They are a little hard to hold stable with just holding them with no support because they are so powerful. I have always hated most binoculars because they focus different for each eye, or just hard to focus... but not these! Perma Focus is great!!!
We bought these to check out the wildlife in the back yard pond.  These auto focus binoculars are super cool.  You aren't constantly fumbling with the dial to try to get what you want to see in your view.  They seem well made and have provided an excellent crystal clear picture.  My only problem is I tend to hold them too close to my eyeballs.. and they sometimes get a slight fog.. not their fault.. just my user error:)
I am very pleased with my binoculars.  There is no need to focus, as they are automatic permanent focus, and it's great for getting a quick look at anything.  I use it for sports and nature walks and I couldn't be more pleased.
I was impressed by these.  My kids (5yo and 7 yo) were not good enough to adjust the focus manually on my binoculars so I got these for them last year for Christmas.  They've held up well and they actually work.  I'm still amazed how it focuses near and far quickly without a focus ring.  It's perfect for kids!  It's good for adults too, although most of us guys like more expensive toys...
We bought three of these for our African safari, and they were perfect for spotting and viewing animals.  Darned if I know how they can &#34;perma focus&#34;, but they do, so there is no dial to fiddle with. Very reasonably priced, too.
I bought these for a Christmas gift...when they arrived, my husband had to "check it out" before I got it wrapped.  He raved so hard, I ordered a second pair for him.  I highly recommend these cost conscious, but very good binoculars to anyone!
If you hate to focus your binoculars, these are the ones for you. Just point and look and it's in focus. I will never buy another type of binocular.....ever.
The Bushnell Permafocus 12x50s do not show as much detail as a pair of 7x35 binoculars for objects less than 100 yards away because the 12x50s are not in good focus at 100 yards, and uselss at less than 50 yards.  Bushnell deserves a "booo-hisss" for hiding this information from customers.  The minimum usable distance probably varies with the ability of the user's eye to focus (this decreases with age) but mine are probably about average.  Also, the inside instructions indicate Permafocus binocs are good at less than 100 ft, depending on the model.  This is not true for the 12x50s.  Most inexpensive 7x35s will give a better view at 300 feet and less.But if objects are over 200 yards, the 12x50s are in focus and flawless as far as i can tell.  I can easily recognize people at 700 yards. I can read license plates at 350 yards (it helps if the binoculars are resting on something to prevent vibration).Without a support,  there's probably too much shaking for 16x50 binocs to do much better than 12x50s.The eyepiece rubber does not stay rolled back (if you try to use them with glasses) for more than 1 second, so you can't wear glasses while using them, but as with other binoculars, you do not need to wear your glasses. I don't know the science behind it, but whether or not you wear glasses does not seem to make a difference with the Permafocus.  The rubber around the eyepieces cannot be removed unless it's cut.In summary, the normal Bushnell 12x50s are probably much better than the Bushnell Permafocus 12x50s because they can be used at much shorter distances and focusing on objects greater than 200 yards should not be too much of a pain. These 12x50s are no good unless your typical viewing distance is greater than 150 yards and you don't plan to use them on less than about 60 yards. I'm returning them due to "manufacturer's defect".But concerning the Permafocus idea: I love my old pair of "total focus" 7x35's for bird-watching and carrying in the car.  Being free of focus is a different experience almost as big as going from monocular to binocular.  But you need a pair that can focus down to 50 yards.
We were a little apprehensive about the &#34;Perma Focus&#34; feature but these work great. They are not for long, long distance pin point clarity but for the price and functionality they certainly are VERY MUCH worth the money.
So much easier to use with the auto-focus. Can see clearly across the valley to look at wildlife and figure out who is coming up the road. For occasional use this is a perfect set of binoculars.
I agree with reviewer Steve - anything less than a few hundred feet and these binocs are worthless.  The paper works says the "may" focus down to 35'.  Maybe some will but not certainly not my pair.  I am returning them since they are not good for simple viewing around the yard.  And no, the rubber eye caps ABSOLUTELY will not stay back making these binocs almost unusable by people with glasses (like me).Scott
These binoculars are awesome. I have never used binoculars that don't need focusing, but they work better than I had expected. Images are crystal clear and the detail is great. Highly recommended if you are in the market for binoculars.
these are amazing... at probably 600-700 feet away, i could read the headline on a newspaper...For $50-60 from amazon.... you can't beat them.  They're not to heavy or anything.  Even looking across the waterway to the mainland where there was a 5-6mile distance, i could see cars driving with these bushnell's.....They are ROCK Solid and you will never find anything for the money and they do NOT feel flimsy at all!!!!I Hope they keep making a great product because at that price i would buy two !!!!
My friend showed me a pair of Japanese binoculars he had purchased years ago. They were called "Jason" and I had never seen anything like them. No matter what you looked at, everything was always in focus! In fact, there was NO focus dial at all! I had to have a pair & he said he would see if he could find out were I could get them. He did some research & found that Bushnell was now making them under the name Perma Focus.  He found a pair online for $79.00. I knew Amazon sold Bushnell products so I checked & sure enough, there they were! Only instead of $79.00 they were $39.00.What a bargain!I just can't help but wonder why ALL Binoculars aren't made this way...Even if you rarely have any need or use for a pair of Binoculars (like me) it's worth fourty bucks to have these! You WON'T be dissapointed!
I was a little hesitant to purchase these, since I'm more of an old school binocular type of gal, but they are actually really nice and convenient. The permafocus works great - always in focus (how do they do that?!). This is now the second pair of these that I have purchased as a gift, and everyone seems to like them a lot. If you don't have a lot of patience for constantly fiddling with binoculars, these are the guys for you.
i chose 5 stars because i love bushnell products owened  many.love the fact u dont lose time trying 2 focus.watching bird or sports that is key.
These are just fantastic.  My husand and I have different eye ranges and with these binoculars you don't have to keep changing the focus on them.  They are so good at the track meets that we work.  He is the announcer up in the press box and I am able to spot for him.  Also use them when he announces the high school football games.  REally, really, a great product.  Would recommend them to anyone who needs to use them.
Rather than not needing focus, it cannot actually focus! It only sees things at a certain distance well, and nothing else. This is enough for me to return it.
I have a pair of Bushnell 8x25 Permafocus binoculars that work great.  I wanted some stronger ones to look at the stars and planets, so I ordered these.  They are great for daytime use.  I tried to use them tonight to look at the Orion nebula and Jupiter's moons.  I could see ok through the left barrel, but the view in the right barrel was not in focus due to my bad vision.  Since these are Permafocus, there is no diopter adjustment.  There is no focus or adjustment at all.  I could not get a clear view out of both barrels, so I am returning them.  I plan to order another pair of Bushnells with a diopter adjustment and maybe 12x or 16x magnification.  10x is ok for astronomy, but I could not see many details in the Orion nebula and it wasn't very big.  Don't expect a color high res view of the Orion nebula with these, like you see from the Hubble space telescope.  You need stronger magnification than 10x for that.  I gave these 4 stars because the are fine for daytime use and very well constructed.  I took away 1 star because I can't adjust them to my vision for astronomy use.
These binoculars are great for any application where you need to be able to focus on the subject quickly. Don't know how they work but they work very good without a focus knob, just point & look. Great for sports, hunting, bird watching, many other applications. My 3rd pair since they keep getting taken away.
Bought these to replace a pair of compact (adjustable) nocs.  Wow, what a difference Perma-focus makes!!!  Like others have said at closer distances (less than 100 feet) objects are blurry so these are not a good choice for such use.  However, my main purpose is to watch my son's football games and they are perfect for this.  I opted for the 7x magnification and this seems to allow a reasonable field of view.  The case is &#34;pleather&#34; and isn't fancy but seems to be reasonable to protect them.  I have two complaints about them (thus the 4 stars instead of 5):1. The strap you put around your neck is way too narrow and is worthless.  Painful to allow them to hang and I have purchased a different strap from amazon.com to replace the original.2. I wish the eye cups were deeper thus allowing me to have them touch my face on the cheekbones and eyebrows as a reference point.  The cups are too shallow which means I have to hold them away from my face but without any touch it is hard to keep them steady. I compensate for this by using my index fingers as a kind of extended cup to be able to rest them to my head.  However, I wish they just had deeper cups or even a separate add-on item of cup extensions that I could purchase and place on the eye pieces.Overall I am pleased (and so is my wife who uses them occasionally during the games).
I just got these binoculars and tested them out... Amazing! I didn't know what to expect as I'm used to having to focus the binoculars manually.  Picture is clear every time I look at something or when I transition the binoculars to look at something else. No batteries needed too! Kinda curious on how these work.  At night time, there is no problem with focusing.  I was able to look at the traffic down below me and, sorry neighbors, but I was able to see clearly and perfectly fine in the building across from me, which is probably about 150 feet or more away from me.  Never tried focusing on anything closer at this time but I dont think I would use it on anything less than 100' out.  I dont see a problem with these binoculars.  I would probably use them for surveillance if I ever become a spy or something. By the way my eyes are about 20/40 in both... And I didn't use my glasses or anything...  Seemed really clear... My eyes aren't that bad but I wonder how it would work on someone that was more blind. I would buy another pair if I lost these.
The price on these was right so I got them for my birthday. The work really well in the words and didn't fog easily in the cold weather. They are heavy and large, so they may not make the best hunting binoculars, but I was able to manage and spot several deer w/ them w/o issue.
I bought these binoculars as a gift for my Father. It was really nice to be able to pull them out of the box and immediately begin looking at things with the Perma Focus. My father also enjoyed the ability to use these binoculars with his glasses.
Very clear optics at a great price. The autofocus works incredibly! I would recommend these optics to anybody looking for a great pair of binoculars at a great price.
Great and so easy to use. I used these at work and loved them, so I bought a pair for us. We live on a lake and if you want to see wildlife quickly - these are great. They are just perfect for an all around binocular and you just can't go wrong with Bushnell. Everyone that uses our loves them.
THERE IS NO FOCUS ON THE EYE PIECES.  IF YOUR EYES ARE AT ALL UNEVEN IN VISION OR YOU IF YOUR EYES DON'T AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST DUE TO OLD AGE, THESE BINOCULARS ARE NOT FOR YOU.  DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.
A great bargain for the price.  Wonderful field of vision, easy to focus and easy to hold. I heartily recommend them.
perfect for game watching! Crisp and clear, no focusing needed. Just point and look! very nice and not too heavy
This scope is not really very good for viewing planets but is ok for the moon if you stick with the 20MM eyepiece, the 5MM, giving about 140X, is just to much for this mount as it vibrates very easily and is hard to hold anything in the FOV for very long! I think it would be better for a person to buy a 4.5 inch reflector with a Dobsian mount for just a few bucks more.
Looks like they over charge for this telescope now and it was built a bit more crappy. I bought the exact model number a while ago in 2004 at Kmart for 19 dollars. The finder scope is absolutely useless as with most on scope in this price range. When I bought mine it came with a very sturdy wood tripod much like on the vintage telescopes. The silver part of the body was made of metal. It's a great scope 120-140x is probly the highest useful magnification you'll get out of this ocassionally when there's a bright moon out I can go all the way up to 420x but the visual quality is horrible. not bad though for staring at the moon and stars, it's hard to get a steady visual on planets but it is possible.Edit 11/26/12: In the past couple of weeks I've taken this scope out again to try messing around with it a little, and was able to get a visual of Jupiter using the 20mm eyepiece 35x easily as well as with the 5mm at 140x at much lower optical quality but still able to make out the colors. Extremely inconvenient to track for long viewing due to the mount, which seems more suitable if the scope were to stay stationary the whole time. But it works totally fine for terrestial viewing with the 20mm eyepiece.
This scope is NOT a good starter scope for anyone interested in a real pursuit of astronomy.  Here's why:1.  The objective is too small, only 60 mm, 2.36 inches, so it is too small to bring in the light necessary for even a beginning look at the universe.  I suppose it is adequate for the moon, but that is it.  The planets will appear as very small disks.  One will be able to see Saturn's rings, but the image will be very small.  Forget it for deep sky objects, clusters, galaxies, etc.2.  The mount is an altazimuth, which will not follow the celestial object in the sky.  The earth is rotating, and anyone focusing on a star or moon will quickly find the object drifting out of the field of vision.  A better mount is an equatorial mount which makes it much easier to track objects.3.  The mount will vibrate when touched, which will cause the image in the eyepiece to "shiver", which is very frustrating.Even for the low price, don't be enticed by this scope; it has too many flaws. Save your money for a larger scope with a better mount.kone
This is not a good beginner or child telescope. It's just a not-so-cheap toy.I have purchased this for my father-in-law. He asked me for a cheap telescope and I bought this for around $30 in an auction online.First: the manual is just a piece of junk. It does not offer you any detail about how to do anything.The quality of the finish is awful: I could barely turn the adjustment screws of the finder - with a plier! The focuser is totally loose, you can move it sideways/up-and-down, the diagonal is totally loose too. The eyepieces are not that bad (the 20mm is fine and sharp), but the complete assembly is totally inadequate.But THE WORST IS THE TRIPOD and MOUNT. It's an altazimuthal with no tracking controls. Once you can find the object (forget the finder: impossible to align, worse image ever, very dark, not directionally correct), whenever you can focus (not hard on the 20mm, but nearly impossible on the 5mm due to a lack of fine focusing), it's just a challenge to center the object on the eyepiece. The earth is rotating, and you can get about 45 seconds of observation before your target disappears on the 20mm eyepiece (about 4 times less with the 5mm). I take about 3 minutes finding a planet, then it's a real pain to keep observing it.The optics are not bad, but you have a very limited aperture (60mm lenses), which will have you to look at the moon, planets and that's all.DO NOT BUY THIS TELESCOPE. You NEED A BETTER MOUNTING. And a better focuser and diagonal. It's just too sloppy and loose to give any decent observation. For about the same price, you can get a mini-dob table-top reflector with 4 times more aperture area (remember that a 120mm disc has about 4 times more area than a 60mm disc).
I bought this telescope for my 6 yr. daughter.  It's a good telescope and good price for a starter.  I didn't want to spend too much money and have her use it once.  Easy to setup (comes in many pieces) and use.  Comes with extra different size scopes.  I have to say .. I few mfg. screws fell out (the ones needed to hold it to the stand).  We easily replaced them with a slightly wider screw and it hasn't been a problem.  Stand Height is adjustable.  Doesn't fold up unless you take the support stand off (held on with screws).  It has a good view .. it was pretty cool to see the markings in the moon.  I recommend it for a beginner or young child.  You get what you are paying for.  This is a great price for a good+ telescope.
This was what I chose for my 15 year prize from work.  It went to the curb for trash pick up just the other day.  Junk is what it is.  I was so excited to have a new back deck this summer and use the telescope with my boys.  Tried for about 2 hours and wasn't worth my time.  The view finder was no help.  We saw more without the lenses in!  Don't wast your money.
I was a little worried when i first orded the camera from him, But he emailed me then next day and told me that it is on the way. It got to me in record time look forward to doing more business with you davidNavy SailorDeshaun
I love this!  This is my first digital camera.  I went with the Canon because I currently have an ELPH by Canon and just love it.  I did a lot of shopping and reading reviews and finally decided on this one.  I did take the advice of other reviewers and purchased a 123MB disk and a disk reader as well.  I also purchased rechargable batteries with a charger.  I am not afraid to take a ton of pictures knowing the batteries won't drain for a long time.  I always use the LCD screen.  My first time with the batteries allowed me to take pictures for 3 days on just fun things.  All of these extras make downloading the pictures a snap.  I can't believe how great the pictures are!!  The camera is so easy to use and light.  I have enjoyed it so much!!!!  I hope you purchase this one.  You will love it too!!!
I bought this camera after owning a HP C200 for a couple of years.  The most noticable difference is the ability to zoom (optically, rather than digitally) on the subject.  This camera takes great pics and has a good battery life.  It came with a substantial owners guide; however the camera is really easy to learn.  It's also good looking and built solid.  My only gripe is not being able to view the pics on a TV, as with the HP.  If you need this feature, you can buy the A20 for a little more cost.  One suggestion:  Buy a memory card reader for $20 to go with the camera.  You can have immediate access to your pics, without the delay of uploading them.
I've had every kind of camera in the past, and finally decided to try digital. I thought it would be a "fun" camera to have for certain situations, but didn't have high expectations for the picture quality. I have to say that this camera has exceeded my expectations!! The picture quality is great and I like being able to edit the color, brightness and contrast with the included Canon software. I just received the camera and took a total of 34 pictures over 2 days, with the LCD turned on for most of them. We looked at the pictures on the LCD 3-4 times and downloaded 18 of them to the computer from the camera and the batteries are still going strong. I went out yesterday and bought an external card reader to download from and that works super too. This camera is a bargain at $...! I highly recommend it!  I also ordered the Lowepro D-Res 10 AW Digital Camera Bag, and it fits this camera like a glove.
Yes, this is the one. I've dithered and researched and questioned and coveted and finally took the plunge and the A10 is perfect. The camera itself is easy to understand and use; the versatile software - ditto simplicity - turns my PC into a veritable studio. Beware everyone in my email address book: El Canon bore cometh. Quel relief! Exactly the sort of thing i come a costly cropper over and here I am getting it spot on right.
I used to have a Canon Elph S100. I took so many pictures with it that when it died I didn't know what to do. I was livid after spending [the money} to have two rolls of film developed at the drug store. I pretty much only take pictures to put on the web. I'm not a big fan of hard-copy prints.So, after some shopping around, I decided the A10 was perfect. I never used the higher resolutions of the S100 (2.1Mpix). The larger size of the A10 actually translates into a much better user interface. Plus, you can get lens and filter kits for the A10. I just wish it had a better manual focus mode!
After I got the manual, it was the best camera I've ever enjoyed.  (I think a more experienced person would not need the manual.)  I didn't want a million bells and whistles; I wanted to take good pictures of my grandchildren.
I bought this camera a year ago and haven't even touched one of my seven film cameras since.  This fine piece by Canon is an exercise in simplicity and quality.  While only 1.3 megapixels, it yields photos better than some other cameras with 2-3 megapixels.  I don't know why.  So easy to use!  With a 3 year old grandson, I take a lot of photos.  I mean a lot of photos.  I would guess this camera has saved me its cost ...3-4 times in what I would have paid for film & processing.  You, of course, need a computer and printer.  It comes with only an 8 megabyte Compact Flash card (the "film") so belly up for something bigger right away.  I just bought a 128 MB card.  Don't forget that this "film" is reusable after you download to you desktop.  As I said, I have seven other film cameras.  None of them is as easy to use as this Canon.  And the Canon shots are as good as anything else I shoot, except for the enlargability of my medium format Yashica.  And imagine being able to review the shot you just took without the expense of a Polaroid.  And if it's no good, just erase it and shoot again.
The other reviewers have covered the many fine qualities of this camera. I want to explain what this camera (or any digital camera) has in common with a Barbie doll. The Barbie doll itself is not that expensive. But once you buy it, you will want all the accessories -- Ken, Barbie's Dream House, her sportscar, clothes -- and that's what puts a ding in your wallet. Same here. You will love the camera. But you will need to buy the AC adapter and Amazon doesn't carry it. (Try TechDepot.) The batteries will croak very quickly if you use them to power the camera while it is connected to a PC or a notebook. Invest in a charger and rechargeable batteries. The camera comes with a mingy 8MB Compact Flash card. You will want a 64MB card, at the very least. Not to mention a camera case! I recommend the camera highly. Just keep in mind that the purchase price is only your FIRST expenditure.
i purchased this camera with no knowledge of using a digital camera-when it came i couldnt wait to use it-it was so easy to use,i learned how to shot pictures,download and print them within a few minutes,now i can take pictures of my 10 grand children and keep them until i'm ready to print-one of the greatest things i'v ever bought for myself,thanks amazonyou made my mothers day great
After all the years and all the digicams I've owned, borrowed and/or tested, I've come to believe that the Canons are the most reliable of the lot. While this A10 may be an entry level model, it is also in many ways their very best value. It is well built and sturdy enough, not too large to carry easily in a purse (and in fact a bit easier to grip than are the Elph models, therefore making it easier to hold steady), and offers enough adjustable features for 99% of the digital photo takers whom I know. Happily, it will also function nicely in the automatic mode for folks who just want to point and shoot. The combination of an optical 3X zoom plus a 1.3 megapixel resolution is where I think most users will find their "sweet spot" in digicams. The 3X zoom is powerful enough to make itself useful in many non-portrait settings (sightseeing, sports, etc.) and the 1.3 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for computer viewing and storage, emailing, website posting and adequate for printing crystal clear enlargements up to 5" x 7" (and with acceptable results on 8" x 10" prints). Of course, the A10 offers all the expected niceties, such as easy connectability to your PC, good battery options (including disposables and rechargeables) and an almost infinitely expandable memory. Then there is the price; certainly the A10 is down in the APS range. This then is what I would call perfect digicam for the masses, a "volkskamera". No one who gets one will likely be the least bit disappointed.
I have owned an Agfa and a Vivitar digital camera and now the Canon A10.  This camera takes unbelievable perfect, clear, sharp, accurate pictures.  They look like they were taken from a regular camera.  There are a lot of features that allow you to customize your pictures - like a manual camera or there is a completely automatic setting to let the camera do all the work for you.  The automatic setting does a great job!!  I am so pleased with this camera.  I know people who have paid 2 to 3 times what I did for a camera and theirs doesn't take as good of a picture as the Canon A10.  A definate reccomendation to buy!!
This camera is a joy to use.  It has a solid feel to it, with the grip housing the CF card and 4AA batteries - the weight is just right for casual shooting (common CCDs take longer exposure time than regular films, so jittering is an issue with smaller cameras).The camera looks well built, and has a mature, understated, and attractive design to it.  (Everything on it has a purpose, like a dot near the flash to prevent flash from being covered by a finger; even the bezel around the zoom lens, which screws off to reveal a lens adapter socket!)  None of the components (especially the battery/CF compartment) looks or feels flimsy - all the switches operate smoothly.  The case has no jagged edges and sensible rectangular shape, so it'll fit in your pocket confortably.  LCD is bright, colorful, and large enough.  Viewfinder is, well, useable, but you won't be using this unless you want to save battery.Zooming is a little slow, but this is not an issue with this price tag.It is very robust.  AA NiMH rechargeables, while not included, are cheap, reliable, long-lasting, and very easy to replace (you can just have a set of cheap alkaline battery as a spare).  Don't get Ni-Cd - it's useless.I've dropped the camera once already, but to my amazement, everything works perfectly.Picture quality is great.  It is more than adequate for most of the purposes - and it is great to experiment on shots before you commit to shooting with film.  This will allow me to refine my composition skills.  I do recommend getting 128MB CF card ($40-50 nowadays), which will definitely last you a good day or two, with 177 to1417 (high to low resolution) shots!The camera has a lot of very useful functions, such as slow-synchro, timer, color-balance (very good compensation for fluorescent and tungsten light), image rotation, etc., etc.  Stich-assist and included software is wonderful, as you can recreate the panoramic scene when viewed by QuicktimeVR.  It sounds like a toy, but I'm certain you will be impressed by the effect it has on you.Both PC and Macs are supported, and Mac software is decent.  I have no complaints.  It'll be perfect if you already own Photoshop and/or ImageConverter (the latter being absolutely a top-notch batch image-conversion shareware).If I had any complaint, it is the warm-up time:  You need to hold the power button for fully 3-4 seconds until the camera is turned on and ready to shoot.  I'd trade lens zoom (which is not impressive anyway) with a faster startup - it'll be even more useful that way.  Also, a way to set up timer length would have been easy to implement without additional cost (or a remote via USB, but that's ok)Canon really meant the A10 to be a lean, versatile, mature product - it has all the functions a non-professional user can ask for, coupled with a well-thought out layout and a solid construction.  Smart thing is that A10 and A20's accessories are compatible - I'm thinking of getting the wide-angle lens adapter, water-proof casing, and dye-sub printer.  This thing *will* adapt to your lifestyle and won't cramp you with proprietary components and gimmicks (unlike A20's mostly useless TV output)!
No doubt you are reading this review for one of two reasons. Either you've had an interest in buying a digital camera for quite awhile and can't decide which one....or perhaps you're one of those kind souls here who reads my reviews when you come across them. Either way, I'm VERY glad you've clicked through because I've got a bold statement to share with you today:The best piece of electronic equipment I've ever owned is the Sony Mavica digital camera, Model MVC-FD83. (...)Okay - now you probably want to know why I'm so infatuated with my Sony Mavica. Two words sum up the tale. Instant gratification. The magical ability to take a photo of a subject and see it immediately on a two-inch LCD screen. And then the even nicer option of taking a standard floppy disk out of the camera and immediately having access to it on a computer screen. And finally, the distinct pleasure to sending - via email - that same high quality image to a distant relative within one minute of its creation.Yes - I know that the Sony Mavica is expensive versus the competition out there. If you're into measuring megapixels - those dots that determine the quality of a digital photo - then the Sony costs twice as much as many of its competitors on that front. But the Sony has something that none of the other guys offers. No cables and no special software needed to "decode" the photo. No expensive memory flash cards. No delay from any intermediary that would prevent you from enjoying your camera - and the photos it produces.Hey - what do you intend to do with your camera? If you're a professional photographer who is planning to sell your product, then this is not your camera. If you're on a very tight budget, then this is not your camera. If you want super clear printed shots that match 35mm point and shoot cameras - probably in the 3 plus megapixel range - then this is not your camera.But if you are an average consumer with enough disposable income to indulge yourself occasionally - then this is YOUR camera. If you like to share your photos with your relatives via email - then this is YOUR camera. And if you like minimum hassle when you take and retrieve your amateur photos - then this is YOUR camera. (...)Speaking of features, this Sony has more than enough to satisfy the typical user. It features three image size settings - with a maximum of 1216 x 912. It has two resolutions - standard and fine. I've found that the standard setting delivers crisp photos on screen and does not create such large digital files for sharing. About 8 to 9 shots per floppy at the medium image size setting. The standard setting coupled with the lowest quality resolution (640 x 480) allows you to squeeze almost 20 photos on each floppy. (...) Sure is cheaper than a roll of film...and of course there's NO developing costs. (...)And the battery is rechargeable and gives you a full day of shooting if you are taking candid shots on vacation. Less if you decide to use the Sony mpeg motion picture capability built in that delivers a twenty second movie per floppy. And using the built in zoom (6x) will also drain the battery somewhat more quickly.The quality of the final photo? Superb. To an untrained eye, it is virtually impossible onscreen to denote any degradation of detail versus a 35mm shot. And using one of the online photo services like Ofoto.com produced outstanding prints from this camera. And yes - it even offers a neat self timer so you too can get into the photo.Okay, okay. You get the idea. Oh - one more thing. I took the equivalent of twenty rolls of film the first week I had this camera. More photos than I've ever taken in my life. And they were crystal clear... they printed wonderfully...and the camera itself was so easy to use that anyone I handed it to could use it within ten seconds. In fact, every person who has taken photos with it - friends, strangers, even teenagers - have uttered basically the same thing when handing it back:"Your new camera is really cool."One final time for emphasis. No ifs....and no buts. No hesitation before I type these words. This is the BEST electronics item I've ever owned.
This is my second Mavica. The first one was MVC-FD85, but everytime I wanted to use it, my son had it. He got that one for Christmas and I bought the FD87. Nothing could be easier to use. My Grandkids, 4 and 7, take great pictures with it. I like the floppy (no extra cords),the movie mode, and the battery lasts a long time. Sony products are a bit pricey, but well worth it.
I purchase for a school district and I only buy Mavicas.  The quality is very good for most school projects.  The floppy drive option is great because if you check a camera out to people, you do not want to use expensive memory sticks that can be lost.  Also, when a person turns the camera in, the next person is can take it immediately.  There is no time to bother with download.  One person keeps the disks, turns the camera in, and the next person can take it without a download hassle.  The nice thing about this model is that you have the choice between disks and a memory stick if you want the extra space for high quality and quantity.There are two disadvantages to this camera over previous models.  It is very easy in holding the camera to hit one of the three buttons at the bottom of the back and accidentally change a setting which can distort a picture.  Students have done this.  Example, some kids took a snapshot after the camera had been set up for them but their fingers hit the program button in accidentally and changed the camera to the moon setting for slow shutter speed -- as in a night photo.  As a result their shots were blurred.  The other disadvantage is that you have to plug the camera into the wall to charge the battery.  The older models allowed you to operate the battery charger without plugging it into the camera.One note.  Cameras in this price range cannot stop action.  Do not use this kind of camera for stop-action sports.  They do not emulate the shutter speed of a professional 35mm camera which uses film.  They are wonderful for low light and outperforma any film-based camera for low light shots that do not need to stop action.
The thing that attracted me most to this camera was the fact that I didn't have to buy one of those $100 memory sticks. I can, if I were planning to take a great deal of photos and don't want to carry extra disks around, but it's greta for people like me who just want to use it for recreational purposes.I was at first turned off by the size, but this is part of the beauty of being able to save the files directly onto disk which inserts into the camera itself (which means the camera has to be the size of a floppy- which roughly it is). Besides, The size is a good fit to the hands and makes shaky hands less of a problem.The zoom is great. You can really get close-up shots from a distance without compromising image quality or color. The display screen on the back of the camera is larger than on most, which makes it easier to choose which photos I want to keep/delete without popping the disk into the computer to take a closer look.This camera has plenty of fun features to keep anyone entertained for a long period of time, and the battery life is great. The charger reharges the battery quickly when it does need to be charged.The photo quality is great both indoors and out, night and day. There are differet settings for landscapes, people, etc, as well as light, and they do make a pleasing difference. This camera can be used in any situation.Overall, I am very happy with my purhase. Sony is a terrific brand, after all.
I love the Mavicas for their good, durable design, their ruggedness and their absolute ease of use. Their strongest point is their ease of use &amp; therefore their appropriateness for people who like simplicity and hate the steep learning curve associated with the less intuitive digitals on the mkt. The Mavs use cheap, readily available and reuseable PC floppy discs go from camera to computer with no cables or cradles to make for foolproof downloads and very inexpensive image storage. This itineration of the Mavica offers higher resolution than the 7x series, allowing for a full 1.3 megabyte image that will exceed anyones web-based needs (including the desire to take quality pics for emailing). It is not the camera for those who need enlargements greater than 5&quot; x 7&quot;, but it handles these with aplomb. One note here is that the FD87 offers a less powerful zoom than the (cheaper) 7x series, though the 3x optical coupled with the less useful 2x digital is still fairly powerful. All in all, this camera will not disappoint anyone.
I would like to emphasize my vehement title all the more by stating that I have only had my camera under a year and have used it to perhaps produce only about three dozen images or so, and it has already 'gone kaput' on me.  That's right, it turns out that the plates which transmit the current created with the battery are highly corrosive, and one slightly leaky battery finished the thing off.But don't think that I'm warning you off simply because of an 'assualt of battery,' as it were.  The camera was a piece of junk from the get-go --- the images were incredibly poorly resolved, and good luck if you wanted to take any pictures at night outdoors.  Or indoors during the day, for that matter.  Or anywhere, at any time, with any lighting, for that matter.  It takes the camera about a full minute to focus, and even then any nearby lightsource will create horrendous glares.  The only thing 'fun' about this camera was perhaps the software that came with it --- although it proved that I needed software of such editing caliber if I was going to try to produce an image that actually looked like anything.  The price might seem 'right' to you, but I assure it you it isn't worth the extra twenty bucks it would take to buy a 'real' camera.
This price is VERY good for this camera.  I have compared this to all the other cameras like it, but nothing comes close.This has enough memory to store up to 15 pictures in high quality and 50 pictures in low quality.  The small, but good, LCD screen is very helpful, especially if you want the PERFECT family picture...You can delete a picture you take in the press of TWO buttons...  You can also view the pictures that you take right after you take them, or an hour after you take them.It's easy to uplink the pictures from your amera to the computer, if you have a serial port open.  When I got my camera, we only had one serial port and the mouse was plugged into it.  I tried using the camera's program without the mouse, but it cannot be done.  You need a mouse to do it.  I had to install a PS2 port into my computer and switch my mouse so it was PS2 compatible.  This is the reason I only gave it FOUR stars.This is a very good quality camera for the person who wants one with a screen, enough memory, and doesn't want to buy expensive memory cards.  The software that comes with this is incredible.  You can draw on your pistures, make them brighter or darker, take off red-eye, and you can even put someone's head in a different body!!I HIGHLY recommend this camera to those who are just starting out in the digital camera bussiness.  I hope to upgrade my camera to a Sony Mavica one day....!!I hope you know a little bit more about this camera now.  (...)
This was a Christmas present for my family last year. We wanted a cheap camera that could help us to determine if we would use a digital camera or not. So I try it out, and I go to transfer to my computer, but the software freezes up. I try again. Same thing. I went to their web site to email tech support. But in order to do that, I had to sign up for their services, which included free promotional offers and whatnot. So I called tech support. They said to try to order new software from them and then it would work. I said okay, and it was shipped to me. I tried again, and there was no luck again. I called once more, and they decided that the problem had to have been a faulty serial cable. They shipped one for free, and the camera still failed to work. Finally, I dug into their FAQ and found out that all I had to do was download a small program and all of my problems would be solved. Needless to say, I was not pleased.The image quality can be anywhere from poor to good, depending on lighting. The memory is limited, the serial cable is slow...bottom line, unless you can't find any other cheap cameras, then don't spend money on this.PROS:- a decent starter- good quality in light- cheapCONS:- Unless you have a steady hand, you're going go have some fuzzy pics- terrible tech support (I had to spend money on stuff I actually didn't need)- batteries didn't last long- only 2 MB of memory
This camera is listed as XP compatible but is not. It will work with Win 95,98,ME, and 2000 (the software will not install on Win 2000 but the camera driver will). Do not buy this camera if you plan on using XP. Instead go for one of their new cameras such as the PDC 2150 that just came out.
After seeing this camera at the store and with the price being so reasonable I couldn't wait to purchase it. Now I am contacting Polaroid requesting a refund. First of all, the software is not compatible with Windows XP. There is a way around this, but I find it ridiculous that Polaroid would produce a camera with software the isn't XP-friendly considering most newer systems operate on this OS. Anyway, after finally getting the software installed, I have continued to receive various error messages. I tried the camera's help site, photomaxhelp.com(which, by the way, apparently is non-existent) and finally ended up at Polaroid's site. There are myriad articles and questions pertaining to using the camera and software with Windows XP, which in a way made me feel better knowing I was far from the only one having these problems. To get to the point, after trying EVERY solution and suggestion on Polaroid's site, and searching the web for other suggestions, I have still been unable to download any pictures from this camera onto my PC. I guess it might be a good LOW END camera to use only for web and e-mail (not printing photos) if you have an older OS and never plan to upgrade. As for me, I'm waiting for my refund.
After reading the other reviews from amazon.com, I decided to settle on this camera.  Reasons are the price of this and its overall features.  First off, I didn't expect this to be a high-end camera producing flawless photos, because obviously it is not the type.  However, I think it's the perfect camera for the novice user, like myself.  It's got all the basic standards that digital cameras should have, such as the LCD screen, self-timer, and a 640 x 480 resolution.LCD - I agree that the LCD is not clear enough, but I think it's good as it is.  I mean, the LCD is pretty useful since it allows me to have a good idea on how the picture looks like.  I really enjoy this feature.Self Timer - This is another fun feature and I'm glad that it came along with.  I think self-timers are essential in any camera.640 x 480 - This is resolution is really THE resolution to get average results.  This resolution size is another essential in digicams and I'm glad it's w/ this camera.Anyway, I enjoyed using this camera.  It's very easy to use and not to mention, the software is top quality!  I've printed out several photos and the smaller size ones aren't bad at all.  You could minimize your photos and use them in your greeting cards, works better than very poor quality scanned pictures!  Pictures posted on websites/sent through emails are very good quality.As for the battery issue, I guess it does drain the battery.  My hint is, use an AC adapter if possible, like when you're taking pictures indoors.Overall, I'm glad I bought this camera :)  I just hope it doesn't break (as another reviewer mentioned).
This little guy was good when it first came out but now there are so many new cameras out there for around the same price you might want to find something else since the software for this camera is no longer updated from what I understand.
This is a super little &quot;starter digital camera&quot; for about $50, and maybe even for the $119 original list price.  It's small, light, convenient and the 640 by 480 pixel resolution is very reasonable for that price.I didn't expect Leica or Nikon quality, and Polaroid didn't pretend to offer it.  It's like the disposable cameras you buy at a supermarket, a quick, easy, convenient way of getting basic snapshots with minimum fuss.If you want professional quality, consider a Kyocera Contax N Digital which is scheduled for release in February and has all the features found on the Contax N series of 35 mm cameras.  The Contax will have a resolution of 6.29 megapixels, about 6 megapixels more than this Polaroid (if I did the calculations right), and will include interchangeable lenses.  It will also carry a hefty price tag of about $6,450  --  without the lens.Professional news photographers I deal with say their basic equipment now runs between $6,000 and $10,000, which doesn't include a satellite transmission system.  My basic cameras are the Leica M-3 and Leicaflex;  when you look at inflation, today's digital costs are probably equivalent of a full Leica or Nikon camera bag of 30 years ago.Thirty years ago, the Brownie was a starter camera.  Recently, I got this Polaroid to learn how to use the digital format and how to handle the images on my computer.  It's been a fun camera for that;  like the old Brownie (which I never owned), I don't expect 16 x 20-inch grainless enlargement quality.It has provided good pictures at the indoor ballpark, of the nearby mountains, of local Christmas lights, of people indoors at a party and in reproducing several paintings.  Downloading pictures to my computer is a bit complicated, but once learned it works well.  Polaroid's goal was to make digital imaging easy and fun  --  and they succeeded in my case, right from the moment I opened the box.My next digital camera will be in the 2 to 3 megapixel range, which should handle most of my electronic needs for some time.  But, I won't toss this camera aside;  I'll keep using it for snapshots because of its convenient.If you're tempted to buy this camera, read the other reviews.  The reviewers have some of the same concerns as I do;  but I think they miss the point that at $50 or so this is a starter camera and not one you want for every digital use.  Unless, of course, you are a disposable camera fan  --  then you may find this camera fills all your needs.Take a serious look at it.  It may surprise you.  In my case, I was delighted;  it's done everything I expected of a 640 by 480 pixel camera.  It's the best $49 I've spent on a camera in a long time.
this was my first camera. Since then I have had the Polaroid PDZ2300 and HP Photosmart 435 (Check my reviews). I thought it was a good camera for the amount of pixels. But I was limited to wat I could do. I would defiently recommend at least a 1.3MP though. I found the software confusing too. I could only get 15 pictures though so that was a down. I have come along way since this camera, but this camera was a good beginner.
i bought mine about 4 months ago and i have babied it immensly.  i now have a white screen that means it has internal malfunction.  ok that is the bad news, but i wanted to tell you the good news.  they are going to fix it for free and then also let me upgrade for quite abit off to a nicer camera.  just keep that in mind if you buy a poloroid camera, you can always upgrade for less than to buy it new.  even tho mine is broken, i like the customer service and also that they offer other products at reduced rates.  take care and hope this helps
I bought the Polaroid Fun Flash 640 SE -- it has no LCD screen, so it's really like a point-n-shoot 35mm camera.  I bought mine at Circuit City for $39.I wanted a digital camera to take photos of preschoolers in my Bible club at church -- to post on a private Internet website, so parents can enjoy looking to see what their kids do during our club meetings.I wanted a cheap, easy-to-use camera that took a decent photo when rendered on the web (I don't care to print the photos).I wanted a camera that was easy to download photos into my computer, manipulate and upload onto my website.I got exactly that with this camera product.  For $40, it's a great deal.  Spend more for the camera with the LCD screen if you wish, but you might not really need to go for that extra expense.Installing the camera software went with NO TROUBLE whatsoever (on my 3-year-old PC).  My particular camera model hooks up either via USB or serial connection (I use serial, which is slow but within a two minutes or so, I can download 20 photos onto my PC).  The camera comes with easy-to-use software for manipulating the photos.  Two complaints on the software:  I have to click around too much to do the work I'm trying to do, and it's a little less than straightforward to create web-ready JPEGs outside of the software's &quot;photo album&quot; file format.The camera itself is purely no frills.  It does have a digital display to show number of pictures taken and the flash mode, but that's about it.  If you take a photo too close to your subject with the flash on, the picture causes the person's face to wash out (and then they have no nose!).  But most other shots can be easily enhanced via software -- to lighten, sharpen the pictures.So bottom line, use this camera to take pictures to share on the web when resolution and photo quality isn't as much of a priority as low expense and ease-of-use.
I just purchased this camera from here about a week ago and I must say that so far I am very pleased.  I just developed my first two rolls of film and the pictures came out very nice.  There are a lot of nice little features on this camera that I have yet to use but so far it is working just fine.  I am going to be taking a trip to Costa Rica next month and I needed something that was inexpensive, easy to carry around and that took nice pictures.  Well, I haven't been disappointed yet.  One thing to keep in mind is that this camera is VERY LIGHTWEIGHT and VERY SMALL and is therefore very easy to drop which is something you don't want to do with such a delicate instrument.  My advice is to use the strap and wear it tightly around your wrist whenever you carry it around.  This past 4th of July I was walking around and it actually slipped out of my hand but fortunately I had the strap tied around my wrist which prevented it from dropping on the cement.  If you are looking for a camera that is compact, easy to use, inexpensive and takes good pictures then I recommend this one.
Although I owned (and still do) a Canon SLR camera, I wanted/needed something more compact for social events.  The Pentax IQ was a great choice, and I'm very happy with it.  And, yes, I still use it even though it's necessary to go to a camera store or use a mail service to develop the film.  I now also own a digital camera so that I can download photos to my computer.  But the Pentax IQ has its virtues and I will continue to use it for certain occasions or for specific types of photography.
Never had anything other than simple point and shoot models before this camera, and will never go back now.  This camera is very easy to use, offers a multitude of flash and focus options, and (most importantly) produces TERRIFIC results.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I am a photo enthusiast and was looking for a simple to use point and shoot 35 mm camera that would create photographs comparable to my more sophisticated 35 mm equipment.  Well .. here it is.  This little camera produces great results with very little effort.  Also, it has a solid feel and a comfortable view-finder, much unlike other cameras in its class. I have used other compact point and shoot cameras and it is often a nuisance trying to look through the tiny view-finders with which those cameras are often equipped. The 130 mm zoom lens is simply terrific.  I would strongly recommend this camera - simple to use and great photos. What more could you ask for? You won't be disappointed.
On a recent trip to Italy a bag of mine was stolen at the train station in Rome containing my old Camera, a Pentax that I had had for almost 9 years.  I loved it, it had everything I could every want from a camera and took excellent pictures.  When it cam to replace it I decided on the Pentax IQ Zoom 130M Date 35mm Camera after a little digging and reading other reviews on Amazon.  And I have been happy with it ever since.  I have been using the camera now for just over a year and have used it in a wide variety of locations.  It works wonderfully in almost any light condition.  I have used to for portraits, scenery, fireworks, action photos, and close up stills.  In every situation in performed just as expected.  The only situation where the pictures did not turn out well was on a trip to the Lewis and Clark caverns.  Normal flash mode did not provide enough light causing the pictures to be grainy and out of focus.  I attempted to use the slow shutter sync but did not have a tripod to stand it on causing the photos to be blurred and jerky.  If you are looking for a do-everything, easy to operate, compact camera you can't go wrong with this model.  I highly recommend it.
I purchased this camera one year ago and, although I am not an expert, have been very satisfied. If I spend a little more for the processing, the pictures are crisp and clear and fabulous. I have had no problems with any pictures being out of focus, which I have experienced in the past with other brands. I thought the battery would not last long given that the LCD always displays the date and number of exposures, but so far I have not had to replace it.
I bought this camera for an up-coming trip to New Orleans.  My decision was based on the reviews here on amazon.com. This is my first time using a Pentax.I have shot one roll of film, trying different lighting situations, different zoom lengths, in-doors, out-doors, regular and panoramic mode.I have always used Minolta professional cameras in the past.  The quality of photos from this little camera is as good, if not better, than those from my Minolta equipment.I am now ready to take on New Orleans in style and with a camera that is light-weight, easy to use, offers lots of useful features, and provides quality photographs, confident that I will be able to capture the beauty of the Big Easy with ease.One note to the user complaining about black lines at the top/bottom of panoramic shots.  The problem may be with your processor; it certainly isn't with the camera.  While you do see, or appear to see, black lines when you look through the viewfinder with the camera in 'panoramic mode', my photographs were full size, great in their detail, and had no lines at top/bottom.  If you are contemplating purchasing this item, don't let that deter you.For the price, this is a great little picture-taker.
I have owned 3 previous pentax cameras, all of which gave good performance and durability.  I bought this compact camera because of its 5 spot focusing feature.  The focusing features work very good and are improved over the previous models.  However, there is a significant red eye problem with this camera when using the flash.  As a former professional photographer, I believe this is due to the flash being located one inch closer to the camera lens than previous models.  Usually, the farther the flash is off center from the lens, the less the chance of red eye reflection.
I liked this camera. It took great photos.I was soooo disappointed when the LCD stopped working after only 18 months! My last camera lasted  5 years. The warranty is only good for a year, and Pentax wants me to mail in the camera and then they will give me a price to fix it. I went to wolfcamera and they said it would be $140!I'm about to have a baby any day, and now I have to find a good camera quick!
I didn't think it was possible to be attached to a camera, but I am. It's so easy to use, the red-eye reduction works perfectly, self-timer works even better. I had never even heard of Pentax before I looked at it and decided to buy it, but now, I just can't get over how great it is. It's the first camera I've bought on my own, my own money, own decision. Best camera, especially for the great price. Please, everyone, buy this camera. It deserves a lot more than just 5 stars.
I bought this camera because my old one broke. Everywhere I go I like to take pictures as kind of like a souvenir, and I bought this camera for a recent trip. It worked perfectly. The directions in the manual were quite simple and got to taking pictures before I knew it. The size, easiness, and weight make it very convienent. I was amazed at it's toughness for such a small camera. It's also a great camera for someone who is just beginning and knows little about pictures. Highly recommended!
This camera appeared to be the perfect one for what I needed; an easy to use camera with a zoom.  The day after I received it I used the zoom and it retracted one time. The next time it would not retract and the zoom is completely jammed. This in itself is not so bad, annoying and inconvenient yes, but not a total disaster. There is probably a simple fix for this. I thought I could just call the manufacturer and get some help. Fat chance of that! They do not even give a phone number for customer service. I had to send an email and was told I would get a reply in writing within 3 days.  I just got a reply (a form email letter)that tells me to ship the camera back to them at my expense. Next time I will research the customer service as well as the item I purchase.
I tried to edit this review a long time ago. It didn't seem to work. So I'll try again. Here is the original review, but be sure to read the end.I bought a FinePix 4800Zoom as a customer return at a local computer store. I feel I got a fabulous bargain!The feel of the camera is solid and the metal skin really makes it look elegant. I've seen a lot of silver-painted cameras that just look cheap compared to the 4800. The vertical form factor is a bit strange, but it works out very nicely - not a bit awkward and equally easy to operate for small and larger hands.The image quality really does live up to the 4.3 megapixel claim. It stays crystal clear when blown up several times on the computer screen. 4x6 prints on my HP 952c with premium glossy paper are beautiful. The color rendition is as good as Kodak film, no, actually, I think it is better. Most of my Kodak film printed at Sam's club comes back with very exaggerated reds. The 4800 gives a more balanced, believable color pallette.The FinePix 4800Zoom has a full array of well thought out features. The cradle arrangement is really convenient. I just open a tiny sliding cover on the bottom, drop the camera into the cradle and punch the power button. Presto! My iMac fires up its own camera software and asks me if I want to download all or some of the pictures. Then it does it all for me. Sweet! The cradle is also the battery charger.I don't know what is happening to the customer from San Jose, but I certainly get razor sharp, gorgeous pictures with this camera. He/She may be having difficulty with the way the shutter release works. You have to push it and hold it for second, holding the camera still all the while. The picture is actually taken after the initial push. This caused me a little confusion at first. My first shots were sort of out of whack. Once I got the hang of the push-and-hold technique, everything came together nicely.All in all, I am totally satisfied with the Fujifilm FinePix 4800Zoom. Highly recommended!Okay, after about 13 months, I reversed my opinion. The thing simply stopped working. The sliding lens cover is jammed open and won't let the lens extend. I didn't buy an extended warranty, so I paid to have it fixed. The guy told me not to bother replacing the front panel which contains the cover, because it would be way too expensive. So he charged me $65 to open it up, blow it out, and put it back together several times. It seemed to work. But after a few days it started jamming again. Within 2 weeks it was useless. I am so disappointed that I went out and bought a Minoltal Dimage XT. It was cheaper, smaller, takes just as good photos, and it hasn't given me any problems. I feel like avoiding Fuji after this experience. I want to reduce the stars to 2, but the review editor won't let me.
This camera is great and easy to use. One of the best purchases I've made in a long time
The size of the camera and the quality of the pics make this a camera I'll carry everywhere. I've been a Nikon owner for 40 years (!) and have published in LIFE, Newsweek, Stern, books and so forth, so I'm a fussy guy.The 4800 delivers, and it replaces a tape recorder as well!The FinePix software is astonishing. It does more and does it more easily than any of the similar products -- and I've tried six different software/image products.Learning the camera takes more than a few hours, but after that it's very easy and doesn't disappoint.Fuji needs to provide a case, however, and figure out if the strap on it is for a wrist or a neck. It's too large for one and too small for the other, but I've already bought a small case and another strap ..., so we're not talking about a major pain here.If it holds up for a few years I'll be more than satisfied because I like this machine more and more every day. It's just hard to get used to carrying such a small package that produces first-rate pictures.
This is probably the best looking digital camera around. Its stainless steel body feels heavy duty and very professionally made. The body was designed by Porsche.The pictures turn out awesome to say the least. But for (this price) they should! There is so many gadgets on this camera that even a professional would have fun learning them all. A novice would be overwelmed with this camera.The photos are brilliant and have up to 4.3 megapixels at its highest resolution. You also can choose 2.4 megapixel, 1 megapixel and the small standard 480x640 resolution. You can also choose between fine, normal and soft for about 10 different photo choices.The camera lets you also make it black and white, soft portrait and many other "scene" formats.This camera does not get 5 stars though. The price is probably about $100 too high, the cool looking design is somewhat harder to hold than a standard looking camera and the battery takes 5 hours to recharge but does last a long time. Not even mentioning that the 16 meg smart media card is way to small for a camera of this magnitute. Get 128 meg card at Costco... and you can literally put almost 2000 photos onto this camera at the small size and about 70 of the 4 megapixel photos on it. I tell you- technology is awesome!All in all though I am very happy with it. It gets my rave reviews even with its few shortcomings! Fuji - keep up the good work.
I am going to tell you the Thumbs-up and Thumbs-down summary of the camera:THUMBS UP:1. At all the different Resolutions the pictures have really high detail. The main difference is in size. Super CCD for 2400 *1800 that has been criticized so much, worked really well for me. (at least on the portrait indoor shots I've taken).2. Very attractive design. Looks big in the pictures but it is actually a very compact camera. You can take pictures using only one hand with no problem.3."auto" setting for those who like to only "point and shoot" takes great pictures regardless of the circumstances. (fluorescent lights, outside shots, flash shots...etc..)4. Long battery life. (Used it for 5 days, 50 pictures, tried all resolutions, all picture with LCD display on and FLASH. Zoom was used in all pictures, played around with all the bottons I could find and tested different setting). The battery still reads as if it were fully charged. Impressive.5. Includes good stuff. Cradle recharges the battery but it is slow (takes 5 hours to do so). Also used as the drive to transfer pictures to the computer. This is actually really fast, which means: NO NEED to buy smart media drive. The 16MB memory card holds a good number of pictures at normal setting (which is not too different from the fine setting as far as I have tried).(I haven't printed any pictures though)-----------------THUMBS DOWN:1. Look, and this goes for ALL DIGITAL CAMERAS. More megapixels does not mean better quality, it means BIGGER images. So if you want pictures for a web site anything with 1 megapixel or even the lowest 640*480 cameras will be MORE than enough. If you want to view them ina computer, or print in regular film sizes (5*7), 1 megapixel is enough.2. CAUTION: This camera has an auto-focus, you press halfway down, wait a sec, and then push all the way. It is also very sensitve to movement: Now, stay still at least 3 seconds after you have pushed all the way. If you, or the person in the picture moves it will look blurry. (for portraits of course)3. Expensive. I am not complaining that it is not worth the prize, but that they could have included a simple bag for it!------------------------------Overall a very solid camera. Now that I know about digital cameras, if I was ever to buy another one:1. I would get the biggest OPTICAL zoom (Digital zoom is trash. Basically worthless if you want a good quality picture). 3X is not too much, but it is good. Get 6X or 10X instead of wasting your money on megapixels.2. Any camera with 1 megapixel is more than enough if you are not planning to print images.These cameras are considerably cheaper, and usually use less memory and less batteries, which decreases your cost even more.
This camera is a really good one, nice and small and it rarely ever gets messed up. But I don't like it 100% because of certain quirks it has, but that's just me. You should definetely get this camera if you just want a nice small camera that works well and won't let you down. There are other cameras one might want over this one, but definetely use this one to compare as well.
This is my first digital camera and was the model I arrived at after nearly 2 months of research.  It is small, has excellent image quality for a 2.4 MP camera, has very good battery life (I can shoot for a whole weekend with limited LCD usage on one charge).  Hey, the price was right too (note that Amazon isn't always the lowest ;-).There are plenty of more detailed reviews out there so I'll just summarize that I'm very happy with my purchase nearly 300 photos later.  I bought a tripod last week and have been having great success with very low light and panorama shots and the small size of this camera means I take it everywhere.  Unless your needs are high-end (i.e. you need 3+ MP count, lens adapter, external flash socket and total manual control), you won't be unhappy with the 4800.
Guys, you can't expect from this camera some super cool things because it is basic 2.1 Mp camera but this is VERY RELIABLE and decent simple camera that has traveled with me ALL ACROSS THE WORLD and never put me down! It takes regular  AA batteries and the simple optics provide unexpectedly GOOD pictures. Avoid back lighting and unusual conditions and you will be Ok. I suspect that for the price it it perfect light little camera.
Overall, I am happy with the quality and ease of use with this camera.  Features are easy to learn/use.  Quality of most pictures is very good.  USB cable makes downloading a breeze.  I am looking at my pictures in 30 seconds. I also like the wide range of print quality you can chose from which offers flexibility.The 8MB card included is not bad for just starting out.  If you only want pics to email or show on a computer screen, you can fit quite a lot on this little card.  If you want print quality though, pick up a 32 or 64MB card and save yourself the hassle.Negatives:  I got this camera because it has a macro lens (close ups) - a feature hard to find on an inexpensive camera.  While the macro feature produces OK close-ups, they are still pretty poor when compared to to macro shots with a traditional camera.  Still good in a pinch though or when you don't need perfection.This camera EATS batteries.  I am not getting even HALF to the number of shots for the battery life according to the manual so I am debating whether the camera is defective. The cost of batteries could quickly offset any savings on film and processing.  I may have to invest in rechargeables.
This was our families first digital camera we bought in 2001. It took reliable pictures every time and the quality was acceptable at the time. We did upgrade to something with a zoom in 2004. If it was cheap enough second hand and I needed something simple but reliable I would make this purchase again.
I love it--it takes great pictures! Windows XP recognized it in a flash, as soon as I plugged it in! It is great!
I have enjoyed this camera since my MIL got it for us in 2001.  But now it's starting to show it's age, and after countless uses and trip and kids we are finally needing a new one.  But I like this one for "beat up" purposes.  It still works ok.  It captures the dust in the air in pictures and light reflects on it, but if you don't use the flash, all the pics are blurry.  Good now inexperienced photographers, and to post online... but not to good quality for printing out pictures.
Before reading my review think that if you buy this camera you will spend less than $300.-Picture quality is the best you can get for this price. My rating for the pictures at 1600 Fine Resolution is excellent. Printings with HP 930 look great, forget about dropping the films at the photo-lab. If you are looking for better quality pictures you should think of another price range cameras like Olympus E-10 or Canon D30, which means that you will pay between 6 and 15 times the price of this camera. For family, home, vacation and hobby pictures don't waste your money in similar and much more expensive products.First try digital pictures with this camera, it is an excellent starting point.
The FujiFilm FinePix 2300 is an all-around great value if you're looking for a high-resolution, 2.1 megapixel CCD 1600x1200 max digital camera.  The 5.8mm (36mm equivalent) focus is excellent; you get a sharp, detailed image, even in 640x480 low-resolution.  The 2.5X digital zoom is only functional in low-resolution mode (640x480) but this camera takes really nice pictures even in low-resolution.  The 8MB SmartMedia card can store up to 89 images at 640x480.  If you invest in a 128MB SmartMedia card, you can store 1,330 images at 640x480 (or 166 images at 1600x1200 fine resolution).  Overall, it's a really easy-to-use camera.  I took it out on many trips so far and I find it very responsive and able to take sharp pictures on-the-fly, even while in the car moving 80+ miles-per-hour.  The FujiFilm software to upload your images through the camera's USB interface is quick and easy.  The price is right too!
This camera is inexpensive but still manages to take great pictures. Sure, you could spend a lot more for a camera that is a lot more high-tech, but if you just want a camera to learn on and experiment with or just take fun family snaps, then this camera would be great.My husband actually won a photo contest with a 5x7 photo taken on an older model of this camera (printed on an HP printer).Pros: low cost, easy to use, easy to figure out how to take good photos, takes good enough quality photos to replace your film camera (if you're ready for that... I'm not quite there).Cons: memory card pretty small if you want to take high quality pics (We got a bigger memory card--available on costco.com--so we could take many pictures at high quality settings.), slow upload to your computer using serial cable (we got a SmartMedia drive that hooks up to our USB port and is lightning quick), lower picture quality capability than many (more expensive) cameras on the market, and batteries are used up fairly quickly IF (and only if) you use the display mode to take pictures with (but this isn't necessary at all for good pictures).These days, most digital cameras really aren't that horrible , and this camera is lightyears better than the super-spendy cameras that were out three years ago. This camera would be great for someone who wants a camera for casual use, or for pictures for their website, or even regular pictures that won't be blown up much larger than 5x7.We take pictures with abandon now, not worrying about how much film we have left, not worrying if a shot is going to be a throw-away (you can delete it right on the camera, anyway), and we have gotten some truly beautiful and priceless shots just using this camera.If you're not a professional photographer, why spend thousands when you can get this camera at a great price?
I know it's not the greatest quality, I know there are other options out there, but let me put it to you like this:My grandmother is over 70.  She doesn't want to learn how a computer works, yet she loves the idea of seeing new pictures of her family everyday.  This thing plugs into the phone line & dials up a server on a nightly basis to download any new pictures you've sent it.I bought this for my grandmother 3 years ago & she STILL calls me on a weekly basis to tell me how wonderful it is to see the pictures everyday!  I created the master login, & created minor *client* logins for everyone in my family.  They can all log in & send her pictures.  Some of my family are in South Carolina, New York, Washington, California, & Missouri.  She gets updated pictures daily without having to do a thing!This is a gift that you can't go wrong on - it's keeps on giving even years later.
I gave one of these digital picture frames to my parents this past Christmas.  It was quite the hit with all family members who saw it (everyone wanted to go out and get one).  The idea was, my siblings who have children could send images directly to the frame so that way my parents could, essentially, watch their grand children grow up.  In today's age where family is spread out across the globe, this is particularly a difficult problem - only seeing your grandchildren once or twice a year just doesn't cut it.  The Ceiva frame changes this!Pros:- Very easy to use.  Plug it in, turn it on.  Set desired preferences.  Done. - Good image quality.  Even for a DSTN display, the image is sharp and bright. - Good number of preferences (time on, time off, delay between images, etc.) - Additional content available as part of service (i.e., News, Weather, etc.) - You control who can send images directly to the frame - Automatic updates through the phone line - once set up, no computer needed. - Portable.  You don't have to have it plugged into the phone line if you only want to see the 20 pictures currently on the frame.  Take it to work and keep it on your desk during the day.  Bring it home at night and let it call in and get more pictures in the evening!Cons - Still need a computer to set the preferences and put pictures on it (no memory card access at all) - Monthly service fee required (though, you can purchase the lifetime subscription) - No memory card access.  You can't shoot from a digital camera and just insert into frame like other digital frames allow - DSTN display.  Although I say that it has a good display in the Pros section, other frames have TFT displays which are better in quality. - Need access to a phone line for nightly (or whatever your preference is) updates.  When it's not updating, does not need phone line access, though. - Only displays 640x480 images.  I've found that sometimes you need to increase the brightness of the pictures from digital cameras before sending it to the frame. - No contrast control, only brightness.The frame really is a great gift for a grandparent, parent, or even yourself!  My parents now get fresh images of their grand children on a weekly basis.  What more could a grandparent ask for?  We're now getting one for my Mother-in-law for Mother's Day - but don't tell her, she doesn't know :)Although there are definitely better quality digital frames on the market (Kodak, Digi-Frame), they are more expensive and, in some cases more complicated, than the Ceiva.  For it's price and quality, it's the best out there now.
My son and I got set up with ceivas no problem and are very happy with them, but one that I gave as a gift turned out to be frustrating to get configured for dialing.  So I'm not giving one to my old mother.  It's a treat to get a constant variety of pictures by linking albums to the daily update, and my son likes some of the ceiva daily channels.  I wish the albums were a bit more user-friendly - that they could handle batch additions or deletions of photos, for example; and that I could see 2 albums at once to remove duplicates more easily - though I guess I could open another ceiva window to do that.
We were early adopters of Ceiva, having gotten one for my folks over a year ago.  They have loved it, and we even got in on the &quot;lifetime&quot; plan for them.  Then we went ahead and got another for the wife's folks this Christmas.  Don't know their reaction yet, but it's likely to be initially mixed.  Finally, we voted with our wallets and got one for ourselves this Christmas as well.  So, you would think we are thrilled with this product, right?  Not quite.The basic problem is Ceiva service/attitude. A few examples:  the warranty if for only 90 days.  This is unbelievably short for electronics.  It might be tolerable, except that if you have a problem, there is usually no way to troubleshoot, given the poor Ceiva support.  They send you an e-mail that tells you how to get yours fixed for &quot;only&quot; $100--plus S&amp;H.  Of course, with the current rebate, you can get a new one for $100.  Oops, there's a catch:  the service is NOT transferable to a different Ceiva.  So, if you choose to just buy a new one, you are screwed.Luckily, we've not had to have any Ceiva's repaired.  The oldest one had a &quot;glitch&quot; a couple of weeks ago and I was worried--the screen turned to stripes and stopped changing.  My Dad thought he had broken it.  I attempted to contact Ceiva, but they didn't reply for over 2 weeks.  Luckily, turning the unit on and off reset it, and it's been fine ever since.  Hope it's not an early sign of the thing failing--the lifetime plan has only been in service since October 2001!The one we bought for my in-laws this year also was worrisome... out of the box, it worked but had about 25 vertical stripes across the screen.  Again, luckily, it burned in, and was ok after about 48 hours.  Not terribly unusual for electronics, but a sign of poor QC.Another example is that the &quot;lifetime&quot; contract was actually either &quot;7 years or the life of the unit, whichever was shorter&quot;.  Interesting concept of lifetime, especially since the contract can't be transferred to another unit.  For most of you, it doesn't matter because you can't sign up for the lifetime service anyway!Of course, the latest indicator of Ceiva's lack of customer orientation is the current mess at their internet server.  We tried for hours to upload yesterday to both of our parents' units.  The site was overwhelmingly slow.  Finally, they posted a notice of their servers being swamped---well, duh!  What did they expect with the current rebate program?  And, now, today, their site is apparently completely down.  My folks' unit did not update last night due to &quot;internet congestion&quot; and I assume my in-laws' unit failed as well.So the big question is how quickly they recover, and whether the overwhelming demand results in improvements or disaster.  It's clear that Ceiva is a great concept.  The user needs absolutely NO computer experience, and, for those without it, someone else can manage the unit remotely without a great deal of effort. The fact that we have bought three of them indicates our feeling about it, but it's sure disappointing to have such poor support and service that you almost feel like they are taking advantage of their customers.Finally, all the quality issues raised by others--quality of display, need to be looking at it directly, etc. are all true.  However, it's still such a great concept that it's worth the price, and, I guess it's worth the hassle.  Just hope that you don't need support/service.  Probably should buy it with whatever gold credit card extends the warranty for the longest time!
I received a Ceiva for review purposes last year. At the time I did have a slight problem connecting the device; perhaps issues with the phone line, nobody knows exactly. However, it didn't take that long for the problem to resolve. Today was a nightmare!I connected the divice to find that Ceiva deleted all my images because my Ceiva service expired. There is just no need for me to continue with the service since the family seldom if ever utilizes it, regardless those images were in the divice before I connected. There weren't even that many. It took hours for the problem to resolve. Ceiva did not want to accept that I had no intention of renewing my service and I did not intend to lose those photos that I uploaded a year ago when the service was active.Ceiva had no intention of rectifying the situation unless I gave them money, I was adamant that I wanted the problem rectified so they reluctantly agreed to give me a day of free service: with an attitude I might add, to retrieve my old photos. Well here goes another ordeal. It took all day to get Ceiva to re-connect. I mean around four hours of time that I do not have.. I never had this much problem in the past and I had just gotten it connected that day, so I do not feel there was a legit connection problem.Ceiva sells their frames as a service, but then if that is the case don't charge an arm and a leg for the frame. Should a cheap plastic frame cost over $100? Ceiva is a complete rip off.
I just purchased two Ceiva &quot;Internet-Enabled Photo Frames&quot; as gifts for my technically-challenged relations.  The idea is fantastic; send them this frame as a gift and allow them access to a constant stream of  digital photos showing family activities, etc. from a different part of the  country.The execution of the above idea is somewhat less than perfect.  I had one of the frames shipped to my house to personally set up and  observe functionality - the other one was shipped directly to the more  technically-adept family member.  After setting up the frame (easy) and  connecting to Ceiva (easy), I found out that you have to log in to their  web site and create an account and grant permissions to be able to receive  pictures from someone else - using the information enclosed in the Ceiva  packaging (someone needs to have internet access).  One of the frame  recipients currently has no internet access, while the other would be  challenged by the Ceiva web site and setup.  Once I had activated the  account, I was then able to send pictures to it, and eventually to the  frames.After the pictures (10 at a time) were downloaded to the frame, I  discovered that the picture quality of the frame is only fair.  The  pictures come across as washed out, with muted colors.  I have tried  playing with darkness and contrast settings both on their site and using my  own photo editing software, and have found that a brighness reduction of  10% seems to help.  I guess I'm spoiled in that I own a top of the line SGI  flat screen monitor and am used to high resolution and brilliant colors - I  had set up the test Ceiva frame in my home office right next to the $2,500  monitor...  Yes, I realize that we're talking a 10X price differential here  - I'm just trying to optimize the available picture quality.In fairness  to Ceiva, once the more technically-adept relation had received her frame,  she was able to connect it and make it work with no input from me (after I  had set up her account and loaded it with pictures).  She is delighted with  the new pictures we have uploaded and looks forward to more, and is happy  to have some &quot;21st Century Technology&quot; in her home.In summary,  I like the idea of being able to send digital images to family members,  without having to act as a 7/24 on-call help desk.  If Ceiva would improve  the picture quality of this unit, I'd raise my rating to 4-5 stars.  Despite this shortcoming, my relations enjoy their Ceivas and the digital  pictures brought to them.
Below is my previous review.  Something's now changed and the web access is much better.  Again, I think it was just overloaded from the holidays and ppl trying to get online to configure their frames...and/or remove their 20 demo photos.  REMOVE THE DEMO PHOTOS!!!*****************************************************************It's plain and simple....impossible to access. I have tried at 8:00 in the morning, 8:00 at night, 2:00 in the morning, etc.As an IT person I have tried numerous ways to gain access. From cable modem on the east coast to a T1 on the west coast. It appears from my tests they have enough bandwith but the server(s) are obviously overloaded. Could be a combination of both.Here's a few things THEY can do as a company to improve performance, but they're not listening as of yet. Maybe this will get their attention:1) Get rid of most if not all marketing graphics on their website. Perhaps having one website for marketing and another for actual users. Separate servers and separate broadband connections for each should suffice and it's inexpensive to fix. Each broadband connection can be temporary backup of the other.2) Eliminate the demo photos on new frames. It takes hours to remove each photo one by one on the website. I know because I tried it twice. Once was successful and the other I gave up on and told them to do it. Can you imagine how much load they would save by not forcing their new users to go online and remove the tedious photos? Particularly now during the holidays.Thus far I'm utterly disappointed. It's a great idea with poor planning and little or no forethought.
I just got one to give to my technophobe mom on Mother's Day. I am extremely impressed. It's attractive; it looks far more like a picture frame than an electronic device. The photo quality, while not quite as good as an average computer monitor, is quite respectable. It was extremely easy to set up and get working. And it works perfectly.The frame cycles between 20 pictures that you've uploaded to the Ceiva web site, showing each for between 5 seconds and 2 hours (the time is up to you). It downloads new pictures from the web site automatically every night; you can also force it to download immediately. You can store up to 1000 (I think) pictures on the web site, and the frame will rotate them, choosing 20 different ones each day. You can also tell it to keep pictures until further notice, or have it choose one picture randomly each day from each of 20 albums that you establish online, or show &quot;channels&quot; like the local weather and prime-time TV schedule, or any combination of the above.You can send photos in JPEG or several other formats. Ceiva's web site recommends editing photos to increase color saturation and contrast, and decrease brightness, in order to optimize their appearance on the frame (as opposed to on your monitor). I think their advice is correct, but I don't want to bother saving 2 versions of each photo, one for me and one for my mom's frame; the quality is still pretty good. Ceiva also recommends saving in 640x480 pixels, but I've found that larger pictures (both slightly larger and way larger) look just as good, so I don't bother saving a small version just for the frame. (I have a fast web connection, so I don't mind the time it takes to upload the image from my PC. I'm not sure whether this results in longer time for Ceiva to download photos to the frame, but I suspect that they convert them to 640x480 before downloading them.)Now the drawbacks:- It's expensive. ....- The image quality could be better.- Th image must be viewed pretty much straight on, not at much of an angle.- The person with the frame can do very little. Basically all they can do (besides enjoy the show) is change the brightness and force an immediate download. Anything else, including telling it what hours to go dark at night, how long to show each picture, what pictures to change the next day, or your changed phone number, must be done on their web site. The assumption is that if the owner doesn't have a PC, he/she doesn't want to get involved with these things. That's probably the case most of the time, so I think this is a reasonable design, but there are probably some users who want to do more. Also, if there are connection problems, it can be cumbersome to troubleshoot and correct them with so little control from the frame.- The web site user interface is confusing. It's actually pretty powerful once you figure it out, but it's way too hard to figure out.- Of course, you need your photos in digital form to send them to Ceiva's web site. If you already do digital, this is no problem. If you will have to start doing this just so you can send them to Ceiva, that's additional time and expense that you need to factor in.- The frame comes in your choice of colors, so long as your choice is black.- Other users have complained of hardware problems. Most of those seem to show up right away, so you can reduce the problem by getting the unit in advance and trying it out before giving it as a gift. But the number of complaints I've seen seems rather high.I expect that most or all of these problems will be fixed over time. The price will inevitably come down, and Ceiva's web site suggests that a new model this summer will accept pictures directly from memory cards rather than requiring a service subscription. (Some competitive products already do this.) Display technology, of course, keeps improving. Their web site promises an improved UI in a few weeks. And it implies that other colors will be available eventually. In a couple of years, I think this will be a much more appealing product, perhaps good enough that I'll want several around my house.But if you have (say) a parent who craves pictures of their grandchildren, a couple of years of pleasure is worth a lot. That's why I sprung for one for my mom last week, and I liked it so much, I ordered a second for my wife's grandma yesterday. I just packed up my mom's after having it running in my office for a few days, and I miss it already!
First: This product is awesome! You should buy one and give it a try. Understand that it is not perfect, but odds are in your favor that you (or the gift recipient) will be thrilled.Detail: I gave one to my mother and another to my in-laws last Xmas (2000) so that I could share pix of the grandkids across the country. I have enjoyed a full year of nearly weekly "best gift i've ever gotten" email/phone messages from both sets of parents. They all rave about it and show it off to everyone who comes to visit, most of whom are simply amazed (and not just by the cute grandkids :-)The Good:- One frame worked perfectly out of the box. The second one was a bit "finicky" to start but seemed to have straightened itself out after a day or two of uploads. Both have operated perfectly ever since.- The Ceiva website has been improved significantly since last year. Yes, some things are still clumsy, but everything works.- Both sets of parents tell us that they feel "connected" to what is going on out here, even though they are 3000 miles away.The Bad:- Email tech support is nonexistent. It *IS* as bad as people here have said. With luck, however, you should never have to use it. I have not had to try Ceiva phone support.- I was "lucky" enough to get in on their 7-year (aka. "lifetime") subscription plan for another ($) last year. It looks like they no longer offer that plan (as of 12/2001). It also looks like they have raised their yearly subscription rate to ($) (from ($)). As much as that (...), I hope that it keeps them in business - losing my "connection" would be a terrible thing.- The black backing of one frame has started to buckle and look generally chintzy, however it still looks great from the front. I also hate the cheap-feeling buttons on the back, but you hardly ever need them.- Image quality is best directly in front, gets progressively worse as you move toward the side. Unfortunate, but ok.- Both frames exhibited the known "hidden picture" bug (thumbnail image loaded, but not showing on the frame). This problem seems to have been resolved now.Tips/Thoughts:- If you plan to give one as a gift, I *DO* strongly suggest that you take it out of the box, register it (on the website), upload a bunch of pix (using your phone number) as a test (including a Happy/Merry/et.al. message on one pict!), then wrap it back up. That way it is "preloaded" out of the box and ready to go when plugged in (images are stored). All you have to do is change the phone number on the website later and give the receipient the website username/pwd in the attached card.- Uploads are fairly painless over DSL. Dialup might be significantly more painful for a big batch of images, and even managing the frame contents as you are constantly reloading thumbnail images (one of the clumsy parts of the site design).- I keep passwords to both frames so that I can manage the images from home. The folks never have to go to Ceiva.com.- The in-laws leave it on all the time as a nightlight in their living room.In short, this is a great, well "targeted" (as someone below said) product. It does exactly what it needs to, and does it well from the "users" perspective. However, from the "managers" perspective (person uploading images) it's somewhat more painful, but still fine.The biggest issue is with SUPPORT, or lack therof. Ceiva *desperately* needs to fix this or risk aggravating their new (and old) customers.In my opinion, this product is one of the first truly integrated and exciting "information appliances" we've seen show up on the market. I hope Ceiva stays around long enough to get credit for an ingenious product that works. Enjoy!
We've given this gift to several of our family members and it has been a HUGE hit. Our family is spread out all over, and many of them are not computer savvy.It has allowed my grandparents, who are thankfully still with us, to see their great-grandchild grow up on a daily basis even though they live very far away from us and are so afraid of new technology that they don't even have a VCR (they got one as a gift once, but it was "too complicated" so they gave it back. They absolutely love the Ceiva.We are able to send out photos to all of these Ceivas and when our family members wake up in the morning, they are on display. Do I wish the service was cheaper? Well sure, it is always nice to spend less money, but I think the service is worth the fee because of the amount of joy it has brought to the people we have given it to. It helps us feel very connected over the many miles.I've had to contact customer service around 6 times on behalf of the various Ceivas we've purchased.  The first two times they were great and fast.  Then they went through a period of being very slow.  I think their sales outpaced their expectations and they weren't ready for customer service.  The last two times I contacted them the response was reasonably fast, and they took care of the problem completely.  As of the last time I spoke to them they were taking care of customer service in house still, which I am very glad of.  I am so sick of companies who outsource.
I purchased one of these for my parents and one for my mother-in-law for Christmas, and they LOVE them!  And it's so easy for me to update their pictures since I control their frames from my computer.  It's so easy to set up and no harder to send pictures than doing it via email.  A must have for computer challanged parents and grandparents!
I initially liked this product very well.  I've had it since early January and now I wish I had never bought it.  If there is another manufacturer of a similar product,I wish I had bought from it instead. First, my screen has gone completely dark in just 2 months of use, which means that I have a malfunctioning frame... you have to use Ceiva's site to substantially adjust your image.  You can't just upload it from your graphics program, like Photoshop or PSP, into your frame, or the image will look all washed out.  This is despite your image's looking just great in those other programs.  I don't appreciate having to do multiple image edits.  Using Photoshop or PSP7 should be enough.  Besides, Ceiva's directions on using its site are poor too and if you are low tech you are going to have a big, big problem figuring them out.  Next, you have to pay for an online subscription to use its site in order to load your frame, in addition to your purchase price...  I should have followed my own advice.  Since I didn't, I urge you to do so and avoid having a [$$$]dead loss on your hands.
We bought both sets of grandparents a Cevia Frame when we lived in Hawaii and they were on the East Coast.  It really helped to keep them involved in the lives of the kids from so far away.Both sets told us that the frame has been the best present they have received so far.Downsidessmall, very plain black frameneeds to be viewed from straight onpictures only view horizontally so any taken vertically will be displayed on it's sideEasy to upload photos and take care of the &quot;nuts and bolts&quot; of account management.  The extras take a little more work to figure out- but if it is too hard, just dont do it.
The idea is very clever and the frame is very easy to use and set up. I object to having to pay a fee to access a web site where I can upload my pictures to. After all, I have just spent a small fortune on this device, why on earth should I have to pay to use it?That said, I did know it  before I purchased it. Anyway, the screen quality is good - if you view it  from the right angle. Otherwise it fades. Also, your pictures must be  640x480 pixels, otherwise you get a border around it. If you crop your  photos, remember to resize them to avoid this.I had trouble getting the  timer to work. I set it (I thought) to switch off at 11:00 pm and on again  at 6:00 am but it remained on all night. So I switch it off manually  now.The only other products right now that come close to this cost a lot  more. Sony has a solution that you can plug direcly into your PC,  which is nice. And there's also a product called Digi-Frame by a vendor of  the same name that has a changeable frame for the picture and offers 2  sizes of frame as well as the direct-to-PC cable.Overall, it's early days for  this technology. I think that the quality of the screen will improve so  that you will be able to view from any angle. I think the price will come  down - eventually. The biggest drawback for this product is the  Internet-connection requirement and the fact that if you want to replace  the photographs in your frame, it's a &quot;must have&quot;.Another note  - be careful to ensure you have a local access number for Ceiva near you.  If you do not, then it's a long-distance call or a call to their 800 number  for you Ceiva to get Internet access to download. This costs more!A good  gimmick. A conversation piece. A great gift idea when you're out of ideas.
We received this as a wedding gift from our wish list. It was the first gift to get set up.  Setting it up is very easy.  I find the simple frame and mat works well in most spaces. The logo on the mat isn't that bad either.  The device wants 640x480 72dpi jpegs as the best input but it will  accept many other formats.  I need to play around to find the best color  and contrast settings to get the most accurate reproductions as the passive  matrix screen presents images differently from all my other monitors.  Uploading pictures and creating albums on their web site was not  straightforward.  It took me (experienced user) about an hour to figure it  out.  I'm sure they will make lots of improvements to the site in the  future.  Mom get's one next...I hope there is an 8x10 active matrix  version in the works!
Our daughter and Son in Law gave us one of these for Mothers and Fathers Day last year, and it is the most wonderful gift!  Our children, and their children, live all the way across the country from us, and one even lived in Mexico for a while, but we got pictures from all of them!  It is such a treat to get up in the morning and see NEW PICTURES of the kids, babies, pets, houses, anything!  It is easy to hook up, just need a phone plug and an electric plug, and you are all set!  We love it!
The good news is that this is an amazing product that everyone who sees it wants. The bad news is that this is an amazing product that everyone who sees it wants. Which is why I have bought four of these frames to date and it has put a hurtin' on my Amex card!  Once you get passed that you will bask in the raves and envy of your parents neighbors.  The picture is as clear as a Sony Trinitron.  The setup is a simple as plugging in a phone and making a call.  And for allowing those far away to feel closer there are few competitors to 20 photos every two weeks.
We got the frame for my mother-in-law for mothers day last year and she loves it.  You can store up  to 1000 pics on the the Ceiva Web site for it to download to the frame.  Only draw back, which is not publicised is the fact that it cost $... a month for the subscription ($... if you do it for 3 years).The frame calls a local number to download at night and downloads the pics (up to 20).  You set the frame from your computer (times to come on and go off )  it makes it easy for the non-compter literate to use.
I tried my first Ceiva because it looked like an interesting Internet Appliance. I have bought three more because it is such a great idea -- the perfect Grandma gift. She can see her Grandchildren in an easy way with new  pictures every day and she does not have to touch anything after it is  plugged into power and the phone line.Initially, I thought the Ceiva  could be more straight forward in setting it up but I found after a few  practice upload/downloads that it is very easy to use.  I suggest that if  your recipient is not technically facile, you set it up for them and then  mail the Ceiva to them.  Also, it would be instructive for you to see it go  through a few cycles to fully appreciate what is happening. If you run into  a problem, the Ceiva staff is very helpful and knows the product  well.You can easily add captions or colored borders to the pictures that  give them a little pizzaz, change pictures easily or lock some onto the  Cieva that you do not want to change.  All-in-all a very clever idea that  is well executed
I have a website with pictures of my daughter that I post pretty much every few days.  Well Mom isn't so internet saavy so I got her the Ceiva frame for X-mas and she loves it.It's really simple to hook up and you can control it remotely.  The pictures can look a little washed out from the wrong angle, but it's a great way to have her see the newest pictures of her grand-daughter.I also wanted to  mention that Ceiva gives you cool features to easily edit your pictures online.  For example, my Mom's birthday was this past Thursday, so on Wed, I uploaded a picture to her frame and using Ceiva's utility, added &quot;Happy Birthday Nana!&quot;. When she woke up the next day, she had her little surprise waiting for her.
Like many others who have written reviews for this product, I purchased Ceiva in order to post pictures for my grandparents, who while they are internet-enabled (WebTV), are not very technologically oriented.  I have been very pleased with the product and the service, it is easy to upload pictures, I manage all of the controls, and they have the ability to check out any digital pictures that I take.  They have had the product for some 5 months now, and it has worked regularly and reliably.I love the fact that the product only has 2 buttons, and that there is little to no hassle involved with simply looking at the pictures or flipping through them.  My grandparents have been happy with it because they don't have to do anything, and it hasn't added any hassle to their lives.
I have bought two Ceiva receivers. The first one was for me and the second as a gift for my daughter.My daughter got hers as a result of her reaction to my frame. She saw a picture on my nightstand and then jumped when it suddenly disappeared to be replaced by another. That is how good the display quality is.The receiver has timer options which I would recommend using. The bright display can illuminate a room after bedtime. However that may be an acceptable option if you need a nightlight (a bit expensive though).The subscription service is not cheap, but it is not outrageous either. You can store 1000 pictures on it, although I have uploaded only about 150. The editing interface could be better, but Snapfish now uploads directly to Ceiva, and it has additional editing tools.Ceiva has replaced my power supply at no charge outside the warranty period. I am not sure if this is a positive or a negative.On the whole I am very satisfied.
We got a CEIVA for our kid's grandmother, concept was great but the unit died two times and it takes weeks to get it repaired. Due to her age, she was not tech savvy so had to have someone else come over to work on it, pack and ship, reinstall, etc. Disappointing but was the only long distance photo option I could find - will be looking for a more reliable option.HH
Summary:Concept: Awesome.  I had an ailing Grandfather in an assisted living home who was able to enjoy memories (I utilized the album function to store lots of photos from his past) by watching his frame and never having to touch it.Customer Service: Average.  They attempt to do the right thing, but their lack of financial support for their poor technology (basically if the frame stops working after 30 days it isn't their problem anymore) is very upsetting.Technology: Poor hardware.  Even the Ceiva II I have now purchased suffered severe rebooting issues before finally stabilizing.  And I highly recommend the extended warranty - though it is disgusting that you actually are buying for one year of protection...you aren't _extending_ any warranty they provide.Their Website for maintaining the frame is very easy to use and has come a long way in allowing lots of different functionality to personalize your frame.Cost: High (too high).  Now that they've come up with the Ceiva II the subscription rate is $90 a year.  Pretty steep.  Be sure that if you have technological problems with your frame that you demand the addition of weeks/months added to that subscription.My History: I bought my first Ceiva Digital Photo Receiver (the 'Ceiva I' as it is now referred to) in October of 2001.  Actually I purchased two.  Right out of the box one worked (after a bunch of hassle forcing it to dial-in repeatedly) and one did not.  Ceiva sent me a refurbished frame in replacement of the one that didn't work (though this refurbished frame worked great, it was disconcerting that they didn't send me a brand new frame).The two frames worked good for 1.5 years.  Then, the frame that was orginally okay out of the box suddenly stopped working.  Back and forth, we decided to get a new frame to replace it.  Ceiva was good about transfering the subscription we already had over to the new frame and adding a month of service since we were unable to utilize the frame during that time.Five months later THAT frame stopped working!  Ceiva claimed they had a rash of problems with a set of frames and said a little electrical connector should fix the problem.  They sent the connector for free.  It did not fix the problem.  My feeling is that this connector should've been sent to all customers who received those faulty frames because it looked to be a device to stop electrical surges...and obviously once your frame is dead, it isn't going to fix it.  Ceiva would not do anything to reimburse cost or swap frames.  I was out the money.  So, because it was a frame for my parents...and they were just about to have their first grandchild, I purchased the 'Ceiva II' to replace it.  Big problem there is that it meant my subscription rate went automatically from $60/year to $90/year.  OUCH.  Again, Ceiva was good about extending my subscription for the time I was unable to utilize the frame.Basically, Caveat Emptor.  The concept is great, but there are hassles in your future with the technology, and additional $$ to be paid out.
I bought this so that I could send my not-so technologically advanced parents pictures faster.  Hook-up was easy as was operating, but the quality was not there: you have to stare straight at it from the 10 inches or so to see it well, like in the old laptops.  Looks great though.
After switching to digital photos, it had become a problem to get new pix to computer-phobic relatives and friends, who couldn't or wouldn't open e-mails, visit web-photo-sites, etc. I've bought two of 'em, and everything was easy, flawless to set up and use. You can even set up guest 'updaters' so multiple people (e.g., siblings) can update the frame with competing grandkid photos. I would get a non-networked frame for around my own house, but for remote access and update, esp. for non-computer people, this is a great and high quality product.
My grandmother (age 88) loved getting pictures of grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the Ceiva frame.Unfortunately, the frame has now been out of service as much as in. TWO AC adapters have blown out (1.5A replacement adapters are $25 at Radio Shack)and now the frame has failed completely and will not dial out. I have been trying to reach Ceiva by telephone and e-mail since NOVEMBER 2002. Today is Jan. 28, 2003 and I have yet to receive instructions about how to have the frame repaired.I've sat on hold for up to an hour, and sent many e-mails.I recommend that nobody buy this thing -- look for something else, anything. As for me, I've clearly wasted this year's subscription money.Also, if you don't believe me, just TRY to find a way to reach the company other than by going through the main customer service number. They are a privately held company, incorporated in Delaware, with NO published information about how to reach the corporate or management offices to even file a complaint. It's just been a horrible experience.
well i read every review of this product written here and elsewere. and after doing alot of research i decided to buy one. i saw all the negitive reviews and decided to try a test. i wrote an email to the support team and waited for a responce. i also called there support team as a cusoter with a problem. the email took a week to get ansewered (i was unimpressed) but the call took exactly 58 seconds to connect me to a service technition who ansewed my question. so aparently the rumors of staying on hold dont apply anymore. alot of the complaits of waiting hours were also from people who gave the frame as a christmas gift. it is to be expected that wait time will be increased at that time of year.i also registered on there website. the website is still a little dificult to navigate the first time but after a little time i was uploading pics no problem. also i read horror stories of how slow the site was. i was able to upload 10 pictures (10 pic limit at one time) in 2 minutes with a cable modem so it appears the server problems have been corrected. so i went and purchaced it very worried that it would be dead right out of the box. but low and behold it worked so i guess there power supply problem was also corrected. after reading alot of the positive reviews i kinda felt that some were written by people from the cieva company to promote there product. i assure you i do not work for them. the frame is for my mom to see pics of her grand daughter. she is not at all electronically inclined so this will be perfect. as there is only one other review in 2003 i see this as a good sign and the company worked out its problems and is supplying a good product. trust me, if i start having problems i will be bact to let the world know.
My mom, who has no technical skill whatsover, and I figured out together by telephone how to get the frame set and running. It worked for less than 24 hours, plunging us into a 2-month wrangle with Ceiva to get a replacement part that didn't solve the problem, then to replace the frame. I had to apply significant pressure to get them to extend the subscription and the warranty. They did, but the Mother's Day frame caused much distress for my mom in the process.Ceiva #2 worked like a charm. She loves it, and it allows her to see family events as they happen - a new great-grandchild, a new car, and her grandson's near miss in the San Diego fires!
I just recieved 3 ceiva frames that I purchased. One to each set of out-of-state grandparents, and one for my sister. During the on-line registration process to purchase the required annual subscription, I come to find out that EACH frame must have a separate subscription! That's close to [$$$]. bucks... per year!Holy Moly!Before I purchased, I read the reviews, checked their website, etc. Nowhere is this info revealed. In fact they even promote "send pics to multiple frames" on their website without mentioning this.Bottom line: Way too expensive for this guy, they're going back.
I have a frame that I bought for my Grandmother, but due to where she lives it was very difficult to get the frame to connect on a daily basis without resorting to toll calls.  I have repeatedly tried to get them to stop renewing my account with out any success.  My final solution was to call the credit card company and block any future charges.
Wow, what low performance following such high expectations.  Bought a receiver and bit the bullet, signing up for 3 years, despite feeling like a sucker for falling for such a blatant subscription ploy.  The marketing team clearly won out over the designers - leaving out a serial or picture card input is downright sinister.First Ceiva showed up DOA - no life whatsoever.  Frustrating after signing up on line, uploading images, paying subscription fee.  Returned the unit.Second unit.  Dead after 24 hours.  I'll try anything five times, but not in this case.  They suckered me twice, but no more.What happened to quality control?  Seemingly it is not a priority at Ceiva.
It took some computer savy to get setup, but once it was, the frame and idea are really nice.  That is, until the Ceiva frame broke.  No warning, just stopped showing pictures.  Not much luck with customer service via e-mail so far.  It is hard to rate a product very high when it is broken in 6 months.  It also breaks your heart when you get your grandmother used to seeing grandkid pictures on a regular basis then it is gone with no reason.
this took about 5 nanoseconds to set up, about 2 minutes to upload some pictures to test, hit the white button and they appear like magic on the frame! techie-talk about pixels and picture quality are totally irrelevant--it works, friends and relatives far away without computer knowledge can get digital pictures...as many and as often as you wish.  if you want perfect pictures, print them out and use the US Mail, otherwise it does what it says and is a joy to use.  i just ordered five more for christmas presents, and will probably order more again.great idea! and more fun than unzipping photos.
This is a nice digital frame for the technology-naive or techno phobic. The frame connects automatically to the Internet without the need for a computer to download images that have uploaded the frame's account at the Ceiva website. The frame holds 20 pictures, but as many as 1050 be stored on the website, so either by your selection or random selection the pictures displayed on the frame can be rotated daily. The website account holder (but not the user of the frame) can set the pictures in the frame to be displayed for a little as 5 seconds or as long as 2 hours, although I personally think every 10 to 15 seconds works best. The website states that over sixty different file types are supported including all the common ones (jpg, gif, bmp, psd, tiff). Although a file size of 64 kb is recommended, the website will accept files are large as 3 mb. Larger files will not upload.The picture quality is quite good, although you must view the picture straight on. When viewed from an angle, the pictures appear to be washed out. The frame itself has minimal controls, although the user of the frame can pause the display or skip to a particular picture or request a download from the internet. For the most part, the frame must be controlled via the website. Although the website is intuitive and easy to use, it is frustrating slow. Uploading pictures is a time consuming chore. Ceiva acknowledges problems with the website and indicates that they are working to improve speed and access. This will be an important improvement if they do so.I gave the frame I purchased as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately, due to "internet congestion," we couldn't access the website for most of Christmas day. Since you can't do anything with the frame without the website, this temporarily undermined the impact of the gift, although the frame is now working well and well received by the recipient.If you don't need to share pictures and own a computer with a USB port, you may wish to purchase a digital frame that doesn't require a subscription service and uploading of pictures. However, if you are looking to share pictures with someone else, this frame is an excellent purchase.March 18, 2002 Update:  Now that the holidays are over, the problem with not being able to access the Ceiva website has been corrected.  However, the website is still frustratingly slow and adding or deleting mulitiple pictures can still be an aggravating experience.
I heard about the Ceiva on ZDTV and checked out the positive reviews here on Amazon, so I decided to buy one for my Dad.  The result: we love it for three main reasons:1) Connects the family.  I live in CA, my brothers  live in Seattle and New York, and we each have digital cameras.  We each  upload our photos to the Ceiva Web site so our Dad in Arizona can see  what's happening in our lives.  He keeps it in the bedroom so he can fall  asleep to our family photos (makes a nice nightlight too!). In fact, he  keeps saying &quot;Send me new photos!&quot;2) Easy to use.  While the  Ceiva Web site takes a few minutes of getting used to navigate (which Ceiva  should fix), it is easy once you get the hang of the Send, Currently  Showing and Albums areas.3) Looks sharp.  The black frame is simple, and  the color and resolution are OK.  The logo doesn't bother me cause I'm  usually looking at the slideshow of family photos.Overall, a great  experience with my first Internet appliance.  I can't wait for Ceiva to  make larger frames (8*10 - hope the Ceiva guys are reading this!)
My husband's parents live in a different state, and while we are constantly sending them e-mail pictures, they always complain that they aren't enough.  They have an ancient computer and a very slow modem.  They can't see the entire picture.....Well, this will fix ALL of that.  The Ceiva picture frame, was easy to set up-take it out of the box, get the serial number and plug it into the wall and the phone jack.  The instructions were great and simple.  Then you go on-line and set up the account.  After reading the last review, I had it sent here for set up, because the recipients aren't that techno-saavy; and I wanted to take care of the subscription as well.  I didn't have any trouble at all with their interface, so I must have gotten the new one mentioned coming in the last review.  Set up the receiver 1-2-3.  Then I went in and set up their subscription.  While I had anticipated problems with setting this up in my own name, I encountered none.  They are set for a year.Now on to uploading pictures.  Anyone with any concept of files and directories can handle this.  You can upload single or multiple files (up to 10 at a time) and you find them simply by clicking on the BROWSE button.  Within the interface, it is fairly simple to edit what pictures you want to see, and I deleted all of their "canned" pictures from the unit.Now push the white button on the back and hold for it to connect, and it will download your first *10* pictures.  For it to get the 20 it advertises, it had to make an automatic connection at night first.  Since I had put in 15 pictures, it only got the first 10.  It got the other 5 after it's connection and everything is great-It's ready to ship.There are only 2 real down points to this.  1) It is an expensive gadget-not only to buy, but the subscription required is another "big amount of money" a year (though they have a 3-year for 2 deal, but are they going to be around then?).  2)  You MUST have access to a computer somewhere to utilize it.  Pictures must be sent over the internet, and all the administration is through their website.  So, if they don't have a computer, they are going to be relying on you to set pictures, on and off times.....  But the plus side to this is that ANYONE can send them pictures, and they can be taken on Christmas and show up miles away the next morning in a viewable format.Everytime we looked at it, during it's trial here, we kept saying how much they are going to LOVE it.  I have ordered 2 more!
This is a great concept. Initially I loved the Ceiva and miss it right now while it's broken but when my subscription is up I'll switch to another product. 90 day warranty? What's that all about? Had close to $... into it including one year subscription and 7 months into it the unit failed. Oh, they'll fix it for $... I wish I would have bought it at Costco so I could return it. Hope that Ceiva's competition puts them out of business. 90 day warranty shame on you Ceiva!
I loved Ceiva -- until it stopped working.  Basically, my picture has a faulty receiver; however, Ceiva says, &quot;Not our problem.&quot;  We spent $150 on the frame plus the subscription cost, and now we are stuck with a frame that doesn't work.  Obviously, the equipment is faulty, but Ceiva has NO CUSTOMER SERVICE.  They've been kind enough to let me know I can fix it for $60 more.  What a racket.
I have attempted to get 4 Cieva frames working.  The first one for my mother-in-law worked great.  The second, for my mother was DOA - we sent it back.  The third for my Dad, required tech support, that was useless, we waited until I visited and the thing was dead at that time.  The forth for my Mom is still in the box, she is afraid to plug it in.  This is a nice technology in concept.  In practice, it is only for techies.  I'd advise finding a better gift - or use paper prints.  There is less frustration and cost involved.
This was a Christmas gift.  I really wanted this to work and be great - it isn't!  The hardware is fine for the price.  The main problem seems to be the web site.  The overall feeling that I am left with is that they are concentrated on selling frames and subscriptions and trying to hire me rather than making the experience of owning their product special.My complaints with 'the system':1)  It is too cumbersome (unclear, multi-step) to download pictures to my frame; the multi-picture option has never worked.2)  I can't re-order the photos on the frame.  If I want to add a picture of my dog, for instance, and there are already several dog pictures on the frame and I want them all together . . . sorry - can't do it . . . new stuff goes at the end of the line.3)  The channels have never worked properly.  I subscribed to the LiquidArt channel; I have updated my frame MANY times and the picture has never changed.4)  Because I was having the same problem with the Weather Channel (not updating), I deleted it with the thought that I would re-install it.  I did reinstall it and on the web site, everything looks like it should be on my frame . . . but it isn't.5)  I downloaded some new photos to the frame this morning.  On the thumbnail display of what is in the frame, I see the new photos but when the display cycles through the photos in the frame, the new ones are not displayed !!  Go figure??!!6)  I am not very happy with the viewability of the images.  You really need to be looking straight at the frame to see the pictures properly.  I am sure this is due to the 'quality' of the display; getting a unit with greater visibility would surely cost more - that's fair but unfortunate.7)  It is my humble opinion that I should have an email address where people can email photos directly to my frame (after I 'edit' the donations) without setting up an account and logging on to a site - that stops many people from contributing.Bottom line:  I think the gentleman who said that this system was a &quot;Great way to share pictures with non-tech savvy people from tech-savvy people&quot; was right on the money.I am returning my Ceiva today and am going to try the Kodak unit.
I purchased two Ceivas last Christmas, one for my home and one for my in-laws.  We both love them.  Yes, the subscription is pricey, but we all knew that before we bought it.  I can't understand the complaints from those saying they did not know they would have to buy a subscription for each receiver.  That information is clearly available for those who choose to read about the product they are purchasing.  For those too lazy to read the available information, they should not later complain.For those of you who may experience dead Ceiva receivers, you should know that it is probably your power adapter that is defective and not your receiver.  One of my receivers went dead, so I emailed customer support (I suggest you always email and not try to wait for customer support on the phone).  Ceiva promptly returned my email message and indicated my power supply was likely defective and offered a link to the Ceiva support section of their website where I could order a new power adapter for free. Note I was beyond the 90 day warranty period, but Ceiva replaced my faulty power adapter for free.  It now works great again.  I got a letter with the new power adapter saying they had a bad batch of power adapter from their supplier that have caused some adapters in the market to fail.Therefore, if you have a dead receiver, before you write it off or buy a new one, contact Ceiva support by email at [...]or by phone at [...] for help.  The link for the replacement power adapter is [...]While many have complained about Ceiva customer support, I have nothing but praise.  My suggestion is to email them and don't try them by phone.  With their help, I quickly got my Ceiva back up and running and enjoy it again.raleigh1208
My husband's grandmother doesn't have a computer, but she does have 5 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. On a recent visit to her home, we notices that there were twenty or thirty ink-jet printouts of pictures [that had be e-mailed to other members of the family] stuck with scotch tape all over her kitchen cabinets. We bought her a Ceiva frame as soon as we got home. She is having a great time with it. It dials out every night -- she's never had a problem with it -- to retrieve the pictures that we have sent to her. Now she can enjoy pictures of each of her grandchildren and watch her great-grandchildren grow up.
This frame is a great idea, but don't buy one yet.  The Web site which you need to support the frame is poorly designed and definitely NOT ready for prime time. Image quality is mediocre and the design of the frame has significant shortcomings.If you have a question or need to contact this company -- GOOD LUCK. The frequently asked questions would only be asked frequently by a moron and there appears to be no practical way to contact a living human being by e-mail or telephone. Ceiva is already becoming infamous despite its short existence for poor customer support and relations.The concept is great, the execution is not.  Wait to buy the product with the needed, inevitable and easily envisioned improvements from a company which will still be here next year.
Received this unit for Christmas by a giver who was assured at time of purchase that it would work in our phone area.  It didn't.  Trying to resolve the problem via their website is not possible.  Phone calls to customer service resulted in being put on hold for 30 minutes or more with no contact made.  Be very careful that you can actually use this item in your area before purchasing.  It is an intersting idea not backed up  by  customer support
Great idea !! Lousy execution !! Bought the unit, tried to register, couldn't because of duplicate serial number. Waited until Monday (no weekend tech support) Called, waited 40 minutes, they send another.  Doesn't work, have to wait until Monday...again.When the get the bugs worked out it will be a great idea !!
I bought this for my Mother in law - she is not computer literate, and has no desire to be. She loves it. Extremely simple to use. Very easy for me to transfer images to her Ceiva - far more efficient than printing and mailing  digital images. Ceiva loses a star due to the display quality - image is  only good when you look directly at the screen. The Ceiva logo on the front  is OK - looks more tacky in the illustration here than it really is.
I bought this for my family in Puerto Rico. When they came to the mainland  for a visit, we set it up in the guest room for them. It certainly  impressed them, as it seemed to be user-friendly and just kept flashing  pictures of those grandkids. From the transmitter end (i.e. the sending  PC), I found it a little cumbersome (and slow) to upload 10 pictures, even  on a fast ISDN connection.  Looking at the Ceiva screen myself, I would say  it looks like a small, early laptop-grade image, and suffers badly at even  30 degree angles. It also washes out in any bright room light or indirect  sunlight. All of that notwithstanding, it still seemed like a pretty good  means of getting pictures of the grandkids to my in-laws without their  having to do any downloading via the Internet. Then the bad news:  when  they got it home to Puerto Rico, it wouldn't work. Ceiva customer service  informed me that even if we didn't mind it making a daily long distance  call, the box was not set up to dial long distance (I see where a Canadian  customer has had the same experience). So there it sits, in Puerto Rico,  USA, displaying the original 10 photos from 4 months ago, while my monthly  subscription to the Ceiva service ticks away.
Twenty years ago I dreamed that someday I could have a place in my home to show my slides, with light shining through an image instead of reflecting off of it. There is just an amazing difference in the quality of the light.A few years ago I read about a viewer you could build into a wall, with  good lighting behind it. I think the cost was more than $1,000 well beyond  anything  I could hope to afford. And each image could be blown up to show  on it, one at a time of course, for about $150 as I recall.This year I  found that I could have all that and more, in a portable device. This is simply an amazing photo frame, and I love the way it  automatically  &quot;phones home&quot; in the middle of the night to find  out if it has any new pictures or instructions.I loaded 10 pictures into  my Ceiva recently and set it in the front room during a birthday party we  hosted. Without exception, every guest marveled at it. Kids peeked behind  it to see what the secret was. Everybody wanted to talk about it. I'm sure  I had one of the first half-dozen of these in the whole city, and it's  cool, cool, cool.
I don't own this product yet, but was nervous about the display quality after reading all these reviews. I saw the product in a local store this week, and the display is totally fine. I could see the pictures from quite a distance, as I was approaching it. I could also see it from angles. The photos do fade away at sharp angles, but do you ever try to look at regular photo frames from sharp side angles? NO!I think it's a great product and am considering it just to have in my livingroom to impress visitors and myself! Also will make a cool glowing nightlight in the evening.Wish there wasn't a subscription fee, but its cost isn't off the charts. Wish I could upload photos to it from my computer, since it will be at my own home, or that it accepted digital camera memory cards.The Ceiva site does give specific adjustments you can make to your photos for the best possible display on the Ceiva. Some people gripe about not being able to use photos just as they are. I don't think it's a huge problem as the kinds of changes to contrast and brightness that they detail aren't difficult to make. Did read one review earlier about someone who doesn't bother with that and is still satisfied with the photos on his frame's display.Sony makes a frame that displays JPEG and ALSO MPEG (movie) files, but it has no internet access, so you'd HAVE to put one of their memory sticks in it to work ... plus the selling price of it is currently about 3 times that of the Ceiva. (I couldn't even find a local store with one of those on display.)My only word of caution is this. You have to have an analog phone line for the frame to connect via internet to collect new photos & info every night. If you have one of the new cable telepohe lines, or a DSL line, it won't work.Buy the Ceiva! I hope too soon!
Just wanted folks who are having problems with their Ceiva (screen just goes black and stops working) that the problem is usually a bad AC adaptor, which you can get replaced for free from Ceiva. I've had 2 go on me over the past few years. Try searching their site for faulty AC adaptor problems. They used to be a little more up-front about the problems with the AC adaptors, but still will still give you free replacement.
I got this as a gift for my 90 year old grandfather. At this point in his life he lives to see the pictures the family sends him. He cannot be without his frame. He lives in a nursing home. And now what happens? The frame burns out after one year plus a few days. I start doing some research and I read here that this happens to lots of these frames. They didn't offer extended warranty when I first bought it. So now I am stuck. Either I have to tell him "no more pictures", or I have to fork over another $125 for a new frame. We still have several months left on his subscription. Chalk me up as Ceiva's latest victim. The frame is just not made to last. You'd think for the price, it would last at least a couple of years. GEEZ LOUISE! I am shopping for my grandfather a replacement device, but by another manufacturer. I won't let him down.
Great idea!  All those relatives with no computer can view all those photos you send through email to all those people who are capable of having a computer.  How ingenius!  The possibilities!  Unfortunately, this product is a day late and a dollar short.  The small 5X7 screen is hardly decent size for showing off your loved ones.  As well as the washed-out colors of your loved ones.  The pictures I was sending dulled all the blues and reds to almost greens and light purples, it was awful.  You also have to be looking directly (and I mean DIRECTLY) at the picture monitor to view the pictures-(pretty painstaking for grandma who can't see too well).  One of the great things about regular picture frames is being able to enjoy a photo from afar-sitting on your couch.  This product fails because for one, it's too small to view the pictures from afar and you can't hang this thing on a wall without having a few cords protruding from behind.  Like I said before, you have to be looking directly at the screen to the see the photo (kinda like a gameboy).  I do have to agree with the other reviewers with whole logo thing, it's very annoying looking at this logo while you try to show off all of your photos.  I took this item back quickly.  Do yourself a favor and leave this one behind.  The price is ridiculous and I was unfortunate enough to nab at this one, thankfully I had enough time to throw the bait back!
It's a great concept, if customer support was responsive.As of the last two weeks of December, 2001, it is not.Unable to get through voice-call customer support.The web site is slow and loops me around endlesslywhen I attempt to purchase a subscription.  Too bad.
I'm disappointed to see that so many people have negative things to say about the Ceiva.I purchased one for my wife's parents 2 years ago as a Christmas gift, together with the service.  I set it up and tested it at my house before shipping it off to them, so they had to do nothing to get it set up.The non-technical in-laws got it set up without a problem and enjoyed the pictures right away.  I send new pictures every week or two as we take them.At one point during the last year, the power adapter died and they were able to get a new one from Ceiva at no cost.  I didn't realize they had a problem until 6 months after it occured; I'm not sure if they had to put up with bad customer service, but I didn't hear my father-in-law complain (and he'll always be the first person to complain about customer service!)The product is everything we wanted it to be.  Initially uploading photos was a bit of a pain, but Ceiva made a client program that lets you add captions & crop and make the photo upload process much easier.I highly recommend this product for anybody who wants to share pictures with family, especially family members who either don't have a computer, or want to have something that is always showing pictures.
I bought the frame/service over a year ago and for the most part I'm very satisfied.What I like about the Ceiva:You'll be hard pressed to find another frame for the price.At 640X480 it displays very well, images are crisp and clear.If your creative and careful you can hang it from the wall.The web service is easy to use and navigate, even with dial-up.While I need the computer to upload images over the net, all grandma needs is a phone line.Two buttons, no settings to screw up.Ceiva is(as of this writing) owned by Disney.What I don't like:Customer support can be a bit weak, but they did come through for me when my &quot;past warranty&quot; power supply failed.The web site, which is easy to use, could be streamlined for faster use.---------------While the unit will only hold 20 images, you can have thousands cycle through it automatically every day off the web over time.  I have two of these units, my grandmother loves hers.  If you have a digital camera, a digital picture frame is a must.
It's a brilliant idea, there's no doubt about that.  A picture frame that you can give to someone and whose contents you yourself can then update from a website.  The downside is the implementation.  The picture quality  can best be described as fair.  The colours are somewhat muted and the  resolution not particularly high.  The pixels are quite noticeable and  positioning has to be just so.Given the price, I wish I'd waited a few  months since I'm sure better versions will be on the way soon.  There's no  leading edge technology involved so there's no reason why the idea couldn't  be implemented to a much higher quality very soon.
I'm surprised at the negative reviews based on the web site. I've managed two of the Ceiva frames for almost a year now, regularly sending back pictures from Europe and Africa, with no failures or major nuisances. They've even saved me a lot on international phone calls of the &quot;Arrived OK&quot; variety, what with local web access numbers and overnight delivery. The Ceiva web site has improved quite a lot in that period but was never problematic.The frames themselves work well, much better than the 640x480 screen resolution would suggest.  I think they traded resolution for brightness, and you can usually see the pictures from across the room, even at non-optimal angles.  The resolutely-nontechie parents love them.  I always crop pictures and resize them before uploading (the simplest shareware programs suffice, though I use Photoshop for more extensive &quot;darkroom work&quot;).
The Ceiva digital picture frame is an elegant idea: An LCD screen, housed in a picture frame enclosure, that dials up every night to download new pictures from Ceiva's website. And the Ceiva delivers.The Ceiva website had some capacity problems shortly after Christmas 2001 (noted in other reviews), but by mid Jan 2002 the capacity problems seem to have been addressed. We no longer have any problems using the website or getting our frame to connect.I got a frame for my mother and love the fact that I can manage all the details via Ceiva's website. I found their website reasonably powerful and very easy to use. The end user experience is fantastically simple: plug in the power cord and the phone cord and you are good to go. It took me an hour of phone time to talk my mother through the installation: all but a minute or two of that time was teaching my mother how to unplug/plug a phone cord...that should give you some idea of how simple the Ceiva is.The biggest downside is the use of a passive matric LCD screen, which limits the contrast and viewing angle. It's not a big deal for mom, but it would be nice to improve this.
.. takes pretty good pictures, etc.The only problems I have with it are:1) The smart cards for this camera have a mzimum of 128 MB - I usually need 2 - 3 cards to take on a few days' trip.2) The camera itself isn't very easy & intuitive to use-  it took me took me a while to understand how to use some basic features such as the zoom or how to delete a photo.
After reading all the reviews, and comparing to other digital cameras, I decided to get this one. It has a compact design and it seems very well built.Picture quality: very good, excelent with natural light (sun), not perfect with flash. There are many options for taking pictures, different qualities. One thing I liked is that you can opt for the TIFF format, which does not compresses the image, very useful if you need to take a picture to work with it then (if you are a grafic designer and don't want to spend more, this is a good option).The quicktime movies are cool, nice to show things on the web.The Smartmedia Card of 8MB is too small, I recommend getting a 64MB Viking which is working ok.The only thing I have to say as a con, is the manual, that it's not very complete.I totally recommend this camera.
I am new to ditigal photography, so I spent quite a bit of time researching various models and prices.  I finally settled on the D-510, and I'm very happy with it.  It is certainly a bargain, with 2 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom (ignore digital zoom when shopping for a camera).  It takes beautiful pictures!  My wife and I took it to Europe the first week we had it, took over 750 pictures, and had to toss out maybe a dozen that were blurry or otherwise didn't turn out well.Pictures taken outdoors turn out especially well, even using the macro mode to take them within a foot or two.The biggest complaint I have with this camera is that the software that comes with it is not very good.  It allows you to rotate and mirror the images (things which Windows XP will already do for you) as well as crop, cut and paste them, but it is notoriously unstable.  I don't use this software very often, so I haven't had to deal with that issue much at all.So even though the software is lacking, the camera is awesome so I'd still highly recommend this product.
When I purchased the Olympus Camedia D-510, it was done in a last minute decision. I was traveling back to my homeland of Taiwan, and I knew I wanted to take lots of photos, but I also wanted to upload the photos for easy acces sharing & printing later on. After spending some time comparing reviews online, I settled on this model because it was in (well, not really) my price budget.This is my first digital camera, and so far, I am quite pleased with it. The camera is easy to manipulate, the buttons are not too complex and the photos came out fresh and crisp when printed from an online photo source and from home. However, I do have three quirks about this camera.(1) Placement of the LCD  (?) Screen: When you're not using the LCD screen to view the shot you're going to take, you'll end up pressing your face to the viewfinder and the screen gets smudgy.(2) Delay in opening/powering on: This time elapse was a bit annoying when you had people posing and they're waiting while the camera turns on.(3) Battery Use: Be careful, this camera uses a LOT of batteries. It's always a good idea to stock up on extras.Other than the mentioned quirks above, I am overall tremendously happy with my last minute decision to buy this camera.
I really like this camera. I've noted several people reviewing this camera mention the &quot;cheap&quot; feel/look of the body of the D-510. I personally disagree, I think the camera looks pretty good and has a nice solid feel to it without feeling too heavy. The picture quality and color fidelity of this camera are both excellent. In SHQ mode with a 128 MB SM card you get 90 pictures, more than enough for almost any vaction or trip you might take. The storage-class USB makes getting pictures off of the D-510 a snap, and is far easier than any other digital camera I have owned. The movie mode only records 30 seconds of video at SQ mode and only 15 seconds of video in HQ mode. It doesn't matter how large a smart media card you have, you need to press the shutter button to take video clips with an approximately 2-3 second delay between each clip as the movie is written to the SM card. Important note: There are 2 &quot;click stop&quot; settings for the camera cover. You need to make sure the cover is fully open before the camera lens will extend. I think this camera is a worthy replacement of the D-490.
Here's the only negative with the camera: The slide-door that turns the camera on and off. It feels flimsy and might some day be a cause for concern, plus it's kind of strange that you have to shut it part way, wait for the lens to retract, then shut it the rest of the way.But, uh, that's just not a very big deal to me. The controls are intuitive enough. The optical zoom works great, no problems there. The digital zoom could maybe be more accessible, but most of the time you're not using it -- it works well once engaged, however. The ultra-close feature creates excellent detail.One other cool thing is that the Olympus doesn't seem to try to tell you how your picture should look, i.e., it doesn't super-saturate every picture it takes like some of its competitors. I mean, I KNOW how to saturate a picture. Additionally, the images are ultra sharp and ultra clear, even with some really questionable lamp lighting.It's a drain on batteries (it uses AA) of course, but so is every digicam and rechargeables are readily available in most parts of civilization. The display on the back is awesome -- I wish my laptop looked that good.
I recieved this camera for a graduation present. At first I was a little disappointed in the feel of the camera itself because I had gotten used to using Cannon's ELPH. After three months of use, though, I am completely satisfied with this camera.The picture quality is extremely good in every situation I have tried it in. Just some experiences with my camera... I took it to the beach once and the door had some trouble closing because it was jammed with sand, but it was easy enough to clean it out.The only trouble I have had with the camera is that I try closing the intergrated lens cap before the zoom lens has fully retracted and ended up bending the little metal ring on the lens. This doesn't affect picture taking at all, but it's just a little annoying.All in all, I am extremely happy with this camera and don't see myself needing a new one for quite a while.
See IMPORTANT HINT below.I've had this camera for about ten weeks now and have used it constantly. I've taken a lot of beautiful quality pictures. I didn't think 2.3 mp would be enough but these pictures truly rival my 35mm. We also enjoy how easy it is to view these pictures on our television. We've had two parties where we took several dozen pictures and then had an instant "slide show" on our widescreen TV that entertained everybody.On the negative side - expect to have a week of stomach churning frustration because the instructions are TERRIBLE and many of the features are not intuitive. In fact, I've learned a few things today from reading other reviews here. I guess the chief lesson is to use the manufacturer's website instead of the manual.IMPORTANT HINT: Everybody complains about the battery consumption. We bought the Camedia battery recharger and those batteries work pretty well but I couldn't find anywhere to buy an additional set of batteries. I finally found them. Feel free to contact me to find out where!
I agree with all the good things said about this camera in the current reviews seen here. The Olympus software installs smoothly and works well, but if you are running Windows XP you don't even need the software. Downloading your pictures is simple and fast. I produce very small and detailed craft items (boats in bottles) and the macro in the Olympus 510 is great for photographing work in progress on a model. I am told that I tend to be a nitpicker, but I really can't find anything I don't like about this camera.
I looked around quite a bit before purchasing my first digital camera and settled on the D510 as a good compromise in terms of price, resolution, size, and quality. It has been a year now, and I am well satisfied. I have used it indoors and out, on trips abroad and along the coast in our sailboat. The camera, and the Camedia software packaged with it, have functioned perfectly.It does have a few irritating characteristics, though. The shutter delay sometimes seems long when taking an action shot. The instructions are not very clear, and the user interface is not very intuitive.Still, all in all, a very satisfactory first digital camera at a good price and I would buy it again.
This is a perfect first digital camera for owners of Olympus Stylus or other quality, 35mm point-and-shoot cameras.The combination of right size (hand-holdable, pocketable but not too small), zoom range (3x optical plus digital), picture quality (2 Megapixels, sharp enough for 5x7 images), and price ...!!!!!, make this a terrific digital take-everywhere camera.  It has better features than the smaller Canon Elph and I find the 510's shape easier to hold. It's clam shell design is well-protected and easy to pack.  It will even do short, silent movies.I went with this camera over higher resolution, more feature-rich cameras because I wanted a simple, inexpensive, versatile camera that has enough flexibility to handle difficult lighting situations.  The primary user is my wife. Most of her pictures will be small format hard copies or email attachments to far-off friends and family.  I also figure the 3-4 Megapixel camera prices will come down sustantially by the time I am looking for more creative control over my digital photos.Hope my comments help - I could not be happier with my choice!!
We spent 6 weeks checking out options and compairng features for our first digital camera.  The D-510, with the value package has been an excellent choice.  We haven't fully teste battery life, but the pictures exceed expectations.  The full image is tack sharp - to the corners, a problem I noted on several other 'pocket' cameras.
-very good battery life (on 1600mAh NiMh batteries - approx. 100 shots with LCD and flash, and batteries still full)-good resolution, colors, and picture quality-good zoom-good options (for example, to save settings on exit)
I have been an owner of the Olympus Camedia D-510 Digital Camera since Sept. 2001. For the price, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The images are good and the learning factor is relatively short for this first time digital camera owner. I particularly like the ease of how quickly I can set it up for download to my laptop while on vacation. Takes no time at all with a quick plug to the USB port straight from the camera. If you have MS2000 or newer, the drivers are already built in so no download time is necessary.Though I've been very satisified, I have to be honest with the downfalls. Prepare to purchase a battery recharger with rechargable batteries. It is certainly power hungry, as are most digital cameras. I always 4 spare AA's for such emergencies. It takes good photos at night, however, make sure you have a still object. I took it to a George Strait Concert recently and have nothing but blurred photos despite taking 124 photos on the memory card. I tried different configurations but all motion gets blurred quite easily and is quite more sensitive since you really can't adjust the shutter speed as you can with a manual camera or higher end digital camera. In addition, the darker the atmosphere, the more grainy I see see the photos become. I use the jpeg setting at the high quality and it doesn't help much more. Daylight or normal lighting shots usually come out fantastic! If you are a PhotoShop user or have another good photo manipulation software, you should probably be okay with most photos to tweak them for optimal viewing. I'm an expert user so most poor photos come out pretty good when I print them on my HP.Sometimes, when I try to keep the camera on standby and try to turn it on quickly, I have to do it twice. I'm not sure if it's because of the batteries (though the power shows it is good) or what, but it can be an annoyance.Overall, I'm happy with the camera. I use it often and have many great photos. I'd say that 3/4 are good to great quality and I simply dump the ones I can tell are poor in quality right from the camera. It's a nice size camera and has been sturdy. I dropped it on the carpet once or twice and have yet to have any problems.For the budget-minded or first time buyers, I recommend this camera. I can't wait to graduate to the high end ones!
I bought the D-510 in mid-November, to get a jump on the holiday rush and to gain some experience with the camera before the holidays. A first timer to the world of digital, I easily got up to speed on this easy to use camera after a bit of trial and error.The camera itself is a breeze. And the quality of the photos is excellent. If you are a typical point and shoot user, 2.1 Mega Pixals is just fine for great photos of all sizes. The D-510 gives you the option of increasing the resolution quality if you want to print larger format photos, up to 8 X 10.  Don't listen to anyone who tells you to waste you money on a more heavy duty camera.The only negative comment I can make, such as it is, is that the Olympus software to download photos to your PC isn't the greatest. If you don't read the manual, you'll be completely lost. However, most newer PCs (and you need a newer PC anyway) offer good alternatives, like Dell's suite of photo [Amazon.com], and is fabulously simple, and offers great editing capabilities.Long and short, the D-510 bundle is a super value. I've seen the same camera in retail outlets for $20 more than I paid without the recharger, batteries and case. Throw in the tax and I figure and free shipping and I saved $100.Buy this camera!
Like everyone else, I have been researching for months now looking for a digital camera. I needed a camera with USB connectivity, one that used a removable card (for a lot of pictures), and one that was compatible with both PC and MAC. I also wanted at least a 2 megapixel camera that was capable of zooming.After reading everyone's reviews, I realized that I found the one I wanted. I am so glad I read the reviews because I found out I that I also needed rechargeable batteries (I bought the Kodak Photolife K1000 Battery charger that comes with 4 batteries), a card that was at least 64MB (I got the Viking one). I also picked up the Olympus C-7-AU Adapter.I recieved the camera and accessories a couple of weeks ago and I am more than satisfied. I was totally set to go right out of the box! The color and clarity is excellent. Both day and night pictures came out great. I was able to hook up to my PC with no problem but had some trouble with my Macintosh. I e-mailed Olympus and they were quick to point out that I needed the USB Mass Storage Extension. Well, I did not have it so I went to the Apple Site under Knowledge Base and had to search for USB Storage 1.3.5 software. Downloaded it, installed it and that was that! I actually don't even need the Camedia Master software that came with the camera. Works perfectly!I could not be happier! I definitely recommend this camera.
The Olympus 510 Zoom is a great camera!  This is my second digital camera, my first being a low resolution inexpensive camera.  The 510 is head and shoulders above it!  Be forewarned however, you do need to read the instruction manual carefully before using all of the camera's features.  It takes really great pictures right out of the box if you don't want to do anything fancy.  Rechargeable batteries are a must.  I bought the value package with the rechargeable batteries and they really last a lot longer than the AA alkaline batteries.  The package also came with a free 64 megabit Smartmedia card which I'm still waiting to receive (it takes up to 10 weeks).  The supplied 8MB card is woefully inadequate allowing only about 13 high quality pictures. The 64 MB card should fit the bill nicely.
I am not a pro photographer but my family and I enjoy taking photos of our adventures and gatherings. Late last year, I decided to take the plunge. After reading reviews online and visiting Best Buy to actually feel the camera in my hands, I opted for the Olympus Camedia 510. After using it a year, I would say it is a decent, but not great camera and that for basic pictures in good lighting, it works well. It fits well in the hand, is very light and portable, and if you have never taken digital photos before, it is a real kick to see your work on your PC right after you shoot the photos.The rub is that digital cameras, and this one is no exception, do not work at all well in lower lighting with the flash. You tend to get too bright and harsh images in the foreground and blackness in the background. You have to go up in price to get some correction for this. And, as other reviewers have noted, the time lag between depressing the button and waiting for the picture to be copied to the card is longish. Forget snapping a quick sequence of photos. And forget the manual. It was written by some tech geeks at Olympia who do not have a clue how to write clear, simple, direct instructions, or how to design a clear, simple menuing system for the camera. It took me a half hour to figure out how to delete a photo using the LED menu.This is just a personal note: You have to slide the lens cover over to use the camera and then the lens extends itself. You snap the cover back to the edge of the lens and it retracts and you can close the lens cover. While this is nice to protect the lens, it got really annoying to me over time and I longed for a simple camera with a simple lens cover.The pictures can be very vivid, even spectacular in their resolution, but sometimes the colors can be a little harsh.I suggest that if you want to take basic pics in day light or well lit rooms, this is a decent little camera and the price will only keep getting lower. Plan on getting a higher memory card, a battery recharger kit and rechargeable batteries, the card reader to hook up to your PC (works like a charm) and download your own photo editing software.If you want more advanced features, better imaging, and better performance in dim light, you will have to go up in price.
This review about an older camera is to help those who still have their D510, help those who may be looking for a very good used or refurbed older digital as an entry into digital photography without spending alot, and to debunk some of the bunk you will find in comments here due to not reading the full manual on CD. The printed Manual, which would be the one a reader would start with, is close to USELESS. Don't stop with this one. It does not do this great camera justice.First, I have had mine for about 2 years and it is still going strong, even after buying it as a factory refurb. Second, this camera provides the best match on the market between point-and-shoot convenience, small size, and some extended pro's control over resolution, white balance, shutter speed(ISO), focus point, etc. You will have to buy an upscale(read that expensive) camera today to get these options. Third, this camera takes great pictures at just 2.1 Megabit, and you really don't need more  han this if you don't plan to print photos larger than 8 x 10.Now here are tips for using this camera and some for useful for Digital Photography in general:1.The settings you change ARE retained after power off, but you have to SET this option. Open the lense for picture taking, push OK button to enter Setup screen, follow the Manual instructions to change the default settings to what you want, now set the RESET option to HOLD in the SET options screen. Don't forget once set they will be retained until you RESET defaults back to D510's originals, which means if you HOLD defaults to a low resolution say in order to get more pics on the 8Meg mem card supplied, and forget to change it before taking a pic needing higher resolution, you just lost it. This is why D510 is defaulted to HQ, the setting required for photo quality 5x7's.I leave resolution to HQ and use a bigger 64Meg mem card. I change the Digital Zoom default from OFF to ON because so I always get the full range of both Optical and Digital Zoom via the Zoom lever on top. In the ON option, a graphic shows on your LCD in pic taking mode to indicate when you have Zoomed past the Optical(optical does not degrade resolution) and are entering Digital(will begin to reduce resolution of pic). In addition, when you are still in Optical you will here lense motor run. When you are out of Optical and into Digital you will not here motor any longer. Digital zoom only shows in LCD, not Optical View finder, so be sure to frame you shot in the LCD if zooming past the 3X Optical.2. The flash pops up automatically to be sure you don't forget to open it, missing a pic that needed it. To turn it off, just hold down the flash while taking the pic, or use right arrow key to set it to OFF or to set other Flash Options before taking pic.3. BATTERIES. You MUST get 1600 Mah or higher NiMH or NiCAD batteries and charger. ALL digital cameras and toys eat Alkalines and other non-chargeables. Get eight AA so you have a ready set of 4 for backup. You will get great battery life from each recharge, even when using the LCD for viewing your pics and setting(framing) your pic shots. You will not be happy if you don't invest in rechargeables and a larger Memory card.4. You must use an Olympus SmartMedia Card to use the Panorama feature. Since these cost more than generic brands, I use the Olympus 8Meg that came with the camera for Panorama shots and use my generic 64Meg for all others. Note the Digital Panorama is not the same as Analog Panorama. It is not a one shot deal, but more than one shot pieced together in the Cammedia Software supplied. Takes some practice and a MUST READ of the Manual.5. To view your still pics on the LCD push monitor button once, if lense is closed. If lense is open, press twice in quick succession. Press again to quit. To set view/play movie options, close lense and press monitor, then press OK. To set Pic taking options, open lense and press OK. Use arrow keys to navigate to options and OK to set an option change.6. The quality of you pics have as much or more to due with lighting and the stillness at which you hold the camera, than the resolution(mega pixels) you choose. A digital camera takes longer to take a picture than an Analog, and even more time in low light, no flash, zoomed, and high resolutions settings. One could write a book here, and there are some. Read up so you will be happy and not blame the camera for limitations you should be aware of before changing to Digital Photography. The keys one are, in order of priority; frame your shot in the viewfinder when possible with focus frame centered on non-bright area like persons face, not a white shirt, hold the shot button down half way till a green light tells you it has focused. Hold camera very steady 1 sec before and 1 second after pic is taken. Squeeze pic button between index on top and thumb or other finger(s) on bottom of camera. Don't just push on top because like a rifle shot, if you pull the trigger your barrel will move. If you slowly squeeze it, it will not move.More steadiness time is needed for low light, flash OFF, zoomed and high resolution(megapixels) shots. If you pic is somewhat blurry it is likely you and not the camera. Newer digitals have Digital Stabilization to mitigate some movement during pic taking.Finally, the D510 is an awesome and reliable camera. It deserves a 5, but the stupid manual and some un-intuitive menu labeling and navigation has reduced it to a 4. I would highly recommend it as a low cost camera for anyone who wants a digital but don't want to spring for an unknown new one at high cost. You will have to pay over $300 for a camera with the pic taking options and control this one gives you.
I bought this camera recently. Most of the reviews are positive so I basically want to focus on the negatives, because I missed following comments in these reviews:1) Looks good to me except the sliding lens cap. The lens cap is the poorly designed feature in this camera. They could have reduced the weight/size of camera by using just a cap on the lens part only. I find the operation of this lens cap quite inconvenient and unecessary.2) Also remember that the AVI files (movies) can not have sound in it.3) Distant pictures are a little blurry too.4) You need to get one 64MB card too to get reasonable number of shots, which is currently free after mail in rebate if you buy before 1/31/02.5)The value package also boasts of giving the battery charger which is non-olympus brand and really a cheap one. Looks like it is a cheapest one you can find in the market. I think it is the first thing to blow in this package.6) Pretty reasonable for the price otherwise.
I upgraded from a Canon A5 zoom.  The Olympus is easy to use straight from the box, though not as intuitive as the Canon.  The picture quality is noticeably better.To get the most from the camera, or even make basic changes like the default resolution settings, it is necessary to read the comprehensive manual (.pdf file) on the CD-ROM.  The paper booklet included is very basic.The movie option is good fun, but nothing like a VHS.  I use this for e-mailing short clips to friends.  Low-resolution mode uses about 70kByte/sec, maybe 5% less in a zip file.  High resolution uses about 300Kbyte/sec - unusable unless you have the 64MByte-memory card.The standard resolutions are 1600 x 1200 or 640 x 480. 16.7 million colors lead to files about 400Kbytes ad 50Kbyte respectively.  You can get picture similar to a regular analog camera by using glossy photo paper with an ink jet printer ...You certainly need the rechargeable batteries.  I like the option of using AA, rechargeable or lithium batteries.  You can buy the AA batteries almost anywhere, but they do not last!The USB connection is very fast and easy to use - Windows treats the camera like an extra hard drive.  If you do not have a USB port, do not buy this camera, as there is no other way to connect.I find the pop-up flash a bit irritating - it comes up every time you use the camera.  I would also prefer a more protective camera case.Overall I am very pleased with this purchase.
I did alot of research before choosing the D-510 as my first digital camera.  With all the research and articles I read I was most concerned with how many megapixels I would actually need to get decent quality.  The D-510 has 2.1 megapixels which is probably average at this point compared to all teh cameras on the market.When I received the camera I was able to figure out how to use it within 20 minutes.The two most amzing things about this camera are:- The picture quality was fantastic.  I sent pictures to family and they were amazed at the quality.  I was initially concerned about only have 2.1 megapixels but it turns out that it is enough.- Downloading the pictures from the camera is just a matter of connecting the USB cable to your computer.  The camera actually shows up as a Drive letter in Windows Explorer.  You can drag and drop images from the camera to your hard drive.  Real simple!  On XP you don't even need the software that comes with the camera - it just works.This is a great camera.  You won't need film anymore.
I have been muddling thru the digital camera world for quite some time, looking for just the right one. I finally settled on this one, and after dropping hints for the last couple of months, I got it for Christmas. This camera goes beyong words... It's easy to use, takes great pictures, and connection to the computer (USB port, Windows 2000) practically sets itself up. Took me a grand total of about 30 seconds to be able to download images from the camera. Honestly, for the quality, features, and the price, you can't go wrong!
I love this camera. Let me begin by stating why I have given it 4 stars as opposed to 5. If you are using regular AA batteries you better buy stock in Duracell or Eveready. This camera burns through batteries very quickly even if you do not use the monitor. I recommend buying the package that includes the rechargeable batteries and/or buy an AC adapter. And gosh, why didn't it come with a case?With that being said, the picture quality is supberb on just the default settings. I have never used the highest quality setting and every one raves about the quality of my pictures. Not only the quality as seen on a computer or printed on an at home printer, I recently uploaded the pics to an online developer and the hard copies were BETTER than pictures I take with my standard film camera.  Initial set up was very easy, once I put in the batteries and the memory card I was taking pictures no problem. It has a myriad of features including zoom, digital zoom, ability to take extreme close-ups (great for online auction addicts), several flash options, create QuickTime movies, blend pictures together for panaramic shots, auto timer (so the photographer can get in the picture) among many others! It has a slew of features that I am sure are for the more "professional set" and at some point I'll play with those. Hooking the camera to the PC is also a snap. Once you install the software and connect to the USB port the camera becomes a "removable" disk drive that you can navigate to just like any other disk drive. The Camedia software is simple but does the job but those who want more complex operations may need additional software. It has an one click Instant Fix that works remarkably well.  I am a very satisfied customer.
This is my first digital camera and I couldn't be more pleased.  It's simple to operate.  Uploading pictures to my computer is incredibly easy.  The camera is very compact.  Best of all, it takes terrific pictures.  Up to 8 X 10, you can't see much of a difference (if any) between pictures taken with this camera and my &quot;film&quot; camera.  The camera also has a 30 second movie mode and allows you easily to preview your pictures on a TV.  The only problem is that now I'm taking pictures of EVERYTHING. I delete the pictures I don't like, save the rest, upload them to ofoto.com and order prints.  I highly recommend this product.  You will, however, need to purchase a memory card with greater capacity than the 8MB card that comes with the camera and holds only 16 pictures at the default setting.  I would also purchase rechargeable batteries.
This is a great all around camera for the average person to use.  I bought one for my father and he has no problem using it as his first digital camera.  It is simply and easy to use, with a basic manual that answers your questions as need be.  I have borrowed this camera for myself and found the picture to be quite clear.  It was easy to use on pick up, I only went to the manual occasionally. It is very easy to transfer you pictures to the PC.  The wizard is useful for transferring to the PC, but you can also just treat this as a removable drive.  The LCD window is great for taking up close shots and the zoom is enough for most people.  This is a point and shoot camera and is one of the best at 2.1 MP.The only problem is the camera lens door!  You have to open it of course to shoot, but if you do not open it all the way the camera will not take pictures and this can be confusing for some.  You must make sure to click it all the way.  That would be okay and you will adjust, but when taking shots it is easy to shift the door slightly back in and cause the camera to not take pictures.  This is the only flaw, it will frustrate you greatly when it happens, but I have adapted to taking pictures in a way to avoid this.I still recommend this camera for 2.1 MP, but I also recommend buying the new 3.0 MP version (D550).  It is very similiar and you get a lot better resolution.  Search pricegrabber.com for competitive prices.
This is my first digital camera and it's a fun one to use.  Take about 5 minutes to get started.  The LCD is not the easiest thing to get used to, but I bet it's that way for all digital cameras.The 3X optical zoom is great, but the 9X digital really helps bring things close.And best of all, NO SEPARATE USB CARD READER.  The USB cable plugs DIRECTLY in to the camera.  Forget the add-on reader, this camera has the plug right on it.
Takes excellent pictures! We used Ofoto to upload and print copies of the pictures and you can't even tell they were taken digitally. We also purchased the 128MB card (made by Viking) which holds about 250 pictures.My only complaint about the D-510 is that it can take too much time to get the camera turned on (i.e. from the time you open the lens cover and turn it on, you may have missed the perfect shot). Over time, you have to be exceedingly careful about touching the front of the camera. Even a small tap to the front of the camera will cause the lens to retract and the camera to shut down.
I love to travel and I always pack light. Years ago I began to leave my SLR at home in favor of an Olympus 35mm point & shoot, because never missing a moment is more important to me than capturing every Ansel Adams degree of detail. When I looked for a digital camera, besides super sharp images, I wanted one that would fit easily in a daybag pocket, had 2 megapixels (for the occasional enlargment), used smart media (less of a battery eater than compact flash, hence don't have to buy or pack as many batteries) and had a zoom lens. On two vacations and several other short trips, I've gotten some great pix. The only drawback is the software; it's not hard but it's also not intuitive. Before you go, either learn how to do the basic steps like deleting a single image, or plan to pack your instruction manual. If you're packing for a one week vacation, I'd bring 2 64mg cards, one or two extra sets of good batteries (the kind made for electronics), and a padded case with pockets or slots to hold said batteries and media. A flash path adapter is a useful accessory if you want to upload your pix but don't have access to a USB port and/or don't want to drain batteries. For the professional looking to make fine art, this isn't your camera. For anyone who wants to take pics wherever & whenever, this is it.
I bought this camera on Saturday and it loaded right up to my computer. It acts just like a smartmedia card reader and it easily transfers files to my computer. The pictures are also very nice. However, six days later I already need a replacement camera as the spring flash is falling off the camera. This flash is not very sturdy (typical plastic parts) and seemed like a poor idea the first time I saw it. This is my only complaint so far, maybe it was a flaw in mine's craftsmanship. Since getting a new camera, it has been flawless. I love it!
I was looking for a digital camera that can deliver high quality picture, but at a reasonable price.  Constrained with a budget of $300, I bought this camera by the influence of the rave reviews.  And what I can tell you is this: oh it's true..it's true, the picture quality is very good!  And once you have figured out all the functionality of this camera, you will appreciate it even more.But that's thing! You have to figure some of the instructions out yourself because some are missing from the manual book.  For example, I had to go to the web to learn that using the LCD screen instead of the VIEW FINDER for take pictures is a batteries killer! But using the LCD screen to preview the pictures from the memory card doesn't consume batteries as much as using it to take photos.  Gee, could have save me a few bucks and hassle if this was mentioned in the manual.Another is if you go to FAQ at Olympus web site, you will find that there is a question, "How do I get the camera to work?". Well, this just proved my point!  And from my first experience with this camera, I actually have a very hard time getting it to work too. The problem is really dued to its misguided manual book.  For instant, it said: To start, slide the len cover out until there is a click, and wait for the len to pop out.  I did that, and nothing happens; I did really thought the camera was broken.  But if you're familiar with most sliding cover digital camera, you would know that after the first click, you must push the cover back one more time for a SECOND click.  This is my first ever digital camera, how do I suppose to guess that when the cover seems to be already completely opened?!?
I purchased several Smart Media cards, two sets of batteries and a speedy recharger with the Olympus D510 before departing for a 15day tour of Europe. WA LA!!Great Pics! No bulky rolls of film and no cost of developing duplicates, bad photos, etc. My deleting bad photos every evening gave me ample previewed pictures to save. Photos were taken from bus windows while traveling in all kinds of weather, or as I was walking, which is the case with most travel groups. They were more satisfactory than my  preveious journeys using a 135mm camera with the same travel circumstances. The equally great feature was the protective lens cover, the light weight compactness of camera gear,and not being SO visible as a tourist. I did all of my comparative shopping and purchasing of accessories on Amazon[.com].  The camera was on special sale locally, however, the accessories were so pricey and confusing, that I came home to do online research which simplified the process and saved money.  One important info to KNOW up front is how you delete the entire card!!VERY important as then you won't make this error. You can't retrive what you delete.  Lesson learned!
Having owned an Olympus D-360L digital camera, I should have known the D-510 would not disappoint.  The picture quality is excellent.  White balance is accurate and consistent under incandescent, florescent, and outdoor lighting.  I originally bought a Fuji 2600 but ended up selling it.Other D510 positives:-excellent 3X optical zoom-flash is bright and covers a wide area for indoor shots-on screen menu is easy to use (read the manual first!)-lens can retract into camera-can view images without having lens open-optical viewfinder in addition to LCD screen-multiple 'thumbnail' image view allows you to see all imagestaken (they're small but you get the idea anyway)-lots of manual mode options-can use NiCad rechargeables, alkalines, or special lithiums forlonger lifenegatives-flash has to be manually closed after lens retracts and youclose front 'door'-no LCD info display on top of camera like the D-360L had.  Youmust use the LCD viewfinder.-it is a bit heavy in my opinion, but heavy means quality right?All in all this is a great starter camera or a step up camera.
If you're looking for a special holiday present for someone who is either new to digital cameras or who has an early model, this package should make the perfect gift. The Olympus Camedias have been an excellent series, with great optics and a fine record of reliability. The D-510 offers some important features, like a 3:1 optical zoom (disregard most digital zoom hype, optical is what you really want), a 2.1 megapixel resolution (adequate for pretty clean 8 x 10 enlargements), easy USB connectivity to your PC, the ever-clever clamshell case and a pretty good flash. (It includes a mediocre sized memory card, but bigger cards are available readily and their prices have fallen steadily). This package ships with a carrying case, batteries and a charger, all nice extras that mean the D-510 is ready to go right out of the box.
So far I love this camera.  I tried a Fuji Finepix 2600 first, but it's ISO rating is too low for versatility.  Not so the D-510.  It handles 100, 200 and 400.  I takes truer color pics inside the house WITH the flash than without, but that's normal.  I found the instructions to be easy to follow.  I've heard a lot of complaints about the lack of documentation included, but Olympus included a manual in PDF form on the CD that covers every single feature and function of this camera!You take your shots, plug the cable into your camera and into your VCR and preview the pics in 5 seconds!!  Be warned, though, the color you will see on your TV will not compare with your computer monitor unless you have a high resolution TV. However, I didn't get red eye on people even without using the red eye flash setting.The camera has night mode, white balance, sharpening ability, self-timer, manual or auto ISO settings, fill-flash, no flash... you name it and this camera delivers!  However, while it says it has a panoramic setting (which only works with Olympus media), it really just takes two consecutive pictures of your choosing.  YOU have to join the shots together yourself in the software to  make it a panormic, so I would hesitate to actually call it a panoramic feature.All in all, it's a great camera!  You can't beat taking a picture, plugging it into your PC, and within seconds, you have pictures!!  Find the manual on the CD, read through it carefully, have fun while you're learning, and you'll be a digital camera buff in no time!!!
I have had my D-510 for over 2 months now and am happy with my purchase.  I initially spent a couple weeks reading reviews all over the web on different 2 and 3 mega pixel digital cameras.  Bottom line is that I would recommend this camera to anyone that is just starting out with a digital camera and wants to have a powerful camera that is a great value.Pros1.  3x zoom (You should get at LEAST a 3x optical zoom, digital zoom does not matter because you can do the same thing in software later)2.  Retractable lens.I really like the fact that the entire lens retracts into the camera and gets covered so there is no danger of it being scratched.  Some people might not like the fact that when you open the lens protector to turn on the camera for picture taking, the flash will come out and you have to wait a few seconds for the lens to come out.  I got used to this and did not find it very bothersome.3.  Small size - it fits in the pockets for easy carrying around.  Nice compact package when the lens is retracted.4.  Crisp and colorful pictures.  The 4 x 6 prints I made turned out very nicely.  I couldn't even tell the difference from pictures that came out of a regular camera.  If you need bigger pictures often though, a more expensive 3 or 4 mega pixel camera would probably be bigger.5.  Fast USB connection, in my opinion you do not need to get a separate digital film reader.6.  Output pictures to TV, cables comes included.7.  Can fit over 200 pictures on a 128MB card.  It uses 3.3V Smart Media.  Don't buy the wrong stuff!  Viking works great.Cons:1.  Only comes with a 8MB card.  You need to buy Olympus Smart Media if you want to use panoramic mode.  You can just buy a new card of a cheaper brand and use the one that comes with the camera for panorama pics, which is what I do.2.  Software could be more robust, it works though.3.  Batteries, you need to get lithium ion batteries.  If you do not have a set and charger already, you should get the 510 package to save money.  Batteries will last a pretty long time if you do not leave the LCD monitor on and use flash all the time.
Great Camera!  I have Windows ME (which I hate! but that's another story) and the camera plugs right into my USB and I can download the photos instantly!! Windows ME reads the camera as an extra drive so you can copy and paste or delete off the smart card from your computer.  Amazing feature.  Great photos! Pretty good zoom function too.  Digital zoom (9x) is good, not great, but good. I don't like the fact that it does not remember your settings when you turn it off.  You have to reset them (ISO, flash,no-flash,red eye reduction etc)all over again when you turn the camera back on. Lastly the batteries [are bad]...I recommend rechargeables.  Overall I am very happy with this camera and you can't beat the price for what you get.
To enjoy this camera, take the time to learn to use its many features. Almost all camera settings can be displayed in the viewfinder in A/S/M mode.  Great for learning how to use the camera.  User preferences can be set in A/S/M mode and retained when the camera is turned off.Shutter response is fast after autofocus is locked in.  Prefocus the camera for action shots.  Manual and continuous auto focus are also available. I found the manual focus to be an easy one-hand operation, unlike another reviewer.  Sharp, hand held 10x pictures can be taken by most people at shutter speeds of 1/100 sec and higher. Experiment to find your limits. I have not experienced significant chromatic aberrations or moir&eacute; effects noted by another reviewer.Use the flash or a tripod or other support when low light requires shutter speeds slower than your hand held limit. Takes great flash pictures in Auto mode, but do not use the Auto mode in low light conditions without the flash.  The result will be grainy, blurred pictures.  Do not use ISO 800 in low light conditions unless you can accept some graininess.  Autofocus will fail in complete darkness, but works under most practical conditions.  Manual focus is available for really tough lighting conditions.  The viewfinder and LCD brightness can be increased for low light conditions.If you want a small, 10x zoom camera with A/S/M this is your only choice.  You won't be disappointed unless you expect it to do something it is not designed to do.  If you take a lot of low light pictures without flash and can accept a larger, more expensive camera (I couldn't), a better choice might be a 10X camera with all the features of the C-700 plus more mega pixels, image stabilization, optical viewfinder, remote shutter control, IR focus assist and a hot shoe for an external flash.
I bought this camera for the 10x Optical zoom mainly...because finding a camera with that kind of power without sacrificing quality (as in the older Sony Mavicas) was hard to do. After playing with it for some time and taking snapshots, it's an absolutely terrific buy. I would recommend it over the C-720 as well.Optical zoom aside, and I won't even go into digital zoom because it just kills your quality, this piece takes great pictures. In the program mode, ASA speed can be adjusted to help in photos with speed or low-light situations. The flash is good for fill or brightness. It also has a spot for adding on your own flash if needed. I've had success with both.The original Olympus lithium batteries its packaged with last ages too. It operates on 4 AA batteries, so keeping spares is no trouble and easy to find if you're caught out without some. The LCD on the back of the camera is large enough to view your images with, and it's programmed with automatic portrait, landscape, and sports settings, as well as the programmable mode.The only thing negative I can say about this camera is the strap and lens cap. The string for the cap was not big enough to go around the barrel of the lens, and the strap only attaches to one side of the camera. When I put a camera around my neck, I like for it to hang horizontal, not vertical as this one does.With the 2.1 megapixel rate, I'm still able to take beautiful 8x10 shots. My first camera was a 4.1 megapixel camera and I realized very quickly I would seldom need that kind of resolution. I take a lot of sports photos of youth teams, as well as candids and some portraits of people for a newspaper. Some of it is web work, some is print. Not yet have I had a need for anything over 2.1 (or 8x10 print size).The C-700 is being discontinued because of the newer C-720. If you shop around, you can find this one on sale at your local computer or photo store. I did!
++++ 10x zoom and light weight were real sellers.  Great for hiking, animals, portraits, macro.  Amazing to take pics, download, crop or lighten if needed, and pop out prints size desired in minutes. Save $ and aggrevation on film developing.  Don't need to feel restricted about picture-taking--easy to delete.---- Slow!  If you wanted to take a pic of your dog running, you'll get a pic of his butt!  Between time clicked and shutter goes off, dog has turned away.  $ saved on developing will be spent on better paper and ink cartridges.  You'll need 2 sets rechargeable batteries and 2 memory cards.  Each frame you save needs named, ie: rose1, rose2. Had a lot of trouble getting computer to recognize and had to call tech line; was told a way that wasn't in manual.  But I'm way past that now.  Several instructions in manual were incomplete.I'm a pretty heavy 35mm/telephoto photographer and this is my 1st digital.  I do love it, but I still need 35mm for good action shots.
This is my first foray into digital cameras, after decades of 35mm shooting - both snapshot and 'enthusiast'.  My first impressions were great - it's a super-lightweight camera, and the zoom is awesome.  The 'USB storage class' device is fantastic - plug into your computer, and bingo - a new hard-drive shows up and you can copy pictures - easy (zero software installation)!  And the macro feature is awesome.But the negatives cropped up after a month or so. I took a bunch of pictures at a Christmas gathering using the flash.  To my horror (since I didn't take any backup pics on my 35mm camera), many of the pictures were blurred. Since the flash 'freezes' the motion, this could not be a movement problem; much research into this revealed that most digital cameras use a 'contrast' method to focus, and in low-light, they can't get a good focus (compared to snapshot 35mm cameras, which use infra-red). The camera has to focus before the flash fires, so there has to be enough light WITHOUT the flash to get a good focus.  So beware in low-light conditions.  Second problem is that this camera has an 'Electronic Viewfinder' - what you see in the viewfinder is a 'mini-lcd' screen.  This has a lot of advantages, but - in low light (eg outdoors, where you plan to take advantage of the up-to-16 second exposure), you cannot see the image at all in order to 'frame' it.  An optical viewfinder does not have this drawback.  That's it so far for the negatives.  Since I like taking low-light shots these limitations are significant.Note that many higher-end cameras have the electronic viewfinder, and many digital cameras use 'contrast' focus only.  I would personally recommend finding one with good optical viewfinder, and one that has an 'auxiliary infrared focus' device.  Maybe hard to find.
Loved the features this camera offered.  It does takes pictures very quickly, but I was disappointed with the picture quality.  The pictures seem dark and washed out.  My Kodak DC215 takes much better pictures.  Maybe I just needed to adjust something, but it doesn't retain your settings after powering off, so I'd have to set it every time.  Also, it defaults to medium image quality every time it is powered off - very annoying.  I think I will try the Kodak DC4800 instead.
First of all....this is an old Olympus model; you can only buy it used....  And....it's not going to satisfy users who are entranced by the megapixel race.  But....if you can live with 2 megapixels...this takes great pictures.  I own many cameras...Nikon, Canon and Lumix....this one is my all around, &#34;go to&#34; camera.  Why?  As said, it takes great pictures....it's flash is &#34;adequate&#34;, it uses AA batteries...while not small, it still fits into one hand, so I use it hiking, boating, climbing, camping.....  It takes great handheld low light pictures ...It also permits you to change the shutter speed and &#34;F&#34; stop, like a much larger high end camera.  And....the 2 megapixels takes excellent photos for display on a computer screen, or for prints up to 8 x 10.....but best of all, most of my photos that I take are sent to friends and relatives via email....the 2 megapixel photos does not take forever to upload or download....making this the perfect &#34;internet&#34; camera.  Did I say that I own 5 of these??  Two are now defunct....due to bashing around when hiking the Southwest in a backpack....but I have three left that I keep in various places.  I don't know what I'll do when I can't buy any more of these &#34;used&#34; on Amazon.....I'll probably migrate to a Canon G9 - G12 camera for outdoor use.  But...the Canons don't have the final attribute of this Camedia.....a 10X optical telephoto lens plus....a great optical viewer (great for composing photos in bright sunlight).  Truly.....this is an awesome camera.....Olympus broke the mold when they made it.
This is a great camera - the zoom being the reason I purchased it.  If you can, find a copy of &quot;A Short Course in Olympus Camedia C-700 Ultra Zoom Photography&quot; by Dennis P. Curtin to get the most out of this camera!
Finally after my 35mm camera was lost in a move I decided to take the plunge into digital.  My wife was sold on the 10X zoom, and many reveiwers selected this as the top camera in that category.  Since the purchase, it has consistently performed above all my expectations.  I can print 8X10 pictures with great detail, or take multiple lower quality pictures to e-mail to family.  We just had twins and use this camera every day to update the family.  All of our friends and family have been impressed with the quality, ease of use, and versatility of the camera and we have convinced four others to make the same purchase.  One reccomendation -- spend the money on the 128 megabyte card.  I have never had to worry about a full memory card since we bought the big one.PROS: great picture quality, ease of use, amazing zoom.CON: not the smallest camera on the marketReccomended accessories: rechargable AA batteries, 128 megabyte smartmedia card
I'm the unofficial photographer for my kid's high school tennis team.  I go to all the matches I can and take a zillion photos that I then upload to the net for use by the school and  the kids on the team and their parents.  I need a versatile unit that works well in all lighting conditions, which is good for action photography and has very good dtorage capacity.This camera more than fits the bill.Picture resolution is exceptional even on zoom action shots on the court.  It works well with a variety of lighting conditions, a feature I especially like as a lot of my work is in the very late afternoon/early evening time when the court lights come on but some sunlight is still available but changing minute by minute.  Changing settings is quick and easy. The only major flaw I can detect for the whole unit is the fluorescent lighting setting is lousy-stay with the standard incandescent setting for better results.The camera has good storage capacity.  It quickly shifts between photos in "view" mode, a feature I like as it allows me to ditch less desirable shots on the fly so as to maximize card storage capacity.The unit also does excellent close up work.  On a recent vacation to Nova Scotia I took a lot of wildflower pictures and they turned out fantastic.The USB connection is easy to set up and use.  There is a Camedia  CD for working with your pictures on a pc but it is very basic and offers somewhat limited utility-I use a different photo-shop type program.A lot of people gripe about the lens cap on the Olympus products.  While it's true they were a disaster in previous times, it has improved greatly.  Just weave the strap onto one of the side strap bars and all will be well.I personally find the viewfinder a bit awkward to use and usually just use the LCD on the back to view and set up the pics.  On the other hand, my wife loves the viewfinder and that's all she ever uses. I think this is a matter of taste rather than any particular engineering issue.On the whole, an excellent value for the price on a slew of fronts.  I don't see how you could be disappointed with this camera.
This camera is a marvel! I bought it (my first digital camera) in December 2001 and since then have used it successfully in a number of situations. On the resolution side, this may initially seem downmarket at 2.1 MPs. However the picture quality on a computer monitor or in a 4x6 print is simply awesome and 8x10s are pretty good. I had done a lot of research before buying and while larger MP cameras may give even better pictures, the humongous file sizes and higher prices are simply not worth it for a non-professional. The kind of detail I have got on nature (Cherry Blossoms in Washington) and human photos (Disneyworld) is way better than anything I got on a regular camera. One reason for this is the super high quality optics. The aspherical glass lens is very, very good, making for both sharp images and deep detail. The 10x optical zoom (38-380 mm equivalent) is outstanding and I think easily the best on any digital camera. It also has a digital zoom but with such good optics, I have never needed to use it and anyway digital zoom is generally overrated.The Olympus has several pre-programmed modes in auto mode including the vanilla landscape, close-up and so on. There is even an Action mode for moving objects (about which more later). As a result, you can get started very quickly and go on to explore the features as you get more comfortable. I claim to be at best average technically and I had no problem understanding the operation of the camera. The LCD screen on the back is beautifully sharp and well positioned so that it is easier to frame an image holding the camera about a foot in front of you rather than the standard eyepiece - in fact the latter is pretty pathetic but I guess after the initial adjustment, few bother to use it. A good playback facility puts the shot pictures on the LCD screen either singly or in groups, making it easy to dump a bad shot and re-shoot.Images are stored on SmartMedia cards. Make sure you pick up a good 64 MB or even 128 MB card. It is a good idea to shoot on high quality and then scale down using the Camedia software. This means a typical picture will be about 400-500 KB and you will need lots of card space if you do not want to keep switching cards. The Camedia software is pretty decent too, allowing you to trim, filter brightness and contrast, rotate, scale etc. You can even add text captions to the pictures (somewhat tedious). Annoyingly, the images are given serial digital numbers as file names and this can get pretty confusing at times, especially with multiple cards. The camera has a good USB connection through which images can be downloaded to a hard disk / CD. However I suggest you pick up a SmartMedia reader ...so you don't have to over use the camera itself.Batteries, well that is the bane of all digitals, but keeping the LCD screen on power save mode helps you save on battery life. Avoid the AA batteries; they die fast. Stick with the CR-V3 Lithium cells which are more expensive but have a decent life. Or get a charger with re-chargeable batteries. I have found the re-charged cells to give excellent life.Some cribs. The lens cap is a disaster and Olympus seemed to try and cut costs with a flimsy cap that is hard to keep track off. Worse, I dropped it once and the spring slipped off. It's been 2 months and Olympus still can't get me a replacement! (I finally complained to Olympus Japan and got it post-haste!).  Speed-wise, like all digitals, this camera can be slow, with the result that an action photo is pretty challenging since the action is often over by the time you get the camera to fire. But all in all, a great buy and no regrets from me. Highly recommended!
We have had the product for 12 months now.  We have taken almost 3,000 pictures with the product, and deleted 2,000 of those pictures.  This camera just NEVER gets the picture you want.  When you press the button, it can take anywhere from 2 to 5 seconds for it to take a picture.  The absolutely bare minimum time is 2, and is almost never met.  The camera is designed to eat batteries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We had to buy a rechargeable alkaline system in order to avoid going to the poor-house.The smart engineers who designed this camera noticed that it eats batteries too quickly.  Their solution was to turn off the camera if you let your finger slip from the "shoot" button for only a moment.  If you are fortunate to be saving batteries in this way, it takes only TEN SECONDS for the camera to warm up and be ready to take an action-packed shot.  This TEN SECOND delay is incurred when you press the "take picture button".  The screen often goes blank right before you press this button.We have used this camera to miss literally thousands of wonderful shots of our twin boys. ...If you like to miss photographs, if you like to get pictures of people looking the other way, or with their eyes shut, or with their body turned entirely away from the camera, there is no better camera on the market for this purpose.We're buying another camera.  This one is just too useless.
This camera has a great flexibility, from point and shoot, to full manual control.  The specs didn't really indicate the quality of the status displays in the view finder.I take a lot of available light pictures for our newsletter, and the results are very good.The instruction book is written with quite small type, so the bi-focal crowd may be frustrated.  The instruction book on the CD is about 200 pages long, and is very well written.  You can use the camera as a point and shoot with good results, or you could make it a research project to take advantage of all its' features.The electronic viewfinder is like having a SLR, except for shots of fast moving airplanes--the viewfinder can get behind the action, which takes some adaptation by the photographer.I expect to use this camera for a lot of things for a long time.
I looked at a lot of digital cameras before I finally bought this one.  It seems a little pricey, but this little gem is an engineering marvel, and very well thought out to maximize the ease of use for all that power.  It can be used as a PhD Camera (Push here Dummy), or full on, do all your own settings or anywhere in between.  Customizable button. Fantastic zoom capability - so much you have to be careful of camera shake a full zoom.  I find the zoom really allows flexibility of shots, I always find I want to zoom in on a face, on wildlife or a special scene, and this camera can do it like no other - 38 to over 1000 zoom equivalent 35 mm.  Add black and white, sepia, or whiteboard capability.  Add 100 to 800 ASO settings, manual or automatic.  I found almost instantaneous download through my USB port.  I bought the card reader, but don't really need it.  I bought the 128 meg card, and its well worth buying more card space, 8 meg is not enough. All digitals tend to eat batteries, but Olympus cameras are among the most miserly of the current digitals. This camera uses batteries, but at an acceptable rate. It can use 2 lithium packs or 4 AA's - recharagble or alkaline - so you can always find power in a pinch. Automatic white adjust for true colors whether you are outdoors, indoors with tungsten or flourescent lighting.  Professional quality 4 x 6 prints, very acceptable 8 x 10. How big do you need? All for 10 trim ounces of weight!  Take it anywhere. What are you waiting for?  If you have the $ you will have a blast with this camera. The only drawbacks I found are the blue halo on bright white edges - but I think all current digitals have that - and this darn camera is smarter than I am.
I got this camera so that I could zoom in closer than with the 3x zoom model I've had for a couple years. I mostly take pictures outdoors while travelling and indoors without the flash.  I looked at the 2100 and the Sony Mavica line,  and everything with a 10x zoom was well over a pound  and quite large. This camera is only 11 oz and feels  nice and balanced in the hand. But, as you'll see in the  other reviews, it does not have image stabilization,  so you have to be very careful with your higher-zoom shots  or they will be fuzzy. The camera does allow manual almost-everything, so it's possible to compensate for most conditions, but the controls do take some getting used to. For me, it's just about the ideal camera (for now - ask me  again in two years!!!) to take along and have that extra zooming capability without sacrificing my neck muscles.A few slight complaints that kept it from getting 5 stars:  (1) The zoom function is quite noisy, so not so good for unobtrusive shots in conferences, etc.  (2) Wish it came with a case. (3) The &quot;manual focus&quot; I was hopeful about doesn't  really let you turn the focus ring on the lens, but rather a dopey dial mounted RIGHT next to the eyepiece, so you have to be a contortionist to use it. Not something I would use everyday since the auto-focus seems pretty good, but a dumb design &quot;feature.&quot;
This is my third Olympus Digital Camera, and I bought it based on my successful experience with the previous ones.Despite of many requests to the Manufacturer (unanswered), I still cannot take a simple reasonable quality photo with the C-700. It is almost impossible to resolve the focus issue, regardless of how much light you have.In few cases where I used macro under sunlight, the results were quite exceptional. However, most of the photos taken outside (cloudy days) or inside (with a flash) came out blurred and disappointing.Even when you focus on a bright spot before flashing, there is no assurance your photo will come out Ok!. For the cases where I was successful, the flash literally wiped out the central subject and kept others (no more than 8 feet behind) pretty much in darkness.If you browse user reviews in Amazon.com you will find that I am not alone. A store clerk suggested me to buy a memory card different than the one supplied by Olympus with the camera.Although I have not tried that route yet, I doubt this will solve the problem.A WASTED INVESTMENT, UNFORTUNATELY.
My work group tested many digital cameras over the last few years.  We looked at resolution, image distortion, color saturation and accuracy and evaluated zoom lenses at the extremes of their zoom range.  In general, the Olympus cameras performed better than the others tested, including Canon, Nikon and Kodak.  Manufacturers can advertise how many megapixels their cameras have, but the real test is to take a resolution test image, then enlarge it to 800% and print it on a high quality printer.  Our results showed that Olympus cameras performed very well &quot;per pixel&quot;.  Also, the Olympus cameras gave excellent results at the widest angle of zoom, an area where many consumer cameras fall short.  Apparently, the optics used are superior, resulting in lower barrel distortion.The C-700 is an excellent choice for people willing to spend a  more than the minimum.
Several persons have written to me (based upon my earlier 3/30/02 review) asking me how I'm able to get sharp, hand-held pictures using my Olympus C-700 indoors.I neglected to mention in my previous review that, when I'm shooting indoors (for theatrical or sporting events), I'll normally switch to Program mode (indicated by a "P" on the selector dial) and adjust the speed to "800."  This will cause the Olympus to select a faster f-stop/shutter speed combination, effectively freezing the action better.As a comparison, if one shoots on "Auto," the camera will select a slower f-stop/shutter speed combination, and the photos may come out blurry.I recently had the opportunity to make a side-by-side comparison of film versus digital photography to dramatize for myself how capable my Olympus C-700 is indoors.My daughter had a two-day dance recital in a darkened auditorium.  I shot the first day using my Nikon 35 mm SLR with ultra fast print film, and the second day with my Olympus C-700.  There was no contest.  The 35 mm shots were blurry and the colors were muddy (due to the incandescent lighting).  The digital photos, by comparison, were brighter, more colorful, and much sharper.  During a particularly well-lit number, I was even able to capture another dancer mid-stride as she was leaping through the air.  This was one of the most difficult lighting situations I've yet encountered -- and the Olympus C-700 did wonderfully!I hope that the above suggestion to adjust the C-700's film speed to its maximum setting when shooting indoors was helpful.
The C-700 has excellent picture quality, except there can be color distortion with bright objects.  Color reproduction aside from that is great, good low light.  One other note is when you turn the camera on, make sure the lens cap is off as the cord attaching it to the camera is a tad short.  Otherwise the lens mechanism can become loose (as happened with mine), I suppose the motor could burn out.
I looked at quite a few.... I love the ease of this camera, the easy to read menus, and especially the 10X zoom.I like to take pictures of flowers and still lifes and this camera does everything I want it to.....  Love it.  I am having so much fun.
This is my second digital camera.  My first was the Olympus 340R which is still near perfect after 3 years of use.  I do a lot of outdoor photography and needed something with zoom capability.The pixels wasn't that big of a concern because the 1.3 mp of the 340R was suiting me just fine.  I run my 19&quot; montitor's resloution at 1600x1200 and the picture fills up the screen with awesome quality.The zoom on this camera is amazing.  It can take a picture of 8 pt text on paper from across the room (11 feet) and you can read it clearly.  It's also pretty amazing how lighting is composed.  Without the flash on, it still compensates for a lot of light.  I was able to zoom across the neighborhood for about 1500 feet at night and still get a good picture of cars coming down a hill.With my old camera I found that digital zoom is pretty much worthless unless you print straight from the card.  If you need the extra zoom, you can do it on your computer.  I tested this out:  I took a 27X zoomed picture and a 10X optical zoom of the exact same object.  On my computer I enlarged the optical zoom photo 300%. The detail was exactly the same in both photos.  When you only use optical zoom, you also get more overall picture.  What I mean my this is that you get more frame area to crop out if you need to, abling you to center the object easier.One feature that no one has mentioned yet is the ability to record 4 seconds of audio with each photo.  I find this really cool to mark my GPS location points.  I mark the position on my GPS, take the picture, and then record what GPS waypoint the picture is of.  The 4 second audio is only 32K on the card, so you won't even notice loss of space.  You can even go back and re-record or add audio to pictures already taken.When you play back the photos while connected to a TV, the audio plays with each photo.The stability is somewhat of an issue when zommed in, but I also found the &quot;action&quot; mode to elimate any bluring.A lot have mentioned the &quot;lens cap of doom&quot;.  It doesn't pop off the lense, it's held by a thumb spring. (mabe the older ones did just snap onto the lense, but my new one doesn't) It also comes with a retaining cord so it's no going anywhere.  The camera didn't have a specific place to attach the lens cap cord, so I wove it into the neck strap.  It's long enough that it doesn't stop the lens from pertruding out when turned on and you forget to take the lens cap off.Viewing taken photos on the LCD is very quick.  My 340R would take about 3 seconds to load each photo in to the LCD.  The C-700 is almost immediate, and you can zoom in 3X and pan freely around the photo.  After taking a picture, you can also view the last shot immediately and delete it if you want.  To do this, press the LCD button [] twice quickly.  I use feature this a lot because I like to show people the photo/video right away.The last feature I absolutely love is the USB connection.  I have a FlashPath (floppy disk reader) for my old camera, which won't be getting much use anymore.  The USB is pretty much as fast a reading from a hard drive.  A 4 meg video clip starts playing immediately straight from the camera.
I owned this camera for awhile its good actually very good......but the zoom wasnt what I wanted, so I upgraded to a nikon 5700.....Only because I'm use to a camera that behaves like a slr.........but if you do purchase this olmpyus and your a average photo type user or not into tecnical cameras that can be difficult, Then this is the camera for you........
Had my C-700 for over a year and it absolutely comes through. Even tho it's my first digital, I did my homework before I bought. Knew right away to get a big card (64 is enough!) and ni-mh batteries (the more powerful ones), and a ... card reader. I've done everything from faraway surfing to weddings to nighttime fireworks and campfires to dirt bike excursions and my son's football. I've blown up 8x10's and made T-shirts. This camera has been everywhere and is in constant use. I've burned hundreds of pictures to CD's. And I save power by NEVER using the LCD screen (except to view and delete).The color, resolution, and sharpness of this camera is amazing. The flash is strong and far-reaching. It does well with portraits, scenery, and everything in between. And it's fairly small and light, even by today's standards.Other positives: Self timer works well. Auto shut-off saves power when you forget to turn it off. On night shots push the shutter halfway and it lights up so you can see the picture before you take it. No software needed to download to some (newer)computers. The one time I called Olympus tech support they were very helpful.The down side: yes, there is one, but it's minor stuff. The manual is hard to read and understand. Some of the menus are hard to get to and figure out. It's not "pocket size". The carry strap looks flimsy. That's it!The only reason I wouldn't recommend this camera is if you wanted something small, and a 3x optical zoom would suffice. In that case I'd get a Minolta Dimage Xi. If size doesn't matter but sturdiness does, get the Cannon A-40. Or if you didn't need a zoom, just a good 2.0 snapshot camera, then I would say get the Casio pocket or Sony U-20 (no viewfinder).Otherwise, you can't go wrong with this camera.
Overall, I like this camera lot.  Since many others have waxed poetic in this vein, I'll concentrate on what it doesn't do well.My two major complaints:1. The small black and white viewfinder is useless in sunlight.  One can use the bigger LCD screen as a viewfinder, but it really eats batteries.2. There is a several second delay between the time you press the shutter button and the time the image is actually captured.  The camera is busily focusing and adjusting itself during this time.  This makes it difficult to catch fleeting expressions in people's faces, and if you're working with a toddler, they can be long gone by the time the camera takes the picture!
Several cameras later, the 700 remains the one I grab when going on a trip or when I want a good, multipurpose camera in the car. It has only taken a back seat to the Olympus 2100 for sporting events, and in this case only because the built-in lens stabilization feature of the 2100 makes a lot of difference when the 10x optical zoom is fully extended. I've appended my original review of the 700 below. ****************************************************************This is the camera that will put most others out of work. It is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The lens system is excellent and the resulting 2.1 megapixel images are crystal clear at 5&quot; x 7&quot;, and nearly so at 8&quot; x 10&quot;. . The zoom is of course the trump card on the 700, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 10x limit is awesome. Another nice feature is its ability to take QuickTime movies, which really adds to its versatility. The camera as shipped does require some upgrading, but these things can be added later. I would suggest the first purchase be a much larger memory card than the 8 megs included (I like the 128); if possible, buy Olympus, as these proprietary cards allow for a few more digital formatting tricks than do the others. A case and a battery recharger system should complete the package and make for a really great digital powerhouse.
C700 is my first digital, and I went for the zoom.  It did not disappoint.  Great pictures inside and out at all zoom levels.  For years I've been a 35mm slide-taker with a 35-210 zoom, and the C700 takes it to a new level.  So far I've just used the auto setting and the results have been great - far fewer throwaways than on my 35mm.  Really handy is hooking the camera to the television to show the pictures.I bought refurbished through Amazon, but note that the camera is about half the total cost which includes extras such as a couple of memory cards, two sets of rechargeable batteries, case, lens cap cord, SmartMedia card reader, and a CD burner to store the pictures.Finally, I saw a number of reviews that complained about the lens cap being a problem.  I don't understand these comments as I don't have a problem with turning the camera on or off with the cap on.  Perhaps I have a later version that corrected the problem.  Having a simple cap cord ... attached is a convenient way to keep track of the cap.
What's really great about this camera is the control that it gives you. Change the depth of field, blur the image or make it crystal clear. You can set the f stop &amp; shutter speed to whatever you wnat &amp; see just what the picture looks like in the viewfinder. It's one of the few through the lens systems. That, and the fact that it's really small and light weight for a camera with such a long lens( the 10x zoom).I take the camera with me on my mountain bike all over the Bay Area. It's taken quite a beating, bouncing over rocky mountain trails and so far, I've taken thousands of photos with no complaints. The through the lens viewing lets you see just what you're taking when you do close-ups. I just wish the resolution of the viewfinder was better.
A ton of features, including a massive optical zoom, and full manual to full auto functionality.Here are the negatives to ponder when considering this camera:It is VERY slow.  Plan to take pictures of stationary objects, or people posing.  No matter the shutter speed, the time between your press of the shutter button and the actual image capture is an eternity.  You will have to "lead" your subjects while holding the shutter button and waiting for the snap.The internal viewfinder is a small LCD, which is slow and jumpy.  The benefit is that you are looking thru the lens.  Otherwise it is terrible.Taking pictures in low light is a [gamble].  You cannot see a thing in either the internal or external LCD viewfinders.  You will have to guess what is in the frame, and snap a flash picture to find out what you've got.The quality of indoor pictures in average lighting is questionable.  This camera will not simply make black look black.  Dark areas always have red "hot pixels", which makes the picture look very grainy, even with the flash.Bottom line, I do not recommend this camera for a film replacement.  If you take landscape pictures in bright light, it's great.  Otherwise, try something else.
This camera is the one to get and is worth paying extra over the C2040 and is worth getting over the C3040. Here is why. The 10X zoom is magnificent (It is equivalent to a 38mm to 380mm on a 35 mm camera and it only weighs 11 oz. Incredible.). You cannot imagine the difference between your standard 3x zoom until you see how close a 10X zoom gets. Digital zooms are completely worthless (you can do the same thing as a digital zoom on your computer). Also, this camera has a LCD viewfinder that looks straight through the lens (very similar to a camcorder). This is amazing as what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG). There is no parallax and it saves batteries by not having to use the back LCD to frame your photo. Once you try it you won't want to go back to anything else.Even what some people consider negatives are actually positives. First, it is only 2.1 mega pixel. This is actually a good thing unless you are a professional photographer taking 11x17 or getting your photos published in a magazine. Not only is a 2.1 mega pixel cheaper but it saves space on your memory card so you can take more pictures. With the current memory, bandwidth, and storage limitations, 2.1 is about all you will need. I bet most of the people with the higher resolutions end up shrinking their photos once they get them on the computer. Two, no image stabilization. It is true at 10X zoom it is fairly easy to get some blurring (especially in low light). Get a tri-pod. It is lighter, cheaper and far less complex than image stabilization (Also, it will be handy for those night shoots when you don't use a flash). It is tricky to use the manual focusing. You use the menu arrow buttons instead of rotating the lens. However, judging how the lens works it would have added significant bulk to the C700. This is the smallest 10X zoom. If you have seen any of the others, (such as Sony) you can really appreciate how small and light this camera is.When I was shopping for a camera it came down to the C2040 and the C700 UZ. The C2040 has a lower F-stop (1.8 instead of 2.8. This is a good thing as it lets in more light for the same shutter speed. So for low light situations you can have a higher shutter speed which lessons the likelihood of blurring). I wasn't sure how big of a difference this made. And in most conditions I don't think it makes that big of a difference. The C2040 only has a 3X zoom and optical viewfinder. Both of which I think were significant shortcomings. Also, you can record sound onto your photos in the C700 something you can't do in the C2040.In the end, I paid the extra (cost) and bought the C700. I totally made the right choice. The pictures are great. Also, as you get better you won't outgrow this camera. It has all sorts of manual features that will have you fiddling for hours if you so desire but it is also completely point-and-shoot automatic if that is what you want. But in the end it all comes down to the zoom and LCD. I can't say enough good things about the 10X zoom and LCD viewfinder. Buy this camera and you will see the difference!
I love this camera. The zoom is what makes it great. I would like better than 2.1 megapixels, but with the flash, I have literally thousands of great shots. We have a new baby, and I have taken lots! I only gave it 4 stars because the focusing could be a little faster.Buy a smart media reader, so you don't use up battery life formatting, and copying images. NM-Hi batteries last a long time in this camera, even when you use the screen on the back for viewing.Use the SHQ quality (1600x1200), you don't need the TIFF format, it is not that much better.
First of all, I must say that I'm new to digital cameras.  And we've only had this camera for 2 weeks (during which we finished wedding plans and survived our daughter's wedding), so we haven't fully explored what this little marvel of engineering can do.We chose the Olympus C-700 because of the excellent reviews here on Amazon and on other websites.  We spent many hours researching digital cameras, which confirmed our immediate reaction looking at this camera at the store. It feels GREAT in your hand, and once you look through that LCD viewfinder, you just won't be happy with any other viewfinder!My advice is the buy the 128MB card right away.  We haven't filled it up yet, and I was shooting pictures like crazy!  When you look in the viewfinder, it tells you how many pictures are left on the card at High Quality.After reading about how digital cameras drain the batteries so quickly, we were prepared with alkaline batteries as well as an extra set of lithium rechargables, but we were pleasantly surprised with how long the batteries last.This is really the only camera you'll find with a 10x zoom, except for the older Olympus C-2100UZ, which is not only harder to find, but about twice as heavy!  The only advantage to this other camera, from our research, is that it has image stabilization.  But part of the joy of a digital camera is taking it along to capture those special moments, and it would be a real pain to have it twice as heavy!Even though I'm not an experienced photographer even with a normal camera, I was able to take excellent pictures with this camera!  It's just wonderful being able to see your pictures right away on the screen.  How many times have you taken 10 pictures of a certain subject, only to find later, when it was too late, that the lighting wasn't right for the situation?We enjoyed being able to hook up the camera to the TV and show them to a whole room of people.  Hooking up the camera to the computer via the USB is easy too, and the software is straightforward.One of the things we were carefully looking at was the fact that this camera is "only 2.1 megapixels".  We compared reviews of the C-700 to Olympus cameras with over 3 megapixels.  It seems that the image quality is just as good (some reviews say better!), especially if you're not needing to print out pictures larger than 8x10's.  According to all the reviews, the lens makes a huge difference and this camera has a great one.I tried out the 10x zoom by taking pictures of my daughter's wedding bouquet the day after the wedding.  The pictures are just gorgeous!  Oh, and I've only used the AUTO setting so far.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the camera, especially the "burst mode" where you can take a whole bunch of pictures right in a row.The only downside we've seen to this camera so far is the lens cover.  It does come with a small cord which attaches to it, but we never figured out how you're supposed to connect this little cord to the camera.  We tried to thread it through the same opening that the camera strap goes through, but that didn't work.  The result is that the lens cover was accidentally dropped after we owned it just a few days.  A little black piece of plastic came out of the lens cover and when we tried to put it back together, it wouldn't squeeze together to grip the lens.  Apparently there was a small spring which was lost, but my husband improvised a temporary fix with a small piece of foam which he put where the spring was.  Then we took a piece of 6-ply black cross-stitch thread and threaded that through the cord on the lens cover and then attached that to strap. It's not a perfect solution, but at least the lens cover stays with the camera!  The directions/design for this lens cover attachment could be better for sure!This is an amazing little camera - great for people like me who need just point-and-shoot, and also for those people who enjoy changing the settings themselves....
Wow!  This camera is easy to operate and gives good clear photos.  I took many others' advice and use a tripod for those zoomed in shots.  Everyone is amazed at the zoom capability and picture quality of this little light-weight.I can't wait to take it to Alaska this summer and zoom in on those black bears and eagles.  I'm sure to get some great photos.The upload with the included USB cable is quick and easy.  Just plug it into the camera and then the computer and it does the work without having to install any software at all.If you are looking for an easy digital that will give you some real zoom, this just may be the camera for you.
The driver installation instructions that come with this camera are WRONG! I had to contact the support center to get a completely different way to install the driver so I could download the pictures to my computer.This is my first digital camera, so I thought I was doing something wrong.  Now that the driver is installed properly, I am happy with the camera's performance. Other than this, that is all the information I can give.
I got the Brio D-150 because I really like my old Olympus D-320L, but wanted a newer camera with more memory and easier uploading (USB instead of serial). Unfortunately, the picture quality is terrible. Worst is the color balance: indoors, on Auto, everything is yellow. When I set it to tungsten (light bulb), everything is blue. The auto-focus seems to be off, too--pictures are all slightly blurred. Bluntly, the pictures are ugly. My old Olympus takes much better pictures, as does my wife's newer (and cheaper) HP315.From all the good reviews that I've seen for this camera, I suspect that I just got a faulty one, but it's not worth my time to try another of the same model. I'm returning this camera and not getting another Olympus any time soon. I recommend that, if you buy this camera, get it from somewhere with a good return policy, in case mine is not an isolated case.
this is the first camera that is supposed to be point and shoot simplicity that really is that I have ever owned. I purchased an inexpensive battery charger for this at the same time, and that has proven to be a great investment. Yes, it uses battery life but it is worth it! I bought the 64k card and have taken up to 65 photos and never run out of space. Then I down load it to the laptop, and go again! We finally have all the pictures we wanted, can review them and pic and choose, and I have saved the price of the camera in film alone, let alone developing costs.I am not a photo-phile and this camera is great for me...but my daughter who has worked as a professional portrait photographer loves it too...just give her a tripod and she is set!enjoy this!!!
Outstanding pictures. The 1.3 Megapixel is just the right range to keep the resolution good, yet file sizes manageable for upload/download times to/from the web. Pictures look very professional when printed. No color distortion, as in some digital cameras. Nice controls, such as white balance adjustment, available. 3X optical zoom really helps (don't buy a camera with only digital zoom). Doesn't do particularly well in poor light though (perhaps not supposed to), and consumes battery like a raven (I got a rechargeable one).
Okay - I bought this refurbished, but it was factory sealed.  It's a great camera for casual use and you cannot beat the price.  Great features include the 3X optical zoom (forget about digital zoom - they are practically useless), a 12-second delay (I've dealt with less time to run and pose!) and an image print increase size to 5 X 7 (only 1.3MP).  However, I never have had use for an 8 X 10 or more.  Slim camera and inexpensive enough that I won't freak if I lose it (I lose cameras - one every few years!).  The Smartmedia cards are great, as I can mail them home from vacation.  Olympus is also a great company for returns or problems.
I own an Olympus C-3000 and love it.  I purchased the D-150 to use in places where I would not want to take a more expensive camera (i.e. at the beach, camping, etc).  First the good points.  The camera has almost every function you would expect .. including the ability to view the pictures on a TV (via the RCA output).  It does not have the ability to take video or capture audio.  But frankly I never take video or capture audio.Now the bad news. The picture quality of this camera is awful.  Pictures are grainy and lack details and vibrance.  I set my C-3000 to the same resolution 1280x960 and took a picture of the same subject with both cameras.  The picture was taken outdoors to eliminate the effect of the flash.  The picture on the C-3000 is vibrant and full of color.  The whites are white, reds are red, and blacks are black.  I then took the same picture using the D-150.  What a difference.  The entire picture is grainy and muted.  The whites look like they have little dots of every possible color - and not true white. The blacks and reds are muted and dull.  I was expecting the same picture quality if both cameras were set to the same resolution.This camera is being returned.  Not recommended!
For a first camera, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  It's small, durable, and takes great photos.  The interface is easy to use and the photos it produces are printable quality.Sure, if you want to spend a few hundred dollars more, you will get a better camera.  But, if you want something simple, with an optical zoom, this is the camera.  Photos print out fantastically (with the proper paper and printer, of course), and they are great to use for online purposes as well.  Add on a pack of rechargable AA batteries for it (or any camera), and a larger memory card, and you're set to go forever.
This is the same camera as the D-100, but with a nice 3:1 optical zoom. That addresses the most glaring shortcoming of the D-100, but adds a very significant premium to the price (40%). In this price and performance range, I'd much prefer the Olympus (Stylus-based) D-460. I have appended my review of the D-100: ***************************************************************** This is my first Olympus digital, but it will not be my last. It is a very nice beginner's purchase, and would also make a very good backup for a more dedicated digital photographer. The size and weight make it a breeze to carry in a pocket, purse or glove compartment. It has good quality optics, a 1 megapixel resolution (that will allow pretty good 5&quot; x 7&quot; prints), good battery life (and can use readily available alkalines) and easy USB connectivity to your PC for transferring images. The included 8 meg card is adequate, though it seems to me this camera, which when attached to your PC is automatically recognized as another drive (a nice feature requiring no software installations), would have benefited from some on-board memory. Furthermore, I do not like cameras that require using the LCD panel to view &amp; frame the image, much preferring a traditional through-the-lens viewfinder, which is absent on the Brio. However, its most glaring short-coming is the lack of an optical zoom (it has a digital zoom, but these are vastly inferior digital tricks that halve the resolution while doubling the size of the selected portion of the photographed image), but if that's not a problem for you, you'll be happy with the rather handsome Brio.
For a camera of its price range, I was dubious as to its quality, but buying is believing, even a refurbished model from cec-corp which got it direct from the factory. All the sample shots at digital imaging site reviews lived up to expectation and the camera walks the fine line between super-easy to use and great goodies like white balance, flash type, macro mode, and 6x zoom. Its slender feel beg for it to travel and be used.I debated greatly over whether to get the ...(refurbished) D-460 (out-of-production too in lieu of the cheaper D-470 which is fixed focus; likewise with the D-360/D-370 difference) but the 1.3Mpix and auto focus (*not* fixed focus) and goodies and lower price and newer nature (meaning USB and not serial support plus refined technology) of the D-150 make me glad Olympus continues to remember the poorer and more value-minded digital photographer :).
We love the fact that this camera is so tiny.  I can just toss it in my purse &amp; it even often fits in my pocket.  It's a great camera.  Our only complaints are that it has problems with unusual lighting (pictures aren't as good inside, but can be doctored up in a photo editing program) &amp; the menu system is tedious.  I don't know if all digital cameras have the lighting problems.  It's also slow to take a picture, but I've heard that is true of all digital cameras (I think?).  Highly recommend for the price though!!
I'm pleasantly surprised how easy this camera is to use and considering the low price, the quality is outstanding.This is my first digital camera so I wanted something simple, but decent, and cheap.It takes great pics outdoors and the flash is all you need for wonderful indoor shots.
Bought it for a 4 (almost 5) year old for Christmas because the reviews on kid cameras didn't have the best reviews and he always wants to use big people camera's.  I tested it out and it has great quality of pictures though the display isn't as nice as my newer Kodak camera that I just absolutely love.  Thinking about getting the Printer Dock to go along with this if it lasts my nephew the way I think it will because of how well made it felt.
I bought this simple digital camera (sorry to say it, but...) with low expectations. But then again Kodak surprised me, all i could do was to love this easy to use, reliable digital camera. Its colour deph its outstanding and it works nice on poor light conditions. May be there are other new models, but this one it sure pays out every cent u pay for it.
This is a nice "point and shoot" digital camera, with very good resolution. Don't get fooled into thinking that digital zoom means anything significant. It simply enlarges the image, and decreases the resolution.Nevertheless, 2.2MP resolution is quite good enough for nearly everything you'll want to do. How often do you enlarge photos beyond 8X10"? If you do that frequently, get a better camera. Otherwise for the current price, this is a very usable camera. Remember, the higher the resolution the larger the picture file. 2.2 MP is a very good compromise. You'll want a couple of 64 Meg or larger memory cards (Compact Flash).The 3500 is light, and the pictures look great. Battery life is very good. Buy 4 additional NiMH batteries and a charger.You will have to learn to use this camera however. You'll want to learn the menu structure, and the quirks of the camera. The flash is typical of such cameras, usable only for close snapshots. The optics are fine. It's fixed focus. The shutter speed is (probably) fixed and fairly slow - HOLD THE CAMERA STEADY! The manual simply says the exposure is "automatic." Don't worry about the learning curve. Take your time. Erase the bad pictures - they're FREE!This camera has been available for a while so you may want to look at the newer offerings. But then look at the current price of the 3500.
I bought this camera 3 years back and its a plain simple point and shoot camera with a fixed lens and you cant adjust anything. It has no optical zoom, no video recording, etc. but thats what you pay for. Picture wise the camera shoots beautifully and the colours come out really nice and natural. Its flash is pretty bad with flash shots coming out dark. I have taken decent 6x4 prints even with the lower resolution. The power on/off switch is really horrible and flimsy. It broke after few months of use and I had to get it repaired. After that my computer never recognises the camera and I have to use a card reader to transfer photos.I wouldnt recommend this camera even to a first timer even though its very very simple to use. Its just too flimsy and featureless.
This digital camera is a delight to own and use. Make sure you get the dock as well. This bundle is so great because it INCLUDES the Kodak DX 3500 digital camera *and* the Kodak Camera Dock. As someone who has used cameras that do not come with a simple snap-in bundled dock, I've been frustrated, but this makes it soooo easy to upload images to your computer for sharing and/or printing. The dock is also great because it recharges the battery in a snap, instead of fumblign with awkward chargers and losing batterie around the house. (&quot;Honey, where's the battery charging now?&quot;)The camera itself has a 2.2-megapixel sensor that allows you to ceate generous prints up to 8&quot; x 10&quot;. Most people tend to stick to the 4&quot; x 6&quot; prints, but it is nice to have the option.The 3x digital zoom lens with autofocus and 8 MB internal memory is enough for most pictures, but this could have been a bit larger. In some instances you might find yourself hurrying back to the computer to transfer the images so you can take more pics. Depending on the format size of the image, you'll be able to take about 40 photos (more than a 36 exposure roll of tradtional film - yeah!) before needing to transfer images to your computer. Overall, this is a great camera at a super value.
I purchased a DX3500 after a week's ownership of an HP 318 that I returned. The DX3500 is an extremely capable camera that is easy to use for beginners and sophisticated users alike.Compared to the HP 318, the DX3500 offers superior picture quality. Fine details are not lost in the 'grain' of the image. Colors are well balanced and smooth. Setup and operation are easy with the single function knob and easy to navigate menus displayed on the rear LCD.One feature that should be mandatory on digital cameras is a lens cap or cover. This model has a lens shutter that turns off the camera when closed. In addition, there are guide lines on the viewfinder that show you where the edges of your picture will be so you don't cut off what you're trying to photograph.Battery life is okay with alkalines although they aren't recommended for use with this camera because of the high drain. Kodak includes a Lithium Ion battery pack with this camera that provides a lot of use out of the box. Another plus is that this camera only requires two AA batteries as opposed to other units that require four.The included software installed smoothly on Windows XP and when the camera is attached via the USB port, it shows up as a removable drive under the file manager. You can transfer files with either file manager or the Kodak software. Using the Kodak method is easier and allows you to automatically clear the camera when the pictures are downloaded.I purchased two NiMH batteries and a charger for less than twenty dollars instead of buying the Kodak camera dock and rechargeable batteries. The dock simplifies image transfer and would be useful if you're doing a lot of picture-taking. It can also charge Kodak batteries when your camera is docked.At medium resolution, the camera's internal memory stores 48 images. That supports 5x7 inch prints and I find this a very good amount of storage capacity in case you forget your Compact Flash card at home.The manual is easy to read and gets the first-time digital camera user up to speed quickly. All features of the camera are covered with step-by-step instructions.The drawbacks? They're nit-picks really.* I'd prefer a little more heft and size to the camera to make it easier to grasp.* The construction is not as solid-feeling as the Kodak DC series of cameras although this unit has very good fit and finish.* Only two picture resolutions: high and medium. A low (640x480) resolution would be nice for web imaging.* The camera does not support USB-Storage protocols. You must have the Kodak software or a compact flash card reader to transfer images to your computer.* No provison for an AC adapter for studio use.
This was my first venture into the digital camera arena, so I wanted something easy with high resolution. This camera makes great clear pictures, but DON'T USE THE ZOOM. The digital zoom is always fuzzy. Next time, I will not buy without an optical zoom.The camera dock is great! My wife and kids can use it with no problem. The extra memory is a must. If you take high quality pictures, the 8MB on board is just not sufficient.Bottom line. If you want a good, easy to use, decent quality, reasonably priced digital camera without a zoom, this camera is for you.
I've been using the Kodak DX3500 for about 3 weeks and have been very successful in good lighting conditions.  Indoor shots are a little dark, because the flash is not effective beyond 8 feet or so.  The usb connection for uploading to the computer is very fast, so bypass the docking station.  One trouble I've encountered is when uploading to the computer, the picture loading software freezes after uploading 24 pictures or so.  I need to disconect and restart to get the remaining pictures loaded.  Overall, this camera is a great value.  Simple to use, no complicated features, and picture quality is high.
Don't be fooled by this camers 2.2 Megapixels.  It may be able to shoot at high resolution, but it applies to much compression to the images it shoots to make them fit onto the card.  The result is that the images apear grainy when fully zoomed in.  Also, the digital zoom only enhances this graininess.  It looks like someones merely cropped the image and then enlarged it to full size (blurry and low quality).  This camera also is terrible for film exposure (I know it doesn't have film, but still).  My pictures are always come out to dark or too light and I have to use photoshop (Making copies of layers and setting them to screen or multiply) to set the values right.  The only plus about this camera is that it has a good OS, and has the novelty of being able to hook up to a TV.  I would reccomend stepping up to Nikon Coolpics 775 (about 80 bucks more) because there is a huge chance you will outgrow this camera like me.
Camera was more/less as expected..Generally works.. butLCD screen is in poor shape.. Almost useless trying to use as viewer..Need to upload photos to computer to see them..The photos are ok.. but it's trial and error in shooting them.You get what you paid for..
compact cam and extremely easy to use - plug and play - I love it
You can find images taken with the Kodak DX3500 at [...]All of these images are unedited except for cropping. These were taken under the good quality setting (not even the best) during my vacation in august to the Smokie Mountains National Park.This camera takes beautiful pictures, they absolutely stunned me and blew me away after my trip. It gave me truely memorable pictures for my vacation. I've also begun to use it to photograph my friend's and Washington, DC.And I will also note, i have some photography experience but i AM NOT a expert. Simply an amateur who likes to take photos. Enjoy these representations of what this wonderful camera can do.
I no longer buy Kodak products.  The buttons on the camera are poorly made and will frustrate you when you least expect it.  I have my camera for a while and it is out of the 1 year warranty.  The button that is use to activate the flash no longer works.  When I called Kodak about this, they told me to send in the camera along with [money] for [the] repair.  No Way!  So I am telling you guys not to buy Kodak cameras or their products.
The first impression i've got with this camera is weakness. Seems that if camera falls to the floor (more usual than you 're thinking),it'll be destroyed in million pieces. Plastics are bad and termination isn't good.Another big drawback is that it hans't any kind of optical zoom or in defect intechangeable lenses. The digital zoom is the least chance because you'll loose resolution and quality. A wide angle lens could be a good optional item.The photos aren't awesome, too dark and automatic modes are terrible ... Zoom is underpowered.I've got an SLR and the results and i dind't find any digital with their performance ( my SLR is a Yashica FX-3 , full manual). The best digital camera i've seen is the new nikon 5000 but for that prize i could manage a Contax Aria with Zeiss lenses.
Very happy with product. Very easy to use point and shoot digital camera. This feature packed camera is reasonable priced. Not to fancy, yet does everything the average comsumer would want. Best if used in conjuction with Kodak EasyShare Camera Doc. (I have also reviewed this item.)Note: If you use the LCD screen to &quot;take&quot; pitures it uses the battery faster. This camera has a digital, but no optical zoom.
I usually like Kodak's digitals, but this one has a strange mix of features that should render it unacceptable to both amateurs and to advanced users. To wit, the image quality is very good, boasting 2.1 megapixels of resolution, enough to handle not only web-based photography, but enlargements of up to 8&quot; x 10&quot; as well. However, this is completely offset by a fixed-focus lens and no optical zoom (it has a digital zoom, but these are not nearly as useful). The rest of the features are acceptable, including memory &amp; expandability, flash, battery useage &amp; USB connectivity. Kodak is selling an optional 'docking station' for this camera that allows for 'easier' downloading of images to your PC, but any memory card reader (Viking, or SanDisk) is simpler, cheaper and more versatile.
Well, after having the Olympus D-460 for about 3 months,I saw the Kodak camera on the... web site and noticed that it was 2.2 megapixels. I had sort of been looking for a 2+ megapixel camera so I ordered it. When it arrived, I was disapointed as quick as I took it out of the box. From the plastic casing to the super light weight of the camera was the first thing. Just the controls and the feel of the camera make you think of a toy! Not having an optical zoom is another setback. When you use the digital zoom through the LCD the image gets almost unrecognizable. It pales in comparison to the Olympus D-460 as far as features, construction (the 460 is rock solid!) and LCD quality. The only thing it has better is the megapixels and that is why I gave it a 2 instead of a 1. You really get what you pay for here. If all you care about is getting the megapixels then this may be for you. If not, look elsewhere.
It took me a few minutes to get used to it but, once I got the hang of it, I found it very easy to use. The first thing that threw me off was the fact that it comes with a lithium battery pack (this is the version without the docking station). I spent a while trying to figure out how to charge the batteries before I realized I didn't need to.Most of the time, it's easiest to use it like a regular camera -- point and shoot. If you use the digital zoom or the cloeup setting, though, you're better off using the viewing screen to line up a shot.Another unexpected feature was the way it interfaces to a PC. I expected the device driver to use twain protocol. Instead, the camera, when plugged into the USB port, acts like an extra disk drive. The internal memory and memory card show up separate folders, each of which contain JPEG images, one for each picture taken. I can load, edit, save and delete the images using my favorite software. Couldn't be easier.I've seen a number of reviews saying that the images are blurry. The only way I could manage to take blurry pictures was to turn off the flash and take a picture in low light, but that's true of any camera.Using the digital zoom feature tended to result in pictures that were a bit grainy. That was pretty much what I expected, though. It's probably better to move closer to the subject when possible.Overall, I found it hard to take bad pictures with this camera and, when I did, it was easy enough to delete them.
This is my first digital camera and I wanted it to use mainly for the internet. It is simple to use, the pictures, including close-ups, are great. Distance photos for everyday use are really good too especially for the price of this camera compared to the complicated expensive models out there. The dock is definitely worth it, five seconds and you see your pictures, save them wherever you want them and you're done. The dock keeps the batteries charged all the time too. I am really happy with this purchase. It came in two days and we were up and running right away. Only thing I haven't figured out is how to get the dock to download directly to my D drive instead of C. Otherwise, you have to move the pix if you don't have room on your C drive. We have an older computer so we don't have much room left on the C drive. We chose this model over the 3600 because we didn't need the optical zoom (tried it in the store and the pix didn't seem as good as being 9&quot; from the item with the 3500) or the movie feature. Good quality all around.
This camera takes nice pictures but you will only have a few minutes to take them after charging the battery. About 10 minutes or so is all I could get out of a fully charged battery.I called Kodak about this problem, they walked me through the steps to make sure I was charging the battery correctly (how stupid do they think I am?). Then they told me there must be a problem with the charging dock. Took the dock back to the store and exchanged it for another one. Same problem! Called Kodak again, this time they tell me it must be a problem with the camera itself so back to the store to exchange the camera for another one. Same problem!I finally ended up taking it back, getting my money refunded and buying a comera from a different manufacturer.
What an outstanding Pick...Very easy to use. The packaged software is just great, anyone (computer smart or not) can use it. The pictures taken so far have been great, easy to download to the Kodak soft ware and easy to print..You will just love the one touch Kodak docking station.What a great idea...
Its a nice easy to use compact with just enough extra telephoto lens for many purposes.  Olympus is clearly the leader in compact 35's, I think its their main market.Wife likes it better than my Canon Eos, I do to. You cann't turn the date system off if that matters.Unit is made in China instead of Japan.  Probably reduces cost.  Hopefully quality and durability are good.
really great camera, takes really nice photos. If you need a great 35mm camera at a low cost this would be it.
The camera is compact, solid but light, and very easy to use. The images are very good to excellent. All the features seems to work just fine. The telephoto lens really brings images in. Its relative resistance to water-spray helps with boating photography. So far it has worked without a hitch. Though I own a digital camera, I believe that a film camera like this is still preferable for travel or for taking many pictures in a short time. All you have to do is plop a new film in and keep going, and then drop it off for development and you will end up with photos that will not fade out in a few years. I highly recommend this Olympus for an uncomplicated way of handling photography in an economical fashion and ending up with excellent results.
I bought this camera because of the light weight, the date/time stamp and the zoom capability, and I am very please with the purchase.  We have two young kids and use the 115QD to take a lot of photos.  The photo quality is very good (may be close to the Canon AE1 SLR that I used to use) under a lot of different lighting enviornments.  So far we have no complaint about it, it is reliable and take great pictures.
At last, here is an all-purpose, easy-to-use camera that provides a variety of built-in accessories. The Olympus Stylus Zoom 115 QD camera is a great find at a reasonable cost. Best of all, the learning curve is short. After 30 years of using a 35-mm Pentax with six exchangeable lenses, and another 15 years of using one of the first one-step Minoltas, I began to look for a  simple camera that was lightweight and not fussy.I needed a camera that could take excellent quality, in-focus shots of my craft booth set up, because show juries demand them. The camera needed to be small, durable, tough, and take the same quality shots indoors and out, with natural lighting and under fluorescent and indoor stadium lighting. If the same camera could take some close ups of my jewelry so I could scan the shots and send them to clients to give them an idea of a design, so much the better. And I didn't have a lot of money to spare, either.After some in-person and on-line research I decided on the Olympus Epic Zoom 115 QD. I read through the instruction book once. I made one mistake loading the film (if you don't load it right the first time, don't push &quot;rewind&quot; -the tail end of the film will be sucked into the roll). That was it. My first roll produced some good shots and some excellent shots, and the second roll had no throw-away shots. The variable focus provides a lot of flexibility. No red eyes on flash, not even on the cats. No complaints. For the price, snap this camera up.
I have had this camera for over 6 years and have gotton some brilliant shots from it. The clarity and richness of color is really amazing- it rivals digital cameras. The camera is pretty lightweight and easy to carry around. The only downside of course being a 35 mm- you have to scan the photos to a disc before you can upload them onto the computer. Some pictures have a bit of noise/grain in them, but not much. They can be reduced with software.
This is a great digital camcorder. I took it to the Grand Canyon. The camcorder was able to record in freezing conditions with no problems. The battery lasted approximately one hour. I used the digital camera mode and I was able to take plenty of pictures, with the help of the 26X zoom lens. Overall, I'd say this is a great buy! Also, Amazon is the only store that I trust when I  make important or general purchases on  the internet. So lets keep buying and supporting this great online store! OR else we are going to have to buy from many not-so-reputable stores.
I was looking for a recorder specifically for doing two things:1.  Easily convert old VHS tapes to Digital format.  If you have ever tried capturing analog video direct to a computer, you know it's not that easy.  I wanted to let the camcorder do the hard work of converting and then just copy the video down digitally over a firewire cable.2.  Capture higher quality video for the new home movies I was making on DVD playable CD-Rs.This unit did it all for me and I didn't have to break the bank.  In particular I was happy that the unit had:- RCA style Video In/Out so I can play from it to another source, or record to it from sometime like a VHS player.- widescreen recording option- remote control- Digital still option.  Though it's only 640X480, it's a nice option for when I don't have my regular digital camera with me.Now I've converted a good portion of my old VHS home movies to Digital and to DVD (you need additional software and a CD Burner to create the DVD playable CD-Rs) and the new video I capture is of higher quality than the 8mm I had used for the last 10 years.  It didn't even take me long to get use to the unit because much of the layout (recording button, zoom) are in the same spot as my old 8mm Sony.  I spent about an hour hooking everything up, reading the manual and setting all the menus.  After that it was smooth sailing.
I bought this one and after just a month of use ran into the famous tape getting stuck problem. Amazon was courteous to take it back. This does have some high end features, but these are of no use if there is problem with the basics. Too often companies get swayed by offering features when the base has problems. I was using TDK high quality tapes, so tape quality was not a issue.
Some of the users reviews have been rather harsh, which I thought was odd considering the glowing professional reviews of this camera. I took a chance and I am impressed! It is lighter and somewhat smaller than my old SVHS-C compact camcorder, but it has great features and the picture quality is excellent. Battery life is great, the weight is very reasonable and the controls are easy to navigate. If you can't figure out the controls on this camera, you should stick with super-8. Editing is a dream with this unit and the firewire interface is flawless. I give it 2 thumbs up!... You can't even buy a decent 8mm or VHS-C camera for that price! For those of you that lissed out on that deal, Amazon's price still beats everyone that I have found.
I have not had the problems that the other reviewers here have had.  I'm using Fujifilm DV Cassettes and I'm not sure if that is the difference or not.  (But I'll continue to use this brand.)I've been importing my tapes into an Apple Mac for video editing and then exporting the finished product out to tape.  It works well in this manner.  My only complaint is occasional sound chopiness, but it's not enough to ruin the product for me.  (Especially at this price point.)Hope this helps.
...The camera worked very well, I was very happy with it until when I was playing back a shot I took, the pixels starting getting big, black lines appeared and then the display warning for clogged heads came up...I read the comment guidelines...I called Sharp and got the "Gee, that's not supposed to happen" line, send it to NY"...I reread the manual and realized I had been recording with the camera right next to my computer.  The manual says, "avoid magnetic sources".  Later that day I tried the camera again and it worked fine and haven't had a problem since.  Hopefully that was the problem...the manual says if you use the LP (long playing mode) with tapes not designed for LP, it will cause playback problems...I hope this helps anyone having the playback problems.  Too bad the people at Sharp can't/won't give you some options of what may be causing the problems.
Terrible, product tanked after 3 months! Wont playback! very pixelated and distorted if it does, otherwise blue screen. You get what you pay for here!Sharp is of no help, send to a service center for nothing! Wont record or playback!
A large portion of these cameras will not play back the video they record.  Since this is one of the core functions of a camcorder, this product fails miserably.Yes, it has cool features.  Yes, the price is great.  None of this overcomes the fact that you can't use it to playback recorded video.So far I have had an opportunity to test out three of these cameras and all three failed in the exact same way.  What are the chances that the one you buy will have the same problem?  It looks pretty probable.
I've used JVCs for years, and I think this Sharp is every bit as good as the JVCs, and maybe a bit less quirky. This model was a great bargain, costing 1/3 what I paid for a JVC of essentially the same specs, with some distinct advantages. The optical (true) zoom is powerful (26x), and the digital (not as good as optical) image stabilization makes it pretty functional (my JVC has 100x zoom, but w/o stabilization, a tripod is an absolute must to shoot anything worthwhile beyond 10x). In addition, the SmartMedia Card for digital stills is fine, and anyone who complains about the need (?) for a slow serial port to view these still images has obviously not discovered the wonderful world of cheap & easy to use USB (Viking or sanDisk) memory card readers.In addition, unlike the JVCs which require MultiMedia cards (harder to find, smaller capacity and more expensive per meg), or even the Sonys (proprietary Memory Sticks: same drawbacks), the Sharp uses SmartMedia, which are small, cheap, readily available and almost as good as CompactFlash memory cards. The video & sound quality are fine on this unit, better than anything you could have bought a few years ago at any price, and again, at a great deal. Overall, it's a winner.
We got this for the birth of our first baby in a couple days... Amazon had the best deal... Great features especially night vision and the fade in and out. I can actually do quite a bit of editing using the camera before turning to software. The camera has worked perfectly so far, menu system takes a bit of getting used to as does remembering all the many features available. The switch locations are a bit uncomfortable for some hands. Get a card reader and a longer lasting battery, or at least an extra one when you buy this camera and remember to clean the heads before switching tape brands as recommended by some tape suppliers. If you plan to do any  digital editing on a computer you will need the fire wire DV cable which Sharp does not provide with the camera or the S video cable depending on your computer's capture card otherwise the rca cables supplied will work for your tv, vcr and some capture cards.Zoom microphone is great as is remote control. Very good value for all the features which the product desription doesn't fully justify. Remember its a video camera so dont expect great still pictures from it.
I read the other reviews prior to purchasing this camcorder. When it arrived I was very happy with the construction and feel of the unit. It did not feel flimsy or anything else. This is a camcorder, it's not a ball and yes you do have to treat it like a camcorder. It is sturdy but I'm not sure how well any camcorder would do if it fell off a table or something. The sound quality is very good from this unit and the picture quality is also good. I did notice that as the light level got worse the picture quality became more grainy. The image stabilization will not do you any good if you plan on zooming in on your subject so for that I suggest using a tripod. One nice feature is the ability to switch to 16 bit sound so you get better sound recording than the default 12 bit. Also you can switch to the LP tape speed mode and because it is digital you loose zero picture or sound quality which means you can get more recording on the itty bitty DV tapes. The built in still camera takes decent pictures and with the 26x optical zoom you can really get in tight! I film my daughter who is a cheerleader in high school from all the way up in the back row and I can zoom in so tight that all that is in the picture is her face and thats from more than half a basketball court away! Save yourself some money and pick this one, it will do what you need it to do and more!
I was a little nervous after reading some of the reviews, having already ordered the camera, but not receiving it yet.  But once I got it, I was able to charge it up and get it working very quickly and easily!  I haven't had any tape problems (using TDK tapes) and all of my recordings and pictures are perfect!  I gave it four stars instead of five because the menu is a little hard to navigate, and I had a little trouble with the power switch, but once I got used to it, it works great.  Great price right now too.
I have owned this camcorder for 6 months and I have loved every minute of it.It shoots in almost total darkness and produces beautifull images.Ihave found it very well made and for the money its the best camcorder out there
I went into this thinking that I would not be affected by the dreaded "pixel problem." In a nutshell, it worked great during the first week. I purchased the TDK tapes to ensure that there were not going to be any problems. I recorded about 45 minutes over seven days and played the tape back several times over the same time period. There were no problems at that time. It was not until I recorded something that was very important that things went screwy. I started getting a red X flashing in the display. I found out after recording that the X means that the heads are clogged. Clogged after just 45 minutes of recording...amazing. It was at this poing that the playback got so pixelated that the image was unrecognizable.After reading the reviews here I purchased a head cleaning tape and even that made no difference. I returned the camcorder and purchased the Canon ZR45 MC. I was able to play the tapes back in that camcorder with no problem.Trust me...it is not worth the risk. The feel of this camcorder is very cheap. The 26X zoom was my biggest motivation in this purchase. Obviously, the cost of an item has somewhat of a bearing on the overall quality. This product should be recalled. It is a known defect. Buy anything else. The difference in price is worth the difference in aggrevation.
It's easy to use if you fully read the manual.If you also buy one dlink card(including cable), u can transfer your video to the computer quickly. The 26x and the optical len is good!
I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one.  Some people here are reviewing this product as the be all that ends all and well frankly I'm having some problems.  To give you some background, I didn't buy the product because it was easy to transfer photos, I work with computers every day and plugging in a cable is not that difficult for me to spend 70 bucks.  I bought this thing because it CHARGES batteries and it came with an extra battery.  I'm a firm believer that when you go on a trip you are not going to want to bring everything along with you and you never know how much you will want to use your camera so I alway bring extra everything.One of the problems is that they include a rechargible battery with the camera, but give you no means of charging it, and they tell you not to use any regular batteries.Well now it appears that my EASY share docking station does not charge the battery that came with the docking station.  It charges the one that came with my DX3900 camera, but not the one that came with the station.  The battery is dead, the camera tells me so, so I plug the camera up to the docking station, it says "battery level good" I unplug the camera, turn it on, the battery level light flashes and the camera promptly dies and turns off.  Immediately plug the camera back into the docking station, it tells me "battery level good" and does not charge the battery.Whats more I read a review on amazon.com about my camera that said that Kodak told the reviewer that the docking station will actually drain the battery if you leave the camera on the station too long when it doesn't need to be charged.The lesson learned...I'm going to buy another battery, because the one that came with my camera doesn't have a very good batterly life.  I'm going to charge it initially and be very careful how long I leave it on the charger.  If I have any more problems, I'll be sure to edit this review and air my complaints.
This is a definate must have !!  I thought the whole dock was just a way for Kodak to get 80 more of my dollars... I was 100% set against buying the dock since my 3700 came with the USB cord. But as fast as my new camera went through the first battery, the recharge feature on the dock alone makes it WELL worth the $$$ spent. To me the one touch button to send your pics to your PC is just an added bonus !!
I baught it and shot it. this is it!
Finally KODAK comes to the rescue !!!  With the EasyShare Camera Dock (Compatible only with the KODAK DX Series cameras) you have a ONE TOUCH picture transfer station (via the fast USB connection) &amp; a camera battery re-charging dock (about 2 1/2 hours)in one.  Your camera sits snug in the Dock cavity. Simple one button picture transfer.Now, the Dock can be used with a PC which is the standard setup.ATTENTION Non-PC Users: KODAK provides a complete economical stand-a-lone system.  You already have the DX series camera (if not, I recommend the DX3600 - 2.2 megapixels - up to outstanding 8x10 pictures).  Now with the EasyShare Camera Dock you now have a battery recharger and the one button picture transfer capability.  Now all you need is the KODAK Personal Picture Maker 200 (Outstanding pictures up to 8x10 - see my review), (ink jet printer) ink cartridges &amp; KODAK Photo Paper.  The docks fast USB cable plugs directly into the Picture Maker 200 directly!!!  NO PC for those who love fast &amp; easy photo processing.The KODAK EasyShare Camera Dock comes with; Camera Dock w/fast USB connector &amp; cable, KODAK Ni-MH rechargeable battery pack, AC adapter and Quick Start Booklet.This is a great device for fast &amp; easy camera battery recharging &amp; single button picture transfer (copy, email, print or display).Enjoy those memorable moments instantly and easily.
My camera is always ready for me to use  should an opportunity arrive for a great .This happens frequently for me..
One day, about a month, after I bought the camera and dock, it just quit.  Even after spending literally hours with the really nice tech people at Kodak who &quot;fixed&quot; it, it just quit working properly again.  My computer sporatically refuses to recognize the dock or the camera.  Needless to say that makes it worthless for me.  Now it may be the computers fault - how is one to know - but you ask me how I rate this product.  I have had digital cameras before and not this problem.
Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock for use in with &quot;EasyShare&quot; cameras. I have read some reviews that state the &quot;Camera Doc&quot; is a &quot;bad&quot; investment. I disagree.Yes... ok,you can buy a memory card for your &quot;EasyShare&quot; camera to take/hold more pictures. Then what? How do you remove the pictures from your camera so you can take more pictures?Answer: Use Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock.With EasyShare Camera Doc:1. Recharge your cameras rechargeable batteries. (These batteries come with Camera Doc.)2. Transfer pictures from EasyShare cameras to your computer by the push of a button.3. Easy camera interface connection4. Reduces if not eliminate the need for scanner.Ok, so what if you decide you want a &quot;hard copy&quot; of a photo from your computer, how?Answer: Use a good to high quality photo paper in your printer.This camera doc is ideal for e-mailing pictures to family &amp; friends. Good for the new computer user as well.
series camera and do not have a battery recharger, I suppose this is a good deal, as you would be getting a charger and memory reader in one unit. But memory card readers are about 1/2 this much money, and some are much more versatile (i.e. they can read different types of memory).
If you are like me, the camera has to be so easy to use that you can show someone else in under 10 minutes. In this case, I have shown my son (9 years) how to dock and download the images from the camera.For this purpose, the dock is the way to go. One touch download. And battery charger.The convenience factor is high.
I bought this with my Kodak DX3600 and it is so worth the money.  Getting your photos from the camera to the PC has never been easier.  It really is just a push of the button.  It's wonderful to recharge my batteries too.  Never had my batteries run out of power with this.
This isn't the fanciest camera, but does the basics and takes really great pictures.  I personally don't like the tiny cameras.  They are too easy to loose in my purse or bag.  This camera does what I need and takes great pictures.
This Mavica is the best of both worlds.  Storage to floppies or to a memory stick.  It has an impressive 8x optical / 16x digital zoom and macro capacity to 1.2 inches.  The resolution is tops and color rendition is great.  Battery life is also extrodinary and it accurately displays the time left for the battery on the LCD screen.  And the LCD screen is much larger that most of the other cameras on the market; 2.5&quot;.  Top shutter speed is 1/500 second.  I shopped around a lot and tried the cameras my friends had.  I think this one is the best.
I have enjoyed this camera and the quality of its work.  However, I wanted to know if you can buy a memory stick for it and use it only?  I did not get one in the box when I purchased it, but would like to use it instead of the floppy disk on occasions.  If you have the name of the disk, please let me know.  I have received error messages with the Sandisk Pro and the Magic Gate Memory Stick Pro.
We bought this camera because we just had a baby and wanted to email pics to all of our close relatives from out of town. It has been a great fit for what we wanted it for. We like that fact that the camera comes with so many features and is easy to use. Black and white baby shots are great. The menu is easy to use (my 77 year-old grandmother used it). If you are looking for a camera that saves pictures on floppy and memory stick, this is the camera for you. None of the other Mavica cameras have the built in memory stick slot, a big plus for the 92.We just wish it was a little cheaper because the megapixels are lower than other similarly priced cameras.
I did a lot of research before purchasing a good digital camera(I had a really cheap one before this one).  The FD92 just excelled in every aspect.  It has 8x optical zoom (look at the difference between digital and optical zoom is a good thing to know).  It has the capability of storing images in both a Floppy disk and a Memory stick(128Mg Memory stick available now) which depending on resolution can satisfy all your needs(Max res on FD(6 pics) Max Res on Mem Stick (300 Pics) Good Res 640x480 (30 on FD and 1500 on MS).  Besides all the comparisons I made with other cameras from Nikkon, Olympus, and Cannon, I purchased from the mavica product line since my Auto Shop uses them line... they abuse an FD90 day in and day out and it still works perfectly... this was one of the major factors that made me purchase it.  After I bought the camera and started using it I was very happy with my investementet ...  My wife picked it up and starting taking pictures without even reading the manual and she loved it... which is a first when it comes to electronic "toys".  I recomend this camera to anyone in the market for one.
This itineration of the Mavica line offers their traditional sturdy feel, quality optics, and the media versatility of being able to use floppies or sticks {and no stick adapter needed}. The 92 has a great 8x optical zoom and offers pretty good 1.6 megapixel resolution. All the Mavs have demonstrated great color fidelity and this one is no exception. Lastly, it brings pretty good MPEG stats to the deal, able to record a video quite nicely on whichever media you have in place. NOW THEN, why the waning Mavica enthusiasm you might ask? SIMPLE: we are only a few *WEEKS* away from the release of a new breed of Mavicas,  making 1000s of shots on a single disc or even 90 minutes of movies on the same disc possible. That will take these Mavicas-CD to a whole new level of freedom & versatility. And the really good news: the prices are comparable to the old Mavica-FDs. If you're anything like me, you just have to love this kind of development.
I have owned this camera for over 4 years. When I purchased it, there were 4 major reasons:1. Ability to take digital pictures.2. Ability to record video WITH sound.3. 3x optical zoom. This means there are physical lenses doing the magnifying - this is better than "digital" zoom.4. It could write to floppy.Well, I still love the first three, and could do without #4. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used the floppy abilities of this camera.That said, I have been very impressed with the abilities of this camera. First, it could do video with sound long before most cameras, even though the clips are short (15 seconds). Second, it takes a great picture, even when printing them.This camera is SOLID. I've seen quite a few people get small cameras and they drop them, and that's it.The only complaint I have is about the size, but I knew that going into it...Every connector, input/output slot, etc. still works the way it was designed. I am considering selling this, and will probably buy another Sony due to the quality of this camera.
Who wants to create onto MPEG? not me.. who wants to fork out money for a camera that does not produce quality pictures and has a poor zoom.. not me..I guess for you video buffs, this might tide you over, but in the world of digital cameras, like computers, another camera will be coming out soon with better bells and whistles.Well, you can't avoid that right?  But this camera is not even up to par in the first place, i'm sorry. I'll stick to a Kodak FUn saver before shelling out my hard earned money on this soon to be outdated Sony product.And I'm sorry, but Sony is not &quot;top of the line&quot; my friends, by any means.  It's the K-Swiss of Electronics, the Jack In the Box, the K Mart, the... i could go on.  Ok I will....its the New Orleans Saints of Electronics, the Butler, the John Ritter, the Dow Corning... anyways...NEEEEXT!
We bought this for my sister for her birthday.  It is a great camera, but the rate that it goes through AA batteries is inexcusable.  My sister has had it for 2 days and has gone through 4 sets of AA batteries.  She is exchanging the camera for a different model.You can purchase a separate Infolithium battery system for it, however by doing that the cost of the camera overall approaches that of some other superior cameras.
The DSC-P30 is a great beginner digital camera (...). The pictures turned out great. The optical zoom works well. Ignore the digital zoom as it pixelises the snap. The LCD is pretty crisp and clear. The menu is also very intuitive. Its got a host of other attractive features.On the darker side, the accessories included are no great guns. Only a (...) 4MB memory stick is included. Even the battery is optional. So you have to spend (...) more for battery, AC adapter and an additional 64MB memory stick.
After much online reasearch I decides on this digital camera for the price and list of features. In a day of online shopping I found this camera for $267 including shipping charges. I'm a longtime 35mm user (an Olympus IS-30 DLX)and wanted something that was compact, had good image quality and could record short video clips. This camera does all this just fine. The bad part is that only a 4 mb memory stick is included and when taking photos at the highest res this camera ofers you'll get abt 5 pics on the memory stick. Also get the rechargable battery the 2 AA's that came with the camera lasted me 4hrs or abt 20 pics. For the prcie and list of features you get, I don't think this camera can be beat. An additional gripe is that the memory sticks are quite pricey but once you pic up one 64 mb stick you shoud be fine. Sev people I know have this camera and there computer is running windows ME and they had problems. My pc is running Windows ME, the upgrade from windows 98 (1st edition) and it works fine.
The pictures are great, the ease of use is great. The LCD is exceptional, as is the quality of the twilight picutres. Why do I mark it down? It came with only a couple of AA bateries and they were *gone* in one session. You do not know until you have it that you need to purchase an additional charger/adapter in order to upload to your computer. (They instructions clearly say NOT to do it with only batteries, but there is no transformer included.) Also no carrying case. Sony appears to be going for an "aftermarket" here. I would not recommend this to anyone without these caveats.Just adding a bit. 1. I did not experience the problems that they guy did when putting in fresh batteries. I already had niMH's and a charger, but went ahead and paid ... for Sony's "power package". 2. The lithium batteries make a world of difference. Still I resent the fact that the transformer is something you need and Sony didn't include it. The real price ... Not a bargain. (Includes Sony's ... discount for registering - be sure to use a seldom used web address - they really hit you with ads.)
i originally wanted to get the sony dsc-p50, but it is incredibly hard to get.  i do not live in the united states, nor do i have a credit card, so i couldn't buy it online.luckily, my dad owns a computer shop, so he was able to get the p30 for me, as well as a 32MB memory stick.i love this camera.  in the four years that i have been interested in photography, i've owned two digital cameras - this is my third.  the other two were AGFA cameras, and did not boast any megapixels.  one had a 2X optical zoom and the other, no zoom at all.  they were good cameras, but this one far surpasses them both.the quality of the LCD is amazing, and the quality of the photographs is even better.  i love that there is a macro feature and i especially love that i can take black and white pictures, sepia pictures, etc...  i also love the zoom.  so convenient and so wonderful!of course, as many reviews state, this camera does like batteries a lot, but i was prepared for this:  i already had three pairs of nickel-metal-hydrate batteries, which pretty much takes care of that problem, except if, like me, you enjoy using the LCD screen (but then again, i haven't had this camera for a week yet, so i want to try it out and play!).quite a few reviewers (for the p30 & the p50) have also stated that the manual says you *must* use an AC adapter to upload pictures to your computer.  this is false.  the manual clearly states that it is recommended that an AC adapter be used, but not mandatory.  it also clearly states that if batteries are used, to make sure there is enough power in them, otherwise files on the memory stick may be damaged or lost.i am thoroughly pleased with this camera.  an example:  i took a macro & zoom shot of some violets that we have at work.  when i uploaded the pictures to my computer and resized them, i noticed that the camera had even picked up a piece of dust on one of the petals of the flower.  how's that for picking up detail?i don't feel this is a beginner's camera at all.  the features on it are too advanced.  i am by no means an advanced photographer, but i'm no amateur either.  i will enjoy this camera for years to come, i'm sure.although the accessories are - as noted by several other reviewers - rather skimpy, the camera is worth it.  i definitely recomment it for anyone who's willing to buy some good batteries and a better memory stick.  ...fantastic camera for the price! =)
Although the feature set is quite nice on the DSC-P30. There are to very bad problems. The Image focus is finicky and motion images are typically of poor quality.You could excuse the camera but there are others like the Canon A10 that gets it all right.
Ok, we have beat the battery issue to death. If you get 4 Ni-MH batteries and a charger you will be just fine. You don't need the ac adapter. I found the best thing to do is just download the file folder on the memory stick in the camera into your computer. (it takes a short time) Then, look or work on your photos from there. I would also recommend a 32 meg memory stick. they are $30 dollars or so and hold a lot of photos. Even with the batteries, charger and additional memory stick....you are under [item price] for a really nice camera. This size is perfect too. Easy to put in a pocket or carry in your fanny pack. Oh, one additional bonus I found from using recharge Ni-MH's. Just as it will do with the sony recharge pack, when the Ni-MH's are getting low, the power light starts to blink. No guessing if the batteries are low!
If you want a camera for sending pictures over the Internet or for small photos, then the Sony DSC-P30 camera is a great entry level camera. Even though it's 1.3 megapixels, this camera has a lot features not available on other 1.3 megapixels such as 6X zoom and mpeg movie (no audio). The best feature I like is the macro setting as it lets you take pictures up close of very small objects. Since, I publish trout flies over the internet, I have got comments about the great picture quality.The only downside to the camera is battery comsumption. I would recommend buying batteries specially designed for digital cameras. When I go fishing I often bring a spare pair of batteries and over a day I can run out of power. The best way to solve that problem is turn off the viewfinder.
In the world of electronics, you really cannot go wrong with Sony.  I use this camera for work and travel, and it never dissapoints.  Light, but clear, it will go with you and take great sharp pictures with ease.  The nice thing about this, and other digital cameras, is you can pick what pictures you want to print and which ones to throw away.  Easy to share pictures with family online, and keep on your computer for easy storage.  I would recommend this camera for novices-experts.
It's my first digital camera, and I don't know if this battery issue is shared by other brands and models.  However, the fact that an AC adapter and a rechargable battery are expensive options certainly doesn't help to forgive this camera's battery life.  Apart from that, it's quality is very good, and it has a lot of functionnalities.  It is everything I expected from a digital camera when I decided to buy one, and more.  UPDATE: I have seriously demoted this camera rating from 4 to two stars after mine just broke a few months after the warranty expired.
I am very sorry that I bought this. It will not hold battery power or take a decent picture. Yuck!
The Sony DSC-P30 is a terrific first camera to use for great 4"x6" snapshots or good 5x7s, or for email or web use.  (You would need more pixels to do bigger enlargements).  It takes great pictures; is very well-featured for a camera in this range; and is well-designed and easy to use.- The 3x optical zoom is a huge plus, and will give you much better composed and better quality photos than non-zoom or digital zoom cameras.- If you like close-ups, the "Macro" feature will amaze you.- It's all automatic when you want to point and shoot, but allows you some control when you want it.The features and components are based on more expensive Sonys, a big plus....P>A few things to know up front:- All digital cameras eat batteries.  Get NiMH rechargeables rated 1700-1800 mah (cheaper and better than the Sony lithium pack for this camera).  The DSC-P30 is actually better than most in that it uses only 2AAs, and lasts a fairly long time on that.  So you can easily carry a spare set, shoot all day, and your battery worries are over.- The Sony Memory Stick format IS more expensive, but since this is a lower-resolution 1.3MP camera you need only 64 to 128mb (gives you 100-200 photos at high quality).  Unfortunate, but not enough difference to avoid this camera, as some suggest.- All digital cameras have "shutter lag" and longish shot to shot times.  This is one of the major adjustments new digicam owners face when they get their first camera.  The Sony DSC-P30 starts up very fast, and has a typical shot-to-shot time.- All digital cameras have trouble in low light.  The "autofocus illuminator" on this camera helps with that, and is rare on lower-priced cameras.- The viewfinder (used in bright light or to save battery by not using LCD) doesn't show the full picture.  It's a common problem, you can somewhat get used to it, but it's one of the few negatives for this camera.An alternative would be the Canon A10.  Less features, a little heavier (uses 4AAs), but the Compact Flash cards Canon uses are cheaper.  Both cameras require you to buy rechargeable batteries and a bigger memory card to be really usable - that's industry practice, unfortunately.
I love this camera! Small enough to fit in my pocket and takes excellent, clear pictures! Picture taking has never been as much fun for me as it is with this digital (which is always with me). I really enjoy uploading the latest and sending to friends (who comment on the quality, too, by the way). However, even though I give it 5 stars (for quality, size, weight) I must admit that the sticker price for the accessories was a shock. For example, I use NiMH rechargeable batteries (several sets just in case) and refuse to pay the list price for the combination power cord and battery made for the camera. That hasn't been a problem for me, though. I highly recommend this camera!
This camera is actually a good camera for the price, the major complaint was that it didn't come w/ a lithium battery. But you can order a "Value-Pack" from Sony that includes a battery, charger and a nice case. So that wasn't much of a problem, I also recommend getting a 32 or 64 MB Memory stick, my 64 mb stick can hold about 66 high quality (1600x1200), and about 160 (1024 X 768), and of course about 370 (640X480) Which is a alot of pictures, and about 11 min of video (mpeg)w/o sound. I would strongly recommend buying the "Info-lithium battery" from Sony (comes in Value-pack), because it displays how many minutes of battery life you have remaining, which comes in handy. Normal AA batteries could die on you without warning! One other thing that bothered me, was the lag time of the camera after it took a picture, but all "digital" cameras that I've seen seem to do this; you take a picture w/ flash and after the picture is recorded the screen goes blank for a couple seconds, but if you take a picture w/o flash, there is no lag time. I guess the price you have to pay for getting a digital camera.  Overall a really good camera, the optical zoom is nice too.
I bought this camera about two weeks ago and I have been very happy with it.  The picture quality is very good -- esp. if your using it for web purposes.My only problems are as follows:True, the viewfinder is only about 70% of the actual picture size.It eats batteries like *crazy*It doesn't handle low-light pictures very wellTwilight mode -- you have to have a very still subject and a very still hand to take a decent picture in twilight mode (although I've gotten some really cool looking blurs)All in all it's a great camera for the price.  I checked out some other more expensive cameras that werent' nearly as good as this Sony.
The P-50 and Canon A20 were my final two choices.  I decided to go with the P-50 because it used only 2AA batteries and had the MPEG and Clip Movie recording features which is very neat.I'm glad I went with the P-50.  Here is my pro and con list for the P-50:Pros:* 3 optical zoom (it zooms fast)* Uses 2 AA batteries.  Don't get the battery pack.  Just get 6 NiMh batteries with a rating of at least 1600mha, which are inexpensive.  I got 4 Energizer 1600 mha NiMh batteries and a recharger at Target for only $...  NiMH batteries last twice as long as alkalines and I haven't had to worry about my batteries dying.* MPEG and Clip (GIF) movie modes are real fun.  No sound on the MPEG, but spending an extra $... for a camera with sound wasn't worth it to me.  For you who design web pages, you'll love the Clip (GIF) movie mode.* Memory Stick, although expensive, is much more compact and stores more memory.  However, the 4MB stick that comes with the camera is lame unless you plan to take only lower quality resolutions.  I got a 64MB stick and at FINE quality (if using STANDARD quality, double all the numbers below) can hold the following: 67 1600x1200, 174 1024 x768, 400 640x480.  As you can see that's alot of pictures.* ISO flexibility and twilight mode.  This helps when shooting in low light.  The AF illuminator really helps the camera to focus in low light.* Can crop pictures and cut MPEGs.* If you change the Power Save mode to "off", then the camera lag time (a common complaint in these reviews) after you take a picture is very minimal.  It's actually fast compared to other digital cameras I've used.* Very fast transfer rate using the USB driver.  The camera becomes another drive in Windows Explorer that you just drag to your hard drive.  Very fast.  I have Windows ME which allows Windows Explorer to view in thumbnail mode, so I can even preview all the pictures before moving them to the hard drive.* The video out mode is cool.  Just plug in the supplied jack cord to your P-50 and to your TV or VCR and see a slide show of your pictures you just took.* If you auto-focus by pressing the shutter button half way, then the camera takes the picture very fast with almost no lag time, unlike other digital cameras in this price range,* 37mm threads and the fact the optical zoom stays within the camera allows you to use an UV filter for better picture quality and as a lens protector.* You can view your pictures taken also in thumbnail mode.  Also, the camera tells you your settings (i.e shutter speed, iso, EV, etc.) of the picture.* The camera allows the option to imprint the date onto your digital photos.  This is a must for me as I never remember the date of the picture without this feature.* The lens cap comes with a lens strap so you won't lose your cap.Cons:* 41mm lens.  If you know photography, you will realize that most SLRs and point and shoots have 35mm lens.  The lower the number, the better the wide angle, which allows you to take more area from the same distance making your objects also larger.  However, the above pros by far outweigh this.  If you're not a camera junkie like I am, you probably won't even notice this.* The viewfinder only shows approx 70% of the actual picture taken and is slighty "skewed" to the left.  If you think you got your object centered using the viewfinder, you'll will find out that the subject will be slightly left in the actual picture.  The way around this is to use the LCD, which shows 100% of the actual picture and is not skewed.All in all, in the 2.1 megapixel range and under $... as of 9/8/01, I feel this camera is the best one.
Lest you think I'm a Sony basher, let me tell you I have plenty of Sony Products I'm very satisfied with. This isn't one of them.My big debate was to buy a camera from a primarily electronics manufacturer or from an established camera manufacturer. After much thought and research I went with the P50. It came down to the P50, Canon A20, or to wait for the Nikon 775 or Olympus 510 (I bought in May `01). Shoulda waited...I'll just summarize, otherwise it'll be a 2 page review:PROS:-High quality images in good light (outdoors)-Nice size-Only 2AA's required. Decent life if you minimize LCD display time and get 1600mAh capacity Ni-MH rechargeables. I get about 20-30 pictures with flash indoors with little or no LCD use. Outdoors maybe 40-50 pictures. (From the review below - If your flash is dead after only picture you're doing something wrong!!)-Flash exposure and ambient exposure compensation modes.-Takes MPEG movies. (no sound though:()-Can use infolithium pack-Painless connection to the PCCONS:-POOR pictures in low light conditions - Lens is slower than the competition (F3.8 vs 2.8 for competition), Flash is pathetically weak. Even in night mode, the camera fails to let in enough light to take pictures of a lit building, even with +2ev overexposure dialed in.-Flash recharge time when using NiMH batteries is slooooooow.-Menu system cumbersome to use if you're fiddling with exposure and flash settings often. Direct access buttons are much faster.-Infolithium battery and charger are big $!-Sony memory sticks more money than the competition. (though they are a nicer form factor and more durable IMHO)In summary, if you do alot of picture taking outdoors, you'll probably be pretty happy, but if you're using the flash and indoors, probably not. Do yourself a favor and look at the Nikon, Canon, and Olympus first.
Ditto the rest on memory and battery usage... I get around 50 1600x1200 shots with my 64MB memory stick... and around 45 minutes from the lith-ion battery (using flash and the view screen on every shot)...My only criticism is the need to use the flash on every shot... Pictures are just too dark without it... I'm sure they would be fine with light directed at the target.  But this is the same with every other camera I have seen...What really makes this camera stand out is the ability to view pictures as thumbnails in the built in mini screen... as well as some basic zooming and cropping features built right into the camera interface (no PC needed for this)!
If you buy this camera, make sure you purchase the &quot;optional&quot; rechargeable lithium battery and power pack.  This camera eats batteries.  A set of 2 double-A batteries will last about 4 to 5 pictures if you use the flash.  If you use the flash and the LCD screen, you might only get 2 to 3 minutes of camera life, enough for just a couple pictures.It's very easy to accidentally set the camera to take pictures at slower shutter speeds.  The results are very blurry pictures.  So the camera is not exactly fool-proof, and with such short battery life with the LCD screen on, you have to flip through the options very quickly to retain your battery life (which leads to mistakes in setting the exposure time, etc.)I hope these problems I'm having with battery life will be relieved once I purchase the optional battery pack.  As it is, the camera is almost un-usable with normal batteries.
I got this camera as a gift after my previous digital camera broke.  The only problem was that I tried to use it with AA batteries, and I could not even turn on the camera.  I figured out that this camera will not work without the Sony Stamina battery, and that the Kit (rechargable battery, charger and bag), which costs almost ($$$).After that initial problem, it's been only good times with this camera. The pictures quality are great, and the camera is really easy to use, without those complicated menus that others digital cameras have.  Uploading the files (pictures) to my computer was easy, and now that I'm using Windows XP is a lot better.If you're looking for an easy-to-use, high-quality camera, this is a good choice for you.  However, keep in mind that you'll need to expend a ($$$) more for the battery kit.Picture colors are not good at all, I'll choose a Canon next time
I owned this camera for less than 5 hours.  I bought it...and decided it was one of the worst purchases that I've ever made and returned it the same night!...I agree with many of the problems with this camera and here is a quick summary:Pros:1) Its small (but so are most of other brands)2) It takes good pictures in WELL LIGHTED areas.3) The software is flawless, loading pictures are extremelyfast and easy.Cons:1)  The lens is Extremely awkward!  Who was the genius thatdecided to position a JUMBO sized lens off to the side!?Hello!  Where am I supposed to position my FINGERS!2)  The battry consumption is insane! I went through myEnergizer Max after only 8 pics!  I guess I should go buythe more expensive lithium batteries, or better yet somestocks in battery companies.3)  I much prefer the sliding lens cover that comes on theolympus D510.  The dangling Sony cover is extremely annoying.4)  The constant need to use the flash.  Without it, you will notbe able to take good pics in less lighted areas.  Oh yeah,when you do use the flash, have fun waiting for the slooooowcharge as the Sony is DRAINING your batteries.I am a huge Sony fan and I've bought numerous Sony products over the years.  I even have a Sony MasterCard.  But this product is a major disappointment to me.  For the price and the way the electronics world works you're much better off shop around and if you insist on Sony Brand, just wait for a later update (which will inevitably be better and cheaper).  Good luck with your search.
The DSC-P50 is my first digital camera ~ and I love it! It's so easy to use, takes beautiful pictures, I love the mpeg feature (although once you use it you'll wish you had sound). I bought a &quot;Floppy Disk Adapter&quot; so I can just plug my memory stick in the adapter, stick it in my floppy drive and download from there.  It's slower that way, but if you don't have a USB port and don't want to add anymore cables to your computer, it's totally convenient and easy.  There are still more features I'm learning about this camera!  Great buy!  (p.s. I also purchased the InfoLithium S battery and it takes about 2 hours of pictures :)
After much research, I finally selected this camera as my second digital camera.  I'm glad I did.Everything great to be said about this camera has already been said: lots of options, great pictures, reasonable price--overall a great value.  I've always been impressed with Sony products and this camera is not exception.  I use this with Windows XP and there are no problems downloading the images to the computer.Two gripes that have already been mentioned.  First, the picture in the viewfinder cuts off part of the picture that's actually taken (ie--the actual picture covers more than that view).  If you use the LCD display in back, it gives you an accurate picture, but that eats up the battery.Picture quality is terrific.  The 1600x1200 resolution is more than enough, as is the 2 million pixel resolution.  You really don't need that much power--especially if you're e-mailing pictures or posting them online (in fact, if you're emailing the pictures you probably want to select a lower resolution so they don't take up as much space).The second gripe concerns the power.  Actually, this isn't really a gripe because this exists on ALL digital camera.  The people that whine about this must not have researched/tested other digital cameras.  They all eat up power.  The oft recommended solution has worked for me: spend [$] on Energizer's rechargeable 4-pack  (with recharger) and you'll never worry about power.  I've left the camera on for almost 2 hours with sporadic use without having to change them.  It only uses 2 batteries at a time, so keep the other pair charged and you'll always have a fresh pair.  In contrast, I used regular batteries in them and they lasted under 15 minutes.Overall, a solid camera with plenty of features to keep the advanced-amateur happy.--JPN
I had originally purchased one of these cameras back in 1999 for a trip to Europe.  Since it was Sony and a worldwide company, I was able to purchase the adapter to charge in any country very easily.  That was the first plus for me on this one, with many more to come.The camera takes pictures with ease (especially since this was my first digital camera back then).  Easy to learn on, yet perfect for the expert.  Additional lenses may be purchased (wide angle, etc.) on eBay or any site similar for rather cheap.I had to repurchase this camera again this year because the camera my ex-husband and I had was so great that we fought over it in the divorce and I lost!  LOL.  I bought my new one on eBay (got it for about $50) and still love it.  VERY easy to use, yet it has so many options that I still cannot find on digitals.  I had also owned a Panasonic digital and another Sony, but came back to this one because of all the options and wonderful picture quality.  Very highly recommended!
I bought this camera right before our trip tp Brazil. I enjoyed the quality of the pictures we took. Just keep in mind that the 8Mb Memory Stick is not enough, at all. You will need more than that to store your pics. Another little thing that I didn't like is that it is too slow to take a picture; you push the button and have to wait a few seconds before the picture is actually recorded. I feel that anoying especially when I take picture of my pets. They do not stay steel and I end up having to take two or three pictures so I can choose one good one.Anyway, I like this camera a lot and I do recommend it. I print my pictures at home and the quality is excellent. There are lots of features in the menu, and I have to admit I haven't learn all of them yet. It is very easy to use tough. Besides, it is a Sony, a brand I like and trust.
Me impresiono la calidad de las fotos. La he llevado en muchos de mis viajes y la calidad de las fotos siempre fue la mejor.
I'm what you might call a kindergarten photographer... I've taken a few good shots, but I don't know anything about cameras, and I've never taken any photography classes or even tried to learn much of anything, really. The only two things guiding my shots are the 3 years of art classes I took in grade school and an hour or two with the User's Manual. That said, this camera does a great job! It's so easy to use and the pictures turn out so good! Even a novice like me can take beautiful pictures...just don't forget to read the manual
I am not a photographic fanatic, nor am I an expert in the area of the photography.  I simply bought this because after 2 weeks of research, I decided it was the best price/feature combo in the 3MP range (when it was still available on Amazon).  ...  Was I ever right, I have been strutting around with this and comparing it to my friends and relatives cameras for awhile now, and I love watching the shocked (or jealous) look on their faces when I told them how much, I mean how little, I paid for it.  I am not going to go on about the features since you can read yourselves, but I have taken pictures in every imaginable conditions, sunny, dark, rainy, indoor w/ or w/o lights, even on a sunny day after overnight snow when the glare off the snow was overwhelming, the pictures always come out looking good.  Of course, it pays to read the manual and know some extra tricks.  So good luck if you can find one, don't hesitate to buy it.
What can I say? I really like this camera! I'm a 35mm photo-hobbiest that previously owned/used a Mavica FD-81, and was looking for something that was smaller, faster, and took cleaner pictures. I originally was looking at the S50, but with that model on it's way out (being replaced by the S55 possibly, depending on sales of the P50...I'm told), I looked into (and bought) this model.This camera may actually begin to replace my 35mm. First off, the camera's lens takes some excellent pictures: clarity, color, etc. Combined with the tons of manual override features, it gives me the visual control I found lacking in other models (you can even disable the digital zoom altogether, a big feature for me). And the LCD capabilities also stand out against the competitors: (1) you don't have to use it (a view window is provided, which is centered to the lens...so you really get what you see) and this almost triples your battery life, and (2) LCD image review allows you to zoom in/out of pictures to verify that you got the details you were looking for. Expansion speaking, Sony uses the memory stick technology in their cameras (I can share my 64 MB sticks between my mp3 player and this), it has a slot to attach a more professional model flash, and the camera lens supports add-ons. As well, the speed is phenominal - it takes the pictures quick...and you don't have to half-press the button to focus before you take the pic...just press once and it'll auto-focus and take the picture on it's own.There are only two real downsides of note to the S75: (1) size and (2) ease of image distribution. There are a lot of cameras out there that are both smaller and lighter; however, I found this model to have the same size and feel as my Nikon 35mm, so that didn't bother me. As well, I miss being able to use the straight-to-disk feature of the Mavica. Also, beware - out of the box it's set to 2048x1536 fine (which will blow up to poster-size without pixilating, BTW) - which will eat up the 8MB stick in about 5 pics...reducing it down to 1280x960 let me fit a lot more before I upgraded my memory stick.If size and weight is your ultimate selling point, take a look at the P1 or the P50; but if you want the pictures and the control of a real 35mm, this is definitely the camera for you.
I've owned this camera for about 4 years and have had great success with it.  As other reviewers have stated, the lag time in capturing an image is a major issue - but when I bought this camera - it was state of the art.  For that reason I've upgraded to the Sony DSC-V3 which has practically no lag time - it's great for capturing pictures of my grand-daughter as she zips through the family room.The S75 has been a great camera - aside from the lag time the only other problem I've had is while reviewing images in play back mode, sometimes it will take off with itself uncontrolably scanning through all of the pictures on the stick - very annoying.I'm giving the S75 to my college graduate so can take pictures while traveling on his new job.
This is my 2nd digital camera (my first was the Sony Mavica FD-95).  This is a pretty easy camera to use (Sony cameras have generally been user-friendly) so that the 1st time buyer can just pick it up and shoot and yet has features that you'd want if you were an intermediate to advanced user.  The resolution is great for the money although if I could I'd probably get the DSC-85 model simply for the opportunity for 4.1 megapixel as opposed to the 3.2 that you'd get with this DSC-75.  Also you can get a 3 shot burst with the 85 as opposed to the 75.  But still that's taking very little away from the 75; you still get outstanding pictures with the 75.  A couple of caveats:  although I generally don't use digital cameras for action shots (I do from time to time on an experimental basis; just not when I need money shots) I haven't used it yet for indoor action shots (e.g. basketball games) so I couldn't evaluate the burst option yet.  That said, I also feel that if I did, then you probably need an external flash as the built-in one would be inadequate for action shots.A few more little squabbles:  If you do buy either the 75 or the 85, I highly recommend getting the 128 mB memory stick.  The factory 8mB stick just is inadequate; the down side is the extra $$$ for it.  But it is definitely worth it.  Also I think it records images a little slowly but that may be one of my personal quirks.Overall, I feel this camera does a very good job and I highly recommend it!
This is the best camera I have ever bought. I originaly bought it in october last year, to sell things on ebay. I have not put it down since. Its easy to use, no manual required and the results are fabulous. It has a traditional zoom in and out lens, built in flash, a good size lcd screen and is nicely compact. I print out my pics using an HP photosmart 1315 printer with results as good as any 35mm I have had developed.The camera is quick to charge with recharges needed infrequently. The sony memory sticks are [high in price] and I recommemd getting several 32 or 64's if you are using the camera on vacation. You could get by with one memory stick if you have computer access and don't mind emailing the picture's to yourself frequently.
This would get five stars if it didn't take so long to take a picture. As noted in other reviews, there is a significant lag between pressing the button and taking the picture - a real negative when dealing with kids or action pictures.What I like:The ability to take a picture in one size and save it later as a different size. This is great for saving small files for emails, and also saving the same picture in a larger format so it has enough detail to print a crisp and clear picture.The camera uses the same battery, memory stick and power cord as my Sony digital video camera. Less stuff to pack and carry with you on vacation.
This old retro camera is still worth picking up, if you can find a memory stick for it. They don't make them anymore. I am going to post a blog about why I still love this old camera. It did not break even when I dropped it. The photos of flowers are better than the eye can see. On people that is not such a good thing, but if you are taking photos of objects, this is a great camera. The zoom is awful and it needs a lot of natural light. If you take a photo of flowers with this old Sony then take another photos of the same photos with a newer camera, the reds, yellows, oranges and pinks will look better and brighter. But, if you can't get a memory stick, then the camera is worthless, so be sure you can get one. When the stick fails, I won't be able to replace it. But, I bought I large capacity stick in 2001 when I got the camera. I love this camera.
I bought this camera to replace a Kodak DC4800 which had difficulty rendering sharp photos indoors (even with the firmware upgrade).  The Sony is much sharper indoors, with accurate focusing and a strong flash.  The MPEG video feature turns out to be more fun than I thought it would be.  My main criticism is that the camera takes too long to set the focus and exposure before taking the picture -- the moment is often gone by the time the camera acts.  Also, outdoor color isn't as good with the Sony as the Kodak, but it is easily corrected with image-editing software.
I bought this because years ago i bought one new for around 800.00..  At the time it was new tech.  It took great pictures.  I use it for every day pics I might want to take. I can leave it out and close by. It's pretty durable
NIce camera, but video are terrible quality. However, due to age, I dont worry about it being stolen or damaged.
After mulling over 10-15 cameras I finally decided on the Sony. Understanding that it uses Memory Stick, I purchased the camera and have been extremely happy and impressed. I give it five stars because FEATURES, PHOTO QUALITY, and EASE OF USE are all top-notch. Even if the storage is proprietary, what else are you going to use SmartMedia or CompactFlash for?You can't go wrong with this Sony.
This is a fabulous camera.  Most of the reviews are from 2001 or 2002.  I have used this for 12 years and it is as fabulous as ever in 2014.  The workmanship is meticulous and nothing has gone wrong in 12 years.  The pictures are as great as ever, and the mini movies I took are lively and capture the fast motion without problem.  All the praises of the other users are true, and I want to add in 2014 that it just keeps going, going, going.  I can take 900 pictures (though I never tried), and about 6 movies without trouble on 16MB of memory.  It has served me fine though more memories would enable more great movies.  I would say In 2014, it is worth 10 times or 20 times it is selling here!  You cannot get a better camera for 20 times the money.It's a shame Sony doesn't produce anymore Memory Sticks for this great camera, and it's hard to find larger memories.  I just wonder what 1GB memory would do for this great camera, but it doesn't exist.
I probably spent 2to 3 hours researching my anticipated purchase of a digital camera.  I told myself that I would spend no more than a couple of hundred dollars but the more I looked into it, the more I realized that a decent camera could not be bought for that price.  So I changed my goal to find a camera that had all the features I would need for the least amount of money.  I must have read everything on the net about digital camera's that ever was and I started narrowing down the list to a few names, then finally all roads kept pointing at the DSC S75. So I found a deal and made the leap, fully expecting to be a little disappointed when the camera finally arrived. The camera arrived and I began shooting the same day. Yeah, there was a bit to learn, but the more I learned, the more impressed I got. The quality of the pics are quite amazing. Oh, I also bought the Lexar 128mb stick so I would not have to keep deleting the pics cause I had no more room. I got a fantastic deal here on Amazon on that, even better than you can get on Ebay.  I also bought the HP photosmart 1115 printer and it arrived about 3 days after the camera did.  Anyway, back to the pics.  They came out super good.  Now I am hooked, I just ordered the flash, and now I am checking out the telephoto lense options. Photography many years ago was a big hobby of mine, and I do believe this camera has brought that interest back to life.  This camera has auto settings, aperture priority options as well as shutter priority. This camera has so many cool things to take advantage of that I guess it will be a while till I get proficient with all the possibilities. I wanted to be brief with this review, but with this camera that is difficult. I can just say that I am glad I did my homework, I feel like I got an "A" on the exam.  Oh, just thought I pass this one on to you, I read a professional reviewers article on this camera, he that said this camera was probably the best digital camera under the $5000 professional range.  I thought he might be biased, but now I am not so sure.
I had used to camera for past three weeks and had shot over 1000 pictures all over the attractions in my country,and i must said that this is a very user friendly camera.at first use it really is complicated with its white balance setting.auto or maual.iso setting .aperture or shutter speed setting...But after a few time of outdoor shooting I must said it is the best camera I had used so far.it will probably not be out run for the next three years.And the print out from my HP printer using matt hard paper from Epson And Hp are both brilliant and sharp indisguinable from film shot photo.one bad point i can complained that just only three weeks of usage.the printed icon on the jog dial on top right of the camera is falling off.some printed on my finger.I'm going to send for repair,wander how many user had this problem.
...................P>I love the higher resolution, long life lithium ion battery (which is the same my camcorder uses), the great features (ie. manual shutter, aperture, full manual modes), and the quicker shot-to-shot capability in comparison to the camera that I upgraded from, the Sony DSC-P30 (1.3 megapixel).What I did not like was the fact that the picture quality of this new camera with the "Carl Zeiss" lens was no better than my 1.3 megapixel DSC-P30 camera! This is not necessarily a bad thing, the very reason why I chose the DSC-P30 a year ago was because the image quality blew away most 2 megapixel cameras...but I had hoped that this more expensive camera would at least have a noticeable difference in image quality...but it DOES NOT in most shooting scenarios (at least not in my eyes)...I can say that because of the flexibility of the manual modes, I have been able to take much much better night pics than with my P30.
I recently purchased this camera as a gift after having one of my own for years.  This Sony model camera is very easy to learn how to use and takes terrific pictures, and short mpeg and avi movies with sound.  Has all the manual control features you find on much more expensive models.  The only negative about this camera is that it's hard to find new as it has been discontinued by Sony.
This camara is NOT for somebody that want to just take a few snapshots every once and a while to stick on a web page, and maybe make a print once in a blue moon for a really good shot.  If you want something like that, there are camaras that are smaller, lighter, cheaper, and easier to use.This camara is NOT for somebody who is a photo fanatic.  If you want razor-sharp prints the size of posters, or if you want to take pictures of hummingbirds in flight, there are camaras that have interchangeable lenses, higher resolution and better image controls.If you are semi-serious about your photography, require a good lens, decent control over the photos, and spectacular batter life, this camara is an excellent value.Equipped with an excellent (if bulky) Zeiss lens, this camara can produce much better pictures than other three (and even four) mega-pixel camaras that only have tiny, small things.  One thing you must remember is that mega-pixels are useless if the lens cannot deliver detail that fine to the camara.  This lens can.  The 3MP it has will do just fine for any size print up to and including 8x10's.The user interface for the camara is simple enough, which makes up for the somewhat lousy manual.  My only complaint about the controls is that the cursor movement button is hard to center correctly.  This is a minor point, as I have never had it cause a problem other than me having to hit the button twice.The pictures are razor sharp and the camara is capable of perfect white balance.  (For those that don't know, bad white balance is what causes some pictures under flourescent light to look green, and incadescents look yellow.)  All you have to do to adjust it to perfect every time is to keep a white index card in your camara case and then use the "one touch" balance control to re-calibrate it in a couple of seconds.You can make small movies with this unit, but they aren't suitable for anything but posting to the web.  Let's face it, this isn't a camcorder.The included rechargable lithium battery is more than enough for a full day or two of shooting, but if you won't have access to a car or electrical outlet, it could be a problem, since it isn't a AA you can pick up at any corner store.  (That means that you can't use this camara for your 10-week trek through the wilderness.)This camara includes only an insultingly small 8 MB memory stick.  However, I believe that everyone with a 3MP camara should own a 128MB chip, and NO camara maker includes one that big.  Buy one when you buy the camara.  Since other manufacturers besides Sony now make them, they are very reasonably priced.You can buy accessories like a flash, an adapter for 52mm filters, additional lenses, etc., but the cheaper non-sony brands are tough (but not impossible) to find.The included software (MGI Photosuite) is not really that good, but not bad for a bundled package.  I reccommend, and use, Microsoft Picture It! Digital Image Pro.All in all, for the price this camara costs, it is the best available and has no competition.P.S. If you have windows XP, you MUST change the USB Transfer mode from the default.  If you don't, it won't work.  See the manual and the sony website for details.
I love this camera!  The picture quality is great, it's so easy to use, and storage is a snap!  I can't ask for much more.A few of the upsides - You can use either the regular view window or the large color screen to take your pics; replace the 4MB Sony memory stick that comes with the camera with a larger one (I went with 128MB and have yet to run out of room!), and you've got huge storage possibilities; you get multiple resolutions, so your pictures are always clear; you can view the pictures you've already taken, so if you took a bad one you can retake it right then and there.I can honestly say I've only taken a couple of bad pictures with this camera, and the cause was operator error.  If you want a great digital camera for an affordable price, this is the one.
and made to last, this is a great camera, if you realize it's shortfalls. Super image quality for what it is. Gotta love it. They just don't seem to build them like this anymore.
It's a great camera! I am happy and impressed with everything about it!It just falls short in one area..  High Resolution Video limited to 15 seconds is kind of a bummer.When i first bought the camera, of course i was psyched! But one thing that I now wish.. i wish the higher resoltion video recorded--unlimited by time.Besides that.. everything else is great! And it's really easy to connect to the computer--despite 'rumors' i heard.. how hard it was to set up sony cameras with computers other than sony computers.There are advantages and disadvantages to owning this model.. compared to the dsc P7. I was torn between the two--however.. the DSC S75 felt like a more natural camera. I felt the DSC P7 felt a little too small for my hands. Also, the manual options on the DSC S75 made it a nice choice as well.An advantage of the DSC P7 is.. unlimited High Resolution video! The mid and lower resolution video can take up the whole card.. on the DSC S75.. so it's not too bad!Anyways, if you pick this model.. congrats! It's a great choice! I'm just wondering what would of happened should I of gotten the DSC P7(but that problem will be resolved.. when i buy a camcorder.)
This camera is just incredible!  There are so many picture options, The battery lasts forever, It is an ergonomic excellence, and most of all the pictures are incredible.  I am having a great time using this camera shooting life (My children).  I only wish the Memory sticks where larger in capacity.  Looks like Sony has plans for bigger than 128mb in the future.  I have 2 64mb Memory sticks and that is the minimum you need for this camera.  I would like to get a few more as the prices drop (which they are).  ENJOY!
Bought this about 3 years ago and have been very happy with it.
This battery arrived as promised and is exactly what I ordered. The battery life is great.
We inherited our Canon Powershot S230 from relatives along with 3 battery packs. Over the course of a few months, I realized that I was having to recharge the batteries quite frequently and after only a handful of pictures taken. I tossed the old batteries and picked up two of these ones and they work beautifully. One battery lasts for at least three photo sessions now even when I take a few minutes of video. Now I run into problems with the CF memory running out before the battery goes! Good batteries.
Excellent price!!! I have used this battery as my &quot;Main&quot; battery and saved the original as a spare. THIS battery has had ZERO defects, as I have used my new camera quite a bit since recieving it and have charged it twice since recieving it. (It takes FULL charge and lasts the expected amount before recharge.)Not bad for the price!!!
I bought this battery pack right before going to China and it didn't let me down.  I put alot of demand on my camera, and thus the battery.  It's a given that one has to charge the battery.  I use rechargeable batteries for all my remotes, music players, etc. and yes, they don't last as long before needing to be recharged, but thus the name "rechargeable."  I used the battery all day in China with taking pictures constantly.  It does help to take battery out of the camera to give it a longer life.
I have had this camera for a long time (around 9 years); not the most high-tech, up-to-date, or stylish camera, but it is reliable, durable, and takes great pictures. My only problem was the camera had outlived the dang batteries. I put up with only being able to do 2 photos per charge for a long time, and then I hit my breaking point. At first, I was looking at the cheaper "knock-off"-type batteries, but after reading many reviews, I felt like this option wouldn't be any better than what I already had. So, I broke down and spent the money on the real thing. I do not regret it. It is like I have my old camera back again. Even if, say, worst case scenario, this battery only lasts a year or two, hey - it was well worth it. This battery performs just like the original ones did. I am very happy.
These lithium-ion batteries go withoutmuch warning.  Having a back-up makes good sense.  It's is the best accessory to have.
I've had my digital camera for several years.  I just recently purchased this battery as a replacement for the one it came with 4 years ago.  That should tell you how long they last and how well they work.  I highly recommend that you buy the Canon brand, it's worth the money.
This battery pack hasn't let me down. I've recharged it many times, and each time it seems to hold its charge well. My camera is the digital Elph S500. I got the extra battery so I could always have one as a spare, ready to go without waiting for a single battery to recharge.*****UPDATE  Aug 2008****** Now after almost TWO YEARS of constant use, I can't believe it, this battery is still working great!!!!I'm camera happy, and use my camera for doing video (3 minutes) OVER and over. Zooming in and out, other stuff that would kill a battery.Not this one. Still going strong :)I'm very pleased!
These batteries are the sole reason I will never buy another Canon camera.  I love my camera, but these batteries are over-priced and have a short lifespan.  I've been through four of these in the last couple of years, and part of the reason why is because they're Lithium Ion.  For the longest life, Lithium Ion batteries need to be topped off as often as possible, and should never be allowed to discharge completely (every deep discharge cycle lowers the life of the battery considerably, and after 100 cycles, the average Li-Ion is at 75-85% of original capacity).  So, generally speaking, Lithium Ion is a lousy choice for a camera.  Who takes ten shots and then tops off the battery?  NiCad is a FAR better choice for a camera, since NiCads SHOULD be completely discharged on a regular basis.  I spent a few hundred dollars on the camera, and I'm well on my way to spending an equivalent amount on batteries.  That's absurd.  I bought another brand of camera recently that uses standard AA batteries, and I'm much happier with it.  I use NiCads instead of the Li-Ions it came with, and they're working great.  Proprietary batteries s*ck.
As long as we had the camera, the batteries worked well. I did buy more  during the life of the camera- they are easily carried and served well.
This was a great priced product and it worked. The local shop said a friend had to get a new battery when it went out, they also said the camera was too old, she would be better off getting a new one. She couldn't afford to do that and really wanted the kids to have the ability to use the camera. I found the battery at a much better price on Amazon, the kids are thrilled. This was a great deal.
yup, wrong battery doesnt fit the canon s100.. sure would be nice if the description was corrected. wasted money and a pain to return.
Proprietary battery packs always command a premium; however, based on the great deal I got on the camera itself, it was worth it.  What else can I say, it works as advertised.
After about 8 years the intial battery no longer held a charge.  At one time I had purchased an inexpensive Chinese clone and found it to be useless.  So this time I paid the much higher price for what I believe is a real Canon battery and it is working well and holds a charge for dozens of pictures.
My original battery stopped holding a charge after about four years of use. At that time I searched for a Canon original replacement battery but for some reason they were unavailable. I ended up purchasing a generic battery, which worked for about a year and would only last for the equivalent of about 10 photos before requiring recharging. Now that I have another original Canon battery, it is like the camera is new and I get over 50 photos, with about half using the flash, before I need to recharge.
I was getting really frustrated with my Canon Powershot S300.  Five shots and the battery would be gone.  This new battery gave NEW life to an old reliable camera.
I bought this battery after 3 of the cheaper (generic) batteries ran down after only a few pictures, one of those batteries swelled up and wouldn't come out of my camera. I'll not buy another generic battery for anything.
My NB-1LH came with my S410 that I bought 2 years or so ago.  It's lasted this long and still works a bit, which is why it got 4 stars.  I'd give it three and a half for the capacity of the battery.  It's never lasted a long time, but perhaps it's my own fault as I leave the LCD on almost all the time.  When I first purchased the camera, I could get probably 100 pictures with flash and leaving the LCD on nearly continuously.  Now after over 2 years of every other day use (at least, with 2 kids that love the camera!) I can only get perhaps 30 to 50 pictures before it starts giving the red low battery sign.  Once that comes up, I'm lucky to get 2 more shots before the camera shuts itself off and gives the "Change the battery pack" sign.So, I'll purchase a new one in hopes that I can get another 2 years out of it!  The camera itself has been great but that's another review.To the previous reviewer who questioned where the batteries were made, my original one that shipped with the camera 2 years ago was made in china according to the label.
After trying to buy the super cheapie no name batteries that promised to be just as good or even better than the "expensive" Canon batteries for my Powershot S500 and realizing that they were junk and stopped holding much of a charge pretty quickly, I decided to go back to the original.I am very happy with these canon batteries. They last a long time, charge fairly quickly and I don't have to worry that they'll fry my camera (a friend of mine did fry his camera using generic batteries!).
Like many others, I am constantly worried about having enough battery power while on vacation, and thus, I am always tempted to purchase an extra battery.  When it comes to batteries, this one is exception.  Extremely light weight and incredibly durable.  I took over 200 photos in one day, utilizing my S500's built-in flash indiscriminately.  At the end of the day, I still had power left over to spare.  But before you decide to purchase an extra battery, you should experiment with the NB-1LH battery that comes with the camera.  Purchasing an extra battery may be overkill for your needs.  However, if you want an extra battery as a backup, this one is the only way to go.  You won't regret it, whereas with an off-brand, you're rolling the dice.
Although I have not had this battery for a long time yet, I find using the canon batteries do last longer than those that are just compatible with my camera. I haven't given it 5 stars because the real test will come with time.
I purchased a new battery pack right before our trip to Alaska.  We did not have any problems and even forgot to charge it one night and it still performed all the next day.  This is the second battery I have bought for my S300.  The first Canon battery pack lasted 5 years (it came with the camera), the second battery (first replacement) - a Maxwell - lasted only one year.  I will only buy a Canon battery pack from now on.  The life span is much longer. The Canon Battery Pack cost a little more but it is worth it in the long run.
I used the original battery that came with my camera for 5 years. Eventually it used to die after 5-6 pictures...This one is Canon original, I was able to use it on five different occasions and take dozens of photos before charging again. And 5 minutes of charging gave it lots of juice. HIGHLY recommended. Worth the high price, and you probably won't find it cheaper then Amazon.
I hope people who own a Canon Powershot S100 read these reviews because it most definitely does not fit! Now I will have to return it and purchase another one. Bummer. I wish the seller would fix the product description.
This was the real battery. Other batteries not from manufacturer don't work as well. I bought this years ago btw.
It does exactly what it's supposed to!  with the old battery we had, we had to charge the battery just before we wanted to use it and even then were unable to take more than a handful of photos before the camera died.  But after replacing the battery we can just grab it and run knowing that it will work and work for a long time!
make sure it has canon on it or it will not take a charge as good or last as long.
If you have a Canon Powershot for more than a couple of weeks (and use it) you will inevitably come to the conclusion that you need a second battery.  I have the S410 and the battery indicator only comes on when you have around 4 flash photos worth of power remaining.  Then you're out of luck until the battery is recharged.  If you have a spare you can go on shooting until the other is recharged.  It's a win-win situation and worth the price.  My brother-in-law has an earlier powershot and has experimented with non-canon batteries and his conclusion is that it is worth the premium to buy canon's battery.  My recommendation: get an extra battery and go with Canon.  Plus if something goes wrong you can call up Canon and not worry about voided warranties and what not.  You will not regret this purchase.
I got the NB-1L battery when I bought my Canon Powershot S200, and I've since bought two extra batteries, one Canon (the battery reviewed), and one DigiPower equivalent.The original Canon batteries perform noticably better than the DigiPower battery, and they also stay fairly cool, as opposed to the DigiPower battery that gets dangerously hot during operation.I've had no problems running my Canon batteries, but the capacity is not all that impressive - hence the 3 batteries. An absolute minimum here would be two batteries for your camera.On my S200 with the LCS screen on, I can get somewhere between 75 and 150 pictures out of one fully charged battery. With the LCD screen off (only a 2 second preview after each picture), I can get around 200 (sometimes a few more) pictures out of one fully charged battery.I've been using my newest battery for about 10 months, and so far I haven't noticed any decrease in capacity. It appears to hold its charge very well for weeks at a time.I would probably have given it a 2 star rating if I took the general battery capacity into consideration, but since you don't have any real options to this general battery type, I'll give it an overall 5 star rating. It performs better than other brands for my camera, and I've been very happy with it in all aspects.I would also recommend that you to buy this battery and not a Canon equivalent from another manufacturer. This battery's worth the extra money!!!
Seems to be working just like the original batteries did at first, I'm hoping it will last at least a year, so far so good.
Got this as a replacement for a Canon S200 camera.  The original battery was clapped out, and couldn't hold a charge.  This worked perfectly as a replacement.Right up to the point where the wife lost the camera.  Ho hum.
Costs too much, but works well.  No alternatives, unfortunately (off-market brand I tried was worthless).
After four or five years my original batteries stopped holding a charge, and this is a great replacement. I like to have two on hand so I can charge one while I'm using the other.
Bought a factory replacement battery because I believe OEM is the best. Works great in my Cannon Camera and would recommed it for your Camera.
Bought it for my Canon Powershot S100. Battery didn't even fit in the slot. Obviously, they have mislabeled this battery. Return.UPDATE: they seem to have changed the description to exclude my camera. Hopefully it will work for the ones listed.
We have had our Canon S400 for about 4 months &amp; it has been wonderful -- as well as the Canon battery.  The charge lasts for a pretty long time.  We bought a generic battery (from an individual seller off this site) for a backup.  It died in a little over a month.  Don't bother trying to save money - just get the real thing (which this is).
I bought two off-brand batteries at a local camera store for my Canon Elph and when they would not charge, I took them back. With some hassle from the store manager, they were begrudgedly exchanged. The new ones didn't work either and I was told my battery charger didn't work. I then bought a universal charger but the batteries still wouldn't charge. I decided to buy an authentic Canon battery and try charging it in my original Canon charger. The charger worked fine, the battery charged completely, and it has worked perfectly for many more photos. I will buy authentic Canon batteries from now on.
Can't complain about how it works but the price is outrageous.  I've had problems with "compatible" batteries.
this battery when new has an excellent battery life. Never thought a battery could last that long after a full charge. A very good buy.
I bought one of these from Amazon when the HI-8 camera I'd used to shoot my home movies and a HI-8 player I had both died and I needed something to use to dub the HI-8 tapes I'd recorded onto computer files.  The first camera arrived and didn't work properly.  Picture fuzzy and sound distorted.  So I sent it back and ordered another one from Amazon.  The second one worked the first time I tried it.  But it was a few months before I had time to start transferring footage. When I tried to use it, the sound was distorted.  Cleaned the head but didn't fix the problem. Too much time has passed to return the product so I'm out the price with no recourse. I wound up sending a HI-8 player deck I have to Sony for repair.  As these were both used units, I suspect these units just don't hold up over time.
I have a newer version of this camera that is Digital.  I wanted an inexpensive model that could handle my 20 year old non-digital tapes for transfer and editing.  This was a very cost effective way to do that, and it is a good camera as well.It arrived quickly and in the condition described.  So there were no problems with the seller at all.
Jammed almost immediately after putting an 8 mm video into the machine.  --had a hard time getting my video back too- The lesson to be learned to just pay a video transfer service to get those 8 mm videos onto DVD.  It will be much less of a headache.
Camcorder was bought for transfering Hi8 tapes to digital format.  Worked great. Unfortunately no cables but no big deal.  I should have asked.  Very happy with transaction and speed of shipping.
I recieved this camera as a gift and used it 6 times before the amplifier went out, so that when you were watching your videos-you got sound, but no picture. This happened with our first camera, but you could see the video but there was no sound-also the amplifier. Unfortunatly it didn't fall under warranty so we have a broken camera lying around and must buy a new one. I give it three stars because for the time that I was able to use it, it was a great camera. If you do decide to buy this one-maybe think about an extended warranty?
I bought this camera slightly used in mint condition and I'm fairly impressed with it.  The steadyshot function and nightshot are excellent features.  However, I'm selling it, because you cannot take still shots, and it costs you an extra [money amount]for a media converter if you want to review/edit your videos on your computer.  But, it is a good camera if you like watching home videos on your TV.
With all the nice features that come with that binoculars, the most disappointing is the poor quality of two attaching loops and rivets that you use to tie the neck strap to the unit. They are thin and plastic! One rivet broke even before I carefully attempeted to close the loop. What if it broke while having the binocular hanging on the neck? The manufacturer states they don't cover the "abuse" or "mishandling", which sliding off the neck and dropping the unit on the ground would fall into those terms. For few bucks more the leather loops and metal rivets would do just fine. But anyway, since I liked the unit itself very much I decided to keep it and made my own attaching loops.
The images are very crisp, only a little blurry at the edge. However, I suspect differences between two scopes is the cause for my eye strain. Especially I suspect problem with alignment of prisms.
Gotta put in a plug for my new binoculars which arrived today. Fantastic!I'd like to confirm the recommendations I've seen, to begin with Binoculars before acquiring a telescope, or at least purchasing both at the same time. Even at just 8x magnification, the binoculars show details which cannot otherwise be seen, and does so with a wide field of view which enables you to get acquainted with the night sky.Just one example. I focused on Vega. With my level of light pollution, Vega is the only visible star in the immediate area. Through the binoculars I was able to see the obvious triangle formed by Vega, Zeta Lyrae and Epsilon Lyrae. Not only that, but Epsilon Lyrae was clearly visible as two separate stars, Epsilon1a Lyrae and Epsilon2a Lyrae. Now when I look at this small patch of sky through my scope's viewfinder I'll know what I'm looking at! As I use the binoculars to learn the night sky, it will surely be easier to find things with my scope.Rubberized texture is easy to grasp. Focusing is smooth and easy to lock by sliding the focus knob forward. The right eyepeice has independent focus adjustment.The neck strap is kind of cheesy though. It hooks on to the binocular with some cheap plastic tabs. (I'll probably end up replacing this.) Otherwise I would have given this a 5-star rating. All in all, I definitely recommend these binoculars.
First of all my binoculars were assembled wrong  right out of the box. It caused the eyepieces to wobble and affected focus. I'll have to send them back to get them fixed. Construction is good (they feel solid) and rubber coating gives a good feel in th hands. Optics are good but not great. The image is only in focus in the center. Not at all what you would expect from Bak-4 prisms. The case is nice and they have a  good neck strap but  the little plastic connector pieces for them are junk. These binoculars are made in Japan so if you are expecting the quality that you would get from the Irvine California  plant you will be disappointed. They boast a limited lifetime warranty but have so many exclusions it is hard to know what would be covered. All in all though they rate with the other Japanese binoculars in the (price) range and are probably a good value.
I purchased these some time ago to take to Yellowstone NP and they did a good job.  I used them on occasion to view stars while at home or check out red birds in the trees.  They have been stored on my shelf for about a year and was packing to go to Alaska and took them outside to test.  I found that focus on the right side could not be achieved.  Also, the views were off on each side not lining up.  I guess if I dont mind just looking through one side im ok, i take very good care of my things, i own a Meade LX10 Telescope for years and it works flawlessly, the one thing i would have thought would never be an issue would be the binoculars, never dropped, just stored on my shelf in the case....what a shame.
You can buy binoculars for $20 or for $2,000+.  It's amazing the range of prices and quality.  As such, it's important not to compare apples and oranges when rating a particular pair.I have never used expensive binoculars.  I have only used basic consumer grade binocs.  The kind that your grandpa throws in the back of the truck on hunting trips.Furthermore, I wasn't looking for a pair that allow me to count the feathers on a bird from 400 yards.  I was looking for a pair of all-purpose binocs that I could view birds in my yard, look at the hills, take camping, and take hunting.These binocs are great.  Very clear -- much criper than anything I've ever used.  Great wide view -- really makes a differnce in trying to locate objects.  The close view focus of 10' means I can get extremely close to objects and still magnify.The strap is weak, as mentioned.  But it's no big deal.  The case is also sort of weak.  Remember, this is marketed as a ~$180 pair of binocs (check around on the web, that's what others sell for) -- Amazon's price makes this a steal.This is clearly the best value on the market.  This is a premium set of binocs at a casual/consumer price.
Ace Photo Digital had no intentions of selling me this camera as described. After blowing me off for a few weeks I finally called Ace. They said that they were sorry for the delay and they'd ship it to me tomorrow. Called the next day, spoke to another person. Said they had no intentions of selling me my camera with the tripod, flash, and zoom lens promised, and I should either cancel my order (already the order was late) or just accept the camera. Asked to speak to a manager, one never called. Canceled my order without my authorization. Amazon should have gotten rid of this company, but decided to delete my review instead. DO NOT BUY FROM ACE PHOTO DIGITAL!
Love this camera. My first serious slr. I used it during my photography classes my first few semesters. I still have it and will continue using it with aged film for a more noir look. I absolutely love it. Every camera is different and I adore mine.
I purchased this camera for my daughter for her high school photography classes. Her instructor wanted her students to learn photography using cameras that did not select all of the settings automatically. This camera is a great product for learning what are the best settings for different situations. My daughter loves this camera and takes it with her everywhere.
I purchased this camera for my son-in-law as a gift for his wife......so do not knowhow to rate it
My parent's Pentax ME Super from 1982 was my workhorse until it died on me.  I got it repaired, only for it to have another problem a year later.  I was devastated and was nervous about replacing it with a used SLR.  Somehow I stumbled upon this camera and I waited a while to buy it.  Then when it arrived I waited a while to use it.  And now my only regret is that I waited so long to buy it and finally use it.  This camera is great.  It feels great in my hands and about twenty rolls later it has not let me down.  I chose this camera primarily because it is compatible with Pentax k-mount lenses, but I have never felt tempted to take the lens off.  It's just a really great SLR; I recommend it for both beginners and those like me who are mourning the loss of an old SLR.
This camera is great for beginners & intermediate users.  Easy to use & it's light.  I owned it for many years and it did its job with no problems.  I truly think it's underrated.  I own SLRs [manual & digital].
I am really like this camera it has all the bells and whistles. The photos come out great. I got this as  gift and I just wanted to let peopl know it is good choice
I have to say, shooting film with this camera is a real hoot! I am impressed. As long as I do my part, and use a decent lens, this camera will produce images that compare with the highest priced film cameras ever made. And I have used a bunch of them over the years. Still do. But this has become my favorite 35mm camera by far. I can't help it...it is just so easy to use!Speaking of lenses, this camera comes with one already so you won't need another lens to take your first pictures. The great thing is that, if you want, you can buy any Pentax lens ever built since the 1970s and it will fit on this camera. Some of the newer digital-only lenses (called DA) will be tough to use because they do not have an aperture ring, but they still fit. And there are literally thousands of older lenses that can be bought for just a few dollars. Really, really good ones that will give you some absolutely awesome pictures!Please don't be misled, this camera is totally manual. If you don't know what an aperture ring is, if you have never taken that little digicam of yours out of auto mode, then you will be totally lost with this camera. You won't even know where to start. Put your hands in the air, step away from the shelf, take your finger off the buy button, and don't waste your money or anyone elses time.But, if you understand light...if you understand shutter speed and aperture...if you know how to read a meter and properly expose an image...if you really love making great pictures, you will absolutely trip out with this little camera.Ok, this is not your everyday Holga. It does not leak light through every orifice like a sieve. Instead this is a properly built, 35mm, single lens reflex camera. What you see in the viewfinder is what you get in your picture. It uses two little LR44 watch batteries, which last forever by the way, to operate the light meter and get your exposures right on the money. The meter readout in the viewfinder uses LED lights, but they are more than bright enough. I have never had any trouble seeing them in the brightest light.  Of course, you don't need the meter. The camera will take pictures just fine without any batteries at all if you really understand exposure and capturing light.This thing is great! It is light and a real dream to handle. If you want you can mount this thing on an inexpensive tripod, no need to spend a fortune on a monster tripod you don't want to use, or you can just hold it in your hands. It has shutter speeds that go from 1 second all the way to 1/2000 seconds. It has a marvelous little self timer so you can put yourself in the frame if you want, and it also has depth of field preview, which means you can determine what will be in focus and what will be out of focus front to rear in your picture. This thing has everything you need to make great images...and not a single thing you don't need. It does have an instruction manual but you really don't need it. It is that easy to use.Now the only thing I don't know anything about is the warranty. Mine came with one, I just never had to use it. I have been shooting film in this camera steadily for well over a year and it has never once hiccuped on me. Not once. Of course, your mileage may vary so I obviously cannot guarrantee that it will run forever. However, I can tell you that mine is still going strong and has not given any indication that it is ready to give up the ghost. Besides, at this price you can buy several and have a spare or two on hand!!Go ahead! Buy this camera! While your at it buy a few rolls of Kodak Tri-X 400 black and white film. That can be found here on Amazon too. Then go out and have a ball. I am!
I was looking for a camera that would allow me full manual control and the ability to shoot without batteries (except for the meter) as a reliable back-up camera. My wife has an old Vivitar v2000 and it is a tank, takes beautiful pictures if you know what you are doing, and best of all has that "nearly universal" K-mount that opens up the possibility of so many high-quality, relatively inexpensive lens.My 3800 is equally impressive in its simplicity and basic but strong features. My only nits are an overly tight aperature ring at the 3.5 f-stop position, like it wants to slip out of position (but it hasn't) and a very slightly crooked hot shoe.This camera doesn't compare to my main units in terms of total creative control and overall "coolness", but that is perfectly fine because that is not why I bought it. Knowing what you need and want is usually the key to a happy purchase, and I am very happy!
My V3800N was my very first camera purchased so that I could have a fully manual camera for my Photo 1 class.  Although I haven't used it in a while, I still love my little Vivitar and have plans to take it back out again.  It's solidly made with a great hand-feel.  It's an excellent beginner's film camera.  At at tasty price point, it's well worth the gamble because I promise it will pay off!
The camera case broke the day that it was opened.  The metal ring broke in half.  This case is now useless.  It was a Christmas gift.  I was embarrassed.
This was my first film camera for a photography course. It was a terrific experience using it and later on developing the film my self. The only problem that I saw with this camera was that the batter cover breaks for no reason. It's broken twice on me. I had to find a replacement part online since the local store that I bought it doesn't even carry the part.
good
This works great, and is far sharper than the reviews of it make it out to be.  It is also dirt cheap for a decent prime.  The low light performance is good, and i mostly shoot it wide open.  I dont care about corner sharpness so I wont comment on that.  The focusing is good and the lens is light as a feather.  I like shooting 50mm so much that I just bought the 50 1.4 and will try that and maybe sell this used for 10.00 less than i paid for it a few months ago.
I've had this lens for a few months now and love it. I don't know why I hadn't bought it sooner. The bokeh it produces at f1.8 is amazing. I'd definitely recommend this to a photographer on a budget.The only cons with the lens are that it is made of plastic and when images are viewed at 1:1, the quality isn't that great, but you can't expect perfect quality from a $100 lens.Still worth the buy. I don't regret buying this lens at all.
But it, use it, throw it away when it breaks.  It makes great images and has great glass for the price.  One of my favorite lenses, most of which are L Series...
Its okay. The focus feels very cheap and its pretty loud. Other then that the shots taken with this lens is pretty nice.works decently in low light too.
This lens is wonderful! So far, I've mostly used the AF function, and I've noticed that sometimes it takes a while to focus but I honestly have nothing to compare it to, so it's fine with me. :) It does exactly what I want it to.
got it cheaper because the grey market version just came from out of country and as such was cheaper to manufacture, but is the exact same thing.
The len seems to work fine, only had it a few hours but it does take great photos.  However this len should come with an adapter that allows attachment of the ES-62 lens hood.  Did not come in the package. $1 discount, but I have to buy a $10+ adapter.
I have bought items on Amazon for the last couple of years but so far I have only bought new or refurbished. The idea of Gray market goods was therefore welcome to me. Good quality, same as what I'd buy new, only CHEAPER!None can beat this!A good buy.
I absolutely love this lens and it is a must have for all beginning photographers.  I use this lens 8 our 10 times I have a photo shoot because I always get great quality upclose portraits and it's very versatile for everyday photography needs.  I highly recommend you buy this lens to add to your collection.
It's an awesome lens for portraits. I used it more than any of my other lenses. Excellent and the pictures are always perfect!
Great lens, and its not too expensive. This is definitely a good lens for taking short video clips and for some quick pictures.
Everyone has one of these for a reason.It's noisy, as a little slow to find focus sometimes, but the images are worth the fuss.
This is by far the most you can get for this price. Lens is absolutely delightful, light and easy to use.
Let's start out with the negatives:- As others have said, the build quality isn't exactly super duper.  The focusing ring feels like cheap plastic and isn't very smooth on MF.- The bokeh isn't the best due to the 5 bladed diaphram.- Focusing is relatively slow and often inaccurate in low light.Positives:- This lens is so light you can barely tell it's there.- Very sharp in the middle (at its best, in my opinion, at around f/5-5.6)Conclusion:It's no secret that for the money this is an excellent lens.  The only thing I imagine anyone considering this lens would be contemplating is whether to buy this or the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM bigger brother.  My take is, if you have the money, get the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM.  It's a faster lens with better build quality and USM.  Plus the hood that Canon makes for the f/1.8 is utter crap.  But if you don't know how often you'll be shooting with a 50mm prime or don't want to drop an extra $270 or so on a very similar lens, you will be happy with this one.
Very cost effective but would rather have saved the money to invest in the L series lens. It's a great starter lens.
I Love this Lens!!! I have used it extensively since purchasing and can't seem to put it down. I can't stop bragging about it!
Lens is very light weight but don't let that fool you.  Excellant pictures, sharp and clear, I highly recommend this lens for all photographers..
This lens is absolutely beautiful. Great for low light conditions. I haven't stopped using it since! Done several photo/video shoots with it and it's holding up well. If you want a cheap, crisp/sharp lens, this lens is for you. Every Canon DSLR owner must have this lens in their collection at least one time in their life!Edit: April 23rd.The Lens has fallen apart months ago due to crashing into a bus post lol; but was able to put together. Recently, the lens fell apart trying to take off a stuck filter. Able to put it back together but seems like I've stripped the gears so now I'm off to buying a second. Great lens other than plastic build. I might keep the "broken" one to use manually or as back up.
Boy did I miss this lens. I previously had one of these lens. In fact it was the first one I bought aside from my kit lens.  I managed to drop it and break it, but reliedd on my 18-75mm....figiruing I didn't really need this fixed lens.  I decided to repurchase one after a year or two without it.....and now I realized how much I missed this lens.  It's perfect for portraits and close up shots.  It's not a F/1.2 lens, but it does well in low light and adds a great touch to beauty and portrait shots.  I'll be taking better care of this one.
I purchased this lens after seeing the results my brother-in-law had with a 50mm lens.  His was a Nicon but with similar specs to this lens.  This is now the default lens that is attached to my camera.Pros:PriceGreat ResultsLight WeightCons:auto focus is touchy (but it could be me getting used to a fixed lens)light weight (creates sense of cheapness)
I haven't used it yet! But it seems to be a good quality for the price I paid and received in a timely manner home away from home that was a plus!
Great lens for the price, for both video and photo. Spend a few more bucks and go for one that is not gray market.
This lens really breathes the professional look into my photos and videos. I think hundred bucks were totally worth the expense. My first video experiment with this lens can be seen on YouTube: search for "Rada & K" - the video by Polar Torsen is the one I shot using Canon EOS Rebel T3i (600D) + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Also, some shots were done using Canon HF G10 camcorder.
I am a beginner. I heard great reviews about this particular lens. However, for a beginner, it takes some getting used to. I find myself reverting back to my 18-55mm kit lens for ease of use. I know that I will get better at taking shots with this lens because with its f/1.8, it can take better pics in less light. I have a newborn baby and I don't want to use the flash on my camera, so this lens (after I get used to it)is going to be the lens I use in the house.
My third lens for my T3i, I have the 18-55mm and the 55-250mm kit lenses. This totally lives up to it's &#34;nifty fifty&#34; nickname and is fun to try out the effects of larger aperture and expand on your shooting options.Lens is also great for indoor or lower light scenarios, again thanks to the larger aperture.
the only thing with the lens is the plastic feel other than that it is amazing, great picture quality good in low light, amazing cinematic feel, you get way more than you pay for with this guy a must have prime!
This lens stays on my body, it is wonderful for shooting without a flash. I have two small children and like to take candid shots at night before bed time. With f/1.8 it does the job perfectly. This lens is a no brainer, buy it. I was on the fence then just said &#34;why not&#34; and have been completly happy since day one! People are blown away at some of my shots. I love this lens.
You can really get amazing pictures from this lens.. If you just have a kit lens or even a couple lenses and no prime yet.. What makes this thing so good is its ability to shoot a shallow depth of field.. Great in low light.. Though Warning.. The autofocus has a hard time focusing so you either should 1) bring a small flashlight and illuminate subject first.. then snap or 2) manually focus when you are in low light conditions..The construction is plastic. hence its nickname fantastic plastic.. so don't drop it or abuse it too much.. The good thing is.. if you break it.. its not that expensive to replace.. Mostly all of my favorite pictures thus far have been with this lens..
the picture quality that the lens can do it crazy! love love love this lens, its zoom quality that the lens gives is great
Does what I expected, still too early to see if it satisfies all my requirements. Very light, good in low light conditions.
I returned it at first because I paid 125 dollars for it (Came from best buy, I was impatient), returned it because  I felt like I wasn't getting the results I wanted. A few weeks later, I buy it on amazon, just because I needed a starter lens. Started to test it a bit more, and realized how creamy the blur is, the sharpness, everything. Extremely glad I bought it again. Like the other thousand positive votes, I defiantly agree that this is one of the greatest lens out in the market.
AMAZING LENS for $100. It drives me nuts when photographers become such hardware snobs. Sure it's great to have a couple $1500 lenses to have for stuff but really how much better will your photography get just by spending money? Not far at all. It's brilliantly sharp for the price and everyone should have one.
The shutter locks closed every second or third picture. The camera then shows an error 99. None of my other lenses cause this issue.
It takes great close up pictures. Very detailed and exactly what I needed. Would recommend for someone starting out in photography.
this lens is a OEM to canon, but 1.8 diafragma is a lens for amateur photografer, the quality and funcionality are correct
If you want to take photos with a shallow depth of field - subject in focus & the background is blurry or soft - & you don't want to spend huge amounts of money, this is the lens for you.  I love it! I use it on my Canon T3i & the photos are fabulous
Simple, straightforward lens.  Takes great images.  Such a simple build, but a really good result.  Be aware that the auto focus isn't all that great.  I usually use manual focus on this lens.
Best lens for my money. I've used this for over 1000 portrait shots and loving it. You have to keep in mind that when shooting at 1.8 you have to use a single focus point because your depth of field is so narrow it is easy to focus get a part of the face focus and another part out of focus if your subject is not facing directly at you. If not shoot at 2.8 or higher.  To make sure I get my shot I always take multiple shots anyways and always knocks it down.
Although made of plastic this lens delivers very good quality.For that price range its a must have for amateur to high level photographers.
I've been eyeing this lens up for a while, finally got it and the Bokeh that you get from this lens.Amazing for portraits and I've yet to use it for any films but I won't be let down. - Worried about the fact that this is a Non Canon USA product and worried about the warranty? Buy this Product with a 2 year Square-Trade warranty + accidental for less then a new Canon USA version of the lens - which only comes with a standard 1 year warranty. Perfection.
This lens is so cool @ nite, and indoors. Outside is another story. Mayby my camera need more speed to compensate the apperture value of 1.8 at brighday sun
This is the best hundo you can spend if your interested in a prime lens. This is a great choice lens because its cheap and it's very good overall. The photo image quality you can get with this lens is hard to beat until you take a major step up in price. Great little 50, love this tiny prime.
To me this lens is a must buy for any new digital SLR owner and even advanced users. This is one of my favorite lenses and I always keep it on my camera.You should always buy a UV filter to protect the glass on any lens you have. This in my opinion is the one thing everybody who purchases an expensive lens should do. UV filters don't affect the photographs you take but it's a layer of plastic between the scratchable glass and the world around you. It's a MUST BUY.If your photographer who's not on a budget and really wants the best lens in my opinion check out the 50mm 1.4 f-stop lens below. It retails for about $300 but it's such a better lens and has another step down in your f-stop from 1.8 to 1.4. And its aperture has eight blades instead of just five found in this lens. The effect of more blades means the objects in your background will have a smoother blur to them and generally will look better.Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasHere I'll explain how the f-stop or aperture priority works on digital SLR cameras. Basically the aperture is a circle inside the lens that as you go up in your f-stop from 1.8 to 2.2 to 3.0 and beyond it shrinks the size of this circle in the lens. The shrinking of the circle from a higher f-stop allows less light to pass through to the sensor. The lower the f-stop i.e. 1.8 allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds in low light situations because the circle in the lens allows more light to pass through because of the lower aperture. Here's an example say are in a well lit room and you're shooting your child (yes that sounds very weird but it's a funny joke anyway). Generally indoors you need to shoot at 1/60 of a second with most lenses they'll instantly autofocus at their lowest f-stop which would be about 4.0. But with this lens since it can go down to 1.8 on the f-stop you could shoot the same picture at 1/125 shutter speed. Resulting in about the same light but avoiding any motion blur that plagues low light photography. Now needs to be noted that as you drop your f-stop you lose depth of field. I.e. how much of your photo will be in focus and how much will be blurred. It's the effect you see on portraits where the person is in focus but the background is blurry.Now I know many people will probably shoot holes in the foregoing explanation of f-stop but I'm not a really advanced photographer but I get how shutter speed and aperture priority work with each other. Buying a lens like this can only help somebody understand how both are related and work together.Here's what I recommend that you do:1. Enable manual mode on your camera this mode allows you to set both the aperture for the lens a.k.a. the f-stop and the shutter speed a.k.a. how long the shutter is opened while taking a photograph.2. Drop the aperture or f-stop to 1.8 on this lens3. Set your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second4. take a picture5. Look at your photograph notice how much is dark and light about it how sharp it is etc.6. Go up to the next shutter speed 1/90th of the second or 1/125 and take another photograph.7. now compare both of the photographs you took8. to change the shutter speed again going up another step taken other photograph now compare all three photographsIf you continue to do this adjust shutter speed while knowing what your aperture is you're going to notice how shutter speed affects the lighting of your photographs all you need to do then is start changing your aperture and repeat the process of stepping through your shutter speeds eventually you'll understand how the aperture works in correlation with shutter speed. I became a proficient photographer using manual controls in less than a month just by doing this simple practice. I would recommend starting outdoors on a well lit day because then you will see how you can adjust your aperture and your shutter speeds to really make good photographs.That's the reason I recommend this lens so highly as it helps you as a beginning photographer to create photographs because the lower f-stop helps you experiment and instantly see your results.Thanks for reading it this was helpful please click the button so others can see it.If you have any questions leave a comment on this review and I'll get back to you if I can help.
Was worried about problems reported of lens geting stuck on camera so far works great, had it for a couple of Months pictures taken look great just what I expected, the camera is a Canon T3.
I hate the low quality. This is my second 50. I love the low price, but I think I'd rather fork out an extra $100 or $200 to not have to be replacing it. I would just go with the 85 and eliminate that issue, but I'm on a crop sensor, and anything larger than the 50 is just not going to give me the space I need indoors.
Used this for my nieces wedding.  Perfect lens! The clarity and the beautiful creamy bokeh were exquisite. Still saving up for a 70-200! This lens is an amazing deal at$100.
Price... Great!Portability... Great!Depth of Field... Great!First school project this lens was the only thing that separated my video from everyone else!My video was the only one to receive a compliment. (it was an interview project)
Don't let the plastic body fool you, this lens is great! It's wicked fast, excellent for low-light shots and a great lens to learn on.  It's a little wider than I had hoped for in terms of focal length, but at the price point, it can't be beat.  Don't want to spend extra $$ on the f/1.2 version? Here's your winner!
I've used multiple copies of this lens and the 50/1.4. If you're on a severe budget with a crop body and want to take portraits, buy it. If not, buy the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8.This particular listing is for a 'gray market' lens. It's identical to the USA version with the same accessories, but Canon may not honor the 1-year warranty. They probably will if you can provide an invoice from an authorized reseller (e.g., Amazon, BH Photo). For this lens, the difference amounts to $10. I would buy the USA version.That aside, let's start with the good. This is a super-simple lens design. It's very sharp corner-to-corner after f/4. It's sharp at f/2.8, decent at f/2, and a little soft at f/1.8. Contrast is high. Flare and other aberrations are minimal after f/2.8. Every zoom under $1000 is worse.It's durable. The front element is recessed, so you don't need a protective filter or a hood. It's plastic with mostly plastic components. When you drop it, it bounces or falls apart, but rarely breaks. It's trivially easy to take apart and put back together. The build tolerances are lax, but it has few elements and the design doesn't require that much precision anyway. It doesn't weigh anything. The mount is plastic to no consequence.The focus throw is extremely short. Manual focus for video or otherwise is a trial-and-error affair. There's no focus damping. Autofocus is relatively quick. It makes a brief micro-motor noise that no one will find offensive. AF accuracy is hit or miss. The mechanism isn't physically capable of fine differentiations, so you're likely to be a little off at f/2. Micro-focus adjustment is a waste of time unless there's a gross deviation in the base calibration. Most people will find that it focuses well enough.A point of technique: depth of field is very shallow at f/2 and below. Focus and recompose, where you focus with the center point and then shift your view before you take the picture, will ensure slightly out-of-focus pictures. You need to select the correct focus point for your composition. The 10D-50D, 7D, and 5D series all have a joystick to make this easier, though the lack of outer cross points on the 5D and 5D II may negate the benefit.Compared to the 50/1.8 Mark I? The older version has a metal mount, larger focus ring, and a distance scale you'll never use. The optics are the same, as is the focus mechanism. I wouldn't buy one. They sell for 50% more and were made from 1987 to 1990, so any copy has been around for literally decades. Spare parts are uncommon if it breaks.Compared to the 50/1.4? That lens is optically better below f/2.8, focuses quieter, and is capable of marginally higher AF accuracy. It's also less durable and f/1.4 has a gauzy, low-contrast look that's best suited to portraits.Compared to the 85/1.8? The 50/1.8 is worse at everything but weight. AF speed and accuracy is enormously better on the latter. I harp on AF in all of my lens reviews because modern DSLRs and DSLR lenses don't have the right focusing screens or focus throw for manual adjustment. You're likely to be SOL if the lens can't hit a mark without assistance.Handling issues aside, this 50/1.8 is the peak of the Canon value equation. No other EF lens under $300 will provide such a dramatic leap in image quality and subject isolation relative to the kit lens. If the focal length is appealing, by all means buy one.
Amazing Lens... I like it! It improve my photos and video...It's a good lens, It has a f/1.8.. Sincerely, I love it
Its really nice lens, its really cheap and you can go to f1.8 which is great!!! the biggest problem is that is a pain trying to focus manually... I recommend this product for photos, but still you can use it for videos, but be aware of this issue... you can focus manually but is really unconformable.
It is a necessary lens, its construction is poor but the price does not require more. This will remain the essential fixed focal lens in our collection
If you want to take pictures of people - this is a great lens. Works perfect on my T4i and takes incredible pictures - I didn't know that I was that good of a photographer - but this lens makes even me look good. I recommend this lens for anyone - if you think you need a better 50mm than this one - then you are just a camera snob.
My expectations for this lens were that the larger aperture would make it handy for quick, natural-light captures of my grandchildren.  In fact the struggles this lens has to focus usually make it very time-consuming, by which time my subject has become impatient  and wiggled away.  Operating as it does on my t1i, the telephoto effect of course reduces the overage, adding to my challenges.  Finally f1.8 is not so much faster that kid-wiggles do not turn into blurs.  I have not yet done head to head resolution comparisons with my 17-85mm., so I can comment on whether this potential strength will offset the weaknesses I've observed.
Great lens for the money. Don't like the focus ring position, Awkward for shooting video. But it's sharp as heck for both applications if your focusing technique is right.
Well packed, came as advertised.  Good service.  Good lens.  I would recommend this to people who are looking for a prime lens with instant focus.
i got the gray market lens because of the price difference and i have to say this lens blows me away every time i use it. for fashion shoots this lens is perfect for full body as subject to camera distance is about 10-15 feet which makes it easier to use in a studio with assistants running around blowing fans or holding fill cards. this lens is also rely good for macro photography with macro filters. i have been able to take a picture of a pencil topper and have it at 24x36 size and perfectly sharp with no aberrations or flares.
It works well for the money...Is not well built...however..You do get what you pay for. ~ And for the money this is an ok lens...More like a $50.00 lens tho.
Very nice lens. Inexpensive for what it delivers. On APS-C cameras like the 40D that I have, it is effectively an 80mm focal length. That combined with the shallow depth of field afforded by the large aperture makes it great for portraits and low/available-light shooting.
If you just bought a DSLR and want to dabble in photography, this is a great lens to start off with. Although it is audibly slightly noisier than the $1000 f/1.4 version, it is still able to take marvelous shots with the ability to experiment with depth of field. In my experience, it's narrow field of view becomes a crutch at times, but I feel it does a great job of training your eye on how to frame shots well. Getting the 'entire picture' doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a good one.Being able to stop down the lens to f/1.8 means you can shoot in lower light situations and still manage to get fantastic shots. The autofocus does struggle at times when you are in dim situations, so practice manually focusing, especially for indoor shots that are only illuminated by artificial lighting.Aside from all the great things previously mentioned, this lens really shines when used for portrait shots. There is an acuteness to detail that none of my other average grade lens can attain and the subtleties of the image really pop. In addition, there is a slight softness felt in the image that makes the pictures you capture feel intimate. Pictures speak a thousand words so I'll upload a few pictures to demonstrate this better than I can describe.In conclusion, for $100, this is one of the best lenses one can buy and even after you save up for months to purchase more expensive L lenses down the road, I'm sure you'll still be coming back to this one.
You won't find a better lens for less. Period. It offers a great depth of field, and makes beautiful video. I use it on a Canon t3i and it works great. The only downside is the focus is a little hard to grasp, and you need a tulip or hood to add a rubber jar grip. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.
This is a good lens it takes beautiful images. Just wishes it was a wide angle lens to capture more of the scene.
Can't go wrong with this little cheapo lens. Its hard to justify spending ten times more for the pro L version when this is available.
I am satisfied with this lens, but it has the limitation of being a fixed lens luminosity compensated for this inconvenience. Good lens. It has given me good results in low-light environment, is what I expected.
It's the nifty 50 so it's a good lens, it takes some getting used too and honestly I wish u bought the usm 1.4 version since I see how well usm works in another lens but this lens once u master it will never fail you it's great for portraits and selective focus but not the best for landscape all in all great lens. Mines however I noticed makes a funny noise sometimes idk if this is common but works well otherwise
A genuine Canon product. Works fine and as intended. No problems with gray-market item, although it was the same price as market. I found no advantage or disadvantage.
After using my kit lens with my t1i for a year I decided to invest in other lenses to have more control in low light situations and to create beautiful dof  in portraiture. This lens was a perfect and affordable choice. Yes, it is plastic, but as long you take care of your equipment you shouldn't worry about it breaking or scratching. If you are low on budget or just getting into portrait photography this is a great lens!
I'm still learning a lot about the T3i and this lens, but I'm getting some wonderful results even now.  Great lens to start out with.
This is a nice little lens especially considering the price. I have used it several times since I bought it and it works great.Nice and sharp!
For its price, this lens is really good!It's really sharp, and does Auto Focus rather well, if a bit slow sometimes...For under a 100$ though, you can't beat it's value for money.It even works pretty well for Amateur Macro shooting, especially with magnifying filters.
I love this lens! Not enough good things to say about it. I have not taken it off my camera since I have purchased it and I am so pleased with it! The images turn out beautifully (although sometimes a bit soft). This lens is one of my favorite purchases!
Great price Awesome lense I can understand why people say its cheaply made but as long as you don't abuse should last long time
Lens works great for narrow depth of field that makes your subject pop. One surprise, the Canon Rebel t2 doesn't automatically recognize the aperture as 1.8, forcing me to manually set it. Odd, since it senses the aperture on my other canon lenses.
This lens is the best addition I have bought for my camera thus far! I LOVE IT! It's perfect for newborn/toddler photography to blur out backgrounds. So much fun to mess around with but you need to pay a whole lot more attention to where you're focusing the camera.
So, you just got your Canon SLR, and want to go beyond the kit lens. There is no better choice than the Canon 50 mm f/1.8 II. I have owned it for two years. I own higher-end lenses (70-200 f/4 L and 100 mm f/2.8 macro), but end up using this lens more often than any other. On a 1.6 crop body (like the Rebel series) the lens is a great portrait length. The lens is sharp enough that I cannot on a Rebel XS (12 mp) I go to pixelation before seeing effects of loss of sharpness from the lens on test photos.The biggest upgrade from the kit lens is the huge gain in speed. This lens is very sharp at f/2.0 or 2.2, and with normal indoor light you will be able to shoot flashless at ISO400 comfortably. This was the lens I trusted for the birth of our first son, and I couldn't be more happy with the images it captured. Even in the low light of the hospital room I was able to catch those first eyes-open moments without a flash.This lens is very light (maybe a little cheap feeling), which is nice when you are just carrying a camera to family outings or traveling. Really, a Rebel series with this lens is not that much larger than a quality point-and-shoot, but you have much more creative flexability and get much better shots.
Very happy with this lens.. the quality.. and the pictures taken with it.  Definitely recommend this product for other buyers.
Bought this lense for my new Canon T3i purchase. Most of the photography guys, ( and girls ) say you MUST own a 50mm lens for portrait photography because 50mm duplicates close to what the human eye see for focal length. very nice lense for the price. I think the f/1.4 is twice or almost 3 times the price of this lens. If youre doing professisonal level photography, get the f/1.4. Most of us mere mortals will only need this cheap, very good lens for what we do.
The one I received has a quite noticeable dirt trapped inside the lens. It's quite annoying to see dirt in a new lens!The lens works as expected overall.
yes this is a cheap lens. Yes, its a plastic fantastic. but that's exactly what i'm looking for.I'm the type of photographer who will do anything and risk it all to get the shot I originally planned for. However, i'm not the type of photographer who makes a gazillion dollars a year and can afford to risk $5000 worth of equipment to get the shot. This lens is perfect solution for me because its only a few bucks and I don't feel I have to hold back when around water, extreme heights, bad weather, sand, etc... you name it. I have no problem mounting this lens to a T2i on the side of a motorcycle to shoot HD video or take it skydiving. I can get just as great shots in bad environments as that NatGeo wannabe with $9000 around his neck who hesitates to take a picture because his equipment is too expensive to risk.My philosophy is to use cheap primes in places you wouldn't want to take expensive and heavy glass. At least you won't feel that bad if you drop it in mud. If it breaks like so many claim, i'll buy another one and get another 50,000 shots out of it. Even then, its still a cheaper path then going for the f/1.4. Besides, the 1.4 is due for an update, I would expect a mk2 version soon.I love this lens. its a great 50mm on my 5D mk2 and a great 80mm on my 7D.
I was pricing many lenses and was becoming discouraged until I can across this lens for a minimal cost. This lens has only been in my hand for a few days and has already become my favorite. I literately wished I had purchased this sooner due to the beautiful pictures I have made with it. Seriously a must for the portrait photographer!
BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS LENS I HAD SEEN TONS OF GOOD REVIEWS SO I HAD TO TRY IT OUT. THIS LENS DIDN'T LET ME DOWN VERY SHARP
Great photos but it is made of plastic so it could break very easily. I dropped my lens once and it broke so I had to purchase another one because I love it so much.
This lens is great and cheap, a good choice for those who don't have a lot of money spare to invest on expensive lenses just yet. It makes beautiful portraits, and it's great for places that lack a lot of light.
The bad?50mm prime has not too much applications in a Digital APS sensor DSLR (a little wider should have been better)
I love this lens!  It takes a little getting used to not having zoom capability (other than zooming with your feet), but the images you can get with this lens are "tack sharp&" as long as you use a fast enough shutter speed while shooting hand held, since it doesn't have image stabilization.  I am waiting for the weather to warm us so I can try it out using a tripod and shooting macro of flowers.  For the price, this is a great little lens!
This lens has made my life as an photographer more fun. It also forces me to move my feet instead of playing with the zoom on the standard lens when getting certain shots. The DOF you get is also awesome compared to the standard 18-55mm that came with my camera. I'm looking forward to doing more creative things with this more than affordable lens.
I'm enjoying taking pictures with my new lens.  Learning how to take better pictures .  It's so versatile and it makes it look like I'm a pro . Lol
This affordable lens should be in the camera bag of every high-end amateur and professional Canon photographer. Especially great for fast portraits and flower close ups. I've been really impressed with the picture sharpness and high end color digitals it produces.
It's the same wuality as the lens that comes with the camera, no complaints, FStop is so low that if you went any lower your whole picture would be a blur! So there's no reason to get a lense that has a lower F stop ;)
Experts have said so much for this lens. I would just add that for this price it is a must have. Starters and causal users should have one. What a difference f/1.8 makes.
This Canon 50mm lens looks great for the price. You can take great pictures with this lens and it does not look like cheap pictures. Any 50mm lens if very forgiving. For the price you get a good lens.
I bought this 50mm lens after seeing the work of a friend who was using this lens for dog portraits.  I loved the 'bokeh' it achieved and it's fantastic ability to capture great shots in low light.  I was nervous about other reviews commenting on poor quality, but decided to listen to the better reviews.  I hoped for the best and ordered anyway at a GREAT price.  It shipped quickly, in fantastic condition, in what appears to be a legitimate box.  I couldn't be happier with it!  I'm not sure what others were talking about with its 'poor quality.'  I love it and highly recommend.
Its okay. The focus feels very cheap and its pretty loud. Other then that the shots taken with this lens is pretty nice.works decently in low light too.
This lens feels very flimsy but for the price you cannot beat it. It takes awesome pictures. Great lens for portraits and night photos with no flash due to the low aperture.I own both kit lens,the 18-55mm as well as the 55-250mm telephoto. But out of those, the 50mm is on my camera 90% of the time.
Alright, so I will list the pro and cons that I have found while using it with my Canon 60D, and some of the things I just plain overlooked.Pros:  amazing low light.  works great for video with the canon 60d, very small and portable, light weight, CHEAP, nice fit to have for any eventCons: Not the "best" for lowlight professional photography (get the 1.4 if you are serious), still great for amateurs, the crop sensor makes everything on my Canon 60D look like I am going through a telescope, I have to stand a good 15-20 feet away to get a full body shot of a subject (wasnt happy, but that was my own fault as a beginner for not understanding the crop sensor yet).-This issue is very weird but big to me, when you go to manual focus, there are clips on the ring that it stops itself on.  It stops about 4 times overall, which makes for jumpy video if you are using that.  It would be ok for photo, but when recording video, having a jumpy spot because the lens focus got caught on itself can be frustrating.Overall I gave it a 4/5 because it is just much better then the kit lens from what I believe, and I use it more then my 18-55 and 28-80 simply because I love the style it gives off.
I bought this lens for my Canon 60d. I also considered 50mm 1.4 which is 1 stop faster and built better.  This 1.8 is smaller, lighter, and less than 1/3 of the price of 50mm 1.4. From my research, I found that the image quality of the two lenses is really close. Because I am not a professional photographer and do not expect to ever make money from my pictures, I went for a more affordable lens and am extremely happy with my decision.I've had the lens for more than 4 months. It is very small, lightweight, and has very good image quality.It is fast enough for evening (or inside) pictures with no flash. With this lens on my 60d, I was able to take pictures in the Central Park after sunset with the only light available from the sparse streetlights.It is also good for amateur portraiture. 50mm on an APS-C camera (like Canon 60d) is equal to 80mm on the Full Frame - a classic portrait lens. The max aperture of 1.8 creates a lot of subject isolation. I took pictures of my friends and they were really amused by the way this lens allowed me to focus on their face while everything else was softly out of focus. Again, I am not a pro and am sure there are better portrait lenses, but this lens exceeds my skills by far and does not look intimidating to my subjects (who might feel uneasy if someone aims a huge white lens in their face).This lens can also serve as a walk-around lens, though it is a little too long for that (especially on APS-C). However, the lens makes up in size, weight, and image quality for what it lacks in flexibility. The other lens I own is 18-135mm STM (which I love as well), but it is much bigger and much heavier than 50mm 1.8. I will think twice before I put my camera with 18-135mm attached in my backpack because the size and weight are considerable. I also feel that I must have a protective case (because the lens extends a lot from the camera and I am afraid to accidentally knock it off). Somehow, I feel much easier with 50mm 1.8. The lens is short, there is no extending elements, and not too many things to break. I just wrap the camera with the 50mm attached into a t-shirt and put it in the backpack. This way, it is almost half the size and weight of the camera with 18-135mm plus the case. So, I often just end up taking my camera with the 50mm on a walk.Now, some cons:The lens is a little too noisy when focusing. It is also not as fast to focus as my 18-135 STM. But on the other hand, 18-135mm STM is exceptionally fast and silent, so it is not very fair comparison. Also, the front element rotates when focusing. I do not use filters and can live with a little noise, so no stars deducted for that.I was a little comprehensive buying a gray market lens. I assume there is no Canon warranty. However, the price for this lens was around $15 less than that for the US model. Because the lens design is really simple (and Amazon is known for their customer service), I took the risk for more than 15% savings. No complains so far.Long story short - highly recommended. If you do not want to take a risk with the gray market model, just pay a little more for the US model and your peace of mind. It will be still the greatest bargain you can have with a Canon lens.
This lens replaced another that was damaged and is great. The clarity and fast focus are appreciated and the photos are well detailed.
great product a nice lens  works like a charm  use as described and dont have any problem with them  good product
Awesome lens for the price. Gives me the bokeh I was looking for. Autofocus is a bit spastic in low light but seemed better after I turned off servo mode. Very cheaply made but if you're buying it you've done the research and looking for bang for buck over the 1.4
I give this lens 5 stars. I will admit this is only because you get what you pay for and with this lens I got more. My only wish is that I didn't have a crop camera to really take advantage of this lens. At times it is just too long and it isn't always convenient to step back farther.Focus is amazing and the Bokeh, mostly, is great. Sometimes I see the effect of the 5 blade iris but for most photos I don't. True, at f1.8 you are going to get some un-sharpness but I hardly ever need that much aperture.Many reviewer's have complained/commented on the build quality. I am here to testify that it may be inexpensive but mine was purchased in 2008 and it still looks like new.All-in-all a really great lens for the money...
Only got to use this lens once so far but was pleased with the pictures and the way it handled.
Lens produces clear, sharp pictures and lives up to Canon's good name.  Great lens for the price.  Highly recommended for low light, street photography.
So Nifty Fifty...we meet again.I originally borrowed this lens from a friend on the occasion. I always loved this lens, it's really fun to play with, especially considering the price, it's an excellent product.Pros:fast lensreally inexpensivenice and compactCons:slower, innacurate afsometimes it's a little off on the focus (this could just be mine)It's a little lower qualitySummary:I have a hard time complaining about anything on this camera considering the price. What do you expect? Give me one lens that compares to or beats this lens at the same price!
So, for my Canon t2i,  I was deciding between the 1.4 & the 1.8 and ultimately decided to go with the 1.8 because of the price.  I'm glad I did for now.  I read horror stories of the cheap materials leading to the lens breaking, but I figure that spending less than $100.00 is better than spending over $320.00 and risking potentially the same thing happening.  And I can buy another to replace it and still have spent less.I have taken about 50 pictures so far and the lens is very good for what I was expecting.  Keep in mind that there is no zooming in and out by the lens itself.  You have to move closer or farther away from your subject,  Most know this, but some may not.  Instinct makes you try to adjust the focal length, but alas, you cannot.  But should not be a problem, and you get used to it quickly.As others have mentioned, if you try to do a selfie picture, your arms just aren't going to be long enough to be able to focus.  Have a tripod handy, or swap out your lens for those shots.I am extremely pleased with the results of the photos I've taken so far.  Well worth the inexpensive price.These are just things that some people may need to know before purchasing this type of lens.  I highly recommend this lens, but if something happens to mine, I will update my review accordingly.
This lens gives you the perfect blur. For a novice photo person, it is all I need. Everyone thinks the shots of my daughter I take are professional because of this lens.
Probably the best lens for the money that you can find. Should probably be the first lens anyone buys after purchasing a camera.
This lens is fantastic! I have an EOS 5d Mark II and this is a decent length for that camera and with the wide aperture and the large sensor it makes a great low light lens. Such low light that with manual focus, it can take great pics in near complete darkness. The money is certainly right!Pros: Cost, aperture, lens, clear crisp photos, beautiful bokeh, fast focus in bright lights.Cons: Cheaply built. Drop this one time and replace it. I'm on my second one. It's loud when auto focusing, the manual focus ring is tiny and cheap and it basically won't focus in low light without a laser assist.Summary: Excellent lens for the money. If you want the mack daddy, buy the 1.2L, but I'm not that serious. This is a decent substitute at 1/10th the cost.
The fixed zoom gives you the opportinity to create a great blured background effect focusing on the subject.Add the great price to it and you have a great combination for high quality portraits.
This is lens is my most best thing that I have ever brought from Amazon! This lens works really well, and the shallow depth of field is really lovely! I would recommend this lens to anyone who want to get a shallow depth of field at a low cost! And when I order this it arrived on the day that I selected which was Great! Well because I actually pay little more shipping that's why. lolPros:-Wonderful DOF-light weight and not cheap build quality, its actually feel really well made quality.-Cheap for the prices.-Does well in low light area.Cos:Well the cos are well you get a shallow depth of field but not as much like the 1.4 or 1.2 and also the autofocus is a bit kinda of noisy but to me that doesn't really matter because a true film maker like to use Manuel focus in video mode but in picture I use autofocus.
I got this lens a few weeks ago & I've put it to use a lot already. This lens is tack sharp. I now have a new favorite!! If your thinking about it- just get it now!! You won't regret it at all. A MUST have & the price is right. Don't let the price fool you if you think it's to cheap, it's a great lens- one you'll leave on your camera more then the others.
This is  portrait persons dream lens. I love, love, love it. Very clear! Beautiful bokeh when subject is close. Works for me!
I guess that you get what you pay for ... it is not exactly what I had expected, as it relates to performance, but I can work with it and will have no regrets about keeping it
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE PRODUCT! Works amazing in low Light.Started using it in naturla light, it produces great images! Would def recommend to any photographer!
We use this lens for everything! It is the perfect prime lens and is definitely a must have you cant afford the 1.4 at this time.
I am a long time canon user, about 40 years.  I have used canon wide angle prims, telephoto primes and the 50mm prime.When I decided to get a 50mm I tried the 50mm f/1.4.  I lIked the lens and thought it was great, but when I tried to justify the costas opposed to the 50mm f/1.8 at 99.00 from Amazon (Adorama).  I could not justify the cost difference, now I am so glad I went with the 1.8 versionyou will be hard pressed to find a lens this sharp at all f/stops.This lens has take a beating because of its cheap build.  It is a cheap build (in hard plastic) with gread canon glass.  Get past the "cheap build"and realize what you are getting for 99.00 or less.What do you want good looks 50mm f/1.4 or simple 50mm f/1.8 lens, Both are great lenses, but for the money the 1.8 is the better buy.  I haven't gotten a bad picture with it yet.  No sharpenoing in photoshop.TRY IT. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE?
This is the lens you have been missing.  The results are fantastic.  It produces the bokeh(blurry background but a very sharp foreground) that is seen in professional photos(excellent for portraits, closeup, rooms with low lighting). The price makes one think that the lens can't be of good quality because of the $101.00 price tag.  Far from true.  Get it you will be glad. ( I am a hobby enthusiast  on a limited budget looking for quality results...this lens meets my criteria).
I just shot in the LA Clippers with this lans and it worked GREAT! even thought is sorta cheap feeling I still love it and the price. You should buy it! Where can you find a 1.8 for less that actually works ??????
Everyone says if there is just one lens in your bag this should be it; and I agree. I've owned two. After dropping and breaking one, I got another.
WOW! its amazing!did i say its awesome?It has very nice IQAmazing low light performance for photos AND video.Light wightedNOT as bad constructed as many online reviews says.... yes it is plastic.... so?.... well, if you think of knocking it against the floor you'd like to think it twice before you do it... :SAF works fine, a little noisy.... but i wont use it for wild jungle animals.The bokeh is really nice. Some says that bokeh coming from lights with pentagon shapes as a CON... but i say: COOL!Depth of field with 1.8 is impressively narrow... but you loose some IQ at f/1.8. In my opinion, you better use it at f/2.8, get the insuperable IQ of a prime lens and set a more usable and controllable depth of field.Using it for portraits? PERFECTUsing it for cropped landscapes? NICE!And so on....Fully recommendable....PS: I have a canon 550D T2i, APS sensor.
nifty 50 all day everyday! theeee best.  Unless you can spring for f1.2  if seven more words are required, I'll never likely do this again.
great product, use it quite a bit and works perfectly. No downside to it that I've found so far. I recommend it
This is probably the best lens you can get if you are not a pro photographer, but want to take professional looking pictures.  The wide aperture blurs out the background and gives all of your photos a dramatic, high quality look.  Wide aperture is also great for low-light and long exposure shots.  For the price it can't be beat.
I loved this lens. People are right. It takes beautiful pictures. BUT!!! It is made of very cheap materials. I treated this lens with care and today it is broken! The front lens piece fell off and inside I discovered that a small plastic flange had broken off. KAPUT! I don't recommend wasting money on this landfill fodder.
This is currently my favorite lens! If you struggle filming or taking pictures in low light, this is the cheapest and best lens you can get. It has caused me to get really into prime lenses, but I don't know what to buy. I'm looking into the 40 mm and 85 mm, but they are more expensive and don't have the max light capacity that the 50 mm does.
I seriously love this lens. The f/1.8 aperture makes a really nice looking bokeh which makes photos look a bit more professional. The colors also look better than with the kit lens. People keep mentioning that it kind of sucks because it's all plastic, but what do they expect for the price? The only downside that I've had with this lens is that the auto focus is super loud, good thing i rarely use auto-focus. There's not much more to say about this lens since everyone should have one of this in their collection.
This lens is a crucial addition to any photog's kit. When you need a shallow depth of field and sharp foreground, this huge aperture is the way to go.This is going to be a really well-used lens for low light photography and portraiture. You may end up wearing it out over time, which is why it's a highly inexpensive lens. The glass is decent and you can't go wrong here.
This lens is absolutely PERFECT. It gives me exactly the look I want out of my pictures, it gives me a crisp subject w/ a very shallow depth of field. So far I've used it for an Engagement Session and a Senior session, and I've loved the pictures that I got using this lens.
Absolutely great in low light. Pics are crystal clear. Focus ring is very skinny. Hard to grasp. This is definately worth the money tho. Feels cheaply made but works great.
The lens works well and does a find job.  The only issue is in the design of the lens with the focus ring being on the very end.  It is a known issue with this lens.  It is difficult to attach a follow focus wheel or gear to it.  I found a place online and bought a ceramic attachment that allows for a wheel or gear to be used.  It's just the cost of doing business with such a low priced lens.
This is by far one of my most favorite lenses! The one I originally bought broke in a camera accident and I tried other lenses and just couldn't make it work. I love this lens so much I HAD to replace it immediately. I missed the tack sharp clarity and the shallow shallow shallow depth of field. Love this lens. Love it!
This lens is awesome! I doubt there's a lens that is just as good that is in the $100 range. Get it if you want to do portrait shots with a single subject (like a baby)!
I've been using this lens for a few weeks now, and I love the photos coming out of my camera!  My first prime lens - I'm so glad I bought this!
Honestly when I first got this lens I thought it was wonderful, after a while it just wasn't given me what I was looking for. It is a good lens, yes but not a GREAT lens. It wasn't getting the images tack sharp like I was looking for. There was always a small amount of blur unless the object was standing extremly still....my children don't do that! ;) I still like my photos it takes, but they could be better. I recently bought an 85mm 1.8 and oh my goodness TACK SHARP! That is what I was looking for! Every image is amazing. I have not used the 50mm 1.4 but I may buy that one next to see how it compares to the 1.8 and the 85mm 1.8. If you have the extra money I would go for something a little better.
My wife and I love taking quality pictures of our kids. With this lens we're able to get that professional background blurring effect simply and inexpensively. If you have kids and want to take full advantage of the nice SLR you have, without breaking the bank, this lens if for you. It's amazing the difference a lens can make. I'd highly recommend this lens!
Any chance I have to buy graymarket stuff, I will. This lens is flawless and my favorite to date. Best macro pictures, great blur in the peripheral.
This lens took great! photos for the money you paid for.  this is an above average lens.  If you have money get the L class lens.
Bought this for my Canon T3i and I haven't been disappointed. Great all around lens, fast auto focus. This is a great lens for portraits. Would recommend and buy again.
The lens is great for the price, it gets close up, althought I wish it could get a litter closer
Amazing lens for under $100 - beautiful pictures, and a must for any one who owns a great camera but has been afraid to move beyond the kit lens.  It will change the way you look at your camera and the quality of your pictures.  Just be aware it does not zoom... But you get used to it quickly.
I bought this lens for my husband for our anniversary and he has not stopped using it since. He had no problem attaching the lens, or switching from one lens to the next. The lens arrived in perfect condition with plenty of protective packaging. The seller shipped the lens quickly and we received it well within the estimated delivery date.The picture quality is amazing and an excellent accessory for my husband's Canon. I do recommend doing manual settings with it, since auto settings eat up more of the battery much quicker than doing it manually. :)
Plastic fantastic! This lens is incredibly reasonable price-wise. I would recommend this to any photographer on a budget. Gives really nice depth of field, and quality photos!
I was looking for a lens I could use for taking portraits. A friend recommended I look for a 50mm lens, but warned me it would be expensive. I searched on Amazon, and found this little guy. For the price you pay, you get a lot. This is a lens you can use everyday. It's perfect, the only problem I have with it is how loud it is when you use auto-focus.
This lens came recommended to me by my boss (I'm not a professional photographer) when I was looking at a photo he'd just taken and assumed that he'd spent a boatload on a fancy lens to get the short depth of field I was seeing.Turns out, he hadn't.The reviews stating that the lens is all plastic had me a bit concerned, but since it came recommended to me personally, I went for it and I don't regret it at all. I bought a DSLR specifically to take my casual shooting to the next level and while the kit lens for my camera is nice, this lens is amazing.Don't hesitate to buy it if you're on the fence. It's a great purchase and will help you get that amazing portrait-like shot out of your camera without a huge investment.
Only $100 and all my pictures have improved so much. This is a great little lens. I bought it for close ups and portraits. Took it to the fair at night and the pictures came out great. Wish I had bought it years ago.
I've taken a handful of images with this lens, and I love it.  The shallow depth of field given off by the size of it's aperture make for great portraits.  Use with macro tubes also provides acceptable images with stunning detail.  Worth the money and a must have for enthusiasts.  Thank you Canon.
I purchased this lens because it was an inexpensive option and I needed a shorter mm lens to capture portraits and things of that nature. I haven't taken it off my camera. It has great quality and is light weight. I'm very pleased with it so far and I've been using it for about 2 months.
This item arrived exactly as described.  As you have probably reviewed, this lens has an inherent flaw of a poor autofocus.  Be prepared for that and for being able to manually focus on your own.  I love the 50 mm lens and am so happy with this purchase!
I bought this lens after my canon 50mm f/1.4 broke and it has been really nice. Super cheap for how quality the lens is. I still prefer the 1.4 just because it seems a little more crisp with nicer bokeh but this is great for now.
This lens is a great value!  I have had so much fun getting action shots of my daughters playing basketball indoors under lower light conditions.  I get a little frustrated with the shallow depth of field, but I can get crisp shots of the action.  I am so happy to have added this lens to my collection.
A colleague recommended this lens after I complimented him on his great vacation photos. I've always wanted to take great photos, but haven't been successful until purchasing this lens. I've gotten several comments since that my photos have been professional quality. Well worth the money.
I fell in love with this lens initially, but they break way too easy. I have to give it thumbs down.
I have a food blog and the success of my blog depends on beautiful pictures.  My go-to lens broke about six months ago and I have been limping along with my kit lens ever since.  I just wasn't getting the quality pictures I needed, but I can't afford to shell out a bunch of dough on a new lens.  I am so glad I found this lens!!  It's within my budget and takes AMAZING pictures.  The color and the clarity are so much better and I find I can actually hand hold the camera in a lot of low light situations that I previously had to use a tripod for.  I am beyond pleased and would recommend this lens to anybody!
good thank
This lens is a great choice for portrait photography. I like the way it separates the background. And the 1.8f is good ^_^
great pictures. nice depth of field.make wonderful pictures. it's a must to have lens for any portraits.nice product
This lens is awesome!  I am so please with the quality of photos!  It is made of plastic, which is what makes it so affordable.  You won't find another 50mm lens at this quality for such a great price!  This lens is a must have for any beginning photographer.
This is the second example of this lens I've owned. (I sold the first one attached to an older dSLR to make the package more salable.) I tried the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, and the Sigma is a little better optically -- the Sigma also costs about four times as much! You can't beat the value of the optical quality you get with this lens, and the lens is as fast as 99% of &#34;enthusiast&#34; photographers will ever need.
This is one of my all time favorite lenses. It gives great background blur with the aperture of 1.8. It gives sharp images. It outperforms many of my  &#34;L&#34; series lenses.
It is a great lens.  It does what it is supposed to do.  A great product and a great asset to phoographers
The Canon EF 50mm is a good lens, light weight but powerful.  I didn't use it as much as I thought I would so I gave it to my daughter for Christmas.  She uses it a lot for portraits. She loves it.
This is a standard lens for me. If you are taking photos of; head shots, objects, pets, etc. This lens is good for you. If you need to zoom then try a longer zoom lens. This will not produce crisp and clear images but is great for those photos you want with a &#34;blurry background&#34;. Great for beginners who are learning how to control their depth of field.
This is my first camera lens after couple weeks with the stock 18-55mm lens.I was impressed with the overall quality of this lens, worth every penny!
For 99 bucks I don't care if the autofocus isn't that great or dies after a year or what lever other problems peoe come up with. It's clear and sharper than any normal person can see. It's $99 for a 1.8f I'll buy another when it breaks. Good for the money
I am a beginner and this lens takes photos like a pro. Pair it up with a good camera body and you're good to go!
A lens is an optical device which transmits and refracts light, converging or diverging the beam. This does that, okay?
I love this lens. I'm a beginner at photography, I've wanted to experience with DOF shooting for some time and this product offers great results from the family photos I've taken with my Canon t3i.
Ive had this lens for about 6months now and I barely switch lenses for anything wether its a photo or video shoot, I have my kit lens(which I dont use at all) and my canon 75-300mm lens which I use every now and then but this lens is awesome for the price!! Ive gotten so much great feedback on my videos from using this lens my business has picked up,Im doing major interviews and music videos, photoshoots all because of the sharpness of this lens!! Im keeping this one and will graduate to the 50mm f1.4 this month, so anyone who is looking for a great prime lens THIS IS THE ONE FOR A SMALL PRICE!!!checkout some of my work [...] & [...] 99% of my work was done with this lens!!
love it love it, i used it tonite to shot the fireworks and it great!! glad i got it!!
This lens is awesome, lightweight, inexpensive, and low key. You definitely get the most out of this prime lens especially if you use a full frame DSLR
If you just bought a Canon SLR/DSLR with a standard boxed zoom, this is a very inexpensive upgrade that will give your camera much more flexibility with lower lighting situations.  I was concerned with the Gray Market flag, but really there was nothing to worry about. I received the lens fast and in perfect condition. I would recommend buying a 52MM filter to protect the lens.  The lens is small and light, and presents your camera with a rather underwhelming appearance, but the nice pictures you will get, especially with a lens at this price point will make up for it.
I bought this lens for one project and it did that job perfectly.  You can get the f stop down low and obliterate the back ground.
I have been wanting one of these lenses for a while, I bought it for my birthday, great gift, just what I wanted
as simple as that! it's the best, if you are looking for a good and cheap prime this is the one you are looking for.
So, it is about 100.00$- with that said, totally worth 100 bucks- I'm sure if you were a little more careful with it it would last longer than 8 months. The part that broke on this was the automatic focus- I think it still manually focus', not 100% sure. I could actually hear things rattling in the lens... but this cheap piece of glass was a lot of fun to play around with, and it was really light.  It was my walk around lens that didn't come off my camera. I wish that it had even a small zoom, but oh well-  I would buy again if I had an extra 100, and no other wish list items being saved for.
I love this lens. I am just starting to take the next step in improving my photography. I've gotten a ton of compliments on my photos lately. There is a learning curve when it comes to the focus with such a shallow depth of field, but I would definitely recommend for those interested in a cheap lens for family or portrait photos
This is the most amazing lens I've owned. It gives sharp image, it's light, cheap and even though it's made of plastic it doesn't feel like it.
I have a Sigma 28-70mm and a Tamron 70-300mm lens for my Canon EOS 450D or Rebel Xsi in some markets. The nifty fifty is my newest lens and I have to say that I love it! It has made me love my camera even more and made me less reliant on zoom. The picture quality is sharp and it's a very fast lens. It cannot be beat for it's weight or it's clarity. Buy one and you will not be sorry!
Amazing built quality. made in Malaysia. takes some stunning photos. I would recommend it to everyone. Dont wate money on 1.4 and 1.2
My first one had autofocus issues so I'm happily buying a second. This lens is lightweight and takes some stunning images. I mainly do videography so while I would love to have image stabilization or a larger focus ring, it doesn't get any better for the price.
Great lens at a great price(&#60;$100)!!! Getting a lot of use out of this lens. Made sure to make this my first lens.
I have had the opportunity to use this lens several times and thus far am happy. I will eventually upgrade to a more sophisticated lens, but for now this will definitely serve it's purpose.
This lens is so cheap yet produces such beautiful photos. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants to take awesome portraits of their friends and family. The photos will look professional-quality. If you plan on doing more with your photography, like getting into macro photography,  you will want to buy another lens eventually, but if you're only interested in taking stunning photos of your loved ones then this lens is the ticket for you. No need to drop the extra cash on more expensive lenses when you won't even be using the features that make them more expensive.Also, this lens is a prime lens, so it gives crisper photos, but it also doesn't zoom. Keep that in mind.
Great lens with full warranty. Sharp as my 24-70mm 2.8 zoom. Best value in the canon line for lenses.  Buy it!
I really like this lens.  Sharp pictures, lets in lots of light, and really lightweight.  My only complaint and is why I knocked it down one star is it could be a little quicker to focus.
Blurry picture. They should be &#34;fast&#34; (1.8) but in low light it can not get anything in focus ... at least not easily and auto ... mostly need to use manual focus. Now, I totally forgot that I am an older man ... do not try video shooting with this lens, UNLESS that camera is on a tripod. No IS (I knew this one but did not know how much I need it)!
Love this lens so much, it delivers sharp images and at an amazing price. Its great for any canon SLR.
Following some friends advice, I've bought my camera frame only (Canon T2i)and separately a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens. WRONG!!!! for beginners (I'm a total beginner with zero previous knowledge of photography). It was almost impossible for me to take indoor photos due to the large minimum distance you need to focus and the angle coverage you get, besides the aperture. Please, don't take me wrong, the problem is me and no the lens. The lens is great for it's intended use. It's that I just needed something else.So other friends suggested me this lens. I've followed their advice and I'm totally happy. With and aperture f/1.8 I can take indoor photos with no flash (ISO 400 or 800) and focusing really close to the subject. Now this lens is my primary lens. Definitely, this is not a lens for group photos if you want to take pictures in parties (close range), it's more a portrait lens. For sure I'll be buying a wide angle lens in the close future, but the price range is totally different.Focus speed is quite fast and the image quality is great.
It was time to purchase a prime lens and this was an affordable first.Pros: nice low f-stop gives incredible DOF, and the lens is so fast. The simple, tried and true design gives crisp images with little to no distortion or vignetting.Cons: This lens seems to be below normal canon build quality, AF sounds loud and gritty. slams into the close and far stops.  Might be just mine, or might be the series. switch to MF and ignore.Overall, I would get it again, it does what I want.
I am a beginner and often have trouble with indoor pics.  This is the best lens for low light conditions!
I love this lens. The pictures you can take with it are so sharp and I love the F1.8 FL. You can take some really nice portrats with nice depth of field. Can't beat it for the price. A must have lens for any Cannon photographer!
They don't call it the nifty fifty for nothing! I'm loving this lens! Super cheap, crazy fast lens at 1.8, great bokeh, and just tack sharp all around. For a budget lens, you really couldn't do any better. I've shot a lot with its more expensive older brother, the 50mm 1.4, and while the USM and build quality of that lens are a little more preferable then the all-plasticky cheapness of the 1.8, image quality wise, they are very, very comparable, so at more than 4x cheaper, the 1.8 is the way to go. If it breaks, I'll just buy a new one, less than a 100 bucks! You can buy four 1.8's for the price of just one 1.4, and SIXTEEN 1.8's for the price of just one 1.2... That really put it into perspective for me. Simply put, for the sharp image quality and very shallow depth of field this thing churns out on a daily basis, this is a must-have lens in every camera bag.
great lens, used it for video and pictures, small enough to fit in pocket when other lens is on camera. can't go wrong with this purchase.pros--cost, shipping, weight, good glassconsfocus ring.plastic
I love this lens, it is inexpensive but photos come out beautifully, these are highly recommended for any one with a Canon DSLR
Recently bought a Canon T3i and looked for quality lenses that wouldn&#8217;t eat up my bank account. Seriously, this one is a must for all photography lovers who don&#8217;t have hundreds or thousands to spend.It is a prime lens, so it&#8217;s fixed &#8211; you can zoom, which throws some people off. But it makes up for the fixed-ness because it has excellent aperture (f/1.8) so you can take fast pictures in relatively dark spaces, whereas a common zoom lens (like the kit lens) will have massive blurring or really dark.In essence, for new photographers, it&#8217;s a lot easier to use and shoots beautiful pictures.I absolutely love it. Whenever I&#8217;m not shooting wide angle this is my best friend.
Love the lens, worth the price.  Feels cheap but images are fantastic!Highly recommend it if you don't have a 50mm in the arsenal.
I had one of this kind before, so it's not a bout the quality of the lens but the one from &#34;gray market&#34;.So far so good for a &#34;gray market&#34; product (I was a bit worried)... very nice, neat. And to my own experience, work perfectly as those  from &#34;white market&#34;.I would recommend this lens to my friends.
We have a crop body camera, so this is the perfect portrait lens.  A nice bonus for hikers like myself is that it's very light.
Before purchasing this lens, I only had a kit lens and telephoto.  I asked my photography teacher which lens I should invest in next. Without hesitation he recommended the nifty fifty (50mm).  This lens was relatively affordable and well worth the money I paid.  Since I've purchased this lens, it's nearly all I use.  My  images are very sharp/ crisp.  I've shot landscapes, portraits and still life with this lens (very versatile).
I was having trouble with the stock kit lens photographing concerts. Aperture and speed left me with either dark photos or blurred motion. Now that I've got this lens, photos in low light of subjects in action come out beautifully! In situations where flash cannot be used or would otherwise wash out color or depth, this lens fixes all of that. Great for portraits, and beautiful bokeh. This is a prime lens, so there is no zoom; only manual and auto focus. It functions well as a macro lens and as an all-purpose lens. This 50mm has yet to leave my camera body as one who mainly photographs portraits and concerts. Another obvious bonus is its price. No one likes to throw away $100, but at that price, I wouldn't be all that upset if I accidentally broke it.
Is this a Good Lens? Yes.Is this the Best Lens? Not at all.Is this lens the best bang for your buck? Maybe...When I bought this Lens, I had a hard time deciding between it, and the Canon 50mm F/1.4.For good reason: they're both great lenses, they're both reasonably priced, and they both cover the same focal range, but what ultimately won me over where the "smaller things" the things that you wont see typed out in the technical details, or noticed by the users who are the reason that your camera shipped with a image stabilized zoom(like the kit lens) rather than a fast prime (like this lens).Now I wont go too depth with the sales pitch on this lens, you all know it's light, it's 'fast' (good for shooting in low light), and obviously cheap. But what I will talk to you about is what you should consider before you buy this lens, and that is this, do IQ and Keeper rate matter to you, and Do you shoot though the view finder? because if you answered yes to either of those, this lens, might not be for you. I still recommend that you consider it, I bought this lens myself and loved it for the first few months, but if you're serious about your photography you're going to become disappointed with this lens after so long.-It's auto focusing kinda sucks-it's focusing throw is small, so manual focusing is a pain-You'll wind up shooting at f/2.8 any time you need sharp imagesBut, It's still a lot of fun to own, and will teach you more than any other lens.If you can borrow this lens for a few days, and then borrow or rent the 1.4 i would recommend you do so, it'll really let you get a feel for the two lenses, and understand why buying the 1.4, over the 1.8 gives you more than just a stop of light.
Takes a little getting used to. You can't twist to focus since the length is fixed, so you have to adjust to walking closer or farther from your subject. Awesome for low lighting! Works fantastic. First experience with it was in low light and it works perfectly. Awesome lens!
This lens is very good and very popular among photographers and filmmakers!For this price it's very good lens for shootings and it makes awesome quality footages.
This is a simple review.  There isn't a better buy in the photography world and never will be.  Buy one, enough said.
Love my lens!  It has been a great primary lens for my shoots.  This lens is on my camera 90% of the time.  Fast and sharp, berry  happy.
I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't understand what "Gray Market" meant. I just looked it up, and it basically is a item that was NOT MEANT to be sold where they are selling it. So, Canon will not be warrantying this for you. This is a failure by Amazon IMO. Amazon, in a attempt to protect their customers, should DEMAND "Gray Market" be replaced with "no warranty"I am all set paying $110.00 for a NEW item without a warranty.
It's pretty good and takes great pictures. I recommend shooting in mf because af is really slow on portraits. Light weight
The nifty 50 delivers the goods,For less than a hundred bucks you get a Very good lens,No IS But IQ is very good..Plastic so get a warranty for ADH.
I use my Rebel T1i often for shooting music videos on You Tube as well as taking pictures of family and friends etc. I have been using the Kit Lens 18-55mm for about 5 years and now I am kicking my self for not buying this lens sooner. Here is a list of why i think this lens is a must own.Pros:1) Affordable-Just over a hundred dollars for the quality of pictures is a steal.2) Quality-Light and small will fit in any bag.3) Picture Quality-Crystal clear pictures and videos (I was shocked when I sen my digitals out to be printed as well as editing them on photoshop)4) Fast speed-I was looking into purchasing a much more expensive speed light to take indoor pictures, but with the 1.8 AV there is no need for a speed light except for special photography or really dark settings.Cons:1) A bit of a learning curve -the bokeh (blurred background) can get bit annoying when on 1.8. You have to play around with the AV settings and really get to know your camera well especially in manual settings.In all this is a must own lens and I hope you get this and are as pleased as I am.
Inexpensive but very good lens....makes a great walk around lens for the money.  Sharp and fast autofocus.  What more can ya ask for?
This is a great lens that really helps beginner photographers learn how to use the camera in the manual mode. The lower f-stop (1.8) allows much more light to enter the camera sensor than the standard 18-55mm lens that comes with many entry level DSLR cameras. So, even though the 18-55mm lens shoots at 50mm, the f-stop at 50mm would be close to 5.0, which will let in MUCH less light than 1.8. The lower f-stop of this lens will allow you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and will produce better pictures in low light conditions.Once you get the hang of it you can look into bumping up to the 50mm f/1.4!
great lens for the price.  shallow depth of field and wide open aperture.  most have for movie making with your canon rebel.
I am very pleased with this lens - especially for the low price!I bought it along side with my DSLR Canon EOS XSi (450D) because I wanted a more light sensitiv lens for a reasonable price, because I wanted to be able to take pictures indoors without using the flash. Don't get me wrong sometimes there is no way around using the flash but more often than not it seems to drain the color out of the picture.And finally I can take pictures without the flash - even in dim conditions - and still get a nice picture.I'm already eying the EF 50mm f/1.4 lens for even better results... :-)To see a few of the pictures I took using the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on this cameraCanon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)visit the following site: [...]
The photos that you can take with this lens are the best photos you can take ever. I love the way it works. Everyone that love photography must have this product.
I think I wrote a review about this lens back in 2007 when I bought it,,,, but just wanted to let you guys know who are concerned about the plastic quality that I ve been using this lens for last 6 years and its still in good shape and taking beautiful pictures.... its a great product for such nominal price.... I would suggest buying this lens instead of the kit lens...
I am new to using a DSLR. I must say that this lens is a great product with a good price. Anyone new to digital imaging will not be disappointed with this lens. It f stop range runs from f1.8 to f22. My daughter uses this lens with her professional photography business and recommended it to me.
Don't let the &#34;Gray Market&#34; tag fool you. It's just the same lens -- and despite what some people say about not being covered by a US warranty, mine came with a card for a US warranty by Canon. No visible difference on the lens or in the images between mine and my friends &#34;official US Market&#34; Canon 50mm lens.Pro's- Canon 50mm lens with fair optics- Save some $$ for the same lensCon's- Plastic housing -- but just the same housing as US Market ones.Sure is a nifty 50!
The lens is about as durable as your kit lens, Just don't bump it or drop it. You may have heard stories of this lens breaking off into the camera, just don't bump it hard or be careless! It'll last your along time. Its given me amazing pictures. Worth the money!
Even though the automatic focus ring on the tip of the lens makes noise (kinda like robot noise), the quality of picture it gives is worth the money. Though, to get the best quality, try to not put the aperture lower than 2.2 even if the can go down to 1.8.
I'm not sure about this lens yet, I have only used it once and it was LOUD! I don't really want to use it too much. But it does a good job as far as pictures. Some day I'll just have to spend the big money to get the good fixed 50 lens
I like this lens cause u can take very nices portrait photos with it. It has a nice price, so if u are just beginning with the camera passion, u can take this one for an idea of what do you want.
The Canon EF 50mm is a perfect everyday or vacation lens. I paired it with my new Canon Rebel T3. It takes awesome portrait pictures by blurring the background and focusing on the subject.
This is a must have lenses if you are on a tight budget adding lenses for your DSLR. I have used it for portrait photography and works amazing. It's slightly noisy so I don't recommend it for shooting videos. Watch some of the online videos about how to use this lens if you are a new SLR user or semi-pro level photographer.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Great lens for the price!It is a plastic body, but the images are super sharp.I would buy this lens again.Shipped on time too.
This lens works great with my TI2.  We have taken some great portraits with it and would highly recommend this lens.
Works.
This is a must have for any experience level photographers. The quality is great and it's my number one lens for product photography. FYI if you're looking for studio lighting check out Alien Bees and for an inexpensive flash try yongnuo.
I bought this for my daughter and she liked, that is the only thing I needed to know, maybe there are more expensive ones but this does a good job by now.
My husband and I recently took a photography class from Photo Elan in Seattle and the professional photographer recommended this lens.  We love the ability to have a lower f-stop (less depth of field) so that the background fuzzes out.  We've been having a lot of fun learning how to use this lens.  It makes a very noticeable difference.  We use it with a Canon Rebel T2i.  People have noticed an improvement in our photos but don't know this lens is the secret.It has a smaller lens opening, so the lens cap is a different size than our other lenses.  Also, it does not zoom in or out; it's just fixed at 50mm.
This lens creates some very nice images.  The focus can be erratic occasionally but most of the time works nicely.  Body is plastic.  So far no problems here but it's to soon to say.
I bought this on a recommendation of a friend and all I can say is wow.I bought this to use on my new T2i and the first night out I took some great pictures at my son's track meet.
Love this lense. If you like doing portrait shots you will love this camera. Make sure this camera does blur the objects not in main focus area.
Love it, use it all the time, I like the fact that it is light weight because of shooting hand held. For filming it is not the best option as you will hear the focus ring and it is perhaps not as smooth as a more expensive lens, but I found that if your light enough with your hands it is fairly easy to rack focus anyways. Highly recommended if you are just starting out, can't afford getting too many lenses, the 50mm is definitely a must have in the camera bag.
This is your basic 50mm lens a must for any camera kit.  Canon makes a great product and while I use lens made by other makers this is a work horse.  Great lens.
Very good detail at 6-8 feet.  The short length of the lens also makes the camera easier to work with.  It's given us a reason to use our camera more often for shots we wouldn't have bothered with before.
The reason this lens is selling for less than the same item listed at http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1350244710&sr;=1-2&keywords;=canon+lensis because the item here is a direct import item (What is commonly referred to as Grey market. Meaning, it was manufactured with the intention of sale in a country other than the USA.The seller stated in an email to me:"There is no restriction on a retailer to purchase these items for sale in the US. However, manufacturer's, by way of serial number tracking, are aware of which models were intended for sale in the US, and thus often refuse warranty service on the imported model.In lieu of the manufacturer's warranty on these imported products, Unique Photo offers our own warranty to support what the manufacturer will not, so that the customer can make their decision with piece of mind. This warranty would be for a period of one year from date of purchase (limited to manufacturing defects)."Therefore, if you trust the warranty of the Unique Photo Team to be identical, or as good as, the one directly provided by Canon, you can buy this lens, an imported item.  Personally I prefer to spend the extra $10 to obtain a warranty directly from Canon, as I have had no prior dealings with The Unique Photo, and have no basis to think that their one-year warranty can compete with Canon's one-year warranty.
Love this lens. It's well built, sharp, very reasonably priced and fun to use. I have taken some great portrait shots with this lens. For someone who is a photography enthusiast but not necessarily a professional, this is a great lens.
Let me start by saying that I've been using a DSLR for about a month. That said I've been using it that entire time. I only shoot in manual mode and can adjust the ISO, Aperture and Shutter to achieve what I'm looking for fairly quickly. I started with the Canon T3i kit 18-55mm lens. I also had the 55-250mm IS canon lens.With that out of the way.There are a few main areas I want to maybe help some out with.Use on a crop body, Build Quality and Focus ring.Use on a crop body - If you have the kit 18-55mm lens. Simply adjust the range just about to the 55mm side and that's what you'd see with this lens. Except rather then being a f/5.6 you'd be at f/1.8. I don't have a full frame to compare with, but simply put. I am happy with this on my crop body. I mostly got this lens for portraits and low light, but it's very usable for day to day photography. Sure you have to step back a bit further for group photos but the quality is excellent.Build Quality - As said I now have this 50mm, the kit 18-55mm and canon 55.250mm. The 50mm is a Prime (fixed range lens) vs the other two that zoom. That said there is a difference is weight. Other than that the 50mm feels very similar to the other lenses in build quality. I've yet to come an L or expensive lens. I'm sure quality would be different there, but if the 50mm feels like a toy as some says. So does the 18-55 and 55-250. To me it feels fine and works great.Focus Ring - I like the focus ring on the 50mm better than the focus ring on the kit 18-55mm. On the 18-55, the focus ring is on the lens itself. So as you adjust, the ring is moving in and out with the ring. The focus ring on the 50mm is attached to the body and only turns. It does not move forward and back with the lens. I also find it easier to adjust than the 18-55mm. The 55-250 on the other hand is way better than the other two lens as far as adjusting. It's also almost as long as the 50mm and 18-55mm stacked on top of each other so it has more body to work with.There are plenty more experienced photographers out there so I won't go any further. I know this info would've reassured me when I was on the fence so hopefully this will help someone else.Lastly, I opted for grey marked over USA model. This version was over $30 less expensive, which is roughly a 1/4 of the price. Easy choice for me, even if it comes without warranty.PIcture quality, bokeh, etc.. are great. I love this lens. Honestly if I could do it over again. I'd probably have gotten the T3i body only and picked this as my first lens. It's that great.
This lens gives you the perfect blur.  For a novice photo person, it is all I need.  Everyone thinks the shots of my daughter I take are professional because of this lens.
For the price, this is a great prime lens that is very good in many situations. I've used it for a few days with my Rebel T1i and have been very happy with the results. Sharpness at all f-stops is excellent and it's much faster than the kit lens. Build quality could be a little better but I guess that's why it is so cheap. Just be very careful with it.
This is a decent lens. Focus is a little unpredictable, but is a nice option when you're chasing around kids. Pictures are clear, pretty bokeh (blurry background). Seller was great, shipping was fast.
I needed an good portrait lens at a decent price. These used to cost about $70 before the tsunami hit Japan a few years back, and now the price jumped to $125. Got this one (like most other places) at a discount for $104 & change. It is a good enough lens for now, until I can afford the f1.4 or 1.2 version. My only concern is the plastic T-mount. It seems durable enough, but only time will tell.
works great, perfect for what I wanted. I am happy with my lens and I rated it 5 because I have no complaints.
This lens was exactly what it said it would be. Arrived undamaged, quickly, and hasn't given me any problems in months! Great purchase! Anyone who is looking to do a great bokeh effect without spending too much should start here. One thing to keep in mind though is that this is fixed at 50mm. That's a slightly awkward distance. I would suggest before you buy this, go around for a day with your kit lens, and leave it at 50mm and see how that would affect what you shoot and what you would like to shoot. This is great for portraits and upper body shots, but you still have to be a distance away when you do them.
Great Canon Product. However, being &#34;new&#34; it was rather dusty, the lens cap was stuck on by force, which ruined the threading for lens filters. Also the accessory lens filter I bought was also dusty. Thanks &#34;Grey Market&#34; (sarcasm)!
This lens is great for the money.  It is a plastic body, but the lens is still the Canon quality we love.  So far, i am quite happy with the lens.  Using a fixed lens brings me back to my photographic roots.  As for the Vendor.... AWSOME!!!!!  got the lens quicker than expected, very easy to do to business with.
I have been contemplating whether or not to buy this for a long time. Let me say that these lens are totally worth it. I laughed when I saw how small it is, but it's performance is golden!
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens is a great deal. For the hobbyist with a limited budget, this lens works into the kit bag nicely. If you find yourself shooting in medium to low light situations very much and prefer not to (or can't in some situations) use flash, this lens is just right and it doesn't break the bank!
A young college student who was pursuing a photographic career put me onto this lens. I noticed he was using the same Canon camera I own, the 60D. He was using a kit lens at the time, but suggested I check out this lens. I am happy I did as I find it to be a real quality product especially for the price. A sideline benefit is that it fits better in my old Rebel bag where as before the other lens (all four) are too long to close the lid. This is my first prime lens and really am attached to it as I realize that 50mm is about the same distance that I see my desired subject that I am about to shoot. If I want to take a picture that will be closer to my image I just move in or out. I find that I can shoot in very low light at low 1.8 settings and get great results without using a flash. It is a great all around lens to have on your camera. I posted one image that I took of a hand held Eveready hand held light which shows the excellent sharpness and blur as the image is angled off in the distance. Have fun with this lens as I know you will like it!
Just as awesome as all the other reviews state! I got this for less than $100 on sale and I use it ALL the time!
The best lens i ever brought for only a few dollars.
Amazing prime for the money - doesn't get any better than this for the money.Unfortunately i was not a Canon guy and have since moved back to Nikon FXs and i can't be happier.But going back to this crisp, sharp prime lens at under $100 - pretty sure theres no other lens that performs anywhere close to this one at this price!
clean solid glass for the price. it is my favorite lens at the moment. great for shooting portraits and street photography
I was debating between this one and L series , but the 100 and some $ plus positive reviews sold me this one, which was a good decision.  My pictures look like professional ones my friends tell me.
I bought this primarily for video and for great bokeh shots! It is incredible at both and is by far the best lens in my collection! Can shoot video in extremely low light (iso 400-) and can shoot photos in even less. This lens is crystal clear with the UV protector on it and it's incredible at bokeh and at getting exactly what you want when you want it. Auto focus is a little questionable and the manual focus ring is rather small to hold onto but I don't mind too much.My only complaint is that it's not very good if you're shooting a few pictures for a play or something like that. If you're stuck in your seat, the image will be difficult to get just right. Perhaps i'm doing it wrong, but I couldn't get focus just right in the back half of the stage (my target) and I couldn't get everyone in focus at once (even though I was a good 50 feet away from my target)...this should be very easy to do but I couldn't get it just right...Again probably my own fault as this glass is amazing!If you're contemplating this over a zoom lens, it's more of a game with this one cuz you have to know how it's going to look. You have to move yourself in and out, but you get great pictures, where you would spend WAY more to get both with a zoom lens.Again great lens, fair build quality, great optics and amazing performance. By no means should you NOT get this lens if you're a beginner
Works better than expected!! I wanted to get a 50mm lens before going on vacation and was a little worried about this one being &#34;grey market&#34;, but it takes wonderful pictures using my Canon T5i. I'll post some pictures later
Overall this lens is exactly as expected. Inexpensive price is worth the delicate feel to the lens, if you plan to be rough with the lens you may want to look at another option.The glass focuses quickly, takes very sharp photos. The depth of field with this lens is excellent, can help provide a portrait look to your photos you may be lacking with other starter lenses.
This is such an awesome and really great product! I love it! Definitely worth it to give it a chance.
Pictures of sky and stars are over the top beautiful. The F 1.8 is amazing for low light photography and broad field astro
I BOUGHT THIS FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY AND IT WORKS GREAT! FOR THE PRICE I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT ANY DAY!
Well worth every penny. I can't say it enough, well worth every penny. The classic lens, for a classic look, and shooting with the lights down low.... Great for night shots!
i'm not a pro photag but i'm really enjoying my purchase i'm currently looking into buying a few more lens
I've been wanting this lens for a while and finally got it. So far, nothing bad to say. It looks great!
Pros:f/1.8 is good enough for most low light situations, so if you're buying your first non-kit lens, don't worry about upgrading to the f/1.4.Lens is sharp.Cons:Main con - build quality. It's not very good, considering any other Canon lens. But at this price, I'll just replace it if it breaks.The first lens I bought was from Adorama, and the autofocus would fail to be triggered by my camera. Sometimes I could try to trigger the autofocus 50 times and it wouldn't do anything. So I deemed it defective and returned it. Replaced it with this one from Amazon and it was great.
Switching to this prime lens from my kit lens was akin to switching from night to day.The images are quite clear, and the results are stunning.I'm really pleased with it.Eventually I will switch to the USM version, but not yet.
The clarity is really pretty good for the money, however its made of plastic and I paid the price in forgetting to put a good rubber lens hood on this delicate lens.I had the camera strap around my neck, and leaned over, the lens tapped the pavement and fell apart&#8230;.it wasn't a sudden drop&#8230;just a tap and bang&#8230;it was gone&#8230;tried to glue the small plastic connector piece which broke, but impossible feat of &#34;engineering&#34; for an amateur&#8230;..taking it to a shop would have cost me as much as I paid for the lens&#8230;.so better off buying another new one ( this was the 1st day that I had the lens)&#8230;..great idea to buy a rubber lens hood for this lens, or , I suppose, any lens&#8230;.
This lens is a great 50mm lens for the price and I recommend it for anyone that has a cropped sensor and anyone with a full frame sensor if you don't mind having some vignetting. You do get what you pay for, it feels cheaply made and it has a plastic body.I would say it's a good travel lens when you want a lense you don't have to worry too much about.
This is a great lens for the price.  They seem to be pretty sharp and it's great to be able to open up to 1.8.  It's better than my kit zoom lenses, so I use this most of the time and &#34;zoom&#34; myself around.  I had one that was not gray market and knocked it over and broke it.  There are just cheap plastic clips inside.  Since this was a replacement I wanted to pay as little as possible.  I can't tell any difference over my other lens.  These 50mm 1.8s are not super durable, but you really can't expect too much for the price and the quality of the images you get out of it.  I was urged to get the f1.4, but haven't felt like I needed it for my use and it's three times the cost.  The depth of field is pretty narrow at 1.8, so focus gets tricky anyway.  This lens is on the soft side at 1.8.  You can get this lens as an L, but be ready to pay the big bucks, obviously.
fast lens, but i couldnt get a grip on the focus ring. its elusive when your lookin thru the viewfinder. you fumble around with it. it is a little noisy but, typically i dont depend on the dslr mic to deliver stellar sound. the 1.8 aperture made me a believer in low light shots .your basic friction follow focus and compact 15mm rails system is suggested for videographers. the lens has no weight.
you are not going to bother with the plastic looking, the slow focusing and the frigile zoom feeling once you saw the picture it can bring you. What more can you expect with only spending 100 bucks?
Can take really really very good pictures. Autofocusing is quite accurate. Perfect lens at this price. It gives people higher chance to take beautiful pics.
i got the 50mm 1.250mm 1.450mm 1.8i really like this i use this one the 5d mark iiiwhen i have a birthday shoot i dont need to carry the heavy 1.2 lens..  i use this one plastic and light weight and its cheapcant really see the difference
I was torn between buying the f/1.8 lens and the f/1.4 lens for my Canon Rebel T5i and in the end decided to go with the cheaper lens since I am just getting started in photography and couldn't justify the huge price difference.  I am very glad I chose this lens over the more expensive f/1.4 lens because it takes EXCELLENT photos and is 1/3 the price of the f/1.4 lens. I am very satisfied with my purchase!!
While the F - 5 has its advantages (suc as %100 view through the view finder, a strong body, etc.), the F 100 is almost as good, at a much lower price, and a little lighter to boot...The body itself is strong, the lens hold is metal, and the camera is very easy to use.
My experience with this camera has been so totally positive that I can find no way to write a &quot;balanced sounding&quot; review with all sorts of &quot;tut-tutting&quot; about the lack of mirror lock-up or the plastic back. I'm in love and the pictures are great. This camera gets used more than my F5 due to my hard to define feel for it. A Rolls- Royce!
I've had my F100 for just over a year and continue to be impressed by the handling and abilities of this camera. Very good build quality, good features, and good layout of controls. I debated between the F100 or a Canon EOS 3 for quite a while. For me the F100 viewfinder was easier to see through and the controls are much more intuitive. Both are good cameras, but for me the F100 was better. While not all my pictures are gems (due to my own limitations as a photographer), this camera has never delivered less than expected.I did try a friend's F5 for a few days, which is an amazing camera. But given the few additional features it has, and the weight difference, I'd would still choose the F100 over the F5. It does 95% of what the F5 does in a much better handling and lighter package.Finally, regarding the review below that talks about the lack of mirror lock-up (MLU) causing the mirror to break when traveling - what a load of trash... MLU has nothing to do with traveling with your camera. It's used exclusively to reduce camera vibration by flipping the up mirror early, typically for shots taken with long exposure times on a tripod. The reference he made to other information on the web regarding the lack of MLU in the F100 all have to do with vibration, not any travel concerns. The fact is that some camera vibration can be intoducted in the exposure range of .3 secs to .75 secs. MLU would help to alleviate this, and since the F100 doesn't have MLU some people have said that vibration may impact pictures with exposure times in this range. Any more or less exposure time than this and vibration isn't a problem.I've taken many insect pictures using a tripod and macro lens in this range, and have not noticed any lack of sharpness. And if there were a problem, it's easy to change settings to get a longer or shorter exposure time. If you are strapping a camera to a microscope and MUST take pictures with exposures between 0.3-0.75 secs, get a camera with MLU. For the other 99.9999% of all pictures taken, it's not a problem. Mirror lock-up goes almost completely unused on cameras that have it - it simply isn't needed. Bottom line: lack of MLU on the F100 is a non issue.Finally, I travel a lot for work and have taken my F100 all over the world in all kinds of conditions with no problems. This is a well built, reliable camera.
this was a used camera so I was a little skeptic about how it was being rated and like anything that is used i was unsure of how well it would work. but it was better than described and worked like new.
All the important features of the Nikon F5 and F6 in a body smaller than a toaster. All the toughness and field testedness of the F5 and F6 in a body smaller than a toaster. Completely programmable or completely manual across the full range of settings and sensors.All the lenses, all the accessories, all the ergonomics. It was (forgive me) a photo finish between the final evolution of the film camera and the emergence of digital media. The F100 just made it in time and how many are out there?
Just saying Nikon F100 is saying: &#34;Incredible, great!&#34; And if you add KEH Camera, the recipe becomes a complete success!!! Totally recomended!!!
Bought it when my Son was born, never let me down, always excellent pictures. You have to read the manual to get the full benefit. Would by Nikon SLR again.
The Nikon F100 lives up to it's reputation. After using digital SLR cameras for about a year, i thought i would experiment with film a little bit. There were cheaper, lighter options, but the Nikon F100 caught my eye with it's well constructed body, and professional feature-set. This camera will surely satisfy your needs.The Nikon F100 has a very sturdy, dare i say professional, feel. It's heavier than most film cameras, and is about the same weight as a comparable digital SLR. Like all professional-level cameras, you won't find a flash on the camera. If you want one, you're going to have to get one, for a little more.The F100 has a lot of custom settings, and controls (that may be confusing if you're not familiar with such features already). It's not a camera a complete amateur would buy. There are automatic modes (of course), however. The light-meter is very accurate, and the metering modes are easy to access.I think having to hold down two buttons to access a feature is a little annoying, and some of the buttons are ackwardly placed on the body. It takes four (4) double A (AA) batteries, which adds to the body's weight, but they are remarkably long-lasting. They are said to last for 70 rolls of film.The camera handles well, and the photographs are great. Just wish film and development were cheaper. In the long run, digital is alot cheaper, and a hell-of-alot more convenient; which is why most professionals made the switch a long time ago. Most use film for the quality-difference, and that difference is argued. In conclusion, it's a great film camera that will surely satisfy your needs.
Only From Nikon do you get a professional 35mm SLR for less than a thousand dollars that is excellent quality and loaded with features. True, other brands also have similar equipment, but with Nikon you can use any Nikon lens produced since the beginning. I have used only Nikon in my twelve years as a semi-pro photographer. I started with an N8008s, which is still shooting, an FM-2n, F4s, F4e, N90s, F3HP and now, finally, the F100 with MB-15 Power Pack. Believe me, after shooting the F100 I am glad I didn't buy the more expensive, and excellent F5. Unless your are a pro shooting for National Geographic (they also use F100)go with the F100. Easy to use, loaded with features, can connect to your PC and much more. I use mine for Outdoor/Wildlife/Aviation photos along with the F4e/N90s and am planning on buying a second F100. That's how superve it is! Buy an F100 with MB-15 Power Pack and you will be amazed at what a Nikon F100 can do.
This is another noncommittal review. The manual for this camera is not available at Nikon USA. You can get it at Nikon EU. Amazon apparently does not like including links in reviews so I will not include it here. The file is about 3.6 MB.The manual for the Nikon F5 is also available at that site. ( I posted the link on my review for the F5 but I am not sure if Amazon will post the review because it has a link )
I still shoot a lot of film, being a bit of a purist and throwback - I like the satisfaction and anticipation of waiting for prints.  I've used a lot of Nikon SLRs to include the FM, FM2, N2002, N5005, N8008s, and this is my current workhorse.  It performs extremely well for everything I shoot from macro to 600mm zoom.  I think this will be the last film camera Nikon makes in this range and I've been looking hard at the fantastic new D2H and upcoming D70 with excitement, but I think I will always have a film camera.I have one comment to make about the doofus who posted in an earlier review that the camera has a critical mirror defect in that the mirror does not lock up and the camera may break accordingly.  Hogwash.  I've traveled with mine all over the world and it hasn't even flinched in the travel and varying conditions.  I packed it in a Pelican case with all of my lenses and didn't have a single problem.  I've dropped it once and it didn't even dent.Great SLR - the best I've ever used.
Put simply, I'm a child of the 60's and all I ever knew was film.I shot film over the past few decades using Minolta SLRs and a point and shoot.Yea, I got a digital advanced point and shoot in 2007, yada, yada. To be honest, it's a boring way to do photography. I use the digital mostly for taking shots of items I sell on that auction site that begins with E. Otherwise I'd be a slave to Photoshop editing and manipulating hundreds of boring shots to make them look all fancy and unrealistic.I want purity.Being drawn to film because of it's superior print quality, I chose to upgrade my equipment and so bought a Nikon F100 with an SB28 Flash and 2 third party zoom lenses for a real bargain...a couple hundred bucks total. I think my old Minoltas are going to be gathering a bit of dust from now on!I'll tell you this about the F100, it's not really for beginners. It is/was designed for professional photographers. It can be set up to be used as a giant Point and Shoot for those who are not so familiar with photographical techniques, but if you know your stuff and READ THE MANUAL, this is the BEST 35mm camera EVER for pros and serious amateurs alike.There's so many features it's unbelievable. The camera just feels great in your hands. The autofocus options are both fantastic for whatever situation your in. I'd recommend the MB-15 battery pack/vertical grip. It makes a heavy camera a little heavier but having the ability to comfortably shoot vertically is priceless.I can't bring myself to spend all the $$$$$$$$ on a DSLR system so I'll gladly take the bargain 35mm SLR deals and let other crazy people spend $$$$$$ on a toy that will bore them within a few months.FILM FOREVER!! LONG LIVE FILM!
I tried to buy a replacement battery about a year or so ago and found that it cost more than my camera was worth so I was skeptical when I saw one for 12 bucks on amazon.The postage was cheap and the item arrived rapidly.I just received it and it works and the recharge holds well giving me up to 100 minutes of recording time.-I don't know how long it will hold up but I've logged about 4 hours use so far! My hi-8 is back.If it goes out at some time in the future I'll revise my evaluation but so far.............
My camcorder woke up after 6 years! Battery is compatible & affordable. I can watch old memorable videos again and convert them to DVD.
They take a very long time to charge, but they're the kind of batteries I needed to power a couple LED lights I have.  They also don't last long while powering the lights, but nonetheless they aren't bad for the cost.
I had my camera sitting in a drawer until I ordered this battery. I now can take pictures again with my old Sony camera. So far the battery performs great.
I needed a replacement battery for my 10 year old video camera.  Sony wanted $60.00 plus dollars for it and I didn't have it.  This vender had a better battery for far less.  Battery works great! Vender was fast at shipping it.  I am very pleased.  Good place to buy if your funds are low.
Brought my "vintage" Mavica (MVC-FD90) back to life! Remember to recycled the old battery---suprisingly, I found out Ikea takes them!
As advertised.  Arrived timely and in good order.  Works fine.  Haven't put it through true test yet.
No fuss, no muss. Battery arrived in a timely fashion and was as described - a good thing!
I own a different make of digital camera which was fine for its time and purpose. I researched ALL of the major makes and none of them, it seems, could match the features of the Epson 3100Z. Any that do come close are priced at least $200 higher and still don't have features I insisted on: FAST 2.0 lens; hot shoe flash; ability to use different lenses and filters; NON-PROPRIETARY batteries!!!!!; EASY to use!!; complete manual control if I wish; STANDARD Compact Flash memory; MORE than 2X optical zoom and GREAT Epson images. Well I'm not disappointed!!! This camera is fantastic. I have tested it under many different light conditions including a COMPLETELY dark room with the internal flash only and was AMAZED at the image. The menus are intuitive enough that you can start taking pictures immediately using automatic settings--which under most normal conditions are all you'll ever use. The 3X optical zoom is terrific and the digital 3X zoom is stepped in 1/10th increments for a total of 30 steps! And having bought the Epson 780EXP printer a month ago (it's GREAT too!) (...). The more I use it-the more I love it! The great MEGAPIXEL race is on. Ask yourself how large an image are you EVER going to print? Probably a 5x7 once in a while, an 8x10 once a year? Most will be 'snapshots' but THIS camera will do all of those even without using the hardware interpolation which will give you 4.8 megapixels. More than you will EVER need. I expect this to be my last camera!!
I researched, read magazine and on line product reviews, and  tried several digital cameras before purchasing the Epson 3100Z. It has a Zeiss lens(F2.0), even though it is not printed on the lens or technical reports put out by Epson. It can be easy to use, or as complex as your abilities allow you to be. The camera comes with an adapter ring for additional lenses or 49mm filters. The compact flash memory card needs to increased(it can handle a 256), so I purchased the 128 Viking  from Amazon. It uses AA batteries, but unfortunately does not come with a charger or AC adapter. These can also be purchased from Amazon or other sources at very resonable prices. It does everything I want it to do, and is very well made. It is also backed by Epson which I have found to provide excellent service when an Epson printer I had went bad after three years of use.One review had the Epson in second place, one point behind the first place camera, but to me it is number one! The camera and accessories fit perfectly in the LowePro 50 camera bag.
It took me forever to finally settle on a digital camera. I wanted one I wouldn't regreat buying months down the line. And I found it! The 3100Z is a fantastic camera. Simple to use (complex if you want) with great image quality. I had an 8x10 printed by photoaccess.com (I prefer letting online services print my photos), and the quality was superb. The next test is an 11x14. We'll see how that goes. My only complaint is that Epson didn't include the AC adaptor, but that's a minor issue. The battery life is good enough that I haven't even needed it. I can't speak for the software, though. On my Mac (OSX) I just plugged it into the USB port and the OS handled the rest.I won't write more detail; all the other reviews are fairly dead-on about its features. If you can get this camera, do it. You won't be disappointed.
(4 1/2 stars)This camera (huh ... Epson makes a camera?) is probably the best bang for the buck in sub-$800 digital camera market. This 3.3 megapixel camera combines the best features of a heavy duty SLR camera with all the manual trimmings as well as decent automatic settings and bonus features that many cameras leave out. Some of the standouts for me are:--47mm lens adapter for adding additional professional macro/telephoto/wide angle lenses and filters--lots of manual capabilities (like the up to 8s shutter speed for night or even astrophotography ... something I'd love to do)--Panorama shots - wide angle and 360 degree shots can be created by stitching together several shots. This camera provides a way to help align successive shots right in the LCD viewfinder as you're taking the pictures.--Continuous shot mode for action sequences--Interval mode - allows you to take shots at fixed intervals ranging from 1 second to 24 hours. The camera automatically turns itself off and on between shots to conserve power.--10 second timer--25 seconds of video. Always a nice feature that most digital cameras have, since we can't always lug a camcorder and camera everywhere we go. The quality is reasonable 320x200 (approximately that of VHS tape).--Audio annotation. You can annotate your pictures with audio snippets (up to 10 seconds) using the built-in microphone.--External flash hot shoe adapter (like professional 35mm cameras) as well as a built-in flash--Uses standard AA batteries. Definitely get yourself a set of NiMH rechargables however.There's plenty more, including a print matching feature. Oh yes, and the clarity and colors of the pictures are stunning.The 3100Z is by no means a pocket camera, but I actually prefer the heaviness of it -- it allows for a steadier hand. I'm only an amateur, but I'm loving every minute with this camera, and it only makes we want to learn more and experiment with the manual settings. And, hey, it's digital, so click away to your heart's content.
This is my first digital camera.  I did some research involving other 3 megapixel cameras including the highly advertised Nikon Coolpix.  I found that this camera was just as good and very easy to use.  I highly reccommend the 3100z!
I love this camera!  It is one of the few digitals I have used that actually has an easy-to-understand and LOGICAL setup/menuing system.  Further, it just feels "right" in my hands - not too big and not too small.The rear LCD is clear and bright and the battery life seems reasonable.  The instruction book is well written and complete.  I also like the hot shoe which allows me to attach an additional flash unit.  Many digital cameras with built in flashes suffer from a really short flash range.  In other words, these litte built in units are underpowered for shooting at any distance over 3-4 feet.  The 3100z's hot shoe solves that problem if you need longer range.One thing I wish it had was an automatic, built in lens cap.  I hate fumbling with the cap but those that are automatic, are really far and few between and tend to be tiny cameras with tiny lens openings.Finally, the pictures it takes are FANTASTIC but be sure to buy at least a 96mb compact flash card.  The camera comes with a 16mb card that holds just 12-15 hi quality images.You'll like this camera.
This bag is simple, practical and reasonably priced. What more to ask? I actually have two of them, one I use for a tripod, the other one for a portable light. I have taken them on shoots around the world and, as long as you keep them with you or inside your luggage (they are not meant to travel in the cargo area), they are fine. Great buy.
I've had this bag for about a year now and it has served well. I wanted something with some padding but this bag has outlived two padded bags. It is unpadded but well constructed. For about 6 months it has housed a Gitzo GT3541LS tripod with LegCoat leg covers and an Arca Swiss Z1 head which are a nice fit. It has not been mistreated nor treated lightly.
I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 190 Carbon tripod and I needed a bag for it.  Many of the tripod bags are meant for much larger pods and are too long.  This bag just fits the tripod with the head attached.  It has a good shoulder strap as well as a hand grip and an outside pocket.  The fabric is sturdy but lightweight.  It's easy to sling over my shoulder when hiking.  I'm very pleased with it.
I purchased this bag to have a convenient way to take my tripod and head on the road, including on commercial flights.  I have several other Tamrac bags and have always been impressed with their quality.  When the 324 arrived, I was amazed at how flimsy it was.  The fabric is thin and seems weak - very un-Tamrac.  I returned it and purchased the Hakuba PSTC100 bag - same size, same price, but far superior in quality.  Heavier fabric, better padding, sturdy zipper, larger exterior pocket; a better bag in every respect.
This bag is good protection for my tripod. It protects it from dings, scratches, dents, and exposure in all kinds of weather.  It makes carrying the tripod around the city a lot easier.  There is not much room for more than the tripod, which is fine.  Using a tripod forces one to slow down, not waste film, and ensures photos that are level, steady without blur, and carefully composed.  For the price, this bag is a good investment and will make my black tripod look like new for a long, long time.
Just used this bag after recent purchase.  I use it to carry a Quantaray tripod.  Bag fits tripod well.  It has a large external pocket which is nice.  Would be better if bag was padded.
I've owned this tripod a number of years, and it's always been one of my favorites. Although not hi-tech carbon fiber, it's lightweight and very stable, even with a heavy camera and lens. It extends to just under 5 feet tall, which puts my camera eyepiece at just the right height. Best of all to me is the way it folds flat, making it easy to travel with compared to most other brands - indeed, for this feature alone, it's worth having one.Only minor complaint is that it sometimes gets difficult to operate in extremely cold weather. Otherwise, it always works smoothly and securely.Highly recommended for a sanely priced high quality tripod.
So my old tripod had finally been done in.  The legs didn't stay tightened anymore and it was time for a new one.  I was looking for a tripod that I could easily fit in my existing backpack and didn't weigh me down.  I took a chance on the Cullman Magic 2 and it is proving to be exactly what I was looking for.Its unique design allows it to fold up into a compact rectangle which fits in my backpack perfectly w/ all my other camera equipment and any food I might be lugging with me.It also has the ability to be turned into a monopod as well.  Simply unscrew one of the legs and remove the piece w/ the camera mount and voila!  This allows me to get clearer wildlife photos in the darker wooded areas & cloudy days then if I were shooting by hand.  The ball and socket head allows for great range of motion too.
I bought the Cullmann ten years ago for taking 360 pano shots on a trip through Mexico.  This required a lot of urban trekking in hot weather and I did not want to lug around a longer or heavier tripod.  I mounted a rotating pano head to it using a Manfrotto quick release.  The Cullmann was stable enough for this task, especially considering its light weight.  However, like another reviewer, one of the legs on mine got stuck in the middle of a busy plaza.  Very frustrating, although I got it loose by taking down the setup and applying elbow grease.  It does not seem to be any worse for the wear.  I still give it five stars due to its overall quality, innovation, and my love of useful gadgets.  Nothing folds as flat or is as easy to pack.
I bought my Cullman Magic 2 tripod several years ago and have taken it around the world with me.  It packs well and is extremely versatile. I love the ball head and ability to use it as a tripod or monopod.  Since it is light, it might not be completely stable if you have a heavy camera or lens, but you can hang ballast (such as a camera bag) to the top to give it more weight and stability.My only problem, which is why I give it only 4 stars, is that a year ago one of the joints became stuck and, after freeing it, I found that the bushing (or plastiuc washer or whatever) had become torn, which makes that one leg a little less stable.  It still works, but I am more careful.Given the many years of service it has given me, this is a great and innovative product.
This is a unique design, but it works very well and is a high quality.  It can be used raised a little and put on a table, it can be very tall, or it can be used with only one leg to steady your hand.  My other half just likes playing with it!  He loves it.  The camera is nice, but the tripod is terrific!
I've had my PDC 640 for about a year and its great.  I use my camera for photos to e-mail and to post on a personal website.  With much of my family over 150 miles away its been a great way to keep everyone informed of events throughout the year.Highlights are ease of use.  The software was easy to install and intuitive to use.  The LCD screen on the back of the camera lets you preview your shot.  This will let you keep the current pic, or delete it and re-shoot.The primary drawback is resolution.  If you're looking to print your photos you may want to look at another camera with a couple of megapixels.  However, if e-mail and web publishing is your focus, this one will give you some nice &quot;bang for your buck&quot;.
Updates to the below: After several weeks and taking shots both inside and out, I'm finding that my inside shots *sometimes* (maybe 1 in 5) come out too dark. It seems that the automatic setting for the flash sometimes incorrectly adjusts the flash to the light level. I might need to set the flash to &quot;on&quot; instead of &quot;auto&quot;. Otherwise, the camera is doing great.I got this camera yesterday so this review will be my first impressions.1. I was a little confused by the description on Amazon as to whether I would get a 2 MB or 8 MB SmartMedia card. I still don't know but the product description is correct in saying that in the highest resolution you can get 12 pictures. Due to the compression used, I'm just not sure what amount of space that means I have.2. This package (PDC-640 FL Digital Camera Kit) has everything you might need - AC adapter, TV cable, serial cable, batteries, FlashPath reader, case, wrist strap, PhotoMAX software. It would make a great gift for anyone not a photo expert.3. The FlashPath reader and PhotoMAX software in particular make it very easy to move your pictures from the camera to a PC. The PhotoMAX software is not a full-fledged image editing application but it can add text, rotate, change contrast or brightness or hue, and organize into photo albums. The software seems to be designed for non-experts.4. The camera is mostly automatic. Just point and shoot. My first few attempts inside came out very dark but it is possible I didn't have the flash set correctly. After some tinkering of the settings, the pictures came out fine. So it does take a little getting used to all the buttons and settings and how you maneuver through the menus. Still, I hardly looked at the quick start card and after a bit I was doing fine.5. I got this camera partly because I don't really need anything fancy or with super high resolution. I will mainly take shots and send them to my relatives via email. And for email you don't want to send a really big file like you get with the megapixel cameras. This camera's resolution is plenty fine for my purposes.So my first impression is... this is great! Just what I need. Quick and easy to use! And at a good price!
This camera is identical to the 640 Plus except it comes with a 2MB card (instead of an 8MB card) and it comes with the floppy adaptor. This is a great little camera. First, to address some of the negative reviews. The camera is not a battery hog. It does, however, give that illusion since the battery metter reads empty well before the batteries are actually drained. If you use the batteries with the built in tester the batteries still register a near full charge even though the meter reads low. Just keep using the camera until it doesn't flash and only then change the batteries. Picture quality is very good. When printing, as with any photo, be sure to use photographic paper and use the settings the paper recommends. If you don't use a good paper and the correct settings (the printer won't set itself) the picture will look grainy. But that goes for any photo from any camera. Plus, what kind of printer are you using? If it only prints at 720 DPI or less then the picture is going to look grainy no matter what camera you use. You need at least 1200 DPI for crisp looking photos. Also, take the pictures with the camera set to the highest resolution setting, not the default setting. The pluses for this camera when compared to others in this class are the macro settings, the large number of photos that will fit on the SmartMedia, the four mode flash, the four resolution settings, the optical and LCD view finders, the second LCD screen for settings, the video cord for displaying your pictures on a TV, the included photo software and, of course, the floppy adaptor. That's worth half the price of the camera all by it self. I think some of the negative reviews come from people that expect this camera to compare to a [$] camera. Well, it's not a [$] camera but, compared to cameras in this price range, it's a champ.
I needed a cheap digital camera that had &quot;video out&quot; (many don't), so I could connect the camera to my webtv, to add pictures to my web page and e-mails.The included 8 MB SmartMedia card will hold 45 images at the highest resolution, and 90, 142, and 330 at the 3 lower settings, all way more than I'll ever need. I couldn't see any difference in the various settings on my TV anyway.There is no need to buy the megapixel cameras for web page or e-mail uses. The PDC 640 is an excellent value.
I purchased this camera a few days ago and while I can't speak for it's long-term value, I can give you my immediate thoughts.  Firstly, you do get everything you need to start taking photos right out of the box.  I was able to take my first digital photographs within fifteen minutes of opening the box.  The QuickStart card is actually more confusing then it needs to be (for instance it implies that the 2MB Smart Card needs to be formatted but it is in fact already formatted), but the manual is very clear and tells you everything you need to know.If you need a digital camera purely for web or email purposes, this camera is great.  When viewed on your monitor, the images are bright and sharp.  Your resolution choices are 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 at three different compression settings.  Because of the resolution limitations, the images taken with this camera are not suitable for print purposes unless you like soft and fuzzy detail.All images are actually taken at 144 DPI rather than 72 DPI (screen resolution).  This is an undocumented feature but it does account for the great on-screen images.  However, all the images are heavily compressed.  Even the highest quality setting shows quite alot of JPEG artifacts (again not great for printouts).The more light you can throw on your subject, the better the finished image will look.  Daylight photos look very nice, while low-light, indoor photos (without using the flash) look grainy.  You have a number of flash settings, all of which work great.  Overall, the finished image usually comes out very good.A great feature is the Macro setting.  You can take photos of anything within a half inch to a foot and a half from your camera.  I've taken photos of some products I hope to sell and they turned out really great.  This is something I could never do with my point and shoot 35mm camera.The floppy adapter is a great feature.  Take the Smart Card out of the camera, put it in the adapter and pop it into your computer's disk drive.  The files take just a minute or so to transfer.  This negates the use of any additional cables to your computer or using the included AC adapter to power the camera while transfers are happening.Regarding batteries, I've taken perhaps 50 photos at various resolutions over the past few days and the batteries still show a full charge.  The LCD screen turns off after 30 seconds which can be quite annoying but I've gotten in the habit of only using the LCD screen to review and delete images.  I now use the optical viewfinder to take most of my pictures.  This saves on your batteries and while not quite as accurate as the LCD, it works fine.So overall, for web work or emails, this camera should get four stars.  The resolution could be better (even at 144 DPI internally) but you get everthing you need to take photos and get them on your computer quickly and easily.  Don't even consider this camera if you want to get printouts made.  You'll only be disappoined.  Bite the bullet and go with a megapixel camera instead.
Ok, the camera takes great pictures.  However, they're absolutely useless because the software that comes with the camera is terrible.  Now I have a load of pictures that are just stuck in my camera. I cannot get them to come up on the PC no matter what I do, and I can't seem to figure out why.  If you use anything other than windows 95, the Photomax software won't even work.  Buying this camera was probably the biggest waste of money I've ever done.
If you use Windows 98 or 95 and mostly want pictures to share on the internet or to put on internet auctions, this camera is the best bargain around. It does make nice 640 x 480 pictures and is quite easy to use. It's sharpness is good and so is the color. It will focus up to 6 inches from the subject so is good for taking shots very close. It will make close-up pictures of objects 1 inch square. The focus is divided into zones like many vintage cameras (&quot;Close&quot; - &quot;Medium Distance&quot; - and &quot;Far Distance&quot;, but it autofocuses within each zone and focuses exactly on the subject. Automatic exposure without flash is good, as is the automatic flash exposure. The Flash Path device is really &quot;the thing&quot; for older computers with no USB ports. Just take the card out of the camera, slide it into a diskette shaped device and put it in the disk drive. From there you can save the pictures to anywhere on your computer. The Polaroid software is ok but really basic. Another picture editing program is needed for much work on editing the pictures. This camera is a nice, handy size and the case slides on a belt to be carried around very easily and handily. It would be a good idea to buy a spare, larger card to go along with the standard one if you plan to take the camera very far from home. Batteries don't last very long but they do last a lot longer than most of the more expensive cameras. It uses 4 standard AA batteries. A set is included in the kit. The kit also comes standard with an AC adapter, which if used around the house, will extend the battery life a lot. There is also a serial connector cable, cable for Mac computers and a cable to connect the camera to a tv set, as well as a little hand carrying strap. Overall, this most certainly is a lot of camera for the money.
I have to say the best thing by far about this camcorder is the low price - (...) I would say this is the ideal starter kit for someone who wants to get into digital filming, but is not interested in making a huge investment.FORMAT:The miniDV format is by far the most superior format - from both a tape/camcorder size perspective and a resolution perspective (vs. Digital 8mm, 8mm, or VHS). Similarly featured camcorders from Panasonic, Sony, Canon, and JVC in this format go from $500 to $750.OPTICS/ZOOM:The optical zoom of 26x is excellent. Coupled with 300x digital zoom, the total zoom capability is 780x! While image stabilization suffers a bit at higher magnification, it is still possible to film a great image from hundreds of yards away.EDITING/EFFECTS:I am told that multiple digital effects can be added within the camera, but I prefer to do digital editing on my PC. Scrolling through the menus to edit/add effects is impractical. I use a firewire IEE1394 cable (firewire - NOT supplied with camera) and a digital video editing program to do my editing. From there, I can download back to the camera, burn a DVD, or burn a VideoCD. The camera can also feed into your TV or VCR via S-video link, giving you the ability to play videos straight from the camera to the TV, and record VHS tapes for later viewing.NIGHT RECORDING:The camcorder also features a very effective cat's eye night recording feature that brightens the video without a need for illumination. This tends to reduce the colors, so I have yet to use it regularly.STILL PICTURES:The camera has the capability to take still 480,000 pixel image shots and store them on a Smartmedia card, though the resolution is not as good as a cheap digital camera.CONTROLS/STYLING:Controls and styling aren't as comfortable or attractive as the competition - check out JVC and Canon, specifically. It is very difficult to turn the camera on or off with one hand, and it is a thumb-numbing exercise to repeatedly press the record /pause button. Zoom is a bit of a stretch for the smaller hand, and the grooves for your hand are not comfortable at all. Contrast this with Canon and Sony and you will see the difference.DIS DIGITAL IMAGE STABILIZATION:This reduces the amount of "jerkiness" of the film, which becomes more necessary the higher the magnification. Works well, though a well known consumer reporting mag rated this camcorder the worst of 10 competing cameras in image stabilization. I have been very happy with it; and with longer distances I end up using a tripod anyway.REMOTE:Remote control allows playback/filming from a fixed location. Cute, and it works, but very small.
Forget what the specs say - how many times zoom this camera,..etc.  You'll find the picture quatity to be no more different than a fairly good analog  model.  Picture quality is grainy under all condition.The night vision feature is pretty neat, but so far I have hardly have a chance to use (other than to sneak up to my son's bed room to take a shot of him sleeping).The software is so so.  They basically allow you to download the shots you have taken as picture files into the computer.  I have not tried the SV Card link.  Again picture quality is marginal, nothing close to the 1MB digital camera I have.  In fact the quality of the graphic file is below that of the lowest setting on my 1MB Kodak.  So if you are thinking of using this camcorder as a digital camera, do not expect too much.  The software interface is fairly easy, but is clumsy like hell.  Basically you have to look at the LCD in the camcorder for the shots that you want, press a buttom when you see a shot that you like and it slowly download into the computer.  Opps press too fast,...wait for it to finish loading (no cancelation possible), and retry.  I am somewhat disappionted that you can't download the tape as movie files into your computer.Overall, I am fairly satisfied with this camera largely due to the fact that the camera is so cheap.  Given a chance to shop for a digital camcorder again, I'll probably choose something with a little better picture quality.
Please read and believe the bad reviews you read here on Amazon. The price on this camera really is too good to be true. I thought maybe some of the people just got a rare lemon. Well, I got one too.Just like other people have already said, within 10 minutes of using the camera, horizontal lines began to run through the picture. It is very noticeable and not at all acceptable.True, the camera has lots of great features for the money, but if the recordings are terrible, what's the point.Once again, please don't waste your time with this camcorder. After waiting a week to receive it, I'm very disappointed to have to send it back two hours after trying it out. Spend more money and get a camcorder with fewer features, but better recording.
As a professional still photographer, I like to keep as many bases covered as possible.  There have been times when carrying a small video unit would have been an advantage in the field.My experience with other formats proved negative in terms of quality and I have not wanted to carry a 3 CCD unit because of their size and weight.  I have found the recording quality to be adequate, the controls simple and straight-forward and the size and weight of the Sharp acceptable.  The quality of the stills barely rises to the level of a webcam, however...no surprise when I found that I could record over 500 &quot;high-res&quot; stills on a single 64MB smart-media card.  I can only take 3 with my Fuji Finepix 6900 which delivers acceptable 11X14 prints from compressed tiff files...apples to oranges.I cannot speak for durability after a week's use, and I have not received the the &quot;bonus pack&quot; yet, which I expect to be of little value.  A good tripod or case retails at much higher prices, so be careful in the wind and around water and kids.As an accessory to my regular equipment, I believe the Sharp will be of some use and value.  As a toy to create pieces for friends and family on the web, it should be fun.
Let's not get too caught up in bashing a product that is more then half the price of its competitors.  Did anyone who bought this product expect it to be the best on the market: No!  It's a low end digital camcorder for a great price.  Not to mention I find it to be pretty good quality and a lot of fun to use.  If you want a digital camcorder and are not willing to spend a lot of money, buy this one. It is worth the price.
My experience was not different than the other bad ones. The camera just died on me - taking important scenes while on a carriage ride in Central Park. But I didn't know that it died - it appeared to be taking the pictures.Yes it works great with IMOVIE and yes the features are amazing for the money - but I just got my replacement, yes I'm trying another, but it's already having the same problems.Amazon was awesome when I returned the first one and I guarantee you that I will do lots more business with them just by the great treatment. I just have to find one I can afford....hhhhmmm how about that PanasonicThanks Amazon and close but no cigar for Sharp
I have had a high-end Sony 8mm camcorder for several years and hardly use it.  Its a great camera, but editing and saving movies is too much of a pain.  I had been waiting for a good deal on a DV camera so I could use it with iMovie and this was it!Using iMovie with the camera couldn't be simpler.  Now I'm having tons of fun creating movies with fades, titles and effects and sending them to relatives on CD.  DV editing is the most fun I've had with my computer in years!I spent some time comparing the Sharp camcorder to the Sony. The Sony definitely has more of a quality feel about it and seems to be sturdier.  The image quality between the two looked identical when played back through a 27&quot; TV. Low-light characteristics were a bit better on the Sony, but not that much.  The Sony Night-shot feature has an illuminator while the Sharp does not, but the Sharp's Cat's Eye feature worked well in all but the darkest areas.Some of the controls on the Sony were more conveniently located, but others were better on the Sharp.  The LCD in the eypiece-viewfinder was better lit and had more true color on the Sony.  Looking at a snowy scene, the Sharp viewfinder had a distinctly blue cast which did not come out on the recorded video.Overall, the Sony is certainly a better camera.  But the Sharp is a WHOLE lot cheaper, has more features than I'll ever use, and above all it has the Firewire connection which makes taking videos and making movies a blast!  Its a winner!
I have to say that I have used this camera off and on since Christmas and I have yet to experience any of the glitches that other people have been talking about.  This is a great camera if you just take the time to sit down and read through the manual, also experiment with it and see how everthing works.  I have to admit the reason I bought this camera was to use it for digital editing on the computer, but with the cost of DV software, it is difficult to get all the right components together for the camera to be effectively used to edit on the computer.  I would recommend this camera only for those who are really serious about buying a DV camcorder.  Another really cool feature is the SmartMedia card for still pictures.  Not really a high quality picture, but it still does the job.  Overall, a good buy.
I really like this camcorder. The optical zoom is really good. I also like the fact that you can put a smartmedia card in it and take still pictures. A 64 MB card can hold over 500 pictures on the finest setting and over 800 on the lowest setting. The only problems I have with this camera is that you can't take still pictures while recording, and it doesn't record in 0 lux with infrared. For the price I paid though, I got more than I expected, especially after the rebate.
I am a national-level Olympic weightlifter and bought this camera (...) to analyze my weightlifting techniqe.  So far, it has worked great.  The 26x optical zoom allows my wife to take close up videos of my lifts even in a large arena.  Additionally, since the camera is digital, it is possible to zoom in on part of the immage AFTER it has been recorded.  This was very useful for me.  My wife taped the lifters and the scoreboard at my last meet.  To get a good view of the lifts, when I watched the tape, I could zoom in on that area.  The one catch is that you lose resolution when doing this.I also like the ease that I can create videos for the computer with the camera.  I bought a firewire card to go with the camera, generated videos of the last meet, and posted them on the web for my coach to analyze.If you post pictures on the web, this camera can take digital pictures, or you can make digital pictures from the digital video you take.  They are probably not high enough resolution to print to paper, but they look fine on a computer screen. Actually, if you printed 3"x5" pictures, they would probably look really good.  I tried to print an 8"x11" low resolution picture.In reading some reviews of the camera on this and other pages, it was unclear if the camera came with a flash memory card to save digital pictures on.  My camera did not come with the card.All in all, this camera is a great tool to analyze my lifting technique.  For the extra (...) I paid over a non-digital camera, the extra features are really worth it.
I recently ordered this camera in November and had the same problems with two of them.  The first camera came in, read entire manual, and began using it.  When I played it back, it was pixelized blobs (to quote a previous reviewer) over and over on the playback.So I returned it and requested a replacement.  I used the replacement camera last night to tape a X-Mas party.  When I started playing the tape back this morning, the first five minutes were OK, then it was pixelized blobs again.This camera has great features for the price, but I learned the hard way you get what you pay for.  This time I'm getting a refund and I will look at the Digital8 products from Sony since they are the main digital cameras with over 20X optical zoom.  I chose the Sharp due to price, but unfornately the quality wasn't there.
I bought this camera after my Sony Hi-8 died after more than 8 years of abuse.There are some limitations in the way the camera is to be operated, but besides that it's a great piece of gear (for ($)).Unlike more expensive Sony's or Canon's, this camera does NOT have a button for every function, it uses a menu to scroll through the hanfull of features and altough quite slow at first, even my girlfriend can use special efx (sorry laddies.Picture quality is not as good as a progresive scan CCD found in expensive Sony and Canons but quite acceptable for the price. Low ligh operation has a lot of grain but again for ($) it ok. Sound is excellent, being an audio engeneeir by profesion, the tape transport is heard but is non obstrusive when the material is standard stuff.Things like variable exposure and digital I/O make the camera very versatile, but dont expect much with the digital camera function, it's nothing great, or the image stabilization which takes away definition by big chunks (unlike some Canon lenses that are sumerged in a special oil, this stabilization is digital and tracks static points of the picture to anchor the image... the result can be a more stable picture with loss of definition).The mail rebate and vivitar kit is a sweet deal (it's not outta this world but sweet)No one seems to mention it, but the lenses are CANONTwo co workers also bought this camera
This is my first camcorder, so I really have no basis for comparison.  I can say that it's quite easy to use.  The zoom capabilities are pretty awesome.  The picture quality is very good.  I really like the feature of taking stills and saving to a memory card (not included, bummer) or video-recording and freezing a frame for a pic too.  The included software is easy to use for downloading your pics to a PC.  Battery life is pretty good.  All in all, a very good buy.  It's great fun to play with.
Receieved the Sharp about 5 days ago. Even thou this is my first camcorder, I did my research and figured that this is the best bet for the money. My only complaint is that the low light videos are sometimes graining, but during the days, it takes great videos. This camcorder DOES come with everything needed and with the Vivitar package, its the best deal out there. CNET even rates this camera as a great buy..they actually rated the Sharp 450, but I heard its the same camcorder but with more accessories.
Of course I was also suckered into buying this camcorder by the great price, features and rebate!After only one day of use, I noticed a green dot almost in the center of the LCD screen.  I read on someone else's review that had the same problem.  That person contacted Sharp and was told it's not covered under warrenty unless there are 3 of them.  Evidently something or another is &quot;blown&quot;.Also I'm not satisfied with the placement of buttons, in particular the main buttons to turn on the screen.  It's very awkward.The 26x optical 780x digital zoom sounded great too, but who's going to use it knowing your picture quality will be poor?I'm definately returning this one.
My wife and I have been looking for a camcorder for awhile and when I came across this deal on a website I thought it was too good of a deal to pass up with the rebate and the free kit and shipping. I ordered and received the camera two days later and it's been great. I've found the picture quality excellent and the 26x zoom has been very handy so far when I go bird -watching. I'm giving the camera four stars because the one thing I find annoying about it is the menu system. In order to manaully focus the camera you need to do it through the menu system which is difficult while recording. I'm not sure how other cameras handle this point but it is difficult on the Sharp. That being said I suspect the times you're really going to use manual focus is when you have the camera set on a tripod which makes it less of an issue and I wouldn't expect much else on a camera in this price range. The addition of the iLink port to hook this camera up to the computer makes editing a breeze. One warning: avoid the LP mode. I have had serious problems with the video in this mode but it was all mentioned in the manual. Overall my experience with this camera has been outstanding. A definite recommendation!
I bought it when it was (...) and (...)rebate, but I returned it right away.  The picture quality was very grainy, especially on skin and plain surfaces such as walls.  I tried it both with and without the image stabilization with little visual difference.  I compared it back-to-back with my JVC VHS-C camcorder and it was worse!  Not what I expected from digital recording!  I am not a hard-core camera buff, just a very casual user, bought my JVC as my first video cam 5 months ago to film my new baby.  The picture quality problem is very obvious, and not acceptable.  I assume that better digicams are not this way.  (...)The still picture function has even worse resolution when displayed on a TV and is completely unacceptable for this use (didn't try it on PC).
Worked great, I was very happy for about 30 minutes recording time. After this, started getting progressively worse problems with pixelization during playback. At the price I hate to return it but will need to, it is totally unacceptable. Too bad, it was acceptable before (although not the sturdiest unit in the world). Sharp needs to work on their product validation -- obviously there is either a design or a manufacturing problem with the VL-WD255U based upon my and other people's similar complaints.
This is my first camcorder/digital camera and I really love it but.. there was a hairline break in the plastic around the lens that got bigger when you put the lens cap on and off. Now I have to return it for a new one. Very dissapointed that I have to return it. Want another one like it but I'm afraid of it cracking again. Haven't had it that long.
Like many others, I was attracted to this video camera because of a very attractive price, in light of the options.  I read all the dire warnings that many had problems, but like many times, was persuaded on price alone.  It was a terrible mistake.  The camera, less than one year after purchasing, broke.  It broke during the birth of our second child.  No images of this irreplaceable moment. I am so upset.  Don't make my mistake.  Don't shrug off our warnings.  This camera is or will be nothing but trouble.  I should have learned along time ago that you get what you pay for.  I learned this lesson the hardest way you could.
It's a nice camra for the low price... I know I have alot offun for it. The picture is nothing compared to some of the othercamras, but this is digital, and the price was awesome.... I can't complain. I like this camra for home videos and the ideayou can edit them on the computer is a great plus!
Let me start out by saying that I,too, had reservations about this camera after reading some of the criticisms of it on this board.  But I decided to take a chance, and boy, am I glad I did!  Let me also admit that my first, brand new Sony miniDV was also ruined.  I got the now infamous "Eject the Cassette" Error Message.  BUT I DO NOT BLAME THE CAMCORDER!!!!  I blame it on user error.  That first day, I must have re-recorded segments AT LEAST a dozen times!  You see, I mistakeningly thought that miniDV tapes were indestructible.  A 15-minute web search revealed otherwise!  Due to its tiny size, it is in fact, the most fragile form of tape out there.  Most users recommend you do not record over it more than 2-3 times.  Again, due to its tiny size, the tape mechanism is fragile too-you do need a "gentle touch" putting in the cassette.  I would strongly advise that everyone read their manual very carefully!  With the Sharp camcorder, you have to be careful not to push down on the tape mechanism while it is automatically retracting.  But I have a feeling that again, has more to do with the nature of miniDV than Sharp.  Check out this post on a popular camcorder forum:"Wonder if anyone had trouble rewinding miniDV tapes with the *FAMOUS NAME BRAND* camcorder? The problem I'm having is that my camcorder eats the tape during rewind. During the start of the rewind, it ran quietly for a few seconds and then it started making a little racket as if a high spinning wheel vibrating off of a shaft if you know what I mean. It ate the first one few months ago and recently ate 2 in a row. Anyone know anything about this and what caused it and is it a common recurring problem among miniDV camcorders?"The way I see it, if you are serious about owning a digital camcorder, then you have to take extra care of your camera.  But for me, it's well worth it for the added features.  By the way, if you do get that error message, just mail your tape back to the tape manufacturer BUT DO NOT insist on putting it back in-you will most likely void your warranty. Simply remove the "destroyed" tape, and put in another (new) miniDV tape.  I have since recorded/viewed 3 additional tapes without any problems!  While I am sure that most of the complaints posted here are totally legitimate, I do think a lot of it has to do with the delicate nature of digital camcorders in general.Now, let me tell you what I LOVE about this camera:1. It's the most affordable DIGITAL camcorder available-I want to be able to edit my videos on my computer and also preserve the initial high quality of the tape when I make copies for my family and friends.  The more copies you make with other kinds of tapes, the quality diminishes with each subsequent taping.  NOT with digital recording!2. While I admit, the layout of the buttons could have been better, it suits me just fine.  How often do you really want to use the fade button anyway?  The button that IS conveniently placed however are the White Balance Button, and the Auto Focus On/off.  There was one shot with my daughter where the picture quality was very grainy.  After reading the manual, I realized it was because I was taping her lying on a rug that had a lot of small, repititive patterns.  As soon as I switched to manual focus (as suggested), it was 100x better!3. My favorite feature is the zoom.  I had a shot where my baby's face was a mere 2 inches from the camera and it was crystal clear!!!4. I also love having a LCD monitor and a remote!  I was able to put the camera on the side rail of the crib (it's very wide), point the LCD towards us, and use the remote to shoot my baby playing in her crib with the mobile, with my beaming face next to her!5. I appreciate the AC Adaptor that you can easily use to view your home movie on the tv without draining the precious battery.6. The menu is LOADED with features-for an opening shot, I did a cool MOSAIC panning of the nursery.In conclusion, I am very pleased, and impressed with my camcorder.  Once again, please read the manual before you use this or any digital camcorder-it is a very different beast.  The Sharp camcorder is loaded with features found in high-end digital camcorders 3x its price-I honestly think if you took advantage of half of the feautures, you'd have an amazing home video.  Finally, as to why it is so cheap, it's mainly due to the fact that as picture quality goes, it is not nearly as good as $1000+ digital cameras.  But for someone like me, who's upgrading from a VHS-C that felt like a hundred pounds, it's a much welcomed improvement all around.  I wholeheartedly recommend it!
I have been using this product since December, 2001. The picture quality is pretty good for a camera in this price range and certainly better than that of analog cameras, the still picture quality is not very good.I've seen many reviews complaining about the dirty heads problem and here are a few tips to avoid them:- Pay the extra [money] and get a Tape rewinder, DO NOT rewind the tape in the camcorder.- I use only Panasonic brand tapes, I had the dirty heads problem when I used SONY tapes, but it has not reappeared since.- If you are not going to use the camera for a few days, remove the tape and store it in it's cover VERTICALLY.These may seem to be hassles you have to deal with, but I still think they are worth it considering the price you will be paying for this camera.
I have had the camera for 2 years and I have gotten the eject the cassette problem.  It worked fine until Dec' 03.
I brought this camcorder because its price is simply unresistable. ...I love it too. It's got a 26X optical zooming, and a stunning 700x digital zooming. I can read a car's license plate more than 100 meters away! It's simply amazing. It comes with 5 different effect for your digital picture, and is capable of recording and playing videos. I'd definately recommend this item. Two of my friends brought it after me already.
I do not own the product, but with the excellent rebate offered on this and 2 other digital camcorders from Sharp I wanted to own one! I own the Sharp VL-WD450U.In short, do not buy this, buy the next level up cam, the WD450U. It is like this cam except it is slightly better technically, (slightly better zoom, boom that syncs with your zoom, etc.) It produces stills similar to what this one will produce. With the rebate this is 350 and mine is 500. While being a signifigant difference, it is still pittance for a digital camcorder.The 255 is a bare bones package with not much included. Hardly any cables, no smartmedia card for stills, no mic, no charger and battery... That is why I went with the 450, it includes all of the above mentioned. The only thing both packages lack is a firewire cable. It comes with an 8mb smartmedia card, software, more cables, RCA, S-video, serial and firewire outputs.The only area they both lack is the fact they are a little bit bulky compared to some others. (but I do not mind, remember how bulky a camcorder was 10 years ago? after using those for years I say no one has a right to complain!) The controls are ok once you learn them.Bottom line, if you buy this you will spend about 100 more on cables, charger, mic, etc... why dont you just save yourself some time and get a better camera and get the 450!
This camera stinks. Right from the first time I used it: pixelation, blank spots, bars across the screen. Horrible. Back it goes. I'll go for the canon or sony instead.Do not waste your time.
After reading some of the reviews, I guess I lucked out because I have not had problem one with this camera. It has performed flawlessly since day one. Some of the reviewers claim that this camera is too big physically, but it's really not that big. It is true that the menus are a little hard to navigate, but the more you use it the better. The only thing that this techie has found lacking is a microphone line in. They went through the trouble of adding line inputs so you can make copies from other sources, but failed to include a microphone line in so you could use a better mic. No biggie. This camera has alot of features for the money. The camera has still image capability, but at web quality only which is fine. It's not a digital still camera. It's silly to expect a video camera to have high quality still image capability @ 30 frames per second.
If you want a video camera for a low price, this one has lots of nice features per dollar. Certainly the only one worth buying in the Sharp line (255-450-650U). The Viewscreen and remote are good. The Zoom is terrific, and the CatsEye feature is pretty amazing in dusk lighting, but the daylight picture quality is only comparable to 8mm in my estimation and 12 years experience with two previous Canon 8mm camcorders.  I expected better, but even with 460k pixels it is grainy, and only marginally better than my old Canon 8mm cameras with 270k pixels.  The Still capture is again very grainy, and painfully slow browsing thru the thumbnails (now shopping for a still camera). I hope the camera is more durable than indicated by some other reviewers.All in all - it is a good cheap replacement for my broken Canon 8mm, but it is not a step up in video quality that a more expensive Canon ZR30 might be.  4~5 stars for value, but 2~3 stars for &quot;digital&quot; quality.
Ordered the Camera, read the manual, recorded by first tape, played it back and NO sound.  Re-read the manual and decided to return the camera.  Picture was good.  But the manual says that the camera comes with DV port, but it does not on the model I was sent.  Return was easy, printed out the return label and took it to the Post Office, at no cost to me.  I generally think that Amazon.com is a very good company to deal with.  I would have liked to have kept the camera, but feel that when one thing is broken, other things will follow.
Nothing but trouble. Sent to repair shop 3 tmes in 7 months.  Sharp even replaced first camera.  Both only lasted 80-90 days before eating tapes.  Sharp does not back up their product either.  I would recommend a JVC.
I bought this camcorder after a lot of deliberations. I wasn't sure if I wanted a camcorder with only 460K pixel ccd. The Sony's and others boasted a lot more pixels(in some cases 3 times). But I figured, that they cost 3 times as much too. I wanted a camcorder with average performance at a good price. My budget was around $500. The Sharp unit beat that price, gave me a miniDV unit, with a still camera, a lot of possibilities(i1394, Video in/out etc). I read some bad experiences in here which scared me, but a lot more positive experiences boosted my morale and I decided to take the plunge. I am very happy I did. This unit is great for a beginer and If you don't care too much for the technical specifications and don't end up comparing this product with those &gt;$1200, you will be very happy with your purchase. I know I am. The zoom is fantastic, I was tracking a police chopper and I was able to track it for quite a distance. If the chopper had hovered, I would have been able to see the occupants too. The menu is fairly easy to use. There seems to be too much information to digest before using this unit, but that seems to be the case with any unit these days. The great thing about this unit is the color viewfinder (not found on many units costlier than this). Finally, couple of the things I dislike about this unit..size and inability to have both the eye piece and lcd screen on at the same time. You can choose to either view through the eye piece or lcd, not both. Cumbersome if you want to switch between the two. The stills are certainly only 640x480. Enough to email around. But if you want great stills, look for a good still camera (2 Meg or higher). This unit is not convenient to carry around for stills.My conclusion: Buy it, if you want a good digital camcorder. Don't, if you want a great all-in-one unit.Few things you should buy along with this unit:1) Smart media card2) miniDV Tapes3) i1394 card and software (I tried the cheaper Orangelink, and it works just great - Got money to spend, go for the higher end Dazzel or Pinnacle or install Windows XP which has it built-in)4) Smart media reader (don't bother dinking around with the serial interface, it is too slow and the software is not at all worth the effort - it is a lite version anyway)
I purchase this camcorder 12/31/01, and I am not satified with the picture quality. I got this because my anlalog camcorder was broken. It seems like there no difference in picture quality between the analog one and this one. If you don't mind the picture quality, this one is for you because you can't find any digital cameras with this price. I am kinda regretting about getting this one. I would pay a little more to get one with better picture quality. It would be beneficial in a long term.
A significant $100 rebate encouraged me to buy this video camera at a price I had recently paid for a plain digital camera. Unfortunately I experienced problems similar to other negative reviewers. When playing the recorded material, the picture sometimes turned to a large-pixel-mosaic. I admit it happend only once with a brand new TDK tape, after this I bought another tape, this time a Sony, and problems did not repeat. Nevertheless I lost very important 30 minutes of an event I was filming, so I can't be positive about the unreliable camera andI doubt the tape was to blame since other users complained about the same.Another thing is the overall quality of the picture, which is not better than of my analog Canon videocam. I did not look at the pixel resolution but it is not high, which explains the low price.And the last small complaint is about ergonomics of the controls, some keys are not well placed, especially the cateye one, which is easy to accidentally switch on.
This camera is incredible.First and foremost, I was looking for quality in my digital photos.  I've had it for many months now, but it didn't take long for me to discover that the image quality that this camera produces is superb!  It gives vivid, natural colors with crisp edging.Next, I looked for usability.  Unless you purposefully go into the advanced options, it works just like a standard camera - point and shoot (new users sometimes have problems because they don't hold down the shutter button correctly; first, hold half-way to focus, then the whole way to take the picture).  Plus, as it so small, it's very portable.Two upgrades you should get with this camera: an extra battery and more memory.  Its 8MB of memory included is insufficient (only 8 high-quality pictures) and leaves much to be desired (as most digital cameras' memory sold today do).  I got a 128MB card (perhaps a little excessive).  But, now that picture capacity isn't holding you back, you'll find the battery will.  The S110's battery is so small, though, than an extra in your pocket isn't an inconvenience at all.This digital photo system can't be beat.  Easily load pictures onto your computer, print to your printer (glossy photo paper can do wonders), or simply send them to Ofoto.com (...) to be professionally developed.  This camera also has some advanced features that work very well, go to canon.com to look into those.  Picking and choosing which pictures get physically developed (if any) saves money compared to traditional cameras.  Plus, it's always nice to know that a picture turned out well while you still have a chance to take it again with the camera's LCD display.  I could never go back.
Having the Canon Powershot S100 Digital ELPH in my hands is just like having a wish-granting elf around to create the clearest, sharpest, and easiest digital photos imaginable.With it's tiny but powerful built-in telephoto lens, the camera is easy to manipulate and takes great pictures whether close-up or at a distance. I was at a party recently where the new toy of the evening was the S100 Digital ELPH and I have to say that, for the price, it is the best digital camera I have seen to date.A tiny piece of electronics measuring only 3.4&quot; x 2.2&quot; x 1.1&quot;, this camera weighs less than seven ounces and the buttons are few and easy to locate and learn. The kit contains the 2.1 Mpixel Canon PowerShot S100 camera, 8Mb CompactFlash card, wrist strap, USB cable, video out cable, software (including Canon Digital Camera Solutions and Adobe PhotoDeluxe), rechargeable lithium-ion battery w/charger, and easy to follow manuals for both the camera and software.We took some dark campfire photos at the party using the flash and the clarity was astounding. On the LCD screen, the photos were crisp and clear and when emailed out to the party guests, everyone was very pleased with the pictures. There was no flash glare.The batteries allow for about 50 photos (LCD on) including download time. Canon claims 85 with LCD on and over 250 with LCD off but having the LCD on permits the photographer to see the photos as he or she takes them and delete right then whichever ones are not to their liking. Recharging is a breeze and the camera is small enough to fit into a front shirt pocket or small handbag or waistpack. There is also a built-in lens cover and optical viewfinder however be prepared to leave smudges from your nose on the LCD screen when taking photos.If you are looking for the best compact digital camera available now, the Canon Powershot S100 Digital ELPH is the camera for you and your family. Makes a great Christmas or birthday gift, too, for those hard-to-please bosses or the person who has almost everything.
I've always loved taking pictures but it was the issues of the film and remembering the camera that was always such a hassle. Ever since I got this camera, I've been taking pictures galore. I love this camera because its so small and compact that i carry it everywhere I go. I went on a 4 day trip and took over 100 pictures. I wasn't worried about anything. I came back from my trip and downloaded it onto my computer and sent it out to my friends. We all loved it. No need for a scanner, No need for waiting for the film to be developed. It's great and I love it.Also, it's the easiest little thing to use. I'm stupid when it comes to electronics and I skimmed the manuel and I was setup and using it in an hour. There's a lot of cool features on this that I have yet to use. It's amazing how a little thing like this can do so much. It's worth the money! For those of you, who don't have time to waste and want to remember all the good times, it's a must buy!
I am an engineer, and I know a fine piece of engineering work when I see one. The S110 is definitely one of the best products I have seen in the consumer market.The size of this camera is very small, it even beats APS cameras! When the lens is retracted, the camera is basically a box-like metalic package. This beats many other digital cameras that are trying to use odd shapes to catch attention. This rectanglar shape is great for storing in a pocket or a bag.There is never enough memory nor battery. However, I have found the included battery quite capable for its size. Afterall, there isn't much room to put any battery! If you want to maximize battery endurance, turn off the LCD display whenever possible and use the viewfinder to find your view. The LCD itself draws very little power, but the backlight is a power hog.As for memory, you can get a 128M compact flash card for about $... to $... The camera lets you choose three picture qualities. My advice is to choose the "normal" resolution unless you are really trying to capture details. Pictures of people and pets can easily use the normal mode. Landscape and flowers probably deserve the extra memory for details.The user interface is easy enough. The zoom buttons also double as thumbnail/picture/detail selector in playback mode (makes sense). In camera mode, flash, macro/infinity and exposure mode have one-key access, while picture quality, shooting mode and exposure compensation require a few key presses. This arrangement makes the camera excellent for point-and-shooting, while still leaving some flexibility for more creative endeavors.This camera really stands out from the rest exactly because its look is modest, but the attention to details is peerless (and potential peers include Nikon and Sony). Even when compared to other Powershot cameras, the compact size of this camera still makes it a better choice, in my opinion.
I have the APS elph too, and this digital camera is a little bigger, but this way I won't have to spend [money] every time I get the pics developed.  I recently got hooked on digital photography, and this camera satisfies my need for convienience with performance.I like the size alot, but the case from canon is not that great.  If you have the extra cash go to Tumi and get their ballistic cell phone case...the camera fits **perfectly**...looks really classy and is a little more compact..its [not that much], but I've already spent enough on the cam, a little more won't hurt.I'll still use the APS ELPH alot, especially when I go to places where the elements might damage the cam (i.e. splash mountain, the beach, etc), but I am going to carry around the s110 all the time since its so small and I won't have to pay for film or developing.
This is my first digital camera and I love it!  It was between this one and the Fugi Finepix 2600.  Although the Fugi was a little cheaper and had a little bit better zoom, I chose this one for the rebate of free products and it was smaller than the Fugi.  This camera has everything!  Pictures look great.  The manual is not the best for figuring out how to work it but a little playing around with it did the trick.  The battery seemed to run down after about 2 hours of playing with it non-stop so I intend on always having an additional batter charged up with me.  Fingerprints do show on this camera but are easily wiped off.  I just love the compact size of this camera.  If I had to lug around a huge camera I'd never take pictures.
I will just give a brief technical review based on my experience for non-techy person. Here's the Pro:- Battery last for 90 mins (about 100 pics with LCD + short review) after 130 charge (from fully discharge).- LCD refresh rate is excellent- Flash good until 3m (about 9.8 ft), good for outdoor (very good for camera this size)- Small size yet has 2x optical zoom & movie capture capability (very good quality) - its so convenient comparing to my other experience using 5 other digicam (I'm a photographer)- Lots of features (very usefull), too long to be listed hereContra:- Charging battery is longer than it's good for- Flash not promising on indoor environmentConclusion:- Best point-and-shoot digicam ever for novice/teenager- Get 2nd battery ... - its worth [it]- Use at least 128MB CF to get the most
For starters, I do not think I could have bought a more perfect first digital camera. Picture quality is excellent, software is reasonably good (takes time to get to learn the ins and outs of any software...), and the portability factor is a big plus. Bottom line - an excellent buy for the approximately ($) street price (and the additional ($) you will shell out for a 128 MB card.)Faults: Optical viewfinder does not cover the entire image requiring you to switch back and forth between the LCD and optical viewfinder to confirm the picture. Some of the functions are not easy to navigate through the menu (most basic one of changing screen resolution should be one click - no more - period.) No speaker for video playback - though I doubt this is such a big deal to most people. Small LCD display hinders getting a sense of image quality without hooking up camera to an external computer of TV.Still, bottom line - excellent buy. The faults above are not a big deal given the compact and stylish design as well as the photo quality. One more recommendation - consider investing in an additional battery.
After a few weeks of research, I decided to go with the S110 due to its compact size and the reputation of the Canon Elph series. I was not dissapointed. The S110 takes great photos in automatic and manual mode. The flash is quite impressive, this camera takes great pictures in low light conditions. What really impressed me was the video clip function. This camera takes great quick 10 second video clips which are especially useful for the web. If you have windowsXP, you don't even need to install the provided software. The windowsXP camera wizard works flawlessly with the S110.
I spent a month in Europe with my Canon and it was the best buy ever. I took along 2 extra 128MG cards and an exrta battery. We went to the Rhine river in Germany, Wengen Switzerland, StRemy, Condom, Beynac, Amboise and Paris France. I had no problems with filling up all three cards. I recharged  the battery every two days. The camera fit in any pocket, shirt or pants and was easy to use on all occasions. Quite a few people asked to see the camera and have their picture taken. I have quite an E:MAIL list of people to send pictures back to. I have now retired my 35MM and willuse this one fron now on.
Have had the S110 now for 3 weeks and love it.  It delivers exactly what it promises - great quality pictures and a size small enough that you actually have it with you when you need it. The zoom is about equal to a 35-70mm lens, which makes it perfect for most leisure photographers.  Canon kept options fairly minimal, so it's pretty easy to operate.  Quality of photos are great, and the video clip capability makes this really stand out.  I've got a 2 year-old and it's great to have the ability to shoot 30 seconds of video without having to carry around the camcorder. Three things I would change: 1. Need to make at least a 32 MB CF card standard; 8 MB is ridiculous today, and they could have bumped price up by ... by including a bigger card (tho you can now buy a 128 MB card for around ...) 2. Would be nice to have an easy means of converting the video from QuickTime to either Microsoft or mpeg formats.  3. Shutter speed (or whatever the equivalent is in the digital world) is kind of slow.  So, trying to shoot a 2 year old, about a third of my shots come after she's stopped smiling.  But, that seems to be an issue with all the cameras in this range. Overall, this is a well-made camera that delivers top-notch quality for a pretty reasonable price.
After comparing the comparable Sony P50, I chose the Canon Elph because of size and quality of pictures.  This little monster is unbelievable.  Having owned an Elph 35mm that I purchased a couple of years ago, I knew the great value of small size and quality pictures.  Never having owned a digital before, I wanted to do my homework.  I compared the Sony to the Elph S110, and found the Elph takes clearer pictures, and is a breeze to upload to your computer.  A little difficulty at first toward the end of the installation process, but once I resolved the problem, it was a breeze. Fun to carry, so small it fits into any pocket.  Also the battery charges fairly quickly and last longer than I've ever needed.  Suggestion, turn the LCD off when you shoot most pics and your battery will last longer.  Buy an extra 64mb's of memory.  It's fairly cheap ... and holds a boat load of med. resolution pics, more than you can use.  Great value for great price.
I wanted a small, easy to use camera to replace the 35mm point-and-shoot I usually carry in my jacket while on ski trips.  The S110 has some great features for skiing:  1)  The size.  Fits easily in an inside jacket pocket.  2) The movie option.  Ok, the resolution is pretty poor and you can't zoom but it's fun to get somebody blasting out of a chute -- 15 seconds of video is fine for this.  It doesn't replace a video camera, but a few clips along with still pictures is great.  Audio is good enough to catch skier comments as they pass by.  Also, unlike with a bulky video camera, people don't know that you're "filming".  3)  The "stitch" option to take panoramic pictures.  I was impressed by both the S110's sliding window and the PC software that combined the images to create a single panoramic image.  4)  Haven't wiped out yet, but the camera _seems_ rugged enough to take some jostling.  5)  Video output to hook up to the TV in the condo -- most cameras have this.  6) The LCD is bright enough to see on a bright day.Other cameras in this price range may have these features.  I tried a Kodak DX3215 for a day and found it to be a good camera, but lacking in most of the areas above.The S110 negatives are the price, a 2X optical zoom instead of a 3X, and the included 8MB flash (you will probably want at least 32MB).I find that I am often disappointed with technology, but this is one of the few electronic items I own that I would immediately purchase again if it were stolen/lost/broken.
This is my first experience with digital photography, so maybe I am missing something here, but WOW -- this little camera takes AWESOME pictures -- and this from a person who usually manages to jiggle the camera (OTHER cameras, anyway) just enough to make the picture come out blurry. But with THIS camera, one vacation and about 500 shots later, NOT ONE picture came out blurry because of my unsteadiness!!! And the simplicity of loading the pictures onto the computer -- even a computer neophyte like myself can do it. I recommend this camera to anyone who wants an excellent print from a simple to use (and just the right size to carry in your pocket) camera!!!
I have had the Canon PowerShot S110 Digital ELPH Camera for a month now, and I love it! The compact size is why I initially chose this camera, but after doing research, I found that I definitely would get my money's worth if I purchased this camera, so I did. What I really like about this digital camera is that it has an automatic and a manual mode, so it is nice for the amature and experienced picture-taker. Also, this camera has a black and white mode, which I find fabulous. The only reason why I rated this item the way I did was I could not get the software to recognize the camera. I solved that problem by getting a CompactFlash card reader for my laptop computer, so all is well. I would highly recommend this product.
I was deciding between the Canon S110 and the Nikon Coolpix 775. I was looking for a digital camera to take snapshots to replace my current APS camera.Size and speed (the speed between shots) were the most important factors for me. The Nikon was slightly larger, and slower than the Canon. I compared actual images created by the two cameras and I found the Canon to be slightly sharper and better looking overall.I am a "serious amature" photographer, and this is my first foray into digital. I feel that film offers much better quality than any 2 megapixel camera ever could, but I think for snapshots, which I generally scan and post to the web anyway, this camera is the way to go.
I didn't even have the camera for a whole day and I'm already amazed by how well it performs.  The size of the camera is incredible.  There were a few things that concerned me before purchasing this camera that I read from other reviews (like it taking a few seconds to take a picture and the flash not being powerful).  I think it takes the picture fast.  You hold the button down half way when preparing to take the picture (it focuses in on subject) and then press it all the way down when ready, and BAM!, the flash goes off and takes the picture.  Also it has a powerful flash.  You can't expect it to light up the entire city from this little guy, but I took a picture indoors with the lights off and the flash made it look like the lights were on.  I can't wait to use all the other features that the camera comes with!!
It's gorgeous. It fits in just about any pocket and seems light and sturdy enough to carry around just about all the time. Downloading to computer is quick enough I feel no need for a card reader, and with 400+ shots at medium resolution (on a 128 MB card; even the supplied 8 MB gives 80+ at lower resolution) I take a lot of pictures to increase the odds of a good one. I thought the small LCD screen might be a problem but it hasn't been--I've never used the optical viewfinder. Haven't had any shortfalls with the battery. That said, a film equivalent of 100 ASA does mean you need a steady hand on overcast days or in a less-than-brightly-lit room, and the flash is so hard and flattening I haven't found a use for it yet; would be nice if the exposure compensation menu was quicker to get to, given those problems--but much can be fixed in a graphics program. More optical zoom would be nice, too, but I guess it'd make the body thicker and the whole thrill is having the thing handy. I'm not sure the autofocus is quite as precise as I'd like, and I wish it didn't have to visibly strobe to set focus in dim light (freaks people out in bars). It's taken some beautiful pictures and I'd recommend it to anybody for whom taking the picture is more important than an impeccable image. It's so small and gadgety it's easy to point at people without making them feel so put on the spot!
This little camera packs a big punch.  The picture quality seems better than 2.1MP. There is only one thing i can complain about, and that is the battery which barely lasts at all.
I have owned two still digital cameras in the last few years. A JVC and now the Canon S110. I really like the S110. Actually, I purchased it for my wife as a Christmas present, but I take every opportunity to get behind the lens and snap away. It is fun to use.The two things that I like most about the S110 are the image resolution, and the video clips. I think for the dollar your get a reasonable combination of image resolution and optical zoom -- the two things that you need to watch for in digital cameras. The video clip function is also easy to use, and gives me an opportunity to snap pretty good quality 20 second video clips, but watch out, there is no zooming during the video capture. I have a 128MB flash memory card, so I can fit about 128 high quality images on that card, not sure how many video clips.One minor thing that I don't like about the camera is that out of the box, it doesn't come with a case. Even a flimsy case would be better than none at all. Overall however, I am very satisfied with this camera, and I definitely recommend this model to non-experts that want an easy to use digital camera.
Having never been exposed to the world of digital photograpy, and being somewhat technically complacent, we approached the purchase of this camera with just a litte trepidation.  We wanted something that had basic functions, plus a few advanced, but did not want to have to have an engineering degree to operate it.Enter the Cannon Digital Elph.  Since purchasing it, we have used it constantly.  It is not only easy to operate, but is portable, rugged, and interfaces easily with our computer.We don't like to spend alot of time wading through technical information, and have no real need to perform fancy artistic functions with our pictures.  We only want to e-mail occasionally, and archive pictures as we take them.  The Digital Elph has given us the ability to do that.
Like many, this was my first step into the digital photography world, and like many, I LOVE this camera!!!  It offers so much for such a small and ultra slick package: 360 degree panoramics, great movie clips!, B&amp;W pics (can also be used for movies!), great battery life (way better than SONY), and really fun to show off.  The price seemed perfect as well, especially comparing to similar cameras in the same price range.  The quality of the shots are great for a digital camera.  You can also get some great shots if you experiment with angles and even shaking the camera (I like funky looking pics sometimes though).  The ONLY reason I deducted one star is that a) the clarity of the shots pale in comparison to nice 35mm cameras, and b) the stupid pause between pressing the shutter button and the camera taking the picture.  For me, these are minimal problems, but still worth mentioning.  Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this camera to anyone in the market for digital photography!!  Enjoy!!
Honestly, this product is too good for words.  Canon has innovated by focusing on the 'killer app', that is, they acknowledged that size DOES matter.  And, their competitors still haven't figured it out.  This camera is super easy to learn, has great product support on their website, takes super high quality photos, and to top it off, takes fantastic 15 second movie clips.  Oh yeah... and it fits in your pocket without making friends wonder if you're overly happy to see them :)  I've taken more photos in the last 10 weeks than I took in the previous 10 years.  Friends love them.  ....makes it super easy to share with friends.Pros:* Tiny -- fits in a pocket* Takes awesome pictures* Very very easy to use* Chic design -- is a great 'james bond' style product* [amt] bonus pack promo that they had was high quality stuff -- (a) a 16Meg Smart Card (b) an extra battery and (c) a cool sack/carry bag that I'll actually use!Cons:* None -- only nit is that the battery meter only tells you when you are out of power.  It doesn't give you any sense of how much power you have at all times
After watching digital cameras from their inception and early ccd work till the time of this camera's release, I remained quite skeptical till now. Be aware there are some expensive cameras that can give you good resolution and imaging and there are some cheap ones which I wouldn't even use as a snapshot to email to my mother. Recently, I borrowed this camera from a friend to use to take some macro snapshots of an orchid. Next paycheck, I bought the camera for myself.The S110 offers many things that you'd find in any 2.x megapixel camera. I'm going to skip the obvious benifits of this camera (the small size, the good looks, cheap removable storage, etc.) and focus on the other reasons to get this camera over others.+ The CCD and the compression are sharp. Really clear. Under all uses of this camera on high res and medium compression, I noticed little to no artifacts (even zoomed in Photoshop) of the compression or the CCD. Further, the images (at any resolution) require little to no post color correction.+ The camera has a manual mode which lets you move the exposure (+/- 2 stops!), adjust for lighting varience (even tungsten or florescent light), plus several flash modes and a macro &amp; infinity focus. Simple as that. Snap a picture -- twiddle some manual settings -- snap another picture. I can bracket shots! What an happy discovery!+ The camera also has a &quot;stitch assist&quot; mode, where you can tile several photographs. They aren't actually combind until you download the images and the software realized they need to be stitched by itself. The auto-stitch software works really well...though I'd still go to photoshop for delicate work...but for snapshots and prints it's excellent.+ The zoom is shallow, 2x max optical, but by doing so the apature is fairly large (2.8f) so you get more light for better pictures (and the camera is small and light too!). After 2x you can digital zoom as much as 5x which loses some effective resolution, but if you just have to zoom it works pretty well. Don't worry either, the flash will shoot to provide the extra light to remove some of the grain.Like any camera, you have to know how to shoot with it to get used to its behavior, so you'll know when to switch the flash (it shoots a bit bright for some indoor macro work, but hold some tissue paper over the flash and you'll be fine) mode or set the white balance off auto -- but within a day I figured the entire thing out and took some great images with some sharp detail.The really great thing is, you can just leave the S110 on full auto and get comparably as excellent results.This camera is worth every penny and more.
First off this camera rocks! (...)Okay, lets face it even if you spent $1500 on a top of the line digital camera it will never compare to a $400 Film SLR camera. And that's what i realized when i went to purchase a digital camera. Size of camera/quality/price were the deciding factors. so using this criteria i didn't want a bulky digital camera that wouldn't fit in my pocket.This ELPH turned out to produce extremely good resolution pictures. It has 3 resolutions and each resolution has 3 compression settings. I have hooked it up to both Mac and Wintel boxes with no problems. Plug and play is what this camera and software are all about. My friends were very impressed as well. there seems to be a large difference between 1 and 2 megapixel cameras. but the difference between 2 and 3 didn't appear to be as great. 2.1 megapixels are enough for most snap shots.I tried out the 360 degree panorama feature and it really is amazing how the software stiched the shots together. Very easy. your mother could probably do it. it was seamless stitching. it blew me away.Also it records movies with no stuttering. it saves them to the flash module in the AVI format. For a mac guy like me that was no problem AVI is compatible with any quicktime equipped Macintosh...and every mac comes with quicktime. The camera records sound too. but you cannot play back the movie with sound because there is no built in speaker. don't worry the sound is there and will easily download to your computer.One caveat, there does however appear to be a difference in composition when using the display to compose a shot versus the viewfinder. The viewfinder in inaccurate. But, I prefer the display instead so this is not a problem.Also to better appreciate this camera be sure to make the investment in a larger flash module. A 32MB module will allow you 31 pictures in 1600x1200 (largest resolution) Or 144 pictures in 640x480 ( the smallest resolution ). (...) even with this sale your still saving money and getting more than what i did from the good guys. BTW: I imagine this sale has something to do with a new generation of megapixel cameras coming soon. I would jump in on this one instead of waiting. this camera will still beat your cheapo film camera with the plastic lens, it even beats the film ELPH that i gave to my mother a few years back.If there is a longer life battery then get one too. Otherwise get as is and enjoy . You won't be sorry.
This canon takes great photos, and it's compact size is very key to practicality.  One limitation I'm not fond of is the ability to only record very short videos (approx 15 seconds).  It would be great if you could record videos until the compactflash was completely filled.
Have had the S110 for about three months and have used it in all conditions and situations imaginable.  Outside while hiking through creeks, inside at parties and social functions, at the kids' sporting events and so forth.  It has come through - in almost all cases - in spectacular fashion.  Its size is amazing - I have frequently carried it in a suit pocket at parties and forgotten I had it with me.Its positive attributes:* Easy to operate for novices - almost a no-brainer for even those unfamiliar with digital cameras* With a relatively modest 64Mb card, it will frequently store over 110 high-res images* Panoramic stitch-together mode is neat and will let you easily take full panoramic series* Oh, and did, I mention how tiny this great little camera is :-) ?Some minor nits I must point out, however:* Battery life is somewhat modest; after two picture-taking sessions of about 30 shots each, I had drained it* Battery cover is easy to dislodge; if you ever have problems operating it due to the fact that the power won't come on, make sure that the cover has not become unseated - it is quite easy to do so accidentally* Action shots are not intuitive because in its default mode, depressing the button does not actually take the shot - there is about a one- or two-second delay in automatic mode; this is defeated by slightly depressing the button - the shutter will then respond instantaneously in this 'quick picture' modeAgain, these are minor, minor issues.  In general, I recommend the S110 in highest terms.  It is an outstanding camera with an exceptional form-factor.
No doubt the size is compact. This camera can fits in your shirt pocket or slack. Constructed of alumium-like material, the S110 is strudy.  Cosmetic looks fantastic.The S110 produces 1600 X 1200 pixel. Great for 8 X10 prints. Its features an optical zoom of 2x and a digital zoom of 2.5X. Great close-up shots with clearity.  Able to take up to 20sec of motion picture.I was shock to find out of some obvious feature...not so obvious.  For instance, you would think a camera such as this one would have a battery meter, able to delete the picture once snap, a sensor to shut off the flash automatically. Not the case.It goes to show, you can not have the best of both world. I have upgraded this camera from a Kodak 215DC. Not much difference other than the size.
Convenient and effective with good picture quality, a great pocket camera when you don't have room or need for a DSLR.
(1) Reviewer &quot;Denik&quot; gave this camera 5 stars but commented on it's inability to record videos over 15 seconds.  While that is true (although, for me, it's more like 25 seconds), I found that if you just hold down the button to record again immediately as it stops recording, it continues on with your video with only the briefiest of pauses.  In this manner, you actually could record videos until the CF card was full.  Of course, this is not like a true video taken with a camcorder, but this camera is not supposed to be a camcorder.  You can then, with the software, connect the various 25-second videos together into one continuous one.  For my purposes, this produces a neat little short video show of the occasion I wanted to record.(2) I previously reviewed this camera and only gave it 1-star (see my March 4 review) but have now upped it to 4 since receiving my replacement camera.  The only reason it's not 5 stars is that I won't feel totally comfortable until it has functioned properly for a longer period of time (my first S110 only lasted about a month) but, if it does, I will add my unconditional praise of this wonderful little camera to everyone else's.  I just hope I never have to go to Canon for support again!
I searched for 6 months for an ideal digital camera and this is it. I own a regular APS Canon film Elph and was interested in the digital version, but I could never find one in a store that worked so I could check out how the software worked. So, I was reluctant to purchase. I found a site called dpreviews dot com and it was just what I needed. Their reviews are so detailed that I learned everything I needed and did the comparison reviews too. There is no better 2.1 Mega Pixel camera, period.The small size is what I liked about the regular Elph. The main reason I didn't take pictures before getting a film Elph was the hassle of carrying a bulky camera. The Elph eliminates this issue completely. I can carry a camera anywhere in any pocket and be ready for every occasion. The Elph's construction is solid as a rock on both the regular and digital versions.I can't speak highly enough about the digital Elph S110 camera. It is compact and solid. The internal software was my main concern, but once I read the detailed review of how the camera software worked, with pictures of every screen and function, at the dpreview.com site, I knew this camera was the one for me.Act soon for 2 reasons: 1 - this model seems to be in short supply; and 2 - you can get a free second battery, carry case, and additional memory card until the end of the month as a special promotion from Canon. This eliminates the 2 main issues: wanting a case to protect the view screen on the back, and wanting an extra battery ($... value) so you have a spare.The picture quality if phenomenal. The movie mode is very cool too. I didn't think I would use it but it's great to take a little 10 second clip and the motion reproduction is very good. The sound is very good also. As noted in some other reviews, the only flaw here is that you can't hear the audio on replays in the camera because there is no audio jack on the camera.I was concerned about getting a 2.1 mega pixel now that you can get 3, 4, and 5 mega pixel camera's but trust me, 2.1 meg is enough. It takes 1600x1200 photos that are so crisp and clear you can print an excellent 8x10 easily. And I don't know about you, but I have never had a photo blown up larger than 8x10.I recommend that you get a 128MB card. They are down to about $... bucks and one card will hold over 128 shots at the max size with max quality (superfine) (about 900KB per shot). If you use the next quality level, fine, each shot averages about 500KB. At that rate a 128MB card will hold over 240 shots. That's enough to last a whole vacation. Movie clips of the maximum 10 second duration at the medium 320x240 mode take up about 4MB each.Lastly, the included software while not the best, is very good, and the synch/download from the camera is seamless. Attach the camera to the PC and up pops the transfer program. Click the button for whichever type of copy/download option you want, and presto, there they are.
I've had this camera for almost two years and I love it.It's the perfect first camera for users who are comfortable with technology. There are simpler (and cheaper) cameras for people who are less compfortable with technology.This one packs the right amount of sophistication in features, and simplicity in usage - and all that in one small little bundle!It's strong points:* small.* light.* solid (dropped mine a couple of times and its still going strong).* good zoom.* good battery life.* auto-flash - which is so helpful for amateurs like myself who are never sure about how much light is enough.* some more advanced ones (manual flash, timer, etc.) if you want to experiment and improve your skills.* comes with software to download and retouch your photos, rendering the process relatively easy.All in all, this camera and Canon's Powershot line are an excellent choice for most people.
I spent a long time deciding on a digital camera. I was replacing my trusty point and click film camera, so it had to fit in the camera sleeve of my back pack. It had to have a USB interface and work with my Macintosh iBook. It had to take decent pictures and not go through batteries. So after much consideration I decided on the ELPH S100 and was just about to order one when I realized that Canon had released the S110, so I ordered one and have not regretted it. At the same time, I ordered a 128 MB Compact Flash for $80, as I knew that the included 8 MB card was just too small.In this review, I'm going to concentrate on using this camera with an iBook. This should apply to using it with any USB capable Mac.After taking a few pictures, I opened my iBook (a spring 2001 dual USB model running Mac OS 9.1), inserted the supplied CD, installed Canon's software and restarted. I turned on the camera, slid the switch to put the camera into review mode, and plugged the supplied cable into the IO port of the camera and a USB port on the iBook. This cable is most definitely not a standard USB cable, so treat it well. Canon's Image Browser software automatically detected the camera being plugged in and launched.The pictures in the camera are shown as thumbnails in a scrolling pane which looks like a long strip of film. You can select the ones you like, rotate them, delete them or choose to upload them to your computer's hard drive. Be sure to rotate them if need be before uploading them. Uploading is quite fast for USB. Photos in your photo directory are shown as larger thumbnails in another window. Double clicking on an image opens it up into its own window where you can do simple cropping and exposure/color adjustments. If you want to do anything serious though, I'd recommend finding a copy of Color It! or even spending the big bucks on Photoshop.I haven't used the movie capture feature extensively, but it works. It generates .AVI files which QuickTime plays easily enough.Rebooting into Mac OS X (10.1) and plugging the camera in, the Apple provided Image Capture application automatically launches and allows you to download and rotate images quickly and easily.The pictures it takes are very good. Changing settings take a while to get used to. The neighborhood kids love playing with it. The rechargeable battery is a great feature as it makes picture taking pretty much free.In sum, this camera fulfilled almost all of my needs and I highly recommend it for general, nonprofessional use.
I got this camera as a replacement for my giant (but wonderful) film camera when it first came out. It was great to just stick it in my purse and go. After a couple months the LCD screen stopped working.  Even when I took a picture it would come up black on my computer.  I sent it back to Canon and they fixed it.  Wish it would've worked right the first time around.There's a lag between when you hit the button and when it actually takes the picture (results in some funny-looking posed pictures because people think the picture's already been taken!). It doesn't take very good indoor photos (flash looks harsh, doesn't focus well).  And action shots are kind of a problem unless they're from a distance. The colors don't seem very true-to-life.I just got a photo printer and printed out a lot of photos taken with this camera and a few taken with a friend's newish Sony 4 megapixel camera.  His photos were all much sharper and had much truer color.
The Canon S110 Elph is an EXTREMELY well manufactured piece of technology. It looks and feels like a solid chunk of stainless steel. Any Digital Camera under $800 is consumer grade anyway so I bought something that is VERY VERY tiny, easy to use, and WELL MADE. The compressed format pictures turn out excellent but are not of professional quality. For that you need to spend about $1000 on a camera that does uncompressed TIF files. The 10 sec - 30 sec of video capabiltiy is a bonus and lots of fun. I take this camera everwhere because it fits in the watch fob pocket in my jeans!
Things I loved: Compact size, sturdy construction, good feature set, great quality images, rechargable battery, USB connection, good software.Things I diden't love: 8mb Flash card included (needs at least 32mb), no battery meter and little warning of low battery.
I did a lot of research before I bought this camera, and it was worth the wait.  The photos and digital movies (with sound!) look much better than any of the other cameras in it's class, with Nikon coming in as a close 2nd.  You can play the movies or view photos on a computer or on any TV with AV jacks.  You can also take the card to any photo developer (or email the photos) and get beautiful prints made, too.  The built-in microphone records audio for the movies with remarkable clarity.  It has a cool &quot;Stitch Mode&quot; to take photos that you can later &quot;stitch&quot; together with the included software to make great panoramas and 360 Quicktime VR movies.  The software makes it very easy to do with great results.  I've had numerous friends who saw a movie from this camera and say &quot;Wow, you made that movie on your digital 'still' camera??&quot;  If for some reason my Canon S110 ever got smashed in an accident or fell in a river etc., I would definately replace it with the same make and model.  I highly recommend it.  As with all digital cameras, make sure to get a larger memory card and an extra battery so you can get the most out of it.
Great camera for the money.  Very light and compact.  Easy to use and makes very good photos.  I especially like the viewfinder that zooms with the lens.My criticisms are: Small battery is very limiting.  About 20 to 25 shots depending on how much the flash is used.  I would like to have an AAA battery adapter so I could get unlimited use, much like a 35mm camera.  The 512 memory card is a must have add on if you travel.  The flash can be unpredictable and programing it can be a challenge.
Pros:  It's super small, looks cool, easy enough to use (although the menus and software can take a while if you want to use all the features), and takes nice pictures.  The autofocus is reliable, and the optical zoom is good.  The camera takes 2 megapixel photos, which come out really clear on a computer, and I am told will print out at photo quality at sizes up to 8&quot; x 10&quot;.The Elph has a lot of fun features.  Some, like delayed photos, are key, others, like video capture, are not as serious, but still fun.  If you really want to take digital videos, this will take grainy, 40-second videos.  Otherwise, I might go for the Kodak, which doesn't take video, but has even better picture quality (see below).Cons:  It's a drag that Canon used a proprietary battery, instead of AAs like some other digitals (Kodak).  You need to pay big $$ for spare batteries, and if you run out of power, forget about going to the corner store for some emergency batteries.  You will need more memory cards (8 mb isn't nearly enough), and will probably need spare batteries and carrying case.  I'm told that if you want to use specialty lenses, it's kind of a pain.Bottom Line:  Overall, the Elph S110 a great camera, but I think the Kodak DX3900 is a better buy for the money.  The Kodak takes 3 megapixels instead of 2.  It takes AA batteries instead of the weird Cannon battery, and I think it uses the &quot;easyshare&quot; dock to download photos instead of USB.  The Cannon is smaller and better looking and takes short videos.  Unless one of those features is critical to you, I think Kodak's got the advantage at this price level.
This is a fantastic camera.  I especially like the movie clip capability.  After changing several clips to DV format (with QuickTime) I imported them into iMovie on my Mac, merged them together, and presto, I have a great show that includes both stills and movies. I also appreciate the fact that Canon includes separate instruction booklets in English and Spanish.  This sure beats having one oversized book, half of which would be of no use to me.
I bought this camera in August 2001, and couldn't possibly be happier.  This is truly a great camera.  I'm glad I did my research.RECHARGEABLE BATTERY. After watching my old roommate's camera eat through AA's like you wouldn't believe, I decided any camera would have to have a rechargeable battery.  The Elph's battery is a tiny little lightweight powerhouse. Charges in 3hours, for me will take about 100 pictures before requiring a recharge. And the battery is memory-free, so you can charge it up halfway if you like. The unit comes with a recharger, which is the size of the camera and plugs directly into a wall socket - very compact.SIZE. This is truly incredible. It will honestly fit in your shirt pocket .  This makes it very easy to have around at social events - in contrast to the clunky Nikon, which would've been my next choice if not for its shape.MEMORY. Uses compact flash; the box says up to 128MB; I'm using a 256MB without problem. At highest resolution and quality, that comes out to about 300 or so photos on one card. Only drawback is you have to use jpg.FEATURES. Manual controls for some settings.  Takes AVI movies - only about 10 seconds or so at a time in my experience, but enough to get some quick clips.  (Sound quality is average.) "Photostitch" - basically lets you take panoramic photos.  You take one photo, and that photo appears in the left side of the LCD, and your new viewfinder is the right half of the screen.  You can do this serially, taking a whole 360 degree panel if you want. The included software merges the pics flawlessly. I got some spectacular panoramas in the mountains. Durable - camera performed in subzero temperatures in the mountains. (Not that I'd recommend going outside the manufacturers specs, but I took my chances and was rewarded with some great pics.)SOFTWARE.  I can only vouch for the mac software, but it's fairly feature packed and easy to use.  Different apps for photostitch, photo management, and video compositing.  A little over-GUI'd, but good nonetheless.CONNECTIONS. Also included are a usb and video cable. The video cable is great for displaying your photos on TV when you're on the road.Only one gripe thus far- for whatever reason, it takes a moment to shoot after you press the button. This makes action shots harder. But overall, it's an amazing camera.
This camera has been wonderful for me.  Its so small that you can take it anywhere with you.  It really does fit in your pocket comfortablly.  You will never second guess the idea of bringing a camera with you when you go out.  It just doesn't get in the way.  The camera takes nice pictures and the video mode is much more fun than I thought it could be.  Do yourself a favor and buy a 256 MB memory card to go along with this camera and you will have a blast taking pictures.
I've never written a review for anything before but this camera is worth pitching.  I went back and forth deciding to buy it.  Camera buffs in camera stores said the lens is low quality, and its not worth the money.  That may be, and you probably will not like this camera if you are a photography nut who wants lots of manual settings, etc.  However, if you are a point-and-shoot kind of person who loves gadgets like me, and if you value small size in a camera (can't list the number of times I've had my &quot;not worth the money&quot; point-and-shoot 35mm camera with me and got the picture that my friends with their SLRs missed because their cameras were too bulky to carry), then buy this camera.  I just shot up a storm at my Grandma's 95th birthday (an indoor party I might add), and got some amazing shots.  The quality is excellent, very sharp, bright, vivid colors.  2.1 megapixels is fine for 4x6 snapshots, 5x7s are still 225 dpi.  And of course the advantages of digital, being able to see the shot immediately so you can take it again if you flubbed.  The delayed shutter response on digital cameras has always bothered me, but as long as you set the focus first by pushing halfway, you can get immediate response with the s110.  And you just can't believe how small this camera is until you see it and carry it around with you for a weekend.  Downloading pictures is totally easy, and its fun to have a slide show on the TV with your family.  I worried about whether I was ready for digital but this camera has completely won me over.
First, this camera is incredible.  I was a sceptic being from the home of Kodak.  Never did I think digital would produce pictures as stunning and vibrant as this (if you're a manual 35MM SLR user you'll be impressed).  Second, the size of this camera is worth the price.  It literally fits in your front pocket!!  Third, I'm not a techno-file, but using this is easy.  I read the manual, took about 15 minutes, and started snapping photos and AVI files to email to grandma and grandpa.I purchased a few extras: San-Disk Imagemate Compact Flash (CF) Reader USB-SDDR-31, extra battery NB-1L, extra 64MB CF, and a Canon soft leather case #40....One negative, no pun intended, the battery does give off heat.  I have had problems with this in other Canon products.  Hopefully it won't affect anything.  Worth the investment,  The black and white capability and movies(AVI) with sound (although monophonic) really won me over to this camera vs. the Olympus D490.  If you're looking for digital you won't be disappointed.
Currently, the two most popular pocket sized 2mp cameras are the S110 and the Nikon 775.  I work at a camera store.  Since these are the two cameras we sell the most of, I wanted to see for myself which one took better pictures.  I tripod mounted each one and made the settings the same:  auto white balance, high resolution JPEG possible, no flash, timer exposure (as to avoid camera shake).  I printed out an 8x10 of each (which is about as big as you'd want to go with a 2mp camera).  They weren't color corrected, just straight prints.  The Canon was visibly sharper, and the white balance had been much more accurately corrected than the Nikon had.  All of the lighting in the store is flourescent.  Without a flash, pictures taken under florescent light tend to come out yellow.  The picture from the Nikon was a lot more yellow and a lot darker.  The Canon, although not *perfect*, looked much more true to life.  Of course you can always fix this on the computer, but the fact remains, the auto white balance on the Canon worked better.The three advantages the Nikon has over the Canon are:  better macro, slightly bigger zoom and the ability to use a 2CR5 lithium battery (and not *just* the rechargable it comes with).  Other than that, the Canon is in my opinion is better in every way.  If you do want a Canon with a bigger zoom, check out the S300 (you get a bigger zoom, but keep in mind the body is a little bigger than the S110).Canon's software is better, plus the body is metal and very well crafted.  Highly recommended for someone looking for a travel sized camera and not requiring prints larger than 8x10.
Very good camera.  I could not get my software to work initially and the 1-800 number was [not much help], but I was able to figure it out.  Anyway, I have had no real problems (other than getting my rebates back from the company), and it serves as a good investment.  The flash is very week and you cannot take good pictures indoors at great distances.  That is the only real downfall.  The camera is also very easy to use.
My wife and I have an unusual hobby, we take photos of our food when we go out to dinner. Then we post them on our web site, along with food notes and restaurant commentary.The PowerShot 110 is a great camera for this. It's small enough that it sits on the table unobtrusively, not getting in the way of what is usually too many plates and glasses.More importantly, it takes very clear close-ups of the food, something our previous digital camera had a lot of problems with. The difference is the low-light focus assist; it's a small beam of light that the camera can emit and shine on the subject, which helps it focus the lense in low-light situations -- extremely common in restaurants, especially the nice ones. And it has a Macro (close-up) mode, which also helps.Another problem we had with our previous camera was over-flashing. Even on the lowest setting, we had to cover the Mavica's flash partially with our finger to take a picture that wasn't over-exposed. The PowerShot is much better at using the right flash level, and not over-exposing our food.
I bought the Canon PowerShot S110 as a supplement to my Nikon SLR (big, film camera that takes great pictures).  Instead, I seem to have displaced the Nikon forever.The Canon's small size allows me to take it where I would never take my SLR.  Thus, the joy of capturing so much more on film makes this camera tops in my book.  This is all due to the very small size of the camera, but the camera would not be a favorite if it were not for the high quality prints.The camera operates very easily, comes with built in flash, a 2x zoom (and an additional digital zoom), the ability to switch between black and white photos, color photos, or small movie clips with sound.  The camera supports any Type I sized Compact Flash memory card.  I recently bought a 256MB CF card that stores over 260 of the highest quality pictures or literally thousands of lower quality pictures.  Battery life is fully acceptable.  One battery gave me about 175 photos using the LCD screen and the flash.  The battery recharges very quickly.The software is excellent, installed easily, and helps you to easily download and manage your photos.  No matter what OS you will use, you will always be able to download photos through the USB connection.  Software allows you to view, crop, and digitally alter your photos AND movies.  So, you can add frames, borders to each print.  Also, you can cut and paste prints on top of each other.  So you can take that picture of the the Pyramids, and implant your baby girl on top of them.  (If you ever wanted to do something like that, of course)One of the most unique pieces of software allows you to take multiple pictures of a panorama.  Then, the software automatically connects each photo for one perfect panorama shot.  My picture of the French town of Cap Ferrat is awesome.The camera takes great photos.  The 2.1 Megapixel size should suffice for normal operations.  At the highest quality the photos are suitable for printing up to 20&quot; * 30&quot; although they may show signs of graininess.  If you buy a higher Megapixel camera, remember that each photo needs more storage.  So, a 4 Mpixel camera would need a 512MB Compact flash card to store the same quality and same number of images as mine.The #1 feature of this camera is the size.  It's simply phenomenal.  The picture taking is great, and the movie capability is the icing on the cake.
I've only used it a day (Christmas present for the mrs., but of course I need to use it extensively in order to demonstrate to her how it works, right?) but already I am very happy with this camera.  Picture quality using the auto setting is excellent; it feels solidly built; the instruction manual at first appears lengthy but it is well-written and to the point.  As for hooking to a USB, I bought a SanDisk compact flash reader that Windows 98 recognized and installed without a hitch.  Also, it saves the camera batteries by downloading pictures via the reader instead of the camera.  ....  I did a lot of research (consumer and pro reviews) before making a purchase and am so glad I chose the Canon.  I agree with the other 5-star ratings - you won't go wrong with this one!
This is the best 2 megapixel digital camera out there, period. It has all the features you'll need, a 5-year old can operate it, the picture quality is astounding and of course, the size (or lack of it!) is what makes this little beauty so special. I use a 256MB Viking flash card and it works great. A spare battery is recommended for long trips, although I have been pleasantly surprised with battery life based on some of the comments in other reviews I've read. The movie clip feature works surprisingly well and is a lot of fun. I've had zero problems with USB connectivity or the software that comes with the camera, everything worked right out of the box. Every time I use this camera (and believe me, I use it a lot!), I am blown away by the picture quality. Very highly recommended.
I've waited a LONG time before breaking down and buying a digital camera.  I researched for months and finally decided to buy the Canon Powershot S110 and I love it.  It's as close to perfect as I could imagine.  This is the smallest digital camera available and it's packed full of features -- everyone that see's it are amazed and I'm still amazed.  Pictures are beautiful and the software that comes with it is very easy to use.  I have an Apple IMac so I was worried about compatability issues but it works flawlessly with my Apple.  Be sure to check out Yahoo for a free way to put your photo's easily on-line to share with your Family and Friends - it's free and easy and beats sending huge emails.  Also want to send big kudo's to Amazon.com -- your site is wonderful and a huge asset in researching my purchase and your prices are excellent.  Don't miss the deals Amazon has on memory cards for the Elph.
I recently purchased the S-110 after having a film camera that I hadn't been using much in years. My first and primary concern was size - I wanted a camera that was small enough to carry around with me anywhere. This fit that bill well, and threw in a bunch of features that I love with it.Positive points:1. Extremely small - This camera is the perfect size. It's small enough to slip into your pocket and take into a bar or club (I got great pictures at a friend's birthday party at a club in SF), but it's large enough that you can easily hold it to take pictures.2. Great quality - 2.1 megapixels is the sweet point for digital cameras. The quality looks good on the screen, and looks good printed. You may notice slight quality degradation if you try to enlarge a photo to 8.5x11.3. Easy to use - Charge the battery and start clicking away. This camera is very easy to use, and you can hit the ground running with high quality pictures as soon as you've taken the time to charge your battery.4. Rich feature set - This camera has a great set of features for people that want to do a little more with their camera. This includes short video clip recording (more a novelty than anything else), white balance control, zoom, etc. I love the photostitch feature! You can take multiple pictures and stitch them together at the end. The S-110 helps you line up the pictures when you're taking them by showing you a little strip of the last picture you took, and the software does a great job of hiding seams!5. Good flash - I took pictures all night at a dark night club with no problems whatsoever.6. Rich supporting software - Both the image organization/download and photo editing software are easy to use and fairly rich.Negative points:1. No included case - I'm spending a lot of money for this camera, I think they can/should throw in a $5 (cost) case with it.2. Not much memory - Buy a 64MB or 128MB CompactFlash card. I went with the 128MB,and now I don't have to carry around an extra card with me.3. Battery life - You'll need to buy a second battery to complement your extra memory. One battery will let you take about 50 pictures.4. Poor zoom - Only 2x optical zoom (and another 2.5x digital zoom with loss of picture quality). The S-300 has more zoom, but you pay with a slightly larger camera body and a slightly higher price.ADDED SIDENOTE (10/13/01): I noticed that another review claims that this product cannot be used with USB hubs or if you have another USB devices attached. This is not the case for me - I have my S110 connected to my PC through the built in USB hub on my USB Microsoft Natural keyboard. I also have a mouse connected to the keyboard. I'm having no problems at all.
I've seen images online and ones taken by friends of mine that own the S100 and the images would often have a bluish tint.  I haven't had that problem with the S110.  It does not produce a quality as high as larger 4 Megapixel cameras, but atleast at this size, you can carry it around more often.  I've owned it for a year and I've taken around 3 GBs of pictures and videos and I am very happy with it.
Since the pros of this camera has been beaten to death, I'll concentrate on the cons. I use this mostly for indoor shots with flash.More than half the photos have oversaturated color to the point where I have to desaturate many of them before showing them. Also, about one out of 10 photos is out of focus.My monitor is adjusted so that most digital photos I see from my other digital camera as well as on the web look normal. No gamma correction is applied.When previewing photos on the camera in the zoom mode, it is very difficult to move the photo up and down because you have to hold down one key while pressing another key that's 5 mm apart.Red-eye reduction works, still a little bit of redeye remains.Although not as good as I have hoped, I still carry this camera with me everywhere until I find something better in this size.
I have been a dedicated S100 user since its release, and have really gotten my money's worth from that camera. It is not, however, a perfect camera, and the S110 attempts to address some of its shortcomings. However, what has not improved is the old 2:1 optical zoom, which admittedly is helped a bit by the 2.5:1 digital zoom, but still leaves me underwhelmed. On the plus side, the S110 adds a 30 second QuickTime (/w sound) movie function, which once you master the download process, really adds new zip to your internet photo apps, and the new control wheel with embedded power switch works far better than the old recessed power button, which in my mind was a real problem with the S100. The camera is priced exactly where the S100 had been, though worth considering still would be the now discounted S100. If you want a little more camera in a nearly-as-small pkg (and with the more powerful 3:1 optical zoom), consider the S300.
This is a great digital camera.  Many digital camera reviews that you'll read will talk about how great digital cameras are &lt;i&gt;in general&lt;/i&gt; (which they are), but I can tell you that this is an excellent model.  I recently traveled to Russia and Finland, and took this camera alone, and was very pleased.Compared to other cameras:+  The size.  It's so small, and feels dense and solid in the hand.  It'll fit in your pocket (jeans, even), and that's one of the best features of all.  This is a camera that you can carry anywhere.+  The images.  They are clear and color balance is good.+  The battery.  It's rechargeable, so pictures are truly free.  The charger is small and travels well.  Some folks say that it runs out too quickly; I haven't had that problem.  Some cameras require AA batteries.+  The lens cover.  It's built in and automatic, so you don't have to fool around.+  The zoom.  It has one (optical), which is good for framing pictures the way you want.+  The cycle time.  This camera will take a picture about once every two seconds, which is plenty.  Some cameras have a longer cycle time that borders on inconvenient.+  The choice of features.  This camera has the features that you need.  Don't waste money on digital zoom, lame image pre-processing, or sound clips.  And forget about the short, jerky movie clips.  Just take great photos.Here are some relatively minor irritations:-  My viewfinder doesn't center on the image.  So, I got in the habit of using the LCD display to view the shot.-  The USB port cover is a flimsy piece of rubber.-  You need to hold the 'on' button down for longer than feels necessary.-  To get good color balance, you'll want to set the camera setting for clouds, sun, or indoors, depending on the shot.  No joke.Here are some comments based on other reviews that I read:o  Some people thought that the flash was too weak.  I think it's fine.o  Some people said that the camera gets too hot.  It does get pretty warm, but it's fine.o  Some people said that the interface was confusing.  It's not exactly great, but I think it's acceptable.o  If you're going to throw away your 35mm like me, then you'll probably want to buy a spare battery and definitely at least a 64 MB card (minimum).  64 MB gets you 102 pictures at medium resolution.  That's like having three rolls of film, which barely got me through a two-week trip.  I found that I took more pictures with this camera than with my 35mm - even though I could delete the bad ones - because it's small, it's fun, and they're free.  No more $50 developing charges after each trip.
Life, in many ways, is a cycle of expansion and contraction.  The last thing I want to do during the last half of my days on earth is get weighed down by more stuff.  Reduction and compression being my mantra, I couldn't help but be struck by the understated boldest of a Canon Elph, nestled among all of its bigger brothers and sisters at my local retailer.  Then, when I read the Amazon editorial reviews for the S100, I figured this miniature marvel would be my choice for the last camera I hope to own.  The "movie mode" of the S110 seemed gratuitous, like a kids' novelty add-on.  But then I went to Canon's website and noticed that the S100 had been released in May 2000 and had been replaced a year later by the S110 which, it is claimed, also has a slightly better lens and longer-lasting battery.  Given the negligible price spread between the two cameras...along with the identical weight and dimensions, common sense dictated taking the S110 over its older but not bigger sister.  This Lilliputian actually fits in my shirt pocket.  The next smallest models--a 3.1 megapixel Sony (at more[money]!) and a tempting 2.1 megapixel Olympus--would have made the pockets of my blazer, but hey it's summer.As for picture quality, I'm frankly amazed.  Whether it can compare to 8X10 prints by other 2.1 cameras, I'll leave to the experts.The only "down side" so far: controls on the camera are made for a munchkin with pin-point vision, so I'm constantly taking off my glasses to see them better.  But I usually pIay  the piano with my eyes closed, so I certainly should be able to do the same with a point and shoot camera.
Let me first say that I LOVE this camera. Its tiny size, high image quality, and loaded functionality. A lot of Wow factor when other people hold it. My 5x7 blowups could pass for my 35mm. 8x10s begin to show digital artifacts. Let me post a few complaints to encourage Canon to perfect the product:- Movie mode stops at either 4, 10, or 30 seconds depending on the resolution. Other cameras can film continously until you run out of memory.- There is an annoying delay between the time you press the shutter and the time the picture is taken. It's so long that I can't even capture a bride walking down the aisle without her moving out of the frame. Fortunately, the vast majority of my pictures involve stationary subjects.
Best camera I ever owned.OK. It's not perfect. Pictures come out a bit yellow when taken indoors. The flash overexposes a bit. Pictures aren't as sharp as the G1. But I love this camera. I can throw it in my pocket or purse and it's always available. It is easy to use and starts up pretty quickly. It's small, but not so small that the buttons are hard to use. The case is durable and controls intuitive. I also have the water resistant case and use this camera while kayaking and snorkeling. I love popping out the memory card and having the instant gratification of pictures I can see. I love sharing my pictures on the net.I have a Canon G1 and I've had various Nikons and Sonys both digital and film cameras. The G1 beats this S110 for image quality but I don't like to carry it around. I've had one of these cameras for over a year. It's the most fun camera I ever owned.Addendum: A word of advice:  don't bother with Canon's drivers.  Get a small usb reader for the memory card and if you have Windows 2000/xp or a Mac the operating system will automatically detect the pictures and you can easily copy them over.  Canon's Image Browser is of value if you have a G1 or G2 and take pictures in RAW mode because you need to convert them, but for this camera you'll be a lot better off not bothering with Image Browser and using other Photoediting software.
I remember when I bought this camera. It was an amazing product. Now it seems an old device. I still have it and I like it, even that my cellphone it is a better point and shoot camera.
I've had it for about a month now and have taken loads of pictures. I've even gone and bought a better color printer! This is a superb little camera. It fits in a shirt pocket. It's easy to operate.I would recommend getting some extra memory and a spare battery. They're just good peace of mind items, definately not required.
My wife gave me the Canon Powershot S110 for Christmas, and I couldn't be more please with it. I am not a techie or camera buff, but was able to use it immediately, as to most features, load the software on my office computer (Windows 2000) and transfer the images to Zoom, the software Canon supplies. I was up and running in no time at all! (I did have a problem, yet unsolved, on my home computer, running Win98).I'd recommend this camera to anyone, for home or office/business use. It's a 2.1 mpixel. I was glad to receive it, although not the &quot;latest&quot; 3,4 or 5 mpixel. It is more than adequate for my use, is small, can slip into a jacket or even a suit/sport coat pocket.
This is an AMAZING LITTLE CAMERA. I have had mine for probably five years and have never been disappointed in it. I have an extra battery that I have on charge and switch back and forth when the one in the camera is getting low. This camera is small but packed with power. It's easily tucked in a pocket or a fanny pack on vacation. There is no fumbling when it comes to using it. Turn it on, point and shoot - easy as that. The pictures are crisp and clear. I hope this review helps. I can't imagine anyone not being happy with this camera.
I love the features and the resolution of this camera, but it just feels too small in my hands.  I thought being small would be good, but I feel like my hands are cramping up when I use it.  I would definitely buy a Canon digital camera again, just in a more comfortable size.
The world of digital cameras is a confusing one for the average consumer. What brand should I buy? What are mega-pixels? How much memory do I need? Can I connect it to my home computer? Fortunately, there's the Canon PowerShot S110, one of the best consumer digital cameras on the market. It's portable (the size of a deck of cards), durable, very easy-to-use and takes professional quality pictures (2.1 mega-pixels). Even at the camera's lowest resolution, 640x480, snapshots look of film-quality. Moreover, it's a cinch to connect the camera to your computer. But portability and mega-pixels are not the only things to look for. The PowerShot S110 powers on in a mere 3 to 4 seconds -- unlike most digital cameras -- allowing the user to take pictures at a moment's notice. In addition, the camera boasts an easy-to-navigate on-screen menu -- again, unlike most digital cameras -- so that you can view your snapshots and change settings on the fly. Overall, the PowerShot S110 is a very good value. It comes with all the features that you need, and all the gadgetry  that you crave: all at a reasonable price. I highly recommend it. (One note: the PowerShot S110 comes with about 8 MB of memory, meaning that you can store in the camera about 4-8 high-resolution photos or about 32-35 low-resolution photos. I recommend upgrading to 64 MB when you have the chance.)
Overall, this camera is terrific.  This is my first digital camera and I compared extensively before purchasing.  In addition to the Amazon customer reviews, be sure to check out the reviews at Digital Photography Review (...).General camera operations are a breeze and relatively easy to maneuver with the tiny size of this engineering marvel.  I was a bit worried because I have big hands, but it is well-designed.  The images are amazingly clear, crisp with bright, accurate colors.  Naturally, the quality of the final image will depend on the settings.  One piece of advice I received from many sources - let the camera take the photos at the highest resolution it can muster.  You can always remove detail with software, but you can't add detail back in.(...) I just want to add one comment about some quirks on the menu system.  Often, it takes one more button press than you would think to accomplish a task.  For example, to delete a photo in playback mode, you press &quot;menu&quot; to bring up the menu bar, &quot;set&quot; to select single-image delete, &quot;set&quot; again to bring up the deletion confirmation, &quot;right-arrow&quot; to move to &quot;OK&quot; and one final &quot;set&quot; to delete.  Phew!  I can understand the confirmation, but it would be nice to have an option to default to &quot;OK&quot; rather than &quot;Cancel&quot;... and I'm not sure why it requires two presses of &quot;set&quot; right at the beginning.Another weird thing... let's say you just took a photo and want to delete it right away (no use wasting space on the CF card if you can tell the shot was bad, right?).  The image displays for 2-seconds (or 10-seconds, if you choose), but rather than just hitting the &quot;set&quot; button during the review period to bring up the delete confirmation, you have to... (ready for this?!) ...1) Hold the shutter release down continuously after taking the shot;2) Press and hold the &quot;set&quot; button;3) Press the &quot;left-arrow&quot; button to bring up the delete confirm.Now that doesn't quite sound so bad, but think about the size of this thing and the tiny buttons - this takes a bit of maneuvering (not to mention the foresight to hold the shutter down - something not natural when taking photos).  I'm not quite sure why you can't just hit the &quot;set&quot; button to hold the image temporarily and then delete or continue shooting.  Somebody clearly didn't think that one through.Anyway, like I said... a couple of weird quirks in an otherwise terrific package.  Clean design, solid feel - and great photos.  I can easily live with the software usability quirks.  Enjoy!
I have had this camera for close to four months now and have just returned from a trip to Europe.  I can honestly say that this little camera has been a joy to carry around!  The camera functions are very intuitive and operating the camera has never been easier!  The images are crystal clear, and the MPEG videos are great.  Even the sound captured was better than I had anticipated.  The battery life wasn't a problem during my trip, although it would have been nice if this camera could take standard batteries as well.All in all this is one fantastic camera.  I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who wants an ultra portable and pocketable camera without sacrificing picture quality.  The only potential drawback is the 8 MB CF card that comes with the camera.  I suggest purchasing a 128 MB CF card (I did!) so that you won't have to worry too much about the number of pictures you can take.  Now...  If Canon can come out with a 3-4 megapixel digital ELPH, that would be the ticket!
The life on this battery is so much longer than my stock battery for my camcorder (Canon ZR70), I no longer have to worry about keeping it charged. I can also use my viewscreen more often instead of doing everything through the eyepiece. My camcorder experience is improved because of it and I can focus on the video and not worry if my battery starts to run out.
I charge it up and it works.  I've had it for a few years and I'm still using it.  The capacity is much greater than the stock battery.  It fits well, and although it is rather heavy, it doesn't fall off of the camera.
Getting an extra, larger-sized capacity battery for your camcorder is a must considering a lot of batteries bundled with the packages right now are the smallest-capacity ones. This is true for the Canon ZR70 MC camcorder. This battery offers extra juice without the hassle or fear of constant battery drainage compared to using the one that came with the camcorder. I now use the smaller capacity as a back-up and the larger one as the main battery. From what I understand, this battery also works with different Canon camcorder models. Very happy with this purchase!
Just so you know, the BP522 battery can be used for the entire ZR series from ZR20 up to ZR90.  (I checked the Canon website to verify.).  An extended battery is definitely needed because the one provided with the camcorder has such as short battery life.  But you can buy a generic battery made by Energizer (ER-C590) for $60-70 at the typical home electronics stores (i.e. Circuit City and Best Buy).  You can also go online and find 2.5 hour batteries for as low as $35.99.  Can't say whether they last as long as this one, but my Energizer did last for about 3 years with intermittent use (filming my kids...you know how that goes...lots of taping for the 1st year and then less and less as time goes on...).
Up to you, but I would buy a generic branded battery of the same type (Lithium BP522).  I bought a generic battery and it works just as well -- saved me $50 !
I ordered a Cannon GL2 and this is the battery that comes standard with the package. The technology is great. You can charge the battery any time in its cycle without worrying about shortening its life span. Just make sure that you don't charge it fully and then perhaps not use it for a few months. If you charge it, plan to use it. The battery only gave me about an hour of use with my LCD screen, a little longer through the viewfinder. Great for playing around with your new camera, but you'll need a longer lasting model once you actually go out and shoot.
The new battery for my camcorder was just what I needed.  I am able to use my camcorder again.
What can I say about a battery? It worked and gave about 1 3/4 hours on the camcorder.
I am a professional filmmaker and videographer, working in the industry for six years. Although there are many great third party batteries out there, nothing beats the quality and reliability of the OFFICIAL Canon battery, designed by Canon specifically for their products. Professionals don't take risks with cheap third party batteries. Believe me, it's worth spending the extra couple bucks to get the official CANON battery. And this battery is actually a great deal for the money, especially if you buy it used.
Although my camcorder is older it is still a most excellent still working piece of technology.  The battery is just what I needed to use my camcorder and this was the only place I could locate it.
This light does work as designed - its really small, fixes on to the AAS hot-shoe with very little effort, and has a nifty auto mode that makes it come on when needed.However it is very important to note that 3W seems to be designed to work for situations where it is the only light source with no ambient lighting.In particular, the difference it makes is not even noticeable when standing just a few feet away from the subject with standard indoor lighting.I've rated it a 4 so as not to skew the ratings (after all it does work per spec) - but if I were to measure how well it met my needs, I'd go with a 2.Updated:I had an opportunity to use this video light around a campfire - and must say that it does make its presence felt when the subject is very poorly lit ... in this case it did great work as a fill light. If you can, borrow one to make sure that it meets your needs.
I don't like using video lights in my productions, but unfortunately they're something that you must turn on when the lights are turned down. I use this light mainly during wedding receptions and the subject never seem to mind. If the lights are turned down pretty low in the room, subjects realize that the light will be spotty. This light also works well and even better as a fill light. What I like most is that gets it power from the camera; however, that means that it will drain your camera's batter faster if the light is left on too long. So it's a good idea to have a one or two extra batteries for your camera. Great light for the price.
I bought this for myCanon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder. It will also fit theCanon VIXIA HV40and other HV camcorders.Manufactured in Japan, the build quality is excellent, with a sturdy, compact construction. It is surprisingly small, which is both good and bad. Good because it fits anywhere, making it easy to stow and transport. Bad because the size greatly limits the illumination the light can provide. Inside the all-plastic housing is a single small halogen bulb, which gets very hot when left on for a few minutes, owing to the nature of halogen lamps. A more energy-saving and very low or zero heat alternative would be LED lights, like theSima SL-20LX Ultra Bright Video Light (Silver). On the back, a 3-way slider switch lets you turn the light ON/OFF or set it to AUTO. The lens is frosted to soften the light. It is powered off the camera's battery, which puts a strain on your recording time if you intend to it for extended periods of time. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider theCanon VL-10Li II Video Light for Canon Camcorders, which is powered by its own lithium-ion battery and offers the same level of compatibility.For anything within about 5-7 feet, I would say this unit is good. For farther distances, you'll need a bigger lamp. I tried to film a friend's band playing in a dimly-lit bar and found this light to be inadequate. It's not designed for such situations. Overall, a convenient and inexpensive light for the average consumer that will work for most average situations like friends and family gatherings, birthday parties, etc. Just be aware of the range and light output limitations if you're going to be shooting in low-light situations.
The "Canon Video Light for Advanced Accessory Shoe" is one of my favorite accessories for theCanon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom. This little light provides just enough fill to warm up the video, without blinding the people or washing out the image.Highly recommended!
This light is the way to go if you are trying to fix your low light indoor footage.  It provides the necessary fill light without extra weight.  It also helps maintain correct white balance.  Should be a required accesory to the Optura 20.  Only down is it is black and the camora is silver.  I may attempt to disassemble and spray paint the light casing.
This light is surprisingly small and bright. It will serve my purposes of shooting indoors quite well. I might even have to diffuse it a little so its not so bright. And it is nice theat the light runs off of the camera power through the hot shoe.
In low light shooting conditions it makes imerative to have a video light to get rich bright viewing experience.Canon Video light is an excellent must have accessory that gives a light weight add on for your cam corder.Pro's:Easy to mountLight weightConsumes less powerCons:None that I am aware of.
With today's new camcorders .... this is enough light for most videos. You may not think so looking at the dark viewfinder, but when you play the video back, you will be surprised how nice and well lit with &#34;normal&#34; brightness and saturation, even though the room was DARK.  The diffuser also provides a nice flood with no hot-spots.  My Canon AVCHD camera is five years old, now, and that was true then, and it has gotten better.  Make sure you have a camcorder with the Canon advanced accessory shoe, as it draws power from the camcorder battery.  I bought extra batteries.
This light is used on my Canon Optura 30 MiniDV camcorder. I purchased this light for use during indoor investigations. The light mounts onto the advanced accessory shoe and is activated by the camera when recording. Just flip it on and when you press the record button it will light up.The light is extremely bright and wide spread. It projects more as a flood light then a flashlight which is helpful on investigations. My Canon Optura 30 has terrible low light capability so I needed a bright light to help. The night shot feature on the camera produces unusable jerky motion video. This light allows me to run in just the low light setting at full frame rate.If you plan to use a Canon camcorder in low light situations, this light is a must. Do not bother with IR lights as the Canon cannot pick up the IR light.
I liked this, it worked as described and I found it to be a good unit. For the price I think it is a good unit.
This is excellent. It is easy to put on my camcorder and it provides great light. I am not expert but it just enhances current light whether it is the sun or a bulb. It is also small so carrying it is nothing.
First of all, it's as big as a walnut.  I feel badly because I gave it a bad review earlier today.  Then as a joke, we put it on my gl2.  It was really bright.  I'd said before that it wasn't but I was using it during an earlier part of the day.  I only wish it came with some kind of diffusion because when it came on, I saw white circles everywhere I looked for like 30 minutes.  I am really glad to have this little thing if ever I get into a low-light pinch because it probably will not eat up the battery too quickly.  Maybe I can make some kind of diffuser for it too.  Plugs right into the camera's shoe.  I have deep set eyes, so I felt more confident when the camera was on me knowing it was helping to balance that a little.  If my subjects don't go blind, I'm hoping that they too will feel good about having a little eyelight.  Also, I dissed the price before, but all photography equipment is ridiculously expensive.  This is cheap by comparison.  I'd change it to 4 stars despite the fact that a professional camera man laughed at this little thing the other day and told me not to use it.  I might have to use it though so it's part of my lightweight kit.
This light gives more light than what the camera gives.  Compact and works well.matches camera and packs well.  Small but powerful
Good product, best thing is the automatic light, no need to turn it on or off.  Very handy.
The light works okay .. a little better than the built in light on my HG10 .. but this item suffers from a serious design flaw.  It sits really low, so if you attach an optional lens on the front of your camera you get a shadow cast across the bottom 50 per cent of your frame .. the lens's shadow!  Just crazy poor design.  This light should sit a lot higher.
Regarding camera noise--there is no mechanical noise from my HV40 and therefore not an issue here. Of the three settings: The shotgun mic setting is useful in toning down ambient sound. For example, I recently shot a soccer player alone on an athletic field as he juggled, shot on goal and so on. In such a wide-open space there's a lot of sound bouncing around that we don't notice, but which is distracting later on the audio. The shotgun setting captures the sound of your subject, not the busses going by a block away or jets overhead. It's also very good shooting from grandstands during games, and picks up the shouts of players and refs. The Stero One setting makes a slight improvement on the internal stereo mics, somewhat better clarity, to my ear at least. Stereo Two I haven't noticed much difference. The DM-50 is small and nicely in proportion to the HV40. I think it's best use is as a simple substitute for body mics, or for noisy environments. A better audio track when editing video is a joy--something you might not have known you were missing but you won't want to give up once you have it. AS you may have noticed, it is often difficult if not impossible to remove unwanted background sound from an audio track. Prevention is the medicine.
I've been using this directional mic for almost three years and have never noticed camera noise. It's compact and provides a good reach for most ambient sound situations.
I use this on my HD Canon video camera. I am a profesional and this meets all of my expectations.
The "Canon Directional Stereo Mic (DM 50) for Camcorders with the Advanced Access Shoe" is a great accessory for theCanon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom. It installs easily on the camera and automatically takes over for the built in microphone.The microphone has three options "Shotgun", "Stereo1", and "Stereo2". The "Shotgun" mode is used to capture forward sound only, while the two "Stereo" modes allow you to capture sounds from the side and, with "Stereo2", from the back. I typically leave it set on "Stereo1" since it seems to capture the ambiance of the scene without being flat.Highly recommended!
I have only used it once.  When I hooked my camera up to my TV I was very surprised at the audio  range.  Clear from a distance of easily 75 feet.  One thing that bothered me was that there were several settings on the Mic but no directions of just what they were.  90%, 120%, shotgun and stereo???
The mic seems to be working wells, my only complaint is that it is a lot quieter than the camera's mic.  So you have to make sure the volume is turned up.
I use the DM-50 on my Canon HV40 and am very pleased with it. The forward (full) shotgun mode is impressive, as well as the other settings. I bought a Mini Windjammer windscreen for it which helps eliminate wind noise.  I found a sound test for the DM-50 on Youtube.com where the tester recorded audio (with video) setting the mic in each of the three settings. That test sold me on the DM-50. I use a pair of full-ear headphones to monitor while shooting which is highly recommended.
ON TIME, BETTER THAN EXPECTED, TERRIFIC CUSTOMER SERVICE. I LOST TRACK OF MY DELIVERIES AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT IF I HAD RECEIVED ITEM. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER SUPPORT. THEY WERE PROMPT, POLITE, HELPFUL, AND SOLVED MY PROBLEM.5+ STARS
The title at the top of this page says "Advanced Access Shoe." Product description says "Advanced Accessory Shoe." Confused? Don't make a mistake when ordering (as I did). For example, this microphone (DM-50) will not fit the latest camcorders with the Mini Advanced Shoe (commonly called the "Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe" or just "Advanced Accessory Shoe"). For that (Mini Advanced Shoe), only the Canon DM-100 or SM-V1 microphones and Canon VL-5 or VFL-2 video lights will fit (without adapters or similar).Canon is causing confusion with it's unique shoes and vague names for the various shoes. This shoe has traditionally been called an "accessory shoe." Canon wants to drop the word "accessory" in some cases and add words like "advanced" or "mini advanced." The problem is that stores and similar aren't getting the difference. They're still referring to it as an "accessory shoe" and tacking on Canon's unique words in some manner. As with this product page, consumers are left to figure it all out.That said, this is a nice looking microphone. Feels quite solid in the hand as well. And I do prefer the foam windscreen over the hairy thing covering the DM-100 (that hair is sure to get all over everything). Beyond that, wouldn't fit my camcorder, so can't say much more. Knocking off two stars for the poor product description and the time I'll waste with that.
Took me a while to figure this out but all of the built in camcorder mics and "general purpose" accessory mics (like this one) have a built in high pass filter which reduces recording of the lower frequency sounds to help remove the mechanical tape and zoom sounds from the recording.  Live music recordings will never sound right no matter which of the three setting you use because the low end is cut back on all of them.  I finally bought the Rode Stereo Vidmic, which allows switching that filter off when you really want a balanced frequency response, and found that my HV20 is really quite capable of recording excellent music audio.  Something that it could not do with the DM50.
The build quality is better than expected. It feels solid in your hand and well put together. The DM-50 fits well onto the camera and is nicely balanced. It runs a little less than the length of the camera, so it does not overwhelm the camera's profile. This is not a big issue, but it does mean the microphone should not get in your way under normal shooting conditions.The microphone itself has some play, presumably to cushion it from camera noise. If so, it does not do a perfect job - more on this below.To discuss the audio quality, I have to discuss the three modes, "Shotgun", "Stereo 1" and "Stereo 2"."Shotgun" mode captures audio primarily from directly in front of the camera. While I have done no scientific tests I would guess it's main balance is at about 35 or so degrees. This mode captures sound in mono from a single element at the front of the unit. In this mode the audio quality is not great. There is little low-end response and the quality and the sound has, for lack of a better term, a slightly plastic quality to it. It is surprising when compared to the sound recorded from the side elements, which seem warmer and more dynamic."Stereo 1" mode seems to capture sound at about 90 degrees, combining both the front element and two separate elements along the side. The overall perceived quality of the sound is much better than using the shotgun alone. There is more warmth and richness in this mode, and it provides a nice balance of front centered sound, with some ambience from the sides."Stereo 2" mode captures sound at more than 180 degrees. The rear facing element seems to be designed to capture nearby sounds, but not more distant sounds. This could only be my perception, but if not, it seems like a nice way to allow commentary from the camera operator. However, the "Stereo 2" seems to be a little too weighted towards capturing sound from the sides at some expense to the front element. As a result, the sound quality itself is a little better, but the mix appears slightly off.In all three modes, the isolation of sound it not perfect. Because the provided documentation says almost nothing about how the DM50 is designed, it is difficult to know how many elements are present and in what combination they are recording sound in each mode. It seems that even in "Shotgun Mode" the left and right front elements are still slightly present, but mixed in mono with the front facing mic.In terms of eliminating motor noise, the DM50 does a better job than the on-board microphone, but the sounds of the motor and any manipulation of the controls are still present.  In "Stereo 2" mode, the motor noise is cut in half from what you hear from the on-board microphones. In "Stereo 1" mode the noise is down to about a quarter and in "Shotgun" I would estimate it is about an eighth.With the Canon HV20, the most common sound issue I find is with clicking the function button while shooting to gain control over exposure (usually a three click process). The DM50 does not eliminate this sound. In "Shotgun" mode the DM50 does the best job of reducing the problem, but even with the rubber rings in which the microphone rests, some of that sound it transfered up the camera.The DM-50 promises "near professional" quality sound and that is what it provides. For professional sound you will need to find a more dedicated microphone, such as the VideoMic or Stereo VideoMic, or perhaps both if you wish to have coverage for the same theoretical range as the DM-50. However, the DM-50 provides excellent flexibility that it's competitors do not, so you should consider what your shooting needs are.  The DM-50 also does not use batteries, but draws power from the Camera's battery. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending your preference, but it is something to keep in mind when purchasing.The DM-50 is best suited to users who want a single, trouble free microphone that can carry them through a variety of situations. In "Stereo 1" mode, the microphone is at it's best, providing a good balanced sound, though I wish sound from all around the microphone were captured in even quality. This disparity is perhaps the biggest problem with the microphone.
The Canon DM-50 is the best shotgun mic solution for the Canon GL-2. I first bought the MA-300 adapter and put on a nice AT835b shotgun mic. However, the combination was quite heavy and unbalanced. With the DM-50, the weight is reduced by over a pound and the center of gravity in centered again. And the sound is excellent.
I have had this mike for a month now, and have used it quite a bit. It is small enough to carry in a small bag, doesn't use a battery or extra cords, and works well at picking up sounds at a distance.I was able to use it to mostly eliminate distracting sounds in a classroom, though it works best picking up amplified sound.All in all, a good alternative to using the onboard mike. My HV20 has a mike that is simply too sensitive to surrounding noises.
Nothing worse then dropping a chunk of coin for a high dollar 1080i camera and the sound is crap... (see Canon HG10). The DM-50 in the hot shoe cured that woe and nicely I might add. I use the #2 setting (Stereo forward).. #1 is Mono forward and #3 is stereo wide 180 degrees.The sound quality of my live music recordings is important to me and the camera mic alone left me with tinny sounding flat audio. This mic adds clarity and bottom end. Warning this sucker is driven off the camera's battery.... BUY a bigger battery, but 2 just in case.
This mic is an amazing addition to my Canon HV-20. Sound from actual subjects of my video that once escaped are now clearly captured! I'll never shoot without a shotgun mic again.
This microphone is adequate for close to mid range pickup depending on the noise level. It has three settings, one that emulates a shotgun Mic and the other two are for stereo wide and narrow. I own the Canon HV-20 and this MIC virtually eliminates the tape mechanism sound!!! It comes with a wind screen that works well under still to mildly windy conditions. The DM-50 runs of off the camcorder battery which eliminates the weight of having two AA batteries.
The Canon DM 50 works fine on my HV30 camcorder. Its a pity the manufacturer of the camera, Canon, cannot do better with the on board mike. Its placement on top of the camrea facing up is not the best. The DM50 shotgun overcomes those problems.
This is about as good as this type of mic gets. Slides in easily, good as a shotgun. The stereo is a little less functional.
Although this unit worked well I was not impressed with the directional aspect.  It picked up noise from the side and didn't seem to as directional as I desired.  I preferred using the camcorder's built in mic to this.
I bought this to get rid of the hissing noise you get using the normal mic on the camera. It works very well and reduced the external hissing noise quite a bit. Under normal conditions it works great. I've had mine for a few years now and it still works great.
I bought this for my Canon HG10 because the onboard mic picked up the videographers voice loud and clear, but the subjects audio was very hard to hear.  This mic didn't make much difference.  When I am taping the kids and ask them a question, my voice is very loud.  Their answers are barely audible.  So much for being directional.  It is nice that the power is on board, as well.  The non-canon mics have to be turned on and off usually, and if you forget to turn them off, dead battery... OOPS!
I bought this mic a year ago for an older Canon camcorder (which has since failed.) When I replaced my camcorder, I bought the Canon HV20 because it has a hotshoe. The sound difference when recording with the mic (I'm generally recording classical music during concerts from the audience) is noticeable. The mic is small and light, easy to install. When I researched camcorders to buy a new one, I discovered that there are better directional mics on the market, but they are more expensive. I may eventually upgrade, but for now this will do.
this is just what my son needed for thunder storms in the summer. when we get them, he now ready.
Just an FYI for anyone who isn't paying attention and orders this mic for HF11 or any Canon camcorder with the MINI Advanced Access Shoe- it's not the correct mic. You'll want to order the Canon DM 100.Canon 2591B002 DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone for HF10 and HF100 CamcordersI've contacted Amazon and asked them to "un-link" this product from the camcorders that require the Mini Advanced Access Show.
This is a capable microphone that comes with a major caveat.  Since the microphone slots directly into the hotshoe of the HV20/30, there's not much in the way of buffer to divorce it from any camera noise.  I'm not just talking motor noise: any time you press a button on the camera to toggle settings, anytime you use the manual focus slider, anytime you shake the camera in the slightest...the mic picks up the noise.  The makes for an absolute audio nightmare.So - if you plan to plop the camera on a tripod and not touch it whatsoever during filming, this microphone is a fine choice.  If you plan to use a tripod but want to do something as simple as zoom in on your subject, be aware that you are likely to end up with some unwelcome clicks and pops when you watch your footage.
I'm using this with an Optura 60. The sound quality is fine. It doesn't totally eliminate the motor noise but it's a definite improvement. Sure, there are cheaper mics that do a better job in reducing motor noise which I have tried, but the first time I forgot to turn on the mic I missed some of the first belly laughs of my newborn and immediately decided to give this mic a shot. Bottom line, the combo of better sound quality than the internal mic and camera integration was worth it.
I recently bought a Canon HV30, and after reading the reviews, I determined that I would need some sort of external mike. It's too easy to pick up the sound of jiggling controls with the lightweight plastic housing on Canon camcorders. I had trouble picking a mike from the various candidates at first, but after doing a little research, I realized that the Canon DM-50 is the best choice. Here's why...First and foremost, this mike doesn't add much size to the camcorder itself. The other mikes I looked at were as big or bigger than the camera. With a camera like the HV30, size is important. If you put a giant furry mike on top of it, you'll never get away with casual shooting in a public place. Everyone will see your camera from a mile away and either hide or mug for the camera. I like to keep my camera tucked in a big pocket in my jacket, so I can pull it out to shoot inconspicuously. This is the only mike that comes close to allowing me to do that.Secondly, one type of mike doesn't cut it for all purposes. For dialogue, you need a mono shotgun. For ambient sound, you need a stereo wide dispersion mike. It makes no sense at all to get a mike that only serves one purpose. You just need to carry two mikes around with you and switch all the time. The Canon DM50 does either or both with a simple flick of a switch.Thirdly, this mike is self powered. No need for an additional battery. This mike puts very minimal drain on the camera's battery. That is much better than carrying around the added weight of a bunch of AAs or a 9 volt.When I got this mike, I did some tests, shooting in difficult situations... I shot music at a loud piano bar, ambient sounds at a quiet coffee house, and dialogue above the clatter of dishes at a busy restaurant. The Canon DM50 performed well under all of these conditions. There isn't a terrific amount of bass in this mike, but that is to be expected for a microphone of this type. It's enough, however, to put across music well without sounding too tinny. I experienced no camera noise in any of my tests. This mike does the job.If I was a pro shooting movies for theaters, I'd want a really good mike on a boom. But I'm not a pro, and the Canon HV30, good as it is, isn't a pro camera.  I'm shooting off the cuff vacation movies and documenting panel discussions for my work. This mike is perfect for that. No need to hesitate to get this mike if you can afford it. It's all you need.
only used it once so far for a live music event at a bar and it seems to have worked just fine so far as I can tell.
I used this mic on my Canon GL2 to videotape a choir. At first I was worried about the noise around. It turned out greater than I expected ! It eliminated most of my unwanted sound and noises in the background. Sound quality is also excellent to me. Highly recommended item.
I just got this camera from Amazon yesterday.  Already I am taking BEAUTIFUL pictures and downloading them easily to my computer with the USB cables.  I am not the most technical person, but I am finding the camera and software easy to use and the instructions clear and easy to follow.  The picture quality is fantastic!  Much better than the scans I usually do at 300dpi.I really researched this purchase and the features and image quality of this camera far surpasses everything else in the price range.  For the features and the 3.3 megapixels most cameras cost twice what Amazon is charging for the S20.  And with the camera bag and extra 32 meg compactflash card included Amazon has the best deal on this camera anywhere!  Believe me, I checked!I did follow the advice of previous reviewers and got the ac adapter kit and the rechargeable batteries.  Most digital cameras eat batteries and I can easily believe that this one is no exception.  Even including the extras, this camera is a terrific bargain.  I am totally delighted with my purchase!!
After a life of 35mm SLRs I was worried about switching to a digital point and shoot, but the transition has been great. The S20 has several high-end features that make it a step up from a box camera, including a macro effect, switched strobe for fill, and panorama feature.I love the size most. It's tiny and light and easy to carry. It feels like it's machined from ingot it's so solid. It's a quality piece.Some things I wish were better: 3.3 magapixels is still not quite enough pixels, I think, especially after you've cropped the shot. I'm never quite sure when the camera takes the picture, since it's not quite instant and the process is silent (I miss the instant shutter with the KABANG of SLR mirrors flopping and motorized film advance). And 2x zoom is not quite enough. I miss having more control over shutter and aperature.But within the limits of what the camera is, this one works very well. And digital photography is a whole story unto itself: it changes so much to be able to shoot, erase, dump, manipulate without running to the photo store (or grocery store dropoff) with an entire roll of film.
No one who gets an S20 is going to be disappointed. It is sturdy, well balanced in the hand and has some really great features. Its 3+ megapixel resolution will yield perfect detail on 8&quot; x 10&quot; enlargements. I chose, however, not to keep the S20, but only because the 2x optical zoom was not adequate for my needs (sporting events). It does have a 4x digital zoom, but this particular technology is a poor substitute for an optical zoom (basically, using a digizoom to double the central image necessarily halves the resolution; using the full 4x digizoom on the S20 yields 1/4 the original resolution). However, if a 2x zoom is adequate for your needs most of the time, this is the best camera available at present. The fact that it can use an IBM microdrive instead of relying solely upon CompactFlash memory cards is a really nice bonus.
I bought this camera four days ago and this review may be premature. Nevertheless, I've taken great shots and posted them on my web site. I already printed photos and explored the many creative possibilities in a short amount of time. I probably lost sleep since getting the digicam. Just kidding.I would have rated this item five stars but having to buy the expensive power supply kit and an additional rechargeable battery irked me. The battery that came in the package lasted for a short amount of time.
I recently bought the Canon Powershot S20 for my parents. After getting great results from the Canon Powershot G1 I figured that other cameras from Canon must be OK, too. Indeed, it is an OK camera, but not more.The G1 is a SUPERB camera! Many consider it the best consumer digicam. I certainly believe it. Please go to the customer reviews for Powershot G1 to get a sense what it can do.The S20, in contrast, is not up to par. While the G1 takes crispy sharp pictures, S20 takes only passable images. I believe it uses zone focusing like a point and shoot, so the pictures are not sharp. These type of focusing techniques may be OK for a 1 megapixel digital camera, but for a 3.3 megapixel digicam it makes no sense.Now I might be spoiled by the G1, and I might very well be wrong about the focusing technique of the S20. But I suggest potential buyers make at least a comparison with other cameras, particularly the G1, to see the differences. When doing the comparison, make sure to shoot a few outdoor images under various focal length and distance. Don't just shoot far away objects. Then decide it yourself.Another problem is with the rechargable battery. It gives about 50 pictures on a single charge. But there are problems. First, it takes FOREVER to charge up. While my G1 takes about an hours to be charged up (and it takes hundreds of pictures), the S20 battery takes eternity! Worse, the battery suffers from the &quot;memory&quot; problem. You have to completely drain the battery to recharge it in order to keep it effective. I suggest you buy at least one, if not two, spare batteries.If you are even semi-serious about taking good photos you should bypass this camera. You should wait until a new and better model is available, or buy the G1 for about $200 more. If you are satisfied with the point and shoot nature, you don't need the 3.3 megapix! You can save money with a 2 megapix or even one megapix digicam. You'll be equally happy.
I initially bought this in order to play back a lot of old Super Eight cassettes that I had from years ago and this was the only route available to do this. As it turns out, I like the camera a great deal. The only drawback is the bulkiness of the unit itself.
It's lightweight &amp; easy to use. It has the Sony Nigthshot feature for 0 Lux recording. The battery that came with it gave me 190 minutes from the battery display (850amphrs). I left it recordng &amp; it went for 2 hours &amp; then some as I didn't get to see how long it would record but at least that long. I found it easy to hold &amp; the buttons are pretty comfortable. The zoom is an easy slide button on top instead of a rocker switch. The viewfinder was clear &amp; with a nice adjustment so that I could see things sharp. It can even make the text in the viewfinder twice as big. The digital zoom is great but you get fuzzy pictures using it with any camera, but lucky with this camera you can turn it off, or set it to 40x or 200x. The optical zoom of 20x is very nice. Most digital cameras only have 10x zoom. I don't miss the pull out lcd view finder because I don't want strangers looking at it &amp; I don't need a digital camera after all cause I can input the video with the s-video out on this camera into my computers s-video in card &amp; have a digital mpeg-1 or mpeg-2 recording on the HD. Windows ME &amp; Xp come with free video editing software anyway for this &amp; I can out put it to vcd or svcd.  Also nifty is a cool option to turn off the record light in front of the camera so people don't know you are recording :-)
This is my first camcorder. I was intrigued by the special price run on it. I bought it online on my lunch break and stopped by Circuit City on the way home from work and picked it up.It is a Hi8/8mm recorder and does not record in stereo, but it is very nice! The battery says it lasts for 2 hours, but I have gotten around 3 on a charge. The camera is very simple to use. I have figured out most of the options just by playing around with it. It shoots in very low light and even has a low light feature which will work in almost darkness. The picture and audio quality are outstanding! It is worth every penny in my opinion. It is a great beginner's unit, but if you want something more high-end then I would look at a digital camera.There are a lot of options for accessories including a 20-hour battery. The unit is very lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to carry and easy to do precision filming with. I highly recommend this unit to anyone looking to venture into the camcorder market.
Three things about the Camcorder that I ordered.1)-The person ,Mona, who sold it has got to be the nicest personselling on Amazon.com.2)- The Camcorder was actually in better condition ( I wouldcall it MINT)than advertized.3)- The Camcorder actually arrived three days before the promiseddate.All in all- just a GREAT EXPERIENCE- I would not hesitate ordering from her again--HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is a very good product for the price that we pay for it. All the advertised Specs works and Much better than any other camcorder in it's class. I Found that this Camcorder has S-Video out too! which is very cool, It can be used to Capture Video using a MPEG Capture card and make VideoCDs!. It has LP mode and with Proper Tapes you can get about 8hrs of recording time. The supplied Battery lasts for about 160mins. Again it is a very cool product 5 Stars for it!, Buy it if you still can find it, It is hard to find this product in stores and ONLINE.
Wow. What a buy for the price. This camera has most all the options of a way more expensive camera, but it for  only (this price). People complain about it not having an LCD, I do not like those, they result in shaky photography (not with this puppy though and its Image Stabilization, which is great.) and it drains the battery. So I didn't care about that. If you really want an LCD, you can move up to the next level, which is 50 dollars more. But in the process you lose the Image Stabilization, so really this camera is the better buy. It come with great features. First off, the battery lasts for a long time, you can get 90 minutes of footage which it, even with auto-focus and zooming in and out. Its great. And its easy to recharge, in fact the camera tells you how many minutes left until a full charge. Also, it tells you the minutes of camera battery you have left, instead of one of those battery meters, which can be misleading. It comes with cool features, one where it outlines the subjects in the picture, and makes it turn into a cartoon. You can make black and white movies, and even record in 16:9 mode. It comes with a titler, so you can label you movies. You can chooose the location, size, and color of the title, and it has capibility to write in 22 lanuages...which was handy on my trip to Mexico. The NightShot OLux was too cool, even when it is pitch black, the thing can record and see everything. It has 20x optical zoom, and 460x digital. I don't like digital, it just enlarges the pixels to zoom, so the 20x optical is all you need. It inlcudes 5 types of faders, which are all neat. The camera can record any play my old 8mm tapes. For the price, this is a wonder. If you are looking for any eaasy camera to use, chucked with all the options, get the Sony CCD-TR818. Make sure before you use it to turn of "auto-date" which automatically puts the date on the first 10 seconds of a shot. It can be easily turned off in the user-friendly menu system.
This is a great little camcorder. It is great for video tranfer to DVD because we can play 8mm, Hi-8, and Digital 8 tapes from it. It has the S-Video out port so we can send out at Y/C resolution insteaad of just composite. It fits perfectly in my hand, is easy to use, and has great Nightshot capability. Thanks Sony for a great product!
I received the &quot;HandyCam&quot; for Christmas,wow!,I'm Very impressed.I've looked at many,this is more than I could've hoped for.The Options,like &quot;title&quot;,fading,special effects are Great!,&amp; Sooo Many!.  Thanks Mom &amp; Dad! *wink*
It is exactly what I needed to turn my Hi-8 mm video tapes to DVD.So far I have converted 30 of approximately 65 video tapes some of which go back as far as 1989.High-band 8mm was the very best state-of-the-art in it's day. My Canon A-1 camcorder cost $2,500 and it was rendered useless well over ten years ago.  This was an inexpensive solution to a long standing project in need of completion.
I had this camera for a long time and never had a problem with it.  Battery still holds full charge, almost everything still works great.  Recently, the tape slow won't close, so I couldn't use it anymore.  I was so imnpressed with the problem free camera, that I bought my wife (and me) the same style, but newer model camera! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the tape slot
CONVERT / TRANSFER HI8 OR 8MM TAPES TO DVD OR PC with this Great Camcorder!!! If you are looking for an EXCELLENT Camcorder which can also transfer all your old VHS & 8mm tapes via your computer to DVD's, this is it! One of the best on the market, with color LCD viewer/Nightshot/ Built in Light/ 460X Digital Zoom & so much more, you won't find a better Camcorder for the money!!!!
Camcorder was needed to help digitize my old 8mm tapes.  Received the camcorder on the promised date.  It was in excellent condition and worked as advertised.  I've converted one of my many tapes successfully and will use it to convert the remaining tapes in the coming months.
When used on a Nikon D300 that applies a 1.5 multiplying factor to the length (this 24mm acts like a 36mm on a DX sensor), this lens is clear, collects lights well, and is extremely sharp. This is a great walk-around lens for scenery, touring, quick crowd shots, and snapshots. With this lens, if you can get the shot quickly and in focus, you will have something that can be easily edited (expecially cropped) in a photo-editing program. Highly recommended as a basic "on the camera all the time" lens.Updated December 2009. Now used on a Nikon D700 full frame (FX) camera for a year. In this case the lens is a true 24mm unlike on the Nikon D300. Scenery is exquisite, and the lens is incredibly useful for pictures of large groups of people like some recent holiday shots of about 25 people working on cooking on a kitchen center island, or two-dozen kids sitting at a table while the candles get blown out. On an FX camera the lens is sharp, collects light well, is virtually always in focus as you would expect from a 24mm. You can get all the action in the picture without being too far away and if you get too much in, it is simple to crop the pictures. In addition to scenery outside, this lens is awesome for large groups of people where you either want to get many in the picture or you have to be up close because it is a party or historical site or museum. Why haul a 14-24mm zoom when this lightweight but solid lens has 90% of the functionality.Updated February 2010. I do not use this lens on a daily basis. In fact I do not even use it every week. But, in spite of this, it is a lens I would never want to part with (I am pruning some of my current lenses to make room for a  new purchase) even if it is not the lens used daily. When you want to take "place" pictures and get the big picture, this is the one that will get the shot and is light enough so that you still enjoy the location without backache. Landscape shots with it from Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks capture the "hugeness" you feel in those places with clarity, color trueness, and lack of distortion. And the lens fits in the pocket of pants (without too much of a bulge). Carry this little gem and get the big picture. Works great for cityscapes too.
Bought this lens for head-to-toe candid shots from five-ten feet away in uncontrolled/variable light settings with my D-80 .  Auto-focus is slow and unreliable.  Can't recall a single picture taken with this lens which I liked.  Pictures are ultimately soft.
For a prime lens, this medium wide angle lens produces sharp images between f/5.6 - f/11. I would not recommend going beyond f/11 for the CA starts looking more and more apparent on print. Other than that, it's a sufficient wide angle prime lens and definitely produces very sharp images. I wish it was faster with a max aperture of f/2.0 or f/1.8 for more low light photography capabilities, but overall, it's a fine and dandy lens. I've always been a prime lens guy because I have not come across too many zoom lens (unless they were almost $1000 or more) which produce the same quality of images. Definitely the 24mm f/2.8d is worth it. Despite f/2.8 being the largest aperture, it's still a decent lens.
I used this lens on a DX crop camera at first. It wasn't exactly that wide because of the crop. At the time I was looking for something that would be more wide and was disappointed. Anyhow, moving to full frame changed my opinion. It was exactly what I wanted.Color tones, contrast, and sharpness are great on this lens. Build quality is great. It's strong, small, and light. Very easy to carry. I could fall in love with the convenience of this lens.It had some flare issues... On a sunny day this lens would catch some annoying flare. That's not a big issue but it was frequent enough to mention.If anything, this lens is SHARP and distortion is well controlled compared to other wides.
The 24mm f/2.8 is an outstanding performer.  Sharp, good contrast, fast autofocus.On a digital SLR such as the D70 or D2x, the 24mm lens gives you the same degree of coverage as a 35mm lens on a film camera.  This makes the 24mm a ideal "normal" lens and great for walk-abouts.Why not use a zoom for a walk-about?  Size and complexity, that's why.  The 24mm is quite compact and keeps the bulk and weight of the D70 at a minimum, perfect for carrying all day while shopping, sight-seeing, or visiting the zoo with the kids.  I have been a Nikon user for 40 years and have always chosen smaller bodies to keep the bulk at a minimum.Trust me, you will love this lens.
It is sharp, it is light, it is wide-angle.24mm is a ideal compromise (between 20mm and 28mm). Wider than this becomes quite distorted, longer than this limits your view. It is ideal for landscapes if you want to include an interesting foreground. It is also a solid lens, and I am happy with the built-quality. The lens is certainly fast enough for me. On top of that, the optical quality is excellent - perfect for enlargements or slide projection. Good contrast, good colour.Apart from that, the lens is small and lightweight, which again makes it fantastic for outdoor photographers. I love mine.
Great all around len for general use the pictures are clear I like the 50mm better but depends on you even good in low light but the 500mm f1.4 is better
Wow! Great lens! Focuses very quickly and cleanly.  I bought it for the manual aperture for macro photography.  The manual aperture allows enough light to actually be able to see the subject through the viewfinder (not possible with G type lenses).  Even if you are not using this lens for macro photography it is still a great lens to have.  This lens makes me want to go all full frame lenses!  Would definitely recommend!
I bought my Nikon D600 with the 24-85mm VR G kit lens, which is excellent. To reduce weight in city scape situations I purchased the 24mm prime lens. It's fast and has a great (NON-plastic) feel to it. So far, very happy.I'll upload a pic, which shows a difference between this prime and the zoom (both at 24mm at 1/60 at f5.6)
This is great glass for the price. I don't really miss a zoom in a wide angle, and it is 1/4 of the price of the high-end zoom.
I usually shoot with a 50mm f/1.4 on a D90, but this was a refreshing change.  Shooting wide is completely different, but definitely fun.  Pictures are sharp, shooting is quick, and for the price, this is excellent.
Loving this wide angle lens. Only bummer is doesn't work with Auto focus on all Nikon bodies. Definitely a favorite lens purchase.
24mm turns into 35mm in a D90 or D7000, and at f2.8, it's not that different from f3.6 zoom lense included with factory combos, hence, it's useless. if it was f1.8 or even f2 I'd say go for it. Otherwise, don't waste your money. I was lucky to be able to get rid of it without losing too much money.
This lens is just fabulous. I use it on my Nikon D-90 DSLR camera and it works flawlessly. This is one of the prime lenses I like to take when we travel.
This is more a need buy.  I own a DX camera in the Nikon D7000 all of my wide angle lenses are DX, like the tokina 11-16, nikon 35mm 1.8, and my old 18-200VR.  But all my other longer lenses are FX, so I need something a little wider then my 35-70mm f2.8 FX for my new D600 and a new (but used) FM2 35mm film body.  On the D7000 the image is very sharp, as sharp as the 50mm 1.8d.
I have a slightly older version of this lens (pre D), but the important point I want to make is the same: This is a great prime lens for events and general shooting on a cropped DSLR. On a D70 (what I have) it acts like a 36mm with the crop factor. It is wide enough to take shots of groups but not so wide that you can't get a nice portrait.But, this is for people like me who prefer prime lenses, most people will be much happier with a zoom, like the 18-55mm VR. The prime lens lets more light in so you can shoot without a flash more often. But, if you are going to shoot with a good flash like the SB-600, you will be better off with the flexibility of a zoom.These AF lenses will not auto focus on a D40 or D60. They will auto focus on the D50, D70, D80, as well as the higher end pro models.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL LENS.VERY GOOD FOR LOW LIGHT WORK.IT PRODUCES CLEAR IMAGES.VERY LIGHT.A GREAT 'STREET' LENS.YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED..
an excellent prime lens.not too wide,not too narrow,a perfect fit for landscape,or any type of general photography.it does not disappoint.best suited for full frame cameras.colors,and clarity,are outstanding.
This autofocusing 24mm f2.8 Nikkor lens is optically unchanged from the manual focusing 24mm f2.8 Nikkor lens that I once owned. This speaks rather well for this design, which was the first ever made with Nikon's CRC (floating element) feature. It certainly is one of the best 24mm lenses available, with fine contrast and resolution. Its performance is almost as good as the venerable Contax Carl Zeiss T* 25mm f2.8 Distagon which I own now; itself another excellent lens design which also dates from the late 1960s. If you tend to photograph a lot of landscapes or need to cover a moderate amount of interior space without excessive distortion, then this will be an excellent lens to add to your Nikon autofocus SLR system. Since this is a Nikon AI-S lens, it will also work too with any manual focusing Nikon camera dating as far back as the venerable Nikon F2A and Nikkormat FT3.
So after using this lens, for about a year on my d800, I decided to write this review. I agree that this lens is a value. For what you pay, you are getting a quality build, it's light, it focuses fast enough....with performance that lands comfortably between the Nikon 28mm and the Nikon 20mm primes. In the right light, if you able to deal with some distortion, you can get some really good landscapes with this lens and a graduated ND filter. Certainly sharp enough in the center, a bit softer in the corners. Is it the best lens ever? No it's not, but it strikes a good balance between price and quality.
This is a great lens to add to your collection for wide angle results.  I do have the Nikkor 14-24mm and love it.  However, I am dealing with a back and neck injury and needing to make changes so I can have the lightest lenses with my D800E.This is a good option for landscape, especially if you only want to have one lens.  Can easily fit in a coat pocket and be mounted in a flash.I now have 4 primes from the AF-D and strongly recommend for anyone wanting economical lightweight primes for professional bodies or newer DX bodies.
This lens is tack sharp, has great bokeh, and very decent low-light performance. Image quality is right on par with the pro-grade 14-24 2.8 zoom; and dollar for dollar, I'd say this lens holds its own very well against anything you want to compare.I find myself using this one as a walk-around lens on my D90 more often than not. If you're ok with using a prime lens and having to move around more to get your compositions correct, I would highly recommend this lens!
Perfect for a Full Frame Camera.  If you have a crop sensor then just purchase a 35mm 1.8.  Not too much distortion even when wide open.  Fast aperture. Well Built, and smooth operation.
Good view for landscape,structure,portrait also but not too far from your model, otherwise, just 2nd thought when you having a older camera like D40, D3000, this lens will NOT autofocus on them since the camera is too elementary. it will work fine on D90 and above like D300, D700.
I purchased the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D to use in conjunction with my Nikon D300s.  I am going through my "prime phase," which was precipitated by a bad encounter with aNikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasthat I could just not get to perform under any circumstances.  I go through this phase about every 3 years, selling off my Nikon Zooms and replacing them with Nikon prime lenses.First, the good.  Build quality of this lens is fantastic.  The size and weight of the lens made it a pleasure to carry.  DX shooters must remember the effective focal length of this lens on a DX camera is 36mm when considering the crop factor. The f 2.8 aperture is great for low light shooting, particularly indoors, where you are always begging for more light.  Even in these situations however, top performance is gained when using the Nikon Creative Lighting System with the lens.  Distortion is easily corrected in Light Room 4 and 3 through auto correction.  Contrast and color tones were great.  The lens focuses very fast and vignetting is not an issue on a DX camera (other reviewers reported vignetting on FX sensors).Now, the not so good.  Lens flare is a problem, especially considering it does not come with a hood.  I highly recommend picking up aZeikos ZE-LH52 52mm Soft Rubber Lens Hood (Black)to mitigate flare.  This type of flaring is not unusual in lenses of this focal length however.  The focal length of course is a very limiting factor at times. I would consider this lens a general walk around and not suitable for landscape on a DX camera.  It is simply not wide enough.  For landscape, I would strongly consider theNikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lensor theTokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX Zoom Digital Lens for Nikon AF Mount, or the Nikon 10-24 (if you can find it) as reasonably priced alternatives. I am compelled to agree with another reviewer that this lens does not compare well with the newer primes such as theNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasor for example the venerableNikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, which just blows me away every use; with the 35mm perhaps being the best deal and a must have lens for every DX shooter.  I am still testing this lens, but those are my observations so far under normal shooting conditions.  This is not to say the lens itself is bad.  However, I can clearly see the lens is not as sharp across the full aperture range as you would expect.  And, like the other reviewer, I need to get close to the subject to obtain sharpness, which for my shooting needs amounts to about 25% of my shots.  I will say that Amazon's shoddy packaging may be to blame for the poor performance of this lens.  The lens was packed in a box way too big and with no bubble wrap and it was evident the box had been tossed around.Despite it's shortcomings, I still recommend this lens for most shooters. In my case, th eperformance surpasses my 17-25 and I simply found that I did not want to walk around town with a 17-35 hanging off my neck.  It gets old pretty quick and takes a lot of room in my bag. Because of Amazon's poor packaging, I may give it a few more days of testing and then return this lens for another one and see how that test goes.  If anything changes, I will update my review.
This lens is absolutely wonderful! I am finding that, more and more I am choosing Nikon lenses over the others out there. Even if they're older, it doesn't matter because I don't use auto focus very often, anyway.
One the main reasons I rushed to own an FX Nikon is to use wide angle lenses like this one. The 24mm f2.8's speed is of no concern to me, as I am usually in good light, outdoors, or use a tripod. I'd expect this lens to be sharp and it is, in the center, gradually becoming quite unsharp in the corners. I assumed this was field curvature and shot some subjects where the edges are about the same distance as the center and they are still rather soft. Perhaps somewhere in-between it will be. Anyway, the sharpness is good and the distortion is minimal. What is not good is the close focusing distance, which is really not close enough for me, after having been spoiled by the presumably less worthy Sigma 24mm f1.8 Macro. That one costs about a hundred and fifty more and now I wish I had opted for it with the Nikon mount.  The autofocus on this lens is nothing quick as far as I can tell either. I say meh to the 24mm f2.8 Nikkor AF.  It isn't bad and I really wanted to like it even half as much as, say, the 105mm DC Nikkor (which is great), but I do not.  It is light, and small, and the price was low. Isolating small subjects in a 24mm is a joy if you can get quite close. It creates a sense of space and perspective that widens the mind's eye. You cannot do that with this lens. I'll try a +2 on it tomorrow and see how that goes.
Superb. this thing rocks for landscapes on FX format. Get an aftermarket hood, (they are cheap) cause this thing is prone to flare - not surprising as it is a wide angle lens.Perfectly usable wide open. It's fairly light, small. Made in Japan.I just looked and you can get them used for much less than new. If you are new to dslr's and you are looking into primes, go for it, you won't be disappointed. You can use this thing for almost any situation.
This lens is sharp, light and primarily metal. It is small enoughand light enough to throw in your pocket and has that wonderful feel of durability inherent in metal frame lenses of old.  I bought it based on Ken Rockwell's review and can't add much more than that you should have one in your bag, all the time.  It is so small that it looks a little foolish on a full size body with a grip - which means it is exactly what a photographer wants.  Read Ken Rockwell- I agree.
I purchased this lens after a fair bit of research into Landscape Photography. A lot of articles / reviews recommended the 24mm focal length lenses being the most suitable. Although a lot of zoom lens cover the 24mm range, nothing beats the f2.8 prime lens. It's super light and convenient to carry on long trips. I've had this lens (on a D600 body) for a few months now and absolutely love it. I'd definitely recommend it.
I love this lens. I use a DX d7100 and it is perfect for indoors. You can get full body shots indoors without being 'wide-angle' looking. it's very sharp even wide open, but by f4 the thing is unstoppable. I highly recommend. I'm sure it's even better on FX.Unfortunately, nightime shots are its weakness.  Internal reflections inside the l3ns make nightime shots subpar.UPDATE 12-19-13:This lens on FX is much more limiting - it is just too wide for anything except incredibly tight indoor shots and outdoor landscape shots. This didn't affect my star rating as this isn't necessarily a 'problem', more of a personal choice. If you are looking for a more general prime lens and have an FX camera, look elsewhere. I'd recommend the 35 mm 2.0D or the 50 mm 1.8D or 1.8G.
I always liked wide lenses, and this approximates my old 35mm lens. Really great indoors if your flash is wide enough or if you bounce. As a walk-around lens, it is sharp enough that you can crop alot and still have acceptable images.
If you need a compact wide angle lens try this one. On a Nikon DX body it resembles the 35mm focal length, which is useful outdoors for a variety of shooting. Indoors with flash, it also works for events or weddings. Acting like a 35mm with DX it is not that hard to master this lens as a wide angle lens is harder to work with for people photography. The Nikon HN-3 lens shade is one that I recommend with this lens for DX. It is slightly longer than the "official" HN-1 . For FX, you will need the HN-1 shade to not only help tame the flare but to keep your fingers off the glass. The front element is quite close to the front. This lens is not the new AFS series that Nikon is now promoting. It will not "match up" in appearance to those lenses. However, the Nikon "standard" 52mm filter size on this lens is quite handy, especially if you have a 52mm filter collection. Also, the lens seems quite "sturdy" and well made. I would have given this lens 3 1/2 stars if Amazon allowed it. This lens is not real sharp on the edges, it has a tendancy to flare, it is F2.8 and not F2, the HN-1 hood is not very effective. It is easy to rub your clothes on the front element. It is very compact. The AF is ok but you should always make your own tests.
YakiCam has be extremely helpful in the process.  I corresponded with them a couple of times, and each experience was pleasant.  I would definitely buy with them again.  Product comes as described.
I wanted to buy a "normal" or slightly shorter fixed lens for my Nikon D80 as a lightweight "all-in-one" setup.My belief was that a fixed lens would be sharper than my Tamron 17-50 F/2.8 lens (which is sharp) and would have a decent bokeh.The lens focuses fast and accurate. However, it is not as sharp, as I expected. It can not beat my Tamron.
This is my second copy of this lens.  I sold my first one when I went digital and didn't think I would need it anymore.  However I found zoom lens were sometimes to large or slow and found myself wanting a fixed prime lens for my Nikon D300.  So I bought another one a few months ago and love it.  It is the equivalent of a 42mm on my D300 and it stays on the camera most of the time.  It is sharp, has beautiful colors and is lightweight.  I use it mostly for landscape photography and set the aperture and focus manually for the greatest depth of field.A very well made lens.
I needed something wider than my 50mm 1.8 for shooting landscapes and also interiors of houses. I picked up this 28mm lens and am blown away. The lens is very sharp!! Also, the build quality of these older Nikon D series lenses is great. To me, they are honestly better than the newer G versions that are all plastic. This is a metal bodied lens and it looks and feels great to use!
I bought this lens to act as my walk around lens. I use a D7100 and this is somewhat equivalent to a 50mm on a full frame sensor, which is what I was aiming for. F2.8 is good enough for me.P.S. I also bought this lens along with others to get rid of zoom lenses. I have a 14mm, 28mm, 50mm and 100mm. Works great.
I like this lens but wish Nikon would have made this f/1.8 like the Canon competitor. Still not enough to get me to jump ship back to Canon. A solid sharp lens at f/2.8. If this is your focal length, this light, fast, sharp, unobtrusive lens is for you.
Back-focuses too much.  I was really trying to like this lens, as it had pretty good reviews here and all.I have a 50mm prime from the same family, but this is a much better focus range.Maybe there is some way to calibrate this lens to my camera but I do not know how.I am using it on a D90.I can't see how to insert a photo into this review, so I cannot show you but I have some photos I would like to show you.
I started with the 50mm 1.8 and f1.4. Then got this 28mm f2.8. Almost all of my night photos were blurry. 2.8 is just not bright enough. I was spoiled by my 1.8 and 1.4. Also, it seems kind of bad wide open, so you have to mostly use it in reasonable light, and stopped down. Not for night photos.Someone suggested 28mm for street photography, but I think they meant on full framed cameras. It's okay for street photos, but I'm thinking 24mm on DX might be better, especially with hyper focal distance and getting closer. Because on DX, 24mm is more like 36mm.And I would not recommend 28mm for portraits. There's a lot of face distortion. Fitting the whole person in the frame might be ok, especially with street work, but it's not really for close-ups of faces, unless you're aiming for the distorted look.
This lens seemed a little soft. Not as good as my 24-120 zoom. I sold it within just a couple of days.
This is an undistinguished but competent lens, a viable solution for DX users looking for a "normal" lens at a bargain price, and a useful and inexpensive wide angle for FX and film shooters.It can not be said that Nikon spared no expense in the development of this lens.  They spared plenty, settling on a minimalist, simple, proven optical formula, without the close-range correction (CRC) used in some of its more-expensive contemporaries, and with an unambitious f/2.8 maximum aperture.  That last detail, in today's world of small-frame DX DSLRs, becomes the lens' single major drawback.  Today's zoom lenses are good enough to equal the performance of a prime in most regards, making fast apertures the last remnant of fixed-focal-length superiority in the minds of most photographers, and a prime lens as slow as an f/2.8 professional zoom is left with comparatively little to recommend it.  Yet that has ironically led to this lens' one significant advantage: it has remained cheap while prices for other lenses have risen significantly, and for those whose needs it meets, it can be seen as quite a bargain.Its performance is perfectly respectable.  In fact, wide-open at normal shooting distances, it is already quite sharp, something that can not be said for many fast primes, and it manages to provide crisp, modern, contrasty color renditions, no doubt thanks to state of the art - as of its introduction - lens coatings.  It has the nice, rather frictionless focus feel that was common to most early AF primes, with the easy-to-reach, front-mounted focusing ring that was a welcome holdover from manual-focus days.  Many newer lenses, with focus rings hidden from easy reach (behind the zoom ring, for example) are much more difficult to use when manual focus is called for, although most do have the advantage of allowing instant manual over-ride.  Like any AF-D lens, the user of this lens must flip a switch on the camera body to disengage the focus motor and switch from auto to manual focus.There is one other nice feature of this lens that holds up very well in today's DSLR world, and that it its 28mm focal length.  While anything in the 28mm-35mm range can be considered a "normal" lens for DX, Nikon's own 35mm DX prime is a bit on the long side for many, and at 28mm this lens represents an excellent alternative.  I've owned and used (and posted a review of) the 35/1.8G, and I love it, but in my opinion this is one of its drawbacks.  I personally prefer the slightly wider field of view of the 28mm perspective, which in my experience is a bit handier for indoor photography in tighter spaces and a bit more natural-feeling as a "normal" lens for DX.  Sigma's 30mm f/1.4 is another alternative, and faster, but I found my copy to be mediocre at wide apertures and would generally hold it to f/2.8 or so anyway, taking away much of its advantage of speed - and it is a much more expensive lens.The 28mm begins to look like a very good choice when its workmanlike performance, its "normal" field of view, and its small size are considered against its very low current price.  For DX users, this lens is not exactly a bargain when purchased new - it is more expensive than the 35mm/1.8G, for example - but used prices are a different story, and for photographers willing to buy used, it can be a bargain.  For a DX shooter on a budget, who is looking for a "normal" lens and who does not already have a professional-level midrange zoom that offers an f/2.8 aperture, the 28mm can be a uniquely affordable and versatile tool for general photography.  Combined with inexpensive standard and telephoto zooms, this lens can complete a modest collection of starter lenses that will leave very few types of photography off limits.  In fact, somebody looking to start out in SLR photography on a budget could do a lot worse than to pick up a decent copy of this lens, a used Nikon D50/D70/D80, and begin making pictures limited in quality only by their own talents.My rating of three stars for this lens should not be considered negative.  I don't think a higher rating is justified, and I don't believe in rating lenses on a sliding scale depending on their price - a four star lens is a four star lens, whether it sells for $150 or ten times that.  It is up to the reader to make their own judgement as to whether the price makes the lens a more or less compelling purchase.  This lens does exactly what it is supposed to do, and it does it well.  The basis for my rating is as follows: the lens performs competently, but not spectacularly, as a 28mm prime.  By itself, that would probably justify four stars, but it's only fair to also take into account its very modest design capabilities.  Its slow speed in particular, compared with other lenses of its type, reduces its appeal; and the lack of a sophisticated, highly corrected optical formula is a factor as well.  This lens, while possibly a bargain and a fine choice for many photographers, is practically the definition of average in terms of performance, and that's how I rate it.Miscellaneous notes:- Vs. Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G: The 35/1.8 is a bit sharper, but the 28/2.8 is sharp as well.  With mostly minor distinctions, these lenses do pretty much the same things on DX, and the 28mm can be picked up on the used market for much less than the 35mm sells for.  The real distinctions between these lenses are the price, the speed, and the focal length.  While most will understandably settle on the 35mm, for many photographers the 28mm could be the better choice.- Vs. Sigma's 30mm f/1.4: My copy of the Sigma was mediocre at wide apertures, removing most of its advantage over the 28mm Nikkor.  It is much heavier, much more expensive to buy either new or used, and has very close to the same field of view.  If speed is paramount, it is the obvious choice - otherwise the Nikon's price and overall performance make it the better buy (with the Nikon 35/1.8G probably better still).- For FX: It's tougher to make an argument for this lens on FX.  FX shooters are less likely to be bargain hunters, and there are better choices almost regardless of one's criteria for selecting a lens.  I can envision a narrow niche for an FX shooter who wants an unobtrusive, lightweight lens and a moderate wide-angle view; and in such a case, this lens' low purchase price makes it a perfectly satisfactory option.  Sigma's 30mm and Nikon's 35/1.8G are DX lenses and are therefore removed from consideration for FX shooters.  The obvious alternatives on FX would be Nikon's 35mm f/2D or 24mm f/2.8D - but in reality, for most FX users the real alternative will be an f/2.8 midrange zoom.- Buying new vs buying used: Good lenses tend to hold their value very well, and they last a long time.  Consequently the market for used lenses is vibrant and relatively efficient.  In the case of this lens, the disparity between the new purchase price and the current used market value is high, and I would advise any prospective purchaser of this lens to find a good used copy from a reputable source, such as many of the used vendors right here on Amazon.  Be sure to price-check against other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair price, of course.  Buying used avoids the large one-time depreciation from buying new and will probably allow the user to re-sell the lens at some time in the future with little or no loss of value.  This is a good strategy for any cost-conscious photographer.
DX side:I wanted a nice normal, prime, fast lens for my DX-format camera.  This was a strong contender due to a 42mm effective focal length with 1.5x crop factor.  Turned out to be a decent performer.  Provides good color saturation and good FOV.  Performs better outdoors.This lens lives on my Nion D70 now for the most part, but that's only because I have only one 50mm f/1.8 lens and I don't like changing out lenses too often.FX side:I figured I could use this with my film cameras as a wide angle for outdoor use.  It works okay, but there's pronounced pincushion distorion at the edges of the frame through most apertures.  I'm sure this can be corrected easily with Photoshop, but I prefer images to come out of the camera closer to the final product.Overall - okay for DX format, not good for FX format.
The lens worked fine out of the box. But we sent it back because you have to be so close to get a picture of your subject.  Right up in their face.  The camera needs to be only 24" to fill the frame.
Nikon 28mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasI received this lens approximately three weeks ago and I've been using it heavily ever since.  The quality of the images, including color, is outstanding and the lens is very light which makes it an easy 'walking' lens.  I am especially impressed with the night photos I've taken at F2.8.  They're very sharp and the color is very good.  This is a great lens for the price - highly recommended.
Not what I was expecting.  Going back to my 18-55 mm . I like auto focus and this is manual.
Despite the many mediocre reviews of this prime lens, I like it.  Zoom lenses are labor savers, and I own many.  But in general prime lenses are sharper.I am using this on the Nikon D700 full frame (FX) camera, and I am happy with its performance.
This is a great choice for a full-frame camera like the D700 or D3X. Nice and sharp, decent curvature and distortion, and high contrast in the face of backlighting that would give other lenses fits of flare and low contrast. It's a no-brainer at the price.
I was rather disappointed with the 28mm f/2.8 as a whole.  The IQ, contrast, and sharpness are subpar from the perspective of a Nikon traditionalist.  I frequently shoot with some great lenses on my D800...a 135mm f/2, 105mm f/2.8 VR, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR and 14-24mm f/2.8 all producing incredibly detailed poster sized enlargements with sharp detail.  However, the 28mm just couldn't compete.  I found the lens limited to an aperture of 5.6 or above in order to capture useful detail.  Post processing of images to improve contrast and color proved to be just too time consuming when using this lens.  Frankly, Nikon should be ashamed of manufacturing such a mediocre product.  If you're shooting with a DX body, it may be an acceptable lens...but avoid this on an FX body.
Prime lenses are great because of the wide aperture range.  I actually use this lens as my default lens for my camera.  Optical quality is also great as is build quality, made of metal and not plastic.
I love prime lenses and this is a great addition to my collection.  I only with is would stop to 1.4 or 1.8 but i'm not really complaining.  Great lens.
This is probably one of Nikons underappreciated lenses. For those looking for an affordable 28mm wide angle lens that is very sharp, this is it. It is well built (Made in Japan) with very good IQ.
I bought this for macro. It is not a macro lens, but with extension tubes, a ring flash, and if you like reversal rings you can get some great objects. Seriously awsome.As a 28, also brilliant. Small, sharp, and another great Nikon product. Perhaps a bit more than other brands but not sure I would walk that way. Get Nikon for Nikon. A good team.
If you use an FX camera -- I have a Nikon D700 -- this is one of the two "everyday walk around" lenses you want to keep on your camera if you see something and want to grab an immediate shot. The picture quality is excellent, it is a lightweight and small lens (bulges in a pocket but fits), rugged enough but not a tank, can hang off your neck with the camera most of the day without creating backache, and will hold almost all of its value in the auction market if you do not like it after an extended test. I titled the review "Two of Two" because most would say that the Nikon 50mm 1.4g (which I also own) would be One among the two choices as a walk around lens that stays on the camera much of the time. I might say that a lot of days also but my opinion does flip-flop on this. Since variety is a great thing, I might also say to leave this 35mm on a full frame camera if you ask me other days. It depends on what type of image you might want to "grab." If you are in dimly lit places, the 50mm f1.4g has a distinct advantage and is also great for isolating subjects and creating very good bokeh. If you have a little more light, the 35mm f2.0 has an advantage inside if you are photographing groups (you can get a half dozen or more folks in the picture without stepping back or doing the cliche everybody push together shots or you can get the whole table of folks in at a restaurant table without bumping into the table behind you). Outside during the day, it is a minor artistic choice because the pictures are not that different. The 35mm is the more "conservative" or safe choice because you can always crop away stuff at the edges with the number of megapixels in current cameras with the 35mm rather than missing or clipping them with a 50mm. If I am in a city or other place taking grab shots, I would tend toward the 35mm; if I want to do grab shots and portraits at places, I would tend toward the 50mm. One of Two or Two of Two -- it is an artistic choice among two very high quality tools (lenses).
I've owned this lens for many years now. It will always be my lens of choice when i don't want to use my zoom lenses.Pros:(+) Excellent optical quality, sharpness. no vignetting whatsoever on a DX sensor.(+) Fast and accurate autofocus (on higher end bodies)(+) Compact size.(+) Normal viewing angle on a DX sensor.Cons:(-) Does not autofocus on entry level bodies (D40 and D60 at the time of this writing)Other F-mount lenses owned:* Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (as good as the 35mm optically, but too narrow viewing angle on a DX body for my taste)* Nikkor 18-70mm zoom (good)* Sigma 10-20mm zoom (good for city travel photography, and sometimes outdoors, noticable distortion if you measure it, but it does not really bother me)* Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (erratic autofocus, not that good lens IMO, although it is physically BIG)
Seems that much of the discussion about this lens centers upon how sharp the 35 f2 D is wide-open. So as soon as mine arrived I put it to an informal test, setting the D300 to aperture priority and the lens at f2 and shooting more than 200 images at various distances. I opened them in Nikon Capture NX2 and examined them with a critical eye, looking for softness, both overall and in areas of detail. I found nothing - the images are beautiful, crisp and sharp at the point of focus, with smooth, out-of-focus backgrounds. I found it to be sharp hand-held in the 1/15-1/20 range, with the comfortable 'normal' angle of view of a 50mm on a film camera. At $300, it doesn't quite match the 50 1.8 in pro quality at a bargain price, but - along with the superb 85 1.8 and the 50 1.4 - is the next best bang for the buck in Nikon's lens line.
Light, fast, sharp, and as far as I'm concerned the perfect focal length.I started out using 50mm primes, but quickly got tired of how tight they were indoors. All my shots were becoming head/shoulder shots, and forget about trying to get two or three people in the shot without them all being posed in an "everyone squeeze together now" shot. That gets real old, real fast.Let me emphasize that:This lens has a much better field of view at normal shooting distances (the distance that you normally stand from your subject).That is often overlooked, but trust me, backing up 15 feet in a crowd or a house to get your shot is tedious at best, and often impossible. It is typically easier to move in towards your subject a little (or crop the photo later) than it is to keep backing up, especially while looking into the viewfinder. I realize it's not totally fair to rate other equally sharp, good quality lenses differently, based solely on their focal length, but it is my opinion that this lens is by far the most useful in the greatest number of situations.I also used to be fixated on huge apertures, but have since realized that most real world shooting is not done below f/2 anyway. This lens is sharp as anything out there and is great in low light.  Yes, I acknowledge that f/2 isn't quite as good in super low light as other lenses out there (I know because I have a 50mm f/1.2), but it is good enough for most shooting, and below f/2 the depth of field becomes tricky anyway; so again, not as useful.Lastly, some people don't like the plasticy feel of new lenses, but I love them. They are so much lighter and silky smooth. I've seen enough heavy, gummy, brassed-up, metal lenses in my time to know there's nothing magical about all-metal builds either. So to me it's just another modern improvement that works like a charm.Most that I've seen tend to resell online for 90%+ of full retail value, so even if you somehow didn't like it, your risk in buying and trying is very low....
I wanted a small, light lens for just walking around. 35mm give a 'normal' perspective on a DX camera and this lens does just fine in that regard. It is fast (at f2) and produces sharp images.
Got this lense for use with a DX frame camera.  For a D90 that brings it closer to a 52.5mm lense.  So far I love it.  I often use it to take pictures of the kids, and this fast lense greatly helps with the fast movers.  Recommend if you are looking for a lens at this length.
So far love this lens, especially for the price. I shoot a Nikon D700 camera and my 50mm 1.4 is being repaired, so I bought this to use in the mean time for portraits. Will be updating you after a few sessions taken with it! (I photograph families and babies)
Exactly what I was looking for. Fast, good in low light settings. With the Wide Angle, I find that I am not adjusting my position as much as I am with the 50mm I own.
I ordered this item because I am a documentary photographer and working with a 35mm prime lens it gives you a better field of view the 50mm is to tight for me yet I also like working with it. The lens is a f2 far from a 1.4 however you'll save a lot of money if that doesn't bother you. Its not a heavy duty lens still I have no complaints plus I received the lens in 3 days just in time for my photo shoot.
I typically don't bother writing reviews, but in this case I decided to since one reviewer felt compelled to "review" this lens and unfairly give it 1 star. The lens performs exactly as advertised, pictures are very sharp with good contrast. Focusing is a bit loud but I really don't care about that. Definitely soft at 2.0, but sharpness significantly increases as you stop down. I bought the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens at the same time and I am currently testing both out to see which one I will keep. If it weren't for the fact that the 50mm is just too much zoom I would say it's a keeper hands down, but the 35mm is perfect for indoor and family shots. Amazon really needs to screen some of the reviews a bit better than they do. With 8 reviews, 7 of which give it 4-5 stars and 1 review gives it 1 star,  that really throws off it's grade. Especially when the reviewer makes it so abundantly clear that they don't know what they are talking about. Anybody who has been in the dSLR world for any amount of time at all knows that there is a crop factor involved, as well as the fact that this lens isn't even compatible with the d40 (in the sense that it won't auto-focus). The lens performs great, but you have to do your homework before you buy something like this. It would be like me reviewing a roll of film and giving it one star becasue it doesn't work with my D200.
Very sharp. Like most primes, the images results are superior to what the best and most expensive zooms will give you.Be aware this as the D, not the G, version and will not autofocus on D40, D60, D3100, D5100 series cameras.
Sharp as a tack wide open.  The manual focus ring operates smooth as silk, unlike some other Nikon lenses.  My copy backfocuses ever so slightly on test charts, but in the real world focuses flawlessly.  Quality built in Japan.  This is a must have for a DSLR.I agree that Nikon should make a 35mm f/1.4D, or better yet a 28mm f/1.4D.  The f/1.8 (the 50mm) and f/2.0 (the 35mm) just barely squeek by as usable for available light street photography at night, unless you go to an ISO over 400 (which on my D80 is at the limit of usable at night in terms of noise).
I commenced lens shopping again after my wife expressed a renewed interest in photography. She takes better pictures than me so maybe I should have pretended not to hear! That said I went ahead and bought theNikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR Camerasand we are both very happy with it.At the time we were running aNikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)with either theNikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lensor theNikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Camerasattached. Both were too heavy and too conspicuous for my wife. Back in the days of film she cut her teeth on a Pentax K1000 with a nifty 50mm f1.4. She wanted to get back to that "normal" field of view; all in a simple, portable package. If reasonably close focusing was part of the mix all the better. For my part, I wanted a lens casting a full frame image circle so that future upgrades to FX wouldn't leave our new lens stranded.Here are some observations:The AF motor is fast and quiet. I've had other AF lenses that were noisy and slow. This one is not. The AF is functionally as quiet and quick as the AF-S on my 2.8 zooms. I was worried about that before purchasing. Geeks with stopwatches may beg to differ but I believe it to be a non-issue.During auto-focus the rubber focus ring spins. If you have your fingers on the focus ring you will prevent the ring from spinning and the focus won't change. I suppose if you jammed up the focusing hundreds of times you might possibly damage the camera's autofocus motor. The available surface behind the focus ring is limited. Those with big hands or who are wearing gloves/mittens may find it hard to keep clear of the focus ring. I've learned to shift my grip with this lens so my left hand is mostly holding the underside of the camera body.This lens is not internal focusing. The length of the barrel is shortest at infinity and grows by about a centimeter at closest focusing. The front element doesn't spin so you can use directional filters. Lastly, there is a distance scale with a depth of field calculator for those who would use it.Close focusing is good enough for my wife to showcase the textures, stitch-work and fibers employed in her knitting projects. It isn't at a macro level by any means but does provide a nice view for the myopically inclined.Image quality is great. Sharpness is excellent when shutter, ISO and depth of field are managed. Color and contrast are proportional to the scene being photographed. If I photograph a photogenic subject under good lighting conditions, this lens delivers the entire "wow!" that the subject deserves.
I purchased this lens to use on my Nikon D300.  On the D300 this lens gives a standard field of view close to 50mm.  It is light weight and made of plastic and easy to keep in a vest pocket.  Center sharpness is good, edge sharpness is not as good wide open.  The construction is not professional grade; however, I've used it quite a bit and it seems to be okay in every situation I've tried.  Autofocus speed is good and quiet.  The manual focus mechanism is smooth and acceptable.  Bokeh is acceptable but nothing dramatic.  It has a manual aperture adjustment ring and ring lock.  I've also tried this lens on my Canon bodies using an adapter.  On a full frame body this lens is fairly sharp wide open and vignetting is well controlled, so if you own a Nikon D3, it should work fine.  I did notice a bit of corner softness on the full frame bodies.  It also has mild chromatic aberration on the edges, but not excessive.  For the price, it's a good prime lens and will give you as good a result as any zoom lens at 35mm.  If you need better optics, you'll have to spend quite a bit more, but shooting as a professional photographer, I'd have no qualms taking this lens to any job that required this focal length.
I love this lens on my D300.  It is 52.5mm on a 1.5x crop factor camera and gives great colors and contrast.  I prefer this lens over the 50mm f/1.8, and it is sharp and focuses fast.  This lens has a 7 blade aperture and is able to produce a nice bokeh.
I really wanted to love this lens, but instead I just like it.  Perhaps I can explain some of the reasons for that in a moment, but first the positives.I think this is a beautifully-made little gem of a lens.  I love the way it's put together and the way it feels in use.  These AF-D lenses were strongly criticized for their build when they first came out, by photographers who were then used to the heavy, all-metal construction of the AI/AI-S Nikkors.  A little time having now passed, the light, undamped, nearly frictionless feel of the focus ring seems just about perfect to me.  The aperture diaphragm has a flawless, beautifully symmetrical action, and the overall heft and appearance of the lens is substantial and gives an impression of very good quality at this lens' modest price point.  I very much like having it on my camera.  It is small, unobtrusive, and gives the classic "normal" field of view on DX bodies such as my D90.  It is, as others have said, a true "photographer's lens."It is also sharp, in fact its single distinguishing characteristic in my opinion is its very good sharpness at wide-open aperture.  All lenses lose acuity at wide apertures, but this lens loses less than most, being nearly as sharp at f/2.8 as it is at f/5.6, and still quite good wide open at f/2.0.  I have no qualms at all about putting this lens on my camera in low-light conditions and using it at any aperture right up to the maximum, even if I might want to make fairly large prints of the resulting images.  One could nitpick to a degree (always stop down when sharpness is paramount), but I find the results absolutely acceptable and then some.  A very good performance.Actual peak (stopped-down) sharpness is very good but not quite equal to the best I've seen.  Taking a variety of test shots with this lens and with my excellent 16-85mm VR zoom set at 35mm (this has become my reference lens for such purposes), the 16-85mm VR has an appreciable edge over the 35mm at all apertures it is capable of (f/4.5+).  It's really hard to see the relevance of small differences in sharpness like this unless you are going to be printing large reproductions and expecting critical perfection, but the difference is there, and it definitely favors the 16-85.  The 16-85mm is as sharp at f/4.5 as the 35mm is at f/8, and the 35mm never reaches the slightly higher level of sharpness that the 16-85mm can attain by f/5.6.  The difference is naturally larger at wider apertures, and the 16-85, shooting with VR "on," can make far sharper images of static subjects in low light than the 35mm is capable of producing.  This advantage does not carry over to objects in motion, however, an advantage that goes to any "fast" prime lens like this 35mm.The 35mm is not a high-contrast lens.  It does not use Nikon's contrast-enhancing ED glass in any of its elements, and colorful scenes are subtly toned-down by this lens in comparison to Nikon's most contrasty lenses.  Again my 16-85mm is my standard in this regard, and comparing the two against one another, colors that leap off the screen when photographed with the 16-85 are less brightly rendered by this 35mm, with the difference actually being fairly significant.  Although this can be a good thing with some subjects, I prefer the more dramatic color rendition of the higher-contrast lenses for the types of general photography I am inclined to use a 35mm lens for.Overall, this is a fine lens.  It has similar characteristics to the also-very-good 85mm f/1.8 AF-D Nikkor, and yet I find myself much more attached to the 85mm, which I love, than to the 35mm.  Why?  It really has to do with the particular benefits of these lenses being more relevant in the longer focal length.  Depth-of-field isolation, for example, is a very attractive creative possibility with an 85mm lens, yet almost a contradiction in a 35mm lens, which naturally has a very wide depth of field.  Such isolation is particularly helpful in portraits, for which the 85mm is well suited, the 35mm less so.  The less aggressive color renditions can likewise be beneficial in photos of people, as skin tones are nicely reproduced and distracting colorful elements within the frame are less noticeable: again, less relevant in the 35mm focal length.The ability to stop action with short shutter speeds, another purview of fast lenses, also is of limited usefulness in a 35mm lens.  Kids playing close by, perhaps, but animals and sports?  Not really.  Finally there is the realm of low-light photography, where for still subjects, a slower lens with VR remains the better choice, allowing the maintenance of smaller apertures for broader depth and improved sharpness.The result: for me, at least, only a limited set of minor niches exist for which the 35mm becomes the best choice: low light photography of moving subjects, occasional uses where narrow depth of field might be desirable in its focal range, and scenes of a type which benefit from its subtler color rendition.The reality is that prime lenses used to be a photographer's first choice because they simply gave better image quality than zooms - but zooms have come a long, long way and that is simply no longer the case today, at least not with this particular lens.  What that means for my own photography is that I have to invent reasons to use this lens in place of my standard zoom, and when I do I invariably wind up taking it off again fairly quickly, because so much flexibility is lost with little compensation and because the less contrasty images simply don't have quite the impact that the 16-85mm VR can reliably produce.This lens does earn each of its four stars for its very solid performance in all areas, but unlike the 85mm f/1.8 I am not inclined to treat it any more generously than that.  It is a fine lens, but, for me, does not quite have the "must have" status that some others give it.Notes:- Nikon has recently announced a 35mm f/1.8 AF-S prime for DX that will probably prove to be a much better choice for almost anybody shooting that format.  Its optics will likely be optimized for high linear resolutions within the smaller DX image circle, and it may well turn out to be good enough to knock our socks off.  No mention of ED glass in the literature, so we'll have to see if it turns out to be a high-contrast lens like many of the better/newer Nikkors.  It's very reasonably priced.  I have one on order and will likely post a review once I've had a chance to use it a while.- Because this is not a "G" type lens (meaning it has an aperture ring), and because it fits the FX/film format as well as DX, those who use more than one of these formats or who have older film cameras could benefit from this lens' versatility and might find it to be an excellent choice.- Focus is very quick and perfectly accurate on my sample.- Early copies of this lens commonly suffered from a problem with oil on the diaphragm blades.  I haven't heard any references to this being an issue on newer samples.  Be particularly aware if you are buying this lens used, especially if the particular sample's age/history is uncertain.- This lens has both a distance scale and a very good depth-of-field scale, unfortunately a rare feature on newer designs.  The new DX version looks to have neither, which could be of some importance for anybody needing to choose between the two.  On the other hand, the AF-S lens will allow immediate manual-focus over-ride, whereas the older AF-D lens requires that its user flip a switch on the camera body to go from auto- to manual-focus.
It's a good lens, but the D5000 needs an AFS lens.To help us non-photographers buy gifts for photographers, I need the descriptions to actually list the compatible cameras.Shipping was timely and packaging was good.
I've always wondered why Nikon hasn't opted to issue a 35mm f1.4 AF Nikkor lens, since the manual focusing version has been regarded by many as among its finest optics. The slower 35mm f2 is a fine performer in its own right, though it does not equal the 35mm f1.4 with respect to fine contrast and resolution at its maximum lens aperture. This autofocus 35mm f2 Nikkor lens is based optically on the same lens formula as the now discontinued manual focus 35mm f2; a lens design which dates from the late 1960s. Having used both the 35mm f1.4 and 35mm f2 lenses when I owned manual focusing Nikon SLR equipment, I found both to be excellent lenses, especially when stopped down to f5.6 and below. I strongly suspect that this autofocus 35mm f2 Nikkor lens is a capable performer in its own right, offering more contrast and minimal barrel distortion in comparison to all but the best of Nikon's autofocus wide angle zoom lenses. Anyone interested in "street" documentary photography will find this lens an ideal companion to a lightweight, relatively compact, Nikon autofocus SLR camera; effectively an autofocus SLR equivalent to the Leica and Zeiss Ikon rangefinder cameras with their 35mm lenses.
I spent 30 years as a pro shooter, using Nikons.  Since I retired, I only use my cameras to photograph my child.  My F3s and fast AI lenses are stored away, and I now use a D70s and a new D300.  I found the zooms a bit soft, bought a 60mm D lens, loved it, and got the 35 f2D.  Very sharp, fast enough (my AI was a 1.4 but that was a working lens, this one is for fun) for my current needs, good color, good edges, seems to do the job for a reasonable amount of money.
I needed a lens that is small and decreases the overall bulk of the camera.  This lens is the one. It has a wide range of applications...I use it for candid photography, portraits, landscapes, and architecturals. It can even focus as close as 5 inches from the subject to the front of the lens barrel.  It is moderately sharp compared to a 35mm Summicron lens, which is the very best there is. It's nowhere near as flat as the famous Pentax "pancake" lens, or the excellent Minolta 45mm pancake lens, but it weighs the same.  I recommend this lens if you want to travel light and not give up any quality.
I want to complete me set of identical lens because I have a 50mm and I always wanted a 35mm. After I got this it never goes off my camera because i don't find any reason to take it off. The quality is amazing and the images is like wat u see with your naked eyes.
I have another prime lens from the D series, 18mm f/2.8 and love it.  So, when I saw this option that would in fact be an FX lens as opposed to the newer DX I ordered it right away.The aperture is crystal clear and works really well with the larger light options, such as the 2.0.Since I got this lens, it has only been off my D800E for my Lensbaby lenses and optics.Great option for less money.Size and space needed is minimal and ideal for travel, even in a coat pocket.Enjoying the landscapes available with this economical lens.
The 35mm f/2 AF is something of a hidden gem among Nikon lenses. It's a moderate wide angle for 35mm film cameras and a 53mm-equivalent normal lens for APS-C format digital SLRs. Either way it's a great lens to have. If you're a traditionalist you will love it. Mounted on a DSLR it is just like owning a 35mm film camera with a 50mm lens. You may even wish to substitute the kit lens with one of these if you're buying a D80 or D200. If you are really set on a normal DSLR lens the only real alternative to the Nikon 35mm f/2 is theSigma 30mm f/1.4, which is one stop faster, but is also larger, heavier, more expensive and optically less good at f/2 and beyond.If you're a technophile the Nikon 35mm is a little harder to justify. It is a plastic-barrelled fixed focal length lens with no SWM or VR. For a bit more money you can get the excellentTamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8, which is just about as sharp and only one stop slower. For a lot more money you can get the vauntedNikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR. But the Nikon 35mm f/2 has a certain elegance to it nonetheless: it's fast, sharp, lightweight, focuses down to a very close 25cm and is relatively inexpensive. It's ideal for environments where you can move back and forth a bit to frame your subject and you don't feel like carrying around a lot of heavy gear.
I don't take alot of landscape pictures but will hopefully will find lots of uses for this lens. Have just played around with it a bit on my D700.
As a D700 shooter who has shot through a great deal of recent Nikkors (14-24, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 VRII, etc), I have to say the AF 35mm f/2D is NOT on the same level of performance as the latest nikkors.At f/2, image center is okay, the rest of the frame is not sharp. Stop down to f/2.8, things do start to get better. the lack of contrast on full frame under fast apertures negates the use of it in some situations.Under good lighting conditions this lens is good. at f/5.6 or f/8 it was pretty darn good. It performs well even when shooting against the sun.However one of the biggest issue with this lens is coma. If you buy this lens for your D3S/D3/D700 or even D3X for shooting night street scenes, at any aperture faster than f/4, street lights (or any strong pointed light source for that matter) would give you quite a bit of coma and flare to deal with. If I have to stop down to f/4, why wouldn't i use a AF-S 24-70/2.8 and shoot wide open at f/2.8 instead? the performance degradation does leave a lot to be desired, and it does negate the advantage in size and weight.To sum up, this lens is good at f/2.8, and good at f/4 and slower for night shots, but the lack of performance at fast apertures does leave a lot to be desired. Hopefully nikon would update this classic to AF-S 35mm f/2 at more or less the same price. The recently released 50mm f/1.8G is a good example of quality fast primes that does not have to cost an arm and a leg like the 24/1.4G or 35/1.4G does.
My best lens by far. Great IQ, light and not too expensive. The focal length is more usable than the 50mm 1.8 (also great) and the build quality is better. I mainly use mine for portraits at f2.8. At f2 it's a tiny bit soft but at 2.8 it's perfect. I have taken some brilliant pics with it. You will not regret this buy.
This lens is very compact and lightweight. 35mm is a good range to have, and it fits in any of my vest pockets.  It weighs about as much as the front and rear lens cap of my 70-200 vrII ;) Great lowlight capabilities. Kind of noisy, I probably won't be using it on much wildlife anyway though.  I am glad I added it to my line up.
Really enjoying this lens on my D80.  As other reviews have pointed out, very short minimum focusing distance (~10 inches), solid (plastic) build, sharp at f/2 and even sharper beyond, and pretty decent bokeh.  "Normal" (~50mm equivalent) on a DX body, and as a bonus, FX-compatible (full-frame) for the future...Pretty much the same size lens as the 50mm/1.8.
The 35mm f/2 is one of only 2 prime lenses that I own.  It works on my DX camera, and still supports the occasional use for film.  Its light, fast, and sharp, with tolerable low light capabilities.  Edge and chromatic distortions have not been an issue.  It serves well for indoor uses and outdoor portrait uses.  This lens is a must have for DX users.  As for those complaining of oil contamination issues, the problem was solved a while ago -- I'm an owner [and believer in] used lenses, but this is one lens that should not be bought used [or Grey].
I paid $299 on Amazon Sept. 2008...looks like it's gone up 20% since.  I have a D80 and two VR lenses covering 18-200mm, a 50mm f/1.8...and now this gem.  I only add to other positive reviews that this is great for taking shots of my kids and easier to get them into the frame.  I think that the f/2 is as good or better than the f/1.8.  Also, photos of landscapes are much sharper with this than the 50mm.  It feels more solidly built.  I like Ken Rockwell and wish that he had evaluated this lens in greater detail...but take his word, this lens is a "gem".  It feels great on the D80 and I'm having lots of fun, and surprisingly the colors are excellent.UPDATE:  I traded up to a D700 and this lens is an even better angle on an FX.  I have owned many lenses, including my present collection:85mm 1.8 AF-D20mm 4 AI24-85mm 3.5-4.5 AF-S ED-IF70-300mm 4-5.6G AF-D50mm 1.4 AF-D180mm 2.8 AI-SRandom thoughts:- Favorite thing about the lens:  it gives me a subject set in a nice bokeh scene, unlike with the 50mm.- The 35mm is on my camera 50% of the time.-  I wish that there were an 1.4 option (like Canon makes), however such a lens would likely be 2x the length/size/weight and 3-4x the price.-  So versatile...from kid shots to landscapes.- Close, macro-like focus.- vs. 50mm: slower, but accurate, autofocus.- Depth of Field at f/2 is shallow, but useable...unlike the 50mm 1.4.
-----------------------------------------Bottom-line-----------------------------------------Nikon should either retire this lens or drastically reduce its price.------------------------------------------Performance at each stop------------------------------------------* f/2This lens is unusable at f/2. Very low resolution and poor contrast all over. Chromatic aberrations (CA) are pervasive from the center to the edges. It will ruin any picture.* f/2.8The center performance improves drastically. Contrast goes up noticeably and CA goes down to very low levels (still there). The mid-frame is still fuzzy and CA is observable. Towards the edges the fuzziness and CA is still unacceptable for a prime lens.* f/4Now center performance is impeccable. Excellent contrast and no hint of CA. The mid-frame is still somewhat fuzzy but the relative clarity and contrast is improved over f/2.8. Unfortunately the edges still disappoint: still poor contrast and CA (better than f/2.8 though).* f/5.6The center is flawless. Excellent contrast, no CA, high resolution. The edges improve dramatically: very good contrast and very little CA. The fuzziness is still there for the mid-frame (pretty much at the same level reached at f/4).* f/8Ok, now we're talking. Excellent performance all over.-----------------------------------------------My opinion-----------------------------------------------The performance of this lens is very poor below f/4 -particularly so considering it's a prime lens. At f/2 is a mess, and at f/2.8 it's only good in the center -quite useless for low light photography (again, considering it's a prime lens).Stopped down to f/8 this lens is very good for landscape photography -also it's a very small and light, adding very little weight to your bag.In short: you are paying for a max aperture of f/2 when the lens is only good at f/5.6 (maybe a third of a stop less)and over. At the current MSRP this lens is completely overpriced. The Nikon 35 f/1.8G is far better for much less money (yes, I know that it's a DX lens).-----------------------------------------------Alternative 1: Samyang-----------------------------------------------Many times better than the 35 f/2d is the Samyang 35 f/1.4 (which also goes by the name of Rockinon and Bower but it's the exact same lens).The Samyang is an optical marvel which can put the equivalent Zeiss to shame. Leaving the fact that it's manual focus (same as Zeiss and older Nikon 35mms), the Samyang is the absolut bang for the buck. Nothing comes close to it. Considering it's manual focus changes the equation a little bit and levels the playfield with the other 35 primes.If you have no problems with manual focus, if you can live with it, then the Samyang is "the" bargain of 35mm prime lenses and an absolute winner irrespective of the price.-----------------------------------------------Alternative 2: Sigma-----------------------------------------------(Note: I sold my Samyang to buy the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4)The difference between the Sigma and the Nikon is abysmal. Gigantic. Staggering.The improvement over the 35 f/2d is far beyond what you can expect from the price difference.The Sigma is sharp and contrasty @ f/1.4. It also has less distorion, less vigneting, better contrast, and significantly less optical aberrations than the nikon 35 f/2Against the Samyang is neck to neck. Below f/2 - f/2.8 the Sigma is better. f/4 goes for the Samyang. f/5.6 and above is a tie.The big bonus of the Sigma over the samyang is the autofocus. It nails it at f/1.4  9 out of 10 times. Incredible.------------------------------------------------Recommendation------------------------------------------------Save some extra money and get the Sigma 35 f/1.4 (which is lightyears ahead of this Nikon).If the price for the Sigma is way above your budget, then go for the Samyang 35 f/1.4, which is a phenomenal optical marvel -and again far, far better than this lens. The only caveat is that is manual focus only (with green dot confirmation though)If manual focus is not your cup of tea and don't have the budget for the sigma, then consider a zoom lens which will give you a reasonable IQ at 35mm and additional focal lengths.If you still want to go for this lens, be warned that it has very poor IQ up to f/2.8 and only acceptable (on average) at f/4 -and as I said, is flawless at f/8.As of this moment I wouldn't pay more than $150 for a second hand copy of this lens. Anything above that (given the alternatives) is wasting your money.
This is a D lens, made for non-digital cameras, but it works fine on digital ones too.  Only, when you use it on a digital model it's not really a wide angle lens, but more like a standard length lens, the equivalent of 50mm on a film SLR.  It's a fast lens and has good crisp clarity.  Another great feature of the lens is its minimum focus distance, about 11 inches.  I've made some very good shots using small apertures to produce very clear focus on the subject in the foreground, and blur the background.  The lens is light, and automatic focuses very quickly.
There are quite a few reviews for this lens on the web.  Most made by far more qualified photographers than myself.  I will say that this is a really nice everyday lens for DX cameras like the D90.  I have the 50mm f 1.4 Nikkor and love it, but it can be a bit tight in a lot of situations.My only word of caution to prospective buyers: beware of grey market versions.  Nikon put out a bad batch of these a while back.  So if you are buying grey market or used you probably want to do some research on the serial number and the like.  Nikon also does not honor the warranty on grey market glass in the same way as the official thing.  For the brave/informed, I have seen grey market versions for 80 dollars or so cheaper.
This is a great lens if you need the speed. However, up until around f/4 it is soft, meaning it is not as sharp as other lenses. At f/2 it is very noticeable. I actually didn't notice this at first. It was only until I started using other lenses consistently, that when I finally went back to the 35mm f/2, I noticed how soft it was. For this reason, I choose not to use it over other lenses, but if I need a dedicated 35mm, this is the one I go with.At f/8 it's particularly sharp. I uploaded a shot of some daises here on Amazon (which you can see by clicking on "Customer Images"). The crispness is spot on.So keep that in mind. I have not used the 35mm f/1.8 so I can't give an equal comparison. Regardless, if you are shooting with a cropped sensor, I would recommend that for the speed and only this lens for full frame (if you needed a dedicated 35mm prime).
This is an absolutely fantastic lens - light for its size, and fast focusing too (not that you often need fast focus for wide-angle shots, that is). Quite simply, once you get used to Nikon speed of focusing, even very marginally lower speeds of Canon feel like an eternity.If you are even considering buying this product, you know very well already what it is and what it does. I just wanted to emphasize the AF speed and clear markings which, in my view, are better than on comparable products from other manufacturers.
I haven't found anything I don't like about this lens yet.  It's short and lighter weight than my 24 - 70 FX zoom.  It takes amazingly wide angle shots. Another thing I like is you can put the aperture in manual control.  Once in awhile I like to have control of that other than on the camera.  The motor is almost undetectable on sound and its fast.  I have noticed Lightroom does not have a profile for lens correction on this one but it does for the 24mm and that seems to flatten things out pretty good.  I like who this lens will affect the picture though.  Not quite a fisheye, but it has a little of that affect to it. great for landscape or tall buildings.  Indoors in small spaces also.
I wonder where to use this lens with the new and better lens in 14-24mm F2.8.....this is an obsolete lens by my definition!
I've had one shooting session under my belt since acquiring this lens about a week ago and I was blown away by the results.  Excellent contrast and sharpness.  I utilized the &#34;virtual horizon&#34; utility in the D600 so that the camera was perfectly level for each shot I took with this lens.  I was shooting a pier at the beach and was very interested to see how this lens handled the horizon, as well as the upright supporting timbers under the pier.  Incredibly, the horizon remained perfectly flat.  There was not a bulge or any detectable curvature of the ocean horizon.  Likewise, the timers under the pier did not &#34;keystone&#34; or converge.  They remained perfecty perpendicular.  Great optic!
Wonderful lens, fast focusing, high contrast, great saturation, light and solid. You get what you pay for.
I'd ignore the 1 star review of this lens as the reviewer completely misses the capabilities of this lens that a zoom won't have. It is fast, both in operation and aperture. And with coverage for an FX format sensor, 14mm is something that would only be a dream awhile back.now I'm no scientist, and there's a 16mm fisheye, but this is wider but not a fisheye. So what gives? I have a 10.5 DX fisheye, and one of the great features of it was in the Nikon Capture software that you could get for your camera. What the sofware did was take that fishbowl look away and make the photo a rectilinear image by reshaping the perspective.If that is true, it's probably what makes this lens such a joy to use. Your angle of view is amazing, and the results give you that rectilinear quality, and it's right in the viewfinder. You don't have to wait for post processing to see the results.It will take a big bite out of your glass budget, but it is an investment that will probably payoff nicely down the road. Of the major investment I've made in Nikon FX format equipment, this is the jewel in the crown.Drawbacks: yes. #1 The front element is almost spherical and the "shade" wings don't exactly provide superior protection. #2 The lens cover; it's sort of a little leather feed bag looking sack that fits around the shade. It's a bear to get on; and if you're in a hurry, forget it. Maybe it'll get easier over time, but right now it's tough to fit with risking damage to your lens.Watch the prices, and if an opportunity comes along, grab it.Kind of like when you buy a car. Once in awhile you sit in a car and know instantly that it fits, and your checkbook jumps out of your pocket. This lens fits.I'll check back once I get a few hundred more images through this lens, but I doubt it'll say anything other than whatever was already has been said.
I purchased this item sight unseen.  I did not realize that the lens was curved, like a fisheye lens.  It will not take a protective UV filter or any other filter.
A reviewer gave this lens 1 star giving as reason that this lens was allegedly obsolete in his definition; because it made him to wonder "where to use this lens with the new and better lens in 14-24mm F2.8," without giving any comparison how the 14-24mm F2.8 lens was better than this lens. He could have learned from another reviewer who gave it 4 stars and the details how this lens was better or not than the 14-24mm F2.8.The review of the one who gave this lens 1 star was misleading to other Amazon members.
I wish they had a way to protect this lens, but then it wouldn't be this wide, would it? A wonderful lens. I'm quite happy with it.
I have a Nikon d600 and this lens wasn't auto focus, I had to return it. The seller was very honest and kind.  I was sad the lens didn't work on a full frame.
It was a bit slow on the focus. But I guess you get what you pay for. A bit soft when it came to shooting quickly.
I have used this lens for over 3000 photographs and it is sharp but...I use it on a Nikon D200 and the four auto focus sensors can cause much frustration--desired objects out of focus!-- when having to shoot moving objects, say in a parade especially under low light conditions.  I am still thinking it is me so I continue to practice hoping to figure out which setting on the d200 to use.  However, when the subject is not moving it works great.  It is heavy but that is what you pay for to own a good quality lens.  See Ken Rockwell's review for more technical aspects.  I also concur that the lens hood, although it gives that pro look, does not seat well on the lens.  Overall, I highly recommend it.
I thought I was a lens snob and scoffed at zoom lenses, but I actually like this lens. The zoom range and aperture range is useful, especially on a full frame. Bokeh is nice, rounded, and non distracting, though not exactly smooth and creamy. Distortion is a little funny at the wide end, but doesnt bother me. Build seems sturdy, though plastic. The macro function is satisfiable, however I dont use it enough to have much of an opinion. AF response is also good. This lens is applicable in nearly any shooting condition, except for one thing. It has no VR, so its a little more challenging to use hand held in low light or for video. Not a big deal, but if buying this lens new, the VR version is near the same price and worth considering.
I bought this lens a couple years ago to replace the 18-105 kit lens that was paired with my D90.  I had started shooting a lot of figure skating and wanted something that worked a little faster but didn't break the bank.  At the time, I had a few older, inexpensive Nikkor lenses from my FM2 and N70 days and didn't really want to go the Tam/Tok/Sig route so I went with this 24-85.  I have used (and continue to use) the lens extensively, but I must say that while the lens is capable of performing very well I am never really excited to use it.Here are the pros and cons as I have experienced them:Pros:- The lens is designed for FX.  Even though I am shooting DX currently I have tended to buy FX lenses in anticipation of moving to FX as the prices come down towards my range.- The range of focal lengths, apertures, and focal distances supported by this lens is very useful whether on DX or FX.  Even on my D90, 24mm is wide enough to support quite a bit of my shooting and 85mm provides at least a small improvement on the long end over 24-70mm lenses.- While a dedicated 90mm macro would surely outperform it, the macro mode has produced very nice results for me.  Focus range is acceptably short, colors are crisp, and the images are very sharp.  [I have only used macro in good lighting; an important caveat.  The other caveat would be that I tend to use manual focus only in macro situations.]- The ergonomics of the lens design are quite good.  Build quality is solid, controls are smooth and feel good in hand -- far better than the 24-120mm F4 (previous generation) that I rented.- The cost is far better for my price range than the 24-70mm F2.8.Cons:- Autofocus performance with the D90 has been underwhelming.  My Tamron 70-300mm VC F4-5.6 and 50mm F1.8D both seem faster and more accurate (qualitative feedback based on mix of "hits" to "misses", I have not attempted to quantify this) and only the 28mm  F2.8D has consistently more autofocus "misses."  As noted, a lot of my shooting is in ice rinks -- poor overall lighting, lots of specular reflections, and some challenging dynamic ranges.  I am sure that this contributes to my issues, but again I would stress that I have other lenses that perform more reliably under those conditions.- Autofocus speed is a bit disappointing -- probably a cause of several of the "misses" above.- The lens lacks VR -- normal in its day but there are compelling choices now that have VR (or its equivalent) and that flexibility would be nice to have.- I find myself wishing this lens could reach 20mm or 18mm on the wide end.  For FX users I doubt this would be an issue at all though.Some important considerations:- Some of the other views talk about microfocus adjust.  Since the lens doesn't consistently miss I am not convinced that microfocus adjust is the answer; my experience tells me it's more a matter of autofocus consistency.  The D90 doesn't have this feature so the point is moot for me.  D300/D300S, D700, D7000/7100, D800/800E, and D600 users would have that capability though.]- The autofocus on my D90 isn't a match for the systems in the D300, D7xxx, or recent FX bodies.  Given that autofocus performance is a key frustration of mine here, I would be curious as to whether those bodies would perform better with this lens.- My skill level and usage have evolved a lot since I bought both the D90 and this lens.  It's worth considering that I bought this lens at the wrong time and I might have been more impressed had I started using it earlier.  Had I bought it a year later than I did, an F2.8 fixed max aperture would have been a requirement.Summary thoughts:All in all, this lens is certainly not a bad lens and is a very good lens in many ways.  It is highly capable and affordable and while I like the functional choices of this lens but I just don't love the overall experience of using it.  If I were to buy another lens in this range, I'd be sorely tempted to buy a different lens instead in the hopes of something greater.  Even though they are double the cost of the 24-85mm F2.8-4, I would likely buy a Tamrom 24-70mm F2.8 VC or a Nikon 24-120mm F4 VRII instead.  Both are FX-capable and offer enough additional capability to seem like better values in my book.  The Tamron is a really wonderful lens that adds the utility of a fixed 2.8 max aperture and Tamron's excellent VC system while the latter offers Nikon's VR-II and enough extra reach on the long end to differentiate itself (and to make it maybe worth chancing a lens that seemed troubled in its previous iterations).
I haven't had a lot of time to use this lens but from what I have done it seems like a good lens. I bought it for its macro and it works well in macro. I have a lot of all purpose lenses and this has the potential to be one of my favorites.
Coupled up to my Nikon D90, it's a great buy for your wallet. It's an older lens but does a fine job for candid work. If it were F/2.8 throughout, this would have been my standard lens to keep on the camera. The lens is sharp and given me great results for all of my shoot adventures, I'm happy with it.
I purchased this lens to replace a 24-105 Nikon lens I had. It was a great choice. The quality is excellent at most focal lengths.
Sharp fast lens....took a little getting used to but it produces sharp images at all apertures and focal lengths.....once in awhile I think it looks a little soft around the edges at 2.8 and 24mm.......but I can't be sure yet.....but I know at 3.5 and 4.0 everything is tack sharp...
I bought this lens for doing Wedding photography. I use it almost as much as my 80-200 zoom for Weddings. I also use it a lot for Church Directory photos and Seniors. It is a Great lens.
I bought this with unrealistic expectations, hoping it would be "almost as good as" the more expensive 24-70mm f/2.8.  It's really not.  I've found this to be an excellent lens in bright light only.  In low light (I photograph a lot of musicians performing in theaters or clubs), it's only especially good at 24mm and f/2.8.  The more you zoom, the less sharp the pictures are.  Not a bad lens, but not a great one either.
COOL - Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR. . . . . . .
This lens is good for macro.it belongs mid-range zoom lens, not wide enough or not tele enough.for portrait, it is not clear but good for some people as it doers not show too much details, seems the AF did not work perfectly with my D80 camera except you use manual. kind of pain.hope to have a Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens to take place of this one.
I'm am very happy with this lens. With macro enabled, I can REAllY get up close to the subject matter, It rarely needs to hunt around much wit the auto-focus.There are a few issues. First, I think this lens really could benefit from a UV filter, as I do notice some purple fringing. Also, in bright situations, some color seperation is apparent. Given the size of the lens, a good filter might cost something around $60, but thats just the breaks there. My biggest issue with the lens is the hood. It's always trying to fall off, or twist away, For the price, I would have expected some little type of button catch or something to keep it in place. I've hit the point where I rarely use it, and it just gets in the way in my bag.Even with all that, this is the first lens I reach for, and it would be the one I keep on my camera to start with if it wasnt for the lack of protective filter, and the fact that the camera sits oddly in my bag with this lens attached.Overall, I gave it 4 stars. The chromatic abberations may get to me if I start printing out my stuff really big, but by that point, I'll have the filter I need to help correct that.
I returned this lens cause it was not long enough for my needs otherwise, I would have kept it. Nice and sharp, light and well priced. I ended up buying a Tamron 24-300mm. An okay lens for my needs but not as sharp as the Nikon. (It was also about $100 less with the rebate)
Amazon is really my favorite place to buy lenses, and finding this impossible to find lens at such a great value is what keeps me coming back.  We got this lens for a recent trip to vegas and the wide angle really makes a big difference when trying to capture more of the scene.  Its not VR, but using it on a Nikon D610 and D800 only around 1 out of every 200 shots was out of focus due to shaky hands.  The speed and crispness of this lens is amazing.  It performs like a beast in low light situations.  Perfect for your FX camera, and much better value and glass than the newer VR version of this Nikkor lens.
the only nikon mid-range zoom that i could really afford.took a chance and purchased one.absolutely surprised at the quailty images from this lens.very well built,100% dependable,in most all photography situations.you cant go wrong with this lens.used on a d700,and was completely satisfied.identical results,comparied to the 35-70 in image quality.
I use this lens on my D80 and I LOVE it. Great sharpness. The macro mode is a nice touch and an all around good time. Great all around lens. At this point, if I had to take one lens with me, this would be it.
It is a very versatile lens that I use for everything including portraits. The lens is great for low light situations as well.
This lens received mixed revews everywhere I checked.  Having used Nikon products for the past 37 years, and owning three Nikon lenses for my D80, I ordered it.  Beach Camera's service was excellent and the lens arrived in factory fresh condition.  In the past month I have used this lens shooting several indoor events, both available light and with my SB-600, with excellent results.  Its performance as a Macro lens is also outstanding.  For those of you who want to take this lens to a lab to find fault, have at it!  It works for me!
This lens is great to use and very sharp.  I have used in for over 5 years with good results in a variety of situations.  I have seen where Ken Rockwell and others have given this lens a bad review, however, I do not agree with them regarding the picture quality of this lens at all.  Maybe I just got lucky and received a great copy of an average lens.  I keep it on my camera body most of time and cannot see buying another lens worthy of taking its place.
Love this thing. Very worth it. If I had it all to over again, I would have still got this one.
When not in use it can turn around and hook to the lens. It a good shade for sunny days.
works nicely for small groups and single portraits.the crown jewel of my arsenal cares for 90% of all my shots.buy one now...
So far this lens approaches the performance of my highly rated 18-35mm ED Nikon lens which was a little short in the zoom range (I use indoors and for some scenics)  for a one lens journey so I bought this one to fill that niche while hiking in the fall.  I am very impressed with its performance so far, sharp and rather crisp with great color and tone rendition.  I wanted the famous 35-70 but did not want the weight or the high price.  With the 24-85mm, I will try and revisit when I really get a chance to put it through its paces and really see what it can do besides a very nice lens for a hiking  trip.
This is a very good lens for mid-range zooms. Those of us who kept the lens around from our SLR days can happily use it on digital equipment. It's meant for full-frame cameras, but it works on DX as well (though I am not sure 36 - 128 is a useful lens on DX). On my D700 for instance, it is a true 24 wide to 85 zoom.The lens is fast and sharp. It renders colors well. I do find some lens flare apparent without a standard UV filter -- buy one. A tiffen UV filter, for example, will set you back 20 dollars, and is worth it. Note that the lens hood on this lens is pretty much useless. It doesn't stay latched, and is more bother than it is worth. I have long ago stopped using lens hoods on my lenses -- using your hand for shading the three times out of 1000 that you might need a hood does the trick just as well.The fast 2.8 aperture speed allows for creative shots, and it's generally usable along it's entire 2.8 -4 low-end aperture range.For Full-frame cameras, this is a dream lens. It is sharper and faster than the 24-120 VR kit lens, and it doesn't need the VR at these speeds. It is also light, and makes for a great travel lens. I do a lot of event shooting, and it's great to use this small lens -- while the 24-70 2.8 is the current top of the line standard zoom for Nikon, it also costs three times as much, does not have a Micro function (NIkon's name for macro) and weighs three times as much. The 24-85 is much better for extended walk-around shooting, be it landscapes, everyday shots, or events.You will not be disappointed with this lens -- though you might still crave that 24-70 2.8 in the longrun.
I HAVE HAD THIS LENS ON MY NIKON D300 AND IT IS THE BEST ALL AROUND LENS THAT I'VE EVER USED IN 30 YEARS. YOU CAN JUST LEAVE IT ON THE CAMERA AS IT HANDLES MOST OF YOU PICTURES FROM CLOSE UP MACRO WORK (WITH A FLIP OF A SWITCH) TO FULL BODY PORTRAITS TO LANDSCAPES. I PERSONALLY THINK THE BUILD QUALITY IS EXCELLENT WITHOUT GOING OVERBOARD. AT 20 OUNCES IT'S LIGHT ENOUGH TO CARRY AND STRONG ENOUGH TO LAST FOR YEARS. IT LOOKS LIKE A PRO LENS AND IT WORKS LIKE A PRO LENS AT LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FROM A LENS THAN FAST FOCUS, TACK SHARP, GREAT LOOKING, EASY TO USE, WELL BUILT AND PROPERLY PRICED. I'VE HAD THEM ALL, 18-55 AFS VR, 28-70 F/3.5-4.5 D, 28-85 F/3.5-4.5, AND THE EXCELLENT 24-85 F3.5-4.5 AFS G, 35 F1.8, 50 F1.4, 60 AFS G F/2.8 AND THIS IS THE BEST PROSUMER LENS OF THEM ALL. STOP READING ABOUT IT AND START SHOOTING WITH IT. YOU'LL BE THRILLED WITH THE PICTURES!!!
I bought this lens new about six months ago to use on my D3, and have used it now for four weddings.It is not quite as sharp as my 24-70mm f/2.8, when wide open, but when stopped down one stop, it is tach sharp. It is also much lighter which helps a lot at a long event, and it has more reach, making it great for parties and receptions.It autofocuses very quickly with the screw drive in the camera, and I never miss any action shots due to focus lag. It won't focus on some of the low-end Nikon DSLRs because they lack the drive screw.I don't recommend this lens for DX cameras, because 24mm is not usually wide enough on DX for many reception and party shots. In my opinion, the 16-85mm VR DX or even the 18-70 DX lens would be a better choice for a DX camera.The 24-85mm is also a very nice light weight travel lens for an FX camera.
I LOVE this lens!!!  When shooting, I ALWAYS go to this lens for that "has to be sharp" photograph.I can't believe I took so long to purchase this, but am so glad that I did!Focus is fast and accurate, and it does suffer from some CA, but only in extreme cases...but can be corrected easily in photoshop!This lens has a great build, great weight and a great feel to it.85mm is great for portraits, and the f/1.8 offers a VERY NICE bokeh!!!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
I like the lens and bokeh, but unfortunately the focus is a hit and miss. I've sent the lens back to Nikon and they told me that the lens is as it is supposed, but because &#34;it is older technology might miss focus regularly&#34;Leaving that aside, the lens is really nice with f/1.8 and at least my copy is not too soft wide open, in fact is very decent. The bokeh is perfect for portraits, I like it a lot. If/when you get the right focus, you might need to soften the image, specially if is a lady the one you are photographing because will show every little wrinkle!debating 3 or 4 starts... will give it 4 because of the price..... 3because of the focusing issue
The 1.8D IS a very good lens, but just sold it. I was about to buy the NEW sharper and more contrasty 1.8G for my D7000, I was very exited about ordering it because the 1.8G is a better lens than the 1.8. But something happened, I saw other reviews saying amazing things about the Rokinon 1.4. I have been wanting to get the 1.4D or the Sigma 1.4 but the prices are just ridiculous, i could not affort a $800 or more, and USED, even worse. The only reason i did not buy the new 1.8G is because people complain about the cheap feel of it, and is said that IT IS LIGHTER, and cheaper made than the older solid 1.8D. Even people that know what they are talking about say that, like Ken Rockwell and Jared at Froknowsphoto.com.My D7000 is already a very very light camera, which i dont like so much. With the 1.8D it felt just okay on my hands, but i know that if i would have put the new 1.8G on it, it would have felt TOO LIGHT. Ken Rockwell mentioned in his review of this lens that TWO lenses died on him. This NEW LENSES have built-in motors in them, and the stuff is made in CHINA?? PERSONALLY, i just have a bad feeling about spending MY money for sometning that is this badly made, with moving parts in them. It makes a lot of sense that this new lenses will not last as the older ones do.BUT, if i had not seen the Rokinon, i would have gotten this nikon G lens, no doubht about it. This Rokinon is incredibly just as good as the Nikon 1.4D and the CHEAPER BUILT Sigma. It puts this lenses to SHAME for the price difference.My 1.8 was made in JAPAN. In fact i think all or most the HIGH END Nikon lenses are made in Japan. These are the two reasons why I skipped the new G lens. IT IS A VERY GOOD LENS, I do not doubht that, THIS IS THE LENS I WAS GOING TO GET, until i found out about the Rokinon 1.4.I am BLOWN AWAY by the Rokinon. I did see lots of reviews that this lens is very very difficult to use, but because i have been wanting to get a 1.4 for a long time, i decided to take a chance and try it. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life! The lens IS NOT VERY DIFFICULT to use. I just bought it a couple of days ago, and yes, i have missed some shots(mostly in low light) but I also have gotten some awesome and beautiful photos. This lens is NOT mainly made for video either. Not true. ANY manual focus will teach you to be PATIENT, to take more artistic photos and to pay attention. The BOKEH is INCREDIBLE!! and already SHARP at 1.4 also. This lens is not plasticky and light, but is not too heavy either, feels great on my D7000. The focus ring IS NOT STIFF. Samyang/Rokinon designed this thing beautifully. With that slow ring speed is how i am able to get good shots and the D7000 able to get the focus point right on.
This is a superb lens - sharp with excellent contrast.  The characteristics of the out-of-focus areas (bokeh) are wonderful - soft and delicate without a trace of harshness.  The build quality is very good - not to the standard of the 85/1.4, but perfectly fine.  Highly recommended.
Get it! Buy IT! this is one of my lenses I don't leave home without for sure! GREAT portrait lens.
I bought this lens a few years ago when I decided I needed a fast prime portrait lens.  I have never regretted that purchase!  This lens is very sharp and produces beautiful bokeh, allowing for beautiful pictures.  It has a fairly solid construction and a very nice screw in metal hood.  I love the metal hood and always leave it attached.  It's how I keep my lens protected instead of having to use a clear filter protector.  If you're looking at buying this lens, you won't be disappointed.  It is definitely one of Nikon's best!
I thought this lens just to try out what people like about a 'portrait' focal length.I have not used it for taking photos of people but I used it in a variety of situations and I am not sure if I have any lens as sharp as this one. Taking a picture of my monitor form four feet away actually let me see the pixels of my monitor when zoomed in. I find it to be the sharpest lens I own. It seems to beat my other lenses some of them being Nikon Micros.Mine focuses perfectly on my D80 and D300s. The thin depth of field does not seem to be an issue with me. Its build is very good, hefty and feels good with the plastic body. Manual focusing is too easy so fine control is a bit tougher for me. If a person has the D40, 60, 3000 and 500 series they should note that there is no auto-focus with those cameras.I just find it hard to use this lens for the type of photography I do which is very general stuff. Prime lenses are only interesting to me if they perform something special like my Micros and the 50mm 1.4.
This has to be one of the best lenses I ever owned. I have dont so many portrait shoots with it. It is very light weight and no fiddling with zoom. Just where you want it to be. The quality of all the shots I took with it were incredible. Being 1.8 is great for light.
I bought this lens before going to a concert at a very small, intimate club that is known for insanely low light levels.  It performed like a champ on my D7000.  I was getting great shots while other photogs were grumbling obscenities.  Since then, it's become my favorite lens for shooting high school volleyball games.  Very fast autofocus, very sharp.
With solid build quality, excellent size/weight, and wide aperture, this lens is a must have for the price. I would highly recommend it. Shallow depth of field looks great. Focal length, aperture, tones, and sharpness of this lens are all great. Hence it has been unofficially dubbed the "girlfriend" lens. Not because you love this lens so much you'll take it on a nice date, but because you can take some beautiful shots of your girlfriend and/or boyfriend. Lens flare is hardly noticeable at all on it, and you really have to try hard to get it.A few minor complaints:-I get ghosting much worse and more apparent on this lens than with any other lens that I own. The ghosting problem limits my usage of this lens at low light/night time (travel/street photography situations). That's disappointing given the wide aperture.-Others mention bokeh on this lens is pretty bad. If compared side by side with another lens, yes this is true. However, some people saw some shots at 2.2 and loved the bokeh! The bokeh isn't perfectly round, and it stands out fairly strong (as aperture gets lower, the bokeh shapes become more geometrical). It doesn't blend so smooth into the background.-There is slight color fringing you'll notice on the edges. It's not bad unless you look, then it feels a slap in the face!-This lens is soft at 1.8. In fact, I avoid 1.8 altogether. f/2.2 - f/4 works great. Like most fast aperture lenses, that is to be expected.In comparison, this is one of the "lesser" 85mm lenses. In fact, Nikon 85mm 1.4 (D or G) takes mind blowing photos you can't touch with the 1.8D (so smooth and buttery you'll cry). However, it's more than twice the price (get it if you can afford it).This is definitely a great lens. It's not a perfect lens, but I would recommend it.
I bought this to shoot some indoor basketball for a friend where flash isn't allowed.  The 1.8 allowed me to shoot at 1/125 freezing all but the fastest action.As mentioned by others, the bokeh is not exceptional, but it is adequate.  The metal hood with screw threads makes it more time consuming to put on and off, but that's the only complaint I have against an otherwise great lens.
Portrait lens?  Not useful if you have a smaller studio.  The problem is that this is a telephoto lens, so you have to be about ten yards or more away from your subject to even be able to take a decent portrait shot.  Not a big deal unless your studio isn't in a spacious warehouse someplace and your range is limited.  I wish I would have known that, but regardless this is an excellent addition to my collection and it will remain in my bag.  But if you need a portrait lens that requires less range go with a 35mm or even a 50mm with the same f stop.  Overall I have gotten some very beautiful and artistic shots, but most of these shots are still life, not many portraits.  Another point you may want to consider is that it doesn't have a motor built in, so unless your camera will &#34;talk to&#34; this lens, the AF doesn't work and you'll have to manually focus (which is generally pretty simple, just look for the green dot and snap away).  I have a d3100, and it doesn't communicate with the lens so I have to focus manually.  But, none the less, this is a sturdy little well-built gem of a lens and I am pleased with it so far.
I have the Nikon D800 and this lens is my favorite for it!!! Nice creamy bokeh. The perfect length, better than the 50mm I think! It's my &#34;go-to&#34; lens. Nice and heavy piece of glass. It's not the 1.4, but no one notices. If you have a full frame SLR, you NEED this one!
If you demand sharpness from a lens, then this is the one.  This lens is used on a D5000, so manual focus only for me.  Focusing is a breeze with this lens even with bad eyesight.  I use the rangefinder mode and it works like a charm.  Great for outdoor portraits or indoors if you have the room.  The DX format gives it alot of reach for indoors though.  Metering works great with the D5K.  Great piece of glass.
I'll piggy-back on others by saying this lens is tack-sharp!  Unlike others, I find the bokeh to be average to poor.  Another issue is the Chromatic Abrasion (purple fringing around the edges when shooting a light subject with a very contrasting background) at f1.8.  Stopped down to f2.2 or using an ISO above 200 and your problem is solved.  In practical use, that isn't an issue though as you won't usually zoom to 5x original size with the parameters I put it through.  All in all, this lens is outstanding!
I have a D200 and while all the hype is around the 18-200 and others, this is one awesome lens for portraits and other closer up type photos.  I read a few things that I had to research and thought I'd pass on my experience:- How is this with a D200?  (ans: great.  fast auto-focus.  no compatibility issues)- Do you really get crisp photos and cool bokeh? (ans: absolutely)- Is 1.8 ok or do you need 1.4?  (ans: I don't have a 1.4 but the 1.8 is so competent for the price and I get the crispness and shallow DOF I was looking for)- Is the shooting distance for an 85mm acceptable or do you need a 55mm so you can be closer to the subject?  (ans: I really like the shooting distance for the 85mm.  I really would not less distance between me and the subject)Enjoy!
i bought this lens to shoot my son's basketball games in mostly indoor fluorescent lighting. the lens auto-focusing is not fast enough and is not the silent wave motion type. the picture color is just not natural regardless of WB setting or adjustment. and the picture is just not sharp enough.on the other hand, portrait pictures taken with camera on a tripod and with correct lighting turn out excellent.
I have used this lens on my Nikon D90 for almost 2 years now and out of my other zooms and prime lenses, this is my favorite.First, a little rant regarding the 50mm 1.8 lens (I know, this is a review for 85mm)  A lot of people praise the 50mm 1.8 (or 1.4) as being one of the greatest lenses, and they ARE great lenses for full frame since it was a normal lens, but in the DX world, 50mm is not long enough for portraits and headshots and it's too long as a general use so I use this lens about 90% more than I use my 50mm 1.8.  Also remember that just because 50mm APPEARS to to be zoomed in with DX, it is still a 50mm 1.8 lens and has the same distortion that a 50mm would have so you will not get very flattering headshots with a 50mm the way you would with the 85mm.  In other words you can't say "the 50mm acts the same on DX that 85mm does on FX".Now that my rant is over, the 85mm seems to be the perfect lens for me on DX for headshots.  It's very unassuming so it's not intimidating to the subject, I can stand back and that helps relax the subject, flatten the image, and it's a very sharp lens.  For studio work where I shoot at F/8 ISO200, it just blows my mind.  I'm not sure how much I would like to use this lens for headshots if I had an FX camera...maybe I'd like the 105mm more.Other uses:  I love this lens for live music shooting.  Often times long zooms aren't allowed, but I can get in venues with this little unassuming lens.  It's funny to me because I've been next to hot shot newspaper photogs with their giant f/2.8 zooms and me with this little lens get more than 1 stop more light with them and my neck doesn't hurt carrying it the way theirs does.Nothing against zooms mind you.  I've had my eye on a 70-200mm 2.8 VR, but for 4-6 times lower price, AND the same or better image quality, this is a great alternative if you can do without zooming.  Right now I have a 70-300mm VR and this lens and use this lens far more than that.Compared the 85mm 1.4 - well the 1.4 is legendary and if you have the cash go for it, but for most people, the 1.8 is great.
An excellent addition to my bag. Fast at f1.8 and is a good focal length for portraits. Build quality seems sound. Overall I am very happy with this lens.
Fast fast fast glass.  This is an awesome portrait lens if you are looking for something relatively close.  The sharpness, combined with relatively low weight makes the 85 a winner.  Seriously, it's enough to make you go fixed.  The bokkah at 1.8 can't be beat.
I bought this lens for portraits and realized quickly that the lens was also perfect for taking pictures during basketball season. I love a fixed lens, and this one is one of the best. SUPER glad I bought it.
For the money this is a great lens. I am having a a lot of fun with it. It arrived on time and in condition I expected.
This is a solid performer on any Nikon, although the old-school screw-drive AF system will render it less useful on less compatible models.  The depth of field is so narrow at f/1.8, that users will have hard time nailing sharp focus on moving objects if they're limited to manual focus mode (as you would on a D60 or D5000 for instance).On my D90, this lens is awesome -- razor sharp with professional-looking bokeh.  I never liked the built-in flash using my other lens (16-85mm Nikon), but I find that shots taken with my 85mm look totally different -- the bokeh is so rich that the harsh background shadows otherwise captured with lesser lenses just disappear in the blur.Even with functional AF on my D90, accurate focus tracking can be tricky on moving subjects.  I suspect that if this lens was updated to AF-S, it might focus a tad quicker (and not drain my battery so fast).  But overall, this is a great lens for the price.  Flawless optical quality.
I love this lens. Fast focus and great picture quality at a price that won't break the bank. Great for portraits, or for shooting sports in low available light, such as basketball or volleyball. Works great with my D90. Can't think of a thing I don't like about it. Becomes about a 120mm f1.8 on my D90.
This is a great lens for the price you are paying.  The 85mm f/1.4 is about 3 times the price (I don't own it so I cannot compare apart from the specifications), and gives you about 2/3 more stops of light.  This lens has 9 aperture blades, which gives a very nice bokeh.  On a crop factor camera (except the D3 at the time of this review), this lens is about 127.5mm, which becomes a tele portrait lens.  This is one lens you would not regret buying!
I like the 85mm focal length very much.  On a Nikon crop-size DSLR, the 85mm focal length is a very useful short-to-medium telephoto length, giving a nice field of view with just enough distance compression to get a pleasant telephoto perspective.  This lens' wide aperture gives plenty of control of depth of field, allowing you to isolate your subject and get just the right amount of defocus elsewhere in the frame.  I tend to prefer to use it at f/2.8 or so, although having the ability to go to f/1.8 is certainly useful at times.A few notes on specific performance issues, some of which seem to be in disagreement with others here:- I would not characterize the lens as very sharp wide open.  I've sampled three of these lenses, two "AF" models and one "AF-D" model.  The AF-D was the best.  Like any lens I've used, it loses sharpness at wider apertures, and I would characterize it as soft at f/1.8, still moderately soft at f/2.8, good at f/4, sharp at f/5.6 and very sharp at f/8.  There is a definite difference in sharpness at each aperture up through f/8.  This is not necessarily bad.  A bit of softness at f/1.8-f/2.8 might be desirable for portraits and some other types of photos, and the lens is very sharp where you would usually use it for landscapes and general photography - f/5.6-f/8 or so.  At wider apertures, the contrast between a blurred background and relatively sharp subject remains striking and is a very pleasant effect that will allow you to get exceptional images.- This is not a high-contrast lens, due at least partly to a lack of ED glass.  This is appropriate and probably contributes to its reputation as a good portrait lens - skin tones are pleasantly rendered and the overall effect is slightly subtler and gentler compared to Nikon's most contrasty lenses.  I can shoot the same scene with this lens and then with my 16-85mm (consumer DX zoom), and colors that leap off the screen with the 16-85 are significantly mellowed with the 85/1.8.- I don't see any loss of contrast at wider apertures.  This is good.  The 50mm f/1.8 loses a lot of contrast wide open, for example (and mine is considerably softer than the 85mm at wide apertures).- I would not say the quality of bokeh is particularly pleasing.  It can be distracting at times, and I see color effects in the blurred areas (chromatic aberration), which occurs because different wavelengths of light are blurred differently by the lens (some very expensive lenses are "apochromatic," meaning that they correct for this).  This does not in my opinion detract significantly from my images, since the whole idea of defocus is to attract the viewer's eye to the subject rather than away from it and so consequently one does not tend to study an out-of-focus background unless actually evaluating it specifically; but this might be one of the reasons the f/1.4 lens is a more popular choice among those willing to spend three times the money.  This is speculation on my part as I have not tried the f/1.4.- Focus is very quick and as far as I can tell completely accurate.  I do use a simple test chart to test focus with all my lenses and this lens focuses well within its depth of field even wide open.This lens is very good for tight indoor shots as well as outdoor photography.  At near-wide-open it can be used indoors with fairly low available light and make very pleasing shots of tight groupings of people from a reasonable distance.  A slower lens will tend to bring the background into the photo more than is desirable, which can be distracting in the final image.It is not a good only lens and perhaps not even the first prime lens one should buy.  It is a very good lens to have after all the basic focal ranges are covered, and perhaps after a "normal" prime, and it is a very good lens for taking pictures of people.  In addition to this lens I highly recommend Nikon's very affordable 35mm f/2 (2/25/09 note: Nikon has recently announced an even more affordable 35mm f/1.8 lens for DX which will probably prove to be an even better choice for DX users), which is very sharp indeed and in my opinion a far better lens than the 50mm f/1.8.  I do however prefer the 85mm as a matter of pure personal taste: it is my personal favorite fixed-length lens.I wish I could give it 4-1/2 stars as it is a good, good lens, but can not justify giving a full five.  I don't think anybody would regret buying it, however.  With a bit of help from the user it is capable of making some truly fine images.
This is an excellent lens for portrait and low light photography. I used it to shoot a cheerleading group at a night stadium game - the portraits of the cheerleaders were sublime!!!While I am better using my F2.8 70-200mm lens for football action photos, this lens was perfect for closeups and group shots of the cheerleaders.I hope to use this lens for high school basketball.  Can't wait.Very pleased!!!!
The results are from using this lens with my D800 FX 36mp body. This lens has way too much chromatic aberration at f/1.8 which very noticeable and takes away from the usefulness of the lens wide open. The lens shows a very good bokeh (out-of-focus blur). The sharpness is good. The lens is built well and adequate for general photography, just not outstanding; more suitable for low light photography when you need something faster than f2.8 in the short telephoto range. The focus is fast, never had any issues. On a DX body it will have a field of view of a 127mm f1.8 lens. The newer G version is not any better and cost more. If you can afford the f1.4 version, you will be much happier!!!
I purchased the lens in late March and figured "How can you go wrong with one that has sold some 400,000 units?"  Well you can...I didn't notice initially, but the lens arrived without a lens hood.  I had to purchase one separately.  From the beginning, I was under-impressed with ithe resolution, so, mounted on a tripod,  I used both field and USAF test cards to see if there was a problem.  My inexpensive Nikkor 50mm f1.8 outperformed it.  The latter costs $125.00.It was unable to focus at infinity.  With a D700, shooting it in Aperture Priority, Program Mode, and Manual, it produced soft images.  At 100 and 200% magnification, the lens is decidedly unsharp.  I contacted Nikon about the problem and did not receive a response.  So the lens is now on its way to Amazon for a refund.Guesses as to what the problem might be?  The mechanical auto-focus, i.e., it uses the camera's motor vs. having it's own.  Or that I was sold a defective lens (I wouldn't bank on that).Any good news?  It handles highlights very well.  BUT, it has such limited depth-of-field compared to my Zeizz 85mm Sonnar.  At f4, you're lucky to have both the end of the nose and hair line in focus on portraits.  Weirdly, I found it's best apertures to be f5.6 and 11.  f8 provided mixed results and f16 was a total right off, due to diffraction.It raises concerns about Nikon's QC after production moved from Japan to Thailand, and in lieu of the floods there.  Steer clear.
Torn between 1.4 version and this one? If you are making a living with your camera 1.4 is the way to go. Having said that if you simply want to have a lens thats sharp, fast and produces nice bokeh AND affordable, look no further!Portraits, available light and light weight. If you have thought about this  one you will not be dissapointed. View the images it created on a cruise to the Bahamas at [...])
a first class professional quality lens.sharp,fast,incredible image quality.made in japan metal construction.a really great nikon prime lens,with excellent performance.im sure the newer model might be better,but i challenge anyone to prove it on a print,or computer moniter.
If you don't need the speed or can't afford the expensive 85mm f1.4 Nikkor lens or both, then this lens may be the right one for you. It took Nikon a while to produce a superb compact 85mm lens, but this time they finally got it right. Without a doubt, this is a fine portrait lens for photographing head-and-shoulder portraits (The only lens which is optically better is Nikon's legendary 105mm f2.5 Nikkor lens, and its close optical twin, the 105mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor.). Since the 105mm f2.5 Nikkor lens doesn't have an autofocus version, then this might be the perfect moderate telephoto lens for owners of Nikon autofocus SLR cameras. Regardless, this lens has a well-earned reputation for excellent contrast and resolution.
The Nikon 85mm 1.8 is an excellent lens, especially for the value.  It tucks in nicely behind the 50mm as the ideal prime focal length; portraits are its specialty but it does well in almost every arena. I purchased mine second hand from craigslist and have found it to be a reliable and rewarding lens.  Here are some of its strengths:* The picture quality is superb.  Relative to my 55-200mm kit lens, the 85mm is sharper, snappier and crisper.* This lens is fast - physics requires that it be relatively 'soft' at f/1.8, but this fast glass will muster a shot in hopelessly dim situations.* The bokeh - the out of focus area behind the subject - is pleasing.  Some may wager that the bokeh on the 85mm 1.4 is nicer, but for an extra thousand dollars, it had better be.* The autofocus is accurate and swift.* The high quality construction and relative heft of the lens makes it feel professional-grade (it is).* Looking at the lens mounted on my camera makes me giddy.On the flip side, you'll have to keep in mind the following:* It's a prime lens, which means if you want to reframe your shot, you'll have to move your feet.  This results in photographers who work harder, and that's a good thing.Happy shooting, you'll enjoy this lens - but by all means, if you have the coin, get the 85mm 1.4.  The snot factor alone is worth every dime.
Funky things can happen with this lens wide open when shooting into the light. Banding is really bad. It doesn't happen with my 24-70 wide open so I must presume it's the lens. Be sure to shoot in raw and you'll see less of it.If you avoid those lighting situations then it's a thing of beauty. Amazing images. I now want the 85mm 1.4 to get a bit better quality in the images. Unless you're shooting pro though it's not worth the extra money.Don't get me wrong, you will LOVE this lens. I shoot stock though so I need to be picky.Happy shooting:)
The 85mm f1.8 AF-D lens is a great choice for Nikon dSLR users looking for a good portrait lens, and a much cheaper alternative to the f1.4 AFD.Construction quality is top notch and comes with a screw-on metal petal hood, unlike most other lenses coming with a plastic hood.  Since it is screw on, I found I've left the hood on all the time.Being an older AF-D lens, you won't get AF with newer low-end Nikon dSLRs that lack a built-in AF motor, so if you want AF action, then avoid using with cameras like the D40/60/3000/3100/5000.  Older or newer high end SLRs with the screw drive motor, you're all set.  AF is fast and responsive, if slightly noisyImage quality is great on this lens with a nice smooth bokeh when shot wide open.  I haven't noticed any significant distortion or excess softening in the corners.A great choice of prime lens to add to your shooting armamentum and a nice change from the usual 35 or 50mm lengths most people use.
This is a lovely little - yes, little in the world of monster zooms - short telephoto lens. Sharp as a tack with beautiful bokeh. I love the "old school" screw-in metal (gasp!) hood.  You can just keep it on in combination with a UV filter cram it in your bag and not have to worry about using the lens cap. Brilliant.It is fast to focus, if a little noisy, and the focus ring turns when it focuses. But ya know what? I actually prefer hearing and feeling my lenses focus.  I've had AF-S lenses and was often at a loss trying to figure out if they had focused or not.My only complaint is that I wish the close-focus limit was shorter. I often find I have to back up to get into focus.  A good set of close-up filters fixes this, but they're not exactly convenient.
Have used Nikkor 85mm F/1.4s since the day the first AIS came out, thru the latest AF-D edition and just recently, the AF-G.  They were my go to Nikon 85s.  Out of no other choice.  Never liked any Nikon 85mm.  Money is not even a consideration for me.I had tried this 85mm F1.8 when it first came out.  As bad as the AIS & AF-D were, in some ways my first 1.8 was worse.  Low in exterior contrast, very warm ( If you like Zeiss lenses would have love that one ) and LOTs of contra light flare.  To be fair, the 1.4 AIS had horrible bokeh, chalky color and poor sharpness at all stops except at 5.6 & 8, where I admit, it bit with a snap close to Leica, albiet without the depth of color.  The AF-D 1.4 has so much blue and purple color pollution that I cannot use it at all.  Both my latest copies make great paperweights.  And have had a dozen or so and not one ever tack sharp-most not at all.  Just tried the new 1.4 G with only 40 or so hours use, thought it perhaps better than the D lens, but not the AIS at it's finest.  I long ago gave up and bought some old F/2 AISs, which despite many flaws just can yeild hyponitc results for pro work.That is till now.  I just bought a new 85mm F/1.8 D.  Though not a pro, shoot prof. occasionally-location/studio fashion top end portraits & the occassional combat photo.  First thing noticed is the color quality.  Though the lens remains comparitively ( but not bad at all ) low in exterior contrast the quality and accuracy of color is the best I've seen out of a Nikon tele.  And interior contrast rivals Leica.  And it is sharp like a razor always.  And no flare.  The subtly and quality of color silence all critism.  Magical.  Much better than the AF-D or G.  All the originally successful D & AIS lenses from old school have gotten MUCH better IMHO over time as Nikon, I guess, has gotten better at the manufacturing processes.  This lens no exception.  Would prefer the Leica snap, but will settle for everything else.  Buying another one.Remember that Nikon sample variation is so extreme that the luck of the draw can yeild extraordinary variation.  Except on the G lenses, where I do dislike them all ( the primes at least ) due too thier chalky, light color, quite notical flairy look, and lack of color depth and deep contrast and bite.  The 50m G is so bad to my eye it, looks like the image is on paper and superfical.  With lots of distortion.  My 24m F1.4 G is even worse.  G lense look like plastic.  Fake, not 3 dimensional.  Not this 85mm F 1.8. Subtle and elegant yet with sharpness and some richness.  Glow really.  Vs the chalky dryness of the typical G primes.  See for yourself.  Rent them and compare.
The bad:Major dissapointment not to have a lens bag, Nikon went cheap on this one.The lens hood is metal and screw style mount, it is a hassle. You got to be very careful as it is metal to metal threads, so you better screw it in right to prevent permanent damage.I bought it from Adorama and had no tamper seal, so keep an eye on that...The good:Excellent picture quality, very sharp, solid like a tank. I only wish the lens hood was bayonet style.
I bought this lens for my Nikon D80, and I love it! It is incredibly sharp, and renders beautiful bokeh. I've taken many portraits with this lens, and all have turned out beautifully.If you're like me, and can't afford the 85mm f/1.4, this lens is perfect. I'm so glad that I bought it, and now that I have it, I can't see myself ever needing the f/1.4, this one does the job amazingly well.
I bought this lens when I purchased my Nikon D70s in February.  I have to admit I have not used it too much.  However, when I have used it, I am pleased with the results.  Mostly, as I have been walking around town practicing taking photos, I have little use for the 85mm, because it's not good for "point-and-shoot" scenes.When I have taken portrait shots, however, the 85mm is very clear and creates great depth of field, which I find important.I hope this was helpful.
This is a good portrait lens if you're positioned pretty far from the subject. The manual focus  makes it easy to change the subject, and you can get some great bokeh effects with it.
this lens is sooo creamy.  not great for inside since you have to be kind of far away which is why i only gave it 4 stars instead of 5.  i will be doing portraits in the spring, and im sure it will be my go to lens for that.
i really struggled over whether or not to drop the extra $1000 and get the 85 1.4.  i decided to save my money for now, and i must say i am really pleased with this lens.  it's by far my favorite lens i own, and i have rarely taken it off my camera.  the clarity is great, and the colors even seem more vibrant. beautiful DoF, sparkly bokeh, and sharp.  a definite must-have for portraits!
I use it for high school basketball- GREAT! with D90 & SB-800 flash. Btw, don't buy with 2-day shipping. Mine arrived in 6 days NOT 2.
If you are considering it..go for it. I have over a dozen nikkor lenses. The only lens I think is better is 55mm f/1.2mm (manual focus). I admit that I have not used 85mm f/1.4 yet..but remember  1.4 is heavy and expensive.The only issue I have seen is amount of chromatic aberrations...but not an issue when taking portraits.
I am replacing a 70-200 2.8 with this, reluctantly. However, I am pleased with the results and quality.Very sturdy build, which I like. I feel like I could drop it and not damage it.Much lighter than a telephoto lens with a wide aperture.A tad on the noisy side.
I have used Nikkor lenses for almost 40 years. I have 6 in my bag right now. This is the best lens I have ever used.  It is better than the 105 f2.5, and that should say it all.  Fast focus, perfect color, contrast, and razor sharp. The 85 mm focal length is perfect for portraits even with the 1.5 factor on a D300 [feels almost like you are using the 105 f2.5!]. On a D700 this lens is stunning in all regards! Combine the 1.8 f-stop with the low noise of today's Nikons and you are set to capture great images in almost any low light situation.  The real point of the lens is, of course, the incredible DOF control you have to make your subject pop.  I always use aperture priority with this lens to make sure I am controling the f stop, the results are amazing, even wide open.  This prime lens really needs to be in your camera bag if you are a serious Nikon photographer. The fit and finish are pure Nikon. This is not a kit lens, it is a lens built for professional use. One more important thought to remember, this lens will work perfectly on the FX sensor of the D3 and D700 as it is not a DX lens. You will not be sorry you bought this lens, esp at the current price.
If you cannot afford or do not need the 85mm 1.4 this is a great piece of glass, typical high quality Nikkor.Used it in a couple of photo shoots and the color rendition is excellent, sharp as a tack from f2.8 to f11, very good at f1.8 with some purple color fringing and CA in some lighting conditions. It focus fast and accurate on a D90 (won't work on D60, D50 and D40, only focus with on body screw) never missed the mark even in low light situations.Resolution is good and allow to push the ISO up a notch or two to compensate for low light situation, in which she has no problem hitting home when it comes to focusing.Excellent for head-shots and head and shoulder portraits, with a DX you have the field of view of 127.5mm on a  FX/35mm camera. A little extra room in the portrait world can allow you to keep a slightly higher distance with the model/subject.Like the previews reviewer said, if you are a full time pro the 85 1.4 is a much better lens, but it comes at a price (almost 3 times). Even better should be the new 85mm 1.4g.
Tho it came without a lens cap, this lens is worth the money. NO ARGUMENT! Very buttery bokeh MUST HAVE!
The 85 1.8D was a blast to shoot with.It runs for about $350-425 used and produces nice bokeh. Portraits are its specialty and I was able to get many creamy indoor/outdoor shots with its large aperture. With enough room, I was still able to take group shots on a crop sensor. It's sharp and gets sharper when stopped down. Unfortunately, it does show chromatic aberration with purple/green halos, especially when shot wide open.The metal construction is what you'd expect from Nikon, weighing just under 13 ounces. On a D7k crop sensor, the 35mm equivalent focal length would be about 127mm. The metal hood is screw-on, it has 9 straight aperture blades and takes 62mm filters. I was able to focus from at 3 feet, which is not too bad for face shots. About 15 feet is needed for group pics though. If you're looking for a faster 85mm prime than 1.8 then I'd choose the Nikon 85mm 1.4G, which has rounded aperture blades and has 5-star reviews.Overall, I'm happy with the lens. I just wish it had M/A mode and rounded aperture blades. Is it a keeper? I'm still undecided. I might just return it and hope Nikon releases an 85 1.8G soon (since they've been releasing affordable 35 and 50 1.8Gs lately). So far it has stayed on my camera since the day I received it from Amazon.At the moment, my bag-o-glass consists of a 10.5mm 2.8G fisheye, 35mm 1.8G and this 85mm 1.8D.
If you have a grand to burn...get the 1.4. If you are a practical person, enjoy maxin' out the gear you currently own before buying more stuff get the 1.8. This lens produces absolute beauty. The Bokeh is very...and i mean very pleasing and, of course, sharp as hell. I own various fixed lenses and even the 80-200mm af-s behemoth(serious "bokeh-er")and I'm still drawn to my 85mm 1.8 like a magnet. I believe in squeezing my current gear before moving on to 1.4's for example. That's just me. This Nikkor is indeed fantastic. This is your lens if you need above average performance at a reasonable price.
Despite the fact that this is a prime lens and I am shooting with an FX D700, it is not at all sharp at f/1.8I've tried experiments and it doesn't really get nice and sharp until about f/4.  My 28-200mm zoom is almost as sharp at 85mm as this lens.  I am a bit disappointed in this lens.  Ken Rockwell said it was really sharp at f/1.8.  Maybe his is, but after trying and trying, I can say for sure that mine is not.
I recently bought a Nikon D90 with a spendy AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G zoom.  My purpose was to take quality hockey pictures of my son.  The spendy 18-200mm lens was a disaster for indoor hockey photos.  Purchasing a zoom that could handle the light meant big bucks and carrying a lot of weight.  So I ordered this 85mm 1.8D lens and couldn't be happier.  It handles the light well and gives me stunningly sharp photos.  I use the auto function on the lens for calculating the F-Stop (turn dial to red 16, move lever to red dot).Keep in mind you won't get those sharp hockey photos by using the auto settings on the camera.  I used a fixed shutter speed of 1/400, auto ISO, auto white balance, spot metering, single point area, wide focusing, AF-C and +1 exposure compensation.  So there you now know all the secrets to taking great hockey photos without spending a fortune.The only small con I can think of with this lens is that the auto-focus could be a touch faster.  Before ordering I had looked at the Nikon 1.46 AF-S 85mm lens, but at $1800 I didn't look too long.Sure, the lens won't let you zoom in for close-up head shots, but a good photo editor can do wonders.
I use this with a D7000 (which crops the outer third of the image circle) and it's marvelous.  The contrast and tonal flavor are very pleasing from about f/2.2 and upward.  The out-of-focus areas are smooth, not busy.  The build quality is solid and durable.  If you are using a full frame body then I would recommend the newer G-version unless optimal sharpness across the frame isn't of most importance.  Still, this classic design is classic for a reason and there's a great value to be had.  Highly recommended...
Great contrast, bokeh, and speed!  Only wish you didn't have to be 3' from the subject.  This lens is a keeper.
I did ALOT of research trying to decide between the 85 1.8 or the 1.4 lens.I am sure the 1.4 has creamier bokeh, is sharper at 1.8 and is built better.... but it is $750 more and is almost double the size and weight.  These are VERY important factors.I can put this lens in my pocket and it feels so light on my camera.  You cannot do that with the 1.4.Not to mention you only have to pay for  62mm filter instead of a 77mm.This little guy is SHARP at 1.8 and the bokeh is still beautiful.Also, I was hesitant to get any 85mm lens, because my 80-200 2.8 can produce the same results, but it is a BEAST, and this will be a great travel light lens and even great little telephoto lens on DX.I am so glad I bought this.
I debated back and forth about buying this lens for probably six months, and finally bought it a few weeks ago.  I think I've shot 1500 pics with it since then, and a large number of them have been quite impressive.  I've found that primes are easier to run and gun with, and this lens doesn't disappoint.  If you're thinking about getting one, just do it.  Worth every dollar.
This is a lens of extremes. It's sharp (a bit too sharp for pleasing portraits), but as others have stated, its HEAVY and SLOW to focus.  Is is OK for some subjects but terrible for others.The biggest negative is that it has the most unattractive Bokeh I've ever seen. (Ken Rockwell was kind when he only said it has "poor Bokeh!") It's jagged, and for lack of a better word, ugly. I know, I know some reviewers said the Bokek is good. With all due respect, I don't think they know what great Bokeh looks like.Anyhow, if one uses this for stuff like wedding pixs (not my interest), or technical photos, etc. where the preferred background is solid and unimportant, this lens is fine. But, for natural outdoor portraits (which I enjoy shooting), where the background should be smooth and pleasingly out-of-focus, this lens is really, really bad. After about 100 shots, I shot it back to the dealer. Uploading a sample shot of an outdoor portrait (cropped for privacy of the subject), but the background "Bokeh" speaks for itself. (SEE: "Customer sample photos," currently on Page 6, 10th shot (but page numbers change as others add photos) -- see the photo with the shimmering red background that looks like soggy strawberries!).
A exceptional portrait lens for both digital and film, the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D is usably sharp wide open and tack sharp by the time you stop down even just a bit. Relatively small and very light, it feels just right in my hand. Steve McCurry is one of my favorite photographers and I was happy to discover that many of his great shots were taken with this lens.Also, if you shoot on a manual focus body like the F3, you'll like the solid but smooth feel of the focus ring.The 85mm comes with a metal, screw-on hood. My preference is the plastic bayonet mounts, but I find that I don't need the hood that often since this lens doesn't tend to flare.Two minor complaints about this lens: first, the bokeh is not exceptional. That's OK; I'm not a bokeh hound. But when I see the creamy out of focus specular highlights that the 85mm f/1.4 produces, sometimes I dream about spending the extra money.Second, I wish it were AF-S. But even without AF-S, it focuses faster than you'd expect.Finally, the construction is solid. I've used it heavily for two years in deserts, jungles, and glaciers (ok, and in less glamorous places like around the apartment) and it still looks brand new.In short, my favorite lens. Absolutely worth every penny.
Want a fast lens for a good price, this is the one. Amazing. I think that the ratings here speak volumes, and even the lower ratings - these are fluke chances (if a lens falls apart on you bring it back and exchange it, certainly wont happen again - I hope: but of others experience this I hope to see such reviews here). I have had Nikon lenses for 20 years and they are still quite well intact, this lens feels like the same quality to me as well.I use this with the D800. They are working well together. I think with the lower level cameras (D3100, for example, it may not be the best choice). I have other lenses with the same range (85mm) but this prime is wonderful with great abilities to control depth (or lack of).A new favourite.
I love this lens. Definitely the best fixed focal length lens I own. It is great for face portraits and a narrow depth of field. An 85mm is a must for any photographer shooting portrait work with super fine detail. The 1.4D is amazing as well, but more expensive.5 out of 5!
This is an excellent portrait lens, sharp, bright, quick to focus.  Well worth the money.
It's very sharp lens.  You will be wised to use it extensively on little children, they have such clear faces.  Be careful when you use this lens with middle age women.  It could show imperfecton in thousand fold.  Again very sharp, very fast Af focusing on my Nikon F80.  Ecxelent portrature lens, but be careful-women will hate you for unflattering portrature.  My advise use black and white film-you will see less imperfection in prints with the same rasor sharp focus.
A must have lens to compliment any Nikon system!  The lens is EXTREMELY fast and SHARP!  I'm amazed at the clarity of the photos I've taken thus far.  Very impressive!  For anyone considering this lens....stop thinking about it and just do it!
This is a tentative review, and I've factored in the high price for the rating,  butI tested this lens for sharpness, and it isn't much different from other, cheaper lenses I tried. (50-1.8) I somehow had the illusion that the lens would yield a sharper image when shooting the books in  my library and looking at the printed titles. My 70-200 vrii kicks the 85 out of the park with sharpness, because the main source of blur is hand shake (which the vr cures.)  But I don't deny the perceptions of other shooters in this review forum.Now I am classified as color-blind, because I don't pass the tests where you have to see the numbers buried in the colored balls. Yet, I see color! Am I kidding myself? Anyhow, I notice the lens + D700 brings out colors that my naked eye doesn't pick up.Evidently the quality of this lens isn't measured by simple sharpness tests of shooting and blowing up images. What I found is that hand shake trumps all sources of blur, and if you control that, you get great results with many lenses.What the other reviews are talking about is an evanescent quality in the image that magically emerges in shooting. It is bokeh and color vividness mainly...So I am going to review this and up the rating as I actually shoot with this lens, if I see what others are talking about. Until then, I am bringing my vr lenses along.Added 3/28 - I have just realized the apparent softness could be a limit of the lcd screen on the D700. It seems that printing the picture is the main test...But here's another comment about the reviews of my review. I notice a 1/3 favorable, which is hardly statistically significant, but it points out a serious failing in the thought process of people. Here it is in a nut-shell: Cultivate and consider contrarion opinions to your own, especially if you think they are wrong. This is  because partisanship ("I'm right, you're wrong.) makes you stupid. I have to force myself to do this, as it's a strong tendency of the human mind to do this.. Science tries (with varying success) to overcome this, but I offer this as a view on how you can judge a lens. For example, the limit in resolution of the lcd could be a cause, but no one offered that idea. Overall, I am disturbed by the inability of the D700 to catch subtle shadings of light (The Canon 5D I tested  was much better.) Is my perception a result of the D700 lcd? If so, why does the Canon 5D seem a better "light-catcher?" Comments welcome!
I've bought this lens a month ago, and I've taken unforgettable photos ...This lens is a Bokeh factory ... The portraits are amazing, so dreamy, so isolated.The built quality is great, metallic. Many complain about the screw hood, I love it, plus it's metallic too.The focus is so fast.I've bought a 77mm NC filter mainly to protect the lens ...I know some finds the 85mm in digital = 127.5mm is not easy to handle, specially shooting indoor and in small rooms, but this lens will make you overcome this issue ... and if you cannot, then go for 50mm or less.
love it! great lens for portraits, nice and sharp, love the build.. love everything about it. not one complaint from me!
Absolutely incredible lens. One of the best Nikon has ever made.If you're looking for something that is fast and tack-sharp this is for you.Most of my pictures were taken with this lens:[...]
(purchased Jan 2003)  I bought this lens to use for "candid portrait" photography, and have captured brilliant images of my two fast-moving sons.  The wide maximum aperature (f 1.4) and nine-blade aperature mechanism draw attention to the subject of the photographs by causing things that are not in focus to be blurred nicely.  More importantly, this lens is extremely sharp.  Its images are very detailed and the color contrast is excellent.  I have not had trouble with flare, but when the sun strikes the front element, image contrast suffers.  Therefore, keep the large lens shade on when shooting outside.  The focus is very fast on a Nikon F100.The only downsides?  Closest focus is not great, and the cost!
This is a wonderful lens, and I am so glad the price is so much less then the G, but I can't believe all these years later they could not have changed the AF/MF button, I hit it all the time with my hand. I don't expect them to re-design the whole thing or add anything special, but you would think nearly 30 years later they could make a tiny change to that button and not have to double the price (or leave the design the same but somehow make it so the lock is more secure). I use this on a cropped body which makes it more like a 100mm which is still really nice for portraits, it means I have to back up a good bit but I adore it, I wish the 50 1.4 had the same effect but it just does not. Something about the 85, does amazing things to backgrounds and separation. At-least the price is not $1,700 like the G!
Resistance to buing this was futile after I'd used one belonging to a friend.  The lens itself is amazing.  Great optics, fast focus, perfect out of focus areas.  Does a good job in available light.My only complaint is that the all-metal screw in lens hood is very clumsy when trying to place it in a bad or apply the snap-in lens cap.  I wonder if anyone makes a larger snap-on lens cap that would fit the out of the lens hood.  The main complaint being that the lens hood is required for using this lens due to the massive 77mm exposed glass (it shoots flares like a capsized sailor!) but it takes a while to put it on and take it off.However the hood is (like the rest of the lens body) all metallic and posses a very heavy, sturdy feel when it is attached to the D200 body.  Take a look at my site for some examples, [...]
I've tried a number of "portrait" lenses, and without question, this is the best.It's expensive, yes, but this product exemplifies the phrase "you get what you pay for".  I've taken many portraits with this amazing piece of equipment, and the sharpness, clarity, speed, and low-light capability is of supreme quality.From the second you take it out of the box to attaching it to your DSLR, you can feel the build quality - it's heavy, and it just feels substantial.  If you have the money, get this.I usually get a "whoa, that's some lens" and "wow, what is that!" from passersby on the streets on NY when they see it attached to my D300.  It looks damn good.
I have had this lens for a while now and it is an awesome lens. On a D700 it is an amazing team it has lived on my d700 for weeks. Portraits it is a must.. so smooth and dreamy and not only that but for medium telephoto lens its superb. Looking at it is a heavy lens on on a d700 but well worth the money. Its awesome in low light. I could go on but I think everyone has said alot of what this lens is.. I wish not to repeat what people have said of this lens
I don't want anything less so I got the cream of the crop. Bokeh is super and this is just an AWESOME lens. Pricey but well worth it! This is fast, tack sharp and just one heck of a lens! Nikon really lives up to its reputation in making super sharp glass! Well done and highly recommended for portrait photographers!
Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.4 has been hailed as legendary lens for Nikon DSLR or film camera. I think it is because of its unique characteristic but also its age. This lens has been around for thirteen years.Image Quality and characteristicMounted in Nikon full frame camera D700, the lens is sharp at maximum aperture of f/1.4D, which is excellent. Stopped down to f/2.8, the lens become very sharp. But extreme sharpness is not what this lens is made for. It is primarily made for its ability in low light condition, and its ability to create a beautiful out of focus effect in background or foreground.Because of those characteristic and its fixed focal length, this lens is ideal for portrait. It is also good for candid portraiture such as in wedding. For Nikon pro wedding shooters, this lens is one of must have lens.Unfortunately, this lens suffers a bit from purple fringing in high contrast area (see sample pic below), it is also susceptible to flare, but not as bad as other lenses.Auto Focus operationBecause Nikon 85mm f/1.4D does not have built-in motor focus like modern lenses (AF-S) lens, it relies on camera body to focus. It speed will also depend on the camera body. The more higher-end model such as Nikon D700, D3 or D3X will focus faster than the entry-level camera.When mounted in Nikon D700, the lens focus very fast. Unfortunately entry level user such as Nikon D40, D40X and D60 only can use manual focus because the camera body doesn't have the capability to focus AF lenses. This lens also create some noise when focusing because lack of Silent Wave Motor.In sport games such as basketball, the lens has difficulty in continuous tracking. It fails to lock on the object properly resulting in many blur image. I don't recommend it for sports.Build QualityBuilt quality of this lens is awesome, it is average in size and weight and very nice to handle. The focus ring is smooth. Closest focusing is 85cm, make it not very ideal for macro / close-up photography.It will come with "metal" lens hood. Unfortunately the lens hood it screw in type and you can't reverse it for more compact storage. In spite of that, the lens hood is fully metal, so it is better than regular plastic type and a lot more durable.Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D vso 85mm f/1.8DCompare to f/1.8D version, This lens is 2.5 times more expensive, the cheaper lens is not as sharp as f/1.4D in its maximum aperture of f/1.8. At f/2.8, the sharpness is almost equal. The build quality is also a lot worse than the f/1.4D. But the 85mm f/1.8 is more compact and portable.In ConclusionYou might want to get this lens because of several reasons:* You frequently shoot at extremely low light condition which f/1.4D is often needed* You are concern about artistic, especially smooth background blur.* You are looking for the sharpest lens from edge to edge of the image. (The lens is designed to be sharp in the center "focus" and soft in the corner).Don't buy this lens for indoor sports, it is better to get either f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens or lighting equipment.check out [...] for other reviews
This is my 4th Nikon lens and my second prime.  The 85mm is by far my favorite lens and well worth the expense. If you want professional images, this lens will will deliver.  The results are immediate and spectacular. I didnt expect the volume or level of improved images with my Nikon D90 just because of a single lens.  I was both shocked and stunned by the results.  The visual upgrade from my old SLR and other Nikon lenses is astounding.  The cliche that you get what you pay for could not be more true than with this product.UPDATE:I now have a Nikon 28mm PC lens, Nikon 50mm 1.4D, Nikon 18-200mm 3.5-5.6, and the Nikon 10-24mm 3.5-4.5.  The 85mm 1.4 is still by far my favorite lens in terms of results. I just wish it was practical for all uses. I hate taking it off of the camera body.
This is a fantastic lens!I love how well it works with a D300 at 1600 ISO, you can shoot in rooms with very little light.I would recommend shooting full manual settings when pushing this lens and your camera to the limit so you can get the picture you really want (accuracy in low light).
I don't have much to add to what others have said about this lens. It is or will be one of the classic lenses that even when discontinued and replaced, will be sought after for years. This lens is so much fun to use at night, especially along colorfully lit or lively streets. The bokeh is all you've heard and seen. It does take a while to get used to the DOF of the 1.4 though.My 2 gripes about this lens have nothing to do with the quality of the lens itself...my gripes just have to do with it being an "older" lens.1.Once you get used to the in-the-lens AF-S motors or even Sigma's HSM, the pin driven motors just seem to grate and take a while.2. Like most others, not a fan of the lens hood. It's a screw type hood, it screws into the threads where you would screw in a filter. You can also screw it into a filter. I've had it get stuck to my filter before, not a big deal though. You can put the lens cap on with the hood on as well. The hood doesn't store easily reversed over the lens like other hoods. It addition, the hood is made of metal with a fine matte finish that can potentially scratch the lens body if reversed over it for storage.I am one who always tries the lens hood on when the camera is out of the bag for protection. During the day i always use a hood. With my sigma 30mm 1.4, however, sometimes at night i don't use the hood. With this nikkor 85mm, even at night you need the hood and not just for protection,I've experienced glare from street lamps without the hood...That's it really, and i'm really over both those issues.My wife was really pissed at how much i spent on this lens, then she saw the pics i took of her with the lovely bokeh and she cooled a bit...Overall this is a great lens and will be even when the AF-S ED IF VR three thousand with mega-nano crystals comes out...
I've been using the 85mm f/1.8D for almost a year now, and took a step out to get the f/1.4D version, and was not disappointed!  The 85mm f/1.4D lens is the cream machine when it comes to bokeh.  At almost every f-stop, the bokehs still come out rounded, but for the 85mm f/1.8D lens, there are certain f-stops where it is not rounded, but can see the polygonal shape from the aperture blades.  The f/1.4D lens is almost 3 times the price of the f/1.8D lens, but the built and performace is also better.This lens is already pretty sharp wide open, but stopping down to f/2, you can see that it gets sharper.  The only thing which I do not like in this lens package (and is the same for the 85mm f/1.8D lens package too) is the screw on lens hood to the filter thread.  In anycase, shooting without a lens hood is not a problem.
I didn't expect this lens to be so astonishingly good.I've read all the reviews and all the tests, and I've used my share of older Nikon AF and AF-D lenses, and I expected a performance from this lens along the lines of what I'd experienced with other, similar lenses - just with the addition of the legendary bokeh that everybody seems to buy it for and the giant fast aperture.Instead what I got is a lens that exceeds its spec sheet, exceeds the performance implied by every formal test I've ever seen of it, and exceeds nearly every expectation I had for it.Here's why:Any lens will tend to lose acuity as larger apertures are used.  This is due to spherical aberration and occurs to very different degrees in different lenses, but occurs to some degree in every lens.  Tests of this lens show this loss of acuity to a similar degree to that which occurs in its smaller f/1.8 sibling, which I found to be mediocre wide open, and to most of Nikon's older AF and AF-D primes, the performance capabilities of which I'm also familiar with and not always particularly impressed by.Yet while those other lenses are indeed diminished in terms of image quality as their wide-open aperture is approached, the 85/1.4 doesn't seem to lose a thing in terms of the visual impact of its images no matter how wide it's opened up.  Even wide-full-open at f/1.4, this lens gives stunning images with excellent sharpness, excellent contrast, and beautiful colors that leap right out of the image in full three-dimensional glory.The reason, I suspect, has to do with the fact that the perception of sharpness in an image is not at all the same thing as pure optical acuity.  Acuity is the element effectively measured by performance tests, which look at the loss of contrast on a tiny scale barely resolvable by a digital sensor.  Quite different is what our eyes perceive when we look at an image.  The "snap" we find striking when looking at a stunning photo has to do with color and contrast on a somewhat larger scale, and also with other factors in the image as a whole, such as the contrast between in-focus and out-of-focus parts of the image.  Under close inspection at full magnification, it is clear that this lens, like any other, loses acuity at very large apertures.  The overall color and contrast, though, the snap and pop that makes images look vibrant, alive and three-dimensional, does not diminish.  That is extraordinary in an f/1.4 lens.  It means that I can take a photograph of a colorful, detailed subject with this lens at f/1.4, and with another excellent lens at f/5.6, and the image made by this lens will have at least as much of those qualities, even viewed with moderate magnification, as the f/5.6 image will have.  That is the reason this lens deserves its legendary reputation.Of course, that f/1.4 image will also have the beautiful bokeh that this lens is famous for, and it will have a degree of de-focus (not the same as bokeh, which is the QUALITY of the de-focus) that can make the background meld into a soft blur of color mere inches from the plane of perfect focus.  That of course is also what this lens is legendary for.  Many lenses can create de-focus, though: wider, slower lenses can do it close-up, and longer, slower lenses can do it at similar distances - and some, to my eyes at least, have bokeh that is just as nice as the 85/1.4.  What makes this lens remarkable is the combination of those qualities: excellent quality of bokeh, degree of blur controllable all the way to extreme at f/1.4, and a rendering of the in-focus part of the image that is just superb, and that loses not one whit of perceived quality even at wide-open aperture.  That is a combination that will let you make magic.It is not perfect.  This lens' biggest optical flaw is something that is most commonly called purple fringing.  This is a chromatic aberration that occurs in out-of-focus contrast transitions and can also, I believe, be called longitudinal chromatic aberration.  It occurs because different wavelengths of light are focused slightly differently as they pass through the various lens elements, and it is very noticeable in certain types of images if you look closely.  The lens is also susceptible to flare, so it's important to take care to shade the front element, if possible, when shooting into backlit scenes.  These qualities do affect the usability of the lens to a degree, but this lens is a rather specialized tool, and knowing when to use it, and how to use it properly, should be considered a reasonable requirement for anybody who wishes to benefit from its extraordinary capabilities.Perfection is one way to greatness, and there are lenses out there that come close to perfection without being extraordinary in any particular way.  Some of those lenses are deserving of five-star ratings.  This lens does the exact opposite, being extraordinary despite significant imperfections, and I give it five stars as well.  It is utterly unmatched, probably by a wide margin, and probably at any price, at doing what it does well. Regardless of its relatively minor imperfections it is, with a capital "G," one of the Great Nikon lenses.Notes:- This lens has a near complete lack of any of the latest Nikon buzzword tech: there are no ED elements and no aspherical elements, it does not have Nikon's close-ratio correction (CRC) floating-element design, and of course it does not have AF-S focusing.  It could probably benefit from all of those things, the first two of which would no doubt help with its issues with chromatic aberration.  It does, however, have Nikon's excellent "SIC" lens coating, which I suspect is responsible, along with a good overall optical design, for its excellent performance in terms of contrast and color rendition, especially wide-open.  Having fewer elements than the complex zooms no doubt helps as well, as each air/glass and glass/glass interface causes some attenuation in lens performance.  The complex zooms with multiple ED and aspheric elements seem to need those tricks, while this lens gets by without them.- Compared to the 85mm f/1.8D:  In my humble opinion, there is no comparison.  This lens suffers from none of the 1.8 lens' relative lack of contrast in comparison to Nikon's newer lenses: in fact just the opposite - it seems, if it's possible, even contrastier and more vibrant in its rendition of colors than even the best of them.  That alone gives its images a subtle, but noticeable, bump in quality compared to the f/1.8.  This lens' wide-aperture shots don't lose the punch that the 1.8D's do.  And while I didn't personally find the 1.8D's bokeh to be particularly nice, this 1.4D does certainly live up to its reputation in that area, being equal to the very best.  Even if you never shot this lens wider than f/1.8 it would be twice the lens the 85/1.8 is.  These differences are modest but not small, and they show up in every image.  The difference between greatness and competence is often subtle.  Here, to my eyes, it is nevertheless very clear.- This lens uses 77mm filters, which is very handy for most Nikon users as that has been the standard pro filter size for twenty years or so now.  To get the most out of this lens you will really need to invest in at least one high-quality neutral density filter of 2-3 stops.  This will allow you to shoot the lens in brighter conditions and still benefit from its control over depth of field.  I have two 2-stop ND filters and sometimes use both of them together, which the lens handles well, although focusing can become difficult.  Another good investment might be a very high-grade, multi-coated protective filter, which can be helpful in diminishing the flare that this lens can suffer from.  I recommend Hoya's excellent "HD" filters, the best I've used at helping to control flare.- Focus is very accurate on my sample.  That is a very important consideration for a lens with such a narrow wide-open depth of field, and I've had more than one fast lens whose wide open performance was effectively ruined by inconsistent focus.  While this is not an AF-S lens and consequently lacks the subtle, incremental ability to track motion that AF-S lenses tend to have, it is extremely good for still shots even at f/1.4.
I can't afford the replacement for the G version that came out in 2010, but why should I? The 85mm 1.4D lens delivers sharp images even wide open and creamy backgrounds that make you look like a pro even if your not one. I understand that the G version has the nano coating but I use the hood all the time and I am happy with the results. About the sharper corners on the G that too I am not concern because I don't shoot in the corners and besides softness is acceptable in portraits. In all, I spent $900 but I also saved $900 and I know that this lens will be in my arsenal for years to come. A true beauty of a lens.Update...I have been using this lens for 1 year almost and unbelievable performance it delivers. It surpassed anything I have ever owned and it includes fast pro lenses like the nikon 28-70mm 2.8 and nikon 80-200mm 2.8. Folks, yes its not a zoom, but if you definitely think quality then this is the mother of all lenses when it comes to one. Portrait lovers- keep them wondering who made those pictures as this lens is the secret to sharpness at wide apertures and bokeh that make models appreciate your work. I have shot dozens of models and they even say my work is pro caliber. I used to own the nikon 85mm 1.8 and I can say that there is a reason to pay 3x more for the nikon 85mm 1.4d. When you want the best of the best and everything detail counts.
I have 70-200mm VR that I used quite often, until I got this lens. I love everything about this lens, especially the creamy bokeh and at the same time it very sharp too.  Great lens this might might be, but it's not all purpose lens, at 127.5mm (35mm equivalent) with APS sensor camera, it's considered telephoto and may not be good for small indoors but great for out doors and low light indoor sports. Oh and most of all it's a must have for portraits.
huge,heavy lens,with absolutely outstanding image quality and sharpness.made in japan metal construction,and it feels like it!im sure the newer version is sharper,but my eyes dont have the ability to tell the difference!
Wonderful lens shooting on a Nikon D800 beautiful bokeh and super fast glass. If you are looking for a general photography/portrait lens look no further.
This lens really is incredible. I'm surprised that its not depicted more often from a head-on perspective. Looking through it, you see glass - and only glass - from edge to edge.
For head and shoulder portraits, this is my go to lens. I'm comparing this lens subjectively with my other Nikon lenses: The 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, 105mm VR Macro, 50mm 1.8, 35mm 1.8, 18-70mm kit, and 10-24mm. I use all of these lenses depending on subject and shooting conditions, but for portraits, I always grab the 85mm. It imparts a quality on images unlike my other lenses. Perhaps it's the 85mm focal length forcing me to compose more carefully, or a combination of a large aperture and focal length? I don't really care what it is. What matters is that it gets the job done. I have no reason to upgrade to the newer AF-S version.In addition to being happy with the images I create with this lens, I love the build quality. The metal lens shade is simply icing on the cake.If you shoot a lot of head and/or head and shoulder portraits, don't think twice if you can afford it. The 1.8mm  is a fine substitute by all online accounts, but I know of no 1.4 owners who would trade their lens for the 1.8 counterpart, and the opposite simply isn't true.Update 10/29/12: I have sold my D300 and am now using a D600. The 85mm remains my favorite portrait lens. Focusing is quick on the D600.
I've been using 85mm f1.4 for almost a year now. I bought this lens to take photos of my first baby just after he was born. This lens can produce photos with exceptional quality when used correctly. What others commented on razor sharpness and creamy bokeh is so true. For indoor shots, I mostly use 50mm f1.4 because 85mm is just too long for a small apartment we live in. But when I take photos of my family and friends outside, I use 85mm almost all the time. I've never used 85mm f1.8, so I can't offer any direct comparisons. I am only giving four stars, because of a high price tag. Does it make sense to spend $800 more than the price of a 85mm f1.8 to get a 85mm f1.4? It depends what you want to do with the lens, of course. If I had bought a 85mm f1.8, I'd definitely look forward to upgrade it to a 85mm f1.4 someday so I decided to wait until I had enough $$$ to buy this one.
Thank you Richard for running this to the post office for me and sending it so quick! I needed the lens to shoot a wedding and he was right on top of it! I truly appreciate the awesome service and I am so excited to use my new lens!LeanaLooking Glass Photography
I LOVE this lens.  It is tight so it works great for photojournalistic stuff and is great at low light.
I have only had this lens for a few days so fyi. I also shoot FX not DX. I also own many Nikon lens and the awesome 50mm f1.4 which is the sharpest lens I have period. The 85mm f1.4 I wanted for portraits, head shots, etc. but I also wanted the best bokeh possible without a tele. I have to say so far the bokeh is really good, but is it a $1000 dollars better than the 50mm f1.4 bokeh? Not really. Here is what I would say, if you already have the 50mm f1.4 and don't need a specific prime portrait lens skip this. it all depends on what you want. Also this is an old lens that does have some flaws. It does need improved lens coatings and a new hood design like all have said. I do like the old build quality, not plastic-y like other new lens can be. Am I happy I have it? Yes, but just barely. Wide open, which is WHY you buy this lens, it is not as sharp as the 50mm f1.4 wide open IMHO. It is good, but for this price and being a fixed lens it should be tack sharp  wide open. Also wide open it has blue fringing that you can see at 100%, It is not terrible but it is there. Another sign of its age. Yes software can correct this, but again for this price that is not cool. If this lens were $799, I would say buy it no questions asked. But it is not. So think long and hard about why you are getting this. If your 50mm f1.4 is too wide for you and you don't want a tele then this is a fine alternative. If you think this lens will do everything and be your main lens, I think that is false hope. The 50mm is much better at an all around everyday lens. That's my two cents. I tried to be honest and not sugary sweet as some reviews are who gush over this lens. It is not the end all be all lens some describe it to be. What it is is a very good older lens that has great bokeh wide open but is not the sharpest lens at f1/4. Keep in mind also the resell on this will drop when an update does come out. I plan to use this for many years to come.
I've had my eye on this lens for some time, but was very hesitant to spend the money on it. I bought it a couple of months ago and have used it almost exclusively on my D90 since then. This is a great lens, and I know it was the right lens for me to add to my photo gear right now.I agree with previous reviewers, there are 2 main reasons to buy this lens. First, if you shoot in low light conditions this lens performs incredibly well. The other day I was at my kids' school taking some musical photos for the yearbook. The auditorium manager was out for the day, so we couldn't turn on the stage lights. We only used the house lights and a very small amount of background stage lights, so it was very dark and I wasn't feeling optimistic about getting some decent shots. But wide open, the lens was capable of producing sharp, clear, decently exposed images.The other main reason to buy this lens is the bokeh, of course. It is very smooth and beautiful. However, this lens does take some practice and skill when shooting wide open. It is a very sharp lens even at 1.4, but there is no room for error with focus since the depth of field is so narrow.One other thing that I really like about this lens is it's size and weight. It's hefty and well-built, but isn't too heavy or cumbersome on my D90. I feel perfectly comfortable walking around with this lens. Sometimes people suggest getting a 70-200mm before or instead of the 85mm, but for me this lens is a much better fit and more versatile. Yes, the 70-200mm also has great bokeh, has a more versatile range, and can be better for indoor sports. But it's size and weight are a major negative me. I wouldn't use a 70-200mm for casual portraits, or as a walk around lens, or everyday casual shots. In my opinion, the 85mm is great in all of those situations.There are some negatives to this lens - it is a little too long on a DX body at times and there are some chromatic aberration and flare issues when shooting wide open.If you are thinking about getting this lens, do your homework and figure out of this is a right fit for you. For me, it is a very versatile lens and a great performer and I am completely satisfied with it.
I would rate myself as an skilled amateur.My style of photography leans almost completely towards candid, no flash photography and to capture moments as they happen with no influence from the photographer.In order to achieve this indoors, I only use fast glass such as the Nikon 17-55mm 2.8, Nikon 35mm 1.8, Sigma 70-200mm 2.8I never thought of actually considering replacing one of these lenses as I was buying the 85mm 1.4.However, after using it and looking at the back of the LCD on my D90, I realized that there is something extraordinary happening here.As well the sharpness being excellent, I had no idea that bokeh could look this creamy and smooth. I can throw a variety of backgrounds and this lens would blend almost everything into a painting-like cream.The impact this has on the subject it stunning. It brings the subject out into another dimension and almost always turns 'recording the moment' into 'creating art'.Initially, I thought that my subject wasn't turning out as sharp as I would like at f/1.4, however I did a test and rested the camera on a stable surface and took a picture. I took a picture of an ottoman and when I zoomed into the image, I could see a fine hair. This was about 2 meters away. Sharpness wasn't the problem, it was just the hand-holding technique and shutter speed that affected the sharpness.At f/1.4, Depth of field becomes extremely shallow - a few centimeters - even shallower if the subject is closer. I find myself taking high speed continuous shots even on stationary subjects in order to increase the likelihood to nail the focus perfectly on the subjects eyes. This can be a challenge but the resulting image is a winner. It just takes a bit of getting used to with such a fast lens.True high speed AF-S (not the slow kind found on consumer nikons) and VR would make this lens VERY good.I am now seriously considering replacing my sigma 70-200mm 2.8. I'm willing to sacrifice the 200mm reach with the performance of the 85mm 1.4.This is how good this lens is - even on a crop sensor body like the D90.The optical quality is not completely without its flaws. At high contrast points in the image, purple/green fringing is quite apparent. This is only towards wide open. For portrait work with nice balanced light, it hasn't been a problem for me.The construction of the lens is excellent, The M - A dial is slightly awkward but OK.The moment you look at the front of the lens, the sheer size of the front element looks really unique. You can tell this is really fast glass. It just looks very professional.Screw in hood is OK - would prefer bayonet mount. I'm glad that the hood is metal.I've had the lens for around 4 days, and people are already getting mesmerized by the pictures created by this lens more so than any of my other lenses. People ask me what I did on the computer to make the picture look so good and I tell them that this is straight from the camera.'Legendary' is THE word for this lens. there is nothing like it.UPDATE 4/19/2011: I sold the sigma shortly after the review and never missed it. A year on, I now use this lens with the 17-55 2.8 to shoot small events and parties. it still delivers and gets me the pictures that are the most liked and talked about.UPDATE 10/9/2012: I sold my D90 and bought a D700. This lens stays on that and works brilliantly. The Image quality is outstanding on the full frame D700.
This lens is highly coveted by anyone that has ever shot with it.  The 9-bladed aperture creates beautiful bokeh (the out of focus areas) and the sharpness, color and contrast are amazing.  Primarily designed as a portrait lens, it really shines at f/2 to f/5.6 with an amazing 3-D like quality that has to be seen to be believed.  The fit and finish are first class, with a nice feel and balance to it.  It uses 77mm filters like most other Nikon pro glass and flares quite easily so be sure to use the included metal lens hood.
you have to hold it in your hands to appreciate it. i suggest going to your favorite camera store, bring your camera and give it a test drive. it is SHARP, excellent bokeh, fast autofocus, takes pro 77mm size filter thread,and the list goes on. highly recommended!
I got this lens about a month ago to use at a friend's wedding. And I quickly realized how special this lens is.  This things takes amazing photos. Now I know why they call this the cream machine.
My favorite lens, period.  I love the creaminess that this lens can provide for out-of-focus parts of the image.  While there may be a newer version, I still think this is the best 85mm lens around.  It is very durable but still relatively light compared to most zooms.
I have been shooting with this lens for 5 months now and find this is my new favorite lens to shoot with. The 85mm is a little bit too long for me at one point or another when trying to frame my kid in tight area. I have been doing a lot of foot works since I got this lens. Just be prepare to do some exercises when you decided to purchase one if not shooting in a portrait studio.One small detail that I had noticed though is that the len is "Made In Japan" but the lens' cap is "Made In Thailand." Could this be right? Nikon uses lens' cap from Thailand instead of manufacturing their own in order to save money?
I purchased this a few days ago for my d800. Didn't want to put down $1700 for new 85mm f1.4g. For those who hasn't researched yet. It is documented that 85mm f1.4g is sharper on the corner than 85mm f1.4d. Supposedly the autofocus is faster on the 1.4g (I heard from Min Thein [...] That he didn't like the AF on 1.4g on d800 and preferred 85mm 1.8g instead.Well i took a bite and purchased the 1.4d anyway. It is true that some shots i did notice color fringing and CA. Its bound to happen opening up the lens at 1.4. I am sure the 1.4g took care on some of this issue (not all but some). However, when its good, its gold.This lens produces signature bokeh that i think is distinct to this lens only. 1.4g came close replicating some of it but this lens still has that signature 1.4d bokeh.Auto focus. Fast as hell. I de-coupled AF-ON and shutter so i focus by pressing AF-ON only. I have no problem whatsoever. Snap, snap snap.Funny maybe due to the weight of my 24-70mm. But i'm having so much more fun and more accurate with this lens on than my 24-70mm f2.8 (which supposed to be the best mid-range zoom lens for d800).This lens is built like a tank. It is solid. I know the new one feels like plastic (it probably has more plastic than this one) but yeah this one is pretty much mostly metal.Anyway i suggest you buy it. I don't think its worth 500 dollar more for the 1.4g. Auto focus is perfectly fine. Have no trouble focusing on lowlight thanks to d800 beast AF system. In fact I feel like i am back like owning my first black and white film cameras. That is how much fun this lens give you.oh and BOKEH!
This is the best lens I own.  It is an outstanding lens for most normal picture taking events.  It especially good one to take pictures of people.
I frequently read the DPPREVIEW forums and everyone is talking about the new D300 vs the D3 vs the 40D vs the D200 vs the 5D.  People....it doesn't matter!  I'm convinced if you could put the 85mm f/1.4 on a pin hole camera you would get UNBELIEVABLE pictures.  I've only been using this lens for a few days, but I can't tell you how impressed I am.  The pictures are TACK sharp.  The bokeh is beautiful and the weird 3D like effect is amazing. Auto focus is great on my D200.  Not any louder than any of my other Nikon lenses.  Worth every penny.  Highly recommended.UPDATE:  I forgot to mention that I had no problems ordering through J&R; music.  They had the lens in stock and two day shipping was only about $1.50 more than normal ground.
This is everything you have heard it is.  It really is as good as it gets for this range/speed.  The only thing I would say is more useful for portraits would be the new 24-70mm f/2.8 but that will not give you even close to the same Bokeh.  The background bluring this creates at f/2.8 and lower is unbeatable IMO.
I have been using this fantastic lens for 2 months now and believe me it blows my mind every single day. The pictures I have taken with this baby beyond  imaginations. I bought it without even testing it, I had just done a research about this lens online and I've found out was it was  one of the best nikon lenses ever made. So I spilled the cash and went for it, boy was I ever glad I did that. Build quality is solid all metal and lens is razor sharp, but the beauty of the light it captures is so amazing. If you are a serious photographer you should own this gorgeous portrait lens. I know I will be working with this lens for years and years. I mounted on a D70 and it made my D70 like D2X that's how brilliant were the images. I did lots of portrait shootings with lens wide open at f/1.4 background is very blurry and colors are fantastic.Now that I purchased a D200 from amazon.com it is a blast to use it.Thanx Nikon
I have a variety of Nikon and Sigma lenses and the 85mm 1.4 surpasses them all.  The previous reviewers are not wrong: the sharpness and bokeh are things you must see to believe.  The saturation and contrast must also not be forgotten: I do very little post-processing on photos shot with this lens.  I hesitated for a long time because of the price, but now that it's in my hands, I have no regrets!
Whenever I want that perfect spot-on image, I put this lens on. I can't even describe the beautiful rendering of the photographs. Makes amateurs looks like pros.
With my older film Nikon cameras, my absolute favorite lens for almost every occasion was the 105mm f/2.5 lens.  The razor-sharp clarity, the high speed, I LOVED this lens.Now, lo and behold, for my Nikon digitals, the 85mm f/1.4 is like my old favorite, only faster!  Long enough to get no distortion on portraits, fast enough for avaiable light close-ups in the garden.  And as sharp as the old 105.  I think I'm in love...
It gives you unbelievable image, the sharpness, contrast, and bokeh--in a nice light. It is a perfect portrait lens--in a nice soft light. So for this lens light is everything. If you use it outdoor, you should be very careful. The coating of the lens is not so good, even with the hood you can see flare even with reflected sunlight--not direct sunlight beam! So you will prefer it in indoor portraits, or setup the lighting very carefully.
Thank you to all of you who spent time writing reviews and/or posting pictures on this page. The decision to purchase this lens was based entirely on your reviews and I am glad that I did. This is the best lens I have ever own.Just to make sure that I got a good copy, I tested it by taking a few hudred pictures right after it was dilivered. I carefully examined each image and almost imediately, I knew that this is "THE LENS". I didn't believe the sharpness and contrast that this lens can produce on my S3-pro. I have also posted a few images I took with this lens here on this page as well.
I have a D80 with the 18-135 mm kit lens. This 60mm/f2.8 macro lens is superior to the 18-135 in every way. It is razor sharp and the closeups as well as the portrait shots are amazing. This lens does not exhibit the obvious pincushion distortion that the 18-135 does. You have to be creative when illuminating the object you want to photograph as the built in flash will cast a shadow, that is how close you get with this lens. I'd give this lens a 6 out of 5. Highly recommended!
It's awesomely sharp on my D70, even at fairly wide apertures, no color fringing, minimal distortion.
I bought this lens about seven months ago and wanted to get some use out of it before I wrote my review. This has been a great lens for macro photography work that I do. I have not had any problems with it and the lens quality is very good.
I bought for a friend that has a D5000, however, before handing it i tried on my D5000. The fidelity and the sharpness is Excellent!. Maybe other brands are as good as Nikon, but I have been using Nikkor lenses for long time and I am Not a professional photographer.
If you've never had a true macro lens that is capable of 1:1(life size on slide or negative), then you're in for some fun and you'll be amazed, trust me. It's razor sharp. Image quality is outstanding. You'll see detail on your slides or prints that you could never see with the naked eye.The only thing that could possibly disappoint is the working distance. At 1:1, the subject is about 2-3 inches from the front of the lens. When shooting insects or other moving creatures, this may be too close. The 105mm macro is the way to go for that.---Edited with the following: I've seen 1 and 2 star reviews for this lens because it will not autofocus with the Nikon D40, D40x, and D60(and possibly others). All the other functions still work, just have to manually focus it. **If you want autofocus with the above mentioned Nikon bodies, get the new G version of this lens. These days the 2 are almost the same price.And some knock it because it doesn't have VR. Hey, this lens was introduced around 1989-long before VR or digital SLRs. And in macro photography, steadiness and focusing are so critical, VR won't help much anyway. The only proper technique is to use a rock solid tripod and focus manually. If you think you can just hold the camera and shoot at 1:1 reproduction ratio, you'll have alot of blurred shots. So do your homework and research and don't buy something that is not fully compatible with your camera body-and then give it 1 or 2 stars. It's a fine lens-trust me.Update Sept 2 2013. I just sold the 60 micro because of the short working distance. I'm saving up for a good used 105 Micro D lens. I need the older D lenses because the G lenses don't have an aperture ring and most of my older film cameras need it(and the 105 G VR is priced much higher). That's another thing about this 60, it has an aperture ring so it can be used on older cameras. I had it 11 years and it served me well. Goodbye old friend.
One of the best ever. Nikon has always had a reputation for sharp optics and this meets all the specs. Highly recommended.
Although this lens doesn't connect to the focus system on the camera, it works great; just have to focus manually. Works great as a macro lens and is a wonderful portrait lens. Just enough telephoto to compress perfectly.
I have quite a few nikon lens (17-55mm F2.8, 70-200mm F2.8) but somehow i keep coming back to this Micro lens to shoot my portraits! I know I know...it should be used for macro work, but its awesome for portraits too!  Images are really really sharp!  Beware when you are shooting older ladies...all the wrinkles come out!! Also a good working distance from subject...not too far, not too close. A favorite nikkor of mine.
I just love the optical qualities of this lens, which range from tack-sharp focus to wonderful bokeh beyond the depth of field. Nikon succeeded in designing a lens that furthers the aesthetics of a macro photographer's work. I have posted a few examples of photos taken with this lens.While I'm a big fan of the older, all-metal Nikkor lenses, I'm still impressed by the build quality of the 60mm AF. Half the lens barrel is metal, while the rest looks well constructed from acrylic. The aperture ring is a little inaccessible, but I now control my f-stop through my D70S controls. If you've also considered the 105mm Nikkor micro, you may want to note that lens has a distinct advantage by using internal focusing elements (IF). This feature is apparent in closeup use, as the 60mm will change focal length while focusing, which often requires recomposing the shot. Generally, the AF works well but slows down in some lighting conditions. Then again, I mostly use manual focus for the finer control it provides.2014 update--I recently bought an AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, and now have the opportunity to compare these two macro lenses. While these two lenses are both excellent for macro, they perform quite differently. If you read Nikon's MTF charts for each lens, you'll note how the sharpness on the 60mm drops off more quickly from the center of the image towards the edges than the 105. However, if you're mostly shooting macros of small objects in nature, you probably won't notice the sharpness falloff that much. Despite a few web reviewers saying the 60 is "too short" to be a dedicated macro lens, I would have to disagree--it's simply a matter of practice and technique to master this lens. Perhaps the best aspect of this lens is the shorter focal length, for it lends a sense of volume to the subject you're photographing. On the other hand, the longer 105 has a more natural bokeh: diffuse points of light are more round/organic than the 60, which produces bokeh that is composed of polygons--see the pictures I posted. Perhaps this is due to the straight 7 blade diaphragm used on the 60 vs the curved 9 blade on the 105? Both are good lenses with their own learning curves, yet the 60mm is probably easier to handle--for the aspiring macro photographer to master.One final note: at this price, the lens should include Nikon's hood (HN-22) since it's only made for this specific lens, and is not easy to find as a separately sold item.
Read all the reviews you can, borrow one, shoot outside, inside and all around the town.  You will be hard pressed to find better value for the money.  It can handle a candid portrait of Aunt Marge and closeups of her marigolds without missing a beat.  I find the lens a real go-to for my type of shooting.  The depth of field works great for my needs as an architectural photographer and when I need to stitch together a few images I run the pens correction first then let PS take over.  Great addition to any kit.
I received my micro lens yesterday and have had a fantastic experience finding a new universe to shoot. Coins, bugs, flowers, rings, everything is possible now with the Nikon 60mm f2.8 D-Series Micro.  I highly recommend it!
Quality lens that you would expect from a company like Nikon -- great for macro work and I use it underwater, in a camera case, for small critters.  Highly recommend.
This would most probably be the sharpest lens in Nikon's arsenal.  The 60mm on a 1.5 crop factor camera would be about 90mm in 35mm format.  this lens would be a dual purpose portrait lens + close up lens.  The 60mm is a bit short if you want to take insects (but not impossible), and the 105mm or 200mm Micro-Nikkor lens would be better for that, but if you take still life, flowers, objects, food, etc.  This lens would be perfect for it.  The minimum focusing distance is a bit too close for most insects' comfort.
The technology is like 25 years old but it works with my FE and my D800, sharp as can be!
I have a long experience with Nikon cameras and lenses going back to the 1970s.  Indeed, at one time I owned 27 Nikon lenses, including almost a full set of mint AIS and AF-D lenses.  From this background, I knew that for my current DX camera body that an 85mm was perhaps a bit too "long" for portraits, so I chose the 60mm, which is the equivalent of 90mm in full-frame.  I'm not disappointed.  Indeed, I'm amazed!  The resolution is so sharp "it could almost cut."  And the colors are more pleasing (a bit warmer) than my other favorite lens, the 16-85mm Nikon zoom that tends toward blue.  Don't think anyone using Nikon camera bodies will be disappointed in this lens.  I haven't explored its macro capabilities yet.  That will be later story.
I have multiple nikon cameras and a lot of lenses, but my favorite combination for indoor shooting is the d7000 with the 60mm 2.8D.  Very sharp, reliable auto focus, good contrast and color, and no distortion.  It's too close (96mm on dx) for most group shots, but terrific for candids and portraits.  It's a great macro for stationary objects but that's just an extra.  If I had to choose one prime for dx, this would be it.
I agree with most all other buyers/users of this superlative Nikon lens: it's build quality is impeccable, and its performance is, quite literally, legendary.  One can see details in everyday objects that elevate them into an entirely new visual plane.  I am entirely satisfied with this excellent lens, despite the fact that it must be used in manual focus mode with my D40 digital SLR.My warning is simply this:  I got a 'gray market' lens when I bought mine via Amazon, which means of course that if I ever need Nikon service for it, I am out of luck...Nikon USA simply will not accept any gray market lenses for warranty service.  If I had known I would be receiving a gray market lens, I would have bought a legitimate USA version lens instead.  I apparently misread or misunderstood that it was a gray market item; Nikon USA refuses to register my lens because of its status.That said, my lens arrived swiftly and, to be honest, it looks like it will never need any service anyway; I use it in manual focus mode exclusively and I hope to enjoy many years' service with this remarkable piece of equipment.
This is my only macro lens. I use it for artsy detail shots with a D700. And for video use, it's effective focal length on my D7000 is 90mm.
This refers to the lens on a D80 Nikon. The lens replaced many older lenses from the past F70 system era. This 60 mm. was a ton of money to part with for such a narrow range,or so we thought. Not .Crystal clear separation, breathtaking definition of anything close up was quality beyond our wildest expectation.BRILLIANT all round lens too...A TRUE performer, worth every penny. The 60mm.paired with the fabulous sensitivity of the D80,allowed for tripod free shooting. Spokane is close to our local Grand Coulee desert, with its exceptional flowers, we can  begin to see them the way reality made them.
Among Nikon's most celebrated lenses have been its Micro Nikkor macro lenses. This autofocus lens remains among the best, not only for its fine optics but also because it will allow the user to focus down to a 1:1 life size reproduction ratio, which is perfect for photographing inanimate objects such as coins or stamps or relatively still living objects such as leaves and flowers. I agree with another reviewer that if you intend to photograph small animals such as insects, then either a 105mm Micro Nikkor or the 200mm f4 Micro Nikkor, would be a more appropriate macro lens. Otherwise, the 60mm Micro Nikkor lens may be all the lens you need for superb closeup photography.
This lens is so sharp you can cut yourself with it. It's also fast in auto focusing mode but sometimes haunts when shooting something close but I use manual when shooting up close so not really a issue.. focusing ring does not run so it's great for precise focusing especially in manual mode.
I am an advanced photo hobbyist doing some smaller gigs for pay. Beside this lens, I own the Nikon D90 body, 50mm f/1.8 (SO fast and sharp), and a Tamron 24-75mm f/2.8 (because I can't yet afford the Nikon lenses with a similar zoom range and low light capability).This lens was everything I hoped it would be and more. Since I'm using it on a crop frame sensor (D90), it is also a perfect portrait lens. Because the lens glass is set way inside the body, it is really hard to get sun flare.  This is usually a plus, unless sunflare is what you are going for.As a side note, this also makes using a "protective" filter on this lens unecessary since the lens glass is so recessed. I wish I had known this before purchasing a filter on the same day as the lens!Very fast focusingVery sharpGreat portrait length on a crop frame bodyBokeh is so creamy and soft, no defined circles like I get every once in a while with the 50mm f/1.8There is a newer version of this lens, but due to budget restraints, I went with a used copy of this older version. I'm sure there are some bells and whistles on the new one (check out reviews there to see comparisons), but this lens is stunning and holds its own.  Plus, if I ever upgrade to a full frame sensor body, I will be changing this lens out for a 105mm. This lens is beautiful until then.I also considered the Tamron 60mm macro f/2.0, because of the extra stops available, but am glad I stuck with Nikon. It can't be beat.My first shoot with this lens was a five year old girl out in a field of pink flowers at dusk. The photos couldn't have been more amazing.  So happy with this purchase!
This is the reason to buy a Nikon.  It's the lenses.  With the Maco 60mm f/2.8 AF focus is instantaneous and precise, allowing me to focus on the subject and the composition.  I can now digitally stalk insects, foliage, and the small serendipidous scenes of life. With a larger lens, you could capture photographs from a greater distance, but I prefer the challenge of getting up close.
Fun, fun, fun. That's all I can say. I take more pictures now. Great for indoor too because of f/2.8. Love it.
I just thought I'd list the things I like about this lens, to make this review short and to the point:1.  The bokeh is the stuff of legend; it is textbook perfect. It is in the same class as the best German lenses when it comes to bokeh.2.  It is exquisitely sharp, all out to the edges, with no chromatic aberrations.3.  Manual focusing is nicely dampened and feels just like a manual-focusing lens.4.  Not only is it ideal for macro (micro) photography; it's also a fineportrait lens. The narrower field of view (90mm equivalent in 35mm film) is perfect for abstracts.5.  The level of performance and quality exceeds the price two times over, in my opinion.6.  I think this is basically the same lens design as Nikon's hugely popular and legendary 55mm manual-focus Micro-Nikkor.This lens is what Nikon optics is all about. You can't go wrong buying one.
I have spent lots of time playing around with extension tubes and reversing rings.  Why did I wait so long to get a macro lens?  Just like the reviews say... easy to use; easy to  shift from manual to auto focus, and I think manual is all I really need.  It seems to be sharp as a tack both for closeups and landscape and portrait use.  The perfect lens to take to a museum or zoo I think.  And the 2.8 aperture is great.
Lens came well packaged from seller and in condition as advertised. Shot about 30 macro pics of various subjects with spectacular results. Been shooting with rings with good results but this lens outshines all the previous pictures. Sharp crisp detail. Have a macro slide that I purchased a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to do some stacking. Highly recommend this lens!
This lens is the BEST! I can get about 2 inches from my subject and still focus! the auto focus doesn't work with the Nikon D40 because it needs AF-S, but I am fine with using manual focus. Truly, I don't care about the inability to zoom. Overall a great lens.
In my bag of camera tricks, I have 3 prime lenses, and this lens is by far on my camera the most.I shoot with a Nikon D80, and this lens compliments my camera very well. The macro is amazing, and ultra sharp; but I also love what it can do for portraits. I recently did some family portraits with this lens, and they turned out beautifully!It might be pricey, but it is so worth it. I promise you wont be disappointed!
This lens is worth every penny I paid for it. Build quality is good. Though I do not like the way the focus seems to leave an easy way for dust to get in the lens. Last year I switched from Canon to Nikon and bought this along with a 35mm f/1.8. This lens has seen more action. Image quality is amazing. Took some time getting used to the auto focus selector. Though this lens has served well from portraits on a d300s and macro shots, I really wish that I would have gotten the updated version of this lens. Mainly for better sealing and a little faster auto focus.
Promised a colleague that I would photograph her jewelry collection for online sales.  The Nikon 60mm lens performs admirably for the requirement.  Incredible close-up capability.  Crisp imaging.  Love the lens.
I purchased this lens to rephotograph my Kodachrome and Ektachrome slides.  Yes, much faster than scanning -- just photograph your photographs!  It also works exceptionally well on old photo albums.  It's magic is &#34;flat field&#34; -- no observable distortions, a plane object will be in focus all at the same time, and razor sharp.  Actually figuring out how to do all that took some effort -- in case you want to do the same thing you need to have flatness of illumination just like you want flatness of field.I use a studio flash (but a small one will work) and flash a sheet of paper.  Use a snoot cone or otherwise limit the flash so it doesn't inadvertently illuminate the front of your slide or you'll get reflections (maybe even see your camera reflected in dark areas of the slide)I shoot a transparency (slide) in a little homemade holder and behind it is the sheet of paper that is illuminated.  Adjust your illumination so you can use f16, that's the magic aperture.  Above f22 you'll start to get diffraction effects (not that you'll notice them, they're somewhat theoretical) and below f16 you are just wasting valuable depth-of-field which is going to be only a millimeter or so at the closest focus.It works well on full frame (D700 and so on) and APS-C size cameras (D200, D300).It has a rather unique mechanism to vary the inter-element spacing as you focus closer rather than simply moving the group.  This maintains flatness of field and aperture, or so I suppose.
This little gem focuses fast and seems not to search as much as my Nikon 105! It is not as bulky and weighs less than the 105, a nice  nice feature when carry around all morning at the botanic gardens! Color saturation is good but I tend to increase this in post production just a bit, so for me, that isn't a deal breaker.I did purchase this used from EZCorp and the condition was a 9+ (not to mention a B&W; UV filter and padded carrying case!!!) a bonus all the way around :)A note to point out is, this lens is a 60mm on an FX body. If you are shooting with a DX body this lens will work great but the equivalent is 90mm. Another bonus for DX shooters,,,,,,,now you have a nice portrait lens to boot!Be it around the garden, street shooting, micro work or portraiture,,,,, I feel strongly that this little lens is a keeper and a GEM!
TheNikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraswhile not compatible with the cheaper Nikon digital cameras, is THE BEST TRAVEL MICRO NIKKOR PERIOD.  I have theNikon 200mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasalso, and I use it all the time when I'm at home.  I also have theNikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras(135mm equivalent for DX) which I truly love for portraits because of the beautiful bokeh.  I wish I could carry all these with me when I travel, but there's only so much you can lug around through airports all day.  No you don't want to send your expensive lenses and cameras through the TSA baggage inspection systems.  You'll want to have all your expensive glass in your possession at all times!  Trust me on this.  That's why I store all my expensive stuff in aThink Tank Urban Disguise 60, Plain Looking, Fully Functional Briefcase Size Shoulder Bag for Two Pro SLRs, Multiple Lenses & 17" Laptopcamera bag when traveling.  I also store my 17" Laptop in it.  There is lots of room in this bag for two large zooms a digital body or two (depending on your packing skills.)  Or one digital and three normally-sized travel zooms and the Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF.  It's small enough and light enough to take with you on a trip.What do you get when you bring the Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF?  You get the legendary Nikon sharpness in a compact package.  You have in the palm of your hand: a Nikon lens with impeccable specs, the measureless distortion, micro focus correction, bokeh, and matchless contrast, etc., but then you already knew that.  This lens has all the technology and Zen mystique of it's bigger siblings without all the bulk and weight. If you love to take macro pictures when you travel, you NEED THIS LENS.  Your shoulder won't miss the bigger siblings while you're slogging through airports.
I can't say enough about this fixed focal length prime Nikkor Micro.  It is a true professional lens,  I believe that it is all metal, which  adds a little weight, but I'll take that over Nikons consumer lenses anytime.  Being a 90mm equivalent, it makes an excellent portrait lens as well as a super Macro.  I have been shooting Nikon camera's for many years now and have had some really fine glass to go along with them, especially in pre-digital, real photography days, and this lens is up there with the best.  The bokeh is awesome, the autofocus works exceptionally well, except for Macro work, but then who uses autofocus for macro anyway.  All in all, this is one of Nikkor's finest lenses.Phillip Chancey
The Nikon 60 mm macro lens is an outstanding lens for close-up and portrait photos.  I leave this lens on the Nikon D200 most of the time due to its adaptability and excellent picture taking capabilities.  The wife has and enjoys the Nikon 105 mm macro lens because it has a greater stand-off capability, but I've used the 60 mm macro on butterflies with no problems.
If you are looking for a close up lens, this is it. Its 1:1 life size reproduction will make the subject jump out at you. The lens is fast enough (f2.8)so that operation in auto mode will produce quality pictures even if the subject moves on you. And of course, it's a Nikon, which means it is the highest quality of lenses. Blow ups should be "picture Perfect". I bought this lens for close up model railroad work, which means at times, I'm looking for a lot of depth of field. For this, I will be using the manual mode, a tripod, lots of light and time exposure, stopping the lens down as far as possible (f32, if needed). This is to make the picture as life like as possible. As a 1:1 macro, the lens should be able to handle this well.
Sharpness and price are not necessarily related. Nikon's standard 50mm f1.8 lens is very sharp and costs around $[...] (it's cheaply made though). The priciest lens I own, the really well-built $[...] 70-200 f2.8 with VR, also is no slouch in the sharpness department, though being a telezoom, it's not quite up there with a good prime (fixed focal distance) lens.Much closer in price to the former, but built considerably better, is Nikon's 60mm 2.8 macro lens. I'm astonished by how much fine detail this thing picks up. In fact, I've never seen anything like it outside of the realm of medium-format cameras. For an SLR lens, this is as good as it gets. I rarely dabble in macro photography and would have no use for this lens if it wasn't such a stellar choice for portrait photos.Caution: it's brutally honest, recording every pore (and of course, every minuscule blemish) in your subject's face. If you're going for lifelike and truthful, the 60mm Micro will wow you. If you're after portraits that are pleasing and flattering and just a bit soft, this isn't the lens for you, unless you don't mind achieving that effect in post-production.I've posted an example of what I'm talking about here (it's a portrait I shot the other day): [...]
Incredibly sharp, easy to use, auto-focus works well. I've used a number of macro lenses and this one is superb. I shoot weddings and use this regularly to photograph the rings. Before I was using the Tokina 105mm f/2.8, which admittedly is a great lens in itself but I prefer this lens because it's wider angle allows you more context in your macros. That autofocus is fast and accurate, although I occasionally do have to switch to manual focus on extreme close-ups, but that's something you'd expect from any macro lens.
I really did not expect this to break! But one day I was shooting in the studio and the ring that allows you to switch from manual to auto focus on the fly (a feature that I love) snapped. I've had this lens for years, and I've been very good to it. It didn't show any signs of wear until that moment.That being said, it's incredibly sharp, very lightweight, a pleasure to focus, and tiny. Plus, the design does a decent job of protecting the optics even if you don't use a filter (not that I recommend not using a filter)I really hate the bokeh. Very distracting. This bothers me a lot more than the fact that I can no longer enable auto focus, and is really the reason I knocked off two stars.
If your an amatuer out having fun or a dedicated profesional photographer making a living with your camera,you will love this lens.It is sharp as a tack at 9" or at 90ft. A word of caution, if you dont have a very steady hand, be sure to use your tripod
I need a micro lens for the close ups on wedding rings and small detail. This lens is not only sharp but fast. Save your money the old is still very very very good. And think about it this way the people you are selling the pictures to will not know what lens you used are even care.
When I first got this lens, it surprised me with the picture sharpness and very good bokeh.  The bokeh appeared to be halo discs instead of diffused orbs but still good in my book.  I used it for close-up's and people shots plenty.  The simplicity but solid construction was striking, but the AF can be awful on close-up and a tad slow at times and hunts--stick with limit versus full zoom range for close-up's.  For macro use over manual focus no problem of course; the focus ring is a tad tight and small IMO.Optically it's brilliant with plenty sharpness to the edge.  However, unless you need macro, I would take the 50mm f/1.8G or the 85mm f/1.8G instead.
The 60mm micro is an amazingly sharp lens perfectly suited for macro work.  I also have a 105mm micro, but the 60mm gives me better images.
It is the lens I will always use for HD standards.  Since it was on sale, I was finally able to buy it.
Yes, yes -- of course it's a great piece of glass but Nikon D40 needs an AF-S lens and NOT just AF.Returned it for a refund. The AF-S macro is $780. Great. I switched over to Olympus E510 camera which I feel is a much better buy, a much better system. Nikon is an icon for people who either want to burn money or demanding professionals who understand that a *professional quality* lens costs thousands of dollars--not hundreds.Nikon has lenses that sell for $4,000 to $20,000. THAT is professional. But for a Macro, the 60mm is a huge, fast, sharp piece of glass if you have a non AF-S camera body.
This is a great lens, and I would find it to be very useful with the DX format, as it would be roughly equal to the 105 Macros on FX cameras. After all, with DX the 105 is actually equivalent to about 150, and I love mine, but I often need the closer capabilities that the 60 mm would give. However, why isn't it a VR? Why would they come out with a great new lens for the latest cameras and not put VR? After all, most would be using it with either the DX cameras, or the D3, and VR is useful for all of them. For this reason, I prefer the 105 macro. If you have heard any sensible explanation as to why Nikon chose not to make it a VR, please let me know.By the way, if you own a Nikon digital camera of any kind and are only shooting with the zoom lenses with varying f stops such as the 18-200, you are really missing out on what your camera can do. My 18-200 was so convenient that I didn't use anything else, but after shooting with my 105 macro, I am now willing to put up with a great deal of inconvenience for the fantastic gain in sharpness and detail.
Just used it for an underwater filming project. Very good for very small subjects. Used it with tripod with a gates underwater housing.
This lens was everything the seller said it was.  It looked nice, it worked well.  It was just not what I wanted for my camera after all..  When I asked for return information, it was given to me without any fuss. I was pleased with the whole process.
In every manufacturer's linup of lenses there are always a few that achieve "legendary" status among devotees of the brand.  For Nikon users lenses like the 80-200 f4.5 MF or 80-200 f2.8 MF or AF come immediately to mind.  The AF105mm f2.8 is such a lens.This was a new design from the older MF version, optically designed to produce a flat field and focus to 1:1 without extension tubes or other lens attachments.  Superior to the well thought of 60mm Micro by allowing a longer working distance (approx 6 inches at 1:1)Mechanically well built of metal - hence marking it as one of Nikon's "pro" lenses - this is a hefty package,weighing in at almost the same as most of the mid range zooms currently being produced.Optically it is superb.
The only lenses which are optically better than this lens are the recently discontinued Contax Carl Zeiss 100mm f 2.8 Makro Planar which I own and the Leica 100mm f2.8 APO Elmarit-R lens, which is regarded not only as the best 100mm macro telephoto lens, but also among the best in the Leica R 35mm SLR lens system. Like its sibling, the 60mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor, the 105mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor offers close focusing down to a 1:1 life size reproduction ratio. In plain English, this is the perfect lens to use to get close to insects, frogs or anything else which is small, living and liable to move quickly if it is disturbed by the photographer. The 105mm lens will give you more space to work with, so you don't have to stand literally on top of the object you're photographing. I relied on the manual focusing version of this lens - which didn't have a 1:1 reproduction ratio - for photographing small invertebrate fossils years ago. I was impressed by the superb contrast and resolution, which has only been bettered by the Zeiss lens I own currently. I have no doubt that this autofocusing version of the 105mm Micro Nikkor is a superb performer in its own right.
The photos are BRILLIANT and it's so easy to use. Anyone can get great photos with this lens. The other reviewers are correct that this lens is fantastic for macros but also for portraits. I am not a professional but have gotten professional-looking results with this lens. I am very happy with it.
I feel this lens was a great deal for the price. The construction quality is solid like most D series lenses and its decently sharp. I use it for studio based product photography and don't have any complaints.
I use this baby all the time.  A great portrait lens as well as easy to use in macro.  Not the fastest lens or the fastest to focus ( AF, not AF-s) but I can get in real close for that bug on someone's hand and then step back and shoot the owner of that hand.
The quality of the lens is pretty good. Image is clear and sharp.One thing I don't like the lens is the "focusing"... it take long time to focus on the image and the motor is noisy. Sometime the "image" is lost and will go back and forth to get the image focus. I have set it correctly on the lens (for those of you who own the lens, you know what I am talking about).After using it for a few years, I had to sell it on Ebay and take a lost.I am now using the new Nikon 70-210/2.8 which is much nicer/faster focus (but cost slightly more).
Even though it is an older generation macro, it still gives me the quality I need. Initially the company said it would take a month for me to get it from Japan but it came in a week. There are no issues with this lens, the glass is good.  It was sold as a used lens but came to me in like new condition.
This is a very well designed performer in the Micro photography world within the Nikon family.  This is definitely one of my favorite lenses to photograph nature with, as you can see from my sample shots on this page.  The build quality is nice.  The lens is light.  The images it produces are clean and sharp.Focusing, as another reviewer hit on, isn't the fastest.  But, focusing speed isn't what micro lenses were built to excel at.  This is a micro lens, designed to get up close and personal with subjects of all kinds.  I find myself manually focusing when the camera has trouble finding the subject.  This lens works great for what it was built to do.
It is very product, wide angle and works very fast. My disappointment about the front cap that does not have Nikon logo
There is nothing else to say: lots of lens flare, CA, strong distortion, even for a wide angle lens. Not worth the price, even if it is the cheapest wide angle lens from Nikon.
Great lens. Incredible opportunities opened up when I started using this lens. The photographic view is amazing....love this lens. Great for landscapes.
The Nikon 18-35 is a consumer-grade ultra-wide zoom (the Nikon 17-35 and 16-35 are the comparable pro-level lenses). The 18-35 is much cheaper and lighter than the pro lenses, and the build quality is a little less robust. Having said that, the 18-35 is an outstanding lens for the price, and is very easy to lug around all day on trips. It is well-made and can easily handle the abuse of travel and daily use in basically any environment. The lens feels perfectly balanced on a D700, and I tend to carry that combination all day when on trips.Performance is surprisingly good, with great saturation and color. I usually shoot mine wide open at 18mm (f3.5) for a little background separation, and while the corners are definitely not sharp, they're not distracting. The corners get better a few stops up, but they're never really pin-sharp at 18mm. At settings above 18mm, the softness goes away and the images at 24 to 35mm look excellent. This lens works perfectly for most street photography, family snapshots, action photos, nature shots, and travel photography, but does not fare as well for architectural or true landscape shots due to the softness in the corners, though it's still usable if you're very careful about what you put in the corners. Autofocus (with the D700) is fast and accurate enough for action photos of my golden retriever at close range.I've been using this lens with a D700 for over a year now, and if I could improve one thing about it I would skip the corner sharpness and go for slightly faster glass. This lens really only makes sense for FX bodies, and if it were just a little faster it would really be perfect. As it is though it's tied with the Nikon 50mm f1.8 for my favorite lens. It's tough, light, and takes beautiful images for less than half the price of the pro lenses.
Like many others I was debating between this and the 20-35 and 17-35..but it all comes down to what your needs are and how deep your pockets are..right?  I wanted a lens for landscape and this fit the bill nicely.  If you plan on using a tripod, you don't need fast glass anyhow..right?  This lens does struggle in low-light, hand held..but like I said..what are your needs?  If you are in need of a landscape wide angle lens and want to save some bucks..this is it.  It's plenty sharp..especially when you start stopping it down to 5.6 or more.  There is distortion on the ends..but like I said..if you are doing landscapes, just frame accordingly.
This lens is a superb addition to my growing lens collection. Combined with my 70-300mm VR lens, I have a ton of capability in a small package. This lens is a great value for me. I suppose someday I'll move up to a more expensive wide-angle, but I'll have to REALLY need to.Pros: Great value, light-weight, sturdy. Feels solid and comfortable when shooting manually.Cons: Focus ring is very touchy and just a slight touch will spin it.
Skip any aftermarket lens in similar zoom range and get this, sharp and contrasty, zoom is fairly good  best for use with full frame cameras traveling on the light, uses your standard 77mm filter (probably need a slim filter.)For APS-C DX cameras, the zoom becomes a 27mm-52mm, which is pretty much a normal than a wide angle, so I'd suggest get Nikon 10-24mm DX
I am still getting used to this lens as I have not owned a wide angle lens like this before.So far it is working out very well in my photog. business.
Very soft in corners when wide open. The only advantage is its weight - it is a very light lens.
This replaced an unfortunate Tamron WA purchase which I regretted immediately.  For the price I don't think you can get better Nikon optics. Distortion is fairly high at the widest end and you get vignetting at 18mm if using with a standard thickness filter. Construction feels solid. Recently there appears to be a dust spot that's worked its way into the lens but after backpacking around the world for a year I guess that's to be expected.
Lightweight lens at a reasonable cost...Quite sharp, a bit of distortion though.Overall not bad.
Have had the lens for a few years and probably 15,000+ images on 3 Nikon cameras.  No repairs or apparent wear, it is tougher than it looks, even dropped it once, no problems.Excellent color rendition, contrast and sharpness for the price.  While the build and quality not quite up to the pro lenses, you get quite close to their quality for half the price, especially with digital cameras.Beautiful lens allowing a great variety of shots from family gatherings to landscapes, it serves as my prime lens unless I am going for the greatest possible detail such as large landscape prints but that is notto say this lens will not provide snappy 8 x 10 and larger, it does!I wish it had a little more range than 18-35, but then I always want more, but could not get it with this kind of performance and price.
This is just a plain sweetheart of a lens.  It covers the useful 18-35 mm range (which is 27-52mm on a Nikon digital SLR, which is a VERY useful range).  This lens costs less than half the price of the (expensive) professional Nikon 17-35, and does almost as nice a job. Sufficiently nice, in fact, that most amateurs will not discern much, if any, difference.  While not built like a tank, I think that the quality of construction on this one is excellent, and more than adequate for enthusiastic amateurs and even some pros.On a Nikon digital SLR, which will use the center portion of this lens (due to the size of the sensor in the SLR) you can expect excellent, even spectacular results.  This is a fabulous lens for landscape and nature shots, portraits, or just plain walking around taking pictures.  Someone who only wanted one lens that was not a telephoto could do much worse than to select this excellent, versatile lens.  This one is great for parties, vacations, and the works.The images I have shot with this lens have all featured superb contrast, are very sharp, and have beautiful color rendition.  There just is not a lot not to like about this lens. I give it 4 stars for overall performance, but 5 stars for value and price/performance.  Some lenses just get it all together and work and become keepers.  This is one of those.
I used this lens with the panasonic AF100 so my review may not be relevant for DSLR users, but I hated this lens. Everything about it really, the construction is really crappy plastic, the image is bad and if you plan on manually focusing this lens think again! beware!
Built specifically for the Nikon 80-200 /2.8. Forget the OEM tulips, etc. . . this one works perfectly on this lens. Protects, stores and travels efficiently . . . .  bgs..
after going through two 3rd party hoods that fell off the lens with the slightest bump, I ordered the real thing  - it fits well and will do the proper job.
I use this on my Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 lens. It's a tight fit and that is good. No worries about it falling off when the wind blows just right unlike a Sigma hood I have for a Sigma lens.I'm surprised the price has rocketed up another $15 since I got this. You may want to use CamelCamelCamel website to track the price on this and they'll send you an email when it drops to a certain price point you want. No $1 isn't going to work but $23 will, especially from 3rd party folks. B&H; has it for $32 at this point in time.
Does its job. Works great.Just cannot figure out why it's so expensive. Maybe if it said Leica on it. But Nikon?Seems that if Nikon truly cared about us, it would come standard with the lens.
What can I say more? It fits perfectly on the Nikon 80-200mm lens, since my lens didn't come with a hood.
I bought this hood for my old Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 lens. Problem is, this is the bayonet style hood for newer lenses, and I need the fully threaded hood. So, this hood is no good to me at all.That's not a problem with the hood, nor is it anyone's fault but mine - just a caution to others. If you have the first generation of this lens, you need a threaded hood and this will not work for you.
It is bewildering to me that Nikon does not include a hood with the 80-200 lens, one of its flagship products. They include a case for the lens (that I will never use) but omit the totally necessary hood.Thankfully you can buy a Nikon hood for your lens and this is the one to get. Fits perfectly, as it should, and does what it's supposed to do.
The 50mm really doesn't need this hood but its great protection for the front of the lens. This fits well as you expect from Nikon with metal threads so it goes on secure.
The rubber lens hood works well and is compact. It is easy to use and folds flat so you don'y have to remove it from the lens for storage. Highly recommended.
It's a well designed product, very compact, but sturdy. However, be aware that it vignettes very heavily on focal lengths under 24mm.
Nikon got this one right. I looked for a hard/metal hood for my 50/1.8 (such as the HN-31 for the 85mm 1.4). This was what Nikon recommended. They were right on. It is a screw in hood, but made of a sturdy collapsible rubber. Works like a charm, and travels well with hood collapsed and lens cover in place. Love it!!! . . .  bgs..
But it works great it folds onto it self. Not sure why it didn't come with the lens when purchased. Update 11/28/2012 still using  the rubber hood No problems with this product.
Found this through a friend. Love that it's adjustable rubber! Leave it on all the time for lens protection as well as sun flare. You can pull it all the way out for flare or less based on your needs.
I purchased this along with my 50mm and it is great.I love the rubber material and how it easily folds back when not in use. It seems to serve as a great bumper and protect the lens also.I would definitley recommend this product.
Got this for the 50mm 1.8D.Pros:- rugged- collapsible- rubber offers impact protection- compact- 52mm male threads to fit lens- 52mm female threads on front to take lens cap or another filter- 3-1/4&#34; diameter- extends length of lens 3/8&#34; or so when collapsedCons:- pricy, of course. It's a Nikon accessory.&#34;55/1.2&#34; &#34;Nikon&#34; &#34;Japan&#34; &#34;HR-2&#34; &#34;R8&#34; molded into the rubber.
Does what it is supposed to do. I screw this on, and pop it down, and leave it down unless I am shooting with it. If I had to screw it on and off frequently I would be very disappointed. It is annoying when I need to change filters, but its not too bad. This is my only lens hood that has to screw on through the lens thread. I am glad that this is the case. Its not bad, but I wouldn't like doing this for every lens, especially lenses that I have to frequently change filters for. It does what its supposed to do.
I was so impressed with this design!Pros:-Durable rubber-Protects lens-Folds up while still attached to lens for easy compact storage!!!!Cons: Nothing so far.
While it works without vignetting for Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens, it may be a waste vs the standard plastic hood.  Although the versatility of hooded/non-hooded mode is great, it's also a hassle to ensure the hood is physically extended (prevent flares) or retracted (prevent vignetting).On the plus side, you can just collapse the hood to prevent vignetting, whereas the built-in plastic hood requires you to physically reverse the hood, which prevents manual AF-override.Besides, the rubber hood (although it screws onto the lens/filter)--rather than the hood screws--allows you to adjust the length of the hood on the fly.
This is a must have for the 50mm 1.4 lens.  I leave it on all the time and it pretty much stays out of the way when I don't need it.  It's so nice to be able to just pop it open as I need it.  The only big problem I have is that when it's folded closed you can't really use the manual focus ring because it's mostly covered by the hood.  It's not the biggest deal in the world, but it would be nice to be able to just leave it folded sometimes.
After purchasing a Nikon D90, my first lens was the 50mm f/1.8 prime.  I had planned to put a filter on the lens, as protection for the lens.  However, upon viewing the lens, it didn't make sense to put a filter on it, so I purchased this hood instead.The glass of the 50mm lens is about 1.5" in diameter (a bit bigger than a quarter), and is recessed behind the rim of the lens about 1.5" or 2" (I'm guessing).  So the lens glass is much smaller than the size of the filter (perhaps 25% of the filter size), and recessed, which adds protection.  As such, it didn't make sense to me to go from a 1.5" diameter piece of glass to a 3" diameter of glass (ie filter) which would also be on the very front of the lens, and not recessed.  I tested my theory outside shooting into the sun, attempting to get the worst lens flare possible.  Even with a high quality B+W multi-coated UV filter (about a $50 filter), I still got a noticeable amount of increased flare, compared to shooting without the filter.  So I decided not to use a filter on this particular lens.But I still had a weird feeling like I'm not protecting my lens, so I tried this hood.The hood is a thick, flexible rubber, which collapses and extends manually.  When collapsed, it is about 1/2 inch thick.  When extended, it is about three inches deep.  When extended, the rubber is pretty soft, so with very little pressure, you can fold/bend it.  As such, I'm not sure if it would really protect the lens much.  However, if I were to drop the lens on its face (without the hood), I could imagine the filter ring cracking, but the glass being fine.  With the hood screwed onto the filter ring, perhaps it would soften the blow and protect it.  I guess I was expecting the hood material to be firm or at least, firmer than it is.  Regardless, I plan to leave it on the camera since I went to the trouble of ordering it.  Also, the ring part that screws onto the end of your lens where a filter would go, is metal.  It is the only part of the hood that is metal; the rest is the flexible rubber.I still need to test the hood for what it is really designed to do - block excess light from entering the lens.  I will update my review when I do.Also, on a silly note, my 50mm prime looks really tiny on my D90 when I have the enormous SB-900 on top of the camera.  This hood will at least make the appearance of the camera more balanced until I get a bigger lens!
Great lens hood. I wasn't sure about a rubber hood at first, but this little guy does a great job, and is really handy.  I'm a big fan of how easily the hood can be collapsed down when not in use.  Great deal.
It does what it says it will do. The folding rubber style is great. The one thing I'm not a fan of is how wide it is considering the lens it goes on is only a 52mm filter size. The non-threaded side is quite a bit wider than the lens, and means some rearranging in the camera bag to make it fit, whereas most lens hoods that come with a lens are pretty similar in size to the lens itself.
I can take more beautiful pictures with it on my 50/1.4D.relly worthy .I think this is not expensive and real work!!!
Most who had or currently own a 50mm lens knows the small sizes they take form in. Even with ultra clear image performance and simple constructions.On a DSLR body makes it a little bit awkward to look at. while aethetics do not matter to photographers. The addition of a lens hood serves like any other lens hood, to reduce the image flaring, add a degree of protection to the front element, etc.Being made of all rubber, it screws on to my Nikkor 50mm 1.8D. As it is the hood recommended by Nikon themselves.Not only it serving use for me as a lens protector and slightly improving photos. It also gives it a neat look.
I dont know how useful it really is for the 50mm 1.8 as a shade.  But it does well to absorb knocks etc.  Problems are that it is not a bayonet, and has to be screwed/unscrewed which is a hassle.  I also am wondering about the longevity of the rubber...folding it and unfolding it may have some effect on its lifespan.
What can I say much about a lens hood? This one works well and can fold down when not in use and gives good protection. Would have liked it if the price was a little lower than what it costed me.
I love this hood.  It fits my 50 mm lens perfect, folds out of way, looks good on my camera.  Provides a little protection and shade.
There are currently no reviews stating that this HR-2 hood will work without vignetting with the AF-S 35mm 1.8 DX, so I took the risk of ordering it.  Even the Nikon USA website does not list this hood as an accessory to the AF-S 35mm 1.8 lens.  Since the original plastic HB-46 hood included with the 35mm lens is very short, I wanted something better since I take my Nikon D40 everywhere without a camera bag.  As luck would have it, this works perfectly and photos have no vignetting with this fully extended.  This hood also allows the use of a 52mm Hoya UV filter.  First attach any filters directly to the lens, then screw this hood on the end of the filter (the instructions provided state that any filters should attach to the actual lens first).  The opposite end of the hood is also threaded, so if for any reason you wanted to mount a 52mm filter on the opposite side, you could do that as well.  The original Nikon lens cap will insert perfectly.  The hood extends and contracts with a high quality feel.  This item is made in Japan, and I didn't mind spending a little more money for a genuine Nikon product.  From the look and feel of this hood, it will last for years.
even though i have other expensive lens, i still put it on my bag
As a pro photographer, I shoot many Nikkor lenses on a weekly basis. On first impression, this lens is small and lightweight. It feels cheaper than many other lenses. BUT..... this little gem quickly became a go-to lens for full-body portraits, often used instead of my 85mm 1.4G, which costed me much more. Bokeh is very smooth and this lens's sharpness and color accuracy far exceed its price!
Indeed it is a very bright very fast lense. Great for portraits. Just two weeks and I am loving it already for what all can it do. Its very sharp. Aperture ring is a bit stiff though and has the plastic feel to it as others have pointed out too. But thats no biggie... Go for it guys... for 100 bucks its a deal always.
This is my primary lens on my Nikon D300!  Tack sharp and great bokeh.  A great lens for portraits and works very, very well in low-light conditions!  Highly recommended!
I needed a prime lens for my Nikon D-5000, to use for digiscoping. It came in good condition, with a rubber cap and a filter that I do not use.
Got this a couple of weeks ago and have been playing around with it. The results are so great. I'm smitten!If you're debating on this product, just do it. You'll probably love it.
Like other people have mentioned, it is a little soft wide open.  It is fantastic otherwise though, I haven't had any issues with it.
This is a compact and fast f/1.8 lens.  It stays on my older Nikon D100 camera for everyday use, and is the perfect companion lens for travel, portrait pictures, and general photography.  I use this for low-light and/or indoor events, especially birthdays and special gatherings that go well into the night.  I don't mind not having zoom on this lens, if it means capturing a great non-blurred shot 99% of the time.I purchased this with theTiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter, mostly to protect against surface scratches and dirt.  A more economical alternative to having to replace the lens.I would not go so far as to say it is the best lens out there.  But, it is an excellent lens, and maybe the best in its class.  I have two of these; one always mounted on a D100, and one in my camera bag as a backup lens for my D200.
I am writing this review to address the ongoing autofocus compatibility issue of this fine lens. Those new to the Nikon and DSLR world should definitely take time to read this! Simply put: if you have a lower-end Nikon camera body (D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D5000, D3100, D5100) this lens will NOT AUTOFOCUS. Why? These cameras have no built-in autofocus motor. Solution? Look for Nikon lenses that are designated AF-S. Such asNikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasorNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. These may cost a bit more, but your camera will have no issues autofocusing with this lens. Lenses that are branded AF or AF-D(such as this one)are your autofocus enemies! Keep in mind that the list of cameras above are exclusive, so if you don't see your DSLR in parenthesis, don't worry!Of course this lens will fit your Nikon and you can manual focus. I'll admit that manual focus is not for the faint of heart, especially for beginners and I have gotten much better results from the autofocus. Also, if you plan on using this lens manually and want to take photos of moving objects, FORGET IT. Trust me, spend the extra $100 or so for the AF-S conterparts. You will be thankful you did.So that's it. I hope I have cleared up any confusion out there and if I didn't cover something in question, leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer it.
This lens works great in low light. Most of my shoots take place in low ambient light settings with no flash or speed light use. This lens does a great job of producing a sharp image at high ISOs.
I've had this lens for several months. It's fast, and the image quality is decent, but for the price it's quite good. Focuses well, even in low-light conditions...rare focusing misses from time to time. The colors do tend to shoot a little on the warm side. Chromatic aberration is often present in high contrast areas. SO WHY ONLY 3 STARS? It shoots soft images. If you're a casual shooter, you may not care or notice; but if you're someone who's a stickler for this type of thing, you may want to spend a little more, and buy the 1.4.So, it's difficult to know how to write a review for a budget lens. Do I rate it based off of price or product quality, or both. I opted for a little of both, leaning more towards quality. Obviously one cannot expect pro-level optics for the price of this lens. Is this lens worth the price, sure; but if your budget allows for the 1.4 ($350), I'd opt for that over the 1.8.
My favorite lens its picture quality and compact size.In a DX camera you will be looking into a 75mm 1.8; You couldn't find a better portrait lens!!Build quality is below average. The lens barrel feels plasticky and flimsy - the "Made in China" tag seems to explain all.Fortunately the picture quality seems pretty good.At this price - this is a steal!!
I love this lens! I use it on my D80, and it is fantastic for low light shots.  It opens wide enough to grab indoor pics without a flash, or with the aperture opened up outdoors, enables super fast shutter speeds to stop motion.  Really great depth of field, very fun lens.  I had heard mixed reviews about using this as a portrait lens, as some said the angle was too wide for a portrait.  I haven't found that to be the case, and I haven't had problems with distortion because of having to be somewhat closer to the subject than if I shot with a narrower angle.
I am using the lens with a N65 camera.The lens is exactly what it claims. No Frills, but excellent for the price. Ofcourse if you need one up you can go with the f/1.4D which is more than double the price. For me as an enthusiast I like this lens a great deal.
incredible value for the price - fun lens very useful to have.Highly recommended.Easy to carry around.Gives you a lot of light indoors, and great to take portraits.Only negative point is that at 50mm it becomes 75mm on an aps camera (most cameras) which is too narrow.If you have x4 the money to spend, then get a 30mm like the sigma f1.4.
not easy to use when only manual. will probably use more once i can upgrade to a full size body....
Please spend the $100+ dollars and get this lens!!  You cannot go wrong!!  It is soooo sharp that you will be amazed.  It is even sharp at f/1.8 and that is rare, but when stopped down to f/4.5+, it is insane!For a "cheap" lens, you get a light weight solid build with a metal mount, and an IQ that rivals most $1,000+ lenses.For the money, this lens is HIGHLY recommended.  For the price, what do you have to lose....nothing, but you have so much to gain!  This is a sound lens investment.Pro quality for less than $150....how could you not????
One of Nikon's best lenses ever!  I purchased this lens a few months ago for my D300 and I've used this lens as my primary nearly 80%+ of the time I've used my D300 on different adventures (20+ adventures).  It's small, lightweight, and incredibly fast, especially in low light.  The ability to manually adjust your f-stop is a plus, though you can always leave it on auto.  This lens is great for portraits and general landscapes, and mostly any assignment in between.  I was a little shocked that the lens I bought was "Made in China," but it's still a great lens for a bargain price, especially from Nikon.  The foldable rubber lens hood and UV filter are sold separately, but worth spending the extra cash for these two accessories.  Any photographer, whether you are a pro or just a beginner should be equipped with a lens like this.
This is the best lens! I purchased this as wanted to take portrait shot as with my limited photography experience this lens makes me look like I know what I am doing.You need to be far away enough from your subject though to get these shots.
The quality of the 50mm f/1.8 AF lens is well known.  It is probably the best 100 Dollars that you can spend when you factor in cost to performance.  This review is more about the process of the interface between Amazon and Adorama.I was a bit nervous about the fact that while I was ordering this lens from Amazon, a company that I had good history with, it was basically handed off to Adorama to be processed and filled.  Within minutes of placing my order, I received an e-mail from Amazon notifying me that my order was now in the hands of Adorama.  I expected a delay or a hassle, and was having second thoughts, but figured at just over a hundred bucks, I'd ride it out and see what happens.Boy was I wrong!  I placed my order on Thursday, and on Saturday, the box from Adorama was in my mailbox, and this was from standard shipping, not express.  I opened it and it was perfect.  My lens was brand new, had a US warrantee and had all of the paperwork.As expected, the lens operates and performs perfectly, but the process was so smooth and fast that I wanted to let others know to trust Amazon when it works with other suppliers.  The Amazon / Adorama teaming was very good in my experience on this purchase.
This lens is probably the sharpest lens that Nikon makes--see lens reviews/specs at [...] I use this lens for low light situations outdoors and indoors so I don't need a flash. also, small dept-of-field. Using this at f/2.0 I will get at least four-six times as much light (which means four-six times faster shutter speed) as my zoom at around f/4.8 and also have a sharper image. For $99.00 this f/1.8 is a steal and a much better buy than the f/1.4 which is almost as sharp a lens and costs about $250.00--it's a no brainer.I use this with my Nikon D70--remember, with a digital SLR this is equivalent to a 75mm lens for film which it a pretty good portrait lens.Just buy it--for the price you can't go wrong.
Based on the benefit you get from this lens and its cost, this is highly recomended, it does have some flaws, however the resutls are still great
I usually shoot Canon, but due to many other reason I'm stuck with a Nikon D40 for now. I don't really know anything about Nikon, but I figured this would be a rad lens. The problem is that it won't auto focus on the D40. I know I know, I should have researched it more and learned about it, but really? Come on, who makes a camera this day and age that can't auto focus with certain lenses. Whatever, I'm returning it and getting the 35mm 1.8. I played it with it a bit and it had some really nice results. Amazon also got it to be super quick, overnight actually.
I bought this lens for my D3000 not realizing the autofocus would not work on this particular model (nor on any DX models, apparently); I'm sure that's stated somewhere but I didn't see it. At first I figured no autofocus would be okay because I got a DSLR specifically so I could manually focus when I needed to, but then I discovered the lens also had no ground glass, rangefinder, or microprism to help me ensure a completely crisp, focused image. If this lens had even one of these features (okay, so my old Nikkor lenses spoiled me) I would have kept it because I love the DOF and appreciate having a lens for low-light conditions. Instead I'm returning it for the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX, which costs about $80 more but will auto-focus on my camera -- and also permits closer shots, which is a big plus since I also do product shots. All in all, a fine lens, but with several limitations I couldn't live with.
I am just strating with photography and I needed a prime  lens so I purchased this 50mm nikkor lens and I am extremely happy with it, is fast lens great in low light and I love the picture quality this is a great lens at affordable price.
I love this lense so much. Its my first time D glass but how much difference if I will compare it to my old Nikkor 55mm-200mm ED 4.5-5.6G VR. 50 mm f1.8D is so much sharper, cheaper, and taking images at low, very low light that I could not even image to take with my 55mm-200MM VR. Must have, especially for this price. I paid for it 125$ at wolf camera and would buy it again even for 200$
Great glass, perfect mate for my D80.  I've only gotten tack sharp photos with this amazing combo.
Nikon delivers a lens that is light, precise and clear. The fit on the camera is great and the results are wonderful. Great purchase!
I really like the low f-stop for this lens, which creates a sharp focus on the subject and a blurred background. I didn't realize that in order for it to work with my DSLR (I have an older Nikon D40), that I would only be able to use the manual focus. I believe that it auto-focuses with the later Nikon models. I just wish that I would have known or researched better to figure it out before purchasing, and I might have made a better choice. That being said, I do use this lens and love the photographic results that it provides.
I bought this lens to use on my Nikon D50.  I'd read review after review of this lens and each one seemed to leave the same impression. That impression was that it was cheap (in terms of price) but performed like a much more expensive lens.As it turns out the reviews were all true.  I immediately saw the benefit of having a large apeture lens, as there are indoor and low light shots you can get with this lens that you simply can't get with other consumer lenses where the largest f-stop is 3.5 or smaller.  One of my favorite examples - taken soon after I bought it - was of one of our cats sitting behind a sheer curtain early one morning as the sun was rising.  I was able to capture her in mid-yawn without having to use a flash.  The resulting picture looks like a mountain lion wrapped in a soft fog that allows you to see just her silhouette.There is alway the question of whether it's worth spending the money to get the f1.4 version of this lens instead of the f1.8 about which this review is being written.  All I can do is share my own experience.  I feel that since I'm just an enthusiastic amateur the f1.8 version is more than sufficient.  Sure, the slightly larger apeture would be nice, but at the significantly larger price it just wasn't worth it for me.If you're just getting back into photography (perhaps thanks to a Nikon D50 or D70s) then I can't recommend this lens highly enough.  It's small, lightweight and (as already noted) really useful.  You'll want to keep it in your camera bag at all times or even pop it in the pocket of a jacket if you're wanting to travel light.Of course no lens will make you a better photographer, but a lens like this can certainly make your photography experience more fun and probably more rewarding in the end.
I am so happy with the little lens! I've been waiting to get it for quite some time and I can see this being my 'go to' daily shooting lens when I don't need to zoom. Very happy!
I purchased this for my daughter who is learning photography and started with a D60 and 18-55 kit lens. It doesn't autofocus on her camera, but having quickly learned the advantages of wide apertures, the ability to shoot in low light without flash, and the difference between razor-sharp and 'sharp enough,' she rarely takes it off her camera. If your interest in photography goes beyond point-and-shoot, there's no better place to start than with a high-quality 50 mm lens like this one - especially at the price. It's no fault of the lens that it doesn't autofocus on the the D60 and D40. Nikon's decision to move away from backward compatibility between its entry-level bodies and non-motorized lenses is unfortunate for those interested in learning the craft of photography.
How else are you going to get a sharp, fast lens like this for about $100? I don't use this lens a lot but when you need speed or very shallow depth of field, it is more than worth having.I also add extension tubes to it for (non-moving) closeups and macros.
I couldn't have found a better compliment to my NIKKOR 18-140mm lens than this one. Shooting at f1.8, this lens has taken, quite literally, every one of my best pictures. The AF is by no means quiet, but it works great.Closest focus is around 10in-12in depending on the picture.Camera is the Nikon D7000.
Reading the reviews of this lens prompted me to purchase.I read more reviews and was totally confused by them between purchase and delivery.I purchased for the 5100 .Lens arrived on time, well packaged and protected.The question left by the ambiguous reviews was would it work.Yes it does. Beautifully. If you want an auto focus lens it's NOT for you.Auto focus is nice but I grew up on manual focus with a big time gap in between.TTL metering works so for the price I am very happy.Focusing can be a problem as some reviewers noted. My old Pentax mv1 has split screen focusing the 5100 doesn't. I don't see  it as a problem.I would recommend it but remember you'll be manually focusing and that can take getting used to.
I'm not really a big fan of portrait pics or standard non-zooming lens, but that all changed when I bought it.  For $110+, I got this lens in less than 2 days and I was impressed by the FAST autofocus on my Nikon D50.  Great aperture range and nice 'bokeh' effect around F/1.8 and very impressive depth of field at F/22.  The 'bokeh' effect can be a tad harsh at F/1.8 but if you tinker around with the f-stop, this lens can really make for some beautiful portrait/head shots with smooth 'bokeh' as backdrop.  It does feel cheap and it feels like it'll break after 1 accidental drop, but other than that, it's worth the buy. For a non-ED lens, it definitely produces some really amazing pictures.
Very nice lens that performs as expected. I owned the 50mm f/1.4 a few years ago and sold it along with another body I had. Wished I never did that forever. After reading several comparison reviews between the f/1.4 and f/1.8 I decided to save a couple bucks and try this 1.8. Although it seems to shoot images as good as my old f1.4, this lens is still not the little gem that my old 1.4 was. This 1.8D is a bit lighter and more plastic feeling. The focus ring is not as smooth and offers little resistance that I was accustomed to on the previous lens I owned. Although for just a pinch over $100 its a great bargain for a Nikon lens. I would recomend this lens to someone on a budget. If you got a couple hundred extra bucks to just get rid of, buy the f1.4. From what I'm reading online, the 1.8 is sharper than the 1.4 on DX sensor cameras.
This is a great lens for such a discounted price.  I only used zoom lenses before the purchase of this lens.  The depth of field is awsome on this lens.  Of course on the Nikon D40 (D40x and D60)the lens does not autofocus because this particular camera does not have in-body focus ability. It took a few shots before I could perfect focusing but once I did that I loved it. If you can deal with having to actually exercise while taking pictures then this lens is for you.
I found this lens to be my prefered lens on my D70.  It's a fairly fast lens.  The 1.8 apature is optimal for low light shots, like in the subway or early evening. The fixed focal length of 50mm is very close to your eyes natural zoom.  Overall I highly recomend this lens at a price of around $100.  It's a great way to improve your photography, as it forces you to look at composition alot more critically.
I own quite a bit of different lenses from Nikon and I have to say this is one the least expensive lenses and probably one of the best in quality.I recently picked up a used D90 and along with the camera I received the Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D lens. I am amazed at the quality. I have posted an Orchid photograph I recently shot with no flash in low light and the image is stunning in quality, color and sharpness.I highly recommend this lens but please note this lens DOES NOT HAVE THE MOTOR IN THE LENS. You can use on the newer entry level Nikon DSLRs (D3000/D3100/D5000) but you will have to MANUAL FOCUS.
This lens is really great. It's my first prime lens and I have been very pleased with the purchase. It really makes you think about image composition and planning your shot. I think my next purchase will be the 24mm lens as I need something a bit wider for hiking. However, for portrait photography, this is simply the best lens I have ever got. Sharpness is amazing and ease of use equally so. I highly recommend purchasing this lens for your kit. You will not be sorry.
This lens is wonderful for close up work and portraits.  I've used it for close up macro work as well, when paired with a 10x optical filter.  It takes exceptional photos, and is very clear and sharp.  It will not AF on the Nikon D60, but no matter, for close up work you would want to manually focus the lens anyway.  This lens is really sharp, and is a great addition to any kit!
1) It has LESS distortion.  2) It is FAST!!. 3) It is SHARP!  4) It has a more natural color rendition.  5) Better looking, more slick!  6) Smaller.  7) Last but not least, it is super INEXPENSIVE!I use this lens on my Nikon D7000 and on my F5, and this thing FLIES on the F5, it is so fast!!  I know the G lens won't be faster because with D lenses, the camera body is what drives them.  The G lens does have improved BOKEH and is more quiet, no big deal.  The G lens is sharper at 1.8 than this D lens, but that is okay becase that is exactly HOW i want it and that's why i love this lens so much.  This D lens takes some beautiful blurry looking portrait photos that i really like, so for me, the G lens is no such thing as an "upgrade".This is one of Nikon's MOST NEGLECTED lenses, yet it is one of the sharpest ones when you stopped it down just a bit, it is SHARP!  No boubt.Some people say the G lens has a better color rendition and better image quality than this D lens.  Who cares! With my D7000 the only thing i need to do to duplicate that color rendition "look" of the G lens, is to set the color tone to the WARMER color setting in the menu AND simply increase the saturation just a little, and VOILA!!  You get the same look on your photos.  It is no big deal.The G lens is very very good also, but this D lens remains an inexpensive jewel. I got it used many years ago for $80 dollars and you can still get it at that price.UPDATE as of 1/30/2013.  I just bought a Fuji S5 PRO, one of THE BEST cameras for portrait shooting, and this lens IS PERFECT on that camera.  The fact of the matter is that for some reason, the previous generation D lenses are WAY more natural in skin color rendition, and this D lens looks A LOT nicer than my nikon 35mm 1.8G, the skin tone that the newer G lenses produce is more fake and cartoonish with a more orangy/tanish skin look, very disappointed indeed and i still cannot believe the difference that i am seeing.  I am IN LOVE with this little D lens.
Not only is the product exactly as described, this vendor offered the lowest price AND delivered 8 days EARLY!!!I recommend the vendor, and product to any Nikon photographer.
This lens does a great job.  I wish it would auto focus, but with my Nikon D40 it won't.  But I knew that when I bought it so I can't complain.  I am happy with the value.
I challenge you to find a better performing 50mm lens at this price. At $125 that will prove to be very difficult. Better lenses are out there (Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D AF for example) but they cost at least twice as much.
Nice, economical, sharp 50mm Nikkor. Modern plastic construction with metal mount plate.  Somewhat small but easily accessed short throw, manual focus ring,  Noticeably loud click sound on the useful, somewhat stiff, full stop increment aperture ring.
I shoot with a Nikon D7000 to preface this review.  I did not purchase this from amazon, but went to my local Pictureline store to get it.  Generally Amazon beats everyones prices hands down.  I decided I wanted this and wanted it now due to a family trip to a zoo and aquarium the next day, so I wasn't willing to wait for shipping.The lens is a plastic lens, so it does not feel as sturdy as others.  When attaching it to my D7000 it feels very tight, like I am almost forcing it on the camera.  But it also did this with a D300 we tried it on at the Pictureline store.  This lens does autofocus with the D7000, but that is also a benefit of the D7000 is the mechanical drive for older lenses.  The F/Stop has to be locked on the lens to allow this, but the camera also can control the F/Stop in camera.  I have been able to shoot shots that would have been impossible with my kit lens with this lens.  The only struggle I have now is learning to control the depth of field.  I shot an infant's face from about 3 feet away and the depth of field was so powerful her ears were blurred with her nose in focus.  Of course that is at F/1.8.  I think this lens will even get better when I learn to manage the depth of field and distance management with this new lens.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars when used with a D7000, or camera with a mechanical drive!
After much searching and reading reviews, i bought this lens from Amazon for portraiture and low light photography, and i have yet to be disappointed. It is such a good lens and produces sharp, clear photos with beautiful bokeh. And for the price, it's just a no brainer. Get it and you will probably won't remove it from your camera body.The ideal sharpness comes around f2.0 even though this lens is a f1.8, and since it's a fixed prime lens you will need to move around to compose your image, which i have found to improve my photography considerably.I have also managed to get some really good macro crops from this lens.Down the line i might trade this lens in for the 35mm variant just so that I have a little more room to move :)For now, I love this lens!!Cheers!
I was disappointed to discover that while this lens worked on my Nikon D5000, it does not auto focus. Apparently, you need a AF-S DX lens to take advantage of that feature on the camera. I returned it, as it was such a wide angle lens that I had a hard time ensuring that it was in focus.
Like many others on here, I use this lens on a DX-sized sensor. So, the crop factor is that of a 75mm.This is my first lens...and I am extremely happy with it. The broad headroom afforded by the f/1.8 aperture provides dramatic DOF effects. However, I rarely stop below f/3.5. The focus ring is plastic and feels a little cheap but it stays in focus.Aside from wanting a wider-angle lens in addition to this, I don't see any reason to replace/upgrade my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF anytime soon.If lost/broken/stolen, I'd probably get it again (@ $125).[ Camera: Nikon D3100 ]
I owned the 1.4 and then sold it. Bought the 1.8 and boy I am so glad I bought one. I do not know why do people spend extra 200 on 1.4 if you can get the 1.8 for less money and same or even better quality. This is one Lens that you all nikon user should buy. You will never regret having this lens. Just go get one and stop reading all the reviews.
This lense is very Sharp and . Light weight. No distortion.  In aperture f4 it will give maximum performance.  I recommend it
This lens is by far one of the most versatile I have in my bag. Not only does it do fantastically in low-light situations, but it also does great for sports events and produces fantastic color/contrast when doing portraits. The price here was great and I couldn't be happier with the delivery speed. If you need a great little lens that will quickly become your favorite, get this lens.
This is a one of the classic lens to have in the bag.  Nice bokeh and the subject is sharp.
it's a great lens, you get great field depth, still learning how to use it properly but what I have discovered so far is excellent.
I have aNikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lensfor over a year ago. It comes with a greatNikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraskit lens, but after some time I found myself wanting some more. Read many reviews for all over the net and bought this jewel: Nikkor 50mm f1,8Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. this is a great normal lens, worth every penny, great value for the price. My only compliant: it doesn't work on my wife'sNikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD. I'll buy aNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasfor her and keep for myself this lens hahaha. You won't touch my lens darling......
This little dynamo is such a gem. It delivers crystal clear portraits and has a beautiful Bokeh. Worth more than the meager amount I paid for it. A must have for then ikon enthusiast.
My sister is really into photography. I got this as a gift for her. She has no problems with it. Great quality, especially for those with a serious photography passion.
Before this lens, I used to shoot with my DX Zoom (18-105mm), and used to think that was a good lens. After I started using this, I dubbed this as a magic lens. Of course, you have to move your butt to take a shot (there is no zoom), but the sharpness of the pictures is mindblowing. I use the D7000, and from f/22 to f/2.8 the images are tack sharp. At f/1.8,  the lens gets a little soft at the ends.The bokeh is not so good, with highlights coming as 7-sided heptagons instead of complete circles.Manual focus (I used this with a D5000 for some time) is not at all daunting and a joy to use. In the night, the open aperture invites a plethora of colors into the sensor, so much so that people who were there have accused me of post-processing a direct camera shot ;)
It is a nice lens. It is my first prime lens so I have no other prime to compare against. However I can see the sharpness difference between this and my zoom lens. I also like how light and small it is. My lens kit consists of this 50mm and a 18-200 nikon zoom. Keeping it simple helps when traveling.Be warned, the auto focus does not work with the D3100 that I have. It auto focuses beautifully with the D7100 though.
Frankly speaking ...i dont have much to say about this product....IT IS JUST AWESOME...i have one 18-105 and this is my second one....like other people have mentioned...it depends on for what you need this lens...few parameters listed below...1: DOF - I have not tested F/1.4 but this have very shallow DOF at around 1.8 till 2.8. I mean you can really just focus on a point and get everything else out of focus...this is what i wanted from this lens...and it solves its purpose. I would say...10 on 5...2: Value for Money - Obviously what else do you expect!!! If you see other lenses in Nikon lineup...this one is i believe sold for the least but then also gives sharp images compared to its 10x priced counterpart...3: Construction Quality - It is good...I am not going to bump the lens here and there ...and this is made in China as opposed to Japan as are other Nikon lenses.Last but not the least...as mentioned in 100's of other reviews...this Lens will AF only if your camera have the AF internal motor...so please check your model and then order..
I know there are schnazzier portrait lenses out there, but for the money this thing is hands down the best on the market.  I've got kids & dogs & have gotten some truly magical shots of them even in relatively quick action.  I shoot with a D90 & it handles this lens quite well.  From what I can tell from other reviews of the 50mm f/1.4g & the 50mm f/1.8g, they do not offer comparable results to the price job that is associated with that lens purchase.  Unless you're an extremely critical eye, I'd go with this lens over both of those.  Do yourself a favor and look at the tons of sample photos out there & see the results for yourself before your purchase.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Am pleased. And I can even use on my 30 year old F3.
Very Sharp Lens! Love it! too bad I have to return it.It actually really good lens, really sharp picture, the problem is... my Old Nikon D40 can't make the auto-focus works, it doesn't have in-body auto focus, see.. in the real world.. where my wife and kids and friends will eventually hold the camera and take my pictures, not just me taking their pictures, they don't know how to focus it manually. and that means all pictures where me in it could be useless blurry memories, so with my heart broken I have to return this lens,.. for the sake of me.
In September 2009, I bought a Nikon D3000, my first SLR.  I am an avid amateur photographer, and was incredibly excited about my new purchase.  My best friend is a great photographer and bought me this lens, telling me that the lenses that came with the camera were junk.Well, I'm pleased with the lenses that came with the camera, but they don't hold a candle to this one.  I'm consistently impressed with the stunning pictures that I get with this lens.  I've used it for just about everything I've taken pictures of, along with the automatic lens that came with the package.  When comparing the same pictures from the two different lenses, this one wins every time.I'm still learning to get it in focus every time I use it, and I'm not great with action shots with it yet, but it's a great lens for a new SLR user.
Hi: this is a really good lens, I got sharp pictures of waterfalls that looked very nice. The depth of field you can attain is significant, and you can create many artistic effects with this feature. In my Nikon D90 works fine, with autofocus. At 50mm in D90 it is actually 75mm, so not wide angle, and you need forward and backward yourself to frame your subject. It is fast and light, incredible light ! It needs a photographer backside, of course :-) !Update December 2009: After several months I can say the lens is superb in quality, especially for portraits, it is sharp, fast, indoors and outdoors, excellent.
Though the 18-55mm kit lens has a useful range, it's twice the size of this lens and much slower. For the majority of my shooting, which is indoor low light, photojournalism and portraits, This lens can't be beat for the price! If I want to shoot landscapes, I throw on the kit lens, but you'll find this 50mm on my D50 90% of the time. Buy this lens!Keep in mind that the auto-focus will not function on the lower cost D40, D60, etc cameras, as this lens uses the old school mechanical AF mechanism, so D40/60 users will need to spend significantly more on a third party lens to get this kind of speed (low light or fast action use) for their camera.
It is what I wanted and delivered in a timely manner. I am well pleased with this lens. I would buy it again.
The lens never ceases to amaze me! I love the Bokeh it can produce. As always, Nikon lenses pack a punch!!
I really like this glass. It's compact, easy to carry and takes great shots. I tried this on Nikon D3000, D5001, works great on both. I also tried on Panasonic GH3 with an adapter. It takes little getting used to but still works great.
This is a great lens.  Very sharp, and not that expensive. Anyone having a Nikon camera should own this lens.When used on a DX format digital camera, the 1.5x crop factor means this lens is equivalent to a 75mm lens. And with the f1.8 aperture, you can get great bokeh - so it makes for an outstanding portrait lens. Bokeh means you can get nice and soft out-of-focus areas behind the subject, which is generally preferred for portraiture.Some of the reviews actually rate this lens sharper than the 50mm f1.4, but I have not been able to independently verify it - as I don't have that lens.The only downside is this lens is AF, meaning it does not have an internal focus motor - so it will not autofocus on a D5100, D3100, D40, etc.Nikon has just released a new 50mm f1.8 lens, and it is an AF-S version, so that lens will focus on those cameras.The new 50mm lens has a slightly different glass, so I don't yet know how that compares to this lens. But I think it would be hard to improve on this one. It's also made of metal, where the new lens has a plastic body.Other differences are that the new 50mm lens is a "G" model, so it does not have an aperture ring like this lens - so you cannot adjust the aperture off-camera.This is probably not important most of the time, but if you like to use close-up extension tubes, you will want to be able to adjust the aperture at the lens.Both the old and new lens are FX models, so they both up-shift the focal length. If you want a "true" 1:1 normal lens, you need to go with a 35mm lens, as when it is upshift for a DX camera - the lens will be 52.5mm.Since this lens is about 60% of the cost of the new one, unless you need AF-S, I cannot see how you can go wrong with this lens.
brilliant, sharp, cheap, great build quality, great image quality, works smoothly with my d7000, and is solid like a rock
I enjoy taking pictures of things I like and things I want to remember; family, pets and places I have visited.  This is one of my favorite lenses in my collection.  The pictures are sharp, it' small and light weight, and it handles well in low light.This lens does not auto focus on it's own since there is no motor in it, but with my Nikon D80, it auto focuses wonderfully.Again, I have a D80, so it is a crop sensor body.  I do find that when I am taking picture in my house, I need a wider lens since this one is too long.  My living room, where I take a lot of pictures, is a small room and I struggle to get far enough away from whatever I'm taking a picture of to get a good shot. But, this is the only issue I have with this lens and this is more of a body issue than a lens issue.
What are you waiting for? Why are you still reading reviews? This is &#34;dirt cheap&#34; as far as lenses go, yet is an AMAZING performer. The lengthy reviews that have already been posted cover the ins-and-outs of this lens very well, so most of what I could say would just be repeating them. I'll note, however, that I got this lens on a whim, thinking that I would only rarely want to use a prime. In no time at all, however, it became my favorite lens to shoot on. If I'm going to hand my camera to an inexperienced user, THIS is the lens I put on.
This is the Best Lens I purchased for this Price. Works wonderful, think of trying the reverse lens technique.Fits Exactly on the D90 and take Great Pics.
for the price, cant go wrong. its a nikon, love this lens and im a beginner. love love love words
If you buy this for a Nikon D40, please read the title AGAIN.  If you quick read the other reviews, you may not get to read that some mention the fact that this lens WILL NOT AUTOFOCUS WITH A NIKON D40.  If you don't care about this, you'll find this little lens great.  The pictures are crisp and clear, full of light.  Great addition to your lens collection.
What a perfect lens this is.. I really cannot think of any cons at all.  Crisp pictures with amazing DoF.
Well, I see the new 50 1.8G lens is going for a much higher price. Will I replace this one with the "upgrade"? No way! It costs almost nothing and delivers excellent images. At wide open aperture(f/1.8), it's a little bit lacking in contrast and sharpness, but not bad. In fact, most portraits of people look better a tad soft with lower contrast. So there you go, open up to f/1.8 and you've got your perfect "portrait" setting. At f/2, things improve a bit. At f/2.2, much better. This is where the lens starts to shine. And the large aperture makes for very shallow depth of field, so you can really blur the background when you want to. And not to mention the ability to shoot in lower light.This lens is a full frame lens. That means it produces an image circle large enough to use with 35mm film and FX size sensor digital bodies. Most lenses do not perform as good in the corners as the center. So on a DX sensor size body, such as a Nikon D3000, D5000, D60, or my D300, the body "crops" out the corners--and takes advantage of the sweet spot of the lens. All of my lenses are full frame except my 18-70mm, and on a DX body that's a winning combination(that's why I stay away from the DX lenses).Another thing to consider is unlike the G lenses, this one has an aperture ring. It can be used on the older Nikons going all the way back to the 1959 Nikon F. With G lenses, there's no way to adjust the aperture with older camera bodies. So if I got the new 50 1.8G, I would still have to keep this one also.I think this is the best value of the currently available 50's. I had the 50 1.4D lens and it was pretty bad at f/1.4 and f/2, and cost much more. This one is much better at 1.8 than the 1.4 lens at 1.4. And then there's the new 50 1.4G(have not used that one). But it cost several times what this lens costs! If you want a great fixed focal length lens and don't want to pay alot, this should work for you.**Something to consider-this lens is not an AF-S lens and does not have the built in motor. So it will NOT autofocus with many of the less expensive bodies, such as the D40, D60, D5000, and others. So if you have a camera body that will not focus it and want autofocus capability, you should get the 50 1.8G lens.--------I can't believe all the 1 and 2 star ratings because it does not autofocus with the inexpensive bodies. And low ratings because of the build quality. It's quite good compared to the 18-55 and 55-200 with plastic mounts. It has a nice sized rubber focus ring and focus distance scale. And some bash it because it's not as sharp as expensive pro glass. It's not fair to compare it to lenses costing many times as much. For the price, you get ALOT of lens for your money.
The problem: My daughter's recital pratice came out horrible with my f2.8 zoom lens. Too much motion, and no flash was going to be allowed on the big day. After some fast research I came up with this inexpensive solution. On my D50 this is a 75mm lens. I got front row seating, set the ISO to 1600 and used shutter priority set at 1/200. The results were fantasitic!!! This excellent little lens, that looks so puny on my D50 offers sharpness (some say Nikon's sharpest lens!) and speed at a small price. Go get one and have fun.
I LOVE this lens. I've hardly used any of my other ones since purchasing this one. It is an awesome lens for a great price!!!
This is one of the best lenses you can buy for your Nikon DSLR period!I loved this lens on the D40 and I love it even more on my D300
Excellent lens! I can't believe I screwed around with a kit lens for so long when this thing is so excellent and so cheap.
It was good price and the quality of this product is satisfied. when u buy a used one, they are the best deals.. so trustworthy and good.
I must admit that I haven't got that much new to add to the discussion about this lens. It's just great. Fast, cheap, flexible, sharp. It's got it all.I use it on a D200 and a F5, and it works as a charm on both. Focus is fast, silent and reliable.In short: a very good lens for just a few quid. Everyone should have one.
Nikon has never let me down.  I use this lens for the vast majority of my photographs.  I recommend it to anyone asking what is a good lens for photography.
Okay so I had to come up with one fault of this perfect lens. That one fault of mine is there is no hood included. To add insult, Nikon recommends a rubber hood.  Rubber hood? I don't think so.  For some of us who don't believe in lens caps a hard metal hood is what protects the front element.So here is the lens hood you need.  Apparently Nikon thinks there is something special about this hood too - since it is about 3 times more expensive than it needs to be.Nikon HN 3 - Lens hoodAnyway, It really is a good lens and it really will make you think more about each image you take. Zooms are nice. Zooms are handy. Zooms make you lazy.  If you were only going to buy one fixed focal lens this is the lens.
Portraits!! Fixed distances! Bokeh, background blur and sexy images. This is my favorite lens because it is cheap and I am an amateur photgrapher. Must by for anyone with a mid-range camera looking to take some interesting photographs.
This has become my &#34;everyday&#34; lens, and I love I
I cannot say enough about this lens. It is lightning fast with the f1.8. The depth of field is incredible; it really adds a lot of creativity to your bag for a very modest cost.This lens is well-constructed and solid without being heavy. Whenever I am heading out and want to bring along my camera, I just mount this lens and leave the rest behind. Forget the laziness of a zoom lens and get into the experience!I have found that I enjoy shooting more with this lens than with the other lenses I have (which are nice lenses). It is truly one of those items you have to try to believe. It performs incredibly with my D80. I'm sure it is the same with all other Nikon bodies.If you're an amature or just getting into photography, invest in this lens; you will enjoy it so much and really get you excited about shooting.Good luck, and good shooting!
Picked this lens up because I got an F100. I was kind of shocked to learn this lens was compatible with an older 35mm camera (I have a Canon DSLR) and even more shocked to learn even the auto-focus works. I'm very impressed, Nikon. The lens itself is great and just what I needed!
Frankly this is a fantastic walk-around lens.  It's light, small, cheap yet well-made, and takes consistently great pictures.  The f/1.8 makes it a great choice in particular for low light situations and also for nice shallow depth of field shots, as the lens has fairly nice background blur, or bokeh.  This is pretty much a must-have lens for a Nikon DSLR.
This lens is just great for so many things!  It is just what I wanted for photographing infants; it keeps everything looking softer by blurring the background and keeping the focus on the subject.  I've also used it some when photographing flowers, butterflies and other items for this same effect.
This is a very nice lens.  More of a plastic feel but the speed, bokeh and depth of field are very good.  However I have had significant issues with focus.  Note that what i received is NOT an Auto Focus lens.  That is not a problem, as I would have probably turned the AF off anyway.  But I take photos that look beautiful in the viewfinder and on the LCD only to blow them up and encounter lack of focus at 1.8.If you want a 50MM prime and you are serious about having something that is consistently good and you can grow into, I would recommend you go with a 1.4 50MM instead.
This was the first prime lens that I owned after using the 18-55mm zoom lens on my DSLR. In the film days, I used it years ago. It performed great then, and still does now.I was so impressed with this lens, it inspired me to trade my zoom lens for other prime lenses. While this lens doesn't have the convenience of a zoom, it has a general focal length similar our normal range of eyesight (hence the term "standard length"). To take a photo, you just have to step forward or back a little to compose.This lens produces sharp pictures, is fast, works well in low light, and has nice depth of field when set at f/1.8.My favorite use of the lens was street photography and landscape. It's good for portraits, but I have better lenses for that now. You can't beat the price of it either, nearly unbeatable.
This lens is a true great buy. The dof is amazing and everything in focus is so crisp. I was shooting (using the kit lens) the other day, and I ended up pulling out this lens because the Lighting was so bad in the gym. My shutter went from 1/60  to 1/150! This lens is also great for portraits and I even use it for mountain biking. It is super light, and a really great extra tool to have. Plus, how can you go wrong at only $130?
This is an excellent product, especially given the price.The one thing to keep in mind is that the lens does not have automatic focus with the Nikon D40.  You will have to manually focus it.
I love this lens! A good product for a even better price. It creates stunning bokeh, beautiful DoF. What you decide to focus on is nice and sharp, while the background is blown out and nice looking. Colors are spot on without any type of filter on it.Overall, a great buy, and a great addition to your lens collection.
Didn't even last me a year. The auto focus broke. have to use it in manual. I don't have time for manual being a wedding photographer. It was a great lens while it lasted.
I bought this lens back in the spring...it's approaching winter and it's still on my camera!  I LOVE this lens!!  Besides, for this low price, you really can not go wrong!
Just what I needed. I have not had a 50 in a long time and finally got around to getting one again. Didn't care about the G or the 1.4 at all. Just needed something reliable to use once in awhile. No complaints.
This lens is great!! I am just getting into photography and bought this lens for my D40.  It won't autofocus on the D40, but I figure it gives me a chance to work on my technique.  This lens takes incredibly sharp pictures, even wide open.  I bought this to use at Christmas and got good shutter speeds without a flash indoors.  Don't be put off by the fact taht this lens is made in China.  It is still built to Nikon's long-lived standards.  For just over $100, this should be in everyone's camera bag for portrait or low light shots.  Highly Recommended!
Bought this prime lens for my Nikon D700.  Produces excellent tack sharp pictures especially in low light situations.  You won't be disappointed with this lens.
This is my favorite lens. The pic are bright and the colors stand out. FYI no auto focus w/ D3100, but I enjoy the manual focusing
Simply the best bang for your buck. This is an absolute steal at $100. Looks and performs like it should cost 10X more.
I was skeptical because of the price, but this lens is working great for us!
I bought this lens and it shipped quickly. I immediately began using it and was instantly impressed.  The focus is super sharp and I love the pictures I have taken with it. For the price, this lens is a must own for NIKON enthusiasts!
I read raves about this lens and it was referred to me years ago, and I am just getting around to treating myself to it. So far, so good! I have not used this lens much. I need to practice more with the features, but for the photos that I have been successful taking, I adore. The depth perception is awesome! I have poor eyesight, so it is a bit tricky focusing and capturing the appropriate shot when I have to constantly adjust the lens based on my physical condition. Aside from me, this is a cool addition to my growing collection of enhancing tools.
I took a chance on buying this lense even though I have a Nikon D3000. It works really well and the aperature priority mode on the camera still works with this lens (something people kept saying wouldn't work). There still isn't a manual focus mode, but the manual focus is incredibly sharp and easy to use, so it isn't too much of a concern.
For 99 dollars what can you say to a 50mm lens that is fast and may be as sharp or even sharper than other Nikon lenses costing over 1000.00??? I also have the 18-70 and 28-200, but when I photograph my son I often use the 50mm 1.8 for it's wonderful detail, color and focus. If you're angry about spending 1500 dollars on a Nikon lens, just pretend that this was a 800.00 lens you got for 100 bucks and subtract the difference! That's how good this lens is. For the price it's a miracle and we don't get many price-miracles from Nikon now do we?
I bought this lens to use for portrait photography.  I must say, it's an awesome lens.  The only thing it doesn't have is VR, but you should be using a tripod (or hard steady surface) with it anyway so it doesn't matter.  Great lens and produces great pictures.
I am a novice photographer mom who needed an inexpensive lens to take pictures of my young kids.  This lens has not disappointed! Love the low f-stop to give me those nice blurry backgrounds.  I constantly get comments on what great pictures I have, and I give  full credit to this lens.  Even when I put my Nikon d90 in Auto mode, it still does not disappoint.  Unfortunately, I am not an experienced enough photographer to give the technical details that some of the other reviewers have, but for all of you mommies with cameras out there, this lens is perfect!
Bought this product for daughter, photogapher, after much research.  Trusted seller's description and previous reviews, and found the product to be exactly as described.  Very pleased with product and with quick delivery.  This is why we like purchasing through amazon.
Ignore the reviews on this lenses, it's not good.  I don't know what the heck everyone sees it this lenses.  I didn't get anything better than with a kit lenses.  I am a professional, normal photographer.  I have a local biz and I do well.  This lenses isn't for active pro photography.  Perhaps if you have 20 minutes per shot you'd do well.  As the other reviews say about low light, don't believe them.  I never had success.  I'm using Nikon, D600, D7100, D40 (because I will never ever sell this camera).  I love the d600 too, and hate the D7100.
I purchased this for my D60, so with that camera it was complete manual focus.  Over all it worked very well, although I myself didn't work it very well.  I didn't like how my pictures came out with it, but 100% admit it was me.  So if you shoot well with Manual focus, this will most likely work very well for you!
In a nutshell Ken Rockwell (leica enthusiast) lists this lens as the top 10 Nikon lenses.I've had this lens for a few years, using it only on a Nikon F100, shooting mostly slide film (sadly down to my last few rolls of Kodak). I shot an entire street portrait series ([...]) solely with this lens. It is hands down one of the sharpest lenses Nikon makes today. The focus is extremely fast and smooth, great optional aperture ring, as well as fully automatic focus and aperture control. The only con I would say is that the lens construction is mostly plastic, but on the up side it is probably the lightest DSLR lens all around. At only 5.5oz I feel like i'm walking around with a Leica M lens... Furthermore, great color rendition, no aberration of any kind. If you need a 50mm lens for your Nikon this is the one to get. F/1.8 is more than wide enough, at f/1.4 there's no point.
For any user of Nikon DSLRs this is almost a no brainer to purchase. TACK SHARP. Amazing Depth of Field when used at 1.8. Amazing amounts of light gathering. Fits very tightly on my D80. Focusing is a bit loud when compared to other quiet focusing motors. Good body construction. How can you explain not having it in your bag for that price?
UPDATE:  I need to correct something:  This lens does autofocus *if* the camera has its own focus motor.  I learned this much later when my friend showed me on his D7000 (and I now own a D7100 which auto focus' this lens -- very quickly!!).  So, my statement about no auto focus is completely wrong and was made in ignorance.  It just boils down to both the lens type and the camera combination.I'm very much an amateur and I'm not sure how helpful this will be, but I wanted to remark on the image quality produced by this lens -- it's amazing.  One image I took of my German Shepherd was so sharp (I uploaded it to the product images) that when I was looking at the image on my computer and zoomed in, I could make out details of the room he was looking at in the eye reflection.  And that was taken hand-held.  The image quality is definitely far superior to the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my camera (D3100).Other than that, I can't offer much since I can't really judge it against other similar products I have never used.  The only real nit I have is that the manual says auto-focus is possible but it isn't.  There's no motor.  It's all manual focus.  Not really a big issue and I didn't expect it.  But it would be nice if both the Amazon listing, and certainly the manual, stated it clearly.
When my Sigma 18mm-70mm f2.5 had to go in for repairs a week before a wedding I was desperate for a lens to use for the reception that would give me clean pictures in low light and give me that yummy shallow depth of field I like for portraits. I saw the price on this lens and thought it was wrong. I am glad it wasn't. This is NOT a DX lens which means that even though it is a 50mm lens it translates into more like 65mm. It was a little tighter than I liked for group pictures but that is why I have feet right?This is a great starter lens to learn the basics of Fstop and depth of field. I love this lens so much that I keep it attached to my flashless Fuji S5 Pro and carry it arround a wedding or event for those extra cool low light shots. Before this I never carried a second camera it was just a back up. This lens is 100% worth every penny of what I paid for it.
Don't let the low price fool you. This lens is tack sharp, fast focusing, and well built. True, the body is plastic, so what? It is a great prime lens to have in your bag. I shoot aerial photos, used it on a recent job with excellent results mounted on a D3.
This is THE lens to use when taking photos of people's faces. It will make you a better photographer.  The sharpness, light-gathering, and overall effect ("bokeh") simply have to be seen to be believed.  In most situations, you do not need (and do not want to use) flash, as flash just deepens the lines on people's faces.I've been using it for five years and wish I'd bought it, along with a film-type Nikon camera, decades ago.The other superlative reviews do not overstate how worthwhile it is to use this wonderful lens.
This is an excellent lens.  Pictures are very sharp and has a very nice bokeh.  Every photographer should have this lens in there camera bag.
This is a must have fixed lens for any serious photographer. The small issue it had was - it would not auto focus with my Nikon D3000, but then it is not a AF-S lens, only a AF lens, so was not supposed to do. Even then, I was able to get some lovely portraits in manual mode. Recently I got my Nikon D90 and this lens auto-focuses with the camera like a charm. Of course the Nikon D90 has its own motor. But the lens produces outstanding results, no questions about that. Will definitely recommend.
I bought this lens for my Nikon D3200. I cannot give it A good enough recommendation. Images are crisp and clear, and look professional. It quickly became my favorite lens. I use it whenever a wide-angle is unnecessary.
I can't believe how cheap(low cost)this lens is. This lens focuses super fast and is super sharp. The lens is a little noisy when auto focusing. It doesn't bother me but may bother others. The lens is light and very small. Great if you want to have a large zoom lens on your camera and decide to switch over to this lens when light becomes an issue. Just put it in your pocket or small bag and you're ready to go. Oh, and please research what camera you have if you want to buy this lens. Your camera has to have a internal focusing motor in it to be able to use the auto focus, otherwise you will have to manual focus this lens. Other people have giving this lens a poor rating because it doesn't auto focus on their camera because they didn't pay attention. A+ to this lens.
For background, I learned photography on a pair of all-manual Nikkors and a handful of prime lenses, including a 50mm f/1.4 from the 1970s. The great thing about this focal length on a 35mm film camera is that the lens has a field of view roughly equivalent to the human eye, so there's a very strong sense of "what you see is what you get."(To prove this to yourself, hold your camera vertically with a 50mm "normal" lens in front of one eye, and look in the same direction with the other eye -- they should see roughly the same image. With a shorter lens, everything in the camera eye will appear further away, while things look closer with a longer lens; 50mm is roughly the balance point that "sees" about what the human eye can see.)On a modern "consumer" digital SLR, the image sensor is smaller than the 35mm film frame, so the lenses behave as if they are effectively 1.5x "longer" than they would be on a full frame camera body. (Actually, that's not totally accurate -- to go back to the example above, the 50mm lens still "sees" the same proportions, but it's as if you're narrowing your eyelids, so that it's more like cropping & enlarging the middle section of that 35mm frame. The results from a 50mm on a DSLR aren't quite identical to what you'd get with a 75mm lens on a 35mm film SLR, but the results are close enough for rough comparisons.)This 1.5x zoom factor ends up meaning that if you learned to think that "50mm" means "what you see is what you get", then you're going to keep surprising yourself when it seems like all the pictures you take are zoomed in too much, and you're constantly having to back away from the subject to get the picture you may have intended. For indoor, low light photos of people -- which the f/1.8 aperture should excel with -- you may frequently find that you might keep ending up with head shots when you wanted a head & shoulders shot, or you can only get a head & shoulders shot when you wanted a full body shot.On the other hand, portrait photographers often prefer a longer lens in, say, the 75-125mm range on 35mm cameras. This range is nice, because you get far enough back from the subject to put them at ease (very few people like having a camera lens shoved in their face), while optically there's a slight "flattening" effect that tends to make for more flattering portraits (as opposed to the familiar "fisheye" effect you get with photos from very short focal length lenses taken very close to the subject of the photo). And if the lens is fairly fast -- that is, with a small number for the f/stop rating -- then it can also control the depth of focus nicely such that the portrait subject is in focus, but the background is blurred out to avoid distractions.With that in mind, the 50mm lens, though it has lost its role as a "normal" walkaround lens, gains a place as a good portrait lens. And, indeed, that's how it works out -- with the scenarios mentioned above, if it's an indoor head shot or a head & shoulders shot you're after, then this lens ends up being pretty good at getting that shot.  And with the f/1.8 aperture, it's easy to take portraits where, say, the subject's face is nice & sharp, but the rest of their body is nicely "fuzzed", and the background can be rendered unrecognizable if you want.For myself, I've ended up with this 50mm f/1.8 along with Nikon's 18-200 VR lens, the latter of which is mounted on my D50 90% of the time. The 50mm is small & light enough that I'll usually throw it in the bag if I go somewhere, and it has been really handy in situations where I could take advantage of the wide aperture, including both portraits and some rock concert photos.I can't not mention the autofocus issue, though it hasn't been a problem for me. The D50 was Nikon's last entry level DSLR to have a built-in focus motor, meaning that it can drive the autofocus capability on pre-digital lenses such as this one. Newer lenses have this motor built into the lens, not the camera, so recent entry level cameras -- the D40, D40x, and D60 -- no longer include the focus motor, relying instead on the lens to do the work, and forcing you to use lenses like this one in manual focus mode. (Apparently, the D70, D80, and D90 all have the focus motor like the D50 did.) That's not necessarily a big deal -- people managed to get by for decades before autofocus was invented after all -- but it's obviously a nice capability to have, and it won't work with this lens on a whole bunch of recent camera bodies.On the whole, I'm glad I bought this lens. For the price, it's hard to go wrong, and the image quality is unquestionably much better  than what the 18-200 VR lens is capable of. The problem is that it's not as versatile as the 18-200 VR either -- being a prime lens, this is of course to be expected -- and in practice I just haven't ended up using the 50mm lens very much so far. As a second lens it is an excellent tool to have. As a primary lens, it's an excellent tool to learn with, but more limited for every day use. That isn't necessarily a show stopper, but make sure you're aware of the tradeoffs you're making if you decide to make it your primary lens.
I purchased this lens to use on my d3000 and made the assumption that it would be able to auto-focus on its own. The lens does not have its own AF motor like the AF-S lenses, so that was my mistake. I had to manually focus on my d3000 in order to use the lens, but man, Nikon makes it easy to use. They have a little dot in the viewfinder that lets you know if it's in focus or not. Every photo I've taken with this lens has blown me away. The clarity, DOF, and overall quality of photos has been astonishing. Having to use the manual focus on the d3000 has helped me become a better photographer at the same time - I've had to be more skilled at picking the right environment for my photos and positioning my self at the right distance from the subject. That being said, this lens has been the bridge to my recent purchase of a D90, which does have its own auto focus motor to power regular AF lenses, so I'm even more excited about the possibilities with this lens. It's probably the best lens you'll ever buy for the money. Great job Nikon.
I am a portrait photographer . I am currently using the Nkion D90. And this is the only lens that I will be using for at least the next 6 months. This lens is super sharp and the depth of field is amazing!!! This lens is becoming second nature to me already. Perfect for my fine art portraiture work. Visit my website at [...]. 90% of the portrait work you see on there was taken with the 50mm. With the exclusion of the concert and landscape photography.
this is an excellent intermediate lens.  it's fast, sharp and awesome.  on my d200, its a 75mm equivalent on a 35mm sensor.  this is the perfect length for head-and-shoulders portraits.  i bought it on a whim at a local new brunswick nj camera shop, and haven't taken it off since.before this, i used a 1976 nikon 50mm f/2, produced at the height of the nikon vs. canon arms race.  once i adjusted electronic aperture controls, it was smooth sailing.look no further than this lens for low light amateur photography.
It's everything it's put out to be. The only thing I can complain about is that, replacing my 50mm 1.8 E series, it's made in china, plastic, and not as withdrawn as the E series. But most consumer lenses are.
Being new to photography I was researching a lot of photography classes to take to get my feet wet in the art and I noticed a lot of the classes require a 50mm prime lens.  So not wanting to spend a ton of money right off the bat, I came across this and wow what a value.  I had seen reviews of this lens as being one of the most popular for Nikons and I can see why.  It spends about 90% of the time I am shooting on my camera.  And with this lens for a beginner you do really start to learn and see what it takes to take a great picture.  I love how it forces you to move and create the shot instead of standing there just zooming in and out, really composing the shots.  Anyone who does not have this lens should purchase it, you can't beat the bang for the buck.
This lens approaches optical perfection in terms of astonishing sharpness at f/2.8 and above, lack of (or imperceptible) distortion, and no noticeable light fall-off in the corners ("vignetting") at f/2.0 and above. It is a true pleasure to use. My only disappointment is at the level of bokeh, and I have to disagree with some of the other reviewers on this, I find the bokeh hard and not all too pleasant.
I read lots of reviews before I bought this lens and it lives up to reputation. I doubt there is a more cost effective lens and the results, especially for portraits, are stunning. I might upgrade to the f1.4 as I love the color of the ambient light in low light settings and not having to use a flash e.g. at weddings; but as a first fixed focal lens, this is a winner.
I adore this lens--it's the only one I really use anymore. I spent a long time researching, trying to find a good (but affordable) lens for portrait work, and this one is perfect.
I was so excited to finally get a 50mm lense that was a Nikon lense and not another brand. I am glad I waited until I found this one. It is just such a perfect lense and so fun to use. It is smooth and compact and takes very good pictures. This is a must have lense for any photographer at any level.
This lens is also great for a DX camera as long as it has a focusing motor in the camera body.  Otherwise you have to focus manually.  Manual focus is not as bad as it sounds because the camera will still use the focus module to tell you when you're focused, it just can't move the focus ring for you if you have a D3xxx or a D5xxx body Nikon.  If you can't stand the idea of having to focus manually, the AF-S version of this lens is available at about double the price.  The D600, 7xxx, and 800 Nikons have a focus motor in the camera, and this lens will autofocus on those cameras.  The 75 mm equivalent focal length on a DX camera makes it good for portraits or short telephoto shots.  And it's a small, light lens that you can carry around in your pocket to supplement whatever you have on the camera already.  Prime lenses really are sharper and have less distortion, and gaining a couple of stops for low light shooting is nice.  But no VR, so you gain something and you give up something.  The 50mm lens is iconic in SLR photography, and any serious hobbyist or semi-pro shooter should have one, especially considering the price.  If you're a pro, just get the 24-70mm f/2.8 for $2000 instead of this $100 lens.
Before you get this lens make sure your nikon can use it. I have a D3000 and it works nice,but the auto focus feature dose not work with my model. So now im looking to get the D90. For me i really want auto focus. But if the Auto focus feature dose not bother you then your set. This lense is great when it comes to taking apature pictures!
I've had bought one of these when I first got into photography 6 years ago. I love how well it works in low light. The bokeh it produces looks great. So when my kid wanted a lens for Christmas with low light capability I thought of this lens. It's affordable and one of the best lens for someone on a budget. My kid showed me some of his pictures he took with it at Disneyland during the night and the images looked really good. This would be one of the first lens I'd recommend to someone starting off in photography.
The Nikon 50 mm is a great lens especially for portraiture. It has a great depth of field and I loved the fixed lens. The no zoom requires you to get up close and creative with your work.  The price is also decent, especially if you compare between the f/1.4 and the f/1.8.
This lens is just what you need for portraiture. That's it...  For the price, you can't beat the quality of 1.8 f-stops.
For $125 there is not a better lens out there for portrait photography. It is not the sharpest lens out there, don't get me wrong it is sharp but does have a soft sharpness. DOF is great, size is great, low light shots inside now possibly with no flash and low ISO. Bought it because of the positive reviews on Amazon and am very happy to have this lens in my collection now. I am a novice shooting with a D90 and have had amazing results so far with this lens. Fast lens with amazing low light capabilities. Would highly recommend this lens to anyone shooting a lot of indoor shots.
I was looking for a cheap fixed lens but many weren't cheap. I was looking and reading reviews. When I found this one, I did my research and I was about to get cheaper. I am happy I bought this lens every time I use it.
Small, light, and sharp in the corners, even on a full-frame SLR.  What more could you ask for?  Now, if I could only find a 20, 24 or 28 that is this good.
I agree with most of the reviews on this lens. Great for the price, lightweight, very fast.
We  wanted a  second 50mm  AF lens, one that  would allow  manual aperture.  the F1.8  was fast  enough, and the price, very  good. Always read the product  sheet  when you get a lens.  We  forgot, and it was OUR  fault  we  didn't notice that  we should have had a  lens cap with the lens. We noticed  this  when it was too late to  contact  Nikon or  Amazon. First time we have ever had anything  missing with  Nikon  equipment or Amazon, for that matter. The lens is a  5  our attention to unpacking detail,  should have been better. This  is a good lens  to add to the kit lens  that probably came  with your  camera.
I absolutely love it.  From the very first shot I fell in absolute love with this lens.  I have a Nikon D3100, so boo... no autofocus for me which definitely takes some getting used to.  Overall awesome lens capable of producing amazing "wow" shots.  Not to mention, my favorite part: the price!  Can't beat it.
If you're thinking about getting a new lens to join the family with your kit lens this is a wonderful and affordable option. Great in low light situations, very fast and crisp images. Very glad I got it.
I'm very happy with this lens. It makes shooting indoors or in low light much easier. I find myself leaving it on the camera more and more, leaving the 18-200mm lens in the bag.
we also have a &#34;travel lens&#34; 18-200mm with image stablization (&#34;VR&#34; equivalent) from Sigma bought about 6 yrs ago. I can say for taking portraits, the difference is like heaven and the earth.the lens is worth every single penny, buy it.Also found Amazon's price is the best. For other advertised &#34;cheaper prices&#34;, found they were all from &#34;Grey Mkt&#34;. Google search it to find the difference if you do not understand the pros and cons of &#34;grey mkt products&#34;.
This is a must-have standard lens for photographers who lacked the extra cash to spend for a faster 50 mm lens.
Works well with my D40 - doesn't auto-focus but, since I only use it for portrait settings, that's not a deal breaker. Well worth the money.
This lens is my first prime lens and now I am hooked. It is my absolute go to lens when I am wanting to get great close ups with a nice bokeh.  I have this on a Nikon D3000 so its the equivelent to a 75mm.  Manual focus is not my friend and takes some getting used to but you can take as many pictures as you want....its digital after all.  I love the options t gives me over my none-prime lenses and the creativity it allows in portraits.  Its cheap enough to take the plunge so what are you waiting for, get one!  :)  You will love it!
This lens is a must have for the price. Cant go wrong with this. Great bokeh, fast, sharp. Small, light
Awesome lens. The build quality seems perfectly fine to me, and the bokeh is nice too. I've got a D40 with the 18-55 and 55-200 VR, so this lens perfectly fills the low-light gap of these slower lenses. The 1.5 conversion to 75mm doesn't bother me. When shooting with a prime, image quality is the most important thing, so you learn to be more creative and less lazy. It's not always about getting as much into the frame as possible. Also, it becomes a nice, natural light portrait lens. A hundred bucks? I hope Nikon makes more lenses like this, although I don't really need anymore. Maybe a cheap, sharp ultra-wide prime, between 10 and 14mm (15-21mm effective). That's what everyone with an APS-C sensor probably wants. Maybe mass production can make it happen. Are you listening Nikon?
I bought this lens for my Nikon D3000. This could by my mistake because I'm fairly new to the photography world, but the autofocus on the lens doesn't work on my camera. I read the details to prevent this, but I must have missed something. Either way, the lens takes GORGEOUS shots. I just have to work a little harder for them. Overall, I'm still pretty happy with the purchase. The lens is very light and easy to use.
This lens is great for low light.  It is sharp and works flawlessly.  I've had no problems with it and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if necessary.  It is a Nikon.  Quality is high.
I have used this lens for quite some time now I have used it on an old D50 and a brand new D300s and the result is the same...Pure amazement. I love this lens, I carry it everywhere it works great in low light, it focuses several times faster than my $850 18-200mm Nikkor lens. Amazing brokeh superb DOF ranging from very shallow at an amazing f/1.8 to as deep as you could ask for at f/18+ I can't say enough about this lens. Nikon has been producing this lens for a long time and I believe has reached perfection. Lightweight, portable and durable what more could you ask for. It's great being able to shoot at f/1.8 at 55mm rather than 3.8-4.2 with zoom lenses. I have used the 35mm, the 105mm and even the very expensive 55mm f/1.4 and I still use this more than any of the others combined. It's fantastic, don't look any further just buy it I promise you'll love it. For great info and if your still skeptical go to ken rockwell's site and search for it. It made his top ten nikon lenses to own and there is no disputing it here.
Not a whole lot to say - one of the best and simplest normal lenses Nikon has ever made.  Superb pics, small, and fast Lens!  I use mine on an FX Nikon, on a DX, this would be equivalent to about a 75mm lens. Quick and sure autofocus on my cameras.
bought this for my D90, right off the bat my son, who is 12, produced stunning pictures. Great Depth of Field (DoF), and some very nice Bokeh. Fast focus, life like colors, and very sharp pictures. Can't ask for much else. Low light doesn't seem to be a problem with this lens either, not enough for me anyway.
I use this lens on a D3200 (Manually) and on a D70s it works brilliantly, for the price I don't think you can do much better. It's very sharp and it creates pleasing images, I think every Nikon shooter should own this lens. Just keep in mind it won't auto focus on a camera that doesn't have a built in focus motor like the D3XXX series and the D5XXX series. But for the price it's still a great manual focus lens on those bodies!
When I first got this lens I tried it on my D5000 and hated it. I never used it because I had to manually focus it. Once I upgraded to my D300s and now with the autofocus it's great!  It's a great focal length on a crop sensor but be advised you will have to move around a lot in order to get the correct composition. Check to make sure if it has a AF feature for you camera and if not are you OK with that?
I wanted this lens mainly for indoor sports (high school basketball to be specific) and hesitated based on some lukewarm reviews for that use case.  Fortunately the reasonable price prompted me to take the chance.  It may not be an ideal solution, but it is by far the best solution you are likely to find for around a 150 bucks.  Shooting fast moving sports does make focus difficult and I missed a few shots I would have like to have gotten, but I got plenty of nice ones.  Even better using the lens for purposes it was really designed for I have found it to be a wonderful portrait lens and very good for low light situations (shooting theater without a flash).
The 50mm, by far, is wonderful for simple portrait photography. Great control on this one. Don't leave the house without it.
I was skeptical about this lens but after reading so many positive reviews, I just had to give it a try with my D90. I had looked at the 35mm and the 50mm f1.4 version but the prices are considerably more. I wanted an AF lens mainly for product shots and some occasional candid portraits. This lens certainly delivers the goods with nice sharp subjects and creamy soft backgrounds. It feels a bit plasticy but for under $100 the optics are very good. I haven't tried any low light shots or scenery yet but I'm sure this lens is more than capable. Obviously there is no zoom so you do have to move around a lot, but the trade off in sharpness and image clarity makes it a keeper. Highly recommend this lens.
what a great lens! this is the best deal i have ever seen on a piece of photographic eqpt of this quality.
I use it now on a D7100, autofocus works well. Great for portraits. Lightweight. Clean focus. Fast. Great for low light. Had it on a D40X, of course the autofocus doesn't work, but the little green light does indicate when you're in focus, so it's still a great prime for the D40 and D40X.
This lens is one of my best purchases I've made.  The lens is as sharp as something that cost twice as much as it does.  For the price of this lens you can't go wrong.  I highly recommend this lens for anyone looking at a 50mm Nikkor lens.
So this lens is rather simple, but you have to know what you are getting. It's a prime lens, so no zoom. It's got no internal motor so no AF on D40-D60 and the like. However, I've found it to be a very fast lens, and focusing manually is just something that requires practice. I would just advise that you plan on moving around ALOT if you are thinking of using this lens for landscapes and anything other than macro or portraits. I use it for live music in a dark environment, and the composition is a little tough seeing as you have to move around, but thems the breaks. Focusing wide open at F/1.8 it a bit tough, but you'd really only encounter that if you have very little light, and you dont want to use a flash. Also the DOF at that point is really small, so that's why I could only imagine someone using it for macro. If you are looking for quality at a lower price, you found it. You will only run into problems if you ask this lens to do more than it's designed to do. Do your research, and be honest about what you want to do with this lens. If you do that you will find happiness, and perhaps photographic enlightenment in this lens.
My son had this item on his Christmas list and was very excited he got it for his new camera.
The nifty fifty is a versatile lens and at f1.8 you have a low light lens.  Will only auto focus on bodies that support it.  Check your camera manual.  Don't worry though, manual focus works fine.  You'll have to move your feet to frame photos but it's a great lens for the money.
Its the best lens you'll ever use. Its fast, light weight and the pictures are crisp/sharp. I use it for indoor portraits and street photography.Nikon makes this lens 50mm f/1.8 in both D and G versions. Upgrading to a G is pointless if you ask me all it does is make an already light weight lens even more lighter. An upgrade that makes sense if you are willing to spend the money is 50mm f/1.4
I'm not a pro photographer.  I bought the nikon d70 that came with the lens. I was pretty happy with it, but I felt I need more flexibility in low light conditions.  so i bought this lens.  so from a 3.5 to a 1.8, i was able to shoot in a faster speed in low light conditions. the only problem i had with this was that automatic focus kinda sucked. compared to the other lens, this was pretty loud when automatic focus was turned on.  for some pictures AF didnt work so i had to trun to manual focus.  not completely happy but for about 100 bucks i guess its worth it
The auto-focus in this lens does not work with older Nikon DSLR's, such as the D40x. Apreture settings will work, but I have to use the manual focus ring. Having said this, I am otherwise please with its performance.
Alot of different opinions in the review forums here on Amazon.  I ended up sending this one back and buying the 1.4 as it just seemed more substantial in my hand.  I know that is a soft reason to pay twice the price but I love my 1.4.  For a more budget conscious person this is still a good lens though.
Used it for many things, this lens is really sharp at almost any aperture. Really love it! Fits perfectly in my nikon d90
This lens was an AWESOME value!  The price just can't be beat and performance is great!  Just know that the lens casing and stuff is made out of plastic.  Some people prefer the more expensive version made out of metal parts.  Also, when coupled with a filter and shooting scenes with bright light sources in the background (bulbs, spotlights, etc) there may be an internal reflection due to the filter and the depth of the lens casing.  Kinda hard to explain, but yea... That said, the lens is a GREAT lens to start off with and is perfect for the budding photographer.  And at this price, there's probably no better value for this aperture!
It's not a big secret that this is a type AF lens and the D40 only autofocus with the AF-S type lenses so I bought this knowing I would have to manually focus.  The only thing is that the new DSLR viewfinders don't have the focus ring that the old manual cameras had so even if you have perfect vision it's almost impossible to manually focus especially at f/1.8 where your depth of field is very very narrow.The Green LightThe green focus indicator dot is pretty much fail proof and under normal-low lighting conditions, it has not let me down; however, under lower lighting conditions, the green light will not help you.  I really wish that the focus indicator light on the camera (or on my flash) could come on while holding the button halfway the way it does with my AF-S lenses if for nothing else to get the green light to work but nope.Bottom line:If you plan on using this lens with a D40/D40x only for very low lighting, save your $110 and wait for Nikon to come out with an AF-S version of this lens.  Unless you get a flash light with you so you can see, it's not going to do what you want.  Instead I would recommend you buy the SB-600 flash.If you plan on using this lens inside without flash under normal lighting conditions, portrait taking, macro photography, etc.  this lens creates beautiful images.  For me, unless I really want to create bokeh, I leave this at f/2.0 or f/2.8 for stunningly sharp pictures.
This is my go-to lens anytime i am going to shoot portraits, mugshots, faces, interior, low light - you name it.  This lens is amazingly sharp, and dead cheap for the quality you are getting.  Fast auto focus, exceptional low light performance at f/1.8  By stripping out the zoom and concentrating on delivering superior performance this little lens sharpness delivers on the same level as the much more expensive 24-70mm f/2.8AF-S, and has twice the light sensitivity - but for a fraction of the cost.  I love shooting available light with this lens!To put it simply, if you are even thinking about considering adding this lens to your bag - get it.  you can't go wrong with the price and you will be blown away at the performance.
I am new to photography so I'm not going to make any cliche remarks about how great this is so far.  I will just tell you that I took a picture of a flower in my house with all the lights off in the dark and the d90 with this lens grabbed as though the lights were on...no flash.  I don't care if you believe me, I'm telling you.  This lens focuses really fast and really sharp, manual or auto - but is more forgiving manual to me.  The only funny thing I have noticed and again it may be because I don't know much, is that the aperture ring/f stop ring that is closest to the mount will let you unlock it and turn it.  But once you try to turn it, the camera says sEE and won't take any photos.  Why is this feature here if it doesn't work?  Great lens though honestly.  I'm glad I got this as my first lens.  It's easy, amazingly clear, gets great color in the lowest light you could imagine, and I paid like $125 for it.  Yes is the answer.
Its part of my photography gear and can tell that is perfect for portraits and low light
This is an excellent lens for the price. It takes incredibly clear pictures and is great for low light situations.
I refuse to use a flash and bought this lens for available light.  It works great at ten or more feet away;I've had the most luck with this lens at performances (musician or dancer). It's been really handy for animal portraits (at about four feet away).My complaints...I'm using a D70 and the 50mm (actual 75mm) focal length is a bit much when taking pictures  at family gatherings inside a house.I was surprised to discover how touchy the f/1.8 is, because it is next to impossible to take a portrait of two or more people together in low light and keep everyone in focus.If you're new to photography and want to take natural light photos of family I would recommend a slower lens (2.8 maybe) with a zoom range in the area of 24-50.For the price it was definitely worth it, not exactly what I was looking for, but will remain my prime until I can afford another lens to fill in the gaps.
The lens wouldn't autofocus on my D3200, I was not aware of this when purchased as it is not clear to new nikon camera owners. I have recently since picked up a D7000, and have noticed some strange chromatic aberration in the images. As it turns out, from the factory, there was some odd film of grease or oil on the back of the lens causing this, after cleaning it now performs great. 4 stars due to residue needing cleaning.
I bought this based on everyone else's opinion here... Im still learning  with it, but it was definitely worth the 100 dollars. Very fast lens. Im only bummed I didnt get it sooner before the humming birds headed south!  I would have loved to try and get one frozen in time. Maybe next year. Nice to have a lens that I can finally use my faster shutter speeds on my Nikon D50. There was no problem with the autofocus as some people have mentioned. I think some people just plop this on their camera without reading the instructions. Make sure once its on the camera its locked in at the highest F setting (F22) All you have to do is match up the lock with the orange bar on the lens and you are in business...
If you are using a full frame camera you need a 50mm lejns and this is the best value for money out there.  I would still love to get the 50mm f/1.4 AFS but bought this lens in the meantime so I could immediately start using my camera.  I love it so much I plan to keep it on my film body permanently as soon as I can afford the 1.4.  Trouble is I am so happy with my 1.8 that other purchases are higher on my priority list now.
I bought this lens for close-up work and for the f/1.8 aperture in low light situations. I have used it some (not a lot yet), and I am very satisfied with its performance. It was recommended to me by my professional photographer brother-in-law, who also has one, uses it a lot and likes the way it performs. I have a Nikon D300 and a D40X. I am an enthusiast, not a pro. But I wanted a prime lens that would fit my cameras and this certainly rounds out my lens selection.
I got this lens today and shoot some pics with my NIKON D300, and as the others reviews this lens works great, must have it in your bag, just get it...
I've been eyeballing this lens for months now, and I got it for Christmas four days ago. My first impression of this lens when I took it out of the box was, "Wow, this thing is tiny!" Short and simple: you get a lot of bang for your buck with this lens.As just about anyone who has ever reviewed this lens will tell you, yes, it is a little "soft" at f/1.8, but I've found that this is very flattering for portraits. You stop it back to even f/2.8 and any complaints will be gone with the wind while still providing you with a razor-thin DOF.My biggest concern with this lens before receiving it was the little aperture ring. I wasn't around back in the day of manually setting f-stops, so I was concerned that I would have to manually adjust it. This was not the case, however. It comes set to f/22, and your camera will stop it down at the turn of a forefinger dial just as it will any other lens.Short and simple: Buy it, you won't regret it.
I use this lens all the time on my D80.  I have several zooms and prefer the quality of this lens above all others.  It produces SHARP, SHARP, images and the ability to open up to f/1.8 comes in handy.  It is also a great portrait lens with the 1.5x crop factor and tight depth of field.  It is by far the best lens for the price or otherwise.  I would have paid 4 times the price and still have been more than pleased.  It is small, easy to carry, difficult to break, and produces amazingly sharp pictures.  What more can I ask for?
I chose the D over the G because of my current budget. I chose right. It has come in handy and It taught me how to focus, since it's motor driven and the D3000 doesn't have a motor.Now that I changed to a D7000, the auto-focus works like a charm, the bokeh has always been great, the 1.8 aperture makes wonders on low lights and it is sharp. You really need a 50mm if you are serious in photography, your call if you want a silent wave motor or this motor driven version.
I had a dilemna choosing between the 50mm f1.4 vs f1.8 and after reading all reviews from amazon and other internet sites I came to the conclusion that perhaps the f1.8 is a superior all around lens and true enough this lens is sharp, bright, fast and just simply awesome. Ken Rockwell talked about lesser distortion for this lens vs the f1.4 that really tipped me to decide on this one. This is a good all around lens and a great bargain too.
You do not have to think. This lens is the best lens that you could get at this price. Nikon quality, very sharp and very fast. A must have for DSLR owners. You won't regret for having it in your bag.Do not forget you will need a fast lens (F1.8 at least) if you shot in low lights.
Performs brilliantly in both DX and FX Modes as well as stacked reversed on my 200 micro for really added diopter power.
I use this mostly with close up filters for bug and flower pictures and it works great.  Highly recommend.
Do not buy this lens as your primary lens if you own a Nikon DSLR (D50, D70, D80).  The focal length (50mm) makes it a telephoto lens (75mm) on a digital camera.  Imagine trying to take photographs of your family indoors using a telephoto lens.  You will only be able to capture the head and part of the torso of one person.  Instead, buy the 28mm f/2.8 or the 35mm f/2.0 focal length lenses (stay away from the Sigma 30mm).With that said, this lens is awesome for low light indoors and outdoor night work.  I bought this lens for "available light" photography, meaning indoors or from street lamps outdoors at night.  I am very pleased with the results.  It is quite a bit sharper than the 18 - 55  or 55 - 200 Nikon zooms that I own.  To me, sharpness is worth doing without a zoom.  This would be on my camera 24x7 if the focal length was 28mm, not 50mm.  So, if you need a lens for available-light use in portrait or some telephoto work (not as a prime on a digital camera), this lens is perfection.Please note that my three star rating is based solely on the quality of the lens, not on my review of the application above. The resulting sharpness of the photos is very good, but not nearly on a par with my Yashica-brand Zeiss lenses (which had a similar price point in 1980, adjusted for inflation), and the build is plastic made in China. Therefore, the quality of what you get compared with the price you paid is about a three or a four (very good), not a five (the best).Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR CamerasSigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
For around $100, it's impossible to beat this prime lens. it's a nikkor AF with a five-year warranty. it's cute. it's lightweight enough to carry in your pocket. its sharper than a ginsu. it takes great portrait and low-light photos. at 1.8, it's one of the quickest lenses out there--fire off a burst in continuous-shooting mode and you can get a "freeze-frame" effect for animation-like sequences that capture motion as slight as someone blinking. best of all, it makes your dslr fairly inobtrusive, so you can use it for candid, no-flash shots in any lighting condition without rousing the ire of the photo police. it's perfect for tight shots where you don't have a lot of room to maneuver, but it can do landscapes as well if you're far enough away. the 50mm focal length isn't exactly wide-angle, but you can spring several hundreds more for a 24 or 28 prime for that, or get a 90, 100, or 105 if you want to get in even tighter or take shots from farther away. no macro either, but did you really expect a macro for $100? plus it has good depth of field and nice bokeh. great addition to any nikon d-series kit, and more versatile than you might think. it's hard to find any real faults with it for the $ -- it's cheaper than the 50mm sigma prime, which does have macro, but for a "real" macro lens you're probably looking at $400-$500 anyway. if you're thinking of the tamron 90, you could get this plus the tokina 100 or sigma 105 for the same price. consider this lens one of the benefits of going nikon -- olympus, for example, offers a 50mm 2.0 macro for the E-series, but it's $500. few lenses rate as a must-have for nikon users, but this is one of them.
I have now used this lens daily with a Nikon D90 for the past 1 week, shooting approximately 2000 photos with it.It is a great lens and amazing for the price, but one should be very careful in understanding its limitations and the difference between it and the much more expensive Nikkor 50mm f/1.4.PROS:1. Very inexpensive (costing 1/3 of the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4)2. Sharp if stopped down to f/43. Ideal to shoot indoors if the space is not small as it is effectively a 75 mm lens with the DX sensor cropping factor of 1.54. Very low barrel distortionCONS:1. It would be disappointing if one purchased this thinking that it could be used for excellent low-light photography when shot wide open at f/1.82. At f/1.8, there is significant softness in the image even if it is focused properly3. At f/1.8, the depth of field is so narrow, that it requires significant effort to make sure you are properly focused.  Otherwise you will have 2 sources of "softness", one from the out-of-focus regions, and the other being the inherent softness that's present for apertures greater than f/44. To shoot with optimal sharpness, it needs to be stopped down to f/4 (at f/2.8 the image is still very good, however)This is a great lens as long as one does not expect that it will deliver tack sharp results when used wide open under f/4.  This in itself will disappoint those who expect to shoot in very low light as f/4 can be achieved with a zoom.The much more expensive Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 is sharp from f/2 but equals the 50mm f/1.8 lens at around f/4.It still one of my favorite lenses as it delivers great image quality with very low distortion when used at f/4 or smaller apertures.
This lens enables creativity, for sure! It also makes my dslr more compact while the 50mm is great for capturing portraits and around town photo ops.My cousin borrowed it and she loves it, too.
Love love love this lens. Great shallow field, can get a bit purple liney, but in the hundred dollar range, what do you expect? BUY IT!!!
Great value for money.  Very sharp lens.  Don't believe me, try it out!!This is one amazing lens for such a price.
I'm a beginner as far as photography goes, the lens was purchased used, I am thoroughly satisfied with this purchase.
I read the other reviews before purchasing this so I knew what to expect- and it is exactly that!
Just took my first series of pictures with it and I love how crispy and detailed the images are, it's awesome!
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is always described as a great value for the money. It's so good that I'm surprised Nikon still makes them, as the f/1.4 sales are surely suffering because of it. After several years of use with film and DX bodies, I am now using it with a D700 and I am consistently amazed at the image quality, contrast, and low-light capabilities of this lens. Despite it's low price, it's well-constructed and can handle rough use. The low weight makes it much more enjoyable to carry around all day instead of a big super-zoom, and the compact size is far less intimidating to subjects.This lens really shines in dim lighting conditions. The relatively fast glass makes ambient light photography possible in conditions I would have never tried previously. There are faster lenses to be sure, but none are even remotely as cheap. f/1.8 is nothing to sneeze at, and the incredible sharpness and even better contrast is amazing. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 has always intrigued me, but I don't think I'll ever replace the f/1.8. I have several zooms that cover various ranges, but for the best low-light performance and the most fun, this is the first lens I grab.
This lens is a MUST HAVE! I have a Nikon D7000 with a 40mm Macro, 18-200mm tele, and this 50mm prime, and out of all these tools this Nikon 50mm is the one that consistently stays as my go-to lens! Sharp picture, wonderful color recreation, great in low light! This is a must-have in anyone's DSLR camera arsenal.
Nikon should include this with all their new DSLRs.  That'll get new users addicted to photography.  The images you get on the kit lenses are so boring compare to what you can get with this lens.I also have newer 50mm F1.4G, but this 1.8D is almost as good, and for the price this 1.8 is ridiculously good.  The 1.8D is super sharp, and the bokeh is very pleasing, too.  Almost every picture you take with this lens comes out beautiful.This works very well on D90, although the aperture ring is useless.  The frontal element moves back and forth as it focuses.  I read that it's noisy, but I never notice it.I think this should be your first second lens to own if you are new to DSLRs.
Classic lens, offers excellent value for its money. Can handle almost all lighting conditions, focuses relatively fast and has an aperture dial, missing from newer series. Ideal for portraits creates nice defocused backgrounds.
Phenomenal!
Fast lense at a decent price. Can't go wrong with this one.
This is a GREAT lens for the amount that it cost.  It is extremely sharp and works well in relatively low light situations.  It has been a great addition to my all Nikon "glass" collection.
I was a little unsure about this lens because of no zooming in or out.  But after i got it the picture came out great and professional. Had a little trouble working with it in low light but i was told i need to bump up the iso settings. Other than that very good lens and i missed out on the 5 year warranty....
Excellent lens with very good light (f1.8), with a good price.(remember that the camera must have engine to use auto focus).
I recently purchased a used Nikon F100 for a Photography class. (I've always wanted to learn to develop film. It's not that easily accessible!)  This was one of two lenses I bought, knowing that I wanted a lightweight, compact, and "fast" lens. It's worked great. I was very happy to get this lens - brand new - and have loved the results.With an adapter, I use this on my Sony NEX-5N and it works flawlessly as well. I love the beautiful, soft bokeh for portraiture.
I believe this is a lens that all serious amateur photographers should have in their bag. If you're a pro, go for the f/1.4. For the rest of us, this will do the job.Obviously, in low light conditions, this lens will give you a much faster shutter speed than you standard zoom. This will prevent camera shake, and will freeze moving subjects. Especially well suited for indoor use. It is good for portraiture, but a little short for head and shoulder shots. The very limited depth of field this lens can give you is very fun to play with and offers lots of creative opportunities.I bought this lens a few weeks ago for $110. Today, it's $200!!! I'm not sure why, but if you consider this lens I would suggest waiting a week or two to see if the price drops back.
I must say that I was having a tough time deciding between the 1.8D and the 1.8G.  And I can now say that I am more than satisfied with my choice.  I am not saying that the 50mm 1.8G is bad, I'm sure that it is a great lens as well, but I just had a hard time finding a reason to justify the extra $100 (it's actually $120 more than what I paid for this lens).  I am using a Nikon D3100 and yes I know that autofocus won't work with my camera, but I honestly prefer manual focus versus auto-focus most of the time.The GOOD:the bokeh background is amazing!It really does work well in low lightIt is really small and lightIt shoots GREAT videoThe BAD:It doesn't autofocus with newer cameras (I know I said I don't use it much, but it is a nice extra feature to have)All in all, I would say that this is definitely a worthy lens to have.  Now if you really need autofocus then you should definitely get the newer 1.8G.  The picture quality with this lens is better than what I had thought it'd be.  Check out my photos with this lens I posted on Amazon.
I purchased this used lens. I'll admit I was afraid, it wouldn't work because it is used. However there was a slight disappointment because it wouldn't focus on my Nikon D40. However, it works wonderfully on my Nikon 3100. The DOF is amazing and the clarity is as expected. I'm happy I purchased this. Also I hope I helped others that are leery about buying used lenses.
i bought this lense for a little under $100 from B&H Photo, and i am very very pleased with it!! the photos are very very sharp!!! its also nice to have a lense that goes down all the way to F/1.8. it gives you such a shallow depth of field and its excellent in low light conditions!! i highly reccomend this lense to anyone who wants to take better photos, and is on a budget!!
WOW... I love this lens.  I just got it yesterday and I been testing it. I can't put it down.  It auto focus works just great on my D300s. It's fast and quiet. My creative juices are flowing. With the shallow DOF I get with the f/1.8 and the tack sharpness at f/22. I have been fighting with my slow but popular DX zooms and just being greatfull for who ever figured out VR. I forgot the glory of using prime lenses with big apratures and fast shooting with available light. My first SLR was a minolta SRT101 with a 58mm/f1.4 standard lens back in 1966. I may have done some of my best photography with that lens... today I realize why.  I don't know if I will ever take this lens off my camera LOL.Given it works like about an 80mm with my APS size sensor it should yeild pretty good results as a portrait lens. Practice will tell. I kinda like portraits with a 100 or 105 and a 50mm on a full frame camera is not a good choice for portraits cause you have to get to close which opticaly produces big noses and small ears. Anyways, this looks like it will be at least ok. I kinda wish the close focus was a little shorter distance. I love that the focus ring locks when set up for autofocus preventing and accidental movement to the focus ring.  Anyways, you get the picture and so do I :)
This lens is fantastic! I have done entire portrait shoots with this one lens. If you don't have any fast glass do yourself a favor and pick up this lens. I have some higher quality lenses but still find myself using my trusty 50mm.
This lens is amazingly versatile.  At f/1.8 it's fast enough for available light shooting, and is sharp enough wide open to use at that aperture. Its focal length is perfect for portraits on a camera with a 1.5X crop factor. It's small enough to make a compact camera when weight and size is important. With an extension tube or reversing ring, this Nikkor makes a great close-up lens, too.  Yet, this lens costs in the $100 range.  It's a bargain that performs superbly.  Every Nikon photographer should own one.
very nice prime lens. It's a must for out of focus backgrounds; very versatile for numerous low light conditions; fast. Remember that this is a prime lens, so you've got to use your legs instead of fidgeting with your fingers. Down side: not exceedingly fast in focusing, sometimes a bit hesitant.
Hey, it's a fast prime lens for very cheap.  It may not be as sharp as the newer 50mm 1.8G lens, but I bought this for my 10MP Nikon D80 and it is more than sharp enough.  It takes advantage of the camera's built-in focus motor, too.  It feels pretty solid, for being so light and small.  But since it depends on the camera body's focus motor, it does make a very noticeable noise when focusing.
This is a nice, fast 50mm lens, great for portraits.  High-quality construction and excellent optics, all for a great price.But digital SLR shooters should be aware.  Most Nikon d-SLRs have a focal length factor, usually of 1.5x, so this lens is effectively a 75mm lens on the likes of D70, etc.  It's still good for portraits -- in fact, a little telephoto helps portrait shooting -- but if you want a totally normal lens (45mm-55mm), this is not the one to get.  Try something with a marked focal length of 35mm or so, for an effective focal length in the normal range.
This lens is great for low light. Just tried in Aquarium and lighting was poor as expected. Glad that i had my 50mm with me. I had to shoot with 1.8f all the time and of course it reduces DOF. But i was amazed with performance without flash (just ISO as 400). Thats amazing, because i struggled with VR lenses with 3.5f so many times.Its must have lens, i would recommend everyone to get one. I did not see problem with prime lens and on DX body.
Good lens but I am so used to zooming from 18-200 for much of my street photography that I am not getting much use out of this lens.
I bought this lens to take photos of my 10 month old son with the D90.  Which means indoor shots. I had to stand too far back.  I ordered the Nikon 35mm F2.0 instead.  It was alot better.  If you are planning to use this indoor, I would suggest you look at the 35mm (unless you have a big house).
For the price of this lens, you can't go wrong.  It is sharp.  Focus is fast.  Build is adequate.  It is light and easy to carry.  Compared to the Canon 50mm f/1.8 (known as the plastic fantastic), this lens is even better.  I highly recommend this for your Nikon DSLR.  Works like a champ and it would be worth 3 times the price.
I love this lens. It's sharp. I love the colors. It's manual focus so it takes time to getting used to but aside from that this is great.
Update 4/13: I've gotten into photography a lot over the least 3 years or so.  The 50mm f1.8 was my first lens.  I unfortunately sold it for the sigma 50mm f1.4 but its HUGE compared to the Nikon. (hanging out with fellow camera people is dangerous to your bank account)I wish I had held on to it since it took amazing pictures, amazing bokeh and was perfect for travel, plus I wouldn't be too concerned if it got damaged, given it was the cheapest lens I've brought.Original Review 11/09: I found so many different sites that all had reviews that pointed to this lens - and they were all totally correct.To sum it up this lens is amazing.Build quality is pretty good. Pictures come out very sharp. It focuses really fast probably since its so compact and light.And on top of all this its price less is than $150!!! I think its the cheapest lens that Nikon makes.I am so glad I brought it.
No matter what camera you have (assuming your camera has a focus motor, of course), you absolutely need to have this lens.  The optical quality is absolutely staggering, incredibly sharp, perfect color reproduction... and it is just such a fun toy to play with.  Sometimes people get thrown by not having zoom capabilities because of the fixed focal length, but don't let that throw you.  Put it on your camera and don't take it off for at least a few months.  Zoom with your legs.  You'll be glad you did.
The is a great lens for an armature that needs to take photos in low light.  You can't beat it for the price.
I bought this knowing I needed a good indoor lens.  I knew going in that my D40X wouldn't autofocus with this lens, but that is easily resolved by taking a few extra pictures.  For double the price I am not sure the f/1.4D is worth it as I can't imagine the pictures would come out any better.Pros:Amazing picturesAuto Focus will work on the D80 and aboveCons:Auto-focus will not work on D40, D40X or the D60.
I purchased this lens based on the many positive reviews I read. I am not disappointed. It's sharp with excellent DOF! I did not want to spend nearly $500.00 for the af-s, so I'm learning to focus manually with my D40. I'm new at this, so this review is geared more towards those in "my league". Sometimes it's difficult to know what to get when you listen to the "pro's" because they have a whole different standard than us casual shooters.
I was surprised to find, after reading so many positive reviews of this lens, that the copy I received was so fuzzy at wide-open apertures that I could see it on UN-MAGNIFIED images right on my D90's 3" screen.All lenses lose sharpness at wide apertures: this is a matter of basic physics and is the result of something called spherical aberration.  Some are much better than others though, thanks to better optical designs that more effectively correct for this tendency.  The 35mm f/2, for example, is very good wide open; the 85mm f/1.8 is decent (and very appropriate for portrait use).  My copy of the 50mm f/1.8 lost both sharpness and significant contrast as f/1.8 was approached.  I would quantify it as follows:f/1.8: very fuzzy (well beyond "soft"), reduced contrast, almost un-useablef/2.8: still quite soft, much improved contrastf/4: slightly soft, good contrastf/5.6: sharp, good contrastf/8: very sharp, good contrastThese results were repeatable on my sample and held true regardless of shutter speed and technique.Notes:- The advantage of a lens like this is the ability to use wide apertures.  A good portrait lens need not be particularly sharp, but wider than f/4 my copy of this lens was soft enough that I would use it for nothing other than casual people-photography.  It would not suffice for critical night or low-light photography, or for general photography where sharpness might be desired.  For photos of people it was fine at f/2.8, but below that it lost so much sharpness, and enough contrast, that photos of almost any subject looked dull.- The lens seems like an obvious choice as a first prime due to its price and the many excellent reviews of it here on Amazon and elsewhere.  Even besides the sharpness degradation wide open, I found it less useful than I'd hoped.  On a crop-size DSLR, it is a short telephoto lens, and it just hasn't turned out to be a focal length I use all that much.  I would urge potential buyers to consider the 35mm f/2 before this lens as it gives the traditional "normal" perspective on a Nikon crop-size DSLR.- Some reviewers like this lens for portrait use, but again, I found it poorly suited for this.  The 85mm f/1.8 is admittedly more expensive, but it has far more potential as a portrait lens.- This is not a high-contrast lens.  It does not use any ED glass elements, which seem to be quite magical at improving contrast, and color rendition is noticeably less vibrant than such lenses.  For some types of photography this can actually be desirable, but for general or landscape photography I prefer the higher-contrast lenses.- My sample of this lens may have been below average, considering that most reviews of the lens are very positive.  However, if you read carefully, most thorough reviews do mention that it loses contrast and acuity at wide apertures.  Ken Rockwell, for example, has reviewed the lens very positively, but when it came time to suggest lenses sharp enough to be used on the new D3x, with its ultra-high-resolution sensor, he gave the similar-performing (possibly better) f/1.4 "G" version only three stars.  I would submit that it is really not quite as sharp a lens as its reputation would lead one to believe.  My excellent 16-85mm DX zoom, for example (the only lens I've given a five-star review as of this time), is far sharper than this lens up to around f/8 and hold an edge even there and beyond.- Nikon has recently announced a new 35mm f/1.8 DX lens.  I've ordered one and will probably post a review once I've had a chance to use it.  I would suggest that it is very likely to be a better choice than this lens for almost any DX user.  Being designed for the smaller DX sensor, it will probably be optimized for high linear resolutions within the smaller DX image circle.  It is also a fairly inexpensive lens, not much more than this lens now that the 50mm has crept up a bit in price.- Even if my sample is significantly poorer than average, my experience indicates that it would be a good idea to thoroughly test a copy of this lens before committing to buy it.  Be sure to compare images at wide apertures to those made at f/8, where sharpness should be very good, and determine for yourself whether the loss of sharpness and contrast is acceptable for your purposes.- Focus is plenty quick and accurate, at least on my sample.  No problems at all in this regard (and none expected).
This is going to be pretty short, but I just got this lens in today (About 30 minutes ago actually!). All I can say, is this lens is truly outstanding. The smooth, creamy, bokeh is incredible. The colors are great, everything about it is awesome. For the price, you can't go wrong! I am very glad this lens is a part of my photo family. :)
I received my Nikon 50mm 1.8f from Amazon. The lens takes great pictures and performed well. The pictures taken with this lens were sharp as expected. Do not buy this lens if you have a DX camera and intend to use it for group pictures inside your house or apartment. Get the 20mm or 24 mm instead. I use it on my D80 and it is good for portrait pictures (solo). My main complaint is the quality built. The lens that I received from Amazon was for Nikon, USA but was made in China. The built quality less superior when compared to my Nikon 24mm which was made in Japan. The lens that I received was constructed with mostly light weight plastic except for the mounting face.  The lens weigh about 1/2 as much compared to my other prime lens. The lens focuses fast and quietly. Just keep in mind when buying newer products because you may be disappointed since there will be a chance that you may get a Nikon lens that is made in China. This may not bother some photographers but it did bother me. The lens mount cover was even made out of cheap white plastic (similar to the lens diffuser) unlike the screw-in type cover that you would normally expect from Nikon. Buy a used one instead that has a good construction quality or better yet check it out first from your local store. This lens is a good addition to any camera bag. Again, I like to take mostly group pictures on parties or family gatherings inside our house / living rooms and this does not provide a wider angle view for me with the limited space that most people have in their place. Other than that, it is a good bargain lens for the price that you pay for, I'm just bitter with the quality lens that I received. I hope yours will be better if you are lucky. I hope this will somehow provide you some caution or something for you to consider.
Look, this thing is the best deal in Nikon lenses. I shoot an N80 (film SLR) and so this gives me an actual 50mm view. Amazing. Super sharp, great bokeh, depth-of-field can get really really shallow if you want, this thing nearly takes pictures in the dark. Plus it's super-cheap, but feels really-well constructed. I haven't dropped it, nor do I plan to, but it has certainly banged against things and still works great. If you have a Nikon, you should have this lens, and maybe the 35mm too.
I know for more twenty years the Nikon quality lenses, nikon and nikor. I worked with this lens with film cameras in the pass. Absolute recommended!
I bought this lens as I do a lot of indoor photography, particularly late in the evenings. The wide aperture of this lens enables taking pictures without flash.The quality of this lens is fantastic. I have used it to take portraits and they are better than any from the other lenses in the stable. (I have a Nikkor 28-80mm, Nikkor 70-300mm and a Sigma 17-70mm DC HSM).I see a performance difference between this lens and the others in the following areas:1) The sharpness is excellent. I can blow up an image to 100% magnification and there is little or no reduction in sharpness2) The bokeh is very good. Pictures come out looking almost professional.3) The lens focuses very well and easily.Perhaps the best test of the lens is this: When I show friends/family - people who do not do much photography - the pictures, they consistently pick out the ones from this lens for a second look. The best portrait I have taken of my 2-year old daughter is with this lens - that one picture alone more than justifies the price of this lens.Due to the consistently high picture quality, these days I find myself picking this lens for non-portrait uses as well. And it handles all situations with the same panache. The only downside in these situations though is that it does not zoom, so I have to physically move closer and farther from the subject. But that is lens of a bother than one would think.My recommendation is: please buy this lens. It is far cheaper than most other lenses and the picture quality will blow you away.
if your camera is not full frame think of it as a 70mmif it is full frame  it's a 50if the camera body is motorized, then you can have autofocusif it's not you can'teasy simple... so it's better to understand this ia a brilliant lens... with nicely defined bokeh, sharp and fast... and cheap.
WOW! What a great lens for the price.  Best suited for low light close range photography.  I went to the Philadelphia Art Museum - where no flash is allowed and some areas are dim because of preservation efforts - and the lens performed admirably!  All of my photos were brightly lit, great color and in focus!  I was so pleased!  I haven't tried using it for any closeup sports photography, but I am going to try.  I have a NIKON 2.8f zoom lens I usually use for that but I figure it's worth a try.  Great product!
I purchased this 50mm f/1.8 prime lens when I bought my Nikon D90 DSLR. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, given that you "zoom with your feet" so to get the photo you want, you physically move to the spot necessary to frame the shot as desired. I absolutely adore this lens. Lightweight, small, produces precise, crisp photos and lovely bokeh. My family traveled across 4 countries in 3 weeks this summer and I brought the Nikon D90, the kit lens that came with the camera, and this lens. I wound up using the 50mm f/1.8 almost every day! I switched to the other lens only to take photos of large buildings that were fairly close to me for example (in other words, using the 50mm, I wouldn't be able to get the entire building in the frame). My subjects include our garden, our kids, our dog, architecture, fabric. The Sony D90 with this lens captures indoor subjects with natural light unbelievably well. Good luck with this lens, you will be thrilled with it!
Good product, no zoom, clear portraits, captures great color. Perfect for close ups. Almost hard to use for family portraits unless you have room to backup like 20+ feet. I am pleased, great addition to my lens collection.
Great buy !
Great piece of glass! One of the lenses that I use the most. Great to learn how to manually focus and the large aperture is great for indoor shots.
I would guess that most people considering this lens have already read authoritative reviews and know what this lens is and why they want it.  If there is anyone who hasn't, I would think it would be much more worthwhile to check the professional reviewers to be sure this is what is wanted.  But for what it's worth, on my Nikon D7100 this lens focuses fast, lets in lots of light and gives me what as best I can tell are excellent results.  I don't use it often, but it's so small and so good I carry it along always.
This lens is amazing!  I could say more, but I really think that it speaks for itself with the low price and all the other good reviews.
MUST HAVE LENS, cheap and very fun to use. I mount it on my NEX and it becomes a mini DSLR.
Well you cant autofocus on d3100, so what. still a great lens.Now im sure youve read and watched tons of reviews but for those who havent.Its not really 50mm, with d3100 not being a full frame camera. Crop factor is 1.5 . This means that,on d3100 you must multiply any lenses MM-s to 1.5. so 50mm is actually 75mm-s.One of the biggest Cons is that you cant adjust aperture with external aperture ring.Its Plasticy, little too plasticy for my taste but overall with all its Cons, still a must own lens. Great for portraits, shooting details.And all you bokeh who*es can go crazy with it. You can get really creative with DOF too.If you are into street photography,this lens is less intimidating. its hard to shoot with 75mm on streets. but having prime lens makes you think more about composition.Overall its cheap, its sharp. and price to quality ratio is amazing.
I am very happy with the mechanical quality of this lens. Optically it is just fine for the price. I am using this lens on D300 and I got some very nice shots of my kid, with DOF not attainable using my 18-200, which I also like a lot. Hard to compare these two lenses, but I like to keep the 50mm on my D300 for indoor shots, although I still use the flash to avoid blurred shots most of the time. I mostly like to use it indoors on a sunny day at f2.8 or so for portrait style photos of my toddler son.
I got the general Nikon kit lens 18-55 and 55-200, the Nikkor 18-200mm VR, Sigma 18-200mm OC (returned) and this lens, the Nikkor 50mm 1.8.  I would say I use the Nikon 18-200mm VR now 90% of the time.  This len is trickier to use with the Nikon D40, which you have to manually focus.  There is a focus indicator, but I still get too many blur.  This lens is definitely for portrait and fine for indoor lowlight.  I found the depth of field best for portrait and the landscape isn't as good as the 18-200VR.  The 18-200mm's VR feature is actually almost as good as this lens for indoor.  50mm as a prime lens means too much walking around to get the right shot.  Definitely you can tell that this lens is one of the fastest and see the large aperture, I don't have the f1.4 version.This len fits tighter to the camera body then my other lens.  The manual focus is very smooth to operate.  Leave the f number alone, unless you have an older manual camera.When you get all the settings right, you can get some of the sharpest image out there.  The manual focus for the D40 has some hits and misses to get the right sharpness.  The price is fair.
This nikon lens works decently, but when I got home I noticed a little violet dot in the middle of my photos. Apparently this is common, please read - [...]
This Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens is ideal for the photographer who wishes to enhance his low-light photography. Other than the obvious benefits of faster shutter speeds in low light and a shallow depth-of-field for portraits, there is the added benefit of improved autofocus performance.Combined with the Auto White Balance (or custom, if you prefer) of today's digital cameras, available light photos are now more realistic than ever. You can now do those existing light photos and get the colors the way you see them, not yellow or green because of the light source indoors!This lens is very good optically. Although it has some plastic barrel components, it has a good record of reliabilty. A terrific value!
Perfect Lens for Portrait Photography, Great Bokeh effect. Small to carry in your pocket, Love it and i use it all the time. Also I purchased brand New from Amazon for $119.
One of the reviewers pointed out (Richard "the Lion Heart") that this lens is difficult to focus manually using the D40. I agree. I also have a D40 and used this lens on it. The focus action is stiffer. Focus travel is short, too. As a consequence the electronic rangefinder inside the D40 (focus dot indicator) flickers when focusing by hand. Purely manual focus (MF) Nikon lens are much easier to focus on the D40. For example, the MF 35-105mm Nikkor smoothly gets in and out of focus without flickering the focus indicator, as does the 55mm f/2.8 micro Nikkor. Both MF lenses have ample focus travel and will nail the focus indicator without difficulty.I shot an event inside the church using ISO 400 film with this lens. Scenes were correctly exposed with only the builtin flash of my Nikon F75 to fill-in nearby subjects. Set at f2, my photos were sharp and showed correct balance of flash and ambient light including candles and chandelier lights. Without the wide aperture of this lens, I would have to resort to a bigger flash gun (inconvenient) higher ISO film (hard to find) or shutter speed slower than 1/60.One other thing I observed with this lens is that it is quite tighter than other lenses to mount on the camera. I am not sure if its just my lens. I read somewhere that someone also noticed this. If you have the same observation, just be careful not to press the lens body too much in mounting it to the camera.As you can see from the picture, the lens body is rather colorful and these markings carry significance. You may not see the same marks on G model lenses which come as the usual kit lens. The depth-of-field scale, distance scale, and aperture readout scale that are written on the 50mm f/1.8 lens body gives important information for those who are new to photography. For this reason I highly recommend this lens instead of a zoom lens lacking this information, if you have a choice.This is a wonderful lens for both Nikon film and digital SLRs. I used it regularly on my film camera where I fully appreciate its value. But bear in mind that it may be a challenge for you to use it on the D40/x, which of course, is neither the camera's nor the lens' fault.Although many people stay away from the 50mm focal length for its limited angle, I find it to be a very good lens for just about any scene. I always believe that a simple lens like this has way more potential as a photographic instrument to take good photographs than most people (including me) have talents to take good pictures. I dont think that in my lifetime I will ever exhaust the possibilities that this simple lens can offer!
After using only Zoom lenses, going to a prime its like magic.You loose the zoom, so you have to start moving (step back, step forward) but the aperture of this lenses its great, low-light shots are now possible without an intrusive flash.Lens have good build quality and sharpness, and are a great and cheap option, but note; this 50mm will become 75mm on digital DX format cameras.Its hard to take a picture of a group of people on a small room due to this. (birthday? aim for the cake and 1 or 2 persons max)What else you should consider before buying this?Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR CamerasWider angle, a bit slower.orNikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasSame angle, faster ;)orSigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasWider POV and faster, not Nikon but I will buy this one instead if I had the money now...
This lens is a good value.  The lens I ordered through amazon.com was shipped promptly and met my expectations.  I will be using this lens in low natural light situations i.e. portraits because of its low F stop.
Bought mine from BHPhoto 2 weeks ago and it has performed well so far on my D80. It was a tight fit when I first mounted it, I wasn't sure it had locked in, but it works fine so far in both Auto and Manual modes. I got mine to focus down to about a foot. Quite useful in low light. I took a shot of my TV screen and it came out great. I also shot in manual mode with no flash indoors at ISO 400 and it delivered.I was tempted to go with the wider Nikon 35mm f/1.8G for $199.95 from Amazon instead, but decided to splurge for the Nikkor 16-85mm IS which should do the trick when I need to go wide.If mounting the lens gives me any more problems I will update this review.
Just beautiful. Takes incredible pictures, some of which have made it onto Dreamstime for sale! At this price, how could you NOT buy? Pull the trigger now!
I went without a 50mm standard prime lens for years and bought one of these earlier this year for a specific project. I got great results from this lens and have forced myself to use it on some other occassions as a &#34;Personal Challenge&#34;.I appreciate the extra light in the viewfinder and the almost &#34;feather-weight&#34; build. This lens does help make my D200 much easier to carry as a &#34;Walk-around&#34; camera. Of course I do sometimes miss the flexibility of a zoom lens, but I don't miss the weight gain from a zoom.Using a prime lens does make you think about the shot!I love my 50mm f1.8!
I would have bought this at B&H if they had any left at the time. The apeture is great, the image is really clear and details. It's about as good as a macro lense I tested. Great detail, no distortion (as far as I can tell) and the depth of field is terrific. Such a good price. it's hard to get good focus unless you have a d80 or d90 that turns this lense into an auto-focus lense.
This lens was spectacularly easy to get a hang of. It takes amazing portraits, and does wonders to the background of close-up shots. Just remember that the autofocus does not work with all camera models.
Well, i guess every photographer need a fast lense..and this one is the first choice before you end up paying double for f/1.4. Excellent image quality, mind blowing DOF..what else left..manual focus is something u may feel little bad, but u will get habituated. It wont dissapoint you..for sure !!!
I don't understand how people can put review for this lens with less then 5 stars value.Don't listen snobs, just buy this perfect lens, you will never regret! End of review
This lens just made love my camera again. The price is what sold me to try it and the photos I am able to take now are just amazing that I decided to keep my Nikon and not upgrade.
This lens is a beautiful lens, and it's super inexpensive. It's really a gift. My recommendation to any new nikon user is to get this or the 1.4 version (aprox $200 more). They are both great lenses, super sharp, a pleasure to have when indoors, beautiful bokeh. Really, this lens is a must.
Although the seller, PCNation, does not mention it in the item description, the auto focus function does not work with the Nikon D3100.  Additionally, the D3100 only allows photos to be taken at f-stop setting F/22. If you are expecting to use this lens with the D3100 as an autofocus lens or as a manual lens using all f-stops, you will be disappointed.  When I contacted PCNation to return the lens, they advised me there would be a 15% return processing fee, although they failed to explain that the lens does not work with the Nikon D3100. Had they done so, I would not have purchased the lens.  So with paying for shipping and the 15% processing fee, I'm better off just keeping the lens as a paperweight.  I will never make another purchase from PCNation.
Absolutely one of the best lenses I have ever owned...sharp as a tack with incredible depth of field.  If you want a stellar lens, this is it.
I purchased this lens a couple of years ago. At first I was using it with my Nikon D60 camera. It was a little tricky as it doesn't auto focus with this particular camera. Last year I added a Nikon D90 as my primary camera, and to my surprise, the autofocus work really well. The amount of light your able to capture at F1.8 at such higher shutters speeds make it a great addition if you don't want to spend to much. I've notice it works best without a UV filter which seem to cause a reflection of light in the photos, but otherwise, no problems. I'm very pleased with the results.
I love this lens. It forces me to compose in the viewfinder instead of winding a zoom lens back and forth and then deciding that I can just "fix" it in post-production. Sometimes it's a little slow to focus if the background is close in color to the subject, but I can live with that. It has also forced me to deal with its speed, I've been telling people that it can "almost see in the dark..." It's speed created over exposure problems at the beginning since I've been using lenses at 1:4.5-5.6 all these years and it is an adjustment to go to 1:1.8, but in a very good way. I can slow the ISO down to 100 and 150 and take some very rich shots. It is inexpensive, lightweight and fast. What's not to like?
As someone who makes a living with a camera... nothing can be better than owning an inexpensive lens that is this good.  If you're a pro, amateur or just a weekended... do yourself a favor and buy it.
This lens is awesome.  I've used it way more lately than any of my others.  It's super-clear, and the F1.8 aperture is amazing, and quite handy.  If you plan on taking pictures inside, especially of people, you can't go wrong with this guy.Keep in mind, there's no zoom!  You get to "zoom with your feet". Which, for indoor shots of family events and such, really hasn't been a problem.  And there's no auto-focus on the low-end Nikons (Though check out the range metering on the D60 to help ya with manual focusing).  Also, you can't use the aperture ring -- you have to set it to locked.  The camera will complain if it's not locked at the highest f-stop number (the camera sets the aperture through the software, you just have to set the ring to the higher f-number in order to mount it).Overall, awesome.
This lens draws raves from its fans, and while it isn't that good, it is still a good bang for the buck.  50mm for DX size sensors is an odd focal length.  It isn't really a wide angle, but it is too short to be a tele.  It is a little long for me as a "normal" lens.  I use it mostly for low/available light shots indoors, but I find that I wish the field of view were a little larger.This is a lens that most Nikon DSLR owners have in their bag, and for good reason.  It is well made, reasonably priced, and relatively small.  Just don't make it your only lens.
This lens is as sharp as any, light, small, fast, and inexpensive.  It has a tough, light, plastic body which interferes with its functionality not in the least.  The only caution about it is that on a digital SLR it is a portrait lens (corresponding to about a 75 mm lens on a 35 mm film camera), not a normal lens.  Most Nikon SLR's extend the functional length of their lenses by 1.5 to 1.55 compared to their film equivalents.  Which means that on a Nikon DSLR a normal lens is a 35 mm lens, not a 50 mm like this one.  "Normal" means that the angle of view of the lens roughly matches that of the human eye.
This lens is a bargain. Great for portraits using available light, this lens is inexpensive, sharp and lightweight. It is "plasticy" but who cares. For about $100 you will be amazed.
Really great little lens. Easy to use and wonderful picture quality. You get a lot of bang for your buck!
We were looking for a lens that would allow day to day pics with good quality. We bought this based one of our friends loving it. It does take getting used to (for the amateur like me) when you come from a lens that allows zooming. But the pics are great. We used it at a baptism and you get amazing shots. We use it on our D70s. The lens is small, light and perfect for day to day usages. I would recommend this lens as it is an excellent lens for the money it costs.
I absolutely love this lens, I used on my d3000 for about to years manually. The quality as amazing plus it was great practice learning how to use manual focus.I have since then upgraded to the d90 which has an autofocus motor built in and makes this lens autofocus. And wow, the quality is just amazing for the 100 something you pay for it.
I am using it as a 75mm equivalent on my D7100. With this lens and the sensitivity of the camera I am getting decent shots in bar lighting situations without strobes. Great for open mics, scenery with extended focal range, and portraits. No motor built-in, so autofocus won't work with D40's and the like that don't have focus motors in them.
This lens is a must-own for anyone with a Nikon body. At $100 you could never go wrong with it, even if it ends up sitting in your bag all the time. The sharpness of this lens around 2.5-3.5 is amazing and the colors it captures are quite vivid. Yeah, it may only be manual focus, but that really shouldn't be a big deal, especially for amateur photographers since I believe it's good to start on a manual lens. On crop-sensor bodies the focal length will equal 75mm which is perfect for portrait work. It's a bit too much for a walkaround lens, but combining this with a 35mm or a wide angle zoom would be excellent for urban shooting. All in all, this lens will give you fantastic image quality and should certainly have a place in everyone's bag.
Just buy it. It's cheap and it is wonderful. Super fast lens, quick focus on my D80. A steal at around $100.
This was my first ever lens purchase, if you don't count the stock lens that comes with your camera.  I am only an average person looking to get some decent picture quality.  I would not consider myself a photographer.  I have a D3000, so the auto focus does not work, but the manual focus is very easy.  There is a small green light that comes on to tell you are in focus, so it makes the whole manual focus very easy.  After 20 minutes of playing around with the lens, I quickly noticed such an improvement in my picture quality over the standard 18-55mm that came with my camera.  The picture quality was vivid.  I wish this was the lens they packaged with your camera from the factory.  The size is small, and it is light.  Perfect for having on your camera as a full time lens.  It has inspired me to start learning how to shoot using more then just the auto or presets.  I suggest it to anyone who is looking to improve you day to day picture quality as well as anyone looking to learn photography.
I have quite a few Nikon lenses but this one may be my favorite.  Lightweight and compact.  Insanely sharp images.  Very fast.  Focus is the fastest of all my gear (and the sharpest).  Nice bokeh.  For the $ I don't think there is a better Nikon lens.  Downside obviously is the fixed 50mm which isn't nearly as useful as having the 18-200 VR.  Build quality isn't top shelf and it seems mostly plastic, but for the money I don't have any issues.  If I have the time to set up a shot I find myself looking for a way to get this lens on the camera above all my others.
I purchased this lens for my D40x after reading the good reviews.  I just wanted to add my thoughts.  BUY IT!  I did however purchased the lens knowing it does not AF with the D40/D40x/D60.  This lens takes great pictures.  If you need a great lens for a little price then this is your lens.
The "Nifty Fifty" is the best deal in optics for photographic application around. This all plastic gem enables you to shoot in near darkness; plus, it is extremely sharp, has very usable out-of-focus, for a 50mm, and features quick AF for a non-AFS lens. Without a doubt, this lens, at just a bit more than $100 a piece, should be in every Nikon photographer's camera bag. Personally, I use it most when I am working a crowd. It's size, and positivities outlined above, affords me with the ability to move around virtually undetected. And the focal length is pretty much perfect (if you are shooting groups, or want more of the venue in the shot, you will obviously need to go wider).This little lens also rides around with me a lot when I am out snapping pictures while walking. Having the constant focal length is quite beneficial because it encourages me to focus even more so on composition.So, if you've been wondering if the 50mm 1.8D is any good, the answer is a resounding "yes". If you've only ever had kit lenses, this should be your first step up (in quality, but amazingly not price).
I must say that the price is right for this lens. Incredible lens. And I must say that the fact that it isn't AF is no biggie. It is hard to get the right focus down in the dark, but I don't mind. Creates incredible bokeh. I call it the "nifty fifty". If it were edible I'd eat it. Yum
I love this lens like everybody else.  It does wonders in low light compared to my kit lenses, it's built solid, and the price is wonderful.On the D40 it can't autofocus because this lens relies on the camera body to have a focusing motor.  So while you can still use it on the D40, you must manual focus.Maybe you already knew that.  I didn't, but manually focusing isn't too difficult.  However, this is just more motivation to save up and get the D90.
Camera used on:  D700This lens isn't the fastest, most durable, quietest, or even the sharpest... but for ~$120 it is AMAZING.It's pretty fast, very sharp, and focuses pretty quick.I would say that this is one lens that every Nikon owner should have in their bag (unless they have something better).  It's quick, sharp, and cheap.I have a few pro lenses, but I use this lens quite a bit because it's pocket size, quick, and light.
Numerous friends kept telling me to pick up a 50mm lens and I finally caved. I am 100% happy I did and somewhat disappointed I hadn't earlier. This lens is fantastic and just makes me love my D80 all that much more. Crisp/clear photos. Great depth of field play. It hasn't left my camera since I picked it up. Can't beat the price either.
I have used this lens countless times and am waiting for the updated version of this product with auto and manual focus controls (sic) (swm) technology.  All bonuses.If there is something makes this product incomplete is not having the manual control on this thing.  Its so frustrating at times when I'm trying to get the lens to focus.  Sure its a fast lens and its an awesome portrait lens at that.You have to ask yourself if its worth having manual controls and paying $100 more for, but, gives you more creative control over the lens or if you desire to have the lens do the work for you and leave it as that.  For me, its worth to pay $100 more.  Otherwise, this is a must.  The bokeh works out great and picture quality is excellent.  I have razor sharp images with this lens no doubt.
I bought this lens as i was unhappy with the amount of soft images i was getting using the stock VR zoom lens that came with the D90.Amazon shipping was very quick, and i had the lens 2 days after ordering it, and began snapping away.  It took a little getting used to the fixed lens coming from the zoom, but nothing prepared me for the first "snap" of the shutter.  It was lighting fast with natural light coming in through a window with the blinds drawn.  The image was SHARP!  Repeated with a few shots of inanimate objects, and few very animated objects (Dogs, baby).  Very impressed with the image quality.  A few soft shots, but mostly due to me moving, or the subject moving, or being in very low light conditions.All in all a great lens for a reasonable price.  Simple to carry around with it being so small, no more bulky long lens.  Very happy with the purchase, and recommend this lens to all reading this review.
My copy produces good pics, however it is slightly soft at 1.8. It has to be stopped down to about 2.8-3.3 to start producing really sharp images. Overall it is a very good lens for the price.
I shot my first wedding with this lens.  It's manual and doesn't have automatic focus (it's only drawback), but this takes some amazing photos.  You can't beat the price.
still hard to believe that a lens so small,and light weight can be so sharp,and accurate in today's digital age.i used one on a d700 at a family reunion,and was very impressed with the overall performance.sharpness,color,and ease of use were great!you cant go wrong with this very inexpensive,best kept secret.
On my D90 this lens is fast, sharp and accurate. What else could you ask for? And for this price. It's simply a joy to own and use.
One of the best Nikon lens out there, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8d Lens covers the basics and more as a good starter or pro tool. Primarily developed as a portrait lens it has been a workhorse in the Nikon 35mm family for years. It has now crossed over to the digital age without fanfare. As with all Nikon SLR mounted lens it easily pairs up to the new digital systems. Every Nikon photographer should have this one in his or her camera bag.
I have a Nikon D3100 and cant seem to get the AF feature to work, then I realized that the AF works if you have a motor camera body. I dont mind focusing on my own though; great piece of glass.
Good lens, great value for the price. Solid Nikon optics producing sharp images. Very convenient to have wide f-stop for low light rather boost the ISO on my D-90. The only thing I don't like about it is I have to be careful how I supprot the lens with my short fat hands as I can easily interfere with the lens moevment as it auto focuses.
[...].  My primary purpose for this lens was low light exposures where I wanted to use it wide open at f/1.8.  Unfortunately, at f/1.8, the images are soft.  At f/4 and smaller however, the images are crisp and very contrasty.  Closer to f/22, softness creeps in again.  At first I thought I too may have had a bad sample.  But a second copy that I tried gave the same results.  If you intend to use this lens between f/4 and f/19, it will produce excellent images.  However, if you  are looking to use it for high speed photography, shallow DoF or low light photography (i.e. wide open aperture), this lens may not be for you. I suppose that is to be expected for a lens that only costs $130!2-28-2010 Update:  I've been using the 50mm f/1.4D since I returned this lens and performance at f/1.4 is superior.  I definitely do not recommend the f/1.8 lens if your intention is to use it for low light shooting at f/1.8.
Great lens for the hobby or professional photographer. It's a constant go to lens for me. I love the wide angle for landscapes and the depth of field for any subject matter as well as creates great portrait photography. If I didn't own this lens, I'd definitely buy it!
Really like this lens and shipped very fast ....FYI ~ this lens will NOT autofocus with the nikon D5200. I didn't know that b4 I ordered it.The DOF is awesome (the blur) the pictures are crystal clear.The lens was brand new as described and a great price ;)Thank you
Yes, it is manual, but I really like that!  There's no zoom to it...the manual part means you are adjusting the focus.  So you have to get used to it and check the eyelashes to make sure you're focused on the right subject.  But man, this takes some seriously great pictures!
This lens is very nice and great for the price. Does not work on auto with certain Nikons but doing it manually isn't that bad. Gives a nice sharp image however I found the lens a little difficult to use and understand. Also, the your view is very constricted and would not be good to use on a day to day basis in my opinion. I like my 35mm much better.
I really liked this lens for the depth of field it gives my photos. It is so much fun to shoot with. The only thing that takes getting used to is moving your body instead of zooming in and out.
I own an ecommerce business and shoot many products on site in our tabletop studio. I recently purchased and began using a Nikon D90 for our product shots, but was not completely happy with the kit lens. After posing questions for advice in the photography community on Amazon, I purchased this lens and I can honestly say "wow!" Many of my products are glass (often clear) and this can pose some unique challenges, but this lens is razor sharp and gives super color and detail. It is an amazing value and easy to use. I love it.
I bought this after it was recommended to me by a friend.  It is a very fast lens and great for portrait photography!  I will warn you though that you will want to step down to f2.2 as the f1.8 can be a little soft.  It can also be a little too tight on a DX camera for indoor photography (you'll have to have room to back up).  Overall, it is a great lens and a steal at this price!
Sharp focus with a nice bokay, at 75mm on my D200, I use this as a "reference lens" to check out other lenses or verify my technique.
Excellent value: good optics for low price.The lens is a bit soft at the edges when wide open.  Usually this is not a big problem, as the DOF is very shallow wide open and it is rare to have a scene where subject and corners both need to be sharp and in focus at shallow DOF.Some complain that this lens is built in China.  I don't have quality issue with my unit; and built is fine.  And I welcome more lens to be manufactured in China if we can get these level of quality for low price.
I'm an amateur photographer at best but I can't get enough of this lens.  I did a lot of research and for the money, this was the best portrait lens that would give me the bokeh and Dof I was looking for (I have a D90).  So far so good.  I haven't figured out everything with the lens, but for shooting my daughter and son and flowers (all I've really gotten to) it's fabulous.  All the reviewers are right though, there really is no zoom and you are moving around a lot (in and out) to get the whole shot (or in closer as the case may be).  But the results are well worth it.
This is one of those lenses that anyone who is getting into photography and thinking about getting themselves a DSLR must get.  If you don't know what lenses to get to start your collection, this is one of them.  It's fast and the AF is smooth.  It's a good lens to help you figure out what lenses suit you best in the future.  Highly recommended.
It came on time, it looks great and it works. I have not used it a lot but when I have it has worked perfectly.
I've owned this lens for a few months now, and was just able to really take it out and run it through the paces. I couldn't be happier, all my images were very sharp and colors were spot on.
This is a good inexpensive portrait lens that works well in low light or with a flash.  It does not have a zoom.  It takes much brighter pictures than my 18-105mm in the same setting.  Great for family pictures.No need for VR since the lens is so fast (lets in so much light).
UPDATED: 5/20/2011:  I used my D700, and only my 50mm F1.8 to capture my Grandson's first haircut!  I posted an image here.  And, on the way home following the haircut, a clearing storm brought some gorgeous bluish-black clouds at dusk so I swung down towards the river and shot a couple of shots with the 50mm.  I posted one here called "Blue Hour".  Enjoy.  Seriously, can't go wrong -- though the price seems to be creeping upwards...This 50mm 1.8 is an excellent purchase at around a hundred bucks.  I hate to use the word investment, because we know camera equipment is definitely NOT an investment.  I bought it because I heard so much about it, and, I had a 50mm back in my old film days.  I have not  been disappointed.  I will agree with  many here who say that at F1.8 the results are less than stellar.  This is true--- there is a lack of contrast, not necessarily sharpness (at least in my copy of the lens) that you will notice.  Since I know that as a fact going in to a shoot or session, I set my aperture at F2.0, or F2.2 on my D700, or D300.  This solves the problem.  The resulting images at F 2.0 and above are amazingly sharp, and clear.  Don't get me wrong, I love my 16-35F4VR, and my 24-70F2.8 but this 50mm rocks as a standalone lens when the situation demands fast lens.  As a matter of fact, in a few hours I'm heading off to my grandsons first haircut of his life.  What did I pack?  The D700 (for better high ISO performance than the D300), and my 50mm 1.8.For the price (which seems to have risen lately and rightly so) you can't go wrong.  Even if you have other zoom lenses that cover this range as I do, this lens is unbelievably useful in low light to no light situations.  Personally, I'm lazy and hate zooming with my feet, but I'd much rather do that with this lens, than either using flash, or blurring photos of important events.The lens finish is plasticy but so what?  Are you going to be banging it around on a regular basis?  My 50mm travels with me just about everywhere either in a camera bag, or in my North Face Recon backpack (not a camera backpack) just about everywhere, and I pump about 80,000 images a year per body, between landscapes, motorsports, portraits, etc.  So far, so good.  It does stand up to a beating.  I do not use any protective filter on it as the glass is relatively well recessed on this lens.When I do need to use filters such as polarizers, or ND's, I have step-up rings that take the lens from the 52mm size to 77mm which is the standard size of all my filters. It does look "strange" having the tiny little 50mm lens hidden behind a huge 77mm filter, but it WORKS.Again, if you are looking to make an investment -- there's that ugly word again, make that acquisition, to your photo gear you can't go wrong at this price point; If you wind up hating it, there's always the ability to return it, or sell it on eBay.Enjoy.
I absolutely love this lens, even despite the fact that the auto focus does not work on my d5000.  I personally love the control I have while focusing and have not been disappointed with not having that feature.  This lens captures gorgeous images.  The clarity is stunning.  I've never taken such gorgeous portraits as I have with this lens.  I would highly recommend it to anyone.
For the price this lens is sharp and it focuses super fast on my D7000. And f1.8 speed too. Hello low light photography!
one of the sharpest in the nikon lens line, Dont let the price fool you,It' a sharper lens than others costing thousands more !
I LOVE it!  Beautiful sharp, crisp images from this fantastic lens.  The price can't be beat!  Anywhere!  One of my favorite lens for portrait shoots.
Personally I would opt for the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor lens, but if you are tight on a budget and don't need the additional speed, then this 50mm lens would be ideal for you. I have owned several 50mm f2 and f1.8 Nikkor lenses which were all very capable performers and this autofocus version of a Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 lens is no exception. It is without question still sharper and contrastier than a zoom lens in the equivalent 50mm focal length, since it has substantially less barrel distortion than any zoom lens. Even if you own a zoom lens covering the 50mm focal length, I would still recommend acquiring either this lens or the 50mm f1.4 lens since either would be fine normal perspective portrait lenses for photographying friends and family. If you work primarily in digital photography, then this lens wouldn't be a normal perspective lens in the 45mm to 55mm range, but instead, offer a slight telephoto perspective at a 75mm focal length; this would yield more of a head and shoulders portrait and may be more pleasing to the eye than the normal perspective taken with a 50mm lens.
This is a good gift present for my wife. This len rocks and for the price take a great quality shots. I highly recommend this Len if you are into full manual.
There's a whole new world that I started to discover thanks to this lens.The quality of the pictures is amazing and it's lighter, which I like. Makes my camera less heavy.
At this price, and with the right camera body, you can't go wrong with this lens. Purchased originally for use on my D70, I now use it on my newer D90. It has proven indispensable in low-light situations, and makes for a very good portrait lens on APS-C sensor bodies. Build quality is extremely solid, and the front glass is recessed which keeps it protected. The size and weight are almost insignificant when attached to the camera body - I can pop this on my D90, throw it over my shoulder, and walk around all day, barely noticing it's there. f/1.8 produces very usable shots, with very shallow DOF.Be aware:* If you are shooting with a lower-end camera body (D40, D60, D5000), this lens will work, but without auto-focus - and focusing manually at f/1.8 on a body with a crop-frame sensor is quite a challenge.* If you are shooting any APS-C body (D40, D60, D5000, D70, D80, D90, D300), the crop-factor of the sensor size will yield an effective 75mm focal length. This is fine for outdoor shots, but it's a little too tight for indoor shooting.For both of the above situations, I would recommend theNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraslens over this 50mm (I own both). The 35mm is more expensive, intended for crop-frame bodies only, slightly larger, and of lesser build quality. However, it's still a great lens, and has a much more usable focal length for indoor shooting.
I was looking to expand my lens collection without breaking my budget and found this 50mm to be an excellent first choice. I love being able to shoot in low light situations which this lens has allowed for me to do. However, the auto-focus leave a lot to be desired as far as speed and accuracy goes. I've found leaving it in manual focus allows me to get more shots faster, at least in low light.
I bought this lens for a trip to Japan I took a few weeks ago.  Wonderful in low light, fast AF, and all the images are terrific.A must-have lens for your gear bag!
Been using the lens to take pictures of people, focus is fast and takes way much sharper images.  Just need to be careful on what you are focusing especially when the aperture is fully open, the image could go out of focus easily due to very shallow depth of field.Once I get a chance going to put up some of the images I took with this lens.
First off let me start off by saying Do Not Go By The Stars I Rate This lens!I bought this lens and was happy with the build quality and pictures!. The only thing I did not Like was that it was only manual!!. So I got the AF right away and returned this one.
This wonderful lens was the first lens I bought for my SLR (aside from its kit lens).It has everything you'd want for a portrait lens: it's fast (f/1.8) so you can shoot in low light and without a flash, its focal length (50mm) lets you compose a good shot without getting right into the subject's face, and the depth of field can be made extremely shallow, making the subject pop out from the scene.The one downside is that the 50mm focal length is limiting.  You won't be taking many group shots with this thing; you'd have to step waaay back to get everyone in the picture.Also: this lens shines best when stopped down a little, due in no small part to the extremely shallow depth of field at f/1.8.  I stop mine down to f/2-f/2.5 most of the time.Anyhow: marvelously sharp, simple, and produces tremendously great pictures.  I highly recommend it.
Its hard to believe that one can get this great of image quality out of a $100 lens!! Well believe it!  Image quality is crisp, the AF is pretty fast and the DOF is fantastic.  The only slight downfall is its cheap feeling plastic construction.  The mount is metal which is great, but then again, it is only a$100 so what are we to expect!!  HIGHLY recommended lens!!
Absolutely stunning. Not "stunning for the money" or "stunning considering build quality". Just flat out stunning. Shoot at anything other than wide open and you can get hand held shots that look like they belong in a magazine. Do yourself a favor and stop reading and buy it. The sooner it arrives the sooner you can take photos you'll cherish forever.
I bought this camera with a Nikon 7100 for creating training videos at work.  The lens is basic.  The optics are great.  AF and AE have no issues.  I would not recommend this lens if you plan to use it where it could be exposed to contaminants.  It is plastic.  I use it indoors to video and photograph food.  I expect to not have any issue, but do not plan to use this lens outside where wind can deliver all sorts of particles that will impede the inner workings.  Highly recommended.
I have this lens a little less than a week now.  I am using it with a Nikon D200.  I have 6 lenses that I use - including my favorite Nikon dx 18-200 mm vr, but for portraits this lens is a killer with an equivalent of 75 mm focal length on the D200.  The lens is very sharp with great contrast and color.  For a little over $ 100.00 I think this is the best buy in a lens on the market for a Nikon camera.
I.was optimistic when I bought it but.after using it after a couple of time not much I.can say but that I dont like it
I just purchased this lens locally and have only been using a short time but I'm happy so far.I have a Nikon d3100 and when I put this lens on I was very concerned by the warning on the lcd screen that popped up when I put it to any aperture other than 22 and wouldn't let me take a photo at all. After a bit of searching online I found you have to leave the lens aperture at 22 and change the setting in camera and everything is fine. I tested it and it does work correctly.I'm very happy with how close you can get to objects without getting the distortion that I noticed from the 18-55 kit lens. Already it's proving itself a fantastic portrait and product photo lens.An excellent alternative to the 40mm AFS lens going for $150 more, unless you're an auto mode only person!
If you take a beginner photography class from a professional, they often require you to have a prime lens like this (prime = a lens that does not zoom, also called a fixed focal length). Supposedly it is easier to learn proper exposure and adjusting aperture/shutter/ISO manually with a prime lens.  So, this is my first lens, which I attached to a Nikon D90, my first DSLR.Pros- Price!- Solid metal construction- Focuses quickly and accurately- Sharp pictures- Low light performanceCons- Upon arrival in the box, the back of the lens is only covered by a flimsy plastic cap that does NOT screw on, but instead slips on/off rather easily with a gentle tug or push.  If you kept this lens in a bag while another lens was on your camera, the back cap could come off too easily, exposing the inside of the lens to dust and damage.  You should purchase a rear lens cap (Nikon LF1 Rear Lens Cap) with this lens if you ever plan to have this lens off your camera.- None if you are looking for a classic prime lens- This is not really a con, but be sure you don't hold onto the lens when you are shooting. It is not an IF (internal focusing) lens, which means that the outer ring of the lens moves very quickly when you press the shutter button.  If you are supporting part of the camera's weight with your left hand holding the lens, you can cause damage to the lens.  If you have someone take a photo of you who's not familiar with the camera, make sure to warn them.Keep in mind, this is not a wide angle lens, and if you are mounting it on a DX camera (rather than full-frame), that narrows the perspective even more. If you are in a small room, there's no way you could photograph the entire wall, or even someone's body from head-to-toe.  For portraits, close ups, low light without flash, it's a great lens.
it is a great addition to my lenses that I am slowly building uptakes beautiful pictures and I really love the effect that it has
I love this lens.  Perfect low aperture lens. I wish it was autofocus, or that the product description would say it is not but i am very happy with this
I have the 50 1.8. I also have the 1.4. The 1.8 is lightweight, and takes a beautiful picture at a bargain price. It is also constructed such that the front element is somewhat recessed and you don't need a filter to protect it.The 1.4 is also a beautiful lens. But it is heavier. and the front element is more exposed to potential damage. You can put a filter on it, but even adding a good filter takes something away from the quality of the resulting image. It is also a lot more expensive than the 1.8For Nixon DX body owners, you are essentially getting a 75mm equivalent to a 35mm frame camera. Making it a perfect lens for portraits.If most of your photos end up as images on a computer screen, you will never see the value of spending the extra money on a 1.4. And 1.8 is faster that you'll get on any zoom lens.Even if you have other lenses that cover the 50mm focal length, this is still a lens you want to have in your kit. Why, because the wider aperture gives you a clear view, and wide open you can limit your depth of field, which helps your subject stand out
This is a great lens for any amateur photographer like me. I used this lens for my friend's wedding with terrible lighting conditions, but rarely I had to use the flash. Having a fast lens is great for flash-inappropriate events or any low light conditions. This is a must-have, especially if you hate using the flash indoors.
I have this lens on my Nikon D80 and so far it is awesome. The shots are real sharp and its real easy to add depth to any shot. I am still impressed by the quality of my shots from such a low price lens.I have only been carring this and my 18-200mm VR.What else do you need?
I bought the AF-D 50mm 1.8 instead of the AF-S version because my camera, the D7000, supports it with an in body motor and also for the aperture ring. I use the aperture ring when shooting video with my D7000 since the aperture is not adjustable via the dial once in Live View mode. However, when the aperture controls are turned off for dial mode, I can adjust the aperture on the fly in Live Mode using the aperture ring. I'll probably upgrade to the 1.4 version soon.If you don't need the aperture ring and don't mind spending just a little more for the AF-S 1.8 50mm, which has the silent-wave motor built in I would recommend it. It's quicker in auto-focus, quiet and a pretty darn good lens.If you already have either one of these the only other place to go is the 1.4 versions which are about double the price of the 1.8 versions. The AF-G and AF-D 1.4 50mm versions are pretty nice at approximately double the price of the 1.8 versions.Bokeh: The AF-D 1.8 boket is acceptable, it's not as nicely rounded but an acceptable hexagonal shape because it uses 7 blades in the AF-D versions (1.4 and 1.8) of the lens. The AF-G 1.4 50mm version uses 9 blades so you get a bit smoother, more rounded bokeh.
I was looking for the G lens, but i only get my D at Argentina at good price. (G is out of stock here). Its an excellent choice for my d90. The only benefit of the G is the option to do "manua focus" in autofocus mode...
This is a good item.Worth its price.I was checking Nikon 50mm f/1.4 to purchase, but this item is amazing. Is more cheap and have superior image, good sharpness, good Bokeh. Is difficult you use it on f/1.8 with people, in most cases I use on  f/2.8 or above to take portraits.Is perfect for portrait uses. I use on weddings and is fantastic.  I  did use on weekend on a  wedding and Senior Session and this is a extraordinary machine to take portraits. Great Colors and Contrast. Is better to use at closet aperturesCons.:Don't  Autofocus on D40 - D40x - D60  - D3000, etc.Plastic Cover.Very Light.If these is your first prime lens, must get used to it. On DX cameras is about 75mm, and is not practical to used on small spaces.This is a perfect choice for price.
I bought this for my Nikon D3200 and I love it! It works really fine and takes really great pictures!
Rating it in terms of lens quality, I would give it 5 stars. The images are beautiful/perfect, and I love dark photography (and hate flash) so the speed is really convenient. Plus, the price is right.That said, since i got the 18-55mm 3.5 with VR, I haven't used the lens once. I found that the 50mm, on a digital camera, is too restrictive. I find myself backing up to get pictures, so if you're doing anything but portrait shots, it's not a good all-around lens. I plan on saving up for a 35mm 1.8. I've found 35mm to be optimal for everyday shooting, when it doesn't need to be too wide, nor zoomed in, but just what you'd consider normal.
I'm loving the photos and it's great for portraits and such, but it does NOT auto-focus on the D40 which is pointed out other places online but somehow I missed that until I got it on my D40 camera and couldn't get it to auto-focus.  Obviously it just takes a few more brain cells to get the photo, then, but when taking pictures of wiggly kids it may end up being a hassle.
This is a great lens, very sharp, fast autofocus, image quality is very good, I really recommend it!
i guess this one is the cheapest fixed DX Nikon lense ever...+ the best deal for the money spent ever!!!+ well-built comparing to Canon analogue(that looks really like a cheap plastic toy)+ sharp!!!one of my favourite fixed Nikon lenses!
I recently bought this lens and have had time to test it out in a few real world scenarios and all I can say is WOW!  It's under priced in my opinion.  Tack sharp and works great on my D200.  I'm kicking myself for having not purchased this lens sooner.
I use this lens for concert photography as well as general indoor photography. I use this lens more than my 18-200 VR, for which I paid 8 times more. This lens is incredibly sharp and beautiful.
Well, let's see - what hasn't already been said about this lens?  My personal experience is that it's extremely sharp, it's fast, it's gorgeous at f1.8 in video mode on a Nikon D90, it's a great portrait lens.Downsides? Your zoom is your feet. It's not an f1.4? (that's a stretch downside for those pessimists who need more than one downside).Oh yeah, it's around $100, which pretty much makes it an exceptional lens for the price.
my fav. lens ever for portraits, comes out so clear after you figure the sweet spot for the distance you need on the manual focus ring.durable. I treat it like a baby. lol Price was worth it!
The reviews I have read left me wondering if the auto focus was going to work with my DX camera. After receiving and testing this lens I can assure you the auto focus works well with a Nikon d90. But apparently not with earlier Nikon DX cameras according to some other reviews.If you are deciding between this and the bit more expensive dx 35 then your decision should be based on what reach you want and price point. They are both fast and sharp and contrasty. D90 users, rest assured, this lens kicks ass.
For the price and what you get, it is an AWESOME lens! I use it for the Nikon D80. Can't say enough good about it. Get one; what are you waiting for?
Amazing photos,awesome sharpness, great for macros & bokeh, and helps to learn photography. Using it on myNikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens, and as said in other reviews, the Auto-Focus feature of the lens doesn't work on it. So, I was a bit apprehensive before buying this lens. But eventually I decided to buy it. After venturing into the DSLR photography an year ago, this lens is helping me a lot to improve from the beginner level.The manual focusing is not bad at all. In fact, it is lot better than the auto-focus feature, which we get used to because of convenience, since it helps to better understand the concepts of photography, camera settings, exposure etc. Personally I feel that if you have grown up from the point-n-soot cameras to an DSLR level, made the investment, then you are better off using Manual focus and A/S modes of the camera rather than Auto mode.Now I prefer to keep this lens on my D60 most of time rather than the kit lens. If you own a D40/60, this is a must-have lens.I have also uploaded some pictures taken with this lens in Customer Images section, if it helps.
It is really light and made for low-light situations. I enjoy that i can just shove it down my pocket and go out with one other lens. Situation changes? bam, 1,2,3 change and this 1,8 will help in most of dark places. I dont mean night-like darkness for shooting formulas, but inside a room, friends by the table or for portrait in studio.I use it on my D300 without any problem. Also got retractable screw-on rubber hood. Works all fine :)
This lens has been great- I wish it focused a little faster but for the price it's a good bye.
This is my main portrait lens and I adore it. I use it on my Nikon D5000. It is my first prime lens (meaning no zoom but a nice creamy background), AND I ADORE IT. I am a freelance photographer and the pictures come out just perfect. For the low price and the durability, it was a great purchase and has already paid for itself.-Kayla xx
I'm an owner of a Nikon D90 dSLR and shopping around for prime lenses for low light and portraiture work when I came across this little bargain.  The 50mm f1.8 is an affordable, lightweight, compact, fast prime lens that requires Nikon SLR bodies with the built in AF screw motor, so you'll lose AF abilities if you have a D40/60/3000/5000.  This lens is also FX mount compatible so if you own a full frame D700/D3 model it is a perfect little lens to have in your photography armamentum.AF is fast and while a little noisy, produces great images with soft, creamy bokeh at full wide open apeture.  50mm in a crop sensor body will produce a 35mm focal equivalent length of 75mm so it's far from ideal for getting wide angle shots, but produces beautiful images of individuals or up close images of static objects.  This is my lens of choice for shooting objects in my tabletop softbox studio altho I've used this from time to time shooting outdoors as well as well as live models.  There is an FX mount 50mm f1.4 lens which maybe faster but is almost much larger and heavier by comparison.  Also it costs 2-3x as much which makes this lens a bargain in comparison and even if you never consider shooting with prime lenses, this one may provide you the perfect excuse to start.
Overall I am very pleased with this lens.  The amount of light it lets in really makes up for its small footprint on the face of the camera.  It is a quick, accurate and very clear lens great for portrait shots.  I would recommend it to anyone.
Ok, its not the fancy auto focus, but it ain't a bad little lens.  The photos are very sharp and for the money it's a must have.
the 50mm is ezy too use shot with munal trun for foca on poeple good shrip pic! love this 50mm..!
... and I am not saying it is bad for the professional.  I have bought this lens to add some spice to my photography especially to be able to tackle low depth of field pictures.  With apertures all the way down to 1.8 - 2.2 even a regular photographer is able to capture dramatic, beautiful pictures that can make one proud of oneself.  For the person who is used to zoom lenses with variable ratios, the lens delivers a strict (and relatively narrow) picture, but once you get used to this, it is not a problem either.  With its very affordable price, this is a must have.
i've used this lens with my old nikon d70 for a couple years now, and it's my favorite.  it enabled my improvement as a photographerlot's of people have written great descriptive reviews already, i'll review by example ->[...]what does the lens do?1)  the wide f/1.8 aperture a) preserves the post-sunset natural skin tones and eye glint by avoiding a flash/red-eye/etc and b) provides a great bokeh - in this example, blurring the nose and emphasizing the eyes in the foreground.  and, in the background, emphasizing the face by blurring the sky and beach2) the fixed 50mm focal length inspires creative close-up framing, in this case inviting me to fill most of the frame with the subject's face and forget about "getting all of it".  the fixed-length lens continually begs me to consider "what about this frame?" - whereas, with a zoom lens, my attention is on zooming-in or zooming-out to whatever i presume will be the best frame (often, more typical/boring/"everything"/etc).  after a short period of time with this lens, my zoom-lens photos improved as well (and i still prefer this lens)3) it's very light and relatively cheap.  this particular shot was during a month-long camping/backpacking trip in costa rica.  owing to it's lightness and (relative) cheapness, i had no problem carrying it in my backpack and not worrying about losing it, dropping it, getting it wet, etc.  maybe i can take better photos with the [...]$ (+) f/1.4 lens?  but i may not take it with me in the first place, and it's slightly heavier to carrythe fixed focal length can only cover the range of frames you can walk to.  i usually wish i could go wider rather than bigger.  but if you want to shoot portraits/people - and specifically faces - this is an amazing lens!  if you're interested in photography, and haven't tried a prime lens - this one provides a great experience at a good price.. it did for me
That is exactly what this lens gives you.  It's fast, light wieght and simple to use.  Works flawlessly with my D90.  Only issue is the crop factor.  Not a major issue but you do notice how much closer you are.
This lens is so inexpensive, and though there is a newer G version of this lens, it isn't worth the $100 more. This lens is fantastic and the super high aperture means that I can take beautiful portraits! I was super happy I invested in this lens as my first lens besides my kit lens. I use it all the time now! It has a great depth of field and beautiful lighting. I use this lens on my Nikon D3100.
This lens works great on my D90. I use this in tandem with my 35/1.8 AFS DX.This lens sometimes gets some pretty bad white flare and chromatic aberration of the whites when I use this lens wide-open in conjunction with my SB-600 but this does not happen often. I certainly think it is something to do with the lens because I don't observe the same effects with my 35/1.8.Asides from that, everything else is good. Construction is excellent, better than the 35mm. Despite having the aperture ring, however, you control the aperture only electronically (you can't mount this lens on the D90 if the aperture is not set to F22) on the D90.
There've been a few other reviews saying this, and I can't help but wonder if many of the other people just don't know enough about photography to know that there is something wrong.I'm ordering another and will see if it does a better job, but the first one sent to me is definitely not the nikon quality I expected!EDIT: my second one works better.  Still doesn't feel as crisp as my 18-200, tho it def lets in more light, which is the point.
I love this lens. I was VERY disappointed to learn that it won't autofocus on my D5000 AFTER I had already bought it however this created a new challenge for me and I've since gone on to shoot some whopper weddings with it ALONE and have gotten awesome reviews and spankingly intriguing images. This is a great beginner lens because you get to train yourself to use DOF in great detail and you'd better be fit because your legs now become your zoom.It's PERFECT for ANY low light situation however I wish they would make an AF-S 'G' version and even sell it for $50 more.GREAT GREAT GREAT value for the $134 I spent on it.
Great lens for the money. DOF is good and the lens works well with my Nikon D90. Other reviews say you have to use a little "foot work" to get what you what on your picture this is true, it has put a new spin on how I take pictures.
I really enjoy this lens.  The large aperture is wonderful.  However the lens has no motor in it, so on the Nikon D500 and the D40 there is no auto focus available. I do not know if it will work on other Nikon cameras; these are the only two I have tried it with.
I knew it wasn't compatible with my camera model but only in the sense that the auto focus doesn't work. I use manual everything so this was a welcome addition to my collection.
In terms of sharpness, bokeh, color rendition, contrast, amount of color and image distortion, the best 50mm lens this is not (but it's pretty darn close!). The best 50mm lens is the Leica F/2.0 Summicron-M.At this price, Nikon has pulled off an engineering miracle! I don't think you could go wrong with this in your camera bag.
The very first lens I had on my 35mm camera(s) was a 50mm prime.  Now I've come full circle with the Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens for my Nikon D7000 camera.  I thought seriously about the 1.4D, but the price was more than I wanted to put out.  I read many reviews, both by professional review sites and individuals. Bottom line for me was the great reviews and the fantastic price for a low light lens that provided very sharp images.  I wasn't disappointed.  The lens is light weight and does as reviewers previously reported.  You can't go wrong with this lens and the price you pay for the value you receive is unbeatable!!
Takes beautiful portrait shots when it's focused correctly.  It can be a bit fussy.  I'm still learning/playing with this lens, so maybe I'll get more consistent results once I have more experience with it.  The great thing about digital photography is not having to pay for any wasted film from experimenting!  Where I've been frustrated with the blurry shots, I'm super pleased with the ones that have turned out.  It took some wonderful low-light shots at Christmas.  This lens is very, very flattering on the faces of my kids. :)
I had wanted to get a fixed 50mm lens for awhile and after doing a copious amount of research I decided to try the f/1.8D.  I cannot say enough positive things about this lens.  At any price this is a great piece of kit.  At slightly over $100, it may be the best lens deal out there. I have used Nikon lenses that cost ten times as much that don't have optical quality as good as this little lens.I have this lens coupled with my D7100 and I am continually amazed at how well this lens performs.  As some have mentioned, it is a bit soft when shot wide open, but in my experience at anything above f/2.0 this lens is tack sharp and consistently produces amazing images even in low light.This is a great portrait lens.  I have taken  some of my most beautiful portrait shots with this lens.  The lens also shines for landscape use as well.  Since I've purchased this lens a month ago, I have yet to remove it from my D7100.  From reading reviews of the 1.8's I don't feel like I'm missing anything.If you own a lower tier Nikon like a 3200 or a 5200 you will need to manual focus as the camera bodies do not have built in AF motors, (which I think is completely idiotic),  but this is very simple to do as the viewfinder will tell you when you're in focus, and this lens is well worth the time and effort.  This is simply a stellar lens every Nikon user should have in their camera bag-especially at this price!
Great little 50mm lens picture quality is excellent and with such a low aperture you can get some great shots that are clear. Only draw back is it does not have the built in motor for AF which the same lens with the motor costs an additional $260 (for a motor?). Other wise I would highly recommend this lens for any portrait photographer.
this lens is awesome. i have really enjoyed shooting with this lens. the only downfall i have with this lens, is right after i purchased this lens, i ended up purchasing another dslr, and this particular lens doesn't auto focus on my new camera. on my nikon d80, it would auto focus and worked wonderful. on my nikon d5100, the lens still works wonderful, but i have to manual focus. but, if you have a camera that allows it to auto focus, i highly recommend this lens.
If you have a Nikon SLR, film or digital, then this is a must have lens. Don't let the small price tag fool you. This lens takes sharp photos.I have a D50 and this lens is on the camera just as much as the 18-70mm zoom lens.With the digital crop factor this lens is the equilivent to a 75mm lens on a film camera. Just about perfect for portraits.  I love using this lens when taking pictures of the kids. I turn off the flash and use natural light. I may have to bump the ISO to 800 or 1600, but it is worth it. The pictures are outstanding. 100 dollars well spent.
This is a very sharp, lightweight, fast, small lens for Nikon SLR cameras.  It will not autofocus with Nikon's entry-level cameras like the D40 or D60.  You need to manual focus with the green focus-assist light.  Fast autofocus prime lenses for the D40 are $400 and up, so this lens is a good value to help you decide if prime lenses are for you.  Prime lenses take more time to compose your shots than zoom lenses, so the extra time to manual focus is not a big deal.
This has worked perfectly for me so far this summer I have gotten great images and a little less work to get them since this has a really nice focus to it.
This lens used to be MUCH cheaper than the 35mm DX format, but with time its price has crept up and there's less difference between it and the DX specific 35mm 1.8.If you're looking for a great casual, cheap portraiture low light lens that's very sharp at 1.8 and are on a budget you can't go wrong with this. Just be aware of the crop factor. If you have a DX body and want the "true" 50mm, then spend 50 dollars more and get the 35mm.With that said, the low light performace and wide open aperture sharpness of this lens is excellent and this has become my go-to for portraits, but for walkaround photography the 35mm spends more time on my D7000. Focusing is also a tad faster in the 35.Build quality is excellent and it's a lot more substantial than Canon's equvalent lens in this segment (the nifty 50 1.8 which I use on my FF 5D mk I).It is VERY susceptible to flare, and I would recommend the rubber Nikon hood to help mitigate this, which unfortunately is not included and drives the price up closer to the 35mm which comes with hood included.
great option for getting great shots with a sharp lens. nikon quality without the big price bite. definitely would purchase again if needed.
I bought this lens because a classmate recommended it to me. It is super fast and sharp. Sometimes in low light it searches to focus in on the subject, but once focused this lens delivers high quality pictures. I have a D-80 and I bought it with the kit lens 18-135mm but the pictures just aren't as razor sharp as this baby. I highly highly recommend this lens. Nikon did an awesome job with this lens. Its cheap and affordable, and it delivers awesome pictures.
I'm not a pro, but this lens was recommended to me by some friends who are. I can see why. I love the beautiful clear images I get with it and the effects I can get from it. No complaints here, and I'll continue the recommendations that were given to me.
I bought this with the D80 and 18-200 VR, 18-200 was supposed to be the every day lens. Because I take many indoor pictures, 50 is on D80 almost all the time. The low light performance is super, with ISO 640 or 800, I can catch my son's wonderful moment with f2 1/50 under one or two 60w lamp, very quick focus, very sharp picture. You don't want to flash your infant after all.Someone complains about the noise of the AF, but it never bothers me. It at the good range about 75 as I cant afford full frame camera. Beside from I need to move myself instead of twist the zoom ring, I fell perfectly fine. The little mid range telephoto has it little draw back on wide angle end. For beginners, I don't think 50 1.4 worth the extra $200. Again, this is not your only lens, but for ~$100, what can possibly go wrong?
This lens is very light and is wonderful for taking images indoors where flash is not allowed
Fast, sharp, but you got to move your feet if you want a good pictures.  Work great indoor.  Has not try much outdoor.  A little noisy with the focusing.  Overall, a great value and fun to use lens.  You can get sharp images without flashes indoor at f2.8.  Also can get great bokeh.
An absolutely tack sharp lens, very much professional quality, for a tiny fraction of the price of professional glass.  It does have it's dangers though.  Nikon doesn't make any other comparable lenses that are this cheap.  Once you use the 50/1.8, you'll find yourself doubting the quality of the rest of your non-pro lenses, and eyeballing lenses that you'll have to take out a second mortgage to pay for.It's obvious that all of the money went into the glass, as the actual construction of the lens leaves a lot to be desired.  Entirely too much plastic.Out of focus rendition ("bokeh") is decent, but nothing to write home about.  A bit on the harsh side, but not distractingly so.
I was using this lens for a week now with D50 and I can tell you that in low light indoor shooting this lens is AWESOME. At 1.8f this lens should be fast enough for any semi-professional (like myself). At 8f this lens produces the sharpest photos ever and given that you shoot in NEF (RAW) format and use photo editor software (I use Nikon's Capture NX) photos become master pieces. At 22f, outside group portrait are sharp to the last hairy detail on each single person. I highly recommend this lens.
I use this lens with my D1x camera, and images are extremely sharp. I also use the same lens in my studio with D200 and D300 for dramatic portrait photos, results are awesome... more than I asked for. Try it, you will keep it ;)
Yes, it's a BIT difficult to learn to use if you've always relied on point and shoot cameras prior to moving up to your DSLR, due to lack of auto-focus. However, it's a gorgeous lens that takes gorgeous photos. I'd recommend it for anyone considering close-up work with relatively static subjects, like doll photography.Lack of auto-focus makes it somewhat difficult to use on subjects that are moving around a lot, like cats or fidgety children, but it gives crisp, beautiful portraits of posed subjects.I'm a bit wary of prime lens because I like having the ability to zoom for wider use when I'm out and about, so I prefer saving this one only for posed subjects, but I have to say it does a much, much better job than ANY of my zoom lenses, even other ones manufactured by Nikon.
Pros: Sharp Focus, Lightweight, Vivid Colors, Consistent outputBest Uses: Portraits, Night PhotographyDescribe Yourself: Hobbyist/EnthusiastI use this 50mm f/1.8 lens with my Nikon Nikon D300. Operating as an equivalent of a 75mm telephoto lens, this prime lens is light, inexpensive, but produces very impressive results.I have tested this lens at its widest opening of f/1.8 and find the lens capable of delivering good results in low light conditions.  For low light photography, this lens shines best when used with the excellent performance of the D300 at high ISO setting when shooting moving subjects.This lens, when used at aperture settings of f/2.0 and above produces beautiful portraits.  At f/5.6 to f/8.0, this lens' performance matches some of the very best lens from Nikon. The results are very sharp, with vivid colors ... breath taking and dreamlike.Compared to the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 which I also use but which cost almost 3X more, the 50mm f/1.4 is better when shooting at f/1.8.  But from f/2.8 onwards, the 50mm f/1.8 performs very closely to the 50mm f/1.4.I would be willing to pay more than double or even triple its current price to buy this great lens.  Fortunately, its nowhere as expensive and is in fact very affordable.I highly recommend this lens for beginner Nikon dSLR users who own only the kit zoom lens. This prime lens is a safe, inexpensive, and exceptional route to trying out how good a prime lens can be as against zoom lens.  It also hints at what the professional Nikon zoom lens are capable of should you get serious in this hobby.  This lens is very compact and easily packed in the bag for those times when a wide open lens is needed for shooting in low light conditions.The other prime lenses that I would highly recommend are the Nikon 85mm f/1.4, Nikon 135mm f/2.0 DC, and the Nikon 180mm f/2.8.  The prices for these lens though are considerably higher, costing almost 10x more than this lens.  That makes this 50mm f/1.8 lens a great buy.Edit: a new updated version of this lens is now available.  Though selling for more, it is a much better lens and is now what I would recommend.Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
i like the clarity of details I get with this lens.  A little disappointed the it does not seem as fast as a 1.8 should be, otherwise I would have give it a 5
It's just like everybody else says.  This lens is a great deal.  Light, sharp, fast, simple. Need a bigger image....just step closer.  Works great on my Nikon D80.
Highly recommend this lens in the bag.  Even though it's not an adjustable lens, the aperture value is suberb.Especially for the more than reasonable price you can't go wrong with this lens for any DSLR enthusiast!
This is an excellent starter lens for the budding photographer. The autofocus doesn't work my Nikon D3100, which can be frustrating at lower f stops, but it is a very fast lens that helps create some beautiful images. Lots of bang for your buck. I have even used this lens professionally, with great results.
Solid lens, but it is not compatible with the D60.  The camera kept insisting that I open it to f22, and it would not autofocus.  Very disappointing.
I love it, but it does take some time to learn how to manually focus.  I'm still not good at it, but plan on getting better.  It's inexpensive and worth playing around with.
This lens works perfectly with the Nikon D90. No problems here, you can get clear and precise photos close up or far away. Love it!
I bought this lens for portrait photography, often in low light.  It does exactly what I needed it to do and at a fraction of the cost of lenses with similar capabilities.  One note of caution: this lens does NOT have a zoom feature.  If you want the picture to appear larger in the frame, you will have to move your camera closer to the subject.  It seems that some people are caught off guard by that, although I don't know why.
A friend recommended this lens. I purchased it for my Nikon D60 (similar to D40 as it has no built in focus drive).The bad first,  AF will not work, you must use manual focus with the D60/40. Set the Aperture to F22 and select the lock mechanism. It takes some skill to shoot at a prime 50mm as I find it too close for many situations, especially indoors. It does not have macro...I also have a D70 which has AF motor and all I can say the gears are very quiet when AF, the same goes for Manual, very smooth feel.I have read the lens is easy to focus with, I do not agree. A split screen was installed on the D60 making it much easier.Results: Extremely sharp lens, it loves low light, razor sharp results. It is a very tricky lens as it will only focus a specific area when at 1.8. So many times I end up focusing an eyebrow instead of the eye, etc.Lens Mount: is made of metal, very solid construction light lens.Recommended
I am using the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D that I purchased on Amazon on a Nikon D2H and getting some great pictures. Great for landscape and portrait.Great in low light. Do use it on my D5000 but must manual focus. Well worth the money spent.
This is probably one of my favorite lenses - it takes some of the best people group shots (seemingly in any environment) of any of glass I own.I use it for outdoor photography as well indoor - using the built in flash with it as well as the SB-800AF.  In good natural light the photos you'll get with this lens are amazing.  I would definitely recommend it - getting tack photos is a snap... pardon the pun.
I FINALLY bought this lens after much research! I didn't have the money to spend on an AF-S lens for my D40x, so I decided to buy this lens. I am so glad that I did! I have been taking a lot of pictures of my 2 little boys, and they have turned out so beautifully. It only manually focuses on my camera, but it isn't too hard, and it has been improving my photography skills. I would recommend this lens to anyone who owns a Nikon!
I jumped on the bandwagon and picked up this lens to use with my Nikon D50 and I have absolutely no regrets. I love this lens. The clarity that it has provided is fantastic. The low light capabilities that it allows me to photograph is exactly what I was missing with my 18-200 zoom lens.If I had to pick any cons, it would be that it is too close at times and I find that I do not have room to back-up, especially with some inside photo opportunities.Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially at the price offered.
I'm impressed with this lens. Not only it's considerably less expensive than most Nikkor lenses but it's actually a genuine Nikkor lens! Portrait photos come out beautiful! Highly recommended!
I use this lens all the time, it rarely comes off. Very inexpensive but the picture quality and DOF are better then some more expensive lens. No zoom but it you just need to be ok with getting close to your subject. Worth every penny!!
This lens is on the top 9 lenses for the price list. If you can't afford the f1.4, then this lens is for you. Still great low light aperture and sharp!Great for parties or other low light conditions as well as a great portrait lens for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
I use this lens mostly for portraits and it's simply the best. For the price, it's a must-have. You won't regrets it.
Great portrait lens, durable. Everything you would expect from Nikon.V. Thomas
The construction of the focus feels a little cheep and can, from time to time, stick.  However, that is one minor inconvenience that I am happy to live with for the picture quality this lens provides, at the price it is available for.  The lens provides a nice creamy depth of field and, unless you're really pushing for it to be other wise, an often perfectly circular boken. The lens is far more clear than the standard 18-55mm lens that comes with a lot of pro-sumer dSLR's so the sharpness is a vast improvement. Just for kicks I shot with this lens on a Nikon D40 just after sunset, f2.8 at ISO 400 and still managed to maintain a perfectly exposed image, without sacrificing shutter speed.The bottom line. I love this lens. I think you will too.
I just received this lens Saturday, and got it out right away and have been "playing" with it ever since. The images are so clear! I posted some photos I took of my daughters (my guinea pig subjects) on the page with this lens, to show just how clear the images are.  I am very pleased with the quality of this lens and the prices was nice and low in comparison to some other reputable sites.  Thank you M|K
This lens is probably one of the best bargains I have purchased from Nikon. It is VERY sharp and fast and quiet. Very fast for the $$$. I almost alway leave it on my D200. It is a great all around lens.
Still adapting to the lens and learning the possibilities of shooting with it, but after seeing the reviews on Youtube, I had to have it! Great purchase from Nikon (as always)!
It Is a manual focus if you dont mind working with out the auto focus function. The pictures are great and it has the same results as an auto focus. It also gives a nice soft bokeh which is a nice touch when shooting in the natural light. I have a Nikon D3100 and it works perfectly. Its lightweight and great for the price.
All the reviews are accurate - a gem of a fixed focal lens for the Nikon at an outstanding price.  Great for portraits.  Very fast in low light, focuses and performs super on D7000.
This was NOT an auto-focus lens for the Nikon D40X. It needs a camera with the motor in the camera. I got this to shoot pictures in a gym without flash (basketball, volleyball, rallies). Even though I maually focused the lens through the viewfinder, most of the pictures came out out of focus. It was alos difficult to get the right exposure settings. It just didn't work for what I wanted. I sent it back. Fortunately, JR Music took it back and issued a refund with no problems.
Where have you been all my life you little wonder of a lens? Great speed, great clarity, excellent value. Get this lens and watch your photos elevate to the next level!
I'll talk about the shipping first, as I ordered this two day shipping on a Saturday night, thinking it would ship out on Monday and arrive on Wednesday.  But no, it shipped out on Wednesday and arrived Friday!  As I was planning on leaving town early Friday with my scope and this new eyepiece, I specifically paid for two-day shipping so it would arrive before Friday.  But my departure was delayed because of the Friday arrival, and I had to make arrangements with UPS to personally pick it up at their shipping facility. All in all, a lot of hassle after paying significantly extra for two day shipping.  When I finally can get hold of somebody at Amazon, I really want my money back for the higher cost of shipping.  And I likely will never order from the camera/optical company again despite their positive ratings.The eyepiece seems to work well, though I was surprised how well some less expensive oculars I own held up to it.  That either attests to a the quality of the less expensive oculars or the less than exceptional quality of the tele-vue.  I've owned tele-vue in the past and was very pleased.  Also, the construction and overall feel was rock solid, though oddly enough, if  you unscrew the lower barrel, the lens will fall out.  I've never owned an eyepiece that does this.  They give you plenty of warning, but it was odd.I'm giving it only three stars more as a preliminary evaluation, as I know from experience that eyepieces are best judged over time and across settings and objects viewed.
I am an amateur photographer. I bought this lens in order to take family pictures inside my home. Granted, it works best if I take into consideration that people tends to move when in an informal group. This lens has no VR. Over and over again, the results are just wonderful! I use it now as my walk around lens. It helps me to "get closer" rule of good photography and its bokeh is pleasing to the eye. It is great for almost everything, no kidding. It is light. Moreover, it is a great lens to walk around with out calling too much attention. A must in your bag!
This little lens is great!  I received it as a gift for Christmas for my Nikon D90.  It is wonderful for portraits and low light.  It focuses wonderfully.  Couldn't be happier.
After using the Tamron 18-270 zoom, I found myself missing something. I wanted to get a macro lens, but instead found myself getting this lens and the AF-s DX 35mm F/1.8G and a set of extension tubes.Certainly I must have been crazy going from an "ultra zoom" to this thing. But so far after just a day and a half of playing around, I've found this lens to run circles around my Tamron lens when it comes to certain shots.Back to what makes this more versatile than the ultra zoom Tamron:- 52 mm filters are cheaper than 72 mm filters (something not to overlook)- It takes less light to get the shot. Higher shutter speeds and F stops are possible with this lens, more than the zoom lens. I don't have to set the ISO as high, so less grain with a lower ISO.- affordable. At $120 this is about a 3rd of the price of what I paid for the zoom. With an added extension tube, it was still cheaper than the zoom.- Image quality is better. The focus is sharp. So far I've found myself using this lens a bit more than my 35mm G lens, which is also supposed to be sharp but didn't work as well with the extension tubes.)- small and light weight (this also can't be overlooked, especially if hand-held.)This lens also has a bit of a learning curb. Being a prime, takes getting rather close to the subject to "zoom in" and stepping back to "zoom out". With the crop factor, I get a bit of working room in front of the minimum focus. (which can also be a pro, depending on the situation such as using extension tubes.) Not being able to zoom may also be a drawback in some settings like in zoos or places where you can't or not allowed to get close.  It also took me a day to figure out how to get manual focusing out of this lens. On a camera with an autofocus motor, you flip the switch on the camera to switch from manual to auto. There is no switch on the lens itself.A few drawbacks I've found:On a crop sensor camera, there is no wide angle to be had. Getting landscapes and building shots will require some playing around with composition to make it work. (you may not be able to get the full thing in the frame.) There doesn't appear to be vibration control on this lens so it may take a few shots to get one in focus, but then again even with a VC lens, there may be drawbacks of its own. I wouldn't have minded if it were to cost a little more and included the lens hood. Without it I have to be careful not to get too close to my subjects and also have to keep cleaning the filter to get rid of dust, smudges and and fingerprints. It is also not the most quiet lens to be had. But for most of my shooting, it doesn't bother me.- 7 blade bokeh (please see photo added to gallery.) Light sources may show up as heptagons which may or may not be what I want in a particular shot. But each lens is a tool, and each tool has its own use and drawbacks.
The praises for this lens are all true.  It's sharp, fast and bright.  However 50mm on a Nikon dslr isn't wide enough to make this a practical walk around lens.  It's nice for portraits though.  The bokeh is hard as other reviewers have said so you'll want to avoid too busy of a background if you're shooting portraits.  Excellent lens for the price but perhaps those wanting an inexpensive, fast, wide angle lens would be better off saving up for the Nikon 24mm 2.8 or the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 zoom lens.
I do most of my shooting with the Nikon 18-200 VR and I've been very happy with that lens.  I bought this on an impulse after reading the reviews and hearing how serious photographers love shooting with prime lenses. I have been blown away by the shots I'm getting. If you like shooting portraits, get this lens. I only wish I'd bought it years ago.
When I purchased this lens, I was nervous at the quality of it. I was from henceforth corrected on my speculations. This lens is absolutely fantastic for low light conditions. At $120 this lens gives clear, crisp images and does not disappoint. It is extremely portable, which makes it my favorite lens to travel with.Just recently I went to Arizona and California. This lens was used 90% of the time. My 55-200mm lens couldn't handle the low light situations I wanted to shoot.There is no auto-focus for my D40, but I do not care. I'd rather learn to focus my images and get a great shot through work rather than let my machine do all the work. Great learning tool for beginners into photography.apertureI would recommend this lens in any photographers gear. It's a must have!
As my first fixed lens, I was very excited to try this out. I love it. I was a bit skeptical of it not being an autofocus lens, although I work completely manual, it is a handy feature. The depth of field on this lens is stunning. It is a great intro lens if you are looking to use these types of lenses. It doesn't feel too cheap, and the price is well worth it if you're going to buy this lens. I highly recommend it!
There's really nothing more to say about this lense other than "this lense will make your camera perfect".For those who don't know lots about how lenses work, this lense basically allows a lot more light in through the aperture, allowing for much quicker shutter speeds. The end result of this is that you can shoot in low light without a flash, and with great success.You cannot change the zoom with this lens, it is fixed at 50mm, which means you have to be a reasonable distance from the subject when shooting. For nice portrait pictures of my daughter, I stand about a metre away from her and her face is full frame.Seriously, if you have a Nikon camera, and you don't know anything about lenses, just buy this one. It's super cheap, really high quality, and you'll be shooting like a pro in no time.
I have a Nikon D300 and this is a worthwhile lens. This is an everyday use lens and every photographer - professional and/or hobbyist should have this lens. Great for portraits - sharp quality. I would recommend getting a UV filter for the lens for protection and better quality shooting.
What an outstanding little lens for such an amazing price! You really can't go wrong with this lens in any application.Unless you shoot full frame bodies (D600, D700, D800, D800E, D3, D3X, D3S, D4) or your body doesn't support the focusing method (screw type, not internal motors within the lens), there is NO reason not to own this lens.Bokeh - outstanding and uniform. No funny shapes or anomalies. Just plain pure, beautiful bokeh.Focus - Sharp as a tack and super fast. On the right body, this will probably be the fastest focusing lens in your collection.Weightless and tiny - there's room in every bag for one of these and no reason not to carry it around with you everywhere you go. Shoot, take the kit lens off and leave this one on the camera! You won't regret it! Open up the aperture up to f1.8 and shoot without your on-board flash for once!Do it, buy this lens!
There are no words to describe how awesome this lens is. I personally recommend everyone have one, no matter what other lenses they have, period. The optics of a prime lens are automatically superior to a zoom lens, and boy does it show in this product. It's a very fast lens, with very nice optics, at a decent focal length, for a GREAT price - what more could you ask for?I should also mention that it is very well built and very sturdy with a metal contact mount. You can FEEL how quality this lens versus newer VR lenses made of plastic. It also has an aperture ring and distance scales, very cool indeed.Word of caution: Because this lens is not AF-S (to reduce cost) it will not autofocus on a Nikon D40 or (I think) a D60. The VR version is several hundred dollars more, which sucks, so I would personally recommend you get this lens anyway and just deal with having to manual focus all the time. That's your problem for being short sighted and not buying a camera with a motor I guess.Bottom Line: Buy this lens. You won't regret it.
I'm a novice, amateur SLR photographer. I bought this lens along with an older D100 camera and have been delighted with it. It's been easy to learn and the bokah with it for portraits is amazing. It was used extensively by the first owner before it came to me, and remains in top-notch condition. Perfect lens for those just starting out!
I've used this lense non stop since purchasing. Produces very nice photos. I recommend everyone to have this in their bag!
love this lens. it's a lot of fun to play around with and takes awesome pictures!
This is my third and sharpest lens. I love the potentially amazing photos I can take with this. The 1.8 aperture is wide enough to suit all my photographic fancies. I'm still getting used to it being a prime lens and not a zoom, but a little exercise won't hurt me. It is much faster than my zoom lenses and takes great pictures. I also love that it has both autofocus and manual focus. I'm happy with my purchase!
I purchased this to help take photos at my brother's wedding. The lens was so crisp and clean! Now it's one of my favorite walk-around lenses.
As photographers, we can often get lazy by using a zoom lens, like a 18-200, for most or all of our shooting. But by doing so, we miss the opportunity to grow our skills. You see, when you use a "prime" lens like this 50mm f1.8, you need to spend a bit more time composing your shot. You actually may have to get closer to or further away from your subject to frame the shot. Also, it's amazing to put such a tiny form factor lens on your camera and get such incredibly sharp photos with fabulous depth of field control. The f/1.8 gives you so much versatility in low light conditions... you'll get shots you never thought would be possible.Of course, another advantage of this lens on a 1.5 crop factor camera body is that the 50mm actually shoots as the equivalent to a 75mm lens which puts this lens on the edge of being a viable portrait lens for which it performs admirably.This lens is probably the best "value" in the entire Nikon lens inventory. It really is for my money, a "must have" lens.It's lightweight, sharp and fast. I love it.
Even if you're a beginner. What you're buying is a part of history for a mere Benjamin. Practice manual focus. You will learn alot. They're called nifty fifty I think and they'v been around before President Nixon and the watergate scandel.
This is a highly recommendable lens. The distortion is minimal, the chromatic aberration is very low, the contrast is very high and the resolution is very high and the price is very low as you can see. You might say that you have a 50mm setting in your kit zoom lens. Your zoom lens will have the aperture of this one and it's not going to be quite as sharp at best.Another advantage is that it's very light and inconspicuous, meaning you can get a lot of shots where the users don't feel a big fat lens is being pointed at them: they act more natural. On that point you might also be interested in a 35mm lens, but make sure that you get one that is designed for your camera, as one of themNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasis designed for smalled sensors.This is quite a reasonable portrait lens on smaller sensors, and a good general lens on full framed sensors.On the down side:it does not have a built in stabilizer, but that would have made the lens bigger and more expensive.it's perhaps not quite luminous enough for you: you might prefer eitherNikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasorSigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasorNikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraslenses which are sharper when you have the aperture wide open (actually it's probably the Sigma model that is the best wide open).if you want to be able to focus in really dim light, and if you want to have less depth of field and perhaps a tougher lens construction.As for the toughness this lens is so cheap that you might as well tell yourself that if you hit it it's so cheap you can buy another one.
I bought this for my wife (so the review will be short on sweet, coz I'm not the one who uses this item), and she is absolutely in love with it.  Her Nikon D90 came with a Tamron adjustable lens (or something like that); after 4 months, the lens was causing her camera to freeze and display error messages.  In order to save her photos (and perhaps the happy atmosphere in our house?), I bought this lens.  It has performed better than the Tamron ever did, and she is really pleased with the... aperture? (I think)A few pros/consPro:-Cheap (for a good lens)-Good Build Quality-My wife loves it-My house is filled with happiness-It takes great picturesCons:No ability to zoom (it is necessary to walk if you want to change the distance... and I guess this could be a pro too - walking is good for your health).That's about it... My suggestion - if you are considering this lens - just buy it.  It does a great job at a nice cost.
For the price, this is one of the best lenses you can buy. Since it goes to f1.8 it's extremely fast and works great in low light. At such a wide aperture you get a very narrow depth of field, which gives a nice effect. The only drawback is it lacks an internal motor, so it can only do manual focus with a D40 or D40x. It's not really a big deal once you get used to it, since the AF indicator still works to let you know when it's in proper focus.
This lens requires that your Nikon camera have an internal motor in order to use the AF feature. My fault, ordered the correct lens50mm f/1.8G AF-S  great lens.
I almost returned this product to Amazon.  I am not used to no zoom focusing.  You have to move your body to get the frame.  This doesn't work well with large groups.  This works very well for portrait in low light.  I wasn't happy with the lens at first.  I own a Nikon D70.  I got out my owners manual and began reading and changing settings.... now I have fallen in love with my 5 year old Nikon and with this lens, which comparitively is cheap and the quality is great.I was concerned that I was showing an error of f E.E in the aperture screen when I didn't have the aperture ring on the lens locked into f/22.  I wondered why I could not move this aperture ring and thought this would be a problem.  But, I am pretty sure that the camera only works with the ring set to f/22 and the camera sets the aperture according to what I set the ap on the camera.I love it.
the lens is very fast  the fstop allows you to add awesome bukkeh to your pictures(the fuzzy look from thing that arent in focus. the lens does feel a little on the cheap side though.
I purchased this lens to supplement my kit 18-55 which I found wasn't fast enough to capture indoor shots of my two little girls without flash.  I have to say that EVERYONE should buy this lens. As one of the first additional lenses I purchased for my Nikon D40, I was absolutely stunned and blown away by the tack sharp images and speed of this tiny little gem. While it is manual focus only with the D40, everything else works just fine. It even tells you when the image is in focus via the green focus light found inside the viewfinder.  Keep in mind that at 1.8 its easy for your main subject to slip out of focus. For portrait shots, 2.8 is usually plenty to get a fast shutter speed with plenty of bokeh. For those split between this and the 1.4, if the price difference wasn't so big, I'd say go for it.  But at 1.8 you're getting an extremely fast and capable lens at a price that just cannot be beat.  I'm filling up my hard drive every day with pics that I simply could not have captured with my kit lens.  There are some shortcomings like the manual zoom, manual focus with the D40 and that it's small plastic casing probably won't survive a fall (my 70-300 VR is MASSIVE next to it) but it more than makes up for its shortcomings with the amazing shots it takes.  I promise you, you'll be hard pressed to find any other quality glass in this price range.
My wife has started taking pictures in a darker environment. This lens worked out great. Should be a purchase for every person with a DSLR.
I've had this lens for a couple years and never leave home without it.The bokeh is great!  Most of my lenses are prime so I'm used to working with them.I like primes because they make you think about how your going to shoot opposed tojust zooming in.  You will definately enjoy this lens!
I researched this lens thought it would be compatible on my d3200 even asked and expert and they said yes if its this lens your talking about it will work.. well must not be the lens because no autofocus and no vr. didnt expect the VR but when your shooting sports autofocus on a tripod is super convient and a must.
This is the best "steal" in the photographic world, it is wonderful to shoot with.  So it makes noises...SO WHAT? WHO CARES? oh, and by the way: Don't think that the F/1.4 gets better; it doesn't, and it ends up being a big waste of money. Believe me, stick to this lens. I'll leave you with this quote regarding the comparison between 50mm lenses by Fred&eacute;ric Guichard-Chief Scientist at DXO Labs: "I am inclined to question the real benefit of faster lenses."
This really is a nice lense for the price. Focusing is slightly annoying, but I purchased this just to play around with. Once you're use to it some amazing shots are soon to follow.
This lens is superb.  It's a knockout low light performer, produces vivid colors, and is super contrasty.  It's contrast is so high I often have to tone it down if a picture is taken in very low light.  Where almost all zooms fail in low light, this guy excels.  Utilizing it's extremely shallow depth of field can create some very dramatic pictures.  This lens reveals pictures that are impossible on 95% of zoom lenses available.  Sharpness rendered is breathtaking.I'm not saying anything new I'm sure.  This coupled with the 35 f2 is an exceptional duo.  Mid range zooms are fine, but the precision and picture quality produced by top notch prime lenses is the way to go.  The beauty of primes in this digital age is the ability to post process.  If your 50 didn't give you the reach you wanted, zoom later on your computer.Also, don't put a $5 filter in front of this thing.  Spring for BW's or Nikon's filter.  This lens performs as well as lenses costing 10 times as much.
Unbelievably sharp right out of the box. For around $100, this is one awesome lens. One of my favorites. On my Nikon D90 it exceeds all my expectations. Highly recommended.
I just received the lens a couple of hours ago. I tried it on my D40 and the results were amazing.I bought the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 two months ago and it does give very good results so far.However this lens is from the very first photos is much better.So far I noticed on the lens the following:Barrel distortion isn't as obvious as in my Sigma lens.Colors are are the Nikon warm colors as always.Very light and small unlike the bulky Sigma 30mm lens.And of course it would have been a dream if it's AF-S. But for a 100$ you can't buy a star!Anyway, I just got it and I'm extremely satisfied with it, the results are just wonderful to me. Even I have to manually focus on the D40, I'm still happy with it, I think it's gonna be on my camera for the coming couple of days.
I got this lens since I have my Nikon D70 4 years ago. Now it is still the main one I use on my D300s. I use my camera mostly for portraits and food photography, works great for both. Yes, if you could afford to spend a little more money, get the 1:1.6 lens. But I don't think you would be disappointed with this one either.
This appears to be a good lens, but it will not auto-focus on a Nikon D3100. The product information should mention this, as many consumers (like myself) won't take the time to read reviews to find out the hard way that it won't work.I did use it a little with manual focusing and it did take very nice photos. However, my style of photography just won't allow for the time-consumption focusing manually will take. Back it went.
The title really says it all. If you have a camera with an AF motor, this is the lens to start off with. Its always nice to have a "beater" lens to take with you on riskier ventures. This is what I started my photography business with, and to this day is one of my favorite little lenses Nikon makes. Paired with my D90, just spectacular (especially compared to the entry-level zooms).Bottom line: This is the best $125 you will spend on your gear.
Well for starters I shoot with the d60.The 1.8d lense is amazing. Almost instantly the quality of my pictures started to rise. Its pretty much a must have, the price is right, I don't know anywhere else you can get a solid, fast build for only 100$...The depth of field is amazing, and I never really had too much control before on the kit lense.If your into portraits or just trying to find out what depth of field is all about get the 1.8d. You'll be happy you did.As for the cons, there is no "auto" focusing motor in the 1.8d.What does this mean? Well for bodies like the d60 (which dont have a built in auto focus motor) you cant autofocus the lense.It is an older lense so the camera itself has to have a built in motor for auto-focusing such as the d300s. Personally there are many times I wish I had the autofocus but I also learned how to composition my shots/use the focus better while in manual mode.It is also A PRIME LENSE, what does this mean?Well you cant zoom in or out like you can with some lenses (18-55) (55-200) because the size is only 50mm you have to set up your shots by going back a little bit or going forward. This may be stressful to some or great practice for others.So this is my review I hope it helps your decision on buying the 1.8d. Just to help some of you who may be confused when you buy the lense, you have to set the fstop to f22 on the lense and then after you connect it to the camera set the camera options to 1.8d.
For indoor, low-light pictures, this lens is wonderful. I generally shoot it wide open (f/1.8) on aperture priority and Auto ISO on my D70. I shoot a lot of pictures in my church's basement (I work with our youth group). This lens makes pictures there that my 18-70 kit lens simply can't get, because this lens lets in more than six times as much light. (4.5/1.8 = 2.5, squared = 6.25). In a low-light situation where the kit zoom will only shoot at 1/8 second, this 50mm will shoot at 1/50th. That's the difference between a sharp picture and a blurry one, if you're shooting handheld. I haven't done any quantitative sharpness testing vs. my other lenses, but I'll just say that I get a higher percentage of indoor 'keepers' with this lens.If you're new to DSLRs, you might be hesitant to try a fixed-focal-length ("prime") lens. Don't be. Your legs work great as a very cost-effective zoom mechanism, and you'd have to pay a lot more for a zoom lens that is fast enough to be sharp in the situations where this simple inexpensive lens excels. On a DX-format camera (i.e. most Nikon DSLRs), the effective focal length of this lens is about 75mm...perfect for portraits and very useful when shooting people indoors.One important caveat: this lens will not autofocus on a D40, D40x, or D60. It would still be a great lens on those cameras, but focusing manually only. If you want a fast prime that autofocuses on the D40/40x/60, you'll want an AF-S lens, probably either the 35mm 1.8 or the 50mm 1.4.Last thing: unless you really know what you're doing, your indoor flash photography probably looks lousy. Mine does. Lose the flash and get fast glass!
Heaps of people love this lens, quite rightly its sharp, lightweight and low in distortion and is F1.8.However I found it a pain to use on a D40 just a quarter of a turn to focus is not enough when you are taking pictures of close-in subjects. It will annoy you! On the D90 it's fine!However the biggest minus of them all is how unuseful a 50mm lens is on a DX camera i.e. a fixed 75MM is quite long, especially after using the kit lenses which are 18-55 for the D40 or 18-105 for the D90. By all means get one but like me you'll wonder if you should sell it to a mate (where I got mine) as well as I took it all over the World and only once put it on the camera!The same can be said of the 35 mm AF-s DX though this is strictly a low light close in lens in my opinion and not as good as the 50mm by any chalk though has a built in motor.
I owned both the 50mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 lens. I also own a Nikon D70s and D200. I took test shots to compare the sharpness of these two lenses. The 50mm at f/1.4 is very very soft. The pictures at f/1.4 look like you are looking through a sheer veil. A dreamy look for sure, but not at all pleasing. At an aperture of f/1.8 the 50mm f/1.8 is still sharper than the 50mm f/1.4 at f/1.8. It isn't until the 50mm f/1.4 is at f/2.8 that the two lenses have similar sharpness. At no aperture was the 50mm f/1.4 better than the 50mm f/1.8. Why spend so much more money for the 50mm f/1.4, when it is so soft at f/1.4 as to be useless and does not match the sharpness of the 50mm f/1.8? Softness at f/1.4 will also affect the ability of your camera to autofocus correctly because the lens autofocuses with its widest aperture. If the autofocus sees a soft image, you'll have problems getting a focus lock. The 50mm f/1.8 works like magic on the D50/D70/D200 cameras. Trust me.
I have a Nikon D40 and the 18-55VR, 55-200VR and now the 50mm f/1.8D.  My two VR lenses are great for shooting outside in good lighting conditions.  I got the 50mm for portraits, low light shooting (night), and for anything requiring a fast lens.My primary warning is that (1) this is a prime lens and (2) this lens does not autofocus on the D40, D40X, or D60.  I purchased this lens knowing these two issues.(1)  This lens is a prime lens which means its at a fixed focal length and does not zoom.  If you are lazy, then this lens is not for you because you will need to move (a lot) to compose a shot.(2)  This lens is not AF-S which means it does not autofocus on Nikon cameras that lack an internal motor to focus.  If you do not have good eyesight or are lazy, then this lens is not for you.  It is hard to manually focus on the D40, D40X, and D60.  Having said that, all three camera bodies that have a light/system to help you focus the lens.  After you practice using this lens, it becomes easier to manually focus in any setting.  Just make sure you turn the dial a little bit each way and take an extra shot or two, just in case.Having said that, this lens blows my VR lenses out of the water because of the speedy lens and high quality shots.  It won't create miracles, it won't replace my other two lenses, but it's a great lens that's worth the small purchase price.Also, you may not need a UV filter for this lens if you're that type of person.  The glass is fairly recessed into the lens body and you'd have to work hard to scratch the lens.  However, I'd put one on if you're working in harsh conditions.
This lens was bought for my novice wife, who at the time was just getting into photography, and while I realize this is our fault for not doing more research, I wish Nikon/Nikkor was more upfront about what lenses will work with the internal autofocus.The lens is top notch, but for anyone looking for an autofocus lens, this is not one.
I love this lens! I recently purchased the Nikon D90 with the 18-105mm kit lens, but I also purchased this lens with it because I'm more familiar with prime lenses on an SLR. It's been almost 2 weeks and ever since I began using the 50mm lens, the poor 18-105mm lens gets no play! Images are sharp, bright, and show high contrast. This lens instantly made me a better photographer. And at $125, it's an awesome value for the novice DSLR user. I can't wait to play around with it some more!
what a fun lens. as others have said before you really have to move your body to use this but the results have been great. thanks Amazon for the hook up.
A must have in every photographer's kit. Worth every cent spent on this beauty.Love the possibilities this bundle of joy has brought to me...
So I have Nikon D5000.  AF lenses do NOT focus automatically with this camera so I knew I was going to be using it with manual focus.  It is still very difficult to focus at one point when I have the aperture completely "open" - F/1.8 because the depth of field is very narrow.  But I learned how to adjust it with light level.It truly is a wonderful lens at low light level, and generates great "bokeh".  This is the most enjoyable lens I've ever owned yet it is also the cheapest.  Also this is the fastest lens I've ever owned so I am waiting to take pictures of capoeira, Brazilian martial art, with indoor lighting conditions.  Again I love this lens.
I've used this lens for about a month, and have decided I like it quite a lot.  It is NOT an auto-focus lens when used with the D40, so dust off your focusing skills.  I have used it for two specific things for which it's better than the kit zoom lenses: short depth of field and low light.  For the short DoF it has worked great.  I am particularly pleased with the results for garden pics.  The wide aperature has allowed me to get some indoor dancer/musician shots without a flash that would not have been possible with the F3.5 (at wide angle) kit lens.  Overall, a great addition to the camera.
I use this with my D7100 and I love it!  It is a great portrait lens, especially when used on a DX body, the crop makes it closer to around 80mm which is an ideal portrait length.If you want autofocus, make sure your camera body has a built-in focus motor as this will not focus automatically unless you do.
I purchased this lens to replace the disappointingSigma 30mm f/1.4 EXthat I purchased first. I wanted a prime, low light lens that produces sharp, accurate pictures in low light. This lens fit the bill, and at a price that makes this lens a steal. There are so many positive reviews on here that there isn't that much I can add. However, a few notes:This lens looks quite funny on a large DSLR body! The lens is short and compact, and people sometimes have funny reactions when they see how small the lens is. A professional quality lens doesn't necessarily have to be large, and while this is a plastic, inexpensive lens, it performs as well or better than `higher quality' lenses that I own.Many of the best portraits that I have taken were with this lens. The conversion factor to 75mm on my D80 is actually a benefit for portraits. The pictures of my wife and family that I have up in my office and my home were virtually all taken with this lens.Don't think about it, if you need a lens in this focal range that will not disappoint, buy it!
This is a very nice lens, it's very sharp, and it's very comfortable on the Nikon d40. However, you can't autofocus with it on this camera, which makes it a major bummer. However, i gave it a five star review because it can work on my old film camera, which is a plus. Plain and simple, it's a sharp lens you can not go wrong with. I own the Canon version of this lens, and in comparison the Nikkor version is much better, in build at least. You get a metal mount, and a better focusing ring. It's not the best lens in the world, but for the price it's Great, and a must for portrait photographer on a budget.
Would recommend this lens to everyone that has an SLR.  No regrets buying this lens.  Will continue to use until my D80 gives in.
I got this lens as my 1st movement away from my good ole reliable kit lens(lol) Amazon states that this lens isn't compatible with the d3000 and d5000 series, but it just means that autofocus wont work, so its effectively a manual focus lens for this series. I intend to use it mostly for video and portrait photography, and so far its amaaaazing.I always found the kit lens to be a bit soft, but now its ridiculous comparing it to the sharpness of this lens.1.8 gives very good low light performance and bokeh, but there is a con to this, sharpness is reduced a lot shooting with the aperture wide open and there is visible colour fringing depending on where and when you shoot. Close the aperture a stop a two and that's gone, leaving you with sharp photos, and dreamy bokeh.
I misunderstood the AF requirements, and assumed that AF would be supported with my D3200. It is not. For the price, this is an excellent lens even if you have to focus manually. My vision is not good enough to rely on that all the time, so I returned the lens in favor of a newer model with compatible AF. With a fully compatible camera, I definitely would have kept this lens.
This Chinese lens [...] is as cheap as its construction quality. I'm amazed that nikon would walk down to this path. I guess the competition is hurting Nikon.  This is a consumer lens, If you are an amateur then I think it's fine to have one in your bag.  I don't know if a professional would rely in something so "flimsy".Stopped down at f/1.8 pictures are so soft that, in my opinion, it defeats the purpose of carrying a fast lens.  The one I got was little "stick" to mount, what surprised me.  I returned it after running some tests.Tests were run using a D200.Pros:- Fast.- Sharpness will improve when stopped down at f/2.8 and +- Good for portrait- Bokeh is OK but I didn't find it  extraordinary like some people in here found.- If your camera's sensor is DX sized then the focus will be about 75mm, meaning you'll have to move  farther from the the subject. If you really looking for a prime go for the 28mm or a zoom.Cons:- stopped dow at f/1.8 it was really soft. I focused on the model's right eye and the left eye was so soft that the photo was unusable- Cheap construction. The rear cap is a joke. I can't image a screw in rear cap adding more than a couple dollars to the cost and it would really protect the lens.- It will not auto focus in some cameras (Check nikousa.com)If money is not a problem, I would suggest the f/1.4 G. Otherwise try places like Amazon market or EBAY or Craig list for a 50mm f/1.8 made in Japan (this is non D) they are built like a tank and last forever and for about the same price [...]
I would suggest that this is a must lens for everyone using an SLR camera. It is great for indoors as well as outdoors. Be ready to walk a lot with this lens because it does not have a zoom. f/1.8 gives a great depth of field as well as superior speed. I won't suggest this if you do a lot of indoor photography and you have a APS-C sensor camera (for example D300,D-90,D-80,D-60 etc) because 50mm sometimes is too much zoom for indoor spaces.To conclude: If you are interested in buying this lens... Do it right now.
i m only a DSLR novice and not testing any lens yet. But this one, prime 50mm, is very very good for portrait! the 1.8 apersion offers good performance and convenience for non-prof users even in the dark. Just one thing, if you r using D40 or D3000, 2nd thought b4 you buy it cuz this one WILL NOT AUTO FOCUS on your camera since your ones is too rudimentary. it should works fine on D90 and above like D300,D700, etc. But if you are adapt to manual focus, this lens is your best choice, for new-fan in DSLR world i mean.
the lens is awesome!  it's a must have for any photographer.  i've taken really good pictures with this lens in low-light conditions.  the only thing it's missing is VR but you can live without it!
Fast, sharp, small, and cheap! This is a fantastic lens on FX or DX. Basic rule of thumb, less glass elements in a lens = sharper photos, this lens is great to take anywhere, it's what is usually on my D600.
All my friends ask me what lens I use. The lense in super fast and i dont mind sacrificing focal range for sharpness. Best Lens I own, also the cheapest.
I bought this lens over a year ago... and felt compelled to write a review after using it so many times and having such great success!!!!!! The price for this model is AMAZING.. and every photographer, professional or connoisseur alike NEEDS A 50MM IN THEIR KIT!
My fault for not doing better research I guess, but this lens does not auto focus on my D3200.I have tried unsuccessfully to use it with manual focus, but the photos never seem to come out focused enough.Most likely, it's operator error, but unless you are a total pro (unlike me), just know that manually focusing this lens can be difficult.Other than that, this is great quality, like all Nikon equipment is, it's just not the lens for me.
Love this.  I was afraid I would be upset with the 1.8 vs the 1.4 but I am very satisfied.  Connects great and works great.  I use this mostly for outdoor senior and child shoots.
This lens has no match for its price. This is a great lens for indoor and portraits.
This lens is very economical and offers top quality. If you are new to DSLRs, this is a lens I recommend, for its ease of use, its price, sharpness, and capabilities.I use it on my D50 and it has given me excellent results. Very nice for portraits, and for low light conditions. Of course this is not a zoom lens, but like I said, if you are new to photography this lens will fit your budget and will help you improve your photographer skills, since you will have to move your feet a little bit more to find the perfect composition.I recommend buying a tripod if you use the biggest aperture for this lens (f1.8)Overall...........NIKON quality for a good price.....THANK YOU NIKON
This was a gift for my daughter, a professional photographer. She had chosen the lens and it was just what she wanted. It arrived very quickly, was packed well, and appeared to be in fine shape when she unpacked it. We'll be glad to see her photos--I can't vouch for the quality of the photos taken with the lens yet.
The manual focus makes this lens *slightly* more difficult to use for amateurs, but besides from that, it is a must have for every camera bag!
I'm a beginner/hobbyist photographer and I heard about the 50mm's low-light capabilities. WOW! I was totally amazed with the results. This lens actually helps my camera capture brightness that my naked eyes aren't capable of receiving. I do a lot of close-range, indoor portraits and I'm very very happy that this lens allow me to take pictures without using flash most of the time.
Great lens for the price.  I do alot of indoor pictures & close-ups of my children.  This lens is perfect for that & excellent for any low-light situation.No AF with my D60, but that was due to my failure to research the compatibility with my camera.  AF Works great on my N75.  I am partial to Nikon products, though.
I love this lens.  I've only been using it for a few days and it's absolutely perfect.  The auto focus does work with the D50-I wasn't too sure since it wasn't listed as working but after some research I saw that the D50 does have a built in motor for auto focus.  When the lens is focusing it isn't super loud which is nice.  It takes wonderful DOF shots and bokeh as well.  There is no zoom or wide angle feature so you will be moving around a lot trying to get shots framed properly, but I like it because it gets me to really think about how I want to frame my shots.  Its a FAST lens-makes the kit lens seem like snails are operating it.  I've used it with some low-light shots and they've turned out fantastic as well.  This is a great lens and well worth the price.
A great little lens to have my in bag.  I use it for outdoor pictures and portraits.  It has good bokeh and a good lense for any level photographer.  At the price everyone should have one.
Absolutely worth the mondey! Used both on Nikon D70s and D90, both great, focusing fast and sharp. Performs great in low light conditions. A must have for indoor shooting.
I was unsure of purchasing this lens because I have a 3200. However, I read several other reviews and took a chance. This lens is amazing and has kicked up my photography to another notch.
This is a high quality prime lens.  It has very good performance in low light.  The colors it produces are excellent.  I use this on a D90 and, yes, it has a tight fit.  I feel it will loosen up some with more use.  My pictures taken outside are phenominal and portraits are a snap and look professional.  The autofocus is fast and fairly quiet.  It will take you some getting used to in that you will have to move your feet forward and backward to compose your picture.  This should not be an impediment to your enjoyment of this lens.  Overall, another quality lens from Nikon at a very good price point.
Image quality soft at apertures larger than 2.8 but super at smaller. This lens is a heck of a great buy for the $. Mounting is a quite tight when compared to my other lens.
After a year of using my D80, I can pick out the photos I made using this lens as the sharpest, best contrast, most special. It is fantastic. But with a DX camera, the 35mm f/2 lens is a better choice, because 35mm gives you a more "normal" lens perspective given the crop factor of DX sensors. 50mm on a DX camera is perfect for portraits, but if you're looking for an everyday lens for street photography, photojournalism, or just shooting fast-moving kids (or anything else indoors) you'll get frustrated with this lens because the DX sensor in the D80/D90/D300 "zooms" it to 70+mm. Oh, and I don't think it will autofocus on the D40 or D60. On an FX camera (d700, or d3) it is pure perfection, but if you're buying an FX why not spring for the f/1.4?
Excelent product, nice, ready to travel, very fast, work very well in lack of light conditions, I used it in my old D50 with no problem, because is not a &#34;zoom&#34; you have to be creative finding best angles!!!
I borrowed this lens from a friend for a recent photo shoot, and after that decided I needed one. The manual focus can be a bit of a pain, but it's a great lens for still subjects and creating some nice depth of field.
Incredibly sharp.  When I want to blow alway people I use this lens.  Autofocus works on the D80 but not on the D40/60
This is the sharpest lens in my arsenal. The speed at which it focuses is outstanding. I recommend this lens to anyone wanting one of the sharpest Nikkor lenses available.
50mm lens is very handy. But it doesn't focuses well on things sometimes. Most of the times i use it manually.Camera used - D90.
This is a great lens.  The images are crystal clear and one would think they came from a much more expensive lens.  You can't beat this lens for the money..period.Phil
Purchased  the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor for my daughter's Nikon D80, also bought the similar Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for my D300S. Very satisfied w/results in low light situations especially indoors. If you never shot w/prime indoors, you will be amazed how good shots look indoors with a fast lenses as these, w/out a flash. Evening shots also look great outside w/both lenses. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF  has the added ability to be used for the full frame Nikon such as D700 without any corners being cut off (vignetting), the 35mm will have vignetting w/full frame camera. Anybody who has a DSLR should own a prime lens as part of their setups, they really are nice lenses, and low cost. I would have bought 2 primes of the same version  of these lenses, but decided since both my daughter & I wanted a prime I choose the 50mm one for her & the 35mm for my self- figuring we could always switch as well, and would have more variety between us among other lenses we both own. Only drawback I see with the 50mm version is it will not auto focus w/some of the lower end Nikons. The Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX will focus w/lower end Nikons as it has focusing motor in it, also cost about $75.00 more, and of course w/both lenses lack of zoom makes you have to move around & work for the shots. Build quality is good they seem solid- although I would not recommend drops as they are mostly plastic & glass. A more technical review is available at [...] & at Ken Rockwell sites.As these were purchased as gifts for Christmas, I was glad that I opened the boxes prior to the big day & read the warranty- it stated that you needed to register them within 10 days of purchase to extend the 1 yr warranty to a 5yr.warranty. Kinda tricky of Nikon. Although they have done this for years & I forgot about it. Probably would not need to use the warranty in normal use, but hey- just my luck if I didn't register for the extended then for sure I would have needed it the day after the 1 yr expired.
This is a great lens for portraits and candid photos. Look cheap but performs great.This little gizmo is small and fast and works great on D90. Fits in the pocket and you can take it with you wherever you go. This one doesn't have zoom so you have to walk a little to fit your object in the frame. Another benefit - you can use it for macro shots with reverse ring. I'm very happy with the purchase.
I like this len's light weight, sharp focus and ability to shoot in low lights. It does make noticeable sounds as it brings to focus, but not untolerable.If you are single and love photography, get it....you know you want it.If you are married, then convince your spouse that $100 is worth about a month of Latte, and you will stop drinking Latte for a month to get this lens.....that's what I did and I did not regret it a bit.
We bought this for our camera and it does not work with automatic features like it stated. We are trying to sell it on EBAY for less money.
This is a nice, good quality, low price 'standard' lens from Nikon. It has a nice working distance and can get to less than half a meter from the subject.  I appreciate the maximum aperture of f1.8 so a flash does not have to be used for indoor photos.The lens itself is light as the body is made of plastic which no doubt keeps the cost down. Even so, the mounting ring is metal and makes a satisfying 'click' when installed on the camera.The caveat and thus one reduction of stars is that the cap that protects the lens when it is off of the camera is a cheap polypropylene one and this will start to wear and not fit as snugly. The other Nikon lens I have has a better cap that has much better stability.Overall, I recommend this lens for indoor portrait photography with a Nikon digital camera. Low light work is a blast; this lens helps in that fun.
this lens is definitely a must have, along with the 35mm f/1.8 prime lens.as for the 50mm, for cameras without an in-body focus meter (D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000) you will have to manually focus which is perfectly fine for me. for the other cameras like D90, D7000, D70, and all the other more higher end cameras that can use AF branded nikkor lenses, the focusing is decent as well. for my D5000 and D90 i have to set the aperture setting on the lens to the highest setting for it to work with the camera. i havent tried the lens with any other nikon but i'm sure the first set of cameras i listed will be the same.the quality of the lens is amazing. with the 1.6x multiplier you will really have a ~75mm magnification but thats fine with me.the body is ALOT smaller than the 35mm lens. the body feels more breakable because its not as thick and bulky as the newer nikkor lenses with the thick plastic bodies but its still firm enough and extremely light (awesome). it's easy to focus with the live view screen which i recommend you do for an easier time.all in all, i got the lens used for $80, and it produces extremely sharp, low-light photos that lenses 7x it's price out there produce. it's definitely one of those "keeper" lenses!
If you want a Great quality lens for around $100 this is it. Yes it will only be a manuel focus lens but a true photographer doesn't run from that, I actually prefer it.  It's much smoother with no noise unlike when you use a motorized focus lens.  This lens is preferred for portraits, it takes phenomenal portraits and shots.  Need to know other than only manuel focus option on Nikon D5100 is also that THE LENS DOES NOT ZOOM.  So if you need a zoom in lens this isn't it BUT STILL A GREAT BUY!
I have had this lens for about 2 months now and I use it on my D80.  It has great depth of field, and for the price you cant go wrong.  This lens is rated 5 stars for a reason, it seem most everyone who buys it agrees this is a great lens (I am obviously part of that group) .  It is plastic but the build seems solid.  If you want a lens for portrait photography you cant go wrong with this 50mm prime lens.  I have taken a lot of great pictures in a short period of time... but thats my opinion.  I will try to post a picture for reference.
This is a no brainer for any Nikon user.  This is a great cheap lens, virtually free of distortion, very sharp and faster than any zoom lens that you may have.  It also forces you to "use your feet to zoom", a technique that we all grew up with before the popularity of standard zoom lenses.  Its small and light and can be carried in a pocket very easily.  And its cheap!!!On a dSLR it becomes a 75mm lens that is ideal for portraiture.  The 1.8 aperture effectively isolates the subject while at the same time allowing the use of a lower ISO.Negatives:  the plasticky build, and the older screw drive AF which causes the focusing ring to move.  Also the lens does not work (AF) on the newer cheapo cameras.  Also its not wide enough for most traveling duties on a DX camera.But for me on my D200 this is a great lens!update (July 2010).  This lens has lived up to my expectations.  Has been all over the world with me as a low light supplement and suffered lots of hard knocks so that plasticky build is not at all bad.  Still going strong.  But is now being relegated to the store room as a portrait lens only...have recently added the 35mm 1.8 as my new travel supplement because the 50mm was just too long.
Clearly the best buy of all Nikon lenses.  You have to work abit more in doors due to its length, a 30mm is preferable here, but what the heck for $100 you simple cannot beat the this lens optically.
I just received this lens from my boyfriend on my birthday and all I can say is that I love it! It takes sharp pictures and clear pictures. I mostly do portraits so it was a perfect fit!
J&R is a place where I got my next lens Nikon 12-24 too :).
The lens is amazing. It may not be auto-focusing, but that is not required for it to be a good lens. I have only used it very briefly so far, but have gotten some amazing photos with it. I usually do landscape and wildlife photography, but have been getting into doing studio/portrait photography recently and this lens fits that bill perfectly. With a tripod and gentle manual focusing, I have been able to take some pretty decent test photos so far. I cannot wait until I have my backdrop set up and am able to take some true portraits with it. I have no doubt they will turn out quite well.
Absolutely nothing wrong with this lens. It works great. I would however recommend that you get the G version, because it is better quality, if you can afford to.*DX owners - the crop on this will end up being very tight. Not recommended for an 85mm replacement to do head shots. DX sensors also add DoF, making good Bokeh a big more difficult. Not impossible, but not as good as on an FX.
This lens is very fast.  It is well worth the money.  It is easy to shoot indoors at a low shutter speed without a flash.  It is very sharp at all aperatures.  I use it on a Nikon D80 without any trouble focusing. A must have for shooting indoors at museums/aquariums!
this was bought because the zoom lens we have is very large and heavy.  this is perfect for travel.  very sharp and affordable.
Pros:Sharp imagesVery portableGood for potraits and low light picsCons:Lacks internal motor so autofocus is possible only with cameras that has internal motor like D90, D7000 and has to do manual focus in cameras like D5000, D5100, D3000, D3100 etc
Ok there are more than 700 reviews on this lens, so let's make this short.It's not the sharpest wide open, not the fastest lens, not the best bokeh quality, not the best built quality, but so far certainly the MOST INEXPENSIVE modern nikkor available. For the PRICE, it's marvelous.For more or less $100, all of a sudden you have subject separation and decent bokeh, a pretty fast lens in low light and in good light (giving you high shutter speeds for action) and hey, it's probably lighter than your set of car and house keys. If you shoot video, THIS IS IT. It has aperture ring for aperture adjustment, and you will be using manual focus anyways.If you have a first DSLR (which has BUILT IN FOCUS MOTOR) with a kit lens, this lens is probably all you need to get started for some pocket change.If you really want to get picky, it's sharp only after f/2.8 and up. Its bokeh is not the best also. Despite the low cost, you need at least an enthusiast camera model to support autofocus. Nikon is going to make you pay $200 for the 50mm 1.8G if you buy an entry level model with no AF motor (D3000 D3100 D40 D60 D5000 D5100 D3200 D40X)
I always carry my camera, but when it comes to "just regular"  close range pics like at parties and just sitting around with family and friends this is the perfect lens.  I can still be in the same room and not have to back all the way up.  Pictures come out well even in low lighting.
i love this product and its amazing i would like to buy more and try more product from this brand, very cool and good price!
If I were on a super-tight budget and had to sell all but one of my lenses, this is the one I would keep. Sure, you have to zoom with your feet, but the results are amazing. The bokeh is nice for a cheap lens, and the focus is incredibly sharp.
I got this reading reviews and suggestions for portrait photos, and I love it! It takes nice, crisp, focused photos. All my friends love the photos I take of their children.
All the other 5 star reviews are absolutely right.  I'm glad I listened to them.  This has been a much appreciated addition to my lens collection.  If you're on the fence about buying it, just buy it.
This would be a great lense for an amateaur photographer or simple portraits. The bokeh is very strong but looking at the final pictures ther is a bit of vinegette with some. Overall great for the price though. Make sure you understand it is NOT a ZOOM lense but rather a prime lense. AND if you do not already have 52mm filter to protect the lense front you might want to buy it ahead of time as it does NOT come with one.. Ships quick and hassle free.. I ordered mine and it was at my doorstep within 3 days (about).. ready to take pictures... Good Luck!!
It is a great lens, but autofocus doesn't work with D5100. I think it should be very clear on the description of the product...
If you own a dx slr then this lens is perfect for portraits....If your camera is a d3100 or newer,there is a built in range finder that makes manual focusing a snap...this is the sharpest lens that Nikon has ever made...the 50 f1.8g costs more and has much more distortion..real photographers don't need auto focus,and landscape photographers like me never use it..Thank You.
This is the first 50mm lens in my DSLR arsenal (purchased approx a year ago). I have only ONE WORD FOR IT....AWESOME!!!!. The quality of pictures taken by this lens is amazing. Its compact and light weight. Every Picture taken with this lens gets a WOW. Very satified with this lens.......(attached 7 pictures using this lens-customer images- Green-Green,Fragrance,Crystal ROSE,Spices,chocolate,Krackel,APPLE)
Good indoors and low light conditions..No zooming here so you physically must move to or from your target. On my D80 this 50mmm acts like it magnifies..I beleive it't the equivalent of a 80mm...
Cannot beat the price. Excellent lens for the price. Was very interested to buy 1.4g but due the price bought the 1.8d and am very happy with the performance.
Im very pleased with this lens, it is a very good product and I received it on time. I would recommend it.
For something so inexpensive, this is an amazing lens.  You can't describe how sharp and clear it is.  It focuses fast and true and is almost weightless.  At this price, everyone should have one.  I bought it for interiors while traveling, but it will probably become my most often used lens inside and out.
The 50mm lens was the first lens i had many years ago on my Nikon then and found it was a missing lens in my current camera and am not at all disappointed as this lens does it all so well there is nothing to say except that it will not disappoint you under any use you may have.  Literally every shot is like WOW what a great shot.  I am not disappointed even on AF mode.  I see and get exactly what i expected and like it so much i rarely use any other lens.  Low light results may surprise you and the focus gives immediate results.  i could go into a lot of details about the lens, but it is easy to say it is a first quality choice and a absolute must have for your camera.randy
Bokeh just beautiful first Prime and one of my favorite Lens to use Period. This thing does a great Job for portraits and basically gives you that creamy background you've been dreaming of.
This Nikon prime lens is consistently highly rated, and after shooting with it myself for a few days, I can see why. It's cheap, its light, and it has very good optical quality. Having said that, it is these very characteristics that restrict it from the world of VR (vibration reduction), and therefore, you should be careful, before you leap on this lens, to ensure it is what you are really looking for.At f/1.8, it can be said that this lens may not really need much VR, particularly when shooting outdoors, but the absence of VR is something that should not be underestimated. You'll need a steady hand and a careful adherence to technique in order to get those "tack-sharp" photos that you crave and which drove you to a prime lens in the first place. The f/1.8 will allow for some good depth of field, but this is by no means a macro lens (called "micro" in the Nikon world). This lens, then, can be categorized as a non-VR "standard" lens. That may be a good thing for many people, but understand it first before you jump at it.Having said all of that, this lens is capable of some truly nice results, and when you consider a price tag that just slightly exceeds $100, it can easily be considered a bargain. It is all plastic construction, but feels solid. It is also just a tad on the audibly noisy side when you use auto focus, but again, these are reasons why the lens is priced within its range. I have to admit that, after slogging around one of those big 18-200mm zoom lenses, the lightness and compactness of this unit is a welcome relief.One final note worth considering. We are drawn to these wide aperture lenses for their light gathering power, and for good reason. At f/1.8, the light gathering power is many times greater than the more typical f/3.5 or f/4 we see on many lenses. But it is worth remembering that if you are shooting with one of Nikon's newer cameras such as the D7000, the high ISO capability of these units is getting so good that the advantages of large aperture lenses solely as treatments for low light shooting is reduced in importance. For example, with a D7000, you can crank the ISO up to, say, 3200, and even with a f/4.5 lens, can get some pretty decent shots (at least for on-screen viewing of photos). It's not to say these are a complete panacea to the problem; its just that we have to realize that all the major manufacturers are slowly working on the high ISO dilemma, and wide aperture lenses may not hold the singular appeal they once did. On the other hand, if your purpose for a large aperture is to take high depth-of-field shots, then lenses like this are just what you need.So, in summary, I can easily recommend this quality Nikon lens which is available at an incredibly reasonable price, but just take a moment to consider my comments above before you make your decision. Five stars.
I bought this for my d40.  It doesn't focus on the d40, but manual focus on a prime lens has been easy for me.  I don't think you can get a better lens for the money than this one.  It is a great lens for portrait pictures.  I have taken a lot of my twins and have been delighted with the results.
I bought 2 of these items from this seller for my daughters for Christmas.  They were top rate items, for less than retail and the shipping was very fast.  Highly recommend this item and seller.
I purchased this lens for my D80 after I decided to try my hand at photographing my nephew's high school basketball game.  The results were better than I hoped for.  The low-light capability of this lens is great, and I got some great shots under the usual terrible gym lighting.This lens is indeed made of plastic, but when it delivers such sharp images with creamy bokeh - who cares?  It was just the ticket for basketball action, but it also can be a great portait lens.  The bokeh (background blur) really makes the subject stand out, delivering punchy images that anyone would be proud to hang on their wall.Order this lens - it will be the best ~$100 you've ever spent on your dSLR.  It doesn't come with a lens hood, so I'd recommend purchasing that as well.  With the light-gathering ability of this lens, it's more susceptible to lens flare, but with a lens hood this is dramatically reduced.
One of my favorite lenses for my Nikon. It works just fine. I use this to shoot stuff from Northern Lights to portraits. Just need to lock the ring and away you go. It will auto focus with no issues as well. No idea why Amazon says it doesn't work.
I have been experimenting and shooting with this little sucker ever since I received it in the mail! You can get really good depth of field shots with this lens.Nikon D5100 is an AWESOME camera and the picture quality is amazing. I'm a 8 year videographer and will be using it to shoot wedding. I won't say it's cheap but inexpensive for what you can get out of it.
It is fun to take candid indoor photos of my family (and cats) with this lens--particularly playing with the depth of field.  This is my first lens after my 18-135 kit lens.  F/1.8 is much more useful low-light indoor settings.  When used indoors with natural ambient light pouring in, the color renditions are soft and true.  When taking photos of more than one person, I like f/4.  It's not too useful outside.  If I were to do it again, I would definitely get this lense because of the price, but I would first consider the $200 35mm f/1.8, because the 50mm has a little bit too much reach for me because a lot of photos are taken in the close quarters of our apartment.
While I am waiting on the 35mm 1.8 to come back in stock on Amazon, I decided to try this little gem out. It it a great lens and takes awesome pictures with my Nikon D5000. Takes a little work, but since I am learning my camera right now, it is a great learning tool. Has great bokeh and the pictures are terrific if you focus it right.
I have a Nikon D90 and had never really needed a lens to shoot low light or at night at a sporting event.  In comes drag racing.  My other lens did superb as long as there was light.  Even on the HD movies, my other lens (3.5) made great movies.  However, for pictures in the dark, with incandescent light, this little lens was awsome.  Some of the comments by others is true, like struggling in darkness with very little existing light to focus.  But I just went from one night not being able to shoot any still pictures of the cars off the start line, to tonight with this lens, I was able to shoot the start line and shoot several shoots using the option to shoot one right after the other.  I took some pictures of the sky and some landscape around the track right at dusk.  Got some awsome shots.  I will always have this lens in my camera bag.
I was a bit skeptical about owning a lens for my Nikon D50 that was so...small!  But, as they say, size is certainly not everything, and in this case, size doesn't matter at all.  This lens is one of the sharpest I've used, takes excellent portrait shots, and encourages one to learn more photography skills than any "kit" lens would.  Never mind the fact that any true Nikon lens that can be purchased for around $100 is a steal, this lens should be near the top of any budget-minded Nikon DSLR owner's need-to-own list.
Very Sharp throughout all apertures(f-stops), small size, best value $$$ of all Nikon lenses. A must have, forget zooms use your feet. Very good for portraits with digital camers (not D3). ;-)
I was mislead said manual focus will be easy with this lens, i was wrong, is much harder to focus in this lens using manual, i find easier to focus using manual with my zoom lens 55-200mm VR, even in focus i still often get bury picture,  i don't recommended for d40 or d40x user, u should try it before you buy it.  U lens kit is good enough no need this lense since only gave you 50mm, 1,8d is nice but little useless when is so hard to focus.  Hopefully nikon will be coming out a motor build in prime lens for d40 and d40x in the future.  Some shot does look sharp but is not worth the time to get it right, a VR Telephoto will do better in low light i compare to both.  I was expect more from prime lens, i think downfault is probably frustrated manual focus.
I got D7000, and use this lens from a friend.  I was amazed of the sharpness and bokeh, is cheap lens only like $120-130.  Lens focus is good and is not too loud, good build metal mount unlike canon cheap plastic mount, alot of times older design lens is better build than the new one.  I get decent macro shot with this lens when using manual mode.  Great Bokeh when is 1.8 to 2.8, 1.8 need a lot of work to do since tend to get too soft, for this price you can't really argue.
basically they say when you're starting out in photography you should have either a 50mm or 35mm prime. well, this is mine! takes great photos and videos (with camera on tripod and subject prefocused). pretty awesome 'bokeh' (background blur) I would recommend to anyone starting out their newbie lens collections.I had originally bought a used one off of amazon, but the focus ring was sticky so I bought the new one after returning that and it turns like butter ;-)note: if you have a nikon d5200 or any cam that uses AF-S lenses, this lens will only do power aperture, you have to manual focus. also, i don't know if it's just my camera, but it won't let me manual aperture - it forces me to lock it at the highest aperture so it can do it electronically.
Made in China. I used this for my D200. It's ok for the price. I will use this more on my F5.
I used this with my Nikon D3000 and even though with that camera there isn't a built in motor to make it AutoFocus, it gave me a chance to practice my manual focusing skills. Especially at f/1.8 it's definitely the "fastest lens I have owned".The pro's can correct me if I am wrong or leave something out, but if you're new to photography that means a couple things. Practically speaking if you don't have a camera that has a built in motor and you have the aperture at 1.8, you can get great focusing effects on your portraits, it just might not be focused on the spot you intended, especially at first. But with digital cameras nowadays you can snap away and get better with time. I would say the other main point is that at 1.8 you can shoot in much lower light situations. So for that night time portrait in B&W;, you can't go wrong!Overall, if you have purchased a camera with a kit lens (usually 18-55) this could be a really good second lens to begin building your collection. It's relatively cheap, performs well and doesn't take a huge amount of room in your bag. Plus, who doesn't appreciate a great portrait photo without having to go into software for adding that soft focus in the background effect. It comes built into this lens!It has a number of applications though mainly intended, I think, for portraits. I only listed a couple of the things I used it for. A pro photographer once told me the way to get better is with practice. "Just get out there and shoot" he said. Well, with this lens you will want to! A quality lens at a great price!
So far, so good.  Nice lens for the price. Still learning about the features and depth. I like that all my 52mm filters fits this lens and most other Nikon lens. Resolution seems good so far.
I've already taken some of the best-looking pictures ever with this lens, and I've only had it for about a month.This is a terrific lens for taking indoor, lower-light pictures. You can capture shots in light conditions that would normally require a flash without having to use one, and you get great colors and light effects as a result. The depth and richness that you get with this lens is really impressive.You do have to change your style a little, and you need to move around more to compose and focus. My friend said that with this lens you have to &#34;focus with your legs&#34; which is true, but it's a great addition to my repertoire.I've heard more people say &#34;that's a great picture&#34; in the weeks since i got this lens than I heard for years before! People love the photos this thing produces.mhighly recommend.
I have a Nikon d3000 (Nikons new entry level dslr not the d300) and really want this lens. I have shot with the 50 mm f1.4 lens before and it autofocuses just fine, but I was wondering if this lens would autofocus on my camera. If I have to manually focus it is not a big dealI just want to know before I buy it if this lens would autofocus. Anyone who caould answer my question that would be really helful.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasI bought this lens because of its speed (wide fixed aperture) and reputation for use in outdoor action and indoor natural light photos. It hasn't disappointed. The images are extremely sharp. It is light and easily fits in a pocket as a back-up if I don't want to carry a lens case. It also takes very good close-ups with its 1.5 foot focus (not a macro but a reasonable substitute in a pinch). All this at a bargain price. Great quality and value.
I really love what this lens can do.  It's great for baby pictures.  I wish it had auto focus.  I don't always detect blurriness until I get it onto the computer.  I make sure to capture a lot of pictures just in case.
I just got this lens on July 2nd '08. It was fantastic out of the box! It gives me full auto on my D80, which means I get autofocus and metering. I can turn it to full manual aperture control, but don't need to on the D80. The glass is crystal clear, the focus is perfect, and it feels substantial to me.I've seen the complaint several times that it feels cheap; I disagree. Every part works smoothly and perfectly. The autofocus is lightning fast. The focus ring and aperture ring work smoothly and without issue. I don't see what the problem is.Get this lens!
This lens is amazing. Great value for its price, definitely worth having. I've taken my favorite photos with this lens, great for low light.
Well this tiny lens is very powerfull and pictures it take are very sharp. Im very happy with this lens. You can blur the background very easy with it...and much more..
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras is easy to handle and fully functional. It worth it.
Great lens.  It come to the point that I use this lens almost exclusively.  It doesn't autofocus on my D5000 but if there is decent light it is not so hard to focus using the green dot in your viewfinder.
I got this lens for my daughter for Christmas! She likes the lens but having a little problem getting it it focus!The lens came very well protected for the journey to my house!
This lens lives up to the manufacturer's claims and it does what I want it  and expect it  to do.
My Nikorr 18x105 I currently use all the time. Every time I've taken it off my D-90 and used the 50mm lens I regretted buying it. After using it a couple of times I've removed it from my camera bag and as of yet not missed it al all.
Received my lens today and tried it out already. I was so excited about getting this lens, couldn't wait. As always with Amazon Prime, my item got here a day earlier than I expected. Wow! Must have for anyone that is in to Photography and has a Nikon DSLR. I should have purchased this a long time ago. Shouldn't have waited so long to get it. Product is every bit as advertised, a must have, especially for folks that do portrait photography. Extremely happy with my purchase.
Is my favorite lens so far. I'm very new to photography so I don't have much to compare it to, but I prefer it over the kit lens I had 18-55mm. Is very sharp and you can create some killer bokeh shots with it. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rafquil/13345586614/
This is the lens to get for any Nikon SLR, from the simple N75 all the way to the Digital D70. It's faster than a zoom and much, much sharper. That's right, no zooming! If you want to make the image bigger, move closer. Want to make a wider view? Step back. This is the lens that all photographers should start with. Most of Henri Cartier Bresson's photos were taken with a 50mm lens. It forces you to think about perspective, composition, and arrangement. You can take more pictures without the intrusive light of a flash. It's cheap too. This lens is a classic and will make you a better photographer by enabling you to make creative choices. It works on almost every Nikon ever made. What more do you need to know? Get one.
Great lens and great price. I got this as a Christmas gift for my D5000. This camera takes great baby pictures and/or portraits at the f/1.8 setting. I love it. Like others have stated though, the AF does not work on the D5000 and certain Nikon models. The person who bought this for me did not know that but I love the lens anyway and am fine using manual focus with it. I may purchase the 35mm f/1.8 next if I decide I really need AF or if the wife wants to use AF. The 35mm is an AF-S lens which provides AF for the D5000. There is also a f/1.4 that is AF-S. I only gave it 4 stars because I would like the body to be metal (not a fan of everything being plastic these days) and would have liked the AF-S option. However, great picture and great addition to any amateurs lens collection. Also, I love having a f/1.8 lens now and can't imagine life without it. I used this indoors all weekend during the snow storm with no flash and every pictures was great. Awesome in low light.
This lens is a must have.  The 1.8 is awesome. I almost forgot how enjoyable these types of lenses were to use.  It's almost like using my old 35mm film camera with a normal lens. The lens is great for portraits, close ups, and low light no flash photography.  I have a D60, so the autofocus does not work with this lens.  However, the green light in-focus indicator in the viewfinder works quite well and I actually kind of enjoy having total control over the focus.  This lens produces sharp and vibrabant images. The build quality is excellent and for the money, this lens should be in your bag.
If any Nikon owner does not own this lens, they are being foolish! Can't beat the image quality and Bokeh for triple the price. I own the 24-70 and the 85mm f  1.4. Almost as sharp as both of these lens. For the MONEY, just get one. I believe this is a great video lens on a D90/D300s. Once you start playing with it, you will be surprised how often you will throw it on the body!
The lens is fine I just don't use it. The price was right and I was looking for a lens.
Takes nice pictures, and is fast.  Taking pictures with it indoors has helped a lot getting the light right compared to my other lens
Lens is amazing when it comes to sharpness and color. The minimal focus distance could have been A LOT closer. It's around a foot 1/2. The filter threads on the front are plastic which doesn't make me happy when trying to reverse mount this lense for macro photography. It works really good when using it for macro with a 52 mm reverse ring mount by the way. Made of plastic and made in China, feels like an infants slobber toy, but the picture is unbeatable for the price.
If I had the money I would have went with the f/1.4D lens. As it is this one suits me fine.
I just purchased this lens from Amazon.com by just reading the product reviews from others... I must say i am blown away with the quality and the kind of pictures it is producing. The Depth of field and bokeh this lens gives is unmatched with any other lens. Since I have the Nikon D7000 body, it does auto focus with it. I certainly recommend this lens..and for the price it is really worth it !!!
I have used this lens for more than 10 months now, and it has never disappointed me.  This is my most favourite lens and remains on my camera more often than not.  Great for available light photography.
Hmmm.Maybe I've just been around too long, dating back to the age of the prime lens.  Years ago I read an article by the late, great Bob Schwalberg of Pop Photo.  One of his monthly columns was devoted to the "nifty fifty" and I'll never forget it.  Most SLR cameras of the time were sold with these as "normal" lenses.  The angle of view on a 35mm camera was about the same as the human eye at 47 (or so) degrees and they had some characteristics of both a tele and a wide angle, plus the wonderful aspect of faster speed to aid in focusing (which at that point in history was manual).  In short, a simple lens formula that was probably the sharpest one most people owned.  Zooms back then were not the greatest.A 75mm equivalent focal length (which a 50 is on most APS-C DSLR's) is actually closer to our angle of concentration, within our angle of view (if I dig I can find my old reference article for this fact).  Several have noted that this short tele effectively restricts the use of this lens for group, interior, tight quarters shots.  Also, that you have to move you to get the shot, not a ring on a lens.  Yep.  But what you gain is better auto focus in dim light (more light making it to the AF sensor), shallow depth of field option to isolate your subjects (with wonderful, clean bokeh), tighter and more intimate images of specific individuals without a lot of surrounding or background clutter, much better inherent contrast for snappier images (in many cases, when compared to the std zooms found on most DSLR's), better flash range.  Of course, all of these apply when not in those situations too, for formal or informal portraits, landscapes, etc.I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I think every photographer should own one of these; there are that many situations where your images will stand out from the fray.  The use of a single focal length is a great way to learn to see in a new way and improve your work, not just with a 50mm, but any focal length.  Sometimes just zooming isn't enough.  Sometimes, even with a zoom, a different perspective will yield a better, more interesting image.Yes, this lens is plastic.  What does that really matter?  Yes it uses the camera body focus motor so it's a little loud.  Don't have an answer for this one (other than the fact that Nikon has the f1.4G out now with HSM focus).  Yes, the optics are superb, supporting a long tradition of excellence (which in all fairness is shared with Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony (Minolta), Leica) for this type of lens.Dollar for dollar, this is the best money on lenses you will spend.  And the faster f1.4 big brother is only an improvement (but no where near as good a value owing to its cost).
This is just what I wanted. The crispness  of the pictures are simply amazing. It does not focus automatically on my D5100 but on my D7100 it is a winner.  I had an amazing weekend shooting the best magazine shots ever this weekend. I have soooo much material to put fwd for a few magazine in the next few months. I got a jackpot with this lens. I love it. My work is now at an even higher level. BUY IT. Just know its great on the D7100 ...not good on the D5100 because you will have to manually focus each shot.
I was advised by many photographers that this 'thrifty fifty' should definitely be in my bag, and it's ended up being on my camera a majority of the time. The photos it shoots have gorgeous depth of field, are tack sharp, and are simply beautiful. It also makes you think more creatively about photo composition when you have to physically move to frame your shot instead of relying on zoom. For such a low price, it should be in anyone's bag.
When I bought my Nikon D80, the lenses that came with it were the 18-55mm and 55-200mm, but until I bought this lens I hadn't realized I was missing out on so much better pictures! Basically I bought the lens because it was the cheapest one I could find, but only after reading all the reviews and tech specs. I like this lens a lot, and think that it should come standard with the nikon cameras. The only thing I don't like about it is sometimes the Automatic focus acts strangely, but I like using it on Manual anyways. Also recommend if you buy any lens that you keep a clear filter on it.
Pretty good lens. It's slightly less sharp than Nikon's 50mm f/1.8G lens but it's seriously half the price and if you bump the in-camera contrast up then it's perfect.
This lens is by far the best bang for the buck offered by Nikon.  This is my favorite lens and is virtually glued to my D80.  The DOF is super thin at 1.8 and the sharpness is amazing, even wide open.  The speed of the lens really great and opens up a lot of indoor and low light shooting opportunities, especially when flash is not allowed or inappropriate.This lens does not auto focus on the D40, D40x, or D60, but if you're willing to use manual focus, it will still be well worth the money.
I just wanted to let everyone know that the auto focus on this lens works just fine on my D50.  The sales person at the camera store (I didn't want to wait 1.5 months) that I bought it said it didn't work on the newer cameras.  So far it works just fine.  Amazing ability to take low light pictures as well.  Glad I bought it!
I think I enjoy the prime lens the best yet (new photographer).  You cant beat it for the price. Definetly recommend.
This is my first High Aperture Lens and I'm totally satisfied of what it can do and the price I paid for it. It will be very useful for portraits photos and close-ups. Also, I can attach my magnifying filters to take zoomed in pictures in high aperture. Worth to try if you wanna learn how to take nice portrait photos. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND TO PEOPLE WHO HAS NIKON D40 AND LIKE TO TAKE PICTURES MANUALLY.
This is a good lens. No problem with that I'm just not a 50mm photographer. I would recommend the product for photographers who are.
You wouldn't want a 1.4D, unless you are shooting in a cave. I don't.I often find myself scrapping shots I take with this piece of art, when I shoot at 1.8, having to bump up to 2.2 or 2.5 at the minimum.The rendering of colors, sharpness, blurring of background that this lens provides are mind boggling, for me. If you hit the sweetspot of the perfect aperture, ISO, WB  and shutter speed, you will be left drooling at your own amazing photographic skills :)I was hoping to use this for portrait but more often than not I find myself reaching for the 18-55 lens, because of the 1.5 multiplication factor. If you are far enough, you could still zoom/crop your images for very decent portraits.
I had just gotten into photography, my Nikon D90 is the first DSLR I have ever owned, and this is my first lens I purchased; although I have used a variety of other lenses including the 85mm, 105mm, and the 135mm.  Maybe I am new to photography, but I find the 50mm easiest to use.  I say this because I was used to my point and shoot, where I see an object, I can just bring the camera up to my eyes and take a picture.  With the longer focal length lenses, I had to move much farther away.  I know the "pros" reading this must be cringing, thinking that I should know which lens to use depending on how far away the object I'm trying to shoot is.  Since I am just getting started, I am still trying to learn.  I believe the 50mm is the same focal length as our eyes, so it is far more intuitive for a beginner like me.  Since this lens is f/1.8, I can take some great sharp images even in a dark room, which I am very pleased with.  For the price, this is the best lens anyone can get, and is a must for all beginners like myself to learn what type of photos you are most interested in, then buy more expensive lenses that will suit your needs.In the beginning, I was deciding between this lens and the 1.4G, but I eventually decided on this one because of the price, since I eventually plan to buy the Nikon 105mm micro lens.  I have never tried the f1.4 lens, so I cannot make a comparison, but I am 100% happy with my choice because I have gotten some great pictures in the worst light conditions that I would ever take photos in.  Since this is a small and light lens, there is really no need for VR.  I have naturally shaky hands, but due to the aperture and the D90's wonderful low noise level even at iso 3200, I have still been able to keep the exposure fast enough to create sharp images.  I think this lens is perfectly fine for taking no-flash images under museum lighting.  So go out and get yourself this lens!!  Plus, I heard all Nikon products will have a price increase of 2% or something by early next year, so I encourage you act fast :)
This lens is proof that you don't need to spend a fortune to create great images.  I was hesitant to buy it because, frankly, it was cheaper than than the other lenses I was looking at.  And I've always figured that you get what you pay for.  But I am SO glad I read the reviews of this lens -- nearly everyone recognizes that you get WAY more than you paid for with this lens. I would've spent $4-500 without complaint.I'm using it with the Nikon D7000 -- a very solid camera to begin with -- but within only the first 20 or so photos I took, fully 6 or 7 looked like they were ripped from National Geographic.  I mean, this lens is THAT GOOD.  It takes photos that you can't stop looking at, because they are that intriguing.  I've been throwing money at digital photography for years, and this is the first time where I've felt that I'm getting somewhere.  I show people the pictures I'm taking with this lens, and they assume I'm a pro.  Don't hesitate to buy this lens.  Snap some portraits of your dog, your kid, whatever.  Perhaps run the sharpen more filter in Photoshop.  The result will be breathtaking.  If it's not, you're going it wrong.  ;)
This product is great, however it has no zoom. The pictures are priceless if you are good at taking them, but you will need to be able to:a) move quite a bit to get the best pictureb) be very knowledgable about the focus effect
This is a great lens. Unfortunately, with certain cameras it does not Autofocus, but because it's a prime lens it's very easy to manual focus and beyond 20ft there is no focusing required.Be aware that this is a very soft focus lens. When you get down into f/1.8 the edges of the photos will be soft and kind of blurred into the background. Great for portraits and depth of field shots, but if you're looking for sharper pictures you'll have to stop down to f/4 or f/5.6.Great for low light situations, very lightweight and sturdy. Also a metal mount (Yay!). Very inexpensive, crystal clear, and no distortion whatsoever. Definitely better than the 50mm 1.8 G which is a more expensive lens.Nikon has made this lens forever, and even Ken Rockwell has listed this in Nikon's top 10 lenses. Superb lens for the price!
I'm by no means a pro photographer and I really only just started because I only recently acquired a camera. I bought this to use on a NIkon D3000, which if you've read up, only AF-S lenses will autofocus on the D3000 body. THe point of buying this lens however was STAY AWAY from autofocus so that I might force myself to better understand things like focal length and distancing.Because I'm still learning, I won't get into PROS and CONS other than the filer ring does NOT rotate when focusing (as it will in a few zoom lenses) and the plus side of manual focusing is that the camera doesn't try to autofocus on something other than the subject. I will say that I've taken some pretty good shots with the lens and learned more about photography with the lens because it forced me to (on the camera body I have). I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to pick this up unless they're looking for an easy lens.Apparently I don't see a way to post pictures I've taken with this lens, but I'll gladly show you my flickr account. I've had this lense for a couple of months and only been taking images for the same amount of time. at least 98% of the photos are with this lens.[...]
I return this  lens it's defective./ / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
The lens is of a good quality and weight.  After testing it, though, I feel its purpose is for portraits where you want the light weight on your camera and don't need the wider angles for other shots.  It is quite limiting in that respect, but perfect for the portraits.
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is not a zoom lens. You will need to move quickly. Photos are nice.
This is a nice high quality lens from Nikon at a very budget minded price.  I am amazed at the amout of light that this lens lets through compared to my lenses at f 3.5 or higher.  Great depth of field on the lens as well.I am a beginner at photography as you may be able to tell by this review.  This type of lens was recommended to me by another more advanced photographer as a great lens to learn the functions of the camera without having to play with zoom.  It makes me consider the subject matter I am shooting more than the typical point and shoot that I did in the past.Great Lens!!!
I can no longer use this lens after about 2 years of use.  The bodies I have had no longer read the lens.  Beware of this issue with the lens, I have read this happens to a lot of people.  Spend some more and get the 1.8g.
Bought to use with D40, knowing the auto focus wouldn't work.  Had HORRIBLE difficulty getting focus and was going to return it when I realized that the 'in-focus indicator' (green dot) DOES work.  Once I figured this out, it was a breeze to properly focus the lens manually and it has become a great part of my lens lineup.  A must have for low light non-flash photography. Awesome value once I figured out how to focus it!
I loved this lens when I bought it last October (2013). I took some great photos with it on my Nikon D7100. For some reason though, I started getting a &#34;Fee&#34; when using it today. Tried all the fixes available online without success. I'm disappointed because the lens had such promise, but now it is unusable.
I don't even know where to start. This lens produces sharp pictures and great color and contrast. And for its price (which seems to climb recently), it is worth more than 5 stars rating. I initially get this lens for low light action and sport photography (as this lens is famous for being one of the fastest lens together with its brother 50mm f/1.4), but I also found out that this lens is also perfect for portrait and other general purposes (macro etc). This is definitely a very versatile lens.As much as I want to encourage everyone to buy this lens right away, let me mention some of the limitation that you would see (which I think will be helpful to go over before deciding to buy this lens):First, being a prime lens, you will need to move your feet a lot to compose your picture. If you are used to zoom lens, don't underestimate this limitation. It takes me a while to get used to it, and sometime I still find people looking at me wondering why I am moving forward and backwards. the good news is that most of the time, they don't think I'm weird, but they are actually wondering if I'm a professional photographer.Secondly, the focal range of 50mm, which is considered the normal lens and great for portrait lens. but on many DSLRs which is not full frame (unless you have a full frame Nikon DSLR like the D700 or D3, then 50mm is 50mm), this lens become a 75mm equivalent which is in the border of a short tele lens. I actually like the 75mm equivalent though I often have to move backwards when taking picture of a group of people.Third, in some situation the autofocus might not able to focus (which is common for many other lens too). It is hard for the autofocus to lock when aiming at a wall that is one color (usually black or white), or on a clear sky (day or night). This kind of makes sense to me actually. IN these situations the AF assist light doesn't help either so you can opt for manual focus or set the focus to infinity when you can't find focus lock on scenic/landscape or sky photography. So far I don't have many problems with the autofocus.Sharpness increases as you stop down to f/2.2 or f/2.5. I actually use f/1.8 most of the time and the results are still nice. Personally, I'd rather use f/1.8 aperture settings than stopped down (e.g to f/2.8) and compensate with higher ISO setting which often gives me grainy picture. But if your object is not moving (static) then it is better to stop down to f/2.8 or more.If you are wondering whether you should get a fast lens or a lens with VR (Vibration Reduction), here's my take: In overall, VR does help a lot (as it will reduce camera shake) and will produce better/sharper picture than equivalent lens without VR (especially if the object is static). If the object is moving (sports/action) then VR feature alone might not help (depending on how fast the object is moving and how much light is available), and a fast lens often end up being a far better solution, even without VR feature as it will allow much faster shutter speed to freeze motion. Using tripod (and a remote) will substitute for the need of VR feature. In general I would recommend getting a fast lens with VR feature (and usually it is expensive) such as the 70-200 f/2.8 VR, but if one can only get for one or the other, then find out what do you want to use the lens for and then use the guideline mentioned here.If you are wondering whether you will get the benefit of buying f/1.4 lens over a f/1.8 lens, just remember that the f/1.4 lens is about 60% faster than f/1.8 at its widest aperture setting. With this information, you can decide if the additional speed will justify the additional cost. The bokeh is nicer as well in f/1.4 lens but I think speed is usually the main factor in deciding whether to get the more expensive f/1.4 lens.Here are the summary of pros and cons for this Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF lens:Pros:1. Very fast (f/1.8)2. Very sharp pictures (especially when stopped down to f/2.2, f/2.5 or more.)3. Great for sport/action photography4. Great for indoor and low light situation5. Great for portrait6. Bokeh is almost as good as many expensive Nikon tele-lens7. Fast autofocus8. Good for wedding photography (or no-flash event). However, if this is your main objective then you might want to get the 50mm f/1.4 version or 28-70mm f/2.8 lens)9. 75mm equivalent which can be considered a short tele lens (I actually like the fact that it's 75mm equivalent vs 50mm in DSLR. if you need more zoom, you can get the Nikon 85mm f/1.8, or the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR). If you have full frame DSLR(like the D3 or D700), then this #9 pros is not applicable.10. InexpensiveCons:1. Being prime lens, you need to move your feet a lot to adjust/compose2. Autofocus issue on some situations (read detail above)3. Plasticy build4. Autofocus is not the most silent but very reasonable5. 75mm equivalent with 1.5x multiplier on non full frame DSLR (many people find this is an odd range for normal lens. I actually like it). If you have full frame DSLR(like the D3 or D700), then this #5 cons is not applicable.6. Autofocus does not work with D40, D40x and D60. The newer 50mm f/1.4G AF-S lens will autofocus with those cameras.Bottom line: This lens is so versatile (and inexpensive) that I think everyone should own in addition to all the lenses that they already have. Being a very fast lens, it enables me to take pictures in low light (sport/action photography) that I otherwise wouldn't be able to do.After knowing its limitation, I would predict that 99% of you that decides to buy this lens will find this lens very useful. And if you decide that you don't like it (which I think not more than 1%), I'm sure there will be a lot of people who wouldn't mind buying it from you (with some discount of course).Again, I would recommend everyone to get this lens. In some ways I can say that this lens makes me a better photographer.Happy Photographing!Sidarta Tanu
Finally purchased this to use on my D80 after reading "all" the reviews and for the price, who can complain! In a nutshell, this lens is a perfect addition to any kit offering great low light-fast shooting and excellent picture quality. I used this lens to photograph a new baby in the family and it worked perfectly in a dimly lit hospital room without a speedlight to avoid blinding "new" eyes. The picture quality is sharp and beautiful and the 50mm is perfect for those closeup shots. I also recently used this lens while traveling and found it worked great for low light no flash shots in an aquarium and historical buildings. The only downside to having a fixed lens is that I found myself changing the lens frequently for landscape or wide angle shots. Aside from low light shooting, my Nikon 18-200mm VR lens stayed on the camera for the majority of the trip. Overall, this is a great inexpensive lens that offers great low light/indoor flexibility and beautiful quality.
I was skeptical at first because it seemed a little cheaply priced but its a great lens. It works perfectly with my D-300 Nikon.
The lens is soft at f1.8 but gets super sharp at f5.6 and above.  For $100 or so, you can't beat this lens.  If you want to go a step up, I'd go for the new Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.4 that just came out, although I think the price is about 3x this.
Having spent most of the last decade using super zooms to cover wide to medium and medium to long, it was great to get back to basics.  The relatively large 1.8 is excellent for low light and images created from my D7000 blown up to extremes on the monitor show no vignetting that I can see, no chromatic aberation, and excellent contrast from center to edge. For the D7000 DX format it is a medium long lens that is superb for portraits.  This lens is a little gem.
Im an amateur photographer but everyone in my family is amazed at how good the pictures look from this lens. Ive read countless reviews about the 1.4 and the 1.8 and decided that the distortion and fall off compared to the 1.4 does not justify the price difference. As a pro photographer i would get the 1.4 but for around the house and parties the 1.8 is great. Just set your aperture to 1.8 and put your flash on wireless and see what beautiful pictures you can get from this lens. I barely use my kit lens anymore........Nikon D90
I'll start off by saying, this is a great lens for the money.A few important things to note before purchasing lens:1. It's a fixed focal length. This means that you can't zoom in and out like with most lenses to get the composition you want. You have to move toward or away from your subject to compose the image.2. It doesn't have the AF-S motor built. It relies on the older "screw drive" motor for auto-focus. If you have a D5000, D5100, D5200, D3100, D3000, D60, D40, or D40x, you won't be able to auto focus with this lens. It still works great with manual focus. Even though you have to manually focus, the in-focus indictor  WILL work in your viewfinder, so you'll know you're in-focus at the chose AF points.3. It does not have image stabilization (VR) built in. On the lenses I have that have VR, I use it all the time. It has saved me from more than a few shaky shots. This one doesn't have it. Not a deal breaker.The good - it's a very fast, f/1.8 lens. The colors and contrast are fantastic.If you've got an FX camera, it's perfect for portraits. If you have a DX sensor (the less expensive, or entry-level Nikon DSLRs), the effective focal length is closer to 80mm, so you'll have to stand back further in order to get the whole subject in frame.The lack of the AF-S makes the autofocus a bit slower than with newer, more expensive AF-S lenses, but it's still not bad. I assume that it depends on the speed of the motor in your camera (see note 2 above) and honestly I have no idea if this speed varies from camera-to-camera. It's just noticeably slower than some of my other Nikkor glass.A couple of negatives...1. The construction feels more like a kit lens than I was hoping, it's very, very light and while it feels solid, it does not seem to have that same great fit that the other lenses in my bag have. It doesn't feel like it's going to come off, it's actually a bit snug when turning to lock it.2. The rear lens cap is a disappointing cheap plastic cover that looks more like discardable shipping material - no turn/lock, just slips on/off. I actually don't even know where it is anymore.3. Made in China. This was a lot more disappointing than anything else. Though I haven't found any flaws with it, and pretty much everything is made in China now... it's my first Nikkor lens that's made there. I think my reaction is more emotional than objective.(Edited 3/8/14 to clarify auto-focus piece)
This product had no problems and performs as expected.  Manually focusing on active toddlers was not as hard as I thought it would be.
I am a low budget shooter who only shoots occasionally for hobby.I use this lens mostly for low light situations and portraits.It's not as long as I would like for portraits, but it is good enough for hobby.The bokeh is nice to have and 1.8 aperture is so amazing when paired with 1600 ISO.
If you have a camera with a built-in autofocus-motor (D90, etc...), then you need this lens.  Everyone should have a 50mm f/1.8 (or faster) lens.  This lens is just too inexpensive and too good to pass up.You buy this lens for two reasons: to shoot in low light without flash or to get great depth of field control.  With a wide aperture of f/1.8 you are guaranteed to get great natural light pictures indoors or other low light situations while maintaining a relatively low ISO.  The other advantage to large apertures is of course the great isolation of your subject by limiting depth of field.  The sample images posted by reviewers show how well this lens works on both accounts.I see reviews complaining about the sharpness of this lens.  Forget about it.  Sharpness is rarely a result of the lens.  I've taken incredibly sharp pictures with this lens and very fuzzy pictures.  Every fuzzy picture was because of something I did "wrong", for example...Depth of Field: With f/1.8 at 50mm if you're framing a close subject that is only 2 feet away, your depth of field (amount of subject in focus) is only .38 inches (&lt; 1 cm).  That is what is referred to as "paper thin" depth of field.  Naturally with such a small amount of the subject in focus much of the image will be "unsharp".  This is expected and called bokeh.  Be sure to understand how depth of field works, or make sure to shoot all your subjects from very far away (not recommended).  If this is your first prime lens, then consider the 35mm f/1.8 which has a much more forgiving DOF (.8 inches at 2 feet when wide open).Subject Motion: With such a limited depth of field, when shooting at the larger apertures, even a small bit of subject motion can cause one of two things to happen.  The first is that the part of the subject you wanted to be in focus moved and is now out of focus.  The second is that the shutter speed wasn't fast enough to freeze the subject and motion blur occurs.  Make sure to shoot moving subjects with an appropriately high shutter speed.  Here is where your Nikon beats all other DSLRs: you can customize this using Auto ISO in your camera menu.Camera Shake: If you let your camera decide everything for you then eventually your shutter speed is going to drop to a value where you can no longer hold the camera steady enough to get a clear shot without a tripod.  You need to always shoot at a speed that you can hold the camera steady at.  Customize Auto ISO here as well based on your capabilities.Focus Errors: With paper thin depth of field at the wider apertures it's even easier for a focus error to ruin a picture.  If you're taking a close-up picture of someone's face, and your camera selects the nearest object to focus on, then their nose will be in focus but their eyes slightly blurry.  That will ruin your picture.  Even being slightly off will wreck a great picture.  Be very careful with your choice of focus method.  If you're shooting at the wider apertures, but not at the nearest object, you may want to use selective auto-focus.  Try to focus on the eyes if you're taking pictures of people.It's easy to see how the challenges of shooting at wide apertures have more to do with the sharpness of pictures than any optical quality of the lens.  It is challenging, but the great pictures you get are well worth the effort.After the first year I owned this lens my photography education was greatly accelerated.  I was immediately challenged to understand and master depth of field, shutter speed, ISO, and auto-focus.  Without it, I would have continued to do the same dumb things that resulted in mediocre and blurred pictures.  I would have continued to blame the tools (camera, lens, flash, etc...) instead of taking control for myself.If you're afraid to walk, then don't get this lens.  The only way you're going to get proper depth of field and good framing is by walking closer to or farther away from your subject.If you don't have a camera with a built in autofocus-motor (D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100, or D5000), then you will either need to get the more expensive50mm f/1.4with the autofocus-motor or, if this is your first prime lens and you want a lower price, go ahead and start with the more forgiving35mm f/1.8.
Personally I never cared for this. Even with the faster aperture I prefer my 18-200mm over having to switch lenses. For those who shoot only in 50mm I am sure this works great - the price is incredible.
I put this lens on my D200 and started to take AWESOME portraits. I cannot believe that this lens is so inexpensive. I have yet to take it off of my camera and I haven't had any bad portraits with this lens. Grab a UV filter for it and keep it on there. :)
Under the technical details this is listed as a zoom lens. It is not. It is a prime lens and does not zoom. You must change your position to frame your photo. This lens will not autofocus with many DX cameras. Specifically the D40, D40x, D60, D3000, d3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300. Autofocus is a critical function for these are cameras aimed at novice/newer to digital photographers. It will mount on these cameras, it will function in all respects but the autofocus. It WILL fully function with the D90, D7000, D7100, more expensive cameras aimed at enthusiasts. They contain a focusing mechanism in the camera body that works with the AF designated lenses. That being said, this is a spectacular lens as others have reported. A prime lens can rock your world in terms of clarity and photo quality. When being used on a DX camera it does NOT function as the "nifty fifty" that many are looking for. That label is a holdover from film photography. It indicates the the focal length that mimics the normal view of the human eye and gets a tad confusing with the development of the DX 1.5 cropped sensor. This is a 50mm lens on an FX camera. Mounted on a DX camera it is the equivalent of a 75mm (short telephoto). In an average sized room you may run out of room to back up to get everyone in the frame. If you want the 50mm view on a DX camera a better choice is the wonderful Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S G. This prime lens will give you the  50mm lens (52mm approximately) you are looking for and works very well in low light/no flash situations. It will autofocus on all DX cameras as it has Nikon's Silent Wave Motor in the lens (the S in AF-S). This 50mm lens is a standard lens that is as fine as they come for camera bodies with an internal focusing motor. I love it and use it as a short tele on a D7100. I also have tried it on a D5100 and a D60. It is sharp and the shots are beautiful. You just need the time to manually focus properly, not always possible with fast moving toddlers and pets. These bodies will indicate that a correct focus has been achieved by displaying a dot in the viewfinder. Catching that perfect focus manually takes more practice than the casual photographer has time for. I like Nikons' fast accurate autofocus and do not see any benefit in not spending a few bucks more to get the lens that fully works with the camera (I also own the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S ). I have personally muddled through this world of digital from film and I hope this helps the next budding photographer in choosing the best lens for your needs.
This item was what seller advertised. I didn't know at time of purchase, it was not as wide as I would of liked. I'm still learning about my camera and had to purchase another lens with wider angle view. The other lens worked out better for people portraits, this lens good for light, quick snaps of variety of things.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasThis lens is amazing in low light.  If you aren't quite ready to spring for the 1.4 lens, this lens is a bargain.If doesn't auto-focus on our D40 but we knew that going in.Great lens for portraits.  We love it, especially indoors.
This lens takes amazing pictures.. for 130$, u can't get it anywhere else. believe me, it's totally worth it.
If you are a serious about photography, this is defn. a must buy. I was a bit hesitant coz this was over $100 but no regrets.Love how light the lens is.You can get an AMAZING depth-of-field when the subject is close by. If you have vibrant colour in the background, it looks phenomenal when blurred out.Since you cannot zoom using this lens, you really have to use your feet, move around, to make sure you are composing the photograph without unwanted elements.A prime lens is defn. a must buy.
I'm an avid amateur with a new D40.  I got this lens for shooting in low light, indoor situations.  All I can say is that this a great lens for the money.I know it doesn't autofocus with the D40 but so what?  You can use this lens for all kinds of situations where a good zoom (like the new 18-200, which I also own and love) is not the "right lens".At the price, it can't be beat.  Forget the build issues, etc.  It works very well and gives super crisp images.
Good value.  I had it for couple of months, so far so good.My friend bought the same lense and dropped it on carpeted floor, the fall broke the lense mount. It may be fragile.
I was a fan of DSLR photography long before I purchased my first camera, often using a cruddy old Canon DSLR for my work at The Arbiter, Boise State University's student media group. This being the case, I saved up and purchased aNikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)for my first camera (which I love).I bought this lens instead of going for the kit, because of its fantastic reviews. The lens delivers: Beautiful colors and clarity, sharp and easy focus, and fantastic dim-light photography, with an outstanding range of DOF. I usually open the aperture all the way up for a gorgeous and shallow DOF. With this lens I can take a picture of someone's face, placing their eyes in perfect focus and allowing most of the face to occupy the exterior of the DOF, creating a flattering soft focus.Why this may not be the best first lens for you (if you are not already a semi-experienced to experienced photographer): It is a pretty long prime lens. This means that it isn't especially well-adjusted to landscape photography, which is a fantastic way to practice composition. It also isn't the best for candid photography (an advantage of many primes, which are less obtrusive than zoom lenses and can be easily carried around with the camera), because of its longer focal length. You have to be quite a ways away from your subject unless you prefer close-ups.Conclusion: This lens is awesome. If you have a couple lenses and know what you are doing I recommend it as heavily as I possibly can. Prime lenses are great first lenses--they make you ad lib composition and move your feet instead of just zooming in and out until it looks okay. They are also cheaper for their quality than zoom lenses. However, a shorter prime (20-30mm) may be best for a first purchase. I love this lens though, and wouldn't trade it for anything, so even a beginner might love this lens once they adjust to it.
To get a 1.8 aperture, super sharp, prime lens "with" the coveted Nikon name on it for under $100 dollars is still hard for me to comprehend.  I continue to be awed as I go out shooting in a dreamlike state...  Wake me when its over...  My only lingering question... "Will it last?"... Hey Nikon, how about offering up some more of this prime candy for some of us who consider a great value an important part of the purchasing equation.  Thanks. enjoy :)
As many have already stated, this is the best lens you'll ever buy for 100 bucks. It's optics are the best you can get, in any lens, period.Even if you're already planning to spend 600 bucks more and buy the vaunted 18-200VR, you're not going to get the blazing fast 1.8 aperture or the weight and size convenience of this little gem.  A great, fantastic lens.
This is a great lens for portraits!  Which is not what I shoot.  I primarily do landscape and if you are looking for a replacement for your kit lens,(mine was the 18-55mm) this is not it.  You do not get the range with this unit, it is set at 50mm.  Do some research, as I did.  Just know that I thought it was going to be more like shooting with my 35mm film camera with a prime lens, it is not.PLUS, you CANNOT adjust the aperture on the Nikon D40/D40x cameras!  It will function on the camera itself but you are not allowed to adjust the aperture of the lens.  All the research I did I did not find that anywhere.  They did explain that it will not auto focus on these cameras.So, as far as quality, its Nikkor.  Its a great, clear and crisp lens like all Nikon glass.  And its great to have for special occasions with low light, I just wish I had the D90 or better so I could use all its functionality.And if you dont know about Prime lenses, they are incredibly clear.  But you cannot zoom in and out like your kit lens, you have to physically move yourself back and fourth, so for landscape with this on my D40x, you have to be way further away than typically works for me.Go research forums and groups on Flickr.com, check out what others say before you purchase.  It is an excellent lens at an amazing price!  Just know what its good for before you drop your $$$.
Although I like the hefty metal Nikon 50mm f/1.4D better this plastic lens does a great job and is a third of the price.  I see some say it is cheap and breaks. I have always been careful with my equipment so to me common sense takes over on how you treat your equipment.  I have used this lens for some time with no issues and it helps produce some great shots for me whether on my D80, or D200. Shop around as often you can find it cheaper, but also lookout for refurbished, meaning that often the term is in small print. I have bought refurbed items and fortunately never have had any problems, but if you don't want refurb just make sure you read the entire description whether amazon, ebay etc.
I use this lens on a D90 and D200.  It auto-focuses very fast and is a cheap way to get into natural light photography and learn about shallow depth-of-field.  It even works as a macro if you reverse the lens.After months of use on both cameras, the 50mm 1.8D has produced great images with no complaints from me.If you are just starting out...  My only suggestion would be to consider the 35mm 1.8G if this is your first lens on a D7000, D90, or other 1.5X crop camera.5/5-Mike
This lens is perfect for portraits because the 1.8 aperture lets in a lot of light.  It's a very versatile lens at 50mm, which makes this the perfect lens to take out on adventures when you don't want to lug around a bag full of accessories.
This is a nice lens and if you don't read the D5000 manual or are familiar with the whole AF/AF-S thing, it won't auto-focus on the D5000.  I know this is obvious to all the manual readers out there, but I thought it important to let the rest of us know that this wonderful lens has no focus motor in it and thus, will not work on the D5000.My original post is below for additional scorn:I just got this nice lens and couldn't wait to try it out.  Plopped it on my D5000 and it wouldn't focus.  Looked all around for the Auto/Manual switch and couldn't find it so looked in the instructions where it said something like "Manual focus only on the D5000"!WHAT?!?!?!?How could this be?  What ticks me off is that I read everything on Amazon on this lens trying to decide if I really needed one-more-lens and nowhere did I see that there were any compatibility issues!  As this was fulfilled by Adorama, I have to pay return postage!Needless to say, I'm not happy at all!BTW, I also have a $10 UV filter I bought that's probably not worth the return shipping cost either...
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I heard so much about this lens , but was deciding If I  would buy the new Nikon d3100 or the P7000..$699 and $499...I tried this lens on my Nikon d70 and now I don't need to upgrade .. even at 6mp the Pictures are Fantastic , Clear , Sharp , nice color., and I saved Hundreds...Sharpness , Clarity , Color is what I look for in a camera this lens does it for me......................I don't know If I will even use my Nikon 18-70 zoom as much any more..
This lens is cheap, I first thought it was a great lens but after my photo experience improved over the years, I now can say that, this lens is far from perfect. it is just a cheap fast prime. Last week I have shoot some pictures with it and realized how much overrated this lens is. Bokeh is surprisingly bad especially for a prime lens. Many great pictures lost due to slow or inaccurate autofocus. And like ever reviewer has written, sharpness is exceptionally bad at wide apertures. I will never use it again, it is for sale to buy something better.
As a professional photographer, I cannot praise this lens enough: it brings me closer to my subjects, and connects my photographs with viewers from the level of intimacy it imparts. Why? When you fall in love with someone, they are right in front of you, and the rest of the world blurs away. That's how this lens makes me see: as though I am right in front of, and in love with, what I'm viewing.I take lots of pictures of food, people, and farms. (See the samples I've uploaded here.) This lens has a quality of gentleness in it that is unsurpassed. Because it's fast, it's great for low lighting, and brings a romantic quality to beautiful food in restaurants. It's also the perfect portrait lens, seeing people much as we ourselves do, with no distortion, only kindness. Yes, I am ascribing emotional qualities to an inanimate object, but it doesn't exist in a vaccum. It makes me a better photographer, by showing me how to see.It's wonderful, and wonderfully priced.
This lens is beyond expectations and has produced really amazing pictures . This has become my primary lens for everyday use.AF on this really works like charm on my Nikon d7100. Sharp photos & lens is real fast.
This is a great quality lens as are all of Nikon's lenses. It takes great quality pictures in very low light. Focuses fast and accurately on my D-90. It's very low price in relation to it's high quality makes it a must have for anyone who needs doesn't have a good quality lens around the 50mm mark.  I also highly recommend buying Nikon's 35 mm f/1.8 lens to complement this one... it's a great price/quality combo just like this one.  I have found no dis-likes about either one of these lenses and guarantee you won't be disappointed with either of these two great lenses!
Fast, great bokeh, slams into focus on the D7000, has become the current 'walk around'.An invaluable lens for indoor, available light shots.Have used this lens for night time pitcha black outdoor shots, very useable shots at f2-3 ISO 1000 at 1/40.
I've been wanting to get my hands on one of these for a long time.  Trouble is, I have so much camera junk already, that I was not willing to spend more money on another novelty lens.  Beside the fact that my D-40 wouldn't support the auto focus mode.  However, I upgraded to a D-90 last September, and in October for my birthday, my mom and sister gave me some money.  As I was surfing Amazon to see what I could get myself.  I stumbled upon this lens again.  Perfect, now I could get it, and it would have cost me anything.  Let me tell you:  It is a great lens for low light shooting.  I was able to get excellent shots of our annual Christmas parade shooting at ISO-800 in both shutter priority-1/100 sec. and program modes without flash, and great if not excellent picture quality.  Sometimes I even surprise myself.  Anyway, It's a great prime lens for discrete low light photography.  Keep in mind though, that the 50mm focal length acts like a telephoto on your APS sized senor.  Which means no group shots at close range.
I really like this lens, its my second one (the first one dropped from about 4ft and jammed)Great for both stills and video. Works best on a FX/fullframe sensor camera.Not bulky works well in low light.
This is a great lense.  I didn't realize that the AF doesn't work with Nikon cameras that need DX lenses (I have the D3000.)  I still love this lense though, it was inexpensive and takes great pictures.  I take a lot of pictures of food for my blog [..], and for that it is perfect.  Taking pictures of my kids in motion is a little harder with the manual focus.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents. Once you get used to the idea of not being able to zoom -as we are all kind of used to nowadays, this is a very sharp and very fast lens. Lot's of fun to use. If you have children, taking photos without the flash is a big plus for them. But best of all...it's cheap!! Get one, you will not regret it. Can all these great reviews be wrong? Nope!
its light . it works very well. does not autofocus on a nikon d3100. which is what i am using it on. you can focus it very quickly manually and itll take really good portraits on a dx camera.
I bought this  lens back in 2006 right after I bought my Nikon D50. Back then I was a novice in regard to what a prime lens was vs. a zoom lens. This lens was inexpensive and I figured a good starter into prime lenses. I've used my lens for family photos, food photography and general indoor photos and the lens performs very well for personal use. I have had my lens for over 6 years and have never had a problem or been disappointed with a photo. The lens itself is lightweight, fast, sharp and has good bokeh. Overall it's a nice lens to have in your camera bag. I keep aNikon 52mm NC Filteron my lens to protect it from scratches which does not diminish the photo quality.
I bought this lens because it was cheap.  I used it on a couple occasions, then realized my 18-200mm lens covers this range.Likes:-Cheap. Just around $100.-Fast and sharp AF.-Small and light.Dislikes:-It's a fixed prime lens, so I have to move more.-AF motor is loud.Bottom line:-If I had a studio, I would use this lens a lot more.  It is a great lens.  I just don't like to have to move back and forth to compensate for the fixed focal length.  It also doesn't fit my style of extremely close-up head shots.
I use the 50mm f/1.8 on my full frame sensor (FX) Nikon D3S.  It will work perfectly well on a DX size sensor too.  The autofocus is very fast and the lens performs extremely well.  I thought about getting the 50mm f/1.4 lens but the significantly higher price wasn't worth it on my D3S with it's high ISO performance.  Granted, the f/1.4 sucks up 60% more light at maximum aperture, but I usually use zooms and thought the f/1.8 would be fine for my needs.What everyone says is true.  The lens is sharp even at maximum aperture.
This has become my default lens of choice on my D-80.  It is sharp and works very well in low light.  I can't add much more than what other folks have said in these reviews.  I have been very pleased with my purchase!
I had to return mine, it wouldn't focus on anything. I upgraded to the automatic one for an extra 100.. We'll see how it works when it comes in.. Hopefully yours works better..
If you're looking for a standard lens, and debating between the 1.8 & 1.4 - forget about it; you'll rarely / if ever leverage the (significant) incremental investment for the 1.4 in terms of flexibility and quality.Shooting in full manual is a snap, and the photos turn out excellent!I wish someone had posted this sort of review to help me make a simple & safe decision.
I just received it today and its absolutely incredible its very light weight unlike my 70-300 zoom lens. The picture quality is fantastic, couldn't be better. The best lens purchase I've ever had. Incredible lens/Amazing low price for a lens this good :) way worth buying. I would recommend this to everyone. absolutely love it. If I change my mind by any means I will keep you all updated but so far its flawless. :D
I have a Nikon D3000 (you will need to manual focus with this lens for that model of camera). I just love this lens. I used the lens to take pictures of fast cars on the highway and they all came out great. I also used it to take some pictures of my dog. I love the manual feature for my camera because I am still learning and this is helping me do that.
I didn't buy this for the low price; I bought it for its quality at a now deeply discounted price.  It's often reviewed as producing better results than the G-version and that's what mattered to me.But OMG.  Right out of the box it was falling apart.  After a cursory look for dust and grease, and for  anything else obviously wrong, I put on a Hoya protective filter and it felt loose.  I took the filter off and tried again.  I don't torque filters to a lens, I handle them both gently, and thought I hadn't engaged the threads properly or that I hadn't tightened the filter all the way.  I tried three times, being increasingly careful each time, and it still felt loose.  Only as I was removing it for the fourth time did I see that the barrel of the lens at the objective side was what was loose and jiggling-around.A 50mm PRIME lens that can't hold the lens elements in alignment is slightly more useful than a cardboard toilet-paper tube, and the test images proved that.Rats!  I'm sure these are made in huge quantities and one or two bad ones are bound to get through - you can't test each and every lens - but I still feel that it shouldn't have been possible for a defect of this nature to get through.Look at it carefully when you open the box and when you buy online, only use vendors like Amazon who make it easy to return a defective item.NOTE:  I also purchased a 70-300 Nikkor with a Vibration Reduction system that didn't work (diagnosed by Nikon USA who were very helpful).  Nikon wanted me to send the lens to tem for repair and/or replacement, but since it was new and I would have had to pay to send it to Nikon, I sent it back to Amazon, too.  Waiting on the replacement.  Perhaps the gods of photography are telling me they don't want me to get involved again in SLR photography...
I am in love with this lens!  I bought a D50 with the 28-80 kit lens.  I was talked into buying the 50mm lens by friends who are real photographers.  I am blown away by how much sharper the 50mm lens is.  It is super fast.  You can shoot indoors without the flash.  I highly recommend it.
This is a fast, sharp prime lens that's great for beginners and pros alike. Lighter than zoom lenses, this lens is perfect for street photography. The 50mm 1.4 is twice the price of the 1.8, but you may likely not miss the larger aperture.
Nothing like a good , fast 50mm.  On the Nikon 7000 it translates to a 75mm which is a great all around focal length.  Shooting wide open or at F2 gives fantastic results to ISO 1600 or even 3200.  This is the &#34;older&#34; less expensive version that Nikon offers. Works great.  It gets a solid recommendation.
Bought this to use with D90.  Great value.  Incredibly sharp.  Nice bokeh.  You just have to get used moving your feet.
Works great in my D80, no problems with the auto focus. Sharp lens though I thought it would be sharper based on other reviews. For the price, it is still five stars
Why haven't you bought this already? An absolute no brainer purchase for a photographer. It is an excellent lens for low light level and just everyday snaps. Fixed focus so just step up closer to your subject. The price is an almost give away.It is an AF lens, so it works perfectly for F as well as D Nikons (ASP-C as well as full frame)If you have Nikon cameras (even the old F film cameras)buy this lens NOW.
There are many reviews that go into great detail about this lens, but I just had to add my support. It seems so small and insignificant, yet produces such sharp and colorful images, especially in low light.  I've started to develop a preference for this lens when I don't need the versatility of a zoom telephoto because of its superior image quality.  Buy it now and don't look back.
Great sharp lens but shoots more at a 85mm. Not accommodating for tight spaces as you would think. Want to do the 35mm think it will be a bit more useful for me.
This was my first purchase of my own from amazon. Very good lens.It's very light, I don't even want to use my other one (18-135mm) since this one is so tiny and cute.The only con would be that it doesn't zoom in or out, so all the photos appear to be extra close, otherwise 5+ product.Thank you Canon!!!:)
I have a D40 and I did my research and knew when I bought this lens it wouldn't autofocus on my camera.  I had a bit of experience working with old 35mm manual cameras, so I figured I could handle "just focusing" without a problem.  There was a small learning curve, but after a few hundred pictures, it was almost second nature.The process of manually focusing this camera is helped immensely by the system where a green dot appears in the bottom corner of the viewfinder when successful focus is achieved.  Once you get used to anticipating that dot (which is mostly just trusting your eye and instincts) you can very quickly get a properly focused shot.The lens is very sharp and the pictures are incredible, especially the bokeh.  Portraits taken with this lens are incredible, the background looks amazing and it's hard to convince people that you're not just a whiz with photoshop.I can't wait to upgrade to a D90 or other body with an autofocus motor built in so I can use this lens more often, but if you have a D40 and are afraid of getting this lens because it's manual focus, don't be.  You can take some great shots and practice your technique until you get a more powerful body.  Don't miss out on the incredible bargain of this lens just because of the focus!
I am very proud of the results, very easy to use and now every picture is exactly what i wanted!!
I just ordered this lens on 12/29/09 and received it really quick in the mail.  I paid $124.95 with FREE shipping.  I see the price has gone up about $10 within the past week.  Anyhow, it is still a great buy and I would even buy it at that price.  I own the Nikon 18-200mm VR which I bought as a all around lens for about $800 a few years back.  It is a good all around lens but I can't get the portrait like depth of field with the f3.5 setting.  With this new 50mm lens I just leave it on f1.8 on my Nikon D70s by using Aperture Priority or "A" on my camera.  It does not get any easier than that.  The bokeh is excellent and my photos are sharp and in focus. I was comparing this lens with the Nikon f1.4 50mm which cost more than double and glad I didn't get the other as this turned out to be a great buy.  Too good to be true for this price and it will be in my bag at all times along my trusty Nikon 18-200mm VR lens.  I think these are the only 2 lens most people will ever need and should cover almost all everyday shots and now including portraits with ease.  The 50mm is set at that and is actually similar to a 70mm in film camera.  Your zoom will be your legs as you walk closer or farther from you subject as it is set at 50mm.  Reminds me when I had the Canon AE-1 Program film camera with my f1.4 lens.  That was a awesome lens as well in those days.  Now we can shoot unlimited on our flash or SD cards.  Also do photo editing at your computer with one click of the mouse in some cases.  Anyhow.....BUYING THIS LENS will make you a happy camper!  Now I have extra money for my Keurig coffee maker.
This lens performs excellently. It takes great pictures and has incredible bokeh. I only wish I had more uses for it. It performs very well in low light and the f1.8 aperature is very bright. For the price it is incredible. I just have to say one thing about the man who wrote the review about the auto focus not working on his D60. The discription says that the lens works on Nikon SLRs NOT DSLRs. So Nikon is saying it works on all FILM SLRs not Digital SLRs; and all Nikon FILM SLRs have focus motors built in although many Nikon Digital SLRs (except the D60, D40, and D40x). So if you read the product discription more carefully, you wouldn't have had that problem. Anyways, Great lens and Highly recommended.
Just recieved it today and have been snapping photo's around the house.  So far I am pleased with this lens. the Auto focus is fast, and the images so far are nice and sharp. The bukah is nice as well. Amazon shipped it out 2 days earlier than expected and the lens was packaged nicely. So far so good, amazing lens for the price.
This is a very sharp and fast lens that can take pictures in the low-light situations without flash. I leave it in my camera bag all the time just in case.
There are no words to describe how much better my pictures got after using this lensIf you're an amateur, and need a lens to focus on the subject and leave the rest of the photo slightly out of focus....you need this lensthe depth of field is great, low light shots are great, and for around 120 bucks, what's not to love??
This was gift to my son with his new nikon d7000 camera. My son and his wife are happy with this product.
Fantastic lens, especially given the price. Nikon's cheapest lens is also one of their best lenses. Used on a Nikon D90 and D7000.Performance:The photos that this lens produces are incredible. Dof is fantastic, and the bokeh is beautiful. Sharp images all around. I keep this lens on my D90 at night because the lens is small and has exceptionally good low-light performance.Design and Quality:Quality of the lens construction is good. Not as tough as some of Nikon's higher end lenses, but I have no worries about this lens breaking. Since it is a prime lens, there is no zoom ring, only a focus ring. The lens is very small and light, and is easy to carry around.Overall:Greattt buy. Highly recommended. If you've never tried a prime lens before, they're definitely worth it. Photo quality is just never quite as good with a zoom.
Every photographer should have a nifty-fifty in their bag.This lens is a staple - sharp, light, fast.  Use the zoom given to you by nature (your feet) and spend some time with this incredible piece of glass.Great for portraits, outdoors, low-light shots.  At under $150, you can't afford to be without this outstanding all-around lens.
I owe a Nikon D90. I was so confused whether to get the 1.8 or the 1.4 D. After buying this lens I am so happy about the pictures I have taken. This is my second lens after the 18-105 VR and the DoF and Bokeh is remarkably amazing. I am delighted to have this lens in my bag and highly recommend someone who is more than an average photographer to buy this.
I have been using this lens for a few months and all i can say is that this lens is very sharp and affordable, i can feel to much plastic on this lens but i have other lenses made of plastic and they have been working great until now, as long as you dont go to war with this glass i think it may resist normal and heavy use.I use this lens on my DX format camera and on my FX format camera, and in both formats, this glass performs beautiful in terms of color sharpness and contrast.there are photographers who think this is not a portrait lens, but i have shoot some portrait photography with this lens mounted on my DX format camera and the results were MAGNIFICENT !!!! i i love and recomend this lens for its quality and price
I really liked this lens. I bought just before my baby was born and used it for our baby pictures. My pictures looked like professional pictures. Believe me you will like it as I did. I am not professional photographer and if I can get good quality pics then anyone can. Use it on manual settings though as I used it on my Nikon 5100.
The lens is wonderful.  Shipped fast.  Got exactly what was described!! Love to do business with again....thanks!!
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasBought this lens last week and have been shooting in various lights (indoor and outdoor) using a Nikon D700 camera.Here are my observations:Pros:1. Decently Fast lens2. 1.8 Aperture is nice3. Cheap4. Allows you to venture into the prime lens world of photography if you are new to photography and/or want to try something outside of standard zooms5. The angle of view is pretty close to angle of human eye's normal vision (especially on full frame camera like D700)Cons1. Over-hyped lens2. Struggles to focus at short distances. Hunts for focus sometimes3. 1.8 is not ideal for portraits as the resulting image is not at all sharp. Stop down to 2.8 or 4.0 you get usable picture. That kinds of defeats the whole point around being 1.8. What is good in having a 1.8D but cannot truly use that.  I can see that in a zoom lenses where lenses typically falls short at the widest aperture and/or extremes of zooms. But for a prime lens, I expected it to produce much sharper images as the optics of the lens should not be super complex.4. Build quality is ok (plastic). Don't expect to survive if it falls on a hard floor.5. I see only limited use. May be landscapes and some group pictures. I can do the same with a decent 24/28-70/75 which tend to  usually produce sharp pictures mid-zoom.6. lots of moving around to get right composition especially inside the house where typically there are fewer choices of positions/angles. You have to be very close to get a decent portrait.I am going to return this and probably start saving to get a Sigma 50mm (Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras) which is about four times the price of this one, if I want to get a prime lens at some point.Good Luck !
I accidentally bought this. It's my fault. I should have double checked it. I meant to buy the 1.8 G.I called Amazon, who personally called my seller (with me still on the line, holding) to cancel the order. I was assured by Amazon, the order was canceled b/c she spoke with them. The next day, my seller sends me emails saying, they received a notification that I canceled the order?... then later I received a Order was Shipped notification.... I was horrified... Then my seller wrote to me, &#34;sorry we already shipped your order, if you want to return for full refund, just refuse the shipment&#34;.... I waited for the day it'd come. I heard a knock on the door, I went immediately to the door, but WHAT DO YOU KNOW??? It was just left it there and they drove off immediately. I had no chance to refuse it.NOW if I really still wanted to have a refund I'd have to go through a whole bunch of issues with having to pay for the return shipping, and them only giving me a partial refund. So much trouble. So I just decided to keep this ...It's not horrible. It works well for bokeh effects with it's aperture of 1.8. But it's a manual focus, which is trouble some, if you're on the go and don't have time to manually focus for every shot.. In terms of qualify, I prefer the 1.8 G. This one lacks Contrast and has more noise. The bokeh are more octagon and is not round.Don't even consider this, just seriously go with the new Lens.Oh yes, If you're wondering, The seller I bought from was &#34;Beach Camera&#34;. Want A better experience?, buy from someone different.
Those of us old enough to have owned (or still own) a collection of prime lenses for our film SLRs will appreciate this little gem by Nikon, an amazingly compact and inexpensive 50mm f/1.8 lens designed for 35 mm cameras but fully adaptable for the DX format as well. On a digital camera, this lens has an equivalent focal length of 75mm, turning it into what we used to call a "portrait lens". Well, this little 50mm Nikkor is available at a price of just a bit over $100! It is fully automatic and very fast-focusing despite not having a built-in motor, probably due to the fact that it is a prime lens. Resolution and contrast are outstanding for its class and its image is totally free of visible geometric distortion. This is truly a rare buy -- assuming you do a lot of portraiture. Snap it up while it's still available. What can you lose at this price?The general usefulness of this lens, however, is somewhat limited, its focal length being a bit too long for everyday use, although it is excellent with a 35mm format. Also, I find it disappointing that a lens shade doesn't come with it. I did locate a discontinued Nikon snap-on shade in a local store and I hope you can, too. Otherwise you are stuck with a screw-on shade.Enjoy.
At the equivalent of a 75mm lens on a film camera, this lens is a mild telephoto. It's long for indoor shots of the family, but excellent for portraits and pictures of individuals.  Wide open, there's some softness, especially in the corners of the frame, but stop it down a notch or two and this lens displays all the sharpness that prime lenses are known for....test results are found in some of the other reviews.Mechanically, this lens is inexpensively made. Surprisingly, the mount is metal, not plastic...most Nikon consumer-level lenses have plastic mounts.  The rest of the lens is what you'd expect from a lens in this price range.Long story short...it works, it takes good pictures, it's lightweight and it's cheap.  If it breaks, you can replace it twice over for less than the price of it's predecessors.  For occasional photographers, the 18-55mm VR would be more useful, but if you want the speed of a prime, this is tough to beat.
This cheap lens does everything that has been written in reviews. I use it on my Nikon D40X, besides that I mostly use (outside) the Nikon 18-200VR zoomlens. Sharpnes is magnificent, the only little critics I feel is the rather cheap "feeling"  of this plastic lens. But the "glasswork" does what it promises, so....You won't be sorry when you buy this one!
You cannot go wrong choosing this lens.  It produces superb image quality.  And so cheap too.  Again, you can't go wrong.
This lens is just great!! Exceptionally sharp and fast. Used it on a D40x. The PDF brochure for D40x specifies that for this type of lens, it reads: "all functions supported except autofocus". Referring to Type D AF Nikkor, which is what this lens happens to be. Simply put, you can only manually focus with this lens if used with a D40/D40x camera body. For all other Nikon camera bodies, its all good. Manual focusing is not all that bad. It is a bit difficult if your used to autofocus. But on the other hand, it can be quite fun. The lens appears neither too small nor too big for a D40/D40x body. It actually looks good. Try it and be amazed.This is just FYI for Nikon D40/D40x owners not in the know yet.
This lens is my third lens for my nikon D80 and its by far the most useful. the low lighting capapbilities for it make life so much easier as a photographer. It is great for portraits because the image is so clear and clean. For sporting events its just as good. It allows you to let more light in so faster shutter speeds. Its the best lense for its price and its Nikkor so you know its good quality. I deffenitely suggest this lens to anyone. It doesnt have one purupose, its a very universal lens.
Will work with FX and DX bodies but won't autofocus on the D40 D60 etc.  I first bought this lens for a D300 for use in taking portraits but ended up buying a 35mm 1.8G since I don't have to walk too far away from my subjects. Now I use it with a D610 the same way I use the 35mm.  Great lens for traveling.
I bought this as my first "prime" lens knowing it would be a maunual focus on my D60. With that said I cannot complain but it should be clear that the subject matter needs to be very still at the wider aperatures. I am very new to DSLRs but not so new to photography, I think I will make good use of this lens!Recently upgraded to a D300s and was pleasantly surprised to find the camera auto focus works with this lens (unlike the D60). Great results with night and low light shooting.
Although this lens had great reviews on amazon... I received this lens and found that it was far from being a sharp lens as stated in reviews. I'm not sure if I had a defective lens, but this lens can't compare to the Nikon 35mm 1.8.  That is the sharpest lens I've seen!  Remember, you get what you pay for!
You can get better pictures with this lens than with much, much more expensive zoom lenses. Fixed focal length lenses like this one, at 50mm, are inherently sharper and (because they have fewer elements) produce better contrast, color, and tonal range than even very good zoom lenses.Back in the day, fixed focal length lenses were the norm for essentially these reasons. If you bought a new SLR, it came with a 50mm lens. Zoom lenses were second-rate, and if you wanted a wider or narrower angle, you got fixed focal length wide-angle and telephoto lenses, too. To be sure, zoom lenses have improved greatly over the years with advances in lens designs and coatings, but the superior image quality from fixed focal length lenses remains.As is noted elsewhere, on a digital SLR, this lens functions as a moderate telephoto, the equivalent of about a 75mm lens on a 35mm film camera. This is an ideal portrait lens length, and it has many other applications, too.I've used one of these lenses on a Nikon N75 (Nikon's last consumer-market film SLR). B&W; film (which I'm fond of) shows off its advantages. Images are tack-sharp and have an excellent range of gray tones. Relatively large prints (on 8"x10" or even 11"x14" paper) look nearly as good prints from medium format negatives.Over the years, I've used 50mm lenses from other legendary manufacturers, including Zeiss and Schneider Kreuznach, on other cameras, and this nice Nikkor lens is their equal.
this is my most versatile lens.  I love it.  It's versatile becuase it works well in low light.  It's wide enough to work in many situations (there are occasions in tight quarters where steping back isn't an option)  I am so very happy I bought this.  The pictures I've taken with this lens are great.  I shot indoors with limited lighting at a wedding until about 530 pm and never used a flash.
Great lens, but Nikon cut corners by not providing an end cap. They ship with a plastic transparent thing. I had to fork 5 bucks and buy the cap separately. 50 mm are ok, they are not the amazing wonderful things people say they are. They are great for close-ups where you get a nice bokeh without effort, but they will never beat the flexibility of a nice zoom ( I have the Nikon 18-200).You really miss a lot of great shots because sometimes you cannot &#34;zoom with your feet&#34;. I would say it is a great lens for portraits, especially if you have kids and/ or dogs. Get the 1.8 instead of the 1.4 as the 1.8 has plenty of bokeh and costs half.
Very simply, buy this lens. The photos taken with available light are absolutely incredible. Does not autofocus with D40, but that is not a hardship as the in focus light will tell you when focus is correct. Great portrait lens as well as ambient light landscape lens. Buy it.
Because the aperture can be opened fairly wide (that's what the f/1.8 indicates), I can use a faster shutter speed and capture well-detailed small objects.  I'm still working on improving my technique so my photos of birds at feeders and birdbaths are crisper, but already there has been a marked improvement in the clarity and crispness of detail in these shots.
I am a newbie to the world of DSLR's, and this was the first lens that I bought to compliment my Nikon D50 kit. I find that I use this lens far more than the 18-55mm that comes with the D50 kit, has a faster focus and slightly sharper image. For the record, my main photo subject is my 16-month old toddler, so I tend to be more of a portrait-oriented amateur photographer. For the money, it's hard to beat.
I read reviews of this lens prior to purchase and decided to go ahead and get it; it doesn't focus automatically with a Nikon D40 - only the more recent versions of the Nikon &#34;D&#34; line.  That being said, it has its purpose and worked well, even though the focusing takes some getting used to - again - now that everything else is automatic.
had used a brand new 50mm AF f/1.8D with D70s for less than 1 year; apparently f/1.8D is not a good prime lens for prosrecently bought one 50mm AF-S f/1.4G; and apparently prime f/1.4G outperforms f/1.8D A LOT;In short, if you can afford additional $300, go f/1.4G for sure.
don't know if it's just my lens or this is characteristic of this lens in general, but when shooting into the light or photographing a subject against a blown-out background, my lens produces a sizeable purple flare circle right in the middle of the frame. sometimes it is very distinct and can clearly be seen in camera when composing a shot, sometimes it is less pronounced and is only noticeable on a computer screen. i find it a very annoying drawback. i also have a Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor lens and i've never experienced anything like that with that lens. has anyone noticed a similar problem? i'm curious.
It worked great when I was taking the pictures of my 5-month old. Because she never stop moving when not sleep, I cannot take clear photos indoor with my other lens.This is a must-have for photographing babies.
This lens was recommended to me by my mentor. But, my camera doesn't have a built-in focus motor. So, I was wondering why he would recommend this lens. Then I watched a video on how to compose landscape photos while using the graduations on the lens; then I understood. Now I use the lens and have been getting superb photos. Lately, I have learned to use the digital rangefinder to help me focus.
I bought this for my son's indoor photos. It is perfect. I have a D80 & 18-135mm Nikor and SB600.  It is fast, sharp, very good in the indoor space/light, whether you use flash or not. I recommend it to those who take pictures for their loved children indoor. Price is good, too. Using f3 or f4, f5, you can get a better picture. For f1.8, DOF may be too narrow.
This lens is really good and produces some really sharp high quality images. My only complaint is that the AF seems a little finicky at times and can have a hard time focusing. It's definitelly worth the $130 in my opinion.
An awesome lens! Perfect for just starting photography. Portraits look beautiful with this lens, really good Depth of field. overall it's a good lens and would certainly recommend this to anyone who was looking for a new lens
I have a Nikon D5200 that I use this lens on. Yes, I was aware before I ordered it that I would have to manually focus it myself but I figured it was better than spending $100 more on the AF-S lens. I really like this lens. It's great for portraits and all-around photography that doesn't require zooming in and out. Since my camera is the DX format, it makes the lens more like a 75mm so expect things to look closer than you think. I've taken some great shots with it at museums, outdoors, nighttime, etc. I don't mind that I can't zoom, I just move closer or farther away. Like the bokeh that it produces at f/1.8.
Nikon has always made this lens a real treasure. It has been around a long time in various forms. Love it - first class image quick focus. A GEM!
I bought this lens because of its reputation for taking super crisp, shallow depth of field images, and it hasn't let me down!  Even though it only works manual focus on my Nikon D40, it focuses super fast by hand and is amazingly sharp.  For ~$100 you won't regret buying one!
I purchased this lens as my first addition to my kit 18-55mm that came with my D40.Overall i really like it.  It takes amazingly crisp photos, and the low light capabilities are exactly what i was hoping for.The only negative that i have to say about the lens is just a result of using it with a D40.  The lens is more like an 80mm on a D40, and because of that, is too much of a zoom to use in the instances i purchased it for.A D40/D60 will not auto focus this lens.  I knew that before i purchased it, but its a bit more of a pain that i had thought it would be.  Many times even though the focus light comes on, once i get the photos on my computer they are slightly out of focus.  I often times find myself putting my kit lens back on there to avoid the problems... and only using this lens when i have plenty of time.I originally purchased this lens for portrait and 3/4 length shots.  Due to the ~80mm equivilent on a D40, i have to get WAY back, and in an average size room dont cant get far enough back for a 3/4 or full length fashion type shot.Nikon is getting ready to release a 35mm f/1.8 lens, and even though its going to be around the $200 price range, i would recomend getting that instead.  It will have a focus motor, and be much better suited for the DX cameras.
I didn't think I would mind the only manual focus but it is a big pain with this lens. After you spend 5 minutes focusing and shooting and focusing again it'll take nice pictures.
I obtained one of these to use on my N80.  It received a favorable review from Ken Rockwell, and it is cheap (~$100 USD used)and seems to take great pictures.  It seemed to work great, I used it on my D90 as well just to test it out without wasting film, and loved the results.  It takes a bit of getting used to compared to my other AF G lenses that do not have a moving focusing ring, and have their own focusing motor.  The other day I accidentally pulled on the focusing ring and it made a snap.  It was stuck on 28mm and would not zoom.  Focusing sounded awful.  Since the lens had no warranty, I figured that I would give a shot at lens repair.  I figured I knocked the end of the lens out of its tracks for focusing and or zoom.  It took about 2 hours, but I was able to take it apart (in about 30 pieces), diagnose the problem, and reassemble it.  Be advised you should be fairly mechanically inclined before undertaking this.  I was glad I had my Nikon lens pen to clean the elements inside after I had them in place (I should have gotten some latex gloves before starting.)  It still works like a champ, however, be very careful of the focusing ring as it is fairly fragile.
I use this lens with my N50 and N70 SLRs and get decent results. Not a perfect lens but good enough and a decent focal range for an SLR. Not near wide enough to use on my D50, though, as it starts off at 42mm eq.
Build quality feels a little cheap but that aspect never affected me... just have never found a great use for this one. The kit 18mm-15mm kit lens that comes with a lot of Nikons tends to be more versatile for the shortish range this tends to be used for. I might recommend it for shooting objects, forget it for landscapes or interiors, too narrow to have much of an effect
I bought this based on Ken Rockwell's glowing review. Yes, it is a cheap plastic body, but the optics are great. It is a nice lens to keep on the camera for everyday use.
This was bought as an exact replacement of the lens that came with my mom's Nikon D50. Somehow, she or one of my sisters broke a piece off of the original to where it wouldn't stay attached to the camera, so I found this lens for her. It isn't the fastest, but the pictures are clear and crisp. 28-80mm is a good range for versatility at family functions or any situation where you need to take a lot of pictures in different settings and don't have time to be changing out lenses. It's definitely worth the $60 (including shipping), unless you're doing some high end professional jobs, or if you just have that discerning eye, in which case you wouldn't be reading this post anyway, you would have skipped this lens altogether. All in all, for what it is, it's definitely worth the money. If you want something a little faster, look for an f/2.8 or smaller. When you see 2 numbers after the f/, that means it's variable and you lose speed when you zoom in on something. A highly recommended lens, in my opinion, is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. It's a fixed lens, meaning you can't zoom, but you can capture some beautiful images once you get used to it.
Not bad piece of glass so far- best at 28MM- zoomed out seems hit or miss for expoure or focus but need more tests too- not as great as my 50MM but that is not a surprise as it is hard to beat a prime!
This Nikkor lens is a little secret... ok, not really, since it was packaged with a very popular selling Nikon DSLR, but the standard view is that it is merely a kit lens.  The big secret is that this former kit lens has staying power. First, the bad, it is all plastic, pretty slow at the long end, and is prone to flares. Now, the good, it is remarkably fast for a kit at the wide end, relatively sharp, and a good all around performer. When you throw in its used price to the mix, the 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G is a great value, and an excellent walk-around lens. On that note, if you have read the rest of my lens reviews, then you should know that the lenses that are most typically on my cameras when I am out and about for myself are: for older film, the Nikkor 35-135mm or the Nikkor 50mm; for newer film and digital, the Nikkor 50mm or the lens in this article. I am so comfortable shooting this lens that it is one of the two lenses that I took with me to shoot behind the scenes at St. Louis Fashion Week! Plus, this lens is fully compatible with the Nikon sb-400 Speedlight (barrel shadow is a non-issue; even at 80mm!).If you are looking for a good-performing, used gem to add to your line-up, look no further. This lens is a consistent over-performer in an under-appreciated bracket.
Pondering about which lens to buy?  Well, this one sure is one of the best for under $250!  This lens is top notch quality for it's 28-80mm capablitiy, well worth the price.
This lens is truly a magnificent product.  A plastic zoom that works amazingly on my D800.  The clarity for the pictures are unparalleled for the price.  If you're on a budget or even if you aren't this lens is worth picking up to add to your arsenal, you'll be happy with the turnout.
i bought this for my husband from his wish list..i really have no clue about photography and hoped for the best.  turns out my husband loves it and the pictures look clear.  i hope it holds up but so far so good!
I got this used so results may vary, but the lens that I bought has met/exceeded my expectations.  It was not expensive, it is light and takes nice sharp photos.  It is also not too big so it is convenient to carry around.  I use it as my default lens on my D90 because it takes nice shots and is convenient to carry around due to its light weight and small size.  The construction is plastic with a plastic connector as is typical of kit lens, but the photo quality can hold its own.
Just got this lens today. I tested with my Nikon D2X camera and first thing I noticed was the AF is super fast and accurate! I love it so far. Came without a cover in the back but it also had a UV protection and lens cover. Since I had one extra back cover, didn't mind that. I prefer to receive any lens I order, with covers on both ends... just to make sure no dust going in.5 stars for the fast AF, sharpness and the price :)
First of all let me start by saying that this lens is not (Autofocus), it can only be managed manually. Which is is no big deal...The silver lens itself looks cool in contrast with my black Nikon D40. No scratches, looked pretty good (except two tiny specs in the surface of the lens) which Im still trying to remove....The packaging from Amazon Warehouse Deals was poor. I think they could have done a better job protecting the lens.  Other than that Im happy with this lens that was discontinued by Nikon.  Good lens to have around.
Incredibly sharp, especially for the price.  I got it used under $100 but I've never been satisfied this much for this price range for any other lenses.  Good job Nikkor!
This is what I condsider my "base" lens. If I grab my D50 and run out the door with just one lens, this is it.  Most of my picture taking happens with this lens. Picture quality has been very acceptable. This is not a macro lens but I have been able to get closer to things than I expected. The lens is small, light, and focus is fast and precise. Well worth the low cost.
Excellent image quality for such an inexpensive lens. I picked one of these up in great shape on ebay for $60 and I couldn't ask for more for the price. This truly is one of the best lenses I've seen for such a low price aside from the kit 18-55mm included with newer cameras. This is usually to be found for around the same price or cheaper and offers slightly larger aperture size at f/3.3 and a slightly better zoom. Very good even in low light I can carry this lens around on my camera and not be worried about smashing a $550-$800 lens if I should drop my camera. For the price I cannot think of a better zoom lens. The mount is plastic but what do you expect it's an old kit lens that turned out to be really good and really cheap. For photography on a tight budget it's great. Just a note filters will need to be in the 58mm size to fit on the end slightly larger than the standard 52mm that works for something like the 50mm f/1.8 AF or the standard 18-55mm. Also should you choose to get a step down you will pick up the edges with the widest 28mm setting.
While researching lenses to use photographing landscape and architecture on various online forums and review sites, I came across several references to this old lens. (see [...] to read the one that made me decide).It turns out that this is an old kit lens for some ancient Nikon camera. It's plastic. It's silver-colored (although you might be able to find a black one). And it shouldn't be that good. The thing is that it IS quite good for some reason. Every once in a while the stars just come together to make a lens click and this was one of those rare occurrences.I found it used, inexpensive, and thought I'd give it a try. I'm not at all disappointed. It's extremely versatile, it's fast, sharp, and responsive on my D-80. It has a very flexible zoom range that doesn't require changing lenses for most purposes. It's very light, so it's a great walking-around lens. And, best of all, it produces beautiful photos.My only regret is that, at the time I gave in to my impulse, I couldn't find an all-black one. The silver (plastic silver at that) does sort of look like a toy. But it doesn't matter. I'm delighted with my lens and it's become a favorite.
This camera lens works great and is an excellent replacement for the one that was broken on my camera! Used it for some great Christmas pictures.
This lens for its price is beyond expectation.  Good clean sharp photos.I use it for a portrait lens and carry it on my camera at all times.This lens is as sharp as my Nikkor 18-70mm kit lens.
I purchased this for my D800 for those times where I do not need to carry the 24-70 2.8.  I have that lens and the 28-300mm as well, and this thing is 10% the weight.  The picture quality is no where near the quality of the 24-70 or 28-300, but for general purpose family picture at the park, it's more than enough.
I picked up this lens (reconditioned) as backup standard zoom while my primary lens is in the shop.  I use it on a D40.  I would have given the lens a 4th star except on the D40 the auto-focus does not work (it clearly states this in the documentation).  It is a good low-cost backup lens and I really like the macro functionality.  It is a very good value for $45.
Great optics, for the price. housing is of cheap plastic. I was amazed how sharp and clear the pictures were,for the price.
I am extremely happy with the quality of this lens. Can't think of anything negative(no pun intended), I have not yet taken a lot of photos with it, but the ones I have I think the quality is excellent.
Its not vr or AFS, but used on any motorized Nikon, its a fantastic, sharp Telephoto, that can be FX Or DX, always on my bag.
Appearance:It's pretty simple extending lens that is in part silver and part black. It does look really weird paring with my d7000. But, the design is nevertheless very nikon which i likeConstruction quality:It feels really plastic, but, it has the good nikon rubber feel to the zoom section. It's actually really well build considering it's the very few lens thats made in japan. The zoom feels right, no rattle, solid on the inside. Good Glass.Features:Nothing much, which is a plus some times, no vr, no ed, nothing, yet it produces great sharp photos.I'm intending to use it for portrait, the boken is so beautiful.The only down side is.... adorama send it to me WITHOUT an warranty card which is a bummer.....
It do what need to do. However, pay attention if it is the right model for your camera. I bought it as a gift and I bought it wrong. My friend's camera needs a lens with motor (VR), and this doesn't have it. My bad. Another points is the focal minimum that can be too far for your objectives, 70 mm, perhaps a lens with 50mm may be more useful on a daily average, so think about spent more money and buy a more powerfull lens.
I have been a avid photographer for more than 30 years!  Most people who buy this lens end up selling it or not using it because:1. they think their photos will be better with a more expensive lens2. they have little confidence in this lens because they paid so little for it3. they aren't getting stellar crisp shots with it4. they have been dissatisfied with the resultsAlthough this lens is somewhat "plasticy" or has a relatively cheap feel to it, I am not aware of any instances where this lens has broken or failed due to poor construction.  I have however run across instances of failures with the 55-200 DX VR lenses as well as the 18-55 kit lenses.  On my D300 body, this lens has given me satisfactory results.  The optics are surprisingly quite sharp.  Under certain conditions (bright white backgrounds) you will see purple fringing with this lens (even on a D300 body which automatically corrects most CA's (chromatic abberations).  In addition to the 70-300 G lens, I also own the 70-200 VR lens which is a remarkable lens. This lens is comparatively very heavy and I own the 70-300 VR lens as well which is only moderately heavy.  What is the price comparison of the three lenses?  The 70-200 VR is about 15 times the cost of the 70-300 G lens while the 70-300 VR lens is only 4 to 5 times the cost.  This would be like comparing a VW bug to a 911 Turbo Carerra.  Hardly a fair comparison.Despite the price differential, is the photo quality 4 to 5 or 15 times better?  That depends.  In low light situations, the 70-200 VR lens at f2.8 is the best.  The VR 70-300 is second best and the G lens is the worst.  Here you get what you paid for.  If shooting in poor light conditions is what you love to do, then this lens is not ideal for your needs.  In outdoor lighting, this lens will do fine!One important factor to keep in mind is the suggested minimum shutter speed recommended for telephoto shots.  The ratio of 1/focal length is a great rule of thumb.  This means that at a 100mm focal length, the mimimum shutter speed to capture a good shot is 1/100 of a second.  VR lenses buy you extra "stops" or compensate for movement allowing for slower shutter speeeds than what can normally be expected on a hand held basis for the exposure.  In this instance you could hand hold down to 1/25 of a second with a two stop compensation.  Is this worth paying 4 to 5 times the price?  If it means getting the shot versus missing the shot, then yes it is worth it.  (As long as your budget permits) Now with a zoom lens that can take you out to 200mm or even 300mm these shooting recommendations on shutter speed apply all the more.  When zoomed out to 200mm if you were shooting at 100th of a second, you now need to increase your speed to a minimum of 1/200 of a second to capture the shot.  And at 300mm a minimum shutter speed of 1/300 is called for. In low light, you must increase your light via aperture or via an increase in the ISO speed.  This means that an ISO of 800 must be increased to 1600 if you increase the shutter from 1/100 to 1/200.  To be fair, if you are shooting with a DX body with a 1.5x crop factor, at 300mm you're equivalent focal length is 450mm.  As such, your mimimum shutter speed should be 1/450 of a second!It is also important to note that because the 70-300 is so lightweight, the shooter must take extra measures to brace himself/herself against unanticipated movement.  This factor along with the lack of a VR option makes using this lens that much more of a challenge.  Armed with this knowledge - the photographer must take every precaution to guard against such extraneous movements.  To minimize such movements, the lens and camera should be placed on a flat surface solid surface (with a solid and not flimsy tripod) or the photographer should lean an arm against a wall as a brace to minimize movement. Or the photographer could use one hand supporting the lens from the bottom while the other hand holds the camera in position for shooting. Such techniques can and will help to provide greater "keepers" when shooting with this lens.  I have taken numerous "test" shots on the bench with this lens and have found the optics to be superb for the price. In the field, with a few techniques on shooting (such as minimum recommended shutter speeds) and good bracing under less than ideal lighting circumstances and the average photographer will find his or her number of keepers to be much greater!  Hope this helps those of you who have been dissatisfied with your 70-300 G lens!
This will be a VERY unusual kind of review...unusual for me, anyway!I call this lens, with both affection and some precision, "The Thing". To put that in some kind of context, I refer you to the following "memorable quote" from indy movie producer Quentin Tarantino's 2007 film "Death Proof", specifically the scene where the three hot girls, Arlene, Shanna, and Radio DJ "Jungle Julia", are discussing Arlenes recent date:Jungle Julia: Okay, we're pretty clear on what it is you didn't do. How bout' enlightening us on what it is you did do?Arlene: Nothing to write home about. We just made out on the couch for about twenty minutes.Shanna: Dressed, half dressed, or naked?Arlene: Dressed! I said we made out. We didn't do "the thing".Jungle Julia: Excuse me for living, but what is "the thing"?Arlene: You know, it's everything but.Shanna: They call that "the thing"?Arlene: I call it "the thing".Shanna: Do guys like "the thing"?Arlene: They like it better than no thing.Witty dialog, you say, but what relevance to a Nikon Zoom lens?Ok...it's an FX (full frame) 70-300mm F4/5.6 Nikon Autofocus zoom lens from the '35mm film camera' days and therefore will only autofocus on Nikon DSLRs that have their own built in auto-focus drive motor. Although it is of fairly sophisticated and complex design, none of its THIRTEEN multi-coated elements are ED glass, and therefore no 'shiny gold on black' badge anywhere in evidence; just flat, matte' light gray print, instead. In fact, it is one of the least flashy products ever to wear the Nikon name! And while it has a focus distance scale, it has NO focus point mark or DOF scales; it's symmetry is not even broken by an auto/manual focus switch on the side! When the variator (zoom control) is turned, the front element does not rotate...however, when the lens is focused, the front element DOES turn!Color and clarity are frankly amazing and it's quite sharp throughout its range; surprisingly so for it's $150 price. In fact, it's almost as sharp as the present day AF-S 70-300 VR. ALMOST, but not quite, and then only on a DX body, but it's bokeh is actually better! And unlike the $600 AF-S 70-300mm VR, it doesn't rattle when you shake it!It has no VR mechanism and as I mentioned, no internal focus motor, but then, it's pretty light weight and quite well balanced on a D90 body, so it is very easy to hand-hold at lower shutter speeds. It may not get many covetous stares from other shooters...but it probably won't attract any of the 'wrong kind of attention', either. To be perfectly honest, with its lens shade attached, it doesn't look at all out-of-place on a D80, D90, or a D7000, but it just might on a D3.In the right hands, this lens will produce simply stunning images; sharp and clear with very good color and contrast...but you have to know what you're doing. I dare say that the 'point and shoot' crowd would be very disappointed, but 'Gray Barrel Nikkor Lens' aficionados will probably be more than a little bit irritated to learn this lens costs only $150!I call this lens "The Thing"...because I like it better than no thing...about A MILLION TIMES better than no thing!The Thing...get it now?Did I mention it's also half a 'stop' FASTER at the wide end of the zoom than the $600 VR lens!! Yep, that's right...F4 at 70mm! HA!
Great for throwing the background out of focus.  Not great in low light but if you know your camera you can work it out.
First, I'm giving this 70-300mm lens a 5 stars rating partly because the price is inexpensive (which is good in my opinion). Usually you get what you paid for, however in this case you get much more than what you paid for.If your primary objective is to take pictures in low light situation such as wedding and concert, then get the 80-200mm f/2.8 or the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 instead.Get this lens by any means unless you already have those alternative and more expensive zoom lenses that I mentioned above.Pros:1. Inexpensive2. You can get up close and personal (300mm which is equivalent to 450mm if you attach it to a DSLR)3. Very sharp and fast in bright light situation (outdoor etc), though it gets a bit softer as you get closer to the 300mm4. Very light5. Bokeh is suprisingly good6. Great for portraitCons:1. Plasticy build and looks cheap (but I don't think you should care on this)2. Very bad on low light situation especially if the object is moving/sports photography, but still works fine for long exposure with tripod like photographing fireworks or night light building/city/car lights.3. Focus seems to be slower on low light situation (focus hunting a bit more)4. This lens won't autofocus with camera that doesn't have a built in focuc motor such as D40, D40x, D60, D3000, and D5000Bottom line: this lens loves a lot of light.If you give this lens a lot of light, it will take good care of you.Last but not least, after you get this lens, go and buy the nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D prime lens for $100 or less (equivalent of 75mm if used with DSLR which is very good for portrait and semi-zoom). This is a very fast lens and works extremly well in low light situation even without using flash. This lens will complement your 70-300mm lens very very well.Happy photographing!Sidarta Tanu
This flash works great with my Nikon film SLR, but it doesn't work with my new Nikon D70.  Get something that is going to be more compatible.
The SB 50DX is just the ticket for the older Nikon cameras.  The SB 50DX speedlight is superb with the N80 - providing TTL metering and a wide range of settings.  Even better, if you shoot with film, the SB 50DX is readily available in the used market for $50-75.  What an amazing price for a flash unit that retailed for more than $200 in early 2004.  For digital flash, the SB 50DX works well with the older models, but check carefully.  For example, the D70 and D50 have iTTL metering - which is not supported by the SB 50DX.  But for other digital models such as the D1, the SB 50DX is fully functional.
I have been using this flash unit for about two months, and the results are quite good.  I have not yet changed the batteries, but I would advise keeping a spare battery or two in your bag as a precaution.The recycle time is quite good &gt; I can get about 2 frames with flash in about 3 seconds; I have just bought an accessory (Sto-Fen filter) to soften the shadows.Also, you generally get the best results when it is set toD-TTL.As far as cost goes, Nikon's policy is somewhat limiting; if use of a non-Nikon accessory (Flash, lens, cable, etc.) results in damage, then the warranty is void.  Kind of restrictive, no?So, for the price you get a good flash, but testing it against a competitor is somewhat risky.
If you bought or own a D70 DO NOT BUY THIS!!!! IT IS **&#62;NOT&#60;** COMPATIBLE!!!!!Stick with the recomended SB-600 or SB-800.  I bought one without the camera shop sales clerk correctly pointing out that I was simply wasting my money.  Now its an expensive paperweight.
Using this flash with my Nikon 5700 coolpix camera. Though only TTL and manual mode are available, it meet my expectation. Recharge time is excellent. It is a bit heavy and the CR123 batteries can be expensive. Overall strongly recommend this product.
The flash is not so reliable as it goes off just after a few shots and the battery signal indicates.
I gave this lens five stars because it is one of the best lenses I have ever purchased. It is possible that I was lucky (after reading some of the reviews). I believe pictures can tell a better story; therefore, I posted some of the images I took so you can see them. Click on the "See customer's images" on this page and decide for yourself.
I will preface this by saying I am not a pro photographer. As a matter of fact, I have only begun my trek down the path of photography. However, I have a bad (good?) habit of buying the best stuff for whatever task is at hand, which can get expensive (and man can photography equipment and accessories get expensive!) This was the first lens I purchased based on research and reviews outside of the lens that came with my Nikon D80 (which let's face it, the kit lens isn't that great.) I knew I'd need a few different lenses, as I enjoy a wide variety of shooting subjects: outdoor environments, portraits (outdoor and indoor), and various other types of shoots.One of the things I was looking for was a flexible lens that I could shoot under low-light conditions, so aperture was important. Next I wanted to make sure I was getting a lens that could produce beautiful shots with excellent detail. The more research I did, the more this lens stood out. So I bought it, and after a lot of trial and error, I find the results with this lens are nothing short of extraordinary. When everything is dialed-in, the images this lens captures are simply amazing.Now, the only bad thing about this lens is setting up the shot. Being a prime lens, which means there is no zoom, YOU become the zoom. You want to frame the subject? You have to move further or closer to it. Want to zoom in on it? Better start shuffling towards the object. If you're shooting models with this lens, it might be a good idea to let them know that the lens doesn't have a zoom, or you might get funny looks or make them uncomfortable by invading their space. You can always reassure them that the images it produces are worth it if you hook your camera up to an LCD screen to show them immediate results. I'm sure they'll feel good about your wandering feet when they see how gorgeous they look on a screen they can see some detail in.I'd highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants to take pro-level shots. It makes a perfect addition to any photographer's arsenal of lenses.
UPDATE -  03/19/12Well I called it.  After only a few months of light use, The autofocus will not work.  Stopped midway through a band performance.  My guess is the distance chip is FUBAR because you can hear it try to move but it simply sticks to close or infinity focus, no matter what body I put it on.  Obviously manual focus is fine.  I had my doubts on the durability when it came out of the box and it's painful to be right.  Off to NPS...**********I love the 50mm focal length on 35mm cameras.  The DX format in past years kind of ruined the beautiful perspective of the 50 and corralled it far too tight and nerfed the wonderful depth of field flexibility.  A lot of people think the 50 to be a portrait or "starter" lens, but that couldn't be further from the truth.  In the right hands, the 50 is a killer tool and a righteously sharp piece of glass and it's no wonder why Nikon still makes them.  If the 45mm P wasn't so over priced and geared toward rich collectors, that would be my weapon of choice.  But, considering the value, sharpness and speed a good 50 is too attractive to pass up.I simply despise midrange 24-70mm zooms and my ancient 1.8 D finally took one beating too many so I upped for the 1.4 to replace it.  The optics are excellent and I take issue with any jabs of softness @ F/1.4.  Sure if you crop into the image 10 times it will start to get fuzzy, but so do electrons when you look at them close enough.  When focus is accurate and the image is viewed normally, this thing is sharp as they come.  In fact, it is sharper at every aperture than the chunky and pricey 17-35mm 2.8 I use for work every day.Why choose 1.4 over the 1.8?  I've shot with the 1.8 in AI and AF-D guises for ages, so this is a good question.  These days it isn't as important to have ultra fast glass with the D700 and D3 being so good at high ISO, but in photojournalism if you shoot night crime scenes or in unpredictable environments, the wider aperture does pay for itself.  I know there's a bunch of bokeh whores out there dying to hear the wonders of what 1.4 looks like, and sure backgrounds render nicely, but call me crazy, I'm more interested in the subject actually in focus in my images than the wax paper background. For info on how the lens works shooting a studio swatch or brick walls read elsewhere for a thorough perspective on that sort of useless info.  If you are interested in a flexible focal length with few compromises, aside from Canon's beastly, outrageously priced and laughably slow 1.2 L, a 50 - any 50 - is a lens that can do almost anything.Why didn't I just buy the new AF-S G lens?  I need something with an aperture ring I can use on my F3 when I shoot black and white film and the G only works on newer bodies.  Focus?  AF-S focus really isn't all that important on shorter lenses, it is a technology that is nice, but is far better suited to longer focal lengths when tracking motion in tight compositions.  Focus is fast and accurate on my D700 and the manual focus action on the F3 is silky smooth, though not as solid feeling as the older AI-S lenses and that leads me to the one big bummer about this iteration of the 1.4.Sadly, the lens is made in China and good part of the lens is plastic just like the cheapie 1.8.  For more than $300 this is unacceptable in a pro lens.  Nikon probably decided to cut corners on this to keep the price down, and I feel for the difficulties they must be going through after the earthquake, but it's really disappointing.  The older manual focus lenses are indeed heavy, but they were built to last and solid enough to hammer nails with all day.  I'm not sure how much this lens can take, but at the very least, it would be suspect to shoot with in the rain.  There are cold winters up here so I'll be curious to see how well the focus action is when the temperature drops into the minus.Overall, this is the same excellent optic quality NIkon has built into every 50mm lens they've made, but the build quality itself is suspect.  On DX, it sorta kills the joy of what the lens can be, but on film and FX, it's gangbusters.  You can't go wrong with the 1.4 D, but it's at least $100 overpriced for the plastic.
Great lens for low light situations. Can take photos without fash most of the time. Great for indoor shots without using flash,
I've been using this lens extensively with my D70. It lets me shoot without a flash in low-light situations where other photographers are complaining about not even being able to focus. I'm often able to even turn off the autofocus light, which allows for very natural pictures: the subject isn't hit with an anti-redeye flash or focusing beam, so they don't flinch and change expression. It produces excellent portraits, with the background artistically blurred.Are there shots that I've gotten with this lens that I couldn't have gotten with the ($99) 50/1.8? Yes, a few. Most of them were from weddings (indoor, flash inappropriate, motion), or at night with no light sources within 20ft. For the vast majority of my pictures, though, the slower lens would have been more than adequate (even in dim light, I'm often shooting at f/2-f/4). If I had to choose between the two today, I'd probably get the cheaper lens.
I've got this lens for a couple of weeks now, and it is AMAZINGLY beautiful.Creamy bokeh....much like a painting. Can't get that with a 1.8.Very light so portable in many situations. The contrast and color saturation rivals some of the best lens from Nikon and Canon.Sharp sharp sharp and very little flare. Don't get the 1.8 because it's cheap, get this for its solid build and its low light capabilities. This is an excellent investment.
Yes, the f/1.8 is a real bargain - but it's a bit soft when shooting wide open.  It's still soft at f/2, but pretty decent by f/2.8.  The Nikkon f/1.4, on the other hand, is decent at f/1.4 and quite sharp at f/2.0.  I often need to shoot at f/2, so I've sold my f/1.8 and purchased the faster lens.  For me, it's worth the extra $$$.
I expected a tack sharp, fast lens with excellent autofocusing...and guess what? It does all those things very well indeed. It also makes for very clean shots straight into the sun. Almost no reflections are present in the end photos. Geometry is the best of all the lenses I own.This is the fastest lens I own. Playing with a shot at f1.4 is tight depth of field on a whole new level. I shot a pic of my daughter at f1.4 at a distance of about 24'. She appeared to be facing me almost directly. One eye was in focus and one was out. All the rest of her face was out as well. I have found that portraits where you want the background as out of focus as possible at best shot at about f2.8This lens will meet or exceed all of your expectations.
There are plenty of great, maybe better, lenses on the market. I chose the 50mm f/1.4D because for me, it is a versatile lens to an extent. It is a prime lens, therefore one cannot zoom in (for those of you not familiar or new to prime lenses.) I'm satisfied with the photos it produces which are crisp images. Overall, it's great for portraits and even landscapes (my favorite is to shoot in low light with this lens, and when you have the right techniques set on your camera, you can have a lot of fun -and be creative with your shots!The only one drawback I may see is the sound the lens makes when photographing, so if quiet is important to you, look into the 50mm f/1.4G.
I know there are tons of positive reviews on this lens, but let me add another!Photographers are NOT lying when they say that this is the only lens they use.  It hasn't left my camera since I got it.  The DoF is awesome and it's a fast lens.  I do a lot of live band photography in indoor, low light situations and this lens performs beautifully.  It's detailed at f/1.4 and is amazingly crisp at a f/2 or so.  I'd say go for the f/1.4, but I haven't tried the f/1.8, so I can't make a fair comparison.  I can tell you that I love this lens and it's all that I plan on using for portraits and low light photography moving forward.
This lens generally gets good reviews, so maybe I got a bad copy. It was pretty soft at f/1.4 and not much better at f/2. But from f/2.8-16, it's amazing. Very sharp and contrasty. But it does have other positives. It will just about fit in your pocket and is fast enough to shoot in low light. Build guality is very good-much better than those zoom "kit" lenses. And it's inexpensive for a f/1.4 lens. The 85mm f/1.4 costs 3 times as much. So does the 28mm f/1.4 With the 1.5X crop factor of digital, it's like having a 75mm on a film camera. So it becomes a short telephoto instead of a standard lens. Which makes it good for sports and portraits.Update-Shortly after I sold this 50 1.4, my dad died and I ended up with his 50 1.8D. The 1.8 is a super little lens! It is not as soft at wide open aperture. I really don't think the 1.4 is worth the much higher price tag just to get 2/3 of a stop-get the 1.8 and save alot of bucks.
Very nice lens for the price.  Light weight, good for every day use. Highly recommended. A prime to add in collection.
This lens can mean all the difference for many situations. The extremely wide aperture (f/1.4) and reduced layers of glass allow so much light in, it's amazing. Now indoor shots can be taken using just the ambient light. Outdoor settings can be shot well into dusk with just natural light. It all looks so much better than camera mounted flashes. Not to mention the bokeh, and in this respect, the lens cannot disappoint!As others have said, the sharpness of the lens really shows itself around f/2.0, but it is still quite sharp down to f/1.4. The lens size is a bit unimpressive when people see it, but the photos speak for themselves. The focal length is a bit long for a DX format camera, and I find myself many steps further from my subject than feels natural. But the longer focal length can add nice detail and depth to the photos. And on a FX format, I think it would be just about perfect.The only problem I have with the lens is that my D90 has a case of back-focus, and when shooting at really large apertures with such a narrow depth of field, the back-focus is very prevalent (somewhere around f/3 or smaller it's more usable without compensation). But this is not a problem with the lens, it is a problem with the camera, so it's not worth docking the score, just keep in mind your camera determines what "focus" is, not the lens.I feel primary lenses should be at the forefront of any camera arsenal, every photographer should have at least one, and two or three seem like a better count. And this lens is the perfect zone between price and functionality, you will not be disappointed with it.
Pretty much every photographer should have a 50mm lens. The 50mm 1.4d is my choice hands down.Image:It is sharp. Sharper than my 50mm 1.8d and 85mm 1.8d. Has better blurry bits in shallow depth of field than those lenses too (speaking from my general observations with my lenses). When shooting at 1.4, I see chromatic abberations, but it doesnt bother me. That is expexted with high aperture lenses. The diaphram blades are not rounded, which is good for sunstars but bokeh is not well rounded at f/2, 2.8, 4, etc. I feel that there is a little bit of distortion but not too bad.Friendly tip: If you want to shoot at f/1.4-2.8 during the day, I recommend getting an nd filter to prevent blowouts. If I am shooting at a high aperture with flash or outdoors during the day (not a great idea), I have to be careful about that.Build:Tough plastics. Metal mount. Light and easy to handle.Price:Highly valuable in my opinion. Not as valuable as the 50mm 1.8d because that lens is cheaper. However, compared to other high aperture lenses, this one is priced well.I would highly recommend this lens. Definitely my choice of 50mm lenses. If you are on a budget, there is nothing wrong with the 1.8d version. But if you can afford it, this lens is well worth it.
I have been using this lens on my FM2N 35mm film camera for about 18 months.  It's my favorite lens mainly because I can use it in a variety of situations.  This lens is the biggest reason that I'll stay with Nikon once I have enough money to get a used DSLR.  I'm fine with it essentially becoming a 75mm once mounted on a DX frame camera.  The plastic exterior is a bit unnerving for someone coming from metal lenses.Low light is not a problem for this lens, and it is worth having in your bag if you don't use or don't have a flash unit.  While I can't comment on how it handles colors, it is very sharp and keeps good original contrast.  I generally don't have to bump up the contrast while printing.That said, my main point is that if you want to be a better photographer, this lens can be a big help.  If you have only used zoom lenses, you really should try to use a fixed focal length.  It causes you concentrate on composition, which can easily get lost amongst the myriad of variables to consider while shooting.  The lack of focal length versatility is more than made for with the exposure and bokeh effect versatility.  If you could only have two lenses, choose this and an 18-200 or 28-250 of decent quality.
I sincerely enjoy this lens.  I had to decide between this or the f/1.8 and here's my two cents on why I went with the 50mm f/1.4:  I didn't get it for the extra stop of speed.  I rarely ever find myself shooting at f/1.4 in the first place.  The truth is, that I don't care for this lens wide open...you tend to get some unattractive chromatic abberation (google it if you don't know what it is, might make or break you deciding on this lens).  At f/1.8 or f/2, this lens will crush the 50mm f/1.8 in sharpness.  There are other reviews that pretty much explain the pros and cons of this lens, so I won't repeat what they all said.  But if you do want something to shoot at f/1.4 constantly and don't want to endure chromatic abberation problems, I would suggest theNikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.  It's designed to handle that much better when shot wide open.  You won't regret paying the little extra.
This is a beautiful lens.. My favorite in the bag. It produces beautiful images. A must have for any photographer that wants to take a decent portrait
I upgraded from Nikon 50m f/1.8  here is what I've noticed:*About 1/2 stop more light from f/1.4 to f/1.8*The depth of field is not very noticeable from f/1.4 to f/1.8*The sharpness and clarity of the lens vs the 55mm f/1.8 is huge!  I LOVED my old 1.8, but now this is so much sharper.*I have not noticed much difference between the focusing of the twoWish I had bought this to begin with instead of the f/1.8
So many folks including Ken Rockwell praise the 1.8 version, while I think the 1.4 model is just superior. I love it for people and low-light shots, even on my 'old' Nikon D70.
Phenomenal lens indoors and out at night. With the D3 I can walk around downtown at night taking pictures with no flash while walking at f/1.4.I also have the new 24-70mm which I prefer (due to zoom) when I don't need the low light ability of the 1.4 but they are very comparable otherwise.Spend the extra and get the 1.4 over the 1.8. It's better quality and you won't have to worry that there's something better out there you didn't get. =)As you probably already know the D40-D60 series don't have built-in focus drive motors so you'd have to manually focus this lens (and most/all nikon primes) with those bodies. The D60 has a built-in rangefinder displayed in the viewfinder to help you focus however, so it's not really an issue.
Wow. Tremendous clarity and light gathering ability.  The only downside is the inability to zoom and crop with this lens.  A must for the arsenal, however.
This lens is nice, however, on a DX sensor, you have to step back to compose the same shot. But that increases the depth of field. You just can't get the same results on DX with this lens as you can on FX. Except maybe with small things, like children or tiny dogs. But not really macro. You can not get all that close to a subject. Any time I try to photograph the display on my phone, I have to get the kit lens or macro, because I can't get close enough and it's uncomfortable to aim the camera and hold my arm all the way out and try to level the DOF. It's kind of annoying.Additionally, on DX, you have to be almost 20 feet from anyone to completely fit them in the frame. I've gotten used to it, and kind of like it now, but there are places where you just can't step back far enough.It's an acceptable lens for portraits, however, the 85mm f1.8 is a lot better because the depth of field remains shallow even when you step back (on DX), or even when you stop down, because the more telephoto you get, the less depth of field. Depth of field is reduced with telephoto, large apertures, and closeness to subject.Compared to the 50mm f1.8, the 1.4 is sharper at f2. However, the 50mm f1.8 is cheaper, and I don't worry about scratching the lens because it's deeper in the barrel, whereas the 50mm 1.4's glass is large and protruding. If you always use filters, then I guess it won't matter much though. In my case, I've noticed ghosting with filters.If you're tight for money, I'd get the 50mm f1.8 and save the rest for the 85mm f1.8. But I guess it depends on your needs. The results would probably be great on FX with those lenses.As for speed. It seems a little faster. Some say 2 thirds faster. But in F-stop Blues, dxomark says that you lose light on a digital sensor as the aperture increases, probably because the extra light is more oblique to the sensor, as opposed to going straight into the sensor, but camera makers are secretly increasing the ISO, some by as much as by 1/3 to 1/2 stop at the upper limits to hide this fact. Perhaps more towards f1.2. It's hard to say what's really going on.It's a nice lens to have if you can afford it though, especially on FX. But it's too expensive when you could get the 85mm f1.8 for almost the same price, and a lot of the raving is just hype, especially when it comes to DX portraits.
There are many detailed reviews/test  on the internet so you read there detailed technical info, MTF charts  and such technical approach of a review.Therefore I will try to emphasize my review of how  this lens performs in real life, trying to comparing it also with other similar prime lens options.First of all to clarify: I'm using this lens on a crop sensor DX body (D300s) which means that the film equivalent focal length is 75mm. Users of entry level Nikon body's must be also aware that this lens doesn't have a built-in AF motor and therefore AF will not work on cameras with no AF motor (like D40,D60 ...etc)Optical Lens Performance:Very good center sharpness but a little soft borders and low contrast when shooting at extreme wide open (1.4), but still all photos taken at 1.4 are absolutely usable. This is a within the normal behavior of a f/1.4 lens and they are really very few lenses along the long lens history which are performing excellent even at wide open (and they cost a four digit number of dollars). I read some comparisons saying that the 50mm f/1.8 is sharper at 1.8 than this lens at 1.8. I owned also I 1.8 which is also a great value for money lens, but just forget all the charts, 100%-2000% searching each pixel... the 1.4 is definitely a better lens. Which one to buy does it justify it's extra cosr ??? ..see belowAt apertures close to 2 .8 it becomes very sharp all over the frame and above that up to f/8 ..it has an excellent, I would say also superb sharpness and overall image quality performance.75mm Focal Length on DXFor a long while I had a love/hate relation with this lens due to it's focal leenght of 75mm on a my crop sensor camera. I found it too long for general use, and to short for portrait kind use. I would  preferred to have a 58mm lens which gives a more familiar focal lenght of ~ 85mm on the DX cameras (there is the Nokton 58mm 1.4, but it's manual focus). Actually I was thinging to sell this lens in order to buy some alternative fixed (either the Nokton or some macro lens at 60mm). Also  for a long while I tended to shoot wide open (in the range of f1.4 - f2), doing that more than I actually needed.  As I said  even wide open this lens is guide god, but if you tend to use it mainly at this apertures you are loosing some of the great abilities of these lens: excellent picture quality at the middle apertures.Now I totally love this lens! ..What has changed ? The whole story with this lens was just a matter of a -time consuming- calibration. No, I don't mean a lens calibration, but a photographer calibration:  If you are used on the classic primes focal lenghtes, then the 75mm focal length seems to be very strange. But with the time your eye can be "adjusted" in order to get the correct feeling of the field of view of a 75m lens. You can shoot  at open apertures if you need very small DOF, or shoot in low light but you can -and must- squeeze more out of this lens capabilities ..with the excellent results it provides at the middle range apertures. So depending of the used apertures I would say that this lens has a "double life"50mm f/1.4 D or 50mm f/1.8 D ?As I said a had used also the 50mm f/1.8 in the past.  If  you are in a dilemma which one to choose, this is my advice:If you are interested to have a fast prime to use it only periodically (and not as a main lens) for situations of low light, or some full/ halfbody -portraits or some pictures with small DOF (which means to shoot mainly at open apertures) and the extra 1.4 vs. 1.8 does not bother you so much then get the 50mm f/1.8.I cannot tell for sure which performs better at open apertures, but more or less they are similar and for sure there is not enough difference at wide open in order to justify the extra cost of the 1.4.If the extra low light ability of the 1.4 is important for you or if you intent to use the 50mm a lot, as a general purpose lens, then without any second thought start making some extra savings and go for the 1.4Lenses I'm currently using:I would say that the about 85% of the pictures I take are with one of the two Nikon primes:- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 D -> This lens is the most of the time on my camera, for outdoors as general purpose, street photography, indoor portraits,  very low light situations-Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX -> mainly for indoors, or as a alternative to the 50mm as a prime outdoor in case I need a little wider field of view.- Furthemore i using also a Tokina 12/24mm f/4 -> mainly for landscapes or whenever I need the extra wide FOV, sometimes also for an alternative approach of portraits shootingJust to mention here that I had used also the 85mm f/1.8 which is a great portrait lens, also very sharp and with great overal picture quality but to long with it's ~128mm focal length on DX camera, at least for my tastes, so I didn't keep itHaving these two primes and the tokina wide angle I was thinging just to add a used Nikon 55-200 VR, just for the rear cases I need  some telephoto range.Another general point you have to consider is that if you are used to use only zoom lenses you may not like the restrictions of the fixed focal lengths-> you have to move, but this forces you also to pay more attention on you frame composition and your perspective, compared on the usual practice with the zooms: just standing still at one point and only zooming in-out.Anyhow the only fact is that with a fixed prime you can get a better image quality at a very reasonable price and the quality diference is easily visible vs. the zooms w/o having to run any kind of tests (excluding maybe some of the $$$$ priced zooms.) Furthermore everything is a matter of personal preferences and priorities.At the end just to mention that the autofocus speed of the 50mm f/1.4 is very good and even on fast moving objects I do not have any problem with the AF. It also focuses very well in low light situations.The only point i'm disappointed is that it comes very "naked" from Nikon: without a lens hood, without a rear cap (there is only a very cheap & soft plastic cap, which is useless for the lens protection and you have to replace it) and without any soft lens case .&Aacute; Zeiss or a Nikkor Noct 58 /1.2 are for sure much better lenses (especially for those who are expecting a f/4 sharpens at f/1.4), but for the price you have to pay for the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D... -> it performs more than enough in order to earn a 5 star rating.
This lens is one of the best I own so far! It surely is a really good portrait lens. I use it on my D40x. There is no auto focus but that is not a problem. It is fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it and the price is not bad for it at all!
I used to have the 50mm 1.8d version twice.  The first time I had it was on my D40 and of course I couldn't Autofocus with it so I sold it and when I got my D90, I bought it again. The 1.8D IS a great lens.  If you're unsure whether you need f/1.4, or are short on cash, the 1.8D will get you there and then some.  The thing is though that f/1.8 is not all that different than f/2.8...a little over double the light so if you already have a f/2.8 zoom, it may not be worth your while to get it.f/1.4 however gives you 4 times more light than an f/2.8 zoom.  That is a big difference.With the 1.8D, there were times that even at f/1.8, I was already pushing ISO 2000 on my D90 and I just couldn't go any higher or use a slower shutter speed so getting an extra 2/3 stops can mean the difference between an acceptable picture vs. a very good picture.So in short, yes, f/1.4 is worth it if you need it.  I don't see any reason for mere mortals to get the G version to be honest.
I waited 2 yrs to buy this lens, and let me say one thing.. ITS AMAZING... the DOF and the creamy backgrounds are amazing, Exspecially on a D700, or even on a D70s. As for portraits outdoors, indoors sharp and love availible light(natural). On lanscapes brillant, I love it. Exspecially on my D700,  I got star effect shooting my Christmas lights this yr...Yes it is exspencive but worth it's weight in gold.
For the money this is a great lens. It added some variety to my photo accessories and to the type of photos I take!
My friend is a high end photographer and well-known. Being that I am still in the learning process of photography, I consulted in her expertise. I told her that I was on a budget and couldn't afford the lenses that she uses, but wanted to know what her recommendations were for a good Portrait/Newborn photography lens that wouldn't bust my bank. She then recommended the 50mm f/1.4. She did mention the 50mm f/1.8 if I wanted to go even cheaper, but highly suggested that if I wanted a better image to splurge the extra and get this f/1.4. I must say I am very impressed and love this lens already!!! The images are so sharp and give that soft feel that mothers want. I am glad I took my friend's advice and spent the extra money! As should you if you are wanting to become a serious photographer. Now, off to play some more and learn this lens inside out.
If you want a standard nikkor prime lens, this is the one to get! It's cheap and works great! It has a cheap(ish) build, not pro quality like their metal lenses. But in this class and focal length. You really have no choice. But it is a trooper. If you want this lens with a metal case, then go for the old manual version of this lens. They are more or less identical. Minus the auto focus.
As an amateur, I have always struggled to produce images with striking depth of field. A professional photographer friend of mine suggested this lens for it, and so I went for it. Thus far, I have been pleased. The shallow depth of field effect that I was looking for is very easy to achieve with this lens, and the speed and lighting are also solid so that you can get great images as a result, even as an amateur.I have discovered some drawbacks that seem inevitable with this kind of equipment: One is that there is no zoom. So, you have to make use of the old-fashioned technology of stepping up or back if you want to zero in on your subject. Second is that auto focus does not work (at least I have not been able to make it work). This means you have to spin the lens to get your target in focus. Minimal drawbacks for the quality of photos and that exquisite depth of field!
I have had my 50mm Nikon AF 1.4 lens for 20 years. It worked on my Nikon N-4004 until I bought a Coolpix 5700, it slept for two years, and it woke up when I got my D-100 digital SLR six months ago. If you are a candid and available light photographer, and you can live with a very fast 75mm field of view, you will get a lot of shots that others will miss. The color rendition and sharpness of focus are perfect for digital use. With a good editing program you will work miracles. Zoom lenses are great, but the tried and true, fixed and fast 50 mm f-1.4 will outlast them all!
The legendary Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D lens is *the* normal lens to get for a film Nikon body.  You just can't get faster than this, plus its superb optics has impressed photographers since 1962.  (The D version came about in the 90s.)  If you have a film body, this is pretty much a must-have.Unfortunately for us digital shooters, the 50mm translates into a focal length of 75mm, beyond the normal focal range.  While this is not bad for portraiture -- a little bit of telephoto often flatters the subject -- if you (like me) wanted a real normal lens, this is not it.  You'd have to make do with the 35mm f/2 D lens, which is of course one full stop slower.
Nikon released its 1.4G "update" of the 1.4D a few years ago.  If you look at the Amazon.com reviews of that lenses, you might think that it was a major improvement over the 1.4D.It was not.The obvious benefit of the G is that it provides autofocus on Nikon cameras that don't have "screw-drive" motors built in.  Autofocusing requires a motor to physically move the lens elements into the proper position to produce a focused image.  This motor can be built into the camera or the lens.  Older Nikon cameras and enthusiast-pro level cameras have AF motors.  Consumer-grade cameras (e.g. D40, D3000-D5100) do not. Therefore, Nikon needed to produce a "standard" (50mm) lens for these consumers. Nikon has subsequently introduced,  in its G-range of prime lenses, 35mm f/1.8 (with a 52.5mm equivalent FOV, close to standard on DX), 60mm f/2.8, 85mm f/3.5 and 105mm f/2.8. Recently, Nikon announced a 50mm 1.8G, which gives another option to consider.  All of these lenses will autofocus on any and all of Nikon's DSLR cameras.So what other benefits does the 50mm f/1.4G offer over the older D model?Some claim that the G has better AF accuracy than the D.  I don't know, since I don't shoot action photography with the 50mm.  I do know that my keeper rate is no lower than any of my other lenses including the 35mm 1.8G.  However, one thing that is clear is that the G focuses much slower than the D (see the review on slrgear.com).  In their tests, the G is over 60% slower focusing than the D focuses on the D90. Compared to a D on a D700, the G is 150% slower. Notice that focus speed with a screw-drive lens depends on the speed of the camera motor.  The D90 has the slowest motor, but is still substantially faster focusing the D than the G focuses on any camera.As for IQ, most of the review sites find little difference between the two lenses. The G is better at some apertures, the D is better at others, and both are weak at 1.4 (most reviews give a slight nod to the G at 1.4). Personally, I rarely use this lens.  I typically gravitate towards the 35mm for general use (it gives me the traditional standard FOV), and I put on my 85mm for portrait shots. However, I am amazed when I look through my photos at how sharp and contrasty my 50mm D shots are.  I sometimes have to take a second look to confirm that they are 50mm shots and not 35mm shots.  Thus, there isn't enough of an IQ difference to move up to the G. Given the G's slow focusing, you might miss a few shots that you would have gotten with the D.50mm lenses are truly capable of taking wonderful shots.  Given the slight price premium (~$200) over the 1.8, I would pick the 1.4. In a pinch, you will get decent results at f/1.4 and f/1.6.  Your results may not be magazine-grade at these wide-open apertures, but they will be as good or better than most shots you take with a kit lens (any of the 18-XXX lenses).  Some of those kit lenses produce extremely sharp results.  But they are lacking in color and contrast.  The 50mm loses contrast wide open, but the color stays strong.  More importantly, you have shots at 1.4 and 1.6.  Is it worth the $200 premium?  Considering that you get to play with up to 60% more light it is in my opinion worth the premium if you can afford it.  Remember that Nikon charges over $1500 to step up from 1.8 to 1.4 in its 85mm range, so the $200 premium is an incredible bargain.So, if you are on an extremely limited budget and have a D80 or higher end camera, get the 1.8D.  The extra speed is nice, but not essential.  If you can afford it, and are enthusiastic about photography and have a camera that can drive it, get the 1.4D.  Finally, if you want 50mm, but have a consumer-grade camera, you have to get either a G or a third-party lens.
The 50mm f/1.4 is the lowest priced and fastest AF lens in the Nikon arsenal.  It cost 3 times more than the 50mm f/1.8, giving 2/3 more stops of light.  What I like about the lens is that it is fast, however, it is a little soft wide open, but is sharp at f/2.8 and above.  This lens is sharper than the 50mm f/1.8 all round (I used to own the f/1.8 but upgraded to this lens).  This lens has a 7 blade aperture, and the bokeh is not as nice as the 85mm f/1.8 lens.  On a 1.5x crop factor camera, it is 75mm (which is almost like using a 85mm f/1.4 on 35mm film format camera).
The autofocus on this is so fast! (I've got a Nikon D600 so the autofocus works on this) I've got a dog and 3 kids that I take pictures of and speed is so important. The quality of the pics is also top notch. This is the lens that stays on my camera the majority of the time. This is a must-have lens!
The lens does take very good, tack sharp pix, within its depth of field (perfect for portraits and other special needs) but I found the constant clicking of the autofocus extremely distracting. Click, click, click, back and forth, the lens hunts for focus and lets you know it.  I agree with all the positive reviews cited above, but the noise is a big drawback to me.  It distracts my subjects, too.
Does NOT autofocus with a Nikon D5100 as stated in a previous review. Disappointed. Very hard to focus in low light as it is very hard to see what you are trying to focus on.
The lens itself works good, but until you can use them...To connect it to the camera (Nikon D300) it needs some work because the connection points are poorly fabricated, the thread is sluggish.Also the cap itself is a mess. No Nikon cap, only a white plastic thing that hardly covers the sensitive connecting points, nothing to screw, only to plug.If you are somewhere dusty or your camera bag is not 100% dust free - you will get no protection.So I have to buy a real Nikon cap to protect my new NIKON lens. That is pretty crazy.When I had a look onto the lens, it was completely clear: made in China.This has been a lesson to me.Before I buy lens, I definitely will ask where they had been made,I do not want to have poor fabricated cheap things for that costs.
We recently had a baby... so.. time for a nice camera. We bought theNikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only). After that we had the budget to buy any two lenses we wanted. So why did we pick the 50mm 1.4? Well our other lens is theNikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lensand that is a great walk-about lens. But being parents 95% of the photos we take involve our baby so the 50mm 1.4 is on the camera 90% of the time. Here is why:1. This lens is fast glass. What does that mean? Well it is a very large piece of glass. That allows it to capture more light. Which allows the exposure time to be reduced. Which means you can capture objects in motion with less or no blur. Which when you subject never stops moving you need all the help you can get.2. This lens works well in low light. Again due to the size of the glass you capture more light so it requires less light to begin with. Now it is not a miracle worker, it won't work in the dark. But if you are shooting in the nursery and you want to use the sunlight coming through the window instead of a flash then you have that option. I prefer to use natural light when possible.3. This lens has a very short depth of field. This allows you to get your subject in focus and blur the background when shooting a close-up. This helps a lot when you are in a crowd and all you want is a clear picture of your baby without that that guy in the background picking his nose. I almost always focus on the eyes but you can get some amazing shots just capturing one finger on a hand clutching a toy.4. This lens is the perfect focal length for baby pictures. The 105mm prime is often called the "beauty lens" because it works so well for portrait work. Well on the D90 with the smaller DX sensor the 50mm acts like a 75mm lens. A 75mm lens it is the perfect size to capture a 2 foot tall subject without having to move back much. Then when you want to capture the rosy cheeks you have more than enough power to get a great closeup without getting within arms reach.5. It just works. My wife wanted an "automatic zoom lens" so she could just stand in one place and let the camera do the work. Well within seconds she was moving in and out like a pro, getting those interesting angles, framing her shot, all without really thinking about it. Simply put a prime lens will make you a better photographer.The only question is it better to get the 1.4 orNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras? Well I always think it is better to buy the best lens you can afford at the time. The Camera body will be replaced but the lens is going to stay with you a long long time.So for the ultimate super baby lens, get the 50mm 1.4 AF.
I got this lens to shoot wide open and it does not disappoint. While pricier than the 50 1.8 it just may be the lens you want to add to your aresenal. The bokeh is smooth and creamy. However like all fast lenses focus is pretty shallow wide open and will make you work harder to get it right.
A wonderful and versatile piece of glass. Don't get me wrong, the 50 1.8 is a great lens and a great bargain, but I gotta say that the little extra .4f is money well spent.
Well,here goes.I bought the lens for its alleged low light performance.At the time I owned thw Nikon 1.8 G.To my surprise,the 1.4 was very soft wide open and not as sharp as the 1.8.....Amazon is a great place to purchase anything due to the best customer support in the industry....I returned the 1.4.......order the 1.8G....one of my favorite hunks of Nikon glan..JIM
Love it. Not very sharp wide open, but at least you have that for emergencies. Once stopped down to f2 it's sharp. I'll be holding on to this one. I had the 50mm 1.8 as well and prefer this one. Much better build quality, although optically they are about the same.
I had initially tried the 50mm f/1.8 version and hastily returned it due to its soft image characteristics at f/1.8.  This lens on the other hand maintains great sharpness at f/1.8 trough f/16.  While it is more expensive than the f/.1.8, it is worth the extra money if you are looking for a a lens that you can actually use at f/1.4.  SWM focusing would have been nice, but the focusing on this lens is quiet and fast.  I am very pleased with this gem's performance on my D300s.
You could not ask for a better lens. It's super fast, great for indoor portrait work without a flash, fantastic for isolating out a subject with it's amazing bokeh - you just can't ask for more in a lens. I know it's been the only lens I've used since it came in.You can see examples of this lens in use all over FlickR. Just type in 50mm f/1.4 It is a lens that was designed to impress. Any photography field could use this glass.You just couldn't ask for a more versatile lens. It's also amazingly light, and it makes carrying the camera around all day so much easier (no more bumping into everything with the long lens!). Buy it. You won't be disappointed.
It's worth it, don't be cheap and settle for the 1.8f. This lens can take pictures by candle light.
While the 50mm 1.8D is much cheaper, a comparison to this lens shows that you get what you pay for.The price difference is about picture quality, and not necessarily maximum aperture size. Having tried both of them out, the 1.4D gives me better results all around. Objects appear crisper, colors have more pop to them, and the bokeh is smoother.As is generally the case, the extreme f-stop settings leave something to be desired. Depth of field, when it comes to f/1.4, is so small that I rarely ever use it.I almost always focus manually, so it didn't bother me too terribly much that I couldn't autofocus with my D60 (I've since upgraded to a D90.) In those moments of laziness, though, I really wished I had sprung for the 1.4G.This is the one lens I carry around with me at all times. Whether I'm out shooting in the city, out in nature, portraits, or anything in between, this lens will find it's way onto my camera. It's a great snapshot lens for parties, too. The wide open aperture is like staring into an abyss.The 1.8D is a decent lens, and really can't be beat when it comes to price. As an investment, though, the 50mm 1.4D is the way to go.
I shopped around quite a bit for a good 50mm lens to use for portraits and this lens is great. I finally got to use it at the last wedding I booked and I was very impressed with the quality of shots it took!
I am a beginner and only have a few Nikon lenses.  However, I was surprised when I opened the package to find this lens as the only Nikon lens I've seen to have 1) No lens hood, 2) No lens cap (on the film/sensor side).
The current 50mm f1.4 D-series AF Nikkor lens is the latest in a venerable line of 50mm f1.4 Nikkor lenses produced by Nikon since the early 1960's for both its manual and autofocus Nikon 35mm SLR systems. Performance-wise, it is probably the best autofocus 50mm lens available on the market now, with excellent contrast and resolution from at least f2 and below (I have found as a rule that Nikkor lenses don't quite have the "snap" and contrast I have seen from Contax Carl Zeiss lenses, of which one of my favorites is the venerable 50mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss T* Planar lens which has been around since 1975 and was recognized as the best 50mm lens available by Popular Photography a few years ago.). If I was still using Nikon equipment, I wouldn't hesitate acquiring this lens, which still ranks among Nikon's finest. The excellent pictures I have seen from those using this lens are a clear visual testament to its optical excellence.
The one thing I can really say about this lens is that it's tons of fun to use.  I've taken a wide variety of shots with it, but the obvious thing is using the 1.4.  I've used the 1.8 as well and it's great, but if you really want it, I'd say the 1.4 is worth the extra investment.  It feels solid while being really light, has a great variety of uses, and gives some of the nicest looking depth of field effects I've seen.  The only problem is that sometimes it's really hard to focus on the exact thing that you want, so you have to be extremely careful.  There are times where I focused on someone and had a perfectly in focus ear with a blurry face.  I'm also thinking of getting a wide aperture lens in a shorter focal length such as the 35mm 1.8 or even the 14mm 2.8 for some variety in my shots, since the 50mm tends to limit the types of portraits you take.
I got both nikon 50/1.4 and rokinon 50/1.4Images produced even on my D3200, is too soft until f/2.5.Even Rokinon 85 f/1.4 can be near-perfectly sharp at f/1.4
I've been using this lens for more than six years on my D80 and D90. This was my first prime lens I purchased to try out photography with DSLR. IMHO the focal length and wide aperture of this lens is ideal to experiment for beginner/amateur photographers. As a matter of fact, I began to appreciate versatility of 50mm f1.4D when I started using Nikkor 85mm f1.4D ("the cream machine").As some other reviewers have noted, this lens makes some noise when focusing. But that's the only downside I could think of, and that is not a big enough problem for me to knock out one star. When I take photos with this lens I often set f-stop between 2.2 and 4, and the quality of images is incredible. A few years ago, I compared images produced from this lens to those that were produced from 50mm f1.8 under the same setting using the same camera on a tripod. The results: better color and sharpness from f1.4 than f1.8. Now that Nikkor 50mm f1.4G is out, I am thinking that more people would be leaning towards the new model than this one. But this is the best lens to buy that costs under $400.
After purchasing a Nikon D90 with two kit lenses (18-55mm and 55-200mm) this 50mm 1.4D lens was the first piece of glass I purchased after I realized that photography was something I cared deeply about and wanted to have the tools that matched that passion.  The 50mm 1.4 lens does exactly that.  However, the difference in price between the 1.4 and 1.8 is almost $300 so it's worth a little thought to decide which lens would be better.  Here's some perspective gained after 6 months of shooting with the 1.4.  Please keep in mind I haven't shot with the 1.8, but this is what I know about the 1.4* The construction quality and general 'feel' of the 1.4 lens is remarkable.  Compared to the kit lenses and other 50mm 1.8s, it's in another class.* The picture quality of the 1.4 is exceptional.  As with all 'fast' lenses, images don't get tack sharp until the 2.8 or 3.5 range, but the bokeh at the open apertures is stunning.* The lens essentially sees in the dark.  Open wide to 1.4 and matched with the decent noise reduction of the D90, I've captured ambient light images that would otherwise be impossible.There's another non-tangible element involved in purchasing the 1.4, and that's the feeling you get from owning a professional-grade piece of glass.  The extra money is well, well spent if you can A) afford it and B) keep from gloating around your friends who are shooting 1.8s
50mm 1.4D is nice. The thing is, at f1.4, I cannot get a sharp image, maybe because this lens is not designed for digital camera.When at f2.0, this lens is perfect! So just buy a 1.8D and use F2.0Also, I think in U.S., 1.4D is much more expensive than it should be. $300 for a new one is reasonable.1.8G should be better than this. I want a 1.4G but it is too expensive for me...If you want to save money, 1.8D. If you want a powerful lens, 1.4G. If you want a trade-off between them, 1.8G. Of course, if 1.4D is below $300, it is a perfect choice.
If you are looking at this then you have probably looked at the 50mm f/1.8 lens as well--for one third the price of this one. That lens is a great value to be sure, but don't buy the hype about the f/1.8 being enough. I shoot indoors a lot and can't always use a flash, and I don't like using flashes anyway.Much more often than not, my camera automatically goes straight to f/1.4 when in autofocus mode shooting indoors. That being the case, then obviously the f/1.8 would not be quite fast enough. It might seem like a small difference to some, but small differences in lighting can make or break a picture.Let me also just say that it is not doing this lens justice to merely say that you can shoot without a flash with this lens. It is better than that. I am not a fan of flashes. This is just a personal preference of course, but I think flashes add a certain staged look to pictures, and also they tend to give that "flash-y" look to the picture where everything is saturated in brilliant light. With this lens, it is better than having a flash because the lighting is full, bright, and adequate without looking like there is a spotlight on everyone. I wish I could show you guys the pictures this thing takes indoors in low light without a flash. It is really amazing. Even one of my friends who knows nothing about this stuff commented on how amazing the pictures looked--in a lighting sense--knowing that a flash was not used.In addition, I am several situations where flashes would be distracting or annoying to other people in the room. People tend to get more nervous when they see a $400 flash going off every minute or two in the corner of their eye because they think you might zero in on them next. With this lens, and not having to use a flash because it is so fast, I can be much more in "stealth" mode and much more likely to get a great unscripted and natural photo. Again this is just a personal preference of mine based on the types of situations I find myself in. if I was big into outdoor photography, I doubt any of this would matter much.This is a high quality, ultra-fast lens that in my opinion is a must if you do a lot of indoor photography and portrait work like I do, and especially if like me you hate flash photography.
This lens is razor sharp and very, very fast. The optics are top notch, and the low-light performance is amazing.I should have bought the f/1.8 instead, and put the difference in cost toward a wide angle lens.
Bought this in February 2013 and about one year later it gave me an error on my D600. I switched to a different lens and everything was fine, but when I put this one on it gives me an error. I'm not a pro photographer so it gave me nice enough video and photo images for what I needed, too bad it only lasted a year :-(
So far this lens is great- a bit loud when it focuses on my Nikon D300, but I am loving the pictures I am taking with it!If I never post a negative, know I am a happy Nikkor customer!
Worth every penny! What quality glass. This light-weight lens is quick and sharp. I can do almost anything with it. This is a must have and some quality glass for the price.Don't wait to buy - start your collection with this lens. I hesitated thinking I would get annoyed with the fixed focus range (it's a prime), but the quality of this over the same priced zoom lens makes up for it in spades. I don't even take my 25-85mm out anymore; it's quality just doesn't compare even factoring in the convenience of the zoom.
This is my first prime lens. While it lacks the versatility of a zoom lens, the artistic potential of a 1.4 aperture is worth the sacrifice. I'm fairly new to DSLRs, but this lens completely blows my 18-55mm lens out of the water! Because it sucks in so much light at 1.4 aperture, I can now clearly see people's face (blemishes, wrinkles...etc), to the dismay of my family! The ability to shoot at low-light situations with lovely bokeh gives pictures a cozy feeling not seen in other lenses. I've never liked using flash, as it blinds other people and gives my pictures an unnatural look. This lens is an older D lens, so you'll need a DSLR with a built-in autofocus motor to enable AF. I have a D70, so I'm fine. Cameras such as D5100 and D3100 do not, so you'll have to focus manually. I couldn't imagine trying to manually focus at 1.4 aperture, as slight deviations can radically alter what one is trying to focus. The only thing I contend with is that this is more of a "subject" lens than a "big picture" lens, so in some settings, it will take some effort and creativity to fit more than 2 people into your frames. Overall, I have no regrets. The lens is compact, sturdy, and even a bit retro (in a good way), and shoots beautiful pictures! I recommend it!
I love this lens. For those asking whether it is worth the extra $100+ for the 1.4 instead of the 1.8, the answer is an unqualified yes. This lens is extraordinarily fast. Images are sharp, and the bokeh is beautifully creamy. I have taken some stunning photos with this lens. I recommend it highly.
This lens is soon to be replaced with the new (circa-2009) f/1.4 AF-S lens.  Since the most important aspect of a lens is the glass, I would *definitely* purchase this over the $150+ more expensive new lens (although the new model has eight [8] elements vs. seven [7] in this lens).I purchased this in December, 2008, (before the holidays) for use with my Nikon D90.  While the DX camera has a 1.5X multiplier (so this is effectively a 75mm lens), it does great work from f/1.4 all the way up to f/22 and beyond.Even as a photo amateur, this lens really adds something to my bag.What it does not do well, however, is walking around in a city.  This is a lens for portraits, people, and low interior light.  It does not do well from a cityscape perspective.
bought this for my daughter's camera . she loved it . camera was is great to new condition great addition to her photography equipment
I love this lens. I put it on my D800 and I'm getting some really great shots. I highly recommend carrying the lens in your bag of tricks.
What's not to love about this lens? This was my first prime lens and I've been wanting to buy this one for quite awhile. Overall, love it. The quality on my photos has noticeably improved over the Promaster lens i was using before and the overall speed of the lens for focusing and shooting has been excellent. The only thing I need to do now is to step up my D90 to a newer model.
I wish this lens was sharp at 1.4.  I have a few zoom lenses and it would be nice to have a fixed 50 that was tack.  If you shoot at 5.6 or 8 it's not a problem.  But I bought it to shoot at 1.4
The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 is a classic 135-format lens that is still invaluable as a portrait lens or for taking advantage of the fantastic existing light capabilities of today's digital SLRs. Its optics are excellent, but one would expect that from a 50mm. I only gave it 4 stars because it is not necessarily the best value out there: it's still a plastic-barrelled lens with no SWM or VR, and it's more than twice the cost of af/1.8. You're basically paying for the extra 2/3 stop of optical speed and the shallow depth-of-field. All that said, the lens is very fast and very sharp and it's a joy to use.
I've owned two of these.  To sum it up: good image quality, but not quite as good as the new AFS version and the build quality doesn't compare with contemporary fast Nikkor glass.Lets get the bad out of the way:This lens will not focus precisely on any d90 while using the center focus point (I've tried about 5 different d90's).  I didn't see this issue with a d2x, d300, d3 or d700.  I think this may be partially by design and it was very frustrating to discover.  It seems a bit more accurate with the other 10 focus points, but not consistently so.  It's not very far off, but it consistently back focused with the center point.  It's off enough that wide open it's just not sharp.  If sharp focus is your goal, you'll have to use live view.  That's not a viable option for moving subjects, so I upgraded to the AFS version.The 18/2.8, 20/2.8, 24/2.8, 28/2.8, 28/1.4, 85/1.8, 85/1.4, 105/2, 135/2, 180/2.8, 300/4 lenses that this lens is contemporary with are all very solidly built and utilize metal barrels and filter threads.  This lens is much closer to its plastic-y 1.8 sibling than any of the aforementioned primes when it comes to build.  The optical quality is pretty darn good and on par or better than many of these lenses (especially the widest ones).  But the build is just not there.  Manual focus just doesn't feel right--it's floppy and loose compared to the primes in the list above.  There's little wobble or play in the focus ring front to back, but it's not damped at all and you can rotate/wiggle it back and forth without engaging the cams.  For a lens that sold for $400-500 at it's introduction, this is a big disappointment in regards to mechanics and durability.If you're familiar with manual focus lenses produced up through the 1980's, don't think of that.  Instead think of the build of an 80's VCR instead.  Icky plastic, like cruddy TV remote.So filter ring is plastic?  You might think "ok, put a uv filter on and forget about it".  I did drop my first sample twice from about 4' and chipped off a 3/4" section of the filter ring (dinged enough to shatter the uv filter too).  Lens looked very hockey player-esque afterward.  After some sanding to buff off the rough edge so that the barrel could extend and rectract smoothly, thing worked ok, but in the end I purchased a second one--I shoot weddings and looks count.  Couldn't be taken seriously by brides when I had a snaggle toothed lens.  Using gear with large pieces missing just wouldn't fly.  Also knocked a good chunk off the aperture ring and was worried I'd knock more off and have a non-functional lens.After beating the crap out of my sample for eight years, I'm quite sure that this lens could survive normal, if pampered, use.  But one can't plan on babying a tiny lens meant for dim conditions.  You're bound to drop it in the dark sometime.If you don't plan on dropping your lens onto concrete, or rolling around a mosh pit with your camera, or running from wild animals in the forest, this lens will probably do.  Just don't take it to Burning Man or drop it.If you want something with dust sealing, a more solid build, and must have autofocus in the nikon system, get the AFS 50/1.4.  If you want compatability with film bodies AND autofocus, get this lens.  If you want AF and the best sharpness, get the AFS version.  If you want a normal lens for a d90, get the 35/1.8.  I would avoid this lens altogether for the d90/d80.  Seemed OK on a d70.  It does work on manual focus cameras, (since it's has a proper aperture ring) but if that's your thing, you can get the marvelous 50/1.2 which is still in production today (1/2010) and is superior in terms of build and image quality.Moral of the story: use UV filters.  They may not prevent your lens from getting damaged, but if I wasn't using one, my original 50/1.4AFD wouldn't have finished the shoot it broke during, and it wouldn't still be functional (even with missing chunks) today.The good: I've saved the best for last.  It's actually not a bad lens, as long as you're aware of it's limitations.  Nikon don't make no junk (for the most part) and it's perfectly usable.  If one of these fell in my lap and I had nothing else, I'm certain I'd utilize the hell out of it.In the end, I'm very thankful for the shots this lens allowed me to take over the years.  But today there are better options for modern film/FX and DX cameras.  The 50/1.4D is passed its prime.  (pun intended)I hope you find this rambling review helpful in some way.
Everyone is selling off their 50 1.4D for the new 50mm 1.4g.  This one focuses a hair faster then the NEW lens. Of course in reviews people say it is not a sharp.  It looks pretty sharp to me though.  I bought mine used a few weeks ago for $175.
awesome bokeh, sharp, super light, aperture ring, cool indeed. But some times, has problems focusing in very low light. But its totally worth it!
I have always wanted to get the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens for my camera but normal for the Nikon DX cameras was the 35mm f/ 2.0 which I have. The 50mm is the equivalent of 75mm with the DX's smaller sensor. Now with the Nikon D700 The 50mm is back to producing a normal size image because the sensor in the camera is the same as 35mm film in size. So I got one.The lens is excellent. It allows shooting in available light and with this camera, at ISOs faster than otherwise possible. The lens is sharp as a tack and it allows for selective focus, producing a narrow depth of field at its  maximum f stop. It is a breeze to operate. You have to remember to keep your focusing hand clear of the focusing ring as it spins in auto focus mode.This lens configuration is one of Nikons oldest and simplest and is one of the sharpest lenses they make. I would recommend this lens to anyone wanting a prime lens that is tack sharp and very fast.Mike
I gave this product four stars instead of five for two reasons. For one I believe Nikon should have included a lens hood with it. and for the second there are no real good instructions for using this lens included. It helps you create great low light photos. I use mine on a Nikon D-90 and it works well. I do have an occasional problem with the lens connections to the camera and resolve these by taking the lens back off and re-seating it. There is some small flaw there that causes that problem. I have no trouble with any other lens on my D-90.
I did a lot of research before buying this lens. I already had the Nikon 35mm f1.8G and wanted a larger focal length to use for portraits on my Nikon D7000.  I looked at the Nikon 50mm f1.4D, the Nikon f1.4G, and the Nikon 50mm f1.8D.  All three lenses had great reviews, so narrowing it down to one lens proved a difficult task.  I ended up opting for this lens for a few reasons:1. Speed.  The D7000 is a champ at low light performance, but I take lots of pictures in low light (weddings, indoors, etc) and usually prefer non-flash pictures.  I wanted all the speed I could get.2. Price.  Although this lens is $200 more than the 50mm f1.8D (see reason 1) that extra light capturing ability is worth it for me.  Plus, this lens is over $100 cheaper than the 1.4G.3. Sharpness. Lots of reviews I found online said the 1.4D was a bit sharper than the 1.4G.  Is it true?  Honestly, I've tried both now and I can't tell a difference.You may want to note that the 1.4G has SW (Silent Wave) auto-focus.  From my experience that lens focuses faster and more quietly than the 1.4D, but this wasn't an issue for me as I use manual focus 90% of the time.My overall impressions on this lens?  I'm glad I bought it and don't regret it for a second.  I know I made a great choice.  It's incredibly sharp, focuses quickly, and has beautifully smooth bokeh.  It's solidly built and the manual aperture ring is a great addition if you use non-AF extension tubes for macro photography (which I sometimes do).  It's a perfect prime portrait lens for crop sensors.  If I had one lens to take to a wedding, this would be it.In closing, this lens has made me a better photographer.  The 35mm 1.8g is sufficiently wide that you can easily crop pictures later in your workflow.  The 50mm is just tight enough on a crop sensor that it makes you think before you press the shutter release button.  I noticed that I had began relying too heavily on using zoom lens that I had almost forgotten how to move around a room and compose a picture correctly.
This is a must if you like taking portraits!  Love my new lens!
Great little lens - I definitely consider it a must have.  For me, the extra stop from the 1.8 is worth it.
I picked this up because it was cheap, it reminded me of older Nikon lenses I used to own, and is probably the best optically of the 50mm Nikkors. However, the mount was really too tight. All the other new Nikon and Nikon mount lenses I have all work fine on the body I have. This was only an issue with this one lens. I am sure most others are fine.As fate would have it, I picked up the newer version 1.4 with the silent motor on deep discount over the big holiday sale weekend. I ended up liking it more. Bigger and more plastic but, well executed design. So I have returned this 50 due to the mount issue.I think for most people, it is better to just spend the extra money and get the newer 1.4 or, like most do, the 1.8 and save even more.
this is a great lens, perfect for a lot of stuff, low light, portraits etc, very fast and sharp,it's been a couple of months now using this lens, just about everyday, i don't take it off my camera, and if i do is to put it on my other camera and keep shooting. this lens is super fast and sharp, great great bokeh.you can see samples with this lens in my website [...] all the portraits had been done with this lens.later.
I got this 50mm 1.4 lens to take low light pictures of our upcoming baby on my D90. I needed a fast lens to keep flash from going off my newborn's face. Test shots with this lens are amazing. Opened up to 1.4 you can nearly take pictures in the dark. The shallow depth of field you get at 1.4 allows you easily select a focus point and blur out the background and foreground.I could have purchased the cheaper 50mm 1.8 but I wanted the extra stop and since it's a full frame lens it will work when I upgrade to an FX camera bodies. Get the best glass you can afford don't abuse it and you will save money in the long run.
When I purchased this lens I was looking for a low light lens with the solid construction and exceptional performance I enjoyed with the 50mm F/1.8 lens I used 20 years ago with my Nikon F series. What I got instead was a mediocre made in China lens that hunts and is noisy when focusing. Very disappointed.I already have a the 18-200mm AF VRII lens from Nikon which is an exceptional lens.I was looking to use the 50mm in lower light situations but the lens is not worth the $350 so I'll be returning this one to Amazon.
I cannot add much to what has been said here, but I have to say that this lens is worth every single penny.  If you struggle with low light situations, this is the perfect lens to help.  I do not like to use my flash at all because I just have never been able to accomplish a "natural" look, so this lens is going to help me SO MUCH.  I would recommend this lens for professionals and novices alike!
For the family picture taker this is the lens you need. Its perfect for taking candid shots and portraits. This is the lens we carry with us when we are just out and about. We were carrying a 55-300mm lens before which became a hassle. I think this is our first step into more serious photography
Before purchasing this I debated between this and the cheaper F1.8 but now that I have it I'm glad to have spent the extra $$.  I've never had a lens with an f-stop this low and it's truly amazing how much more light this lets in than my other lenses. With it wide open you can shoot hand held at ISO 800 in a partially lit room. Of course there's almost no depth of field with it wide open so you have to focus very carefully, especially at close range. Autofocus doesn't have a lot to do but it's fast and accurate. Using this with the new Nikon D700 and the pairing is excellent. Between the low fstop of this lens and the high iso sensitivity of the D700 you can shoot handheld in nearly any condition. So far I've shot a flashless indoor wedding, new years eve celebratory fireworks, an early morning nature hike, and countless other random shots...
Lens was as advertised at a good price and arrived promptly with standard shipping. Was a gift and daughter had to poke around on some forums to find out how to properly configure the autofocus feature on the lens to work with her camera, but she is very happy with it.
Background you can skipI realize a lot has been written everywhere about this lens. Just look at KenRockwell or DPReview and the sheer detailed reviews from fellow photographers around the internet. One thing is special about photo-ists: they are hardly fan-boys: if something is a-miss with a product then that get splattered out in gory detail, often with photo evidence... Why am I saying this? Because I think you can therefore trust the overall rating of this lens on the web. This one is often referred to as the model 1902, as well, by the way.I wanted to add my 2 cents since I have bought several lenses in the last year that are all very similar.  This review focuses on the 1.8 and 1.4 50mm lenses. The other 2 lenses are reviewed on their individual product pages. I thought some others might be trying to choose between these 2  lenses, but having a hard time determining the relatively steep price difference between the 1.4 and 1.8. I will not go into the technical differences between the 2 either as others that are more adept than me have done that and I am predominantly a person that focuses on the results and not the specs.The primes I own:85mm 1.835mm 1.850mm 1.8 ( http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s;=electronics&qid;=1265596625&sr;=8-2 )50mm 1.4 (this one)About this lensI bought this lens especially for portraiture. I am a hobbyist but my camera is glued to me (a D90) and I tend to shoot lots of shots indoors, capturing casual moments of my kids, pets and so on. Probably very similar to any other proud dad and hubby.Initially I did not want to shell out for the 50mm 1.4 and decided to get the well respected 50mm 1.8. I loved the 1.8 from the start. It was great indoors and even at the 1.8 f-stop it was sharp (with the softness that one can expect). The color rendering is beautiful and I love what it does to skin tones combined with the softness wide open. Since the 1.8 became my most beloved portrait lens I decided that it would be worth looking at upgrading to the 1.4. So I took the leap.Of course the extra light is great but do the photos come out magically better? No, not for the pro-mateur like myself. The AF is a little faster it seems and perhaps, but I am not sure, the colors come out a little more vibrant. Softness wise at wide open I think they are equally soft but the 1.4 gets tack sharp at f2 whereas the 1.8 needs to get closer to f4. I happen to shoot mostly in the f2 to f4 range so this is acceptable for both.The bokeh (the out of focus texture of the background that can make the subject look like it was placed in front of a wonderful milky pastel) is impressive on both lenses. I cannot say that there is a visibly distinguishable edge for either.Ofcourse the depth of field with the 1.4 is more pronouced than with the 1.8 at wide open.My simple conclusionI am not trying to compare a 100 dollar lens to a 300 dollar lens because the 300 dollar one is the better lens when you read all the reviews and I *think* I agree. However, when you are looking for value for money, the 1.8 wins hands down. You get so close to the 1.4 results and if you're a photoholic amateur like myself you will be deliriously happy with the 1.8. Once you have exhausted its capabilities (which will take most of us 20 years of learning) or you become enamored with sports photography (or your kids play ice hockey and you do not want to flash) then the 1.4 becomes more realistic.I recommend that if you are on a budget then you start with the 1.8. Once you are ready to upgrade you simply sell it, you will always get 80% of value back if well treated, and substitute with the much more expensive 1.4.Al the serious pros would simply jump straight to the 1.4 but that is not the audience this review is meant for. Hope this helps.A humble non-technical amateur photographer
Having owned many lenses for my Nikons over the years, this is the one I always recommend and you should have. In a DX format camera, this is an amazing lens. The DOF and creamy blur you will capture in your images will amaze. It is a steal compared to the other Nikon version, not to mention when compared to some other comparable lenses on the market such as Voightlander and Rokinon. Plus you get the AF which is a no-brainer. Learn to zoom with your feet and compose your shots well and this lens will deliver. Buy it here or elsewhere, but do buy it. You will not regret this one.
Bought this lens at B&H; while I was in New York over New Year's. I've had it about a week now, and it was the best 200 bucks I've spent on my D70. The shots I got from inside St. Patrick's Cathedral--handheld & without a flash--were worth the price ALONE. Great Bokeh, fast AF, and of course, that beautiful 1.4 aperture setting. Can't beat it.(Edit: "25 out of 28 people found this review helpful"? What did you other three want? A description of how it tastes? Sheesh.)
This is a classic, sharp, and fast Nikon lens.  I have used this lens on both my old trusty D100 and its successor, the D70s, with stunning results. Color rendition is excellent. Autofocus is blindingly fast.This is a great lens for portrait or landscape shooting, as long as you do not need particularly wide angle.  Remember that on the Nikon Digital SLR half-frame format the lens size is multiplied by 1.5 making this a 75mm lens on a Nikon digital SLR.  This is not a DX lens, and will therefore be a 50mm lens on a full-frame SLR such as the Nikon F100 and the like.  (Is anyone still shooting film?)The quality of construction of this lens is fair.  There are some plastic parts, which is disappointing on a $250 or so lens.  On the other hand, mine has seen moderate to hard duty over several years and has held up fine.  But "hard" use to an amateur like me probably translates to light duty for the pros.  So do your research before selecting this lens.Many pros consider the Nikon F1.8d 50mm lens a better deal than this F1.4. The F1.8 is said to be just as sharp as this F1.4.  Certainly it is cheaper, and F1.8 is still a very fast lens.  I have not used the F1.8 so you might want to do some research before making your decision.I'll probably hold on to my F1.4 forever.  When I need a fast portrait lens, it is about impossible to beat.
This lens is very fast and very sharp! It is sharper than my older Sigma 50mm macro f/2.8. I used it at a concert in low light without flash, and the pictures are remarquable! I shot at f/1.4 ISO 800 1/160sec and I am only using a D50 and the results are perfect!
This is a high quality lense that has a few draw backs.  First, When using this lense on a digital camera This lense becomes a 75mm.  I made a mistake of bringing this lense to an indoor gathering and it was almost impossible to get everyone in the shot.  For indoors a 18mm or even a 35 mm would be better.  Also the lense is an external focus as opposed to the more expensive internal focus (the outside ring actually moves).  I'm not a professional and I tend to put my hand on the lense which causes a problem while its trying to focus.This lens would be ideal for a low light situation - Its very sharp.  I would recommend this lens based on the quality, but there are others that would work better in most situations.
Very well constructed,  great photo's,  just a little hard to use for me...takes a little getting used to because of short focus.
Excellent lens for Low-light situations. Lowest priced and fastest AF lens in the Nikon lens lineup. On my Nikon D200 body, this lens gives an equivalent to a 75mm lens making it a good length for portraits in the field. At f/1.4 DOF is so shallow that if you focus on the eyes, the tip of the nose will be out of focus. Don't forget to buy a 52mm UV filter and HR-2 lens hood. This lens will continue to impress you with its speed, contrast and sharpness. I highly recommend this lens.
This lens is spectacular! The results from this lens were beyond what i expected, the bokeh is amazing! Its also very small which makes it superb for travel. My only issue with this lens is that it was a little confusing while setting the aperture. You have to set it to the orange dot on the lens for it to work manually on the nikon body. I would recommend this to anyone!
If you're trying to decide between the f/1.8 and the f/1.4, i hope this helps.  Casual portrait shots: the f/1.8 will be just fine. most of the time you have plenty of light to work with, and the slight blurr effect of a large aperture will be just fine from the cheaper lens.  Low light situations: the larger aperture allows you more room to work with, changing ISO and shutter settings.  This lens allows you to do pretty much whatever you are trying to accomplish.Recommendation:  if you can't afford the f/1.4, wait a few weeks and save.  It's worth it.
The first thing to clear up is how this lens differs from the dime-a-dozen F/1.8 lens.  The F/1.8 is good in it's own right, but at max aperture the F/1.8 lets in only about 70% of the light that the F/1.4 lens does, and that can make a big difference.  Also, at 1.4 there's a much narrower depth of field, which can be used for artistic effect.There are three things lenses like this are really used for:Portrait and some landscape photography, where at F/2.8 to about F/8 it's very sharp. much better than most telephoto lenses."Effect shots" using the narrow depth of field. If you don't know what that means it's the range from where things become too close to be in focus to too far away to be in focus.  Shots like these are where the person's face is sharp and clear, but the background becomes soft and dream like.  At F/16 it's pretty much from a few feet to infinity, at F/1.4 it's down under a foot.  The bokeh (blurred background) effect is good but sometime a little too fuzzy, and the autofocus comes in handy to hit the things you want to be in focus.Low light/night shots, which it excels at.  The only faster available lens is the old manual focus 55mm F/1.2 lenses; they can't make those as an autofocus because the lens circle became so big there's no room for the electrical contacts.  The 1.4 will do nearly as good a job and is the lens for most low light work.Biggest problems with these lenses:  At f/1.4 it's going to be a little soft, that's the way lenses are at wide open, and it gets worse the bigger the aperture.  Low light and effects shots are by nature a little indistinct, so most people won't see any difference.  The narrow depth of field can cause problems if the autofocus doesn't lock or hits the wrong spot and which makes the things you want to see out of focus; a lot of amateurs have dismissed these lenses for that reason.Difference between this and the newer "G" model:  The G is $100 more expensive and has an internal focus motor so it will work on newer cheap SLR's (D40, D60, etc.)  The silent wave motor also lets you grab the focus ring at any time and override it if you're having trouble hitting the right spot.The D lens will work on older film cameras and allows manually setting the aperture on the lens.  It will not autofocus on the D40 and other cheap SLR's that don't have a motor in the body and to focus manually you have to set it on your camera before you try to move the ring.  That's about it, optically there's not much of a difference.Buy one if you're serious, if you're casual/just starting out, get the F/1.8.
This is a great prime lens. Remember, as another reviewer stated, you have to move with a prime lens, as it does not move. The 50mm F/1.4D captures sharp pictures. The 50mm means it captures how you see with your naked eye.
I don't even know where to start. This lens produces sharp pictures and great color and contrast. This lens is perfect for low light and/or action/sport photography (as this lens is famous for being one of the fastest lens together with its brother 50mm f/1.8). This lens is also perfect for portrait and other general purposes (macro etc). This is definitely a very versatile lens.However, I think you should really consider buying the f/1.8 first before thinking to buy this f/1.4 lens (mainly because it is more than twice the price of the f1/8 and most of the time the f/1.8 version is fast enough in my opinion). Some examples where the faster f/1.4 lens might make a difference: low light wedding/concert or indoor sports photography (where the light is often low from the camera perspective) such as hockey, track and field, skating, gymnastic, basketball etc.As much as I want to encourage everyone to buy this lens right away, let me mention some of the limitation that you would see (which I think will be helpful to go over before deciding to buy this lens):First, being a prime lens, you will need to move your feet a lot to compose your picture. If you are used to zoom lens, don't underestimate this limitation. It takes me a while to get used to it, and sometime I still find people looking at me wondering why I am moving forward and backwards. the good news is that most of the time, they don't think I'm weird, but they are actually wondering if I'm a professional photographer.Secondly, the focal range of 50mm, which is considered the normal lens and great for portrait lens. but on a DSLR (which I assume most of you use nowadays), this lens become a 75mm equivalent which is in the border of a short tele lens. I actually like the 75mm equivalent though I often have to move backwards when taking picture of a group of people.Sharpness increases as you stop down to f/2. I actually prefer to use the widest most of the time and the results are still nice. Personally (when shooting low light action/sport), I'd rather use f/1.4 aperture settings than stopped down (e.g to f/2.8) and compensate with higher ISO setting which often gives me grainy picture. But if your object is not moving (static) then it is better to stop down to f/2 or more.If you are wondering whether you should get a fast lens or a lens with VR, here's my take: VR does help a lot (and produce better/sharper picture than equivalent faster lens without VR) if the object is static. If the object is moving (sports/action) then VR feature doesn't really help and fast lens (like this lens) will be a far better solution. Using tripod (and a remote) will substitute for the need of VR feature. In general I would recommend getting a fast lens with VR feature (and usually it is expensive) such as the 70-200 f/2.8 VR, but if one can only get for one or the other, then find out what do you want to use the lens for and then use the guideline mentioned here.If you are wondering whether you will get the benefit of buying f/1.4 lens over a f/1.8 lens, just remember that the f/1.4 lens is about 60% faster than f/1.8 at its widest aperture setting. With this information, you can decide if the additional speed will justify the additional cost. The bokeh is nicer as well in f/1.4 lens but I think speed is usually the main factor in deciding whether to get the more expensive f/1.4 lens.Here are the summary of pros and cons for this Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF lens:Pros:1. Very fast (f/1.4)2. Very sharp pictures (especially when stopped down to f/2 or more. very sharp at f/2.8)3. Great for sport/action photography4. Great for indoor and low light situation5. Great for portrait6. Bokeh is almost as good as many expensive Nikon tele-lens7. Fast autofocus8. Perfect for wedding photography (or no-flash event). However, or try the 17-35mm f/2.8 or 28-70mm f/2.8 lens)9. 75mm equivalent which can be considered a short tele lens (I actually like the fact that it's 75mm equivalent vs 50mm in DSLR. if you need more zoom, you can get the Nikon 85mm f/1.8, or the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR)10. Sharper than its 50mm f/1.8 sibling (at equivalent aperture)Cons:1. Being prime lens, you need to move your feet a lot to adjust/compose2. Some distortion at widest aperture3. Plasticy build (though it has metal moount and internal part seems to be from metal)4. Autofocus is not the most silent but very reasonable5. 75mm equivalent with 1.5x multiplier on DSLR (many people find this is an odd range for normal lens. I actually like it)Bottom line: This lens is so versatile that I think everyone should own (either the 50mm f/1.4 or the 50mm f/1.8) in addition to all the lenses that they already have. Being a very fast lens, it enables me to take pictures in low light (sport/action photography) that I otherwise wouldn't be able to do.Again, I would recommend everyone to get this lens (or the 50mm f/1.8). In some ways I can say that this lens will make you a better photographer.Happy Photographing!Sidarta Tanu
I have not yet had a real opportunity to put this lens through its paces, but what I have used it for in low-light conditions have been superb. Crisp, sharp images and I am looking forward to making more use of it when I get home to see family and friends for the people and portrait work.
I was considering buying the f/1.8 for its lower price; however, I decided to go with the f/1.4D.  Why?  I was told it has a more solid, metal mount compared to the f/1.8 (I haven't inspected the 1.8 to verify this) and it's slightly faster.  Is this worth the increase in price?  When I realized I'd be using this lens for years, the answer was 'yes'.  Why quibble over a few hundred bucks for a piece of equipment you'll be using for a long time with an even more expensive SLR.  Has the extra 1/2 stop made any difference- YES.  Shooting indoors or at night, I've had to open it up all the way to 1.4 many times, even at very slow shutter speeds (1/60, 1/30).  As long as I accounted for the thin depth of field, I got excellent, sharp photos.  I'm very happy with this purchase.
I purchased this lens 2 years ago and am finally writing a review on it.  I use it with a D50 and love the portrait shots I've been able to get from it.  The lens is incredibly quick and takes fantastic, sharp shots compared to my 18-55mm kit lens.  The only "drawback" is the fixed focal point so if you are limited in the amount of space you're shooting in (small closet-like room) this is not the lens to use.  It is a solid and much heavier lens than my other one due to the metal coupling and glass/metal components so be careful if you're looking for a light weight lens.  I highly recommend this lens - people will ask what camera you're using when it's really the lens.
YEs, it is overpriced to me but you pay for the metal quality/weight, the great lens clarity and of course the 1.4 and in some cases it does make a big differnce over 1.8. I also own the 1.8 and it works very well and is very affordable by comparison.
I am new to photography, after reading several review between Nikon 50mm f1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 ,  I decided to choose 50 mm f1.4with this one, even the one who have not known much about photography, like me, can make a good picture. this lense is good for portrait, or macro
Great condition, no problems, beautiful pictures used with a nikon d90. Good quality construction so far. Wish the price was less.
I am a demanding amateur and the sample I got of this lens left me fairly unsatisfied. I realize that this was the fastest everyman 50 mm prime that Nikon made for years, so I would naturally expect great things from it.Unfortunately, this thing is so soft at f1.4 that it is basically unusable wide open. There is also serious CA/color fringing all the way up to f2.0. It is very usable at 2.8, and peaks at about f4-5.6.For FX users i can definitely see a use for it since the full frame 50 mm FOV is useful indoors and there isn't much wiggle room if you need that extra half stop, but for DX users (myself included) with the 1.5x crop factor you can go ahead and just buy the 35mm 1.8 if you need indoor natural light stuff. The reason I say this is that f1.4-1.8 you are only going to need inside, and for dx format the 50 mm Field of view is way too tight for most indoor situations.Also, if you are a DX user, and have a in-body focus drive, the 50 mm 1.8D is much cheaper and has near equivalent performance at apertures you would actually use outside or with strobe situations. Evaluate your focal length needs carefully, and if you don't need 50 mm then don't waste your money. In real world situations 50 mm on a DX is a somewhat odd field of view. The 35 mm f/2D or 35 mm 1.8G are both fantastic lenses and can be used in pretty much any situation that the 50 mm can and more, you just have to move your feet a bit!Another characteristic of note here is that there is a 1.4G version of this lens. It is more modern and much larger than the 1.4D unfortunately, and has more distortion, but excels in everything else.Bokeh is pretty good. However, due to its straight iris blades, keep in mind that specular highlights will appear as polygons at smaller apertures (f > 4)Summary:PROS--great in low light--very small/compact for a f1.4 lensCONS--odd FOV on DX (this did not effect my star rating)--VERY soft wide open--Massive color fringing and CA till about f2.0--Flares very easilyConclusion:There are very few situations for DX users where you would need this lens, and if you do need a 1.4 50 mm, i would save your money and get the 1.4G. It's less prone to flaring and has more modern optics like aspheres which control CA better. If you need a 50 mm and are okay giving up 1/2 a stop, get the 50 mm 1.8G. The 1.8D is cheaper, but has a wicked flare problem (for indoor use it's good though). First I would try the 35 mm 1.8G, for all other uses. It's more versatile on DX format.
I bought this lens on a recommendation as a replacement for a used NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 (Product Number 1433) that I had been borrowing for 3 years. This is a moderately expensive lens for my budget and after using this I am very satisfied with the purchase. I used it in auto mode for outdoors photography (buildings and rolling stock) and found it satisfactory. I then took it indoors for low light photography (concert, music performance) and the results are smashing.  With the older lens I couldn't use the viewfinder for focusing (very shallow depth of field and very poor eyesight) so I relied on the ring settings, with enough practice  I got good at that method. This lens, on my Nikon D80 bodyNikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only), affords me more of an opportunity to focus through the viewfinder which I am thrilled with. I will need to learn all over again the focus using the ring but I am certain to master this. In certain indoors situations I was able to use the auto focus in P mode without triggering the focus assist light - sweet.Perhaps my issues with the old NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 just meant I should have had it serviced.
I considered, for some time, the f1.8 Nikon and the 30mm Sigma, but decided on the f1.4 50mm Nikon. I was looking for a lens which could fit indoor images (wide-enough for small groups of people) and one which would allow me to be less reliant on flash.In it's first use, I shot, indoors, family and children and was able to use available light. The photos truly shocked me with their sharpness, right out of the camera. My first reaction was that I had I had mis-configured the camera sharpness setting (I usually set this to zero.) I had not. Compared to the 18-70mm kit lens of my D70, this lens is amazing. It's difficult to imagine the f1.8 sister lens as substantially more sharp. If even somewhat more sharp than this lens at f1.8, I'd prefer the having the extra available aperture available.On day 2 of use, I was able to take close-up photos of a falconer's hawks and to document a hunt with hawks. The day was a bit overcast with flat light, but the photos are terrific. I was pleased with the flexibility of this length lens for these different situations, it really fit that sweet spot in a situation where I would not be taking time to change lenses. My favorite shot took advantage of the razor-thin depth of field of a lens at f1.4 to shoot a hawk's eyes. Both the near and far "shoulder" of the hawk are softly out of focus and the eyes are as sharp as light through a diamond.
This lens is one the best lenses that you can buy for the money because it is so fast, crystal clear, and inexpensive. Whether you are an amateur photographer having trouble taking pictures in the dark or a professional photographer trying to get beautifully shallow depth of field, this lens does it all.The beautiful thing about this type of lens is the fact that very little is sacrificed in order to make this lens. On zoom lenses, you get the versatility of framing your shot as you please, but at the expense of light that is lost traveling through all that glass. Even the fastest zoom lenses (like theNikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens) are at least two stops slower than this lens at wide open (so that means four times the amount of light). Also people will say that VR is a great way to take hand-held shots in the dark (which is true, I love VR on my zoom lenses) but they do not account for moving subjects (VR only helps when you move) and the shallow depth of field that you obtain with a lens that is so fast. I personally like to set my camera to Aperture Priority Mode, lock it in at f/2 (which is the sweet spot on this camera in terms of sharpness) and shoot away. I am always pleasantly surprised by the results that I get.If you are budget minded, or if you are never going to shoot below f/4, you might want to opt for theNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, but if you have the cash, the investment is worth it. These kinds of lenses will keep their value for years to come.
This is:* super sharp* crazy wide aperture* one of Nikon's best lenses, quality-wiseThis is not:* zoom lens* macro lensAlmost identical to this is the Nikon 50mm f1.8. You get one extra stop with this lens, and it's triple the cost. I'm really happy with the paper-thin depth of field you get with this lens. Be warned, you'll be taking and deleting many photos if you keep the aperture at f1.4 because so much of the shot is out of focus. Don't get this is you want a macro lens--you have to be a couple feet away for it to focus.
I recently closed up a swim season of 3k pictures. Going back through all the shots (since I didn't really have time to look at them during the season) I keep coming back to the 50mm shots. The 50mm stands out in a way the 18-200 and 10-24 don't (and those are great lenses). The color, even during a cloudy, drizzly day is astounding, and I was able to keep my shutter speed up so I could get action shots. Sure you shoot differently when you're carrying a 50mm instead of 200mm zoom, but you can compensate for that. You can't make a cloudy day sunny (unless you're a forecaster).Some people have mentioned a white haze at f1.4 & f1.8, and I'll agree that it's there when you're in direct sun. It seems to go away once the sun starts to set. Also, be aware that the DOF below 2.8 is paper thin; at 1.4 it doesn't even go as far as the back of someone's head. If you're shooting multiple people in a shot, make absolutely sure their faces are all at the same distance. If you're used to kit lenses that don't go below f3.5 this takes some adjustment.Buy the 1.4! It's light, it's versatile and it makes you look like a genius. What else can do that for $300?
Excellent lens for shallow depth of field pics, I found it very useful for food photography.
i hate to say it but chromatic aberration might be a problem on wide open aperture, other than that i love this lens. i got a pretty good result when coupled with my D7000.for a cropped sensor DSLR this 50mm is a must have for all portraitist photographer.[...]
len is woking fine with my Nikon D90
I got this lens some time ago, after several shots I can conclude somethings on this lens. It's sharp at 70mm, not so sharp from 90 to 200mm, and soft from any focal lenght farther than 200mm. The build quality is good, a bit heavy but ok to my taste. The only ED element included in this lens is not enough for avoiding chromatic aberrations, I've heard and read that either the G or D version delivery pretty the same results. The macro performance is poor, you can not go closer than 5ft. The lens is good for shooting birds, as u should know, the lens mounted on a camera with APCs sensor goes to 450mm at long end. Focus speed is also one of its weakest points, mostly from 200 to 300mm. I have some sample images on my pbase gallery (see link below) images posted on that galley have been edited and resized to a lower resolution, and most of them were taken at 300mm. The bokeh is good although you wouldnt like to see the orignal pictures since the softness and the lack of contrast is clear when u see images at full res. [...] Im leaning towards the buy of the newest version, the nikon 70-300mm VR. Hope I could get one soon, in order to post a brief opinion.
Good lens. ED lenses are of superior quality. Autofocus works great with my D70 camera. It's better than the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
I imagine that these authoritative pro-reviewers will not believe this, but I have a 300mm 4-5.6 "D" lens which is 100% identical to the lens pictured in this listing, and it DOES autofocus on my Nikon D5000 camera body. Yes, I know that this would require the "D" lens to have an internal drive just like the newer "G"-series lenses, and no, I do not use hallucinogenic drugs. I have an age-related decrease in ability to focus without glasses, but I used this lens to shoot about a hundred sharp photos of my son playing high-school soccer. Had I tried to do it by focusing manually, I would have produced a pile of fuzzy photographs. I bought the lens in 2011 at Arista Camera in Bronxville, NY. All I can say is that Nikon must have updated it with an internal drive, even though they had already created a new 300mm "G" lens. This "D" which I own does not have the VR function.It is still more expensive than the newer "G" version, and my only guess as to why is that it is still made with glass lenses, while the newer "G" is made with polycarbonate lenses. Is highly-engineered optical glass superior to polycarbonate? I have no idea. Suffice it to say that optical glass from a globally-reputed camera-lens manufacturer is the result of an entire century of development by all of thebig-name camera makers.
basically, the 70-300 ED is the perfect complement to the 18-70 kit lens for the nikon d series. it's worth having because of the 1.5 mag factor which means it's actually a 105-450mm, which gives you plenty of reach. add a teleconverter and you can get to 900mm (!). general consensus is it's also better than the 70-300 G lens, although if you're on a budget or don't plan on using telephoto that much, the extra $250 might be better spent elsewhere (like the 50mm 1.8 prime and/or a flash). this is a mid-level nikon lens with ED glass and decent build quality--not cheap, but not tank-like either. the lens extends way out at 300 mm, and you have to twist the manual focus ring (which is a bit stiff) to get it to fully retract. the plastic lens hood is big and has a cheap feel (not lined with velvet like tokina), but reverses for carrying around.still, it's nice and sharp with good bokeh and a reasonable value--if you want better bokeh, go for a long prime. no macro capability like the cheaper sigma APO variant but sometimes lenses are better if you don't ask them to do too much.optical quality is pretty consistent through the entire zoom range, which is a good thing; definitely a nice piece of glass, although not a head-turner. it's not a quick lens at 4-5.6, but what did you expect for $400? a 2.8? yeah right.with a steady grip, it's usable handheld out to 200mm; beyond that shake is noticeable. the rubber grip ring balances nicely on objects without worrying about scratching the finish for braced shots. if you plan on using it handheld fully extended, consider the VR version, although you'll still want a tripod for longer exposures. 70mm is a bit tight on the wide end, but passable for portraits. for a non-macro, it lets you get reasonably close with a shallow depth of field. no noticable lens creep. not super lightweight, but not too heavy either. doesn't take up much more room in the bag then the 18-70. middle-of-the road in most categories, except for optical performance, which is above average. good for nature or wildlife w/tripod, or for law-enforcement/private detectives, handheld "stakeout" surveillance shots (which don't require perfect clarity). if you plan on using it for sports or action in low light, good luck -- use a speedlight and a tripod/monopod, set up at a spot, lock focus, and wait for subject to come into view. wouldn't recommend it for tracking quick-moving objects beyond 200mm.the 70-300 ED is super-sharp stopped down to 5.6-8, beyond that performance didn't really improve; the images just got a bit more resonant. bottom line, you can get some nice long shots with this lens, which should be good enough for casual enthusiasts and prosumers. it's not a pro lens, but then again, it doesn't cost what a pro lens does. you might be able to find it used for a fraction of the price, but it might be worth it to get the warranty.
Go to Nikon's own website NikonUSA.com and compare the technical specifications of this version and the 'G' version of this lens.  There are only three differences.  One is that the 'G' version has its aperture set only by the camera body, while the 'D' version can have its aperture set either by the body or by a ring on the lens.  All recent Nikon bodies set the aperture.  The ring on the lens is invariably locked on all recent camera bodies.  The second difference is that one (1) of the 13 lens elements in the D version of the lens is made of Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass.  If the dispersion difference is so important what is the deal with the other 12 elements?  Sounds like marketing to me.  The third difference is that the 'D' version costs three times as much as the 'G' version.
I read all the reviews and concur with most.  It is no more or no less than I expected based on reviews by others.  It is a very good lens for the price and its condition was exactly as stated by the supplier.  It works perfectly on my Nikon D80.  I would have preferred a faster lens with macro capability, but this lens takes care of a problem for now.
Greatquality lens.Terrific service. Promptdelivery. Takes fabulouslyclear photo'sw/Nikon D40. Nomanual so will need to research all the how to's- otherwise would be a 5 star rating.
I used this lens for about a year with both film and digital.  In general, it's a decent lens for the price.  Even though it's ED (extralow dispersion), I do get purple fringing on high-contrast subjects at long (telephoto) zoom.  Since I do wild bird photography, this would show up as purplish bird beaks and twigs against a bright sky.  Annoying.  On the other hand, it has produced some excellent portraits and even wildlife photos where contrast wasn't excessive.Doing a side-by-side test w/ the help of a camera store and a D70, I compared this lens to both 80-400/5.6 VR (nikon) and Tamron 200-500/6.3.  All three were "good", but the Nikon VR was sharpest (Tamron roughly similar to ED), and also lost the least contrast (Tamron somewhere in the middle, ED worst), and the ED and Tamron lenses both appeared to kill color very slightly (not a big deal). Only the ED showed purple fringe w/ high contrast.But although the 70-300 ED wasn't stellar in these tests, I still prefer it for backpacking due to the low weight and size (and robustness), and I rely on the 80-400 VR for serious wildlife photography where I can tolerate the weight/size in exchange for image stabilization and sharp optics.
I'm interested in the lens, heard it's great, the price is good. However I can't find in the description whether it's a grey market lens, which may or may not be covered by Nikon's warranty and I believe has a one year warranty, or a USA warranty, which I believe has a three year warranty. Either way, the description needs to clarify this. Other large internet vendors (reputable) offer either types of lens and charge about 10 or 15 percent more for the USA warranty.
First, I'm giving this 70-300mm lens a 5 stars rating partly because the price is quite attractive especially the used ones (the G version of the lens is even more cheaper and picture quality isn't too much different with this ED glass version in my opinion).If your primary objective is to take pictures in low light situation such as wedding and concert, then get the 80-200mm f/2.8 or the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 instead.Get this lens (or it's cheaper brother the 70-300mm G) by any means unless you already have those alternative and more expensive zoom lenses that I mentioned above.Pros:1. Inexpensive (with the VR version is released, many will sell this one)2. You can get up close and personal (300mm which is equivalent to 450mm if you attach it to a DSLR)3. Very sharp and fast in bright light situation (outdoor etc), though it gets a bit softer as you get closer to the 300mm4. Very light5. Bokeh is suprisingly good6. Great for portrait7. ED glass for better contrast and picture quality8. Metal mountCons:1. Though more solid build than the 70-300mm G version, the external part of this lens is still made from plastic. (but I don't think you should care on this)2. Very bad on low light situation especially if the object is moving/sports photography, but still works fine for long exposure with tripod like photographing fireworks or night light building/city/car lights.3. Focus seems to be slower on low light situation (focus hunting a bit more)Bottom line: this lens loves a lot of light.If you give this lens a lot of light, it will take good care of you.Last but not least, after you get this lens, go and buy the nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D prime lens for $100 or less (equivalent of 75mm if used with DSLR which is very good for portrait and semi-zoom). This is a very fast lens and works extremly well in low light situation even without using flash. This lens will complement your 70-300mm ED lens very very well.Also check out the 70-300mm G (half the price of ED) and the 70-300mm VR (released Oct 2006). VR feature works really well on static object.  If the obect is moving then you will be better off with fast lens like the 50mm f/1.8 AF-D, 80-200mm f/2.8 AF or the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 AF-SHappy photographing!Sidarta Tanu
The 28-105 f/3.5-4.5D is an outstanding value as an all-purpose utility lens. Use on a full frame camera is desirable, but it functions quite well on a Dx body, too. The 3.75x zoom range is adequate for most situations, and the added 1:2 macro capability makes the lens an exceptional value. Not to mention it is incredibly sharp at all usable apertures. For field work, I carry a 17-35, 28-70 and a 70-200 (all f/2.8), but for just hanging out the 28-105 f/3.5 is my "go-to" lens. . . . .  bgs..
I only wish it was 18mm instead of 28mm.  I find it to be sharp across its zoom range.  It has a macro function I still haven't tried yet.  Would be five star on an FX rig, as a walk around lens.  I bought this, expecting to buy the D600 but decided against it, since the prices never dropped low enough for me to take the plunge.  If you have a DX go for the 18-105mm DX kit lens for many.  In spite of some criticisms, much of it undeserved and without foundation, that is a perfect lens for any DX camera.
I use this lens on my D70 DSLR, I haven't used it with film.This lens is great for wilderness-hiking or touristing/walking around the city.  While the pictures are not as good as a dedicated lens, this jack of all trades almost never leaves my camera for day to day shots.The 105mm (~150 on dslr) has allowed me to take great shots that are normally out of reach such as statues around town and animals in the distance.The 28mm (~45) is wide enough for a nice landscape shot.The Macro feature is great for insects or jewelery.If you're just walking around, ready to take a picture of anything that comes up then this lens is a great choice.I never use a flash and my low light pictures have turned out great despite the small aperture...so long as it's not a picture of a moving target (i.e. cat or child).
I bought this lens used&#8230; It&#8217;s in great shape.  I love it, am using it on Nikon D600.Good all-around carry lens. The macro is fantastic.I used it to shoot a small wedding. It covered all situations well.Only issue (not the lens)&#8230; The lens did not come with the original lens hood.  I purchased a wide angle metal hood but it vignettes at 28 to just over 35mm when I have a filter on the lens. The original hood mounts back on the body of the lens. So would prolly work better.  So I need to find an original Nikon hood.  Else I&#8217;m a happy camper.
I've been an amateur photographer for almost 40 years and a devoted Nikon user for the last 30 at least. In that time I've owned every professional film SLR from the original F to the F5 and, at one time or another, almost every piece of glass from 18 to 300 mm that Nikon ever produced.  Like many, I went through a period of having to have only "the best" in my camera bag and consequently paid a premium to own only "professional" primes and zooms (many of which I still own).What constitutes a good lens however is not it's performance on test targets alone but how it performs in real life.  A $1000, pro level, f2.8 zoom is useless if it's so heavy you hate taking it with you on vacation.  All the money you spent on that "pro" performance is useless sitting in the bag at home.As a real life "user", this lens is hard to beat.  With a range that covers the focal lengths used for a large percentage of the pictures you will want to make, the sacrifice of 0.5 stops at the short end and 1.5 at the long is a small price to pay - unless you are in the (discouraged) habit of using slow (ISO 50) films handheld all the time.  The lens covers it's long focal length range with a surprising lack of distortions - a tribute to the designers - and even has a usable "macro" feature. Is it the equavalent of my 105 f2.8 AF Micro Nikkor? NO! But the difference only shows in the corners wide open.  For the occasional close up on the beach that you might want to grab on vacation it performs surprisingly well.All lenses are compromises and this is especially true of zooms.  This lens is a generally nice package as a stand alone vacation lens.  Or, if you prefer, couple it with a AF20mm f2.8 Nikkor and an old AF70-210 f4 Nikkor or newer AF70-210 f4.5-5.6D Nikkor (all using 62mm filters) and you have a very versatile travel package for film shooters.My only complaint has to do with the recent addition of a Nikon D100 to my collection of bodies.  The 1.5 multiplication factor of the sensor makes this effectivly a 42-157mm zoom on that body.  Consequently, for the digital shooter who "sees" wide this becomes an unattractive range. If, on the other hand, you, like me, "see" better at longer focal lengths, you now have a "normal" to medium tele zoom with a macro capability.  In addition, since the digital sensor only uses the center of the lenses projected circle - this lens in digital is as sharp as my AF180 f2.8 Nikkor prime on film.For my way of shooting these are acceptable compromises.Addendum: July 2010As another reader has pointed out, this review was written before the advent of the "full frame" Nikon D SLRs as well as before the arrival of lenses like the Nikon 18-200mm VR DX, 16-85mm VR DX, and 18-135mm VR DX Zooms for DX size sensors.  Despite these developments (and despite the fact that I have owned many of the alternatives listed and currently still own the 18-200 VR DX on a D300s), the hundreds of superb travel photos I have taken with this lens still makes it one of the few lenses I just can't bring myself to part with.  I have "blown" shots in the past for many reasons - forgot to change settings, used too slow a shutter or too wide an aperture, wrong white balance, etc. - but I have yet to have a shot spoiled by the performance of this optic.  Given present technology, it is only the lack of VR that would make me hesitate from buying it again.
It is very slow and has flare, particularly when using flash.  I sacrifice the zomm and use 35-70 f2.8 instead.
The item is as advertised except it does not auto focus on my camra.  Who knows why.  I did receive it in a timly manor and well packaged.
All in all this is a decent lens for what it is, a f/3.5-4.5D 28-105mm D. Let's look at the numbers shall we:3.5 - The same wide aperture as a myriad of other lenses at the same focal length that do the job way sharper and quicker.4.5 - Not too bad of a f/stop for 105mm. The DX younger brother version of this lens nearly a full stop slower than that.28mm min focal length. This is a very good wide angle FOV if you're shooting full frame or film, but if you're shooting DX (1.5 crop factor) than it equates to roughly 42mm, not exactly off to a good start for a lens they want you to just leave on all the time.105mm - Again, a good length especially considering it's only stopped down to 4.5 by the time you get out there.D - This means you can use it on several digital bodies and nearly all of the film bodies since 1995. That's great.My main issues with this lens are that it's not nearly as sharp as I'd like it to be. It seems to me that nearly every picture I take in lighting conditions any less than direct sunlight are back-focused by several millimeters. That's a lot!And, when switching to macro, you have this cantankerous little switch operation you have to do to switch the lens into macro mode, thereby opening up the ability to focus at all distances, but limiting the focal length to 50-105mm, why? Why can't you just trust me as a photographer to focus correctly? Why does there need to be a switch between me and my shot?The glass is clear and big, which is nice, but when it doesn't grab focus the way it should, that's all kind of meaningless.Overall build quality is good. I've had this lens for years and have never had any issues with it loosening up of wearing out. It's built to last, but, alas, still not that great.In conclusion:Meh.
I own lenses costing several times this lens from the 14-24mm F2.8 to the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR but find myself reaching for this more and more often due to its versatility.The lens is light and the focal range is perfect for general tourism photography during the day and night if you use a flash or tripod.  I use it on the D700 and it gets sharp shots for much of what I shoot.My favorite thing about the lens is the Macro mode which works well enough to get shots of flowers, insects and other creepy crawlies as you can put the lens within an inch or so from the subject to get satisfying results.While this lens isn't going to be "better" than some of Nikon's newer and more expensive models for specific situations I would highly recommend this lens for anyone looking for convenience and those who don't have to have the "perfect" shot every time.
I purchased this lens for under $200 at the beginning of May. I had very low expectations, frankly- just wanted something in a mid-rangey lightweight zoom. This lens has knocked my socks off, frankly. It is a swell walk around lens, BUT- I happened to have it on my D600 during an extemporaneous shoot at a dress rehearsal of ON THE TOWN, a very heavy dance show. I snapped about a 1,000 shots thinking I might get one or two that weren't blurry considering constant movement in low light. I was pretty amazed at how well this lens performed. I've also tried it with some casual macro shots and it does great there, as well. This is a bargain of a super useful, sharp, and lightweight lens. I will post a couple of pics in the image section.
I've had this lens for about a year now and really like it a lot.  I use it on my FM3a manual body, so the autofocus is not available to me.  However, the range of focal lengths and the quality of the build are precisely what I need when I want to travel light.The benefits of this lens are obvious.  The focal lengths range from 28mm at the wide end to 105mm at the long end.  The build quality is excellent and yet the lens is not perceptably heavy.  In daylight, the lens performs remarkably.However, the lens also has its downsides.  The first and most obvious is that the lens is very slow.  F3.5 is hideously slow in anything but the best lit scenes.  Then on the long end the lens only manages a measly F5.6.Another problem is that the lens flares terribly in bright sunlight.  Many of my pictures have flaring if the sun is in the frame or slightly out of it.  Bright objects in the frame will also cause it to flare.Focus is also a problem on manual focus bodies.  The focus throw is very short and loose (good for autofocus bodies, though) so getting precise focus is a challenge.  Even in focus, the lens is very soft.  There is also some light fall off in the corners when fully zoomed and some minor barrel distortion when wide.But despite those drawbacks, this lens serves me well.  To replace this lens with anything else would require either a 3 lens set of 28, 50, and 105 prime lenses or a couple zooms which would end up costing more and be a constant weight while traveling.The range of focal lengths is what sets this lens apart from the rest of Nikon's zooms.  While other lenses may be faster, sharper, and better built, this one can do the work of any other combination of lenses between 28mm and 105mm passably and at a reasonable price.3 stars for this great lens value.  It won't be the best lens you own, but if you're lazy like I am it may end up being the lens you use the most.
I purchased this lens for my Nikon D700.  For the types of shooting I do it is my first choice.  It is a great all around lens.  The macro portion of the lens could have been designed a little better.  Overall this is an excellent lens.
I just got my hand on a used one today. Have been playing with it for over half-a-day.The lens is very well built for its price ($115.00-$180.00 used). Almost like a smaller version of my Nikon 24-120D.This is a true macro (micro per Nikon) lens (1:2 @ 105mm), at 105mm, it focus to as close as &lt;2" from the front lens element.I took some pics of my cat and flowers, all turn out great. 8"x10" enlargements are crisp and sharp. Bokeh is beautiful.Cannot think of a better way to spend this 100+ dollars. Will post a few pics up later.
I have to say that Nikon made a completely idiotic decision to discontinue this lens in favor of I guess beefing up their DX (cropped sensor) lens line. The logic is perhaps that this is a consumer lens, and consumers buy DX, pros who buy FX wouldn't buy this lens. (film... what's film?)This lens is a TERRIFIC all-in-one lens, and it does it all in such a small and light package that I thought I received the wrong lens until I read the markings.From wide, normal, and short tele, this lens produces terrific real world results. There are some web reviews that talk about softness and focusing errors, I did not see this. In a decent body, this lens also focuses very fast. Top it all off with very handy macro mode. If you want to take just one lens to take pics of family and friends at any occasion and not mess with changing lenses, this is THE lens... but of course, you may need to rely on your flash, this is no fast prime lens.While a constant f/4 would have been better, it doesn't exist.. and this lens itself is in short supply. Hopefully you can secure a good copy like I did.I hope Nikon stops concentrating on their DX line but I think the economics of electronics will continue to dictate the situation, and unfortunately, DX wins on the economic front for a business.
This is a great little lens. I purchased it used, but in mint condition (with the box and everything that came with it new). I am still in DX land (with aNikon D90 12.3MP DSLRand aNikon D5100 16.2MP DSLR) and also own aNikon 12-24mm f/4G Zoom LensandNikon 18-300mm AF-S Lens, as well as a couple of others, but I bought the 28-105, even though it is an older lens, primarily to use for macro photography (or, as Nikon refers to it, Micro). It also does a decent job with portraits.First, image quality. Using it with my D90 it is very nice, sharp and clear. There is no visible distortion that I can see, either at 28 or at 105. Others have stated that there is some, but I do not yet have any complaints with this baby's images. There can be some CA (chromatic abberation) at times, but not often. I guess I snagged an exceptional copy. The zoom works flawlessly and rarely has to hunt when focusing.The build is pretty good, seems solid enough, though it has lots of plastic, like everything else nowadays. One very nice thing about the 28-105 is that it is light, primarily due to not having a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) or VR (Vibration Reduction) function. That said, keep in mind it will not AF (Auto Focus) on bodies without a built-in motor (i.e., not with the D40, D3000, D5000, etc., families).Mounted on a tripod and getting within a couple of inches of the subject matter (flowers for instance) will and does produce some fantastic images. The lens produces a nice bokeh (background blur). As I grabbed this lens for this specific feature, I am glad that I have it in my bag.While not a prime lens (i.e., f/3.5-4.5) it produces good results in its range. My only complaint, and I knew this going in when I got it, is that 28 is, at times, not quite wide enough, especially with my DX body (effectively 42-157mm). But I can live with that as it is not my go-to lens. It is really just my Macro (Micro) lens. In almost all cases my general all-purpose walk-around lens is the 18-300.All in all, if you are looking for a low-priced Nikon Micro (Macro) lens, you might want to consider this one. I am quite happy with it.
I bought this lens because I wanted to try some macro (micro in Nikon's world) shots of flowers and insects without spending a ton of $$$.  This lens has been wonderful so far and I'm glad that I purchased it.  There are better and more expensive macro lenses out there, but this one suits my needs and saved me some money.
I bought Nikon N75 with this lense for my dad a few years back. But it has been a totally diappointing experience as the lense is not sharp at all(I have used Minolta and other SLRs) I feel, the conventional 28-80mm zoom would have been a wiser choice. But I had decent expectations about Nikon which I regret now!
Bokeh isn't bad, but not excellentSharpness isn't bad, but not excellentContrast isn't bad, but not excellentFlare resistance isn't bad, but not excellentSure, it won't equal performance of your primes and it doesn't have VR; but for 150-200 used you really can't beat it.It's really a lens for FX users on a budget. There's the 24-85 mm VR, but that thing USED is 300-400.Now, I will say that i could not (no matter what aperture i used) get the extreme corners sharp on this thing. They get okay by F6.3, but oddly don't get any better beyond that. Far field performance loses some sharpness also.One major thing this lens has over the 24-85 is distortion control. There is very little distortion on this lens above 35 mm. The 24-85 has little distortion around the middle of its zoom range but pretty terrible everywhere else. This lens is WAY more compact than the 24-85 mm as well.One final comment about this lens; the hood. Well, it's ridiculously large. The Nikon HB-18 hood is the one for this lens, and if you absolutely need the hood get it, not some 3rd party - I hear most of them vignette at the 28 mm. Unfortunately the HB-18 is so large that is completely defeats the purpose of having a compact zoom lens. May wanna buy it (it's like 20 bucks or so), but if you're like me, you'll use it for a week and then ditch it since the lens is s unwieldy with it on,
Here and there you'll see people maligning this lens and saying it's soft, a dog, the worst Nikon ever put out... but I haven't experienced any of the problems the lens is supposedly riddled with.  Yes, it may not be the sharpest thing, but then, it's a zoom with a fairly wide reach and it compensates being slow with the VR feature (which won't stop the subject but steady the photographer's hand instead).  At any rate, this lens is practical, useful and it does deliver the goods.  Mine works wondefully with my F100 and my F5, and soon enough with my D700.  Filters may be a problem, as it takes a 72mm size.  Never bother to use a CPL on this lens: first, it's too slow (and it would only make sense to use it under a very strong sun or with a fast ISO outdoors), and it would be a pain to turn the filter to polarize the light.  It may be better to have a neutral density filter instead, if it's at all needed.  I haven't experienced any color distortion or any distortion whatsoever, except for the (expectable) one at the wide end of the zoom.  Otherwise, this is my favorite glass... and shares the limelight with my other Nikon AF-S zoom, the 24-85 f3.5-4.5.Worth a try?  Yes!  In case you're not satisfied, this version of the 24-120 lens does keep its resale value for a while.  At worst, you may lose a bit on the resale, but then, you already got to play with a VR lens.
Nikon makes six VR (Vibration Reduction) lenses.  Three of them sell for $4000 to $6000.  Two others can be yours for $1500 and $1700 respectively.  The sixth is this 24-120 mm zoom which costs about $500 mail order.  VR makes the lens effectively three stops faster than a comparable non-VR lens, enabling it to shoot at 8 times as long a shutter speed without blurring.  Its "slow" f/3.5-5.6 maximum apertures become functionally equivalent to a f/1.2-2.0 lens, faster than any zoom lens in existence at any price (other than Nikon's other VR lenses).The objection that the lens is not sharp is based on it not being quite as sharp with VR on as with it off.  In low light with VR on, it shoots excellent pictures while non-VR lenses shoot no pictures at all or blurry messes.  In normal light with VR off it is classic Nikon glass and quite sharp.The sharpness complaints are from people who either forget to, or don't know to, turn the VR off in normal light.  Maybe future versions will turn the VR off automatically when the shutter speed is faster than a set limit.The noise reduction technology found on the newer (and cheaper) Nikon DSLR's (like the D70 and D50) makes shooting at ISO 1600 feasible.  Combining it with VR, the camera is so fast that one can shoot almost anything anywhere.The comparable technology from Canon is IS (Image Stabilization).  I have not used it but I have read that it increases the effective speed of the lens by two to two-and-a-half stops, compared to VR's three.
This is a superb lens. It is exactly what it says it is... It has a VERY useful zoom range. It is VERY fast focusing. And it has VR. But ignore the reviews that suggest that VR is the same as a 1.2 or 1.8 lens -- It is not. VR allows you to handhold in much dimmer light than you could normally handhold a lens by compensating for minor hand tremors. But your exposure, being longer, can no longer "freeze" moving objects, like kids. So while your image is stabilized, your subject is not. VR is a GREAT benefit, but it cannot replace a 1.2 or 1.8 lens that gives you the faster shutter speed, rather than trying to compensate for a slower speed. VR also costs far, far less than a very, very fast zoom. This lens is a joy to use, very, very sharp and contrasty, and has produced for me many great shots. If you understand what image stabilization is, as opposed to a truly fast lens, you will love this lens.
I am not a lens expert - not by a long-shot.  But, I can say that I wish I had researched this lens better before I bought it.  Since purchasing it in January, I can say that I have read some rather poor reviews of it online.  The numbers make it look like this is the perfect do-everything lens, especially with the VR.  Such is not the case because I am left longing for more sharpness, a larger aperture, better zoom, etc.Here is a link to read a review:  [...]By the way, the picture is not accurate on this!  The lens is a bit bigger than the one in the picture!
I received a Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR zoom lens as the FX kit lens with my Nikon D700.  Yes, I soon found online those kiss-of-death comments about the 24-120mm by You-Know-Who, and like everyone else I drank the Kool-Aid and started taking a disdainful view of my new lens.Yet my own tests indicated it was a pretty fair FX lens, especially in the center.  I found that it even equaled the performance of two single-focal-length Nikkor AI lenses I tested it against -- a 35mm f/2 and a 50mm f/1.4 --  across the entire image at f/8, f/11 and f/16.Recently I got my hands on a Nikon D5100 DX camera, which has an APS-C sensor, and for fun I tried out the 24-120mm f/3.5 FX lens on that body.  Friends, I was exceedingly surprised.  The 24-120mm equaled the performance of a new Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR-II DX lens at the 35mm, 70mm and 120mm settings -- even at f/5.6.  The FX lens even bettered the DX lens a bit at the edges in some cases.Of course, with a DX camera like the D5100, the zoom range of the 24-120mm FX lens gets pushed out to 36-180mm, thanks to the 1.5x crop factor associated with an APS-C sensor.  Still, that's a useful range for many people.  And when you consider that used Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5 VRs are selling for about $300 or less these days, I submit that this maligned lens is in fact a good buy, especially for DX owners.
Unbelievable, the sharpest wide angle I have ever owned. Forget the 14-24mm, save money and save some weight (this is light, solid, made in Japan)!
It might be old, but this lens does what it needs to. Manual iris is great for high speed and locks so you don't slip out. Sturdy and affordable. It's small, so if you're using a rig, keep in mind your fingers might hurt trying to work it and you can't use a controller on it.
I bought this lens to compliment my other prime lenses for my D700 and it is a very good performer. It is quick in focusing and the picture quality is very good. There is slight distortion at the edges but that's to be expected for such a lens. It is also built like a tank, has nearly the same weight as my 85 f1.4 but at 1/3rd the size (about the size of my 50 f1.8). Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase.
I was truly hesitant about buying this lens because of the contradictory reviews you can find all over the web, but at the end a friend offered me a used one and I decided to buy it. No regrets so far! This little gem is sharp, tiny, nice looking in my D7100 and, better than all, wide enough and really lightweight. If you are concerned about traveling with the less weigth you can allow yourself without compromising image quality, then this lens your answer.
Note: I'm using this on D7K, which has a built in focusing motor; manual focus only on bodies without.35mm is probably the most popular all around lens, but from my experience the 52mm equivalent on DX makes it a tad too long for indoor. On Full frame it's probably just right.I was hesitant to go this wide and was contemplating the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF (35mm equivalent), but it didn't quite get the same positive reviews as the 20mm. While the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S has received outstanding reviews, i just didn't want to settle on that focal length, so i took the plunge with the 20.Great decision! Most would probably use this lens for landscape, but i find it just right for indoor candids of the family. I never worry about available shooting space and never find it too wide.Sure it's not a 1.8, but 2.8 is plenty fast for a camera like the D7k where high iso is a non-issue.
I was looking for a small, light, fast, prime lens for my Nikon D7100 and, after some research, this seemed to be the best option available.The seller answered all my questions, the price was very fair and shipment was right on time (actually, even quicker than I'd anticipated.)The lens is absolutely in&#34; like new&#34; condition and has become my go-to lens for moderate wide angle work (30mm equivalent on the D7100.)  Light, autofocus works quickly enough for me, adequately fast aperture, and makes for a compact overall package on the D7100.Yes, I would strongly recommend this lens and this seller again.
I acquired this lens used from someone who claimed to have hardly ever used it. Almost immediately, the aperture blades stuck full open. It cost over $100 to fix. Long story short, this is apparently a common occurrence on older Nikon lenses that used an older type of lubricant. Newer lubricants do not cause this. This is a very solid lens, like a small tank, no questions that it is a professional quality build.Performance - Shooting this lens wide open is very tough and it seems to be rather soft at f/2.8. Stopped down past f/5, it gets very sharp and I have been very pleased with the results. The lens also does flare a good bit and shooting at 20mm, it's hard to keep bright sources of light out of the frame. It's fairly manageable and shouldn't be a huge hindrance. Overall, this is a great addition to the bag, it's compact and gives you a real nice alternative to very expensive and large ultra wide zooms. Stick to landscapes and real estate with this and leave the low light wedding action to the usual suspects.
The lens itself is an OK lens.  I knew that when I bought it.  I bought it new and one of Amazons partners supplied the lens and shipped it to me.  However, upon opening the package it was obvious that I was sent a used lens.  It was not wrapped in plastic, half the packaging material was missing as was the warranty card.  Amazon offered me the choice of a substantial discount on the lens or I could return it.  I kept the lens and it has worked well.I probably won't purchase another lens from Amazon that doesn't come from Amazon directly.
Lots of technical evaluations available on this lens so I'm just saying how I experience it. I have used this lens on my N80 and my D7000, and it doesn't disappoint. It's sharp and relatively fast.  Good quality for a great price.
This is a super sharp lens and allows me to see so much through my viewfinder, especially with my FX sensor on my D700.You will not be disappointed with this lens.However I do not recommend it for Portraits, to wide and not the best bokeh.But for anything outdoors, or indoors with low light, definitely the way to go, you won't have to use your flash ever again.
The Nikon AF20mm f2.8 was designed as a "pro" wideangle lens back in the days when 20mm in autofocus was as wide as you could get.  Originally introduced in 1989 it was the AF equivalent of the manual focus design of 1984 and uses the same optical formula as the MF.  The subsequent addition of the D chip has  changed nothing else.  In it's day an AF 20mm was pretty radical and it was only superceeded in 1993 by wider primes as the pros sought wider and wider views.  For most amateurs however 20mm on film will get you into the "superwide" range without breaking the bank.  For digital shooters, dealing with the 1.5 magnification factor in Nikon D-SLRs, it becomes effectively 30mm, which is still wide enough for most situations.Optically it delivers typical Nikon high color saturation and contrast, with distortions well controlled for it's focal length. While it is reasonably free from flare I strongly recommend the optional HB-4 lenshood designed for it and polarizing will be dificult for film shooters due to vignetting caused by the thick polarizing filter mounts of a "standard" polarizer. Digital shooters should not have this problem because the camera's sensor is only using the central portion of the projected circle - inside the area of vignetting.Mechanically it is all metal and well constructed with an nice "solid" feel to it for an AF lens but those of us who still miss the old manual focus "tanks" will find the undamped focusing ring a little too "loose" when manually focused.  As part of a planned outfit, it can form the wide angle anchor for a travel kit standardized on 62mm filters.  Add Nikon's 28-105AF 3.5-4.5 and 70-210AF 4.5-5.6 and you have a lightweight kit for either film or digital SLR's
This is an excellent lens for landscape photography, other travel photography, and perhaps even interior photography, if you need to cover a wide area. This 20mm Nikkor is a relatively old design, dating at least twenty-odd years, but it is still a capable performance with fine contrast and resolution. Without question, it is a fine lens for both digital and film photography. If I was still using Nikon equipment, I wouldn't hesitate adding this lens to my kit.
When I originally purchased this lens I was using a DX camera body and was looking for something sharp, fast, and wide to replace my old kit zoom lens.  While it was a competent performer, it didn't really set my world on fire.  On a DX body it's just not wide enough to create wide-angle distorted close up photos where the wide aperture would come in handy.  When shooting landscapes the wide aperture didn't present much use and even though it was very sharp, I didn't notice much difference from my kit lens as I was typically stopping down enough that both lenses produced sharp photos.All this changed when I upgraded to a FX camera.  With the full-frame sensor this lens comes alive producing amazingly wide-angled views with sharpness all the way to the corners.  This is now my go-to lens for landscapes, architecture, panoramas, astrophotography, and abstract street photography.  I really can't stress enough how great this lens is.  I'm sure a lot of people looking at this lens are debating between this and the renowned 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor.  While that lens is undoubtedly better in most ways, I wouldn't discount getting the 20mm Nikkor if it's wide enough for your needs (which for most people I would say it is), especially at a third of the price.  If you're a DX shooter and plan on staying that way, I would recommend getting one of Nikon's wider zooms (i.e. 12-24mm) instead as this probably won't be wide enough for your needs.A big warning for FX shooters, you can pretty much forget about using a filter with this lens as even the thinnest filters will produce visible vignetting in almost any situation.In summary here are the pros and cons:Pros:Amazingly sharpFast autofocusFast apertureVery reasonable price for wide angle lensVery wide angle on FX camerasBuilt like a tankCons:Not wide enough on DX cameraCan't use filters when shooting with FX cameraWon't autofocus on entry-level DSLRs (i.e. D3000, D5000, D40, D60, etc.)
This lens is fast, sharp and a great field of view. Great color rendering, and a go-to lens. I'm VERY happy with this glass.
The images come out soft and even a bit blurry, it is slow to focus and makes a lot of noise. I bought the Sigma 10-20mm and am much happier with it and it's have a very wide field.
When I first saw Velvia slides taken with this lens by a friend I was very impressed by the angle of view and the contrast and great colours. That was 20 years ago.However lens design has improved with time and few focal lengths (apart from say the 50mm lens) have not improved.I tried this lens on a full frame digital camera and noticed that it is a little soft on the sides. Chromatic abberation is definitely present.So I can't call this lens great anymore.If you want to make big blowups and you have the money you should probably go for the 14-24mm f/2.8 zoom.However if you want a compact, unobtrusive lens of this focal length this is the one to go for. It's very sharp in the center of the image and the fact that youcan take good pictures at f/2.8 means that it can be a good lens to take when there is not much light.
I love the 94 degree angle I get with this 20mm lens. I owned one back around 1980 with my Nikon FE. It consistently produces sharp and contrasty shots with great colors. This newer model has Close Range Correction. It's a great piece of glass to have in your bag that doesn't take up too much space.
It's sharp, wonderful, and the perfect wideness for what I need! Especially great if you have a full frame camera, but it will work on the smaller sensor cameras as well. The fixed focal length lenses are all I use because they focus faster and are much sharper than zoom lenses.
This is a well constructed lens and preforms as advertised.  I ran several tests and it surpassed my expectations in performance.
I use the 20mm with my D80.  My title highlights my two favorite features. I went for the 20 after I analyzed the first month of my shots with the kit lens were over 50% in the wider (18mm) range. With a prime I wanted high image quality, sharpness, simplicity and of course small package.The 20mm gives you small size, great ability to 'get it all in' and in many cases delivers outstanding sharpness.  [...]If your doing snapshot style, group photo's of people or casual shooting I think you'll be better served w/ the 18-20mm portion of your kit zoom.  This lens does require attention to deliver consistently sharp images.With that caveat being said I can honestly say that in the 5 or so months I've owned it this is my go to, default lens... size matters!  Happy Shooting!
It is extremely sharp even at full aperture and it works well. It is an old design, and Nikon could probably improve it with vibration reduction, but it works fine as it is. I only have an 85 mm. fixed focus lens which I use mainly for portraits. This wide angle lens helps me with nature and social shots. A zoom would be more versatile but I like the slightly better definition of the fixes focus lenses.
On a FX body, it's a good, very wide angle lens but it does produce a significant amount of vignetting and distortion. Vignetting is almost entirely eliminated (barely perceptible) using DxO Optics Pro 7.5. DxO completely removes distortion.Nice lens, fast, sharp wide-open.
I got the lens for about a year now. Really like it. Have enough wide range for group picture in a not so large room and it is a fast lens too. This lens compliments my 28-300 f3.5-4.0 telelens.
Since I used to own this lens, I will give my report. The 62mm filter threads are a royal pain. 52mm has been the usual standard for Nikon for many years, although that has been changing. If you have a lot of them at that size,you may want to skip this offering and get the 24mm F2.8 AFD. The lenses are similar enough in quality. The 24mm F2.8 AFD uses a 52mm lens shade, the HN-1, which is also compact but not deep enough to be very effective. On a Nikon crop body, you can use an HN-3 (which is actually for the 35mm F2 AFD). It is deeper, yet it is compact. The Nikon HB-4, for the 20mm lens is quite wide and hard to deal with, when using a lens pouch on your belt. The HB-4 is a also a very shallow lens hood and therefore not very effective. This makes the 20mm F2.8 not very compact. Again, the 24mm F2.8 or the 35mm F2 would be my choices for compactness, with a 52mm lens shade attached. I am not going to mention the compact Nikon 28mm F2.8 AFD. I have not used one because I don't consider 28mm wide. It is more like a normal lens to my way of thinking.The 20mm F2.8 AFD catches stray light from everywhere, so a lens shade is mandatory. I always use a lens shade for protection. I never use a protective filter because it adds flare and can reduce sharpness. The 20mm AFD has a lot of CA's. Most of the new cameras can correct this when shooting in JPG mode. The distortion on the 20mm F2 AFD is severe. Straight lines do not remain straight (neither does the 24mm F2.8 AFD keep straight lines straight). I would choose the 35mm F2 AFD if I wanted a better quality lens. The 20mm F2.8 AFD is not an easy wide lens to work with. The 24mm F 2.8 AFD is a bit easier to work with for the inexperienced. For people pics, the 35mm F2.8 AFD is nicer to work with than either the 20mm F2.8 AFD or the 24mm F2.8 AFD. CRC is helpful on the 20mm F2.8 AFD and the 24mm F2.8 AFD. So, all in all, if you need very wide, then this 20mm F2.8 AFD is probably your choice. I hope you enjoyed my comments.
I've posted a bunch of images taken with this lens here on this page. I am a big fan of prime lenses and very picky about the image quality. I have been seriously taking picture for 40 years and this is my first zoom lens that I purchased and I am not disappointed.Although I saw quite a few very good reviews on the new Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 ED IF lens which can cover more area, After serious considerations, I still will not letting this one go. The full size images look a lot better than the ones that got shrinked (re-sized) and posted here. If I need to cover more area, I will use my 20mm lens for that.Other than the optic quality, the lens is very well built. It feels heavy given that it doesn't look that big. I usually carry two cameras. This one is now attached to one of my cameras at all time.
I've purchased this lens 4 times now (selling it to friends and family with the thought of upgrading and it keeps ending up in my hands).  The range for the price you can't beat it! It's a solid and trust worthy lens.  Just make sure you buy one that has an accurate description! These old lenses are prone to fungus if not taken care of so watch for that! It's sharp and moderately fast (not lightning quick) and the Macro feature is more useful than you'd think!
Love its portrait shots.On a DX camera, focus can be tricky. But when get the hang of it it is excellent.
Superb image quality, amazing sharpness, excellent contrast and colors. Focuses quickly on my D50 and with little trouble.  The macro mode works great and is a nice addition. The focal range makes it nice for a walkaround lens. Sharp even at f/2.8.My only complaint is the weight of it, the lens is a tank.  But all the good things definitely outweigh the bad.  Well worth the $$$.
The 35-70 f/2.8 is obviously a good piece of glass. Stout, sturdy, professional grade, but it failed to meet my expectations when compared to the more modern technology of the 28-70/2.8 or the current 24-70/2.8. The lens received was wobbly when attached to the camera. And the lens lockout switch would not secure. Overall sharpness across the zoom range was spotty, best performance (as expected) was around f/5.6 to 8. I purchased the lens for its maximum aperture of 2.8, and this is where it performed the least. Nice lens, but less than I needed. . .  bgs.
First off, I didn't buy this lens on Amazon, but got it cheaper used through ebay.  This lens is great.  I used it on my D40 to take shots at Christmas.  Took absolutely amazing and sharp pictures, and I'm only a beginner.  The 2.8 aperture meant I didn't need the flash indoors and still got decent shutter speeds.  It is a little soft wide open, but honestly, what lens isn't.  This lens does add some weight to your camera, but that's only because of it's solid metal body.  The macro setting does an OK job.  It's not as good as a dedicated macro obviously, but gets the job done if you need it.  I highly recommend purchasing this lens soon.  They have been discontinued and the price is only going to go higher the longer you wait.
This lens is no longer manufactured, so you have to buy it used. Be particular about the quality, otherwise, you're wasting your money if the lens has fungus or scratches on the glass. When you get a good one (like I did), it's a fantastic lens. Little tricky to learn to use if you're accustomed to the newer &#34;twist&#34; focusing lenses - this one pulls in and out manually, although it will autofocus. Really sharp, excellent macro (crazy shallow depth of field) and not too heavy. Buying this lens will help you really learn how to focus and work that manual setting on your camera - great if you've been relying on newer lens to do the work for you.
I wanted a good mid range zoom that offered speed and low light capability for action photography. I shoot mainly martial arts and in our studio the lighting can get a little tricky. I did my research and dreamed of buying the Nikon 24-70mm at $1800 or the 28-70mm f2.8 at about $1400. What I discovered is that this lens the 35-70mm f2.8 was Nikon's best mid range zoom for over a decade throughout the 90's. Also, at a fraction of the price (bought mine used for $320) offering the same optical performance and image quality as the lenses mentioned above. I just couldn't resist. Yes the lens is a little old school with the push/pull type zoom. Also, it doesn't have the zoom range, but for the money who cares? The macro feature is kind of cool but I don't really use it. This a great all around carry lens and I consider it pretty light compared to the others mentioned above. Don't get me wrong this lens is built like a tank and it's reassuring knowing that there's nothing but quality Nikon glass inside. If money is an issue this is the best bang for your buck!Just an update to the review I recently covered an NBA basketball game.  It was the Clippers vs Pacers.  To my surprise I was given a full press pass and was allowed to sit on the floor under the basket with the pro photogs.  Needless to say this lens more the exceeded my expectations.  Super fast focusing and was able to capture all the action.
I got this lens 2nd hand at about USD$300, and I love it!  This f/2.8 lens is sharp and contrasty.  The 35-70mm range translates to 52.5-105mm in the 1.5 crop factor format.  It is like having 3 portrait lenses in 1, i.e. the 50mm, 85mm and 105mm.  At the 35mm end is the ability to press a knob and go into macro mode, which is useful when you need it.  Compared to the Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 lens, this lens is a mere fraction of the price, may not have the silent wave motor, but it produces comparable pictures.
Everything the reviews said about this lens is true.It stays on my d700.Love the colors it produces.If you can find a good one used,go for it.
First off, I think I got super lucky because I got the cleanest used copy ever.  I would seriously have believed the seller if they said it was brand new.  I will make this quick as I am sure you don't want to read a novel.PROS:- Great contrast and look to the pictures.  It really feels like pro glass.- Constant aperture and a fast one at that!  f/2.8- Macro setting.  It may not be at the level of a full time macro lens but for someone who wants to play around with macro and doesn't yet have the $950+ for the 105 I was thrilled to discover this feature about my lens!- Solid feel.  It is not a cheap plasticy lens.  This thing feels strong without being too incredibly heavyCONS:- I don't know if this is a con yet, but it has a slide zoom and I am sure this will take some time to get used to and with that said, I don't know if I want to get used to it.- Limited range.  This is a big con for me, and if there was any other lens from Nikon for under a grand with these pros and a wider range I would have bought it...but there isn't which is why you are looking here.  The way I look at it is I am using this for weddings and I don't want to be backing in to people trying to "zoom" with a 50mm prime lens. So if I have a little wiggle room in my zoom then I am hoping that will be enough.I am so excited to get some more use out of this lens, it is incredible so far, and the macro mode is just icing on the cake!  I do plan on saving up for the 24-70 which will replace this lens in the future, but who knows...maybe I will love this one so much I can't justify spending the extra money.  The point is it will more than hold me over and allow me to focus on some other equipment like lighting...or maybe that 105 ;-)
a best kept secret in photography!super sharp,quality built,non-plastic pro style lens.nikons most expensive mid range zoom in the 1990's,excellent walk around lens.
I can't attest to this lens giving a sharp photograph because it had a fog over the inner element had a hazy fog layer over it.  I I did an internet search and found this is a common problem.  I don't have anything else to add here other than, if you buy this lens do so with caution.
I mainly bought this lens to supplement my 24-70mm and antique workhorse 55mm (still my go-to favorite little lens) that I use for pet photography.  I needed a lens that had a large fixed aperture for low-light situations and this little buddy works like a charm.  I love it.
This is probably the best value out there for a professional level Nikon lens. It is my favorite lens and most of my best pictures have been taken with it. I consider it to be my lucky lens, in fact, for that reason.Pros: Excellent contrast and clarity and virtually no pincushion at any focal length. Beautiful optics/output at a professional level. Market value extremely low, relatively speaking of course. (that last one of course is a pro for a buyer. for a seller I guess it would be a con)Cons: Telescopic (AKA "push-pull") focal length adjustment takes more time and energy and is more herky-jerky, weighs about a ton, and the bokeh is so good it's almost too much in certain instances!The cons here are really just getting into minutia for the sake of being thorough and objective. This lens is a slam dunk for the price it can be found regularly on the used market. I picked up this lens for exactly 1/5 of the price of the much lauded 17-35mm or 17-55mm "photojournalist" lenses. I realize the focal length range of 35-70mm is not as desired for many people as the 17-35mm or the 17-55mm, but at 1/5 the price c'mon! I am not able at this stage to afford the 17-35mm/17-55mm or I might have bought it instead, but I really don't feel like I got the short end of the stick by any means. This lens holds its own just fine thank you very much. Plus, I rarely have the need to shoot at a focal point less than 35mm. The vast majority of my work is between 35mm and 55mm. Also, I would be very surprised if the optics of the 17-35mm is noticeably better than this lens, at least by 99% of people looking at it. The output quality of this lens really is beautiful. When I first got the lens I spent several hours trying to find a place where I could be disappointed with the output, even zooming in with Photoshop to super close ranges. I was not able to disappoint myself. I found no negative issues with the optics/output of this lens then, and I still haven't at this point. If I do in the future I promise I will come back and edit this review, so if you are reading this now I haven't found any yet!
This is a great pro level lens back during it's time.  If you are on a tight budget but what something that has a F2.8 aperature.  This is the lens for you.  If you look at the price of this lens in comparison to the Nikon 24-70mm F 2.8, there is a significant price difference.  Although there are technology difference.  I primarily use this lens on my Nikon D90 since it will not work on my D5000 or any lower level DSLR.  Make sure you read up some reviews on this lens before you purchase it and make sure that this will have AF focusing on your camera.
This is my first experience with a push-pull lens, and I'm not a big fan.  That said, it's a very minor aspect of the whole lens, which I rate 5 stars.  Look for this lens 2nd hand, keep a filter on it, and you're good to go.
I have put it to the test with my D700 and really am amazed at the sharpness of the pictures.
This lens was, in the 90's, what the 24-70 is today, a must have lens for serious photographers. Today it is still an absolutely wonderful, sharp, fast lens. It is so solidly built and is just a joy to use. It is on the heavy side as most of the older well built lenses are. But I put my 18-200 away after using this for a day. No, I don't get the reach of the 200 (I am using the 35-70 on a D90) but what I have gained in sharpness and bokeh is well worth the trade. I see a D700 in my future so I can take full advantage of the non-DX lens I am collecting. This lens, the 35-70 f2.8, an 85 f1.8 and the 50 f1.8 represent a relatively inexpensive way to have incredible sharpness, creamy bokeh and great low light capability available for most types of shoots. If you find one get it. You will not regret it. When you can afford it, get the 24-70, but in the meantime this will most definitely do!
For those of us that don`t want to pay the price for the newer 24-70 f2.8 or the 28-70 f2.8 then this is the right lens for you. It is also significantly lighter and smaller than either of these two lens although you obvious lose some range on the backend. Optical quality is absolutely outstanding and the push pull zoom mechanism works great. Highly Recommended lens
I got this lens as a functional and economical alternative to the AF-S 24-70mm and 28-70mm Nikkor lenses as my standard lens.  Boy, did I underestimated the value I was getting into; this thing is a beauty both performance as well as construction.Cons - Slower and not as quiet AF without sonic motor (AF-S), 62mm vs the standard 77mm for contemporary Nikkor pro lenses, a tad heavy (heavier than it looks), doesn't go below 35mm focal length.Pros - Sharp pictures, metal and sturdy construction, macro mode with extreme close-ups (&lt;10")As with all Nikkor lenses, this thing is built solid and great optics.  Being a new amature photographer, this thing brought both pride of ownership to a piece of art as well as being able to appreciate the craftmanship of another era (90's).  I love the pictures I've gotten from this lens, and it has become de facto lens for portraits and general use.  For the money I saved from going to the 28-70 or 24-70, I'm ready for a ultra wide-angle lens to complete my lens kit.
There aren't enough superlatives for the quality and sharpness of this lens or its performance with lower light situation. Almost every photo I've taken with it is very good and some are great. But there are two drawbacks to using this lens more often.The first is the weight of the lens itself. It's OK for using at home or for short periods elsewhere, but it is uncomfortably heavy to lug around for extended periods, to travel with, or even to hold steady for a long time.The second (and least important) is the fact the push/pull mechanism (which is more abrupt and feels less precise) in order to frame your image. It is not that difficult to do, but it's a distraction and a chore that I, who am pretty spoiled by more modern lenses, find a little annoying. Once it's on, I do it, but the thought that I'm going to have to do it is often a turn-off.The result is that, though this lens is notably better than my other options at this length, I often pass it up when choosing the lens I'm going to use on a given day.
Just got one used for $CAD 275.It's like new and there is no lens delamination happening on my lens, it's all clear.I read that over time the cement holding the lenses together can break and leavesome cloudy stuff on the lens.Fantastic lens!
Wow ! Is All I can say this lens is very sharp to be such an older lens I'm very happy with this until I save and ((NEED)) the 24-70mm f/2.8
I have this lens on a D90. There are sometimes when I wish it was a little wider, but for the most part I can get most of what I need using this.
Fantastic lens.  Perhaps the best, cleanest pictures I have taken come from this lens.  I use it with a Nikon D90 to shoot sports and people.  Is it a bit heavy?  Yep. Is it light years better than nikon's other compact zooms?  Absolutely.  Brilliant colors and super fast.  Wanna shoot sports? Put this thing on, shoot in Shutter priority at 1000th of a second and blast away.  Freezes action even in lower light venues. Tough as hell, too.  By the way, if you are comparing with the VR version, I can honestly say that I would never go that direction.  I hand-hold this thing and do not have blurry pics.  Not sure how VR would help.  Certainly not enough to fork over and extra 500-1000 bucks.
I needed a zoom lens with f/2.8. I couldn't believe when I saw this lens so reasonably priced. I plan on using it for sports and portrait photography.
I was in debate in whether to buy the expanisve 70-200 vr or this one 80-200 and after reading alot of online reviews i finally decided to go ahead and buy this lensits really amazing lense and feels well made on the hand and balance good on the camera , its really sharp edge to edge
I am so happy with this lens.  i think this is a keeper.  I sometimes meet people who say that it is a lot better to have VR.  This may not have it but quality and sharpness is excellent!  i used it for sports, and portrait.  it is a fantastic lens that will surely have space in bag.
I returned this lens because it showed severe back focus on my d800e.  It is supposed to be a legendary lens, but I was not all that impressed even with manual focus.  Of course, you should pay no attention to this - a serious review would require many pages and detailed testing, which I have not done,
I shelled out $990 for this lens, and had to wait almost 3 months on backorder. And it was worth every dime.After almost a year of having the 80-200mm on my D80, I can see why it's rated as one of the best (if not the best) lens that Nikkor has produced.The image quality is great. No aberrations, no visible distortion, even at the extreme zoom settings. Reflection control is wonderful. So far I haven't seen a single flare in my photos. DOF is top notch.... you have NOT seen DOF control unless you've tried the 80-200.Nitpicks? A bit on the heavy side. Slow to focus. Manual focus is a little touchy when you're near the upper zoom range.But still, I wouldn't trade this lens in for the world. This one's a keeper. Buy it and don't let go.
This lens is great, and iffy at the same time.I used it on a D90 and experienced backfocus issues, and then discovered in the lens/camera compatibility charts that the AF used in this lens is not totally compatible with the "newer AF technology" used in the D90.  Ok, it was released in 1997, but WHY hasn't the tech been changed to adopt new cameras?It's still sold new and I blame Nikon for not making it more obvious that it will have consistency issues at widely used focal lengths.  We're talking out of focus eyes and an inch of fudge room on a lower tier body like the D90.That being said it works flawlessly on my D700, optically speaking as well as hitting focus well, but I paid $1500 for that camera, not $600.  It somehow can figure it out, but the D90 can't...and Nikon almost omits that fact except for one line of text in the user manual of the lens.  You won't see it in adverts on B&H;, Adorama, or Amazon, buyer beware.  I'd check if you have any camera that isn't full frame but has a focus motor (D80, D90, D7000, D7100).  The D600, D700, D800, and D610 *SHOULD* all focus just fine and IF the D600 has a AF fine-tune, they can all fix lens calibration issues to a point.  I'm banking on the estimate that full-frame bodies will focus more accurately.  However the D600 may share focusing with the D7000 which I haven't tested on this lens.ANOTHER ISSUE:The AF/MF selector ring is a faulty design and WILL BREAK.  Google it, because it's a VERY common issue, apparently.  The fix is thankfully reportedly easy, rather than shipping it to Nikon, so if you like to DIY, don't worry too much.Basically a small ratchet activated inside the barrel when you turn the AF/MF selector ring but it is PLASTIC and easily wears and breaks.  By pulling back the larger rubber grip and un-taping the cover you can move the ratchet catch over, and reglue with stronger adhesive.  Looks like Nikon wanted an easy repair according to some reviews of the fix I've read; the part looks like it was engineered to be moved over to easily fix the issue without a new part!!Also, the ring itself on my lens has fractured and is another common problem with this lens, if it gets bad that AF/MF black ring develops a huge crack and can break pieces off.Personally I find any lens that's OVER $800 DOLLARS to be shamefully constructed if it fails like this under normal operating conditions.  The whole body is mostly metal except this part that breaks.  Failure on Nikon's part and something else I'm surprised they don't fix before continuing production.  Of course they may have stopped production a year ago, who knows.There have been something around 3 models to supersede this one and yet Nikon still neglects to update the design.  It's a great inexpensive 2.8 zoom, but be prepared for some minor repairs on it and watch out for compatibility on less than pro level bodies.So far my like-new copy (when purchased used) has not failed it's main use, but has no Manual Focus because of the ratchet failing and has a hairline crack in the AF/MF ring just as many report.Save your money if you can, get the VRII version, or consider the VRI copy which may have it's own shortcomings, I'm not sure.  Or if you can pick this up for $500 like I did, go for it and don't look back.  You don't need VR in many cases anyway and you can buy something else with your $500 you saved and earn money with photography to upgrade later.  That's what I'm doing.If you save or sell your current crop body you can get a nice D610 with the added cash you save buying one of these used.I do recommend the lens to those that know what they are doing, but warn individuals who aren't up for troubleshooting.  I knocked one star for Nikon failing to address the compatibility issue more, and another because the crappy AF/MF switch that is truly a sad thing on a nice lens like this!
It's hard to call this lens inexpensive, unless you compare it to Nikon's 70-200mm AF-S VR2.If you are in the market for a pro telephoto lens, your basic choices are the Nikon 70-200 at over twice the price, or this lens. You can also look at 3rd party offerings by Sigma and Tamron, which are in the ballpark of this lens.When deciding on this lens, the two lenses I could afford were this one and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. The Nikon did cost about 25% more, but recently Sigma jacked up the price of their lens - presumably because of popularity, they could do so. Now, there is only about a 15% difference in the cost of the two lenses.  The Sigma lens I was considering was the less expensive - the 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II (non Vibration Reduction version), which was in the same ballpark of price as the Nikon.So I chose the Nikon over the Sigma for the reasons I state below. But I have to say that you could not probably go wrong with either lens, as both of them are pro caliber.First, this lens is AF, not AF-S, which means if you have a D40, D3100, or D5100, you won't be able to auto-focus it.This is Nikon's current production version of this lens, and is superior I think to the older versions (with the possible exception of the short-lived AF-S version).  It is still made by Nikon, probably because of the high cost of their flagship 70-200. The lens is an older design, so it doesn't have VR (Vibration Reduction) or AF-S (in-lens motor).Consequently the focusing system is slower, but I believe it has been unfairly criticized as so. Perhaps it's closes competitor is Sigma's 70-200 f2.8, which has an internal lens focus motor, so it will work with the less expensive Nikon cameras, while this one will not.Other criticism has been that many of today's cameras that have focus motors do not have focus motors strong enough to rapidly focus this lens, especially the advanced amateur cameras such as the D90, D7000, etc.Nikon has made several versions of this lens over the years. The earlier lenses, known as "push-pull", zoomed by pulling the lens out, or pushing it in. Those lenses were known to have notoriously slow auto focusing, and perhaps much of the criticism of this lenses focusing speed may be due to those models.In later years, Nikon changed from a push-pull model to a rotating ring to change the zoom. These are known as "two ring" models. Nikon also improved the focus speed of these lenses.  The current offering from Nikon - and the one I have - is the two-ring model.Before I purchased this lens, I reviewed several YouTube videos that performed "focus tests" on several different models of the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 as well as the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. The focus test consisted of leaving the lens cap on, then depressing the shutter release 1/2 way, which forces the lens to cycle the focus range, from stop-to-stop.I also tried this on my lens as soon as UPS dropped it off. I am using a Nikon D90, and using a stopwatch, I tested the lens focus speed, and since I don't have any of the other lenses, I timed the several YouTube videos showing different lens/camera combinations.  Here are the results:1. My D90 with the Nikon 80-200 lens: 1.1 seconds.2. YouTube D90 with Nikon 80-200 (two ring zoom):  1.0~1.1 seconds.3. YouTube D90 with old Nikon 80-200 (push pull zoom): 1.6 seconds.4. YouTube D300 with old Nikon 80-200 (push pull zoom): 3.4 seconds.5. YouTube D90 with current model Sigma 70-200: 1.4 seconds.And for comparison...YouTube (unknown camera) with Nikon 70-200 VR1: 0.6 seconds.The results were enough to convince me that there is not a focus speed problem, especially compared with the Sigma 70-200 (even though the Sigma lens has it's own focus motor).Another surprise is that while different cameras focused the same lens at different speeds, the D90 was actually faster than the more expensive D300. However, I'll caveat that in test 3, I could not absolutely verify that the lens was truly a push-pull model. The focus speed does suggest it might be the later two-ring model.And just for comparison sake, I also looked at the more expensive AF-S Nikon VR1 (which is not the current model). I could not find a test on YouTube for the VR2, but I would expect it to be as fast as the VR1 or faster.While the Nikon 80-200 is slower than the newest Nikon models, that is to be expected. And my choice was between the Nikon 80-200 vs. the Sigma 70-200, and for those two lenses, the Nikon certainly holds it's own.I also believe Nikon's optics to be better than the Sigma's, along with brand recognition and resale.  Since the current model has been in production for 13 years, considering a used lens could be any one of those year models. And the resale for these lenses in excellent condition averaged about 75% of a new one, I'd say the lens holds it's resale very well.In contrast, the Sigma lost value more rapidly, and while I did not find a lot of used ones, the resale was already about 60%-70% of a new one. Not a big difference between the two brands, but considering the Sigma version is a lot newer, it's resale value may not likely hold up as well as it ages. Resale value in itself is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of the lens, and probably has as much to do with brand recognition.One thing that kept nagging at me is that I intend this to be the final purchase for this type of lens. Many of the folks that used the Sigma have made the comment that the lens gets you started in the pro area, and when you go to resell it, you will get your money out of the lens when it is time to upgrade.I suppose the same could be said for the Nikon, but I don't plan on having to upgrade in the future, as at this point, as an amateur photographer, while VR and AF-S are nice, it's not in the budget to pay double the price for a lens with those features.One other pesky issue I found with used Nikons is that the Manual/Auto switch tends to break. A lot of older lenses had this problem. It is plastic for some reason, and seems to be a weak point.  Whether or not this holds true for current production I'll have to wait to find out, but the lens does have a 5 year warranty.Other factors.The Sigma lens is known as a Macro lens, with a minimum-focus distance of 3.3ft, and a weight of 48.3 oz. and a length 7.25" and a dia of 3.3" dia.In comparison, I was surprised that the Nikon also has a Macro function, but it must be put into manual focus mode to do so (which is not untypical of a Macro lens). For the Nikon, the normal minimum-focus distance is 5.9ft, with a Macro distance of 4.9ft. The weight of the Nikon is 45.8 oz, and a length 7.3" and a dia of 3.4" dia.Neither of the lenses has a large advantage over the other in this regard.So it all comes down to use. The Nikon lens is known be very sharp, and to have creamy-smooth bokeh, and it surely lived up to those superlatives in my initial use. I am very pleased with this purchase. In contrast, the Sigma has been well reported to be a bit soft at the longer focal lengths. But like anyone else, this is scuttlebutt, and how much it has to do with the truth I cannot say as I don't have that lens.Another issue with the D90 and the Nikon lens is that there is a known limitation that if the lens is used at the minimum 80mm, and used at the minimum 5.9ft focus distance, the camera may think the lens is in focus, when it is not (it's in the D90 manual). In those situations, you can always go into manual/macro mode to focus the lens.However, I have not experienced the mis-focusing. Not to say it won't happen, but so far, I have not had the occasion to see it.  At any rate, this is an event that is not likely to occur much, given my photo habits. I guess this is what makes this a great, but not perfect lens.One thing I found, especially with shooting telephoto at f2.8, that you have to re-learn how to focus the camera, and quite possibly to manually select your focus point. If the lens is not focusing on your intended subject, at F2.8, you may very well get an out of focus photo. But this is characteristic with all of the lenses of this type.In conclusion, when comparing the Sigma and Nikon lenses, if you have a D70 or better (camera body with internal focusing motor), you will love this lens. If you have an entry-level Nikon (D3100, D5100, etc), the Sigma is probably going to be your choice, unless you want to spend 4 times as much for the Nikon 70-200 lens as your camera cost.Besides, my son has a D3000, and he won't be able to borrow my lens.
I considered getting 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII but couldn't bring myself to pay $2,400 for it. I settled on this lens rather than buying a 3rd party lens. Don't get me wrong, I think recent offerings from Tamron and Sigma are excellent and are worthy of serious consideration.  I just prefer Nikon lenses in general.This lens has been in the Nikon catalogue for quite a while and its overall quality in terms of sharpness and build quality has been well-documented.  The thing is built like a tank and weighs a ton. The zoom ring rotates smoothly and focuses pretty quick considering that it doesn't have focusing motor in the lens. And it's not that noisy either when focusing; only slightly louder than Nikon's AF-S lenses. The tripod collar is not removable but rotates to get out of your way when shooting handheld. The tripod collar is very solidly built. Unlike the newer offerings, it doesn't come with lens hood (HB-7).If you are going to use telephoto end in low light situations, a monopod or tripod is essential since it does not have VR. It gets tiring after while shooting this thing handheld.  IQ is excellent at all lengths; edges are tad soft at 200mm wide open but that's about it. I'm giving it 4 stars since it could be better with VR, but for the money, it performs very well.
I tried this lens at three different stores and all lens (brand new) had some imperfections on the glass elements and they were soft. Right after taking a few shots with this lens I put 70-200mm 2.8 and the images with same lighting condition and exposure values are much more popping out with higher contrast and much sharper. It doesn't have VR but I turned off VR on 70-200 when doing the test to bring both lenses to the same shooting condition.  I guess Nano coating makes all that difference
I cancelled this order and replaced it with the 70 - 200 mm lens. So, I can not provide any feedback on this lens.
This lens is beyond SOLID! I can vouch for it because i was (stupidly) carrying it in my pocket to interchange it with a wide lens, and it fell out of my pocket and down 2 stone steps... I was devestated! Not ONLY did the lens escape WITHOUT damage, but it CHIPPED a piece of the stone STEP! Hows that for a "rock" solid lens!!  Needless to say, the optics are superior...vibrant colors and immediate focus... you can feel the torque in the focus as the lens is so heavy, but you get used to it...the only drawback is no vibration control for still subjects... this lens would be perfect for sports though!
Lens performs excellently, in spite of screw drive focusing. An outstanding value if you can't afford the more expensive and newer SWM  technology. Nice snappy performance, some torque as focus locks, but overall excellent image quality and built like professional lens should be&#8212;like a tank. The lens I received as disclosed by the seller had a crack in the A/M Focus ring. No effect on the usage or quality of the output has been detected. It will cost about 200$ to repair, but even with that cost factored in, the lens was, and still is an outstanding value. . . . bgs.
Love love love. I got one of these used and the guy was very nice and answered all my questions. I use this lens mainly for concert photography. It is a little front heavy but other then that sharp as a tack. The focus and zoom ring are smooth and great for shooting video. Many will say get the new 70-200 but I think this can get the job done without costing you a arm and a leg.
This lens is by far my most used lens and favorite too. It's a great lens to have if you don't want to sink $2400 into the 70-200 lens. The VR isn't needed when doing fast action, sports, and the like only when your subject is slow moving and definitely stationary. I use this on my D7000, so I got more room to bump up the ISO to get the shutter speed where it needs to be at when in lower light areas at f/2.8.The lens is sharp at f/2.8 from 80-130 range, stop down to f/4 and it gets even sharper, same as f/5.6 and f/8.0. At 200mm it's gets a little soft, at f/5.6 it gets back to similar sharpness as previously mentioned at f/2.8. If you want complete sharpness across the board theNikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameraswill do it for ya.The tripod collar doesn't come off which if fine since the little nub to tighten and loosen it doesn't bother me when I use a sling,Black Rapid RS-7 Camera Strap (Black). I have a Sigma 150mm macro that has a big nub, that hurts poking into my side.You may want to consider getting theHB-7 Hood for AF 80-200mm f2.8D Lens, right now it's pricey but it's a good tight fit. B&H; has it for $32 at this point in time.
I was very happy with the way the lense was packaged.  They used airbag cushions protecting the lense.  The lense is in excellent condition when I received.  I have no complaint.
it is fast and accurate focusing  with sharp images at all focal lengths.......it is heavy but it is so well made I just never worry about anything but dropping it..... I still want a nikon 70-200mm f2.8 but I can't afford one yet and this 80-200mm makes me forget about the 70-200mm  until I get to reading about how great the 70-200mm is......
Great great lens made my Nikon. Even though this lens is older, it still can perform with the latest lenses. f/2.8 is great to shoot wide open, letting a ton of light in.The lens has a solid metal construction and can withstand little bumps here and there. Great alternative to a brand new 70-200mm f/2.8 for less than half the cost.The specific model I have has a bit of a back focusing issue, but that can be fixed through the lens profile menu within the camera itself.
First off, this thing is heavy hunk of metal so many times you'll keep this lens at home unless you know you need it.  Second, the optics are perfect.  Classic Nikon before they had QC issues.  There is also no AF motor built in (so you need a mid-level Nikon with an AF motor to auto focus) but then that means there is one less thing to break over the years.  It also means focusing is a tiny fraction slower than AF-S lenses.  For portraits, weddings, live performances, etc, it's a non-issue but for sports, I think you'd need to step up to the VR II version or an older VR I if you can find one and can deal with vignetting in FX.I also do miss VR at times, but anything above 1/200 has no problems stopping camera shake and a monopod comes in handy.
COOL - Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras . . . . .
Primarily used for Friday night High School Football, the lens works great and stops the action even at night.Definitely recommend!
Autofocus works with all digital bodies except the baby Nikon SLRs (D40-60). This is a very sharp, fast lens yielding detailed, accurate colorful images.  I  use it to take candid shots in parties, weddings and similar occasions. It is unmerciful to the vain, because it brings everything out. I could not shell out the additional $1000 or so to acquire the more currentNikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. Rumors are that Nikon is going to discontinue this lens. I hope it is replaced with comparable product at a slightly lower price. It is a solid looking, impressive beauty of a professional lens. Many people find it to be heavy. Not me. Feels just right, but a solid tripod or monopod is necessary if shooting in low light or using the longer focal length. I just purchased this and then learned about the new D90. Should I have bought theNikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)or this lens? TheNikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)is probably too much camera for me. The D90 appears to be a D300 slightly disabled in a D80 body, plenty good for me and this lens.
I use this lens mostly indoors to shoot my daughter's vollyball games. I was amazed at the clarity and quickness of focus this lens provides. The cost was more than i wanted to pay but after a month of shooting great action shots i see the value. Its not good for any macro photos also it is heavy (5lbs). Use a mono pole or tri pod and you'll see pro like shots.
The lens is perfect. I have the ability to create images with a professional look. The lens is a bit heavy so I recommend using a tripod for the longer shoots. It performs wonderful under low light conditions and the images are crisp. Excellent buy.
UPDATE 4/13: I'm using this lens on D800 now and the picture seems even sharper. Still happy I got this lens its built like a tank and is such a bargain.  I've also being learning just how over rated VR is.  Save your self $1500 and get this lens.There are third party extenders that do work on this lens.The only down side to this lens it is HEAVY. But i guess at this size its too be expected.ORIGINAL REVIEW: Wanted a zoom since at my daughters school on sports day, I couldn't see her easily in any of the pics I got with my 50mm.Everyone kept telling me to get the 70-200mm with VR but thats a $2500 lens and I am NOT a professional or anything to justify that price not to mention thats a lot more money than I want to spend on a single lens.I looked around the nikon sites and found good reviews on this one.  The only concern was the lack of VR. On my D300s this becomes about a 120-300m lens. Plus this is over $1500 cheaper than the 70-200mm VR lens! Thats money I can put toward upgrading my camera body or a new led tv or ... you get the idea.All I can say is it takes amazing pics. So close and crisp. The focus is very fast and dead on. No back focusing type issues. Works so well in low light thanks to f2.8.Its built like a tank.  It helps me balance on my D300s with the battery grip... but it IS heavy.
I purchased this lens primarily for shooting sports.  I shoot a lot of mud runs and paintball games so I didn't want to spend the full price on a brand new lens.  I got a used one when the thought that if it didn't meet my expectations I would just return it.  This lens exceeded my expectations and the prior owner really took care of it.
I brought this lens in the hopes of one day I would be able to buy a full frame camera for it.In the meanwhile,I have been using it on a D1X,D2H,D200,D7000 and a F4.Needless to say,this baby is everything the reviewers said.I love the weight,(you do need a tripod sometimes)and the very fine details in the photos.As they say,good glass is key and this lens is one of the best.I lusted for one forever and lo and behold a seller here offered one at a price that made it easy to hit the "add to cart button".I'm very happy with it and one day when I'm down to one camera and one lens,it will be anyones guess on the camera but smart money knows what lens I will be keeping. I hope this helps and for more(sound)advice,look up the reviews.Thank You.
This used to be Nikon's flagship lens before the 70-200 vr it is a great lens. Heavy but well built and the clarity is wonderful sharp images I love it.
I am an amateur photographer,before I bought this I was using a 70-300. After getting this one I havent touched my 70-300 for last two months. As I have not used any other professional tele-zoom lens I cannot compare it. But the photos I took with it are sharp and clear. I am using it with D70s.The only reason I am giving a four star to it is the speed of focusing. In low light sometimes it irritates when it hunts for locking focus and specially when I think about the grand I spent for it.To be honest, I expected a heaven n hell difference between 70-300 and 80-200 before buying it, but I guess I have to spend $2300 and get a 70-200 to get that.Bottomline, I am happy with this lens and I have started loving it. IMO it is sufficient to feed my amateurish photographic needs. If I go pro someday then definitely I will need an upgrade.BTW,I bought a cheapo Quantaray 2x teleconverter for it, and it works fine with it. I was astonished to see AF works great, which I was not expecting.
Historically Nikon has been a leader in designing high quality zoom lenses for its 35mm SLR cameras, of which this 80mm-200mm f2.8 ED AF Zoom Nikkor is a shining example. It is extremely sharp and contrasty, even wide open, judging from pictures I've seen taken with this lens. Unfortunately it is extremely heavy, and should be used only when the lens is supported by a monopod - or better yet - tripod, which can be attached to it via its tripod mount collar. Much to my surprise, it has two focusing rings - instead of one - which set independently the focal length the photographer is interested in in the range from 80mm to 200mm (So you can't take any fascinating "zoom" photographs by pushing the zoom focusing ring back and forth along the length of the lens barrel, which was a fine feature of the classic 80-200mm f4.5 and 80-200mm f4 Zoom Nikkor lenses.) and the focusing distance between the photographer and the subject being photographed. Nikon's new Super Integrated Coating is designed to minimize flare for users of Nikon's digital SLRs, ensuring optimally high contrast and resolution for these camera's digital imaging sensors. Photographers who take a lot of hand-holdable action photography may regret the absence of an image stablizing feature in this lens, but others may find its excellent optical quality of more importance than an image stabilizer in deciding whether or not to acquire it.
When you open your box the lens case is pretty cool, but then I just put it up on a shelf where I keep all my other Nikon boxes in case I need to sell it some day. It's true what everyone says, it feels really good hefting a hunk of metal, I was grinning ear to ear. I guess because the lens is so solid that I immediately noticed the cheap looking plastic ring for switching between manual and auto focus, it's really out of place. How do you say oops in Japanese? Now that lame-beuracratic-cost-cutting-blunder aside, it's pretty dang sexy.I was really nervous for my first shot since I've seen a few posts about "soft" focus on some rogue lenses out there. Mine was crisp and sharp and beautiful. Yes beautiful. I have since shot graduation, families, fashion, babies and bikinis with this lens and each time I view the RAW files at 100% in post I'm so satisfied with the sharpness and pleasing quality this lens sees with.Now, as to the weight, don't think for a minute that you can hand hold this in low light and get good results. Yeah yeah, if you crank your ISO into sandstorm mode maybe you can get the shot but it's not going to look pro. Or if you are an arteeest and want a little blur motion, then fine. But listen, I'm a fit dude with some meaty hooks and I was still a bit shaky after an hour of holding it up to my eye. You've got to tripod this baby. It's worth it though.My conclusion is that if you have a nice tripod and aren't going to be rough with the plastic ring or threads, you should buy it, it has many applications. Heck I'm even using it for landscapes now. I give it 4 stars overall because it does hunt a little more than I like in low light and of course the stupid plastic ring. Optics I give it 5 stars. And my own category, pleasing intangible image quality, 5 stars. So if I could have my money back right now and walk away from it, I would not... I would buy it again and have no desire to drop an additional $700 bucks for the new VR version. It's my new fav. Hope this helps you make your decision!
For starters I did not purchase my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D off of Amazon (went private party), however I use these reviews to assist my future purchases.... My switch from an avid amateur to semi-pro, especially when it came to Sports and Portraits, this was a needed range of lens and faster glass (2.8!).  Crisp sharp images and fast on the  AF!When doing sports, this is solid and heavy glass, especially if you are on the soccer pitch for hour!  Definitely invest in a monopod, which i connect with a quick release on the given collar it comes with.  Do buy a hood (doesnt come with), especially when outdoors to help with glare.  You will see reviews for the newer 70-200mm f/2.8 VR which is know is a great lens but for starters to get a jump from your kit zoom, this is your baby!  Plus if you are shooting sports, VR would need to be turned of anyways (1/2 sec. delay can loose that shot you are hunting for!
Absolutely beautiful lens, straight forward, no quirks, just photography. Big, heavy, smooth and gorgeous.Produces stunning images on both my D7000 and F100. The Bokeh at 2.8 is beyond creamy.Sharp as a tack all throughout.If you're shooting strobes, you don't need VR anywho, so save yourself from spending an extra 1000 bucks on a 70-200 VR I/II and pick this up.Take a deep breath, and squeeze.
YummieThis is a wonderful lens for working everyday. It is something that I don't think about. It just performs and let's me work.I use it often at the 200mm range for work, outdoors in poorly lit environments where flash is not an option. I also use it throughout its zoom range for gymnastics (indoor/no flash),outdoor soccer and other sport shoots. It performs well, is sharp and is a bargain.When ultralight backpacking, I leave this brute at home and roll with an old 50mm 1.4 AF. Ultra-Light,the 80mm-200mm is not, but neither is a Sherman Tank which this lens is built like. Steel...solid...yummie.I often reccomend the 70-200mm when people ask for my opinion, but I happily shoot this lens. Bread and butter type of kit. It isn't light but will last forever & shoots wonderfully.
A must have lens for low light conditions with a telephoto.  Extremely fast focus, very sharp images.  Works will with Nikon teleconverters for more reach.
I purchased this lens with the intentions of photographing high school sports games this coming fall. Immediately upon receipt I opened it and put it on my D5000...instantly realizing that it does not support the auto focus!! I am very disappointed because it does not say ANYWHERE on the page that it does not support the auto focus. It talks about exposures and metering, but not auto focus...BEWARE!!!
I am a long time amateur not pro but I honk this is what they call &#34;good glass&#34; the pictures are sharp as I have ever seen. It maintains its f 2.8 throughout the range. A longer lens would have been nice but the quality seems to drop off for the lenses in the longer range.
2nd review. After having this lens and using it for a while I had to add a few important points here.  It is still great quality and sharp but using it without a tripod turned out to be difficult especially at longer focal lengths. There is no VR and unless you are always using one for longer shots you might have issues. Actually I am selling this and checking out the Nikon 70-300 VR. I can't handle this with longer focal lengths unless its always on a tripod which keeps it in my bag more often than it should be.  This is a great lens, bokah is nice, fairly compact, great color, quick focusing, it is a bit heavy after a while but not close to the weight of the 80-200 VR's. I am really happy with this but am heading over to the Nikon 70-300 to see if all the great reviews are deserved and if it will substitute for this 80-200 for now. If you want to save on the price of the 80-200 look for a used one on B&H or Adorama. I saved $250 getting this used and it is like new.
I was pleasantly surprised that after bidding and losing on a few of these on an auction site (the bay) I came to Amazon and saw some used ones for less than they were going for on the other site! After seeing positive feedback on shipping times from Korea for D-Solutions, I pulled the plug and ordered this on Tuesday with expedited shipping to Atlanta... It was here 2 DAYS later. Upon opening the box, I found what looked like a brand new lens packed in bubble wrap! I mean, it's NEW... Not a scratch, even on the foot that always gets scratches on it! I was amazed... The plastic ring for A/M is almost always showing signs of wear on these lenses but this one is like new.. The glass is dust free and looks perfect. I'm extremely happy with my purchase from D-Solutions and would buy from them again.. In fact, lemme see what else they have....
I bought this Lens before one week ago ,and i'm very happy to bought this lens ,simply it's amazing ,clear ,fast and very very sharp ,because of that I switched to NIKON .
Just got this lens last week and tested it out extensively.  It feels like a brick but it is as sharp as a tack.  I see some evidence of camera shake using my D90 in very low light, so my next purchase will be a monopod.  I would definitely recommend this lens to a friend. You get top notch performance for less than half the price of the 70-200 VRII.  If you're on the fence, get off and go get this lens before production stops.
I purchased this lens a few weeks ago for my D7000.  It is everything that I had hoped for and more.  The lens is crisp at any aperature and focal length.  The focus speed on the D7000 is fast and tracks well on moving objects.  I seriously considered the 70-200 II with vibration reduction but the cost is over double the price of this lens.  For me, my main objective is to use this lens for wildlife, sports and car racing.  For moving objects the VR is not going to do much for you so I decided to purchase this model and save myself over a thousand dollars.  Basically for the price difference between this and the VR model paid for my camera body.It is a very large and heavy lens.  IT WILL NOT AUTOFOCUS ON CAMERA'S WITHOUT A BUILT IN MOTOR.  My wife's camera is a D5000 and this lens will not autofocus using that body.  This lens is built the way they should be, sturdy and will last for many years if you take care of it.  This has been in the Nikon catalog for many years and I am actually surprised that they still offer it.  You usually cannot find a pro caliber lens in this price range.The only thing that sucks is they supply a fancy leather case that I will probably never use but not a lens hood.  Come on Nikon, for $10 you can buy an aftermarket one.  For a pro caliber lens with 77mm filters you could toss a hood in the box.
I still have the receipt for it and back then I paid $1150.00,  so this is a super deal.  Love the lens.  It takes fantastic photos.  I really enjoy using it.  Have not had one bit of trouble with it and have used it going on 13 years.  Mine was made in Japan.  Don't know about now-a-days.  Went from film to digital camera a couple of years ago and still works like a charm.  Yeh it is a little heavy,  but how can they pack all that goodness in there without the weight?
This camera takes the most amazing photos.  They are clear and crisp.  No graininess when I enlarge to any size.  I also have the Zoom lens Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D with auto-focus.  It is great!!  I have taken the most amazing photos at concerts ( just make sure cameras are allowed)  The photos came out like I was right up on stage!!  I love this camera.  It is easy to use, and once you feel comfortable with manual adjustments, they are easy as well.I obviously am not a professional and have never taken classes in photograpy and I am amazed at the beatiful photos I have been able to take.This is one camera you don't want to be without.Just got back from a Bulls game: excellent close-ups of Pippen, you can even see a drop of sweat falling from his chin.  So clear!!!
I was insterest on the Nikkor 70-200mm VR II but the excesive price of $2K its to much for my pocket. After several reviews and pictures that I found on the web I decided to try the Nikkor 80-200mm. After put in on my Nikon D90 and took some pics, I am very impress with the performance. The lens has a good construction and its heavy. The f2.8 its really fantastic to blur the background of a picture. It create a very nice "bokeh" on portrait. Very sharp and colorfull pictures. Fast focusing system. I don't try it for night picture but I think that gone to do a really nice job on those situations. I bought it for weddings and portrait primary. The 70-200mm VR II cost the double of the price of my 80-200mm so with that money that I dont spend I can buy now a good studio light kit.
This review is applicable to the Nikon 80-200 f2.8 (Nikon Model 1986) used in conjunction with a Nikon D300s and D700.  My copy was purchased at a specialty online dealer.I have been using the Nikon 80-200 2.8 for approximately a year now.  After use in a wide variety of situations, my opinion is that it is a suitable economic replacement for the Nikon 70-200 2.8 though you will always lust after the 70-200 f2.8 because that is what Nikon owners do (including me).  This lens will clearly suit the needs of most photographers up to and into the professional ranks.  Most non-professional shooters who choose the 70-200 over the 80-200 will do so for the VR capability without knowing what VR really is or how it works.  VR is for stationary objects under specific conditions, not for sports action like so many people believe.  You cannot also shoot in complete darkness because you have VR- yet another myth for many.  Checkout Thom Hogan's website explaining Nikon VR for more detailed information.The Nikon 80-200 2.8 build quality is like a modern tank.  The mechanics of the lens across the board are very smooth.  Manual focusing is precise and smooth.  The manufacturing process seems precise based on clearances between components of the lens.  Nikon has had years to perfect the lens and it seems they did (it was once the flagship of the lens line).  The lens is definitely big and heavy as expected, but also manageable (but you will not generally carry this lens around without first asking if you really need it).  Weight distribution of the lens is more or less even and I find the lens balances well on a Nikon D300s. The tripod collar, unfortunately, does not come off, which I found a little odd.There are a few minor delineations between the 80-200 2.8, the 70-200 2.8, and some other notable Nikon lenses.  Having used both the 80-200 and 70-200, I can definitely notice a slight difference in focusing speed in favor of the 70-200.  I put the focusing speed of the 80-200 on par with the Nikon 70-300 VR, another lens I absolutely loved for outdoor sports action, even under stadium lights (AF speed was exceptionally fast but not as fast as an AF-S lens of course).  Sure, for another $1,300 or so, you can get the faster focusing speed of the Nikon AF-S 70-200 f2.8, but for most purposes, this is not necessary.  I found no issues with AF accuracy either in real world conditions or testing on a LensCalc.  However, there was some minor vignette on the FX  sensor of the D700 but not the D300s.  This was easily overcome in Lightroom and not really prevalent in most shots anyway.  Note that this performance is across the entire spectrum of focal length and apertures in real world conditions.Lens sharpness beyond f2.8 is very good on my copy of the lens.  At f2.8, it is just a little soft.  Some reviewers noted minor variations of sharpness among other lens copies.  This variance is possible with any lens and was also noted on the more expensive Nikon 70-200 2.8. Color rendition of the 80-200 is superb but just a little cold for my taste and I correct for this in Lightroom as well.In short, this is a great lens even compared to the more expensive Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII.  When you factor in cost difference, it comes the winner unless you are really in the upper echelons of professional photography and are able to really leverage every technical difference.  Most users will not be disappointed.  You may want to consider getting theHB-7 Hood for AF 80-200mm f2.8D Lensdesigned specifically for this lens.  It does make a difference under many conditions.  You can also checkout a third-party version, also specirfically designed for this lens, that received very good reviews and is $24 cheaper.  This version is theHeavyStar Dedicated Lens Hood for Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED D-AF Lens as Nikon HB-7.
Let me start by saying I wanted to purchase the Nikon 70-200 VR2 at first but just couldn't pull the trigger due to the price tag.  My two sons play sports including indoor football and wrestle also outdoor baseball, football and soccer.  Before I purchased this lens I was using the 18-105 kit lens that comes with the camera and tried to get up close so the flash would work.  Due to the fast speeds more than half the pics came out blurry.  The Nikon lens was purchased used for $800 but in great condition and this lens is built like a tank I know will last for many years to come. Since using this lens I have never used a flash again and I'm able to stop the capture all the events both indoor and out.  I've taken over 2,000 pictures with this lens and it takes amazing pictures.  This works great with my D90 and was at one point I was using a tripod at the events but stopped carrying it around because it just takes up to much space.  With the tripod every picture was perfect.  Without the tripod and steady hand I would say that only 1 out of 20 pictures comes out blurry.  The lens itself weights around 3 pounds so make sure you can handle carrying it around.  My plan is to rent the the Nikon 70-200 VR2 and compare the two against each other, I'm assuming that the only difference is that vibration stabilizer will prevent me from shooting any blurry pictures.  I will write an update once I can officially compare the the two.
Pros:Solid build.Relatively quick focus (despite of missing USM).Bokeh almost perfect.Cons:Strong purple CA with high-contrast scenes.Weight.In general - good value for money.MUCH better pics after 70-300VR.
The is a 80-200 mm 2.8 lens and is an excellent fast high speed lens, but after using it in the field I found I would be better suited with a 70-200 mm lens.
I like Nikon, but I happened to receive a lens that kept hunting for the focus and was not sharp. You could take four blurry pictures and get one amazing picture. Which means you could miss a picture. I had tried one in a store a few months before this one on the same cameras and it was great.  Had a D90 and a D7000 at the time. I returned the lens.  Wanted a fast lens that could take pictures of dogs gaiting.  I couldn't even get a good still from ten feet in low light or sun light with this lens.  Possible it was defective.Liked the cameras, when the D600 came out decided I wanted a full frame camera.Now have a D600 and a 28-300mm VR lens and they are great.  In focus, sharp, good color. Took pictures on a car trip that was amazing to get a great picture in the rain and snow.  I also like to manual focus.  I can't wait for summer.
Great lens, very heavy.  Need something to mount it to a tripod better.  I use it with my Nikon D80.  Anyone have any suggestions on how to mount it to a tripod better that the little lever that comes with it?
The lens shown here is great. I just got mine the other day and right when I saw it i loved it. I was recommended to this product by a friend of mine. I really wanted a fast lens for sport and indoor photography and I didnt have over $1000 so this ruled out the nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens. I only tried it out on a handful of occasions but the results so far was amazing. The actual lens is very big and very heavy. I dont think the pictures here do the lens very much justice. I recommend this lens to anyone who shoots pictures in poor lighting or just wants that nice soft blurry background for portrait pics.
What a beast of a lens! Yes the autofocus is slightly slower than a newer lens with VR, and maybe not quite as accurate -  it needed a bit of fine tuning on my D7000, but all lenses do anyway - but it's well worth it. I got mine used, for a quarter the price of a VRII. It works great on my D7000 although I can feel the camera working hard to keep this monster in focus (the screw doesn't have all the power a pro Nikon body does). I highly recommend using the MB-D11 grip on the D7000 with this lens, as it will balance the camera much better making it easier to hold and shoot this lens. Mine came with a third party petal hood that makes the lens look way bigger (but helps a lot with stray light too). I'll add some shots of the lens mounted on the D7000 as well as shots taken with this lens soon. All in all, get one for yourself, I for one love it so far.
I wanted this lens so bad.  However, after testing a few photos I realized auto-focus did not work on my D5000.  It's a pretty heavy lens to be carrying around manually focusing all the time.  Less than half of my test photos were blurry.  I am doing more research and going to an AF-S lens.
This lens dates from the film, era, and while the newer designs like the 70-200mm VR II are king, they also cost nearly three times as much.  What you get is the F2.8 aperture with the low light performance and depth of field, a reasonably fast focus speed, and the fabled Nikon build quality in an old school metal lens.What you don't get is an internal focus motor--it's quiet but uses a screw drive, so cheaper cameras like the D40/D60 won't work with it.  You also don't get a newer lens formula.  One of the first things I noticed is it doesn't focus very close up, you typically need to be 4-6 feet away minimum.  It also doesn't come with a lens hood, which considering the cost should have been included.Two types of photos are where this really excels at; where you want a narrow depth of field or if you need to shoot zoomed in under low light conditions.  Even under bright indoor lighting the wider aperture and corresponding brighter image can make a difference between one that is blurred and tack sharp.The closest lens I had prior to this one was a 70-210mm constant F4, Nikon's first autofocus and a close relative to this lens as they look a lot alike. You wouldn't think F2.8/F4 would be that big a difference, but it is. Also, wide open any lens is a little soft, it's the way they are, but this one at F2.8 is still sharp.Buy this if you have a need for it, $1,100 is a big chunk of change.  If you want a general purpose lens then consider the 28-300mm Nikon or Tamron; both  would be good choices.
I got a chance to try this lens out in a low light theater situation over the weekend. I got some great,good,bad and ugly shots, in my tradition.The lens is tack sharp with most vibrant colors at 2.8D. It doesn't lose any of the sharpness at 200, but starts hunting when the subject moves a little.It's a great lens to shoot sport outdoors, and indoors if you have a tripod handy. It's a heavy beast, so hand shots are flaky, you might not get lucky for that crucial shot.Addendum: Did I forget to mention the most beautiful bokeh? Shoot with your subject in semi darkness and the background turns magically black, just amazing. Makes it perfect for shooting closeup portraits.
Okay, if you got the dough to shelf out ~$1700 for the VR 70-200, go for it.  Stabilization can really help with this kind of heavy lens.  This sucker does weight close to 3 pounds by itself, and personally a beautiful lens to behold.  It's very well constructed and takes great picture too.I use this on a D80, typically shoot aperature priority.  It's very sharp but does exhibit slight distortion at widest aperature. Dial it down to around f/4, it gets super sharp.  The AF is fast on the D80, and switching to manual zone is a breeze.If you're not a tripod/monopod person, you'll be looking for bracing a lot when shooting.  Steady hands and a tree...  Minimum focus distance is 5.5'
This is the best lens I've ever owned in my life.  It's just amazing.  The backgrounds/bokeh when shooting at low apertures on this puppy are like a velvety cream...oh man.  I just wish I had medium- and wide- zooms that could churn out the same results.  Focal distances on this lens are an issue, obviously, so it's not ideal for all situations.  But if I can get 8-10 feet away and shoot something like a portrait, show, concert, wedding, or theatrical performance, I'm SET.  The results don't compare to other lenses in my kit (24mm and 50mm primes, 17-35 f2.8, 28-70 f2.8, etc.).
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens is a very good quality lens. It's fast (fixed f/2.8), solid (built like a tank), produce great quality image, and priced very reasonably for a professional grade telephoto lens.Having said that, there are some additional features that would be nice to have for this lens such as image stabilization, more silent autofocus (AF-S), and shorter minimum focus distance but those features will make this lens a lot more expensive (as those feature is included in the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR lens).  If budget is not an issue, then I would recommend the 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR (the Vibration Reduction technology and faster and more silent focus are very useful) or the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S (which has faster and more silent focus). If large aperture (fast lens)is not your main requirement, then you can get the 70-300mm VR (at a lower price)There are several version of 80-200mm f/2.8 lens, and the latest one (non AF-S model and that Nikon still produce as of 2009) is the two ring model. The one ring push pull model is also good quality lens (solidly built and produce great image quality) but autofocus is much slower. If budget is an issue, the older push pull model would still be a good choice too.If you are wondering whether you should get a fast lens or a lens with VR (Vibration Reduction), here's my take: In overall, VR does help a lot (as it will reduce camera shake) and will produce better/sharper picture than equivalent lens without VR (especially if the object is static). If the object is moving (sports/action) then VR feature alone might not help (depending on how fast the object is moving and how much light is available), and a fast lens often end up being a far better solution, even without VR feature as it will allow much faster shutter speed to freeze motion. Using tripod (and a remote) will substitute for the need of VR feature. In general I would recommend getting a fast lens with VR feature (and usually it is expensive) such as the 70-200 f/2.8 VR, but if one can only get for one or the other, then find out what do you want to use the lens for and then use the guideline mentioned here.FYI: This lens will not autofocus with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000 or D5100.Pros1. Great quality lens (very sharp pictures. 3 of the glasses made/coated with ED technology)2. Very fast (fixed f/2.8 throughout the zoom range)3. Very reasonably priced (compared to 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S)4. Built to last. Very solid5. Great for sport, action, wedding and low-light photography6. Uses standard 77mm lens filter7. Bokeh is very nice at f/2.88. Autofocus much faster than the older 80-200mm f/2.8 model (the push pull version)9. The price is very stable (I bought mine several years ago and I could still sell it at the same price today)10. With non full frame Nikon DSLR, the focal length becomes 120-300mm equivalent (nice reach). you can get Nikon 80-400mm for more reach but that lens is not fixed f/2.8).Cons1. Heavy at 2 lbs 14 oz or 1.3kg. (Good arm exercise :), or using tripod or monopod would be nice)2. Autofocus not as fast and silence as the AF-S model (70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S), but the autofocus limiter switch improves autofocus time3. Tripod collar is too close to the zoom ring (you can remove or adjust the tripod collar though)4. Thread for the filter can be better (it's made of plastic)5. Lens hood is sold separately (highly recommended to reduce flare and internal reflection)6. More expensive than Non-Nikon (sigma, tamron etc) brand alternative (some comparable price but they have faster and silence focus)7. Lens could jump around a bit during autofocusing if you are not strong enough (due to the glass moving fast as the lens autofocus)8. No Manual focus override mode on Autofocus mode9. No Macro mode (can't be use for macro shot). closest focusing distance is quite far10. No VR (Vibration Reduction), which will help a lot for this type of lens (heavy and telephoto)In conclusion, if you are looking for a Nikon professional grade telephoto lens that is reasonably prices, you can't really beat this Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor lens. This lens is really good choice for sport, action, wedding, low-light, indoor photography.Happy Photographing!Sidarta Tanu
Very fast focusing with great image detail.Works excellent in very low light conditions and perfect for portraits and sports.
First of all, I am writing this review strictly from an amateur photographer point of view. I had original wanted to get the 70-200mm f/2.8 for my D700, but at half the price and after reading many positive review, I decided to pick this up instead and I have not been disappointed. One of the first things you will notice when you pick up this lens is the build quality. The lens has a metal body and feels very solid. The quality of the pictures this lens can take our outstanding. The pictures are sharp even opened up to f/2.8 and the bokeh this lens can produce are wonderful.My only criticism of this lens so far is that it does not come with a lens hood. Although these are inexpensive to pick up, you'd think a professional grade lens would come with one.  A couple other things to keep in mind are that this lens has no VR and does not auto focus on lower end cameras. The VR would be nice to have, but if you are taking picture above 1/60, you really don't need it. If you have an entry level DSLR like a D3100, this lens will still work, but you will need to manually focus it.I recommend this lens for anybody looking for an f/2.8, professional quality lens, but don't have or want to spend the two grand on a 70-200mm. I also only recommend this lens if you camera will auto focus it. This includes the following bodies (D90, D7000, D300, D300s, D700, D3, D3s, D3x). This lens will not auto focus on the following bodies (D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100). These lists only include the recent models, so if you have an older model body, just be sure to do your own research before getting this lens.
This is a Great Lens . Pros : Absolute worth every penny spent on this Lens. I deliberated  for almost 2 months deciding between the 70-200mm VRII & the 80-200mm Non VR . After hovering on the net for 2 months & reading every review that I hit in Google . I voted for 80-200MM  for my D7000 . The pictures are just stunning . The Lens body has a solid metal feel to it & gives a serious impression to the person holding the lens. This guy has survived last 10 years with Nikon & Its like a investment to me . I would like to upgrade to an FX to get 100% out of the Great lens. For D7000 body this is like- A Toyota Camry being driven by Formula 1 Racer . With a Made In Japan Tag  - I am least worried about Quality compared to other Nikon lens made in Thailand & ChinaCons : A bit Heavy , makes me a bit nervous of damaging the body of d7000 while attaching/detaching the lens. No Hood provided  - That was a minor irritant instead I got a Solid Leather case which i may not use at all . Having spend a decent sum - I don't see this lens going back into the case . On DX body with the crop factor - This Lens is Slightly Under utilized .
I was really excited to find this lens. I shoot in two different states quite a bit, and fly commercially between the two so I was looking for a backup to myNikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Camerasto leave in one location all the time so I didn't have to carry so much gear. I absolutely love my 70-200, it has amazing focus, beautiful bokeh when shooting wide open, and is one of my two favorite lenses. I shouldn't have tried to cut corners with this lens. It was designed for film cameras, so it is full frame, but it just doesn't focus well. I was using it to shoot indoors, in relatively low light, and as much as 20% of the photos weren't crisp even when wide open. Plus, it doesn't focus as quickly as the 70-200. It looks cool, it comes in a sort of vintage case, that I like. But I need function more than appearance when it comes to my camera gear.The lens collar (the part of the lens you attach a monopod or tripod to) also isn't as long as the 70-200 so it's shorter than the camera body.
I got one 2nd-hand used for about 1 year ago.  Pictures are sharp and autofocus is fast enough for me (with D7000), for i seldom shoot sport or bird landings.I still give a 5 stars because,1.  autofocus is probably 0.05sec slower than the new 70-200; 5 stars stays for the extra $1500 in my bank.2.  when i put on this lens, i hardly remember i needed the 70-80mm range.Don't get this wrong though, the 5 stars is based on my need / usage, not comparing with the new 70-200II.
I will start off saying I did not purchase this lens through Amazon. I purchased it through a private owner, hardly never used (looked brand new) with box, case, and even a hood for $700. This is the two-ring AF deal. There are a lot of great used lenses out there!I am also not a professional photographer. I take pictures for fun and occasionally money and barter. This is not a very technical review, there are many on the Internet to read in this regard. This is from a real-world user and observer.I wanted to upgrade my camera to a D700 since prices have come down and I craved one for four years. Previously I have owned a D40 and have a D90 as a DX primary and backup to the D700 now. I needed a good FX lens to add to my collection (I also have the excellent Nikon 50mm AF-S f/1.8 G, a Tokina DX 11-16 which works great on FX at 15-16 mm, and some Tamron lenses) preferably to complement the D700 for low-light kids sports and wildlife. I didn't want to break the bank and go for a $2000+ lens. I didn't care much for sigma lenses. This lens fits my goal nicely!The great things I have noticed about this lens:- Focuses quickly and accurately.- Sharp along the whole focal range.- built like a tank - lots of glass and metal!- nice fixed tripod collar.- Fantastic Bokeh!- constant 2.8 of course!- Cost!!!!!- If it ever breaks (which it probably won't unless maybe if you drop it from a building) you can use it as a boat anchor. Ha Ha just kidding.Some of the cons with this lens (Still a five star lens in my opinion):- HEAVY. Weighs as much or more as my D700 camera. When I switch back to a plastic lens or my Nikon 50mm, it feels like a totally different camera and like a brick has been lifted off! lol.- I would HIGHLY recommend a tripod or monopod for use with this lens. This will help to stabilize the heavy lens and prevent camera share and resulting blur.- You must shoot at a much higher shutter speed and/or ISO and/or wider aperture to balance the no VR option. But I knew this coming in. Monopod will help GREATLY! (poor man's VR lol)- I have noticed some slight vignetting and/or corner light shading when wide open at a few apertures.- My copy will backfocus IF I try to shoot right at where the focus of the lens starts which is around 5 feet. I couldn't figure out why my photos were crap up close and this is why. This is not a macro lens folks! Although there is a macro setting on the aperture ring on the lens, I wouldn't even suggest it. YMMV.I recommend this lens highly. For the cost difference between this and the highly priced 70-200 2.8 VR lenses from Nikon, I would pick this hands down any day. There is a reason this is a five-star lens, and I don't think Nikon makes many almost perfect, built like a tank lenses like this. You may also check other online sources for a great used copy a lot cheaper as I have done. Just get it!I have included a URL link to my Flickr pictures taken with this lens in the comments section, since Amazon doesn't accept it within this body.
After years of complaining that my Nikon D-300 didn't allow me to take decent pictures at my children's school events (orchestra, sports, awards, etc), My spouse suggested I just go buy the lense I need and stop complaining.  I asked a professional photographer friend what she would recommend.  She owns this lense.  "They won't be kids forever" was the phrase that got me over the hurdle of the price tag.  I had always stopped short of hitting the BUY button when I saw the number of digits in the price.The lense was delivered in amazing time and I was thrilled that the delivery person didn't do the usual toss to the front step.  A signature was required so he had to hand deliver it to me.  In this case, that was a feature.  (This was not an Amazon purchase.)I let the camera warm to room temperature before I started testing it - an old habit from consumer electronics.  I took a picture of each family member and noticed the pitctures really were bright.  The speed of the lense really is obvious.  And, of course, I had to be 8-10 feet away to not be taking pictures of a person's cornea.  After just a couple of shots, I had to put the camera down and leave the rom to do something.  When I returned, my spouse had taken two pictures of the children.  They were sitting in the dark, on the floor, watching television.  But the pictures were nicely framed, perfect color and only one shot had a tinge of flash showing on a small section of the fabric chair they were leaning on.  This is the built-in flash of the D-300, mind you.  I actually walked over to see where they were sitting, confirmed the lighting was the same (darkness) and just marvelled at the shot.  What a lense.Now, it took me quite a long time to decide to move to this price range of lens, but I read more than 100 owner reviews and I agree with that concensus:  it's heavy, it's big and it takes amazing photographs.  I love it.
I want to use this lens more, I need to use it more! It is one of the sweetest lenses hands down. I know some will say it is heavy and that is true, especially attached to a Nikon D2H or D2X but I like working out my biceps when I shoot. If you decide to purchase this lens you will 1.) love and 2.) really love it...at least I do! But don't let my enthusiasm of its greatness influence you decision, heck you can always rent lenses these days before you buy. Personally I love this lens for it is fast, accurate and sharp. I primarily use it for taking pics of my horses running, playing and even for the occasional portrait. I don't use a tripod which doesn't say you shouldn't, I'm certain it will help, but Ive gotten such fantastic results that my stubbornness keeps me from dragging out and lugging around the extra equipment. Enjoy this lens outdoors in the wild and you will see why I'm geeked up about mine!
This lens is legendary, but due to its sloooooooow focusing, doesn't have much value to sports shooters these days. It is a great lens for landscapes and portraits on FX and could make up for any issues with the 70-200 on FX, which frankly, I feel are way overblown. At any rate, if you need a fast medium tele and can't afford the 70-200, this is worth a look. No VR and no AFS make it very antiquated, however. The sharpness and bokeh are superb, however. Look for a used one.
I purchased the 'non-D' version of this lens, used.  It is clear my copy was made some time ago and well used, but it feels very tight and sturdy.  I love Nikkor build quality.  The other reviews are accurate in that this lens' strength is its optics- very sharp, even wide open, with great bokeh.  These attributes are nice when isolating the subject for strong portraits.  One thing to keep in mind is that your working distance for portraits will be pretty far; maybe 10-20 feet, depending on sensor crop and compositional choices.  I would say with my D300 I typically shoot headshots about about 15 feet- great for outdoor stuff, but maybe harder to manage in the studio.  I find it very comfortable to shoot with, especially with the vertical grip attached.One could also use this guy for certain sports like tennis, volleyball, track, etc.  I would not try to use it for soccer or basketball where you have a more dynamic selection of subjects.  As noted before, the autofocus is a bit slow; probably slower than my 24mm AF-D or 50mm AF-D.  However, I will note that it varies noticeably depending on the body used.  My D50 turns it slower than my D300, and my F100 actually focuses very quickly.  I have read that Nikon film cameras have very strong AF motors, and now I see the difference.As always, a good approach is to try to find a used one at your local shop and try it out!
This is an very nice and compact telephoto lens, especially on DX bodies like the D300; nice and sharp even wide open and by f/4, performance is approaching world class. This lens produces sharp, high-contrast images on the D300 and bokeh is excellent, with a soft and pleasing out of focus area rendition.The lens starts to show it's age on full frame cameras however, including the D700 and especially with the D800.  Pixel level acuity is marginal on the 36MP sensor of the D800 and while downsampled images look great, the 180mm f/2.8D just can't keep up with the demands of the newer high resolution camera.  Purple fringing is on an extreme level with high contrast subjects and extends out from the edges of transition areas for 5-8 or more pixels.  I found this to be unacceptable and very distracting and therefore will no longer attempt to use the lens on the D800.  On the D700, the situation is better, though still not perfect as there is softness that never quite goes away outside the central image area, even when stopped down.Others have complained about the M/A focus mode switch, but in my opinion, the lens is a mechanical marvel considering the older design and lack of a built in focus motor. The lens is very solid and has a wonderful manual focus action - the best manual focus of any autofocus lens I own, with a very precise and positive action. Build quality is exceptionally high.  Autofocus is slower than a modern AF-S or shorter focal length AF-D lens, but totally acceptable for most shooting situations. Internal focus keeps the length consistent.Another great `feature' of this lens is its relatively small size and light weight. It is much less obtrusive (and sharper IMHO) than the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D, making it a great high-quality carry-around telephoto. For perspective, it's about as long as the 18-200 DX VR (with hood attached) and so fits nicely in a medium sized bag.On the down side, it's a little expensive, but if you want to own a classic, and especially if you shoot a higher end DX Body (with the required built-in autofocus motor), this is it.
one of the sharpest lenses nikon has ever produced!it looks,and feels like a professional grade first class optics lens,and thats because it is!made in japan,metal constructed item that works on most newer model nikon cameras.i use it for aerial photography,and it has never failed to amaze every client.
Personally like this lens for the glass quality, ease of use, and really enjoy lenses! Each of us has their reasons for purchasing their glass - I love mine.
Much has been written about this amazing lens, tracing its lineage back to the Zeiss Tessar 180mm "Olympia" formula used by Leni Reifenstahl to film "Triumph of the Will."  It is fast, ultra-sharp, compact and solid.  I've been using it with a Nikon D700 and my only regret is that I waited so long to buy one.  Images are smooth and buttery and bokeh just beautiful.
I have used this lens on my Nikon D-600 now for several months. It s very sharp, focuses accurately and quickly and is just the focal length I need in more than 50% of my shooting situation. Good lens, good focal length, good price.
I bought a group of lenses and had no intention of keeping this one. I popped it on an old D50 to test it out and simply fell in love with the optics on this thing. I don't really have a true use for it, but I think I might have to find a way to keep it. This is the only prime lens I have ever gotten my hands on and I can see why they demand such high prices.It is rather antiquated technologically which is why I almost gave it a 4 star but the glass is what you pay for. I am actually considering selling my D60 and promoting my D50 body just so I can keep this lens. In reality I need a more capable body anyway, but investing in this kind of glass makes more sense in the long run.
I am in LOVE with this lens! It is great for portraits or capturing great candid images! I can't wait to purchase more primes!
I had the pleasure of trying this lens out for one day before returning it.It is a beautiful metal made in Japan product.  The pictures had beautiful color and luminous quality.Warning: not for use in D5100 camera.  This is not an AF-S lens!I was misled by the manufacturer spec which says the lens can be used in DX format cameras.  Also, the B&H; website said the lens is not to be used in D40 and D60 cameras but there was no mention of the D5100 camera.However I was sad to learn that this lens's autofocus feature does not work in the D5100 camera.  The whole point for me was the autofocus feature.  I was devastated to learn that I could only use AF-S lenses (motor inside the lens) with the D5100.  When I was shopping for a camera, it did not occur to me how I would be limited in lens selection.I got the 105 mm f 2.8 AF-S lens instead.  It is OK but it sure feels plasticky after the f 2.  This one is made in China.I feel like I lost my first love.
I am changing my rating to five stars.  This lens did not focus well with my Nikon D 2-X and D 2-H bodies.  Nikon charged me $ 461.90 including shipping and handling to clean and adjust my Nikon D 2-X and make it work with the lens.  I was not satisfied with the lens when using it with the modified Nikon D 2-X so now I use the lens with a Nikon D7000 and the lens is wonderful.  I wish Amazon had pointed out the fact that the lens might not be compatible with the Nikon D 2-X and possibly other Nikon cameras.  I'm thankful Amazon showed me how I could edit my original review.
I didn't know it before, but I've been looking for a lens like this for so long. For portraits I was using the 85mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 (they're good, but not as good as the 105). After trying my friend's 85mm 1.4, I saw what I wasn't getting: Sharp images with super creamy depth of field. Honestly, I considered the 85mm 1.4 too, but I wanted something with a longer focal length. After researching for a while, I decided to try the 105mm DC. The first shot I took at the camera shop was enough to convince me, and I'm sticking with it for good.It's not as short of a telephoto lens as the 50mm or 85mm, helping it produce smoother out of focus areas. Even when opened up wide at f2, the subject comes into focus very clear. I set the lens at f2 if I want to focus on only the eyes while smoothing out the rest of the person. If I want a person's body to pop out from the background, I set it to f2.8, with the DC at r2 (that's just my personal taste). I did some tests on each aperture in combination with the DC control ranges. Mixing the DC settings with the aperture number can get super soft out of focus areas. Then again the image is so good on its own, the DC settings aren't completely necessary. Eventually, your subject in focus will become softer and softer as you use the higher DC numbers. I use it because I like the way it looks dreamy (contrary to what a big shot review website believes). It looks much better than using a soft filter, in my personal opinion.Now for image quality. This lens has produced the best images compared to any other lens I've tried, and I will never let it go. The pictures I take with this lens are consistently clear and render very nice colors and tones. It's contrasty while not being too harsh. Opened up wide, this lens is very fast and I don't get any blurry shots. In fact, I believe this lens is somehow faster than the 85mm 1.8 I had (I'm not sure why).This lens is great for portraits, modeling/fashion, taking pics of kids running around outside, even travel and street photography. It does get a little cramped in a crowded market, but I try to stand at a distance from subjects I shoot anyways (I don't want to be rude). Some people claim it's not great when using higher f-stops past 5.6, but I tried it for the heck of it. Took pictures of mountains in the horizon at f/8 with clouds and the sun. The picture looked great, no complaints. However, I haven't tried it for landscape/nature photography really because I like using my ultra-wide angle lens for that. I don't actually try to use this lens for general photography, but I love it so much I can't put it away sometimes. It's very fun to use!I can't go on enough about how great this lens is. It is a little rare, pricey, and more of a specialty lens, but wow it's such good quality. It's built solid too. Obviously, it's a keeper for me. I'd definitely recommend it for portraits and some light general photography.
As a pro photographer for many years I have had the chance to try a large amount of lenses. This lens is one of my all time favorites.It is already very sharp even wide open and from 2.8 on it is simply brilliant. The vignetting even at f/2 is less than other lenses in that range. The AF is quick and if used with a a D3 or D700 or D300 or newer camera it is also very quiet.The magic of this lens is the wonderful bokeh (quality of the out of focus areas). My main work is portrait photography and I end up using this lens for the majority of my work.The DC control is often not understood well. It "over-corrects" the spherical abberation of the lens to the front or back. As a result either the front or back of the subject will appear slightly softer. In reality the effect is subtle and since you will have to adjust the DC control ring each time according to your aperture setting *and* you will have to refocus each time you touch the DC ring, I end up not using this feature at all.The overall built quality of the lens is excellent and solid. Manual focus is smooth. The built in lens hood is useful and locks in.I have compared this lens to different 105 mm lenses and this one is the best lens in that range you can get. I would highly recommend getting this lens before Nikon decided to discontinue it.There is one slight con to this lens at least when shooting with a D3. I noticed that only the 5 center AF points are accurate with this lens. When I used outer the AF points, the focus is slightly off in my photos. I have verified this with lots of tests. It is not a big deal for me as I use the center AF points all the time when I do head shots and portraits anyway. And yes it is only with this lens, all my other lenses are accurate with all AF points, so my camera is definitely calibrated correctly. Other photographer using this lens have confirmed my findings.Again this is no issue for me and it is my most used lens for portrait work. The look of the photos is just wonderful, smooth and the subject seems to pop.Many examples of my work with this lens can be found on flickr user: childish_david
This lens is not for everyone. It takes a little work to learn how to use it. But if you're willing to exert a little effort, this lens will not disappoint. This 105mm has become probably my favorite lens. Why? Because it forces you to work with it. And, when you do, it delivers the most magnificent images you can imagine.
The Nikon 105mm f2.0D Lens that I purchased continues to produce stunning images with incredible high-quality bokeh.  It is built like a tank and provides considerable control over subject sharpness. I highly recommend this lens for photographers, whose work is focused on creative portraiture.
This is the lens I keep on the camera all the time.  The reason is its quick, light weight, and works great in low light conditions when you don't want to use a flash.  It has enough magnification that you don't have to be right in front of the subject.  I took it to a Christmas party and took lots of pictures of my godchild, 3 months old and I didn't want to use a flash.  This lens is highly versatile and great under low light conditions
I bought this several months ago to fill a gap and I got it for $300 cheaper than the 85 1.4. They're comparable in many respects and you really can't go wrong with either lens.The DC 9(distortion control) is a bit tricky. I've not used it much, the bokeh is creamy enough without it. It's a beautiful lens. I wish I could say more about it, you know, make an educated comparison between it and the 85 1.4, or the legendary 105 2.5, but I can't. I know that it handles like a cadillac and I look for opportunities to use it. (I shoot theater with it. I  use its fast 2.0 aperature to selectively focus on one person at a time.I'm very pleased with it and will not part with it.
This is an absolutely amazing lens.  It takes unbelievable pictures with sharpness and bokeh that will knock your socks off; optically, it's probably one of the best three Nikon lenses available.  The bokeh isn't just creamy - it looks like an oil painting.  Virtually every picture properly shot reminds me of the paint scenes from "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams - it's that amazing.  Frequently, I don't understand how a lens can make things look the way this lens does.  It does more than record reality - it enhances it.In my opinion, this lens outperforms the 85 1.4, in the right hands.  And there's the key - this lens is probably too much for all but the most dedicated photographers.  You really have to know what you're doing to get the most out of this lens.  For a number of reasons, dilettantes are likely to get inferior images; most importantly, at this focal length, if you aren't using the right shutter speed, even a tiny bit of camera shake will kill your sharpness (the weight of this lens doesn't help, either).  This lens is one stop slower than the 85, so in any given situation, your shutter speed is likely to be twice as long if you're trying to maximize background blurring (although the DC more than makes up for that if you know how to use it).  And the extremely shallow depth of field can be hard to handle; I almost always manually focus with this lens because autofocus, while fast and accurate, just doesn't allow this lens to perform to its true potential.  Finally, more than any other lens I use, and for reasons I don't fully understand, the viewfinder is NOT a completely accurate representation of the final picture you will get from this lens, and that takes some getting used to.  Neither the viewfinder nor the LCD is capable of rendering the subtle patterns of light that this lens can generate.  There's a certain luminosity to the pictures that is only first appreciable when you can actually look at the RAW file on a good monitor, and it's breathtaking, but you're not always expecting it.  So, you have to know how this lens behaves while you're shooting with it, and that takes more practice and dedication than most people are willing to devote - they want to mount a lens and start snapping away.For those who are agonizing between this and the 85 1.4: the 85 1.4 is, in my opinion, a much more forgiving lens because it doesn't have the sheer unbelievable resolving power that this lens does, especially in the borders.  The 85 1.4 allows even inexperienced photographers to take contrasty, eye-popping shots with nice bokeh (once they can learn to deal with the depth-of-field issues, of course).  This lens can do better, because it was designed to, but you really have to know exactly how to handle it - it's a nightmare in the hands of those who don't really know their camera.  It's also a good bit heavier than the 85 and hangs off the body a bit more - the picture doesn't really illustrate the heft of the lens.  On the other hand, it doesn't have the 85's more persnickety lens hood - it has a retractable lens hood that is much more convenient and can't get lost or scratch the lens body.If you're a very serious amateur or pro, you will absolutely love this lens and you will enjoy the process of learning its intricacies.  It's especially nice for portraits, its intended purpose, but of course has the optical quality to do everything well (except macro - it has a rather longish minimum focusing distance).  If you're an amateur who wants a general-purpose lens to take great pictures, this lens will only amplify your shortcomings and bring you frustration, so I recommend you stick with the 85 1.4 if you have this much cash to spend.  If you want a walkabout lens, I'd also go with the 85 - this lens is a bit heavy for that in my opinion, though both are a bit long in focal length as a general purpose lens for my taste.  I prefer a 35 or 50 for that, depending on what I plan to shoot.EDIT:  As everyone always says, this lens is primarily for portraits.  Its resolving characteristics do in fact make it great for portraits of women and children (the majority of portraiture clients in my experience).  For men, I prefer the 85/1.4 or even the 50/1.4 if you're dealing with an interesting face.  I have used it on men on occasion, but only when I'm going for the particular effect that DC provides.  Most men don't imagine themselves the way this lens will render them.
I buy this lens to pair up with Nikon D800 ( I do not have D800 yet because I found the left focus issue in SPOT mode in 5 cameras at Bestbuy, will get one if it's defect free). This Nikon 105m F/2 DC is an amazing lens.Currently, I am using it with my Sony Nex-5N. In term of sharpness, skin color tone, contrast, saturation, most importantly - the bokeh, this lens beats all other lenses that I've owned such as:-Nikon 35-70mm F2.8-Canon FD 50mm 1.4, FL 1.2-Vivita series 1 105mm f2.5-Canon 70-200mm F4 L, Canon 80-200 F4 FD-Canon 85mm F1.8.-Sigma 50mm F1.4 ( good competitor against this 105mm DC but still far  behind)If you like to take picture of people, specially portrait, this is the must-have lens. DC feature can produce some effects, but not much. It's very simple to use.I take off one star because it produces easily recognizable purple fringe around the subject that has strong contrast like hair under sun light, edge of a bright hand that has dark backround, around black sunglasses, etc. The purple fringe is little too much for the lens at this price.Important for Sony Nex shooters, this lens has the aperture ring.Overall, I love this lens and it must go with me when taking portrait. It's built to last thru generations, I thought so.
I tried two different copies of this lens (actually 3 because the 1st replacement Amazon shipped out was a used lens) and found it front focuses on my D3 at both 2.0 and 2.8.  I tried to adjust focus in camera but even the maximum adjustment would not correct this.  I experimented with focusing on a angled ruler and found that the focus was quite accurate however, in portrait applications even with a tripod and completely still subject, all of these lenses had a strong tendency to front focus leaving the eyes in the  the rear of the DOF and not as sharp as the shirt collar or whatever else happened to be directly forward of the focal point.  I was using a single focal point and I have not had the same issue on any of my other lenses.  When it functioned properly, I loved this lens.  However, 1K is to much to accept &#34;great when it works properly&#34;.  The DC function works well, bokeh is as adveritsed but it does seem to increase the front focus issue at 2.0 & 2.8.  Why buy a 2.0 lens if it can't be effectively used?
I bought this lens because as a portrait photographer, I was having a hard time hand-holding my 70-200 f2.8 and getting the eyes sharp.  This lens is sharp!  And with beautiful bokeh.  I don't miss my 70-200 at all!  In fact, I took it to the repair shop to clean and adjust during my holiday season because I don't feel I'm missing anything with this lens!  Still haven't read the manual on the DC options, I'll play with it over the holdays.
I spent considerable time researching this lens and the 85mm 1.4g, and I am thrilled with my purchase. The 105mm DC and it's big brother 135mm DC are must haves for the portrait and wedding photographer. The bokeh is second to none and color rendition is exquisite. If you are sitting on the fence about the 105mm DC, please know that it's now my go to lens for anything portrait. It will take your photography up a notch and you will be amazed!
If you are a Pro, or use a Nikon FX format camera and know the difference between D and F, this review's not for you.This is a commentary for the average neighborhood guy, like me,  likely using a D-format Nikon, who likes cameras and wonders whether this lens is worth the cool $1,000 it costs.The answer is, "Absolutely worth it!".  I've used this lens in its various incarnations beginning in 1976, on the then-Nikon FE and F3.  I fell in love with it and rarely used any other lens.  I did the kids thing, kids in the garden, kids around the Christmas tree, kids at the beach.  That lens made me look like a pro.  When I discovered "close-up rings", I realized it was simply the best all-around lens I could own.  I did much flower imaging, and in those days, there was not defocus control (on the affordable model, anyway), nonetheless, I got rich, black, blurred backgrounds, setting off brilliant blooms.  The only thing it wasn't good for was getting Ma and Pa and the kids all in a single shot in a crowded dining room - that required a less-expensive zoom (the "family holiday dinner" type of lens.This current incarnation, with my D70 and D7000, is still the finest piece of glass I've ever owned.  It would be the single lens I would choose, could I have only one.  The D-format Nikons don't have the dynamic range of the F-format cameras, but they don't cost $3,800+, either.  This particular lens, I would swear, seems to compensate for much for this.  It provides a sharpness and color depth that is more real than the stock lenses that come with D Nikons.  Put your daughter in the garden, against a colored brick or stone wall, with a little greenery around her, set the defocus control a couple of notches in the "B" (background defocus) direction, open the Nikon up a half-stop, and you'll feel like National Geo material, I'll promise you!The question might be, can I do this with a less expensive zoom, or the 85mm micro?  Answer is no.  Period.  Those lenses are very good, and have their purpose.  But for faces, kids, relatives, and for flowers and details (with a close-up attachment), no Nikon lens in the affordable range can even come close to this.  I've never had any light leakage issues, never any vignetting (but, then, the D-format Nikons rarely have that issue, unlike the more expensive FXs.This 105 has a long and honorable tradition.  Just choke, and buy it.  Read all the Amazon folks' reviews. It's a SUPERB piece of glass.I've read a bit about focus problems and the like, but I have not had that issue.  Any autofocus lens will fight for focus with geometric patterns, very high or very low contrasts, and the like.  You might, as I do, prefer manual focus.  Just be certain that you understand how to set your camera body to manual focus first, and set the lens to manual focus, because conflicting lens and body focusing mode can truly damage the camera frame. I would also suggest that you spend some time understanding the camera's focus choices, for choices are many lately, and not completely understood in 10 minutes (at least, for this writer, a very ordinary guy who enjoys cameras and portraiture).Get the Nikon 72mm "NC" protective lens to screw on the front, because I suspect this lens will remain on your camera pretty much full time.It is worth it, well worth the cost.  There is chatter about future obsolescence of this lens, and should that happen (doubtful), it likely would become quite costly (some of the older Nikon lenses have done just that).It's been 15 years or so since my manual focus 105 with my FE, and I'm now ecstatic again!Cons:  Very expensive, and slightly bulky.Pros:  Simple to use, superb quality, and makes the average amateur feel like a pro.
I use this lens on a D7000, giving a 35mm equivalent focal length of around 150mm. Makes it ideal for headshot portraits. I also use it in-studio for product photography.The lens is razor sharp and renders colors and contrast perfectly.People talk about this lens having a learning curve. I don't see it. There's nothing particularly tricky about using it. The defocus control stuff can be ignored if you like, leaving you with the best 105mm lens in Nikon's line. If you choose to use it, just set it to whatever your f-stop setting is (using the &#34;rear&#34; side of the scale), and your bokeh will be extra creamy. But honestly, the effects are subtle, and even if you leave the DC setting at &#34;0&#34;, the bokeh produced by this lens is exceptional.If you want that sharp, contrasty, 3-D, &#34;pull the subject out of the background&#34; look, this lens is perfect.
This is easily the best portrait lens in production today. It is also the sharpest lens I have ever used. I currently own the 17-35mm, a 70-200mm VR, and other sharp prime glass but this one is hands-down THE best. The DC control is not difficult at all to use. I keep hearing people complaining about how "tricky" it is to use and how it has a high learning curve and bla, bla, bla. I honestly don't understand their claims. Bottom line is...if you can do simple math; you can use the DC ring. Period. The 85mm f1.4 seems to be more popular but it is NOT better. It is not a portrait lens wide open either due to its shallow DOF. This 105mm is massive and sings on a D700. The built-in hood is very convenient and simple to use.This masterpiece will definitely rock any DX body out there and shows no signs of vignetting on FX (just like my 70-200mm VR should but doesn't.) It produces almost three dimensional images....really shocking indeed. If you crave cream-cheese bokeh...almost oil-painting like.....get this thing. I will take mine to the grave as it will never ever leave my side. Any serious portrait shooter should own this classic. A MUST have.
Everything other people have already said about this lens is absolutely true - very sharp, stunning bokeh, and well worth the investment. A couple of things I learned while doing research that may help you:This lens will work on a DX format camera, but if autofocus is important to you, double check your camera body to be sure it has a focusing motor, as this lens doesn't have one built in. I use it on a d90 and autofocus works great, but it will not autofocus on a d40 or d60. Since your depth of field is generally going to be shallow anyway, I find the best results come with manually focusing anyway.On the subject of autofocus - some older versions of this lens were reported to focus more towards the front when using autofocus. Some camera bodies can adjust for this. Mine didn't have this problem, but if you buy used and notice troubles like this, try looking up your serial number to see if it's an issue for yours and see if your camera body can compensate.DC - this is a setting designed to allow you to tweak the way your bokeh renders. According to Nikon, it allows you to control the shape of the bokeh (subtly) so you can make a more pleasing photo, but the actual effect is more like you're controlling how blurred your bokeh is (again, very subtly - I recommend looking at some comparison photos to get a better feel for it. You can leave it alone and have a fine lens. If you want to give it a try, just set the DC to the same number as your aperture - on the F side for front, on the B side for back, wherever your bokeh will be. Whenever you change the DC, you will need to refocus, so keep that in mind as you shoot.Weight - it's on the heavy side, but if you're used to old style construction, it's not a problem. I started feeling the weight after about 2 hours of walking around with it. It's a touch heavier than my Tokina 11-16 f2.8, and about the same length, which I'd say is probably a bit longer than my outstretched hand. I think it looks and feels nice. If you don't have a steady hand, you'll probably want to increase your shutter speed.I haven't found it especially hard to learn to use, but you really need to be comfortable with manually adjusting things - focus, exposure, shutter speed - to get the best out of this lens. Photography is a hobby for me, and I'm really enjoying this lens, but I also feel comfortable with swapping lenses as needed during a walk and using the camera in manual mode. I found myself taking a lot more care and time with each shot as I took this lens out for a test run - it really feels like a lens made for art, not for documentation or snapshots. In that sense, I could see it being tough for someone to use who just isn't in that mindset.Overall - I can't say it's my favorite lens in my bag, that's reserved for my 11-16, but this gives it quite a run for its money. I have a feeling that if I move away from shooting mostly landscapes and nature to more portraits, I'll be changing my tune very quickly. Worth every penny!
I was looking for a portrait and general purpose telephoto lens to complete my system. I compared 105/f2 dc with others including 85/1.4, 135/f2 dc, 105/2.8 micro, 70-200/2.8, 80-200/2.8 and 70-300 VR. I selected this lens to pair with my F100. The experience of first roll of film has already confirmed what many have commented:-Smooth color and transition which are perfect for skin tones.-Great bokeh (nice blend of colors). DC control is handy when needed.-Sharp prime lens. Amazing 3D like images.-Fast and accurate auto focus on F100, similar to my 20/2.8 and 50/1.8 in terms of focusing speed.-Easy to use built-in lens hood. Front glass element is deeply recessed.-Right size and weight, not too heavy to lug around all day.-Smooth manual focus ring.-Well built and nice finish for a life time.Since it does not have VR the lens demands right shutter speeds when handheld. I plan to move to full frame digital to extend the usage in low light. Auto focusing is not af-s but very responsive for shooting on fast moving subjects.It has instantly become my favorite and I haven't removed it from camera since. The 105mm focus length allows it to be used also as a general purpose walk around lens. It is a fixed lens so moving back and forth is required. On the plus side, this may helps the composition. I am happy with this Amazon purchase and highly recommended.
First of, I could not buy this amazing piece at amazom.com for the simple reason that it was not available from them when I wanted it (All top stuff for me has to come - Sold and Ships by Amazon). So this is a non amazon purchase I did in Hongkong for a few dollars less than what it was sold for at amazon (SORRY AMAZON.COM, But you are still the best for me and nobody can take me away from you LOL.) Getting to the lens. I was pre warned that this is a lens that need a little mastering due to it being a D lens and the manual work involved. Well, I take challenges and since it was a lens that need to be in my bag, yes I went and got it and since than I did many shots to just try to get it right. I have now managed to get to like this one as the pictures are coming of as I want them too. This lens has so many possibilites for creative photography. It shoots some unbelieveable detail features in the prime focus area, and gorgeous and creamy smooth "Bokeh" for the backgrounds. Once you got the hang of it you will not want to stop shooting with this beautiful piece. A little on the heavier side but I have managed well handheld and am glad to I bought it.I decided to finally pop this one off and get the 135mm which I did manage to get from my favorite amazon.com
This is one of my favorite lens in my arsenal and certainly my best for portraits.  I prefer this lens over my 85mm f/1.4.Pros -- A sharp prime lens- Fast at f/2, sharp even in the corners- Fast AF (faster than 85mm f/1.4) and nearly as fast as my AF-S lenses- Defocus capability - it does work but need some playing with- Solid Nikkor construction/metal body with rubber rings - there's no mistaken it's a high-end Nikon lensCons -- Less contrast than say a newer lens with nano-crystal coating (or more ED lenses) but arguably more favorable for people/portraits- It's a tad pricey but you get what you pay forI use this as a walk around lens frequently, particularly on a normal day when I'm not lazy.  Prime lens helps me with my photography training and more awareness around composition.  This lens balances superbly with my D300.
I have been looking at this lens for a while This is an old style built lens, and the usage reminds why Nikon developed a strong following.How old, well the manual references the FA, F3, and F4 as compatible cameras,, the digital world was far far awayThe strength is the sharpness of the lens. I have it coupled with a D800, and the lens is capable to resolve to the finest detail. The balance of the lens with larger body SLRs like a 300/700/800 etc, is just about perfect. not too large and weight just right.The Deselective control is super easy, simply decide your aperature, match the control ring to the same setting, set your exposure, focus, and you are all set. I am still need more time to really build up pictures that I prefer the effect.On the whole, I recommend this lens for anyone that is looking for old school build, for a lens that will have most likely an permanant place in your kit, I wonder how much longer Nikon will keep making this classic piece of glass.
I had sold mine some time ago and replaced it with modern zooms (like the 70-200mm f/4). But I came to miss the great rendering for portraits. The Nikon DC lenses have the best skin tones of any Nikon lenses (if you ask me), and beautiful bokeh, too. Recently I got the new Nikon DF, and decided to buy the 105mm f/2 lens again. And indeed it is a perfect match for this camera. The kit is reasonably small and light (as compared to something like the D800 with 70-200 zoom lens) and gives top notch results. This time I won't sell it again.
This is one of my favorite prime lenses. It produces very sharp images even with the camera hand held. Please see the picture of the African Violet posted above and you will know what I mean, which has been magnified to illustrate my point. The only cons about this lens that I can think of is that the DC ring is not that easy to use to produce the bokeh in front of or behind the focused subject. All pros (excellent weight balance with any Nikon digital camera, excellent built quality, excellent speed, cost reasonable, convenient push-pull hood, ease of carry), especially for portrait & still object photography.  Therefore I gave 5 stars for the lens, 4 stars for ease of use. Overall comment: 5 stars.
There are lenses that claim to make ice cream out of the background; but at the top of that heap, sits this lens.  This is the definitive cream machine.Like most photographers; almost ever lens has been in my bag at one time or another; but with the advent of Photoshop and the drastic freedom of photo editing how a lens is viewed needs to change as well.  A lens is an attempt by a bunch of engineers locked up in a room somewhere to try to balance quite a few things:SharpnessVignettingDistortionCASizeWeightPriceEase of ProductionConstruction Qualityetc..But let me dissuade you from the normal selection criterions; and do what I have now done, and that is to judge a lens pretty much wholly by one singular criteria, BOKEH.Now, when I pick a lens, the following criterias aren't that important to me:[Sharpness] 99% of images are shot free-hand; if you would like to literally triple your sharpness; shoot at F5.6 and off a tripod.  Learn how to exhale, hold your breath, and then SQUEEZE the shutter.  Better yet, have the camera on a tripod, mirror up, and on a timer.  Honestly, if you are looking for sharpness; go buy a tripod.[Vignetting] Correctable in Photoshop and other software.  You can even put in a lens profile and it will read the EXIF and correct it depending on the F-stop for that picture.[Distortion] Again, you can have it corrected in Photoshop.[CA] I think lightroom will do that automagically.. as will most software nowadays.So what is left?  What is it that I can't correct in Photoshop?  The answer, BOKEH.  A lot of people say you can just click "Blur" in Photoshop, but that's not the same as good bokeh.  If it were, there wouldn't be a need for a review of a lens's bokeh.So for me, Bokeh now is pretty much the only lens rendering characteristic I care about.The way way way second criteria is speed of a lens.  No matter what you do, an F2.8 can NEVER become an F1.8, and that's a physics thing.So if Bokeh is all you care about, then __THIS__  __IS__ __THE__ __LENS__.  Nothing comes close.  It allows you to PHYSICALLY adjust the elements inside the lens as to control the bokeh of the image.Is the newer 105mm F2.8 macro sharper?  Ever so slightly.  But as far as a portrait lens is concerned, anything better?  Nope.It does well with landscapes, but really, this is a portrait lens.I, like other Nikonians, struggled when I was looking at portrait lenses to buy. I considered:85mmF1.4 ~ Legendary in creaminess; high price, and no bokeh control.  Heavy CA, and not as sharp as most people think.85..F1.8 ~ Sharp, but the bokeh is nowhere near the F1.4 or this lens.So I went with this lens and have not had a single regret.  Most people look at the portraits from this lens and gasp.I now only have prime lenses; most of the lenses lack an aspheric element, I personally like lenses without aspheric elements, they simply render bokeh better.I have:~Nikon 28mm F1.8 - (Best bokeh out of all wide angles)~Sigma 50mm F2.8 - Macro (I love the bokeh on this lens, I use to have an OM1n, and the Zuiko 50mm F1.8 had great bokeh; I find all the Nikkor 50mm's to have nervous bokeh.  The Sigma is a bit slow at F2.8 but what it lacks in speed it makes up in bokeh and macroness)~Nikkor 105mmF2DC - This lens; I bought it for portraits but find that it's great for environmental images as well.  Short telephoto.~Nikkor 180mm F2.8 - Prefer this lens over the 70-200mm due to its size; but also because the bokeh is superior to the 70-200mm.If I had to sum this lens up in three words, it would be:Sharp and Bokehlicious!A must for anybody serious about portraits.  This and Sigma 50mm F2.8 for 3/4 shots are my recommendation.
You have read the reviews, so just buy it. I am on my third one mostly because I did not get it at first. This lens is not complicated to use. Just set the Defocus ring on neutral and shoot. It is that easy. If you want to experiment, set the Defocus Rear to 4, lens aperture at F2 for really soft portrait effects. Or, set the rear Defous ring to the same number as your shooting aperture, which is the recommended course of action, for wonderful bokeh. The colors with this lens are outstanding. This lens is certainly better than the classic 105 F2.5 Ais. You will see the difference in bokeh and color. This lens handles well and the built in shade hardly needs to be extended because the front glass is recessed. I like to use it with my D300 bodies, making it like a 150mm telephoto. I like this lens at F2.8 but F2 is there if you need it. 72mm filters threads. I never use a filter with this lens. This lens is worth the price. There, I said it.
Its a fine lens. I'm old school, fixed lens are better, everyone knows that. However, in practice I think technology has displaced this old saw. I find that my Nikon 18-300 zoom is just about as sharp at 300 as the Nikon 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF-S. I know heresy!Even more so, my old version 80-400 (at 300mm) is every bit as sharp -if not more so, as the 300mm fixed at 100%. (same price)Sad to say I returned it but kept the 1.4 doubler. Using it on a 70-200 I'm back at over 300mm and no question which is faster or sharper. I read the reviews on this set up, all I can say is, &#34;It works for me!&#34;
Well, unlike most of the other reviewers....I use both the 300 2.8 and the 300 f4. The only reason to use the 300 2.8 is when you need to use it wide open. Otherwise the f4 is at least as sharp if not a bit sharper and definitely better contrast. The 300 f4 can be used hand held if necessary or with a monopod.  That extra heft is a huge handicap for the 2.8 in many cases. I do a lot of sports car racing photography and the f4 generally is my first choice.....generally it is outdoors and plenty of light so you aren't looking for that last stop and the ability to pan with the cars makes it easier to follow the cars at f4. If you were doing indoors sports, or other events with dimmer lights the 2.8 is the goto lens. And yes the f4 works great at f4..for car racing that is all it gets used at.
I have always wanted a 300mm lens.  However, for many, many years I could never afford the Nikkor 2.8 versions.  Even now, when I can afford one, I did not want to give up the $5000, or so, to make the purchase. Therefore, I bought the 300 f/4 AF-S (and a TC 1.4e) from an Amazon partner.In order to test the new lens I set up my tripod in my back living room and waited.  On 11-4-11 we watched two deer, a doe and a buck, in the soybean field behind us- who were waiting for the sun to go down.  They each took turns getting up to check to see the status of the sun, obviously waiting for the best time to move to a new feeding area.  We watched them for over two hours and the photos we posted here are from the time of best light, severely cropped. just as the sun went down.  I am very pleased with the lens, and the TC 1.4e. The sharpness of this lens, and the TC, is obvious in the images made. Both images uploaded were made at max aperture, with the TC 1.4e II.My suggestion, if you are looking at this lens, buy it.  It will not disappoint you.  The TC 1.4e II is also a good purchase to go with this lens.
Great lens.  Would recommend.  I love this lens. Works great hand held.  Is sharp.  Pairing it with the 1.4 tele extender is wonderful for clear and crisp wildlife photos with a tripod.
Previously I was using the capable consumer 55-300mm for telephoto. The 55-300mm gets soft at full tele, yet that's where I often found myself using the lens. After hitting the limits of what that lens can do, it made sense to get something better. I chose this 300mm f4 prime.I also considered a 70-200, but decided instead to get a dedicated telephoto instrument. I wanted a scalpel, not a Swiss Army knife. I am using this lens primarily for birding and wildlife photography, although with a focus distance of around 4 feet, it's surprisingly great for flowers and the like. You might think that a 300mm prime is limited, but it's a surprisingly versatile lens.The most obvious plus is that this lens is TACK SHARP.  The 300mm f4 is sharp with no purple fringing. Bokeh is GORGEOUS. I find the focusing to be quite speedy with my D7100. And by the way, I like the built-in lens hood.If you come to this lens from any consumer telephoto lens, prepare for your first good shots to deliver some exciting "wow!" moments. Instead of defining exactly what makes these images special, I'll reference what Oliver Wendell Holmes said about obscenity: you'll know it when you see it.The lens is a little on the heavy side for anyone coming from consumer lenses. Sure, compared to the bazooka f2.8 telephoto lenses it's rather svelte, but I find it at the limit of what I care to handhold on a walkabout. I usually use some form of support with this lens, either a tripod or monopod.Without VR, your handholding technique is critical. Of course you will have better results at higher shutter speeds. I usually shoot at 1/500 or faster when handholding the lens.Build quality is okay. Unlike the older built-like-a-tank Nikkor lenses, this AF-S model is a little plasticky. Let's just say that I don't wanna drop it.I intend to get the Nikon 1.4x teleconverter to further extend its reach.I am very pleased with this purchase, and frankly wish I'd bought the lens years ago! If you are thinking about it, and you are ready for it in terms of your photographic skill, go ahead and get it. Life is too short for mediocre lenses.
Excellent lens so far. I was able to handhold it much easier than I had expected, even with a 1.4x teleconverter attached. The images were very clear. I have only had the lens for about 1 month but am glad I purchased it. I will probably leave the teleconverter on most of the time for birds. Birds do still have to be fairly close. For small or distant birds, I think a 500mm or 600mm lens would be better, but they are much more expensive and heavier. I do not miss the vr so far.I have now had the lens for many months and it has become my favourite lens for birding. Even handheld without vibration reduction and a 1.4x teleconverter attached, my photos come out clearer than my 70-200 vr1 lens handheld. I have not given it much of a try on a tripod. Tripods don't seem too practical while hiking through the woods looking for birds that are hopping continuously. Very glad I purchased this lens. It will be one of the last to leave my lens collection.
I really like the lens.  For its bulky size, I really wish it was a f/2.8 instead of an f/4.0.  The auto-focus is a little slow at times, especially in low light (no surprise), but I've managed to take some really good photos with this lens.  I do like how the hood is permanently affixed to the end of the lens (which can be extended/contracted as needed).  Using this lens with a Nikon 1.7 teleconverter makes the photos a little blurry, but it still does a descent job.
Great lens, crystal clear even at long range.  (amateur photographer...to be honest just starting)  I have been impressed with the, the lens.  I have photographed eagles in flight.  This is a mid priced lens. The 300 2.0 is about 6K compared to the 1300 for this lens.  I have used this lens in all light conditions from cloudy to bright days and it still takes great pictures.  The auto-focus is quick and you can override the auto-focus if necessary.
I will not get into a lengthy discussion using technojargon that most people could care less about..........the bottom line...........this is one of the best lenses that Nikon has ever produced, and the images this lens turns out are razor sharp..............you will NOT be disappointed with your investment in this lens.
Big and heavy, but super sharp. I wouldn't handhold unless you just absolutely have to. Definitely worth the extra weight in my bag.
This is the latest version of the Nikon 300mm f4 ED Nikkor lens, which is surprisingly relatively light and barely hand-holdable. Those photographers who don't need the additional speed or bulk of the 300mm f2.8 Nikkor, will find this lens quite reliable for nature, landscape, and especially, sports photography. In its latest incarnation, the 300mm f4 ED Nikkor now can focus very fast and accurately, due to Nikon's Silent Wave autofocusing technology. Without question, this is one of the finest 300mm lenses available now. If I was still using Nikon equipment, I wouldn't hesitate adding this lens to my kit.
I am merely a hobby photographer and I will not attempt to make any more detailed review of this lens' performance. I leave it to those more qualified. There are several professional reviews available on the internet and I find that they are in good agreement that the lens is very good, except possibly for a somewhat weak tripod support (I use it freehand or on a monopod so I have no problem with that). My main use of the lens is nature photography, preferably animals and birds. After using it some time on my d5000 I have noticed that the success rate for my photos (i.e. the photos I like to save and display) is noticeably higher compared with most other lenses I have. I have learned to appreciate the lens also for portraits of my family members, especially the kids (i.e. fast-moving..). The lens is tack sharp also on f4 (no need to say), but it also makes a very nice and even exposure over the whole object. There is a nice "light" in the whole photo. I don't know why, but with my other lenses there is a stronger difference between bright and dark areas. They look like if subject to harder jpg compression. I would think this should be up to the sensor and the camera settings. It is like if this lens suddenly make use of the "active d lighting" of the camera, or something like that. It also suppresses the background wonderfully, not only by a lovely bokeh, but also through its nice control of the exposure throughout the image (e.g. an even dark or an even bright background fills up behind a perfectly exposed object). I admit my ignorance, but it is like magic how the lens "helps" me to take better photos!My other telelens is a Nikon 55-200vr that I like very much. However, I found myself too often cropping the photos to a level where I pushed the capacity of the lens too far. Thus, I wanted something with more range. I was not interested in another zoom. I prefer to use my feet or to simply let the lens decide the frame (Is the duck too close.. then, well, I take a photo of its head instead). I also wanted a fast lens for low-light shots. Indeed, I have been out when the sun has dived well below the horizon and still the 300f4 gives me fast shutter speeds without that I have to push the ISO higher than 1000.To me, the lens is less easy to use for birds in flight: It is not that it is any problem using it hand held during daytime, or any problem with the autofocus, it is fast enough when using the focus lock (>3m), but simply the narrow field of view that comes with the high magnification makes it difficult to locate the bird fast enough. For this my 55-200 is easier. However, with some training I may improve.I am glad the 300f4 does not replace my 55-200vr, but instead complements it. The 55-200vr is much more portable and is good enough for many purposes. The 300f4 is bulkier, but takes better photos especially when one can be more stationary observing the wild life.To make the 300f4 more portable I have connected it to a harness: I put a strap tightly around the lens just behind the focus ring where I obtain good balance with the camera attached. On the strap there is a ring. To this ring I connect the carabiners of a harness originally bought for a pair of binoculars (Bushnell). In this way the camera and attached lens hang comfortably across my lower chest. No strain to the back whatsoever. When an object appears the camera is ready in a flash. The elastic straps of the harness, when stretched out while the camera is held in front of the eyes, help to reduce vibrations (i.e. similar to the effect that can be achieved with a hunting rifle when applying the carrying sling in a certain way around the arm before the shot).I am very satisfied with this lens. It was exactly what I had been looking for. It is a bit heavy, but I feel I solved it with the harness (so no risk it ends up unused at home). And the photos it generates are like.. magic. With this lens I will develop as a photographer and have great fun along the way.
I got this lens to supplement my Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens for daytime outdoor sports. The lens is sharp and a bargain and should be in your bag if you shoot distant subjects. Used with the Nikkor TC-14E II (1.4x) Teleconverter AF-S, there is no loss of sharpness which pleasantly surprised me. The only issue is the open area at the mount which could possibly allow dust into the aperture area. With the TC-14E II mounted on the lens, the issue vanishes. The f/2.8 version is something like four times the price of this gem, so it is certainly worth the bucks. VR would help when this oldish D lens is updated, but it would make it heavier and not as easy to use hand held. I do use it mostly with a tripod or monopod.Update 6/5/2013: I recently bought the new Nikkor 80-400, figuring it would be even better because of the newer design and lens coatings plus the Vibration Reduction. Well, I took that out on a seal watch photoshoot for the North Fork Audubon Society (Long Island, NY) mounted it onto my D800 and began blasting away as soon as the first seals were spotted. Within an hour of heavy shooting, I was wishing I had instead brought along my trusty Nikkor 300mm f/4. I am now thinking of selling the newer lens because of the inconsistent sharpness, heavier weight, longer length, etc. Plus this 300mm is a prime lens with constant aperture settings. Buy this one if you are confused.
If you are looking to get great glass to enhance your pictures.  This lens would be for you.  While on the short side for birds, either by practicing bird behavior and moving in closer.  Or using a Nikon teleconverter, you can get great shots.
I have this lens, a 70 to 200 vr2 and the old version of the 80 to 400 vr. The 300 f/4 afs is my favorite. The 70 to 200 is too short for birds in most circumstances. The old 80 to 400 focuses too slowly and is not sharp enough at f/5.6 and is not as sharp as the 300 f/4 at any f stop.I thought of selling my 300 f/4 to help cover the cost of the excellent but very expensive new 80 to 400 afs vr2 but ruled that out after a serious look at the new lens. The new 80 to 400 has issues at close focus distances and is only 400mm at longer distances. The 300 f/4 really shines at close distances making it great for dragonflies and hummingbirds so the 300 f/4 will be an excellent compliment to the new high priced lens.I find that the 300 f/4 is sharp enough that I'm usually better off cropping an image taken with it rather than using the old 80 to 400 at 400mm. I do not hesitate to shoot it at f/4 and only stop down if their is tons of light an a fast shutter speed is not an issue. It's very sharp at f/4! In addition to my slr I use it with a Nikon V1. It really brings out the potential of the V1, great 810mm equivalent photos. If the 300 was at all soft it would show up with the V1's 2.7 crop sensor.The 300 f/4 is missing only 2 things that the more recent Nikon lenses have, newer, faster afs focus motors and vr. I find its focus motor fast enough but faster is always better and vr would be nice but with birds I like to shoot at 1/500 or faster most of the time anyway. Nikons recently updated lenses in this category are over $2000 and climbing with each update so I'm not even sure I'd replace the lens if a new version came out.
I just bought this lens and am still learning what it can do, but so far, I love it. It is really sharp, and the autofocus is quick and accurate. It does not have vibration reduction, but so far this has not been a problem. I have shot both hand held and with a monopod attached to the tripod collar. The monopod helps stabilize and lets me frame the shots, and is light enough to carry attached to the lens. I own an18-300 Nikon zoom, and while it has decent image quality, out at 300, the image quality suffers. This lens gives great images with enough detail to crop heavily if necessary. I am enjoying this lens and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to shoot razor sharp images at a distance.
There is not a lot of choice of modern nikkors in the 300mm focal length. First off there is the 70-300mm VR, which is great for $400-500 (you get the versatile zoom range, lightweight plastic body, VR II system). That's probably the best 300mm money can buy. But it's slow at 5.6, and is only sharp up until 200mm. Then there is the bigger 80-400mm VR, which gets you to 400mm, but the image quality does not impress and it's like a sloth in autofocus speed. Plus it's not exactly cheap, at over $1200 (at that price you might as well consider 3rd party lenses which focuses faster).So there comes this 300mm. It has an aperture ring so be careful to not get dust from the back because the aperture blades are not protected by an element unlike other lenses (not sure why this is so). It has a hood which is sort of "collapsible". You can pull it out when you need it but you cant detach it from the lens, one of the things I find it quite useful as you dont need to take it off and reverse it like others. But the downside is if you drop your lens and break the hood I am not sure if it's easy to fix vs buying a new hood replacement like others.The autofocus is decent, not 70-200 or 24-70 fast, it's definitely faster than a 85 1.4g or 50 1.4g. Certainly faster than a 80-400mm and perhaps as fast as the 70-300mm VR. But the surprisingly thing is it AF so quietly, it's like it's designed for concert shooting. Not sure why Nikon designed it this way either.This lens is sharp. I wouldnt say it's sharper than my 70-200mm vr ii, but perhaps pretty equal (Plus, a 70-200 cost double of this lens). Shooting wide open at f/4, it's already sharp. Colors are vivid and things look pretty good. It focuses down to 4.8' being a telephoto prime, so that gives you an ability to get a good magnification on things with quite decent bokeh if you want to achieve subject separation. You can focus a 70-200mm 2.8 at 4.5' or so, but at that range you are only at 135mm due to focus breathing. The 70-300mm VR and the 80-400mm has a much longer minimum focus distance, of 5.5' to 7' or so if I remember correctly (check the specs), and both zooms have focus breathe.If you move up the scale, you get the 200mm f2 vr, 300mm f2.8 vr etc. which focuses even faster than the 70-200 and is super sharp. But those cost 5 times more than this lens, and weights double. Awesome thing about this lens is it's so manageable. If this is one of those days when I dont feel like carrying a rocket launcher out shooting, I would grab this 300mm. I get the range, the bokeh, decent sharpness and a very lightweight and manageable length.If you can, get the AF-S version which is a lot faster than the previous AF models. But yeah if the AF-S breaks, you have to fix it while the screw drive AF will most probably live on. If you are a sports or wildlife shooter on a budget or just starting out, this lens is great. Not too heavy, not too slow, not too pricy and trains you to get the shot. As far as I know I think there are not many choices of modern nikkors in this range, so it's a no brainer really. Until Nikon releases an update AF-S version (which could be faster in AF performance) with VR, this lens is a great keeper.I have the impression that there seems to have a lack of attention on this lens. Not many people have it (at least those I know). If you shoot sports or wildlife, this lens should be in your bag
I'm surprised that there are so few reviews for this lens.I wanted a telephoto for years so I bought an old used manual focus Nikon 300mm f4 lens.  I was able to get good sharp photographs when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine with the aperture closed down a few stops.  But without the split prism focusing in less than very bright environments, I was never certain when I was in focus except by looking at the green dot in the viewfinder which is distracting while trying to keep your eye on a moving subject.  Auto-focus is a must on a big telephoto.I traded it in (the advantage of buying from a local camera store) and bought a new Nikon 300mm f4.  Before leaving the store, I photographed a few items inside the store that had bar codes.  I photographed hand held with the aperture wide open at about 1/100 second.  I zoomed in on my D300 LCD and I could clearly read the tiny numbers at the bottom of the bar codes.  The images were perfectly sharp.I ponied up an additional $1K and bought it.  Hey, it was my wedding anniversary and my wife asked what I wanted; this was it.  I then took another series of photographs of a sharp barcode on a bottle.  This time, I used a tripod for consistency. I do this test with each lens I buy. The only other lens that had this quality is the Nikon 85mm f1.4.I could see no difference in sharpness or contrast regardless of aperture. I then photographed a house for sale sign up the street.  The lens quickly and quietly locked in on the sign.  Again, zooming in all the way on the camera's LCD, I was able to easily read the very tiny print at the bottom of the sign (at 200 ISO).The lens is fairly lightweight so I didn't have any problem hand holding it.  It weighs about the same as the Nikon Micro 2.8 lens (not sharp wide open). I don't think I could have held the 300mm f2.8 lens for very long.Because the lens isn't heavy, by holding the lens hood with one hand and having a good body stance, I was able to take good shots as low at 1/100th of a second.  Some photographers claim their photographs were taken hand-held as slow at 1/20 of a second but I find that hard to believe.While the f4 model doesn't have VR (I love VR) and is only 1 fstop slower than the nearly $6K f2.8 300mm lens, it's about 1/4th of the price of the 2.8 and weighs 1/2 has much (3 pounds vs. 6 pounds).  On a Nikon D300/D700 with a battery pack or a D3/D3s, carrying around a 300mm 2.8 lens has got to hurt after awhile.One review described the f4 model as a "poor mans lens".  I hand hold my lens with either a D3s or a D300 & battery pack since the subjects move too erratically to use any type of support.  Let me tell you, the weight aches after awhile.  I can't imagine adding an additional 3 (THREE) pounds.  The f2.8 model is meant to be hand held otherwise why have VRII?  I pity the poor person that has to hand hold the 6 pound lens for more than a few minutes.Yes, the 2.8 lens is one stop faster and the VR will give you an extra 2-4 stops, but with an FX body I found you can crank up the ISO to at least 3200 or 6400 with no degradation in picture quality. Unless you have very challenging light situations, the f4 300mm model may be the perfect lens.I added a photograph of a Cardinal bird to the image gallery taken with the 300mm lens and a 1.7 teleconverter (with the lens wide open) at 3200 ISO to demonstrate the image quality. Even when heavily cropped, the details of the bird's feathers are incredibly sharp (this won't be apparent in the gallery).The only negative aspect of this lens is that under very low light situations with a 1.7 teleconverter, the lens has to hunt.  I have to manually focus then press the shutter so that auto-focus kicks in.I love the 5 year warranty (I send in the warranty card via Certified Mail -- you only have 10 days so mail it in quickly) and I scan the filled in warranty registration card and proof of purchase).  Nikon just fixed, for free; not even any shipping costs, my broken 18-200mm gray market lens that was about 2 years old.  Just be aware that without a proof of purchase, Nikon won't make any warranty repairs.[May, 2010 update: Some people have told me that Nikon no longer will fix a gray market Nikon lens]Lens actually comes with a decent soft case.I don't understand why other reviewers have complained about the tripod collar.  It seems perfectly good to me.  It's not solid metal like the old manual focus lens that I returned but it looks rugged enough for me.I tend to be very fussy; perhaps to a fault. It's my personality. I wind up returning or exchanging many (most?) items that don't live up to my expectations.  But, I'm definitely keeping this puppy.Some friends came over one night and they brought their young daughter who didn't like being photographed (2 year olds tend to be cranky especially when they're tired).  I used the 300mm lens on a DX body so that she didn't have a camera in front of her face; I was about 10 feet away.  Since all I had was a few house lamps on, I had to photograph at wide open at f4.  I was surprised that every single eyelash was tack sharp.  The lens had no problem auto-focusing in the dim light.  What a lens!
Excellent lens.  I bought this to go beyond the 18 - 200 mm that came with my D300.  What a contrast!  The 300mm is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned.  It does an outstanding job of getting you close to your subject and takes a great image.  The 300mm gives far more detail than does the kit zoom and gives you the maximum performance you can expect from your camera.One thing that you have to keep in mind when taking pictures of moving objects is that you will get motion blur unless you set your shutter speed quite high.  I tried the 1/focal length of the lens formula for hand held lenses on pelicans flying by, and caught quite a bit of blur.  I set the shutter speed to 1/2000 and that got rid of the blur.If you're worried about not getting your money's worth, don't be.  This lens is worth the cost and besides it's still a lot less expensive than the 400mm f/2.8
Great Nikon Glass, super sharp, 5 year warranty, price was hard to beat.  The best entry level lens for wildlife.
This lens is a well made.  It is quick focusing, very sharp and relatively easy to use on a well matched camera.  Like all well constructed lenses there is a heft to this one.  Many will hand-hold this lens buy I see myself using a tripod where ever I can.  This is a must have for birders and wildlife photographers.
This is not my first 300 mm Nikon. The other one was purchased in 1971 (not from Amazon...). It's been a fine lens and this one appears to be at least as good. This one has auto focus, which is nice with the D800. About the only thing that would make it better is vibration reduction. Of course that would have impacted the price more than a little bit. As it was the Amazon price was the lowest anywhere. ( Watch for a 10% off event ). That plus the 2% kickback money (or what ever they call it) does matter. No problem with the 2% coming back later. There's always something to by on Amazon.What happened to the old lens? Well I have this kid, and he seems to have a Nikon as well. The old lens seems to have gone home with him after his last visit.Would I take this one over one of the &#34;big ones?&#34;. I'm not sure I would. Spending &#62; $5,000 on a lens is a a bit out of my league. They are big heavy monsters. They have the VR stuff which is great. They are a stop or two faster, also great in the woods. They may be longer, also nice. I'm just not sure I'd ever take them out walking around in the field. This one plus the D800 is plenty heavy enough for me.
I love this lens!  I previously owned the Nikon 70-300mm (non VR) which was a terrible lens, super soft at 300mm and massive purple fringing.  This prime lens is super sharp at 300mm, and the purple fringing is nowhere to be found.  I was a little apprehensive about it being an f/4 lens, but I haven't had any light problems at all.  I'm shooting birds at 1/2000 of a second, and I can crank up the ISO a bit and let her rip.  Bokeh is excellent.  I'm very impressed!
This lens has no internal auto focus motor....so make sure your camera body has one inside. I missed this when ordering. Thankfully, KEH's customer service (Dan) was outstanding in helping me sort through my return. They processed the return quickly and without hassle.My experience with KEH & Dan was so good that I bought another lens from them without looking anywhere else. Absolutely recommend this seller!
Pros: I found the lens responsive, the photos sharp and the ability to take photos in relatively low light settings excellent. The VR allowed me to shoot birds without a tripod, which surprised me.Cons: It's a bit heavy and large, but that's to be expected.All in all, I'm pleased with this lens. I wonder if some of the criticism I've read is due more to the camera body that is attached to the lens, rather than the lens itself. I used an old D300 and this lens worked very, very well.
So far I am disappointed by the resulting images coming out of this lens. In some cases very soft images, not as Sharp as I thought they would be. I have much better results with my Sigma 150-500 mm. This may change when I get used to this lens, may be. I hope so anyway since I have invested quite a bit on this baby.
I bought this lens after reading many reviews. So, I went into the purchase already knowing that this lens wasn't perfect. I own multiple cameras in several formats and have been a Nikon shooter since the 1980's. I guess you'd call me an "advanced amateur". However, I was slow to enter the digital world and have a lot to learn after about two years with a D70s and an 18-200 Nikon VR zoom.I found the 18-200 very versatile, but wanted the greater reach that the 80-400 VR offers. After a few weeks of shooting small desert wildlife, birds and cactus flowers in our yard, I think I have a feel for the performance I can expect. While certainly not a fast lens, it produces very sharp photos when the lens is tripod or monopod-mounted. The VR function works well, but at the long end of the zoom I have experienced some blurring with this lens when it was hand-held. As noted by many others, this lens tends to "hunt" if the lighting is not strong or the contrast is low. While this is a bit frustrating, I knew this would happen. I just got tired of waiting for Nikon to announce an AF-S version and made the plunge.Considering the price I paid for this lens versus what I would have to pay for a faster Nikon lens with a similar zoom range, I was willing to accept its weaknesses. Overall, I think this was a good purchase - not perfect - but good. I recommend this lens as a good value for serious amateurs.
I read all of the reviews and had mixed emotions about selecting this lens. The biggest complaint was from users who said that the focus was too slow...that all depends on which Nikon DSLR you intend to use. I bought this lens for a fraction of the cost of the newest AF-S lens. I paid $995 for a refurbished lens, not the $2695.00 asking price of the AF-S version! It gave it a home on my new D7100 and the focus is well suited for the work I am doing. On the D7100 (or my D300s) it's a 120mm to 600mm and if I set the D7100 to the 1.3X crop option this becomes an 800mm (780mm but who's counting?) AND the Vibration Reduction (VR) is amazing! Keep in mind that this is an FX format lens so you can use it on either DX or FX format cameras. For example, on an FX body it's an 80mm to 400mm lens.I experimented with the VR by taking some pics of my dog in a flat-out run,hand held at 1/200 sec at 600mm. Next I shot some pics of the full moon at 780mm (600mm + 1.3X crop), hand held, at 1/320 sec. and finally a sequence of a Mountain Bluebird in flight. The camera cranked out 6/fps and the zoom was at 600mm - also hand held. Sharp as a tack! The color exactly matches my other DX lenses and that's something you can expect from Nikon. The combo of this lens and the D7100 covers anything i plan on shooting.Yes! It's big and heavy! If you are expecting anything else, don't buy this zoom. Yes! It's expensive, but you likely knew that before reading all of the reviews...how much are your pictures really worth? If you are shooting with a Nikon you've already answered that question, IMHO.Keep in mind that the lens has a focus range lock feature and focus limit switch. This meams that if you are shooting similar subjects at the same distance, you don't need to have the lens focusing at anything other than the distance you are shooting. The AF dosn't have to focus over the entire distance between you and the subject. This range limit feature works on AF and manual focus. (Remember manual focus?) Manual focus or using the limit function is a really good way to preset and lock the focus.So, maybe the new AF-S with VRll is necessary if you shoot very fast moving subjects - however, that Bluebird covered a lot of ground in a very short time - but $2695.00 is more than I wanted to shell out! My older version, refurb lens exceeds all of my expectations! If you want to save a bundle, look for a refurbished version of this lens and marry it to a newer camera and I think you'll be happy, too!
This review is mainly for anyone trying to decide between the 70-300mm VR and the 80-400mm.  If you are like me, you have gone back and forth many times trying to decide if this lens is worth $1000 more, or if you can simply do a little cropping from 300 and achieve good results.  I finally just bought both lenses to find out for myself.After owning both for about 6 months, I will say that the 70-300 is on my camera more often.  It does an excellent job tracking motion on my D200, focuses fast, and delivers results well beyond its initial cost.That being said, I have to say this lens is a definite keeper.  The relatively slow (and noisy) mechanical focus is my biggest complaint.  This would be a stellar 5-star lens if Nikon had included AF-S.  Everyone says this was to save cost and reduce size, but all you have to do is take one look at Canon's excellent 100-400 with USM and IS to realize that a much better lens can be made for this price point.  When you have time to focus, the 80-400 delivers extremely high quality results and that is why it's staying in my bag.I recommend you think twice if you are planning on tracking motion, shooting birds in flight, or spend much time in the low light of dawn/dusk.  Other than those exceptions, I've achieved some excellent results and am also very happy with the size and weight of the lens.
I had been birding with a Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 VC zoom that I purchased Used - Like New on Amazon for $340 and wanted to step up to the next level without breaking the bank on an exotic telephoto lens. I purchased the Nikon 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 Used - Like New condition here on Amazon for about $900. The lens did arrive in Like New condition and I slapped in on my D600 and took it birding right away. I was immediately disappointed with its overall performance.My D600 is one of the best focussing cameras on the market and could not drive this lens to focus fast enough to capture birds even slightly on the move. Also, the photos that were produced were mushy when the lens was wide open. After experimenting a few days with the lens I realized that I could get relatively sharp images at about f/8.  Unfortunately, this is just too small an aperture to get the shutter speed up where it is needed to capture birds sharply, even with ISO cranked way up. The difference between 300mm and 400mm was really not that much either, not enough to justify carrying around the extra weight over the 70-300m zoom lens.  Finally, the VR in this lens in the original VR I technology and it doesn't even compare to the VC technology in the Tamron lens.I have owned VR II lenses such as the Nikon 18-200mm and I now proudly own my first VR III lens, the Nikon 70-200 f/4 VR. Nikon has made great advances with each generation of VR technology. The VR in the Nikon 80-400 is dated, just like the AF screw-drive focusing. I have a D5100 that I sometimes use for birding and, of course, this lens won't even auto focus with that camera due to the lack of an internal focus motor (like many DX cameras).  After a week, I put this lens on eBay where I thankfully recouped my $900 to put down on another lens.What I ended buying and what is now serving me wonderfully on my birding adventures is a Nikon 300mm f/4 prime lens. That lens is sharp wide open!  I also noticed that 95% of my bird pictures where zoomed out at 300mm anyway, so I'm really not missing the lack of a zoom. Also, this lens, being much faster at f/4, allows me to crank the shutter speeds way way up to the point that VR is not missed at all, even hand held.  Finally, the Nikon 300mm f/4 takes the Nikon 1.4x teleconverter giving me 420mm at f/5.6 (sharply) when I feel like I need the added reach. Note the 300mm f/4 lens is cheaper new than the Nikon 80-400mm (way cheaper than the just newly release Nikon 80-400mm).  I found my gray market copy new for $1,150 and the TC 1.4x for $400 at Adorama, yes a bit more than the $900 I paid for the Nikon 80-400mm, but so worth it.  I now see the catch lights in the bird's eye 99% of time and what's that worth?If you really have what this lens costs new to spend on a birding lens, please do yourself a favor and don't buy this archaic pig of a lens. Research birding lenses a bit more and do check out the Nikon 300mm f/4. Even without the TC you will get better cropped images at 300mm than the 80-400 lens at 400mm. If you have the used price to spend on a birding lens I would save your money and make do with a 70-300mm, either the Nikon or a Tamron, and just crop your images until you can buy something better. They'll be sharper, you'll be richer, and your back won't hurt nearly as bad. Happy birding!
This is a very good lens with the Nikon quality as expected.  It produces sharp crisp pictures - reference D300 camera and is easy to use. The weight and size of the lens may not be for everyone for day to day use.If you are looking for a good lens to add to your kit, this is an excellent choice.
I wanted a lens over 200mm for my arsenal and unfortunately, if you stick with the Nikon brand, there aren't too many options. I chose the 80-400, but I have to say that it's the one Nikon lens purchase I've had the most trouble getting excited over. Not that it isn't a great product - it is - it's just that it seemed like a step back in time since this lens hasn't kept up with the features of Nikon's phenomenally good pro lenses throughout the rest of the product line. In the end, I felt like the choice was to "settle" for this product, or spend several times more money on (say) the excellent 200-400 zoom instead. Or, I suppose you could wait for the next upgrade, but I've already been waiting a few years with no result.The lens itself is large and heavy, somewhat "thicker" than say, a 70-200 2.8 - but not by a huge amount. It feels balanced on any of Nikon's larger cameras, but it is quite a handful. Unlike some, I find the tripod collar adequate, although I understand many recommend the Kirk collar as an important upgrade. Honestly, I tend to hand-hold the lens more often than not, so I usually have the tripod collar removed altogether. I find it's large enough to get in the way of where I'd naturally want to put my hands. The other comment on construction quality is that it really looks like a "legacy" product. Not being an AFS focusing system, it sports that old "M/A" focus control, and it also still has a manual aperture selector. Which isn't to say that it's not a high quality lens - it is, it's just showing its age. Otherwise, the controls operate smoothly and it does feel to be built to last.From an optical point of view, I found the lens to perform better than I expected. At both extremes (80 and 400), I notice photos are a little soft in the corners with the lens wide open, but if you use f/8 or smaller, results are uniformly sharp corner to corner (this is only really noticeable on an FX sensor...DX cameras are very good even wide open). Contrast and color are also good, and images generally have that "pop" you get from any top quality lens. I have the latest 70-200 2.8 lens, and at 200mm, I'd say that  images from the 80-400 are nearly - but not quite - as good overall. The 80-400 is slightly less contrasty, making some shots appear a little "flat", and the 80-400 also seems slightly more prone to flare when pointed in the direction of a bright light source.I find the VR system works well, and with the lens zoomed out to 400mm, I can usually get sharp results with shutter speeds in the vicinity of 1/100 second, maybe a little less.As everyone else points out, the autofocus system is somewhat slow and noisy if you're used to AFS lenses. At longer focal lengths in darker spots, it also tends to hunt. I've learned to simply switch off the autofocus and use the manual controls in these situations.Overall, I guess I'm happy with this lens, but this is one of those lenses that I'll be looking to upgrade as soon as Nikon comes out with an AFS version that's hopefully about a stop faster and not triple the price.
I purchased this after selling the famous 70-200mm monster because I wanted the feature of 400mm.  I was hesitant to make the purchase because of the noted sluggish automatic focus - and it is true.  But now I use it solely with manual focus and usually a monopod and the reults are just incredible.  I have taken beautiful bird and wildlife photos as well as far away details that I had never successfully photographed.
Excellent lens, very flexible, but you need a monopod or tripod.  It's heavy but worth it's weight in gold!
This is a good lens. It is soft at the long end, but sharp through most of its range. Bokeh is good, but not great. The lens is heavy, but what did you expect? The thing that downgrades this lens is no AF-S. What? At this price, AF-S should be mandatory. And this lens pays for that lack with slow, inaccurate autofocusing.Nevertheless, it is capable of some interesting work. This is the lens I turn to when the 70-200mm simply will not reach. After all, a good 400mm lens costs $6000 or more. This one will give you results almost as good for a fraction of the price. Okay, I hate the tripod mount, probably because I have been spoiled by the 70-200mm lens.Surprisingly, despite the long minimum focus distance, this lens does passable close-ups. The long focal length and passable bokeh do a reasonable job at isolating individual blossums in trees. A few snow covered red berries filled the frame and made a passable Christmas card.The lens is fragile. Drop it and you will destroy the autofocus, the VR, or both -- but you will not see any external damage. The lens will appear to work normally but in fact all the pictures will be soft.I have used this lens in a raging category 5 typhoon. It never skipped a beat. It easily handled jungle heat and alpine snows.Extend this lens to its full zoom range, especially with the hood on, and it calls attention to itself. However, it folds up nice and compact and fits easily in a LowePro Lens Case 4. Although the included lens case is quite good, it will not fit easily on LowePro's accessories.If this lens had AF-S and was sharper at 400mm it would rate 5 stars.
I read Ken Rockwell's review of this lens, and on that basis, I ordered it.  I took it to Yosemite Valley for use on a photographic workshop and was extremely disappointed in its performance.  I used it on a tripod with the VR turned off, as is recommended.  According to Nikon and Rockwell, the lens can focus as close as 7.5 feet.  I photographed some lichen-covered boulders that ranged from 12-18 feet away and could not get a sharp image.  As Rockwell points out, the lens is slow to focus.  I could live with that as a landscape photographer, but the inability to render a sharp image with AF in a static environment, like landscape photography, rendered the lens almost useless to me.  The inability to focus on a scene that is more than ten feet away also made the lens less than acceptable.  The price point is excellent, but the lens is not.  The slowness of the lens is also a drawback as far as being able to establish a narrow depth of field.  I cannot recommend this lens to any shooter.  I returned mine to Amazon for a refund.
lens is good for clarity but too slow on focus for wildlife shooting.  i returned the lens for this reason.
I just bought this lens to get more reach than I could with my 70-200 f/2.8.  Let me first say that my 70-200 does not have VR.  Normally, my shots with that lens are great.  However, the use of a TC with the 70-200 in order to get the length I needed was intolerable.  Shots were soft wide open and were impossible for me without the use of a tripod.  It is for these reasons that I went to the 80-400 VR.I use this lens with a D200.  As everyone has claimed at length, the focus is slow (and noisy)...perhaps an AF-S version will come out now that I have already spent my $1500.I have to say that I actually read the (short) manual before I went out with the lens for the first time.  During that outing I was able to take very capable shots of my son's baseball game even in fading evening light.  Photos were clear/sharp at 400mm and colors were bright and accurate.Using the focus limiter switch made a great improvement in focus speed.  No reason not to use it if you are consistently shooting subjects at greater than 15 feet.  The other thing is to use position 1 for the VR.  This locks the VR when you depress the shutter 1/2 way.  Position 2 does not activate the VR until you actually press the shutter all the way down.  I found 2 advantages of position 1:  first, you can see the VR effect in the diopter and it gives to a chance to reframe your picture (which you will often need to do) and second, it takes about a second for the VR to lock in.In short, I am thrilled with the performance of this lens.  Yes, it is expensive.  However, it is extremely capable.  I have about 8 lenses in my collection and have pretty well decided that the glass I will need in my bag for 'everyday shooting' are the following:50mm f/1.8 AF-D18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX80-400 f/4.5-f.5.6D ED VRThe 70-200 will still see the light of day, but not nearly as often.  This 80-400 lives up to my expectations in terms of build quality, image quality and color accuracy.  The VR exceeds my expectations in every way.  The only thing that kept me from giving the lens 5 stars is the focusing mechanism.  With AF-S, this would have been 5+.
I take it with me whenever I am in a situation to photograph wildlife.  I may also keep it with me for outdoor weddings that tend to get spread out so that I can get the longer telephoto reach.
For bird watching and any distant viewing, this is the lens that will bring things in, clearly and sharply.  Goes perfectly with my Nikon D300.Love its manual focus capability, as well as its autofocus; VR (Vibration Reduction) feature works well.
Many photographers who purchase telephoto lenses wind up disappointed in their lenses' performance; they achieve subpar results and then swear that the lens is "not sharp."  Some lenses indeed might not be optically outstanding, but even in these cases the major cause of soft images, particularly when camera and lens are handheld, is camera/lens shake.  People routinely try to take highly magnified photos at shutter speeds that are simply too slow.Nikon has come up with a (partial) solution to this problem through its innovative "vibration reduction" series of lenses.  These optics are designed to compensate, at least partially, for the camera shake/movement that is inevitable when a lens is hand-held.  According to Nikon, the VR mechanism adds two or more "stops" worth of steadiness, meaning that a 400mm. lens that previously might be adequately handheld at 1/500 second now will (often) produce good results at 1/125.  Out in the field this can make the difference between a successful photo outing and a frustrating one.Does this technology work, and is this 80-400mm. lens a good product overall?  To both questions I offer a qualified "yes."  As long as one realizes that VR is not magic and has definite limitations, this feature is definitely worth paying some extra money for, particularly if one's photographic style prevents the regular and disciplined use of a tripod. The other thing about VR to keep in mind is that since camera shake itself is variable, it's a good idea always to take multiple photos to ensure that at least one of them is optimally sharp (a slow-mo record of how much one 'vibrates' while holding a camera would reveal that from instant to instant there is considerable variation).But what about this lens' performance overall?  There definitely are some drawbacks and compromises of which potential buyers should be aware. The lens is fairly heavy, and since it utilizes what is now an "old-fashioned" screw-drive AF mechanism, autofocus can seem very slow and noisy. It would be nice if someday Nikon replaced this version of the lens with an AF-S model, but there apparently is no current plan to do this.  To minimize the maddeningly slow "searching" that a slow AF lens can exhibit, Nikon has included a "focus limit" switch.  This makes it possible to cut the focus range in half, essentially.  If one is taking pictures that are all at a distance or are all reasonably close-up, setting the switch to "limit" will restrict the lens' focusing range, allowing proper focus to be achieved more quickly.Another drawback is that the removable tripod mount that comes with the lens is simply not very good. Photographers intending to use the lens on a tripod regularly are advised to purchase a third party mount such as that offered by Kirk Enterprises.Optically, the lens is actually quite remarkable.  This is a 5:1 tele zoom, and one would think that given the "jack of all trades" nature of such a beast there would be severe optical compromises.  Not so.  As with just about all lenses, there is a slight loss of sharpness at full aperture, but once the lens is stopped down even one stop, sharpness at all focal lengths is quite satisfactory.  As a bird photographer, I use my lens mainly at 400mm.  As compared to my older, manual focus 400mm. Nikkors, the 80-400mm. is not quite as sharp and contrasty, but in practical terms the differences are truly minimal.  This lens produces fine images exhibiting good contrast and excellent color rendition.  Optically, it's a winner.One caveat: because this is a complex zoom built from a large number of optical elements, it does NOT perform particularly well with teleconverters.  With certain 1.4x teleconverters such as those in the Kenko Teleplus Pro line, the lens actually will still autofocus (even more slowly, however) and the VR mechanism works, sort of.  But there is a notable deterioration of sharpness.  With a 2x teleconverter, there is no AF, no VR, and even further reduced sharpness.  If working with teleconverters is something you are counting on, stick to a single focal length tele.Overall, however, for photographers bent on getting sharp photos at longer focal lengths hand-held, this is a fine lens to try and buy.  For walkaround bird photographers like myself, it's nearly ideal.  It's very likely that in a few years this early version of a VR lens will seem antiquated and quaint.  For now, however, it represents a very good investment for Nikon users.
I did not expect anything fantastic from this lens, since it is less than half of the later version. Performance was a pleasant surprise though, and if you shoot this lens at F6.3, it does very well for sharpness, contrast, color and AF (using a Nikon D7100). The only caveat here is the VR performance, but I got exactly what it promises, about 2-3 stops on the 400mm end.If you expect a $5k lens, don't purchase, but if your expectations are realistic, this will not disappoint.
I bought this lens locally about five months ago and have used it extensively on both a D80 and a D300.  I've been amazed at the overall sharpness, color and contrast delivered by this lens. At $1400-1500 it isn't cheap, but compare it to other options in the Nikon line-up that will get you to 400mm of reach, and you'll soon see that, relatively speaking, it is literally cheap!Build quality is excellent. It's "older" technology, so it is a bit slower focusing, and a bit noisier than wsm lenses.  I find that on the D80 it hunts for focus a bit more; the D300 handles the lens better, getting to focus sooner and more surely.  Still, the D80 is perfectly capable of turning out great results with this lens, so you certainly don't "need" a D300 to use the 80-400.Downside, other than slower focus, would be weight...it's a lot of lens to carry around, though you'll be tempted to do so because of the great shots it takes.  I'm more into wildlife and landscapes, but find this lens gives great results when shooting portraits of animals.  It might be almost too sharp for great human portraits.  Bokeh is very nice at lower f/stops.If you have the wherewithal to buy the long primes, then you probably aren't interested in this lens, but if you want a Nikon product, and want to get 400 mm of reach on a smaller budget, this is the way to go.  You'll be amazed at the shots you get, though you will miss a few because of the slower focus.One last set of comments.  The 80-400 range can be very useful, depending on your type of photography.  If you're photographing birds at a feeder from a blind, you know that a blue jay can be unexpectedly large in your viewfinder when you've been shooting chickadees!  A quick turn of the collar, and you've backed off of 400 down to 280 very quickly; then when that squirrel comes in, another quick turn and you're at 80 mm.I've not found a "weak spot" in the range of this lens.  Photos are sharp and contrasty if you do your part.  The lens isn't "fast"...so if you need f/2.8 a lot, you'll be disappointed.  Otherwise, it's an excellent performer.
Not sure why everyone is saying this is an expensive lens.. Has anyone priced dedicated 400mm lenses?.. They're in the $10,000 range. For the price I think this is an amazing lens.  I bought it to shoot car racing and it pulls the action in close. love it!
I usually shoot high school sports but I was asked to shoot some college football.  For daytime shots, this lens is amazing!  Lots of fun to use with different zoom points and great reach for close-ups.  A bit heavy, so use your monopod or tripod.  Plus I didn't use VR in the lower light shots - the VR tended to focus on the far items versus the closer ones.  I got the stability with the monopod and faster shooting with the VR off.  But I'm still experimenting.  I shot Friday night low light high school with this lens and got some superb shots too.  For reference I have a D7000.  This was a used lens so you always feel like you are taking a chance buying one.  However, I am very pleased with Adorama - super fast shipping, packed well, lens in shape EXACTLY as described.  I just LOVE it.
With the newer faster AF nikon 80-400mm vr out, this old slow boy got a price drop and people were selling them on ebay.  So I picked up a used one.  IQ is great for handheld shots.  I actually almost bought a tamron 200-500, but with VR all the shots at 500mm were useless, but the image were so sharp with a monopod.  Well my 80-400 doesn't have a tripod mount collar so I can't test it on a monopod.  But for VR and still wildlife the image were impressive for an older tech and lower price.AF is good for still image, but I always believe the newer model with AF in the motor are faster at tracking.  This lens used the old body motor so it focus lower so if you are tracking birds in flight (BIF) then this is not the lens for you.  Also if you have a baby nikon that use only lens motor this won't focus like the newer version.IQFor still wildlife is great at 400mm, I usually stop it down 1/3 stop to f6.3 if I got enough light.  You can see my flickr link in the comments below.  A few shots were taken through a glass enclosure (dirty one too) as it was a zoo, so you might see a little fade look.If I did it again I might past on the nikon older 80-400 and get theSigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3with the faster lens AF and VR also, plus the extra 20% reach.  I do know I can trust the nikon to get me sharp image, my experience with sigma is it a little softer then nikon, but almost as good.
This was an awesome purchase and a great find from a very gracious seller.  I shot it yesterday the day before Easter in Riverside Park, New York City.  The shots of the George Washington Bridge and early Crocus, Daffodils, and snow drops were stunning.  My most cherished moment was when Tuffted Tit Mouse and Black cap Chikadee came into focus on my 400mm lens like never before. I was able to get close to a sqirrel and these tiny birds without disturbing them, they almost posed for me, it seemed.  Heavy lens but worth the weight in gold for it's focus ability and close up in your face wildlife shots.  Thank you I got an excellent affordable price it was worth the money.
I tried this lens out for a few weeks.  I was shooting it on a Nikon D300.  I found the autofocus was too slow for my liking.  The image quality was decent, but fairly soft wide open.  The zoom on this thing is great, but the zoom is worthless if you can't get the autofocus to track fast enough for moving objects.Anyway, if you're looking for a lens with good zoom capabilities and will be photographing mostly still objects, than this lens is great.  If you plan to shoot sports with fast action, you will probably be disappointed.
I have to agree with most of the reviews here. It's heavy and not particularly quick focusing, but makes great pictures. I moved up from a 70-300 Nikkor, and it was well worth it. Having the extra 100mm is wonderful (essentially it's like a 600mm lens on a 35mm). And the VR is fantastic. One of the best endorsements for it is the number of times I've heard "You took that handheld?". Closer minimum focusing distance would be nice, but I have no real complaints about this lens.I posted a couple of photos here, but you can't really see the detail.Some Nikon lenses feel like they're made for the masses. The 80-400 has the 'pro' feel you come to expect from Nikon. You won't be disappointed.
I've owned this lens for about 10 years now, and it's been a great ride.What this lens is not: don't go out and buy the 80-400 if you want a lens capable of tracking fast in/out motion that requires AF-S speed autofocus. This isn't a lens for pro sports photographers or wildlife/bird action photography.What this lens is: the 80-400 is a great, often hand-holdable telephoto zoom for serious photography that doesn't require fast focus. It works great for landscapes, for wildlife that's not moving much, for birds that aren't moving much... And it's great when paired with a Canon 500D diopter for close-up work - 20 inches of working distance for things like insects that might get skittish with a regular macro, or to reach out and grab a flower picture when the flower is in a sensitive area.Cons: Aside from the slow speed (both aperture and AF), there are a few issues to note with this lens. First - if you're on an FX or film camera, be sure to use thin filters or buy larger sized filters and a step-down ring as there is not a lot of room before the lens begins to vignette. Second - the lens does get softer as you head out from 380mm to 400mm; try to avoid banging the 400mm end of the zoom if you can and you'll wind up with sharper results. Third - my copy at least was extremely sensitive to poor quality filters; I had to buy top-end filters (including my UV filter) in order to get the lens to focus properly. Fourth - though I've never had a problem with it, there are many complaints that the lens foot isn't stable on a tripod unless you're really sure you've screwed the lock-down knob down tight.I use the lens on a D7000, so the crop factor turns this into a 600mm 35mm equivalent monstrosity for well under $2000. It's hard to complain about the lens's shortcomings when it comes to the bottom line. This is a great buy for anyone whose work meets the restrictions of the lens.
I didn't want to wait and now I wish I had.  I am using this lens with my D90 to take nature photos.  I like to photograph birds and dragonflies and wanted to get this lens for the extra reach it would have over my 75 - 300mm lens.  Like other reviewers have commented, it is noisy and slow compared to my other lens.  I'm just an amateur and so I depend on the autofocus.  It is hard to get this lens to focus on a flying bird and it goes out of focus faster than it goes into focus.  It doesn't do well with low contrast and small subjects.  It seems to hesitate between shots of a moving object.  It does get closer, but I haven't gotten a shot yet that I would say made this lens worth the money I spent in buying it.  At times it doesn't communicate with the camera and I have to take the lens off, rotate a ring and then replace the lens.  I might have to do this twice before it works because it gives 2 different error messages that require me to  rotate the ring in the opposite direction.  It is a lot heavier than my 75 - 300mm lens.  Because the extension is made of metal, it seems to retain the cold from inside, so that when I go outside, the lens fogs worse than my other lens.  If you're impatient like me, then you will probably go ahead and buy this model since there is no telling when the newer model will be produced.  If you aren't taking action photos or of small objects, then you might really like this lens.
First I believed some reviews that the Sigma 80-400 would perform as good as the Nikon and cost 30% less. I bought one. After 2 years I bought this Nikon and it's much better than the Sigma. It's faster on focusing and it eats-up much less batteries. On Sigma using OS I could shoot about 100 pictures on a 10 Mp Nikon, now on the same Nikon D80 I shoot not less than 300 pictures always using VR.Better finishing than the Sigma.A bit heavy and maybe not up to the state-of-art. Focus could be faster and more precise comparing to other lenses.I use it mostly with an f8 and that gives very sharp pictures.I owe also a 400mm fixed f 3.5 but that's a completly differnt price class. Don't compare it to a fixed focus lens.It's an excellent all-rounder zoom lens.Would buy it again.
I recently took a picture of the 3/4 moon in the daylight in the morning and after enlarging it the craters were prominent and the picture excellent . Nuff said.
This lens exceeded my high expectations! I read all of the reviews here and did extensive research before I paid this amount of money for the lens. The first thing I was worried about was the reports of slow focus because of the older auto focus in lens gear system. I use this lens on a D300, and though it is slower than an AI-s, I find it much faster than previous users mentioned. (This could be due to the camera, as I have read that on the newer models it does focus faster than the older models?) The lens focus is perfect in my pictures of lighthouses, sailboats and scenery. Admittedly I have not used it for fast action, and it may not be the best for that, but it is not what I bought the lens for. Most of my pictures are of my travels. It is heavy, without a doubt, but it is such a versatile lens for DX. It is a digital equivalent 120mm to 600mm that I can hand hold for sharp pictures even at 600mm. A trick I use with the D300 is to set my ISO with a low of 200 and a high of 3200 with the lowest shutter speed of 125 so with VR if I can take the picture and do my part, it will be sharp. It is a lot of money, but I think well worth it to be able to reach out that far.
No problems at all. A reliable item and in according to the specifications. I've bought this item for my hobby but I have not thought I would have some dificulties with its weight. It's a non essencial lens in my case, and I've only use it two times in all my Eastern Europe trip. I've sold it when I came back and I've bought a Superzoom camera. It is so much lighter, despite the image quality is not so good than using the 80-400
I've had this lens a few years now as well as a few primes and the 80-200 F/2.8 AFS zoom.The good:It's rather lightweight compared to the set of lenses it replaces. But much heavier than a compact with a very powerful zoom.The vibration reduction works quite well.Distortion is low.Flare is rather low.Very sharp wide open from 80mm to about 200mm, pretty good to 300m.The less good:The aperture is not that wide, but heck, it's small.At 400mm you really need to stop down to f/11 to get maximal sharpness and even then it's clearly not sharp as my 400mm prime.The design seems a little dated as a recent Sony zoom of the same range is said to be noticeably sharper (but wont fit on Nikon cameras!).The autofocus is rather slow.Some people say the zoom is quite stiff. This is quite an advantage when you point it upwards, because this prevents creep.So when I want to make poster sized pictures of some architectural detail I know about beforehand I bring my prime. When I'm on holiday and I want to have it lightI use this one.
This is the best accessory I ever bought. Sometimes I take lousy pictures, but with this many more of them turn out excellent.
This is a fine lens, certainly capable of reaching out and touching subjects at long distances, but it needs to be paired with a camera that has the built-in autofocus. Nikon probably left that motor off this lens because of its already hefty weight. While one can focus it manually, the lens is so sensitive, doing so takes precious time -- enough to allow wildlife to move or disappear. You can still get a money shot of a bird or squirrel, but you'll have to work hard. You'll also need a monopod, at a minimum, or a more expensive tripod to get the most from this lens.(I shoot a D3000)
This is one of Nikons 1st attempts at vibration reduction and although Nikon had the AFS focus technology at the time it was not included in the 80-400. The Nikon 300mm AFS f4 is of the same era but Nikon did the reverse on it leaving off the VR and including the AFS focus motor. I've had the 80-400 for a couple years before purchasing a 300mm AFS f4. I really love taking bird photos and the slow focus of the 80-400 leaves me with too many missed shots.The 300 AFS f4 has replaced the 80-400 as the lens most often attached to my D200. The 300 AFS f4 focuses much faster, more accurately and being a prime lens is very sharp at f4 where the f5.6 on the 80-400 is a bit soft and I prefer to use at least f6.3. The 300 also has a closer minimum focus distance. I find that the 300 AFS f4 allows more keeper shots even if I have to crop a bit more. My results are that much sharper even hand held.The frustrating part is that Nikon could improve both lenses by including AFS focus and their VR2 technology in both of these otherwise great lenses. Each time I see Nikon come out with another 18-whatever kit lens with AFS and VR2 I shake my head. Maybe Sigma's new 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM for $849.00 will spur them on to an update. If I was looking for a reasonably priced zoom in this range and didn't want to wait for an update from Nikon I would certainly consider the Sigma.
I am just getting started with this lens and will update this review as I become more familiar with it.  So far, lens is very sharp and seems to handle well, although it is large & heavy and is best when used on a very solid/stable tripod.  I have used it successfully on a monopod WITH 'VR' activated, but a good solid tripod works best.  I shoot a lot of very active sailing competition from a small, moving boat and I would NOT recommend this lens for that type of shooting.  It would probably work very nicely on a solid tripod from shore, but in a small moving boat on the water where a tripod or monopod would be impossible to use, I definitely prefer my much lighter & faster, 'hand-held' Tamron 18-270mm 'VC' lens but both lenses have their advantages & disadvantages.  My Tamron 18-270mm 'VC' lens (much lighter & with optimal 'VC', image stabilization) would also be preferable for travel if weight, size & versitility might be major considerations.  But this Nikkor 80-400mm 'VR' seems like an excellent lens IN ADDITION TO the Tamron 18-270mm 'VC' lens.
I had previously posted a negative review - found out the problem was not the lens itself but that the auto focus really eats up battery life.  Get this lens.  You'll be glad.  Just get a spare battery.
Yes, without a doubt this lens is worth the price.I have not used it with film but I couldn't be happier with how it performs on mydigital D200.There is a reason that the pro's use lenses from the manufacturer of their cameras.The same reason that these lenses cost more! Quality, durability and performance!When you hook this lens up to the new camera technology the performance is quick and responsive.  Yes, the autofocus does hunt at times, usually as you focus the first time. It is an easy switch to manual focus and also can be slightly adjusted manually during exposure lock. Images are crisp and colors are superb!Personally I like the weight and substantial feel of this lens.  When extended to full zoom the balance is not quite as nice  but certainly manageable for me.  I am over 6ft tall and could see where someone of smaller size would find this lens to be heavy. As far as I am concerned the size and weight are as they should be for a quality lens with this range.Build quality is very good!  Controls are in the right place and quickly become intuitive.  I have to disagree with other complaints in regards to the tripod collar.The one that came with my camera fits tightly and securely.  It also removes very easily and since it is heavy the weight reduction is noticeable.This lens comes with a very rugged pouch and strap as well as front and rear caps and lens shade.  The lens shade is big!  Suffice it to say that if you are using the lens shade on this lens it looks like something from the sidelines of an NFL game.Bottom line is this is my favorite lens!I thought long and hard about getting the 70-200mm AFS and the 80-200AFS  nikkor lenses. Not a day goes by that I haven't been glad I put my money towards this lens with it's much bigger zoom range.  Remember the 1.5 factor when using with digital sensor.Good luck!
I have had this lens for several months now and have probably shot 5,000 or more images.  I use it on a D300 and shoot mainly birds, butterflies,and nature (BunnHillPhoto on flickr for recent shots). It is a great walking-around lens; it is not for sports or rapidly moving objects (though with practice you can get sharp images of birds in flight by panning). The sharpness of this lens is incredible throughout the range.  VR really works. I have shot handheld at about 1/125 of a second at 400mm and the image is still quite sharp.  I removed the tripod collar, and the resulting weight and balance on the D300 are superb.  The AF is slow and tends to hunt sometimes and I wish it would focus a little closer than the specified 7.5 feet, but otherwise this is an excellent product and truly worth the investment.
This is a great lens and takes simply amazing pictures.  The results are much better than what you will get with the "plain" 70-300 telephoto lens.That being said, there are a few things to consider.1) the lens is expensive.  It cost more than my D70 did...2) the lens is HEAVY.  When lugging this baby around, you know *something* is in that camera bag...3) the focus is SLOW, particularly compared to the 70-300.However, using the tripod mount as a "handle" (an awkward but effective use of the mounting bracket), I got some shots that simply blew me away given the amount of perceived camera shake.  I do not have very steady hands (particularly with something so heavy) so the VR feature is invaluable.I would recommend this lens, but don't throw away your 70-300 just yet...
It's a tough challenge - affordability, great quality and ease of use. This lens is not easy to use!
I bought this lens to use on my Nikon D300S and my Nikon D80. I was using a Nikon 70-300mm zoom, which is a great lens, but I wanted more reach. I do lots of bird protography including some pictures of flying birds. I am happy with this lens. If you want more than the 70-300mm zoom but are not ready to spend 3,600 or more dollars on a Nikon super telephoto this is what you want.The focus is a little slower than the 70-300 zoom and this 80-400mm is a lot heavier. But that doesn't seem to bother me when I see great, sharp photos from this lens. Because it is F/4.5 you can't use a teleconverter on it, so you won't get more than 400mm out of it, but it takes great pictures. When I go birding with my g/f and she uses her 70-300mm zoom my pcitures are simply going to be better - sharper. Another friend shoots Canon and uses a 200mm lens with a 2X multiplier. We sometimes go out and shoot birds together. I get much better pictures than him. The lens has VR (vibration reduction) so when I put it on my tripod I am not sure if I want to turn the VR off, which is as easy as sliding a switch. When the VR first starts it actually shakes ever so slightly on the tripod for about 3 seconds so sometimes I use the VR on the tripod and sometimes I turn it off. I have made good pictures either way so I guess I have to figure out what is best on the tripod. The 70-300 is much lighter so if I go out knowing that I am going to walk a mile or more I usually take the lighter lens. But I know that I am giving up some difference in the picture quality when I do.
I bought this lens in October of 2005 and have used it with both my D70 and now my D200.  It is an impressive piece of glass for the money.  I have gotten superb results both with and without the VR function engaged.  It is rock solid.My only complaint is that I wish it was a bit faster (F stop lower than 4.5).  Of course, Nikon's 2.0 in a fixed focal length is well over $5000 so I'll live with it for now.I do a lot of nature and documentary photography and this lens has helped me achieve wonderful professional results.  I took a photo of a mallard taking flight and you can count the downy feathers on his fuzzy posterior.Take a warning though.  If you plan on putting a circular polarizer on it, make sure it's a VERY good one.  Every mid-range one I tried (&lt;$100) messed up the auto focus.If you have the need and the cash, it's a great lens!
Great lens albeit a bit slow in the focus department. I shoot a lot and love to work portraiture and most recently sports. I bought this to help my golf photography and it has worked wonders. It does hesitate top focus at times and does not shoot when I want it to, but this is very infrequently and I can deal with this.If you with with more difficult subject areas, like dance (especially ballet: dark dance) I cannot recommend this lens as it is too slow - but if you are doing this kind of art you must know this already and have a f 1 ish or f 2 ish in the bag.This is an awesome lens and I find it much better than the Sigma's I had replaced. If you are buying a zoom in this range for a Nikon (the newer D700 for example) this is a lens you should consider, for sure.
Being dedicated to photography lifetime enthusiast I have been waiting long for this lens price to drop below $1.5k mark and finally when Nikon was about to announce its new AF-S successor, the price went even more down and I was lucky enough to get it directly from Amazon for unbelievably low price of $1348. With that I got incredibly good lens for my hunts for wildlife down in Florida and any other type of shooting including outdoor portrait and landscape. Unlike its successor, this lens has aperture ring which allows me to use it on one of my old manual camera bodies. And with my new D700 body it shines allowing me to capture nature and people from the distance with crisp clear images thanks for VR. With subject lens lens  finally I can leave my other AF-D 80-200/2.8 to shoot portraits just indoors leaving all outdoor work to 80-400 AF-D. Sure it has relatively slow autofocus but for the type of photography I do, the focus speed is irrelevant. In emergency situations when I need fast focus, I just use manual focusing so I am all set. This is versatile lens that will not be replaced by AF-S version and if Nikon will decide to obsolete this lens, I am sure its price will go up on second hard market, like it happened with my D700.Grab it before it is gone! It's the best telephoto zoom you can get on the market in this price range.
I have now used this lens for around 2 months, and really starting to appreciate its uses. I added the Kirk after market colar, and it really made it a solid hand hold, I like using the lens colar as a grip,The VR does aid but I find the mass and balance of the lens and camera works well. the sharpness is ok,, for what it is I would say, more thanoK, I shoot with a D800 which has a lot of room for sharpening, so most pictures come out fine.I am using this lens in more and more situations where I want wide range, and long reach.
Yes this lens focuses much slower then the next version, but with a great camera it can be great.  I had used it originally with a Nikon D200, with 11 auto focus points, and it's auto focus was terrible on the lens. I then up graded to a Nikon D7000, with 39 AF points, and let's say it works better and faster. I even use it for sports!
I have this lens for half-a-year now.  Pricy, of course, but it is worth it.  It allowed me to take some pretty interesting pictures which would not be taken any other way.  Most of the time it is necessary when you `shoot' animals, e.g. birds, or butterflies, who would not allow you to get close.  Another example is to shoot an alligator, where he probably would not mind, but I do.  Then, some architectural shots from a big distance also become possible.  The VR (vibration reduction) is totally amazing.  The thing, however, eats batteries for lunch, so I've started to carry a second battery.  The lens comes in a nice cylindrically shaped bag, and because it is pretty big and heavy, I carry it in it's original bag, instead of trying to stick it into the same bag with camera, so the load is spread. Of course, you really need to love this type of shooting to carry it around.  Overall, the lens is a miracle of the modern technology, and the quality is exceptional.  This is a great fun, and if money allow - I highly recommend.
Bought for a safari in Africa in large part based on other Amazon reviews - and am very satisfied.  Contrary to one of these reviews I find the lens quite light for what it does.  Only issue is that it really is a bit slow and not ideal for very low light situations.But it's compact and the optics really are great. Highly recommended.
Everything others have said about this lens is true; large, heavy, bulky, scary . . .  did I mention awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Nothing short of fantastic. As the seller indicated, a little scuffed, some visible signs of use, but nothing that inhibits the stellar performance of this jewel. Skip the 24-70 (for twice the price) and get one these, provided you can find one. Excellent value! Outstanding performance! And built like a tank! Who could ask for anything more. . . .  bgs.
Ancient by the standards set with the 24-70 and 14-24, this lens was once the standard mid-range zoom in the Nikon line. I got mine in 2003 when it was the only constant aperture lens available in the Nikon line in this range.Compared to the 14-24, it's not as sharp, colors are more muted and flare is worse. Neverthless, it remains the lens I use for my engagement and portrait sessions on my D300.The lens has a look that I can only describe as more "organic" than the new lenses. The subtle softness is actually a benefit for portraits. It has wonderful bokeh, as well. The lens is well built -- mine fell onto concrete and survived to complete a wedding -- nevertheless, $400 in repairs were necessary due to damaged internal drive parts.If you shoot portraits on DX you should look at this lens. The range is perfect -- 42mm for full length to 105mm for close facial shots. If you shoot nature and landscapes, the 24-70 is a better choice.
Recently coupled this lens on the Nikon D600 for an indoor fund raiser event that involved fashion models, along with a SB-400 small flash.  The 28-70 worked beautifully.  It is sharp wide open, and the bokeh is especially lovely between f2.8 to 4.  AFS is plenty fast.The next day I worked on the roughly 250 images on Adobe PS and I was really pleased with the results.  Three quarters of the images were consistently well exposed and subjects focused.  This is a true workhorse.  And for a substantial discount compared to the price of the 24-70, I feel like this is a better way to go.  One more thing, the metal build of this lens is utterly out of this world.  Totally inspiring to use.I also rented a Tamron 2470VC for a couple wedding events.  Great lens, but using the flash properly which negates the need for long shutter, I don't feel that the VC feature is worth it.  Not enough to replace this Nikon anyway.  I do find this Nikon's auto focus to be a noticeable step-up in comparison.
I have own this lens now for over 4 weeks and I am amazed at the built quality if the lens. Far superior than all my other lenses that are mostly built out of plastic. Some people say that this lens is soft but in reality if you have a tuned lens with your camera the results are outstanding. I find that wide open at 2.8 and 28mm produces among the sharpest pictures I have ever taken. On a cheaper 3rd party lens I would had stopped down to f/4 to get the same results in terms of sharpness. What all this means? You get great blurred out background(bokeh) and low light shooting capabilities. Also the aperture blades are well rounded so you get those beautiful rounded circles in the bokeh and not the octogons found in cheaper lenses. On the sour note, this lens has been nicknamed the beast for a reason and that is the size and weight of the lens. Not to mention that when you add the hood then heads start turning. Thats one reason I bought a rubber hood for the lens. At least it kind of blends in with the lens so not that many stairs come my way. If you can find one in great condition, get it! It works for DX and FX bodies(unlike the nikon 17-55mm 2.8)and you will also be future proof. I have worked in this 28-70mm range for awhile and I like the range even on a DX. I used own the tamron 28-75mm2.8 which is not as sharp. Great for portraits!update... its been 2 years and 4 months to date since I got the lens. The only dilemma I had with the lens is that is not sharp at the long end at 70mm 2.8 (wide open). Its been frustrating because at the long end wide open is the appropriate range for portraits and aperture. I thought it was this lens only but after extensive research online- I saw other reviews which pointed the newer nikon 24-70mm2.8 suffering from it and also the older 2 ring nikon 80-200mm 2.8 racked out wide open. Don't know if its a nikon thing but it sucks. Have to use my trusty 85mm 1.4d to shoot outdoors. Nevertheless, why upgrade if the other lenses also have the same problem. I just keep using it- I just have to remember to stopped it down to f/3.2 when doing 70mm.
a professional looking lens.outstanding quality metal construction.saved,and waited for this lens a long time.it was going to be my all around most used keeper.then heartbreak!,soft at all settings,poor image quality with a d3.very dissapointed,im so sorry i sold the old 35-70 2.8d.
I'm sorry, I just can't understand ratings that aren't 5/5 for this lens. It flat out rocks. Let me just get a few things straight regarding this lens vs. the newer 24-70mm lens that replaced it:1. This lens is more stout than the 24-70mm, yes, but it is also noticeably shorter which to me is preferable. This means it has a nearer/lower center of gravity and is easier to manage for long periods of time. The 24-70mm is basically like handling a telephoto zoom (i.e. 70-200mm or 80-200mm) with its center of gravity further out, harder to handle for long periods and easier to knock into people with.2. The 24-70mm is a very sharp lens. I understand that. This lens is at least as sharp, however, and in my opinion slightly sharper. This becomes important in point number 3 below.3. This lens can be picked up for roughly 2/3 the price of the 24-70mm. To me that settles the issue. Now, if the 24-70mm had VR then maybe it would be a different story but it doesn't. Again the 24-70mm is harder to handle, longer, no sharper and costs at least 50% more ($1,000-ish vs $1,5000-ish)I hope I have made a good case for getting one of these over the newer 24-70. This is a top notch solid professional battle ready piece of equipment here. Don't listen to the talk of it being "too big" or "too heavy." First of all, as I said it's much easier to maneuver than the longer 24-70, and second of all the heaviness of this lens is overrated. If you are coming from a kit lens yes you will find it heavy. If you are used to shooting with pro glass this will not seem extraordinary heavy. It is in line with professional Canon and Nikon glass I have used over the years in terms of weight. Unless they decide to put VR on the 24-70mm I am not going to take another look at it while I can still find these for 2/3 the price.
It's not as heavy as some have described in the past, but it is beefy.  It is extremely well built and optically it is excellent.  Get one if you can find a good one and you won't be dissapointed.  I use it on my d3200 and d7000 and I love the images.
I switched to a FX body and had to upgrade from my Tamaron 17-55mm 2.8. At the time, I really liked that lens, but after switching to this baby, I will never go back!!! I had debated about hacking up the extra cash for the newer 24-70 2.8, but after reading the great reviews I thought I would give it a shot. This lens has not come off my camera since. It is tack sharp, quite, and has beautiful color! I also own a 50mm 1.8 and the &#34;ultimate&#34; 70-200mm 2.8 VRII, but those lenses won't be seeing as much action now that I have this baby! If you are like me trying to decided between the 24-70mm, I'm telling you, you will not be disappointed with this one.
It looks beastly but don't let it intimidate you. If you were stuck deciding between this older mid range zoom and the newer 24-70 f/2.8 like I was then let me break it down for you. I've heard complaints that this is too heavy. Its only slightly heavier than the 24-70. And I mean very slightly. If you can't handle a couple ounces more with this, then the 24-70 will be too heavy for you as well. Don't be a little girl about the weight. Its shorter than the 24-70 but girthier (is that a word?). I actually think this looks cooler. I also like that it had an aperture ring so its great if you shoot video. The 4mm difference doesn't matter to me personally. If you want something wider then you should get an actual wide angle lens. This is good enough for general use and is my go-to lens when I know I need a &#34;normal&#34; focal range for event photography. The 24-70 has the nano crystal coating (reduces flare) so get that if you plan on shooting directly into the sun or into your strobe lighting. I don't and haven't had any lens flare issues. Also from what I understand, this isn't weather sealed. I took this up to mammoth during some light snowfall and got the lens pretty damp. I got in the car and tried to make sure the temperature didn't change too drastically too quickly because I didn't want to damage the lens but it started getting some fogging or condensation on the glass. It was pretty scary but I allowed the condensation evaporate on its own and luckily it was only on the outside part of the glass. No damage that I've noticed and it functions perfectly still  (knock on wood). I don't recommend taking it out in wet/drastically cold weather without protection. I'll end this review by saying that it was completely worth it. Especially for the price I paid. Very happy with it.
I have owned this lens for about four years now, and it is my favorite lens. It is built like a tank, very solid construction and very heavy. For maximum sharpness, I recommend using the lens at F/8 for most situations however; at constant f/2.8 the pictures are very sharp also. It does excellent at weddings and studio portrait photography. Distortion is not a great concern however, you may have to use a little distortion correction in Photoshop, or what ever software application you use to edit your pictures, when shooting at 28mm. Distortion at very close range, especially when shooting tall buildings is noticeable. The lens has a tendency to flare very easily including at night. Nothing that can't be fixed in Photoshop but, flare can be avoided by paying a little more attention. I rate this lens 9 out of 10. I will love to see this lens in a VR version in the future.
I really like this lens for portraits! It's good as a walkabout type as well, but I primarily do portraiture.
Having gotten frustrated with the limiting 35mm focal length of the Nikkor AFD35-70/2.8, I sold it and purchased the AFS28-70/2.8D almost 5 years ago.It was an improvement over the AFD35-70/2.8 with respect to sharpness, contrast, and whisper-quiet autofocusing speed.With the scalloped lens hood, this is a bulky lens.  Infants tend to cry with this "in-their-face" monster.Contrast is excellent, and distortion is negligible.  Composition-wise, a very good portrait lens.Of the three sharpest lenses owned, overall, it falls a distant third behind the leading Nikkor AFS17-35/2.8D, and second place AFD80-200/2.8 (2-ring version).This lens used to be the standard lens on my Nikon F5, until I purchased the AFS17-35/2.8.If the AFS28-70/2.8 were image-sharper for it's price, it would be used more frequently.  I have since sold this lens in the Winter of 2004.
I have owned this lens for 2 years and it is by far my most used lens.  This is saying quite a bit because I also own the Nikon 28 1.4 and the 85 1.4.  Both of those two are outstanding, however the zoom is much more convenient to use.It is heavy but on the D2H it balances very well.
I purchased this lens along with myD700nearly 12 months ago.  My choice was between this lens and theNikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S.  I went with the 17-35mm for the ability to use filters and have not looked back.During that time I have had a blast enjoying landscape photography with the combination.  The lens is exceedingly sharp --corner to corner-- particularly when stopped down from wide open.  I have no use for 'prime' lenses within this focal range anymore.Indoors the extreme angle-of-view and large aperture have been great for candids and other interior shots.  Obviously, 17-35mm is not a desirable focal length for portraits.Some have complained about corner 'sharpness' wide open, but the depth-of-field at f/2.8 is so shallow on FX that corner sharpness is a non-issue since objects in the corner are unlikely to be within the focal plane of the subject anyway.  With the high-ISO performance of the D700, aperture selection is an artistic choice for DOF, not a necessity for low light.  Stop the pixel-peeping and just enjoy the lens!I have also foundDxO Optics Pro (Elite)a priceless software tool with this camera/lens combination.  I always shoot RAW images and use DxO to convert to TIFF or jpg.  DxO includes both the D700 and this lens in their database; the result: noise-free images with perfect optical corrections.  Amazing.
I really love this lens very very much. I used it for many years with my film camera F5 which was great. Of course that was in the full frame days which means the 17mm side of the lens looks so wide and I got very creative with the shots I was taking. Now that I uses the 1.6 magnification in the stupid digital days with my D80, the lens is not all that great anymore. It replaced my use of my other amazing lens 28-70/2.8. Really the digital age made the use of many of the lenses we love pretty much useless. I think all cameras should be full frame or forget about it.Anyhow, back to the lens. This is an incredible and very sharp lens. I used it shooting slided which are very sensitive to the quality of the lens and it rocks.My recommendation is buy it and you won't be sorry.
I love this lens, sharp and bright, exactly what I was looking for! I had the Sigma 11-16 for my old camera and loved the funky wide angles you can get with that one. This one, not so much, but it's nice and as crisp as can be, love, love, love it!
Sharp fast and reliable. Easy to use, not to cumbersome. Awesome bokehn. Amazingly clear even after cropping 300x on d300s raw file. Best investment in photo gear I ever made. Smaller then the 24-70mm but works well for snapping shots and weights less.Only Bummer is the distortion, but easily fixed in post production... And really what wife angle doesn't have distortion!Just buy it already, you won't regret it. I prefer to buy my glass new or used in person to inspect it prior to arrival - watch out if you are buying used for no returns.
This is a great piece of glass and a great lens to have with you on a city street or out in the bush.  It's great for general shooting and a superb lens for shooting landscapes.  I wish it were a bit more compact, but them's the breaks.You won't regret adding this lens to your camera bag.
A sharp as a tack lens, one of the best and more reasonably priced lens. I'd recommend this to others shooting film or FX.
Works perfect but be aware about some resellers who give E+ or 4.5saters for an used items and the rates are overated!
This zoom on full frame DSLR is magical.  Fabulous optics, sharp images, close focusing, ideal zoom range for landscape and architechtural (inside and out) photography. Using Nikon's Virtual Horizon Detector insures that horizons and vertical structures are without distortion (no bowing horizons or converging vertical lines-keystoning).  This lens goes with me on every outdoor photo shoot.
At $1,500, this lens should be mint straight from the factory.  My copy failed to auto-focus properly and appeared to have serious backfocus issues.  Although the "Silent Wave Motor" made for very quick focusing times (if the copy had been focusing properly), it made a pronounced metal-on-metal or metal-on-plastic, high-pitched scraping sound at times.  I understand this is endemic in many copies.  Lastly, I did not think I would miss the added focal length of a 17-55mm or 18-55mm, but that extra 36mm-55mm range really does make a difference, and makes this lens less usable for DSLRs.  More importantly, when focused (by chance), the optics did not produce sharpness substantially superior to my other, less expensive, DX lenses.On the other hand, this lens is not as heavy or large as other reviewers have noted.  I would have no problem carrying the 17-35mm all day, every day.  Perhaps my review would have been different if I received a different copy.  But for $1,500, this should never happen.  We as consumers should not be forced to return substandard equipment in order to ultimately get a copy that works.
This is a first-class professional quality lens.  I am using it on Nikon F5, F100, D200, D700 and D800E bodies.  I bought it in anticipation of purchasing an FX digital format successor to the D200/D300 DX-format cameras.  It is extremely sharp from edge-to-edge, rendering crisp images with great color and contrast.  Good low-light performance for natural people-pictures.  On both my film-based and digital shoots, it is nothing short of spectacular.  This lens is considered both heavy and pricey by some.  However, I find the weight promotes better stability with hand-held images.  The price is right for what you get.  I also like a depth of field indicator on the aperature ring for doing wide-ange shots employing hyper-focal distance techniques.  You don't get this with the newer G-series lenses.  If you can afford this lens and are going to go FX-format, buy it.
This is the go-to lens for wide angle photography. It's no wonder Nikon hasn't changed the formula or brought out a replacement for this lens since 1999.  It's a tried and true lens used by professional photojournalists.  I also own the 14-24 f/2.8, but for me, the 17-35 is a much more practical wide angle lens.  The 14-24 is an amazing lens also and optically better than the 17-35.  However, the 14-24 is an ultra-ultra-wide angle lens and is more suited for creative effects and purposes. It's a fun lens to use, but not your normal wide angle for everyday purposes.  I'm not saying you can't get creative with the 17-35, it's just not to the extreme level that the 14-24 is capable of.Back to the 17-35: Optically, the lens is very good.  Images are very sharp on a D700.  Images have nice contrast and colors.  The lens balances very well in your hand and pairs up nicely with a pro camera body.  The focus and zoom rings are smooth and sure, no play.  There are many reviews of this lens online that talk about sharpness, vignetting, and distortion, and they are pretty spot on, so I won't go into too much detail on that here, but the lens is built to pro quality standards and you get what you pay for.  I wouldn't use this lens on a DX camera, because it won't be a wide anlge lens anymore.The autofocus is silent and fast, similar in quality to the 14-24 and 24-70, which I also own.  There are some reviews out there from people who have experienced an AF squeaking or grinding noise when autofocusing the lens.  I'm happy to say that there are no signs of that on the copy I received from Amazon.  Maybe Nikon resolved this issue with later production lenses?  Time will tell.I have owned this lens for about 5 months now and it is a very good, reliable lens.  I use it for landscape/cityscape photography, and general purpose/reportage style photography where I want a storytelling effect.  There is really nothing bad I can say about this lens.  It's just a solid performer.If you are torn between choosing this lens or the 14-24, it depends on your taste.  You need to ask yourself what type of effect you are after - a normal, classic wide angle shot, or a crazy super wide angle effect.  Which ever you choose, you won't be disappointed in the optics or build quality of either lens.  I hope this helps!
The image that Amazon is showing is not the Nikon 17-35mm.
Nice lens for video. The only issue I have is that this lens will flare at smaller apertures (f/16..). I did a night time shot in San Francisco and all the lights had nice starbursts but the image had numerous round flares through out the image. Should have bought the 14-24mm instead, but it is a nice video lens.
I just received my order for the Nikon 17-35mm 2.8 from Cardinal Camera, Pa that I purchased through Amazon.com...well I am very disappointed and mad as hell that Cardinal Camera of Pa sent me a USED lens that was supposed to be a brand new lens.The Nikon box looked worn, no manual, no warranty cards, just not the usual Nikon original packing and no new lens smell plus the lens was dirty and there were witness marks on the lens barrel lock ring. This tells me that this lens was a refurb.!!!Not 2 minutes after discovering what was delivered to me I called into Amazon.com and filed a complaint.Over the years I have purchased 90% of my camera gear through Amazon.com and I never encountered this issue before, I also never purchased from Cardinal Camera of Pa before this event. This lens was advertised as Brand New but they thought they could porn off a used lens to me. I have been in the photography business for over 35 years...I know the difference between a new and used lens. I hope Cardinal Camera of Pa and Amazon.com resolves this issue for me as soon as possible.Update 1/6/2014: I never received a reply from Cardinal Camera until I emailed the pres/owner, although he got back to me and apologized and said he would make it right. I was told that they could make the exchange for my new lens at one of their Pa stores but they did not have this lens in stock in any of their 13 stores and it would have to be ordered from Nikon...I found that hard to believe they wouldn't have one anywhere in their 13 stores....nothing ever became of it.... he just left me hanging. I went on line just to sample order it on their website to see if this lens would show up as back ordered or n/a...It was available at the check out screen for store pick up or delivery. So I was scammed and then lied to by Cardinal Camera....Amazon A-Z coverage saved this botched purchase and Amazon refunded me all of my money. If it weren't for Amazon A-Z purchase protection which is free, I would have had to take Cardinal Camera to court. Amazon had my credit card account refunded, this time I placed an order for the Nikon 17-35mm 2.8 from Amazon's inventory. It came UPS in 3 days with a USA warranty. I want to give Amazon.com +5 ***** stars for being a great place to buy anything!
I use this all the time on my D800. Just a couple issues I have with this lens. I typically shoot at f/8, which is within the typical sweet-spot range of most lenses. I find that there is significant softness in the corners. Since the aim is to draw attention into the photo, this is not always a big deal. The other issue is that it doesn't have much room for filters before experiencing vignetting at 17mm. I can fit a typical UV filter, but the Singh-Ray Blue & Gold Polarizer (even with no other filters) intrudes into the corners of the image by quite a bit, and even a normal circular polarizer will vignette a little bit. Zooming in to 20mm will get rid of vignetting in either case, so I don't really take off much for this on the rating. It's a fine lens, but I suspect the 16-35/4 is a better choice with newer optics (and if you really need the f/2.8 on a wide lens, use the 14-24).The lens has some distortion but it's not hard to correct.If you can get it used at a significant discount, you won't be disappointed.
and the owner said, it's NeCon, probably translated to English as the con artists from Japan, and probably will not work with older Nikon models, but with a plenty of lubrication with oil pumping D6x0 camera, it may work.Why did human invented the word, "caveat emptor?"  This word didn't exist before Nikon.
This is my second one... bought it as a back up. I'm not too kind on my gear. I have 3 lenses that go with me every where I go. The 16mm, 70-200 VRII and this lens.
Check the quality control of this lens when you buy.  Mine had severe front focus problems. Even when i selected the auto focus sensor the lens still had focusing issues .  The lens was soft to F4.  At F2.8 the images were incredibly poor.  In my 20+ years of photography i have never seen a lens this bad. To make sure, i borrowed a friends 18-55VR.  This $200.00 lens had better color saturation, contrast and accurate auto focus.  Not only that, but it was sharper.  To get the 17-35 as sharp, i had to stop down to F8.  I tried to get another sample but they were out of stock, so i just returned it. I know a lot of people rate this lens 5 stars, and i understand that ever now and then you get a bad sample, but this lens had multiple problems. On the positive side, it is not as big and heavy as some people claim.  It balances well on my D200, and the autofocus is fast. I will be looking into the 24-70 2.8.
Of the auto-focus Nikkor lenses, I've owned the 20/2.8D, 24/2.8D, and 35-70/2.8D.  My current lenses are the AF80-200/2.8D (2-ring version), and the AFS17-35/2.8D.  That's all is needed for my general photography.  Any distortion can be easily created in Photoshop CS.The AFS17-35/2.8D is the sharpest lens of all the manual and auto-focus Nikkor lenses I have owned/used.  Since purchasing this lens almost 3 years ago, it has become the standard lens on my Nikon F5.I travel with the AFS17-35/2.8D and (in my opinion) it's natural companion the AF80-200/2.8D.  Both zoom lenses are ranked number 1 and 2 in sharpness respectively.The lens, mounted on an F5, was dropped 3.5 feet in a thinly cushioned bag onto a concrete walkway.  The back of the F5 took the impact.  According to Nikon Canada, the lens survived but the F5 needed a new $400+ autofocus assembly.
an ultra high quality lens far superior than the canon counterpart, i actually have the canon 16-35L 2.8 II and bought this lens for my friend who has a nikon d700, i am totally impressed by nikon and especially there 5 year warranty on most of their lenses. if i did not already own canon lenses i would have defiantly switched.
The sharpness and color are fantastic.  This lens has produced thousands of absolutely lovely landscape and cityscape photos for me.  It works great for group shots where you want to include the surroundings too.I have owned this lens for nearly five years now and through the years it has been one of the two anchor lens for my travel kit.  The 17-35mm f2.8 is the default lens on the camera.  The other anchor lens is a 70-300mm VR and occasionally I will throw in a 50mm f1.4 for low light and a SB 800 flash.  I use these lenes on a D700.  I carry all of this in the bottom section of a Kata DR 467 backpack with ease and comfort.Just for comparison, around town or anyplace I'm driving to for shooting I often carry a D4 with the 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and the 70-200mm lens in a Think Tank Street Walker Pro backpack.  This setup is much heavier and takes up the whole backpack.  Here are a few thoughts on the 17-35mm versus using the 14-24mm and 24-70mm combo.  The 14-24mm lens is a big heavy lens that distorts things a lot which is great for getting really close to objects but the  17-35mm is much more usable for capturing true to the eye wide angle shots.  The 24-70mm lens is bigger and heavier than the 17-35mm.  It's also a great walk around lens but lacks the ultra-wide angle that the 17-35mm provides and hence limits the ability to capture the scene.Bottomline, I can spend all day doing landscape and cityscape shooting with the 17-35mm and love what it produces.
I needed a wide angle zoom lens for indoor and outdoor use.  I had for reason of reviews been favoring the 16-35mm as a match with my D800 and F100, but gravitated to the venerable 17-35mm.  For indoor area shooting with animals in motion, the 16-35 would have been a poor tool .... VR is useless with moving objects under low light conditions. The lens is also useable on my FE .... a feature not supported by G type lenses.The need was for a rugged lens to photograph horses at indoor and outdoor stables and arenas with digital color and B&W; film..  The lens has already taken a solid knock without so much as a scuff.  To be certain, the lens has  resisted its share  of dust and grime, as well.  Bokeh is not too terrible when wide open shooting close range, but is well short of the dreamy finish obtained with the Nikkor 70-200mm, or even that satisfying blur obtained with the demure Series E 50mm.  For those contemplating filters, UV and ND are fine but CPL is a definite no when using the widest focal length. The focal lock of the 17-35mm is fast, whereas the 16-35mm does a bit of hunting when lighting is dim.  When compared against the 16-35mm AF optimized, the 16-35mm appeared to capture sharper corners; but, only until one really scrutinizes the flattened captured images with distortion correction. Further, the center of images from the 17-35mm wide open regularly appeared a touch more crisp than those taken with the 16-35mm wide open with a comparable focal length.  Usable image is the end game, and with DxO the final outcome becomes more clear.  Even without VR, I have taken some amazingly tack sharp photos, handheld, at f/2.8 with 1/10s exposure.The built in flash can pose a bit of a problem with this lens.  At 17mm, there's a good chance that the camera flash or an attached I shielded flash will throw a shadow of the end of the lens, there are work arounds, but it requires extra steps.  I can only imagine that the 16-35mm flashlight-like protuberance will be of great challenge for use under comparable circumstances.  Of course, an attached flash can resolved the matter with ease, but there are times when one is not available.One factor that inexperienced digital users miss is the need for AF fine tuning.  In my case, my D800 body mated with this lens sample requires a setting of -6 for optimal focus; after Nikon had my camera in the shop for an adjustment.  Without the adjustment, I would concede slight loss of detail at low aperture settings. Fine adjusting the AF isn't hard, and does not require use of a pricey gadget; I used a DxO software box and a ruler.  But doing this 5 minute exercise just 1 time can really enhance the performance of this lens.And while I don't anticipate much videography, the 17-35mm will cut it while the 16-35mm can't.  Getting a minimally used 17-35mm for less than the price of a refurbished 16-35mm was handy, but the tried and true build quality and proven performance of the 17-35mm in rough environments drove the decision.This truly is a remarkable lens with a solid feel, yet reasonable heft for a versatile pro lens.  In candor, the balance of this lens is ever so much better than that observed with other options like the front-heavy 16-35mm ... the slower albeit newer lens being akin to mounting a MAG flashlight on the front of one's camera.  And the 16-35mm uses high tin solder effectively limiting SWM life expectency to around 10 yrs.  The 17-35mm uses old style solder.  Image clarity has been marvelous, although I admit using adaptive interpolative processing in the effort to improve far corners on the occasional shot. I look forward to long service from this lens.  Yup ... I do like this lens.ADDENDUM - Took some great shots without flash in Hearst Castle at ISO 1200.  A fellow Nikon D800 owner using a 16-35mm had to crank up to ISO 6400 ... the granularity and distortion were no contest in favor of the 17-35mm. And it was great that I could use the same lens on my FE for B&W; film shots during the same trip.  I admit being tempted by the recent sale on the 16-35mm, but I'm glad I passed on it. Apr-8-2014.
Body: D3sFavorite lenses: 200mm f/2g, 105mm dc f/2, 24-70mm f/2.8, 24-120mm f/4 walkaround, and 35mm f/2.My subject matter is mostly candid/people, and I've no problem moving around shooting primes.I was shopping of an ultra wide lens, stuck between a 14mm to 20mm prime lens or 16-35, 14-24, or this venerable 17-35mm.  Goal: the larger than life perspective provided by the ultra wide lenses--people and scenic.I bought and shot with this lens on a Disney Cruise and during the Spring Mexican Riviera trip and found this lens to be a 80+ lens.  I love the fast and accurate focus, solid construction, very good pictures.What does all that mean?  Well, it ain't gonna be sharper than the prime or the newer Nano coated lenses, but the range fits my need ample.  Based on all the reviews I read online, I said this lens is probably last of the 3 between 16-35, 14-24, and this in terms of sharpness.For the trip, I brought my 105mm dc f/2, 24-70mm f/2.8, 60mm f/2.8 macro, 50mm f/1.4 and this lens for the trip.  Approx 70% using this lens, 20% 24-70mm, and 10% on the 105mm.This lens is built like a tank, mostly metal, about 4.5" in length without the HB-23, and balances well with the D3s.  It focuses fast, accurate, and produces highly usable pictures.  Much faster focus than AF 105 and comparable to the 24-70mm.I love it.  it does the following for me:1.  I love 35mm, this lens covers it--skipping the 35mm f/1.4g2.  It does ultra wide to 17mm--beautiful and I'm not a landscape shooter3.  Dial it to f/5.6 and beyond, and I'm covered for landscape/scenic4.  It has faster AF than my 35mm f/2 and about the same price as the 35mm f/1.4 AFS5.  At ultra-ultra wide, I'm either on a tripod at low light or shooting f/5.6+, so sharpness isn't a big concernResult: this is now part of my standard arsenal on my Lowepro Flipside300 for medium load, hike and trek loadout--17-35, 24-70, 50, and 105dc.Subjective: I'm going to shoot 105mm f/2 and 200mm f/2 for the candid portraits.  24-70mm and 17-35mm for being in the middle of fray and firing away.
This lens is widely held to be one of the best if not the best wide angle professional zoom lens for 35mm and Digital SLRs compatible with Nikon's lens system. I've had mine for about 6 months on a Nikon D-100 and have absolutely nothing I don't like about it. It's sharp from corner to corner at all zoom settings and any pincusion destortion is negligible even at 17mm @ f2.8. The AFS focusing motor is lightning fast and accurate. Filter size is 77mm, same as my Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR lens. Since filters this size aren't cheap, it's nice to be able to share. This lens will support 35mm, APS, and DX format film and digital sensor sizes and comes with a 5-year warranty. If you want the best, and can afford it, you won't be sorry you purchased this lens.
Right now, I still don't have a full-frame sensor, so I'm using this lens with a 1.5 multiplier which makes it the equivalent of a 26-50mm lens, still it's the widest lens I own and I'm delighted with my choice. I'm not having to deal with too much barrel distortion (almost none, to be exact), and the picture quality and the response to light is excellent. I've photographed both two-dimensional art pieces (canvases) and architecture, and post-processing to get edges 'square' has been minimal. (I do this by hand since Photoshop CS5's lens corrections seem a bit heavy-handed to me) so I appreciate that this lens makes my work a lot easier. My only complaint is that it is a bit heavy (which I'm willing to live with, given the quality) and a little difficult to install on my D-80. I'm hoping to get a D800, when they eventually come out, and then I will reap the full benefit of this lens.I also have one minor problem I'm still trying to find a work-around for is that it comes in a huge hard-sided case. It's a beautiful case, well-built, good quality, finely lined on the inside--but it's huge (makes a nice mid-size purse, though). I keep my lenses in my camera case in soft pouches and I'm unable to find a soft-pouch that will accommodate this lens' width.
I was shooting a wedding with my 24-70 and all of a sudden the zoom stopped working.  I've never been happier to have this lens with me.  It was able to pick up where the other lens fell off.  I'm very happy with the results.
nice little sd card case that will give your cards some protection. It is a little bulky if you put it in your pant pocket but otherwise it does it's job
It holds a couple of small cards easily but anything too big or thick causes problems. The fold side doesn't expand like the zip side so with a memory case, one side is much larger and may cause trouble zipping. OK for now.
THIS IS A LOVELY CASE.  IT WORKS WELL AND IS EQUALLY AS WELL MADE AS ANY PURSE, OR WALLET.
As a professional photographer I not only need a card reader that holds numerous cards, but one that silently will open and close so that during weddings I am not obtrusive when changing cards.This card wallet does exactly what I need it to - holds cards securely and allows me to access them quickly and silently.While there are other wallets out there, the majority of the ones designed for pros close with velcro which is the most obnoxious noise in the midst of a ceremony.
Handy little carrier for CF cards.  It serves its purpose.  Great for wedding photographers to keep all their CF cards in one case (you might need two since it only holds 6 cards.)  The only reason I didnt give it 5 stars is that when its full, its kind of hard to zip up.
Actually a bit larger than I needed, but the size will work.  It holds six SD cards and and now that they are so cheap I only have two.  But it is padded and will keep them safe and protected.
I was pleased with the quality of these cases.  They zipped up and actually I use them for a different purpose, but very happy with them.  They arrived within a week and was pleased with the shipping service.  I would certainly recommend this product and this supplier if you are in need of a Digital Media Case.  It fits nicely in my pocket also.  Thank you.  BOB'S OPINION
Case has enough storage of photo media cards for traveling purposes, as well as organization at home.  Provides sufficient protection.
The case is very compact and easy to carry. It is made of soft vinyl and easily holds 6 media cards. The only down side to this small case is the cards must be out of their plastic cases in order for the vinyl case to fold easily.
I'm a wedding photographer. I always use a camera case so I did not need a separate hard case for my memory sticks - just something to put them in that would keep them together. This case is cheap and does what I need - although it is quite tight and the CF cards only fit vertically. Overall I am satisfied with this item.
This is a very attractive leather case for SD cards. The leather is quite nice and features a strong zipper. Inside there are pouches for your SD cards big enough to keep the cards in their plastic container, if you want. Well-made!
The price is right and the Digital Case 2 does the job, but it's really just a pouch with small pockets. The pockets take a one-size-fits-all approach to "media carrying," which could technically also be marketted as a key carrier, paper clip storage device, or manual change sorter. It makes you wonder what the Digital Case 1 was all about if this is the new and improved model.  This would be more impressive as a do-it-yourself project or a dollar store find.
Case Logic comes through again, for me. I have hunted hi and low for a decent way to store SD and Micro SD cards. This little wallet and it's six pockets is perfect!
Item does what its supposed to do. It appears to be able to fit 6 CF comfortable (card alone, not with those clear plastic case things that cards usually come with).
I have used several digital cameras and the Sony MVC-CD300 is the best by far.  Being able to burn a rewritable CD - at a cost of less than $5 per CD with 150MB - is a BIG advantage over memory card style cameras (a 128MB card can run a couple hundred dollars).  The electronic storage problem that I faced with memory cards no longer applies (I travel a lot and always have my camera in my hand so you can imagine the number of pictures taken).I have been able to store close to 100 pictures at the highest resolution on one CD making it very easy to file, catalog and find my pictures.  I have not had the problem that the previous reviewer did in being able to delete a picture and reuse the space.  He must be using regular CDs (certainly an option) rather than the rewriteable ones.It was very easy to initially set up and use and has multiple ways to get the pictures to my PC.  I usually use the USB hook-up and even use the camera as a rewriteable CD for pictures other folks send me.  When I am feeling lazy, I just plop the CD in my DVD drive which also works great.With 3.3 megapixels, the picture clarity couldn't be better.  I have printed out 8 x 10s that look like they were taken by an expensive 35mm camera.  The number of options for picture sizing is also enough to satisfy any &quot;normal&quot; requirement.If I had to point out one issue with the camera, it is size.  While certainly not the largest camera on the market, it is a bit bulkier than I would prefer (I like sticking a camera in my pocket and I need to use a fanny pack to carry this one around).All in all, if you are looking for a camera that can take 35mm quality pictures and still stay digital, I would highly recommend this Sony.
I was hoping that this camera was good enough that I could throw away my SLR and stop paying for film and developing.  Unfortunately, after using it for four months now, I can say that it's not that good.Here's the problem... the pictures all come out blue.  The only way to correct for that is to use a flash, and then all the pictures come out in stark glaring color.  It is impossible to get good light balance in the photos.  And the camera always insists on using the flash, even when outside.Other problems include time -- You can't just point and click... the camera has to think before taking the picture, so you ALWAYS lose the candid shots and instead get pictures of the backs of people's heads.  Sometimes it can take up to ten seconds before the camera actually takes the picture... and I have no idea why.  A similar but unrelated problem is disk-access.  After you take a picture, it has to save it to the disk, and that can take five or more seconds, in which time you can't do anything.On the good side, the camera captures an incredible amount of detail.  You could probably print poster-sized pictures and still not see any pixelization.  It is remarkable.To sum up: If they can fix the color/light problems and processing time problems, then we might have a winner.  Until then, I'll have get used to pictures of the backs of people's heads, in blue.
This is a great camera in most respects.  It's hard to take a bad shot -- as someone who wouldn't be able to deal with all the adjustments on a real SLR, this seems to be the next best thing... good lens but the camera does the work as though its a point-and-shoot.  I've taken 1000s of shots with it.  Battery life is fine.  CD as storage is rather convenient.BUT, my complaint is the lag times.  Power on lag, shutter lag, and shot-to-shot lag.  It's painful to think of all the shots we've missed waiting for disc writing, or power on, or slow shutters.  The Burst 3 mode is a silly answer -- just doesn't work right in practice.  You can't even see the subject to know if you're still lined up once it starts bursting.Net: this is an ideal camera for non-moving situations... sunsets come to mind.  Not so much for taking shots of kids, which I do.
This has to one of the best digital cameras on the market. As an employee at a community college I had the use of this camera at all activities that we needed recorded. I found it so easy to use, download the pictures, ease of transferring to the printer, and lightweight. The picture quality is so sharp/clear that you would think you were using a very expensive model. I purchased this camera for my personal use and would recommend it to everyone - it's that easy to use and you would not be disappointed.
I've never gone wrong buying Sony products EVER. This is just another great purchase. The images are stunning, even in the smaller, standard resolutions. Why CD? For me, it's the final destination for the image. I don't need to go from memory stick and burning it to A CD. Besides, the CD's for this camera is only 3 inches in dia., and 99 cents if bought in bulk. The only knock I have against it is the image on the LCD screen. In daylight, I can barely make out the picture. I wonder if this is how they'll make us buy the optional clip-on eye-level viewfinder for 79 bucks. Everything else about this camera is just right. But how about 8 megapixels? That would be nice.
First of all, let me say I'm not a professional or even semi-pro photographer. I wouldn't know an f-stop if it landed on me. That being said, I love this camera. It's extremely easy to use. I bought mine in Tokyo, so the manuals were of course in Japanese (which I don't read or speak) but I still figured out the camera with no problems. If you can figure out something without a manual you can read, then the thing wasn't very complicated. The pictures are fantastic, in my opinion. The cd-rw works very well. You have to initialize the disc, then finalize it to be read in your computer's cd-rom. With cd-rw discs you can then unfinalize them in the camera to store more pictures on the disc. Each of these procedures take a couple of minutes, and you have to sit the camera on a flat surface and not move it during that time. If you use plain cd-r discs, you can't unfinalize them. I've read that some cd-rom drives have difficulty reading from cd-rw discs, but mine had no problem. If you have an older cd-rom, you might have to use cd-r discs instead of cd-rw. But since you can get them for less than a dollar and store 150+ images, you're still getting a bargain compared to Memory Stick or Smartmedia prices.The camera comes with one cd-rw and one cd-r disc, but will work with 80mm discs from other companies. You do get a nag-screen on the LCD saying &quot;Mavica discs recommended&quot; if you use non-sony media, but I figure that's okay with me, considering how much cheaper non-Sony discs are. P&gt;There is very little lag time between pics, much less than I expected. 2 seconds or so, usually less. This is my first digital camera so I don't know if that's a long time compared to other cameras, but I was surprised, considering the image is being burned to a disc. However, I've read that if you use the 'uncompressed TIFF' option, it takes 30+ seconds to write the 10Mb image to the disc. The cd-rw speed is 4x.One cool thing is that you can zoom in up to 5x in images that are stored in the camera, move around within the image to see the part you want, and crop the pic if you want to while it's still in the camera, no computer needed. You can hook up the AV cable to see this on your TV as you're doing it.The battery recharges inside the camera - there is no external battery charger. So if you buy an extra battery, like I did, you can't charge it while you're using the camera. That's the only complaint I have, and it isn't much of a complaint.For a long time serious photo hobbyists have turned up their noses at the Mavica line, but I think this should change because of this camera. 3.3 megapixels makes for excellent pictures, and the flexibility allows for a lot of control over the more advanced features. I can't recommend this camera highly enough.----After owning the camera for a couple of weeks, I have to make a small addition.  There is no optical viewfinder, which is a problem under dim lighting conditions.  For nighttime shots or macro work where vibration is more of a problem, you would want to use a remote control, and the only remote control available is the one built into Sony tripods.  You can get around the vibration problem by using the timer, but it would still be nice to have a wired remote control.  Those are my only nags thus far.  I would still buy the camera without hesitation.
We researched digitals and wanted to stay away from memory sticks, but the resolution on the earlier Sony Mavicas (with a "floppy" instead of a CD) just was not good enough. With the resolution available with this camera (we can get prints up to 20 x 30 if we wanted to!), we knew this was our choice! At the highest resolution, we can get 73 pictures on one disk (still better than a roll of film!), and with each disk comes out cheaper than buying film! Another advantage, is with our 8 month old daughter, we don't have to wait to get film developed to see that we didn't get a good picture of a special moment. We love the timer for "family" shots and  all of the options. If you're looking for a light weight camera to put in your pocket, this isn't it, but if you want to take great pictures (who needs to go to department stores to get "baby" pictures taken?!) this is the camera for you.Also, uploading pictures from the disk to Ofoto (Kodak's online website - best selection of prints in my opinion and great deals), does take the better part of a day on my computer with a 56k modem, If you had cable or DSL hookup, it would be faster. That's not the camera's fault, just computer technology. I just start uploading when I'm going to be away for much of the day and don't need the computer or the phone!This is a great camera!
Tired of just taking 20 photos and then having to go home and tranfer th pictures to you computer. Well the sun has finally risen over the horizon of digital cameras. This camera uses an 88 cent 8cm mini cd for its film. You get to take 99 pictures per disc at its highest resolution in the least compressed jpg mode. Each picture is around 1.2 megabytes in fine compression max resolution. You can even take uncompressed photos if you want maximum clarity at print sizes over 8x10 with only 9 megabytes used up per picture. Try that with a dimage 7!!!The ability to make 15 second 320x240 mpeg 1 movies is cute. the other format for moving pictures is a multi image gif file. sony calls it clip mode. point your web browser at it to see the frames fly by, just like all those moving ads do itAfter you buy this camera you should also get a S70 adapter, 52mm lens protector (UV filiter), and a 52mm lens cover (the one that comes with the camera is not 52mm. A .8 netural denisty would also come in handy for those wide apeture blured background shots in the daytime. Since this camera has such a fantastic manual white balance forget about buying the FL-D and the rest of the light correcting filters. just put in one touch mode, point it at your scene and volia the colors look ok.After using it for a few short vacations i discovered i prefered cd-r discs. With a cd-rw you can only reclaim space on the disc if you erase the last photo taken. otherwise its no different then a cd-r unless you want to wipe the whole thing clean with a format. the only benifit of cd-rw is with rotate which actually rewrites over the existing image rather than burning another.The key to night shots is to put it in manual mode a=3.5 s=30 is a good starting point. Its cumbersome to keep haveing to switch back to setup mode to change the preset scene mode to a different one. The cameras brain does not automaticly use the flash when you need a fill light. you will have to waste the first photo to notice you subject is a black siluette, and force the flash for your next shot.The mini cd's are becoming very popular as there are a ton of tiny MP3-CD players commig out which use em
My wife gave me my MVC-CD300 for my birthday. It arrived just in time for our 4th of July family reunion. I took 450 pictures over 5 days and had only one that was not a keeper (credit camera, not photographer). The camera allows you to not only review your shots, but to zoom up to 5X to really check out the details of the photos you've taken.  Each evening we would hook the camera up to the TV with the RCA cable (included) and set the camera on "Slide Show". It was so much better than I imagined, beautiful high-resolution photographs of the day automatically displayed for everyone to enjoy (and critique).  When the week was over I downloaded slide show software from CyPics and burned a CD for everyone to have all 450 pictures at a cost of less than a dollar per CD. Plus, they can insert the pictures into Word for cropping and printing with almost no effort at all. I have yet to use the USB cable since it is no problem to just use my pc's CD drive. I had planned to archive my photos on the camera's small CD, but it is so easy to copy them to the hard drive and burn a larger CD with about 800 photographs that I have gone to using the rewriteable CDs in the camera. I use the 2nd highest resolution on the MVC-CD300 and get about 150 shots per CD and they give excellent 8x10 prints.  The cost per shot (including archiving) is almost nothing, so you feel totally free to snap away. You couldn't ask for a better combination of features.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the CD400,CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies inPeru. This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, highresolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentiallymost of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine. Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but weall thought it did the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work withmost of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it'shighest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference,plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is morelightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk... and getting 140-180 high resimages per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can'tbelieve we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manualcontrol of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced withadd-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing forflash, etc., etc.Finally! There is a great digital camera.
I purchased this camera because of the virtually unlimited storage capacity that eliminates the need to download images to your PC while traveling.  Overall I'm very pleased with its performance and the quality of the images.Here's what I like about this camera:- Camera feels good in my hands, solid, stable- LCD viewer works great in all lighting conditions, even sunny- Now I prefer the LCD viewer instead of a standard eyepiece- Battery charges in 2.5 hours, has no memory, lasts 120 min/charge- Charge battery while in the camera, OK to charge overseas- Buttons &amp; on-screen menus are easy to understand- Pocket CD's are inexpensive, offer unlimited image storage!- No more deciding which images to delete to gain more memory, each CD holds about 100 high resolution images- Pocket CD's can be stored in a cd-album, very organized- Pocket CD's can be read by any PC CD-ROM or CD burner- Image burns to CD in seconds at highest resolution- Multiple resolution settings include an email setting- Movie clips record motion and sound, and can be emailed!- Can rotate and trim (crop) images right on the cameraWhat don't I like about it?- Using non-Mavica Pocket CD generates a one-second nuisance message &quot;Mavica Cd Recommended&quot;. No big deal.- CD's must be initialized &amp; finalized, takes about as long as rewinding &amp; loading a roll of 35mm film- However the initialize/finalize process must be done in a vibration-free area (not in a moving vehicle, for example)- Neck strap feeds through a buckle...clip-on strap would have been faster to take off &amp; on- The included image software isn't my favorite, I have other programs that are easier to use- Accessories cost a small fortune, but easy to find- Accessories do not include an additional telephoto lens, just wide angle- Will not fit in your handbag, backpack or pocket; needs its own case for proper protectionSummary: I enjoy not having to download hundreds of images to my PC just to view them.  This camera has exceeded my expectations and will likely continue to do so as I learn to use the more advanced photography functions it offers.
... I think the 300 is almost perfect. However there a couple things that could have been done better so I'm focusing on the negatives here.Things that won't be fixed:... I dislike the write time for each picture. The run time for a battery is not long enough. At best you'll get about an 1 1/2 hours. Part of the problem is that the lcd is the only way to view. It has a switch to shut off the backlight, but even on the sunniest days, you can barely see your subject with the light off.Interchangeable lens would have been nice. You can get some attachments, but truly interchangeable lens would be better.There are some irritating aspects as well. I find that the natural grip causes me to touch the lcd and leave thumb prints on it all the time. I often find that I've mysteriously set the macro button. I've taken a few pictures in macro mode without realizing it. The most irratating is that Sony harasses you for not buying their expensive media (about 6-8 times more costly than the good ones I buy elsewhere). Everytime you turn on the camera you get the message "Sony recommends Mavica CDs only" or some such thing.Things Sony could fix:My biggest complaint is that it doesn't come with a cover for the LCD. I primarily bought the camera to carry around on bike trips and I keep it in my front handlebar bag. The lcd is already pretty bady scratched from bouncing around inside the bag.The battery charger that comes with it is pretty inconvenient. You need to open a little door to plug in the cord. That little plastic door isn't too sturdy. A better idea would have been to give you a charger like the cheaper one they sell that you could also plug into the camera. I bought the charger and a second battery and am a lot happier. The new charger is also more portable.Like I said up front, I'm pleased with the camera. I plan on taking it on a cross country bike ride and anticipate a small stack of CDs will last me. I'd recommend the MVCD300 to anyone who won't find the above quirks too bothersome.
Its a nice camera.  The tech support is good, they directed me in setting up the USB connection. See page 38 of the manual. One problem I have noticed is with the ACC jack which is used to connect the external flash or tripod. With only one jack on the camera, you can only connect one of these accessories at any given time. In other words, if you purchase the remote tripod and the external flash, you can not shoot a picture using both the flash and remote handle on the tripod at the same time. There should have been either, two jacks or a dual connector. Before you try using a &quot;y&quot; connector, I have already been warned by Sony that &quot;it won't work&quot;. I have had a nightmare of a time in ordering accessories through Sony. They are having serious problems getting the order information straight. Two orders have been fouled up and about two and one-half hours of my time wasted on the telephone. They do not correct orders that they mess up; you have to reorder and just bite the bullet. Otherwise its a good purchase except that they could have had a hot foot so you could use an alternative external flash instead of theirs which can only be connected by its cable into the single ACC camera jack, which you thought you could plug their tripod into.
This is my third digital camera.  All of them have been Kodak &amp; I had been satisfied with them (aside from a few issues on the DC50) - they are all still working fine.  I bought this one for the 2 megapixel resolution, the optical zoom and the 2:3 image ratio (so you can print out a 4x6 image without cropping).  After using it, I also like how light it is - it only requires two batteries rather than four (as some of it's competitors).  The video feature comes in handy in a pinch. Certainly plan to upgrade to at least a 128mb Compact Flash card.There is always room for improvement.  USB 2.0 support would be good (it can never be fast enough). A 3x optical zoom or better would make it more attractive to consumers.  The looks are goofy - I think I prefered the traditional forms of earlier models &amp; the on/off switch keeps switching back on as I slip the camera into the camera case.
Well I got my new Kodak DX3600 yesterday ( as I mentioned it's  a replacement for my Sony DSC-S70 digital camera - yes I down graded from a $600 camera !!) and started playing with it. IMHO a digital camera's ability to take close-up photos is a good indication of the overall quality of the camera ( based on the premise that ALL digital cameras can take decent photos of people, buildings, cars, etc ). The first picture I took in macro mode 6X is shown at ... ... and a picture of a quarter  and for what I want to use the camera for it's a good quality picture ( both pictures have been cropped and reduced ). The focal distance to an object in macro mode has to be between 10&quot; and 24&quot; with the DX3600 where other more expensive cameras you can get closer because of a high quality lens. Kodak does make 5X &amp; 12X close up lenses ( which can be piggybacked to 17X ) for about $35 which would greatly increase the effective close up range of the camera and detail of the pictures. I plan on ordering the close-up lens kit shortly. Tomorrow I plan on getting out and trying my hand at &quot;normal&quot; shots and see how they look - from the examples at the review page at Steve's Digicams it appears to be very effective in that respect. This camera has 8MB of internal memory - with additional memory being supplied by compactflash modules. Another nice feature of the camera is it's ability to take full motion video clips! All in all for the price it's a nice entry level 2.2 megapixel digital camera. Why did I go from a Sony to Kodak - well the Sony had too many bells and whistles ( I am no macho-techno nerd when it comes to cameras and I want nothing to do with fooling with f stops and all the other settings) for what I need to do with a camera ( maily take photos for ... and outdoor photographs while traveling ) the Kodak seems to be exactly what I need AND the price was right.
As someone who remembers to develop her film a year or more after it is done and takes a year to complete a roll, I just couldn't be classified as a shutterbug. Now that I don't have to worry about the cost of film developing and the extra step of taking it to get developed, I've begun to take lots of pictures and experiment.This camera was a good value for the money and easy to set up on my Win98 system. The pictures come out very well.The only problems that I had with the camera is that the battery pack that you use with the dock seems to sit loose in my camera, occasionally causing the camera to think that it is out of batteries. When that happens, I simply reseat the batteries and I am fine. This doesn't happen often enough for it to impact my enjoyment of the camera. (This is most likely the issue with the camera not turning on, but flashing a red light that a few people mention below.)
I ordered this camera after reading the reviews here at Amazon and I am glad to order it. In general, the camera is very good and the price is good too. Kodak did a good job. The quality of the pictures are very good outdoor, but a little dark indoor but still very good too if you have the lights on at home. I beleive the camera needs a stronger flash. I found the movie feature is very good. You can make movies with sound. The problem is that you can't make movies indoor unless you have a strong light (the movies I made indoor  came up to be dark unless all lights are on). No problem with the quality of outdoor movies. The camera is extreemly easy to use with lot of features. There are lot of optional accessories for this camera. The best are the 37mm wide-angle length and the telephoto lens.  The battery life is also very good. I have a friend who has the Olympus DC510, and I found out the quality of pictures for the Kodak and the Olympus are similar.  However, Kodak camera has the movie feature, lot of more optional accessories and also cheaper. In general, I would recommend this camera to anyone.
Coming from a guy who is not that good with electronics, I found this camera easy and fun to use. Not only is it quick and easy to take point and shoot pictures, but the software that comes with the camera makes it is easy to upload your favorites onto your home computer. This Kodak camera is lightweight, compact, and will be easy to take with you on vacations, parties, or anywhere else you could possibly need a camera. The LCD screen is nice and in a great format. The picture is clear and the menus are easy to scroll through. You can line your picture up using the view finder, or (which is another nice thing about this camera) you can line up what you are going to take the picture of in the LCD screen and get it lined up exactly how you want it.If you are looking for an easy to use, quick and efficent camera. This is the one. Kodak does a superb job making the picture experience as fun and painless as possible.
After much research on digital cameras and trying them out, I purchased this camera. For the first couple of months I was very disappointed. I could not get the camera to stay charged for more than a half hour or so. Also I couldn't print my photos clearly. After several frustrating calls and emails to Kodak, I did get help with the charging problem. I could never get photos to print, however, so I purchased the Kodak Personal Photo printer. Now I love the camera, I take pictures and print them without dealing with my computer. The camera is very easy to use, the menus are easy to read and understand. My pictures come out great digitally and in print. I recommend this camera but be prepared to pay for a lot of accessories: extra memory, the dock, and possibly the Personal printer if you really want to enjoy it.
Finally Kodak, the father of the family box camera arrives big in the Digital Camera Arena loaded &amp; user friendly.The DX3600 has it all and will please all, firm the casual amateur to the avid photo buff.Summary:  This is Consumers Choice for a really excellent Digital Camera to have.  A great value and easy to use.  Takes great pictures and videos (320x240) with sound (NOTE: With the 2x2 LCD screen they can be reviewed, edited, copied, &amp; deleted).  Easy down load capability to your PC with the provided software.  (NOTE: Kodak has an entire stand-a-lone System (no-PC required)to include the; Camera Dock, Personal Picture Maker 200 printer &amp; Kodak Photo paper available see my reviews).  The DX3600 has a 2x Optical zoom (very important for true magnification without loss of detail) &amp; hi res - 1600x1200 lines for outstanding 8x10 pictures!  Has 8MB internal memory (12 hi res pictures or 30 seconds of video w/sound).  Additional Memory can be provided by Picture Cards. (Note: I recommend a 96MB card this will provide an additional 140+ pictures!!!!  Remember you can review/edit/delete pictures as you go).  The DX3600 comes with rechargeable batteries (good for 30 - 50 pictures per charge / depending on your LCD use).  (Note: I recommend you take extra AA batteries (DX3600 uses 2)for long photo shoot outings !!!) The Camera Dock option is a great unit to include on your trips.  The DX3600 also comes with a USB cable for PC hook &amp; an audio/video cable for TV hook-up!!!  This way you can all see immediate picture results.  (NOTE: you have a slide show feature in this camera.  This is awesome!!)The quality of your pictures will improve and become outstanding the more you use the camera.  This is a versatile, easy to use, great money value and Kodak is the only Digital Camera manufacturer that provides the complete economical photo products from the camera, Photo printer w/LCD screen/direct Picture Card access, famous Kodak photo paper (Satin, Hi-Gloss finish etc.), Photo inkjet cartriges and Picture Cards up to 128MB.  This Camera is awesome and with the great price and the 2.2 megapixels is all you need!!!  Enjoy.
I bought the DX3600 about a month ago, and was immediately impressed with the quality of the photos and extreme ease of use.  I had done fair amount of research and determined that this unit was the best bang for the buck in the 2 megapixel digital camera price range.  I even added the docking station which is a nice convenience to recharge the batteries and transfer images with no hassle.Another selling point for me was the video mode, which works very well (no, this is not camcorder quality) for quick clips of my son that I can save or email.  It would be nice to have an option to at least use the 2X optical zoom (why not?) to bring the action a little closer, but it is what it is.However, it did not take long to realize that there was a problem.  The battery life would ususally only last for 10-20 shots, than just die without warning.  I tried leaving it on the charger longer, but the same thing kept happening--sometimes even worse!  I figured that unit must be defective, so I took it back for a replacement.  The new unit worked only marginally better for the first day, but then started acting just like the other one.  Major inconvenience!I would expect to be able to shoot AT LEAST 60+ shots with the LCD screen in use before the batteries flopped, but no such luck.  I have even been careful to shut it off when I was not about to use it again immediately.  Often times it would just not turn on again!I have read reviews from many others who have had similar problems, but I am not willing to deal with Kodak to try fixing it.  It is truely a shame, because it is so very simple to operate and the picture quality is excellent.  Be that as it may, I am dumping this unit and buying a Canon PowerShot S330 ELPH camera.  They are a bit more expensive, but seem to offer more for the money (including a 3X optical zoom rather than a 2X) and do not seem to have such reliability problems.  Also, the Kodak is definately not pocket sized as is the Canon.  I wish I could recomment the DX3600, but it just dissapoints.
This camera has a very annoying problem- when you push the button to take the picture there is about a half second delay before the picture is actually taken.  This is really NOT good if you are hoping to take pictures of kids, candid photos or pictures of anything in motion.  Other cameras are less expensive and don't have this horrible problem.Aside from this problem, if the picture is taken in bright light and at close range, the colors look wonderful.
I just purchased this camera, and its great!  I bought this about a week ago, and have used it on several ocassions, and it takes great pictures.  Plus it has the 2x Optical zoom!  You cant go wrong with this camera.  It hasa solid 2.2 megaPixels, plus many, many options!
First let me say that a leading consumer magazine rated this #1 of the 2 mega-pixel cameras.  I would agree with their assesmentFirst the good features:The first thing that sets this camera apart is the optical zoom.  The ability to zoom in or out just that little bit makes getting the right photo that much easier.  Digital zoom is a worthless gimmick that will degrade your picture quality a great deal, if you plan on using zoom go for the optical.This camera also has a macro setting, which allows very close pictures of plants and insects to turn out suprisingly well.The movie setting is another bonus, that allows you to take small movies complete with sound.  The movie quality is not great and it only works when well lit, but I have had a lot of fun with it.  It is just about perfect for posting short clips on the web.The ease of use is fairly good.  The picture quality is very good.The bad points:The display screen washes out in strong sunlight.  To be fair this is comon to most cameras.It is a little bulky by modern standards.  I think most point and shoot film cameras were about this size.  If you plan to stick it in your pocket make sure you have big pockets.Battery life is subpar and drain is very high.  You will not be able to use alkaline batteries, only Ni-Mh or Lithium.  With a few extra sets of batteries long trips should be fine, but don't forget the batteries.The optical viewfinder is cheaply made, hard to use, and somewhat innacurate.  It is still usable, but I expected better from Kodak.  Use the display screen when possible.
First - I do have to say that the camera is relatively easy to use and takes very nice pictures. However, the battery life with this camera has been problematic since the first day that we received it. We have used several different batteries, as well as different battery chargers in an effort to rule out other problems. But this camera continued to be a problem. Eventually replaced with a Sony DSC-P93 - and haven't looked back since. Glad to be rid of this camera - very frustrating when you are trying to use a product to record your family's memories, and constantly run into problems with a quirky camera...
This product is garbage.  Kodak has really let us down with this camera.  When it works it is a great camera.  The pic quality is great, the movie function is pretty nice as well but something is inherently wrong w/ these cameras.  I have returned mine 3 times and every single camera has had the same problem.  There is something wrong w/ the power source/batteries.  The camera when new will typically work well for the first couple of uses and then it will start to power off like the batteries are dead.  YOu can test the batteries and they are fine.  I just received my 3rd camera yesterday and it is doing the same exact thing that the other cameras were doing.  3 out of 3 cameras w/ the same problem obviously means that your chances of owning one without any problems is not good.  If I could return it for a full refund I would but now I have had it too long.  MY LOSS!!!
The Kodak DX3600 would be a very nice camera except that battery life is very poor. I'm lucky to get 8 pictures before the batteries go dead (I use rechargeable batteries with the Easy Share dock, and AA Alkalines).[...] Kodak is aware of the problem. Here is their response to my query about poor battery life...'Because batteries are chemical products involving internal chemical reactions, their performance may deteriorate with prolonged storage.NiMH rechargeable batteries, if not used for a while, may need to be reconditioned as you would when using them for the first time.Otherwise, deactivation of the internal reactants may cause decreased capacity, which causes premature termination of charging.  In other words, the batteries will not charge completely, even though the dock indicates they have.If this happens, we have a couple of recommendations.  First, make sure you have the latest firmware. If you don't, consider updating your camera to the latest version.  You can locate the update by going to:[...]Once there, choose your camera from the list.  The next page will offer all the available software for your model, including any current firmware updates,  if available.  The firmware download will have a "Read-me" file that contains the directions for performing the update.Once you have successfully completed the update, we recommendconditioning your battery the way you would if it were being used for the first time, as we mentioned above.  It is important that you be sure you always have a fully charged battery.  To do so, place the camera on the KODAK EASYSHARE Camera Dock.  When the charge light turns green (all three green lights are lit for a Dock II), then remove the camera from the dock FOR A MINIMUM OF 5 MINUTES, and place it back on the dock.  The 5 minutes the camera is off the dock are the key to correct rechargingfor a new or uncharged battery.  Repeat this same process until the combined charging time, while the light is red on the dock, EQUALS A MINIMUM OF 2 HOURS.Once you have completed this charging process, we recommend that you leave the camera on its dock and intermittently check it for power (remove from the dock for a while then replace it).  If you use yourcamera frequently, of course, you will always have a charged battery because you will be removing and replacing it.  If you do not use your camera frequently, periodically remove the camera from the dock and take a few test shots. Doing this assures a properly maintained battery sothat you will have lots of power.Do not make the mistake of trying to charge the KODAK PHOTOLIFE Lithium Battery, CRV3, that comes with the camera.  It is not rechargeable, and an attempt to do so could result in leakage.  Also, please be aware that the camera will only charge the KODAK KAA2HR NiMh Battery.  Non-Kodakbatteries or individual AA rechargeable batteries (including Kodak batteries) are not compatible with this charger.  If you need a separate charger, they are available at the Kodak online store.Remember, your camera's dock is only charging when it displays the red light.  If the light is green, that means it is either done charging or has detected another type of battery it cannot charge.PLEASE NOTE!  Your camera's batteries lose power during image reviews and when adjusting camera settings.  Use of the LCD screen is also a big drain.......................'If I had known about the battery problem I never would have bought this camera. Did you read the section above when Kodak states "the batteries will not charge completely, even though the dock indicates they have." We can send robots to Mars but we can't make a battery charger that knows when a battery is really charged? What the hell good is a battery charger that doesn't know if a battery is charged or not? So just because the little green light says charged you can't believe it. I tried the firmware upgrade and that was futile, no help at all, just a waste of time.As is, I now carry at least 8 AA Alkalines (they last about 10 pictures if you keep the LCD turned off) whenever I use this camera away from home because you never know when it will just shut down by itself from weak batteries.In defense to the camera I will say that it takes good pictures in daylight (night pictures with flash are worthless), I like the fact you can add other lenses and the built in video recorder is ok. The included software is nice. It includes options to adjust tint, brightness, crop etc.... The photo album is easy to use and makes saving the pictures easy. Also the removable compactflash card is a nice feature.So if you decide to get this camera be prepared to buy lots of AA batteries. Personally I will never buy another Kodak product. I don't think it's right to sell a product with an apparent design flaw and then offer the consumer a, in my opinion, worthless remedy. These cameras should have been recalled and the consumer offered a full refund or a camera that works the way it should!
I have enjoyed this camera a lot since I purchased it in April.  I have never had a problem with picture quality.  My wife is an artist and she has done sketches by looking the digital version of the picture.  The printed print quality is not as good - but I have had excellent results after manipulating the image in Photoshop. (I do the same for pictures or images I scan through a scanner. Once you're used it, the pre-press process only takes a couple of minutes per picture.)  For the price I paid, I'm satisfied with the image quality.  I do notice that I end up white balancing many of my indoor shots.The ease of use makes up for this in my mind.  I'll take a 100 to 200 pictures in a weekend and color correct 10-20.  The zoom is weak, but the 'shutter' speed is decent and I've even gotten some decent motion shots.  One of the things I love about this camera is the number of shots I can fit on a 64 bit memory card...The video feature is also very cool.  It was an unexpected bonus with the camera.  With a large memory card I can take several minutes of video before having to dock the camera. The video is not the greatest quality - but its nice to have a video camera that fits in your pocket.If you're a serious photographer who wants to print every shot this is probably not your best bet, but if you're looking for a versatile digital camera for a reasonable price - I'd recommend the DX3600.
The biggest selling point for me on this camera versus others in this class/price range was the unlimited (per memory) video capability, and the Kodak docking system. I was very disappointed in the video quality. I'm not a fan of QuickTime which is the format used. I am very, very impressed with the Kodak docking system, and software!In the process of preparing to return the camera for one of better still photo quality, and sticking with Kodak's docking system, I found some surprises. The 3600 has a larger LED viewer than the 3700 or 3900. The 3900 has no onboard memory and the 3700 has digital zoom only. Both the 3700 & 3900 have 3.3 megapixel which goes beyond the 8 X 10 print quality compared to the 2.2 which prints only(?) 8 X 10. Neither the 3700 or 3900 have ANY video capability.If you are looking to catch video only, don't buy this camera. If you are looking for quality still shots for the dollar, ease of using your computer to work with them, this IS the camera!Needless to say, I will be keeping my DX3600!
The DX3600 is the best camera out there for it's price. Excellent photos. Video is not that great unless you have excellent lighting (outside). The Dock sometimes seems to get confused, but the battery life is good. I don't understand other people's complaints about the battery life. I have been able to fill the camera with pictures without a battery problem.
Overall, if you're looking for a flexible, easy-to-use, easy-to-learn digi-cam, the DX3600 from Kodak is a nice place to start.  It's basically a point and shoot camera that makes digital photography (and videography!!!) accessible even to non-techies.FEATURES:Digital Camera:  At it's highest resolution of 1800X1200 it can hold about 25 pictures or so.  The easy to review LCD screen gives you instant feedback on your pictures and helps you decide on the spot whether or not they are worth keeping.  You can add on another memory card to give you even more flexibility with the number of shots you can take.Digital Video:  This is actually what sets this product apart from others in the market.  The digital video features allows you to actually record up to several minutes of video.  The video is automatically saved to MPEG format for easy playback on your PC.Easily Works With Your PC:The DX3600 connects easily with your PC and comes with transfer software so you can easily download, edit and e-mail your pictures and videos, this allowing you to share your pictures easier with family and friends.THE VERDICT:Overall, if you need a nice, easy to use camera to record your everday (and not so everyday) moments, the DX3600 is a nice camera to start with.  If you need somewhat they gives real close attention to detail (like if you're taking pictures of documents with fine print) this isn't for you.  However, for everyday/normal/touristy use, this is just perfect.Highly Recommended
This is my second camera & I bought this one because it was compatible with the built in photo programs on my Mac. Works great with the hardware that I have. I would give this product 5 stars because the hardware is great but when trying to figure out how to download the movie clips to my mac I called Kodak ... still waiting...
Ive owned this for a little over a year now and it has never let me down.  Ive taken about 900 pictures/videos with it and its still running great.  I did a LOT of comparing when I decided to buy this camera.  I wanted a camera around 2 mega-pixels, decent zoom, decent battery life, and most importantly, unlimited video capabilities that included sound.  This camera was pretty much the only one at the time that met all those guidelines.  Other cameras matched pretty evenly as far as megapixels, zoom, and battery life went, but what sold me on the Kodak was the fact that it was practically the only camera that ALSO had video that was only limited by the size of the memory card you had in it AND the fact that it had sound on top of that.  The only thing about the video is that if you want to take video in doors you really need a lot of light.  It will come out kinda dark otherwise.  But for the money it is rather excellent.I compared this to my friends Nikon of about the same caliber.  While his pictures turned out a little bit better it was close enough for me to still prefer my Kodak.The configuration menu has just about everything I would ever want to modify in it.  Date stamping, quality adjustments, and a &quot;close&quot; mode for taking pictures of something within a few feet of the lens.The battery life is pretty much what you would expect from a digital camera.  If you use the display too much it will run out pretty quickly, but thats never been a problem for me.  Im still using the same battery pack(ive recharged it a bunch of times in the last year, of course).  I bought the docking station with it.  Heres a tidbit that Im not sure others are fully aware of yet:  You can use the camera while its on the docking station.  So if youre just taking a pictures of things in one room(like i often do for ebay auctions), you wont ever have to worry about battery life.  It can run from the power of the docking station.This camera has been great and Ive never regretted buying it.
Excellent Camera, which is now 4,5 years old and still working properly.The reason I decided to write this review now (I had forgot) is to say the Kodak cameras have a good advantage over the sony ones: the dimension of the pictures are the same of the printed photos (same proportion) and the computers screens. This means nothing is cut when you get them printed.
This review is for those people who don't already know a lot about digital cameras . . . . This camera made my first-time digital camera experience very pleasant. I know nothing at all about digital camera technology, so I was extremely anxious about buying and using one. Both the camera and instructions were very easy and user-friendly -- almost like a mini "Idiot's Guide to Using a Digital Camera" (Hey, I'll admit it). The instructions were simple and in plain language -- with lots of pictures to point out where everything goes and can be found.It took about 10 minutes to figure everything out (where the battery & memory card goes, etc.), and after that I felt tremendously comfortable using it.This camera went to Spain with me 2 days after I bought it; it took fabulous photos and gave me no problems at all.On a 48mb memory card I managed to get 217 photos in normal mode. The 8mb internal memory that comes with the camera held 37 normal-quality photos that looked great.Favorite qualities: Optional no-flash, the ability to instantly look at your photo and decide whether to keep it or not, and the ability to review your photos virtually at will. Many cameras certainly have these features, but the user-friendliness of the Kodak DX3600 took the fear out of using them for the first time.Get the battery charger & batteries; it really helps.
When we first got the camera, we were impressed.  It was easy to use, and the pictures that we took printed out very nicely.However, after having the camera for a few months, we started to see the following problems.1. POOR BATTERY LIFEAfter only a couple of weeks of use, the rechargeable battery that came with the camera would only take 5-6 shots before dying.  We kept the camera contantly on the dock, so it should not have run out.  I assumed it was a defective battery and bought some desposable batteries for it, but had a similar problem.  With a brand new battery, it would take 20-30 shots and it would fail to work.2. RANDOM POWERING OFFThis was really annoying.  After several months of use, the camera started turning itself off frequently.  Sometimes I have to restart it 4-5 times to get it to stay turned on.  Even then, it will often turn itself off when trying to take the picture.  I have 3 small kids, and I have missed so many shots because of this.3. LONG PAUSE BEFORE SNAPPING PICTUREI know this is not a defect, but is probably by design (probably the auto-focus working), but there is a half second pause between the time you push the button and the picture actually takes.  We have missed many shots because of that as well.I hate to say it, but I will not buy a Kodak camera again.  It's too bad, because when this did work properly, the pictures were really good and the dock is really a good idea.  We eventually decided to buy a new, higher end camera (Fuji Finepix  S7000).  We will see how that turns out :)
I was warned by a friend who is knowledgeable about digital photography to avoid Kodak products at all costs - I though he was exaggerating!I received the package in good condition with no signs of damage or rough handling.  I opened the package and followed the instructions, the camera took a total of 4 pictures and quit!  I repacked it and sent it back the same day.The folks at Kodak should be ashamed at the quality of their products.  Take my advice and don't be played for a chump.  DON'T BUY KODAK.
This is my first digital camera. I have used them in the past and am fairly familiar with the technology.First, here are the requirements that I had when I went shopping/researching:- Very easy to use- Good battery life- 2.1 megapixel- Battery charger- Ease of downloading- Universal Serial Bus (USB)This camera met all the requirements. At 2.2 Megapixels, the pictures are really good. 1200 x 1600 at max and 600 x 800 at min. I have had the camera for almost four weeks now. I guess I have taken around 500 pictures so far. I have tried all the settings.At high resolution, I took Christmas pictures. I printed the pictures on a Cannon S600 printer at 4 x 6 size. The printed pictures were extremely good. We sent them out with the Christmas cards this year.I bought the camera dock at the same time. This is an extremely useful add on. To download the pictures (and recharge the batteries) all you do is turn on your computer, dock the camera and press the download button on the dock. The software loads and asks where you want to put the pictures on the harddrive. Very easy.I bought a 64 meg Compact Flash. At high resolution, I can get 96 pictures. At low resolution I can get 406 pictures.Also, the camera has the ability to take digital video. 300 x 200 and something a bit lower. An interesting feature, but of limited use. Since the aperature is so small, you need plenty of light. The microphone is over sensitive. Anything above normal voice levels is distorted. Still, it is interesting. With the 64 meg card, I can get around 12 - 15 minutes of video at the max resolution.I like the camera and have no complaints. So far, it has met or exceeded all of my requirements for an entry level camera.
First, the Kodak branded battery that was included with the camera was awful. The camera could literally take 2-3 shots immediately after charging all night. Of course, when I wanted them to fix the problem, I had to send in the camera for 6-8 weeks rather than Kodak just sending me a battery that works.In addition, Kodak recently turned off - or quit advertising - their tech support #. They're trying to make everyone use their online knowledge base. I understand that but with the problems highlighted in the reviews of this product, I would think they'd offer a higher level of support.In agreement with other comments, the battery life is awful. I carry 2 sets of backup AA batteries when I take the camera away from home.The camera itself takes pretty good pictures in the right environment. That is, as far as the flash can reach. In low light, it can't focus and you can't do so manually - result is terrible pictures.On the plus side, the software that comes with the camera is simple but effective.
I bought this camera about 1.5 yrs ago, and it's still in great condition and gives real value for somebody who wants a beginner digital camera. Let's also not forget that it also allows to you to shoot some video, and that it is very easy to hook up to a TV (using a supplied composite cable)...U can of course just plug it into your computer using USB. If you are using Windows XP, you don't even need to install the supplied software, XP, just recognises the camera easily and gives you wizards to help u out, but for pre-XP operating systems, you will have to install the supplied software. The menus and interface are very basic and easy to use.I don't recommend this camera for pros, it is definitely not meant for them. The zooming is very basic, and the digital zoom is practically useless(never got a clear picture with it). The flash is useless at night without some serious extra light sources. DEFINITELY buy the optional Camera Dock and here's why: The lithium batteries recommended for this camera are only available on this continent currently, and are VERY HARD TO FIND outside it (and also very expensive - if you are going in for the CRV3). I have been in India for the past yr, and wasted many of the regular alkaline batteries, until they finally started carrying CRV3s over here recently. Boy do I regret not buying the dock and rechargables!!!Overall, though, this camera is a great buy for somebody who is new to Digital Cameras
I bought this camera with the docking station and I LOVE using it!  I had my digital pictures processed using Ofoto and they turned out better than regular film processing.  I had indoor and outdoor pictures processed and they both turned out marvelous.  The camera is easy to use.  Definitely purchase a memory card with this.  I just wish the zoom worked on the LCD screen instead of just in the viewfinder.  I keep it on the docking station when I am not using it and I have never had a problem with the batteries running out of power.
We got this because it was rated a &quot;Best Buy&quot; by a consumer magazine.  We've used a few digital cameras in the past, and this camera was by far the easiest to use.The video option is great and it even captures sound!  We love making little movies of our baby.Just be sure you get a big memory card to go with it, and you can take pictures and videos all day long.
I've used Kodak digital cameras before (a DC-260 at work) and this one was a surprise. I bought it sight unseen, based on some excellent reviews. Even though the DX3500 has been out for a few months, the optical zoom and movie capability was enough to make me wait for the DX3600.My first reaction was that the DX3600 was too light to be a serious camera. My first hi-res 8x10 print was enough to change my mind. The outdoor color saturation was very good. Indoor with the builtin flash is suitable for snapshots only.The 8MB builtin memory will hold 10 hi-res or 40 low res photos. You'll want to pick up a 48MB or larger CF card. The internal memory is not cumulative with the flash card, but there is a way to copy photos from one to the other.Buy the docking station. Yes, it's way overpriced. You get a rechargable battery set which is much better than the expensive lithium AAs that come with the camera. (The docs say that alkalines won't work well). Even more important is how easy the docking station makes transfering photos. Very similar to a Palm hotsync.
Decent battery life, I use rechargeable Nickel Hydride and find that just two in this camera hold up nearly as well as the four I used in my last Kodak camera. Instead of the Easy Share system, I opted to buy extra batteries and more compact flash memory since I'm on the road and download my photographs to my laptops through a PCMCIA adapter or a USB card reader into whichever computer I'm nearby.  The files are JPEGs and not KDC format, so most computers easily recognize the files in the cards and transfer them using Windows Explorer for quick copy and paste or drag and drop functions. The Kodak transfer software is easy to use and the email feature that automatically allows the sender to select one of three file sizes to keep transfer time to a minimum.  It produces decent video segments, which depend on the speed of the compact flash to store more than a couple of minutes of video.  The quality of the images from this 2 megapixel camera is very good.  I carry it in my jacket pocket and it gets banged around and still produces great images.  If I wanted a higher image quality camera, I'd have to give up the flexibility and ease of access; and for my uses, it works just fine.I'd like to see a little more positive feedback when I trip the shutter, as going from the half down to focus, and the full down to take the photo isn't a distinct tactile sensation.  The screen in full sun is sometimes hard to see. The digital movies are produced to use Quicktime MOV file formats, so not everyone easily displays them as compared to the MPEG when they're passed to family or friends.  I'd buy another, maybe two, especially at these prices.
After one year of use, our camera acts very finicky about taking pictures.  About 50% of the time the camera will not turn on, but will give the &quot;battery low&quot; red light--even though it has been sitting on the charging dock.  After repeatedly switching on and off, it will usually turn on, but by then the photo op is usually lost.  Also, although the pictures are easy to send over the internet, they do not print out well at the receiver's end.
Great price for the camera!
if you are thinking of buying DSC-P9 over DSC-S85,just grap S85.  it's much better.  I tried both.  at first, I bought P9, since it's so CUTE and compact... and easy to carry around... but, alas.. it was a big mistake.P9 took good pictures, but as 4Mp camera, it wasn't good enough. and one severe draw back is that it does not take good picture when you use flashes; pictures come out blurry most of time. so, I returned P9 and got S85.it's much much much better.  loved it.it's heavier, but it's definitely worth it.i love this camera, and if you are thinking of buying P9 over this one.. drop that thought.. unless, you want to waste your money.
I must say that I was quite skeptical about digital photography when I received this camera as a wedding gift; I had read all the articles pointing out that film cameras produce higher quality photos, etc.  I was also quite certain that Sony could not possibly produce top quality lenses.I was wrong on both counts.  This is an excellent value for an entry level digital camera.  It takes excellent pictures in ideal lighting, and the convenience of digital imaging is such that you will never go back to standard film.  While the 16MB memory stick that comes with the camera is a joke, and you'll have to shell out for a 128MB or 64MB almost immediately if you want to enjoy the camera, all of the other accessories turned out better than I expected.  The battery life, for example, is excellent (and this is VERY important for digital cameras); I rarely have to even think about turning off my LCD since I can get about 2 hours life out of it.A few gripes:  The camera has a very hard time dealing with bad lighting - it generally darkens everything, often to the point that everything is unviewable.  As a result of this, the camera generally does not show its strengths indoors - it takes outstanding outdoor, daylight pictures, but struggles mightily whenever the lighting is a bit challenging.  Also, the camera's auto-focus can leave something to be desired; it often takes poorly focussed shots if there are both foreground and background items on which to focus.That said, this is one of the best gifts I've ever received.  I use the camera constantly (much more than I used my old film camera), and I'm generally very happy with the quality of my pictures.  You can't go wrong with this camera.
Not one heavily into photography, this camera surpassed my expectations tenfold! A must have is the larger memory stick, THEN you can get as adventurous as the imagination allows. Detail? With 4.1 megapixels NOTHING escapes capture! Fine detail especially when you set the resolution high. Just compliment this camera with a good bubblejet photo printer and you can rival any professional easily. Notwithstanding the camera allows the pro to get technical with the desired results. Price? Definitely worth it! If your budget can don't quibble; just do it.
Amateur digital cameras make me long for the speed and accuracy of my Nikon N-90S professional SLR.  But an equivalent digital will set you back $5000 plus lenses, and increases the focal length of your lenses by 50% (and I love wide angle).The DSC-S85, which a friend of mine owns, retains the lens of DSC-70, which I own, increases the pixel resolution, and lays out the controls a bit more naturally.  Still, don't expect to hand this to your non-photographically-oriented friend and expect them to be able to control it -- the menus, etc. are just awful and very slow to navigate.The real win for me for this camera is the Zeiss lens, which while not up to their professional lenses, is far better than what you get on other digitals.  This lens goes fairly wide (34mm equivalent for 35mm film), and has an excellent macro resolution.  It's also super fast at f2.0 at the widest to f2.8 at the longest;  phenomenal specs for a lens that costs $800, much less a whole camera.  A serious problem is that there's no way to get accurate focus -- the LCD just isn't sharp enough to selectively focus on just the foreground of food photos, for instance, even though at full telephoto on f2.8, you get a nice shallow depth of field.At higher resolutions, the camera can only be described as slow both in time between the shutter press and the snap (it locks focus, so pre-locking by pushing shutter halfway will help), and between photos (especially at high res, it can take seconds to write the image from the camera's buffer to the memory stick).  It's also relatively slow to auto-focus.The flash is weak, and so close to the lens that if anyone's looking at the camera, it's instant redeye.  On the other hand, the lens and CCD are so sensitive, you can nearly take photos in the dark anyway.  I do like the fact that you can fill flash, but wish you could turn down the fill level.  For anything but the most casual flash photography, you can hook up an external flash.MPEG films are cute, but short and poor quality (or longer, and even poorer quality).  If you want to shoot longer mpegs, you'll have to hook up the video out to a notebook and get the relevant software.  I wish they'd just get rid of this feature along with the sound and sound memo recording, and give me a slightly wider lens and more control over focusing (say zooming the display during viewing).And you'll need a new memory stick or two (get the 128Mb ones, you won't regret it if you like to take photos).
I just purchased this camera for my parents--they're currently using a 2.0 MPixel camera and it's just time for them to &quot;move up.&quot;  I've owned six digital cameras (dating back to 1999) and I can say that this camera is as good as any I've owned.  Image quality is excellent, battery life is adequate (I imagine that it could be improved by using an external flash).  Newer 4 MPixel cameras may be a bit faster and cheaper, but many don't have much in the way of optics.  Highly recommended.
I have been shopping for a digital camera for about six months now, and I have been unable to make up my mind. I didn't want to spend a ton of money, so I was looking at several lower end 2.1 megapixel cameras. Well, I suppose my wife grew weary of my indecision, so she purchased the Sony DSC-S85 for me for Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised by the gift, and even more surprised by the quality of the camera. I have been a camera buff for several years, and have been wanting to dabble in digital photography. I can't imagine a better camera for under $1,000.00. Granted I have only had it for a week, and I am just beginning to discover the incredible potential of this camera, but the options seem almost limitless. It is amazingly easy to use, and offers a host of choices to make your experience as challenging as you would like. The 3x optical zoom is quite adequate, but it is enhanced by the digital zoom which still provides a high quality image.Here are the pros and cons as I have seen them:Pros:Easy to usePacked with features & all functions are easily accessed4.1 megapixels provide incredibly sharp images at highest resolutionSmall & sturdy constructionLong Battery life w/ fairly quick recharge (battery meter is very accurate)Bright LCD screenMPEG movie option (memory hog)Great value at just $800.00Cons:16mb Memory Stick is not enough to hold many high res images & additional Memory Sticks are expensive.Images in LCD screen often appear in focus, but really aren'tBright reds tend to cause a pink hue throughout image (but that could happen to a 35mm SLR)Slight delay when taking pictures, but canbe overcome with some practice.All things considered, I am very, very happy with this camera. As with any product it has it's negatives, but they are far outweighed by the positives. In addition to the camera, my wife also purchased the Memory Stick reader, that can remain attached to the PC via a USB port and functions like a zip drive. This is very helpful when it comes to downloading images, because you don't waste the camera battery life. She also purchased a 128mb Memory Stick. Yes, this is a very expensive accessory ($100 +), but it has been worth it. At it's highest resolution image it will hold 60 images, but if you are taking pictures to e-mail at 640 x 480 it will hold nearly 10 times as many. I also like the fact the Memory Stick can be used over and over again. If you are looking to take pictures and turn them into prints, then this a great camera. The color saturation is tremendous, and the image quality is outstanding. If all you wish to do is e-mail photos and post them to the web then you could get by with a much cheaper model. Even after only a week, I have no problem giving this camera my highest recommendation.
This was my first digital camera, I've had it since 2001 and have taken over 3,000 pictures with it.  The image quality is excellent, My biggest complaint is that the auto focus is sometimes erratic.  I've had pictures sometimes end up out of focus for no reason, and it's not always obvious looking at the display.  Battery life is good.  Camera has a good selection of manual features, Auto white balance setting consistantly gives great results,  Build quality is excellent, The shutter lag is slow compaired to newer cameras.  A very good camera at it's time, Image quality is as good as most newer P&S cameras.
I'm a pretty experienced photographer.  It was my major in college, and at times I've had to do it for a living.  The Sony s85 will yield good, sharp prints up to 8x10&quot;.  It may go larger, but I've never tried it.  As with any digital camera, you'll get better prints by taking them into Photoshop and setting the levels and color balance.  Right out of the camera, your photos will look quite a bit better if you use aperture prioity with the one-touch white balance.The Zeiss lens is good and sharp, fast, and has good bokeh (meaning that out of focus areas, like the background, are pleasing to look at).  I wish it would stop down farther than f8, but nothing's perfect.  The lens seems to perform well throughout its range of apertures and focal lengths.  It has a little distortion at the wide end, but I can usually live with it.Construction of the camera is very solid except for the little door on the side of the camera.  Mine's about to break off, but I don't care about stuff like that.  If you do, be careful not to drop it with the little door open, like I did.  The controls on the camera are very intuitive and easy to navigate.  I never have read the manual.The battery life on the s85 is amazing.  I almost always have the LCD on, yet I never have run out of power.There is one area in which this camera is seriously lacking: speed.  It takes a little too long for the camera to boot, and I've missed a few shots that way.  Mainly, though, the problem is the shutter lag.  If you really know how to use the camera, you can get around it by shooting wide shots in full manual mode.  That way it will fire the shutter reasonably quickly upon demand.  Still, if I know my subject's is potentially moving, I will put this camera down and grab another.It's also a little noisy in the blue channel at the higher ISO's.  That's normal for a consumer digital, though.  If you can, shoot with it set to 100.
I've owned this camera for a couple of weeks now and I must say I am quite pleased with my purchase. You really can't beat the features/price of this camera. I'm a complete novice and I'm finding this camera very easy to learn to use and take clean pictures.When I first was trying to decide which model to buy, I was a bit apprehensive concerning Sony's use of proprietary Memory Sticks. Well, I'm happy to say that not only has Lexar began selling their own branded type of Memory Sticks but, SanDisk has just signed a deal to resell Memory Sticks also. That should not only drive the costs down but, it will make it simpler to find them in stock.I should also mention that the battery life is pretty good on this model and I find the fact that the battery tells you how much life it has left before needing a recharge quite usefull. All in all, I love this camera and am very happy to have jumped into Digital Photography with this model.
Honestly - I am NOT a photo Xpert, just a fan that makes dozns of snaps each holiday since I think many of the views I see R c00l. AND - which is VEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRY important - when shootin I wanto have the BEST Qlity, since all eVRY shot matters, when made.The real efficacy of the shots? - 'bout 10% or may-B less, honestly.DSC-S85, with 128MB MemStick, and with MSAC-US1 (USB-reader) aR my solution: I can shoot as a devil, havin options delete anytime a snap I dont like. When the card is full, I still can go over with friends and select on the DspLY the shoots worth keepin, and after the selection I can use my 128MB MemStick - or instert another MemStick and GO. Anytime the phots are displayed from a PWRPoint presentation or re-fabricated as old-fashioned paper-photos - they R just PRRRRRRRRRRRRRRFCT!Love this CyberShot DSC-S85, think it is my FAV for nxt yrs.It's a P.S. Dec-13, 2005: DSC-S85 is still my one and only camera. I've broken it in the woods some 3 years ago, while falling from the rocks, anyhow since I'm greedy I've not got it repaired, and it stil works. The only thing I can say: it's still no NEW generation of photocameras, that would make me think switching. In spite of a fact that thousands of cameras have debouched, S85 still is sufficient. And my recomm is: "don't ask for the best on the market, ask for what you need; everytime somebody comes up with a new offer, ask youself: do I need it?" If you would have seen me falling from the rock with my S85, you wouldn't believe it's in it's best nowadays :-)
Camera is good overall, but very slow. I am a semi-professional Photographer and I primarily use this camera for family candids and 2 out of 5 images is blurry and/or a picture of a child's head, etc. The camera lens is very sharp (has a Zeiss lens) when it wants to be, but the camera is slow. The delay definitely gets in the way and I find that half of my pictures are of the children's head due to them moving, etc. I do not recommend this camera for family candids or portraits. At the same time, this camera is great when objects don't move and takes amazing close-ups of still-lifes and nature shots.
This is an excellent automatic camera.  My husband bought it for me 2 years ago & I've been very happy with it.  My only complaint is that the manual focus is pretty useless because using the display is an unreliable source & the viewfinder doesn't work for focus.  I haven't had much of a need to use the manual focus however as almost every image turns out crystal clear!
The camera itself is real nice and so far takes excellent pictures I am disappointed in the seller because the camera did not come with a memory stick and I had a real hard time finding one.and this Sony DSCS85 will only take up to 128mb memory stickwhich was real disappointing And the advertisement did not point this fact out.and because it takes a memory stick which they dont make anymore everybody wants big bucks for used  memory sticks which stinks.
I needed to upgrade after 4 years with a Sony FD-85 Digital camera. I needed higher resolution and higher memory capabilities. This camera met those needs, plus has some other pretty good capabilities, like shutter priority, aperture priority, good battery life, well thought out layout for all the controls, fairly simple menus, spot metering, and more. Also a pretty good price for everything you get, particularly 4 megapixels.What makes me wish I had bought a different camera is the focus system.Auto focus is really hard to see, and obtain for other than distance shots. Anything within 3 feet, the auto focus fluctuates and takes enough time focusing that by the time you think it's in focus and take the shot, it has sometimes refocused out of focus. It's timing and a guessing game. A larger LCD screen would make the focus more visible and help. The manual focus is in increments by scrolling, rather than manually focusing the lens.In macro mode manual focus does not work, which is exactly when it is needed the most. Moving the camera to the correct distance for focus in macro mode doesn't work well. Better to pick a distance, let the camera auto focus, then try to move closer and again wait for it to focus."Macro" does not mean "Micro", but close-up it isn't.The FD-85 4 year old technology far surpasses this camera on auto and manual focus. Focus function, speed, and accuracy. With a Sony close-up adaptor accessory lens, the old camera was far superior at close-up work. Such an attachment with this camera would be of help (not available), but I question as to it's value due to the focusing problems.For great pictures on vacation, to replace a 35mm instamatic, and/or to have control over the camera's shutter and aperture when needed, this is a very good camera. 4 megapixels is absolutely great.For anyone who shoots pictures closer than 3 feet and wants a camera that can do real Macro, I can't recommend this one. If focus was more reliable, quicker, truly manual, and manual in Macro mode, I'd recommend it. For me, I'm pretty close to selling it.Lastly, Sony typically equips it's products with the bare minimum in batteries, memory, and other replaceable items. They did much better with the battery on this one, it's not necessary to have to buy one to get it to last more than 30 minutes. The memory is not rock bottom, but for a 4 megapixel camera, plan on buying a better memory stick. 128mb works well.
I had this camera one year ago, but sold it away by half price. S85 works very slow, and it's impossible to made very quick shot - it's impossible to cath the moment. Also, this camera is very unhermetic - I found a wool nite or hair between lenses -  and do not have reason, how it get there. Now I have F717 - the right choose. Forget about S85 - it's one big mistake of Sony.
I am a serious film photographer (50 years experience) using Canon products for the last 25 years. I thought I would take the plunge with digital for the numerous times I wished I had quick results. I felt this camera had a better mix of features and a Zeiss lens at a lower price than the similar Canon. I am delighted with the camera and its veratility. It is easy to use. It's interface with Windows ME and XP worked flawlessly. Of course it does not offer SLR composition nor the options of interchangable lenses, ... it more than sufices for the moment. When and if the SLR version becomes more resonable I will switch. An excellent camera at a reasonable price.
I have been looking for an easy to use digital camera that would produce pictures with quality equivalent to those you can get from a 35mm camera like my old Nikon N4004 SLR. The DSC-S85 does it. I have taken pictures and sent them to PhotoAccess to get 8X10 enlargements and the result was amazing. No graininess, perfect clarity, supurb pictures. I get the advantages of digital: instant feedback on whether the picture came out as expected; deleting pics on the fly that don't work; adjusting light and color balance; cropping and editing before printing; AND the advantages of 35mm: high detail, good enlargements, and lots of control options. I am now sold on digital.
I looked around to pick a good digital camera. I had a few things in mind that I wanted but I could never find a right all together piece. I think that Sony was the best compromise in terms of features, size and durability. I shoot a lot of film and a lot of times I really don't have to, since the pictures don't go further than web. Using S85 saved me on processing cost, time and gave me more options as far as manipulation of the images go. Since my original purchase was to ease the load and free me up in my "professional" life I find that more often I happen to pack the digital on my hiking or camping trips. I still carry my film camera but I supplement my film shots with a lot of digital snaps. Using Sony manual modes also allows me to become better photographer and it's really fool proof. I see the results immediately and if something is wrong I can re-shoot it again which was impossible with film. I mean yes I can always shoot two or three frames but you surly never know until you get the film from the lab what came out. When I shoot concerts or band shots this is a one time deal. They can't go back and replay the gig. So to be perfect and on the dime is very important for me. I choose S85 for couple of reasons:1) Optics. Can't go wrong with Carl Zeiss glass. It's a really sharp and warm saturated tone that keeps me buying into Zeiss family.2) Lens brightness (f/stops). Maybe there are better cameras out there with higher zoom range but f/stops on this camera (S85) rock. It's bright and fast enough which means that in combination with faster film setting it will get the job done.3) Battery life. I originally was very skeptic of using rechargeable battery because of the possible what if I run out of juice scenario. I assumed that I will feel more secure with AAs that rechargeable proprietary battery. I was wrong. Sony battery lasts forever and with one spare everything is pretty much covered.4) Quality. Good enough for nice and crisp 8 by 10 shots. If I really push it I can get 11 by 14. But for my application it gets the job done.5) Controls. Easily accessible, options are always at the finger tips.6) Construction. It's a one big solid unit. No swivel lens, sliding doors, build in lens covers or pop up flashes. There is very few moving parts which makes it a durable piece. Plus build in charger keeps all your things organized.7) Flash and Sharpness control. At the finger tips I have full override on functions that were always problematic with digital cameras. This saves post production time required for touch ups.What could have Sony done to make it better?1) ISO. Highest ISO setting is 400  I wish they went for 800.2) Accessories. There is a load of after market accessories for this camera by other manufactures than Sony. I would like to see some more lenses or maybe even external battery packs made by Sony itself. Underwater housing would be great.3) Little bit slow start up time. That needs some works.4) Memory stick. Great concept and I couldn't care less if I'm using memory sticks, flash cards or smart media cards but with 128 MB max Sony media is not the hottest choice out there.Sony S85 is a good camera, probably the best out of the bunch out there. I would highly recommend it to amateurs and semi pros alike. It's a good value for the money.
For the likes of me, an amateur but interested photographer, this is as good as i could ever want - sturdy and robust so can bash around in a rucksac, super fine detail and resolution, simple to use and great results. Was a bit pricey when i bought it in Singapore a year ago but still with over 1000 terrific photos sitting on my Mac, (and one featued on BBC News website!!) its a great purchase.
I've never owned a digital camera, nor am I anything but an extremely amateur photographer, but our first grandchild was coming, so I began doing a lot of research in consumer's magazines and at technical review websites. I narrowed the choice down to three cameras: The Sony S85, the Olympus C4000, and the Nikon CoolPix 4300, all of them 4 megapixels. After playing around with all three models, I finally went with the Sony S85 -- and I have not been disappointed. It's both simple enough for a camera novice like me to be able to take good pictures almost right out of the box, yet flexible enough (with the full manual control option, etc) to allow me to learn and to work up to a more advanced level. The controls are pretty intuitive -- for anyone with computer experience, anyway -- and the viewscreen is large and bright. It's also "camera-shaped," not a radical new design, which feels more at home when I hold it, and it's large enough to allow my rather large hands to wrap around it. (The Canon Elph is a nice little camera, but for me it's like trying to type on a cell phone keypad.) After six months and some hundred of images, I can recommend this camera unreservedly.
I have been a 35mm film amateur photographer for many years. I have always used Nikon equipment and I value to control the camera myself for maximal creativity. I waited till now to try a digital camera, what I did two weeks ago buying the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S85 camera. These are my impressions when I compare it with classical 35 mm film and my reflex Nikon camera:1.- The DSC-S85 is small, but not small enough to fit easily in a pocket. Nevertheless is easy to carry and the retractable lenses make it quite compact when the power is off. The camera comes with a lens cover for protection. It is a high quiality point a shot with manual settings capabilities.2.- One of my concerns about digital photography is battery life. With the DSC-S85 this is not a problem at all. The battery will last a long time and unless you don&#8217;t have the chance to recharge the battery during several days, it will not run out of power. The battery recharges quite fast when connected to electrical power.3.- The lenses and Carls Zeiss, and the quality shows. Impressive resolution across the whole picture, not only when you view the pictures in the computer screen but also in print.  I have done up to 5x7 inches prints and the quality is as good as film. Resolution is as good as the one obtained with my Nikon lenses.4.- It very easy to learn how to use the camera and very easy to control manually the shutter and aperture. In addition you have also aperture and shutter priority settings and full automatic setting. The easiest camera I have ever had.5.- The light meter is very good, and most of the exposures will come perfect unless you try to fool the camera with difficult light situations. The exposures are better than when I use my Nikon SLR.6.-Color balance is very good, saturated images but with real colors. Only very strong reds (i.e. a red rose) might fool a bit the camera and you might need to correct the image with software. Film here might be better and you can uses several film typoes, but one advantage of digital is that you have ISO 100-400 with no need to change the film.7.-The LCD screen is very good, bright (you can regulate the brightness, and provides a quite realistic view of the actual image. I use the LCD a lot, and really is a great way to compose pictures, better than using the view finder.8.-You can do MPG movies that are fine if all you want is to have a memory of a short moment (don&#8217;t expect top quality here, after all this is an still camera). You can not do this with a film camera.9.- Although the Memory Sticks are not the cheapest memory in town they are reasonable after the recent price drop. With 128 MB you will be able to take >60 pictures at the top resolution. Film is not cheaper because you can reuse the Memory Stick for ever.10.- Very good macro. Nice pictures taken at short distances (&lt;4 inches). My macro fotos with the SLR Nikon are better though.If you are a film photographer that wish to get very good quality in digital to have the opportunity of doing creative photos without caring about the price of film, I highly recommend this camera. You will enjoy it very much you will make more photos that before (without paying always for the film) and when the digital SLR cameras drop in price (2-3 years from now) you will be ready to move to a classical camera with digital power.
As a fine art photographer form almost 20 years, I was somewhat skeptical about digital cameras as being much more than tech toys. When I finally decided to get a digital camera, I poured over the detailed, technical reviews to gather as much info as I could on competing models. In comparison with other cameras, what sold me on the S85 was the image quality, color fidelity, and ease of use. Now that I've used the camera a lot, I could not be more pleased. For occasional 35mm work, I [previously] used a top &quot;Pro&quot; class camera and lenses, which will probably now be relegated to the closet for the most part. And believe me, I understand metering and focus, but I could not hit exposures and focus dead-on nearly as quickly or often as the S85.Pros: Nice, well balanced feel, unbelievably sharp lens, rich, accurate color without being &quot;clipped&quot; at the top end, excellent metering under diverse lighting conditions, snappy, accurate autofocus, and user friendly menus.Cons: None so far. Suggestion: Buy more memory (64MB has worked for me).Sony gets 6 stars but Amazon allows me to give only 5. Simply an awesome little camera.
This camera does what smaller cameras cannot.  It takes great pictures indoors and in poor light.  It does so because it has a large lens and a powerful flash.  Smaller cameras, having smaller flashes and lenses, can work well outdoors but can't compete with this one indoors or in low light.The problems with this camera are:1) It's too big to fit conveniently in your pocket.2) There's an annoying delay of up to 1 second between when to press the shutter release and when the picture is taken.3) It takes several seconds to turn on.These three issues can cause you to miss a lot of pictures.  So I keep this camera at home for family shots, where its strengths are important.  If I'm going out during the day, when lens size and flash aren't important, I bring a smaller camera.
I bought this camera for the many features, and the nice lens it has. Unfortunately, it won't take my brand new 1gb card from sony. I also tried my 1gb psp card and it won't work.The famous c:13:01 error comes up.there's a 128 mb (old out of production)card that might work, but the cheapest is about $40, and is not even new.You can't buy a new one either, since they're not made anymore, like I said.
After owning and using the Sony DSC-P50 digital camera and being very satisfied with the results, I bought a DSC-S85 camera believing it would continue the same level of quality. Unfortunately, my expectations were misplaced with the S85. Maybe I wasn't using it correctly, but the photos I took with it had a reddish/pink hue. This hue was present whether I was shooting in outdoor (bright sunlight) or indoor (artificial light) situations. I tried to fix this by correcting the white balance and raising the flash level, but this only made the problem worse. When this problem continued to occur, I returned my first DSC-S85 to the store and got a replacement. The replacement camera did the same thing! In addition to the red hue, the shutter speed on the DSC-S85 was very slow; it was impossible to take photos in rapid succession. Also, the shutter would not open when the button was pressed (a one to two-second lag). All in all, I was disappointed by the performance of this camera and would not purchase another Sony digital camera product again (unless they substantially improve upon these issues). I took the second camera back to the store and wound up buying a much cheaper Canon Powershot digicam.
I love this camera but I am having problems with focusing and cannot find either a manual or CD for my DSCS85.
(...).Here's my review.  The image quality is excellent.  There is very good color balance.  I also like the excellent battery life (This is true for Sony products). It's easy to transfer images to the PC using USB. It has a very good lense (Carl Zeiss). The menu is user friendly.The slight drawback is speed of operation.  This may be true for most digital cameras. It's difficult to take good action shots as there is a time lag between shots (when compared to an analog SLR).Bottom line is...Very good value for your money in the 4 MP range.
I shopped around and looked at a lot of cameras before I decided on this one. I wanted a camera that could take pictures like a 35mm, yet have ease and use of a digital. This one fits the bill. On highest setting it records pictures at about 2mb. That means that if you buy a 64mb memory stick you get 32 pictures.(You can get lots more if you go to a lower megapixal setting, but why buy a high megapixal camera if you aren't going to use it to the max?) I have yet to go that far (I have transfered them to the computer and then started over). The battery last about 180 minutes using it with the LCD (which I recommend shutting off if you don't need it-especially outside). The only drawback at the present is that most photo printers cannot print at the capacity that my camera can take. I did have my pictures developed professionally online and was very pleased. The other drawback-and this is true for almost all digital cameras at this time, is that action photos are very difficult to capture due to low shutter speed. (not impossible, just very hard). This camera allows for adjustments of the aperature so you can take lower light pictures. I am very happy with the camera,and I recommend it for anyone who really wants to use this for taking vacation photos and such. Deleting and in camera cropping is easy and comes out great. You'll find yourself taking over a hundred pictures in just the first week!
I've owned the Sony Dscs85 for about a year and have found that it produces excellent pictures at all resolutions! It is easy to use and very straight forward in its operation! The only negative aspect of this camera, that I have found is that it is a little slow between shots and needs a short time to recover! The camera is very well built and sturdy!
The good:  high resolution allows a lot of cropping; 28mm and 200mm wide and tele settings are MUCH better than the 35mm and 105mm found on most other cameras; plenty of adjustments.  For instance, it's got matrix, spot, and center-weighted metering, and I've used them all. If you are an advanced amateur and really enjoy digital photography, this is a great camera. It was designed for you.The not-so-good:  like ALL digital cameras, this is not as sophisticated as the current crop of 35mm SLRs.  For instance, the focus is slower, and it's hard to use for studio/flash work. If you don't like reading camera manuals, buy another camera.  To get the best results, you must be prepared to tinker.
great optics, but I expected better power management, better ability to handle varied light, better focusing, and faster capture after I press the 'shutter release'.
I bought this camera second hand for about $250 and originally when first introduced, was selling for about $1500..And, the reason I bought it was because it could take 'INFRARED" photos. And plus for this camera was that when shooting infrared,you could see what you were about to shoot by looking at the viewfinder..I say this because on many of the cameras that have the ability to shoot infrared, you simply cannot see what youare about to shoot when looking through the viewfinder... I don't know why that is, but I understand that to be true.I've had great success with this camera in shooting infrared photos from the very beginning of my attemptingto do so..I'm rating this camera four stars because I don't care for its 'ERGOnOMICS'...by that I mean, the placement ofthe camera various functions which I will not explain here since it would be too involved...But for shooting infrared photos, this camera is a total WINNER!..I'll try to attach some of my infrared stuff for you to see what I've been talking about.
I love the Minolta Dimage 7 Digital Camera.  You can take a lot of pictures and when you put them on the computer and zoom in, instead of going blurry, it has great zoom (5 mega-pixels!) and I would reccomend this to anyone.  Although it is big and won't fit in many places, it is the best camera ever!!!
This camera compares favourably to anything else out there at any price.Wonderful images.  You can print out near poster sized photos.  Or if you're like me, and don't always get everything perfect, you can crop the image quite a bit and still print out perfect pictures at 11x8.The camera feels well constructed and nice in the hands.  It's made of aluminum and so remains nice and light while still real strong.  The buttons are logically placed, but there are alot of them.The camera does well with just point and shoot, but has all the indepth controls experianced camera buffs who prefer to control every little detail themself.It uses industry standard batteries and memory so cost of ownership will be low.Much lower then the nearly equal Sony DSC707 which relies on propriatary pieces which are far more costly and more difficult to find.It can use over the counter AA batteries in a pinch, but some nice recharable 1800mh would work alot longer.Compact Flash is the best memory option avialable.  It costs less, comes in larger capacities, and is higher performance then Sony's Memory Stick or Smart Media type memory.The camera is not perfect.The view finder is the best of it's type.  Better then the Sony DSC707 or the Fuji MX6900, but it is not as good as the true optical viewfinder on the much more expensive Nixon D1x or that class of camera (cost 2x-6x as much and are not as easy to use).It uses batteries up fast.  The solution is simple get some high capacity batteries and condition them.  This means you have to fully charge and discharge the batteries several times.. So the first few times the batteries won't last too long, but after a few uses this will correct itself.You should also get a larger Compact Flash memory card, 128mb or faster.  And don't get the cheapest cards out there, as they are much slower.(...)  Just rememeber the faster the card, the less you have to wait between shots.The only other real strike against this camera is that by default it records the photos in a non-standard color space.  The effect of this is that the colors  can be muted.  There is a simple work around.  Minolta has a piece of software they give you which can be used to move the images color space into the normal range for sRGB on those images that would benifit from this.Good with the bad, this is a truely wonderful camera.  While not perfect it is probably as close as it gets right now.No one should buy a camera unless they have looked at least a few others.  Other cameras to look at would be the Sony DSC707, Canon G2, Olympus E-10/E-20, Olympus 4040 and later when it's released the Nikon 5000.  But I think the D7 will probably still have the best over all mix of features, ease of use, low cost, low cost of operation, etc.
I just thought it was important to point out that this camera doesn't have a microphone to record audio during movie recording. It's not a big deal, but this website didn't say that anywhere, so I purchased it, and then found out. I haven't received it yet, but I'm still excited. I might have waited for the 7i, but not just for audio. But remember, if audio movie recording is important to you, then don't get this camera!
After years of SLR photography with Nikon gear, finally made the transition to digital. After much research, purchased a Minolta Dimage 7.It is fantastic! Have used it indoors for rock climbing events, and externally for portrait, flower, snow boarding, skiing, and climbing shots. Only problem is battery life. I get about an hour's life (c. 120 shots) from a set of three nickel-metal hydride batteries.My solution has been to buy three sets of batteries, and purchase a Q2 QUest quick charger that works on either 12 volt car/boat systems, or plugs into home outlets. Batteries are charged in about an hour, as opposed to the multi-hour epic using the charger that is shipped with the camera.Camera is easy to use, and has been an easy transition from SLR's. Using OFOTO, my print and film costs have dropped so much my wife even thinks the camera will pay for itself in a year or so!
I know it was a used camera, but it did not come with a pic card, a usb cable, or the software which is necessary to download the pics from the camera to the computer.I have other dimage cameras and nothing is compatibleStill haven't been able to use it and I've had it three weeks
This camera is excellent in every way except one (which I mention at the end.)  The quality of the images out-weighs every camera in its class.  And, it gives full control of most every camera feature.Like others have said, you need to use NiMHi batteries.  And, you must purchase a larger CF card.  I would recommend at least a 128MB card.  And, for each 128MB card, a set of 4 AA NiMHi batteries and a charger.  For downloading, spend (several dollars) and get a CF to USB reader.  You'll be glad you did.The only problem I have is that it doesn't have a PC socket.  I had to invest $100 in a DigiSlave SA-10 unit so I could use the DiMage 7 with my studio slaves.  (...)
Outstanding picture quality, but I wouldn't recommend its purchase. The battery consumption is alarming.  Alkaline--don't bother,  NiCad lasts long enough for a couple pictures. Like their competition, Minolta should have designed this high-end camera to include the rechargable lithium-ion batteries. I returned this camera after two days of only twenty minutes use consuming eight batteries in the process.
While this camera boasts lots of features, and for the most part that is true, it is not easy to use. There is so many buttons to change to get the right photo, it is time comsuming and awkward.Battery life- none- batteries are only good for about 20 pictures then, new ones must be put in.Quality of pictures are variable and enhancements need to be done on almost all pictures taken.Eye piece and other connected plastic pieces seem to fall off easily and permanentlyThe worst is the video, the quality compared to lesser priced camera is poor and WIHTOUT SOUND. What good is that.Overall I would go with another camera and I will. Most people don't need 5+ megapixels anyway.
I read lots of reviews and handled lots of high-end digital cameras before deciding on the Dimage 7.  I'm not disappointed. The Dimage 7 handles very like a good 35.  The manual zoom, an astounding 28-200mm, provides lots of composition latitude.  All controls are handy and easy to use.  Learning curve is really flat.  Photos are sharper than 35mm film images (when resampled to 300 dpi and printed at a lab).Most complaints seem to be in the power consumption area.  One must understand that battery operated equipment is only as good as the batteries one uses.  By purchasing an extra set of NiMH AA batteries and conditioning them properly, I've had NO problems with lack of available power.  You've got to cycle the batteries through the charger four or five times, after fully draining them, in order for them to go the distance.  I'm getting about 80 to 100 hi-res shots per set.Overall, I'm very pleased with the Dimage 7.  I've even begun a selloff of all my trusted Nikon film cameras.  Digital is finally affordable, dependable, and definitely here to stay.  If you're looking for a digital camera that is easy to operate and delivers consistently great photos, the Dimage 7 will do the job.I'd also recommend Adobe PhotoShop Elements as an affordable, feature-packed photo editing software.  For the money, you can't beat it.
The camera was listed as 'acceptable" but the one I received (used obviously) was a little more banged up than I had hoped for. Rubber around the eyepiece is split and coming off, no user manual (which is not good with a camera with this many functions and capabilities), no USB cable, dead batteries (not that big of a deal), and seems to have a few performance issues.The LCD screen on mine flutters at times between color and black & white like it's going out. Sometimes when pressing the shutter release it simply doesn't take a picture. Try it again and it does. The LCD screen on the Dimage 7 is also VERY small. I realize this is one of the first digital SLR's on the market and if you look at the back-side image on Amazon it does look pretty small, but in person it's REALLY small. Also (and this is probably due to when it came out) after you take a photo it doesn't stay on the LCD screen to look at. You have to switch modes and manually look at the photo. Again, due to when this model came out no big deal but if it matters to you just be aware of it. Just realize that if you do load the photo onto the screen to look at it, it's really small.Mine came with a camera bag and 2 SD cards which is nice. Overall it looks like it has been through a lot in the past and I'm just hoping it will hold out for at least a year. The main reason I purchased this camera was to use it with aHoya 58mm RM-72 Infrared Filterso I at least hope it works well with that once I order it.
I like the Dimage line and have very favorably reviewed the Dimage 5, which is essentially the same camera without the 5 megapixel capability of the Dimage 7. This enhanced resolution adds nearly 50% to the price. What it offers, in short, is the ability to enlarge photos taken on the Dimage 7 to poster size without their losing clarity. Basically, that's it. On the negative side, images recorded in 5 meg mode take longer to write (i.e. the camera is 'busy' longer btwn shots), it uses far more battery power, it occupies ungodly amts of space on memory cards, and it make files so large that they can only feasibly be sent via email if both parties have exceptionally fast connections and can only be posted to websites if the viewer has a very fast connection to open it. Other site viewers would be waiting an eternity to view your images. It's a fine camera, but most users will be dialing down its resolution to below that of the Dimage 5, while still paying a hefty premium. I decided to pass and get the 5, (...)
To my mind, a camera should be a tool, not a participant. I love this camera, because it does whatever you tell it to do, and doesn't frustrate you with a lot of &quot;smart&quot; features. I had a 35mm camera once with &quot;autofocus&quot;-- so-called &quot;point-and-shoot,&quot; and it drove me crazy, because half the time, it didn't focus on what I actually wanted in the picture.This camera gives the user total control of light, aperture and zoom. In addition, because there's no film involved, you can shoot day or night without having to worry about the speed of you film. And by the way, it takes great twilight and night pictures!All the adjustments are two handed, so it's like liquid; you don't have to adjust and check, adjust and check, go back and adjust again, etc. It's a quicker way to what you want.Now I'll admit that's a personal preference; it's like stick shift vs. automatic-- some people are passionate about one or the other. Some people love point-and-shoot. If you're one, then this probably isn't the camera for you.The camera has 5 megapixel resolution, which means that you can print poster size reproductions of your shots, or crop tiny portions, enlarge then, and have them look really good. This is a photoshop type of camera, a camera for someone who likes to play with images.There are a few drawbacks:It takes almost a minute for the picture to store, so if you want to take photojournalistic shots, like athletes in action, hitting the shutter as fast as you can move your finger, this isn't the right camera.Also, as with just about any computer tool, you have to buy accessories. It comes with two alkaline batteries, which struck me as strange, because I didn't think that could be sufficient, but I thought &quot;Hey, if the manufacture includes them....&quot; I was right the first time. Fortunately, I already had some NiMH rechargeables, and they last for 60-70 shots. There's an adapter for indoor use as well, although I don't have one. You're going to want to buy an additional memory card too. I got the Viking 128 meg CF, and I like it.Because of the high resolution, e-mailing or posting images takes a long time, and people who receive them will have a long wait on the download. Of course you can always print the image, and then scan it in, which is what I've done. Believe it or not, the scanned images from this camera actually look better than scanned actual photographs. This is probably because I've played with them, and gotten them to look good on screen before I've printed them. I've also used the highest quality photo-finish paper I could find.I'm very happy with this camera. A camera is an individual thing, though. Before you buy, think through exactly what you want, and buy the camera that suits you. If you want outdoor nature shots and architectural shots at all times of day and night, portrait shots, and candid shots, and want to print them as album photos, and want to be able to crop, adjust color, and cut and paste, this is a great camera.
I would like to start with the 5.2 Meg pixals. I always shot my pictures with the highest quality. After I get the picture I want I normally reduce it to a size depending on what the picture is going to be used for. I limit my web and email pictures to 1 meg but my show pictures I use the whole 9 yards. The outcome is as good as film and most of the time better. Next the color. (To use the full color you will have to use other software.) Minotla has added extra color to the picture to ensure you can have all the color you need. You may not need it but it is there. When I shoot something in color I want to see the color that I shot not something close to it. Last is the batterys. I use a battery pack that has 5 NiMH batterys in it. It provides the power I need to spend the day shooting. The camera now comes with NiMH batterys and charger but I wanted more. As for the flash card that comes with it I wanted to pick my own cards and Im glad they didn't increase the price to include a card I would not have used anyway. I wanted a fast large card and that would not be the card included anyway. If you want to shoot great pictures you can do it with this camera. You will have to buy some more accessories but in the long run I think you will find you can do just about anything you want with this camera.
I read many reviews of this camera before I bought it.  Let me say right up front that it definitely has its flaws - I'm not sure any technical gadget I've ever purchased was free of them.The flaws of this camera are well documented:  eats batteries, little port door keeps popping open, auto-focus a little slow, and the manual zoom is stiff.  The software you need to run against all of your downloaded photos is an unfortunate step in the photography process.  These are all true, and certainly annoyances.But, the positive side of the balance sheet completely overwhelms the bad.  Everything about this camera feels top notch.  Its mostly metal construction, great optics and plethora of features are all part of a well-integrated product.  Very little fluff, save for maybe the little mode selection that allows you to pre-set types of photographs:  portraits, sunsets, etc.  They could have ignored that stuff.It's the way you can adjust this camera that shines.  Manual focus and easy of switching between automatic and manual exposure settings are examples.  I count thirteen controls, which seems overwhelming until you get the hang of what they do.The electronic viewfinder is maybe not quite as nice as a great optic through-the-lens one, BUT you can see all your settings without taking your eye off of your subject.  And, it switches between a black and white mode and color, depending on the amount of light in the room, so the viewfinder continues to be useful in dim situations.  One &quot;cute&quot; feature:  the camera detects when your face is near the viewfinder, and can switch between the LCD and the viewfinder just by putting your eye against the viewfinder.The pictures are high quality, what you'd expect from a 5 megapixel camera.  I find that many more of my photos are keepers than with previous cameras.The prices on this camera are good, as its replacement, the 7i (which fixes some of the hassles of this camera), is out at higher cost.  For the money, this one is an excellent buy.
My interest in photography has really been renewed since I bought the Dimage 7 two months ago. This camera has incredible flexibility - which was overwhelming at first. But I set up some basic settings (size and quality) and stuck with the minimum controls (shutter speed, aperature, EV, and white balance)to get used to the camera. Now I almost always use manual focus with zoom to fine tune the focus before taking each photo and I've started using ISO settings to help in low light situations. If you are looking to replace your manual focus, manual settings SLR, this is a camera to seriously consider. At 5 megapixels, 8 x 10s are very sharp, and there's room to crop without compromising quality. If you have a point-and-shoot but want to learn about photography, this is a great camera to learn on since the 'film' is endless, mistakes are seen immediately and can be corrected.
I like this camera. I'm what I call a professional amateur with lots of cameras. I've been taking pictures for 36 years with several different point and shoot, seven different Nikons, the Hasselblad 500 C/M, and now with a handful of digital. I've used an original Casio (&lt;&lt;1meg), an original Sony Mavica (&lt;1meg), a Kodak DC290 (2.1), the Olympus C2100 (2.1), and now the Minolta Dimage 7 (5.24), which I chose instead of the Olympus E-10 (4meg). The most important thing I've learned is that there is no perfect camera, not even the Hasselblad. Every camera has good and bad things, it's up to the photographer to figure out how best to use each camera for the particular subject matter.The first thing you need to fix with the Dimage 7 is the power supply. I solved this problem with the QB1+ battery pack  and the MDC4 power cord  from Quantum  I also got the MDC2 power cord  so I can use the QB1+ with my Kodak DC290 and Olympus C2100, and in case I get the Olympus E-20 and Nikon 5000 for Christmas. With AA batteries, I usually only got 20 pics. With the QB1+, I don't know how many pics I get because I've shot more than 200, all with flash, with the view set to auto so it's always switching between the screen and view finder, with using the quick view, with switching between capture and review modes, and I still have more that half the charge.The next thing is a filter for the lens. I put a 49mm B+W skylight filter on, but at wide angles (28-35), the edge of the filter ring shows up on the top left corner of the image. You no longer see it when you get to 50mm and above. One way to fix this problem is to crop that part of the image out in Photoshop. Another way is to not use a filter. That makes me uncomfortable. I'm going to go ahead and use a filter, and when I need the 28-35mm shot, I'll just back up a little more to leave enough room to crop out the filter ring.The auto focus is slow and not very good, which means high speed actions shots are almost out. Shooting manual at infinity works just fine. One way to put more of the subject at the infinity range is to up the ISO to 400 or 800. That moves where infinity starts. Another trick is to us small apertures, which for this camera is either 6.7 or 8, in combination with the ISO. When I do use the manual focus ring, I use the screen instead of the viewfinder. When I use the auto focus, I always use the spot focus instead of the area focus. One trick I use when I'm taking picture of my buddies playing pool, is to use the spot auto focus, pick out an average distance, get the focus, then switch to manual focus. The Dimage 7 has the ability to range with the auto focus and then remember that range when to switch to manual. I take a handful of shots, re-range using the spot auto focus, switch back go manual, and take another handful of shots. I keep the good ones and delete the bad ones. I do the same thing with high speed action shots. I pick out some average distance, range with spot auto focus, switch to manual, and shot the action as it goes by. If you wait for the auto focus, you'll never get the shot.For memory, I prefer the Viking 128 meg CF. It holds 60-70 pics at size 2560 and quality Fine, which is where I like to shoot. You can get the 128 at Amazon now for only ... plus a rebate which takes it down to ... It's a great deal and I've never had a bad one. I take five of them with me when I go out, which gives me 300-350 shots per day. Forget about downloading images from the camera. Take the CF out of the camera and use a Zio! reader from Microtech.The really nice thing about the Dimage 7 is not only the 5.24 meg image, but the 12 bit analog to digital converter. Both of these things combined means that the image has a ton of information for color corrections. I don't know yet what the Olympus E-20 or the Nikon 5000 has for A/D conversion, but if it's not 12 or more bits, I may save my money and not buy either one. The size of the A/D converter is very important and should not be under estimated. With that much information, I can make a very wide range of color corrections when I get the image into Photoshop. Then I send it off to Ofoto.com to get magnificent $4 8x10's. Believe me, I've spent... to ... for an 8x10 at custom photo labs, and I'm very happy with the quality of a digital image on a ... Ofoto.com 8x10. Plus, I don't even have to leave my house to get it.Bottom line, although the Dimage 7 may not be for everyone, I like it. It won't replace either my Nikon F5 or my Hasselblad 500 C/M, but it does make a very nice addition. I'll keep it, especially now that I have the QB1+ battery pack.P.S., You can see some of my images at ...
I bought this camera when it first arrrived on scene about 2004. It was 1st 5mp and also capable of taking IR images due to not having a filter between sensor and lens. I used it only for IR. It has all glass lens and a great macro setting at wide and tele ends. After looking around for over 2yrs. for another D7 and seeing prices around the $200/$400 for an 8 yr. old cam I did not to spend that much. So when I saw this ready to buy and in good normal condition for $75 I figured why not. I was pleasantly surprised at its cosmetic condition. It looked new and it worked fine except for a small issue with the CF slot. Since I had this issue already with my old D7 I was able to get around this with care. If not the cam was worthless. So I am very happy with my buy and have used it for HDR-IR images with expected results. However this is older technology so it is very slow in info transfer to card. Other than that this is still a great piece of digi history
The is an awesome digital camera that often takes photos of better quality than 35mm film cameras.The 4 things that I can't stand about the camera:1.  Power hog:  When using high capacity nickel metal hydride batteries, they only last about 20 to 50 pictures,  depending on the resolution that you're using, the autofocus, and the flash.  Don't even THINK about using the rear display screen.  The power indicator often indicates a low battery when in fact you may have 10 or more shots left.  I use 3 sets of batteries!2.  The electronic viewfinder's pixelated resolution makes it difficult to tell whether the subject is in focus.3.  The autofocus can be infuriatingly slow at times, sometimes can't focus, and sometimes tells you that the subject is in focus when it's not (I mostly use the focus by wire focusing ring for manual focus).4.  The neck strap attachment ring on the right side of the camera gets in the way of opening and closing the compact flash door (just annoying).Don't even think of downloading pics through the supplied USB cable (very slow).  I highly reccommend the Zio USB CF reader (transfer rates of ~1MB/S).Still, it's the highest quality camera for the buck right now.
The photo quality from this camera is exceptional. 8 x 10 photos made look about equivalent to traditional 35mm photography. While the Nikons sometimes get reviewed as &quot;difficult&quot; to use, 30 minutes with the manual makes it clear how to access all of the different options on the camera, and a little experimentation leads to some very impressive results. This camera has the settings and flexibility of a high-end 35mm camera with several programmed modes and the ability to over-ride the programming. Flash photography with the built in small flash unit is exceptional. This is a truly first-rate product.
Gone are the days of the cheesy little novelty item digicam, with its whopping 640*480 resolution, ASA 60 equivalence and lens that does not compare favorably to a Koday Funsaver disposable.  This is the real thing.  A digital camera to satisfy photography enthusiasts.This camera produces remarkable results at high resolutions.  It emulates ASA 100, 200, 400 and 800.  Has white-balance settings to satisfy most conditions, allows you to set your own if you want more accuracy.  Goes a reasonable distance on both sides of 50mm, at selectable F-stops in the F3-F10 range.  Aperature-priority, shutter-priority, programmable auto and full manual settings let you take control of what you want.Two complaints:  the included 16mb card is a bit small for my tastes, but prices on those are falling.  (Amazon has a Viking 128mb card at [a good price]  And the shutter timer only works in macro focus mode and deselects itself after you use it, which can get annoying if you are taking a series of tripod shots.  But this is all minor, and does not change the fact that this is the only digital I've found that has made me hang up my Minolta SLR.
I don't know what I can say about this camera that would convey how pleased I am.  I am an old school SLR fan that tried to resist the digital image craze.  After seeing some images that the 990 produced, I decieded it was time.  I have only had the camera for a week and I have shot over 300 photos.  I would strongly encourage you to get the largest memory card you can afford (Viking 256 mb is around $125)  You also should get another lithium ion battery.  I bought a 2x lense with it and I haven't really found the need yet.  Simple camera that easily lets you do everything manually or everything automatically.  It is a great learning tool since you can control one function at a time. I also bought the SanDisk memroy card reader, but I was never able to get it to work on my Win98 machine.  It works OK on my iMac.  I would suggest some type of memory card reader.  The cord with the camera is OK, but it limits your battery life.
Strengths:1. 4x optical zoom.  Most digicams in this price range only have 3x, and most lower-priced cameras only have a 2x or no zoom at all.2. Pop-up flash.  Many owners of the Coolpix 990 and 950 have significant red-eye trouble.  Popping up the flash on the 995 gets it far enough away from the lens to eliminate most red-eye troubles.3. High resolution.  3.3 megapixels in a quality camera like this is more than enough for most serious amateurs.  The only time this will become a limitation is if you want to make obscenely large prints (probably 16&quot; x 20&quot; or larger, and even then I don't think it would be a significant degradation) or if you want to crop significantly and make an 8&quot; x 10&quot; or something in that range.  I have been very pleased with my results, even in...4. Auto mode.  The 995 has a steep learning curve if you want to really take advantage of its full feature set.  But its auto mode is intuitive enough that you can take the camera out of the box and start taking quality shots immediately.  The auto mode is no more complicated than any point-and-shoot camera.  Excellent feature.Weaknesses:1. 16 mb CompactFlash card.  This one is really a joke.  Nikon should have included at least a 32mb card and probably a 128.  I strongly suggest purchasing a larger CF card immediately.  Most CF cards have fallen to the 50 cents per meg range now (January 2002), so you should be able to get a good name-brand 128mb CF card for $60 or so.  Do it.  Now.2. Digital zoom.  Worthless.  The pixellization is horrendous, and unless you have a huge amount of light the lens speed is such that you really need a tripod to avoid camera shake.3. Lens speed.  With no zoom the aperture is f/2.6.  The further you zoom, the worse it gets.  If you don't have a tripod, I strongly suggest one (the 995's mount is sturdy and well-made, by the way).4. No case included.  Again, something you definitely need.  I've had very good luck with LowePro, and they're reasonably priced.5. Complicated menu system.  To take advantage of all the features of this excellent camera, you really need to spend significant time reading the manual and exploring the extensive menu system.  Not for the faint of heart.I've given 4 out of 5 stars, with one star removed due to the above weaknesses.  But this is a fantastic camera.  I've had mine for only about three weeks and I've already taken more than 300 shots, many of them excellent.  I highly recommend it.
I have owned this camera for almost 16 months now and have shot over 4,600 photos with it! To say I love it is an understatement. I have been doing photography seriously for over 40 years and waited quite a while before getting a digital camera.This camera has not only not disappointed me, it has performed beyond my hopes for a digital camera. The many choices of settings enable me to capture most any photo I attempt, from very low light (by using the 800 ASA setting) or on Slow Sync with a Tripod allowing the camera to decide the settings...or by using shutter priority to capture motion or aperture priority for amazing portraits.  There are many, many settings to choose from, and learning how to operate everything takes some time.  Read the owner's manual several times, and keep it handy to refer to as you are learning the camera.  Well worth the effort!The pop-up flash does a good job, within the distance that Nikon recommends. With any flash on any camera, it is necessary to pay attention to the recommended distance for use.I also get a lot of fun out of the swivel function of the lens. It is great fun to pull a friend close, hold the camera out at arm's length pointing it back at ourselves and watch in the monitor and take the photo.And holding it is a joy. It's large enough to be able to hold it with both hands, thereby making it very easy to hold still...but it's not overly large. It feels solid and strong and functions like a real camera, not a toy!  I have looked at some of the newer Nikons since this came out, and they don't seem as well built...too much plastic.Let me mention that one of the specs listed here is wrong. It has 3.34 megapixels, NOT 3.2 megapixels.I highly recommend this to anyone who values good photography!
I just upgraded from the Nikon 990 to the 995. Right off the bat, I had to compare and see the improvement, and there is. This camera rocks. The 995 has an awesome 4X optical zoom (38 to 152mm eq.)and super macro capabilities, down to less than an inch. The colors and clarity are better and the focus locks right on.This camera is great for the &quot;point &amp; shooter&quot; on Automatic, or those who want full control, in Manual, over all the camera's functions. Add on lenses let you do wide angle or eXtreme zoom shots. You can even take full circle (spherical) pictures with the fisheye lens. Awseome versitility. Some even hook it up to telescopes by using lens adapters. The options are endless.It comes with its own rechargeable Lithium battery and charger,and its fully charged in about 1.5 hours. Super turn-around.I'm really glad I made the upgrade. My advise; Buy it!  You'll be pleased with your purchase.
I am new to digital cameras (though not to computers), and have used only simple film cameras.  I intended to purchase an entry-level digital camera, but my husband encouraged me to get something better.  We compared cameras, their features, and read reviews.  The Nikon 995 was our choice.  We ordered it six weeks ago from Amazon and are extremely pleased.  Right out of the box, it was a great simple point and shoot in auto mode for me.  As I learned more, I began using many of the options offered in auto mode. I joined an online camera group where I am learning about the manual settings, and I hope to eventually proceed to that mode.  This camera simply takes great pictures, indoors and out, and great low-light pictures as well. We live at the base of a steep hill and I take fantastic skyline and sunset pictures up there.  The photos transfer easily by the USB cable to the Nikon View 4 software on our computer.  I already owned Paint Shop Pro and I use that as my photo program.  Purchase a 128 MB memory card to go with it and perhaps an extra battery. The battery lasts a good while, but an extra battery is good insurance for those times you will be using the camera all day.  Also, buy a good camera case.  Don't be intimidated by articles that say this camera has a steep learning curve.  Auto mode is logical and simple enough for a beginner, and you have lots of choices to play with there or you can simply let the camera use the default settings.  If you don't want to go beyond that, you will still be very pleased with the photos you take.
This is by far the worst camera I have ever purchased. Thankfully, I've finished mourning and can now move on with my life.
I come from the background of using only fully manual SLR's like the F3 and have not adjusted that well to the 995. For one, getting used to autofocusing has been a challenge. Also, the manual's description of features is far from adequate. For instance, it's description of using bracketing is incorrect. When the camera is set on single shooting and in bracketing mode, you must shoot 3 or 5 separate pictures whereby each will be a bracket less than the last. This is far different then shooting with an SLR whereby it will three all three at one time. Also, autofocusing is not that fast nor that accurate. Being able to set the folder where to store the photos on the memory card is great. The upload software that comes with camera is quite nice and very simple.My particular 995 lost it's ability to perform autosensitivity somehow and I have to get it repaired already. This otherwise would be a good feature whereby you don't have to select ISO 100 or 200 as the camera will do that for you. Too bad it does not work. Additionally, Nikon Digital support people don't seem to know the first thing about photography. I have call so many times to learn some of the features because their staff is not knowledgable about the cameras or about photography. Not to be confused with the film based division which are the finest tech support people in the industry.In a nutshell, the 995 is a great camera that will blow you away with the results you will get. The healthy 35-152mm zoom lens is just great along with the many many features it has in it's menus. My wife has the Olympus 3030 which I find takes even more remarkable photos and is far easier to use. But, I bought the 995 and I'm gonna stick it out due to my tireless faith in Nikon. The batteries actually last longer than I thought they would. I bought 2 spare batteries so that I can cycle through them while on vacation. At a recent wedding, I shot about 120 pic's on one 96Mb card. That's very cool. Buy it, read the manual, read it again and again, and I think you'll be happy with the results.
OK, if you can afford it, this _is_ the camera to buy. It's easy to use, it's fun, it's intuitive, it takes great pictures. Save up, buy this one.First of all, notice the swivel design? This means that no matter how you hold the camera, you can see the LCD while you take the picture. Over your head, for when you are in a crowd. At knee level, for taking pictures of your grandchildren. Twisted backwards, you can take self portraits while seeing yourself on-screen (this makes for some very nice pictures!).You can look at the camera in your lap, point it in any direction, and take pictures of people without their realizing it. No more rigid poses. No more uncomfortable expressions.The 995 features incredible macro capabilities, allowing you to take pictures of flowers or rings (ebay time!) from under 2 inches away! The detail you'll se is amazing. It also features a 4x optical zoom (very nice, the 990 only went to 3x) and ISO up to 800, which is very rare with a digital camera. Evening photos are now a possibility without a flash.About the only people who I would recomend not upgrading are people who already own the 990. The 995 is lighter than the 990, the flash is directly above the lense (the 990's flash was to one side, making shadows from the side), the flash is a pop-up, virually eliminating red-eye. The differences are small enough you can just wait till the next camera comes out to upgrade.I would recomend saving  bit of money for accessories, though. A 100 meg memory card is very nice (1078 pics at lowest resolution, 7 at full TIFF), an AC adapter is handy, a card reader might be nice for long photo shoots. You won't need spare batteries, unless you are away from power for a very long time, the camera comes with rechargable lithium batteries (2 hours of life, with the LCD on! VERY nice), so you'll save money there. The batteries seem to charge very quickly, and will last even longer if you use the viewfinder instead of the LCD. Can fit optional lenses, but I haven't had a chance to play with that yet.Let me give you a parting example. I took a picture of a silver ring. When I expanded it, I could see myself in the ring. I could read the 1 inch high words on my shirt. In real life, my reflection was about a millimeter high. You will LOVE this camera.Indra
I like the camera. Though it is not perfect. This is waht I do not like:1. autofocus works well only in good light, if light is lowor if there is large contrast autofocus very often goes wrong,it is much worse than my old Nikon N60. And this is not onlymy unit - my brother's one has exactly the same problem2. it is bulky3. it drains batteries like crazy 200 shots (60-100 with flash) and battery is gone, you will need spare battery4. close-ups have problems with focus. autofocus often failswhile manual one does not have enough steps,however recently my brother is very succesfull with closeups -I am not.On the other hand there are things I love in this camera:1. If focus is OK pictures are good quality - almost as goodas my Nikon N60 but for the computer screen it won't be any better2. most of the photos are fine - I guess the light meatersetc are good3. I love the swivel thing - I can take photos like myselfwith something in the background4. It can take nice photos in low light with no flash.You need a tripod but on the other hand you get much nicerskin tones than with the flash. This is especially great for museums,I have great shots of items with no tripod and no flashlight!! I Love this!!5. I love the gadgets: computer connection is as fast as USB canbe (much faster than my USB reader), camera is seen as SCSIdriver on my Linux Red Hat box 7.2 with no extra drivers required. I love TV cable (both NTSC and PAL) so you cango to you family and show the shots on their TV. The qualityof TV is not great but it is very convenient.6. It uses CompactFlash - the best choice for memory:cheapest(paid $[money] for 256MB), most durable7. I love higher resolution modes (though I never need more than 2 megapixels) - instead of xeroxing the book in the library- I just take shots of the pages I need. I save money and timeon xerox copies.Overall this is a nice camera once you are carefull withthe focus...
It just so flexible and let me shoot from any angle I want, control is hard to learned and seems complicated at first but after all it's just great.Macro mode delivers the nice crip details.  I equips it with the nikon wide converter wc-e24 0.66x and found the good combination on it.  Like 990 modle, the 995 give me the solid feels when hold it and the grip is well designed so it fits well with my hand.The camera does require some few secounds to turned on and focus, but it doesn't bad compared with its quality.  I don't like the way nikon use the proprietary battery for this model so I ended up buying the ... external battery for [$$]and it can go for 2-3 hours with mornitor on (2-3 times longer than the internal one)...  Love it.
I will start off by saying I've had a CoolPix 800 for 1.5 years and was very satisfied with it. However, as I progressed with learning photography, the camera did not allow me to do all I was wanting to do.  The 2x zoom got old having to deal with the teleconverter which did not allow a wide shot to be taken while on without a periscope effect.  The lack of settings control wore thin as I experimented with more advanced picture scenes. I decided to upgrade to the 995 with the 4x zoom being a big factor in my decision along with allowing more control.  I now had 4x zoom without my cumbersome teleconverter and could trick it to use my wide angle WITH the flash.  Note: That is with the old WC-E24 lens, not the WC-E63.  You'll still get a 'shadow' by trying to use the flash with the WC-E63 lens.  Here is what I've gained from my use thus far:This camera is suited for those who want more control. Auto mode works pretty well for anyone just like my 800, but if you aren't going to take advantage of the Manual mode, you may be paying for too much camera. That being said, I had gotten used to my CP-800 doing most of the work. I was completely mortified in the beginning that my 'better' 995 was producing much softer, almost out-of-focus pictures. As others have mentioned, READ READ READ the manual. I'm still in the learning process of this camera since I do not take pictures every day. However, I have absorbed more knowledge of how to use this camera.  My pictures have now exceeded what I could do with the CP-800 after tweaking image sharpening, overriding shutter/aperture/etc settings, and turning continuous AF off. The latter reduces lag in taking pictures and stops most of that clicking noise the lens part makes (normal for this camera).The camera has tons of features and it pays to check up on how to use them. ISO settings go up to 800, although the pictures genuinely turn up noisy (use noise reduction!). Try also 'bulb' (ISO 100) if you have a tripod and steady night subject - it'll turn out vastly better. The QuickTime inclusion was a nice bonus, but more of a gimmick.  This is no digital video camera. The new rechargeable battery is wonderful. I thought this would be bad, but with only one extra battery, I was able to shoot around 200 pictures with the second battery still going. Be sure to get the 8x or higher speed CF cards as the writing lag will drive you crazy on the old 4x ones.  The 16MB that comes with the camera is 8x. The new Quick Review is great to quickly see your picture while being able to still take another.  You can even zoom in on your pictures while reviewing them to get a better idea of what you got (or didn't get) in the picture.  The pop-up flash reduces red (and evil green cat/dog) eye while also allowing the WC-E24 to work (don't tell it that the lens is there and it'll work without a nasty shadow). There are many more resolution settings with a 3:2 setting for those wanting a 35mm-sized picture.  TIFF is available in 2048x1532 and 3:2 (2048x1360) for those 'perfect' shots.  I could go on and on about all of these features, but I'm limited in space :-). It's sufficient to say that most everything is selectable and it takes a while to get used to all of them.The CP-995 is a great camera for those wanting more from a digital camera. Those wanting a quick, out-of-the-box camera may want to look to some of Nikon's less feature-filled cameras (CP-800 is highly recommended!)  The 995 really shines once you start to learn to use the features.  It will take some time to figure which settings work best, but the results are absolutely worthwhile.  Feel free to ask me any questions on the camera.
I have the 990 version of this and took it on location in Europe for 3 months in the dead of winter. I froze it, dropped it, banged it around, subjected it to some really lousy weather and it just kept on ticking. I don't care for the menu reading that has to be done when you are trying to do something a little different, but it's reliable as, well as reliable as a Nikon is supposed to be. The image clarity was better than I expected and we actually used some of the stills to cobble together a quick shot that the principal crew didn't get. It's now in the movie...
This is a great little camera. It is small, well constructed, easily transportable and feature-laden. With 3.34 mega pixels, its image quality revivals 35 mm; although I still think my high-end nikkor lenses and SLR are better. However, the image quality from this camera is quite good. Additionally, you can see the image after you take it. If unacceptable, you delete it and take it again. Gone are the days of finding out someone's eyes were closed at the moment the shutter snapped and the days of needing to take multiple pictures of the same thing to be sure that one good picture is obtained. The zoom is improved over the Coolpix 990, and its possible to zoom after you take the picture, so you can crop the image in the camera after it is obtained. The macro mode is particularly sharp and easy to use. By most reports, the pop up flash is insufficient and needs to be supplemented in instances where true flash is needed. However, the pop up flash has worked well for my needs (mostly &quot;snapshots&quot; of people.) In automatic mode, the camera will choose very slow shutter speeds at low light levels and objects suffer from motion blur. You need to use the pop up flash in situations where you would just be using faster film and no flash in an SLR. Although obvious, if you are accustomed to film, digital offers the distinct advantage that images are free once the camera is purchased. For the hobbyist, this aids creativity since you are able to take a lot of pictures and experiment, without being inhibited by having to pay for film or processing. There are some accessories you need, so the camera is more of an investment than merely the purchase price. You probably need to purchase a larger memory card than the one supplied. Although images can be stored on your computer, if you are taking a lot of pictures without access to your computer (i.e., if you are going on a long vacation), you may need multiple cards, or something called a digital wallet which allows thousands of images to be stored on a small, portable hard drive. Although these accessories are useful and easily available, they aren't cheap. My older digital camera did not nearly come close to being able to replace my film cameras. This one does. While my allegiance the film is hard to break, this is now my favorite camera. I highly recommend it.
We have owned a Coolpix 900 for about 3 years. Our friends boughtthe 950 and we thought it had a lot of neat features that the 900didn't have. But the 995 is even better. The new method for moving through the menus (a button with 4 arrows) was very intuitive and made it easier to move through the recorded photos in play mode. Also you can now instantly preview your last shot without having to go into Play mode. The camera has new features like a saturation setting which is pretty neat as sometimes I thought the 900 didn't capture the colors as vividly as they appeared in real life and I always had to edit them in Photoshop. And now you can save settings.My only complaint has to do with accessories, or lack of them (like a case) and cost of additional supplies. And you will need another battery and bigger compact flash card. The 16MB card supplied with the camera is a little wimpy. Overall though, a great camera!
I use this camera at work, often on occasions when I am sent on assignments I didn't know about when I went home the evening prior.This is not my favorite camera for a number of reasons. What bothers me most is the view I receive through the viewfinder. The viewfinder is small, to begin, being only about one square inch. The views are often clouded in shades of red, gray or black, also, not what you look at with the naked eye.Turning the camera in half, like the photo on this page, does not improve matters. I find this camera somewhat difficult to manage with controls being tiny and that abominable viewfinder constantly creating problems for me.It does take fine pictures, however, and transferring them from the camera to a PC or other media is simply a matter of plugging in and pushing a button. So it does the job well. If only it was an equal pleasure while I was using it I could rate this better.
I had the Coolpix 990 for 6 months then sold it to get this instead. The flash above the lens is an improvement. This camera is easy to use for a novice (had my boyfriend using this to photograph his Edward Gorey art collection) and multi-functioned for the advanced photographer - it lacks for nothing I could want.I am a professional graphic designer (web and print). This camera has been INDISPENSIBLE! I am also a professional digital photo retoucher and can tell you that the images need little, if any correction for print.I also bring this camera to the ad agency I work at and have used it for ads which have appeared in major magazines (Rosie, Family Circle, Marth Stewart Living .. etc.)This camera is worth evey penney. What's more, tech support is available 24/7 via an 800 number - something rare these days. And their tech support people are really knowledgeable and patient.If you buy additional flash memory, they recommend the Lexar 10X series. Anything less than 10x just won't keep up with this speedy little camera. I am hoping they will lab test the 12x series soon.I couldn't recommend this camera highly enough. It will please you each and every time you go to use it! Way to go Nikon!
4.5 StarsThe price has come down recently on the 995, making it an even more attractive buy.  I do not own one, but have used one enough (8 or 10 hours) to get a good feel for what it can do.  And I've used it in very demanding conditions that stretched the flash and exposure controls to their limits.  Be prepared to work your way through the manual to learn all of the controls and do a little experimenting.  This camera has enough exposure and resolution control to satisfy most users even for many difficult situations.Our work group has been testing digital cameras for years and in the process have had a good look at many Nikons.  We measure resolution in various ways to get a handle on effective pixel density over the full range of optical and digital zoom.  The 995 fared well in our tests, equaling the best comparably priced Olympus in all but the widest angle setting.  Some felt that the 995 could be optimized in exposure and color saturation even better than the Olympus cameras.I spent a fair amount of time evaluating the wide angle converter lenses.  Near fisheye and wide adapters are available, as are telephoto.  In conditions not requiring a flash, the fisheye and wide adapters worked very well, introducing little distortion or reduction of resolution and color saturation was very good.  However, the 995's flash does not have adequate coverage for wide angle and fisheye images.  This problem is not unique to digital cameras - you'll have to get creative to use these adapter lenses indoors in close quarters.
Having owned my Nikon 995 since 2002 and bought a second one in a pawn shop in 2007, I must say it is really superb. I like it better than my Nikon Coolpix 5000. I take mostly macro photos: this camera was designed for macros. Fantastic lens! The camera is still sought after by universities and research facilities because it has a threaded portion in front of the lens for accessories, such as filters and adaptors. I put an adaptor on mine, for example, so I can use my camera on my telescope to take photos of the planets. Terrific fun! You can also use it on a microscope.Negative? Well, the battery does not last long. Keep an extra battery on the charger while you are using your camera.Nikon 995: very highly recommended! Great quality does not become obsolete!
I am hereby changing my review of this camera.  I use this camera on a daily basis at work (work is a camera store).  I originally gave it a 5-star review, but after comparing it to the Coolpix 990 (the predecessor to this camera, which I used to own) and playing with the new Canon G2, I have found myself highly unimpressed by the 995.Maybe it's the fact that the 990 had a different lens (a 3x, the 995 has a 4x), I don't know.  I do know that the quality of the pictures is not nearly as good as those from the 990.  I liked the picture quality of the 990, but I sold it because I wanted several things it couldn't offer.  I wanted an on-board hot shoe, and I wanted a camera that had available accesories that didn't cost an arm and a leg.  Maybe I'm crazy, but paying more than a few dollars for a stupid cable to attach my flash to the camera seems absurd.  I sold the 990 before the 995 came out, and when it did come out, I was hoping for some changes, which if had been made might have convinced me to buy a 995.  Unfortunately, Nikon didn't make those changes.The manual controls are still tricky and annoying to use (compared to the Canon G2's at least, which are laid out in a very easy to use and understand way).  Why Nikon insists on making manual control so convoluted is beyond me; it's completely unnecessary.  It's things like this that make people who are new to digital want to turn away from it.  Here is Nikon's method of manual control:1.  Flip the power switch to &quot;M.&quot;2.  Push in and hold the &quot;Mode&quot; button.3.  While holding the &quot;Mode&quot; button, turn the control dial until the LCD screen displays the mode you wish (i.e. &quot;M&quot; for Manual).4.  Let go of the &quot;Mode&quot; button.  Now when you turn the dial, your shutter speed changes.5.  &quot;Oh, I want to change the aperture.&quot;  Press in the &quot;Mode&quot; button to switch to aperture.6.  Turn the dial to change aperture.7.  &quot;Oh, I want to change shutt -- oh, darn, my subject moved.  Too late.  Oh well.&quot;Now, here's manual control on the Canon:1.  Flip the control dial to &quot;M.&quot;2.  Control pad on the back--up/down to control aperture, left/right to control shutter speed.  The Nikon 995 has a pad like this on the camera, why isn't it optimized for this use?No on-board hot shoe for the flash.  Still no anti-glare coating on the screen; seeing the screen outside in the sun is impossible without sticking one of those annoying screen-hoods on it.  As for image quality, I find the that image quality isn't as good as the 990.  It's visibly less sharp than the 990.  I did some tests at the store, and the color correction is also pitiful.  I did a side-by-side comparison of the 995 and another high-end camera people often ask to see, the Canon G2.  I took the same pictures with both cameras using the same settings, and printed an 8x10&quot; from each.  The G2's color correction was far more accurate, plus the pictures were sharp from edge to edge.  The Nikon was sharp in the middle and fuzzy in the corners.  Even my coworkers, the majority of whom are Nikonians, agreed the the G2 took a much better picture.  Both cameras were set *exactly* the same (auto focus, auto white balance, timer exposure as to avoid camera shake, no flash).  And before you say, &quot;hey, you're comparing apples and oranges, 3 megapixel cameras and 4 megapixel cameras,&quot; keep in mind that a 3 megapixel camera is very well capable of producing a very sharp 10x15&quot; print (which I have printed from the original 990 model).  An 8x10&quot; should be no problem for a 3 megapixel camera, therefore, I feel it is fair to compare it to a camera of equal or higher resolution.To top it all off, Nikon still refuses to bundle some decent software with their cameras.  Nikon View is awful.  For the price of the 995, they should at least bundle something like Adobe Photodeluxe.  Canon is generous enough to include copies of Adobe Photoshop LE with the G2.In closing, I highly recommend you check out the Canon G2.  Nikon is coming out with a new model (the 5000) which is supposed to be much better than the 995, but if it were me buying it, I'd still stick with the G2 because overall I've been more impressed with Canon's line of digital cameras.  They must be doing something right--afterall, Nikon pretty much stole the G2's design for their new CP 5000 model, go see for yourself!
It took me only a few months to outgrow my previous digital camera. I was so happy with my HP315, that the Nikon was going to have alot to live up to. I still haven't figured it all out yet, but what I have is great. It's even more intuative than my HP. The features seem to go on forever. The zoom brings you right into the action. I only wish that I had more reason to use it on a regular basis.
I'm a novice photographer, but I upgraded from the 990 to the 995 and I love my new purchase! I am finding it superior to the 990. The quality of photos and ease of use make it perfect for my needs.
I purchased a 995 last Dec 1st and have yet to get the promised ... rebate. I've made many telephone calls and as near as I can find out Nikon sent the rebate to the WRONG STATE.Based on a lot of reviews I also purchase a lot of accessories for this camera and am very displeased! The LCD can not be seen in ordinary daylight and thus you will not be able to use the menu system. Don't buy any of the add on lens as they block the optical view finder and again the LCD is useless in daylight. If you want to take photos on nice sunny days find another product.
(1) The IBM Microdrive DOES work with the 995!  I've been using a 340MB drive and it works like a charm.  (2) The new positioning of the flash virtually eliminates redeye in most conditions, though the flash is still much weaker than an external one.  (3) It's a little annoying that a case was not included, the bundled compactflash is only 16MB, and you have to buy the AC cord separately.  (4) The auto-focus apparatus is a bit louder than other cameras that I've used, especially with &quot;continuous autofocus&quot; option on.  The optical zoom also seemed a bit loud.  They don't affect the operation of the camera though.  Also my hearing is particularly sensitive.I am still learning the wealth of manual operation features that this camera has.  I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase!
This is really a wonderful digicam in almost every respect. The optics are Nikon-great, the optical zoom is an adequately powerful 4x, the resolution is good enough to make perfect 10" x 14" enlargements, and the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery system is a stellar performer both for its long life and for its fast recharge cycle. About the only things I don't like are the ungainly (unusual?) size and articulating shape and the lack of an adequate memory card, but there is no digicam available today that includes a card large enough to suit me.
Had a Kodak for just over a year, and while I really liked it, I wanted more expendability, ie, QUALITY LENSES!  I'm doing more and more 360 panoramic for web work, so picked up the CoolPix 995 and the 183 degree fisheye.  Really a great combo.  The camera has a menu of presets for specific lenses - two settings for the Fisheye.  Really fast and easy setup.  One caveat - MEMORY.  a 128 meg card fit a dozen photos in the Fisheye mode.  Same card in lowest quality (fine for web pics) holds a few hundred photos!Camera has high speed modes, video mode, and more.  External sync for speedlights (bracket required).  Uses an oddball rechargeable battery, so you can't just toss in a couple of AA batteries as a backup. You'll need an extra battery or two.  Well worth the cost. Great camera, great quality photos!
generally good camera. drawback includes slow lens, esp. onthe long end. also zooming is slow. pop-up flash could beineffective leading to overexposure and underexposure.great macro performance, okay at normal distances. noisereduction feature handy for long exposures. en-el1 rechagablebattery last pretty long. I got a spare battery and it's working great. no remote orhot shoe to mount nikon flashes, The canon G2might be an interesting choice.
The CoolPix 995 is my 9th digital camera and the one that has convinced me to leave my 35mm SLR camera home when we take our next vacation (April 2002). I have been addicted to film for over 40 years but I am now officially converted. This will be the first time going digital only. I am still using film for underwater photography but that may change next year. The 8x10 and 11x14 prints I am getting from the 995 convinced me that digital is my future. This is one great camera, you can read the specs but using it is the clincher. If you buy it (Amazon's price is very attractive) get a spare battery and a 128mb (or larger) Compact Flash card and you are set. The Zio card reader is another nice accessory (but not essential).
I own this camera and it does a real good job. I would recommend this camera to anyone. Takes really good pictures.
It's been a month since I bought the camera, and so far it has proven to be a smart buy.I bought the camera for [amt] from one of the internet photo stores. The 7 &quot;scene modes&quot; do a good job for automatically setting aperture and exposure settings. However, those willing to be experiment will be rewarded with a pleasant surprises. What's really interesting with the scene modes is that they have uses beyond the names of the situations that they target. Try Sunset during the day, for example, for a more Golden Hour look. Try Beach/Snow on a back-lit subject for a different, moodier sort of lighting. You can really experiment with this little Nikon.The colors are wonderfully accurate, even with the auto setting. There is a manual white balance in addition to the 5 &quot;preset white balance settings.&quot; Just place a white piece of object in front of the camera, and it will automatically adjust the color balance of the shot. This is really great when you have multiple sources of lights and/or if you know you have sufficient light and don't want to use the flash. Contrary to what another reviewer has said in here that may be misleading, I haven't yuet found a single instance where there are red/blue/breen banding on pictures taken with sufficient light. He is probably talking about the amount of noise in the picture when a scene is taken without sufficient lighting (very low light conditions). I still have to experience the &quot;sunspots&quot; he was referring to when taking photos with the speedlight (Nikon's word for flash).Some of the photos do not come as sharp as I'd like them to be (at least on screen), but when I printed them out on a 6-color Epson photo printer, they look amazingly like normal 35-mm prints. This camera (like those from Sony, Epson, Casio, etc.) saves additional info in its JPEG files called &quot;Print Image Matching (PIM)&quot; that when printed on PIM-enabled photo printers, the colors are richer and hues truer to what you actually saw when you took the photo.All the above plus the 3x-zoom and the ultra-compact and go anywhere light weight makes this camera a smart buy. Simple interfaces and modes for casual point and shooters while giving amateur photoenthusiasts a lot of options for experimentation even if it doesn't truly have a manual mode like the more expensive cameras. Plus the batteries and recharger are included!
I got this camera about 18 months ago and loved it.  The only negative in my opinion was the pause between pushing the button and the snapping of the photo.  Unfortunately, I started getting the message of &quot;system error&quot; a few weeks ago.  I could turn the camera off and back on and it would work.  That went on till last night where the camera just quit working and the &quot;system error&quot; message is on all the time.  It has something to do with the plastic binding around the lens.  I'm really upset after reading the reviews on this camera because this problem seems to be fairly common.  Most of the reviews with the same problem have stated that Nikon is not helpful in honoring the warranty or fixing the camera for a reasonable price.  I will give it a try and send the camera to them. If they won't fix for a reasonable price I will never by another Nikon.  I just don't think a camera should be this easy to break.  It was never dropped.
Okay, so after missing the umpteen-millionth photo of my daughter because of this confounded camera, I became so frustrated I felt the need to warn others to steer clear of this piece of junk. I can't tell you how many times I've had the perfect shot lined up, only to go and take the picture and have the camera delay for several painfully long seconds while it does whatever it does (focus?) before the flash goes off. Needless to say, this isn't acceptable when trying to take candid photos of your child or people in general. If it is the auto focus, then it has to be the slowest in its category. I watch with envy as friends use their digital cameras without impugnity, popping off one shot after another without having to wait for their cameras to ready up. There are other problems as well. Like when you're lining up your shot and--whoops!--the picture screen blackens. You have to press the picture button to bring it back up. Again, you missed the shot. The Nikon Coolpix 775 makes me pine for my old film-loaded cameras and illustrates the importance of doing your research before buying anything of value. I wish I had.
I received the Nikon 775 a few days ago and not only is it the cutest camera I have ever seen but it also takes great pictures.  This is my first digital camera and I am very pleasantly surprised at the quality and ease with which it takes pictures.  Despite the camera's small size, it is very comfortable to hold due to its thickness.  I took several pictures in very low lighting, where I couldn't even see what I was taking a picture of on the LCD screen, but the pictures came out great!  Bright and crisp.  What I mostly love about this camera is the fact that it is so easy to use, you just point and shoot and the camera does all the work for you.  Then you just connect it to your computer and you can instantly see all the pictures on the screen.  I think this is a great camera for people who just want to take great pictures fast, anywhere and at any time, and not be bothered with time-consuming adjustments. I highly recommend it!
I've had this camera for a while now, and the picture quality is quite good.  My main frustration is how incredibly long it takes to power-up, the major shutter lag, and also the fact that it takes a long time to preview through pictures because it blurs and then refocuses, and forget even trying to delete pictures on the camera .. takes FOREVER.  I don't bother, I just delete them when I load it to my computer.  On the plus side, I like the colors this camera renders in comparison with others out there.. I think it's a good camera if you're into taking just like.. artsy pictures of still objects, but not action ones since it is soo slow.  and for people.. well people are impatient, and by the time you get the camera on.. it's like nobody wants to stay still for the picture anymore.Not a bad camera, if you're willing to wait for it.
Up sides:- It is light- It is not so expensive- Nice zoom in, zoom out- Good flash- all the options are accessableDown sides:The "movie" thing doesn't work. Battery goes down quickly.
Ok so I bought this camera when it first came out and wrote a quick review of my opinions after a week.. I was absolutely RAVING.  Thousands of pictures and some 5 months later I rereview the camera as I promised way back.  This camera is a great camera for getting your foot in the door of photography.  It has some great features that other cameras in its class don't have and gets you craving for more.Nikon - on the plus side.1.)  Really good picture, my opinion is that the picture is the best in its class.  For close ups in well lit areas its absolutely amazing.2.)  Price, I'm not really sure whats in its class since its really relatively cheap.3.) For the price it has a lot of well implemented features.  These features come in handy when months down the line you suddenly feel like you want to be a power user.  For example increasing exposure and playing with the white balance creates some really natural looking colors in low light.Down side1.)  The firmware seems to have some bugs.  Settings don't seem to persist through battery charges which is really annoying.  It used to work2.) AUTOFOCUS WHEN THE LCD IS OFF DOESN'T WORK.  God I hope someone at nikon is working on these two bugs.3.) Compared to other cameras with similar specs it is just a little bit on the slow side.4.) Need an autofocus light for use at night!  Canon has it why don't you.Conclusion:  Even with all my complaints I still maintain that this is a great camera.  The price is incredible.  Depending on what your looking for in a camera the nikon might not be for you however.  If you are looking to just point and click and aren't too worried about the artistic value of your picture maybe look into the canon s110.  Its smaller, doesn't have bugs, and built sturdier.  If you have a bit of the artist in you and don't mind a little hassle at times, go for the nikon.  Now if Nikon fixes these two bugs I would say there was no contest, so get on it someone.
I bought this camera around Christmas 2001 and thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Over the years, the camera has served me well. I originally bought a 64 mb card to go with it, and it was more than I ever needed, since I was pretty good about transferring the pictures onto my computer and clearing the card. The bundled software is pretty good. Allows you to drag the pictures and then drop them into any folder you like. Unfortunatly, my screen has recently broke. I made the mistake of packing it in my luggage that went through baggage handling. Even the toughest camera can't enure that abuse. It still takes pictures as well as it ever has, but I can't see how they turn out until I get home and hook it up. Isn't that the point of a digital camera? I think I may be in the market for a new one. I give it four stars because the screen broke, and costs way to much to fix.
I got the 775 camera in Nepal, where everything was running slow enough. As soon as i started working on the west side of the world, the preparation process of the camera become an obstacle to my work.if the situation is slow and the light is fair the 775 is a very good camera.
Go to google and type in &quot;Nikon Coolpix System Error.&quot;  And then Search the Better Business Bureau records on Nikon, Inc out of Torrance, CA.When you choose a different camera, you'll never know how much time and money I've saved you.
As of August 2001 this camera is not compatible with Windows 98 computers that have CD-burners installed (Adaptec drivers).  Scott at Nikon's technical support department said they would not have even shipped this camera if they knew about this problem.  The camera itself works, but Nikon clearly is better at manufacturing lenses than testing software.  I could not even hook it up to my computer, thus defeating the point of a digital camera.  Shame on Nikon for selling a product not compatible with the most popular operating system and CD burner software in the world.
Optics do matter, and I guess the Nikon name is more than just print on a digital camera. I tried this in a test against a Fuji 2.3 mp digital camera, a model that I like a lot, and the Coolpix beat the Fuji for clarity on shots of the same resolution. By a long country mile, too. The lens here must be the difference.The  features on the Coolpix include:1. Lithium rechargeable battery (important.)2. USB cable for fast transfer of pictures to the PC3. Thumbnail display on the LCD on the back for quick review of shots4. 5 different flash modes5. A large 1.5 inch LCD display6. Ability to do mini movies (avi)7. 3X Optical Zoom (lens, not digital, very nice.)8. Video out and cable in case you want to look at these on the family TV directly from the camera and not futz around on the computer.The ergonomics are close to a regular point-and-shoot film camera. The settings dial is more or less easy to use; I tried the menu and setup on camera without using the manual and got it up and running right away. The "out-of-box" experience is enhanced by a large sheet of getting-started instructions that lead you through charging the battery in the separate charging station, loading the transfer software and taking a picture and getting it onto your PC.The software includes ArcSoft "PhotoImpression" to manipulate your pictures. The interface is very simple and graphic with preview screens and virtual buttons.  I prefer Photoshop Elements for image manipulation, but if you aren't very handy with computer graphic software, PhotoImpressions leads you by the hand to get your pictures as you like them.All in all, I'd have to say that this is a very good amateur digital camera for the price, delivering performance beyond my expectations.
I just bought this camera and I LOVE it!!!!!!  Its compact for travel which I plan to use it for in Oct, and it is simple to use...Transfering the pics to my computer is a piece of cake, I LOVE the world of USB!!! PS: get a extra battery pack, I am having way to much fun with this because it is new, and I have had to recharge twice already...I think when the new-ness wears a bit, I most likely won't need it.Treat yourself... FYI, this is coming from a womans point of view (TB)
First digital.  Good pictures - when you have the time to wait for the camera to power up and don't mind a considerable shutter lag time - no real problem with the pictures, BUT the start up time and shutter lag time were/are incredibly frustrating.  I went back to a film camera because of those two problems - when taking "grab shots" - and for the complete control I get with a 35mm SLR when taking "serious photography" shots.  For a point and shoot, quick "grab the shot" camera it just doesn't get it.  On it's behalf, it is one of the earlier point and shoot digitals.  They have come a long way since this one.  Get a newer model and some of the problems have been cured.  After about a three year lay off (of digital cameras), I just got back into the digital point and shoot cameras with a Canon A620.  It is far superior to the 775.  This camera just can't keep up with the grandkids - or any other "quick shoot" situation.  I still have the 775, and will use it occassionally - within its limitations (again, the pictures are OK - not pro quality, but OK), but there are better cameras out there.
[...]Ok, this camera is the complete package for someone just getting into digital photography IF they don't plan on using it in low light condtions.I'm in a band and a lot of the places we play are very dark.  This camera is TERRIBLE in low lighting.  If you are more than 12 inches away from your subject forget about the picture turning out.  I've tried all of the available settings and none of them help.The only way I've been able to get acceptable shots was to manually set the Exposure to 2.0+ (the max setting!) This setting makes the images a little grainy.If this camera were better in low light I would have rated it 5 stars.  If low light doesn't concern you, BUY THIS CAMERA!  It's SUPER light, SMALL and comes with a rechargeable battery pack!  The rechargeable battery last a long time.  Like I said before, I use this camera primarily at night so the flash goes off with every picture.  I have a 32MB and 2-8mb Compact Flash Cards and I can fill them both (about 250 pictures!) before the battery drains..If Nikon can make the next version of this camera better for low light situations it will be unbeatable in the Price to Performance category.Hope this HONEST review helps.[...]
I was thrilled with this camera, never having had a digital before until it quit working after a month and a half.  I had not fully explored its features at that time so I can't say everything worked great.  Actually it was pretty slow and weird at times but still seemed like magic.  Then it quit completely.  The bottom line is that Nikon has not honored its warranty.  They have now been sitting on my camera for several months refusing to repair it under warranty.  We have been emailing back and forth as I try to have someone with authority and integrity address this matter and still... no luck.  They want $100 from me to fix the thing.... but of course I'm not going to drop another $100 into something  that I paid the big bucks for, did not mis-use, and does not work.  I recently learned that a friend with the same camera had to send hers back twice in its first year.  She had her local photo shop send it in for her and received better service.  Still... twice in the first year?Such fickle and selective treatment of 'warranteed' cameras.  I will never patronize Nikon again nor reccomend them to anyone on this basis.
This unit worked very well until it wore out.  The plastic zoom lense assembly started binding.  I used it fairly heavily for a little over a year and did not abuse it.  I dropped it about 5 times and did not baby it.
I obviously didn't expect a camera that is a fraction of the price of the 995 to match it in quality, however I did expect better than this.  The camera has positives and negatives:Positives:a.  As with all Nikon digitals as of yet, you can't beat the macro mode.b.  The camera comes with a rechargable lithium-ion battery.  However, in a pinch, you can walk into pretty much any drugstore or camera store and purchase a 2CR5 battery that will also run the camera (that's one positive this camera has over the comparable Canon).c.  Nice, small body.Negatives:a.  Image quality isn't fantastic.  I've seen other 2 megapixel digicams that blow this away, specifically the Olympus 2100 and Nikon's Coolpix 950.b.  Body is all plastic.  Some see this as a positive because it decreases the weight, however I like something made of metal because its generally more sturdy and the weight doesn't really bother me.c.  The LCD screen is fairly small.d.  To attach the accessory lenses, you have to use a very chintzy, goofy looking adapter (the UR-E3).  It wraps around the whole camera.e.  Only comes with an 8mb card (comes on Nikon...8mb isn't enough for anyone).f.  I have yet to see a Nikon come with a *good* software package, and this camera is no exception.  In terms of the software you get with digital cameras, the stuff Olympus and Canon bundle with their cameras blows away the stuff Nikon includes.It's decent, but for the money you could probably do much better.  If the size of the camera isn't important, there are other 2mp cameras in the same price range that are a little bigger but much better.
While this camera does an acceptable job, you can probably do better for the money.  The AUTO setting is very misleading.  It is really more of a manual setting.  I have been using a Milota camera for years and find it took better quality pictures with less need for adjustment.  A friend told me that he has two relatives who actually returned Nikon digital cameras after initial use.
This is the best digital camera I have ever used!Picture quality: even in the lowest setting, these pictures are sharp and crisp.Battery life: almost 80 pictures, all with flash, all with the screen on, and reviewed and deleted a few using the screen. Transferred them all to the computer, and the battery isn't even low. My old Kodak would have used 50 batteries under the same circumstances.Features: For the price, in my opinion, this is the best value - feature for feature - of any digital camera available today.Software: Nikon's transfer software is really easy to use. I was expecting it to be a little more difficult, but its quite easy. (I use Windows 2000-SP2). And transfer is fast and error-free.I wouldn't hesitate to buy this camera again, and I would seriously look at Nikon for their other cameras also. The digital quality I see here is the same attention to deatil I have come to expect from Nikon's SLR/35mm cameras.Buy it, and buy it now!
I have had my Nikon Coolpix 775 for almost four months and have taken about 800 pictures with it...it's just so much fun to use! And easy to use, as well. It will function as a simple point and shoot on "auto" mode and give you your money's worth, but with seven scene modes to choose from, it's a lot of fun to explore the possibilites.I've experimented a bit with some of the other features this nifty little camera has - such as macro and continuous shots - and I look forward to getting more familiar with them.This is an ideal camera for someone who wants to have fun but still take good, sharp pictures.  It's so compact and light-weight, you can literally take it with you virtually anywhere you go and always be ready for a quick snap-shot, or even a mini movie!
There are lots of entry level digicams these days. Frankly, most of them are so capable that aesthetics is as big a factor as most anything else, but in terms of sheer durability, the Nikon has proven itself better than many of its rivals.It is quite compact and easily managed with one hand. Its 2.1 megapixel resolution is fine for most anything, including enlargements up to 8&quot; x 10&quot;. The optics are superior, all glass and the effect is excellent clarity. The 3:1 optical zoom is fine, and a 2.5:1 digital zoom may add a bit of help (I'm not a fan of digital zooms, but they are able to enlarge the center of the image reasonably well, though they do so by halving the original resolution/quality). Like all these digicams, the 775 ships with too small a memory card, but this is easily rectified. The purchase of a separate card reader (eg. Viking, SanDisk) will also make life easier, as photo transfer to the PC and then to email or storage becomes very simple. The Nikon's rechargeable battery set-up is also a big plus.If you're looking to get someone started in digital photography and do not want to buy a toy, this is an excellent selection.
I bought this camera despite all the posts regarding compatibility issues with Win98 and Adaptec EZ CD Creator.I have both. Now, i didn't install NikonView because I have tons of good paint programs.So when I plugged the camera into the USB port and turned it on, the computer detected it and asked for drivers. I got usb drivers from Nikon's technical support via email. Now when I plugin my camera, I see it as a removable drive on my computer and can move my pictures around freely.  FYI, Win2K and WinME detected the camera automatically and didn't need any drivers.As for the camera itself, I love it.The rechargeable batteries are great, the pictures look great and it's easy to take with you because of it's small size.I went out of my price range because this was the first camera that had Everything I wanted.  Anything cheaper had something lacking.
Cons: this camera is heavy and bulky.  For the price, it is only around 2 mega pixels which isnt good.  I had this camera for a while then the zoom wouldnt come all the way out and it says "system error" every time  i turn it on so i cannot use it anymore.Pros:  the pictures turn out decent.  It is a solid camera but do not drop it on the lens contraption because you will have the same problem of it not turning on and its garabe now.
The choice of digital cameras are evolving.  They will become more and more specialized.  This is a good multipurpose everday camera.  It is very small, lightwieght, two mega-pixel camera that met my requirements for my photographic needs.  I wanted at least two megapixels, small enough to fit in a pocket, optical zoom, macro capable without extra lenses, compact flash memory, and a widely available battery. There were important to me because (1) my first camera Kodak DC 290 shot very good pictures for my needs at that pixel range (2) I wanted something smaller (3) optical zoom because I can do digital zoom back on the computer so who needs the camera to do it (4) compact flash because its faster and cheaper, and Sony didn't learn from betamax and created another format error, memory sticks (5) I don't like it when a company sticks the consumer 80 to 100 bucks for 'special' batteries for a camera (see Cannon Elph).  This narrowed the list down to just a few cameras.  This one just felt the best in my hand.  Takes great shots, has a self closing lens cap (a nice bonus).  A great everyday camera. Although you can't buy batteries at the gas station or quick mart; it uses a veyr common camera battery available at photoshops, drug stores, and discount retail outlets.  It comes with one set of rechargables, but its nice to be able to afford inexpensive backups for special events and travel.
I put the Coolpix 775 on my wish list after I saw the amazing photos my friends have taken with theirs, and got it for my birthday this year.  I was off to the races.THE GOOD:It's small and light, and can fit in your pocket.  It's bigger than an Elph, but still quite manageable.  The first day I used it, I had it in my pocket while touring the Napa Valley in CA.  The buttons are easy to use and figure out (I've seen some BAD UI on a Sony Camera), and the industrial design is elegant and sleek.The Coolpix has a bunch of photo modes, but honestly I haven't been able to see much difference between some of them.  Still, the Sunset mode has taken some spectacular shots for me, and I've experimented with Portrait and backlight modes as well, with good results.For me, the meat and potatoes here is the ability to take macro-focused shots.  Being a designer means I like to have shots of textures, which means getting in close.  The macro mode is superb, and I have used it to great effect to get interesting textures from rusty metal, concrete, paper towels and bark.  It's also great for getting closeup shots of things like flowers and other plants.  I've even got good shots of my dog's muzzle.The picture review mode is helpful as well, particularly the thumbnail mode.  You can sort through your photos quickly and delete the bad ones (this is one of the main reasons we get digital cameras in the first place, right?), and mark them for auto-transfer.  You can also zoom in on them if you want, though I've not seen the usefulness of that particular function yet.The default memory card is 8 MB, which some people find to be small, but I find to be perfect.  One of the first things I did was to switch the picture quality to 640 x 480, 72 ppi.  I just don't take photos for print purposes, and i can take about 160 photos at low quality.  Users who want to take hi-res shots should probably get a 128 MB card to allow for good storage of fine-quality shots.The rechargeable battery also has decent life, allowing me to take almost all of those 160 before showing a low battery warning.  Recharging takes a couple hours, though, so make sure to charge up before you head out to Disneyland for a long day of photography.THE BAD:Not much.  My biggest complaint was that the Nikonview software appeared buggy, although apparently the trouble I was having was easily corrected by re-seating the memory card and re-connecting to the computer via USB cable.  The transfer process is very straightforward, just plug the USB cable into the camera and hit the &quot;Transfer&quot; button.I've taken about 300 photos (and those are the ones that I've kept) since getting this camera on the 10th of July, and will probably take thousands more.  It's my favorite toy.  I've been a web designer (hush, all you UF readers out there!) for going on seven years now, and in all that time, have never owned a digital camera.  Well, this is all the camera I need.  Bravo, Nikon.
Digital sucks donkey turds. 120 kicks 35mm ass. Ilford is the best for black and white.  If you are shooting live action back-alley bare knuckled beatdowns under a halogen lamp during a tenderloin lightning storm, this is the film for you.Ilford is from England, luckily this film doesnt have teeth so it's viewable without nausea. But you can smell stilton stout flavored burps when you open the packaging.Diana Ross hates this film it says it makes her look old and ashy. But who cares?
My review will not add anything new to any other good review previously done for this great product.This film is a perfect fit for what I do and I love it.
This is the Ilford equivalent of the famous Kodak TriX--a fast film with a 400 ISO that can be pushed to 1600 or more, depending on development, developer and exposure. It is a bit different than the journalistic standard TriX and those differences were enough to make me switch long ago to using Ilford over Kodak.Some of the differences:1. The film base seems to lie flatter than Kodak.2. There seems to be a bit more latitude (range of grays) with Ilford HP vs TriX.Similarities1. Recently Kodak stopped making their own acetate, so the base may now be the same among most film brands.2. Thickness of acetate seems to be the same (4-5/1000 inch)3. Developers: the famous standard Kodak D76 is chemically the same as Ilford D11.Actually, one of my favorite B&W; films is Agfa APX, which I can't find often (rumor has it, it's discontinued.) So I am usually between Kodak and Ilford. Try both to see if you get better results pushing this film than Kodak. As to quality in high-speed, nothing seems to beat Kodak TMax, which has a different shape silver crystal, a "t-shape" which is supposedly able to layer in such a way to give finer grained results.None of these films has as much silver halide content as the films of years ago that I grew up on; silver is expensive. So you have to try different brands such as Ilford, Kodak and also different developers. I ended up using Rodinal (despite my instructor's warnings that it was "weird sh**")If you are seeking really fine grain and can go the other way with film speed, down to 25 ISO (tripod!) then try Ilford Pan F and Perceptol developer. Pan F is normally ISO 50 but this is cut in half by Perceptol. I never got better grain in 35mm, almost a creamy look and a very wide range of latitude. However, for speed, HP-5 Plus 400 is a standard and its ability to be pushed with reasonably good range of tones makes it one of my favorite films for available light use.
I love this stuff, I shoot it in my Hasselblad. I love the grain and contrast in the images. I prefer this over Ilford Delta, but it's a personal preference. It just means I have to do less work in post. I use this stuff all the time, if it's not this I'm shooting color with Portra.
I used to work at a photo lab a few years ago that also sold cameras and film product. The store I worked at carried this brand and I loved it! I have had a difficult time finding this for sale where I live so I love the fact that I can get it through Amazon! Great buy!
I use this for my Holga camera. I just wish places like Target or Walgreens developed 120 film. The results are almost perfect. I miss using film.
My own favorite for the Holga I purchased.  *Such* a subjective area, and the cameras themselves all operate differently, so I cannot tell you that it is what you must do; but it has performed flawlessly.  If you like the grace of b/w and vignetting, this is great.  The only bad photographs it has rendered were due to the guy holding the camera.
This film is great for walking around and taking snapshots. It's cheap, it's good quality, I can get great shadows and highlights. I also like the fast developing time. But the difference between this and the Delta is noticeable and the price difference isn't that much. I'd spend the extra fifty cents and go for the Delta for anything more than snapshots.
I love the camera I purchased and for some reason the film did not come up with a great rating...I thought I rated the film and the camera at the same time..but I rated it all 5 stars because it is just exactly what I wanted..sorry for any confusion..and I appreciated the note to my husband..it was exactly as I asked..couldn't be happier..Linda
I just came into possession of a medium format camera and needed film. I decided to give this film a try and was very pleased with the results. Now it is all I use.
I loaded up my camera with some and took it to a party.  The light was a bit low (as in, almost none) so I exposed at 3200.  The result was grain you can drive a truck through, but I was surprised at how well the images came out with that much pushing, much better than even Tri-X pushed one stop less.
Over 30 years ago I was in photography and was shooting this type for mat film. My youngest daughter found my camera and I gave it to her. So now I have the film and she is going to try it.
Took Me less than 5 min. to Point, click, install software, hook up the USB, and Crop Pictures !.. The Internal 2MB Memory allowed me to take a few Pixs. I just ran the software, Drag and Drop into my computer and I'm done. Very Cool !:-)
I purchased this camera to post pictures on my website and, I must say, I'm pleased. After using another digital camera with only low resolution capability for almost a year, this is a vast improvement in picture quality. I'm not a digital camera or computer wiz, but I can honestly say this camera was easy to learn. Although, I think if I'd never used a digital camera before, I might have been confused when it came to downloading pictures. The instructions aren't as clear as they could be for rank beginners. I had to call the toll-free customer support hotline for clarification and they were extremely helpful and courteous. The manufacturer claims this camera will extend battery life - don't count on it, unless you plan to haul around a case of AA's! After taking less than 10 pictures, the batteries were drained in half! I immediately purchased the charger with four batteries and I expect it will save me a lot of $$ in the long-run. The 2mb internal memory only holds 3 pictures at a time in the HQ mode, which is recommended for web pix. I urge you to purchase a removeable memory card of at least 16mb or higher if you want to spend more time taking pictures and less time reviewing and deleting them. This camera has some very nice features. The color LCD screen is sharp and large enough to be very useful for reviewing your pixs. Downloading is extremely easy if you have Windows 98 or Me, just click and drag into the file of your choice. My 12-year old, who has never used a digital camera, took some excellent pictures her first time out and didn't require any assistance. (She can't wait to shoot a short video to post on the web for friends and relatives.) My husband uses a comparable Kodak digital camera at his office and finds this one much easier to use. Overall, we're very pleased with our purchase.
The rating from me is actually 4 1/2 stars. Just because it's not perfect, but VERY good.First, Picture Quality. Let me tell you that I think that the camera is a VERY good camera. When I first got it I was dissapointed by the picture quality, until I got the hang of using the camera. It seems the pic quality was more due to poor user than poor camera, I needed to learn HOW to take pictures first. Its not that it's hard to do. I just couldnt do it right. :) Now almost all of my pictures come out Crisp, clear and colorful. The camera's pic quality isn't perfect (what camera DOES take perfect pics all the time though?) but it's incredible for the price.Second(and the thing you should know before buying), The Product specifications for the camera (at least at the time of writing this review) claim that it comes with an AC Adapter. It doesn't. The AC Adapter is sold seperatly. I was very dissapointed by this, and I hope that Amazon.com changes the specifications soon so no one else gets &quot;burned&quot;.Third, The Quicktime Movie mode. It is ok. It is soundless, somewhat grainy, and a pretty small picture, but it does have a nice framerate. The maximum length of the video is 60 seconds (at least on my 16 meg card that I bought for the camera). The video only takes up about 4 megs in size so I assume that this is the maximum length it can take at one time before compressing the video. It's a nice feature, but DONT buy the camera FOR itFourth, The battery power. It is VERY good on batteries. Even with the LCD screen turned on. (The LCD screen is bright and colorful in it's own right.) I am still on the set of batteries that came with the camera after 3 days owning the camera and have taken MANY pictures (at least 100) and 5 or 6 movies. I used the LCD screen for all the movies (I dont think you can turn it off when taking movies) and used it for taking about 15 pictures but always use it to review the pic after I take it.In summary, This camera is great, and MORE than worth what they're charging for it. It's easy to use, takes nice pictures, and doesn't drain your batteries. I suggest buying a smart media card with it so you can take alot of pictures at once without having to empty the camera's memory. I got a 16 meg card and it is MORE than enough. I hope you found this review helpful.
I recommend at least 64 Mb of Smartmedia memory, not 32 Mb as posted. This will provide for nearly 200 photos on a single card.
This is the third 1.3 megapixel camera I've bought.  This one is for Christmas for my sister but I'm giving it a road test first!  This is a dandy little camera.  I am very pleased with the quality of the photos and the ease of operation.  It is also light-weight, and seems to have a very fast response time for &quot;action-type&quot; photography.  Like all digitals, it tends to munch AA batteries, but it is superior to other models I have used, it's not quite as battery-hungry.  Other minuses of this model: it has no optical zoom, no protection for the LCD, apparently no optional AC adapter, and occasionally the colors do not record true.  However, for the money and for the fun, it can't be beat!  It's an excellent entry-level camera.  For e-mailing and prints up to 5x7 inches, it is all you'll ever need!
I have long been a fan of the Olympus Stylus-derived design. Not only is the clamshell case attractive, it is functional, eliminating the need for lens caps and protecting the camera's vitals from damage. The D-370 is a great camera for a digital beginner. I reserve it for the beginner category mostly because its lack of a true (optical) zoom lens (the 4x digital zoom is an electronic trick that allows you to double the size of the center of your image, but at the expense of halving the resolution; as the 370's 1.3 meg resolution will at best produce slightly grainy 5&quot; x 7&quot; enlargements, any degradation of the resolution effectively prohibits any serious image printing). The reasons to like this camera though are many: the battery life is excellent, the optics &amp; flash are very good, and its connectivity (to your PC) is above average. I love the fact that it is capable of shooting short, QuickTime movie sequences. However, to enjoy this feature (or for that matter, to even find the camera useful), a much larger memory card is needed (the 2 meg card included is worth about a buck!). All in all, as an introduction to digital imaging, this is a fine camera, though if you can afford a bit more for a 3x zoom, look at the D-460.
This is the first digital camera I have ever owned.  The picture quality seems good to me, and it is very easy to use.  I'd definatly suggest getting a memory card for this though.  The only problem I ran into was using the software that accompanied the camera.  If you use Windows 98, don't even bother with the instructions for the software that come with the camera.  Go to their web site and download their instructions right away and save yourself time and grief...otherwise, this is a great camera!!
It seems like a great camera but the previous reviewer is right about the lens. I liked the feature of the f 1.8 lens for low light situations. The barrel distortion however is awful. I rejected this camera. I was ready to order one and went to Circuit City to look at one. I checked out a post in the viewscreen and it was bowed as I panned to each extreme.I am back looking at other cameras.
I've had my eye on the C-4040z since about January this year.  After extensive reading, the choice came down to the G2 or the 4040.  The 4040 won out simply for of features-for-price.  And I've not regretted it... (well, until I saw what the 5050 has to offer and now all the regret I have is whether I should have waited for the release of the 5050.)I've had the camera now for about 3-4 weeks.  I've done some experimenting with the controls and considering this is my first REAL forage into the world of photography, I think I've lots of mileage ahead.  The sepia tone function tends to make ordinary shots look surreal.  Photographers have been experimenting with shutter speed for eons, but it just seems so much more awesome to be experiencing the effects for myself with this camera.  And the remote control is a nice improvement on the timer photos of old.Good camera; just about as idiot-proof as it can be yet at the same time providing all the manual controls a non-professional might need to produce all types of photos.  I've had so much fun with this camera, it is unbelievable.The quality of the pictures is astounding.  At 2272x1704 (which gives you 16 picts on the 16MB card), you can manipulate it in so many ways and not lose either quality or content.  I took picts at 1024x768 and the quality was not distinctly different although I assume that the quality would probably decrease with magnification.All in all - this is a wonderful acquisition.  I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in photography as a hobby.  It's definaltely a little too much for someone who only wants a point and shoot for vacations and the family dog.
I bought this camera for my wife, since she didn't get along with my Olympus C2500L much at all. She would shoot thirty pictures and about ten would be worth printing. With the C4040z she has a success rate of 90% or better.  The f1.8 lens makes the shot requirements so forgiving that it seems difficult to take a bad picture.  I did a test shoot with and without flash, and the outcome was amazing.  The only difference was the relative hue factors.  I showed them to my wife and she couldn't tell the difference.  The menus between the two cameras are very different, but have a family thread, so I figured it out in short order.  We have medium large hands, so this camera fit out hands very well and is comfortable to use, which was a huge consideration, for us.  My only complaint is the lens cap. It's on a lanyard and operates fine, but if the camera is turned on before the cap is removed, it will complain loudly.  We must remember to "remove the cap first", which is not a factor on the C2500L, being an SLR.  Buying online will save a bundle of money and if you choose your vendor wisely, you can have the great experience I had.
i've owned c-2020, c-3030, c-700, and now c-4040. this one is by far the best. professional reviews have missed the two resolution choices for movie mode, and using zoom for movie mode, which makes a big difference at soccer games at 3X zoom movies. another surprise is that with the new bright lens, non-flash indoor photos can be superior those with flash. the c-700 zoom at 10x for still and movies is wonderful, but there is no remote control, and images are less than half the bytes. my c-4040 is averaging almost 3,000,000 bytes, the c-700 1,000,000 at best.
I bought the C4040 a few months back and love the camera.  The bright lens allows great low light shots.  With the noise reduction, the low light photos are great.  The menu is somewhat complex or layered and there are not too many short cuts like some of the Canons have. The images are very easy to down load, infact it's acts as a removable drive, so you can just drag images.  The C5050 corrected this, but the price is much higher.  The Negative is also the printed manual is basically useless.  You have to put in the CD for the full manual.  The camera is not a compact, so I ended to getting a  S200 Elph for places where I wanted a super-compact. The lens cap design is very poor.  Infact I added a tiffen filter tube to protect the lens when it powers on.
This is my third Olympus camera and in my opinion it is the best one.  The pictures are amazing!!  I am not the greatest photographer, but this camera makes me look good.  The color is perfect, it's easy to use and it's Olympus!!  As with all digital cameras, battery life is terrible, so invest in rechargeable batteries and always have spares.Before purchasing this camera I was tempted to go with a Nikon, but when I compared the features side by side-Olympus was the one for me.
I have had my C-4040z for 8-months. It replaced an Olympus C-2020z. The 4040 is a fine camera with many features. The 1.8 lens is great for low light conditions where you don't want to use a flash. The pixel mapping function remaps bad pixels if they occur and the noise reduction is effective for photos taken at shutter speeds &lt; 0.5 seconds. The photo quality is excellent and with 4.1 megapixels, you can crop any image and still have good resolution for printing. The only accessory I added to the camera is the FL-40 external flash unit. Expensive, but worth the investment if you need to shoot flash photography.For those new to photography the "P" mode (auto) will produce great photos. Once familiar with the 4040 or those with experience, the Aperture mode and Shutter mode is where you will do most of your photography. One can also run the 4040 at full manual allowing the user to control all of the cameras functions.
After having doused a Camedia 2000 Camera in a river in the Venezuelan jungles of the Amazon, I decided to go for the top of the line Olympus Camedia C-4040.  Took it to Turkey and shot over 1000 pictures at low and medium resolution.  Came home and projected them on a 3 ft. by four foot screen and everyone was amazed.  I am absolutely fascinated by this camera.  Color rendition is excellent, and battery life exceeds expectations, especially if flash is not used.  You really don't need it in many situations since the camera behaves marvelously in low light  situations.  Also, Windows handles the transfers without any problem for quick viewing and picture rotations.  The manual modes are good for the overly serious photographer but for those just a notch under "professional" that want first class pictures and know how to take them, the programmed mode will take care of all the technical details for you magnificently.  I only wish I could attach a fisheye lens to the otherwise complete digital camera.  This is a camera for the discriminating photographer.
Many people have written wonderful reviews of the C-4040. I have to say that I agree with most of them ... this is a great camera with wonderful functions.Unfortunately, there's something most people have overlooked about this digicam. The lens is so flawed that I'll go as far as to say the C-4040 delivers worse photos than the old C-3030! Before you doubt me completely, hear me out.Most digital cameras suffer from something called &quot;barrel distortion&quot; at the wide-angle setting and &quot;pin-cushion distortion&quot; at the telephoto setting. What this means is, if you take a picture of a house and look closely at the sides of the house, the up-and-down lines of the sides of the house will &quot;bend&quot; outward at wide-angle and &quot;bend&quot; inward at telephoto. On some digicams you can barely see this distortion without a magnifying glass. But with the C-4040, the barrel distortion at the wide-angle setting is so bad it actually makes it look like buildings are being squeezed from above and the sides are bending out!This isn't a problem if you never use the lens at wide-angle, or if you never take a photo of something with lines that go straight up and down, but I take photos of buildings on a regular basis. I upgraded from a C-3000 to a C-4040 a month ago. Although the C-4040 delivers higher resolution photos than the C-3000, the barrel distortion on the C-4040 was so bad that I took it back to the store and went back to using my C-3000.Unless you NEED a 4-megapixel camera for 11x14 prints or larger, don't get this camera. Get a C-3000 or C-3030 and you'll be MUCH happier. Trust me. If you do get a C-4040, use the lens in the middle range. Don't ever go wide or tele because up-and-down lines will bend one way or the other.
If you read my review on the Canon S30 page, you'll think I am aflake.  That's because in that review I explain why I switched fromOlympus c3040 to the Canon S30 (after my olympus got stolen).  Now Iam writing to explain why I took back the Canon and went with thecurrent generation Olympus c4040 despite what I said in that reviewaboutr the c3040.  Here I also compare the Olympus c3040 to theOlympus c4040: they are very different cameras.Here's the executive summary: contrary to what I thought, the c4040 isnot just a 4 megapixel version of the c3040.  It's got much fastercomponents, faster smart media access, faster LCD, focus, startup.And also important, it's got a much better menu interface.  In otherwords, it's current generation components, in the exact same physicalpackage of the previous generation c3040.  So here are some of thedetails:1: The c4040 is much faster than the c3040 in recalling images thatyou've taken.  It's comparable to the Canon S30/40.2: The menus are improved over the c3040, being much easier tonavigate, better designed, and with a useful shortcut capability.  Ilike the shortcut feature even though I thought it was cheesey atfirst.  The menus are displayed on top of the image you're looking at(or the shot you're composing) rather than on top of a blue screenbackground.  The Canon menus are still nicer and better designed, butnot so much better anymore.3: The LCD screen is more useful: it's wysiwyg, in that it adjusts toshow you what the shot will look like, as you adjust the settings.For example, if you adjust the exposure down a notch or two, the imageyou're composing in the LCD also adjusts darker.  This may have beenthe case in the c3040 but I never noticed.  I hated that LCD andrarely used it.  The c4040 LCD seems much faster, tracking your motionin real time, and much more accurate, and reflects the reality of thephoto you are about to take fairly closely.  Still not as quick ornice as the Canon, but close.4: The low light lens of the cXX40 series is amazing.  You cannot takepictures in low light situations with other cameras that come CLOSE towhat you can do with this camera.  I gave up that possibility when Ibought the Canon and now I am glad to have it back.  That is, if youhave a low light situation and you are not within flash range, then noother camera will do.  I have the bad photos from the Canon to proveit :-)5: I had great results with the slow flash mode, capturing a nicesunset, and then briefly flashing the subjects of the photo to have mycake and eat it.  I couldn't believe how nice the picture came out.I bought the Canon S30 because it was much better than the c3030 asfar as performance and features and usability was concerned.  I gaveup low light capabilities reluctantly but felt it was better in everyother way.  But, I ended up returning the Canon S30 when time aftertime I was disappointed with the pictures it took.  The flash's rangeseemed very limited.  Pictures were too dark.  Wouldn't fire the flashwhen it ought to in automatic mode.  The camera had a hard time withphotos I know my c3040 had no trouble with.  Fiddling with the Canonis very easy and almost fun because it's UI is fantastic and veryfast, but in the end it's the pictures that matter the most, and theCanon's were just too disappointing.  I was flabbergasted becauseeveryone raves about that camera.Here's a few more tidbits:1: The Canon UI and menus are still much nicer than Olympus's improveddesign.2: The Olympus lens cap sucks.  It might be a requirement with theirspecial low light lenses.3: If you're tempted to get the Olympus 720 series, which has a bigzoom, just make sure you realize that you are giving up the low lightlens.  If not for that, I would definitely have bought that camera.4: Buy some NiMH batteries and a new generation quick charger.  Youcan get 1700 and 1800 mAh batteries now, and chargers that recharge inan hour.  I just took my camera on the road and brought just ONE setof batteries and my portable, tiny, smart charger.  Worked great!5: Check for bad pixels.  I just got back from vacation and noticed Ihad some bad (stuck on) pixels in my c4040.  That sucks.  I bought it29 days ago so I was able to return it for a new one.  I am going tocheck it RIGHT NOW for bad pixels.  This is why I buy cameras atstores from now on instead of the web.  Returning on the web is toohard.6: It's nice that the c4040 will let you take 3 megapixel pictures.The Canon S40 only supports 4 megapixels and 2 megapixels (and lower).I used 3 megapixels on my trip because I didn't want to run out ofshots with my memory cards.
Overall, this is a fantastic camera. The resolution is astonishing, clarity is excellent. The only problem I've found is with some of the attachments and specialty lenses. I got the UV filter, which is highly recommended by the manufacturer as a protective cover for the lens. You need this if you're planning on using a telephoto or fish-eye lens. The problem? If you're using one of these lenses, you *have* to have an external flash because the adapter is so long that it casts a shadow from the internal flash. It also blocks part of the view in the viewfinder, so you can't see the entire frame.Otherwise, I've found no flaws. I do recommend a flash memory reader so you can avoid using the tiny USB cable that comes with the camera. Seems faster, too.Overall, I'm still loving my camera - use it nearly every day!
My work group tested many digital cameras over the last few years.  We looked at resolution, image distortion, color saturation and accuracy and evaluated zoom lenses at the extremes of their zoom range.  In general, the Olympus cameras performed better than the others tested, including Canon, Nikon and Kodak.  Manufacturers can advertise how many megapixels their cameras have, but the real test is to take a resolution test image, then enlarge it to 800% and print it on a high quality printer.  Our results showed that Olympus cameras performed very well &quot;per pixel&quot;.  Also, the Olympus cameras gave excellent results at the widest angle of zoom, an area where many consumer cameras fall short.  Apparently, the optics used are superior, resulting in lower barrel distortion.The image size of 4mb is more than adequate to produce sharp 8.5 x 11 prints.  With an image this large, one can zoom in and enlarge 1/4 of the image to 4x6&quot; and still get a very sharp print.  The ability to use AA batteries is a plus.  Excellent value in a mid-priced camera.
I bought this camera after doing a fair amount of research into high quality digital cameras. It was my first one and I was not disappointed. The quality of the images are just fantastic, the camera itself is easy to set up and use and it's not too heavy to carry around if you're going hiking or whatever. The only gripe I would have about it is the time it takes for the lens to &quot;wind out&quot; but it's a minor issue.
I am glad that I purchased the  Olympus Camedia C-4040 4MP Digital Camera 3X Optical Zoom! When you go to the Olympus web site; you can and are able to download the Instruction Manual for this amazing camera.  It takes excellent pictures indoors and outdoors.  You will not be disappointed.  Just make sure that you refer to and read the Olympus instructions and you will be operating this camera like a pro.  I thought it would be too heavy to carry in my shoulder bag, It is easy to carry and comes in handy whenever you are in the mood to take a picture.  You won't be disappointed! I am glad I purchased it, even though it is not a new camera; It is in mint condition!
shouldn't they have brought out a better than 3x optical zoom on this near-professional model? I use my Camedias (700 &amp; 2100) for mostly sports photography (though the 700 is a great all-purpose digicam), and after having had 10x optical zooms for a while, I just can't imagine going back to 3x and losing so many potentially great shots. I believe travelers would find the same missed opportunities. In every other respect, the 4040 is a great camera, with excellent 4 megapixel resolution (which would easily allow 11&quot; x 14&quot; enlargements without loss of clarity), great optics, a choice of power cells (including handy AA disposables when needed) and a good quick-time movie with sound feature. Of course, the camera needs a much bigger memory card to be truly useful, but these have recently gotten as inexpensive as fifty cents per meg, so adding a 128 or even 256 meg card is not so unreasonable. By the way, reliability has been rock-solid with these Camedias, and Olympus service, if needed, is quite good.
I bought this camera about a year ago, after reading the good reviews here at Amazon.com.  I was nervous buying it sight-unseen, but I have not been disappointed.  This camera is awesome.  I have used a Minolta SLR (with a heavy bag full of lenses and accessories) for 20 years, but I was taking better, sharper photos with this camera within weeks.The other reviews tell you much about this camera, so I won't repeat all that.  I mainly want to add my additional "thumbs up" to the list of reviews.This camera has a lot of features that deserve to be learned.  So plan to spend some time with it to get the most out of it.  A lot of the detailed documentation only comes on the CD ROM included with the camera, by the way.  The camera takes superb photos in automatic mode, but knowing all of its features makes it even more capable, and more fun to use.  This is not the camera for someone who only wants to point and click.  But if you're considering spending this much, you probably already know that.I have never taken so many beautiful photos before this camera.  I print the best on 8 x 10 glossy paper and they are extremely sharp and colorful.
The camera is good. Its jpeg file has all information you took shot (every bit!!!). But you are unable to print any of them, including date and time, when you send for printing. You have to manually edit jpeg file to add basic things such as date and time. A very pitty fact for such good camera.
This makes the third camera in the Camedia series that I've purchased.  (I had the 2000Z and the 3030Z too.)  I've found that I can sell my older models (about 16 months) after I purchased them, to family and friends for just over 50% of the original purchase price... making the net cost of the new upgrade about ....Although the older models took good pictures, each upgrade was easier to use and took sharper pictures.  (I have about 6 gig of pictures over the last 3 years.)  The model 4040 is again, a giant leap forward in ease of use and picture clarity.  For example: at normal portrait distances 5 to 7 feet, without any zoom... after you download the pic into the computer, you can zoom in and literally count the number of eyelashes on the person.  This is a result of the high number megapixels AND the Olympus quality lens that has been specifically designed for their digital CCDs.When choosing a digital camera there is a trade-off.  On one side you can get cameras with as much as a 20x optical zoom (but it adds considerable size and weight).  On the other side of the trade-off is that you can get something small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, like the 4040 (but only have a 3x optical zoom).  I think the best compromise is to get a small digital camera with the most megapixels, then take the pictures with the 3x optical zoom, download the image to the computer and zoom/crop the picture (on the computer) without concern of loosing detail (because of the high megapixels).  The Olympus 4040 fits this alternative.Although I think it is one of the best digital cameras on the market, there is always room for improvement.  To make this camera better I'd:1.  Include removable NiMH batteries with an in-camera charger adapter.  (My purchased add on NiMH batteries that last for around 70 pics per charge.)2. Although the CCD is rated at 4.1 megapixels, the camera records about 3.8 megapixels....  Why?  Where did the other 0.3 megapixles go?3.  Included is a 16meg smartmedia card.  This is only enough for about 20 pics.  A 128meg card runs about ... and can store more than 160 pics per card.  Add a few bucks to the camera and give us a usable card.4.  Since the user manual is about  inch thick, you think you have plenty of detailed instructions.  Then you realize only 1/8 inch of the manual is in English (the rest is in five or six other languages).  And, what is in the manual, does not give sufficient detail about many of the various options.  (You have to read/study the instructions on the included CD to get an idea of what many of these functions mean/do.)
I admit to buying each of the Olympus cameras in this series, starting with the C2000. And just about the time I discover what features I really want, Olympus brings out a new model with just those features. Fortunately, I have a hand-me-down system that puts the previous models into good hands.And the models in this series do get better and better. This latest model has some significant improvements, not the least being a greatly improved menu system.To start, this is nominally a 4.1MP camera, though I believe the effective pixel count is on the order of 3.87. No matter, it's now at the point where you can make truly superb 8x10 prints with todays's best inkjet photo printers or Oly's own dye sub printer, which is probably the best you can do at home. And as if that were not enough, Olympus supplies this camera with an interpolated mode that creates a gaint 7,680,000 pixel file. I haven't had time to try that yet, since I am wary of these interpolated modes.The extra pixels are welcome, as is the very fast F1.8 lens. This is probably the same lens that was introduced on the C3040, one of the few cameras in this series I didn't get. Glad to have waited until there was a bit more on offer than just a fast lens. The extra speed lets you shoot more often at 100 ISO, and also give you more selective focus when you need it. It's a worthy improvement.Perhaps the most welcome improvement is the new menu system, which lets you use configurable top-level short cuts to get to the most used settings. I used to fumble when I wanted to change from one picture size or quality to another. Fumble again when I wanted to tone down the flash power. Now I can put these settings at the top level, where I can find and set them easily. You can also change the function of a new button marked AEL, which comes preset to lock an exposure when you want to expose for something that would ordinarily be overwhelmed by other contrasting elements. Since this function is so useful, I decided not to change its setting, but you could configure it to do something you do more often.For next time? I still want the top LCD to be dimly backlit -- which it isn't. I also want the attached lens cap not to cause the camera to hemorrhage internally -- which it does.  I still want the camera to come with NiMh batteries and charger -- which it doesn't (any more). And I still wish they would supply either no memory card or one of a decent size -- which they don't. A manual that actually explain the advanced functions also wouldn't hurt. What is pixel mapping? Don't ask the manual, I still don't know.All in all, I believe this is the best compact digital camera you can get. It has plenty of pixel power, lots of manual and semi-manual settings, a great new lens and a quick and intuitive menu system. Unless you need an SLR, with its bulk, complexity and weight, this is the camera to get for best quality results.
Cute little number. Stylish, like all of Canon's products. Easy to use.
Perfect size--fits right in our camera bag, but is big enough to take pics using the timer, without seeing the table in the shot!  Don't know if it would hold a really heavy camera without toppling, but it does fine with our Poweshot A720.
the ball bearing tightens into place against a small piece of aluminum about as thick as a soda can. needless to say the first time i tried to adjust it, it broke. its truly a piece of junk. dont buy it.
I needed someone to hold my camera one day and I was the only someone there.  Lost the shot.  I searched and found this little gem.  Sturdy, well constructed and small as can be.  I carry it in my "go" bag and never notice it 'till I need it.  It's there. Easy, fast and reliable.  Great purchase!!!  I wish everything I bought worked for me this well!
The tripod head was never strong to begin with and after only a few uses with a Powershot SD630 the tightening screw cracked apart the entire head.Naively, I purchased a second Mini only to have the same thing happen in the exact same way. I think I'll stick to camera beanbags nowadays.
This is a great light-weight table top tripod.  I use it to take self-portraits and videos.  I love the fact that it's so small it can fit into my purse but it's also sturdy enough to hold my semi-heavy camera.  Great product!
The tripod is really well made, extremely good quality. There is nothing much to say about it. Very light. Worth the price.
I was disappointed with this Tripod.  It is cheap and flimsy.  It works (barely) and that is the most I can say for it.  I can see now that there are many better on the market.
Well, after buying this TRV730 based on all the rave reviews from everyone (mostly) I am a bit disappointed to find out that no one was keen enough to accurately tell prospective buyers about the very POOR low light capability of this model.  For the sake of me, I cannot make decent videos using my normal indoor lighting (100 watts or more incandescent lamps) in the room(s).The LCD screen shows the pictures much brighter than they really are when I upload them to the PC via the i-link (firewire) digital port into Adobe Primier or Ulead's VideoStudio software.Sony seems to have turned up the video gamma, brightness and contrast inside the camera for playback, because the videos look brighter when I play the tapes through the TRV730 itself connected to my Sony TV via the composite video output of the camera.  Digital upload to PC do not look anything near what shows up on the TV composite output, so Digitial copies will be very poor and DARK because of this!  My older Sony 8mm analog cams do much better than this in low light and the colors look better too.  The Colors on the TRV-730 look pale and washed out. Not at all like the vibrant "Sony colors" I have come to expect from Sony cameras in general.  What happened Sony?The good points people have raved about are true... I just had to enter my experiences to tell the bad points that most people are not telling (or they are beginners and just don't know [...]) Sorry. Does'nt anyone else see this problem or is it just my camera that may be defective?  Those are my only gripes (bad faded colors, bad low light sensitivity).  Low light pics are not noisey, but just very dark, too dark to see!) ... Oh one more thing, yeah the lense is not so "wide angle", it is like it is always zoomed up on the scene.  So beware wide angle lense freaks.  This is not good either.
I knew I was buying an old model, the handle is thorned butthe camera seems to be working good,  did not used featurescompletely yet.
I bought this machine and returned it. Why? Although this machine has many fancy features, it has problem with the most basic function: voice recording.When recording on 8mm tape with cables (battery was not charged yet) as power source, the recorded audio had very noisy static, a little like the siren in the ambulance. Totally unacceptable.Sony, why not make sure that your products can do some basic things correctly before spend so much efforts to build those mostly useless fancy features.
This camera obviously has great features at its reasonable price.  The night vision is a very creative (however unnecissary) feature that I found to be fun to show to your friends however not needed for filming very often.  Unfortunatly, you may find yourself using nightvision often because as you take stills in lower light conditions the quality decreases.  This decrease is only noticed when looking at the pictures on a computer or on paper (or when looking at movies on a TV screen).  However, this camera tends to be cheaper than most others because it records in a Digital 8 format.  In other words, it records digitally on to regular Hi8 tapes which are generally cheaper than most miniDV tapes.  However, keep in mind if you buy a 120 minute Hi8 tape, this camera will only record 60 minutes on to it because the data takes more room.  The camera, however, is very user friendly and can run almost completely automatically as well as manually.  The autofocus is very efficient along with an excellent optical zoom and an oustanding digital zoom (although quality does decrease with digital zoom).  The camera acts extremely well in brighter conditions and clearly out performs many other cameras, it's the indoor low light coniditions that still need plenty of work.
What makes this camcorder nice is the fact that it is very easy to use. You can keep this as simple as you like, or you can spend some time and learn the more advanced features  --  but they are optional and learning them will not get in your way of making great home movies.With no knowledge of camcorders and a basic understanding of how to connect the power to the cam so that you can charge the battery, you can start making movies.Video quality is superb and the sound recording works very good. When compared to my old analog tapes the quality of a digital recording is amazing.Once you master the basics (which is all you ever actually need to know) you can advance at your own pace and learn how to fade in and out and add great titles. Sony provides a number of easy to use titles that overlay on your recordings, or you can make your own.The instruction booklet is thick with detailed explanations of what, why and when - but the first few pages use pictures and simplicity to explain how to use this unit right out of the box.One great new feature: Sony has made it easy with scroll wheel that also depresses and allows you to navigate many menus with only your thumb.I connected my TRV730 directly to my new desktop using the Firewire cable (included with your camcorder!) and loaded the software (Studio DV) that came with my computer (HP Digital Video Desktop System) and within minutes I was controlling my camera from the computer. There is also a USB port if you do not have Firewire capabilites.I was able to upload several hours of old movies up and into the computer with no problems at all. This unit is backwards compatible (the TRV130 and TRV830 are NOT!) so you can view all of your old analog based recordings.These new Lithium ION based batteries are great because you can charge them anytime you like without affecting the &quot;memory&quot; and you can charge the unit without ever removing the battery.I have other cameras that use the first generation lithium-ions and found them to be great batteries that lasted and lasted. These next generation ones are simply smaller with the same amount of power.Nightshot works great in low light conditions and SUPERnightshot makes it possible to record in virtual darkness. I walked outside on a pitch black night and zoomed in on the license plate of a car across the street and it read perfectly. No way could I read that plate with my own eyes and I have great vision.The Steadyshot is seamless and works well. My last camcorder (the analog one) did not have this feature and you can tell the difference in my recordings. When you are zooming in, the effect of Steadyshot is increased.The bottom line is that this camera has a lot of nice features that make it worth the price. The most important feature is that it is easy to use and the controls are intuitive so you can start using your camera as soon as it is charged.I am a pro-Sony consumer and have spent thousands of dollars on various Sony items. I do this because they WORK and when they don't, Sony stands behind their products with a warranty.You REALLY don't need those expensive in-house warranties sold at Circuit City and Best Buy, despite what you may read in other reviews. The only decision you should be making is where to save the most money.
I bought this camcorder 10 days before.Earlier I had Panasonic PV DV800. I returned that one because I wasn't happy about video quality.I liked TRV 730.Pros :Day light video quality is superb. Except night time it is not quite good. Mega Pixel digital photo is quite satisfactory.USB support is very useful. You can just connect to computer and your camcorder will become virtual disk. It is pretty sleek and data transfer is fast.Cons.Memory is just 4 MB. I could hardly take 5 photos with high resolution. Separate Battery charger could be better. At night time even there is plenty of light, picture seems little dark.Final Word:There are many DV camcorder cheaper than this one. I will still recommend this based on quality. I found this digital 8 better than other DV's. Overall this is best bet.
This camera was a Christmas present to me this past season and I fell in love with it on first sight. The emotion for it grew after I saw it's first picture. This camera took such good pictures that it beat any 35MM camera I ever used. I unfortunately have experienced infant mortality with my camera, which brings into light the warranty through Thompson Multimedia. They took my information over the phone and agreed it was dead and gave me three options to get an exchange one option being as fast as three days. I was also impressed with that portion of my camera experience.I therefore would highly recommend this camera to anyone wanting lots in a digital camera for lots less money in its category. Not to mention it feels good in your hands and looks good. It is simple to operate, and encourages you to try more options which this camera has plenty.
Ask anyone who has used the CDS6300 much, and you'll get (at least) the following complaints:* Battery door is poorly made and breaks, and it's really hard to tape it back shut because the battery springs are really tough.  When the doors break off, the camera won't let you shoot any pictures until you close them up again, so you're pretty much stuck at this point.* Drivers for Windows XP aren't available.  I keep the driver package around for when they randomly stop working on my PC, and then I do a re-install - seems to fix the problem for at least a short while.* Randomly breaks.  With this camera, you're pretty much guaranteed that it will disintegrate while you use it - it's just a matter of when.  The flash on my camera stopped working two days ago after some light use taking photos on eBay, and it hasn't come back yet.  Some people experience total camera death, some limp along with a temperamental camera until it totally dies, etc.* Tech Support is awful.  RCA / Thompson have basically disowned this camera.Additionally, my camera suffers from a bad sensor where I get marching patters of faint pink, green, and light blue waves across the screen.  Gah.At 2.3 megapixels, tiny (and battery-hungry) LCD screen, and very slow response time, you're better off buying pretty much any camera on the market.
I just received this camera as a xmas present and I am very, very pleased.  2 years ago when I had to decide between a 35mm and a digital camera, I opted for the 35mm as I use Photoshop a lot and I did not want to sacrifice quality.  Now, as the technology has certainly improved, I am pleased to say, when given a choice, I will reach for this camera first!  The pictures are beautiful both with and without the flash.  But, the most impressive feature is the ability to take extreme close-ups.  I took a picture of a CD at about 4 inches and I was able to read everything on the cover, crystal clear.  The zoom also works extremely well.  This camera has every feature you could want and at 2.3 Mega Pixels, it is a fantastic deal.  I highly recommend!
I am really impressed with my digital camera, as this is my first digital camera.  It is very easy to use, its a user friendly camera.I love all the cables that came with it.  Hook it up to the TV and have a slide show.  USB cable to download onto PC.  Very good program to size and do whatever to your photos.  A carrying case as well as a neck strap.  It comes with an 8mb card, and will take the no-name upgrade cards.It takes wonderful pictures, and I love the way that I can manully adjust the whiteness in a room. The digital and optical zooms are great and I love the LCD screen.  You can take manual or automatic pictures as well.Diffently get rechargeable batteries.... The lens cap is really easy to lose, (I've lost it once) but there is a lens cap holder on the neck strap.I am really happy with this camera, this is one that is going to be current for at least a year.  With all the extras and with all the features of the camera, diffently a very good buy.
I received this camera as a gift. This is my first digital camera and it seems to have fantastic features for the price. After taking about 10 pictures, the camera froze on me while I was in the process of taking a picture. The camera will not come back to life and it is not a battery problem because I tried to use the AC adapter. Maybe I had some bad luck.
My Samsung MiniDV camcorder didn't play back my 3-year old video tapes at all, nor would it play back newly recorded footage on those same old tapes. I bought this head cleaner tape and ran it twice for 10 seconds and now it plays any tape I can throw at it like it's a brand new camcorder! I'd highly recommend buying this cleaning tape. I bought it on the notion that even if it didn't work, it was only 8 bucks so it couldn't hurt. I'm happy to say that it greatly exceeded my expectations! Buy this product!!
This head cleaner only has a minute of tape in it. Most of the other ones have around five minutes. I ran it through a dirty cam-corder as soon as I got it and it didn't help at all. I'm disappointed with the performance of this product. I have used Panasonic tapes head cleaners for years and have always been satisfied until now.
My Canon DV camera stopped working and I needed to save my 2nd daughter's 1st DV to my computer.  I used this and it worked and I could save the memories and then threw the DV camera and invested on HD camera with memory card.
My MiniDV Camcorder was producing a very noisy image with what appeared to be a lot static.  The image was breaking up and had streaks of noise running through it.  The Panasonic MiniDV Head Cleaner (purchased new)cleared the image in one application.  It was very effective.  The cost at about $5 was reasonable; however, when shipping cost were added the total cost was nearly $20 which seemed unreasonable.  After all, it is only a casette size tape.
It works as described.  What more can be said.  Only a fraction of the cost of some other brands yet cleans your digital camcorder as well.
Have not used this product yet didn't need to yet bought it as a just in case purchase but price was great and it is a reliable brand.
It's REALLY hard to find these in a regular store, but my digital camcorder needed one to work properly. I got it quickly, and it did its job!
So, I have this old panasonic miniDV camera that's been laying around for like 6 years and the last couple times I tried to use it to watch some old DV tapes they had blue lines across the frame and it was all messed up. Finally I thought maybe it's just the heads, so I dropped like $5 on this head cleaner. BAM! Working like a charm. Now, don't get me wrong this doesn't make miniDV footage look any better. And trust me that stuff doesn't really hold up very well. But at least for nostalgia purposes, glad to be able to use my old crappy camera as a miniDV tape deck now! Thanks, digital head cleaner!
I used it a few times on my video camera but it didn't get rid of the blue screen whatever no-playback. guess that wasn't it. it probably works fine for cams that actually work! (duh). :/
This worked in my cannon camcorder  and solved the problem I was having with it Used for 10 seconds only
This mini DV tape head cleaner does the trick. It's easy to use and cleans the heads in 10 seconds. I had been having issues with the quality of video going into transfer mode, but this cleaner quickly fixed the issue.The directions are written very tiny so you need a magnifying glass to read them. They are pretty stern when they say to not use it for more than ten seconds at a time, so I was very careful. I think for the price I pain and the quality of the cleaner it was a very good deal.Here's a good tip to remember for all users of tape based video cameras:Recently I learned that you are never supposed to change the brand of video tape used in your camera. Apparently each brand of tape has a specific  'lubricant' that will cause problems if mixed with the lubricants of other brands.
I have had this camera for about 2 months now and love every bit of it.  It takes amazing photos, the optical zoom lens is spectacular and the camera has all the manual options so that I can have complet control of the photos.  The manual settings are NOT on a menu driven system so it is quicker to make changes (and uses less batteries by not having the screen on all the time).POWER SAVING TECHNIQUES:I bought PowerEx Rechargables and I get about 600 pictures per set... More than enough... A couple tips for longer battery life.  Do not use the Large screen unless completly nessesary.  Use the EVF on auto on.  The View finder will turn on when you place your eye up to it.  Also, do not use the continues focus option... It will kill the batteries in no time.The best camera I've ever owned... Long exposure night shots... simply amazing.
The story behind this camera is the same story for the 7 and the 7i. This entire series of cameras are terrific in terms of their final image quality because the pictures are not touched in any way by post processing. What you get from a high-res jpeg is a direct interpretation from the raw data, just like what you get from an Exilim ex-z75 pocket cam, just like you get from any camera in raw mode, just rasterized into a jpeg format, so don't ever bring yourself to use the TIFF or raw formats on any of the 7-series cameras.These cameras were indeed ahead of their time. I own both the 5 and the 7i, the last camera to come out before Konica Minolta as a label began to drop the ball with the A-series and 7i cameras. The only other cameras that even match the 5/7/7i in quality are the Canon G5, the Leica Digilux 2, the Olympus E-10/E-20, the Fuji s602/6000/s7000, and the Kodak p880. You're looking at one of the cameras that came out during the golden age of digital photography when making a P&S; camera was serious business and cost 1000+ dollars per unit for a 9mm(1/1.8") or 11mm(2/3") sensor. (yes those measurements are right even though only a portion of the sensors are used for recording the images. If you can find any one of these cameras for 1/4th or less their original price, KEEP THEM AND ENJOY THEM until they croak, if they croak, that is.
I gave this camera 5-stars because of the photos it produces.  The one down side is the way it drains batteries, but I carry 5 sets of re-charageable with me all the time.  Four sets are rated at 1600 Mah and one set is rated at 1700 Mah.  One of the best sets is Quest.  I've gotten as many as 60-65 shots in the daytime.  The bottom line is I made an investment in the camera and I'm not going to let the battery situation change my mind.  I bought my first Minolta camera (the Autocord twin-lens reflex) in Japan in 1956.  I have several other Minoltas and two Mamiya's, but this camera can compete with all of them.  It's rather nice to sit at my computer and produce pictures that are as good as those I produce in the darkroom.  I've won some National awards for my photography over the years and I have taken some in the past month that are as good as anything else I have shot.  People that have seen my new work are amazed.  It's actually the camera that deserves the lion's share of the credit. If you're serious about photography, then grab yourself some re-chargeable batteries along with this camera and enter a new world of excitement.  If you're not serious go buy a disposable camera.
I bought my Dimage-5 last Spring and it had a defective battery compartment.  The defect was obvious... The first battery powered images I got are summertime of 2002.If it had worked "out of the box" I would rate this a four star camera...
Advantages:- incredible picture quality- great zoom.- quick data transfer- plenty of optionsDisadvantages:- built-in flash is useless.I have this camera since 5 months and I still love it. Some people complain it uses batteries quick. I bought 4 Rayovac rechargables. I managed to make 180 photos without flash and 110 with flash on one charge. Buy more memory - I have 128 MB and it is still not enough for a weekend trip (150-160 pics in very good resolution).
This itineration of the Dimage series brings excellent quality and useful features to the buyer in the 'upper middle' segment of the digicam market. The Dimage 5 is almost identical to the Dimage 7, though it sells for roughly 1/2 the price, with the only difference being the 3.3 megapixel resolution of the Dimage 5 vs the 5 megapixel resolution of the Dimage 7. If you are not planning on shooting pictures ultimately intended to be blown up to poster size, 5 megapixels is not going to be worth the money.This camera is well made, well balanced (though slightly large for my preferences) and features an excellent electronic viewfinder, great optics and a very powerful and accurate 7x optical zoom (bumped by a 2x digital zoom if needed). Its controls offer a lot of options for creativity, while the fully auto setting makes life simple for those who like it so. It does require the purchase of a much larger (128) memory card and a second set of batteries, but otherwise is ready to go as is. The main competitor, in my opinion, would be the Olympus 2100, which has a more powerful zoom (10x) and the highly desireable image stabilization.
This is my third dig. camera. I like it a lot. It has lots of great features such as 28 to 200 mm optical zoom, varies exposure controls, SLR with EVF....However, if you are considering this camera you have to aware the following 3 points:1)The viewfinder is electronic screen. It is fine but the subject is still cannot compare to optical viewfinder. If you need high detail view, then you need to consider.2)All photos need to re-save with Minolta's own software in order to convert the file into the correct sRGB color space ( don't ask me what it is) according to some major dig. camera review sites. Yes, every single photos.The above two points are acceptable as long as it produces fine photos. But...3)Power consumption is unacceptably high. I put a fully charged NIMH cells in and it only last about 5 minutes and the battery icon started to blink. And the camera shut itself off.I've heard that this camera is power hunger but don't know that bad.I hope it was my camera that has a problem and I have to return it.I still miss this camera.
I recently purchased the Dimage 5 after doing quite a bit of research on digital cameras in it's class. I bought my first digital camera 4 years ago (olympus 320d) and since then have been waiting for that moment when someone would produce an affordable, high quality digital camera that would give me the flexibility and control that my old Canon Ftb slr did. I have to say I am pleased with the results. The color rendering is accurate without being over saturated. The level of manual control offered and it's accompanying results are very good. The performance of the EVF is quite good even in low light situations. Placement of the controls are convienent once you get used to them. The ability to have 35mmSLR-like control of shutter speed, ISO, manual focus, and a manual zoom ring(not a fan of motorized zoom) is wonderful. Did I mention the lens accepts 49mm filters? I have not experienced what I would consider to be unusual power consumption as some have experienced. I am using 1600 mAh NiMH batteries purchased from the local Radio store. Of course I do take advantage of the power saving features such as setting the EVF to only come on when my eye is at the viewfinder and I rarely frame with the lcd panel. I use it mainly to briefly view a shot after I have taken it. Shooting maximum size shots at the fine setting I had no trouble getting 75 frames over the course of a 2 hour hike along the local river on one set of batteries. Whats missing? Image stabilization and built in noise control for high speed ISO settings and low light shots. Other than that I am completely satisfied with my purchase.
This camera is awesome, what makes it even more spectacular is the price. I could not be happier with it. First, it has great zoom capabilities. Second it is 3.3 megapixels for under $.... What more could you ask for?! Well, you may not be able to ask for a lot more, but you sure get it.Before I bought this camera I did a lot of research. I even visited some of the local camera shops and electronics stores to get a feel for the different cameras before I ordered one on the net. Boy, it sure paid off.  There were some that had a body made of plastic. I don't intend to spend $... on something that is made of plastic. Others were very small and were uncomfortable to hold. The Minolta is the perfect size and weight.When I hooked it up to my system for the first time, I was able to upload pictures in minutes.  Another nice feature is that you can take up to 60 Seconds worth of video, very nice. The video even loads up to the system easily.In addition it uses a Compactflash card. These are pretty reasonably priced. A 16 MB card came with the camera. Most of the pictures I have taken so far are about 500K, so you can store quite a few pictures. I also purchased a 128 MB card at a good price here on ..., so I have plenty of space to store pictures before committing them to CD via my system.I only have one warning. You need to buy Ni-MH batteries. Then charge them for at least 24 hours, the first time. If you don't the camera will keep coming back and telling you that your batteries are dead. When I called support they kept telling me that I had to buy a special brand of batteries. This wasn't the case, you just need to fully charge the batteries.From what I have seen this is one of the best buys you are going to get on a camera.
I've had the s304 for about 3 weeks and so far it's been quite disapointing. It has problems focusing in low-light conditions, leading to blurred pictures. I also purchased a no-name 256 meg flash card that the camera refuses to recognize. Though the other 3 or 4 camera's I've tried the card in, all recognize it just fine. Even using the supplied memory card often take 2 or 3 attempts turning the camera on and off before it recognizes it.This wasn't one of my better purchases.
I looked at many many digital cameras before buying this one.  I finally decided to buy it because it looked like it had everything I needed and it was cheaper than others.  Well, I am really happy with my purchase.  I bought this camera in 11/01 so I have had it for a long time.  I have taken it to Hawaii and Florida and just around town and it has not failed me yet.Indoor pictures are not great with this camera but they are not horrible.  I have taken some professional looking pictures with this camera and look at them on the computer daily.  I would not even think about using regular batteries with it though, that would be a joke.  This camera does suck battery juice like crazzzy.I enjoy taking pictures and this camera really has been great.  I use webshots on my computer and I have my pictures of Hawaii cycle through on the desktop everyday, actually every 15 minutes.  People are always commenting on them asking if they are professional pictures.  I even printed some of them out and they looked great.If you do not have a lot of money to spend and want a pretty good camera I would go with this one.  It really has just about everything.  ...
I purchased this camera after quite a bit of research.  I looked at Sony, Canon, and Fuji cameras.  The Minolta S304 had the features I wanted (plus some extras), for a great price.The only negative is that it eats batteries like there is no tomorrow.  But that is a problem with ALL digital cameras.  You must get at least 2 sets of rechargeable batteries if you're going to take the camera out for a day of shooting.  Don't use standard Alkaline batteries, they won't last 30 minutes.One hint for improving battery life.  The LCD screen is the major culprit for eating batteries.  If you're used to taking pictures through the viewfinder, continue doing so with any digital camera.  Turn off the LCD.  The batteries will last at least twice as long.Memory cards are very very cheap today.  If you're going to spend $... on a camera, spend the $... for a 128 mb memory card.  That way you'll have plenty of memory to take all the photos you want without having to delete the bad ones in the middle of your day to save card space.  With the Minolta S304 set on Fine and an image size of 1200x800, I can take 172 photos on a 128 mb card.  That is a LOT of pictures.As for those people who have problems using the USB hookup.  Why are you still using Windows 98??  It was the very first version of Windows to have USB support and it was beyond buggy.  Upgrade to at least Windows 2000.  I have Windows ME and the USB works flawlessly.Great camera, great features, and it looks like a real camera.
I've had this camera for about 10 days now and I love it.  I have owned high-end 35mm cameras and the picture quality of the S304 is much better.  My only gripe is that the date imprint is too large.  I have turned it off and will use the Arcsoft Photoimpression software that came with the camera to date the photos in Arial 8 point.  You can select the color of the text to contrast with the background.  The NiCad batteries that came with the camera were only good for the initial 30 minutes of exploration (playing)! The NiMh rechargeables have been going strong since then...Best 3.3 MP for the money.  Lots of features: voice memo, remote controllable, fully auto or fully manual for the creative photographer. Great zoom range (equal to 35-140mm in a 35mm camera).  60 seconds of movie recording and the list goes on and on.
I like the Minolta's in general, especially because they tend to have excellent optics that render sharp photos with very true color reproduction, and this one is no exception. Physically, it reminds me of the Kodak 4800, though it is built better and has a heftier feel. The 3.34 megapixel resolution is about as much as anyone will ever need (makes very clean 11&quot; x 14&quot; enlargements), and the optical 4x zoom is a honey. The 16 meg memory card is okay to get started, but of course a bigger card and a card reader are nice additions down the road. The camera has good battery mgt, good USB connectivity and decent software (not really a Minolta strongpoint). All in all, this is a camera that will disappoint no one, though for the money I'd go with Diamge 5.
The Minolta s304 is a fine camera if you can get it for significantly less than it's current retail price. The 3.3 megapixel resolution makes for some excellent daylight shots, and the 60 second movie recorder renders superb quality avi files. However, the camera suffers excessively from camera shake in low-light conditions. In addition, the manual setting for taking shots is difficult to manipulate...even for the intermediate level photographer. Night-time shots suffer from imbalance in color levelsRechargeable Ni-MH batteries are an absolute must for this camera. My unit came with 4 AA alkaline batteries which expired after roughly 45 minutes of usage. I've owned my current set of 1850 mAH Kodak Photolifes for roughly a year now and they've consistently given the camera an operational battery life 2-3 days with regular on/off usage.While the s304 has a workable zoom it fails to give adequate focus (in both automatic and manual modess), rendering blurred images - especially to subjects taken with the digital zoom.I won't recommend this camera to a first-time buyer.
The Sony DCR-TRV30 MiniDV digital camcorder features an impressive 1.5-megapixel CCD, which allows it, in addition to impressive video quality, take still pictures at resolution up to 1360x1020.MiniDV vs. Digital8 vs. AnalogFirst, the digital video is better than analog video for several reasons:1. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.2. There is no noise introduced by the media3. The horizontal resolution is higher than in analog standards, be it VHS, Super VHS, 8mm or Hi8.4. The copies have the same quality as original (if the copy is made using digital connection &#8211; i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394)Although Sony and Hitachi produce Digital8 camcorders in addition to MiniDV models, MiniDV is an industry standard and is the most commonly used digital video format. The Digital8 format may be viewed as means to decrease the costs (the tapes costs less) and provide backward compatibility (they usually play Hi8 and 8mm recordings, with the exception of Sony TRV130).The MiniDV tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality &#8211; since the data is stored in the digital format. But you will not be able to use audio dubbing feature.PICTUREWith impressive 1.5-megapixel CCD, the TRV30 offers excellent picture quality, with well-defined edges and great color reproduction. The resolution and picture quality in the digital camcorders are usually limited not by the medium, but the CCD, optics and electronics. Which is the reason that people buy more expensive models than sub-$1000 to get better picture quality.The 1.5-megapixel CCD has resolution that several times more than the resolution of cheap digital camcorder models.SOUNDAs other digital camcorders, this one employs Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with (can be selected from the menu) 12-bit or 16-bit modes. Since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration, but only in 12-bit SP mode.As with other digital audio formats, the sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no &#8220;background&#8221; noise introduced by the media itself.ZOOM & OPTICSThe camcorder employs 10x optical/120x digital zoom and has Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality. The special coating reduces glare and increases contrast. The Super SteadyShot system can be employed for image stabilization, which fights unwanted picture shake from getting recorded on tape.ADC & ANALOG-DIGITAL PASSTHROUGHThe TRV30 features an analog-digital converter (ADC), which converts analog signal from the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format or send it through the IEEE-1394 (FireWire, i.Link) interface to your computer, compatible VCR or another device. The analog sources you might want to convert include video you want to store for a long time or edit.LCDIn addition to color viewfinder, the camcorder features a large 3.5&#8221; LCD. The LCD has excellent visibility in sunlight. You can use the viewfinder to conserve battery power.INPUTSThe camcorder has analog A/V inputs and outs, including S-Video. The camcorder also has an i.Link Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers.It features an L (LANC) Editing Interface that provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller...The camcorder also features the Super Laser Link Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. The transmitter is built-in, so you can buy a receiver and connect your camcorder wirelessly.FEATURESThe camcorder features a 1.5-megapixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with low noise design. It has several modes of AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic modes. The manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool.You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch, which also has a position for &#8220;infinity&#8221; focus. The exposure can also be controlled manually when needed so you can avoid overexposure (and video noise in low-light scenes). The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback and enlarged pictures can be copied to MemoryStick.The camcorder has 14 picture effects (6 digital effects), several digital A/V fader modes, 16:9 and LP mode recording. The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). You can also manually adjust shutter speed when needed.The Sony&#8217;s Super NightShot&#8482; allows you to shoot in complete darkness up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet. There is also a built-in speaker (you can control the volume) and camcorder comes with a remote control and an intelligent accessory shoe (which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that &#8220;zoom&#8221; with the camcorder).The remote control is included and gives you access to advanced VCR functions as well as zoom, playback and shooting modes.MEMORY STICKThe camcorder can be used as a digital still camera at up to 1360x1020 resolution, the images are stored on a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. You can use the supplied USB cable and software to transfer images to your PC, edit and store/catalog them. The MemoryStick can also store short MPEG clips.BATTERYThe TRV30 comes with an InfoLithium battery, which lasts about 35 minutes if you use LCD. You can conserve the energy by using the color viewfinder, or you can get a battery of the larger capacity. You can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower&#8482; meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder.BOTTOM LINEThe TRV30 provides excellent picture quality and high still resolution. With large LCD, USB, i.Link and other useful features, this model is a great digital camcorder.
Camera received in condition exactly as described, or really a little better.  Suggested it was used but I was a little hard pressed to see how.  Arrived earlier than expected, overall a wonderful experience.  If all were like this, walk-in store fronts might just as well shutter up.
This is an unbelievable camcorder/camera. It is small and light, but just the right size for your hand. The images are sharp from the great CCD. It only has one 1/4 inch CCD, but it is 1550k! It gives 530 lines of resolution -- tops around for a camera in this class. The navigation menu is intuitive and easy to work. Great 3.5 inch LCD viewscreen.The camera also takes 1.55 megapixel stills that can be saved on the miniDV tape (will hold LOTS of stills) or Sony's memory stick. The memory stick that comes with the camera is a bit weak (only 4 megs) so it only holds 4 pics at the highest resloution.Would suggest buying a 64 or 128 Meg memory stick now that the prices have come down. The camera resolution is more than enough for emailing and web posting (you'll likely trim the photos in photoshop anyway).The camera will record MPEG movies at 2 different resolutions which can be easily transferred to a computer and emailed or posted onto the web.Battery life is ok with the included battery (varies around 1-2 hours with use) but is MUCH greater with the optional NP-FM91 battery. Increases the life to around 6 hours (Sony claims 7.5-8). The bigger battery is a bit thicker and makes the camcorder a bit backheavy (and less sleek and cool looking) but is certainly worth it. Sony also uses the infolithium batteries which convert remaining battery juice into minutes of recording time till it dies! Very useful, you always know exactly how much battery is left!Night shot and super nightshot take greeinish pics in essentially no light. It is kind of like looking through night vision googles, but very cool. The super night shot gives very &quot;herky-jerky&quot; images, however. I guess the processor is too slow.The cover for the A/V jacks and video out jacks is really cheap. It looks like it could break very easily.The digital effects are cool, you'll probably end up using &quot;fade to black&quot; the most.Firewire from the camera to the computer is a great plus. Allows editing of images, scenes, sound, etc. Also comes with a USB interface. Very thoughtful.The camera has a search function so you can search for video by date or by a title that you put in.Now the question is do you really need to spend the $$$ ? Not sure, if all you want to do is take a couple shots of grandmom's 80th b-day and your daughter's pony ride. There are other cheaper miniDV cameras out there, but this is quality, and face it, you get what you pay for.Overall 5 stars *****
I'll try not to repeat what others have said about this marvelous cam...Anyway,The most impressive ( and important ) feature of this camera is its visuals. I first took the camera out for a day shooting clouds, traffic, sunsets and various wildlife. When viewed on my TV I was floored at the quality. Absolutely lush, vibrant colours, amazing deatil - beautiful. Don't judge what you see on the LCD panel. The actual output imagery on tape is fantastic.Still imagery is a wonderful boon. 1360x1020 gives you plenty of resolution to play with. Upgrade the memory stick to at least a 64 meg. You'll then be able to hold about 70-80 hires pictures. I did find that the stills produced were somewhat grainy when the light level was low - which is normally the case. However in bright conditions they are great. I have no need to carry a separate digital still camera with me.Had great fun creating close up shots - you can bring the subject matter so close it'll touch the lens before it goes out of focus. Produced some great macro photography this way. Brilliant. The manual focus ring is wieghted and smooth for precise focus adjustment - auto focus a little slow - nothing to worry about. Manual Exposure control - excellent.Many fun features which after playing with them I never really come back to. It's the quality of the visuals that'll impress you.I purchased a firewire card and cable and have had no problems outputting the imagery to and from my PC. Made many a short film of friends and folks this way.The charger is great in that you only need a plug adapter when traveling to another country ( eg. Europe ). It'll handle a broad range of voltages.The TRV30 has every input / output you'll likely to need and even though the little cover seems like it's going to break mine is still on after months of use...Don't be put off by the 10x zoom. It's plenty. Anything over that and you'll be needing a tripod to keep the image stable. I've gotten some huge shots of the setting sun with the 10x.Plus with the 37mm lens you have plenty of opportunity to purchase add on filters and lens from a massive selection of great camera gear that's out there.You can also shoot in 16:9 mode which will then play back correctly on a widescreen TV. However, the image is not anamorphic. The camera is basically resizing the image. Nice feature to have though.Um...,Also buy a quality tape and stick with it. Don't change brands. I use Fuji.Enough rambling - if you're thinking of purchasing the Sony - go and try in a shop. Hold it, play with it and fall in love with it. Imagine what you will create. I did.
A beautiful camera, but a few annoyances . . .- Did not come with a case.- Did not come with a tape.- Comes with one battery and no external charger i.e. you need to charge battery in the camera so if you buy a second battery; you also need to get an external charger.- MPEG movie mode to stick limits you to 15-second shots, even if you have enough memory to take more.  Not sure why.  Camera comes with 4mb, I bought an additional 128mb stick.- USB functionality is for the stick only i.e. you can't use the USB port to pull from the tape.  For that you need a Firewire card. This makes sense, from a speed perspective but is not evident from the technical documentation on Sony's site.  It seems like an output port choice but there is none; it's either/or depending on what you want to move to PC. USB driver provided by Sony sets the stick up as a removable drive  -  you can copy the MPEG's and JPEG's right over.- Firewire card I had was compatible with Windows ME but not with the software that came with the camera. The card does work with the native ME software (I think it's: "Windows Movie maker".)- Again, card and camera will not work with Adobe Premiere 5.1c although the Adobe site says the most recent version will work with Card/Camera combinations recognized by Windows.- Built in flash is adequate but if you need to take red-eye free shots consider the external flash - the red eye mode on the built in flash isn't always adequate.Not a small camera but the size is well worth the trade off to get a two in one device i.e. camcorder that takes decent still shots.  For those important moments you may fall back on your old 35mm or hi-res digital camera but the 1.5 mp images this camera provides should be acceptable for most occasions and not having to lug two cameras is great.All-in-all, one of the best mid-level cameras out there - Sony just needs to charge $100 more and throw a few more accessories in the box.
I've got an asterisk in my heading because my picture won first prize for the category but not the grand prize where all the six category winners competed against one another. But I got first prize in my category! The mag was "Country Discoveries" and my picture was the one of folks in an antique car looking at a 12 foot tall Energizer Bunny made out of hay during the What The Hay contest in rural Montana 2 years ago. (3?) I took the photo with my TRV30 from our car while we were briefly paused on the side of the road... our car may still have been rolling. Great lens + no shutter lag + reliable focus + Steadyshot = great picture... and a prize!The TRV30 takes great video, very decent pics and has a vast array of controls and gadgets not seen on any other small, non-professional, under $2500 cam. Tons of manual controls. A focus ring. Mic input. Headphone output. A hot shoe for powering lights and special zoom mics. I have extra lights including a 100 foot infrared light that has made some fantastic nighttime wildlife shots possible. A fantastic Macro ability. It has Sports Mode which is omitted on many current cams. Interval recording means I can record 1 second of footage every couple minutes to film a flower opening or add Nightshot to the mix, adjust the timings and film myself sleeping all night... I twist and turn far more than I thought! It's got tons of toys on it that made it a $1500 camera in its day.The cam sellers have not sold another non-pro model as good as this one for over 6 years now. And the current market is even bleaker with the focus being on cams that compress footage beyond usability... at least for me. The latest over $1000 Sony has a reputation for not dealing well with (get this!) MOTION! I bought one, tested it and it's going back. Nothing like a smeary blur of houses and cars and trees in the footage of my drive to work. On the latest top-of-the-line cam! All due to intense compression. And they don't offer new, quality DV-avi recording cams anymore.I dropped one of my 2 TRV30s last weekend and its in for repair. I'm shooting a wedding in a couple weeks and want a backup camcorder so I gave myself permission to buy a 3rd cam (actually, my 4th. I have a nice Hi-8 too. It also still works well.) I looked at the latest spendy, high end non-pro cams available... and instead bought another TRV30 via a popular auction site. It looks lightly used and is described as tested and fully functional. It cost $295 with 2 batts, a nice bag, all its cords, and a blank tape. TRV30s are rarely for sale anywhere and this one looks well treated. All its stickers are still look brand new on the side while mine got the sticker writing rubbed off long ago. I'm really excited to get it. Oh, pop up flash! Controllable. A self timer. Video streaming. But wait! There's more! Analog conversion and pass-thru! NOW how much would you pay?! Ha-ha!
Could not objectively review this product because it was damaged upon receipt. There is a loose lens element within the lens barrel.
I just don't get this lens.  About 20% of the photos are great, without changing scene or settings.  Also, when I purchased this, there was a rebate available from Tamron.  I sent in the required form, serial number, etc.  I received a letter back stating this lens was not eligible for a manufacturer rebate because the S/N indicated it is a 'gray market' lens.  Let the buyer beware!
the pros:great focal rangesharp at all focal lengthscheapeffective lens hoodrelatively large aperturelightsmalldurablegreat opticsfairly pretty (mine looks different than the picture)the cons:LOUD and SLOW af motorall-in-all a superb walk around lens, and everywhere that has decent to good light, the images it produces honestly rival glass costing 10x as much.I use this lens, a canon 50mm 1.8 VII and a Rikonen 8mm exclusively on a canon t1i, this lens stays mounted most of the time because of its versatility and day-to-day performance.
I've owned a number of Tamron lenses over the past 30 years and this one is much as I'd expected. It's a good tough lens that will stand many, many hours of shooting in all types of conditions.  I use it on a Canon 350D DSLR and it is my 'go to' lens; on the camera and in action 85% of the time. This is a fine lens for close-in and mid-range image capture.
I picked up a new 28-200mm xr for $99 a few years ago for film and it was a sharp lens. Last month I picked up a full frame EOS 5d and this lens came back out.I am amazed at how uniformly sharp this lens is center to edge at all focal lengths. This lens Blows away the 18-200mm from Tamron and Sigma for apc cameras(I've had both). Canon's ef 28-105mm and 28-135mm are not even close.  It's a real winner!!
I got this lens recently and it's very nice. I'm impressed with the size and weight.I wanted a telephoto lens that could also go wide enough to use for everyday photos. I like how wide this one goes. On my Canon Digital Rebel, which has a 1.6x focal length multiplier, the 28mm focal length is effectively 44mm. That's not quite wide enough to use for interior "party" shots, but it's great for everything else.I've been taking a lot of photos at the full 200mm focal length and I'm very impressed with the image quality and color after reading about the lackluster image quality of other "cheap" lenses. It must be the XR glass. I'm glad that I went with this one.
Poor built with difficult stiff zomming.  not truely 200, more like 160. reasonable fast and accurate focusing.  soft wide open, but surprizingly sharp one stop down.  bear in mind that is 5.6 at wide end, and around 7 at tele.  very small.  In good lighting, excellent lens for the money
I purchased this to help a friend who needed a replacement lens for their dSLR and didn't want to spend a lot of money.  Unfortunately the lens arrived and it's obviously made for use on FILM SLR cameras, despite all the comments/reviews that imply that it works with their digital SLRs.  I don't know if the lens I received was just incorrectly labelled or sent by accident but I had to return it.  It was very disappointing and thankfully I had another day to help my friend and ordered another lens that cost a little more but was clearly labelled for use with dSLRs so she could use her camera on an upcoming vacation.
This is a solid excellent quality lens that will work on both your conventional and digital cameras.  The price was very good, so buy if you can get a good deal, and are not worried about having the latest model!
Bad out of the way:1.  Not particularly strong at flare control2.  Like all zooms with this range, low light situations aren't that great.Good stuff:1.  I would love to upgrade to the 18-250 from Sony... but... I keep asking myself if the extra 400 is worth the marginal increases on the wide and long side.  With the quality images I'm taking with this particular lens - I can't say it is.2.  Very very light compared to lenses with VR or IS built in.  Sony/Minolta doesn't suffer this issue due to built in stabilization.3.  My copy was nice and tight.  Haven't had to use the switch to prevent lens creep - yet I could still very easily move it by hand.Would definitely recommend as the first lens for anyone starting photography.  Bring a flash, or a 1.8 prime for indoor situations.
I bought this used and it is completely useless for me. Pictures look like crap. Can take better photos with a Nokia candy bar phone from 1999.
this is a Useful, inexpensive, durable lens, considering the price it is a goood deal to buy one of this specially for travelling and using it when we don't have space to carry different lenses or even more when we want  to take pictures in conditions that we feel the equipment must be damaged (rain, snow). It is a good all purpose lens, the quality is good the only cons is since it is not compatible with TTL features for digital cameras, so you cannot use that with your hot shoe flash. If that is not a problem for you the it is not a bad choice.
This may be a slightly different lens review than most would write, but maybe someone will benefit from my experience. I was as interested in weight and handling as I was absolute image quality. My search was for an all-around and relatively light weight lens.When I finally ordered this lens, it was after a pretty long internet search for something that would handle well and be more manageable on my relatively small a55 Sony camera. I already had a Sigma 18-250mm that is simply a GREAT lens.  I enjoy using it, but not on an everyday basis. The Sigma weighs 22oz alone. When mounted on my camera, the total weight is 40oz or 2.5 pounds. Believe me, that's a load hanging around the neck. It takes some of the fun out of a day at the zoo or other activities where you are carrying the camera any distance. My first choice for a "walk around lens" was a Sony 55-200mm. It's the lightest long zoom available that I could find.  By all reports, the Sony is a great lens but I reluctantly decided the 55mm on the short end was just not wide enough to make it an all-around lens.I finally found this Tamron 28-200mm. The 28mm is wide enough for my use and the weight is only 2 oz more than the Sony. It feels great on the camera.  At only 3" long, it balances so much better than my Sigma and is a pleasure to use. It feels like it was made for the Sony a55!Initially, I thought I had a problem. I tested the Sigma 18-250mm and Sony 18-55mm with flash in the house.  My purpose was to see if the Tamron 28-200mm would serve as an indoor camera for Christmas etc. What a shock when I looked at the pictures. The ones from my old lenses were great. The pictures taken with the new lens were almost totally black. I did some resets etc., but nothing worked.  A friend suggested I post my problem on the DP Review forum. Within an hour, a member suggested I change the flash mode from ADI to Pre flash TTL. I did and the flash pictures are now excellent. Apparently some lenses only have five contact points and TTL mode must be used.  Sony lenses and some others have eight contact points.Optically, this lens seems to at least the quality of my other lenses. I don't pixel peep but I did take several shots at various focal lengths and briefly compared them to similar pictures I had taken with my other lenses. To my eye, they are equal in image quality. I take a lot of zoom pictures with my other lenses at 250mm so I was anxious to see if the 200mm shots from this Tamron still looked good after heavy cropping. They do. This is a quality lens.My first real test of the lens came on a trip to the Orange County, CA, Zoo, a challenging place to take pictures, due to the lighting and the various forms of fencing around the animals. This was my third trip to this Zoo, the first two using other heavier zoom lenses. I received several comments that the pictures I got with the Tamron 28-200 were my best yet. I am totally pleased.As I understand it, this is an older version of the 28-200mm lens. In fact, the name Sony does not appear on the Tamron box. I must say, however, that it seems to be an ideal lens for the small a55. I can honestly recommend this lens. The price is right and the quality is there.
Description of this Tamron lense was accurate--excellent condition.  Delivery was prompt. The lense operates smoothly and produces quality pictures.  This one lense allows me to take a ranges of pictures with my Konica-Minalta Maxuum 5 in both low and bright light conditions so that I don't have to take multiple lenses along. Well pleased with this purchase of a used lense.
Great lense..  Work well in place of several lenses.  Very pleased.  Price , quality , and service was wonderful.
Just short of a top-of-the-line broadcast DV camera, the XL1S is an extremely high quality DV camcorder.  It's affordable and relatively easy to operate.  Granted, my parents wouldn't have the slightest clue on where to start, and for most people this is WAY too much camera for general applications.  But for semi-pros and amateurs alike you cannot go wrong with this piece of equipment.  All the features you could want or expect are included, and transferrance to analog or to a DV editor isn't more than a button push away.  I'm a freelance videographer, and I'm starting a production house and this is the base piece of equipment I use.  Too much camera for weddings and picnics, but for any type of video project this is all you need.
Unfortunatly when shopping for a prosumer camera in this price range weighing the pros and cons is definitatly tough. The canon XL1s is and Excellent camera that captures the ENG style most pro cameras at this range misses. However before getting all hot and bothered over that the camera has trouble focusing in low light and a very pixilated picture when it does. The Mic on some of the the XL1s's &lt;not all of them> pick up body noise which is extremely distracting since zooming is a loud function. They sell an adaptor for about $$$ but I have no idea how good it is. To boot there are no XLR plugs on the camera. So guess what. You got it another adaptor.Ok its not all bad In fact there is some good. The 16:9 crop bars are excellent for professional shooting. The ENG camera build is of the professional style so you look like the real deal. For the Director in us all the focus ring allows for a makeshift short depth of field... excellent for a film look. At this price you have to bite the bullet and weigh the pros and cons and hope when your return peroid ends you made the right decision.
This is the camera that they used to make the film 28 Days Later. It is a top of the line domestic semi-pro camcorder. The best camcorder however is now the PANASONIC AG-DVX100a which has moved up on this one because of its better quality and Cinema look, however this Canon has better lens options, but the DVX has lens options too.
7 years later, the XL1-S still stands as one of the best Prosumer minDV cameras money can buy.Very comparable to the Sony PD-150. Both great cameras, but I prefer the Canon.The only drawbacks are the abscence of XLR inputs and the tiny LCD screen.However, for a camera that is probably 5-7 years old, anything above $2,000 is way overpriced in my opinion. You can always go for the cheaper GL-2, but it does not have all the features of the XL.
This is the most popular DV camcorder with indie filmmakers and aspiring film school students from rich families.  Excellent, broadcast-quality image captured by the 3-CCD system.  I don't use zoom or pan or special effects much, so I wish I didn't have to pay for these features, but this is still a GREAT price for such a high-quality video camera.  This is absolutely the one to get for professional-level videos.  Of course, if you want more resolution for sharper images, try the new affordable JVC HDTV camcorder for about the same price, I think.
Pros - Great picture, lots of options built in, easy to use and carry around, lots of extras can be bought to add on to the camcorder. This is considered a Pro-Corder since it is much more advanced than the normal consumer camcorders. The camcorder was wrapped individually in bubble wrap and came mostly unharmed.Cons - I'm not one to buy something so expensive that is also used. When the camcorder made it to me, the eyepiece/mic plastic covering was broke. I glued it back together and have had no problems with it. This is the reason I took one star off. If not for that, it would have received 5 stars plus...The battery that came with it was in great shape. I hope my kids can keep it charged as is needed. Parts can be found online, so the purchase decision was an easy one to make.
I first bought camera because I wanted a traditional camera.  This finish product was not quite as good as a hd camera but I love this camera still.  And with all the effect in post production you can easily minimize the standard look.  My teen will be using it to short her on short films.  If you're using at night make sure you have lighting.
This was purchased for just filming my son and daughters ball games and to try and my a more pr movie. Well after finally getting to use it time I thought well here goes and first time shooting 10 mins of SONY HIGH QUALITY PRO TAPE IT ATE THE TAPE! Well after several more try's it didn't matter it ate those tapes as well, so I had to purchase rewinders noter minDV camera to recover some of the tapes and games. When I contacted the Production company that sold me the box they assured me that there CAMERA MAN CHECKED IT OUT AND IT WORKE PURFECT, Ya right, well this is what happens when you purchase any used gear from AMAZON OR EBAY, you can and often do get burned. The cost of repairs will be 350.00 to 500.00 plus shipping and that puts the camera and all the stuff purchased at over 2400.00 GOE BUY A NEW SONY DIGITAL FOR 2000.00 and get a real PRO CAMERA.
The Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder is the best camera you can buy, but WARNING! This is for professionals only. If you make independent ilms and such, than you might want to invest in this product, but if you're just gonna make a video of the amily trip or a birthday party, then I strongly suggest getting a less expensive camera. This is the same camera used by newspeople and even in Hollywood. Like past reviewers have said, only get this if you're a serious film maker, not if you're just gonna make home movies.
As of now, the XL1S is a little outdated by some other cameras that are on the market, but the end product has very desirable results. I have used cameras like the Panasonic DVX-100, and the XL1 will suit your needs at least 90% of the time that the DVX will. There is no LCD screen, but the viewfinder does sort of double as one and the overall shape of the XL1 makes it unwieldy at times, and more convenient at other times.Overall, if you have the chance to get this camera, then go for it if something like the DVX is out of reach. The XL2 is coming out soon apparently, which will probably drop the price of this camera and it would be a great opportunity for people on a smaller budget to pick up a camera that is capable of cinema quality pictures.
Awesome lens
Great lens, shipped fast. Well made and performs well. If you like prime lenses, this is a must. My new favorite toy.
I bought a Canon rebel t3i set with two lenses. I got this additional one because I wanted to take pictures without flash of my coming grandchild. I am so glad I did. The photos I take with it in available room light make me very happy! It's small and so light too.
i got this lens to add to my 7d and 5d-3,its very sharp clear and true to the canon name.
I bought this lens after using another from a friend. This is one of my favorite lenses! I love how the background blurs and keeps the foreground crisp. Altogether a great lens, priced affordable. This is a great lens for any type of photographer; hobby, wedding, portrait, student!
I first tbought this lens for a Canon T4i and loved it but now coupled with a 6D (full frame) I love it even more.  Not the fastest 85mm out there but who can complain at F1.8 especially at this price??  The focal length was a little longer than I though so dont expect it to be a leave on walk around lens but for shots say at the zoo, park, museum its great.  Highly recommend this lens.
Great lens for the price.  Good for portraits and general use.  Sharp and a lot cheaper than the slightly faster one.
I'm an armature photographer. I get better portrait results with my small children with this lens than I do the 50mm 1.4This lens has a more natural look and is also good in low light.****I have upgraded camera bodies. Went from Canon T2i to 5D MKiii. Lens is still good but now that I have L lenses too I realize lens is slow to focus. I still like it and it is a great value.
Wonderful bokeh, fast, chromatic aberration low, very low! I highly recommend this lens especially for portraits!The portrait images are stunning!
This lens takes AWESOME pictures!  It is absolutely perfect for close ups and head-shots!  I use mine with a Canon 60D and it is truly a professional lens.
I just love this lens. I was worried that at this price it would not be very good. Most of my lenses are L lenses, this one is not obviously.The images it creates are stunning. Very sharp, nice soft boca and I have not seen the purple fringe that one reviewer talks about. I'm using it on a a 5DMII with great results.Seriously, this is a awesome lens!
Hands down, the best lens I have ever owned. GREAT QUALITY. The nice soft blur for the background gives this a very nice detailed look. Loving the 1.8 Fstop. Great lens to own!
Received product on time with a few days to spare, which was shocking since it was just after the holidays. The product was as described and in great condition.
Wonderful film,great and subtle tonal range, and perfect skin tones for portraits, I use it all the time for medium format
As the name suggests, Reala has realistic colors, high resolution and very sharp. I shoot a lot of different film types and this is my favorite color negative for ISO 100. It is suitable for both landscape and portraits, and renders beautifully in natural lighting. I have not used this film with flash though. Reala 100 is fairly tolerant to under and over exposure, true to the speed, and easy to scan.
I have shot the 35mm version of this film for a while now.  I love it.  Vivid but realistic colors, it scans easily and I know that whatever type of light I am facing, this film will handle it.  I have even shot pics of my parrots with this film and honestly, it came out better than some of the more saturated films.I like Portra and Ektar as well, but I tend to like the neutral color negative films most, as I find that they are easier to scan and color correct than a saturated, more contrasty film like Ektar.
My husband have a lot of old style camera and he like them soo much. He said he will useed film until thay are not made it anymore.
Better than the Polaroid it replaced.  Excellent tonal range look and feel.  Great product and I won local Photo contest with first pack against many digital 11x17 color prints. Good stuff.
I wouldn't use this all the time, but for those times that you need a B&W photo in less than an hour this stuff is great.
I have used this in my Polaroid Automatic 420 and 100 and the results are generally good. A decent replacement for 667 but keep in mind that at least in the old Land Cameras, the 100 speed requires the "color" setting with larger aperture, therefore requiring more precise focusing. (The "selling point" in the owners manuals for 3000 speed b/w was "quick focussing" due to the high speed / tiny f stop and resulting long DOF). It's sad to see the "real thing" trudge slowly into the void, but thanks to Fuji, instant film is not dead. Yet.
Using this with an old Polaroid 340 Automatic Land Camera that I picked up at a re-sale shop, the quality of the image far exceeded my expectations (both film and camera). This film has a very lovely contrast range with wonderfully deep blacks that retain plenty of detail. Fuji has done an excellent job with this film
I was so excited to get this film, but as soon as I took my first picture and tried to develop it all of the film came out. Not good for something that is that expensive.Other packs of film worked fine.
Great film, I use it with the polaroid attachment on my Holga. I am happy to know Polaroid film is still around.Happy Shooting!
Fuji's FP series of peel-apart films are head-and-shoulders above their old Polaroid counterparts.  Color, contrast, resolution, and ease of use are all better than I remember Polaroid being.  Only complaint is that there is no negative with the FP films, but so long as the photos keep coming out razor-sharp and colorful, I'll get over it.
I started out using the FP-100C on my Mamiya 645 Pro to check exposures. The image quality was good, but I got a bit tired of the long waits to develop the test shots. I found the FP-100B online and gave it a try. Aside from developing very quickly, I am extremely happy with the image quality. It immediately helps me determine whether I've chosen the proper camera settings to capture the image that I want. I plan to put this to good use on my 4x5 cameras very soon because it's much cheaper than the 4x5 instant film. You just have to use the Fuji PA-145 back instead of the Fuji PA-45 back in order to use this smaller instant film on a 4x5 camera.
The FP-100b and FP-100b45 (more expensive 4X5 material) are superior in many ways to discontinued Polaroid materials. The Fuji is sharper, has better red sensitivity, better latitude, and has a smoother overall tonal range.  It fits in any of the million Polaroid PACK FILM cameras out there.  Ask someone if you have a pack film camera before ordering this great film.  Also try the FP-3000 WOW fast and sharper than old Polaroid 667, better tones too.
terrible product, the fp3000 was a much better quality. after putting the pack in the camera the 4th shot pulled out 5 shots with it. wouldnt recommend to my grandmother.
Great Contrast, Fine Grain instant Black and White Prints. Recoverable scanable and malleable Negatives are possible by the Popular Bleaching process. This BW film should Never have been discontinued, it is underappreciated as an instant film for landscape and instant art work!!! Very scan friendly, and displaying a gentle shoulder for exposure under a variety of light, a very friendly film to use.Pay attention to how you install the pack into the pack holder and pull only one page at a time,My pack makes it impossible to pull out all of the film at the same time, not sure how other users managed that. Take your time. BW exposure time 30-45 seconds, Color exposure time 1 Hr WTF!?Get it before it is gone! Adorama and B&H; have it for less than 10US per 10 exposure pack!
These batteries came quickly and they worked well with my camera.  Great buying experience
There's not much to say about a button battery, but I will say that these batteries seem to last longer in my Digital Caliper than off-brand ones typically do.
This is the battery my camera needs and the best price is here on amazon.  We only use Varta batteries.
This was a replacement for a dead battery in an older camera.  It works great with no problems.  It seems you can always find what you need at Amazon.com
It's a battery and works well.  What else can I say!  It does the job that I bought it for.
This battery was very reasonably priced on this site. It is a hard to find battery for an older model collectors Pentax, therefor it is expensive in the stores if you are to find the, Amazon made it easy and affordable. Good battery.
I have a Canon FTb SLR with ALL THE GOODIES from the early sixties. This battery is used with all the attachments that require a 1.5V. For instance -  The Canon Booster ( hard to find these days)  A must have for those really DARK shots !  This supplier was prompt and reasonible . I highly recommend  Varta !  PackerBackerHen, Mercer, WI.
The battery was the battery that I needed for my key. It fits perfectly to the VW EV 1999. It is nice to have the light working again, the way it was supposed to be.
Amazon was pretty much the only place I could find this battery. Needed it for my old vw key and everything worked out well.
I thought it would be the right item but it was not, it did not work, and there were no specs available
all batteries are ok.  The cam books report yoyr co. VARTA is the best for my phpto needs, for my type cam.
Needed this special battery for my Nikkormat 35mm Camera for the metering purposes. Worked perfectly and is still working after 3 rolls of film. I will be buying again once this one dies out
Thanks to Amazon and its sellers for high value, rapid delivery, and excellent service.  This Varta battery is no exception.
The &#34;lip&#34; on this battery makes it difficult to replace with a button battery that is more easily found at neighborhood stores.
This battery is used for two high priced electronic devices (and they were well worth the money and purchased from amazon.com). I checked local electronic stores for these batteries and learned they would have to be ordered, and were considerably more expensive. Buying from this vendor at amazon.com was quite prudent.
a great value..work like a charm...and last a long time..not at all like the Radio Shack's.. that give you a couple of months and cost like 3 times as much.... never again Radio Shack...I delete all your emails.
I cannot get this battery locally so when I saw it on Amazon, I decided to buy one because the price was right and offered free shipping. It was delivered fast and was in the new packaging. I've used it in my laser for the past 4 months and it's still going strong. Just ordered a few more. I highly recommended this item.
recieved battery quickly, battery worked and still works. though not used in a camera but a tape measure. ruler is used weekly and works fine
Popped it into my vintage X-700 and all the bells and whistles came to life.  Worked almost as good as an atomic vector plotter suspended in strong cup of tea!
This battery appears to be working well in a bark collar we have.  I hope it will last about a month compared to other batteries.
Using these to power my tac laser on my home defense shotgun and so far they have far out-shown the generic batteries supplied with the laser. A bit expensive per battery, but this laser is the only device I own which requires these batteries, so not that big of a deal.
I have purchased these before for use in various rifle optics and they seem to be a combination of good price and good quality thus far. I will purchase them again.
These batteries are a direct replacement for the batteries provided by Invisible fence, at a 10th the cost. You do have to do a little work to install them in the original collar battery holder, but well worth the effort. Batteries came with an expiration date printed on the pkg.
After my puppy chewed my 10 year old cable for my digital camera, I thought I would have a difficult time replacing it and that it would be outrageously expensive.I was delighted to find the cable on Amazon.com for a totally unexpected price. When it arrived, it was exactly like my damaged cable and worked just like it, too.Thanks for the great service.
If you've got an older Nikon that uses this type of USB cable, then you can't go wrong with this.  It does exactly what its supposed to and doesn't cost a fortune.  Spot on!
Not just NOT a Nikon product, and NOT just a problem of not being like the photo, this ALSO doesn't fit my Nikon 990 either!! This is just some generic Belkin USB cable, with a coupling that only barely resembles the Nikon fitting (it's far too small, the wrong pin configuration, etc etc....)
Picked up the camera at a thrift store for five bucks with no battery, memory card or cable. Found the first two items elsewhere. Bought the cable here and it arrived promptly and well packed. Plugged it in and it works great! Now I have a pocket point and shoot for times when it's awkward to carry and point my DSLR.
From Nikon's web site:UC-E1 USB cable for the Coolpix 5700, 5000, 4500, 4300, 995, 990, 885 and 880. For use with a computer that is equiped with a USB port only. System Requirements MAC OS 8.1 or later or Windows 98/2000.Not just for the 990, and not for the 800 (as previous reviewer was disappointed to find out). I haven't used it yet, so I'm giving it a 4 on the assumption it works.
The bad reviews provided here on this cable are from buyers that purchased from a seller that is no longer here.  That seller shipped the wrong product and so those reviews you see here are not based on this cable, but on the wrong cable that seller shipped.  This cable is for Coolpix 5700, 5000, 4500, 4300, 995, 990, 885 and 880.  This is the only cable for these cameras the UC-E1
Outstanding Nikon clear 58mm lens. Filter was clean, no finger prints or smudges. Came with a plastic filter lens case to store when not needed for certain types of photography pictures. Nikon that about said it all.
Bought this for my new nikon D7000 lens (55-300mm). It is a really good quality filter and is literally invisible to the naked eye. Highly recommended.
Got this for my Nikon 50mm 1.4G.  Does it's job protecting the more expensive lens front element. It's a little tricky to clean, I get smudges every so often when using my lens pen to clean, using a micro fiber cloth is much easier. I haven't noticed any loss of sharpness and the filter does not add that much weight like heftier 77mm b+h filters; perfect for street and travel photography when you want to go light.
Firstly, if you need to know if this will fit your Nikon lens, just look at the back of your lens cap. The back of every Nikon lens cap says the size filter that it takes in millimeters. I found this out late after googling it for a while, so I figured I'd save you some time if you didn't know already.Here's all you need to know about the product:1] It's a genuine Nikon NC lens filter, that's sealed in it's original packaging.2] If your using a Nikon lens, don't skimp on the filter, buy the same brand that makes your lens. Don't be a chump.2] Nikon protects the filter during shipping by including a reusable plastic storage case for the filter, which is further protected by the semi-hard plastic packaging. The case snaps shut, and seems pretty durable.3] Nikon product number is CM-11, and it's a 58mm filter.4] Price on here is lower than retail, and far lower than camera shops that mark these up above retail.
Those who don't protect their lens investment with a plain filter are going to be sorry one day. It is a cheap investment to protect the lens and also to keep it clean.
I am using this on my Coolpix P7800 camera with the Fotasy HNCP17 Lens Hood to hold it onto my Nikon CoolPix P7800 camera. Filter is great and good price. No lens interference.
I purchased this filter for my 50mm f1.8 lens that I recently purchased along with this filter. I have to say, this filter is very nice, with little reflection when lens is pointed toward light, and does not harm image quality. Because this is a NC filter, I purchased it mainly to protect my new lens. It is a very good deal, as the filter is only around $30-$40.
This is a superb protective filter that I have on every lens I own, no matter the size.I have this on my Fuji XF glass and haven't had any problems at all.If you want a clear, no reflective filter for your optics, the Nikon NC is among the best you can get regardless of your lens brand.
I bought this as protection for a Nikon 55-300 lens. It fits well & has not caused any problems from adding a layer of glass to the lens.
Purchased this item at the same time I bought a new lens. Images are clear with no ghosting or flares. Great quality.
This filter is for lens protection, and it is made by Nikon, so it has their legendary quality. Amazon shipped it very quickly, and they had the best price I could find. Highly recommended.
All of the Nikon clear filters are created equal unless you received a damage or defective one.  Apart from that, its just as its listed.  Its clear with no flaring or problems.  Recommended and a great piece of glass to protect your lens.  I got the 55-58mm adapter just so that I could use this particular one on a non nikon lens that is of course 55mm.  Make sense to me as its an expensive lens and another great way to protect my investment.
Lens caps, while having great motives, are a pain to deal with for professionals. They're easy to loose, annoying to juggle and add time in the middle of a shoot.I basically use filters as disposable protection for my lenses. While I generally really like Hoya products, the UV (0) filter was giving me really weird, green ghosting around light sources. I know the green comes from the multi-coatings, but it was a common issue I was dealing with and it was really ruining some shots.This filter is perfectly clear, has no negative effects and is reasonably priced. It protects my 50mm and I'm happy!
This product met all my expectations. I would buy this again and I plan to recommend it to my friends
Fits perfectly and works as intended.  It is more spendy than the alternative but worth the extra cost to me.
I was worried that adding this to my lens would degrade photo quality at processing, but so far I haven't noticed any difference.  I will update after some heavy usage and revise my review if I notice any issues.
Perfect as expected, no change in image quality whatsoever. I'm a wildlife photographer, and I think this is an effective way to protect my lens front elements when hiking in the woods or shooting by the sea.
Purchased this to protect my new 50mm f1.8 Nikon prime lens. Absolutely no difference in photo quality. Great protection. Would not use without one.
Used on Nikon 11.4 and 1.8 lenses protects front element and can be used without lens hood. Reduces need for hood.
This is a great and high quality "protective" filter from Nikon -- I got one for my 50MM 1.4 lens, and its a great addition. I use protective filters on all of my lenses, and I can't imagine placing a cheapo filter on my expensive lenses. This is high quality, very thin, and helps cut down a bit of glare as well.
it protects the lens and cuts the glare. This is the filter to use for everyday photos. You need this to protect your investment. It doesn't affect the pictures as far as I can see.
As any middle school yearbook photographer should be able to tell you, no lens should ever be used without a basic filter for protection from accidents. Protect your expensive glassware with these genuine Nikon filters.
Fits great and does not come loose even with heavy lens use and swaps.  You can't go wrong with the quality of these Nikon lens filters.
Yeah, it was a little more expensive than some of the other options...  But I'm putting it on a $500 lens.  I want the pictorial results to be as good as the lens is expensive.  It makes sense to put the best protection on the lens.
Why put a cheaper filter on a quality lens ? I have been a Nikon man for years and would never use an aftermarket lens in front of my Nikon camera. The small difference in price is well worth it.
Works as advertised. Upgraded my eyepiece on my DSLR along with the Nikon DK-3 eyecup. Helps keep the light out when you are shooting outside in bright sunlight. Highly recomended.
If you buy this combination of three parts it makes a very nice eyepiece:1: Nikon Replacement Eyepiece Finder for FA, FE, FE2, FM, FM2, FM32: Nikon DK-3 Rubber Eyecup for FM/FM-2, FM-3, FA, FE/FE-23: Nikon DK-22 Eyepiece Adapter for Nikon SLR CamerasI have been very happy so far. Much more secure on the camera as well. The reason I purchased these is because my stock eyepiece kept falling off and one day I lost it.
I haven't got this product because it took forever to Adorama to ship it.Being over seas it is very expensive to buy from Adorama because all the other things I buy get there on time except what I buy from Adorama so I end up paying a lot for what I buy there.
This Eyepiece replacement is 0 diopters, no magnification or reduction of the image.  So, it's the perfect "rubber on metal ring" replacement for the standard eyepiece on Voigtlander Rangefinders...at least it fits the R3A.  FYI...the threaded metal ring on the rear of this eyepiece is between 17 and 18 millimeters in diameter...approximately.  I notice almost none of these various eyepiece products provide the dimensions in their descriptions.  :(
This eyepiece has a rubber coating which protects my eyeglasses and having a spare eyepiece is essential.A special note here: Cheaper eyepieces may fit but they could interfere with opening the camera back.
I bought this to replace a missing eyepiece on my Voigtlander Bessa R3A Rangefinder. Turns out some Cosina-made cameras share eyepiece dimensions with those of Nikon FM, so this eyepiece fits perfectly. There is no magnification to this eyepiece which was nice too; just a good replacement.
The first time realized the eye piece was missing on my X pro 1 was the first time i realized that the x pro 1 had an eye piece. For some reason it had a tendency to screw off. This Nikon eye piece though a bit pricey for what you are buying works great and has not unscrewed off by itself even once.  It fits perfectly and works great.
Perfect replacement for my worn Nikon eye piece.  The rubber rings keep the eyeglasses from scratching.  I used this on a Nikon FM.
You know, in a perfect world somehow the cap that goes over the body's hole wouldn't need to be a separate entity and instead would have something akin to the eyepiece louver on a Nikon D700 that would slip into place. Well, it's not a perfect world (yet). So we have body caps. Body caps which are easily misplaced, especially if you're not super organized and have lots of stuff all over your house. Like me. So you wind up misplacing these things, which is why... *trumpets from the heavens sound out* these replacement/spare caps exist! I have a few of these because I'd much rather have one or two spares then to stress out not having a cap to cover the body of my camera. Well worth the price, and although I have never tried a generic version, I know that Nikon's brand fits tight and snug, and is worry free. That is, until you remove it and lose another one... *laugh*.
This is what you expect and it does what you expect and you should not expect more.  If you need one, then just get this as it is it...  Nuff Said.
Small part, but I buy them to have the right fitting on my lenses, often bought used. Good vendors carry smaller items like these.
Just an old Nikon Body Cap. Made my Good Trusted Nikon and get any more simple than that :) lol
OK I admit, I purchased an extra body cap to make a pinhole lens for my D90, muwahaha... and it works perfectly ;)  But why is Nikon plastic so expensive?
The Nikon D40X is the camera that I have. This item replaced the cap I lost. It was a perfect fit.
This was exactly what the receiver needed.  This was a gift and it was used for a class project for school
The body cap arrived on time. Serves its purpose. I bought it to store a Nikon camera body.
How can I stretch out two words, it works, to a 20+ word review. The Nicon cap locks onto a Nikon mount perfectly. That outta do it! :-)
Drill some holes, add some string, Pirate eye patch!  You can also use it on a camera, Nikon,  BF-1a SLR.
Finally found the correct &#34;lens cap&#34; for the body mount side of my precious Nikon tele-converter (TC-17II).I am at peace knowing my TC is fully protected from dust now when not in use.I am sure a cap came with it, but I have had the TC on my lens for years (only needed a regular butt cap), but just recently took it off the lens and couldn't find the correct cap for the body mount side (the side that connects to the telephoto lens), but this is it!I am pretty sure this is the NEW version, but check to make sure!  This lens cap is ONLY for tele-converter lenses, this is NOT for a regular telephoto lens!  Be sure to check compatibility with your lens before buying.
I had misplaced the cap that came originally with my DSLR.  This one fits in perfectly.  I found the other one, but I decided to keep this one anyway because it just fits so well.
I bought this body cap because I am always losing them. This Nikon body cap is an exact replacement for your Nikon body.
This awesomely fits right in the hole in my camera, plugged to perfection.  That's just they ways I likes it, baby!
What my husband wanted and very happy to have it for his camera lense. Hoping to get a new lense soon when the price his better.
There's no need to buy the brand name version of this. A few million factories in China are pumping out exact copies, and it's a simple piece of molded plastic that's kind of hard to get wrong. You can find the knockoffs around for $1-2, and they're just as solid. Try auction sites if Amazon doesn't have any of the aftermarket ones.
This is exactly what it advertises. It helps protect your mirror when you take your lenses off.
Item was combined, shipped and received very quickly.  This is a replacement cap for an old F Mount Nikon 36mm film camera.  I lost the original and wanted to store the body without the lens on.  Hats off to Nikon for keeping the F Mount standard on their product lines.  The cap is interchangeable with my DSLR should I loose or break the cap.  What's not to like about an original product.
This is the same body cap that you get when you purchase you DSLR Camera from Nikon. I misplaced it so I purchased another one & found it later in the camera bags many pockets
Bought this cap on a whim.  I haven't lost any camera equipment in 6 1/2 years, but you never know, do you?  One suggestion:  "Body Cap for Lens Mount" is a bit confusing... I call mine "Lens Mount Cap".
I ordered it because i have a secondary body without a body cap. it fits because its a F-mount Nikon DSLR.
If you frequently swap lenses and have a lot of gear to carry in a backpack and prefer to transport your camera bodies without attached lenses, get some spare body mount caps because they might prove invaluable in some conditions. The plastic is well finished and very well manufactured and fits well into the mount for perfect protection.Another thing you might consider is using this baby as a pinhole device support if you intend to explore a bit this area of creative photography, which, believe me, is full of fun.
I got a couple of these just in case I lost one or had all the lenses off. They're cheap enough that I'd recommend picking up an extra one here or there.
It is a lens cap for the rear of nikon lenses.  I wanted a spare.  It function nicely.
Quality Nikon Product which fits my lenses.  Seems like it is more expensive than it needs to be.
Mine was missing from an order (the Nikon D5100 kit with the 18-55mm lens) so Amazon replaced it. No issues at all, works as it should.
We ordered this lens cap for our Nikon lens and are always hesitant about getting a "knock off" that will not stay on properly. The one received was the real thing. It fits snug onto the lens and is exactly what we needed for a replacement. The priced when compared with the local camera store is unbelievable. Excellent buy.
I cannot seem to keep these for some reason, but they are really important to have to keep dust out.
cheaper than buying direct from Nikon and same make and quality.  wanted a spare in case I lost one.  works perfectly.
Ok - it's an order of magnitude better than the shipping cover that comes on a lense.  It's strong, would like to see a small rubber seal at the end to ensure dust stays out for extended periods of storing a lense.
Bought for a replacement after losing the one that came with my Nikon 35mm 1.8 lens. Exactly the same, perfect fit.
I bought one of these for my kit Nikkor 18-55mm VR lens because it came with a softish, chintzy, cap that just slides on the back and comes off easily in a camera bag. This authentic one locks by turning it onto the bayonet (F) mount of my lens nice and snug (but not too tight!) and definitely won't come off in my camera bag, or let dust in while it's one. I'm kind of upset that this didn't come standard with my Nikon D3000 outfit. I have a couple of older metal mount lenses and this fits on those as well.
I got a Nikon D60 camera "package" (meaning everything plus another lens with the deal) and the white lens cap just doesn't cut it. Also somehow lost the lens cap from the additional lens. I swear they go off into another dimension or something. Anyway I got two, and they're great. I care VERY much about my lenses 'cause they're expensive and my last name isn't Rockefeller. I would get another 1 or 2 from these guys if I needed to. $1.99 a cap versus the $22.00 Nikon wants? Who cares about the shipping cost in that case?  Satisfied customer. Thanks.
Its a piece of plastic that says Nikon on it and fits the back of a Nikon Lens.  The best part is .. it doesn't say Canon on it.  Ha!
Camera kits for some reason don't always come with the rear lense cap.  Buy one.  :)  These work great and don't loosen in transit.  Good cap.
This rear lens cap does what it designed to do....protect the rear glass element on your lens.  I found myself with some vintage lenses which, although clean, did not include front and rear lens caps.  I bought several to take care of this....prevent dust and debris from getting inside, as well as prevent damage.  I prefer this older design to the rear lens cap that is included with some of the newer lenses.
It fit my camera, but it wasn't the right cap for my type of camera, which is a Nikon 3000.
What can be said about the LF-1 Rear Lens Cap?  It does exactly what it should.  I much prefer having OEM lens caps for my gear because they tend to fit more snugly to the lens, are stronger, and are the precise fit for my lenses.  I have tried non-OEM lens caps and have regularly found them easily getting knocked off of the lens in transport or when working in my bag and that just lets dust into parts of the mechanisms where dust should not be.  When in doubt, always buy protective caps specifically made for your gear by the manufacturer.  It's worth the little extra cost in the long run.
You can get a third-party one on eBay for one dollar.  There's nothing better about one made by Nikon.
if you switch lenses frequently, it's a good idea to have several of these in your bag in case you lose one. also, if you have any third party lenses, somehow nikon lens caps fit better and snugger. the tamron, tokina, and sigma caps are all kinda weird for some reason. replacing all your 3rd party caps with nikon caps might seem anal (i do this with front lens caps too) but could save time in the field and actually prevent damage to your glass from an unforeseen lenscap accident.
Most SLRs are expensive regardless of the brand.  I find myself taking mine in and out of the case frequently and I remove the lenses or change lenses on the go.  I found this lens cap to be exactly what I was looking for and the price was worth its weight in $$$.  I'm a beginning user and want to make sure that I get long usage out of my digital camera.
Got it to replace the cheap white plastic covers I got on a couple lens I've bought .. it is what it is. It's too expensive for that so you have to make your own call on that one.
Arrived quickly, does what it is supposed to do.  Overpriced for a piece of plastic but what else is new.
Not much to say about it.  Its a well made plastic.  When its tightened to the back of the lens, it sticks on.  It does its job.  Nothing more to say for me.
I purchased these lens caps with the expectation that it would protect my lenses from damage.  (Please excuse the tone of this review as Amazon has an idiotic minimum word count requirement for reviews).They do the job just as well as the expensive Nikon rear caps.  They are easy to put on and remove and fit tightly.If you are in need of lens caps they are a good value.
As camera owners, we all go nuts at times, finding ways to protect the front element of our lenses by purchasing filters, lens cleaners, lens hoods and such. Yet what is forgotten so often is that the rear lens element that the light passes through before it reaches the sensors on our cameras.If you own a Nikon DSLR, regardless of which model it is, then theseNikon LF-1 Rear Lens Capsshould be considered as an essential for good lens storage and protection. These are made from hard plastic, and they will protect that critical rear element on your Nikkor lens from smudges, scratches and dust. This is the right rear lens cap for all Nikkor lenses for DSLRs and will fit almost every Nikon F-mount lens ever made, and that also includes teleconverters.If you bought your Nikon DSLR with a kit lens, you may want to consider theNikon BF-1B SLR Body Capas well. those milky plastic caps that the cameras come with just don't hold up with time.TheseNikon LF-1 Rear Lens Capscost less than a low-end filter, so the investment to protect the back element from debris is quite reasonable. And though I've bought a few of these here before, the reason that I'm on this page again is to get a spare... better safe than sorry.8/18/2012
Cant say much of this, its good and I cant distinguish it from the originals that came with the lenses.
What do you say, it's a plastic rear lens cap. Wish it was cheaper, but Nikon is over priced, so what do you want? It fits like a charm like a stock would. It does the job, I bought it, and would again if need be.
You dont get one with a 55-200 VR lens.. you might want to get one. This is what you buy and it is perfect. No problems, high quality OEM Nikon.sad you have to buy this yourself. No one ever said Photography was cheap.
A new lens I recently purchased came with one of these.  It had a very nice solid twist fit and made a very tight seal to the base of the lens, much better than the slip on caps on some older lenses that never did fit well.  The cap from the new lens fit just as well on my older lenses so when I found these I didn't hesitate.  These fit just as well and provide better protection than the original slip on caps that came with the lenses.
Does exactly what it should. I ordered a couple of them because I keep losing them. Their cheap, real Nikon product  (as far as I can tell) and that's it.
It secures quickly and firmly. There isn't much else to say. It does it's job well and I would recommend it over a third party solution.
It's a lens cap, people.  It's made by Nikon so it fits your lenses (beware that knock-off junk).  What else can I say? Probably could be cheaper, but if you were worried about that, you wouldn't have an SLR.Buy yourself a few spares for the camera bag. I'm always losing these.
You have to have extra lens covers on hand as back ups. Nikon caps are the best, they stay on so why take a chance at something cheaper!
Made by or for Nikon for Nikon lenses. What more can be said? If you need lens and/or body caps, get the real deals right here on Amazon.com.
This lens cap fits our S type Nikon lenses perfectly. If you are like us and lose them on a regular basis out in the field, buy several, the price is right.
I have tried off name brand of caps, but nothing fits like the Nikon ones on a Nikon lens.I have switched to these as well as the official Nikon lens caps for all of my lenses. Gives a sense of continuity when swapping lenses and not having to worry about which cap goes to which lens.I would recommend this to anyone looking for a replacement or using a single design for their entire lens collection.
It screws on the end my my lenses, and stays put. Sounds simple? So you would think, but Nikon has taken to the habit of supplying its lower end lenses with ugly, white, cheap lens caps. They do not screw on, and do not stay put very well. Even a 'cheap' lens is a good bit of money. Do yourself a favor and protect your lenses.
Same cap that came with my Dx Lenses.  Nikon's site has a pretty easy way of checking what size caps you need, so if you're worried go there.
I purchased a vintage lens from Keh that did not include caps.  This cap did the trick.Not much to say here, the lens cap simply works and is a great price!  Plus, extra caps are nice to have around when you juggling lenses.My credentials: I'm a self proclaimed amateur photographer who's been taking photos for over 15 years.  I've owned a lot of gear and for the price, these caps are a great value.
Don't go with the offbrand- Buy the Nikon caps so that they fit tight and stay on.  No problems with this one.
I bought this for my 50mm 1.8 lens for my nikon d5100 since it only came with the cheap piece of plastic that just covered and I wanted something more secure so I wouldn't have to worry about it coming off in my camera back and it is a perfect fit for the 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55mm kit lens and the 55-200mm lens that I purchased also. If and when I purchase any other lenses if they don't have the rear lens cap I will definately be purchases one of these for each lens.
I purchased a refurbished lens from Nikon to save some money, and the lens was perfect-- except for the rear lens cap.  The cap on the refurbished lens was made of cheap whitish-gray plastic that just kind of snapped onto the lens like tupperware.  This replacement is MUCH better-- and it makes me a lot happier with my refurbished purchase.
I expect my star rating to reflect anything further I could say about this product. I bought it, I use it and I like it!
I purchased this item to have an extra cap on hand in case I loose the caps that come with my lenses. It fits well and securely. I highly recommend this item.
I was looking for a rear lens cap for a Nikkor 10-24 lens because I had rented the lens and managed to lose the rear lens cap that came with it.  I looked on Amazon, and this beauty called my name.  Upon receiving it, I tried it on the lens and it fit snugly.  I unscrewed it just as easily.  And then I screwed it on again, and it was snug again.  It does everything a rear lens cap should do and feels solid too.  I returned the rented lens, mentioned that I had bought the rear lens cap, and they were fine with that.  If I ever buy a Nikkor lens, I would buy this cap (or its more recent version, which I learned about after making my purchase).
There's really no reason to buy brand name with this. Get on some auction site or otherwise search around and you can get a set of rear lens cap + body cap for like $3 or something. (You're going to want another body cap anyway.) Seriously, it's just a molded piece of plastic. Any factory in China can make one of these, and not surprisingly, several are.
There is much that can go wrong with a simple lens cap, and this cap is no different.  It fits snuggling on the back of a lens and proudly displays the name of "Nikon" for all to see.
I had four Nikkor lenses that needed some caps.  These caps protect the back of the lens from getting dusty or dirty.  Everyone should have these for the back of the lenses.  They work well and stay on tight.  Mine were for:Nikkor 43~86Nikkor 1:1.2/55mmNikkor 1:1.4/50mmSigma HIGH-SPEED WIDE 28mm 1:1.8II AsphericalWorks well for all four!
Bought this one since for some reason I lost it or I never had one for each of my lenses. This is original from Nikon and fits on my 55-200mm kit lens.
You can never have enough lens caps or replacement rear caps and when a few of mine needed replaced Nikon is the only way to go.
This item is very well built, and easy to use.  Its fitment for my Nikon Camera is perfect.  I highly recommend this item.
I lost my cap and needed a replacement. I can't tell any differences between this one and the original. Love it!
I placed this order recently and it was scheduled to be deliver on this week... but I just received it and its simply perfect!!! Thanks for the quick response and shipment! Lens cap fits my lens like a glove ...absolutely no issues!!! Recommend X 100!!!
The only reason I need these is because I keep losing the ones that come with the lenses because I switch lenses all the time.  Perfect fit unlike cheap copies.
This bottom ones Fits all of my Nikon lenses if it's exactly the way it supposed to there are no problems with it it came on time and it's Nikon made which makes it all the all the better
It is sturdy plastic, locks into place the way it is supposed to, and has lasted a few years now.
I bought this to work with my Nikon D40X.  I had the push on, white lens cap and wanted something a little better.  These screw on and stay on.  Doesn't appear to be a cheap imitation to me, I am happy with it and would buy more if needed.  What else can you say about a lens cap...............
This solidly made bayonet-style rear lens cap is essential for anyone who owns more than one lens. It is far more secure than the translucent "tupperware-style" push-on rear cap supplied with some Nikkor lenses. Those things have no positive retention and I would only use one to keep the back of the lens off the table when cleaning the sensor, or if the lens was going back into its original packaging (in the plastic bag and then into the styrofoam/pressed paper inside the box) because they're just too insecure for field use. The LF-1 is cheap insurance for your expensive glass!
Used this for my Nikon D3200 spare lens and works as advertised. Will protect your lens from dust/debris entering the lens. Shipping was on time and packaged as necessary.
It's a lens cap, again, there isnt too much to be said.  it does the job at covering the parts of the camera that need to be covered.  Case closed.
Glad to have bought this as a spare. It came in handy one day when I couldn't find the original which I did find later in the day. :)
My camera came with a kit lens that had a translucent white cap on the back of the 18-55mm kit lens. While that rear cap seemed adequate, it also seemed cheap and didn't lock on as this standard cap does. This rear cap fits DX Nikon lenses and aftermarket lenses for Nikon DX cameras. Genuine Nikon product and of genuine Nikon quality.
I thought it was silly that one of the lenses that I purchased came with a cheap plastic push-on rear lens cap. I was worried that it might come off and the lens would get scratched. So I began searching for an affordable rear lens cap. Everywhere else that I found it, all sold it for it's retail price of approximately $12. I ended up finding it here on Amazon, and paid $1.75 for it (new). I am very happy that I purchased it, because I'm no longer worrying that the cap will come off!
This is the cap that Nikon used to ship with their lens instead of the cheap piece of plastic that doesn't attach with a positive feel.
I have been using these since 1974.  I epoxy glue them back to back to make it easier to change lenses on the go (taught to me by Trevor Reisz at Nikon School in the 1970s)Eventually they become loose enough to be insecure, and need replacement for reliable field use, although still good for storage on the shelf at home as dust protection, if you are careful how you pick up the lens.  I don't throw the old ones out, but get new ones for rapid use in the field.  I got at least 10 years out of my first set, with frequent but not daily use.I have tried some of the LF-4 newer version, which seem more flexible, less brittle, a bit harder to glue securely back to back (bigger spaces between the dished out tops) and are too new for me to tell how long they will last.  Initially they seem equally useful, but I know the older version works.
Purchased these caps to replace the caps that came with my Sigma lenses, which are very difficult to get on. These work excellent, as I was informed from some source I can't remember. Excellent product!
This is a snug and fit lens cap that is Nikon OEM. I needed a replacement rear lens cap and ordered this.I am happy with it.
It is a perfect fit. There isn't much more I can say about it. :P Will be buying more, if need be.
Order came the first day on the estimated dates range. Speedy delivery. The item fits my Nikon D3100 perfectly. Will most likely be ordering myself more of these rear lens caps when I get more lenses.
the owner cal me twice , the item receive and in good shapeIwill buy from them for certain...........excellent compagny
Excellent service.  Product exactly as described and ordered. Shipped as advertised and received on time.  Would do business with this seller again.  Unfortunately, I found the lost cap so I really didn't need.  Oh well, guess in never hurts to have an extra....
I bought this cap to replace one that my daughter lost.  This lens cap works as expected.  Not any better, nor any worse.  It keeps my lens covered and clean.
Typical cast plastic material, spring compression, front mounted lens cap - for minor protection from bumps, dust & finger prints.
It's the real deal and just like the one I was replacing.  It was at a decent price as well.
I lost my lens cap, so I ordered this one and I love it. It is even nicer looking than the original one that came with my camera.
The Nikon Snap on Lens Cap works as promised and has performed well in the time that I have had the device. Thanks!
Nothing to complain about from here.  They look like Nikon caps and work well.  If they are counterfeit, I can't tell.
this lens cap replaced one for my 40 yr old MF zoom - fits beautifully, stays on and is eaily removed, replaced.
good replacement, genuine article. I got the actual Nikon cap, fit like a glove, good deal, happy, no complaints. great buy
I am not sure how, but somehow I ended up losing the 62mm lens cap for my Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR macro lens!  Since this lens has received a lot of use over the past 6 or more years since I purchased it, I am not surprised that a small bump might have knocked the lens cap off!  At any rate, I needed a new one....and, it works just like the one it originally came with.
I keep losing these suckers and thank goodness Amazon keeps them in stock. Good price and shipped earlier then I thought. I plan to order 2 of each of these for the lens I have, just so I have a steady supply when I lose them. Ha
this lens cap not only protects my lens but now it also make it look like a legit Nikon lens, compare to the one that it had before.
This cap was purchased to replace a lost cap for a Nikon 105mm F2.8 macro lens.  It's the same quality asthe original cap.
Lost a lens cap recently.  This arrived new in packaging. Price was great and having Prime made it even better, which helps because I prefer brand products for my camera gear.
I'm happy with this product. The quality was just what I expected at a great price.The dealer provided me with prompt and great service too!Thanks!
Works great I replace a old cap and this one works well as a replacement. I would recommend this lens cap.
This is a totally counterfiet product from this seller - DO NOT BUY IT - you will not only be disappointed with it BUT Amazon will make you pay return postage even though the product is not as described...it is listed as NIKON (but it is totally NOT). Buyer beware, this item sucks and you will be ripped off.It is so far from being genuine Nikon it will make you laugh (or cry). This seller needs to be blacklisted! They are a total fraud.
I lost my original lens cap and hated to spend very much for a new one, or replace it with something cheap and generic. This cap is exactly like my other Nikon lens caps. It came in a sealed, official Nikon plastic bag and arrived in two days. It is sturdy, easy to pop on and off with my non-dominant hand, and stays firmly in place when on. No one would ever know it wasn't the one that came with the lens.
These are not made by Nikon, Inc.  They are illegally produced with the Nikon logo, and the packaging also unlawfully uses the Nikon logo in an attempt to pass them off an genuine Nikon products.  I don't have a problem with aftermarket caps if the seller is honest, but these were sold as genuine Nikon product in an attempt to deceive the buyer.  These are NOT real Nikon caps.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my son in law. He had lost his other one. This was on his Amazon wish list.
Nikon branded frontl ens cap
It's a lens cap.  It says NIKON, and it arrived in 2 days....  What's NOT to like?  Truth be told, I would have accepted the side-pinch NIKON cap without complaint, but the center-pinch that arrives is just like the old one that I lost, so I'm very happy.The first one lasted for YEARS showing little to no wear and tear, and this one doesn't seem any different in quality from the old one, so I expect that this one will last as well.
I bought this as a replacement lens cap for my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens since the standard one that came with that lens was difficult to remove whenthe lens hood was on. Since the Nikon ones have the center squeeze function, it works perfectly.
I needed a lens cap for my Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 lens. Price was reasonable enough that I bought two, so I'll have one as a spare. As expected, cap comes on and off easily, but is secure enough to not come off on its own in my camera bag.
Somehow our lens caps go missing and I have to go to extreme lengths to keep the lenses protected in their absence.  finding these relatively inexpensive replacement caps puts things back where they should be.Fits great.  I assume it's an OEM cap.  Do note that the caps are not one size fits all.
This is a standard Nikon lens cap that serves admirably as a replacement for one that I lost. Somehow I didn't feel good about using a generic on my Nikon lens so I spent the few dollars more for the genuine article. The thing that I've noticed about the Nikon caps vs. OEM caps is that the Nikons are made of thicker plastic and the release mechanism is superior. I really like the thumb-pinch release design that Nikon uses; it's a lot better than the the side release type used on generic lens caps.
Lens caps come and go and some fade away but a good lens cap all ways comes in handy especially when it is a Nikon.
I lost my cap for my Nikon lens so I had to buy a replacement cap. This one worked just as well as my old one.
I can lose lens caps like a sot can toss back a shot, so this is a replacement of my original equipment for my 105mm macro lens. It works just fine, now if I don't lose this one, all will be well....
I have switched all my lens caps to this design and it works great.  Still, sometimes, I lose one and have to replace it but they can be delivered quickly and inexpensively by Amazon.
I needed a lens cap to replace a lost one and did not want anything but Nikon.
I purchased the cap to fit onto a Sigma 18-250 Macro lens.  The Nikon cap is much easier to use that the stock Sigma cap, and the springs have excellent return ... unlike the knock-offs.  And for the price including delivery, this cap is a bargain.
Great replacement cap -- fits snug, no wiggle, and super lightweight. If you need a replacement, this one does the trick.
Bought this as a replacement cap for a Nikon lens.  It fit just as expected!  Definitely worth the price if you are a Prime member.
I received the DX3900 camera for christmas and it is super nice. The pics are great using the high resolution setting (oh yea, it's 3.1 not 3.3 megapixels like the product description says!). The only complaints I have are first, the lcd screen is a little small, and two, the kodak software is a little slow even though the actual transfer using the USB is fast.  If you have some other CF reader, I highly recommend using it.  These are minor problems however. Now I just need a bigger CF card because of all the pictures I'm taking!!!!
Had this camera for a few years now and I ABSOLUTELY love it.I've never had problems with it and the quality of the photos I take are awesome. I use my camera to take photos that I upload to my blog (on line journal).The only down side in my opinion I see, the batteries go fast, but I assume thats any camera. The plus side is the fact you can use your double AA batteries or rechargeable ones. So if your recharageables are not charged you can just go to the store and buy regular batteries.If you're looking to take professional photos I suggest going with a Canon rebel or any of the more expensive professional cameras out there.  For a beginner this camera is awesome. This digital camera is very easy to use, even my husband who is not technically savvy finds it easy to use.  You can switch within the camera to take color, black and white, or sephia tone.  You can internally mess with the F stops, shutter speed, etc...it gives a lot of good options to be creative.  Its an easy point and shoot.I absolutely love this camera. Too bad some folks here seen to have had some bad experience with it.  :(  On the same note there are a lot of good reviews here for this camera.  With anything shop around and see what's out there. :)
I take a lot of photos for my personal use and enjoyment, including the better ones with my friends.  This camera is compact, simple to use, and does a good job for nonprofessional use.  I own three of these and will buy another if necessary.
I have had my DX3900 for about a year now and it is still reliable.  I recently upgraded my computer system and printer, but don't feel it necessary to get a new camera since this camera is so great.  The photo quality is fabulous!  It is so nice to download photos with the touch of the easyshare dock button!  How easy!  I primarily use this camera to take photos for ebay ads and I swear that my super clear, quality photos help my sales!  I highly recommend this camera.  It is a bit pricey, but believe me...it is worth it!  You will not be disappointed.
I just received the Kodak 3900 this week from Amazon.com. Truely impressive.  It is easy to use and has so many great picture options.  I did not buy the camera dock.  Reading previous reviews, which were helpful, made me decide not to buy the camera dock.  I bought a flash card reader, AA rechargeable batteries and charger and a camera case. All together was ... less than buying that camera dock.  For xmas I got a 64mb flashcard.  I recommend spending the extra [money] on that.  The pictures are great.  The lowest quality pics printed out awesome on my HP printer with matte photo paper.  I also have several friends that purchased this Kodak brand and the quality of their prints are excellent.
Although the DX3900 is very easy to use, unless you are a complete novice with computers, it seems that the extra &quot;ease&quot; is not worth the price premium you pay. After all, with most digital cameras, you simply plug in a USB cable and open the supplied software - this takes about 10 seconds. So with the DX3900 you save maybe 5 seconds every time you download your pictures.Having said that, the 3900 is a very capable and respectable camera for the market in which it competes. Resolution is pretty good, although jpeg artifacts become visible in all the but least compression settings (whereas canon and sony cameras seem to do a better job with compression). Color accuracy is very good, and skies come out vivid blue. The zoom lens works nicely, and startup time is fast. The LCD is smooth and fluid, although not as bright as I am used to from canon and sony.If you are purchasing this camera for a beginning computer user, or if a bit of extra ease of use means more to you than saving a bit of money, then this is a great camera. If, however, you don't mind spending a few extra seconds, this camera is probably a little too over-simplified; you could spend less or get more features for your money elsewhere. Conclusion: for the market for which this camera is targeted, this is a very good camera.
I am totally hooked!!!!  The image qualities are impressive.  The colors are vivid and perfect.  I am very excited.  I have taken over 100 photos already.  It's a joy, especially if you get the dock.
We just used this camera on a 2 week trip to Montana during which I was able to get a good feel for this camera.  Likes:  Light, fits in pocket, good quality pictures, I used 2.1 meg most of the time, easy to download to computer, stored lots of photos with my added large memory card.  Dislikes:  Can't see LCD screen in the sun, the digitial zoom is TERRIBLE--is there a secret to getting a clear photo?  I purchased lenses to go with the camera and they worked terrible as well.  Otherwise, for good quality simple photos, this is a great camera.
Based largely on reviews read here, I purchased the DX3900. It performs as advertised. The loading dock system works well. It recharges the supplied batteries, and sends the photos to the screen for immediate viewing, cropping, printing, or emailing. Kodak gave this product some thought, and it shows.This camera has 3.1 metapixels, which is huge for this price.On a personal note, I also own an Olympus D460 zoom, which was also a fine camera. However, when I switched to Windows XP, I needed new drivers which Olympus has yet to supply. Since they think so little of me, I switched to Kodak.
The DX3900 is my second digical camera.  Just received it and I am delighted with the picture quality.  My computer is three years old and I recently upgraded to Windows Me.  I was concerned about attaching the camera, docking station.  All worked without a problem.  I have only used the camera in the auto mode, but there is so much more you can do with the camera. The camera dock is worth [dollar amount].  Transfer pictures in seconds and what a way to have the DX3900 always charged.  I purchased a 128 CF card.  The 8 CF card that comes with the camera is useless.  I recommend buying the Viking 128 CF card.  It works great with the DX3900 and is much less expensive then the Kodak CF card.  For [dollar amount] you can not find a better deal or picture quality.
Thirty years ago, when I was in the service, I bought a 35mm SLR with all the bells and whistles.  I spent a ton of money (for an enlisted man) on lenses, filters and other accessories.  I would spend several minutes before every shot setting the f-stop, shutter speed, zoom and focus.  I thought that was how photography was supposed to be done.  When I was a child, I thought as a child...now as an adult, I just want the picture.  This camera has the option of setting film speed, f-stop, zoom, etc., or, as I prefer, point and click.  It's the Macintosh of digital cameras.  The quality of pictures is excellent.  And really, isn't that what you want?  I got the docking station, extra memory and an extra battery.  It sets up great for vacation.  We can recharge the batteries at night and the extra 256 MB flash card holds all our pictures from vacation.  This is a great camera "for the masses."
Bought this camera for one of my users at work. I went with the camera due to Kodak quality that I have experienced with other cameras as well as reviews on Amazon that talked about the ease of setup and use.The reviews were correct, this camera is a breeze to setup and use which is a plus if you are purchasing for a non technical person.The quality of the camera and pictures are top notch. Transfering pictures to the desktop was very easy even without the docking station.If you are looking for a good quality camera that is easy to use this is the one.
I bought this camera for my wife and she loves it. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures. The one-step transfer process is very nice. The supplied Kodak software does not provide all the picture editing capabilities but does supply most of them. One of the other editing program ( from Adobe or other suppliers) can fix the few pictures that need extra help.
...You can't imagine this DX3900, a cheaper model, is even better than my DX4800, 1st winner in picture quality by PC World for many months this year. I've taken 271 pictures (LCD panel off) with the lithium battery (equivalent to 2 AA batteries) included in the package and it is still going strong. I'm a picky person and I seldom give anything a five-star rating, but this Kodak has simply overwhelmed me. Now you have to have a professional medium-format traditional camera to beat this Kodak. I bet you can't find a better digital camera in picture quality at any price.
This is my first digital camera, although I have been taking photos (many years professionally) for more than 15 years with 35mm film cameras.I have to say that this camera, after just two weeks, has exceeded my expectations. I wanted a camera that could replace my beloved Olympus Stylus as a point and shoot camera. It easily does that. In fact I find that I can use it much like I did my beloved Leica M rangefinder camera. Any digital consumer camera today still does not rival even the cheapest p/s film camera. But the advantages of a digital camera more than overshadow any image quality gap between film and digital cameras.Here are the strengths of this camera (in no particular order):1. Takes non-proprietary batteries. DO get rechargable NiMHbatteries. Camera uses 2.  (...))2. Flash can be turned off. I rarely use the flash for a natural look when in "lecia-type" shooting situations. Good fill flash.Flash is far enough off axis so that red eye doesn't seem to exist.3. Can set EV +- 2 stops for exposure control.4. Can set shutter speeds down to 16 seconds. Great for low-light shooting.5. Metering system is very, very good in general. can also do spot metering.6. camera is not too small or too big. it makes it easy to take anywhere and not be a burden.7. Cover protects lens when camera is turned off.8. Very good image quality9. Good software on camera and loaded onto computer. camera isintuitive to use.10. Macro modeMisses:1. some might need more than 2x zoom.2. Software does not work under Windows953. No neck strap. Just wrist strap supplied.4. Only 8mb card supplied with camera.5. shutter is responsive with no big lag from the time the shutter is pressed to when the image is taken, but it takes about 6 seconds to write the image to disk before you can take the next picture. (unless you use the .8mb burst mode)More Advice:Don't bother buying the dock. USB cable alone is fine fortransferring images. Save the dock money and buy a bigger compactflash card and rechargable batteries.This is a lot of camera for the money. Hopefully it will hold upover the next few years until it's time to buy the next generationof digital camera. Good luck! Hope this helps.
I spent many hours researching digital cameras to find the one that suited my needs and was within my price range.I am 20 years old and have 7 younger siblings - we used the camera to take our individual portraits. I took the graduation pictures of a friend of mine as well. The 3MP produced an excellent 8x10, as well as 5x7. I also use this camera on trips, at events and at home for my regular snapshots. I usually set the megapixals at 1.8 for general use. I am always pleased with the way the camera works, there are plenty of setting options, but not so many that it is confusing. The b&w; and sepia settings are fun.I would recommend using Amazon's Ofoto for photo processing. They do a good job quickly, and it is fun to use their albums to share pictures online. I also use Ofoto's free photo editor, which is extremely basic. If you want something fancy, Amazon has a selection of good photo editing software.In addition to the the camera, I purchased the EasyShare dock, which is a must have for ease of use. It is well worth the price. It, like the camera, is gimmick-free.I purchased a 128mb compact flash for additional memory. If I did that again I would just buy 64mb, but that extra memory might come in handy on a long vacation.I purchased a "travel kit" from Kodak's website, which includes another rechargable battery, portable recharger with different plugs for if you are out of the country and have different outlets. It came in a camera bag that is a good size for the camera.I would recommend this camera for anybody who wants to have a good camera to use and enjoy for a long time.
I just received my DX3900 four days ago and so far I'm pleased.  It is my second digital camera.  My first, a Canon Power Shot A50 is still very good and is only 1.3MP.  The Kodak is very easy to use and has a few more features than the older Canon.  The price [I paid was] less than [what] I paid for the 1.3MP Canon two years ago and better than most new 2MP cameras.  I compared lots of cameras before I bought this one.  I really wanted an Olympus, Canon, Nikon or Fuji but kept coming back to this one.  I bought it mainly for the higher pixel count and especially the price.  It doesn't have the features of the others but again, the price was just too good to pass.  I really like the optional lenses that can be purchased and I plan to get them ASAP.  I'm going to try it on one of my telescopes and hope to capture some good astro-images.  I purchased the 128MB card which is a must for this camera because the 8MB card that comes with it holds a miniscule 8 pictures.  I will say that it doesn't feel quite as good as the Canon which has a heavier metallic body.  The Kodak is plastic but again most of the others I have held lately are also plastic.  Also, the display at 1.5" is a bit smaller than the Canon's 2" display.  I also find my Canon's card slot and ejection mechanism to be higher quality and I do fear that I'll break the door on the Kodak...but again the price.
I bought this in a hurry. I was saving for a Sony CDR-300, and my sister went in to labor, and I was in charge of new baby pics. THis was the nicest camera I could afford at the store. As it turns out it was a great investment. It took me about 5 minutes to learn, and the Included Li battery pack lasted for about 350+ pictures and a lot of time using the LCD, which usually kills stuff on most other cameras I have used. I would lastly like to reemphasize that it took me all of 12 seconds to learn, and with XP the camera interface solved itself, I bought it two weeks ago, and still haven't installed the software. Woohoo.
and you will feel like you got a great deal.  The price here is the best I've seen.  As for the camera's functionality, I'd rate it a 9 out of 10.  The pictures are really, really nice.  I cant imagine why anyone aside from a very serious professional would want more out of a camera.  The photos dont have a very wide angle, and the software is a bit "to simple" (I think they designed it to be totally user friendly, but for anyone with a good handle on using the computer might desire more features),but dont let that stop you.  You'll use Image Expert or something similiar to spice up your pics anyway. It was my second digital camera.  My first was an Olympus in the same price group.  This beats my old one hands down.
I normally don't write reviews, but after reading that last one slamming this great camera (for all the wrong reasons), I felt compelled.The DX3900 was the only camera I could find that had optical zoom AND 3 megapixel resolution (...).  It's pretty simple to use (especially if you read the instructions and realize that many of the "problems" described by one reviewer are configurable and/ or the way it's SUPPOSED to work.  Jeez!)What's especially nice is the memory media (CompactFlash) which is available in sizes up to 512 MB (will hold over 700 pics at top resolution).The digital screen is a bit "stuttery", but it IS color and will reflect whatever mode you have it in (black/ white, sepia).  The camera also has a lot of adjustable features INCLUDING whether the zoom pauses when it changes from optical to digital zoom.The lens protector closes "automatically" when you shut the camera off, which is cool.  Downside is that it opens when you turn it on, even if you're just turning on to view pics you already took (it would be nice if the cover closed while in "play" or "setup" mode).I haven't bought the dock yet, but plan to.  One button downloading plus getting your batteries recharged adds to this camera's practicality.  Without the dock, your battery options are still pretty wide.  The camera comes with a long-lasting lithium battery pack, but can also use Ni-MH or tried and true AA batteries.This camera also has a decent number of adjustable photo options such as exposure compensation, exposure metering, and multiple resolution settings, including a lower-res mode that allows you to take a "burst" of photos (several in rapid succession... COOL!)By the way, for those who don't know, you CANNOT show digital zoom through an optical viewfinder, so don't be disappointed when you have to view the digital zoom through the screen.  Also, the higher resolution is for PRINTING pictures, not viewing them on screen... a task handled well by any low res jpeg producing hardware.Again, (...): 2x opitcal zoom, 3x digital zoom (6x total), 3.1 megapix, and a slew of cool options, I looked and looked, and couldn't find a better deal!
This is my first digital camera after 40 years of 35mm SLR cameras.  Its compact, lightweight, easy to use, and excellent photo quality.  I just took a trip to Paris and shot 300 excellent photos -- many of them hand-held available light night-time shots.The Viking 128MB flash card is a must -- never worry about filling up the camera again!I'm still using this camera after 18 months and I still love it.  Thousands of photos later, it's great.
When I first got my Kodak DX3900 camera, I was pretty happy.  Yes, the memory card is too small, but otherwise it seemed to have all of the features I was looking for.  The first few photos looked pretty good as well.  However, with continued use, the camera simply doesn't perform.  After taking only about 30 photos, the camera now refuses to take any more photos, and those last few photos were out of focus and either over or under exposed.  Changing batteries helps for a short while, but even using CRV3 lithium batteries rather than AA's, after a very short while the camera refusues to perform other than to let you see the few photos you've already taken.  I'm not aware of other cameras that consume battery power like this, so my plan is to get rid of this camera and buy a new one soon.
I have been using this camera for about 6 months and think it's great! I use it for the purpose of transferring the pics to CD and then putting them into Kmart for development and the print quality on Kodak paper is fantastic. The photos I'm getting are great. The biggest downside to this camera is the inability to take multiple pictures close together. it allows you to take 2 or 3 then pauses for several seconds, sometimes over 15 therefore missing the "Kodak Moment" LOL. It does have a Burst mode for doing just this but it's useless coz the Burst mode cannot be used with the Flash so of course the photos dont come out if inside. All round though this is a great little cam. I've heard of people complaining about it, but they are more high-end users, if you are just the little famliy guy wanting to take pics of everyday things and not a real technohead then this cam will do you just fine! Some of the photos I've taken are absolutely fantastic.
I have been using this camera for about a week. It takes very sharp and colorful images. It is extremely easy to use as a point and shoot and there are also settings to refine your images under different situations (lighting,compression,EV,ISO,etc.).I am amazed at the picture quality for such an easy to use camera. I highly recommend this camera for anyone that wants to jump in to digital photography. It produces comparable results to 35MM film cameras and maybe even better.
I bought this camera two months ago. The pictures are a good quality...except the battery life is horrible. It will only take one set of pictures ( 4 or 5) before the battery goes DEAD. I have contacted Kodak about this problem and their solutions to it are to have it serviced by their representitives. I paid OVER ($$$) for the camers and docking station.....and it has to be fixed???? It also claims that leaving the camera in the docking staion charges the batteries....WRONG.....their technical people said that it actually drains the battery if left in there too long. Well, what good is it???? When the battery goes dead...it will not trasfer pictures through the docking station. All in all it is poor quality with horrible customer service. Try another company for quality.
The price is definitely right. Do your self a favor, get at least a 128 MB CF card with your purchase. At the highest resolution, each picture is almost 1 MB. Also, I would consider either their dock or a CF flash reader for your computer. This thing has no way to hook up an ac adapter, so while transferring pictures, you will be using the battery. If you have a laptop, viking has a nice PC Card adapter that works great. Another thing I am considering is the lens kit for the camera. It is only a 2x optical (but is damn inexpensive) The lens kit includes two close up lens, a telephoto lens, and a wide angle lens, and a case that can hold all this and the camera.I have taken some close up pictures of my orchid, and the results are amazing. This camera has enough pixels to print out a 20 inch by 30 inch print (from Ofoto or iPhoto) at 72 dpi, which was the standard for computer screen resolution for a long time, IOW, your pictures will look great at poster size.
My goals in selecting a camera were:1. It had to be simple. Essentially goof proof.2. It had to be small and light weight.3. Most bang for the buck.Kodak scored perfect. Got the bundle.The Docking cradle is one-touch simple; uploading pictures and recharging the NiMH battery pack at the same time. Reminded me of my Palm Pilot. Had to be simple for my non-techy family. I use the dock at home and a SanDisk CF reader at work.The default settings fit most shots. Great for family members that don't want the hassle of fancy setups or dislike reading manuals. Great for building confidence as well!As one becomes more facile (familiar with the normal stuff) one can experiment (boldly go) with various options. The manual explains everything well. A word of caution and this is true for any digital camera, when you turn on the camera to take a picture make sure it is in picture taking mode (DUH!) and double check the LCD screen on top to make sure you haven't left it in some weird mode. Nothing like taking a Macro shot of a mountain or flash shot in a mirror or sliding glass door. Actually one should return the camera to neutral settings before turning the camera off.Everybody talks about batteries. This camera is no different! Get extras. Use the view screen sparingly. As the book says it will rapidly drain the battery. The select button on the back toggles the screen on and off. If I could just keep my kids from turning it on.Kodak makes a really nice optional kit with padded bag, charger, battery pack and international plug adapters. Useful when traveling.Speaking of the battery pack ... it is made so that it can NOT be inserted incorrectly in either the camera or the charger. Nice touch Kodak.Sometimes the speed with which the camera stores images to the CF card can be frustrating. Get over it and be patient. This issue is not unique to Kodak. If you know ahead of time that you need to take many shots in rapid succession Kodak has implemented a burst mode. The downside is you must go to a menu to activate it. Also the picture quality must be reduced for this function. You can take 8 pictures in rapid fire. Remember to return this to your normal setting.Going on a trip? Look for sales on large capacity CF cards. I added a pair of 128MB to my kit. Paid less than [price] apiece. It's like carrying 30 rolls of film without the bulk (2 shoe boxes) and hassle of loading the film. Of course everyone knows that with digital every picture is a keeper (hmmm) so how does 8 to 900 or more perfect pictures stored on a postage stamp sized device sound?Friend at work recently bought a 1Gigabyte CF card! WOW! Don't know if it works with this camera but can you imagine? I love technology.Word to the wise - download to your PC or MAC frequently. Don't and you will become hysterical the first time you screw up your CF card. The manual warns you and Murphy is everywhere. Personal experience - my daughter lost 220 shots on a SmartMedia card in her digicam. Imagine losing 900 pictures? Ouch.Recently took the camera for 2 weeks in Peru back to back with a week in the UK. Got great shots. Will soon share the non-personal ones on [another website] under user "vand21". Every seen Machu Picchu? Incredible!The camera comes with a video cable and get this. It can output to TVs in both NTSC (USA) and PAL (Europe and South America). Useful when traveling.Complaint? Maybe one. Took picture looking out at a clouded mountain top. The image part that was white had multiple bands of white rather than a smooth light to dark transition. This may be a common problem with digital cameras. I don't know. I plan to ask Kodak about this.If you have Internet access and provide your E-Mail to Kodak at registration they send you links to get the most out of your camera. Kinda online training. They also have links to many other neat sites to make using your camera fun. Nice followup Kodak.Their software can download, rotate, store, create albums, email friends or print your photos and it has a very non-techy user interface (simple to use). Behind the scenes the email function automagically reduces your humunguous 500K images to under 60K so your friends with slow access won't send you "hate mail." It does this without affecting the original.Yeah you can add lens but I would advise against it if your goals are similar to mine. If you do go for the lens you will need an adapter. Look for it. A word of caution - do not leave the lens attached when are not taking pictures that require it. Remember the body of the camera is plastic. Guess what will break if it gets bumped or bangs into something?Camera comes with a wrist strap. Use it. Saved me several times on my trip. If the camera is not strapped to your wrist make sure you keep it where it can't be stolen. Pickpockets are keen on digital cameras but more than that think how valuable and irreplaceable your photos (inside the camera) are!I am having a wonderful time with this camera. I hope you find these comments useful. Oh! Kodak has a 4.0 MEGAPIXEL version if you want more. Around [price] more.
This is my first digital camera, and I am extremly happy with my purchase. This is a great value when it comes to cameras. I have used this camera for about a month now and it is great. Easy to use, and gives excellent performance. I got the docking station as well, which makes transferring photos very easy and there is no issue with batteries. With the docking station, you also get rechargable batteries. But a warning on these batteries - you must charge them for the total time recommended, DO NOT USE THE LIGHT AS A GUIDE. When the light goes green, remove the camera and replace it - repeat for the total charge time recommended. If you are not getting the docking station, my camera came with kodak lithium batteries, which has a long life. In addition, this camera uses only 2 batteries. Most other cameras I was looking at used 4! I also got the HP Deskjet 940C, and with photo quality paper, you cannot tell the difference from regular photos. The kodak software that comes with the camera is quite adequate. All in all this is a great camera.
This is my 4th digital camera, the last three being Kodak cameras. I chose Kodak for its reputation and positive reviews, especially as to color quality. I was looking for a 3+ megapixel camera and chose the DX3900 because 1) it had an optical zoom (although I wish it had 3X instead of 2x) 2) It was one of the cheapest cameras in its class 3) Kodak reputation. I was put off at first by the plastic case, but the lighter weight is really an asset. Be careful, however. The lightness caused me to produce some blurry photos until I figured out I was in my heavier camera mode from my previous DC265. The 8 megabyte card is a joke - only 7 pictures. The 3.1 compressed mode doubles your pictures, but Kodak tells me not to use it if you intend to print your photos---Web use is just fine. You'll need to budget for at least a 128 or 256 Mb card. The first set of batteries lasted for 275 pictures, 20% of these were taken with flash. Like most cameras in its class, the LCD display is impossible to see in any kind of daylight; the optical viewfinder is a must -- also saves on battery life. Some reviewers complained about the lack of advanced features, but the basics are there along with a surprising number of manual settings (shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, 4 flash modes, B&W, sepia, etc). You don't really need the docking unit. (...)
I previoisly owned a DX3700 and loved it. I should of bought this one in the first place! The picture quality is outstanding. I love the display in the LED readout. You can adjust picture quality, lighting, and special effects. This camera is loaded.I bought the optional dock and it is great for people like me who know little about digital photography. After your pictures are taken, simply set the camera on the EasyShare Dock push the button and the pictures are uploaded to your computer ready for emailing or printing. It's great. One tip. Using the 3.1 pixel setting will take up more room on your photo card and also reduce battery life. Use only for the most important pictures. For others, use the lower setting. Pictures still look great.
I just bought this camera yesterday and couldn't be more pleased. It has tons of features and is simple to use. After reviewing the manual for about 15 minutes, I was off and running, taking close-ups and being amazed with all the features.I've been a die-hard SLR fan for years, I've finally found a digital camera that's darn-near equivalent to my Nikon in terms of picture quality.The supplied software is more than adequate, although a good photo editor software package is always recommended whenever you are manipulating digital photos.Overall a great camera, the best in it's price range in my opinion.Follow up to my previous review - I've been using this camera more or less non-stop for the past 3 days and continue to be impressed with the quality and ease of use.  It has NEVER locked up or given me anything less than SPECTACULAR performance.  As for enlargements, I've made some wonderful 8 X 10's, they look awesome.The supplied software works quite well, full screen preview is achieved via the 'full screen' button to the right of the picture or by double clicking on the picture, it's fairly intuitive and easy to navigate once you spend a few minutes working with the software.Finally, the docking station is a nice add-on, no fumbling with cables when you want to download photos into your PC, just place the camera in the dock and push a button, the rest is automatic and FAST.  The docking station comes with an extra set of batteries, nice to have an extra charged set in the camera bag.  The docking station also doubles as a battery charger, another added bonus, the camera is always fully charged and ready.I'm even more impressed with this camera now than I was the day I purchased it, an outstanding product from the folks at Kodak.
I purchased the Kodak DX3900 2 weeks ago. I was looking for the best buy that I could find in a 3+ megapixel camera with an optical and digital zoom. Not only does the this little Kodak meet my requirements, it exceeds my expectations in advanced features and picture quality!When I bought the camera, I also bought the docking station and a 128M Compact Flash. The DX3900 comes with an 8M Compact Flash, but I am glad I am not limited to its low capacity. I can store about 230 pictures on the 128M Compact Flash at my &quot;routine&quot; 1.6 megapixel resolution. The docking station is very convenient and simple to operate. It functions similar to a &quot;hot sync&quot; cradle of a Palm Pilot. You drop the camera into the cradle, push the button on the cradle, and presto! Your .jpg image files are then easily transferred to your PC. The cradle also serves as a charging base for the NiMH camera battery pack.Just as a note... not all NiMH batteries will charge in the camera via the cradle. The instruction book warns about this. In order to have batteries that charge, you must use the Kodak brand battery pack (until someone else makes something else that works!) The battery pack has to be installed a certain way. It looks like there might be some kind of mechanism in the camera that is activated via the battery pack. A second battery pack is relatively cheap ($14.95 from Kodak, or less that $10 if you search the web ;-) so I bought one online.I had a &quot;starter&quot; digital camera a couple of years ago. The Kodak is much more than the &quot;next step&quot;! This new DX3900 is DEFINITELY a quality, feature filled, reasonably priced unit that I am looking forward to using for many years.
Apparently this camera receives lots of user compliments ... But browse it carefully you will find that a great percentage of these positive comments are from first time digital camera buyers or users. I wonder whether their opinions will hold true after they have tried other digital cameras on the market. The truth is that there are better choices out there, even at similar prices.First let's look at a myth floating around among first time digital camera buyers:1. Mega Pixel is everything.Since a 3MP camera delivers a higher resolution than a 2MP camera, the picture it takes should be sharper. Sounds right? Not necessarily so. The quality of the output mainly depends on the quality of the lens and grains. A grainy 3MP photo taken with a lower quality lens is not necessarily better sharper than a low noise 2MP photo taken with a high quality lens. It happens that the photo taken with DX3900 contains lots of noise, and the 7 element in 6 group lens might not be as sharp as lens on digital cameras from other vendors in the same class.Ok, now let's talk about the camera:Design and built:DX3900 is very compact. It has a slim plastic body and is suprisingly light even with two AA batteries inserted. It has a sliding door style lens cover and you can only find a few buttons on the camera. (Everything is designed for simplicity).However, this design also brings out the issue of quality of construction. The battery door hatch and compact flash door hatch are extremely fragile. The first time I accidently dropped my DX3900 it broke the battery hatch door and the bottom of the case became cracked. Kodak initially asked $150 for fixing the battery door saying this is a flat fee. After my complaint about the high cost of fixing Kodak suddenly said somehow they calculated it wrong and I was charged $36 instead. I have to admit that their service is pretty fast though. (Two days after the phone call I got the fixed camera back.)The LCD is only 1.5 inch and it is not bright so you might have some problem reading it under bright sunlight. However I like the LCD menu very much, it is so easy to operate even a monkey can find all the options and settings and make the adjustment.Because I like high contrast photo and saturated color I always prefer Kodak color. The DX3900 does take photo with good color. But when I start to compare these with pictures I took with Kodak DC280 and DC290 a while ago I was hugely disappointed:The color of the photos taken with DX3900 looked very plain and dull. And then comes the worst part, the photos also have more noise than those taken with DC280 and DC290s.DC280 and DC290 are old generation 2MP kodak digital cameras. DX3900 is a 3MP digital camera of a new generation.  But everyone who has seen my photos can tell that the 2MP photos I took with the DC280 and DC290 are better than those taken with DX3900. I don't know what Kodak has done to the DX series, they did fix the DC280 and DC290s'low shtter speed problem but they failed to produce a camera that could take better pictures than their old geneation of cameras. And the build quality of Kodak DX series is definately inferior to those "like a brick" feeling DC280 and DC290s. I think this is really sad.Do I have anything to recommend with even lower price tag than the DX3900? Sure, Canon A40 and Fuji 2600Z. They are both 2MP, and I think they can compete well with DX3900.Some suggestion for first time digital camera buyers: try and compare several digital camers before you make the final decision. What others are saying might not make sense to you. Try, compare and make decision for yourself.
Here's the reasons why I call this a cheap plastic junk,1. The 3 MP doesn't give enough picture quality. 3MP is just a marketing thing, its actual quality is more like 2MP.2. Visible purple fringing/ chromatic aberrations.3. LCD monitor is not good, tough to see anything on in sunlight. Using a cheapish LCD helps drive profit margins higher for Kodak on this.4. Unacceptable time lag when veiewing on LCD.5. Takes more than 14 secs to write anything on the CF card. Even my last year's camera was much better than this !6. Poor viewing capabilites.7. You need to spend lots of extra money to get its dock. Why doesn't Kodak sell it along with camera itself ? After all it hardly worth 15 bucks !8. Missing features like movie/audio, Video out, atleast some manual controls etc.I have compared this camera to other Canon/Sony ones and find this way below on quality/features compared to them. I see that many people here have a 5 star review for this, but then maybe its their first experience with a digicam.Kodak needs to improve the quality of their products and stop making such shabby cameras. Buy a Canon S200 or S330 or A40 and you will be much more happy. They have much more features and have very good metallic bodies. Don't buy this plastic junk. Look all the freebies that Kodak is throwing in to sell this :)I know I will not be very pouplar in my harsh review about this cheapie but I prefer to be candid.
I just got this camera tonight and I love it.  The point and shoot feature is great.  My husband loves it because all he has to do is push the button and the picture is taken.  This camera is loaded.  This is my first digital camera and it was a breeze to use and the software loaded in great.  The instruction book is great also - at least it comes with one.  The pictures print out great too.  I would recommend this to anyone.
This is my first digital camera and I have to say I'm impressed so far.  It's great for my wife, who isn't near the tech weenie I am.  At the press of a button, she can charge the battery, download pictures, and initialize the memory card.My only complaint is with the battery (or so I think).  I can charge the battery all night, put it in the camera, and the camera will not turn on.  If I turn it off and on several times (when this happens), the camera will eventually turn on.
I have had this camera for about a year now--and suddenly the LCD screen that shows the pictures went blank.I tried calling kodak help--but only after multiple attempts was I able to speak to a live person--who quite frankly said "it will cost you $150 to even get it looked at--you are better off buying a new one"!!I for one, did not shell out all that money on a camera that goes dead in 14 months.I will buy another camera--only it will definetly not be Kodak.very .... off.
Just a promotion to try and get you to use their service. There are a lot better deals out there for regular photo printing so I would look elsewhere.
I don't remember buying this and don't know if I actually used it. I suppose I did. I gave it 3 stars, so as not to sway the rating one way or another.
Great web site, and decent interface make a good product. High quality pictures make a great product and that's what you get from Ofoto. Getting the pictures to the Ofoto sight was not as easy as Shutterfly but the end product was just as good.  Take advantage of this deal....
It's ok, but when you click on GET PICTURES and click on one single picture, the entire folder just goes into the software program.The brightening-up-of-the-picture tool is real cool though.I still haven't figured out how to submit pictures to Ofoto.com yet.  I have 25 free ones to claim, but their site is not navigation friendly.
Unquestionably the best site for getting prints back after shooting with a digital camera and uploading thewm to Ofoto. I was blown away when I opened the package with my first prints in it!
I get this kit for free buying a camcorder.  I am not too sure what the market price for this kit is and how it compares to other products in the market.  However, I do find the kit to be very useful, particulaly the bag, and to a smaller extent the tripod.  Quality is so so, but very acceptable for me since I only use it every once in a while.
I searched the box thoroughly, but found no instructions.  As a direct result, because of my lack of knowledge of tripods, I broke it.  Oops.
This is a very lightweight, standard still camera tripod. The carrying case isn't big enough for much else then a still camera. Take it for a back up if someone gives it to you for free.
The tripod is nice enough, same quality as any other tripod you might find in a package deal.  Bag isn't what I would use to transport a camcorder.  Cleaning kit is like any other cleaning kit as before.  Not worth 39.95, but worth it if you get it as part of a package.
I got this kit free with the purchase of a camcorder, but that's about all it's worth. I wouldn't use the bag, and the tripod is flimsy and short about 4' tall. But this is definately not for pro or semi-pro use. It's mainly for amateur usagae or really short people. I wouldn't buy it unless your family is filled with really short people... Otherwise you'll be looking up a lot of noses and giving unflattering images of their chins.
I received this kit free with my digital camcorder and find the bag adequate, the tripod quite good. The lens cleaner is also OK.It is easily worth paying up to $$$$$ for this kit.
The bag is the only good thing. The tripod is ... The only reason that I got this is that it came free with the camera that I bought. If you are looking for a tripod, get an expensive one, you won't be sorry. If you can't afford or justify buying an expensive tripod, borrow or rent one.
I got this tripod and bag for free when I bought a video camera.  They work fine for the things I do.The tripod, fully extended, is about 4 feet tall and collapses small enough to fit in an airline carryon.  For occasional use it is good, but if you plan on using this every day, the camera attachment is a little flimsy.  Also the design makes it slow to change between multiple cameras.  Otherwise, the tripod works great.My digital video camera fits into the bag with no problems.  The small size of the bag limits what I can carry with the camera.  Without crushing things in, I can carry the camera, a few blank tapes, the remote control for the camera, and a few other odds and ends.  I could possibly get the AC adapter for the camera into the main compartment with the camera but am afraid I might scratch the camera if I did that.  If you will use the camera and don't need to carry the AC adapter with it, this bag will be good because it is very compact.Since this was free, it is hard for me to gauge if it is worth the list price or not.  This totally fulfills all of the purposes I need it to (occasional use, take as an airline carryon).
(...) This is more than a good deal. The tripod is more than 4 feet tall. Fully extended and with the camera attached it is nearly six feet tall. People would buy this kit on their own so combined with the low camcorder price this is a steel.
I'm happy with this kit.  It came free with my camcorder order.  The bag and lens kit was handy.  The tripod I've found to be so-so.  It works but still seems flimsy in some respects.  All around this is a decent kit.
It fits my camera fine and it was free, so no complaints here!
I got this for free with my camcorder and it is definitely a good package for a beginner.Decent tripod lifts high and steady, although I get the feeling it could break with extended use. The bag is great for starters, but the cleaning kit is just some alcohol and a little blow brush.Wouldn`t buy it, but good for what it is.
Would not be worth the money to me.
You can't go wrong buying this camera kit.  The camera bag is the perfect size for a small camcorder or a SLR camera and all the accoutrements.  It is easy to carry- shoulder strap and handle included. It is very well padded to protect your equipment. And it looks good, too!  The tripod has three telescoping legs that are sturdy and easy to extend and retract.  It does not wobble or tilt and holds the camera or camcorder well.  The middle bar is plastic but that piece bears no weight so I doubt it will be a problem. The tripod is light weight and easy to carry.  This can be invaluable as camcorders are difficult to steady by hand for any length of time. The cleaning kit (tissue paper, fluid, and air brush) is fine for quickly clearing lenses, eye pieces and screens of dust or light smudges. At the current price this is a steal.
It's free and it's decent quality.  I wouldn't pay the recommended price for the kit, but it is a nice perk when you get it free.
I think this camera would rate higher if the price were more in line with the cheap 1.3 Megapixel competition. I bought this item for half the listed price, or my rating might be somewhat different. This camera takes excellent photos that will print at near-photo quality up to 5x7 inches. It's not a truly high-resolution camera, but for snapshots, photos for Web use, and even spot photos for press it will do the job nicely. The overall photo quality and color balance is excellent, although images are little grainy indoors by artificial light w/o flash. The impressive thing is that it actaully takes photos indoors by artificial light w/o flash. So far the auto focus has resulted in perfectly focused images every time, with fast exposures that help prevent blurriness from unsteady hands. The macro-focus also results in excellent, sharp images from less than a foot away. The interface is easy to grasp, and not too difficult to set up. I've been very impressed so far with the quality of the images.Its major drawback, in my opinion, is the lack of features which far cheaper digital cameras include. I own a Concord Eye Q Duo 1300, which takes acceptable photos at the same resolution, but also has a self-timer and video clip capability ... at 1/3 the list price for the Kodak. For the price, I would expect the Kodak to include a few more more bells and whistles.Like all digital cameras I've had to deal with, the Kodak eats batteries like candy. Be sure to buy lots of batteries, or have a couple of sets of rechargeable batteries to rotate through.
I have used the Kodak DX3215 for more than 2 years without having any problems.  I have the docking device and keep the camera there to recharge batteries when I am home.  Away from home I use the lithium batteries.  I take many snapshots, and use the Kodak software to edit, store, and print them.  I am not a professional photographer, but knowledgeable about point and shoot basics.  I found this camera as easy to use as my Ricoh 135mm camera, but now prefer this one because I can edit and print the photos myself.
OK, The unit is ok for a beginner, but get used to being frustrated by the control button....it doesn't usually work the first time you press it.  The zoom feature is pretty useless, not much zoom.  The transfer software is a piece of crap, your screen resolution will triple and you won't have functional control of your start menu...once you exit the program the resolution returns...this is annoying.  The picture quality is ok, but forget the flash, light a match instead...I am suprised that kodak got so cheap with this camera, i am keeping it for another year, then gonna look at a non-kodak product...it's a kids toy
This cannot be a serious camera by Kodak, it just can't. First: the controls are so small, you need childrens fingers to operate them (expecially the power button). Then there's no timer. Then there's no lens protection. The thing is agonizingly slow - don't expect to take a snapshot in a snap, this thing has to 'heat up' for 20 seconds or so... The battery (rechargable) lasts only a photo or 50 at most. So take your charger with you if you go on a holiday, as two normal AA batteries (wich you can also use)lasts no more than maybe 20 pics... Half the time I had to take batteries out to 'reset' because some features wouldn't work. But hey, the software is quite ok. Place the thing in the dock (optional) and your pics are autoloaded into your PC. But that's about it. So, even as a beginning digital photographer, go for a better one.
This was my first digital camera, and I'm sending it back. I was searching for a digital camera that would take good close up pictures. This isn't it. They get blurry and the pictures are not sharp and clean. It feels like a cheap toy. The buttons wouldn't work half the time and I would have to turn the power off and on again to make them work. The docking system was nice because it recharged the batteries, but it's not any more convienient than a plain USB connection. The one time I used the transfer button on the dock it completely restarted my computer. In every indoor picture I took, the flash made this huge, blinding white spot, no matter what mode it was in. Another thing that bothered me was that there is no lens cover. If you're looking for quality sharp, clear photos, this isn't the way to go.
I have a different model Kodak camera, however they all use the same EasyShare software. Running Windows XP, I could not get the software to work properly. After several hours on the phone with Kodak tech support, they couldn't get it working either.They said they are aware of the problem on some computers running Windows XP. It is now several months later and they still don't have a fix. They don't really seem to care either.It might not be a bad idea to consider other brands, instead of Kodak. Since, if the software won't work properly, then what good is the camera?
... I have upgraded to XP. However, the software doesn't work with XP. I tried to download new software but I had problems doing so. I wrote an email to Kodak but they wouldn't send me new software and didn't really care seeing that insead of fixing the problem they tried to sell me a newer camera. In addition the battery life keeps getting shorter as the camera gets older. It is also very diffucult to get a shot of something in action since the camera takes about 2 seconds to autofocus. I would reccomend a different for people serious about their photography. ...
For those who want good pictures but don't want a large learning curve or alot of buttons to have to push...The KODAK CX7300 is the Winning Ticket! Super Ease Of Use without sacrificing quality! What more could you possibly ask for out of a digital camera. And this amazing camera also takes video! You get the Kodak Name and their Imaging Science Technology that many rave about. Don't waste your money with sophisticated features or a Non-Name Brand...get this camera instead. I HIGHLY RECOMEND!
This camera is terrible.  I can't begin to count the number of precious moments I've LOST because of it.  And you can't know how bad it is until AFTER you buy it (unless you read a couple reviews like this one).See the other reviews for the long list of bad attributes.The camera has only two advantages:(1) It's cheap for 3 mega-pixels (but you'd better use it within an hour of removing it from the cradle, and only take about a dozen pictures!  Then it's back to the cradle for another day of charging).(2) There are SO MANY unhappy people with it, you can get it cheap on Ebay, including dock and accessories.  (But I wouldn't.)DON'T BUY IT!  Kodak should have recalled it... they make some other good cameras, but this one is an embarrassment.
I purchased the DX3700 somewhat out of desperation (many models sold out) but was intrigued by the high resolution. I also purchased a dock. The SD card was sold right alongside the camera and wasn't a price or availability issue.I took the camera on a trip and had 56 high res photos on the 64MB card with room to spare. I thought the camera was a bit bulky and wasn't thrilled with the battery life, but decided to wait until I saw the picture quality.When I downloaded the pictures to my laptop, I was pleasantly shocked by the beautiful color and detail of the photos. And the macro close-up shots were excellent!Pros:Low price for 3.1 megapixel camera, ease of use, quick battery recharging (less than 1 hour), great picture quality, excellent macro shots, decent (if slow) softwareCons:Dock more or less required, so-so battery life, somewhat bulky.
The pictures are excellent.  In fact, they are among the best for 3-mega digicams.  This is where the virtues of this camera end.  The 3700 uses an SD or MMC card that is hard to find.  Once you find them in some retail stores, they cost 3 times more than their CF counterparts.  SD or MMC are smaller in size and are intended for miniaturization, yet this camera is bigger than Kodak 3900, an excellent camera that uses CF card.  Therefore, this card format doesn't make any sense.  Another disadvantage of this format is the maximum size for the SD card is 64 MB as compared with 512 MB for CF card. Since the internal memory allows me only about 7 pictures at the highest resolution, I tried to order a 64 MB SD card...  The price in retail stores costs up to 5 times more.  Now I have to use the pitiful internal memory and always carry a notebook computer wherever I go. The purchase turned out to be a disaster.
This was not my first experience with a digital camera. After receiving the Kodak 3700 I thought it was defective due to the difficulty in turning it on. The main objection was the poor results with the flash in not too bright areas. Unless very close the picture was very dark. Just about all pictures had to be adjusted through a photo editing program. The delay in the focus and shutter operation left much to be desired. The final reason for returning the camera was the  incompatibility with the latest Mac technology just  released.When all returns are cleared I am going to opt for a Canon 110 or A20 or Nikon coolpix. Family members and friends have these and are very satisfied.
I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the DX3700...even those it uses the MMC cards...I don't care really.  I'm sure a higher MB cards will be coming out soon.  Reading the other reviews, I realized how much people are upset about that aspect.  But you must remember, every time something new comes out, it's this way.  They will constantly improve the product, and the price WILL go down.  Right now the highest MB card is the 64MB...which only allows about 75 pictures for a 3.1 MP camera...but hey.  Who needs to take more than that? *unless you are on vacation and don't have access to a computer* (which I don't worry about).I didn't care about the optical zoom (which this model doesn't have) the model that did have it was [amt] more.  Now with technology constantly changing...it's better to be on the edge. And in a few years, when I'm ready to upgrade...I won't feel like I'm losing so much money in an expensive piece of equipment. THis camera only cost me [amt]
First Kodak makes you buy a Dock. extra 80 bucks.Although this camera does take good pictures when daylight is sufficient, this camera lacks features and with problems.No zoom. No timer. of course no video (which is ok)Here are some real problems:1. this camera makes DARK pictures when there is not ample light. Yes, flash is on. Regular 35mm (even those made by Kodak) cameras can do much better than that.2. Battery life is short. Do not trust the computer when it says battery life is good. You will run out after taking a few shots. If you gone to a day trip you must remember to turn it off everytime after you take a pic in order to last a few hours3.Upload from the dock sometimes give mysterious I/O errors. Frustrating. You may have to try a couple times.
I took the camera to the North Shore of Minnesota and got some spectacular sunrise shots over Lake Superior.  I was able to plug the video out from the camera to the VCR and watch a slide show of all my pics on TV.  When I got home, I loaded the software on my PC and it uploaded 35 pictures in a matter of minutes.  I didn't purchase the docking station.  I just used the USB port from the camera to my PC.  I was able to email my pics directly from the Kodak software - neat!One thing I wish it had was a self timer.  The next Kodak model, the 3900, has a self timer, but was $120 more.  I will also purchase another set of batteries and a charger which runs about $35 bucks.  Another concern is the delay from the time you snap the shot until the flash goes off and takes the picture - there's about a 2 second delay.  I was trying to get one of the otter's at the Duluth aquarium, but he was way too quick for me to capture.  Landscape and portraits are good - action shots would require a different kind of camera.I'm using an online print service so I haven't printed off any pictures yet (I'm looking for a good printer if anyone has a suggestion).For the digital novice, I would recommend this camera. If you don't like the shot, delete it.  The camera gives you 3 times to change your mind if you hit delete by accident.
Bravo for the clean images of the 3.3 megapixel setup, but take one star away for the lack of a true (optical) zoom and another for making the camera compatible with MultiMediaCard memory format (harder to find, costlier, smaller max memory size than CF) and there you have it, a 3 star pkg.
I am new to digital photography and was wary of spending much for my first camara. Once I had a reasonably [inexpensive] digital camara for a while, I would know what features were useful for my next camara (and hopefully the future camara prices would fall to a reasonable level). The DX3700 seemed to fit my requirements for a first digital camara. It had a 3 Megapixal resolution, was relatively inexpensive, had received reasonable reviews for its picture quality, and was designed for a novice digital photographer. After playing with it for a while, I am somewhat disappointed. First, the features are more limited than I expected. In particular, there is no self timer feature. Second, the picture quality is what I consider mediocre. Third, the picture storage uses MMC/SD cards. These cards are not all that popular yet and much more difficult to find. This of course means the price is much higher for than for the more popular Compact Flash and SmartMedia cards. As a matter of fact the price is roughly 50% higher. After some research at the Kodak web site, only two of their camaras use MMC/SD. Most use compact flash. In summary:PROS:1. Easy camara for the novice.2. Relatively inexpensive.CONS:1. Very limited features.2. Mediocre picture quality.3. Uses expensive MMC/SD which are more difficult to find.CONCLUSION:If I had known about the cons up front, I would have looked fora different camara.
I have been putting off buying a digital camera for months. I was debating on the Sony Mavica, but the pixel quality just wasn't there. 3.1 pixels for such a low price! True, it doesn't have all the bangs and whistles that other digital cameras have, but it has the most imortant feature. Oustanding pictures. It doesn't have an optical zoom, but I seldom use that anyway. The camera dock (sold separatly) is a must. A simple push of the button on the docking station, and the pictures are in your computer ready for emailing or printing. What more could you want for so little money?
After doing much research on which camera was right for me, I chose this Kodak DX3700 based on the amount of megapixels and the great price. A friend of mine has a Kodak DC3400 2 megapixel camera that takes great pics, so I thought this one would be even better. What a mistake!This is my second digital camera. My first was a Canon A5 (quite a dinosaur now!). I was considering another Canon, but I was lured into the price of this one....At first I was pretty pleased with it. The menu is very simple. All of the settings, pretty much, only require a "yes or no" answer. This was much more simple than some of the settings on my Canon.I'm not very pleased with the pictures themselves, though. The redeye reduction is HORRIBLE. Both of my sons look posessed in most of the pictures I take. Their eyes glow this BRIGHT, VIBRANT RED. To the point that they can't even be corrected with software. The pictures aren't always clear. The color, if the lighting isn't ideal, sometimes tends to look a bit "blah". Even on my old 1mp Canon, I could still get these bright, lucious colors! With this one, the colors almost look like they bleed together sometimes.The batteries are another issue. I was pretty pleased with the battery that came with the camera. It lasted for a very signifigant amount of time (maybe 2 or 3 months with fairly frequent use). But once those died, I tried some regular alkalines. These were/are a joke. I maybe got 2 weeks use out of them. And I'm not much of an LCD viewer myself, so I know that wasn't sucking the life out of them.The 8 meg Compact Flash card the ship with the camera is an absolute JOKE. If you get this camera, be prepared to spend [more money] on a new compact flash card. Just go ahead and thow it in your amazon.com cart and add it to the total price of the camera! And while you're at it, you might also consider throwing in the rechargable batteries and the charger, because you'll spend a small fortune if you want to use regular AA's.As I said in the beginning of this review, I am very disappointed in this camera. Unfortunately, it took me almost 2 months to come to the realization that I had made a mistake when I purchased it. Now I am stuck with it. I do not recommend it. I feel that I would've been better off getting a high rated 2 megapixel camera. Unless you're willing to spend the extra cash for a good 4 MP, the 3 MP isn't worth the extra cash. A 4 MP camera is almost the equivilant (sp?) of a 35mm anyways. So a 3.1 mp is still shy of that goal.Good luck in choosing! I think mine might end up finding it's way to an auction site. It's a perfectly functioning camera, it just doesn't live up to my own personal expectations.
I found a DX3700 in a thrift store and paid 2 dollars for it.  I didn't expect it to work, especially for that price.  Anyway, it didn't work, and it didn't have a  memory card installed. Since I was away from home, I didn't have access to the computer to look for a manual.  But, I put a couple of cheap batteries in it to see if it would work.  It didn't.Then, when I got home, against Kodak's recommendations, I installed some good quality alkaline batteries, and tried it. It worked! So, then I stuck an SD card in it, and it still worked.  Down loading the manual from the Kodak website was easy.  The manual said not to use alkaline batteries, or any other cheap battery.  It said to use LI or NIMH batteries. But, mine continues to work with good quality alkaline batteries.  Also, the Kodak site has a "firmwear update" for this camera, and instructions on how to download it. That update is said to fix several issues with the DX3700. I downloaded that firmwear but haven't tried it yet.)I didn't get any cables with this camera; after all, I fished it out of a pile of old point and shoot film cameras.  Whenever I see a digital camera for 5 dollars or less, I buy it to play with.  More than half of the 15 or 20 cameras I've bought were discarded by people that didn't know what they were doing, and refused to read the instructions.  I haven't yet found a good cellphone camera, so I'll continue to keep an inexpensive digital in each of my vehicles.  The NX3700 works just great for that, and it's fun.Kodak DX3700 EasyShare 3MP Digital Camera
Never shot film before. TOTALLY LOVE THIS!!! Takes amazing pictures!
I bought this camera prior to going on deployment in the Navy back in 1997 (I think).  The camera was to replace my father's Minolta X-370 that I had used for years.  I liked the available features and the price.The camera has performed admirably over the last several years.  Whether used for astral photography or high speed/low light action it does everything that I need it to do and does it well.  I've taken pictures that were nothing short of spectacular in many ways.The Rebel G's fully automatic mode is adequate for good pictures and shooting multiple objects, especially if shooting in a hurry.  The portrait and close-up mode both work wonderfully.  I've used this camera and the 35-80 mm lens to take pictures of flowers from about 8 inches that came out splendid.  I've also taken landscapes from the top of Mount Mitchell and been similarly impressed.The automatic focus is quick and accurate, with a few exceptions that are easily compensated for by the user.  The auto focus is simply not reliable when tracking moving objects and seems to have difficulty with light-colored objects in front of a solid white background.  I have not found this to be a concern or challenge in taking good pictures.In nearly all cases, the automatic exposure has been dead on, with the only exception being extremely low light conditions, which most users aren't likely to be worried about.  I've used both print film and slide film (which requires much more accurate exposure) and the auto exposure has been right almost every time.  Occasionally, the colors/shadows around a person when taking a slide exposure can fool the auto exposure.  Most users won't worry about this because not many people shoot on slide film.  Under low light conditions, regardless of film ISO being used, it's best to simply go with the manual settings and overexpose 1 to 2 stops.  This is easy to do because of the exposure meter in the viewer bar.Recently, my camera required some minor work.  It was scratching the negatives as they passed through the body.  I sent it out for repair, and the pressure plate (which serves to hold the negative flat and at the correct focusing point) was adjusted.  Well, I ran two rolls of film through and had them developped to check the repair.  Initially, I thought that the camera still had issues (leaving very faint lines on top of picture, but only under low-light with 800 speed film), but I discovered that the culprit was a bad shop (they were scratching my negatives and probably their printer was low on ink, creating the faint lines I saw.  Total cost of repair was 65 dollars.Please note that I've had this camera for several years, and it's been to Europe once, the Virgin Islands twice, dropped a few times, rained on more, left out in the cold overnight for celestial photography, and travelled with me up and down the eastern seaboard, all the while taking several thousand shots.I strongly recommend this camera to anyone considering it, but would also recommend evaluating the newer Rebel T2 and K2 at the same time.  If you can get this one on a deal well below retail and it appears to be in good shape, I would expect it to be a worthwhile investment.
This is the first SLR camera I have ever owned, and I thought I would be confused by all the controls, but I read the manual, and without any photography lessons began taking the best pictures of my new baby. It is easy to control, and takes amazing photographs. In fact, it inspired me to take a photography course at the local college. Its great to have a camera that you don't have to worry about anything except getting the baby to smile, I love it.
I bought this film camera to use with my Canon digital XTi. I like to shoot both film and digital, and these two cameras use the same lenses, which is a plus. I do a lot of photo documentation, and with a negative in hand, there is less chance to claim that something has been 'photoshopped'. This is important in my line of research.The camera itself is a delight to use, and is light weight. The AF is flawless and very fast. The viewfinder is bright, and the mirror and shutter are relativly quiet, another important quality in my line of work. The grip provides a secure feel, again, which is important in the field.I would recomend the camera body without hesitation. The lens on the other hand is OK, but not great. I do not like lenses without a metal mounting bayonet, so I ditched the kit lens, and replaced it with the better lenses made by Canon. I want a tight, vibration free mount, and I do not trust plastic lens mounts.In all, this was a great bargan, and have already shot several rolls of film with it.
The Canon EOS Rebel G is absolutely wonderful.  The autofocus is the fastest I've ever used.  The metering system is difficult to fool, although I've still managed to do it a couple times. It has a wide range of automatic modes which all produce excellent results and save me a lot of work.  But when I want more control, several semi-automatic modes and a fully manual mode allow me to do whatever I want with as little or as much work as I want.  This camera has served well in all sorts of conditions in all kinds of situations.  Even in the fully-automatic &quot;snapshot&quot; mode, the Rebel G can capture some unbelievable shots.  It's easy to load, and the batteries last longer than I'm used to, so that's another bonus.  Lots of extras are available which I can't wait to try out!  You can't go wrong here.  Buy it.
35mm cameras are much more aesthetic in terms of getting a good quality picture.  The problem is finding a place to develop the film in one hour.
I bought this camera brand new and took it on 2 trips to Eastern Europe in 2002, 2003 for about 2 weeks each. I liked all aspects of this camera. During the next years I only shot about a roll each year and kept the camera stored and safe in a special cabinet. I went back to Eastern Europe in 2010 and the shutter froze on the very first shot. Will cost 160 dollars to repair, according to the local USA camera shop. So, I have to agree with other customers that shutter problems marr an otherwise appealing camera.
Great Little Camera. Purchased for a photography course,it takes great pictures, enough for a 4.0 on the course.Works just as advertised.Great service on the delivery.Not expensive at all considering exceptional quality.I would highly recommend this product and the seller.
I bought this baby used for 40 bucks it was in mint condition.  I read the reviews here and most didnt like the lens that came with the camera.  I went out and got 2 other lenses a Canon 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 70 - 300mm f4-5.6.  Needless to say the pictures came out GREAT!! I had to get used to the fact that when you load the film it goes all the way to the end of the roll and shoots backwards.  You get 24 exposures, when i loaded my other cameras manually you could squeeze in a extra frame or two.  I dont mind about that this is a great camera if you are just starting out to shooting with film.
Being a loyal fan of Nikon, I was a little skeptical of any other brand of camera. I wanted a new 35mm camera, but Nikon didn't have much to offer in this price range. After purchasing the Canon Rebel, I have become a fan of Canon products. This is really a value-packed camera.....easy to use, and it takes very good pictures. It is well balanced, and comfortable to use. For quality photos and ease of operation, I rate this camera very high. I believe that you would have to spend a lot more money to obtain any notable improvement in picture quality. A lot of "Bang For The Buck"!
I am still finding the ins and outs of this product.  But it has met with my satisfaction, so far. A little bulky thabn I am used to using, but I will adapt.
I needed this camera for my daughter's college course. It came in very handy.  I hope she does good in class.
This camera was for my daughter and her photography class.  It is a very nice camera.  When it arrived without all the items the seller was quick to fix it.  The camera takes great pictures and my daughter loves it.  I was skeptical about it at first but now I have no reservations.
My wonderful husband gave me this camera as a gift for Christmas 1998, after I had been drooling over my Dad's for a year.I must say I absolutely LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this camera. It takes absolutely beautiful pictures, is easy to use, and lightweight. I take a lot of pictures and averaged about 20-40 rolls of film a year, until my son was born in June of 2001. Then I averaged about 1-2 rolls of film a WEEK (seriously). My camera continued to take this heavy use (and the batteries lasted a good long time, too) until April of this year (2002).Then the auto focus feature went out on the body. I had the camera repaired (for [$$]) but it never was the same since. If I knew then what I know now I would have just paid a little more and replace my camera. The first repair fixed the problem but the repair center did something wrong and my camera burnt out within the week. After they basically replaced the insides after that error, the quality of the pictures went down. It is like the flash fires a half a second later and most of my close-ups and the rest of my pictures in general are overexposed. The repair shop insists nothing is wrong with my camera, so there is nothing I can do, but replace it.I will definitely buy another canon Rebel (probably upgrade from this model). I recommend this camera to anyone and just let them know that after heavy use, and it breaks, it is most likely not worth the money and aggravation to repair it. Just replace (this model price has dropped so much it is a bargain!).By the way my Dad's camera is still going stong.
This is a great all around camera.  Takes beautiful pictures.  I bought this camera for my college photography class, and it takes better pictures that all the other student's more expensive cameras.  Wow!
It was cheap ! And it was in GREAT condition. I used it for a beginners college course and it was just fantastic.
But close enough.  I bought it with a 75-200mm lense to attach, and when going to Estes Park, Colorado to watch the Elk Rut, it doesn't fail...  Except when night falls.  If you don't know how to use the camera (which I didn't at the time) at dusk, your pictures will come out blurry and worthless.  If you actually take the time to learn about the camera, you'll find out that you can adjust the shutter speed to be so quick, that you won't have to worry about this.  That was my fault, and not the reason why I give it 4 stars, but because it's pretty bulky to lug around.  Switching lenses takes time if you don't want to ruin them.  If you see something hundreds of feet out and you all of the sudden have to switch to a bigger lense while riding in the passenger side of a vehicle, it's still tough, because it's hard to keep the lense from scratching.  I did go out and buy a extension that you put between the camera and the lense, and it saved me a bundle not having to buy a new lense (I wanted to go to around 400mm, and with the extension, it put me at about 350mm).  Another bad thing about it is the default hood that came with it.  When zoomed out to 35mm, the photos would always have a black rounded edge on them, so for the most part, I would never use the hood until I got a smaller one.But, I still love the camera!  Can't wait until I can afford a digital, and I'll surely have one!
I have had this camera for over 7 years.  I have taken it on countless trips to the beach, dropped it in foot deep snow twice, taken pictures in the rain, and left it in a closet with no dust protection for 6 months.....And even with all of this unintended abuse, it still works as perfectly as the day I bought it.  It is a trustworthy camera that takes incredibly clear, colorful, and high quality photos.  This camera has made me love photography and constantly strive for improvement.  I highly recommend it.
Normally, I swear by refurbs, but I have to second-guess that notion after buying this camera.  Physically, it is in perfect condotion, and all pieces are there.  Those two points led me to believe that the camera was perfect.Well, the first thing that bothered me was that none of the automatic exposure modes (auto, portrait, landscape, etc.) work.  Not sure why, and I have read the manual twice to ensure that I was not overlooking some obvious button to enable these modes.Another issue, and I'm not sure if it's a bug or a feature, is that the LCD stays on while film is loaded--even when the camera is &quot;powered off&quot;.  The camera constantly shows the exposures remaining and the &quot;film loaded&quot; indicator stays on.  I guess since LCD watches last for years on one battery, then this shouldn't be a serious battery drain.  It is good to know before you pull it out to use and potentially ruin good film.  Maybe its a feature.Now for the good points: flawless pictures.  I am using the camera for a intermediate photography class (which is why I didn't return it), and it takes perfect exposures.  So far, I have done night photos, multiple exposures (camera will handle 9), action shots, and family pictures, all with flawless results.Granted, the great pictures are due to the photographer, but the clarity and sharpness are really impressive.  The user interface takes some getting used to, but it actually seems intuitive once you learn the camera.  It seems that aperature and shutter could be adjusted easier, though.Minus two because of the first two points.  I'd imagine if I had bought it new it would be an easy 5 for a photo hobbyist like myself.
i love this camera. i've owned mine for a year and a half, and i've never had any problems with it. it takes better photos than the other cameras i've used (minolta, nikon...) and it's so simple that even a novice could use it, provided they scanned the instruction for 5 minutes. i also use the 200mm zoom lense canon makes, and they work wonderfully together. this camera is a snap.
I got my Rebel G 10 years ago when it was over $200 bucks at a major department store. I've been using it ever since.It's sturdy and feels solid in my hands. The click that it makes isn't too loud but when you place your film in...it sure is pretty loud as it advances. I've used it in all types of weather and lighting situations and it still works fine. (I've done well to protect it from moisture and extreme heat too.) I've invested in a (hybrid digital/film) good lens an now my photo options are expanded. I use the original lens in situations where I can hand my camera to a friend and have them take the picture with the trusty green box (amateur) setting. There are several settings that Canon has on this camera that help you easily compose for the right situation.I'm not fond of the pop up flash as it can be distracting and does not produce lots of light in very dark situations. But good thing it gives you the option of adding another flash of your own onto it's hot shoe.Sometimes the auto-focus is a bit slow though it may be that my batteries are getting low. I rely on the manual focus. The batteries are what hinder me a bit since they are about $12 for a pair of them.Personally, I've had good experiences with Canon. And this camera is no different. It can be used by a beginner or with somebody who knows their way around a camera. This is also a great student camera since you can switch to a manual mode. (I've used it for class, it was great!)
I have had this camera since it first came out sometime in the mid-90's.  It was a great camera back then, and I always loved the photos that it took.  Then I 'grew up' and life got in the way, and my love of photography waned for many years.  Digital cameras took over, and a Digital P&S; was smaller, faster, and easier.Many years later, my love of photography has been renewed.  The film camera simply needed to be dusted off and have some film, and it still takes pictures of the same clarity and quality as it always did before.  I expected it to have some issues after having collected much dust over several years, but it was fine.I have now just purchased my first DSLR, but I will never get rid of my little Rebel G.  It's small, light, easy to use, and takes amazing pictures even in Full-Auto mode with the kit lens (the only lens I ever had for it).  It was expensive for my budget when it first came out and was new, but now used bodies in great shape can be purchased for around $100 if you shop around.  All EF lenses work with it, as well as the Image stabilized ones.It really does take amazing pictures.  My daugther's eyes are blue and the blue is truly captured with the film camera (see uploaded image).  No digital camera, not even the ones the Pro's use, has ever truly captured the blue of her eyes like this little camera can.
Bought almost on a whim 3 years ago. Takes excelent pictures. Decorated my whole apartment with them. A little photoshop made my pictures up to 20x30 and only a little grainy. not bad for 35 mm.I take rolls and rolls of pictures.
this is a good camera. Works great i use it for traveling and has done a great job so far.
I have had this camera for over 3 years, since it first debuted. After all these years, the camera is still here. That has to tell you something. This is also a very reliable camera. I have had NOTHING go wrong with it. Also the camera has the ability to grow with the user. 3 years ago, I knew nothing about cameras. I was impressed with its auto functions.  It has the abilities to go fully auto, for the non experienced users, to semi auto, for the semi experienced user, and fully manual, for the pro. The picture quality can rival the more expensive cameras. Much like all new cameras , 10 years from now, Canon will still be using the same mount, allowing you to use all your old lenses with newer cameras. Buck for Buck, there are no cameras out there that have the abilities of this camera. That is the reason why this is the number one selling SLR camera.
Nikon never fixed the red oversaturation issue in these cameras. Red sticks out like a sore thumb and makes the images unrealistic.I had mine develop some hot pixels under warranty and returned it to Nikon for repair (replacement of the imager). It came back with even more hot pixels than I sent it to them with.If you want a digital camera and someone is giving one of these away, that's a good deal. As the other reviewers note - see if you can find sample images online that show how bad the red issue is.And lastly, concerning Nikon as a whole, they may make good cameras now but I'm gun shy after they fixed my camera to be worse than I sent it to them.I'm looking for a new camera now and have lived with retouching any photos taken in less than bright sunlight (where hot pixels really show up) and also having to manually color balance any images with red in them. Actually, all images come out slightly "off" because red is so enhanced in this camera.Needless to say, I am not buying Nikon.
I just replaced my Nikon 885 digital with another one just like it.  The original one was given to me 10 years ago.  After being dropped by the kids several times, it began to show its age.  I was lucky to find a near-new one at Amazon.  This camera beats all the tiny ones by being much easier to use without having to wear glasses.  If you're not old this feature will not be important to you.
i had spent a while researching cameras in the 3+ megapixel range and found only the 885 to satisfy the need for a small, high resolution camera with reliable performance.the 'red' issue mentioned here and in other reviews stands out only if the camera is not used properly -- after reading the manual (gasp), i found the settings to be easily tailored to lighting and other conditions.being that there are 3 modes -- auto, manual and a set of "scenes" which are basically presets -- you would be hard pressed to find a situation for which you weren't prepared. combine this mass of options and the ability to quickly/easily delete pictures and you've got all you need to be successful with this camera.the only caveat to all the above is that there seems to be hardware/software issues when trying to download the images to my computer. [win2k professional with more than enough of everything] i've ordered and found the sandisk memory reader to solve that issue -- which also saves the battery in the camera from being wasted just dl'ing pictures. it's a minor charge of ~$20 .. so i'm still not swayed from the camera's other strengths.
I have played with all of these cams, and I am amazed by the rapidity with which they have improved. The Nikons are superior cameras to start with, not only because they probably offer the best glass optics available, but because their build quality is consistently excellent. In particular, the 885 is my #1 choice for a compact based on a few choice assets. Firstly, it has a great feel and hand grip, which makes steadying it easier and therefore makes the pics less likely to be blurred (in contrast, my love affair with the Canon S110/300 is compromised by the difficulty I've had in finding a good way to hold it; it may be too small!). Secondly, the Nikon is the 1st compact that makes direct connection to your PC simple enough for beginners and non-computer folks. Just connect the USB cable and press one button! In addition, I like the option of rechargeables *or* disposable CR3 batteries (okay, I'm not a great environmentalist at times), I like the 3.34 megapixel resolution (perfect 11&quot; x 14&quot; enlargements when needed), I'm fine with the smooth 3:1 zoom and at 3.34 megs of resolution, and even I'll admit the digital zoom is helpful for extreme magnification (I am no fan of digital zooms). The presets on the 885 make lots of sense and allow the user to quickly select an appropriate shooting mode, while manual controls are adequate for the more independent-minded shooter. No one will be disappointed with the Coolpix 885, but then again, no one is likely to complain about getting its #1 competitor, the Canon S300. Either way, enjoy!
This is my first Digital Camera and I am glad I got this after doing a lot of Digtial Camera Research. The clarity and color balance of the pictures are really good.The only annoying fact was that I have to reset the date everytime I change the battery.
We bought this for our college age daughter choosing Kodak since we had such a good experience with the DC3400.  The great features are still there - excellent picture quality, photo review, tv hook-up.  And it comes with new features like internal memory and external memory and the docking station for battery re-charging and uploading pictures to your computer. It uses a different memory card from the Kodak we have, though - thought we'd be able to swap cards.The camera has lighweight, almost flimsy feel to it since they're made mostly of plastic, but that's the case even with the more expesnive models.  They also changed buttons and functions around so that it was confusing to &quot;unlearn&quot; what we had learned from the older camera. The new camera is much smaller, too, and there is no room for labels as there was on the bigger, older models.The software was problematic.  We couldn't get it to run properly on a Dell laptop running Windows ME.  It didn't really matter, though, since we can use something else.  She's also had problems with re-charging.  Sometimes it takes and sometimes it doesn't.  She's been using regular batteries to avoid the problem - a very nice feature.If you're used to the Kodak cameras of a year ago, you might be disappointed in the physical quality of the camera and the function control changes. But the new features and the price make up for it.  It's a great, full-featured digital camera.
I purchased this camera as a gift for my daughter, her first digital camera.  It's been wonderful for that purpose! It was easy to set up, simple to use, and produces very nice photos.  She particularly likes the power options, which give her plenty of choices.  Transfer of the photos has been simple, too...and I am delighted because she e-mails me photos of her life in a distant city. I can 'meet' her friends, see the first snowfall, enjoy the antics of her pet.  It was a good choice for a recreational camera.
I got my DX3215, bundled with dock and free 32MB memory card a week ago. The rechargeable battery would not hold the charge.  After performing simple tasks such as setting time/date, etc. the camera dies, in seconds (not even minutes). I tried recharging it several times with the same result. This camera looks and feels like a toy camera.  If you're an impatient person, take a chill pill, because the on/off button of this camera will drive you crazy. It's real tiny, and you have to hold it for a few seconds for the light to come on/off, you almost have to use the point of a pen to push the button. I'm returning it for a refund. Hope you have better luck.
I got this for Christmas and really love it.  It is very simple to use and having the dock included is a great deal.  I have only had one challange - that is sometimes the dock gives and error with no rhyme or reason.
I just received my DX3215 Zoom Digital Camera (With Dock) for Christmas. After some frustrating moments when the battery pack appeared unwilling to accept a charge, I read the directions and learned that it needed to be charged several times the first time around. Even then, the instructions are not quite clear. I first read them to suggest that I needed to leave it on the charger for the entire 2.5 hours despite the light having turned green after only a half hour or so. This proved not to be the case. It appears that it needs to be actively charging (with the light red) for 2.5 hours. Lifting the camera up from the dock and resetting it everytime the charge light went green, I was able to get it to charge just fine, although I gave it far more than 2.5 hours.After its initial charging, subsequent charging times are normal, and the camera can be used once the light turns green.If it requires an initial 2.5 hour charge, then the light should not turn green prior to that time. If, for some reason, this is impossible, then the instructions could be made to be a little clearer.  That is my only complaint.I'm dropping my rating by one point for this reason alone. Other than that, the camera works great. It takes good pictures, and passes them on to my computer painlessly. If you are willing to be patient with the initial charging time, I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with the results. Except for that one initial quirk, it's a good product.
This is a pretty decent camera, especially at the price.  I get very sharp pictures with good color.  I found three problems which I found annoying.  The on/off button is very tiny and you almost need to use a fingernail to push it (and hold for a few seconds).  The second gripe I have is the LCD view finder cuts off after about 3 or 4 flash pictures, and then you need to start using the "see-through" view finder which brings me to my third and last gripe.  This "see-through" view finder seems to be aimed too high and cuts off the top of the picture.  I just aim higher and get it right, but wish it was aligned correctly.  All in all, not bad for the $$ paid.  I expected worse.The base for picture transfers is fantastic.  I had a Samsung (cheap and broken) camera which took around 20 to 30 minutes to transfer fifteen to twenty low quality pictures.  The Kodac w/base only takes a few seconds to maybe a minute to transfer 20 high quality pics of around 1mb each pic.  I was excited to see how quickly it was done.  The short lifespan of 2AA batteries power is more than made up for by the charger cradle.  I hope the Kodac lasts longer than my Samsung.
This camera has enough good features to make it quite useful. The 2:1 optical zoom is fine &amp; the 1 megapixel resolution is adequate for all internet applications as well as for printing 4&quot; x 6&quot; photos. The docking station included in this package makes this a very simple camera to recharge and it also makes the transferring of images to a PC almost foolproof. That means a great deal, as the 3215, left in its cradle, is always charged and ready to go, and once returned to its cradle, archiving or emailing becomes an easy task even for a novice. The overall quality is okay but not spectacular, with a cheap plastic feel to it. The weight and balance are also just fair. Lastly, the included memory card is too small but larger cards are readily available. Overall this is a very nice package for the casual user or new digital photographer.
A nice camera, but that is all, very basic, great outdoor day shots, very poor inside or night shots, where a flash is required. Recommend spend more (wish I had) and get something that can take more acceptable photographs inside where light is not as good as outside.
I work as a legal investigator.  Often my clients are far away from the scene that I am investigating.  I normally use a high-end 35mm camera (as digital images in legal settings is still somewhat of a gray area) but when I need to send pictures right away, getting the film developed and scanning in the prints just takes too long.I had originally purchased for my wife, who also takes alot of pictures at famaily gatherings, etc.  Soon after it arrived, however, I started taking it with me on cases.  I started taking a few photographs at every scene with the digital camera so that I could show my clients what I was seeing right away.  My clients loved it and soon required this service on all of the cases.  Needless to say, I had to buy a second camera so that my wife could use hers.The camera is very easy to set up.  It comes with a docking station that allows you to transfer pictures to your computer with the touch of a button.  It also charges the battery while it sits on the dock.  I haven't had a problem with the battery life, but if the rechargeable battery ever dies you can simply put in two AA batteries to finish out the day.I would say that anyone who has not used a digital camera before should start here.  Its easy to use yet has enough advanced features that you won't outgrow it too quickly.
I purchased the Kodak DX3215 Digital Camera with the USB dock and I have been very impressed with it so far.  This is a starter camera and doesn't have a lot of frills.  The construction of the camera, the buttons, etc. tells you that this is a relatively cheap camera but there are no functional issues with it.  This is a great camera that's capable of 1.3 megapixel and has a 2X digital zoom lens.  The camera comes with 8MB of internal RAM which will store about 20 pictures at 1024x768.  There is an expansion slot of additional memory and I picked up the SanDisk 32 MB card for that slot which stores about 100 pictures at 1024x768.In a nutshell, this is a really good starter Digital camera without a lot of frills.  Great for someone who wants a good Digital camera but doesn't want to pay $500 for it.  If you want a really good Digital camera, my choice would be the Canon Powershot G2 Digital Camera.  Very nice..
I bought the camera as part of the christmas rush and got an excellent deal in the prorcess - camera + dock + 32MB card. The camera is very easy to use and the LCD screen is good(though a bit difficult to read in sunlight). the slideshow feature is cool and my family really enjoys watching the photographs on the TV with the included A/V cable. The connectivity to the PC is decent and quite fast through USB (although sometimes the software fails to find any photographs on the camera, but seems to work after reboot). Please buy the camera only with the dock as it comes with rechardgable batteries which are a necessity. the normal lithium ion AA cells don't last even for 10-15 photographs with the LCD preview on.
Partially basing on the high user rating listed on the amazon,i purchased this camera about 3 months ago. With a good value,Fuji FinePix 2600 camera is beautiful and easy to use ,and the supporting software is pretty easy to use.
This camera is better than the Fuji Finepix 2650.It takes better pics, the LCD is bigger and is faster than the other one.I have both and I thought 2650 should be better. I was wrong.Besides, the Fuji Finepix 2650 uses xD cards for storage, more expensive and slower.I like everything in this camera, great pictures. It comes even with rechargable batteries and a charger.My only complaint: in sunny days it's imposible to see the LCD, imposible :-(
I was shopping for a 3 megapixel camera but after reading the specs on this unit and associated reviews, accepted the 2.1 megapixel in favor of a better lens system (and stay in my price range). Great camera takes excellent pictures, small and rugged. Limited to 2X, would prefer 3X. Lens cover has annoying habit of nudging closed while I am operating. Software is a little overdone. All-in-all a good buy, versital, convenient and good kick around camera for vacation use.
I don't know much about pixels and images etc. but I do know the pictures turn out great.  I liked the price first and when I got the camera I liked the quality especially how the lens is covered.  I definitely have to use the strap because I dropped it once (on carpeting, thank goodness) but it was not damaged in any way.  My grandson likes the video option but I haven't used it.  Since I'm an old granny, it took me a while to figure out how to download the pictures with the USB thing.  I would recommend this camera to anyone.
I just got this camera today after it was recommended by a friend.  I'm amazed!  I've never really worked a digital camera before so I was worried I'd spend hours figuring it out.  But it was pretty easy to figure out.  I just started pushing buttons to see what happened and I figured it out that way.  You have a display button which turns on the lcd display.  There is also a menu button and that brings up the menu where you can navigate your way around to set the flash mode, self timer etc.  If you are looking for a camera to take pictures of the family, this is a wonderful choice.  My pictures are all very sharp and clear.  For XP users:  I am using XP and all I had to do was install the normal software on the enclosed CD and then download the XP update from their website (...) before hooking up the camera to my computer.  I've taken a ton of pictures today and haven't had any trouble using Windows XP with this camera.  Compare this camera to other cameras in the same price range.  You will see what a great value you are getting in the finepix 2600.  I was pleased to see that this camera had a 16 MB smartmedia card (a lot come with only 8 MB).  It also comes with a charger and rechargeable batteries.  This camera does not come with a case so you may want to consider purchasing one separately.  The FinePix 2600 is a lot of bang for the buck.  I couldn't be happier with my camera.
Bought this little camera for Christmas gift for girlfriend.  Its perfect, we both love it. And take it everywhere.  I also got a 128 Meg memory card. It will hold several hundred pictures at lower resolution or about 100 at high res. (we keep it at high resolution). Very happy with 8x10 prints. And all web or PC viewing of photos is very good.  This is not a top end camera, but for point and shoot, great results! I highly recommend this camera.  The software that comes with it is also quite good, I ran it under windows 98 and now windows XP, with no problems, and the batch save and batch resize options are great for bringing 2meg pix down to 50k jpeg's for uploading to the web server.  Enjoy. - Bob
I never was one for taking pictures (except of my grandkids) but being a techie, I decided to get a digital camera. After reading all the reviews, I decided on the Fuji 2600. It is great. It takes beautiful pictures, and I love the fact that I can take pictures, view them instantly and then upload them onto the computer and send them out to my friends and family. I did buy a SmartMedia card reader so I am not constantly using the batteries. This makes it very easy to get the pictures on the computer. Pictures are sharp and clear, and actually the batteries seem to last quite a while before recharging. I'm not familiar with all the manual settings yet, but the automatic setting works for me. I couldn't ask for better pictures. I definitely recommend this camera!
This is my first digital camera and I am quite pleased with the results thus far.  The camera is very easy to use and takes great pictures.  The only complaint that I have about the camera is the lens cover.  The cover needs to be fully &quot;clicked&quot; open in order to take a picture and it is very easily &quot;unclicked&quot;.  This requires you to slide the cover open again...a little annoying but tolerable.
We love our FinePix! We bought it just before our 1st baby was born and she is the most photographed baby ever! The camera is as easy to use as the most simple of 35mm cameras, and the photos that we have shot are excellent, both on the PC and in print.The only complaint is that it can take a little too long for it to be ready to use when we switch it on - mostly because we are trying to snap a baby who stays in the same pose for approximately 2 seconds!
For the price, you can't beat this camera.  It's the lens that makes it.  It may not have all of the features of more expensive cameras, but ultimately it is the picture quality that is really important.  This camera really delivers great quality images.  In fact, I was astounded at how good they were.
This camera is really an incredible deal.  It has more features for the money that any other camera in its range.  Other cameras that are similarly priced lack the 2-megapixel sensor or optical zoom, but the FinePix 2600 has both.  It takes very nice pictures and is very easy to use.  It comes with a 16MB card that provides more than enough initial storage, and new cards can be purchased up to 128MB.  But even the standard card holds a lot - 60 at the default setting, 10 at the highest setting.  The optical zoom is a great feature to have, and the movie mode is also very useful.  Despite what some specs may read, it has both a macro mode and a self-timer.  Overall, this is the best camera to buy in its range, that is, more than a toy but not high-end.  It is more than adequate for the casual or amateur photographer.  It should serve all your photography needs for quite some time.
I have enjoyed this camera for about three years now. The picture quality is good and it is easy to use. BUT, just a few days ago while taking Christmas pictures it just died! The lens is stuck in an open position and the power will not come on. I have since learned that this camera is famous for working a year or so, and then the motor quits working. I would recommend a more reliable digital camera.
I bought this camera a few years ago, I was looking for a camera that was easy to handle, small in size, and was for beginners...well, I found this camera, and I got what I was looking for--a great, compact camera with excellent handling for beginners.This camera uses a SmartMedia card, which is really convenient since you can find SmartMedia cards just about everywhere for a bargain price.What was the deciding factor for me to buy this camera, was the amount of batteries it used.  I was surprised to learn that it only uses two AA batteries, it has so many features for a beginner that you would think it would use more batteries.  The life of the battery is fairly long, about 100 minutes, which is always nice.  Some people may complain that it uses AA batteries, and that they would prefer to use a lithium battery, but I always find myself asking--why?  It is so much more convenient to use AA batteries because you can pick them up anywhere.The only thing about this camera that I can complain about is that there is no way to attach any additional lenses or filters, you can't even attach an adapter to add on any thing to the lens.  For a beginner photographer, though, that is probably okay since beginners are not really using the lens or filters yet.Also, this camera is a little bulkier than I had originally thought.  It is small in length and height, but it is surprisingly thick.Other than that, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this camera during the time I had it, and the only reason I sold it was because I was ready for an upgrade.  But I loved this camera to bits while I had it--it really prepared me for the more advanced cameras, and it taught me all of my basic photography skills.  Excellent, excellent camera for beginners.
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAMERA FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW I BOUGHT IT WHEN DIGITAL CAMERAS WERE STILL PRICEY PAID ABOUT $225.00 I HAVE BEEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAMERA AND HAVE DECIDED TO BUY THE KODAK Z740THIS WAS MY FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA THE REVIEWS AT THE TIME I BOUGHT IT WERE VERY GOOD FOR THE MONEY BUT THAT WAS THEN AND THIS IS NOW AND NOW YOU CAN GET MORE CAMERA FOR YOUR MONEY!THIS CAMERA HAS ONE MAJOR FLAW YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE BATTERY DOOR I DON'T KNOW IF FUJI HAS FIXED THE ISSUE ON NEWER VERSIONS OF THIS OR NOT BUT ALOT OF THE REVIEWS I READ WHEN I BOUGHT MINE MENTIONED THIS THE DOOR POPS OPEN VERY EASY IF YOU HAPPEN TO BUMP IT AND OUT COMES YOUR BATTERYS ON THE GROUND IF YOU GET ONE OPEN THE DOOR AND CAREFULLY BEND THE METAL TAB LATCH OUT A LITTLE THIS SEEMS TO HELP HOLD A BIT BETTERALSO A SMALLER FLAW IS THE SLIDEING LENS COVER DOOR IT HAS TO "CLICKED" ALL THE WAY OPEN FOR THE CAMERA TO WORKAS FAR AS PICTURES IT TOOK PRETTY GOOD PICTURES AT FIRST BUT OVER TIME THE IMAGE QUALITY DOSEN'T SEEM AS GOOD AS IT WASTHIS IS A VERY BASIC CAMERA WITH VERY BASIC FEATURES EASY TO OPERATEGIVEN THE CURRENT PRICE AND FEATURES OF DIGITAL CAMERAS I THINK I WOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE
I purchased the FinePix 2600 and received it about 1 week ago.  I read a ton of different reviews of similar cameras in this price range and can say without a doubt that I made the right choice.  The picture quality is fantastic.This camera comes packed with everything you need to start taking great pictures right out of the box.  It comes with the 16MB Smart Media card, which holds about 30 pictures at normal resolution or about 15 at the highest setting.  Plenty for starting out, but would recommend getting a 64/128 MB card for big trips sometime down the road.  It also comes with the rechargable batteries and charger and those work well also.  I would also recommend getting a 2nd set of the batteries for longer outings also.This is a great point and shoot camera, with a few manual features for the more advanced user.  For me, the default settings work just fine.This camera is very easy to use and to unload the pictures to your PC.  I think this camera has something for everyone, from novice to more advanced users.I don't think I've ever written a review of a product before, but I had to repay the favor of those whose reviews helped my decision.  Thanks!
I'll have to say that the price was the main factor for getting this camera...at first.I've been researching digital camera's for a while now and like every other electronic toy I have now, all the ones I WANTED were [monetary value]and above. Well, that wasn't feasible so I decided to get real and start looking for camera's with 2-3 megapixels.This one is a true winner! Great camera for the beginner, and the macro feature produces such nice shots, you can almost feel the subject! My wife is entering a dish into a local cooking contest and you need to submit a picture with your online registration. Anyway, the picture of the dish (I'm sworn to not say what it is) was so vibrant and tasty looking, you could almost taste it! I can even see the cheese bubbling in the picture, I wish I could post it for you!Great affordable fist digital camera. Yes, there are many camera's out there that will do what this one will and more, but none for the price! Get this one while you can! The holidays are coming up ya' know!
Well, I'm going to keep it short.  I have had a Cannon Elan 35mm with a Tamron 28-200 mm lens for the past 10 years.  I love it but it's heavy artillery.  Wanted a digital.  Requirements were 2 MP min., very small and light, min. 3x optical zoom.  The 2600 was made to order.  Had it for two months and I have yet to find something to complain about.  On the unexpected plus side, I was amazed at the macro.  I was selling a ram chip on ebay that measure about 2 by .75 inches.  Shot it with this camera from a few inches away and you could read the etchings on the chip.  I was amazed.  I am no expert in digital photography but I would and am recommending it w/o reservation.
I love this camera.  I wanted to get into digital imaging but didn't want a lot of complicated settings.  It was perfect and got me started with some great pictures.  I have since moved up to the 2800 but would have been satisfied with this one.
I purchased this camera from Amazon in August 2002. It's still working great, and I plan to continue using it until it dies.Here are things I like about it:* takes very good pictures* viewfinder (regular, and digital)*  telephoto* lens cover* durable* reliable* macro mode* it focuses well* several different flash settings* display is easy to read* menu system is good* it's small* automatic and manual modesHere are things I don't like:* battery lifeFor memory/storage, I purchased this card:Viking 128 MB SmartMedia Card (SSFDC3/128)The camera easily connects via USB cable to my PC running Windows XP Home SP3; no additional software is needed to retrieve files from the camera (just use Windows Explorer).A 2MP camera is great for my needs, and I almost always use the 1MP setting (and then crop the pictures down further, or resize them smaller on my PC as needed).  I don't use the video mode much at all; it's video only...no sound.This camera has served me well over the years.
This Fuji Finepix camera is very good, especially for beginners who want a simple, "goof-proof" digital camera.  I've had the camera for about 3 weeks now, and the pictures have come out sharp, with excellent color and detail.  The flash is remarkably good for such a small and inexpensive camera.The 3x optical zoom works well, and the autofocus is a step up from some of the "focus-free" models.  The LCD screen is bright and clear, and the 20-second movie clip mode is a fun feature.  Overall a good camera and a great value - it even comes with rechargeable batteries, a charger, a 16MB smartmedia card, and a USB cable!  These are things that can cost extra with other models.  About the only thing it doesn't come with is a carrying case...  I use the Lowepro Z20 pouch and it fits the camera nicely (and it's only [$$$] bucks on Amazon).The only negatives I've found?  First, the viewfinder is positioned right on top of the LCD screen, resulting in a lot of nose-print smudges on the screen.  Secondly, this camera is geared more towards people who want true "point and shoot" photography - it gives you very little manual control over settings such as aperture, shutter speed, etc.  If you're looking for more control, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.  However, if you want an excellent camera that consistently takes good pictures, this Fuji is a great buy.
This fat little camera always had something "special" about it. Not only because it was the very first digital camera I ever owned and bought, but because of the great quality pictures it always rendered. I didn't know that, however, until I stupidly gave the camera away to a friend. I automatically believed any future camera I were to buy would give the same outstanding results, and indeed, most of the many cameras that were to follow that one did give me outstanding results. However, like I said, there was something "unique" in the pics this one captured. It always produced the brightest and richest colors and details. Nothing ever seemed to be "off" in the pics. Its macro capability always impressed me as well. I feel its macro capability was always underrated. Of course, this camera 'is' limited in that it is only a meager 2 megapixels and has no real manual capabilities to speak of, but you don't really need them if you are satisfied to take pictures in good lighting. Personally, I have taken really good pics indoors in dim situations using the flash and have been satisfied. Each photographic situation may vary of course. Outdoors though, on any bright sunny day is when this camera really shines with the pics it renders. I know that this camera is almost impossible to find now, but if you happen upon one (used or otherwise) and you can trust the seller you definitely should buy it.By the way, my friend would not give back the camera even when I offered to pay him a good amount. I guess he also saw the "specialness" in the pics it captured. However, I 'was' able to find another one (refurbished at overstock.com) that is to this day every bit as good as the original one I bought. It gives the same awesome quality pics.
I have had this camera for almost a week now, and am very pleased with it. The size is nice, the controls are intuitive, and the picture quality is quite good. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. As anyone who has done some comparative shopping will know, it is very easy to spend a lot more than [amt] on a digital camera which may either do more than you need or be difficult to learn to use. This is a more than acceptable entry-level digital camera which should satisfy the vast majority of us who are point-and-shoot users.Having said this, there are two points buyers should be aware of:1. If you are running Windows XP, the software included with the camera will not work, and you will need to download a new program from fujifilm.com. The size of the update is large (>10 MB), so if you use anything other than broadband be prepared for an all-night download session.2. First-time digit camera buyers should be aware that there are a lot of hidden costs involved in making the jump from film to pixels. Aside from the purchase price of the camera, be prepared to buy a larger memory card for the camera (this model includes a 16 MB card which is better than what you usually get but not as big as you need), extra rechargeable batteries and a charger, a photo-quality printer, and photo paper for printing your pictures. All said, the "total" cost of this camera with everything you need will be about [price].
I bought this camera for my dad's birthday and he absolutely loved it.  The only problem is that it eats batteries way too fast.  I used it for a wedding and I went through 4 sets of batteries to take about 50 pictures.  Other than that, the picture quality is excellent!  My pictures came out perfect and of much higher quality than I expected.  It is very easy to use, very small, and very lightweight.  I can't rate the software or the usb cable that came with it because I haven't used them.  Instead, I use a smartmedia usb drive to read the card.  That is the easiest way to go.Other than the battery life, this is a wonderful little camera at a great price.  I highly recommend it!!!
Overall, a very nice camera.  Small, light, easy to use...  And the fact that it comes with a 16mb card, good quality rechargable batteries, AND a charger is just fantastic!In general, image quality is very good.  Pictures are usually sharp and have pretty accurate colors.  The zoom is useful, and it's really easy to operate (although there's not a whole lot to it, so...).  The only real problem I have with the 2600 is its low light capabilities.  It doesn't like to autofocus in less than bright conditions.  In anything less than bright light, pictures come out grainy and faded.  The flash doesn't help a whole lot, either.  I'd say the effective range is probably 5 or 6 feet.Overall, it's a GREAT camera for the money.  I've gotten several compliments about the image quality, and people are surprised that it came from a ($$$) point and shoot.  It's exactly what a casual digital photographer needs.  Just be careful about your light.
In all of the reviews of this digital camera, no one has mentioned the fact that this camera will double as a webcam.  Being on a ship, I have emailed some video clips with the movie mode to my wife and she thought they were good quality as well.  I bought this camera in a shady electronics store in Singapore and although got ripped off on the price, here on Amazon you are getting a deal.  I recommend purchasing a larger smartmedia card, but all the reviews of good battery life and excellent photos are true.  I would also like to say that my camera seems to be durable, I have had it training in the field and it still works well... This is truly a great point and shoot camera.
...this is a really nice camera for the money. It's fairly easy to use. The only problem I had was that you need to open the lens cover ALL the way or you will get an error message ("lens cover").The camera is menu driven which makes it very easy to get up and running. It's a very user friendly camera. I was taking pictures within about 5 minutes and downloaded my first batch.The features are impressive for this price range. This camera can do quite a lot (stills, short movies, and be a webcam). The basic picture quality (1M) is fantastic. The quality is FAR better than scanning a regular photograph if you intend on using this for the internet. In fact, the photographic quality is far superior to some 35mm cameras (e.g. my olympus infinity), but nowhere near as good as a medium format camera.The memory isn't very large and I would agree with the suggestions about getting a viking memory card. The larger Viking memory cards will allow you to save around 166 pictures in high quality mode. You can see your photos immediately after, which means deleting any goof ups.The batteries that come with the camera need charging, but will allow you to take a few pics. The AC adapter for this camera is a necessity since you can use it as a webcamera. You will also attach this camera to your computer if only to download pictures.I am really happy with this purchase a couple of months after my initial version of this review: especially after seeeing what I could have bought in this price range. I may never buy another cheap point and press film camera after this.
I bought this camera a few months ago as my very first digital camera. I did my research, read reviews, and checked out the prices of all the other 2MP cameras. I had thought about buying a Canon Digital Elph, but a number of factors pointed me to this camera. The very first thing I noticed is that it holds well and is comfortable to hold. Many of the other "boxy" type cameras almost made my hand cramp they were poorly ergonomically designed. Then as I played with the camera more I noticed the features it had for a relatively reasonable price. I could get a 2MP camera for about the same price as a high-end 1MP, and without all the customization features that an amateur photographer like me isn't going to use very often, if at all. In the 2 months that I've used this camera, I have been pleasantly surprised.Sure this camera has its drawbacks, but what camera is perfect? Some of the biggest complaints I have are: the display is almost impossible to see in direct sunlight, the flash can be overpowering in certain situations, and you will get massive blur if you're not careful in non-flash situations.  Given all that, I found the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks of this great camera.  No camera is perfect, but this one is perfect for me and any other ameature looking for a camera they can just pick up, turn on, and shoot away.If you would like to see some examples of the kinds of pictures this camera takes, check out my website at [...]
I have this camera for about a month and it is great. This my 3rd. digital camera in the last 2 years and is hands down the best. Picture quality on 2MB Normal mode is better than 3MB cameras I have owned. The included NiMh batteries are a a big plus (may be a good idea to get an extra set). I got over a 100 photos with one charged set. The software is adequate however there are better programs out there. The sliding lens cap can be annoying if not opened in the full position. The 16Mb card is ok for out of the box but a 64 or 128MB card will be required. The manual is detailed and concise but you won't need it, the controls are user friendly and you will have this camera up and running in minutes. The photos are incredible on auto mode, there are some manual modes included but if you are a serious photographer this is not for you. If you are like me who wants a digital point and shoot that replaces a point and shoot 35mm this is for you. I have looked around and did my research, for the buck this is a super value,  battery charger,  rechargable batteries, 16MB card, and pictures equal to 3.2 camera, you will not be dissapointed. Only negative I could find is the included software and the fact that you can't use regular alkaline AA or digital AA batteries as they are depleted after a few shots. I am sure that is why they included NiMh batteries. There is also no Video Out jack to view photos on TV. more pluses, the LCD is clear and larger than most digital cameras, the optical zoom is a real zoom that you can see through the viewfinder like an SLR, and printed 4X6 photos will suit most users, glossy paper and a decent printer will suit most needs for photos that are suitable for framing, if you need 8x10 or larger than a 3.2 is better suited for you, 4X6 is more than adaquate for me. Buy this camera you will not be sorry
I've got three digital cameras.  This one was my first.  A couple years later I bought a 5MP Canon.  A couple years after that I won a 12MP Nikon.  This camera is easier to operate and get good pictures than either of those newer models!
This is the second version of this camera that I have owned and it is easy, inexpensive and takes great pictures to boot. I travel all over the world with this thing and everybody wants to buy it from me!
I'm a novice with digital cameras, but found this one very easy to use.  I didn't even have to read the manual to find out how to set everything, just played around a little and found everything.  It is very easy to download the photos to your computer and they download very fast.  Just plug it in and there they are.  The free software isn't that good, I'd recommend buying different software for playing with the pictures.  The batteries died pretty quickly the first time I used them, but after their second charge, they seem to be lasting a long time and I always have the display on.  My only complaint about the camera is how bright the flast makes things.  The images have a whiteness about them when taken with the flash.  It isn't unbearable, just minor, but it still could be better.  Overall though this camera is easy to use, works fast and takes very nice pictures.
I consider myself a digital camera novice.  Here is my review for what it is worth...To get a good picture you have to hold the camera completely still, or you get a blurry picture.  This is almost impossible to do since the process of pressing the button makes the camera move.  I think this is happens since the camera only has an ISO of 100.  Most cameras in this price range only have 100 as well.  Assuming you can hold it still, it does take a nice picture.The back screen is hard to see in any conditions (even when adjusting brightness).  When you view the picture after taking it, you don't know if it is a good one or bad on.The part to open the battery is on the bottom, usually where your thumb is and I find that it pops open if you aren't careful with handling.
I just read a pretty scathing review in the photography trade magazine site.  If you are expecting 35mm SLR performance from this camera, you will be disappointed.  But if you want something that will take good "snap-shots" and are willing to keep the flash distance within about 10 feet, you will be rewarded with a very easy to use camera.  I added a 64 meg smart media card and can get 100 pictures at the 1280x960 setting with resolution set to fine.  Not too damn bad.Glad I purchased it and have been very pleased with the expected results.Would have given it five stars if the flash was a little more powerful.  Had to learn the hard way.
I bought my Fuji FinePix 2600 Zoom Digital Camera from Amazon a week ago and got it on Wednesday.  I have never used a camera until I bought this one.  I love it!  I have had sooo much fun using the camera.  I bought additional memory cards, (64 and 16 mb).  I am considering a 128 mb card!  I think that this camera is great for beginners since it is easy to use.  The camera takes very nice pictures.  Some of the images from other cameras are not so great.
I have been shopping for my first didgital camera for 2 weeks, comparing reviews, features and anything else avaliable! I settled on this camera because it had the features I had decided I needed and I happened into a great deal price-wise. I'm not one to read every word of a manual,( only when absolutely necessary!) but this camera was easy to figure out with a little input from the manual and a knowledgeable salesman. The software however, was another story! Once I actually took my first picture and was able to get the software working though, I was really impressed! The self timer was easy to master- the options are easily applied and work! -and the battery life is surprisingly good compared to the horror stories told in most reveiws for digital cameras! The camera has an automatic feature that allows picture taking in low light to be as easy as in full light;  and since I'm still new at this, I'm certain it will become old hat in no time to use the other features (I've tried them all with the help of the manual, but I'm sure the manual will collect dust soon!). The software was a challenge, but as I write this review I have to admit most software that proclaims to be Windows XP compatible is a challenge, so I can't say with any certainty if the problem lies with Fuji or Windows XP. All in all, I'm more than satisfied with my purchase, to date. The camera itself is small yet sturdy and the results are beyond what I expected after the all of the comparisons between 2 and 3 mp's I was subjected to by the various salespeople. The pictures are sharp, clean and the color is great! (and it's easily enhanced right on the LCD screen if you don't like it!) Fuji is definitely a viable product for this price! I would highly recommend this camera as a first time camera to those who are somewhat knowledgeable in the tech-field, however if you're like the woman standing next me when I bought mine who was ...'loooking for a camera for her husband that had no difficulty in using with his computer...' look to one of the cameras with a docking station and single button load to the pc. This isn't technologically challenging (or I for one would've returned mine!) but it does require some knowledge and experience with installing and running (expecially with the windows XP version!)programs and connecting hardware properly. (I consider myself not quite in the 'for Dummies' arena, but not not that far from it, if that helps).
I did a fair amount of research prior to deciding on the Fuji FinePix 2600.  Other top contenders were the Canon Powershot A40 and the Sony DSC-P51. I used these reviews to make my decision, so I figured I'd offer my opinion as well.My primary use for a camera is for family photos, vacation shots, etc.  I wanted a camera that was mostly automatic with some minor manual controls.  The camera had to be very user friendly.  And lastly, I wanted a digital camera that was pretty much going to replace my 35 mm camera...I wanted a camera that would produce 4x6 and 5x7 prints with quality as good as (or better than) my existing 35 mm camera.  After using this camera A LOT in the past week, I have to say that I am extremely satisfied with the camera and the 4x6 prints are REMARKABLE.  The prints are very crisp with excellent color, both indoor and out.  The prints do not look grainy at all like you might expect from a digital camera.  I used the highest resolution setting for the photos and had them printed at a local camera shop lab(Cord Camera).  I did not work in unique lighting situations, but for fairly normal lighting, the photos were great.The software was easy to load (Win 98), but it's more of a photo management rather than a photo editing software.  You can dump and save your photos, crop photos, or change the resolution, but the software does not allow you to do black &amp; white, change contract, or other editing features.Movie mode is cool, although no sound.  However, the .AVI files are saved as Windows Media Player files but the loaded media player that is installed with the software would not play them.  I had to watch the movies in the FinePix software or load them into Quicktime which was a bit of a pain.  I think in order for me to  get the Windows Media Player to play the files, I'd have to download a file off the internet.  It would be free but would take forever with my slow dial-up connection...not worth it for me.  I didn't buy this camera for the movie mode, so this slightly annoying way of viewing the movie files wasn't worth me worrying about too much.The camera is very easy to learn to use.  A few possible negatives that I can report is the fact that the camera actually takes the photograph a fraction of a second after you push down the button (which is a bit frustrating when photographing a 3 year old that won't sit still!) and the fact that the LCD screen is tough to see in bright sunlight or dark conditions.  But I think these two factors are issues with most (or all?) digital cameras rather than just this specific FinePix 2600.Things that helped me make my decision over the Canon A40 and the Sony P51:1.  Takes 2 batteries whereas the Canon takes 4.2.  Batteries are rechargeable and a charger is included whereas the Canon and Sony don't include rechargeables/charger.3.  Came with a 16 MB memory card whereas the Canon came with an 8 MB card.I realize that the above items are minor but they are important considerations when it comes down to upfront cost of the camera and supplies.  If the Fuji FinePix had not produced such AWESOME quality photo prints, I probably would have returned it and tried the Sony or tried a 3 MP camera.  But after my first development order and a few days of playing around with the camera, I was totally hooked on the Fuji.  I truly love this camera and would recommend it to anyone.  This camera may motivate me to become more of a camera hobbiest rather than just a casual camera user.
I've seen many digital cameras and this one is really worth the value.  I've been looking for one for the longest time and said all I needed really was a 2.0 Mega Pixel camera. This camera has a lot.  Pictures are taken quickly and they are pretty clear and crisp for a 2 mega pixel.  The LCD is somewhat contrasty and it isn't the best in dark situations.  Also, the menu surfing can be burdening but I am okay with it.  Good price, good value, good camera overall.  But you might want to check out the new Nikon 2000 also.  Has same features, except the video mode records audio whereas this one does not.  It's pretty much the same price as this one.
After doing an exhaustive search for the perfect digital camera I finally decided on this one.  On top of being 2.0 mega pixels it has a 3x optical zoom--at this price range that is a good combo.  The only other thing I would like to add to the many other reviews is the need for the ac adapter and a few extra batteries (it doesn't include the ac adapter and the batteries go quick, but last long enough for general/vacation/etc. picture taking.  This camera serves as a good pc-cam as well.  I am in a wheelchair (muscular dystrophy) and having limited physical ability, I found this camera to be very easy for me to use.  The LCD screen is big and clear enough for me to use the camera without having to make undue strain.  I was not disappointed at all in this product.  A very good buy!
After years of thinking about it, I finally did it: I bought myself a digital camera. No more film, no more developing expenses, no more waiting! I did my homework and looked at many different types, but every element in my decision led back to the Fuji FinePix 2600. First of all, I was determined to stay below the $[money]range. Then, I wanted a camera that could take good pictures, was easy to manipulate, and made photo downloads an easy task. This one had all of it.The negative elements: the lens cover/power button combination can be a little counterintuitive at times (nothing too bad, but it can become a pain in the neck); the SmartMedia card it comes with (16 MB) falls short, if you want to stay in the 1-2MP range. If you're willing to sacrifice resolution, or willing to empty it every 40-50 pictures, then you're well off; the LCD can use a little more brightness while you view it outdoors; and finally and most critical in my opinion, it misses a charger with a WIRE to connect it to the camera. The one it comes with forces you to take the batteries out to charge them. Otherwise, it's an awesome little camera for the price.
I searched a lot among its peers and had second thoughts for it looked cheaper. It's been 2 months since my purchase and I am amazed by the quality of the pictures. You can see the pores a person's face or you can totally reproduce print pictures by taking their pictures in the close up "macro" mode. Works fantastic under any light. Looks way cuter and sharper than sony and other competitors. 2 negative points: Battery runs out real fast. Click to picture taking there's about half a second delay. Not good for sports or jumping kitten pics.
I've tried four other digitals and like this one the best. For the money the Fugi FinePix line is great. Had the A101 first, and loved the quality, but needed the zoom feature of the 2600, as I hate to be intrusive when I go for the close-ups! Please, please, please note to first time digital buyers. Do not expect the battery life to equal that of a regular 35mm! Buy rechargible batteries ... and use the optical view finder, (it's larger than most). The LCD screen drains the life of the batteries, and when used to review your pictures will do the job intended, and save those batteries. Also buy an extra 32 or larger smart media card. Doing these two things will provide the extra life and power to produce great pictures. This camera produces great pictures, is light weight, and easy to use. And unlike some more expensive mini models, the "lag" time after you push the button isn't even noticable. This is my personal choice. I keep family records and scrapbooks, take tons of pictures and this is the camera for me.
This little camera was a very wise purchase. .... I used it for the first time today and the photos are clear and bright. Again I say....a very wise purchase decision.
I have owned this camera for about a month now and love everything about it.  Tried two others including the Finepix 2400 and decided to keep this one.  Wanted a point and shoot that I could print up to 8 x 10's with and this camera does just that.  Very easy to use and setup. Find the rechargable batteries lasting a long time compared with the alkaline (they must be used and recharged to get full benefit). Color is very true to life.  Not finding much motion blur at all which was a problem with the 2400. I did buy Adobe's Photoshop Elements program to go with the camera.  Printed a great 8 x 10 of my son at the piano during his recital before Christmas and relatives thought it was professionally done.  Have a good photo printer which helps. Macro mode works great. Movie mode works fine but I would never use this as I have a good camcorder. Great entry level digital camera especially for the price!
This camera got badmouthed on Cnet for allegedly having a really weak flash. However, the one I got had a blinding flash and was awesome for low light picture taking. The only problem is that I keep accidentally sliding the slide the covers the lens while I take photos, and that knocks the lens back into the camera body.The desktop software is pretty average and the camera gets pretty good battery life. Buy a 128mb card with this camera and you've got yourself a very good camera.
While I think the FinePix 2600 is a very nice camera for beginners, having used other cameras there are a few gotchas in my opinion.  The LCD screen is quite dark even in regular room lighting.  The optical viewfinder is a lifesaver here.  I have also found that the white balance in shots taken under florescent lights can be less than perfect.  It also bothers me you can't view photos on the LCD unless the lens cover is open.The pictures are good,  but I found I was tweaking every one by adjusting the brightness and contrast. My previous camera (Olympus D-360L) never required this.  OK, I am picky. I admit it. In addition, using the zoom allows you to be further from your subject- but remember the flash may not be able to cover that distance.  This isn't specific to the 2600- but keep it in mind.  Based on the average review I've seen here, this is one HOT camera.  I don't want to dampen things, but if you are expecting a bit more from this camera, like I was, you MIGHT be disappointed.I would suggest you also check out the Olympus D-510z camera, also available from Amazon.
I was very pleased with the combination of features and price on this camera.  It worked well for us for 14 months (yes the warrantee is gone), and now it has lost its mind and we haven't dropped it.  The camera can't seem to align the lens properly - when you push the button to zoom out, it zooms in and then starts to re-zoom.  Cycling the camera on and off can help - but its really not acceptable.So, if you're looking for a full featured starter camera, this ones great, just don't count on it lasting very long.
The Fuji 2600 is our first digital camera and it is everything that we expected.  We are casual users but really enjoy all the great features that are included in this camera.  Right out of the box we were taking beautiful pictures - indoors and out and we are having a blast with this thing.  Battery life is more than we expected and the picture quality is first rate.  Great camera at an excellant price.  If you are looking for your first digital camera or a very good digital camera for everyday and vacation use, the Fuji 2600 is hard to beat - and the price is outstanding.
Just received this today and it's worth the hupla! Was up and running in less than 10 minutes. Already shot about 20 stills and tried out the 20 second vidoe feature. Works like a charm. Camera is small and would be easy to take anywhere. I also tried out the web cam feature and I must say it makes my [other brand] webcam look horrible. I will be ordering the AC adapter asap so I can use it as a webcam as well. Printed out a couple 5 x 7's on my [printer] and they look great. The rechargable batteries are a nice touch and included. .. Software installed on my HP PIII Win Xp system without a problem and as I said the webcam feature worked well also. Well be keeping this item busy!
As the price has fallen on this camera, Fuji has become a better competitor in this crowded field. The 2600 has some nice features, but virtually none that most every other camera in this range doesn't have. On the down side, the feel is a bit flimsy and the controls are fairly limited (it is pretty much an automatic-only camera). Most annoyingly, especially if you're used to the Olympus clamshell design, this camera can be closed without shutting off the power, making it a bit of a battery-killer. Anyway, it's not a bad camera, it's just not an outstanding one. For the same price, I'd prefer the Nikon 775.
I recently purchased this as a refurbished model and I couldn't be happier with it. The quality of the photos are fantastic. Previously I'd scan in photos using a 300dpi scanner. You can certainly see the difference here. Very sharp and vivid pictures.I was impressed with the amount of options, especially with the flash. Video and webcam are nice extras too.I like the gadgety sounds too, even though it doesn't add to the functionality of the camera.Overall a happy user.
This was the first digital camera I ever owned. I bought it used from a friend about 10 years ago (2002-ish). She sent it to me from Hawaii in its original box with batteries and charger.There are NO FRILLS to this camera. Not a lot of options for scenes or manual adjustments. However, it takes BEAUTIFUL pictures. Perhaps even better than the FinePix J20 I have now. A 2MP image is big enough to make perfect 4x6 prints and they look lovely on my MacBook's screen. I would do a little post-production on images that looked washed-out, but I'm not sure you can blame the camera for that, since I have only recently endeavored to understand how to get the correct exposure for my images. Point and shoot was all I ever did with this bad boy.In my experience, it sucks batteries dry in no time, but don't ALL digicams? The screen is a little small, but not unbearable. The major complaint is probably the size. Although it is compact from a facing view, the profile shows a very THICK little piece of technology. It is a fatty.Honestly, if I didn't mind how THICK the camera is, I'd probably pick it up again for twenty bucks. I might pick it up anyway for nostalgia. ;-)Final verdict: The resolution is low (by today's standards), the machine itself is large (by today's standards), but it takes GREAT pictures.
I did my share of research before buying this gem. Here's what I have to say after 3 months, I hope you find it useful.Since, most people are in a hurry, let me keep this short:LIKES:1. Terrific value, the *best* in the 2 Megapixel range!2. Good quality pictures across different light levels and good colour reproduction3. Small size - one of the smaller ones in this range4. Packs enough features for people wanting a point and shoot camera. Useful 3x Optical Zoom works well5. Easy to use buttons and LCD Menus6. Lasts long on the supplied cells (which are very good ones even though they take their time - 4 hours - charging). I have taken over 200 shots with average usage of Zoom, Flash and LCD when they are fully charged7. Complete accessory kit including the 16 MB smart media card. ...8. Absolutely reliable, haven't had a glitch in taking 1500 shots or soDISLIKES:1. Just a minor niggle is that I had to get used to the location of the battery cover, it opened by accident more than once. Once you get used to it though, you wouldn't mind it2. I find myself using the optical zoom a lot (dont use digital zoom). To those having a flexible budget, I would strongly recommend the Fuji Finepix 2800Z with its 6x optical zoom and voice annotation features. It is slightly bulkier though, so you have to weigh things up3. You cannot snap on additional lenses to this camera, some of its peers support this feature. So if you want to use wide-angle or additional telephoto lenses, you'll be disappointedOVERALL:Unless you have the budget to go for the Finepix 2800Z with 6x optical zoom, this is the best camera to buy in the 2 Megapixel range
This camera seems to be a good balance of features, size, & most importantly money spent. It gets the job done! It comes with rechargeable batties & a charger. The didgital zoom is useless for me but I like the optical zoom at 3x. I could have spent more money but why? This thing is just perfect for me.... But right now I'm happy. I use the macro mode a lot for tanking pictures of my aquarium. I love NOT having to go to get my photos developed (does anybody really print photos anymore?). With 35mm film it always seemed that half the pictures I got develpoed either came out bad or there was something else wrong with them. Now if I take a bad photo you know right away (from the display screen) - You just erase & take it again.Just remember you can always print the good ones....Steve
I don't why there's no talk of rebate on this website but there's a rebate from fuji available for this if you buy the smartmedia card &amp; this camera together from the same place &amp; at same time.Great quality of pictures and the best part is the rechargable AA batteries (only 2 not 4 !). AA batteries means u save a lot on batteries and don't have to pay the manufacturer for proprietary batteries. Only the camera is out of production and a better battery technology comes in, the properitary old batteries can be very difficult and costly to find... like carrying a PC with no power supply :)The only bad part is that its slightly thick in size and takes only 128 MB cards at the max. It won't read a bigger card once they become available. But 128MB must be enough for most cases ! Or heck buy 2 of them !!Also the low light pictures are not so great. Look for nikon 775 in case u want good night pictures as well. And it has no TV out.The image quality is excellent and the CCD it uses is great. The product was released  only in Sept 2001 so most of its technology is new.Look for MSN holiday shopping reward on 800 dot com and also a gift check back from 800. these all deals plus excellent picture quality make it a great camera for this holiday season.(there's a 128MB smartmedia card available from buy dot com for only 40).
I bought the Fuji Finepix from Amazon after spending a lot of time comparing reviews and prices.  It sounded like it offered the best value for money.  However, when I received it I couldn't help but be a little disappointed.  Although the camera is quite easy to use, and the pictures look good, it's just a little bit too big!  I really wanted a simple camera that I can carry around easily and take a quick snap of something that takes my fancy.  Because of it's size, I don't think the Fuji Finepix is quite what I need.For other people, the Fuji may be appropriate.  However, I have returned mine and ordered the more expensive Canon Powershot instead.  It costs... more, but it is about half the size of the Fuji Finepix - much easier to carry around unobtrusively.  Picture quality seems about the same, and the Canon has more features, so I think I will be happier with that instead.
I used this fuji camera for about 4 or 5 years! I hated it from day one!! It is a pain in the rear.... and you don't get to change very many settings. The picture results most of the time are not even worth putting in the trash! This camera is garbage! Get a Kodak Z760.... you will be much happier!
With the plethora of digital cameras available on the market, making a selection can be a daunting task.  They come in all shapes and sizes, with an assortment of different features, and various types of memory media and associated software.  For the thoughtful consumer, the whole task can become an exercise in information overload.Traditional photography is a hobby of mine, and I own several 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) type cameras, and a couple of point and shoots.  My intention is to purchase a pro level digital SLR, when the prices come down a bit.  In the meantime, I was looking for an inexpensive digital point and shoot.My main consideration was price, and I wanted the most camera I could get for around $200.  It seemed that a 2 megapixel camera would be the most I could afford.  Reading numerous reviews, I quickly became overloaded with data, and bounced around between several brands and models before finally choosing the Fuji 2600Z.  This solid entry level, digital point and shoot camera has a 3X optical zoom lens, which provides performance, equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in a regular film camera.  Autofocus is crisp, and Image quality is excellent throughout the focal range.The camera has very basic features.  The flash mode has five options, auto flash, forced flash, suppressed flash, red-eye reduction and slow synchro flash (for night shooting).  For most indoor applications, using flash is typically recommended, and unit has so far produced excellent results indoors when flash is used.  There is a macro mode, which also produces great images.  Range is listed as from 4 to 30 inches from the lens.  In timer mode, the camera operates after the standard 10 second delay.  All options are accessed via the menu, which is displayed on the rear 1.8" LCD screen.  Other options include image quality (image file size), power save option, and setting the date and time.  The LCD like those for most digital cameras, is difficult to see in bright daylight, so changing settings can be difficult in that situation.The 2600Z has three modes, "still image" (camera), "playback" (image display and video playback), and "movie" mode.  These are pretty self-explanatory.  In movie mode, the camera will capture up to 20 seconds of video.  In playback mode, you may watch your video, or view the images retained in the camera's memory.  Still images can be viewed either one by one, full screen, or up to a maximum of nine mini images at once, on a three by three array on the LCD.  Even at the reduced size, images are easily recognizable, and the colors are true.  When in full screen viewing mode, you can also zoom in, and then pan the image.  Unwanted images can of course be erased.That is about it for the features.  The camera comes with a 16MB smart media card, two 1700mAh AA size NiMH batteries and a charger, special USB cord, strap, and a CD with software for downloading images from the camera.  The software takes a while to install, but if all goes well, then your camera will download your images very quickly.  You will probably want a larger size card, but 16MB is not bad for a starter, and will hold about 45 medium quality images.  Supposedly the camera will accept cards up to a maximum of 128MB.  The rechargeable batteries, are a nice addition to the package, and the battery life of the NiMH's has been very good so far.  There is also abundant documentation for both the camera, and software provided with the product.As this is the first digital I've owned, I don't have a lot to compare it to.  I have been using it for only around three weeks, but so far I have no major complaints, and have been pleasantly surprised at the image quality.  It does what I need, and is so simple to operate.  Most users should have no major problems.  Within the limitations of its design, the camera delivers on all counts, and provides value for the money, that equals or surpasses most other cameras in its class.  The camera is a bit thicker than some other models, so pick one up and handle it to see if it feels comfortable in your hands.  Because of its thickness, the camera may not slide smoothly into some tight pockets.This model has been on the market for a while, and may become available at bargain prices as it is phased out.  If you're not seeking the newest model, and want a basic point and shoot, at a reasonable price, my recommendation would be to wait for a sale and pick one up.  Then go and have some fun, taking photos you never dreamed of taking before.
I've had this camera for about two months now and I must say that I am very pleased with it. It takes wonderful pictures. I compared it with friends who have more expensive digital cameras with more mega pixels and the FinePix 2600 measures up. The day pictures are excellent with this camera, the nighttime pictures could be better but that's not a problem since I take few of those anyway. Overall this is a very good camera for a reasonable price.
I got this camera early December and have used it throughout the holiday season.  It's my first digital camera and I absolutely love it.The quality of the pictures are very good (my friend using a more expensive Canon camera took same picture as I and mine was significantly clearer; I don't know if it was because of different settings, however).  The LCD display is decent and the controls are very intuitive.  There is also a 10-sec timer mode and a macro mode for close-up pictures.  The included charger works very well (takes about 5 hours for a full charge) and the two included Ni-MH batteries are 1700 mAh, which last fairly long.  One word of precaution though: the first one or two times you use the camera, the batteries will seem to run out very quickly.  This is supposedly due to the "memory effect" and the problem is gone after a few full charges.  It also happens if you charge you batteries before they're fully discharged (however, unlike the old Ni-Cad rechargeables, Ni-MH's are not physically harmed--they just seem to run out faster.  After a few full discharges and recharges, they work fine again).  I got 4 backup 1600 mAh recently at an electronics store and now I can go to a trip without worrying about running out while I'm outside (just fyi, the included charger holds two batteries max and is compatible with all voltages, which means you only have to find the proper outlet "shape" adapter if you travel outside of the country)With a 64MB card that I got with the Fujifilm rebate (I believe the promotion is over now) I'm able to take 150+ images at the 2M, Normal resolution.  But the provided 16 MB card is quite decent for starters, especially if you use a lower resolution.The optical zoom (which makes the camera totally worth its cost) works really well and the lens are really quiet.The movie function (limited to 20 second intervals with no sound)is quite good.  They are converted to .avi format during upload on a Windows machine (I'm not sure about Mac's though).  However, you cannot use optical zoom while taking movies and there's no flash, which brings us to the major gripe about this product...The flash is exceeding white, which can change the tones of the pictures (making the colors less vibrant, in my opinion).  However, the problem is if you turn the flash off, you must not move your hands *at all* or else the pictures become really blurry.  However, if you use a tripod or put the camera on a steady surface (e.g. table) when you take the picture, it comes out just fine and the colors are really nice.  But usually I'd rather just leave the flash on and have slightly "whiter" colors.  This is stated in the camera's included manual.  However, when the environment has enough lighting, if you or the camera's auto-flash mode chooses not to use flash, the pictures come out really nicely, which leads to the conclusion that the camera needs enough light (either from the flash or enough external lighting) to produce clear pictures, or else you'd have to have really steady hands.  One of the reviewers before me mentioned the camera's inability to take pictures with slight movement.  I believe his problem was the one I mentioned.  He probably decided to turn the flash off or something along those lines and so consequently got blurry pictures.The other problem with this camera is that it collects dust and dirt really easily.  Therefore, you should find a case for it ASAP (as I did for mine).  Just one day after I got it, I discovered a scratch/stain-like spot on the lens, which fortunately has not affected the pictures but is still quite frustrating.  Just today I found a small piece of dust collected inside the peek-through viewfinder, which also fortunately does not affect the functioning of the camera.  All in all, I did months of research before finally buying this camera (it came down to this or the Kodak 3600, and I'm happy about my choice--however, Amazon can be a little sketchy in terms of...)In summary,pros-- good picture quality-- good LCD display-- intuitive controls-- included quality rechargeable batteries and charger-- good optical zoom-- movie function-- "bang for da buck"cons-- flash too bright; alters colors-- pictures in dark areas get blurry without flash unless a tripod or other steady surface is used to hold the camera-- collects dusts, dirt, grease really easily
After being around Digital Cameras my entire high school life I decided that it was time to get one for myself.  After watching my friend blow [money] on a 4MP camera that he will never use to its full potential I decited that this was the camera for me.  It is realy simple to use and is a very tough camera compared to what is out there today.  I only noticed two problems: 1 is that it goes through batt like water (I highly recomend a batt charger and a CF card reader), and 2 that is slows down when taking high res pictures.  Other than that the CF expantion slot is nice (I have 128MB which gets 1953 low res, 277 med res, and +100 high res pictures) and I recomend it to any one who needs a good digital camera
Don't be misled.  This camera comes with nothing....no box, no instructions, no owners's manual, no strap, no batteries as indicated on the description.  I'm sending mine back.
The camera is good but it take great photos only is you have lot of sunlight.Problem with this camera:1.-When I try to take a photo inside a room I realized It's mandatory to use the flash and in some cases you have to take some photos to finally achieve a good result. In conclusion, you have to be an expert to take a good photo inside a house.2.-The camera is not sold with AC adapter and the 4 AA batteries don't last enough. I had to buy rechargeable batteries, recharger, AC adapter.3.-Sometimes I have to open the batteries to turn off the camera. If you take a photo and turn it off immediately it don't work.The camera is [inexpensive] but it's not the best election.
Great camera for the price. The camera fuctions were easy to learn. Great for a beginnner.
After shopping around long and hard, I finally decided on the HP 612. I think my biggest reason for choosing it was the optical zoom. Which by the way, works quite well.No one ever seems to talk about picture quality in reviews. Well I'm going to. The pictures as they come straight out of the camera are a little bit grainy. But it comes with ACD photo software, and all you have to do is click enhance, despeckle, and adjust your level, and it looks better than a lot of point and shoot 35mm cameras. It captures skin tones very well, it captures the complex greens in outdoor settings, and the lighting is very accurate. I'm very pleased with the quality of the photos after playing with them in the software.It has a very nice preview screen, as most digital cameras now do, and a very simple interface. Its somewhat bulky, but still very comfortable to use. And you just don't find optical zoom in this price range. Overall, I think I made the best decision for my price range and needs, and I highly reccomend this camera.
This is my first digital camera, got tired of missed photos only discovered when developed  on my 35mm....I am so impressed with the HP612.. the set up is easy, using the camera for a novice like me made me look good. I did buy all the accessories: recharge batteries with adapter, adapter for downloading, case, so I'm set to go.  Have printed my downloads on regular paper, still experimenting, and they came great.  The only con, and that's why I gave the camera 4 stars, is that the HP program allows all manipulation except &quot;reducing red eye&quot;.  I have to go to another picture program on my computer to use this feature.  All and all I am pleased with my 612.
nice camera, nice pixproblem, must hold camera still,  better outdoors then indoorseat batteries!!!!!!good news nice pix, great price, great software, works well with win 2k and win xp.overall a good camera!!
This is a good quality camera and is extremely easy to use. It is easy to follow the display indicators as they are similar to what most people would be used to in a non-digital camers. Focusing is simple; viewing pictures on the LCD display is simple; deleting unwanted pictures from memory is easy. The easiest part is uploading pictures to your PC--the software installs itself, and the pictures can be set to upload automatically if the camera is turned on when attached to the USB port on your PC. The camera comes with a set of alkaline batteries, a wrist strap and a USB cable. It is hard on batteries if you use the LCD display a lot, so purchasing a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger is a good idea. (As an aside, I purchased a set of rechargeable batteries made specifically for digital cameras. They are more expensive but worth it).
My experience with this camera is similar to the professional review at...This camera was the cheapest 2 Mega Pixel at the time. [$$$] I was disappointed that it did not come with a power adapter like the previous model HP 210.I must say I think the picture quality was better on my 210. Also, the 318 has some serious focusing problems. I read about them at other review sites, but ordered the camera anyway. I took a trip to the Caribbean and brought the camera with me. On two 128MB CF cards, I could take 554 pictures. With the rechargeable batteries, I never once ran out of juice while shooting. In all, I took 480 pictures, 250 of which were blurry or out of focus and did NOT appear that way on the preview screen.Of couse, that still left me with over 200 clear and focused pictures, but I think that ratio is unacceptable.I cannot recommend this camera. Low light shots are horrible. The more light you have, the better your picture will be. This camera does not compensate as good as other digital cameras in low light situations, including the older and cheaper 210/215 model.
The HP 318 is a easy to use digital camera.  Don't buy anything less than a 2.0 MP camera. The Hp 318 uses various battery types including rechargeable NiMh.  Slap in an optional 128 mb CompactFlash card... and you can take over 160 pictures at 2.31  MP resolution.  With a HP Photosmart printer, you can print directly through the printer, or buy a CompactFlash Reader and load your pictures quick and easy.  Loading 160 pictures through the cameras USB cable would take a long time.  The picture editing software that comes with it is so-so.  It doesn't allow for extensive editing.  I wish the camera had a lens cover.
The HP 318 was my first digital camera purchase and it was an absolute failure.  Despite using Kodaks at work, I was lured by the lower price on the HP unit.  That was a mistake because as a professional photographer pointed out to me afterwards, computer companies generally don't make good cameras.  Right away, my HP 318 went through batteries like there was no tomorrow.  At first, I thought it was just a power-hungry unit (it does take 4 AA batteries, after all).  One evening, I took out the camera and got some photos of a nice sunset and then came back indoors.  Instead of putting the camera away, I set it on my desk and noticed that the flash was firing intermittently. I checked and yes, the camera was turned off yet the red-eye reduction flash was firing. That explained the multitude of dead batteries. I removed the batteries and the flash kept going off for at least fifteen more minutes, possibly longer as the capacitors bled off their charge. I placed the unit back in the box and returned it the next day.  I got a Kodak DX-3500 and have been very satisfied with it.Okay, anybody could get a defective camera. This is what else I found wrong with the HP 318:* Focus - This camera has a weird focus. Even though the manual says it will focus on the center object in the viewfinder, if there is anything else in the frame with greater contrast, the camera focuses on it instead of your intended subject.* Flimsy - The camera is made primarily of lightweight plastic and it feels like cheap lightweight plastic. The wrist strap partially obstructs the compact flash door on the side. The battery compartment lid works itself loose with normal camera use. The camera is too small for adult hands. There is no lens cap. There are no indicator lines in the viewfinder to tell you where the edges of your photograph lie.* Picture quality - all pictures from this camera seemed overexposed. To get proper color balance, I had to use a graphics program to adjust color levels and HSB.For a few more dollars, you can get a much better camera.
This camera is so flexible that my 10-year-old can easily use it and yet I appreciate the high quality of the photos. We always take pictures with it at the highest quality level, and I have yet to take a picture that wasn't crystal clear when I printed it. The software setup worked perfectly with XP, and is also easy to use. I highly recommend this.
...I'm still using this camera with no plans to upgrade.It's a great buy and a great camera.  If you're new to digital photography, you won't find this camera difficult to use and will be amazed with its clarity and easy-to-use advanced features.  I have had no problem with back-lighting or finding the pictures too dark in quality, as some people have commented upon.Also pleasantly surprising is the sturdiness of the unit.  I've been using it since January 2002 and have used it more times than I can count.  Being a motorcycle enthusiast, I've packed it into saddle bags, which subjects it to considerable vibration, and it still performs flawlessly; have had amateurs borrow it (sometimes without me even knowing it); let it (unknowingly) sit outside on our patio table one damp night in August; and have packed it in luggage bumping across some of the worst roads in Pennsylvania only to use it and have no problems at all.Like most digital cameras, this one is not easy on batteries-- which is why I purchased two rechargeable sets and take the charger with me when I travel.  But I also figure that the cost of AA batteries is considerably easier on the wallet than say a gallon of gasoline or paying to have traditional film developed these days, and continue to use my sweet little HP 318 non-stop.  As of now, I have hundreds of photographs permanently recorded, and those memories of family are precious.As an information technology professional, I would not hesitate to recommend this to even the most technologically-challenged person.  Hey, even my mom, who is in her 70s, has used it successfully, and to this day, she still can't operate her VCR or upgrade her anti-virus program without help.  I think that's 'nuff said about this camera.
This is absolutely the worst HP camera I have owned.  It is lightweight and cheaply made, takes blurry photos and the color is so bad that adjustment is needed for every picture.  I loved my HP315 and thought this would make a good replacement, it went back and I got another 315.  Don't waste your time or money on this one...
Cons:1. Incorrect focus at times.2. Flash doesn't go off causing you to lose a good picture moment.3. Battery drain is fast.4. Takes a long time to "actually take a picture" once you press the button.  Reason is the auto focus takes a few seconds to work, then you have to press button another step down for the process to complete.  Slow and awkward.  I don't know if this is a standard for all digital cameras but not a good thing.5.  Subject needs to be still, or a blurry picture will result.Reason number 4 above is why I am currently looking for a new camera.Pros:1.  More times than not, takes acceptable picture (the subject needs to be still due to the autofocus problem).2.  Durable construction.Great for the beginner or first digital camera, but there are cheaper ones at Walgreens and Eckards that will serve the same purpose.Avoid if possible.I bought the camera a few years ago based on price. Make sure you do the research before you make a blunder like mine.
I bought this camera at Target about 3 months ago and am really impressed with the picture quality. The resolution is 1792 by 1200 pixels and looks great. The only thing i don't like about it is that it takes about 5 seconds to process the photo before you can take another one. The small screen is also terrible to see in the sun so you have to use the regular viewer. But overall, for a nice camera to take ordinary photos, its a winner.
I got this camera about 4 years ago from Sears as a replacement to a previous model that went out on me. My 318 gave up the ghost a few months ago (LCD wiring shorted out...$195 to replace). I'm someone who loves taking pictures but isn't familiar with any of the photographer's vocabulary. I need a simple camera that will take good, and sometimes great, pictures. That's what this camera will give you. It takes about 5 seconds to write and the digital zoom is a joke of course. I have the fuji f10 6.3 megapixel and there are some pics from the 318 that look better than the Fuji pics. It's certainly a good starter camera.
And by BATTERIES I mean BATTERIES!  Make sure you have a bundle, because I didn't know I'd need them until I used my HP 318 for about 30 minutes!  Dead batteries.  So this is my first Digital Camera.  They (store's name not to be mentioned) kept trying to sell me those cheapo web cams that also serve the purpose of digital cameras.  That's not what I wanted, I wanted the little LCD on the back so that I could easily see what I pointing and shooting at.  There is a 2X digital zoom and timer feature on the camera.  As far as photos go, I believe you start out with around 60 at the 1 star level (worst) and 12 at the 3 star level (best).  That's not enough pictures, so I bought a 64MB Flash Card and I can get easily 1000 1 star level photos and 60+ 3 star level photos.  There is nothing that comes with the camera to protect it, so I strongly urge you to buy something to cover up the lense and the LCD.  It's also quite easy to turn on by just barely moving it.  Another down side is the warm up time.  If you need your camera &quot;RIGHT NOW!&quot; then this one is definitely not the way to go.  It takes this baby about 15 seconds to warm up after hitting the on switch to being able to take a picture.  If you're sitting there thinking that you'll just leave it on with the LCD display off, think again.  I haven't timed it, but somewhere between 3 and 6 minutes the camera will shut itself off after being idle.  Software comes with the camera for automatic unload once you plug it in via USB port.Like I said in the beginning...  Batteries!  It takes AA's.  Pick up some rechargables and a charger to save you some extra cash!!
I would only buy this camera if it's on sale for well below the suggested price and if it is significantly cheaper than other 2.x megapixel cameras.  I picked this camera up for a very good price at an early morning post Thanksgiving sale, yet I barely got what I payed for.  Had I paid full price I would have taken it back that day.The main problem with this camera is that it only delivers quality images if you have lots of light (but no backlighting).  Otherwise those 2.3 megapixels yield 1792x1200 images that are very graining and/or blurry.  There also seems to be slight to moderate color distortion on many images, though this can be adjusted using the bundled software.Like most digital cameras, it eats batteries.  If you turn off the LCD while taking pictures and just use the viewfinder, that goes a long way to stretching battery life.  However, after taking a picture, the LCD will sometimes stay on instead of showing the picture and then turning off.Another concern I have about this camera is the durability.  The camera feels very cheap.  It has no lens cover and the battery door is very flimsy.  Also, about a week after I purchased this camera, the LCD stopped working.  I turned it on and off several times and also tried fresh batteries with no luck.  Finally, I gave it a gentle smack on the side and the LCD immediately turned on.  I haven't had this problem since, but history tends to repeat itself, especially with electronics.If you're thinking of purchasing this camera, I would suggest going to an electronics store and compare this camera to others.  I think you will find the others produce better images.
After a few weeks, I like the 318 just fine. It is, however, a tremendous battery pig, as all the digital cameras are, and you'll need to pick up the 8 rechargeable batteries and a charger. This'll run you 40 simolians. Litium AA batteries are about 10 bucks a quartet, so you'll be ahead of the game by Xmas if you get the rechargeables. You might also want to get a 32 or 64 meg flashcard. I want one, but I haven't got it yet--I'm still playing around and getting used to digital photography.One thing that astonishes me is the tremendous light sensitivity of this system; if you play around with the autofocus (that is, if you learn how to manipulate what the camera thinks it wants to do), you can literally, faithfully, and often very dramtically, shoot the light you see. This is probably characteristic of all digital cameras, but I LOVE the chiaroscuro effects this one captures.Mild gripes: at the lowest resolution (there are 3 settings options), the 2x &quot;zoom&quot; (which doesn't scale out, it just pops out to 2x--hence &quot;zoom&quot; is a misnomer) is useless and pixilates ridiculously. And it takes some time to get used to the fact that the camera will take a second or two--literally--to focus, and it won't let you snap off a shot in virtually real time unless you're already depressing the button for focus. And it's clear that HP low-balled the market with this system because they plan on selling you a big box of exorbitantly (yes, exorbitantly) priced accessories--wait until you get a load of the catalogue HP includes in the packaging.But the camera is nice, the softward and cable are useful, and the price is spot on. Recommended.
After much comparison shopping, my wife and I bought this camera just before the birth of our baby. It was in the delivery room, capturing those first special moments. I've been using the camera for almost four months now and I'm very satisfied with it. Friends and family constantly comment about the good quality of the pictures we email them. Also, the resolution of the camera produces beautiful prints. (We use Shutterfly to print our digital pics.) I would recommend rechargeable batteries and a flash memory card to get full enjoyment of your camera. A good buy!
I bought my Optura 100MC earlier this year. I looked at the Sony models but went with this one instead mostly because of optical image stabilization (rather than electronic) as the more elegant technical solution (and presumably better quality too). Except for some extra built-in effects in the Sony, the top consumer models are pretty much the same between the two companies. The Canon unit was worth the investment and I've already produced a number of feature length homevideos. The range of accessories is great (I have a wide angle lens, a directional microphone and a videolight that plugs into the accessory shoe and is powered by the camera battery). If you're new to digital video, as I was, don't underestimate the long slippery slope of follow-up purchases that you will inevitably get sucked into (I got a new PC at 2.4GHz speed, 1GB RAM and 80+120GB storage, with DVD burning capability and Adobe Premiere editing software to do it "right"). I've run the camera for 6 months now (with approx. 20 hrs. of raw footage, translating into maybe 5 times as much in terms of "tape operation" time) without running into any real problems, and specifically: no tape eating. (To be transparent, I also try to avoid recording over existing material). Only glitch was that the screws of the hand strap inside the tape door came loose and had to be fastened (I used a Swiss knife) and secured (glue). I love this camera.
First of all, let me point out that I am not a camera buff, nor do I even know how to work a professional 35MM camera (with aperture, manual focus, etc...) I have always been a fan of technology and of opening the box and using the product without having to do much reading of the instructions. So, here's my review...I've had this digital camcorder for about 6 months now. Previously, I had purchased a JVC digital camcorder. That one jammed up about a year and a half after I bought it and wouldn't accept video tapes anymore (I just recently got it to work again but I'm not sure for how long.) I knew of the Canon line of digital camcorders and owned a Advantix Elph camera so I trusted the brand name and bought the Optura. I was pleasantly surprised.The camera takes great video, it could use a bit more light in dark situations so purchasing a light to mount on the top of the camera. I also purachased additional filters and lenses (wide angle and telescopic) but, to tell you the truth, nine times out of ten, I don't use them. As for taking pictures, the camera aspect is great at taking photos for storing on your computer or emailing, but the quality is just not good enough to print out, even at its higher quality level. The pixels can easily be seen and anyone would be able to tell it was a picture printed off your computer.I purchased a longer lasting battery with the camera, and I highly recommend you do as well, because the battery they give you with the camera will only last about an hour and a half before needing to be recharged. I purchased a 4 hour battery for about [$$$] or less and it works great because I can always charge one while using the other.In addition, a 128 MB card versus the card that comes with the camera would be a great purchase. The 128 card allows me to take up to 250 pictures at the higher quality level (I think abt 1 megapixel or so) before being filled up.All in all, a great video camera but if you want to take stills, I recommend getting a real digital camera. Even without the camera functionality, I would buy this model again in a heartbeat. I was able to take great video of the birth of my first child and many other memorable moments since I got it!
I just received this camcorder and let me tell you this is one hot item.  I have recorded, fast forwarded, and finally i rewinded to test about tape eating.  NO TAPE EATING here.  I have did this test several times and again no tape eating.The quality is great and user friendly.  This is a great camcorder and my only gripe is the large book that came with it.  You will have trouble carring it around in your bag, but other than that no problems yet.Hope this helped and God Loves You!!
Once upon a time this was a great little camera. I have a Sony D8 still humming along without ever eating a tape, and even an ancient Panasonic VHS shoulder boulder that still works perfectly as well as a scary old two-piece VHS camera from 1984, also still working. The Canon DV cam on the other hand did not do as well. It's the newest of the three and definitely the most problematic. The quality of the videos it made was wonderful. However it was always uncomfortably hot when it was running, it ate tapes at one point, and now it is totally dead.TAPE EATINGThe tape eating problem is caused by the rollers becoming stiff and polished and the feed mechanisms and heads getting gummy due to the unusual heat these older Canon DV cams produce. That sort of thing is common with all tape drives after a while. In this particular case I do think this series gets WAY too hot when in use. The tape-eating cameras need a good head cleaning and lubrication, and possibly new feed rollers.100% COMPLETELY DEAD.After searching for answers in the forums I now know there are also many Optura DV cameras throughout the early series which suddenly, unexpectedly died later in life. Mine has also passed on. One day it was fine, we were making a DV movie and having a really nice time, Optura was working happily and things were good. The next day I hooked up my camera to charge the battery and transfer the tape to the computer, and realized it was gone. It passed away quietly some time during the night while it was in its bag. Never has powered up or charged a battery again since.Why? No idea. Forums don't know either. One guy said it required an entire system board replacement. Too much $$ for a camera out of warranty. I charged the battery with an external charger and replaced the 3V lithium clock battery, but no results. Got another power adapter off E-bay but it didn't change anything. After two years of occasionally plugging it in and waiting for a miracle, I dissected the little guy to see if I could find a loose ribbon cable. Nothing. All switches tested perfectly, 9.5V going to the board, all was seemingly right. Apparently a chip somewhere in that mess of little microprocessors fried itself. I'm going to guess it's because of how ridiculously freaking hot this thing gets. There is even a heat warning sticker inside the LCD.Just be aware of these things if you consider getting a used one.
I have worked with professional level Beta units, and prosumer DV cameras such as the Canon XL1. Although the Optura lacks some of their useful features, like zebra striping, it has fantastic image quality that rivals 3-CCD units, in a very compact package.Having the flash is a must to make the still mode useful, if you ever want to use it. Exposure was good and image quality fairly good, considering it is only a 1.3 Mpx image.I have larger hands but I found the camera very comfortable to hold. I have had problems with other Canon gear because I find they design for very small hands compared to Nikon.I have not seen any of the rewinding problems reported in the other review of this product, after about 20 hours of use.My only complaint is that low light performance can be weak. I would be concerned about trying to shoot good video in candlelight conditions (i.e. Thanksgiving Dinner) but those would be tough conditions for any camera. Nor would I ever consider using something like Sony NightShot -- I'm not interested in family video that looks like war footage.A great camera, at a better price point than the comparable Sony PC-110.
A great digital camera-- with a major, major problem. The autofocus (...). Its that simple. I've got a Nikon 990 and a Canon Powershot S100, and I've never had the number of poorly focussed images that I've taken with the G2.The G2 has major advantages-- integration with Canon's flash system being notable, and extremely high resolution, especially in Raw mode; but you will go nuts with the focus.
This is a great camera, with wonderful features.  BUT...The red-eye reduction system does not work.  Instead of flashing twice, as most cameras do, the G2 projects a &quot;bright&quot; beam a light while you focus on your subject.  This beam is not bright enough to constrict the pupils in the first place, and is not wide enough to even hit the pupils in a typical composition.  You have to attempt to flash the beam in the subjects' eyes before taking the picture--very difficult to impossible.For this price, and considering all of the advanced features, I would expect better.  I cannot recommend this camera because of this egregious flaw.Canon G2 Owners: Please complain to Canon if this bothers you--maybe it could be fixed with a software upgrade.
My wife gave me this camera for Christmas (after I dropped a few hints here and there). It's an outstanding camera! Takes great pictures, is easy to use (I was taking pictures within 5 minutes of receiving it), and has more features than I have figured out yet. I would however, suggest getting an additional compactflash memory card. The standard 32MB one is decent, but it only allows you 24 pictures. You can always adjust it to take 54 medium quality pictures which is better than the high quality settings on lower cameras, but it is easy to get spoiled. A camera case is also a good idea as it doesn't come with one, and you'll love it too much to risk it getting damaged.
I bought a G2 a long time ago for almost $500. This is when they were a current model. Had it for many years with zero trouble. Great pictures, great flexibility, great feel. Finally bought a Nikon digital SLR and a Canon digital ELPH camera and stopped using the G2. Sold it n eBay in excellent shape for about $150 a couple of years ago.Bought several other Canon cameras in the meantime including a brace of SD1200IS's, an S3, a A70, and an S60. All nice to very nice cameras.Recently was looking through eBay and noted that G2's had fallen in price so that you got buy full kit G2's for about $50. In other words, free.So I bought one. It is awesome and I am in love with a G2 again. The handling is great, the full controls are great, the images are excellent. It is my favorite camera for when you don't need something tiny.If you want a true semi-pro digital camera for very little money, check out the G2 and it successors. Huge value and performance.
I picked this camera because it received a 9 out of 10 at cnet.com along with the Nikon but this one was rated as more user friendly.  How true.  It has tons of functions I havent used but I was able to point and shoot for a 5 week trip to the UK.  According to my sister, 4 mega pixels is near professional quality (and allows you to blow an image up really large).  I didn't realize this when I bought it.  I just thought 4 would be better than 2.
We "adopted" our Canon Powershot G2 about two months ago-- our verdict so far?  Great camera for the serious digital photographer!  This is our second digital camera...We made the initial switch from our SLR to digital and have never retreated.The Canon G2 is a full-featured digital camera for those of us that love the control you have with a good SLR.  This model has all the manual adjustments for aperature, shutter speed etc., that you might be used to on your film camera.  At the same time, the G2 has many fully automatic settings for simple point and shoot, such as full program mode, macro (close-up), portrait, panarama etc.  In fact, if you are already a Canon SLR owner like us, you'll find many of the same controls you've already grown accustomed to.Features convincing us to purchase this camera over others include a flash hotshoe, rechargeable (in the camera) Lithium Ion battery, a decent sized 32MB Compact Flash Memory card, an excellent quality zoom lens and a really bright, adjustable LCD display.  We also like the ability to switch between various levels of color intensity similar to polarizing and other filters, as well as B&W; and sepia.  There are also settings to adjust for different outdoor and indoor conditions such as flourescent and incandescent light.  There are many more!A big surprise was the digital video recorder with sound.  I thought this would be little better than a toy, but the quality of images and audio were amazing.  Having said that, I wouldn't get this in place of a digital video camera, but if you occasionally like to shoot a few frames of video with sound to throw on a webpage it really comes in handy.So far we really haven't found a lot of downsides on this camera.You should pick up a larger compact flash memory card, but that shouldn't be too big of a deal with prices coming down....We shoot at 1600x1200 allowing us 219 exposures to work with.We also bought an additional Lithium Ion battery.  The Canon uses a proprietary battery charged in the camera.  The battery life is excellent allowing you to constantly use the LCD viewfinder and all features for more than a full day of shooting.  However, if you do happen to drain the battery, you'll be out of luck until you can stop somewhere to plug the camera in for a couple of hours.  Two batteries solve that problem....Availability of an external charger would be nice.  Currently Cannon offers an optional charger to use in your car only.The truth is there are so many features on the G2 that I can't write about them all here.If you are in the market for a high quality, full-featured digital camera as a long term investment, on par with your Nikon, Olympus, or Canon SLR film camera, this is the one to get.
I've had this camera since April 2003, and it has been one of the best electronics purchases that I have made.  I've taken about 5,000 shots with this camera to date, and the image quality with all of them is outstanding, even by today's standards.This camera is capable of producing images up to 11x14 inches without noticeable image grainyness.  The F2.0 lens is superb and produces super sharp images.  The features are fantastic.  The panorama mode is something I use a lot more that I thought I would and produces stunning, seamless panoramas which could easily pass as gallery prints.If you can still find this camera, purchase it!  You will not be sorry.
The G2 was the third digital camera I bought and it immediately made the other two totally obsolete. It's not a conventional 35mm SLR camera but this thing is so close I am still amazed. Picture quality (for a digital) is superb! The battery pack is long-lasting, allowing you to take an endless parade of pictures before needing a recharge (and I have a 256 meg card in mine). The camera has sufficient weight to feel solid but is quite compact. And it's the first digital camera that I've actually had luck with the red-eye reduction feature. The 3X optical zoom is a blessing when you want to zoom in on something and still retain great clarity (digital zoom creates a grainy picture)and I've captured some fascinating pictures with the macro feature that allows you to get in close for detail shots or capturing the small things in the world. The different shooting modes make picture taking nearly fool-proof but the camera is flexible enough to allow you to be &quot;creative&quot; if and when you want to be.The movie feature allows you to capture &quot;mini&quot; movies of 30 second duration. Though the movie picture is small and grainy (compared to its regular shooting modes), it's a great little feature for capturing those spur-of-the-moment things.Improvements I'd like to see are faster focusing, shorter processing time, and shorter start-up time (program load-up) but these things are minor and can be overcome by simply knowing what to expect as I grow more accustomed to the camera's &quot;personality.&quot;Am I happy with the G2?  No.  I'm ecstatic!  It was worth every penny of its price. With its great image clarity, great focusing (though it can be a little tricky at times), and countless little features to explore, the Canon Powershot G2 is a heavenly piece of technology that actually exceeded my expectations quite handsomely. And if you're not very familiar with cameras, don't let all the little extras deter you from enjoying this gem because you can use it like a point-and-click (with focusing) until you're ready to explore its more advanced features.In short, this G2 is a sweet digital camera!
Wow, talk about poor customer service.  I purchased the G2 and when it arrived today and did not work properly I contacted Canon.  They said they would gladly repair the camera but were unwilling to replace it or guarantee a quick turn around.  With a planned trip to the Carribean next week I'm stuck with a non-refundable plane ticket, a defective camera, and a company who could care less about helping solve a problem caused by their defective product.  It seemed reasonable to me that they correct this problem but a supervisor told me that Canon does not replace defective cameras.  I read another posting about Canon's poor customer service but thought it was just a fluke.  I assure you that is not the case.  Even the best companies have defective products, but I was expecting more from Canon in terms of correcting the problem.  Buyer beware!  PS, I hear Nikon and Minolta are very responsive and customer focused.  I plan to return my camera and purchase anything but a Canon.
We purchased this camera to replace an old 35mm Point and shoot Minolta. With the availability of digital print services online and locally, we decided to stop buying film. We started out looking for a &quot;cheap&quot; digital camera. But after weeks of research and 100's of reviews and hands on, we decided on 2 models. The sony dsc85 and canon G2. The canon reviews seemed better and we also liked the compactflash vs. sony stick. It's cheaper and we can use a microdrive. The canon is an excellent camera. The only negative thing we can find is the small LCD. But it more than makes up for it with it's swivel capabilities. Which can protect the LCD when folded away. LCD's can be damaged easily. Most film quality is around 4-5 mp range. And this camera beats out my 35mm SLR and scanner solution by far. I set the camera in the &quot;Program&quot; mode and I can select the type of lighting for indoors. This is great, as most pictures will have a yellow orange tint on most film and digital cameras. I can select Tungsten or flourescentetc. Anyhow, if your looking for a great camera with all the bells and whistles, best battery, photo quality then buy the G2! I can go on and on about the pros of this camera. Hope this review helps out. Also I thought I wouldn't use the digital zoom, but after shooting some test photo's, it's actually very good. The picture isn't as sharp, but it is hardly noticeable.
First let me be clear: I adore this camera! I have no serious complaints, but only a short list that might be useful to others ...1) The viewfinder is very small and difficult to focus. Using the LCD monitor is the obvious alternative, but costs in battery life.2) The ports for the power and USB cables on the camera are tiny, and I wonder how well they will hold up over years of plugging and unplugging (no problems after about three months, but ...)3) Overall, I would like this camera more if it were about 20% larger. I also own a Canon Rebel EOS G, which is slightly larger, and the controls, buttons, hand grips (etc.) are a little more &quot;adult sized&quot; as a result. I think it makes sense to sacrifice the compactness a little on a camera that's as feature-rich as this one.Notwithstanding the above, I love this camera, and would tell anyone considering digital cameras to put this on the short list.
This is not a camera for the "point and shoot" crowd.  It has P&S; capabilities, but this camera is designed for the serious photographer-- the manual controls and creative options are where this camera stands out from the competition.The Canon Powershot G2 4MP packs loads of manual and semiautomatic adjustment and focusing control features into a relatively compact (it's somewhat boxy) and reasonably priced package.In addition to the standard features on would expect-- 4.1 megapixel sensor that creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 8 x 10 and beyond,  3x optical (plus 3.6x digital) zoom lens with autofocus,  a 32 MB CompactFlash card that holds 24 images at default resolution; Microdrive compatibility, USB port connections, etc., the G2 has some unique features, such as a swiveling LCD that allows you to point the screen up, down, sideways-basically in the same direction as the lens, whatever direction that may be.  This is handy for self portraits or when using the remote (which is included with the camera).Two video formats have also been included, allowing for 30 and 120 seconds of moving images with audio. Slow shutter-speed mode allows extended exposures in low-light situations. (A a NTSC cable for connecting to a television set is also included.)Also, the included software package goes beyond standard image processing with a remote capture function that allows complete control and manipulation of the camera functions from your computer keyboard. Canon's Stitch Assist program allows you to combine up to four images into one, seamless, panoramic view.The rechargeable BP-511 lithium-ion battery pack is exceptional.  I got over 340 shots on one charge-just amazing.  The battery and recharger are included with the camera.If heavy use of manual features is your thing-this is your camera.  If "point & shoot" is your thing-get a less expensive camera. With the G2 you'll just be paying for capacity and capabilities you'll never use or appreciate.
About the only thing this camera WON'T do is brush your teeth. I've had this camera 3 weeks now and it is truly amazing. This is my 2nd digital camera and the last one ate batteries to the point I couldn't afford it any longer. This camera keeps going and going and... I took about 250 photos and down loaded them and the battery guage was still showing full. Plus the I set the quality of the photos about 3 steps down from top quality. I could get 54 photos with the 32 MG flash card and I dare a layman to tell the difference between this camera and 35mm SLR.I love it I'm certain in a few years they will put a tooth brush with it.
I got this camera approx April 2002, same camera, but a limited edition that was black and looks more like a traditional 35mm camera.  The camera functions well, and takes good pictures, but if this is your first camera I would look elsewhere.If you are looking at getting into higher level photography however, this might be a good place to start.  It's digital, so you don't have to pay the high costs of developing, and the point and shoot function actually takes really good pictures, so if you are still learning, but see something you want to take a picture of, you can.This camera presents the best of both worlds.  It is simple to use in the plain point-and-shoot mode, but it also has all the bells and whistles of a traditional 35mm camera.  You can choose your own fstop and aperture, and choose to shoot black and white.There is also a neat function in this camera for panoramics.  It comes with a photostiching program, and the camera has a panoramic mode, where the viewscreen shows pictures side by side as you take them so you can ensure you don't miss any of the panorama.  When you take photos in this mode, the camera also labels the files with tags of "_a" "_b" etc, after the file number, so that you know they are part of one panoramic shot.All in all, I have been very pleased with this camera, because I like to take beautiful pictures, but am not a pro and can't justify [the price] for my camera.  This camera gives you all the options you want, and with the largest pixel setting, the photograph you take will print out larger than an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper.***Warning:*** If you plan on taking a lot(more than 50)of the largest size pictures at one time, buy at least one 128 MB memory card.  You will be glad you did.
...This is my first "serious" camera. I researched high and low, and this camera turned a once Olympus repeat customer into a Canon believer. The lens on this camera is very hard to beat. I challenge anyone to find a better lens at this price. If you want better quality you HAVE TO GO SLR!Another major selling point was the rechargeable batteries. DONT BELIEVE THE SALES PEOPLE!! These batteries last FOREVER. I took 2 sets of pictures (122 each) on my new Viking 256MB memory card (purchased from Amazon) with previewing and slide shows in the hotel room ON ONE CHARGE!Try that with a Kodak or Olympus. It's impossible!Buy this camera, or the new G3. You will not be dissapointed!
I bought a G2 almost 10 years ago and it is still going strong.  I recently had to replace the battery (the original) and that prompted me to stop by here and write a review.  It is a 4 Megapixel.  we bought a small camera that can be carried in my wife's purse -- a 14 Megapixel -- and the G2 takes much better pictures.  In fact, it blows the new camera away.I paid top dollar for this camera and it has never let me down.
This camera takes incredible photos and they print awesome with my HP desk jet. Even better when taken into a shop with a good photo printer. I took a picture if a rose after a rain at close range and could see the viens of the rose thru the rain droplets on the rose. It's worth every penny.
I've been using this camera for more than a year and I'm fully satisfied with it. It has small auto focusing problem in the certain conditions, but it doesn't happen often.
Prior to purchasing this camera, I was not the most avid photographer...taking a few shots here or there on my 35mm. This camera has been so much fun to use that I've been taking it everywhere.  I consider myself to be quite the amateur photographer, and some of the reviewers here have stated if you want a point and shoot your money is wasted on this camera whose features can do so much more. I'm here to say that even if you are looking to buy a digital camera for point & shoot purposes, but are thinking about expanding your photography skills, get this!  I spent several months researching cameras, and this camera has been a dream come true. It is completely easy to operate right out of the box....so if you have been apprehensive about learning the tricks of digital photography like I have...no worries...the manual is easy to use and very user friendly. The greatest feature of this camera is the rotating LCD display. Self-portraits are quite easy, and when you are using the handy remote control to take shots of yourself with friends, you can zoom in based on what you see on the display. I have been having tons of fun taking black and white & sepia pictures, and experimenting with the exposure settings. A great companion to this camera is the "Shortguide to Using the Powershot G2", which I purchased through Amazon....it is extremely helpful to the amateur photographer who would like to learn more about taking advantage of some of the more complex features of the camera.  I purchased a 128MB Viking card with the camera & a carrying case; the 32MB card that comes with the camera does not hold that many pictures.  Also, as many of the other reviewers have noted....the battery life on this camera is fantastic! That was one concern I had about purchasing a digital camera....Canon has exceeded my expectations with this camera completely.
I bought this camera in early 2003 when the camera was to be discontinued and sold around $400. I am mostly a happy user of this camera.Pros:1. Excellent lens, very bright (F2.0) which make shooting indoor without flash a possiblity.2. Good resolution. 4MP is enough even today.3. Great photography control, more F stops, great range of shutter speed which you won't see in most consumer level digital cameras. This means you can shoot a wide range of objects under many different environment, without compromised quality.4. Better looking than successors like G3, G5.Cons:1. Relatively lousy battery life using the bundled battery2. Slow startup time. This sometimes becomes intolerable when you want a fast shot.3. Hard to get CF card out of the camera.4. ISO 400 speed gives noisy image quality. However this is the issue with most consumer digital cameras.
In general this is a very nice camera with lots of goodies and quite foolproof for even a beginner.  Lots of functions, good optics and high resolution, all give it high marks.On the downside, the camera has a serious speed problem. If you're used to the typical 35mm SLR, this is not the camera for you.  The time it requires to focus (a couple of seconds!?) as well as the time it takes it to 'save' (probably about 5-10 seconds with the color monitor open) an image and ready itself for the next one all but guarantee lack spontaneity in picture taking.  A moving toddler, a pet, virtually any unstaged snapshot are usually ruined due to the camera's slow reaction time.The software that accompanies the camera has goods and bads as well.  While it offers all the capabilities one would want, it is cumbersome and immature as a product - or rather a medley of products thrown together and forced to talk to each other.  Yes, you can adjust nearly any parameter you might want, touch up pictures, make photo albums, etc. But try just clicking on the print button to print one single picture out - it is infuriating. Page after page of dialogs, repetitively asking for the same information, often in uncomprehensible ways.  At the end, that single 4x6 picture you wanted printed on a 4x6 paper ends up in the wrong orientation, parts of a head cut off and parts of the paper left white.  Ouch!
I've used my Powershot G2 for about a year now and love it.  The picture quality is superb.  I also consider the G2's support for an external flash a must in a digital camera.  This wonderful 4-megapixel camera works very well with the SpeedLight 420EX.  And you will be able to print out 8 x 10 photos that show remarkable detail.  Enjoy!
I received the Canon Power Shot G2 as a 21st birthday gift from my husband. I've fallen in love with it in the short three weeks I've had it. From its self-timer to video recording capabilities, the features on the camera are outstanding! The picture quality is clear and gorgeous. I feel like a professional when I use the Canon Power Shot G2.Another very important thing is the battery is very strong and stays charged for a very long time.  This camera is a must have for the digital picture people out there!
I looked at the high end digital camera's and for the quality this certainly fit the price. It has all the advanced features I was looking for without the really expensive price tag. The quality of the photographs are great, I also bought a very nice color printer made for photographs, they don't look quite as good as 35MM but they are pretty good and once in my photo album people don't notice.
Canon G2 makes a good camera for its picture qualityfor more advanced user but not for ordinary userwhen taking a picture.  First, Canon G2 ( I think all series camera coming from Canon) is not truly plug &amp; play camera. It requires its own driver &amp; utility software to display and manage pictures. It took me a whole night to get software installed &amp; connect to G2 with a lot of frustration.  It's unique driver and utility program make your camera can only be downloaded or uploaded to your computer not other' computers if you don't carry Canon's utility CD-ROM with you which means you can only share pictures with friend on small LCD screen when traveling around not on their computer unless a computer is equipped with Memory card reader.  Not like Sony's  USB is truely plug &amp; play, in minutes your camera is reay to read &amp; write like a  portable drive, it accepts in every computer, and you simply just do the copy or cut and paste like whatever you would do at your window desktop, and it acts like memory card reader.  Of cause you can move or store any file you want.Second, my own frustrate experience.  I was shocked when I saw the picture, some were taken at 2272x1704 scale and some were taken at 1024x768 scale in slow shutter.  It looks perfect on 2272x1704, but it also looks awful on 1024x768 scale pictures in slow shutter.  Everything in 1024x768 scale pictures looks blurry with low resolution, for example like waterfall.  Actually all moving persons in picture is like ghost, you can't even recognize their face with movement on the picture.  Wait! These pictures were taken from my wedding party! Thanks Canon for its advanced technology to make this nightmare happens!!  Hope it would not happen on yours folks who would ever think to buy this camera.  I then did some investigation on these awful pictures with provided information, the picture shows it was set on landscape mode which is on a dial next to the auto mode.Then I realized if you set your camera to to auto mode then press menu the setting is 2272x1704 which is corrected setting, but then if you switch the dial to lanscap mode or protrait mode and press the menu button, it shows other setting for 1027 x768 which is not corrected setting.  Why it would go for different setting??? I have no idea ( it may be set as default).  You should know how it happens to the picture when your friend mistakenly turns the dial to landscape mode, also thanks Canon its advanced technology  kicking me back to Sony brand.
This is an easily-to-use camera combining the power to select specific shooting modes as in quality 35mm cameras, but also allowing the user to simply point-and-shoot.  Allows you to save your specific 'settings' even when others use point-and-shoot mode.  Love the panorama, and splice software.
I'll keep it short; this is a great camera and yeilds excelent pictures.  It is easy to use in the &quot;point &amp; shoot&quot; modes but also alows for flexibility if you want to go manual and get creative.The photos look every bit as good as film in a 5 x 7 format (considering that you use a good imaging equipment).  This says it all....  We took our photos down to the local photo shop to have them re=printed on high quality paper and the guy who owns the shop said that these were the best digital photos he's ever seen.  He asked my wife to give him the make and model number so he could check out the camera more.
I have been using a Powershot S10 for the past 1 1/2 years.  I was totally amazed at the features of the G2.  I was preparing to upgrade to the G1, but I'm really glad I waited.The weight of the camera is pretty good.  I notice that it is more sensitive to camera shake and advises you so you can take better pictures.  I have noticed that it is more finicky in this area and requires you to make sure that you hold the camera steady.  I have tried using the camera in M (Manual Exposure) mode and there are so many more things to control for a much better shot!  I have tried using a Lexarmedia 48MB 8x CF card and a Sandisk 128MB.  No speed improvements for the 8X card.Coming from the S10 (Ni-MH battery) this 511 battery lasts so much longer!  Excellent battery life!All in all I find this camera to have great design and great features!  I intend on getting a LOEWPRO camera bag.  I noticed that some parts of the camera can scratch easily.
This review is largely taken from an online review of digital photography in general, and the iBook/iPhoto and Canon G2 in particular. The review is part of my personal/hobby ....I've been using the G2 fairly intensively for about 2 months. I use it in close combination with my iBook and iPhoto, together with GraphicConverter. I have some amateur photography expertise and a good amount of computing expertise.Overall I am very pleased with my experience, but I can say with certainty (and surprise) that we are still quite early in the digital phtography age. As excellent as this product is, there is vast room for improvement in both the G2 and in digital photography in general. The good news is that even in its current immature state it's worth doing.Pros and Cons follow:Pro: Shutter lag is tolerable if one can get focus lockCon: Focusing. The camera is often very slow to obtain focus lock. This means one presses the #!% shutter button and nothing happens. Manual focus is very clumsy (dismal) and hard to use, so the focus lock problem is serious and sometimes infuriating.Pro:Good optics.Con: Doomed optics. Uninspiring lens assembly design, silly device for attaching lenses and filters.Pro: RAW FormatCon: RAW Format: secret specifications, poor quality OS X versions of proprietary softwarePro: Solid, made in Japan. Relatively large lens allows some available light photography.Con: Big and heavy.Pro: LCD view panelCon: The worst optical viewfinder ever made for any camera.Pro: AC adapter brick not too heavy/bulky.Con: Flimsy cover for camera power/USB connections. AC Adapter clearly has a mismatched plug/cord that tends to fall out.Pro: Programmed settings.Con: Inability to save personalized settings.Pro: Macro featurePro: CF II supportCon: Bundled OS X software is incomplete or of poor quality; Canon refuses to share information with alternative developers. On the other hand the Windows software (installed on Win2K) is even lower quality, with major apps that simply didn't work.Pro: No SLR vibration, so decent photos at slow shutter speeds!Con: Artificial shutter sound is way too loud, even at the quietest setting. Inexplicable! Need an optical cue that a picture was taken as well as a much quieter shutter sound.Pro: Rapid shoot works well (disable flash)Con: Can't use exposure lock feature if display is turned off.Pro: Can use external flash.Con: Flash exposures are often poor. One gets correct exposure only between about 6 and 12 feet away, otherwise pictures with the built-in flash are either under or over exposed.Con: The camera will power down while images are being transferred to a laptop, even when the camera is plugged in. With JPG images I can transfer about 25 before this happens. If you use Canon's software you get a warning dialog from the software, but if you use iPhoto it simply gives an error message and an empty .jpg file is created. Need to disable auto-off during those transfers.Con: Automatic white balance is unreliable in daylight. Fails to recognize overcast light, must set this manually or images will be overly blue.Digital Problems (all contenders, not just the G2)- Shutter lag (time required from squeezing shutter to acquiring image)- Lithium battery has poor performance at low temperature.- CCD is "slow", about ISO 50-100. Can "push" to higher speeds, but more "noise" (unless super cool). Shutter speeds are slow.- Limited dynamic range and color discrimination.- Standards for image metadata and properties of camera are not well standardized and existing standards are not well supported.- Getting color right across output media is so complex people make a good living as consultants doing this.
I have had this camera for more than a year and I am just now getting to write a review. Which means I have had much time and practice to test this camera.This camera is very much in the middle and by that I don't mean just ok. It is not to hot and it is not too cold, it is "just right!" It has features and manual controls for those who like to manipulate their shots, but in the same respect if you are used to just snapping a picture with one button and letting the camera do the work, then this camera is for you too! The image quality is great! You can buy accessories and extra lenses for it just like those hot shots with expensive film cameras! I have 3 lenses and two filtering lenses(polarizing and UV filter.) One of my extra lenses is a macro lens which really is wonderful. Which brings me to the point that the camera's macro capabilities are wonderful as is! If you don't know what macro means, I can take a picture of those unsightly pores it gets so close. I have taken some wonderful nature photographs with the macro. I love up-close, detailed pics. This camera has a little bit of everything but not too much it is overwhelming. If you want to use it, it is there and if you don't keep it on automatic! The best part is that there have been two cameras in the "G" line that have been introduced since the G2 but they aren't as good as this one(in my opinion.) So the price has dropped dramatically you can get one for less than 300 if you know where to look.I just cannot stress enough how much this camera has been in service to me. I never even used a regular film camera before I got this camera because I never had the money to get a really good one. Sure I took the occasional pic with my aunt's point and shoot film camera at Christmas, but that wasn't much fun. When I got this camera I just experimented and took soooooooo many pictures. I am really enjoying photography. I guess the reason I never got interested in photography before was the expense of film and then developing, as well as not being sure the pictures were even any good until you got them back from the drug store. With this camera you just look at the shots and if they stink you delete them and take another shot. No wasted film! IF you don't have a printer at home then you can easily take them to Walgreens or upload them to Walmart's site and get prints from your digi pics. So simple.I have experimented with many consumer valued digital cameras when I took my photography class last year( which was the reason I bought this camera) and let me tell you, it was the best in the class. We had Kodak and Olympus and so many other brands and they all stunk compared to mine. Olympus C something was pretty comparable but still not as good as my G2. I would recommend this camera to the new aspiring photographer as well as to the family photographer who wants to capture all the good things. I am sure once we become professional photographers we will have a SLR digital camera but for anyone less than a professional who is actually getting paid for their pictures, this is the best quality at the best price. When printed on photo quality paper my digital pictures are as good as if not better than other film photographer's pictures. I have been told my shots are good enough to be in National Geographic! Have fun with this joyful contraption.
This camera has everything that my 35mm has plus all of the digital-features you could hope for and more! All of the features are ergonomically placed in all of the right places for accessing features on the fly, such as the zoom, or switching between different modes.  The quality of the pictures are what will blow you away!  The images seem to burst out of the screen they are so crisp and clear!  4 megs is definitely worth the extra $100 - 200!!  Canon, in my opinion, is among the very best in digital photography companies.  They were quick to answer a question I had when I called their customer service.One thing I was disappointed about when I received my new G2 was that it was quite large and heavy.  I had never seen it in person before I ordered it (which is my own fault) but I now believe that if I did, I might have opted for the sleeker S40 which is almost have the weight and has a retractable lens.  But as long as you know what you're getting, then the G2 is the best camera as far as features are concerned.  The other gripe I have is the focusing.  When you line up the shot and look at the lcd screen to see how well you are in focus before shooting, it does NOT accurately show if the shot is in focus or not.  The actual picture you shoot will turn out GREAT, but you don't know that until you actually have taken the picture.  That is quite a substantial limitation for a semi-pro/pro who needs to know instantly if the shot is going to be in focus or not.Bottom line is that if you want a high-quality 4 meg digital camera, then this is the camera for you.  Just beware that you won't be able to carry it around in your shirt pocket like some other digicams! ...
For an older camera it still competes with the newer ones. It was fully loaded for its day. I bought it because you can operate it with a battery powered remote control. I use it as a back up camera or when I want to be in a picture.
I've hesitated making the switch to digital photography because of the stories I've heard about batteries that last 15 minutes before going dead, about the fact that you have to spend hundreds of dollars on storage media (provided that you don't have a laptop computer to immediately download photos) and talk from professional photographers that film is still where it is at if you want high quality shots.The Canon G2 has changed all those perceptions completely.  It is a great camera and I have taken probably close to 600 pictures since I got it less than a month ago. Of those, I've been able to immediately delete one-third of those pictures because of things I didn't like with lighting, closed eyes, etc.  This is something I couldn't do with my SLR camera and thus I will eventually save a lot of money in film developing costs and I will have better quality images.The pictures are incredible.  I compared similar pictures I took with my Canon Elan 7E 35MM SLR (a great camera in its own right) and my Canon G2 digital camera and I think the quality of the latter pictures is better.  Combined with the savings on film and developing and time saved by not having to scan pictures for editing in Photoshop, etc., the choice of going digital is easy.I do recommend that if you get this camera and intend to take indoor shots to get an external flash unit in Canon's EX series.  The flash that comes with the camera gives me significant "green eye" when I took pictures of my dogs (a common problem when taking pictures of pets even with film), even with the red-eye reduction activated, but the bounce flash ability of my Canon 380EX Speedlite reduces this problem significantly (the 420EX is the newest in the Speedlite line).Battery life is also not a problem.  I bought two additional batteries when I bought my camera based on the concerns voiced earlier about short life, but even after 600 shots, I am still working off my initial charge.  Granted that almost all my shots were indoors so I'm not sure how much drain there will be due to elements, but I have also taken them with the monitor, so battery life is pretty good.  You probably might want to get a second battery just to be on the safe side.Compact flash cards still can be pricey, but deals can be found where you might be able to get them for a good price and these prices will no doubt come down over time.  Viking Components compact flash cards are very good and fairly inexpensive compared to other brands.  I also think a cheap laptop or an image storage unit whereby you can store the images from the compact flash cards would be a good investment as well, especially if you plan to travel ...The Canon G2 is a great camera for the semi-serious photographer.  Grab one while you can!
After many helpful reviews off the NET and hands on testing in many stores - I am very happy with this product. So easy to use. The build quality is top notch, performace is very quick when taking pictiures and reviewing them PLUS the controls are so intutive. Images are razor sharp!Camera also comes with a little remote cntrol!!!!!Sell your old stuf and get this one!! You won't be dissapointed!
I've had my Canon G2 for four years and it still takes simply Gorgeous pictures. People ask me if my pictures on the wall was from a studio. I tell them I shot them with my Canon. Crisp and super clear pictures. Easy to use. The best find!!  Love it!!!!! Even when you enlarge to 10x15. The clarity is still perfect...
I did a lot of looking and when all was said and done, this is the camera for a novice like me, and a pro like my friend who is a photographer by profession. He put up with my fear of the G2 being too high tech, and as soon as he played with the G2, in a store, he told me that it was the one for me and for him too.The Auto mode is perfect for 95% of my pictures and that is great as I am still learning the enhancements that are in the G2. The battery life is unbelievable and with the 126MB card, that Amazon.com had at a great discount, I can take 250+ pictures in the 2nd resolution setting. The manuals, camera and software, are great and it is nice having them as an individual and not all in one, much easier to work with. The pictures are excellent and the swing out viewfinder is just something you need to see to believe. It makes everything much easier, expecially viewing and editing the pictures. Take it from a novice this is the camera to grow into, but while growing, get lots and lots of use. It is pure enjoyment, and every one loves the picture quality....
The Canon PowerShot G2 is a little smaller than the PowerShot S1 IS, which I have. The G2 can take half-minute, low-res/low-quality sound movie clips. Generally, photos by the G2 are not as grainy (especially dark colors) than the S1 IS, but not because it has 0.8 more MP.Based on my experience, chromatic aberration was often lower on the G2, but can still come out somewhat fuzzy in some situations, e.g. not suited for professional photography. For example, taking a picture of a table you are to include in a sell sheet for a brochure, the nameplate was unattractively hard to read. Overall, the G series IMO was very fast like a point-and-shoot.It is not compact enough to fit in an average pocket. The lens cap fit more securely than on the S1 IS.I would highly recommend this camera if high-quality family, outdoor, etc. photos are your ticket, even if the camera does not have RAW mode. Some G series have RAW mode. (Sorry, I did not check to see if the G2 has it.)By the way, regardless of lighting conditions, the G2 did very well. The S1 IS can take decent photos in low lighting as well, but focusing during movies was a challenge, especially indoors.My only complaint about the G2 is it takes a lithium battery pack, unlike the S series that takes four AA batteries. Either way though, the battery life is very good, that and the camera will work for many years if proper care is heeded.Pros:Photo quality: 5/5Battery life: 5/5Durability: 5/5Shelf life: 5/5 (in this instance)Con:Movie quality: 1/5 (common for a camera in its day)Five stars on this one, Canon!
After working with this camera at the store at which I am employed, I have come to the conclusion that all around, this is the best high-end consumer grade digital camera.  There are several ways in which this camera comes out on top over the cameras made by its competitors.More than likely, the camera people will compare this to is the Nikon Coolpix 995--at least these are the two cameras most people narrow it down to.  Each camera offers things that the other doesn't, but I find the Canon is superior in several ways.1.  The Canon is *far* more user friendly.  The controls are laid out in a way that makes them easy to find.  SLR users that are converting from film to digital will find the switch to be a little easier with the Canon.  One thing I don't like about the Nikon is the way manual control works; hold down this button, move this switch, push down that button while moving that switch, etc etc.  Way too complicated for the average consumer.  On the Canon it's a breeze.  Switch the control to &quot;M&quot; and the 4-way pad on the back up the camera controls aperture and shutter speed.  That's it.2.  The Canon uses an anti-reflective coating on the screen.  Nikon and Olympus *still* don't do that with their consumer grade cameras.  The anti-reflective coating helps heaps when you're out in the sun, where the screens on most other cameras get faded out and are impossible to see.3.  The rechargable battery that comes with the Canon lasts far longer than other camera batteries (i.e. AA's or the rechargables Nikon uses).  You could easily get over 200 shots from a single battery, with the LCD screen on.4.  The software package the Canon comes with blows away what Nikon and Olympus give you.  Adobe Photoshop--the standard in the graphics industry.5.  The Canon comes with a 32 megabyte card, which is 2x what most manufacturers ship the camera with.6.  Two words -- hot shoe.  Right on the camera.  Who wants to carry around a bulky flash bracket when you can buy a camera that a standard flash attaches right to?If you've read reviews from computer magazines or from digital camera websites, you'll see that the Canon gets consistently high reviews.  In a recent review, the G2 was rated #1 over the Coolpix 995, which the reviewers claimed produced pictures which weren't quite as sharp as the ones from the G2.  I've been waiting to buy a digital camera.  When I have the means, I am very confident this is the one I'll go with.
The G2 is my third digital camera, and the first that lets me control images the way I'm used to with film camera. WIth multiple programs as well as full manual override, I can pretty much do anything with the G2 that I can with any of my 35mm cameras, so long as I don't intend to enlarge the images too much. For web work it's fantastic, and for prints up to 8x10 it's pretty darn good. Decent 11x14s are possible if you pick your subjects carefully.It's not perfect by any means. The in-camera charger is a pain to use, and the batteries and auto charger are very expensive. The focal range of the lens is equivalent to a 35-105 in 35mm, which is not as wide as I'd like to go (I use my 24mm lens a lot in 35!). But aftermarket batteries and chargers are available, as are aftermarket accessory lenses. I've found good deals in both by hunting around on a web a bit.And the plusses far outweigh the negatives. The swivelling monitor  is one of the best designs I've seen on a digital camera. The IR remote allows me to take photos with the hamera held 6' over my head on a monopod. The manual control makes astrophotography possible. And so on.For the price, I think it's one of the best deals in 4 Mpixel cameras. Automatic enough for the newcomer, yet with all the manual flexibility a pro might want. I'm happy with my choice.
I absolutely do not understand why this camera ( G2) has received a few poor customer reviews.To date I have shot maybe 500 or 600 pics and somewhere around 25 to 30 two minute movies. Now I admit the movies at best are only a nice feature, and you shouldnt expect great resolution, but the movie feature is what it is, a perk! Don't expect great resulation with the movie feature, its just a fun featureWhat the G2 gives you is out standing pics. I mean absolutely out standing pictures!!  With the G2's built in AC battery charger I have had ZERO low battery problems. ( I also own a Olympus 380 and I know that digital cameras can go through batterys like geese goes through oats!!) With the G2 I have taken 200 pics, reviewed every pic, and on the same charge also shot 4 or 5 two minute movie clips, and had battery to spare.I also bought a 512 meg memory card. At the G2's lowest resoultion I can store 5200 pics (thats five thousand two hundred), at the higest compression and resolution, 280 pics, and maybe 6 two minute movies.We just finished seven days in Hawaii, probably shoot 240 outstanding pics, and 8 two minute movies. Thats the equivelence of 10 rools of film!!  After we returned home I downloaded 50 of the 240 pics, to walmart.com. The entire cost was 17.80 including freight. All of the pics were 35 mm quality. six of the 50 I had blown up to 8X10's. If you are still using a film camera .....STOP!!!I guess by now you have figured out that I am a G2 fan.  Oh by the way today is Christmas.  I shot another 144 pics, and 12 two minute movies, I am still on the same charge and the pics were GREAT!!!
Try'm I did, 5 different digital cameras, and ended up with the Canon G2.  2, 3.3, 3.9, 4, 5 mega pixal, I tried 'emOh I did keep 1 of the other 5, the Nikon 995, primarly for the extra wide angle lens, and the extra focal length of the telephoto. And besides after all these years (a Nikon Man) I can't jump ship at this stage of life.I do believe though that when I jump back into this thing w/both feet it will be the Canon EOS D60Oh the G2 ain't in any matter of the e-magination perfect, but ask youself, what is?But give'em credit there trying.
I bought this camera about two weeks ago. It takes awesome pictures. All of my friends, and family members are amazed at the results of the picutures that I've taken with my baby (Power Shot G2).Before buying this, I had a lot of options including Olympus 4050, Nikon 4500, & all of those other cameras in the market, but I'll tell you what? Its the Best, period.
There is something about this camera, and its hard to say what exactly, that makes it a joy to use and its owners fiercely loyal.  I bought the black body in a kit that came with a sporty real leather wrap-around case and a 96Mb compact flash card to go along with the 32Mb card the camera body came with.  This was a great deal at only about fifty dollars over the normal camera price.To begin with, the camera looks and handles like a classic camera, which is what none of the other 4 or 5 megapixel cameras can boast, with the exception of the Leica Digilux 1.  It has heft and controls which please the eyes and fingers of dyed in the wool 35mm photographers like myself.Secondly, it delivers on image quality.  Check the stats from the photography magazines and online camera reviews.  The G2 comes out on top every time in its category, period.  Sharpness, color accuracy, and contrast are all excellent.Thirdly, Canon delivers superb software with their product.  Zoombrowser EX is a well thought-out program that allows the user to group, sort, modify, print or show slides of images with ease.  It also coordinates well with Adobe Photoshop (a full version of which Canon also supplies!).Lastly, there are the little things that make a photographer happy if they are present in a digital camera and sad if they are absent.  Happily they are all present in the G2:  long, long battery life; excellently sharp and fast autofocus; accurate evaluative metering; manual override of autofocus; manual exposure control; the ability to add filters and other lenses (close-up, wide angle and tele); the truly wonderful swiveling LCD screen; and the ability to attach an accessory flash.Is this camera perfect?  Of course not, but I think it is the closest thing to an instant classic the digital world has come up with and will still be used by its happy adherents when its contemporaries have hit the ash can long ago.I am a faithful Nikon 35mm camera buff (using the F5 and N80 bodies extensively), but I crossed the line on this one baby! Check out all the reviews of its competitors.  None of them compare.
This camera is absolutely wonderful.  The 4 mega-pixel images look great both when viewed on a PC and when printed (I use a Canon S900).  Several of the other reviewers note that this camera takes better photos then their SLR cameras.  Obviously the interchangeable lenses of a SLR give you more creative options, but for basic medium-range pictures I would agree with the other reviewers - the Canon G2 seems to get the job done as well if not better.The battery life is great.  I did find the 32MB memory card to be a bit small for day trips - after a few weeks I ordered a 128MB CompactFlash card from Amazon.com and have never again run out room.One of the main features that distinguishes this camera from cheaper 4 MP cameras is the ability to control depth of field (amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in focus) and the perception of motion (are moving objects blurred or frozen).  If you have no interest in this, you can just use the G2 in fully automatic mode.  If you have any interest in this, the G2 comes with the usual pre-set modes (e.g., Landscape mode - when selected the camera sets the average optimal settings for a landscape and you yourself don't need to know what they are).  If you have a lot of experience with this, the G2 can give you full manual control.  If you're not interested in controlling the aperture and shutter speed than this camera will still take beautiful pictures but this camera might be more (and more expensive) than you need.Anyone thinking about this camera should also look at the Canon G3, which is slightly thinner and has a little bit longer of an optical zoom (4x versus 3x).  I've looked at the G3 and tried it out, but just recently ended up ordering another G2 to give as a gift.  The G2 is a great camera at a great price.
Right out of the box (after I charged the battery) the camera takes great pictures.  Start by using the auto mode and then you can gradually experiment with the varied settings.  Don't worry, you won't waste &quot;film&quot;!  After taking my first photos, I connected the camera to my iBook and it automatically popped up on my desktop and transfered the photos to iPhoto. It's not inexpensive but worth the $ because it won't be outmoded next year like some of the low rez cameras.
The Canon PowerShot G2 is, hands down, the finest compact, high-end, amateur/professional digital camera on the market today.  Together with the lens adapter, the teleconverter (1.5x) and wide-angle lens available, it simply can't be beat.  Before I purchased this camera I spent several hours personally comparing it to every other 3+ megapixel camera currently on the market, and there is simply no comparison with any other.  I would not pretend to compare this camera to the Canon EOS D30 and the even newer D30x with it's use of interchangeable, incomparable EF lenses, but photography, not simply digital photography just leaped another millennium with Canon's improvements over the 1-year old PowerShot G1.The Product Review and other personal review at this site have provided you more of the technical aspects of this jewel, so I will spare any repetition--except to say that the ability to use my 550EX flash normally used with my Canon EOS-3 and 1v is not only teriffic but a great money saver.Don't be fooled by the stylish looks of other digitals--not that they are slackards by any means (such as the Dimage 7), but it's performance, although outstanding, seems elementary alongside the G2.ENOUGH SAID!
This is the kind of camera that is a joy to use and explore. I have been using this along with a Digital SLR for about 3-4 years now and it still works great. I must have shot over 10000 shots using this camera with most shots being exceptional. The lens is fantastic, build is rugged, battery life is exceptional. This is a classic camera worth keeping for many years. For an avid photographer, the Powershot 'G' series is a good camera to have along with an SLR.
Having recently purchased this camera after owning a 1.2MP camera for 3 years, I really didn't know what to expect.  Pictures of similar quality, only larger?  The ability to print large photo's without pixellation?What I didn't expect was not just larger pictures and larger prints, but absolutely superb images from almost every shot.  I have been impressed to the point that the thousands of other photo's I took, many of which I was very proud of, now look dull and almost comical by comparison.This is a fantastic camera, with a myriad of customization controls and super point-and-shoot capability.  If you want to play with the manual controls, fine, they are available, and really broaden your photographic repertoire.  If you don't, using the Auto mode, I've found, will produce a perfect shot in almost every situation.  My old camera had a problem, like a lot of older digicams, in low light situations.  Not so the G2, which will take a shot in almost complete darkness and render a decent, if not lovely, image.  With dim indoor lighting, the camera just takes beautiful pictures, completely unimpeded by the ambient light.The amount of detail, even incidental detail captured, is incredible.  One of the first shots I took in RAW mode was of the area overlooking my neighborhood, with the tops of houses in the foreground.  Looking at this same picture on the computer, I noticed what I thought was a dead pixel or two up in the corner of the sky. I zoomed in on that area, and zoomed in several more times to about 50X magnification, and lo and behold I had captured a fighter jet passing over our area!  I didn't even see (or hear) this jet when I took the photo, but the camera captured it in incredible detail.In another case, I shot a photo of the night sky, with several stars and what I knew as the planet Saturn in the frame (I also like astronomy).  Fair enough, when I looked at the picture on my monitor I did see the dots of light surrounded by blackness.  However, zooming in on captured twinkle of Saturn, I actually was able to resolve the rings at high magnification, something I have never been able to do with the naked eye!  Pretty amazing.There are a few cons;  the camera is heavy enough that I'm loathe to use one hand when shooting, as I could with my other camera.  You just don't want to drop it.  The screw-on lens cap is a nice touch to protect the lens, but couldn't they have figured out a way for the lens to unscrew itself and pop the lens cap when powered on?  I hate having to unscrew it every time.  In addition, in very bright sunlight, this camera tended to overexpose in Auto mode.  You should learn the different settings to make your shooting effective under these conditions.  I should also mention that this camera is not kind if you have a blemish or scars or any other item you usually find unnoticeable in other photo's.  The high pixel count gives you a very very large and sharp amount of detail, and you may find yourself wishing you had washed your face after the marinara if you are not careful.Although not a "con" per se, but worth mentioning, is that the G2's Jpeg files are very large, the RAW mode files even larger on average (although not as large as TIFF - thanks Canon)!  In just a few weeks of ownership, and a few hundred photo's, I managed to gather enough pictures to fill two 700MB CDR's.  This is more than I have filled in three years in the highest quality mode on my trusty old 1.2MP camera.  Be forwarned - you will have to archive much more often.If you are considering this camera, I cannot recommend it enough.  You would not regret buying one, even at the almost 800 dollar price.
This is my first Canon camera and now I know what Canon fans have been raving about all these years. This is a well-built, well-designed, and well-executed digital camera. It certainly is intended for a advanced user or &quot;prosumer,&quot; but I believe it can also serve as a good camera for a beginner who knows he or she will advance in skill.Most beginners buy a point and shoot camera and then upgrade to something more expensive if they &quot;get into&quot; photography. The G2 can work as a point and shooter. It has a fully automatic setting. And the pictures it takes are extraordinary. At 4 megapixels, they are as good as any amatuer user will ever need given the capability of home printers.As you grow in confidence, and want to experiment with adjustments to shutter speeds, ISO, manual focus, etc., etc., it is all here and organized in a logical and accessible manner. The camera will even take short movies, though I doubt that feature is any more needed than the snapshot feature on digital camcorders.You need to hold this camera to really appreciate how well built it is. So many digital cameras look and feel &quot;cheap&quot; even if they cost multiple hundreds of dollars. The G2 is solid and attractive.I particularly enjoy the innovative LCD screen which flips out and rotates like those on camcorders. It also flips completely over for self-portraits (very convenient with the wireless remote) and can be turned toward the camera and snapped into place to protect the LCD from scratches while transporting.I researched several cameras before I purchased the Canon G2. I don't regret my choice in the slightest. The G2 is more expensive than some, but it is so versatile that I expect I will actually save money because I can't think of a thing I might need as my skills advance that this camera won't provide.
I've had my G2 for about 3 weeks and (thanks to a Big Event) had the opportunity to pump several hundred images into it over a four day period. Once I got used to it, I found it to be a very satisfying replacement for other cameras I've used (SLRs, digital video as replacement for still camera, point and shoot compacts).I especially enjoy taking candids in available light, and this is the first compact camera I've used that actually lets me do this effectively. This is because I have reliable control over the flash and I can review pictures taken in questionable light to see if they worked or not.I also used the G2 on a tripod to make a photographic copy of a large family oil painting, and the results were about what I'd expect from typical 35mm film in the hands of a casual user. I used the &quot;remote capture&quot; mode with a laptop, and must say that this mode works, but not as smoothly as you might expect.When using available light, I admit I'm disappointed that the ISO setting maxes out at 400, but in my experience that's usually been enough, especially with an f2.0 lens, and the G2 can generally provide f2.0 (though you lose that maximum opening at longer focal lengths). The G2 gamely tries to take pictures even when the light is a bit too low, and it simply tries to warn you to hold the camera extra-steady.The low-light picture results were comparable to what I achieved with film - some sharp, some blurry, some grainy, often depending on the quality of the lighting. The level of detail I achieved in my JPEGs was comparable to what I'd seen under similar conditions with a good film camera.I often ran the G2 in &quot;slow motor drive&quot; mode since this would allow you to take several pictures in a row. Otherwise the camera would pause dramatically between shots as it pushed the previous image onto the compact flash card. In a sense, this was the biggest adjustment I had to make to this camera -- its computer would occasionally go off and do things, leaving the camera insensible to my need to take a picture, and I'd have to wait a second or two for it to catch up with me. The motor drive mode helped minimize this problem.Of course, the digital camera, and the G2 in particular, carries benefits that were only fantasies in the world of film. I installed a 256K CF card, and the thing held HUNDREDS of pictures! And even though I overused the motor drive setting, I could go back and discard the less interesting pictures WITHOUT WASTING FILM. So by the end of my 4-day event, I had already edited out many of the less promising pictures I'd taken.Another G2 shortcoming is that there's no way to change the orientation of a picture stored on the CF card. Even if you tell the camera which way to orient a picture (there's a menu entry), you lose that information if you simply copy the picture off of the CF card. I found that surprising. (For that matter, today's smart camera ought to sense which way is up, and store the image appropriately.)In closing, let me comment on battery usage. I bought a second battery and didn't start using it till the THIRD DAY of shooting! Note that I mostly relied on the viewfinder, and rarely used the flash. But I regularly used the LCD to review and edit the pictures I'd taken. I never plugged in the camera during the entire four days, since I'd already charged up the other battery. So you can push A LOT of pictures through a single battery charge.Plusses: the benefits of digital technology, film-like resolution, lots of control, a relatively fast lens, a usable viewfinder, awesome battery life.Minuses: ISO tops off at 400, the camera's computer can be slow, and you must use separate editing software to orient pictures. But I suspect the G2 is comparable, if not better, than most other digital cameras in these respects.
I have taken more than 500 pictures with tihs camera. Indoor pictures come out great but 90% of the outdoor pictures with people in it come out fuzzy in auto mode. Has anyone else seen this problem?
One week and I'm infatuated with the capabilities, ease of use and the remarkable images possible with this 4 megapixel wonder.  This is my first digital camera purchase and based one what I saw in the G1, which was very close for me, I purchased sight unseen the G2.  The layout is extremely intuitive, so much so that my wife, who has never handled a digital camera, was able to access the playback mode and erase ... pictures I'd taken her.  Features I like:  The rotating LCD screen which allows the camera to be used from any position.  Navigating through the many features available is a snap with the rotating mode dial.  Snap mode is like infinity focus, good for those street shots.  The shutter is responsive, and there is no lag between what you see and what you shoot.  I tried this by pointing camera out window and waiting for a car to enter window frame.  When car doing 35-40 mph was fully in narrow window frame, I snapped, and captured exactly what I saw.  You can select either 0, 2 or 10 sec. review mode, depending on how fast you want to shoot.  Pictures are very sharp, color is accurate and it is wildly easy to use. Manual focus capabilities.  Five resolution modes including a RAW format of 2272 x 1704, which equals a 7.5" x 5.5" image at 300dpi, the minimum for hi-res, magazine and book reproduction.  (8" x 10" image at max res. is 228 dpi without resampling). Software for PC and Mac is effortless and includes Photoshop LE.  Very efficient and no bugs.  A few nitpicks are:  It is a handful.  The charge and USB port door isn't the sturdiest.  The startup music has to go.  Software takes up lots of MBs.  Learning camera, but so far so very, very good.UPDATE: November 16, 2003.I still have this camera.  The 2nd week I owned camera -see above for date - I received a magazine assignment.  Hauling out the film gear, I suddenly realized - I could use the G2!  I purchased an adaptor - SafeSync - to protect circuits and reduce the voltage of high powered Norman strobes to 6 volts.  Adaptor fits in G2 hotshoe.  It may have seemed a little odd to the CEO when he strolled up to my elaborate lighting setup and I whipped out this little camera, but the shoot was successful and paid for the camera. Since then have done many many assignments with this camera and just last week used it for a shoot for the Wall St. Journal.  Why haven't I upgraded?  Because I haven't had a need to.  This is truly an amazing camera.
I am a long-time digital camera user, having owned a Kodak DC-265 (which I gave away only recently) and a Sony Mavica CD1000 (which I still use for its excellent 10x optical zoom). Until recently, I also owned a wonderful 35mm Canon EOS Rebel 2000 film camera with grip extender and a Canon Speedlite flash (which works with both the EOS and the Powershot G2 -- one reason I bought the G2!). I'm in love with digital since most of my work ends up on my wildtexas.com website or emailed to family and friends.I own a 1 gigabyte IBM Microdrive (Compact Flash II) and one of my criterion for purchasing a new digicam was that it supported this format, since I have many different Compact Flash media thanks to my years in digital photography and my interest in Pocket PC PDAs. Since this is a 4 megapixel camera, I'd recommend at *least* a 128 MB CompactFlash card or greater.When my G2 arrived in the mail, I was very pleasantly surprised to discover it was such a sturdy little camera -- heavier than I imagined, but stronger as well. One of the things I dislike about my Mavica is it's so big and bulky -- awkward to hold. The G2, in contrast, is smooth, streamlined and solid in a built-to-last kind of way. I took photos with it at an airshow recently, using the ingenious flip-around viewscreen as I shot the camera over my head (due to crowd obstructions). While the camera got heavy in my hand over time, it let me take shots I would never have been able to manage with my Mavica -- and the videos, while not feature-film worthy were perfect for web use and sharing with friends (the sound recorded is particularly good!)One caveat, and this is for all camera owners (both digital and 35mm) -- buy a good camera case to protect your investment! Lowe Pro bags are perfect for folks who spend a lot of time outdoors, like I do, since many of their bags have attached Gore-Tex rain hoods. The G2 fits perfectly in the Lowe Pro D-Res 30 bag I own, with plenty of room to spare for accessories.The battery life is superb. As an example, I went to the airshow with my Mavica CD1000 and my Powershot G2 fully charged. After taking 15 second videos and some stills for about 30 minutes, my Mavica's battery died. I then switched exclusively to shooting with my G2, and it lasted not only for the 4 more hours we were at the airshow, but also through an entire additional day of off-and-on usage; it still had juice in it when I decided it was a good time to start recharging in, in preparation for our next outing. It's a digital photographers and webmaster's dream come true!I highly recommend getting the largest storage card you can afford and shooting all your images in RAW mode. While this makes downloads to your computer take longer, it ensures you have the HIGHEST quality digital images possible, giving you maxiumum opportunities to do things like get big reprints from a pro lab. With my Microdrive and all RAW images, plus video clips, I still never worry about how much memory I have left.Another bonus of the G2 being so solidly built is I have much less worries about my delicate Microdrive getting harmed when in the camera as I used to when the drive lived in my PDA. The Microdrive is well protected in the G2's body, versus being relatively exposed (with just a flimsy plastic cover) when I used it in my PDA. There's even a CF card eject button, thus eliminating the fear of Microdrive owners far and wide about harming their cards when removing them.Fantastic camera for a worthy price!
If you sort the reviews already available here by "Most Helpful", you'll notice that the technical features that made Powershot series a pain in the rear of Nikon/FujiFilm/Olympus are already well documented.The bundled ancillaries (software, maintenance stuff etc) is unarguably the best on the market, period, the support for IBM's 1 GB microdrive (which Nikon did not have until recently), the hot shoe being right on the camera, the superb CanonScan software that makes it a cinch to get your snaps on your machine even for tech-phobic folk, the sturdier heavier body of the camera that makes it easier to balance,  CP-10 card photo printer support, the new vivid color mode, the wireless remote control, the plethora of compatible flashes (Speedlite 220EX, 380EX, 420EX,  and 550EX to be precise), the possibility of recording videos WITH sound up to 120 seconds, or 30 seconds in a larger frame size (Nikon wannabes note...until recently, Nikon did not support sound in videos) ...etc etc.Yes, all of this is outstanding and even if you don't get most of it, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED eventually after you have used and discovered your G2 Powershot for while, when you find out why Canon was the best choice you could have made!HOWEVER, amidst the celebration of all this doohickey one thing we often neglect to consider is the quality of the pictures themselves -- isn't THAT the main purpose of a camera, digital or otherwise? All the convenience in handling, maintaining and uploading wouldn't be worth jack if the pictures themselves looked better with another camera!And in this important department of "quality", I have always wanted to compare G2 and Nikon's top comparable options (specifically 995, 4300 and 5700) because these are the only two brands that'll give you near-pro functionality and quality at consumer prices (apologies to FinePix/Olympus owners).I had the luxury recently of trekking with friends who own Nikons 4300 and 995 respectively. Pretty much the ONLY thing I've found Nikon-freaks mentioning since the release of G2 is the oh-so-exalted Nikor lens because Canon beats Nikon hands-down in pretty much every other department as noted above. Me and my 2 friends are all more or less at a similar level of expertise with photography, none professional. But all have owned and worked with our camera for a while and read the manuals thin.Here is what I believe after head-to-head comparisons, your mileage may vary --OUTDOOR PICTURES IN BRIGHT LIGHT:Canon's colors were more real. Clarity is good with all 3 cameras but Nikon seemed a little reddish to me.PICTURES IN LOW LIGHTING (INDOOR OR NIGHT PICTURES):This is where Canon where truly leave you in "shock and awe" (sorry for the choice of words). I was stunned with some of Canon's ultra-realistic  pictures when only a candle was on in a room for example.FIGURES/FACES OF PEOPLE:Unfortunately, even with a lot of tweaking, Nikon is just simply better at faces of people for some reason. Canon is too, er, "real"? We agreed that with Nikon ...the colors, shades, contours of the same face can be made to look a little better than with Canon -- and I am excluding software based trickery of course.DEFAULT MODE:If you opt to use only the default modes in Canon and Nikon, then Nikon will win in terms of photo quality. Canon provides excellent detail and clarity, but the default mode has the now notorious "white specks" or dotted edges. This is easily taken care of with some adjustment (read the manual).ALL IN ALL: I feel Canon's results are more "honest". It just captures the reality in every sense-- colors, the range of what your eyes see etc. This usually means it is better for me, but if my pictures were going to be mainly of people I would also give the Nikons a good look.Otherwise, Canon G2 Powershot is the best there is. Even better than the new G3 (for now).
I am very pleased with this camera. It takes great pictures and gives you as much control over the picture as you need. It's very easy to use, whether your a novice or a more seasoned photographer.I gave it a four instead of five for two reasons. The first is the lack of an external charger. The battery for this camera can only be charged in the camera. This makes having two batteries less useful since you can't charge one while using the other. Unless of course you want to spend even more money on the external charger. The second reason is when using the extension for use with filters and other lenses you can get a very bad shadow in the lower right hand corner of the picture from the extension. Of course, there is a way to correct this, purchase an external flash for the camera, which it can use. ... This is less of an issue than the first, but I have found it to be a problem on more than one occasion.One last thing; if your looking for a camera for Astrophotography, digital is NOT the way to go. Stick with 35mm SLR cameras. You can't get the exposures necessary for good astrophotography with digital cameras. The technology just isn't there yet.Good luck and enjoy the camera, if you purchase it. You won't regret it, I sure don't.
I owned a G2 for over 6 months.  After taking over 4,200 pictures, I am still amazed by what this camera can do.  I use this for my wedding photography business and my clients are all very happy with the prints from the G2.  The picture quality is excellent, I printed many 8X10 photos and seen many jaws dropped when I told them that is from a digital camera.If you are serious about indoor photography, an external flash is a must.  The Canon 420EX is an excellent companion to the G2.The G2 is not perfect, there is room for improvement.  The G2 could use a better and faster low light focusing system.  The manual focus could be made better with a focusing ring.  Faster shutter response time would be nice too.  Overall, the G2 is an excellent camera that I would recommend.  If you want a simple point and shoot, the G2 might be an overkill.  However, if you are an amaturer photographer, this is the camera for you.
This is a camera for everyone.  Simple operation, ample accessories and extra features usually offered on only much more expenxive cameras.-- Can be used with or without viewfinder.-- 4.0 MP provides miraculous images!-- Movie mode for 30 second clips is fabulous.-- Easy data transfer to PC.-- Self-photo timer is fabulous!-- Excellent value.-- Compact Flash Media format is so easy to use, not to mention convenient!In conclusion, there is not a better digital camera on the market, at any price!
I like my Canon G2's &quot;stealth mode.&quot;  Its f/2 lens shoots in low light without a flash.  Other digital cameras have an f/2.8 lens, requiring twice the light.  Plus the viewscreen flips out and rotates.  I can put the camera on the floor, against a wall, on a glass on a table, etc. allowing me to shoot at slow shutter speeds without a tripod. And because I'm not holding the camera to my eye, subjects don't realize I'm shooting pictures.  Lastly, the camera is completely silent.  Candid shots vs. posed pictures look completely different.  Posed, people make faces, stick out their tongues, etc.  Or they refuse to let me take pictures.  In contrast, in candid shots people look natural.Then after I take the pictures, everyone wants to look at the pictures. This makes you popular at parties. Even the people who said they hate pictures of themselves want to look through the shots, and they love the pictures!  I feel like saying, &quot;Duh, if you stick out your tongue and scrunch up your face when you pose for a photo, you'll hate the pictures of yourself!&quot;After using the Canon G2 you become aware of how obtrusive other cameras are: flashes going off, the loud snap of a 35mm camera, etc.I also like the video mode. It takes pretty good 30-second videos, with sound. And, again, people don't react the way they react to someone shoving a video camcorder in their face. They ignore the little camcorder, and then are delighted to watch the video.I like the &quot;continuous&quot; or &quot;motor drive&quot; mode, which takes up to 2.5 frames per second. For sports this is essential. For portraits it's useful: you tell the subject to smile, and you get a dozen shots to pick from, of every stage of the smile.The &quot;macro&quot; mode makes close-ups of little things easy.I also like that shooting hundreds of photos is free! The battery has never run out, and recharges quickly. But my 256MB card is too small. I'm upgrading to a 1GB card. As you learn to use this camera, you'll find yourself shooting far more pictures than you did with other cameras.I've used my G2 heavily for almost a year, and it has never broken down.My complaints about the G2:- The &quot;AUTO&quot; and &quot;P&quot; modes should not be used.  These set the shutter speed at 1/640th of a second.  This is much faster than is necessary, diminishing your depth of field, using the flash unnecessarily, etc. Instead, I taped a reminder to the back of my camera, saying to use aperture priority at f/2 and 400 ISO in very low light, aperture priority at f/2 and ISO &quot;AUTO&quot; (50 to 100) in low light, shutter priority at 1/125 and ISO &quot;AUTO&quot; in medium light; and aperture priority at f/8 and ISO 50 in bright light.- The &quot;auto&quot; white balance should also be avoided.  It often looks bad, often very bad. The manual settings (sunlight, tungsten, etc.) are easy to use and look great. I never need to use the manual white balance.- Using autofocus and autoexposure result in a half-second lag between pressing the shutter release and taking the picture. You can get around this by using the &quot;continuous&quot; mode, or using manual settings.- The G2's 34-104mm lens is adequate for 95% of my shooting, but there are times I've wanted a longer telephoto lens.- 4 megapixels isn't as good as a pro 35mm camera. For 95% of my shooting it's adequate, but sometimes I wish I had 5 or 6 megapixels.- 400 ISO is adequate for 95% of my shooting, but sometimes I've wanted more film speed.All in all, the G2 does 95% of what the &quot;pro&quot; cameras do, and does lots of things the pro cameras don't do -- such as not being obtrusive, or too heavy to carry around. Weighing these pros and cons, I'd take my G2 over the &quot;pro&quot; SLRs.--Thomas David Kehoe, author of &quot;Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships&quot;
Canon PowerShot G2 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical ZoomI bought the black Powershot G2, however the features on this triple-tone champagne beige colored case are the same.This is an amazing camera.  I've shot flower and jewelry closeups that compete favorably with higher megapixel models.  Clarity is exellent, ease of use very good.  This is a semi-pro model that would be a great choice for a beginner or a more advanced photographer.The zoom lens and auto-focus does an amazing job both outdoors in natural light or in a photo cube.Download is fast and simple, and there are a variety of formats supported.Comes with a re-chargeable lithium ion battery.A fully molded hand grip eliminates problems encountered with earlier models.  Featured is an extending 3x, F2.0 - F2.5 'Zoom Lens', evaluative center-weighted spot metering, 3 selectable focus areas and 10-bit RAW mode.  Comes with a 32MB compact flash card, but add a 2, 4 or 8GB card and you're good to go ... anywhere.Highly recommended.
The Canon G2 gives amazing color.  Get a good canon printer like the i950 and you'll get amazing prints.  It does black and white very well and gives great bright colors in landscape photos.  My only real complaint is it's super slow.  I upgraded from the Toshiba M4 2.1 megapixel camera and I honestly wish that I'd kept it too.  The Toshiba, while three years older than the canon caught better candid shots. I find that when using my Canon I cannot capture good candids of people or animals, it's so slow that the subject moves before it records the scene.  Super slow.  It hesitates all of the time and the red eye flash alerts your subject that you are there, totally ruining the picture.  I'm either looking at buying a Canon 10D or buying back my old M4 for now.
This is the first digital camera I have purchased.  After reseaching the digital camera field for about 3 months, I decided on the Canon Powershoot G2.  I am extremely pleased with its performance.  I never thought a digital camera could rival a 35mm SLR camera, but the Canon excedes most if not all of the attributes of a photochromatic paper camera.  Though the camera is midsized, it is packed with so many features that it is perfect for those photographers who what the versatility of a full sized SLR but do not want to lug around a briefcase full of camera equipment.  Some of its standout features include a LCD screen that swings out like a camcorder and folds away with the screen towards the camera body, thus protecting it from the eventual scratch; and Compactflash II card compatibility enabling high image storage, which you will need with the camera set at its highest 4 megapixel resolution.  A 32MG Smartmedia card will not suffice with a 4.0 megapixel camera.You will not be disappointed with this camera.  I highly recommend it.
I've had my Canon Powershot G2 4MP Digital Camera for about 3 months now and I am completely in love.  This is my 3rd Digital Camera and I think I will be using this camera for years to come.  This camera package includes the beautiful 4.0 Mega-pixel Canon PowerShot G2 camera, 32MB CompactFlash card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, AC Adapter, wireless remote control, neck strap, lens cap w/strap, USB cable, A/V cable along with software and manual.4 Megapixel settings on the camera allows you to take pictures that look just as a good as a traditional 35 mm high quality camera.  The camera can be set to 4 different resolutions with a maximum resolution of 2272 x 1704 and the minimum resolution of 640 x 480.  You can store the images captured in JPEG or RAW format, which is better than the traditional TIFF format.  Canon does include software that will allow you to convert the RAW format.The camera accepts both Type I and Type II CompactFlash memory cards. A 32MB card is included which will allow for about 10-15 pictures in the highest resolution setting.  I instantly sprang for a SanDisk 256 MB CompactFlash Card and the Sandisk Imagemate CompactFlash Card Reader (SDDR-31) to download the pictures from the card directly vs. using the camera's USB connector.  The camera is also microdrive compatible, but I haven't had an opportunity to try that yet.  The prices for 1 GB microdrives are around $300.00 which makes it a really attractive accessory for this camera.The 3x optical zoom lens gives you a 35mm equivalent focal length of 34 to 102mm.  Another thing I love about this camera is the tilt-and-swivel LCD that's included.  The LCD twits around completely that will allow you to take some of the over-the-head, backwards, impossible shots.  One of the best features about this camera is its battery consumption or the lack thereof.  I took over 200 pictures indoors with flash in one sitting and I still had plenty of juice left into the battery.  I could have shot for another 2 hours, but I ran out of CF cards.  The G2 also has a full TTL hot-shoe built onto the top of the camera to add another flash.  The bottom of the camera includes a tripod mount.The true camera geeks will be happy with all the possible exposure modes available on the camera.  Starting with the automatic exposure mode to complete granular control that the SLR provides, this camera will make everyone happy.  The scene exposure modes allow for presets to take portraits, pan-focus, landscape, and night-scene.  If you get this camera, you have to try to use the included Photo Stitch software to take those truly breathtaking panoramic pictures.In conclusion, this is a great camera that will give you years of great service and take fabulous pictures.  The only complaint I would have about this camera was the connectivity on my XP computer.  The camera includes a USB cable and software that is supposed to allow you to download the pictures from the camera directly, but I was getting some weird connectivity errors.  Since I already had the Sandisk CF card reader, I never tried to get this connectivity working.  But a lot of other people have this working and so this shouldn't be an issue for anyone.
Just a great digital camera!  I did lots of research before buying and have been very impressed.  This camera has lived up to every expectation.  It takes phenomenal photos.  Whether printed by Ofoto or on your own printer, you can't find any flaws, even up to 16x20.  The images are crystal clear.  No grain as in regular cameras.  I've owned Canon 35mm cameras for years and love the quality.  This is no exception.  It does take a little while to learn how to use, but nothing prohibitive.  The photo stitch feature in the supplied software is awesome.  All you do is select the pictures and the software does the rest.  I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this.  I have friends who have Fuji's and Nikon's in this price range and they are very jealous of the quality of images generated with the G2.
Hace poco tiempo compre dos camaras de este modelo, FinePix A101, y la verdad que ha resultado un buena compra a un precio justo.Si bien es cierto que no posee caracter&iacute;sticas t&eacute;cnicas extraordinarias, tiene ciertas ventajas, como el tiempo que se tarda en bajar las fotos, el cual es sumamente r&aacute;pido. Adem&aacute;s, el tama&ntilde;o de la camara es conveniente para llevarla a cualquier parte, y con respecto al gasto en baterias, no es tan grande como pensaba, de acuerdo a otros comentarios de usuarios. Si se tienen bater&iacute;as recargables &eacute;stas durar&aacute;n un buen tiempo.En general, para el precio de esta c&aacute;mara no se puede pedir m&aacute;s.
I've taken about 140 pictures, but only saved about 70 of 'em.  Its fun and easy to use.  The pictures it takes looks very clean and the color is magnificent.  (...) The auto mode works great for most conditions and the 4 other settings are very easy to use and navigate.  This camera will only hold about 12 pictures in 'Fine' mode on the 8mb card that it comes with--so get a 64mb card.. it'll hold 101 images which is more than enough for most people.  Also purchase some good rechargeable batteries.  I got a rapid charger + 4 batteries for around 40 bucks and it works great with the digital camera.  The alkalines that the camera came with only lasted about 25 shots before the camera shut down.  I used a battery tester to see how strong the batteries were and they were near full strength.  I tried using Costco brand Kirkland Signature AA Alkalines, but the green led in the back would merely light up then and quickly fade away.  Too weak to power the camera.  Great Camera with pretty good resolution.  I only wish there was an Optical zoom, but what do you expect from a sub $(...) camera?
This was a good camera at the time I bought it, which was about two years ago.  Now I realize that I need to buy a new one.  The camera itself takes moderately good pictures but that's about the only positive side to it.  When you want to look at the pictures you've taken on the screen, it's a huge battery waster.  My biggest pet peeve is the time it takes to 'reload' after taking a picture.  It's an ok camera if you just want to try one out.. but it's no good if you're an avid photo taker.
I was looking for a decent but cheap camera & since this one was cheap I bought it.  It gave bright, clear pictures and I had no trouble loading them onto the pc.  Later, I decided to return it & get an even cheaper camera that had the same 1.3 megapixels.  What a difference.  The other camera took blurry pictures & not nearly as brigtht & colorful.  I took it back & exchanged it for this model again & have been happy ever since.  Yes - the batteries do go bad quick but the previous reviews offer good advice that I have heeded: buy a charger/renew batteries; don't use the lcd whenever possible. I didn't get the a/c adaptor cord because I figured the battery charger with 2 sets of battereis was all I needed.  The idea was to stay cheap.  Plus if I sell this camera later, the charger will always be good for other items, while the ac adaptor would go with the camera.
I bought the Kodak DC 3200 and sold it because it over exposed pictures that where too close. The Fuji FinePix A101 is by far one of the finest camera's. It is very small and fits in your pocket compared to other cheaper brands that are bulky and large.The LCD screen looks choppy in dim light but trust me the pictures although look choppy in the display they are excellently clear and sharp when you display them on your PC. The over exposure problem I had with the Kodak from the flash with pictures taken at close range is now a thing of the past. The A101 takes pictures up close and although they may seem over exposed in the LCD they are premium quality when you view them on your PC.I would recommend this camera to anyone. I've even suggested it to family members telling them that I would buy it from them if they did not like it. I'm that sure that you will like it. This is most certainly not a camera for a professional or expert user. I would rate this camera a beginner to novice user level.
This camera seems to have it all for a sub-200 model!  Although I am not a novice digital photographer, I am not a professional -- nor do I want to be.  I wanted a camera that would take nice pictures of friends, family and the occasional scenery shot that could be printed out or uploaded.  The Fujifilm 1.3 does this well, and prints very nice photos at photo size (I do 4x6, 5x7).The selling points (besides the price) are as follows:  1) its very small -- making it easy to take with you in a pocket, 2) it works on both my Mac OS X and Win 98/ME PC via USB -- essentially plug-n-play, 3) it takes great daylight pictures, 4) it doesn't eat batteries if you don't use the display mode -- ie: operating it like a normal camera using a viewfinder. I have not filled up the 8 MB card that came with the camera yet, although I haven't tried very hard (maybe a max of 20 photos on fine resolution in a sitting). Because I download to a laptop, I don't really need to spend additional money for a bigger card. I've also dropped it a few times, without affecting performance, so its a pretty sturdy little camera.The only issue I have with the camera is that there is a learning curve for most of the features that may cause you to lose good photo opportunities at first.  You have to read the manual to know how the display works, and how to set the camera for different sorts of lighting schemes. I blurred a few photos because I didn't realize the macro switch had turned on while it was in my bag, and didn't discover this until later when I downloaded them. I haven't quite mastered the various flash settings and took a low-light, indoor shot from about 8 feet away that isn't great. If I were to put some time in learning the display functions, rather that setting it on "auto" and using the viewfinder all the time, I might become quicker at changing the settings for different lighting situations. As it is now, the camera is fine for my uses, and I can usually brighten the "mistakes" in Photoshop.
I've had this camera for a couple years now, and I'm still quite pleased with it.  At it's prime, it was one of the smallest cameras around.  However, that size does come with a price.  IE, lack of features.  There is no zoom(only 2x digital, and can only be used in VGA mode) fixed focus, and very few manual settings.  However, the camera still is quite good.Pictures are pretty good.  If you have ample light, they are wonderful.  If it's dim, you get yellowish colors.  This can usally be somewhat corrected with software.The one major problem i've had with mine is the selector swith is giving out.  Many times as I'm composing a shot, it'll flip back to preview mode.  People might also have problems finding cards now of days, as it uses Smart Media cards(NOT Smart Digital)All in all, a great point and shoot camera.  Great if you don't have time to fiddle with focusing and such...
I bought this camera for my girlfriend - she's never used a digital camera before and she had no probs with it at all. I've used many different models and the A101 is one of the most intuitive to use, and the photos look good. Perhaps not the best camera available, but it's damn good value for the money.We haven't tried the Fuji software (we've got photoshop, iMovie, etc. so we're not interested in the Fuji stuff) but with the USB connection it just plugs into our Mac and mounts on the desktop as a disc - easy as pie - just copy the images to the computer and that's it. Words of warning - don't try to trash the files on the camera through your computer - crash!On the downside, it eats batteries like mad (it only uses two, not the typical four) and the optional digital camera accesory kit is not worth the money and in my case the rechargable batteries and charger were faulty.
This is a great little camera.  It's very small and portable, it's easy to use, and it takes a pretty good picture.  What it lacks in fancy functions it makes up for in its fun, simple form.  I'm not a professional photographer so I don't care what the "f-stop" is doing, I just want to be able to take pictures of stuff and look at them on my PC.The software is pretty good, and pretty easy to install or uninstall.  I used it on Windows Millennium with surprising success, but Windows 2000 seems to detect when the camera is connected to the USB cable more reliably.  As far as the functionality of the FinePix software, it's pretty basic, but once again, I don't think I'll be doing a lot of editing; most of the pictures turn out looking pretty good to me.The memory that comes with the camera is pretty wimpy; you can get a 128MB card very reasonably and have tons of room for jpegs and mpegs.  Even though it's pretty easy on batteries, a stock of rechargeables is a good idea.
This seems like a decent camera for the money (if I could just get it to talk to my computer), but I have had a bear of a time trying to get the USB drivers to load correctly.  I found the Fuji documentation and web site to be dissappointing with regard to troubleshoting for this problem.  I fear I may have to return the camera since I've already put hours of my personal time into the driver problem -- I've used many digital cameras and this is the first time I've had this much trouble just getting the drivers properly installed!
...it drains batteries.  I've taken about 10 pics and on my 3rd set of batteries.  Apparently, when I used it as a PC cam for about 10 minutes, the batteries ran out.  I suggest ordering rechargeable batteries and an AC power cord.I still haven't figured out how to download the pics from the camera to the computer.  I'll try when the cord comes in.  Batteries are getting expensive.
I bought this camera six months ago and I take it everywhere with me. The picture quality is good for near distances, though the limit of the resolution will show up when photographing a distant object. I also use the camera for taking short videos. Check out ... for short videos of Leapfest 2002 - a parachute comptetion.I found it helpful to buy several 64mb smartmedia cards, and for [$$$], pick up a usb card reader. It works with both my laptop and desktop computers, so you do not have to worry about using up your batteries or buying an ac adapter to transfer the images and video. Beware of cheap smart media though - I had a 64mb PNY card quit after just two uses. The Fuji card I bought has worked constantly for 6 months and a couple thousand pictures.
This is our first digital camera. The camera is great, and the pictures are wonderful, but the speed it kills the batteries is insane! We went though the batteries that came with it in less than 20 minutes, and then it chomped down a new pair of Alkaline AA's in less than 5 minutes and we could not download our pictures from it fast enough.We just purchased a set of NI-MH rechargeable AA's and hopefully that will help solve the problem.This cameras software works great on our Macintosh and its very user friendly. The camera is very basic and simple to use.Overall, I think it was a good value so I gave it 4 stars.It would have 5 stars if it could use its batteries more efficiently.
On it's own, this camera is strictly average.  Add the price into the equation, and this is a GREAT camera.  If you are strictly into standard photos, I really don't think you can beat this camera.  It even has a lot of extra features that I frankly don't need.  The AC Adapter is a MUST.  Like all digital cameras, it eats batteries with a ravenous appetite.
I bought this camera because I like Fuji. Their cameras have good color.This is about their first digital so it's really a bargain today. The pictures are good. The lens gets covered up when the camera is turned off.It takes two AA batteries so that's good. The Smartmedia are also cheap enough.The camera is quick because it has a fixed focus so you just turn it on and shoot. Its small enough to fit in a large pocket. I highly recommendthis camera as a first camera or a camera to just keep in the tool box orpurse or backpack and not have to worry about. It's also a good camera for a child since it was good quality in its day it's still good now at a bargain price. If you need more resolution opt for the A201.
This is a very nice and affordable digital camera.  As for my experience with the battery life, If you don't use the display, the battery life is pretty good.  I do recomend rechargable batteries and a power adapter.  Use the power adapter ESPICALLY when you hook the camera up to a PC or use the video mode.  I still have not tried the web cam function, but if it's like the other features, functions of this camera, it will be very nice.My ONLY complaint with this camera is the self-timer.  Once you set the self-timer and take a picture, you have to set the self-timer again if you want to take another picture using the self-timer function.  I have owned another digital camera (Polaroid) and while the pictures it took are NOT as good as this camera (FujiFilm).  The Polaroid camera had a self-timer setting that would stay on while you took as many self-timed pictures as you wanted to, then all you did was to turn off the self-timer function and go about your business.OVERALL I do recomend this camera to EVERYONE!
I LOVE this camera! I have owned it for almost 2 years now and use it all the time. Last Christmas I thought I wanted to upgrade so I bought a 3 megapixel Kodak camera and ended up returning it because it wasn't as good as my 1.3 megapixel Fuji. This camera takes wonderful macro pictures which is essential if you sell online, the Kodak took lousy macro pictures. The Kodak also did this weird double flash thing so when I tried to take pictures of my cats I always got them with their eyes closed. I have no trouble at all with my Fuji. One flash and you've got the picture. I tell you, If I ever did decide to upgrade it would definitely be a Fuji.The pictures from this camera are fabulous! I use it for e-mail pictures, prints, and online auction pictures. It's great for all of those. When I got my camera I had in mind to mostly use it for auction pictures but it turned out to be even more useful than that. I take tons of pictures of friends, family, and my pets. Then I e-mail pictures to those friends and family. I also make prints (sometimes through an online / store service sometimes at home with the printer) for scrapbboking and they very good. I will admit that if you look really close they aren't as good as prints from a film camera, but I find the convenience of the digital worth it.All in all, if you only have about $100 to spend on a digital camera I HIGHLY recommend this one!!!
I have owned several 1 megapixel cameras before. And so far this one is the best.  It gets good battery life compared to other cameras.  The people that complained about battery life have obviously not tried the competition. This camera also takes good pictures, is easy to use, easy to download pictures to computer, and this camera is very small!  Not quite as small as the Canon Elph, but close! and for less than half the price.  The only negative about this camera,  is problems with indoor pictures.  Without fail, at least half of my indoor pictures have random white spots in them.  They range from pinhead to quarter sized and are randomly placed throughout the picture.  I called Fuji and they said it was normal and it was caused by the flash reflecting off of dust and airborne particles.  They told me it happens to a lot of digital cameras.  I have owned several digital cameras, and so far this is the only one that has done this.  Upon further research, I found an article linking this problem with the distance of the flash to the lens.  As you can see from the A101's picture, they are only a few millimeters apart on this camera.  The problem is so bad, that now I take 4 pictures of everything so I can make sure once will not have white spots in it.  I guess in the end, you always get what you pay for.
The description of the product was mis leading in the description of the memory card.  The cam. Itself had no transfer cable.
This was the first digital camera I got, and it is a great starter camera for someone switching over from analog film cameras to digital, especially considering the price.  It is simple, easy to use, and takes reasonably good pictures, again, considering the low price.  For basic needs it is pretty good.  Don't look for advanced features and the resolution quality of the pictures is only so-so, especially as technology improves the quality of digital cameras.  Still, for a novice or beginner, this is a great camera!
This little camera is a masterpiece of modern technology, combining efficiency with simplicity.  Although not &quot;top of the line&quot;, it's a breeze to set up and use, with enough features to satisfy all but advanced digital photographers.Key advantages over other cameras include: (1) Astonishing colour, (2) Super fast recovery (when using NiMH batteries), (3) WebCam capabilities, (4) Drag'n'Drop functionality, using the camera itself as a drive.The only real disadvantage would be the lack of optical zoom, but I guess that you get what you pay for...
I bought this camera new ...through a camera store in New York ...It really is quick to recover between shots. And the pictures are beautiful.However, the software is AWFUL, bad to install, doesn't give you any choices on anything, but works, more or less, if you can get it installed.  The controls on this lightweight little camera are not overly intuitive, either.  And if you're using regular batteries and want preview mode on, carry a lot of spares. I've heard the rechargeables are much better, but I haven't tried them yet.The flash is about what I would expect from a camera in this price range.  It's good for pictures within about a 10 foot range.All the negatives asides, the picture clarity and color is outstanding and I would buy the same camera again in a heartbeat.  The zoom features (once you figure them out) are really remarkable for a camera in this price range.  I would recommend this camera at this price to a family member or any amateur photographer who wants to take quality pictures.
I got this camera as an extra with my Dell lap top about six months back.  I have been very happy with the quality of shots and have found the digital zoom useful.I would definitely recommend getting rechargeable batteries for this camera.  You may also want to consider a separate smart media card reader for downloading your pictures to your PC.  I have had several instances where my batteries ran out while I was downloading the camera.
Nice, basic camera for a newbie or kid to get started with. These are no longer made, but there might still be some new ones & plenty of used ones floating around out there.I've updated this review in Dec. 2009 & the camera still works well.BEWARE: Uses obsolete SmartMedia memory cards, which are difficult to find (unless you order online). Yet for all these cards' obsolesence,their prices haven't come down.If you buy one, used or new, make sure its memory card contains at least 16 MB of memory. That should allow one to get about 50 pictures out of it when it's @ default settings.Disadvantages: no zoom function; steep learning curve if one has never used a digital camera before; must use rechargable batteries unless you want to spend a fortune on regular AA batteries; time it takes to green-light between shots is long -- not good if you're taking action shots.
If you are looking for a simple camera this is a good one. It's easy to useand the pictures are decent. Just remember it's dated and it uses Smartmedia cards.There is no zoom.
I bought this camera in march and by day 2 while turning it broke.... I had a whole problem with it.I dont recommend it when you have children because its really flimsy..... DONT BUY IT.
I bought this camera one day before vacation on a whim.  I had wanted a digital camera but had not done any investigation.  I was able to use the camera after reading the quick start instructions and got some great shots I could email to friends when I returned.  It was lightweight and fit into my pocket as well as my budget.I am sure I will learn more as I go along.  I would recommend you get a larger Smart Card right away especially if you are going on vacation.  I really like the fact that you can use regular AA batteries you can pick up anywhere. I sometimes had trouble reading the screen but think it was just the glare of outside. The 20 second video part was an added plus I had not planned on getting.
This is a very fine camera. I wish it were a little cheaper, but it has lived up to the price in the image quality and softwear usability. It was the first USB camera that would work on my computer (a slighty older USB socket model). The photos are clear and sharp. You can zoom and, what is not mentioned, pan around the image on the camera via the very clear LCD monitor. It will take all the SmartCard media sizes (which was a problem with a previous digital camera I had. It only took one size). So image capacity is great. The compact size (and it is a small one) makes it real easy to tote and use (watch those fingers). Even for someone starting out in digital photography, you can't go wrong with this one. I do wish the &quot;movie&quot; feature could increase in time with the larger storage mediums, however. Thanks FujiFilm.
i have had this camera for about a week now. so far, ive been completely satisfied with it. however, when i first got it and hooked it up to my PC, the darn software wasnt able to read my pics. i could see them on the lcd screen, but for some reason the software wasnt reading it.. specifically it said the file was 'broken or an invalid format.' that kind of perplexed me. but i just took out the media card and put it right back in and WHAM.. software was all gravy from there. also, this camera does not come with rechargeable batteries, which is a real bummer! i solved that by picking up 48 AA generic kirkland signature brand batters from my neighborhood costco! the price is also a bit steep compared to other web merchants. i searched around a lot on the web for this camera and found it for a bit cheaper.. but with shipping and if you had bought a 32mb memory card as opposed to amazon throwing in free shipping AND a free 32 MB card, amazon turned out to only be a few dollars more, and who wouldnt pay a few bucks extra for great service from the trusty jeff bezos! =) the positives with this camera.. lightweight, quick to reload after taking pic, 20 second movie (mpeg) capability, easy to use, lots of options to mess around with, small size, simple layout, plenty of settings to fool around with, all around a good versatile camera. my favorite is being able to pan and zoom on the pic while viewing it in the LCD screen. this feature blew my friends mind! its nearly perfect, and its definitely a great value for fine fuji quality! for the price, this camera is a winner!
This was my first digital camera; it is a quite out-of-date model but it was among the top of the line when it was made, and in some categories it still holds its own against modern, much pricier models.The biggest strength of this camera is that it takes excellent photos.  The automatic setting works pretty well.  It supports ISO-400 and has less noise than many newer cameras.  It also takes decent flash photos.  And it does have modest optical zoom.  The settings are pretty easy to use and it gives you a good amount of flexibility, although the full manual mode is clumsy.  It is very small, and it is very durable--I have used mine for four years, and the plastic cover for the ports broke off, and the icons wore off the dial, but it still works like a charm.  The night-setting also takes fabulous long-exposure pictures.The weak points are pretty self-evident.  The viewscreen is tiny, the camera has a very slow startup time, and flash cycling is pretty slow.  And the digital zoom is pretty much useless; modern photo programs can interpolate at least as well.I think this would be an excellent purchase for those wanting a low-end digital camera.  It simply blows away modern models in the below-$100 price range.  I now have a Canon PowerShot A700 (about $300) and I can say with confidence that this old Olympus still wins out over my new camera in some situations.  Especially for people who are going to take a lot of lower light photos but want a cheaper model, this is one of the best options out there.
When this camera first came out, I could only afford to look at them on the dealer's shelves. Small, lots of features and reviews praising the image quality up the gazoo, AA batteries (no scarce proprietary). But the price was anything but affordable. Now that they can be had on eBay, Amazon and other places refurbished or in mint condition, the D-40 is still one of the most desired cameras around. The only rub I've discovered is indeed minor: don't leave the autofocus on constant when you're shooting movies with sound; otherwise the focus mechanism makes a distracting noise.I don't worry too much about filters and white settings. Most of that can be fixed in Photoshop.It's such a nice camera, I don't know why Olympus stopped making it. At 4 megapixals, it's got a lot of life still in it.
I had a 2.1 megapixel Epson for over a year and upgraded to the D-40. Pretty good battery life compared to other cameras - but still goes through batteries &lt;frown&gt; when using the LCD (to be expected). Everything else top notch, including menus and ease of use and size.Bonus - it comes with Adobe Photoshop Elements - full version. That makes it a real steal!What I wish it came with, AC/DC adapter...Other then that - this is one of the best buys I have seen.
This is a great camera. Tiny for all that you get. The battery life is a limiting factor but it is managable.  Just be sure to pick up the latest 2300mAh Ni MH rechargables.I have only 2 complaints so far.Most disapointing is while shooting movie clip with sound you will record the cameras internal noise. I believe it is the sound of the motor from the auto focus.Also being that I have the C40zoom (the Japanese equivalent), since it does have a quite complex menu system mine is tough to navigate due to my poor japanese ability.Also after 2.5 years with this camera, aparently a tightly pack internal ribbon cable is beginging to split, The price of the new shutter module, $25 from Olympus, its just a tiny ribbon cable..anyway, this was a great camera in its day.
The D40 is an unbeatable combination that has several key features:1. Very compact--fits easily in the pocket or a small purse when going out. If the camera is too big to carry around with you, it's worthless--you won't get any pictures if you don't bring the camera2. High resolution--4 megapixels is enough to make a high quality 8 by 10 print. Unless you're a professional photographer, it has all the resolution you need.3. Takes AA batteries--this was key, as the Olympus was the only ultracompact that takes AA's rather than proprietary batteries. The lefetime is a little less but if you buy a set of 4 NiMH batteries you can always have a spare pair handy. Other cameras' proprietary batteries will cost another $50-75 over the base price, if you want a spare. And since it uses AA's you can always buy more if you don't have spare rechargables handy, or if you forget to bring the charger on vacation.4. Optical zoom. Digital zoom is a meaningless number--it's the same thing you can do with photoshop after the fact. Only true optical zoom gives you zoom while keeping the resolution, and the D40 has it.I was looking for all those features, and the D40 was the only digital that provided them. We took it on our 3 week honeymoon and the pics turned out great. A pair of NiMH's last about a day of fairly frequent shooting.All in all, I'd highly recommend this camera.
I have owned 4 other Olympus digital cameras, always upgrading towards more pixels. My last Olympus was the C3000 zoom, an excellent camera. The only reason I bought the D-40 zoom was for it small size.If you are looking for great quality photos, ease of use ,many,many extra features and small size (fits in your shirt pocket), this is the camera for you.As to battery consumption, if you use the view finder instead of the screen, you get over 200 pictures. It only uses two batteries and I use rechargeable, so power consumption is not an issue.
Our first D-40 and an older Riccoh digital were stolen along with our carry-on bags on a recent vacation.  We promptly replaced both cameras with 2 more D-40s!  Checked out the D-50 and decided we didn't need the extra resolution.  Checked out bigger zooms and decided to crop and blow-up shots with the computer instead of having to carry a larger camera.  Have an 8x10 of our dog's head that was cropped via computer and you can virtually count the hairs [printed on an Epson with good paper & ink].  Got MAHA batteries and a charger for longer battery life.  Have Adobe Photoshop Elements and found the software that came with the camera to be plenty adequate for most purposes.  Like having all the settings available for when you need to tweak a shot, appreciate usually not needing to.  Love dropping it in a pocket-which is where they'll get carried on our next trip!
This was my first digital camera, which I used constantly for the three years I owned it. I loved it and I shouldn't have been so eager to &quot;upgrade&quot; (I recently, and foolishly, switched to the Sony T1).This is a fantastically easy to use point-and-shoot camera that takes fabulous photos, up to and probably even beyond 8x10. It's friendly in low light conditions, at the beach, in the bright white snow, and just about anywhere a person would want to take their camera. Action pictures turn out great. The flash is strong. It is light, compact, and very sturdy. The picture taker's hands don't have to be deathly still to take a killer shot. The lense stays closed. The batteries are AAs--YAY! (I'm amazed at these features I took for granted because my T1 lacks in ALL these areas, much to my chagrin.)For the price this camera is being offered at on Amazon, you can't go wrong, even if they are used. You won't be disappointed with the D40.
This is my 4th Digital Camera. I love photography and know how to take great pictures. Olympus has done it again.  The D-40 is an amazing product. First remember you are buying a point and shoot camera. This camera is tiny and light.  When you put it in your pocket you will not know it is there. The sliding lens cover is great because you can put the camera anywhere with no lens cap to worry about.  It is simple... It is complex.  This is a real plus.  Most of the functions are very simple.  But if you are anal, then you can do whatever you want to create interesting photographs.  They included a dial that allows you to select the type of picture you want.  This is good. However, you need to have your brain alerted to the dial because it is easily moved. They have a view mode when you are taking pictures making it easy to view the picture you took and return quickly to shooting.  When I first picked up the camera it was hard to hold because I have big hands.  Then I noticed the grooves in the camera that allowed my hands to naturally hold the unit.  It stuck like glue to my hands. The zoom is not great but if you have legs you can overcome that problem.The picture quality is amazing.  Colors are extremely accurate and the intensity of the pictures are hard to believe.  You actually get excited when you look at your work. Each picture is a little less than 1 meg.Now I could go on because there is tons more to say... But the reality is, if you like taking pictures of everything, and you want the easiest, smallest way to do that, this is the camera... no questions asked... it is so cool... thank you, thank you, Olympus for giving us this amazing piece of technology.And when you buy this camera, Olympus has great service.  I know because they have helped me with knowledgable customer care...and I do not work for the company!
I concur with the first two reviewer's comments, generally. The camera takes excellent, clear, vivid pictures and is very small (not as tiny as the Canon digital Elph line, but the small Canons are currently only at 2.1 MP).Although you don't have to be a genius to figure the camera out, ease of use is not the camera's strong point. Icons and menu labels don't make immediate sense; you must read the manual (PDF format on the CD -- no print version!) to understand what the menus and dial-mode positions do.Though the controls are complex, they're also deep and feature-rich. The camera gives an Auto mode, a Program mode, Shutter priority, Aperature priority, and full Manual modes, and automatic scenery, portrait, and people-in-front-of-scenery modes. Macro mode and night-time mode are also on the dial for quick access.Olympus includes an infrared remote control in the package (nice not to have to go buy one separately).The 30-second movie mode works fine, but don't think of it as a substitute for a camcorder--the microphone doesn't work that well.It is a mystery to me why Olympus chose to use a proprietary battery size. The included NON-rechargeable lithium battery is about the same size as two AA batteries, and you can use two AA batteries in place of Olympus-brand lithium batteries... Ni-MH rechargeable AA batteries are the cheapest solution in the long-run; the camera chews up Alkaline batteries like crazy, and lithium AA batteries are about as expensive as the Olympus-brand battery, per picture. Note: you can't recharge your Ni-MH AA batteries inside the camera; you must have a separate charger. Silliness. But not so silly that I wouldn't recommend the camera. I'm happy I bought it.Last item: I use Windows XP Home, and I tried hooking up the camera to my computer via the included USB cable. It worked the first time, but it crashed my system the second and subsequent times. This might just be my fault, but I can't be sure yet.
The camera is small and compact. The resolution is great and if you buy extra memory it can hold tons of pictures. But...sometimes i want to just use a disposable camera because this one is soooo frustrating.  The auto-focus takes forever, so many times, you miss "kodak moments" because the camera isn't ready to shoot.  When you have the display screen on, it sucks up the batteries.  You can't view pictures right away unless you close the lens...which takes forever. Little things like this are very frustrating.  And the dial for photo settings is so convenient that it often moves without you knowing so your settings will be off and you get a messed up picture.  I'm no camera genius, i know how to use all the functions but this camera really tests my patience and i've missed alot of good shots.  It's not just point and click like many other cameras i've used.
I bought a D-40 and liked it so much I bought another for my parents.  Within a very short time my parent's camera started having power problems.  It would only stay on for about a minute even with new batteries.  Fortunately we were able to return it and I got them a D-490 instead.  After a little over a year my camera developed a similar problem.  I'd turn it on, five seconds later it would turn off.  They charged me $ to fix it.  0 for 2 is a pretty poor track record.
I too ran into problems when I tried to use fresh AA alkalines.  The new Engergizer e2 lithium photo batteries worked very well for me.  Lasted for my whole week-long vacation.  I've been using two AAs, but they also have a CR2 model which might work as well.As for the camera itself, it works wonderfully and it's pretty easy to use.  My photos look great and I get very nice quality prints through an online service (ofoto).
While the photo quality is amazing on this camera, there is one maddening thing about its operations that makes me second-guess purchasing it.  There is about a one to two second delay between the time you press the button to take the photo, and the moment the photo is actually captured.I took the camera on vacation, and when other people offered to take my family's photo...I had to explain to them NOT to move the camera for a couple seconds after pressing the button, so that we all didn't come out in a blur.  I am amazed that this has not been pointed out in camera reviews. I wish I had known this because it is a major flaw.This camera is terrible at action shots on automatic.  I haven't tried it on advanced settings yet. I will have to explore that more.Also, it takes a long time for the camera to &quot;warm up&quot; once you open the cover and prepare to take a photo. Very little spontaneity is possible with this camera if you intend to put it away and take it out only during photo opportunities.The best use for this camera is for still shots and people portraits. It's not a &quot;get-up-and-go&quot; camera with fast response time and responsiveness. I am hoping that my inquiries into Olympus will clear this up as a simple programming issue so that I can speed up the camera's performance.  But as of now, I feel the camera isn't as versatile as I would like.
My wife and I have shopped the smallest digital cameras for a few years and for one reason or another have never been able to take the plunge.  Maybe part of it is that we've been using higher resolution, more fully-featured digtal cameras and have been unwilling to accept the compromises of their smaller siblings.  But finally, I've found the camera for us - small enough to stay in my wife's purse or clipped to my climbing harness, yet flexible and high quality enough to not make us cringe when the images are printed.The D-40 shares the strengths common to Olympus cameras: excellent optics, flexibility of operation, high quality of manufacture and excellent image quality.  Unfortunately, the major problems common to older Olympus digital cameras are still existant: mediocre software, a non-rechargable battery and a tiny media card.The D-40 lens is excellent for a camera of this size and price, resulting in superior image sharpness, even at the wide angle limit where most consumer digital cameras suffer.  It's zoom range is equivalent to 35 to 98mm on a 35mm camera and the aperture is f 2.8.  The camera weighs under 7 ounces and it is tiny, easily fitting in a shirt pocket.  Standard AA batteries will work with the D-40 if the standard lithium battery dies and you can't find them locally.I'm psyched up that we'll be carrying a camera with us to more places.  We've missed too many photo opportunities since moving from film to digital.  Our bottom line is image quality and for a compact camera, the D-40 delivers.
This has been a great camera but I simply wore it out.  At gatherings with many cameras in use&#8230;  my pix from this camera were ALWAYS the best pix not only in composition but in clarity and definition.  Think it is out of production now, however..
I'm a budgeter, but I also really wanted all the cool manual features and eveything. The D40 suited up perfect. Yes, 4MP may not seem much compared to what's out there now - but I figured, when am I ever going to print anything larger than 8x10 anyway? 4 MP was perfect for me, more would be a waste.As i said, the features are all there. Choose your own shutter speeds and apetures, white balance, video (yes, the vid sux, but that's true of most cameras. Same as digital video cameras take sucky stills. Give it a few more years you might be able to get a really good true hybrid. But i'm not waiting that long.) The only feature I can think of that I've really missed was no hotshoe for a bounce flash. It does have a tripod mount.It's also a great point and shooter, with several pre-sets. So you can use those and if you decide you want to be brave and try out other stuff, that's there too.It takes AAs, which if you get rechargeables and if you don't use the LCD screen can go for quite some time. I was once old school photography, so the viewfinder feels better to me anyway.The one major flaw I heard of before buying was that if you shoot an extremely high contrast shot you might get some violet bleed. In the few years I've had this camera, I've yet to actually see that happen. And even if it does - it's easily corrected in photoshop.My last thing to point out is it IS dated. The memory cards it uses are a thing of the past that you will mostly likely have to hunt for or buy online. I bought myself 4 cards, which will last me several hundred pics, which is more than I exspect to ever have to shot at one time.Oh, another thing I really liked - it's size was perfect for me. The tiny ones always seemed to flimsy and it gets hard to hold the camera right if it's too light or heavy. This is not a wallet or slim shirt pocket camera. But it will fit in a pocket or purse quite nicely.Overall, for the price, it is an excellent little camera. Does everything I could ask for, and despite the world moving on with more technology I still have yet to feel the urge that i'm missing out on anything.
1) Size. Both cameras are small but the crown goes to Olympus, even if only by few cubic points. Olympus is also lighter of the two.2) Resolution. Both cameras feature 4.1Mpixel CCD. What Canon misses and Olympus has is an extrapolation to 3,200 X 2,400 (or 7+Mpixels). By making an extrapolation from a raw image (not even TIFF!) the camera may make a much smarter decision then your average Photoshop program. This is the must if you want to print a poster from your picture.3) Picture quality. Very good and comparable between both cameras. Even the most advanced reviewers have a hard time giving clear advantage to one or the other. Canon has a slightly better rendering algorithm, so the nod goes to Powershot but not by much. ...4) Lenses - for all purposes the same. Not as fast as on any of the bigger cameras but satisfying for most applications.5) Zoom - same.6) Storage media. Olympus uses SmartMedia, while Canon uses CompactFlash (types I and II). Both supply laughable 16Mb out of the box, so you have to purchase larger modules. The prices for memory are comparable but advantage goes to Canon, since Compact Flash is a more advanced format and comes in bigger sizes. Still, 128Mb is more then enough for a day of shooting.7) Batteries. Both cameras are not ideal. Canon pretty much forces you to buy additional module ... since it uses a proprietary format, but Olympus does not supply a rechargeable batteries and does not allow to recharge in camera, so you need to buy NiMh AA batteries and charger, which would cost the same (smart investment). Still I would give an advantage to Olympus because you can always find AA batteries in any store if you ran out of power. I also want to address here the power consumption since a lot of users are giving their thumbs down based on this feature alone. Both cameras are bad. This is a sad reality if you want a subcompact camera. But not make a tragedy out of this. If you use both cameras smartly, it should last you the whole day of shooting quite easily.8) Price. Still too high IMHO for both of cameras. Canon is slightly more expensive but not by much. You can buy any camera now for less [money]. With all accessories (memory, batteries, case, etc.) you should just be able to fit in ... budget.9) Flash. Mediocre at best for both cameras. Canon does a slightly better job at red-eye reduction, but Olympus is slightly better with white-balance adjustment. Still this is probably the weakest point for both cameras.10) Video. Both cameras have built-in video mode with sound recording and speaker for later review. Since I don't care much for this feature I won't discuss it here.11) Supplied software. Olympus ships with camera the Adobe Photoshop Elements - by far the best photo-editing package on the market now.12) Nice extras. Canon comes in a metal casing which gives it a very sophisticated and ruggish look. Olympus casing is more stylish IMHO and is made of very sturdy plastic. Both cameras have auto USB connectivity and optional waterproof cases. Olympus has three unique features that made me buy it. First is a low-light noise reduction that can be activated when you switch camera into night shot option. The special algorithm that Olympus uses allows it to compensate for long-exposure related errors (such as "hot" pixels) and results in a much better looking pictures. If you like to make night photos (I do) you can't live without this feature. Second feature is pixel mapping that allows camera to compensate for dead pixels in CCD. Until you have this problem you won't probably think much about it. The third feature is "User Mode" which allows you to store your preferable settings and access them by simple switch of the dial. I use it quite often and it saves a lot of preparation time before shot is taken and results in a better quality picture. It is especially useful if you take a series of pictures in challenging lighting conditions (such as twilight time).Overall, I chose Olympus for the above mentioned features, but you can't go wrong with any of these little cameras.
not a great one. I had a chance to use this one for a couple of days and while I certainly liked it, I don't miss not having it.My complaint focuses primarily on its balance of features; it is rather expensive, and a good part of that expense is due to its outstanding 4 megapixel resolution. (&quot;resolution&quot; describes the number of digital dots that make up the image; as you enlarge a picture, the dots begin to pull apart and the picture begins to look grainy). For Internet purposes (either emailing pics to family members or for posting pics on websites), about 1 megapixel is fine. For printing standard 4&quot; x 6&quot; photos, 1 megapixel is also adequate. The 2+ megapixel cameras (that's a big group) do a fine job with enlargements of 5&quot; x 7&quot;; the 3+ megapixel cameras easily handle 8&quot; x 10&quot;. While this latter group can produce pretty good 11&quot; x 14&quot; enlargements, it is at this level that a 4 megapixel camera begins to make sense. But how often will you take a pic you want to enlarge to that size? Pictures taken at higher resolution slow down the camera (&quot;write time&quot;), increase battery use, take up much more space on memory cards and on your PC, and email or open on websites more slowly.For my purposes, a powerful zoom lens with good glass optics will always trump resolution. To be sure, other features do matter: size, balance, battery setup, connectivity and the ability to shoot QuickTime movies. Having said all that, I would much prefer to grab the Canon S300 or the Camedia 700 than the D-40, but if someone just gave you a D-40 for the holidays, you still did pretty well. Enjoy.
check my pics in the customer shared gallery for some examples. ;)i bought this camera for the 4MP, the compact size, the sliding cover to protect the lens, the relatively cheap memory format (smartmedia), the AA batteries, and the combination of automatic modes and manual adjustments.  3 years later it continues to deliver for me in all these areas and more.i spent a month in europe last winter and took 150-200 pix a day with it.  everything from skiing to dark pubs to out-the-car-window came out well.an oft-overlooked feature that has become my favorite (the icon is worn off the selector knob from use...) is the "My Mode" setting.  once you pick a setting and save it here, it's at your fingertips.  my preference is flash off, motor drive, auto shutter/fstop, overexpose by 0.7.  it's my snap-pix-of-my-friends-discreetly mode. ;)  anyway, dedicating a selection on the mode knob to a custom setting is much appreciated, thank you olympus!overall, it takes great pictures, is easy to use whether you want to tweak with things or just hold down the button and fill a card with shots, is reasonable with batteries, and is well-designed and constructed.  it has been everywhere with me - travel, skiing, sailing... it has bounced around in my bag, hung out the window on the freeway, gotten rained on, snowed on, hailed on, been to the beach... and is still a champ.btw, those first two pics i posted in the share gallery i took today... so that's how it works after 3 years of abuse. ;)
This camera is fabulous for us.  We live in Bermuda so we take lots of outside pictures - beach scenes, foliage, macro shots of exotic flowers etc.  The colours on the photos are clear and rich, and our pictures cannot be distinguished from real film shots. We print on an HP960c printer and use Kodak photo printer paper.  The results are remarkable.For indoor shots the subject needs to be close - typically with digital cameras the flash could do to be a little stronger.When I first started with the camera, the lag between depressing the shutter button and taking the photo was a bit perplexing.  However, I understand this typical of digital cameras (but not a problem on my previous Toshiba digital).  BUT - I learned to set a manual focal distance to take quick shots. Also the burst function which takes several shots in rapid succession helped alot.We purchased a rechargable battery kit with 1700 model batteries.Using the optical viewfinder and occasionally using the LCD to alter commands, I have been able to shoot and download 180 pictures at high quality level.  Since the camera takes only 2 batteries, it's easy to keep two spare charged batteries in the case.  I did go through the original lithium battery very fast because when I first got the camera I tried out every function, including shootin several movies and used the LCD alot.  Re-chargeables are definately the answer.I recommend to get the camera case designed for the camera - it is compact and has a special compartment for the spare batteries. Also a 128 mb Smart Media Card - it will hold 130 pictures at High Quality.All in all, we are thrilled.  We had also considered the later model Canon cameras but read reviews about poor autofocus. I have had yet to have an out of focus picture on this camera!  The manual could be a bit more explicit, but Olympus on-line is very helpful. Next time however, I would like a larger optical zoom.We use Windows XP and everything works fine with it.  Good Luck!
Works as easy as a disposable and takes pictures like the finest 35mm.
This is an amazing camera (save for the battery life) for an amazing price.  While it does not have optical zoom, the digital zoom is better than most digicams I have used -- including my own Canon S100 "digital elph."  The picture quality is simply superb and seals Olympus's reputation for producing some of the finest-quality digital cameras in the world.  The operations are all easy to learn, esp. if you have used an Olympus analog before.The only gripe is battery life, which is ridiculously short on regular alkalines.  (On the other hand, it's nice to have a digicam that takes AAs.)  Be sure to get lithium rechargeable batteries for this camera.  They are more expensive, but they provide much longer battery life (so you can take the camera out on a day trip without hauling 10 pairs of alkalines) and can be recharged.Once you get the batteries straightened out, this is simply the best-value digital camera on the market.  I bought one for my wife and one for her uncle.  Both love the camera.  Highly recommended.
I love this camera.  It is easy to use, easy to download.  Just use lithium batteries and you'll be all set.  Great price for the camera.  Even has a "movie" mode.  My 14 year old daughter uses it and loves it!!! She emails pictures to friends all the time!!!
i ordered the olympus d230 from amazon...when i opened the box, the camera had a blue blotch on the lcd display. although this has nothing to do with the cameras quality, let me go on, please.i very quickly found out the difference between digital zoom and optical zoom (which the camera does not have-optical).  OPTICAL IS BETTER. digital only enlarges the picture which really makes the quality poorer.  the body of the camera is flimsy and feels as if it will break easily.  the batteries included in the box you say, dont last 10 minutes!!!!  the lag time between pictures is about 3 seconds which [stinks] (and i am a first time user who isnt that picky, honest).  the memory card was ok, 16mb.  the options were poorly constructed.i returned the camera the very NEXT day.  one GOOD thing is that the return procedure was VERY simple.overall, this is a camera i would buy for my 13yr. old brother.  not for an adult.
I know I bought this used and it was an older model, but this unit is a POS and should never be bought...under any good intentions.
This is a nice small camera, not the smallest but a nice size. It only needs two batteries. What you need to do is get a battery charger and some NiMN batteries, and you won't need to buy batteries all the time.
I wanted to join the rest of the technological world and buy a digital camera. I needed to keep up with the times and send pictures of the wife &amp; kids, dogs, new house, and roadtrips via e-mail to my family 2000 miles away. I own two Olympus 35mm cameras - so I stuck with a brand name I knew. Outstanding photo quality... up to size 8x10. It has a &quot;Quickplay&quot; video feature. The menu is fairly easy, so you won't spend to much wasted time trying to figure things out. I've read many reviews here complaining about the short battery life... newsflash people - ANY digital camera is going to do this. Invest in the rechargable batteries.  The ONLY problem I have with this camera is the zoom. The digital zoom simply increases the picture size... as to an optical zoom bringing you closer to the action. Great camera, great price... and the great name of Olympus.
This camera was'nt listed on Apple's web site as OSX compatible, but  Olympus's site said it was. It has worked effortlessly on my imac. It comes with the necessary cable, and works without even loading the camera software. Battery life is a non-issue:just don't turn on the LED. Picture quality is great, just point and shoot.
I've had plenty of cameras but this one takes the cake.  It doesn't have any moving parts so it it very light and fits into your pocket.  I hardly had to read the instructions to use it and I am amazed at the picures it takes.  Yes, it can really go through the batteries fast, but considering the it is entirely electronic, I expected that.  I am not a pro photograhper, just a guy getting ready for the birth of a baby, and I can't wait to fill up disk after disk with pics!
The C-3020 was my very first digital camera. I loved it from day one. I was taking pictures as soon as I loaded the batteries practically and I was looking at them on my computer only minutes later. My husband who proudly owns and operates a disposable with free film for life was absolutely wowed by this too. It's simple and does it's job well. Pictures never looked so crisp and clear. I've been using various shots for wallpaper and such on my computer screen and they look beautiful. I did want more zoom and in my ignorance didn't realize I would need more than I was getting. So if zoom is really an important factor to you keep looking. But if not this one will do any job you'd like.
This is our first digital camera and I must say that we love this thing!  I read all the reviews of all comparable cameras and decided on this baby.  I'm well aware of the TV Out and sound functions being removed since the C-3000 Zoom. These are not important to most people and will not be missed. If you want to watch tv and have little movies with sound, get a camcorder. The optics are great and the lcd has great resolution as well.Now onto the picture quality. The photos at high resolution are absolutely stunning. Make sure to take the lens cap off before turning on or it will cause the lens motor to grind. This is the only mechanical fault of this camera. Need to get NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger. You'll also need to upgrade the Smartmedia card for big photo shoots. You can get about 24 pics at high res on the included 16 MB card. USB connectivity is plug and play. Your camera shows as a hard drive in Explorer and file transfer is blazing!The included Adobe Photoshop Elements is $99 value, great program for picture editing. Included paper manual is lame, but the manual on the CD-ROM is great.A great camera at a great price. Everything works great out of the box with no immediate need for additional accessories. Grab some batteries, charger, bigger Smartmedia card and a bag and your ready for anything the analog world throws at your Olympus C-3020 Zoom digital camera!
I've had my c-3020z for about three weeks now and really like it. As a beginning digitial photographer I was interested in a reasonably-priced 3.x MP camera that could take great point-and-shoot photos, but also offered enough manual control to take advantage of as my experience grows. I was also interested in a camera I could purchase a reasonably priced underwater housing for to take diving.  The 3020 delivered on all points.  I've found the image quality excellent, with sharp detail and accurate color. I take quite a bit of macro animal shots and I've found the detail it captures impressive, even if I blow it up on my PC. The menus are pretty intuitive as well once you learn what is where. I'm still learning when and how to use the manual modes; there are a few to choose from and I'm still figuring out how to take advantage of all this control. Having had a digital camera before, I didn't mess around with alkalines or memory and bought some rechargable NiMh batteries and a 128mb card.  I've been pleasantly surprised to find that this camera doesn't chew through batteries nearly as badly as my Kodak did, and a 128mb card is nicely capacious.  I can't wait to take it diving.I've had no problems per se, but to be fair, here's what I don't appreciate about this camera:1. The manual that comes with it is pretty poor.  I'm going to get a photograpy book to help learn more about the manual capabilities and how/when to use them.2. Construction is ok, but the design, quality & feel pales compared to the nice metal Sonys.  Plastic back and buttons are not too sexy.3. Why can't Olympus get the [...] lens cap right!? Since the cap catches on the inside of the barrel, if you leave it on when you powerup, you will hear nasty gear sounds as the lens trys to push off the lens cap.  People have criticized this design for quite a while in other Oly c-class reviews.  Olympus--this is inexcusable.4. Macro capability is ok, but limited to about 8".  For really close up work, I'm going to probably have to get a macro lens kit.Overall, this is a nice, powerful camera which takes fantastic pictures for a very reasonable price.
I have been in camera &quot;heck&quot; for what seems like years....ever since my trusty Canon SLR bit the dust.  Since then I have been through at least five different cameras trying to get the right fit.  The Olympus C-3020 is it for me.  Easy to use and very comfortable to handle. I love that it can be used totally automatic and get great shots AND that you can choose to set things  manually for special shots.  The resolution is great!  When shooting at the High Quality setting you can choose to crop just a small portion of the image to print...and it comes out so crisp and rich.And downloading to your computer is just too easy!  I do recommend purchasing a 64 meg flash card though...because the 8meg that comes with the camera really does fill up fast. With the 64 it is like traveling with 2 to 3 rolls of film plus you have the 8 meg back up.  Also be sure and purchase a set of rechargable batteries...they last so much longer than standard AA batteries.This camera is a great value for the money.  FYI...I do publicity shots for a local theater and it is so great to have a dependable comfortable camera so that I can just concentrate on the subject not the equipment.
This camera was horrible.  Picture quality was the only good thing about it.Batteries - I burned through 8 AA batteries in the first day!  Think about it.  It's like getting a laptop and having to plunk 4 D size batteries in it to use it.  Any small mobile electronic item that does NOT come with a Lithium Ion battery should be avoided in my opinion.Lens cap - piece of garbageShape - VERY awkward in you handsAnd much much more...I returned mine and bought another brandFor the same amount of money look to other brands, you'll find that they offer all that this lacks at similar prices
There are plenty of digital cameras that are smaller, lighter, more portable than this, but I wouldn't trade this camera for any of the newer models I've seen.  This one is really easy to use (especially for basic functions such as still photos, use of zoom, photo viewing, and file transfer) and the manual is well-written and easy to understand.  The picture quality is excellent, and to be honest is usually a lot better than I need.  I generally end up saving the files at much lower resolution than possible, and still get clear quality images.  Also an extremely durable camera in my experience...I have gone through many, but have been using this one for several years now, with no troubles beyond having to change the batteries once in a while.  Highly recommended.
This is my second digicam..the first was an excellent 1.3 megapixel.However, I wanted to be able to do more &quot;stuff&quot; and enlarge pics up to at least 8x10..so I read a lot of reviews and input from the consumers here, and gave it a shot. I am so glad I did. This is an excellent, easy to use, good-looking,feels-good-in-the-hand camera,and I couldn't be happier. The software installed quickly to my new XP OS computer, and I was sending out photos over the internet in a few minutes. I did buy the battery charger, however, because no matter what camera I am using, I do not like to go through batteries and worry about disposing of them properly.I am using a fairly inexpensive printer, with glossy photo paper, and the pics are superb! I haven't gone beyond 8x10 yet, but from the looks of it,  larger prints shouldn't be too much trouble.There are so many features and capabilities with this camera..too many to list.I have used Olympus 35mm film cameras for years, and loved them all. And I love this new digicam already. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this camera.
I bought this camera a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. In the interest of full disclosure, I do have to admit that I am not a camera expert. I do, however, have a friend who is a professional photographer and took me out for the day when I bought this to help me learn the ins-and-outs of the features. What I found is that this camera offers a good selection of features for folks that do not aspire to being anything more than amateur photographers. For true hobbyists and professionals, you may want to pay more for a full-featured digital. This camera has some custom settings available, but not to the degree that most enthusiasts are really going to desire.When people complain about these being power-hungry little monsters, they're absolutely correct. My first set of batteries made it through about half of my first day. I thought I was being battery conscience at the time. Now that I've gotten the hang of the camera a bit more though, I found that taking pictures without using the lcd screen makes the batteries last &quot;a lot&quot; longer. So far, I've found that buying the lithium photography batteries are a great investment. As a climber, the batteries are lighter and don't freeze at low temperature.I'm generally happy with the picture quality. Using the highest resolution TIFF setting and printing out to 8X10, you see only very slight pixellation when you hold the photo up at reading distance. I've certainly found them good enough to frame at my house. I cannot begin to tell you how great it is to not have to worry about using film and paying to print all of your photos. Using the USB connection, the picture transfers from my camera are pretty fast. You can pinpoint the ones you want in a matter of moments and pick the best ones to send off for processing, right over the internet.I strongly suggest that you upgrade your SmartMedia card right out of the gate. The 16MB card is not enough to really take many non-compressed images. I bought the 128MB card and that seems to be as good as it gets. I may even buy another card so that I have plenty of room for taking as many photos as I can on a climbing or hiking trip. I also recommend that you purchase some sort of protective case for the camera if you're going to use it much outdoors. As other reviewers have mentioned, due to the quality lens on the camera, the camera body is pretty large, and in need of a bit of protection when packing it.
This is my first digital camera.  I don't have previous experience to compare it to.  I did consider the Canon S-30 as well.  I liked the fact that Olympus would take AA batteries...I can just imagine running out of my rechargables on a once-in-a-lifetime photo situation.  At least I can get AA from a supermarket.Pros:* easy to point and shoot out of the box* preset modes for portrait, action, nighttime, etc. work well* uses AA battery, not proprietary cells* EASY to load pics onto computer. It recognizes the camera if you simply plug the USB in...no drivers needed!* Photoshop Elements software that it comes with is pretty powerful* pictures are clear and colors are sharp* has optional manual modes to set shutter speed, aperature size, or full manual* easy to preview and delete unwanted picsCons:* bigger than Canon S-30* lens cap issue--if you take it off you'll think you broke your camera!* only comes with 16MB card for about 15 pics* you need to buy rechargable batteries---the one's that come with it are disposable and only last 30 minutesOverall, it was the best of all worlds vs. the competition.  Price good.  Features great.  Take great shots.
This is a camera (similar to the C-3000) whose time has come and gone. It is old technology with a serious delay between shutter release and flash. It is very hard to take a low light picture without the person blinking due to the flash delay.At only 3 MP, and very heavy/bulky to hold and carry, you can do much better with a more advanced newer model camera.  The smart media cards the Olympus requires are very expensive (get a 128 MB but they're never on sale anymore) and fragile in contrast to the newer less expensive memory media available with other newer cameras.Be aware that the 30-second movie clip mode does not record sound.  The camera does have many features but they are not intuitive nor user friendly and most people will just point and shoot.If you do buy this camera make sure you get a lens mount extender as you can damage the lens/motor if you accidentally turn on the camera with the lens cap on (motor makes a grinding noise).This camera "eats" alkaline batteries, so you'll also need to get 4 NiMH batteries and a fast charger.  I recently sold my C-3020 on an auction site after I bought a 5 MP Canon SD 450 from Amazon. The Canon is light years ahead of the Olympus and Amazon has an excellent price for it. You get what you pay for.
Thanks to all earlier reviewers. Your comments were very helpful and I'm very pleased with the camera.I don't want to repeat much of what others have covered very well already. My lens cap has not been a problem. It stays in place after I click it onto the lens. Maybe they have responded to peoples concerns, lets hope that's the case. Once or twice I have forgotten to remove the lens cover and got a beeping noise to remind me (no apparent harm done). The provided lanyard keeps the lens cap from getting lost.My camera makes no unusal noise when the lens moves in or out. I can only compare it to another digital camera I have and a 3x lens on a film camera I have. The noise generated is very similiar in all three cameras.No Photo Elements software provided.  The provided image editor was weak in capability and I am not using it. You can download pictures by bringing up &quot;My Computer&quot; (in XP) and when you turn on the camera a removable drive appears. You click on it and on a folder thats follows it and your pictures are available to drag and drop to a folder of your choice.The printed documentation was not very helpful. The PDF file was very good. If you have not mastered using pdf documentation yet, this might be a good time to start. Very easy to get to any place in the guide. Then go full screen and arrow left and right to move through the information. Very easy On the eyes.If this camera sounds right for you, I think you will be very happy with your choice.
Several points to take warning about this Camera:(1). Most serious: In one year since I owned the camera, theimage already shows two &quot;Bright Spots&quot; like the cell that felloff your retina of your eyeball, and every picture has thesespots in bright red color. I wonder if they are result of&quot;PIXEL&quot; that fell due to normal &quot;were and tear&quot;?Anyway, now I have to doctor every single picture I take bythis camera.(2). Second: the camera body feels delicate, almost ready tofall apart, maybe due to poor craftsmanship, maybe justplanned obsolescence!!(3). The setting up routing is too complicated, for collegemechanic department graduates only, definitely not forartistic type of person.(4). Poor manual, almost totally unintelligible!(5). I think this camera has serious flaws, both indesign and in craftsmanship. Olympus is too big a companyto suffer from bad reputation brought by this camera.But maybe it really doesn't care, thinking people willjust continue to buy their camera when one is out ofcommission within 1 year!!(6). You read these warning here!
Mid-range digicams are all over the place, and selecting one over another may be as much a question of personal taste as one of true competitive advantages. Having said that, I have always been an Olympus fan, and my satisfaction with them dates back many years. This model has 3+ meg resolution to allow for great enlargements, a capable a 3:1 optical zoom, very good optics and a nice flash. The battery arrangement is okay (AAs), and connectivity to your PC is through a nice USB (at least until you get a separate card reader). At this price point however, I might be more tempted to get the Minolta S304 and pick up a better zoom lens.
Hello,Well, to cut short some of the remarks in those reviews, a few points:- The USB is not slow. Transferring a full 16Mo card to my computers (Windows XP/2000 or Mac OSX) takes less than 10 seconds. The slow USB problem is mostly due to computers running W98OSR2 (I don't have the exact reason, but the slow USB is not due to the camera).- Batteries: Olympus has the great idea to accept AA cells, adapted to rechargeable batteries (1.2V). You can buy two sets of nickel-metal batteries in any store for 20 bucks, with the charger. And even if you're in the middle of Continental India, you will find AA cells without problems, compared to lithium batteries. NiMh cells last longer than alkaline batteries, but make sure you always have a set of 4 batteries charged, especially if you use the LCD screen at all times.Now the good points of the camera:- a good optical system, with little deformation at wide angle, and a decent aperture. It can be used indoor without flash if the subject is static.- good flash exposure, and many capabilities (slow mode to keep the ambiance, red eyes reduction, flash off...).- Overall good light exposure. It is not op-perfect but the multi-zone measurement makes a good job in classic composition. For highly contrasted scenes, you can use the 'spot' measurement, which is maybe too wide to be really 'spot', but precise enough to expose one part of the picture perfectly.- Fast processing, probably due to a lot of RAM in the system. A full-size picture is processed in about a second.Bad points:- Noise of the zoom: it sounds awefull, but like most other digital cameras... The system that prevents the optical system to come out when the lens cap is on is a little weird, but proven efficient (I have that camera for more than 3 monts... Tested and approved)- Batteries run out quickly... BUY SOME RECHARGEABLE NI-MH. Those cameras are power hungry. The other solution is to wait 5 years, technology will be better and more power efficient!- Size? it's not a compact camera, and it won't fit in your shirt pocket. Price to pay for a decent lens, and a large LCD screen. In the other hand, it handles very well, and proves to be a very nice fit in your hand.- No sound in video mode: at that price point, I'm not really surprised. And to answer the question:"How much would it cost to olympus to add a microphone", I can answer: about 3 dollars (microphone+analog front end+D/A converter+processing power to encode sound!), and something more to add inside this already squeezed camera. If you want sound with the video, go to a better model - more expensive. The main purpose of a camera is... TO TAKE PICTURES!Overall rating: I like this camera, that provides good colors and very good exposure without hassle. A lot of manual features are available, very good for someone who knows how to use a regular film camera. At that price point...you will not get any better. The resolution is very good (3.3MPS) and detailled, indor photography is possible. If you need an even faster lens, check the C3030 (F1.8 constant), but you will pay a nice premium for the upgrade. The cameras are similar otherwise.
I have owned my camera now for several years and still love it.My only wish would be that it would have a better zoom range.My favorite features include:Fill in flashno flashsepia toneblack and white toneI use these features on a daily basis.I find it is great that I can immediatly view my photo taken for a few seconds without changing the mode, it really helps.I have used this camera everywhere you can imagine.It is not the smallest of camera's but I can fit it in a fanny pack or belt bag when on a trip.The lens cap snaps on and does fall off with even just a little nudge but it does come with a small thin cord to attach it to your camera strap.The batteries used are 4 AA, they will last longer if you don't constantly do a &quot;slide show&quot; or use the lcd screen as a view finder.  Use the actual view finder and limit viewing and you will be surprised by how much you can use them.  I do use rechargables as I like to take photos all the time and it saves me lots of money.It does come with a small memory card, but I used a 128mb from the start.  I can now take about 169 pictures are high resolution.My photos come out great!  Many of my friends and family ask me to take their photos now.....all because of the great shots.There are many, many features with this camera that I haven't even touched upon but check out the Olympus website for more info.
This is the first digital camera I have owned and I can't tell if the problem is with the camera or my expectations. Outdoors and in bright situations the 3020 performs very well. Indoors I find it difficult to take good shots consistently. When I use the flash I get flat boring pictures, without a flash there is often not enough light.  One solution is to use the  black and white or Sepia function for indoor shots. Asking people to stand still also works nicely.  If you can afford it, the best solution is to step up to the Olympus 3040 which has a faster brighter lens (1.8 vs 2.8)  I read several postings about the batteries burning out quickly.  Please note: ALL DIGITAL CAMERAS EAT REGULAR ALKALINE BATTERIES FOR LUNCH. Rechargeable NiMH batteries will last much much longer and will save you a ton of money. It's also a good idea to keep a set of non-rechargeable Lithium batteries around, but bag the idea of using regular alkaline except in emergencies.  At the end of the day I have a feeling this is a solid camera, and that taking quality photos simply takes more skill and patience then I was expecting.
I really like this camera.  It is full-featured, compact, light, cute-looking, and well-constructed.  The zoom works great, the LCD screen is bright and colorful, and the indicator displays are very helpful once you decode the cryptic language in which they speak.I am particularly pleased about the camera taking AA-size batteries.  I use rechargeable batteries in the camera, but I know that I can just pop into any store and get regular AA batteries to run the camera in case my rechargeables unexpectedly run out of juice.This camera works great with Apple's iPhoto software.  I plugged in the (included) USB cable to my iBook, and iPhoto recognized the camera.  It imported the pictures from my camera, and deleted the originals from the camera (per my request) without a problem.Here are a few complaints I have about this camera, though:The lens cap is poorly constructed and easily pops off when slipping the camera into a camera bag.The panoramic photo mode is difficult to use.  When enabling panoramic mode, a bunch of blue lines appear on the LCD screen, with arrows.  Pushing any of the directional buttons changes the positioning of the arrows and the lines, but it really doesn't help with composing the photo at all.  You have to play with the panoramic mode and take a bunch of shots to figure out how it works.  The manual is no help here.
...Opened the package, installed batteries and memory card and took it with me on a month long jaunt across the U.S.A. from coast to coast and north and south in between. Without any difficulty at all this camera functioned admirably under all conditions (rain, snow, heat & cold). I deleted unwanted photos with ease and upon my return couldn't have been more pleased. It's incredible how much picture you get for your buck. Btw, this is my first digital and I'm hooked.
At least that is what I paid for the camera. I do most of my shots in camera raw which gives me aproximately 26 pictures on a 256 mg card. Excelent camera for use with Photoshop CS. Flash is weak for any type of professional use. Optics are excellent. The camera gives you the option to point and shoot or have complete control of all aspects of the picture. Untill the price comes down below 10K for a good digital back for my 2 1/4 in cameras, this is a top choice to use. The only thing better today is the E-1 which was not out when I purchased this camera.
The Pros: EXCELLENT IMAGE QUALITY and control. Very solid grip and feel - actually feels like a real camera. The lens is bright and sharp, image quality is probably the best I've seen. The focal length of the camera is great. Best thing compared to most digicams I've used: there is no shutter lag - the time it takes between you pressing the button (click) and the actual picture being taken. I hate that on some Sony cameras I've used in the past - by the time the camera actually takes the picture a person's expression or light conditions can change... :-(All in all, a great camera for this price and probably the cheapest in its class of SLRs (compared to Nikon D1X).The Cons: SLOW WRITE TIMES, but you can get used to that and learn to live with it. FIXED LENS - you cannot change lens with is good and bad. Good because the CCD elements are protected at all times and don't get dirt.. a problem with some digital SLRs. You can also get attachments that go on top of the lens for macro or wide angle, etc. The LCD screen is HORRIBLE - don't use that for composing shots too often.I am waiting for the new models to come out at PMA end of Feb. 2002. At that time E20 should get cheaper - hopefully.You probably must've read a lot of reviews by now. ....
I used to work as a District Manager for Olan Mills and this is one of the cameras we had in the studio. Thur working there i was able to get me one of these camera's.  Well I moved a few times and when i went looking for it i thought someone had stolen it cause it was not where i last thought it was to be so I bought my self this again.  My dad called me about a month later and told me I had left one of my camera's at his house, (I do have more then one kind of camera's) so not thinking about my E-20 N I went over to pick it up and low and behold there was my camera that i thought had be stolen.  So I am now the proud owner of 2 of these beautiful camera's.  Which is great seeing how I have opened my own Photography Studio.
This is the only digital SLR I have owned, and it is the only camera I have had that is actually fun to use.  My film SLR left me gnashing my teeth outside the developer when I found out all too late I blew every shot on the roll.That said, I have two gripes.  First,the 32MB card is a joke --holds 7 pictures at maximum resolution and highest quality compression.  If you don't upgrade the card, the only way it is manageble is to drop the resolution to 1 megapixel and 8x compression -- if that is all you'll use, what's the point of getting a 5 megapixel camera.  1GB  compact flash cards seem to be the best value today at less than $200 and they will hold 260 shots at the highest quality level.  256MB Cards may be doable at 75 shots, but smaller cards will certainly drive you to sacrifice on resolution and quality to get more shots on the card.Second, rapid shooters will be disappointed since the buffer will hold 4 pictures, and this limit does not change with resolution oddly.  After the buffer is full, it takes up to 10 seconds for it to write each shot to the card.  You can shoot as soon as 1 slot is open, but to do a 4 shot burst again, you have to wait 30-40 seconds for the whole buffer to clear.  This will bother some users but not others.  The write time seems the same regardless of whether you use Smart Media or Compact Flash.
The E-20 is an improved model over last year's E-10 (only 4 megapixels), but the seriouss flaw of the VERY slow write-speeds to card from its memory buffer is a major drawback.  Some people would argue that it's not too bad due, but if you need somethign quick once in a while, this is NOT the camera to get.  For instance, press photographers and photojournalists who need to fire off 30 shots in rapid succession will be VERY frustrated by this camera.  Even parents who want take shots of their child as s/he runs about will be annoyed at constantly WAITING for the camera to write, and will miss many shots.On the positive side, the lens, F2.0 - F2.4 4x with a mechanically linked zoom ring, 5 megapixels of resolution, a professional 'locked control' system, a wide variety of manual control and a robust metal case.But all those positives are knocked out by the slow write speed. Skip this camera.
I love this camera!  This camera is the most like a TTL SL Reflex 35mm camera I've ever seen in a digital camera.  The only drawback is how it seems to &quot;go to sleep&quot; between shots, if the shots are not within a few seconds of each other, and then the camera is hard to &quot;wake up.&quot;  Of course, I am still learning how to use the camera, especially with the built-in flash, and the Olympus dedicated flash.  And as far as I am concerned, as a user of Canon and Nikon cameras for many years, I bought this camera because I know that Olympus has made great cameras for as long as I can remember, and the 5 megapixel print quality from its images is excellent.
The Olympus E20N replaced their E10 and now can capture 5 meg images.  This is a key upgrade to what was already a very fine digital camera.  The construction and materials of this camera put it into the upper echelon of consumer digital cameras and some would argue that this is a strictly professional tool.  What I like about it is the balance of features, quality and design.  Once Olympus manages to speed up the image storage process, the E20N will be worthy of 5 stars.Many digital camera designers are scrambling to improve optical performance of the camera lens.  The need for a zoom lens that covers a wide range is hamstrung by the small size of even a 5 megapixel CCD.  This in part explains the poor image performance of many inexpensive digital cameras, but even in the lower price regime, Olympus has been an industry leader for years.  But a designer of a more expensive camera like the E-20N ... has more latitude in designing optics and herein lies a key strength of this camera.  The lens of the E-20N has a zoom range equivalent to a 35-140mm lens on a 35mm camera, with an aperture of f 2 to 2.4.  One can sight through an optical TTL viewfinder or via a swivelable LCD screen.  Excellent optics!The control features of the E20N are also excellent, yet not perfect.  Many adjustments are set by holding down a dedicated button while rotating the camera's control wheel, which can be difficult to do one-handed.  The built-in flash has fairly decent range, but since the camera has a hot-shoe, an external flash can be added if necessary.I like the ergonomic feel of the E-20N and I also like that it has four available operating modes: automatic, manual, aperture priority and shutter priority.  By using the new progressive scan mode, one can take images with a shutter speed of 1/18000th of a second, but the image resolution is reduced by a factor of two.  This might make you think this is an ideal camera for sports photography, but I'd disagree.  The camera is just too slow at storing image data.  It often takes over 8 seconds to store a high resolution image with the E-20N and this is the camera's most serious fault.The bottom line for most folks is image quality and in this department, the E-20N does not disappoint.  If you ever make the move up to a large-format printer, you'll want a camera of this quality.  You can achieve excellent prints at 11x17" with the E-20N.  For pictures requiring a slow shutter speed, the noise-reduction filter is very useful.
excellent camera, the only BAD BAD thing is that waste too much batteries, you save in film, but with this camera you have to buy 4 batteries AA every 40 pictures.
If you're looking for a great snapshot camera, look somewhere else. This isn't it. This Olympus is a workhorse of a camera good enough to replace your film cameras. After years of shooting 35mm, this is the camera I picked to test the digital frontier. My main concern about going digital was photo quality but I have been impressed. Shoot at (near) top quality, run through Photoshop Elements, download to a CD-R, CompactFlash or SmartMedia and run it through your local photo lab at Ritz or even Wal-Mart. The quality is admirable. I took this camera on vacation to Canada and was not disappointed. Could you do better? If you already have Nikon or Canon lenses, spend the extra cash and buy their latest models. But for the money, you'd be challenged to find a better overall camera that will let you explore your own photographic passions.The best features:* True photo-quality at 8x10-plus (gives you room to crop)* Feels like a real camera* Bright lens with decent telephoto range* Variety of settings to let you go totally automatic or manualThe worst features:* It is somewhat heavy (although the weight does give you a sense of comfort)* Slow write times to memory* Small cache that fills up with about 5 high-quality tiffs* Lens range (without extensions) is a bit limiting, especially outdoors.
(...) It has enough features as a budget camera to be useful, but it could be better.The included instructions didn't explain that the included software is useless (just connect to USB, install software, and it appears as "Removable drive", so the download manager IS useles). Had to visit the Olympus website to find updated instructions.Quality of camera is good. The pictures are a wee bit fuzzy overall, but reasonable. The LCD is quite bright and useful as preview tool. The flash is good and quite powerful. Took many pictures and never noticed any red-eye, both indoor and outdoors, day and night.The USB port connection is fast, virtually HD speed, and be actly like a removable drive (with only a few megs of memory, of course).One odd feature: it eats battery like CRAZY when connected to the USB port (even with PC off!) If you left it connected, it can eat 4 AA Duracells in just one day even without using it! Disconnect it when you're not using it and the batteries will last a while.The flash doesn't charge quite as quickly as one would want to. There's a 1-2 second wait for the flash to charge up, and that means you may not be able to catch that picture immediately. The camera also has a tendency to go into "power-save" and takes a second or two to "wake up", making you miss some shots.The menus aren't as intuitive as one would expect to. Instead of a "mode" dial like on most cameras, there's only the "shutter" button on top, with all other options controlled by the rear panel arrow/trigger buttons. The result is you need to scroll through multiple menu choices to choose things like turn flash on/off, use panoramic view, take QT movie, and so on.There is no optical zoom in this camera, and the digital zoom (only 2X) is a bit fuzzy. The built-in 2 megs of memory is useless. You REALLY need at LEAST a 16-meg SmartMedia card to go with it (enough to take 45 pics).The camera needs 4 AA batteries, which can be a bit expensive, but if you don't leave it plugged in all the time, or get the optional AC adapter, the batteries can last a while. Rechargeable batteries also help.All in all, this is one of the best cameras in this price range, and definitely worth considering.
I bought the camera for a trip to Ireland, and I was not disappointed. Battery life held up from Las Vegas to the Emerald Isle and back again to the West Coast, without ever having to replace the batteries. Impressive.I also found that having a digital camera was so much easier than toting around a 35mm. Not only can you see the pictures that you just took, you never have to pay for film. And while it's not quite a joy -- I can think of better things to do -- it's easy to hook the camera up to the computer. Buying the Viking 32 MB card also offered me more picture opportunities than I could even take. Or my friends could take, when they stole my camera and took numerous pictures of their feet.Furthermore, as others have commented, the viewscreen is magnificent. It gives really clear pictures, even in bad lighting conditions, and is extremely simple to connect and demonstratively easy to use.For the price, you can't go wrong buying this Olympus. Make sure you hook yourself up with rechargable batteries and a Viking memory card as well.
I bought this camera for my 12-year old granddaughter Amelia for Christmas. She began using it Christmas Day, and has been using it ever since. She wanted a camera that uses film, but developing film is expensive and one can take dozens of photos and end up with one or two worth keeping. I decided to gamble and bought the digital camera instead.It took me years to perfect my photography skills using an old box camera and film, but in six months Amelia has become very skilled at taking photos, editing them, loading them onto a computer, and printing them. She showed me how she selects the photos she wants to keep, sizes them to fit her specifications, and gets rid of those she doesn't want.When we traveled to NYC last month, Amelia was able to take dozens of photos and decide on the spot what she would retain. We went all over the city including the Empire State building where she took some great shots of the city. That same evening I took her to see Spiderman--a highly photographic and animated film. Amelia has an interest in becoming an expert on animation some day and perhaps this little camera will make a difference.Amelia is a smarter-than-average kid (and not from Lake Woebegone), but I think most kids could figure out how to use this camera. Amelia loves it.
I received this camera as a gift from my boyfriend for X-mas last year. I was geeked! This was my first digital camera and so far I am  satasfied with the results.There are however two complaints:1)The life of the batteries is low- I suggest purchasing rechargable batteries and a charger to compliment this camera.2)The quality of night-time pictures is somewhat poor. The pictures come out dark with a lot of red tint to them. I don't recommend using this camera in dark conditions.I feel that this camera is perfect for someone who is just starting out with digital photography. This camera has inspired me and I have recently just purchased a Sony Cybershot DSC-f707 (I can't wait to try it out!). I am looking forward to my new hobby as an aspiring photographer.Oh and another thing: the Olympus D-370 is a 1.3 megapixel camera- not a 1.2.
I was pleasantly surprised at some of the features available with this camera (mpeg recording in particular).  However, I found that viewing existing images and navigating the command menu/structure is a bit cumbersome.Bottom line, I would recommend it for a first digital camera and would buy it again in the same circumstances.I also purchased the Viking SSFDC3/32 32MB SmartMedia Card which GREATLY improved the image capacity.I am pleased with both.
In 2002, my mom wanted an easy to use camera that took decent pictures.  After checking on pricing and quality, I picked the D-370 at Best Buy and a 128M memory card.  She's taken THOUSANDS of decent pics with it and I was so impressed on how it worked with the PC (Windows 98 at the time) I bought one for myself.  To this this day both are still in use. My D-370 was abused and now the lens is a bit out of focus, so it takes soft pics that are still good enough for the web.  Mom's camera still takes pictures so clear, you can see wrinkles, lines, moles on peoples faces (ew) that have to be painted out.  A 128M card can hold up to 200+ high-quality images and more if you lower the quality setting.This camera works best if you do the following:Bright daytimes pics at any distanceNighttime pics close up (flash range is five feet or less)To speak honestly: I used this camera so much I reached its limitations and wanted a new camera when this one died.  It hasn't died.  I now have a 6 megapixel digital SLR but I use both equally.  SLR is versatile but bulky and expensive.  D-370 is compact, convenient and still kickin'!
Got this for my hubby for Christmas and have used it a lot more than he has.  Has bells and whistles that I havent used yet, but basic operation and dowmloading to a PC is a snap. am very happy I got this-but get a memory card asap and rechargable batteries-it eats regular ones for lunch.
Office max advertised that a free 16 MB memory card will come with this camera, but it did not. The camera itself takes only 3 good quality pictures. The camera is small and compact and give a good solid feeling with a nice japanses-shutting door design, however it take 4 batteries at a time (it gets to be annoying if you shoot lots of picture, lots of camera take 2 batteries these days) and the berttery compartment is very hard to open or close. I was very disappointed that is camera does not have a video out put because the TV is much more handy than a computer when I travel.Now, the things I admire about this camera. The view finder is big and bright. Good preview screen & bright color. Picture quality is supreme compared to the camera with the same price like Kodak, because it has the ISO equivalent of 100-400. I can shoot something far away indoor without difficluties. This qualification is hard to come by for a cheap digital camera (they have ISO 100-200 only). It is nice to not have to depend on the flash anymore. The shot is very quick, and the macro mode is far better than the film camera. Although the human skin tone is kind of radish pink, but It can be adjusted. I can adjust the digital zoom up to 2X not 4X as advertised. The menu is extreamely easy, I did not read manual but can operate the camera without any difficulties. And it does not need a sofware to download, just plug in the USB and the pictures were just pop up in the "my document" folder on the desktop.I think it would have been very nice if the memory card is really included as advertised. I returned it anyway because I want to see my pictures on TV, but Olympus is the camera if you shoot indoor a lot (if you do not want to pay more for a Sony or a Canon). If you are not annoyed by a pop up flash or a difficult case closing, buy a D-510, I got one.
Weighs a lot for a digital camera, and not very high powered - was a gift - I, myself, intensely dislike Olympus and the customer service they do NOT provide their customers.  Had a VERY bad experience with an Olympus camera that had blurry pics and came out with spots on the pics - Olympus would do NOTHING to fix or replace the camera - POOR customer service!
I originally had an Olympus D-360, the previous model in this line, but it was stolen out of my car (if I ever find the person who did that... grrrr).  This camera is quite an improvement over it's predecessor.  Smaller, easier to operate, the menu system is 100% improved, and the batteries last A LOT longer.  My only gripe is the removal of the small status screen on the top of the camera, it's handy when you don't want to use the LCD screen to save the batteries.  Oh well, not a big deal.  I do hope to move up to a 2 or 3 mp camera before too long, but this camera takes excellent pictures for it's price/mp range.  A good first (or second, grrr) digital camera.And just a note to the reviewer who had "Mixed Feelings About This One":  If the store you bought this from advertised it incorrectly, you can hardly blame Olympus, while it would be nice if a memory card came with the camera, it says nothing about that on the box.  And, as for the 2x or 4x digital zoom, if you set the picture quality to the lowest setting, it will digitally zoom up to 4x.  As it says in the manual (though not very clearly, took me a while to figure it out too).  Of course, digital zooms are junk, they degrade picture quality, but it is there.
I agonized over which SLR to buy. In the end this camera was just too loaded for the price to pass up. I was also swayed by its old school body. I'm taking about 2 rolls a day and I'm thrilled with the results (sorry digital fans, but I'll take this camera and a good scanner any day). A great accessory has been a wide-angle lens for shooting my kids up close - lots of fun and comical distortion when the film comes back. Amazon shipped it fast and had a very competitive price for a US product. I'm just sorry it took me so long to replace my "top-of-the-line" point and shoot.
I am a 15-year old interested in photography. I spent most of my picture-taking years with either a Kodak Advantix or a disposable camera.Finally, when I took photography seriously enough, my parents purchased the Minolta Maxxum 5. We did not really know much about cameras at the time, but now about 6 months later, I know this was the right choice.The biggest thing I hated about Advantix cameras was that it took nearly 2 or so seconds to take a picture. Those who take pictures a lot can probably understand how fustrating this can be. The Maxxum 5 can take up to 3 frames per second.Another thing I was upset about was the zoom. The Advantix cameras have a set zoom and that's it. With SLR cameras you can buy new lenses, though a bit pricy, to get what you want. The lens this package comes with is the 28-80. This is VERY similar to what my Advantix was. (NOTE: For those who wish to have more zoom should as well purchase a 70-300mm lens) I was disappointed I didn't have more zoom but enjoyed the fact I had a new camera to play with...so many features!From the different modes, including Sports, Potrait, Landscape, Closeup, and Night time, to multiple photos on one frame. This camera offers more than it's size tells!This little bugger is very light as well. The weight will increase with the larger lens, so you don't want a heavy camera body.Auto and manual focus were very easy to figure out, as well as changing lenses. Those used to Advantix cameras and not those which use 35mm film will spend a LITTLE bit of time figuring out how to insert a roll of film. Doesn't take long, and soon you'll be changing film so quickly, no one near you even notices!To this day, I still haven't learned every feature this camera offers. It's a bit hard to memorize the way to prepare some of these features, but that's why you keep your little manual with you.Perfect for beginners in photography, including teenagers.
If you're an amateur and you're looking for an entry level SLR, this is a great pick.  I tried out several SLRs in the same price range (Canon EOS Rebel(s), Nikon N65) for a few months.  Conclusion?  The Maxxum 5 had the most intuitive LCD panel, and the largest, clearest viewfinder of the pack.  The camera is lightweight, and the "eye start" automatic feature (a focusing mechanism) is terrific, well worth paying for.  Two &#65533;personal experience&#65533; tips:  First, resist your first impulse to buy a telephoto zoom and consider what you will be using your camera for (Nature shots?  Zoom away).  Second, get a lens cap keeper.  It&#65533;s a leash for your lens cap, and they are well worth it :-)...
Whatever you do GET THIS CAMERA!  I have had it for almost 6 months now and I am continually impressed with it.  In auto mode this camera is a dream to use.  Even a beginner (such as myself) will get stunning results.  In the past six months I have read books on photography and read the manual of this camera extensively.  There isn't anything this camera won't do or won't let you do.  If you are a pro then you can put this puppy in manual mode and it will let you have your way with everything.  A truly amazing piece of photographic equipment at a very reasonable price.  This is my first SLR purchase and I have never regretted it.  I am just sorry I took so long to jump in a make the investment.  With proper care this camera will last a long time and provide years of enjoyment.  I just ordered a Tokina 80-400 mm zoom lens for wildlife photography for this baby!  I can't wait to try it out.  If you buy it though be prepared to read the manual.  The camera is so feature packed that in order to appreciate it all you MUST read the manual.  Fortunately, the manual is exceptionally well written and very easy to understand.
The Minolta Maxxum 5 is the best purchase I've made in a long time.  Before I make a purchase I like to do a lot of research.  For the Maxxum 5, I called a few of the better local camera shops and asked for the best "bang for your buck" SLR, and they all said the Maxxum 5.  Look in American Photo magazine January 2002 and see for your self that the Maxxum 5 is the only film camera in the year's ten best new products.  It is the lightest in its class; I've carried it with me on five-hour hikes without problems.  It's features stack up with the equivalent Pentax, Nikon, and Canon SLRs.  Another reviewer incorrectly stated a max shutter speed of 1/2000 second, it is actually 1/4000 second, which is faster than many of its competitors, and in fact none beat it.  It can also shoot at 3 frames/second.  None of the competition can beat that either.  With a plethora of features, lightweight, and affordable price, the Minolta Maxxum 5 is a tough camera to beat.
I reviewed several different options before I bought this camera and I have to say I made the right choice.Lightweight, takes great shots and has more options than I'll every use.  In fact if I has one critical comment is that there are so many options and remembering how to get to each is a tad confusing.  I'm sure with time all will be fine.Otherwise I love this camera.  My first roll was of friends in a marathon and I got some spectacular action shots.  Not to mention some great portrait shots on the same trip.A great camera to make that next step beyond the point and shoot.  I am looking forward to how my photography improves with the Maxxum 5.
I just bought this camera, and it is my first SLR.  I find that it's extrememly easy to use right out of the box, but it is feature laden enough to keep me busy for a long time.
I got this film to use as an experiment in one of my lomographic (low-tech toy) cameras so I can only imagine how nice your photos would turn out if you used it in a regular camera. I uploaded one of my photos on the product page.The camera I used was an action supersampler camera. If you're not familiar with it, there are no settings, no viewfinder and no flash, and it's recommended solely for outdoor use on sunny days. With an average speed film (400, for example) it can barely even capture clear photos indoors or when it's cloudy. I wanted to take a chance and use it for my first outdoor concert, which was at night. Considering the limitations of my particular type of camera, I'd say that using this film was the only reason my photos turned out at all. Of course, I don't have much to compare it to. I've used 800 speed film in the same camera when I was on a carousel in an amusement park on a sunny day and the pictures turned out dark and grainy due to the low lighting, so to have taken photos at night with the same camera probably means that the results can be attributed to this type of film.
I've long been a Fuji fan because of my delight in the film's color rendition, which favors both bright and shaded landscapes and makes the best of my great lenses' images.  When I began taking more indoor photos recently, I didn't like the effect of flash with 35mm, and tried the fastest color film I could find from Fuji, and I'm satisfied.  I need an f4.0 or so exposure where I photo lately, but my subjects come out with a soft focus, shallow field, rich colored image which is quite pleasing and dreamy; an effect like the tri-x of the black and white photo world.
Please look at the customer images section for this product to see some of my images taken at night - of a night hot air balloon display. This is a great film for low light conditions and I am very happy with the colour and resolution it provides. It's a shame it is expensive, but it is useful to have some available for when it is needed.
This flim is hard to get on stores, so I bought it from here, the only place I could find it. It gives intense colors, clear details and lots of grain even thought its 1600. I highly recommend it for those who prefer film than digital.
Received this item very quickly and it is usually hard to fin in these days of digital photos! I would highly recommend this film for those needing to take photos in very low light conditions!
I was very happy with the speed and development quality of this film. Very mush worth the value if you're shooting with a bigger lens or of a sports game
I used to buy my 1600 film from Bell and Howell.  They have discontinued it.  I am a baby-boomer and I do not understand how to work these new electronic cameras.  A friend gave me an electronic camera for Christmas, and I took it on Vacation to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  All my shots showed up on the camera screen, but only 60% of my shots would download to my computer.  No one could tell me why I lost my best shots.  I went back to my film camera and I get 100% of my shots every time.  I love 1600 ISO film for night and indoor shots.
This little wonder is straight on. It helps greatly in positioning my camera straight on a tripod for portrait Photography. Who would of thought of a level on a camera to capture straight photographs, mind you, after getting the subject straight, you do remove the double bubble so you can use flash.
I use this bubble when taking landscape photos to make sure I have the camera level.Works great and is easy to carry in my came case.
This seems like such a great idea, but these levels are not worth the bother.  The bubbles are so tiny that it's not possible to get the camera any more level than you can by eye.  And my copy was not accurate.  Setting the camera level with a real carpenters level left this tiny guy off center.And better yet, nothing holds this thing on but a little friction.  One of mine fell off and was lost on the first day out.  Great idea, but just does not work.
I ordered this item and it came form 47th Street Photo. However, instead of getting the Adorama bubble level they sent the Opetka version. I guess I should have known better since the Adorama is a more expensive item and the one advertised here is the same price as the Opetka. So if you think you're getting a good deal forget it, this is just a bait and switch deal--I won't ever trust 47th Street Photo again. That said the item is OK and probably worth what I paid for it, and it looks like it will do the job.
If you shoot a lot of landscape or architecture shots, this little gem comes in very handy whether you're in landscape or portrait mode.  It's very annoying to shoot a picture and during post process notice the horizon is off.  sometimes you can fix it, but sometimes it would cut out something important and change the whole photography so just spend a few bucks with this.
This gizmo doesn't fit the hot shoe mount.  You have to slide it in on one side where it hangs on precariously while you adjust the tripod.  It is functional, but you get what pay for.
For landscape photography this is great. And for doing panoramas it is a must. But what really amazed me is the service.  I did not receive the level, after they said it was mailed, so I notified them and they sent me a new one.  Then, my elderly mother, with whom I live, brought me the package with the first one in it-I have no idea where it had been, maybe she found it among her things.  I felt badly and contacted the company about paying for the second one, because I really had received the first one.  They were very kind and declined payment, saying it was a very small item. Small or not, their thoughtfulness made my day.
I find a bubble level to be a must with a tripod, even one with a built-in bubble level...and this one just works better than the built-ins.  The level slides into the hot-shoe of the camera and does what is intended.  I find it particularly useful when used with my Gorillapod and a small head.  Anyone who has ever used a Gorillapod knows that it is never level due to the flexibility of the legs, so a small head plus this level make for a very nice package. Also,it is handy when hanging pictures.
Well, it works! and works very very well. I've got to knock a star off for price, it's way overpriced, but works perfectly and I use it a lot. For landscape it's pretty indispensable, handy for architectural as well. For the price it should have a lojack system, I've rooted through my backpack, frantically while losing light, 2 times now looking for it, it's easy to misplace. Still recommended though.
This fits easily into the flash shoe on top of my SLR as well as digital compact camera hot shoe.  Comes in handy for making sure photos ehere there is a horizon line are level.Quality of this brand is very good.
Good purchase - works well on a stable surface when the tripod is not available.
I bought this level for my trip to photograph Space Shuttle Atlantis take off on May 11th 2009. I knew that my tripod would be moved up over my head (I'm a short guy), and I wouldn't be able to eyeball it's "levelness".I was able to quickly and accurately get a level shot with this bubble level.Some people mention how it scratches easily, but I didn't have a problem with it in my carry on bag flying to Florida and back.
this is a bit pricy for what it is, but useful for handheld shots and if your triprod doesn't have balance indicator a good thing to use.  nice and compact and seems decent quality..
Not much more to say than it worked and I verified that it was truely level.
This product works as designed. Adorama shipping was as stated when I purchased it. All is OK.
The first hotshoe bubble level I purchased survived a whole year and a half before it fell off my camera somewhere in northern Iceland (I did spend several hours back tracking but I was unable to find this bright green $30 piece of plastic in the snow). As far as tools go, this is one of the most frequently used item in my camera bag. I use it for the vast majority of my shots to ensure I have a level horizon (which makes stitching panoramic shots much easier). The only drawbacks are that the plastic may eventually wear away enough that it no longer fits in the hotshoe leaving it rather prone to slipping out without much force and the price: it's a $30 piece of plastic with an air bubble! In all fairness, it does hold up to abrasion rather well.
While the price savings (at the time of this review) is significant the quality is not up to par with the $33 Really Right Stuff RRS-337 Dual Axis Level (available only from Really Right Stuff) or the $25Jobu Design Dual-Axis Clear Bubble Level with Easy See Green Fluid.. Both have much darker liquid and thicker lines allowing you to more easily see the bubble and determine if it's actually level. Additionally the plastic doesn't seem to be as dense, thick, or as strong as the Really Stuff or Jobu. I have doubts how long it'll last.I received this in place of a Jobu that I ordered as it was out of stock at Adorama. Adorama has stated they'll refund the difference but I really wish they would have just backordered the Jobu for me.
This is a pretty snazzy one and has lots of things I never use. I mostly keep it set on auto. It takes excellent pictures though. I always take them on the highest quality setting - they are bigger than my screen. But then if I get them printed on one of those Picture Maker Machines - they look perfect. You would never know they were from a digital camera.  (This is a 3.2 MegaPixel camera - the only reason I see to go bigger  would be = the bigger the picture, the more you can crop it and still have a high quality picture). One of the best things about the camera is that it has a rechargeable battery - so I never have to buy batteries or film.  I rarely use my regular camera anymore. Also.. It takes great little 30 second movies, and I love to hook it to a tv at parties and show off all the photos I just took. What fun.
If you're looking for dozens of image, flash, zoom, and exposure settings, in a small package, you've got the right camera. The Canon Powershot S30 camera is clearly not a camera intended for photography professionals who want to take hundreds of pictures at different resolutions, want to play with the lighting and other effects, as well as have the ability to zoom into the object many times over. However, it is a complete package. The S30 offers features found in much larger cameras at twice the price for half the price at a much smaller size. The S30 is a compact camera, widely acknowledged as the best bang-for-your-buck camera in its size on the market.The S30 is virtually identical to its cousin the S40, with several minor differences. The S40 shoots at a slightly higher resolution, has one additional shooting mode, and is 4 megapixels as opposed to the S30's 3.2. However, the S40 is commonly found for over [$$$] more, and these features, in my opinion, are not worth the investment. The S30 shoots images at the maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, at a 3.2 Megapixel resolution. Similar cameras of similar sizes offered by competitors top off at around 2.1 Megapixels, without paying premium prices.The S30 offers thirteen different shooting modes, all of which can take advantage of its 3X optical or 10x digital zoom from the automatic, where the ISO speed, flash, and shutter speeds are calculated by the camera, to the movie mode, which can record up to 30 seconds of full-audio AVI film at 320x160 resolution, and approximately 20 frames per second. Other modes include portrait, speed, and slow modes. These can be used to shoot pictures of objects up close, where the foreground recieves more exposure than the background, as well as to capture objects, whether fast or slow, in motion with little blur (fast/slow shooting modes). The camera also allows you, with additional settings, to set the shutter speed, ISO settings (up to 800) and lighting setting with a touch of a button.The S30 accepts both Type 1 and Type 2 compactflash cards, including the IBM microdrive, which comes in sizes up to 1 GB - more than enough space to store approximately 600 pictures, shot at the maximum quality and size on the S30. Because of the camera's size, it might be expected that the battery, card, and all other "removable" parts would be hard to access and would require large fingernails. However, Canon has made a small slot on the bottom with several spring mechanisms which allow easy access for the card (when ejected) as well as the battery.The LCD is brilliant, and captures much of the color in the viewfinder. Upon moving the pictures to my computer, I found that they looked virtually identical in thumbnail form as they did at their maximum resolution. You can also set the LCD to turn off or on, in order to conserve battery power.Right out of the box, the camera is very easy to use. The on/off switch is built right into the lens cover, so simply popping in the rechargable battery and flash card and sliding open the lens cover allows for virtually instantaneous use. The "AUTO" mode allows for simple point-and-shoot use, with the camera selecting the right settings, auto-focusing, and taking the picture with a fake shutter "click" sound. (Installing custom software allows you to customize this shutter sound to a soundbyte of your own creation or choosing). Once the pictures have been taken, the camera also can be connected directly to certain Canon printers to print images directly out of the camera.The camera does have some weaknesses, however. Because of its size, the flash is rather weak, and is quite sensitive if your hand is accidentally cupped over part of it - the image exposure will increase in the top left hand corner. Also, the control pad is sometimes difficult to operate as some operations require that you push it in. I found myself several times pushing the left or right accidentally as I tried to depress the button evenly to produce the desired result. Also, the S30 is a battery hog. An extra battery is a requirement for this camera, as its batteries rarely last over 70 pictures - although I have heard otherwise.All in all, the S30 is an excellent camera with many benefits that far outweigh its negative points. With the ability of both the novice and the professional to take advantage of its 3x optical zoom, manual or autofocus, and its 13 different shooting modes, the S30 is a camera for everybody...at an affordable price.
I used an olympus c3040 prior to buying this camera and have thi camera for 4 months now. I like this camera's small size for the same MP/zoom range as the c3040. The small size makes it a little shakier, but you will get used to it.It takes very good quality pictures in daylight and fluoroscent lighting and has multiple white balance modes. You can also set your own white balance, which some people may find useful. I find the color and hue saturation with the factory set white balance great and much better than my previous 3MP camera.Night/Low light pics are not as good if you use the auto mode. Remember to set the setting to P (program) mode for night shots. Manual modes are great for low light situations and this camera works like any other non-digital (SLR-35 mm Film) camera.The RAW format images are useful to make even larger sized prints using appropriate software.I think the software bundled with the camera ... when used on windows 98. All they needed to do was to have windows 98 recognize it as another drive, but they made it twain based instead and boy that really ... for me. I have to go thru hoops to download pics to my windows 98 machine. However if you have XP, it is a breeze to use the camera and once you install the drivers it works like any other camera.I recommend reading the manual at least 3 times before using the advanced functions. The manual is somewhat technical but you need to read it!There is an available attachment for underwater pics, which is also great if you just want to use it in the summer on a beach or to take underwater pictures. As far as I know no other digital camera offers this yet.I also like the Photostitch option that allows you to take multiple pictures and then weave them together to get a large sized (panoramic) picture. You can combine multiple pictures to get a huge poster (even 40x40 inches) for example by using this function.It comes with a 16MB CF card which is rather small (holds 16-24 pics in high resolution and only 6-8 pics in RAW format). Now that 128/256/512 MB CF cards are available you may want to pick one up. However then you will also need an extended battery or an AC power pack as you will run out of power before you use the entire CF card.If you have no computer, this blighter can even print directly to a compatible printer, which is cool if you are travelling.I also would have really liked canon to include a small leather case with this, but then one can't ask for all!I still feel I have not found out all this camera can do even at 4 months and there are many features that I have not tried yet.The multipurpose button is sturdy, but some what difficult to use. Also they could have combined to zoom function to the same button (like in many videocams) for better funtionality while shooting. However I got used to the small buttons now and am really not finding it that much of a problem.
I bought this digital camera based on the reviews that I found in the Internet.  The picture I took with it looked good, portrait, landscape.  I started shooting for pictures I need to put on my website, ie, up-close, 18inches.  I was so disappointed because I was not able to get a clear and true picture.  The white background came out golden brown and the item I was trying to get a picture off was fuzzy and did not show the true color.  I tried all the settings (including Macro) available but still cannot get a true picture.  I suggest to all the people who bought this camera to try and take a picture of a nice piece of necklace with a white background. I am curious how this would come out.  Please let me know. For me, I am returning this camera and getting an Olympus Camedia C-4000.  I think Olympus has better digital technology than Canon.
I've owned the Canon Powershot S30 for about two months now and am still amazed daily at how well this little camera can take pictures!  Pictures come out so clear it is amazing!  The prints I have made from my computer look EXACTLY like professionally developed prints.  All of my friends have been amazed at the quality and clarity, "You did this from a computer and digital camera!" they have often responded.Not only is the picture quality superb, but the ease of use is wonderful.  The LCD screen features handy little guides that help to frame and focus your pictures just right.  Pre-focusing lets you know if all your elements are right for the perfect picture.I haven't yet ventured into all the more advanced features of the S30 yet, but I hope to soon.  From reading the owner's manual, there appears to be an endless amount of experimentation yet to be had.Suggestions for use of this camera include purchasing a bigger Compact flash card.  I use of 256mb card and haven't completely filled it yet.  Also look into an extra set of batteries because this camera can drain some power!  These can be quite difficult to find, unlike many other Canon accessories.  You only the original CANON brand battery.  I have only been able to find this battery on the Canon website, but I have yet to check with the more upscale camera stores in my area.I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone wanting to print there own pictures.  This camera has completely replaced by other non-digital Canon camera!  A good accessory for this camera is a good quality photo camera. Epson has a wonderful model for under cost.
I researched digital cameras at length before I settled on the S30.  There were a number of competitors with 3X optical zoom, with compact size, and with sharp display panels. The detail that persuaded me was the battery life - and I am thoroughly pleased.  I took the S30 to a party and not only took 70 shots (many of which were moving targets - dancing) but also spent a fair amount of time replaying them for the subjects' pleasure. The Lithium ion battery held up for the entire party.  The battery also recharges in only 80 minutes, so I did not feel the need to purchase a backup battery -- a big saving.  I did get an optional 128 MB CompactFlash card -- I recommend that.  I took all those shots at highest resolution and still had plenty of memory left. I also purchased a CompactFlash Card media reader which reads the card directly into the computer without using the camera's battery OR needing an AC powercord -- another saving. I cropped several of the candid shots, then printed at 8 1/2 X 11, with excellent results. My friends requested reprints to give to their families for Christmas. I have promised to take the photographs for an upcoming family wedding, and I have no reservations about the quality this camera can deliver.  Love this camera!
I love photography and I'm a computer geek! Why did it take me so long to get a digital camera?  I've had this model for 4 days and love it!  I got an extra battery and a 256 MB memory card at the same time. It only comes with a 16 MB card which I got 18 shots on, one of which was a 10sec video.  Not bad but the battery lasted about 10 shots longer.  The battery charges really fast, 20 min or so. So with two batteries this is a good camera for day trips.  My next major purchase will be a car charger.I also like that you can hook it up to the video in jack on your tv and view you pictures and videos there. You can also set up shots on the tv.I highly recommend this camera to anybody with a resonable amount of geekyness. :o)
I had been looking for a digital camera for personal and family use for a couple of months. Having used the Canon G2 at the art gallery where I work, I was familiar with how a high quality digtial camera works. So I used the G2's features as quidelines for choosing a digital camera for myself. I wanted something smaller than the G2 to make it more portable for travel, etc. less expensive, and yet with similar features. I found just what I was looking for in the Canon Powershot S30. I love it and the images it takes. Image and color capture is great. I still haven't learned or tried all its features, but so far am more than satisfied with my choice and would recommend it highly.
I've owned about 5 digital cameras in my life and this is by far better than anything I've ever seen.  The first rule about digital photography is that a camera only takes great photos when you take it with you.  If it's too big to carry everywhere you won't get much use out of it.  The S30 has a flat shape and travels well - far better than any fuji, nikon or kodak I've owned before.  Second, the photos it takes are spectacular.  While recently studying abroad I took about 2800 photos and the clarity and color of the shots I took is better than a traditional APS film camera.  I have been very surprised with how well these shots come out when I take them to Costco or Shutterfly for printing (even at 8x10 and larger).It also has some additional features I tend to use a lot more than I expected.  A lot of cameras out there today offer the ability to take 30 second movies, but very few also offer sound.  The S30 has a built in microphone that makes this feature far more useful and the clips you take much more memorable.  Watching a movie of your friends laughing at a joke isn't very funny if you can't hear the punch line.  This ability to take small clips and fit the camera into a pocket also eliminated my need to buy a separate video camera.  The panorama feature is also a ton of fun to play with and my home now has 30 inch prints of panoramas I've taken in various cities around the world.Finally, Canon has by far the easiest and most intuitive software for organizing and archiving photos on your computer.  Amazingly, the software is simple enough for anyone to pick up but robust enough that hard-core enthusiasts like myself still use it to do nearly everything.  Even the using the camera itself is a no-brainer to figure out.Get a larger memory card and I recommend an extra battery if you are planning on traveling with it.  I am probably one of the most critical people when it comes to electronics but this camera has exceeded every expectation I've had and I plan to hold onto it for a long time.
I started using the Canon S100 when it first came out about 2 years ago.. it was the best camera in town... Then came the S110, with more features and better battery life... the best just got better! I gave the S110 to my wife and decided to step-up with a 3.2 MegaPix camera... I bought the Nikon Coolpix 885, and guess what.. I returned it 2 weeks later... because the picture quality was so-so... Then I received the S30.. and believe me.. It's the best digital camera I ever had and have seen... it's great! Same quality as the Digital Elph (s100, s110), great features, and most important, great picture quality.PROS:- Great finish, great style, great overall construction- No plastic or cheap materials- Incredible picture quality in all modes- Super fast image processing- Super fast "ready for next picture"- Great LCD display- Great size! (not that small as the S110, but still perfect!)CONS:- Heavy for the size. (this because of the good quality materials used)- The "navigator" joystick, is kind of not intuitive to move.- Video mode is not good compared to other less expensive cameras I have seen.- Does not come with a case.
I've owned this camera for about 6 weeks and have taken more than 300 pictures. So far, it has performed admirably under a wide variety of situations. It has all of the options (shutter speed and aperture control, white balance, etc.) that my high end Canon SLR camera has -- and more. I doubt if I've scratched the surface yet. The quality is excellent (although keeping still the fraction of a second after you hit the shutter release takes some getting used to -- a few blurry pics at first). Macro option is incredible.Image compression can be set for very high resolution (good enough for reproduction in quality magazines) or lower resolution (for web images)....The only minor complaint I have is that it is a very SMALL camera, especially when compared to my big hefty one, which takes some getting use to. People don't take you seriously as a photographer when you tote around this thing. Also, you cannot attach filters or auxiliary lenses (although a session in Photoshop will usually do the same thing).All in all, I am very pleased. In fact, I'm buying a second camera (exact same) for my partner who keeps "borrowing" the camera to take shots while I twiddle my thumbs.By the way --- you might be able to get this camera cheaper through other places on the internet, but be careful. There are a lot of rip off companies out there. With Amazon, you know you'll get the product in a timely fashion and they have excellent customer service if anything goes wrong. I have bought repeatedly through Amazon and have NEVER been dissatisfied.
If you used any line of Canon EOS SLRs you will be very comfortable with this little guy.  There isn't much the S30 can't do.I bought the S30 with some consideration for others, like Sony(Overpriced), Fuji, Kodak(minimal features) or Nikon.The only down side is it is a bit cumbersome in large hands.
After reading everything that Consumer Reports magazine had to say about digital cameras &quot;A 3-megapixel camera provides some breathing room: files large enough for enlargements, yet not so gargantuan than you'll have difficulty saving, storing, or e-mailing them.&quot; and looking at the various models that got good ratings as well as mid priced cameras this one is the one I chose.The slide cover was a big draw as well since I take my camera with me when we ski, run, hike, backpack, fly fish, etc and have in the past dropped cameras or at least had them get banged against rocks a lot.  Having a slide cover over the lens rather than worrying about lens cap covers was a big plus. And for a zoom camera it is one of the best.Having a zoom lens was a must as was a camera that felt at ease in my hands. Although I have bought a sturdy neck strap holder so I don't worry about it falling off a cliff or into a river.  I do recommend buying extra card, and will admit the battery could be better, especially if you use the camera a lot.  I bought an extra battery so that I always have a well charged fresh one.The price is excellent too for what you get.
It's been nearly four months since I purchased Canon S30, and I must say that my contentment with it is increasing every day!The image quality is excellent. In the automatic mode, all you have to do is simply pressing the big button. Even if you're a professional, this becomes handy when you need quick and good pics. Otherwise, the manual option is excellent too. If you do not wish to use the flash, then you have to be very careful in holding the machine still; because a slight tremble can create a blur in the whole image. But these are, usage issues, that can be solved very quickly.The size of the pictures varies from your computer's screen to a 8-11 page. It's good that you get big pictures, because you can resize them to any dimension you want afterwards.There's a movie feature, which runs from 30s to 2 min, according to the size of it. I did not know this when I was buying it; but I must say that for the most of the time, I'm shooting movies instead. The reason is that you can record sound perfectly as well and I do mean it! It's in .mov format which can be easily played by any player. Furthermore, I've actually put together an amateur short film, by combining and editing the movies in Windows Movie Maker. It's just wonderful to have this machine.The softwares included with the machine are good, but they have some flaws unfortunately. The picture organizer, called ImageReady, hassles sorting all the images when you add or remove an image, which takes a lot of time when you have hundred images.It's really necessary that you purchase another battery. Having two keeps you safe in long journeys. I also recommend you to buy another memory card. The one that comes with the machine is 16 megs, which is not bad actually, but you might want to get a 256 meg one, and do not bother with loading off your images frequently. This is totally extra, but I also have a memory reader, Intelliflash, which is about 6 times faster than the computer in transfering the images. If you're dealing with many pictures or movies at a time, this might be your solution.If you really want to make a combo with S30 by buying a photo printer, then I would go for Canon i850, for which I have a special review on the product's page in amazon. With the two, you will be able to shoot pictures, transfer them to computer and print them in minutes.What sets a digital camera apart from a nondigital camera is that you can modify your images on computer. If you want to leave things to chance, and wait for results, nondigital is loveable. However, if you want to edit your images, crop some people out or make yourself more beautiful or handsome, digital camera is just for you! I have both of them. I carry them side by side inside my canon bag. (Yes, I'm obsessed with Canon!) According to how I feel about the atmosphere, I use them interchangeably.Also, another thing about Canon S30: I was also once trying to figure out which camera to buy, looking at all zooms and digital zooms of every machine... But, you know what, it just never ends! The next day we will have 20x zooms. So, I grant you, that this machine will not disappoint you by any means. Do what your mind tells you...
The cannon powershot digital camera came early and was exactly as advertised.  I am impressed with its clarity. My granddaughter loves it.
I've always seemed to have good luck with Canon products so when I decided to dive into digital photography, my short list of manufacturers included Canon.  I liked the compact design of the S30 and the features for the price over others I was considering, so I went with it in the end.  Now that I've had amonth to fiddle with it I have to admit that it exceeds my expectations in almost every way.  The camera is very easy to use and the photo quality is better and more consistent than any automatic 35MM I've ever used.  The software included is also intuitive with features and easy editing capabilities that make it a snap to enhance a less than perfect shot.  When I print the photos I like, the clarity is exceptional even though I am only using an inexpensive HP932C printer.  Crop a shot and put it on glossy photo paper and a routine snapshot becomes an incredibly clear photograph.  I am really enjoying this camera.There are some drawbacks to digital photography.  Some are more universal than others, and most are about cost.  The camera isn't especially cheap to begin with and you need at least a 64MB card to get a reasonable number of shots.  The other additional cost is the extra battery which you should have handy when the one you're using goes dead.If you're thinking about a digital camera and you've done a little homework, you probably already know that it won't be a cheap hobby.  So, cost aside and considering the ease of use as well as the quality of the photos, the Canon S30 is an excellent product that I feel provdes more than it advertises.
I have been playing around with my Powershot S30 for a couple of weeks now, and I must say I am very impressed.  This is my first digital camera.  35mm photography has been a hobby of mine for over 10 years now, so I wanted to get a digicam that wouldn't let me down.  And the S30 hasn't.  It has almost all the features of my Canon Rebel 2000 (except interchangeable lenses, filters, and a hotshoe), but with a fraction of the size.  The pictures are great.  I have noticed that indoor flash pics tended to be a little too bright, but that was easily fixed by adjusting the flash exposure compensation down by 1/3 or 2/3.  The camera takes pictures quickly (not as fast as my SLR, but that's to be expected) and the pics are of high quality.  The battery life is relatively short, but a fully charged battery was more than enough to get me through over 100 shots, using the LCD screen for all of them, the flash for most, and spending a fair bit of time reviewing the photos.  I *love* the fact that the camera records all the settings you used along with the shot.The camera is small and rugged, so it can easily be taken everywhere.  Even the battery charger is fairly small.  I definitely recommend getting a 256MB card (check out newegg.com) and a USB reader.  At highest resolution and least compression, I can fit 157 pics on the 256MB card.  The only thing I've used the 16MB card that comes with the camera for was to transfer some pics to it so a friend who wanted &quot;doubles&quot; could go to Ritz camera and print them out for herself.  Definitely recommend!!!!!!!
I purchased this camera about six months ago. I wanted a camera that was simple to use, with metal construction, and that took great pictures--and the camera is all that.Sure, nothing is perfect. The goofy rubber cover on the mini-USB port is an anoyance to open, the port is next to the base where the cover is attached to the camera--a real pain, specially since you have to mess with it to download the pictures to the  computer. Another issue is the power adapter. It requires taking the battery out to insert a piece in the shape of the battery. It is not only clumsy, the battery door remains open, and the door is plastic and somewhat flimsy.The serious problem is Mac OS X support. The camera has a "stitch assist" feature to help taking panoramic pictures. The actual stitching is done on the computer using PhotoStitch, which automates the task. This software is essential for taking panoramic pictures. The camera software bundle does not include Mac OS X versions of the programs, and although some of the programs are available for download, PhotoStitch is *only* available by purchasing (for $20 more) the new version of the software bundle CD.
This Camera, the Canon S30 is a piece of junk. Owned it for two years and it has stopped working.It shows a fully charged battery as low and you can get two pictures before it stops working and tells you to get a new battery.Even at its best it was a terrible camera. Save your money and buy something else.
I bought this camera about a year ago and am still discovering new features. This camera has so many features that I'm sure I'll never learn all of them (I only use the &quot;auto&quot; and &quot;movie&quot; settings and can't figure out what the rest of them are for).The good news is that it's incredibly easy to use, even for someone as camera un-savvy as me (and this surprises me because I love electronics). The auto focus works wonders. The 3mega pixels are more than enough to deliver clear and crisp photos from a printer. Photo transferring is a breeze with iPhoto (for Macs) and Picasa (it's free for Windows).I also want to point out that it is incredibly durable. This camera lives in my purse (along with an oversized wallet, cell phone, keys, iPod and accessories... The list goes on, but the camera has no scratches and after a year I've had zero problems.No plans to upgrade because all my needs are satisfied with this product... And I've got years of product discovery ahead of me, starting with the functions of the other 11 settings on the formatting wheel.
Canon's S30 fills a nice niche between expensive, feature-laden cameras and point-and-shoots.  Its compact size, snug enough to fit in the palm of your hand and perfect for slipping into a pocket, makes it an ideal companion for those excursions when a larger camera would be too bulky or conspicuous.  The silver all-metal body is sleek and stylish, so much that it's almost a fashion accessory.  It's loaded with features, an amazing feat for such a small package, while at the same time offers unparalleled ease of use.  Lastly, it's a great deal considering its price-feature ratio.The S30 includes the usual automatic presets such as landscape and portrait, but also offers the semi-automatic and fully manual modes that a serious photographer would want.  The following adjustments may come in handy: 1) film speed from ASA-equivalent 50 to 800, 2) spot, center-weighted and evaluative metering modes, 3) three selectable autofocus areas, 4) exposure compensation between -2 and 2 EV in steps of 1/3 EV, 5) continuous drive mode (though maxing out at a modest 2.5fps), 6) macro mode.  While I still prefer an SLR in most situations, the S30 fills many of my needs very nicely.  I use the it to take preview or experimental shots or to take shots that I would hesitate to blow film on.  Morever, the S30 makes your job a cinch when it comes to panoramas.  The panoramic mode shows you a third of the previous frame, either vertical or horizontal, which is an invaluable guide to help you line up the current frame.  I used to have to spend a lot of time in Photoshop to line up adjacent frames and erase the seams between frames.  Canon's Photostitch software does all of that and more, at the click of a button!Picture quality is very good, with excellent sharpness throughout the image and no noticeable softness in the corners at wide-angle.  Macro shots are very sharp, to the point that I decided to do close-ups primarily with the S30.  Colors can be a little flat, but this can be easily fixed in Photoshop.  There is a special "Vivid" or saturated mode, but this comes at the expense of losing other controls over the shot.  I've noticed that the dynamic range for the CCD sensor is quite low, much worse than for color negatives or slides.  This is most apparent if you've got a mixed light and dark scene; either the sky would be washed out or the foreground would be underexposed.  This could be a shortcoming of CCDs in general and not one particular to the S30.The S30's 3-megapixels resolution is good enough for a 2048x1536 image, which in turn is sufficient for 8x10 enlargements.  If this is not large enough for your needs, the S40 ups the ante to 4 megapixels.  There is a USB jack for downloading images and an A/V jack for previewing images on TV.  You will want to invest in a CF card-reader however, for convenience's sake.  The storage slot takes Type I or II CF cards, and also accommodates a Microdrive.The S30's compact size is its greatest asset, but is also responsible for a few shortcomings.  The 1.8" LCD screen is bright and contrasty, but only indoors.  Lacking a swivel and anti-glare coating, it's virtually useless outdoors.  You may have to resort to the optical viewfinder, which does not cover 100 percent of the image.  The LCD displays most useful information, but inexplicably lacks a battery life indicator.  You'd have no idea how much power is left until the low-battery indicator flashes.  To make matters worse, the rechargeable Li-Ion battery has rather short lifespan, between 30-50 shots.  I have to carry 2 spare batteries in order to shoot for a whole day.  The thumb-operated directional controller is rather awkward to use.  You scroll to move up/down and press to move left/right.  To select, you have to press down on the middle.  In my case, to hit select, I had to learn a way to press it just right, otherwise the controller would move left or right instead.  Lastly, while this may not matter much to most people, I frequently use a tripod, which blocks the battery cover and makes changing battery quite a hassle.Despite its shortcomings, I've found the S30 to be an indispensable companion.  I've had it for almost a year and taken it with me on trips to Asia and throughout western North America.  At times I yearned for a more advanced camera like the Canon G2 or even a digital SLR, but more often than not I found myself thankful that I was able to take pictures I wouldn't have taken otherwise with a larger camera. The S30 has more than paid for itself.
I've owned this camera since 2002.I wanted to purchase a really great camera that was next to professional, as I design websites and have an Interior Designing company and wanted to be able to put up professional pictures of my work on my website.I did an extensive search on the Internet and found that the Powershot S30 was rated in the top 5 cameras at that time for the price range of around $300.00.  This rating was consistent with many top rated sites such as Amazon and CNET.It was not what I was looking for in size and weight as at that time smaller cameras were the rave, but I decided to trade that in for it's features and picture quality.  I went ahead and made my purchase over the net.I have not regretted it.  The camera was just as it boasted.  The pictures were awesome!  I still own this camera to this day and among the sea of 8 mega pixels and all the latest rave, my 3.2 mega pixel pictures sits just perfectly right up there with the rest.On the downside, the camera has a clumsy way of powering up and down, as you have to slide this piece of metal accross the zoom lens.  But this is really nothing to write home about.  Also, the delete image button is a little testy as well, but again, you can get around that.Since my camera is 6 years old now I do have some wear and tear and other problems.  when I power up with that sliding metal, the lens sticks and won't open out and sometimes I have to give it a little shake and a thump for it to open out.  If the lens doesn't open out the camera won't turn on.  And that is all the problem I am having now.  I managed to drop my camera a couple of times and even cause some dents on the body but no internal damages... still works perfectly.I wouldn't bother to buy a new camera until it breathes it's last breath, but now I will have to as I am having problems turning it on.  I think it's trying to tell me to let go and move on.  But I'm moving on to another Canon though, they are tried and true.  Although I must say I own Sony this and Sony that, but the Canon Digital camera to me is much better.So I'm on to researching again... although I do say I still see Canon in the top 5 so far.Dione,Kingston Jamaica
This is my second camera so far.  I recently bought an Olympus C3020 and realized after a few days that I really felt ripped off for the money I spent.  I returned it and got the Canon S30 after doing some more thorough research on reviews of cameras.So far I like everything about this camera.  The metal case, shape and weight feel good in your hands.Not having to deal with a lense cap is another big plus.the videos are short and lo-res, but for me it's an opportunity to at least get SOME stuff of my kids on video before they grow up.  Certainly getting a digital camcorder is on my wishlist, but personally until I can get an hour of good quality video at a reasonable price, I'm not ready to spend the money.The battery is GREAT and the fact that it came with both the rechargable battery and the charger was a big plus.  When I was looking at cameras, I really liked the Nikon 885, but when I discovered they sold the camera with a disposable lithium battery(excuse me, disposable??) and no charger, I just could not accept that.  I'm sorry, if I'm spending 500-600 dollars, don't poor-boy me.  I've found that a lot of the cameras in the field out there all have one or more "gotchas" like the Nikon did that unless you really look over the specs, it's easy to miss.  The canon does not have any "gotchas" that I have found.  Aside from a larger storage card, you really don't need to buy anything else to enjoy this camera.The battery so far seems to have a very long lifespan.  I've been using mine throughout the day and charge it overnight.  I've not run out of juice yet, and I always have the screen on when I use it.There is only one minor things I found about this camera, I wish were included and that is a battery meter so I would know when the battery is getting low.Overall, my advice is if you looking for a 3.x MP camera you really need to look at either this camera or a sony (which I considered, but did not like the higher cost of media and card readers since I don't own a sony laptop :(
I have been looking for 2 months for a good digicam, checked out every site, every review, every everything. I bought the s30 camera and all I have to say is, WHAT A CAMERA!...Whether you are a novice like me who wants to just shoot great pics, or a more advanced person who wants to mess around with all the manual settings, you wont be dissappointed!...Do yourself a favor, stop worrying about whether the camera youre going to buy will be good......dump it and get the Canon s30!
This is my very first digital camera and I just got it about a month ago. I'm not really an expert on cameras but here are my views when it comes to the camera so far:The camera is nice and compact but it is quite heavy so it is not that easy to carry it aroundin your pocket.I have heard people complaining about the battery capacity. So far it has not been a problem for me but why didn't canon include som battery indicator?It is nice to have a lens cover but it seems a bit fragile at times.The multicontrol button/joystick is not always easy to operate.Apart from this I'm having a great time with the camera and the quality of the pictures are great.
I've had my Canon s30 for a year and a half now, and it's still at the top of its game.  Brushed aluminum.  Weighty, but not bulky.  Crystal-clear screen.  Potentially ridiculously intricate functionality, but simple enough for anyone to use.  And yes, the video function is incredibly handy to have around.The cons cited in other reviews hold, of course: the joystick is difficult to use, you'll want to buy a separate 256 MB card, the battery drains fairly quickly, that sort of thing.  Except for these aspects of its anatomy, it really is a brilliant camera.But here's one pro I haven't seen anyone mention yet: you can zoom in--really CLOSE!--on a picture you've taken, and then scroll around in it.  This is an incredible function, catering to those social settings where everyone gathers around you and demands to see themselves in that last picture you took.  Really handy (and sometimes VERY entertaining).
I had an s10 for 6 months but it didn't do too well indoors with colors and blurred if the subject was moving. The s30 can handle so many more situations and does it all so much better. I've used the movie feature way more then I thought I would. I've been real happy with it so far.
My camera died after about six months.  I had to send it back three times before they fixed it.  I paid to send it back the first two times, about $15 each time.  When I called the third time and asked to speak to someone beyond the people who answer the phone, I was scolded by the person I was talking to because I balked at calling a toll number.  I was told that Canon could not give toll free numbers to everybody.  I eventually talked to someone who told me to send it in again.  Only, after I balked at paying shipping again did he offer to send me prepaid packaging.  Guess I should have balked the first time.  So far the third &quot;fix&quot; has worked for over a year.Very nice little camera.  The service is very poor.
I just recently bought the S30, and so far, I've found it to be nothing but fantastic. Here's what I like about it most:First of all, the 3MP resolution is nice. I'm sure that 3 megapixels will be ... cheaper in another year, but for the moment, this is one of the cheapest cameras that offers so high a resolution.Second, the LCD screen is 1.8 inches, not the 1.5 on smaller cameras.Third, it's small enough to take with you, and the retractable cover on the front ensures safety when carried around.Fourth, an *okay* optical zoom that's great for a camera of its size.Fifth - and this is fairly important - it offers both full auto and full manual control. For me, as an aspring and beginning digital photographer, being able to choose between letting the camera do it's thing or being able to play around with all the exposure settings myself was really nice.Sixth - a 16MB card. Thank you.Seventh - fairly good software bundle. As a mac user, there are definitely better software packages out there, but you can get by right out of the box.Eighth, complete documentation.I'm still experimenting with taking my first photographs, so I'm reserving final judgement until after having used it for a while.
OK...I had a Digital Elph, which I loved, until it fell out of my pocket on a ski lift. :|  The S30 outperforms it hands down in every category except size.  A few of the things that weren't toally obvious to me from the advertising:  You can do manual focus with this guy.  Also has a Macro mode.  You have complete apture priority, shutter priority, manual, or several program modes to choose from.  1/1500th shutter on the fast side, ability to pick emulated ISO from 50 up to 800(if I remember right).  Raipd fire shutter mode is cool, I haven't seen this on a digital camera before.  Basically it snaps off about 3 shots/sec until the camera's buffer is full, then it starts writing to the CF.The 16MB CF card is a joke..c'mon Canon...you're giving me a camera that I can take 14-16 shots with?  Get real.  I agree with everybody else saying you need extra batteries.  Only other thing I'm still getting used to is this selective focus area - Canon's had this on their film cameras for a few years, but I've been a Minolta guy for years.Overall, due to the creative control this thing lets me have, I'm considering shelfing my film based gear for a while.  The only thing this camera is missing for me right now is interchangable lenses(I'd love to go wider than it lets me).Great camera.  I'd highly recommend for the intermediate+ photographer.  For a beginner it will work great, just the extra features might be a little overkill.
Searched and searched for a relatively inexpensive high quality digital camera. This one definitely fits the bill. Quick setup, easy to use software, and great quality make this a fantastic buy. Make sure you buy a smart card reader though to help save battery life when downloading pictures.
I just had my Olympus c3040 stolen, so now I need a new camera.  Iborrowed a Canon S30 from one friend and an S40 from the other.  Ihave decided to go with Canon, and I am chosing the S30 over the S40because it's faster in a couple of ways than the S40 due to smallerimage sizes.  I am not ready to deal with 4 megapixel images yet.Here's some more information on why I am not going back to Olympus.1: The Olympus is slower in displaying pictures, focusing, gettingready for the next shot, accessing menus, etc.  The canon is just muchfaster.2: The LCD on the Canon shows you what you're going to see in thefinal shot.  E.g., if the shot is over-exposed, you can tell beforeyou take it, and you can see what will happen if you adjust theexposure as you adjust the exposure.  The Olympus LCD always lookeddark and off color to me and didn't seem to reflect reality, andconsequently I never used it except for macro mode.  The Canon's LCDseems very fast as you move the camera around for your next shot.  Iwill use the LCD for most shots on the Canon.3: The LCD is still quite visible in outdoor lighting conditions.4: The menus on the Canon are easily invoked and accessed, and sit ontop of the image you're composing instead of covering the image untilyou've made your choice.  Olympus menus are a pain to navigate, andthey are not very visible in the sun light, whereas Canon menus seemto be right there where you need them.5: Canon uses compact flash, olympus uses smart media.  I had moresmart media cards go bad than you can believe, and smart media is moreespensive than compact flash.6: The Canon's image histogram is a useful and helpful feature forhelping you take better shots.  It's also very cool.7: The Olympus is better in one crucial situation: low light picturesare only possible if you are within flash range.  I have pictures ofmy daughter's indoor dance perforamnce that I took with my Olympuslast year, and now have similar pictures I took with the S30.  The S30ones need to be deleted - they are blurred because there wasn't enoughlight.  The Olympus took amazingly clear and crisp pictures in thatlow light situation, even when fully zoomed.  That's because its lens isf/1.8 and the S30 is the more standard f/2.8.  The Canon G2 has anF/2.0 which is closer, but some of the other functions on that cameraare very slow, and that camera is too big and heavy.In summary, once I used the Canon for a while I couldn't bear thethought of going back to the Olympus and smartmedia.  The one thingthat worried me was the low light photos, but I think I can livewithout that.  I still have a good SLR camera that I can whip out onthose rare occasions ...
When I selected this camera I knew the written specs, so it's hard to say I was surprised at what it can do, but I was surprised! The photo modes work great and produce outstanding shots, no surprise there.I was annoyed at first that I can't date stamp the images themselves with the camera, but the S30 records the data and time the picture was taken in the meta-data of the JPEG. In addition, there are a dozen more interesting tidbits in that meta-data, like F-stop, shutter speed and the distance from subject. This kind of detail reveals Canon's dedication to the pro-sumer market.The big surprises came in the movie mode, which does a pretty good job, and with the excellent software Canon bundles with the S30. This software really helps me accomplish the creative things I planned when I bought it.
zoom is nice and canon quality is there but too big, bulky, and old...like a dinosaur and unnecessary w/ most modern cellphone cameras
We've had this camera for about a month and a half...I've taken approximately 200 pics with it. Awesome is all I can say...I've been into photography for about 15 years. My film camera I spent $[money] on between body, lenses, and flash (a Nikon N70, 2 zoom lenses and a zoom flash). The Canon S30 takes just as good pictures and its easy enough to use that my wife can also use it.Downloading pics to the computer takes 1 or 2 seconds. I can take  a picture, download and post it to the internet in less than 4 minutes.Quality is outstanding. I love this camera. I still have film in my Nikon from my sons birth that I haven't taken out to get developed yet. And unlike my anal photo way that I am, it doesn't bother me because we have the Canon S30.One other great feature I was able to use while taking pics at the hospital, was the black and white feature. Just turn the dial and take black and white pictures of a mother with her new baby.One last thing: upgrade to a bigger flash card, I found a 128MG card for $[money] and I also purchased a 2nd battery for $[money]. Both at other online stores...The battery doesn't take long to charge, but if your in the middle of photo taking it is nice to have an extra...
I have owned the S30, S40, and S50 and have done everything one can do with these cameras.  Here is my take on the good and bad on the Canon PowerShot S30.This was a terrific small digital camera when it was introduced, but the digital camera market advances quickly and this model has been surpassed by Canon's own S45 (which is an updated S40) and the new S50 (5 megapixel in the same body only in high-tech black). Serious photographers seekng a digital should turn to Canon's EOS Digital Rebel. The S30 and S40 are good cameras if you want lots of features in a small package without paying a lot of money.  The two models are identical except for this: the S30 is 3 megapixel and allows ISO-equivalence of 800, allowing for low-light indoor photography.  The S40 is a 4 megapixel model using a denser CCD, and its maximum ISO is 400.  You can make the pictures smaller than the maximum size to conserve space on the removable CompactFlash cards.Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc. You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both. There's even a Movie mode, complete with sound, which creates video clips of 320 x 200 pixels.This small camera fits in a purse or shirt pocket easily and won't get in the way if you're shouldering it in a case (not included, just buy a generic). But you pay a price for the small size: the optical zoom is limited to 3x. And unfortuately, the S30, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out with a focal length of 11mm, which is a very wide-angle view. Even at 3X optical zoom you will max out at 55mm, often not as close as you'd need. There is a digital zoom, but so what? Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature.  I found 55mm insufficient for shooting across a large room.  If you work closer in this won't be a problem, but it is not a good focal length for shooting children, who stop whatever adorable thing they're doing when they notice you framing that shot.  (And see comment on slow shutter response, below.)The sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy and can cause problems.  My 3YO niece got ahold of my S40 (remember, this is the exact same body as the S30) and ripped the door off. I was able to reattach it but now it's a loose tooth, ready to fall off again. Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it. I couldn't live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all. I've just learned not to lend it to people who can't baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again.One of the S30's most frustrating limitations is a slow shutter response.  I can't tell you how many shots I've missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score. The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks.  If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue. Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap.  I don't know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if I'm not using it then I want my hands free.  I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasn't a great fit.  At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory.I give this camera 3 stars; 4 for putting so many features in such a small package, but the loss of one because you can buy the S40 for about the same price and the gain of a megapixel more than makes up for losing ISO 800 (which produces very noisy photos, anyway).  The PowerShot S30 comes with software, but you'll probably want to buy your own image editing package, such as Photoshop Elements.  The package provided is fairly limited. Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots. The included 32 MB CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card. Also plan on buying a second battery.
If you really are going to buy one .. try this search on Google first &quot;Canon e18&quot;.  Read the reports this returns.The dreaded e18 error affects cameras across the line and means they are pretty much dead (lens will not retract).  Mine got the error a few days ago.Canon has evidence of hundreds of such errors but provides no information on their website.
For months, I researched digital cameras...printed off the specs of at least 30 different models.  My search led me to the Canon Powershot S30 and after owning it for a mere three days, I LOVE IT!One of the &quot;complaints&quot; I kept reading about digital cameras in general was the poor quality of indoor pictures (too dark or blurred).  This camera takes BEAUTIFUL indoor pictures!  We *tried* to make it blur and took some action shots. This camera took a perfectly crisp picture of my husband wildy waving his arms!  And, the pics of our young children are perfect every time.  The flash is really amazing.The instruction manual is very well written, very detailed, not confusing at all.  In three days, I have already taken pictures (on AUTO) in every resolution, taken three videos with the movie mode and all this was without reading the manual from cover to cover.  The controls, menus and manual are so easily laid out that you can use the camera without a lot of studying.  Of course, to have more control over my pics, I will need to read more about the manual settings.Oh, the battery life...excellent!  There is not an always-present indicator of battery power; however, when the battery is getting low, a red indicator comes on (so there is some warning).  But, so far, I have used the camera quite a bit with each charge and have had plenty of power.  The charging process is very fast, too.  (less than an hour to get a full charge)The cover for the USB connection seems rather flimsy...but, I download my pics using my Photosmart printer so I don't have to use a USB port.  If I was continually opening and closing the cover, I would be concerned that it might not last.  (?)Compactflash cards...keep in mind, the type this camera uses are available everywhere...they are not &quot;proprietary&quot; like some brands (Sony, for instance).  That was a big thing for me...I can buy my cards online from many different sites or go out to Sam's / Wal-Mart.  BTW, the 16 MB card holds so much more than I thought it would!This is my first digital camera, so I am not an experienced user nor do I have anything to compare this camera to.  But, I have to say that I am extremely happy with the quality of the photos and highly recommend this camera!  It is A LOT of camera for the price...the 16 MB card, rechargeable batteries and base...GREAT package!BTW, I bought a Case Logic camera bag at WM on clearance that fits this camera perfectly.
I agree with the reviews by Simplicissimus & "curious", it was a great camera until it died.  Mine had a critical failure just over one month past the warrentee running out.  I paid $150 to have it "repaired." What I got back was a refurb with a different serial number.  That lasted less than a year and half before it died.  Given the price when I bought it, this camera has already cost me close to $800.  The repair price that Canon charges will buy a new camera of the same functionality, with full warrentee.  They offer an "upgrade" to a newer model, for $220, but that is a refurb with only a six month warrentee.  I would prefer that Canon built a quality product that would last at least two years. I would settle for them at least standing behind their products when they die under normal use.
Fully automatic point and shoot for the novice in the family but with fully programmable features to satisfy even the most experienced amateur. I'll let sites like Imaging Resource (.com) and others like it comment on image quality and other technicals, which are fantastic, and I encourage you to check these out for the meat of your investigation. For this review, I've chosen to focus mostly on ergonomics, feature set and usability.Pros:- Small sturdy form factor: in the 3 MP category, not as small as the DimageX, but doesn't sacrifice quality so you can hang it around your neck - not that kind of camera- Advanced feature set to satisfy the experienced amateur- Movie mode: capture 30 seconds at a time w/ sound - not a good substitute for a camcorder, but more handy than you would think (e.g. I capture 4-5 golf swings in 30 seconds, download it to my computer and analyze in slow motion/frame advance in Win Media Player 9)- Absolutely fantastic image quality (my layman's opinion)Cons:- On camera flash a bad light source: all 35mm/digital cameras have this problem, but what makes this a con for this camera, especially if you are an experienced photographer, is the S30 can not power an off-camera flash (through a hot sync).- "Enter/OK" softkey switch that controls a number of menu functions is a little difficult to master.- No diopter: this means that why you see through the viewfinder is not quite what you get. You must use the LCD to see exactly how it will be framed, but of course this uses battery power.Other Issues:- Proprietary battery: I wouldn't worry about this - the batteries charge quickly (1 hour), are getting cheaper (see this site for the NB-2L) and are Lithium Ion which should last a good while.- Somewhat fragile sliding lens cover - don't handle it roughly and it will function fineAlso, reading the manual is a must - take the 60 minutes and just do it. A word on the other Powershot cameras - the S40, with 4 MP, and the S50 with 5 MP. The S30 is more than adequate to get a 35mm quality 8x10 print - why an amateur would want 5 MP I'm not sure, but if you are a professional, I doubt you're looking at the Powershot series so stick with the S30.If You Buy It:  get (1) a bigger CF card (at least 128 MB - see my Viking review), (2) an extra battery (see my Canon NB-2L review) and (3) a CF card reader to save on battery power.Bottom Line: Not quite a home run, but great mid to high end consumer 3MP - you will not be disappointed.
Bought this camera a month ago along with a 128MB sandisk.  Really enjoyed it. Both my wife and I are taking many more pictures and in more occasions than before.The focus is very sharp and len is pretty fast.  The picture resolution is just blowing you up.I found Costco has a print service for digital pictures, 20c for each print. So we tends to take 50 or 100 pictures at once and then select a few for print.  You can not tell this is a print from digital camera, except the resolution is astonishing.It takes 30 seconds video clips as well, though somehow the focus is not that great and with low resolution, the video lookspretty fuzzy.Will stay with static picture taking.
I just returned home from a week long trip having just purchased my s30 and like several others on here I debated the s230 and the s30. Wow...what a great camera the s30 is..I really don't have a bad word to say about it except maybe the rocker button on it is a little hard to work. This is my third digital camera and I purchased this one based on its size, my other two were too big to be any use although they took fine pictures they were nothing compared to this beauty.I've printed several 8x10's that I shot in medium 2 resolution that are flawless and this using an older Epson 880 printer, I can only imagine what high resolution must look like. Anyway you will not be disappointed with this camera...trust me I take a lot of pictures and the s30 just makes it that much more fun. This is one device that delivers as advertised.
...  I'll summarize a few points:1) I saw a couple other "cracked LCD screen" comments.  This is NOT BS, people.  Ours cracked after just a month or so of use, and under very questionable circumstances.  It may have been the sun.  It may have been a bump.  We don't know.  But it did cost $150 to get it repaired by Canon.  Not cool!2) Shutter speed: out of the box, you WILL be disappointed with the slow shutter speed (blurry pictures).  The default equivalent film sensitivity is "in the range of ISO 50 to ISO 100".  Very slow film for most apps.3) Movies: Don't pay $100 extra for the movie capability.  The movies are disappointing in quality (~200x300 pixels) and length (max 30 seconds)These cons aside, the camera often does perform swimmingly.
I was going to buy the s110 but it was all sold out! Oh no! Well sitting right next to it was this little jem. Ok so its a little bigger than the s110 but its got MORE...3.2MP with a RAW file output.TOTAL control of image quality.3 settings for JPEG comression.4 Resolution settings from 640*480 to 2048*1537 JPEGPhoto Stich Feature (makes panoramas easy as pie)Nifty sliding cover acts as lens and on/offFast refresh for taking may pictures in a row!4in MacroOf course theres lots more.Pro: Aluminium caseCon: heavy conpared to the plastic bodied onesPro: rechargable batteryetc... go play with it at your local electronics store.
This was my first digital camera and I haven't stopped taking pictures and printing them on my canon printer.  I cannot say enough about this camera.  It's easy to use and lightweight so I can take it with me wherever I go.
My wife and I got this as a Christmas present from relatives so we could email lots of pictures of our newborn baby to family.  I was planning on buying a digital camera for that reason (and others), but I planned to search for a rock bottom price on a entry level camera, being fairly new to digital photography.  Once I saw this one though, I was absolutely blown away.It's very small, like a small 35mm camera, and it's light as a feather, yet it's constructed very solid with a very cool metal exterior.  The resolution is so good that we are not only emailing the pics and saving them on our computer (which pretty much any digital camera can do), but we're ordering high resolution prints of the JPG's that are better than any pics I took with my 35mm camera.It's nothing but digital for me from now on!  This way I take as many pics as I possibly can and don't worry about wasting film or running out.  I'm having a blast editing the pics too, it makes me feel like a real photography expert.I know I've barely scratched the surface of what this camera can do-- I haven't taken movies but I have a digital camcorder so I don't need that feature (although it's nice to have and I'm sure to experiment someday).  Although I couldn't afford to shell out the big bucks to buy a camera this nice for myself, we're so happy to have it.
I have owned this camera for over a year now and taken probably 3000+ pics. I have learnt a lot in this one year about digital cameras in general and this camera in particular. The picture quality is simply superb in most conditions. The one problem of dull pics indoors that the previous reviewer mentioned is definitely something I noticed too. One thing worth trying is to not use the flash and instead use more light indoors if possible. The problem occurs because the flash range is small and it will illuminate only nearby objects. All in all, a fantastic product. I would buy it again if I had to.
This is a very sturdy little camera, the mid-level entry in Canon's &quot;S&quot; line. It features great optics and a decent optical &amp; digital zoom combination, as well as awesome 3 megapixel resolution (enlargements of 11&quot; x 14&quot; are no problem). If you had to buy one digital camera for all your needs, chances are you'd find the S30 a satisfying choice. It does require a 2nd battery and a larger memory card to be ready to go, but aside from that, it's nearly perfect.
This is my first &quot;true&quot; digital camera. I have a basic one included on my VHS-C panasonic camocorder, but that is nothing compared to this Canon unit. I was initially attracted by the metal look, solid feel, size, and when I looked at the feature set, said wow! Have not been dissapointed. You will love the features (many pre-set modes and full manual control for the photo-buff), excellent photo quality, and it looks so cool :). Something you will want to buy: a larger CF card, it comes with a 16MB but you will outgrow that after about 7 shots at the highest resolution. Excellent camera, enjoy!
I picked this camera up a few days ago after doing pretty extensive research online and talking to some people on bulletin boards. I wanted 3mp camera in as compact form as possible that used CF cards and had a rechargeable battery. Then I discovered Canon's new S30/S40. No doubt the S40 is a great successor to the S30, but I have no need for 4mp. I've only had the camera a few days and I'm already very content with my decision.It has a build quality like no other camera I've held. I'd say it has a 95% metal casing, only the battery door is plastic, and they mesh perfectly with the design. The sliding lens cover is great. Works flawlessly as a on/off switch and protection for the lens. Gives the camera a great smooth finish too. The LCD is bright and has good visibility in sun light. The buttons are well placed and easy to work with. My only minor complaint is the rubber door covering the usb and power jack. I question it's durability after long term use, but it should be ok.So how do the pictures looks? Fantastic. If I could sum it up in 3 words, I would say: Sharp, bright and clear. The flash is powerful enough to take great low-light/night shots. Just don't get to far away :) Battery life is average. One of the drawbacks to such a small camera, but the battery recharges fairly quickly. Keep the LCD off for mucher greater battery life! Oh, and get a large CF card. The 16mb that is included won't cut.No problems using the camera with Windows XP Pro through my monitor's USB hub. Canon's software is kind of bloated, but functional. If you prefer, just use XP's built in Digital Camera support.Overall, excellent camera for people who want something portable (like the S110, although not quite as small), and a 3 megapixel resolution.
I've shot hundred of pictures in the rain, at the beach and have never had any issue other than the sometimes slow first shot issue, mentioned else where.It has been drop off the kitchen counter and lived on with a small dent.I'd gladly buy a newer model if I needed to, but 3.2 megs I have found to be more than good enough for family shots.  In comparing this to my other camera from a computer vendor I'd have to say stick to camera vendors models, they feel and work like cameras, right down to the little mirror/shutter sound that lets other people taking your vacation pictures know that they have in fact taken a picture.I do think the lcd too small at times to determine some options, like the flash mode (red eye).  Perhaps newer SLR digitals will get in viewer features, for when you saving power by not running the lcd display.
I have two digital cameras now, and have researched this area extensively.  This camera has some great options: Compact Flash memory cards, great zoom power, movie mode, overrides on everything, a panoramic stich mode, it feels high quality (some of the cameras I checked out locally felt cheap).  This camera is so packed with features, it also takes excellent automatic photos too.  We're very happy with our purchase!
I was looking for a small but sturdy camera that gave me high quality pictures.  On this, the camera does not dissappoint!The one issue that I noticed early on....too many controls to be a out-of-the-box aim-and-shoot camera.  I think a few times with the manual is absolutely necessary.  The Kodak DC4800 that I owned before was truly an aim-and-shoot camera that I hardly needed the manual for.The indoor picture quality is excellent.  The colors are little bit more true on this camera than my dc4800. I have only used the auto setting so far and every picture has been of very good quality.This is a camera for high quality pictures on automatic, indoor setting for a person who does not mind refering to the manual a few times before getting comfortable with the camera. (Most digital cameras do well in the outdoor shots....so, I was looking at this camera for the indoor shots specifically).
"Excellent choice!"After lots of shopping around, we finally decided on the S30.. boy! was it a good decision! This camera's got it all.. we bought ours at eCost.com (good online experience at a great price!).. it comes with a 16Mb CF card which is nice, but if you can afford it, get an additional 32 or 64Mb CF card. The 30-sec (max) video clips are also sweet! The resolution is really decent and images quality is fantastic. For the money, this is a great deal!
This is my first digital camera and I am so happy with it.This is what you get...A heavier weight than most digital cameras.  I wanted to know that I was holding a camera, not a plastic toy.Nice, easy to use software.  The stitch assist software that comes with the camera is fantastic!!The ability to take mini movies (if a little small and short)  The microphone picks up the ambient sound pretty well.Multiple choices of picture resolution, but why not use the max resolution if you have the memory (see below).Fully automatic to fully manual settings, so you you can practice your photography without wasting expensive film.Uses standard compact flash memory (no expensive proprietary memory or limited to 128MB)This camera will pay for itself (in terms of saving money on picture development) in about a year.A LOT of fun using it and recording some great memories!Using it...I took about 400 shots over two days at Sea World at various resolutions.  The high speed picture mode captured the action perfectly under many different light conditions.It's great for taking long exposure shots (use a tripod).The 3x zoom doesn't sound a lot but really helps to get better pictures at lower resolutions.The stitch mode on the camera really helps you line up the next shot for panoramas and completely takes the guess work out of it.The flash seems pretty strong (much better than my old standard compact camera)DownsidesIt really drains the battery.  I went through three in one day.  Which is why I recommend getting two more when you purchase (if you can afford it)The cover for the USB port on the camera looks a little flimsy, so I wouldn't use it too muchWhat I would recommend.128MB, or 256MB memory cardsAt least three batteriesA dedicated card reader for the PC
I bought this for a trip to Australia.  It's beautiful, easy to use and produces high quality pictures.  You will probably need a number of accessories, so you should consider their cost when making this purchase.  (Same is true for other digital cameras.) My accessory suggestions:1.  You need more memory.  I bought a 256MB flash memory card which was enough to store about 150 pictures.2.  You might consider getting a second battery if you're going to be using the camera much between charges.3.  You will need to buy a camera case.  I bought it locally so I could find one that held my accessories comfortably and compactly.4.  I also bought an underwater housing for the camera.  I took 50 or so photo's while scuba diving on the GBR.  Worked perfectly.  If I had known, I would have rented a slave flash unit for even better underwater shots.
This is my second digital camera and from what I see thus far this will most likely be my last. I think I've found the perfect digital camera. Check out the positives and negatives with the PowerShot S30.Positives: (where do I begin?)* Made of solid, sturdy metal. Feels like a real camera not a cheap plastic toy like other digital cameras.* Has features galore!!! Has standard features plus some pretty nice extras such as:-customizable flash-can change the strength of the flash, helping to prevent washed out pictures which is common with most digital cameras when you use the flash.-flips landscapes pictures that would normally appear sideways. the camera lets you flip these pictures rightside up so you won't have to do it on your computer.-can take panoramic pictures.-the camera is customizable! What does this mean? This camera lets you customize the startup screen. You have an option between clear blue water, evening skyline or a sitting bird. You can change the startup sound, your options include a default theme, science fiction and animal sounds(dog barking or bird chirping). These sounds are designed to presumably match the startup screens but they can be mix and matched. The shutter also has various sounds you can choose from. All these sounds can, of course, be turned off.-this list goes on and on. Check this camera out to see everything.* Superb true true-to-life daytime and night pictures.* Pictures come out crisp and sharp with or without the flash, inbrightly lit or darky lit areas.* What you see is what you get. What you see on the LCD screen is usually how the pictures will appear on your computer monitor or when you print them out. The LCD, when you press lightly on theshutter button, will show you actually how the picture will appear once viewed on screen or on paper. So if your LCD has a bright contrast and you are in a dark room, when you press the shutter button lightly, the LCD will adjust itself to the actual lighting of the room. There will be no deception and you won't have to wonder why the pictures look lighter on the LCD than on the computer screen or in print.* Can record mini movies with sound.* Uses compact flash card.There is much, much more that I can add on to this list but you will have get this camera and see for yourself.Negatives:* Hard to install the driver software on th PC. I had to ask Canon tech support for help. Even then the process was very confusing.* Joystick navigator takes some getting used to. Very hard to maneuver through the menus resulting in accidently going to the wrong options.* There is no power button. You have to shut the lens' lid to turn off the camera. This makes me nervous. I'm always scared that this will somehow damage the lens.* The macro setting isn't the best. Sometimes the macro pictures can appear blurry.* Uses the very expensive NB-2L rechargable battery as opposed to inexpensive, more common rechargables such as NiMHs or other types. Plus NB-2Ls can only be used with PowerShot S30, S40 cameras and Elura 40mc camcorders.I was initially put off by the price of this camera but I must say it is well worth the money.Get the Canon PowerShot S30 if you want superior quality in a small package.
This camera is wonderfully small - it easily fits in a pants pocket and because of its built in sliding lens cover, it's very safe there.  I use it with a 1G IBM Microdrive without any hitch.  It has all the basic features of a good point-n-shoot and the user-interface is very well designed.  The image quality is good but because of the limits of such a small lens, obviously not for high end use.Although I highly recommend this camera, the only complaint I have about it is that although it does have a "manual" focus mode, unlike SLR cameras, this one is dependent upon using the LCD screen to judge focus and the image on it while focusing is way too low of a resolution to allow for me to judge focus.  Put simply: the auto focus is good and the manual focus is unusable.If you want a small digital camera that you can put in your pocket or throw in your bag, this is a great choice.
I can remember owning one of the first digital cameras that came out, the one by Apple computer. It was a very low resolution and was very battery hungry. Today's digital cameras has gone a long way. In fact, they can actually compete with film cameras in quality! Developing film is now in the past for me. This S40 will be my forth digital camera. I chose the S40 for it's size, all metal construction and Canon's name tag for their photography expertise. I knew if Canon put something out, it must sure be decent.The S40 retails for $..., I paid a hundred less by shopping around. I did however buy it from a Canon authorized dealer which cost a lot more than the "gray market" cameras online. I don't trust those discount places, I never read anything good about them.At first, I was disappointed with the S40 as I was playing with Canon's G2 right before I bought it. The S40 isn't as point and shoot as the G2 due to it's smaller size. It is much more sensitive to lighting conditions. Also due to it's small size, it is more difficult to hold steady. However, after a few days of playing with it and tweeking out the adjustments I was able to produce some very high quality pictures.The auto mode on the S40 is terrible and almost can not be used. It always seems to focus on the wrong part of the subject. For some reason, it tends to focus on the background more than the object you intended to shoot. This is due to their 3 box focusing system. Very similar to their Automatic SLR's. But I didn't have this problem with my Elan EOS. However there is a counter to this problem. I simply use their Tv or Av mode. This allows for focusing only in one box rather than three and it allows you to adjust the aperature or speed at touch of a button.This is truly a real camera and not only a point and shoot. It can be switched to full manual mode in just one click. I like the way it tells you exactly what f stop your are at and at what speed you are going to shoot. And with a simply push of a button you can change the f stop and speed very easily right before a shot. It's like a fully digital manual camera!The flash is slightly inadequate but not as bad as some other brands that I have tried. Also the battery is very short lived. It uses a proprietary lithium ion battery and is rated at giving you 180 pics with the screen on and 420 pics with the screen off. Not bad considering my last camera gave me about 30 pics with a set of batteries.It will however give you about 1 day of heavy usage, that's about it. You will almost definitely need a extra just to be safe.One of it's best feature is the design. I like the fact that I don't have to fumble with a dangling lens cover. The S40 incorporates it's lens cover with a clam shell design. Just slide the cover over and it turns on automatically, snap it closed and it shuts off. I also like the all metal construction. I hate plastic cameras!It also doubles as a camcorder. You can record short avi/mpeg movies. 30 secs in high resolution and 120 sec in low resolution. However this eats up memory in a hurry so if you like this feature, get ready to put out for some higher memory. The camera uses Compact Flash, which is slowly starting to turn into the industry standard in storage. It also allows you to use micro-drives if you are really into storing large batches of pics.This is a good camera for those who like things small. It's a beutifully designed piece of equiptment considering it's size. Does it compare to it's bigger brother, the G2? NO. But it's not designed to. This is a good compromise for those who want 4.0 megapixel in a small package. For those who need and want the best pictures possible from a digital camera I would recommend the G2 but for those who don't need the very best from a picture, this is a very good and well made camera.
After tons of research into prices and megapixels, I decided I wanted a 4 MP camera even though most people never seem to need more than 3. My brother's Elph works beautifully at 2 MP.I chose the Canon S40 for the price to functionality and after three months I still think it was a good choice. Since my price range for all the accessories was $...I couldn't go for the Canon G2.I had to choose between the G2's fantastic functionality that still wouldn't match my Pentax 35mm with beautiful lenses...and a smaller camera that I would actually use. I was tired of dragging my Pentax with its many lenses and flash around - I needed a smaller camera. The Canon Elph would have been my choice, except the smaller the camera the more it costs to get the same functionality.Now to the end result - Apart from the not-so wonderful flash distance, the Canon S40 takes beautiful pictures. Took daylight shots of the Grand Canyon, night shots of Las Vegas and some family pictures inside. Daylight shots were dreamy, family pictures with flash at close range were good. Distant shots in a badly lit room - not good at all. Distant shots at night required a steady hand and a change to the night setting. I had no issues with the camera - I have a steady hand! However, the second someone without experience tried to take photographs at night, there was a lot of shake.Bought a 256 MB Viking CF card (also from Amazon) and an extra battery. Both were necessary - the highest quality jpegs eat up memory and I had enough to take a week's worth of vacation shots.Don't forget to format your CF card before use - had some memory errors when trying to download.I don't enjoy the downloading process for 250 photographs - try and do it every 30 or so photographs and format the card before you start again. I think I'll be buying the AC Adaptor as soon as I'm feeling flush with money again... it's a pain to have to worry about whether the battery will die on you while you download.
Now that the price is dropping, this is an even better deal:*note as of 2003:  I did in fact get my camera back from the factory, they fixed the LCD screen quickly and for no charge as it was still under the warrantee.  Haven't had a problem since.Pros:- Easy to use, but has many advanced settings for when you are ready to move beyond the auto feature- Good zoom- EXCELLENT high-resolution pictures.  I've downloaded all kinds of shots taken in all kinds of light, and then proceeded to crop, blow up, etc.  The results have been uniformly excellent- Resonably easy and useful software.  By this I mean it's not Photoshop, but is very user-friendly and can handle all the basics.- Small and lightwieght.Cons:- The viewfinder is TINY, so if you want to shoot pictures without using the lcd screen it can be difficult.- Does not come with a carrying case (I got a decent on for less than $20 at a local store.- I had to send mine in to the maintenance center for a serious, mysterious problem- the lcd screen suddenly died on me.  It's not been dropped or mishandled, so this sudden problem is very baffling.  I could still take pictures and download them but could not see the pictures as I took them, and could also not delete pictures from the camera after downloading as you need to use the lcd screen for this.  I am now waiting for the verdict (haven't gotten the camera back yet).- You really need a bigger flashcard than the one it comes with.  I take a ton of pictures of my baby with this and quickly had to upgrade my flashcard as it runs out of room fast.All in all, with the exception of the lcd screen problem, I've been very satisfied with this camera and recommend it.
I wanted a small camera that I could easily take with me everywhere in place of my Canon EOS and Olympus 140 (also small but not as small as the S40). Also considered the Nikon 885 which is even smaller but the Canon S40 was only $... more and was 4.1 megapixels rather than 3.1.Love the Canon. It does well in all situations I've used it in. Not quite small enough to fit in a normal pocket, but it's still quite portable. Great pictures -- prints are clear and color rendition is quite good. Not up to a good SLR for those really critical shots, but great for most situations.Has a relatively fast shutter delay for a digital. Flash is barely adequate and there's no provision for adding another. This is a common problem for small digital cameras. The optical viewfinder is small and captures only about 80% of the picture frame. I find it worthless, but one adjusts to using the LCD screen. In time I doubt that I'll even miss the viewfinder.Easy to use and everything is organized so that the more complex features don't get in the way of the ones you use 95% of the time. Very nicely designed.A bit expensive, and for most occasions a 3 mpixel would be fine -- in that case the competition is tough. But if you want a small 4 mpixel the S40 can't be beat at present.
This camera is easily the best ultra-compact highly portable camera on the market today. It has point-and-shoot capabilities with all the manual controls of the bigger G2. The ISO 50 with raw mode capability and the razor sharp Canon lens allow me to have great looking 11x14" printouts with even a 16x20 is possible. The raw mode gives you lossless information from the CCD at one-third the storage space requirement in the camera. Once in the computer it can be expanded (losslessly) to the Tiff image. This is a big savings on space in the camera allowing you to take 2 to 3 times the high resolution pictures when compared to other cameras! It has many modes for specialized situations but I prefer the P mode which allows me to use the ISO 50 (automatic mode sets the camera to ISO 100) and let the camera do most of the work. With such a high resolution camera you will need an additional compact-flash card (128 meg or above)and possibly an extra battery. I love the quick review button (much better idea than on my old Canon G1). I also especially like the placement of the compact flash slot, even with my big fingers the card can be easily removed. My only problem is that is so portable that my wife has "taken" it over ;-).
This is my first purchase of a digital camera format.  I purchased this camera for my trip to China and was daring enough to just bring this one camera.  Well, in general, I was not disappointed.In addition to the camera, I also purchased a 256 CF from SimpleTech.  This was more then adequate.  When I selected the medium format, I got ~ 220 pictures.As for the quality of the pictures, in bright sun, the pictures came out quite wonderfully.  I felt the camera had problems with lower light situations.  I did find that the camera has the ability to control the shutter speed for longer exposure but it's not as convenient during a trip.  At the same time, I also compared pictures taken from the S40 to my friend's Elfp S200 and you can definitely see a quality difference.  I shots from the S40 have much more color depth.A improvement I would like to see is a better zoom.  It seems that 3x zoom is acceptable given the size but more would be better.  Obviously there is a digital zoom but I tried it and without a tripod for stability, it can be quite useless.On of the nice features I've found in this camera that didn't exist in older digital models was when you take a picture, this camera actually sounds a clicking noise.  I realize this is a really small thing but when you give your camera to a stranger to help you take a picture, you'd be surprised what a different this makes.To sum it up, you can't go wrong with this camera if you're looking for a compact digital camera with some flexible features.
First I need to state that I am not a camera specialist. However, when it comes to buying a new product, particularly electronics, I go through most of what is for sale at that moment. Reading lots of reviews of various cameras for a couple of days on the internet gave me some ideas of the cameras which were among the best on the market at that time and I ended up with the Canon Powershot S40.I had some basic criteria's for what my camera should do.(1) - It should be small and portable.The Powershot S40 is a small and compact camera, although it is a bit heavier than other cameras with the same size. However, since it is made of metal, it gives you a sturdy feeling. Being small and portable is the property that might decide weather or not you will be able to capture those moments that occur every now and then.(2) - It should take great pictures.The Powershot S40 takes pictures with good quality (based on my weeks of experience) and with its 4 million pixels, you can easily select a part of a picture and still have nice resolution. By having 4 million pixels it is easy to select a part of an image (cropping) and print/use that one, for example the upper right corner of the picture is all I want or maybe just the face of your girlfriend to put in your wallet. If the number of pixels are to few you might not be able to use this technique. Also, since of the high resolution, you can easily print sharp nice pictures.(3) - It should be simple but at the same time have the possibility to let me "grow into the camera".The Powershot S40 provides a fully automatic mode that allows you to take those simple "point and shoot" pictures. The camera has several pre-defined modes for different occasions (night scene, landscape, portrait and so on) that make the camera easy to use. Furthermore, the camera allows you to adjust many parameters (if you want to) such as shutter speed, aperture priority and ISO film-speed. After a couple of weeks of use I have been able to take pictures that I have never been able to take before using an automatic camera, for example in dark conditions, night shots and so on. These photos can now be made good.However, nothing is perfect. There are 3 things one must have in mind when deciding to buy this camera listed in importance order:(1) - You need more memory. The provided memory card is way too small. You need at least 128MB in order to not have to transfer pictures to your computer so often. On one 128MB card I usually store around 100 pictures. 128MB cards are quite affordable today.(2) - You need an extra battery. Using only one battery is ok for most situations, but these days when you are taking more photos, for example at a party when you are showing the pictures to your friends using the LCD screen of you camera, the battery will not last. Having a spare battery solves this problem. I guess it is possible, but you will have to work hard in order to use up 2 batteries in one day. Recharging a battery is very fast, usually between one and 2 hours.(3) - The camera is a bit heavier than other cameras with the same size. This is not a problem to me though. With its small size I could (before I bought a camera bag) carry the camera in the pocket of my jeans.Enough said. I strongly recommend this camera that is suitable for most users. It produces great pictures and it provides a lot of possibilities for manual adjustments together with a nice set of predefined automatic operation modes. Remember, the Canon Powershot S40 does not only take great pictures, it looks good too.
The other reviews sum up on this excellent 4MP camera well, I just want to comment on the Microdrive issue.  Microdrives draw a lot of power, so if you use one in the S40 expect battery life to drop by at least 60%.  Also remember microdrives use moving parts (heads and platters) so you absolutely don't want to drop it.  Prices on 512MB CF cards are dropping and 1GB cards are coming, and you can take a lot of picture with them, so microdrives may not be a good investment.
When I was in the camera store I said that I really like the metal bodied cameras and the sales guy said that actually they come in more often for repairs because plastic is more forgiving when you drop it - and yes, I found this out the hard way.  I dropped it and the camera's outer body bent exposing a little bit of the guts - but it still works!Takes great photos and has held up for several years with no major glitches (oh, except once a flash card got erased when i opened the battery cover while it was reading off it - don't do that - it says not to do that in the instructions).
I have owned this camera now for about 4 months and it is one of the best purchases I have made in the last few years. The pictures produced by the S40 are great, and color reproduction is on right on target.Why I bought the S40 over the G2?The main reason I bought the S40 instead of the G2, another great camera, is portability and size. I find the S40's smaller size more convenient and I am more likely to bring it when I go out, and thus more likely to use it. I also liked the S40's feel and look. It is a sturdy camera and well built, which is important if you tend to be rough on things as I am.What's good, what's not?It is hard to complain about the S40. Pictures come out colorful and sharp. The S40 also has so many options for a point in shoot, including manual settings and aperture and shutter control.  It also has a movie mode and while it is not a replacement for a video camera, I found that taking a couple 30 second movies at events in addition to pictures really improves your memory of the event/party/whatever. The S40 also has amazing resolution for a point and shoot... You can pretty much make prints as large as you want. At 8 x 10, this camera produces pictures indistinguishable from film, and can probably produce much larger prints with the same quality, although I haven't tried myself. Also the battery, though proprietary, has good stamina, however you should get at least one additional backup battery. Last this camera has an unbelievable flash. My wife is actually scared sometimes to have pictures taken of her at night because the flash is so strong. Flash is very important to digital cameras in general where low light tends to be an Achilles heel.Like most digital cameras, there are a few places where there is room for improvement. The two biggest problems with the S40 that I have found, neither of which should steer you from this camera, are the controller and the AF. The controller is a little awkward to use in selecting. The button is hard to push in while not accidentally pushing up down left or right. The other area for improvement is the Auto Focus. At times the camera has trouble focusing on the subject. This only happens occasionally, but can be frustrating when you got a good picture that comes out blurry (You can't tell it's blurry on the LCD). This seems to be something that occurs throughout the canon line of cameras, even the high end digital SLR's, and many digital cameras have some focus problems, especially in low light, but canons focus light usually takes care of the problem.Picture qualityI have read some reviews on here that say the resolution is the same as there 2 MP camera, don't believe it. Anyone who says the resolution on this camera is poor probably doesn't know anything about digital photography. For example, most digital cameras base there photo quality on resolution, which is the size of the digital photo. If you zoom two pictures, one a 4 MP and one a 2 MP to 200% they both may look equally pixilated. This is because when you zoom in on a picture you are comparing pixels per inch more then resolution, and in many cases the pixels per inch can be the same on a 4MP as in a 2MP. (Most lower end cameras capture at 72 pixels per inch (but can be higher), the S40 captures at 180 pixels per inch on the highest setting). So, total quality of the picture is the pixels per inch and the number of inches you have. Also, it doesn't help that the software Canon provides with the camera reduces the resolution for viewing in the program (At least that's my impression). Some graphics software does this to make layout with pictures easier, requiring less computer power, because you are not moving the full resolution version of the picture around (Quark, a popular layout program for designers does the same thing, however there should be no loss the picture quality when you actually go to print).To really appreciate the picture quality you should use a program like Adobe Photoshop. Also, when you print a picture out, especially an 8x10 or larger, you should first change the pixels per inch to a higher level. I usually up the pixels per inch in Photoshop to 1000 and then adjust the document size to the desired size. You don't add any information this way, but I found it helps the printer create sharper better quality prints. Also make sure you properly setup you printer to print best quality on photo paper, highest res and slow to maximize quality.ConclusionThis camera is a great buy and promises to make a great replacement for your point in shoot film camera. I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone and have yet to find another camera that I believe is better for a mid range consumer camera, except maybe the G2, which is slightly better but bulkier 12/12/02. Also, with 4MP, this camera is unlikely to become obsolete anytime soon, as you would need to get a 16MP camera to double the resolution of this camera. (You need 4 times the MP to double resolution. I.e. a 4MP is double the res of a 1 MP and 50% better then a 2MP)
Firstly, understand that I am a die-hard Canon fanatic.  I have 6 different SLR bodies from a basic AE-1 through EOS 1N RS up to the EOS 1Ds.  I bought the S40 specifically to have a compact pocket digital camera for snaps on vacation or when it's just too darn inconvenient to carry a full-sized SLR with all the miscellaneous lenses, flash, filters, and other gadgetry.I was vastly disappointed at the battery life.  I found that after about 25-30 photos, my battery was dead.  I bought a second one at a photo shop, thinking that mine was somehow defective.  Same story there, too.  Having been spoiled by an older Sony compact digital camera, I was disappointed to find that I needed to carry along my charger and a couple of extra batteries in my pockets, or else plan to ration my shots for the day.  The additional hassle of bothering people for the use of an electrical outlet to charge my batteries adds to the fun.I'm probably spoiled by my professional camera.  The battery pack in my EOS 1Ds is good for more than 100 shots, operating all the features of the camera, including the autofocus and the LCD display.  Nonetheless, battery life is troublesome.In all other respects, I am happy with the functioning of the camera.  The images are crisp and the autofocus and exposure metering are quite good.  The level of manual control afforded by the camera satisfies the urge to control my exposures and to experiment with different exposure schemes and focus points.If they can improve battery survival, this will be an awesome compact P&S; digital.
One of the reasons I bought this camera was that both Apple and Canon advertise it as OSX compatible, which is not completely accurate.  If you want to record images in Canon's RAW format, you can only download them onto OS9, using Canon's image manager, included in the box.  There is a noticable difference between RAW and the highest JPEG setting, especially when you start cropping and blowing up.  The good news is that images stored in 9 can be retrieved by Photoshop on 9 or 10, after you have used the Canon manager to transform RAWinto TIF files.  (JPEG  downloads on 9 and 10, but on 10  you have to export from i-photo for Shop to find them.)  Actually, switching back and forth between 9 and X is good exercise.Photos taken at the highest settings are of excellent quality.  Movement by subject or photographer is a major concern considering the shutter pause, especially when trying to grab a quick, spontaneous shot.  Otherwise, the camera is solid, handsome, and a real champ.
I purchased this dandy little camera as out 1st digital camera and somewhat of an interim as we await the pricing on the more expensive models that I can use our existing high quality lenses on.I am very happy with this camera!  It has great range for its size and many of the semi-professional features avid photographers will enjoy!You can use it as a quick snapshot camera but if you want to this baby can do a great many things other higher end film camera's can do with the added benefit of seeing a very good representation of the final picture on the mini LCD screen.On some of my treks I have accidentally dropped the camera from a few feet,  a few times on some rocks ( ouch ) but it is fine!I am not a fan of the "digital" zoom since I think you can do that fine yourself with your photo editing software later - you just have to shoot at a higher resolution first.For instance - while in Rocky Mountain National Park I saw a Marmot sticking its head up from between some rocks.  I simply shot him at maximum resolution and the 3X Optical Zoom - that creates a HUGE picture but then I used my software and cropped out what was useless and I have a wonderful Marmot picture and it looks like I was about 4 feet away instead of the 15 - 20 I really was.I use the 128 MB Memory Stick I purchased afterwords and haven't needed the 16 MB stick that comes with it yet - not even close.It's easy to hand this to others and let them take the pictures - you know they'll be horrible with feet cut off and too much sky - wall etc. but then you just crop it later and make it look like YOU took the picture :-)It's a great camera for the price!
...this is a good camera to start with.  Especially if you use a Mac because it works great with iPhoto.  If youre a beginner like me, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of features the S40 offers, but dont worry.  Just put it on automatic and you will be able to take great pictures.  It just takes a little practice to get used to the delayed response shutter button.Some of the things I like about it:1.  It takes very nice pictures.  Your pictures will look as good as anyones.2.  It has a movie mode that I didnt know existed until recently.  Saves the movie (with sound) in AVI format (QuickTime player will play it)3.  Attractive small body (and who doesnt like attractive small bodies?)4.  The LCD display is great for reviewing your pictures5.  It takes gigantic pictures.  At 100% they are about 20&quot; tall by 30&quot; wide.  You probably wont ever print out anything this large, but this just means you have a lot of detail and resolution wont be a problem.What I dont like as much:1.  Too many manual settings keeps me from experimenting too much.  You would have to read the manual if you want to do any shooting besides automatic.  And who wants to read a manual?2.  You have to get pretty close to your subject.  Taking group pictures from much further than 10'-15' will not turn out very good.  If you can get up close you will have great pictures.  Dont try to use this camera at a football game from the stands.  I just dont think it has enough zoom power.Ive enjoyed using mine for the last year and a half.  Like the reviewers before me, I recommend doing the following:1.  Get an extra battery cause you never know when the battery will run out of juice.  It will cost $25-$50 depending on what brand you get.2.  Im not sure what size compact flash card comes with the camera, but its probably in the 16MB range which is pretty much useless.  Being a 4.0 Megapixel camera, and shooting such a large picture, it eats up memory.  Get a couple of 128MB's or even larger if you can and you will have room to take 100 or so pictures.3.  I dont think it comes with Photoshop Elements, but if you can afford it, get it.  If you do cropping and getting photos web-ready you will want to have this or the full Photoshop package (you better be very good if you want Santa to bring this)You will like this camera and all your friends will tell  you that you take great pictures.
I actually own the SD30 which is the 3.2MP which is our very first DC. I got it for the birth of my daughter and has captured all her milestones but sadly after 3 1/2 years the sliding cover for the lens gave out and the lens is  stuck and so the camera would not operate anymore. The cost of having it repaired in a Canon service center in IL is as much as buying a new one so I am just looking to buying a newer model (still a Canon of course) Canon has proven a name in the world of photography by the quality of pictures you to take with their camera.
I am a serious amateur photographer with several years of experience with multiple Canon products. I primarily take travel and outdoor photos and bought this camera to have a small digital camera to take when I did not want to lug my full 35 mm system around as it weighs almost 3 lbs. I found that I would not take the camera and several times missed great shots because of this.After waiting a couple of years for the megapixels to increase in smaller cameras, I purchased this before a trip to Hawaii last December. I took this camera and left the 35 mm at home.Overall, the camera functions remarkably well for its size. it has most modes of the Canon EOS system and the operation is very intuitive. It is a little slippery and I recommend extreme caution when handling this as it does tend to slip away from you.The pictures of my Hawaii trip turned out very well. The metering was accurate on all but the most difficult shots. For those difficult shots, I was able to adjust the exposure compensation to get the exposure dead on. The lens seemed to work well at all focal lengths; however, at telephoto, the aperature is very high and shots seemed to beg for a tripod. The flash works well up to a range of 15 feet.When I returned home, I printed all of my shots with an HP deskjet 960 on quality paper. I found that the resolution was adequate at the 5x7 size; but bad at 8x10. This is a limitation of the format and not the camera.  I think that I will take this camera along with the 35 mm systems on my future vacations. This is a wonderul tag along camera but no substitute for the resolution of a good 35 mm system for those &quot;money&quot; shots.All in all, this is the perfect camera for someone who would like to have a small quality camera that they can fit in their pocket or bag with no worry. I would recommend an extra battery to have on standby and at least a 128mb memory card.
I was somewhat leery of this machine due to the questions of problems with low light and/or heavy contrasts. Don't believe the critics! It is superb. My wife, an artist, manufactures porcelan lamps. For the first time ever I can make a successful portrait in the dark with the lamps lit... And it does that in automatic mode! This camera loves to cope with heavy contrast, unlike nearly every other camera, digital or otherwise, I have used. Together with an external; storage device ( mine is the MindStor 10gb) I can make hundreds of high quality photos without stopping for a lengthy download. It is cheap when all the features are considered.
After having a great experience with the Canon A20 I decided to trade up to a higher pixel Canon camera. The S40 appeared to be highly regarded in reviews. Up front I will say that with the appropriate settings set up (not auto), this camera can take some great pictures. But, in auto mode, the camera is less than spectacular - probably not as good as the A20. Flash shots at night almost always seem over exposed. I have had to use the M mode and dial down the flash brilliance. The camera has a tough time of focusing in average light conditions. If you have the camera set up through the center meter for focus (again, manually set), it works pretty well. But if you, again, use the auto mode, the algorithm between the difference points of reference it uses to focus, can cause the image to look very "soft". In all I really like the camera (albeit that it doesn't sound like I do), but my wife truely hates it due to the fact that in order to get decent photos she has to have the camera in specific modes. Therefore the WAF (wife acceptance factor) is a big 2 out of 5.Another annoyance with the camera, is the multi-something on the right rear of the camera. You use this for erasing shots, and moving around. It is very hard to properly press, particularly if you just want to press straight in.If you are primarily taking point and shoot photos, really look at saving money and getting the A40 as it should do a much better job at simple quick snaps.
This camera only has a bit higher resolution than my old S20 (4 versus 3.2 megapixels), but pictures are much better. White balance is better, there is less noise, there seems to be higher dynamic range, and I get fewer washed out pictures outdoors. Shutter lag is much less (although autofocus seems slower), and it has a 3x versus 2x zoom. Flash also seems stronger. I also like the image dial, not sure why they didn't do this from the start (or just copy all the controls from their 35mm SLRs).The best new features are the video clips and RAW mode images that are not much bigger than superfine JPEG. I can now get lossless images off the camera and play with them without paying a TIFF-sized penalty. I've been using Breezebrowser to do batch conversions and it works well. The video clip capability is also cool - I always thought it was stupid when this started showing up on digicams, but it is great for filming kids. The 30-second limitation isn't as much of an issue as I thought, though the quality is lacking. Can't wait until these little digicams get 640x480 at 30fps - would still not be as good as the miniDV camcorder I have, but I hardly ever use the camcorder, whereas I almost always have the digicam.The only negative I've seen so far is that the autofocus seems to be worse than on the S20 - slower, noisier, and has problems in low light conditions. Part of this may be the AF focus assist light on this seems dimmer than the S20. Overall though, the focusing system is more flexible - settable focus points plus manual focus if you really want. And you can set metering too.And finally, hitting the AE lock button while holding shutter button halfway will fire the preflash, letting you use this camera with standard slave strobes - kind of kludgy, but cheaper than springing for one of the new "digital" ones that support cameras with preflash.In addition to the camera itself, there is a nice underwater case for it that is under $. For most other digicams you have to shell out major $$$, often more than the cost of the camera, for third party underwater housings. This alone would have been a major factor in choosing the camera; in addition to using it when diving, which I do infrequently, it's also great for taking beach or pool pictures without worrying about getting the camera wet, and even with the case the size is pretty small.All in all, a pleasant upgrade - twice the camera at half the price I paid for my S20 two years ago. Of course in another two years the S60 will be twice as good and half the price of the S40. Such is progress.As far as problems go, I was unable to get USB cable connection working at first.( I only wanted this to set the owner name, I use a Firewire compact flash reader for downloading photos). Turned out to be a compatibility problem with my Bearpaw 1200 flatbad USB scanner. Now I have the camera working, but the Bearpaw is broken even after driver reinstalls :-(It would be nice if this camera were smaller. Like the digital Elphs, but with the S40 features. Oh well, I guess in a couple of years...
This is a great camera for anyone looking for advanced features at a compact size.  Unlike Canon's &quot;lower-end&quot; models, the S40/45/50 series pack in all the adjustable/tweakable features seen in most &quot;SLR&quot; cameras at a lower cost.  This camera is not as compact as some of Canon's and some of the other manufacturer's units.  But the additional features offered by these cameras outweight the size/weight penalty.My only complaint with these cameras are their less than desirable lenses.  The S40 has a 3x optical zoom (11x digital) and doesn't have the lens power of some of the other Olympus cameras.  Then again, if you're looking for that type of lens capability, you're not looking at these cameras and are more apt to looking at the higher-end SLR versions.Overall, these cameras have the Canon photo quality and the construction quality.  A great buy!
The Canon PowerShot S40 was a terrific small digital camera when it was introduced, but the digital camera market advances quickly and this model has been surpassed by Canon's own S45 (an updated S40) and the new S50 (5 megapixel in the same body only in high-tech black). Serious photographers seekng a digital would turn to Canon's EOS Digital Rebel. The S30 and S40 are good cameras if you want lots of features in a small package without paying a lot of money.Features begin with the generous maximum 4 megapixel image size (you can make them smaller to conserve space on the CompactFlash card). Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc. You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both. There's even a Movie mode, complete with sound. These video clips are 320 x 200 pixels.This small camera fits in a purse or shirt pocket easily and won't get in the way if you're shouldering it in a case (not included, just buy a generic).  But you pay a price for the small size: the optical zoom is limited to 3x.  And unfortuately, the S40, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out with a focal length of 11mm, which is a very wide-angle view. Even at 3X optical zoom you will max out at 55mm, often not as close as you'd need.  There is a digital zoom, but so what?  Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature.  I found 55mm insufficient for shooting across a large room.  If you work closer in this won't be a problem, but it is not a good focal length for shooting children, who stop whatever adorable thing they're doing when they notice you framing that shot.  (And see comment on slow shutter response, below.)The sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy and can cause problems. My 3YO niece got ahold of my S40 and ripped the door off. I was able to reattach it but now it's a loose tooth, ready to fall off again. Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it. I couldn't live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all. I've just learned not to lend it to people who can't baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again.One of the S40's most frustrating limitations is a slow shutter response.  I can't tell you how many shots I've missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score. The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks.  If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue.  Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap. I don't know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if I'm not using it then I want my hands free.  I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasn't a great fit.  At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory.One difference between the S30 and S40 is the latter only allows an ISO of 400 which restricts low-light photography.  This is a limitation of the larger CCD in the S40.  ISO 800 shots on the S30 are quity noisy so it isn't clear you are missing this feature in the S40, and you gain an extra megapixel.I still give this camera 4 stars for putting so many features in such a small package. The pictures are reasonably good, and at this size you can crop plenty out and still print good 4x6 inch images. The PowerShot S40 comes with software, but you'll probably want to buy your own image editing package, such as Photoshop Elements. The one provided is fairly limited. Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots. The included 32 MB CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card.  Also plan on buying a second battery.
I'm a Canon guy and like most of what they put out, and this is no exception.  It's a very sleek little package.  Four megapixels, 3x zoom, auto and manual modes, a fairly long lasting rechargable battery, all in a tiny metal body.  I prefer this over the newer Nikon consumer digicams (the 775 and the 885) because the body is built better, the resolution is higher, and the Canon has manual modes.  I only gave this camera four stars because of a couple reasons:a.  It's visibly less sharp than other cameras in this resolution range.  Not a lot less, but enough to notice.  The color is great, but the pictures aren't quite as sharp as the ones the S40's big brother (the G2) produces.b.  The macro mode (or should I say lack thereof) isn't very good.  I find it odd that Canon hasn't worked on improving this in their newer model cameras; pretty much all of the Nikons have *excellent* macro modes.Other than that, it's a sweet little package.  I like the fact that the play-mode button is no longer part of the control dial.  You no longer have to move the camera out of whatever record mode you're currently in to get into the play mode.  The play-mode is controlled by a little standalone switch on the back of the camera.  Slide it across once, you go into play mode, slide it across again, you go into record mode.  Another  positive is the long lasting lithium-ion battery (which has a quick charge time and does not require draining before recharging).Highly recommended for most users.  If you think you'll be making a lot of large sized prints with the camera (i.e. bigger than 8x10), you might check out the G2 instead.
I own an Olympus E10 for my "professional" stuff.  But I  missed my Olympus pocket type camera when I gave it to my daughter.  I immediately keyed on the Olympus D40 but kept my options open.I am concerned about color and so forth, but the important things in THIS camera were shutter lag time, ease of use for others, 4 meg results, speed and battery life.I had the chance to side by side compare.  Sorry Olympus, but you need to work on some things in pocket cameras.1.  Shutter Lag Time:  This is the time from pressing the "button" to getting a picture.  Though neither is extremely fast like the E10, the Canon is much faster than the Olympus.  You still need to pre-focus if shooting a moving target but with the Olympus, you still won't catch them in movement.2.  Write Time:  The write time of the Canon is superior, especially using a microdrive--which it does.  Either I or II (microdrive).  I really prefer compact flash to SmartMedia, which is the like Beta to VHS in future I think.  It has it's place, but not in 4 meg cameras.3.  Ease of Use--Both cameras utilize one of the most user friendly systems around.  Equally impressed with both.4.  Batteries:  I did like the idea of AA batteries in the Olympus--but my very good rechargables were drying up like crazy while I played with it.  The Canon's lithium rechargable isn't cheap and you need two, but I am greatly impressed so far.  The charger is light and plugs right into the outlet--no cord.  Canon wins, even with the propriatary battery...P>5.  Zoom:  Neither is going to bring the world in like a true telephoto, but the Canon is much better here also.6.  Startup Time:  When you pull open the lid, how long does it take to get a shot off?  That's why I have the pocket camera--spontaneity.  Canon again comes in first on time to ready.  Not alot, but faster.Bottomline is Canon easily won this Olympus photographer hands down.  I'd rate the Olympus D40Zoom a 4 plus, but the Canon Powershot ... a clear 5 for its class of camera.
A couple of years ago I developed a passion for making costume jewelry. I got my own website, and started to sell the things I made. But a business like this stands or falls with the quality of the pictures of the creations that you display on the website.When I started searching for a digital camera, I looked at the most important features, and 'micro photography' was # 1, with 'easy handling and downloading' as a very close runner up.This camera is the best thing since sliced bread. The quality of the pictures is AMAZING, it is EASY to use, small and light in weight.The operating mechanisms are clear and easy accessible. It has many features and options that make it FUN and challenging, but it remains easy enough to not get confused.The software that comes with the camera is very user-friendly and allows you to adjust the pictures, so that they load faster for use on the web.It certainly was not the cheapest camera available. But I have never been sorry that I decided to spend the $$$. Every time I use it, I am happier than a pig in the poop.I wanted and DID get the best camera there is.Mildred, MilliJoolz on the [...]
This is my first digital camera and I am very impressed.  It is the most functional point-and-shoot camera (aside from the quality of pictures).  It is very easy to use even with all the bells and whistles.  It works basically like a high quality 35mm camera except that the quality in the pictures is astounding.  It also has the ability to produce 30 to 180 second mpeg's.  This is a nice feature especially to attach them to e-mail's.Maybe the nicest aspect of the camera is the software package included.  The installation was a breeze and the programs ran perfectly without any glitches.  It was probably 20 minutes from the time I opened the box to when I was downloading my first pictures.The only downside to this camera might be it's size.  As small as it is I am afraid I will drop it and break it.  Other than that, this camera is fantastic and definitely a great buy.
The Canon S40 is a superb digital camera.  First, the exterior: The S40 is compact and can fit easily in a jacket pocket (though not in a pants-pocket - for that you should check out Canon's digital Elph line); it has a convenient clamshell design; and unlike many of the other digital cameras I examined it is made of polished metal-not cheap plastic.  This is sturdier, feels better in the hands, and looks a whole lot sleeker.Second, the interior: The S40 takes 4.0 megapixel pictures, which look great on any computer screen and will print out very nicely up to 5x7 and even 8x10.  Its ability to capture color is far superior to most other digital cameras.  Most of the control menus are reasonably easy to use.  It is packed with pre-set photographic options (for action shots, portraits, etc), but has full manual override for those of us who grew up on old-fashioned SLRs.  It also focuses much faster than many of the digital cameras I've seen - helpful for capturing wildlife or childrens' sports events.  Finally, the included battery is surprisingly long-lasting and recharges (with a very compact included recharger) quickly.Third, the software:  The S40 comes with Canon ZoomBrowser (for viewing) and ArcSoft's PhotoSuite (for photo-editing).  I find ZoomBrowser intuitive and can easily organize my photos, however it sometimes has problems printing on my inkjet printer.  The ArcSoft program is much less capable than Adobe's PhotoShop, but can delete red-eye (or unwanted individuals at the edge of a picture) without too much trouble.  On the whole, both should be adequate for the casual user.Are there drawbacks?  Well, yes, there are several.  Like most digital cameras, the S40 sometimes has problems focusing on the correct subject and, in automatic mode, often opens the aperature too wide (resulting in a narrow range of focus).  There is a way to manually focus the camera, but it is not terribly effective.  It is also impossible to attach separate lenses - but that drawback is common to any digital camera of this size.Bottom Line:  Despite the drawbacks, this is one of the best digital camera's I've seen.  It is conveneint, well-built, and easy to use out of the box.  I've already dragged it to Vermont, Atlanta, central Africa and Australia without a hitch-not to mention that I can take it on my frequent bicycle rides closer to home.  I'd be happy to send a sample photo demonstrating its resolution and color-capturing abilities (about 1.2 MB) if you ask.  On a final note, I would suggest buying a 256MB (or larger) compact flash card.  This will let you take 200+ max. resolution photos at a go.
4mp cameras are really just coming on the market in force, and this camera is a bit better value than most.  With its 3x optical zoom, all-metal construction, and features like photostitch (virtual panoramic shots) and movie mode, it is at the top of its class.  It is a great camera to grow into; this is our second digital camera, and we have moved from the PHD (push here, dummy) features on up to advanced things like manual shutter speed, white balance, etc.  I love it!!
This is a little tank of a camera, with great optics and a decent optical &amp; digital zoom combination, as well as awesome resolution. If you had to buy one digital camera for all needs, chances are you'd find the S40 a great hybrid of near-professional features and compact design. It does require a 2nd battery and a larger memory card to be ready to go, but aside from that, it's nearly perfect.
I purchased both the Canon S40 and the Canon G2 just before Christmas.  The G2 was for me and the S40 was for my girlfriend.  The reasoning was I thought that the "Bulky sized" G2 would be good for the "serious" shots and the "Light" S40 would be for the "fun party" casual pictures.  I was wrong.  First of all the Canon G2 is a fine camera and for the most part takes nice pictures.  Here are the good points of the S40.Size of CameraFirst it is lightweight, easy to hold and easy to put a shirt pocket (but for a short while, if you needed both hands for something else).Picture QualityThe still picture quality is very good to excellent but I still feel that a good 35mm still has a slight edge in quality.  Every once in a while about 1 in 10 one comes out blurry, but if you can with a digital camera you can take it again.  Motion pictures (object is moving) are ok but I have not had a lot of luck with the quality again the good 35mm would win. The video quality is fair to good and at a 30 second time limit we only use it for fun or when our sheep dog a does something silly it just quicker to video tape it on the Camera are email it too friends! That is really nice.Cameras ease of useThis is where the Canon S40 really shines.  This camera is very easy to use it's an almost pick up and use right away.  If your not sure about a button Canon User manuals very user friendly.  To view the picture, just slide the Power/Replay Lever to the right and there you go.  This is a very simple Camera to use it is fro the first time user or the experienced photographer.  The battery life is good, it last for almost a complete dinner party sometimes I wish I had two of them.  I do like that the battery comes out and goes into the mini charger with is easy to take along rather than the bulky one the G2 came with.Print qualityI may write about this later as me printer is old put I have printed an 8 by 10 at a friends house and wow it looks great!RecommendationsGet the largest Compact flash card available i.e. 128 or 256 they are really getting inexpensive. You will be happy you did. Second get a Palm pilot screen protector (cut to size) for the LCD monitor you will be happy when you do. And third get a card reader for picture transer to you PC, they are work the same price is not a factor and if you have Windows XP it will recognize the card reader and install its own software.This is a great Camera all in all I am glad I bought the 4-mega pixel instead of the 3-mega-pixel version.  You will truly enjoy it as for the G2, well look for it on Ebay!
(...) After looking at the Digital Elphs and the A-series cameras, I stumbled upon the S40. This camera has it all. Four mega-pixels, a sturdy metal body, complete control over almost every aspect of your shot, and all in a compact size to boot. The feature-set is based on the popular Canon G2, which is a professional grade digital camera, so you know it uses a fully field-tested, high-quality internal design.I mostly use this camera in auto mode, in which it takes absolutely beautiful pictures. They are clear, beautifully saturated, and capture motion extremely well. Indoor and outdoor pictures are equally impressive, and I found the metering to be very intelligent. That is, highlights, shadows, and exposure levels are all handled very well.The camera offers an amazing amount of control with 12 user-selectable modes in addition to the auto mode. (...) But, suffice it to say that anyone seeking a high-level of control over their settings will not be dissapointed by the S40.A Little Advice:1. If you are looking to spend a little less money and do not need a 4 mega-pixel camera, a 3 mega-pixel version is available in the S30.2. If you are looking for a point-and-shoot camera only, you do not need to spend this kind of money. Look toward the Canon A-Series cameras instead. These are plastic and lack the high-level of user control, but they are also much easier on the wallet.3. Although this is a very compact camera, it is not the smallest that Canon makes. If you want the ultimate in portability, look at their Digital Elph line.4. The proprietary battery that comes with the S40 is extremely powerful and has an impressive life. The charger is also very compact and very fast. However, I highly recommend buying a spare battery from Canon's website (for about $70).5. Do not waste your money on the leather case for the S40 that Canon sells on their website. It is far too small for the camera and the lens cover slides open whenever you try to put the camera in it. I am not a big fan of sliding lens covers in the first place, and the leather case does nothing to win me over. Go buy yourself a generic camera case that fits the camera properly.6. The included 16 MB CompactFlash card is embarrassing. Go buy a 128 MB card (at minimum). And while you're at it, pick up a USB card reader. They are under $(...) and are far more convenient than using the direct camera hook-up (although the S40 software and connection is quite convenient compared to many other digital cameras).7. Be careful when removing the label from the lens cover. You can actually pull the cover right off if you're not careful. PEEL SLOWLY!Conclusion:Overall, this is a beautifully designed, well-built camera from an excellent company. As you can see by my review, Canon has won me over. In summary, the S40 matches the excellent picture quality of the finest Nikon and Kodak cameras available. The difference is, Canon does not skimp on the build of the camera by using cheap plastic parts. This, in my opinion, puts the S40 above the rest in this category.Well Done Canon!
The FinePix 2800 Zoom is Fujifilm's latest mid-range digital camera. Incorporating a powerful 6x optical zoom lens, the same zooming power as that used on the FinePix 6900 Zoom, the flagship of the FinePix line. The FinePix 2800 Zoom is a highly compact, point-and-shoot model that can make even beginning photographers feel like a pro. The 2-Megapixel CCD imager in concert with Fuji's Advanced Color Technology produces photo-quality 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10-inch prints. The camera's exposure and focusing systems are fully automatic. For those that like to have more control, the Manual mode allows overriding the metering system and using a specific white balance setting.Audio notes up to 30 seconds in length can be attached to your pictures, you can record up to 60 seconds of motion video with sound, and the FinePix 2800 Zoom can operate as a PC-cam for computer-to-computer video conferencing. Images, movies and sound files transfer to your computer in a flash thanks to the built-in USB connectivity. Picture viewing is simple and fun with the included FinePixViewer software that launches automatically once the pictures are downloaded to the computer.Features:Easy to use automatic point-n-shoot cameraUltra-compact and stylish bodyPowerful 6X optical zoom (38-228mm 35mm equivalent)2.1-million pixel RGB color filter CCD imagerImage sizes of 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960 or 640 x 480Fujifilm's Advanced Color Technology produces better color with more detailRecords 60 seconds (320 x 240) AVI motion video with audio at 10 frames/sec30-second audio notes can be attached to picturesInternet PC-Camera (Webcam) capable64-Zone TTL metering, Program AE (Exposure comp. available in Manual mode)Automatic white balance plus 6 presets in ManualMulti-mode flash (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow-Synchro, Forced, Off)1.8 inch color TFT LCD MonitorColor electronic viewfinderISO 100 equivalent sensitivityPowered by standard AA batteries, NiMH recommendedEven with the big 6x optical zoom lens, the FinePix 2800 Zoom is only 3.7 inches (W) x 3.0 inches (H) x 2.8 inches (D) and weighs a scant 9.5 ounces, without batteries. Bundled accessories include a 16MB SmartMedia storage card, four AA Alkaline batteries, shoulder strap and USB and video cables. In addition to Fujifilm's FinePixViewer, other bundled software includes Fujifilm's DP Editor and Adobe PhotoDeluxe 4.0.-- Steve's Digital Camera Review
Well I've taken about 150 pictures now and I am completely impressed. Picture perfect colors and crispness. LCD is hard to see in darker settings. In most settings pictures come out great. Even when zoomed in all the way, pictures are still sharp and clear. Dim flourescent lighting can produce dark pictures but other than that, it's a great camera. Get it if you can find it!
I have been using this camera putchased from Amazon since early 2003. So far it has not give me any trouble, has been serving me tirelessly. I have taken a few thousand pictures by it, dropped it many times, but the quality has not changed at all, in spite of the fact that I dont take much care of it!A great investment indeed!
This is indeed a wonderful camera. I have had mine now 3 years and it is still going strong. I have even decided to stay in the Fuji Line and get the S9100 which comes out this month. So when I have the money, I will be one click away form another great camera. My Dad has a Nikon and it is a 4MP and the Fuji takes way better pictures, quality and all. The only down fall on the camera, is taking photos in low light situations, it is difficult to see what you want to capture, but when you snap and look at it, wow, it is a whole new world, the photo is clear, crisp and so bright. I have taken wedding photos and get some great close up shots with the zoom, so much so the bride and groom are usually amazed with the quality and how great the Zoom works. Because if how amazed people usually are with the shots, I have started to give photos on a CD as a wedding gift, and guess what, it is a hit, everyone loves it, and I at times capture what the photographer that they hired missed. Also with this little beast of a camera, persons have asked me to take photos and they will pay me, yes for this 2 MP camera. Macros work great for the close ups and the flash is excellent. If you buy this camera, you will be quickly amazed at how great it is and is worth every penny.
I take pictures with this camera for my personal use and for my website and works great!  The color and resolution in the photos are excelent. The 6X Optical Zoom made the photos clear and brilliant and the movie feature it's ok for a digital camera. I use a lot the feature bonus (Webcam) to videoconference and is a great plus. This camera worth the price.
I love this little gem. It is versatile, performant, lets you fine-tune all the settings or automate the whole picture-taking process. Powerful zoon, crystal-clear shots in Macro mode. There are a lot of features to play with. You gotta try it.
We bought this camera as an upgrade from our first digital which was only 0.8 megapixels.  This camera takes awesome pictures and the flash card makes downloading a snap.  We have an HP Photosmart printer that the card just pops into and reads as a removable drive, so we don't even need the USB connector.  The pictures are very clear and the menus on the screen are easy to use.  I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone!
Having owned this camera for 12 years I'm still trying to find a decent replacement that takes such good pictures: superb colour and crisp images are the strong points of this fine Fuji product. While my Panasonic Lumix 16 MP is a good camera, it doesn't come close to the FujiPix' colour -- I'm always tweaking fotos to obtain the best result. Neither does the Lumix take such good indoor fotos as the FujiPix. I suspect the reason for the difference lies in the lens, the larger Fujinon being way superior to the Panasonic Lumix Leica lens. The FujiPix is limited by lack of a wide angle lens 2MP max, although I still wonder how it takes such true colour high resolution fotos at this level. If Fuji could upgrade this camera to a 12MP, wide angle version I'd buy it. However, with the pace of technology I'm forced to look at more exotic cameras: best fit will be the FujiFinePix HS30EXR or the Canon Rebel T3. Any advice would be much appreciated!
I recently purchased this camera and have found it to be everything that I need with one big exception.  I find it difficult to view the image that I am trying to include in the picture with either the viewfinder or the LCD display.  This is especially true when there is dim light or there is dark objects around the subject. Otherwise, the images are sharp, the memory that comes with the camera exceeds that of most cameras and with the additional memory that I purchased I can take more than enough pictures even at the highest resolutions.
Product recieved non functional with a broken software CD, missing memory card. No response by the marketplace seller. Amazon was outstanding in responding to the problem regardless of sellers poor performance.
The Fuji 2800 is the smallest 2.1 meg. DC and has a 6X lens.  The ergonomics are perfect provided you use your third finder to push the button for photos and not your index finger (which naturally falls over the On/Off button).  My wife, the actual "giftee" is technically challenged.  I needed a DC with simple to use "point and shoot" technology and this one delivers in SPADES!  She is thrilled at the fact that it is NOT a rangefinder (she cuts off heads othewise) and that the screen is bright.  Downloading is easy and Fuji appears quite committed in that they have a special user-only web site that is oriented to their customer needs.  I am very pleased...
This is a super camera, so easy to use.  From out of the box to snapping pictures was a matter of minutes.  Install the software FIRST as instructed, then quickly plug in the USB cord, it will open the images, load them to a website, email them or your can send them to your harddrive.  It opens a fold in My Pictures for you.  You just check which pictures you want to keep and which you want to get rid of.  You have the option of keeping the images on the smart card or you can erase them.So from box to shooting a few minutes, about 5 to install and reboot.  Second to plug in to the computer and instant pictures of SUPER quality.  I could not believe how sharp the images were.You are able to chose to look threw the lens to set it up as with regular SLR.  Or you can compose by looking at the LCD image. Once the image is snapped it shows you a copy on the LCD viewer so you can see the shot. It has 6 times zoom and auto flash.  Even has microphone setting and you can take small movies with and play them in quick time.Do recommend adding the 125MB smart card and you can snap till your hearts content!This is just amazing for this price!
THIS FUJI FINEPIX 2800 2MP ALLOWED ME TO CAPTURE SOME VERY VIVID PICTURES. THIS CAMERA HAS THE CLEARITY OF A HOT HUMID DAY IN JUNE. THE BRIGHTNESS,SHAPNESS,QUICKNESS OF THIS CAMERA IS UNBELIEVEABLE. AND ITS LIGHT-WEIGHT. BEST CAMERA. MAY I TAKE YOUR PIC? LOL
I didn't want anything fancy, so I didn't feel like shelling out the $999.99 required for most of the "good" digital cameras out there. I think I lucked out with this unit. I've had it for about three months now and love it. Wonderful colour, convenient and as versatile as I need it to be. Sure, as other reviews have stated, the LCD is a little dim (or black) in low-light conditions, but I can deal with it. If I'm desperate to take a picture in the dark I'll use my tripod, shine a light on the scene to get proper focusing, and off I go. By the way, I've been able to get fantastic dusk/night shots with a tripod.I can't complain about the picture quality - sure, it's not as good as other cameras, but I doubt I'll ever look back and regret having used this camera to document my year.
I love it, I absolutely love it.I have had the camera for just over 3 weeks.  I took it on vacation with me and never having read the instruction bookI was able to figure out how to use it in minutes.  Quality of photos is outstanding and the 6x zoom is increadable.  I took a lot of seascape photos as well as some beach shots and that zoom really came in handy.I had no problems with the viewfinder as others stated they have, perhaps because I didn't take any night shots but inside shots were no problem.What really surprised me was that it is not necessary to install the software that comes with the camera so long as you are running XP.  I simply plugged the up usb ports and XP found the camera, no program to mess with.Even with all of these positive comments the reason I rated it a 4 instead of a 5 is because of the way the shutter button and the off/on button are located.  I continually pressed the off button instead of the shutter button  until I got used to it.At this point in time I feel this is a great camera and for the price, I paid less than half of the going price, and I really rate it a 4.9
Excellent camera for anything but low light! Excellent results with the movie mode, which has sound. It will also playback movies with sound. can also replace a camcorder. I have had this camera for almost 2 years. 6X optical zoom is handy.
For the money this camera is an excellent value.  My first digital was a FujiFilm FinePix A201, with only a 2.5 digital zoom and 2 mp, great for starters but I really didn't like any of the pictures taken with it.  I guess the magic is in the zoom, because the 2800 takes crystal clear, super sharp pics that I thought were only possible with either a 35 mm or a ridiculously-overpriced camera with 3 times the megapixels.  I like the 35 mm-style casing, it makes it look like a much more expensive camera, and of course FujiFilm's very simple to use menus.  The interface with my computer is quick and painless and I had a beautiful shot, from shutter to printed copy, in less than 5 minutes.  My only complaint so far has been the delayed shutter speed, not very good for taking pics of animals that don't stay still long, but I can live with this.  Others complain about the viewfinder being too dim indoors, and this is also true, but like another review pointed out, the film is cheap while you experiment.For beginners who want professional-looking prints, this is the camera to use.
I love this camera. It's not another 2MP digital camera. It takes amazingly great picture with great color. This is my first digital camera, and I compared mine with my friends' camera, and this is definitely the best for the money.
This camera looks and works great, and for a long time, I had no issues with it whatsoever. The pictures were sharp, and of decent high resolution. Until I took this camera with me to Las Vegas, to take some night pictures. It worked fine when taking close-up night shots with a flash, but when taking long distance pictures, it became practically useless. First, distant images with flash enabled appear dark and blurry. If you disable the flash, images come out nice and colorful. Except they look like someone with Parkinson's disease was holding the camera - the lights are smeared everywhere - even if you stand still as a statue. Now, I know what you're thinking - "just decrease exposure time", right? I'd love to do that, if that was an available option.Of the 200 pictures I took, only 2 were useable (and even then, blurry)
I love this small silver camera. It takes pictures with really high quality. I also bought 4 1200ma batteries and a 128m memory card for it (about $80). When I went out for a field trip the batteries lasted for more than 3 days. I took hundreds of pictures. Although I did not take pictures with the highest quality this camera can make (only 1megapixel), they look excellent with bright color. They are very sharp. It is amazing. All I can say is that I made a right choice.
I bought this camera and treated it very well.  After a year and a half of low to moderate use, the lens won't retract.
My first digital camera and I'm very happy with the purchase. Don't know what the previous reviewer's problem with XP was, but like another reviewer said... I just plugged it into the USB port and XP auto-configured the new &quot;removable&quot; drive with 0 problems. Highly recommend this camera. Pictures are fantastic and PC transfers are a snap...
Camera worked beautifully until somehow a fatal zoom error occurred.  We can't get the camera to turn on again.  Will not buy Fuji again!
Where can I start? This camera is an EXCELLENT product! I was apprehensive because 1) I'd had such trouble with complicated hard-to-use techno gear and software, and 2) this was going to be my first digital camera and I wanted to have FUN, not be driven nuts by trying to slog through complications. I had really enjoyed photography years ago on a good 35mm camera. I did a lot of comparisons, and this Fiji just seemed to come out on top for what I wanted to spend. Yet I just HAD to go to a store to try it out first-hand. Boy, was I impressed!! I picked up a display and the controls are so sensibily designed that I was using it-no problem-in just a minute or two. I even took a mini-video on it. (A great feature I haden't even counted on.) Another feature that sold me on this camera was the 6x optical zoom--a must-have feature for creative photography. The sales guy recommended I get a transfer device, and I'm glad I did. You put the memory card in it and download the pics into your computer.  (I got one called "Dazzle" and it's a snap.) I also bought a 128MB Smart Card for more memory. If, like me, this is your first digital (or you're upgrading) I COULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA MORE HIGHLY! I hope this review was helpful to you. Now I'm going back to having more fun with my new camera!
I have had the infamous Zoom Error. This is a major flaw and my camera does not work anymore.Do not think I will buy another fuji for this reason unless the customer service really helps me out. I doubt that will happen based on the other posts.
I didn't have time to conduct any special surveys or waste time at computer stores. Luckily, I bumped into this cool digital from FujiFilm and got excited. This piece is great, very small yet powerful and of great quality. Images are sharp, even on low-mode, the 60 sec video option is great and the web-cam ability is even cooler.Installation on WinXP is a snap, menus and configurations are pretty straight forward. I personally didn't look at the manual AT ALL.This is a great camera for your money! Be sure to include re-charging batteries and another memory card at your purchase. Both gets empty pretty fast.And no, I don't work for Fuji :)
I finally decided that the time was right to buy a digital camera.  I knew I wanted a... range camera, and I researched all of the 2.0 megapixel... cameras.  The Fuji camera came out on top for several reasons -1. It actually looks like a camera.  This may sound silly, but some of the other cameras in this price/feature category were so small that I was afraid that I would either lose it or break it.  The FinePix 2800 feels very solid and sturdy.2. Fuji's reputation.  My wife has a 35 mm Fuji camera that she's had for years and it has never given her a problem.3. Features.  This camera, compared to all other similar cameras, came with the most features.  It comes with the USB cable, all required software, 16 MB flash memory (double all the other cameras), and 6x optical zoom.4. Compatibility.  It DOES work with XP - I hooked it up to my XP PC, and XP said, "I've found a new digital camera.  It's a Fuji FinePix 2800.  I will now configure it for you."  That's all I needed to do.  I have more editing options that I know what to do with.  And that's just from hooking the camera up to my PC!  I didn't install a single piece of software.  My Windows 98SE PC needed the software installed, and installation was quick and easy.- Setup was simple and straightforward.  The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow.  It takes wonderfully crisp and clear pictures.  And with MS Photo Editor (what I use on my 98SE PC), I have all of the basic photo editing features I need.- I don't mind the fact that it eats batteries - it's to be expected with this class of electronic device.  I did order the A/C adapter from Fuji, and I think it's been previously said... be prepared to wait on hold for a long, long time.  The 1st time I called, I waited for 20 minutes and got disconnected.  I called back and waited 15 minutes.  Once I got through, they were very nice and courteous.Final thoughts are that it's a great digital camera, even for someone who has never owned one (this is my 1st).  Compact, easy to set up, and takes crisp, clear pictures.  I feel it's the best bang-for-your-buck out there.  Definitely give this one a long hard look when making your decision!
I wanted a digital camera to keep my folks and in-laws at bay with regard to frequent demands for pictures of their grand-daughters. The USB connection to the PC and the nice all-around FinePix software that this camera comes with, allows me to do that with no hassles. The software also can e-mail photos directly, and it automatically makes the photos a manageable file size for attachments. So, for example, a 300kb photo will e-mail as a 80kb photo and still retain great quality in the e-mail.I was also looking for a camera that had decent optical zoom capability because we are often outdoors and I like the flexibility of close-in as well as wide shots. This camera has a very capable 6X optical zoom which I have enjoyed using.Finally, as any parent of young children knows, it is really difficult to get them to sit still. This camera offers a 60-second video capability, which has often come in handy to capture my kids at play or doing something silly.I have received a lot of compliments on the camera's images.Some minor drawbacks - in dark conditions, the camera has trouble picking out images to auto-focus on. I get around this by pointing it a nearby light source that is roughly the same distance to the camera as my subject. In addition, there can be a maddening 1 to 2 second delay in capturing and saving an image. But you learn to live with it - and sometimes what you clicked on is not what you get in the image, but you get used to that, and many times the image you got is better than the original. Also, it is not slim enough to fit in a purse - so it usually goes at my side in a pouch or in a backpack.Overall an excellent and highly recommended all-around digital camera.
Have had this camera for nearly 6 months and it has taken some fabulous shots. For the price tag that it comes in at - it is a neat buy. Also the 6x zoom (which was the feature that made me buy it) is just perfect (for me). On the downside it seems to have problems in low-light conditions (as almost all digital cameras do) and that is an area which leaves some things to be desired. Also since the 6x zoom is not stabilized you can use it only in the best of lighting conditions.All in all a great value for money and a good buy for enthusiasts who do not want all manual controls but do desire a lot more zoom power.
I bought the Finepix 2800 this evening and I am returning it tomorrow morning.  This camera seems great -- affordable, awesome optical zoom, and compact -- but there are more than a few problems with it.First of all, if you're in a room with soft lighting, the LCD is pitch black.  I tried adjusting the LCD brightness, but it didn't help.  You need to be in a VERY well-lit area to even be able to see what you're taking a picture of, otherwise (I kid you not) it's pitch black.  You end up getting pieces of people's heads instead of a full scene shot.The software installation went just fine, except when I connected the camera to my Pentium 4 running Windows 2000Pro, my computer crashed.  It didn't just crash, though -- it locked down so I couldn't end programs to properly shut down my computer.In case battery life is a concern, it's important to note that the FinePix 2800 runs on 4 AA batteries.  Fuji sells rechargable mAh batteries, but they're VERY expensive ($60 for a 4-pack), and I don't even know how much the charger costs.I was also disappointed with the bundle that comes with the camera.  You get a neck strap -- woo hoo! -- but no case.  I had a lot of trouble finding a case that fit the camera, since the zoom lens bulges out.  I frowned when I saw the camera only came with one-time-use AA batteries, and I frowned more when I saw there wasn't an automatic lens cap.  Argh!This camera just didn't cut it for me.
If you want a great camera, amazing zoom, enough resolution and [inexpensive] memory - nothing can beat this camera.Extremely simple to use, with very powerful features, it produces excellent images and consumes very little battery power - especially if you use NiMH batteries. It even works on Linux without a hitch. Can you ask for more?Yes. It does not have manual high speed shutter controls. Bummer, but I can certainly live with it. This device rocks!
This is my second digital camera, my first being an early model Kodak DC210 Plus model. The Kodak is a fine camera, but I was attracted to the 6X optical zoom and increased resolution of the FinePix 2800. I also did not want to pay an exoribitant price. After reading a number of reviews, I decided to give this camera a try. I have used it for a little more than two weeks and have been overjoyed with its performance. It is small, light, has plenty of features and the zoom performance is excellent. I could not find anything similar in this price range.  For a beginner or amateur photographer, I don't think you could ask for a better camera. It is simple to set up, has a wide variety of picture quality settings, plenty of options/features and is just pleasure to use. I also liked the built in USB interface (USB cable and software included). I would have liked to have seen an AC power supply included, but for the price I can't complain about the included accessories. I purchased a 128M SmartMedia card with the unit and can get over 350 pictures in the 2M Normal mode, which gives great resolution. This unit also seems to be a lot faster than the Kodak I own. The 2800 also supports video and voice over, although I have not tried either of these features. For video, I use my Canon ZR25M. With no reservations, I rate the FinePix 2800 as an exceptional camera and very reasonbly priced. I highly recommend it.
Though I still loved my camera till the day I killed it, you need to be careful with the extended lens. I set mine down on the seat in my boat and it fell while turned on, and the lens twisted, giving me ZOOM ERROR. It still takes pictures at non-zoom settings, but it will cost the price of a new camera to repair. So take it for what it's worth... just keep in mind that the long extended lens is a delicate item.My next digital camera will most likely be a Fuji because you'll have a hard time beating the quality of photos that I've been printing up for almost a year now.
This is my first Fuji experience and it comes in the fast growing, high quality, 'ultrazoom' category. For most users, these cameras will be perfect, as they offer excellent resolution (a measurement of digital photo density that determines how much the photo can be enlarged before it becomes too grainy), good optics (quality of the lenses) and very powerful zoom lenses that allow for, well,.....zooming. All of them need larger memory cards &amp; separate card readers to allow for easy download of the pictures into the computer (easily purchased and reasonably priced), but strictly speaking, they are ready to go out of the box. This Fuji is especially attractive with its gleaming, sturdy all steel body. It has all glass optics and a wonderful 6x optical zoom. It is also smaller than you might suppose and feels balanced in the hand. Controls are excellent and allow for lots of user input, or none at all if you prefer to put it on 'autopilot'. The main competitors would be the Minolta Dimage 5 and the Olympus 700. Take your pick, as they are all awesome when compared with anything available even a year ago!!
I spent way too much time deciding which digital camera to purchase.  But if I'm going to spend $500+ on a product that I want to keep for a long time, I'd better make the right decision the first time.  I looked at the Fuji Finepix 2800 Zoom and a few of the popular 3mp cameras.  I was very leary to get the 2mp over the 3mp but figured with the 6x zoom and the way lower price that it may have an advantage.  Let me tell you, I made the right decision.  Here's why:Photo Quality:  Incredible.  Better than I could have hoped for.  More than enough.  You can't crop down to nothing, but I printed a few 8X10's and it looked like an actual photograph.  2mp is enough for me.  PLUS, you usually don't even set the camera on the 2mp setting anyway, 1mp is usually plenty.Controls:  The automatic controls are very accurate.  I have used a 35mm Nikon SLR for years and it's nice not to have to fuss with all the manual settings.  This is primarily my wife's camera anyway and she appreciates just being able to point and shoot.  You do have to get used to the 1/2 second delay, but it's not a big deal and common with digital cameras.Viewfinder/LCD - Yeah its dark in low light, but you can still see an outline of your subject in most cases; unless its really dark, but I haven't had much of a problem and the one time I did get my 1 year old out of center I just took another shot.Overall - I'm very happy with this camera.  I can't say enough.  If you're leary about this camera like I was, don't be, it will exceed your expectations.  Oh by the way the web cam feature works great too.  Oh and make sure to get rechargeable batteries, and ac adapter for web cam and download and you'll be set.PS - I estimated that I saved about $200 by going with this camera over some of the other 3mp and in my opinion it can't be beat.
This camera takes great photographs...stunning clarity and vivid colors...it's very easy to operate.  In low light conditions, the LCD/ECD do not operate very well, however...it'll still take pictures...the great thing about digital photography, you can take pictures over and over again...delete the bad ones until you get it right!  It has plenty of features; the manual is easy to read and is actually a tiny course in photography basics.  I was taking pictures 2 minutes out of the box; the next day at a wedding...I took over 100 photos...they were simply stunning!  The couple who got married wished they hadn't hired a professional!  You will get red eye...but there's plenty of software out there to fix that in low light conditions...however, the camera's strength is definitely outdoor photography...I have captured awesome close-ups of wildlife and nature scenes...the digital zoom is wonderful.  Would definitely buy this again!  Make sure to shop around, buy a 64mb or 128mb SmartMedia card, and 2 sets of rechargeable NiHM batteries.  I got a great deal @ Circuit city......
Hi, this camera is my second one.  My first was Powershot A20.  This camera takes good picture.  The color is a bit better using this camera then the A20.  This camera capture true brilliant color from an object.  Overall performance is a good camera.  The movie function is great too.  The zoom is amazing.  6x optical and 2.5x digital.  The design is very compact.  Every eye stop and ask question about what kind of camera it is....cause it's so sexy.  You can hold it real well.  The lens cover is like a lens cover for camcorder, in seperate entity.  It doesn't cover itself when you turn off the camera.  You have to put it manually.  It uses 4 AA batteries.  You may want to have NiMH rechargeable sets for this camera.  I have 4 sets my self.  The 16MB SmartMedia comes from the kit seems to capture enough pictures in it's low resolution.  Personally, I like using the lowest my self.  I don't like to print them, that's my I bought this camera.  Eventhough the camera has a normal quality for the VGA-mode (lowest resolution), it still delivers Excellent pictures.  You don't have to go high in resolution if you don't have too.I do still have someting that I don't like about this camera:1.  The LCD is too dark.  My A2 does a better job on this one.  Eventhough only 1.5&quot;, A20 seems to g\have more pixels on the LCD part of the camera.2.  This camera is lack of manual settings. With Powershot A20, you can go using a few effects like black and white, and more white balance setting choices.  Although this camera doesn't come with those features, it still comes with white balance functions.  It's just limited.That's about it.  95% of the time, I love this camera because of it's results, sexy look, and small size.  You gotta love this camera.  It's nice, not that expensive, and it takes excellent pitures.
I bought two digital cameras recently. Both of them Fuji. Mine is the 2600zoom finepix and the 2800zoom is the one I got for my wife. ( She thought it was 'cute'.) Personally, I like the 2600 better for a number of reasons. It comes with a battery recharger and two of the 1700mHa batteries by Fuji. The 2600 only takes two batteries instead of four like the 2800 does, and they last a long time.(The 2800 eats up the batteries, you will want to get extra batteries and a fast charger for it.) Overall both cameras are excellent and I give both 5 stars. The 2600 is just a better value when you weigh all features and benefits. You will have to order an a/c adapter for both cameras from Fuji as they are an option, and I had to buy a charger and rechargable batteries for the 2800 after the purchase. It comes with 4 alkaline batteries when you buy it. They lasted about 25 minutes before they were dead.(No lie) I don't particularly like the grainy look in the view finder of the 2800. I'm not fond of the way the viewer goes blank when you take the picture either. The 2600 doesn't have this grainy appearance at all and it doesn't blank out when you snap the pic. Of course the 2600 doesn't have the ability to show you the display and menu in the view finder like the 2800 does. The 2800 video mode is much better than the 2600 and the sound quality is quite impressive too.(No sound on the 2600) The one thing I found after the purchase is that most of the NiMH batteries you will find are 1600mHa and Fuji's are 1700mHa. This may seem slight but it makes a difference in how long the batteries last between charges and how fast they recover after each shot. I found some that were 1800mHa and Fuji told me not to use them as they may damage the camera. I recommend that you find 1700s because the 400mHa difference is quite noticable. The 5 volt a/c adapter for the 2800 and the 3 volt a/c adapter you can get for the 2600 both have plenty of length to the cord and I like that. Overall for the money the 2800 is a good deal but other than the 6x zoom feature it really doesn't take any better pics than my 2600 does. It was harder to find a case that would hold the 2800 than it was for my 2600 and the 2800 is heavy compared to the 2600. I'm glad the 2800 is my wife's camera really. The only time I'll use the 2800 is if I just have to zoom in twice as far for a shot. ... My wife thinks it was worth it and love the camera. I'd recommend either one but value for value the 2600 is a better deal. Fuji has got it going on with these little cameras. They are impressive. If they came with an a/c adapter and carry case and if the 2800 just had a charger and NiMH batteries it would be better but they'd be a lot more expensive up front I'm sure. The fact is though, these are both quite high in quality and supreme user friendly cameras.
I have had this camera for about 24 hours, so I hope I am not jumping the gun.  I have put it through all the tests, and this is a very remarkable camera.  Everything is easy to use, pictures are crisp, camera is nice and lightweight, USB connection was a snap (w/XP) and EXTREMELY fast compared to my last digital camera (a very nice surprise).  The reviewer from Arizona was doing something wrong, because I live in AZ as well, and as soon as I read her review I brought the camera out in the sun and the pictures came out awesome.The reason the camera lost one star is because everything they say about low light or night photos is true.  Its the cameras only downfall.  The LCD and the viewfinder become useless.  More than likely, the autofocus won't work either.  If it wasn't for that, this camera would have gotten a 5 star rating.
After 3 months of ownership:Very capable little camera with excellent 6x zoom.Could use even more telephoto.Wish it had manual shutter-priority.2 megapixel is fine for regular snapshots, but you need 3+ MP when cropping/enlarging your photos.Great, simple digital camera for typical user.
I really can't say enough good things about this camera. I have used it in many different lighting situations. Including taking pictures of fireworks.  The macro feature is great. I have always loved taking experimental close ups of my flowers but was prohibited by the cost of film and developing. The camera does work longest and at its best with rechargeable nimh batteries but they too are worth the price.  Even if I choose to upgrade to a higher mp camera, I'll still keep this one. Its easy to use and a lot of fun.
I got this used like new condidtion and it is as advertised.  Works like a champ and very sharp.  I found that f/11 is the best for very sharp images front to back.
I bought this as a gift for my adult son and he has nothing but great things to say about it.  From the images I've seen him use it for I can say it's a great lens if one is into the whole fisheye thing.
The Nikon 16mm F/2.8D AF Fisheye lens that I purchased was a home run hit. The lens is very well constructed and it produces awesomely sharp images. I can't imagine going on a shoot without it in my camara bag.
Pretty heavy for such little lens. but what it does its great!!! Very crisp clear images it takes. Love it!!! bought it for my Nikon D4 works Great!
It is very sharp! sharper than I thought and if I hold it level, the distortion is reduced. Software can reduce the distortion entirely.  The reason why I mention the fact that I can reduce the distortion is that this can take the place of an ultra-wide angle lens at 30% of the weight of a Nikkor 14-24. It can fit in your pocket and so light.The special effects are awesome for just about any type of photography.  it is truly a fun lens for some funky angles that will make your images different and unique.
the rating would be like 4.75...wish the lens cap was more secure. overall the lens is nice/small/light. I stick it in my pocket or one of my small bags, when I pull it out the lens cap typically slips off. that's the only reason I didn't give it the full 5 stars .
I had been putting off buying this lens as I thought that it would get limited use. But then a few months ago, one of my friend's shots, inspired me to get this lens. Since then I have used it on a few occasions and can now say that it is one of my fave lenses. The crazy perspective and FOV allows one to get really creative shots. Check out some of my  samples in the gallery.
I have used this lens on at least 5 occasions now and have experienced great results with it. If I had any complaint with this product it would be with the lens cover, a rather cheap plastic cover that looks like something that came off the end of a pipe, come-on Nikon I am sure you could do better than that to protect such a wonderful light capturing instrument.
Gives a unique perspective, the ultimate wide angle lens. Does give some distortion but that should be explected. Been having fun with this lens.
This lens is a great bit of fun.  Have used at a car show and got excellent, tack on shots.  Certainly is not an every day lens but it truly fills a niche.  Have wanted one for a long time.  Seller very professional and easy to do business with.  Could not have asked for more.
This is a great lens for fun and creativity.  Some call it an "armpit" lens as it gives you a 180 degree perspective.  I find myself pulling this lens out of the bag more and more often as I see a landscape or object that deserves the wide perspective captured by this lens.  Try taking photos of animals with it.  Get close up and their noses come out large with the rest of their heads caught in a small wide-angle perspective - much fun.  A photographer friend of mine shot cows with this lens, now be careful as you have to get pretty close, but his photos were hilarious!  I highly recommend this lens.  To save a couple of hundred dollars or so, find it used, but make sure it comes with the filters.  My only complaint is the cap that Nikon provides with it.  It slips off easily and since the lens can not fit a normal filter to protect the objective glass, you have a potential for scratching or at least getting the lens smudged - too much cleaning of glass is never good.  I used double-sided tape inside the cap to help it stick to the built-in hood - seems to work - just make sure you trim the double-sided tape so it isn't touching the lens itself.  Enjoy!
This is a terrific standard fisheye lens. Unlike many fisheyes, it creates a full-screen rectangular image. The filters that come with the lens are an added bonus. Wonderful and fun images can be created. Don't waste your money on the filter-type screw-on fisheye lenses that distort your image beyond all recognition and don't allow for correct metering or focusing. This has been a wonderful addition to my lens collection, and one that I frequently find myself pulling out of the bag for a special effect here and there - from a lying-on-the-ground in the forest photo, to a wrap-around view of the WDW castle...I mark it down one star only because of the price -- Nikon has several fisheye lenses, and all of them are overpriced for the limited use these lenses receive. Still, it is comperable in price to the 15/2.8 sigma fisheye with much better glass quality.
Love this lens.  I especially like how fast it is, f/2.8.Very clear, gives a very good fisheye perspective.Get up close for best photograph.I have used this lens for night sky photography, it pulls in lots of light and a great swath of the sky.
beautiful. just beautiful.  I just did a wedding where this lens came in so handy for capturing the ambiance and mood of the entire night.  The distortion around the edges are minimal to none based on how you angle the camera, and the feel of the pictures is like nothing you've ever seen before.  I will be using this for quite a few years, me thinks.
Nikon should be ashamed of themselves for releasing this piece of junk.When it DOES work, it produces superb images--exceptional sharpness, great detail, and accurate color. The problem is it usually DOESN'T work.I've had to send it back twice with problems, and it still doesn't work right. The zoom gets stuck, and the autofocus doesn't lock on. There are major problems with this camera, and Nikon won't do anything about it.Nikon's service is horrible. Unapologetic, no answers, no solutions. Long hold times. They don't offer "loaners." They don't offer anything for people who depend on their products to make a living. It would be bad enough for everyday consumers, but at a professional level, it's unacceptable.We bought this camera for small digital shots done in a professional environment. So not only have we lost the $1000 for the camera, but also about $3000 in billable jobs. I understand that sometimes things go wrong, and if they do, you have an obligation to fix the problem. Nikon is not doing this in any way.Thanks for nothing, Nikon. I'm tossing the whole matter over to our attorney for follow-up...
By the time this camera is ready to shoot, your subject is either long gone or scowling at you. Just forget candids of the family unless you're lying in wait--and wait you will. This is classified as a "still camera," but more accurate would be "still-life camera," because that's about all it's good for. From turn on to illumination of the red and green ready lights the delay can be around 30 seconds, it seems.And another thing, it gets the flash exposure wrong quite often, and not just when light from the flash is bouncing off your finger into the sensor.Also, the histogram usually appears to be inaccurate.In short, it can take high quality pictures if you have the time to wait for it, and then retake the picture. Ironically, it's a little like using a 4x5 view camera. Although the 5000 is small, it's no zippy little joy.Memory is not a problem. Just pop in a 1 GB IBM microdrive. Batteries are not a problem either. Just keep a spare in your pocket and you'll go (or wait) all day. If you power it up in review mode or with the USB connected, you don't need to remove the lens cap.
I bought a coolpix 5000 when it came out about 6 years ago and it took good pictures. It had to be sent in for repairs 2-3 times though because it would make a buzzing sound for a few weeks then die. They repaired it for free when it was out of warranty as a gesture of good will. It died again a few months ago, now the repair bill is $282.50 .. I had spent $2000 on this coolpix5000 and now it's a brick. The new 5100 does look nice, and it costs a lot less but I feel like I wasted my money with Nikon so my next camera will be Canon.
First of all, digital photography is not the same as traditionaly photography.  There is a slow response time on digital cameras actually taking a picture when the shutter release is pressed; this camera is quicker than most digitals that i have used.  One could have it configured to be quite slow when red-eye reduction is enabled or some of the other features.  Yes that camera is small, and yes you could put your finger over the flash sensor resulting in poor lighting... but if the camera was big then the complain would be that it is too big... and they had to put the light sensor somewhere far from the lens (or you could not attach wide angle lens without blocking it)... now if you don't care about adding lens, having the ability to use an external flash, and lack interest in being able to manually control every aspect of a shot then this camera is not for you (and if you are looking in this price range may i suggest you consider the fully automatic and small canon s40).  if you enjoy those sorts of things then this is the camera of choice...  it takes exceptional photographs, but it is not a film camera and comparisions to such simply do not make sense.also, great insight can be had on all digital cameras by reading the reviews at dpreview.com.  good luck!
I bought this camera primarily for archetecural shots and interior design.  I am very pleased with the resolution, clarity and functionality.  Nikon has gotten rid of that pesky little bug that shut the camera down if you started it without removing the lens cap and now what we have is a very nearly professional grade product.  The only limitation is the number of lenses available to it, but given the rest of the quality in this product, I find that to be a minor inconvenience.
The features mimic, and the performance matches, the best of Nikon SLR cameras. The lense quality is exceptional, and veratile.The one-star off is for the accessories and battery life. Expect to buy 3rd party lense hoods, an add-on battery with more life, and extra memory.
The photos I've taken with my Coolpix 5000 are pretty good, though it has a lot of trouble adjusting to indoor lighting, even with the $100 Nikon SB-30 flash attachment.But this can be a VERY frustrating camera to use. Besides the now-standard but always annoying delay built into virtually any piece of digital equipment (I thought digital was going to make things faster, not slower, didn't you?), the Coolpix 5000 will often just decide it's taken enough pictures for now, thank you very much, and it will do nothing more.I've gone over and over the instruction manual and can find no hint as to what to do in this situation. I am focused, I have checked lighting, I have my settings correct, I push the button...and then I push it again...and then I push it again, and then again, and again and again and again, and then I hold it down until my finger hurts, and then I just want to throw the stupid camera in front of an asphalt truck. Nothing happens. If I turn it off and then back on, nothing happens. If I turn it off and leave it alone for 24 hours, then it usually is ready to have fun again.Surprisingly, the kids have lost interest in posing for pictures and are getting a little cranky after waiting 24 hours for the camera to get its act together.
I bought this same camera new several years ago and it quit working. I could only find two places who were willing to look at it and both are out of state. The cost of the new purchase was less than the shipping, insurance and minimum fee to diagnose the repair on my old camera. I already have a ton of accessories and lenses for this model so purchasing it seemed to be a reasonable solution. The camera, although sold as used, seems new and in the original box and everything was included. It works perfectly and I am very, very happy.
I have recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix 5000 from Amazon.And I am totally amazed. The picture quality is GREAT! However,if you are looking for a "Point and Shoot" camera right out ofthe box--then forget about it! To really appreciate the beautyof this camera, then "YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO READ THE MANUAL"!The Nikon is full of "Bells and whistles", and if you skip themanual then you will miss the feats that this camera is capableof. So, if you are tired of the same ole point and click camera,then purchase the NIKON COOLPIX 5000! You'll be amazed at whatit can do. One more thing...the enclosed bundled software isworthless. I am running a Window's XP upgrade. And as soon as Iplugged in the USB cable and turned on the camera Window's XP aknowledged the camera, loaded the drivers, and snatched the pictures right from the camera. I have Image Expert 2000 photo program that came bundled with my Dell computer and it will extract the photos from the Nikon very efficiently and put them in a folder. I tried the enclosed Nikon software and was totally dissappointed.  Enjoy your new Nikon.
This camera definitely has some issues, namely slow operational speed, (focusing and write times), which at first frustrated me, but it also has some compelling good points which is why I bought one, (even 12 years after it was released and I being fully aware of it's drawbacks having read the reviews on it for years) and I don't regret it. The colors in the photos look very nice and appealing; warm and saturated. There is a 19mm wide angle conversion lens available for it, which I also bought, The camera is relatively small and compact and quite light weight. And if you're a Nikon Coolpix 5700 owner like I am, then you will be right at home with it's operation as the two cameras use an almost identical menu system and control layout, it just operates slower and is not quite as 'polished' or refined as the 5700 is in terms of smoothness of operation and even control button feel. And like most Coolpix's it's marco ability is simply amazing! This camera can focus right up to .800 inch from the subject, (that's just over 3/4 of an inch)! The prices on this camera are so low right now, (I got mine used for $70.00) I just couldn't pass it up, and I'm glad I didn't. For all it's short comings I think the Coolpix 5000 is a worthy addition to your camera collection and one you can have fun with for a long time.
I bought one and I love it! The image quality that this little jewel produces is awesome. This one is fitted with a Nikkor 28-85 mm equivalent zoom lens and like all Nikkor lenses, it's sharp as a tack. The color saturation is fantastic and it takes great black and white shots as well (if you really want to have some fun get an infra red filter play around with it a bit). And it is absolutely fantastic with macro shots!!!As far as the image quality with the built-in flash (seems to be a gripe that some have expressed), I seem to get acceptable results if I set the white balance for flash photography; however, I've never seen a camera (digital or 35 mm) that has a built in flash unit worth raving about. For the best results, I'd suggest a good dedicated flash with a swivel head to support bounce flash. This camera will accept just about any Nikon flash unit.I haven't found the filter adapter to be much of an issue (with the exception of setting a polarizing filter). However, setting a polarizing filter is a pain on any rangefinder camera. The shutter release delay is a digital camera thing -- I work around it by depressing the shutter release half way in anticipation of the shot, then gently sqeezing a shot off at the right moment. The response is instantaneous. You just have to change some of the habits you learned from using 35mm. As far as the LCD in bright sunlight -- that is also a digital camera thing. You can buy a third party shroud that helps with this (or make your own).This brings me to several of my "nits" about the camera. The viewfinder is too small, and it you tend to get more in the image than you see through the viewfinder. This can mess up your composition in a quick shot. The power zoom is a bit slow, and I'd like a bit more zoom at the telephoto end of the focal range.But overall, I think the CoolPix 5000 is an excellent value. You just can't argue with the quality of the images that this little camera produces.
When the Coolpix 995 (3 megapixels) came out, everyone was waiting for Nikon to release a 5 MP 'prosumer' digicam. Here it is, but it is lacking, especially when compared to other digicams on Amazon such as Minolta Dimage 7 (excellent 5 MP camera!) or Olympus EN-20 (another 5 MP gem but suffering from memory buffer issues).See the list of PROs and CONs to see why you should skip this Coolpix.PROs- 5.24 Megapixels- Digital zoom: 4x, Optical zoom: 3x- Built-in flash (no fumbling for pop-up buttons)- Accepts CompactFlashType I and Type II, and IBM microdrive- Sharp Nikon quality lens- Aperture range f2.8 - f4.8- Superior macro abilities- Comes with rechargeable battery- Lightweight (.79 lbs)CONs- Bad red eye potential due to flash proximity to lens- Comes with a small memory card (32 MB). These days one needs at LEAST 64 MB card for the large MP cameras- Limited lens potential. The 35mm equivalent lens 28 - 85 mm is good, but almost guarantees you'll need to buy an accessory lens to get telephoto capabilities.- OK battery life (approx 100 min.), could be MUCH better.- Camera feels a little cheap due to its very light weightOverall, the camera is GOOD, but not great. There are superior 5 MP cameras on Amazon that deliver just as good or better pics, and give the user much more creativity and control at ease.
Even in mid 2005 the Nikon Coolpix 5000 is a remarkable digital camera. In skilled hands this camera can produce results that rival even today's best professional digital cameras.I've made several 16x20 prints from images taken with the Coolpix 5000 that look AMAZING. If you add the available wide angle lens to this camera you can get a fabulous 19mm wide angle lens!!! Nikon even offers an amazing fisheye lens for  this camera.Like any digital camera (or film camera for that matter) this camera has its flaws and limits. Even though it's capable of producing excellent images, it's a slow camera. So, if speed is important to you this camera is not a great choice. Likewise, some of the controls are burried in the menu system and this camera is really designed for EXPERIENCED photographers ... most "point-and-shoot" photographers have a very hard time using this camera.There are newer cameras on the market ... but the Coolpix 5000 can still compete with the best of them. If you want a good digital camera capable of super-wide-angle photography, the Coolpix 5000 and the available wide angle lens is the BEST buy on the market today. As of July 2005 you can buy this camera and the available wide angle lens in excellent used condition for less than the price of most new point-and-shoot digitals that deliver WORSE image quality.
Resolution outstanding and worth the effort to learn the complicated controls.  CCD failed and required two trips back  to Nikon over 5 weeks to repair, now working OK, Nikon responsive on status via their email service support.
I have had this camera for a few days now and am just plain wowed with the quality of the pictures. The shape is a nice departure from the 900 series twisty body but w/ all the features and a huge jump in image quality.I am a Nikon owner since I was 13 years old (a Nikormat and then the first FM) and have continuously been impressed w/ their quality. The camera did at first ship with a couple of hiccups in the software but that's since been fixed with all of them currently shipping.Nikon has also added a external flash hot shoe so you can get much better flash photos. It has an internal flash but if you want to really get a more natural light, add a flash as well and you'll be all set.Happy photos!
I traded up from a Canon Digital Elph (which was a real nightmare to use and had horrible resolution) to the Nikon CP 5000. The two cameras are like night and day. It is true thast the Nikon is 3 times the price of the Elph. However, the Nikon is easy to operate and the picture quality is super fine. The design of the camera body is great because it is very closely related to what you are used to holding when you use a conventional camera (a comfort I find lacking in many digital camera's oh-so-desperate to be futuristic designs). There is a right hand rubber grip that makes for a very firm grasp. I got this camera a few days before I left for a trip to Lisbon and I returned with great pictures and didn't spend a lot of time scratching my head.It is an expensive piece of machinery and with the rapidly evolving technology of digital cameras the prices tend to drop fast, so give it a lot of thought.
this is the 3rd nikon digital camera I've had and returned (thanks Amazon).I had the 775,885,and the 5000.For me,and this is a personal observation,they're too damn small!! I have poor eyesight and the screen and menus are too small for me to navigate.sure,you could set it up for idiot proof but why spend $1100 for a totally adjustable camera? I did try a few pictures and they seemed fine but once again I didn't take the time to really use the features.I couldn't.I'm not sold on digital photography for my purposes.you could buy an excellent 35mm camera for 1/3 the cost of the 5000 and buy a $150 scanner and do the same thing.I've used Nikon equipment for 30 years and love them.It's too bad that these cameras don't work for me.maybe they will for you.GO LOOK AT THEM before buying and make sure they are what you want and need.
I recently ran into someone who owns one of these. The owner spent the next half hour telling me all the wonderful things this camera can do. The story ends up he is a freelance writer of some great repute and did not have to buy the camera, Nikon loaned it to him to test drive.I freely admit the pictures it takes are stunning. I sure would love to be able to add additional lenses to my camera. But I have to ask myself if the Coolpix 5000 is worth the money.For me, the answer is short and sweet, "No". My purpose in owning a digital camera is to take photos to send over the Internet. I don't care how fast your connection is, no one is going to want to download the huge files this camera generates! Yes, it is the right choice if you want to print you photos, but at what it costs, are you really going to take with you when your family goes to the local theme park and your kids love the "soak zone" or flume rides? No way, I'm not sacrificing a Kilobuck for a happy snap! If my current camera gets trashed, yes, I'll be disappointed, but I can afford to replace it. If I trashed a Coolpix 5000, I'd have a hard time replacing it.Yes, it's a great camera, but ask yourself, why did you decide to go digital? If it's for fun pix, the Coolpix 5000 may not be the ideal choice for you. If you're into digital photos for commercial use, then maybe this is the camera for you.I'm rating this Middle of the Road for its technical excellence at a very hefty price tag.
with a better zoom.  I have been very positive when reviewing Nikon's digital cameras, and I consider their optics  the best. However, the 5000 disappoints me a bit; it's a very good camera and if someone were to just give you one, you'd have to be very, very pleased. But if you're laying out the cash, you might want to make some changes based on your priorities. The 5000 carries such a high price tag, in great measure, as a result of its spectacular 5.2 megapixel resolution. This offers, in short, is the ability to enlarge photos taken on the Nikon 5000 to poster size without their losing clarity. Basically, that's it; your standard 4&quot; x 6&quot; or even 5&quot; x 7&quot; enlargements aren't going to look any better than they would on a 3 megapixel camera with similar optics. However, on the negative side, images recorded in 5 meg mode take longer to write (i.e. the camera is 'busy' longer btwn shots), use far more battery power, occupy ungodly amts of space on memory cards, and make files so large that they can only feasibly be sent via email if both parties have exceptionally fast connections and can only be posted to websites if the webpage viewer has a very fast connection to open it. Now, what I cannot justify is that kind of resolution coupled with a pretty anemic 3x optical zoom. For most digital camera users, a good optical zoom will trump sky-high resolution every day. One more complaint: I don't like proprietary batteries and that's all the 5000 offers. It's a fine camera, but most users will be dialing down its resolution and wishing for a better zoom. For my money, I'd take the Minolta Dimage 7 any time over the Nikon 5000, and use the change to buy that 128 meg memory card you'll need.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony Mavica CD400 & CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru.  This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine.  Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all.  It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix:  not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk at BestBuy and getting 140-180 high res images per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.Finally!  There is a great digital camera....but it isn't a Nikon.
You will not find another camera under $1200 with more manual control than the Nikon Coolpix 5000. Pro D1 users will be right at home but point-and-shoot photographers will have quite the learning curve to tackle. It's definitely a finesse camera so don't expect great shots to just spit out without a little tweaking of the extensive manual controls. Nikon's first rate construction, numerous features/controls, and very good image quality (although I did find the Sony F707 image quality to be slightly better) make this camera a worth wild buy and, therefore, I highly recommend the Nikon Coolpix 5000.
For me, the main past failings of digital cameras have been the lack of resolution and the lack of wideangle capability. With 5+ mpixels, the Nikon 5000 is finally up with 35mm film, especially after considering that a 35mm frame must be cropped to achieve the standard 5:4 image shape of the 5000. The 28mm equivalent of the low end of the zoom is not bad, and with the wideangle adapter it is really there. If you take long telephoto shots, you are going to need a tripod anyway, and you probably will be better off with a 35mm SLR.The controls are complicated, but no worse than a Nikon F100. I doubt the control of many, many options can be solved neatly with anything short of a full-blown computer interface, and there is no space for that on a small camera. If you want to do much more than point and shoot, it really is necessary to read the manual.Complaints about the camera having only a 32MB memory card seem off base to me. 128MB cards are about $50, so go buy a hand full. If Nikon included more memory, the price of the camera would just go up.The controls are small, and I do believe that could be a problem depending on the size of your hands and your dexterity. I have average size adult male hands and average dexterity, and I do not have any problem at all. But give me just a few years, and there is a good chance I'll need the large-knob edition.The small size is a great tradeoff as far as I'm concerned. I travel a lot, and taking an F100 with a zoom lens is right up there with carrying a spare anvil. The 5000 allows photography at well above the point-and-shoot level with great convenience. It's a gem.
Except for it being unresponsive (by the time it's ready to shoot, the moment is gone) it's been a good camera for the 16 months I've had it... but it failed recently, and Nikon had little to say about why, how, or how I could prevent it from happening again. In fact, the people at Penn Camera seemed to be surprised that I wanted to know exactly what work was done (&quot;Nikon never gives that information&quot;). After explaining it by way of analogy---&quot;what if when you picked up your car from repair shop, the serviceman said 'we fixed it... you don't need to know what specifically was wrong, or what we did, you just need to pay up' ... how would you feel?  Seems criminal, doesn't it.&quot;---they came around, but still couldn't tell me anything.So... I'm no longer a happy Nikon customer. If you're thinking of buying Nikon products, factor reapir costs in to the price.
I am one of many people who recommend this camera. I used many digital cameras including SONY and Olympus camera and got no good impression from those. My recommendation comes from the granularity of pictures taken. Pictures of other cameras found to be deteriorated when magnified using Photoshop. Coolpix 5000 gives clear images even when magnified to 800%! That granularity proves and certifies the sharpest image ever achieved in digital cameras. Every picture taken gives you greatest satisfaction in whatever photo scenes you encounter.
I recently purchased the Nikon Coolpix 5000, my first digital camera, and am very impressed with the ease of use and the results of the images.  This camera has a ton of functions and you need time to learn how to maniplate the aperture and shutter speed, if you want manual control.  The flash that is built in does the job, without red-eye, which has been a criticism of this design.  In the macro mode (micro-photography) feature though the flash tends to be too bright and washes out the image. A hot shoe mount is built-in so you can use an alternate flash for macro.  Cropping images digitally and zooming features were exceptional, with crisp results.  Bulb settings (night time) and self timer features are other features of this cam.  I am impressed and would definitely recommend and purchase a Nikon digital cam again.
The Toshiba PDR-M21 is a great way to jump into digital photography at a decent resolution, without spending a boatload of money. Amazon's free memory card offer at the time of my purchase was also a plus.The camera is easy to learn, with good ducumentation. The photos are bright and detailed. The transfer software works fine with my 5 year-old photo editing program.What surprises me is that there is no lens cap or cover (what was Toshiba thinking?) and that darned function knob is way too easy to move with normal handling of the camera.If you think you can live with these two items, the PDR-M21 is worth a look. With the money you'll save, you can get a decent camera case to protect the lens & extra batteries as well.
This camera takes excellent pictures.  It is simple to use and has a ton of features.  Pictures turn out great every time.  I liked mine so well I bought one for my sister too.  I would definitely recommend this camera to my friends.  A++
Overall, this camera takes great pictures, with a wide choice of pic sizes and resolutions. The software and USB interface were flawless to setup and easy to use.I have just a few gripes, despite the low price...1. There is no lens cover. Even though the recessed lens should be safe from damage, a lens cover would be nice.2. The flash takes 5 to 8 seconds to recharge, even with fresh batteries. This seems excessive to me.3. The quality of the image on the viewscreen is not great, but use of the viewscreen should be limited anyway, to preserve battery life.Still, this camera is an excellent choice for the casual picture taker.
My number one criteria for a digital camera was clear pictures. My number two was price. I bought the Polaroid PDC 640 Plus from another online store and returned it after a day. The pictures looked horrible. I decided I was going to have to spend more money to get better quality. I decided to look at the electronic stores locally first and you couldn't buy anything decent for at least [money] and those only came with 8mb of memory max. With Amazon's free 32MB of memory offer, this was an awesome deal. This camera takes excellent quality pictures. I recommend you set it at half-tiff which will give you 22 pics on a 32MB memory card. I might upgrade to a 64MB card eventually, but once I hit 10pics or so I download them to the computer and format the card. On vacation, 22 might not be enough.Pro's:1. Quality of pics2. Price3. Automatic shut-off timer (saves batteries).4. Easy to useCon's:1. Didn't come with a holder.2. Pictures take awhile to process.3. Not all that cool looking.I won't be returning this one. If you are cheap like me and always looking for a good deal, then go with this camera.
I bought this camera and I love it! It takes great pictures! Its perfect for any one who wants a good camera at a reasonable price. The only drawback is I have windows xp and no matter what I did could not get the camera to download to the pc direct even with the windows xp driver I downloaded, so ended up getting a card reader which is plug and play and easy to use.I highly recomend this camera. It does seem to use regular alkaline batteries fast but found that the energizer e2 titanium last a long time. so they are well worth the extra money.It takes just as good pictures as the cameras that cost twice the price. Also toshiba customer service are really good about trying to help you if you have problems, as i did with the drivers.great buy for the money!!!!
I bought this camera to replace my (aging) Kodak DC260 which is a 1.3 MP camera. I thought that getting this camera now with more resolution would tide me over until I wanted to spend more later.My gripes with the camera compared to the 260 are these. First, the smart media is more expensive than the compact flash. Second, I really really really miss having the optical zoom. If you think about it, taking a 1.3 MP picture with 3x zoom is better than taking a picture from further away with more pixels but no zoom.Third, even though it claims to be on the specs page, the camera is not compatible with Mac OS (tried in 10.1.5). I had to go buy a smart card reader to get the pictures off. Toshiba's web site does not claim Mac compatibility though so I wasn't expecting much here. Fourth, I miss the ability of the DC260 to show the pictures on TV.On the plus side over my old camera, the Toshiba is extremely fast. With the flash turned off outside I could take pictures very rapidly. The battery life seems to be pretty good. Macro mode is easy to use and allows me to take great pictures of flowers and such.  The price is great too.
After 2 days of trying to install this camera on my computer, I gave up and bought something else.I'm using Windows XP and apparently the driver disk that this camera comes with does not support XP.  So I went on Toshiba's website and downloaded the necessary patch for XP, but it STILL wouldn't work - I would get a message that it could not find my camera.After calling and e-mailing Toshiba tech support, I still didn't get the camera to work with my computer.I was, however, pleased with the camera itself.  The LCD screen was very clear and setup of the camera itself was easy.  The function button on the back is a little clumsy and too easy to touch during regular operation.From the sounds of it - this is a great camera, just beware if you're running Windows XP.
I ordered this video camera because I wanted the Firewire capability without paying extra for high-end image stills (for which I already have a Kodak Digital Camera).  With a new baby on the way I wanted something inexpensive and reliable, and so far this camera has delivered on every front.  Don't expect much more than an easy-to-use MiniDV camcorder with Firewire transfer and reasonable optical zoom, but if that's what you're in the market for, you've found it.  On another reviewer's recommendation I added the Pinnacle Studio DV Firewire card/software bundle and I couldn't be more satisfied with what I paid.  Only thing keeping me from rating it 5 stars is that I haven't had it long enough to really know how well it stands up to the test of time.
After downloading the manual from the Samsung web site and seeing that it support the Mac OS I decided to try this camera. The camera specs are great but I had problems with the camera. First off, it has a real SLOW focus and there were times the system picked up on foreground objects and tried to focus on them. Not a bad thing but it takes about 3-5 seconds for objects to come into focus.The second problem is the IEEE-1394 port does not work with the Macintosh. After 4 calls to Samsung tech support I got the promised call back about Macintosh compatibility. They recommended a few windows programs for the data import. The 5 call into them they admitted the SCD67 did not work with a Macintosh. If you plan to use this camera with iMovie or Final Cut Pro get a different camera. The applications can not even see the camera. I tried 4 or 5 other IEEE-1394 capture applications on the Mac and none could pull data from the camera.
After reading all the reviews, I decided to try it out and I am very pleased with it. The picture quality is satisfactory, filming in dusk conditions is OK, but you need a light for dim conditions.It has many of the features of more expensive models. The buttons are easy to reach, the menu easy to navigate and it has a mic' input as well.  So far, I don't have any major beefs with it.Worth the money if you are on a budget.
If you want professional looking video, than this camera IS NOT for you. The people who are writing all the negative reviews are trying  to use an entry-level camera for elaborate filming. This camera is not made for that. If you just want a basic, easy to use, camcorder for simple home movies, this is the camcorder to get. It's very affordable and does a good job. I have had no major problems with this model. There is some minor noise when you zoom in/out. I have had no problem recording audio. The date/time stamp does not automatically reset. Only resets if you let the battery run out completely. Battery life could be better(lasts about 1 hour on full charge). But you can get a better battery at Radio Shack. This is a solid camcorder at a good price. You can use it with most software programs like Premiere, After Effects, etc.
Despite the reviews some have given here I went ahead and bought it anyways.  I mean, who uses the annoying Time/Date stamp anyways?  [X]with a free camera bag and free shipping is much much cheaper than you'll be able to find anywhere, period.  I bought it for the price and b/c i wanted a Digital camcorder I could hook up to my PC.  I've had it for a few days and think it's great.  I mean, [X] bucks, you can't go wrong.  If you are considering this camera just know it doesn't come with any tapes or a firewire cable.  And, it doesn't have a light.
I actually originally purchased a JVC digital camcorder.  I should have listened to the other Amazon reviewers and steered clear of that one, as within an hour of use, it stated that it needed head cleaning, and wouldn't operate.This Samsung camcorder replaced that one the day after I purchased the JVC, and I am very pleased.  The picture and sound quality are great, and it is very easy to download the video to my iMac via firewire.  I'm not sure how well (or if) it would work on a PC, so you may want to investigate whether it will work with your system.About the only thing that keeps this camera from getting 5 stars is I have had difficulty trying to retrieve still photos when the camera is connected to the computer- but then I haven't fully read the manual, so it could be very simple.Basically this is a great camera, and it's not much more expensive than a high-quality digital still camera.  If you enjoy having multiple-use products as much as I do, this is a great bet.
I purchased the Samsung SCD-67 for all of it's great features and low price.  I was very pleased until I needed warrany service to fix a broken firewire (IEEE1394) port.  I called Samsung support for 3 weeks before speaking to someone knowledgable enough to ascertain it was a true problem (his name is Mike . . he's the only one there who knows anything about this camera).  I mailed it to CVE for warranty repair.  4 weeks later I started calling to inquire.  After 2 weeks of calling, I finally got through to learn that the unit could not be repaired and would be replaced with a refurbished unit.  The camera had 45 minutes of use on it when I sent it for repair and I get a refurbished unit in exchange?  What kind of warranty is that?  I submitted a Better Business Burea complaint.  I'd encourage others to do the same.  You can submit the claim online...Just look up Samsung in Mt. Arlington, NJ.I will never buy another Samsung product again.  Buyer Beware!
Several reviews of this camcorder mention that it works with Macintosh computers, and based on those reviews, my wife bought it for me.  However, I've been unable to get my software (iMovie, OS 10.1.5) to detect the existence of the camcorder on its Firewire cable.  Whether the problem lies with my computer, my software, or the camcorder, I don't know.  But when I called Samsung technical support about it, their response was:  &quot;Samsung does not support the use of this camcorder with Macintosh computers.&quot;  Gee, thanks a lot!
This camcorder is excellent. This is our first camcorder and I wanted to buy the best value for a fair price. I purchased this camcorder based 100% on the other reviews. I gave it 5 stars because of how easy it is to use, the compact size and quality. I didnt want too many bells and whistles just a nice camcorder that did what I wanted . We plan on using the camera to tape new homes that were looking to buy, our golf swing, vacations, and our family. I also wanted a digital camcorder to download pictures into the computer to send with emails. This Camcorder does just what I need, great buy. The first thing we taped was the neighborhood, the dog and of course ourselves and then played it back on the big screen. This is fun!!
I recently bought this camera and I really like it!  After a ton of shopping around, both locally and via internet, I thought I would have to pay at least $700 or so to get into digital camcorders.  When I saw this one, I thought it was definately worth a shot.  So I got it, and, wow!  Excellent value and it came with everything I needed to get started, including a lithium ion battery!  I'm very pleased!
I bought my DX3600 in September and I'm still on my original batteries.  I haven't even used the rechargeables I purchased with the camera.  I've taken numerous MPEG movies with the camera, and a good number of photos.  I've discarded so many, it's hard to keep track of the total but I am definitely pleased with the battery life.  It seems much better than friends have experienced with their digital cameras.As to the poor quality of the MPEG movies that I've read complaints about;  It's fine and normal for the resolution.  What do you expect from 320 x 240?  Kodak couldn't choose a higher resolution since it would eat up far too much memory space.I think its a fine camera and takes great pictures.  I'm very pleased with the purchase.
The DX3600 looks like one of the best cameras in it's price range.  However, after owning one for six months I can tell you that it has some serious pitfalls.The flash is not strong enough to take a decent indoor picture.  Pictures taken indoors will be very dark.  This camera takes some great pictures outdoors, but honestly, my DC25 took way better indoor pictures.The batteries that came with the camera worked for about 4 months, in the last two months though I've gone through about a dozen sets of batteries under the same useage.  Sure a couple of those sets of batteries were the cheapo Rayovac type, but even the 1700ma Energizer rechargables only last a couple days of average use.I do not have the EasyShare Dock because frankly [money] is a bit much for a battery charger when the camera comes with a USB cable to get the pictures out, which does work very well with the included software.  Maybe the Dock & the Kodak batteries give better life, but I haven't found the third-party battery yet that lasts more than a week, let alone 4 months.The Quicktime movie ability is one of the reasons I bought this camera.  However, the cameras inability to take a good still picture indoors transfers to the Quicktime feature as well.  Images are often too dark and the auto iris changes brightness harshly.  This feature does work well out in the day light, just like the still picture function.All that said, this camera takes some great pictures out in the sun light.  If you do mainly outside picture taking, then this is a great buy.  The included software is decent, but not great.  If the camera had a little more user control over the picture taking process, and the flash were stronger (actually, the flash is probably stong enough, but when the flash is turned on, the camera automaticly steps down the iris...stupid) this would be a very solid camera and well worth the roughly [money] this camera retails for (without the dock of course).
The Kodak DX3600 Digital Camera is a joy to own. The onboard menus are easy to use, and the camera can change from still photo mode to movie mode at the turn of the dial. With my San Disk 128MB Compact Flash memory card, I can take 797 low resolution photos, which at 900 X 600 resolution, is still clear, crisp, and sharp. The box includes an external video upload cable, which, on the front audio and video ports on my RCA TV, I can play back my stills, or video with sound, and pan and zoom controls. I like it so much, that I'm getting the combo camera/dock for some friends of mine who are getting married this March. They'll need a reliable camera that comes from an established leader in the photography business.
This is my second digital camera. I first owned a Polaroid PDC700 which got dunked in the ocean during a fishing trip. Anyways, those who owned one would know how incredibly slow it was to download pics to the computer using the serial cable connection. Well, with the Kodak DX3600 with dock, it really is as simple as transferring with the touch of a button. And since it's a USB connection, pics of bigger size load much quicker than they ever did on the Polaroid. The Camera's pretty simple and intuitive to learn...Finally, ended up buying one with a dock on Amazon. Picture quality is great. Much better than the ones I took with the Polaroid. The digital and optical zoom are nice features, but they do give you warning that pictures may not be as clear if you use the digital zoom oeer the optical. And after some testing, it was true especially when it comes to close-ups. I find it's a lot better to get more detail using the close-up option rather than focusing manually. Using a Flash indoors may not give you as good a quality picture as outdoors in normal daylight, but it still takes much better pcitures than the fuzzy ones the Polaroid took indoors with a flash. The movie feature is nice though not really recommended to take keepsake digital movies. It's just a nice option to send e-mail videos or small website video clips. I wouldn't video my family reunion with it as that's what true digital camcorders are for...Oh, and the rechargeable battery that comes with the bundle is uncharged. So, for those of you who want to play with your camera as soon as you get it might want to buy some AA batteries beforehand as it takes about 2 hours to fully recharge the batteries when you get them.
This camera has enough good features to make it quite useful. The 3:1 optical zoom is fine (the 2:1 digital zoom is not), the 2.2 megapixel resolution is adequate for enlargements up to 8" x 10", and the flash is acceptable (a bit hot really). The docking station included in this package makes this a very simple camera to recharge and it also makes the transferring of images to a PC almost foolproof. That means a great deal, as the 3600, left in its cradle, is always charged and ready to go, and once returned to its cradle, archiving or emailing becomes an easy task even for a novice. The overall quality is okay but not spectacular, with a cheap plastic feel to it. The weight and balance are also just fair. Lastly, the included memory card is too small but larger cards are readily available.  Overall this is a very nice package for the casual user or new digital photographer.
I bought 2 of these, 1 for myself and one for my mother as a Christmas present.  I'm trying mine out, and so far, it's terrific.  I especially like the dock, and actually, that was the main reason that I looked at the KODAK line in the first place.  It really is as simple, as advertised, to download pictures to the computer from the dock with the touch of 1 button.The included software is simple to use and basic, but does most everything that the average photographer will need to do.  I really like the ability to easily send a digital photo as email.I'm not sure that I'll use the video function very much, but it's an interesting feature to have.Overall, I think this is an excellent value, especially compared to several other cameras that I looked at.
This lens is definitely not a Canon L-series lens so don't expect perfection with it.  I bought this lens used mainly for the wide frame and incredibly low fstop and I'm very happy with it.  It's a great lens for the money.I usually only travel with my Canon XTi/400D and Canon 50mm f/1.8 budget lens, but I've really needed a wider lens for getting everything I want in my frames.  This lens is perfect as my walk around lens for any available light in night or day.For my travels where I can only take one backpack, I may be restricted to only taking the tiny 50mm f/1.8.  But whenever possible, I will take this Sigma 20mm f/1.8 wherever I go.
I have used this lens extensively with the 1D and the Rebel XT.  Results have been excellent.  My suspicion is that the previous reviewer got a defective or damaged copy of the lens.  It is incredibly sharp, even at f1.8, which I did not expect - generally you expect a lens to be a bit soft wide open, especially 1.8.  The degree of sharpness of this lens is quite surprising.I have used, for example, both the Canon 50mm f1.8 and the Canon 35mm f2.0, both of which are deservedly renowned for their sharpness and contrast.  I find this lens to be sharper than either of them wide open.  The lens provides images which have excellent color saturation and contrast.  Of course, at f1.8, depth of field is razor thin, by design, which is great for bokeh or out of focus background, but which also requires care concerning the desired focal point being in focus.  Speaking of bokeh, I find it to be very attractive compared to any other lens I have used.Its minimum distance focusing is also quite remarkable.  I think it is rated at just under 8 inches, but I routinely focus at distances which seem a good bit closer than that.  The lens works well as a macro for many applications, with a relatively strong multiplication factor.Of course, given the inherent light-gathering of a 20mm focal length lens, combined with a huge aperture of f1.8, this lens is outstanding for shooting indoors or in other low-light situations with natural light and no flash.Canon's nearest competitor to this lens is the 20mm f2.8, which is a full stop slower in terms of light collection.  I consider this lens to be an extremely good value at the retail price, new.  If you can get a good copy used on-line, it will be an incredible value.  You may find that you never want to take the lens off the camera because of its versatility as a walkaround lens.This lens has been extremely well-reviewed, by and large, on lens forum sites.  I encourage you to check those out.  Most people rate the lens 5 out of 5.  A distinct minority give it 1 out of 5.  I suspect that they either have defective copies which may need repair, or they have inaccurate perceptions of the lens.  Also, popular photography magazine online reviewed this lens, as well as the 24 f1.8 and the 28 f1.8, very highly.I would highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants a fast, sharp superwide angle lens.
I was looking for a good, relatively inexpensive fast lens.  I decided to give the Sigma a chance, and I'm glad I did!  I was able to make some very nice night time shots that none of my zoom lenses would have ever imaged.  This is one of my first prime lenses, and now it has me thinking perhaps I need a larger bag to collect more of these!
I had been using a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 and loved the ability to shoot in low light.  However, the -M lenses are manual focus and manual aperture, and I was getting too many out-of-focus shots that I regretted missing (I'm taking a lot of baby shots lately).  So I decided to get a full-auto fast prime, and I was looking at this and it's 24mm and 28mm cousins.The lens works beautifully.  It's a tank and feels well-built.  Not as tight as an all-metal lens, but solid nonetheless.  If you note, the 20mm doesn't have a macro mode - the 24mm and 28mm do.  Really, it focuses very close without any problems, but at this focal length it's kind of silly to be thinking 'macro photography' anyway.The 30mm effective focal length is a tad wide even for indoor close-quarters shots.  If I had to decide again, I'd probably opt for the 24mm or possibly even the 28mm - the effective focal lengths would be a little more practical for my purposes.  However, if you want to take in a lot of scenery and need a fast lens, this fits the bill without venturing into the fisheye territory.Optically, I was disappointed at first, because I was getting soft pictures when it's wide open, even when on a tripod.  But then I did a focus test and found my camera was back-focusing. I have a K10D, so you have to do some trickery to adjust the focus (search online and you can find out how), but afterward, I'm getting acceptably sharp images.And, for the record, my camera says the aperture opens to f/1.7 - not that I'm complaining.I give it just 4 stars, though, because when compared with my Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 when they're both wide-open, the old 50mm is noticeably sharper.  From what I've heard, you have to spend the cash for one of the Pentax limited lenses to get the same quality in an auto focus lens as with their old -M and -A glass.  So, for about half the price of a limited lens, you're getting a good deal.
Have not had this lens long enough to make a complete product review.  I have used it on my D90 and D200 Nikons to make some images in our small living room.  Got no complaints.  There is enough wide angle with this lens to photograph the kids, presents, pets and the Christmas tree, all in one image.  If this lens performs as well as my other Sigma lenses, it will be a great addition to my camera bag.  I'm looking forward to photographing the flowers in our back yard this coming spring.As usual, service from Amazon was great.  That's all for now.
Sigma 20mm EX is an exceptionally well made lens. Performance is extremely satisfactory. It is almost indispensable for me to go without it when I am outdoors. Takes very good wide angle shots of buildings, parks and friends and family picnicking in the park. Shots have come very sharp and crisp with edge to edge brightness and sharpness. 20mm wide angle focal length gives you a very large depth of field which is essential for taking shots of wide open outdoors, filling your frame with a large expanse of ground/sky. Fast f1.8 aperture will let you take snaps indoors in natural light and hand-held shots of lighted buildings etc. in night time. Rear focusing feature of this lens results in fast AF and also the length of the lens remains same. Macro shots of subjects will give you convex mirror type of fascinating images and one can produce far more interesting effects depending on one's creativity.Indoor flash photography may give rise to vignetting due to ultra wide nature of the lens as most flashes cover only 28mm span. This may probably be solved by using a wide angle attachment on the flash which to my disappointment was not available for my flash (Pentax AF-280T). Also 82mm filters may prove to be expensive. But I think a filter is essential for this lens as the front element glass is very near to the filter area.All said this is an extremely satisfying buy (most bang for bucks) which gives you great results.
The title says it all. This is my favorite walking-around-town lens whether I'm using my 1dmk2 or a 35mm rebel.  20mm wide angle gets everything I want to get and walking closer is an easy solution for not being able to zoom. Opening it up wide lets you get a distinct dof even when the subject is 10-20 feet away. I've had three friends buy this lens for themselves after borrowing it from me for a day or two.  It is rather large but not heavier than a standard telephoto zoom lens would be. The lens hood can be slightly annoying sometimes when trying to place it in the retracted position, but certainly isn't a deal breaker.
I bought this lens strictly for shooting stars. Good (not great) value for the money. There aren't many wide lenses out there this fast. It works well for stars. I'm able to get 2 more stops of shutter speed compared to my f/2.8 lenses. A big plus in my opinion. On the down side, this lens vignettes badly at anything wider than f/3.5. Not a huge issue when the scene is mostly dark and I typically add vignetting to some degree in post processing. The AF system is very clunky. Flip a switch AND the focus barrel?? Again, not a huge deal for me as I keep this lens on manual focus for shooting stars.
My god! This is a very sharp lens! High-quality, weighty, well-made! I use this with my Canon EOS 20D and 350D cameras. Great performance! I do not think that I have had a picture come out anything less than sharp using this lens! This is the only Sigma brand lens I own; all my others are Canon brand. I get the feeling that Sigma must be a worthy Canon competitor in regard to the quality of their lenses, but I can't base that on having owned only one Sigma lens. Anyway, I certainly recommend this 20mm as a GREAT wide-angle lens!
after reading all the reviews, I decided to pull the trigger and went ahead with purchasing this lens.It was shipped two days later and I immediately performed several test to check sharpness, IQ, and BQ.What can i say, Sigma and their quality control has done it again.the lens was loud and not as sharp as i thought it would be. Soft unless you are shooting at around f5.6 and lower.that is all...
This lens is physically about the same size and weight as the canon 17-40L lens. They have similar central sharpness at f4.0 but the sigma corners are fairly soft, and no way as crisp as those on the canon 17-40L lens.  There is little vignetting at f4.0 on the sigma, but the vignetting at f 1.8 is fairly marked.I am not sure of the best use of this unique lens. I bought it for nighttime photography of the constellations as a poor man's version of the very expensive canon 16-35L lens, but it may prove to be to soft for this. I will have to try it some. It does focus quite closely, and the large focusing ring is pleasant to use.  For people travel photography, with a diffuse blurred background, such as from photographer Phil Borges, this may be quite a useful lens. It's is a fast lens, but you have to really just want the center to be sharp, as for landscape photography it will be too soft and the 17-40L lens will be much better.
Oh yippie!!!  I am a die hard fan of Canon lenses.  This beats them!  I choose it over Canon.  i can't believe it.  I am soooo happy.  It's so sharp.
I just got the Sigma 20mm lens and it is just fantastic! Whether shooting close ups, landscapes or portraits this lens seems to do it all and does it very nicely. It's a solid lens which may put some of those who prefer a lighter lens off. The filter size is a whopping 82mm, focusing could be a little faster and it's a bit on noisy side. None of these attributes is a deal breaker for me, especially since I picked up this lens for $200. I like a hefty lens with a large cap size, I won't be using it for sports photography so speed isn't an issue, I also use a Nikon F4 so obviously noise isn't a factor either. All I can say is if you want a quality wide angle lens, the Sigma 20mm lens fits the bill, especially if you don't want to break the bank. Of course if money is no object I'd highly recommend the Nikon 14-24mm lens, its sharper, faster, and quieter. As of this writing, the Sigma 200mm, goes for just over $500, Ebay, you certainly could do like me and score a used lens for even less. I'm sure there are detailed, scientific ways to measure this lens' sharpness, and again if that's important go with theNikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens. I haven't had any problems with sharpness. Also when considering sharpness one must also consider depth of field and bokeh. I think some of the reviewers may not understand those concepts when considering the sharpness of this lens, also I think some reviewers think only Nikon or Cannon can make a great lens and for them by all means purchase Nikon of Cannon. I personally love Nikon but also use Sigma as well as other 3rd party lens'. If size, weight, speed, or noise are not factors in your photography, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this lens and I'm sure will get some great shots and have some fun with this lens! Don't let the Sigma nay-sayers dissuade you, you love this lens!!
I recently purchased this lens, so I don't have a lot of shutter time with it yet, but thus far, I'm very pleased with it.  I use the lens on both a Nikon d300 and a Nikon d700.I was pleasantly surprised to see that the lens is quite sharp wide open, at f/1.8.  Stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6, the lens is very sharp, at least in the center.  I haven't tested edge or corner sharpness yet.The lens is large, typical Sigma style, but good build and finish, also typical of the Sigma EX lenses.Overall, I'm quite pleased with the lens.  It works well on both of my cameras and produces sharp photos with good color and contrast.I have 2 issues with the lens. Autofocus is rather slow and the lens switch for manual/autofocus is the focus ring. The focus ring is very large, taking up most of the lens barrel.  That's a clever design and is nice if you do a lot of switching between manual and autofocus, because you don't have to look at the lens to find the little switch like you do on most lenses.  But, that design is also a problem in that it makes mounting the lens on the camera more difficult to do without moving the focus ring to the Manual position.  Neither of these things are show stoppers, so I think the lens rates 4 stars.
I'm am amateur improving my lens collection as I go. Picked this up 6mos ago because I wanted a wide angle low light lens. I absolutely love this lens. I've been taking 90% of my shots with this lens. I took it to New Orleans and took lots of shots on Bourbon St. at night. Taken beautiful shots of sunrise and sunset. I'm sure there are better lenses out there (for more money, I paid $429.. new from a local shop) but I have no regrets. The wide angle and low-light capability is just so much better than anything else I've had . Be prepared to pay $50 to $90 for a decent lens filter, 82mm. My only criticism is that it is a bulky lens to have hanging around your neck. So as a walk-around it is not as comfortable as your kit lens or a 50mm.
This appears to be a very nice lens, but I'm a little disappointed to learn that it is not weather sealed.  I purchased this lens specifically for photographing Northern Lights, so I'll have to take care when bringing this lens indoors from the cold.
A 20mm f1.8 prime for $400.00? What was I thinking? At f1.8 the lens is unacceptably soft. Better at 2.8, but still not great. It's not until f4 that the Sigma matched the sharpness of my Nikon 17-55 f2.8 zoom. A full stop slower! This begs the question - what is the point of having this lens if it's soft until f4? Answer - no point at all. Sending it straight back.
I picked this up just over a month ago when I got my D90.  It has been on my camera more than my 18-200mm VR.  I truly love this lens.  The bokeh is amazing.  It is a touch soft but that is easily fixed with software.  The low light shots always surprise me on how well they look even over my Nikon 50mm 1.8.  This is one lens I will not regret buying.
This is one of my all time favorite lenses.  I usually just leave it mounted.  It's fast max aperture and close focusing make it indispensable to me.  Check it out--it focuses to within an inch of the front lens element!  [edit: re-checked and it's actually about 3" from the front element.  For reference the Nikon 20/2.8 focuses about 9" and the 28/1.4 focuses about 11" from the end of the lens.]I've had one issue-it recently self destructed.  The iris folded over itself.  It's inside the four year warranty (and damn near the end I might add) so it's been fixed and is currently on the way back to me from sigma as I type this.  I'm disappointed it failed, but considering the frame count and price, I can't really complain.  [edit: ok, maybe I can complain.  It took them no less than five (5) tries to repair it properly.  But in the end they did and I only had to pay the cost of shipping the first time.  Works at least as good as new.]I paid not much more than $300 for this lens new almost 4 years ago, and I'd gladly pay twice that for the shots this lens has gotten me.  I've taken it out in the rain and snow and hail and the fact that it failed only recently attests to the build of this fine lens.Buy it while they still make it!  I may buy a backup soon for this reason.[edit: falling in love all over again!  This thing rocks on my new d700!]
Compare this to the Canon 20mm and you'll see that the Canon doesn't stand a chance. I'm new to working with 3rd party lenses. Some are good, some are not. This one is a must. I use it mainly for candids (Not for scenic/landscape shots as many probably would). Got a birthday party with a lot of folks hanging around? This lens will capture it all. Heavy duty solid construction with a minimum aperture of 1.8. You can't go wrong. This is my favorite prime lens that I own!
I really can't fault this lens for what it is not - after considering its modest price tag.  Sure it's not a Canon 24/1.4L and it's not exactly sharp wide open on a full-frame DSLR.  For less than $300, however, its few shortcomings (AF clutch design, AF speed/accuracy) become just minor inconveniences and you get a great lens for available light environmental portraits.  My copy provides useable 8x10" prints at F/1.8 and is very sharp by F/3.5.  Flare control, contrast and color rendition are fine.  Bokeh and macro performance are surprisingly good for a wide angle.  All in all, I'm glad I didn't spend a lot more (in these tough times) to own the 24/1.4L.
Love the colors, bokeh and sharpness even almost fully open. Some might not like the bulk but I like being able to firmly grab the lens for a better camera grip.
A surprisingly bright and wide lens.  I am pleased by my purchase of it.  The sturdy, good looking case which is shipped with this lens, is a thoughtful touch.  The lens' optical quality is pleasing and encourages artistic experimentation. It presents excellent optical results and is satisfying to use.The lens feels substantial in the hand.  It gives evidence of good mechanical, engineering and manufacturing practice.I WOULD recommend this lens to a friend.
Huge Objective for Light Gathering! I Don't Manually Focus Very Often My Judgement is Not That Good with My Eyes Anymore. Sometimes Hunts A Long Time to Focus in Auto Mode! But That's Rare, Most of the Time... Fine! I Do a Lot of Close-Up and Sometimes Large Group Candids. Perfect Lens for This!
Order this beautiful lens one month ago from Amazon, but I received the wrong product.I order the Sigma 20 mn f1.8 EX DF RF and received the one for Canon instead ....I called Amazon right away, went to UPS that same day to did the return, was told that a new one was on his way, three days latter they sent me the same wrong item again ! I am not done here, the lens was not new by the way...:) I just cannot beleive it...Twice in a row.....Great job Amazon, something is wrong with your shipping crew....Waiting for my refund.
I've had this lens for three years. It takes absolutely wonderful portraits. If you want to see someone as you have never seen them before, take a full frame portrait shot of them using a Canon 10D or 20D with this lens. Gorgeous.The lens rounds out such shots just slightly and really enhances facial features. The effect is almost like a very mild fisheye. I have used this to create some of the most compelling captures of the human range of facial expressions that I've ever taken.Highly recommended product. Stunning clarity. John Kahrs was wrong in his review. Either he had a defective lens or he has some sort of disability that kept him from using it correctly.This Sigma lens is an excellent value compared to similar Canon lenses, although both brands are of high quality, in my experience.
I don't do much wide angle photography but I've had this lens for years and took it on a hike last summer with a Canon 5D Mark II. It has good center sharpness but even at f10 the corners are somewhat smeary. This is perfectly acceptable for a 20mm lens at this price.The lens has none of the warm/golden color that older Sigma lenses had like the 17-35mm. It has bright even color and contrast like a Canon lens. It does have Sigma's klutzy two step focus motor system. To switch between AF and MF, you have to flip a switch that is physically connected to the mechanical gears and then slide the focus ring to the correct position. Failure to do this can put stress on the focus gears and possibly damage them.Shooting wide open with a fast lens like this can create some interesting effects. It was great for picking out a single flower while exaggerating the size of everything else in the field which is out of focus and fills most of the frame.
This is my fifth Sigma lens, and I couldn't be happier with it.  Because of it's f/1.8, don't expect much depth of field when shooting wide open.  Especially in close ups, that's the trade off for low light capability.  This lens has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me with indoor photography when a flash is inapppropriate (performances, candids, etc.).  The wide angle is not so extreme that I have to deal with distortion at the edges, but in close ups it creates a different perspective on the subject, especially with faces. I also own a 10-20mm zoom which I use primarily for architectural shots, but this is my go-to lens for landscapes, group portraits and low light situations.
This lens gave the photographer the edge that was needed to get the shots that he had been trying to perfect.
I bought this lens because lately I've been sort of in love with FFL lenses. I wanted something wider than my 35mm to get some nice indoor shots of churches, temples, architectural items, just because I travel a lot and I like visiting a lot of cultural spots, most of them being buildings with history, etc. The great thing is that the lens is very wide angled, and has amazing low light performance. I do not regret one bit paying $629 for this.I've read that its minimum distance focusing is also quite remarkable, but have not had a chance to try it on macro-related photography nor have I tried portraits, for which I'm sure it would shine very well.
Overall its a good lens. auto-focus is pretty crappy sometimes when you're trying to catch something fast. Loud autofocus when its on video mode, but manual focusing is pretty quiet and smooth. Pictures come out clear, get a good wide angle without distortion like a fish-eye lens. Bought over a year ago, used frequently, and still lasting good.
If you want to take indoor shots with your SLR, this lens will let in enough light to stop the action.  It also will work on your film camera for those REALLY wide-angle shots.  I typically use prime lenses for shooting indoor shots and this is one of the best, because of the wide angle (30mm equivalent), sharpness, and speed.  No other wide lens has the speed of this one (f1.8).  I have taken shots in DIM light without flash that have come out great.  My best 3 lenses for indoors are this one, a Pentax 35mm F2.0, and a Pentax 50mm F1.4.  I have a Sigma 28mm F1.8, but it is not as sharp or useful as this one.  The only drawbacks are the size and the cost of a filter that fits this (82mm filters are NOT cheap).
I bought this lens for no special reason other than because i wanted a prime lens with a bit of wide angle view. I didn't  use it that much for the first year. But when i started shooting Stock Photography...this became my go-to lens! It's fast, tack sharp and give you a great control when shooting different scenes.It doesn't blow your subject out of proportion like a real wide angle lens. I love it because you can focus really close to your subject and lets you fill the frame also...and to think i almost sold it because i didn't use it for the first year....love it!!!!
Use this with my 7D for filming and it's got an amazing look to it that only a fast lens can bring. there's not much arbitration that I can tell during photography and the footage looks great as well. 24mm on a 7D translates to 38.4mm so it picked up a pretty good field of view while still getting all the bokeh us indie film makers drool over.
Son is a professional photographer and I'm a beginner... Love this lens on my new cannon...great first lens. Heavy duty for the price.
I use my camera for one of two things: (1) Photographing the details of old, decaying abandoned houses and (2) Capturing images of unknown punk bands in small clubs. I decided to pick up the Sigma 24MM 1.8 (4/3 Mount) for increased flexibility in low light conditions.So far, it has performed well. I am able to get some nice, shallow DOF macro shots inside abandoned houses with little light. And while shooting live bands, I get an extra stop or two which helps lessen the noise in the photo and/or freeze the action with a higher shutter speed.My only complaints are (1) the "clunky", two-step method of switching from auto to manual focus (but you get used to it) and (2) its' occasional tendency to search a long time for proper focus in auto mode.But overall, I am more than satisfied with the results I am getting with this lens.
Pros:-Fast-Sharp-Closer than normal focusing / macro-77mm filter size-GREAT image quality-GREAT creamy bokeh, with round out of focus highlights-Good control over chromatic abberation-Works well with full frame cameras-Best combination of wide angle AND macro on the market.Cons:-Front focusing on my XTi. (not the case on my 50D; it's right on target)-Two steps to switch between MF and AF.I won this lens on ebay for only $183. It's just as sharp as anything I own. It is unique being so fast, wide and macro.What I like the most about this lens is being able to compose macro shots and still have a lot of real estate left over in the frame for background elements. This is where you can really get some dramatic background blur like a row of objects with the first one being sharp and the rest moving off to an eventual complete blur. With a full frame camera, this lens offers more background blurring ability than any other lens on the market unless you are willing to pay an f/1.2 lens. This is due to the closer focusing capability. With a crop sensor camera, it also has the most background blurring ability of any lens, just not as great as on a full frame camera.The 77mm filter size is a great bonus for any lens. Most pro lenses, like a 70-200 f/2.8, or other f/2.8 zooms and most of the fast, professional prime lenses usually use the 77mm standard. This avoids buying duplicate filters in different sizes. Stepping rings are not practical IMHO since you can't use lens hoods with them, etc.This lens does seam to front focus a bit on my XTi, but it's right on target on my 50D and 5D, with no micro focus adjustment. You would think my XTi is suspect here, but it focuses right on target with all my other lenses. Especially at f/1.8, getting the focus right is SO important.I know Sigma does have some QC issues to watch out for. For this reason, I usually buy Sigma lenses from Amazon (if buying new) to get the 30 day return policy. My suggestion is to definitely buy this lens. If you think you may have gotten a dud, then you most certainly did. I feel this lens is as sharp as any lens I own, which includes two Canon L lenses. If you did get a dud, exchange it. Keep on exchanging it until you get one that is ALSO right up there as one of the sharpest lenses you own. I've read one reviewer say his focus ring feels sloppy in MF and he suspects that has to do with why it won't AF correctly. I think he is right since my copy does not feel like this. So watch out for sloppy feeling MF.
This lens rarely leaves my camera. I love it. Period.If I HAD to complain about one thing it would be the AF speed. Very slow.I'm usually shooting in MF anyhow but when I need AF, it becomes unreliable for the most part.This lens would definitely be a re-purchase if I had to do it all over again. Images are fabulous and at f1.8 you'll find the light.
The idea if having a wide angle macro was incredibly appealing to me. Getting a couple inches away from a subject with that exaggerated wide angle can produce incredibly engaging results. I love the creative possibilities of this lens. Great! Plus that it's a 1.8 allows you to shoot hand held at night with ambient street light. The price is great. The build is very good, not a tank like my Nikon 105mm but very good. It doesn't feel cheap at all. Getting from automatic to manual focus, you need to switch the camera but also disengage the focus ring on the lens by pushing it towards the front of the lens or toward the camera body. This is not a big deal like some other reviews have brought up. At 1.8 the lens is a little soft, but only a little. If you're used to the Nikon 14mm lens for 1500 bucks you might be a little let down. But the lens sharpens fine at 2.5 or so. No concern at all the more you close it down. The creative possibilities, the price, the quality build and the speed of the lens FAR out weigh the small softness issue for me. If you want a wide angle macro, for the price this is HIGHLY recommended. I love it and I've using it exclusively on my f100.
I was looking for a lens that would be 36mm on APS-C crop camera and the 24mm would be it.  The fastest Nikkor lens of this would be the Nikkor 24mm f/2.8, and I wanted something faster, so the choice would be the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 lens.  This lens is a full-frame lens, and works on the FX bodies like D3 and D700.  Hence, buying this lens does give you a warranty for future full-frame cameras when you get one.When I read various reviews of this lens, people either liked it or hated it, and when I got one for myself, I realized why.  My had a front-focusing problem which made the pictures a bit soft.  A fren of mine had one with a back-focusing problem.  A trip to the Sigma Service Center to calibrate the lens took care of the focusing issue.This lens has good contrast.  The rendition of skin tones are a bit different from Nikkor lenses, and sharpness is alright.  It does have a bit of CA wide open.  The macro (or close focusing) design of this lens is also a cool feature where you can go to about 1:2.7.
Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Large Aperture Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI have tested this lens on 3 different Canon bodies (two 20d, one xti).  Lens front focus a lot.  Period.I am currently returning this lens to amazon for an exchange.  I will not return a lens to factory to have it re-calibrated.  I have heard people returning it to factory 2 or 3 times and lens still come back bad.  It is sad and I am just furious over Sigma's QA.  How is it possible they miss such bad copy??  Do they not test lens anymore?  Why can't they create a department specifically dedicated to testing every single lens that gets shipped?  (read below regarding condom testing).  Is this difficult to implement?  No.  Will Sigma win more customers if they do?  Yes.  Here's the plan:  Setup a few workstations, mount the camera on a fixed post in such a way that it's not ever movable, tether camera to computer, shoot in jpg, and view image either via AI / MTF score so there's a threshold to either reject or accept.What are these lens CEO thinking??? This comment goes out to all lens manufacturers.  I can't wait until there's a lens manufacturer that will implement the above test and take the industry by storm.  In fact, scribe the employee id onto the parts on the product line so that they figure out who is the culprit and dispense disciplinary action.  I paid 1 day over night DHL to have this lens rushed to me because of all the excitement, but boy was I disappointed.  I can only hope the next copy will be up to factory spec.Also note that customers do zoom into the image.  So testing must be done at 1:1 viewing.  Whether I zoom in or out, the picture is just a low quality fuzz.  I am a wedding photographer and I have many lens, canon and tamron, and I do know how to test lens.  I think the MTF threshold idea is brilliant and the employee ID on the parts is critical to getting high quality products.  Actually, Employee ID to whoever assemble that part / lens.  Companies should form a division to accept returned lens, take apart, and find the culprit, and trace employee id.  This is long over due...  how is it acceptable to have such poor quality control?I'd like to know:a) Where are the QA managers?b) Do companies only care to mass produce and sample test once a while?c) *** How long does it take to build a lens compared to electronically test a lens?  If every condom is tested electronically, then why can't lens be tested.  A quality condom is less than 1 dollar each!!  Somebody got to be held responsible for these poor quality lens.  If the above review is true that it's sharp, then the lens design is sound, so the issue is QA.Update: I have purchased and exchanged at least 2 copies of this lens through Amazon.  Read comments below.
photography is easier.  Clear enough for my uses and is built solidly.  Photographs clearly and chromatic aberrations are minimal.  Beats Canon's &#34;L&#34; price wise.
Use it on Canon 5D.Pro:1. Build quality. Much better than the regular Canon primes. Similar to Sigma 20 1.82. Smooth and accurate MF ring.3. Very quick AF speed. Not as assuring as USM but good enough in most situation including inside low light coffee shops.4. Very sharp, 2.8 and up, sharper than my Sigma 20/1.8. Nice color and contrast too.5. Great close focus distance and macro potential.6. Fantastic price - got an excellent 2nd hand copy from KEH for $250+.Neutral:No HSM on this EX lens, same as the other two of Sigma's wide angle prime trio: 20/1.8 and 28/1.8.Con:Like the 20/1.8, wide oepn it's dark and blurry, much worse than the Canon 50/1.4 at f1.4. Use only in emergency situation. But it's great after 2.8.Bottom line:A fantastic wide prime from Sigma with great macro capacity at a extremely attractive price! 24mm is perfect for indoor close range shots and outdoor wide landscape shots. Based on my personal experience, primes are so much better than zooms, Canon L included. The primes are far more consistent, ligith weight, and better IQ (color, sharpness, contrast, much less distortion and light fall off). Most of the primes I have don't even have those fancy special glasses in them, unlike my L zooms. And a lot cheaper too. Only if Sigma could produce cheap 300mm primes like they do in the wide end...
I wanted a wide angle prime lens that I could take to parties where the shooting distance is always about the same and I could get higher quality pictures than with zoom lenses.  Since this lens is fast, f/1.8, it focuses very quickly even in low light. It doesn't have an ultrasonic focusing mechanism, but focus speed is very fast and it has a clutch focusing ring so I can hold the lens and not interfere with the rotation of the focusing ring.  The body feels very tight and well put together.  The texture and feel are perfect. Picture quality is extremely good.  The colors are natural and it's very sharp at 1.8 and is even better at 2.0 and above.  Macro is excellent and since it has 9 curved aperature blades, the bokeh looks very pleasing.  There is almost no distortion or abberation and focus is accurate.  So even though this lens is a bit bigger and heavier than I would like in a prime lens like this, the benefits of brighter viewfinder (due to f/1.8), extemely sharp pictures and very good build quality makes it worthwhile purchase (especially for the price).
This is by far one of my most favorite lenses. I use it over my L lenses when 24mm is what I need. Because it's macro, I feel I'm not limited with the prime lens, thus I don't miss the ability to zoom.The copy I have is VERY sharp and at f1.8, it's not the sharpest, but it's darn good. The lens is almost as sharp as my Canon 100mm f2.8Yes, the AF isn't as quiet and fast as most, but really... on my 5dmkII, it doesn't matter at all. I don't even notice it. People who think that's a deal breaker in a lens are less concerned with the art of photography.I'm 27 years old and grew up with digital photography, but have also taking courses in film. Processing your own film really puts things into perspective, so if a lens is gonna focus .5 seconds slower than another and sound slightly more noisy... and you think that's awful, you need a reality check.This lens is top notch.
For the price you can't beat it. I have it on my Nikon D800. It's sharp in the center but falls off just a bit around the edges. Great saturation and color out of this lens.
24mm is my favorite fixed focal length. Wide enough to get candid shots and great for street photography. Unfortunately this has been the softest lens (not sharp) out of any class of lens that I have used. It's going to be an immediate return. I am very disappointed in this lens. Sigma's new line of stuff (i.e., 18-35) is excellent high quality stuff. I have quit a few Sigma lens' and this one is by far the worse. I know the mm and the aperture may be enticing to some but do yourself a favor and stay away from this lens. It was so soft that I thought my copy was busted! It also does a lot of hunting in low light. You may lose a shot or 2 waiting for this thing to focus on the subject.
Let's face it - Sigma lenses are just NOT built like the great mid grade Zuiko lenses from Olympus that we know and love.  Okay?  Now that we've got that out of the way let me be clear: I love this lens.  It's fast, it's as wide as an old "standard" lens that we all knew and loved back in the days of film SLRs and it's plenty sharp.  I'd rate the sharpness about the same as my Zuiko 14-54mm but not as sharp as my 11-22 DZ or the 50-200 DZ (the best lens I've ever owned) and from what I've seen so far it's sharp at maximum aperture from edge to edge.The manual focus system on this (and other Sigma lenses) is a bit odd and not as convenient as the Olympus system (you have to throw a switch and slide the barrel ring) but it works just fine and has excellent feel and sensitivity (much better than the focus-by-wire on the Zuikos) when you do use it.  The autofocus is relatively slow and can hunt or just give up in poor light, but when it grabs a lock it is very accurate on my example and of course in good light it works fine.  This lens is advertised as a macro and that is a true statement - it focuses very close and this is but one reason why it's a really wonderful walkabout lens.  The bokeh wide open at maximum aperture is fantastic but is only so-so when stopped down - much like the mid-grade Zuiko digital lenses - and seems to be a curse of lenses in this price range.The build quality is just fine and certainly better than the kit lenses that come with Olympus DSLRs in the box and unlike my Sigma 105mm macro lens it does not feature an annoying screw on lens shade but instead uses a tulip shade just like the ones you are used to using with your Olympus lenses.  This lens is not weather sealed however, which one must bear in mind if they're used to the weather sealed Olympus lenses.  Also, this lens takes a ridiculously large filter for the size of the lens (it's not a super wide angle lens so I really don't understand the overly large flange on the front of the lens barrel) so plan on your spending there - a top quality front filter and polarizer will easily set you back over a hundred bucks.I have been very pleased with this lens and at the end of the day that's what counts.  Olympus does not offer a lens like this and the similar Leica lens (not yet available at the time of writing) will undoubtedly be much more expensive, so with that in mind you've got this lens and the somewhat similar Sigma 30mm lens to chose from if you want a fast prime lens.  I chose this one because of the focal length and the macro capability.  I've been very pleasantly surprised.
This is the only &#34;off&#34; brand lens I own. I borrowed one a while back from a friend because I wanted a true wide angle macro. I did a very thorough test of this lens and it is as good as my better Nikons in macro mode. Not surprisingly the color is different but a grey balance and its good to go.I love this lens and the quality it provides as a macro.The only reason I did not give it five stars is because it feels a little rough mechanically for example the lens shade is clumsy to get on and the manual focus feels a little forced. It is a different type of mechanics then I am used to but it works perfectly just differently.I have no idea how good the auto focus is because I don't use auto focus.
I wanted a macro lens that would also be good for portraits/snapshots and this just wasn't it for me. I found, as others have said, that this lens has issues with the autofocus and the shots I took just weren't that sharp, even at f/2.0 and above. I love the Olympus Zuiko 50mm Macro, but the focal length was just too high for what I want to use it for, but boy was it sharp! This lens is also VERY heavy, even heavier than the Zuiko 50mm macro. I would really love to see Olympus come out with a fast prime (think the Canon 50mm f/1.8), macro or not, for the E-Series cameras. I'll stick with my 14-54 f/2.8 for now!
For a fast wide angle prime, this lens is an excellent value.  After taking more than 500 images indoors and outside, I highly recommend it.  Sharp images down to f/2.0 and acceptable at f/1.8on a full frame Canon 5D .  Very close focus capabilities make for interesting creative possibilities.  Optically, this is on a par with the non-L Canon prime lenses I own, but its build is a bit more solid. Excellent bokah below f/4.  Handles flare well. AF response time is adequate for most types of shooting, but a bit slow for sports or fast action.  If wide angle indoor available light shooting is your goal, this lens is worthy of consideration in every respect.
I love this lens. The only time it comes off my D80 is when I need a zoom lens.  Otherwise, this is a great almost all in one lens.  It is a bit slow in the focusing department compared with my Nikon 18-135 but it is much sharper than all my othe lenses.  Produces great bokeh at 1.8
Let me put the light gathering abilities of the Sigma 24mm F/1.8 lens in perspective.The Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens, at wide open aperture and set to a 24mm focal length, is an f/4.7 lens.  Ouch.  With the kit lens wide open and set to 24mm focal length, I need 1600 ISO to get a tripod shot of my kitchen at around 1/50th of a second.  With the Sigma, I get the same shutter speed with the camera set to 200 ISO.  At 1600 ISO, the Sigma shoots the same image at 1/400th of a second.A tripod mounted test on an illuminated indoor target shoots 1/320th of a second at f/5 with the kit lens, while the Sigma set to f/5 shoots the same scene at 1/400th of a second.  Another test of another target, this time at F16, has the kit lens at 1/60th of a second, the Sigma at 1/80th.  I believe the Sigma has superior lens coatings and more light reaches the image sensor.The 4/3rds mount version of this lens does not have an aperture ring.  I was a little disappointed, having hopes I would be able to turn the ring in aperture priority instead of the knob on the camera.  Having owned a series of film SLR's going back to the 70's, I still catch myself trying to twist a ring that isn't there!There are a few things to consider...1.  Because the sigma is a full frame lens with a four thirds mount, its much heavier than a purpose-built 4/3rds lens.  But I must say, it looks good on the front of my E-510, like what one would expect an expensive lens on a high end DSLR to look like.  The lens hood is flat black, adding to the appearance.2.  It focuses fast IF you remember to disengage the manual focus ring.  The user guide says you MAY damage the motor in the *camera* if you leave the manual focus ring engaged in auto focus.  However, since our motor is in the lens, I'm not sure if this applies.  The instructions don't even reference a 4/3rds mount.3.  This lens comes with a one year international warranty, automatically upgraded to FOUR by Sigma for USA purchasers of the lens from an authorized USA Sigma dealer.  The extended warranty is not transferable, which is something to keep in mind if you buy the lens used.4.  On a full frame camera, this would be a wide angle lens and therefore takes a 77mm filter.Overall, I'm very happy with this lens.  Photographs, even at f/1.8, are sharp and clear.  Having such a fast lens has opened up whole new areas of photography for me to explore, and the fact I no longer have to use anything over 400 ISO for existing light photographs has made a quantum leap in the quality of my photographs.The biggest negative to the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 is I now despise the aperture of my kit lenses!
I have a Nikon D7000. This lense fits and works well with my camera. I would recommend this lens to anyone who wants that creamy looking background in shooting portraits.
I purchased this lens, then barely used for the first few months.  One day I was in a creative rut, so I decided to spend a day taking photos with only the lens I used the least.  That day resulted in this becoming a favorite lens.  On my 40d it's equivalent to around a 38mm focal length, which I find to be quite versatile.This is one of my sharpest lens, and the wide aperture is really a pleasure to work with creating a nice bright viewfinder and great bokeh.  I find the lens to be quite usable opened up all the way to 1.8, but stopping down to 2.0 or 2.8 does make a noticeable difference in sharpness.  It can close focus much closer than the specs suggest,within 2-3 inches from the front element.  The autofocus of course is much slower than USM/HSM but really isn't that bad in practice so I have no complaints. Switching between auto-focus and manual is a little weird. First you have to hit the typical MF/AF switch, then push/pull the focus ring to the AF or MF position.  I find this two step process to be quite annoying.  However the focus ring is nice, large and well damped making manual focusing pleasant.  On a crop body like my 40d, I see no noticeable vignetting or corner softness, but I haven't tried it full-frame.  It is large an heavy, but that's what you get with such a wide aperture combined with the sharp optics.  I am glad it has a normal 77mm filter size.  My biggest complaint other than the AF/MF switch is that Sigma makes some of the worst lens caps, it's really a pain to put the cap on or off with the lens hood attached.  One of these days I'm going to replace it with a good center-pinch cap to make life easier.
I am rarely moved to write reviews on Amazon and only do so when a product is really good or really bad.  In this case, it's unfortunately the latter.  Maybe I got a bad copy since many people seem to be happy with the sharpness of this lens or it may be that there is a difference between the micro 4/3 Sigma 24mm and the Canon Sigma 24mm, which is what I have.  Regardless, my copy is so far from sharp at 1.8 that it is really unusable at this aperture.  The shots might as well be out of focus, because that is what it looks like.  I did an informal test (tripod shot of a book cover with enough detail to make it easy to judge sharpness) and, though it gets better as you stop down, even at 2.8 I'm not sure that I would be happy with the sharpness of the lens.  It's fine above 2.8 but what is the point of having 1.8 lens if you can't use the widest stop (or two).  I ran the same test with an old Canon 24mm (Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras), which the Sigma was meant to replace, and it turns out that the Canon is visibly sharper at 2.8 compared to the Sigma at the same aperture.  So I am sticking with the Canon lens.  My advice for prospective buyers is that you buy from retailers with a good return policy in case you get a bad copy (giving Sigma the benefit of the doubt though bad copies don't say much for their QA) or you are unhappy with the lens.
i got two lens before i gave up on this, both lens front focused.  couldn't get it to focus on what i wanted it to.
There is no other 24mm wide angle large aperture lens out there that doesnt cost you...your marriage.Image quality is good at least my copy. You'd better pray to get a good copy.Focus is a bit slow only in low light condition.Macro is great. You can do some really tight pet shoot.It's sold very cheap used. At that price it is no doubt a great product for the money.Get it if you need 24 but can't afford the 1.4. The extra 1100 dollar is huge.
I purchased this Sigma lens with a Pentax mount for a friend, and she is very satisfied with it. She is using it as a portrait lens in her collection of lenses and needed a faster lens with a wider reach without breaking her budget. It performs exactly as expected.
My experience with this lens is like any other Sigma lens...it does what it claims to do!  Good quality all around!
Sigma's 28mm 1.8 Prime is an excellent piece of glass. High quality bokei, solid feel to it. Worth the money.
I bought a used copy of this lens .. perhaps that is part of the problem but I am less than thrilled with it.I like the fact that it is fast. I love photographing in low light. But, even in medium light, this lens struggles to focus and it is not sharp at all. My 18-55mm kit lens kicks it's butt for IQ. It is one of those lenses that you use only on rare occasions and mostly leave it on a shelf at home. I will probably not use this one very much as I have several old manual focus lenses that are far better that this lens. From now on, Sigma is a lens that I will avoid. I know some people have had good luck with their lenses but there are a lot of people out there complaining about the inconsistent quality. Its just not worth the risk to me.
From precise macro to wide-angle shots, this lens performs very, very well. The images it produces are tack-sharp. I have all but abandoned my 50mm f/1.8 on my 50D...this lens is closer to "normal" on the crop sensor. The bokeh is marvelous: creamy, smooth, and dreamy. The colors are typically Sigma: that is to say a little warm and not overly saturated but not exactly subdued. The build quality is far better than most Canon lenses in this price range, which is also typical of Sigma. The auto-focus performs well, occasionally seeking at very close macro distances, but that is normal for the small DOF of macro lenses, plus I do not have a ring- or macro-light.As I said, I use this lens as "normal" on my crop bodies but on the 5D (I have the original not the Mark ii) it really shines as a wide angle lens. 28mm is the perfect indoor angle offering enough field of view to capture everyone in your scene but still allowing use of flash to fill the dark spots using my 580 EX II. I have essentially stopped using the 24-105 f/4L for wide angle work because this lens is so sharp.Now, the obvious strong point of this lens is the f/1.8 aperture which is sharp, sharp, sharp even wide open with virtually no falloff and almost no CA. I never hesitate to just leave it wide and shoot in TV mode to stop action or to create action trails. Using it indoors at 400 ISO I get perfect images every time without the harshness of flash.I have used this lens on these bodies with excellent results:50D5DRebel XTi (400D)Elan 7 (35mm film)Elan IIe  (35mm film)EOS 3  (35mm film)So for crop or full frame, this is a great walk around, macro, and wide angle lens.
I am a wedding and portrait photographer using D700 and D300s bodies. I bought this lens to serve as a wide angle and macro. I took some great images with the lens, but I always found it more clunky than my other (Nikkor and Sigma) lenses, and now the autofocus has stopped working.First, I was never able to use manual focus as the lens seemed to revert to autofocus even after I clicked it into manual. (Also rather than having a focus switch like all the other lenses I own, the auto/manual setting is created by sliding the entire focus ring back and forwards. This is annoying in itself.)The lens also became unusable every time I accidentally twisted the aperture ring. On  the Nikon screen, it will display "EE" and stop working. So you are constantly twisting it back. It's much more annoying than it sounds.Finally, the autofocus just went soft on me in the middle of an engagement shoot. I took the lens to a repair shop, and they thought some of the elements must have come loose and estimated that fixing it would cost $200, which I don't want to pay for a $350 lens.I'm not sure what my options are now--I guess I'll see if there is any type of warrantly. Either way, I can't recommend this lens.
I was a little skeptical buying this lens because I had read some poor reviews about it not being very sharp wide open.  I think maybe some other reviewers don't understand just how narrow the DOF is wide open.  I find mine to be very sharp on the subject that I am focused on. I don't find the focus to be any slower or louder then my other pentax lenses.  I am also able to focus on stuff a lot closer then sigmas specs. I think they say 7&#34; where I can get crystal clear focus about 3 or 4&#34; away.  Like other reviewers have mentioned, it shows up as a maximum f stop of 1.7 on my pentax camera another bonus.  I would buy this lens again if I lost or broke it.
I mostly use this for video, and for that i have been very satisfied. It mainly has been used on my FF 5D2. The only 3 lenses i would bring with me when shooting events were this, the 50mm 1.8, and the 28-135. The zoom got all the daytime use, and then the other two would take care of all the night stuff.What i like about it:-Feels solid, but isn't overly heavy(it ain't light though)-Sharp wide open (my copy at least)-Wide on FF, and normal on a crop body, like my C100-Fast of course-Smooth focus ring(not butter smooth, but smoother than the average modern photo lens)-focus ring has stops at macro and infinity-well controlled distortion-77mm threads, which match most of my other lensesNitpicks:-no full time manual, and there's a switch and a clutch to pull to switch manual/auto focus-for photos, my autofocus was off. most modern SLRs have a microadjustment which fixes it.(like the 5D)FOV on FF vs cropped.This was my wide angle go-to lens for the 5D, it has MUCH less distortion(if any at all) than the 28-135 at the wide end, but that's a given. Now i'm shooting more with the C100, and this just still gets use, it just became my fast normal lens instead of being wide.Especially for events where you many times will like to have a closeup shot that also has lots of what's going on in the background, and the ability have that background just a bit blurred out so your closeup person pops outMacroisn't it's main thing, but it is quite fun to focus on things when they're an inch away from the lens, gives an interesting perspective that's occasionally useful/entertaining.
I wanted to like this lens because I always prefer lenses with a close focusing distance, and this is a rare macro 28mm (not a "true macro" but it focuses very close). Unfortunately I was never satisfied with the image quality of the photos. The lens is mush wide open, and it never gets really sharp across the board, even when stopped down. The bokeh has an ugly swirly quality that makes the background of close-ups unpleasant looking. It might be OK for landscape shots of mountains, etc. when used close to infinity and stopped way down, but then what's the point of having a fast "macro" lens if you can't use it at the wide apertures and minimum focus distance?I used it on a full frame camera but it would make a good "normal" focal length lens on a crop sensor camera, if the optics were better. Instead I would opt for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens which is actually usable wide open. Sigma has some great lenses but this isn't one of them. Unlike another reviewer, I found the build quality and autofocus performance to be just fine, but the optics to be sub-par; others have found the opposite.If you are going to buy only one wide angle lens, make it theZeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Series Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras.Yes, it costs a small fortune, but it's worth every penny. Sell some other lenses if you have to; the Zeiss 21 can replace all of your wide angle lenses, it's so good--even if you need to crop them a bit to a 24 or 28mm field of view. There is something very special and even magical about the Zeiss 21 that has to be experienced; it makes you not want to use any other wide angle lens once you've tried it.
Maybe my copy is different,i don't know for sure.But wide open,this thing is a real beast,it's TACK sharp,and stopping it down is really another story.If u considering a wdie angle prime lens,u gotta give this one a shot.Fast primes with wide range like this one,is a very new perspectiv,and the out of focus area is very large.Using it on a nikon D3
I am a working professional who uses my camera and lens on a daily basis and unlike most who only care about the optics, everything else matters to me, and I'm going to explain to you why I'm rating it only 2 out of 5 in details.The 28mm F/1.8 is a niche lens.  Most people who shoot this wide never even need a large aperture to begin with.  Event photographers don't shoot this wide very often, average photography enthusiasts would be better off with a ultra wide zoom lens instead of a prime, and landscape photographers who might treasure this the most often times prefers more in focus and thus rarely use large aperture like this on a wide.  I shoot weddings, and every now and then I do rely on niche lens to create special images.  And that's where this lens really shines.  This lens is sharp, and actually much sharper than I expected even at F/1.8 where it's supposed to be soft, it performs really well.  The only complain in terms of optics is that the color is a little cool and feels a little off comparing to every other Nikkor glass I own.Using this lens under well-lit scenarios is generally a pleasure. The very shallow depth of field at F/1.8 along with the macro capabilities of this lens will allow you to do a lot of things you wouldn't be able to do with a regular bag of lens.  Even comparing to my Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8, this lens have a special place 'cause you can really still use the shallow depth of field to identify your subject shooting so wide, whereas the 17-35 at F/2.8 is probably at best good for low-light purposes.  Distortion of this lens is very well controlled as well, which is a pleasant surprise to find on a 28mm wide angle lens.Unfortunately this is where the praises end.  Below are my major complaints:1. Focusing mechanism is awful.  I current own more than a dozen Nikon glass and this is the 2nd Sigma lens I own.  Unfortunately they both behave similarly when they focus: it starts focusing from one end to the other, and if it cannot lock in the focus on the first try, it goes all the way back, and stop.  I know it's hard to understand but in comparison, a Nikon lens would also start focusing from one end to the other, but somewhere along the line it has an idea where to lock in the focus and it tries hard to stop there; and if it misses the first time, it will go back and forth around that focus distance and try to lock in without having to go all the way from one end to another again.2. Focus accuracy is way low... it's simply unreliable.  Unless you're focusing on something with a clear edge, or something contrasty and easily identifiable, the lens falls way short.  This becomes more apparent when you're trying to shoot against the light and try to autofocus - typically I can get about 50-60% successful rate on a D700 with a 50 F/1.4G or a 17-35mm F/2.8, but on a Sigma it will probably lock in about 15% of the time, and half the time it's actually wrong even when it locks in.3. Focusing speed is way slow... but that probably has something to do with the macro capabilities.4. Construction - Generally speaking the lens construction is pretty good, but Just like the Sigma 105mm F/2.8 macro, the lens barrel rolls in and out when you focus.  This isn't as serious as the 105mm but then the lens hood is attached to the inner barrel, which doesn't exactly protect the lens very well.That being said, will I still keep my lens?The short answer is YES, I will.There really isn't a much better option there at this price point unless Nikon makes a full frame fast and wide prime at F/1.8 below $1,000.  I have a hard time justifying spending about $2k for a lens that I don't use more often, or won't find a permanent spot in my camera/lens case.  Will it work for you?  YMMV.  It depends on what you do with it, and how you use it.
I use it with my Pentax K-30. It fills the normal, fast lens role in my set of lenses. It's very sharp, even when wide open, and the 28mm focal length provides some very interesting perspectives with a crop sensor. The bokeh is very nice. It's a solid lens. Also switching to manual focus is pretty quick. You pull the focus collar back.The only shortcoming that I have with this lens is the focusing speed. Overall it's pretty decent outdoors in good light and it works well for slower quarry indoors with poor light. I work at a church and the vast majority of my photos involve church events with youth or children running around. I can catch a lot of good shots with this lens, but I find myself missing a lot of opportunities because the focus was too slow. There's no internal motor. I have the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 which has the SDM and it focuses much quicker, but doesn't have as open an aperture as this lens.
This is currently my favorite lens in my modest collection.  Optical quality is very high, even wide open at f/1.8 - super sharp, great contrast, good color redition.  It's fast enough to get good shots indoors.  At 28mm, it's a perfect normal focal length on DX format DSLRs.  Unlike many of the new reasonably priced lenses coming out, it's also compatible with full-frame DSLRs and 35mm film bodies, for which it makes a wonderful medium-wide.  It even has an aperture ring to boot, which means it's compatible with old MF bodies (a big plus for me - planning on getting an FM3A soon.)  I can't comment on the edge sharpness for full frame because I haven't used it with one of those bodies.  On my D90, however, it ROCKS.It costs a fraction of what the now-discontinued Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 goes for used, and it can focus EXTREMELY close - just a few inches away - it's not a 1:1 macro but it's pretty great for a normal walk around lens.  I can't stay away from flowers and plants with this lens.  Absolutely gorgeous.On the downside, the autofocus is just a little slow (it's not AF-S, after all) and the manual focus ring feels just a little pebbley, if you know what I mean.  But these are minor inconveniences that I find completely worth dealing with for the results it generates.  And at this price, it's a steal.  Grab them up while you can!
I was tossing up between the 28mm and 30mm Sigma to give me a little more room to work with shooting indoors. I have (and love) the Sigma 50mm f1.4 but it is just a little too close a little too often.I was back and forth between the two and bit the bullet on the (less popular) 28mm. I reviewed countless pics from the canon 28 but Sigma have proved themselves worthy of my $$. One of the reasons for the 28mm over the 30mm Sigma is that the 28mm will work FULL FRAME - while both my bodies are APS-C I would like the option of using the lens should I go for a full frame body later.Without question I have shot at least 25 000 pics with my 28mm and I have never looked back. What a terrific lens. It is by far my most popular lens for most shooting situations and produces consistent sharp images time after time. Whether I am shooting babies in low light or Sunflowers in full daylight - the results are always better than I could hope for.Some complain of the weight - I am sure if your using a small rebel it might have a little heft - but on my gripped 7D it is right at home.I love that it allows such a close focus distance (around 6 inches if memory serves me) and while not comparable to most true macro lenses - it does put in a good effort.Only thing that I am not super sold on (though have not had any problem with) is the sliding clutch to switch from manual to auto focus. Not a big deal but I would not like to ask my wife to alternate between the two modes. But is works and is a non issue to me.The lens has a good quality feel, super sharp focus, and I am sure it will win you over in no time.
It's a wonderful lens!  Great value for the money!At f/1.8, it's a fast lens that's capable of shooting in low-light condition, or making artistic photos with dramatic bokeh. With 9-blade aperture diaphragm, the bokeh (or the out-of-focus blur) is so buttery and dreamy.However, you do need to know how to control the shallow depth-of-field (DOF) with the wide aperture opening or big distortion from a wide-angle lens.  If you aren't careful with the composition and have the subject too close to your lens, then the 28mm will cause the subject to have a big & round face.  As for DOF, I calculated that a 28mm at f/1.8 with the subject distance of 4', is only 6".  If you are not careful with the focus, then you'll get a blurry photo.Many folks are concern about the automatic focus accuracy of this Sigma lens.  When the subject is only 1.5' away (1" DOF), I did notice that I was getting a front focus of about 1".  That is probably within the tolerance of the lens still, since the error was a combination of the deviation of my camera body and the lens.  An easy adjustment of the calibration setting in my camera took care of the problem and everything is hitting bulls-eye after that.The 77mm lens diameter is the same common Canon diameter of many EF lenses.  Thus, all my existing filters fit just perfectly.  The exterior finish is the typical wrinkle EX finish and looks nice.  Although the front lens do not rotate with focusing, the lens itself does extend or contract when focusing.  In addition of the automatic/manual focus switch, there is the quirky pull/push clutch system for fine focus adjustments.  The communication with my Canon 1D Mk III is great.  It would be nice if this lens had the Sigma's Hypersonic Motor (HSM) instead of the conventional, robot-cop sounding, motors.  However, the focus was quick enough and not much hunting for focus even in darkness.
First off, I'm a professional photographer...a wedding photographer....a wedding photographer that loathes the idea of switching lenses a million times a day. I did so much research on this lens and bought it with next day shipping so I could have it for a wedding (dangerous to have never-used gear for something so important, but I had all my regular gear so I was fine).  I arrived to the wedding over an hour early just so I could play with the lens and I didn't take it off the entire day. OMG SO IMPRESSED.The wide angle has no visible distortion unless you're trying to get a close up portrait (which more just elongates faces rather than fisheye bows...either way it's not pretty) and the macro is so spectacular!!!! The lens has a quick focus and I don't feel like its noisy at all. I rarely-to-never have to fight with getting my macro spot-on.Something different is the way to switch from auto focus to manual focus. You flip the switch and pull a ring back, which can be confusing and occasionally I'll move the ring without noticing and my auto focus won't want to work, but it didn't take me any time at all to just grab the lens and adjust without stopping to go, "did I just break my lens??"Seriously, take some time with this lens. It's fabulous :)BUT it's not good for macro of people...just remember the bowing!!Any of the macro done on my website is with this lens :) bluesparrowphotography.com
Nice Lens, But Heavy.I Had To Return It Because Raddled On My Camera.It Did Take Nice Pic's.Amazon Was Great On There Return's & Very Fast Shipping TOO!!!THANKS AMAZON.
Good lense.  Really sharp, good contrast, and super fast.The lense is really massive too, dont be surprised
I am a medium to high end user of photographic equipment. I purchased this lens for the "speed" of the lens and its ability to function in low light. The lens does work well in low light but I have not been overly pleased with the focus of the images. The lens is a little heavy as well. I like using this as my walk-around lens when taking street scenes. The focusing may be user error but I have read some reviews regarding the re-calibrating of this model by the manufacturer.
Since I've purchased this lens it has hardly left my K110D body. A bit soft wide open but if low light cannot be worked around it's better than the alternatives (flash, motion blurr). Beautiful colors and especially good transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas. I bit bulky but I knew this a priori and I quite like it now compared to lighter lenses. Seems well built and focusing is very smooth.
Pros:-28mm on a 1.6 crop camera (like my Canon XT) is 44.8mm - almost a 50mm normal lens!  My new walk around lens.-I love the warmth Sigma lens impart into their photos.-Fast, fast, fast!  F1.8 gives such beautiful out of focus areas and low light shooting.-The priceCons:-The focusing tends to slap around, especially if it's hunting, which it is wont to do if the battery is low or the lighting is less than ideal.-The lens cover falls off all the stinkin' time.  I bought a replacement for ten bucks and never looked back.-I didn't think the two step manual focusing would bother me, but it does.
I now have bought two lenses that were not designed for the smaller digital camera sensor, and both consistently fail to autofocus, the Sigma 28mm and the Canon 50mm f1.8 II, both relatively inexpensive lenses, and both designed for film cameras I believe. I was able to get both to focus most of the time by using my "live view" focusing, but it is slow and you can't use the viewfinder. I just couldn't justify keeping this large, heavy, no doubt very high quality lens if it was going to be that difficult to use.The kit lens that came with my Canon XSi focuses much more reliably, maybe because that lens is designed for small sensor cameras.
I almost never take this lens off my Nikon DSLR.  No more &#34;backing up&#34; and I never miss a shot due to lack of light with the huge aperture.  Beware of the DoF though, I have missed many shots when it focuses on a nose and eyes are blurry.  Seriously small DoF when the aperture is wide open!!!
I bought this lens a week ago for about 190 less than the Canon version, and was initially disappointed. low aperture at wide angle has a very narrow depth of field, and often the pics would come out blurry or soft, but that's not the issue with the lens. I then compared this lens with Canon 50mm 1.4 that i owned, and at 1.8, both lenses showed nearly identical image quality in low-light, in aperture priority mode. but then i set my canon 40D to P mode and then started shooting outside in broad daylight, and the image quality is very comparable to canon 50mm.i think the most importance thing to know is that you have to think about your technique when using this lens. when you shoot at wide angle at 1.8, the focus on the subject can be very very narrow. since u have a much bigger background, it's very easy for the lens to mix up the focus and blur out your subject unintentionally. say, if u take a pic indoor of a room at 1.8, most of stuff in the door will be out of focus....you'll have to up the aperture, and use flash to make everything in focus- in a way, it kind of defeat the purpose of 1.8 aperture, so don't buy this for low-light scenic photography. u be much better off by using the kit lens on a tripod. so your out of focus landscape shot would be a result of user error, not the lens.pros: sharpness (very sharp, comparable to canon prime lens), sturdy, MACROS (it's amazing the kind of macros pics you can produce- too bad canon 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, and 85mm 1.8 prime lenses DO NOT have macros capability), low-light shooting (portrait, stationary things, and very small things- not suitable for landscape unless you up the F-stop)cons: bigger than canon prime lenses (except L primes).I definitely recommend this as an ideal lens for close to 50mm point of view on a cropped sensor camera such as 40D, xti, and xsi
Well it does not auto focus on Nikon D5000 even though the manual say it does. It is very hard to focus this lens manually. The resulting picture always come out somewhat fuzzy and color is weird. No regular filters would work on it. If you have Nikon D5000 the stock lens work much better then this one. I would not recommend this to a friend.
Ideal for DX, but not so good on FX.Normally, when you shoot wide angle, you're interested in the whole image sharpness and not only the center. This lens did not quite work out for me on my D700 because of the corner softness. I ended up replacing it with the new Nikon 14-24mm.
i got my copy used off of craiglist for $160. the lens had been well-used, like a divorcee with excess alimony. still, she was clean, with no scratches or dust, and she had a gleam in her eye -- or was that flare? anyway, this lens has already paid for itself a few times. its really wide on FX. center sharpness seems the same at every aperture, except maybe wide open. it's fairly sharp, renders detail well, and has natural colors and good contrast. i usually shoot it at f/6.3-8. corner sharpness isn't great, but i shoot more urban pics than nature landscapes so i could work around it. if you are a discerning nature photographer or guy who shoots real estate interiors for a living, you want the nikon 14-24 or tokina 16-28 instead. you'll also pay a lot more. if you can find a used copy for a good price it's a winner on FX. if i had paid what it's going for currently--about 6 bills--it might still be worth it to get a new copy. if you want an UWA with no distortion and imperviousness to flare, this ain't it. if you just want a wide FX option that wont cost an arm and a leg, check it out. i shot a massive graffiti wall and some location pics with it that got published.  i did some long exposures at twilight; they turned out really good. 2.8 aperture would be nice, but a non-issue with a D3s. especially because for a long exposure, you'll be using a tripod anyway. if you know how to use an UWA, you can make this work for you. it doesnt take filters, but neither do the other bulb-type UWAS. if you want filters, you can't get as wide, 16-35 at most. that lens also has  a fair amount of distortion at the widest setting and costs a lot more. the nice thing about the 15-30 is that from 24-30mm on FX, it's a decent people lens. good for PJ applications where you might want wide one shot and semi-wide the next. it has a place in my bag, for sure. maybe one day i'll get the nikkor or tokina, but my main FX lens is the 24-70, so it didnt make a whole lot of sense to pay too much for a specialty lens. as long as it makes good pics, can't really complain.
I like this lens, the pictures are sharp, and with very good colors, the autofocus is fast, you can cacht a lot of complete buldings, like churchs, stadiums, big houses, etc with the 15mm. altough the corners looks with a little distortion, but you can fixed with software, even I like how look those pictures, also you can't take good landscape pictures, and excellent portraits. The minimal focusing distance is 1 ft, but I had taken closer pictures in manual mode with good results.Thera are tow things i Don't like about it.1 the size: is a huge lens and bulky.2 you can't put a uv filter to protect te glasses, you can use some special filters but they have to be between camera body and the lens, but I like to put a protective filter to my lens to avoid damages.Any way, you will have fun taking shots with this lenses. it worth the money
I purchased this lens (used, like new condition) to take on a trip as something much wider than my Nikkor 28-300mm zoom, since I had to travel light. In my search for an almost ultra-wide zoom, there were slim pickings at a price point I could currently afford, especially a lens compatible with an FX body (in my case, Nikon D610). I quickly became aware of the many critiques of this lens, some I found valid, others not too concerning.First, this was part of Sigma's EX line, and this particular lens is no longer made. I've bought several Sigma lenses with the EX badge, and found them very well built, albeit a bit hefty and large. So, not at all flimsy-feeling as some reviewers have stated. As noted, it's for full-frame sensors, therefore part of Sigma's DG line (DC being for APS-C sensors).[I tried the lens on my D7100: it works, the vignetting isn't a problem, but of course the focal length now goes from about 25mm to 45mm. So, with the D7100 I'll keep using my Tokina 11-16.]Center and edge sharpness, subjectively, seems perfectly consistent with the ability to produce a very large, and very sharp, print. No quibbles with the maximum apertures over the zoom range. In some shooting situations I could have used image stabilization, but to me cranking up the ISO a bit took care of any shake with hand-holding the lens.Other reviewers have noted problems with flare, mainly because the front element of the lens is markedly convex, and the provided (and built-in, ie, not removable) petal shaped lens hood sometimes isn't adequate to take care of the flare. No dispute with those concerns.Others have also noted that the lens is &#34;noisy&#34; when autofocusing. The sound clearly is audible (not at all like a near-silent focus motor on many other lenses), but I don't find it bothersome and wouldn't even apply the word noisy. It's just that you can hear it.Two big gripes about this lens, however. First is that, as some have noted, it's virtually impossible, in a practical sense, to use any filters or front-of-lens accessories. Yes, Sigma provides a threaded &#34;collar&#34; that slips over the front of the lens (more precisely, over the non-removable lens hood), and it will take 82 mm filters. However -- and it's a BIG however -- the mounted collar vignettes at all but 30 mm or thereabouts. Not at all suitable near the middle or wide end of the focus range.This collar arrangement leads to another problem -- or inconvenience -- in my view. The lens cap attaches to the collar; there's no cap that attaches directly to the lens. So, even when NOT trying to use a filter (which, as I said, isn't practical), when shooting with this lens you have to remove the collar, and now you have a fairly large-ish item to carry or stick in your gear bag. To me this is a BIG inconvenience.I'm not sorry I bought this lens, since it's quite good for what I paid and fulfills my travel packing objective. The alternatives, whether from Nikon (or Canon) or third-party manufacturers (eg, Tokina), are generally much more expensive. Perhaps some day I'll save up, put my gear acquisition syndrome on hold, and trade this in for something with fewer design limitations and, probably, less proneness to flare.
I bought this lense for the purposes of taking wide angle shots during vacations.  First of all, the lense takes good pictures.  I am an amature and not a pro.  I am shooting a Nikon D50.  I was able to take pictures that I normally wouldn't have been able to.  With that being said, I was surprised at the size of the lense.  From looking at the pictures of the lense online, I was not expecting the lense to be so big when it arrived at the house.  The lense is bulky and not something that I would want to lug around on a vacation.  The reason why I bought this was because I had bought a 55-200 VR lense recently and wanted to add to it. But after lugging it around for a week in Mexico, I think I'm better of spending the extra money and buying the 18-200 VR lense instead.  If I was shooting a wedding and had another camera, then this would be a great lense to have on that second camera.  Despite that, the lense did what it advertised, I just was aware of the size of the lense.
Picked up a great lens at a super price from the best seller on the internet!  Thanks Cameta Camera for a super nice Sigma 15-30!
I purchased this lens because I did not want to drop a grand for theNikon 12-24mm f/4G. After reading professional reviews, I'm glad I saved my money. This lens performs almost identically to the more expensive Nikkor option, at a third the price!I've used this lens in several very different shooting environments, including ambient light interior shots on a tripod, in harsh sunlight over snow, and for night photography. It performed exceptionally well across the gamut, producing contrasty, sharp images that were everything I could have hoped for.The lens focus ring doesn't move during auto focus, which makes holding the lens during shooting a bit easier. Manual focus works well: smooth and precise.A few dislikes:As others have noted, this lens is bulky! It is over 5" long, and weighs about a pound and a half. It is not a 'walk around' lens.You cannot use filters with the lens because of the curvature of the front element.The flare guard is permanent. I would have preferred to be able to take it off, if for no other reason that saving space when packing the lens into my carry bag.Save your money and get this lens over the Nikkor 12-24mm lens.
I was amazed that I found this battery..I am 100% satisfied with the product, with the service ,the delivery and the cost. Thumbs up to this Service who had it and yes, I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Thank you from a very satisfied customer.
I ordered this to replace an old battery and it charged fully and works great.  It is long lasting.  I bought a similar battery from battery biz that was about 15.00 cheaper on Amazon and I haven't had problems with either battery.
New battery. Received it, charged it, installed it, camera worked fine. Second recharge was good too. A lower price would have been nice.
I've used this battery in my JVC  VHS-C camcorder for the past 8 yrs. and have been meaning to replace it for about a year now.  It doesn't really hold a charge anymore but after 8 yrs. no complaints here!  I am now going to purchase another one.  You can't go wrong with the Duracell name - there are alot of off brand names out there and you can unknowingly end up with a "reconditioned" battery if you are not careful.  This is a reliable battery.
I still use a VHS-C camcorder (a Panasonic PV-L550.) I'm on my second one - I like them that well. They come with a Panasonic PV-BP18 battery.I had some trouble with the original camcorder and eventually replaced it with a second (exact same model, barely-used) off eBay. It came with another PV-BP18.  Out of curiosity, I looked on the Internet to see if they are still available. Yes, and about $8-10 cheaper than the DR-10.When it came time to replace the original BP18, on the first camcorder, I wanted to buy a replacement battery locally, to save time. The DR-10 was pitched to me as an exact replacement. I didn't question that; I bought it -- and a second one later on. They seemed to do OK initially, but over time seemed to need recharging more often, and their use-life per cycle seemed shorter. (Some of this is from memory.)Now I may be comparing "apples and oranges." It turns out the BP18 is a NiCad unit, while the DR-10 is a newer-tech nickel-metal-hydride. I used to be an electronics tech, and I knew that these two battery types are different, so I looked for more data.------------------------------------------From a "Servo-City" site:NiCD (Nickel-Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) are two very different types of batteries. Both types must be handled differently from one another in regards to charging and discharging procedures and philosophies.In general, NiMH batteries cannot handle the high rate of charges or discharges (typically over 1.5-2 amps) that NiCAD batteries can. [Typically] high rate, peak detection or time-based chargers are used to charge NiCAD batteries. Such chargers are NOT recommended for NiMH batteries (unless otherwise specified in the charger or battery literature) as they can cause permanent damage to the NiMH cells. Also, NiMH batteries will not perform well in high rate discharge applications, typically providing only a small fraction of the rated capacity in these instances.NiMH batteries also have approximately twice the self-discharge rate of NiCAD batteries when in an un-used state. [Commonly] a NiMH battery can discharge itself nearly twice as quickly as a NiCAD battery, typically within one week. Therefore, you must charge your NiMH batteries the night before each use.When handled correctly though, NIMH batteries can provide much longer run times than comparably sized and weighted NiCAD batteries.We recommend NiMH batteries in applications that call for long duration but not a high-amp load.---------------------------------------While I don't know the exact loads the camcorder places on both types of batteries, it does have a drive motor, and servo motor for the zoom -- and motors typically draw significantly more current than electronic circuits only. Also, while I don't know for sure if the Panasonic charger that came with the camcorder is SPECIFICALLY set up ONLY for re-charging nicads, I suspect that it is.After reading the Servo City info, I now know why frequently I had "dead" batteries when I needed them in the field. I'd charge them and let them sit in the camcorder travel bag until needed -- NOT charging them up immediately before a session.So I am going back to nicads. Overall I like the NiMH technology for what it can do, but NOT the higher cost and rapid discharge on the shelf (in this camcorder application.)
So far I used one tape of this pack. The video quality is  pretty good.
This is a good Deal if you can get it with Free Shipping.I shopped around elsewhere and typical cost is twenty  bucks. I had purchased a good quality Sony tape 3pk for twenty bucks in Best buy.This is an ME (Metal evaporated) tape. ME tapes are of good quality and were the kind reccomended by my camcorder manufacturer (Sharp). The tapes I got were Red colored packaged instead of Green as shown above. I was looking for the ME sign and i found it on the side of the tape.
That about sums up what you need in a MiniDV tape.  And don't forget Amazon's amazingly quick delivery on these types of accessories.
TDK tapes are all made with dependability in mind.  I bought my TDK MiniDV tapes a year ago and have been using two of them heavily (saved one for archive), and both work reliably in my Sony camcorder.  I actually record in Sony's LP mode, which records 90 minutes on the 60-minute tapes, and the video and audio quality is excellent, even after repeated uses.  I highly recommend TDK products.
You won't find a better deal for minidv tapes out there! Comparable tapes sell at my local computer store for $... for 2 tapes! There is absolutely no difference between this product and the more expensive ones out there! It's the best, both quality and price-wise.
If you have a digital camcorder you'll need lots of tape.  The new camcorders are so easy to use and small enough to take anywhere that you must remember to carry extra tapes.  These tapes are also small enough to allow you to easily carry additional tapes.  TDK always makes a reliable product and these tapes are another good example of TDK quality.  I've used the same tape again and again with no obvious degradation of quality.  My video (with an inexpensive camcorder) is clear and crisp. The tapes that I use repeatedly are holding up fine. Overall I'm really pleased.
The mini tapes were a nice quality.  I like the 60 minute formats. The price was great and I would recommend them.
My camcorder records 540 lines per frame, so can someone tell me if the 500 lines mentioned for these tapes make it not suitable for my camcorder.
What do you expect from a tape where digital information is recorded on? That it records the digital infromation! Yes, the TDK tape is capable of doing that exactly like so many other miniDV tape brands. Since anlog video, there are other measures to be taken under consideration. The digital video standard miniDV pretty much determines the amount of information being stored on the tape (also called the entropy), other aspects appear: drop-out-rate (the coating of the tape might not be consistent among thte total length of the cassette), lifespan, 'tape-eating-camcorder'.Be cautious, since every DV tape must meet the DV standard (one of the system inherent features), you have to evaluate a tape by extended features than picture quality.The bottom line is, again: the TDK tape is fully capable of dealing with digital miniDV video, my Canon MZ 50 camcorder did not eat one of the three! Let the price decide...
Great product, great price.  Best tapes I've used for my Sony camera.  Highly recommend for any mini-dv tape camera user.
HI there!  This is my second purchase from this seller, and I get what I want:  fast service, great product, no issues, happy face.  So, choose this seller and you will have the same experience as I.  --- Just a note:  Fuji tapes really are a wise choice.  I have tried other brands, and I return to Fuji everytime.  I have learned my lesson.  Hope this helps.  : )
Have used Fuji for years, never had a bad tape in the experience. They shipped to us promptly and price was ok as well.
more expensive but of higher sound production quality so I sincerely recommend and will continue to order. I am a recording artist and teacher so sound quality is particularly high on my list. It's a bonus to have a clearer image as well.
I have used the Fuji 60 DVC tapes for my digital camcorder for more than a year now. Never had a problem with them. They always record properly, sound quality is excellent, the camcorder can fast forward and rewind multiple times (never had the tape getting stuck) without a glitch. I use the Canon 100 MC. Highly recommended.
What can i say ? When it comes to any type of MEDIA magnetic/optical, TDK is the best. I still have some of their audio tapes that are more than 20 years old and they still work great. If its a TDK, i will close my eyes and buy it.
Just so you know I bought it and got the item pictured in five days (Sunday was in there too.)
I cannot find this product in most stores so its great to find them on lineThe tapes work great
It is good to have videotapes on  hand when you need to tape something to bring somewhere or if the tivo is full!  Also, if you try out for game shows, they often ask for a vhs tape.  This is a good bargain and as technology advances, great to have on hand as they are harder and harder to find.  This product works well and fill the bill.
tdk has always made the best 8-hour tapes, whether they're standard grade or hi-fi there is no difference.  First off, only one local drug store in my area sells tdk tapes and upon going there avaliable were tapes marked REVUE:  Premium Quality and VIVID: Ultimate Quality.  I picked REVUE thinking that Premium is better than Ultimate.  Then I read in another Amazon review that REVUE was Standard Grade and VIVID was High Grade only to find out that that didn't matter.  Quality: excellent, on my Magnavox 13" TV/VCR combo these are the only tapes on EP speed that do not have a hissing noise accompanied with a popping sound (in fact this past Sunday I recorded Men of Honor and accually had to turn the sound down on my tv).  On another REVUE tape I have 8 hours and 10 minutes (obviously they have extra tape) of those ESPN super bowl presentations. They have been watched at least 15 times with no quality reduction.  Even though TDK has lowered their standards I think that the new tapes in the red box that say "Standard Grade: Superior Quality" are the same as these old REVUE tapes. Again the best blank tapes that proves that VHS will outlive us all.
What can you say?  They record OK and the playback quality is as good as any VCR tapes but obviously not as good as DVD.
I ordered these for I could no longer find them and wanted to have some on hand for taping a show or special when wasnt at home have not used however TDK have been in the past great tapes .. JOY
I am a collector of TV shows.  I have 30+ tapes filled with TV shows that I recorded.  I've recorded on several different brands, including Panasonic, Sony, and Maxell.  The Panasonic tapes played back terribly.  Sony gave me a little trouble but not much.  Maxell gave me no trouble, but they're hard to find in my area.  So TDK is my choice.  It has never given me trouble, it is readily available, I can tape in EP with almost no quality loss.  A note to other collectors and/or fans of TV, if you ever want to tape a TV program, TDK tapes will never let you down.
I have not had any problems with this brand of VHS tape, I like the picture quailty and hope I can continue to purchase this brand. Although all brands are becoming hard to find, I still like to tape movies and programs and sometimes I want to keep them for longer than what dvr provides.
TDK manufactures excellent eight hour blank VHS tapes for all purpose general recording of audio-visual media. One reviewer correctly notes that "revue quality" really means standard quality; but these do a really good job nonetheless. As long as you have the right kind of equipment, these tapes record television programs off TV or they can be used to make copies of a non-copyright protected VHS tape. These tapes have up to a total of eight hours worth of blank recording space; and this is useful when recording longer television shows, for example. You get up to eight hours of recording time if you choose the longest recording time option on your VHS recorder/player.Of course, the best image quality will be at shorter recording times but many people say they're satisfied with the image they get using the eight hour recording time speed.TDK blank VCR tapes ensure that you get long life out of these blank tapes. Things should look "sharp" and in focus, too.Overall, TDK makes a great choice when you want reliable, blank VHS tapes to record television shows or anything else that you wish to record. I have used this brand and I cannot think of any major complaints. I highly recommend TDK eight hour VHS tapes for you to use when you need to record something onto a VHS cassette tape.
TDK's use of the word "Premium" is misleading marketing.I was aiming for a special, collection-quality tape in a 160 size, and was taken by the name "Premium."Don't do as I did.  Instead -- before you purchase -- check TDK's website to see that their "Premium" tape is a standard-quality tape.As of 1/2/09, I still don't see Amazon offering any TDK "Super Pro" or "EHG" tapes any longer than 120 mins.Of course, 15 years after my original review, I might recommend joining the 21st Century, getting rid of the VCR, and switching to a DVD recorder with integrated Digital-TV (DTV) tuner for Free, over-the-air, static-free programming and recordings.  Get one that can use DVD-RAM for enhanced record/playback functions.  You might be convinced to give up the Cable TV, eliminating one of your monthly bills.
TDK makes great tapes, but this tape really does not define them. There was no problem with them, but it is not impressive. It is no where near the BETTER TDK tapes and JVC tapes.
TDK 160 Minute VHS Premimum Videotape (4-Pack) (Purchased on 06/08/2008)Delivered promptly and top quality, lowest price on web.
I chose this model on the basis of other reviews here, and I also recommend it.  It works well; the only problem is that the mechanism is a little stiff to move so you need to apply a bit of force when you open or close the slide.
I found it to be easy to use with my tapes and it works real well. It is not flimsy , it is well made and I used it about 20 times and it works like new every time
It took me a minute to figure out how to get the tape in, but it works like it's supposed to and now I can watch all the home movies I filmed years ago on VHS-C.  This was a good replacement for the original that was lost.
Works fine. Can't just ram the VHS-C into it, of course. Line it up properly and gently work it into place. No problem.
It worked as advertized.Before using it, I looked it over carefully. The mechanism seemed to be sticking a little bit, so I sprayed everything with a silicone spray dry lubricant. This seemed to make it open and close much smoother. Only then did I insert a tape into the adapter.I inserted the VHS-C tape very carefully, making sure that it was positioned just right before closing the adapter. Then I inserted it into the VCR just like a regular cassette. It worked the first time. I was very pleased.I can see that the adapter is dellicate and should be used carefully. But that said, I did not have any problems.
We have owned this particular brand of the VHS adapter for a few years now. Just used it tonight to watch some of the early video's of our now 15 & 12 year old boys. GREAT memories for all of us, and so very thankful we have the adapter. I do agree that the mechanism is quite stiff...to the point of being a bit weary every time I am converting our treasured videos.
After unsuccessfully having tried an adapter from a different brand, I was a little concerned that this one would be just as bad. But the much higher quality of the Ambico adapter became apparent right out of the box, and the device devilered perfectly and smoothly every time I popped one of those old-time tapes in it and into the VCR (for digital conversion).
these are so grea now that DVD and Digital recorders are out. i dunno what Id do with all my memories if they didnt have these!
Like most I bought this before searching out some reviews. I should have searched first. This mic is for buyers who haven't listened to it before purchase.On my Sony PC330 camcorder the zoom function is really a mic mixing function: in wide shots the built-in mics are used, and as the lens is zooms out the accessory mic is faded in while the built-ins are faded out. Since the two work on very different principles (built-ins are up-facing XY-configured omni mics and thus have a very good frequency response but strange soundfield and room responses; this accessory mic is a capsule-in-a-tube mono so it has no bass at all and is very comb-filtered) the sound obtained while zooming is bipolar (in the mental-health sense of the word). It's such a disconcerting effect that it's best used in comedy skits.If used only when the lens is zoomed out and left there it's possible to overlook the tinny nature of the sound if you need a lot of directionality in a noisy environment (it does a good job of minimizing off-axis sound). But the zoom feature, the only real selling point of this mic, is useless. Better to buy a cardioid M/S mic and let the stereo field remain constant during a zoom shot than deal with this mic clearly produced for those who buy blind.
Unlike the other unfortunate reviewers, this mic does fit my camcorder (Sony DCRVX2000 MiniDV Digital Camcorder) but I did some double-checking for compatibility before I purchased. Despite having a decent camera, I'm very new to &quot;filming&quot; so I can not speak from a position of expertise. However, I was astounded by how much this mic picks up! Even the cast members were amazed at the technology that allows the microphone to &quot;zoom&quot; in with the camera. Lacking a real budget and the proper equipment, this microphone has been a real blessing when doing tricky outdoor shots where the camera has to remain at a distance from the actors. (We're talking no-budget independent films.) Obviously, the quality of the sound is limited but for the money, it's a wonder for an amateur like me.  However, a word of warning: based on prior reviews, make sure it's compatible with your camera before purchasing. My DCRVX2000 is considered in the pro-sumer range and this mic worked great for me right out of the box. I can not speak for any other camera.
I bought one of these over a year ago when I could not find any reviews or any explanation of how the &quot;zoom&quot; worked.  Boy, did I feel ripped off.  I meant to warn others about the product but it got buried and forgotten until I ran across it today while cleaning my office.Although some may like the convenience of no cables with the smart shoe connection, the audio quality is really quite abismal.  It actually makes the on-board mic of my TRV27 shine.  I was pretty naive about camcorder audio when I bought the ECM-HS1 but the fact that Sony doesn't publish any audio specs on the unit should be a big red flag to avoid this one.  At best, this should be considered a speech only mic; forget music.Although I've since moved on to pro audio equipment, you don't need to go to this level to get decent audio.  After making the mistake with the ECM-HS1, I bought a Sony ECM-MS908C. It's compact and has a camera shoe mount although not the smart connector.  However this means it will work with any camcorder that has an external mic mini-jack.  The published audio specs are still thin but the audio quality of the ECM-MS908 is markedly superior AND it's stereo.  I've gotten decent musical recordings with it and I've read recommendations from others who have used it for mini-disc recordings at concerts.  Much more bang for the buck.
I have owned one of these for over 3 years and are very happy with it. I use it frequently when I need to get the sound from a distance source rather than the environment that I am in. Some examples are:- someone giving a speech without amplification- picking up the sound of a waterfall rather than the crowed at the overlook jabbing through the whole thing.- picking up a conversation of people walking towards you (from a significant distant to directly in front of you)&gt;For an overview of the features and how they work see the review of 'A customer from California'. The only thing that seems to be different with my PC110 is that I only get one mono channel when the mic is in use (either as zoom or gun) and nothing from the internal mic.Albeit this mic goes very well with my PC110. It complements the internal mic very good and it is also small enough to fit into one of my pockets.Last but not least I would like to react to some of the reviews that you can read here, which are so useless that they forced me to pitch in my 2 cents:- of course you need to make sure that your camera is hotshoe compatable. Just as you need to make sure that any filters or lenses you buy fit the thread on the lens... (probably intelli means only for people that can make that distinction).- when I bought this mic in 2000 I was also a little bit concerned about it being mono. I also had some reservations about the sound quality which didn't seem to measure up. When using it I realized that this was a non-issue.1. The sounds that you want to record with this mic are typically mono aural and pretty far away.2. When editing the video I also edit the audio, dropping most of the non-essential sound and putting a music track in the background. This typically comes out very well for recordings with this mic.3. If you need to record ambient sound (amplified events), use the internal mic or an external mic which is non-directional.4. If you have a static setup use remote (wireless or otherwise) mic. I use a good mono Sennheiser for recording speeches or presentations.5. Lastly for those that want to record concerts, use professional audio recording equipment and do your sound engineering the way it should be done. If you are just taping something from the audience (make sure it is legal) the internal mic in your camera will be more than adequate.
This is a mini shotgun microphone. The sound it captures is directional and monaural. You can switch from zoom/off/gun.Switched to &quot;zoom&quot; it does not amplify distant sounds, as the &quot;zoom&quot; implies, but merely narrows (or focuses) on the sound source. Unfortunately, majority of the sound is still picked up by the built-in mic.On &quot;off&quot;, all the sound is captured by the built-in mic.When switched to &quot;gun&quot;, it becomes a directional (or typical) shotgun mic, but the main sound source is still from the built-in mic on the camcorder.The ECMHS1 uses Sony's intelligent accessory shoe. There are no cable connectors on this mic, so I'm assuming, this mic will only work on Sony camcorders (I have a Sony DCR-PC101). I've returned this item.If you are looking for a good (professional) shotgun microphone that will work with most camcorders, I would recommend the Sennheiser MKE-300.
The write up says 'intelligent accessory shoe'. It would have to be super intelligent to fit most shoes. I assume it does fit some one model of Sony. It will not fit any Canon for sure - because the contacts are at the wrong end. So, though it says it will fit any intelligent shoe, that is not quite right.I also could not get it to swivel, as the pciture says it can.
I bought this light to shoot an evening wedding. I was a bit aprehensive, because my previous experience with video lights is that they are too bright, and have a "flashlight" effect. This was not the case. The SONY light is bright, but diffuses nicely. Plus, the light can rotate, which also helps to diffuse. At night, outside, it created a nice fill with excellent image quality and color, without harsh shadows.Great light, great price.
I ordered one for my HC40, but when I installed it the light was facing me, not the subject!  I phoned Sony and after a long runaround they told me the light was supposed to be compatible so it must be defective.  They recommended I return it.  It sounds like just what I need, but I'm afraid if I order another one I'll have the same problem.
Yes, I agree, the light was not defective, it installs backwards then swivels around when installed,  & tighten locking ring.  Some people will never figure out technology.  But sony's help line for light not being able to tell him how to operate it and telling him it was defective was even worse.  I'd suggest you re-order this light and figure it out.  it works fine.Anyway, for closeup shooting the 3 watt light is good.  If battery drain is a problem, you can order additional hight capacity batteries for your camcorder.  you can't use flash closer than 2 feet or so for stills, so get this.  The dvd-403 that it works with take FABULOUS 3.3 megapixel stills.it even helps preview object that you'll take flash pix with.I use the additional hvl-20dw2 video light (see separate review for this on amazon) for objects 6 to 15 feet away and also for lighting closeups.  I hold the sony camera as close as needed (sony's can macro in to 1 cm from objects usually) and hold the light a bit further back usually so not TOO bright in viewfinder.  (move light in, out a bit till object looks best).
Very nice and convenient but a little dim past 10 feet or so.
Just what i needed.  My camcorder has a night light but this item is so much better and twice the light.
For several years after our first daughter was born we really couldn't successfully video tape Christmas morning before the sun came up without the wonderful video light.  All the video was dark and grainy.  Although I would like to have one that illuminates a bit further, this does do the trick.  I remember my dad's old videos with the SUPER bright video light (back in the 60's) and everyone who was within 2 miles of the camera was blinded by the light! This one is not so strong but gives just enough light within about 5 feet to get everything fairly clearly.
This works fine.  It is cost effective and a good upgrade for a handheld video camera.  Good in low light situations.  Really fixes shadow problems nicely.
These are hard to find locally- I got it in a short amount of time and the price was excellent!
It seems to work just fine and my camera functions again like the good old days as it should. JB
Worked like I hoped it would; providing power to my camera which I promptly never used again because its film.
Maybe cause i moved?any way I'm sure it works like most other duracell batteries. I wish i got it.
I always get very long battery life out of this Duracell Ultra battery. Even after not using the camera for 3 months, this battery has always worked for me.
The item was received in good condition in a very short time. A very good transaction.
Excellent - I just tested my backup camera, an Olympus iS-1.  This film camera has been sitting un-used for roughly five years as I use my digital Fujifilm HS20 almost exclusively for business.  I turned on the Olympus and everything was completely functional!  The Duracells were doing their thing and doing it well.  What more can you ask!
Don't get me wrong.  There is nothing wrong with the Duracell CR2 batteries that I purchased from Ocean Discount.  The problem is with Ocean Discount's inaccurate battery interchange.  I searched for battery #CR123A using the Ocean Discount search and it showed Duracell CR2 as a replacement, which I purchased. The CR2 is shorter and fatter than the CR123a.  The CR123a is still being sold by several sellers on Amazon, I just was unfortunate enough to choose the wrong seller.  It's not worth the time and trouble to return the batteries, because the pack of 2 only cost $3.94 including shipping, and chances are they'll fit some other electronic gadget that I own.I'm sure that Ocean Discount is a reputable seller, but they do need to improve the accuracy of their battery interchange chart.
Was exactly how it should even though I haven't gotten around to using it fully yet swing as I just got a new D3000 I will get to using it again very soon.
These are expensive batteries when purchased at camera stores or Radio Shack.  Good price and good service from the vendor.
I got a great price on these batteries...They last a long time and they are very durable. The shipper got them to me quickly with no hassle...I will continue to buy these batteries thru Amazon!!
I was worried a little bit listening to the 1-2 star reviews, and I was hoping mines were going to be opened, used, not in its traditional packaging. Once it arrived I opened it right a way. It luckily did come in its company branded box, and worked perfectly. Not even tampered with. Very impressed by the shipping speed also. Would buy another one again, if I need to.
Much better to buy in bulk here, significant savings over the store. Got them for the Bushnell range finder that can go through them quickly.
Exactly what we use most as we have a number of items that utilize this particular batterie and we always need them
I bought these for a Bushnell range finder, and they work just fine. They are the exact batteries as sold in the blister pack , only at about 1/2 the cost.I saw a review that said, these were not the same batteries as shown. They're the same, but without the blister pack. The seller buys in bulk and therefore sells for less than the price you would pay in a retail store. For the savings,, you can have the fancy package,,, I'll buy these.
If you can spare a week to wait, you might as well save the 3 or 4 bucks.  They are the same batteries.
These batteries do not come in the retail package you see in the picture; they come in a plastic zip-lock baggie... So if retail packaging is important to you, you should probably look elsewhere. The batteries I received appear to be fresh, legit Duracell branded batteries. I'm happy.
I have a Bushnell golf range finder and after 2 years the battery went dead.  I looked around the local stores and couldn't find these.  I found them on line and ordered them.  They are just what I needed.
Still waiting to use them in my flash light, so far the Duracell Batteries in my flash light still work.
again, great deal, works great in my rangefinder. These were about half the price of the local Walmart or other big box store.
It works. Everyone knows coppertops work. I needed these for my Whether Station and I couldn't find them locally. At least not easily so I picked Amazon (always do). Replaced the existing battery with one of these and all is well.
Have these batteries for older camera, they work great.  Good replacement for old Lithium CR2's that came with it.  Just have to watch the size because these are different than AA.
i ordered an olympus epic camera.......on the same page was this battery.i assumed it was the battery that went with the camera but alas, i was wrong, and i spent almost three times as much for postage as for the battery......i have no need for this, and most of my friends have digital cameras so I am out of luck......I then had to order the 123 battery which was l.95 and 5.00 for postage.....not much luck..next time I go to Walmart
Although the item picture clearly shows batteries in a retail blister pack, the batteries I received actually came loose in an envelope.  These did not look like brand-new batteries.  Buyer beware!
If the battery works, it's excellent. I've never had a problem with brand name batteries. These batteries are the same as the ones in your local store but less expensive. I found store prices for the same 2-pk Ultra battery varies up to $4 within my local area. If you can handle the few days wait for shipping, you're better off saving time and gas and buying them from Amazon. Just remember to order them ahead of time so you won't be without on the course. I keep the spare in my bag and when I have to use it, I know it's time to reorder.
They came unpackaged and with chinese writing on them.  I don't know if any of that means they are inferior in terms of longevity or not, but they do work.
this is a battery thats hard to find at most stores so it's easy to order on line. and it does it's job.
Despite most reviews stating that they received their batteries in factory original package I had no such luck. Mine arrived in a plastic bag with no way of knowing if these are real or new or counterfeit or used. They offered to send me a refund which I accepted and hope it is proceeded but they should ship as pictured in their ad otherwise it's a bait and switch.
This style battery is expensive. I have a 1.5 million volt stun gun that the wife carries and these batteries work very well in it.
I made a mistake in purchasing the wrong size of battery, but the company made the return quick and possible.  Aside from my mistake, the batteries delivered to my house was not encased like in the picture, causing a minor doubt if the product is new or not.  The initial image of the product is a little misleading.  Otherwise, they were easy to return.  Next time, I would buy batteries that are enclosed in the original packaging, just in case.
It's a battery, what can you say. Hopefully it will perform as well as most Duracell batteries seem to do.
I had my doubts about purchasing a name brand battery from what appears to be a surplus store. I can tell you this battery is &#34;A&#34; stock with a year to go on the expiration date. I am very pleased with this.
great price
I ordered these batteries to use in my rangefinder I use for golf and was pleasently suprised with the price I got...basically I bought 6 batteries for  what I have been paying for 2 of them retail...I highly recommend these batteries!!
Got it like in 2 days, the product is exactly as shown and made in japan! for the price and the shipping time i give 5 stars. price is crazy 2 :)
Not much to say - it is a battery.  It makes electrical things operate.  The price on-line was about one-third of that in local stores, so I ordered it. Check with me in 10 years and I'l tell you if it's as long-lived as advertised.
The item arrived on time and was what I expected.I put the battery in my camera and it works as expected.I am quite satisfied.
This battery arrived in record time in original packaging.  Shelf life as printed on battery is 2016, plenty of life left (at writing 4+ years).  I checked the voltage before installation and it was fully charged with proper current output.  You always have to worry that for a good price that you're getting some kind of "seconds" product but from what I can tell this is not the case (with this product from this seller).  Installed for a couple of months with excellent output to date.  Highly recommended for the price and I'll purchase again without hesitation.  I noted that other purchasers received product that was not in original blister pack and I expect this is a vendor issue as mine was in original blister, original packaging.  I purchased from "Ocean Discount" and very happy with the purchase...
ah batteries in the end all we want is for them to not cost an arm and a leg and to work, the longer the better of course. these we got for use in our dogs collar for a wireless fence. they have been on the job for two months now and still going strong. fyi tip for battery storage, keep them in your refrigerator. a cool dry place is the best environment to store a battery and keep it as charged up as is possible. time will always take its toll but this one small trick can make a big difference.
I use these batteries in my range finder and each battery typically lasts me for about a year.  I'm definitely a Duracell fan!
Best price on these, picked up for my leopold rangefinder. They tend to have a longer shelf life than others, so I can store them & always have an extra with me.
Package comes as expected with good shipping speed. My expectations have been met and so far the battery has had good life.
Duracell makes a decent battery and it came really quick. I use this battery here and there and always lasts.
If product don't last  I will update ,but Duracell lasts . When it matters I always use Duracell or Duracell pro .
Item advertised in sealed blisterpack...arrived loose in unmarked box..can't determine if used, purchased  as a backup for dive computer, can't test till needed.Emailed seller and they were sorry I was disappointed..not much satisfaction from that response.
This is a replacement battery for a light switch timer.  It came on time, fully charged; still running fine.  I would buy from them again.
the exact batteries that i needed to fit in my camera and these are decently priced so its a good buy in my book
First, I noticed the batteries expiration is 2015 and it is currently 2013 so my experience with Duracell CR2 lithium batteries generally have a 10 year shelf life so I assume these batteries were manufactured approximately 2005.  That does not make me feel happy nor safe since I must have 100% confidence and long life in these batteries since I will be using them in hunting equipment which my life may depend on.Second, I was reluctant on buying any batteries from this vendor since I have not yet done business with them so I figured I would put them through the test first before making any larger purchases so therefore I purchase only 2 batteries as a 'litmus' check.And finally, when I was purchasing this product and selected the quantity, I selected a quantity of "2" and based on the graphics I expected to get 2 individual single packs where that I was not constrained on how I share it, sell the second one off, keep the second one in its original pack hanging in my workshop for later use, etc.  The two CR2 batteries came in a single pack therefore I will have to break the original package.  This may not seem to be much to worry about though I think it would have been fair if there was a disclosure that states packaging may not look as appears or quantities ordered may be optimized by selling in single multi-packs, etc.In summation, I will be using one of these batteries soon though I will be buying a NEW CR2 battery at a reliable local store to ensure I am safe in case these purchased batteries fail prematurely.  I will have to purchase my additional batteries (Lithium 123's, Li 2016, Li AA's, Li AAA's, Li 2032, etc.)
I rated them down only because the batteries were older than they should be. The expiration date was 2019 and I have seen the same batteries with a 2021 expiration date. Otherwise, everything was fine. I will use them before 2019.
I don't really have any other complaints other than how much I have to pay for this 1 battery; granted, it's much cheaper than it is in any retail store, so I can only complain so much.
I bought this same charger like 10 years ago and still use it to this day. But i didnt pay $50 for it, i only paid $10... not sure i have the same exact charger but according to the picture its the same one.
2 years of HEAVY use - not even one little bitty problem.  They've traveled well under harsh conditions, and they still function wonderfully.  There you go.
It is surely a rare day when I buy a product that does exactly what I want and lives up to what the company says it can do.Batteries fully charged in three hours, THE ABSOLUTE Winner hands down for staying power, my Toshiba digital would eat any other rechargeable, but with the Monster it lasts thru frame after frame, even with flash.(out performs projected #of frames). These people have made a friend for life!
Bought 2 of these devices.Both just went dead in 7 months...Save your money and look elsewhere.
These are very good batteries and I like the charger because it is compact and quick (3 hrs).  However, I just learned that Monster just released the ULTRA 2000 POWER PACK which are 2000mAh batteries!  4 Power Pack (4 batteries + charger) is retailing for fifty bucks and 4 batteries are retailing for thirty bucks.
Monster is a little pricey, as everyone knows, but it's good stuff.  This unit is attractive, works well and is nicely designed.  Only one very small drawback: unless you have small pointy fingers, the first battery is a little hard to remove.  I use a little plastic relay tool to lever it out, which I store right in the charger.  But I stayed with 5 stars for this one.
My regular alkalines lasted literally hours.These lasted WEEKS!  I swear - I couldn't believe it.  If you have a digital camera, this is a must buy!  [price] sounds steep - but, even my cheapstake self feel its was worth every penny!  Go for it!
These batteries are worth the 100% premium on price you pay.On my Olympus C-2100, I'm still using a set I charged up three months ago, have taken about 50 pictures with flash around the house for various things.  My normal rechargeables would have been long dead.  My battery icon still says full.It's been so long since I've charged them, I can't find the charger.
When I bought a digital camera, I already knew that I would need rechargeable batteries for it. What I didn't realize was how quickly the camera would eat the supplied alkalines. I had taken barely a dozen pictures before they were drained to the point where the camera would no longer operate!So I looked for a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger and quickly settled on this one because of previous experience with Monster Cable's products.It performs better than advertised. The initial charge may have taken 3 hours, but subsequent charges have been much quicker. I have yet to drain these batteries to the point where they won't operate the camera. The charger itself is an attractive unit for an appliance, and has an LED indicator that lights up red for charging and changes to green to indicate fully charged. It is compact enough to fit comfortably in the camera bag and the plug folds into the back of it.I have had good service from it and can highly recommend this charger.
The charger unit or the batteries (or both) don't work right: I use the batteries one at a time, in rotation to power my Zen MP3 player. Sometimes I put discharged batteries in the charger, plug it in, the light blinks red, then goes off.  Only supposed to show either red (discharged, charging) or green (fully charged.)  This morning 3 batteries show fully charged, I take one out, it is discharged. All these problems happened with a first unit, I returned it to Monster and after they took their sweet time, got a replacement which works just as erratically. Monster's stuff looks good, but it is the last time I am going to buy their brand.
I bought one of these for me and one for my sister when I got digital cameras for the both of us.  I have had my charger and batteries for well over a year now, and I love this thing!  It charges quickly, its light and portable, the batteries are durable, and the charge lasts quite a while. (Especially for me, since I usually don't take alot of pictures.)  And, this device + batteries were cheaper or similarly-priced to some lower quality items available.  When you consider the cost of having to continually buy alkaline batteries (either the regular ones or the ones formulated for electronic equipment), this is a great "investment".  You will certainly end up saving $$, especially if you take a lot of pics and tend to go through quite a few disposable batteries.
following exchange with sony says to use NP-FS12:user ken has entered roomanalyst Marshall_ has entered roomMarshall_> Thank you for contacting Sony Online Support. I will be glad to assist you.ken> good. i read about a bunch of problems on amazon.com with NP-FS11 and wondering if i should buy a third battery cuz my first went weird and had to be replaced.Marshall_> It is always recommended to use the batteries supplied with the camera.Marshall_> We have not received any complaints regarding the battery.ken> apparently, this is a common problem and the rumor is NP-FS12 works better. i am sure sony has heard of this problem cuz the people at amazon have complained to sony.ken> go to the amazon.com website at type in NP-FS11 and read about the complaints.Marshall_> I am not authorized to visit third party websites and comment on that.ken> i also went to the sony website for the DSC-P50 and they do not even list the NP-FS11 battery anymore. the only infolithium battery i could find on the sony website is NP-FS12.Marshall_> You can use the NPFS12 battery with your camera.Marshall_> The NPFS11 has been replaced by the NPFS12.ken> okay, that is the answer i was looking for, but it might help other customers if you could put this info on the DSC-P50 web page.Marshall_> I appreciate your feedback.
OK, I came to Amazon hoping to just buy a replacement battery for my DSC-P1 and found that everyone here has the same problem I had. So I took someone's advice below and set out to drain the battery before the InfoLithium computer kicked in and stopped my fun. What I found though is that resetting the battery is a lot easier.I took about 15 pictures before the battery indicator appeared. I then realized that I was taking huge pictures and running out of memory stick space, so I paused. The battery indicator kicked in and showed 80 minutes. As I took more pictures and connected the camera to my Mac for awhile, the indicator showed nominal battery drainage and seems to be back in sync. This was a battery that seemed to be unable to hold a charge for more than three or four photos, with or without flash.So before giving up on your battery, try a quick refresh! I gave this 3 stars because it's lame that the problem kept me from using this camera for more than a year, but it was easily fixed once I knew what to do.
I, too, have had a bad experience with my NP-FS11.  The first one died just over a year after I bought the camera (DSC-P1).  I bought a second one and it died about 3 months afterward !!!I don't know if this is because of the camera or the battery.  I have been thinking about getting my 3rd battery but lucky that I saw these reviews from Amazon.com.  I may just hold off getting a new battery if this problem seems to be too common.  After all it ain't cheap !!!
i have the quick charger - doesn't help at all.  i have 2 of these batteries and they both exhibit the same problem of full-charge... and then 10 minutes later, empty.the info at the sony website says that if i ship the camera, batteries, and charger, they will evaluate the problem for free.  i will take them up on this, i think.
I generally love Sony products, and have a whole bunch lying around the house. This battery came with my digital camera and for 18 months worked great. Recently, it started refusing to hold a charge giving me a couple of photo's before running out even though the camera showed the battery as fully charged initially. A lot of other users have also suffered this fate with this battery. Unfortunately, as I love the camera I'll have to fork out for another one as there are no alternatives. For getting less than two years service, for the cost these batteries seem pretty expensive to me.
To me "rechargable" means "indefinite use," not "conks out after 18 months."  We bought the camera and an extra battery ...  For a long time everything worked well - we went on a vacation ... and took loads of pictures with only one recharge during the whole week.  But sometime around Jan. 2002, the charges started being shorter and shorter.  Eventually around May it got to the point where we could take 3 photos or one movie and then the battery died.  I have just recently emailed Sony and they replied that "since our batteries have no Memory Effect [loss of function due to recharging], your battery is faulty and needs replacement."  ...
I am very fond of technology, some sort of developer.I used to be crazy about SONY stuff. Stereos, Phones, Hand Helds, Cameras: I had them all. But anytime I had a problem the support of SONY was lousy; sometimes non. I even got the regional levels to get some help, but nothing: not even a reply.I wasted or sold any SONY device I had. I wouldn't buy anything with the SONY logo on it anymore! I rather became a SONY terrorist, always speaking bad about it!It's a pity cause SONY makes good things, but they are always trying to imprison the customers with closed technology and don't treat them properly.
I have no complaints about this battery, other than it would only work for 12 months. After that, it just refuses to charge.  I have a Sony Cybershot DSC-P50, and the only way to use that camera is with this battery (actually, you can use 2AA, but it will only take a couple of pics).  After 11 months of using it, my first battery refuse to recharge, and I called Sony Customer service, who send me a new one (great service!).  However, now, after 10 months of use, the same it's happening.  Will they send me a new one? I don't think so, but it just seems like the battery has a big problem.  I'm thinking about buying a new camera 'cause of this, maybe a Canon S30.
I have the same problems. Unfortunately it wasn't until AFTER the vacation that I found out the information on the battery.  Quite honestly I wasn't having any problems with the batteries.  Finally one day while on vacation after charging it up, the indicator started flashing.  (The one with the battery with the slash through it). I have a Sony Cybershot DSC-P50.Believe it or not as long as I have the flash on, I can take a bunch of pics as suggested. Unfortunately I didn't know this while on vacation so I missed taking some awesome pics.  But it's ok. Glad to know I'm not alone!!rj
I have a DSCF505V camera that takes this battery.  I contacted sony to see if maybe they had one that would last longer after reading the many bad reviews.  They said, they didn't but they dont' even make this battery anymore,  you should get the NPFS12 battery instead.  Here's hoping they fixed some of the problems with the battery in this newer version.  I did however do as one of the other posters sucggested on 'burning' the battery completely out b4 recharging and it seems to have worked at least temporarily so we don't have to get a new one right away.  We've had the camera for about 4 years.  The battery started giving us trouble after about 18 months and we have been 'crippling' it along ever since.  When it indicates the battery is low we just shut it off and then turn it back on and that would give us enough time to take one or two pictures b4 the low battery indicator would start again.  We could do this many time before the thing would shut down completely and fail to turn back on.
I've had exactly the same problems as everyone else...  I have two InfoLithium NPFS11 batteries which have been apparently less and less able to hold a charge as time goes on.  I reached the point where I wouldn't even bother to take my Sony DSC-P1 out with me anymore!  The batteries would last for two or three pictures then the camera would shut itself off.  Thank goodness I found these reviews!  I was about to buy two new replacements, having no idea that EVERYONE has the same problem with these batteries.  I followed the prevailing advice and sure enough the results are a spectacular reversal of fortunes - a saving of almost $100!  I killed one battery by taking picture after picture with the flash .  I eventually got to 114 pictures at 640 pixel resolution, having to switch the camera on again (probably 8 or 9 times) when the &quot;battery life&quot; indicator came on and powered down the camera.  Ignoring what the camera's telling you will mean that you will continue taking pictures for a long time.  The camera actually gets HOT it's being used so much! Eventually the camera goes REALLY dead and the lens won't retract.  Now I'm recharging the battery, pretty confident that the old battery will be rejuvinated to it's formerly effective self.  This is exactly the advice given in the other reviews.  HOWEVER... for the second battery, rather than trying to quickly start taking photos BEFORE the battery life is calculated by the camera/battery, I let the calculation go ahead first.  The camera indicated that the battery life was 80 minutes.  I immediately started taking pictures and got up to 190 pictures (using the flash).  Again, the camera got quite hot in the time it took to take all those pictures.  And even after all that time and all those pictures the camera showed that this second battery STILL had 45 minutes left in it!  Odd.  What I'm thinking is that it MIGHT not be entirely necessary to &quot;kill&quot; your battery in order to make it work properly.  Maybe what you need to do - to kick your battery in the pants - is just take picture after picture for a few minutes as soon as you turn the camera on and it'll reset the INFO part of the battery!  Worth a try.  Obviously, you might need to do this every 6-8 months or when you notice the performance dropping off.  Already this second battery is behaving like it used to - even without killing it.I have a hypothesis about the problem and why this &quot;treatment&quot; of your battery might breath new life into it.  We tend to use our cameras in a very specific way that may be foiling the functionality of the InfoLithium system.  We turn on the camera in preparation for taking pictures but it could be several minutes before we take a single picture.  And we tend not to take pictures in rapid succession once we start.  I think this cycle of switching the camera on, then doing little or nothing with it makes the battery go into some kind of &quot;info-coma&quot; after repeating this pattern for a long time!  I wonder if the way this technology was developed failed to take this real-world factor into consideration.  I speculate that the laboratory testing of this device probably involved discharging the battery immediately after the battery life indication had been calculated.  Maybe that process is what the battery needs to calibrate itself.  After months of never receiving that treatment it's possible that the battery no longer &quot;knows&quot; what the hell's going on!!  I'd be curious to know if other people have the same results as I have.  Email me if you like at nowis@sbcglobal.net
My Sony Cybershot camera is so old, it's actually embarrassing. But it works great. So when the battery finally died, I had to buy a new one unless I wanted to only be able to use the camera while it was plugged in. I was frankly worried that I wouldn't be able to find a replacement battery for something so old, but happily Sony apparently still uses this battery in its cameras and camcorders, so yay!I see some people reviewing here are complaining that they received a non-Sony replacement, but the seller I purchased from promised a genuine replacement battery and that is what I received. I look forward to another 10+ years of using this camera with this new battery in it!
The item was delivered as ordered before the estimated delivery date. The package was in good shape and the item performs as advertised.I ordered these batteries by mistake, but they fit an older Sony Camera that I have so I kept them.  They are reliable batteries made specifically for certain Sony Digital cameras.  Next Gen had a good price.  They are worth the money.  If I need any more I will buy them again.
What can one say about a battery.  It works, holds a charge and can be easily recharged,  Isn't it all it is supposed to do?
Unfortunately, I was never able to even try out the battery. I charged it the night it arrived, and our house was robbed the next day - the camera bag and it contents were part of what was taken. The battery I had already was the same and that's why I went for the OEM Sony battery - they last well. I guess the thief will be getting a lot of use out of it!
I was looking for Quality and Value and this store had what I needed and when you plan ahead items are shipped within 5 days. I love the Internet shopping It saves you money!
Received this battery, and found out that it is not new.  It clearly have been used before, for there are scratch marks all over the place.There is no where from the descripion says it's used.  I will not buy from them again.!!!! :&lt;
This was the perfect replacement for the battery that died in my Sony camera. Works great and lasts a long time.
my old battery burnt out but it was my fault I over charged it but so far this one works very well I have no complaints I would recommend this to anyone who needs a new battery and is sceptacle.
These batteries' recharge time is proportional to the amount of power taken out of them.  In other words, if you used only a little power, it will recharge quickly.Why is this important?  Well if you have just taken a bunch of shots, but have not exhausted the battery AND need to have a full charge to go on to other shooting, you won't have to wait long.  (Some batteries have to discharge completely before charging and their charger does this for you whether you want it or not.)
This battery looks and works exactly like the original battery that came with my Sony camera. Works great and it is nice to have a second for backup.
They were Sony, just like the camera required. They came quickly. They work in the camera just like the old ones did. I am perfectly satisfied with them.
Read the reviews.  There are too many bait and switch shipments in the reviews for me to have confidence in purchasing this item.  I expect to pay more for a genuine Sony battery, but I won't take a chance on getting a fake.Shame on you, Amazon.
The title of this item says it is Sony NP-FM50 InfoLithium Battery, but what you are going to receive is a no name equivalent battery pack. The battery is not from Sony and does not have the same power ratings as that of the original battery that came with my camcorder. No where on the battery or on the box I find the name 'Sony'. The battery pack that I received is SN-NP-FM50/55H and was shipped to me by Eforcity. This very same no name battery pack is sold by this seller on amazon for $6.15 and I paid $17.82 + S&H.;So anyone planning to buy this item, beware, you are NOT going to get a Sony battery.I tried charging this battery, it stopped charging at 155 mins and would not say the charge is full like the original did. I unplugged the power cord and plugged it back again after couple of mins. without using any battery power, the battery started charging again from 125 mins.When contacted seller, I got an email asking if I would like a refund or replacement, but would not say if the replacement is going to be a original battery.
The battery I received is NOT a SONY battery, but a "for SN-NP-FM50/55H" battery. I still have not been able to figure out the chinese manufacturer behind this copy. Who is responsible if this thing blows up in my hand?Did not check the performance yet, but feel cheated by the product description. Would welcome comments from vendor.
This makes the fourth NPFM50 battery I have bought for the Sony DSC-F717. The first battery konked out after a time without knowing why exactly, but the two after that have worked flawlessly and for a great length of time. I expect that the fourth battery (which hasn't arrived yet) will do just as well. This battery has great longevity in between charges and is well-made. I take away one star because of the original battery konking out.
My battery lasted since 2003, and still in a good comndition. i have bought this one to make sure that I will never run out
I was surprised I could still get one of these given the age of the camera. This is the first replacement I've bought for my DSC-S85 camera. While the current one still works, it does not hold the charge as long as it used to. Went ahead and took the plunge as I've given the camera to my elderly parents. It is easier for them to use versus the smaller cameras.
cant say too much it was just a battery for my camera, was original manufacture is what it said, charge up and held charge okay.
This is the battery I compare all other digital camera batteries to. I've owned many digital cameras from Nikon, Konica Minolta and Sony and the Sony NP-FM50 lasts the longest. I used this battery in my F707 on a climb of Denali in Alaska.  At the 20,320 summit on a chilly evening my digital camera was the only one that still functioned out of three in our group thanks to the Sony NP-FM50!  I own two batteries for my F707 but even on week-long backpacking trips I really only use one battery and I use the LCD on the camera for all pictures.
This battery has been performing exactly as promised.  I now have a spare battery for my MiniDV camcorder to give me plenty of recording time.  It accurately shows me the available battery charge and I have been getting all the time I need to record my children's constant activities.
Better pay for "GENUINE" than cheap ones ! YES it's a bit expensive than the "imitation" ones, but you know for sure you got a very high quality product, and that last longer !!!
I ordered this battery as a backup to the one which came with our Sony Mavica Camera.  It arrived in the original Sony packaging.  It works like it should and charges rather quickly.  Essentially this is an extra OEM battery.
The ability for the camcorder to read the status of the battery &#34;InfoLithium&#34; is a good tool when using the camera.  There are no surprises on dead batteries.
I find the SONY batteries for the past 9 years to be the very best in keeping a charge and staying in new condition longer than any other alternative battery for the many different Sony Mavica series cameras I have owned.  Thank you SONY as your Mavica series put me on track to studying a career in photography.
I have been surprised and dissappointed in this battery. This is the battery that my camera uses and because I always use what is recommended for my products I felt purchasing this Sony battery would be good. Wee, it worked for a couple times and today when I turned on the camera it says - For &#34;InfoLithium&#34; Battery only. It then procedes to turn off. I threw my old battery out (same kind as this one) and now without a camera! Would not order again.
Sony NP-FM50 InfoLithium Battery for Select Sony Camcorders & Digital CamerasSony NP-FM50 InfoLithium Battery for Select Sony Camcorders & Digital CamerasI received the two batteries on schedule as promised and immediately cut open the package of one battery and installed it into my Sony Camcorder for complete charging prior to the first use.  Soon after it began to charge I noticed in the charging information-window on the camera that the battery was already about 1/2 to 3/4 charged.  I let the battery fully charge....to its max.  My Camera LIVES again and I'm pleased.  (now, just to find that cable to plug the cam into the computer!)
Be careful with the cheap non-Sony replacement battery.I purchased one of these "NP-FM50" replacements, and the battery that I received was a 7.4v, which does not work in my DSC-F707 camera that uses the Sony NP-FM50 battery.The real Sony NP-FM50 battery is a 7.2v "info lithium", which indicates that it has a built in processor to inform the camera how much battery life exists.I guess that explains why the cheap re-pop batteries are around $10, and the actual Sony battery is over $40.Live and learn.best regards -mqqn
I have two different Sony camera's.  The life on Sony batteries is quiet good; however for long days an extra battery is a must.
No more excuses of dead battries He can keep one in his pocket and one in the cammera and the other in the charger
i recieved great service .got product in a fast manner. i have purchased many things from amazon, and every one has been excellentthank you
Love it - it's actually the right one, in spite of the numbers on the side. I've had others that are numbered the same but don't work at all.
There were options from other manufacturers that cost almost one third of this. I paid higher price thinking this is from Sony and so lower risk especially with Sony cam. However, the experience is disappointing. After charging the battery when I put it in my video cam, the display indicates that the battery is not charged. It can't be a problem with my charger because I have another battery that is getting charged fine. Both the charger and the other battery were original items included with my Sony cam when it was bought. I travel a lot and I bought this one to increase my shooting time. I'll now buy one of those cheaper options...
I can attest to the fact that this is indeed a genuine NP-FM50 battery. Tried to order a second but "Fair Pricing" did not have any left. I went to another Amazon seller which sold the battery to me for around the same price but it proved defective out of the box and may not have been legit. The NP-FM50 from Fair Pricing works like my original battery did back in 2005 - Great!. I am already replacing the defective one (seller name withheld) with a new order from J&R which costs more. If Fair Pricing gets these in stock again anytime soon, I encourage you to buy from them as they truly do offer the best price.
The battery purchased with the camcorder 5 years ago slowed down a little and got upon recharge only 90 min. of recording time.This new Sony NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery I purchased now came fully charged with recording time of 140 min.Price was absolutely OK. That's very good. So far I'm fully satisfied. And - delivery was fast!Thanks
This is Sony's workhorse battery.  It is not cheap but it recharges very quickly and I've got one I've had in use for 4 years now and it still charges up 110 min of power.
My previous lithium battery from Sony lasted well over the expected lifetime (5+ years) with "average consumer use"...I imagine the replacement battery I recently purchased will put me through 2014 (at least).
It works well but it doesn't hold a charge for too long after about 2 months. I just us the power outlet from the wall now.
I'm satisfied with my purchase of Sony battery I did. It works great. Charging as well I was expecting. Thank for been real about your products.
If you own other sony products then you know the value of this battery.  If your thinking about buying a sony product then concider getting one with this battery.  Lasts a very long time and recharges quickly.  The best part is that I have never had to dispose of one from it not charging.
did not last very longThese don't seem to be TRUE Sony batteries.I think they were counterfeit, did not last as long as original Sony batteries.
So glad I could find a new battery on Amazon!I love Amazon, I can find anything that I can imagine!Battery arrived quickly and saved my camcorder from being tossed in the lake!Thanks Amazon!
I bought this battery as an extra for my Sony SR1 camcorder. The battery performs like it states and I haven't had any problem with it.
This is without a doubt, one of the best prop. batteries I've ever come across. I recently bought a Sony DSC-R1 digicam and was amazed by its battery life. I almost felt I did not need to have a spare battery but since I don't like to take chances, I decided to get myself a second one. It's certainly worth the money.
Needed this for my older digital camera.  Amazon.com offered at a very attractive price and seller got to me quickly.
Perfect for my camera. They last a long time and are easy to recharge with the right equipment. Fits my needs.
I love my tripod. It is sturdy and easy to use. My only problem is I have lost one of my quick release shoes. I'm looking for more. I'm not sure they sell them seperately. That would be a shame. However, the tripod itself is great.Enjoy.
this is not worth free I had one for sale here I got as gift, once sold I opened to inspect prior to shipping, missing a leg part (bottom) So I refunded money. Avoid this item it is cheaper than cheap if I could give it a Zero I would!
The best buy in the marketplace.  It easily fits into my suitcase for travel...the level works nicely and very sturdy for as light as it is.
...unless they hadn't insisted on the "geared" telescopic part. It has some sort of swivel that is supposed to raise and lower it, but the handle is the cheapest possible plastic and it broke the very first time I used it. It's extremely annoying because overall it's not a bad tripod, but it really didn't need that bit of "hi-tech", and now I am unable to use the telescopic part at all...Yes, it's lightweight and somewhat unstable, but I can live with that. The biggest problem is the bad engineering and the subpar materials...
What can I say. It got here fast, works like it should and I have no complaints. I love this thing. Awesome!
This is a very nice tripod for $15 plus shipping and handling.I was very pleasantly surprised.Screwed into both my digital camera and my camcorder.It folds up to a nice size and is very lightweight, but sturdy even when fully extended.
After purchasing based on the previous reviews, I was a bit underwhelmed after recieving this tripod, but what else can you get for $13.If you plan on using this for video or time-lapse work, I would recommend finding a thicker, sturdier model.  I have a very small DV camcorder (Canon Elura 100) and am unable to pan or tilt without jerking the picture.  Also, if you raise the telescopic part more than a few inches, it becomes very shaky.All of the knobs and locking parts are totally plastic, so it wouldn't be good for use in the cold or for rough use.
i was cleaning out my gramps garage and found this tripod and decided to keep it. on the box it says it was made in 1994. i tested it out fully extending the legs and neck. and found it to be quite sturdy all around. i shook it a bit to be sure and yea its sturdy. i read some other reviews on this tripod saying this was very flimsy and wobbly when fully extended. mabe they just got bad ones or it may be cause my older version is better quality? idk. theres no hook loop to add weight but i can just drill a small hole at the bottom and that will work just fine.only problem i have is up and down movement is jerky. unless really loose. and swivel movement isnt very smooth even loosened up all the way. when its folded up all the way its about 21 inches long and 4 inches wide, which isnt to bad, to big 'for me anyways' for backpacking. overall i like it cause its not a p.o.s like my old one which was about the same price as this one is advertised at. that one was really flimsy,could be knocked over by the slightest breeze., way to short (litte higher than this one half extended) and fell apart after a short time. plus this was free and now i dont hafto go buy one. if i think of the name of the one that was crap il add it later.
I bought this based on other's reviews its features list and the reviews on several sites. I also had a nearly expired gift certificate balance to use up. If I'd paid cash for it I may have returned it. That being said for under $13 it's a serviceable tripod. The legs at full extension feel very flimsy and in even mild wind generate shake. There's no hook (though some site's descriptions claimed there was one) to add weight to counteract this but one could easily be devised. The 'fluid' pan head is anything but, at least in the vertical, there's spots where it 'grabs' and/or sticks. Horizontal panning is acceptable. The bubble level (not mentioned in the Amazon features list) is hard to view and use. The quick release head offers no knurling for finger tightening and is recessed in the shoe requiring a screwdriver or coin to tighten though it does attach securely to the camera and tripod. Overall I'm disappointed in the quality but for what I ended up paying for it I can't complain too loudly.
Yeah, the knobs may be plastic, and it may be lightweight, but it works perfectly. It does work well for time lapse as long as you use a shutter delay or a remote(which you should do anyway). It folds up to a very compact size that you would be more willing to bring it with you.I have lost my shoe as well, cant find a replacement, so Im buying a new tripod. I paid a good 40-50$ for it 2 years ago at a local retailer, so 13$ is what I was hoping to pay for a quick release shoe!
for the price this tripod is o.k. it is a bit unstable when fully extended. could have gotten it on e-bay for half the price.
I am very happy with this product.  For an inexpensive tripod, it is steady and flexible.  I have traveled with it as well as used it at "photo opportunity" events such as a wedding.  I definitely think it is a good value for the cost.
Found my digital movie camera that had not been used in a couple of years.  Battery was dead and would not take a charge.  Had several tapes that had never been seen, so I decided to order a new battery.  Found a original battery to order.  Was happy to look at the old movies and saw some of my son who had passed away.
This is the third 'NPF550 Battery' I have purchased.  The only one that is a genuine Sony packaged product.  I have a Sony Mavica FD100 Camera, a relic for a museum for most tech freaks, but the unit has been a reliable recorder for me for going on 12 years.  The original Sony batteries were dying of old age and I was at whit's end on finding a replacement.  After a long search and two purchasing forays that came to nought, I found a genuine Sony battery in its sealed original packaging.  Yipee!  Of the other two batteries I have purchased, one didn't work at all [an internal open, I think] and the other caused the Sony charger to alternately blink yellow [charging] and green [ready].  I put that battery into the camera, it didn't work either.  The two batteries went to the recycling center.  The original Sony FD550 battery worked as advertised.  I also contacted Sony on the subject of batteries for my camera.  They stated that the FD570 [I think that is the right number] will work as well.  It is the same size and characteristic as the FD330 and FD550 and is the same size physically.  It also has a higher capacity, which means more running time for the camera and more pictures you can take in one session.  A note to Sony and anyone else:  Don't give up on your FD100/200 cameras.  They are the Kodak Brownie cameras of the digital age.  They take great pictures.  I love the floppy disk recording, I can upload easily into my camera without tons of software and other adapters.
We purchased a Mavica that came with a NPF330 battery several years ago.  Like another reviewer mentioned, our battery began to act up in very little time though we could never associate any particular event with why it happened.  The old battery would show over 100 minutes available until you used the camera - especially with the flash on - an then would go to zero!  It never worked well after that.This new battery is great and I appreciate the other reviewer's mention of luggage inspection machines perhaps being a problem.  I'll try to keep this battery out of harm's way now that I know what might harm it!
Item arrived in a timely manner but will not take a charge. Contacted the seller immediately and have yet to receive a response as to how they would like to proceed.
Sony's battery works as promised; nothing special about it. It works the same as any other lithium battery, starting out with great battery time, but slowly decreasing over the years. The one thing that bothers me...I bought this battery to replace a Sony NP-F330 that came with my Sony camera. That battery started experiencing problems only one year after purchase. I noticed that the battery seemed to jump from 90 min of battery life to, suddenly, 0 min left. This only atarted to occur after my luggage went through those metal detectors at the airport. The security people said that it was possible that all lithium batteries, not just Sony, could be ruined as a result of going through airport security. Since the time I've bought this new battery, I have not gone to the airport, so I don't know if this battery gets ruined also. But just beware, going on vacation could ruin your...battery.I haven't seen this problem in other reviews, so it might just happen to me. Who knows...Other than that problem, this battery has no problem charging, being used, etc. I just don't think that a battery should cost almost half the price of the camera itself. Oh well...
We have this battery as well as the 2 hour Info-Lithium that came with our Sony Mavica. It's a great addition, especially when we're out and about and don't want to miss a shot because of a dead battery.
This is a very difficult battery to find any place else. The battery has held up very well over the years.
I like to use this tabletop tripod to hold the camera steady whil shooting still images for animation. By placing the tripod on the same surface as the artwork (puppets, clay figures, etc), I eliminate the risk of tripod-kicking accidents changing the scene and creating an unwanted "earthquake effect" in my film. Duct tape or hot glue the feet to the table surface for extra stability.
If you like to take pictures of the ground with your Nikon D70, including possibly the tips of the tripod if you are in wide angle, this is the tripod for you.  With a 24-120 zoom lens, it is almost impossible to tighten the ball up to the point that it will hold.  At the point you think it might hold, you are sure you'll break the tightening knob (using a Leatherman).  I think I got it; I think I got it;  Don't got it.  Probably fine for a point and shoot.
I Love my Mini Tripod and I take a lot of selftimer Photos with it!Thanks a Lot!C.A.
Maybe OK if you have a small camera, but it's too flimsy to support an SLR.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing (it's small after all), butVanguard VS41 Flexible MiniTripodis at least as cheap and is sturdy enough to do the job (plus, it's better looking in my opinion).
I use this tripod with my A300 Canon digital camera to take pictures of small objects for display on the Internet.  This tripod along with the Canon's ACK-800 (the adapter for the camera to save on batteries) I take better quality pictures at a faster pace.  I rated this tripod 5 stars because it works great and the price is amazing.
This is miniature tripod that's really compact, slips in your pocket.  It therefore is a compromise between function and portability.  If you've had problems balancing your camera on a rock or log, this will help.  If you want something that has more functions, get something bigger.
It's perfect for buttressing against a pillar, wall, or tree for sharper low light pics (see my uploaded photos under customer images).The legs can telescope out for tallness and the head can rotate for flexible picture taking (again, look at my uploaded photos).The compactness is perfect for travel and for those low light night scene moments where a tripod is absolutely mandatory with a compact camera.
This little tripod fits in my camera bag, due to it's ingenious folding-flat design.  It is perfect for times when I didn't bring my whole photographic operation (like on trips), but would like to take flash-less pictures.  This is a very handy little item, and well worth the price I paid for it.
I am using this tripod with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel Kit and it works great.  Can't beat the price either!!
The tripod now lives in my camera bag as a permanent companion to my camera and memory cards. It was a little awkard to position at first, but for it's size, it's perfect!
This is a nicely made unit that holds both my camera and camcorder securely.  However it doesn't get five stars because the ball that forms the ball-and-socket joint (that allows the camera to rotate and tilt) is not round. It is oblate. So if you want to move the camera a little bit, you have to do more adjusting because you have to loosen the system more than you should have to in order to get it to rotate. It makes fine adjustments just a little more difficult than they should be.
This tripod works really well. I bought this tripod for a Canon Powershot S400. I wanted something small yet sturdy. As others have said this tripod is very small; easily pocketable. This mini pod, when folded, is about 4&quot; x 1&quot; x .5&quot; (nice and flat); it fits perfect inside the Lowepro MX 25 camera bag (similar to D-Res 25 bag) I bought to fit all the accessories (extra battery, extra CF card, battery charger, cables and of course the S400).  The tripod has telescoping legs that come out another 2 inches or so...which are key for those shots I want to mount the camera rotated at 90 degrees (I extend just two of the legs so that the tripod doesn't tip over from the weight of the camera; curse Canon for that tripod mount off center of the camera!) I bought it from jpptechnologies with no problems; bought on Tuesday, shipped on Wednesday, received on Monday (NY to CA in 4 days).
I really wouldn't recommend using this tripod with anything other than the smallest and lightest of digital cameras! It is just so small a thing! Too small for me!Also, pulling out the leg extensions (on mine) is dreadfully difficult! Too tight! It is difficult for me to get good enough a grip on them with my fingertips!Conclusion:If you have a tiny lightweight camera to use with this tiny tripod, it 'might' be acceptable to you.
I bought three of these sight unseen, on speculation.  While they are nice and small and relatively inexpensive they are also unbelievable cheaply made.  One of the units had a leg snap off the very first time I tried to twist/deploy the leg, seconds after pulling it from the package.  The "axel" around which the leg pivots is only a tapered screw (like a wood screw) screwed from the opposite side and into the plastic of leg.  Thankfully the price was too inexpensive to really bother returning it.  Ya gets what ya pay for.
I think some people are hoping to get all the advantages of a big tripod in this little one and are disappointed when they get it.  Basically, think of it as a less heavy more functional beanbag for camera.  If you are just looking for that much more stability then this is easily a good tripod for you, otherwise get a bigger one.This is great for the traveler who wants to set up the camera and take a pic with them in it on a timer, or to catch a nice night scene, etc. Once again, if you think of it as a fancier and much more portable beanbag for your cam, then you'll likely be very satisfied.
Works great and is lighter then the spider. If you want more versatility get the gorilla tripod.
This is not a replacement for the full size, multi-function tripod.  It is a handy tool for the compact cameras to add stability.  I position this miniature tripod against a wall, furniture or any hard object to help stabilize the camera during photo shooting in low light conditions without the flash.  The tripod is small, light to carry in a shirt pocket and flexible to adjust for different angles.  The legs can be extended 1.25 inches longer by pulling on the rubber feet and sliding out the extension tubes.Now the digital cameras are becoming increasingly smaller in physical sizes.  Another useful application of this mini tripod is to serve as a "handle" for the cameras.
I mistakenly ordered this because I thought I could extend the length of the legs. This tripod is a loser, any camera with a little weight to it makes it top-heavy and it falls over. If you're going to buy a mini tripod make sure the legs extend to a full foot in length. I have one of those and thats what I had meant to buy for my second camera setup. I made a $10 mistake.
This is a great SMALL and flexible tripod. I know it looks way too inexpensive to be worthwhile, but it is great! I purchased it for my Sony DSCW50 / DSC-W50.
Extremely compact and easy to use, but may need something to stand on. This tripod is amazingly small, but probably won't work for every occasion. It is too short to stand by itself to be a real tripod, but if you can find an extra stand, such as a table or a tree post, then it works really good.
This item is very small.  I coudn't believe how small it was when it came in the mail.  Be careful when mounting an SLR camera, tends to tip over if not careful.  Will work fine for point and shoot cameras.  Still not sure where the "Extendable" wording came from
First of all, this tripod has the feel and look of a cheaply made, imported item - that's why I give it 3 stars.  I realize you get what you pay for - but hey, it's still cheap product.The legs do not extend - but they seem sturdy and firmly stay in place when unfolded.  There is one tightening screw that controls the amount of pivoting and adjustment you can make.  The tripod takes up a relatively small amount of space when folded up - roughly 1 3/4" at is widest point by 4 1/2".Warning! Don't be foolish and attach anything bigger than a compact camera, or a camera that was designed for travel (I experimented).  The reason is the tripod's footprint is too small - if you put a camera w/ a detachable lens or a camcorder atop this pipsqueak the center of gravity will be too high and it will tip over easily - there goes your big $$ investment, all because of a $7 tripod.
I really like it, it's good for taking group pictures on the go.  The only thing I didn't like is the lack of colour choice.  The black and gold make it almost understated and neutral, but i'd like one to match my pink elixim.
This tripod is really tiny.  It is only meant to used as a table top tripod.  It meets my expectations and fulfills its purpose.  It holds my rather large camera steady.  I'd buy again.
I bought this tripod on a whim after reading a review about the tripod holding a big canon camera. I got it last week and it is truly a very small tripod that holds BIG cameras!I have a Panasonic FZ10, which is no pocket camera and it holds it steady with no problem!You must do a little balancing with the part that holds the camera to get it straight, but that takes 20 secs!I was actually surprised how small it is! And you can fold 2 legs to have all legs straight to store it.It does not come with a carrying case, but it will definitely will fit in a camera bag.Very cute, definitely I highly recommend it for the traveler and whoever wants a very tiny little tripod!!
This little Tripod is awesome!  From the picture I saw when ordering it, I was not sure if it was going to work for me.  When I opened the package I literally laughed I was so excited.It measures about 3 1/4" when sitting up on its own, and about 4" when folded up.  It totally fits in my little camera case.It is very light weight, but feels sturdy.  You can swivel the camera up or down and it locks in tight to hold it still.It will go everywhere my camera goes!
This thing is a must have for people like me who shoot on the go and love to take shots from all angles. Not to mention it will fit anywhere.
The AMBICO Mini Tripod is small enough to tuck into your pocket if you want to travel light.  It easily supported my Canon XTi while getting macro shots on the forest floor without tipping over. A long zoom lens on the camera might topple the tripod over, but my shorter zoom lens worked fine. It sure beats setting my camera down in the dirt. Very convenient item to have for the price.
This tripod does exactly what I wanted a tripod to do: It holds my camera in position so that I can set the timer and finally be in the photos.  At last!  Now there will be proof that I (the shutterbug) was on the vacation also!  It is small and flat, and fits into the zippered pocket inside the top of my camera bag.It holds a Kodak DX6490 digital camera with no problems, and it is quick and easy to set up.
For the price it's ok. It does the job but I had to tweak the legs a little to get them to stay open properly and now I don't move them so they stay where I want them. The price is good but for not much more money you probably can get a better tripod.
I like this tripod... it is very small and can hold my small digital camera just fine...  well worth the money to get your own pictures..
This was just what I needed.  I was a little worried as this keeper was the most inexpensive one; but it turns out to be terrific.  It is well constructed and works great on my 72mm (filter size) lens.
This is a must for me. I al always putting things down and then forgetting about them. I have had this on my cap for my Nikon D3100 for a couple of months. The adhesive is still sticing to the cap with no problem. I looped the leash around my camera strap so that I can accommodate different lenses with a little extra length. I would recommend this product to anyone. It is such an inexpensive accessory to a very expensive toy, what do you have to lose?
I was impressed with the first one I had so I bought another one.  This one didn't quite stick together but I would say it must have been a bad one.  I would still recommend the product.  It looks nice and works well.
This is a cheap and simple way to keep track of your lens cap.You wrap it around the barrel of your lens, then stick it to your lens cap.Simple.I got two of these cap keepers in my package lol. Which is an added plus.Definitely worth the ~2$.The build quality could be better, but for the price ... you can't go wrong.It does it's job.
Works great for the lens cap on my SLR camera.  I was forever dropping my lens cap until I purchased the Cap Keeper.
I've kept a Sima Capkeeper 2 on each of my lenses for the past 6 years.  Buy a lens...buy a Capkeeper 2 with it.  Never had a failure until now.  A  couple of weeks ago I stuck a Capkeeper 2 on a new lens cap, used it lightly and, regardless of the lack of abuse, the black plastic around the adhesive separated from the adhesive.  It was a bit of a pain removing the adhesive and then cleaning the residue from the lens cap (took about 5 minutes).
Am just replacing a couple of these I've had since 2004.  Never had a problem with them sticking well; after all these years, the elastic lost it's elasticity!
The cap fell to the ground after 3 times using this cap keeper. I wouldn't recommend buying it unless you pull the sticker off and glue it to your camera's cap using a proven adhesive.
I have one for my 18-55mm and one for my my 55-300mm. They've only been on a few weeks, but so far they're working as I would expect it to!EDIT: A little over a month after I wrote this review one of them completely fell apart. Yeah, I only paid $2, but even for $2 I expect a product to last more than a few weeks. I'm going to see about returning it.UPDATE: Amazon credited me the $1.99 I paid so I could just purchase a new one as a replacement. I just ordered the replacement and another one as well for my new lens...we'll see how these go!EDIT: And yet another one fell apart. The string detached from the band that goes around the lens. Going to request a credit to replace that one as well. They may be only two dollars but I still expect it to work for more than a month.
Don't you hate losing your lens cap? This has been a fabulous little gadget. It occasionally gets in my way but no biggie. I still appreciate it.
Pretty simple item so there's not much to comment on.  Good price and it does the job well.  Using it on my Canon PowerShot SX10IS.  Had it on there since May and no problems.
This is an ingenious addition to your camera.You don't have to constantly keep track of your cap - it's hanging right there :)The keeper is sold in the Ritz stores for $2, but it was easier for me to buy and get delivered online than drive around looking for one.The product is decent
I recently purchased a Canon Powershot SX20IS through Amazon.  The lens cap fits securely on the lens barrel but there is no tether, only a clip inside to attach the cap onto the neck strap, which I don't use.  When I saw this item and the reviews were very positive, I decided to buy it.  This is THE tether that all super zoom and DSLR cameras should include.  The elastic band fits snugly around the lens barrel and the sticky button fits onto the lens cap securely.  The tether may be one to two inches on the long side, but better long than too short.
Short and sweet:  I bought this item January, 2011 for my Nikon D90.  The adhesive still sticks to the lens cap. Something functional for $1.99! I'm purchasing another one for a new lens.
It stops the lost cap syndrome. And I like the cord. It allows you to use the cover on different lenses.
I ordered 4 of these and the elastic  broke on two of the four. I don't trust the two that broke. I would return them but it's not worth the hastle.
The capkeeper works perfectly on the Canon Rebel EOS T3I. The strap that secures the cap to the camera lens is very small and does not interfere with using the lens. It works perfectly on my 18 to 55 mm zoom lens, nestled right at the base of the lens. On my 55 to 250 mm zoom lens, I need to place the elastic strap midway up the lens, however, that has not been a problem. Ideally, it would be great if the cord was about 1 and a half inches longer. The foam attachment disk fits snugly on your lens cap. If it fell off, a dot of super glue would quickly resolve the problem. Good solution to eliminating lost lens caps.
Took longer to open the package than to attach to the lens cap & camera.  Works perfectly to keep my lens out of the way.  Fast shipping.
I have had mine for couple of months, and works great.  Using it with a nikon 55mm and 200mm lens.  I have hooked it to the camera so when I change lens I can just put it on the other lens.
What a great idea, unless you are going somewhere hot, like Africa. Once you get somewhere where there is heat, the adhesive softens and the product fails. I bought this to use on lense caps while on safari in Africa and only by extreme luck, I didn't lose my lense cap. I realized the string was dangling where my lense cap should have been and stood up in the safari landcruiser and my lense cap just happened to still be sitting on the top of the vehicle. Would I purchase these again, probably not!
this was a present for good friend  who kept losing her lens cap.  She has not lost it since, great idea.
Love these capkeeper things.  This company (A&R) is a great company.  The items came quick.  They didn't charge me shipping.  Perfect packaging and like it stated, the items were brand new.  Not used. I have one of these capkeepers for each cap for every lens I have.  I got one at first but I have different size lenses and even sharing between the couple same size lenses got annoying.  Got one for each now.  Yay.  So much easier.  Don't lose my caps and it's one less thing to be concerned about since I carry so much other stuff when taking pictures.
I put this on my 55-200 zoom.  It fits on the barrel pretty far back and still has enough string left to easily reach the cover.  The elastic is thin enough I don't notice it when zooming.  Because it can go back so far it doesn't interfere with focusing.  Highly recommend this.
The cap keeper sticks on the lens cap and the retaining strap goes around the lens barrel. With the elastic going around the barrel, I don't have to attach and detach the cap keeper every time I change lenses. I've used these for years. Every lens that I own has one. It beats fumbling with the cap trying to make sure that it goes into a pocket. If you're looking at a quick photo opportunity, you just pop off the lens cap and shoot. The cap dangles out of the way until you're ready to put it back on.
It attaches my lens cap on my lens body!! It is black! The sticky bit is sticky and the rest isn't!!  It has a string!Really, it works fine and costs very little. No more wondering where I left that cap.
This is the same capkeeper I have used for years and still works as expected. It keeps me from losing the lens cap especially when I am in a hurry to compose a shot.
Great price (I paid two dollars) for a lense cap leash.  Still holding strong after a few months of use - and occasional tugs from a toddler.  Couldn't ask for more!
This is a black string with a piece of elastic that's crimped into a circle tied to one end and attached to a little piece of round plastic with some mounting tape. $1.99? it should have been .01 (with 2.99 shipping). The tape came off after a day. And now it's sitting on my windowsill and sliding towards the trash bin. Even when I had it on the camera lens, it would clink and clank and get in the way. I'm just gonna put the lens cap in my pocket. I suggest you do the same with you $1.99.
Gosh darn but these things are cheap.  Unlike other reviewers, I had no problem getting it to stick on my lens cap.  I cleaned the cap with alcohol prior to sticking it on, maybe that did it.My problem is that they fall apart too easily.  I'm gentle with my camera, simply unsnap the cap & let it dangle.  One fell apart the first week I used it - the lanyard came off of the elastic strap.  I tied it back on.  Another one broke within three months of purchase - I tied that one back on, too.  Recently, about a year after purchase, one of the ones that I tied back together broke a *second* time.I really don't like trying to clean dust out of the cap when it gets dropped in the dirt.  I give up.  Tossing them all out & finding a different solution.
Works well for me.  I like the elastic over the small fixed loop for two reasons, the elastic allows you to attach it to the lens itself (needed for a long lens) and if I want to completely remove it, it comes off with a quick tug (no fiddling with "untying" it).  You can also attach it to the strap or eyelet of the camera's body (loop through method).  If you have a zoom lens you need to think about where you will put the elastic band because it may interfere with the barrel movement or if you cap your lens when the lens is "long", the tether may come up short.  The metal crimp that holds the elastic band to the tether may potentially scratch the finish of your lens, so you need to be careful there.  I covered mine with a small piece of heatshrink tubing.
Delivery was quick---to those that never used one of these before, try this inexpensive deal to keep from losing a lens cap--myself, I knew what I was buying from a purchase for my Canon Rebel many years ago. As another purchaser had commented, thread it through the camera strap.
Hunted all over for these after losing my lens cover. These are perfect, inexpensive and simple to use.
I bought a new camera and the lens cap--with no attachment-- was destined to be lost.  I found these sweet little "attachments"  and now I don't have to keep up with the lens cap!  Nice find.
I was excited to receive this item as I have lost two lens caps in the past.  As soon as I took it out of the package I immediately attached it following the instructions to the letter.  There is no problem with the sticky part staying put on the lens cap.  The problem is with the little string that is attached to the elastic band.  The second time I removed the lens cap from the camera, the little string disconnected from the elastic.  So now I have a little string hanging from the lens cap that isn't attached to anything.  This is a cheap piece of junk!  Don't buy it!
Have these on both of our cameras.  Nice to remove and let drop while you catch those special shots.  No need to wonder where you put your cap.
I call this a "yes" product because my answer to the question, "should I get this" will always be a yes!  I was always losing the cap & worried about where I put it, but no longer because it can not go anywhere now.  The sticky pads have adhered to satisfaction & I sense no loosening of the adhesive; it seems pretty permanent.  I think I only paid $2 and got free shipping.  Hence, I cannot see any possible scenario in which you will not be happy with this product.  oK, maybe if you change lenses often, this might be inconvenient since the elastic straps around the base of the lens.  I, however, don't switch out frequently & am unbothered by this feature.  Like I said, it was only $2-4 so I might get another one for a different lens once I am lucky enough to have expanded beyond the kit lens.
so far it works great, I've had it about a week.  I used alcohol to clean my lens cap, before applying the sticker, and it's holding up fine.
The elastic broke after a gentle stretch when I was installing it. I consider myself by no means a muscle guy, so it was either that my one-month workout turned me into Captain America or simply poor quality.
I got a new camera with 2 lenses so I had to get a tether for each.  This one had good reviews and a very good price.  It works very well and the elastic band works OK with small lenses (Micro Four Thirds).I have one minor issue.  I had to use a knife to open the plastic blister.  There ought to be a better way.
I bought two of these cap keepers after always having to put my lens caps in my pockets.  I have two lenses: a Canon 18-55mm and a Canon 70-300mm.  Obviously, the 70-300mm is a lot longer and larger than the 18-55mm.The idea of this product is simple and great.  But for some reason the capkeeper on the bigger zoom broke.  It probably got stretched a little too much, but I am not very happy with the poor quality of it.  It probably could have been made out of a better material, or put together better.  The capkeeper on the smaller zoom has stayed on the whole time and not broken.  I have tried numerous times to retie the one on the bigger zoom, but it keeps coming off, so I just put it in my pocket like I did before.I gave this product 3/5 stars because the other one is still in one piece and seems pretty sturdy.  Not very happy with this product, but it helps a lot.  Buy at your own risk...
I've bought this several times and what can I say.  It works, so you really can't complain because it doesn't cost alot for this and I would recommend having a backup or two in case the adhesive gives out.  This also depends on the size of the lens cap you're placing it on so within reason, 58mm or less works great. I had them stick on for quite sometime and if it does gets loose, use a small strip of gaffer or electric tape.  Sticks right back on.  I did however tested it on larger filter sizes such as 72mm and I could say that they won't stick on very long.  It stuck on for at least several months and gave out.
I don't have this product.  The solution I came up with is to put velcro (I used industrial strength) on the exterior side of the lens cap, and on the bottom of the camera (use the soft velcro on whichever of those will be touching something in your camera bag that the hard velcro will stick to).  I haven't used the camera much since, but it seems good so far.
Simple to use. Watch for windy conditions, it'll send the cap flying all over.
First--yes, I am sure I could have found this cheaper locally, but I am a new mom who likes to shop online because hauling a baby around to a handful of stores to find something like this is a pain. I'd rather pay the extra and have it show up on my doorstep in two days. :)Second--I definitely needed to get this "leash" because I was forever losing (misplacing) the lens cap of my newCanon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black). In a matter of the first two days of use, I probably misplaced the cap eight times and spent what felt like forever looking for it.But...third--it is not perfect. I wish there was a way to make it shorter so I didn't have to hold on to it (or rig it in such a way) so that when I am taking pictures from above (say, of my baby on the floor), the cap doesn't swing into view. Maybe an retractable leash? (Heck, maybe there is something like that already on the market--I'm off to look!)Overall, however, a great product that I'm glad I bought.
My Nikon D3100 lens cap doesn't really have an area big enough for the "sticky" tab to fit on this and still look professional (looks like a giant sticker covering my Nikon logo); so that's why the 3 stars, other than that seems to do fine for now. I'd prefer to be able to stash the lens cap somewhere that's more out of the way other than dangling from the camera personally... So I'm still looking for a better solution.
This isn't a high-tech device, so there's not much to say about it - it has one job and it does it well.
The Sima lens cap keepers are the only ones that I have found that are worth buying. There are a couple of other brands that are usually cheaper but I have had bad luck with all of them. These actually work and they aren't all that much more expensive than the really cheap ones. Use the Sima brand.
My SLR camera came with a removable lense cap but no cord or holder attached to it (kinda hard to believe, isn't it?).  So, to be proactive, I knew I needed a solution before I lost the cap.  This easy to use, inexpensive, light weight little thing is perfect.  You stick one end to your lense cap and the attaches to your camera and never again will you worry about your cap.  Perfect solution!
Have had these on 3 lens caps for several months. So far, I have had no problem with them.  The elastic ring fits well around all of my lenses and the adhesive has stayed on even in extreme heat.  The only down side I can see is that it leaves the lens cap swinging and I have yet to figure a way to keep it secured out of the way.  BUT, I have not misplaced one since attaching these.
This is pretty much a no-brainer - if you don't have your cap somehow attached to the camera it's going to get lost in a pretty short period of time.  This slips on the lens with a piece of elastic to prevent it from being lost and is cheaper than the cost of replacing the lens cap.  Effective and inexpensive.
Needed something for a Canon SX20 and it fit the bill perfectly.  Easy to use and priced well.
So simple, but very handy.  I'm terrible about sticking my lens cap in a pocket or setting it down somewhere and forgetting where I put it.  This product has saved me lots of time searching for my lens cap.The adhesive on the sticker is not very strong, so it won't hold up to a lot of pulling, but the up side to that is that it doesn't leave a lot of nasty residue when it comes off.
As others have mentioned, it would be nice if this had a slightly longer string to work better for longer zoom lenses, but I just attach mine close to the focus ring. One annoyance is that I have found I need to remove the lens cap to attach or detach the lens hood, but that's a minor gripe at best. Definitely use a C-clamp to attach the sticky-back to the lens cap. You will not regret doing so, and it will last much longer. Also clean the lens cap with alcohol prep pad and allow to dry fully before sticking it on.
Have used these since my film days and love them. sure beats losing the lens cap. Sometimes the glue lets go and needs to be redone, but hey, there cheap. Buying a new set now to have sa spares. Some of mine are over 10 years old and still going strong.
I am always lossing my lens caps. So this is just perfect
Bought this for my Nikon D80 28-135mm lens.  It's a piece of thin cord with elastic on one end and a piece of round foam tape on the other with the Sima logo to stick to your lens cap.  I first tried putting the elastic around my lens (as in the picture), but it kept getting in the way when I zoomed in and out.  So I looped the elastic through my neck strap.  The down side to this approach is not having a lens cap when I change lenses, which wasn't an issue until recently, since I only had the one lens.  While the cord/leash could be a little longer, it works just fine.  I've taken my lens cap off and on numerous times, but it has not come off.Update on June 3, 2009:  After two years of use, it's still as good as new.  The cap has never fallen off, and the adhesive shows no sign of wearing off.
I've been using these capkeepers for a few years now and love them. Whenever I buy a new lens, I add a capkeeper to go with it. The strap (an elastic circle) wraps around the lens and the tip (which has a sticky side) connects to the lens cap. When you take the lens off, just let it hang until you need it again -- no more losing caps!With that said, there are a few problems: The sticky piece can come off - this isn't too common, but expect to change it after a year or two. The elastic piece can also get caught on stuff and break off. Finally, the elastic strap that wraps around the lens can sometimes be a little odd (it can sometimes interfere with switches on the lens). Neither is too big of an issue, especially since the breaking problems with the strap are very rare and it's such an inexpensive tool. I suggest picking up a few of them - some for now, some for future lenses or if one breaks.
Good idea, but did not hold up for very long. The part stuck to the lens cap came off, which renders it useless.
It worked great for my Nikon lens cap but after 8 months of typical use the adhesive debonded from cap while cap was off.  I fortunately found lenscap in my camera case.  Am trying to salvage by gluing it on even mechanically fastening the tether onto cap.  The other loop end is working fine. Needs stronger adhesive to fit Nikon textured lens cap.
Just what I expected.  I previously tried a cheaper brand and they were not as good.  Thank you very much.
I just purchased the Sima Capkeeper 2 and put it on my canon kit lens 28-135. Works great and seems to be sticking pretty securely and although the string is a bit short, it's doable for this particular lens. I'm not so sure it would be long enough for a larger zoom without interfering.
I knew this Capkeeper would make life a lil' bit easier, but I didn't realize how much it would. I remember, before, when I would remove the cap, then have to find a pocket to stick it in, hope that it didn't fall out of the pocket while I did acrobatics to secure a proper shot, then scramble to replace the top to the lens when finished.Not sure if this particular brand is better than others of the same product, but I know this particular item is essential to easing the "pain" of shooting.
This was an excellent product until the shoddy string that connects to the elastic band broke. I've tried reconnecting them, but it keeps coming loose. Too bad.
Very simple: you get what you pay for.  Well, not always, but you sure don't EVER get more than you pay for. You can find cheaper ones and that is what they are.I would advise to pony-up and get this one to start with.  It is the one you will most likely end up with. Also, I found a little trick to make a good product work a little bit better...after you peel the tape, attach it where you want it, etc... instead of squeezing it tightly between your fingers and opposable thumbs (you have those, right?) it's so much easier to grab a very small C-clamp or similar item from your junque drawer and use that to apply just a little bit O' pressure until you're ready to use it.Enjoy!Slomo
I love having this Capkeeper for my camera.  Now I don't have to worry about setting the cap down somewhere or it falling out of my pocket.
I am pleased how quickly the capkeeper arrived. I just placed my order a few days ago, and it is already here.The capkeeper is just as promised. However, I do see a flaw in the design - the string attached is much shorter than I thought it would be.Also, I thought that 2 capkeepers were included, but I was wrong. I think that the title is a little misleading. You only get 1 for this price.*****UPDATE*****  Since writing this review I have decided to no longer use capkeepers.  Once the temperature rose above 70F, the adhesive consistantly moved around.  Eventually it fell off.  It's not worth the hassle.
I have one of these for each lens I own, and I've never lost a lens cap. This is the first thing I buy when I get a new lens.
This capkeeper is just like all the other capkeepers, they all work - I've been using them since film cameras!  Just don't be fooled into thinking the &#34;2&#34; in the name means you get 2 capkeepers - guess I need to pay closer attention.
The string is very short, and I don't think the connector will last long. It also makes the cap hit the lens quite a lot due to its shortness.
I was concerned about how well this could stick to the cap of my DSLR since the cap has raised lettering on it. I figured that there's no way the little sticky disk could make good contact since it's not a flat surface, but I was wrong! The little foam sticky disk is thick enough that you can get it to stick around raised lettering on the lens cap! It's just so convenient to have one of these things, I don't know why camera companies don't just include one with their kit lenses.
The capkeeper does what is supposed to do. I would have give it fivestars if it were customizable for both SLR lenses and ZDSLRs bodies.
These work well to prevent the loss of your lens cap. They're easy to attach to the lens cap via an adhesive pad, and in my experience they stay attached. Also easy to attach to the camera with an elastic loop, which makes it easy to completely remove the cap and tether when you don't want them in your way. Worth the price.
This necessary accessory arrived on time and in good condition.  It was easy to mount on the Canon EFS 18-55 IS and EFS 55-250 IS II lenses I have.  The adhesive on the tab seems solid when installed.  I had to work with the one on the telephoto lens to find the right location for the elastic ring because my first placement didn't allow the lens to fully extend.  After a little experimentation I found a spot that doesn't interfere with the lens operation or my fingers.  I highly recommend a product like this because lens caps seem to have the ability to crawl under things when they are put down.
Excellent for my Canon DSLR. The ones that came with the camera actually broke so I had to buy these to replace. So far so good.
It's just a cheap little $2 product, but very handy for an SLR camera. Lens caps are a pain to deal with, it's so much easier to have it attached to the camera and let it dangle down, instead of having to put it on your pocket or set it down nearby, probably to be forgotten about and lost forever. This also makes it much easier to remember to put the cap back on once you are done shooting. The sticky on this guy seems to be pretty good, I feel confident that it will hold long enough to get a useful life out of the product. The elastic bit that goes around the lens seems to be good quality as well, and is likely not to stretch and come loose over time.
Product lasted 3 weeks. Very cheap build. Strap broke WAY too easily. Looking for a better product. I would not recommend that anyone purchase this.
This lens keeper is really great.  I have taken over 2000 pictures since I bought it and it is still holding on well.  I have to get another one because it spoiled me so much!!  I can remove the lens cap and just let it hang, so on my second lens I have just dropped the lens cap so many times not realizing it's not attached!  I'm afraid I will loose it!
Don't Be Crazy! I just bought this EXACT same item today for $2.69 at my local camera store!
The band is a little too thick on this cap saver.  I have bought others in the past and the bnad was thin enough to wrap around the end of the lense in the groove on the end.  This strap is much thicker and you can't do that.  I had to wrap the strap around the grip of the lense.  It works but not what I was used to using.
I ordered 3 of the Sima cap keepers since I have used them in the past and they were good quality.  What i was sent was not the Sima cap keepers but a no brand knock off.  Hopefully they will work ok and not break right away.  I throughly despise companies who use these bait and switch tactics.
I have bought another one of these since receiving the first one.  I feel confident that I will never lose the lens cap.  Attached it to a 72MM lens cap and it holds it on well.  I have attached the elastic part on the barrel of my 18-200 lens and after 2 weeks of shooting and walking around Paris, I found this worked quite well in keeping the lens cap with the camera.  I'll buy another when I get a different size lens cap.Only gave it 4 stars since I think it is still a little pricey around $4.  It is just an elastic with a plastic piece with double sided tape. I would buy it again anyway if I needed to.
Ordered 2 of these to go on my Canon lenses. They have worked just as I had hoped they would, but I don't think they are a permanent item. I've had them on my lenses for the last 3 months and they are holding up great and look good too!
This product works great with my stock nikon d40 kit lens. The sticky bits stick well, and althought the chord looks a bit short, it fits the 18-55 lens really well. I used a small c clamp to apply pressure to the sticky bit on the lens cap. So far so good! Two thumbs up!
I've owned three of these guys for about a month now.  They are easy to attach and they seem to stick quite well to the lens caps.  As someone else mentioned, if you're worried they won't, you can always add some adhesive of your own.  It can sometimes be a little hard to find an appropriate spot to attach the strap to the lens, especially for short lenses like the Canon 50mm f/1.8 , but it's only really a problem when you change lenses (the strap falls off the end of the lens), and even then the strap is really easy to put back on.
All of my lenses have one of these little keepers on them.  It's simply a must-have to keep the caps out of trouble.  I've lost a cap or two without a keep and these hold up under tough conditions.
This is a great product to keep your lens cap where you can find it. I use it on a Nikon D90 with 18-108mm lens. The elasitc strap fits nicely around the lens barrel. The attached string provides enough length to easily fit the cap on the lens. The stickey pad holds solid on the cap.The only issue is the medal clasp that connects the string to the elastic strap. It sticks up and gets in the way.  To solve this issue, I taped the clasp flat against the elastic strap and positioned it on the side of the lens that I don't touch while zooming. I haven't noticed the clasp since I did this.I would recommend this product.
This is exactly what I wanted. It's stuck just fine to my cap, the leash works well and leaves me enough length from strap to cap. I attached it to the strap as others had noted so it wouldn't be on my lens body. It's nice to pop the cap off and not have to worry about holding it or losing it.
I used this for a Nikon D3100 DSLR.  Very easy to attach.  Cord is long enough to use on a telephoto lens,
It is just okey. will work for some time but the glue start coming off very soon as you take the camera to different atmospheric conditions. Not very stable.
I forget my lens cap everywhere. This eliminates that problem by keeping the lens cap on the lens. The leash has to be stuck onto the cap using thick double-sided foam tape. Every lens comes with a new cap so that doesn't matter to me.
What more can I say? It has a simple mission to fulfill and does it well :-)
Not a good value since the gummy part that holds the keeper to the cap is only good for about three weeks.  If you own a Nikon you know this won't work since the lens caps for this camera can behave like they belong in a space program.  If you do not get them right on the camera they can pop off and launch themselves into the stratosphere.  I almost took out a friends eye with one of the lens caps.  Please NIkon  put a little hole someplace on the lens so we can attach our leashes.
It's hard to review this product for several reasons. First and foremost I am using it on a very old camcorder so it is difficult to say whether it is doing what you hope. I assume it's working but it's hard to tell as the video looks about the same. It is also quite expensive.In any case I needed to do something as I am trying to digitize old video footage. The downside is that the tape is so long I will never even come close to using it all.
did an ok job of cleaning cameraNo issues just didn't fix issue I was havingI would say buy for a basic cleaning tool
The tape arrived earlier than expected and within a few seconds the heads were clean and I was able to view precious memories!!
Fantastic! It really works great. I use it often to preclean the video heads in my camcorder before I load another fresh cassette. Now I get better and sharper video clips and better pictures too.. However, use caution and don't use it too frequently or you may damage the video heads in your camcorder. It's a great product! I always carry one in my video bag along with my fresh video cassettes so I have it whenever the need arises.
The product was as advertised and was sent promptly.What else can I say, It is a head cleaner and it worked.
I do UFO/Paranormal investigations and Sony Night Shots are the best 8mm video cameras that due the trick. The problem is, the newer models suck. So do what I do, go to your local pawn shop and buy the older ones. Best if you buy ones pre 2000, better if you buy pre 1998. But.... you have to buy one of these puppies to keep the camera functioning properly. Note: Do not over use, or you'll ruin the video head of the camera. To see my investigations, go to my ufonut website.
Don't buy this. If your picture is fuzzy, take it to a repair shop or buy a new camera. This didn't help clear up our camera's picture at all.
Manufacturer's cleaning cassette in original wrapper.  Worked great on my Sony DCR-TRV460 as I digitize my collection to computer storage.  Would buy again from this company if the need arises.
It seems to do the job pretty wel,the price was little to high for a head cleaner
I could not find this item at local stores, because the technology is so old. I'm trying to play back a bunch of HIgh 8 tapes into my computer, but the old tapes clogged the heads. I needed this head cleaner.  The product arrived very quickly.  I think the price is a bit high, but since it is &#34;obsolete&#34; technology I'm wiling to pay, because I needed this.
V825CLDPut it in it cleans it up :)My problem ended up being a loose wire. Glad I chose to open up the camera rather than toss it. Minimum labor cost more than the value of the camera. :(It works like new now.Amazon was great, good price, quick shipping. Got it for less than it was selling for on Ebay too...
I hadn't used my Sony camcorder for over a year and wanted to view some cassettes from a trip. The playbacks of these videos were horrible..broken speech and very unclear images. The camcorder had been kept in a case, so I couldn't figure out how the heads might have gotten dirty, but they had. I ordered this head cleaner, followed the instructions and ran the cleaner for the recommended length of time and voila..camcorder was good as new!
By virtue of transferring V8 tape to DV, I became aware of the image quality before and after head cleaning.  After cleaning, the video was considerably better, clearer and with better color quality even though the tapes were 15 years old.  Cleaning the tape heads was extremely easy and well worth the very reasonable price.  Buy one and use it.  You'll like the results.
This tape worked as advertised. Very simple to use. Since this is for an end of life product the cost is very inflated. Very few left on the market.
This one little tape saved my bacon from having to buy a replacement camera.  It worked great and I am in the process of transferring my old family tapes onto DVD's.  I guess sometimes these tapes work and sometimes they don't, but in my case it worked.  The tape was delivered as advertised and on time.
I'm not sure what the deal with this is, but it doesn't seem to clean-it just seems like a regular cassette.  I kept trying to play it like the instructions said and it wouldn't work.
A signal in my Sony camcorder said the head needed to be cleaned. So I used this head cleaner and the warning went away. It should work as it's a Sony head cleaner.
When you have several cameras, because you need several, it pays to have the same attactment connections on each, rather than changing on the job when time could be critical.
I have an older Sony camcorder that has a snowy picture issue. I figured I tried this first before looking to get it repaired, however, this head cleaner didn't help.  Don't know if it's the head cleaner itself or the camcorder needs professional service.
Did not resolve the issues i am having. Would not purchase again
Item arrived in a timely manner and in excellent condition.  I am pleased as punch.
These are getting harder to find, Sony makes the best 8mm head cleaner and this was a good deal, got 2 of them
Looked all over for this cleaner. Couldn't find it. Thanks for finding it. It came so quick. And it works just right.
This product was exactly what our video camcorder needed.  It cleaned up nicely and our videos are playing better.  The product was delivered in a timely manner.  We do not have any complaints.Thank you.
You pop it in and press &#34;play&#34; on your camcorder. What else is there to say about it? It's a little cheaper than what the local Walmart wants for it.
I ordered this head cleaner for my video recorder.  I hadn't cleaned it in some time.  Have used it once already and works great as far as I can tell.
It was just what I needed and at a decent price.  Since Sony doesn't sell this model anymore I can only hope that these parts will still be around for awhile.
Delivered as described. Thought it was my cam cord it was having issues, none of the tapes were playing. Just gave it a 15 sec run. picture and sound perfect. Would definitely buy again.
I'm going to assume this product works.  I ordered it in hopes it would resolve whatever issue I was having with my camcorder... I mean, afterall I had some dusty 8 mm tapes I was capturing to the computer for editing and figured it got dirty/dusty inside the camera.  Turns out it was a misalignment of the tape-head and not a dirt that was the issue.
Stupid Spinning Head, Tape Based Video Cameras!They all rub a little oxide off the tape as they spin.  And before you know it, the recording head becomes clogged and no longer writes :-(.WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ???.I bought 2 of these cleaner cassettes a couple of years ago, and they have kept my Sony TR-120 running LONG past it's expected lifetime..Soon it'll be time for a new Video Camera.  I am NOT crazy about the current crop of DVD-R based cameras.  Hard-Drive based cameras are the current way to go - - BOTH are power hungry solutions..BUT  !!!.With the arrival of Solid-State drives (VERY little battery drain, high reliability, currently expensive, but coming down rapidly) it won't be long before it doesn't matter that these cleaning tapes aren't available any more..Merlin
Tough to find 8mm head cleaners and a reasonable price.  This had clear instructions, ran easily and did make a difference in the palyback wuality of an old Camcorder.
Has done a good job of keeping my old digital camera from Panasonic in tip top shape. Dust and dirt are bad.
Case was cracked when it arrived, and it did not work or solve the problem that I needed it for.  Disappointed.  Amazon was great about the return as usual.
Buying the Sony 8mm head cleaner was a complete waste of money.  It might have worked if it was like my other video head cleaners that include liquid solution along with an abrasive fabric tape to do the work.  The tape in the head cleaner appeared to be no different then a standard 8mm tape, and thus did absolutely nothing in cleaning my video camera heads.  I repeated the process several times, with no better results.  I would not buy this product again.
I'm not sure how thorough this is.  It did not make a huge difference in my machine.  I'll try another brand or type of cleaner.
I was having problems with old 8mm tapes clogging the heads of my Sony TRV460 Digital 8 camcorder.  Several years ago I bought the Best Buy head cleaning tape, and had to return it.  It would not clean the heads.  The tape would not even run in the camcorder.  Since then, I have been cleaning the heads with alcohol.  This works, but it takes up to two hours for the alcohol to dry.  In the mean time, tapes will not run because of the moisture.  I ordered the Sony head cleaning tape, and found that it works as expected.
This was a complete waste of my money. Made no difference to the picture, it's still unwatchable. Save your money.
call me old fashioned, but i still use my V8 (tape) video camera, and it needed a cleaning bad.  this product did the trick, and in about 1 minute old betsy was back up and running.
It works well, love it!! I have used this item more than once and it cleans and re-functions my cam.
I had an 8mm digital camcorder I thought was a goner.  It had refuesed to play any tapes until I bought this reidiculously overpriced cleaning cassette.  I have to say - it worked like a charm.  The camera had refused to play antyhing until I ran the cleaning cassette on it.  the other camcorder I have was not so lucky.  It still skips frames and appears to have more video head damage.  It wouldn't play the cleaner tape at all.  I guess I'll have ot wsend it in for repairs.
I was so happy to get this and get my older Sony camera working. I had someone coming from Tennessee to convert some old tapes. Still having problems from my camera but picture is clear when it works
Haven't used this product yet so I am hoping it fixes the issue with play back on my old camcorder.
I love this camera, it takes absolutely great pictures in rapid succession and with impressive quality.  The batteries last a long time. The pictures are easy to transfer to your computer with the adapter provided.  The flash recycles quickly, the camera is easy to focus, and shots can be reviewed & kept or discarded quickly.  It is all the camera you need if you do not want to make 8X10's, as the pictures are really sharp (SLR Quality) at sizes up to 4 X 6 & 5 X 7, but the quality starts to deteriorate at sizes larger than that, which is what more megapixels is all about.  If you want bigger pictures with the same high resolution, I'd suggest putting out the extra bucks to acquire a Sony DSC- F707 5 megapixel camera, or its competitor the Nikon 5000 CoolPix. Personally, I can do without 8 X 10's for the extra money it takes to move to that level of digital camera.
i've had about a dozen dcams, and this oneis the best very small unit. 3 meg, 3x zoom,movies w/ sound. big jump to sony accessories,but in this case worth it. cool features fordark shooting, and on-camera creativity. inemail mode, for example, it records two imagesautomatically, one small. and it copies.nowwe need larger sticks, and longer batteries
This camera was not met to be used in advance applications but simply general photography taking. Plus with its slim design it can travel when ever a interesting event sparks about in daily life. Just be sure to in recommendation to read a photography user guide book to have a introduction to iso, exposure, and timing of the shot. It will certainly help have create some future shots that are amazing.
I have had this camera for almost 2 years and have had no problems with it at all.  The battery lasts for over an hour and they are so tiny, I always carry a spare.  I have been looking for a newer camera and have noticed they are not made nearly as well.  The p5 is small and lightweight but feels solidly built and I like the glass protecting the lcd.  I have been very pleased with the photos it takes, even the nightshots.  My only complaint is that the movie mode does not do well in low-light conditions. The controls are easy to work, very user friendly, and the camera takes great pictures.
With the Sony CyberShot, you'll notice a strange thing - you'll take more pictures.  Even though I have a great Canon Elan 35mm, I end up using my CyberShot more frequently due to its size (it fits in my pocket) and because its digital (it holds more photos and you can erase your mistakes).  Whereas I once only took my 35mm on major trips or events, I end up taking my CyberShot everywhere with me.Operating the camera is intuitive including easy to navigate menus on the LCD screen.  When viewing pictures on the camera, you can zoom in and out to get a better sense of how they'll look.  The Sony has a great recovery rate as well - some cameras require a 7 sec wait between pictures as it stores the previous one.  The Sony has been under 3 secs for me most of the time.  Finally, you can use the included cables to plug your camera into a television to view your pictures through a slide show mode.One feature that I'm surprised I use so often is the ability to record short MPEG movies.  You'll be amazed how often you'll use this just to record a short greeting or capture a fun moment.  The quality isn't great, but it is good enough to share with friends via email.My only recommendation would be to go ahead and invest in a larger memory stick.  I have a 128 meg stick and it can store over one hundred pics plus a couple seconds of video.  You'll never have to worry about running out of memory.This is a great camera - one you'll use more often than you think.  You'll love the ease of use, the great picture quality, and some of the extra features you never thought you needed before you had them available.
The greatest thing about this camera is that it is a very high resolution digital, that takes stunning photos, and it actuall fits in the pocket of your jeans!Memory stick prices are dropping, and with a 128 MB memory stick, you can shoot away until your heart is content, and scrap what you don't like.GREAT picture quality, and the ultimate in portability
Here is the shutter specs right from sony:Maximum shutter speed: .001 secondsMinimum shutter speed: 2 secondsSo why are people complaining about the shutte speed? Isn't it something that you can adjust?
I was so surprised of the quality of this camera ! My daughter got this for Christmas and she fell in love with it.
I purchased this camera about a year and a half ago on eBay, I paid about $220 for it ($160 for the camera, and the rest was on the battery, charger and memory stick). It's a very nice design, with a large screen and a solid feel, and not at all too large. The picture quality was fantastic, I had no complaints. However, I had to give the camera up to my mother because the low-light pictures were AWFUL. The night I bought it, I took the camera to a minor-league wrestling show, and we compared the photos to my friend's four-year-old Olympus camera. The difference was striking- his photos came out much better, mine were either too dark, or terrifically blurry (those were in night mode). Again, if you are going to be taking photos in the light, for a party or outdoors in the daytime, you will love this camera. In the dark? Stay away!
This camera [...].  When it takes a picture, it has about a 2 second delay between when you press the shutter and the picture is actually taken.  This means that the camera is not at all useful to take pictures of our 2 year old son, because 2 seconds later he has already moved on to something else and the picture is a blur. We have lost more pictures because of this camera.Tonight when trying to take our Christmas picture, I would press the shutter but no picture was taken.  It was as if the camera could not figure out what it had to do.  Try again, same result.  Repeat, nothing.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, still nothing.  When I set the camera down, disgusted that it wasn't taking any pictures, then flash! - took a nice picture of the pavement.  Notice that I hadn't pressed the shutter for this picture.I am in the market for another digital camera and am likely not going to get a Sony.
I have been waiting to get a digital camera until they were more reasonably priced and offered better features. This camera is about the same size as a pocket 35mm camera is. It takes great pictures and video clips with sound. I really enjoy playing with it and trying new things to see how it works. The only downfall is the battery life which is usually about an hour. I brought it to the zoo with me and I got some really great closeups and all but I had to change the battery twice while I was there. The memory sticks are great and very compact and depending on the pixel setting they can hold a lot of photos. It is very easy to upload the pictures to your pc and import into one of my photo programs to touch them up and what not. I am in no way a professional photographer but this camera is great for my needs.
I love this camera!  I have owned my P5 for about 2 years now, and have had excellent results.  I have quite a bit of 35mm equipment as well, but haven't touched it since getting this camera.  I am quite a perfectionist when it comes to photo quality and have been very satisfied with the quality of images produced by this model.  It's very easy to carry around, and the 3.2 MP resolution is sufficient for most of my needs.  I would recommend this camera.The only negative I have noticed so far is with the automatic lens cover.  Sometimes it seems to stick, and not open all the way. I simply touch it, very gently, and it opens fully.  I may need to get it cleaned to keep it working smoothly. This happens very infrequently, so it's not a major issue, simply a periodic inconvenience.
This is a great camera.  I only wish I could have gotten it on clearance.  Now is your chance to purchase a very good digital camera at a decent price.  I think 3 megapixels is going to be the standard for awhile now and this is the best 3 megapixel camera I've seen.  It is small and easy to carry with you on trips.  It holds 45 pics on a 64 meg card with the setting on the highest quality.  It will even take black and white photos which is very cool when taking pics of ancient places which is what I use it for mostly.  I have gotten a lot of use out of this camera and I have no plans of upgrading to the latest and greatest (yet).  For now I'm happy with this one.
I looked at every digital camera imaginable. The Minolta Dimage 7 costs more and burns batteries like wildfire. The Nikon Coolpix 5000 costs more and doesn't have a good zoom and has several glitches and bugs. This camera has everything at a lower price and also takes pictures that are as good or better than all the other similar cameras.  It also has the battery and adapter included! The only thing missing is the use of cds to store the images on like the other Sony's have. You'd think that would've been included since this one takes larger photos...but this is still an unbeatable camera. It takes photos in quality comparable to the top of the line Nikon digital cameras (the professional models). You can't go wrong with this camera.
This is our first digital camera, and we absolutely love it.  It is easy to use, comfortable to hold (Although a wee bit bulky with the long lens), and takes AWESOME pictures.  Many people have commented on the quality of the pictures.  I highly recommend a HITI or equal printer using dye-scan technology for printing.  No other printers will come close, and these pictures look like a postcard!  SONY should provide at least a 64 MB memory, and I highly recommend getting two batteries and two 128MB sticks, and trust me you'll be all set to go!!  Good shooting!
I'm out shopping for a new camcorder and am leaning towards a Sony model. This brought to mind my Sony F707.**ON THE UP SIDE**I bought it in 2001 and paid a lot. I think with all the stuff I got with it, it came to about $1300. Best money I ever spent on an electronic device.First off - if you have this camera or are picking one up, drop $10 on an appropriately sized UV lens attachment. It doesn't really change your pictures, at all (it's a clear lens). What it does do, however, is protect your precious and expensive Zeiss lens underneath. Over the years, my UV lens - in place ALL THE TIME - has saved me from trashing the *REAL* lens multiple times. I've had to replace the UV lens twice - at a cost of 20 more dollars. That, my friends, is a bargain compared to the alternative. The fact that you can attach any number of aftermarket things to the lens (because it is standard sized) is just plain awesome.I got a 128MB stick with the camera. Sounds sort of laughable now, but I've operated that camera at the highest resolution for every picture from day ONE. No problem. It still fits 60 or so pictures. Have a laptop handy with a USB stick reader and you've got plenty of storage.I've taken this camera everywhere. From the Mayan ruins in Mexico to the top of the CN Tower in Toronto - the pictures I have taken as a rank amateur have impressed many people. Most recently, I used it at the Philadelphia Phillies World Series Victory Parade in Philly (DUH!). With the way the camera twists, I was easily able to hold it HIGH up over my head and still get exactly the shot I wanted. People see the pictures and think I was in the front row when, in fact, I was about 5 rows people deep into the crowd. The sea of red hats/shirts contrasted against the buildings in a mixed light environment (buildings/shadows/bright spots) looks awesome.There are LOTS of settings to play with if you want to experiment. Some of my coolest shots where nighttime long-exposure pictures of the illuminated Niagara Falls. And I pulled it off without a tripod on hand (hold camera VERY still...LOL).I take a lot of pictures of my kid's sports activities.  While there is a delay on the initial click-to-picture process, it doesn't take long to get used to.  In any event, I find the built-in "Burst-3" mode to be very useful for sports.  I've gotten more sweet shots that way - Bursting "around" the moment I want to photograph...outstanding.**ON THE DOWNSIDE**In 2004 or so, I suffered the very common "loose focus ring" problem. This was followed in 2005 by the [very related] "front part of camera falls off" problem and it "now rattles inside" problem (loose screws). It seems there are a few screws that hold that whole mess together on the inside that have a tendency to come loose. Fortunately, at the time, I found a forum on a website that included a posting of the nature of the problem and the steps (step-by-step screenshots/descriptions) to repair it without having to take it to Sony. It is very particular about how it comes apart and (of course) goes back together. If you have the "loose focus ring problem" - or the more advanced stage of that, the "lens falls off front of camera problem", let me know. I saved it and will send you the repair guide in .PDF format. thedunlapfamilyATcomcastDOTnet.EDIT:  At this time (April 2009), this repair guide to which I just referred is still on the Internet.  Find it here:  [...]BTW - I came to realize the common problem(s) described above are caused by the relatively "violent" spring action of the pop-up flash. Over the years after hundreds (thousands?) of "POP!"s from the flash, the screws in question get slowly rattled looser and looser.  Finally, they fall out, but stay contained within the camera.Once I performed that repair, though, everything was fine. I used Loctite on the screws so they'll never fall out again.The motion pictures (low quality video) it takes are, especially by 2008 standards, a complete joke - many (most?) cell phones take better video, now. But I found it handy from time to time. Most recently, I used it to have some woman tell me her contact information so I could send her the pictures I had taken. Far easier than writing it down, you know?  The sound, at least, is pretty impressive, considering.**IN THE END**My camera still works like a champ. I see no reason to upgrade until Sony (or somebody else) essentially re-releases the same camera with updated electronic guts. The physical camera, itself, is just about flawless.I'm the first to rip a product if it sucks, so I figured I'd take a moment to praise this item that has been worth every penny.**FINAL WORD**If you can pick up this camera used and in good condition (especially the Zeiss lens), do it. Get that UV lens/filter I told you about. If nothing else, give it to your teenage aspiring photographer. Let their imaginations run wild with all the cool settings - settings that STILL don't exist on 90% of the cameras being put out today. Enjoy.
If you are looking for a camera with all the extras without being hard to operate, this is your camera.  You have the option for manual control or fully auto.  It takes great pics and holds a charge for three hours after a full charge.  Picture quality is great and the Night Shot is good with an extra IR light to help distance.
I own a graphic design studio, and with DSC F707 we could finish almost all projects without using any other still camera.Picture quality, color quality, exposure measuring, and all other functions work very well. There are other some cool feauters like night vision and night shot, which also work great.This a great still camera that exceeds expectations.
I've read some of the excellent reviews of the Sony DSC F-707 and I must say that as a recent buyer of the 707...I agree.  This camera is easy to use and it takes awesome pictures.  As an amateur photographer, what more could you want in a camera?I extensively researched this purchase and found a great website for you to compare specs.  Check the forums out on this site and find out what owners of various cameras say about their purchases.  The Nikon Coolpix 5000 came out at the time of my purchase, but the 707 is totally superior in almost every area (according to reviews posted at the above site).  Don't worry about the white balance bug in early 707's, the new models have been fixed.  If you're comparing the Sony 707 to the Nikon Coolpix or Minolta Dimage you'll get plenty of side by side comparisons at the above site.OK...here's what I love about the Sony DSC F-707.  1) Memory Stick prices have come down and are now comparable to other brands of memory. 2) With 5.0 +/- megapixels YOU have the choice of how detailed you want the resolution.  I use lower resolutions for candid family shots and higher settings for my "Art-y" pictures. 3)Many professional photographers are stuck on the Nikon or Canon brand names and don't take the Sony seriously.  Believe it...Sony has rocked the world of digital photography with the F-707...it IS that good.  4)  Even my wife, who is seriously technically impaired, uses this camera many times a week.  5)  Say goodbye to the hassle of loading film...FOREVER.You've heard the pros, now here comes the cons.  1)You should buy an extra battery for long trips or at least remember to take your recharging cords with you.  2) The shape of this camera does take some getting used to, but it's not a problem with use.  3)  I agree with the reviewer who stated that the Zoom button feels backward...I'm still working on this.All in all...we love this camera.
In reading the other reviews, they've captured all the technical aspects of this camera. The pictures are very clear and if you've owned another digital camera, it's pretty easy to figure out how to use this one. The features almost seem to be limitless. I purchased this camera at Circuit City and got a GREAT price. Trust me, it's well worth the extra couple hundred dollars because you won't need to upgrade and you won't be disatisfied with the pictures. I owned a Cannon S110 and it took good pictures, but this doesn't even compare. I can't wait to hit Bermuda with this camera!!!To save yourself some hassel, make sure you use a reputable company. A lot of the on-line stores give you these unbelievable deals. Just remember if it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true. They have you call in to confirm the sale and won't sale you the product at the advertised price unless you purchase overpriced accessories.  Be careful, when I didn't get the accessories on one site (US1Digital.com), they told me they would send me an off market version of this camera with the instructions in Japanese. Be careful!!!!
This digital camera has the best features and resolution (...). I looked at the Olympus models, but the DSC-F707 has a better resolution than the E-10.(...) The lens is great, and it takes great pictures in low light situations.There is a problem with the white balance on some of these cameras, but I believe it has been fixed. If you find that you are having problems while taking low light pictures, with a flash, you can get a flash upgrade for the camera from Sony. You may have some trouble getting into customer support, but that is my only issue with Sony.Don't let that stop you from getting this camera. The quality is phenomenal. I am a photographer, and you can't find a better camera for the price. The quality rivals an SLR film camera. I can get a 6.4" by 8.5" picture at 300 DPI picture out of the DSC-F707. For Graphic Designers, that is not quite magazine quality, but it's getting close. This camera can be used for a lot of professional work, and I am looking forward to using it in the field.I have one more problem with this camera. The 16mb card that comes with it is useless. You'll have to get a 128mb card if you're going to take pictures at the highest resolution. The 16mb card gives you only 6 pictures!!!! The 128mb card gives you 48 pictures. I have two of them, but will need more if I go on a long hike. It depends on what you use it for. (...) The battery seems to be OK. It doesn't go out as fast as other cameras I've had, but it can always get better. If I were you, I'd get this camera, a 128mb memory stick, and an extra battery. Then, you'll be set. (...)All in all, this is a fantastic camera. Other than a few minor quirks, it will make you very happy until the new model comes out. Buy it!
Frankly, this IS an investment...you spending $1000+ for this camera plus some needed accessories.  Few people will ever shoot 5 Mega Pixels (MP) shots every time, but serious (and serious amateur) photographers will certainly appreciate being able to produce stunning detail when the need arises.  Look at images shot on your friends' 2 or 3 MP cameras...this level of quality is amazing...but you WILL want to exceed this occasionally, and (...) is the price you pay to get the technology NOW.  A 5 MP head shot will allow you to EASILY discern individual hairs on life-size prints (as in 11x14)...it's truely amazing.I looked at the Minolta Dimage 7...the auto focus zooms past the subject and back...it seems irritatiingly "loose", for lack of a better term.  The Sony is a bit crisper in it's approach to auto focus, though not perfect.Low-light shots are a challenge, but the viewfinder does have a tremendous amount of information available, including exposure "F" stops, shutter speed, low light warnings, etc.  The true genius is that you can essentially operate the camera in a manual mode, quickly overriding the meter to compensate for the light in any situation...backlight, contrasty light, reflections, etc.If you ever used a 35mm in manual in the old days (when you really had to KNOW photography), you'll love the control available.  And younger photographers will find a whole new world in being able to make this camera do what most digitals will still not do...take the unusual shot.The camera is well balanced, and rather sturdy.  You will get used to the shooting position...give it time.  My biggest complaint is that the zoom selection switch operates "backwards" to my taste.  Intuitively, I want to zoom "in" pressing the "out" button (!)...You have an adequate built-in pop-up flash...PLUS a PC connection for external flash AND a flash shoe!  Slavery, anyone?The memory stick is a bit of a hassle, but extremely convenient once you get over the struggle.  Buy a small USB reader to use at work or home...I use the "Zio".  And buy the 128 MB memory stick...nothing smaller.There were early problems with "White Balance", as recently as Nov 01.  Current cameras should be shipping with the factory fix, but Sony, to it's shame, STILL has no information on it's website detailing same, even though it required early owners to send the camera for a "free" repair.  Not exactly good thinking for a $1000 camera.The images are good, but I do have to compensate a bit in low-light.  Based on shooting several thousand "test" shots with another camera, I'm happy with this one.  It does the job and can satisfy both consumer and professional.  Note that I do not plan to replace this camera for several years. Why?  Because printer technology has not caught up to the resolution of the camera (at least for the home user) and no one really needs much more in a camera.  Five Mega Pixels will generate a poster-size image with very nice quality...you won't be doing it often, but you'll be glad you did when you do.I like it, and I shopped hard to ensure the most features with the best price. As with all electronics, find a cheap extended warranty.  (...) .  Cameras DO break.Shop carefully for a CASE to put it in...the unique shape requires some thinking.  I have 3.  One for everything including cords and cables, one for the camera plus memory sticks, and a Sony brand "ever-ready" case.  Depends on how long you're out and how fast you want to access the camera..at what level of protection.  Think.You'll want an extra battery.  Perhaps a travel charger, otherwise you charge the battery by plugging the CAMERA in the wall (!)...thanks Sony.  :-(Buy a UV filter (58mm) to protect the lens.This camera is expensive, and generally reliable - it's a Sony.  Many features I have not detailed, and it has a superb 10x OPTICAL zoom (and a 2x digital).  If you are thinking digital and want to not have to trade-up for a while, I suggest the Sony DSC-F707.  If you love photography, do not buy a smaller CCD chip than 5 MP...even if you buy another brand.  But I certainly recommend the Sony DSC-F707 camera for people to whom the image is important.
THis is the camera to get to do all your professional digital shooting.  I know there are better cameras out there but this one offers the most value.  It has all the features I need (automatic lighting correction) and its zoom capability is very useful for sporting events.
This camera is affectionately known to it's biggest fans as the Dark Angel.  I spent many months researching for my first digital camera purchase, and settled on the 707.  In the first few months of manufacturing, a lot of customers found some pretty major &quot;syndromes&quot; such as Dark Left Side Syndrome and Blue Flash Syndrome - but my 707 (manufactured in January 01) is flawless.The only thing that is keeping me from having more fun with this camera is my lack of free time.
Wow! That's how I felt when I got one of these in my hands. The look and feel is a bit different but becomes very natural very quickly. Don't let that deter you from looking closely at this camera, its output is tremendous and is top rated by almost all reviewers and is on all the recommended lists I've found.For starters, this is my 4th digital camera, my last being the highly rated Kodak DC4800.  What this brings to the party is more pixels (more pixels = higher quality output), a longer optical zoom (digital zoom is practically useless) and low light capability.  Oh, and it also has an unbelievable Carl Ziess-built lens system that is optically superior to most others out there.  Did I mention the quality output? I was extremely happy with my Kodak but this one beats it hands down for any indoor and/or low light scenes.  The color saturation is on the high side (which is what I like anyway) and isn't adjustable in-camera.  There is a sharpness setting and I found this camera likes a +1 setting as the standard setting is just a bit too soft for my tastes. The end output matches the true SLR professional cameras that are out there (digital), and even beats some of the old "pro" digitals.But I haven't got to my favorite gain with this camera. Specifically, I've always grieved over digital cameras poor performance in low light. I've tried most every brand out there and found they all lack in this scenario.  Sony addressed this by taking some of their electronic wizardry from their broadcast and consumer video camera world and adapting it for a "still" camera. It has Night Shot and Night Framing capability and delivers low digital noise on the final product to boot! This is the answer I've been waiting for!On the downside, EVF's (electronic as opposed to glass view finders) aren't perfect yet. Sony has done a good job here but it still can't fully match SLR capability, except for one exception; it can actually lighten (enhance) detail in very dark scenes that the naked eye can't even see.  It's also a bit hard to store and carry due to the HUGE lens system. Don't get me wrong, for what this camera delivers, I'm willing to adapt to the size and weight. Also, although not difficult to learn what all those buttons do, you'll still need to refer to the owners manual for a while until you memorize all the features.If you're not sure about this camera, my opinion is that if you splurge, you won't be sorry. Yes there are similar and smaller cameras on the market with better memory cards (read larger), but Sony has a real winner here and I'm glad I looked beyond some of Sony's quirkiness with using proprietary batteries and memory! I'm one happy owner...I love this camera!
I own this marvelous camera, bought new at Fry's in northern California.  It is a true marvel, not to be soon obsoleted. It's has the capability of shooting in absolute darkness, with its built in laser!  I also have the wide-angle lens attachment - expensive but worth it to me. The only drawback is that when the very large wide-angle lens is attached, it partially blocks the built-in flash. so either shoot wide angle stuff with available light or external lighting or flash. In good light, images are super sharp!  Gene Deitch, Prague
I spent months trying to decide which 5megapixel camera I was going to buy. I finally decided on the Sony 707 because of the 28-190mm (equivalent)zoom lens by Carl Zeiss. My images are crisp and unbelievably sharp up and down the length of the zoom. Full featured with lots of manual options, I got fantastic shots right out of the box. Although I have shot 35mm film for 25 years, I am giving my 35mm equipment to charity.
I bought this camera in 2002 for $1000.00 and after 1000's of pictures it is still working as good as the day I bought it. Sony hit the ball out the park with this one.
This is my third digital camera with each buy being a step up. This is a great camera that takes great pictures. Some of the great features are the manual controls like focusing and lighting. Another big plus is the Nightframing mode which allows you to use infra red to view and focus on your subject in total darkness and then the flash pops up as you take the picture for a perfect color shot. The Nightshot mode is also pretty neat if you want to take pictures in the dark with infra red like results.Overall this is a great camera with only one negative comment and that being on the red eye reduction feature. Once you press the shutter button you no longer see your subject through the viewfinder/LCD screen because it goes blank for the second or so while the red eye strobing occurs. If you're not careful, this can result in your moving the camera off of the subject during the strobing... or your subject themselves decided to move and you won't know that until after the picture is taken and the viewfinder/LCD picture comes back.I recommend this camera to anyone wanting a great 5M pixel camera at a very reasonable price (compared to others) with exceptional features.
This is my first digital camera and I did months of research and comparison shopping before making a decision. The main alternatives were the Canon G2 and Nikon Coolpix 5000. I've had the camera several weeks now and frankly am still learning all it's features, but at this point I am extremely satisfied. The pictures even on auto pilot have all been spectacular. The magnesium alloy construction has a solid and substantial feel. Battery life is phenomenal. The 5x zoom is great. I love the body/lens swivel feature as well as the option of either LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder for strong sun situations. The settings alternatives and layout is complicated but well designed and more intuitive than other cameras I considered. Color saturation is a bit strong and photos tend to look like a Benetton print ad, but personally I like it. You do HAVE to get the 128 meg memory stick, but the price for those has just been lowered so shop around online for the best deal. Forgot to mention the WOW factor. Everyone who sees it wanders over and has to ask questions and express some oohs and ahs.
I have been using this camera for two weeks now and cannot say enough of good words about it. The picture quality is simply amazing even when using automatic. The feature array is unmatched. I especially came to like the NightShot and NightFraming features that allow me to take clear pictures in complete darkness. I cannot think of anything I would like to see improved and added. Great camera for good price
I have had this camera close to two months (got it on 12/25/01). And by far this is the best camera I ever owned. The 5.24 Megapixles are amazeing! ... I am a professional phototographer and this out does the $3,000 dollar SLR cameras!!! The zoom, focus, quality, USB, everthing about this camera is top-of-the-line! Trust me I know what im talking about. This camera is worth every penny! You cant go wrong with Sony, there going to stay in business longer then im alive, I see no reason not to buy this camera. I have a Epson 785 photo printer that prints at 2,880 dpi and with the DSC-F707 you can create the most professional looking photos! The quality of the camera is absoutly outstanding and the Memory Stick System is GREAT! Keep it up Sony!
Then this model is the camera for you :)!  I got mine one week before the 717 came out and paid around 800.  The drop in price w/in 30 days got my 110% difference return, so I actually got the camera for around 550!!  I have since taken over 20,000 pictures, both work and home in all formats.  This camera is a work horse!!  I have used both the 707 and 717, and actually prefer this camera because of several small features (such as placement of the zoom button)The focus engine and the Zeiss lens are the main reason to get this camera.  Most of my pictures match what I could do with an SLR.  The one problem I find is reds and purples... don't trust auto focus on these two colors.I see a lot of folks upgrading and getting rid of these cameras and have not seen any that have "worn out" yet.  Sony did a great job of engineering with this camera!!!For examples of my pics... you can check here: [...]  Most of the pics were taken with the 707..I would personally value the camera around 350-400, but as they say.... "The more you pay, the more its worth!!"Good luck and take lotsa pictures!!Jay
I'm not a professional photographer, I don't pretend to be.  I also am not as technically knowledgeable as some.  What I know is that I can take incredible photo's and I can do so whenever I want.  I have shot with other digital camera owners who all grudgingly agree that Sony makes the best one if only for the super long battery life, this alone makes it worth while.  The 5X optical zoom is to kill for and the Night vision is unparalleled in a camera at this price.  [The price}...might seem like a lot of money but for this camera it is well worth it.  Even for a novice this is easy to use and has stunning results.  I am told the 717 is pretty much the same.
We bought this camera planning to start a new hobby.  My wife and I are absolutely satisfied with it's performance.  We will probably never outgrow this camera's capabilities.  Although this is a pretty expensive camera that provides more megapixels than most consumers will ever need, it's a great and powerful camera.  Easy to figure out and use.
I am a photographer and artist. I bought this camera new...and I am still using it in 2013. 13 years of fairly heavy use. For me "5 megapixels" is fine...the Zeiss lens is fast and sharp, the camera works like a charm. I have taken probably tens of thousands, at least, pictures. Good for detail. One just has to be able to use all the features on the camera well and have an eye. For me, it is fine. Five stars.
I'm really not a photographer, so I probably shouldn't even be owning this camera.  But after researching everything I could get my hands on, I decided that this camera was uniquely suited to handle pretty much any setting I wanted to throw at it.I've had the camera for about a week now and I couldn't be happier.  The automatic settings yield fantastic results, and the manual settings are simple, yet provide me with complete control.Some of the F707's have a problem with the white balance which makes some pictures turn out bluish in color.  Mine has this, but Sony is providing a free firmware fix.  I have to send it in, but this really isn't a problem.  I had read about this before purchasing it.If I had to pick a downside, it would be the memory stick.  I wish Sony would abandon this and go after compact flash or something like that.  The supplied 16mb stick will immediately need a much larger companion in the camera bag.All in all, though, this is the perfect camera.
I HAD THIS CAMERA FOR OVER A MONTH AND A HALF. AND I SWEAR I HAD SOOO MUCH FUN TAKING PICS WITH IT. ESPECIALLY WITH THE WOMEN! WHEN A WOMAN GETS  PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THIS CAMERA, THEY ARE AMAZED HOW BIG AND CLEAR THE PICS COME OUT. THEN THEY WANT U TO TAKE MORE PICS AND THATS HOW U END UP WITH PHONE NUMBERS! I DID TURN MY CAMERA IN AND BOUGHT THE NEW 717 CAMERA INSTEAD.STILL GET ALOT OF GREAT RESULTS WITH THE WOMEN. ONE FINALLY NOTE.... MAKE SURE U UPDATE YOUR LAPTOP OR DESKTOP TO WINDOW XP BECAUSE U'LL SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY AND SIZE OF PICTURES.
We have been using Sony digital cameras since the first Mavaca floppy disk camera (640x480 image size.)No question, film was superior, but the price per shot (no processing or prints) couldn't be beat. We started putting all the photos on our website, no need to scan, they were already .jpg images. A few people started visiting the site, and even wrote asking what camera we used.Over the years, we upgraded, more and more people visited our site, and the cameras took larger and larger pictures.The 707 is, at this writing, the top of the Sony line, producing huge 2600 X 1900 (i think) images. The image quality compares favoribly to high speed 35MM film, in large blowups it is still less sharp than 100-speed.The battery is much improved, with longer life, and a new fast charger makes it easy to keep the power ready.Be sure to buy two extra batteries and some memory sticks. At full size and quality, a 128 MEG memory stick holds about 57 images.We have posted unedited photos from our first trip on our website....(this camera has since been replaced by the SONY DSCf-828. same great design refined.)
I have been using this camera for about six months now and I am constantly amazed at how good it is.  I never use my film cameras anymore and have ditched my plans to convert one of my rooms into a darkroom.  The 707 takes some getting used to, but you'll find yourself mastering it within a few days.  My only gripes are: (1) burst mode is limited to 3 frames; (2)can't change lens; and (3) memory stick is currently offered in a max capacity of 128 megs.  The camera's strong points are almost too many to list; some of my favorite aspects of the camera are: (1)fantastic Carl Zeiss lens; (2) brilliant LCD; (3) crisp view finder; (4)intuitive controls; (5) highly accurate meter modes; (6) useful built-in flash (quite powerful for a built-in); (7) rapid auto-focus and easy-to-use manual focus ring; and (8) unbelievable battery time.Bottom line:  Worth Every Penny!
I've gone through a lot of Digital and 35mm Camera's, and found this to be the best. (The others were high grade Nikon, Canon, and Olympus cameras...)1. The info lithium batteries last a long time, and charge quickly... Cameras using regular batteries will cost you a fortune, and some only get 10-12 shots per set of batteries. This camera doesn't suffer from lack of power.2. The nightshot nightvision feature is fantastic. Taking shots in the dark are illuminating. :)3. The macro photography features make taking pictures very close a simple task. This is something that most cameras cannot do.4. The quality of the photos are wonderful, and that's what it's all about.
I wrote a review about a month after we bought the F707.  Now, after an additional 5 months of use, I still love it and have learned more about it:A high res jpeg will consume about 2.5 MB or memory space.The Sony battery is expensive but has good life and the charging system is very smart.Be patient when using the manual focus.  The zoom setting varies as you manually focus.You need fairly good light and contrast for the macro mode autofocus to work properly.Force the fill flash when working indoors under fluorescent light and you'll get better color balance.In low light, I use the LCD screen to compose.  Under normal circumstances, I use the eyepiece to save on battery life.I do wish it was easy to delete all images on the chip simultaneously, but haven't found a way to do so....  This really is a great quality tool.  I love it.  We've been getting great images.  The shutter response is faster than most digital cameras, a real plus.
I've had this camera since 2002 and I really like it.  Still great after all these years.  I've done enough photography to get very positive comments on my artistic shots.Pro:-Holds a lot of photos-High quality images-Easy to use-Long battery life-New memory cards can be programmed in the camera, handy when on the road and the memory card is corrupted-Great color-Movie features picks up sound nicely, but not background noiseCon:-Sometimes wipes out the memory card, losing all photos (recent research on this suggests this is due to sensitivity to hot and cold)Bottom line: a great buy and worth the money.  Also recommend that you buy the Sony memory stick mouse to go with it.
I have always loved to take pictures and have been longing for a digital camera for quite a while.  I spent months upon months researching and saving money (as I am only 17, and have only a part-time job) and this was the highest-rated one I could find (and it is a Sony which also helped along my decision; Sony products are the best.)  Well, I got the money together and purchased this.  I can honestly say it is the BEST thing I ever invested money in.  It takes such vivid photographs and captures every little detail.  If you are looking for a camera, whether you're a beginner or an expert, GET THIS ONE!!! You will not be disappointed.  I also recommend a Sony 128 MB Memory Stick, as you will not be able to stop taking pictures!
I owned the DSC F505V before I bought the 707.  The improvements are exactly what the doctor ordered.  Through the lens composition for starters, but still has a very excellent LCD screen, actually better.  The memory stick writes very fast and the picture quality is phenominal.  You can spend a lot more on a digital camera, but why would you want to. The ergonomic layout is much improved with the zoom control on the barrel away from the on off switch.  The price is a bargain and digital is the only way to fly.  Poor Kodak, what will they do with all that film.
Prior to owning the Sony DSC-F707, I had a Kodak DC290.  I thought that the Kodak was pretty decent, but after acquiring this camera, I totally abandoned the Kodak.  Not only does this camera have exceptional zoom ability, but it also has a macro for taking close-up's!  In case you wonder about the quality of this camera, just take a close-up of a penny on the side with the Lincoln memorial.  You can even see the statue of Lincoln quite clearly!  It's truly amazing!
I bought this camera for infrared photography and am pleased with it using the night mode and an IR filter. The added bonus is the beautiful color rendition for regular photos. Very nice camera.I'd give it five stars if it had a memory function to save your settings.Michelle Ress
This is a terrific camera - worth the price. Optics and image quality are quite good, and it carries easily despite it's large lens assembly. Linking with my eMac using Mac OSX (Jaguar) was sooo easy - plug it to the USB port and iPhoto imports the photos with one click! Optional filters seem worth the money - one protects the lens from damage, and the other is a polarizing filter that cuts glare well. Battery life between charges far exceeds my expectations - even when using the red eye reduction flash feature. You'll need at least one128MB memory stick; the provided 16MB stick is worthless if you shoot high resolution. the Lexar memory sticks are less costly and seem to perform well so far.
I have had three of these cameras since 2001. The first was stolen when I was mugged on the steps of the St. Deny Basilica in Paris. I had already fallen in love with the camera by then. When we returned home, I was blown away with the clarity of the photographs which I'd uploaded to a laptop, fortunately, before the camera was stolen. I only use the optical zoom on this camera and I was particularly impressed with the focus that allowed me to zoom into and blow up a small portion of photos I'd already taken with the zoom lens at its maximum length. I also like the feel of the camera. I know that many people rave about pocket-size cameras, but I'm used to a larger SLR and like the heft of this camera. This past spring as we set out on a two month vacation in Spain and Ireland, my F707 failed me. The card reader stopped working and I had to fall back on a pocket-size Nikon. While it did a credible job, I could definitely see the difference in focus and clarity of the photos that came from it as compared to my Sony F707. When we returned to the states, I inquired about having the Sony repaired and found that it was less expensive to purchase a used F707 than to have mine fixed. That's what I did and I'm now a happy camper again. I love this camera and felt lost without it. I know there are improvements coming down the line, but I'll wait until I can get the same performance in a new camera that I get from this one. The only features I miss from this camera are a better low light capability and a larger memory capacity.
This camera is simply amazing. A long time ago when digital cameras were first starting to appear I plunked down a load of cash for a camera. It stunk. My big issue with them back then was, apart from the image size being too small, the images looked no better than a consumer level video camera. Whites were always blown out and the image looked like what it was - video. So, I went back to shooting mainly 35mm film and scanning that.Due to some unforseen events, I ended up purchasing this camera. I really did not expect it to act any better than the digicams I have previously owned. I am amazed at how well Sony got this thing to behave like my 35mm film cameras! The images even look like they were shot on film. Very crisp, clear, and none of that awful video look. Whites are white and not a single sign of being blown out.I have found that there are times that the colors are not right on if you just shoot in full auto mode, but if you take the time to compose the shot you can get everything perfect.This is definitely not a camera for someone who just wants to take pictures. It is for serious amateur photographers who don't want to spend the massive amounts of cash on something like a Canon D-60.
My wife and I  each have a 707 and try to go out shooting at least once a week.  I love this camera.  I am going to list a few shortcomings, but trust me this is what technology should be and while our pair of Nikon 6006s have a few advantages over digital, the ease of use and instant gratification carry the day for the 707.It is slow as the dickens, don't expect to have much luck with action shots, this is the only reason the 717 has my attention.  If you do need to shoot action, hit menu and one of the record modes is "burst 3" three rapid shots one after another, you might get lucky that way.The "A" and "S" settings to enhance depth of field and shutter speed do not seem to give good results.  These days I just put it on the green camera icon, that seems to perform the best.Like many digitals it doesn't work so well in intense light situations, if you are going to shoot in snow or at the beach, think about getting the lens hood and ND filter accessories.It also doesn't score a homerrun on subtle transparent sky light, a muted sunset, or rainbow can be lost.  I was shooting a double rainbow over Nawiliwilli harbor, I could see both, it could only see one of them.I wish the buttons on the side of lens were in a deeper indent, I keep hitting buttons like white balance when I do not mean to.The auto popup flash is really noisy and vigorous and it has caused me to miss a few shots as it slams into place.Moving to some of the really positive features:The macro mode for closeups is a marvel.  Kathy, my wife loves shooting bees on flowers and such and it comes through every time.The way it handles light on water is just spectacular.  It can also handle shooting the sky through trees and similar shots that confound simple cameras.The movable lens, and ability to work with finder or lcd screen really gives you flexability when shooting things taller than you are.  I got a Senators Only parking sign on Parliament Hill Ottawa that was about 8' up by holding the camera above my head and aiming through the lcd.The range of the zoom is all you can ask of a single lens, yes you do lose a bit of resolution at full digital zoom, but it can still nail a seaplane landing in Vancouver harbor and has enough pixels left to print a nice 8.5 x 11.It interfaces with both my Mac 10.2 and Windows XP Pro with no problem in either case.  The XP software is actually a bit more efficient than iPhoto.I will close with some final tips:My wife got me this little nylon Ex Officio bag to tie to the strap.  That is a much more efficient in an active shoot than the memory stick wallet.If the subject moves, as soon as you start framing, teach yourself to push the shutter button half way down, that cuts a lot of the delay out of a shot.Don't buy a memory stick less than 128M, I think my wife's 707 came with a 16M, now *that* is funny.If you have never tried one of these web based photo storage and printers like Amazon.com's photo services or Image station, they are great for situations like shooting a family reunion.  Just send the URL to everyone and they can order all the prints they want.  Remember the days of looking for the negative with picture 5 on roll 9?  I love my 707, I am dreaming of a 717, and I am never going back to film.
Like most people about to buy a digital camera, I did a lot of research. A lot. When it came down to making a decision about price vs. value, I kept coming back to the 707. It really came down to the incredibly high resolution, the Zeiss lens and the EFT veiwfinder which although not the ideal, it's damn good for an EFT. It also has a very functional diopter adjuster which makes the viewfinder the best in its class. I've been using the camera for about a year now and it's NEVER run our of power. I work at a graphic design firm and my co workers are blown away by my 11x14 prints made from this camera. I still don't see anything that can touch the quality of this camera for the $. You just can't go wrong.
This is the best digital camera.The controls are so easy to operate, and quality of the pictureis excellent. The night shoot/frame give you sharpest picture everytime. The battery can use for weeks between charges. If you want the best digital camera, This is the one for you.
The clarity is fantastic,professional looking.Very easy to use and will turn the casual photographer into a complete enthusiast.I sold my Mavica and bought this as soon as it came out and it's the best purchase I've ever been pleased with.Enjoy.
This kit was awesome when I purchased this for a vacation/cruise.  It had all the necessary plugs for wherever I traveled and the battery charger was great too.  I didn't really use the case to carry the actual camera though because I felt it would shift around too much.
This kit might contain a discontinued K4000 charger and batteries.  Mine did  ;-(
I purchased this travel kit in preparation for going abroad for 3 months. The charger was compatable in all of the countries in which I charged the battery (Finland, The Netherlands, France, Lithuania and Latvia). The charger worked well and I always had enough power. One draw back was that the internationa plug and adapter tended to slip apart during use. Once I notice this, I frequently checked the connection to avoid this mishap. I would have preferred a smaller case too.
This is a good Travel kit at a resonably cost.  Has everything you need to get on the road including a rechargable battery.
I ordered this for the extra rechargeable batteries.  The kit comes with the recharger, which plugs directly into the wall, no cords to loose or get tangled up.  The batteries charged very quickly, less than 2 hours to fully charge the new batteries.The case is very handy.  It has two pockets in the case itself, the smaller one holds the camera very secure.  The larger pocket can hold other items you may wish to carry with you when on vacation, eliminating the need for a seperate purse or tote.The larger pocket can also hold both the docking station and the charger, so you can use this case for storage of the entire camera system, if you so choose.I would recommend this to anyone who has a Kodak camera, or who has a camera that those batteries will fit.
This charger is listed to work with the DX6490 and DX7590.  THIS IS INCORRECT INFO, do not buy you will be returning it or selling it on ebay.Amazon - you had better correct your error, and soon!  The DX7590 is coming out and you don't want to be stuck with many angry customers!
I bought this case thinking it was a travel bag for your camera AND the battery recharger, while there is enough room in the bag for the camera, it isn't shaped in a way that would make it a safe place for a small digital camera.  I now carry my camera in a smaller camera bag, and then put it inside this camera case, the battery charger is easy to use, and does have adapters which I will never use, but are good to have.Overall it is a good price, just wish the case was designed better.
I bought this for my camera, but have found that it is much better to buy individual rechargeable batteries (such as Energizer) and use those with the camera. The Kodak batteries have a short life and eventually hold very little charge. Further, I would recommend buying as small a case as possible for your camera. It makes it much easier to carry the camera around and thus you are much more likely to take pictures. I've taken over 7,000 with my Kodak EasyShare CX4200 and I hope you get to take just as many yourself. Happy Snapping.
I hiked the Grand Canyon, visited Vegas and wandered around Arizona...then returning to the freezing wastes of NYC.You really really need the extra battery if you're travelling. I had two battery packs for my Canon S40 and I would recharge them at night in the hotel - keep one in the bag and the other in the camera and usually about half a day (8 or so hours depending on useage) I would have to change it. Sometimes I wouldn't need another battery for the whole day.Buy an extra battery - it keeps you functioning smoothly and usually recharges in 30 minutes.I didn't seem to have any issues with the temperature variations either.I would suggest you also buy an AC Adaptor -- just to make life easy while uploading your pictures.
My husband has a Canon S30.  The original battery was holding a charge for about 2 hours.  We looked at knock-offs but decided on paying the extra money to get a Canon battery.  Charges easily and keeps its charge.  What else could you ask for.
Make sure you keep an eye out for the off brand ones.  Some of them has very recharge cycles, in which this original has about 600 charges, the off brand ones sometimes have around 300-400 recharge cycles.  That's pretty bad.  :(If you can find any that are "Lithium Ion Polymer", snatch it up!  The difference is the Polymer, which is better and safer for the environment, which uses gel layered cels vs liquid layered cels, which requires more insulation and packaging.  These have excellent recharge cycles (over 1000) and has a higher power rating than the oroginal Canon.
I have a Powershot S45 and tried to be cheap in buying replacement batteries.  I bought from SterlingTek. Good company and good service but the knock off Canon batteries are not worth the money you save. I am constantly having to charge my battery and do not get much usage time.  It is very frustrating and I am going back to the real deal. It's worth it to me.
Received the rechargeable lithium battery.  It is excellent, brand new, still in original packaging.  It works wonderfully and was a great (almost unbelieveable) price.  Will definitely buy from here again.
There is not much to say here. Based on my experience you need to have 2 batteries for a Powershot S30/S40. This since at the end of the day one battery is usually finished. Buying one extra, you do not have to worry about running out of battery. This is the original battery supplied by Canon so quality is pretty good I would guess. However, there exist other producers of this battery, which in general sell it cheaper. But buying the original you will be safe regarding the quality of the battery, although it is quite expensive.
Okay - even the original battery doesn't last very long.  While they charge fairly quick I'd rather they took longer to charge and worked longer.  Even with a spare you're not going to last all day taking lots of shots with even two batteries.While it is not the batteries fault it is still a problem I think they won't solve soon.  Had I known beforehand that the Canons ate so much battery life so quickly I would have purchased a different camera.  I can't fill my 128 MB stick with the use of a single battery.So if you like to travel and go on hikes etc. where weight is important I would highly recommend finding a camera that doesn't eat batteries like they were candy.  The camera is light enough but the batteries are inefficient and you need to take a fully charged army of them with you on a back country trip adding a lot of un-needed weight.
I have a Canon S30, and I am still using my original canon NB-2L battery.  I also bought 3 additional generic batteries as spares.  Of these 3 generics, one would not fully charge after 3 weeks, second one just died completely (seller would not offer refund or replacement.  Now I am left with the 3rd generic and my original.  Both are working fine still (the generic is 650Mah and actually allow me to use my camera for a longer time than the originals.My review is just to share my experience with generic batteries versus original.  Personally I would recommend buying the orginal since two of my generics died...and I always take good care of my belongings, so it's about quality control problems...However, if you have to resort to generic (currently running at around 15-20 per battery) I wish you all are lucky to get a good one! (try to find seller that offer 1 yr warranty)
The Canon NB-2L is an OK battery, however, you can do much better by purchasing an aftermarket product.  Specifically, Sterlingtek makes a replacement with a rating of 1100mah which is almost double that of the Canon's.  The price on the Sterlingtek is only $19.99 (shipping is $6.99 but is free for orders over $60). The price difference is more than just a "few bucks" as another review claimed.  Their web site is [...]
If you're taking your digital Canon on a trip, you're going to want to have an extra battery or two with you, especially if you won't have the opportunity to recharge the one that comes with the camera. You know it, and I know it, and you can bet the farm that Canon knows it, which is surely the only reason why these things cost so ridiculously much. According to many reviews here, the other brand of battery which fits these particular cameras is next to useless, so it appears that you don't have a lot of choice. However, do remember that if you are very judicious in your use of the camera's digital display you can get quite a lot more life out of the battery than if you leave the display on continuously. I took my S40 on a dive trip, and you have to turn the camera on before you seal it in the underwater housing. But by keeping the display off except for when I was actually shooting, I was able to get about 3 hours out of it. (And I got some great shots, too!)
I'm knocking it down 1 star for costing as much as it does... In regard to the performance of the battery... it performed much better than expected on my recent trip to Japan. After all the negative reviews saying the charge does not last a long time, I was expecting to have to use my second battery everyday. The battery didn't die on me once, and I used it on average for 2 days at a time before recharging (about 70 pics a day)... never even got the low battery indication.  Though, I did have the lcd off unless I was taking a picture. Worked great for me!Update jun 2005:  if you are using the battery when temperatures are below 40 degrees, the battery will drain faster, but pretty much all batteries of this type do... the charge will return when warmed up, though.... still a very good battery.
This is a proprietary battery almost exclusively for the Canon Powershot S-series (S30/40/45/50) line of digital cameras. If you don't own a Powershot S-, this is not for you. If you do, read on...The Canon Powershot cameras were designed to be powered by a proprietary battery - the NB-2L Lithium Ion - and cannot be powered by standard disposable or rechargeable batteries/battery packs. So if you want a spare battery, the NB-2L is it.DO YOU NEED AN EXTRA BATTERY? Most digital cameras eat up battery power quickly, especially with the LCD on, so even the casual photographer could find a use for a second battery (e.g. if you are going out for the full day and don't want to get stuck with a dead battery in the middle of junior's baseball game).WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET? There are only a handful of other manufacturers that make a compatible NB-2L and from what I've seen you're bound to save maybe a 10 spot at the most over the Canon. In one sense, a battery is a battery is a battery - if it has the same voltage and amp rating, there probably won't be significant performance differences (no, the bunny doesn't go longer on the Energizer than it does on the Duracell - that's marketing, sorry to burst your bubble). So by getting the Canon you pay a little more for the same product but maybe get a little peace of mind that you have the same battery as originally came with your camera.But wait, there is one other option. The Canon and most other NB-2L batteries are rated at 7.4 volts and 570 mAh. The volts measures how much power at one time the battery delivers - this has to be standard so your camera will not blow up. The mAh, or milliamperes per hour, measures the total storage capacity of the battery. There is one manufacturer out there that makes an NB-2L that is rated at 650 mAh, thus suggesting you will get 14% more life out of this battery than the Canon (I'll be nice and not mention where to get it, but search the web - you will find it). Whether this holds true, I'm not sure as I'm not an electrical engineer but maybe you are, so it's one option. To be fair, I bought the Canon cause I have a low risk tolerance and I like to see the Canon name on my battery.BOTTOM LINE: A safe bet if you need a proprietary NB-2L for the Canon Powershot cameras - you'll only save a few bucks maybe with a third party battery.
I use the NB-2L from Canon with my S45 and I also hve some aftermarket batteries. I am surprised that the canon isnt lasting a lot longer then the aftemarket batteries. Dont get me wrong it works ok but not sure it is worth spending a lot more to get the canon
It's hard to say because after waiting three weeks for it to be delivered, I got an email saying that it was no longer being carried by the supplier but that I could by it from another supplier for an extra ten dollars.
So far so good.  The item was as described and functions flawlessly with my camera.  This seller does a great job of fulfilling the order quickly.I will follow up if, and only if, I start to have problems with the battery holding a charge, etc.  But so far, I have charged it once, run it down and then charged it back again.
I bought this battery to go with my Canon S30.  I was advised by friends that my camera would need a backup battery.  So I spent the money.That has been money well spent.  The battery can be recharged at any stage of discharge or use.  It charges quickly.  This has meant that it is charged before the one I am using needs to be charged.  This was a very wise purchase and I would recommend it to others planning on using a digital camera.CARRY a BACKUP BATTERY.I gave it 4 stars because I would like the charge to last a little longer.
There's nothing wrong with this battery - it works as I'd expect with my Powershot S50. I'm just annoyed that I have to pay so much to get enough juice to my camera for a decent day of shooting.But I learned my lesson the hard way after buying a generic NB-2L knockoff off for a bit less - after a couple of weeks the battery wouldn't really charge to full capactity anymore. The official NB-2L hasn't let me down, and despite the large monetary overhead, you'll be glad you have it.
I ordered a NB2L battery charger and battery for my digital SLR Canon Rebel from SterlingTek. Unlike some of the online retailers, SterlingTek was very open with the fact that this battery and charger were not Canon products. Both are high quality products. The charger works on the OEM battery and another 3rd party battery, so I happy about that. The battery was 1700mAh which should give more shots than the Canon NB-2LH. If the battery lasts as long as my two SterlingTek Sony Camcorder Batteries (5 years and still going!) I will be delighted. If not, that is okay. I only ordered it as a backup. I am more than pleased at the rapid shipping. I ordered and received them the following day. Both product and shipping costs were reasonable. I am very, very satisfied and recommend this company. I will definately buy from them again.
As advertisement, it is genuine battery. What can I say? Canon should come up with the new version with same size and more capacity
The Canon NB-2L Battery Pack is just ok but it serves my needs.It is recommend that you buy a spare battery or even two spare batteries.Positives:* The NB-2L charges very fast. It charges fully in a little over an hour.* You can take a decent number of pictures without having to recharge the battery. I took about 95 at the 2048x1536 resolution in the fine mode on my Canon S30 in about 3 hours of shooting time and that was with the display on. If you turn the display off this time will be extended significantly.Negatives:* The charge does not last very long, usually less than a day. This is why that spare battery is mandatory.* The NB-2L battery is very limiting. It can only be used with Canon S30, S40, S45 and S50 Digital Cameras & Elura 40MC Camcorders. I could understand if it could be used with the whole line of Canon digital cameras but no, it can only be used with those models. The other Canon cameras have there own batteries such as the NB-1L. I don't know why this is. Maybe it's a money thing with Canon.* It's expensive. Though the price has gone down significantly from when it was first introduced a few years ago, it's still costly. Since you must buy a spare battery, it's hard on the wallet to buy one of these let alone two.Overall if you have any of the above model cameras you will need this battery even with all its flaws. The fact that this battery takes little or no time to charge is indeed the upside. So even if you can't afford a spare battery you will not have to wait forever to get it back up and running to take some more pictures.
Bought this case few days ago and my s60 camera was in it within few minutes after received it.It is well built even leather quality is not as good as psc-50 for s series. If you looking for impact protection, dont buy this case. This only protect your camera from scratch and tear.I dont care about place for extra cable (will you bring your tv when travelling?) and extra CF card since I use 512mb (more than enough)Most important thing for me is slim and look cool, it doest its job well.
I guess the ultimate question is "Would you buy it again?"  I lost my first one and I missed it so much I bought it again. I use my camera almost daily for work, but I also have a lot of money into this camera including the Canon WPDC40 Waterproof Case for $160, which works awesome for scuba diving by the way. I didn't want a large bulky case to carry around on a day to day basis. This case with my S70 in it fits easily into my glove box or console of my vehicle. However, when I take a trip someplace and I need a larger case for extra batteries, charger or my waterproof housing, I just bring a larger case. For $12, it suits its purpose well. A good every day case.
the psc30 is a very nice case that does its primary mission well - protect your s30/s40/s45/s50 from everyday wear and tear in a package that is light and compact.pros:- protects from everyday wear and tear without adding bulk or weight to your camera/case package.- designed specifically for the canon s-series so it's a perfect fit.- very quick and easy access: using this case's belt loop, it's a two second operation to flick open the velcro cover and fish the camera out.- reasonable priced - in the ballpark of generics.cons:- does not have enough padding/protection: from all the reviews i've read, this is one of two main complaints.  i have to agree; this case won't protect your camera if you drop it, but it wasn't designed to do that.  if you want more padding (but with more bulk), you'll have to look elsewhere.- no extra pockets for CF cards or spare batteries: this is the other main complaint, and again, this is true.  while this is an issue for some, it isn't for me because i was looking for the smallest case i could find.  adding more pockets means more bulk.  besides, i bought a 512MB card and for me, that's enough storage capacity that i don't need a spare CF card.  a spare battery, if i felt i needed it for that day's activities, will sit in my pocket.i like this case.  i accept the &quot;cons&quot; i listed as a necessary trade-off to what i was really after: the smallest, lightest case for my s50.  it really depends on what you want to use this case for.  if you need more protection or more storage, pass on this case.  if you're looking for a simple case that offers everyday protection, a perfect fit, and allows quick and easy access to your camera, this is the one.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
I agree with other reviewers' sentiment about the lack of attention given to this carrying case.  The Canon S70 is a High-End Point-and-Shoot.  Canon should make a case that is as well-thought as their Canon S60/S70 cameras.  What irks me is that they do(!). However, it is NOT SOLD IN THE USA! Do a Google search for "Canon SC-PS900".  The SC-PS900 Canon Camera Case is well-padded and has pockets for 2 Additional Compact Flash Cards and also for a Spare Battery (which is a necessity with this camera).  I got mine on eBay. I wish I could have bought it on Amazon or any U.S. retailer. I'm not trying to be racist (as I'm Asian) but C'mon Canon - sell the SC-PS900 Case in the U.S. too!
I just needed a nice, slim case to protect the outer casing of my camera -- I wasn't looking for anything heavy duty, no storage compartments, no bulky padding. Love it!
BOTTOM LINE:  Whatever your need in a case is, whether it's a slimline case, a belt clip case or a fully padded case w/ room for accessories, you can do better than the PSC-30.For all of us who have a Canon S-series Powershot, we spent a lot of money on our higher-end consumer digicams and want a Canon-branded case to show off our camera and feel good about our purchase.  So the least you'd expect would be either (1) they'd include a nice Canon-branded case with the camera or (2) make a Canon-branded case worthy of this line of digicams.  I love my Powershot S-30, am taking fantastic pictures with it, but I have to say the case options Canon gives you has been the biggest frustration with my purchase thus far.The positives:  it's leather (or leatherette..hmm?), looks OK, specifically fits the S-series well and isn't priced outrageously for the value you're getting.  As far as the negatives, enough people have already pointed them out so I'm going to focus on what to buy instead...WHAT TYPE OF BAG ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?- FULLY PADDED WITH ROOM FOR ACCESSORIES:  if you want a bag w/ good protective padding, that has room for an extra battery and CF card and has a neck/shoulder strap, you should seriously think about a LowePro.  After spending countless hours on Canon message boards, I can't begin to count the number of times people recommended these - good looking, sturdy construction and a very good value.  You can find many of their models on amazon - but check out their website, and specifically the D-series and Z-series bags.- BELT CLIP CASE:  while the PSC-30 fits the minimum requirements here (it clips to your belt), many of LowePro's models allow for clipping to the belt and are still very compact (and btw, no I'm not a LowePro employee - read on...)- FORMFITTING SLIMLINE:  by definition, these aren't going to provide a lot of impact protection, simply weather/scratch protection.  so, having said that, for the ultimate in slimline cases, I'd go with Canon's SC-PS900 specifically designed for the S-series Powershots.  This case is made of a neoprene-like material that pound for pound probably provides a good deal of impact protection, form fits the S30/40/45/50 perfectly with just enough room for a spare battery (w/o the little battery tray) and the camera wrist strap attached to the camera, looks cool as heck and has the all-important red Canon logo displayed on the front.  But wait...they don't sell them in the US!  Huh?  You can get them in Europe, Asia and even Canada, but for some strange reason Canon is not allowing US retailers to sell them - sounds like a payoff from the camera bag manufacturers or something else sinister.  For those in the US, the cheapest way to get it is through Canadian photo retailers (try Harry's or Vistek).  No doubt it will run you more than the PSC, but I guess you get what you pay for.Full disclosure:  I have absolutely no affiliation with LowePro, but I did end up getting the SC-PS900 from a Canadian retailer and have been very happy with it.
This is a good case for casual camera users who don't want a big, bulky case. Its small size holds only the camera itself so you can easily slip the case/camera into a coat pocket, fanny pack, or backpack. (There is also a belt loop.) The two drawbacks are that the case is expensive, and it does not completely cover the camera (see picture). The padding is sufficient, but if you happen to drop the camera just right, it might still get damaged even though it's in the case. This case is not for you if you want something that will store extra memory cards and spare batteries. But if you want a streamlined case designed specifically to fit a Powershot S45 and similar Canon cameras, you should consider this one.
The case fits my Canon camera just fine. However, it would be nice if there were room or pockets for some accessories like an extra battery or flash card.
The camera (Canon S-80) barely fits in the case and there is no room for even an extra storage card, much less a second battery pack or the charger. I ended up using my old Tamrac case that has an extra zippered pouch for accessories. Total waste of $$$.
After I spent much money for my S80, I wanted to find the perfect case to carry it around and I am very picky!  This was the first one I considered, but after so many bad reviews, I marked it off my list and kept looking.  I bought a semi-hard case from bodyglove but abandoned it because it was too large and it made me not want to take my camera anywhere.  Then I bought a cheap 3.99 case from Target that was super small and light and protected my camera well enough from scratches while in my purse but offered no screen protection.  It was slightly too small  and the zipper kept catching the strap as I had to always stuff it in.  Finally, I decided to buy this case despite the negative reviews when I saw my sister's canon case for her S450.  This was just what I was looking for all along!  It is soft and form fitting so it will still fit in my purse.  It is easy to get my camera out quickly so I don't miss those shots!  And it even has a hard front and back so I know the screen wont get scratched or punctured while in my bag.  So if this sounds like the kind of case you are looking for, don't be scared away by the negative reviews!
This met my needs completely
I picked up this charger that happened to come with an additional Battery the merchant sent it promptly and I got it before I thought I would. great experiance with this product and merchant.
Item was in very good shape, changes batteries for my Canon XT SLR without an issue.Very pleased.
If you need a charger for your Cannon Rebel XT this is it. They are rugged devices so one in New/Like New should be good to go from a reputable seller at a steep discount from new ones.
This is a pretty good charger.  It's very quick and easy (as most chargers are nowadays).  Also, it's pretty small.
It works great so far but I think it's over priced (paid $36).It's made in China, not from Japan like I thought. If you find a cheaper compatible one, go for it.
The original charger went missing a few years back for my canon powershot s45 and this is the original as a replacement. This is great, works perfect.
The CB2LT is the charger that comes standard with the Canon Powershot S-series cameras (S30/40/45/50) and charges the proprietary NB-2L battery.  Thus, you MUST buy the NB-2L (see my review of the Canon NB-2L) for your camera and MUST use a CB-2LT charger.  This review is almost moot b/c there is only one other charger I've found, other than the one manufactured by Canon, but maybe you are checking out the charger as part of the decision whether to buy the Powershot, so I'll say a few words...The design is perfectly fine:  very lightweight, compact enough to fit into a modest size camera bag and it charges the NB-2L battery in about an hour give or take (charge time is mostly a function of the charger).  It has flip out plugs (2-pin, non-polarized if that matters to you, and it may if you live in a real old building or outside the US) that fold back into the body - there is no cord, it plus directly into the wall socket.  And thus, the only potential for design improvement.  Most outlets are placed low to the ground, so to recharge your batteries, you must either stoop down or hook it up to an extension cord, but then it won't sit too well on a desktop.  There is one other manufacturer, and the only one I've found, that makes a CB2LT compatible charger that is a desktop charger - it comes w/ an A/C adapter and sits nicely on the desktop.  I'll be nice and not mention where to get it but look around on the web, you'll probably find it.If you go with the Canon charger, amazon's price is pretty competitive (as of this writing).
I got this as I have 2 batteries and didn't want to have the camcorder out and plugged in to recharge the battery.  Plus if I am recharging a battery, then I really can't use the camcorder because it needs to be plugged in.  With this accessory, I can charge the dead battery while the fresh one is in the camcorder and keep recording.  Works perfectly.
Item was delivered promptly.  It was well packed and in new condition.  It works flawlessly.
I thought it worked well.  It's charging away, and it's compact and light.  No cord, plugs directly into outlet.
GOOD THINGS:You don't appreciate how small this thing is until you sit it next to any other real digital camera on the market. I have two Olympus models, a C-2040Z and a Brio D-150. I thought the D-150 was small, but the Dimage X makes it seem huge in comparison. It even makes the Canon ELPHs seem porky.This camera is easy to use with simple menus and intuitive controls. I had it all figured it out in just a few minutes without looking at the manual. If you have Windows 2000, ME or XP, you just plug it into your USB port and it pops up on "My Computer"--no software drivers required.It's very quick to turn on (no lens to extend) and is reasonably quick at taking pictures depending on the image size/quality and if you're using the flash. The flash can take about 6 seconds to recycle but that's typical. It has a "multiple shot" mode as well.Commonly used controls like the flash mode, display on/off and exposure correction are accessible directly without using the menus. There are only 4 menus and they're really easy to navigate. You can choose from 3 image sizes and 4 quality levels including an uncompressed TIFF mode.Battery life seems AMAZINGLY good given that the battery is literally the size of some postage stamps! I ran around for over an hour with the display on taking tons of pics, downloading them, messing with the menus, etc. before it gave me a low battery warning. The reviews say you can leave it on all day with the display off and take several hundred pictures all on one charge.The case is nearly all stainless steel. It should stand up to a fair amount of use/abuse. The lens is covered by a sliding motorized door when it's off. There should be less to break/go wrong compared to cameras that have to extend the lens every time you turn them on.BAD THINGS:My biggest gripe is the picture quality. Other [more expensive] two megapixel cameras are significantly better. My Olympus C-2040Z takes sharper pictures with fewer artifacts under any conditions and completely blows the Minolta away in low light. With a much bigger (conventional) lens, however, that's to be expected.The Dimage X images are a bit "soft"--especially in the corners and edges. You don't really notice it on most casual shots, but if there's fine detail in the corners and along the edges, it's a bit fuzzy.Perhaps more annoying, there are "chromatic artifacts" visible in many pictures. These seem to be worse at the wide angle end of the zoom range. You get either a red, yellow or blue band next to sharp high contrast lines. This is likely due to the prism used to "fold" the lens and from keeping the weird lens design so small. It's part of the price you have to pay (at least right now) for a camera this compact. There are reviews on the net that have samples pictures that show this flaw quite clearly. ...The lens has a smaller maximum aperture than many comparable lenses on bigger cameras so it forces the Dimage X to use slower shutter speeds to make up for it. This means camera shake is more of a problem in lower light. It also means it can't focus as well in low light and the LCD viewfinder doesn't work as well either.The charger is a standalone unit and while fairly small, requires a plug in cord. It's just one more thing to travel with. You have to take the battery out of the camera to charge it.There's no manual focus mode (there is a focus lock where you can focus on something else, hold the shutter button part way down, and then take the picture). In really low light, like most digital cams, it can't focus at all--at least it defaults to 6 feet.The LCD display washes out more than some do in bright outdoor light. At least they give you a shortcut to the menu to adjust the brightness. You also have to push a button twice every time you turn on the camera if you want to turn the display off to greatly extend the battery life.The flash is kind of weak (or the small lens is hurting it) as the flash is only good to about 8 - 10 feet or so and even then the edges are darker at the wide angle zoom setting.There's no manual white balance, just presets. So if you're in tricky lighting, you're stuck. The auto setting also tends to be on the warm side under most conditions. This isn't a huge deal as you can always tweak the color later on your PC.OTHER STUFF:Extra batteries are still hard to find, ... . You'll want one. ...you might want to buy a cheap card reader instead [of an AC adapter]. MMC/SD cards are more expensive than SmartMedia and CF, but they make sense for this camera because they're much smaller. I doubt Minolta could have found room for the older flash cards. Besides, MMC/SD will keep dropping in price I'm sure--they're the newest technology right now. There is a note in the manual that MMC cards take longer to store pictures than SD (which is due to the card design).CONCLUSION:It's not perfect, but it's currently in a class by itself. The Canon ELPHs take slightly better pictures but are significantly bigger. If this is going to be your ONLY (or your best) digital camera, you hopefully put a much higher priority on size/portability rather than image quality and elaborate features. If it's going to be a second camera for more casual use, it's an excellent choice. I take this camera places I'd never take my C-2040 or even the D-150 Brio. What good is a nice camera if it always stays home?I'm sure other manufactures will follow with their own ultra compact digital models. Minolta will improve on this one as well. But as a first effort, it's pretty amazing.If image quality is a big priority, I'd look at the cheaper Olympus C-2040Z or Canon A20. If you want something that's small with slightly better quality than the Dimage X, consider a Canon ELPH. If small/light/easy are big priorities, the Dimage X may be well worth buying.
Size: great. Features: good. Image quality: good.I needed a camera that was small enough for me to take anywhere in my pocket. This one is great for that purpose. Pictures quality is more than adequate, and with a purchase of a 64MB memory card, I can take over 120 pictures at the highest resolution 1600X1200. Menu is intuitive, transferring images can be done with ease, even for the not-so-tech-savvy. The zoom is pretty good too. Battery is Li-Ion, lasts for pretty long time. LCD is bright and clear, if a bit small, but what do you expect from a camera that was the smallest 2MP camera available when it was released? Some may complain about how much control they have over the how the photo is taken (ie, light, focus, etc.)In short, great camera for take anywhere, do-almost-everything photography. Perfect for family outings and friendly gatherings.For those of you want higher resolution but the same portability, the new Dimage Xi has 3MPixels!
Although this is my second digital camera, I am not a camera person, I don't like to get bogged down in the details, but I do enjoy sharing pictures with my friends on-line.  Holy moly does the Dimage X make it easy.  Very intuitive, the manual has found its final resting place in a drawer after a quick initial scan.  The camera, in the optional case, slips on to my belt and is barely noticeable.  Being a little concerned about the special purpose battery used in the Dimage X, I purchased a second so as to always have a fresh one available.  The only negative so far is that I have had to learn to keep my fat fingers out from in front of the lens which is in the upper left corner of the camera.  Picture quality is good for my purposes, transfer of pictures to my computer is a breeze.  Very happy with the camera.
Major Features:* Incredibly compact and lightweight camera.* Dimensions: 3.3" (W) x 2.8" (H) x 0.8" (D)* Weight: 4.8 ounces* Fits easily into your pocket.* Unique 3x "folded" F/2.8 optical zoom lens* 2-megapixel imager for images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels* Still images stored in JPEG compressed or uncompressed TIFF format* Motion video 320 x 240 with audio at 15fps up to 35 seconds* 15-second audio notes can be attached to images* 1.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor* Minolta's CxProcess image processing provides clear and natural images* 12-bit A/D conversion provides a finer tonal gradation* White balance options: automatic, daylight, tungsten, cloudy and fluorescent* Built in flash with Auto, Red-eye reduction, Night portrait and Fill modes* Audio/Video output, NTSC or PAL selectable* Removable flash memory cards (SD or MMC type)* Epson PRINT Image Matching compliant* Lithium rechargeable battery (~2hr. life) and charger included
The ten year old boy has a brother that wanted to take pictures too. They are both happy as can be
This is such a nice little camera and I really like it but there's one bug that may be the reason I return it. It depends if I can learn to live with it or not.*You cannot set the flash to be off by default.*Once you turn the camera off, it defaults back to 'auto flash' mode. Personally I only ever use the flash every once in a while and this is so annoying. I Prefer somewhat dark photos over those harsh flash lit ones every time. So the &quot;ultra fast start up&quot; that Minolta touts becomes moot if you have to click 3 or more times just to get the flash not to go off.Also, the menu interface, like all digital cameras for some reason, is badly designed, requiring two hands to operate. Often it is not clear what you have selected because, for example, if you have only two choices and your selection only changes colour it is unclear which colour represents 'selected' Does the grey mean it's selected or does the pink?Having said that, it's very very small and takes good photos.
I love the compactness of this camera. We bought it as our other digital camera tended to get left at home because of its size. Other features are fun, like making movies up to 35 seconds (though we've found the sound doesn't sync with the motion) and doing continuous shots (one every half-second, good for capturing actions like blowing out candles on a cake).There are some niggles that make this camera less than perfect. The one that bothers me the most is the fact that image labels start from 1 whenever you move the previous photos out of memory. So you take a bunch of pictures, pic00001.jpg, pic00002.jpg, etc., you move these to your computer and delete from your camera, and when you take more images they start again, labelling them pic00001.jpg, etc. It's not a big deal to store sets of images in different directories, but it is a headache if you are trying to make a calendar or otherwise bring in images from different directories together.All in all I'm happy with this camera, but wish they had thought through a few more aspects of their design.
Why only &quot;almost&quot; perfect?  Because the auto-exposure systemalways selects the fastest possible shutter speed.  So,pictures I just took on a brilliantly sunny day used ashutter speed of 1/685 and an f-stop of only 3.5 -- so almostno depth of field.  This was very noticable in close-ups.The camera needs a &quot;creative control&quot; mode that lets theuser select max-shutter-speed, max-depth-of-field, or a normalbalance.  But I still love the camera - and if a new modelcomes out with such a feature I'll be first in line again.
The new DiMage X is just an incredible camera!  First of all it's small, perhaps the smallest 2-megapixel digicam on the American market today.  I still have my Canon S100 but this one is not only thinner but also lighter -- and the battery life is longer, too!The second most amazing thing is even though the camera lens does not move, it *is* capable of 3X true *optical* zoom!!  This is accomplished through an internal movable prism.  Simply an ingenious piece of work!  This means two things: fast zoom, and less distortion.The camera is quite fast in saving images (max resolution is 1600x1200, just like the Canon S100) to the SD card.  It takes about 1-1.5 seconds between pictures when flash is used and around 1 sec when flash is off.Picture quality is *excellent*!  One gripe I have about the S100 is the image quality is so so, especially in low-light conditions.  The DiMage X easily ranks among the high-quality digital pictures.  Images are sharp and color-rich.  You can also make exposure compensation if you feel the picture is slightly over or under exposed.This is one awesome camera!  Its unique shape, extraordinary compactness and awesome picture quality make it simply the best consumer digital camera.
I bought this when I was mobilized for OIF.  I kept it in the pocket of my blouse the whole time, shooting pictures every where I went.  Great shots, plenty of storage space.  I never felt the need to use max resolution.  Unfortuantely I lost it last week and am shopping for a replacement.  I'm checking out the X31 and X50 which cost less than this one was.
My history with Minolta goes back to Nam'68, with the SRT-101,a 35mm that was spectacular in the field under all conditions. Later the incredible XE-7, Maxxum 700 and even the Freedom(P&S;).This company has always been a tech leader and now has taken it even a step further.The Dimage X is an awsome little digital package that delivers far more than I had ever anticipated. This camera is fun to use!It's fast...the results are spectacular and it fits nicely into your pocket.... Plus , the amount of photo ops I've been able to capture because of size and portability, have made using it a true value-added experience.Thanks Minolta!
My young daughter wanted a camera of her own. I didn't want to spend a lot and I got this used one cheap. It works fine, she likes it, and if she breaks it we're not out too much money. They make better ones now, of course, but that wasn't the goal with this purchase.
This has been a wonderful camera and I have used it for over 11 years.  I loved the fact that it fit into a pocket and I have a leather carrying case for it that lets it fit onto my belt.  The optical zoom on the camera is built in and it is very powerful and works very well.  I used the camera for many years for both business and pleasure and it is easy to carry and use and it takes great photos.I still love the Minolta for it great optical zoom and I still carry it on occasion.  It is a simple and useful point and shoot camera. I have been happy with mine and it has been a good quality camera.
Let me start by saying I use to teach photography at college and an a critic as far as picture quality goes.  A college of mind bought this camera and I was so impressed with the size and features I figured what the heck I'll give it a shot because my Cannon G1 is just to big to carry with me all the time.One of the most important feature to me was size, I wanted something I could carry around.  This covered it, it is small, wow is it small and light.  It's slender body fits into my pocket and I forget it is there.  As a result I shoot more pics.  The other nice feature is the quick worm up time of about a sec.  Cameras I have had in the past I missed shots because they were booting up.  This camera has a exceptional exposure control in low light, it is hard to take a bad picture.Now for the down side.  The picture quality is OK.  I find it a bit smooth and not crisp enough for my taste, but nothing photoshop can't fix.  I miss a volume control on the shutter it is either on or off and there are no shortcuts to the menu items to quickly toggle features or delete frames.  The view window on the back is fixed and a bit small and dark sometimes, mostly in low light.  Also when shooting movies the mic is on the top of the camera rather than the front so if you are in a busy room it pics up everything else as loud as the people you trying to shoot.Over all for the size it is awesome.  I would call it a excellent party, snapshot type camera.  If I lost it I would go out and buy another one without hesitastion.
I don't like carrying cameras around. They're bulky, so I'm disinclined to take them with me to events, or just to the corner diner. Therefore, whether film or digital, the great Kodak moments pass by without a record of them. In my view, the things that kept cameras bulky were the film roll and the zoom lens. Digital photography was supposed to take care of the bulk of film, but cameras were still an inch or two thick, essentially, small bricks. This camera is the first device that meets all my needs. It's small, decent quality, and has a zoom lens -- and it fits in my shirt pocket and my front jeans pocket -- that means that in the last two weeks, I have taken more pictures than I have in the past year owning an Olympus C-2020 Zoom digital camera. Trust me, if you can find it, you will be amazed at how much you enjoy owning this camera!
After researching digital cameras for a couple weeks, I decided on the Dimage X.  At first look, I wondered if i was sent a camera or a deck of cards....it's that small.  The battery charges up in 1.5 hours and by then you've read the book and are ready to put it to use.  It has great features and is simple to use...not to mention you can put it in your pocket and not feel like you're carrying Hugh Heffners wallet!It has all the modes of other cameras, a good battery life, and once again, the size is super small.  If you have big hands, you may have problems, but you'll get used to holding it.  Everything comes in the box, a charger and all the cables needed.  Get a bigger Memory Card, even though the 8MB card holds 67 pictures in 640x480/standard mode (only 1 in 1600x1200/super fine mode).This is a perfect camera for trips, family photos and general use.  Good pictures and not hard to use...
The only thing nice about this camera is it's size, very compact and light weight.I returned mine for a refund for the following reasons.1)The battery doesnt last long, so you gave to buy another one, cannot use AA if in a pinch.2)Indoor photos are washed out by extremely powerful flash.  And it always uses the flash, even in not so low light situations.3) Extremely slow at writing the photo to the SD memory. (about 5 seconds)(this is without flash)4) Buttons are poorly layed out, and menu system not thought out well.5) Movie mode records in MOV format!! forcing you to use quicktime!I returned this camera and got a SONY P72.  ...
Flash could be brighter (You have to be ~5-6 feet away from subjects in very dark spaces..) but otherwise an awesome overall camera.-mark
This is my first digital camera and I'm extremely happy with the picture quality and features (like the mini movies).  Everyone gasps at the size of the camera and is further surprised at the 3x zoom.  Battery life is more than adequate for parties or golf outings.  I've dropped the camera once, no problems.  Another time it fell into a pond, yet still works perfectly fine.
I've had my camera for almost a year and I like it better every day. I rate the photo quality as VERY good. In fact, better than my (heavy bulky) Cannon SLR. It is so easy to use and fits perfectly in my leather business card holder. I keep it with me all the time and never miss a photo op. My suggestion: GET THIS CAMERA and get a spare battery and high capacity memory card. You won't be disappointed. And shop around - I got mine for about $100 less than offered by most online merchants and it was new, never out of the box perfect.
supposedly I can get 1.5 days of continuous usage if I just use the viewfinder instead of the LCD screen.  Fast 2 second startup time means that I hardly lose a good moment.  I also use an epson 3100z which takes up to 7 seconds before it can take a picture.  I don't even want to talk about my Kodak DC280 that ... out after 1.5 years.  The color on the Kodak was by far the most accurate and shapest I've seen though.It is fast... Fastest RISC processor avail. to date: 9-17-02Uses a sony CCD so the quality of the pictures is pretty good.  I recommend getting another battery.  Pretty cheap $ since it lasts 2.5-3hrs on LCD continuous use and only takes 1 hour to charge.  Up the SD/MMC card though.  It worked good with 128MB.  Not so great zoom but adequete.  I also suggest getting a $ case to protect the LCD screen, and buttons.  It is perfect for a woman (for whom I bought it for) but I prefer the SLR types that I can attach lenses and external flases on my Epson 3100z.In short it is always available because it is fast, small, and quality is pretty good.  Kind of steep price compared to the comprable Nikkon, Kodak, Olympus, etc... but Minolta did a fine job here.  Not everybody has this camera and not many review it but the reviews have been great and I must agree (if you have the extra money).
I just got this little camera.  I opened it up, read a quick review of how to navigate the menus and started taking pics.  So far this camera has not taken a bad picture in many different situations.  Just set it on automatic and let it do its thing.  I took pictures in the dark, in the refrigerator, lamps on in the room, outside in daylight, while driving down the street, all perfect pics.  It just always takes perfect picture.  I love it.  Its small and light weight.  Very nice camera. You just dump the pics via windows explorer via another drive letter it creates when you plug the camera in.  You also delete pictures in the camera that way if you desire.  Dumps VERY fast, also.  I recommend it highly.  You won't be disappointed.
Having had many other small cameras in the past -- from tiny Minoxes to the latest Kyocera S3 -- I was really looking forward to having a small digital camera I could keep with me at all times.The Dimage X is a stunning little package; anyone who sees it wants to pick it up, hold it, and play with it.  The design and finish are first-rate. The size, though -- that's what this camera is all about.  It's the first digicam to use an internal zoom mechanism, which allows the X to be ridiculously slim.  Other cameras might have a slightly smaller &quot;footprint&quot; but the X wins where it counts -- it is so slim you forget it's in your pocket.  As a result it is very easy to keep with you at all times.The Dimage X works very well in daily use.  The most important convenience is its' speed.  Many other cameras simply take too long to turn on, or have very long wait times as they record an image.  The little Minolta is among the swiftest of cameras in these regards.  It also allows you to fire off several frames in rapid succession; it appears to allow around five pictures, then pauses to record them to memory.  This is very handy when your trying to capture something elusive -- children, for example.The X's lithium-ion batteries give what I consider very long run-times before expiring.  In comparison to another small digicam, the Kyocera S3, the Dimage X offers approximately double the battery life.  It gives ridiculously long run times with the LCD display switched off; the camera's internal electronics seem very well designed and appear to operate very efficiently.  The camera never feels hot to the touch (or even warm, for that matter); I noticed this was a problem with the Kyocera, which may account for it's short run-times.The only thing I dislike about the Dimage X is its' image quality.  To keep the zoom mechanism inside the camera required the use of a prism.  This limits the camera from being as sharp, ultimately, as a conventional camera, and also leads to slightly less contrast and color saturation in the images.To qualify this review I should admit to being a perfectionist who is reluctant to EVER compromise on image quality.  In this case the size and packaging of this camera have won me over.  With further refinement the Minolta Dimage X could approach perfection; as it stands it's one great little camera that will accompany you everywhere.
Yes, it's cute.  Yes, you can have it with you everywhere.  But bottom line, will you wish you'd taken a different camera with you when you look at the pictures later?I haven't purchased this camera; I considered it strongly until I saw sample images on several camera review sites.  On every single one, it goes completely soft in the corners of every shot.  It's a limitation of the lens, and once you see it you always see it.  I found myself vowing to deal with the greater bulk of my Canon S30 and coming home with pictures worth saving.And for those who say it's a great "party camera" -- look, either a picture's worth taking or it isn't...and if it's worth taking, don't take a blurry one!
I got the Dimage for xmas this year. It is my first digital camera and I love it! It couldnt be easier to use. The LCD display is really crisp and clear and the camera takes the most beautiful pictures. I am no photographer, but even my photos come out looking great. I was thoroughly impressed. I admit though, I don't use the software they provide. I run it on Windows XP and it is very simple to print and save pictures. The camera itself plugs into the PC and acts as an external drive... you just drag and drop. It couldn't be easier.
So far my photos have been crisp and sharp.  My only complaint is that auto focus mechanism is slow and noisy.  But, well, I paid a fraction of the price that I would for a comparable lens, so I figure I got a pretty good deal.
I finally went digital with a Canon XSi after many years with film SLR's.  In the old days I used a fixed 300mm lens f4.5-f22 manual focus and all.  Well, this new Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 is better in many ways.  I get very good sharp images, it's light and a joy to hold, auto focus is good but I use manual focus most of the time; it's what I'm used to.  With good holding technique I can get away with 4.0@1/60th and with a mono pod or walking stick I can go to 1/30th.  Sunset Electronics shipped very fast and offer great customer service if required.
I really enjoy this lens and if I didn't zoom into detail on my 23 inch monitor I might not ever notice the limitations. No matter how much is spent on photographic equipment there is something a lot better for more money. I have already spent many thousands on 35mm over the years.
The Tamron was our first zoom/telephoto lens, and so far it's great.  Feels solid, works well, focuses reasonably quickly, overall - very pleased.  Especially considering value for the dollar - great investment.
I knew this lens did not have stablization when purchased, but even in best conditions I had difficulty getting clear, sharp shots.The problem might be with my own skills or perhaps possibly a defective lens, but I didn't want to work so hard every time I wanted a decent picture.I returned this lens and purchased the Canon EF-S 55 - 250mm lens. This lens is much better suited for me (although more costly and still not the best lens for extremely sharp telephoto shots but fairly easy to acheive clear shake-free pictures).I gave the Tamron lens 3 stars because more skilled users no doubt will get better results than I.
I bought this lens as a cheap lens that I could take with me on trips and not have to worry if it broke. There's nothing worse than going out on an adventure, but feeling as though you can't enjoy it as you should, because your precious $3000 glass is in your gear bag. I'm a wedding photographer, mostly working with L glass, so I have a decent amount of experience with lenses. I also have a good-sized collection of manual focus lenses from the past three decades, most of them "off-brand" or third party like this. Let's start with the pros and cons:PROS- Can take some VERY nice images- 9 blade aperture- Bokeh was surprisingly smooth and pleasant- Well-constructed, doesn't feel cheapCONS- Slow autofocus (not enough to take a star off though)- AF is LOUD.- Suffers from chromatic aberrationI was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pictures that this lens manages. Given the right lighting, it works decently as a portrait lens due to the smooth bokeh the 9-blade aperture allows. It was a nice lens to bring to the zoo with me, although the slow AF resulted in several missed shots. Compared to some of my older third-party lenses (the Vivitar Series 1 from the 80's for example) this lens has a little less quality optically, but honestly I didn't think there was much difference between this, and Canon's budget zoom in this price range.If you don't own a zoom lens and are just starting out, this is definitely a good choice. It serves a good purpose in my camera bag if I ever need to go out and shoot without worrying about equipment safety, and so I would also recommend it for that purpose. If you're looking for high-quality pictures however, you should be prepared to upgrade to theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras!
This is a nice zoom lens- Manual focus is smooth. The only drawback is the zoom- at first it was stiff, but seems to have loosened up through use.
I really enjoy using this lens on a regular basis to capture the squirrels in my back yard.
So far, I am very happy with this lens. My budget wouldn't allow me to purchase the pricier lenses. After reading lots of positive reviews, I settled on the tamron. I have not regreted the purchase. The lens is a bit heavy and I always use a tripod with it otherwise I experience camera shake. The quality of photos that I get with this lens have been excellent for my purposes. I am not a professional, but this lens seems like a great deal for the price. I would recommend it to those who would like a zoom lens in the 75-300 range but can't afford a lens that cost more than your camera.
This is one instance you can forget the axiom about "getting what you pay for."  Despite what may be a relatively low price, it's an absolutely superb lens: fast, responsive, with a nice "feel" to the barrel.  It usually quickly finds the focus point, and I've yet to experience (in one month of use) the so-called focus "searching" that others allude to. Buy this lens; you absolutely cannot go wrong.
At the price it retails, it is an amazing lens. I have a similar Sigma lens with image stabilizer, yet somehow the Tamron does a far better job with astrophotography. I have taken some lunar close-ups; without the slightest hesitation I give it five stars. Some of the similarly configured lenses go for twice the amount - this one is definitely worth the money spent.
It was a good lens that lasted a few years but roughly 2 years if use and the internal motor gears went bad. Now our Canon camera has an error message when this lens is attach. I would personally spend a little more money for better quality lens
What can I say? It's not an amazing lens, but for the price and the amount of zoom you get (300mm) you really can't beat it. As long as you shoot from something steady like a tripod or monopod you can get some great shots.
Well designed, works perfectly with my Canon Rebel XS, good range, big range for focussing the target.the complain maybe that i have is the autofocus is little slow, but for this lens, i better if you use in manually mode to achive the the picture as well you desired.if you want a lens not spensive like other, this lens is a good choice.i recomended this item.
I bought this lens primarly for photgraping birds and other wild life. It dose excedeing well however I have found that the autofocus is useless for what I have been using the lens for. However the manul focus works great so I do not really need autofocus. I would defintly recomend this lenes.
This is a very good - perhaps excellent lens.  There were very few negative reviews for this lens when I was shopping for a better zoom, one in about the 55 to 300 range.  The worst attributes listed were slow or no auto-focus.  But even this was not talked about by most owners.  I decided to buy and try this lens and found a better deal than Amazon offered.  (Since then Amazon has reduced the price by over $50.00)After receiving the lens, I have used it to take over 300 pictures.  These pix ranged from landscape, to sporting, to church dinner, and portraits.  First, let me say that I have not noticed any no or slow auto-focus problems.  This is a light weight, well constructed lens that works exceptionally well with my Canon T1i.If you read all of the reviews, you will discover that owners of this lens are more happy than unhappy with their purchase.  I found this to be a better lens by listening to other owners of this, Sigma, Canon, etc.  No other lens had this overall satisfaction rate from its owners.Update 2 March 2013:  I went on a trip in October, 2012 and for some reason the ZOOM feature of the lens stopped working. (Very disappointed in this, but it seems that somehow sand had gotten into the lens and caused the zoom function to break in some manner.  I have spent a great deal of time at the coast and at sea.)  When I got back from the trip, I sent the lens in for repair (Contact TAMRON, not the Seller about Warranty repair).  After the repair, it now works as well as new.  It was "disassembled, repaired, oiled and reassembled" according to the work order that was returned with the lens.I would purchase any Tamron Lens before a compatible Cannon lens for the warranty and quality alone.  Well worth the money to me and a bargain compared to Canon prices for similar performance.  I have not experienced any of the "slow focus" issues that a few, very few, people have mentioned.  I have used the Sports Mode on my camera and gotten great results - Canon Rebel T1i.  I have also shot video through this lens, but do recommend a tripod if you do this.
I recently got this lens for my Canon Rebel XS.  I am very happy with it.  It is not as easy to use as the $1350 Canon lens, but I can't afford that one! I paid $123--come on people.  And seriously, how many of us are really professionals???  As long as I work with in the limitations, i.e. use a tripod for the most extreme shots, it does a great job.  It is well designed, looks and feels good.
I bought this for the wife and her Canon XTi camera for Christmas.  She raves about it and proudly shows off her pictures she took in Hong Kong.  I have the Sigma that is very similar to this Tamron and it works great, too, on my Canon XSi.  You don't have to spend a fortune on lenses folks.  Once you get a telephoto like this, go around and price out Tamron or Sigma wide angle lenses.
Not the fastest lens out there but a great first telephoto lens for the novice photographer.  Optics are clear and crisp.  Build quality is above average.  Its no speed demon at F/4.0 - 5.6 but its very versatile in most situations.  If you are shooting NFL games from the sidelines obviously this lens will not do but for general wildlife shots and cityscape shots, it really is hard to beat for the money.  Great Lens all around to have in your bag.
I received this lens about two weeks ago, and LOVE using it!  It gets a little heavy if you drag it around all day, but it's worth it for the image quality.  The AF is a little slow to react, but unless your shooting sports, you should be fine.I would recommend this to anyone thats wanting a crisp, color accurate, and budget priced lens!  DEFINITELY NOT "you get what you pay for" here!
I am just beginning to use my SLR camera for more than just the bascis and find this lens to be great. it is affordable and gets the job done.
I got this lens for my Canon XSI.  I am sure you can get a better 75-300mm lens if you spend a lot more money of course.  I was a little concerned about not having IS on this lens but I figured for $100 I could deal with this by taking multiple shots and hoping half weren't blurred and half were decent enough to select from and use.  Well I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity of the images even at full 300mm.  When the lens arrived today I took it outside and took a few photos of a flower in my front yard, just to test it out.  It was windy so the flower was swaying back and forth and I wasn't making a concerted effort to hold the camera still in my hands, and the image came out very clear and much better than I expected.  I then took a few pictures of my cat at the full 300mm inside my house while he was eating. Again I got really nice pictures, although I had to have the flash on inside (tried without the flash and came out blurry) I figure with this lens I am going to be using it mostly for outdoors, and if I do use it inside I will likely use a tripod if I can't use the flash.  But for outdoor use based on what I took today I don't think I will need the tripod, so again I am pleasantly surprised.The build quality is better than I expected for this lens.  Although it is plastic (frankly I don't understand why people complain about a plastic lens, unless you abuse your lenses I think a plastic exterior is just fine, unless of course you want to spend hundreds for more not having plastic) the build quality is very good.  The auto focus was also very quick and although some users note the noisy auto focus as a con, I don't think it is noisy at all.  Overall this lens far exceeds my expectations in every category.  If you're an amateur or novice to somewhat serious photographer I don't think you need a telephoto lens that costs more than this one.  I am really glad I bought this lens.
I had this lense on my new Canon XSi and took it to bermuda.The lense is pretty fast. Picture came out great and clear even know it doesnt have IS (image stabalize). A little big and heavy but image quality was real nice.
I wasn't expecting a lot for the price I paid for this lens, but upon putting it to a few of my own tests I can say that it is much better than I expected. I don't have a lot of extra money to spend on photography equipment so I was looking for the most bang for the buck. There was a 75-300mm Canon lens in the same price range, but I heard nothing but bad things about it, and I also considered a used Sigma that was still a bit more expensive than the Tamron.I am just getting back into photography after a number of years, actually over a decade, and that was all 35mm film back in school. The only cameras I have used in the last 10 years have been digital point and shoot.I wont lie here, I settled on the Tamron AF75-300 because of the price, the fact that the reviews were a little better than what I read about the comparable Canon helped a bit, but it was mostly the price. I haven't used a zoom lens like this since I was taking Photography years ago with an ancient Pentax K1000 (it was all I could afford) and the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my EOS Rebel left something to be desired zoom wise. I tried out a few very nice lenses that people let me use, Canon, and Sigma and all were very nice, but none of them were in my price range all being in the 600+ range.I figured for the price, it wasn't a big loss if it turned out to be a POS, so I ordered it.I was expecting this thing to feel cheap, but it has the feel of a quality build.I was also expecting it to be a bit softer than it is, but it's a lot sharper than people have given it credit for.The only neg I can give it is that it's about as slow as people say it is, but for the price you really can't complain about that.If you're on a budget like me, grab one of these, and a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and a long with your kit lens you can cover quite a bit photography wise.
This is my second purchase of this same lens.  My first lasted two years, but my husband threw away the receipt, so without the receipt, the six year warranty is void.  However, I feel like I totally got my moneys worth!  I take sports pictures at all my sons' games and this last for two full years of contstant picture taking (hundreds per day), so I can't complain.  I learned my lesson now, and am keeping this receipt!
With lenses, the rule of thumb is, more often than not, "you get what you pay for" - having said that, this lens is an exception. This is a great price for a lens in this focal range. While I'm sure there are better quality lenses out there (if you want to spend a lot more money), for an under $200 lens, this one's great! Construction is solid and the lens feels sturdy and not at all cheap. Auto focus is reasonably fast and manual focusing feels quite comfortable. The level of sharpness and overall image quality from this lens has been just fantastic. I have no complaints at all and am very happy with this lens. I'd reccommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive lens in this range.
Its a real nice lens for the price you pay, dont forget no macro available for this lens. Tamron is better than Canon for 75-300 deal I bought Canon 70-300 without IS, every photo I ve taken was blurred, I thought all that kind of cheap lenses give the same result, I returned it and got this one, this one is a lot nicer than canon, but nothing can beat Canon 70-200 L Series save some money and buy it, that kind of cheap lenses sooner or later goes to trash or garage sale.
I love this lens I use it all the time! It is so easy to use and you dont need to use a tripod. It is a wonderful bargain I would recommend it to anyone.
This lens serves a no nonsense zoom lens for a novice photographer. Although the focusing is slow it takes great outdoor pictures. My purpose is mainly outdoor photography for which this lens is great. The macro mode takes a while getting used to but I'd rather use this as a zoom lens only.Overall great value and a super buy for a novice photographer on a budget.
This is the second lens I've purchased for my T2i.  I don't often take a lot of shots that require this kind of zoom, so I wasn't going to drop $1400 on a lens... mostly because I don't have that money to drop, LOL.  But I wanted to have a zoom lens handy.  I photograph trains, mostly model trains.  And I've actually found that the 50mm 2.8 Canon lens does not do what I want to do that well.  The depth of field I get, when I get close in, is so shallow that I can't get the whole locomotive in focus.  That's one place where I found this lens to be more useful than I would have expected.  I set the camera back from the subject, zoom in, and get more DOF...  This would likely be the case with other zoom lenses, though.  Photographing outdoors on mostly cloudy days here in Washington State, the lens does a fine job.  If I'm zooming in, it really needs a tripod in those conditions.  At the wide end it's not necessary.  In the end, I would buy this lens again.  I have taken some outdoor shots and it's not the sharpest, especially at the zoom end.  But, on the rare occasion I need the sharpest, I'll rent the $1400 lens.  I do plan on purchasing a better "Standard Zoom," and for that I'm looking at the Tokina 16.5-135mm that's more of a wide angle or the Canon 28-135... but the Tokina provides a larger DOF than at Canon lens.
I purchased this lens 3 weeks ago and I am quite happy with it. A friend let me borrow her Cannon 70-300 lens to try, starting reading the reviews on this lens and decided what the heck, for the price I am going to give it a try, thought both lenstook about the same pictures, and I am very happy that i purchased this lens,  I have already received compliments about the quality. So for the price you can't beat this lens and the warranty that comes with it, you would be silly not to get it.
I bought this to go on a Cannon Rebel and it takes great zoom shots.  Very easy to use.
sometimes it is slow on the auto focus, where by the time it focus' I've missed the shot! So if it's something that is moving I take the auto focus off.
This lens is so much better than I thought it would be. I don't know what else I can say! The weight of it takes a little getting used to, but it's a dream with my Canon Rebel XT.
Works well. Nice, cheap starter lens. Keep expectations in check and no disappointment. By no means is the a pro lens.
Just got the lens, and all I can say is WOW!, it is money well spent. Great for video recording, super sharp, stills equally sharp (you have to use a tripod to get the best video and stills). you can use hand held at 75mm, but tripod beyond that. Color and contrast was good. This is one lens that everyone should have, especially for the price, I could have paid $300.00 for this and would still be happy. This is a keeper.
I have a Cannon Rebel XS I bought here on Amazon and wanted a telephoto lens to shoot outdoors.  I did a lot of research and found this lens to have the best reviews so I bought it.  I have only had it a week and used it once but so far so good!  I went to a local park and took some pictures of the CA Geese, caught a few good shots of them in flight.  The pictures came out crystal clear and full of color, I shot with and without a monopod.  I am taking it on a road-trip through CO, hope to get more great shots.
Excellent lens.  I'm using this on my Canon T3i and works pretty good.  It gives me a great look, has a reasonable autofocus as well.  The zoom can be a bit smoother, however, on manual controls as I shoot a lot of video and it's a bit hard to do zoom without it sticking a bit.  I'm sure if I used a bit of oil, the problem will fix itself.  Good little lens though!
We bought this lens for my wife's Canon Rebel XTi DSLR. The 35mm film equivalent of this 75-300mm lens is 112-450mm.This lens is outstanding in every way. It has great build quality and a nice ergonomic feel. The focusing is pretty fast and it is able to autofocus accurately even at low light situations. It produces sharp pictures at all focal lengths with excellent detail and color balance. The lens hood is an added bonus.At this low price for a lens I looked for flaws, but could not find any. I have to agree with the other reviewers that the axiom "you get what you pay for" does NOT apply to this lens.
I have got this for half a year and I like it.I am happy with it because I am not serious about long range shorts, I just need something that can get me something on the long range with the minimal cost, in this perspective, this lens is great.[bad]It's soft, unless conditions are perfect, but it's always soft above 200mm. Colors are pretty boring, saturation is low. The focusing speed is low but fine for me.In most cases when you need this lens, it's aperture is not big enough, and to increase the sharpness you have to lower the aperture to F8-10, that means you better have low noise high iso capability on your camera, it's fine with my T1i. If your camera produce a lot of noise on ISO 800, then avoid this lens, you won't be happy.[good]The focus is accurate, the build quality is good, and it comes with a lens hood, it's small and light, easy to carry in your bag as a "just in case" lens.And don't forget, it's cheap.
Out of the package and onto the camera with a simple snap. The lense works great. The AF is very good and with the cameras face recognition it really pulls out the person you are zooming in on. I find the need to switch to manual focus if taking pictures of a group of people. This is a perfect lense for the price..
I received my lense and I had some issues with the camera and the lense but I decided to keep it, and have taken some great pictures with it. I had bought it used. Im planning to buy a new one too, the lense is great, it takes sharp pictures and the zoom it awsome. I recommend this seller 100 %  thank you for the great Costummer service.
This has been a great lens so far for the number of pictures that I have taken. I have only had it since Christmas. So far so good.Rick
After a few outings, I'm quite happy with the results from this lens. The only letdown so far has been that I can't seem to take good macro shots with it.
UPDATE:I have upgraded this review to 3 stars based on a discovery. While looking at similar lenses from other makers I checked to see if my current Opteka HD UV filter would fit. Then I thought to take the filter off and check the lens AF performance. Sooo much better. It actually focuses now without the lens filter. It is still not very fast compared to other lenses I have used. I will give it a try this weekend at my sons soccer match. If I have problems I will let you know.Again, the focus is still slow, but way better without the UV filter.Original review,I bought this lens a while back, influenced by the good reviews and low price compared to Canon's. The AF does not work well with my Canon Rebel XT. I find the lens works fine using Manual Focus. I have lost many moments of my kids playing sports and other activities due this lack of focus.I have found this to be true indoors and outdoors in various lighting conditions.Sometimes it takes three or more attempts to AF before it gets it right. I have also found it is sometimes helpful to first focus and then zoom in on my subject. This doesn't work so well for action shots though (miss the shot). I have other lenses from other manufacturers that work fine in AF mode with my camera (Canon and Sigma), so I'm sure it is not an issue with my camera.cheers,Shannon
works as well as the more expensive name brands. Durable and dependable.  getting great pics!
I bought this used on Amazon for $100. It was in perfect condition and works perfectly. Great lens for the money.
This is a great lens for the price. I bought it to get some shots of my little girls first year of soccer and it does the job. I do find that some of the shots dont come out as sharp as I would like  when I dont use a tripod. But overall image quality from this lens has been just fantastic.
Just got this item today and got to mess around with it for a few hours. I needed a cheap lens but would give me good quality photos. I understand you get what you pay for so I had no extremely high hopes that this would be the end all for lens's for my photo bag.First I want to say and it has been noted in previous reviews that the AF is noisy. But after about 10 minutes I got used to it, However I prefer Manual focus on any lens. Just because I like total control rather than some, plus with me just learning my camera, MF is better so i get used to the other functions as well.Photos came out crisp and clear. Maybe if the lighting was a lil better they would of come out better but for what i did with it, was better than expected. It is made of plastic but there is a little bit of weight to it which is nice. I don't think it "feels" cheap. It doesn't have IS on it either. But if a tripod is being used anyways you should be ok.I'm not a pro by any stretch of the imagination, But this camera was a very nice addition and will complement my Canon Rebel XS kit lens perfectly. Remember folks to although a lens or the camera can make or break a photo, ultimately it is up to the photographer how the photo comes out and makes do with the budget that he/she has. and this lens was definitely in my budget. Very happy user here.
I can not believe the quality and construction of this lens at this great price.I was blown away at the price.I was blown away at the quality of the lens.I was proud of the pictures that it took.Tamron, Amazon, Kudos on a wonderful Product in these very tuff times...Sincerly,Willard J. Holmes
This lens is for my Sony A290.  Auto focus works great.  Manual focus feels a bit rough.  Everything seems to work fine and it's a good inexpensive lens for what I do.  I have used it for backyard wildlife and it seems to do well for birds, squirrels, etc.  I used to be a very avid photographer back in the film days and then went to digital point and shoot.  I am now getting back into it with the purchase of my first basic DSLR.  I think this lens will work well for anyone wanting to shoot kids' sports, vacations, etc. and not break the bank with the purchase. It is not what I would want if I was doing any serious photography.
the lens does what it supposed to do. it also came with a shade which costs around $20.00 so a good deal got even better. i am a happy camper.
First off this is in no way a compact lens, its big and its heavy, but it does produce very sharp and detailed images under the right conditions.I am using this with my Sony A200 and it performs well on a tripod, but for handheld success it better be a very bright sunny day or a very high ISO setting because this lens is very difficult to control at extreme telephoto lengths. My Sony begins flashing the warning sign in the viewfinder at 200mm, but to the cameras credit the steady shot performs well. That being said I would suggest that this lens be used with a tripod.Bottom line, for the cost this is a very nice lens. It is louder than the Sony or Minolta's, and it does hunt a bit at extreme telephoto (partially I beleive due to camera shake induced by it's weight) but all things considered the build quality seems, to me at least, to exceed the Sony kit lens.
I bought the Tamron to go with my Sony a200 dslr. The lens is really nice quality, and it works perfectly with the camera. Autofocus is quick and accurate. It is certainly not a pro quality lens, but for the price it is wonderful. I recommend this for anyone who wants a telephoto zoom to add to their dlsr. I tried out the Sony 70-300mm lens in a local store, but I was not impressed. In particular the usability of manual focus on the Sony lens was quite poor. This one is fantastic in that regard. You may not use manual focus that often, but it's nice to have a lens that can handle the job when you need it.
I was worried this would not fit my Sony A290 DSLR and I'd be forced to buy an adapter, tec. etc., but it fits, it works and I'm satisfied. Although I have used it sparingly so far, I'll update my review after I get a chance to use it to it's full potential.
This lens provides an extension of what I already have. It was the right price at the right time. Is sharp and mechanically sound.
I bought this lens for my daughters Sony a390. I love the quality of Tamron lenses.I used to work for an electronics retailer corporate office. We sold more Tamron lenses than any other brand. They were better made, were far less expensive and had 5 times the warranty.
I think the part that is missing from the information on the Amazon listing is this is what Tamron labels "TELE-MACRO".  In the manufacturer information it does state it can focus and blur the surrounding points out, which yes is macro but still I think the macro is a great selling point for this lens.  Auto-Focus tends to need some help from time to time, but once it gets the right frame it picks it right up.  I had mistakenly taken this lens on a trip.  I couldn't shoot what I wanted but then went to macro mode and was very impressed how well it handled macro shots from a decent distance.  Very good lens for the price to supplement your every day lens.
Tamron has been around a long time now and have learned to make some great lenses.  I swear this lens is sharper than the kit lens on my A77.  I just cannot believe it is so cheap!
I bought the lense and it's my first long range lens. I've taken quite a few pictures with and have only have two complaints, but they aren't really about the lens.1. I like the 6 year warranty, but I don't like the hassle to register and get in the database from Tamron for the warranty.2. When I purchased it I contacted Amazon to find out if the lens caps were in the box and was told the front lense cap wasn't, so I purhased the lens, cap,and Tiffen filter as one purchase. Well, I can tell both caps and the lens hood were in the box, so I'm not to happy about buying an extra front lens cap.Overall I beieve this is worth $164 dollars for what you get included with the lens. I'll be considering Tamron lenses when I make my next lens purchase for my Sony A55.Update 12/29/2012I used this lens to take quite a few pictures now and I expected for the price there would be a compromise, but I've yet to find one. I'd say this is worth the price for the photo hobbyist considering the same/or like Sony lenses are much more expensive. I had a chance to try a higher priced 70-300mm lens from Sony and it did not take a better picture.
Excellent product and it was delivered quickly and had an awesome price.
I use this with both the A55 and A300 and love it! Recently used it at my brother's high school graduation and was able to get some great shots of him even from the stands. For this price you can't beat this lens! Highly recommended!
It sure is large and noisy, but it's also inexpensive. The autofocus is not the best and it's not great with low light, but that you should expect, given the aperture range. It is a great deal for the price. With appropriate conditions (daylight and good technique) it can produce some great shots. If you are expecting Carl Zeiss quality or if you cannot operate it properly, you are going to be frustrated (but then the blame's on you anyway). If you're low on budget, go ahead and buy it.
I needed more lens for those shots that are a little farther away or in sports action.  This lens is perfect.  I've also done some shots with the macro feature.  Very easy to use lens.  Lightweight.  It is everything I was looking for in a 75-300mm lens.  And the price was great.
Very decent lens. all the sweeter that it cam at 60% off. How often are you going to use a telephoto lens? Truth is, for the price, this lens was well worth it. The lens itself even shrinks to the smallest size when you turn off the camera.
Very clear optics for the price. As long as you don't need a fast lens for low light or fast motion, this is great. Build is plastic but doesn't feel cheap.
I recently bought the Alpha A99 as an upgrade to my Sony A57, and as you know the Slt-A99  is a full frame "35mm sensor "camera that it's sold without a  lens.So I tested all my cropped lenses with the a99, just to satisfy my curiosity, they all worked pretty well but without using the full capacity of a full frame sensor. In conclusion they work as cropped lenses in a full frame body.To my surprise this was the only lens that worked perfectly in my A99 using the full capacity of the sensor.!I don't know why! !It just works!I'm more than happy whit this lens.
First off, this lens performs much better than the Sony Branded 70-300mm. I actually can't think that you could get a better telephoto lens in this price range. It feels very well made and has an aluminum camera mount. The focus adjustment is very smooth and the zoom ring is pretty smototh in operation too The pictures taken with it are great and the reach is awsome at 300mm on an APS-C camera, that is 450mm.Here are a couple downsides:It is a bit heavy. That makes it feel solid and od but can induce shake when shooting handheld; especially when extended all the way for telephoto.The focus is not internal so the ring moves as you focus. That's not a big deal unless you use a polarizing filter.The autofocus is a little slower and hunts a bit more than other lenses I've used on the A330.It is labeled as a Macro Telephoto but with a Minimum Focal Distance of almost 5 feet, it's really not that usefull for macro. That MFD can also make it tough to use for anything close up but then again, this lens should be bought for telephoto with a minimum of 70mm right?At 300mm, it gets a bit flat. I don't mean perspective but contrast. That is to be expected as it is fully extended and at 200mm it is nicely contrasty. The ability to still go to 300mm is a bonus.One good point that probably wouldn't mean much to the majority of Sony Alpha users but this lens can cover a full format 35mm sensor with no perceivable vignetting at all ranges.
this lens takes forever to focus and i missed many wildlife shots in the field.  the image quality is also not very sharp especially when i zoomed in.  had to break down and spend 2k to get a sony 75-400mm lens and throw this one away.
This is directed toward the novices out there who want a longer lens. I've had this lens for about a year now. I'm barely an ammature so don't look for all the technical stuff you see in most photography reviews. When I first got this lens I was dissapointed. It didn't do what I thought it would do. WRONG! The problem was I wasn't doing what I should have been doing. This lens is light for what it is, that's a good thing. But it's too heavy to hand hold for very long, and for me, impossible to hand hold steady zoomed out. Use a good tripod. Use this lens a lot. Experiment, get to know it. Every time you take it out it gets better. Actually, YOU get better. This is no Canon L glass but it is a good lens. Enjoy!
I was not expecting a lens of this quality for the price that I paid. The auto focus works great, manual mode is very smooth and easy to operate. Pictures look fantastic. Again, there are probably better lenses out there, but for someone just getting into DSLR photography, you cannot go wrong  choosing this lens for your telephoto lens. I have been using this lens for most of my shots since receiving it.
This Product is good and I paid comparitively less price for this. So I am Happy to have this product with me. Lens quality is equally good when I compare this to high price lens.
I use this on my Sony Alpha a230.  I've been quite happy with this lens for the distance.  It does lose some of its sharpness if you fully extend to max length, but for the most part, photos come out quite well with good detail.  Not as fast as I'd like, but very good lens for this price.
This is a great auto focus lens however a bit of a warning is that the lens is heavy so I highly recommend a tripod when taking picture over a long period of time
I recently took this lens to Hawaii with me. I got some great shots of Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay. The shots of Diamond Head are so close it looks like I visted it.I also put a UV filter on it and the colors are VIBRANT! I've received many compliments.If you're looking for a larger lens, this is the one to buy.
This is a great lense for the price. It works so wonderfully with my Sony Alpha A330. Adapted perfectly. Great for novice shooting. You won't go wrong with this.
I use to use this lens with my Nikon.  However, being a Sony lover, i sold the Nikon and went back to Sony.  I had to include this lens when i purchased the camera.  It is still my favorite lens in my lineup.  Shoots wonderful shots and is very well worth its price.
haven't had time to test it yet. Product came in fast and safe. Good price, fast response time to camera. Would love to get a sunny day at a soccer game and really go wild. Can't complain.
received one as a gift so returned this one Nice lens No problem on the return.
I bought this lens with my Nikon D80 and used it a great deal of the time.  Partnered with a warming filter, this lens took nice pictures.  It was a workhorse for me until I started doing outside shots at football games.  This its slow AF became an issue and I upgraded to the Tamrom AF 70-300 Di model.  I also took some close up shots with this lens, but I had to get quite a ways back.  This is a good starter zoom, but will show its shortcomings pretty soon.
I was looking for a long lens for my Nikon D3000 and well the price was a object. I knew this wasn't a Nikkor lens but the quality was good. Although the auto-focus does not work on my camera I like this lens. It is sharp with smooth zoom and focus.As a former newspaper photographer I have always enjoyed working with a long lens to get the shot without being too close and this lens works well in that role. You get what you pay for but in this case you get a bit more.
I'm somewhat of a professional but not a lot of extra funds for the big fancy lenses. I have some amazing birds in my yard so I wanted to get a bit closer than my regular 200 mm. This lens foots the bill just great. I have a D7000 with an internal motor so it didn't matter to me that this lens has no motor. Works great. I love the buttery, smooth bokeh it gives. It reminds me of a much more expensive lens but for a fraction of the cost.  And yet, if I break it I won't feel bad.  I'd highly recommend it over the standard Nikon kit lens of 55-200.One note, because it says 'Macro' does not mean it is a true Macro lens. You have to be about 3 feet away at minimum, different than regular macro lenses, which seems a bit deceiving on what a Macro lens really is.Overall a great lens for what I am using it for and a great price.
The lens housing is what you'd expect. Mostly plastic, and the zoom ring is not smooth, but the barrel doesn't feel cheap like some Nikon G series lenses.  The lens quality is excellent with a good anti-reflective coating.  It shows surprisingly good contrast (little haze) even looking into the sun.  Color is very good.  Surprisingly, this light lens performs more than adequately even wide open (f/5.6-6 at 300mm).  The auto focus is about what I expected which is not fast enough for most quick paced sports shots, and it will search unless it's bright.  Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised at the quality of the lens.
The lens takes good pictures and gets very close. Make sure your camera has an internal focus motor if you want this lens, otherwise you will have to manually focus it. I didn't realize that until after I got it but still is a very nice lens.
This lens is wonderful! I've taken many amazing photos with this lens (not my skill at all). The company expedited the shimpent and it arrived in time for my trip back in October. I've enjoyed everything about this lens and the surprise camera bag (included free) was so nice.Thank you! Thank you!
I have had this lens for a good year now, so I thought it was time to write a review.When I first purchased this lens I was on a tight budget, so I went with a cheaper lens and hoped for the best. Overall, I have been extremely happy with this Tamron- I use it on a Pentax DSLR for outdoor portrait and animal photography. It works best outside, with a great depth of field. For my work with animals I use this lens exclusively and have been able to capture some of my favorite shots.The lens is also pretty heavy and durable, I haven't had any issues with breakage or the lens malfunctioning in the time I've had it. I would recommend it to anyone needing a higher zoom lens for a price that wont leave you completely broke.The only downside I have had is that I take some indoor sports photos, and between the DSLR and the lens, it's just too dark indoors to get any really nice, sharp images.
It's an ok lens.  I do feel that at the longest range, it has pretty decent sharpness and ability to capture the subject well.  Auto-focus works well for most well-lit situations.The biggest con that drives me crazy is the purple fringing and chromatic aberration.  Using this lens, especially in well-contrasted images, requires me to spend quite a bit of time in Photoshop or Lightroom to get rid of the purple.
I've owned theTamron Autofocus 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD with Hood for Pentax SLR Camerasfor about a year now.  I use it on a Pentax DSLR (I am a big fan of conventional lenses on smaller sensor cameras - the sensor picks up the sweet spot of the lens).  It was/is my 'go to' lens for far-away outdoor sports, action and even outdoor portraiture.  The size translates to 110 to 480mm in 35mm film camera terms, so it will not do for close up work but the reach is awesome!Pros: great depth of field at wider apertures (even relatively long focus) which makes subjects pop.  Reasonably fast focus (about a second from close to far).  Solid zoom feel and there is little tendency to creep.  Solid build.  The lens has 'presence' - when zoomed to 300mm, it looks huge!  When used on a DSLR with a smaller sensor (1.6 factor), there is no noticeable pincushion or barrel distortion.  It is, especially for the money, fairly sharp.Cons: Occasionally, aperture control closes down (may be a flaw in my lens as opposed to all lenses).  Causes me to turn off camera, partially disengage and then reengage the lens from the camera, turn camera back on (cycle is about 5-7 seconds - I have lost shots because of this).  It tends to hunt for focus with some subjects. The lens is somewhat heavy.All in all, despite the one major issue I have with the aperture, it's a really nice lens at the price I paid.  Great value for the money.  I rate it a 3 because of my particular issue.  Without the issue I would rate it a 4+ or 5-, mostly because of weight.
I bought this lens at a local store. I compared this side by side with Sigma 70-300, f/4.0-5.6. I was blown away by the picture quality. For the money you pay, life doesn't get any better! Pentax K20D, AF540FGZ.
The Tamron f/4-5.6 75-300 zoom is a great buy at the price. The zoom is very smooth and auto focus very responsive. Very nice optics. For outdoor work you can, almost, get away with this as the only lens. Results are crisp beautiful photos. Quality is vastly superior to the lenses generally included in a Pentax kit.Personally I find the low end of the focal length limiting (indoors in particular) and it could be a bit brighter (aperture) but the quality is very good at 300mm. As far as cost goes there is nearly a $100.00 price delta between this and an equivalent 28-200mm lens.I have personally used this lens for several weddings (paid and voluntary) with great results. Lens is light enough that I have been able to do a lot of shots freehand (no tripod) without noticeable &quot;shake&quot; in the resulting photos. In addition to the weddings I have also had good results with equestrian, other &quot;slow&quot; action photos and in particular landscape shots where I use the zoom to frame the shot with different points of view (POV).In summary this is a very good lens at a very good price. If you need a long lens in your set this is a very good choice.
My feelings about this lens are mixed. I bought it in the hope of extending the range of my Pentax 100D with the same quality and ease of use as the Pentax 50-200mm lens, but it didn't turn out that way. I do like the heaviness of the lens (A little beef makes it feel sturdy), and the image quality is no doubt good, however, this glass has one particular quirk that drives me crazy; in order for the aperture to be set by the camera for automatic exposures, (Pentax lenses do not have aperture rings), the aperture on this lens must be set to the "A" position. But once that is done, the blades close to a pinpoint size opening, minimizing the light entering the camera, and making low-light shots impossible to see. The only way around this is to remove the lens from the camera, and manually open the lens before re-mounting it.Also, if automatic focusing is desired, no manual fine-tuning can be done afterward, as can be done with the Pentax 50-200, because the Tamron's focusing ring is tightly held in place when in the AF mode, thus making it quite possible to damage the focusing mechanism. The only way to hand-focus at all is to first turn off the AF feature.All is not bad, however. I have made some dynamite close-ups of flowers with this lens simply by zooming in on them from a distance, and I have found both the color and the resolution to be quite sharp. Considering the price, it was not money badly spent.
Heat.Heat is your friend.Cold is the enemy.I take this snowboarding. You CAN NOT use the Beltclipcarry case for this, if you are in the cold. Place itin your pocket, with a Heat pack.I have walked out the door with a FULLY charged battery,only to see the Red, Battery dying light.Ignor this.If you keep it warm, it will last longer.The hotter the battery is, the longer it lasts.I have gotten many photos after the red light, byturning the camera on, the quickly snapping a photo,then turning it off.And keeping the camera warm, when not in use.YOU NEED A SECOND BATTERY!!!!Taking about 40 pictures at Disnaey World, willuse up ONE battery, if your fussing with the cameraon, and looking at the picture you took.Just for your help. :)
I concur with the "Slim and Lightweight but..." review.On the positive side:  The battery is very slim and light weight, it charges quickly, and is easy to swap out of the camera.On the negative side: It doesn't last as long as I'd like and it's a bit more expensive than I think it should be.  I have not noticed it heating up after use.Hmmm...positive & negative just like a battery.  I just noticed that.Anyhow, on the third hand, I'm not sure you have much choice if you own a Minolta Dimage X camera (which is why I bought this battery).  Also, even though I wish this were cheaper, the Amazon price is very competitive to other places I've seen it for sale.If you have or are buying a Dimage X (a really excellent little camera), however, I really suggest you get an extra battery.  You can leave one in the charger while the other is in the camera.  That way you always have a fully charged battery available when you want to use your camera.  You don't have to worry about when the last time you charged the battery.  Just swap it out when you need it (no memory effect with Lithium Ion) and you'll always go off fully charged.  If you think ahead, you can charge both up and have two if you're expecting to use the camera for a longer period of time.A camera case (to protect the LCD screen) and a larger memory card are probably key purchases, but you'll really appreciate this extra battery for your Dimage X.Hope this is helpful and good luck with your purchase!
You offer this battery as an optional purchase for the Panasonic e-wear digital video camera but it is not compatible with that camera. I will be returning it.
I bought this battery as a backup for my Minolta Dimage X.  It works as well as the original.  These batteries charge quickly... but also don't last very long (at least not in my camera).  I find that I can take about 200 pictures with the LCD viewer on before battery life degradates to an annoying level.
When I just bought Dimage Xt, it was able to take ~200 photos with fully charged battery. After 1 year, camera started to show &quot;low battery&quot; sign at power on, even when the battery was freshly charged, and the sign turned into red after ~50 photos and camera shutdown itself after that. Then I bought a new battery, the same thing happened as soon as I started to use it, I can only take ~60 photos with the new battery. I don't know the problem came from battery, battery charger, or battery controller in camera.While you can keep a few batteries as backup, but sometime it's not an option. I have a marine kit and take underwater photo, and it's a hassel to change battery in water.
Not enough power to really give enough pictures for the camera. It dies after a short period, especially if you use the flash. Unfortunately, if you have the camera, you don't have any choices.
This is an update to the older Minolta case but has new features.  This one has a magnetic catch replacing the velcro catch on the old style. The velcro used to stick to the camera strap, this one doesn't.  New case holds the camera vertically instead of horizontally, taking up less width on your belt when using the belt clip.  Quality is excellent.
I bought both cases for my new Dimage Xt. I wasn't sure which sounded better and I figured they aren't all that expensive, so why not? See my other review in the Casual case's buying information.I my opinion the Deluxe case is a little less well designed than the Casual case, although neither is quite perfect. Here are my thoughts on the Deluxe case.Pros:1. It's made out of real nice fake leather; the kind that really feels and looks like glove leather.2. The belt clip is quick to get on and off your belt.3. The soft, fuzzy lining is easy on the camera.4. The back and front of the camera pocket are nice and stiff, like they will provide some real protection.Cons:1. The Deluxe case has a spring-loaded belt clip permanently attached on the back which makes it pretty much un-pocketable.2. It feels like I am crushing the camera when I squeeze the lever to open the belt clip. I would clip the case to my belt BEFORE I put the camera in it.3. The SD card holder is a rather weak elastic strap in the front pocket. It doesn't hold the cards securely, at all.4. The front pocket top opening is lower than the main pocket, so it fells like whatever I put in it is not being held in by the flap like the camera is. This is probably OK for walking around, but any bouncier activity (running, climbing, etc.) or even sitting renders the pocket a bit insecure.5. Aside from the soft fuzzy lining, there is no padding.Overall, it's a fairly nice case, but could have been designed a little better.
This product is exactly as pictured.  It arrived in a timely manner, and we could not be happier with our purchase from this source.
Ughhh... it's just a case.  The camera fits and the velcro works; what else can I say.  It's doing exactly what I'm paying for.  It doesn't make me an omlette in the morning or anything.
This is an excellent case for Minolta X cameras.  The front pouch holds extra SD memory cards and batteries.  The price is great.
I checked for alternative cases for my Xg on www.amazon.co.jp and found Konica Minolta CS-DG800 there. Too bad that it is not available in the US.
We bought this camera about a month and a half ago, and it has been nothing but trouble since the day that we bought it.  We can only take a few pictures before it turns itself off, and says that the batteries are gone.  Or it will not turn itself off, but will not take pictures.  The pictures have been mediocre, and it takes forever to turn on and be ready to take a picture.  We went into the store wanting a Canon S45, and let ourselves be talked into this piece of junk.  What a big mistake.
The S404 performs even better than I expected, with sharp, clear pictures. And, as expected, the batteries drain quickly. The first thing I did was visit [local store] and get a couple sets of 1800 maH batteries and a 2-hr charger (very good price on these). I also suggest getting as much Compact Flash as you can afford - I got the 256 MB in addition to what came with the camera. You won't find a 4.1 mp camera anywhere for the price, and very few 3.0 mp cameras can beat the price. Nothing is perfect, and every camera has its drawbacks - I just haven't found any yet with this one. You can't go wrong with the S404 unless you have a sack full of money and can get something really expensive :)UPDATE:  I've found the solution to the battery problem.  Mine become "dead" sometimes after only 3 or 4 shots, sometimes I get as many as 10-12 shots.  Recently I purchased a "slow" battery charger - it takes up to 12 hours to recharge my batteries, but WOW!  It's well worth the wait.  First time I used the "slow" charged batteries, I got over 50 pictures made WITH THE VIEWFINDER TURNED ON!!!  And the indicator still showed plenty of charge.  So, if you want your digital camera experience to be really nice, get a "slow" battery recharger, not a fast 1- or 2-hour one.
I've been using this camera for 3 months and in that time I've taken almost 1300 exposures under many different conditions.  I've used and owned many cameras in the past 30 years and this is easily one of the best values in a 4MP camera today.Picture quality is excellent, the reason why I wanted a 4MP camera.  The lens exhibits measurable distortion but in the type of use that this camera is most likely to see, it's negligible.  Under bright daylight, colors are well saturated and contrast is very good.  In moderate room light, color saturation is still good but contrast starts to fall if the built in flash isn't used.  The most difficult lighting situation I encountered was in a large underground cavern with low level artificial lighting.  With some post-processing I was able to extract usable images, very impressive!  The S404 produces pictures equal to, or better than any other 4MP camera and better than any camera in its price range.The camera is shaped a little differently from other cameras, being short and squat instead of tall and thin.  I find this makes it very easy to hold as I can use most of my hand to comfortably grip the camera rather than just my fingertips.  The controls are well placed and can be used without looking.  Auto mode works well for most situations but there is manual mode too.  Manual mode isn't truely manual though.  In this mode you can set various operating parameters, such as metering mode, focus mode, exposure mode (including limited manual control), etc., that are preset and unadjustable in auto mode.  It's really a custom mode that can be easily accessed through the main control, a useful feature in some cases.This camera feels solid.  Most of the body is satin finished aluminum, the various doors and covers are plastic or silicone.  Although it isn't a heavy camera, its small size (in relation to its weight) makes it feel substantial.  Everything is nicely finished although there are very slight color differences between the different materials.  This is a good looking camera.Yes, it eats alkaline batteries like candy.  I bought two sets of 1700 mAh NiMH rechargeables and a 256MB CF card at the same time as the camera and with conservative use of the LCD, I can take 127 photos at 2272 x 1704 pixels on a single set of batteries.It's best if images are processed with the Minolta DiMage Image Viewer Utility.  I view my images on a 21&quot; monitor and remapping the colorspace makes a huge difference to saturation and shadow detail.  There's also another advantage if you archive your photos.  The Minoltaspace photos have exposure information (white balance, shutter speed, aperture, date, etc.) embedded in the file.  Resaving the file with a photo editing program loses this valuable information.  The original 36-bit image can be archived on CD, preserving significantly more information than the 24-bit image produced by most editing programs.Great pictures, good ergonomics, a decent feature set, and excellent construction.  If you don't earn a living as a photographer this is probably all the camera you need for everyday use.
First off I am not a camera expert, go to [...] [...] or [...] if you really need all the techie details.I love it.  Its point and shoot (for novices like me). USB image transfer is straightfoward.  It uses regular AA batteries (no proprietary stuff).  Images are very good (as long as I take the picture at the right time, as I said I am not such a great photographer... beautiful picutres of people with their eyes closed or looking away...In any case...  its snappy (no real awful delays) its not too expensive, its easy to use, does mini-movies w/sound and just works.  Not too small, has a nice grip.  Doesn't weigh too much (I caried it around Renisiance Festival all day no trouble).  I know it has a lot more features but I don't use them (I will tweak digitally on the computer a bit but not on the camera).  Preview is a great but that is true of all good digicams.  Resolution is great, color is great, and in general contrast is very good (a bit dark but I keep messing with the flash settings and I can fix it on the PC), when I leave it alone it seems to be much better).The zoom is easy to use but it can REALLY zoom (both optical and digital) so be careful.  The multi-shot is great, the flash seem good and seems to reduce red-eye.Things to think about:1. Get a large CFRam card (I have a 128) and get a few hundred shots.2. My CFRAM card is a little slow (check the speed when you buy).3. Get good rechargable AA batteries (2 or 3 sets).  Spend a few more bucks on good ones, you won't regret it (and make sure to get a car charger for trips).4. In &quot;automatic&quot; mode make sure you focus on what you want your picture focused on (its very easy but I miss the target once in a while and focus is out).5. Watch the zoom (optical is great) but you can't see for sure through viewfinder with digital zoom (of course) so keep it in mind you need to look at LCD display when digital zooming.6. You might want a stand (tripod) for family pictures and such.Overall 5 stars!
After owning a Canon SLR film camera I finally broke down and bought the S404.  I had been looking for at least a 4 megapixel digital because of the high resolution in printing 8x10's. Well I've seen 2 megapixels that print 8x10's nice.  Camera is small like a 35mm point and shoot. However it is on the heavy side (not a bulky feel).  Camera is well balanced.  I particually like the glass lense and the photoelectronics it has taken from the more expensive Minolta Dimage digital line.  This camera works in automatic mode and manual mode.  I like to ability to use the manual mode to control both the shutter speed and aperture.  I think you can change the ISO from 100, 200 and 400 but have not gotten that far with the camera other than automatic mode. After taking a picture you are able to look the histogram which displays plenty of info- shutter speed, aperture, ISO, luminance and so on. The camera can also take 60 seconds of movie mode.  I guess this is some sort of MPEG movie or something (again I have not got there yet).  With all these features and the price...I had to buy it. Where can you fnd a 4 megapixel for under $[money] with all these features and from a camera maker.  I would not buy any camera from a company who does not make cameras.What you get:  camera, strap, USB connection, RCA cables to plug into your TV, 4AA batteries (buy NiMH) and a 16meg CF card.  I think a 16meg card is pretty cheesy but it is made by Luxar and is a 8x card.  I guess this is ok but I went to Fry's and bought a 128meg card for under $40 and it works fine (some no name card made in China).  You also get a couple of CDs for your computer and a manual.  I got tired of reading the manual and started messing with the camera.  Now I take pics like Ansel Adams.The good:  all of the above.  You get an excellent camera for a very good price.  I still see 3 megapixels for over $500.  Plus the camera is made by a camera maker.The bad:  camera is small and a bit heavy.  Zoom is in a funky position that can interfer if you like to look put the viewfinder rather than the LCD screen.In a nutshell, I would buy this camera again.  I took to work to show coworkers and I could have sold 3 of them in 15 minutes.  Don't go cheap and buy a plastic digital camera.  You might regret it.  This digital camera operates like a film camera.  Go look around first before you buy.  Look in a professional camera store, not a retail store.  Camera stores know more.  I give 4 out of 5 stars.
After using a digital camera at work for a couple of years and searching for my own I landed on the Dimage S404. It is a lot of camera for the price. Easy to use, easy downloading of the images to a computer. It doesn't use a proprietery battery so that is handy. I would suggest the purchase of rechargeble batteries if you go with this camera however.This is really all the camera I need. If it has a downside... I don't believe the macro works as well as other cameras I have used. It doesn't have quite the detail of several Sonys I had used. That said the macro still works well.Other than that I don't think you can do better dollar for dollar.
Seller didn't want to me to return item for a refund since he has no return policy list "BEWARE" and suggested I send the defective item to the Manufacturer.  I would do this if the camera ever worked but it shuts off when changing the selector dial...have to remove the batteries to get it to come back on.  Won't suggest buying from this seller.
I've owned this camera for about a year now. Overall, I am pleased with it's performance, but in retrospect I think I would have been happier with the Canon Powershot G2 or G3. In ideal lighting situations, the camera performs very well and produces very good images. Battery life has been good, and Compact Flash is by far the best storage format.  However, in less-than-ideal conditions, I believe there are better cameras on the market.There two areas in which this camera has disappointed me are:1. Flash photography- The stated range of the flash unit on this camera is a bit shorter than others (~10 ft.), and in real-world conditions subjects appear very dimly lit in the upper end of that range. Other cameras in the same price/resolution category have flash ranges closer to 15 ft.2. Time between shots- The camera is rated at 5-seconds between shots in normal shooting mode. The Canon Powershot, for example, can take back-to-back shots in 2 seconds. This has been a problem for me when trying to capture movement and action shots.That being said, this camera is significantly less expensive than the Canon Powershot G2/G3.Hope this helps.
I am completely sold on this Minolta.  It takes fantastic photos, is simple to use and a pleasure to work with.  I have been taking photos seriously for over 15 years and have owned over 30 camera, from Canon 35mm to large format cameras.  I have not been impressed with digital cameras, though I have used them, until now.  This camera delivers crisp, clean images, comperable to a 35mm film camera, and features all the benefits of a digital camera.  If you are thinking of a new camera give this one a shot.  You can preview your shots, delete them, tweak them on your home PC, it offers it all.  I have compared this camera to the Canon G2 (at almost 2x the price) and remain impressed with the Minolta.  A few shortcomings - battery drain and a hard-to-see backpanel (in FULL daylight that is - otherwise it is fine) moderate my review from raving to complely impressed.  Definately buy the rechargable batteries, Monster, the company that makes Monster Cable, makes some which are very good.  I have seen people in these reviews complain that the digital cameras are not 'up to film' in the images they create, but that is a bit of a non-sequitar to me, if you want a film camera, get one.  If you want a digital camera you cant do better than this one - literally - for the price.Enjoy it...
This camera is an upgrade for me and I'm embarrassed by how much I paid for so little camera last time around.  So, I chose carefully and have not been disappointed.Best shooting so far has been at the Tidal Basin last Friday just past the peak of the cherry blossoms.  The camera took some amazing shots of the Washington and Jefferson monuments surrounded by the pink splendor.  I displayed the shots on my big screen TV to the whole family without any problems.  Color was perfect and the automation in this camera really frames the shots well.  I'm a so, so photographer so this is a big plus.Next I tried it out at the Dolphin show up at the National Acquarium in Baltimore.  The results were excellent, especially the zoom.  I caught the dolphins in the midst of almost every trick including the huge leap to the top of the auditorium to touch the ball.  I also took some incredible photos through the glass of the seahorses.  The exposure took some tweaking but I was able to figure it out with less than 10 shots.  The family oohed and ahhed when they saw them.For those of you who own Minolta and have grown used to the interface and quality of features, this is a no-brainer.  For the price, I expected a bit less and have been consistently amazed by the quality of pictures it takes, especially in automatic mode.  My SLR has been sent to the cabinet until I really need it for more complicated shots.Be sure to have at least 2 sets of batteries and keep them in your bag.  Each trip I exhausted the batteries and had to change them.  Also, for the $$$, I recommend a 256MB card so you can take 100+ high quality images.  That's what 4.0MP is all about.
I'd previously purchased a lower-end digital camera/MP3 player, and although I was happy with it, I wanted something that was going to take good pictures that I could make prints with. After a little research I ran across this camera and liked all of the features I was seeing. I bought it and have been using it for almost two years now.The 4 MPs and optical zoom were both very important in my decision. The quality is absolutely great. You can use it right out of the box as a point and shoot with the automatic setting and most of the picture come out excellent. The best thing though is that the camera also allows the a wide range of manual settings. As I learned more and more about photography the camera grew with me and allowed me to tweak my pictures more and more. For me, that's where the camera is the strongest: It can take quick and easy automatic shots when you want them, but it is very flexible and customizable when you are trying to take more professional or tricky shots.The battery life is decent. I use two sets of rechargable batteries, and if I bring both sets, I've never needed more. And I take a lot of pictures on an outting. If you use the highest quality setting, the save time can get a bit long, as it creates large 5 or more megabyte .tiff files, but if you're worried about that, you can step down a quality setting to jpegs, which are still excellent quality.All in all, this camera has grown up with me, and has served for everything I need, from quick shots at group functionings to closeup shots for professional nature websites I've worked on. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
I purchased this camera locally and used these factors in this order to make my decision:1) value2) reviews ...3) optical zoomThe 4X optical zoom is a great improvement over the 2X I had in my previous camera. If you're wondering how close that is, I can get a full frame shot of my kids from about 30 feet away. I would like to have even more zoom but this is about the best I found without spending a small fortune. One of the best things about this camera over my previous one is that I can take about 10 pictures before I have to wait on the camera. The pictures can be taken about 1.5 seconds apart as long as you aren't using flash.I do have some problems getting pictures in focus which has been mentioned in various reviews around the net.  I think if you really need a shot it would be best to take several shots and also look in to the exposure bracketing feature on the camera.  Also the flash is really strong.  If you are close to the subject, I recommend backing off a little and using the zoom.I have taken some of these digital prints and gotten them printed at the photo developer. I have just gotten 4X6 prints so far but they come out indistinguishable from film as far as I'm concerned. I recommend this method over trying to print them yourself as it is cheaper and much less hassle. I do think my prints come out a touch blue so I need to figure out how to properly color correct them.I have a 64Mb compact flash card and can take about 50 pictures at the full 2272x1704 resolution with Standard compression. As with many high res cameras buying high capacity NiMH batteries is a must for this camera. The first day I had it I went through 3 sets of Energizer AAs. But I can usually shoot an entire outing (100 pictures or so) with 1 set of the rechargables. I am considering purchasing a large flash card that has a low power mode to extend the battery life.This camera seems to be mostly compatible with Mac OS X.  It mounts on the desktop and launches iPhoto to import the photos.  I do have one problem with a 48MB flash card I have.  If I format the card in the camera, I can not read it with the computer.  If I format the card with another camera (a Kodak) I can still use it in the camera and read it with the computer.
Pretty good price on this camera.  You know why?  It's so you can spend the money you saved on BATTERIES.  I should know, we sell these at the store where I work.  Probably 50% of the S404's we sell are returned because people can't use them for a normal period of time without the batteries going dead.I suggest you look at the Nikon 4300 or Canon S40/S45.  You'll thank me later.
This camera is a waste of money. It may have been good when it came out but in 2011 those that are left on the market aren't worth it in the 4MP class. I've had two of them and they both malfunctioned.While they were working I found they were slow, clunky, average image quality, and battery eaters.. If you want a 4MP camera look at the Olympus Stylus 410D and the Konica Minolta DiMage Z2. Both of those cameras are far superior to this one.
I just got the Minolta Dimage s404 today and decided to do a quick comparison against my 2 other digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix 990 and the Canon Sureshot s300.  I took the cameras to Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco and shot a few images of the flowers, buildings and waterfalls.  The Minolta handled itself well giving just slightly more detail than the Nikon (3.34 megs) and noticeably more than the Canon (2.1 megs). But that's what I expected for a 4 meg camera.  In terms of speed, it really shined, with a boot up speed about half again faster than the Nikon and about equal to the Canon.  It processed 2 meg images slightly faster than the Canon's typical &lt;1 meg files and nearly twice as fast as the Nikon's 1.2 meg files.  It's color were good comparted to the Nikon except it couldn't reproduce the blues of periwinkles or the reds of geraniums very well.  The Nikon held the blue of the periwinkles but also rendered the geraniums orange-red.  The Canon handled both colors much better, but had some problems with purples.  As for the Minolta's flash, it seemed to be a little bright, giving better renditions at 1/3 stop under.  I found the Minolta quite easy to use, since I haven't even opened the manual at the time of this writing.  I only have a couple of complaints, one is the macro, which is more close up than macro.  It also doesn't allow focus past a certain range, so if you forget to take it off, your images of landscapes etc will be blurred.  The other minor issue is that the lens didn't retract when I the camera off while it was processing an image.  That said, it didn't have any difficulty turning back on after re-powering up, so it is more of a curiosity than a serious problem....
I love this camera. Pure and simple. It has been super reliable and has produced stunning landscape and sunset photographs for me.  Some of my favorite photographs have been taken with this camera.  You can point this lens straight into the sun with no flare and it produces vivid color and good detail.  More than I can say for my $900 dollar Nikon lens, (already in for repair after only 6 months of use).  It has never broken down, or let me down.  The only changes I would hope for is more than 4mp to produce larger than 8x10 prints, and a larger standard f4 to f22 aperture range.  Otherwise, this little "point and shoot" is a wonderful and reliable photographic tool.  I was really dissapointed to hear the Minolta company going out of business.
This camera takes a impressive picture out of the box, in default modes. Taking it to the next step in full manual modes allows for unlimited adjustments.This is a great camera for the semi-beginner in the digital camera world. Even if you've had a digital camera for a while now, this is a good buy.
Bought for my wife and it firs the camera perfect. It makes her oics look really nice and was in perfect condition. A little pricy but its cheaper on here than retail stores
at almost 1/2 mile from my house I shot a ski trail and the mogules are visible.
For the price you will not find a better lens.  It takes great outdoor shots in bright sunny days.  Not so great indoors, but still very good.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband.  His hobby is photography and he is a very good photographer.  His other lens had broken, so I bought this one for him.  He is very pleased with it and the way it works with his camera.  It was well worth the money.
I am an amateur photographer and I love this lens. It gives me just enough more distance to take photos of sunsets and birds from my 2nd floor apartment. The pics are clear and of good quality,  though due to the extra weight of the lens using a tripod works better
MY mistake. I bought this because I use the 55-200 now and wanted a little extra reach. Once I got past the 200mm mark, I had very visible hand shake and was only occasionally able to get pictures with this without blur. With a tripod they were perfect. I took some of my kids jumping on the trampoline and they turned out great too. But without the added VR this served no better purpose than the lens I already had. I am not a professional, but I am a serious hobbyist. The lens does what it is supposed to, just not what i need it to.
I bought the D50 with the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200).  At the beach shooting surfers I came up a bit short.  Photographing birds I came up short.  Even photographing sunsets was a bit wimpy.  So I knew I needed just a bit more "firepower."So I did some research, including Amazon, and thought I'd give the 70-300G a try.  I bought it from a local dealer in case I needed to return it.  The first day was rainy, so the lens was shooting at f/4-5.6 and I wasn't impressed.  But the next day I headed out to a local bird santuary, and wow!  The extra power of a 300 makes a bit difference.The reviews here are right on.  If you need a low light lens, this isn't it.  But if you're willing to live with a setting of f11 for the 300mm setting, the quality is superb.  To be honest Nikon probably shouldn't even call this an f4-5.6, but a f5.6-f8 lens, and the settings shouldn't allow any larger openings (I usually set my camera in aperature priroty at f11 when I put the lens on).  It is also very slow to focus in low light situations, if at all (the worst I've found is fireworks); in those cases I usually focus manually.For me, a 300mm lens is a drastic improvement over a 200mm.  If you find yourself usually shooting in daylight, this lens will do it for you.  You'll be impressed by the power.  Like another reviewer said, everyone with a D50 or D70 should own one.  In fact I would recommend it over the 55-200mm.  If you need to shoot in low light situations and you need the whole 300mm, you'll need to spend a lot more.UPDATE: I've been using the lens for a couple of years now, and am generally still happy with it.  I am still sold on the extra power.  However, the lens was never as crisp as I would like.  I don't know if I got a lemon, or the lens is nust naturally a bit soft.  Since that time I have upgraded to the 18-200 which I keep on the camera ALL the time (no dust).  I have found the 18-200 to be crisp.  And the VR on the 18-200 is very nice.
This SLR Zoom lens came with my Nikon D80 package. It's a lens that I actually had and was using on my N65 for years, but I sold that one when I sold my N65. Now that I'm using it again, but on my D80 I'm absolutely amazed by what it allows me to capture. I can shoot sports during the day or at well lit night venue from as far away as 40 yards and get results that are magazine worthy. It freezes action and focuses so fast that it makes shooting sports effortless. It's very light and quiet too. I'm sure the modern DX VR version is better, but it's also 7x the price. Unless you're a pro, just get this lens and call it a day. I guarantee you'll have some great shots of your kid's soccer games to frame and cherish forever.
Yah, it's cheap. Really, really, butt kickingly, wonderfully cheap. This is cheapest way to get to 300mm. *It won't autofocus on the low end Nikon DSLR's, though.* If the user guide of your low end Nikon DSLR is telling you about lens compatibility issues, you can assume that this one won't work, either.So, is it worth it? If you can't autofocus, no, it's not worth it. The f/5.6 aperture means that when you look through the lens, it's gonna be dark. Even if you're willing to manually focus the thing, the view through the viewfinder is too dark to see clearly, so focusing is going to be hard.Now, what if you have a mid-grade Nikon camera that can autofocus this thing? I'd still say no, for two reasons. First, the lens is soft. Your pictures won't be sharp. If it's the only lens you've ever used except for your kit lens, you'll have to trust me on this. Pretty much every other Nikon lens out there is sharper than this one. Second, the physics of taking picture with a 300mm f/5.6 lens on a DX camera mean that you're only going to get a decent picture in bright bright sunshine. Clouds? Early or late in the day? Indoors? Forget it. You're either going to have to crank the ISO up so that the picture is noisy, or you're going to have to use a shutter speed that's so slow that you get camera shake in every shot.I had this lens once upon a time, and always thought the problem was that I was a bad photographer. Now that I know more, I realize that it was this awful lens. The best thing I ever did was sell it.Recommendations? The 70-300 4-5.6 VR lens is quite good. It's somewhere around $600, but it's worth saving for. Another recommendation if you want cheaper, is the 55-200 VR. It doesn't have as much reach, but at $250, it's actually quite good for the price. Both of these lenses have AF-S, so they will work on the low end Nikon DSLR's, too.
when I order this I said it an okay deal...then after reading all the review some good and some bad....then I started to think maybe I didn't get a deal after all....but a few days later I got my lens and put on my camera....testing it with a tree I got on my backyard, then with my grandson.....the following day I attended a fight and use with my Nikon D80 the following day I went to the park used, tomorrow I take it to work and use it there. I am liking it, and I think I am going to love it and take many good photos.....its light, focus work well and short and long range was descend. I downloaded photo to my laptop and they look good, some came out blurry but that because I had it out of focus but I was able to zoom quickly and the autofocus work well, it perfect for me, I am not a beginner nor I am an expert. I am just in the middle and I like it very much already....
I bought this lens with the full knowledge that it would not autofocus with my D3100. It has performed wonderfully. I bought it for our trip to Alaska, I wanted to have a bit more range for the wildlife. It took beautiful pictures. I had forgotten my tripod and it was a bit shaky without it at 300mm. I just improvised and stabilized the camera on various surfaces and it worked great! Love this lens!
This lens is better than I hoped for! It's functionality has exceeded my expectations and yet challenges me to create better images. I have more control of the shot and it's fulfilled my purpose for buying it. Fantastic buy!
Okay, it`s cheap. Okay, it has a huge zoom. But it is incredibly, unbelievably slow. Wouldn`t find focus in loooong seconds. Keeps rotating back and forth. Very annoying. Picture quality is waaay below what you would expect from a Nikon lens. Plastic. Very plastic. Wobbly. Awful. Not recommended at all, no matter what you would like to use it for.
The 70-300 G is definitely one of the least expensive lenses to get you to 300 mm, but there are some tradeoffs with the low price tag.  I've found my lens to be pretty soft throughout the zoom range (mine is soft even stopped down) and relatively slow to focus (D70).  The lens performs best in well lit environments and is capable of taking high quality pictures, but may require more post processing and effort than faster lenses to achieve these results.I bought the lens mainly to get the zoom range at an affordable price, but plan to replace it in the near future (probably will sell the lens).  The build quality isn't the best, but it is still pretty durable.  Recommended for beginning photographers or photographers on a budget (like myself), but others may be left wanting more.  Still, it is sold at a great price.
I am a hobbyist, and wanted a far reaching lens for taking pictures of hawks.  This lens is PERFECT for what I want it for.  Is the lens itself perfect...of course not.  It's got a plastic mount, feels fairly cheap etc.  But, look at the price!  You get what you pay for, and for barely over $100 (I got an import version from B&H to save even more money), this is fantastic.  If you NEED more light, or if the pictures you're taking are important, then maybe you should be looking at more costly lenses.  I suggest using a tripod at longer lengths, of course.  It really is a great value, depending on what you're needing the lens for.
I agree with the other reviews here, for the money it is a bargain.  I just want to caution again anyone that expects to capture clear shots in a low-light setting with this lens. As you might expect, that would be difficult with a "slow" lens. The auto focus has trouble in low light and motion, such as at a football game in the evening, for example, will of course blur. A sports lens it is not but then that is where you need the really expensive fast lense.In all other ways, I find the lens excellent. Nor do I have a problem with the manual focus as others here have mentioned. Maybe I have not been spoiled by a much better manual focus, I find it adequate. This is a fun lens.  You can expect to see things with your camera that you won't be able to see with your naked eye.
I love the zoom feature on this lens.  It's great for taking pictures of my kids from some distance.  I'm back in SLR photography after a 12 year absence.  I'm looking forward to learning how to take pictures again.  This is a very good lens at an unbelieveable price.  It's not the fastest but should be fine for most photographers.
So you are looking for a good lens?  You want something that will take great pictures, but you don't want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars?  Well this is the lens for you!  I have used several 70-200, 70-255 and 70-300 mm lenses in stores which considering them and the answer is simple:  You can't beat a Nikkor lens.This lens has excellent clarity and optics.  I am the director of the Nicholas Copernicus Observatory at the University of Miami and I have extensive expierence in optics.  I can tell you, without a doubt, that you wont find a better lens than this for twice the price.  I have only bought Nikon cameras and lenses, but I get plenty of chances to use other ones at the observatory as different people bring their equipment to learn how to use it better.  No matter how many cameras I use, I still recommend Nikon above all else.I presently use this lens with a Nikon D70s camera.There is a more expensive version available, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D AF Nikkor SLR Camera Lens, which has superior optics.  I highly recomend that lens if you are a professional who needs perfect clarity on sunny days for nature photography at the 300mm length.  If you are an amateur or even a semi-professional, if you use this in lower light, or if you are using the shorter length most of the time, save the $200 price difference and save it toward another lens!
Great lens for the price--can't be beat. Produces nice images, crisp and clear. Again, can't be beat for the price.As one reviewer pointed out, this lens does not have it's own focus ring, and AF (Auto Focus) works with most newer Nikons, but not with some of the older. (For example, does not AF (and hence, does not work) with my D40, but is compatible and works with my D90)To be to-the-point, the negatives on this lens is that it is slow to focus and a bit noisy (sound, not image quality). Other than that, it takes beautiful pictures...and did I mention that for the price, it can't be beat???I definitely recommend it and would buy it again. I love having it in my bag for those longer distanced shots.
I shoot with three lens in my bag, 10>20mm Sigma, 18>70mm Nikkor and 70>300mm Sigma which covers 10>300mm, all I need. I love my Sigma 70>300, it's very light, durable, a macro w/acceptable limitations and sharp as a tack and any zoom range I select. I have owned this lens for about 6 years, it has never failed me and I have never been disappointed with its results. It's a winner...b
I've used this lens for a week with my D90. I shoot wildlife and nature. Autofocus is fast and solid. Focus ring is smooth, zoom ring has one snug spot. At this length I'm not worried if flash works at all. I have uploaded several pictures that out of the camera could not be improved!
I have used this lens a few times with no regrets of buying it.  I look forward to using it many more times.  Fab price and great shipping.  Thank you so very much.  As a new photographer I am thrilled to be able to buy things at a price I can afford.
Light, easy to use, crisp images, what's not to like? Nikon lenses are and always have been top of the line in this industry. Maybe they are a bit overpriced, but for first class quality, you can't go wrong here.
This lens is NOT auto focus, though it advertised (AF). it is a manual focus, which the human eye cannot tell so of course my pictures are blurred when I view them to edit. I am very upset with the seller!
The price is good for the lense, but it is NOT an AF lense like the seller says it is. I've got a Nikon D3100 and I was EXTREMELY upset when I realized that it was not Auto Focus. I was looking forward to using it for the 4th of July but that obviously didn't happen. I understand the AF may work with other Nikon cameras, but the seller needs to advertise that the AF will only work with certain cameras. Extremely upset that I wasted my money. I would not recommend this product to customers.
Lots of useful things have been said about this lens by other reviewers, so I'm only filling folks in on the question that some other D90 owners are, no doubt, asking. Can I use this lens with my D90?This lens does, repeat, DOES work on the D90. Happy news for folks on a budget (or for whom the D90 purchase blew their budget (wink)).I used this lens to photograph my son's Pinewood Derby at the local mall the other night.  On my D90, the autofocus is responsive, exposures are correct, sharpness is okay--certainly good enough for family photos, soccer games, and the like. The manual focus ring is located at the _front_ of the lens, which takes a bit of getting used to. There is no Auto/manual focus selector on the lens, so to focus manually (such as when using the video mode of the D90), you must select "manual focus" on the camera body. Easy enough to do.For a bit more information, Howard Creech has an excellent review of this lens on epinions.I'm more than happy with this lens. I may step up to better glass at some point, but for my regular, everyday uses, this lens is an unbeatable bargain.My review:5 stars - very nice lens for the priceminus 1 star - not as sharp as some other similar zooms by Nikon--------4 stars
I live in an area where all I have to do is step out on my front porch to photograph a of myriad of wild birds or young bucks rivaling over &#34;a girl&#34;, but my 55-200 was not getting me as close as I need to be to get the pictures I really want. The photos I'm getting from the factory refurb 55-300 lens are sharp and clean and I really am very happy.
This lens is a steal at this price.  I have had mine for more than a week now and I can honestly say that it has exceeded my expectations.For only $140 I have a decent zoom lens for my D50.  I love this product.Now, while the lens is great, it does have some problems.  It is loud, heavy and slow to focus.  This is not an ED (extra low dispersion) lens so some of your pictures may not be as sharp as they would be with your top-end kit lens.  However, again, look at that price!  Worth every penny in my humble opinion.
the reason I've given it 4 stars, not for quality or performance, which are great, but only because they've failed to mention, anywhere, that this lens does not support AF on a D3200. otherwise Amazon did return the item for me with no hassle, and i bought the Tamron for less, and AF works fine.
I am still learning how to se my camera but this lens works wonderful for me! I can't wait for summer to get out and take pictures!
I love my new lens!  This is just what I needed to bring objects closer for amazing pictures.  I highly recommend Nikon camera products.
I am loving this lens and I am so glad I ordered it. It is a big help in my photo bag.
For the price, ($138 including shipping from BuyAccesories) this lens is hard to beat. Works very well with the D50. On overcast days at 200 - 300mm a monopod or tripod give the best results. Other reviewers have mentioned the bokeh quality of this lens and I agree, very appealing. Auto focus can be a little noisy and may tend to hunt before locking in. Manual focus and zoom operation is very smooth and feels right.
First of all I'd like to give a review on the seller. They're very professional and they reply to your message right away. I ordered the product on tuesday and it came on friday even if I didn't pay for an extra to get it delivered right away. They did me a very nice favor.About the lens, I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Im very satisfied!. But I was very excited to use it and as I was practicing, I took off the cap of the lens and placed it on top of my Moms car and she drove off... Now I have to ask the seller if they are also selling an extra cap for this lens.This is a great buy!!!!
I don't think I need to repeat the great reviews on this item but I can tell you that it works very well with my D90. The auto focus is pretty fast even at low light unlike some of the comments I saw. The auto focus Nikon body has a male drive pin that engages to the female pin on the lens ring and the focus locks it plenty fast for most applications. You need to make sure that you engage the auto focus switch next to the lens lock button on front of the D90 body. Switch it off for manual focus otherwise you will not be able to move the focus ring. Being able to use this motor-less lens was one of the main reasons why I purchased the D90 because it just saved me $500-%600 getting this lens. I am sure a $700 lens will be faster but since I don't use this lens much it suits my need quite well. Just took a photos of a duck zoomed in all the way and compared it with my $350 18-105 Nikor zoom, the difference is day and night due to the optical zoom of course. Now, I can take photos of birds. Can't see any reason to spend $700 for a dozen photos a year which is what my usage rate is. The lens has no VR so I braced myself and took a photo of a duck and the result is stunning. I compared the same photo with a friend's with the 18-200 and I must say the result is better on the 70-300mm since it is really a 450mm optical zoom. Not really a fair comparison since it is twice the zoom but now I can clearly see no reason to get the 18-200. My 18-105 with the 70-300 give me the complete range coverage I need. I don't make a living with photography and I can't really tell the difference between photos taken with this lens and a $700 lens unless I put them side by side. If there is a difference, you would have to use a magnifying glass I am sure. The photos are just great already. I would not buy this lens if I have a D40 because it will not work with auto focus. There is a Sigma lens for $50 more if you have the D40, not sure the result you will get with that lens. I have an old Sigma lens which is just horrible but this was purchased 15 years ago, I think a lot has changed since. If you have the D90 or any focus motor body Nikon camera and want to save big money, you will be very pleased that you get this one.Update: after comparing with other lens, this lens is not sharp enough.
Honestly, I dunno what I'm doing, so I also purchased the dummies book.  Anyway, where I live, there's a lot of private planes that fly over and when I take a picture with my standard 18-55 lens, I can see the design on the planes pretty good.  I started to wonder if I could see the people in it too with a longer lens so I bought this.  I tried to snap one of the planes, and the angles sucked, so I couldn't see the people, however I was able to see great detail on the planes.. numbers and letters even!  I decided to get serious and tried to take some real photos.  This lens is AWESOME!  Everything I took a picture of looked like it came from a magazine.  I took a picture of a monarch butterfly up close.  Did you know some have blue on it??  Until I used this lens, I didn't!  The only thing that's difficult about this lens is that it's manual focus.  To get a great shot, I can't focus fast enough and I ended up getting a picture of a super clear blade of grass and a blurry bee. :(  (I'd be aiming for the bee).  Also, when I THINK I have a clear shot, it turns out I don't.  I've gotten better at it, so it's definitely an issue on my part, not the lens.  I recommend it!
I'm a long-time shooter with a stack of professional level and kit lens that I own.  I was given this lens as a gift.  I probably wouldn't have bought it on my own b/c of it's limitations.  But now that I do I have it, I use it selectively.Here's the key--for what this lens is, it's excellent.  But you need to recognize that it's got limits.1.  It's &#34;slow&#34; on multiple levels.  If you use autofocus (for instance, shooting sports), there are much faster lens out there.  If you shoot in poor light, this is an unacceptable lens...an f4.5 aperture just won't get it done while shooting football at night or inside a basketball arena with artificial lighting.2.  In good natural light with objects that aren't moving fast (wildlife, athletes, cars), this is a very good lens and it's unbelievably cheap for giving you this focal length/range and being a Nikon build.For instance, I just used this to shoot a Civil War re-enactment.  We were roped off as far as 200 yards from some of the action.  It was in daylight with good light, people moving on foot or horseback at a steady pace.  I started out using my 200mm f2.8 and switched to this lens.  I had 3 other photographers approach me during the event to ask if I'd mind sharing photos...they were shooting with either 200mm glass or they were using extension tubes (which got them closer but they weren't as happy with how sharp their images were).
The only two drawbacks to this lens are that it requires a huge amount of light to take quality photographs and it is relatively slow to autofocus, especially where there is not adequate light.  Aside from this it is a good but not great lens.  It is probably worth the money that it cost, however, I believe that a better lens would be the 70 - 300 MM VR which costs about 4X the price of this lens.
I bought this just for traveling. Its not bad at all but what else can I ask for I only paid $150.00 so I can't really expect much. But if your looking for a lens to travel to take far away images this is the one to go. I would not recommend it if you are planning to do any Professional Portraits it did not work for me
Weighing in at about 15 oz., this Nikkor AF zoom lens is a lot of bang for the buck.  The zoom range is 70-300mm; if you use a Nikon digital SLR like my D70, the effective range is 106-456mm due to the 1.5x crop factor.  300mm or 450mm, this is a very powerful zoom lens for relatively little money.The maximum aperture of the lens is f4 at 70mm and one stop slower at f5.6 at 300mm.  These are of course slower than more expensive Nikkor's which can go to f2.8, but for that you'd be shelling out many times more money.  For most outdoor daylight photos as well as well-lit portraits, this lens does the job.  At f5.6 and 300mm, you'll get a nice shallow depth of field that will give you that "professional" portrait you've been looking for.  Just make sure you use a tripod.This Nikkor sports excellent optics (despite not being an ED -- see below), and is a full auto-focus lens when mounted on Nikon SLRs that can do AF on G-type lenses.  To switch into manual focus on one of these cameras, be sure to set the focus switch on the camera body to M (manual) first, before engaging the focus ring.  Because this is *not* an AF-S (S for silence) lens, it does not have the "ultrasonic" built-in motor and is completely driven by the camera, that's why you want to set the focus mode switch on the camera to M before turning the focus ring.Because this is not an AF-S lens, it's noisy when hunting for focus.  Being an economics lens, it focuses pretty fast when there's plenty of light, but in low light situations, it can "hunt" for focus for a long time.  In fact, where there's little light, you'll need to half-press the shutter button several times before the lens autofocuses properly; and don't be surprised if you have to switch to manual focus.  (Just remember to set the camera's focus mode to M!)Other features missing from this low-priced lens are a macro mode and low-dispersion (called ED by Nikon).  Of course, it doesn't have vibration reduction, either.Oh, if you have a digital SLR, you'll get an additional benefit of using a non-DX lens on a d-SLR: because only the central part of the image from the lens actually hits the sensor, you won't have to worry about aberrations that affect the edges, esp. when using low-cost lenses.  From corner to corner, side to side, your picture will be sharp.In short, for a little over $100 you are getting a genuine Nikon-designed (but made in China) lens with excellent optics, a long zoom range, fast autofocusing in bright light, and relative light weight but solid construction.  On the other hand, the low, low price means you won't get macro, ED, ultrasonic focusing mechanism, or the very best optics that much more expensive Nikkor lenses have.If you have enough money, I recommend getting a high-quality zoom lens that covers the wideangle to telephoto focal lengths.  My favorite is the compact and lightweight Tamron 28-300mm Di XR LD lens sold here on Amazon (although you do give up aperture speed).
WHY ARE PEOPLE SAYING THIS DOES NOT WORK WITH THE D3100. IT DOES, AND PRETTY GOOD I MIGHT ADD. IT ONLY WORKS MANUALLY BUT THAT'S NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FOCUSING RING ON THE LENS WORKS WELL. YOU SIMPLY NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU'VE PROPERLY BROUGHT THE IMAGE INTO FOCUS BEFORE YOU SHOOT. I LOVE THIS, IT GIVES ME THE INTIMACY I LIKE WITH MY SUBJECTS.
The co did a good job helping me to send it back, I did not get the leans I was looking for so I sent it back and you did a great job helping me do so
A little difficult for the inexperienced to learn to focus (if your camera doesn't have a built in autofocus motor) but, once you get the hang of it, it's a good lens. Worked great to take pictures of castles on our Rhine cruise (which is what we bought it for). Would recommend.
I received the order very quickly and as described.  I prefer using a manual focus as most of my shots are with a timer and tripod so I don't experience vibration.  I believe it is an excellent value and I would highly recommend it.
This lens is worth the few bucks it costs - no question about it - but it's true that it performs poorly in low light situations but for what it is supposed to do - it is a great value for a Nikon telephoto -  I give it two thumbs up.  There are many good tech specific reviews of this lens already posted here from those of us who use this lens and most of what was said,  I agreed with.  So the main reason I wanted to post my review was to give other future buyers of this lens a FYI.  This very same lens is included in the "Nikon Zoom 300 SLR Digital Camera Accessory Kit 9983" -- which is what I purchased through Amazon.  AND, if you can believe it, it costs about the same and you get more for your money.  [a good nikon camera bag, an extended warranty for your camera as well as for the lens..]  Anyway, I wouldn't have found this had another Nikon enthusiast not told me about it.  So I wanted to pass on this tip -- in case anybody was interested in a few extra accessories with this lens.  Hope the info helps.  Yes, good lens and also the kit I mentioned is a fantastic buy.
Pros:Cheap cheap cheapLightweightSmooth in manual focusCons:SLOW Autofocus (body driven, rather than internal)High f/stopsNon-ED glassVery soft...sharpness and contrast leave alot to be desired.  The 18-70 kit lens from my D70S is sharper and has higher contrast (thanks to the ED glass)Overall, you get what you pay for.  If you're looking for a lens for wildlife photography where you need to get the shot the first time and have it be nice and sharp in all conditions, look elsewhere.  For posed portraits under good/controlled lighting, this will be a low-cost alternative to a nicer lens.
As others have mentioned, the autofocus is a little slow and sometimes won't focus at all in really low light. But you should be manual focusing anyways. Other than that this is a great lense, especially for less than 200 dollars. I've used it for photographing motocross and surfing so far. The 300mm is good for getting close up with the surfers while standing on the beach. The colors are crisp and this lense seems to be a little sharper than the 28-80mm Nikkor that came with my D50.
The Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G lens is a very capable performer, given the price point and focal reach of the lens. Yes, it is a plastic lens, and, yes, it is a cheap lens. However, this lens is nothing to scoff at; it can take really sharp pictures when stopped down. The real trick to getting this zoom to do the shots that you want it to, is with either stabilization (meaning tripod, monopod, etc.) or lighting (if your subject is well lit, you are good to go).Truth is, I don't often shoot at the long end of this range, so I don't wind up using this lens all that often. But, its reach has got me out of some jams, and it is the perfect walking around lens for the zoo and such. Plus, the fact that it is all plastic means that it is super lightweight, and really, for under $200, it truly has no true peers.
Well made Nikkor Lens - great value and it takes magnificent photos.
Great quality.  Love this lens.  I do a lot of genealogy work and take a lot of pictures of grave stones.  The ability to dial in for a close shot is very helpful.  Highly recommend.
I love this lens coupled with my Nikon D70. It provides TONS of zoom for you to take pictures of things from far away. The only issue I have with it is that it's f/4 minimum, which means if you're using it to take pictures at indoor sports arenas or anything like that, you have to push the iso up to 1600 to get any good action shots... which makes the pictures quite grany.
I got this lens on sale about 3 years ago.  For me the issue of auto focus was nil as I have a Nikon D-2 and there is a built in auto focus motor in the camera these lenses were designed to work with these cameras.  The shots I take are all clean and crisp and never an issue with the focus or using filters.  This lens is a must have in my book.
I bought this lens to try on my New Nikon D200, even though it is not a fast lens for indoor photography. I solved the problems by using my SB 800 flash with diffuser and bounce to ceiling, far close up shot of people up to 20-30 ft away is tack sharp with barely no shadows. Outside is a different story it is very sharp between 100 to 400 ISO and quick to focus, the motor sound don't bother me. I shot a lot of macro and potrait with this lens. I will continue to use this until I can save for Nikon 70-200 F/2.8 VR ($1,800 plus tax plus add $450.00 for 2x converter. Taken to this lens pinted to 8 X 10 is excellent. By taking landscapes shot tripod mount and use a cord trigger will result in very sharp picture that can be enlarge poster size 20 X 30 inches. I printed some shot on my canon printer ($500.00) 13 X 19 inches the quality is Gallery quality. To make it short, I recommend this lens. you have to realized bokeh or blurring the background is how you select the lens opening (Apertures or F stop). Burst shot is not a problem on my D200 with this lens.For the price what are you waiting for? As long as you know its limitation. I luv the very light weight. I have tried the 70-200 F/2.8 VR mounted on my Nikon D200 with Battery Grip in our local camera shop, I don't know if you can bear the weight to walk around with it.
Beware  - this seller does not accept returns - you can get this lens cheaper from other sellers anyway.
I bought this lens about 3 years ago and used it on my D200 for a long time, and now on my D700. It's sharp. It's light. It's a lens that, if I drop it, I'll live.This lens is sharp. It's light. It's reliable. I've made several 24" x 36" enlargements from it and they are fine.True, it still does not focus as snappy quick as an AFS lens, but then, it's many hundreds of dollars cheaper! And it focuses fast enough for 90% of us. It's not a VR lens, but, while VR lets you use slower shutter speeds, it doesn't hold your subject still.But the comments that it is rather slow in dim light are fair, and I've been saving for the 70-200 2.8 zoom. It is not a fast lens. If you're on a lower model Nikon camera, you won't be using it inside without a flash. (The higher ISO's of an FX sensor -- D3/D700 -- really help it out in this regard.)It really is an amazing bargain lens.(NOTE: As this is NOT AFS, it will not autofocus on several lower models that require AFS to autofocus.)
I have had this len for about six months now, and with my D70, it can produce fantastic portraits.
I have a Nikon D90 kit with the 18-105 VR lens, and I wanted more telephoto reach for the kids' sports games etc.  I found this 70-300 non-VR lens for one hundred twenty five dollars at Adorama dot com, shipping included, and received it two days later--wow.  My impression is that it is definitely a budget lens but it does a pretty good job for the price.  It appears to be well-constructed and it is fairly light weight as the overall construction is  made of nicely molded composite-type plastic, so it is not flimsy.  The lens comes with a hood and the telephoto adjustment action of the barrel is just as smooth as my kit lens. This lens does not have its own built-in autofocus motor, nor an aperature adjustment ring. However, the D90 does have its own AF motor, which handles the auto focus and aperature just fine, it is pretty fast and accurate.  If your camera is the D5000/3000 or D40/60 which do not have an AF motor, I would recommend you avoid this lens unless you have a lot of time ad skill to manual focus your shots.  The lens is definitely much softer than my kit VR lens, and definitely not tack-sharp, especially at 200 to 300 mm range, and it needs bright sunshine outside to operate well.  It's really not an indoor-use lens unless you have a high ISO and some serious flash capability.  Even though this lens lacks the vibration reduction (VR) feature, it is possible to hand-hold it and get some really good shots even at the far end of the range.  However, a tripod or even a monopod provide much better stability for fast action shots.  I also added a Tiffen 62mm polarizing filter on this lens and that seems to make the colors better but doesn't help the sharpness, so I would still recommend using a filter with this lens.  Overall, I would say that this lens will scratch your itch if you just want really good far reach, but you're willing to sacrafice the extra tack-sharpness of the five hundred plus dollar VR Nikkor lens.
Its ok for the price. I know that is cheap but, with a telephoto les withouth vr stabilizer, you have to take pics with hi speed so it doesn't get blur on your pics
I'm a beginner who still wanted the longer reach that this lens offered. The difference between this and a 70-200mm lens was amazing, especially when the effective zoom is equivalent to more than a 300mm -- more like 450mm, I'm told. By only complaint was the length of time it took Amazon to get this product to me. It arrived at my house while I was on vacation, getting by with a 70-200mm lens and cursing my bad fortune.
Tried this lens, but it was soft to the point of being out of focus, felt flimsy (very light plastic), and even in the brightest outdoor setting agonizingly slow to focus on my D90.  Often, the AF overfocused and went back to blurry, or refused to focus at all!I expected to like this Nikon lens more than this, and am now looking for a Sigma or Tamron (where I'll get the macro feature as well, and for the same price).One good thing about this lens (if you don't mind a supersoft image) is it is EXTREMELY lightweight, which is very enjoyable.
Isnt the quality I thought it would be and not great for action shots due to the manual focus for the zoom. Does not automaticly focus so you normally miss any really great shots because you are to busy focusing lens. :( Disappointed because it is a Nikon and usually love their products!
For the money, this lens is a GREAT deal in my opinion.  I have taken some unbelievable photos with this camera, ranging from animals to motocross.  Many of the photos look like they are magazine quality.  If you aren't used to a pro-quality lens (which I am not), you'll think this lens is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  In my amateur opinon, it seems to focus quickly (of course that depends on whether the item is close-up, lighting etc; can range from instant to a couple of seconds ... if you are trying to capture a fast-moving object, I DO recommend that you already have the focus in the approximate focus range, and then the lens will focus in about a 1/10th of a second).  So don't take a picture of a flower that is 5 feet away, and expect to instantly snap a picture of an Indy car flying by 50 feet away at 200MPH ... be ready for the Indy car, focus on the track before the car comes by, and you'll probably get an awesome shot!I'm not saying that every single shot turns out great - when zoomed to the max (especially if the conditions are cloudy or dark), a good number of my action shots were somewhat blurry.  Since I have the new Nikon D50 (digital SLR), if I snap 5 pictures and 3 of them are blurry I can instantly delete them (or delete them when I get home).  But if I had a film camera, I might not be quite as happy if I had to pay for developing some blurry pictures.The actual zoom level is very good - I don't know the exact magnification level, but it is as much as you could want if you don't have the camera mounted on a tripod.  The construction seems very sturdy and "professional" looking - included is a nice "hood" that goes over the end of the lens, and makes you feel like a pro!If you are professional wildlife photographer, and are seeking out the perfect photo of the extremely rare and endangered African-duckbilled-yellow-breasted-warbler, then pay $1,000 for a true pro-quality lens that can stabilize images, etc.  But if you are a weekend-warrior photographer who wants to be able to capture some pro-quality shots (but your income doesn't depend on it) at a fraction of the price, then this is THE lens for your Nikon camera.
On the Nikon D60, this lens has no AF if that is what you are looking for.  I returned mine for the Nikon 55-200mm which also has the VR, and I'm looking forward to using as soon as it arrives.
returned it!
These are my first Telephoto lens, I don't like  optical quality of pictures are not sharp, with some cromatical aberration and it's noisy. Good autofocus. I think is better to save more money and get another like 70-300 VR.I like  to take pictures of birds and animals, but the pictures are not sharp, maybe to other needs but not mine.It could be that mine are defective.Second Revision:Now I'm using a Monopod I get Better results, My pictures still look a litle blurry at 300mm, I'm taking pictures at 270mm  with very nice results .
This lens is wonderful just did a really great photo shoot of some dogs running around the park and they came out amazing but!, its only Wonderful if your Nikon has a focus motor built in for quick focusing on fast moving objects it makes it much easier. i own a D7100 which it works great on, but on my D3100 doesn't have a motor and its harder to focus
I bought this lens for my daughter who has a Nikon D3100. I knew the auto focus feature would not work on her model, but I was looking for a cheap way to get the zooming capability. She had very little time to learn about the lens before her daughter's graduation, but she did manage to get a few great shots from about the 10th row in the audience, shots she could not have captured without this lens. She does have to work it manually, and a tripod is very helpful, but not absolutely necessary as some reviews I read indicated. She likes the lens very much, and I liked the price.  We are taking it on vacation in the mountains.  Just know she'll get some fantastic pictures.  I would recommend it for amateur use, especially for those with cameras that will work the auto focus feature.
Exactly what I needed for those out of background view shot. Great quality for the price and speed of delivery. Very satisfied.
Five Stars I have been looking to start a hobby and Nikon is it great camera for beginners this lens is my next step up in lenses and  Nikkor and Nikon can take me as fare as I like to go
While I really wanted to purchase a VR lens, I couldn't afford it at the time, so I decided to purchase this lens for some neighborhood wildlife shots...Overall performance great, but you must have a tripod to avoid the likely blur to to no Vibration Reduction...I just purchased the VR version today and will be selling this one soon...
The autofocus is not compatible with the D3200 but still a great deal.  It arrived in perfect condition.I wish it had included a protective bag and lens hood. Did not.
This helps me get the pictures I want from across our pond and at the wild live where we live. It is a little hard to focus it at times but perhaps with  more use I'll get better :)
First, the negatives:1. It's not an ED Nikkor.2. It's not terribly fastThe pluses:1. It's the perfect compliment to the stock 18-70mm zoom2. It's really cheap.This lens will not resolve as many lines, or deliver as much contrast as a kilobuck Nikkor zoom. But it will deliver surprisingly good results in a 6 Mpixel D-70. Between this lens and the 18-70 supplied with the D-70, you'll be set until you decide you must have that exotic 12mm or 600m/2.8.
This lens does not have an internal motor, which is fine.  The clarity of the glass sucks when focused manually or with a camera body with its own motor.  It has been my only clinker lens.  The 2197 version is twice the price, but it does auto-focus and the focus is much sharper.  I've seen this in larger stores for $200 used.  Be patient and shop,
I don't want to say "you get what you pay for" but for the money this is the best that you can get. I mean it's not a lousy lens as some would say it to be but a functional at least. Obviously Nikon had to cut some corners hence the plastic mount and non-ED glass. Also it doesn't have the silent wave motor meaning you have to focus manually if you are using a D5100/5200 and below model. But on a positive note, it can still take sharp pictures. Though at 200mm-300mm, there may CA issues. But then again what do you expect at this price level? As long as you know the limitations of this lens and you can still get great photos. Just see the user posted pictures. In short this lens though not really fantastic is a good starter telephoto lens for the money. There is a reason why this is one of Nikon's oldest lens still in production next to the 50mm f/1.8D. And if you want more, then obviously you'll have to spend more.
it's fast and it fits perfect on my D7000 . Images come out sharp and that's what I was looking for.
it is great outdoors went lake and got great shots of birds th sky line and isnt to heavy to carry
I have a Nikon D3200, and decided to get this lens for its price and its zoom range.  While my camera does not have an autofocus motor to interface with the AF mechanism of this lens, manual focusing is smooth and reasonably precise, especially considering the tiny price tag.  The lens is a manageable size and weight, allowing for spectacular shots.  The lack of VR and the small aperture prevent this lens from being usable without a tripod in anything less than strong daylight, but the bokeh is beautiful and the photos I have taken with this lens are some of the best I've gotten on that camera.
I am very impressed with this lens!! I was hesitant about buying this "G" lens because of the low price so I read tons of reviews before deciding to take a chance. Even with the low price, after I ordered it I was hoping I hadn't made a mistake but I've taken about 1,000 photos with it so far and I couldn't be happier with it!You can read other reviews here for technical details so I won't go into that, but if you're a casual photographer like me and don't have hundreds or over a thousand dollars to spend, plus you don't want to lug around a long, heavy lens, this is the lens for you!!I'm using it on a D50 and have only used it outdoors so far and the photos are very sharp. Of course, as with any long zoom lens, you have to steady it well or use a tripod. I've taken photos of plants, hummingbirds, loons, sunsets, etc. and I'm in love with the long reach, too.Bottom line - if you want an inexpensive, lightweight, long zoom lens that takes excellent photos, buy this one!!!
This is the cheapest Nikkor zoom lens that will get you to 300mm, so is the build quality. The lens feel little cheaper next to my 18-105VR ED lens.I have shot the Moon with this lens. It came out good with all the fine details of the moon.But the lens is very slow to focus. I used this lens in an air show. It took lot of time to focus the fast moving jets.You would need a tripod if you are zooming all the way and the lighting is not enough. Even on cloudy day light, pictures came out blurry when completely zoomed in. I think this will be the issue with all zoom lens without VR.Auto Focusing is noisy but I can live that.But its definitely worth every single penny if you can't afford its expensive clone VR.You will not be disappointed. Picture quality is very good.By the way, I have Nikon D90. I don't have any issues using this lens.I'm completely satisfied with the lens despite some shortcomings.
This lens is one of Nikon's "best bang for your buck" products.  It's a very good telephoto zoom, unbeatable for the price, and most amateur photographers will find it quite satisfactory for their needs.  Would I like to have a $5000 telephoto?  Would I like to have VR?  Sure, but this is the best way there is to get a very nice piece of long Nikkor glass on a tight budget.D40 owners, forget it, this is not an AF-S lens.
Lens works as advertised. Keep in mind auto focus does not work on all models. Another reviewer has mentioned very conveniently about that feature. I already knew that AF wont work in my camera, but I am purist. I adjust everything myself so I don't care. But just keep that in mind and don't put 1 star reviews for that reason alone. Happy photography!
I cannot tell you how this awesome lens has stepped my photography level up! I love to do it and it loves me
I neglected to read the reviews so hopefully this will stop someone else from making the same mistake I did.  Auto-focus is NOT an option with the D40, D40x, and several other common models, something I think the description neglects to mention.That said, it's still a very good lens.
The product description was really poor on Amazon for this product. And it says that this zoom is compatible to Nikon SLR D3100. But it fails to specify that only manual focus is possible for all Nikon SLR. Fortunately the price is very reasonable. I don't mind to use manual focus after all. Additionally the quality of photos seems to be fine. But I will know more after few weeks. I would give 4 stars if bought this zoom by knowing there is no autofocus function for Nikon D3100.
Este es un excelente producto. Es especificamente lo que solicite. Muy buen servicio. 100% recomendado para otros.Muy bueno .
I purchased this zoom lens for outdoor daytime sports, and it has done a very good job considering the low price.  This is a very light lens, with no VR, so when zoomed in you'll notice quite a bit of camera shake.  This is easily solved by either using a monopod, tripod or some other type of stabization if you want to get sharper pictures.The lens does indeed get softer in the 200-300mm range, but a little sharpening in PS usually does the trick.  Since the maximum aperture is f/4, don't expect your subjects to pop much from the lack of bokeh.  Then again, I didn't expect much bokeh in a $140 lens, so this wasn't a surprise to me.I know this review sounds more like a two star review, but keep in mind that you're getting a 300mm telephoto lens for less than $150.  The "pro" lenses in this zoom category cost ten times as much, and that's way too much for amateur photography, IMO.  For the price, this is a good value and a great way to get close to the action without emptying your wallet.
This lens is described in the product description as an auto-focus that will work on digital SLR cameras.  While the lens is technically an "auto-focus lens" it is misleading.  If you have a digital SLR camera youR lens has a switch on the side that allows the camera to focus the lens when you press the photo button.  This lens does not do that.  On a digital SLR camera it is just a manual focus lens.  I called the seller and they wanted to argue that the lens was auto-focus but did agree to allow me to return the lens.  So while the lens was new and the size specified, my complaint is that the description misleads you into thinking that this is a fully autofocus lens compatible and fully functional on digital SLR cameras such as my Nikon D40 it is not.
Unfortunately, this Tamron lens does not satisfy me. Too heavy, poor focusing atthe 300mm level. Could be me but I don't think so. Tamron ,in the past, has been brilliant.
Excelent quality  for the price , it does what it suppose to do .. it does require a lot of light but you can compensate... i am glad i bought this!!!
This product was in perfect shape. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was because the only way I can use it on my Nikkon D40 is on manual. It's my fault really. It is a great lens for manual use.
This will be a VERY unusual kind of review...unusual for me, anyway!I call this lens, with both affection and some precision, "The Thing". To put that in some kind of context, I refer you to the following "memorable quote" from indy movie producer Quentin Tarantino's 2007 film "Death Proof", specifically the scene where the three hot girls, Arlene, Shanna, and Radio DJ "Jungle Julia", are discussing Arlenes recent date:Jungle Julia: Okay, we're pretty clear on what it is you didn't do. How bout' enlightening us on what it is you did do?Arlene: Nothing to write home about. We just made out on the couch for about twenty minutes.Shanna: Dressed, half dressed, or naked?Arlene: Dressed! I said we made out. We didn't do "the thing".Jungle Julia: Excuse me for living, but what is "the thing"?Arlene: You know, it's everything but.Shanna: They call that "the thing"?Arlene: I call it "the thing".Shanna: Do guys like "the thing"?Arlene: They like it better than no thing.Witty dialog, you say, but what relevance to a Nikon Zoom lens?Ok...it's an FX  (full frame) 70-300mm F4/5.6 Nikon Autofocus zoom lens from the '35mm film camera' days and therefore will only autofocus on Nikon DSLRs that have their own built in auto-focus drive motor. Although it is of fairly sophisticated and complex design, none of its THIRTEEN multi-coated elements are ED glass, and therefore no 'shiny gold on black' badge anywhere in evidence; just flat, matte' light gray print, instead. In fact, it is one of the least flashy products ever to wear the Nikon name! And while it has a focus distance scale, it has NO focus point mark or DOF scales; it's symmetry is not even broken by an auto/manual focus switch on the side! When the variator (zoom control) is turned, the front element does not rotate...however, when the lens is focused, the front element DOES turn!Color and clarity are frankly amazing and it's quite sharp throughout its range; surprisingly so for it's $150 price. In fact, it's almost as sharp as the present day AF-S 70-300 VR. ALMOST, but not quite, and then only on a DX body, but it's bokeh is actually better! And unlike the $600 AF-S 70-300mm VR, it doesn't rattle when you shake it!It has no VR mechanism and as I mentioned, no internal focus motor, but then, it's pretty light weight and quite well balanced on a D90 body, so it is very easy to hand-hold at lower shutter speeds. It may not get many covetous stares from other shooters...but it probably won't attract any of the 'wrong kind of attention', either. To be perfectly honest, with its lens shade attached, it doesn't look at all out-of-place on a D80, D90, or a D7000, but it just might on a D3.In the right hands, this lens will produce simply stunning images; sharp and clear with very good color and contrast...but you have to know what you're doing. I dare say that the 'point and shoot' crowd would be very disappointed, but 'Gray Barrel Nikkor Lens' aficionados will probably be more than a little bit irritated to learn this lens costs only $150!I call this lens "The Thing"...because I like it better than no thing...about A MILLION TIMES better than no thing!The Thing...get it now?Did I mention it's also half a 'stop' FASTER at the wide end of the zoom than the $600 VR lens!! Yep, that's right...F4 at 70mm! HA!
This is a great lens. It is not VR, but I wanted the manual lens so that I can adjust the settings as I wish. Can't wait to get out and take some really great pictures with it.
The lens is made in China, but who cares if the pictures are excellent!  I took it to my trip to Europe and used it exntensively. Never failed and very nice resolution. Is it noisy ? I do not know nor care.I recommend it 100%
This is the buy of all buys. This lens is light and takes sharp photos. I'm glad I took the chance on it. I was worried it would not be worth the money. If you need this length of lens, give it a try. I don't think you will be disappointed.
First off, let me tell you that this lens only works fully with the latest Nikon SLRs because it has no aperture ring to set f/stops. You must do that electronically using a D100, D2H, D70, N80, N75, F5 or F100. However, Nikon does provide a nice compatibility chart telling you how to use this lens on older Nikon cameras. So you can use this lens on S and P modes with the N90s, N8008s, N 6000, and N4004. This backward compatibility of lenses and bodies is one of the strongest points of the Nikon system. Even a 24 year old lens can be used with a new Digital SLR, to some extent.The lens is very light for it's zoom range. It has a reasonably substantial feel, unlike some of the Sigma lenses I've used. It's made of polycarbonate, which is the same stuff the F117 Stealth fighter is made from.If you shoot lots of portraits, this is the lens to get. The telephoto allows you to throw the background out of focus with relative ease. The lens has a 9 bladed iris, so out of focus elements are rendered in very subtle and beautiful forms. The Japanese call this "Bokeh" and much has been written about it. It's very nice that the Nikon engineers took this aesthetic principal into account when designing this economy lens. Once again, Nikon proves to be a design driven company.The zoom ring has a nice feel with good manual dampening. Zooming is precise with no "slop" or wobble. Manual focus is about average for a lens of this caliber. It's possible, but no great joy. Since I'm used to the silky feel of Nikon's old AIS  lenses, I doubt anything could rate higher. Autofocus for this lens is much better, and seems to be quick and precise. About the only time it balked was when shooting delicate cloudscapes. This is common for AF lenses and simply requires you to quickly disengage the AF on your camera body and rack the lens to "Infinity" setting.My D70 DSLR made this lens handy to grip and insanely light. The great thing about using this lens on a DSLR is that you end up with a 450mm zoom lens! great for bringing in distant objects. Watch out when shooting against strong backlight, however. This lens seemed to have more than a little "Purple fringing". Shots done in normal lighting conditions exhibit zero fringing, and superb sharpeness. So that's the good news.Overall this lens is a great bargain and worthy of the Nikkor name. Don't let the low price fool you. Although it's not a Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 by any means, this lens is highly capable and a great second lens for your D70 Digital SLR or N series 35mm SLR. Nikon USA offers a 5 year warranty FREE if you mail the registration postcard in within 10 days of purchase. So be sure to get that in the mailbox right after buying!
Quite often people dismiss cheap lenses (under $200). While there are certainly bad lenses in this price range, there are often lenses that are surprisingly good. Many of these are Nikon's cheaper consumer lenses.I bought this lens for use on my Nikon D700 and D40 until I get around to buy a nicer telephoto, which would cost significantly more. I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the pictures for the price. The sharpness and colors are significantly better than another Cheap lens at 70-210mm (can't remember the brand, it was an off-brand).There are a few drawbacks to this lens, of course. This lens does auto-focus on cameras with AF and G capability, but must be manually focused on cameras that do not. This includes some other 35mm SLRs as well as Nikon's newer consumer SLRs that don't contain a focusing motor. These cameras would include the D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, and D5000. I own a D40 and can use this lens on it, but have to focus manually. You also can't adjust the aperture on old manual-focus cameras.There is also no image stabilization, therefore to take consistent sharp images in low light you need to use a fast shutter speed, which may not always be easy to do. This isn't the fastest lens either, starting at f/4 at 70mm and f/5.6 at 300mm. Because of both of these omissions this lens works best in good light unless you have a camera that performs well at higher-ISO settings or you have a flash that can compensate.I've also noticed that the autofocus is a bit slow, as well as loud. It's not as bad when the focus adjustments are small however, making it usually fine for tracking moving subjects, it just becomes inconvenient if for example you are tracking a soccer player and at some point accidently focus on the background and have to go back.The final drawback I noticed is there seems to be a little bit of distortion and softness as you reach 300, but it's acceptable considering the price of this lens.Overall this is a great deal. There are some conveniences and frills that are left out, as mentioned above, but considering this is only $130 I feel you can't go wrong. If you don't have a telephoto for your Nikon and considering this because you don't want to spend $500+, buy this. It's worlds better than nothing. Just keep in mind that the autofocus will not work if you have a D40/40x/60/3000/3100/5000.
Well worth the money. The lens has to be adjusted manually because it doesn't work on auto with the d5000, but that shouldn't matter to the average photographer. It's a great lens.
This lens works like a charm. It is so easy to change from one lens to another and no regrets here.
I've never quite understood what the obsession is with long range telephoto lenses; practically every camera seems to advertise "10X" or "12x" zoom, and that's before the digital "zoom" of 440X or some other insane figure.  Wildlife photographers, sports enthusiasts, and secret agents may have a use for a 565X zoom, but I've realized most of my shooting is done under 100mm, and a lot of it near the wide end.So when I went shopping for a zoom lens I wasn't wanting to spend a lot of money.  This is a fairly slow lens, both in focusing and apeture.  Many telephoto zooms cover 18-200mm, and it's just not possible to build a lens that covers the whole range without some distortion and other problems.  By lopping off the 18-69mm range this lens takes care of that.If you're wanting to do a handheld shot at 300MM of the spaceships at Area 51 you'll be disappointed, as will someone trying to capture fast moving sports.  But if you shoot from a tripod or some other type of rest this lens can get very good results, and you can't complain about the price.
Premium Nikkor optics in a budget priced lens make this one a winner. Having a polycarbonate body, the lens doesn't feel as solid as the old metal framed ones some of us had gotten used to, but for the price difference, it's fully acceptable. If you're used to lenses with a aperature ring then it might take some time to get used to the lack of one on this lens. The quality optics really show with this lens, with no real noticable distrtion or vignetting. What is noticable is the zoom tends to creep when when the camera is pointed nearly straight up or down. This is unacceptable if you want to use the lens for long exposures as the zoom creep will be noticable on the final image, and that's the only reason I'm knocking this lens' rating down to 4 stars for my review. Overall, this is a fine lens for the average photographer on a budget.
I have been using Nikon Cameras since the F4 back in 1969 and gradually been moving up ever since. This 70-300 mm lens gives a lot of choices in shooting. However, it was my intention this would be used in the Arizona Desert Wildlife this 70-300 mm lens has proven it's worth. I was thinking of going to a 400 mm lens, but this lens used at 300 mm is more than one really needs as a hobbyist.
The only reason I am giving this 1 start is becuase of Amazon's poor service, otherwise I would give 5 stars for the product.  I placed this order more than 30 days ago.  Amazon still has not shipped the item so I cancelled my order and placed it with J&R.  If Amazon did not have the item in stock, they should have stated on their web site or at least communicated with me that there will be a delay in Shipping.
It was packaged from Nikon...refurbished, and works great. The only thing is that I'll need to spend the money on the VR lens eventually; at the zoomed level there will be blur if your camera doesn't do the VR thing on its own. Not dogging it, but wasn't too keen on spending as much as the camera for the VR lens, either. Shipped fast and in like-new condition. Recommend for the novice like myself!
I had been wavering between the 200mm and the 300mm both with the VR.  I really wanted a longer zoom, since I will be using this for sports mostly but couldn't afford the $500.  I got lucky and found this lens and was shocked at the $140 price tag.  Seemed too good to be true.  I went to the spring practice at the FSU stadium and unfortunately found myself in the nosebleeds.  I was actually looking in my lens the whole time because I could see so much better in this lens.  I had no problems focusing at the full length at all.  If I had been closer to the field, I would have taken some amazing pics.  I took pics of people far away in the stands though and was shocked at how good and how sharp the pics were.  It's a great lens and I'm a very picky person!  Works great with my D-90!
First, I'm giving this 70-300mm lens a 5 stars rating partly because the price is inexpensive (which is good in my opinion). Usually you get what you paid for, however in this case you get much more than what you paid for.If your primary objective is to take pictures in low light situation such as wedding and concert, then get the 80-200mm f/2.8 or the 70-200mm VR f/2.8 instead.Get this lens by any means unless you already have those alternative and more expensive zoom lenses that I mentioned above.Pros:1. Inexpensive2. You can get up close and personal (300mm which is equivalent to 450mm if you attach it to a DSLR)3. Very sharp and fast in bright light situation (outdoor etc), though it gets a bit softer as you get closer to the 300mm4. Very light5. Bokeh is suprisingly good6. Great for portraitCons:1. Plasticy build and looks cheap (but I don't think you should care on this)2. Very bad on low light situation especially if the object is moving/sports photography, but still works fine for long exposure with tripod like photographing fireworks or night light building/city/car lights.3. Focus seems to be slower on low light situation (focus hunting a bit more)Bottom line: this lens loves a lot of light.If you give this lens a lot of light, it will take good care of you.Last but not least, after you get this lens, go and buy the nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D prime lens for $100 or less (equivalent of 75mm if used with DSLR which is very good for portrait and semi-zoom). This is a very fast lens and works extremly well in low light situation even without using flash. This lens will complement your 70-300mm lens very very well.Happy photographing!Sidarta Tanu
product is solid, very stable and priced right.  I would highly recommend buying one of the 70 -300 rather than the 55 -200 available out there.
Nice lens for what I paid. But no autofocus for my d3200 and for other non high-end nikons. However, not recommended for low light ambience.
I picked up this lens today from the post office.  Where do I start...  this lens has paint on it!  This lens makes noise.  This lens is tight!  This lens is dirty!  This lens has marks up and down the body frame.  I feel as if I purchased this item from value village.  Seriously!  It's pointless to mount this lens because it's so _____.  I am so shocked I looked at the review again.  I did not see beat up lens in the description.
This lens is great for the money and I like how easy it zooms in on the birds in the nests
I found mine on clearance at a local Wal-Mart for 84.00. Could not pass it up. The lens is light, seems well made, and gives an awesome range when used with my D50. I could not ask for more. Coupled with my 18-200 Tamron (27-300 on the D50) and this Nikon going 105-450, who needs more. Try it....you'll like it.
I bought a Nikon D-200 with an 18-70mm kit lens.  I wanted to get closer to the action so picked up this lens after some reviews.  It's really a great close up lens, but at the full 300mm it is REALLY hard to hold it steady without a tripod.  And I have to say, that when I want a close up shot, the 70-300 is on my camera, and when I want to shoot a bird, the wide angle is on the camera.  Now I keep thinking that the 18-200 VR lens would have been a pretty good choice afterall.
this item gives me the opportunity to get better close ups of friends and other without them knowing it, with great quality pictures
Good lens. Bought it for my Nikon D5100. The lens is clear and sharp The zoom range is ideal for longer range nature photos. I personally have no problem with the manual focus. The only drawback that I have is the fact that the objective end of the lens rotates with focus making it difficult to use a polarizing filter. This lens will always be in my bag during my travels.
I have a Nikon D3000 and I am still learning everyday. This is my 3rd Nikon lens. This lens is manual focus for my camera (reach I was needing to get better at). I wanted something that will allow me to take pictures of objects far from me. This lens works perfect for me and it worked in my price range.
I have used this lens for one year now and it has performed flawlessly.  I have probably used it for 4-5k shots of my over 13,000 shots in my Nikon D70.  It is lightweight and easy to wear on the camera for hours and hours without fatigue.  I would agree with other reviewers that low light scenarios require more time to focus.  This lense is great for portraits of active children.  You can sit back and wait for good shots and then get a fast closeup with this lens.  I have also used it at football games and gotten some great action shots.  Although it is not silent when focusing, I don't notice it nor do any subjects usually hear it.  The sound can be useful as you mini-depress the shutter so you know if the lens is getting ready if you happen to be looking away from the viewfinder.  For the money, it works fantastically.I also use a polarizer filter on this lens and would recommend the same to you.New Jan 06Just added the SB-600 Nikon flash and it helps with this lens considerably.  It really helps a lot and I would recommend it too.
After purchasing this lense..thought of buying one with VR built in ...You have to use this lense with stand..not good with night time photography..as all photos looks shaky however good product at less price
This was an ok first zoom lens purchase. Ultimately I wound up buying the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens within two weeks of purchasing this Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF Nikkor SLR Camera Lens.
I have used Nikon and Nikor equipment for many years and have never been disappointed in their quality.  This is another fine product in the Nikon line.
I received the lens very quickly, which was greatly appreciated.  I have used it several times on my Nikon D90 camera, and it really reaches out there and gets excellent closeups.  Is very easy to use, works seamlessly with my camera, exactly as I'd hoped.  A lot of product for the money, and a very satisfied customer.
I would have preferred an autofocus and VF lens, this was a bargain and it works quite well.  I am quite satisfied with the purchase and with the promptness of delivery.
this is an inexpensive and quality zoom lens. It is amazing to me that I ordered it and the following day it arrived. This lens does need a fair amount of light but it was bought for outdoors shooting. A good product.
This is my first video camera, and I'm very pleased with it.  The detail and the sound are great.  I can hear my kitten jumping on leaves, and the detail is great due to the high pixelation. (680K)  It picks up colors very well. I had no disappointments with the zoom, though the optical zoom is reputedly low end, it seemed fine to me.  And there is also a phenomenal digital zoom which should make up to some extent for anyone who has high zoom needs.  It worked right out of the box with a very intuitive interface that required practically no reading of directions, except for the image stabilizer function which I haven't wanted to use yet because camera shake hasn't really been that bad.  The low light compensator is basically just a continuous flash, and that does eat up battery time.  The worse thing about this camera is that there isn't a lot of battery time.  That's fine if you're doing domestic projects like filming your pets, kids or backyard barbecues.  It might be more of a pain if you took the camera abroad and were not exceedingly organized about your time and keeping the battery charged.Also the camera worked great with my Mac Ibook.  All I had to do was plug into the Firewire slot, get the Firewire driver for Quicktime, and I could record clips into my computer and make a wonderful little web movie.  It's a great basic video camera for someone like me who's never had a movie camera of any kind and wants to edit on computer.  And the price is also right.
This is a very light and slick little digital camera.  The high definition zoom goes to 10x while the digital zoom go to an amazing 700x.  A nice little feature is the built in speaker so you can hear the video playback. Although it is not what I would call a &quot;palm&quot; camcorder, it is much smaller and lighter then the traditional camcorders.  Is is small enough to carry in a digital camera case.  The built in menu is loaded with exciting features.  It can even optionally record in wide screen format!  All I need now is a wide screen television &lt;grin&gt;...
Everything billed about this camera that is good, even its seemingly solid construction, is true--when you first get it.Then and quickly the camera breaks, and you discover, and I thought I'd learned my lesson about this from another piece of Panasonic equipment years ago, that Panasonic is simply not a brand to be trusted.I confess I am especially annoyed with Panasonic right now because they advised me to send in my camera for repair, which I did, but they neglected to tell me that the flat fee for any repair would be more that it would cost at this point to just buy another one.That--and the shoddy customer service in general--is what drove me to write, but at bottom the problem is just that this camera is either just a piece of junk or, more cynically, has a planned obsolescence of something like 6 months past its year warranty.I would stay away from Panasonic--there are plenty of good other brands.
I had this camera for 7 years. I had bought this camera when it hit the market in 2002-2003. This camera has been in Rain and Shine weather, and has held up to all the elements. It has been thrown around , rained on and still has held up to this very day to everything I put it through! I use this camera now basically for close up videos for wildlife purposes. Some video can be found on [...]. I also had used a Canon GL-2 and a Canon XL2. Those are reviews for another day.A few cons to this camera is not having an external Microphone jack. and a stronger optical lens, but back in the day it was new technology, and to this day still serves it's purpose. If you want to look around and find this camera you should be able to get them at a very low price!At the time I paid around $400.00 for my camera and it was the best investment I made. The durability of this camera is by far the best I ever had in a cheap consumer camera. Even the battery life out preformed the major companies batteries due to all the elements I put it thru.This camera has outlasted my expectations and Panasonic did a wonderful job making such a fine little MiniDV camera!
I am very happy with this purchase. I owned an analog Sharp and it needed to be repaired, so I looked into a new camcorder. The quality of the picture is what mattered most to me, within economic reason. The picture is great, much much better than analog. In low light conditions I do lose some of the colors (they wash out a bit) but the quality is still good. The range of features is nice, but I was surprised to find that I can't use the EIS (it holds the image steady) with the other features like the low light ones. You have to turn off the other features when using EIS. I am not into editing on my computer, which is good because this camera doesn't seem to have the bells and whistles necessary to do so, although they are available for purchase (and are compatible with the camera). The camera is light, it has a built in light, and the sound is great.
This camera is great both for what it is and what it is not. On this model, Panasonic did a nice job of putting it's money and focus into quality video components, not bells & whistles. Many other cameras try to lure you with extraneous features like advanced onboard editing capability, digital still/memory stick photography, remote controls etc.. There's nothing wrong with those features and they are always an added bonus, however they are probably not the primary concern you should have when buying a good, value-priced, digital camcorder.This camera is priced well below it's major competitors (except JVC) and affords you the savings to purchase other products that will produce better solutions than those extraneous features can offer.For example:* If you want digital video editing, buy a good PC/Mac kit like Pinnacle Studio 7(includes 1394 card and user friendly software) and get real movie making capability like background music, sounds, transitions, titles and more.* If you want a digital still camera, take the money you save here and go buy a real 2-3-mega-pixel camera, don't settle for the .5 -.7 mega pixel you might get with a... camcorder that will only produce a small (3x5) quality digital still.--------------------------Note: Generally speaking a digital camera produces quality stills in correlation with it's mega-pixel rating.1 mega-pixel = 3x52 mega-pixel = 5x73 mega-pixel = 8x10and so on...*If you still want digital still capability on your camcorder look at the CCD rating and compare it to this correlation chart, to see the quality/size you can expect. This camera is considered a (.7MP) which will only produce quality digital stills from 1x3 up to 3x5.-------------------------------------For most folks, It is probably more important that a camcorder  takes great video - in all conditions and is easy to use.At these very basic functions the PVDV52 is quite strong.PROS:- Might not sound impressive but 680,000 pixel (.7 MP) resolution makes for great video (significantly higher resolution than many similarly price camcorders).- Solid features: 12/16 bit sound, (EIS)image stabilization, 1394 firewire transfer, external headphone jack & good microphone pickup.- Good in lowlight recording(one of the best feature sets you will find in a low-end camcorder) - They include: Auto digital lowlight enhancement, dark subject backlight & a external lamp for limited nightime recording (good up to 10 feet).- Top feed tape: allows you to keep the camera on the tripod, while changing the tape (I challenge you to do that with current bottom feed cameras).- Separate battery charger: allows you to charge the battery independent of the camera.- Great quality and value: Panasonic holds 7 of the top 10 spots in Consumer Reports Digital Camcorder ratings for quality, value & reliability.CONS:- 10x Optical Zoom is a bit wimpy, though it is on par with most cameras in it's price range. It does however pale in comparison to Sony's 20-25x optical zoom.- A few extra jacks would have been useful. It does not include: an external microphone jack or auxillary video/audo in or an S-video out (all useful otions).- You cannot using lowlight recording feature AND image stabilization feature at the same time (a bummer for handheld lowlight recording - if this is important to you, it could be a significant deficiency).# This a Great Camera for:  Folks who want to pay for strong video capability and not all the extras - who want to record at length on a tripod without taking the camera off the tripod to change tapes - Who want significant lowlight recording capability - Who want a very small and light affordable video solution.# Not such a Great Camera for: Folks who want hot shoe capability (for add on accessories like better microphones and lights)- Don't care about taking the camera off the tripod to change tapes - Want a digital still/memory stick capability (no matter how poor the image quality). Want extended optical zoom capability (beyond 10x)- Want image stabilization AND lowlight recording capability simultaneously.**For folks in this category you might checkout the Sony TRV340(though it is only .5MP)*** Note: The PVDV52 will take a digital still but:1. It is recorded to the tape and not easy to locate for retrieval.2. The image quality is nowhere near what a standard digital still camera can produce.
This digital camera has everything you need.  Don't waste your money on those overpriced gadgety cameras, when all you need is something to capture good quality digital video.I've played around with quite a few DV cameras, and almost all of them were impossible to figure out.  Too many buttons.  This camera only has the necessities.  My only complaint about the ergonomics is that the record button could be placed better.  I usually take my thumb off of it after I hit record, so I have to go searching for it when I want to pause or stop recording, so a lot of my video has a visible jiggle at the end where I was fumbling for the record toggle.The quality of the video is superb.  It gets a little grainy in low light, but no worse than any DV camera I've seen below $900.Oh, one thing to note.  This camera doesn't come with a DV tape to get you started.  So, you better put a 3-pack in your shpping cart before you check out.  I'd recommend a second battery, too.This camera doesn't have an analog pass-thru, so you can't use it to transfer your old 8mm videos to DV.... but that's something you'd do only once anyway, right?  Why spend the extra bucks on a camera that can do it then?This is a great deal.  If you are the bare-bones type, get this.  You'll be pleased.
Since I am fairly new to the world of pro-sumer digital photography I thought I could get by with having just the onboard flash, I was wrong.  I found that my indoor and low light pictures with the onboard flash couldn't compare to the awesome pictures I was taking in good light with my A2.  I did my research and found that the 3600HS was a good bet for my budget.  I bought this flash and started taking much higher quality indoor pictures right off the bat.  This thing works seamlessly with my Dimage A2 and it is money well spent.  If you aren't sure whether or not to buy an external flash, you can take it from me that if you go with this guy here you won't be wrong.  The only complaint that I have is it's size, It is fairly large.
Great price for what is essentially the same flash as sony is currently manufacturing. Solid construction, great performance. Very happy with this flash.
The minolta maxxum 3600 TTL shoe mount flash is truly in mint condition a stated. But, with one problem, there were 4 AA batteries in it and two of them had corrison where they were leaking due to age. Never the less I was able to clean the battery slots and the door to my saisfaction. If this problem had not occured I would have given 5 stars. The seller is still a good seller but, needs to check the battery compartment on there items. Thank you for a top notch flash unit.
This was an excellent addition to my Dimage A1.  It integrates perfectly with the cameras computer.  When you zoom, it zooms and always generates the correct amount of light for the shot.
The little flash that comes with most cameras is fine for close ups, great for convenience, but falls short for taking great pictures.  This flash will take your photography to a new level.  The 3600HS pivots upwards so you can bounce the light off the ceiling, eliminating red eye.  You will see more color even in well lit outdoor conditions.  And it will eliminate shadows on your subjects much better than the little one that comes with the camera.  It will have an effect at a far greater range too.
It was tough to find a manual online, but I finally changed across this one for those who may need it: manualslib.com /download/367983/Minolta-3600hs-D. htmlThis is the first time I've used an external flash I'm not in a position to comment yet. So far so good. I'm using it with my Konica-Minolta Dimage Z6.
Very Satisfied, the order arrived quickly and was packed well& the product meets my expectations.Would not hesitate to make future orders.
I have used this flash with my Nikon F100 for years with fantastic results!  I tried lesser brands and was disappointed.  It's well worth the money to buy the Nikon SB-28.That being said, to my surprise, it does not work with my brand new Nikon D200 SLR!  I don't know if this means it will not work on *any* new digital Nikon SLRs or if there's simply a compatibility issue with the 200.
The Nikon SB-28 flash was the top-shelf flash back when the F5 and F100 were available new.  I've used the SB-28 with my F100 with flawless results and now I use it with my D90 with flawless results.  On the D90, the SB-28 is manual only, but with "chimping" I actually get even better results than I get with my F100.  You just have to recognize what the lcd monitor on the D90 is showing you; I can usually dial down the flash to improve the shadows enough to show detail.  Settings on it include 1/1 to 1/64 on manual setting and if you shoot film +/- 3 stops exposure compensation in TTL mode.I get a Nikon flash, save money, and get high-end quality by choosing the SB-28 over an SB-600 or SB-700.  Unfortunately, it seems they are no longer dropping in price and are actually becoming more expensive.  If you can find one at a good price, get one.  You won't regret it.
I needed a flash for my Nikon F5. This was recommended and I couldn't be happier with it. I use a Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 for my Nikon D-3 and this SB-28 works with the same versatility.
I own a Nikon SB-28 flash, as well as a SB-600. The SB-28 will work on a Nikon D200 camera, you just don't get TTL mode; see page 178 of the Nikon D200 user guide.The SB-28 has the advantage, in my opinion, of displaying distance whereas the SB-600 doesn't in the Manual mode.
Using this flash as a remote is very easy. Put it on manual, put on the radio receiver and start shooting! This is easy to use and effective in lighting dark areas not covered by my primary flash. Cam-O-Rama said it was like new and it is, clean, works well, in box with sleeve and manual. Highly recommended for use as a remote flash but not compatible with most digital cameras as a primary strobe.
I am not a film expert, but I do have about a decade of photography experience.I've used this film primarily for landscapes, both in bright daylight and in dim twilight. The sky, trees, and ground all look amazing. In certain situations, this film will bring out pinker tones than expected, but this is just a characteristic of this film, and not a drawback. As most people reading a review of slide film probably already know, slide film is more prone to over and underexposure than negative film (and digital), and this film is no exception. I've posted a landscape shot on Provia 100F on this item's customer images, for a sample.The roll of film itself was perfect -- no issues at all.Overall I was very happy with this item, and have already purchased more.
After Kodachrome went the way of the dinosaur, I wanted a nice film for landscape work. It was a toss up between Provia and Velvia, but after shooting both, the pros below were what made this my go-to E6 film.PROS- EXCELLENT landscape film- Green tones are true-to-life- Sky isn't as turquoise as Velvia- Almost grainless!- Not over-saturated for portraitsNEUTRAL- Apparently, this film has a slight blue tint to it, but I haven't noticed it yet.This really is a very versatile film, and I would highly suggest you take some along on your text vacation - it really is the ideal film for travel and photojournalism!
For years I was not a fan of Fuji film but this Provia 100F slide film changed my mind. I live down the road from Rochester,NY so I have always used Kodak 35mm slides & print film. But since Kodak stopped making slides I had to find an alternative or stop using slides. This product is great for landscape and sunsets. Good saturation.
I'm not very impressed with this product for a number of reasons. For starters, the base seems to be too brittle, and I had trouble with the leader snapping off in the take-up spool. Secondly, the shadow detail was lacking. I know that this is a judgement call, but that what I found in looking at my slides. Finally, I really have to wonder whether Provia delivers the full, rated speed. I think it might be best to overexpose it by about a half-stop. I shot it in a couple different cameras, and the results were disappointing in this regard. Never had these issues with Kodak Ektachrome, but that's gone now and Fujichrome is about the only game in town.
The product was what I expected and it is great. I would recommend it to anyone.  It is hard to find slide film anymore.
I have used this film for stereo slides for a number years and have always had excellent results.There is no visible grain when viewing the mounted slides,
Man, this stuff is great. It might be my new go-to. I have never shot slide film before I bought a roll of this. I was blown away. Previously I had mostly been shooting Ektar, which I liked.- Detail and grain are out of this world. At 30 megapixel scans the grain is barely there.- Colors are pleasantly saturated, without looking overdone, or messing up skin tones. It's like a slightly cooler and tamer Ektar, without the pink caucasians.- Contrast is great at the cost of dynamic range of course. I was scared because I had heard how unforgiving slide film can be but on the whole roll I only had 2 shots with obviously missed exposure.
First let me say that this is an excellent film.  My problem is with unknown storage conditions.  This film has a two year shelf life and Fuji recommends refrigerated storate even for short term.  The roll I received was fourteen months old and I have no idea of how or where it's been stored.  Also a problem with packaging.  This was received in one of Amazon's new packing methods which consists of a piece of folded cardboard.  The film carton was crushed, but the film cannister apparently protected the roll itself.  I tried this for the convenience, since no one in my part of town sells 35mm film, but I had to pass on this one and returned it.  It'll be a crosstown trip for me to a pro shop that has fresh stock and refrigerated storage.
Worked great however I like the film in e6 look more. It's a personal tastes issue really. Great colors and quality. Great shipping speeds.
Excellent product at an excellent price.These batteries will save you money.The previous reviewer who was worried that they push to much energy does not understand. Any battery will only "push" what the device will draw. Batteries supply current based on demand and cannot "push" more.These batteries have a higher maH rating which makes them great for high drain devices not just Olympus cameras.I use these batteries in several other devices and they last longer than other batteries.I was at first annoyed that I had to buy the charger/battery combination instead of only the batteries, but it is nice having spare chargers.Highly recommended.
Well, I just got this battery pack with my new Olympus C5050Z, so to say the lease I have not run them down yet. But, after taking a closer look at this product I found out that this is the same unit as my also recently purchased Maxell batteries. That unit was only [$]. Same charger, same batteries just a different name. I plan on getting more of these.Over all these batteries seem to be doing a great job with little show of energy depletion; and I can tell you that I have had the monitor on for everything!
Great little charger. A little on the slow side. I use it with an Olympus 3000. Have three sets of batteries, one in the camera, one in the case, one in the charger. Never run out of batteries, even when filling up a 128MB card!!!
There's nothing wrong with this at all.  It does exactly what it's supposed to do, even though it seemed to me to be a little slow.  Nevertheless, it's compact, and efficient.
This is a good recharging AA battery unit. Not too sure the exact changes/improvements this unit has over the old B-40SU system. I own both this one and the Kodak K1000 unit. ( AA battery usage in my household/business is rather common). This unit works just as fast as the Kodak unit, if not faster, and has most of the same features. But I like the Kodak unit better.The storage space of the device is very important to me. I don't like carrying around dead weight that could be eliminated. The Olympus unit is compact, EXCEPT for the extension cord, it takes up more room than the unit itself. The Kodak K1000 is a wall mounted unit, that does not require a cord. It fits perfectly into my camera bag, without any hassle. I've never had a &quot;loose&quot; wall outlet attachment with the Kodak, if I did, I would tighen it by pinching the plug slightly together.This Olympus system and the Kodak system both work very well. Both are compact, both recharge quickly. My preference is the Olympus at home, and the Kodak on the road.
How much can you say about a battery recharger? It's fast, has worked in a dozen countries at least, had it 3 years and not a single problem. Recommend without hesitation.**Update: I just saw that this review was still here and thought I'd update it. I have now had this charger for near-6 years, and although I now prefer my new Sony fast charger, this Olympus unit is one SOLID performer.
Rayovac has a one hour charger with 4 independeent charge circuits (can cahrge unqually used batteries or uneven capacities without over/under charging some of theM)) for the same price as this (w/ batteries).  GP has 2000mah batteries.  These batteriees are 1700mah.  Acessories that I've had interest in that has olympus brand is 50% more expensive than generic brands of the same quality.  Olympus has great cameras.  Buy the accesories from another brand, cheapeer, higher quality.  Oh yeah this is a dumb charger also.  That means batteries get overcharged and that substantially reduces their life.  You can buy rapid (4-5 hrs charge time), dumb chargers for [$$$]
I have owned this for many years and it has never let me down.  If you want great items, always buy Olympus!!
This battery and charger came with my Olympus, and I get on average 80-120 pictures out of them, which is much better than my weaker batteries of 1500 or less MAH.  Two sets usually last me for a day or weekend trip without charging.  Plus with this charger, I don't need to find an outlet which can accomodate the charger size (via flip down prongs), since it has an AC cord which runs directly from the very small brick charger.
I bought a Fuji 2800 digital camera, which came with regular batteries. Within 2 hours of use they started running low and my camera wouldn't flash or capture images (at a very inopportune moment). When my NiMH batteries arrived, I charged them as recommended (3 times before first use) and I'm still using them and I haven't had to recharge them yet, and it's been about 3 hours of sporatic use over 2 weeks. I only wish Amazon sold the batteries without the charger, so I can have a second set ready to go whenever. They will definately pay for themselves in a metter of months. I take LOTS of pictures.
The Olympus B-50SU 4 AA NiMH Batteries and Charger is the best! I used other &quot;low cost&quot; chargers and batteries which were completely useless after only a few months. The Olympus charger and batteries are still going strong! I would highly recommend this product for any camera which uses the AA NiMH batteries. I use them in my Minolta Dimage 5.
While I don't own this charger, the college I teach at has an Olympus camera that came with it.  It's quite small, works well, and is a pretty good deal considering it comes with a set of batteries.Most of the negative comments I've seen here are due to the fact many people don't understand the qualities of NiMH batteries.  These batteries work well in devices that draw a lot of power, but don't work well in all devices.  They lose about one percent of their charge daily, so I wouldn't use them in a flashlight unless you plan on recharging them at least once a month whether you use them or not.NiMH batteries are only 1.2 volts, but that's not a problem in most devices since they hold that 1.2 voltage till they die.  An alkaline battery drops slowly from 1.5 volts, and continues to drop slowly till it dies.  Problem is, while a NiMH battery can hold a steady 1.2 volts for a long time, it drops in voltage very quickly when it does die.  That means if your device has a low battery indicator, it may give you little warning.  However, most digital cameras are setup to use NiMH batteries, and their battery indicator is adjusted for this.Also, a NiMH battery must be recycled a few times before it works at full capacity.  I put a brand new charged battery in an MP3 player and it ran for less than 2 hours.  On the second charge it ran for over 7 hours.So, why not five stars?  There are better batteries and chargers on the market.  The newer AA batteries are rated at 2000 mAh, and there are faster, better, "smarter" chargers on the market (MAHA, Rayovac, etc.)that can charge both AA and AAA batteries.  Still, I've had good luck with this compact charger and the batteries, and recommend it.  I also know for a fact the school has abused the heck out of both the charger and batteries and they are still working fine.By the way, make sure and get a second set of batteries for your camera.  When you come across Elvis, the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot all having a picnic, I guarantee you the batteries in your camera will be dead.
this is great little battery charger.  It is TINY and travels pretty much anywhere in the world due to it's ability to function at different electrical outputs.  All you need is a plug adapter.
It's not bad film to venture into infrared, but it's way to expensive for the slightly increased sensitivity. I would recommend trying Rollei RETRO 80S as an alternative. You get a bit more Infrared sensitivity.
with double red filters I got very nice results. It is a pleasure to work with this film. Deep blacks, white halos, just perfect. My favorite B&W film with an infrared effect. Recommended for fun and artistic shoots.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Ilford has started to manufacture their SFX 200 film again.  Many years ago it was one of my favorite films for portraiture, the near IR sensitivity smoothes out skin tones and creates interesting tonality.The film prints well and requires no special handling compared to more traditional infrared film.  Just don't let it set on your dashboard or load the film in bright sun light and you'll be all good.You're going to have a tough time creating traditional IR effects with this film.  If you use a dark red IR filter you can get closer to the white foliage and black sky look of real IR film, but it's still not really the same effect.  SFX is more subtle and in my view infinitely more useable.Highly recommended.
This is not like the old Kodak infrared and if you are expecting that you will be disappointed.  I used a red 25a filter and the effects were not as dramatic as I would have liked.  You probably have to use the IR filter that is really dark.  However, a plus is,  you don't have to load it in the dark and be so careful with it like the old Kodak Infrared.  Also not as grainy as Kodak.
I haven't actually used it yet but I've read some great things about it. I think this is actually considered &#34;NEAR IR&#34;. But from what I've read it should work great. So I'll recommend it!
I bought this camcorder AFTER I had my Canon ZR45MC.  If you read some other reviews complaining the low light recording functions of this camcorder, let me tell you it is not that bad.  I tried both video and still photo in my dining room with only 4x15 watts lights.  The result was very pleasant.  Comparing to the Canon ZR45MC I had, it was much better.  The Canon produces very grainly images with many color dots all over the pictures (video noise), while this JVC did very well.  I am replacing the Canon with this JVC for exactly this reason - low light performance.  I cannot give it a 5-star because its black and white view finder, 10x optical zooming and no AD converter.  On the other hand, Canon ZR45MC has 18x optical zooming, color view finder and AD converter, but for more money.
Do not buy this camera if you are looking for a quality long lasting product. These models have frequent digital board failures. I had mine for just 2 years, the estimate is $ 400 to fix it. For that price I bought a Panasonic pvgs120. Much better quality, especially in low light settings.In addition, these models (and other JVC models) have frequent E04 errors, keep an eye on consumer reports.
The JVC DVL520U digital video camera is the central camera in the JVC 320U, 520U, and 720U line. Each of these cameras offers the same basic technology with varying features. The 520U shares the same remote as the 320U. The 720U remote contains more functionality. The 520U remote contains all the usual basic capabilities, including rewind, fast forward, playback, record, etc. The 520U also shares the same memory card as the 720U, which is 8Mb in size. The raw technology of all these units is essentially the same. What differentiate them are the features JVC activates and implements in each model.The 520U specifications are as follows:- 680,000 pixel CCD (1/4&quot;)- 110,000 pixel, 2.5&quot; LCD monitor (270 degree rotation)- F1.8 lens- B/W viewfinder- Night Alive full color low light recording- 10x optical zoom- 700x digital zoom- PCM stereo audio- 16x9 squeeze mode- 1024 x 768 digital stills- Picture stabilization- SD/multimedia card- USB interface- DV input/output- S-video and A/V output terminals- Audio dubbing- Numerous fades, wipes, and effectsThe 520U provides very good features and functionality for a miniDV camera in its price range. Not all features work as well as other manufacturers. Picture stabilization, for instance, is much better on the Sony models than this camera. Night Vision is also not that useful for moving images in very low light conditions. I tried shooting a fireworks display using the Night Vision feature. An image was accumulated and stored by the CCD about every 1/2 second, making the outcome choppy and unusable.The software bundle provided with the camera is excellent and a USB driver is provided.  It's very easy to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer. With the proper editing cable (not supplied), video can be edited on a computer with excellent results. An audio/video cable is provided, which enables viewing and transferring video. A USB cable is provided to transfer images from the video card to a computer.The 520U is capable of storing pictures to either a memory card or video. A snapshot button enables the shutter to operate. If you're new to this capability, be aware that at this time pictures obtained using current video technology do not match the quality you will get from a digital camera. Likewise, digital cameras cannot match the quality of video recorded on a miniDV camera. You buy a video camera for quality video, not snapshots. You buy a digital camera for quality snapshots, not video.Regardless, the 520U delivers adequately usable snapshots. I like being able to add a picture collage in the middle of my videos. For example, I took a walk on the beach and recorded it. In the middle of the video suddenly you hear the sound of a shutter click and there's a picture of a seagull wading in the water; another shutter click and a picture of a dog bounding out of the water; another shutter click and a picture of a child building a sand castle, etc. Each shot stays on for about 5 seconds or so and whatever sound occurs in those five seconds is also recorded. Later, you can dub audio of your favorite song over the collage before going back to the video action of your family enjoying a boat tour the following day. The creative possibilities are endless!Pictures directed to the video will be stored in the middle of whatever you're taping. You can also select to have pictures saved on the memory card, which provides the best quality. From the memory card, they can be transferred to your computer. This is a very nice feature. If you don't mind the limited image quality, it's quite handy to have video and picture capability in one small camera.Where this camera really shines is in video quality; it's exceptional! The miniDV format provides 520 lines of resolution. Color balance is very nice and the internal settings enable you to take manual control of the white balance or set it to automatic.Another nice feature I haven't seen on all cameras is the ability to correct for backlighting. Let's say you're in a room with many windows on a sunny day. Many cameras will meter the windows and you end-up with the room appearing too dark. The JVC has a backlight button that corrects for these conditions and it works quite impressively.The BN-V408U 800mAh Lithium-ion battery supplied is the smallest battery available for this camera. Using the LCD display, you will get only about 30 to 45 minutes of record/playback time. I'd strongly suggest purchasing the BN-V428U 2500mAh battery, which can be purchased on eBay for about $30 with shipping (search for &quot;JVC BN-V428U battery&quot;). I get about three to four hours of use with this battery.In short, if you are on a limited budget and would like a decent beginning miniDV camera, the JVC is a very nice unit. If you have more of a budget, I'd suggest the Sony models, which offer all these features with equivalent or superior quality (depending on the feature compared).If you decide to purchase this camera, always purchase from an authorized dealer, like Amazon.com. There are many dealers who sell this camera for a lower price, but what they don't tell you is if anything fails and the unit requires service, JVC will not honor the warranty. You must show proof of purchase from an authorized JVC dealer to receive service.
Hi,We have been using this for 18 months now, and it's travelled continents and has give us no problems at all!At least 3 MiniDV tapes, an extra battery, and a carrying bag are essentials.This camcorder is excellent value. The only con is low light recording is not good, but that's the case with most camcorders.
We bought it brand-new. It worked for a while, but after about 30 minutes of use, the eyepiece (optical viewfinder) quit working, literally becoming almost blank, with picture nearly impossible to see.Also it recorded fine only in bright, high-contrast sunlight with a lot of shades. Even in bright, but hazy daylight the picture produced was low-contrast and a bit too dark, which was quite unpleasant.In the past, I always associated the words "Made in Japan" with impeccably high quality, especially in electronics. I can see things have changed even in that country. Nowadays "Made in Japan" could mean as shoddy job, as made in Communist China or elsewhere.Another minor complaint: the memory card's compartment door tends to open by its own, due to poorly made latch.
I read about the motor hum being recorded on Amazon and other review sites. I didn't want that... so I could afford one of the Sony camera like the new Micro-MV.Thing is, try as I might, I couldn't make myself like the Sony cameras. I study usability and some industrial design and I still wonder what the Sony engineers were thinking when they designed their digital camcorder line. They're hard to hold, the buttons are in unnatural places, and the camera doesn't mold into your hand. The salesperson actually told me to hold it "with two hands" and it'd be fine. Have you ever tried to push a stroller around Disney World and keep track of a running four year old while filming him with a video camera? Two hands for the camera?!? Give me a break!I tested every single Sony digital camcorder, and I still kept coming back to this Canon. Yes, it has the motor hum - but the controls are within reach and I'm not being forced to try and focus with my pinky using a button that's smaller than a pea (like the Sony Micro-MV). The picture is great.I took my new camera to Disney for a week....it fit in my small fanny pack, and with the digital photo options, I didn't need to take a regular camera. So much easier and made the trip much more enjoyable. It's not as great with still photos as a dedicated digital camera, but it's been great for sending photos directly to relatives via the Internet and making photo CDs.I love this camera!!!!! I'd give it five stars, but I'm taking one off for the motor hum. They should fix that. I still recommend everyone go to a local store and actually hold the Sony cameras and try to focus and fit them comfortably in their hand, and then try the same thing with the Canon. That experience will speak for itself.
What noise? On the basis of the reviews of this camera I ordered the accessory mike. It hasn't arrived yet but I have used the camera to film Honolulu Boy Choir reahearsals and performances. The 16 bit audio is impressive. (as I learned from the GL 1 I had borrowed) I haven't heard the motor noise and it doesn't seem to show up in the audio tracks when I'm editing in Final Cut Pro.I would have liked to purchase a GL2 but the value to dollar ratio of this camera is pretty darn good.
This is an awesome camcorder! I've had it for about two weeks now, and I love it. The video quality is very good and its compact size makes it very portable. I have a Apple iMac G4 and the ZR50 runs outstanding with it.I am an amateur filmmaker and I was previously using my father's Canon GL1, which is a great camcorder, but I needed something for myself. I was skeptical of a high quality camcorder at a low price. So I did all the research and liked the ZR50.The still quality isn't that good, but that is not why I bought it. If you are looking for a nice digital video and still camera, this is not for you. It is a nice bonus, though, to take low quality photos and share them with people over the Internet.If you have read that the motor noise is a problem, well, the same noise is on my father?s Canon GL1 which is $... So, you make the decision to associate the noise with this particular camcorder or not.If you want a small digital camcorder that takes great video at a good price, this is one for you.
I had read the other reviews before buying the ZR50MC. I haveto agree with them all - the motor hum does exist and is veryreal, especially if there is only one person speaking in aquiet background. In a noisy background, it doesn't matter.However, it is very easy to use and very good looking, so I wouldstill recommend it highly. One of these days, I should probablyget the optional microphone to see if the hum does go away.For anyone contemplating buying the ZR series,my advice is to buythe ZR45MC. The extended recording modes in ZR50MC have so manylimitations, that it is just not worth the extra money.
I work with camcorders since 1988 - S-VHSC, Hi8, etc. No question, no matter what kind of digital camcorder you compare with an analog one, it is superior. However, I found this camcorder particularly interesting and bought it since I left the `semi-professional' field (and being now an electrical engineer in software development). Here are my findings:Pro:1) Awesome workmanship: The high-grade plastic case pieces precisely fit and give the camcorder a valuable finish, the buttons have a well defined 'ignition' point and the connectors for FireWire, USB, Analog Video etc. are 'cemented' into the case.2) Excellent cost / feature ratio: Although following the hype of marrying video with stills, this camcorder emphasizes on video (please, do buy a digital camera if you need digital stills). The outstanding optical unit with a real 22x zoom and one of the most effective image stabilizer in the market, combined with a friendly user-interface including illuminated buttons and a clean menu, this camcorder is a bargain.The picture quality is excellent. One note here: please remember that the miniDV standard builds on 5.7 Mhz video bandwidth. In other words, no matter what the (multi) colored CCD ship is capable of a resolution, it comes down to a maximum of 370,000 effective pixels needed for NTSC video. The 460,000 pixels of this camcorder seem more than enough.3) Accessories: Just in case you really care about the somewhat whining recorder server motors, please do buy the optional microphone - it's an awesome addition if you do semi-professional sound-recordings. Also, Canon offers wide and tele-converters specialized for the ZR series. Not a novelty in camcording in general, but a serious affordable  consumer expansion if needed.4) Internationality: Yes, there are other electrical power systems out there: the Canon switching power supply is not only very light, it also connects to almost every wall-outlet in the world with the right (optional) plug-adapter.5) Ergonomics: Oh yes, I thought about a palm-ready camcorder, too. But think about it: the optical unit including the lenses and the CCD has to fit into half the length of a regular camcorder like the ZR 50 (Palm recorders do not have more than 10x zoom, the ZR 50 has 22x). The camcorder fits right into my hand, the zoom button can be accessed naturally without shifting the camcorder in your hand (try Sony!) and the zoom button is depth sensitive - the deeper you zoom, the less sensitive is the camcorder zoom-button. Additionally, beside so many other brands out there, the digital zoom is even useable to a certain degree. It becomes affective once the optical zoom is exhausted to a 22x. However, if you want quality video, turn it off.6) Video Modes: Select one of the predefined video modes. One of the most impressive mode is the night-mode - if the moon strikes you, your ZR 50 will catch it. However, don't expect wonders, every serious video-grapher recommends at least 100 lux (a unit of measuring light-intensity).Con:I couldn't find a con so far - maybe the sound-quality the integrated microphone produces? Hm, given the size of the case, it seems reasonable...Yeah, I am enjoying this camcorder. Canon showed once again that a camcorder design can meet almost all of a consumer-customer's needs:Rich functionality, lightweight design, extensible through optional accessories including lenses, robust workmanship.Recommended!
I was very pleased with the video camera. However, it had a problem which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Like my original camera, it wouldn't move the tape in any direction. More than that, the tape would not go all the way down and came back out. Then I noticed that a rubber roller (turned out to be the capstan roller) was loose at the bottom of the tape area blocking the tape from going all the way down. I shook it out, but the tape wouldn't move ... just like the problem with my original video camera. Upon looking closer at my original camera, I noticed the capstan roller was loose in it also but not in a position that didn't prevent the tape from loading. After finding the manual on-line, I saw where the capstan went.I know I wouldn't have been able to fix my original camera if I hadn't purchased my new cameral through Amazon. Since I just paid half of what the original camera cost me (which was already heavily discounted), I am very happy with the result. Further searching on-line revealed to me that this is a common problem with this camera. The solution was also revealed ... always have a tape in the camera, and the capstan will not get loose. I suspect that when the camera was mailed to me that it was working fine, but the rigors of the shipment probably knocked the capstan loose since it came with no tape insideSony CCDTRV118 Hi8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD. I am very happy at this unusual experience, and continue to be delighted that I have had great results everytime I purchase anything from Amazon. The reason I purchased the 2nd camera is that I have a lot of tapes of my grandson (now 21) playing Little League baseball that I want to copy onto DVDs and now will take more videos of my younger grandson playing ball. One thing I've always loved about this camera is that it is easy to use, and it has a zoom to "kill for." Sometimes I use it as an electronic telescope because it is so powerful.
I bought this Handycam 10 years ago. I stopped using it for whatever reason. But I recently set out to convert the video I had taken with this to digital. Not only was it easy, but the quality of the picture was amazing...even playing it on my 40 inch screen. The image is so much better than my phone new camcorder.
Hi8 is fast fading into oblivion as MiniDV takes over the world and gets cheaper.  If you want good video quality, you should go with a namebrand MiniDV camcorder -- I recommend Sony, Panasonic and Canon.  On the other hand, if you don't shoot a lot of videos and want something cheap, the Hi8 is still a good way to go.  (I bought the TRV108 as a gift but tested it before giving it to my uncle-in-law.)To someone who's used to MiniDV camcorders, the TRV108 feels big.  It's actually normal for a 8mm camcorder.  The LCD screen is sharp and bright -- but as we shall see later, also a battery hog.  The traditional eye-piece viewfinder is b&w;, which is bad if you want to use it to conserve battery power.The TRV108 gives out good video quality on Hi8 tapes.  I would rate it "high" for a Hi8 model, but even the cheapest MiniDV camcorders (except for Samsung) can match such quality -- plus they offer more bells and whistles.  One nice thing is the inclusion of Sony's NightShot infrared technology -- now you can turn your lights off and make those ghostly videos like in Blair Witch Project and Silence of the Lambs. :)  The TRV108 also includes a host of effects you can add to your video footage.One bad thing, though, is this model does not have the stabilizer.  The TRV308 and other more expensive models include Sony's digital stabilizer.  On the other hand, digital stabilizers degrade quality, so they work better on a digital camcorder than an analog one like the TRV108.  Just make sure you have sturdy hands and arms.Now the battery.  The battery is definitely a problem and you'll want to buy an extra capacity battery.  While the LCD turned on, you'll run out of the included battery in a matter of minutes.  You can save power by using the b&w; viewfinder, but that defeats the purpose of having the LCD, doesn't it?  One plus feature is the included AC adapter works at both 110V and 220V.If you have [the money], I highly recommend a MiniDV camcorder.  Otherwise, make the TRV108 your entry-level home video making machine.  You just can't beat its price and good quality for a Hi8 model.
If one notices, most of the favorable reviews on this product were written over 10 years ago....when the product was first manufactured.  I've no doubt it was a great product.  But if you read the 3 recent reviews of the offered &#34;used or refurbished&#34; camcorders...only 1 is favorable.  Videotape camcorders have many moving mechanical parts that can and WILL wear out after 10 years of use.  These used camcorders should be priced no higher than $40.00.  At $170...it should come with a full warranty..but I don't see anything written here about any warranty.
I have used many video cameras in my life, but I have never owned one until now. I worked at audio/video stores for several years and saw lots of different formats and brands come and go. Never a fan of the VHS format or its junky little brother, Compact VHS, I knew 8mm was the way to go, at least back then. Nowadays, though, Mini DV seems to be taking over with even smaller cassettes and better picture quality. However, I don't have that kind of money to afford a DV or Digital 8mm camcorder. Yet.Enter the TRV-108, a nifty little video camera that uses the HiBand 8mm format, superior to 8mm, but certainly not in the ballpark of Digital8 or DV. Still, its compact size and light weight make it easy to carry around almost anywhere and given the first 8mm camcorder I ever used was big enough that part of it sat on my shoulder, this is a great improvement. It comes with a 160 minute `InfoLithium' battery and little else except a lens cap and strap. It takes great pictures and has a nifty menu system navigated by a little wheel at the back that works like like a volume control and when you have selected what you want from the on-screen display, you just press the wheel to make it happen. This makes titling a snap. I do miss the title image-grabbing function from older 8mm cameras, though.The 2.5" color back lit LCD screen is clear and easy to read in all but the brightest sunlight and failing that, it also has a small .5" black and white display through the view finder. The 40x zoom is fantastic, but you better have steady hands in order to use it. And using the 460x digital zoom is impossible with anything but a tripod. The camera is equipped with a nightshot mode that actually does work, amplifying light in dark areas, making the image more visible, if green. The TRV-108 also comes with some neat digital effects like sepia tone, which gives video a nice old movie look, a pastel effect which gives everything a cartoony look, black and white, 16:9 aspect shots, plus other effects. It can also do snazzy digital fade-ins and fade-outs.This camera only really has two failings. For the most part, built in camera lights are useless, but the TRV-108 doesn't even have an accessory shoe for mounting an external light source. Something I found kind of maddening to the point where I even toyed with the idea of finding a camera at a garage sale, ripping it apart, and super glue the shoe to the top. Second, while the built-in microphone is very sensitive at picking up voices and ambient sounds, it does not have a foam wind sock. In moderate winds the roar of the air as it passed over the mike caused a lot of noise. And if it's too loud, like when I shot at the base of a waterfall, the noise caused image distortion lines! These two missing features cost the camera a full five-star review.All in all though, this is a pretty decent little toy. It's not a serious camcorder and a far from a Canon GL-1s or Xl-1s, but for what I use it for, it's still pretty darn good. It's also low cost enough that purchasing it and using it as a good way to find out if you want to go for a bigger and better camera with more features, whether it be a Digital8 or Mini DV camera. It has taught me a lot about framing shots and what a pain the noon day sun can be. The long life of the battery means that, with a little mental effort, you can shoot a full 2 hour tape on one battery. Not bad for a trip to the zoo to send a tape to your folks.
I believe I will be very happy with the camcorder. Its small,light and easy to handle.The LCD is clear and bright.Ease of operation.
This was our family's first camcorder and I'd have to say that it does its job wonderfully.  This camcorder has all the basic features you need to create great home videos.  Our results so far are very satisfying.  The only drawback is that you must buy an extra battery AND a camcorder bag!  These are essential accessories that you must get if you plan to travel with your camcorder.  What I love about this camcorder is that it could automatically convert to 220V, which is great when you travel.  There's also the nightshot feature.  I guess what this lacks is the 'image stabilizer.'  However, I heard that stabilizers may actually worsen the picture quality on Hi8 camcorders.  Whatever the case, we are very happy with our purchase and would highly recommend this product.  It's high quality by a great brand and it would last you til you upgrade ...
This is truly an excellent camcorder for home movies and perhaps more advanced applications. I found myself toying around with the nightvision contantly. My only qualms about it was that recording videos to your PC is really dependent on how good a computer you have. For instance, my computer, which is fairly fast would typically have very smooth recording, but every once in a while would skip a few frames, and I would then have to go back and edit it. But don't get me wrong, I truly believe that this really is the best camcorder you can buy for this kind of money, and besides the computer transfer issure, I absolutely love the camera.
I bought it new in 2002 for $400. The color is pretty good. The resolution is very poor, only close shot get you satified. Other than that you get blur edge and barrel distortion sometimes. I didn't use it a lot for the first 3 years, only the last 2 years I used it regularly to tape my daughter's piano class homework every 2 weeks for 5-8 minutes each time. Recently I have to knock this camera extremly hard several times to make the recording start (It's common issue as the piano teacher told me.). So I have to find a new camcorder now. I don't know what can I do if it refuses to work one day in my daughter's piano class.
The picture on this camera is good and it needs very little light.  However, the colors are not quite as accurate as I had hoped for Hi8.  Perhaps digital would have been better, but the price was a factor.  I shopped around and found Amazon had the best price available.
This camcorder is great. It is both easy to use, and records beautifully. A great camcorder in this price range.
what can i say this is the best Hi8 video camra you can buy.  yes the picture qulaity is a little lower then the DV's but i dont know about you but i dont want to spend 1300 (I dont know about you brother but im not made of money) on a camra im not tha picky.  well anyways baught it used it and works great buy it and you wont be disipionted
I've had the camcorder for a while now, and was hoping to be able to use the USB streaming feature to make small computer movies and send them to my friends and family overseas.  Although the camcorder is good the included software is weak and the USB streaming makes a very choppy poor quality AVI file.  I recently got a new computer and could not find the device driver disk that came with the camcorder.  Sony technical support was a joke and they ended up trying to sell me a driver for my camcorder.  So now I have a camcorder that I can plug into my TV or record onto a VHS (Do people still use VHS?) but any dreams I have of putting something on my computer are fading fast.  I'm going to have to find a new way to send my parents the video I took of my new house.Frankly in this day and age an analogue camcorder is a waste of money.
The day I purchased this camera the vendor emailed me, very anxious to get a high rating.  They vowed that if anything was not the way it should be to contact them first and they would do what was needed to get the high rating.  This certainly impressed me.  As it turned out the camera did not come with a battery charger so I emailed them about that and they emailed back saying they would contact me within 24 hours.  Several weeks later I have still not heard from them.  Since that time I have converted some old 8mm tapes but the camera does not seem to work with the digital format that it should have worked with.  I don't expect that I will hear anything from the vendor, but who knows.  All talk, no action.
This is a great camera.  We use it a lot.  I love the night shot, the steady shot works great and it has a lot of other nice features.  Everything on it works great all the time.  The light metering and auto focus work very well too.There is only one problem that really frustrates me.  It has a right and a left microphone and records in stereo, but there is no way to get stereo playback through the analog A/V output.  That's certainly one of the cheapest things I've seen in products that I've bought.  It's very disapointing from a name like Sony.
If you want an excellent camcorder at a great price, that is easy to use, records great quality images, & also records in total darkness this is the one to get!  The USB streaming is a great addition too.  Nice size 3" lcd screen makes it easy to see what you're recording... And it is so easy to use, I was recording within minutes right out of the box.  I bought this used. and absolutely love this camcorder.  For the price, you just can't go wrong here.  Great Camcorder!
I did not have a good experience with them.It was an old and used 8mm camcorder (+/- $180) but did not accept my old films. So. it did not work to what it was bought for. I stayed with the camera only 1 day and had to return it and so, unexpectedly it was charged me &#34;restocking fees&#34; for returning (that I lost, besides shipping from and to). I don't think that &#34;restocking fees&#34;, in this case is acceptable.That's why I don't recommend.
I've had two of these, and both of them lasted about a year?  Both of them had the same malfunction- tapes jamming in the camera.  I talked to a repair shop & they see this a lot with sonys because of the design.  Using purchased movie software we were able to make good movies in our pc & burn to dvd.  Using pixela software included we could capture still shots (good enough for listing things on ebay, etc.) which was a novelty then!
I still shoot Hi8 videos, and I needed a replacement for my worn-out Sony Hi8 camcorder... this model does the trick quite well...
Just as promised, worked well for what I needed. I have some old 8mm tapes and needed a camcorder to play them back on and this fit the bill it also had the USB streaming so I can now transfer them to dvd also the shipping was quick and package great for protection.
While this is a decent Analog camcorder, don't expect much from the USB streaming feature.  The maximum frame size over USB is 320x240, which is half the minimum recommended for creating a DVD out of a home movie.  If you want to get the video from your tapes onto a computer or DVD, expect to purchase a separate video capture device or card.To make matters worse, the bundled software doesn't let you capture more than thirteen minutes of video at a time before it crashes and claims the drive is out of disk space, regardless of how much disk space you really have avaliable.  This happens even when recording to NTFS volumes, which do not have the 4 gig file size limit of Fat32.Most third party programs will also have issues using the camcorder's USB streaming features.  The drivers create an eclectic audio device that many video capture programs can't see, so you'll have to use a separate audio cable unless you like the idea of not having any sound.  Roxio's products are among the many that can't use the audio driver.In short, it's a decent camcorder, assuming you compare it to other devices as though the USB streaming feature didn't exist, because for all practical purposes, it doesn't.
Instead of SD memory that everything uses it uses old Compact Flash cards which are very expensive and nothing else uses them anymore. Other than that its an okay 2MP camera. I bought it for my 9 year old and thankfully it take 5 or 10 without the memory card for now.
I bought this camera in 2002 as my 1st digital,just as a point & shoot. It was a great little hard working camera with no problems until 6 months later I accidentally dropped it and it stopped working (ALWAYS WEAR THAT HAND STRAP, I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH! It can get knocked out of your hands and it won't matter how 'tight' your grip on it is). Anyway, I put it away in a drawer and forgot about it. Four years later, my friend said that digital cameras will sometimes start working again if they had a chance to 'rest'.  So I put the batteries in,tested it and SURPRISE! It started right up with no problems! Who knew? I'm glad I didn't throw it out.  So if it stops working for whatever reason, let it rest for a month and then try it again. See what happens, you never know.
I took this camera on a house hunting trip and was very happy with the result. I bought the camera for about [$$$] and did not expect the resolution to be so good. I was able to send about 40 800X600 pictures home each night for my wife to review. The only problem I had was that sometimes the camera would stop responding when the batteries got low but other than that it was easy to use and took good pictures. It will however chew up batteries like a fat man in a burger joint so carry a good supply. It would be nice if they would have a C cell external pack for long photo shoots.
With 2.11 megapixels this camera is a good value for the money.  At the highest resolution you should be able to blow a print up to 8x10.  Camera is easy to use, basically just point & shoot.  Push shutter button halfway for auto focus.  Altho with default setting you can only get about 10-12 pictures on the 8MB internal memory, if you change the setting to 800 x 600 you can get 40 pictures instead, which I prefer because these pics won't take up as much room on your hard drive.  (and this size looks great when I blow up the picture to use as a background on my computer!)  With a 32 MB CF card you can get up to 180!!  The red eye works very well.  I've found with other cameras I always had a problem with red eye when taking pictures of my dog, but with this one I haven't had that problem.  The software that comes with this camera is very user friendly.  The closeup function works pretty well, you just have to watch the lighting with that to get good quality pics. The camera uses up batteries fast, but all of them do when you use the LCD display alot, which I do.***UPDATE TO THIS REVIEW***I originally wrote the above in 2002, before my first child was even born (this camera was a wedding gift).  I have since moved on to dSLRs and away from point & shoots.  My 7 year old daughter is now using this camera as her first digital camera!  This little thing has held up remarkably well over the years.  Of course technology has improved GREATLY since then, so this is perfect for a child who is practicing, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to an adult who already has experience with point & shoots... but I felt compelled to comment on the quality of this item and remark on the fact that it's still going strong!Exposure can be a little tricky with it, and of course with only 2 mp the quality of the shots is not going to be perfect, but this camera is far superior to the digitals that are on the market right now aimed at the children's market.
My first experience with digital cameras was an Olympus that was rather awkward.  This model by Vivitar makes digital photography about as easy as it can get.  In about 5 minutes I figured out the basics of taking, reviewing, and downloading pictures.  I bought it in a kit that included all of the necessary cables.  Despite complaints of poor picture quality by one reviewer, I found them to be sharp and clear.  I would reccomend this without qualification to anyone as an excellent entry-level digital camera.
Sony VCR tapes. Purchased 6 to box.  Run 8 hrs on SLP (super long play).  Good quality.  We use daily--EVERY DAY FOR 1-2 HOURS -for taping shows that we want to watch latter.  They last about 6 months before they wear out.  Start to skip, flutter etc.  Tape is just worn out.
I was relieved to still be able to locate some of these. We are still using two VCRs and a DVR.
I have been using these specific VHS tapes for years now.  Unfortunately, the price on them has skyrocketed since they have been for the most part replaced by DVDs.  Nevertheless, I still use them to tape tv shows and to record movies.  They are pretty long lasting.  I tend to record over them a lot but within reason as the quality of the video can become affected after awhile.  I have to be honest there.  However, they do get the job done.  Currently, I have a whole box full of them, all used.  I would ball park the number between 30-40 tapes still going strong.  I am constantly on the look out for this type, the Sony 8 hour, as they seem to be one of the best quality VHS tapes that you can find and I am able to record up to 4 or more whole movies on them depending on the length of the films.I do not plan on getting rid of them.  I guess I will eventually have no choice but to get with the times, but for now, they are still practical to me and the video quality is pretty good considering they are VHS tapes.
Okay, let's face it.  There are probably only about eight people left in the United States who still record TV shows on videotape.  I'm one of them.  And my needs are incredibly simple.  I just want a videotape that will do three things:1. Record images and sounds to the same degree of fidelity as the TV2. To work with different videotape players with respect to time counters3. To work with different videotape players with respect to the "markers" that indicate when a new recording begins.After using old videotapes, I decided to buy a slew of new ones and, like an idiot, I thought: "Sony!"  How bad could they be?"Well, after trying 10 of them I can say they can be (and are) very bad.  Yes, they capture the images and sound reasonably, but they fail at #2 and #3 above.  When played, you can't track where you are with a time counter.  And they don't register new recording index marks.Previously, I had used Maxell and never had problems.  Guess I'll throw these away and go back to Maxell.I'd sincerely suggest you pass on these.
I have used hundreds of recordable vhs tapes in 2 different vhs cassette recorders that I have.I have never had a problem with any of them, ever...Until I tried using these. Out of 16, none of them workedproperly.The first 5 to 15 minutes, when played back they ran at fast forward. Then, when they actually startedrecording semi properly, they were filled with snow, in some cases to where the picture was barely visible, andreally could not be watched and enjoyed. That will be the ONE and ONLY time, I ever purchase this brand. The quality isabsolutely terrible. Every other brand I have ever used, has worked much, MUCH better than these. These cannot be depended on to even perform the most basic function while recording.And yes, this is based on what Sony is calling PREMIUM grade. Apparently, no quality control existAT ALL, before these are put up for sale. If you had not problems with yours, you got the luck ofthe draw. NEVER AGAIN!
I've used these video cassettes for years.  I've always loved that I can fit so many hours onto one cassette.  They are also great for repeated recording, if you like to record shows you miss while you're at work, then tape over those episodes with the latest episodes week after week.  The quality is great compared to every other brand of video cassette that I've tried, which is every brand sold in Wal-Mart, Target, and Big Lots.  I can't imagine why the other two reviewers had problems with these; they're probably using old or dirty VCRs.  If you have the problems that the previous reviewers have had, use a VCR cleaner. . . or maybe it's just time to buy a new VCR.  All videos play badly on old or dirty players, but these have always worked as well as pre-recorded videos in almost all conditions.
The product itself is very good! BUT, the company/person who packed this item did a very poor job! No packing material was used and I had 1 tape that was broke to pieces! Company/person needs to care more about us customers!
We use for taping soups and night shows that we don't get to watch!!  We like to use our VCR!!
It's so hard to find blank video tapes nowaday.  I am glad to find them here, and the price is good.  It's good that I am able to record up to 160 minutes in standard play.  Very sharp picture.  The quality is not bad at all.
The VCR tapes are working very well thus far.  I have used Sony tapes in the pass and don't expect any problem from them.  I could not find any eight hour VCR tapes locally only six hours and I preferred using eight hour tapes.
I got two eight packs of these vhs blank tapes and they were delievered and no damages were to either package of them whatsoever. The tapes came in great condition no parts were broken or anything everything was just fine. I cant wait to record movies on the tapes!! Thanks amazon!!
I use these tapes to record and re-record TV programs,and so far, I'm pleased with them.
Best buy for the quanity.  Could not find any where else this low price.
The VCR Tapes arrived promptly, and were perfect.  Brand new, and a reasonable price.
These so far okay, nothing spectacular.  I've already thrown one away because it lost the audio.
The quality of these tapes is still the same as it was a few years ago when I bought a case of them. The quality is excellent! These are the tapes I look for when I need more. I wouldn't use anything else.
Quality is good and price is good.
This tape is just perfect. Quality as it's always beenPros: clear, crisp sound, very  durable, great brandCons: none that I know of
Same quality product I'm use to without running around to several locations looking or guessing to see if I have the right size
It may not be new technology, but it still holds 1 hour of video at a reasonable price.  It may get harder to find this vanishing medium but still offered at a good price on Amazon.  Since the camcorder still works, no point in throwing it away and the tapes last.
This is an OK purchase that seems to have done what we wanted it to do for us and hopefully will continue.
I've been using the Sony Hi8 tapes since my daughter was born in 2003.  I've never had a problem.  Amazon has th ebest price consistently and they are getting hard to find at offline stores now.
Most of my friends have switched to digital recording while I still use my olde Sony camera. I just wanted to give dues to these tapes, they never fail!
Had a real hard time finding 8mm cassettes for the camcorder until I went to Amazon.  Came quick and in perfect condition.  Grandson thinks the old camcorder is the greatest invention:)
Happy to find these as I have an aging Sharp camcorder that still works and these cassettes are very hard to find.
Got a package of these for our coming trip - yes, we still like and use the old digital tape camcorder ... but these tapes are becoming increasingly rare and are no longer found in the stores that we shop-in.  The price was good, and since we use about 1 tape per week on trips, I bought 2 packages for our coming vacation ... wanting to get them while they were still in stock.  We almost ran out of tapes on our last trip (Antarctica, Carnival - Rio, Machu Picchu and Galapagos); having used so many in Antarctica, could find none in Rio, and sweated it out until we were able to locate a few in a small camera store in Cusco.  A word to the wise ... if you still use a camera which requires these tapes, get as many as you think you will need and then buy a few extra ... just in case.  A Hint: before you leave home, record and view a few seconds of footage to make sure the tape is working well and has no defects/drop outs.  We learned this lesson the hard way on a trip to China a few years ago.  Taught us a good lesson.
Tape products are getting harder and harder to find.  I used Amazon to find the best price and stocked up.
You know... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  so I still use my old Hi-8 cam corder.  Glad you still have these available for my old technology.
I guess my Sony camera is getting out of date since these cassettes are not available in many stores. But this filled the bill very well.
Very pleased with the tapes.  Appear to be good quality and have been stored well.  Wish &#34;progress&#34; hadn't evolved to making things obsolete before their time so we have to keep buying new stuff.  Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be.  As a result, I have cassettes, albums, reeltoreels, Hi8S, VHS, CDs, DVDs.  Thanks to the greedy who add no value to the world or society with their so-called advancements.
These are cassette camcorder tapes. You put them in the camcorder and record on them. They work just fine. If you have a camcorder that uses 8mm cassettes I recommend these.
Package arrived quickly. I have never, ever had a problem with these great Sony Hi8 tapes. They are the best!
While it's true that the photographer or photojournalist in our case makes the shot, it's comforting to know you'll get great results when you use this brand tape.
i have gotten a lot of these for investigating the paranormal , the video is crisp and clear i never have to worried about missing a great shot . i recommend these tapes. will buy again
Good price for obsolete technology and much easier to purchase on Amazon as opposed to trying to find a store that still has these on the shelf. Discovered the day before Christmas that I did not have any blank tapes to record the family events.  Eventually I did find a blank tape for Christmas Eve but glad I found a source for Hi8 tapes.In addition, I am not ready to retire my Sony DCR-TRV310 Digital 8 HandyCam and move to the latest and greatest technology.  Digital 8 still works and looks great...
Recordings are clear and precise. Very pleased with results. (Camcorder is a Sony TRV240.) Would recommend to tohers and would buy again.
I have tried other brand names and this is the only one that keeps the quality over decades. I strongly recommend it.
I have a video camera that is about 5 years old now and it's hard to find these cassettes anywhere but online. I'm not able to buy new video cameras every time they come out with a new line.
Not a lot to be said about these tapes. Great quality, decent price, good service on an item that is getting harder to find. I use them only at Christmas and 4 tapes will last me another 5-6 years.
I am so glad they still make these. My Sony cam still works great and being able to get these tapes makes filming the grandkids easy. I also purchased a video capture product and I can convert my Sony-can tapes to DVD and send them out to all the family foe gifts. I am one tech savvy Granny.
They are becoming harder to find at local stores. Found on here and ordered 16 to have some on hand for a up coming event.
I have used other Hi8 tapes but from my expreience nothing beats the quality of a Sony. I am an active member of a muscial band and we perform about every week. I set my camera (Sony TRV340) on a tripod and let it record on all our venues. As a result I consume quite a number of tapes per month. Because of this I need a reliable, high-quality brand that I can trust; the Sony Hi8. Video quality is superior, even after several re-recordings (taping over footage). The same goes for the sound; crisp and clear (especially when you have an auxilary mic). I found the outer tape housing surprisingly strong. At one time I dropped a box of these tapes from a high shelf and on to a hard-tile floor - but they remained intact and safe. These tapes are pretty much versitle in any kind of filming situation, and for that I give Sony praise.Highlights:- Sharp, High quality video- Crisp and clear sound reproduction- Strong plastic tape housing- Unbeatable valueI highly recommend this product for all your recording needs! Now if you excuse me, I think I have another gig to film.
I liked the quality and the service was very prompt.  I got them delivered immediatly.
Tapes worked fine.  I have an old Sony Video camera that I won't get rid of.  Glad the tapes are still around.
I purchased these cassettes for my video recorder.  I haven't used them as yet, because I have been transferring old cassettes to my computer.  The older one's have very special video's of family on it, and I didn't want to record over them, so I ordered these to use when I do more video's.
Again, it was exactly the item I ordered and it came promptly as advertised.  The price could have been a little lower but seeing where I couldn't find the product anywhere (in any of the stores), I happily paid the advertised price.
I've used Sony Hi-8 tapes for years and although tape is now considered somewhat archaic, if you have a camcorder that uses Hi-8 or Digital, you can't go wrong with these.  I've never had a problem with them when shooting in some rather extreme situations.  The camera hasn't always performed like I want, but the tape itself has never been the source of a problem.  Shop around for the best price.
It worked really well and i have absolutely nothing to complain about. Great product for very low price. Much thanks!
These are well worth the money.  They can not be found in public stores any more and if you do happen to run accross them you can only get two in a pack.
I bought these hard to find cassettes for my old analog video recorder I got for a song at a garage sale.
Because it is getting harder and harder to find these tapes in my area, I ordered from Amazon. Received them in a timely manner and very pleased with my purchase.
needed for the old Sharp viewcam I gave to my cousin  so she could tape her cats when she was away at work
Nothing beats the quality of Sony video tapes when it comes to Sony video cameras.  I have never been disappointed by the Sony brand.  I have tried other brands of video tape and have had tapes that jam or fail usually at the worst time!  I will continue to buy only Sony.
Used these to record my basketball team's games. Then I go back and record all their stats while I watch the game, pausing and rewinding to get it right. I usually record 5 or 6 games on each tape, rewinding and recording over the previous game. These tapes have never failed and are always good quality.
I used these for my Sony TRV camcorders for a long time, before I migrated to digital camcorders. Sony Hi8 cassettes never got stuck or failed me. Unfortunately these will be relics in museums before long.
No complaints about these Camcorder Cassettes. Price was better than most places, so was a pretty good deal. High quality, vivid color, sound good too. No graininess, no problem. Loaded easily, easy to use.
These need to come down in price as the newer camcorders use sd cards.  Sony is way too expensive.  I will never purchase Sony 'anything'.
tapes were excellent quality and videos came out great.  next is to transfer over to cd/dvd but these tapes certainly took care of the first part.
"FALSE Advertisement"  This vendor is a con artist! I ordered 3-pack DVC 60 min miniDV tapes (Blue), but they sent me DVM60PR3 (yellow), which comes in a 5-pack box. I should've checked the reviews before I placed my order. I see one other person who got cheated like me. Do not buy from this place!!
I've been using these for over three years now.  Purchased them from multiple stores (all in the US).  They always work just fine.  I use them in two different camcorders.  I've also used tapes form JVC and Panasonic.  These work just as well as all the rest.  Something I noticed about all the reviews that complain about yellow packaging is that none of them have used the tape or experienced any type of problem. I'll keep getting these.  I just wish they came in the longer version.
We needed these for our old video camera.  These are working just fine for us.  We are well-pleased. Thank you.
Everything went great.  The product was as expected and delivered on time.
I erased and re-recorded on the same cassette upto 5 times and it still works great.  Video clarity is excellent as its digital.  Don't worry, be happy and buy Sonly cassettes only for your mini-DV
I ordered these Sony mini-dv cassettes from Adorama and received a similar product, but not the one that was shown in the advertisement. What I received was a cheaper version. Although it was Sony, it is a product produced oversees in France and comes in yellow/orange packaging.  These are not the Sony blue packaged cassettes that are made in the USA for camcorders using N. America region technology.  There are plenty of warnings I came across regarding quality of the orange/yellow tapes.  The model # is slightly diferent too.  When I called Adorama to resolve the issue, the phone would just ring and ring forever. Finally, when someone does answer they are extemely rude, condescending, and transfer you to another dept. that never answers the phone. Unfortunately, I am stuck w/ the tapes as I do not wish to pay additional shipping. However, I will never order again from Adorama and I hope that you are fortunate to avoid any transactions with them.
Grandma gave my son a video camera that had no tapes.  These were inexpensive and work great.  Picture quality is clear and stand the test of time.
It's was exactly what I ordered: tape that stores DV movies. No more, no less. Sony never disappoints.Note: I ordered this product sold by Amazon, not by third party sellers.
Enougth for many Mini-DV Camecorder, but not for good quality 3Mpixel camecorders
I bought them for use with my Panasonic GS-65 camera. No issues so far, quality seems to be fine.
Best price I found, for the kind of tapes (there are higher quality varieties of tape, but this should do the job for most of us).  As long as you get free shipping in conjunction with a larger order.
I actually bought this for a friend of my mine. He says 'Sony Never Disappoints'.
Not much I can say about the cleaning tape but it cleaned the video heads.It works and its affordable.
Solved my problem with XL2. I should not have used a wet cleaner. This tape got camcorder working again. On time.
I thought my beloved Sony Handycam was done with when I started getting errors when trying to record. I ordered the head cleaner after some research. The directions said to run ten seconds which did nothing, so I ran it for about half a minute and it worked!
I was experiencing blue horizontal lines on my video camera due probably to using a damaged or dirty tape.  The price was right, so I bought this and it worked perfectly!
This Mini DV head cleaner cleans but my JVC and Canon tape heads clean, thanks for presented it to me.
Fine for general head cleaning/de-magentising. However, iIt is no substitute for getting your camera professionally cleaned and serviced once in a while.,
I received this item before the estimated arrival date. I haven't used it yet since it's a cleaning cassette and the camcorder I bought along with it is brand new. It will be some time before I use it and be able to give a proper rating. But I loved the transaction.
It would be nice if there was more cleaning tape in this cassette. I have used it once. Does it help...?
Cheaper than Wally World, and worked great cleaning my cameras. If I need another one down the road, I will get it from here again!
I get those horizontal gray bars on my miniDV player once in a while due to dirty tape or heads. I pop this in and it cleans the head right away.  Nice product and Amazon sells it at a very low price.  Thanks AMAZON.
This Head Cleaning tape is 14 meters long.  There are 39.37 inches in a meter. There are 551 inches on the tape.  If you use the cleaner at 10 seconds each on a Cannon ZR-200 it will use 0.74 inches per second.  This tape should provide about 74 cleanings of your camcorder heads. That will probably out last the life of my camera.
Seems it does what it was meant to do.  It probably does deserve 5 stars, but the reason I bought this is because I was getting frame drops when dumping from my camera to my macbook pro retina.  I was hoping this tape cleaner would solve the frame drops like it has for others as others have posted out in other reviews.  For me though it wasn't a matter of needing the heads cleaned, although I can't imagine it hurt it at all that I cleaned em, it was that the tapes I was using to record an important event were old and off brand.  I bought new tapes, the same make as my camera (sony) and now I no longer get any frame drops.  VERY happy about that.  So the head cleaner probably works at a 5 star level, but if you are having the same problem I was having trying this (after all it did work for others) AND trying new tapes may be the combo that helped.  I hope this post can help someone.  I am elated that the camera is working again as normal.
They work! Got my camera functioning again. Shame that I'm abandoning my tape based cameras for SDHC cameras, but the cassettes did their job very well.
I did not need to use this product but I do carry it in my camers bag. It was priced much less than if I had to purchase it at my local camera supply. I rated it five stars because it was delivered on time and it was what I ordered.
I asked for aq fast delivery,I had no Idea it would be just two days to be exact for All my Items! I want to say Thank You o all Involved! This was great!
I utilize my camera more than it apparently is manufactured for. So, the problems most woould get after a couple of years, I've gotten within six months. The cleaner  helped eleviate some of the issues I was having.
Have only used for preventative maintenance and have had no problems so far. Use it every so often to keep the heads clean. Seems like a good deal for under $10.
I have a Sony Handycam that pretty much quit working. I tried several other head cleaners that did nothing. Finally, I found the sony head cleaner (which I could not find at any of the major electronic chains) and 30 seconds later my camera was shooting pictures again. I would highly recommend this head cleaner to anyone who regularly uses their camera. Use it every couple of tapes and you'll never have a problem. The price is a value being that lower quality head cleaners are selling for $50.00 at the major chains and they don't work as well as this head cleaning cassette.
The playback of our videos from our Sony Camcorder started having lines across the screen when we tried to transfer them to the  computer.  The troubleshooting section of the manual told us we needed a head cleaner, so we went to Amazon and ordered this one.  Great price vs Sony or any other price we found.  Fast delivery and a product in perfect condition was received and fixed our lines across the screen with one cleaning.
I have two different MiniDV cameras that both came up with errors for "dew" and "head needs cleaning" respectively. I bought this tape, popped it in, ran play for 10 seconds, popped it out.Messages gone. Cameras work perfectly.Couldn't be simpler.
I ran this tape through like instructions stated and it fixed the problem.  So far so good. If you aren't ready to purchase a new camera it's worth a shot.
I was pretty sure my $3000 camera was going to need to get sent into the Sony repair center and cost hundreds of dollars to fix until it occurred to me that maybe I just needed to clean the heads. It took me 3 tries with this head cleaner (the max it suggested) before the camera started working again, but sure enough it started working! Whew!
Camera wouldn't let me record because it said the head was dirty and needed cleaning. Popped it into the camera, played it for a few seconds and it fixed the problem just like that!
This tape was purchased to clean the recording heads on my two camcorders (a Sony & a Panasonic). It does the trick & was priced right.
This cleaner works very good, I was used approx 5 times all the tape and clean good the heads.I recommend this product 100%
My Panasonic mini-DV camcorder started displaying a blue screen and/or "digital freezing" when playing back tapes.  I had to do the cleaner 2 times (10 sec each) and then it began working properly. So far, so good.Sony DVC Cleaning Tape
I recently purchased a mini DV cleaning cassette for my video camera at a local electronics store for $24.95. The first time I used it it unwound inside and jammed the camera. I found this NAME BRAND product for much less at Amazon and it worked perfectly. Did a great job of restoring the satisfactory shooting of video and a clear playback on the camera screen.
I used it, along with a V8 tape cleaner, and found the unit to be excellent.  The image quality improved and it was simple, simple, simple.
Using the cleaner tape was easy. Have not yet had a chance to see if it cleared up the video tears and camera message about dirty tape
Works fine. Cleaned my handycam head. Now there are no garbled videos anymore. I recommend buying this item.Works like a charm.
I have had no problem with this cleaner. Worked like it said it would. Cleaned myrecorder just like it said it would.
I had a problem with dropouts in a recorded tape I was trying to digitize from my Canon camcorder. I was worried that there was something seriously wrong with it. So as a possible solution I ordered this cleaning tape.It arrived quickly and safely from the seller. I popped the tape into the camcorder and ran it for the recommended 10 seconds. Afterwards I put in the tape I was having dropouts on and the PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. The tape digitized successfully. I was so happy that this was a simple solution to the problem.I highly recommend this item for those having dropout problems with their Mini-DV-tape-based camcorders!
Used this as soon as I got it and got immediate results. My recorder works beautifully now. No more lines!
If you need this item, Amazon is the place to get it, at the best price even when you factor in shipping.  Compare prices at your local stores and you'll know what I mean.
I use Sony tapes in my JVC camcorder. This tape worked great. My camcorder runs like new.
I had difficulty finding a Mini DV Head cleaner locally. When I did find one, it was way too expensive. This one worked perfectly. Fixed the problem I was having with lines in my videos.
Only Sony products that I only trust to work for my 3 video cameras and nothing else for the past 5 years.
Just as I had ordered it. Arrived on time and was priced below local retail.
My video camera indicated that I could not record anymore due to dirty heads. So I bought this, popped it in, ran it 10 seconds, and it still said i had dirty heads. I ran it again for 10 more seconds, and then I recorded with it in for 10 seconds (that's before I read the instructions where it says that you should NOT record with it), and now my camera works fine....
First of all thank you for such a great price! This item was just want I was looking for. It is the original product and it saved me a lot of headache. I thought I had to throw away my camera but the camera guy told me to buy this and it really works. Unfortunately for me this is what I have to do each time I want to record or play a video back, but at least I do not need to buy a new expensive camera.
There's really not much that can be said about a head cleaner, but I wanted to pass on that this particular one worked well for me.  After the first cleaning, I had a noticeable difference in clarity on my video work.  This tape is good for multiple uses and stays in my camera bag to called upon on short notice.
I bought this product after 100's of hours of recording.  My video had started to acquire some noise and streaks.  I used this product and the next tape turned out beautiful!  It really works.
Easy to use and it works. Clean the head of my Canon Optura 100MC in seconds. Good price.
The product worked well after the first clean up itself.Good buy.
The video playback on my Canon Elura 100 camcorder just stopped working.  Playback behaved like the tape was blank.  I tried multiple prerecorded tapes, but no playback on any of them.I ordered the Sony because of the reviews and the price was very reasonable, especially compared to the Canon head cleaner which was about 3 times the cost.I ran the Sony head cleaner 1 time for 10 seconds, and to my relief the camcorder playback was restored.
I  personally one two sony 2100 ,I always carry two cleaner tape,great product. I love it,it does a great job.
Chose not to use anything but a Sony cleaner on my Sony heads. Took a couple attempts, but took care of dropped frames. Recommend having one of these in your camera bag at all times.
Just what I needed I was having lines on my play back screen. I use every 100 hrs. would recommend for every camera owner have one.
The Canon ZRC-70 cleaning tape is out of stock but this item was an equivalent device with a reasonable price and shipping.
The tape did not fit my recorder.  Somehow I did not notice in the ad that it was for a mini recorder.  It must say so in the ad.  I haven't gone back to look, but it is called mini.  I just didn't put it all together.  In view of this, I cannot rate this product  I would just advise: read the ad carefully before ordering.
The item was correct .. and everything worked just fine. I do not have anything else to say other than that I am pleased
This is a great cleaner for my Sony video camera.  A more expensive generic cleaner bought at Radio Shack didn't do the job, but this one worked great.
La cinta como tal es muy buena y tienen mas metraje que la de otras marcas lo que da un tiempo mas de limpieza lo que garantiza un mejor tabajo.
Great product!  A must have for any mini dv camera or deck.  Using different brand tapes (ie: Sony, Panasonic, JVC) will quickly clog mini dv heads because the material of one brand of tape attracts the material from a different brand of tape.  If you only use one brand of tape in your camera or deck you won't be needing this Head Cleaner very often, but if you are like me and end up using different brands of mini dv tape you really should do a quick 5-10 second cleaning in between tapes to prevent digital gack & error messages.  It's well worth it and seems to last a long time.
I would stock up on these because Sony has discontinued making them. If you are still using miniDV tapes be sure to pick up a couple of these and that should last you a few years. You can rewind them and use them repeatedly. You only need to run them for a minute or two.
My JVC GR-DVL920U indicated that the heads needed cleaning after 50 hrs of recording and hundreds more on playback.  That said, I popped the Sony MiniDV cleaner tape, played it for 10 sec. per instruction and the indication went away.  I only use the brand name tapes (e.g. JVC, Sony, Maxell,& TDK) which probably accounts for why I haven't had any problems with either the unit or this cleaning tape.  If you use the really cheap tapes, they tend to mess up the heads even after cleaning just because of the residue they leave behind.
It doesen't take much to gum-up the heads on a recorder or tape player.  Cleaning with a Cleaning Cassette is quick, easy and the smart thing to do !
Worked perfectly for our Canon Mini DV Camcorder.  It didn't work when using the Play feature on the camcorder but when I used the tape and pressed record, it cleaned the heads in the first 10 seconds.
Cleans great, as you would expect!  Don't pay retail at BestBuy for this, buy on Amazon!
This product is used on my DVC camera.  It keeps the recording process clean and provides very good picture quality.
It did what it was supposed to do. I was happy. Since it is SONY I was pretty sure it wouldn't hurt my heads.
Helps clear the dust and dirt from the head. I don't know how dramatically it helps the video quality, but by theory it should help a lot.
Nothing special to report on here! It does what it is intended to do. Yes I would buy again. I use this on my Panasonic DVX100B
Ive always been a fan of sony video machines, and I'm constantly shooting video, after about 20 full tapes I used this product and notice a difference in clarity and sharpness.
I bought the Panasonic one at a local store.  When you open it, the instructions say don't use this to clean your heads unless your picture quality is already suffering. Yikes!The Sony product can be used before your images start suffering.
Immediately after using the head cleaner, all the noise disappeared from the screen. It has been several days and the noise has not come back. I am very satisfied with this product. I would recommended it 150%. I am now using it periodically, even when I do not see any noise in the picture, in order to prevent it (just in case).
My camera was useless because the head needed cleaning and the tapes are no longer stocked.  Amazon had them, so my camera is functional again.
EVERY older model video camera which uses tapes, needs head cleaning periodically if you want as close to perfect recordings as possible with magnetic tapes.  However over cleaning can create different problems.  Some of the cheaper cleaning tapes are abrasive and can damage your heads so get a reliable brand and Sony is one of the leaders in reliability.
It's really hard to rate a cleaning tape for something like this, since you can't really see what it's doing.  What I can attest to is once I cleaned my DV camera, the problems I was having with black lines through the video went away.  Guess it worked!
I have no question as to whether or not this product works, I just can't tell you how well.After use in some DV decks, they seem to work more smoothly with a cleaner picture. However, I have no way to verify this for anyone.On another note, I have an older Sharp miniDV camera that seems to play regular tapes just fine, but doesn't play the cleaner tape. Perhaps it's just too old, but I still find it strange.Overall, this product does what it's supposed to, and quickly; just ten seconds.
I thought there was a problem with my camera.  Turns out my record heads were just dirty!  How embarassing.  This baby fixed it in one pass.  I could kick myself for not doing it earlier.  If you have a mini-DV cam.  You need one of these to save you the heartache of a botched recording.
My DV Cam is working top notch after using this head cleaner tape. This keeps me from having to take the top off of the unit to manually clean it!
Although tape may seem to be dead or dying with the advent of flash and hard drive memory cameras and systems.  The use of DV tape is still alive and well and still used in the professional industry.  This Sony head cleaner cassette is an asset.  And is best with Sony camcorders, DV player/recorders and other camcorders.  We use this cleaner when tapes have been sitting for some time and could cause head clogs from the oxide flaking off.  So Keep one on hand to be prepared.  Sony makes a great product.
I bought this to use on my old faithful camcorder before my son's senior year. I used it to clean the camera before taping his games and have noticed any problems.
I use this periodically and haven't had any problem with error messages or poor video quality.  So it seems to be working well.
Well it works as you would think.  I was getting skipping while recording video.  After I used this cleaning tape I didnt get the skipping anymore.
Seems to work great, easy to use and no trouble with my 3 camera's after using. I re use some tapes and that does make a problem or 2 but the cleaner took care of that.O
this is a great head cleaner, it's important to do this every now and then
the video in my sony camcorder started getting blurry and fuzzyso i tried this cleaner and it solver the problem.  video is perfect now!
Not much to say about it. I had dirty video heads in my Sony V1U and this corrected the issue. Could not find this anywhere locally. Never again will I use non Sony tapes in my camera. I had to play the tape twice in my camera for it clean, guess my camera was really dirty. Will be keeping it handy for future use.
Works fine, only problem I had with this product is that it didn't give little squares to check off how many times it was used, unlike my old one.
I use my Sony MiniDV camcorder for my video transfer business.  In the past 4 months I have played over 400 tapes of all different quality.  When the camera stopped reading the tapes I couldn't find my old head cleaning tape so I ordered this one.  Ran it for 10 seconds and the camera was back in business.  Just finished up another 15 tapes and no problems at all.Side note.  I got an email saying my order was held up at Amazons warehouse so it was going to be delayed a day and they were going to credit the shipping. I have Prime so I already get free 3 day shipping so I can't get a credit.  Next day I get an e-mail that I am being credited for my whole order so the tape will be free.  All this without even asking.  Just another reason why I do so much shopping with Amazon.
Great item.  Saves a lot of time and effort to maintain your movie camera!  You don't have to buy a new movie camera if you maintain a little maintenance.
We were at a class reunion and my wife's SONY DCR-TRV950 video camera suddenly started eating tapes. After doing a bit of internet research we determined that the Mini DV head cleaner might help, but since there were none available in the town we were in, we did without the camera. We ordered one when we got home and in a few short minutes the problem was totally solved by the head cleaner. I would have thought that dirty heads would diminish quality, not disable the camera, but that is not the case.So... my advice is to carry one all time for the same reason you have a spare tire in the trunk of your car.  Without it, you could just out of business.
I have a Canon Elura 100 video camera.  I have never thought about cleaning the heads.  I bought this Sony head cleaner and put it in the camera.  It only takes seconds to clean the heads.  My video camera is still going good. I checked prices of head cleaners, and this was the best price.  Honestly I couldn't find head cleaners for my video camera.  I tried Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, Wal-Mart. I called Canon and you can buy the Sony head cleaner for about 1/3 of the price on Amazon.  Good price and fast delivery.
For the first time in my Sony video camera's 4.5 year life, I get the "dirty head" notice ON MY SECOND DAY OF MY PARIS TRIP (even with annual pro-cleaning)!  And alas, with no cleaning cassette with me and no time to hunt for one, I have to leave it in the hotel room.  Thankfully, my digital camera takes movies too (but not quite as good as the video camera), but that's another story.So I search the internet and the Sony cleaner had the best reviews.  They're not wrong, so I don't need to add one more.  But after seeing a few questions about how many times you can use this thing, I'd thought I'd try to clarify.Instructions included say (after inserting cassette into the camera of course):-Press PLAY or START button.  Run for 10 seconds.  Press STOP.-Remove cassette cleaner without rewinding it.  Put a regular cassette in to check if the heads are clean.-If not, run the cleaner again.  They suggest to run it NO MORE than five times consecutively (again, 10 seconds at a time without rewinding the tape)My camera says there's 11 (eleven) minutes of tape in the cassette, so if that's accurate (I don't know if it is because I don't want to forward/rewind the tape), you'll get about six 10-second cleanings a minute, so 66 cleanings for one pass of the entire tape.  It says you can rewind and use again ONCE, so about 132 cleanings total.  Again, that's if there's actually 11 minutes of cleaning tape on the cassette and you let it run for exactly 10 seconds a shot.Me being the skeptic, if I get five-10 cleanings before the tape ends, that's 10-20 total, that's still a good deal.So in my estimation, you'll get between 10-132 cleanings from one cassette (lol, how's that for broad range).  So far, I've gotten two with plenty of tape to spare.Hope this helps.
Item arrived yesterday and this morning I took my Sony camcorder out and used the cleaner tape on it.  This camera previously was purchased through Amazon.com and when it arrived it was not recording to the tape as advertised.  I had been so pleased with the performance of the camera that I decided to go the extra mile and order this cleaner tape to run on the Camera.  Well, after 10 seconds of cleaning, I inserted a new DV/Mini tape into the camera and recorded the first time on it.  I was amazed that the recorded images were just as pristine as my newer camera.  I am glad I did this before asking  to return the camera.  Sony makes great products.
This was purchased in companion with the SONY data cartridge tapes and both were a great value and do the quality job we expect from SONY.
They say run it for 10 secs. Not so. 30 secs at least. Perhaps twice.
Does the job perfectly. Way cheaper than the store brands you get in stores. Look no further.hey are you still using minidv? dont you know there are hard drive camcorders?
This product was not available at any local store so I ordered through Amazon. I'm fully satisfied. The product came in time.
After buying the Best Buy version of the same product, I found this Sony product. Since it was about half the price even with shipping, I ordered it and returned the Best Buy product. Since I have a Sony camcorder,this was a no-brainer. I am always happy to find the manufacturer's recommended product whenever possible. Even if it doesn't fix the problem, at the price this product is worth trying before having the machine serviced.
It works just as described. Sony for Sony quality and what else is there to say, huh? Two more words?
We need to keep our camera heads clean to insure the best recording quality.  This little tape is an excellent tool to do just that.  From time to time we still need a factory service and alignment, but this little take extends that period between major service giving consistently better recordings
Works great out of the box.  Again, instructions could be clearer but you will figure it out fairly quick.  Working well on only vibrate and sound notifications.  Trying to train chocolate lab puppy to stay off kitchen counters, etc.
Easy to use cleaning tape.  Just pop it in and 20 sec later, it automatically ejects.  The deck is good to go after that.
After years on using my mini dv camera the head finally got so dirty it quit recording properly.  One 10 second run of this cleaner-tape and it was working like new again.
This product was not what I need it, I put my handycam in to amazon site to find a head cleaner for it and this product came up, when I receive it I need it wasn't for my Handycam, I contacted Amazon they email me a return address lable gave me and address to a drop off box thats minutes away from my office and home, when there to find out it was a empty lot. very disappointed in the way I was done with is product, it sits on my desk unopen. very very disappointed
I thought I never will need it. But one day my camera stop working and asked for Cleaning Tape. I got it. Used as it said in instruction. Problem solved. Works great. If you do by instruction you will not need another one for the life of your mini DV Camera. 5 stars.
If you hold on to your old electronics like I do, proper maintenance is essential. Keep your old DV camcorder running great with this head cleaner.
If you are still using tape for video recording you need this.  If you are transferring digital tape video to DVD you MUST have this to get the best video playback.
We accidently ran two mini DV tapes through the laundry.  Both wash and dry.  Being magnetic, we were told to just rewind the tapes a few times before copying to video editor.  Prior to that we played back the tapes and the video camera stopped working.  The heads were badly coated with residue probably from the tape going through the wash.  Using the tape head cleaner for about 4 times the 10second recommended cycle, cleaned the tape head.  Had to redo it again for the second tape to work.This tape is 10 minutes and can be used twice.  so it is not a 60 minute tape.
I had a specific need that was met in a timely manner with a new in the box product. Good Job!
This case sucks, pure and simple.  The camera barely fits in there, the top doesn't stay shut worth a hoot, and there's no room for extra batteries, or much else of anything.  The sides and tops are v/ thinly padded, and let's just say the word &quot;synthetic&quot; needs to be inserted in front of leather.  The material is of low quality and thin.  There is no carry strap, so you must have the strap on your camera, so when you want to take pictures you have to take the camera out of the bag and unhook the catch loop of the bag from the camera strap.  If you forget to reattach the loop, and put the camera back in the bag and sling it on your shoulder, prepare on losing the case, because as I said before, the flap doesn't stay closed.  This is the reason my case went bye-bye last weekend w/ extra memory cards in it.  I look at the positive side and figure at least I can get a good case now.  Do yourself a fawor and don't buy this case.
I bought this case after I got a C-2100, because it's cheap, leather, and has Olympus logo. But I reture it yesterday because it is too small for my C-2100.This item is titled as " for C series" and is recommended as an accessary of C-2100 by Amazon. And there is no specification about the size.But it is tiny (don't trust the picture). If you got a camera bigger than your grisp, don't buy it. Anyway, I retured the case... E-business is not always good. Sometime, it costs more than you expect.
This camera case fits only the C-2000Z, C-3000Z &amp; C-4000Z cameras by Olympus. It is not for all C-Series cameras as the ad would have you to believe. While there is probably nothing wrong with the case itself, I was mislead by the advertising here.
This pouch fit my camera perfectly, is made of leather and has the Olympus logo.  It has two side pockets for batteries and cards.  It is everything a person with a C-700 Ultra Zoom Olympus camera could ask for.
I typically want a case that will cary 1 or 2 sets of spare, AA Batteries, Plympus SmartMedia cards, camera and possibly my AC Olympus charge when I fly to various photo sites.  This case is simply too small for that.
Every nice word said about this case is true. My only complaint is that it has no strap. If you are willing to start wearing a belt then this case is perfect for your C series camera.
I bought this case for use with an Olympus C-5050 and it is PERFECT in EVERY way for its intended purpose. It holds the camera snugly, in a vertical orientation, just perfect for quickly removing it for quick picture-taking. The leather is among the finest I've seen - soft and supple, almost like kid leather. I especially like the way it utilizes the camera's strap and does NOT need an additional strap to get in the way or add weight. The side pouches are perfect for memory cards, or perhaps an extra set of batteries, and that's about it - but what else would you need? I think some people bought this case for use with a camera it was not intended for...OR to be a travel type bag that holds every accessory you could imagine. But this case is not for that. It is for the person who wants to take their camera on a typical shoot, with virtually all one would need for that shoot, and nothing else superfluous. When I travel, I carry my camera in this case, and place that into a larger bag in which I have EVERYTHING. I then remove this case when I want to go out taking pictures. If that's what you'd be doing, then this case is likely to be perfect for you too. If not, find what you really need, and then get THAT one. For me, THIS is the case that I need.
Very misleading that Olympus states this case is for its C series and does not mention it is a bad fit for its new flagship model the C-7000. The case is too bag. The camera rattles around inside. The case lid leaves huge openings on either side, almost large enough for the camera to fall out.I will be returning it.
This is a great camera case for my digital camera.It has pockets on the side for additional memory boards.It's tough and wears really well.
No way to buy this kind of case for  C series. The case is too bad. The camera did no fit..almost no close.The case is very small, no space for batteries or cables, nothing, is just a trick.I will be returning it.Mario Cuadra
The case provides you with the bare essentials for your camera. This case is very small. It has a very wide Belt loop and is comfortable to wear on your belt.  It is meant to walk or ride with when shooting photographs. It is a camera holder or holster. You would probably need a second larger case for any additional accessories for travel.
My Olympus C4040Z does not even fit in this case.Quality of construction is also not very good.  Uses velcro for closing the case :-(I am returning it.
I still use the Olympus camera I bought this cover for. The cover is leather and very well made. I have enough room with my C series camera for the camera, extra batteries and a couple of cords. A per cord and one to transfer photo to a computer
This battery came with my Easy Share 4900 when I bought it in August of 2002.  I use my camera a lot and it is now April 2003 and it just died.  However, I didn't have much notice when it did.I've had other digital cameras and used the rechargable niimh or alkalines and they usually lasted 1 month.  These lasted 9 months!I don't understand the other reviews where people said they didn't last long.
I got one of these batteries with my camera.  I made the mistake and thought it was rechargible.  This is not a rechargible battery, it does have a long battery life, I brought it on 4 trips with me before it died.  The problem with this battery is that it does not leave you with a lot of warning that it is going to die.  The battery light flashes and the camera cuts off.  Best to always pack a spare as you have no way of checking how much battery is left.Do not leave the battery in the camera when and if you use the docking station as I have heard it will drain the battery.
I was going through so many batteries with my camera and then someone said to make sure to use the recommended battery for your camera.  I did that and now have the Kodak MAX CRV3 Lithium Battery as my backups in the off chance I forgot to charge the battery or left my extra behind.  These batteries give a lot of photos for the price and they have been great
I received this item very quickly and in no time had my camera charged and ready to go. Great price and service.
These are pretty good batteries. The only reason I can not give them 5 stars is because they only take 300-600 pictures.
I feel kind of silly writing a review for a battery, but have to say that these last a LONG time. Work very well.
This might be a good battery, but the charger that I bought that said it would work with, was not compatible, so I was stuck with a charger that wouldn't charge the battery, and a battery that I couldn't re-charge.
The people who don't know anything are saying this battery is no good. Well try and show me one that lasts longer. There is not. This Kodak CRV3 (NON RE-CHARGEABLE) is the best and longest lasting there is, period.Now don't get this confused with the 're chargeable' ones.No one seems to sell a re chargeable crv3 that lasts hardly at all.I went to the Manufacturers site and looked up the specs on the 'amp hour capacity' and the rechargeables don't even come close. So yeah you can buy a rechargeable thinking you are going to save some money ,but when you are out in the mountains and you find the perfect shot your battery is going to be dead.So just buy this one and you will be able to take 5x's more pic's ,,,easily.
Very disappointed that this battery does not have a freshness/expiration date. I have NO IDEA how long to expect it to last!! I guess it's because the packaging is mostly in a foreign language, and other countries don't require a date. I saved money buying this battery here, but did I get the same value??
This is a fine battery but it just doesn't fit my camera. Kodak C340 mycamera book from Kodak recommended it. It is too long for the camera it just doesn't fit so I am stuck.
These are worthless.  They don't last, don't seem to take a charge and leave very little notice when they go out.  DK
I'ld like to give this a good rating but unfortunately I never got a chance to test it as it blew up when I charged it, thinking it was a rechargable lithium.  I didn't realise there were non-rechargable lithium batteries.  Entirely my own fault, but I'll take the embarassment and post here to let people know, just to save anyone else from the danger of an exploding lithium battery.  Fortunately I'm paranoid about recharging lithium batteries (although apparently not paranoid enough :-) ) and I had put the charger in one of those fireproof bags, which I STRONGLY recommend.  Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Li-Po-Guard-Safety-Battery-Fireproof/dp/B0098F1U70
This battery is not easy to find on vacation and is much cheaper to order thru amazon than anywhere else I have found, product works great.
This battery lasted almost a year before I had to replace it. Now I'm not one that is taking pictures every second of every day either.
There is a cheaper alternative battery for the CRV3. W-Mart sells it. You see, the CRV3 actually contains two AA Lithium batteries packaged together. You will not see that unless you open one up. W-Mart sells it for $9.83. For the same price you can get 4 AA Energizer Lithiums. You then use two at a time. That means 1/2 the price of one CRV3. I was able to shoot 191 pictures, some using flash & LCD screen on with my Kodak Z812is, but this approach cuts your cost in half.
Item was as described and fit and worked perfectly. It lasts a pretty long time also. Sorry to hear Kodak is out of the camera business.
I purchased the rechargeable set and the battery never held a charge for more that a few pictures.  This battery has held up for several months without the awful delay that the rechargeable has.  This is by far the best battery for the Koday Easyshare camera.
This battery made all the difference with my digital camera. I had been using 2 AAA batteries that didn't last longer than about 7 photos. Had also been receiving a message stating that the memory was full. It wasn't. Inserted the lithium battery and the message disappeared. Get this battery for your digital camera. You won't regret it.
Great battery, just wish I could recharge that's all. I found the price a good bargin, and it shipped fast.
Need new batteries for my Kodak Camera for a trip to Japan in June. It would be hard to find Kodak Batteries in Japan.
This battery worked well in an old Kodak camera I had.  Has held up well.  It's not rechargable but has good life to it.  Kind of pricey.
Works great in my older but still working Kodak camera.  I thought my camera was done for, but it was only the battery!  Holds a charge again.  All my buttons on camera now work, because battery is strong enough.
Would definitely order from these folks again.  The batteries were delivered promptly and in excellent condition.Much appreciated!
Our Kodak camera takes AA (disposable) batteries - and this battery is the best so far that we've used.  Highly recommended and affordable.
This battery is not rechargable. I was so disapinted. The description of this product is not clear enought.The batteries are good, but at the end you will have to purchase new ones.
These batteries are great! I can't believe how much longer they last than regular AA Batteries. They are certainly worth the money. I won't go back to regular batteries. I recommend them.
I love this battery & it let you snap a lot of pic before dying out..love love love it....I must
There seems to be some confusion on the reviews as to a descrepancy between the picture shown and the battery. I thought the picture shown on the Amazon website was for the KODAK MAX CRV3 battery. However, when I ordered one from a merchant on this website I received the KODAK CRV3 battery and NOT the MAX as is listed. Except for the packaging it comes in the batteries do look EXACTLY the same. I'm not sure if there will be a difference in how long it lasts though.I can't say enough great things about this battery (MAX)! Several of my friends and family use AA batteries. Every time I turn around it seems that they are having to replace them (even the rechargeables) and spending a fortune doing so. My CRV3 battery used on my Kodak Easyshare Camera lasts FOREVER! I can't tell you how many hundreds of pictures I have taken with the flash and only have replaced the battery once. I agree with another reviewer who suggested to always carry a spare though because when it is ready to run out it does happen quickly.I would highly recommend this battery because it will save you a lot of money compared to AA's, if it fits your camera. A friend tried out this battery on his Kodak camera that takes AA's. The length of the battery was slightly longer but it still managed to fit in his camera and works just fine.
I looked everywhere at the stores for a Kodak Battery and could not find it.  I not only got the battery here but I got a great price
Since we have no installed the battery in the camera we are not able to give it a review at this time.
These to me are better than rechargeable batteries.  They last a long time and a great value for your money.
My mom loves these batteries.  I've tried to get her to use rechargables, and she's also tried a variety of alkaline batteries.  However, she insists these are vastly more convenient than rechargeables and last so much longer than alkalines that she only needs to pack one spare, on long trips.(...)
Happy to have found these batteries for my camera. Have tried others and this is the best. Long life, many pictures.
Excellent! They have a really long life and are the perfect backup for your rechargeables.
When compare with most "known brand" batteries for Camera's this battery seems to have equal results at a very lower price (less than $5.00). Many other named brands sell for a high as $15.00!! Amazon again has good suppliers , good prices and fast service.
This Kodak CRV3 Lithium Battery pack simply consists of two Lithium AA batteries packaged together into one unit.  This makes it convenient to travel with.  The pack has a 3200 mAh capacity (from Kodak's data sheet on their website).  It will last quite a while, then you throw it away and buy another one.  You can also use regular AA's, or individual Lithium AA's...depending on the price, they may be a better deal.But the best deal is to pick up a NiMH RECHARGEABLE battery pack from Kodak.  It is the same shape and size as this CRV3 disposable one, but you can recharge it up to 1000 times.  The rechargeable has a 2100 mAh capacity, meaning it will die in about 2/3 of the time the CRV3 will run, but it is (essentially) free to recharge and reuse again and again.  You want model number KAA2HR.That's all there is to it.  Hope this review helps, as I know people have been asking for the specific capacities of the batteries (which can be found on the technical data sheets on Kodak's site).  In the end, you will not be disappointed with the CRV3 as a power source, but just be sure to consider the alternatives if you are looking to save some money.
Great Price compared to in store purchases.  Difficult to find.  Got three for the usual price of one
This battery is NOT rechargable!! So what?It replaces two AA batteries. Easier to load, less fumbling.I use it in my Olympus D40 and they last a lot longer than any two regular batteries I have tried. I will continue to use them.I don't think that rechargables are worth the trouble.
Bought a genuine Kodack replacment battery for my camera more cheaply than most generic batteries.  Great value, the battery was as advertised and I am very satisfyed with the service and this vendor.
When I purchased my Kodak camara it came with the CRV3 battery and it seem to last for a long time.  When I went to buy a new one the store was out of the CRV3 and they told me that regular AA batteries would work. Well they do work and you can take about 15 pictures then you have to replace them.  Same goes with the rechargeable AA batteries.  My daughter was getting married and I wanted a good battery that I could depend on so I ordered two of the Kodak Max CRV3 Lithium Battery.  Then I was so worried that they wouldn't last long enough that I purchased two more on our way to the wedding.  I was able to take over 700 pictures on one Kodak Max CRV3 Lithium Battery. Wedding turned out great and I didn't miss a single shot because I had to stop and replace the batteries.Shipping was very fast.  I was informed by the company that items were shipped a day before I received my confirmation email from amazon.com.  Great product would recommend it to anyone who is tired of throwing your money away on batteries that don't last.
I Bought this camcorder after moving to Florida.  My biggest use for the camera is capturing video to use as backdrops and watermarks on documents.  A lot of beach shots and some low light and night shots..The Camera:  Super.  Very simple and straight forward to use.  Use of the "digit" zoom (700x) is a bit precarious without a tripod but the "optical" zoom (25x) provides excellent video.  Its size makes it easy to manipulate and the features are conveniently located.  Quality of the video on playback is near DVD quality..The Software: When you buy the camera grab yourself a copy of "Video Explosion Deluxe" (approx. [$$]) and throw away the software that comes with the camera.  The supplied software is cumbersome, not well documented and provides little (I'm being generous) meaningful help via dropdown menus....  The "Video Explosion Deluxe" (VED) installs in just a very few minutes and is well documented, expecially with the online tutorial (extremely well down) and the dropdowns.  VED allows for complete control of the camcorder via the PC during video capture by use of the Firewire.  The granularity of the editing feature pretty much removes the need of a memory stick and the video can be edited (and images captured) on a "by frame" bases.  A really terrific piece of software.... My hat is off to the developers....
I like the  DCR-TRV340 very much. This is a well built camcorder with a super lens that makes making great video's possible. I have done several video's of auto races and if you type (  Center Street Auto Racing  ) in your browser you will see the many Strictly and Super Street races that I video taped using my DCR-TRV340 camcorder. I use my Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put my video clip files on my computer. I have also used my DCR-TRV340 to video tape Horse Shows and do book promotions.  If you are using the Yahoo.com search engine and type in (  Paso Fino Horses on the Sounding Board  ) you will see a very nice video I did that was also done with my Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder.My Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has been very good to me and I recommend it very highly.  One drawback the Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has is that the memory stick can only do a video of up to one minute and you can put that file on your computer using the AV cable but if you do a video over a minute long you will need to use a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put that video onto your computer so if you want to put your video's on your computer and the video's are over a minute long and you want to put the video's on a memory stick you will need a camcorder that allows you to put longer video's on your camcorder memory stick like a a DCR-TRV350, a  DCR-TRV33,or a  DCR-TRV460 does as well as some other Sony Camcorders.
First:  To the guy who dissed bottom load cameras and tripods, try part VCT-U14, it's a not the standard square mount, but long and rectangular.  If you need it really bad, Sony makes it, but it's not cheap.This camera is awesome so far, and the smart batteries are very impressive, giving me how long it takes to charge and how much is left.  The intelligent shoe is impressive, also, with the number of different accessories that can go there (including a photo printer).As with some other reviewers, the still picture quality is lacking, but we are only talking about roughly a 500K CCD, which was equivalent to my very first digital camera, with the same picture quality.  But this is not the camera to replace your still digital unit.
This is a great video camera for the price.After getting a chance to play around with my parent's camera, I fell in love with the TRV340.  This is my first digital video camera and I'm very happy with it.  It produces great video and sound, though you can't compare it with a mega-pixel or 3CCD camera.  The camera uses Sony's digital 8 format which lets the camera read older 8mm tapes.  Digital quality on Digital 8 tapes is equal to that of MiniDV.  So, if you've got a collection of those tapes, this is a great way to convert them into digital video.  The camera is a little larger than the MiniDV cameras, but the added weight makes it less shaky in your hand.  Because of the included Firewire (IEEE 1394) port, it's a breeze to transfer video to your computer, provided it also has a Firewire port.  I use a Mac so I can't comment on the quality of the included windows editing software.The battery that comes with the camera won't last very long and I highly recommend an additional battery, though they are a bit pricey.  I also recommend a good, sturdy tripod, and a screw-on UV filter.  This filter costs very little and will protect the lens from scratches and smudges.  Another good accessory would be a boom microphone that attaches to the intelligent shoe.  Sound is often overlooked on camcorders and most of them have terrible onboard mics.While this camera has the ability to take digital stills and save them to a memory stick, the resolution is very low and the pictures don't look very good.  They're somewhat disappointing.I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to get into digital video or anyone with a collection of 8mm tapes that they want to preserve.
After trying and hating the JVC camcorder my Dad lent us, we decided to go with this Sony Digital8 camcorder. Easy to use, and loaded with lots extra goodies, this camcorder is fabulous. It has the following features:*MPEG movie maker (w/ Memory Stick- allows you to emailyour videos to friends and family*ILINK interface (to edit your movies on your PC)*Super Steady shot (for even the shakiest hand)*Super "Night Shot" (for low lighting and night taping)*Digital Still Memory Mode (to load and send still pics viaemailWe have been very pleased with this camcorder- no complaints here. Once you learn how to use the editing and emailing features, you'll be sending your videos to everyone you know! A good investment, especially if you have young children.
The first thing that I think you should consider is the weight and size of the camera. If you like a smaller camera, go with a MiniDV, but if size is not a big deal, go with the Digital 8, mainly because it is more versatile epspecially if you have older tapes. If you plan to use this for trips, i recommend MiniDV, however I bought this to make Short films with, so size was not a big factor. One great thing about this camera is that you pay ...for features worth over 1400 dollars on a MiniDV with the same quality. However this model of the Sony left me with mixed feelings. I have used both its older brother the 740 and its younger brother the 140. THey are both excellent cameras. The 140 is great, it skimps a bit in features, but for 500 dollars its a great deal. Also the 740 is great with its megapixel ccd, but you will pay an extra 100 for it. This is a nice balance between the two, however the picture feature was subpar. I decided not to return it because I got an excellent deal on it. Great features of the camera include:The super night shot (people complain becuase it is green, but it will record in 0 lux, and seriously, who needs to record color in 0 lux?)The night shot is great (Color in 4 lux!!!)The super steady shot (GREAT!!! NO TRIPOD REALLY NEEDED IF YOU HAVE A DECENTLY STEADY HAND)Memory Stick (decent pictures if you need to send on the internet?)... The quality on still pictures cannot be compared.
... After some browsing I was convinced to purchase this camera because of its solid technology and advanced features in a surprisingly affordable package.The highlights are:  Digital technology using Hi8/Digital8 tapes, Hi-Fi Stereo, 560x digital zoom, 20x optical zoom, USB streaming, Super Nighshot, Steady Shot, built-in light, LCD screen, and the infoLithium technology.The camera includes a complete and detailed guide, a stereo A/V connection cable to hook up to your VCR or TV, a full featured wireless remote commander (with batteries), the NP-FM30 battery pack, a USB cable for video streaming to your PC, a shoulder strap, plus the AC power adaptor.  It also includes a CD-ROM with Sony's USB drivers and Pixela's ImageMixer software for Macintosh Windows (including 2000 and XP).I am new to this whole digital video camera world as this is my first video camera, and I can say that after just a couple of hours of use I find myself very satisfied and excited with this new investment.  The main purpose of my purchase was to use it to record family events and share the family moments using my PC. Obviously one of my first tests was the digital streaming using the USB connection.I found the digital streaming very simple to use and well documented.  The only gripe is the bundled Pixela ImageMixer software.  It didn't work quite as expected and I had to resort to MS MovieMaker, which incidentally works excellently with this camera.  I own a PC clone with Windows XP Pro and I couldn't find any glitches or incompatibilities here.  You can record your pictures using various levels of quality; in high quality mode the USB performed quite well, although not quite comparable to streaming directly to a TV or VCR.  The available option of using an I-Link, IEEE 1394 cable (not included) should provide a faster data transport (100-400 Mbps) and a better streaming experience, but I am currently unable to test this feature.The camera can also be used for still pictures, with capacity for more than 550 pictures using one tape.  This is a fantastic feature, plus the still pictures may be combined with your videos at the same time.  Later on you can use the built-in search functionality to easily obtain and view (or transfer) your stills.Additional nice features include:* Fader effects* Digital effects such as Still, Flash, Luminance key,Trail, Slow shutter and Old-movie* Auto Exposure - these are preprogrammed modes used for different shooting conditions* Interval recording - The camcorder automatically records and standbys* Cut recording* Zooming during playback* Scene search by date, photo search* Digital video editingOverall, this is a very affordable, easy-to-use, full-featured video equipment and that is why I highly recommend it.Pros: Affordable Digital technology, ease of use, many advanced features, great documentationCons: Camera is a little heavy and big compared to recent models, poor software
When I first started to look at camcorders I didn't know exactly what I wanted.  The number of features was overwhelming and I wasn't sure which ones would prove valuable.  I ended up decided on a set of core features: digital recording, reasonable size, good zoom and computer connectivity.I finally ended up with the TRV-140 and it has been great.  It is a standard handcam size, which means it fits comfortably in your hand but isn't tiny.  The 20x optical zoom is very nice.  I have yet to need the digital zoom and haven't even considered buying a telephoto lens.To connect the camera to your computer all you need is a firewire card and the right cable (4 pin to 6 pin).  Transferring video was as simple as connecting the cable.  Windows XP immediately recognized the camera and I was able to capture and edit film using the MovieMaker software included with XP.My only complaint is the battery life.  The standard battery doesn't last very long, especially if you use the LCD.  Consider picking up a second battery when you purchase the camcorder.  Sony has a couple of offerings, but all are rather expensive.  If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the compatible batteries made by Duracell or Ray-o-vac.
The DCR-TRV140 is Sony's lowest level digital camcorder, but it is not low-level at all. It records picture at a stunning 520 lines of resolution and sound in PCM digital stereo. You can truly see the difference in picture quality between Digital and Hi8 or VHS-C. The Digital8 system records digital pictures on inexpensive Hi8 tapes. It's got an incredibly large 20x optical zoom. Optical zoom is the most important type of zoom because there is no loss of picture quality. It also has a 560x digital zoom which is less important because, the farther you zoom, the worse the picture quality gets. One of the most amazing features of this camcorder is the Infrared Super NightShot. What it does is project an infared light, invisible to the human eye, allowing you to see in no light at all. It also comes with various special effects and fade options. The FM30 InfoLithium battery allows use for 3 hours (1 hour w/LCD). It includes an i.Link DV Interface (IEEE1394) for editing video on your computer. It also allows you to have streaming video via USB. This camcorder is a good, moderately priced introduction to digital video with features surpassing those of other brands.
This is a very good camcorder for the price. I have had mine for several years and still works good especially for what it has been through. (I had to recover it a couple times from people who "borrowed" it from my daughter, and a couple of times from the pawn shop because of my daughters. it is fairly comfortable to hold, but is easier with a tripod. Video comes out pretty good. Has a lot of options and settings that are not difficult to use. In general this is a very good camcorder and I reccomend it to anyone. I really like it and enjoy using it. I don't think a lot of the newer ones have as many features as this one. I am very pleased with it especially if others keep their hands off of it.
This is Sony's first attempt at the world of Digital 8 media.  While the more expensive version are better, this one is great for its price.  It has multiple recording modes (black & white, solarize, etc), night shot & super night shot, and color shot for a list of features as well as a light.  It has an lcd screen that you can use insead of the eyepiece, which may drain more power but makes it much easier to record.  I found that the nightshot isn't even needed most of the time, as well as the light during low lighting.  The picture came out crystal clear in low lighting without turning on eiter feature, something that all camcorders do not do.  The night shot allows you to see up to 10ft away in pitch blackness with amazing clarity using infared technology, and can be upgraded to 100ft if you really need it with an add on part.  It can WRITE on Digital8 and Hi8 tapes, BUT CANNOT READ TAPES THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDED WITH AN ANALOG CAMCORDER.  If you want to watch older Hi8 videos recorded with an older camcorder, buy the next step up from this one.  The only problem I found with this camcorder is that recording images and movies on your pc doesn't come out great through USB media.  You have to buy a $...I-link cable if you want high quality inages on your pc and, if you have an older pc, an I-link expansion port for your pc... Overall, however, I am quite impressed with the quality camcorder you get at such low cost.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DIGITAL8 a 520 line video & hi-fi stereo!!The DCR-TRV140 Digital8 Video camera recorder (Digital Only).  This camcorder is awesome. This is Sony's introductory level Digital8 model.  The DCR-TRV-140 is a low price, high value, versatile and sophisticated video cam.  This is all you will ever need.Bottomline -  This is what you get; uses Hi8 or Digital8 video tape (the simple difference is a 120 minute Hi8 tape converts to a 60 minute Digital8), 20x Optical Zoom (Most important zoom which maintains hi-res feature), 560x digital zoom ( loses hi-res feature when magnified - I recommend staying with OPTICAL ZOOM ONLY!), 2.5 hi-res color LCD screen (opens 90 degrees & can be rotated 180 degrees with an auto mirror image), built-in light with 5 foot range, remote control & sensor, Steady shot (stabilizer), USB streaming, DVIn/Out - Sony iLink (BEST FEATURE - A 4 pin 2 way FireWire(IEEE-1394) for direct digital video & stereo transfer with no signal loss), digital effects, frame recording, hi-fi sound, interval (lapse) recording, SUPER NightShot ( shooting in a dark room without light), backlit feature ( allows to subdue rear light to increase foreground subjects lighting) and much, much more.This camcorder comes with a 3 hour battery (its real life is about 75 minutes using the LCD screen.  The actual battery time remaining is displayed on the LCD screen.  The stabilizer eliminates the camera jitter and the hi-res digital pictures are awesome.  The supplied video cables allow you to hook up to a tv or vcr.  The video transfer via USB (with supplied PC software) or the awesome Sony iLink (FireWire)allows a 2 way direct digital link to a DVD recorder (ie Philips DVDR-985, DVD+RW (rewriteable) or DVD+R (one time) SEE MY DVDR-985 REVIEW).In Summary - this is an OUTSTANDING DIGITAL8 Video Camcorder.  Again this a DIGITAL ONLY unit.  The DVR-TRV140 is a great economical way to move into the hi-res (520 line) digital world.  Transferring to PC or DVD burner is so simple and digital pictures & hfi stereo sound is the only way to go.  Enjoy.
It may not be listed in Apple's iMovie Compatibility list, but it works perfectly for me on my iBook 700 combo drive model with OS X v10.2.6.  Just plugged it in, launched iMovie and it was instantly there...another great OS X experience!Ease of use was outstanding, just charge up the battery, pop in a tape and go. If you've ever used a camcorder, you could probably use this one without even looking at the manual, the controls are pretty standard and easy to learn.Video quality seems good, focus is quick, lcd display is bright and vibrant. The built-in floodlight worked well to light up the dark stairway (no windows or lights) in my house and take good video there. It works equally well for me indoors and out.
had this recorder for years now and it still preforms like new. the only thing i've improved on is a new upgraded battery..
We bought our DCRTRV 140 to support a video project - we were up against the deadline and this little camera was so easy to use we were able to transition from a 11 year old Sony Hi8 video camera to this one in less than one day. The easy to use menus and immediate access to editing specials were so easy to pick up that we had all of our shots within 24 hrs. The easy access USB port and packaged software helped us to complete the video project for a school thesis in less than 2 weeks. Great Product, you can always rely on Sony...
This is (was) Sony's low-end digital camcorder.  Snatch one up before they're phased out with next year's model.  Crisp, clean video.  Note the lux sensitivity on this low-end model exceeds the more expensive ones.  The built-in video lamp is surprisingly effective.USB, S-video and firewire output is available for dubbing tapes.  The firewire seems more tailored to dubbing direct to a Sony tape deck.  Personally, I elected not to install the USB drivers because of problems mentioned with Win2K.  I use the s-video input on my video card and it works wonderfully.  You don't need the mpeg features on the high-end models, especially if you want to edit your video on your PC.The camera features nightshot and super-nightshot.  What's the difference?  Super is better, I guess.  The manual is inadequate in describing some of the features, so you will be left to experiment.  The nightshot feature has become notorious as a modern day, functional x-ray specs.  If that's what you're looking for, keep looking.  If you use the camera as intended, you can shoot in total darkness with a built-in infrared light source.  An optional add-on infrared source is available for shooting around a camp fire or to film the candles on a birthday cake with wonderful clarity.Into any great design a few low-points must fall.  This camera does not feature the Intelligent Shoe and is not compatible with such accessories.  There is a built-in mic with no provision for an external mic at all (my biggest disappointment).  The built-in mic has great sound; but, with the automatic gain, it may pick up the motor noise in a quiet room.  Finally, it records on Hi-8/Digital8 tapes in a format which is not at all compatible with other cameras.  Use it to record then dub to VCD/DVD, or use the firewire to dub directly to a properly equipped Sony tape deck with an extensive set of editing features.
Pros: Performance for the price, features, looksCons: Size, pricey, still picture quality, no analog inputs or backward compatibility with 8mm/Hi8Summary: The Digital 8 camcorders uses Hi-8 tapes (you can use cheaper 8mm tapes but it is not recommended) and perform digital recording. The Digital 8&trade; camcorders are usually backward compatible with 8mm or Hi-8 tapes - they can play your old 8mm or Hi-8 recordings.Advantages of D8 camcorders:1. Ability to play 8mm and Hi8 recordings - TRV140 cannot do this2. Hi8 tapes are a little cheaper than MiniDV3. Sony D8 camcorders are cheaper than their MiniDV camcorders with similar features4. Even inexpensive D8 camcorders usually have analog inputs and analog-digital pass-through - TRV140 doesn'tDisadvantages:1. D8 is not widespread and if your D8 camcorder dies or becomes obsolete, you will have to get another D8 camcorder.2. Hi8 tapes are larger in size than MiniDV3. MiniDV is widely supported, unlike D8. If you need to play your tape on another digital camcorder or VCR, chances are they will be MiniDV.As you can see, two major reasons to get a Digital8 camcorder would not apply to TRV140 (you can buy TRV240, which has both 8mm/Hi8 playback and analog inputs). And the Hi8 tapes are not much cheaper than MiniDV. So the only reason would be:You want a digital camcorder from Sony that is inexpensive.The TRV140's main advantage is its price. But there is little sense in buying the Digital8 camcorder that lacks D8 features ...
I bought this camera specifically for a trip to Disneyland. This camera had all the nice features I wanted for my price range, and I did get some good videos on my trip. However, the frustrations afterwards were so severe that I almost wish I hadn't gotten it. PIXELA: The included Pixela software for viewing images on a PC is horrible. All images I've seen and captured so far with that software have been horrible quality, full of large pixels, often so dark that they're indiscernable, the still shots are the size and quality of webcam pictures (i.e., horrible), the video stammers, and the number and size of downloads is surprisingly limited. When I called back to the store twice to complain, they kept asking "Doesn't your model have a memory post?" No. Apparently this is the...model that doesn't. When I called into Sony to ask why my darker stills were viewable on TV but completely black when viewed through Pixela, they couldn't even answer my question. When I asked why I was getting BMP formatted images instead of JPG images, they said, "Oh, your model doesn't have a memory post." Because of this, I have to run an additional piece of software I got elsewhere to convert the format of every captured image. I was highly tempted to return the camera, except that it took so long to be able to figure out how to install and use the software that I passed the return deadline. Pixela will not install correctly if you don't have an audio driver loaded or if you connect the USB cable too early. When running Pixela, if you get the order of the operations wrong (USB connect, camera on, run Pixela), Pixela will lock up so completely that there is no alternative other than to reboot your computer. The manual describes only Pixela and never hints that other software will work better with this camera; it was only by accident while reading customer reviews I learned that supposedly Microsoft Moviemaker will also work, and work better... Except that I can't find where to purchase it, and it's likely to be a heavy extra expense just to try to circumvent Sony's existing weaknesses. The only alternative for me was to do direct DV-to-VHS transfers, except that a rainbow noise problem occurs on video whenever there are overlapped recordings. I finally learned that this noise problem is due to lack of a flying erase head on my VCR, but when I attempted to purchase a new VCR to circumvent this problem, I learned that VCRs with flying erase heads are no longer made, since manufacturers are pushing DVD technology instead. Bottom line: If you don't also buy Firewire and additional video software, forget about making decent compilations of your footage. AUTOFOCUS: My footage of dark rides was full of alternating blurs since (like most digital cameras) autofocus has trouble on dark scenes, and there were several spans of at least 15 seconds where the autofocus could not focus at all. ERGONOMICS: The ergonomics is poorly done. While filming one show I had to fumble around in the dark to try to find the Nightshot switch, and as I did, I accidentally hit the color slow shutter button next to it (that I never even heard of), and the camera started freaking out and I couldn't get it to recover for several seconds, thereby ruining my live footage. Similarly, the on-off lock button is right next to the record button, and several times when attempting to rock the button to "off," I unknowingly hit the record button, as I discovered only afterwards when I saw all the error footage of the pavement between my intended scenes. Also, the lens cap continually falls off the side clip that is supposed to hold it out of the way. MANUAL: The manual is badly organized, unnumbered, incomplete, and impossible to understand in parts, unless accompanied by brute force experimentation. For example, I got a warning announcement to turn off the light on my camera on one ride, even though I had no lights on: what the manual didn't say is that the Nightshot option turns on an invisible but strong infrared light on the camera, which the infrared monitor cameras at Disneyland detected. Similarly, I found no mention whatsoever of "Firewire" in the manual, so I assumed the camera was incapable of Firewire connection. It wasn't until my 2nd complaint visit to the store that they pointed out an unmarked Firewire port, and told me for another [money] I could install a Firewire card on my PC... Except that I'd probably also want to upgrade my already large RAM and hard drive. It wasn't until I called into Sony that they told me that the i.Link cable mentioned in the manual is Sony's version of Firewire. The title creator is also poorly described. The manual never described how to use their editor in the section where I needed to create a customized title: I had to go through an elaborate example in an earlier, unrelated section. No general diagram or algorithm. SUMMARY: I've been filing complaints about this camera ever since I bought it 8 months ago, and now it's broken down and in the shop (a tape label seems to have partly come off and interfered with something). Daytime videos from this camera work very well if you watch them only on a TV, but anything dealing with a PC or still shots with this camera is so incredibly bad that I would recommend against anyone buying it. I ended up having to buy a second digital camera at twice the price just to get quality still shots. I recommend buying some other camcorder with a memory post and Firewire capability with non-Pixela software instead of this thing.
I have had this camcorder for about a month and have really been empressed.Though you cannot transfer this to your computer well, connecting it to your TV is chrystal! It does not have the static sound to it. It is a great cam for those who are just wanting the best for their money.
the nikon 885 is the best camera I have ever owned. so many features to 30 sec films at 29 fps with no sound.  excellent pictures too.  You must purchase an extra memory card and tripod if your serious about this camera.
This is my first digital camera.  I have an original Nikon F and a Nikon 6006 (both SLR's, obviously).  When I ventured into the digital foray, I couldn't bring myself to get anything other than a Nikon.  Boy, was I right!  It's easy to use:  charge the battery, put the starter memory disk in, set it on Auto, and you're off to the races!  You get about 20 pics on the memory disk.  I recommend getting a 128 MB card (Simpletech has a good one), three extra batteries (they die quickly while you're shooting away!), and a case.  All personal preference, and not required.  Enjoy your excellent purchase!
A friend loaned me her Nikon Coolpix 885 over the 4th of July weekend so that I could try it out. I loved the camera and the quality of the pictures taken at the Fine setting. As result, I went out and purchased one for myself the same weekend. The degree of custom control is also excellent, making this camera good for both the beginner and more advanced photographers. I was very pleased with the image quality even in dim indoor light without the flash.I have read reviews on ohter Web sites where people complained about image quality being poor. I can't understand where they are coming from. The pictures that I took in Fine mode were very sharp and crisp. I used the 3X Optical Zoom and still the pictures were sharp.In the short time that I had my friend's camera, the only drawback I could find was that there is quite a bit of glare in the view finder if you are shooting in bright sun, but other than that, it is an excellent camera for the money.
I recently bought this camera from Amazon as a replacement for a Sony FD75. The Sony FD75 is a 640x480 camera that writes to floppy disks and has a 10x Optical zoom. I was never very impressed with the optics of the Sony and wanted to upgrade.After a lot of research, I had narrowed the field down to the Canon Elphs, the Mionlta Diamage and the CoolPik 885. All were within the same price range, basic size, and feature set. The Nokia was the clear leader. Buyer beware, this camera is offered in two retail packages. The earliest package does not include a rechargable battery, and many outlets still want the same price for that version as Amazon charges for this version. The Amazon version has the rechargable battery, will still use the disposable battery, and, with no shipping, handling, and tax, is about the BEST deal I could find on this camera anywhere in the US.The Camera is full featured and has a wide range of custom, pre-set, and auto settings. The pictures are crisp, the colors vivid, and the details clear. Great optics. Unfortunately, the one complaint I have that keeps this camera from having a 5 star rating is the *significant* delay between pressing the shutter release and the actual image being taken. Not just recorded to the media, there is as much as a 1 second delay from the time you release the shutter button to the time the image is taken. For taking landscapes, snapshots, and other fairly static images, this is not a problem, but it renders the camera virtually useless for action shots, unless you have ESP. Taking pictures of my 1 year old daughter is very frustrating, because her attention span often doesn't hold until the picture is actually taken. Instead of her flashing a beautiful and charming smile, I get the side of her face as she turns to look at something else as often as not. Outside of this, I would recommend this camera as the best deal currently on the market for a full featured, very portable high resolution digital camera.Late update: I discovered that the delay is caused by the red-eye reduction. By turning the flash off or selecting the non red-eye reduction flash mode, the delay between the shutter release and the picture being taken is reduced dramatically. Perhaps the only fault of this camera is the movie mode has no audio, in comparisson to other similar cameras that do. I considered the movie mode an added bonus, but have found it a great way to take small clips for my website that easily convert into streaming .asf files with the included software. In either case, I gave the camera a 5 star review after discovering the red-eye reduction delay. Honestly, it is probably like a 4.8 star item. It isn't perfect. $100 less and with audio, and it would be.
I have had this camera since 2000 and it was my first digital.  However during my sons college graduation last year I received the System Error message (which meant no pictures) and after powering down and up again received the Warning! Remove Lens Cap error (lens cap not on).  I couldn't use it all that weekend but a week later it worked fine so I thought it was the southern heat.  However, it has started with both errors again and I cannot use it for anything.  It even says System Error then it is turned off (hmmm).  Can't say I would buy another Nikon.  I had a Canon for 10 years (old film) and it still working fine.
I bought this camera in 2001 for $500.  That was alot of money but I have gotten my moneys worth and then some with this camera.  I love everything about it.  I just recently decided to purchase more  megapixels for my scrapbooking but thought long and hard about it before doing this.  I read reviews and searched for cameras and finally decided to stay with the nikon.  I bought a coolpix p4 from Best Buy and got the extended warranty but so far I LOVE this camera also.  I am so sorry it got bad reviews.  I have a fantastic camera here that I am going to sell and don't even know if I want to do that as I have loved it so much.  For me Nikon has been great.
I have searched for several weeks for a digital camera, and although I own a Canon Elan 7e conventional SLR, I went ahead with Nikon and I am very pleased for having made this choice.If you want to get a 3-4 MP camera, I would like to tell you why you should consider this camera:1. Excellent optics. Very crisp pictures, good color adjustment. (you can always depend on Nikon because the commpany is dedicated to optical instruments in contrast to some other companies who produce digital cameras, speakers, PDAs, TVs, radios, keyboards etc at the same time! Makes sense?).2. Size: It is compact and light but at the same time gives you the feeling of holding a camera and not some nonspecific electronic rectangular object (which I value very much).3. The zoom: 3x optical zoom is not provided by other brands with similar value and MP. They all offer digital zoom and all of us know what that means!4. Software: Very intuitive and easy to learn. I did not have to read the manual to understand the menus and that is a great plus. The Custom mode offers several settings from room lighting type to bracketing, and several other stuff that you will enjoy using. But the bottom line is, you actually can get to use the camera the way you want to just by the click of  a single button.5. The Macro mode: Fantastic! You can get close up from 1.6 inches and this is real. Try the other cameras and get  a close up at that distance. I have tried but could not succeed. If you are going to use the Macro mode, be sure to try all the brands but when you try, you will see that Nikon has an excellent macro mode.One problem I have encountered is the focusing sound the camera produces when it focuses. However, at day 2, I realized that it was due to the default continuous AF mode and when I switched it to single AF, there was virtually no sound. If that sound had persisted, the camera rating would have been 4 stars and I am so glad that you can actually get rid of that sound. Some people may not find it bothering but I did!Amazon offered it at a great price when I bought it and I don't know if they will continue selling it because it is so good you don't need any better (unless you want to print pictures with sizes > 11x14 inches, where Coolpix 4300 or 4500 would be better suited to your intentions. However, for that paper size, remember that each shot will be of about 2 MB size)I definitely recommend this camera to people looking for 3-4 MB range. Just try it before buying any digital camera. You will notice the difference.
The Nikon Coolpix cameras are great digital units, so I was surprised to discover the Sony Mavica CD cameras are more versitile.  Here is my story:I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony Mavica CD400 & CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru. This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine. Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk at BestBuy and getting 140-180 high res images per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.Finally! There is a great digital camera....but it isn't a Nikon.
I bought my Coolpix 885 last fall right before a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii.  I had only half a day to play with it before we went and that was pretty much enough.  My travel pictures were gorgeous.  I only missed a couple of nighttime action shots and even they ended up being kinda cool because of the obvious movement they showed.  The camera is so small and well designed that I carried it everywhere.  It was never in the way and I got some fantastic pictures.The shutter delay that some people have complained about is a problem but not a big one unless you're a sports photographer.  You learn to accommodate it.  It was the one problem that almost kept me from buying this camera but I'm glad I took the chance.I had no problem with the battery life as long as I didn't leave the camera on too long when I wasn't taking pictures.  I'd charge it at night and it usually lasted me all day.  If I were a real serious photographer, I think I'd want to carry a spare but for vacation snapshots, this one worked just fine.  I averaged about 60 shots per day with no problem.The only complaint I had was that my dinosaur computer didn't want to recognize my camera when I attempted to upload the pictures.  First I had to upgrade my OS.  Windows 98 just wasn't good enough.  Even then it took me a couple of attempts to get the process to work.  That's probably the fault of my computer but it's rather annoying that they don't make the software work for past Windows versions.
I loved the camera when it arrived. The first &quot;serious brand&quot; camera I've ever purchased (my prior Kodak DC200 digital had serious design flaws in the battery compartment, causing power &quot;dropout&quot; problems) and I really liked the compact size and the flawless optics.But, I'm now about to ship the camera back FOR THE THIRD TIME for repairs for the exact same problem. The zoom lens assembly has a recurring problem that causes the auto-focus to &quot;lose it&quot; after several zoom-in/zoom-out shots in sequence, and then all it'll do is say &quot;SYSTEM ERROR&quot; on-screen and refuses to power up.Needless to say, this has (Murphy's Law) happened during:1. A wedding;2. A 50th Anniversary;3. 5 birthday parties;4. A Christmas family reunion, some relatives arriving from Australia.It's also got a very disappointing power management issue. Well before the &quot;low battery&quot; icon appears, the camera will sporadically power down/reboot upon shooting a picture that requires the flash unit. Yes, it DOES flash, and yes it DOES store the picture. But then you miss the next 2-3 shots because the camera is busy rebooting. Really annoying.I am DEFINITELY unhappy with Nikon, and I receive no response whatsoever to my letters. My next camera will NOT be a Nikon. Plus, now I have to sell nearly a thousand dollars worth of accessories and batteries on eBay.Nikon's lost a customer for life here...
It is too bad Carlton had to put a commercial for Sony in his review for this Nikon.  Now I have to rebut.  There is one simple fact Carlton missed that was obviously not his primary focus, pardon the pun.  The quality of the photographs.  The quality of the output I receive from my 885 is easily 30% better quality then any thing any of the Sony models can put out.  The color is truer, the gamma is more accurate, and the basic output is far more consistent then any of the Sony's.  Change this setting or that setting...  I don't care.  the bottom line is the final output.  Bottom line... the initial un-retouched photo's this Nikon produces are pretty phenomenal.  Well for a digital camera at least.  After all this is not an F5.I have tried each of the Sony CD models.  They are good but they are no Nikon.  I feel he missed what to me is the most important issue, picture quality.  There are few if any digital cameras available, which produce a better photo then the Nikons.  Sure, some are larger, some are smaller, some are faster, while others have more bells and whistles, and even others are prettier, like the Sony's.  However, not one of them produces a better quality photograph.  Nikon's quality and prowess in the analog camera arena has somehow seeped into their digital cameras.  Their primary focus appears to have been picture quality, not bells and whistles.  Pun intended.  I find that comparing the Sony digital to the Nikon Digital is like comparing the F5 to the OM-4Ti.  You'll have to research that on your own...Don't get me wrong...  There ARE a few things I dislike about the 885.  The little nose print I occasionally get on the LCD display when I shoot, slight design flaw.  You have top pick one up to know what I mean about that.  I also would have changed the pressure required for the trigger.  Nevertheless, the bottom line is that the pictures are "Smokin"!One last thing from my craw.  An experience I had with a great Sony audio receiver a few years ago tells all.  Well what I thought was a great receiver when I bought it a few years ago.  I had it for about year.  It served me well.  It had so many features I could never use them all, and was it ever pretty.  Then I got educated on audio equipment.  I read a few rags and talked to a few audiophiles.  Then after purchasing my Marantz SR7000 for about [money amount] less then the original cost of the Sony I really started to get upset with Sony.  Sure my Marantz was ugly compared to the beautiful Sony but...The sound quality of the Marantz was so far superior to that of the Sony.  It was not a small difference but an astronomical difference.  It was such a difference that I vowed never again to purchase another Sony product blindly.  That is without seeing real side-by-side comparisons of the output of whatever the technology I was buying.  I finally saw the Sony's strategy - not to provide the best quality output but to provide the most bells and whistles in the prettiest housings.  Tooling and I.D. is Sony's key.  They do have one very nice line, their Televisions and Monitors and I will not bash those.  However, that is where Sony quality-output begins and ends.  I bet I am really upsetting a lot of Sony aficionado's right now but don't get mad at me.  This is about Nikon, not Sony.  Go to your local high-end shop and ask any guru what they think of any specific Sony product.  Remember I said high-end shop, not Best Buy or Circuit City.  Believe me for the same doe you drop on a Sony "anything" you can get a far superior "anything" from any decent high-end shop.So enough with the Sony bashing... the Nikon 885 is my concern right now.Fact:  The Nikon consistently produces better quality photographs.  Period.  Just as my Marantz consistently provides me with a far more accurate sound reproduction then the Sony receiver was ever capable of.  After all, my main goal when selecting this camera was to get the best quality photos possible from a digital camera.  No fancy "this-and-that".  I just wanted quality photographs.  If you would like to read about the features and the bells and whistles there are several other good reviews on this product and all the other products as well.  My only focus here is to talk about the quality of the output of this camera.Hope you try them all side by side so you can create your own opinion before you buy.  After all that is all this review is.  My opinion, based upon facts I was able to gather firsthand.Thanks...
I'll get one thing out of the way. I bought this camera mainly because it looked cool. I was shopping for a digital camera in an electronics market (I live in Asia) and was looking for something in the 2.0 megapixel range. I ran across the CoolPix 2500 and the design of it definitely caught my eye. I looked at it for a while, toyed around and decided I wanted to buy it. While it's definitely a good camera, it's not the best.On the whole, I thought this camera was pretty good. One thing that sets the Nikon CoolPix line of cameras apart from everything else is its swivel lens design. This is clever because when you're not using it, it covers the lens. No need to worry about broken lens covers or scratched lenses anymore. Plus it helps getting angled shots much easier. No more craning your neck to get a shot above of below you, just tilt the lens. It's a whole lot more useful than you'd think.The picture quality of this in general is pretty good. The colors come out accurately and the pictures are clear. However, the night exposure could be better, although it's good enough to pass without any qualms. A big problem that's related to night time shots however is red eye. It's always there and it never seems to go away. I managed to minimize it using the different scene settings, but it just never completely leaves. It gets sort of annoying after a while, but it's something most people can live with.Also, the camera tends to feel on the fragile side. Whenever I put it in my pocket, I always feel like it's going to break any second. Of course it's never happened and I realize that it'll take quite a bit to knock it out of commission, but it does have that light easily breakable feeling that I can never seem to shrug off.Some other minor complaints is that there is no video output straight to a TV and there is no optical viewfinder, although the optical viewfinder part isn't really too big of a problem. Also, there is no protection for the LCD screen. Something along the lines of what Sony does with their cameras would have been a good protective measure to take with the screen.With all these negative aspects to it, you would think that I wouldn't like it, but that isn't the case. It still is a good camera and it's a blast to use. The visual quality is still fairly good and has a bunch of nifty features to it, namely the swivel lens. And besides, whenever you pull it out in front of other people and you swing the lens, everyone will go "ooohhhhhh."
My Nikon 2500 Coolpix camera died on me today after 3 faithful years of service. The murderer has been apprehended. She is said to be a mischeivious 18 month old girl with an appetite for shiny objects with buttons. This is not her first murder conviction and it probably won't be her last . . .This camera was my first digital camera and I used the heck out of it! At last count I have taken over 200,000 pictures. I used it for an online buisness and for personal family use. I bought it refurbished so I expected it to have problems from the get-go, but it was great up until it's early demise.The amazing unique feature on this camera was the tilting lense feature. I can't tell you how many times I used it. The camera was also very easy to use and understand, especially for the beginner - like I was. The battery life was Okay, it usually died on me after about 100 shots.The flaws on this camera are common flaws seen in any digicam this size. The lense is really small so low light or indoor pictures are awful. I missed a lot of adorable shots of my children indoors because of this issue. Red Eye is awful as well. The outdoor full sun pictures were really nice though, some of them positively stunning.Since I use my camera indoors mainly I decided to go with a camera twice as expensive this time around. One with a big lense!
I've been living with this camera since last Sept. when I took it on a month-long trip to NYC and Europe.  I come from a 35mm SLR background (two college photography classes).  I've been waiting for Nikon to create a form factor that utilized much of the features of their higher end cameras, but more compact.  This camera is perfect in that regard, so I made the plunge into digital.I've taken over 1000 photos with this camera and overall I'm very happy with it.  I don't have much to add to what others have posted, but I'll point out what I consider a major design flaw:  the LCD screen used as a viewfinder scratches VERY easily -- in the next iteration of this product, Nikon needs to add a sliding door to protect this LCD panel.  Even with a camera case, this thing will get scuffed up -- I liked to keep my camera at my ready, sometimes in a pocket or nylon bag with other solid objects -- if they rub against the LCD, forget it -- Scuff City.On a positive note, I wanted to point out something a lot of other reviewers have neglected to mention:  the ability to capture motion video in Quicktime format.  If you use digital editing software you can string these together, add a music track and make some cool little movies to post online or email friends and family  Very cool.  Wish the camera could capture sound, but I suppose that's not the market Nikon is addressing with the Coolpix.  It's still a very cool little extra you should explore if you buy this camera.Otherwise,  the menus -- once you've used them for a few days -- are quite intuitive and easy to access.  However, you should play around with the different presets as well as the manual exposure adjustment to get a feel for what kind of results you'll get.  The presets will probably fit most needs, but it's nice to be able to "open" and "close" the aperture for darker or lighter exposure  (okay, it's a CCD chip, not a mechanical lens and aperture!).One minor interface gripe:  I wish the camera remembered its last settings (like extra sharpening) between powering off and on.POST-SCRIPT JUNE 2005:So several years later I come back and find that I can't stand by what I originally wrote.  I still like the form factor of this camera, but generally agree with what many have said about terrible indoors photos and red-eye: I've tried every setting possible with this camera, but in darker indoor settings  I can NEVER get a clear shot with this camera.  So I'm looking to get a Canon PowerShot probably -- I've tried a friend's and it flat out performs better. By this time you shouldn't even be considering this camera since there are so many others that offer 3+ megapixel anyway.
I've been using the Coolpix 2500 for a few months now and I'm thrilled that I chose it.  Here's why:- Fully compatible with a macintosh computer and iPhoto.  Just plug the camera into a free USB slot and turn it on to the view mode.- Excelent picture quality (2MP).  Both printed (up to 8x10) as well as computer images are crisp clear and bright.- Senic settings that actually work!  I've tried taking the same picture with each seprate pre-set and got different results.  Even better, the recomended setting was the best.- Small, swivel lens (for protection and intesting angles), easy to see LCD monitor and price.The only things I would improve are:- Faster response time when turning the camera on- Shorter pause between pictures.For a point and shoot, I don't think you can do much better in this price range (especially if you're a mac user).
This is my first digital camera, and it's been great so far.  It's not quite film quality, but it's fun.  The swivel design, movie mode, and adequate included storage make it easy to capture much more of an event than traditional film cameras. The included 16-meg compactflash card is fairly big, holding anywhere from about 15 to over 200 pictures, depending on the size and compression options which are accessed through an intuitive menu system.The design of the camera is very smooth--when the lens is rotated back into the body, there are no protrusions, making it nice for carrying in a pocket.As others have noted, the lag time before the camera actually takes the picture can be annoying, but choosing the right "scene" (a preset of various camera settings) or using a tripod eliminate much of the problem.  The "Museum" scene is pretty impressive, and does a good job of capturing vivid colors in indoor situations without the use of the flash.All in all, it's a great camera.  It manages to retain some of the high-end features found in the more expensive Coolpix models--although shutter speed, focus, etc. aren't accessible through menus, there are enough "scenes" to cover most situations.  And it's unlikely that the average user would be able to do a better job of adjusting these settings anyway.One thing it's missing is a video out for connection to a TV--which the Sony camera in this price range does have.  But no camera in this price range has the Nikon's quality feel or graceful design.Finally, the included software is great.  I've used the software bundled with Sony products before, and it's just awful.  The software Nikon gives you is unobtrusive--connect the camera via USB or compactflash reader, and a little window pops up, transfers the pictures, and leaves you alone.  Also, a panorama maker takes a collection of pictures and makes great 360 degree views (viewable in QuickTime), as well as APS-like panoramic shots.Pros:-Swivel lens is fun and protects the lens when not in use-Many "Scenes" which allow for professional camera settings at the touch of a button-Intuitive menu system-Great softwareCons:-No video out-Small delay before shot is taken
i'm not a professional photographer, and i don't have a need for a larger megapixel camera, so this is great.first off, if you're a mac user, it works perfectly with iphoto. you odn't have to worry about installing anything, all you do is take it out of the box, take a picture or two, and hook it up to your mac. iphoto does the rest.the pictures i've taken have been great. i can't complain about the quality. all my pictures have come out sharp and clean.the swivel lens is great for taking pictures at weird, fun angles, and allows you a lot of options for different sort of pictures.it's a very attractive little camera. everywhere i take it, people just want to play with it. the size is great, it fits in my pocket and in one of the front pockets of my computer bag.the negative is there is a delay, which another reviewer mentioned. it's more for when it's dark, and not as much an issue in good light.some of the issues i had with it before i bought it worked themselves out.i was worried about getting fingerprints all over the lens because you have to move it around, but i haven't really had a problem with that. you only have to be marginally careful about it.i was also not sure about the different angles and was worried about moving parts, but really, that is one of the best parts of the camera.one of the reasons i chose this over the comprable cannons was battery life (this is great) and mac compatibility. i'm not too sure how the cannon is with the mac (the model i was looking at didn't work with iphoto) but the nikon is flawless in this concern.
I bought the 2500 as a point & shoot for work and light/fast travel, to let my son learn photography without running up a huge film tab, because I've been impressed with a different Coolpix I use at work, because it received special mention in a recent CU test despite not being top rated, and based on consistently strong web review.Let me preface my comments with a recommendation/requirement:  read the manual carefully cover-to-cover, practice to become facile with the many functions, and take the time to understand how each "scene" makes the camera behave.  Sometimes the "scenes" are useful for more than their intended purpose.  Skip this step and it's just a point & shoot.  Take a few hours to figure it out and you can capture great images in most shooting situations.  Nikon has worked very hard to provide quick access to the full range of functions through a small set of controls.Man, was I in for a surprise after getting this camera!  My aging but beloved SLR gear will get very little use in the future.  We shot several hundred images over the Christmas/New Year break, most of which was spent sightseeing in DC.  Indoors & out.  Day & night.  Museums, fireworks shows, parties, set shots, grab shots, painting with light on street corners at night, riding the Metro, and so on.  The images are sharp, vivid and true to color, and distortion-free.  I can't remember ever coming home from a trip with a better set of images.There have been plenty of thorough reviews of this camera, so I'll just tick off a few things I find special about it:--  IMHO it is the most pocketable/capable digital camera on the market today.  Some are smaller, but they don't have the 2500's capabilities.--  The Best Shot Selector is an amazing and vital feature.  You can capture hassle-free and surprisingly crisp images at night and in flash-prohibited museums.--  The rotating lens is a major plus.  Excellent lens protection with no cap to lose.  The 1.2" camera thickness (lens stowed) is a lot easier on the pocket than the 1.5" standard digital camera thickness.  In a crowd?  Tilt the lens 45 degrees down and hold the camera overhead.  Working a camera-shy crowd?  Tilt the lens 45 degrees up and shoot with the camera in your lap.  People think you're scrolling through stored images instead of shooting new ones.  Unlike some previous reviewers, I have no problem deploying the lens and keeping my fingers off it.--  The white adjustment feature is very useful and powerful.  White correction is a common post-shoot task, and a sad one since it sucks color and range out of the image.  The 2500's white adjustment takes care of that.  Add the 2500's exposure control and you can land images that are ready to be printed and framed.No honest review can be gripe-free, so these are mine:--  Yes, there are a limited number of times when a conventional viewfinder would be handy.  IMO those few times wouldn't be worth the added bulk and cost.  Nikon, if you're listening, stick with the current design.--  I would like a faster minimum shutter speed on the "party/indoor" scene.  This would lose a little background and make the flash more evident, but would produce many more sharp images.Thanks for reading, if you made it this far.  I highly recommend the Coolpix 2500.  The strongest testimonial might come from my wife, who was shocked at the images when I printed a few test sheets.  She's practically stopping strangers on the street and telling them to buy this camera.
I decided to get a digital camera in time for the birth of our first child, and I am very happy with my Nikon CoolPix 2500.  It's very simple to operate, takes great pictures, and the swivel lens makes it easy to take unusual but very stylistic pictures.  Being able to reverse the lens and take pictures of me, my wife, and our son is awesome.  I don't miss the viewfinder at all.  The only places for improvement are in startup times (from turning the camera on to taking the first picture takes a few seconds).  Works with iPhoto flawlessly!
We decided to purchase this camera because of it's size and weight; we thought, if it's small and light we won't mind actualy carrying it around and using it.  We have been VERY pleased with this camera, however, you cannot rely solely on it's automatic settings.  If you take time to experiment a little and learn the camera's features you'll get great shots (clear, sharp, colorful) almost every time.We used this camera in France to take over 1,200 photos (on 3 or 4 cards).We had Kodak prints made of our favorite 250 shots from online, using iPhoto.  Everyone who has viewed our pictures has expressed how sharp, clear, and colorful the photography is.  One of the best photos was taken from the Eiffel tower at dusk.  We did have to hold the camera very steady and manually adjust the settings, but the color and sharpness is superb - the blue sky fading to black, the moon, the reflections in the Sein, the city and lights - all crisp as could be and good color too.We also had very good luck in museums with low-light and no flash.  Again, you will need to manually set the camera and hold it quite steady - or rest it on a rail.The swivel lens is a feature in itself and allows you to take stealth photos - over your shoulder, for example - as well as protecting the lens.  You can get great candid shots, which are usually the best ones.While the battery does well, if you plan to use it a lot (like on a vacation) I strongly recommend purchasing an additional, larger FlashCard and extra battery.  We took three of each to France with us.I'd absolutely reocommend this camera.
This camera is fantastic! This camera takes great pictures. I still can't believe the quality and detail that this camera produces. Every article you read says you can't make 8x10 prints from 2mp cameras. This one proves that wrong. I have made large prints with the crispness and clarity of smaller ones.Fantastic camera. If you just want a fun digital camera with a ton of features this is the one to get.I took off 1/2 a star because I would like a traditional viewfinder. You only have the display on the back.
I bought this as my first digital camera five months ago, largely on the strength of the Amazon reviews.  I intended to use it for routine snapshots. I can't state how well it stacks up against other digital cameras, of which I know nothing.  But I can say I was surprised by deficiencies it has, when compared against my $100 Olympus 35mm film camera.First, the indoor exposure quality is pretty poor.  Its sensitivity reminds me of ASA 100 speed film.  A flash is always required indoors.  The flash is quite anemic: anything 8 feet or more away will be dark.  In photographing a kids' soccer team two rows deep, the front row was slightly overexposed while the rear was underexposed.  The line was about 3 feet deep total.  There is very little exposure latitude with the flash.Second, I have never seen such red eye in my life!  The flash is about 3/4" from the lens in the same horizontal plane.  I have to spend a couple minutes in Photoshop to clean up every single shot.  I'm used to seeing eyes like this on flash photos of cats, not humans.Third, the battery is tiny, proprietary and very expensive.  This probably explains the weak flash - there's very little power and Nikon needs to preserve it.  Plus, after about 30 seconds idle time, the camera hibernates to save the battery.  One has to press the shutter and wait about 5 seconds for it to revive each time.Fourth, while outdoor exposure has been good, the LED screen is too weakly backlit to view at the beach or ski slope.  And there's no optical viewfinder, so you often can't see what you're photographing in these circumstances.Fifth, one must swivel the lens assembly open in order to use the camera.  When doing this, it's very easy to put a fingerprint over the fixed transparent lens cover.  And a little bit of smudge on that cover gives plenty of artifact on the pictures.Finally, while I shoot at the unit's maximum resolution, it's still not acceptable to press the shutter button and wait two seconds before it takes the shot - and then wait another 3 or 4 seconds for it to be ready for the next. And if the flash is involved, that adds another 2 seconds before the picture is taken. Like I said, I was looking for family snapshots; but far too many pictures have the subject moved out of the frame because of these delays.So, this camera is okay for some things - especially outdoor daylight shots that are not too bright.  But my 35mm performs a lot better in many circumstances.  And its Costco-developed pictures are about 30% the cost of those from a digital camera.  And I don't have to spend hours engineering Photoshop corrections, or burning the images to archival CD.If I had it to do over again, I'd be more fussy about cycle time, battery capacity, flash distance from lens and exposure latitude. Live and learn.
This camera has worked fine for me. I bought it used, and have used it for 2 months now. I takes good pictures, is a solid camera, and easy to operate. The lens swivels open-and-close (actually you have to do it manually) to protect the camera. The zoom is good, and the keys are easy to understand and use. The menus are easy to navigate as well.
This is a very solid little digital that should easily take care of 99% of your picture taking needs. It easily slips into the pocket, clever lens protector, nice, crisp LCD screen.I had problems loading the software as once loaded, my PC could not see my camera. However, I used the Tech Support line which was quick and professional (had some issue loading the driver, but easily fixed).
This isn't my first digital camera, but I am certainly no expert.To be honest, I bought a Canon S-45, but it was WAY more than I need for school photos of my middle schoolers. I had school funds, so I went to Wal Mart, and got this 2-mega pixel (really cool!) camera for $297.My first impression was that it was tad expensive for a 2 mega pixel, but on school $$$, who cares? My second impression was "there's no viewfinder!". But the bright LCD is great (you can increase the brightness too!), and after the initial 'getting used to it', I have never missed the viewfinder!OK--here's the scoop. First the POSITIVES:1. It is small, SLEEK, and ultra-cool style-wise. GREAT here!!!!!2. The images touched up just a bit in photo-editing software, FAR exceeded my expectations for a 2-mega pixel camera! I had them printed at Wal Mart in a half-hour for 30 cents each, and they are BETTER than my 35 mm photos (at 4X6 or smaller in FINE mode).3. The swivel lens is cool and sharp!! (Though I'm not sure how necessary). It does protect the lens, but you WILL smudge it OFTEN!!4. The one touch transfer from camera to computer is easy (can you say EASY?)!5. The lithium battery (in its charger) lasts me all day with no problem!6. The twelve scene modes cover just about any shooting situation you could imagine--as does plain ol' automatic. The close-up mode focuses down to 2 inches--I practiced on a salt packet at McDonalds!!7. Nikon really IS more than just the name. They provide everything you need including the USB cable. I would upgrade the CF card, though, to 64 or 128 MB. A quality camera.8. It comes with an OK manual, and is reasonably easy to learn.And now for the NOT so positives:1. The cool case is sturdy, but will scratch if bumped hard. Not a biggie here.2. The flash washes out the picture when you get TOO close, (forgivable), and is worthless altogether beyond about 10 feet (not forgivable).3. The buttons are a  bit small, so good eyes are required.4. You get no sound in your 15 seconds of 'movie', but this isn&#65533;t great to start with. Get a camcorder!5. The 3x optical zoom is great, but the 4x digital zoom increases the graininess--true in all cameras not just this one.Bottom line:Am I satisfied with this camera at $297 of school $$$? You bet!! It is all any teacher would need, and 60% of the human race too. Would I pay MY $$$ for it? Nope. I'd pay a little more for a 3-4 mega pixel. This camera does everything it is SUPPOSED to, WELL!The pictures are OUTSTANDING!!This is a FUN, cool, QUALITY, and slightly overpriced digital camera, that understanding these attributes, you will enjoy if you buy it!
My coolpix 2500 suddenly went dead after 14 months. This is the first tech product I owned that has ever died on me. I will never buy another Nikon product. The picture quality is so-so, tends to have red-eye.
Overall, a decent camera.  Great function for size.  Price has come down quite a bit recently, so a good deal for the money.Pros:Size -- nice and compact, fits in my pocket.No junk to tote around -- doesn't need a lens cap or other stuff that comes off and gets lost since it folds up.3x optical zoom -- especially in such a small camera.Close and tight macro.Lots of Scene selections available that work well (outdoor, indoor, macro, indoors no flash, night, landscape, portrait, sports, etc.)Takes CF cards -- which are not too expensive and available locally.No trouble with compatibility on multiple computers.Good sharp details/colors come out good most of the time (see below about white balance)Simple menus that are easy to use.Cons:Expensive battery/charger -- oddball proprietary size.  Try to buy one of those batteries at the local WalMart or camera store.... No dice.Needs a few more manual controls:Ability to manual focusWhite balance options when using scene selections,Flash power control -- sometimes the flash blows out details on shiny things up close.Hand-shake can be a problem up close when not using flash (because of reason listed above.)No focus indicator crosshairs or little box in the display to show you what the camera is focusing on.
This camera is wonderful -  the only con with this product is that it has a small LCD screen to view your images- however this is probably the main reason that it has extremely long battery life.  For a 2MP camera it takes very detailed images, and incredible pictures in "close-up"  mode- Nikon is known for quality lenses.  Very simple to operate, but low on extra features.  No digital zoom, etc.  I recommend using at least a 512mb memory card and taking pictures at the highest quality/resolution.
This is great little camera.  A little slow to actually take the photo but otherwise very user friendly.
Most of the comments here have already covered this great beginner's digicam in plenty of detail, so I thought I'd hit on one thing specifically: why the swivel lens is actually quite practical.  Besides allowing goofy but well-framed self-portraits ;), it's best used in situations where one needs extra height in order to take a shot. For example: I was recently part of a large crowd of people at a Thanksgiving Day parade.  I swiveled the lens *down*, held the camera above my head, and angled the LCD screen toward myself.  That let me view the framed shot clearly, and allowed me to take several photos *above the crowd* that would have been impossible to take otherwise.  Brilliant!
This camera is extremely portable and durable, and it takes beautiful photos in most situations.In two months of using mine as a snappy, I have found only three consistent problems:1)  The shutter release is slow compared to film cameras, so you have to be patient when taking photos.  Hold the camera still until it's done, or it will take blurry pictures.  The slowness also means that you have to anticipate action shots, such as a child in motion, or you'll miss the subject.  (This is true mainly when the subject is within a couple of yards.  It's fine with longshots.)2) The flash unit really does create some nasty red-eye.3) It takes practice to use the swivel lens.  Early on, you might miss some great shots because you're fumbling with it.Despite these problems, I have grown to appreciate the Nikon 2500's simplicity and excellent optics.  I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a low-profile camera that delivers great results.(NOTE FOR THE COST-CONSCIOUS: Make sure to include the cost of a larger (64-128 megabyte) compact flash memory card in your product comparison.  The card sold with this camera and most digital cameras holds very few photos at maximum resolution.)
We bought this camera when our baby was born and have been very happy with it.  The one drawback which has proven to be a challenge is that many, many photos we take have a significant red-eye problem.  I've been told that this happens often with babies and animals, but it seems to happen more with this camera than it does with others.Overall, however, I would recommend the camera -- it's light, takes generally good photos and is in an affordable price range.
Let me just start off and say, This camera is everything you could want. I am a graphic designer, i own a Fuji S1 PRO digital camera and wanted a second durable more portable camera which i could take everywhere with me.I was convicned with the Nikon 2500 mostly because of price and the fact that the image quality was great and plus it came with a rechargable battery.There were only 2 things i was worried about and i am writing this review to clear this issue up.1] Shooting speed is NOT slowI read a lot of complaints about the shooting speed and I was worried that i would have to wait 2 seconds or more to take a picture. this is NOT TRUE. It takes pictures with practically no lag. You press the button it takes the picture. The people who complained about the speed might have been having problems focusing the image.2] Colors come out PerfectSome people mentioned a problem with the colors of the pictures. NOT TRUE. pictures look very realistic and are great quality.these 2 issues were making me very insecure about the purchase. i was afraid this nikon would be a waste of money. I am now VERY glad i got this. Not only is the price incredibly [inexpensive] but in the end you are getting a NIKON!! So basically do not worry about anything when you get this camera. It will more then satify all your needs...
Like most Nikon digitals, this camera offers excellent image quality.  A good zoom, excellent macro mode, and pretty good ease of use.  However, I think the design is awful.For starters, the swiveling lens.  Due to the design, people have a tendency to put their fingers all over the lens while swiveling it.  Also, tilt it up too far and you'll be taking a picture of the plastic housing of the camera--oops!  Perhaps the biggest design flaw in this camera is lack of a viewfinder.  I guess depending on your situation it may not matter, however if you live where I live (bright, SUNNY Florida) and you take pictures outside, that LCD screen is virtually useless.  It gets washed out, you're not going to be able to see what you're doing, and you'll wish you had bought a camera that has an optical viewfinder.  I don't understand how Nikon could have omitted that from a camera.The only real advantage this camera has over competing manufacturers' cameras is the macro mode.  Nikon is tough to beat in that respect.  That aside, look at a Canon Elph if you're looking for a small camera.  The image quality is just as good, you still get a zoom, and you get an optical viewfinder.
ok, I'm a casual user, I don't take pictures too much, I don't go on trips alot and I don't print.  Now, I have had this camera for a long time so I can tell with certainty that I have not even thought of buying another camera to replace it.Likes:looks so much better than other cameras.you can adjust the angle of the lens, that gives you a lot of freedom to take pictures yourself, without asking strangers for help, which you don't know how it will turn out.Great value since it's very inexpensive now.Still work just the same as the first day I got it, at least a year now.The auto-scene mode is a must for novice users.Easy to use, not filled with a bunch of feature that a novice like myself would never use.Dislikes:2MP is too low by the standards today.Can't take moving pictures under bad lighting (few cameras can, though).if you aren't crazy about photos, this one will suit you fine and save you money.  I saw it on sale at WhoSave coom, a site that lists sales from Amazon and other places on the web, but that was awhile ago.  I am not sure if you can still buy this camera new.  Either way, I put in a recommendation for Nikon products.
This camera has 2 1/3 second delay.  We got it to take pictures of our baby, and all the pictures turn out blurry because she moves after I snap the picture.  It's hard enough to try to capture the smile of a 4 month old, never mind missing it because of a delay.  Otherwise I like the camera, but this is a big drawback for me.
I am extrememly impressed with the ease of use and the wealth of features in such a small camera.  The swiveling lens is ingenious.  The instructions are very clear and simple, especially the instructional video CD that makes even the novice user comfortable with using a digital camera for the first time.The 15 second movie mode is fun as well!
Though adequate as a replacement for an APS pocket point-and-shoot, this camera has several drawbacks that should give pause.The too-clever signature Coolpix "twist" to expose the lens takes just that much longer and is just that much more fiddly than simply removing a lens cap--and one misses too many photos as a result. A sliding cover would have served much better, especially one that also turns the camera on. (The twist doesn't turn the camera on, that's a distinct step.) Controls, menus, and features are generally good, as is the LCD, but the power switch is easy to leave in the wrong state and is poorly constructed.Sadly, the real failing of this camera is its image quality. Maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges, but when I bought this as an easier to carry substitute for my Olympus C-3040Z I was prepared to loose some quality for the sake of convenience. However I was not prepared for the glaring failings I encountered. First off, Nikon compresses its highest quality images more than is necessary. Far worse are the strange washed-out or saturated colors I get with this camera. In side by side comparisons between my two digital cameras, where the Olympus produces striking results, the Nikon's are consistently over-saturated and blurry. I have taken both cameras on several trips, and find myself discarding almost every shot taken with the Nikon, even when I have no equivalent from my Olympus.Overall, a convenience not worth the disappointment.
They call it 'point and click'.  Well, maybe that's true after you spend a day or two with the owner's manual.  Maybe all digital cameras are like this, but understanding all the options and setup is difficult for me.  Then, transferring the pictures to my pc and actually producing prints is not trivial (to me).Someone else remarked that the LCD can't be read in the sun.  I wish I'd listened before I bought this camera.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to see.  The camera has no veiwfinder.  Nikon should have at least included the LCD hood with the camera.  And, AMAZON, should at least sell it!  I ordered one from another online retailer.  Maybe I should just return this hard to use toy?
Okay, for 18 months it was a reasonable--not great--camera. It's not big and looks cool, but it is also slow and performs poorly in low light. Red eye is a huge problem.But, after 18 months, the camera failed to work and displayed SYSTEM ERROR.SYSTEM ERROR is apparently a common Nikon problem and requires the camera be sent to Nikon for a costly fix. Thus, my one-star rating; I don't have enough cash for my digital cameras to be disposable, I need them to be reliable.I recommend heartily against the Nikon brand and am awaiting delivery of a new Canon A95.
I received the Nikon Coolpix 2500 as a gift, and had I known that it was going to be purchased for me, I would have chipped in an extra $... to get myself a really nice camera. The 2500 is fine for amateurish photography, but I find it lacking when I want to be a little more creative with my photography.Pictures that use the flash, no matter what special scene setting is used, come out too pale and whitewashed. Additionally, red-eye is a MAJOR problem with this camera, and the proximity of the flash to the lens creates a series of mysterious light "bubbles" on the pictures.The scene selections are nice, but often incorrectly labeled. I find myself using the Backlight setting for pictures that aren't backlight, and the Snow/Beach setting for the pictures that are neither snowy nor at the beach.Also, the LCD is easily scratched, and the small pixel count on it makes your pictures look much nicer than they are. Nothing is more frustrating that snapping a picture, okaying it via the LCD screen, and then finding it to be awful upon uploading. On the topic of the LCD screen, there is no option to turn off the screen because it has no viewfinder, which is a major drain on the battery life on the camera.On the upside, the software the comes with the camera is nice and the swivel lens is handy for getting pictures at angles that you normally would be unable to see. If you purchase this camera, definately consider purchasing three other things: a more managable necklace, a much larger memory card (at least 64 mb) and an extra battery for long trips.
I bought this camera for a recent trip to Disneyland.  I have been several times and have always just had a regular point and shoot type camera.  At the end of trips I always ended up with things I wished I could have framed better or pictures that weren't quite lit-up enough.  So, I shopped around for a digital camera and my requirements were simple:  something small and discreet, easy to use, and came with easy to understand software.  I was not disappointed when this camera arrived!  It is everything I wanted and more.  One of my favorite features of this camera is that it comes with a rechargable battery and the charger.  Not only does it charge up relatively quickly (60-90 minutes) but it held the charge through 2+ days of pictures for me!  This was a great upgrade for me and in the long run it will save me money because I don't have to develop film any more!  Plus, I can "discard" pictures I don't like and take them again before it's too late.  All in all, I love this camera!
The Nikon Coolpix 2500 is a great camera. It may only be 2 megapixels, but unless you decide to print photos larger than 4x6, maybe even 8x10, then 2 MP is fine. I use this camera for web pictures and just showing pictures on a computer screen, so 2MP is more than enough.The camera comes with 12 scenic modes that you can choose from, or just choose either manual or automatic mode. The 12 scenic modes are for diffrent situations, like snow, indoor/party, portrait, nightscape, night portrait, and (one that still seems strange to me) fireworks. Basically, the scenic modes adjust the camera's setting to adapt it to work better in a certain situation. I find that I use manual the most, cause I like to play with settings. The auto mode works quite well too.The LCD monitor is the only way to take pictures on the camera. Nikon, probably for lack of space and the design of the camera, decided that they wouldn't include a optical viewfinder. What does that mean? It makes it a little harder to take pictures in direct sunlight, but the LCD is still decently visible when compared to other LCDs, like my Nikon Coolpix 990.And now, picture quality. Pictures on average, very good quality. On a computer screen, its difficult to notice the diffrence between my Coolpix 990, which has 3.34 MP, and the Coolpix 2500. I did notice a little "noise" when taking a picture in lowlight, especially on wooden color things, on the LCD, but they don't seem to show up in the final print. The optical zoom is very good, and the camera lets you know when you've started using the dreaded "digital zoom". The digital zoom produces a horrible amount of noise on the LCD. I recommend avoiding the digital zoom.The size of the camera is one of the best parts of it. Its small enough to fit conviently in a cargo pocket or in the palm of your hand. The size doesn't detract from the feel of the camera though. My hands seem almost perfectly fitted to the camera, even though my hands are on the larger side. The styling of the body also stands out, and makes it prettier to look at then the usual boring camera.When searching for a digital camera, I ended up with two finalists; the Coolpix 2500 and the Digital Elph s200. I chose the Coolpix in the end for a few reasons:Price-The found the Coolpix at a much cheaper price on another website than I could find the ElphCompactness-The Elph is about an inch shorter, but I was more worried about width than length.Styling- I liked the look of the Coolpix more than the Elph.And the final, biggest reason:The swivel lens! This feature took the cake. Swivel lenses make getting shots so much easier, as well as allowing for more creativity. With the Swivel lens, you can shoot in almost any directiong without moving the main body of teh camera. Also, the swivel lens allows the lens to be protected with it is inside the body.The coolpix 2500 is my favorite digital camera of the ones i've tried, including the Elph. Always research for yourself, though, as the best camera for one is the worst camera for another.
For an inexpensive little low resolution camera this one is fine. Keep your shots close to the subject or medium distance and you will enjoy the results. At longer distances it tends to get fuzzy especially in low light situations. But even the best 35mm camera can only do so much on an overcast day. Downloading is easy and the Arcsoft software is fun to use.
I bought this for my mother as a birthday gift. Considering the price, I was not expecting much.  There were many things I liked about this camera.1. The pictures are crisp and clear, much higher resolution and clarity than I initially expected.2. The software is easy and simple to install.3. It comes with everything you need (carrying case, batteries etc..)4. It records video!I have not tried to &quot;video recording&quot; feature yet. But to have all these features in such a low priced camera is amazing. I am going to purchase one for myself.
I am surprised at how quickly I received this camera.  I was happy to receive it. I haven't used it yet but will soon.
First digital and for the price I paid at wallyworld ,I would have only gotten 2 disposables with development.Auto shut is annoying ,and no way to over ride.menu scrolling also annoying , no way to save settings.No viewer ,so until you upload pics you don't know what your getting.GOOD THINGS....once you figure it out it takes really good standard photos.easy to upload and edit photos.Being left handed ,it seemed to work better for me ,than for right handed people.very easy ob batterries , replaced once after 6 months of use ,and then after 4 month due to using flash more.close ups are great ,when they work -50/50 success with same settings ,same photo.all in all , despite the annoying features it was a good fist camera for it's time.would be considered a dinasaur by todays standings, but still good for e-bay photos and online photo albums.
I returned the camera after trying it out for a day at Church because the camera kept turning itself off when not used within 30 seconds of programming the "mode" of the camera, requiring reprogramming again before it could be used again. If you are waiting for that perfect shot, it had better come quickly, else you loose the picture opportunity since the camera will turn off and you will have to reprogram the mode, which is not a quick task (unless you want the outdoor/cloudy mode, which is the default mode when turned on). If I am overlooking something, somebody please let me know! It did not seem like there was any way of preventing the camera from automatically turning itself off within 30 seconds of non-use, which severely limits the usefulness of the camera! The owners manual is very sketchy and just covers basic functions.Otherwise, the camera is great! Great value for the money! The camera is well made and has the rubbery feel of more expensive cameras. It is too bad that the manufacturer built in the quick auto off to save the battery. What about the usefulness of the camera? It should be on for at least 5 minutes (or adjustable). Several of the pictures came out great. If it was not for the quick auto off problem I experienced, I would have kept the camera and given it five (5) stars.
Well... here I read mixed oppinions on this little camera. Some likes it, some hates it.... but the camera is still the same and what is different is their expectation. OK.... I don't think this is the best sabby digital cam in the world. I have an Olimpus 2M, my brother and mom have Olimpus 3Ms, and my father has Canon EOS 1G. And all the starting point of these digital camera buying wave in my family was from this Vivitar cam. My family was a bit doubtful on the quality of digital cameras before I bought this cam a while ago. They were kind of thinking that digital camera technology was not fully stablized and they may need to wait a couple of more years to get a all set reliable digital cameras like old film cameras level. When I got this mini cam, their first reaction was &quot;Oh... that's not that bad&quot; It produces acceptable 640/480 pictures, batteries are not going flat that rapidly, can transfer pictures from the camera to computer via USB. You must know is this. This is the very bottom layer digital camera in digital camera assortment. 640/480 resolution means 0.3 mega pixel and that is the very basic level of your VGA monitor resolution. You may have at least 1280/1024 resolution level in most monitors and that is approximately 4 times finer than this camera's resolution. You got what I ment? The camera produces about 4 times worse quality picture than your monitor's view per se. Another word, when you display a picture from this camera in full screen or print it out with photo printer, you have really high odd to be disappointed. However, if you use this camera for pix for e-mailing to friends (not business custommers) or use for fun, I guess it fits very well with your needs. I agree on the complaint about flash lights. It doesn't make a good shot with flash in most cases. Pix are blurry and look like a paintings of impressionists. I recommend to use different modes without flash. In many pix, I found that the camera doesn't need that much light at all. We are kind of use to use film cameras and think that we need flash under this certain amount of lumination. The fact is that, digital cameras are often requiring less light than film cameras and we can make a better pix without flash light. A few more complements, the battery time is quite satisfactory. Since this camera has no LCD display that shows current taken pix, it consumes far less electricity than other models with LCDs. I know that so well because I now used bunch of digital cameras with LCDs. Finally it's easy to use. Just turn on and take picture. No zoom, no pulldown menues.... There are some sons also. First the flash light as I mentioned. USB connectivity software is a bit cumbursom. It doesn't automatically recognize the camera as a USB drive so hat you have manually load the software and suck up the pix from the camera to your computer. It's not that hard if you have any insight on your computers by the way.
I bought this camera as a temporary until I could afford a more expensive camera to replace the one my dog broke.  Well the price was right and it looked like a nice camera.  I have heard of Vivitar before so I thought it would have half way decent quality but it doesn't.  No matter what mode is used inside the pictures either come out washed out or too dark.  The colors are always wrong or very poor.  Wether it is used indoors or outdoors the pictures usually come out blurry and they show no detail at all.  I bought a pencam also and didn't like it but I have to say that for outdoor use it at least takes a clear detailed picture.  This camera won't take a decent picture for anything.
This was my first digital camera, back in 2002. I liked it cause it would take weird pictures that would make great photoshopped images. The image quality is ok, pretty decent I would say.Nowadays this camera would be okay for kids and such. It's fun and so are the images it develops...
This camera is poorly designed.1. with the view finder and lens on the left side (when viewed from the back) it is nothing uncommon to pick up the camera and place your fingers on the view finder or lens.2. the software to view the pictures in memory will only show  thumbnail images, making it difficult to select the best quality pictires to send to the computer.3. the Arcsoft software that is used to view the pictures full screen or save to disk as a .JPG or other formats is no better  than the software to transfer the pictures to the computer. You can view the picture about 50% normal size, but if you want to view it full screen then save it to disk, you have to expand the picture. click the mouse to go back to the software then click save before you can save the image.3. This camera only has two modes.a. 320x200 (if memory serves) ( was able to take 167 photos in this mode before filling up the memory.b. 640x480 I was able to take 51 photos in this mode before filling up the memory.3. this camera does not allow you to see the pictures before connecting it to the computer at all.4. this camera does not offer a zoom feature at all.5. there is no way to add additional memory.This camera DOES have some good features.1. the USB port to transfer the pictures to the computer is quick.2. this camera has MANY different modes of operation.a. take photos when it is sunny, overcast, inside a well lighted room, inside a darker room.b. DOES have a built in strobe, so you can take photos just about any time. The two Pencam digital cameras I looked at did not have a strobe at all, and this camera was less expensive than both of those.c. Take one photo after another (about every 1/2 a second)d. Auto timer so you can get in the photo too.e. This camera uses two AA batteries that can be bought almost anyhere.If you want a point and shoot camera, or want to use pictures in auctions this camera will serve you well.If you want the ability to zoom in, take pictures of higher resolution, or see what you are going to get before plugging in the USB port, then view the better quality digital cameras such as the Canon, Minolta, or Olympus offerings (I picked these brands because I have had success with these brands of 35 mm cameras, and I know the optics are good.E-Mail if you have questions or comments; Two Bears.Wah doh Ogedoda (we give thanks Great Spirit)
Camcorder arrived on time and in working condition. I have had no problems with it. I can finally watch my old family videos that have such great sentimental value to me. Camera is not remote control capable but for the price I paid, I am glad to manually control the stop and play functions. Camera came with owners manual, power cable and two rechargeable batteries. NO AUDIO VIDEO CABLE. Luckily I had an A/V cable from another camcorder that worked for this one. If you run the A/V cable to a VCR and then to your TV, you can record your video tape to VHS and then tranfer to DVD if you have the capability from your home computer or you can take the tapes to a store that transfers VHS to DVD. This is a great buy if you are wanting to view HI 8 video tape. Due to the outdated technology of this camera, I would not recommend it for new video taping.
I bought this camera as a gift for my husband. He previously asked for a model that had tons of features, however after receiving and using this one, he felt he had all the features he really wanted/needed. It's a decent, basic camera for home movies.
I found mechanical problems in this camcorder.the trunk didnt close.Do not make a mistake. pay a little bit moreand get a Sony. I am really frustated with thiscamera.
This is a great camera!  It takes great video and has a lot of features.  I have thoroughly enjoyed having it.
I don't claim to be any type of expert on camcorders (and this is my first) but I was really surprised just how great a unit the Canon ES8400V is!  I was shooting video within five minutes of opening the box!  It's that easy.  But don't let it's ease of use detract from it's capabilities because this little guy (yes, it's small) has an array of high-end features, bells and whistles too for those who want to go there.  I truly cannot recommend it highly enough!  I gave it the full 5 Stars because I really couldn't think of anything negative to say about it.
I have a different model Kodak camera, however they all use the same EasyShare software. Running Windows XP, I could not get the software to work properly. After several hours on the phone with Kodak tech support, they couldn't get it working either. They said they are aware of the problem. It is now several weeks later and they still don't have a fix. They don't really seem to care either.It might not be a bad idea to consider other brands, instead of Kodak. Since, if the software won't work properly, then what good is the camera?
This is my second Kodak digital camera, and like my first, I am not disappointed.  Wonderful, crisp, clear pictures.  I take a lot of close up pictures of flowers in my garden, and the built in macros is excellent.
This is a replacement for my DX4900 Kodak Camera that I have used for years. The best camera that I ever had.  Great camera, great price.  Thanks
In this day of high tech gizmos and gadgets, many items are complicated to the point to where the consumer must have anengineering degree in order to understand.  NOT so with this camera!!! This is the most user friendly camera I have everhad the pleasure to handle.  Before investing this kind ofmoney into something as high tech as a digital camera, I looked at several brands over many weeks.  I selected the Kodak DX4900 for it's simplicity of use and ease of understanding the easyto read manual. I can now say that after over 1000 picturestaken at all levels of megapixels that this camera lives up tothe advertisements by Kodak and more.  You can't go wrong withthis one at all.
After 2 European trips and other weekly uses, the product has been perfect. I use the docking station, with rechargable batteries, and expanded memory card. I start out with 120 pictures in the tank, and on both 10 day trips, I have fill the capacity on a single use of the battery. It gets low just as I am using up all the space. Recommend it highly for good all around usage.
This camera is a total disaster.  First, Kodak actually took away features such as video capture which used to be available in the 2.0 megapixel model.  Second, the camera has a charging defect.  I had to send the camera in for repairs because the battery would not charge.  Third, the camera has a shutter defect.  After a few months, my photos were overexposed and blurry.  Again sent camera in for repairs.  Kodak fixed the problem temporarily.  Finally, a few months later my photos were double exposed and blurry.  Kodak would not repair the camera for free because it was out of warrantee. The people at Kodak were nice but their policies suck.  Based on the other reviews I have seen on Amazon, it is obvious that this camera should have been recalled.Bottom line - DO NOT TOUCH THIS CAMERA!  In fact, I would not recommend you buy a Kodak until they improve their customer service and post sales record.
This camera takes flawless photographs at almost any distance, and at almost any light.  There are lower resolution modes and also a high-compression mode, but this does degrade the quality of the image (perhaps the reason for some of the unfavorable reviews?).  Also, Kodak has some extra lenses available, one of them being a 2x zoom lense (I've ordered it, but it's still in the mail), which I am hoping will give me 1x to 4x zoom, which is actually BETTER than the 3x zoom you get on most digital cameras.  They also have a close-up lense for taking pictures of things like stamps if you are interested in that sort of thing.The downside is that you don't get a camera bag, and the 16MB memory card is too small.  I think the 64MB memory card is perfect for me, but then I have a laptop that I can take with me and dump the pictures onto when the card gets full.  The camera also comes with a lithium battery, so you still need to buy either a charger or a cradle (both come with one rechargable battery pack).  Buy an extra battery pack so you don't get caught without juice!  The lithium battery packs last only about twice as long as a charged battery pack, but they cost more ..., so definitely go rechargable!Even without accessories, however, this is a great camera, and you can't get this kind of resolution for this price anywhere else.  I've taken some absolutely breathtaking nature photographs after having the camera for only a few days.  The automatic shutter speed is great for evening and low light situations, and I haven't even tried some of the cooler features of the camera yet.One more thing - think about investing in some photo-editing software.  The camera takes great base pictures, but they still need to be brightness, contrast, and color adjusted.  And cropped.  And retouched.  I like the ULead stuff myself, because it is [reasonably priced] and powerful.  But there are a number of very good tools available for less than [money], and you can really spruce up your favorite photos pretty quickly and easily with the right software.  In my opinion, it is the ability to edit the photos that MAKES digital photography so powerful, and the higher resolution you go in with, the better the end result.  Although Kodak provides some image editing software with the camera, it was really pretty poor.  I definitely recommend getting something better (though you may not need it at first depending on what you want to do, and your level of experience).Great camera, great pictures, great price.  Plan on spending at least another [money] on accessories (battery charger or cradle, memory card update, camera bag, optional add-on lenses), and maybe [money] on software if you don't already have a favorite image editing tool.  Once you have it all in place though, you get to take as many high-resolution photos as you want to for almost free!  And I am telling you, I was just blown away at how some of my photos came out.  Breathtaking!
If it moves, it blurs. That is the draw back of this camera. Color is good, details is okay. Nikon Coolpix does a better job capturing something in motion. I tired to photogrpah objects moving less then 5 mph in outdoor light and it blurred the shots. Low light is another issue for this camera.Battery life is good as long as yo9u don't use the tiny screen on the back. Never use the digital zoom. That goes for any digital camera.This camera is fine for Ebay, but it will not replace the 35mm camera.
Kodak's under [money] for a real 4 mega-pixel, multi-funtion digital camera that is comfortable,easy to use & comes with a 16MB CF card & lithium battery. The software is well designed & easy to use. A must is the docking station for another ..., but well worth it - besides the 1 button load to your PC, you get a rechargeable NiMh. Finally, complete it by buying either a Viking or Sandisk 256MP card - I bought the Viking 256MB.
Kodak has stormed the digital camera market with it's EasyShare system.  EasyShare makes digital pics as easy as traditional photography.  With online printing services it is now possible to get the same quality from a digital camera as from traditional photography.Kodak 4900 broke the megapixel/price barrier by bringing out a jaw-droppingly extraordinary 4 Megapixel camera at less than [amount]. Kodak's unequaled color capture capabilities in its digital cameras is evident in the 4900 as well as enough features to keep all but professional photographers happy for years.With the 4900 it will be possible to crop pictures and still get beautiful 5x7 and 8x10s!  Uncropped 16x20s and larger are possible from Ofoto (the best online print solution).The only way to get a camera nearly as good as this is to spend 2-3 times as much money. Even at triple the money camera is as easy to use for great prints as the 4900.Darn, this is a REALLY good buy for a REALLY great camera.
The battery is terrible. The Camera is way to fat. And the viewer is impossible to see in the sunlight. However, the pictures are very good and the dock works great. BUT... The camera will only take max 15 pictures on a complete charging--I have a lemon of a camera and Kodak, while polite and avaliable, has not given me a new camera. I can not reccommned this camera to anyone.
This camera is the easiest camera to use and the best price for 4MP.  It's a point and click that's easy enough for any person to use and has other features that make this camera fun from amateurs to novice.  They look excellent on prints.  I developed some to have them framed and the rest is sitting in my computer and my ofoto (Kodak film processing) account.  With this kind of resolution, this price cannot be beat!!
We received this camera from Dell along with the purchase of a new laptop.  For the first few months everything seemed to work fine until the battery went down... subsequent efforts at using several types of rechargable batteries only revealed that you can only get about 10 pictures from a freshly charged set of batteries.  Increasingly frustrating is that you the photos were also overexposed and blury because I guess the batteries couldn't support the focus motor or something.  Anyway, complete waste of money if you ask me.  After reading many Amazon reviews I'm even doubting the 3.5 star rating that Amazon carries for this camera... I've seen too many 1's to see anything over a net 2 on this.  Futhermore... most of the positive reviews that I've read are written by folks who have only owned the camera for a couple weeks or a few days (not enough time to experience the let down that everyone else is deals with after using the camera for several months).Also, the photo transfer software locked up my 1GB RAM computer when pulling more that 40 photos across... the docking station is the biggest rip off as well, since using the USB connection is just as easy ($70 more wasted).
I am usually the one out of family and friends who has the absolute WORST pictures!  The last straw was when I went to Chicago and forgot to turn my flash on for all the indoor shots.  In fact, I forgot to turn it on for ALL of the pictures.  Needless to say, I got about 5 good shots of the Chicago skyline and a whole lotta GRAY pictures.  So, it was time to look into digital technology.  I wanted a digital camera for the instant preview and ability to delete a bad one in mere seconds.  I am a photography novice, and I needed something for point-and-shoot situations.  The Kodak EasyShare DX4900 hit the jackpot.  Easy to use, lightweight and not bulky (but not so little that I would get a hand cramp from trying to hold onto it!), automatic EVERYTHING, and a super little LCD screen to view my pictures.  The big test was on a trip to California.  I have pictures that are, in my opinion, museum quality.  Or at least postcard quality.  I have never been more pleased with a piece of equipment!A few drawbacks - the EasyShare dock is NOT included, and it is necessary! (...additional $..., so figure adding that into your spending budget as I did), and the little LCD screen get a little smudgy at times (nothing a quick swipe with an eyeglasses-cleaning cloth couldn't handle), and the rechargable battery didn't last very long.  When you see the CRV 3V Lithium Batteries on sale, STOCK UP. ...a frequent photographer could go broke!  The zoom lens is a little sub-par, but I didn't really notice since I have never had a camera with a zoom lens, anyway.  Also, if you are considering purchasing a digital camera and want to rely on the LCD screen as your viewfinder, you might be disappointed with the Kodak EasyShare DX4900.  Using it that way will eat your batteries, and the image is a little shaky and grainy.  I got used to the regular viewfinder real quick!To conclude, I highly recommend this camera to those just starting out in digital technology.  You won't be disappointed!
Overall, if you're looking for a flexible, easy-to-use, easy-to-learn digi-cam, the DX4900 from Kodak is a nice place to start.  It's basically a point and shoot camera that makes digital photography accessible even to non-techies.FEATURES:Digital Camera:  At it's highest resolution of 2272 X 1704 it can hold about 20 pictures or so.  The easy to review LCD screen gives you instant feedback on your pictures and helps you decide on the spot whether or not they are worth keeping.  You can add on another memory card to give you even more flexibility with the number of shots you can take.  Plus, at a whopping 4.0 megapixels, this camera is at the high-end of printing and picture resolution in the digi-cam market.  For quality pictures you'll want to stick to cameras at 3.0 megapixels or up, definitely no less than 2.0 megapixels.Easily Works With Your PC:The DX4900 connects easily with your PC and comes with transfer software so you can easily download, edit and e-mail your pictures and videos, thus allowing you to share your pictures easier with family and friends.NOTE:One of the most frustrating aspects about digi-cams are the "short-lives" of the batteries that come with them.  Batteries tend to die out quickly, especially if you use the LCD monitor on the camera (which is one of the best things about digi-cams).  Based on other reviews it seems that a lot of users have complained about the "power issues" with the DX series of cams (and other digi-cams as well).  You'll definitely want to invest in the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock II which comes with rechargeable batteries and helps make the picture transfer process easier.My investment in the camera dock has helped keep my cameras (I own two) in tip-top working condition.  Trust me, if you plan to get good use of out your camera, invest in the camera dock and NI-MH rechargeable batteries.  It will save you a lot of frustration when your camera does not die out on you at an inopportune moment.THE VERDICT:Overall, if you need a nice, easy to use camera to record your everday (and not so everyday) moments, the DX4900 is a great camera to start with.  At 4.0 megapixels, the quality of your pictures will be the envy of your family and friends.  For everyday/normal/touristy use, this is just perfect.Highly Recommended
Well, if I were to write a one word review on this baby, I would just say, "WOW!", but it wouldn't do any justice to this little gem of a camera.I just started fiddling with digital cameras fairly recently (in the last 6 months) and after getting a ZR45MC camcorder/camera, I longed for a better camera that can do some excellent digital stills.  After reviewing all the digital cameras available in the market that can do some excellent photos, PLUS is reasonably priced (this one is the cheapest 4-megapixel camera in the market), I ended up getting this camera, and I'm sooo glad I got this!  Even for someone who doesn't know much about photography (like me) this camera can take some excellent photos without much tweaking at all.  I've yet to learn the more advanced features it has like exposure settings, sharpness, ISO settings, shutter speed, closeups/distant focusing, and a number of others, but I'm already taking some pretty good photographs even without all the tweaking.  I can only imagine how much better my photos will look IF I master this camera!Also, if you have a very good photo printer (I have an HP Photosmart 1315), you can just directly take out the compactflash card out of the Kodak DX4900 and insert it in the HP Photosmart printer's card reader, and out comes an EXCELLENT, photolab-quality photo!  A friend of mine wouldn't believe that I did all these myself and thought I had it professionally done at a photo store like Ritz Camera.Overall, I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants some excellent photos but doesn't want to do any major tweaking just to get great-looking shots.  I HIGHLY recommend this one!
I have had four digital cameras over the years. This is my third Kodak. I've had it for maybe three years.About a year ago the battery compartment clip that keeps it shut broke off. Pretty flimsy. Since I have a rechargable in there, however, I just crazy glued it shut and recharge it on the base. Works great!I abuse this camera quite heavily. Its had sand in it, causing the little lense cover to fail to open. I just fiddled with it and picked at it to clear it out.Its gotten wet from being in my back shirt pocket in the rain on a bicycle ride. It has fallen many times onto hard surfaces. It is a tough little beast and it takes great shots.Many of the bad reviews are about battery life. That's not really the camera, and these reviews aren't fair. This is only my second rechargable battery pack, and its still holding a full charge after over a year of very heavy use.
I have owned this camera since the day it first hit the market and it has never failed me!  I also bought the docking station and a 128 mb card.  It takes outstanding photos and the macro closeup feature is SO handy for taking Ebay selling photos!  I have more than gotten my money's worth out of this camera over the years.  It has been to Mexico, the beach all up and down the east coast and I have it to thank for tons of wonderful memories!  I use an Energizer Lithium photo battery and they last a long time.  I will have to say that I don't care for the rechargable batteries but that isn't the camera's fault!  Overall, the only thing I would have to say I wish were different is the viewer size (maybe that's because I am getting old!).  I have just learned to snap away and load them on my computer when I get home.  There aren't many that I delete!  As with any camera, if you use the lcd viewer to take your photos rather than the viewfinder, you will use up you battery MUCH more quickly.  I buy a Lithium CRV3 battery for about $10 1x per 6-8 months and that's with pretty heavy use!  Overall, a work horse of a camera!
This camera has enough good features to make it quite useful. The 2:1 optical zoom is its Achilles Heel, but the 4 megapixel resolution is outstanding for anyone who wants to do some serious photo enlarging (adequate for printing 11" x 14" photos). The optional docking station (not included in this package) makes this a very simple camera to recharge and it also makes the transferring of images to a PC almost foolproof. That means a great deal, as the 4900, left in its cradle, is always charged and ready to go, and once returned to its cradle, archiving or emailing becomes an easy task even for a novice. The overall quality is good, though there's a bit of a  cheap plastic feel to it. The weight and balance are also just fair. Lastly, the included memory card is too small but larger cards are readily available. Overall this is a very nice package for the casual user or new digital photographer.
I recently purchased the Kodak EasyShare DX4900.The camera was very easy to use. Just pop it out of the box and pop in the battery and storage card and start shooting.I pulled my first pictures up on my PC and the TV and they look great.One thing that Kodak didn't tout that one of my co-workers thought was kind of cool is the different battery types it can use. Mine came with a Lithium battery that I've seen for 5 bucks and is supposed to last over 300 pictures. My co-worker was concerned about having to buy more batteries but looking in the manual it supports many different kinds, including rechargeables.I like the camera since I'm not a photo pro.  I have to say the cameras auto selection for flash etc. resulted in some good pics.The only thing I had a problem with is that the LCD screen turns off fairly quickly.I can highly recommend this camera.
This being the first digital camera I have owned I did alot of backgrounding in making my decision. This is definitely a great camera for the money. The directions are easy to follow and the quality of pictures is awesome. I would reccomend this camera for any beginer.
Here's the reasons why I call this a ... plastic junk,1. The 4 MP doesn't give enough picture quality. 4MP is just a marketing thing, its actual quality is more like 2MP.2. Visible purple fringing/ chromatic aberrations.3. LCD monitor is not good, tough to see anything on in sunlight. Using a cheapish LCD helps drive profit margins higher for Kodak on this.4. Unacceptable time lag when veiewing on LCD.5. Takes more than 13 secs to write anything on the CF card. Even my last year's Fuji was much better than this !6. Poor viewing capabilites.7. You need to spend lots of extra money to get its dock. Why doesn't Kodak sell it along with camera itself ? After all it hardly worth 15 bucks !8. Missing features like movie/audio, Video out, atleast some manual controls etc. or atleast a 3x optical zoomI have compared this camera to other Canon/Sony ones and find this way below on quality/features compared to them. I see that many people here have a 5 star review for this, but then maybe its their first experience with a digicam.Kodak needs to improve the quality of their products and stop making such shabby cameras. Buy a Canon S200 or S330 or A40 and you will be much more happy. They have much more features and have very good metallic bodies. Don't buy this plastic junk. Look all the freebies that Kodak is throwing in to sell this :)I know I will not be very pouplar in my harsh review about this cheapie but I prefer to be candid.
This camera seems like a great bargain at it's ... price. I love that it has 4 megapixils, more features than the other EasyShare Kodak cameras, unbelievable simplicity of use, and a relatively small (pocket) size. The best feature in my opinion is that you can autofocus and take a picture in about half a second, which is great for a digital camera. (If you try to take more than one picture that quick, forget it, things slow down a lot after the first picture.)I took about 200 photos in my first week with this camera and I couldn't believe how great they looked on my screen... until I looked at them at their true size (100% image size). All of the pictures are grainy when you look at them at their full size. Look at them at 75% size and they look great. What I think this means is that the camera is really more like a 2-3 megapixil camera that makes images in the 4 megapixil size. If you are printing 4x6 images you won't have a problem with the camera's resolution, but don't believe what Kodak says on the box that you can have "Crisp, clear Prints at any size even up to 20x30 poster." It just isn't true. My 8x10 prints of DX4900 images on my photoprinter look pleasing but have very visible graininess that I never saw when I printed on the same printer using images from my old 3 megapixil sony camera. I called Kodak tech support and told them about this problem, they told me to return the camera because it must be defective. I took Kodak's advice but my new DX4900 has the same problem with its images. I hate knowing that I bought a camera that doesn't really live up to its marketing and my hopes.One other love/hate thing about the camera: its images are often under 1MB in file size. They would be a good deal larger on most 4 megapixil digital cameras. This means you can get more images on a memory card... a good thing. Unfortunately, it means the DX4900 is compressing the images a lot and highly compressed images lose quality. There is no way to force the camera to decrease the compression of the images, only to increase the compression.When considering the Kodak DX4900 you have to ask yourself the question "can I be happy sacrificing image quality for a lower price and ease of use?" It is a tough question to answer. Buying a cheaper 2-3 megapixil camera or a more expensive higher quality 4 megapixil camera may ultimately be more satisfying options.
I enjoyed this camera for the first year.  It was bulky, but it was my first digital camera and I enjoyed how easy it was to use.  After a year the camera started acting sluggish and buggy.  The LCD Screen stopped working, the battery life was sporadic.  Sometimes only a three or four shots and it was dead.  Talk about missing important photos!!  Then one day it locked up on me.  Contacted Kodak and for $150 they repaired it.  The camera worked well for 2 1/2 months and then I had all of the same problems again.  Contacted Kodak and they said sorry the repair warranty is only good for 45 days!!  Today I bought a Canon s400 from Amazon.  Will not buy from Kodak again!!
This is my second camera, I find this one easy to use and understand how to use it. I love it, and happy that I am finally taking pictures again.
This camera is perfect for a casual camera user and a beginner. The quality is very good and everything is VERY simple to use. This camera is especially great with Mac OS X. All you have to do is hook it up to your Mac, and iPhoto opens up with all your photos there. It's brilliant!The size of the camera is also perfect and very light to carry around with ease.The battery life is very good as well.No complaints from me.
Thia camera works great because of its simplicity. Using it for Appraisal photos. Image size is perfect, not too large as some of the newer cameras. Great for e-mailing photos. Retracts quickly for easy viewing.
THe D-520 produces excellent quality, is simple to use according to the directions provided, the price is right and the results are as satisfying as with the D-510.
I bought this some time ago and have pretty much regretted it. The Olympus D-520 is fine if you're a e-bayer who takes occasional pictures of junk you sell but I wouldn't recommend it for pictures of real life and certainly not as a tool to document an expensive vacation. You're kids will hate you for not getting their precious moments on stage.Reaction time is slow. It has a red-eye reduction flash. The delay between that and the real photo is so long half my pictures were of everyone walking away.The battery also kills me. It's fine for about five photos and then blinks out in a few seconds if you don't take a photo fast enough. "OK, everyone smile. Ready? Oh, sorry, the camera turned itself off. Stay right where you're at..." Argh
We've had this camera for a couple weeks now, and really enjoy it. We also purchased a 128M SmartMedia card, which is almost a requirement for this camera, since 16M will run out really quick if you're taking high-resolution pictures!Picture quality is great, although red-eye is a bigger problem than it was with my previous, 35mm camera (though I haven't tried the red-eye reduction flash mode yet). The software that comes with the camera has a red-eye filter, but it doesn't look very good (imaging taking a black crayon to your picture, and you're not far off).I haven't noticed the focusing problems that some people have reported. The time between when you click the button and when the picture is taken isn't long, IF you first press it slightly to set the focus -- if you set the focus first, the actual picture is taken almost immediately. If not, there's about a two second delay before the picture is taken. This isn't that different than some 35mm cameras I've seen without a fixed focus -- it takes the camera a second to adjust the focus to where it should be before it snaps the picture.It does take several seconds to reset between pictures (much of that time appears to be the time it takes to write to the card -- switching to a lower-resolution format may change how long you have to wait between pictures). Fresh batteries seem to help minimize this delay -- get four high-capacity (1800 mAh) NiMH rechargable batteries, and charge two while two are in the camera. Swap the pairs before you start getting any low battery indicators, to keep the pair in the camera fresh.You really need to read the manual with this one -- the controls aren't difficult, but some of them aren't intuitive (if you want to review the picture you just took while the lens cover is open, you have to "double-click" on the view button). It's easy to hand it to someone to just point-and-shoot a picture -- it's the more advanced features that aren't intuitive. Once you learn a couple shortcuts, it's not hard to use at all, but you won't be able to just pick this up and use the advanced features without reading the manual first. Many of the complaints I've seen in other Amazon.com reviews about things this camera can't do, it really CAN do -- you just need to know how.I really love the fact that once you set the time on the camera, all your pictures are stamped with the date/time that you took your picture (and even what the camera settings were at the time). This makes it a lot easier to sort through pictures later, or to remember how old someone is in the shot. This may be a standard feature of digital camera, but it's a nice one.Using this with Windows XP Professional was a snap -- just plug in the USB cable, let Windows recognize it, and copy the files to your hard drive. We had it a week before we installed the software that came with the camera, and even then we only use what's built into Windows. There's even a way to print sheets of pictures (a bunch of wallets, or several 3x5s, or a contact sheet with dozens of thumbnails) built right into the OS (the "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer").Overall, we've been very happy with this camera. Good quality, inexpensive (less than most 2MP cameras that don't have optical zoom!), easy to use.
Ironically, I got a digital camera because I took so few pictures with a film camera, and now I take far more pictures since the costs of film and developing are gone. I no longer need to wait two years to see what 24 pictures I took, I can see them instantly with the handy little screen. I have had focus issues taking pictures quickly or in dim light, but for simple point and shoot photography this is an easy-to-use camera. So, if you're someone who wouldn't describe yourself as any kind of photographer, but wants to take pictures from time to time, and you're just looking for an inexpensive digital camera that works as you'd expect but also has a few bells and whistles for when you're feeling adventurous, then the D-520 is a good choice.
I have been following Olympus's cameras since the D-360 and D-450 came out, and had been waiting for them to release one with a certain feature set.  I wanted 2 megapixels, USB, and a reasonable price.  The D-520 has that, and unlike its predecessor (the D-510) it is pretty compact and runs on only two AA batteries, not 4.Finally, receiving my tax refund, I decided to break down and buy a digital camera.  There were really three contenders in my mind:  The Fuji Finepix 2600Z, the Olympus D-520, and the Canon Digital IXUS 330.  A friend of mine highly recommended the Canon model, but its list price was [money], which was out of my price range (also, nobody had it in stock).  So for me it came down to the Fuji and the Olympus.  I ended up going with the Olympus because a local electronics retailer had it for [money].The camera itself is pretty simple to use.  It has four quality settings: 640x480 (sq1), 1024x768 (sq2), 1600x1200 low (hq), and 1600x1200 high (shq).  While some Olympus models I've used previously allow saving as a TIFF, with the D-520 all of the pictures are saved to the camera as JPEGs.  This is a shame, because it means you are stuck with the camera's JPEG quality level.  If they had allowed you to save as TIFF, you could easily set your own JPEG compression level in photoshop.That is part of the problem I have with this camera, and part of the reason I only gave it 3 stars.  The picture quality is not that great.  The camera seems to have an extremely difficult time focusing in low-light situations, even when the flash is used, and the pictures come out very blurry.  I played around with some of the settings, but I can't seem to fix this.  And even in bright sunlight, I find images taken with the camera not to be very sharp at all.  Also some colors seem to bleed: I took a picture of some flowers in direct sunlight and the picture came out as some pink and red blobs, losing all the detail of the flower.  I tried adjusting the white balance, but it didn't seem to help.The camera does take some nice pictures too, however.  Pictures of people come out very nice, and since I mostly take pictures of people (at family gatherings, etc), and not scenery, it's an OK camera for my needs.The USB connection is extremely handy, and in my opinion, the best way to access a digital camera's files.  My girlfriend's brother has a smartmedia floppy adapter, and that is extremely slow.  With the D-520, I simply plugged the USB into my computer, and my PC (running Windows 2000) recognized the camera as another hard drive.  I then simply copied the files over.  The camera comes with some software for editing pictures and stuff, but I haven't bothered to install it.  I don't believe that Windows 98 will allow you to simply plug in the camera and have it recognized as another hard drive, you probably have to install extra drivers.Battery life is OK; I have rechargable NiMH AA's, so it's not something I worry about too much.  The fact that it only takes 2 instead of 4 effectively doubles battery life over most cameras, in my mind at least.The included 16 MB Smart Media card can hold: 99 pictures at SQ1, 58 at SQ2 (my preferred size), 33 at HQ, and 11 at SHQ.All in all, it's a decent camera for the price, but don't expect perfection.
I was looking for a good digital camera at a reasonable price.  The D-520 definitely fits the bill.  I wanted to make sure the camera I bought had enough features to keep me happy, but wasn't so complicated that my wife wouldn't use it.  This camera seems to fit the bill.  She can power it up and shoot away without worrying about changing any settings.  I like the 3X optical zoom, it gives you lots of options for framing a shot as you take it without losing resolution like you would cropping the picture later in your computer.  All of the pictures I have taken so far look great.The only down side to this camera keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the Camedia Master software that comes with it.  It doesn't allow you to do much but download pictures off the camera and put them in albums.  My biggest beef is that it appears that you can't change where the software stores it albums.  You can upgrade to the "pro" version of the software, which adds some nice features like being able to rename groups of pictures to one name root with a numbered extension ...Thankfully, the ability to drag and drop the pictures from the camera (it shows up as a removable drive on your PC) offsets this drawback.I would highly recommend this camera.  As with all digital cameras, you should invest in some good nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries and a good charger.  You may want to carry some spare charged batteries as well.  I also recommend getting more smart media cards as the included card is only 16 MB.  Some people recommend 128 MB, but since I don't like putting all my eggs in one basket (what if that card gets damaged or lost?) I recommend getting two 64 MB cards.  The price difference isn't that much, and you have a backup card in case on gets damaged.
this is a good camera if you are going to be shooting in daylight and if you're good at figuring out electronics.  It is not intuitive to use, and i have to explain to friends how to turn on the display screen or review a picture everytime.  Once you know it's not terrible but there are other problems.  The display doesn't come on when you turn the camera on - you have to turn it on yourself.  Of course, you don't need it on - you can never turn it on and shoot everything as if it was a normal camera - then just look at the pictures on your computer.  However most of us like to play with these a little more and show our friends pictures right after we take them.  This just makes it a little more difficult to do that.  This should not be a deal breaker though.I've had substantial trouble with indoor photography however.  If you think the flash issue that everyone talks about won't be an issue for you, think again.  You'll take this to one wedding and miss every shot you want.  On top of that, most of the pictures will come out dark and out of focus.  Basically indoor pictures are just out.  But outdoor, it works fine.The part I was happiest with was the software that came with it.  The program to download and edit your photos was oppositely extremely intuitive and easy to use.  I wish the camera had been designed the same way.All in all, the problem with indoor photograhy is a deal breaker.  It's otherwise so small and easy to point and click (not using the LCD) that it's too bad it comes with these other problems.
I own three (3) Olympus digital cameras (D-360Z, C-730UZ, &amp; D-520) and I cannot recommend the D-520 camera. It has an unbelievably long flash cycle time that makes it almost useless for indoor shooting. I'm talking 10 to 15 seconds after taking two or three pictures on fresh rechargeable batteries! (and I buy Olympus batteries) If you're at a graduation or other event you basically have one chance to get a picture because your child will be off the stage and back to their seat before the flash recycles and you can take another picture. It also seems to think you need a flash in bright sunlight and so you have to manually turn the flash off if you want to take pictures outside and not wait for a flash that you don't need to recycle.My Olympus D-360Z never had a problem like this. I thought the D-520 would be a better camera but it isn't. Perhaps its because there are only two batteries instead of the 4 that the D-360Z and C-730UZ have. When you do finally get to take a picture the pictures are crisp and clear with good color balance. I tend to use this camera for outdoor shots only and I keep the flash turned off. If you do a lot of indoor shooting, you may be disappointed with this camera.
After much research, I replaced my Fuji 2300, non-zoom camera with the Olympus D520.  This was a huge mistake.  First of all, the D-520 is 2.0MP vs. the Fuji's 2.1MP.  Okay, I'll admit that's not a real issue since the difference cannot be detected anyway but I'm just listing differences.  The Fuji is made of metal vs. the cheesy feel of plastic the D520 is made of.The Good:  The first few pictures were great, despite the cheesy feel of the camera.  It was all down hill from there.The Bad:  The flash would not flash in a dimly lit room causing all the pictures to display extremely dark with an amber over cast.The Ugly:  I was not able to get the amber color out of the picture with software or any other means.The bottom line:  I sent it back and decided to stick with Fuji for which I already had an extra smartcard.  I ended up with the new Fuji S602 which was 3x the money but seems to have the best ratings.  The Olympus was cumbersome to use, to see the pictures in the display, you have to close the lens cover and push the on button.  To take pictures, you have to open the lens cover.....etc.Summary:  The Olympus Camedia D-520 is an okay camera when it works and is best as a first time Digital experience.
This camera is perfect for the point-and-shoot enthusiast-- 2 megapixels is enough to print out 4x6 (or even 8x10) photos, and much better than needed for your computer screen, if you decide to have a digital album.  You'll be amazed at the detail it captures.  The 3x optical zoom is fantastic too (I had no zoom on my previous camera, so my wildlife photos were 99% scenery, 1% animal).  It is better than the Toshiba PDR M25 (a very similarly rated camera that you may be looking at also)-- it is lighter, uses only 2 batteries instead of 4, automatically protects the lens upon turning it off, and has been more reliable for me.  It's worth the few extra bucks.I've long sought to replace my 35mm camera with a digital one, not just because of the instant gratification, but also because it is more environmentally friendly-- no chemicals needed unless you decide to actually print out the photos, and even then, I'm pretty sure it's better than the typical processing.Of the drawbacks, the movie mode has no sound and goes for 15 second bursts only.  But you probably shouldn't be making movies on your camera anyway, since it's difficult to keep it steady, and using the LCD screen eats up batteries quickly. But it's fun, in case you want to put a mini-movie on your website.
I got this camera for my birthday a year ago. I have had a wonderful time using it, and I wouldn't have any problems with buying another Olympus. I am currently working on becoming a professional photographer, so it's time for an upgrade.Good stuff:Takes sharp, clear photos with great color in most situations.Decent battery life, 2 AA's last for about 100 pictures.Easy-to-use features, and handy digital on-screen photo index.Bad Stuff:Photos often come out blurry in night-mode.Shutter Speed is a little slow, tripod is best.All in all, I think this is a wonderful camera for anyone who enjoys taking everyday photos.
Gotta say I made a great purchase when I chose this camera.The quality of the picture is awesome. The camera is easy to use and is not huge. The only problem is that you have to wait a lot from picture to picture. It has 2 megapixels, good zoom and take great quality pictures.
I'm a working photographer, and Olympus has always had a good reputation among my fellow professionals for making high-quality, inexpensive point-and-shoot film cameras. I've known many folks who packed an Olympus Stylus in their pocket, in addition to their regular high-end camera gear, for quick grab shots and the like. It seems that for the most part, this high regard can be extended to Olympus's digital point-and-shoot cameras as well.I'm planning some extended travels, and though I'll be using my film cameras for the majority of my photography, I also wanted to bring an inexpensive digital camera to email a few snapshots back home. I previously had used several other Olympus digital cameras, including the D-380, and had been pleased with all of them, so when I found a D-520 at a reasonable price I jumped on it.And after a few weeks of general use, I'm happy with the performance of the D-520. Colors are rendered with good saturation and accuracy, especially in sunlight, and the images are sharper and clearer than I expected for a digital camera at this price, particularly at the higher resolutions. The various controls are fairly intuitive once you get used to them, and while I wish there were a few more manual options, there's a good set of control choices for an entry-level camera. Plus it's small - even smaller than the D-380, which doesn't have a zoom lens. It fits easily into my pants pocket or shirt pocket, which is great for travelling.The downsides, though there are a few, are mostly minor. The flash pops out and sits there in a bit of an awkward spot, and there's no way to put it back in its slot while the camera's on, even if you've turned the flash off. Frankly, I can't see any good reason why they didn't just leave it embedded in the camera body like they did on most of this camera's cousins. The rubber flap over the USB and video ports seems a bit fiddly and prone to breaking off, but that's not a big deal to me. And the flash sometimes takes a while to charge up again after a photo, but since it runs off just 2 AA batteries I guess that was the trade-off Olympus made for smaller size and weight.It's not a perfect camera, but it's probably one of the better options available in this price range. The Olympus D-520 is a good camera for a beginner, or for someone who won't miss having full manual controls and other creative options in their camera. Its 2-megapixel resolution is well more than adequate for email and the web (which is how I plan to use it) or for 4x6-size snapshots. Those who demand more control and more options, or who plan to print out 5x7, 8x10, or larger enlargements might want to seek out a model with higher resolution.If you do get this camera, drop the extra $50 or so and spring for an accessory 128mb smartmedia card. The included 16mb card is too small for anything but short photo excursions, while the 128mb card will give you all the space you'll ever need - on the D-520 it holds well over 250 pictures, even at high resolution. You could save a few bucks and get a 64mb card instead, but in my opinion the extra cost is more than worth it to get twice as much storage space in return.
I bought the D-520Z as my third digital camera. I have many years of photography experience, and have owned more than two dozen 35mm film cameras.This is a great camera for the person who is somewhat fussy, but still wants an easy-to-use optical zoom platform. For the benefit of people who don't read instructions, one may view a just-snapped picture by pressing the display button twice or (better yet) setting the camera up to display the picture for about 2 seconds after snapping it. Also, all settings can be memorized so the camera is ready to go as soon as you fire it up. For instance, I use fill flash on nearly every outdoor shot that involves people, and I have a preference for spot-metering. Both of these items are selectable and memorizable.Although the flash recycle time is a little slow, I consider it a very fair trade-off for being able to use AA batteries and only two of them at that.  Performance with NiMH batteries is outstanding; on a recent vacation I took over 100 pictures, most with flash, with extensive use of the LCD, and never changed batteries.Low-light performance is acceptable to me, and I take a lot of pics indoors.The camera is quite compact (fits easily in a shirt pocket with room to spare), and most important, the body is relatively thin.  Before you buy ANY camera, consider whether you really want to lug that clunky (and expensive) digital camera around for the sake of a possible tiny increase in picture quality.The true measure of any camera is picture quality, and I find this one to be very good.  I'm finicky, and I'm pleased.This camera is not as sexy-looking as some of the competition (read ELPF), but the price is right and I feel beginners and amateurs will be able to take a very high percentage of good pics with this one. Highly recommended...hats off to Olympus.
The D-520 is another of the Olympus line of clam shell cameras dating back to the old (non-digital) Stylus models of the mid-80s. In that sense, the design is tried and true and I like it for its compactness and its ability to protect the lens from those with a penchant for losing lens caps. For the vast majority of digital camera users, this camera will meet all of their needs well into the future. The D-520 offers adequate resolution at 2 megapixels. As I have stated in numerous reviews of other digicams, resolution much beyond 2 megapixels is worse than useless for *most* applications, it is costly. It not only costs money in the sense that it raises the initial price of the camera, but operationally, it requires greater battery use, usually involves longer lag times between shots, takes much longer to download to a PC and especially prolongs both phases of e-mailing photos (your uploading the file and your recipient opening it). These latter issues are, in my opinion, the most important, as the real purpose of digital cameras is their neat integration into the world of personal computing. [note: For those folks whose needs are enlarging photos beyond 8" x 10", higher resolution is required] The other features of the D-520 worth noting are its very adequate 3X optical zoom *plus* a vaguely helpful 2.5X digizoom (do not accept digital zooms in place of optical zooms; they are not equals), its ability to operate off readily available AA alkalines (though it will accept rechargeables and these make more sense in may ways), its easily expandable memory (it uses SmartMedia, not quite as good as CompactFlash cards, but close enough) and an adequate number of user-controllable settings, all of which can be handled automatically if you prefer. The only drawback of significance has been slow focus on the Olympus digital cams, resulting in more blurred pics than I think acceptable (and this even with my 700, self-stabilizing model!). Anyway, at the current price, which is about half what it would have been 18 months ago, this is a good camera and a good deal, though for even money, I'd take the Canon A20.
1.  First put in stores in April 2002.  Great phot quality for a 2.0 Megapixel.  I use it for sending photos on the web.  It's great for that.2.  After lots of research, this is the best I could find for under [money].  Super buy.3.  You need a USB port on your computer.4.  Easy easy easy to use.  If you have Windows XP on your computer, you plug the USB adaptor into the camera. XP recognizes the camera as a drive.  (No software to install).  You simply drag and drop the jpegs to your hard drive same as you would any files from any disk or drive.  When you unplug the USB, the camera turns off.  This probably works on Win98 as well, but you might want to check that out ahead of time.5.  Battery life is unmatched.  I have used it all day (in the viewfinder mode) without seeing the battery power indicator move at all.6.  Sixe 4 1/2  X 2 1/2 inches.7.  Even close, the viewfinder does an excellent job of properly centering the photo.  This saves battery life.  You don't have to turn the screen on unless you want it.8.  Downfalls:  You close the sliding lens cap to turn the camera off.  If you push it too hard, the lens caps hits the lens and causes the pull-in-the-lens mechanism to jam.  Can't review your photos on the rear screen unless you first turn the camera off.  Pretty annoying if you want to show your shot to someone immediately.9.  Other things you will need. Get a cheap (non Olympus) NiCd batter charger.  I found an Eveready set for [money].  It's much cheaper than the Olympus and works as well.  Get a SmartMedia 128MB card to replace the one in the camera.  You will have trouble filling it up before you download.  ...  You may want a vinyl case.  It's not included.10.  Lots of other features I have never found the need to use, but they give a lot of added capability and depth to the camera.11.  Finally, the pop up flash does a great job with fill in ... like when you are taking a photo of people with a window behind them.  The center weighted metering is not very good, so you will have to select flash instead of automatic.
I stated in my previous review that i had returned my D-520 for a faulty viewfinder and discovered that every unit in the store had a faulty viwfinder.  It must have been a bad batch, because I went to a different store and their D-520 display model was fine.  So I bought another D-520.  I had the opportunity to compare all the digital camera models again, and again i decided that the D-520 had the proper combination of features/price/quality/size for my needs.  If everything remains reliable, I will consider this a great little camera.
This is my first digital camera, and so far I'm very impressed.  Not only do I get instant gratification from being able to view my pictures on the clear LCD screen, but downloading the photos to my computer was easy and allowed a screen-size view of the image.  No more waiting to get film developed and having to make sure I had adequate film with me.  And the camera does take some beautiful photos.  It's also quite small, and can be had for not much more than a decent film camera.  I've also enjoyed using a few of the features on the camera, like the macro mode, and the zoom is also a wonderful feature to have.  For anybody wanting to try their hand at digital photography, I can easily recommend this camera.
I've owned this camera for over a year and I had issues with it right out of the box.  I was looking for a good digicam to replace my Fujifilm FinePix A101, which was and still is a great litte camera, but lacked an optical zoom and was a mere 1.3 megapixels.  After a trip to England with the A101, I decided to get a higher end point and shoot camera with optical zoom and higher resolution.  Having done a bit of research, I settled on the Olympus D-520, which had just come down in price.  I had owned an Olympus 35mm camera which lasted me for several years and was FANTASTIC, so I thought I'd be getting the same level of quality in the digicam.  Boy was I disapointed!The first thing that bothered me was the sound of the gears almost straining when the clamshell is pulled back and the lens protracts.  I was a bit worried that something was wrong with it, but it turns out that that's how all the D-520's sound when they're turned on or off.  My 35mm Olympus had a similar clamshell front, but the sound of it opening and closing was extremely quiet.  It also had a metal body, whereas the D-520 has a plastic case.  I think Olympus was looking to skimp in the design and engineering deptartments with the D-520!The next problem I encountered was how fickle it was when taking photos.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that I miss about 75% of photo oportunities when I use this camera.  The lag between photos feels like eons, especially since speedy recouperation is essential for point and shoot cameras.  The D-520 is EXTREMELY picky about when and where it wants to take pictures... If light levels are not perfect, or if you're too close or too far away from the object you're trying to capture, IT WILL NOT TAKE THE PICTURE.  Period.  Once again, you're talking a lot of missed photo ops and impatient people posing for a camera that refuses to take a picture.This camera does well on auto-timer mode, though.  Sometimes it's the only way I can get it to take a picture, unfortunately.  It offers a 12 second timer, which is a few seconds longer than most other cameras, and you typically end up with plenty of time to set it up and get situated.Nighttime or photos shot with minimal light don't look great.  They're not terrible, but they could be a whole lot better.  In low-lighting situations, the flash can really tweak the quality of the picture, so you have to be on your guard.  The nighttime flash option does well in low light situations, though it tends to illuminate everything in what looks like daylight.Resolution is passable.  2.3 megapixels is probably good enough for someone new to the digicam experience, but over time, it seemed as though the quality of the resolution was degrading.  Or maybe that was just my patience with the camera...Some people complain that this camera is not intuitive to use.  I'd say that that's probably the least of the problems with the D-520.  My 10 year old nephew was able to master the basic functions of this camera after a minute or two, so it's not that hard to figure out.  It's just not as obvious as some other cameras on the market.In closing, I really don't care for this camera.  I feel as though Olympus could have done a whole heck of a lot better, but it's made me very warry of ever purchasing another Olympus digicam.  Now that it's over a year old, the D-520 is quite affordable, but I'd recommend going with a Fujifilm camera in the same price range, as I've always been very happy with my Fujifilm cameras.
According to our sales man, this camera was rated by Consumer Reports as the Number 1 Camera under $....  Two weeks after purchasing it, I failed to see why.  The limited 2 Megapixels DO make a difference, especially when printing regardless of size.Features I liked: Nightime flash was wonderful!  Looked like photos were taken during the day.  Very lightweight (although almost seemed flimsy).  Superior Lens Quality.  Picture Size: even high quality photos were not huge in bytes on the computer.Features I did not like: Cannot View Photos (or even last photo taken) without shutting camera.  Prolonged time from taking of one photo to next (I am talking 20-40 seconds! a lot when you see a photo you like).  Often "closed" the front panel when grabbing camera from someone to take a photo, in turn shutting it off.  Red Eye feature: everyone always blinked after it.In the end, I exchanged it for the D-550 which was much worse (stay away!) and finally got the Sony CyberShots.
I love my Olympus D-520.  The 3x optical zoom ensures that you get great quality pictures.  It uses standard AA batteries which is great in a pinch.  The menus are very easy to use and the software works well too.  No bad feedback from me on this one.  I'm very happy with the product.
This is a wonderful camera.  My husband got it for me so I could take photos of my products to place on web.  I had looked at some cameras a few years back and quite frankly could not figure the things out.  I figured it would be the same with this.  The first few attempts to use it were very meager to say the least as I am not up on digital cameras.  However, within a few tries and reading the book, I find this camera to be the best invention I have ever tried!  It is easy to use and it gives clear, sharp images that will blow you mind away!  I am still learning how to use it, but I certainly recommend this camera to anyone.  If you are looking for a camera to shoot nature shots of distant mountains,etc., you may want to consider a different model, as this camera is a bit limited on distant shots.  For general use, this is the one I think you would be happy with!
After doing extensive research both online and in stores (where you can actually hold the cameras), I decided that the Olympus D-520 was a great blend between features and price. Unless you're a pro photographer, you're not going to need more than 2 megapixel detail. I don't even use the highest setting, so I can store more pics on my memory card and computer. The camera has so many options, it's awesome. Read the manual for all the details.Having used an older Olympus 1.3 mp model, I knew what I wanted in my OWN camera. The 3x optical zoom is, IMHO, essential. Taking big pictures and cropping doesn't make up for being able to zoom in. A store salesperson said that zoom lenses have to be of a higher optical quality than normal ones too. I wanted a small, lightweight package, which this definitely is. It only takes 2 AA batteries, and it's a lot smaller than previous models and those ones with the big 10x lenses. It takes Quicktime movies (in 15&quot; or 1 minute segments, depending on resolution), but they don't have sound, so it's pretty useless, in my opinion.Recommended accessories (in no order):1. NIMH batteries (I got a set of 4 with a rapid charger)2. Extra memory card (I already had a 64 Mb card, but it goes up to 128 on this camera.)3. Carrying case (Bring your purchased camera, batteries, and memory card to a bunch of stores until you find one that fits well. I got a Tamarac that fits like a glove!)4. USB Smart Media card reader (If you won't be using rechargeable batteries. If so, the included cable is just as fast and more compact for travel.)If you plan on doing serious editing, the included Camedia software probably won't cut it, but it works fine for the casual user who just wants to view and edit pics.I hope this helps your purchasing decision. It's an awesome camera!
I'll admit I'm no expert when it comes to photographic equipment but I CAN recognise a bargain when I see it. Olympus are a manufacturer who have always had my utmost respect and when it came to upgrading my 1.3 megapixel digi-cam to something with a little more juice they were once again my first choice. The D-380 was released around Feb 2002 (I believe) and is one of the few 2.0 Megapixel cameras... at a price you simply can not argue with for this kind of quality.What you get for your money is a camera which is aestetically pleasing as well as functionaly impressive as well. It's not too bulky, around 5" wide and sub 7 ounces in weight, with a sliding lens protector to make transportation a breeze, a wrist strap, 8MB Smart Media memory card (although it takes upto 128MB) as well as 1MB onboard memory, USB connector, built in flash and a 1.5" digital viewfinder at the back for live preview or viewing of your snapped images...a good size for a small camera.The camera requires 4AA batteries to operate and unlike the previous model I owned uses some kind of battery saving technology to give you more operational time before run down. It still gobbles the things like nobody's business though if you use the viewfinder at the back too often so you are best advised to buy a set or two of rechargable batteries for this camera...but it is MUCH better than the previous models.When it comes to using the camera you'll find it a doddle. I'm not going to run through each and every thing it does or I'll bore the pants off you, ...[but] if you want a list of specs, then visit the Olympus website. What I will say is that it is dead easy to use. The menu system is accessed through 4 buttons on the back, and is very intuitive - you'll have no problem with using this unlike with some others. If you've ever used an Olympus camera around this price range before in the last couple of years then you'll be more than familiar with the set up because it doesn't seem to have changed much in this respect.The most important thing of all though is the quality of the pictures and I have to say that once again Olympus has come up trumps with this camera. Colour saturation is generally excellent and whilst bright sunlight and very murky conditions give you somewhat under/over-exposed results at times, it is otherwise faultless for a 2.0 megapixel camera. There are various image manipulation options such as switching to black and whire/sepia tones built into the camera as well and an option to record video footage as Quicktime images which is great as well.The only thing which is missing for the average user (no, it's not a pro choice obviously) is a zoom lens. You can digitally zoom if you so wish, but I find a slight jagged edge appearing on the images if you do, so it's not optimal.Overall, for the price you can't fault it and I'd be happy to recommend it to anybody in the market for a 2.0 Megapixel digital camera without any qualms that they would be disappointed in their purchase. If you want professional quality images then look elsewhere, but for the general user this is a great purchase.
i honestly wish it had a real zoom. the zoom it comes with has 3 levels and all digital. you get a bit more flex with a manual zoom. otherwise, no complaints
I've been waiting for a while to get a 2 megapixel camera for [this price].  This one fits the bill nicely.  The image quality is good (as expected from Olympus), the battery life is good (surprisingly so), and the control interface is OK (too few buttons control too many features, lots of back-and-forth).I particularly like the body design form-factor. The clamshell case is nice and tough, feels good in your hand, and -- this is a BIG plus -- does not have that wacky pop-up-flash that the Olympus D-5*** models have.  I suppose they had to do that to make room for the zoom lens, which this model lacks.The lack of optical zoom is, of course, the biggest drawback of this camera.  Bear in mind, though, it's what enables the...price, so it's a trade off.  The optical zoom works acceptably, though the image quality does degrade.  Again, that the trade off.Finally, a word about the software.  I'm a long-time Photoshop user, so (in my experienced opinion) the freebie "photo-editing" software that comes with any digital camera is [cruddy], not worth the CD it's burned onto.  They may offer some value as a way to catalog photos, but their retouching abilities are a joke.  Just out of curiosity, I tried running it on my Mac. It crashed the machine when I tried using the red-eye reduction.  I realize that non-pros are not going to buy the...full-version of Photoshop -- but the [less expensive] Photoshop Elements (formerly "LE") is pretty good.  Quite frankly, a digital camera without decent photo-editing software is a bit of a lame duck.  Consider investing in such software as you would any essential accessory, like a tripod or case or memory card.All in all, I'm glad I bought this camera and feel like I got a good deal.  I haven't made many consumer electronics purchases recently I can say that about.
This is my first digital camera and I just have one thing to say: It is absolutely perfect. It is very fast to download the images onto the computer and the quality is just great. It takes less than 5 minutes to take a picture, download it to the computer and send it to somebody by e-mail. If you are looking for something that is not complicated and not expensive, I strongly recommend this camera.
I bought this camera as a Father's day present for my husband.  Have used it frequently ever since.  It's compact enough to tuck into a pocket or purse, takes great pictures and even mini-movies, and downloads the pictures to our PC in a snap.  I could have spent more, but didn't see the reason since I'm not a professional photographer.  Could have spent less but think I would have been unhappy.  The Olympus brand was recommended by a friend.  Glad to have it!
The Olympus D-380 is a very reliable if you want to snap a picture of the family. I have been using this camera for about two years and it has just been awesome, even though it lacks a few things, which I will get into in just a bit. I mainly photograph dirtbikers, BMX, and race trucks. This little camera does the trick in capturing fast moving objects. Also, it does very well with not getting messed up with all the dirt and dust in the air when photographing motorsports - I have never had a problem with this at all. It has very decent resolution as well, but definitely not enough if you're past the novice stage of photography. I am very pleased with this camera considering it is an older model, but there were a few downsides to this camera which has caused me to seek a newer model. The most annoying problem that I have every time that I use this camera is that the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera is one of those sliding latches. It always slides out, causing all four batteries to spill onto the floor. So you have to be really careful when taking pictures to stay away from the battery compartment. Also, the batteries don't last very long, especially if you use the LCD and review your pictures often. A brand new set of batteries lasted me about an hour to maybe an hour and a half or so, with the camera on the whole time, snapping about 70 - 100 pictures. Another issue is when zooming in, the quality of the picture becomes very degraded - spotty and blurry. And sometimes the flash is too strong when indoors, it makes for too much contrast and loss of color in pictures. And when using no flash or the night time flash, it comes out too dark or sometimes blurry - if your hand shakes or moves. So, this is why I say that this camera is awesome if you just take general pictures but not if you are pursuing high quality shots.
We had the old D-360L at 1.3 megapixel and it broke after about two years.  At first we were upset and thought that it should have lasted longer.  Then we realized we had 4,000 pictures from it.  We were thus forced to by a new digital camera.  Looking back we're glad the other one broke!  The clarity for the price of the D-380 is excellent.  Two other family members have Olympus digitals in the $ range with more features, but we're glad to have this one.  The pictures it takes are crisp and the camera is very easy to use.  This camera has been great so far for capturing our growing baby.
I've owned the camera for about seven months now and can find nothing to criticize.  I initially bought it thinking I'd carry it with me everywhere, but it's a little too big to do that.  I do carry it with me frequently, though.  I love the image quality and simplicity.  I have no issues with my 8x10 pictures.  I'm just delighted with this camera.
This turned out to be an excellent camera. I was a bit scared of the Olympus brand, whether the pictures would come out good, and if the cables were going to fit. None of this were problems. It takes great pictures. I like how one has the option to use either alkeline or lcd batteries. The only small problem is finding a 6.5 volt dc adapter to use the camera at home, which I cannot find. I'm beggining to doubt whether it exists at all. Oh well, if you buy it you will be pleased. Enjoy!
After three years of wanting and drooling, I finally bought a digital camera.  Now of course, I had my doubts and worries, so I held my breath with each click I made which led me to purchase the Olympus Camedia D-380.  My fears subsided when I began to test the features of this camera when I received it the next day.  This is a great beginner's camera.  At the highest resolution (1600x1208), you can take 5 photos.  At the lowest resolution (640x480), you can take up to 47 photos, although it's not the best quality.  By default, the setting is at 1600x1200, which allows for 16 photos.  I use 1024x768 which gives me 29 photos.  Keep in mind that these number of photos are on an 8MB memory card.  A higher card will produce more clicks for your buck.  For the most part, I didn't need the instruction booklet to guide me through the steps.  I find it simple to operate, and mainly used the booklet to understand what the icons represented.  There was very little which I couldn't figure out where I used the booklet to understand.  This camera is simple to operate.  This is my first camera of any kind, and I found it worth my money.  The first thing I noticed was how light this camera was.  It felt like a toy, but it's functions proved otherwise.  The four AA batteries will add some weight to the camera, but not by much.  After every photo, the image will freeze for less than a second in the LCD screen.  You can view your photos through the thumbnails offered, and delete those which you don't want, saving space and meory for those good photos. The Olympus Camedia D-380 can also record mini movies (without sound of course).  The more difficult aspect I found was the application which comes with this Camera, but the problems where easily worked through.  Over all, I found this camera to meet my needs.  I'd recommend it to anyone first starting out.
I bought this camera in 1999 for $300+. It takes good pictures with a steady hand and some Zen magic--sharp, clear, and best of all, it can take macro pictures. There is a problem with blurring, however, as it is impossible to hold this camera still while you wait for the depressor to finish exposure. The sliding opening mechanism, which turns the camera on, flies open in your bag or pocket--there is nothing to hold it closed. This drains the battery. Worse yet, this mechanism broke, came loose, and the camera stopped working altogether. New batteries last for about 4 pictures, then you have to change them. I'd put your money into a better design with battery power and a better depressor.
This is the first Digicam I've ever owned and I'm really pleased.  The pictures taken with this baby on HQ setting (1600x1200 compressed) make excellent images for 4x6 or 5x8 photos, whereas the pictures taken at SHQ setting (1600x1208 uncompressed) look terrific when printed at 8x10 or even at full letter page size.  The PANORAMA function is cool but just that.What I reaaly liked about the camera is that it is very to use.  You just plug it to your PC and it pops up as a new drive.  Its that simple.  Also the menus of the camera are very straightfoward and intuitive.  You don't need to be an expert computer technician to use this thing.The only downside is the lack of optical zoom, but for a price under U$180, you get an excellent product (besides the digital zoom isn't that bad if you don't zoom in too much)
I love this camera! I take so many more pictures now because I don't have to worry about getting the "perfect" picture.  My kids always want to see the pictures right after I take them so they LOVE this camera.  My only complaint (after a weekend of use) is that when I carried the camera around using the wrist strap, the batteries kept falling out.  I will definately be getting a small travel bag for it.
I know nothing of digital cameras but when I saw this one it was just the price I wanted.  Not too cheap and not too much little piggy.  It takes great pics but eats batteries like a really large person at an all you can eat buffet.  Also it did not come with a case that would have been a nice touch!
I purchased this camera after trying several others. The olympus d-380 is without a doubt the best digital camera of the bunch for the price. It is everything I expected in a digital camera and more. Battery life is awesome, picture quality is awesome, connectivity is awesome. This camera in general is just plain awesome. I am now an Olympus customer for life!!!..
Camera, for general purposes, gets four stars.  1/2 star off for software, 1/2 star off for weak documentation.The camera itself, it takes good pictures, once you get used to the lag-time between when you press the button to  take a picture, and when the shutter actually takes the picture. And you learn more by actually using the camera, the documentation isn't the best.The software that came with it is not intuitive.  Problems with USB was only solved by going online, ... For the price it is a good camera, point and shoot-wise. Read other reviews in addition to mine, now that I know all the little tricks to it, it's a nice camera.
I tinkered around with this camera, but ended up returning it...mostly due to my own high expections.  It is a decent camera for the price, but I wanted a little more.  In my opinion, here are the pros and cons of the Olympus D-380 2MP digital camera...Pros:- Great, clear picture quality when subject is within 2-3 feet of the camera- Easy, fast upload to PC over USB.- Remembers your quality and system settings (So long as you set the "Remember settings" option to yes)Cons:- MEGA BATTERY DRAIN! Rechargeables are a must! I had taken approximately 40 pictures and made 3 fifteen second movies when my 4 regular AA batteries ran out.- Picture quality is fairly blurry when subject is further than 4 feet. Optical zoom might help.  Digital zoom is worthless when quality is required.- Menu is not so user-friendly up front. Quite cryptic. Reading the manual a few times over is necessary.- The "night" setting on the camera causes a very bad blur.- The "red-eye reduction" setting flashes for over 1/2 second, then stops for another 1/2 second before taking the picture (doesn't sound like long, but it seems so when you're having your pic taken).
I've had my D-380 for a while now and continue to be very pleased with it.  I notice several of these reviews mention bad battery life; this has GOT to be an error.  The D-380 had the best battery life in that recent Consumer's Rpts review, and I'm amazed at how long a set lasts. I charge my NiMH AA's about every two weeks and have never had them go dead--and I use the camera nearly every day.  My wife shot 100+ snapshots at a party, almost all with flash, on a set of batteries that hadn't been charged in over a week and they STILL went for another week without going flat.  Amazing battery life.  The "degreed engineer" who found it hard to transfer pictures may have some sort of problem, or may not understand something.  Moving pictures is easy enough for a grade-school kid.  In Win XP and 2000, you simply plug in the camera and it appears in your system as a removable drive; the pictures are files that can be moved around like any other files.  Simple as can be, and very convenient.  I'm _very_ pleased with this camera overall.  My only reservations: the digital zoom is not terribly good, and 2mp will just *barely* give you a good 8x10.  At the price of the D-380, those are very minor drawbacks; this is a GREAT camera for casual snapshots.  I like it better after using it for 2 months than I did when I got it--not many things earn that kind of praise.  Great little camera at the price!
This was my first digital camera I got back in 2003. I still use it, and I still love it! The picture quality is really really good. I have dropped it dozens of time, even on concrete! It still works perfectly fine! It's a tough little camera! It's bulky, but it takes great pictures. i still cant believe it's only a 2.0 megapixel, thats how good the picture look. Even in 640x480. Really good quality.
WOW.  Granted I'm not a digital camera afficianado but I am truly ecstatic with the quality of the Olympus D-380.  Out of the box, I was able to take the elusive macro photos I've not been able to take without my 35mm camera.  The picture I took was so sharp, I was able to read the nutrition label of a bottle of vinegar sitting next to my subject (yeah yeah, so I'm not the most meticulous person when it comes to putting away the vinegar).  The built in flash is POWERFUL!  I took a shot of my husband at night in our living room with only a lamp for illumination.  The flash kicked in.  The picture was sharp and the resolution excellent.  I printed an 8x10 of the shot and I can't tell it was a digital picture.  If you're expecting a camera to take good pictures, be easy to use, allow you to take close ups, give you the versatility of a monitor and viewfinder view of your subject, this is the camera for you.  I read comments that this is a great beginner's camera -- I think it goes farther than that.
I have had this camera for about two years now, and I have to say that I have been extremely pleased with it during that time. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures for a 2.0 MP camera. Downloading pictures to my computer is a snap. The software is easy to use, and allows for editing of the images. I have printed out and framed many pictures that I have taken with my camera, and you can hardly tell a difference in quality when compared to pictures taken with my old APS camera.The few drawbacks that I have encountered are that the picture quality does get fuzzy when using the zoom feature and alkaline batteries do tend to die fairly quickly. However, I came back a week ago from a trip to Cancun and easily took 75+ pictures and have since downloaded the pictures onto my computer and the batteries are still at full power. I do use alkaline batteries, and if you don't want to invest in lithium batteries, I suggest keeping an extra set of batteries in your camera case.I would recommend this camera to any first-time digital users, who would like a great digital camera for a very reasonable price.
I like my Olympus. It fits my needs. It comes with CamediaMaster 4.0 software so you can download to your computer. You can make calendars and postcards. But guess what: It has no e-mail function! In fact, you can't even get your photos out of the program and into other folders to use in projects, or letters. But on the main screen is an icon for Pro-Camedia...which leads to the Camedia site online, where you can compare the specs for the two programs and  see how Pro-C has e-mail....Why would someone want photos on their computer if they couldn't use them in e-mail? It's not a good enough camera for someone to do art stuff with and, say, high quality printing...of calendars......
I bought my first Olympus D380 camera at Office Depot over ten years ago.It was my first digital camera and I feel really lucky to have gotten such a good camera.This camera takes perfect pictures every time.  I don't think I have ever gotten a blurry image.Granted, I am truly an amateur when it comes to cameras.  But that is the nicest thing about this camera:  even an amateur can take great pictures.After ten plus years my first D380 still works perfectly.  Along the way, I have acquired two more D380 cameras from EBAY, just to have as spares and to take on trips.  All three of the D380s have always performed flawlessly.I especially like the old fashioned point and shoot view finder.Also, the picture file sizes are quite manageable and are easy to e-mail and are quick to upload.Over the intervening years, I have purchased SONY and CANON cameras, but they were complicated and, unless you used a tripod, they gave blurry images which never happens with the Olympus D380.I know my D380s are old and outmoded but they still do the job.  I highly recommend them.  In fact, I would appreciate it if someone would leave info about later cameras that work as simply and as well as the D380s.P.S.  When you can find a D380 on EBAY, they are almost always bargain priced (around $15).
Just got this camera on May 31, 2002, there were not many reviews so I vowed I would respond when I had made a quick review of the product. Here goes:Camara came with the non-lithum batteries, but I have used the ones in the box now off and on for two days. It was very intimidating with all the multiple books included, but mostly that's because they duplicate each book for each language.  It took me about an hour to feel comfortable shooting the camera, but I took several pictures in the first 10 min.Camera feels solid, light and comfortable.  The LCD menu is intimidating and I think I will still have to do more research, but it looks promising for advance features. The panarama works with the card that comes with it, so use it for just those shots, cause it won't work on any other smart media cards like the free one that was given with the promotion. I went out and took two dozen pictures of my chickens on the free media card and never got to the end.The quality of the pictures are excellent, especially for web design or email.  Printing I haven't done on the good quality paper but appears that it could successfully accomplish that also.Overall I found the auto light and point and shoot ability with this camera great...even went outside at dusk and took great shots.  The software is fair, but I fell back on JASC Paint Shop. The connection was exactly like connecting an external USB external hard drive and works the same so you can drag and drop things to whatever location you prefer.If I come across any downs for this camera I will write an additional review.  But my conclusion is...This is a great camera for my needs and most needs and is awfully fun to work.  Excellent for the price...and if it last for a good long while I will be tickled to death.
I bought this camera about 4 months ago, and it is the most satisfying purchase I have made in quite some time.  It is simple to use, takes quality photos that are easy to upload onto my computer, creates great prints & is not a battery hog.  Here are a few random comments related to this item:- I bought a 128Mb smartmedia which holds about 256 photos-- I highly recommend it.- Through the simple USB connection, I can upload 50 photos in about 1 minute.  (I bought a flashlink because I was told it was much slower, but have since returned that item.)- I uploaded some photos to Ofoto and had prints made-- and they look magnificent!  (Plus, through Ofoto, you can allow friends & family access to your photos so they can order their own prints.)- The battery is still going strong after 4 months and over 700 pictures.  I bought rechargable batteries which I am sure I will use someday-- but not yet....
I'll admit it, my decision to purchase a digital camera was a very spontaneous one.  Following some short research sessions I ended up with Olympus's Camedia D-380 2MP, and I couldn't be more happy.For starters, the D-380 is incredibly user friendly for beginners such as myself.  I found I was up and snapping pictures within 10 minutes of removing the camera from the package.  The display monitor on the back of the camera allows you to preview your pictures exactly how they will be before you shoot.  Other features include an auto-flash indicator, which turns on and off flash automatically at appropriate times, along with different types of flashes that remove the "red eye" phenomenon.  Also included is a self timer, and the ability to shoot up to 15 second videos.  The 2 Mega-Pixel limit is just fine for those of you who are going to be taking point and shoot type pictures.  Plus, with the D-380's excellent zoom feature you have nothing to worry about in terms of distance.The advantages to picking up this Camera are clear.  For one, with the appropriatley sized memory card you can hold up to 128 pictures.  Plus, with the included cable which plugs easily into your computers USB port, you have an almost unlimited amount of storage space.  I must say however that the D-380 eats up your batteries pretty quickly, however that can be solved with rechargable batteries which I highly recommend.So for those of you looking to make the jump to digital don't hesitate any longer and pick up the Olympus Camedia D-380, I highly recommend it.
The D-380 is another of the Olympus line of clam shell cameras dating back to the old (non-digital) Stylus models of the mid-80s; this one is an update of the successful D-370. The design is tried and true and I like it for its compactness and its ability to protect the lens from those with a penchant for losing lens caps. The D-380 offers adequate resolution at 2 megapixels. As I have stated in numerous reviews of other digicams, resolution much beyond 2 megapixels is worse than useless for most applications, it is costly. It not only costs money in the sense that it raises the initial price of the camera, but operationally, it requires greater battery use, usually involves longer lag times between shots, takes much longer to download to a PC and especially prolongs both phases of e-mailing photos (your uploading the file and your recipient opening it). These latter issues are, in my opinion, the most important, as the real purpose of digital cameras is their neat integration into the world of personal computing. [note: For those folks whose needs are enlarging photos beyond 8&quot; x 10&quot;, higher resolution is required] The downside of the D-380 is the lack of an optical zoom. Digital zooms are in no way the equals of optical zooms. What these digizooms do is enlarge the center of the image captured by the zoom's stated power. In this case, using the full 5:1 zoom will take the central 20% of the image and stretch it to fill the entire frame. Unfortunately, this degrades the image by an equivalent percentage of pixels. Therefore, a 2 megapixel image digitally zoomed 5X begets an image with a resolution of only 400,000 megapixels. The result is a grainy picture suitable only for emailing or website posting, but not for any sort of printing or enlarging.Aside from the zoom issue, the camera is a winner. Its ability to operate off readily available AA alkalines (though it will accept rechargeables and these make more sense in may ways), its easily expandable memory (it uses SmartMedia, not quite as good as CompactFlash cards, but close enough) and its adequate number of user-controllable settings all combine to make this a very serviceable camera at a very attractive price.
For the price of this camera I was very disappointed. Lens cover is a bit flimsy, pitcure quality is lousy even at highest resolution. LCD display is slow to respond. Menu display could be more intuitive, flash over-compensates and washes out pictures entirely. No optical zoom, digital zoom is terrible, non-standard USB. Do your self a favor and spend a few more dollars and get a better digital camera. This one is a dissapointment. Ended up with a Sony Mavica which is more money but is a far better camera.
We've had this camera for almost 2 years and have taken about 3 or 4 gig worth of family pictures.  Really easy to use (even the kids use it), compact, relatively inexpensive, reliable, durable (we've dropped it a few times on our tile floor- just put the batteries back in and keep on truckin).  I suggest getting a 128MB m=smart media card and eight Nickel Metal Hydride AA batteries (1700 Mah or more) with a charger.  These accessories allow us to avoid changing the memory card at all (holds about 130 photos on the highest quality setting) and we change the batteries whenever needed (roughly about once every 150 to 200 photos?)
I just got my new digital camera yesterday.  It's the first one I ever owned and it couldn't be simpler!  I was taking pictures within 5 minutes of opening the box.  I had the software installed, the pictures downloaded, cropped and edited in 30-60 mins (I wasn't keeping track of time because I was having SO MUCH FUN with the camera) with no problems whatsoever: the editing software that comes with it is really easy to use, I found the instructions simple and the camera's controls intuitive. I researched cameras a lot before deciding on this one and I couldn't be more pleased. I am an average home computer user and a VERY novice photographer, but I thought the first pictures out of this camera were great.  You can see them all at [URL] if you want to check out the quality for yourself.
For the inexperienced user this camera is a great first step into the world of digital cameras. I bought this thinking I would get started with digital then sell it to upgrade but I'm keeping this one. I purchased the rechargable batteries but I'm still waiting on the original batteries to die out. This camera takes wonderful pictures and I've even blown a few of them up to poster size.
The Olympus D-380 is my first digital camera.  I did my research, using online reviews and consumer publications.  I wanted something high quality, user-friendly, and well built, at a reasonable price.  I concluded that Olympus makes products that fit my criteria.  This camera is everything I hoped it would be and more!Upon opening the box, I was pleased to find an attractive, sturdily constructed camera.  Though there's nothing cheap-looking about it (it's all classy looking metallic surfaces), it is very lightweight and comfortable in my hand.  The lens cover slides with precision and covers the lens securely (many of the cameras in this price range don't have an integrated lens cover).  The wrist strap attaches easily.  The covers for the battery compartment, memory card, and USB and AC adapters are well designed and look as if they will last a long time.  This camera is manufactured in Japan.It took only about a minute, after scanning the "Quick Start" guide, to insert the included batteries and SmartMedia memory card and start taking pictures.  The very first picture I took was a keeper; I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality.  I handed the camera to my 6-year-old son, who snapped off a shot of my daughter and me, which I then printed on glossy photo paper.  It looks so nice that I'm actually going to frame it and hang it on the wall.  I have since taken pictures at all the different resolutions, and all look great when viewed on the computer.  I have settled on the 1024 x 768 setting as my "standard", since it matches the resolution of my monitor, and makes for reasonable file sizes (around 180 KB per photo).  640 x 480 works great for e-mail, and 1600 x 1200 turns out beautiful results for printing, or those special occasion "keepsakes".  Even the QuickTime movie mode does a decent job, certainly much better than those grainy webcam captures.There is a 5X digital zoom (no optical).  I detect a little graininess when using it, but for the money, it's fine and it's simple to use.I am running Windows 2000 Pro, and setup for transferring files to the computer couldn't have been easier.  Simply plug the USB cable into the camera, then into the computer.  That's it!  Open My Computer and you'll find a new removable storage drive.  From there it's a simple matter of dragging and dropping files to wherever you want to store them.  You can delete the files from the SmartMedia card from your computer, which is easier than doing it with the camera.  The included Camedia software looked fun, but I haven't had a need to use it yet, so I can't comment on its functionality.I received a free 32 MB Viking SmartMedia card from Amazon with this camera.  Together with the 8 MB card in the box with the camera, this is enough storage for roughly 200 photos at 1024 x 768.  The only thing I needed to buy to complete my setup was a carrying case.I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to enter the world of digital photography.  It is stylish, extremely easy to use, very well constructed, takes excellent pictures, and is an unbeatable value!
It didn't take long to get into a routine with this camera.  It's simple and easy to handle (and lightweight!).  The photos come out great and they transfer over very fast.  You can choose to download all the images or just the ones you think you want.  We upgraded to a 128 MB card (per Amazon's special sale) and it holds well over 200 images at 1024x768 resolution.  We loved the different flash features and zoom and all in all are very happy with our purchase.  The only downside is the software that came with it, but other programs can be used so it's no big deal.
Knowing nothing about the digital camera world I set out 6 months ago to buy a camera that was low cost (in case I wanted to go back to the 35MM world) yet with reasonable photo quality.  What I found was a gem in the Olympus D-380.  This camera has whet my appetite for a more sophisticated model, but it will always be the easy one to stick in the car, take on a trip, or just shoot those family reunions.The photo quality is superb for such a small camera, and the features are simple and easy to use.  I'm not expecting to get photos from a camera of this price and function in National Geographic but I have put some great shots on the family web page and even printed out a rare moment with the kids and framed it on our hallway wall.  The Quicktime video is great in the right light, with the only drawback being there is no sound.Let me highly recommend this to you if you are new to digital photography and are looking for a model to learn on, or if you want that perfect, small travel sized camera to take on the plane with you.  Heck, shoot your kid's wedding with it.  You won't be disappointed.
I have used this camera for years and never had a problem. I think the key to its durability is its simplicity. It has a small lens tucked away in a depression behind a sliding door, instead of a fragile mechanical zoom extension. The display screen on the back is small and I believe also sits well back inside a bordered/rimmed cavity. Above all this camera's solid, no-nonsense construction amazes me. I have fallen off a skateboard while holding it, which only left a nice scar of shredded plastic on one of the corners. I have fallen off a bench while standing on it trying to get a picture [lanyard around wrist and everything] and the camera struck the wood bench like a weight on the end of a sling as my right arm impacted. I thought for sure the camera was destroyed, and I thought for sure my right arm was broken, but both camera and bone made it through intact. Though I was a little sore and bruised, the camera body was relatively undamaged. Besides mild resistance on the lens' sliding door and separated plastic shells immediately after the accident, the two front and back shells were easily snapped back together and the camera still worked fine. I thought it wouldn't work afterward but it's been over a year since that incident and it's still taking pictures.Bottom line is this thing is a tank. Also note that I've used it to take photos of waterfalls while being sprayed with water, and left it out in the heat of a car for days/weeks on end. However, there are three things I don't like.1: Button system is a little complicated. You cannot get the most out of this camera without reading all the button combos and functions in the manual.2: Adequate picture quality. I believe this camera was fairly advanced back when it came out but nowadays there are a lot of cameras with better photo quality. The picture gets very grainy beyond about half zoom and pictures in general come out only as good as they need to be. Still, it's pretty good for a 2MP.3: Very blurry and sensitive to motions during the snapshot. The camera has some feature where if you hold the shutter button half way down it better prepares for the photo and lags less, but there is still a noticeable degree of lag between pressing the button and the shutter actually opening. If you expect to get a good shot, your target must be stationary.
Don't buy it.  This was a good camera - loved it in fact - until I bumped it against a table as I turned to take a picture, and the battery compartment lid broke open.  It wasn't a big bump either, a rather slight bump in fact, but must have hit the camera just right.  The tiny plastic ridges that keep it closed snapped off, making it impossible to close, rendering the camera totally useless.  If you can't close the battery compartment, you can't use the camera.  I wrote Olympus twice over a year ago, but they never responded.  Too bad, up until then I raved about Olympus.  I since bought a Canon A620 and found it takes WAY better pics, has a ton more features, and has been very durable.
This camera is perfect for family picnic's, get together's and around the house use.  I especially like the fact that is has the date on each picture, although, you have to check to make sure the correct date date is shown.  The camera is easy to load, flashes automatically and easy to zoom.  Plus it is small enough to carry in a pocket, purse, or backpack.  Also perfect for baby showers.
this is a fine camera, but i have to admit that when i finished taking my photos and got them developed, i was dissapointed to see that they all came back upside down!  I am happy with this camera but would like to see a model in the future perhaps that takes photos right side up. It's annoying.
Even though digital cameras are all the rage these days -- and I myself have three of them! -- sometimes you do want to use a film camera, especially when you can't carry an AC adapter with you, or don't want to shell out lots of money for extra batteries, to power your digital camera.  Also, ISO/ASA 100 film or slower still gives you the best clarity outside of the negative and professional realms.This Olympus camera is a great basic film camera -- and it's a terrific value at less than sixty bux.  It has the following features that I consider essential on every camera:-- auto focus.  Some very low-end cameras (but this is not a low-end camera!) only have "focus free", which means there's no focus in the lens.  Olympus' auto-focus and auto-exposure systems work very well.-- zoom.  Of course, this being a film camera means the zoom is optical.  It's only 2x, but if you want more zoom you'll have to pay for it.  (The Pentax IQ 145M does provide 4x zoom for under 100 bux, but that camera is also bigger in size.)-- date imprint.  I'm one of those anal types who must document every picture I take.  Being able to print the date, while irksome to some people, is a must for me.  With a digital camera the photo file has a digital stamp which Windows XP can read (date, time, camera used, size, resolution, image quality, etc.).  With a film camera, "quartz date" comes closest to having some extra info on the picture.-- lens cover.  Some cameras don't even come with this!This camera is also pretty compact and feels right in my hands.  The buttons are laid out just right.  I find the lens a bit slow in moving in and out but not detrimental to picture-taking in most situations.  (I don't shoot sports.)  Red-eye reduction works ok but I rarely use it.  Flash range is good, but you have to remember that a built-in flash can never do a good job at doing soft lighting.Picture quality is good with this camera.  Assuming you use brandname film like Kodak and Fuji, you'll get pleasing pictures.  (If you use a generic brand you got for free at the street corner from a guy in a funny hat, you may be disappointed in the prints... with any camera.)  This is really a basic consumer camera, so don't expect lots of fine controls as you can with SLR's.Some reviewers complain about reliability problems, but from my experience Olympus cameras are some of the most reliable on the market.  I haven't had mine long enough to know for sure, but the body seems sturdy and should last a long time.
I have purchased two of the &quot;clam shell&quot; Olympus cameras...they both broke within 2 years.  The clam shell lens cover fails to operate and the camera will not function.  Don't waste your money on this camera!
Great value great price. These 35mm cameras give sharp vivid pictures. Much better than the best digital cameras.
The world has gone digital and yet Olympus produced one of the best 35mm cameras out there just as film cameras were becoming obsolete. It's  a shame because this camera kicks [...], because it's simple to use, produces amazing shots and has a great zoom/lens, autofocus, battery life (beats any digital camera) and it feels great in my hand. I've taken many shots with it, including B&W shots, which are even greater than color shots. I've also taken tons of night shots, including auroras, which I never knew how to do before. This camera works especially well with Fuji film. I want to buy another one before they get rid of film cameras forever. Sad.
This camera takes quality pictures, but we did not find it to be very well constructed.  The diopter (view finder adjustment) stopped working in the first 90 days, and the film advance mechanism failed about one year later.  We take a lot of pictures, but do not treat the camera roughly.  Even with the instructions, we were not able to make the "date-stamp" work correctly.  My wife also had occassional trouble loading the film.  The optics seem to be good, but overall we were un-impressed.  We were able to get a full refund using an extended warranty offered through our credit card provider.  We originally paid about $150 brand new.
I recently went on a trip to England, and wanted a camera that was of higher quality. I chose the SLR style because I wanted what I saw in the viewfinder to be what the final product looked like. I chose this camera specifically because it has an integrated zoom lense (up to 120mm) and multiple automatic features. I have found this camera to be excellent in nearly every aspect.PROS:1.Fantastic image quality. Olympus lenses seem to be of superior quality to some other major brands I've tried.2. Quick selection of auto features (night, landscape, high speed, etc.)3. LONG battery life4. Quick rewind and loading of 35mm. filmCONS:1. Built in lens means no way to change lense (No going to a telephoto or macro lense.) What you see is what you get.
I've had this for almost 2 years now. Picture quality varies with the auto focus function, however overall they come out good. It is definitely heavy and there other much lighter SLR's around. I've seen certain 35mm compact cameras that can compete with this camera in terms of picture quality. If you are lloking to buy a "true" SLR camera then you should probably choose something else. If you want a easy to use, good SLR type camera then this is a great buy.
The Olympus IS series cameras have always had an identity crisis.  At first they were called "ZLRs" or "Zoom Lens Reflex."  They have the internal making of an SLR (a mirror mechanism that shows you exactly what the lens is seeing), but lack the versatility of being able to change the lens.I've owned or given as gifts a number of Olympus cameras - the OM10, the IS-2, the IS-10 and now the IS-50.  To this day the IS-2 remains one of my favorite cameras, especially with its unbelievable macro ability that rivals cameras/lenses costing hundreds more.The IS-50 is a good camera.  It takes great photos, its exposure system is excellent, it's light weight, has a powerful flash, and its automated features will be a boon to novice users.  However, there are still better choices available.I bought the IS-50 for a young nephew who wanted something easy to use and to shoot sports. The IS-50 delivers on the first, fails completely on the second.  This camera does not have a continuous advance and focus sports mode.  You press the shutter release, take a shot, and then have to repeat.As a semi-pro user I found the flash warning system on the IS-50 to be especially annoying.  The average person can easily take a photo in low light situations with a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second.  People with super steady hands can even go as low as 1/15th.  Experienced photographers know that you want to use natural light as much as possible because the flash creates shadows and harsh skin tones.  The IS-50, however, starts warning users to use a flash at around 1/100th of a second!  This makes no sense.Normally this wouldn't be such a big deal for a point and shoot.  However, camera prices, especially on 35mm models, are falling and users are expecting some bang for their buck.  For the same price of an IS-50 you can buy a used Nikon N50 or N65 - both of which offer versatility, ease of use and exapandability.  Earlier IS models such as the IS-1, 2 and 3 all offered much of these features.  Why not the IS-50?  At the very least, the price should be lower given the value and low cost of novice SLR models such as the Nikon models or the Canon Rebel.Even with all these criticisms, the IS-50 is still an OK choice for novice users.  If you want simplicity and good 35mm photos this is one camera to look at.  Just be aware that for the same price or a little bit more you can get a camera that's a lot better.
Recommended by a hunting guide in Montana. Man, was he right! I have Swarovski and Leupold riflescopes. These binoculars compare very well in color rendering to the much more expensive Swarovski scopes. I can see details on a robin on the neighbors property at a laser-ranged 250 yards away!
Well, the price was too good and the product is well worth the cost too.  Very clear optics and extremely light weight.  I don't like the strap that was included, so that will be replaced with a new harness at some point.  These will be used for birding and hunting
I spent weeks looking for the best set of binoculars for hunting and work.  I have found that some have a better warranty such as Nikon but, I could not pass on the Steiners.  I have used Steiners at work for years and they hold up well to abuse and will probably last a life time if handled under normal conditions.  I hunt year round and love the fact once the eye pieces are set I don't have to change them.  I can see from 20 feet to infinity without adjustment.
Great build quality and shape.... having used steiners on my deployment on guard tower, you can tell a huge differance on picture quality and sturdyness compared to some of generic coppies of the milspec original.These will not break, and have the best picture ive seen with other mil bynos.If you have the money, get these, they'll last for ever.also, U.S. army uses these.
I bought a pair of these sometime in the late 90's for 199.00, so the price has not changed much. Mine are constructed very well and have held up great, however, I have not used them that much. You can expect "average" optical views through these bino's. They are going to be much better than a 59.99 pair of Chinese Bushnells, but they are not going to give you the "WOW" factor when you look through them. They are a quality, rugged, all around good binocular, but thats it! I actually compared them to a pair of 10x 25 Nikon Travelite IV's that I picked up at a Wolf Camera that was going out of business. I expected the STEINER's to put these tiny Nikon's in short pants.....I was wrong! The little Nikon's clarity smoked the Steiners!.....granted, they are 10x, but they are pocket sized! To their credit...the Nikon's did have a made in Japan sticker on them which to me, is important ,as far as quality control is concerned....and by the way...I paid 50 bucks for them! Nikon makes some really good, reasonably priced glass...The Steiner's look cool, and military like, but they are just average optically. They do the job....but are not going to be in the same class as a set of Swarovski's or Zeiss'....no way! My Swarovski 8.5x 42 are 10x brighter, and 2x more powerful,,,,but they also cost 1500! Folks...200 bucks don't get you much of anything anymore,,,,especially for a non asian made item. Are these bino's worth it? yes....I believe so. But you can get better optics for the money.....maybe not cooler looking, but better glass is available in this price range. My suggestion is to compare them side by side with a comparably priced set of Nikon's.
I only have a cheap pair of binoculars before so I am not an expert by any means. I do know I want something I can use and not be afraid of dropping or so expensive If I do break it I will cry. This is light weight that come with me hiking. Also comes with me to the shooting range. Over all very happy.
Very rugged. Focus is great. And really good in low light.I haven't used them in harsh weather but I think they will do very well
I love the binoculars. I am nearsited and have worn glasses since I was a kid. When I'm at home, I go without my glasses but cannot see clearly anything at a distance. I've adjusted the binoculars to see without my glasses. The adjustment was easy and I can see everything in detail. These are light weight, come with lens covers and a cover for the eye caps, and a strap. The lens covers are attached to the binoculars and the eye caps covers can be attached to the strap so that they won't get lost. They also came with a cleaning cloth and a  black carry case that also has a strap. Included was a small manual explaining how to adjust and care for your Steiner binoculars as well as a little history on Steiner.
these binoculars are crisp and clear,they have a good feel in the hand and are lightweight.
glass is very clear and images as distance are very easy to see.  i've had binos that were the &#34;bargain&#34; type and after using good glass, you can really tell the difference.  for the high level of quality, these are a great value for the price.  spend the money and get something of quality and everytime you use it, you will enjoy it.  go cheap on something like this and you'll get something you hate and find yourself rarely using because of the lacking quality.
Several other reviewers have said these are up to Steiner build quality, but the &#34;autofocus&#34; thing was ill-conceived and I completely agree. Somebody called these &#34;Steiner-lite&#34; and I would concur.
This binocular is seems extremely well constructed and rugged.  The image quality is good (though not great).  The sport focus system does not really work from 20 yards out (as advertised).  It's fairly sharp from 70 yards or so out, but I've found I have to re-focus for the 20-70 yard range.  The focus mechanism is fairly stiff, so it does stay put once focused.  Despite the minor shortcomings, this binocular was exactly what I was looking for - lightweight, rugged, decent image, reasonable price.
Best item like this I ever laid money down on, and in the world of Steiner, these are CHEAP!From seeing the product's box alone you already know what quality you have in your hands before seeing the goodies within. Steiner delivers. They don't need my endorsement.
Unbelievable quality, day and at dusk.  Bought these for my husband for Christmas, and he couldn't be happier! :)  Great product, worth every penny!
Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine Binocular.  Quality Binoculars,  Good Price too.  Binocular box was crushed on end, made gift giving impossible with damaged box.
We got these binoculars for my husband a couple years ago for Christmas!  I have kinda taken over the Steiners labeling them "Mine"!  I love that they auto focus!!!  We use them to look at nature when we are hiking.  It is really nice how you can go from looking at something at one distance then to something else at another distance without changing the focus yourself.  We have spotted many alligators, birds, and other creatures using the Steiners.
Cheap does not mean bad. After an extensive review, I chose this camera because it provides the best value for the money, and it has the key elements what you should look in a new camera:Format: MiniDVVery compact and stylish, in order to be able to carry it to Disneyland or Six Flags and go to all attractions without problem (it fits in a regular camera case), Standard 10X Optical Zoom.Backlight and record buttons are very handy, which make the camera easy to operate.I gave it 4 stars because a major drawback: You can not convert your Old VHS videos to MiniDV, instead you have to borrow a camera from a friend or buy a firewire card for your PC with analog inputs.USB Streaming included on the model NZ100 simply does not worth the price difference, because for less than that money you can buy the firewire card for the PC. The only input available is from another camcorder via firewire cable, in order to make digital copies of your MiniDV Videos.The NZ50 although has a very nice standard features, like the 270 rotating lens, Effects like sepia, BW, widescreen mode and audio dubbing, that other cameras that cost a few bucks more do not have.For me it is not important to capture low resolution still images in a camcorder (although this camera can, but it is in tape), color viewfinder (it is supposed that you buy a camera with LCD in order to use it) and other built-in features, because for the money saved buying this cheap camera, you can buy an extra battery (Energizer 730: money), a Firewire card with cable (Adaptec 4300: money), a tripod (money) and a good 2 Mega pixel Camera (not even the money dollar digital camcorders have that resolution, and you can have one good 2 mega pixel camera for less than money), and have a complete good solution for the actual digital era without expending too much.
After several months of research, I decided on this camera, for basically two reasons: Size - it's slightly larger than a film camera, weighing no more than one; Design - the motor is away from the microphone, allowing less motor-noise in recordings.The biggest swaying factor was the two-hands operation.  As any expert consumer-camcorder user can tell you, no optical/digital image stabilization can compensate for the "fumbling" you get at high zoom factors when shooting one-handedly.  The so-called "one-hand" cameras aren't really one-handed if you want a clean shoot when you have to make do without a tripod, since you'll be applying your second hand to the left/under side of the camera for added support.  Having used various other MiniDV cameras (Sony HandyCams, JVC's, and Canon's), I discovered that it was easier to use a product that is originally designed for 2-handed operation.  I've used the camera for a while now, and I am very satisfied with the stability of the video I get, even while zooming and walking simultaneously.This product does have a "Still" function, however, no way to save it to any removable or internal memory, so if you want to copy them over to a computer, you would have to import it via Firewire after it is recorded to tape.  Even at that, the DV-25 format restricts the picture to a low-enough quality that they're not work keeping.A hint to people considering getting a camera with still functions: get an[inexpensive] 640x480 camera ... from [a local store] - this will do the job better than the still functions on most consumer-grade DV camcorders; if budget allows, a decent 2MP+ camera would allow you to take printable photos.As a sidenote, looking on Sharp-USA's site, I couldn't find the CCD pixel count, but I have found some indication on the Internet that this camera has a 420K CCD.  This is fine for a DV-25 camera, but this also means that digital zoom obviously gets blocky and distorted easily.Note to the person with the I.Link issue: I.Link is Sony's trademark for a 4-pin IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port.  If you want to use your VAIO with this camera, what you would need is just any 4-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable, and use the DVGate software to import the video.  Otherwise, if you have a Macintosh or a 6-pin Firewire port, you should get a 4-pin to 6-pin cable.  I have tried it with both Mac OS X and Windows XP so far and both results have been very pleasing.The only down-side I can bring up is the lack of remote, need for an extra cylindrical tripod-attachment as provided (can't use the lock-in pin on the detachable attachment if you have the batteries installed on certain tripods), somewhat [inexpensive] construction (plastic looks flimsy in part), and non-intuitive manual focus (have to open up menu - 4 keypresses, and use buttons to focus instead of any kind of sliders).  Of course, this is a very inexpensive camera and consumer-grade at that; finding manual rotary focal lens controls would almost be rare.All-in-all, the price makes up for what it doesn't have, and I find that this camera does everything I need to do for both semi-professional and home-consumer usage.
I really liked this camera. The picture quality is great. The usb software for transfering pictures is great. I used firewire for my video and it was really good. I really love this camera. A great camera for a adult or a techie kid. Awesome camera.
I own a professional camcorder, a Canon XH-A1. I was looking for a day to day camcorder, when I came across this Sharp VL-NZ50, prior to this, I bought a couple of viewcam 8mm thru Ebay,and I was so surprised how stable my walking shots had become while holding the camera with 2 hands. I bought a stabilizer from B and H for my XH-A1 and I was hoping I get the same stability, I now can hold my Canon with 2 hands and I get amazing walking shots. I therefore started looking for a Sharp viewcam that is mini-DV, I found it VL-NZ50. This camera has better resolution than an XL1 and other non High Def camcorder out there. I love this camcorder. I now just use my Canon for paid gigs like Weddings, etc. I even used my sharp as a second camcorder, I just sharpen the clips on post. Highly recommended.
Two weeks after I bought it the camera will not play back what I record. The only way I know it actually captured anything is that it will play back if you hit play and fast forward. This means that I can not get what I have recorded off the MiniDV tape and I can not show anyone what I have recorded! Until it stopped working the camera was awesome, especially for the price.
No place to put the hand on,and the LCD quality is not so good.
This is an awesome product! I don't know why more people don't get them. The reliability, ease of use, combination of features and display area make this a top notch product. I use many DV cameras for my work so I know what I'm talking about here. The price makes this even better! One drawback - no jack for external mike. But the sound its condenser mike picks up is pretty good. I hope Sharp continues to make them!
Did I say cheap?You get less than what you paid for this camcorder.I bought it because it was going to cost $... after rebate. Now I know why it is so cheap.This thing is nothing more than a fancy webcam with firewire and usb connections that records on DV tapes.Believe me, all you get is webcam quality capture on DV tapes.The native resolution of the capture I bet is 352 x 240 (which is the same as VCD). You will not get DVD quality capture (720 x 480) with this camcorder.I have Adobe premiere 6.5 and used it to do live capture. This is how you see the full capability of the camcorder capture. If you record on tape, the manufacturer could say or you might believe that the issue is with the tape. So, doing live capture to your computer hard drive is the best way to test the camcorder.I did a series of capture 4:3 and 16:9 (widescreen) at DV settings of 720 x 480. The movies were awful as if I was using a netcam. In fact, this camcorder only takes slightly better picture than my netcam.This camcorder is meant for capturing movies for TV (since most TVs display at 320 x 240). It is not meant for high resolution capture. The movies looked barely OK on my TV, but just awful on my computers when viewed at full screen. The movies looked Ok if viewed in a small window on the computer just like they do on the TV. However, when you maximize the movies to full screen, you realize that they were captured at low resolutions.I spend two hours going through the settings and manual thinking that the camera was set for low resolution movie capture and that I could change it. That was not the case. For one, you have no option to change the resolution at which movies are captured. Two, the resolution you get is the camcorder's native and maximum resolution.The still picture of this camecorder as you might expect by now is just as awful. The maximum resolution for the pictures is 320 x 240 just about like the movie capture resolution.Finally the camera is cheaply constructed.My advice: skip this piece of ....I gave it two stars because it was cheap otherwise that would have been a zero star.
I'll say it again - this is a great camera, considering the price.  The video quality far surpasses VHS-C, for a VHS-C price.  I've owned this camera for about a month and it has worked as expected right out of the box.In my opinion, the digital still camera feature is just an extra selling point for Sharp.  The quality of the still photos is about the quality of an image capture from a video tape.  It's not even as good as my 3 year old 1.3 megapixel camera I bought used for 50 bucks.  So don't buy it thinking you're getting a quality digital still camera.The camcorder is easy to operate and comfortable to hold (you almost have to use both hands, though.)  I like not having to hold it up to my eye, and the large LCD display looks great indoors or out.The "quick return" feature is nice - it fast-forwards the tape to the end of the last recording, so you don't accidentally tape over something.I was initially concerned about the short warranty period (90 days), so I purchased it using my American Express card, which extends my warranty one year.UPDATE: I've had the camera 5 months now and still no problems.  I bought a Firewire cable and card for my computer and it works flawlessly transferring video to my computer, which is then recorded onto DVD.  I've heard Sharp won't offer tech support for transferring video to computer, but it works great with my Dell computer running Windows XP Home.
The camera records good video images, I'm very happy with that.  The controls work fairly well, though the menus take some getting used to.  I like the two handed operation, thought it's easy for the right thumb to accidentally punch buttons that turn off the auto-focus...  The still images are very grainy, but I don't use this camera for that very often.That's the good, here's the ugly: I got this camera to download digital video into my PC through the onboard 1394 connection.  It simply doesn't work.  I called Sharp tech support: "We can't guarantee that the 1394 interface will work with any other devices except another Sharp camera."  Then why the h-e-doubletoothpicks doesn't the manual say that?  Why does their advertising trumpet the ability to download video to the computer?  Smacks of false advertising to me.***Reviewer's Update***While my annoyance at the attitude of Sharp's customer support is unabated, I must sheepishly admit that the camera wasn't the problem with transferring video to the computer, I was.  I had incorrectly connected the 1394 ports when I assembled my PC.  Once I fixed that, video transfer worked excellently.If it was possible for me to change my rating, I'd now give it 4 stars.  My thumb still pushes buttons I don't want it to push on occasion, button placement is not ideal.
My fiancee and I were getting married in a week.  I wanted to purchase a digital camera for the wedding.  We looked at several models and decided on this one.  Why?  Because while the still resolution is not stellar, 640x720 or so, the video recording is top notch.  And the use of both SD media cards and Mini-DV tapes is a great idea.  Transferring the pictures to your PC is a breeze and all of the camera's controls are logically laid out and intuitive to use.  If you don't need great still picture resolution, after all I still have a 35mm SLR for the serious stuff, and are looking for a good quality digital camcorder, don't pass this one up!
Bought this camera, the reviews had good things to say about it. The very first time I used it, upon playback, the video was very badly pixelated even though it was a new camera and new tape. Not a good start at all. The Photo taking aspect of the camera is decent in good light and useless in medium light. I am now waiting on my replacement tocome to me, hoping that the issues will be gone....not betting on it since my buddy has the same camera with the same problem too right out of the box....hmm?? Maybe pass on this one.....
I've had no trouble at all with this camcorder.  The video quality is good, although not on par with Sharp's better camcorders or Sony's or JVC's, but you get better-than-VHS quality for an incredible price.  (I can't believe they now offer a [better] rebate!)  I've had no problems connecting to three Macintoshes or a Sony VAIO desktop.  Maybe the other reviewers had drive-incompatibility issues on their PCs.
I really like the compact size of the camcorder. I can take any anywhere as I do a lot of hiking. It takes less room than my regular camera.The quality of the video is very good.Easy to use.Sound quality is good.The digital camera quality is not so high.Good enough for downloading into computer but probably not for printing high quality photos.I've taken many digital photos and accept the lower definition.I have to use other camera for high definition.For it's size and price,it is a good buy.After 7 weeks, I have not received my rebate.
With the price after rebates of this Sharp camcorder there are absolutely no other digital choices available! I Had the NZ50 (which I sold in order to buy this NZ100), and the quality, versatility, features and connectivity of this camera is awsome. For the price, upgrading from NZ50 to the NZ100 which has digital still store capabilities, analog inputs and USB streaming, is worth the difference (which last year did not)I already have a digital camera, so I really do not use the still pictures capability, but is nice to have when you do not want to carry many devices when you are attending an event or vacations.Two batteries are required when you travel and are accustomed to use a lot the camera, and no power plugs are available. I normally shoot key moments on every event, in order to avoid editing at maximum, so second battery was needed once, in a in a 6-hr event, which has happened only once.180 degrees of rotation is a very nice feature. Although it does not have a viewfinder, it really does not matter, because I would never use one if I have a 3" LCD screen.I really recommend this camcorder for its beauty, portability, quality and price.
this is a great camcorder. you can use digital effects, still pics, and is a great value...plus it has a huge screen, 3 inches, and only ways 1 pound and is also small. so if you want a great camcorder and don't want to waste your money, this is the perfect one to get.
I really liked this camera because of the size and ability to take the pictures and videos in one.  Now however I am very disappointed because after one year of use the camera broke down.  The still button that takes snapshots stopped working.  I can only take videos now and who knows how long that will last!  I am sending this for service, hoping it won't cost me too much to fix it.  Very upseting that it happened the moment one year warranty expired!Part II - March 2007I have had the worse experience with this camera!  Do not buy it, it does not last!  First it broke down as soon as the warranty expried and I sent it for service because I really liked this camera.  I paid $300 to fix it and one year later it broke down again!!!  I am so frustrated I am throwing this junk to the garbage.  I wish I did it the first time around, I would have a new camera by now - never Sharp!
I have had this camera for one month, and it is great fun to take places.  I have had lots of success shooting both video and still shots of the same event.  With just 2 clicks, you can switch between mediums, and it is just plain fun!  The digital photo quality that this camera produces is good, but not the best.  I found it easy to upload the images to my PC.  And of course, having a camcorder that is this compact is convenient and impressive to others.  Compared to similar models, this Sharp camera is very affordable.
I have been using this camcorder for over a year now. The video is excellent as is the sound.It transfers video to the PC through the firewire with no problem. I have used Sony and JVC Mini DV tapes with it. (iread about the TDK causing trouble. I don't have experience with that)I have only 3 complaints.In the sun it's hard to see the LCD screen and there isn't not an optional viewfinder.Some of the still photos are grainy, some are great depends on the lighting.
It is a great camera for video even though when I zoom from far distances it is fuzzy. The pictures suck!!!! You will never get a really clear shot unless you are outside. There is no flash... You can lighten the picture but it is not them same. Then getting the pictures developed... Well they look pretty bad. I love to scrap and can't do it with these pictures.
Perfect bag. I have a Canon A40 Powershot, which I dont bring anywhere whithout this camera bag.
This bag is awesome.  It has all the basic needs a digital camera bag requires and even more.  The front zip compartment can hold 4 separate batteries, your AV connectors, media cards and 3 battery packs.  Inside the bag, the compartment can be separated to hold the digital camera and/or a kodak dock or other cables for loading the pictures onto a computer.  Very well-padded and stylish looking.  Water resistant outside!  Nice long shoulder strap.  Who could ask for more in a bag!  I highly recommend this one!
I purchased several of these for our company's Olympus Stylus 300 cameras and they worked wonderfully.  Everything - including the charger fit and there was still space left for extra memory cards (lots of pockets).  I liked how I could adjust the inside divider as well.  I am glad that it does not open too easily that way the items do not fall out.  I have to say for the price this is a very good deal, don't pass it up!
This bag was recommended for a Sony digital camera (DSC v-1), but it is not nearly large enough to hold the compact camera plus the extras (charger, cables and manual). I wanted a compact carrying case, but this is too small to be functional. I do not use it at all and will have to purchase something a bit bigger. Not recommended unless you plan on carring just one thing and no supplies.
Very pleased with this bag.  My digital camera (Canon Powershot), battery charger, extra batteries/memory and instruction booklet all fit perfectly inside.  It's got lots of little pockets to store all kinds of stuff.  My only complaint is that it doesn't have as much padding as I was hoping for, but overall it's been wonderful!
The adjustable compartment is great for any point and shoot camera.  I fit my Nikon Coolpix 4500 along with the charger and some cables into the main compartment.  The outer area held my PCMCIA CF adapter and an extra memory card.  Accessing everything quickly was a bit hard, but not a big problem.  The bag is about the size of a small purse, but the strap is long enough so it can dangle at your hip.
I orginally bought this for my camera, but I have a newer bigger camera and it doesn't fit the new one..so I found that this holds my diabeties tester and all the things that come with the tester perfect. So it worked out in the end!! nice padding.
I bought to keep my Olympus C-750 digicam. Its abig camera and needs 4 AA size battries. Because of my passion of photography, I ususally keep everything in spaare like 2 additional sets of battries, cords, charger and memory cards with me. this bag has enogh space to keep all of them. it has separate segments to keep everything...its pretty useful for the safety of my camera.
Too small for Canon G6 or Canon S2 or S3.  Nice bag, but too small in the since it is not deep enough.
I bought this camera bag based on the customer reviews. I have had it for over two years now and I love it.  I can fit my Nikon Coolpics 4500 and the charger with room to spare.  However, it is never too big or bulky.  I like the divider in the middle and the zippered compartment on the front.  I have never had any problems with the quality of the bag or the buckle.  Overall, it is a good value.
I've bought other camera cases over the years. This one is my absolute favorite. Plenty of room and compartments. Good size - not too small or too large. Best thing is the ease of opening and snapping shut the lid - very superb design there.
I purchased this bag a few weeks ago when it costed $15. I've not been entirely satisfied with it. My two biggest complaints - i) too small, ii) not robust enough for all outdoors.I've used this bag for Konica Minolta Z5 and Z10. They are not typical compact cameras, and I found it insufficient to fit either one, plus batter charger+other cords. I did manage to squeeze things in with my Z5, but the Z10 was too big for this bag to carry much else. Also, this bag is not as well padded and secure as some of the other bags I've seen.My advice? Check out your nearest Best Buy or even Walmart. To my dismay, I found camera bags there (by Lowepro) that costed about the same, and were much bigger and better padded too. This bag may be a decent pick for compact cameras, but I'd still recommend checking out bags in the stores I mentioned above.ps: The reason I did not go for the Konica Minolta camera case for my Minolta Z5 was that some reviews of that camera bag indicated the bag was too small. Unfortunately, this one did not prove big enough either (for me atleast).
If you are looking for a camera bag, this one is it! We got ours nice and cheap at amazon.com.  It has separate hand and shoulder straps, several interior pouches, including two that are set up to store 4 AA batteries.  It offers plenty of protection so that stuff doesn't spill out--the bag's cover is fastened with a velcro strap, and over this you can fasten a buckle that adds a second layer of protection.  The main inside compartment (where you will store the digicam) comes with a moveable/removeable boundary that you can adjust so that however wide your digicam is, it will not bounce around.  These guys thought of everything!  This bag is well built, with what looks like very strong, water-resistant materials, and should last a very long time!
This Bag should have Olympus on it. My Olympus 4000 digital camera fits right in and it's snug too..
I had to return the bag because I had the worst time opening it.  Otherwise it's nice looking and seems practical inside.  Why ruin it with that awful closure?
This is my first digital camera, so I only have experience with film cameras.  This is a great camera!  It is easy to take pictures, except in real low light.  I accidentily found out that it takes videos too.  I find that some of the videos are a little grainy, but still worth keeping.  It is real easy to download the pictures to a computer, and with the software included, you can make great cards or calendars.  It is real easy to get memory cards for it.  I was amazed at the great price on Amazon.com, at least $$ cheaper than at the stores.
I own several cameras and had been casually looking at digital cameras for some time. My sense was that they are all much too expensive for their performance and that anything on the market today will be obsolete in a month. I picked up this camera as a close-out floor model for a very, very low price--- less than a quarter of list. I have found it to be a nice, convenient email photo camera with simple, easy-to-master controls. It's great for all those casual photos I don't want to spend a lot of effort or any money on. Limitations: slow action, LCD very hard to see in sunlight, and closeups are pretty much impossible, which was the biggest disappointment but not a huge surprise. I am very pleased with the camera at the price I paid, but I will stick with my Nikon SLR for quality shots. Judging from the reviews I have seen of even very high end digital cameras, the technology has quite a ways to go before I'm willing to invest much money in it.
I'm an experienced digital photographer with a Nikon 990 for my personal use.  I bought two of these for my grandgirls and was amazed at the quality and ease of use.1 megapixel quality is quite good for prints up to 5x7, and are great for monitor viewing and email. The camera is easy to use, the only problem the 10 year old had was accidentally pressing the &quot;quick time record&quot; button instead of the shutter release.  Easy to do since they are close to each other. It doesn't have optical zoom, but hey it cost a hundred bucks.  I added 10 meg of flash card memory which was a nice addition, particularly since I use a flash card reader.  The included software seemed ok, with editing capability email sizing and easy install and photo downloading.
I love taking pictures, it's well, you could say it's my hobby.  Digital cameras are great because you can take millions of pictures and only pick out the few good ones.  With this camera it really is few.  Another thing is the late shot.  This is definatly not one of those once in a life-time shot cameras, this is more of a, honey could you do that again? camera's because it takes three seconds to shoot after you push the button.  It takes ok movies but they're choppy and have no sound.  This is a good camera though and wouldn't betray it.  But if you're looking for a camera with good, crisp pictures don't get this, this is a first-timers camera.  Although i do admit, i have very much fun taking pictures of beautiful things with it.  Really this is a 3 1/2 star camera.
When I bought this camera a few years ago it was state-of-the-art.  Still a good quality camera today - though you can get more MP's for the money now, and even get more MP's in your SmartPhone!
I spent around $50 on this camera & it served it's purpose. It takes nice pictures in the right light & the camera software is nice too. If you just take pictures for fun, you'll enjoy this camera. There is also  a small movie option, no sound & it runs about 30 seconds I think. When I tried to send this to family & friends, all I did was drag the movie file (in the uploaded software) into my outlook express... that is the easiest way I found it worked.Here are some pictures that I took with the camera :O)[...]Although, it does have some downsides:*Eats up batteries*Doesn't take very good close ups*There is a long delay after you push the button for your picture, Takes some work to make a toddler stand still long enough.*And, you can only get about 9 to 14 quality pictures before you have to upload & empty to take more pictures again.I just bought a new camera & I'll be selling mine on here soon at a cheap price, if you are interested, email me at hiltonqueen@iwon.comThanks
I am so happy with my camera !!!!If you want a digital camera for vacation, family pictures, casual photos, this camera was made for you. (sounds like an HP commercial)I bought this camera expecting a good camera, that would be able to give me good pictures, so far it's more than what I expected. The camera is GREAT, and the image quality is GREAT.I loved the video clip function.I've had it for about 1 week, and the battery is still full.The LCD screen is really small, it is the width of your thumb. But you can see the pictures good. (not in the sun light though)The camera is easy to use, the menus are easy, the flash is great (although I haven't really used it yet), the zoom is good too.Just wish it would have a case to protect the lcd screen.And also I bought a 128MB memory card....oh my God ! GREAT PICTURES, GREAT CAMERA, and GREAT PRICE.(If you want profissional photos, this is not the one for you)
Even though it is now 2011 and can look back almost a decade since I bought this turkey I can say with all truth that Kodak's line of digital cameras of the same era were superior and in the same price range. The HP did "OK" in well-lit outdoor scenes but lost its legs indoors. The flash was both too bright up-close and inneffective far-away. The auto settings obviously were limited by the early sensing technology, at least the technology in a $50 buck camera. I got used to covering the flash with a finger of tape , partially obscuring it to avoid washout on close-ups indoors. The LCD began to malfunction, making the camera useless. It lasted about a year. Grainy or, I should say "pixelated" photos were the norm with lots of noise unless outside. It was HP's bottom-of-the-line. They should be avoided at-all-cost since ANY new device that takes digital photos is likely to be of higher-quality. Even at the used price, better can be found for the same money. Or your cell-phone. A relic now, a bad design, then. To those of you who tookthe most important or best photos of your life with this puppy, I understand, just remember that it is the picture, the image saved for all-time that matters, the camera is the tool. As long as it works, that is 85% of the battle so better to have this than an audio recorder and pen and paper. If this thing had lasted I would have considered that but it gave up the ghost quickly...after the warranty went out...I'm glad HP isn't ripping off the masses with bad cameras anymore.
Very nice digital camera for the price. Nice image quality (for under a hundred bucks). The user options are easy to use and it's easy to upload images to your computer.However, like most digital cameras, it eats batteries like no other. Unless you want to buy new batteries every 30 pictures, rechargable batteries (four AAs) and a recharger are very much necessary. i got Quest batteries and a recharger for about fifteen bucks and have recharged them about 5 times already over about 3 months.The flash is sometimes too bright- make sure you're standing at least arm's length if not more away from the subject or turn the flash off. The self-timer is also very nice for this if you are taking a self-photo with the flash, because simply holding the camera arms length away will wash out your face completely.A memory card is also highly recommended- at the lowest quality only 54 images fit. Medium fits 19, and high 12.However, i'm really being picky. This is a great camera for trips (with a recharger and a nearby computer to unload images if you run out of room), a webcam, beginner's photography, and even a family camera. If you're looking for your first digital camera or a webcam for a nice price, this one is what you're looking for.
I am spoiled by an Olympus that takes 3 megapixel images, but couldn't afford the price, so picked up this HP for about [money]. The images are ok.  My biggest complaint is the total washout that happens with flash pictures.  It is not good at all for anything closer than 10 feet. Total white out, as if the flash is too powerful, yet the images are dark at more than 15 feet.Good for outdoors. The video clip is fun, but not very useful, and the image is pretty grainy.Good for a beginner, or someone who doesn't know how good a digital camera CAN be.
I dunno what kinda HP camera that other reviewer bought, but mine works like a dream.  I had an old Argus [$$$] one and it basically is too picky on the lighting for my needs.  I needed a flash, an inexpensive price, and optionally, an LCD.  This camera gave me all of the above.  The LCD is small, but it doesn't need to be all that big in the first place.  It's USB 2.0 compatible, so you can plug it right to the computer.  Another good thing about this camera and USB is the fact that the software included works directly with the camera to detect and automate the task of upload/view of images.  Nice.  Comes with ACDSee software for easy viewing/printing/sharing of images, plus gallery software if you do webpublishing.  VERY nice.  The digital zoom is nice, because you don't have to be close to an object to get a close representation.  Quality is VERY good.  Very little pixelation can be seen, and only if you scrutinize the picture.With the base memory, you can get 54 pics at the lowest resolution which is still great quality.  The LCD lets you zoom images, view up to 9 at once and pick one, and magnify.  Also, you can take video VERY easily.  With a 32 MB card, you can take up to 5 minutes of video.  That is fantastic.  This camera is a great value.  Get it!
The camera if held absolutely *still* can take a decent picture, but close ups, forget it. This is not a 'close-up-loving' digital. The flash washes out many pictures. It is VERY slow to take pictures. It has about a 5 second delay between pictures taken without a flash, and a 20 to 30 second delay between pictures taken with the flash. It sucks battery power like mad if you take any video (no sound) with it. The videos are extremly grain and small.If you want a camera to play around with, to drag everywhere you go, like i do, then this isn't too bad, but it's slowness is fustrating. I use normal rechargable batteries in mine because I don't care if it fries it. The LCD screen is hard to see at times. My advice?: if someone gives it to you or you get a good deal on one and are desparate, take it. Otherwise, save your money and buy something that can take a close up, doesn't suck battery power like air, doesn't wash out your subject with the flash, and doesn't take a millenium to set back up again between shots. The fustration level at missing pix over and over again gets old fast.
This is the second inexpensive HP camera I have used.For still shots, the image quality is adequate to make moderate enlargements.  Color saturation and hue are natural.  The controls are simple and, if not intuitive, easily mastered.  The included software manipulates photos adequately, but buyers should not expect too much digital magic.  I like the HP drag and drop folder that automatically loads images to any of several pre-specified Internet sites for album sharing or ordering prints.I do have complaints, but they are minor considering the price of the camera:The quality of the avi video clips is low.  Do not expect anything like camcorder images...more like Thomas Edison's first attempt.The flash is finicky about distance--9' is the recommended maximum, but it washes out images closer than about 4'.There is no protective lens cap.  Clear glass protects the actual lens, but that cover is flush with camera case--too easy to smudge or scratch.The fixed focus lens does not allow anything like a closeup.  Of course, in some cases adequate images can be obtained by photographing at a high quality setting and then cropping the image with software.Overall, the camera delivers good value.
My original dock was destroyed when we took a lightening hit, and being it was the ONLY way to charge my camera, I was delighted to find it through Amazon!
I'm using this docking base with the HP PS850 which eats batteries in a very fast fashion... This will pay for itself in no time at all. Well worth the money and also easy to use..
I bought a Photosmart 945 camera back in 2003 and somehow managed to misplace the cables. I attempted to buy JUST the cables from HP but I don't think they even sell the cameras anymore plus they were intensely interested in selling their newest camera. I resorted to Amazon and found the dock, cables, etc., offered in the original box from a third party seller, and best of all CHEAP. I recall this accessory sold for $50-60 originally. The box was somewhat 'shelf worn' and one of the seals was broken. The snap-on plastic part that holds the camera in place was missing, and the rechargeable batteries had died years ago, BUT the cables were there so I am a happy camper.
the hp 8881 is compatible with hp's 320, 620, 720, 812, 850 and 945 cameras. each camera comes with a dock insert so that they can use this universal cradle. this cradle is small, lightweight, and very portable. it charges the camera's NiMH battery pack, connects via USB to your computer for downloading files, and connects to a TV for slideshows.you don't really need this cradle since you can replicate its functions with a card reader, battery recharger kit, and RCA cables to connect to your TV. but it's a lot more convenient to just drop your camera into the cradle to download files and start recharging those batteries....a final note. this cradle offers a regular usb computer connection. it would have been nice to have usb 2.0 for faster downloads but maybe for the next product iteration.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
I purchased the HP PS850 digital camera last month, and also ordered the Dock at the same time.  I'm glad I did.The dock makes downloading your pictures so much easier, and it comes with 4 rechargeable batteries.  Plus, the batteries recharge when the camera is in the dock.I've taken several hundred pictures on one charge, and I always use the LCD screen, as well as zoom in and out, review pictures, and delete them.  Even with all that, the batteries have never run out on me.I highly recommend getting the dock for your HP digital camera.
This is the best thing you can get if you have a PhotoSmart camera!!!It charges your batteries IN YOU CAMERA!!You can go to parties, take pictures, show the pictures on a TV and charge your batteries to boot.Your computer will automatically detect when you put the camera in the dock and open it up like a regular disk drive.This thing took every ounce of effort that makes digital photography a chore. So now I take thousands of pictures.  I don't have to worry about charging the batteries, uploding the photos- just shoot and dock. Shoot and dock.  That's how digital photography is supposed to be like.
I own one DCR-PC120BT since more than 9 months now. And last week I had the chance to test the new 330. Forget it! After several days of practicing with both cameras the DCR-PC120BT is the clear winner!
four stars off this one. I got a C:31:23 error message when I insert a tape. It beeps and ask to eject the tape. When I eject the tape, it left the tape out all wrinkled up. The manual is no help to decipher the code. Why does it even display it if no one knows? Error code starts with &quot;C&quot; is self-servicable according to the manual. But it does not list all the codes obviously. The worst of all, after been put on hold for more than two hours, no one at their customer service takes the call and I finally gave up. I own many Sony products, this was the first time I tried to contact their customer service. It is just unbelievable. They dwarf the worst customer service experience you ever had. Why do they even have a phone number if no one answers it? Sony's customer service kills one's will to live. Take my advice, don't go there.
I have owned camcorders since the days of the big bulkey VHS models. I have also had an 8mm and a HI-8 camera.  I always had two complaints with them and they were size and weight.  They were OK for around the house but I took mine on quite a few trips where weight and size mattered.  I bought a camera bag to carry everything and of course a camera as well because they a camcorder doesn't replace a camera.I had been looking to go digital for about a year because of the higher quality movies compaired to the other formats when the mini dv's came out.  I compaired all the features and came up with either the Cannon Optura or the Sony PC120BT.  Why did I pick Sony?  First was the low light specs.  The minimun recommended for Cannon was 100 lux and Sony was 7 lux.  Taking clear pictures around a Christmas tree did not require extra lighting.  Second a larger CCD which made for higher resolution pictures as well as more scan lines for viewing (more than 530).  It had firewire which is 50 times faster transfer to a computer than USB.  It's great for converting tapes via computer to DVD so you really watch them instead of having a tape library to watch someday.  They both fit in your pocket and use the camera as a battery charger.What are the downsides?  Bluetooth may be of value in the future but not now.  After trying to hold and operate it comfortably I went to a camera store and asked and they showed me how to hold it.  It's still not great but I am getting used to it.  Tape ejects from the bottom so you must remove your tripod to change a tape....camcorders where you may have to ship your camcorder out of the country for warrantee repair or worse not be compatable with US TV standards.After owning it for a while I still think it is the best camcorder on the market.
I've owned video cameras since my first Hitachi VHS in the 80's. This is the sharpest camera yet.  I will be selling my Canon Optura DV, JVC GR-DVP3U and Sony Digital 8 to use this exclusively.  The video picture quality is astounding, as is the low light performance.  I added the wide angle lens and video light for an overall nice package.  The digital still capability is useless compared to a real digital camera even in the same 1.5 megapixel rating.  Still pictures look 'TV like', but the video sharpness just has me keeping the camera.  I'm sure the 330 is even a better improvement, but I'd still be suspicious of the still picture performance.
I really like this videocam.  It integrates seamlessly into my computer system.The video comes out really clear and sharp, so much so that when I view it later, I was so amazed that everything looked so sharp and clear.  The sky was so blue and the resolution is also great.  You can easily see falling flower petals in the background several feet away.Focusing was fast and accurate.There are lots of video editing features on this camera, but I only use the basic features, so I can't comment on those.  But I dont think those features are very useful anyways, because there are much better editing programs you can use on computers.In digital camera mode, it has two resolutions.  The 1.4 megapixel resolution is comparable to most dedicated digital cameras.  Both resolutions come out fine when uploaded into my computer.  On a 128 meg memory stick, I can stick over 600 pictures on it.  It also comes with a flash, can take pictures at night.I use it to load video and jpegs on my Apple MacIntosh computer, and everything is plug and play.  No need to fiddle with the drivers and controls.The only negative thing I can say about it is that it is not as small and compact as the other videocams out there, but for the features it has, the compromise on weight is acceptable.
I've had my MicroMV for two months and love it.  I put off buying a replacement camcorder for a few years as the technology seemed to be in a constant flux - it still is but I took the plunge with the Sony product as it has all the features I was looking for.  The size is the amazing thing.  My only problem is getting my "sausage" fingers to work the buttons!So far, the videos (digi-tape) I've taken are excellent.  I find the camera easy to use and of the same quality I've come to expect from Sony.  I found an extra-capacity battery, 128MB mem-stick and Sony wide-angle lens and filter kit on eBay and these have made the camera a joy to use.Videos taken on a recent London vacation are tremendous and it was easy to whip out the camera and take a quick digi-tape or "quickie" MPEG on any moment's notice.  The VGA stills are only good for 4x6 prints (in good light) or wallets.  They're really only useful for emails.  If you want framed stills, use your 3.3MP digi-camera or your trusty 35MM.I've been happy with Sony "Movie Shaker" and have edited a few MPEGs and clips from the tape to my BusLink USB HD.  Bluetooth registration was a bit of a puzzle but I made it through in about 45 minutes (whew!).  I haven't tried my SoNet uploading yet as I haven't had a need to.All in all, this purchase has to last another 3-5 years and I think I'll be very happy with this little wonder.
From buying this totally waste of technology.  Call up any Good Guys  / Circuit City and ask them what the most returned camera has been in the last few months - it'll be the new MicroMV cameras.  They are all awful.  The resolution is awful - all you have to do is look at footage on a TV and you'll see what i mean.Another HUGE disadvantage - MPEG2 encoding - NONE, I MEAN NONE, of the software NLE's (non-linear editors) support MPEG2 - so therefore, you can't use Premier, Final Cut Pro, etc...you are forced to use this 2-bit software app that Sony put out.  It's awful.  I tried it.  It's painful.  Premiere says they will NOT support MPEG2 until more camera makers adopt it - not likely in the near future.DON'T take a chance on such new technology, unless you're the guy who also owned the Sony mini-disc camcorder (discontinued after 6 months).
Doesn't work with my MAC. Nightmare trying to download on PC. Sometimes works w/ an i.Link port on a Sony computer. Now it doesnt' even do that. Sometimes worked on a 3rd party FireWire card for my PC, but I had to pull card out and re-install everytime to try to get it to capture. Now that doesn't even work. MPEG2 bites, must convert w/ DOS program. MovieShaker is the worst. I hate this camera w/ a passion. I'm going to throw mine ($$$$!) away or sell it on [other online site]. Anybody want mine? I'm going to get one that plugs directly into my iMac.
the dcrip7BT is for the early adopters among us. it has &quot;wow&quot; written all over it but make sure you're ready for the limitations of the microMV format.  it improves on the ip5 by adding still capability and bluetooth.pros:- small size, and lightweight: 1.88&quot;W x 4.0&quot;H x 3.13&quot;L weighing 12 oz. this is the main selling point of this camcorder.- 10x optical zoom.- Super SteadyShot image stabilization - and sony's system works.- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in daylight.- still photo capability (low res only).- connectivity options: firewire, S-video, composite, bluetooth, USB.cons:- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.- microMV also uses a different data-compression scheme than MiniDV, which means that it may be incompatible with your DV-editing software.- low-res still photo capability suitable only for email or posting on web.- no video light.- not Mac compatible.- very bad ergonomics - a small camcorder will have small buttons and consolidated controls.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- battery life could be better.- only 2.5&quot; LCD.- non-intuitive menu system.- no headphone or mic input jack.- no accessory shoe.given the limitations of the microMV format, a smaller camcorder is the only reason to use it. and a tiny camcorder is what sony has delivered and that's why this is a four star product for me. but if you can stand a slightly bigger camcorder, check out other miniDV options. these are more affordable, better supported, and almost as portable.i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
Lousy camera. Small and portable but lousy picture, hard to find micro tapes, and it broke in three different ways within a short period of time.It's discontinued I've heard. Sony should refund full purchase price to all buyers of this piece of...malfunctioning mess.
Pros: Incredible small size; can literally be carried in your pocket;Cons: Video quality mediocre at best (740x320); transferring data files from IP7 to PC has been a nightmare. Literally 25-30 hours of work with varying degrees of usefull tech support (Sony drops the ball on this one) - Formats available are MPG1 and a form of MPG2 called TR - File must then be translated- this is explained in the following website [...]In summary, I would wait at least another year or two, when the kinks have been knocked out. This leaves to much to be desired.
All of the negative reviews are un-warranted.  If you want to buy this unit, make sure you understand what it was designed for.I saw a Sony Exec talking about it at a marketing show; she was discussing their ad strategy for it.  The Exec stated that it was designed for a business traveller who wanted a TINY camcorder to take some &quot;hobby&quot; shots while on the road.I bought this unit for a BUSINESS trip to Hong Kong.  For this purpose this camera was PERFECT.  It easily fits in your briefcase.  Until you own this thing, you have no idea what a leap it is in terms of size.  On my trip, I would routinely just stick it in my (bulging) pocket.For this size comes a tradeoff.  The camera opeates on MPEG2.  The CCD has a lower than normal resolution.  Both of these are okay; the larger problem is, at this size, you can get a lot of camera shake (even with the stabilzer feature).  Overall, the picture quality is fine.I would not own this as your only camcorder.  I would not use this for any &quot;movie making&quot; or run of the mill home vidoes.  I would however HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone that wants to take videos on a business trip and not look like a tourist; or needs to grab some video to show their spouse who didn't get to go.
I bought this camera as a replacement for the one I bought years ago - I can trust its exceptional closeup detail. After 10 years the battery charge didn't hold, so I just replaced the camera, for $25.00.  Can't beat that!  It is a good little camera.
I bought my Mavica as my first digital camera and have never been disappointed with it.  It has travelled everywhere with me and has taken many awesome pictures.  It was very easy to learn to use and the manual for it is well written and understandable.I'm just now getting around to getting a memory stick for it so that I can record my photos as TIFFs.  I suspect that after I use that, I will love it even more.I have learned everything that I know about digital photography with my Mavica by my side.  I learned how to set white balance, ISO speed, and spot metering easily and quickly.  I would love to have a camera with a bigger resolution and a smaller size, but my Mavica takes such beautiful pictures that I'm not going to replace it.I use it mostly to take pictures of my daughter and her classmates.  The individual pictures taken indoors in UV light with a flash are amazing.  In fact, after her class Christmas party (2003) they were so good that I printed them onto photo fabric and made the teacher a scarf with pictures of the children.I love this camera and have been VERY happy with it.  I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
I everyone, I'm a seller at one of the famous auction sites. While the overall features were improved, the most important one was REMOVED! I mean manual focus ring... I have to work with small items and need to focus on paricular part of the object i'm shooting. THIS CAMERA FOCUSES ON WHAT IT WANTS TO! The pictures are totally out of focus where you want, but perfectly fine where the camera &quot;sees&quot; them. I hope it is not too confusing. My advice? Get yourself either FD-83 or Sony 707 Digital Camera.
I don't know if three is an accurate rating but almost all of my indoor pictures are dark. I have to be three feet or less to get a good picture. Are all cameras like this?Otherwise I am completely satisfied with the camera  LJM
I bought this camera because of the great features and used it for around 6 months. It would still be everything I need except that floppy discs are now becoming obsolete. My husband got a new computer that doesn't even have a floppy drive (as most new computers don't), so we can't even use the camera now.Luckily, I receieved as a gift the similar but newer model that takes mini CDs. I know those will be around for a while!The camera has good features and Sony is a very reputable brand, but honestly, you'll need to get a new one soon. Get the model that accpets CDs or connects to your computer in a way that won't be outdated soon.
There was a little piece of advice I always gave people upon choosing their first digital camera, that being: 1)Take the megapixel count you are interested in, and 2)Multiply it by 100 3)If you spend within 50 dollars of that, you have basically gotten a good deal. If you pay less, you are probably missing some fundamental feature (a zoom is often the first thing to go) and if you pay more, you are getting more than you probably wanted (some special lens made from a glass that NASA uses to make the microwaves on the shuttle or something like that). With the Mavica FD series, the extra 100 or 200 dollars is going to its method of storing pictures, on simple, inexpensive floppy disks.If that still does not seem to justify the price, consider this: a floppy disk drive runs anywhere from 40 to 60 dollars, now take that drive and stick it on the back of a digital camera (thus making it self-powered).And then there is the media itself: Smartmedia and CompactFlash cards are down in price (averaging less than a dollar per megabyte) and are available in sizes in the giga-range. That all seems fine and dandy, until you consider the phrase "don't put all your eggs in one basket." The cards are like any other data storage media, and thus prone to corruption and electromagnetic interference. So, because of a simple error in the camera (it is a computer like any other, and thus prone to all the same weaknesses), a whole 64+ megabytes of memories can be lost forever. And, to add insult to injury, that card was really expensive! Meanwhile, a box of 40+ floppy disks (at about 1.44MB per disc) costs a little less than 10 dollars. Now get out your calculators....Okay....PENCILS DOW--I MEAN, CALCULATORS DOWN!Of course, the problem with floppy disks is that there are so many of them that lugging them around your vacation spot can be a complete pain. Fortunately, unlike the FD-75, you have the option of using Memory Sticks. In fact, if you take someone's picture on the MemStick, but want to give them one of the photos, simply insert a floppy disk and copy (just like in a computer) the picture to the floppy and give them that disk. Beats making them wait for a print.Also, Sony's sensibility guided them toward making the FD Mavicas out of HandyCam parts, meaning that some of the accessories you got for/with your Handycam (if you have one)can be used with the mavica, namely the battery (that little crummy one that came with it that you have probably not used since you got that even better 8-hour one!) which is exactly the same as the battery that comes with the FD! So, out of the box, you have doubled the battery life of the camera. Also, the camera has a 37mm filter thread, which allows you to attach neat accessories like color filters and fisheye lenses.Final word: a little pricey and not much for resolution, but for Handycam owners, it is a new lease on life for those old batteries!
Well, thought it was time for me to get with the times so I finally got myself a digital camera.  I've always wanted one, but just really never had the money for one.  I was able to get my hands on the Sony MVC-FD100 Digital Camera a couple of weeks ago, and I can say that I am very pleased with it.You don't have to be a computer wiz to know how to operate it, which is one of the best qualities.  It is VERY easy to use and I seriously think that anyone can learn to use it in a matter of minutes.  It's a little bigger than most cameras, but this is because it allows you to save pictures to a floppy disk (which means that you really never have to hook up the camera to your PC to view or share your pictures).  You can also use memory sticks as well (they're expensive, but can hold lots of memory and is more convenient than switching floppies non-stop).There's a lot of neat things you can do with the camera.  You can zoom in and out with ease, change the effects to make your pictures look different, and you can make short MPEG videos (with no audio).  All of these features are very easy to use and are easy to learn.A main drawback to this digital camera is the price.  It is rather costly, but I think it's worth it.  If this seems to be out of your price range then you should look at some others.  There are plenty of others that are less expensive.All in all, I am very pleased with the Sony MVC-FD100 Digital Camera.  It's easy to use and is very convenient.  If you're looking for a high quality digital camera that can be operated by just about anyone, then I highly recommend that you check this one out.
I work in a bodyshop, i.e. a collision repair and paint facility.  We take pictures of every car that goes through our shop from the estimate, drop off, during the work and upon completion.  Basically we are always taking picutures.  With the camera we've had for years the biggest problem was taking the pictures and then transferring them to computer.  The FD Mavica solves that problem.Originally the idea was if we could save to a floppy disk then we could easily transfer them to the computer without a card reader.  Upon getting the camera the crew and I fell in love with this camera.  A day after getting the camera we had a white Ford Probe come in with front bumper damage.  Deep scratches on a white bumper.  White upon white.  In other words a major pain to get a decent shot of.  But with the MVC-FD100 we bumped it up to the maximum pixel count, changed the settings to outdoors and shot the picture.  Came out beautifully.  Great detail.With the MVC-FD100 we take all the needed shots of the vehicle and save it to one disk and then place the disk in the file with the rest of the paperwork.  No need to transfer via a card reader to the hard drive and label each photo.  When additional shots are required we simple pull the disk and put it back into the camera.The other functions of this camera make it perfect for anyone who takes a lot of pictures.  It's great for business and personal use.  I highly recommend this camera to anyone needing a camera.  Use standard 3.5 floppy disks or memory sticks.  Transfer between the media if necessary.  It's a camera that will prove itself for years to come.
This is a great camera, I give it 4 starts only beacuse [does not] include a diskette or a memory stick..Overall the camera is very nice, the superfine resolution is great. But it eats floppys so get a 64 or 128 mb memory stick.Also be sure to get another battery pack... No sound on the movies, but its not ment to be a camcorder. Included are lens cover, shoulder strap, video out cable, a/c adapter & charger & USB cable....
I received this camera for my birthday. And after much waiting for shipping, it met my built up excitement. It takes great outdoor pictures and the flash is great in close nearly pitch-dark situations. Oddly enough, regular indoors pictures don't always turn out great, but who cares, just delete them. I strongly recommend getting addition equipment, a spare battery and at least 64Mb or Memory Stick. I've got a 128 which holds nearly 200 pictures at 2MP. The spare battery is nice, in that the one that comes with the camera has about 90 minutes of picture taking. The built-in macro zoom feature is a personal favorite because it does wonders to flowers. Kind of wish the optical zoom was stronger, maybe like x6 optical, x12 digital. I have yet to take full advantage of the Memory Stick to disk transfer feature, although I've done it a couple of times. Oh, but don't buy this camera for it's mpeg ablity, because it really doesn't have any. (I mean it does, but it's so poor that it's not worth talking about.) If Sony comes out with a FD Mavica with 3MP or more, I would strongly recommend it.
Battery does not hold charge on its own, but came with a power chord, so I use the camera with the power chord attached, for indoor food-styling. That done, it works beautifully.  Nothing beats the Sony Mavica for crisp detailed closeups, even with this old $9.00 camera from Amazon.
This camera is great overall, very powerful flash, good features, good tripod mount (not that I use it that often), and most people will tell you to never use digital zoom with a camera with optical zoom, but when I zoom in all the way it can go, the pictures come out great. It also has great Macro mode. The videos aren't that great, since you can get the older, and cheaper, MVC-FD91 camera that records sound (this model does not). But at 800 dollars? That is outrageous. I'd go for a used one from a reputable seller if I wanted it. I totally recomend it, just get a cheap used one. For 800-1,000 dollars you can get a professional SLR camera. If you're looking for something old-style, with a touch of modern, get this! Fun to use!
I suppose the "little" should be re-worded. It's not the lightest, or smallest out there, by a long shot, but I really enjoy this camera.  Sure, the floppy technology is going the way of the dodo, but it is still nice to have the convenience, to have it if you need it.USB is in use in almost all facets of life these days.  You would have to have one extremely old and lacking P.C. to not have the USB port available.  But, there are some out there.  There are those times when the USB port won't read, when something is on the fritz, and you need that digital picture downloaded NOW.I can't say I'm a professional photographer, I don't judge the quality of photos for a living, but I do enjoy taking pictures.  Between the multiple focus, lighting, and picture settings, you are allotted many options to make the next shutter sound capture a beautiful picture.I would have to say, professionally, you can find better.  Can find items with higher resolutions, with quicker data transfer rates, etc.  But, for me, the camera is wonderful.During my time in the military I was deployed overseas, and the camera was by my side.  If it can make it through 14 months in a desert, in the cargo pocket of a soldier, getting slammed around and whatnot, I'm sure it's a keeper.Overall, 4 stars from me.
Very durable camers that I use for taking pictures of inbound damaged product. Good picture, but small file sizes wihihc make it easier to email.
Working at Office Max gave me the privalige of fully trying out this camera.  I was somewhat pleased.It's resolution of 2mp is border-line ideal for printing on glossy or matte finishings.  There will be some graininess however that will always be the case until you get a camera with a resolution of 4mp or higher.  And it is also border-line ideal for internet usage.  The file size of the pictures it takes is in the moderate range so if you e-mail them to a person who has dial-up, it won't clog up their ISP too much.I was not at all pleased with the movie feature.  Who would honestly need a 15 seccond movie clip?  Unless you deal in obscene webpages, I would not recomend using the movie mode.  On top of that, it's resolution is not that great for movies.It's control functions are basic, straight forward and dummy proof.  The floppy mavicas are easily the most easy to use digital cameras.  They are convienient and the memory is very easily mobile as compared to compact flash or smart media.I love the floppy disk option.  In fact I own the FD-75 which I would recomend over this camera any day because you don't want to use the movie mode and the resolution is more ideal for interent.  And if you want to spend that much on this camera, I would recomend buying the cd mavicas, they cost a little more but you get 3 times the results.
So what...this camera is a dinosaur in today's fast-paced digital camera world.  However, for the price, it's fits my needs.  Just purchased a couple of 128m memory sticks, (which I am sure will soon be obsolete, too)...no more floppy disks.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony CD400,CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies inPeru. Last year we used 2 of the Sony floppy disk/memory stik cameras.  This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, highresolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentiallymost of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine. Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but weall thought it did the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work withmost of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it'shighest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference,plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is morelightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk... and getting 140-180 high resimages per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can'tbelieve we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manualcontrol of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced withadd-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing forflash, etc., etc.Finally! There is a great digital camera, it's just not this one.....check out the CD 300 series....about the same money but I think you will be a lot happier.
I'm having a hard time finding floppies to feed this thing. I tried Staples, Walmart, Target, and Costco. None of them carry floppies anymore.
Sure, Walmart sells this for a lot less, but this is an amazing piece of technology.  I was recently informed by a friend that I could stop buying film, and just get a digital camera.  This one came up in my searching, and I am shocked.  2 megapixels!  3x Optical Zoom!  Fits perfectly in my backpack!  It even stores images on my floppy discs!  I thought I would never need those again, I'm glad I hung on to mine.  I'm not quite sure what a USB port is, but this thing is so user friendly I am sure I will figure it out.The silent video clips are amazing.  Maybe some day, they will be able to add sound, but until then I am having a lot of fun sending large attachments to friends of 10 second video clips.
I purchased this camera for use listing items for sale online and am not disappointed.Though it is only 2MP, the pictures are more than detailed enough for my listings. The steady shot and macro settings are excellent for product close ups. The flash is not great for taking pictures of the items, it definitely washes them out so you will need to have some lighting set up.The zoom on this camera is pretty poor -- if you are looking for a camera to bring with you on vacation this one might not be your best choice.I have been using the memory sticks as opposed to floppy disks -- both are nice options. The video shooting on the camera is fair (no sound) and suitable for the short clips I sometimes include in a listing to show an item is working.Overall I think the camera is a nice choice for taking photos of items for sale -- and only a mediocre choice for other, outdoor or event applications.
this is a great camera... if you are not a professional and are looking to buy some camera only for fun.. well this is your camera, just buy more memory, and aditional batteries (not necesary because it use a common alkaline AA batteries), it have a lot of funtions, and the only don't have a lot of diferences with the P71 is great for fun and travels i extremenly recomend tu buy this superior camera
If you are looking for a simple, point and click camera for good quality, no frills pictures, this is your camera.  The pictures, for the most part, are great.  However, if you want to zoom in, to get certain angles, upgrade to the sony with a zoom lens, the p-51, I think.
After much debate with myself, I orderd, and just received this camera.  May I say that it is a VERY nice camera.  The free 32meg memory stick is great, and Sony memory sticks are extremely fast.  At first, I was annoyed at the 13 hour charge time on the charger, but then realized that there is no law stating that Sony had to give a charger with the camera, so I take it as a gift and consider it to not be a factor in this review.  (As a side note however, a 4-hour charger with 4 batteries can be purchased at [local store] for [money]).On to the image quality:  It is very nice, and the images taken with the flash are also very sharp.  I took a picture of my keyboard in the dark with slight incandescent light in the background and one would have thought that the shot was taken in pure daylight.  Also, for my, and most other people's uses, 1600x1200 should be more than enough.What really sold me on this camera was the interface.  I went to the local Best Buy and played with it for a while and I love the interface!  Easy to use, effective, and quick access to important controls.I highly recommend this camera.
I bought this after having used low end digital cameras.  Just a couple of months before I bought my Sony, I bought a 1 megapixel camera and was thrilled with the pictures I was getting, so I moved up to the Sony.  My first set of pictures were on a cloudy day.  They were sharp but nothing special.  Later I took pictures on a clear day and was blown away by the color.  Absolutely stunning.  There is no comparison between this camera and the others I was using.  I am still trying different buttons and learning what my camera is capable of but was up and taking pictures right away.  My only regret is that I didn't get an optical zoom.  I can tell the difference, but I don't use that feature much and am able to crop away any distracting objects and still have crisp photos.  I would recommend this camera to anyone who has been disappointed with the colors of their current photos.
This Sony digital camera is a really good camera! It is really small, so it can fit in my purse or pocket, but it takes really good quality pictures and movies. It is also a great buy compared to other cameras in its price range.The only drawback to this camera is it does not come with a camera carrier. I believe if we are spending this much money, Sony should at least extend the courtesy of including a camera case so we do not damage our camera. Also, the batteries wear out really fast even when I do not turn on the camera for long amounts of time.Sony is a great brand and that is the only brand of electronics I ever buy; this is one of their really good products!
I own a rather large camera (2 Mega pixel) with a large lens which I love to carry around when I want to do zoom photography.I wanted to get something a bit smaller to take with me to parties and other events, something that I could have at hand for snapshots and the like.This camera is pretty good and versatile for the price.I also use Sony's new format Memory Stick Duo adapter (which I can also use in my Sony Ericsson phone), and is also the "Magic Gate" in which you can save several "licensed" formats.I recommend it.
Not disappointed by this camera at all.  I was talked into buying it, as I normally run away from Sony products, especially those using Memory Stick.It takes great pictures and connects nicely to my laptop computer.Sure, the 13-hour charge is a drag, but part of that is due to the 1750 mah capacity of the batteries.  That's a powerful battery for NIMH AA-size.  I've had the camera 2 weeks, shooting all over the place, and am still on the first charge of the battery, filling up my 64 Mb card twice.Maybe the next version will have a built in MP3 player to take advantage of the new 512 Mb memory sticks that will soon be out???
Im really happy with this digital camera... It tooks great pictures in the dark and its so easy to use... If you dont know what camera want to buy I really suggest this one.
This is a cool camera for the bucks man, I have put mine through it's paces, and it works like it is still new, only thing, watch out for the cheap memory stick door, mine is still intact, but it feels so weak...ill bet one good drop or pull and it comes off in your hand, other than that, killer digital cam, it also makes a mean MPEG video if ya got a big memory stick.. good for sporting events,illegal street races,or whatever you can imagine:)
I wont bore you with the same info as everyone else.The camera is nice, BUT the pictures could be sharper.Close up shots are nice, but farther away shots are not as sharp as they should be.NO editing software is included, big bummer.Batteries last very nicely, I get way over an hour with it on and taking shots.Other than that it has nice features and easy to use.Small and nicely built.Check out other reviews on the net.I would say its probably better than the 2.1 HP or Kodaks.If you get it on sale, I would buy it.
Overall this is an excellent camera. It is small, and lightweight, but very well built and feels sturdy to the touch.The camera features 1600x800 resolution (2 mega pixel)and a digital zoom. Surprisingly the pictures taken with the digital zoom turn out acceptable. They are not nearly as nice as if there was an optical zoom, but for images that don't require a lot of detail they are ok.  Even so, if you plan on using the zoom feature a lot you'd be better off buying a camera with optical zoom instead of only digital zoom.The camera comes with an 8mb card, enough to hold about 20 pictures. It also comes with 2 rechargeable AA batteries and a charger. Finally, contrary to the other review I read it does come with a USB cable for connection to your computer.The camera has a lot of nice features including the ability to record motion mpeg's. Unfortunately it does not include a microphone so you can't record sound with your "movies".The only thing that I do not like about this camera is the flash. The camera has red eye reduction, but the way it is implement is annoying. The camera flashes several times before taking the photo, almost like strobe. The effect is very disconcerting for people and all too often the photo that is taken is of people grimacing because of the multiple flashes. Even with red eye turned off the flash fires twice, again causing people to blink when the picture is actually taken.But other than the flash I've been very happy with the camera and happily recommend it to others.
For the price, fastest speed, lowest f-stops,best control, and best quality.  And Sony...
Pros:Excellent value. Intuitive user interface. Laden with useful features without becoming confusing. Relatively light and compact. Decent image quality. Respectable battery life. Good display. Quick response time. Durable. No time limit for movie shots. Low noise for low light situations. Fixed lens has a slightly wider angle than most zoom lenses. Overall quality is excellent.Cons:Lens distortions makes portraits its weakness. The lens is on the soft side. Lack of zoom may be trouble for some, then there are those who can appreciate a fixed wide angle. Low light focusing can be a tad slow or inaccurate even with the focus assist light. No extra long shutters (only up to 2"). For those who care, no sound with movie clips.Conslusion:This is a great snapshot camera. The simplicity and speed of its interface makes it a joy to use. Useful features at the touch of a button that both novice and advanced photographers will appreciate. Respectable battery life reduces the inhibition to joyfully snapping away, and the quality of its images did not disappoint. The robust body is durable and allows its use in less friendly conditions. I have used quite a few digital cameras from Nikon, Minolta, Sony, Canon and Olympus, yet none feels as "willing" as this camera to shoot pictures. The speed, quality, battery longevity, simplicity and durability of the camera allowed me personally to concentrate more on the photographs than on the gewgaws, delays or battery exhaustion. I have indeed shot an incredible amount of pictures with this camera, more than with all the other much more expensive cameras. The P31 is build for quick snapshots, with features that inspires creativity, and at a price that I can only love. A wonderfully balanced combination, if you can only overlook the lack of zoom.Recommended:128mb Memory Stick, Extra NiMH batteries. A quick charger.
I've had my Sony P71 for about 2 weeks now, and couldn't be happier. I really struggled between getting the Sony and the Canon S200, but went with Sony because for only  more than the Canon I got 3.2 megapixels and the 3.0 zoom I was looking for. Plus, this camera uses batteries that aren't made by Sony, so I can save money. So far the picture quality is excellent - the colors are very sharp, the pictures are in focus, and my friends and family have been seriously impressed by the quality. I've been using the LCD screen and the viewfinder (the LCD screen is much more accurate), and my batteries don't drain fast; the battery life has amazed me, especially based on what I read about digital cameras and batteries. The computer/USB hookup was easy on my Windows 98 system. I haven't used the movie mode yet, but am really looking forward to movies that can be 30 minutes long with a larger memory stick. This is my first digi cam and I am definitely impressed and looking forward to taking my Sony on holiday very soon!
I love to share great moments with friends and this camera makes it easy.The baterry charger is great and the battery also last long enought to take several pictures with the flash included.
I am a first time digital camera user. When I finally made my choice, I narrowed it down to the Sony DSC-P51 and 71 and also the Fuji Finepix models. The DSC-P71 is a truly incredible and great camera! I love the zoom capability of the P71. The manual is easy to read, the instructions easy to follow and the camera itself is easy to use, whether you are a pro digicam user or a novice like myself. I never had so much fun taking pictures with this camera! I had no problems downloading the drivers and the camera has functioned properly. I went to many electronics stores looking for the Sony DSC-P51 or 71 and I was lucky enough to snag a P71. These cameras are hard to get! The picture quality is truly astounding and Sony's imagestation.com has easy to download instructions on how to view and print your pictures. The only negative is the included battery charger. It takes 13 hours to charge 2 batteries! Go with the STAMINA Starter Kit instead. Also, it is recommended that you upgrade the Memory Stick to at least 64 megs. Other than that, you won't be disappointed with this camera. I for one was amazed at how great simple-looking pictures turned out. And the design of the P71 is pretty cool-looking too! Sony does it again!
First, I would recommend using the side-by-side review feature at dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp. A friend sent me that link, and it was invaluable in trying to compare multiple models, once I had decided on a Sony. It's especially helpful when deciding on whether to opt for features like "movies", optical zoom settings, and so forth.I do *not* regret buying a Sony camera, since it is wonderful to pop out the Memory Stick, pop it into my Vaio laptop and have immediate access to the pictures - so much easier than the typical connect-the-camera and transfer-the-pictures routine.Since getting this camera, I find it's much harder to navigate menus than the previous digital camera I had (Kodak DC4800). The compact size, long battery life, and Memory Stick feature make this model well worth it!Also, you should absolutely plan on at least a 64MB Memory Stick if you are having your shots developed by Ofoto or similar, since you'll want the high/fine resolution for prints. The 16MB Memory Stick that is included with the unit is not nearly large enough, holding only about 9 high-res pictures.This model, if you get it at around ($$$), is the perfect combination of features, size (it's small and easy to carry), and price. Highly recommended, you just have to study the manual to figure out the menus.
I have used several digital cameras in the past couple years...  The DSC-P71 is not the most expensive, but is by far the best I have used yet.  This is my second Sony digital camera, and Sony has always impressed me with their digital imaging.  The lighting and color interpretation and contrast really make the pictures spring to life!  Often the pictures look far better than reality.  Pictures on overcast days actually look like it's sunny out.  In the same price range is the Canon S330.  It is a great camera as well, and VERY small and easy to use.  A real nifty package!  But it only has 2.0MP resolution, whereas the Sony as 3.2MP.  The optical zoom is the same, both have rechargeable batteries, and both come with 16MB memory cards.  Sony is at least as good a brand in my mind as Canon, especially for electronic products.  Hands down, my vote goes to the Sony.
I just want to know where I can purchase a memory stick that will work with this camera. I've had it with phoney Sony.
This is my first digital camera. I bought this to 'test the waters', before plunging into Nikon D/Canon EOS D series. Sony DSC P71 is a fabulous camera when it comes to color accuracy, clarity of pictures,ease of use, and good features at this price level. It comes with an international charger and NiMH batteries. Noise at ISO 400 is noticable, yet the indoor night time pics are very warm..Now over to the undesirables..!1. The digital zoom is practically useless. Picture looses clarity. I have disabled this feature. 3x Optical zoom is great.2. 16mb is a joke - suggest you purchase a 64/128 mb.3. The most frustrating thing about this camera is the shutter delay. i.e the time it takes the camera to record the scene after you click. That one+ second seems like an eternity. If you have a two year old, forget taking a good picture in one shot. I usually end up taking up 10 pics to get a couple right. The other 'delay' is between pictures. I am not sure if this problem is isolated to Sony or all digital cameras in general. Just this annoyance has convinced me to put off buying a more expensive digital camera for a while. I switch back to my SLR when this 'delay' gets to me!If delay would not bother you, go for it! It is one impeccable camera.
This camera is very easy to use.  The AutoFocus and illumination work very well, and the image quality is excellent.  Transferring pictures to my computer was also very easy.  I used the included USB cable to connect to my PC, and copied the pictures over just like I was copying any other file on my PC.  I would recommend getting a larger memory stick than the one included (128 MB sticks are available) so that you can store more pictures at a time, and I would also buy an extra set of rechargeable batteries.
After much extensive research, I finally narrowed it down to 2 potential cameras. The P71 from Sony and the Kodak DX4900. Both selling for the same price, so it was a matter of which was the better camera/deal. The Kodak had slightly better resolution and 1 more Megapixel than the Sony, but here's why I chose the Sony:Batteries: The Sony comes with rechargeable batteries and a charger. Kodak comes with alkalines (no charger)The Feel: The Kodak felt cheap. The body is cheap plastic and the buttons and compartments seem easily breakable and far from durable while the Sony had a nice sleek look and a professional quality feel to it.The Features: The Sony comes with a mpeg movie mode (no sound) where the Kodak doesn't have a movie mode at all.So, how do I feel about my choice? Pretty Damn Good.The Sony P71 is a quality camera. There is no question. The design is very similar to the other models from Sony but a little bit slimmer and lighter. The LCD on the back is bright and vivid and the colors look crisp and nice. The pictures I took came out very good. I took the camera into the woods and took some wilderness shots in the middle of the day and the pics came out beautifully. The trees and water, everything looked great. The movie mode is also a very cool feature. While it would have been much better with audio, it is still a very cool feature and can be used for various different things. Also, the movie size is only limited to the size of your memory. (Get a 128mb card!!! I did and it is so worth it)The camera is very easy to use. I didn't even have to read the manual. After monkeying around with the features for about 30-45 minutes, I learned pretty much everything. It has a nice, simple interface. Kudos to Sony for that. There are various different picture effects you can use, such as black and white, Sepia etc. and you, of course, have the option of choosing your prefered resolution.The camera also comes with red-eye reduction and a special feature found only on Sony Cameras, called the AF Illuminator. This feature is very cool because it helps you take pictures in the dark a lot better.Overall, this is a wonderful camera that is easy to use, durable, nice looking and takes quality pictures at high resolution and megapixels with the option of several effects and features. The only reasons I gave this camera 4 stars instead of 5 is because I thought the pictures I took in very low light could have been a little brighter, no audio with the movie mode and I've only had the camera for a week, so I don't know about the test of time. But I am very pleased so far.If you're like me, and want a dig cam to have some fun with and take some great pics, but don't want to get a second mortgage on your house to buy it...then look no further than the Sony P71. A quality camera at a quality price.
Best thing I liked, it has both NTSC/PAL video out and I can connect with any TV and view Pictures as I go..Great piece and highly recommended!!
Sony has just about infiltrated every electronic marketplace possible and the digital camera sector is no exception. When I was researching to buy a camera, it came down to the Canon A40 vs. the Sony DSC P71. I went with the Sony because it was smaller and I didn't want to carry around the larger Canon. I wonder now if I made a mistake as Canon cameras are constantly being raved about.The P71 being my first digital camera it would be unfair to say I was disappointed. It has a decent zoom 3x Optical and 2x digital. The form factor of the camera is a huge plus. It's very small and light and easy to carry in a jacket pocket. The LCD is 1.5&quot; more than large enough to see images clearly. The 3.2 megapixels has allowed me to develop beautiful, clear 5 x 7 photos. Even the 8 x 10 pictures come out very well.The strength of Sony digital cameras lies in taking outdoor pictures. The colors in natural sunlight are vibrant and clear. The pictures taken outdoors always come out beautiful - especially in areas where flowers, trees, and grass are present.I have seen very few digital cameras that take nicer outdoor pictures than the Sony P71.The navigation is very intuitive even if the buttons are a little small. Sometimes I find it hard to find the center &quot;ok&quot; button - I often accidentally slip my finger to the right or left. When going through pictures taken already, the preview images render very quickly on the LCD. The camera offer a plethora of options for shutter speed, contrasting, picture quality and resolution, as well as view.Battery life is good. I can go through a 64 MB memory stick at high resolution on one set of batteries (and flash). Sony also provides a free set(2) of rechargeable batteries and a charger with this camera. This is a very very nice addition and accessory for this price. I bought an extra set of rechargeable batteries to keep as a spare (one set always charges while the other set is being used).Also provided is a USB cable to hook up to your computer to download images. This is an extremely easy set up with Windows XP - just plug the USB cable into your computer and camera and XP automatically recognizes your new hardware. You don't need to install the provided software if your computer already has a default picuture viewer.Now the reasons this camera received just 3 stars:1) Remember how I mentioned that this camera takes great outdoor pictures? Well as great as the outdoor pictures are, the indoor pictures are as equally horrible. I don't know if it's the flash or Sony's interpretation of artificial light, but every single indoor picture is dark with an orange tint. They are clear, but the coloring is always off. It's like I'm looking at pictures through sunglasses.2) I wish Sony would have configured this camera to leave the flash on when I turn it on. The default setting for the flash is always &quot;off&quot; so when you turn the flash on and the camera is idle for a minute, it turns itself off and sets the flash to the off position. This wouldn't be annoying if it didn't take the camera so long to re-initiate the flash. It takes a good 5-7 seconds to re-initiate. Furthermore, what would make most sense would be if the camera just sensed when the flash was needed and turned it on itself. That's what most cameras do.So there you have it - a layman's review of the Sony P71. I'm not a hobbyist or a professional photographer, I just use the camera for fun to basically record memories. The Sony P71 is an decent camera. If you take a lot of indoor pictures, stay away from it, otherwise, it will serve its purpose.
I have had the P71 for a month now, and while I like it, I don't love it. It appears pretty well made, though the power switch is often hard to activate and as a result, I've missed some quick shots I could have taken with my Olympus 2100 or my Canon S110. In addition, I find the control labels and the viewfinder text to be smaller than any other camera I've had, making it a challenge to pick the right setting at times. Picture quality has been good, both in daylight and with the flash, and the subject illuminator works quite well at anything less than 6 feet (making the flash unnecessary). The 3 megapixel resolution is excellent for enlargements up to and including 11" x 14", though I rarely shoot over 1 megapixel (more than enough for email, website posting and 4" x 6" printing). The 3X true optical zoom works well, as does the quick-time movie feature (though the latter lacks sound, something you might expect at this price). My major complaint has been battery use; 2 AA alkalines will last less than 40 photos, and a set of 1600 milliamp rechargeables about twice that. All in all, I will probably continue using my Olympus and will make a Christmas gift of the Sony.
Summary - the most camera I could find for [the price] in a small hanld held size. Lots of useful features. I am very satisfied with it as an artist tool. For landscapes less lens would be too far away, for blow up pics, less mega-pixels would be to grainy.The Good.Unlike film cameras, this camera produces all hues of the color wheel correctly. It also records a larger range of darks and lights. As an artist I have paid for professional studio shots of my watercolor paintings that are not as good as this camera. These qualities are mostly a function of digital vs. film camera. All camera films have color bias and less value range than what a painting can have. However, even among digital cameras there can be some color bias, this one has perfect balance. Also it can see into shadow areas revealing details better than most film cameras. With 3 meg Pixels it produces 4x6 inch pictures at 340 pdi on a printer, very sharp.  Posters and magazine are printed at 150 dpi for this camera that would be about a 8x10 print, they still look better.It has an amazing macro lens with a tulip icon. I took very close and very sharp pictures of tulips with it. Other subjests may work well, I don't know yet.  It is packed with lots options like White Balance for cloudy days, very helpfull in Seatle.  Other good features are manual focus, noise reduction, and  in low contrst situations  when the autofocus feature is confused it sends out a a flash to see the subject and get a fix, all cameras should have this feature.The not so good.Some low contrast areas have speckles in them at about the grainness level of ISO 400 film.  This is very slight and most people will not notice.  It also may be a factor of the "PaintShop Pro" software translation to the HP 1220 printer, because this graininess does not show up on the monitor.Even with 3x optical zoom distant objects like Mt. Rainier show up at about 90 percent of their actual size, though this is  pretty good at this price.  Note 3x optical zoom cameras are not all alike.  I depends on 3 times what size you start with.  A Kodak 3x camera gives a much shaller or distant picture.It comes with out a camera case and a slow battery charger, 13 hrs. But Sony gives you a $20 coupon towards buying a kit with a case, batteries and a fast charger 2hrs. for $40.  You really want to have spare battieries and a charger that recharge them as fast as you can use them up.
I have owned this camera for about a month now and it has been well worth the [money] price tag! I love the movie mode! Sending short movie clips to family and friends around the world has been great. The con would be that it does not have a sound mode, but for the price we can't have it all! It sure beats carrying the camcorder around! My biggest reason for upgrading from my Kodak DC3200 was because I needed a camera that would take a picture of a moving target! My 3 year old! I have been MOST impressed with its picture quality and have used postcard services like [URL} to send them instantly. I have to tell you this is ONE neat camera and really EASY to use !!!
I get great pix.  Check the settings if you aren't getting good quality. If the image looks bad on your screen, it's probably because of the way it's being compressed by the image viewer to fit on the screen.
This camera model is approximately 10 years old but works  beautifully. Be aware, however, that the Memory sticks are difficult to find any other place than at an online dealer.  It is well worth the bother to me.
After extensive research I finally found the camera I wanted, a Canon Powershot S30- wouldn't you know it, Amazon was sold out. So I setteled on this Sony instead. Overall a nice, easy to use camera. My only gripe is the software included. It is lame. Many other cameras come with some kind of editing software or a lite version of Photoshop. This software seems to be only worthwhile for creating photo albums.
This is a v.good Camera , It is my first Digital.It is very easy to use , In the beg. i thought it would be complicated , but with the manual you can easly do anything with this Sony.Get 128 MB memory Card , and you no longer need your laptop with you to transfer images to empty the memory card.Shooting movies is fun though missing SOUND.Battery lasts until you charge them back.
Sony MSACA8 Memory Stick HolderVery handy for all of the extra memory sticks I purchased. Fits easily into camera case. I'll no longer run out of memory with my camera while on vacation!
This little memory stick holder is a handy little thing. I bought this thing and I have used it every day since day one. It holds the Memory Stick Duo Pro in their holders and keeps them as tight as could be.
keeping track of memory sticks is much easier with the holder.  also protects the delicate contacts.  chose the aluminum one for the cool factor only.
I knew I wanted a solid case that would hold eight sticks, but didn't realize the aluminum model was so heavy. Aluminum should be lightweight, right? Well, they made it thick to make it protective, but now it weighs more than a battery.Given the postage each way, it's not worth it to me to return that one and get this durable but lighterweight plastic model - but I wish I had to begin with.
Nice design and layout, but its too big for the PDA user.  You're better off with a steel business card holder or plastic Pelican cases that are water tight and shock resistant, alas they don't have those nice cubby holes.
I have 6 memory cards.  That's at least $200 worth of the purple bubble gum sticks.  I used to have them piled up behind the num pad on my keyboard, and I think I'm missing an 8MB stick somewhere.  Not too worried, the 8MB's are only 10 bucks now.  But for my 128MB  sticks I would be angry if I lost one of those.  It's nice to have a SOLID case that I can take with me to take pictures on my Sony Camera and to store files for transfering between home PC and work PC.  I haven't lost a stick since, so I'm giving this 5 stars.  If you own 4 or more sticks, I highly recomend this.
If you have memory sticks, I'd advise one of these type of things, mem sticks are fragile, and spendy..protect them with this.  I like the Sony one cause it has a cool look, the aluminum adds for a nice touch!
I knew I wanted a solid case that would hold eight sticks, but didn't realize this was so heavy. Aluminum should be lightweight, right? Well, they made it thick to make it protective, but now it weighs more than a battery.Given the postage each way, it's not worth it to me to return this one and get the other, but I probably should have gone with the other Sony model, made of durable but lightweight plastic.
Purchased this item quite some time ago.  The quality of  the product is superior.  The price was very reasonaBLE.  i'M VERY SATISFIED,
This is a great Memory Stick case, which I use to tote memory sticks around for both my digitial camera, and movie camera.It's thin, sits well in camera bag pockets.  It's also not hard to remove the sticks, as they tilt up when the &quot;bottom&quot; is pressed.
Beautiful style and finish,  James Bond would have one of these.
This case is perfect for keeping your memory sticks organized, clean, and without electric shock.  It holds 8 sticks, or 4 sticks and 1 PC adapter card for notebooks.  It is light weight, fits easily into a camera case or bag, and is very strong (I crushed mine in a chair lift in Innsbruck, Austria)!The rubber coating helps keep it safe from Water (though I don't know that it is considered officially "waterproof".  I don't know what else to say except that it is the perfect companion for the digital photo enthusiast!!
i dont know what the upgrades are like but I still have this and i am fine with it. maybe in a yr or two I might buy anotherI am use this as a back up. Reason just because i dont want it to fail me but still a great meter....lol
NICE SERVICE, NICE ITEM, ALL GOOD AND RECOMENDABLE!!THEY SHIPPED BEFORE THE DEADLINE AS I ASK CUZ I WAS IN A RUSH.
I have this minolta IVf light meter for more than 16 years and it still functions. There is a attachment for darkroom use to calculate the projector exp. time (if you want to print negative!!!).The meter can measure  both ambien light and flash light with digital read out. In flash mode, user can hook up the cable, trigger and measure the flash light or leave/ hold the meter at the subject( to be measure) then hand triger the strobe.I think this meter is very useful for anyone who likes to use the studio (ambien/cont. light) or flash.
I used this same model when I started photography a while back. So I ordered a used one that was dirt cheap. It worked great, was packaged nice, and dead on in its readings. I seriously recommend this meter.
Am still using my Autometer4F--after nearly 20 years, still works perfectly. Minolta made great light meters. This one has ambiant and flash (wireless or pc connector) settings and is very accurate and easy to use. Uses two AA batteries which last forever.Minolta was a very innovative company with R&D.; I also shot Minolta cameras for several years before switching to Nikon. But they mastered the first mass-produced AF body, multi-segment metering systems, wireless flash, etc. before Nikon or Canon got on the playing field.Great meter that will last you a lifetime of work, if you can still find one.
This is a very nice tripod, is strong, elegant and cool, I love it, but the only trouble that I find it, it is that this cool gadget does not have a detail list of compatible sony cameras, I mean I am an owner of 2 sony cybershot camera`s, the W80 and H2 and I am not able to use the remote control with my cameras, only because Sony do not give us that information
I've had this for years; it's light-weight and very nice.  Compatible with my Sony very well.
This is a good general-purpose tripod for Sony Handicams.  The remote control handle is a must-have feature for decent videos.  With practice, slow zooms are possible.My biggest complaint is that the unit does not have a fluid head.  It can be hard to get smooth pans without some jerkiness.However, the overall features and utility of the remote handle and a reasonable price, make this a good buy.
I orderd this tripod instead of the taller ones as the 57" height has proven to cover most, if not all, of the situations I would need it for.  This tripod covers two of the most important characteristics of a good support, as it is very stable and solidly built, and it is also lightweight and easy to carry.  The included carrying case also has a shoulder strap to make it even easier to haul.The big feature of the Sony tripods which separates it from the generics pieces, are the controls built into the handle of the head.  They include play, stop, record, zoom-in, zoom-out, and take a still picture.  Having the controls right at your fingertips on the handle makes it infinitely easier to control the camera and still keep a very stable shot with no jitter.  I can rotate the camera, and zoom in and out, without any visible motion whatsoever.  Sony's innovations and equipment integration is almost always worth the extra cost, and this tripod is no exception.  I highly recommend this as the best tripod for any Sony prosumer video cameras.
I recently used this tripod on a road trip to Yosemite.  WOW!  what a world of difference on my video quality.  I tried other high quality tripods that I already had,  however having the controls on the handle, make all the difference in the world.This tripod folds up in a snap!  I then sling it with camera attached over my shoulder and walk to my next shoot.It is great to that you can turn off the power off to the camera, zoom, pan, record and even take stills during video taping, all without taking your hand off the tripod's handle.I am using this tripod with a Sony HDR-HC7 High Def camcorder.
Although I have not used this tripod for a serious recording with my old digital video camera, this tripod is not difficult to connect into my digital handycam. I tried it once after Christmas and it was so easy. I should have bought this long time ago. I got this tripod as one of my Christmas presents.
Three-section legs give good range adjustment and yet compact storage.Metal legs and adjustment clamps work good.  Leveling bubble is somewhat helpful.  The remote control handle work good with Sony products.  The camera shoe is secure and tight.  Panning with this tripod is a bit jerky and may not be appropriate for great video panning.  Elevator mechanism is also jerky. Very good tripod for the money.
We keep all our SONY's on one of these.  We use them in our Digital Filmmaking workshops and our students love them.  We paid $150 a couple of years ago.  For the pro-sumer, this is a great buy.
I am really happy with this purchase. It's a good reliable product and I am making good use for my video making.
I purchased this tripod at Circuit City.  When I got home, I decided to check the price here at Amazon.com and found it to be a total of 38.18 cheaper than Circuit City.  I had already hooked up both my DSC-F828 still cam and my DCR-HC20 to it, and it worked like a charm. So I packed it back in the box and returned it... got home and ordered it from Amazon.  I have yet to receive the product, but I already know I like it.  Also love the shoulder strap and the fact that the tripod doesn't feel like it's going to fall over under the weight of my F828.
For it's price, which i in the mid-consumer range, and well below the pro range, it's a very nice little tripod.The legs lock firmly and are easy to latch and unlatch, the leg brace is at the bottom of the first set of leg tubes, which puts it off the ground even at the lowest height, overall manufacturing quality is very good--including the carrying case which is tough enough to last a while, unlike most such bags included with consumer equipment. It's a mid-weight nylon canvas with a self-repairing plastic zipper.I'm shooting with a moderately heavy camera (VX1000) at 4+# additions for a total weight of around 6-7#It is a LIGHT tripod. With the tripod fully extended it has a tendency to wobble a bit under the weight of my gear. Weighting this one in windy conditions or when shooting fully extended (especially with telephoto,) is a necessity.As others have noted, the zoom control moves the reverse of most camera zooms which is a pain to get used to, but can be gotten used too. (Hey LANC controls generally cost more than this tripod with it's controls!) If it continues to bother me, I may disassemble and reverse the control.With a lighter 1-2# consumer camera it is a VERY nice tripod, with less weight on top it is extremely stable.The carrying bag is very nice bonus. It's deigned to slip over your head and arm and run across your back--I'm 6'4" and have no trouble with it binding, and it is light enough to be barely  noticeable. Very nice if you're traveling.As a consumer tripod its an excellent choice esp. if you are shooting with one of the newer small cameras, The LANC control helps stop a lot of camera wiggle and makes for smooth combination pan/tilt /zoom operations.The fluid head is of very good quality for the price, and has a nice range of adjustable drag.For heavier gear it needs added bottom weights outside, but works pretty well indoors.Besides the backwards zoom my only trouble has been that I accidentally hit the on/off button a lot--but that's mostly due to my height which tends to make me grip the handle in a choke grip.The LANC control should also be improved had they made the I/O a standard LANC plug rather than the molded relief permanent cable--it's too easy to forget to disconnect the cable when removing the gear, and I have some concerns about the longevity of that built in cable.THe LANC control handle is removable which opens up the possibility of using it from some distance away from the camera (I have a 20' LANC extension cable for use when the camera is mounted outside a vehicleI've shot about 7 hours of a documentary with it to date, and it has performed very well.I recommend it for consumer lightweights and reservedly recommend it for heavier prosumer cameras. You're not going to want to put a camera, lights, additional  mic, transmitters and sound mixer on the head, but it does perform very nicely as a camera & mic support.
Pros pay $600 and more (even much more)for tripod legs and head.The two main problems with cheaper tripods are lack of stability in the legs and "stiction" in the head movement.  The lack of stability comes from lightweight, bendable legs.  If you bump the tripod with your knee, or grab the handle without care, you'll see shake in the video.  "Stiction" is the tendency of of the materials in the head to bind together slightly when left in a position for a few moments.  The result is a visible jerk in the video when you start a pan or tilt movement.  True fluid heads have a viscous fluid between the solid parts to provide smooth drag without binding.With the VCT-870RM Sony has somehow managed to produce an inexpensive tripod that doesn't stick.  My pans and tilts are as smooth with it as they are with my 40 pound Bogen-Manfrotto legs and head.There is no getting around the fact that although well-built, the legs are lightweight.  Therefore I have to take extra care to grasp the handle gently, and not to bump the tripod.  But this is not hard, and it's worth it.  It is so much easier to carry around the VCT-870RM than my pro tripod that it is almost always the one I grab when I'm going out for a single camera shoot.  And I use it with expensive cameras--a Canon GL2 or a Sony VX2100.The controller on the handle is a totally unique and great extra.  Being able to control the zoom from the handle gives much better results with much more comfort than reaching over with the other hand for the on-camera control.  There is also a record/pause switch, a power standby switch and a still photo button.  It plugs into the LANC control port on the camera.  As mentioned above, Sony and Canon both operate according to the LANC standard, but Panasonic does not.  I don't know about JVC.With the crank-controlled vertical column the tripod is able to attain more than enough height.  I'm 6'2" and I only crank it up very little.I like it so much that I also bought one for my school's video club, and anticipate buying another.  Highly recommended.
When I purchased this tripod, my husband thought it was just another tripod.  After he used it the first time, he guards this tripod with his life.  He LOVE this tripod!  The tripod is like a magnet because it always brings questions and people to the tripod.  We have the Sony DCR-DVD505 and the remote on the handle of the tripod works GREAT with our camera. The height adjustment and everything was made perfect! We are not disappointed!
Easily the best tripod I've ever owned, including some considerably more expensive ones.  The only problem was with the remote.  You must turn on the video camera before connecting.  When the camera turns off automatically, disconnect the wire, turn on the camera, plug the remote back in.  What a pain.
I have purchased and used the Sony VCT870RM Tripod side-by-side with professional tripods for projects in Video Production Technology II, and its performance is equal to the professional tripods. The only difference is that professional tripods are much heavier. Still, this tripod is stable even in windy conditions, which makes it my favorite tripod to carry with me for projects away from the studio. Actually, I find myself using this tripod more than any of the more hi-end professional tripods in our studio. Panning and tilt are fluid, set up is quick and easy, and the quick release attachment makes it fast and simple to transfer my video camera on and off the tripod. The remote handle is ideal because it eliminates the need to touch the camera, which prevents camera-shake caused by having to depress the button on the camera to start and stop recording. If you want an excellent tripod that performs like the professionals without having to spend alot of money, this is definitely the tripod to buy.
I purchased the VCT870RM after reading it was as good as a professional bogen of which I have five.It isn't, not even close, but it is a good tripod for the price, weight and size considerations and the built in lanc control is very nice.The tripod easily collapses to a nice compact size with flip locks (I like those far better than friction turns) and is very, very light.The lightness works against the tripod in regards to unwanted accidental motion, but is great for travel and moving around and this is an acceptable compromise in my opinion for many situations.I really like the built in lanc remote control (far less clumsy than add ons which I also own) with which you can turn the cam power on and off as well as the record (and photo) on and off, but most importantly it gives you a very controllable variable power zoom that allows you a slower zoom than you can manage with many of the newer Sony cam's on cam zoom controls.The mounting plate is large and solid and the built in turn key is far handier than those that require a screwdriver or even the bogen's turn knob style.The tilts and pans, while not as fluid or controlled as the bogens is completely acceptable.There is one negative, there is a slight resistance to any beginning tilt move (both up and down) which resolves itself at your end motion with a "resetting" just a tad back in the direction you started in.While you can account for this in your tilt motion to end where you want you cannot avoid the "back off" movement short of maintaining a manual rock steady(not easy to do)end pressure.This is disappointing as it makes the tripod less than ideal in situations where precise movement is desired often or continously.Considering this entire tripod costs significantly less than an add on lanc remote controller alone it is a very great value within it's limitations.For on the go I will use this tripod often, for critical movement jobs the bogens will remain the tool of choice.
This tripod is out of production, although I bougth it because the price and the need of lanc connection for my camcorder Sony DSR PD170, was the only model with a reasonable price. The desadvantage is that it can not hold stablity for the camcorder, too light, not enough hight, and the locks for the vertical and horizontal moves are not good enough, you loose in trying to loose or tight the buterfly nuts. The only advantage is the remote controller and the price. I hope Sony can improve it like the next level but with more confortable price.
I ordered this from Warehouse Deals as a returned unit.  When I got the tripod, it was decent quality for the price, with the head being decently smooth and the legs were stable and a little stronger than others lead me to believe.  Unfortunately, the LANC cable, which is what set this apart from other tripods, was obviously cut in half and not user-servicable, so I had to return the unit.  I got a "full refund" which apparently means the price of the unit but not the shipping costs.  Shipping a unit with a cut, external, and fairly obvious defect and not refunding the shipping seems a bit less than I expected.
RE: SONY 870RM TRIPODThe fluid head is really fine for pans and tilts - exceptionally smooth for the relatively low cost.HOWEVER - the design and build of the neck (yoke) and leg assembly is weak.  The unit I received actually "twists" as I pan the camera.  Even with the leg spreader wide open, the yoke assembly that supports the legs at the top is just not adequate for the resistance offered by the pan head.  I could try reinforcing the yoke by adding screws through it into each leg but I'm sure that would void the warranty.My $60. Velbon brand tripod is more sturdy in this regard however its pan head is not as good as the Sony and it it does not have the remote control.The remote control on the handle requires a "LANC" connection receptacle on the camcorder.  It will start and stop the tape in the camera.The problem is with the zoom control.  Although it allows you to smoothly vary the speed of the zoom, the design is backwards!  The zoom requires the camera operator to push backward to zoom IN and forward to zoom OUT - the exact opposite of the zoom rocker switch on the camera!!! Totally illogical. I could get used to it but it's just another unnecessary quirk to put up with.I will probably be returning this unit or at least exchanging it for another in the hope that its legs don't twist.
The design is clever! It is cheap and handy. But note that it has to be put on a table. So it carries all the advantages of a tripod except the fact that it cannot be placed on the floor!! anyway, you can use it will all types of video cameras, it makes the camera stable all the time. Sony logo looks nice.All in all, buy it if you want a table tripod.
This Sony VCT-TK1 is by far the best pocket tripod for instant use.  I take it out of my pocket, screw on my camcorder, and it is ready to instantly take videos or self pictures.(Incidently, I have a wide variety of other different pocket-type tripods with three small legs and adjustable ball pan and tilt, but I do not use them.)
Excellent choice! My camera it's a 35mm manual so that means it's big and heavy and this tripod can easy hold it at different angles without loosing the aimed subject. I can carry it fold in my pocket almost without knowing compared with the other bulky tripod with legs that stick in your body. This is a universal tripod not only for Sony products; if your camera has a threaded hole underneath you can use this tripod. Good luck!
It's a clever design but i wouldn't put it in my pocket. I have a pocket monopod that also works as a steadicam. It's called a readysteady, and it really does fit in your pocket.
We love this product. This tiny little widget that screws on all our cameras, 3 different digital cams, and positions the camera so well, has made it more possible for us to ask far less of strangers for snapping our photo....it travels so well, very light, slips right into my purse and is very easy to set up. It provides several different angles also.
You can fold up legs & keep it attached to camcorder while your shooting. Also a good platform while dubbing tape.Handy little gadget
Good, stable, solid, compact.  Folds flat for easy storage in my small camera bag.  I'll buy another to go with my Canon.
This little device made my Sony handyCam easier to work with and definate;y makes the capture rock solid!  I like the way the legs fold in and you can use the cam like normal and then pull out the legs to set on a table or flat surface.  The football players like the look from the field level too!  Good little piece of equipment!
Nice little device - very inexpensive, compact, and usefull on a table.
It's light, compact, and stable, easy to slip into a shirt pocket, and easy to use. It's great for fairly flat surfaces. From reading descriptions, the gorilla tripod (I think that's the name), while bulkier, is more versatile, since it can adjust for uneven surfaces and wrap around poles etc, but I haven't tried it.
I recommend this product, it worked for me. Plugged it into my computer and could control the player from there.
I was shocked at how expensive this is so I searched other sites for one. I found a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire at CompUSA's website for $3.99 TOTAL (free shipping!) This Sony cable works great, but I can't tell the difference between it and my cheap one...thus the one star.
This is just another way for Sony to make another $35 on the purchase of their Video Camera.  Imagine my surprise finding out that I had to purchase a separate cable in order to create DVD's from my DV camera.  As far as the cable itself goes, it is fine.  But, it sure would give Sony more favorable talk on my part if they just included the cable when I buy the camera.
This product worked exactly as it was supposed to. I had tried using the cable that came with the camera (USB cord) and found out exactly what many others had said on blogs.....IT DOESN'T WORK!!!Once I got this cable, it worked perfectly. I was able to easily download video from my camera to my computer. The only frustration I had was that I would rather have paid a little more for the camera and gotten this cable with it in the first place.
Its a cable, it works, what else do you want?  I know its not the cheapest one out there, but this one says "sony" on it.  Yea!!  But, I am a true believer that you only get what you pay for.  Im sure its better quality than the five dollar version at the flea market.  who knows, but I sure feel all warm and fuzzy about getting quality sony products.
This was the perfect cable to upload my videos from my Sony video camcorder to my PC. Easy to setup and works with the installed software. Operates faster than expected.
If you have a new computer or maybe newer that 2003 this cable will work if you are working with one older than that like me it doesn't work.  So now I have this wonderful cable and waiting to get an upgraded computer to match.
Excellent method for transfering your videos to your computer for editing and making CD's.  The i.Link cable is easy to use.  Make sure you order the right cable.  I ordered the wrong cable a 4 pin to 4 pin which I believe only works if you have a Sony computer.  Most other computers like my Dell will probally need the 6 pin to 4 pin cable.Also make sure your computer has the capability before ordering.  i.LINK is also known as Firewire and IEEE-1394.It does provide excellent high speed quality video transfers.
This is a must have cable if you're going to transfer your videos to your computer.  Sony does not supply the cable with its HD camcorders.  If you edit your videos and/or make DVDs, you will need this cable.
Works as described. I am just so annoyed that Sony would lure me into buying their video camera for a competitive price without including this cable, making the overall cost of the camera no longer competitive. It's smart for Sony to conduct business this way, but only in order to earn profit in the short term. You can bet I won't be suckered in to buying any more Sony products in the future, now knowing that this is how they run their business.
I recorded an event and was unable to download it to my pc. I took five minutes once I received the sony cable. GREAT
This is really the ideal entry-level camcorder for someone just getting into digital video editing.  The optical image stabilization is far better than the electronic kind, and the picture quality is pretty good. It has a tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight, but you can easily adjust the exposure down half an f-stop.  It's small and light, the viewfinder and flip-out screen are both color, battery life is pretty good with an add-on high capacity battery.  Best of all, you can connect your old analog camcorder to it and import all your old videos to DV!  Works great with Apple iMovie.The one downside to this camcorder is the audio. It's a problem with most tiny cameras, and this is no exception: motor whine. DV requires a high speed rotating head, which means fast motors--and because of the small body, they're too close to the built-in microphones.My solution was to spend an extra $99 on a Sony WCS-999 Wireless Microphone kit.  It's a clip-on belt pack with a "tie clip" style mic, operating via 900MHz wireless.  Just like professional TV presenters use, but at a fraction of the price.  After that investment, I got great sound.
Awesome Camcorder & Camera functions in this lightweight, easy to use camcorder make it a breeze to shoot great memories for a novice like me, right out of the box.  This camcorder also has a huge selection of special effects, and options to make really interesting video effects.  I love this camcorder!
I own one of these cameras and it has very low hours on it.  The transport mechanism has failed and will not properly load and play tapes.  Not only that, the tapes now appear to be damaged for playback on another machine.  I have owned many Canon products and have been satisfied with them, but this unit at $600 should be avoided.
Well where do I begin?  After a month of use, the battery stopped working.  Contacted Canon via email.  They replied battery is not under warranty.  Would you like to buy another one?  Please.6 months later.  I started transferring video to my computer only to find out this stupid camera eats tapes.  I have lost two tapes so far.  One of them was my son's birth!!!!The eating tapes issue is a major problem with this unit.  They have known about it and continue to ignore it.  Do a search on "zr40 tape problems" to see what I am talking about.  There are even more results on sister product, zr10. I will never buy a product from Canon again.  They are idiots for doing this to their customers.
This is an excellent camera, and if you're going to be using this camera with a computer for edited purposes, you don't need the still shot feature that the more expensive cameras have, because you can just pull any still shot you want out of the footage once you have it uploaded.  The picture quality is great, it's lightweight, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the audio quality, even out of the built-in microphone.  It's one of the best deals in video cameras I think.  I would recommend a spare rechargable battery though.  It doesn't last very long.
Excellent camcorder, does very well in all kinds of light. I have had no trouble with it indoors, and I find that it performs very well in low light. Flawlessly performs with Windows Movie Maker 2 through firewire. The sound is outstanding, considering the picture is it's strong point. I did not need the digital camera built in as I already have one. Effects are fun to play around with, especially with the handy scroll button. I have not heard the motor noise at all, so I can't see where that is coming from. My only complaint is that it shuts off too quickly if inactive, but it's really not that much of a problem. Image stablizer works really well, as I often have an unsteady hand but it is hardly noticeable with this camcorder. I just wish they made a VCR that could record the footage as well as it was taped!
Love this little camera. Video taken outside is outstanding, inside can be a little fuzzy without bright lighting. Zoom is fabulous. The only thing I don't like is the fact that you can only charge the battery while it is mounted to the camera, which defeats the purpose of having multiple batteries if your wanting to have one battery charging while still using the camera with another battery.
Like many of the other reviewers, my ZR40 is now giving me the infamous "Remove cassette" message and is mangling tapes. I have used it to record maybe 7 hours worth of video over the last two years. Search the web for "canon zr users group" and "eating tapes" to hear similar horror stories. Stay away from Canon camcorders.
I've had this camcorder for almost half a year now, and I have no major complaints whatsoever.After doing research for Sony, Canon, JVC, and Panasonic, I finally settled on this one and have not been disappointed.The camcorder itself is easy to use. It took only a quick glance through the manual and I was well on my way to videoland.The minidv tapes are pricey and this records in SP (60 min for regular tapes) and LP (90 min), so you'll want to check those out before buying.Hooking up to TV requried several tries the first time for some reason, but now I have no problem.No software comes in this package, but I tested this with several, including Windows Movie Maker, Ulead VideoStudio, MGI VideoWave, and the $...rebate software ArcSoft Showbiz. Depending on the program, the video takes up different amounts of space on your hard drive, but just for the record, using MGI VideoWave, a 4 min clip took up 875 MB (yes, that's right.) However, Windows Movie Maker take up only a fraction of that. I haven't explored making VCDs due to the limited memory on my computer (Win ME) but it should go smoothly.You'll find that the zoom allows you to read the text on a newspaper up to about 30 feet away clearly, and that this product is sturdy, reliable, and has excellent value.I think the new line of Canon camcorders has come out already, and if you are thinking about buying one, don't hestitate: it's the best deal out there!
I'm always been fond of the Canon line of consumer DV cams. They always have great optics, electronics, and durability. But what really sets them apart is thier menu systems! It's totally disgusting that on most any other brand, including ones as prestegious as Sony, that they lump all the menu options into a hoard of small, finger nail sized, buttons for most of thier consumer models.  For Canon's you simply press the menu button then scoll and press a togele wheel. This way, once you get the hang of the wheel, you now understand how to use the whole menu system for any function. This is a great improvement over those that require the manual to find that "secret button combination". This is a consumer camera but I use it for many large applications. It has been sized down from it's Optura and Ultura ancestors but pretty well all the functionality and then some. It has other sister cams such as the ZR45MC and ZR50MC. These pack the all-in-one memory card digital camera and mini Dv. I have friends who love these models dearly.  Personally I go for a seperate camera with larger resolution. Whatever your needs are ...I've noticed a large number of reviews that say something to the affect of "I pulled it out of the box, plugged it up, and the image was grainy" or "I turned on steady shot and nothing happend".This might be old news for most but to explain for those of you that might be concerned by this ...Video cameras these days still thrive on ample lighting! This and other cameras have a sort of slow motion low light mode (accessible from the menu) that works by slowing down the frame rate and sucking every bit of image data off the CCD. THis is ok for an emergancey but if you want good image, turn on an extra light or two.  Human eyes are so adaptable that you might not even notice if the lighting is more subdued than usal but it will make a mile of diffence for the camera. Secondly, get to know the manual menu and exposure system. The auto functions can't always guess what your trying to do.About steady shot... this only takes of the headache inducing shock that occurs when you jar the camera. It's extremely useful in it's own right but it won't keep you from waving the camera around.This is a great cam that I fully recommend. THere is one issue that doesn't dampen my five star rating but is noteworthy. To size this camera down to an even more portable size, the engineers made it with the DV cassette loading from the bottom instead of the top. THis is fine except that if you are a true believer in tripods, as I am, then you have to take the camera off the tipod or tripod plate every time you need to swap tapes.  Just a minor concern...
I have used the camera for a month and am impressed by its features and picture quality. I agree with the other reviewers that indoor shoots require good lighting. I bought a video light and it helped a lot. Outdoor footage with sunshine is superb! If you are new to the video world (like I am) this camera is all you need to get started.
I did extensive research on this model (the whole ZR series) and I must say, a lot of things are positive for this little camera.* light weight, * small, * bright outdoor pictures, * PRICE.And some negative points raised by many so far, which of course I have not been able to test as I have not bought this item, is the motor noise being recorded and the night shots being grainy.I will not discuss anything about it as they have been beaten to death by now.What I want to talk about is the smaller CCD resolution on the ZR series camcorders.As we know, the US spec ZR series have the 460K pixels, out of which only 290K pixels are used for video (effective pixels). We need about 420K effective pixels to get a 500 line video resolution on the TV. Most of us know that, the VHS format (video tapes) allow upto 240lines of horizontal resolution. The S-VHS tapes allow upto 400 lines and the Digital Video format goes to 525 lines (really crisp and sharp pictures) on the TV/visual media.So now, with mere 290K effective pixels of video resolution being recorded on the ZR40/45/50, the best lines of resolution would be around 300. Now, not everything is bad. If you intend to transfer your videos into VHS tapes for storage and future viewing, you will not have any complaints as VHS tapes store at 240 lines of resolution. But someone like me, who wants to store the video digitally, by burning them into DVDs or storing them in DV tapes, I would like to get the best resolution that I can, right?In simple words, I want 500 lines of resolution for my video, full stop! Even though ZR40 is a DV camera, its resolution is very poor for real digital quality video.By the way, the resolution has got everything to do with what we call SHARP, crisp and colorful pictures. It is the same difference you see between the movies played from the VHS tape and movies played from the DVD.Oh by the way, if your TV doesn't have a 500 line horizontal resolution capability, you are not getting the money's worth by renting DVDs. The TV I bought about 4 yrs ago, a proscan 32 inch, has 700 lines of horizontal resolution. So I can assume most TVs in our houses have capable enough TVs. Going slightly off topic, do you know why the picture quality of HDTVs are so sharp? Bcoz their resolutions are almost double than the 500 lines I am talking about.
I just purchased my ZR40 and I think it just barely gets by. The still photos are very grainy and in low light scenarios it does not perform well. The digital zoom is out standing, and it is very handy. I&#65533;ve only had it one week so I can&#65533;t say every much yet.
Video gets grainy indoor. Other than that, i think everything is fine for the price i paid. 8/
Yes it does eat tapes. I have the camera and I have owned it for about 3 years. It did some fine work. I have no complaints except if you need a camera that will never eat tapes, be very wary.I posted my movies on a couple of websites. I make short movies. I used the Canon ZR40 and made movies with the Sonic Foundry Vegas 4 editing system. It made fine movies in the wmv or rm or mov for Quicktime web formats. My short films are at hollywoodscreams and myhollywoodstar and those are dot com, of course. They are family friendly.Recently I tried to rewind a tape. It got mangled. I figured it was just the tape. I tried a second tape and another. Each time I would record something OK but the tape would get jammed during rewind. On the movie Hollywood Screams I rewound each scene by hand. That is very hard to do. I had to use two toothpicks to hold the cassette lid open so I could pull the tape out and then wind the spool by hand. It was very time consuming.The video looks good and I never noticed noise. I am sure each brand of camcorder has some problem. Canon has a mechanism that mangles tapes in rewind after several years of use if my camcorder is typical.Tom Willett
After about a year of use, ZR 40 started eating tapes.  Do a google search on the topic, there are hundreds of people with the same problem.  'Remove Cassette' and 'Eject' (use those as keywords combined with 'Canon ZR' to view message boards postings) will appear on the screen, and that's the end of the toy.
I have read a lot of reviews and concluded that I'll give this camcroder a try. I was not really afraid of the motor whining but on the low-light performance much really. Anyway after I bought I did a couple of trial shootage in various lighting conditions and I was satisfied. After it got dark i did a trial under low-light in-house and it was satisfying to me. Because the shutter speed slows you do not have the luxury of moving the camcorder fast but this is a fact of optics not a camcorder flaw or anything. Motor whining is a problem but not a big deal really. If it is buy a mic. With the size of the cam, price i don't think this would be major problem. This is my humble opinion.
I love the features and optics of this camera.  I love everything about it, except that it really doesn't work and their service is terrible.  Many people posted about the humming sound -- I didn't have that problem.  But the electrical system was intermittent from the time I got the camera.  I've sent it to them three times, and each time they repair it, or claim to.  Now it is out of warranty and the battery still doesn't work.  So I'll have to buy a new camera and hope that you don't make the same mistake I did -- go with a different camera.
Was torn between this and the Sony - went for the Canon because it's more Mac friendly and a little less expensive. The "buzz" noise is only heard when replaying video in the camcorder. I've downloaded it and don't hear it from my computer. I've also copied video back to the tape and played back on the camcorder and the noise is not there. Haven't used all the features yet, but for our needs it's great and so small! I'd definitely recommend it!
I got this camcorder for a few reasons. First, Consumer Reports loved it in their 2002 buying guide, and second, the size and capabilities.The zoom lens on this is incredible, but obviously shouldn't be moved too quickly if you are zoomed in on something. I took it to an airshow and was able to zoom in on things other people were missing, and the digital recording allowed us to clearly pick out details when we paused a recording that were surprisingly sharp. The camera is easy to use, and having the LCD screen and onboard speaker is heplful when playing back.The still camera will do the job, but it isn't as sharp as a normal digital camera, although the memory card in this camcorder is separate (the newer, smaller type) from the tapes used to record the movies. Also, the lower resolution still images can be stored in greater numbers, though, with an estimated 300 pictures possible on my 36 MB card.The included software, USB cables, and cables to attach the camera to the VCR/TV are all easy to use, and I have had no problems. Those folks who have seen my videos thus far have been very impressed, and I have been very happy.
I'm completely happy with every function of this great little gizmo. Performs seamlessly with iMovie. Great image quality, easy to use.If it came in a left-handed model, I'd give it 6 stars.
Canon did it's homework with this camera.  There are endless perks to spicing up your video recordings.  Everything is very easily accessible.  The buttons are no problem for my fat fingers.  Any buyer would be very impressed with this setup and completely satisfied with the video quality.However if you are buying the ZR45MC for the option of digital picture taking, forget it.  The photo quality is very low even on the &quot;fine&quot; setting.  I couldn't believe how granulated a 4 X 6 inch photo gets.  I'm still stuck with carrying both a video and photo camera.
As with others, this was a great camera until the remove cassette problem appeared 8 months ago. Now it barely plays or records. I'm never buying another Canon and going back to Sony. BTW, the buzzing is the automatic microphone gain. If there's not enough sound to record it cranks up the input volume so much that you hear the tape motor.
This was my first digital camera, and I absolutely love it.  Still going strong after 4 years.  I've used it on trips, to record concerts, and just general fun.  It's incredibly easy to use.The complaints I have are geared towards the fact that it's outdated.  What once was sleek and smaller than the competition is now big and bulky.  It's also slow to load up... meaning you may miss a shot turning on the camera.  The battery is so-so, but to fix this just carry around spares.The good have so far outweighed the bad... fast/easy transfer of video & images to a computer.  I can use it as a temporary webcam.  I also use it for quick digital pictures (but the quality isn't that great).  The battery and memory are easy enough to replace if needed (I haven't needed to yet).  The zoom is amazing!It's overall versatile, and I'll keep using it until it dies (no signs of it so far).
First off, this is my first digital camcorder/camera.  I purchased this camera only 3 days ago and I'm already having too much fun with downloading pictures to and from the cam.  It's capable of doing all this (and pretty easy I may add) to do all this even if you're a first timer.  It comes with a CD with the necessary software and also a manual on how to install the software and how to use it for downloading/uploading pix.  Very easy and informative.  The MMC card can take as many as 100 pictures at a time, so it's more than enough for me.As for the quality of the camcorder for "regular filming", I'm impressed.  It has 7 or 8 different settings for different filming situations such as "sports", "portrait", "night mode", and others.  Also, the buttons in this camera don't look as intimidating as some of the others I've seen/used.  All buttons are nicely placed on the camera and I have no problems with any of them.  Plus, this camera is pretty small for this price.  The only ones that I've seen that are this small (or smaller) are the ones in the [price range](and above) range.  I got this one for [price], and I'm more than happy with it's $ize ;-)So far, I think I'll be enjoying this camera for a long time.  I'm very happy with it and I recommend this for anyone who is just getting into digital cams/camera.  It has more than enough features for someone who is just getting into the world of digital camcorders/cameras.  The quality of the pictures are not excellent, but I think it's nice enough to even impress some people.  I highly recommend this cam/camera....
one thing to watch out for,when using the zoom button,dont just let it go after you zoom,or it will click and the noise will be recorded. however,if you edit and can dub different audio  then it wont matter. that said, we love the camera.ive been thinking about an off board mic for sterio audio,,just for fun. but since this camera is kinda old now,finding extra parts is kinda tough. when we bought it,they were just comming out and then everything was available,but now,several years later,,, well they arent. ebay or maybe canon outlet in the usa.in fact i just bid on a remote for it,we lost the other one. man,they come in handy.id probly also want a clear over lense to protect the main lense from grit and crud. cheaper to get a new cover than new lense.
Giving my unbiased opinion: I am an adult and i know my way around technology. I owned other canon products before from powershot cameras to this ZR45MC. I've had this since early 2002 and I've used it for many things, graduations etc.... I just recently had problems.first, GOOD: If you're not going for pro quality, technically superior lines this and pixels that....the video is pretty good in my honest opinion. I just used it on a trip to Boston and used it for whale watching and I was quite satisfied. The video was clear, crisp and colorful. It was cloudy and darker when we were out at sea and the video was still good, even after the whale spit out on us... yum. The aqaurium was even darker, still good. I avg anywhere from 1+hr to 2hrs on tapes. I read many reviews on the buzzing noise and I've yet to hear it. Perhaps i wasn't in a super quiet room but even though my videos had some quiet time in them i really didn't notice. The sound it does record is pretty clear. I bought a DVD-R recorder and transfered them immediately over to DVD and they transfer beautifully. It has many features like an adjustment lever by the eye piece to better meet with your eye (which is a plus since i have an extended battery and it sticks out a bit more but no struggles with the eyepiece extended-comfy). You can use the supplied AV cables or the not included S-cable but the supplied AV transfers just fine. It's been good with power consumption on my extended battery (digital concepts lithium BP-522CL 2400mAh)and i keep the stock one as back up but i've never had to switch to it yet. The software is pretty straightforward and I do use either the software from my powershot camera or the camcorder to load pics so they are compatible with each other in this case (zoombrowser EX).The not so Bad: nowadays with the pixel/resolutions quality of the cameras the 640x480 is not up to snuff anymore. It's better than nothing in a pinch when set to Fine quality. I really wouldn't use standard unless you using it for  quick loading pic via internet i.e. ebay pics....Now the BAD! I really am surprised at Canon's response to this. I began having tape issues which also seems to be a fairly common complain. Now i really don't know if this would be a common issue with age and usage with all miniDV tape camcorders or just particularly Canon's but it began asking me to "eject" tapes more often but i noted it was related to when rewinding. Of all my taped it crimpled 3 and ate 1 (older tapes) during fast rewind. In other words, press stop, then rewind then it seems to be more riskier. HOWEVER, If the tape is playing and i hold my finger on rewind it doesn't have any problems eat/crimping. I contacted canon and they said it may need service. I keep my stuff meticulous....the cost of whatever the probably BS repair is quite high considering it may range from a simple yet $125 - $175 service to a much more costly and not worth the $$ problem. They did offer me to be a member of the canon loyalty progam which they send you an access code to their loyalty website and basically give you credit and a discount towards other items for your product. Think of it as trading in a car for a new one (and yes you still do get somewhat of the shaft but if you want to avoid the headaches of selling and getting something for the item then just bite the bullet). I still think if canon had a decent amount of concern regarding this tape issue they would be a little more proactive about it. It just seemed like he was saying an indirect but courteous "it's old so tough luck". I do note most of my problems have been with the FUJI tapes. I just switched to PANASONIC tapes so it's still early but no problems so far using my rewind method. TDK seem to work well with it too but it seems hard to find now. Too bad, i liked the TDK tapes. Anyone else come across another compatible bard lemme know. Reading some stuff on this, some say it is the type of coating or tape used that may make it more or less compatible but that's internet reading so take it with a grain of salt.Accesories: aside from the extended lith battery i mentioned, I also have crystal optics 3 lens filter kit (UV, PL and flourescent filter) which i recommend lens filters for any cam for 2 reasons, #1 and priority- God forbid if you dirty or scratch the lens, it's the filter lens that's much cheaper to replace vs. replacing the actual cam lens itself. #2 it does enhance taping if used correctly...it can minimize glare, tone down the brightness if you're taping on a super bright environment or give a more natural look to recording if taping under flourescent lighting....I guess I'm still keeping mine for now. THANKS FOR READING - I HOPE THIS HELPS ALOT!2008 UPDATE-OK update using the panasonic tapes: I think it's safe to say the darn thing bit the dust! It gives me the eject warning more than not even though it didn't eat any panasonic tapes yet so at least the pan tapes are better than the Fuji in my opinion. It's finiky with my play/rewind method now too.....time to go flash or harddrive cammy now. Goodbye miniDV Rank down to 1-2 stars - now what will i do with my well taken care of ZR45....i kept it in great shape cosmetically so it's a shame to use it as a door stop or throw it at halloween eggers.....hmmmm
I love this camcorder. First of all, I am going to start this review by telling you about the biggest concern I had when I bought this camera. Many people say that there was a lot of motor hum, this may be the case when the room is TOTALLY silent, however an external mic fixes this. ALL MINIDV CAMERAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM!! People complain that the mic adds extra size, but if you want to spend the same amount of money on a digital 8, with less resolution, much bigger, and heavier, than get a Mic for your MiniDV, then you have some problems. However since I usually overlap music onto my videos, its not such a big probelm for me. The size is great (any bigger and it wouldn't be comfortable, and any smaller it would be difficult to hold). I had [another] Camera and then returned for only one reason, it was heavy and big (it cut off circulation in my hand when I was filming, and would have to take it out every 5 minutes or it would become numb). The picture quality is pretty much the same as all other minidv's which are better than digital 8's but not enough to make a big difference. Pretty much, this is a good camera at a great price. If you want a MiniDV, go with this no doubt, however if you have hi 8 or 8mm tapes you should probably go with a digital 8. They are pretty good for the price, but big and bulky.
I bought this camera when it was new on display at circuit city and it worked great for a while but at some point the LCD quit working. I have had the camcorder close to five years and other than the LCD issue it is a great camcorder.
I have a baby on the way and decided to grab a camcorder spur of the moment so that I can have all those cute baby moments recorded! I didn't have much cash on hand, so I was was pretty skeptical about buying this -- I figured I would buy it and return it within a week.... But, I absolutely love it! I haven't had a single problem! There are a bunch of different features and it's very simple to set up and use!!! Great camcorder for the money! Can't beat it!
I'v had this camcorder for a long time. I believe my parents might have spent $250-$300 on it when it first came out. They got it for Christmas for me.. I might have been.. 14? (I'm 18 now) I'll tell you straight up that I never took care of it like I should have.  We took it on vacation, I played around the house with it, videotaped my friends skateboarding, videotaped our shanigans and ran from adults with it in hand. I know I've dropped it, and most of the time it was kept on the floor of my bedroom. I still have it today, and it works just fine. Of coarse it's not the most high-tech digital peice of equiptment. In fact, this video camera is the only reason I still own my VCR. If you're looking for something not too expensive, easy to operate, and pretty durable in my opinion, this would be it. I read other reviews saying that other people had problems with parts breaking or certain things not working correctly, but my personal camcorder has never given me problems.
We had used a decent quality camcorder before our son bought this one. This one has been a pleasant surprise. Although the picture quality might be more like 4 stars, the features that are provided at such a low cost make this a 5 star product. It has all the fundamentals for a beginner and it fits well in medium size and small size hands (unlike some that require two hands or very large hands or cost five times as much for a small form-factor). We had it out of the box in minutes and were recording first videos with it in less than 15 minutes. The price makes it affordable for school kids to have all kinds of fun projects with it.
I purchased this Cam for gift to a person in a PAL format country. There is no way of testing it in US. This is frustrating. However the Cam looks great except the USB port feature that I found missing but this is great for the money. For myself I have a Sony for 1000 bucks with digital camera. But if I just compare the Cam....Samsung has far more features for the price. Great camera...Hope it works great.
I have dealt with better filters in the past.  It just so happens this filter works with the 2 cameras i have and no other.  I like what it does, but it isnt as strong as what i have dealt with before.  Still great quality and a great buy.
Ill keep it simple here since we are only talking about filters. For the price you get two filters that are pretty much necessary for the enthusiast photgrapher. They both seem to be up to Sony quality. Keep in mind that you can use both filters at the same time but that you will experience some viengetting in the corners at the wide angle setting of the lens. So just use one at a time unless you dont mind haveing the corners blurred out. This isn't a defect, this would occur with any filters if you doubled them up, its just an FYI. The polarizer work great, its a good value for both.
We live on the beach and I'm always taking shots that involve lots of sun and/or water.  Needless to say, the glare was tremendous.I'm still learning how the filter works because you can adjust it for more or less polarizing.  So far, I love how the photos are turning out.  Much more vibrant colors.
The lenses are excellent and have a very professional finish. The "free" protector lense is really usefull when going outdoors. It all came in a very compact case that you can carry along with your camera. A PL filter is the first thing to buy after the camera!
The Conversion lens adapter came with your DSC-H1. I had forgotten about it, and when the filter arrived, was baffled as to how to attach it lest the lens extend out and smash into the filter. Naturally, the first-level tech support for Sony (based in India - &lt;sigh>) was completely clueless. Luckily, a second-level person sent me this this link:[...]and I dug the adapter out of the box. Hurray!The filter, as do all polarizing filters, is designed to rotate after it is attached. Again, Sony India-based tech support, during a pre-sales call, was clueless, and insisted that the filter would not rotate.My only criticism is that the filter does not attach directly to the end of the lens, but instead goes on the conversion adapter, increasing the bulk and weight of the camera. I'm thinking about ordering the 30mm version - it might fit directly on the threaded end of the retractable lens.
I purchased this product, at $80.00 I expected a battery. Turns out that 80 buys a plastic case and 2 light bulbs. Also, I have 4 Sony batteries for my camera (1080i) and NONE of them work (fit) the light. GGRRRRRRRRRRRR...........The payoff is on the label, it states: "Contains Lithium-ION battery" Whoever wrote the label was taking Lithium!
I chose this rating because the value of this video light isn't worth the price. At 20 watts, the light is pretty bright but for a over $60 you might as well buy an adjustable LED video light that is much brighter. This light is not much better than the  Sony HVL 10NH 10W video light. This 20 watt light gets hot (as you'd expect, since its a old fashioned light bulb), burns your hand if your not careful, and it sucks up a ton of battery life pretty quickly. It was only after a few months of finding higher quality and brighter LED lights for a lower price from overseas, that I realized that my mistake in purchasing this product. Sony should be ashamed of themselves for selling a product like this for a super high price. Yes, of course, Sony charges even higher price for it on their website, for over $100! For less than this, you can get an even brighter LED light that uses the same battery as your Sony camcorders, as this does, the lights don't run too hot, and the brightness can be adjusted; this will even increase your battery life. The battery even lasts longer on the brightest setting than it would on this 20 watt light.I don't recommend this to anyone.
Many of the other reviews already covered the basics. I will add that I also use a Stofen om-ez diffuser with this light in order to even out the lighting of the subjects (and to make the light a little dimmer). I bought a few 5 watt bulbs for this light that I may try in the future.
This is a great product. I wish I had not waited so long to purchase it. You must be aware that it only works with L type batteries. I though that it would work with P or M types, which is what I have for 2 Sony camcorders. I had to then purchase an L battery (NP-F970). My old camcorder that uses P batteries is able to charge L batteries as well. Do your homework with the batteries.
This light is efficient. It is fragile, so put a lot of emphasis on not dropping it! I like the fact that it uses the same battery as my Sony VX1000.
if you have pretty much ANY digital camera and want to do closeups or see what you're taking pix of before flash, you need this or similar light.  A german company makes a high-wat LED video light but it has speckled pattern, not good for closeup stills.  The light pattern on this is VERY even.  Closeup up with light in one hand and camera in other, to cover an object 6 to 8 inches.  pull back to widen light to 2 feet or more across.  Keep the video light as close to camera as possible, will reduce shadows the camera sees.  Even outdoors at 9000' in Colorado I found use for this, taking picture on shady trail where a plant was half in shade, will fix this.bulbs are replaceable.  Yet in 4 years of having one bulb never wore out, and heavy usage, 8 hours at a time.  (3 fp-970 batteries, such as batterybarn.com sells will give you 8 hours light.  the last time I got it off amazon, FP960 for $47 from computer brain.  the new 15 hour camcorder batteries power this light for about 2 1/2 hours)The onlything that eventually broke was the switch.  Don't force it, push down the middle safety button when turning it on or eventually will break it.  take battery out when travelling so won't go on accidentally.  you can add a grip by getting a disk shaped tripod adaptor and screwing a hand grip such as hakuba's monopod / tablepod combo (the most comfortable grip there is, about $25 at places like Fry's)  into the tripod adapter.It gets warm, almost hot but keeps running no problem with vent slits.  Even using it caving in Anza-Borrego, as we knew that we had for sure 2 hours on Li-ion batteries.Anyway, for indoor shooting in converence halls with bad flourescent lighting, this brings out the colors.  You can't use flash closer than about 2 feet with most objects or you get too much glare from reflection..so use a video light instead for serious indoor shooting where you can't have a fixed light stand.  use it in 10 watt mode for most objects, for tall or dark objects, switch to 20 watt.  When battery is starting to run low, the light will only go into 10 watt mode.I have the sony video light 3watt for dvd-403.  I keep this on top of camera sometimes when too much hassle to get out video light.  But it drains camcorder battery unlike this one, and light output alot lower.  good for small objects tho.and by all means, TURN ON FLASH when farther than 2' and object looks slightly dark.  this helps ALOT in your pix.  if it looks OK in viewfinder / lcd LEAVE FLASH OFF!see flashlightreviews.com for general light patterns and battery life of other flashlights incl led lights you might want to buy.IF sony would just come out with an LED version I'd be happy as a lark!  It would last 10 hours or more.Most flashlights throw uneven ring pattern so are unsuitable for lighting photos.
I recently bought a couple cheap LED panels for low light still photography.  The long and short of it is that they are unusable.  The light without a filter is cooler than day light (5600k or higher) and the light with a filter is GREEN.  The color just does NOT work at all for my application.So why is this light so awesome?  Well, it outputs perfectly balanced tungsten light at 3000 kelvin with very little red/green cast.  It is almost perfectly yellow.  For low light photography and videography, you'll find the color of the light blends almost perfectly with the low ambient lighting for most event venues.I have been using this thing for off-camera lighting for wedding receptions and night time portraits and it's been a champ.  There is a single switch with three settings - center is off, up is one light (10W), and bottom is two lights (20W).  One thing to note, if you are using a SONY branded battery, you can only get the full two light power with a NP-F730 or higher capacity battery.  If you are using an OFF-BRAND battery, you can get the full two light power with anything as low as a NP-F550 capacity battery (only with shorter battery life, of course).The output of this light is not terribly strong.  It's what I would call a "kiss" of light, instead of the "punch" of light associated with Speedlites and other flashes/strobes.  This light will give you a very subtle accent of light so that you can preserve the ambiance of the event you're documenting.  I typically use ISO 3200 with the 10W setting and ISO 1600 with the 20W setting (F1.4, 1/100 shutter, subject distance of about 10-12 feet).  As you can see, it's probably a little weak for an F2.8 or slower lens, but for a fast prime this light is brilliant and produces lovely results.The light dimensions are fairly compact (5" x 1.2" x 2.5").  There is a cold shoe mount on the bottom with a screw lock.  There is also a 1/4-20 thread on the bottom so you can screw it into a light stand.  The light outputs 20W and will get moderately warm with extended usage, but never gets what I would call "hot".  So far it has been perfectly reliable for me.Overall a great light that is worth serious consideration by both video and still photographers alike.
I'm a professional photographer and videographer, and this light is useful within its limitations.I use it on my Sony HDR-FX1.Basically, you'd want to buy this if say when shooting a wedding or party, and you're going around and interviewing/asking for people's reactions, comments, etc., and you want their faces to be nicely lit, then this is something good to have.I'd say it has a max range of about 15 feet in a regular indoor setting (with both bulbs on; more range if you are in a darker room of course).Just don't expect to light up the whole room.It also fits in a DSLR's flash hot shoe, so this is also particular useful if you photograph portraits, you can use this as an on-center modeling light.This double-duty potential gives it a 4-star rating; otherwise a 3-star rating if just using it on a video recorder.Note: As stated, you'd need at least the 700 series battery to light up both bulbs. If you use the 500 series and below you can only use the 1-bulb (10-watt) setting. Heard a lot of people had problems thinking it was defective, when they didn't bother to read the instructions.
I got this light to go with my full rig I use for wedding videography. Some of the lights out these are soooo expensive but I saw a lot of good reviews for this light and thought I would give it a go. Here are the goods and the bads.Goods - Works with the batteries that go to my PD150 camera so no need for silly looking belt battery pack or extra batteries. It comes with a 10w or 20w setting. So far it has also proven itself to be durable. Not that I am clumsy but I have dropped it twice and it survived. I understand the bulbs are expensive but I have used it for 2 years now with out the need for a change. It is lightweight and fits on the slide foot on the top of my camera. Most pro and non pro cameras will have this too so i use this with my tiny consumer camera and its great there too.Bads - I guess this stuff isnt really bad but for folks who might have a pro rig these are the things that might bum you out. No dimmer, no barn doors, so swivel. The one thing I will say though is that this thing is so light that I have a few times taken it off of the camera and held it in my hand up high at an angle so not to shine it in anyones face directly.I hope this helps!
I've only had the light for a day and I quickly snapped on the battery and it looks like a great light.  BUT my review is for the bundle... don't do it!!a) The recommended NPF970 is gigantic!! As big as the light. It works and probably lasts a long time but it's really heavy and seems like overkill.b) The recommended battery charger DOES NOT fit the NPF970 battery. Such a hassle.You'll either have to return the battery or the charger so I recommend just getting everything individually. The NPF570 seems like it would be fine with this light.
Very good device works well with the camera as if it was made just for it. If I needed another one I would not hesitate to get another one.
If you have a semi pro camera, this video light is the best for that, working pretty well indoor, and you can use one or both lights, i recommend it.
This light works just fine I guess, but not the greatest I've ever owned. I broke rather easily when the camera was dropped, so that's why it only gets 3 stars.
My Sony FX1 has great low light capability, 3 lux, but eventually you WILL need extra light. Using your software to lighten dark shots will likely reveal some degree of graininess, no matter which camera you use.I'm so glad I bought it.  Used it for my birthday party. Though the overhead light was good, dark corners of the room require more light. If you consider yourself advanced, semi-pro, or a pro videographer, you MUST HAVE a light.My only major beef is it runs at either 10 or 20 watts. No variable for 5, or 15.  It is worth getting a long life battery like the NP-970. Independent power source (battery) is a plus. But no outlet plug adaptor that I know of.
This Light is one of the little Hidden Gems by Sony The Light is actually made for the Professional and Prosumer Video Camera not,I repeat not for the average consumer. Unfortunately it is advertised in the consumer level.Like competitive Video Lights By Canon  for the XL-2 it does not come with a battery or power supply (another trait found on similar Pro Level Gear). The type of battery this light works best with is the L series (NP-F570 for 10 Watt mode and NP-F770 & NP-F970 for 20 Watt mode for good  weight balance I would suggest the NP-F770).  The Biggest Issue with this Light is the improper advertising by Sony (its says Handy-cam light on the Package and even a sticker on the light that says AMATEUR VIDEO LIGHT) . However this is the same reason which makes this Light a hidden Gem if you use any of the Prosumer or Professional Camera gear you will be very satisfied with this light.
This is a great on board cam light.It's great to use the same batteries with your camcorder (FP series), although you need to use at least an FP-F770 (not the original that comes with the cameras) to light both bulbs. It's just great.
This will be my second HVL-F1000, the first was a simple but effective flash for my Sony F707.  I'm ordering this one for my Sony R1.AntOnline lists the item as "In Stock" but THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY HAVE IT IN STOCK.  Important, if you order this item, don't order it from AntOnline.  I ordered 4 separate purchases through Amazon 8 days ago, and received all of them quickly, except the flash unit from AntOnline.  I just now called their customer service (which hung up on me 3 times first) and they informed me the item was NOT in stock so Amazon had canceled my order.  I recommend checking directly with AntOnline before ordering anything they claim to have in stock.
Since purchasing the Sony HVLF1000 Flash for use on my DSCF707 camera I'm continually amazed at its capabilities.Bounce flash and fill-flash are wonderful.  There's still some problems with red-eye, but that's always a problem when the flash is so close to the taking lens.Only one thing to watch or be careful with is in removing the flash from the camera.  It comes off the accessory shoe a little quicker and easier than you'd imagine.Wonderful product with wonderful results.
Before I received the flash in the mail I was scared that it was going to look awful with the sexy F717 camera body, but once I tried it on it kind of look cool anyways. However it is time for sony to come up with a flash that matches the rest of the camera's sexy looks and color. Performance-wise it works as advertised: great for illuminating subjects far away from the camera. HOWEVER, there are problems: (1) Battery life is short. Get ready to buy a full set of 4 AA batteries before you fill up a 128Mb memory stick. (2) The flash and the camera do NOT integrate well in the sense that if the subject is near the flash still fires at full power (actually, it seems to always fire at the same high power), thus making the whole picture almost a ghost of whiteness (the fix here is to turn off the external flash and use the built-in pop-up flash, which by the way pops up open with no problem even with the external flash unit mounted on top). On the plus side, the flash rotates up-down freely or to prefix positions (15, 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees, etc), AND it comes with an input jack so that you can plug in the external RMDR1 remote control unit (note that the flash plugs into the camera's remote control unit port, so that's why now the remote control plugs into the flash unit).
Do not buy.When i search for a product i specify what it is for so i expected this flash to fit my camera but it didn't . not only it didn't it did not work , i put a set of new batteries and it never powered on. I lost my trust on this merchant.Sorry to say.
The flash is great for what it does. It is not for sports photography, to say the least. The quality is really great though. Aside from the speed factor I didn't have any complaints. I would recommend this flash as long as you don't do sports photography. Battery Consumption is average, good considering the quality.
I bought this for a Sony DSC-F717 and it is atrocious at best.(I would still like to find a GOOD and ADEQUATE video light)I returned it as it was really no better than the flash unit that comes on the camera but it added weight up high.
Not a powerful flash.No significant difference between the on-board flash and this one.
This particular Barlow, along with the Orion Shorty, is highly recommended on several of the astronomy forums on the internet.  I got this one instead of the Orion simply because Amazon was offering it at about $52 at the time.I've found that I enjoy using the Barlow when viewing planets and a few DSO's.  It provides an economical way to virtually increase the number of eyepieces in your collection.  It does introduce a little light loss with my eyepieces (maybe this is normal with all eyepieces), but it is not troublesome.I certainly recommend this Barlow for those of you who want to cheaply expand your eyepiece collection.
Works well with the Celetron 8-24mm zoom lens on my 80ED APO RefractorBharesh Dedhia
I'm using this with my inexpensive Meade 90AD-AZ, and it works well. It effectively doubles the power of my eyepieces without any serious loss of optical quality, as long as I don't try to push my scope past its magnification limits. For the price, it performs very well.
this 2x barlow is one of the better ones I've used with my telescope eyepieces. I had a few with poor coatings but this one has good ones. A must for doubling the strength of your eyepieces for your telescope.
As far as I've been able to research, this is the best quality Barlow lens celestron offers. Hasn't given me any problems so far, and I've owned one for a year now.
The application for this barlow on my 8i/GPS SCT/XLT was to gain higher magnification options from longer focal length and eye relief eyepieces (ELux and Xcel 25-18-15mm)and stay in modest price ranges for everything. COMMON TESTS with the barlow vs. short focal length eyepieces to 8mm was most favorable: a) using both common and wide angle FOV eyepieces and b)testing with and without eye glasses while c) viewing Polaris double, Jupiter & moons and the Moon. Seeing conditions were poor (Dallas, summer, early evening sky with a lot of Moonlight.) Never the less I am pleased with both the Celestron Ultima 2X barlow and the strategy and therefore I "recommended". Shipping was prompt - much better than prior experiences with amazon.com - improvement so noted.
I must agree with other reviewers.  I've had my Celestron Ultima 2X Barlow (Japan) for many years and wouldn't think of parting with it.  It's just that good!!
Well, this camera is something special and I have been  compelled write this review because of couple of reasons. For the first, here the reasons. I read many bad , negative reviews of this camera and in the same time all those people who actually used it told how much they have being amazed by the picture quality it produces. So I've decided to try. The camera's images are not amazed they are stunned. The image quality is so high that it left me speechless for the first.I'm just wandering about those who left negative reviews about it? The CNET review, that named it "mediocre SLR camera" is just a plain lie. In my opinion they giving point for those who gives more money, it's it. Another interesting "review", I read from Ken Rockwell (really gifted photo artist!, no questions!), who reviewed this camera without even try it!So let start. First of all, it is NOT 3.5M camera. It is AT LEAST 10M camera, but megapixels in the traditional meaning just are not applicable here. This camera produces NEGATIVES. This negative is result of 10M photo elements. In the same time any of 6M cameras has HALF OF THEM GREEN and ONLY 25% red and another 25% blue. If we speak about "image quality" using this kind of "resolution" , this camera produces 14M images. In the same time the "real" resolution of those "6M" cameras stand about 1.5M, the everything else is a pure deceiving interpolation. I see that Cannon and NIkon, aren't  happy to see this Sigma on the market, since it MUCH SUPERIOR to any camera they make they started to discredit it.I do not say it is an ideal, but it close. Much closer than everything else that feels like SLR.This Sigma produces PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES. I mean it. There's full range of amazing continuos beautiful halftones as you can see on the best reversible films. The pictures are spectacular.Since it is real photographic tool, you come back to the true that photography and it is about light. Your raw pictures will normally produce 3000 by 4500 huge images that is not interpolating, they just "enlargements" from digital negative. It reviles as many details that ANY other camera can't produce. There are 14M cameras on the market, but they DO NOT MUCH this SIgma in the meaning of photography. I can blow my raw image 4 times more and it still looking better than those from 14M Canon. By the way, those image from Cannon show horrible color reproduction, especially in the red. For example two closely colored redish colors coming out the same!This Sigma saves colors! It saves the real colors, not the estimations, not the interpolations but the real thing. Camera has just the everything that it has to have, including the high speed synchronization up to 1/6000 !!!The lens from Sigma just as good(or better) as any other lenses from Nikon , Cannon or Minolta. Even cheap $100 tag slow glass is of very good optical quality. Yes/ for $100 you're getting slow lenses, but it almost distortion free and high contrast! But fro $300 you can get perfectly fast, noticeably bright zoom that at least as good as any lens from "leading companies".Camera is very well constructed, it handles as it should be, the focusing system is fast, the screen is bright and clear, all controls location are very clever and logical. I like this camera and you're going to like it too. No boundaries anymore. You can print image as large as you need, no questions. In two, three years Foveon will overcome. I
The Sigma SD9 has been around for 12 years (introduced in 2002) and this model is now available used at very affordable prices. This camera is capable of stunningly good photography, but......only if you have patience and you are willing to work within its limitations.  The primary limitation is the ISO range, 100, 200, and 400.  Of these three, the only practical setting is 100, the other two are simply too noisy.  This camera shoots RAW format images only and Sigma's Photo Pro software leaves a lot to be desired, so use Adobe Photoshop if possible to convert the raw images. The absolute longest shutter opening is 15 seconds, but only with ISO 100, shutter is limited to 1 second at the two higher ISO settings.  This camera functions well when the lighting conditions are good, but poorly with marginal light.  In particular, the autofocus needs good light and subject contrast to perform well.  The camera is heavy, around two pounds with a small lens and more with Sigma's heavier advanced lenses.  Overall, if you are willing to work with the camera's limitations, you will achieve excellent results.  Not for casual 'point and shoot' photographers!
i have had this camera for almost 2 years now and am still in love with it.  i use the EX series 15-30mm lens and there isn't a situation i have found where this camera doesn't kick the [...] of any other digital camera (except for maybe the new SD10).  i have a friend with a Canon that cost a ridiculous $9,000 and her pictures look like junk in comparison.  i recently took a photo i took with my SD9 at a canyon in new mexico and had it blown up to over 3 feet wide.  of course, the file size is absolutely huge, but the print out is stunning.  you cannot even see the pixels.i love this camera.  it is amazingy easy to use and the pictures come out wonderfully.
The Sigma uses a new kind of light collecting chip which senses R,B,G colours at each of the 3.4 million pixels on its chip. The more common chip used by all other cameras senses only one colour at each pixel. So the Sigma should win hands down! Not necessarily. 3.4Mp isn't many pixels. Sony, Nikon et al. have 6Mp cameras using the standard type sensor. At the end of the day, more pixels give better resolution. So a 6Mp sensor does as well as the Sigma 3Mp sensor for colour and resolution.Fuji has tweaked the standard sensor format to use hexagonal pixels and get better resolution out of their 6Mp sensor chip. In August 2002 the Fuji S2 pro is due out, and its 6Mp chip will produce 12Mp photos. That's 12 million pixels of info to make a photo. They do this by analysing the data from the 6Mp and modifying it to "fill in" extra detail and colour. The result to Joe bloggs on the street will be photos pretty close to ordinary 35mm quality.If Sigma produce a camera using their new technology chip but with 6Mp, then it will be a force to reckon with.Slight problems with Sigma are you have to use their lenses. The Fuji is made to use Nikon lenses. Canon and Nikon have their own equivalents to the Fuji.Personally I'm waiting for the Fuji S2 Pro as I already have a Nikor AF auto-focus lens which I'm not ready to pass up. The Fuji is going to cost less than its Canon/Nikon counterparts...
unlike some reviewers, i have actually seen and held this camera.  while i only took 3 pictures, simply loading them and having a look is shocking.  this camera and the underlying X3 chip blow away everything in digital photography today.  getting all three colors (rather than one like all other digital cameras) in each pixel gives you images you can easily enlarge without loss and artifacts.  this camera easily blows away cameras costing many times more.this isn't a true 3 MP camera.  it is more like a 9 MP.  but better.... there is no longer a reason to not go digital.getting 3 colors per pixel means no interpolation.  that in turn means sharper, truer color, photos without artifacts.  in short, digital photos without the digital look.  some of the photos taken with this camera are as good as medium format film images.digital is not as good as film, it is now better.
The image quality is excellent. Eye relief is good so these binoculars are easy to use. The image stabilization is amazing. I use them for star gazing and would not go back to binoculars that are not image stabilized. The improvement in seeing is amazing when the IS is engaged. I also use them for concerts etc. and IS makes all the difference.Battery life has been good using the IS function 99% of the time. Since I am a casual user two batteries last about a year.I would have liked to see a push on push off type of switch for the IS instead of having to push and hold the IS switch to keep it engaged.Focusing is relatively easy even while holding down the IS button, which is located on the top front by the way.After using 8x25 and experiencing IS for the first time I wish that I would have gotten the next higher magnification because it works so well.
They are, and they aren't, great binocsWhat they are: as it says, the lightest and least expensive IS binoculars on the market (right now). The optics themselves are only merely very good, but - HAND HELD - with the IS activated, they allow me to read fine print about 20% closer than with my Leica 8x32 Ultras. On a rest, the Leicas are superior. It's the elimination of the jiggles - the 8x25 Canons don't give an image that's as bright and contrasty as those high dollar Leicas, but the steadier image more than makes up for that.What they aren't: waterproof or armored. So have a care if you use them in conditions of rain or dust. They're much more complicated than simple binocs, with electric circuits inside, and the matter of reliability does come into consideration - but in the first year, they've survived life in the tote bag ,bouncing along dirt roads without a hiccup.  Two more things: besides armoring and ruggedizing, Canon had to compromise _somewhere_ to make them this small. So, while the IS deals well with rapid human shaking. it doesn't seem to correct at all for slow motions. I imagine the engineers were forcd to leave off the sensors for slow motions, to fit everything else in. And, they use CR123 batteries, more expensive and harder to find in a pinch than AA batteries. Of course, if the batteries run dead, all your are left with is a functional set of very good, if a bit bulky, 8x25 binocs. What Canon has created is $300 binoculars that - hand held, with the IS active - outperform my high dollar Leica 8x32 Ultras. And, I imagine, the Nikon SE's, too. No kidding.
I use these binocs mainly for spectator sports and they really work well.  I wear eyeglasses and the eye relief allows me to see a full field of view.  The binoculars are lightweight and compact and I find them easy to handle.  The image stabilizer gets the job done--when watching a football play, I press the button the image stabilizes and I can watch and track the play unfold with crystal clear resolution.  However--these binoculars are not intended for heavy duty military or industrial use.  They are not waterproof either.  Use them for light duty applications and they will serve you well.
The Canon image stabilization works wonderfully on this binocular, particularly when viewing at long distances.  It is very interesting to use, also, as it produces an image that appears to float when turning on the stabilization function then vibrate when shutting it off.  Stabilization is easily turned on by pushing a button then shuts off to conserve the battery when the button is released.  Batteries, which can be bought in bulk on Amazon and other internet sites quite reasonably, last for weeks with fairly frequent use as long as one uses the stabilization function for only a few seconds at a time after honing in on your object of interest.  Canon's image stabilization in these binoculars is so effective that these binoculars produce a much sharper image than my more expensive Zeiss binoculars (at least in my shaky hands!)
8x binoculars are right on the edge of needing image stabilization.  I've had a pair of Canon 15x45's for years, and those benefit tremendously from IS.  These 8x25's are great without the IS, but the IS definitely makes a difference in some situations...like trying to read the name on a golfer's bag from 200 yards away.Also, these are very lightweight compared to the larger models, so they can be toted around easily.These are fine binoculars, and you can really get spoiled by that button on the top.
Pressing the stabilising button on the top creates an unbelievably stable image.These are expensive but work so well we have given them as special presents which were very well received
I own a Canon 10x30 IS binocular, which I LOVE. My wife wanted a lighter binocular, so I ordered the 8x25 IS. I am dissappointed in the Image Stabilization in the 8x25. I get a more stable image in the 10x30 despite the greater magnification. The 8x25 stabilization leaves a noticable shake in the image and for about the first second of activation, the image drifts slowly as the system "warms up"(?) I tried replacing the battery and even returned the first set, but the second binocs have the same behavior.  If I had never seen the larger binoculars, I would probably be satisfied (barely) with the 8x25, but after experiencing the immediate response and rock-steady image of the 10x30, the 8x25 stabilization was a definite let down. Otherwise the optics are great.
My husband and I love these binoculars.  I was concerned about paying extra for the image stabilization and I really don't understand how it works, but I think it's great.  You really pick up detail that you would otherwise miss due to you hands shaking. I would highly recommend these binoculars.
There are other stabilizing binoculars that are better but they cost so much more I couldn't afford them.  This one I bought for a present to some friends that were sailing off into the sunset.  They rant and rave at how much they love them and how they've made spotting small items in the water so much easier!  Once you've tried stabilized binoculars it's hard to use the other kind.
I have to give these binoculars 5 stars, not because they are the finest optics money can buy, but because they give the clearest and steadiest handheld viewing you can get at anywhere near this price. Value for the money is the point, here. But, besides value, they actually are very good quality optics! They feel well made. Although they are mostly plastic, it's good quality material, they don't feel cheesy. No, they are not built like a Leica tank (intended to survive an atomic blast), but the image stabilization is so amazing, I am willing to be a little extra careful with them. You look through them and press that button, and, PRESTO, the view just stops jiggling! It's just fantastic! The I.S. has greatly improved my stargazing pleasure. Maybe I have especially bad hand tremor, but I would bet anybody would notice a big difference. I really love them!!
It is funny to see one reviewer compare it to the 8X32 Leica. because I am about to do the same thing. I just happen to own a Leica 8X32 also. Actually I agree 100% with the comparison from other reviewer. The IS function works so well that the Canon 8X25 IS and Leica 8X32 are comparable on hand held application, except the Canon is slightly dimmer than the Leica.  There is no doubt that Leica will beat the Canon on a tripod, due to the better optic of the Leica.. For 5X the price it should. Also for 5X the price it also buy you the water proof and rubber armor. The Leica is more than twice as heavy  as the Canon. You might call that Canon has the upper hand on Leica.As for reliability, that is a different story. My Leica 8X32 has served me more than 15 years and still good as new. The IS function of the Canon 8X25 ISfailed after 15 months. Fortunately for the reason we can guest, this is the only product that Canon carries a 3 year warranty ( even the DSLRs from Canon carries only 1 year warranty). However it take at least 4 phone calls from me and from Canon USA to convince the repair department to fix it under warranty instead of charging me $450 to fix a $175 binocular.A friendly advice: make sure that it comes with a 3 year warranty before you buy it. Or you can pay extra to buy the extended warranty.
I presently have a Canon 8X25  stabilization binoculars and am very pleased.  I ordered another one for our daughter.  The image stabilization did not work.  Returned for a refund.
After years of using cheap binocs I did some work to find a great pair.  To my amazement some of the upper brands are $3-5K.  But they don't have this image stabiilzation feature...The image stabilization is excellent!  What a great feature.  Other binocs are inferior.  Try the larger sizes of this if you need to!
Compact and lightweigh IS binocular that delivers sharp clear images. Although not waterproof and of plactic construction, it stands well to harsh environments.  Uses expensive and not easily available battery with mediocre life span.
I just received my Canon 8x25 IS binoculars and they are just as sharp, bright and contrasty as my Pentax DCF WP 8x42 binoculars but show more detail when using image stabilization. They weigh only 16 oz so they are perfect for hanging from your neck for extended birding, sightseeing etc. You will not find better optics in their price range that includes a $50 Canon rebate until July 15. I also have the Canon 10x42L IS WP and 12x36 IS II binoculars but they are much larger and can get heavy when hanging from your neck for extended periods.
Gave 2 as gifts and they were well received. All reports after the gift have been positive and they use them for bird watching and sports.
Once you use the  Image Stablization option nothing else will do for you!  8 x 25 is plenty compared to the 9 x 25 models.
Thought another reviewer here was a little &#34;sensitive&#34; when he/she said the image vibrated around the edges but still stabilized the image when IS was engaged. How weird, right?Well, I'll go a step further in my displeasure and say the image in the center was not clearer AND there was distracting shimmering/rapid shaking of the field of vision when IS was engaged. Very odd. Returned set immediately. Shame, as I'd love a lower X, wide field of view, and near-focus IS! That works. 10x30IS is the keeper for me for birding and general use due to its size/weight and awesome IS ability.
I have taken this binocular on several vacations.  It is a neat binocular.  The image stabilization worked great.  It is not a gyro stablized binocular, so don't expect it to be a still image.  I was on a police helicopter one time and they had the gyro stablized binos that were amazing.  While hovering 1000 feet away, you can see everything clearly while the helicopter is in motion.  Don't expect that with this bino.  You are not paying thousands of dollars for it either.  For the amount of money, this bino was a good deal.  First the size is perfect.  It is not small, but it is not big either.  It was comfortable to have hanging around your neck.  It wasn't too heavy.  The images were clear and when you press the button, the image stablization kicks in.  When you release the button, the IS stays on for a few more seconds, so you don't have to press the button constantly.  The only thing I wish is that they would add an extra set of lense covers. You can use them to cover the view holes as well as the front lenses.  The battery lasted a long time as matter of fact, I'm still on my first set and I've had it for several months now and have taken it on numerous vacations.
Husband bought these for Alaskan cruise! Thought he was crazy until I spotted Bald Eagles so far away they looked like dots in the trees! These were the best item we took on the ship.  Highly recommend them for anyone looking for good, stabilizing Binoculars.
I bought these binoculars because I was just a bit frustrated with using regular binoculars. I already have a set of weatherproof Minolta binocs that cost about $200, but wasn't finding it useful because the effort required to hold it steady enough to see detail just made it fatiguing to use for any length of timeSeeing as I've had great success with Image Stabilization in SLR lens, and my point and shoot, I thought I would give this Canon a tryI like it. It's quite light for its size, and compact enough that I don't feel burdened to bring this with me for any kind of event short of a long hike up a large mountain. It does take a CR123 battery which is kind of expensive if you buy them at a department store. You should try to find them online. Many high end flashlights use this type of battery, and they are available for around $2 online. Surefire (a top flashlight brand) batteries are what I recommend and use everywhere (in my flashlights and cameras). These kinds of batteries have a long shelf life so it's no problem to buy a few extraThe main reason for this binocular is the stabilization. In reality, the Image Stabilization is actually quite subtle. You still have to do your best still to keep the binocs steady, but the stabilization adds a just bit extra steadiness to the image, enough to make a difference you can notice. You have to keep the button at the top of the device pressed with your finger...it turns off as soon as you let go of the button.All in all, the IS works well for the natural minute shakiness of your hand but larger movements are not compensated for as you would expect. So don't expect the image to be steady if you are trying to spot animals from inside a car. If you deliberately move the binoculars side to side, you can see the mechanism doing its work as it floats and then hits its limits.The drawbacks...- the eye relief is only 13.5 mm...so it's not really suitable for eyeglass wearers. I find an eye relief of 16mm minimum to be very usable with eyeglasses.- uses harder to find CR123A batteries.- the device isn't water resistant, so you have to keep this thing completely dry- Image Stabilization effect is quite bit more sutble than you might expect, but it's definitely effective enough to be noticeably more steady than a normal binocularI think the future of binoculars is definitely IS. I see that Canon has a version 2 of their IS in a more expensive model, so maybe the action of the IS is improved and may be added to this model in the future. If you are a casual user who just wants an effective binocular, this is a great one to choose. Canon makes higher grades and higher magnifications for the more serious user.
I recently bought two new pairs of binoculars from Amazon:  (1) Pentax Papilio 6.5 X 21 and (2) Canon 8 X 25 IS.  I have a separate review on the Papilio, which I rate at 5 stars.  I give a few comparisons in this review on the Canon because both units share a common limitation that requires design workarounds.  Pentax got it right, Canon didn't.  Note that the Papilio has no image stabilization and is relatively inexpensive (~$95).First the good news about the Canon.  The image stabilizer works great.  I have a tremor which makes it difficult for me to use binoculars at 8X and up.  One push of the on button, and the image locks in place.  There is no noticeable delay for initial lock-in and no noticeable delay when changing view.  That's what you get for the extra ~$160 over the Papilio.  Image stabilizer performance is solid.As other reviewers have noted, two negs for the image stabilizer.  (1) It uses a CR 123 lithium battery instead of more common and lower cost AA batteries (which are used in the more expensive Canon IS models).  (2) The on/off button is momentary on.  Press and hold down to operate the image stabilizer.  I bought these for a concert.  Holding it down with a single finger for more than 5 min gets tiring.  I needed to lock one finger on top of another for extended viewing; gets annoying in the course of an hour.  A bit tricky getting the fingers positioned right to hold the button down while focussing.  A full on/off switch would be great for extended viewing. On the plus side, the button is slightly recessed.  It won't accidently turn on if you lay the unit down on a table with the button on the bottom.In all other respects, optically and mechanically, the Papilio is superior.I.  OpticalThe Pentax has good optical quality edge-to-edge.  Flat field, no noticeable vignetting or color fringes.  Edges of lenses smoothly ground.  Internal surfaces of lens barrel properly dulled, no stray reflections.The Canon is disappointing.  Flat field, no noticeable color fringes but noticeable vignetting around the edges of the field.  The internal surfaces of the lens barrel are shiny.  Stray reflections are noticeable; mainly when viewing against the sky.  Edges of lenses have minute chips; mainly noticeable when viewing against the sky.  In optics in this price range, I would the expect the edges of the lenses to be smoothly ground and blackened, and internal surfaces of the lens barrel to be properly dulled.II.  Mechanical(A)  ShapePentax has a comfortable ergonomic shape.  Rubber coating gives the right amount of grip, no goopy or tacky feel like some other rubber coatings.  Canon is poorly shaped and uncomfortable to hold.  Hard plastic body and smooth surface leads to a slippery grip when held with sweaty hands.(B) Interpupillary AdjustmentIn most binocular designs, there are separate right and left barrels joined together with a center hinge (like a door hinge).  Each barrel houses an objective lens and an eyepiece.  Interpupillary adjustment (distance between left and right eyes) is performed by flexing the two barrels about the center hinge.In both the Pentax and the Canon, the objective lenses are held in a fixed housing to accommodate their special features (close focus for the Pentax and image stabilization for the Canon).  Consequently, there is no center hinge.  The eyepieces pivot about the fixed housing.  You need to pivot both eyepieces in unison.  In the Pentax, the eyepieces are ergonomically shaped and the pivots are smooth, with just the right amount of friction to hold the final position.  In contrast, the eyepieces in the Canon are awkwardly shaped and the pivots are stiff; you need to wrestle them into position.(C) FocusBoth units have a center focus.  The focus knob on the Pentax turns much smoother than the one on the Canon.(D) EyecupsThe Pentax has helically mounted eyecups.  You adjust the height by twisting them.  There are click stops (three positions).  The Canon has the el-cheapo roll-up/roll-down rubber eyecups.(E) Lens CoversNeither the Pentax nor the Canon have covers for the objective lenses.  The Pentax has a two eyepiece covers held together by a plastic strap.  There is a plastic loop so you can tie them to the neckstrap.  The Canon has individual eyepiece covers (no loops), easy to lose.  You need to unroll the eyecups to put on the eyepiece covers.  So if you normally wear glasses and use the eyecups in the rolled down position, you need to unroll them to put on the eyepiece covers.Summary:  Canon has a great image stabilizer.  To maintain a low price point, they compromised on the optical and mechanical design.  The Pentax, however, shows that, given the limitation of a fixed objective lens housing, proper optical and mechanical design is feasible at a low price point.  If  Canon could combine the Pentax design with its image stabilizer at a price point of  ~$250, they would have a #1 hit.Note that the touted list price of $410 is well above that listed on the Canon website (just under $300).
I couldn't help myself buying these after reading the reviews (all magnifications). I got it for $170 A/R.When I took it out case and look through, I was a little bit dissapointed. The IS effect was not so obvious. But after a while I got used to it. I think it is not bad.The binoculars are nice themselves without IS. The IS effect is not so big becasue I think this is only 8 times magnification.This is the only reason that I am giving it a 4 star ranking instead of 5.But don't get me wrong, the IS effect is there. I can read smaller words with IS on. So I suggest buying higher powers if you can afford them and you are OK with their sizes and weights. The higher power the better IS effet.Now about those whines,1. Battery.It is said one cr123a can be used for 6 hours. It is OK and it's not expensive if you buy them online ($1.5 each).2. Object lens caps.I put eye lens caps on object lens, they fit well.3. Durability.It's a fine product. What do you wanna do with a fine optical product other than using it with care?
We purchased these Canon Image-Stabilized Binoculars to do bird watching and for our travels. Canon makes excelelnt products, and we have owned many of their cameras. The binoculars are not heavy and the Image-Stabilization works very well.
These glasses provide a great stabile, clear image.  We use them boating and consider them a must have on any boat.
So glad I gave this as a gift, it was a hit. Well made, handles solid and easy to use.
My husband loved this gift.  He is a NASCAR fan and looks forward to many races in the future, watching with the sharp clarity of the Canon IS binoculars.
Bought these to take on a trip to Alaska.  The auto stabilizing worked well ... especially for the bumpy plane ride to the Denali summit.
Yeah, it's cute, but it doesn't work too well.  The first roll was fine, and thereafter, the film wouldn't load properly.  It took 8+ tries to get the film loaded the second time around.  In the middle of my third roll, the camera just stopped working.  The lens didn't engage after opening the shutter door.I'm in the process of returning the camera to Cannon, which will take 3 weeks before I see it again.I'm pretty unhappy with this cutie.  If you buy it, get some kind of extended warranty.
This is an easy to use camera.  The zoom feature works like a charm, and the picture, in any format, is framed well.
Having owned several small APS cameras, I can safely tell you that this one is a winner.  The Z3 has a decent 2.3 times optical zoom (I prefer a 3x, but this is pretty good), very small size, and excellent battery life (over 25 rolls/battery, vs. under 10 for many other cameras).  It also has some of the minor features that prove useful, including date and time encoding, mid roll rewind and load, and basic control over the flash (4 modes).If you've never used the APS format before you will be impressed by the small camera size and image results, as long as you stick with 4x6 prints.  If you require 35mm results with enlargements, go elsewhere.  This has nothing to do with this camera, its all in the film size.  You might be able to enlarge to 5x7, but no further.  These are really tiny negatives and the images get grainy when you enlarge them too much.I've seen some complaints about reliability, but after a hundred rolls or so this camera has been flawless.  It did take us a roll or so to get used to the turning the camera off (you slide the lens cover over), but once you get the hang of pressing the cover in just a bit before sliding it, it comes easy.I'd also suggest that you check out the Canon 370Z camera.  While it is a bit bigger and has shorter battery life (I've averaged 8-9 rolls per battery at best), the zoom is a full 3x, meaning that you can zoom in a bit more.  That can be useful, although I have not missed it as much witht his camera as I expected.
I'm not sure what has caused people to complain so much about this camera, it is the best I have ever owned and believe me, I KNOW cameras! I've taken hundreds of pictures (literally) and have competed in several shows with great results. And I tell you, Canon Elph is a tiny camera that packs a punch!I bought this camera two years ago for a trip to Europe. I wanted to have something small with special features. The zoom, panoramic, dates and special subject lines, easy load small film, etc. I was TOTALLY impressed!I took 30 rolls of film in rapid succession, within a period of 3 weeks. I didn't develop any of the film while in Europe, and even after ALL of my film, exposed and unexposed, passed through all the metal detectors of different airports, palaces, etc. it had FANTASTIC quality! In fact, the pictures of me are some of the best ever taken, other than some childhood shots and my high school senior pictures taken by a professional! These Elph pictures, held next to 35mm pictures from both my old Pentax and my Canon manual professional camera, were not any different. Mixed up, no one could tell which pictures were taken by what camera!I loved how the film was just drop and load. It was harder to get dirty or install wrong and IMPOSSIBLE to accidentally expose to light. NOT so with my old Pentax 35 MM autofocus camera! Plus, the neat thing with Advantix film is that you can take a few pictures, rewind the film, load a new roll for different types of pictures, rewind that and load the other roll of film only partially used! With this feature, I was able to keep castles on one roll, statues on another, paintings on yet another roll!The camera was dropped more than once, nothing broke! The metal corner bent (that's how bad the fall was) and the picture quality was not affected at all! The sliding face wasn't a problem for me to get used to, just don't slide it fast! Slide it just a little ways back towards the lens when you want to shut it off and it will recede back into the camera then you can close it fully.I have now used this camera often for the last two years, including a family reunion. Every picture has been great (except the ones I personally messed up like not turning on the flash when needed) and I have recommended it to my friends. Nothing has been grainy, no red eye, nothing! Everything has been clear and bright! Just remember to use 400 or higher speed film, 200 and 100 definitely reduce the picture quality. I used Kodak and tried to get MAX, not regular.I hope to join an art study program and go back to Europe next summer. The Elph will definitely be going along! Cute and functional!
I bought this little Elph Z3 for my Mom who usually just takes pictures on birthdays and holidays. For her this camera is very easy to use. The only issue she's had with it is that she carries it in her purse and then forgets to check the photo size setting before she takes pictures, so she's ended up with some panorama photos when she didn't want them. I have an older Minolta APS that I love so I thought APS would be the easiest for my Mom to deal with. We had a bad experience with my old 35mm camera. I asked my Mom take some pictures with my 35mm during our wedding and she accidentally re-used a roll of already exposed film since it didn't pull all the film inside the cartridge when it re-wound, she thought it was a new roll since there was an end sticking out. So, a bunch of our wedding photos turned out to be double-exposed crap, very disappointing. That was my main reason for getting her an APS camera, there's no chance of double-exposing the film! I do think my Minolta APS may take better pictures than this Elph, but for the occasional photographer this is way better than those darn disposable cameras.
Space was at a premium on this trip and I wanted Panorama easily available.  Also sunscreen would be heavily used (can damage camera frames) so metal case was ideal.  Camera performed wonderfully and was so small it was easy to carry around and protect from water in Aquapac case.  I didn't realize what a problem sand would be - again the Aquapac protected from both sand and water from rapids.  The photos are great.  I am enjoying using this camera to take photos of my triplet granddaughters also.  It tucks into my purse or pocket with an extra roll of film.  I have SLR APS which is about 8 times bigger and it is so much harder to drag it around as much as I love it!  Thanks Canon.
This compact camera is easy to carry around, and I just drop into my purse so that I can snap pictures anywhere.  I love photography, but one of my bad habits is succumbing to the creative need of insatiable picture taking -- and then not developing the rolls of film.I have another APS camera with 10x zoom, but it is not lightweight, and partially used rolls of films hide inside.  What I love about the APS-format is the ability to take a roll of film out of one camera and insert it into another, even if some pictures are already on the film.  So, I can check whether film is used or not, quite easily with the automatic film loading and advance featuresAPS-format also lets me set the coverage of the camera in three frame types.  One is focused on center object without much background.  Next is for group shots that elongate the lens area slightly more.  The panoramic view is a large rectangular coverage.  The self-timer function means that I also get to be in the picture.  It seems that I was in very few family photos because I was always the one behind the camera; now I am a participant.One of the pictures I took in this format is of my niece at her wedding as she danced with and kissed her new husband.  It is a striking photograph because it is focused on them, and you see the floor, decorations, lighting, and can feel the dance and their movements to get a true impression of this moment.Generally, I forget when I took a picture unless it is coded on the photo, especially since I may let the film sit in a camera too long.  This excellent feature and stays on time and date.Because I love this little Elph I give it 5 stars, and wish you great success with your photography as well.Victoria Tarrani
I picked up one of these before a recent rip to Paris.  The pictures were surprisingly good for a point and shoot.
I am really suprised to see such negative comments on this camera.I always got amazing quality photographs from this camera. It's very easy to use. It's not bulky. It was by far the best film camera I had ever owned.
I bought this camera several months before my daughter was born.  I wanted a good camera that was not hard to use, that both me and my husband could use.  I used it a few times before she was born and the pictures have been wonderful!!!!  And now that she is here, we are enjoying the camera even more.  I always use 400 or 800 Kodak film and am alsways pleased.  I only use 2 of the settings, but plan to read my manual later and try them out.  I have only had one batch of bad pictures and I think it was due to having had them developed at a cheap one-hour place...  Alas, this is a great camera that takes great pictures, especially if you don't really know what you're doing!!!  I bought some black & white film and am anxious to try it in my camera.  You can't go wrong with this camera!
This is not the first autofocus camera we have ever had, but it is the first to produce so many blurry photos. Apparently by design this camera is not focused until the green light stops blinking; this doesn't sound like a major problem except that THE GREEN LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS BLINKING! What is that? When it does actually stop blinking, well, then, you get a really nice photo. But try it yourself - it's difficult to get the stupid light to stop blinking. According to the manual - the cause of blinking is 'camera unable to focus'; suggested remedy - focus on something else. That's great...
When I went to a football game, I took photos of the game with the flash on. The photos came out too dark when you zoom in. So I decided to take photos WITHOUT the flash. I recognized that the orange button was blinking repeatedly. When I looked in the manual, it said that it was because the camera was shaking, which the camera was still. It said to use a tripod. I got my pictures back, after trying EVERY mode possible without the flash, and almost ALL of them came out blurry. Why make a camera without a flash if all of the pictures are going to come out blurry?? So basically you can only use this camera with a flash or outside or all of the pictures are going to come out blurry?? Canon has been known for making great cameras and scanners/printers. But this camera was just down right horrid when it came to getting a decent picture. It is overpriced garbage and people at Canon should have made a sure shot camera that lived up to its name. The zoom is nice, as it gets good close ups. But when it comes to using this camera without flash, it is impossible without a tripod. I am not about to bring a tripod to a football game. Why have a sports feature on the camera FOR MOVING OBJECTS if the feature is not going to work?? Seems to me, that the folks at Canon are bonafied MORONS!!
I got this camera a little over four years ago when i started taking a recreational photography class. I started that class using a Poloroid p&s; that i got under 30 dollars. That one broke not even 2 weeks later, i splurged on replacing it with this canon sure shot. I didn't regret it then, but now after having more experience with photography and buying cameras, i don't think i would pay that much money for a point and shoot again. At the time the cost was up in the 200's and digital photography was getting more popular, but they still sold 35mm along side it. -- So yeah the price is one drawback on this camera, not that it's not worth it, because this is a great sturdy, attractive little camera.Pros: The zoom is the best thing about. In fact the zoom is almost as good as my dslr lenes.I'm proud of the results you can with this camera. The colors it can produce, and the crispness of the photos is something to brag about.- Takes nice black and whites with perfect contrast. - you have many different options and functions to pick from. You have an exposure control function to allow to choose before a shot whether you want it to be lighter or darker. - Extremely easy to load film in, and automatically rewinds once roll is used upCons: View finder too small.- The focus wheel baffles me. I have no idea what affect it has on pictures, pretty much useless.- Oh and as others have said, you do have to hold down the shutter until the lights do their thing. But i have this problem with most automatic cameras.- And lastly, its kinda loud. When you zoom, when the film proceeds to the next frame, and when it rewinds, it makes this kinda loud screeching noise, zzreeeouuuu. Lol. It must be the motor, i think. It's not because it broken, if you own this camera you know what i mean. So just a tip: don't bring this camera to a wedding ceremony, especially if you sit in the front row.
Al Hansen: Andrea Rosen Gallery.: An article from: Artforum InternationalThe Canon Sure Shot 35mm is the finest of all the compact film cameras.  For two years, this camera was my mainstay.  Simple in design and function, the Sureshot provides dependable sure shots.  The self-timer comes in handy.
We bought this camera a little over a year ago to replace an SLR that became problematic.  We've taken it with us on a few vacations and some hikes since then.  Because it was much smaller than our old SLR, taking it everywhere was easy.  Unfortunately, the photos were never really standouts.  It barely beat the performance of a couple throw away cameras we grabbed on trips!  I didn't expect professional quality, but the colors were often washed out.  Then came the &quot;H&quot;.  Apparently a lot of other Canon Sure Shot and Elph owners have discovered this nasty little flashing error.  Like the others we've reset and replaced batteries and cleaned the contacts- to no avail.  The camera is dead.  I would HIGHLY DISCOURAGE THE PURCHASE OF SURE SHOT CAMERAS... Don't just take my word for it.  Read the reviews of the previous camera models in the Sure Shot line.
I bought this camera before reading the reviews, and then was pretty uncomfortable when I saw all the negative comments. That said, I needed a camera for my first trip to Hawaii that was 1)not expensive, 2)light enough to carry around, and 3)uncomplicated. (I am notorious for NOT wanting to read instructions. Some people love to read those fat little manuals from cover to cover. Not me.)So, I took a roll or two before going on the trip. What I found was not much different than the reviewers before me: the personal setting made horrible, blurry messes, and sometimes the full zoom did the same thing. However, the automatic setting did a great job. So I stuck with that, and almost every photo taken on that setting, out of 11 rolls of film, was beautiful. The camera was ideal for what I needed, especially since I didn't feel moved to go digital just yet, and I'm quite happy with it.You do have to tell any random person who is taking a photo of you and your friends, to hold the button down FOREVER because it truly does take 4 or 5 seconds sometimes to take the photo.
I've been using the Canon A40 for more than a year (see my posted sample pictures). The first time I printed my photos at their highest resolution (1600 X 1200) I was NOT very impressed due to my cheap HP color printer, but when I took them to the nearest farmacy for a more professional printing I was really impressed with the Kodak Picture Perfect processing and the quality paper.After using my Canon AE-1 film SLR for more than 15 years I never thought that a little 2MP camera will look this great on 4X6 prints. They really look good as long as you take pictures outdoors.As expected, in low-light conditions it performs poorly but if you put it on a tripod and use the night-scene setting with flash you can still take great pictures of static or slow-moving subjects.This is a great quality camera for the price range but considering it's discontinued now, you may want to consider a Canon A410. As for me, I'm replacing my AE-1 with a Rebel XTi.
When I purchased this camera as my entry into the digital world, I wanted to get a camera that would serve two purposes in one. I wanted something easy enough to use that the technology of the thing was not overwhelming to a first time user and I wanted something that had enough in the way of features so that I would not feel as though I needed to get a bigger and better model in 6 months. I really feel that the Canon A-40 neatly fulfills those two needs.You can definitely get wrapped around the axle with all the cameras on the market these days. The feature list seems to be endless. In order to choose a camera that was right for me, I broke it down into the things that were important to me.2 Megapixel camera - That number really translates into photo quality. With this camera you will be able to take and print JPEG images up to an 8x10 size with amazing clarity and detail. I thought at first that I should go for the maximum Megapixel rating possible but I have no need for prints of any larger size (besides my printer will not print anything larger.). I am quite pleased with the images that the camera produces with perhaps only a couple of exceptions but really nothing that deals with the resolution of the photos.3X Optical Zoom and 4X Digital Zoom - For those of you who are familiar with a 35mm film camera the 3X Optical Zoom is the equivalent of 35mm-105mm zoom lens. One small complaint is that the zoom control is touchy and it can be difficult to adjust it into the proper range. With a bit of practice this can be overcome. The 4X optical zoom is selectable and works quiet well but there is a trade off (isn't all of life?). Using the digital zoom results in a loss of resolution with the image. For images that you send via e-mail this doesn't really represent a problem, but for those images that are to be printed it can become a factor.1.5 inch LCD display and optic viewfinder - The optic viewfinder is a bit dinky and only shows about 80% of the actual recorded image. I have to confess I don't really use this feature preferring the LCD screen more. The LCD display on the other hand is another trade off. Although you get a bright color display of the image you are going to record, the screen tends to use battery power at an alarming rate. I was able to take over 100 photos with the regular alkaline batteries that were provided with the camera and didn't really see this as a serious problem. As a side note, I did purchase NIMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries to use with the camera and have no complaints in this area.Compact Flash memory system - This is a great memory system in my opinion. It is small and relatively easy to use. The camera comes equipped with an 8MB-memory card. At the highest resolution this card will hold about 8 photos which I will admit is not many. I quickly relegated the 8-MB card to a reserve role and now use a 128-MB card. It is a bit intoxicating knowing I can take about 200 high quality images and not have to have them developed in the traditional sense. You can preview each image and delete the ones that you don't want or keep them all. The camera has a USB port for direct downloading to your computer or you can opt for a card reader, which does not require the camera.Beyond these basic features the camera will take pictures in a fully automatic mode (including flash) or will allow the uses to operate the camera in manual for a multitude of effects. I find that the auto settings work very well for the most part. My only complaint would be that from time to time the camera will flash when it probably shouldn't have and wash the photo out because of overexposure. This really isn't much of a problem in my opinion for two reasons. I didn't have to pay to have the photo developed to see the problem and it doesn't happen all that often.You can do some incredible things such as "stitching" photo after adjacent photo creating a 360-degree panoramic photo of your surroundings or recording short AVI format movies.Weighing in at 8.8 oz with the following dimensions - Depth 1.5 in, Height 2.8, in Width 4.3 in, This is not the most compact camera on the market so if your looking for the smallest model available you need to probably look elsewhere. I like it size though. It is just big enough to feel sturdy and durable but small enough to carry most places.I find that the camera controls are conveniently placed and are very user friendly. Most are menu driven with the LCD display providing necessary guidance to use the features.There are a wealth of accessories for this camera including replaceable lenses and a waterproof (to 200 feet) housing I haven't had the opportunity to use these items yet but when and if I do I will update this review.Overall I would have to say that I am very pleased with this camera and that I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
This camera is great.  Image quality at high resolution is great!  The movie mode is a nice feature for the outdoors, but quality indoors is not great.  Menu option are fairly easy to learn.  If you are not a camera expert the auto mode will adjust all the settings for you.  My only complaints are that the 8MB CF card that comes with it is too small (only about 11 picts at high res) and the batteries that are shipped with the camera won't last but a few hours.  I plan to get a larger CF card and rechargable NiMH batteries.  These two pitfalls are still not enough for me to discourage anyone from buying this camera.
For a starter, I have always been a big fan of Canon brand. But when I bought this camera, I even loved and respected the brand more. To say the least, Canon doesn't mess around, they don't make cheap devices. They have very advanced technology, especially when it comes to optics and photo-taking machinery. When comes to price, I have compared other brands, like fuji, nikon, olympus, within the same price range, none of them include in their cameras the same features this camera has. For instance, you won't find the video captuering ability in the othe brands with the same price. And if you like taking control of photo shooting, this camera will let you do that. You can adjust the shutter speed from as slow as 15 seconds to as fast as 1/1500 of a second. I guess that takes you beyond the amature to a creative level. You can also take pictures in low lights where other cameras cannot. The most amazing thing about this camera, which was mostly the main reason I bought it for, is the expandability. You can attach a variety of extra lenses, such as wide-angle converter, tele-converter for extra zoom, and macro-converter lense for close-up distance, which extend the limit of this camera. I took it to Niagra falls last year and took more than 250 photos and lots of video clips with sound using two 128MB memory cards, which I recommend buying, they area not expensive. I also recommend buying at least 2 sets of 4 rechargeable AAA batteries, it will pay off over the time. hope you can still find it.
Don`t think twice, remeber Canon is Canon, and you'll get more than expect. Also, digital camera is not the only point, think about the software to handle your pictures...canon has it! excelent!
I've had my eye on getting a digital camera for quite a while, but I waited until now for the right combination features to get within my price range.  The Canon A40 was well worth the wait.  Within five minutes of opening the box, I was taking great pictures with this camera.  I wouldn't call the more complex features of the A40 intuitive, but with 3-4 hours of experimenting, I had figured out almost everything without opening the manual (although the manual is handy for picking up the details).Installation of the software on my XP system was a breeze.  I still don't have everything figured out yet, but the basics were self-explanatory without the manual.Along with the camera, I bought 2 sets of Maha 1800mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries and the Maha fast charger.  I guess I can't really say how well the batteries work because I haven't managed to run through the first charge yet! ;)  I also picked up the 128 MB SanDisk flash card.The only real problem I have with the A40 is in getting the autofocus to lock correctly and consistently.  The problem is especially bad indoors, where I miss a lot of easy shots that my point-and-shoot Fuji 35mm could handle easily.  The camera is unable to get a focus lock on anything about 10% of the time.  When it does claim that it has a lock, about 5% of the time it was actually focusing on a spot about a foot below the squares in the LCD that are supposed to show what the autofocus is locked on.  The focus difficulties were almost enough for me to give the camera 4 stars, but when you consider this rare problem against the price, the features, and all of the fantastic pictures I've taken already, it's clear that this camera deserves the highest rating.One thing that I would like to see on future generations of this camera is a 4-way thumb pad like the S330 has.  This would be useful when you're changing the settings, looking at thumbnails, or reviewing a picture in the viewfinder.All in all, there's no camera in this price range that comes close to the A40.  The A40 is a fantastic camera with great features and gives anyone the ability to take sharp and clear digital pictures.
If you're looking for a digital camera in the [moderate price]range, this is the one.  I've done extensive research and no other comes close to the features and options that this camera offers.  Bottom line is, you'll produce excellent photos with this camera.  2M Pixel is more than enough if all you're looking for is great pictures.A few things you should get if you buy this camera..1) Get a bigger compact flash card (128M will hold 140 pictures in the highest resolution, 200 in medium, 400 in low).  I find that medium resolutin produces sufficient quality for 4 by 6 photos.2) Definitely get NiMH rechargeable batteries and charger (8 batteries please.. 1 set for backup since camera requires 4 AA batteries)3) Get an AC Adapter for transfering files and/or printing photos.
To sum up: This is a great camera for its price, and more.Overall: I got this gem in June and felt tempted to join the raves right away, but then I decided to wait for the impending trip across Argentina. I used it from the Andes to Iguaz&uacute;, in cloudy, rainy, sunny weather; in freezing cold and on hot days; in the desert-like mountains and in the spray of the Iguaz&uacute; Falls.This is one rugged camera which offers great features, especially if you are used to Canon products: I had the A-1 and still use the EOS 500N and found it supremely easy to get into the groove of this camera, in fact, this very reason won me over compared to the Sony P-50 and the Olympus D-510. I won't bother you with repeating the features, you can look them up any day on the Canon website. Remember though, the video capability is nice, but you can't turn the videos 90 - I have to watch my Iguaz&uacute; sweep with my head on my shoulders... And the artistic options like B/W or Sepia (the 1900s style) are definitely cute.Also, other than many guys on this site, I consider myself a dedicated amateur and DO use all the extras and gimmicks of this camera.Battery: As is common knowledge, plain batteries won't do it. I got the Amazon Kodak set plus the Olympus charger and batteries, and there is no problem even though theoretically you are supposed to use 1600 mAh only: these have 1700 and 1850 mAh respectively (and I'm charging the 1850 Kodaks in the 1700 Olympus charger); no sweat. The new rechargeables lasted me a day of heavy picture-taking, but they seem to last longer with time. If you use it now and then, we are talking weeks and months, it might even be smarter to use standard batteries.Lens: Just great, the optical zoom equals SLR 38-105mm, which gives you many options. Forget about the digital zoom, you can do that with software on your PC.Memory card: Obviously, the 8 MB card that comes with it is a pathetic joke, but hey, do you expect your SLR camera to come with a stash of films? For a holiday, I'd recommend two cards of 128 MBs each, this gives you about 270 pix at highest size/resolution. Remember that opposed to a conventional camera, you can sit down every night with a beer/wine/cocktail/mineral water (delete as appropriate) and delete the failed shots, so you'll need a lot less takes compared to 35mm films.Card reader: Frankly, if you're not a professional photographer or terminally ill, why bother with one? I downloaded a 128 MB card in about 10 minutes, which means 135 perfect pix or about 4 secs each, or more at lower quality. Win XP seems to be even faster. And how often do you need to download that amount?Exposure: Here's the downside - if it can be considered such at this price. The camera will always lighten up the dark spots in your picture as opposed to a SLR which will find a compromise. This resulted under hazy conditions in plain white skies. Then again, you can fix this with the exposure meter by changing it to -1 or less.If you want to see examples, check out the pix at Webshots (User: chileno66, not all are with this camera!).If in doubt, don't hesitate: This is one great camera in its range!
This Canon Powershot is my first digital camera. I have always been a believer in the Canon camera, however, I was hesitant to move over to digital and held steadfastly to my old school Canon AE1. However, I must say that the change to digital has been an enjoyable one. This little digital camera is very versatile and easy to learn and use effectively to take great pictures. It has just enough functionality to not be cumbersome and the size is perfect for sightseeing or nature walks. I would suggest this product for anyone who is looking for a reasonably price camera that takes great pictures. The only downside I choose to mention is that the actual viewfinder on the camera can be a tad deceiving but the rest of the functionality is top notch.
At first I was real hesitant, considering my husband bought this for me and he is clueless when it comes to photography. I am semi/pro and was not thrilled to receive a 2 megapixel camera as a gift. I have got to say that I have been pleasantly surprised. The 4x6 prints have turned out with wonderful color saturation and great image quality. Depending on the type of paper used I have seen some pixels in the skin tones but the amateur eye would not even notice. I like that it can be switched to manual mode. I don't like that it only offers 2 aperatures with each shutter speed. This camera also can use conversion lenses for wide angle and tele although I havent' tried them. On my next vacation this will be my camera of choice over my 35mm SLR's. I only hope I don't need tele although I may decide to purchase it. Overall I have been very happy with this camera. One day I hope to own a super mega-pixel for my photography business.
Without wanting to spend a lot of money on a new digital camera, the Canon PowerShot A40 came highly recommended.  Whether you're new a digital cameras or not, you don't need to have any experience using this camera.  That's one of the reasons why I really like this camera.  Crisp, clear images, lightweight, compact. Loads of features. Records short movies. 2 megapixels.  What more could you ask for from a camera that's under $250.00
This is one of the best camera's in its class.At first I was surprised why Canon had such a small LCD display (1.5') until I realized that it had over 1 Million pixels (far greater than most camera's in the market today).Slightly on the heavier side but with very good feel/grip.Uses standard or rechargeable AA batteries instead of proprietary batteries that the other Canon camera's use. The life of Alkaline & NiMH batteries is really good. I would have preferred if Canon supplied NiMH batteries and a charger besides adapting the camera to use 2 batteries instead of 4.The software is OK but if Canon could provide the driver software that makes the camera appear like a HardDrive, it would make the process of uploading pictures thru the USB interface easier as Windows usually ships with these drivers.It is not the best camera I would say but then I couldnt find another camera better in its class.
Some things just don't improve with newer models. This Powershot A40 is an example. Now we are talking  here about a digital camera that was originally released in the early '00s'. It was my first digital camera and I spent alot of time researching all of the then available cameras, both by maker and model. I finally settled upon this CANON Powershot A40 and my research paid off! I never had one single problem with this little beauty.The "most helpful critical reviewer" said that his camera had a faulty lens motor. I never had that problem and my camera (which is for sale, incidentally) is now about 10 years old and still the lens motor functions perfectly.Things I like about this particular Powershot over the later models: FOUR AA batteries, not two. Makes for longer lasting shots before the need to replace batteries. Also, this model was made of metal not plastic and that gives the camera added "heft" which helps me to steady my hand when photographing. It is very easy to use; fairly intuitive.I loved my little A40 but now is the time for it to go to another loving home. I bought a new digital camera last Xmas and have no need for this one, but I part with it with a great deal of regret. It was my friend for many an expedition (including one to South Africa).See all the images uploaded for this camera because I added one that shows my camera with original box and everything else.
I'm new to digital photography and was very impressed with Canon's A40.  The camera has similar features to the proven A20 model, but distinguishes itself in several ways.For example, the A40 feels solid and is very attractive.  It also captures 10-30 second movie clips in AVI format which can be played on Quicktime.  The movie images are a bit grainy, but movements and sounds are captured quite well.  Using some software which was included with the A40, I was able to convert the AVI clips into MPEG and view them on my PocketPC.  Finally, the camera is less expensive than the A20, but delivers the same quality images.My experience with the A40 pictures is that 2Mexapixels are fine.  The clarity of the images is remarkable.  And making short movie clips is an added benefit to getting the A40.For the price and photo quality, the A40 is an exceptional product and deserves everyone of its 5 stars.
I purchased the Canon A40 about 4 days ago, and have taken a few hundred pictures with it so far.  I bought it to replace my old Sony FD-73, which was only a 0.3 megapixel camera.  I wanted better quality and more storage options (greater capacity), so I started shopping around for a good quality 2.0MP Camera on Amazon.The picture quality is excellent.  I noticed no chromatic abberation on any of the shots I took.  The pictures were crisp and clear, the colors were vibrant, and the pictures were good whether taken indoors or outdoors.  And, believe it or not, I'm still using the AA Alkaline batteries that came with the camera.  Even after several hundred pictures, they are still working.  I've read numerous reviews of cameras in this price range that drain batteries very quickly, I'm impressed that mine are still working.I also tested the video mode of the camera.  It seems to automatically stop the video after about 10 seconds, I'm not sure if that setting can be changed.  The quality of the video was excellent and the audio quality was good, however the size of the video is something like 320x200 pixels (I don't remember precisely), which is quite small.  The 10 second video used about 3.7MB of space on the video card.  As everyone knows, the 8MB card that comes with it is useless. I threw it in the trash and bought a 256 SmartMedia card, which works great.  Based on the size of the pictures I took, full quality pictures at 1600x1200 averaged about 950K, while low quality pictures at 640x480 averaged about 145K.  Based on that, my 256MB card should hold about 270 pictures at the highest quality and 1700 pictures at the lowest quality.I played around with the "Stitch" mode as well, which is supposed to help you paste together pictures into a panoramic shot.  It was very helpful.  Here's how it works:  It reduces the viewscreen so you can see two shots at once.  After you take the first picture, it puts it on the left side of the LCD view screen.  When you're ready to take the 2nd picture, you can line up the shot with the previous picture, so they'll line up correctly when you paste them together with your PC graphics program.  Supposedly, the camera automatically adjusts itself in Stitch mode so that the camera uses the exact same settings to try and keep the two pictures uniform.  There seems to be no limit to how many pictures the camera will let you "stitch" together.The camera also offers numerous manual settings for the professional photographer.  You can manually adjust ISO speed, shutter speed, white balance, and many other features you would expect to find on a camera with a much higher price tag.In sum, I'm very impressed with this little camera, and I think it is a great value for the price.  In my opinion, 2.0MP is the perfect quality for a casual user, Cameras in this range seem to offer the best combination of value, price, and picture quality.  I highly recommend it.Good luck finding this camera, it always seems to be sold out on Amazon.  I guess that's a good sign!
I was never been a big photography buff, but this camera has made it possible for me to do more than I ever imagined, and has me thinking about where I should go next to take more pictures.  This is my first digital camera, and I found it to be easy to use and full of features.  I have used the videocamera capability at the beach and at other things, finiding videos will last about 20-25 seconds with audio.  I have upgraded my emmory card to a 128, and would definitely recommend that nothing smaller be used.  At the superfine resolution I am now shooting, I have been getting about 125 pictures on the disk.  The USB cord will do an adequate job at uploading, but for much faster results, you will want the Compactflash card reader, especially when you have a lot of photos to upload.  One other thing that I would definitely note is that the camera can be expanded- rare in a beginning digital camera!  The telephoto zoom is impressive, but when digitally zoomed in after the picture is taken, the detail I have been getting is very impressive.  A virtual must-have is also the wide angle lens.  The landscapes and buildings I have been taking for work have made it extremely useful, and the attachment of any one of the three accessory lenses is easy, but does require an adapter, all of these sold separately.  I have gotten nothing but good comments on the pictures I have taken and shown to people thus far, and the camera itself convinced several friends to get the same model.  Because of the additional possibilities that the other lenses add, and for all of the features the camera has, I would definitely encourage you to look at one at a nearby store before you order if you are still not convinced- I am THRILLED with mine!
I am a novice photographer, having switched to this camera from a point and shoot that only had wide angle and telephoto lenses. The following are my opinions of this camera after 6 months and about 750 pictures:Good:1. Excellent outdoor picture quality. If you have good light you can take pictures that stop action in mid stream and have very accurate color.2. I mostly take pictures using the automatic mode or the program mode, which allows you to set the exposure, white balance, macro mode, etc.3. The menu is easy to learn, although you can't navigate it quickly.4. The lcd screen is clear and bright.5. You can zoom in on lcd images to see if you've taken sharp pictures.6. Using manual settings (and a tripod) you can take great indoor pictures using natural light rather than a flash.7. You can take pictures forever using NiMH rechargeables, or if you do run out of juice you can always pop in some AA's.8. The camera uses compact flash cards which are available everywhere and are relatively inexpensive.9. The optional 2.4x telephoto lens is great for macro or portrait shots. I have taken some extraordinary pictures using this lens, as long as the subject is relatively close at hand. Gives that pro look where the image is clear but the background is out of focus.Bad:1. Indoor pictures with the flash are often a disappointment, with too much red in skin tones and a yellowish tint to teeth. Very unapealing. It's hard to get that red out of the skin with Adobe Elements and still have natural looking skin tones.2. Focusing is often problematic. As there is no manual focus, you've either got to get the camera to focus on its own or you'll get a blurry image. The subject must have contrast in order for the auto focus to work. I often have to keep shifting forward and backward to get enough contrast.3. The 3x optical zoom doesn't make much of a difference beyond a dozen feet or so. I purchased the optional telephoto lens which adds 2.4x to the zoom, but this is still no big deal. You've got to get close to your subject.4. There is no bracketing feature. I never heard of this until I began learning a bit about photography. With it you can pre-set a variety of exposures and take several pictures in a burst, each with its own settings. This ensures that one of the pictures is likely to come out the way you want. Too bad the A40 doesn't have it.5. The red eye reduction mode doesn't work. Red eye is still prevalent. There is no way to add an external flash so you're stuck with red eye like it or not.6. The lcd screen is brighter than a pc monitor, or a print out of the image. Thus an image that looks properly exposed in the lcd will be underexposed if you view it on your pc or print it out. You have to adjust your expectations - if the image looks a little overexposed in the lcd it's probably just right in reality.
The picture quality, ease of use and functionality make the A40 a steal when you consider the MSRP.  It will soon be replaced by the A60, which I assume will be of equal or better value.  The thing I love best about my A40 is the picture quality in low light situations.  I've taken pictures of bands that were playing in dark clubs and they came out wonderfully.  The shutter-like lens cover and retractable lens is great when you compare it with models that only feature a plastic lens cap.  When you adventure outside of the auto mode, you'll find some great features like the Effects menu that lets you manipulate color options and Continuous Shooting mode by holding down the shutter button.  Really cool stuff.My only gripe (and it's a small one) is that I've had hit-or-miss luck with the red eye reduction feature.  But the software that comes with the A40 addresses that problem (for the most part).  The software, which is easy to install and use, also includes typical features such as cropping and stitching, so there's no need to go out and purchase separate photo software.I looked at a bunch of entry level cameras and I'm so glad I went with the A40.  In addition to a set of rechargeable batteries and larger CF card, I recommend purchasing a card reader for downloading pictures to your pc.  Card readers are cheap, fast and you don't end up wasting you camera's battery.  Most of them plug right into your USB port and you're off and running.
...P>The Canon Powershot A40 is an excellent camera, especially for one at the entry-level digital camera price point ...  This is the second digital camera I've owned,...P>The A40 is everything I had hoped for in a digital camera: good picture quality, USB connection, and an intuitive interface.  The interface was especially good in contrast to the Olympus.  Settings for resolution and compression level are separate, which is a major feature to me.  The 3 available resolutions are 640x480, 1024x768, and 1600x1200.  The jpeg compression levels are normal, fine, and superfine.  Images at 1600x1200 and Superfine compression are quite nice indeed, with little, if any, jpeg artifacting.Focusing is done through Canon's AiAF system, which (I guess) uses artificial intelligence to help focus the lens.  If you use the LCD screen when taking your pictures, 3 boxes appear representing the focus points.  When pressing the shutter half-way, the boxes turn green representing the part of the image that will have the focus.  This is very handy as it's hard to tell what the camera is focusing on sometimes.  However, this system does get annoying at times, such as when the green boxes choose to focus on something other than what you want!  This usually requires you to make an adjustment to your angle or position.  In general I am pretty pleased with the focusing on the A40.  ...I was afraid that I was simply expecting too much for a camera at this price point, but the Canon has shown me otherwise.Pictures with the A40 are sharpest in bright sunlight, as you would probably expect.  Focusing is not quite as good in low light situations, but the AiAF is helpful in this regard.  If none of the green boxes appear when you press the shutter button it's a sign that there's not enough light to get a good focus, and your image may come out blurry.  There's an autofocus helper beam that's supposed to help the camera focus in low light, but it's so dim that I don't see how it can really be of any assistance.  Indoors, pictures taken with the flash are pretty good, but sometimes the flash goes off outside where there is ample light, and the resulting image is quite dim.  In these situations I've found it's usually best to disable the flash, though you might end up with a somewhat blurry image.Colors on the A40 are bright and vivid.  There are sites you can find with great sample pictures, and I would suggest everyone find some sample photos before making a decision on any digital camera.  I don't notice much, if any, bleeding of colors,...The menu system is clean and intuitive.  The font for the menus is easy to read, even in bright sunlight.  There is an on/off button which in photo mode causes the lens to extend or retract, or in "play" mode causes the stored images to be displayed on the LCD screen.  There's a mode wheel which allows you to select Play, Auto, Program, Manual, Panorama, and Movie mode.  The movie mode allows you to record short (~15 seconds on the included 8 meg CF card) movies.  Most digital cameras sold today have this "Feature," however the Canon is unique in that it has a built-in microphone, so you get sound with your movie as well as video.  Most cameras have no mic, so you're left with video only.One thing that was somewhat disappointing with the A40 was that it wasn't recognized as a Mass Storage Device when plugged into my Windows 2000 PC, which my Olympus was.  However, this turned out to be a non-issue once I installed the A40's included software.  Once the software is installed, you plug the camera into a USB port on your PC, set the camera to "play" mode, and turn it on.  Canon's ZoomBrowser application then starts up, and prompts you to download all of the camera's new images (since the last time you synced, though you can set it to fetch all images, or just ones you've flagged) to your PC.  On the included 8 meg card this takes less than 30 seconds when the card is full.  Once the images have been transferred to my PC, I quit the ZoomBrowser app, so I can't really give you a decent review of the app itself.  I prefer to do photo editing in photoshop.The A40 takes 4 AA batteries, which are included.  I've had the camera for over a week and taken ~200 pictures and am still using the set of batteries that came with the camera, so I would say it has pretty good battery life.  As with any digital camera, I would recommend a set of NiMH rechargables if you're planning to use the camera with any frequency (and believe me, since you're not worrying about paying for film processing, you'll be using the camera a lot more -- I take pictures of the wall just because I *can*).As I've stated above, the A40 ships with an 8 MB Compact Flash card.  At the max resolution and best compression, this will hold only 8-12 images, so I plan on purchasing a 128 meg CF card.  ... and it will save you lots of time running back and forth to the PC to transfer images, especially if you use a lower resolution or jpeg level -- my personal favorite is 1024 Superfine.All in all, the Canon Powershot A40 is an excellent camera for the price, is more than suitable for beginners, and is even enough to satisfy a computer-geek (but photo-newbie) like me.  While you can probably get better quality by spending more, the A40 is relatively inexpensive for such a quality device.
I love this camera!I could run down all the features individually and tell you how great they are, but instead I will keep it short and sweet and say that the camera is easy to use, takes beautiful photos, and is small and light enough to take everywhere.It comes with all the cables you need to upload to your computer directly and show your photos on a TV. It even comes with editing software, 4 AA batteries to get you started, and an 8 MB memory card. I suggest you buy a 32 MB card or better. I got a 256 MB card myself, which holds 400 pictures at max resolution.The only possible caveat is that it eats batteries quickly. Then again, I use it constantly, so the high battery consumption may be due to my heavy use and not just a hungriness on the camera's part...
This is my second digital camera - the first was a point and shoot Fuji 1.3MP camera.  For under 200 dollars, this is the best 2 MP camera you can get.Construction:  There is no plastic except on the flash card cover.  It feels solid and fits perfectly in your hand.  (the s200 and others are too small to really be comfortable)  the battery compartment on the right side makes a great grip.Optics:  The 3x optical zoom lens is a great plus.  On the down side, it does not have too many steps but then again, its not a prosumer camera.AiAF does a decently good job in bad light.  Images are a little noisy but overall, a lot better than i expected from a camera like this.Excellent color saturation and white balance and the resolution is better than most other 2 megapixel cameras.  I regularly get 4x6 prints and sometimes get 5x7 prints.  always brilliant results.  even the low light results are fantastic.Battery:  The camera takes 4 AA batteries - this to me is a good thing.  Its all nice and dandy to have a custom rechargeable.  Till you are about to leave for the weekend and realize that you forgot to charge the baby up.  4 NiMH rechargeables last for ever in the camera and are not that expensive.  And if you do run out, every corner store you find will have AA's.Manual controls:  The three modes : automatic in which you can use it as a point and shoot and leave your head at home.program:  in which there are some preset modes to choose frommanual:  wherein you can control exposure, white balance, etc.Bottom line:  Ask yourself realistically - 'am i really into photography or do i just like to have an expensive camera to impress my friends' - that'll tell you which camera to get.  for day to day use and 4x6 prints, there is no camera i would recommend over this one.  period.
It's my first Canon Digital camera purchase after owning olympus 1.1 Meg Pixel D340L.A40 delivers fine quality images and just the design and handling of the camera makes it so comfortable to hold and take pictures.It's so addictive that you just want to keep taking picture and fill up the 8MB card. So, I bought two seperate 64MB cards and they can take all the picutres I want.I've used it for taking small video shots also in AVI format and the included AV cable comes handy. I could then convert my AVIs into MPEG and burn them onto VCD for viewing pleasure on TV along with the slide shows.All in all, a great camera for the price and delivers good quality sharp pictures deom an impressive device.
This is the first digital camera that I bought and almost 2 years down the road I'm still extremely happy with it. I originally bought it with minimal research (all I knew at the time was that I was looking for at least 2MP &amp; an optical zoom) and the strength of the Canon brand name. I wasn't disapointed....Furthermore, it's kindled an interest in digit photography and surprisingly, all of the extra controls and features I'm starting to learn - so I still haven't out grown this thing. The ZoomBrowser Ex software is fantastic as well. Prints lovely 4 x 6 photos on a Canon i860 photo printer, with the PhotoPaper Pro and Glossy paper.This camera made me a convert to Canon products, I don't think you can go wrong!! Probably will update fairly soon with another Canon camera.
When I saw how perfect digital cameras were for my needs, I knew I needed one. After weeks of research on which one to get, I finally decided on the Canon Powershot A40. A friend had recomended this one to me and its features seemed to fit my needs almost perfectly. I bought the camera at Best Buy with 4 accesories. I got the 128 MB memory card, a case, rechargable batteries, and a memory card reader. After 20 minutes of opening the box, I knew how to work the camera. It's incredible! With the memory card (which is completely necessary!) I can take more pictures than I will ever need, as well as a 30 second video clip. I am really ejoying this camera...the only complaint I have (which is minor) is the short battery life. Make sure you get rechargable battaries! The camera eats them up very fast.
I recently bought 4 megapixel Kodak DX4900 that last 1 day before ti broke.  I then opted to go with Canon, and decided that I only needed a 2 mega pixel device. I went with the canon A40.  Unlike the Kodak, I have yet to see a blurry picture with this camera - its focus is incredible.  At 2 megapixels, the pictures are still bigger than my 17" monitor screen and absolutely crystal clear.  These look like regular photos (big ones). The video mode is terrific (you wont watch it on tv or anything but for a small quicktime video I must say they are incredibly clear and the sound is wonderful).  This camera can be a simple point and shoot camera, or there are several modes that let you have total control over your picture quality - something a lot of cameras at this price lack.  Hats off to Canon for just a truly wonderful camera.  You will not go wrong with the Canon A40!
I got this camera because I bought a different one and when I took it back to Circut city, they only let me make an exchange. Best mistake I ever made. I really love this camera. I use it most everyday. Here are my Tips....I like how it will automatically adjust its apature. But it sets it for the brightest part of the picture. So if your subject is in the shade, point the camera to just the shade and hold the shutter button half way to have the camera set for that light. Then you can take the pic with the subject in the shade and light.I love the movie mode. It gobbles up a lot of disc space, but with a 128 mb CF you'll still have plenty of room. The AVI it produces is a compressed avi which Premiere 6.5 won't allow me to edit with. So I use my Easy CD Creator 5 Platium and go to its edit video mode. Then I load my compressed avi and output it to a MPG2. Then I can use it with my Premiere 6.5 to edit it with the pictures for a awesome slide and video production.Great camera you will definitly be happy with.
After purchasing the Canon A40 4 weeks ago - I have found no major feature flaws or problems. This is a great camera. It has more manual features than I will ever use - but they are there if needed. It has manual control of exposure and ISO settings - but also has the convenience of automatic point-and-shoot AUTO mode. The program mode lets you add special effects like black and white, sepia, vivid color, neutral, and more. The stitch assist lets you create panoramic pictures with ease.I bought Maha batteries and charger and have had no problems with power consumption.At worst, the LCD is a little dark when lighting conditions are poor. But when the flash hits - the pictures look great. Very few hot spots and great colors.A great camera with great features.
I knew absolutely nothing about digital cameras before my daughter's husband steered me to this one. My daughter and son had given me a gift certificate and told me they thought I'd like to have a camera, and they were right. Also the son was about to get married and wanted me to take some pictures of the festivities (or he figured it would keep me busy and keep me out of mischief).In my first outing, shooting wild flowers in Colorado, I got absolutely gorgeous pics and was sold. The wedding pictures, taken a couple of weeks later, were sensational, or so I was told.My only quibble, initially, with the camera - and hence the rating of four stars - was that the menu in the LED screen is a little difficult to navigate at first, although one learns and it becomes more or less automatic after that.And the price isn't bad, either.
I just wanted to buy a decent camera to replace the cheapo 35mm products that I seem to always lose or break.  No specialty photos, just family stuff and the usual normal snapshots.  The A40 was on sale, and a bunch of folks on Amazon spoke highly of it.  Best purchase I ever made.  Easy to use--just point and click, and you get excellent photos.I made the mistake of buying a Canon i950 photo printer and some glossy 4X6 paper.  The picture quality is UNBELIEVABLE-- better than any I've ever received back from the local 1 hour photo (I know, because my wife RUNS the local 1 hour photo stand).  Now I'm buying digital photography books, playing with the advanced features of the camera, and evaluating photo software.If you can find this camera, buy it!!!  But beware the digital photo bug...
After carefully reading through literally hundreds of reviews on the 2 megapixel digital cameras with optical zoom out there at this time, and a visit to two stores to play with them in person, I decided on the Canon Powershot A40.This is why: the camera body is sturdy and it is easy to hold and shoot. It looks like a normal camera so fits in most point-and-shoot camera bags. The camera is also small enough to fit in the pocket of most cargo pants. It has many accessories available and has upgradable lenses.The camera is somewhat intuitive to use once you know what the symbols for the buttons indicate- all of them are multifunctional. The only downsides are that the knob is a little less than ergonomic and the manual is horribly organized.The camera itself is fantastic overall. It does eat batteries quickly when connected to the computer for downloading, but on the road it is very conservative (I reccommend buying the ac adapter for downloading unless you have an unlimited supply of batteries). The optical zoom flows smoothly into the digital. The software is very easy to use and you will definitely find it useful. It also comes with a lite version of Adobe- which is a great piece of software to have on it's own.What about the pictures? The pictures are fantastic! The shots are much more akin to a manual 35 mm camera than a point-and-shoot. The colors are very vivid. You'd never be able to take shots like this with a regular camera. It can take a picture in a darkened room and make it as clear as if the lights were on.All together this is a great camera and I'm glad I bought it! I highly reccommend you consider it too!(Aside, Amazon.com has better prices than ALL the retail stores, it's trustworthy and just as good as most internet stores/auctions so I suggest you buy it here.)
This is my first digital camera and I have been very intimidated about finally buying one, but I have always owned and loved my Canons, so this was an easy choice for me. I also read many reviews and this camera was at the top of the list in every category including durability. I love that this camera looks and feels like a normal camera. You can use the viewfinder just like the olden days. It is larger and has the heft of a camera, not tiny like some digital cameras.Out of the box set up time was about 10 minutes. The instruction book begins at the beginning and is written in plain English with illustrations. No wonk-y mumbo-jumbo. Basically, you slap the batteries in, put the little memory card in its slot, turn it on and point and shoot. Auto focusing and flash make it SIMPLE!I was in a quandry about megapixels. I wondered if 2.1 was too low for the pics to be sharp. A couple of years ago, that was the top of the line, now, 2.1 is prehistoric. I decided to go with the A40 and 2.1 as a learning experience because the price is so low and Canons are so great. I figured after a couple of years, I'd junk the A40 and get a super megapixel camera. WRONG! This is a keeper! The photos are absolutely beautiful and crisp, even up to 8"X10". The color is absolutely accurate! My dad is a Nikon snob and even he admitted that my Canon A40 did a much better job than his Nikon 2.1 megapixel!You have the option of using the Auto mode, where the camera does everything but push its own button or you can use it like a conventional camera where you set the exposure, shutter speed, etc.There are a lot of other settings to play with if you want to, like  making the colors more vivid.I did invest in a 256MG memory card because I read that the 8MG one the camera comes with doesn't hold many photos. I have shot 200 photos without a glitch or erasing any to free up memory space.I think that this is the greatest value and quality in a digital camera for any level of user that anyone could want. If you've hesitated buying a digital camera, I encourage you to make this your first digital camera. I expect to keep this baby forever!
I've bought 1-2 megapixel digital cameras from Kodak, Olympus, Polaroid, and Fuji as well as the Canon A20 and A40.  The Canons are easily the best of the bunch in both image quality and product reliability.  That's why I now have the A40 as my primary camera and the earlier A20 model as my backup.  The others have been given away to less discriminating friends and family members.  When my office finally got around to buying a digital camera, it bought the A40 based on my recommendation and the quality of the photos I took while on vacations in Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming.  Despite heavy use and occasional drops, the Canons have never malfunctioned (unlike the Fuji 2600 I gave my daughter that has been repaired twice in nine months).  What a treat it is to have photos that look this good whether printed out in albums or used as PC screensavers.
I just got this camera a week ago and I love it!  Wow... it takes great pictures for the point and click photographer in Automatic or Program mode (which offers simple adjustments).  Yet offers great features for the more advanced photographer in Manual mode.In Automatic mode it takes great shots outdoors, indoors with flash, even low light without a flash.  For instance, I was sitting at our dining room table, with just candlelight and Christmas lights and it took a beautiful, balanced picture.  Like what you'd see on a greeting card.  Flame from candles not too bright, while darker details were in perfect balance.It's easy to use, with a very intuitive menu system and clear LCD.The Manual mode is great for getting even more control as far as shutter speed, exposure control, etc.The camera focuses quite well, whether landscape, normal distance, even close/up macro.  I took a picture in Macro mode of a lit ornament on our Christmas tree from about 12" away.  It captured the picture beautifully and in sharp focus!Then there's neat features like PhotoStitch Assist, to create some amazing panorama shots.  I've even done a 360, then using the PhotoStitch software created a really cool QuickTime VR surround shot!And the camera comes with *2* CD-ROMS loaded with great software.  Including PhoteExpression which does a fantastic job of red-eye removal, retouching, calendar and card creators.  Even Photo Fantasy!The camera looks and feels solid.  I have no complaints.  The Canon A40 is absolutely light years beyond anything else in the 2MP range.Boy, we're sure glad we got the A40.  It's an incredible camera to capture memories!My only complaint... I wish I had this camera years ago!
This thing is sweeeet!!For the price you can't beat the Canon A40. Sure it's a 2MP camera but holy smokes folks! Look at what you get..Tons of manual features such as f-stop tweaking and 3X optical zoom, sepia, B&W;, AE/AF, 1.5" Sony display, program and full auto modes as well. It has great looks, positive feedback and total functionality. It performs and looks like a real down to business camera...not like those other chic lookin' wannabe, thin style digital cameras out there.I have looked at all the ~2.0 megapixel cameras available for the past year. I decided to buy Canon as the leader in digital photography. Prices recently dropped for the A40. I told myself one year ago that I would buy a digital camera when the 2MP's hit three hundred dollars. After all the haggling with the sales person for additional accessories was over, I ran out of the [store's] doors. Also picked up a SanDisk 128MB CompactFlash card at [local store]. I am going to invest in a premium leather case soon and will probably look at waterproof hard cases to protect my investment. When 4MP cameras with the same features drop to under three hundred dollars. in the future then I will make my next Canon purchase. I believe from reading other peoples testimonies that this camera is definitely worth your hard earned cash...It's a Canon!
We got this camera as a gift, but I'd selected it after researching all available options. My wife is a pro photographer and I'm a pro computer geek, so I needed something to satisfy us both without  being too hard to use. At this price range, I don't think any other digicam can beat the Canon A40.It offers excellent auto controls as well as manual options, although we rarely use these in our snapshot environments except to disable the flash. The optical zoom is satisfactory and we've not needed the additional (lower-quality) digital zoom yet. At the largest size, 1600x1200, the photos are easy to crop and suitable for printing using our inkjet all the way up to 8x10 resolution. Pictures are sharp (I'd skipped the Kodak cameras after reading their picture quality was only so-so) and colors are exactly what we see. The 10-sec high-quality movie mode (30-sec low quality) is a fun addition which we've used several times when a camcorder wasn't handy or justified.The LCD screen is large enough to do its job, the photo browser is easy to use, and the buttons are easy to get to. We replaced the included 8MB CF card with a 64MB card, which is sufficient, although there are a couple times we wish we had a 128MB card instead. However, we can fill up the 64MB card and drain a single set of rechargable NiMH batteries at the same time -- we have two sets of 4 NiMH batteries, one in the camera and one in the charger, which suits us nicely.I've plugged the camera into iPhoto on my Mac at home as well as Win95 and Win2000 PCs. Installing the software on the Windows PCs was a bit trying, but once it's there the camera integration works wonderfully. Both Mac and Windows users will be very satisfied.Most of the time the camera is used in or around our home to take family photos, so two sets of batteries and 64MB of digital film is sufficient, but those who are often out and about should consider a third set of batteries and 128MB or more of memory. As a consumer camera, though, the Canon A40 is excellent and a bargain considering all it offers.
You should all know that Canon makes the best 2X Megapixel cameras in [that price] range. Above that range - I would buy Nikon or Fuji.I was looking at: Canon S330, S200, A40 - in that order. I went to [2 different camera stores] for all my information and learned a lot. I threw out the S200 because of the 2X zoom rather than the 3x optical zoom of the A40 and S330. I looked at the S330 and A40 and went with the A40 since it was [less expensive] and the features the S330 had over the A40 was not enough for me to spend [that much] more. Here are the differences:* The S330 is the ELPH model and smaller than the A40. The A40 sits in your hand better with the curve. The S330 was easy to drop and not any lighter.* The A40 uses AA batteries. The S330 uses rechargebale Lithium ion batteries. I use rechargeables AA already. The S330 also comes with a charger and the A40 does not.* Both view screens are the same on the back - 1.5 inches. Both can use AUTO, Manual, Macro, Portrait, and Landscape.* Both have the same flash functions - red eye, off, auto.* Both cameras can shoot 30 second movies with AUDIO.* The S330 has the ability to set personal settings, like when you turn it self-timer - you can record yourself saying" Get Ready!". The A40 does not.* I don't think the A40 lets you record AUDIO per picture like the S330 does. For example, the S330 you can record your memories of the photo while you take it. Not on the A40.* Both have same software - it's very good for downloading. It uses USB to the PC (I have XP) and auto downloads new photos. A snap to set up.* Both have same resolution - Large, Med, Small. Same Compression - Normal, Fine, SuperFine.* Both come with 8 MB card - not enough - get a 64MB.* Both come with all cordsGood luck. For me the voice controls and smallness were not worth [the extra money]. The A40 works great. The pictures are very clear, sharp, and easy to load into the PC.
I purchased this model several months ago and still very pleased with it's performance.  Like many digital cameras, you can go through many pairs of batteries.  However, you can extend your usage life if you invest in a few extra dollars in Energizer E2 batteries.  The camera itself isn't that heavy or bulky as it may appear.  For those who are a bit picker, the flash is very powerful on this model but still manage to get great photos.  This camera is highly recommended for those looking to have a camera to just have around.
This Camara is great.  The wife and I finnaly got tired of our [junk] 35 millimeter camera... so we forked out the money for this model, a 128MB memory card, and some rechargable batteries.We couldn't be more happy.  The picture quality is exellent.  About once a month we select the pictures we really like and take them to a store that will develop them onto photo paper for a fair price (much cheaper for us than buying a lot of fancy printers and such).  The results are far better quality than those from our 35 millimeter camera.  The color in the pictures is just great.I had no idea digital pictures could be transfered to photo paper with such exellent results.  Toss your old film using camera in the garbage and get yourself one of these babies.
I bought this camera back in the summer and unfortunately had it stolen. Having used it for several weeks, I had a good grasp on its functions and debated upgrading to a different camera when I went to buy again.Well I did my research and found that this camera really can't be beat. So I bought another one to replace the stolen one.First of all, it's pretty much the only one on the market that gives you nine different options for manual control. If you're an experienced photographer who enjoys manually changing lighting and apeture settings like a SLR camera, this might be the camera for you, in the price range. You can change the f-stops/apeture along with film speeds to get the right camera lighting for specialized shots. You can also shoot in sepia tone, different lighting situations from florescent light to natural outside light. And you know how you can be walking along and see a shot that is perfect for black and white? This camera will let you do that; switch over from color mode to black and white, then press a button. It's that easy. No need to take your color photos back, upload them and fiddle around with them with a software program.Of course it also has automatic functions for those not so proficient in shooting. The photos come out flawlessly in any lighting environment and has a red-eye flash reduction button for up-close portrait shots. In fact it has about four different flash settings from portrait shots, to delayed to timed to none, to red-eye. The resolution of the images is startling clear, the ability to see what you've taken immediately afterwards is a big plus. And you can adjust the time delay on image storage so that you can view it for up to 10 seconds after you've taken the picture and either keep it or immediately delete it, if it's not what you want; saving space on your memory card.I bought a 64 meg memory card with this camera and at a high  resolution that allows about 68 photos; about 110 with medium resolution (still very high quality).The camera itself is very intuitive; you'll have no problem figuring it out and shooting almost out of the box. If you have questions, the manual that comes with it pretty much explains everything you'd need to know. And Canon is known for its lens quality, so you know you're getting a good product that will carry you through any photo taking adventure.The only negative I'd say is that it's a little bulky compared to other products out there. But the heft of it is not necessarily a bad thing ... if it were lighter or smaller you'd worry about breakage, or the solidity of the mechanisms.I know there are 4.0 cameras out there now; but not with the multiple choice of function that this camera has. It has it all. And the image quality of each shot you take with this camera are startling clear, 2.0 is definately sharp, you'll probably be amazed at how clear the photos are compared to the regular 35 mm photos you've taken with your regular camera in the past.As a novice photographer it's a great camera to learn and grow with because of all its technical abilities. For an advanced photographer, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all its functions; enough to give you the perfect picture you're seeking.And you can't beat the price. It's a great deal. Shop around, do your research; but make sure that the camera you choose has manual functions as you grow with your photo taking; is within a reasonable price; has the functions you need to take any shot from sports to family gatherings to landscapes; and gives you movie making ability (it has a built-in mic).I know you'll return, again and again to this camera as your final choice. I did. Twice.
This camera has a multitude of features.  It takes great pictures and gives you functionality that you would expect in a higher priced camera.  I like the options available for reviewing pictures taken.  You zoom in or go to a specific picture using the thumbnail feature.  I followed the advice of some other reviewers and bought I card reader along with the camera.  This allows you to save on batteries.
For the vast majority of digital camera users, this A40 will meet all of their needs well into the future. The Canons have a fine reputation for durability and if ever there is a problem, service has been excellent. The A40 in the entry model in a series of sturdy digicams that offer progressively higher resolutions, but little else in terms of functionality. As I have stated in numerous reviews of other digicams, resolution much beyond 2 megapixels is worse than useless for *most* applications, it is costly. It not only costs money in the sense that it raises the initial price of the camera, but operationally, it requires greater battery use, usually involves longer lag times between shots, takes much longer to download to a PC and especially prolongs both phases of e-mailing photos (your uploading the file and your recipient opening it). These latter issues are, in my opinion, the most important, as the real purpose of digital cameras is their neat integration into the world of personal computing.  [note: For those folks whose needs are enlarging photos beyond 8" x 10", higher resolution is required] The other features of the A40 worth noting are its very adequate 3X optical zoom (do not accept digital zooms in place of optical zooms; they are not equals), its ability to operate off readily available AA alkalines (though it will accept rechargeables and these make more sense in may ways), its easily expandable memory and its rather surprising number of user-controllable settings, all of which can be handled automatically if you prefer. Lastly, the current price is half what it would have been 18 months ago, making this deal almost too good to pass up.
I purchased my Canon A40 PowerShot about 3-4 years ago and never had a day trouble with it. I have taken 1000's of photos with it, I use it on the job and off the job, and I realy don't know what some people are talking about the lens giving trouble, maybe they camera fell and that will definetly cause that to happen. My A40 PowerShot was a good buy and it still works VERY GOOD.The only reason that I will buy a new camera now is to upgrade to something with more pix and more Zoom.BUY ONE NEW, IF YOU GET IT AT A GOOD PRICE AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. TRY NOT TO BUY A USED ONE.
This is not a professional level camera.  It is a casual users camera, and as such, it does an outstanding job.  It's nice and light, but not ridiculously small.  I've had other entry level digital cameras, and the photo quality on this one is very nice.  Also, digital cameras often show a great difference between where objects lie when you look through the viewfinder, and where they end up on the photo, because of the distance between the lens and the viewer.  The Canon seems to suffer from this a bit less than I've experienced elsewhere.The use of compact flash is a big plus in my mind.  That particular storage method, according to some magazine articles I've read, is here to stay for the long haul.  Also, additional cards are inexpensive, and, of course COMPACT.  It's simply a media I like, and recommend.The camera can make very short, web-quality videos, but to be very honest, I've not really found a use for that other than as a novelty (&quot;hey, look what I can do with my still camera.&quot;)  However, we have a digital camcorder as well, so that might explain it.  If, for example, you had your A40 with you, and nothing else, and something remarkable was happening, being able to use the video could be nice.  BUT, it'll use up your whole card, so make sure you have extra compact flash with you.As with ALL digital cameras, this one EATS batteries.  Take extras...and you must invest in rechargeable batteries.  They upfront cost will be made up in shockingly short time.My only complaint about the camera might seem silly to some.  It's not as SIMPLE as some other entry level cameras.  It puts a bit more control in your hands (if you want it) and this makes for a longer and more daunting manual than usual.  But don't be put off, you don't have to use the manual exposure and such.  You can just be a &quot;dummy&quot; and let the camera do it for you.On a side note:  over the years, I seem to end up with a lot of canon products, including camcorders and printers.  They have always been excellent, and when I've switched to other makers (from Canon printer to Lexmark, for example), I've ALWAYS been sorry I did.At the time of this writing, the A40 has been discontinued.  If you can find it (I got my as a display model from BEST BUY), grab it.  If not, Canon has got a whole line of &quot;this year's model,&quot; and I imagine they are quite good as well.
Great camera for photographing people.  Also great for photographing anything on a sunny day. Overcast days or incandescent lighting shots though can be a real challenge. They'll produce bad focusing and some rough pixelation almost every time unfortunately. Nevertheless, you can consider it a 'happy camera' for the types of lighting that it works best in.
We bought this camera to replace a Canon A20.  It turned out to be much more fragile.  The zoom was slightly better and the display screen bigger, but the camera itself is not very tough.  The lens seized up and would not extend fully, nor would it retract.  The camera was still under warranty, so we sent it in for repair.  We were given a refurbished camera to replace it, which also failed, this time out of warranty.  Usually Canon is good.  This one was not.Note:  When it worked it took great pictures and decent video.  No complaints there.  Just didn't last long.
No complaints about picture quality, ease of use, or software.  But one big disappointment...When I saw this camera had a built-in microphone I naturally assumed it was for voice annotation of pictures.  It's not.  Despite having a built-in mike and even having an icon on the display to represent a picture with an audio attachment, you cannot do voice annotation.  The microphone is only for "movies" - low-resolution, 10-second, video clips.  Something I don't think I will ever use.
Though 3 and 4 megapixel cameras are becoming more popular, this affordable 2 megapixel camera is worthwhile for people on a budget. It easily pays for itself in film and processing costs. It is best for smaller pictures. I print 5x7's and they come out wonderfully. It's the only camera I use! I recommend buying rechargable batteries and a larger CompactFlash card to get the best from this camera.
I bought this camera after extensive research and it has lived up to its almost unanimous accolades. It is small but fits nicely in the hand and feels balanced and substantial - not light and cheap. It packs so many features I am still rereading the manual. Flesh tones and white balancing seem very accurate on Auto but everything can be controlled manually if you wish. It seems to use power better than other cameras I've used; I can go several days without recharging or replacing my batteries (Ialways carry a spare, fully charged set). The software on the Macintosh is well designed. My daughter and I created a 360 degree QuickTime VR file of our living room in minutes. Canon recently released Mac OS X software and it functions beautifully. So far I could not be more pleased with my purchase.
I bought this camera a couple of weeks ago, took it to my son's graduation and used it. I am very impressed with the quality of pictures and the short video, I took a video of my son getting his diploma and everybody kept watching it. I would highly recomend the camera, just do your homework on who you buy from if you order off the net.
It's outdated & unavailable new but I still think the Canon A-series line is the best balance of features, ease of use, & price.My A20 is still going strong after 2 years and 3000+ photos. It has been thousands of miles by automobile & aircraft and still takes excellent shots.There's 3 cons that keep these from being the perfect camera:1. Finger-press to shutter time is just no good for those truly candid shots. It's hard to catch people in natural states while you wait for the camera to autofocus, fire off some anti-red-eye bursts, then finally snap the scene you just missed... You become well-trained to almost prophectic-like preparedness for moments like candle-blowing or most any kid action. Adults are far more camera-aware anyway, so an SLR is still the best way to go for any action requiring fast reaction times.2. Weight. It's a mixed blessing since it comes mostly from the 4 AA batteries (ONLY USE RECHARGABLE, PEOPLE!) that allow you to go long between changes.3. Size. It's barely pocketable in loose pants. And then it pulls your pants down. You won't be hiking or even just walking around much without a good belt (or suspenders). So be prepared to carry it by hand (good for quick snapshots) and/or stowing it in a camera bag/pouch.I use a LowePro D-Res 25 AW bag which is bigger than absolutely necessary, but has MORE than enough space for a backup set of batteries & memory card, the A/V cable (in a perfect interior slot), shoulder strap, velcro belt strap, and an attached (but hidden) rain cover. Plus it's very well padded. It could fit the data cable too, but I don't carry that myself. Overall it's more of a (travelling) storage than everyday portage pouch.I guess that's a bonus review of the pouch.
My first experience with digital camera was with POWERSHOT A20.  It was awesome experience, the camera was very easy to use and producing lots of nice pictures too with great color balance too. It was awesome.  Then I found out about FINEPIX 2800, I gave my A20 to brother.My second camera was FUJIFILM Finepix 2800 camera.  This is a nice camera but it's just a bit difference.  The one thing I don't like is the LCD everywhere.  The picture rather nice and the 6X real zoom, no digital zoom available with this camera.  I was a little bit dissapointed when I got this camera.Then after a couple of weeks ago, I found out that CANON came up with new POWERSHOT A40 and I just rushed to the nearby electronic store and just bought the camera.  The result, again, just like I've already expected.  Just as nice as the A20 model.  The model just add better focusing just like the one that you can get from SLR camera like REBEL 2000 SLR.  It also has about 10 different effects (black & white, sepia, vivid, tungsten, and more.....) and you can even change the setting of the white balance, if you ever wanted.  It uses AA batteries, not the special one.  Make sure that you put it in AUTO mode so you can get everything just as easy as a snapshot camera.THis is an excellent camera...OK guys, go get this one.......
This camera has more features than any digital camera... However, it seems ALL canon powershot A40 has an out of focus problem in zoom mode at focal length 13.4mm in auto focus mode. (The second to largest zoom setting). At this focal length the camera will set focus fixed at distance of 66m (roughly 200 feet) no matter how far your intended objects are. This often causes out of focus problems.Canon admits this problem and it says their new firmware would solve this problem. However many customer mentioned the only thing the new firmware does is remove the "distance" information from the jpeg exif info. And that hides the fact that the camera is still focusing at a fixed 66m at 13.4mm focal length.I don't know if the firmware fix is really aimed at hiding the problem only. Anyway I hope Canon will make this issue public and give some detailed explanation to clear things up.
I buy Canon exclusively because of this camera.  Have several other newer and better Canon's, but my 5 year old A40 still takes great pictures :).  Have taken over 16,000 photos with it over the years.  This is a real workhorse of a camera. And as you can use rechargeable AA NIMH batteries with it is a plus.  Don't think I'll ever get rid of it.  I know 2MP is not very good by today's standards, but really it's all you need for your average 4 x 6 print or for viewing digitally on your monitor/tv. Digital prints come out crisp, clear, with great color and contrast.  If you can get a good deal on a used one, grab it!
I did a lot of research before I bought a digital camera, and the Canon A40 came out as the best by far in the $200 - $400 price range.The 2 MPixel system gives nice computer jpegs and nice prints. The 4"x6" prints that I've made at our local Walmart look great and the colors are perfect, like professionally developed 35 mm prints. I could not tell at all that they were "digital". They were certainly nicer than 35mm prints developed at most "24 hour" shops, and cheaper as well. As an aside, I tried some 1-1.3 MPixel cameras and found that in most cases I could detect their "blockiness" in prints and in jpegs viewed on a computer monitor. Remember that you often need to crop and then blow up pictures for web pages and the like, and the 1 Mpixel cameras will give you problems here. 2 MPixel seems to take you just above the "blockiness" threshold for most jpegs unless you really have to blow them up a lot.The Canon A40 itself has many excellent features, and after taking well over a thousand shots I've not had any serious problems. I've even found that you can do things like taking a picture through a telescope, binoculars or a magnifying glass. You need a tripod and it can be tricky, but you can do it. I especially like the long time exposures you can do, and the macro mode for closeups.The software that came with the camera works just fine on my windows 2000 machine, and downloading and viewing is a breeze using the USB port. It would be helpful to have some basic photo editing software, like adobe photoshop lite or macromedia fireworks. Get two sets of NiMH batteries (one in the camera and one charged and handy for when replacement is needed). I picked up an Everyready NiMH charger and 8 NiMH batteries at (local store) for something like $30. A charged set will last for many hundreds of shots depending on how often you use the flash. I also recommend getting at least a 128 MB flash card as you'll be surprised how many pictures you take once you get one of these cameras. I found the perfect case at (local store) for about $10.The three best things about digital cameras are:1) You know exactly what you have when you shoot a photo2) You can take as many photos as you like until you get that perfect one, and then just delete the bad ones3) The fidelity is basically perfect unless you blow up prints to a large size. You don't have any devloping flaws to contend with, and once you have it in digital format, it will never deteriorate. Someone looking at these photos one hundred years from now will see them as you do now (though no doubt they'll have more advanced technology by then).
I bought this camera during the first week fo April, when it had just released. I was not sure if it would be a good one or not as there were no reviews about it. It was a tough decision.BTW: this is my first digital camera.And i doubt I could have opted for a better one. Its a perfect balance between price and features. Infact, you can classify this camera as the best value for your money. If you are one of the people who just clicks for fun and is not into professional photography, this camera is awesome. 2MP is definitely not less in this case.I have never really used the manual controls, but its definitely there for me to use some day. currently i am simply more than happy with the automatic controls and do not wanna tinker with the camera manually. The movie mode is pretty useful @ times as well, although its not utilized to its full capacity.I also purchased a 128MB compact flash card, and that i should say is a must. The prices for those have dropped drastically as well. If u search hard for it, u can get one for as low as [money], which is a steal. its wise to buy this as u will realize that 8MB is not enough by any standards.Do yourself a favor and buy this camera. Trust me, you will not regret it. Just go for it.
For the $$$, can't be beat!!!!  I've shot 2000+ pictures with my A40 of Alaska, Sunsets, Moonshots, Flowers, GOM Offshore Steel, Workshop, etc. and hadn't had one problem with this camera! As they say, seeing is believing. If you have any doubts about A40's abilities, take a look at Webshots "torretab". The 1600 X 1200 resolution pics (98%) are taken with the Canon A40.  Colors are natural, resolution is as good as it gets with a 2 meg camera and images have a look of quality 35mm film work! It is loaded with usable features that work well and provide a lot of flexibility in the digicam realm.I've been looking to step up to a 4 meg pixel camera, but other than for printing larger than 8 x 10's, the A40 does an admirable job for everything I've asked it to do!!Unless you want to spend a lot more money, the A40 may fill the task for you to!
My Canon Powershot A40 was also the most user friendly piece of technology I'd ever used until it died.  Same deal as everyone else I guess.  The thing will turn on but something inside no longer opens as the screen remains blank.  Don't bother upgrading as all Canon cameras are pretty much similar.  My sister-in-law's A75, which is 6 months old, just died of the same cause.
Since purchasing this camera, film has become a thing of the past for us, something relegated to the realm of VCRs and record players. It's fantastically easy to use, and 2MP is more than enough for users interested in printing out nice 5x7 shots (provided that you're shooting at high resolution). In the 18 months I've owned the camera, I've taken almost 2,000 pics, and have them all neatly organized on my computer and CDs.In summary, this is hands down a fantastic product.
A cool little gadget, i purchased it back in May 2002 (I figured it was a pretty good deal).  Was it? Not really.  Good things include: Small and compact, can take pictures and stores audio...but that's it.  There is no zoom!  There is no darklight function.  It records to MPEG 4 format, which is very similar to a streaming video that you would see on the internet.  So basically, the video quality is [bad]!  The software is lacking everything.  Overall, save a few extra bucks and buy a real camcorder.  This one is one that you'd give to you 4-year-old.
This is a first-generation digital convergence gadget, so you should know what to expect when you consider it. It's basically a very cool toy, but with lots of limitations.Panasonic touts this as a 4-in-1 device: you can record MPEG4 video, digital photographs, and audio, and can play back MP3 and AAC digital music, all in an amazingly tiny package that weighs no more than 4 ounces with battery and SD memory card.  BTW, now you can buy Secure Digital memory card of up to 512MB, with 1GB on the way, so the SVAV-10 can be expanded easily.The SV-AV10, which is recently joined by two newer models SV-AV20 and SV-AV30, comes with a 64MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card, on which you can record up to 30 minutes of MPEG4 video.  However, this is at the lower resolution of 174x124.  If you go up to the "fine" mode, which shoots at 320x240, you can obviously fit a shorter footage.  The framerate is 15 frames per second (vs. 25 fps for the NTSC video standard used by American TVs and camcorders), so the video is a bit jerky, much like using a webcam.  The minimum required illumination is 120 lux, so you won't be able to shoot anything at a candlelight dinner.  This is what I mean by "knowing your expectations."  This is not to replace your regular camcorder; it's really a toy that you can carry 24 hours a day and capture those moments that no one could expect ahead of time.The digital camera function captures images in the 640x480 resolution, and the SV10 has a built-in flash (but no optical zoom).  Image quality is so-so; I'd say it's something you'd expect from an inexpensive digital camera that still shoots at this resolution.  Given lots of lighting, the quality is quite acceptable.  (Of course, you probably can't print the photos of this resolution.  So don't throw away your regular, 2+MP digital camera yet.)  Panasonic claims you can record up to 880 images on a single 64MB SD card.  I haven't tested that claim yet.Voice recording is nothing to write about; the quality is acceptable but again nothing on par with a dedicated device.  MP3 and AAC (AAC is a better-than-MP3 encoding format; see my review of the Panasonic MP3-in-a-headphone model) playback is excellent, although you don't get too many options.  The included stereo earphones are good, although you can always substitute your own ones.Because of its small size, the SV10 only has a small number of buttons: one record button at the top, one power button that also opens the menu on the 2-inch LCD screen, one "mode" button that switches between play and record on the LCD, and one jog-dial button that plays, forwards and rewinds.  The user interface is quite intuitive; you just need to know what the mode button does.You can transfer files between the SV10 and your PC via the included USB cable and software.  Everything works smoothly on my Windows 2000 and also a Windows 98 SE PC.For a super-cool AV (audio/video, not "adult video"!) toy, the price is surprisingly affordable -- you can find it for cheap at some places, hopefully at Amazon soon -- and this is will impress the heck out of your friends.Note: The newer AV20 and AV30, which only recently hit the retail market in the U.S., have the same resolution and frame rate as the AV10.  They are slightly smaller and lighter, but their LCD screen has less resolution than AV10.  Of course, this means they are more battery-efficient than AV10.  AV30 comes with a cradle that allows you to play back on a TV, plus recording stuff from the TV!
I got this for my birthday a few days ago. I think it is great. The quality isn't really as bad as people make it out to be. I went to an auction website and e-mailed a seller for a sample of the video before buying it from a store. The menus are really cool and the flash is great. You never need to worry about using up the battery by using the flash because it is rechargable. MP3 playback has great sound but no file info or shuffle mode. The video quality works a lot better in sunny areas. At night in a house with lights on doesn't work too well, which is one of the only problems. I also had an issue with transferring video onto the device from my computer but that is only because you can only send "pure" .avi,.asf,.wmv onto it (but it's not made for transferring video). The video file sizes are very small and great for sending to people. Many people are mentioning the frame rate, well, because the files are .asf there is NOT a constant frame rate! (DUH!) It ranges from about 10-40fps. RealJukebox is not a problem for transferring MP3s. Most people already have RealJukebox on their computers anyway (but you need to install the special Panasonic version). You can choose to change the kbps of the MP3s or change them to AAC as you transfer them so you can fit more onto it. This is not a normal video camera so do not buy it if you are looking for something to shoot something like a TV show. I am 15 and it works well for me.
Its a Jack of All Trades, Master of None. There's nothing it does great, however its broad functionality makes it a perfect companion-piece for travel.Furthermore, the video quality is not spectacular, however if you wish to document a class, speech, or event, simply to remember it (without needing to carry huge amounts of equipment or a need for good quality), then this is just the thing. Yes, I admit the quality is shakey for video and pictures, however its size makes it perfect for documenting events where its something for your record, rather than something for printing out.I look forward to the FUTURE versions of this, as technology improves. In the interum, I'm VERY happy to have this product.
I bought this gadget for it's many functions although I mostly used it to take video and pictures, sometimes record audio. I really did like it, but after a while I couldn't justify the cost versus the quality... The video quality was ok, about what you get with a medium resolution avi file, but nowhere close to divx quality. Picture resolution at 640x480 was decent, but you'd definitely want better if you want quality pictures. Sound recording was good, but I could only playback on the unit. With SD cards you don't have to worry about memory. My main gripe about this gadget though is the absence of a zoom. I was using it one time when a friend asked me if it had a zoom feature. I told him "this is the zoom" and ran up closer to the subject. If Panasonic added a zoom feature I would definitely recommend it, but overall it doesn't excel in any area. You're probably better off picking up a megapixel digital camera that also takes video.
Although I can appreciate the positive reviews from people who like gadgets, there are simply too many things wrong with this device - no matter what use its intended for. I'll summarize the low points:1. Terrible video quality. Even though you expect it to be low resolution (320x240 in the highest quality mode), you don't expect it to be motionless - which it very often is!2. Flash washes out close-ups. I'd blame this on the unit's size but, unfortunately, almost all Panasonic digital cameras suffer this same fate. Even the high-end models. (NOTE: The pictures are, as expected, low res 640x480)3. The battery must be recharged using a wall adapter. This is absolutely the biggest drwaback to the unit because if you want to travel with it, you have to add the size of the bulky AC adapter to make it at all useful. This s a HUGE design flaw considering the use for which this device is intended.4. The battery takes 2 hours to charge and DRAINS IF IT IS NOT USED. Panasonic even admits this in the manual and tells you to remove the battery when the device is not in use. What this means is that you either have to use this gadget every day, or remove the battery after every use, or expect to charge the device before every use. With a 2 hour charging time, none of these options are feasible.4. MP3 files require special encoding using Real One Player. If you're expecting to just transfer your MP3 files to an SD card and play them in this device, better think twice. You can't do it without using the included software. Another serious drawback.5. The case is made of cheap (but lightweight) plastic. Too flimsy for my taste.6. The included travel pouch is useless. They should have included a real case for free.Summary:The device does a lot of things, but nothing terribly well - even for techno-junkies. In fact, the only real positive feature is the unit's small size, which is rendered meaningless considering you have to travel with the AC adapter in order to charge the battery. And it's rendered even more meaningless considering the battery drains itself even when the unit is powered down. So there's no way to get around the need to carry around a bulky charger which takes too long to charge anyway. Obviously, standard off-the-shelf batteries would have added a little extra size. But it would have been well worth it. So, what we're left with is a cool gadget that you'll probably never use. And that's quite a shame because, like so many other Panasonic products, they had the right idea with the wrong execution.My advice: Hold out for better things which are sure to come.
Ok, it may not take pictures/movies like professional digital cameras can, but it's still a good camera if you looking for something to do for fun. It's small enough to carry in your pocket, you can operate it on the fly when you need to, so its pretty reliable there. You have to mess around with the software a bit, and experiment with the camera a bit too but once you get the gist of how it works, you wont regret buying it. However, this camera is NOT worth paying full price for($200-$400). I bought a used one at Circuit City for only $125, I've had it for about a year and it still works great!
The Cannon PowerShot S330 is my first digital camera. I had it for about six weeks so far and I just love it. As a result of getting this camera, in the past six weeks I've taken more pictures at family events then probably the last 6 years combined using conventional cameras. To me, the best thing about digital photography is the instant feedback. You can see your picture as soon as you take it. And if you don't mind wasting some battery, you can use the LCD screen to frame your shots so every picture comes out exactly the way you like it. And downloading the pictures also makes things easy.Basic FeaturesThe camera is capable of 2.0-mega pixel resolutions and it has a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 digital zoom. The camera is small, I would say a little bigger then a cigarette box and fits in your hands or pickets easily. Both the front and the back of the camera are finished in metal so it weights a little more then other cameras but not to the point where it is heavy to carry. The S330 also comes with a very bright 2.5" LCD screen in the back. Even in direct sunlight you should still have no problem seeing the screen. With the LCD screen on all the time, I estimate that you should be able to get about 100 to 150 pictures depending how much flash you use. The S330 doesn't come with an AC adapter kit so when you need to recharge, you have to take out the battery and put it in the special battery charger that plugs directly to the wall jack. I thought this was kind of awkward but has since gotten use to it.Advance FeaturesThe PowerShot S330 is very easy to use as a point-and-shoot camera but it also has a number of advance features like shutter speed and ISO settings if you need it. It also has a number of white balance controls which helps compensate the different lighting conditions such as fluorescent, cloudy and etc. I've tried to use this features a couple of times but haven't quite master it. I would imagine that most people would never need this feature but if you are a tweaker, there should be enough options in this camera to keep you satisfied.Besides the regular camera like features, it also has a movie mode and stitch assist mode that are interesting. The stitch assist mode is for panoramic shots and it's best to do this with a tripod so at the points where the pictures are stitched together, the object wouldn't look warped. The camera does not stitch the pictures, that process is done separately when you connect the camera to the computer. The stitched pictures will have a stitch line linking them together indicating that these pictures were shot in stitch mode. Clicking on the stitch line would launch the software program to for the panoramic picture. And you can stitch as many pictures together as you want.The movie mode is something I've only used a couple of time. The camera stores short film clips and it limits how long you can shoot depending on the resolution of the film. The clips are limited from 10 to 30 seconds and in 640x480 resolution (which is the largest), it would only record for 10 seconds and not 30.PicturesIn terms of the quality of the picture, I am pretty satisfied with it. Sometimes the picture is a little soft around the edges or kind of fuzzy but that's not every single time. The color of the photo is decent but IMHO, not 100% true to life. There are quit a few pictures I've taken the found it to be too red or yellow. But most outdoor shots in daylight that looks just wonderful. The flashlight packs a big punch for something so small. Anything within 8 feet is no problem at all in dark situations. The focus light has a slightly shorter effective distance so sometimes the camera can't focus so when you push the shutter and nothing happens. This is kind of frustrating but just try to take a few steps closer to your subject and it should be fine.Just about every picture I take with this camera, I take it in 1600x1400 resolution and in fine mode. This way, any pictures that I like I can have it developed and look just like it was taken from a conventional camera. In this largest format, the photo is about 1MB each. So with a 128MB compact flash card, you can still store plenty of pictures. Unfortunately, Canon only provides a 8MB CF card with the camera so make sure you buy a CF card if you don't already have it. Also, because of S330's small size, it is only capable of accepting Type I CF cards and not Type II. So like IBM's 1 GB MicroDrive is not compatible with this camera.IssuesMaybe I've missed this in the user's manual but I have yet to find a battery meter that shows me how much juice is left in the battery. When the power is running low, the camera would just shut down with very little warning. I guess Canon just didn't think this is a critical issue since the pictures are all already saved in the memory so advance warnings on the battery running low is pretty useless. But just be prepared and the best solution is to have a second battery so you can just switch it when one runs out.For such a well build camera it's very disappointing to see the cheesy flap it uses to cover the USB and video ports on the side of the camera. Not a major issue though.Canon did not include any bag or pouch for the storage of this camera. Even though the camera is small enough to fit just about anywhere, the metal finishing is brushed and can be easily scratched. A soft pouch would be perfect to protect the surface but not included so protect your investment and get one on your own.I am not going to complain about the 2-mega-pixel limit because it's more then enough for an average user. A well taken 2-mega-pix pictures developed on 4x6 film would look no different than if it's taken on a 35mm camera. So don't buy more then you need because the higher the resolution, the more memory it needs and more time it takes to save a picture. So take a closer look at the Canon PowerShot S330 because it might be just what you're looking for....
This camara is perfect for people who want performence but don't want to carry a big camera.Outstanding quality pictures. Comes with everything you need to start taking pictures right away.The only thing I don't like is that it lets you record only 25 seconds of video clips.Totaly Recommended.
This is easily my new favorite toy. Not only does it take unbelievable pictures, but there are so many options. I recently took it on a trip to some glacier caves in New Hampshire and shot some great photos. Neat part is, there's a sound feature that lets you record about 30 seconds of sound and attach to each photo. So you can really explain just what each photo is and save it as a .wav file. There's also a movie feature that lets you record about 30 seconds of moving action with sound. What's really amazing to me is the quality of pictures in a completely dark room. The flash does wonders! For a 2MP camera, this Elph is so worth the money.
I bought the first Elph that Canon offered years ago and have enjoyed using it. Lots of features in a very compact size. So when I started to look for a digital camera Canon was my first choice. While there are other cameras with more features, etc., the S330 does exactly what I need it for. Images are clear and the camera is easy to use. I have tested out all the features yet, but when it comes to point and shooting you are up and running without even reading the instructions. Definitely recommend this to the average user.
As the title indicates I absolutely LOVE this camera! I recommend it to all my friends. This is my first digital camera and I did A LOT of research before I bought one because I knew NOTHING when I started. Before this camera, I had/have a Pentax Zoom 105R (film) which I absolutely loved and still love. but, I'd been wanting a digital and one main reason was to take it on a ghost hunting tour. (The orbs and ectoplasm show up much better on digitals rather than film for some reason, and you get to see them instantly with a digital). :-) Anyway, the tour takes place primarily at night, and in some dark areas (dark pubs and graveyards) and I'd read that a lot of the digitals don't do well in low light situations. I bought this model because it had automatic settings as well as manual settings so I could adjust for low light. Well, the Canon took FANTASTIC pictures in almost complete darkness! And the pics I took on the tour in Sepia and Black and White turned out really cool!  I didn't think I'd need a huge zoom since my film camera has such a huge zoom. I figured I could just use the Pentax when I needed a big zoom and the digital zoom on the Canon is generally sufficient. I don't use the Optical zoom at all because it starts looking grainy and fuzzy. I think if I was going to buy another digital, I'd go ahead and invest in this same type of Canon but with larger zoom because I've found I never take my film camera with me anymore and sometimes it would be nice to have a little more zoom capability. Generally this camera takes AWESOME pictures in almost every situation. I've compared ease of use and quality of pictures to my friends'cameras and I think my Canon blows them away. It is also small, so it actually fits in my jeans' back pocket. The LCD monitor is a nice size so I use it almost exclusively vs. the viewfinder. The movie/sound function is pretty cool too. I've taken movies of friends skiing, puppies running around and my cat flying thru the air chasing a bug, and they all turned out great. I do have to be careful about what I say as I am filming because the microphone is pointed toward the filmer not the subject, for some bizarre reason. For instance, I've got recordings of "me" saying "Oh crap" when I goofed up something while shooting a movie. :-) ---- I really like the brushed, silver metal body. I thought it might scratch easily, but 6 months later and there isn't a scratch on it. And it feels solid, so I don't worry about it breaking easily. ----- The software that comes with this camera is excellent!! You just plug one end of the cable to the side of the camera and one end to your USB port and the software automatically comes up on your screen! Once you've programmed it the first time to the folder you want to download to, about the only thing you have to do is hit "Next". It is so unbelievably simple! Much easier than what my friends have said theirs are.  --------  The only things that are a little annoying are: 1) the battery cover is on the bottom of the camera directly below the shutter button which means your thumb is usually there to hold the camera. I've found that the cover slides off too easily and when it does, the power goes off. Several times, I've thought my battery was dead only to discover the cover was open. (Luckily it is attached so it won't fall off - and the battery has a little hinge over it so it won't fall out either). ---- 2) The Optical zoom is pretty much worthless because it gets so fuzzy when you get to it. (the zoom automaticaly goes thru the digital zoom settings, THEN to Optical). I just stop zooming when it digital zoom gets to the maximum. --- 3) There is a delay between when you first press the shutter button and when it actually takes the picture. I frequently take pictures of squirming puppies for my mother's website. As you can imagine, I've missed some shots because of the delay. Luckily, it's digital so I can just delete and keep snapping away. Go to [a website] if you want to see examples of pictures this camera has taken. Every picture on this site was taken with this Canon. Note: the pics that appear "blurry" around the edges were done that way on purpose with editing software. **** One helpful hint, as everyone else says, go ahead and invest in a backup battery. They are rechargable and the recharger comes with the camera so it's easy to be recharging a battery while using the other. I also bought a 128MB memory card. The camera comes with an 8MB, but believe me, once you start snapping pictures with this camera, that won't be enough. I've shot 128 pictures on the medium quality setting and still didn't use up my card.
Everyone wrote enough about it, so I will only add that this camera worked much better than expected for quite a long time, until during last trip, I dropped it really hard on cement.The shutter button came out, the case kind of split in half (could see the guts inside), and of course the door for the memory card broke and the battery came off... I just pushed the camera back together and it snapped in place (kind off, still see inside), put back the shutter button (without the spring that came off which I lost), scotch taped the memory card door, and the camera seemed to work fine. Actually we finished the vacation taking pictures with it for a few more days. No quality difference noticed between the picture from before the accident and after.Now I am back, unfortunately it would be too expensive to fix it, so I guess will buy another ELPH, perhaps 3-4M pixels and if it will be anything like this one, I am sure I will not regret it.
I normally shoot with an Olympus 3040 digital which has all the bells and whistles that allow 35 mm style photos. But I have missed numerous potentially great photos because I didn't have this somewhat larger camera with me. I wanted the Elph for about a year, but didn't get it due to short battery life and the 2-megapixel limit. The S330 uses the NB-1LH lithium ion battery (which can be used on older models too. After reading the reviews of the new S-330, I bought the camera. I haven't taken many pictures in the few days I've had the camera, but took some outside and a couple indoors. I printed out a 5X7 outdoor shot and was very impressed. The quality of the photo was every bit as good as with my 3-megapixel. Now I have a camera in my pocket ready for those formerly missed shots and I can count on great pictures to at least 5X7's... I also bought the Viking 128MB card, an extra NB-1LH Battery and the PSC-300 Soft Case. I would do it the same way again and maybe get the AC adapter for time hooked to the computer or for learning the camera better. The case is good but has a pocket that accommodates the charger and battery, so it is a little large for a jean's pocket. The ZoomBrowser software that comes with the camera is much better than I had for file storage and printing layouts. File naming, moving and printlayout are easy. I still use Photoshop Elements for my image editing and haven't tried the image editor that came with the S-330. A camera is a bit like a life jacket: it doesn't do you any good if you don't have it on you. If you want a camera that you will have with you, you will like this camera.
A friend lent me his s300 for a trip to Spain, and I loved it. When the s330 came out, I bought it right away and I've been very happy with it. It takes excellent pictures, and allows you to change to manual mode for getting more control over the exposure. The new battery lasts longer than the one in the s300, and the user interface for the camera is much improved. They also fixed another problem with the s300: when you take pictures by holding the camera vertically, it's smart enough to display it that way on the LCD screen (the s300 forced you to flip the camera). I would give the camera 5 stars, except that I wish the zoom were better and because some of the manual exposure features are a bit buried in the interface.
This was my first digital, and a wonderful introduction to the world of digital photography.  I'm sure I've taken more than 10,000 pictures sinceI got my S330 last spring, and I've recommended it to three friends who have bought the same camera.  I routinely put my travel photographs on line, and the reviews have been very positive.  The camera has proven to be durable and reliable, and I'm totally hooked on digital photography.  I kept my old point-and-shoot film camera for the first few months after I went digital, but have since given it away and never missed it.  It's all digital, all the time for me.On the plus size, the camera is very compact (easily fits into a pocket), easy to use, and takes good quality pictures.  It also has a very wide range of manual adjustments to increase the flexibility of your picture-taking, and the controls are very well thought out.  The LCD display is very high quality, bright and sharp.  I carry it with me everywhere, and wind up taking many pictures I would have missed with a larger camera.There are some quirks and weaknesses I do need to point out for this camera.  Color reproduction is uneven, depending on the quality of the light and weather, and on the color and type of subject.  Many of my outdoor photos, particularly those taken on overcast or cloudy days, have a noticeable "cast" to them ... bluish or greenish.  This is despite fiddling with the manual settings for "overcast."  The camera loves red (you should see my pictures of the barns of coastal Maine) but hates green.  I have never been able to take a picture of a lawn or tree that is anything near true to life, again despite attempts to adjust the manual settings.  On bright days, again despite working with the manual settings, highlights are inevitably blown out (although I hear this is a problem with most digital camera).  In addition, the flash is no more than could be expected from a compact camera.  Flash pictures always look ... well ... flashy!When taking digital photographs, you'll tend to take many more pictures than you would with a film camera, and erase the ones you don't like in the camera.  So I'd recommend at least one additional battery (I have two) and 256 MB memory card if you're going to be doing travel photography without access to a computer to download the photos as you go.  (I get about 360 pictures at highest resolution from a 256 MB card,)  More tips:  digital photography is MUCH easier if you have a Mac (it really is as easy as they claim in their ads to download and edit pictures); Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2.0 is incredible (and an incredible bargain), and Shutterfly.com is a great site for ordering prints.I've got my eye on a 5 Megapixel 8x zoom for early next year, but I'll keep my S330 for its compact size and ease of use.
I am extremely satisfied with this digital camera. Personally, I like tiny little cameras that I can carry around evey day and Canon Digital ELPH is the best for this function. Since there had been so many reviews, let me just point out what I like this camera most and some of the downsides.Pro1. 3X optical zoom. DON'T purchase a camera with an optical zoom less than 3X, it's useless. This is one of the camera with the highest optical zoom availble. Not even the new ELPH 230 have this capability.2. Very bright LCD and long battery life. I have tried at least 10 different digital cameras and this LCD is one of the brightest. Easily seem even under sunlight. And I can fill up my 128MB card withought recharging with normal LCD usage.3. All metal!4. Great manual functions for a small camera. I can easily take night and indoor pictures by increasing the exposure time.Con1. the macro mode is limited compare to other camera in the same price range. You cannot to close to the object.2. comes with 8MB card!! Can you believe that?!3. only 2MP. It is plenty for my need but 3MP seems to become the main stream these days.All in all, I have taking a few hundred pictures with my S330 and the quality is excellent. Definately worth the money.
Sure, professionals and the exceptionally avid enthusiasts will want a camera with interchangeable lenses, more megapixels, and more features overall, but for its size and ease of use, the ELPH is one of the best digital cameras available.Photos taken at its highest resolution (1600 x 1200) and lowest compression rate can easily be blown up to 8"x10" in size, certainly adequate for the average photo enthusiast.  Automatic and manual controls allow for photography in most lighting situations.  The camera even can record short digital videos including sound, and the camera's user interface is customizable with new sound "themes" and a start-up image.Highly recommended accessories include a larger compact flash memory card or two; the 8-mb card included simply doesn't cut it unless you want to only take low-res pictures.  Buy a 128-MB card and store over 120 images at the highest resolution; they're cheap these days.  Secondly, you'll want a second or even third battery, as though the camera does include its own rechargeable pack, it will only last for 100 shots or so, and you won't want to waste time recharging when you're on the go.If you want a camera you can carry in your pocket that will give you instant results without having to send off film to the lab for development, you'll want this camera.  The ELPH is one of the best out there!
Great little camera!  After months of research and deciding on buying a Canon S300, I was pleased to discover that they had released an updated model, the S330.  Its resolution is 0.1 megapixle lower than the S300, but it includes many refined features.I've used the camera for a little over a week now and have taken nearly 500 pictures and am still on my second battery charge (about 2/3 of the pictures I've taken have been with the LCD off).  The included 8 MB compact flash card limits the number of hi-res, hi-quality pics you can take, but you can buy a 128 MB card for a little over 50 bucks (I recommend one from SimpleTech) and be able to hold from 128 to over 1000 pictures, depending on resolution & quality.The camera has lots of options and is especially versatile in its "manual" mode where you have a little more control than you do in the full auto mode.  It gives you freedom to lock the AE, focus and other settings, as well as apply special effects/enhancements.  I leave the camera in manual mode most of the time, since it retains its point-and-shoot simplicity; that way there's one less step to take (turning the selector dial) when I want to change how the camera's taking pictures.It also has a video mode and photostitch mode.  In the photostitch mode the camera helps you line up multiple shots so you can merge them into a single panoramic shot using software on your PC (included).If you're considering this camera but fear it may be too small to easily hold, don't worry.  I have larger than average hands and have no problems at all with manipulating the buttons and taking pictures (although, as with all things, it takes some practice).Enough rambling, the bottom line is....This is definitely the BEST 2 MP, 3 x zoom, compact digital camera available at this time.
I have been searching for a digital camera for over a year now.  I have been close to buying many.  Including Olympus, Sony and Kodak.  None of them offered the portability and durabilty and yet maintained the picture quality I needed.  When I saw the s330, I finally realized what I had been searching for... Great picture quality, digital/zoom, extremely portable and durable.  Not to mention 2 megapix is way more than enough unless your thinking of starting a professional photo career.  The pictures come out spotless everytime... Just shoot and put it back in your pocket.  Another great feature is the battery charger... completely foldable in one piece.  No cord involved, just plug directly into the wall.  This is the ultimate travel package!  Not to mention the additional speaker over the s300 model and the lower price tag, you have a winner here.  Upgrade to the 128 MB card... I am averaging over 400 pics a card on medium resolution!  Happy shooting friends!
If you are considering the Canon Powershot S330 (and I'll bet you are), you are on to something GREAT!This is my fourth digital camera over the past 3-years.  I have always stuck with Canon digitals because I just think they are the best out there (sorry Nikon!).  My last camera was the Powershot S300, and I loved it.  But when the S330 came out I saw enough improvements to buy it.  And I'm glad I did.  Picture quality is without equal among similarly priced 2 to 4 megapixel cameras.Don't fret about it only having 2 megapixels - when's the last time you had anything enlarged beyond an 8x10, anyway (never, right?).  2 megapixels will give you fantastic results, will allow you to take subsequent shots quicker, will let you store more photos on your compact flash card, and cost less than the 3+ megapixel cameras.  For 99% of you, worrying about 2 megapixels not being enough is kind of like worrying your car's top speed - you'll never take your car that fast, and with the camera, you'll never notice the difference between 2 megapixels and 3 or 4 megapixels.The most important things to me are picture quality and portability - you cannot take great pictures if your camera is left at home.  This camera fills the bill better than anything else out there for me.  I'll admit that Canon's Powershot S200 is also fantastic, but since it only has a 2X optical lens, it just is not as versatile as the Powershot S330.Buy this camera!
I had bought the s200 about a year ago and loved it. It was small, compact and was easy to use.Then I lost it.To replace it, I didn't want to buy the s200 again because of a couple things:- zoom was not enough. (digital zoom ....)- Size-wise it was too small. I couldn't take pictures with one hand and holding it with both hands was kind of awkward.So I settled for the s330 instead because it had both features that I thought the s200 lacked: more zoom and a little bigger.i really don't see the need for the voice memo and speaker but I paid the extra money anyway.Both cameras are worth the money.
I've had my Canon S330 for 2 months now and I love everything about it.  It's solid construction and small convient size means I can carry it with me almost everywhere.  The quick start up and "shot to shot" times means less missed photo opportunities.  It is loaded with features that I use only ocassionally, and they are fun but the automatic features do a great job of allowing me to grab quick, quality photos at a moments notice.  I use my Canon S330 on the job and at home to grab photos of my Grand Daughter flitting through the living room in her new formal.  An extra battery and larger CompactFlash card will add to your photographic experience.
A lot of fun playing around with the 330; I really like being able to connect it to my TV during a party and showing a slide show. Sounds can be associated with taking a picture or turning on the camera; you can download your own sound files. I shopped around a lot and all the camera's have some problem. The battery time is about 3/4 to 1 1/2 hours depending on using the LCD and the low battery warning is very short; the zoom is average for a 3X and the view hole is not overly accurate; also the macro feature is about average. But I could find more problems with the other cameras I tested.Overall, my family loves the camera and we use it a lot. Especially nice are the Sepia, Black/White, photo stitching, the LCD is about the best I've seen even looks good in bright and low light, memo feature is cool, the colors are very accurate and the pictures look great, it feels like a real camera not some piece of plastic. And best of all it fits in purse or bigger pants pocket.8/5 I've played with the camera for about 2 months now; in 1028x768 mode with super fine quality I can get 270 pictures on a 128meg card (49.00 Viking Card); I had Wal-Mart print 4x6 and 5x7s and they are perfect; they look better than my 35MM.I'm very impressed with the manual adjustments you can make; from the 50-400ISO to the lighting.  I took a hike in the Adrondack mountains and was able to adjust the lighting to take pictures in the forest.  The movie mode is very good but you can't rotate movies and the 320x200 is so so when displaying on a 35" TV.  One problem, downloading to my PC is extremely fast, about 150 pictures in 2 minutes but sending pictures back to the camera is painful at 10-20 seconds per picture, ouch; also you can not send AVIs back to the camera.Still a great camera.
I have been a dedicated digital Elph user since the first S100 was released and have really gotten my money's worth from that camera. It was not, however, a perfect camera, and the S300 attempted to address its major shortcomings. First of all, the  zoom jumped to 3:1 rather than the old 2:1, yielding a big improvement in utility. The S300 also added a 30 second movie function, which once you mastered the download process, really added zip to Internet photo apps. Lastly, the control wheel with embedded power switch worked far better than the old recessed power button, which in my mind was a real problem with the S100. Now, the new S330 updates the S300 with better battery management and higher amperage, and adds several new user controls. It does *not* add the anticipated 3 megapixel resolution, nor improve upon the optical zoom. The question now is whether the digital Elph series is worth the premium one pays for its compactness. For considerably less money, one can buy other digicams that are only modestly larger but rather better equipped. Personally, I would say that finding an S110 or even an S300 would be a better approach value-wise for someone intent on getting a camera of this size that is of good quality. I believe the S330 has merely gilded the proverbial lily.
What this camera can do is truly amazing.The photos are very well done with good focus, exposure, etc.  It allows you to exercise your creativity to an extraordinary degree.  The panoramic stitching software is superb.I have taken more than 120 photos at a time and still had power to spare.  You should get a large memory chip (128M or 256M) because the 8M is only good for 12-16 fine quality photos.Of course, it is a 2MP camera so you should not expect 13x19 prints but 5x7 or 8x10 are just fine.  Panoramics are truly impressive - an 8x36 of New York City is stupendous.I am delighted with this in every way.  It has exceeded all my expectations.
This camera works well although not as sophisticated as the more modern versions.I can take photos without a lot of gadgets to worry about.
I've had this for a two weeks now.  I selected the Canon for its small pocket size and 3x optical zoom.  I keep it in my shirt pocket for immediate accessiblilty to photograph items and places at work.  The S330 is not as slim as I wanted, but I chose it for its 3x optical zoom over the S200's 2x optical zoom.  The all stainless steel exterior is a work of art.  A little heavier and bulkier than I wished for, but the controls are simplier to use than my Nikon Coolpix 880 and the LCD display superior to my Coolpix 880.  The tripod socket is not centered on the axis of the lens but is located at the far leftside.  Sweet little camera.  Somewhat bulky for my shirt pocket, so I ordered the Canon PSC-300 Soft Compact Case.  Images are good to excellent for a 2 megapixel pocket (sorta big pocket) camera.
A friend of mine had brought a S-110 Elph to South Africa last summer. I was amazed at that a camera so small could take such great pictures. I bought the S-200, but called Amazon and upgraded to the S-330 before the S-200 shipped. I am no camera buff, but the S-330 is pure fun to play with. I feel I cannot mess up a picture.... Also Stephen Wildstrom in Business Week (4/12/2002) reviewed the Kodak Dx-4900 and Nikon CoolPix 2500, but in his conclusion he came back to his good old Elph s-110 as his pocket digital camera of choice. If you are on a fence about buying the S-330 you will not be after reading these reviews!FYI- I wondered how much the S-330 weighs with the battery and 128 flash card, well it weighs 9.5 ounces.  I was looking at bidding for the camera on [line], but the finally bids were often about the same as the Amazon.com price or even more. Plus I just like to buy from Amazon.
After reading many of the customer reviews along with doing my own research I finally decided to purchase the Canon S330 and received it about a week ago from Amazon. I am delighted to report the postive reviews on this camera are right on! I know very little about digital cameras, downloading photos to PC, printing photos etc., but I was doing it all the same evening I unpacked it.  The photos I have taken are great; the clarity and colors are amazing! All procedures are clearly explained from start to finsh.  I have Windows 98 and downloading the photos from the S330 goes swiftly without incident. I also purchased the recommended (good advice) Viking 128MB Flash Card along with an extra Canon NB-1LH battery pack. I will get plenty of use out of the camera simply because it is fun, compact, easy to use, and I can view and print the photos whenever time allows. No more running out to buy film, batteries, get the film developed, or pay for photos that didn't turn out well. I also purchased the Canon MultiPass F30 Printer/Scanner/Copier which I am very pleased with as well. Taking pictures during the holidays is going to be a snap.
This is in addition to my other review of this excellent camera.I forgot to mention the accessroies for this,1. Get one or two extra Canon NB-1LH batteries. This is the most important thing will need one a long day. (Don't get the older NB-1L, it had 25% lower capacity).2. Get a Canon PSC-300 Soft Compact Case for this.3. Spend some money and get either a 128MB or 256MB CF card. 128MB should me enough for most people.4. CF card reader is NOT needed, the USB cable that comes with the camera works perfectly fine.Buy only Canon branded battery/case for this camera, don't try the cheap imitations in the market. Same for CF card, buy only a branded one...
After a long search, I decided on the PowerShot S330 based on extensive reviews on the quality of the image. It is an excellent 2MP camera! Minolta had an ultraslim 2MP, but avid digital camera viewers have said that the shape does not compensate for the poor image quality. As I have come across other 2MP contendors, the ELPH shape is by far the best. Shortly after I bought the camera, Konica came out with a slightly smaller 3.34MP (Konica KD-300Z) for about the same price. However there are few reviews and little product information available... The s330 has the cool Elph shape, is slightly thicker than its predecessors, but has a solid feel to it.A few items of note to guide the (first-time) shopper based on 2 months of use:1. BATTERY. Battery life is very good. I also bought a generic NB-1LH as a back up from SterlingTek; it is purportedly 800mAH, versus the Canon brand 840mAH and previous Canon NB-1L (680mAH)that first came with the s330.2. MEDIA. Bought a 256MB TypeI CF card, and can now get ~256 photos at the highest resolution (vs. the 8MB that comes with the camera). I rarely take that many pictures at a time before a download, so there is also much room for video clips. Being the TypeA that I am, I also bought an extra 128MB at a good price that may come in handy when traveling for tourist-type photos.3. MOVIES. The movie clip quality is as others have remarked, only satisfactory even at the highest resolution setting. (I almost do not notice a difference between settings). However, the clips do include SOUND and provide a TON of ENTERTAINMENT! The files are already at about 3MB size. It would be difficult to share larger files. (For better quality, one should consider a video camera.) The clips are best viewed at about the size of the 1.5" LCD screen. *DO* remember to record in landscape format (!) as you cannot rotate the clip for viewing.4. DOWNLOADING. The software and USB cable method appear to work well. Although downloading directly from the camera will consume batter power, I don't feel compelled to by a CF reader or an AC adapter since I have the extra battery. Others have remarked on the flimsy rubber cover over the A/V out and digital out and speculate that it may not last the life of the camera.5. IMAGES. The images are excellent. If they turn out substandard, you may be able to clean them up w/the accompanying software. If you're good with the manual settings, you can probably get the quality you are looking for. Definitely comparable to my old 35mm; and I don't see a huge difference from a friend's 3MP (Canon Powershot S30).6. LIGHTING/OTHER. The camera has excellent compensation for different lighting (natural, cloudy, flourescent, tungsten, etc.) Alternatively, you can adjust this manually.  The Elph line appears to have problems with red-eye reduction.  Others have remarked that the red-eye reduction setting is less than satisfactory.  Thank goodness for software editing (on CD that comes with camera).7. ZOOM. I think a 3x optical zoom is a MUST for a 2MP camera. Turned off the digital zoom, as I don't want false hope of having quality zoom at the purported ~7.5x total zoom. The zoom is actually slightly better than my old 35mm.8. OTHER MANUAL FEATURES. I've always been a point-and-shoot user, however, there appear to be many manual features that offer a lot of flexibility. I suggest practicing with these features, e.g. exposure, white balance, shutter speed, iso.9. CASE. Doesn't come with camera. I bought the Canon PSC-300 case which has a small hole for the wrist stap to pass though and may be worn on your belt. I tried the PSC-20 case.  It was just too large for me, I could also stick the USB connector in the bottom.  I picked up a cheap case (under ten dollars) by Lowerpro which fits like a glove!  It has a zipper pouch without the annoying velcro flap-over of the PSC-300 and PSC20 that would stick to my wrist strap.I have to admit a bit of "pixel envy", but the 2MP and seems adequate for most of my cropping/enlargement needs, and printing 4x6s to 5x7s, possibly 8x10s. 3MP will likely provide more cropping/enlargement options considering the current optical zoom limits. My criteria were size and image quality for approximately three- to four-hundred US$. When canon comes out with a 3MP I will consider upgrading when the price comes down to current s330 prices.  (Since my original writing Canon came out with the s230--I'm not totally sure which I would buy at this point.)If you're looking for a compact 2MP camera, the s330 is the ONE for you!Update... i just bought the s400.  Love the new processor, smaller size, and 4MP.
Considered this Canon S330 as my first digital camera. I just checked Canon's web site and found out that this camera is not fully compatible with Mac OSX. There are numerous other Canon's that are, but why isn't this NEW Canon model up to speed??? I really wanted to add this digital camera to my collection of Canon 35mm cameras.
I've been looking for a really good digital camera for a decent price for quite sometime now.  I've been searching & researching. I finally decided I wanted a Canon Elph because of it's size, the 2.1 megi-pixel and the zoom.  So I searched for prices and they seemed a little more than I had wanted to spend.  But then when I found the S330 on Amazon for only a little more then the older models, I bought it.  When it finally came in the mail, I immediately starting playing with it and reading through the manual.  I found out it did much more than I even really knew!!  I was really glad I bought this camera, and I'm going to have so much fun taking photos!  Batteries in all the digital cameras are going to go fast, mine lasts about 1 to 1 1/2 hours on, just make sure you have an extra.  I like the effect on the camera with the black & white and the Sepia look.  A 128MB CompactFlash card is a good size for this camera.
A lot of people say this is a great camera but a little too pricey. I say this is a great camera at a great price. Sure there are other 2mp cameras that are a little cheaper but after using this one and its predecessor the S300, the others don't compare in overall ease of use, speed of use and quality of construction.Although this camera can still give you better results with a little tweaking, the automatic settings are better than almost all others in this price range. And of course this is one of the most Pocketable cameras out there. Don't get me wrong there are some very cool manual features on this great little camera. My favorite is the slow shutter control. You can set the shutter to several speeds from 1 second to 15 seconds. And the camera comes with built in processing to eliminate hot pixels (those bright spots that appear on most long exposure digital pics). I have used this several times always with good results.Overall there is little to complain about with this package. It comes with a good battery for general use, good software, all the cabling you need to get going and even a fairly well written manual. If you are planning on using this on long trips where you will not have access to an electrical outlet very often, then you will want to get the extra battery. And I highly recomend the Canon PSC-300 Case, it is perfectly sized for this camera and still has room for extra memory and battery.Do yourself a favor and get a Viking 128MB compact flash card. The reviews I have read tell me this is the best memory for the dollar. Very fast and very cheap....These are bar none, the best digital camera reviews on the net.Buy this camera and enjoy!
This camera packs an amazing array of features into one of the tiniest packages you can imagine. The image quality is also outstanding, considering this camera's size. Although slightly larger than its cousin, the s200, this unit comes with a full 3x optical zoom rather than the s200's 2x optical zoom. And it will still fit unobtrusively in your pocket. The build quality is great, too. The whole camera feels like a solid piece of finely crafted aluminum and stainless steel. I was very impressed and you will be, too.
I was desperate for a digital camera of my own, and found this one.  I compared it with many others, even though this was only 2.0 MegaPixels, low for today's standards of a 5.0 and above, it was just right for me.  I loved the design, it was a bit heavy, but small for my style.  It's perfect for someone who just wants to take fun photos, though I only recommend this for simple photos.  It's great when on the computer as tested.  I don't regret purchasing it at all for it's promising price.
Excellent for traveling. Good features, not just the typical point and click type of camera. For example, you can take great pictures at night leaving the shutter open for a few seconds, some cameras don't allow more than 3 seconds. My only wish is that the battery would last longer. I had to buy a second battery.
I bought this expecting it to be my "starter" digital camera.as often happens with electronics I buy something and then, through my experience, refine my concept of what I need. Normally I end up purchasing something closer to meeting my needs in a second (or third!) purchase.  Or I buy something not quite as expensive as the "top of the line", only later to break down and pay for the improvements/enhancements garnered by laying out the long green.I may have proven those theories wrong with this purchase.  frankly, I can find no major faults with this camera.I have taking photos since boyhood and have owned quite high-end 35mm cameras from Nikon and Canon.  I am demanding in image quality.  This camera has fulfilled all my expectations and more from a digital camera.  BTW 2 megapixels is more than enough if you use the highest quality setting on the camera and do not plan to enlarge your photos to larger than 8X10"...but who does?  the color rendering is also spot on.  the metering takes a bit of study (of the manual) and practice to get the right results under tough lighting condition but once you do master that you can get really great results.the only limitation I find with this camera is the zoom.  too little optical zoom range for my tastes and the digital zoom results in reduced image quality. BUT HEY this is for trips, etc. not for professional results, I guess I was spoiled by all my telephoto lenses on my 35mm cameras, I have gladly left all of that bulky equipment in the closet now.Rugged construction and nice to look at.  great photos and low-ish pricing.  what's not to love.  I think you will not be disappointed by this camera.
This replaces all my other cameras. This sturdy, pocket size digital camera takes amazing point and shoot instant pics, and has a plethora of options you can set on the small, but high quality digital display. Sensitivity, color depth and resolution are great for high-quality prints up to 5x7. Available light pictures are very good if you hold the cameras steady while shooting. Flash images tend to have strong reds, but correct easily with any digital image processing program, including the one supplied with the camera. Don't forget to set your printer's paper and color Properties. Set the colors to match your monitor and it will be much easier to make any minor corrections to the exposure and color of each print.
This camera is fantastic for convenience. It realistically fits in your pocket, and its compact brick-like shape means nothing is protruding and getting dented as you walk around. I take it places that I'd never take a larger camera, because I can bring it along without a big camera pack hanging off my shoulder.The main complaint I have is that the image quality isn't great. It's good enough for snapshots, but I've had a lot of so-so pictures. My former digital camera, an Olympus D-460 with only 1.3 megapixels, took sharper and better-looking images. A lot of my pictures on this camera look all right from far away but up close everything is a little fuzzy.Here's a summary of my pros and cons with the camera:Pluses:* Size -- it really can fit in your pocket.* The charger is small and light-weight and works in standard 2-prong 110V outlets.* Nice viewing of shots on the camera -- loads quickly and there is speedy and good navigation, even when I had 100s of pictures.* Battery life is great.* Video mode is a blast.* Battery charges quickly, around 2 hours from totally dead.* You can plug the camera into a TV with included cables and view your photos there.Minuses:* Picture quality isn't great.* Sometimes when you take a picture with the flash, it takes forever (we're talking holding the button for 10 seconds or more) to take. I found I could improve this by depressing the button slightly to get the light setting, seeing the red light go one, and *then* pushing hard to take the picture, then waiting another second or two for it to take. But try explaining that to a Chinese person who you don't know who's taking your picture for you!* No software included to create a slideshow. I was hoping for something that would make a nice picture-and-video slideshow.* The video mode can't adjust to different light settings in the course of filming, so whatever setting you start with is the same one it will maintain even when the light changes.* No warning before your battery dies. The warning light comes on and poof! 30 seconds later the camera's dead.* No sound on video playback on the camera (there is sound when the clip is downloaded to a computer or played on a TV).* Maximum imposed recording limit for videos, regardless of how much memory is on your memory card. At the middle quality setting it's about 10 seconds, and at the low quality about 30.Overall I think the camera's size makes it a good camera, it could use some improvements particularly in picture quality but for casual snapshots it'll do the job. A similar camera worth checking out is the Minolta Dimage X. It's slightly smaller, has longer video recording capability, greater zoom, and audio on video playback, but I've heard the picture quality is worse than the Elph.
This camera is awesome!  I've had mine for about 6 months now and I've been so happy with it.  I'm not a camera junkie or professional photographer so this is perfect in that it's small, affordable and has all the features that I'd ever need.Very easy to interface with the computer to download images or the TV for easy viewing.  You'll want to get at least a 256MB card for all the pictures that you'll take with this great camera.
In short - it lives up to it's hype.  I've handled many digital cameras and most feel lik echeap plastic.  This is metal, feels solid, not junk.  And yes, small.  Still learning to do new things with is, seems pretty well designed.  Even the manual is written well.  It comes with an 8MB flashcard - pretty small, I got a 256 MB flashcard for it cheap on ebay.  I also purchased a tailor-made carrying case for it from Canon for [X].  (Better than scratching the LCD and should I ever drop it, might be very good protection.)Next, I will purchase an underwater enclosure and take it into the ocean.  (I live in Hawaii.)I've used it a lot and found no shortcomings.  Pretty safe purchase, especially if you can get it at a good price.
Let me first qualify my rating a bit before I get into specifics:1) It seems the mean for compact camera resolution currently is about 3-4 megapixels if bought brand new.  This is a 2 megapixel camera, which was the mean for a compact camera about 2 years ago (when I bought the camera).2) This rating is based on 2 years of wonderful experience with this camera and thousands of pictures taken.  If you are set on a 2 megapixel camera regardless of price, then this is the camera for you.-Picture Quality- Amazing for a 2 megapixel camera.  I routinely print out 4x6 pictures at great quality.  Before this camera I was using an APS Elph.  Without a doubt this camera prints much better quality pictures than my old APS compact camera.  Although keep in mind, no matter how good the camera is, the prints can only be as good as the printer.  The only problem I had with this camera is that it is VERY dependent on the flash for point and shoot pictures.  Without the flash, unless you are in bright sunlight, pictures can come out blurry if you don't have steady hands.-Features- AMAZING.  Simply more features than you will use if you are buying the camera for quick snapshots.  Also the problem with the flash dependence that I mentioned earlier can be fixed using the manual features.  But with that said, it is impractical to change these features manually everytime you want to take a quick shot, but it is very handy when you want to take portrait type or studio type shots. This camera also has a movie function with sound that most cameras have nowadays.  Most people say they don't use it, but I use the function a lot.  I find the main problem is that most people just forget they have the function so it is never used, but if you can get in the habit of using it you'll have priceless small clips (at a low resolution) of things that happened.A 2x optical zoom isn't too shabby either considering many compact cameras don't offer a zoom.-Durability- again AMAZING.  I have never dropped this camera (well once off a bed, onto some really soft carpet), but I've owned this for 2 years and probably 75% of those two years that camera has resided in my jeans pocket with lint, keys, cell phones, change... and not even ONE scratch and it still works perfectly.  I did buy a small pouch for it, but the pouch really goes against what this camera is about, fast pictures.  It wasn't practical to take the camera out of the pouch everytime I wanted a quick picture so I never used it, and it turns out I never needed it.Also the camera is heavy and solid for its size.  Too heavy for a shirt pocket, but definitely light enough to put into your pants.  Its made of a metallic material that feels much better than the plastic that most compact cameras are made of.The display screen on the back of the camera is plenty big enough to use to frame your shots.  The viewfinder however does not accurately show the picture you are taking, which is a problem for many cameras.  I never use the viewfinder because of this, but I never really want to either unless I forgot to charge my battery and I want to conserve battery power... which leads me to...-Battery Life-  The battery easily lasts the whole day of picture taking if you are on a vacation for instance.  Easily I would be able to take 100+ pictures with flash and the screen on.  But I have noticed over the thousands of pictures I have taken that the constant recharging of my battery has made the life lessen a bit.  But that is to be expected from any battery over a couple of years of high usage.-Price and Summary- I think the deciding factor for this camera is price.  I gave this camera five stars because I couldn't be happier with my camera... BUT i bought the camera 2 years ago.  A quick look at cameras of equivalent price and one can easily find 3-4 megapixel cameras for the same price (but maybe not the same quality).  A quick look at cheaper cameras and I can also find plenty of 2 megapixel cameras from reputable brands such as Minolta, Nikon and Fuji.  This camera has kept its price amazingly well over 2 years for an electronic device (I bought mine 2 years ago for $250).  I think it has to do with the HIGH quality of this product.  But if you have the extra $$$ for a mere $100 more you can get a 4 megapixel Elph.I am very satisfied with this product and I know when I eventually get a new camera several years from now it will be another Canon Elph.
This camera is a cutie, and takes great outdoors pictures on automatic mode.  One trick I found to get good all-around pictures is to put it on manual mode with "flash-enabled" at all times.  This gives you good pictures indoors as well as outdoors in most situations, especially backlit ones.  Also, pictures with the flash have less shadows on the faces.On my recent vacation I used the Canon s200 almost exclusively since it is so portable. You can slip it in your pocket and have it ready in no time. Besides, it is unobstrusive, and you don't go around looking like a tourist with a big bulky bag.You can also print out pictures with the Canon CP-100 Digital Printer, which is a small portable dye-sublimination printer (not inkjet, so it won't smudge).  It's a great combo to take on vacation or to a party since you can print out pictures right there and share with friends and relatives.Another neat feature is the stitch-assist mode.  You take a series of pictures, by looking through the LCD, it'll show your previous picture half-way and helps you to line up the image.  You can then import this sequence into the Photostitch software provided and get an instant panoramic.  The Canon Photo Browser software remembers which set of pictures were shot in a series, and the transfer and stitching is very easy and automatic with a few clicks.  This feature is great for vacationers and real estate agents, and adds to the fun of using this camera.  The resulting image is likely to be huge, but using any photo editing software you can reduce the size for web-pages (set the width to 800 pixels) and create some really awesome vacation web pages.Another fun feature is the movie clips you can take.  It's very simple to use.  Just slide it to movie mode, push once on the shutter-release to start taking the movie, and once to end it.  Surprisingly it even records sound, so you can get the kids to say Happy Birthday to their grandma and send it to her via e-mail.For convenient show and tell, Canon includes a cord that allows you to connect the camera to a TV (and there is both a video and an audio cable - for the sound in the avi (movie) mode).
Pros:Small size!! Good quality photos for casual use. Lots of manual controls. Optical Zoom present. TV output useful.Cons:Heavy for it's small size. Takes some time to turn on/power up. Battery life could be better. Cheap plastic battery and memory card door cover (broke easily). Weak flash. Telephoto/wide angle trigger gets stuck with use. 8MB memory card it comes with is absolutely useless (I gave mine away).
Sure, there are more sophisticated cameras with higher resolution, but if you are looking for a great value in a mid-range digital - this is it.  Excellent build quality, compact and easy to use, stylish, convenient and with more features than most casual users will ever use, this is one super camera.  Complaints are few: Batteries are proprietary and pricy (though quite long-lived), only 2x zoom - that's about it.  The optional leather case with belt loop is a nice addition. With a 128Mb card you can capture 120+ hi-res images and an amazing over 1400 at low-res!  I can fit the camera, extra battery, battery charger, cables and PCMCIA card reader in a case about the size of a paperback book.  Highly recommended product!
I took me a while to decide between this camera and the PowerShot S330.  I prefer the S330 for the way it looks and feels and for the fact that it allows to manually set the shutter speed.  I also like that feature that allows you to add voice memos to pictures taken.  The reason why I decided for the PowerShot S200 in the end is pocketability.  Although the S200 isn't much smaller in terms of inches, it feels a lot smaller than any other digital camera I have held in my hands so far.  I have had the S200 for a week now, and I just love it!  I had it with me almost everywhere I went.  It even fits into a shirt pocket without feeling too heavy!  That was my main reason for buying a digital camera anyways, I wanted to be able to bring it with me wherever I go.  The picture quality is o.k., as long as you don't zoom in too much they are fine.  I only store my pics on my pc and email them to people once in a while or post some pics online.  If I would want to make prints, I'd go for a camera with more megapixels.  But for prints I have a trusted Canon EOS 600 35mm.For the PowerShot S200 I also bought a small carrying case that clips on my belt as well as a spare battery.  I'm also going to buy a flash-card reader.  Oh, and of course I bought a 256MB Compact Flash Card.  So, it was quite an investment, but I love this camera, and it's size is just amazing.
I've had this camera for a little over a year and a half now and I just love it.  It's really small, which is a huge plus.  Because of the small size, it's very convenient to take with you and that means you end up taking more pictures than you normally would.  I've chronicled most of the little and big events I have gone to with it.  Even though it's just 2 megapixels, that is more than adequate for me--I don't rely on it for professional shots, just mostly snapshots.  I have printed some photos through shutterfly, and they came out looking great.  You could tell that they weren't quite as sharp as those from a regular camera, but I had taken them at the medium compression setting.  They were definitely framable though and you probably couldn't tell that they were digicam pics unless you inspected them close up.  I suspect pics taken at superfine would be even better.  Rendition of colors is truly remarkable, and I have received many compliments from friends on this.  Canon sure does seems to know what they're doing when it comes to optics.  Any photos I've taken with bright colors (landscapes, flowers, etc.) came out breathtaking.  The camera is made of metal, so it has a nice, high quality "heft" to it.  The photo management software that it comes with is awesome--intuitive and easy to use.  It may run slow on old computers though, if you have a lot of photos in your albums.One complaint I have about the camera is that it's just okay in dark settings, even with the flash on.  Also, when taking pictures of people, I seem to get red-eye a lot, even with the red-eye reduction setting on.  It takes small video clips, but the resolution is very grainy and with the 64 MB card that I have in it, the maximum length of the clips is really short.Other than that, this is a terrific, dependable camera that's perfect for the beginning digicam user or for someone who wants the convenience of a small, easily transportable camera.  It comes with a far too small 8MB card, so I highly recommend getting a larger one.  Also, it doesn't come with a case, so I recommend buying one because this is a beautiful camera and you wouldn't want to damage it.  Canon makes one specifically for the PowerShot series that is leather and compact.  You can find it at Apple stores.
After the numerous positive reviews on both ... and various camera sites, I went ahead and picked up a S200. I've managed to get some good pictures with it, but it definitely is not a good camera for someone looking for a "point and shoot" device. Careful composing of each shot is required, as is tinkering with the various settings and modes.For example, on my first outing, I took it to a large aquarium in Chattanooga. When I returned, I realized that only 1 out of the 16 shots I took was excellent; 2 other ones were pretty decent, and the rest were garbage. Not great for a supposedly "point and shoot" camera.On my second trip, I spent about an hour with the manual, learning the intricacies of auto focus lock, flash lock, various metering modes, and other features. If I spent a minute or so on each shot, carefully determining the best mode for the situation, my results were much better - 6 out of 8 shots were excellent.If you want a camera for a vacation where you want to snap something neat that you see as you pass by; say, out of a gondola, while on a train, etc - I'd say forget about the powershot s200. If you are looking for a camera to produce excellent "set-up" shots, this may be the one you're looking for.Pros:- Great picture quality and color - if you're willing tocompose the shot extensively.- Rugged, fine-looking stainless steel- comes with a li-ion battery pack & charger - good battery life- menus are easy to navigate throughCons:- photos that are "point and shoot" are likely to come out blurry or improperly exposed, to the point of unusability.- Camera does not take Compact Flash Type II cards - only Type I- No uncompressed file mode - if you do any cropping / editing on your picture, expect it to get worse each time you resave it.- Focusing is very picky in low-light situations- Price is pretty high for a 2 megapixel camera- lower resolution modes are practically useless; only the "best" resolution setting gives quality pictures.
It's a good value, and extremely portable.  However, it takes forever to take pictures using a flash.  I have used much better digital cameras where as soon as you press the button, the camera will initiate the picture taking.  There is no way to check the status of your battery life, a warning light comes on shortly before the battery dies.  Picture quality is good when using highest quality settings, I've printed many pictures and they all turn out great.  But beware, this camera is horrible for taking pictures up close, and the zoom is quite lacking.  The menu is also not user friendly and the controls can be quite confusing.  It's a great, portable camera, but if you want a lot of features, this is not it.
For the vast majority of the snap-shooting public, this tiny gem is probably the only camera that crowd will ever need.  I see people on once-in-a-lifetime vacations using those throw-away cameras to capture life-long memories on 4X6 prints. If only they had this camera and a decent sized memory card, they and their memories would be much better served. I have made 5X7 prints from mine and they are excellent. The 4X6 prints look like they could have been shot with a Nikon or Leica. In fact, I do magazine photography with my 35mm cameras but recently shot a MOMA gallery opening with the Elph (only camera I had with me). The shots we so good, they went into a national magazine. The 2X zoom, while adequate for parties and such, isn't wide enough in tight spaces. (Most people who want the 3X zoom Elph crave reach on the telephoto end - I crave my coverage on the wide end!) The software and cables included to download from the Elph are adequate but if you buy a USB card reader, you can do your image transfers without tying up the camera. The size is perfect so you can take it anywhere and the battery life is surprisingly good. I did get a spare battery but have not needed it. I also bought a 128Mb compact flash card so I can shoot at max resolution and not have to worry about running out of "film." If you don't have a Digital Camera yet, get this one and you'll be hooked. - Here is a July 2003 update: Canon has improved this model with a 3 megapixel and 4 megapixel model. I tested the 4 MP version side by side with my 2 MP and could not see a quality difference in a 4X6 print. Thought you should all know!Go check out the Canon G5 - better in every way and the prices are dropping! A real bargin.
Love this camera -- Have taken over 1,000 photos with Cannon S200 during two vacation trips to NYC. I run the camera full out (1meg/picture), carry two 256M cards, and recharge my battery every night.Pro -- Tiny, takes very good pictures, easy to use, fast. Extra praise for Vivid mode (my standard mode), lithium-ion battery (good for two days), included battery recharger (very light weight and no cable), orient switch (no rotated pictures), +/-2EV exposure adjust, Stitch mode (panorama photos), camera settings encoded into .jpg file, and good night photo capability (1s auto, 15s manual with noise reduction).Con -- Getting pictures from the memory card to the computer can be trouble. On my Windows ME the (autostarting) download wizard stopped when it hit a movie file. Copying from a card reader resulted in rotated images. The fix is to download the memory from the camera with Windows explorer or Cannon ZoomBrowser. Comes with only a wrist strap.
I, as many others, have waited for many years for the convergence of price, features, size and ease of use to hit that happy center point. Well wait no more!This Camera is just plain FUN. I have had it for 5 months and barely a day has gone by that I haven't used it. It really changes the way you approach photography since you can edit on the fly, the instant feedback helps you shoot till you get it right! Trial and error - the best way. Tip - after shooting an image hold the shutter button down and the image will show in the LCD screenIt's very well suited to people with a medium level of computer skills (perfect for Mac users)The photo stitch feature is awesome letting you seamlessly join panoramic pics together with supplied software.I recommend the following accessories:1. Extra compact flash card, as large as you can afford, I got the Viking 128 MB2. Extra battery, although the supplied pack is pretty good once it runs out you need a back up. (Get the elph Kit which includes a nice case and a really cool strap for not much more than a single battery)3. If you plan on using the camera with more than one computer (like home and office) get an extra USB connector so you don't have to bring it with you every time.4. Compact flash reader - I got one of these thanks to other reviewers although I don't use it much. You can upload 50 hi-res pictures in a few minutes with the supplied "image browser" software. It is a good battery saver but with a spare it doesn't matter anyway.I'm still waiting for the perfect printer, everythhing is SO big and UGLY! but I guess if I wait long enough...........
I have other digital cameras with higher pixel count but I bought the Canon primarily because of its size.  I am very pleased with the camera, although I think a 3 zoom would have added much more to its value instead of the 2 zoom. I just took an extended car trip through the northwest and carried the camera in my back pants pocket very comfortably.
The other reviews have said enough about the cool features and good image quality of this entry-level digital camera.  I just want to emphasize its excellent quality.  My family has a total of three digital cameras by Canon and also a Rebel SLR bought years ago, and all exhibit the highest level of quality control. You can't go wrong with a Canon.
I bought this camera in May 2002 and I've been very pleased with it during all this time. It takes great pictures and I've had paper copies of lots of pictures with good result. Today you get cameras with 4 or 5MP for the same prize as I bought this one back in 2002, but considering the price of this camera today you get a really good product to this prize. If you want a small and camera easy to use that gives good enough pictures for to reasonable cost this camera is definitively a good option.
This is simply worth the money, its features are awesome, you can't get a camera which is digital 2.x megapixels with video and recording capabilities with sound and preview window, self timer, sound and pictures themes and best of all its features it is compact and fits in your pocket ... this camera should be called Pocket Cameras... instead of digital cameras..The best option you can try is stich photos i recently went to DC and took the landscaping photos and merged it and my friends say one word "Wow" .... you need not be a expert photographer u just need to have cool tool to do it ....Don't think twice just buy this when u have good offer and you can't beat Amazon's prices along with 64MB flash card free and shipping free .... Ordered 2 cameras for my cousins....
Canon has not updated the driver so that this camera can be used with Windows 7. A dirty trick against users of this fine camera so that they are forced to buy a new camera
This camera is a dream. It does everything you want it to and more.. It even auto-flips your photos so everything is right-sideup! The camera works flawlessly with windows XP and Macs and it is so easy to create photos or even MOVIES. Plus it's so small that you can easily carry it around without having to string it around your neck, looking like a tourist.
I've had my S200 for three weeks now, and just had to post and let others know this is a great camera. This is my first digital camera, and after much research, I'm pleased to think I got exactly what I needed.Pros:- Sturdy! Portable! I work at a summer camp and wanted a camera I could take around with me and not worry about. I've already dropped this camera several times (pretty hefty drop once) but the metal casing is sturdy enough to take abuse. As always, be careful, but you won't have to worry about breaking this camera. You also won't have to worry about lugging a huge camera around and having to set it down everywhere. Shorts, swimsuit, whatever - it'll fit in your pocket.- Print Quality: I got my first ofoto.com order the other week and the pictures look GREAT. I was worried that 2 mpxls wouldn't be enough, but even the 8x10 I ordered came out fine. Make sure you have a large memory card (I have a 128 mb one) and take pictures on the best possible setting.- Good battery life: I've seen some bad ratings on this, but don't know why. I take lots of pictures and always use the LCD screen. With that usage, my battery lasts from about 7:30 in the morning until 11:00 at night. I just come home and charge it each night. If you turn the LCD screen off (and the camera off when you're not using it) it will last longer - I've used it for two days straight before charging it. Extra batteries are relatively inexpensive, so get one if you can, but you can always get one later and still enjoy your camera.Cons:- No case. You really need a case. I've gone caseless for three weeks now and there is a lot of lint inside my viewfinder (but no other problems). The Canon paperwork is a little confusing about which case is designed for the s200 (get a case designed for it - it's too small to fit anything but a made-to-order case), but check powershot.com to find out which one to order. It's a cheap way to protect your camera for a long time. Buy it online, too - I'm having a hard time finding a case in a store.- ZoombrowserEX. The software program that comes with the camera to organize your pictures and take them off the camera is not designed well. Windows don't pop up right, and it's easy to permanently delete some of your pictures (no recycle bin).- Slow. With the red eye reduction flash setting, it takes _forever_ to actually take a picture. Even the autoflash function is still slow. With plenty of light there's no problem, but the flashes tend to be a little slow (although, if you prefocus, there's not as much of a wait). Don't buy this for sports photography.-Uploading old images. I've had problems with taking pictures off my SimpleTech card and then putting them back on. Half the time the pictures are squished or streched, especially portraits. I'm not sure who's at fault for that, Canon or SimpleTech, but it makes it annoying when you want to share images with your flash card.Overall an excellent camera. I'm very excited about it and would recommend it to anyone who wants portability and great pictures. I picked the s200 over the s330 because of size (the s330 looks a lot bigger). None of the extra features on the s330 made up for the size difference.I tried to cover all the bases here. Hope this review from an amateur photographer helps.
I bought this camera when it first hit the market. I have been a Canon fan since the late 60's, and although I have used pretty much every film format except 8x10, I have found that the smallest cameras were the ones that were at hand most often. My old Canon G17QL was my first "small" camera with a quality lens, and it still takes good images after 25 years or so. When the Elph APS series came out, I bought one, and I was hooked. It offered far more than the typical point and shoot camera of the day, and sported a great lens protection system, as well as an armored metal body. I carried it in my pocket for several years, and it always gave great results. The only problem was the continuing expense of film. I dreamed of the day when digital technology caught up with film.The wait is over. The S-200 has the diminutive size of the APS Elph cameras, as well as the pocket proof lens protection. It is also all but bulletproof with it's tough stainles steel body. This camera is loaded with quality features. With a 128 meg memory card...it is ready to take 128 gorgeous max resolution pics. The color, exposure, and overall quality of the pictures will amaze you. Even the short movie clips the camera can take are of high quality, and have wonderful sound.There are larger cameras that have similar features for somewhat less money. There are also larger cameras that cost more than the Elph. With the exception of the 4 megapixel S-400 though, I can't think of any that offer better image quality and features in as small and durable a package. Even then, the S-400 costs much more. If the S-200 takes a trip over Niagra falls, it is a lot easier to deal with.I just ordered the new S-400 Elph to satisfy my incurable desire for leading edge photographic toys. It is a little heavier than the S-200, but has all of the latest refinements, including an extended movie mode. It also costs $... Even after it arrives, my S-200 will still be the camera that is always in my pocket, ready to go at a moments notice.Consider this; After eight months of constant abuse (just stuffed into any convenient pocket with keys, dirt, whatever, on a daily basis), it doesn't show any signs of wear. Plastic cameras simply can't compete. The lens door is so well made that despite it's working environment, I have never had dirt penetrate to the lens surface. After taking well over 2,000 photographs, it performs like new, and delivers high quality SLR class images. It makes better 5x7 images than many larger 3 megapixel cameras, and delivers solid 8x10 performance. If you have a computer, you can enjoy and manipulate all of your work without spending a fortune on processing fees.Last, and most important, is the simple truth that this camera is so small and tough that you will carry it with you with no more fuss than a ring of keys. After all, the best SLR in the world is useles if it is sitting at home when a photographic opportunity pops up in front of you. If you can only justify one digital camera for all of your family photographic needs, get the S-200. You will be amazed. If you can justify as many cameras as you would like, get the S-200 or the S-400. I bet it will become your most often used camera.Update (3/23/03). When I ordered the S-400, I also ordered a 24x 250mb Compact Flash card. The 24x refers to how fast the card can store an image. It also determines how fast you can take another picture. I bought this card for the S-400, but the card arrived first, so I tried it in my S-200. At the time the S-200 was made, 128 meg was the largest card available, and I wasn't sure if a larger card would work properly.The results were fantastic. The S-200 had no problem recognizing the 250mb card right out of the box. The 24x write speed makes taking sequential photos without flash seem like a motor drive was installed (sequential flash photo speed is limited by flash recharge time on any camera). Best of all, the S-200 with the 256mb memory card will take over 250 (that's right, 250!) max resolution photos without having to download or carry a spare memory card. That could well be an entire vacations' worth of pictures in the palm of your hand.The price of the S-200 has dropped since I bought it. The cost of high speed 256mb Compact flash memory today is about what I paid for the 128mb card when I bought the camera. This makes the combination an even better value than before. If cash is no problem, buy the S-400. It is simply awesome with the quantity of up to date features packed into the tiny steel case, but if you prefer an album full of beautiful 5x7 or 8x10 prints from an inexpensive pocket dynamo, but this combination. You won't regret it.By the way, there are many brands of Compact Flash memory available, and several offer high speed. The brand I bought was Lexar. I'm sure others will work just fine, but Lexar offered the fastest (24x) at the time, and I know it works with the Canon line. They also include a USB adapter with the 256mb card, so if you don't happen to have a CF card reader built into your PC or laptop, you can download your images to any computer with a USB port without special software or cables. A nice touch if you are away from home and want to email your pictures from a library or internet cafe.
i've been using my s200 for a couple of years now, and it's toured the world with me. it's been durable, convenient, and a great home and road camera. i just got back from tokyo and took hundreds of photos and several minutes of video (30 second AVIs) with it. same with france, washington dc, and the like ...it's got good exposure detection, a very simple to use interface, and has the features i was looking for. the zoom is pretty good for most situations, and it's reasonably responsive (boot up time, delay between click and exposure).i'm not that thrilled with the macro capabilities, my nikon coolpix 800 did much better. nor am i thrilled about the "no zoom during movie capture" feature.overall, i'm quite happy with my s200 as a point-and-shoot camera. i'd definitely get it again if i had the choice to do over. however, now i'd probably go for a few more bells and whistles, including more optical zoom and better macro shots. still, can't beat the form factor!
Great size -- I make photographs more often because this is easy to carry.  Great pictures -- for the sake of file size, I don't need more than 2 Mbyte.  Good ruggedness -- the metal case protects the camera well and looks good.  Bad battery life -- I have two rechargeable batteries and usually need both to fill up a 32 MByte compact-flash card with about 50 photos using the LCD display.  I recognize that the small size of the camera is made possible by smaller batteries, and smaller batteries mean shorter battery life, but the battery life limits the usefulness of the camera.
I spent the better part of a week gawking at digital cameras, and ultimately ended up purchasing the Cannon PowerShot S200 Digital Elph.  Overall, I am happy very with it.Unlike the other cameras, this one had some additional features to put it over the top: it is the smallest camera in its class, has a rechargeable battery (the others needed AA or AAA batteries), and it uses Compact Flash cards.  Some of the other camera manufacturers only used pricey proprietary memory sticks or memory cards.Software is included for Windows machines and there is support for Linux.  Redhat Linux 8.0 supported the USB camera connection, out of the box, without needing to install additional software.There is only one annoyance - there is a delay between pressing the button and when the picture is actually taken.  Aside from that, the camera is basically a point and shoot camera, with good clarity and color.A carrying case isn't included, so I'd recommend purchasing a small camera case and an extra compact flash card.  I'm happily using a 64MB card.
Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, and easy enough for a complete technophobe, this little camera packs a lot of features into a very sleek, compact package.  Photos taken with this are crystal clear and look as nice as the ones I've taken with another digital camera that was 4X the price.  Battery life is limited, so purchasing an extra to keep on the charger is a must.The camera seems rugged enough to handle everyday wear without breaking, although a protective case would have been a nice addition.  Canon, you got it almost 100% right with this little guy.
I just wanted a digital camera I can fit in my pocket and walk around with everyday.  This did the job.  Not only that, the camera's pictures amazed me.  I can even take short videos with sound!  The first day I used it in public, people around me were amazed how tiny this camera is.  I use to own a HP315, but the S200 beats it 100%.If there are anything to nit-pick about... I wish the camera can record videos longer than 10-20 seconds.  Regardless of your Compact Flash size, it can only take videos that long.  You need to keep recording after the 10-20 seconds.  Also, if you want to Zoom more than 2x, try the Canon S330 or I believe the S230 has it as well.
This is by far the best camera I have ever bought.  It is my first digital camera, and it's performance far exceeds the performance of my past film cameras.  For its size and price, this camera is excellent.  Compared to the S330, I would buy the S330, but I couldn't afford it when I bought this.The GoodTakes great motion pictures - I took a picture of my fan while it was moving, and the picture came out as if it were still!Size - Nice and small, but big enough that me, with larger hands, can still operate itMovie Mode - Don't buy the camera for this mode, but it's a great toy to fool around withSturdy - Even though it's small, it feels toughThe BadIncluded CF - Only 8meg card.  That's only about 12 pics.  I bought a 128meg card, which is much better, because I can hold about 100 high res pictures or 200 med res.No Case - The case isn't included, and is selling for [$$], and Canon could have easily included thisZoom - Only 2x.  Not very helpful, but its better than 1xThe UglyNothing reallySo, in short, if you're looking for a mid-priced camera for school, work, or vacation that is good for it's size, go for this camera.
I compared the S200 to a few other digital cameras under a variety of conditions, indoors and out.  The S200 was a winner with respects to size and weight, and took decent photos when lighting conditions were optimal.  Wide angle performance of the S200 was the worst of the 4 cameras compared (Sony F710, Olympus C-50, Kodak 260).  The poor wide angle performance may be due to the tiny optics, the small CCD size, or both.  In optimal light, the S200 did a credible job for a 2 mb image size, but lacked the color saturation and contrast of even the Kodak 260, the oldest technology in the test.  The Olympus C-50 is about 20% larger physically, has more than double the pixels and costs about twice as much, but outperforms the S200 in virtually every category, particularly indoors when a flash is needed.  The coverage of the S200 flash is simply inadequate for most shots.
After almost six months of using this camera... I've decided it's one of the most versatile image and video aquisition devices I've used. I heartily recommend purchase.First, the photos. It takes really nice photos, deals well with low light and high light conditions (I have many awesome pictures shooting into the sun! Beautiful.) There are extensive automatic and manual controls. I print my photos through Apple's iPhoto (which imports well from the camera) and even after significant cropping, 4x6 photos are indistinguishable from 35mm photos.The video mode is impressive. This is a feature I didn't pay much attention to, but it really is a killer feature. I would never shlog around a video camera unless it was for special occasions where I knew there'd be lots to record. But with the PowerShot... it's small so you can take it everywhere... and it records great little videos ready for the web. Granted, its not as high of a resoulution as standard video, and the length is limited (a couple of minutes on a 128 MB CF card, but for capturing quick video (recently, of skier against a gorgeous mountain backdrop) it is priceless. QuickTime in Mac OS plays them flawlessly (even in the Finder under Mac OS X). The one caveat is not to film vertical orientation... because then there's no easy way to flip it. Did I mention it records sound?The preview mode is also good, smart enough to rotate pictures taken with a vertical orientation. And you can preview the movies (although without sound).Connecting to a Mac works well, either through the provided USB cable, or via Compact Flash card and adapter to a PC Card slot. The cable to connect to RCA input is pretty handy, as you can view pictures and video on a TV if your are away from a computer.Battery wise, there are some problems... after going through a 128 MB CF card of photos, you are going to have to recharge... that's my experience... also, there doesn't seem to be a battery indicator until you are out of power.Overall, a great investment!
I carried an S100 for a year and a half, having concluded at the time that size was key -- after using some ... cameras (like the Largan L-mini, 640x480 w/flash) and getting useful but not great pictures, my primary consideration was that a digital camera needed to be small enough that I could carry it *all* the time, so I could capture pictures of interesting things without planning.Note that this is not the right approach for everyone - deciding how you'll *use* a camera is a personal choice.  If you don't think you'll take pictures in every day life, but just on vacation... or if you need to take pictures for work... you may find that size isn't key, and you may be happier with a larger camera (though I'd recommend other Canon models in that case, including the 330) or a cheaper one.However, if you're like me, and want to capture the world around you, but in good enough quality to get 8x10 prints of the *really* good ones... if you want to have a camera that fits in a pocket so you don't look like a tourist all the time... this camera merits a good look.When I say "worth upgrading": I loaned my S100 to a friend shortly before the S200 came out.  130 pictures/day later, my friend had to have one, so I took another look at the S110, which seemed a fine replacement -- and then the S200 came out, and I had to have it.Features that make the upgrade worth it:video clips (long enough to be interesting; not only is this good for catching cats and trains, there are also cases where you can't get a clear still shot but someone looking later will get more out of a short video clip) *with* audiobetter low light support (both automatic and manual settings down to ISO400)anti-redeye flash optionROTATION SENSOR (worth shouting about - it's so nice to just rotate the camera for framing, and have the results come out properly tagged.)better (2- and 3-zone) autofocus/light level sensingon-screen histogram for low-light shots (lets you tell if you really got nothing, or if you can pull out more detail in post processing)"view pictures" mode lets you zoom all the way in, allowing spot checks for blurriness directly on the camera.New batteries are 25% more powerful.I'm quite pleased with it;  I've taken 700 pictures, 100 movies, and 4 panoramas, in the two months I've had it (and 1500 pictures and 7 panoramas with the S100 before that.)  Note that the panoramas are worthwhile - you just want to make some effort to set them up, rather than try randomly.  One was an "all guests at wedding reception" panorama that I got printed as a 6 foot by 6 inch strip, which made a great christmas gift to the couple :-)
I bought the S110 in December 2001 and have become a digital camera maniac. I really love this camera and have recommended it to my friends. The quality of the photos and its small size have won me over. The S200 has some of the improvements that I wish my S110 had but it is still a great camera. I have an extra battery but have only had to use it a couple of times. I charge my battery every day when I am travelling. The rechargeable battery is really a blessing. It is so convenient and quick to charge. Sometimes I wish it was a 3 or 4 megapixel camera but I'll have to wait for Canon to develop that in the future. I took the camera with me on my two plus week trip to France and took over 350 pics. That meant buying an additional 128mb card in addition to the 128,16,8 and 64 I already owned. It was barely enough. The camera worked well in low light situations(no flash used) when we wanted to photograph some of the paintings we saw on our museum tours. With a steady hand most came out pretty well considering the slow shutterspeed necessary for that kind of lighting. Where this camera mattered the most to me it through with flying colors on this trip and I was very happy with the photos of our trip.The primary reason to buy this camera is its small size and good quality photos. I carried this camera with me,usually in my pants pocket, 90% of the time I was in France. I barely knew it was there and I didn't stand out as a tourist.  I do find myself longing for a camera with more features and more megapixels but would I take it with me as much as I do now? I think not.I do get a few unsatisfactory photos, but I think it has more to do with using the light well and setting the camera's light settings appropriately. I'm still learning how to use it.The video feature is really wonderful. It gives short clips with so-so resolution but you can be creative and catch some wonderful moments, especially with children.i would recommend the canon s30 or s40 if you can afford more and size is not a factor in your decision.  These are very highly rated cameras.
I recveived this as a gift for christmas. I originally was hoping to get the Nikon 2500 but htis is far superior in a number of ways. It takes 15 sec bursts of uncompressed AVI video with sound!! The video looks great. Strait out of the box I was taking pictures, I have a Canon SLR so the interface was a breeze didn't even need to crack the manual. Everything you need comes with it except I would suggest buying a second battery and a 128Mb flashCard, definatly worth it. Hooking the camera up to your TV to watch your videos is just two steps, and your watching. The pictures this camera turns out are amazing, you can customize everything on the fly, film speed, auto exposuring, you name it this is the only choice in my opinion for under 400 bucks. Canon is the only way to go and this proves it.
I wanted small size and a great picture.  This has it!  You know bulky cameras on vacation are a chore to carry, many times you opt out of taking it with you.  I wanted a no-brainer solution for this dilemma and found it.  Great Picture quality, great color, ease of use and intuitive menus.  Sure it's *only* 2MP, with only a 2x Optical Zoom, but easy trade-offs for what I was seeking.  I bought 2-128MB CF cards, a CF card reader and a spare battery for lots of pictures and no hastle with connecting the camera to the computer.  Shop around for price, you don't have to (and should not) pay retail!
A really great camera that just slips into your pocket. Great to carry around all the time so you can take shots of whatever takes your fancy. Easy to recharge too with its handy battery recharger.
Easy to use for technophobes, takes great pictures, portable, durable.  Only issue is sometimes there is a delay in the camera that makes it hard to get one shot right after another.  I haven't found the setting to control that, and maybe there is one, but I'm not sure.  Also, it seems to take a while when pressing the button to have it flash sometimes, so if you have an active child, you may want a camera with a more sensitive button.
I have had my Canon S200 for about a month now and am absolutley pleased with it's performance.First the design: it is literally the exact size as a pack of cigarettes. (with the cool weight of a tiny gadget like a zippo lighter) Very sturdy feel, feels like a block of metal in your hands. The case does not get smudges from fingerprints and have not noticed any scracthes from everyday use.Second, picture quality: I have only printed 4x6 prints onto photo quality paper from an Epson Photo printer and as an amateur photographer was amazed at the picture quality. Very crisp colors and details, from daytime outdoor pictures to nighttime indoor pictures. You can see tiny freckles on ppl's faces, good or bad I dont know. There is a macro mode for close-ups. A manual mode which is intuitive, for example, if you want to take Non-Flash shots where flash is not allowed, you dont have to set for No-flash everytime you turn the camera on and off. Set if for Manual Mode>No-Flash and everytime you turn the camera on and off the flash is automactically set off. (or vice-versa) ISO can me set, as well as shutter speed. which is also nice for more creative ppl, or for dark situations.Third Battery life: I recently took a trip to LA, with two 64mg Compact Flash cards (set for highest resolution each card held approx. 180 images: the camera "says" the card can hold 70 images, but i kept on going to experiment and got different from 180-200 images!) So everyday I would take 120-140 images, go to my hotel recharge the battery, which lasted the whole day, download the images to my laptop and be ready for the next day. and a note, whether you set for high or low resolution the camera takes same amount of time "writing" or recording to disk which is btw very fast. I have both Sandisk and Fuji brand compact flash cards and have not noticed any performance difference.I was deciding between the S200 and the S300 which are identical, except the S300 has 3X optical zoom instead of 2X, and also has a longer movie mode. 2MegaPixel is perfect for 4X6 prints and 8X10 prints also.If you are new to digital cameras you will be absolutley satisfied with this camera's print quality, ease of use, battery life, as well as more advanced features which I have not used yet such as the longer shutter speeds. A good online source for digital camera research can be found here: dpreview.com and canon's site has sample pictures taken with this camera.Have fun.
I purchased this camera about 5 years ago and due to its inability to take a picture in low light I only used it outdoors, and it did a great job.  I recently bought a new computer and guess what?  Canon has not come up with any software to download any of my pictures on the new VISTA operating system.  I hope they are taking care of this with their new camera models.  Looks like I'll be buying a new camera but it won't be a Canon.  Color me unhappy.
This camera is very small and very durable. Due to its metal frame, it's slightly on the heavy side for its size.It's the type of camera you can take with you just about anywhere. It's perfect for taking to partys and other events as it can take a real beating without getting hurt.2MP is good enough for most occations, and you can make very high quality prints in the sizes you're used to for your APS and 35mm cameras.The AF Assist lamp is a definite advantage, as it allows you to take pictures in relatively low light, usually indoors. It sometimes happens that it can't lock focus, but the camera will still take a picture after a short pause, and usually with a good result at that. This feature is far from perfect, but it definitely gives you an edge over cameras that lack this small, but very important feature.The battery capacity is not that great. With the LCD screen on, you can perhaps get somewhere between 50-120 pictures taken, all depending on how much you're "idling" in between. An extra battery is a must here. I shoot most of my pictures with the LCD screen off, and on that setting, the camera will still show you the resulting picture in the LCD screen for either 2 or 10 seconds (user selectable), so it's not really a problem. With the LCD screen off, you probably about double the amount of pictures you can take, possibly more, before you have to change the battery.On maximum quality settings, your pictures will usually consume between 700kb and 1.1MB of space on your memory card. I've found that most pictures end up being about 1MB.I've had this camera for a year now, and so far I've had no problems at all. This has so far been a very reliable camera. I've also bought a car charger, and two additional batteries for it.I would recommend buying at least one additional battery (I have a total of 3 myself), as they wear out reasonably quick, and they can not be charged internally in the camera - you have to take them out and put them in a charger.
Pros:*Small and compact.*Decent picture quality.*Very solid, quality construction.*Feature laden camera.*Excellent software & documentation.*Looks great, nice feel.Cons:*Zoom stinks!*You need to walk forward ten feet to a quarter-mile to zoom this camera.Note:I use this camera as my "second" digital camera ("first" is an Olympus C3040) - great for snapshots, not for anything that requires any hint of a ZOOM. I love this camera!
It took me a long time to decide to "go digital" and even longer to figure out which specific camera to buy. I'm fairly techno-crippled (faxes and microwaves still seem like magic to me and I still have to rely on my children to program my VCR).  Because of my limitations I felt positively overwhelmed by the information to consider when I tried to pick which digital camera to buy.  I read as much technical information as I could stand (not very much) and listened to the advice of family and friends until my eyes glazed over.Finally I decided to purchase this particular camera for several reasons.  First, Canon was a brand of camera I'd owned and liked in the past; second, this model seemed to deliver the most features at the lowest price; and finally it looks good and has a cute name (pause while eyes of the tecno-literate roll).The day after I got the camera I took it with me on a family vacation.  I started taking pictures almost right away -- although figuring out how to download the software onto my laptop took a bit of time and exploring all the things I can do with the pictures (like printing and emailing) is still in the works.  But I don't think any of this is a problem of the product -- everything in the documentation seems clear enough that even a moron like me ought to be able to put this together (eventually).Here are some of the things even I can do already --1)  I take pictures, choose which shots I don't like, delete them right away and take a new picture.  This is great if you have a nine-year old who loves to ham it up for photos (i.e., now mommy is going to take this picture again.  This time without the silly faces).  This is great for posed shots -- now you can be sure you got that great picture of your family in front of Cinderella's castle BEFORE you walk away.2) I can hook up the camera to my computer, download pictures and enlarge them to see if I still like them (you can't see on the itty bitty screen on the camera if someone has thier eyes closed for example).  I delete pictures I don't like.  I may not be able to take a picture over at this point but I used to pay to have the shot developed only to throw the picture away later.  What a waste.  Plus now I only print the best of the best and only what I need.3) I can (and do) carry the camera everywhere.  This camera is about the size of a double deck of cards.  It tucks in a pocket or purse (it even fit in my tiny evening bag along with my lipstick and credit card).  I found I was much more likely to take this little camera with me and got some great picures I might have missed otherwise.4) I had no problems figuring out how to charge the battery, put the battery in the camera and load the flashcard (I did get the 128MB flashcard and never ran out of room).  It was a bit more difficult figuring out how to hook the camera to the computer and download the pictures but again, I think these are mostly my limitations not the product's or the documentation.Some disapointments, though not unexpected, were that it is hard to take "action" shots as there is a delay between pushing the button and taking the picture that is hard to get used to.  Also, sometimes I accidentally flipped the switch and was taking motion pictures instead of still pictures.  It was hard to figure out how to delete the motion pictures I did not want and I did miss the still photos I had wanted to take.It will probably be a few years before digital photography catches up to film photography in quality and at a price the average user can afford, but in the meantime this is a great camera to learn with while still capturing your memorable moments in photos.  I highly recommend this camera for people like me who are not particularly good with new technologies.
Purchased this last year for around $325 or so.  This is a great little camera, fits neatly in the palm and is fairly easy to get used to.  Pictures are superb, for the price is a great camera, no plastic, all metal body.  I have a 35mm Minolta that I left home for my recent trip to Maui and have no regrets.  This is a great camera for a non professional
I have the original Canon Digital ELPH, the S100...and over the past year-and-a-half, it's been great!  The pictures are, for the most part, perfect (I ran into some problems in Vegas, where the contrast of the dark, night sky & the obnoxiously bright neon seemed to confuse the CCD and resulted in some dark, out-of-focus shots).This camera fulfills my two most important requirements: 1) high resolution, so that I can print out photos and have them look like they just came from Ritz Camera, and 2) small size, so I can comfortably carry it in the pocket of my jeans...I hate having to hang a camera around my neck and look like a tourist when I travel!I do have a couple complaints, which hadn't been addressed in the S110, and most likely haven't been fixed in the S200 either:- Greater control over shutter speed: there is some control over shutter speed, but it isn't enough to really take any artistic pictures or nighttime landscapes (such as a city skyline at night, which is what I was trying when I discovered this shortcoming).- No battery life indicator (just a low battery symbol, but by then it's too late).  It would be very handy if the Digital Elph could display the minutes of battery time left, or even a small bar showing the approximate amount of battery life remaining.  In my opinion, there's nothing worse than suddenly having the low battery warning pop up (with the S100, this means ~5 minutes until total shutdown).  If you want to see what I'm talking about, I would suggest checking out a Sony Cybershot digital camera (or any Sony InfoLithium-powered camcorder).Other than these two issues, I LOVE this camera...it's definitely more than proved its worth.
I have been a dedicated digital Elph user since the first S100 was released and have really gotten my money's worth from that camera. It is a rock-solid, 2 megapixel, 2X optical zoom, pocketable digicam. It was not, however, a perfect camera, and the first update, the S110 attempted to address its major shortcomings, most significantly by fixing the poorly designed power switch and by adding a movie function. Next came the S200, which added to the movie function (60 seconds max., with sound) better battery management and higher amperage and several new user controls. It did *not* add the anticipated 3 megapixel resolution, nor improve upon the 2X optical zoom. The series continued with the S300 & now the S330, and these indeed do offer the 3X optical zoom (forget about digital zooms; they're nearly useless, especially in lower resolution cameras), though not the 3 megapixel resolution (this is important *only* if your intention is printing enlargements greater than 8" x 10"). So with all 5 of the digital Elphs still widely available, which would suit you best? Personally, considering their prices graduate only slowly, and given my experience that a better optical zoom makes for a more useful camera, I'd go for the ... S300. However, if size is not a major factor in your decision process, skip the premium one pays for the Elphs' compactness and consider the fact that you can buy other digicams that are only modestly larger but rather better equipped for less money.
This camera is my xerox machine on the road.  Using the macro feaure I can capture hundreds of text pages and either display them on my computer later or print them out with excellent clarity.  I can capture white-boards full of designs and concepts and review them at my leisure.  I use it to photograph parts and assemblies and get good detail.  I also use it to build relationships by photographing my contacts in other organziations and e-mailing the photos to them.  They really like that.It's small enough to keep with me.  It's rugged enough to take the beating of constant travel.  What's more, it's a great piece of equipment.  It just feels good.  I'm delighted by it each time I use it.It's good in low-light.  It can catch just about anything I can see.  I usually find I get a better picture avaliable-light that with the flash anyway.Downside - you will not take action pictures with this camera.  There is a delay of almost a second from the time you press the button until it actually snaps the picture.  But that's not how I use it.
This is my 4th digicam, the 3rd for Canon brands.  I have powershot a20, a40, and fuji finepix2800.  You notice that all I've been using is only 2MP camera because to me, 2MP is good enough for me.OK, Love this camera.  Very small, same features as A40 in general.  I don't really care about the zoom feature.  I know it's only 2x optical + 3x digital zoom.  But that's not really important to me.  If you want zoom than buy yourself a high-end price camcorder.The camera has lots of features.  When I first got the package, I charged the battery and it took only an hour to do so.  Very fast.  The body is nice, strong, and very fit to my hand.  The battery somehow takes about 1 hour to fully use it even with LCD.  I'm talking about constantly taking picture in 1 hr and the camera needs to be recharge.  The results is exclnt in most cases with lots of effects such as black & white, sephia, vivid color and lots more..... I know you're gonna love this camera, cause I do.The reason I bought this camera cause I have a 3-month old baby boy.  I just can't get enough of him so I want to make sure I can take picture of him every moment and every second in between.  It really fits in my pocket without bothering me at all.  The camera it's just somehow heavy a bit but still considered light.  I was going to wait for the S230 to come in november but I think It's not worth the wait.  Anyway, I don't need 3MP.  I'm just an average users, not a pro.  Just for fun.... P>So guys..... remember, digicam is all about having fun with it.  Don't fall into 4MP, 5MP or maybe 6MP.  The quality is somewhat the same.  People has a tendency to get the biggest of everything to make them big as well.... typical human being.Not everything big is always big, sometimes small things can bring you happiness as well.  That's what I think about my Powershot S200.  Affordable in price, powerful in features, and small enough to carry it anywhere you want to take it.......
I used a friend's S200 prior to purchasing my own camera.  Although I decided to buy the S230 for the extra megapixels (3.2 versus the 2.1 of the S200) I was very impressed with the S200.  If you do not intend to make many 8x10 enlargements and none larger than 8x10 and you have a budget this is a great little camera.  The pictures at 4x6 size are as good as the S230.  The video clips are adequate and have sound.  Most important this camera boasts the same small size, easy to use dials, sturdy metal case and quality workmanship and design as its more expensive sibling.The drawbacks of this camera are the:1. There is a very minimal(2x) zoom.2. There is not any warning before you run out of memory on your compact flash card.3. There is insufficient warning before you run out of power.4. There is an appearance of red eye in many indoor photos.These problems can be remedied by always starting out with adequate memory on your card, charging your battery before each use, carrying an additional battery and CF card, and turning off the flash whenever there is adequate light available.  This is often the case even indoors.  As for the zoom get closer. Do not use the digital zoom as picture quality suffers.I have discovered that by taking these precautions I've been very satisfied with both the S200 and the S230.  They are both so easy to use and to carry on even vigorous outings as they easily fit in a small pocket.  The case has protected my camera from intense humidity and a fall onto concrete.  All in all I'm very satisfied.
I've always wanted a digital camera and I finally settled on this one. I had several friends highly recommend it plus the reviews on Amazon looked very promising. They weren't wrong. I just love this thing! Slap a 128MB card in there and you can take so many good pictures! There are a lot of neat features to play with and different settings you can mess around with to get very nice pictures. The size of the camera is astounding. It fits right in your palm! Also, for all of you nerds out there, this USB camera works with Linux using gPhoto2 and gtKam! Definitely consider this digital camera.
The main purchase decision when compared to other cameras of a similiar (+/- 100) price, was size and looks. The ixus is significantly samller than most similiar quality cameras.It may be useful to have one of the swiveling LCD screens, but the balance is that this will fit in your pocket.The features on the Ixus are very quick and easy to understand, it has easy control of white balance, and easy to learn menu sytems for setting up prefernces ect. the zoom control is right next to the shutter release which is very handy.The software which comes with the ixus seems to do the job just fine, and really is pretty straightforward to use.The 8mb card which comes with the ixus is enough to get started with and allows 25 - 30 medium quality pics.Battery life is pretty short, but i guess this is the norm with digital cameras, the neat laittel charger does its job more than adequately.I can see an upgrade to a bigger memory card and spare battery coming up in the near future.The quality of images is excellent, very sharp with brillinat colours, and theres plenty of creative settings to play with, its fairly easy to create professional quality results.All in all a very satisfying purchase.
Quick Update : The picture quality of this camera is horrible. Too many blurred and/or out of focus pictures. Had to sell off my S200 because it can't take sharp/crisp/clear pictures even in daylight ! Many other users on dpreview forums have same problems & Canon hasn't released any firmware update to fix it. My suggestion now is to avoid S200/S230/A40 because of focus problems.My old review continues below :Canon has another winner in its new S200 model just like the S110 and S100.It has the following positives,1. Excellent looks/build quality.2. Great night shots, not found on any other compact 6 oz. camera, new long shutter feature in manual mode for upto 15 secs (tripod a must for this).3. Very reliable and tons of features like charger works all over the world, PAL/NTSC video out, all cables included (unlike Sony).4. Accepts cheaper Compact Flash cards which are easily available in sizes upto 256MB. Not expensive 64MB sticks here :)5. Very much pocketable. Easily goes into any pocket.6. 2.1 MP may looks low compared to other 3/4 MP cameras but this one offers more features without sticking you with any sticks ! Don't just use MPixels as your sole criteria when selecting camera. If you won't print them bigger than 8x10" then 2MP should be enough for now unless you have that extra cash :) Also Canon can't have a 3MP on the Elph's since they have to sell their S30/S40 also !7. 2x zoom very faster to start and fold back. Works smoothly. You can turn the digital zoom off permanently.8. LCD is superb, pictures look great on the 1.5" LCD. (a bigger 1.8" LCD on other need not neccessarily mean better quality, my last years Fuji had 1.8" and comes no where near this 1.5")10. I haven't encountered any problems downloading pics till now. I don't see any reason to buy a CF card reader, the included cable works fine took just 3 mins for 100 big pictures11. Comparing this with S330 is really very tough. S330 is heavy and feels rock solid, looks even better than S200 and has 3x zoom. S200 because of its light weight and smaller significantly smaller size is better to carry around. Play with both in your local store before deciding between the two.11. Great user interface... think of these Elph's as Nokia's of digicams. Other cheaper camera's out there might not have same reliability, features, user interface and picture quality.Things that could be better,1. Only 2x Zoom, Canon needs to get this up to 3x next year. (And 4x on S330's replacement).2. Battery... you might have to buy a second one for extra 45 bucks depending on your needs... I guess this is the case with any ultra compact camera3. The battery/CF doors feel flimsy.4. Canon's ZoomBrowser EX software is very unstable. It has crashed atleast 5 times in one week on Windows XP. also it takes long time to "update its database" whenever any pciture is deleted or addedd to the directory. Canon needs to iron out the problems in this. You may be better off using some other SW for editing/managing your pics, use this one just for downloading pics.5. Price is still high for a 2MP camera, although its become much more affordable than last year.6. Movie mode is almost useless because of 5 sec limit on decent sized clip. Its just a marketing thing.7. Included CF card is just 8MB ! Someone has to start including these necessary things like a decent 64MB card along with new cameras.8. Camera gets pretty hot in a few mins of use and the buttons on S200 feel tough to use compared to S330. This is part of the deal in buying a such compact camera.Spend few extra bucks on this cool camera and you won't regret ! Getting a camera this compact has some compromises but well worth the ultra portability you get.
There are way too many cameras in this category that you could spend months researching them all and you'll probably still be unsure that you made the right choice. The S200 was one of my picks and the fact the my brother has the older S300 and really likes it made my decision to get the S200 easier. Amazon also has the best price when you include the free shipping. I bought this along with the Viking 128 MB card. Below are the pluses and minuses that I've classified thus far:+ Compact size and solid Japanese construction+ Featured-packed with many manually adjustable features that I don't plan on ever using+ Comes with rechargeable lithium ion battery and charger (this will save you around $50)+ Records video and audio and has A/V outputs so you can plug it directly into your TV to view the pics and video+ Nice packaging and excellent documentation - you get the actual paper manuals, not PDF files on CD. Everything in the box is well layed out+ Sharp LCD screen+ Excellent picture quality- Lack of a case or protective cover of any kind- Flimsy terminal cover on camera- Pathetically small 8 MB CF card that was included- Unlike some other brands, namely Olympus, your PC will not recognize the camera as a mass storage device, so depending on your version of Windows, you'll need to either install Canon's software and/or drivers. I personally don't like installing software on my PC just to be able to download the pics off the cameral. I'm not into touching up pictures, so all I want to do is plug the camera in and drag the JPG files from the camera to my PC's hard drive without going through some custom program; you cannot do that with this camera unless you have Windows XP or ME, according to the manual.Things you should get along with the camera are: a case, larger capacity CF card, and a CF card reader so you don't wear down the camera downloading pics to your PC. I don't think an extra battery is something that you should get right off the bat because it's expensive and, unless you plan to take pics all day, would not be necessary. The included battery should be adequate as long as you're not using the flash and LCD with every pic. If you do plan to get a battery, I've learned from postings elsewhere that you need to make sure that the battery has the same V and mAh ratings as the stock battery. The third party batteries might state that they are compatible, which is entirely true, but they have lower power ratings than the original Canon battery. You'll be able to use them, but they will not last as long as the original Canon battery.Overall, I think I made the right decision with this one. It's not the best camera out there, but for $, I doubt you'll find anything of this quality that comes with rechargeable batteries and charger. Most pics that I've taken came out fine. Some pics with flash look grainy while others with flash look great - I'll have to take more pics and experiment.
I absolutely love my S200 Elf. I've had it for several months now and it's performed flawlessly. It's easy to use, takes great pictures, has a very simple interface, compact and quick battery charger (and the battery life is incredible). And you just can't beat the size and weight of this thing. My ONLY complaint is that there's no way to default the camera to "no flash". You have to manually press a button anytime the camera has been turned off in order to get it back to "no flash" again. It's a minor annoyance in an otherwise perfect camera.
It's amazing what you can fit in such a small package. You can read the features, I won't waste time there, but what I can say is that this is the best digital camera in its class, hands down. I have tried Olympus, Fuji, Sony, etc. etc., but nothing comes close to this camera. What mainly surprised me was the sturdiness and durability of the body, buttons, and display. The camera just feels great in your hands, not cheap and plastic.Image quality is excellent in most conditions, and very good in the dark, in my experience. This is even on the lowest quality mode. If you're having trouble getting good pictures in the dark, use the flash -- that's why it's there! Don't expect the camera to magically take an amazing picture without light. The flash, by the way, is excellent -- it fills well and is plenty bright.I take most of my pictures at 1024x768, but the 1600x1200 mode is still excellent. I've seen cameras that take grainy pictures in the highest resolutions, but not this one. Great quality all around. Printed pictures also look excellent in 1600x1200 at 4x6 and even 8x10, if you don't mind a slight loss of resolution. If you need to make prints at 8x10, and still want all the greatness of this camera, get the new 3.2 Megapixel Canon Digital Elph S-230. It is a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for -- an extra megapixel of resolution.One other great feature worth mentioning is the Canon Image stitching software to put together 360 degree or multiple-shot panoramas. It works great. I have some great panoramas from everywhere from the tops of mountains to Memorial Stadium during Big Game.And did I mention how small this camera is? Pocket sized. Literally. No comparison.
I love this camera!  It takes really fantastic photos.  Highest resolution is 1600x1200, and all pics are taken at 180 dpi instead of 72 dpi like some digital cameras.  At the highest setting it's about 900 kb per picture, so just figure 1 picture per MB on your memory card.Why is the camera so great?  For me it's two things.  First, the size.  This is a wonderful size for a camera.  Small enough to carry around with you, but all the controls are easy to reach and nicely sized.  It's small enough that even in the optional case I can fit this sucker in my pocket or keep it in my bag and carry it everywhere.  For me there's no point in having a 4 or 5 megapixel camera if I don't have it handy all the time to take pictures.The second thing is that it takes really fantastic pictures.  With its highest setting you can print out 8x10's without noticeable artifacts.  It has a 2x optical zoom (never use digital zoom, it's like cropping and then resizing your picture) and a really good optic system.  Colors are crisp, and it snaps pictures extremely fast, so what you snap is what you get.  Some digital cameras take a second or more after you hit the button to take the picture.Anyway, for its small size and great picture quality I highly recommend this camera!
Small and Super Sassy is the best way to explain this camera. The size is the best thing about it. I can put it in my pocket and take it anywhere. It takes great pictures for a 2.0 MP camera. I used Ofoto to get the pictures printed on kodak paper and you can't tell they are digital pictures. The only downfalls are the 8MB memory card they provide you with and getting used to the life of the lithium battery. Amazon helps with one of these downfalls by providing you with a free 64MB memory card that makes all the difference. All I want to add now is a carry case and few spare memory cards. I highly recommend this to someone looking to buy their first digital camera.
Camera very good but shutter [is bad]. When flashing you have to press the button for an annoying length of time. Seems variable too so it is very hard to guess when it will go and get a moving subject. Also even when you have the flash turned totally off the red eye reduction small pre flash still goes off totally ruining the element of surprise. It takes very good low light no flash pictures. I am thinking of just duck taping over the flash window. But other than this it is a fine little camera and a lot of fun. I think it takes great pictures.  TORDI have no use for a ship that does not sail fast for I intend to go in harms way. JPJ
Digital point and shoot cameras should not be looked at as a replacement to film cameras, the quality just isn't good enough for anything important or for images that you need to enlarge. But, for the convenience of being able to email your snapshots or upload them to a webpage or online auction quickly and easily, nothing beats a digital cam. The image quality of this Canon is acceptable if you understand that you will not be able to match 35mm film quality. The color saturation on the images is surprisingly good however you will notice some milky haze around some of the edges and background if you look closely. This is common (and expected) for low and mid range digital cameras such as this one.I bought this camera over the newer S230 model because of the price and the fact that the S230 has longer shutter lag. While the S230 has more megapixels, I wasn't willing to pay so much for images that would just end up being emailed and on webpages anyway. And the longer shutter lag in the S230 is unwelcomed. The image quality and 'look' is equal in both cameras as far as I can tell, of course the S230 model just makes them a bit larger.This camera is quite small, which makes it convenient to have with you all the time, or to put in your camera bag as an addition to other cameras.It only comes with an 8MB compactflash card. You will need another one. I recommend at least 128MB, which should give you 180 image capacity in the best picture quality mode with 'Super Fine' compression.The propriatary battery doesn't seem to last very long so it seems like an extra battery would be needed if you are going to rely on this camera a lot. But this will mean that you will have to carry around the extra battery, which adds a bit of inconvenience.All in all, Canon makes good digital point and shoot cameras for the money. The unit has a lot of features other manufacturers do not include (such as black and white and sepia modes as well as macro mode for close up photography) and it feels quite sturdy and designed well. It doesn't replace 35mm film cameras (nothing but the highest multi-thousand dollar digital cameras will), but for general snapshots and as a complement to your film cameras, this camera provides acceptable results.
I've been an amateur photographer for 50+ years.  I've had all kinds of film cameras, including a compact Contax and a Hasselblad.  The Contax was handy and sharp, but it used FILM, which meant two trips to the camera or drug store, one to leave off exposed film, another to pick up the prints, many of which were no good.  The Hasselblad was a 'hassel.'  You had to remember too much stuff for an amateur and it was big and bulky, not exactly portable or good for snapshots on the run.  This Canon is terrific on all counts.  It is easy to carry in a jacket or shirt pocket, so it can be whipped out at a moment's notice.  You don't need to worry about settings; everything is automatic and the results are great.  I have memory cards of 96 and 128MB, which means I can take 40-60 shots, review them in the computer as 'slide show' and quickly pick out the half dozen or so that are keepers.  With film camera I was losing interest.  With this compact, handy digital I'm a photo enthusiast again, even able to do nature close-ups.  I highly recommend this great camera for amateurs.  I'm told that professionals are using the higher priced Canons, not only because of the optics, but the graphics software.
When I purchased this camera, I was looking for something that was easy to use, and yet able to provide quality images. The S200 gave me everything I was looking for, and more. As for the reviewer below complaining about poor picture quality - you can examine each picture the second after you shoot it, and delete it if it's not a quality shot. If you choose to keep poorly shot images, rather than deleting them, that's not the camera's fault. It's yours. The menu is easy to navigate, in general. If you choose to be really technical and explore every bit of the menu, that may be a different story. I use the menu to adjust general image quality and things of that nature, and I find it to be very intuitive. One other recommendation I'd have is to purchase a larger memory card if you plan to use the camera on vacations. I bought a 256M card and that's actually overkill, but rather too much space than not enough. I also purchased an extra battery so that I could have a spare ready to go when the other is depleted. I'm sure these two extras have greatly improved my experience with this camera. I would certainly buy it again in a second. The S200 is cheap, small, and it does everything the average person who's looking for a digital camera could ask for.
I bought this camera only a little time ago and it has been my dearest pal. It is so easy to use and the options are simple to read so that even a primate could figure out how to increase or decrease the picture size. The movie format is exceptionally, it makes it better because it has a microphone. The USB2 connection makes it attach to the computer. The software that comes with it is interesting for people who don't have programs such as Adobe Photoshop. The battery has quite a lot of juice. Be sure to recharge for more than 4 hours (do it while your sleeping), for a good 2 day or more use. This camera and package comes with everything one would want.
I just recently bought a Canon S200 and i have to say, It's ALOT better than most cameras, even some cameras of higher MP. This is because it has a movie recording feature (yes other cameras have this too) but it records with sound! It records about 20fps and maybe lower if u record at max. resolution (640x480). The quality is great(resolution goes up to 1600x1200), it features auto focus, and for experts, you can control the ISO (theres an auto option for newbies). And the reason why I didn't give it 4 stars is becuase in movie mode, the lcd kinda blurs and gains static which is annoying and the quality on movies arn't that great. But, digital cameras arn't suppose to have superior movie qualities, that's what camcorders are for.
Although this isn't the correct case for the S-230, I bought it because of so many complaints about the S-230's case. I though this one might be a little too big, but it's Perfect!... This case works well with the S-230 ELPH. It is the case I would recommend for the S-230. It's a pretty dark blue and made of a very soft suede. The camera fits nicely inside the case. The wrist strap can be threaded through a hole on the top. There is a loop on the back of the case that you can thread your belt through. A little pouch in the front unzippers to a small compartment to store an extra battery & memory card. You can slide then inside 2 little mesh pockets. A great case & a good value for the price. I definately recommend this one. I know my 230 ELPH loves it just as much as I do!...
Lived up to expectations.  Fits my S330 camera.
I just bought the Canon Powershot S330 and the official case works perfectly with it. The size is small just like the camera and the design is slick.The materials are very durable and the padding will protect the lens and the lcd screen. There's also a pouch on the front where you can store some flash cards and spare batteries. Don't expect to fit anything else into it because it wasn't made to store anything other than what I listed above. This was made to be carried around quickly and easily.The only bad thing is you can only use this with your belt. There's no strap for your wrists or shoulders so you can't hold it any other way.Other than that, it's highly recommended if you want a nice small case for the Canon S300/330 series.
Ithought that this case would be perfect for my s330.  I purchased it and saw immediately that the picture gave me the wrong impression.  The fabric of the case is a felt like material and the color is almost purple.  Yes, it does fit to the camera perfectly, and yes, it is 10 dollars, but it still made the camera more bulky.  I was looking for something that would be a nice cover to place over the camera (that doesn't add any additional weight or bulkiness) so that when I place the camera in my pocket or my backpack it would not get scratched.  This case simply fell short.  A waste of 10 bucks for my needs.  I am back to the drawing board.
Yes, it's compact.Yes, it's soft. (a velvety fabric which makes it look worse)And yes, it's purple.No, it's not a 'deep blue' color. It's purple.Ugly purple.I give it a one because I thought it was a black case.
Unlike the poor fit of the case that came with the original S100, this one fits the S200 and beyond perfectly. In addition, the price is a good value.
This would be a real good case if it wouldn't attract dust and lint.  The tiny velcro fastener leaves much to be desired for secure carrying, and the little hole on the top of the flap used for carrying purposes allows the weather in. Get a Lowepro D-Res 8S or Tamrac Digital Series 5690 if you plan to take your Elf hiking, camping or something similar.
If you're like me then you're worried about that case made for the S200 that has the velcro trapdoor on the side, which looks like a disaster waiting to happen.  So how does this sturdier case fit the S200 when it's made for the slightly bigger S300?  Pretty well.  It doesn't fit like a glove but almost - you could not expect to do any better by buying some generic brand that wasn't especially fitted for the S200.  The camera cannot easily slide around in it when fully closed, but does slide barely.  I would definitely go with this one - it is sturdy and your S200 camera won't fall out barring some freak accident.
More so than any other aftermarket case, this one was clearly made to fit the s300/s330. No more looking for an APPROXIMATE fit; this one is exact. It is just large enough to allow easy insertion and removal of the camera and provide a relatively snug fit at the same time. There is an integrated zippered pouch in the front - ideal for a spare battery and a couple of CF cards. The soft navy colored material (suede?) is almost luxurious to the touch, yet leaves no doubts as to its durability. I expect this thing to last for a while. Last but not least, you'll look just as good holding this case as you will holding your s330. This thing has more than its share of elegant but discreet style.
This is a very good case for the Dimage X, which I have found to be an excellent digital camera for general use.  I would strongly suggest getting a case if you are going to put your camera in any sort of bag or purse.  The lenses, fortunately, are safely stored behind the sliding metal cover when you shut the camera off.  However, you risk scratching the LCD display.This is a particularly good case if you intend to squeeze this tiny camera into small spaces.  It's snug so it fits the camera perfectly and adds only slightly to the dimensions.  You could probably fit an extra batterly or memory card in there, but you'd risk scratching something given the tightness of fit.  The velcro closure works fine and the beltloop on the back is just loop of nylon that takes almost no room when it's not used.If you have more space, on the other hand, you might want to consider the &quot;deluxe&quot; case made of vinyl/pleather.  It has an extra little pocket on the front to safely store a battery or memory card.  It also fits snugly around the camera, but the beltloop on the back is a rather bulky plastic clip.  It's perfect for snapping the camera onto a belt or strap without having to undo the belt/strap to pass it through the loop.  However, it takes a fair amount of space (basically doubles the depth of the camera) if you just want to tuck this into a bag or something.Pick the one that works best for how you're going to use it.Hope this is helpful and good luck with your purchase!
Old purchase, but will go ahead and fill out the review since it has held together perfectly all this time with nothing coming loose from it.  It is light weight, and I normally have the camera on a neck strap around my neck with the case around the camera.  Only takes a second to pop the case off and take pictures.  It's been on every vacation to far off destinations, and it is still in great shape.
I bought both cases for my Dimage Xt. After using both, I think I like the Casual case a little better - maybe half a star better - than the Deluxe case. Here's why.Pros:1. The Casual case is padded.2. The belt loop is the same material as the case, so it's soft making the whole thing pocketable.3. The belt loop is very secure and convenient.4. The case is well-made.Cons:1. No pocket for extra stuff, like SD cards, extra battery, etc. Are you sure you need that stuff?2. The seams are kind of bulky and make the case a lot bigger than the camera. I'm not sure how they could remedy this, since the material is nice and heavy, and the camera is soooo tiny.3. This kind of belt loop requires an actual belt, as opposed to the clip type on the the Deluxe case.4. You have to undo your belt to get the belt loop off.In the end, I like the flexability of putting the case in a pocket and also having a very secure belt loop. I don't really see the need for the pocket on the Deluxe case. I never use the camera for more than a day at a time, and the battery lasts that long, easily, and I got a 256 Mb SD card, so carrying an extra card is pointless.I have to admit, though, the difference between the two cases is pretty small.
Recently purchased a Dimage X camera that I'm extraordinarily pleased with, but one minor fault is that Minolta doesn't include a case with the camera.  I checked out a number of cases from Minolta and other camera accessory manufacturers and settled on the Minolta casual case.  Minolta also offers a deluxe case which is made out of faux-leather rather than nylon and has a small pocket on the front for spare batteries or memory cards (though easy to fit a spare MMC or SD card in the casual case too).  Both have velcro closures & belt loops.The advantages of the Minolta cases are that they're tailored to fit the Dimage X and seem pretty durable.  They're both quite small and easy to carry the camera in case on your belt.  Other cases are generically sized so the camera may not fit snugly inside or shift around.  Upside of other cases, though, is that you can get a zippered enclosure (more weatherproof than velcro closure) and can get a case large enough to fit all your camera accessories into a single bag (charger, cords, etc).
It's not exactly a perfect fit.  The lid on the case uses velcro to secure the content.  But the fit between the lid and the case is awkward.  The case is well padded which is good for the camera's protection.  On the other hand this is not a case which will slip into any pocket unlike the camera itself.  It's a great item if plan on carrying on your belt.
I bought this case in fall 2003. When I lost it, I ordered another.  The version they sent has a metal snap that always pops loose instead of the wide velcro strip. The case they sent has a plastic and metal snap hook that I had to cut off when I got it.Not what I ordered Adorama!
This Bag is as cute as the camera- Its small and will do a nice job of protecting it from the elements and any banging about. It lacks any additional room for extra battery or memory storage cards. It also has a belt loop for a fanny pack or regular belt. A longer handle for over the neck or shoulder would be nicer. Additional space would be nice too. The actual cameras wrist strap can hang out side and then be used as well.
In Europe this model is called the NV-GS5, which is what I have, but it's otherwise identical.I've had it a few months now. I bought it after lots of research, and after rejecting the "upright" style cameras because they're so hard to hold steady. This little Panasonic is still very small (and cute) but you have a chance of holding it reasonably steady. Having said that, even with the image stabiliser on, you will need a tripod to make decent use of even the 10x optical zoom.Panasonic's main selling points for this camera seem to be its ability to record stills, MPEGs and voice clips onto SD card, but if you've already got a digital stills camera, you'll not be too excited about stills at 640 x 480, maximum.Forget that, and notice the other advantages. As the top model in this range (the 352 is really quite different and a lot bigger) it gets a colour viewfinder, and an analogue AV input. That could be really useful. There appears to be a connector for just about everything you can think of, including the all-important external microphone. The lens has a screw mount for proprietary conversion lenses and filters too.Performance wise, I have been very pleased indeed with the results. It focuses with alacrity (almost never caught out), produces a really crisp clean image in all but the murkiest conditions, and generally looks surprisingly close to broadcast quality. Sound is pretty good using the built-in microphone: lots of atmosphere. Unlike some mini-DV camcorders, the microphone is mounted right at the front, so you only notice camera noise when you film in a very quiet location.It's quite easy to use, though you'll need to spend a little time with the horrible instruction book before you can use it confidently. At first I kept forgetting which menu contained which control. But some controls are easily accessible, like the manual exposure (nice to have) and focus wheel. Most things fall to hand well, though the menu button requires a double-jointed index finger...On the whole though, I have few criticisms. It's small, looks great, is quite easy to use and most important, produces excellent pictures and sound. I'm very impressed.
I did quite a bit of research before buying this camera. The online reviews were favorable, and just before buying it, I also noticed that Consumer Reports (CR) had rated its video quality as being very good (in the top 3).The camera is fairly compact, not as compact as the Canon Eluras or the small Sonys, but it is more comfortable to hold because of its horizontal format.Sound quality is simply excellent. The only extraneous noise picked up is the zoom motor. I cannot hear the tape transport motor on playback (this is a problem with some of the small Canons and Sonys). Video quality in good light is also very good. Good light includes indoor shots in a reasonably well lit room. In dim lighting, colors fade and the video does become a bit grainy. Otherwise, color fidelity is very good using the automatic white balance.Image stabilization is very good except when at full zoom, but I understand this is a common phenomenon. CR indicates that other cameras have better stabilization.I found the best playback option was connected to my TV using an S-video cable. The video looked incredibly good, much better than with the supplied composite video cable.
At least, that's the initial impression you'll get on seeing this remarkably small digital camcorder.  It's just 4 1/2" long, 3 1/2" high and under 3" wide.  When you consider that includes room for the tape and is with the LCD display stowed, that doesn't leave room for a whole lot else.  This has to be the work of gnomes.Even those with fairly small hands will be able to firmly hold the unit in just one hand (has to be the right-hand though).  There's the usual strap to hold it in place, and the right side of the unit is ribber for extra grip.First - plugs and sockets.  Since it's a Mini-DV camera there's the inevitable Firewire slot - no 4-pin to 6-pin Firewire cable is provided, though, so if you're planning to edit on your (Firewire-equipped) home computer, make sure you pick one up.  It's also got a USB socket for downloading still images from any card you might have in the SD Slot.  It *does* come with a cable for this, as well as an 8MB card, but SD cards now go up to 512MB in size, so there's plenty of room for expansion there.  Still images are restricted to 640x480 though, so the still image capability isn't comparable to even a relatively (inexpensive)digital still camera.There's also a jack for an external microphone (1/8" mini jack), a multi-purpose jack that can be used for headphones, as an A/V output jack (cable provided) for hooking the camera directly to a TV for playback, or for the tethered clip-on remote control (also provided).  Oh, and let's not forget the S-Video output.  All of these connectors are hidden behind various covers with the exception of the SD slot, which is only accessible when you've got the LCD display opened.Next - zoom and focus.  The optical zoom is perhaps a little weak at 10X, but unless you've got a very steady hand or plan to use a tripod a lot, this is adequate for most uses.  The digital zoom goes up to a ludicrous 700X, although at much past 30X you end up looking at an unidentifiable fuzzy blur, like a dream sequence from a 70s movie.  One interesting zoom feature is that the built-in microphone can be made to "zoom" along with the image. Zoom is easily controlled using a slider on top of the camera.  Auto-focus works well, but it's easy to switch to manual focus if you need to.In addition to the customary large, tilt-and-swivel LCD display (2.5" in this case), the PV-DC252 also sports a full color viewfinder (which only operates if the main display is closed).  Good for saving battery power.Ah, yes, batteries.  The camera comes provided with an AC adapter for running directly off mains power, and the provided battery claims to last for two hours of continuous use.  You can also buy a wide range of larger battery packs, all the way up to a belt pack that'd be more at home in a WWII submarine and that lasts for over 10 hours.Let's see, what else - electronic image stabilization, low-light level mode, backlit mode, both wired and IR remotes...the list just goes on and on.  There are several dozen built-in effects and transitions, but I'd imagine most people buying one of these'll be doing their editing on a computer, so I won't go into them in too much detail.  Provided software for PC is by Arcsoft, I've personally been using it with iMovie on my Mac without any difficulties.Good points - it's tiny, it's sturdy, it's feature-packed, the built-in mic works well (no camera noise), picture quality is excellent and with the exception of the Firewire cable it comes with pretty much everything you'll need to use it.Weaknesses - 10X optical zoom is a little on the low side, the clicky jog-dial gizmo you use to navigate the on-screen menus can take a little gettting used to (the price you pay for being this compact, I guess), a tendency for colors to become a little washed out in poor lighting (although the camera does have a shoe for adding a light if you need one), but really that's about it.  All fairly minor problems and none of them any worse than the flaws that various similarly priced competitors have.Highly recommended.
Pros: size, perceived quality, ease of use, good video ratings, low price.Cons: Colors seem less vibrant in some conditions, stills not so good for printing.Overall: A small, yet easy-to-hold and operate camcorder, that takes good video, with a low price. I'm very happy with my decision to buy this model (bought through Amazon.com to get their 30-day return policy).Video: Consumer Reports rated it high..., Computer Videomaker (Dec. '02) said "...color and contrast were excellent." I thought the colors seemed dull in some situations (as did the reviewer on dvspot). Seemed mostly on somewhat cloudy days. I wondered if the better lens of the DV-PC352 would improve that, but the ... cost difference wasn't worth trying. Friends who had camcorders thought the color was good. They were impressed with the size of the camcorder and its quality.Sound: Great. Go to dvspot and see what Canon ZR whine sounds like.Controls: Great, have no complaints, think they did a great job. Like the variable zoom (push lightly and get slow zoom), and the manual settings that very easily let you keep some of them automatic.Low-light capabilities: I found it good with indoor lighting. Other reviewers seem to think otherwise. Play with the semi-automatic white balance (pick icons for fluorescent, incadescent, etc), low-light mode, and backlight or aperture. Magicpix seems less useful.Stills: A nice feature for e-mail, but they don't seem to print well on my HP Photosmart printer, which should give decent quality. Maybe I'm missing some setting (or because I haven't tried photo paper). Look great on TV with S-Video output. JPEG size in KB is about equal to a scanned 3x5 photo, scanned at 150dpi. I still like the feature.Value: Best at its price and size. Maybe the Sony TRV25/27 would be slightly better in some aspects, but at a cost in size and ergonomics/controls. Or maybe the Panasonic 851, which is currently being offered at a very low price. But again, a larger camcorder. Not for me. I really like the smaller size.Support: Pretty good. Had a problem with USB driver to get stills to my HP computer. Took a while (several phone calls) to get an expert to call back, who gave me some options (wound up using an external ... SD reader/writer). This problem seemed specific to my HP model (he said a BIOS problem, and it seemed he hadn't seen this before).Size: It's a little brick. I thought it would be smaller from reading about it. But it's still able to be stuffed in a jacket pocket. The optional larger battery doesn't add too much size either (it adds to the back of the camcorder--some camcorders have batteries sticking out the side), yet its better longevity is welcome.Other considerations: In a couple of years they'll have sub-... camcorders with 4 megapixel capabilities. Or a matchbook-size 4MP still camera for [less]. So why spend an enormous amount now? You can have a small camcorder with great capabilities, see how you use it, and then get a better one in a couple of years if you need it. Maybe you'll want a larger, 3-CCD one, and then this one would be your mini-sized backup. Technology gallops along too quickly to ever be able to buy the end-all camcorder today. For me, this is the perfect size and quality and price (spending more would make me worry more).
The PVDC252 wasn't really on my list for Christmas as I was eyeing vetical-type Dvcams, specifically the JVC GRDVM76U. Then I happen to see the PVDC252 in an electronics store and it really caught my attention. The 'silver barrelled' lens looked really nice, plus the cold shoe attachment, and of course the price caught my attention. It had everything the JVC had, only that it is in the traditional 'horizontal' design. I played around with the unit and it grew on me quite quick. I did final research and even looked up the Sony MicroMv DCRIP5, but I kept going back to the PVDC252.A full week before Christmas, I bought the PVDC252 - and I never looked back :-) The dvcam was really good for the price and yes, very compact (length-wise). It came with a lot of goodies (IR remote, wired remote, USB cable, charger/adaptor). Handling of the unit is simple and controls are wel within reach. The video output is quite exceptional and PC connectivity via Firewire is a snap (I used Adobe Premiere to capture my vids to my HD).Got an additional battery (Lenmar LIP120) as a backup. The main battery works just great too, giving 1hr+ of recording time. The LCD is clear and easy to view, while the viewfinder is also easy to use, despite being quite small. It also has a built-in speaker so you can hear audio while playing back your recorded movies on the unit. Secure Digital slot for taking snapshots - of course don't expect digital cam-quality images - it's still best to leave that to dedicated digital cameras and IMHO, the digital 'photoshot' features in DV camcorders is just an extra convenience, not a replacement for digital still cameras. Nevertheless, the photoshots are decent for email/electronic scrapbook purposes. :-)The zoom lens works smoothly and can be easily controlled. Audio pickup is very good. The camera feaures a 'zoom mic' too, which allows you to zoom in the audio in the same location you are zooming your view. And the wind cut feature is good to help mask wind noise while recording. And one thing very noticeable (or not noticeable) is that no motor noise gets recorded in (unlike some Canon models).Conclusion: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - worth the price! And get a good dvcam bag with it (the Case Logic DVC-30 Camcorder case fits very well, check it out here in Amazon's listing).
i've never heard of this little machine but it does the job just like i wanted!  i bought this for my wedding, so guests can take pictures of themselves to add to our guest book and i didn't want as big of a picture as a regular polaroid and this is the perfect size!  the camera itself was bigger than i thought, but it's super cute.  a little bit rolli-polli, but just need to get used to it.  the film is no longer made, but you can just use the fujifilm equivalent.  i'm excited to use it!
Okay, the film for the camera is difficult to find in typical retails venues, but it is always available on Amazon, 24/7! You simply cannot resist the high quality, small instant pictures created by this little camera. The pictures are wallet sized, and simply adorable! My only criticism is that the camera itself is a bit bulky. Don't permit that little nuance to deter you from this hip, cute little alternative to typical instant photography. You'll be the 'Life of the Party' with this little gadget at your side.
A company that makes a product it is proud of and that has the courage of its convictions is going to package items intelligently rather than negligently.  Any time a company markets a product that uses some form of media (film, disk, paper, ink) provides at least a sample of that media (or advertises clearly that it is 'not included')The Poloroid Mio, which uses an extremely scarce media (i.e. the film), doesn't come with any. And there is no mention of this.This tells me that, in the minds of Poloroid, they are marketing a gimmick that they'll drop as soon as they come up with another one. If you buy this, you better stock up on film.No small part of my frustration is due to the fact that I purchased this as a gift. When my friend opened it, he found he couldn't use it and was forced to purchase the film (and wait for it to arrive).Poloroid: you guys are party poopers; not party makers.
i also had a difficult time finding film as well.  this camera was purchased for me off of my amazon.com wishlist but at the time the film wasn't in stock.  so i had to try to locate some and eventually did at a camera store.  so far the photos i have taken outdoors have turned out the best and at about a dollar a photo i think i'll just stick to taking photos outside.
I haven't had any of the problems others had in buying film.  Not only does Amazon sell the film on line, but all target stores carry the film as well.  Every picture comes out really cute, and I get the full 10 exposures.  The camera is a little bulky, so its not great for carrying around, but its fun for parties.  The credit card size photos makes it an unique polaroid camera
One star only because you can't get film anymore.  Polaroid quit making the film.I was interested in buying this camera because I'm sort of on a Polaroid kick right now.  I went to polaroid.com and the site says that neither the camera nor the film is manufactured anymore.  Too bad.A fun Polaroid to get for which the film is still made right now is either the JoyCam or the Captiva.  These both take Polaroid 500 film and take pretty good photos.  The JoyCam sells at a certain auction site for about $5 and the Captiva sells for about $10.  The Captiva is a much nicer camera than the JoyCam, has more features, is built better and looks cool.  But, picture quality is really the same between the Captiva and the JoyCam, even compared to the Captiva SE model, which I have, that has a glass lens.  I brought my JoyCam to work the other day and it's been a blast taking "blackmail" shots.  I've used it to create a lot of laughter in an otherwise humorless office.The 500 film as of today is still available at all the usual big chain drugstores.I've seen references on the net that Fuji Instax Mini film will fit the mio.
1.film expensive for a blue-collar workerat a dollar per picture you had better not make mistakes2.film difficult or well-nigh impossible to getexcept online from you-know-who: amazonshipping fee added to net cost of film unless you splurge3.the whole thing weighs almost a poundyes, you CAN lug it around, but WILL you?4.not submersiblenot sand-proofnot slam-dunk proofnot Janet Reno proofnot recyclable when the planned obsolescence kicks in5.further ammunition to-render your functionally illiterate offspring MORE so-implicate uniformed and secret police in untorward acts-put your local minimum-wage photofinisher employee out of work
This is an excellent product. It does the job and it's reasonably priced. I use it with a Canon HFS100 camcorder and it adds functionality to the camera. I clip on a Rode VideoMic microphone and a Bescor VS65 100W Reporter Light, and I actually look like I know what I'm doing. Everything works without interference with anything else. It all balances and will fit on my tripod or on my Modosteady videocam stabilizer. It is an essential accessory for the HFS100 if you want to get the best from the camera.
use this item for ghost hunting and it really works great for what we need it to do thinking of getting a couple more
Very pleased with the video light. Gives usable light up to 15 feet away. Using it on camcorder and on digital camera. On auto white balance for both camcorder and camera, there is no discernible difference (to my eye) in colors produced. With camcorder built-in light, colors are on the bluish side and distance is only about 6 feet from camcorder. With flash on digital camera, distance is only about 9 to 10 feet and light is much harsher than with the video light. Truly remarkable product. Also, it is very light in weight so you're not dealing with a cumbersome, somewhat heavy add-on light. Experimenting with video light, I find using the included extension bar can eliminate shadowing that is definitely present with both camcorder built-in light and camera flash. Also, when taking portraits with digital camera using video light, red-eye is not a factor as light is always on.
I use this bracket with my Vixia HF200 to good effect.  Sometimes I mount a mic on it (the internal mic on the vixia is subpar at best) and sometimes I just use it for stability.  The latter being very effective.Some people say the mounting screw is too shallow, works fine on my camera.
I bought this bracket to mount an IR light for my Bell+Howell IR video camera. It is strong and of good quality.
works great, at a very good angle, holds thight with any size camera, strong plastic, buy a dozen or so, great deal
Kinda flimsy but works well with a very small camera and attachment (light, mic, etc.)
product received as expected, fit my camcorder just fine and appears to be good quality.  would recommend to a friend.
I use it for a light and Rode mic on my little Vixia.  It's well made and works nicely.  Some have said there's a problem using it on the left side which inteferes with the swing out panel.  Not a problem - loosen the mounting screw just a little, move the bracket out of the way, open the panel, move the bracket back into place.  Works great.  Good price for a good, very useful accessory.
Good for hand held cameras both camcorder and still. Be careful when inserting and removing items from shoe. I like the adjustment at the attachment point and that the bracket can be mounted on a tripod also.
The Sima SLB-M video bracket is well-made and convenient, even if I had to make an extension plate to fit my camcorder. If you want to step up your video shoots to the next level, you'll need an on-camera light. The Sima SLB-M video bracket is a simple and inexpensive way to add a convenient spot to mount a light, as well as other accessories. It's rugged, lightweight and well-made, too.
I purchased this Sima accessory bracket for my Panasonic HDC-SD9 camcorder and it works fine with typical accessories.  I'm waiting for a Sima IR20 lighting array and the Sima LED lighting array to use along with the bracket. Works fine for the price, similar to the other brackets out there.One note: My camcorder has an LCD screen on the left side and I had to mount the bracket on the right hand side so I could open the LCD screen when shooting video.  It works out fine, I just hold the camera using the rubber grip on the bracket with my right hand instead of using the camcorder strap
This item would have been perfect if it would have came with the necessary screw to attach the bracket to the camera/tripod.
I just received this product today.  I'm going to use it with my Canon HF200 HD video camera.  I have a mic on the camera itself (Audio Technica on the mini advanced hotshoe via an adapter piece $30) plus a light and a wireless mic on the two shoe mounts on this bracket.I plan to use this bracket most of the time but I also have the Opteka bracket for stabilizing moving shots or panning while handholding the video camera.  If you run a search on Vimeo-dot-com (Amazon won't let you post links) for the Opteka video bracket, you can see that one.  It only has one cold shot mount up front, but the bar to hold the camera is up top and lengthwise to the camera itself so you can suspend the bracket as you walk, skate, bike, etc. along next to a moving target or as you pan a moving target.  This is much easier than trying to break out a tripod and/or dolly for panning or moving shots.
Wonderful, sturdy bracket; it could be just a little bit longer, to completely clear the LCD screen of my camcorder and allow it to open and close more easily.Other than that, it's a perfect mounting point for video lights and mikes, and very easy to mount to a tripod. Great product.
This device is lighter and smaller than I thought it would be, but I guess that's a good thing.  It seems solid enough and I like the fact that it has two shoe mounts.  I have it to attach to my Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder, which has no viewfinder, thus you have to utilize the flip-out LCD screen at all times.The screen on my SD5 DOES clear the bracket, albeit JUST BARELY, so I am able to mount it on the left side, use it as an "extra handle" for more stable video shooting, and still open and close the screen without any problem.  I was really unsure of this when I was shopping around for a video bracket, so maybe this will help you in your decision.  If it didn't clear, I planned to attach it to the other side as the other reviewer mentioned.  I don't know why it will not clear the screen on the SD9 but will clear the screen of the SD5, as I thought they were the same size camcorders...guess not.
The bracket works exactly as it should, it's lightweight, sturdy and comfortable.  My only reason for not giving it a full 5 star review is that the product image, even on the package, shows that the bracket has a rubberized grip but this is not the case.  In reality there really isn't a specific grip, just the upright section of the bracket itself.
I've found the Sima SLB-M Video Bracket to be much better than the straight, flat video light adaptors. You can open your LCD screen all the way, whereas most of the straight, 90% adaptors impede this action.  Also, the Sima SLB-M has two hot shoes, one on top and one on the side.  This facilitates easy use of more than one video light.  The final feature that makes this product superior is the extra stability you can get while filming by holding the bracket with one hand while the other hand holds the camera.  Overall, an ingenious,versitile and portable product!!
I purchased this two weeks ago and was concerned that the tripod screw was too short since it barely sticks up beyond the padded plate on the bottom of the bracket - but I was able to screw it into the tripod and use it during a trade-show event I was recording.  BUT - once I unscrewed it from the camera after shooting with it for two days - the bracket will NOT re-attach.  I think the stress it caused on the camcorders thread caused the threads inside the camcorder to 'strip' and since the tripod stud doesn't go in deep - it won't re-attach.It would have cost nothing for SIMA to include a longer stud for the tripod mount. What were they thinking.  If you can get it to work with your camcorder then it's well worth it - but not worth much otherwise.Likes = two shoe-mounts allowed me to mount both a boom mic (Azden SGM-X) and an Azden wireless mic receiver (WMX_PRO).Dislikes = Stud too short and can't use on left side with most camcorders since the bracket won't clear most LCD screens, when the screens are open.
It works great, holds my shotgun very well, and provides adequate full face lighting. Love how it can attack to tripod.
I bought this bracket to use with my Canon FS10 Flash Memory Camcorder.  I find it difficult to use the mini-cams hand strap to hold the camera while operating the zoom and other buttons and still hold a steady shot.  The bracket makes holding the camera steady far easier.Once I had the bracket in hand however, I also found it a great help on my Canon 5d Mark II.  It provides a great platform to hold an external microphone. (the 5D mark II shoots Hi-Def Video and stereo sound with an external microphone)  The bracket, as a bonus, makes holding the 5D steady on a shot easier as well.  I bought two more brackets.  Great price and very sturdy.I read the earlier review regarding tripod screw length; I had no problem mounting this bracket on any of 4 cameras.
looks just like the picture so i guess you get win just for that.  it works fine however you cannot change the shape or adjust it in any way so it gets in the way on my little camcorder
I have a Canon FS200 and the LCD opens on the left, so when I try to open the LCD screen, the bracket gets in the way. If I switch the bracket to the right, I have the problem of not being able to use the hand strap on the camera. It's a shame as it's easier to shoot with the zoom, record and photo buttons at your fingertips like they are when using the handstrap. My imperfect solution is to leave the screw mount slightly loose, and move the bracket to the back of the camera when I need to open/close the LCD.  If the bracket were about an inch longer the problem could be solved.The cold shoe mounts are a little too close for my liking--if you use both a light and mic, it leaves the whole thing top heavy on one side so you will need to stabilize the unit using both hands or a tripod.This is not a metal bracket--it's ABS plastic, so it's very sturdy yet lightweight with no sharp edges and won't get too hot or too cold. The washer on the screw mount is a leatherette pad so it protects the bottom of your camera from scratches.The actual screw head can accept a screw itself, so you can attach it to a tripod or another bracket if you want to, which is incredibly handy.While the product is not ideal for a camcorder with a left-opening screen, the necessary adjustments aren't too inconvenient, it's a good price at under thirteen dollars, and it's better than nothing if you've got to use a light and microphone and your camera does not have a shoe mount.
I haven't had a chance to use this item, yet, but I was thoroughly impressed with the build quality when I opened the package. For the price, this seems to be a pretty solidly built grip and bracket.Updated 10-10-2010:I still like the build quality, having practiced with the bracket, but the bottom screw, for attaching to my camcorder tripod mount, is much longer than the Canon camcorder mount. I had to add a washer, but there is no simple way to retain the washer while the bracket is not in use.
With respect to the positive aspects, the main one is that the bracket has two hot shoes at its end at such an angle that it can comfortably hold two items, particularly a light and external mic. Also, it is quite adjustable in terms of distance it can be set from angle and angle. The product is also well built. It is made of plastic but very durable and hard plastic so it is very difficult to break. Despite all these attributes why does it only deserve 3 stars instead of 4 or 5? Primarily because the tripod mounting stud is too small!! It barely fits, due to its diminutive size, into the tripod socket. Due to its small size, if you had it in the socket for a prolonged period of time and it was holding any item of more than the smallest of weights, it would probably damage the tripod socket. This is particularly the case if your camera's socket was plastic as opposed to metal. How much would it have cost Sima to have used a slightly larger stud? Another penny or two? What a shame to degrade such a product for that.
No issues getting the cable going to connect my goto telescope to the software on the PC. Works great! I would definitely recommend this cable.
It worked perfectly and I have used it several times now.  It is a &#34;must Have&#34; tool for those of us with a Celestron Nexstar system telescope so we can flash the up dates in software to our hand controllers form the internet.
This cable does exactly as it claims.  Now I can control my telescope via my laptop.  Very nice connectors on moth ends.  I don't see any problem with this cable, and expect it to last a very long time.
What can I say?  This product does it's job well.  I can now control my CG5-GT from my laptop via ascom.  the celestron nexcontroller program allows you to do your entire polar alignment routine from you laptop, and you have PHD connection with your autoguider whihc allows you to record PEC data from your favorite pec program.  I can now go out and balance my mount in the evening before it gets cold and operate everything from inside to do astrophotography without going out in the cold.  I use an rs232 serial connection with a 3/4 express card adapter with my laptop, and an extension cable to reach my mount out in the yard.  All I need now is a motofocus contorller and I will be staying alot warmer this winter!
It works very well to control my telescope and isn't mad cheaply. Since it isn't proprietary to any specific manufacturer, you could buy an RJ-11 double female connector to get some length, if needed. Unless you have an older PC, you are going to need an RS-232 to USB adapter also. If you are going to run a long distance, get a powered USB hub, too. (over 3 meters USB length, not including this cable)I would recommend it to anyone who wants to remote control their telescope.
With the number of years with USB connections etc., you would have thought they would have had a different connection for updating the firmware on the Celestron Telescope. But this cable and a converter to USB, and it work flawlessly in doing the update. Just let the PC install the drivers so see the connections and you are ready to go.
My laptop is 1 yr old and this cable does not fit. The newer computers do not have 9-pin ports and the only adapter I could find was $37.00 at Best Buy.  The 9-pin end on this cable is female and so is the one on your computer.  I strongly advise shopping around first before buying this cable because it probably will not fit your computer.
Bought this after looking for a serial-&#62;RS232 converter (admittedly, not for a Celestron Nextar telescope).  Long story short -- it's too small for an actual RS232 jack.  Didn't work.
The cable will not correctly seat in my 2013 Celestron 1100 CPS XLT GPS at the base plate for Aux 1 or 2.  That is because if you look at the end of your NexRemote or SkyQLink it is an RJ11 adapter with a 6 pin (6p6c) wide connector, and the Aux 1 and 2 connectors on the base plate are 6 pin 6p6c female ports as well.  A visual inspection will show the connector slightly twisted to the left or to the right and not correctly seating in the RJ-11 6p6c female port.The problem is that this cable has a 4pin wide RJ11 male connector, also known as a 4p4c (4 pin 4 connector) end which does not seat correctly in the Aux ports on the Celestron. While I have not seen a 4p4c to 6p4c cable yet I did see adapters that could be re-crimped onto the end of this cable -  http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Round-Solid-50-Piece-107269/dp/B005E2Y7EY/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1398675855&sr;=1-6&keywords;=rj11+4p4c+to+6p4c+adapterHere is hoping Celestron will fix this oversight soon.
Cable worked great... Has a female end so it connect perfect with  Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset).  No reason to buy any other connectors.  Which is a good thing as I was not happy that I had to spend more money for a software upgrade on a telescope i just bought...
These cables while easy to make are still cheap enough that it would barely be worth my time. Since they are just about what I'd pay in parts and time I ordered it on Amazon and got it within a few days. With this cable you can upgrade the firmware(s) in your CG5 and likely other mounts using the same controller technology. It literally took minutes to upgrade the Controller, and the firmwares for each motor. Another added benefit of owning this cable is you can now use programs like Stellarium to control your mount.
my new $500 scope was dead without this cable......thanxonly compatable with celestron scopes...may work on some orion scopes aswell,you will have to google that info to be certin.
How do I come up with 20 words to evaluate a wire and a connector?It still works after a year of use. If it quits working, I'll revise my opinion.I would recommend it.
It does exactly as it is described and I was able to update my Celestron 90SLT. You will need to buy the USB to RS232 adapter seperately.
Very good product and a must have for Celestron telescopes. Iwould recommend this to any and everyone interested in astronomy.
The cable does what it claims: It provides a 5' long link from the Celestron Nexstar hand controller to the RS-232 port of your computer. That few, if any laptops (or desktops) have an RS-232 port doesn't seem to matter to Celestron. You will need a serial port to USB adapter, meaning more expense and complication. If you want a lot of expense, Celestron will be happy to sell you one. I gotthis one.Another comment. Five feet is quite short for use in the field. Some USB adapters add length, but you may also want to budget for another extension cable.Finally, I control my mount with a Linux powered netbook running Debian Linux, and the program Cartes du Ciel. In addition I installed the package Indi-bin. The USB device that pops up on the computer is usually /dev/ttyUSB0. You will need to ensure your user is in the "dialout" group. Even then you may run into trouble "writing" to the USB device. The simplest workaround is to make /dev/ttyUSB0 universally writable by issuing the following command as root, or by prefacing the following command with "sudo":chmod 666 /dev/ttyUSB0
This cable worked as expected. I still think it should be included with the telescopes though, since it is needed for upgrading the firmware.
I had to buy the actual one from MEADE. In fairness, I don't have a Celestron scope to test it on.
I bought a used Celestron NexStar 6se, and the cable wasn't included by the seller. I bought this cable and a TRENDnet USB to RS-232 Serial Converter, and it worked the first time connected to my laptop running Windows 7 64-bit. No need to install any drivers for the converter, Windows took care of it. No problems whatsoever.
This is exactly the part I needed and it was shipped well. I would definately purchase from these folks again. Nice work!
Just works, haven't had any issues with this product.  Used a serial to usb adapter and this works great for controlling my cg5 via a computer.
This interface cable was essential for updating the software on the hand control and scope motor. Required the purchase of an after market cable to connect the RS-232 cable to hand control base outlet(no need to connect to the outlet on the scope base with the SE).
If you want to use your computer to point your telescope. It doesn't come with the scope, not ours anyway. Also be aware that if you don't have the proper port on your laptop you'll have to get a USB adapter and assign the USB port to act as a serial port.
Probably works fine on newer C8s - but not on my C8 Celestar, the decade-old version of the scope that uses the wedge mount with the 9V battery and the 12VDC receptacle.  The male plug end on the adapter is too wide.  And I am not sure of the amperage needs/restrictions for the old motor.So far, however, the little 9V battery has been running that simple RA drive for at least 20 hours, so I'll just stick with that solution.I returned the adapter, of course, but must say that it appeared very well made, not a piece of flimsy junk at all, and the cord is quite long. I suspect it is a 5 star item for the right scope.  Alas, Celestron tech support had no clue about the specs of the adapter I actually needed, thus the 4 star rating.  That kind of customer service makes me hesitate to buy the expensive new C11.
I lost my original battery adapter for my telescope after a trip.  I bough this one and it works well.  IIRC the cord on the replacement is longer than the original that came with the telescope.  It works well with the Celestron Power Tank.
I bought this cable to connect the telescope to a portable battery designed for jump starting a car. Obviously, this provides far more telescope tracking time than the little bundle of AA's provided by the designers.
This 12v cord does a great of using your car or other power source to power your telescope. I have a LS6 Meade scope that will chew up batteries. This item fills the bill.
It is so nice to used it outside in the porch without using just batteries. the telescope is great but much better if you have power cable.
If you have a Celestron telescope, you must have this product. You can use your electronic telescope with your car battery. A must have item.
This cord is about 20 ft long. Works great! Just roll the window down in your car and never worry about fiddling with batteries again. I took this with me for the first time a couple weeks ago. My wife raved all night about how long it was. I am not one to brag, but it is pretty long. It got the job done and everyone went home satisfied. It slides in easily and won't come out until you want it to. Add it to your kit, you won't regret it! Now I don't have to drag around a heavy power tank as long as I can setup my scope with in about 20 feet of my car. Good quality and it fit my NexStar 6SE perfectly. Sturdy as they come.
What can one write about a 12V cable? This one works. It seems durable. The connector for the cigarette or 12V accessory outlet looks as well as any other that I have seen and is better constructed than some.What would make it better? Perhaps a coil-cord in the last foot or two at the mount for strain relief it would be an improvement.A note of caution about this product--- In early 2012 Celestron shipped some of these with a small round cable rather than a zip/extension cord like cable. The wire gauge was undersized and caused erratic performance in mounts with a heavier current draw, such as the CPC series. Amazon's return policy and Celestron's warranty have this covered. Some of the off brand clones of this product look OK but have undersized conductors; caveat emptor.
Great accessory.  This cable feels very well made.  It powers my Celestron 130 SLT without any problems, and I imagine it will do so for a very long time.  Solid connection points and has a nice thickness to it.
If you travel with your telescope to different viewing locations you may want to buy one of these. i use my scope at different locations and my computerized mount uses 8 batteries to power itself. I bought this dc adapter to use instead of batteries. It has a really long cable so you can plug into your car and be a distance away from it to power your scope.Works with specific Celestron Computerized mounts so check to see if it will work with yours before buying it
I bought this cable to replace the one that came with our CPC 925, which we use with a 20AH field battery.  The original power cord failed after two years, developing an intermittent connection where the wire enters the plug housing at the telescope end.  This was especially annoying because I always loop the cable thru the fork arm handle to provide extra strain-relief, so the original cable was never yanked or stressed at the point where it failed.This new cable is made a bit differently, so I won't know if it's better or worse until it's been through a couple of temperature extremes.  One difference is the type of cable used.  The new one uses something similar to zip cord or speaker wire, while the original had both conductors enclosed in a round outer jacket that was softer and more flexible.  The new DC plug is a straight type, rather than the right-angle plug on the original, which I liked.  However, the new plug seems beefier and appears to have a much better strain-relief, so we'll see how well it holds up.  The cigarette lighter plug is identical on both cables, except the new one lacks the original's red LED power indicator.  Unlike the molded plug on the other end, this one can be easily removed & replaced, so I might swap them.  I'll plan on updating this review after the new cable completes its first winter of use.
This adapter is essential, especially if you're using the Power Bank.I would recommend this to anyone with a Celestron Nexstar telescope.
I had bought this to replace the one that came with the power tank because I snapped it on the female end.  This one is much more beefy and comes with 25ft of cord.  The only downside is that it no longer fits in the power tank compartment however since I never used that it's irrelevant to me but it may not be to everyone else.
Very long cable which comes in useful you are powering from a car instead of a Power Tank.  Overall great deal.
The cord does what it's supposed to do. I like that it's very long, so when I'm outside, I don't have to be stuck right beside my car.
I guess I didn't read features and specs closely on the power tank, but I was under the mistaken impression that I'd be plugging my mount's A/C adapter into the tank! No, it's THIS product that you'll need! So if you buy the tank, get this. The length is a big selling point on this one.
I use this to run my Celestron Nexstar 6SE. I dont plug it into my car because I have a battery that I place under the mount that has a  12v socket that I can plug into. It has a little red LED on the plug end so you know you are getting power as soon as you plug in.
This saved lots of time switching out batteries on a dark hilltop. We had to roll down the window to keep the car lights off. Otherwise, it was great and worked just fine!
This is for celestron telescopes.  its a 2.1mm tip positive plug and it works just as well in orion goto telescopes and unlike the orion branded adapter doesn't cost 20 bucks with 10 extra on shipping.  Bought this on a gamble it would work in my orion scope and it works great for those who need a dc plug for other branded scopes.
I use this to connect my truck backup battery to my telescope.  It's nothing fancy, just a way to not waste money on AA batteries.  It has plenty of length and appears to be capable of absorbing minor tripping.One word of caution:  Place your battery below the telescope so that this cord doesn't become a trip hazard in the dark.  Also need to pay attention that you don't wrap the cord around the tripod.
This adapter along with the AC adapter gives Me the availability of House curent, and the use of a DC Power Supply for long night viewing.
what more can I say, perfect for running the scope from the accesory plug in my Grand Cheroke. Give you plenty of length to get away from the aa batteries.
Great length, this cable will come in handy when up on the mountain and I am using the telescope - I won't have to keep a grip of AA batteries with me at all times.
Very long, works well, has a little red light to tell you it's getting power. Works with my Celestron 90SLT scope.I honestly don't know what the little screw ring at the end of this is for, as it does not tighten the end into my Celestron telescope. That said, it does plug in and work well (although it will pop out if you don't leave sufficient slack, like any cord). The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that it's pretty expensive for a piece of wire. It's straight 12v with no transformer, so I don't think I'm being unreasonable.
Not much to review about, but here's the skinny:It's a well-built long cable with the right connector for your Celestron scope, and a car-adapter on the other end. Came with a twisty-tie.
I have a Celestron CPC 800 XLT. I have previously used only single eye-pieces and was put off when the left-to-right was reversed when viewing the moon, the sun (with a solar filter), and planets. So I enjoyed seeing those objects as my eye would see it through binoculars. I did notice that when looking at stars there is a &#34;notch&#34; of light removed from the lower left portion of the view. As others have said this device is best used for terrestrial viewing or for planets, sun, and moon.Note that this not a 90 degree anglefor viewing. So for certain views it may be bit awkward to see the object without stooping down more than you would with a 90 degree diagonal.
I love this product!It does exactly what it says.  My wife purchased a good sized telescope (Nexstar 8SE) for my birthday and we&#8217;ve been learning the ins and outs of using it. I have purchased several lenses and this is by far one of the most useful.The Good: Rights the image &#8211; This is handy for determining exactly what is on TV in the neighbor&#8217;s apartment across the street, block, city (depending on your particular hardware) Also for Planets/Celestial bodies.Makes it much easier to manually move the telescope by hand or with the electronics if you have them. If you see it move up and left, you move the telescope up and left, not inverted and backwards.The Bad: None. I love reviews like this.Verdict:  If you are tired of trying to invert things in your mind and staring at upside down stuff, buy this, you won&#8217;t regret it.
After thirty + years of astronomy, I finally decided to look at earthbound objects that weren't upside down.  The piece work just fine and am well satisfied.
I honestly only purchased this for my guide scope, I needed a diagonal to attach my auto guider to.  I would not recommend this for visual use or imaging.There isn't really anything wrong with it, but for visual use save your money and buy a better diagonal.
This does what it is supposed to do. I don't notice any reduction in the quality of the image when using the prism. What more can you ask for.
If you look directly through (my Celestron 5&#34; reflector) telescope, the image is upside down and left-right reversed (you can confirm it by looking a a license plate down the street).  The Star Diagonal (included with the telescope) corrects the upside-down image (and puts the eyepiece at a right angle so you don't have to lie on the ground to see), but the L-R reversal.  This device instead corrects both reversals.  Good for things that Should look correct, like the moon and terrestrial objects.
This Correct Image Prism turned my refracting telescope into a scope that can be used to observe objects on earth. These objects no longer appear upside down.
Simple solution that works like a champ with hardly any setup required on my part. Makes my life much easier too!
it is very comfortable, mainly for terrestrial view, but also for objects near the horizon. it should be sold with the telescope.
I got this to use with a Astronomy Technology 66mm aperture  refractor for terrestrial viewing. The first I sent back as the hole for the tightening screw was too big so it could not be secured in place on my scope. The replacement is fine. There are better optics out there but this item is fine for the price.
I have a neck injury. So this little tool is perfect for me! No more  bending down from the side .
This device makes images appear as if you are looking at them with the naked eye rather than reversed or upside down.  The angle also makes it much easier for me to look into the telescope which decreases neck strain.  I would recommend this to a friend.
This eyepiece adapter has made it possible for me to use my schmidt-cass for terrestrial mountain viewing.  The quality is decent, fine for daytime viewing of things like birds and the hills.
Works as advertised.
This is a great adaptor, HOWEVER it is not in my opinion a complete adaptor. I purchased this thinking that I could use it with my Nikon DSLR camera, and realized after an hour of setting up my telescope and getting it zeroed in, this does NOT attach to the camera, and you need an ADDITIONAL adaptor that fits into this one for your camera ring. These are specific to your camera so I understand that you can't sell a "universal" kit, but it would have been nice to know that up front.
I bought this adapter to mount an old celestron c90 to my new Olympus OMD EM-5. With a t-mount/micro four thirds adapter on the end it works like a charm. Any 1.25&#34; eyepiece will slide in, stay in place with the set screw and provide you with massive amounts of magnification and the ability to photograph it all.
I need take pictures of the sky with my nexstar 4se, i buy a DSLR camera and this article is very useful for this task..thanks
Do not expect too much out of the product. The adapter works, however its kind of flimsy. For the price however, I kind complaint too much.
The description for this product does not mention that using this T adapater will not allow the camera to focus on many Newtonian reflectors because the adapter basically extends the focuser and will not allow it to travel in far enough to achieve focus with the camera.
works like a charm and easy to use, arrived on time and is easy to use. i can not wait to get my new cannon and use it with that camera
Most important this about this adapter is it fit.  I have bought a few pieces that dont - and I recommend if you have a Celestron telescope buy from them or another equivalent manufacturer (someone you trust just as much).  Some of the overseas stuff doesn't line up properly and in turn doesn't work.
I received the Celestron 93625 Universal 1.25-inch Camera T-Adapter on time as promised. The adapter met or exceeded the advertised specifications and was well constructed. It performed great on my Dynamax 8 as expected. I would recommend it for use when the camera is mounted into the telescope eyepiece holder. Your eyepiece holder must be sturdy enough to hold a SLR or DSLR camera body. I did not have any problems with focusing on my Dynamax 8. Balancing my camera/telescope combination took a little work since I was using a 90 degree erecting eyepiece holder on my telescope. A straight through eyepiece holder may be better. If your telescope permits removal of the eyepiece holder then you may wish to get the Celestron T-Mount or the Opteka T-Mount Adapter to fit your particular SLR or DSLR camera. I later used the T-Mount Adapter to attach my camera directly to my telescope and eliminating the telescope's removable eyepiece holder. I did NOT have any focusing problems with the camera T-Adapter or the camera T-Mount adapter with my Dynamax 8 telescope. The adapters are designed to be used with the camera lens removed. The Celestron camera adapter permits the insertion of a 1.25 diameter plain barrel eyepiece into the adapter to increase the magnifying power but this reduces the light greatly due to the added lenses of the eyepiece and from the eyepiece projected image onto the film or camera sensor chip. The reduced light will require longer exposures and therefore require manual tracking or a telescope tracking device (clock drive). When using an inserted eyepiece into the camera T-Adapter, care must be taken to make sure that longer barrel eyepieces do not obstruct the camera's mirror flip-up action.
you cant really screw up making one of these. It is a necessity of anyone who has a SLR and a telescope.
Very simple product and it does exactly what it is supposed to do. Screw it in to the T-ring mount and then put it in your telescope. Seems well made and sturdy too.
PRO: fits perfectCON: bit expensive for what it is, but better to error on the &#34;You get what you pay for&#34; when it comes to telescope items.
I purchased this in hope to take celestrial photos. Unfortunately I won't because it doesn't fit my particular telescope which is a Meade Telestar. The eyepiece mount is too small, probably around 1 in to 1 1/8 inch.
Not much I can say about this T-adapter which isn't much more than a hollow tube, however, much needed to hook up a camera to a spotting scope or telescope.  The adapter is made well and does the job that it was made to do for what its worth.  Tried to stay with Celestron products to match the scope purchased.
I bought a Celestron telescope with the initial purpose of taking picture of the moon.  Looking in the best option to piggy back a camera (SLR) to the telescope, this T-adapter does a decent job.
I have a Canon EOS Rebel xt. I used this with the Celestron 93419 T-Ring for 35 mm Canon EOS Camera for my Celestron Nexstar 90 GT that Santa brought me. :-) Works great. The cold snap has prevented me from spending any amount of time outside for experimenting but the camera connects as I would hope. I did notice that it takes patience to hone in on your target once you've mounted the camera.
Not really a lot to say about this, it screws into the T-ring and fits securely into the telescope. Does what it should.
You have to love things that work well and are inexpensive, this is both.  I've used a variety of canons with this (rebels, 5d mark II or III)
I ordered the Celestron 93625 Universal 1.25-inch Camera T-Adapter for use on a Celestron C90. It works as advertised and I am pleased with the photographs I have gotten with this combination. Some of the reviews suggested it does not work on this model of telescope. The proper mounting of the item on a Celestron C90 requires the use of the erect image diagonal included with the telescope. After my success I am presuming others were expecting the adapter to fit directly to the optical tube which requires theCelestron 93635-A T-Adapter for NexStar 4GTinstead. The adapter seems to be solid and supports my heavy Canon 5D well.
Works fine for what it is proposed to do. However I wish it had a 1x lens to focus onto. Not sure if it was me or the lack of lens but only way i could avoid see the guts of my telescope was to use a Barlow.
The next Adapter I purchased for my telescope and cannot see anything yet with my Telescope! My DSLR cannot focus on anything because i cannot find a lens to fit it! Not a problem with the product, a problem with finding lenses! If you have a telescope withe the lenses that fit, I am sure it will work perfectly!
At first I was totally disappointed after I hooked everything up, because the focal point was incorrect for my Nikon D60. I did some reading, and found out that with reflector telescopes this can happen, but can be fixed by using a Barlow lens to adjust the focal point.After I added a 2x Barlow lens into the mix, then I was able to get pictures. Keep that in mind: if you already have a Barlow, you can likely use that, if not you might be better off getting the version of this with the Barlow built-in.
Pro: This adapter is quite stable and easy to use when attached to the T-Ring Camera Adapter.Con: Not very easy to focus my Nikon D3100 with this. Center of Image is focused, outer perimeter is off.
Purchased this along with a lens mount adapter for use with my Canon 7D and my kids Celestron scope.It came packaged in a cardboard box that got tossed out. I leave this attached to the telescope and store them together. The mount is made from metal and is very solid. As long as your scope uses a 1.25-inch lens mount then you can use this with it.If you know what this it and what is does then all you need to know beyond that is that it is solidly built and works.
I use this with my canon DSLR and Meade LS works great! You'll need the right adapter for your camera but once you are set up it is an easy switch between camera and eyepiece.
I Purchase the Celestron T-Ring / T-Mount Canon EOS  and the Celestron 93625 Universal 1.25-inch Camera T-Adapter for my boyfriend for Christmas. On the first clear night when the moon was nice and big he set up the telescope and tested it out taking pictures.  These adaptors worked great... they attached easily and after some playing he came out with a great picture of the moon using one of our Canon EOS Rebels. Great Job Manufacturers ... Good Product!
Hooked up perfectly with the T mount that I also bought from Amazon and hooked up both to my Canon eos 60D...then the whole thing onto my 90 mm refractor telescope......Got great moon pictures using it,..I do recommend it completely.
I guess the designer of this product wanted, for some reason, to allow eyepieces to be used inside it. Or perhaps a barlow lens. But the result is an adapter that is longer than it needs to be, and that moves the camera about an inch farther than necessary from the image plane of the telescope's primary optic. This makes the adapter unusable with most Newtonian reflectors built for visual use, because the film/sensor plane of the camera can't be brought close enough to the objective to bring an image into focus. Even on a refractor of catadioptric telescope, the length of the adapter needlessly increases torque around the point where the focusing tube enters the focuser. I'm not sure whether Amazon carries any, but there are low-profile adapters that minimize this effect, and are better for astrophotography.
I purchased this along with a Fotodiox T/T2 Lens to Canon EOS adapter and it all fit together perfectly. I've managed to get some really interesting shots with the extremely long focal length of my Celestron Astromaster 70.It comes with a spot for putting your telescope lenses in-between the scope and camera (where the little screw is in the photo) but that doesn't seem to work at all. Just screw this onto your T/T2 to EOS (or whatever type of camera you have) adapter, snap it onto your camera, remove the elbow from the back of your telescope and slide this whole assembly right in. Basically picture having the scope on the end of your camera like an enormous lens, that's how it's supposed to go together.
I haven't gotten the chance to actually use this adapter yet. But it is solid, and fits my T-ring quite well. Once I try it out, I'll likely up my rating to 5.
It does what it is intended to do, and does it well. I use it to adapt a Nikon 3100 with a Celestron C90 Max, through the eye port. All I had to buy was a T-independent Nikon mount adapter.  the combination works perfectly. Recommended.
No complaints. It works fine and does the job.Not sure what else to say about a &#34;T&#34; adapter, but there is a minimum word count in these reviews.
The treads are a little hard to get started so go slow and be careful not to cross thread.  Other than that it works very well
Works in conjunction with a camera adapter to allow a 35mm camera to take visual images prime focus through a telescope. It is equipped with a set screw, but it will not allow a lens to be installed internally as it's too short for that function.  The set screw seems to help hold the included cover in place.
Screw your Barlow lens at the bottom of what is simply a metal tube, and voila: you saved ten bucks and are ready to go photo-shooting...
I have a Celestron FirstScope and a Canon Rebel SLR. When using this adapter I cannot focus the telescope. I guess it is because of the length of the adapter. By the way, due to the fact that you will be using the native magnification of the telescope, it is much better to buy a Barlow T-Adapter.
This adapter along with the T-Ring adapter for your particular camera should get you through the night with no problems.  Relatively inexpensive, it is the ticket if you want to use your telescope for a giant telescopic lens.
Coupled this with a Fotodiox lens mount adapter to connect my Nikon D40 to my Celestron telescope.  Have been taking awesome pictures of various planets and the moon with this set up.  Definitely enjoy!
I've taken some wonderful pictures with the use of this adapter and the ring that fits my Canon Rebel T3i!  My favorite are shots of the moon, especially the craters.  Can't wait to try it out this summer when it's warm and I can focus in on some planets.
This item allows you to adapt your DSLR camera to the eyepiece of a telescope. It holds the camera really tight, I can't wait to test it in the field!
As with all Celestron products, it is well built and works perfect. I bought the adapter and T ring for cannon camera and the two work well together.
I thought that this will work perfectly on Leica confocal microscope but diameter was a millimeter more than expected. Didn't return for the shipping cost and time I didn't have to spend for it.
it is a very good product. I have a sony alpha 200 digital camera and it is working very well.
Fits my old telescope with my older Nikon D200 perfectly.  Used it to take photos of birds and also the moon one night.
Threads securely into my Canon adapter ring.  Mounts camera securely to the telescope.  No complaints.  With some basic laptop software you can take great long exposure with computer compensation for flat and dark frames.
The last thing you need in the field trying to take astro pictures is a problem mating your telescope and camera.  You will have no problem with this unit.  i mated a celestron 4 inch scope with my canon digital camera.  No problem whatsoever.  I tried a couple of different cameras and telescopes too.  No problem.  worth the investment of money
This adapter is very comfortable and easy to put on to the telescope. There was no problems. Celestron is helpful.
It's what it says it is, the T-adapter I have is too long so this didn't fix the problem focusing with a telescope for me, but that isn't this products fault.
Just what I wanted. I can look at the stars whenever I want. Wonderful adapter makes everything shine! Love it!
Perfect product for Astro photography. It helps me a lot in taking more pictures in sky. it perfectly fits to my nikon camera.
I got the threaded t-adapter to use when I don't need to use a barlow or a filter, but I use this universal adapter when I do. The downside is that it's held in your scope by eyepiece screws, and having a 1lb camera hanging off the scope by just a few screws does not instill confidence.
This adapter works for me for sharp prime-focus astrophotography with my Celestron Astromaster 114eq and my Nikon D5100 DSLR camera. This telescope design is a bird-jones reflector design, which puts a lens in the focuser. As a result this part + a T-Mount adapter (I used the &#34;UltraPro T/T2 Lens Mount Adapter for Nikon SLR Mount&#34; also available on amazon.com) and NO barlow needed for prime focus photography for this combination of equipment.
Once you realize that you have to put a lens inside this before you attach it to your camera, it works great! If you didn't realize that, or didn't realize that there should be directions included (Gee, there's a concept), than you would think this is a horrible investment. Now that I figured out I needed to put a lens in there before attaching it to my camera, I'm very happy!
I use this T-adapter with an Opteka T-mount adapter and Canon XS DSLR to attach the camera to two different telescopes and the combination works perfectly.  Recommended.
This attached so easily for my camera and it does need the Canon T Mount that attaches to your camera. Works perfectly.
Got the telescope ready got the camera ready now I need a clear night to play with this new you.  Checked out how to hook them up now looking for some stars to photograph.
This is an inexpensive camera adapter which works as intended allowing a camaera to be coupled to a telescope or other optical product such asa spotting scope. In my opinion, Celestron produces high quality products at low consumer prices. I usually look at Celestron before I look elsewhere.
Works perfectly with my Orion 80mmx500mm refractor telescope and Canon 30D with the Canon "T" adapter.  At some point I'll have to try my Barlow 2x.Edit:  It works fine with the 2x barlow.  But I will say this telescope has a ton of focusing range.
I'd imagine the lens is quite good, but unfortunately the focal length doesn't allow me to take pictures.  Please verify that your telescope + camera will accommodate the focal length, or consider getting a different T-adapter with built-in 2" lens.
of the universe around us and mare. the adaptor is just as good as it could be. recomended for astrophoto.. and more
This works with the t adapter for my camera to mount to my telescope. it's fit is snug and light tight as it should be.
T-adapter exactly what it says it does. I use it on my Celestron AstroMaster 130 and it works great. I have found that you will need an extension tube (or a barlow lens) to meet the focus ability of the camera. This may not be the case for every camera, but for the D60 I needed one.
I used this with the canon adapter for my dslr camera and it works quite nicely.. Took some great shots of the moon the other night
Does what it's suppose to do enough said but I have to keep typing before they let me summit this, ok that's it LOL.
So, couple things you need like the other comments suggest.  That adapter ring for your camera and a small enough lens to fit in this thing, which I don't have yet, once I get that I'll update this.
This part goes in your telescope in place of your eyepiece. It attaches to the T-ring (purchased separately) so you can fit your camera on to your telescope to begin taking pictures of the night sky! I found this piece good, but its very short, I wish it had further adjustment, other than just what the telescope provides, in order to really get your images at the correct focal point. I had difficulty getting the moon in focus using this with the Celestron T-ring for my Nikon D60 mounted on a Celestron PowerSeeker 114EQ. Other than that, its a good starting point for beginning with astrophotography.
dont waist you money.  this product doen't fit the celetron telescope viewfinder.  I had to take it and modify it to sit further down into the viewfinder shaft so that my photos would be in focus.
I got this working with my Orion XT8 Dobsonian.  But you need some more things with this.  Of course you'll need a T-mount/ring to attach to the camera.  I bought the Opteka mount for my Olympus E-500.  You'll also need to add a barlow lens to the end of the adapter or else you won't be able to focus.  Celestron has a package that bundles the adapter and barlow together if you don't already have a barlow.Highly recommend this as a cheap way to venture into astrophotography.
I've taken some pictures of the moon and this is perfect for my wife's DSLR. I just need to find a way to keep the telescope from vibrating...
Anything made by celestron is a good product.  This is a good product.  allowed me to mount my camera to my telescope.
This adapter fits my t mount well and is well made and I feel comfortable attaching my 6 lbs camera to my telescope.  It works great arrived on time and I recommend both the product and the seller.
I installed this item on my T3i, it simple attaches to the Cannon T-ring, and it works great....  Also holds filters...
This item works precisely as it should. It seems well-made and mechanically solid. It is well worth the purchase price.
Very nice adapter, works as expected, construction is on the lighter side, but delivers for what it is meant.  Would buy again. no need to pay any more for such item.
This particular Celestron T-Adapter is too long for my Celestron telescope (their cheapest reflector), making it impossible to focus. On the other hand, the Celestron #93640 T-adapter with Barlow lens worked perfectly. I'm sending this one back, and keeping the #93640.
I bought this  adaptor along with the Celestron T-ring.  The T-ring works great on my D5100.  It is not too snug, and it clicks in place just like my lenses. I don't recommend the Celestron adaptor, though.  Fortunately, my Meade adaptor has the same threads and it is much deeper.  The Celetron adaptor doesn't accomodate large eypieces very well. The eyepiece protrudes too far into the camera body with my 5100.
I'm able to use a Sony NEX VG10 with this adapter. I've done lots of playing with it and used it with Takumar SMC lenses. You will get nice photos and if your camera has HDMI out, then you can monitor everything on a big screen. Comes in handy when I have family over since everyone wants a turn at the telescope.
ya just  can't screw up a 1x barlow lens  ( sans  lens)..haha
Pros:- Solid Construction, screwed right onto my t-ring with no difficulty.Cons:- Didn't work with my Celestron Starseeker 114 reflector telescope.  The focal point of the camera and the focal point of the scope were nowhere near each-other.Bottom Line:Celestron makes a different model (Model # 93640) that includes a 2x barlow lens that will allow the camera to focus on the image the telescope is seeing.  3 stars, mainly because they should have either included that in the box, or removed the 'universal' moniker.
I received this and couldn't wait to get my camera hooked up to the telescope. So I got set up for that nice shot of the moon. When I couldn't get it to focus I realized I had read that it needs a barlow lens from some of the other reviews. and sure enough after I pulled mine out it did work. But not without troubles. The barlow adapter I have is the old long plastic one so it doesn't work very well causing barrel distortion.So if you are going to get this make sure you get the set of barlow adapters to go with this or just get the version of this with the barlow lens already attached.
I recently purchased a Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ and wanted to start shooting the stars and moon. This piece allows you to attach a DSLR to the telescope to get some amazing shots. Make sure you grab both the T ring and the T adapter.This works like a charm and the price couldn't be beat.I use a Nikon D600.
What can I say?  It does what it is intended to do, and does it well.  I use it for adapting an SLR camera to a telescope, through the eyepiece port.  It still requires a different T-mount adapter for each style camera I want to use, but allows for greater flexibility.  I have adapters for my film and digital Olympus cameras, and my friend uses it with his Nikon.  All he needed to buy was a separate Nikon T-mount adapter.  You may possibly get some vignette with some combinations, but that is easily cropped out in post processing.
There is more to this product and you need to investigate it before buying. Purchased this and a Canon 50D adapter to shoot using a telescope. I could not get this product to work properly and called a good resource for advice. After an hour of technical discussion we determined it would not function with my system.so it sits in the purchased but does not work pile
This adapter is great.  It works well with the camera T/T2 camera adapter and the A-mount to E-mount adapter so I can use my Sony NEX C3K with the telescope for some nice land and sky pictures.
I have no issues with this adapter, works great for my needs. Have not used it much if it holds I up will a post follow up.
Bought this to use with the &#34;EzFoto T/T2 Mount Lens to Nikon&#34; and they match up perfectly.Using this for a Nikon D3200.Build quality is very good.Using this product with a tall telescope eyepiece is a little cumbersome, but I knew this before ordering.My 5mm eyepiece fits without any issues.  12.5mm eyepiece fits when I screw out the T Mount about half of the thread length and the 25mm eyepiece just barely clears the camera's mirror when I screw the T Mount all the way out and leave about a half a turn of thread to hold onto the T Adapter.So overall, it functions very well for what I intended to use it for!
Of course you're going to need a T-ring (specific to your camera's model) in addition to this T-adapter so that you can connect your camera to a telescope. Another really important feature is to get a counterweight kit so that your camera's weight doesn't throw off the alignment of your telescope's motor. Works fine on my Celestron Nextar 8SE.
This is overall just fair.It took 12 days to deliver from east coast to Phx, AZ; it should take no more than 5-7 days to deliver.Part itself is not so rugged-built, even flimsy a little with thin aluminum that holds camera and/or eyepiece if small enough to fit in.This part should cost no more than $10-$15.00; it's not even real complex or even precision part.On this part, Celestron was not so impressive.I'm hesitant to recommend this to others.
I bought this to connect a DSLR camera to my Celestron 8-inch telescope. It works as advertised, is well made, and fits perfectly to both the camera T-ring adapter and the telescope visual back adapter.
This product screws into the T-ring and hooks to my Canon Rebel-XTI as expected. The product attaches to my telescope as expected. Unforunately, I could not focus as is. The telescope required adjusting the mirror position to perfect the focus. So I learned something. Connected to a Tasco Luminova telescope.
Nice, tight fit.  The finish is good and it feels like a good, quality piece.  Nice, snug (not overly rough) fit with my camera lens mount adapter - no gaps or tight spots in the threads.
i am very happy with the timing of delivery. i got this for a friend for his birthday so as for the use of the product, im not sure
T-adapters can turn your telescope into an amazing telephoto lens and this one will work with any that have a 1.25" visual back. This piece has a 1.25" inserting slip connector which replaces the Star Diagonal on your telescope and the title given by Celestron is entirely misleading, it refers to a generic measurement of an inch (actually 1.25"). The faulty description continues in the product description: it WILL NOT FIT .96" visual backed telescopes such as the Celestron C90, or the Nexstar 4GT. In that case you'll need this partCelestron 93635-A T-Adapter for NexStar 4GTThose telescopes have a .96" visual back and the T-adapter has a female ring which screws over the visual back.In either case you still need a T-Ring to connect to your camera, be careful there too as there are now ones for 58mm digital cameras that are larger than the older 35mm.Getting Amazon to change these descriptions is difficult so hopefully this review can correct it.
Its hard to gauge exactly how well these work but I do believe they reduce the amount of time the telescope vibrates after you touch it. I typically set my scope up on my concrete driveway where the scope seems very sensitive to any touch. It sometimes took several seconds to settle into place after adjusting focus. With the pads it only takes a second or two to return to rest, so I now use them every time I am setting up my scope on cement.
They really suppressed most vibration I get when trying to adjust the focus, when my telescope is on a concrete surface. Not needed on grass. I'm giving them 4 out 5 stars since I think they should be a little cheaper.
Like others I wasn't sure about how these would actually perform but they make a noticeable difference.  It's not going to blow you away and make your stand rock solid, but it does kill vibrations from people walking around.  Before using these I would setup in my driveway and when someone walked by even 10 feet away it would vibrate at hig magnification, now you have to stomp around right next to it to get even a slight vibration.  Now if I can just kill that wind movement I'll be set.
These pads mostly reduce vibration by increasing the surface area of the tripod feet. They have some sort of dampening material sandwiched between the top and bottom of the pads. It feels overly hard to the touch (but is probably correctly damped when loaded) and the pads seem very expensive for what you get. I would suggest you try making your own first unless you are happy to pay for this product.
These are very nice quality pads for dampening the vibration under your tripod. They also have the benefit of providing soft cushions with nice grip if you store your scope indoors on hardwood floors, etc. The only problem I have with them is that $40 is a lot for a round chunk of plastic.
poor performance does not help much for astrophotography, really not  advised to buy, the price is too high for the benefit that can be obtained with use
I found these in a box I was given along with a few telescopes from a family member. When described to me, I thought they would be a rubbery-foam or something of the sort, but I was surprised at how rigid these surpression pads were. That said, they work WONDERS for vibrations. Obviously, common sense still applies. These will do very little for telescopes on uneven or non-rigid surfaces (think wooden decks). For telescopes on solid ground, however, they will vastly reduce general vibrations!Make sure to gently use your foot to kick your mount's legs out so that they are using the resulting elasticity in the construction to grip inwards. This will greatly improve stability and the efficaciousness  of the surpression pads, by combining the weight of the telescope with the added force.Overall, this is a relatively inexpensive telescope accessory that will bring you heightened viewing pleasure - that makes it a no-brainer for me!
I bought these for astro photography. I haven't seen a huge difference but it helps calm down the vibration after being focused or touched.
On telescopejunkies.com, I asked around what accessories I absolutely needed with my SCT. First, a dewshield (bought the Celestron one, works and looks great); second, these pads. They absolutely work; their effectiveness is amplified if you have the tripod on anything hard (cement, wood, etc.). Well worth the price.
I bought these for use with a Celestron Nexstar 8SE. The work and you can see tht they do. I upgraded the tripod to a much heavier GPS/Ultima tripod and still found the pads useful.I traded up for a CPC925. The tripod weighs almost as much as the entire stock 8SE setup. I thought this was the end for the pads. Then I caught the video astronomy bug and the pads are back. They help to damp very small movements that you do not notice when looking in the eyepiece, but which are visible when processing frames extracted from a video.I highly recommend these pads. You cannot duplicate the effect with furnature glides and silicon calk.
Tried these out on my Advanced VX mount, works great on soft surfaces such as the ground. Not so great on hard surfaces as they tend to slide out of place if you bump into the mount or accidently hit the tripod with your foot knocking the mount out of polar alignment. As I said, great for soft surfaces and keeps the mount from sinking into the ground which keeps the mount level.The bottom surface of the pads are hard plactic, if they were made of a soft material that was flexible they would be great for any surface. I still rate them a 5, even though they could use some improvement.
Have been viewing from an elevated deck and the vibrations were always a problem. I could see my heartbeat in the eyepiece for goodness sake. These mitigated most of these subtle vibrations enough to bring reasonable steadiness to the eyepiece again. They do in deed work as advertised. I realize that an elevated deck 4 stories in the air is asking for a lot but these do indeed help. I recommend them to at least knock the edge off the minor vibrations of just sitting next to the scope. They do not get rid of all the vibrations but noticeably reduce them.
They seemed a bit on the expensive side for what they are (3 little plastic discs), but if they do what they claim, the can save you hundreds of dollars (the cost of a more expensive tripod/mount).Well, in my experience they do what they claim to do. My Celestron 127SLT takes about 5-6 secs to settle after gently tapping it without these pads. With the pads this goes down to 3-4 secs, which is a significant improved and was further reduced to a quite solid 2-3 secs when I put a 15lb disk weight on my tripod tray (if you are curious, adding the weight without the pads had negligible effect).Overall, nice upgrade for shaky tripods! And also try adding some weight if you don't see a big improvement on a very light tripod.
I have a Celestron 130 SLT telescope and have recently tried my hand at astrophotography.  The mount is a little on the light side, so just a slight gust of wind can send it shaking.  I used these suppression pads last night and was shocked by the difference they made.  Now, they won't do much for vibrations caused by adjusting the focus knob, but the wind vibrations are basically eliminated!  They almost feel like a thin hockey puck, but lighter.  The orange ring is a very squishy, soft material.  A little pricey, but these are good quality pads.  My viewing experience was MUCH more enjoyable after using these.  Recommended!
These pads are used to help stabilize your telescope tripod mount (one pad goes under each tripod leg) you wont see much improvement with these when using high power eyepieces and though they do seem to help a bit, when using a higher power eyepiece (9mm or better) just touching the scope will cause it to shake. These do help if you are using a camera to take pictures or video of what you are viewing.
I have a Vixen 103mm refractor on the wooden alt/az tripod. It is a pretty steady tripod but when there is wind and/or I am on extreme magnification it takes a few seconds to stop when I have adjusted the scope. This eliminates it subsecond. Excellent product.
Used them once on asphalt and twice on soggy ground.  The work as advertised, probably need more use to get better aquainted with them, but so far I'd recommend them.
Even if you're not into astrophotography, making an investment in these pads is a wise choice.  You'd be surprised how much vibration people can introduce just by walking up to the telescope to take a look through the eyepiece.  These pads help reduce that problem a lot.
I have a deck that's a bit old and rickety, and while it's still not perfect, these really helped reduce vibration from wind and from walking around. On concrete, these do even more than you'd expect to keep those nearby trampling footsteps from wobbling your scope. I take them with my scope everywhere I go, and I wouldn't set it up without them. I don't know if the cheaper versions are any good, but these do the job perfectly. Well worth the one time cost.
I've used the telescope about 1.5 years without the pads on both dirt and concrete.  I finally bought these new for about $30 at a telescope convention.  These do an outstanding job of dampening movement.  Before I got these, to focus an object, I would twist the focus knob a tiny bit, then leave my hand off for about 5 seconds for the scope to settle.  With these, it takes 1/5 the time for complete stabilization.  If I'm careful enough, I can even keep focusing with barely any shake.My setup also adds additional weight to the telescope from the tripod spreader plate.  I hang the Goal0 ESCAPE Scout 150 Battery Power Pack, 150 Watt-hour, 110V, which weights about 15LBS from there with a bungee cord.  The added weight, the bungee dampening, and the pads make a tremendous differences.The 2nd benefit are tripod feet that are clean.  I store my telescope indoors on carpet and having the feet sit on the pads keep them from getting dirty.  The pads go back in their own box, and is stored in my accessory case.
You'd think these small pucks couldn't make much difference, but they really do.  Definitely reduces vibrations at the eyepiece.  Worth the money.
Noticeable difference when I am using the scope on any non-earth surface, like a deck, (all the time at home, Best Viewing). Not really intened or required if you are in a park, or parking lot, or other place with the scope tripod firmly planted on mother earth.
They really don't help that much unless you have a pretty heavy telescope. Most of the giggling I had was where my OTA attached to the mount (I didn't know this until I purchased these) because they did nothing for the problem. I reinforced the inside of the OTA and no more giggles with or without the suppression pads...before you buy take a good hard look elsewhere and save the money.
These pads go under the legs of your mount to isolate your mount from the ground and minimize vibrations.If you bump into your mount, it will still shake! If the wind blows, these help.I image, and these are invaluable. The dark site I shoot from is a semi-hard surface. Put these down while polar aligning and the only vibrations I get are while adjusting the focus by hand. If your images are not as sharp as you'd like - consider vibrations on your mount. These pads are the solution and worth every penny spent!
I bought these to try and combat camcorder vibration caused by loud and deep subwoofer frequencies at some gigs I shoot video for.  Only used once so far at a dance festival where I stood on a double-riser with carpeted wood floor, and indeed lots of loud bass.Although it seemed like the tripod legs on these suppression pads was vibrating as much as the one next to it (which didn't have the pads), we actually didn't notice any of the vibration in the video image?!From that unscientific test, I'm not convinced that these pads made a difference yet.. but the verdict's not out
Purchased these to try and help dampen down the shakes when touching the focuser of my telescope. They help a little but not what I was hoping for. Ultimately I am just going to need a sturdier tripod. Very expensive for what they are.
A simple, but effective product. These pads markedly reduce vibration. They are worth the money. I really like them and would recommend them to anyone
I bought this to reduce vibration on a Celestron CPC1100. It does seem to help some but not as noticeable as you would think. It does help getting the scope level since the pads have a wider base than the tripod legs when placed on soft ground.I sometimes will leave them out when I take the telescope inside so that I can repeat my viewing at the same location the following night (lots of trees in my backyard).
I only have a Celestron 90SLT, so it doesn't weigh that much. We do most of our viewing off of an elevated deck, so these were nice. I believe they did cut down on some of the vibration. I have to wonder if I couldn't have done the same with foam pads, but oh well. The product did what it said it would do, and are well made..
Very well made, and they look nice! I haven't been able to test this set yet, but as soon as I do I will update my review. It is a bit pricey but I guess it will pay off on my TravelScope 70.
These pads are advertised to stop vibration to the telescope. They do not stop vibration at all! Don't waste your money.
I kept reading all the reviews about these pads and I thought it was impossible for these pads to work as claimed. Still, it seemed like a good idea to isolate my telescope's legs from the gravel patio it usually stood on, so I ordered a set.The results were substantial, and amazing. I can now take 10- or 15-second exposures through my telescope with little or no "shimmy" in the pictures. The dampening makes deep space objects especially clear, and lunar photography extremely sharp.For the $30-$40 price range, this is a significant upgrade for your telescope setup with only a minimal outlay.
I make videos of a West African drum class that's held on the 2nd floor of a dance studio.  The heavy drumming causes a lot of floor vibrations that results in image jitter.  My attempt to attenuate the floor vibrations involves layers of cut up mouse pads (foamy material), non-slip drawer liner (thin, white foamy material), and the Celestron pads on top.  I hang a ~2 pound weight from the top of the tripod and turn off the camcorder's image stabilization function.  Together, this produces a sharp image 95% of the time (it can't compensate for nearby dancers).  I can't give the Celestron pads full credit for the improved results, but I'm glad I got them.
I was a little surprised by the size of this book.  Check to make sure it fits in your carry case.The turn-wheel works good, it's on sturdy paper, good maps, but the spiral binding isn't great.
This Sky Map has been around for years.  Mine is falling apart now.  I got a new one for my 7-year old grandson who loves astronomy.  He'll use this for years.  And it will never require batteries!
It's perfect for me - charts list all the stars and objects, charts are large enough so it's easy to see everything, descriptions list named stars and interesting objects for each constellation. Everything is clear, good sturdy paper and it even has movable star finder. Large format, a lot of useful information!
I haven't been able to get the star wheel to &#34;glow in the dark&#34; yet.  The star wheel is good though.
This star chart is printed on glossy, heavy card stock. I purchased this to replace the exact one I've had for about 25 years. The binding was finally giving up. My old one has been left in the dew saturated grass overnight and had frost on it. It is still easily usable, just that the pages are coming apart. I highly recommend this chart for beginners and veteran astronomers alike who want to learn the constellations or use the "star hop" method to locate the numerous galaxies, open and globular star clusters, double stars, and nebulae described within.
This thing gives you tons of info about the stars, star clusters, types of nebula, galaxies and much more. I just wish it would provide more info about the planets.
I bought this book for my husband along with a high powered telescope for our anniversary and needless to say he has been in love with the sky every since. He can find everything he is looking for with out any problems.
I purchased this item two weeks ago.  My thought was that it seemed like a reasonably priced, perfect addition to the "tools" necessary for a budding amateur backyard astronomy hobby (its advertised contents, construction, and "glow-in-the-dark" planisphere).  After closely examining the item for the past ten days, I'm forced to conclude that I was in error, and that you really do get what you pay for.  As Celestron is one of the most reputable names in astronomy, I must confess that I assumed that quality would follow in all products that bear their name.  I have found that this does not hold true in the case of these sky maps.  The major problem with the package is that it is rife with misspellings, letter transpositions, apparent omitted words, and just plain (what we used to call in the old days) "typographical errors."  Additionally, when I compare some of the technical information on the maps (i.e., star magnitudes, astronomical distances, etc.)and accompanying descriptions with other authoritative astronomy sources I have in my possession, I also find numerous apparent errors and discrepances.  When using a product like this, it is essential that one be able to trust the data and information it contains.  Since I'm not able to do this, I must rate this item with one star.  When I purchased the item, it was marked down by twenty percent.  I note that in less that two weeks since my purchase, the price has been further reduced by another thirteen percent.  In this case, don't be fooled (as I was) by an attractive price.  AVOID THIS PRODUCT. (I don't have a substitute to recommend at this time.)
the maps are excellent, bought this for my 10 year od daughter and some of the wording inside is a bit beyond her at this time but she can grow into it
Gift recipient said it was great.  I can't add any more than that.
This is a very nice book that shows you what is in the nights sky...what you are looking at and where to look.
I have not seen the current revision of the Celestron Sky Maps, however I have owned a copy (copyrighted 1972) since the early 1980's.  At the time I purchased it, I was a beginning amateur astronomer.  I found it to be an invaluable tool.  I also purchased a dobsonian telescope (no motors, no computers).  The charts in Celestron Sky Maps were my primary guide for "star-hopping" to find deep-sky objects.  I have found my copy to be accurate and very informative for a beginning astronomer.  Again, I haven't seen an updated version, but I would be very surprised if anything has changed other than updating the planetary position chart.  It would be a shame if the current copy was rewritten allowing typographical and statistical errors to get past the editing process.As far as only being useful for northern latitudes, this is true.  However, I do not see anywhere on this Amazon listing where there is a claim that it covers all latitudes.  In today's global marketplace, concerning a product such as this, that information is practically essential to the buyer.I would also recommend, "Universe Guide to Stars and Planets" by Wil Tirion.  That hardcover book covers all constellations and has sky charts for both the northern and southern hemisphere.  The maps and charts are smaller than those in the Celestron Sky Maps, but it has also served me very well as an excellent guide.
As a professional photographer I don't rely on pocket cameras to do my more ambitious photography, but I do like to have a pocket camera handy with me all the time so I can take advantage of those photo opportunities that arise when I don't have my larger, heavier gear with me.  For the past 5 years, I've been using a Fuji 6800Z to fill this role and I was generally pleased with it.  There were a few drawbacks (noise in low light, lack of any manual functions, sometimes felt awkward in my hand, didn't like the menu system), but generally I'd say it surved my pocket camera needs well for five years before finally dying (camera function died).  I kept using the camera's voice recording mode (Over 2  hours in wav files {1 hour max each} on 64mb card) for several more months before I decided it was time to replace the whole unit with a new pocket cam and possible new voice recorder.I had decided I didn't want to spend more than $150 on a pocket camera and was QUITE surprised to stumble on the Fuji F601 in a national camera store near where I lived.  Originally priced at $500 (and I've seen them on line for as much as $700), the camera I got had been marked down to $105, new in the original box.  Once I'd determined that the body was metal and it shot 3 or more megapixels, I decided to go ahead, assuming the features would be similar to or less than what I'd had in the 6800 as that model had cost around $800 when I purchased it in 2001.Well, when I got the camera home, I was VERY surprised to find that this unit had MORE features than my 6800, MOST of which were things I had sorely missed in the 6800.  And the things that the 6800 had that the 601 doesn't were things I never used (file locking, etc.).  Allow me to enumerate:LENS - both have f8.3-24.9mm 3x zoom lens, but 601 allows use of 2.8 aperture throughout zoom range where 6800 didn't.APERTURE - both 2.8 to 8.0, but see above.ISO - 6800> 100,200,400  601> 160,200,400 (all sizes) 800,1600 (1 Megapixel only)MENU - I prefer the 601's style menu a lot, but not all do.OPERATING MODES - To the modes the 6800 had, the 601 adds Fully Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program.  For creative photographers, this is a HUGE plus, giving us the ability to select the shutter speed, aperture size or both when our shooting goals demand it.FOCUS - The 6800 had a fixed focus pointer while in some modes the 601's focus pointer can be moved.BODY - Smaller, and yet, somehow, even with largish man's hands, this model is EASIER to hold than the 6800.VOICE RECORDER - The 6800 allowed for long recordings of voice only with a max file size of 1 hour.  The 601 removes this limit, allowing recording of the full capacity of the memory card in one file.  More convenient for those of us who do a lot of this.  Sound quality was about the same as the 6800, which, while not great, was more than adequate for my needs.In all other respects, the 601 seems to be as good as or better than the 6800.SHOOTING RESULTS - When I began taking pictures with it (3mp mode, I never both with the 6mp mode) I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 601 takes better pictures with less noise and truer colors.  I'm delighted with the output from this camera.  And for $105, I'm just AMAZED at what I have for such a small price.USB CONNECTION - I didn't bother with the docking station as I'm very mobile and the docking station is just one more thing to lug around.  I find the USB cable works fine with no problems whatsoever (physical or operational) on my Windows XP Pro laptop or my girlfriend's XP Home Edition desk top.  I've read that some people had trouble with this and I'm not sure why.  I can only think perhaps they forgot to install the drivers for the camera or the drivers got corrupted, as I had NO issues at all downloading images to either of our XP machines.BATTERY - as with the 6800, the 601 comes with a Lithium Ion battery ... charges quickly and lasts long.WRISTS STRAP - The strap on the 6800 was a rubberized thing that never felt quite big enough or quite right in my grip.  The 601's strap is a sturdy fabric strap that feels better and fits my wrists size better.I invite anyone who is considering purchasing this camera to e-mail me with questions as I just love it and would enjoy discussing it.
As a media teacher in a prep school, I've handled many digital and 35mm cameras in my day, but after only a week with this one, the others have gone into storage.  This camera takes excellent, print-quality 8x10 pictures with a minuimum of fuss in automatic setting, toggles easily and intuitively between picture taking and archived picture viewing, and interfaces cleanly with my PC laptop without the extra-cost Fuji 601 cradle.  4x zoom is clear, and defaults of either 1 or 3 megapixel fine-quality pictures easily rival true analog photography for clarity and color.I don't recommend using the 6-megapixel "dithered" settings, as the color and pixel dithering is visible at standard photo sizes.  I HIGHLY recommend getting a 128M storage card, though; you can only store 5 3 megapixel fine-quality images on the 16meg card that comes with the camera.Settings are easily changed and accessed, and include grids and focus variations for assistance with framing the best shot.  More advanced manual features are conparatively thorough.  Accompanying software is easy to install and integrates well with the PC operating system without interfering with default user settings (as so often can be the case!).  Images are stored in easy-to-use jpeg format.A vertical camera where most traditional models are longer-than-wide, its physical design takes a few seconds to get used to, but once one overcomes the tendency to block lens and/or flash sensor, holding the camera becomes is a light, comfortable, and ergonomically sound experience.  The battery lasts a long time (about 150 pix) but takes up little space or weight.The camera does take limited video, but this isn't designed to be a video camera or even much of a hybrid -- it saves in .avi, which is useful, but can't store more than a few minutes even on the 128meg card.  As an added bonus, though, audio functions abound.  The traditional voice-recorded .wav funtion seems both useful and something I will actually USE; even better, the 601 has a very cool setting which allows you to append a 30 second voice "tag" to every picture you take, making the old-school photographers logbook a thing of the past, and allowing you to archive data about one shot while framing the next.A gift from family on the eve of our first child's arrival, the F601 leads the pack, leaving me confident that we won't miss a shot in crowded and possible darkened birthing-room conditions.  What better recommendation could one want?
There are many things that really make this camera worth buying.  These are a few that sold me:1) Form factor - The 601 has got a really nice upright shape that lends itself to smaller hands.2) Controls - The basic point-and-shoot controls are very easy to manipulate.  Switching between Movie, Auto Control, and Manual Control is a cinch and zooming and focusing is a breeze.3) Picture quality - The pictures that are produced are almost always true to life.  Even at 1 megapixel normal mode, the pictures are sharp and clear.But since I bought it, there have been a few niggling inconsistencies and drawbacks that take the sheen off the thing.1) No picture stabilization - If you have jittery hands, you will end up with lots of fuzzy pictures.2) A bug in the lens retraction system causes my camera to not stow the zoom lens when I turn it off.3) Complicated menus - Once you decide to leave the familiar point-and-shoot environment and start fiddling with apertures and f stops, the menus become very complicated.4) FinePix software - If you can avoid it, just don't install it.  It is slow and heavy.  I suggest getting another imaging suite like Photoshop Elements or Macromedia Fireworks or Jasc PaintShop Pro.5) Short battery life - At 1 megapixel normal mode, it is almost impossible to fill up a 128Meg SmartMedia card.  The battery in this case lasts about 3 hours.  This annoyance is offset by the fact that 128M is enough to fit about 400 pictures.  I ran out of battery the other day, which is why I bring this up.  If you are used to shooting 30-40 shots a day, then there is plenty of battery.Still, it is a cool little camera that takes really good pictures and is small enough to take with you on your next outing.  The price is a little high and you would do yourself right to compare this to other cameras in its range.  The form factor may look cool now, but you should try it out before buying, some people really don't like the shape.
...  I owned a FinePix6800 for over two years, although I have sold the unit, and replaced it with a Canon PowerShot S400 for reasons of preference, not dissatisfaction. The 6800 served me well, and is now servicing a friend who bought it from me.  Although I have never used the F601 but have saw it. The unit is slightly smaller than the 6800. Both cameras use the same SCCD which interpolates 3MP to 6MP, however the F601 probably has an improved version of this CCD.  The problem with the interpolation is it does cause digital noise, especially on night shots with slower shutter speeds.  This is due to the heat that the CCD generates, so mostly I shot in 3MP mode. The noise generated does not [ruin] the shot, but it is noticable.  Shooting day time shots, the noise is less apparent if non-existant. As for the zoom feature, like all digital cameras, don't use digital zoom if possible, stick with optical as the shot tend to get grainey.  Now if I understand correctly, and the other reviews are accurate, the F601 doesn't come with a docking cradle, the 6800 did.  This is a convenience that is needed.  Check on this before making the purchase. Other considerations would be with the F601 itself.  The 6800 came with a Mini Movie Mode of 160 seconds, the F601 can only do 66 seconds.  The 6800 came with a 2" LCD the F601 has a 1.5" perhaps this is to decrease power consumption, but why the shortened movie times??  I also noticed that the settings knob has been placed at an angle on top of the camera the 6800 has it placed on the upper front in a vertical position next to the shutter button.  This allows for easier manipulation of the settings, but this may just be a preference of mine, as I can see the LCD at the same time.  Before you buy, check both cameras out, and for those of you who are buying a digital for the first time, both the 6800 & F601 will take some getting used to due to the vertical design. Overall these are nice cameras, but in no way should they be considered pocket cameras, due to the weight of the units.  Buy a nice padded case like the ones made by Lowepro or Tamrac Digital Series, and attach it to your belt or use the shoulder strap.  One waist high drop on concrete, and you can say Aloha to your brand new camera.PS  The 4 star rating is due to reduction of the movie mode, and smaller LCD screen.  If the unit doesn't come with a docking cradle out of the box it's a 3.  I don't understand why less would be an improvement, except in costs. And because of the falling prices of digitals, I paid [dollar amount] for the 6800 in 2000, for [dollar amount] MSRP, you should get at least what I got in 2003 if not more!
After starting with a 1300 - I lucked out and found this camera on another web site - I got the camera AND the charger at an amazing price.  It also came with an extra memory card.  I love the size - the upright design takes a little getting used to - but I'm getting there.  Photos are clear and crisp, the menu is easy to use and figure out. Options abound, and I just don't think I'll ever buy another brand of digital camera.  Fuji gets high marks from me for several reasons.  Most importantly - they use readily available smart cards - and they stay with them.  I can use all my old accessories from my starter cam - the finepix 1300 - which saves a bundle in the long run.  I am glad that the battery is lithium - I have heard that it lasts even longer than previous fuji batteries - and I bought a spare on ebay rather cheaply - as a backup.  I've only had it a week and I can't say enough about it.  I look forward to using it until it's time to upgrade to my third fuji.
I don't understand why there's some people complaining about the quality of this camera.... This is a 2MP camera!! People cannot expect the picture quality of a 3, 4 or 5MP camera.  I have been using this camera for 3 years already and it's working just fine... The only problem that I had with it, was that the flash stop working one day, and when I called Sony they help me over the phone, and the camera was fixed in the spot... And the Customer Service at Sony was great too....It's pretty easy to use, even for people that have never used a digital camera before.I read that somebody said that he's not gonna buy Sony anymore, well too bad for him.... I love Sony so much that I have almost everything Sony, and the best part is that I can put my camera memory stick in the Sony TV and in my Sony laptop and I can view the pictures, without using any cables.... That is just amazing!!!If you want to have a camera for everyday pictures and for printing small pictures this is your camera.  I have even printed 8 x 10 pictures and they look pretty good.The only reason that I'm giving a 3 stars it's just because I prefer a camera with more mega pixels.... But, if we're talking about 2mp cameras: this is a 5 Stars!!!!
This camera is excellent.  I got it in January of 2003 and haven't stopped using it yet.  It works great both outdoors and indoors, and it's loaded with special options.  One of the best features on the camera is the high powered flash.  It takes the best low-light pictures I've ever seen.  I use the cybershot nickel AA batteries in my camera and took 70 flash pictures without needing to change the batteries!  This is the perfect camera for anyone who is a casual photographer like myself.Pros:Easy to UseBattery Life!!!Plenty of OptionsExcellent Quality Low-Light PicturesEasy Camera -> Computer InterfaceCons:The "ok" button can be tricky to push at times.(really nit-picking but I had to find something wrong.)
I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA AT BEST BUY IN BROOKLYN NY. I NEVER HAD ONE SINGLE PROBLEM WITH IT YET. I DO NOT KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE COMPLANING ABOUT A BLACK SCREEN? I NEVER SEEN OR HEARD ABOUT IT TILL I READ THE REVIEWS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAMERA SINCE DECEMBER OF 2002. GREAT PICS. YOU SEE RESULTS WITHIN SECONDS ON THE LCD SCREEN. I HAVE UPLOADED SO MAY PICS. FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, CONFIRMATIONS, ETC....ONE REVIEW SAID, HE DID NOT WANT TO BUY SONY PRODUCTS ANYMORE? I HAVE MOST EVERY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FROM BOOMBOXES TO A 32 INCH STEREO TV. I WOULD NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING A SONY PRODUCT. I AM ALSO THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEWER VERSION OF A SONY CYBERSHOT, MAYBE A SMALLER VERSION. THANK YOU. I HOPE THIS HELPS
I bout this camera about 6 months ago and I am very please with it.  It takes amazing pictures even if it is only a 2 mega pixel camera.  The interface is easy to learn and understand as apposed some of the other cameras that I tried out before buying the DSC-P51.  The screen is nice is large enough to allow for easy viewing of the pictures you have just taken.  Also what I found nice was that the cam came with rechargeable batteries, so you can take all the pictures you want without having to buy new batteries.  Overall a great camera, I would highly recommend it.
i had this camera for about 15 months...and everything worked great...pictures came out sharp and vividthen the black screen LCD issue came about...and it looks like i'm not the only one...and i thought this camera was doomed until i realized a simple solution.i was extremely panicked the day this problem arose...since i was taking pictures at an important event...so in my panic i gave the camera a hit with my hand...and by some miracle the LCD came back on and i was taking pictures again!so as another reviewer has said...hitting the camera WILL and CAN fix the problem...so you do not have to ship into to Sony.  BUT here is exactly what i did in hitting the camera: hold the camera in front of you with your right hand with the LCD facing you...then with your left hand free, take your left open palm and slam it against the left side of the camera...repeat as neccessary until the screen comes back on (you must be very FIRM when you hit it...but pain is not necessary)so a couple days went by and everytime i turned on the camera the screen would start black...and then when i firmly hit it...the screen came back on...but then a week later i turned it on the screen came on with the camera and i haven't had a problem since!!!i would give this camera 5 stars without problems...and i would have given it like 2 stars if this problem persisted...but since i was able to fix it and i am happily snapping pictures with no problems...i can give it 4.
Ok, I thought it was just my luck that I had gotten a bad camera. I will say, that for 2 years, this camera took incredible pictures and I used it on almost a daily basis. However, about 4 months ago I have also been defeated by the infamous "black screen". After doing searches online just to make sure it wasn't one of my settings messed up, I found this review on here. I'm adding my $0.02 in. I will try pounding the crap out of my camera since that seems to work for a short period of time and at this point, it's not working anyway so I can't possibly break it more. One of my friends and my brother have had HP Digital Cameras for a while now and have no problems. The picture quality is good too. I have a feeling that will be my next purchase unless I stop with the electronics stuff and go to good ol' Kodak!
This was my second digital camera I've ever used.  My first was a Samsung SDC-80, which was a bit of a disspointment, yet there were still some good uses for if used correctly.  Almost the same applies to the DSC-P51 in my opinion. The first 10 shots I took appeared fuzzy, mainly because I couldn't feel the "half-clicks" as there are in most other Point-and-Shoot cameras. Later, I found out where the "half-click" point was, and from then on, I got amazingly good focus.The twilight mode is ok. It requires a second or two's worth of time to acquire and capture the images though, so you better have a tripod or really steady hands if you don't want blurry pictures.  The camera seems excessively sensitive to light sources than most other cameras I've used, and the entire picture will go dark if there's any "sunny spot" or other bright spots on the picture.  In general, if done right, you get perfect pictures.  If there's a slight error, you might end up with a dark or blurry picture.The worst thing about the camera is the JPEG compression.  Of course I don't expect it to save in TIFF or uncompressed mode (1600x1200x24bit = 5.49MB/shot) on ... Memory Sticks, but none of the pictures look "picture perfect" at 100% view due to the artifacts from JPEG compression.  Hence why I have to either resize my pictures to 1024x768 or crop to 1500x1200 and reduce to 1280x1024 for my 17" monitor.  A pain that I will always have to put up with, but ok for those who just want to print on photo media.All that aside, this is a really good 2MP camera for the price it goes for. It's loaded with features that I haven't even gotten around to using yet, and with 3 hours of battery time, I'm loving it.  I'd recommend the camera to anyone who is a veteran of digital photography and know how digital cameras work.  Even if you're not, it's an ok camera to start out with, but don't expect to get good pictures first try - takes a lot of practice.  But after you get the hang of it, the camera is definitely worth the money.
I bought this camera about 2 years ago and within 12 months, I had to send it back to Best Buy for repair because the LED screen went black constantly.  Thankfully, it was still under warranty at the time.  Well, another 12 months passed by and the screen does the same exact thing.  If I don't use the flash, it works fine.  If I turn the flash on, the screen goes black and I have to whack the camera to get it to function again.  Sony will fix it -- for $100.  No thanks.  I've written my letter of complaint to Sony and vow never to buy their crappy products again.
I had my camera for nearly two years until...the LCD screen went black. It worked great during those two years. I took it on tons of trips and got many compliments on the sharp quality of my photos. But it appears that Sony does not make cameras that are built to last, as many other people have had the black LCD screen problem with this camera. I spent nearly $300 on this camera and I was expecting to get at least five years of careful usage out of it. I would not recommend buying this camera, as nearly 90% of the reviewers have had the same problem that I've had. I'm looking for a new camera and I WILL NOT be buying another Sony.
Overall pleased with the simplicity and versatility of this camera.  Photo quality is very good at this price level.  However, I would rate the reliabilty of this camera very low.  My camera was handled with kid gloves, but the camera lens failed to open automatically when in camera or mpeg mode, only after a few months usage.  Error message appeared on screen directing me to "turn the camera off and back on again".  This advice did not work, even after trying a soft reload. Apparantly the microprocessors in this camera are of very poor reliability, ...  Sony should repair this malfanction free of charge, especially for those that registered their product.
I got this camera a little less than two years ago, and generally, it's served me pretty well.  However, about a year ago, I too began experiencing the seemingly notorious "black screen" problem.  When it first happened, I was completely confused as to why it was going on--I certainly hadn't been careless with this camera, hadn't dropped it or anything.  In a panic (like a lot of other reviewers here, I'm finding), I gave the camera a couple of taps.  Lo & behold, the LCD screen came back on...but you know, it's never been the same since.  The black screen thing still happens all the time.  The picture quality has gotten grainier, it seems, and the camera's never been quite as able to focus like it used to.  I've been disappointed with the picture quality since that time.So...while the camera was still working properly, I felt that it was working well.  However, judging by all the reviews here, there are some glitches in the camera's design that probably make it obsolete compared to some of the newer models available now.  It does make me a bit hesitant to buy another Sony camera, although I do find their cameras to be some of the more user-friendly models on the market at this time.
I Just got this camera as I'm now stepping into the digital world. I did some research and this camera has some of the best features you can get for under $300. The 2.0 MP is nice even though I never need that high a resolution. The 2x optical, 3x digital is what seperates this camera from p31 but the extra 50 bucks is worth the extra zoom. Very easy navigational menu.Very compact camera. The only 2 things I wish the camera had are:1) capable of recording mpeg audio and 2) bigger LCD screen.To get these features you would need to spend another $150 for the Mavica and I can't afford it.W/ the 16 mb memory stick, i can take 200 pictures before i go to my computer. Also, SOny is having a deal where you get $20 off sonystyle.com if you purchase this camera so i got another 16 mb stick for $5 in case i need a backup.Overall, Great deal. If you can afford it, get a Mavica cd or floppy camera but if you don't need the extra features i mentioned, this camera is for you.
This camera is truly amazing!  I'd been using it for weeks, taking hundreds of amazing quality images before I even knew it had so many advanced features.  That's one of the things that makes this camera so great...  It's so easy to use out of the box.  The advanced features never get in your way like they do with other cameras.  When you want them, however, they are really very cool.My favorite feature I've found so far is the low-light outdoor portrait.  My friends and I took a trip to DC a couple years ago, and took some pictures in front of different attractions at twighlight with a film-based camera. When we got them developed, all you could see was us... there wasn't enough light for the camera to caputre the background.  With the Sony, however, that's a thing of the past!  Simply put the camera on a solid object or tripod, and turn on low-light portrait mode (very easy to do).  The flash on the camera goes off twice really fast,and then continues capturing in low light mode.  What it  does is uses the first flash to find what is close enough to get with the flash, the second flash captures that image, and then the lens stays open for up to two seconds longer capturing the low light background!  The pictures taken in this mode at twighlight look amazing!  Everything is nice and sharp... beautiful.Another great feature is the ability to use the camera's zoom controls to zoom in on pictures you've already taken when viewing them on the LCD.  Reviewing your pictures is great, but it's hard to tell if someone has their eyes closed in a shot, etc. when you're viewing on a 2" screen.  Well, with this camera, you can zoom right into their face to see.  Very useful!This doesn't even begin to describe what this camera can do...  excellent quality, perfect color - truly the best digital camera I've ever owned.
I purchased this camera in November 2002. For almost 2 years it functioned perfectly, then about 6 weeks ago, I suddenly had a black screen. It is now in for repair for the black screen problem for the third time in 6 weeks. Fortunately, I purchased a 4 year extended warranty policy, and it hasn't cost me for the attempted repairs. I didn't know the problem could be corrected by whacking the camera! However, under the extended warranty no lemon policy, after this 3rd attempt to fix the problem, I will be able to get a full purchase price credit towards a new camera of my choice. (Thanks Best Buy). I will stick with the Sony because I have the extra memory sticks, but I will definately buy the extended warranty again.
I recently bought a complete computer system, and also a digital camera to try it out.  I had heard that digital cameras are so versatile and easy to use...no more fumbling with film at crucial moments.  The main feature that attracted me to this particular camera was the fact that you can record a 5 min video (without sound of course) on here.  The video will be able to be displayed at about 3/4 the size of the computer screen when you play it back.  You can change that feature to be about 50 something minutes at a pretty small size on playback.  I was thrilled with this prospect as I would be able to record my best friend walking down the aisle at her wedding...priceless.  So far I have found this camera VERY easy to use and the features are great.  You can opt for black and white prints, sepia, or even reverse black and white (which is basically like a negative).  The pictures are incredibly crisp when you view them on you computer and when you print them.  You can also choose to turn off the LCD screen on the camera to save A LOT of battery life and just use the view finder.  Overall, this is a WONDERFUL compact, versatile camera for anyone looking to get into the digital age.
There are too many digital cameras available today. Overall this is an excellent machine. I does have a lot of options for operation so you should get familiar with the manual to understand and being able to use its capabilities (nevertheless you can always select "auto" for most options). Optics are very good, I use to have a Sony Mavica and I bought this Sony cybershot a few months ago and I must say I am quite happy with it.
Pictures are very noisy(grainy) and colors are inaccurate.  Many fine textures and details such as woodgrain are almost completely lost.  Lowering ISO settings help reduce the noise, but it is still there.  Software bundle is pathetic.  It's pretty much just a driver.  Upsides are that the camera is easy to learn and use, it has an AF-assist lamp, it's not locked in Auto like some other cameras, and good rechargable AA's and a so-so charger is included in the box(some sony cams leave this out).  Addressing the person who complained that the camera flashes several times before the shot is taken, THAT IS WHAT REDEYE REDUCTION DOES!  Those flashes shrink your pupils which is one of the common ways that redeye is reduced.  If you don't like it, then turn it off, it doesn't get simpler than that.  Never had a problem with the screen going blank.  This was one of the first digital cameras that I used and I took about 400 pictures with it - I wish all those shots I took with it were taken with a traditional 35mm camera instead, as the results would have been much better.
First off, I'd like to say that I've had this little camera for three years now. I'm now doing the research to buy a new one with higher MP, but this one is still going strong.If you're the type of person who just wants a point-and-shoot digital camera, this one will be pretty good for you. It only has 2 megapixels, but the extra features are pretty handy. You have Black & White mode, Sepia mode, Negative mode, and Solarize mode. It takes little mpeg movies (without sound) and you CAN zoom in and out while recording video- I've heard of cameras where you can't do that. It takes pretty good pictures with good battery life (I love the fact that it came with rechargeable batteries AND you can use AA's) and I've loved using this camera.Now onto the cons. If you use AA batteries, it will eat them up. Your best bet is to use the rechargeables. If you use the digital zoom, the pictures become more blurred, but that happens on all digicams. It takes a while to start-up, but the thing that bugged me most was the time it took to turn the flash on. If you're low on battery life and you press the flash button, prepare to wait a little while. It also takes a while to take a picture if you use the flash as well. The flash function on this camera is poor.I didn't have any problems with this until the past few months, but what did I expect? It's lasted three years already! I began to experience the "black screen" problem and just recently, it began flickering as well. But what do I do when that happens? I take out the batteries and put them back in again, but if that doesn't work, I just drop it on a (carpeted) floor and voila! The impact seems to make it work again.Again, you get what you pay for, plus a little more. If you're going to buy a digital camera and have the money to burn, I would suggest investing in a newer model. But if not, you have yourself a fine little camera right here.
This digital camera for the price is one of the better digital cameras on the market. The clarity is remarkable, and the user friendly usb port downloading is great! I have only bought sony since I have heard of bad reports from other brands, I was sold from the first images that I viewed.
In short, if you are looking for a well made, reliable digital camera that does not cost too much for the basic needs you are looking for in a camera, this is a great camera to look into getting.  Like most people, I didn't need the [amount] mega model camera because my needs are very basic.  I wanted something that i could take basic pictures, and that had the basic digital camera advantages like being able to view pictures after they are taken and delete any that are just wasted space.  Sony has a great system and if you happen to have a sony desktop, this camera is even more for you due to the added ease of transfering pictures. This camera covers all the basics everyone wants from a digital camera and also has some advanced features.  The quality is good and the product is well made.  Sony is a name people have learned to trust and the DSC-P51 is no exception.
I also had this battery come with the docking station and when I went to charge it, the green lights would come on for about 5-10 seconds and go off.  Battery was never used so you figure out if it's worth the money??
I purchased THREE battery packs and not one of them lasts as long as they should. I get a maximum of about 45 minutes between the three of them. I always get stuck at functions with way fewer pictures than I would like. I'm not sure what to recommend in place of the battery pack but I'm looking for something rechargeable. . .that works! This product really does not work and was a complete waste of my money. I hate to give bad ratings but this one is not even worth the one star I gave it.
Our old DX6440's battery pack wouldn't take a charge, so I took the pack apart, replaced the cells with Duracell 2650mah cells by hot-glueing them onto the center plastic piece.  Bingo, a much better battery pack.Then, just to see, I did a quick charge of the old cells just to get some voltage in them and stuck them in my Lacrosse charger for a refresh.  The last cycle they showed ~1860-1870mah, much better.The only thing to really watch is to make sure you glue the pack back together with the batteries positioned properly so the plastic tab hits the switch inside the battery compartment to identify it's a rechargeable pack, then the docks will recharge them.
This battery is got to cause more frustration than anything.  IMPORTANT to find a battery that will be good for the day not just for less than 40 pictures, thats if your taking them in a row.  Shop around for something better if you want to live a little longer.
I have been using the same set of Kodak rechargable batteries with my kodak camera and camera dock for 2 years without any problems. I take at least 20-30 pictures a day on a single charge and have never had the batteries die even upto 40 pics with flash. I do this 5 days a week on my kodak digital (Job Related/Real Estate Appraiser) and these batteries have held their charge and quickly recharge upon placing the camera in the dock. I highly recommend these batteries without hesitation.
Got the battery with the docking station. I only got three pictures before it went low. I have had no luck with it keeping a charge past one picture since.
I am disappointed in kodak for making multiple versions of the KAA2HR.  They really need to create new part numbers or a "dash number" for various mAh ratings. Each battery is a different size and won't fit into all chargers. I first purchased the Radio Shack copies and found they wouldn't fit in my charger.  Now I find Kodak makes batteries that don't fit in the Kodak charger either.All I can say is Kodak is a mess with their batteries, chargers and part numbers.  The Kodak brandname now has negative value to me.  Stay away and buy good generic AAs.
I have used two (2) cassettes from this pack.  The first, I have replayed over and over and over again for over a year.  It still plays very well, even after being left in the glove box of my car (not recommended, lol).The other one came unravelled right after I finished recording, so I was never able to listen to it.  Looks like I'm 50/50 on this one, but I do plan to use the rest of the tapes in the pack.
Work well. Have used this product before and it is consistent. Have had no problems; good quality voice reproduction. It has my recommendation
these are a nice size little recording tape for audio recordings. They will work well in any machine. They are designed for
With all of the new technology out today, it's nice that I am still able to use my micro cassette player. I like recording affirmations, therapy sessions & use them to dictate & record ideas & lists while I am driving.  Again, I am grateful that these are still available.  You can record on a slower speed to have more time on these tapes. The audio comes out clear, even after years of playing them. They come individual in a plastic case to protect tapes. You can also label them. They record great and are little jams, so really are worth the price.
Ordered for my boss with the voice recorder. He appears to be happy, if he wasn't I would have heard by now.
These items were purchased to be used in the Sony tape recorder also purchased from Amazon. They were used by our board secretary to record minutes from board meetings.
This was what we needed, at a good price, in the original packaging and just as listed on Amazon.  We would order again, if needed.
Bad quality. I use a mircocassette recorder. These tapes have such bad quality, I am unable to use them and get consistent sound playback. The sound dips and raises to a point, that on the dips, I can't hear whats being said. Stay away from these. I don't know if it's because they were inexpensive but my Memorex weren't like this and they were pretty cheap too. I will not buy this brand again.
Look, I know this isn't the most interesting product in the world.  But I bought a pack of these almost 2 years ago and they're all still working just fine.  I bought more only because my assistant hoards them.  If you're looking for a tape that just keeps on working despite frequent use, this ought to work just fine.
These work as designed.  Tapes are getting obsolete, but they work for my purposes.  You can record over and over on the same tape.  I don't need them for music or anything like that.
I rather chuckled as I leave a review.  All I can say as far as tape cassettes go this is a fine product and there is no static when taping.
I really needed this, glad they are still available.  I really dislike the new digital recorders.  Thanks for having them still available.
These tapes worked very well. Very good sound quality when recording a hearing as well as with music and sounds in the background. Everything from seller was good. The prices for any of these tapes are steep these days and hard to find but we were pleased. Delivery cost a little pricy but everything was on time. Will use again.
I use these frequently for notes, memos and reminders. Handy while driving. Prefer the cassettes over digital as I can hand over a tape to be edited and typed while still using the recorder, Only complaint is the lack of a large compartment to hold multiple tapes, if needed.
Without exception, this is the WORST PRODUCT I have ever purchased on Amazon. My wife needed these tapes to record an important meeting and the need was so urgent I had them shipped overnight to her hotel for the meeting the next day. After that considerable expense, the tapes were no good. The first one out of the package had a loose end that had come off the reel. I was able to use a small piece of clear tape to re-attach it to the spindle.When she returned home and tried to transcribe the tapes, we found that they were full of drop-outs and sounded like you were rotating the microphone while recording. Her previous tapes were another brand and they worked fine so we know that the recorder is fine. The minimum allowed rating is one star or I would have given it a zero!Caveat emptor
Buying these ones was a waste of my money.The recording ribbon keeps breaking while rewinding or FF (4 out of the 6 ".They wind up in the trash can.I gave 1 star because there is no " 0 ".John Galea.
Great for extending the life of a still useful device in real world everyday usefulness .  What a lifesaver  for a surprisingly still useful device, cannot believe how hard to find they where to find on the street.
Arrived quickly.  Came as it was described.  We were afraid these would not fit our little machine, but they were great.
Exactly what was needed for the microcassette recorder used by the Psychiatrist at work.  Now no more gobbled tapes. The transcriptionist will be very happy!
These are the only recording tapes that we use in the office....they work great my husband won't use any other kind.
Quality - excellent.  I use them for any number of things to record.  And I highly recommend them.  Get some!
Very Reliable & Durable.Reuse as many times as you wish.Great for recording Lectures & using in Answering Machines to record important Telephone Conversations.
This recording device is terrific.  I got a great recording while it was in my pocket.  My husband was not thrilled since I was recording him yelling at me.  Oh well.  Maybe that will teach him!
have not used them yet but they are what I needed, blah, blah , blah blah blah, blah, blah, blah
I just love this great camera from Sony.  The Mavica MVC-CD400 was a great buy for me a couple of years ago, although a 4 megapixel camera doesn't cost quite this much anymore.  I spent 600 dollars for the camera at Best Buy, getting a deal because it was an open item.The MVC-CD400 is extremely user friendly in all modes of operation (still picture, movie, or review).  In my two years of taking pictures with this camera, I have only used the fully automatic still picture mode and the simple movie mode.  I've yet to have a bad shot.  Part of what makes shooting pictures with this camera so easy is the fact that it has the large viewing window to let the user see just about exactly what the picture will look like.This camera has a fairly quick auto-focus feature that is highly reliable except in extreme low-light conditions, and even then it can usually compensate for the lack of light by using the built-in diamond pattern lamp used for helping the camera focus.  Where this tool starts to fail is for objects more than six feet away, depending on lighting.Although the camera has a note that it displays on power-up any time it detects a non-Sony Mavica CD installed in the storage bay, I've never had any problem using other discs.  Typically I use the Memorex 210 MB CD-R's.With these discs, I can store 95 pictures at the highest JPEG resolution, or 954 pictures at the lowest resolution.  For the movie mode, the same disc will yield 8 minutes and 31 seconds at the highest resolution (which isn't that great at 320 HQX) or 100 minutes at 160 by 112 resolution, which is actually pretty crappy video.  But if you want a camcorder, this is not the toy for you.The camera can also store images in TIFF format, but be prepared to wait a while for the images to save to the disc, and to change the discs often.  Only 13 images will fit on a 210 MB disc in this format.  For anyone who isn't interested in professionally working with their photos, the JPEG format is fine.  I've printed out many of those prints at 8x10 with remarkable detail.Some of the extra features of this camera include the photo effects, such as black and white or negative (can't quite figure out what I might want to do with that one, but it's there nonetheless) and a red-eye reduction flash.  The red-eye reduction takes a little bit more work than I would like to turn on and off (rotating the selector knob to "SET UP" and navigating a couple of options then back again), but it isn't that much of a pain and can be done in about 5 seconds.  Also the user can select a "confirm before write" option, to avoid wasting space on the disc for those who have a habit of taking a picture with their thumb over the lens or something.Another feature of the camera is to stamp the image with a date/time stamp.  I don't know why anyone would really want to do this, since the time and date are also imbedded in the file (along with other data such as ISO speed, focal length, flash, and exposure time) and can be retrieved by loading the disc into a computer CD-ROM drive.Battery life is usually quite good.  I can typically use mine for an entire event (football game, wedding, etc.) without worrying about the battery, although the internal monitor might be telling me that it's low toward the end if I've been doing a lot of reviewing.One of the drawbacks I've read in another review of this product is that sometimes using the camera to review the images stored on the disc can be painfully slow.  While it is slower than using a memory stick model, it isn't that bad.  Add the advantage of accessing all of the images very quickly using a PC (even before the disc is finalized by the camera) and the usefulness of this method becomes clear.  Transfers from a CD are substantially faster than transfers via USB or Firewire.I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel now which I use most of the time and love, but I'm not getting rid of this great little Sony.  Partly because my girlfriend loves it and it's kind of her camera now (she's laid claim to it), but also because it is still so useful and so good that I see no reason to.
This camera has a wonderful feature set and a SOLID form factor.  I love its weight and the way it fits my hand.  The software offers all the features that an amateur or intermediate photographer needs as well.  All in all a wonderful device.  In fact, this one was purchased to replace the exact same model.  I've had it for years and the charging port finally gave out on me so now I use this one to charge both battery packs and I have two great cameras ready to go whenever I am.
Having upgraded from the Sony Mavica FD73, the CD400 was quite a jump!  Big 4.0 megapixel pictures, with lots of adjustable settings make this camera hard to beat.  The only downside is no zooming in on videos (but you can set the zoom beforehand), but then again, you bought this for its still camera capabilities, and not its video capabilities, right?  It will even autofocus in complete darkness.
I've owned this camera sinse 2002 and I have not bought a camera that can take great pictures like this one. And I've bout some really good cameras... you wont be disappointed in this one !
I recently went on a whale-watching trip in Monterey.  We didn't see many whales, but we saw thousands of dolphins.  They would pop up out of nowhere and everyone was snapping away with their cameras trying frantically to capture the action. People using film gave up after a few minutes since the cost was prohibitive.  People using memory stick cameras quickly used up their memory and spent the rest of their time reveiwing and deleting photos to make room for more.  After shooting almost 100 photos at maximum resolution (JPG) using my Mavica CD400, I simply swapped out the disc and shot 100 more.  The CDR's are so cheap that I didn't have to worry about taking bad shots. When all was said and done, I had about 15 excellent images out of the nearly 200 that I shot.  I'm sure that I was the only one that walked off the boat with anything other than pictures of the water.Image quality is excellent.You can shoot video with sound until the CDR runs out of room.Many useful features that are easy to access.Battery life is sufficient for 200+ photosOver-priced, but incredibley convenience...worth the investment
&#34;The Mavica CD400 camera arrived well packaged 3 days after I ordered it... It is better than described. It functions flawlessly and takes beautiful pictures in all conditions at all settings from macro to full telephoto. Whether bright or in low light, the subjects are recorded accurately and clearly, this includes the movie function as well as stills. I am more than pleased with the product and must praise the flawless service William1942 provided in this transaction. Overall, it's well worth 10 stars. Thank you.
This is a great camera.  With the CD in the camera all you have to do is take it out and pop it into the computer.  No hooking up a docking station, no buying memory sticks that are tiny and easy to loose.  I can use this camera and download to our computer with no help from my husband.I am an avid scrapbooker and I have found that this camera has saved a fortune in developing pictures that I would have never used anyway.  I love being able to decide weather or not I like the shot right away.  No getting home from a Disney vacation and finding out everyone had their eyes closed in the great shot with Mickey.  You can take several shots quickly and delete the ones that you don't like right there, and on to the next attraction.  No more spending $16 to get double prints and a CD.  You can take well over 100 pictures and decide from the camera what you like.  Plus you have everything saved on a CD already. You can then take it to a developer and have what you want printed, or upload to Shutterfly and never have to worry about going back to the store for pick up.This is the perfect camera for those of us who have wanted an upgraded camera with all the bells and whistles and could not, and didn't want to spend hours learding how to work everything.  A quick read through the book and you are ready to go.
I've used this camera over the past several years and I remain a true believer of both it, and its updated 5MP version, which I also own.  The expanse of capabilities and options with the camera allows for taking excellent pictures under nearly any conditions.  The manual as well as the shutter and aperature priority imaging modes allow you complete control over the imaging process.  I've taken pictures of everything including northern lights at 2 a.m., my cats in near complete darkness, portrait shots of subjects in dark rooms standing in front of bright windows, and they've all turned out wonderfully.  For printing, I've used both my home printer, and a professional photo store, and prints up to 11x14 have turned out perfectly with no degredation at all.Several recommendations if you buy this camera.  Don't waste your money on Sony's cd-r disks.  I've used verbatim, memorex and k-hypermedia cd-r with no problem.  They're certainly much cheaper, and they all hold 185 MB while the Sony's only hold 156 MB.  I would also suggest that you buy the Sony external flash for the camera.  While the hot shoe will accept other brands of flash, I've been very impressed with the improvements to my pictures since buying the sony flash.  I would also recommend buying a small (3-6") expandable tripod that will fit in any case.  This allows you to set up longer exposure shots for dark environments, as well as for using the timer function on less than ideal surfaces.If you're looking for huge storage (and archive) capabilities, excellent images, and complete control over your picture taking (minues the zoom limitations), then this is certainly the camera for you.  Everyday I think it is worth the price I've paid, and with a new baby in the house when first purchased, being able to take several hundred pictures in the first few days and email the "best-of" off to the grandparents is certainly a plus.
I studied every camera out there and found this camera has the best features for me. This camera has a built in cd burner which allows you to store a ton of pictures and movies. The CD's are inexpensive to buy and easy to share, save and store. The quality is excellent.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the CD400, CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru.  This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine.  Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all.  It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix:  not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk... and getting 140-180 high res images per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.Finally!  There is a great digital camera.
Bought this camera brand-new back in 2002.  Was satisfied with it until this weekend when it totally quit working, won't turn on now even with the A/C power supply (instead of battery back) plugged in: Nada, zilch, zip, kaput, dead-as-a-friggin'-doornail. Another piece of disposable throw-away Jap crap {sigh}.
I've had my Mavica since the early 2000s, and it's been great overall.My only real complaints are these: When turning the camera on, I'm warned that it would be better if I used genuine Sony Mavica CDs. A minor nuisance.The real problem lies in the vulnerability of the files (and consequently of the disk itself) during the interminable seconds required to write the file to disk. And when the setup operations warn not to vibrate the camera, they mean it. I've lost several CDs that way--fortunately I was still able to upload to a PC.I'm expecting a camera using some other type of media to be faster and more secure. Considering the age of this camera and the limited megapixels, it takes great pictures, but it's time to move on to even greater pictures.
The Mavica CD-250 is a great little camera.  For the professional it is a complete solution.  For the amateur it falls just short of being a complete solution, due to the badly executed software that comes with it.Although I got this camera mere hours before leaving on a professional assignment, Day One I was fully productive. Despite the fact this is my first digital camera I learned how to make it do everything I wanted with hardly any tears or frustration. At the end of the day I was solidly sold on digital photography. (Good thing, considering the bucks I had invested!)I bought this camera to be a high-end point-and-shoot unit. The 2 MegaPixel resolution is perfectly adequate for any kind of snapshot photography.The CD-R drive was a feature I decided I HAD to have. CD-R discs are SO cheap they can be used as throw-aways. I could carry gigabytes worth of storage with me for a twenty-dollar investment. Their versatility and portability makes them vastly superior to the memory-chips other digital cameras use. And they are great as an archival storage medium -- much like having the negatives from a conventional photo shoot.One major advantage of shooting on CD-R discs is you can have several disks in use at one time, each one devoted to a different subject.  It's not like film where removing a partially-used roll and reloading it at a later date is tricky and risky.  Since you can 'Finalize' a CD-R many times you can store several 'shoots' on one disc.  Each time you 'Finalize' a disk you do waste some storage space, but CD-R's are so cheap it costs you pennies at most.  The convenience in helping to keep your shots organized is well worth the cost.A feature of the Mavica I have only just learned to use is the zoom/pan/scan ability of the camera's display screen.  Because you can zoom a stored image on the display, you can see any piece of your shot at high resolution.  This is extremely handy in making sure you've gotten a properly focused image, and that the detail you wanted was actually captured.  It's much, much more convenient than having a PC standing by so you can check your images on a high-pixel-count screen.I had posted an earlier version of this review that complained about the InfoLithium battery fully discharging in less than a week while the camera sat idle.  Whatever caused that problem has not recurred.  The battery DOES discharge slowly, as the manual says, but it has been losing only minutes of charge per week.  The manual does suggest removing the battery if you are going to store the camera for a while.  But if you are going to use the camera every week or three, this shouldn't be necessary.There may have been something I left turned on that flattened the battery faster than normal.  To date I have not figured out what that might have been.One concern remains -- the software that comes with the Mavica CD-250. As a digital photography newbie I find it incomprehensible. There is no manual. There are no on-screen prompts. Not even a 'Read Me' file. There are just a bunch of icons that offer no explanations as to what they are or what they do. A quick-start pamphlet would be a major improvement. But frankly, I'll go shopping for some better software rather than try to deal with a package that was so clearly an ill-designed afterthought.My advice. If you are looking for a point-and-shoot digital camera the Mavica CD-250 should be on your short list. It is a versatile camera made even better by the CD-R recording system.  The software is a throw-away, but then there are lots of excellent aftermarket software packages available at all levels of sophistication and pricing.  Your PC should not need any additional software to display, file or transmit your photos.  Shop for better aftermarket software at your convenience.Ed Bianchi
The main advantage of this camera is its memory format: a mini-CD you can just put into your computer's CD-ROM player for easy downloading of pics onto your PC, plus each [$$} disk can hold a lot more pics than most overpriced Memory Stick.Disadvantages: bulky (same size and weight as normal SLR camera), no viewfinder, the functions are not easy to adjust (Pentax and Canon still win the easy-to-use contest, and the lens is a mediocre no-name with the Sony label stamped on it.My recommendation is pay a little more for the same Sony disk-style digital cameras that come with the German lenses (I think Carl Zeiss or something like that) if you don't mind the bulk and like the disk format, otherwise Panasonic has a good digital camera for about the same price with a Leica lens and one extra megapixel (3.0 total) resolution.
This summer while I was in a canoe taking pictures of my daughter, she accidently tipped us over. Here I am in a cold mountain lake with my Mavica and I think my camera is ruined. Well when I got home I dried the camera out for a week and cleaned out the lenses. Put in a new battery and the thing ACTUALLY WORKED and has been taking great pictures for the past four months. For something that is not rated as water resistant, I was surprised by the hardiness of the camera.Complex as it may seem, this is no wuss of hardware.
I've owned this camera since 2002, and it's still great.  Unfortunately, Sony really hosed me when they didn't provide a Vista driver for it.  Obviously, you can now get a lot more camera for a lot less money than I paid for this one, but for the limited use mine gets, it is a shame that I'll have to throw it out before it wears out. I probably won't buy a Sony to replace it for that very reason.
This is one of my more favorite cameras. I personally have the MVC-CD300 however this camera has nothing to laugh about.It's 2MP resolution makes it ideal for both printing on glossy of matte finishings, granted it does have a little graininess here and there however most digital cameras do until it reaches anything past 4MP. It is also ideal for internet usage, the pictures it saves are not to big for a dial-up user to download if you send them an e-mail with picture attachments taken by this camera.It's 3x optical zoom lens is standerd for most digital cameras and I was never fond of digital zoom since it really is not a zoom anyway.Naturely I love the cd option the best. Even though the cd size is half of that of a regular cd, it will still fit in ANY computer cd tray so you don't have to worry about compatibility.  The only compatibility you have to worry about is if your computer can support both video and jpeg files alike.The cds are very cost effective. A 156mb cd can cost anywhere between [amt] and [amt]. This may seem a lot for a cd however when you consider the fact that a compact flash, smart media or SD card with a 128mb card can cost between [amt] and [amt], it really seems like a deal, and the CD-RWs naturaly are reusable.It also has the movie taking feature which I love entirely. My Dad recorded my entire High School graduation ceremony with one cd. Granted the resolution was not top notch but when you consider the fact that you can record over an hour of footage non-stop and potentialy burn it onto a DVD (depending on what burner you have) the possibilities with this camera are endless.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the CD400, CD300, aswell as a Nikon Coolpix for this year's field research season x-raying mummies in Peru. This means the cameraswere pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manualcontrol of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements youcan imagine. Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought itdid the best job.Mavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of thetime....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest ressetting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference, plus it's not as heavy orbulky.Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we arebuying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk... and getting 140-180 high res images per CD.....they are so easy toformat, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, orUSB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of theimages, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary),and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.Finally! There is a great digital camera.
The film is just what I needed!  It is not very easy to find in the stores, so Amazon came through for me!
As long as this product is available and works as well as it does, we won't have to replace our old trusty fax machine
These cartridges were new and worked great right out of the box.  The cartridge loaded easily and my fax was up and running again with this new film.
Good price for the genuine product that performs much better than the generic. I have bought compatible film in the past, but it was no bargain because it seemed to be thinner and would sometimes rip apart before the roll was used up.
IF one HAS to use imagining film....getting the right one for the right device is important...Sharp imagining film works well with the fax machine.  Would recommend..
Unlike the original imaging film, we had nothing but trouble with this roll - it doesn't seem to be made to the same specifications and bunches up on every other fax/copy.
Most of the negatives of this camera have already been discussed -- photos have a greater tendency to blur than with other cameras. Not a lot of pixels. No flash and so-so performance in low light.BUTThis camera is small enough to keep with you anywhere, any time. It is so small and light it will fit in a shirt or jacket pocket and you will forget it's there.One problem I had though -- and I haven't seen it mentioned in other reviews so maybe it's just my camera -- the viewfinder is not very reliable. Photos that seem well framed in the viewfinder sometimes have the top or side (depending on orientation) crowded when downloaded.
I bought mine because I can keep it in a tiny side pocket of my purse, and it is virtually weightless.  I have dropped it (lots), SAT on it, forgot and left it in the hot car, and had it banging around in the bottom of a pack.  It always survives and takes beautiful scenic pics.  Not much on action (no surprise), but when you wish you had something for that great sunset, there it is.  Lower your expectations a little, and it's a nice little cam for the money.  And never a dead battery!
This camera is all about portability. Don't expect much more than a cool little camera you can slip into a shirt pocket &amp; you won't be disappointed.Installation is easy and the camera is a snap (no pun intended) to use.Great gift for a kid....
Anyone who doesn't like this camera doesn't understand what it's intended to do; it's not a $700 digital. The pictures are not perfect, but it's a fun little camera that takes fun pictures (excellent for parties if there's enough light) and, yes, they do come out pretty well. The MGI software is ok, but I still prefer my Photoshop.
My family of 3 each has one of these for 3 years now and they are great.  Our "good" camera died the night we were packing for Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.  We took our Logitech cameras and got fantastic pictures.  We always have them in our pockets for city (we live in NYC) walks - you never know when you'll see something neat.  If they get lost (hasn't happened yet), no worries.  The usb charge is fast too.  Oh by the way, a full charge lasted on our cameras past the 2 week vacation with hundreds of pictures taken.
and I think I paid the right amount of money.  It's NOT a 1.3MP camera, it's a .3MP camera that will mindlessly duplicate pixels until you have larger image.  Not a worthwhile function, and a big fat lie in the context of how it's advertized.If you leave it at the smaller size, you get pictures which vary in quality but can be fun.
This is a neat little camera if you want an inexpensive digital camera and don't need high quality pictures.Picture sizes are 640x480 or 1280x960.  It holds 53 pictures regardless of size.  Each image takes 2 to 6 seconds to download on my 700 mHz machine; it varies with picture size and complexity.  The 1280x960 pictures do indeed have better resolution than 640x480.It's the size of a credit card, but about 3/8" thick so it won't fit in a wallet.  At the lens, it's about 1/2" or 5/8" thick.  It's light enough that I forget I have it in my pocket.  I plan to keep one in my laptop briefcase, to take pictures of whiteboards before they get erased.  (I won't be able to read all of what's written; the image quality isn't quite good enough.)Very easy to install and use.  Once the software is installed, just plug the camera in.  If there are any pictures in the camera a popup appears.  Just click OK or hit space to move them to your computer (or click Browse to navigate).  Fine for even techno-challenged folks, if they can find the USB port.  The unreplacable battery recharges through the USB cable.The biggest limitation is no flash.  Takes OK pics in a typical well-lit office setting, but you have to hold it very still.  Fine outdoors even on cloudy days.Optics are not great (what do you expect from such a tiny lens?)  There is very noticeable radial lens distortion (straight lines near the picture edge bow outward).  Resolution problems are noticeable when you display the images at full size, but images are fine up to a print size of 4x6" -- like an Instamatic or a disposable.Of course, it doesn't have any of the nice features we expect from bigger or more expensive cameras.  No zoom, no image display.For example shots, see ...".  The first image is 640x480, the second is 1280x960.It's a great novelty or convenience, and it's very affordable.
I have found this camera to be very easy to use and the pictures are good enough to share with friends.  I have not missed the lack of an LCD viewer, which can drain a battery faster than one can fill the memory with pictures.  This camera battery is recharged automatically every time pictures are downloaded into the computer, and the battery has the capacity to take all 53 pictures that the memory holds.While the camera CMOS only has a 640 by 480 resolution, you have an option for the pictures to have a 1,280 by 960 image size.  I am not sure how the camera does it, but the larger image size does have a higher resolution.  To test this, I started with a 640 by 480 picture that I had taken with the camera and doubled the pixels using Adobe Photo Deluxe; I could not achieve the resolution of the Logitech camera when used in the 1280 by 960 mode.  While the pictures may not be up to the standards of a true 1.3 megapixel camera, they are good enough, considering the convenience of this easy to carry camera.
I bought this camera knowing that it was for pure NOVELTY.  If you are thinking of making this your primary digital camera, you should think again.  This is a good camera for those who already have a good 2-3 MP camera, and just want a camera for those quick-moment times.  I primarily bought this for hiking, because I don't want to lug around a bigger camera.  It's working fairly well outdoors, but forget about taking pictures indoors in dim rooms.  I'd definitely pick this camera over the Creative CardCam (why pay the same price for less memory?).
I thought my score for this camera was one lost, two killed.  then I found No. 3 wedged in the car seat and it works!!!!! It was wedged for two years. and the last two pictures were still good!!. How did I kill those two ??  One got stuck in an escalator and was bent when the guy got it out. The other was hiking with me in freezing weather and was in my rear pocket , could be it got frozen, could be it didn't like that sliding down slopes.These days I own a Nikon D70. It does every thing a camera should. But it doesn't fit in my pocket. It requires forethought and careful setting up and, gasp, reading the manual to get better pictures. Im even afraid to carry it while riding a bike. I'm medically insured but it is not.I bought all three Logitechs for considerably less than the current price and was intending to use my phonecam  instead of the Logicam, but now I have my Logicam  back I am happy and promise to be more careful with it. `
First of all, any mention of 1.3 megapixel on the box is effective lying. Sure, the camera can produce 1.3 mp images, but only by internally transforming 640x480 to 1280x960. lemme repeat this, this camera only takes 640x480 (350kpixel) pictures. I was not satisfied with the quality of the upsampled pictures. Also forget about using this indoors. The slow shutter speed and lack of a flash will make every picture a dark, blurry mess. On the good side, the Pocket Digital is truly slim and light, and  easily rides in any pocket. The aluminum case protects the lens and electronics well. After deciding I didn't want to deal with the poor performance of this camera, I returned it and bought a Pocket digital 130.
I bought this camera before Amazon had it (sorry, folks) and was really astonished at the quality of the images.  I printed them at 5x7 size with a standard HP printer (not photo, or anything special), and was more than just pleased.No problems with camera shake -- a real consideration with very light cameras -- and extremely easy to pocket, with no worries about dust on the lens or viewfinder, they're both covered when the shell is closed.It's worth the money, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this.
I got this camera as a gift.  Within 5 minutes of opening the box, I was taking photos.  It is that easy to use.  There is a delay when pressing the button, as the other reviewers have mentioned, which is fairly frustrating and makes spontaneous shots difficult.  &quot;Rapid-fire&quot; picture taking is impossible with this camera.  However, it's very easy to use and it does produce good looking photos.  It even worked on my Linux Mandrake 9.1 workstation with the included USB cable straight away without any fuss.  But I was a little dismayed at all the expensive options like the docking station.  It didn't come with an AC adapter either.  That seemed like an item that should have been included with the camera.  Kodak could've done a better job with the accessories, in my opinion.  Other than that, it's a decent low-end digital camera that is easy to use.
I got this camera for Christmas in 2002.  At first I thought it was great.  The colors were wonderful and the camera was easy to use.  But after nearly a year of use, I'm beginning to change my mind.I have the camera dock, but have it hooked up to only one of my computers.  I've tried interfacing the camera with my laptop just through the USB cable and can never get it to work.  The software simply says it cannot detect the camera.  I've had similar issues using the dock, but eventually get it to work (I have Win 98).The dock also seems to have problems charging the battery.  It says the battery is fully charged, yet when I go to use the camera, it flashes the low battery symbol and shuts off.  I've resorted to using regular alkaline batteries, but of course that's a more expensive option.And the most annoying issue so far is that when I shut the camera off, the lens cover does not close.  The lens retracts and the camera shuts off, but the cover stays open.  Today I had to turn the camera on and off about 15 times before the lens cover closed.  Now I'm afraid to turn the camera back on.Also, under flourescent lights, this camera gets colors all wrong.
This is a camera with many nice features and one very poor feature: it won't take the picture when you push the shutter button.  Instead it can hang fire a second or more, which means that if you're trying to catch a fleeting moment, that moment will have passed.  There's no excuse for this, and I haven't been able to figure out any way to speed it up.  Autofocus cameras always have a little delay, but this is ridiculous, and it suggests that Kodak is aiming for a pure &quot;snapshot&quot; photographer with low expectations.  I'm keeping the camera for my kids to use but will be going to a Nikon or something similar for better performance.
All of these Kodak Easyshare cameras seem to have the same problem with horrible image processing.  Colors look good but the compression is atrocious.  If I use the "2-megapixel" image as my computer wallpaper (~1megapixel) there is a great deal of JPEG artifacting evident.  These images are OKAY to print as 3.5" x 5" prints but not much larger.  Even 4"x6" prints start to show artifacting and noise.  As if it isn't bad enough to have poor images, the camera also eats 2 AA batteries for every 35 images captured!!! I have to bring a pack with extra batteries everywhere I take my camera!
I bought this camera on sale a couple years ago and the worst problem I have had with it is the silly KODAK policy of forcing you to use their imaging software when installing the driver.This is aggravating since I have to re-install the driver every so often.  WHy can't they offer JUST the driver?I now use WindowsXP's much better image retrieval system.  On my Windows2000 system the driver keeps getting lost and I end up having to reinstall it about every third use.I too bought an extra memory stick (128mb) and use the camera for personal documentation and for taking gallery photos for church events to be used on their website.  I have never had any serious problem with the image quality as I always leave the camera set to best image setting.  It doesn't handle dark rooms very well, but then for $150, ... what camera wouldI bought the docking device for an additional $50, but since the rechargable battery got to the point it wouldn't work longer than a couple of hours (the reason for my having the dockin station was the fact that it was supposed to recharge the battery) and the camera actually works faster just hooked up to the USB direct.
I bought this camera with the easy share dock.  It is so easy to use and good quality pictures.  With the software any poor pictures can be corrected.  I had a Sony digital camera which was much harder to use.  This camera with the dock is made for the novice user.  I have windows ME and I ran the CD software and was downloading pictures within 5 minutes with one button to push.  Love it and will use the heck out of it.  Would advise anyone to get this and the dock.  For the money, the camera takes good pictures and with extra memory can hold lots of pictures.  I have 64 memory which holds 72 pictures plus the internal memory can hold 23 I believe.
I bought this camera in April 2003 and have taken alot of good pictures with it. I used the viewer mostly so I didn't have trouble with batteries.I would say it is a good camera but the switch that opens the lens cover stuck and we couldn't get it open.  My husband took it apart and we find it has a delicate setup on the lens cover.  PLASTIC!!  The lens cover had broken inside.Replacement parts are not longer available.I think this camera should have lasted more than 3 years.  I would have rated it a 5 star if it hadn't given me this problem.My sister bought a Canon at the same time and she still has a good camera.So I changed to Canon for my next camera which I just bought this month.  Sept 2006.
.... I've never used the Kodak software, I use a memory card reader, it's faster and doesn't use the camera batteries or rely on an expensive camera dock to transfer images to the PC. I certainly wouldn't have bought it without reading what type of memory card is uses, which ARE, ...., available from many 3rd party manufacturers and they're only moderately more expensive than other types of cards. All non-SLR digital cameras have a delay in between pressing the shutter button and the taking of the picture, the delay of this camera is no better or worse (around 1 second) than any other.The few drawbacks/complaints I have about the camera are;Flimsy doors, especially the door over the memory card slot, itfeels as if it could be easily broken if special care is not takenwhen removing or reinserting the memory card.Plastic camera body, while my AE-1 has been flung off cliffsand sunk in rapids I fear that a drop from almost any heightwould cause significant damage to this camera.Poor placement of the 'camera ready/camera status' light. It'sright next to the optical viewfinder and can interfere with takingpictures in low light situations because of it's brightness.Slow shutter speed of 1/8th sec. isn't very slow. A full secondwould have been a nice addition.All in all this is a great camera for the price, it takes goodpictures, comes with decent features and is almost completelyidiot proof. It's not a professional camera but great for someonewho's interest in getting started with digital photography andsmall enough to take with you anytime (I don't leave the housewithout mine.)
I received this camera as a gift and I have not been dissapointed since. You can print large pictures (up to 15&quot; x 22&quot;), I didn't realize this at first but when I found out, I was very happy. I figure I could make wonderful posters someday. I usually print up to 8&quot; x 10&quot; with excellent results. With the right paper and injets the colors are so vibrant and beautiful and the picture quality is superb. It's very easy to use and I love the &quot;EasyShare&quot; software that comes with it. This camera allows you to view your photographs on your computer or on your televison. How cool is that? That's a great feature you'll want to use in case you go on a trip. That way, you can have fun, create your own slide show and share your photos with your friends and family. I also like the weight of the camera. It fits comfortably in your hands. So, if you want a fairly inexpensive digital camera with great results, this is the camera for you.
This is my most fav camera. With it I can take all the wildlife pics I want. Easy to use, great pics. What more can you ask of this product?
Poorly packed and not as good as advertised.  The software was missing and when I contacted the owner he stated that it was in the package. He then stated that I was right and he sent me a link for Kodak to download the drivers etc. for the camera.  This didn`t work out at all.  I was lucky enough to find someone with the software that should have been in the package, and I solved the problem myself.  The camera was NOT of good quality and condition, as stated in the add."Let the buyer beware"
This is my first digital camera - I've always been a technofan, but a thrifty one, so I waited a few years to get a little more for my money on a digital camera. Man, was it worth the wait!This camera is very easy to use, and takes great pictures. The menu system is easy to navigate, and pretty intuitive. My only complaint about the menu system is that some of my settings (such as 'close up mode') aren't saved when I turn off the camera, so I have to remember to re-enable the mode when I want to use it (thus far, most of my pictures have been for auction listings, so I've needed to take lots of closeups).This camera takes VERY high quality pictures.  With the 'good, better, and best' modes, I've found that 'good' works well for things like pictures embedded in online auctions, and 'best' gives me pictures that are at least as good as anything my 35mm camera produces.I also purchased a 256MB SD memory card, so I basically never have to worry about running out of film or memory.An unanticipated benefit of buying this camera is that I no longer have to worry when my young son begs to let him take pictures (worrying about the cost of 'wasted' film, development costs, etc).  If he takes a good picture, we keep it - if not, we delete it!If you're a professional photographer needing some new equipment for your next big photo shoot, this probably isn't the camera for you.  If you want a camera with a decent zoom that will let you take hassle-free vacation shots, family shots, and other general-purpose photography, this is a great camera.I would NOT invest in the optional camera dock. Even without it, all you need to do is plug your camera into a USB port and then turn the camera on - the software automatically starts, and with only one or two clicks you can download all of your pics from the camera to the PC, and delete them from the camera.
Honestly the best Kodak camera I've ever used was an OLD 1mp from around 2000. A friend picked up this Kodak for $10 at a local Goodwill store just to tinker with. As a photography hobbyist they figured for $10 if it's TERRIBLE we can just toss it in the trash. Keep in mind they purchased this camera from the Goodwill store in the summer of 2007. With that being said, I just dug it out (surprised I still had it) to take some close-ups of my main camera which I just broke. I found some old pictures I'd taken with it which I will be uploading onto Amazon to share with others. I've tinkered with around a hundred digital cameras over the past 10 years from SLR's to camera phones and prefer to stick with point-and-shoot's. Here's some pros & cons with this one:Pros:LCD Screen is present (not big, not super small but usable) & has viewfinder in case LCD breaksMemory: internal & SD slotBatteries: 2 AA's which are readily available (I've found the Energizer e2's to be the longest lasting disposables)Sturdy large-ish design, easy to hang ontoMacro surprisingly decentCons:Eats batteries like there's no tomorrowSD card goes in seemingly backwards vs. most camerasSlow boot-up and camera shutter speedMenu can be a pain in the rear to navigate, camera doesn't remember any settings when turned off & back onMacro doesn't focus too well within 6" from subjectI honestly wouldn't recommend this camera to anyone unless they wanted a really cheap knock-around camera to keep in the car or something like that. Mine was stored for a year and now has about 10+ dead pixels in the photos it takes. For what it is and being a 2mp old-as-dirt model I think I'll still keep it around just in case I need it.
I have had this camera for over three years now and it is still working great.As far as batteries go, you need to use the reccomended CRV3 battery if you want the most life. The second choice would be rechargable batteries. The shutter speed takes time to get used to especially when you are trying to get a picture of your kids and they quit what they were doing so cute before it takes. The quality can not be beat for a 2mp camera. I currently have a 5mp Optimus camera also and even though the quality is higher, I prefer the Kodak for everyday pictures because it controls the lighting better with the white balance unlike most newer cameras with the automatic white balance that will not let you adjust it. Don't get me wrong I have had to work on it some but that is my fault because I let my children take pictures with it and has been dropped. I have replaced the battery cover. You can not get parts through Kodak but you can get parts for it on Ebay. The battery cover was remanufactured and was $10 on ebay. Also the lens cover will not close on its own, I have to lightly tap it but it does not interfere with the camera working. This is a great camera but I paid less than $100 for mine brand new, so search for better prices or for a higher MegaPixel camera for that price.
It's been over two years since I bought this camera and it's still going strong. After reading some of the more recent reviews I just wanted to touch on some subjects:Battery Life - Using 2300 mAh Ni-MH I can take over 70 top quality images, at least half with the flash on, on two batteries. During the hurricanes of 2004 that hit Florida I purchased a Lithium Ion battery cell for the camera and it's STILL in the camera and working perfectly!Image Quality - I'm a digital artist and know image artifacting and the differences between poor quality images and images worth printing. I've printed over a dozen 8x10s over the last two years and they've all come out beautiful. 4x6 prints that are well exposed are indistinguishable from 35mm prints.Imaging Speed - Yes, this, and every other point and shoot digital camera, has a slow recycle speed, some newer camera may be marginally faster but for something two years old this works as well if not better than any on the market at the time.In conclusion: BUY this camera if you can find one. It takes great pictures, it does NOT eat batteries as others have claimed and you can get some very nice archival prints from it. For the money I spent two years ago I couldn't be happier.Please see my review from two years ago further down the list for more information on the Kodak CX4230.
cheap/obsolete/pictures were crap.not worth the moneyETC. ETC.ETC would not rate this well/it was not a good camera at all ok
I bought this camera because I still wanted one with film in it & I liked the wide angle. The last time I used it on a vacation more than a year ago I had trouble finding a place to develop the film. The mail in I had use before shut down that part of their service so I can't give some review about long time performance.
got it as a gift and they love it, they didn't want to go digital so this camera is great
I've had a great experience with the Advantix F620.  My favorite feature is it prints the date on the back of each photo.  The zoom is awesome, and it has an auto shut-off if you forget and leave the camera on.
I got this as a gift for an older sister who still has not used it or gotten her film developed. She is a big time procrastinator unfortunately.
love the way it look's. how it's not to big to carry around.small it fit in a backpack. love it.
A very good camera.  Easy to operate.  I do not use it as much now though, opting for disposable cameras, because the film for this camera is difficult to obtain unless I order it from Amazon (smile).  Even so, I still will use this camera when film for it becomes available again, in the local stores, because it is so easy to use.
GOT THIS FOR MY 80 YR OLD MOTHER IN LAW AND IT WAS VERY SIMPLE TO USE AND SHE LOVED IT
The gist:* Total exposure control* Terrific quality for the money* May need to rely on automatic features.I am a huge photo geek. I'm not sure what it is about photography that gets my motor going, but I just love every aspect of it. And, yet, I'm not in the camp that believes that I must have the latest and greatest of everything in order to be a good photographer. In the end, the equipment is of little matter: it's just the light, the subject, the film media and you.It took me a while to get on the digital bandwagon. Initially, I went halfway and purchased a film scanner to get my 35mm negatives into digital form. While this is great for existing photos or for situations where you absolutely need to shoot on film for some reason, it slows down the workflow considerably. First, the film needs to be developed. Then you need to scan each negative individually on the computer. It can take as long as an hour to scan a full roll of 36 images. And, just like working in the darkroom, any dust specs are made larger than life in the final image, which requires some time messing with PhotoShop. This is not ideal for high-capacity work.After about six months of research, I finally decided on the Fuji FinePix S602. Fuji has a reputation for selling excellent digital cameras that produce remarkable pictures, and the S602 is no exception. I compared this to several of the Canon and Olympus prosumer models as well as several other Fuji cameras.I was looking for a camera that would allow me to have complete manual control over exposure and aperture as well as automating everything for me for when I was feeling lazy. In addition, I wanted it to be able to produce images that could be faithfully printed to sizes up to 8 x 10, though most of my digital work would be for the web. Since I have a full lighting set up, I also wanted a hotshoe so that I could take advantage of external lighting.Initially, I leaned toward the Fuji FinePix 2800, which has a 2.1 MegaPixel CCD and runs at almost half the price of the S602. After some soul-searching, I decided that 2.1 MP wasn't near enough for what I wanted. In addition, the 2800 is uncomfortably small for my hand, while the S602 feels like it was designed specifically with my big ol' hands in mind.The S602 is rather bulky compared to a lot of the cameras out there (except maybe for the Minolta Dimage). I'm not entirely sure what the obsession with smaller cameras is all about. I don't want a camera that I can accidentally inhale. The S602 is about 3/4 the size of my Canon Rebel G, which I feel is a perfect size. It's fairly light and has all of the controls in an easily accessible location. At first, all of the buttons and options for this thing may seem mind-boggling. After just a little practice, though, I found the user interface to be absolutely intuitive and easy to handle.Another feature I looked for was the ability to quickly capture images one after another. I had played with too many digital cameras that required several seconds between shots, which is frustrating when you're trying to work fast. The S602 has several rapid-fire modes, but I have found its standard shot-to-shot speed to be more than sufficient for most of my needs. I don't ever feel like I'm waiting to press the shutter.Perhaps the one thing that pushed me the strongest in the direction of purchasing this model was the fact that it takes both Compact Flash and SmartMedia memory cards. In fact, you can use both cards at the same time, switching to one when the other has filled up. It would have been nice if Fuji had made this easier - you can only switch cards from the "setup" mode of the camera rather than through one of their shifted shortcuts - but it's not a major inconvenience.Fuji has touted the fact that this camera can produce an effective 6.1 megapixels. Keep in mind, though, that the CCD is only capable of 3.1 megapixels, so anything above that is interpolated, which means the software analyzes the picture and inserts its best guess of what pixels would best pad the image to boost it to higher numbers. The 6.1 MP images are fairly nice and probably a bit better than I could get out of PhotoShop, but they are not as pin-sharp as they would be from a true 6.1 MP CCD. Bottom line: if you're considering buying this camera thinking it's a 6.1 MegaPixel camera, save your money for a true 6 MP camera.While I'm mostly satisfied with this purchase, there does seem to be one major flaw with this camera. I like being able to manually focus on my subjects. I'm not sure why I distrust autofocus so much, but I'm not a big fan of using it exclusively. Both the Electronic View Finder and the screen on the back allow you to zoom into one area so that you can manually adjust the focus to a specific subject, but it seems that, no matter how hard I try, I just can't get it pin-sharp. Even when it looks good in the view finder, it looks blurry once I have uploaded the image to the computer. The autofocus does a pretty good job of fixing this for me, but I'd like to be able to do this manually without hassle. It may just require more practice on my part.All in all, I'm thrilled with this camera. It does everything I could hope for and more, provides a seemingly endless number of functions to help boost the creativity of my photography and produces absolutely beautiful images that are of an extremely high quality. I would heartily recommend this camera to anyone looking for a fairly inexpensive equivalent to their 35mm SLR.
I've worked with Kodaks and Sony's in the past, and was looking for a digital camera with manual SLR features and an intuitive user interface.The S602 had enough manual features to keep me happy, things like manual focus, fstops, etc...The navigational features of the S602 are very intuitive and easy to navigate. I was seriously considering the Olympus C-4000, but the C-4000 didn't have an intuitive interface, so it was either more MegaPixels or good interface, for me a great interface means more time to take great pictures.The only problem and a common complaint on most digital cameras is that the batteries die too quickly. If you get this camera, make sure you get an AC-5V adapter when you download your images to your computer.
The FinePix 602Zoom was everything I expected.  I exchanged an Olympus D-550 specifically for a camera with a better optical zoom (6x vs. 2.8x).  The grip is very comfortable to hold, however, someone with small hands may find it a little difficult to push some of the intended buttons.  The camera looks very slick and feels extremely sturdy.  The menus and functions are very easy to use.  It took no time at all to start taking pictures after taking it out of the box.  There are a lot of extra features which I havn't used yet but the pictures I've taken are indeed spectacular.  There are various resolutions the camera can be set to within the 6mp, 3mp & 1mp mode, but a 2mp setting doesn't exist.  I have found the battery life to be quite impressive.  I am still using the original alkaline batteries even after taking approx 50 pictures,  using the camera to download to my PC, recording video and viewing them on my TV.  However, the battery life indicator has yet to come on so I don't know how much juice is really left.  The Fuji's colors are very vibrant and true.  This is an all around excellent camera that takes wonderful pictures, both indoors and out and with both automatic or manual settings.  The camera is a little larger than most but that's because of the powerful optical zoom.  I recommend the 602z to anyone who wants a little more than just an automatic point and shoot digital camera, although this one will function that way if you want.
I've been using this product for several months now, and I am very happy with it. To summarize its qualities:1. high resolution2. rich in features3. reasonable easiness of use; pretty intuitive.4. it doesn't require proprietary & dedicated external flash, a general good-brand external flash would do it as well.The downsizes:1. the flash that comes with the camera is a toy; you need to buy an extra one (which adds some $$$ to the cost - for a good flash).2. Fuji doesn't provide a good fully-automatic flash for the camera. As mentioned above, there are very good manual flashes available are reasonable prices, but thus say bye-bye to the auto modes.3. no remote. For taking the picture from a tripod, this may be annoying.4. the depth of field is not very versatile - the camera is quite limiting in the respect of aperture.5. the zoom is good, but not stellar. For a camera of this performance, a better zoom/aperture control would have made it of real 5 stars.Overall, good stuff for the money.
What can I say - this is a fantastic camera! I'm not a professional by any means, but I have already found vast improvement in the quality of my photos by using this. It's a real gem from yesteryear. The colors are vibrant, the skin tones are amazing, and shots taken in good light are right sharp. People who love tweaking options can get a nice range of settings for ISO and aperture, but it doesn't throw so much at you that it gets overwhelming. As a relative newbie I rarely venture far from the auto mode but sometimes I try out the various priority settings or do some manual focus. No matter what my shots always look great.Near as I can tell the optics are pretty good. You get a range that goes anywhere from 6x zoom (use a tripod!) to the Super Macro - a really awesome feature that practically lets you put the lens right up against an object and shoot. There's a flash hotshoe for external attachment (the on-camera flash is pretty standard fare). I especially love the electronic viewfinder, since I never quite got the hang of looking at the LCD screens on digital cameras. This one is bright and sharp and frames your shot well. You can do a Voice Memo and record yourself so you'll know just what the heck you were photographing at the time. And it takes VGA/QVGA video to boot!A couple of quick gripes: there is no battery indicator except for "battery is dying in three seconds, powering off" (and there is a design flaw that causes one battery to drain when left in the camera... Google for a fix) Only supports up to 2gb CF cards and archaic 128mb SmartMedia cards. ISO 800/1600 limits resolution to 1.2 megapixels. Autofocus BADLY needs a light as it has a tough time picking distance indoors. Know these limitations, work around them, and the camera will do most everything else flawlessly.There is only one serious drawback: the camera is over five years old. As a result, the sensor sports only 3.1 megapixels, and can go up to 6 with on-camera interpolation (the result looks somewhere between 4 and 5 megapixels). Highest quality JPEG will get you up to 8x10 printouts before the quality really starts to suffer. If Fuji produced the same exact camera with an upgraded sensor I'd buy it immediately. It is that good.
I've used this camera for a few weeks now. I should say that I am very impressed with the results. Spend about 1/2 hour reading the manual and getting aquainted with camera's features, in order to get the best results. I have printed 8x10 on my epson 825 and very happy with results.6x optical zoom was the main reason I bought this camera. Lens seems to be fast and precise.I am used to manual settings and this camera has it all. Automatic settings works great too. Of course, sometimes you need to use manual focusing to avoide zooming on the wrong subject!If you decide to buy this camera, make sure you budget an additional few hundred bucks for Smart-Media (16mb that comes with camera is a joke), case, AC adapter and Battery charger, etc.**Cons: it drains 4 AA batteries in no time. Fuji should have included rechargeable batteries.Fuji web site is not very informative in regards to this model. For instance, they listed an AC adapter for this model without any brands, model# or specifications. Their description says the adapter charges batteries on SOME cameras. They don't have the adapter in stock either.
I cannot reccomend this camera stronly enough. I researched for months in the search for a high quality Digital camera capable of macro with manual focus. This camera was the only thing that fit the bill. It functions exactly like a high quality SLR and the Macro is just stupendous. If you need to take pictures of miniatures it is the best camera you will ever find. Just a couple of years ago you would have paid thousands for a digital camera that could do this. I have did a direct comparison with one photographer friend who has a 10 thousand dollar digital camera and macro lense for doing digital photography. This camera was as good as that one if not better. He was not happy to find that out and is going to buy one of these as well. I have seen complaints about it being large. Nonsense! Unless you just need a small camera for personal this camera is exactly what you want. The size and handling of this camera is exactly the same as high end SLR's. Any professional would never feel the difference going between this and his film camera. The handling and balance is great. It shoots digital shots as fast as an SLR. In fact to make it smaller you would lose a lot of function. Fuji did exactly what they needed with this camera. It is the same difference between owning a nice little family 35mm camera and a high quality professional grade SLR. GET THIS CAMERA!! You will not be dissapointed. My wife makes fun of me and calls it &quot;My Precious&quot;.
I've owned a 1MP fuji for several years and loved the convenience and quality of my pictures. I decided to upgrade and picked this model. I am astounded at the quality of shots, the options available...I'm just getting used to all the functions but love the easy voice-over function...no more guessing where and when a vacation shot was taken!I got a 1 GB microdrive and can easily take over 400 pictures at 2832x2128 fine resolution...or over 3000 at 1280x960. If the expense of the 1GB chip is too much, I highly recommend getting a 128MB smartmedia card - after all, you'll never have to buy film again! For less than $100 you can get 128mb smartmedia and get over 500 fine resolution 1280x960.
After a long search, I purchased the Fujifilm FinePix S602. Unlike the compact form factor digitals, this camera has buttons that can be operated by normal-sized fingers. It also handles both SmartMedia and Compact Flash cards; Fuji recommends the IBM Microdrive, but Compact Flash is about the same price, faster, and uses less electricity. I get 100 pictures on a 256 Mb Compact Flash with the 3Mb/Fine setting. The 3Mb setting takes great pictures for anything up to 8 x 10; most photo paper is only 4 x 6 anyway. I've never seen the need for anything more. In fact, for online publishing I have to reduce the image quality and size. The 640 x 480 video uses 1 Mb per second of video; it's a bit jerky, and the built in mic isn't terribly sensitive, but it's not designed to replace your camcorder anyway. This is the best camera I've ever owned. I take more pictures now because I can afford to; I'm my own photolab. On the negative side, the camera price is a little high, and the included software is lousy. You'll want and need better software, but it'll do in a pinch.  Great camera, great fun, great geek cred.
We sell this camera at the store I work, and I think it's the best one Fuji has put out.  I have made several test prints from it and have been highly impressed:  excellent color clarity, sharpness, and the camera is a joy to use.First things first:  I have to applaud Amazon[.com] for advertising this camera as a 3.3mp.  Buyer beware--although you might see Fuji and/or other stores advertise this as being a 6mp camera, this is after the interpolation process that Fuji cameras use.  The sensor in this camera is 3mp, and through a special process the camera goes through, you end up with a 6mp image.  It looks good, but not as good as a picture from a *true* 6mp camera.  Go to Fuji's website to read more about the process.  Regardless of that, this camera is fully capable of making beautiful prints sized 8x10 and even larger.The camera is made really well.  The body is lightweight and feels "right" in your hands.  I was kind of shocked to see the use of AA batteries.  Normally they last no longer than an hour or so in digital cameras.  Somehow Fuji has managed to fix all that.  I use this camera all the time, and the batteries last several hours.  The screen as well as the electronic viewfinder are very clear and easy on the eyes.Typically the movie mode that digital cameras have are pretty poor quality.  The Fuji's movie mode features a 30fps rate and fairly good sound quality.  The best I've seen in a digital camera.Other features on this camera that really stand out are the implementation of a 6x OPTICAL zoom, a manual focus ring (really useful at times), manual modes, and a hot shoe for a flash.  Unfortunately the hot-shoe flash is not TTL and will require you to do manual settings, but at least it's there.A good effort from Fuji--highly recommended.
I've just recently sold my s602 with the intent of switching to the highly anticipated release of fuji's newest edition of s-series camera---the s7000, which should be due out in october 2003.  But for the 4 months that i owned the s602, i was very impressed with many of the features that had been an improvement from many of the previous models.  This camera is BY FAR the BEST ergonomically shaped with excellent added attention to button orientation and placement.  The zoom in/out buttons are placed in the position that are easily accessed by the thumb which means you can zoom without taking your eye off the subject, limiting time spent searching for buttons.  In addition, they're also tilted at a slight diagonal angle to insure that it meets the normal relaxed position of the operator's thumb.  The on/off switch is rotational which means the operator won't accidentally turn off the camera.  The camera body itself is very compact and very light.  It adopts the make-up of many high-end digital slr's.Other features that impressed me besides the exterior were the &quot;honey-comb&quot; ccd image censor (super ccd) and the lcd screen.  The super ccd image sensor allows the effective megapixel count to double this means an image taken at 3.3 mp may be optionally captured at a very high resolution of 6mp.  One thing that separated this camera from other more expensive cameras was the LCD screen.  The battery efficient lcd screen allows a user to take 400-500 shots before needing to change batteries.  There's even a light that tells you when the batteries are low (green for good, orange for low batteries).  The lcd screen resonates more crisp images with far less &quot;dead pixel&quot; count than better than Sony's F717 &quot;L-shaped camera&quot; as well as Canon's G5, G4, G3...  I've also realized that the s602's lcd screen has a stain resistant + protective plastic plate that makes the lcd screen a lot more durable on trips.  If you don't trust me, please test it out for yourself at any electronics store.  You'll see an instant choppy graininess in the image quality from the aforementioned models that you won't see from the s602.  Moreover, unlike most cameras offered in the market, the s602 features multiple media outlets.  There are 2 media drives and the cool thing about them is that you can use two at the same time; you just need to toggle between them in the menu.  This allows you to have more choices in what type of media to use and it also allows for a backup card if the one currently in use is full.  For example, if your 64mb smartmedia drive is full, you can go to the menu and change to the microdrive that supports up to 1gb of storage!!!  Besides the media storage i was also impressed by the electronic viewfinder.  It's a lot more accurate than most optical viewfinders (that is, in reference to digital cameras).  And it's also a great alternative to the lcd screen and battery efficiency.  This camera has a lot of manual control and the pictures come out very nice.  There's a built-in flash, but it also supports an external flash with the hotshoe that's placed over the built-in flash.  The zoom on the camera has a macro option for close up pictures, which compliments its 6x capability.  This camera also provides streamline 30fps movie mode which has no time limit.  The 30 fps is equivalent to a camcorder (but the audio is horrible and sounds like it came from a paper-cup).  This far outweights canon's g4 camera with a limited 3x zoom and 3minute limitation on 20 fps.With all the positive things going for the camera i could only find 2 negatives.  One was the fact that besides, excellent macro zoom, the camera had only 1 lousy focusing point.  That was a major reason for selling the camera.  It's difficult to get multiple subjects from different field depths to be in focus, especially when i was trying to take a macro close-up of a lizard in my backyard.  Even Sony's f717 has 5 focusing points.  My other big complaint is that the camera has a VERY noisy zoom/focusing drive train.  I don't understand why fuji decided to have such an loud drive train mechanism controlling the lens.  Sony's f717 is super quiet, you can't even hear the it zoom or focus in the act.  This kind of goes along with my other qualm with the cheap construction of the camera.  The buttons are made of cheap plastic and pretty flimsy.  I hope i've provided some info that other users of this camera haven't.  If you're suspicious of my review of this camera in anyway, please go to your local Fry's or Best Buy and try it out yourself.
Honestly, if you can get past the three problems I have with this camera, go out and buy it!! I have taken almost 6,000 pictures in less than a month- it's one of the best! But I have a couple complaints.First, is that it's too slow for it's &quot;class&quot;. With a camera this size and with so many features, you would expect faster action than with the pocket-size compact cams. Not so. OK, I will give you that's it a good speed, but if you are trying to take quick snap-shots, it's going to be difficult. Maybe I am asking for too much in $600 but it's gotten t be annoying. The focus ring doesn't do much good because the sensitivity is too slow/low.Secondly, the playback is rather slow for today's cameras. I have an old Canon PowerShot 300/IXUS 300, and it reviewed pictures pretty well, and it's two and a half years old! This isn't a big thing for pro's, but since this is for the crowd that probably likes to take pictures of people and show them back as well, it's annoying having to take 10 seconds of looking at a black screen. Also if you try to switch the camera on and then off quick forget it.Thirdly, the camera has no way of naming each picture in serial fashion, at least if you are using Compact Flash. It's a small detail that has caused me to go through all 6000 pictures and renamed them manually using the Windows 'rename' function. Sure, I think there are programs for this, but I like to keep my stuff out of programs, beause software always changes, and it's just not worth my time.OK, small minor infractions in the whole long run but now I am looking at a Cannon or the new Sony DSC-F828 that's comming out soon. If you like to take pictures for fun, and want more control and flexibility, then this is a great camera. If you like being a control freak when taking pictures for fun, and want to get more serious and take pictures for $$$$ or EUR, then look a higher in the price range.
I previously owned a Kodak DX3900, and my gripe about that camera was that there were little to no manual controls on the camera. Heck, the lowest shutter speed was 1 second. So.. the next five months I researched loads of cameras. And I finally narrowed it down to a few choices: Minolta 7i, Coolpix 4500, Canon G3, Olympus C-730 .. and the Fuji.I chose the Fuji.. and here's why:In simple, the Fuji offered the most of what I want. It has all my manual controls, it has nice focusing controls, it has adequate megapixel count, firm body, compact flash support, nice grip, decent software, good zoom, dual-media drives, superior movie mode ..The only downfalls to this camera: It's only 3.1 Megapixel, no matter what anyone tells you. But, for me, that was enough. I never print ANYTHING larger than 8 x 10, and if I ever plan to, I can use the interpolated 6 MP mode. AND no auto-focusing assiting lamp. But the manual controls this camera offers more than make up for it.Do yourself a favor and buy the Fuji. Don't be fooled by what you think you need. Longer zoom isn't that big of a deal. 6x is plenty, any farther and you get camera shake. Megapixel count is excellent for just 3. It's certainly enough for the average consumer. It might look clunky, but it fits snuggly in my purse.What more reason did you need?
I love photography - being outdoors, working with the camera, and the finished photos.  I used to take so many pictures! I carried my huge full-featured 35mm camera everywhere, and usually got pretty good results.  Then I went to school and got my own job and had to start PAYING for my own film and developing.  I quickly slowed my picture taking to a trickle.I got this camera in February, and I have taken over 1000 pictures since then.  I have all of the control I had in my 35mm camera, and more, so I do not feel constrained.  Imagine being able to choose between 5 different speeds of film, eight different types of color saturation, plus black and white, and changing film between every shot!  Pushing a button enlarges the center of the frame to check your focus, and pushing another button while in manual focus mode has the camera auto-focus once - which is perfect when I want to use the auto-focus feature but do not want to miss a shot because it is re-focusing.  I tend to get more good pictures now because I can immediately view my shots and tell if I've got something wrong.  Also, this camera feels well-balanced and all the controls are easy to reach.It has a tripod socket, but no cable release.  There is a 2 second and 10 second timer.  As with all digital cameras, there is a small delay between pushing the shutter button and taking the picture, but its pretty quick on this camera.  You will get used to the timing with practice.For the serious photo buff, I suggest two full sets of recharable batteries (NiMH) and the highest-capacity high-speed memory cards you can afford.  You then have free film for life!It didn't fit in my purse - so I bought a bigger purse.
I am what most of these people call a prosumer. I take a lot of photographs and format pictures many different ways. This camera can do it all. In addition, you get one of the best optical (6x) zoom lengths with additional digital zoom on top of that. As a bonus, the camera has a movie mode with sound for those special occasions. I did buy a 1GB micro-drive and would recommend you spend the money for at least the 340 MG drive. The memory you use with any of these higher end cameras is huge. It is very light, but a little bulky in the hand. I looked at them all and chose this camera. I am extremely happy I did.
It's a great camera.I skip the pros and state the cons:Poor low light focusNo adapter ring available in the market for this modelNo filters on the market for this model (at least I haven't been able to find)A little bulkyEverything else is great.  BUY IT NOW.
I bought the S602 five or six years ago, took about 5,000 photos with it, and then sold it.  I wish I had never sold the camera because of all the great memories I had shooting high school sports photography with it.In it's day, it was a great camera.  Almost DSLR experience except it's a 3.3mp sensor.  Shutter lag was somewhat noticeable - I had to work around it to get great sports photos.Ability in low light was limited.  The Fujinon lens is a nice, fast piece of glass but the limit was always noise at anything above ISO 400.If you can pick one of these up used for about $50-75 on Craigslist (October 2010) then you have a very interesting camera for low $$$'s.I think I paid nearly $600 for it back when it was new.  These days nobody really shoots with a 3 megapixel camera any more.  However, with the manual controls of this camera a person new to photography could learn a lot working with this one.As I got to be a better photographer I kept hitting the limits of the S602 so I replaced it with a Canon d20 DSLR which was a huge jump up from the S602.I found the DSLR's a bit heavy for vacations and casual use, so I picked up a Canon S5 IS (used) for very little money - primarily because I wanted a nice light camera like the S602 however updated with faster processor and more megapixels (the Canon S5 IS did the trick!)I gave the S602 five stars because it was really a classic.  When it first came out it was one of the few "near DSLR-like" cameras that was affordable to the serious amateur photographer.  It's still a classic represents a good value if purchased used at a steeply discounted price (like $50-75 US dollars).
Okay okay ... You can get this from several Z-shops sellers, starting at $438 (as of 12-26-03).  There are some small errors in the description, which you may clear up for yourself at the Fujifilm.com site.  But compare this to the S5000, which you can get new, here, for about $340.  And if you hunt diligently, today you can grab it for $296.  I am not repeat not talking about some auction sight, either.  (Nor in Japan, where I live at the moment, though there is a place here I must check tomorrow just in case.  Besides, delayed gratification is not my strong suit.)The Fujifilm site gives a detailed description of their CCD (Charge Coupled Device) pixel array that to me sounds like the best thing going in what the working class like me can afford.  The S602 is Fuji's 3rd generation CCD, the S5000 is their 4th generation.  The 602 has 6x optical and 4.4x digital zoom (26.4x), the 5000 has 10x optical and 2.2x digital (22x).  If that extra 4.4 turns your head, then shopping for a telephoto is probably something to consider.  I find the greater lens power more attractive, and should give clearer photos, side by side with the 602 at a comparable focal length setting.If you want to spend serious $$$ for something that has 5 to 8 megapixels, more power to you.  But the S5000 is a better Fuji for less money ... the S602 is really last year's news.  My hard earned greenbacks are on the S5000.
Bought this for my Mother (had it shipped direct to her). She couldn't get it to work so she sent it to me.  Turns out the battery was completely dead (probably since the unit was over 4 years old, even though still new in box).Bought a new battery, still didn't work.  Too late to return it to the seller, so it went in the trash.
I find this camera to take adequate photos, but the camera is made of poor quality. It has scratches on it everywhere, and in under a year, the flash cover keeps falling off. It always gets me noticed, and I might have to buy a new one because I love the size and the shape. It goes everywhere with me, I just wish that the body was stronger.
This camera rocks!  It is so small and fits in your pocket or around your neck (has a strap built in).  This camera is small, but still easy to hold and take great pictures.It has auto red eye reduction and a built in flash.  The flash thinks for you!  No need to mess with turning it on or off or wondering if you should use it in certain lighting conditions.At this price point, you get alot of power in such a little device.  The camera is APS, so it has two different image sizes you can use.  APS film is easy to use too because you can only put it in one right way, believe me, you can't mess this up!  A child can do this!  ;-)I highly recommend this camera to a beginner, a gift for a young person, or just the casual photographer.  I normally use high res. digital cameras, but this one is great to pop in your pocket and go have some fun!It even comes with a full roll of film and a battery!  Normally you just get a roll of 15 shots but you get a full roll in this one!
We bought this camera for my 10 year old daughter at Christmas, and have been nothing but pleased with the quality of the pictures. We chose it for it's size and ease of use for a child with the use of only one hand. I've been known to grab it, though, for quick pics around the house!We have compensated for the additional cost of developign APS film by only getting our pics developed at Sam's or Wal-Mart...
Bought this for an older friend who is "digitally challenged"  She just will not go with current digital cameras no matter what.  The camera works well if you can find the film required. Don't ever get this camera. It is a waste.  My friend finally gave up on it since she can not find the required film at any store where she lives.
Have owned for a year....everything excellent except for the following:Has trouble focusing in low light due to lack of low light assist lamp...The battery door hatch needs to be handled with extreme care. Mine now needs to be taped shut because it likes to pop open unexpetedly.not perfect, but lots of good features, and great pics
The good:Ultra compact, feature rich(I love the subject tracking AF), good picture, easy menu.The bad:weak flash, barrel distortion at the wide angle side.This camera takes good pictures under bright light. But the flash is very weak(effictive within about 6 feet), and it often produce over exposed spots on reflective surface, so if it's not absolutely necessary, turn it off, the fast lens can handle most low light situation(you can turn to manul mode and adjust the aperture to the largest).The barrel distortion at the wide angle is very obvious. I got bended floor lamp, it's much worse than my film SLR(Olympus IS-30). The default turn-on focus setting is the widest angle, so remember move it a little bit to the tele, kind of anoying.Overall satisfied with this camera, subject tracking AF is cute. Takes very detailed pictures, white balance works very good. And it's easy to manipulate pictures with bundled software.
The camera was great when it worked. However, the lens part stopped working twice. The first time the lens just stopped coming out. It cost about over $100 to get it fixed. According to the camera shop, it was some lens part they had to order from Minolta. And then about few months later, the camera was dropped on carpet flooring, and the lens stopped coming out again. That was when we stopped paying to get it fixed.Other than that, the camera was wonderful. It took great photos, videos, and audios. It lasted about 2 years total. I got it when it first came out, so it was somewhere around $350-$400 dollars.
No, Tin Liu, I don't have any problems like you are experiencing.  My camera is noiseless when I'm not snapping a picture and the LCD is as crisp as they come.I remember when I was in Superfine mode, the load times to view my picture was incredibly long and the camera made noise to access my picture.  Are you in superfine mode by chance?Tonia Clifford
Overall, a small, easy to carry feature packed camera. Subject Tracking AF and Area AF make it easy to stay locked onto a subject that's moving so you can take a clear picture. The 110,000 pixel LCD display provides a crisp clear image. The optional RC-3 remote control allows you to tripod mount the camera and take self-portraits--if you think being able to do that is worth the [money]for the remote.A customer from San Diego, CA USA claimed that the F100 'did not have "time stamp" option which will allow customer to put date on picture automatically'. Actually it does. Under Manual mode, Menu->Custom 2 tab, there's an option called "date imprint". Turning it on sticks the date on the photo automatically. This option applies to manual mode, but you can still configure manual mode with the menus to be mostly automatic anyway. Why so many complain about features a device doesn't (appear to) have without bothering to read the manual first, eludes me. Besides, why ruin a good picture with a big DATE STAMP when the camera records all of the image details in the jpeg file? With the software included, it's very easy to see the time, date, capturing device settings and dozens of other jpeg properties after the fact without compromising the photo.The fact that Minolta doesn't include an AC adapter is a kicker because the AC-6 adapter costs a hefty [amount]. If you happen to have a card reader which is a better option than the USB cable anyway (go ahead and buy the 6-in-1 type so you can read anything), the adapter really isn't that important unless you like putting up slide shows on TV with the included A/V adapter cable.Minolta was one of the few companies who considered customer convenience in this design--they wisely chose to use AA batteries. Olympus is one of the few manufacturers to use AAs in most of their models. Most cameras I reviewed in the 4MP range use those ridiculously overpriced proprietary Li-Ion batteries. If you happen to be overseas without a charger that supports alternate voltages (a situation I'm in frequently), you'd better take a spare, and plan on paying around [money], or foot the bill for a dual-voltage charger if you can even get one. On top of that, you'll be lucky if you get 2 years out of the stupid things, and then you're out another [money] or so if the manufacturer even still makes them by that time. Minolta eliminated all of this pain by using standard off-the-shelf good old [inexpensive] AAs in the F100. Buy a few NiMH to carry around and keep a couple of lithium AAs with you to use if you run out of charged NiMH batteries. Worst case, stop at a gas station and load up on Alkaline AAs. They'll have a shorter life, but at least your camera still functions! If you're looking at cameras that use proprietary batteries, think long and hard about how you might wind up without the facilities to recharge before you buy. Sooner or later, it will be a problem.The LCD is recessed which helps protect it from sharp objects sliding over the back of the camera--an unfortunate oversight on another brand which now has several scratches across the screen.The lens retracts into the camera and a cover automatically closes to protect it. No lens cap to lose, no slide cover to forget to close. This lens cover design may not protect quite as well as a heavy sliding cover on other models, but given the price, I have no intentions of using my camera as a football anyway. Keep it in a padded carry bag.One last pleasant surprise from the Minolta is the F100's ISO capability. Most cameras I've seen go up to 400, amd nearly all use 100-200 when left in auto--including the Minolta. In manual mode, the Minolta can go as high as ISO 800. This allows the camera to take photos in surprisingly low-light situations--often without the flash! There is a tradeoff though: just as with film, the higher ISO settings result in "granier" images. Still, if it's grainy or nothing, I'll choose grainy.
I have owned several cameras but this was my first (and last)Minolta and the worst camera in my experience.  I really thought that the Minolta name implied a certain degree of high quality - I was wrong.  What good are 4 Megapixels if the camera can't be used in normal circumstances.  (Stick with Canon, Nikon, Olympus and even Kodak)Pros--Excellent clarity and true colors at close range (outdoors in good lighting only)--Almost always excellent photo quality outdoors in daylight--True flesh tones and colorsConsBattery life is horrible - Even with the expensive enclosed battery I operated the camera for about 30 pictures before wiping it out.I wound up buying 8 rechargable AA batteries (2100ma) and constantly had to change them out--digital display had to be kept off in order to save battery life--impossible to use in low light for subjects beyond 6 feet--camera took over 10-15 seconds to adjust itself for dim indoor use - you will miss a lot of shots (People posing for these shots always wound up with a look of irritation that the shots were taking so long to take.)--terrible photo quality (clarity and color) results indoors or outdoors in dim light.  Camera can't focus and adjust beyond 6'--The lens takes forever to telescope in and out when turning it on or shutting it down.--Terrible preset adjustments don't improve performance - almost always make it worse--Manual settings are very difficult to set due to the maze or menus you have to navigate through--Anything above a 100 ISO setting produced so much noise thatthe pictures were rendered usless-- very long refractory time between shots - takes forever for it to recharge itself between pics-- takes a very long time to save each pic
The Dimage F-series of digital cameras are nothing short of AMAZING.  Or AWESOME.  Or PERFECT.  Each model is a perfect balance between size (compact, take-anywhere) and features (especially the number of manual controls which simply don't exist on other digital cameras, even excellent offerings from Canon or Fuji).  3X optical zoom is pretty standard on prosumer cameras these days; of course it would be nice to have 10X or 30X or 100X optical zoom, but at what price?  The F100 (and other F models) are very well priced, being affordable to every level of digital camera enthusiasts.Unlike the flat dimensions of the Dimage X-series, the F-series models are a bit elongated and hence *easier* to hold (especially if you are rightie, of course).  The controls are pretty straightforward, although you might want to keep the manual handy the first couple days you use the camera.  Rechargable batteries are dirt cheap these days with the Chinese entering the market, and NiMH ones have twice the recharge cyles as LiIon ones, so power is not a problem -- you just should bring enough for your trip.I also love the fact Minolta uses SD memory cards.  My Fujitsu laptop (as well as other multimedia laptops from Toshiba and HP) have a built-in SD/MMC slot, so I can just stick in the SD card and it instantly sits on my XP desktop as a removable drive.  Then it's just easy drag-n-drop in Windows Explorer!  Just perfect!What can I say.  If you don't have an F100 (4 megapixel) or F300 (5.3 megapixel) already, go get one today!
After being a die-hard film photographer for the last 20 years, I finally took the plunge and bought a digital camera.  After much research, I decided on the Minolta F100.  This camera is the perfect size for backpacking and other trips.  You will never have to worry about leaving it behind.  I was a little disapointed that the camera did not come with an A/C adapter, but I bought an inexpensive SD/MMC memory card reader that connects to my computer via a USB cable.  This way the camera does not have to be on in order to download pictures to your computer, thus saving wear and tear on the camera, and saving batteries.  Speaking of batteries, I like the fact that the Minolta gives you the option of using AA batteries, which can be a real benefit if you run out of Lithium and/or rechargeable batteries.Most importantly, the pictures are great!  The camera is easy to use in automatic mode, but you have the option of complete control in manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority modes.
I just love this camera for the great combination of features it provides in ths small sleek take-everywhere package. But features alone wouldn't suffice without good picture quality, and the F100 delivers excellent pictures for an ultracompact. Nice sharpness throughout the entire lens, and natural well-balanced colors. Autofocus is fairly fast and reliable. Works on two AA batteries and gives only average battery life, but the convenience and cost-savings of being able to use rechargeable NIMH batteries is well worth the tradeoff. In fact, this was a big selling point for me. I have a [brand name] digital camera that uses a proprietary li-ion battery which is very expensive, though it does last long. But for an ultracompact like the F100, I much prefer the AA batteries. One other plus for the F100 is the 4 megapixels. Some other compacts,... , only give you 2 megapixels. For the most casual photographer, this may be enough. But when you end up cropping some shots, like I do, the extra megapixels are mandatory. There is a full range of manual controls for the more advanced shooters, plus a wide range of auto settings for complete point-and-shoot convenience. I'm glad I waited for this model to come out before going for one of the many other digital compacts out there.
I owned this camera and I used one at work.  Both of them malfunctioned after about 1 year (lens extension motor stuck open).  Also, battery life was terrible. Constantly changing out batteries even when using 2300 NiMHs.  LCD viewfinder was useless outdoors.
Bought the F100 as my second digicam after doing months of research. It seemed to be the right fit for my needs. There is not doubt that this camera takes excellent pictures - much better than my old Ricoh 5300. And, the manual features are excellent, although often buried in the menus.That said, this camera is built very cheaply. The battery lid easily pops open dumping the batteries when you pull it out of a case. And worst of all, the switch at the top of the camera is very easy to turn on inadvertantly. This causes the lens to pop out at &quot;inopportune&quot; times (like in your pocket). I read about this in several other reviews of the F100, but decided to buy it anyway, since I am very careful with my equipment. I even bought a small neoprene case to make sure this didn't happen. Even with this precaution, I pulled the F100 out of the case from my jacket one day only to find that it had somehow turned on and fried the lens servo motor.Also, the sound quality is a joke. The only good news was that the camera broke before my return period was over so I got my money back. I'm probably going to buy a Canon S45 to replace it. I cannot recommend this camera.
This is a good camera for awesome still photos, but don't get too close; tend to be blurry. And even in macro mode, you have to be perfectly still (tripod) as well as your subject. The lens did get stuck once, but has worked fine since.My biggest pet peeve is that the video only records in .mov format. Only RealOne can play that. I cannot use it with Windows Movie Maker, as only Macs can. I wish it could have an option to record in .avi or .mpg formats.So, when my husband lost it a month ago, I was a bit upset, but glad that now I can get a camcorder that records in a Windows compatable format and that takes stills as well. I will not buy any Minoltas until they offer those formats. It is very important to me; I have 3 children that are growing fast.And I also have one more pet peeve: everytime your batteries die or you remove them, you have to reset your date and time. VERY annoying! No memory battery to keep data you entered. This camera is good, but with a few minor improvements, it can be awesome.
This camera takes great pictures and I love the Area Auto Focus that lets you tell the camera where to focus.My major problem with it is that the selector dial sticks out and can turn when you put the camera in your pocket. This has happened several times and I think it damaged something because the focus stopped working after 4 months of ownership.Other than that, it is very slow but takes great pictures.
Pros:- The camera is able to produce high resolution pictures.- The control panel is easy to navigate.- The structure is rigid.Cons:- The camera is power hungry. It is able to devour a standard NiMH rechargeable battery after a minor usage.- The video capture is unable to go beyond 35s limit (the device is outdated).Conclusion: Get a better & modern digital camera if you have money to spend. If you decide to get this gadget, don't forget to bring extra batteries.
The good:Great zoom range. It's the only ZLR that goes as wide as 28mm (35mm equivalent).The bad:Very poor focusing, especially in low light.The ugly:More noise than you'd expect. A better alogarithm is need. A digital camera is only as good as its programming.The electronic viewfinder is virtually useless. The low pixel count and distorted viewfinder optics do it in.
This is the third digital camera I have owned .... .Specifically, I was very concerned that indoor shots would come out blurry or dim. Let me say that this camera has produced the best indoor shots I have ever seen from a digital camera. Outdoor shots are great too but my biggest concern was put to rest.This is a very intelligently designed camera...the weight feels good in my hands (not too light and not to heavy). The buttons and dials are placed well throughout the camera. Even though it has a big zoom, the camera doesn't look "abnormal" like the Sony Cybershot DSC-F707 which has a lens that sticks out like an eyesore. I don't understand why the Sony lens which is only 5x optical sticks out like that while this DiMage has a 7x zoom and is more compact.The things I like best about this camera: 1) The focus is fast and accurate, the many extra focusing options are a nice plus (and not to mention the ability to use manual focus to adjust the autofocus), 2) indoor pictures come out sweet (and of course outdoors as well), 3) looks and feels like a film camera, 4) manual zoom gives you great control and saves batteries, 5) the flash is surprisingly strong, 6) the LCD is very bright and clear, and finally...a big big plus 7) the lens head is threaded for filter attachments! This seems like such a simple thing but so many digicams don't have this option! You will feel 100% better when you can go stick a cheap UV filter on the camera which will keep the DiMage camera lens from getting dust and scratches.Things that could use some improvement on this camera:1) The electronic view finder is slightly blurry around the edges. This was a little disappointing but I still use the EVF regularly to save batteries...the picture still comes out great. Manual focus changes may be difficult to notice through the EVF...you may want to switch to the LCD for manual focus adjustments. 2) The door to the AC Adapter and TV is a flimsy plastic door. 3) So far as I know, there are no add-on lenses specifically made for this camera (I am sure you could get something to work but why go through so much trouble?) I would love it if they made a wide angle lens attachment. 4) AC Adapter doesn't come with camera and is quite expensive ... but then again, many digicams don't include an AC Adapter. They tossed in some seriously good rechareable batteries and charger from Sanyo though which are 1850 mAh...hard to find that high capacity in the store!
I recently purchased a 7i through Amazon's marketplace, and have been having a blast with it.  The lens is fantastic- wide angle all the way to long zoom.  The manual zoom makes this camera feel like a proper SLR.  The camera gives great feedback on the LCD about what an exposure will look like.  The autofocus is good, but hunts a bit sometimes... so locking on to something and keeping the shutter half down is the way to go.  The battery usage is pretty heavy, and you need a spare set (or two) of good new NiMH batteries if you're planning on shooting more than 150 shots in a day.  In my experience, 2100 mah hybrid NiMH batteries last about 3 days of intermittent use.The images that come out of this camera have been uniformly great.  Some people have complained about noise at higher ISO settings, and yes, there is noise... that looks just like high ISO film grain.  Sometimes I want that grainy effect, and cranking the ISO to 800 gets it for me.I'm very happy with this camera, even if it is 6 years old.  It is a shame that Minolta went out of the camera business, because this is a fantastic image catcher.
How to start... I'm a street photographer as a hobby, and have been eyeing this camera and it's older brothers the 7hi(copycat) and A-series for a while. I really don't have an interest in dSLRs since I have a Nikon f100. That's the camera I do paid work with. Having a certain itch for FULL MANUAL photography led me to this little wonder, and after using it, I have to say, I'm humbled.- First of all, the magnesium alloy body is the most well made body I've felt short of the Casio z75's aluminum body.- Many people complain about the auto focus and manual focus. Let me enlighten you. This camera has the same autofocus that all slrs and P&S;'rs have. it's a horizontal strip of pixels that checks contrast. Make sure you line up your camera along vertical details or turn it sideways for horizontal details when autofocusing. It's SIMPLE. Many people also complain about manual focus. This is how it works. Hit the zoom button, focus. Half-cock the shutter to get a full frame preview. Let it go to go back to zoom so you can see how sharp you have the image. When it's ready, hit shutter. Very easy.- The image quality sits in the bottom 2/5ths of all SLRs.- The manual focus is as sensitive as the Fuji s7000's manual focus ring and is very comfortable to use.- The manual zoom and macro modes are impressive.- The LCD and EVF, while low res, do the job nicely. I could focus in on anything with magnifier(used to this from using the s7000)- The live exposure update is very well implemented. Instead of a meter or (like in some slr's, a color becon), it just shows you how exposed the shot is, with is very good on Minolta's part.- Yes it's a battery hog. Buy 2500+ ma rechargeable batteries.- The continuous shot mode and high speed continuous shot modes are really useful.- I could go on, but I'd be rambling.Simply put, if you're a good photographer and you're not spoiled by your optic viewfinder, you will love this P&S.; If you happen to order a bad one, send it back. Make sure you get a tested and proven working 7i. These cameras are keepers if you can take good care of them.
I researched many cameras in stores and on line.  I wanted high pixel, lots of zoom and movie with sound.  Nikon 5700 with 8x zoom is more expensive and was not available.  Nikon 5000 does not compare in the zoom.I was sold on the Minolta.  I am still experimenting with all the amazing features.  Automatic does a great job.  I recommend reading the manual several times,,,, actually I study the manual and then practice on the actual camera.  I bought an AC adapter and run an extension cord and practice on that and not use up the batteries,plus walk around the rooms taking pictures connected to the AC adapter...This camera is like buying a small computer. I love it.  It is the best buy out there for a 5+ pixel with the 60 second movie with sound.  I love the macro switch for close up work! There is even a menu to shoot black and white if you need to do some art work.  You can change so many variables and even label your files that will come up on the PC when you download. In the LDC screen there is a small keyboard that shows up so you type in your own name to a photo file.  I also bought a compact flash reader that connects to your USB and I don't even have to download from the camera. Plus with my printer I can just put in the card and print directly. I also bought a compact flash card with more MB.  It comes with Sanyo rechargeable batteries and the recharger.  I can't say enough about how please I was to find this camera.  And actually a review like this about a Dimage 7 helped me realize the Dimage 7i is the newer model with sound for the movie! The investment of $1000 is worth it.  This camera's technology will be around for a long time. Have fun !!!
i can only say that i wish i could have afforded the $1100 dollars newprice in 2002 because the image quality of the 7i is increadable.
This camera does it all. The lens is superb, which is absolutely necessary if you want your photographs to have a quality look. Needless to say a 7X optical zoom is an important tool.The camera is highly automatic but almost, if not all, automatic features can be set manually.Get about 12 NiMH AA batteries and a quick charger. 128MB compact flash cards are available for about [$$]. I have three cards with me always. At a fine resolutuin each card can accomodate about 50 very large jpgs. The best storage medium for large files in a CD-RW.
I have never challenged my photography skills until I got this camera. The first month or so that I had it, (got in August 2002) I used it in the fully automatic mode. Learning all of the features and settings is a challenge -- that's not a complaint - this camera is so packed with functionality that you will have to learn it over time. I never heard of White Balance until I got this camera. I am now using the manual modes and taking photographs I never thought were possible. Don't get me wrong, the manual modes are great but when you want to push the limits of your creativity - this camera will allow you to do it.
I fell in love with my last  Minolta camera and wanted to try a newer verision of the Minolta.  Just love these Minolta and the results I get with them.
I got this camera *years* ago!  I still work with it occasionally, but back in it's hayday, I used it for bulb photography with lightning.  The plus was using infinity and not autofocus (because the autofocus is horrendous), but the negatives were a maximum 60 second bulb and lots of noise.  Of course, back when this camera was $1,000+, it was pretty good.  Still, in the daylight it takes beautifully vivid photos.  I upgraded the firmware on it just before Konica halted the production of all cameras, which was supposed to fix the autofocus, but didn't make any difference to me.  It's been through rain, snow and heat and has still held up.  She's probably been through at least 10,000 pictures (lots of lightning photos that contained no lightning, probably every 95 in 100 were deleted).  Very robust.  Still gets four stars despite it's problems.  I'll keep it til it dies!
On 12/03/02 I have uprated my review to four stars from two stars. I recently had to send the 7i back to Minolta for repair of the flash unit. When they returned it, I found that the autofocus works quite well. They said on the invoice that they did a complete cleaning and adjusted to factory specs. Apparently that corrected the autofocus problem with my camera. So I amend the quoted text below with this new information. There are still a fair number of people on the forums that report autofocus problems, so this may be a quality control problem. I must say that Minolta's waranty service was easy to obtain and speedy."The 7i is a camera that should have great potential but misses. It is my fourth digital still camera, and the most problematic. Auto focus often does not work. This is the biggest problem and one that is well documented on the digital camera forums. The D7 had this problem also and Minolta claims they fixed it, but apparently not. I point, I get auto focus confirmation in the view finder, I shoot, and too many times the 7i decides to focus on something other than the subject". Auto exposure is also iffy. There is a tendancy for these cameras to over expose. This is not a point and shoot camera. It is possible to get some excellent pictures, but this camera takes a lot of getting used to and requires a lot of tweaking.Another problem is higher than average image noise for a camera of this resolution. This is another problem that is well documented on the forums. Too bad I did not take the time to search before purchasing.The 7i has many useful modes and adustments. The problem is you have to twist a dial then press a button, and perhaps use even another dial or button to acomplish an adjustment. Really akward to use for candid photography. The manual focus ring is so close to the body that it is hard to get your fingers on to use.All in all my Olympus digital cameras blow the 7i away on picture quality, auto focus, auto exposure and ease of use. I really wish I had stuck with my other cameras and waited for the next generation of 5 or 6 megapixel zoom cameras.Before you buy this camera, do some on line searching for digital camera forums and check into the problems that experienced users are having with the Minolta 7xx series of cameras. You will wonder how, if they really put it through its paces, so many of the reviewers here gave it such a high rating.
Minolta's Dimage 7i is expensive, but its design is inviting. One of its most outstanding qualities is its generous zoom-range. At 28-200mm, it is a novelty in this digicam category: a masterpiece with excellent wide-angle and focussing system. The listed 5.24 megapixels buck, which effectively yields a 4.95 megapixels resolution proved capable. Its quality images testified to this fact. Minolta's styling choice ensured that Dimage 7i has well-positioned accessories and control buttons. But the main setback is that the high-speed 7fps burst falters each time I set the camera at its maximum resolution.Overall, this is a fine photo tool whose image quality is superior to that of its immediate predecessor, the Dimage 7.
Camera is in great shape.I have not fully tested thiscamera but so far it is perfect.The packing was the bestI've seen to protect a product.Shipping was fast.I'm happy with this purchase.
I've spent some time looking for a digital camera. I was looking for the best value in about ~[$$$]range and this camera is probably one of the best choices. What is so special in this camera?- 28-200 zoom. It's very unusual to find a digital camera with zoom starting as low as 28 mm. And it makes a huge difference when you take pictures inside buildings. 28mm means significantly wider view then 35 or fourty something.- Manual zoom. Many close competititors have motorized zoom. It's slow. Manual zoom gives you better control.- Autofocus. It's just great. It's fast and if there is not enough light it switches to B&W; mode so if you can see anything yourself in most cases your camera will be able to get autofocus to work.- Manual focus. There is a ring and you can focus manually or tune after AF.- EVF. Some people like optical viewfinders but keep in mind that on EVF you see what will be on your picture real time. Like if you shoot man on the snow you can see if his face too dark or too light before you press the button, not after.- Lots of features. Minolta has probably the richest set of features in the class.I really enjoy this camera. Highly, Highly recommended.
Unlike other 5 megapixel SLRs, this one is reasonably priced, but still has every feature you could imagine. I discovered that standard resolution images, at about 1 MB each, are all you need to make 35mm quality 5x7 prints. I couldn't see any improvement at the fine resolution that requires twice as much memory, and superfine requires so much as to be impractical. The camera only comes with a 16 megabyte memory card, so you will want at least a 256 megabyte CompactFlash card which will store 150+ standard images. Advanced 35mm photographers will be pleased that this camera has all the features you expect on a quality SLR, such as shutter or aperture priority or manual exposure modes, spot metering, exposure and focus lock, auto/manual focus, etc. But on top of that you get the equivalent of a 28mm-200mm f2.8 macro zoom in an incredibly compact package, electronic versions of every color correction filter, a 2x digital zoom (on top of the 7x optical zoom; on my old 2 MP camera, digital zoom was worthless - on this camera I still got acceptable images with digital zoom) and the ability to change "film" speed (which affects the image noise level) from ISO 100 to ISO 800 whenever you want to get more sensitivity. There is also an adequate built in flash, or you can add an external flash. The lens is also threaded for external filters like a UV lens protector. Connection to my Windows XP PC was effortless.Drawbacks: even with the best 1850 mAh NiMH batteries, this camera is very fast to warn you that your batteries are low, so be sure to get several sets of batteries and fast chargers (one set of batteries and a charger is included). And there are so many buttons and features, it takes a while to remember which feature or menu or option goes with which button; I think there's some logic to it, but I haven't figured it out yet. It does have a simple "put me back in dumb point-and-shoot mode" button, but a technophobe might not appreciate all the capabilities of this camera. Finally, the optional AC adapter is outrageously expensive, but generic ones are available for less than half the price.Update: 1. If you have your heart set on using the "super-fine" mode, besides the fact that it uses a large amount of memory, be aware that the camera "goes dead" for about a minute while the image is written to the flash card. 2. At first I thought an optical SLR viewfinder would be better than electronic, but I really love this camera's EVF. It lets you see exactly how your shot will be exposed, which is really nice for critical high-contrast shots like landscapes. 3. Next, the camera seems to overexpose slightly outdoors, but this is readily apparent in the EVF and easily compensated for using the digital effects control. 4. Finally, if you want a Remote Cord, they are very expensive, as all the Minolta accessories seem to be.Update 2: If you want more power than the built in flash, I've discovered that although this camera uses the same Minolta flashes as the Maxxums, generic dedicated flashes made for Maxxums WILL NOT work with this camera, so you have to buy a Minolta flash. The 3600HS(D) is the cheapest and a very nice flash, but still relatively very expensive if you just want a little more power than the built in flash.
I bought this camera right before a vacation that featured the Reno Air Races, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, and Yosemite. To go with it I picked up a second set of rechargeable AA's and a 1gb Microdrive.I am beyond pleased with the results.At the Races...I was able to stop props on planes flying near 500 mph and got several very nicely framed shots. The biggest drawback was that I was able to take only one picture per 20-25 seconds on the highest resolution (the write to the card after each picture forces this), so I had to lower the resolution to get a burst of pictures or risk missing a shot either in framing or in the delay. When I hit right I loved the action photos, but this was my biggest disappointment. I had to leave the autofocus off on several of the shots of the fastest planes or the delay would cause lose the picture, but the manual focus was fine for this.In Tahoe and Yosemite...Excellent shots with rich vibrant color. Playing with the options on the camera helped find bring out the colors in the sunsets and forest scenes. I did not bring any filters and I really needed a graded filter for some of the low-light situations as I was forced to choose exposures for the Ground or the sky, but that was my fault. Occasionally I had a different goal than the automatic settings, but this camera is a dream manually.In San Francisco...Incredible night scenes. The camera performed beautifully. I was able to get great pictures of Muir Woods and the Golden Gate.Overall...I wish - just a little - that the 7hi had been out before I went. Per the Minolta website it's able to take three picture bursts at the highest resolution before writing to disk and I think the black will wear better.The battery life didn't hurt me as long as I had the second set, but I did have to change and charge every day and once had to switch to an emergency set of Alkalines (which it ate and spat out so quickly I thought it must have been an error)But I took a few of the best pictures of my life and I ended with 7 gig of pictures to stroll through at my leisure and the 8 X 10's I have printed have been amazing.I am very happy with my purchase and give it five stars because it does everything it says it does very well. But with the 7hi the bar goes a little higher yet.
This is my 5th digital camera in approximately the last 4 years. The Dimage 7i a serious upgrade compared to the Nikon 990(3.34 megapixel) I was using. The Nikon is a nice camera, but the Minolta 7i has more functions and greater resolution.Battery life was my primary concern prior to purchasing the Dimage 7i. That turned out not to be an issue using good NiMH rechargable batteries (1600mAh or above). I was able to get over 70 photos on one set of batteries. I would recommend using the electronic view finder vs the LCD monitor to conserve battery life.Because the camera is 5 megapixel, have several memory cards at least 128MB, preferably 256MB or above. They fill up fast when using at the higher resolutions.Take a few minutes to read the manual to learn the tricks of the camera, it is well worth it.
As a freelance photographer I have really put this camera through the ropes.  It offers outstanding features and lets you see "real time" the effect you're having on the exposure as you change the settings.  It has a really convenient quick-view mode, which allows you to quickly flick through pictures without putting the camera on "view" mode.These are the camera's strong points:- Great built in filters- A wealth of top-shelf features- Amazing zoom range, and- Very intuitive traditional controlsBut alas nothing in life is perfect.  Most reviewers here have faulted battery life - trivial compared to these issues:TIFF and RAW - Completely useless.  Don't ever bother with them if you want to shoot multiple shots.  TIFF and RAW files take an outrageous amount of time to save to the compact flash card rendering them useless.  Don't use, unless you have an unchanging subject and all day to shoot it.Auto ISO - It will always pick a ISO setting that is too high and generate an unacceptable amount of noise in your images, especially in low light.  If you notice noisy pictures, just set the ISO manually and counter balance it with your exposure biasing.To sum up, a great camera with only two flaws.  That's the least I've ever experienced with any camera.  Go for it!
I took this unit diving.  After 5 dives, at 60' in dead calm conditions and with careful maintenance, it leaked badly enough to destroy my camera.  I cleaned everything and tried it again with the destroyed camera on a later dive.  Same results.Canon refused to cover ANYTHING.Do NOT buy this as a diving housing.  It will cost you your camera fairly quickly, with no possibility of compensation.
Works superbly and is completely water tight. Took it down to 90+ feet and had no issues whatsoever. Fit my camera and everything worked like a charm. To those that had issues with fogging, read around. I never used the anti fog and never had an issue but I read around and saw that people were taking the silica gel from dry goods and putting it into the enclosure with the camera and that fixes any moisture that gets in which also prevents fog. I did have fogging after one dive because I had to open the case to swap out the battery which caused moisture from my semi wet hands to leak in. Before I went down on second dive 30 minutes later, fog cleared up and no more moisture.PROS--Works superbly (aka does what it was designed for)-Fits camera greatCONS--Actually I'll start out with a knock on the camera but it is VERY relevant to this enclosure. I have S50 and it does NOT have underwater mode. Colors gets completely lost without a flash or if subject is too far away. That said, spend the extra bucks and get a different camera that has underwater mode and the enclosure that goes with it. FYI, the SD line has Underwater mode.-Button graphics on camera hard to see with enclosure on. You MUST memorize and know what buttons does what before placed into enclosure.-[Not as much of a con any more.. See comment] Cannot turn camera off once it is inside enclosure. This wastes TONS of battery power. Had to constantly swap out batteries after every dive. ("Sky and SCUBA" mentioned that you can put the camera manually in sleep mode by pushing "the WB/FUNC button for more than 5 seconds".  Naturally even after doing this, you should probably switch batteries after each dive anyway but this would have been handy to know for the longer shallow dives.)ConclusionIf you are just going snorkeling and won't go below 15', this is an idea solution. Color loss isn't bad at all at that depth and photoshop can bring back any color lost.  Also this is an idea solotion if you have a camera that fits this enclosure and can't afford a better camera. Again I have to mention my suggestion that if you have the money, go with a camera that supports underwater mode instead then buy the enclosure that fits it even if you are just snorkeling.
This plastic shell makes it possible for you to bring your camera with you while you go bathing, swimming or diving. Usually I buy the "use once" cameras that also are a bit waterproof, but I find that the picture quality not so good. With this underwater casing, I can bring my S40 instead, giving me a lot of nice pictures. I think the price for this underwater camera shell is about 20 "use once" cameras, but regarding the large amount of pictures you can take with the digital camera, I think it is worth it.In 4 weeks I will take this gadget to the south of Italy for a try diving. As long as the water is clear so there is enough light this underwater camera solution should produce great pictures. When there is lack of light, the flash is not strong enough though. I will update the review when I am back.A flexible digital camera solution for fun pictures in the wet - perfect vacation gadget---Back from Italy:While in Italy, I took around 1000 pictures. About a 3rd of the pictures were really good. Some pictures lacked focus, and some lacked fishes =). Diving in southern Italy, the water is very clear making it easy for the camera to use auto focus. I used macro mode only during this trip and I got some really good pictures. The only problem I had was the battery. After some days I learned how to take pictures without using the LCD screen. Turning the screen off will prevent the battery from going dead too soon.I am very pleased with the underwater house, and I will continue to use it during my future trips.
This case is absolutely excellent if you use it for underwater work. The problem is you have to leave the S-30/40 on while it is the case. The battery doesn't last very long even when you keep the digital display off. This case is only good if you use it under normal diving conditions: about an hour or less in the water and you put the camera in the case right before you dive. I wanted to use it for an all day event in dusty conditions where there was a lot of dust and the potential for rainfall/snow/wet conditions exits. I couldn't use it because you have to put the camera, in the on mode, in the case before you leave on the trip, and it sits like that until you want to take a picture. By the time I started to take pictures, the battery was almost dead.The moral of the story is: if you dive this case is great! Precison made, excellent quality, all you could want in a waterproof case. If you have want a clean environment for your camera during dusty/dirty/damp conditions, this is not the case for you.
Several reviews incorrectly state that the camera cannot be turned off in the case. This is not the case (at least not for the S45). Rather than the normal way (shutting the cover) you hold WB/FUNC for 5 sec to turn the camera off, and use the shutter button to turn it back on.
I ordered an extra battery to keep on hand. I charge them and carry them with me. I hate missing that perfect picture because my battery is dead!
I've bought batteries in the past and they were generic and did not last as long as this type which state Nikon on them. They hold a good charge.
Received in reasonable time.  Installed in my Coolpix 2500 - holds a charge about like it did when it was new.  For the price this is a great bargain and should keep my camera going a few more years.  It's a Nikon and takes great pictures.
Terrific deal, extends the life of my "older" digital camera. I had visited, unsuccessfully, several local camera shops, attempting to find a replacement battery for this camera. This merchant not only had the correct battery, but offered prompt, accurate and courteous service. Highly rated merchant.
Pros:Fits the camera.Small for compact camerasHandles fast chargeCons:ONLY fits the specific charger for it -- you have to buy the charger too.Try to find a car charger for a trip.Not interchangable with your other cameras, even other Nikons use other different batteries.Hard to find locally
It is a battery.  It is rechargable.  If fits in your CoolPix 2500.  It is somewhat expensive, for a battery.  You should probably have an extra one so you will always have a charged battery ready.Oh, and it is black and says "Nikon" on it.  Usually things that fit that description cost much more.
Good service.  Good battery.  I have bought the generic replacement for this battery before and it did not last as long as the Nikon.  But the Nikon and at this price, buy two.
Have to give it three stars because I honestly can't say how it is. I purchased a Nikon S3500 camera and below the item, the battery was included in the &#34;Customers who bought this item also bought...&#34; Since my camera was the S3500, I assumed it was the right battery because it said it worked in a Nikon 3500. Nope. Too big and the contacts are wrong. I gave three stars only because I've had Nikon products before and they were always good.
Ordered two -- one was defective.  It happens.  But this battery was TOTALLY dead and caused a charging error the instant it was inserted in two different charges.  I would like to think that should have been caught in a quality control inspection.  But at least one was working, so it is enough to get me by until the replacement arrives.These replacement batteries are a hair thinner than the original battery.  Now it might not matter in some cameras, but my camera is old and the contacts are worn I'm sure.  This battery did not make good contact until I taped a small piece of card stock (80 lb) on the back side.  After that, it slides right in the camera, makes positive contact, and perform flawlessly.  I didn't take a star off because it is probably my old camera contacts.All in all, the battery charges, holds a charge well, and provides many days of use for me.  I'm not a heavy user: some days 5 pictures, some days 30 or more.Very satisfied.  (I did take one star off because I think that severe of a defective battery should have been caught before shipment.)
bought 3 of these to replace 2 that came with the camera.. of the 3 only one will hold a charge more than 5 minutes. Vary dissapointed.
This battery works great!  I'm so glad that it's still available for purchase.  My old Coolpix battery died 6 years ago and purchasing a replacement back then was really expensive.  I'm so glad prices have come down and I get to use my old camera again!
Battery is the correct one for the Nikon Coolpix, it works just like it is suppose to in the camera.  Camera was a gift for an eight year old, she is very happy.
this battery was getting hard to find. i found just wnat i needed. good price and was delivered on time..........
Really wish I would have read the ONE negative review BEFORE I purchased! I just assumed it was the right battery based on the description :(
I have been using one of these for years and it finally started to fray at the seams, thus needed a replacement. I looked for this by the model number tagged on the case (5688) and that's what I got. It's exactly like the original one except for one detail. The little pocket in the front for a memory card or whatever, does not have the velcro fastener like the old one did. That's an inconvenience when the card tends to slip out.  Minor detail, but I think important.
This case is for very small compact camera's only.  Based on the internal dimensions I thought it would work with mine, but it did not.  Check the size of your camera and compare before making a purchase.  The case itself is nice for a small camera.  I will probably give this one away as it is not worth sending back.
I bought this camera bag in black, but it is the same bag. First of all, let me say that is does not &quot;fit&quot; my Canon S400 Digital Elph. In width, the bag seams too baggy. And in height, only about half the velcro crosses with the camera in the bag. I was expecting a snug fitting bag, but this just isn't it. Though the little pouch in the front is not designed for holding much, it barely fits an extra memory card and will never be able to fit an extra battery and allow the bag to close. I recomend buying the cannon bag designed for the camera. I will probobly do that and get rid of this one.But on the plus side, the belt strap is kind of nice. It connects  on the bottom with velcro and a button so it can be attached without taking off one's belt or attached to anything else.
Many years ago I bought a version of this camera pouch and it finally wore out (hook & loop wore out on main flap). I tried to find a replacement at the local stores and felt like Goldielocks and the three bears. Other items were expensive, a bad size or a strange shape.I ended up returning to this same camera pouch as the size is good. This version now has the hook & loop to close the front storage area, which is a nice addition. This gives room to store memory cards and extra batteries.This can be put on a belt or strap and there is a snap, as well as the hook and loop material (not sure if they use the trademarked product or not :-), so it is easy to take off, but is secure and not coming off unless you want it to.So, I am happy to buy this item again as it does everything that I need it to, is reasonable in price and is a good size.
I bought this product to fit my Garmin Nuvi GPS - which doesn't come with a good case.  This definitely picks up the slack and fits the unit perfectly.  I travel alot, and while this isn't a hard case, it keeps the unit protected in my travel bag that I use as a carry-on.
I got this case for my Canon A590IS. My previous Tamrac case was the 5692 for my Canon A70. Based on my positive experience with that model, I ordered the 5690.Here are the things that I like about this case. It has good padding around the main compartment. The case is well constructed and sturdy. You have options for carrying it, an adjustable shoulder strap, or clipping it to your belt. The belt clip has both velcro and a The pockets are handy for carrying extra batteries and the USB cable. The lid closes with velcro and is backed up by a snap closure.Here are the things that I do not like about this case. It needs more padding on the lid. The shoulder strap is only 5/8 inches wide (wider would be more comfortable). The belt clip is narrow.Be sure to go to Tamrac's website and view the size recommendations. My Canon A590IS is too big for this case. It turns out I needed the 5691.
First, there is no zipper to scratch the camera as it is taken in and out of the case. Quality construction materials and well thought out functionality. Seems very rugged. Sized just right for the Sony RX100 with separate zip pocket for extra battery and memory card.
I am glad I read the reviews.  I would have been surprised at the small size otherwise.  I went to the Tamrac site and they recommended this bag for my Panasonic Digital Camera.  It fits perfectly.  It is NOT a carry-all bag-just room for the camera, extra battery and extra memory card.  It is what I wanted.
I anticipate this is a quality item: cannot find it in retail stores - does anyone know if this requires that a person wear a belt or will it clip to a waistband like a cell phone holster does? Do any slim camera cases have the "spring clip" attachment that I am looking for (I dont wear belts)
I researched extensively on the internet for camera cases for my Canon 570 IS.  This is the only case I found that had a really well-designed area for extra supplies - namely, batteries and memory cards.  Other cases (I looked at over 20) had one or the other, but not both, and not separated within their own compartment.  Look at the picture, and you can see for yourself, this front-opening flap for "extras" is ideal for digital cameras.  I am very pleased with this purchase.  You can check the Tamrac website to find the case that best fits your camera.
Fits the camera well and gives just enough space for a few small extras.
The camera dimensions for my Panasonic Lumix camera are 4 x 2.5 x 1.5". The camera sits comfortably inside and the front zip pocket was just the right size to include an extra battery and a memory card holder.This is a great little bag for compact cameras. I got one of these cases for myPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3and used it for a 12-day backpacking trip through the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico. The case is rugged and it kept the camera protected from the elements.PROS:* Will most likely fit most compact point-and-shoot cameras.* Quick camera access not hindered by zippers like most other cases.* Overall compact design is perfect for backpackers, hikers* Rugged construction.* Well padded interior.* Main compartment lid covers camera well, keeps rain out.* Velcro and side-clasp buckle keeps lid secure.* Small front pocket has two spaces to store extra battery and memory card.* Belt loop on back lays flat with Velcro and snap.* Comes with thin shoulder strap.CONS:* Really, none.The one thing I really enjoy about this little bag is the lid. You won't miss many shots fiddling with zippers to access the main camera compartment. The side clasp buckle and Velcro allow for easier access. Cases that rely on zippers to secure the main compartment still allow water to enter, but this case has an actual lid, so during rainy moments water is deflected over the sides and front.The camera had been dropped on rocks while stowed in the case. There wasn't a scratch or dent on the camera and the case cleaned up easily.
I have a Tamrac bag which is almost 2 years old for my digital camera and it looks as good as the day I bought it!  I use my camera almost every day.  When I purchased this bag as a gift, I neglected to do my homework and upon receipt, found it to be VERY SMALL.  Amazon.com does not list the actual size of the bag.  However, if you go to [website], click on "digital", they have a checklist of camera names and model numbers, with compatible bags - great resource!
I use this little bag to carry my cell phone, a couple batteries, and memory card. It attaches to my ClikElite backpack just fine. For the most part it's a well made bag. However, the Velcro and snap aren't very strong and will come loose and the bag will fall off. It's happened to me twice in the last couple of months. Fortunately I saw it fall off both times and luckily didn't lose it. This one is less than a year old so it really shouldn't have this problem already.
This bag does just what it is supposed to do. The Canon A560 fits snugly. The padding is good. There is a zip pocket to keep your memory cards in. The only thing they can improve is the belt loop is a snap and velcro which would sometimes open if I tugged up on the bag.
I was looking for a case that would fit my Fujifilm FinePix 6800Zoom camera. This compact Cordura nylon case holds it perfectly. The small, zippered outer pocket holds four AA-sized batteries, an extra Smart Media&trade; card or two, but also holds a Quantary QT-10 Pocket Tripod (for use on tabletops) if you slightly bend the legs a little (the legs are bendable). This case is well padded, can fit securely on your belt with the Velcro/button flap and can be slung over your shoulder with the removable shoulder strap.Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the Tamrac case and would recommend it for Fuji FinePix 6800Zoom owners as well as owners of other digital cameras.
We have a Canon PowerShot SD630 and it fits like a glove.  With enough room for one spare battery and a couple of memory cards if you wish, the bag can be carried almost everywhere.  We don't use the strap but it comes with one and it's fairly long to accommodate almost any position you wish to carry it.  100% recommended!
IF your camera is in the size range of a Canon Elf, this bag is the perfect fit.  I use the 569001 for my Canon S400, and it fits the camera like a glove, and is well padded. Another handy feature is the front compartment allows space for an extra CF card, and spare battery.  You probably could squeeze another card in there if you don't have high capacity cards.  In the area of convenience the bag comes with a belt and shoulder strap. The removal and insertion from this case is also quite convenient and fumble free.
This is the second Tamrac camera bag I have bought.  They fit the cameras very well, (check the Tamrac site to make sure you get the bag they recommend for your camera), provide great protection, and have useful storage for batteries and memory cards.  They may be larger than some other brands, but it is well worth it.
This camera case is the perfect size for my digital camera. I have a Kodac camera, and it fits great. I also can fit 3 sets of replacement batteries and my spare memory card. It is very durable, i have had it for a couple of years now, with no wear issues. It is a compact size, which I like. To give you an idea of it's size, it is as tall as your digital camera, and about as twice as wide as your camera's width. If you are looking for a little durable camera case, this one is for you!
I purchased one of these camera bags to go with a small digicam and was impressed with the quality and durability of the bag.  It is very well-padded, provides excellent protection for your camera and does not look cheap.  It is well worth the small cost.
This is a nice bag, but it is too small for Canon's A70/A60 cameras.
This is a great bag, perfect for a compact camera plus battereis.  However, the "ble" is not as pictured.  What is sent is a mostly black bag with some blue sections.  Otherwise, fine.
I had just purchased aCanon PowerShot A720IS, so I needed the right bag for it. I went with the Tamrac 569001 for a couple of reasons: brand loyalty and perfect fit. As a photographer, I've owned a number of SLR cameras over the years. For all of them, I have used Tamrac camera bags. They are rugged, water resistant, and well designed with pockets and straps in all the right places. (I especially love the Modular Accessory System.)  Tamrac bags have never let me down.It was only natural that I chose a Tamrac bag for my compact camera.  According to the size chart (found on the Tamrac web site), the 569001 was made to fit the Canon A720, so I chose this one.  It is the perfect fit with an additional pocket for batteries and memory cards.  There isn't much else this bag needs to hold, so it's just right.  I've carried it around for a month, and it works beautifully.
I like this bag.  It hold my camera snuggly.  It has space for extra batteries and SD card.I even like the velcro hold.. I can put the camera in the bag and not clip it closed, but know that it is protected from being thrown out since it is snug and shut with the top..
It's a perfect fit for a Canon a610.  The front pocket is just big enough for 4 extra AA batteries.The fabric is decent quality woven nylon.  It's not the plastic-feeling kind and it looks more durable than fake leather.I would prefer metal loops for the strap to connect to, but the plastic parts look stronger than some others I have seen and for the price you can't really ask for more.
I used this bag for approx 1 year. The bag is nicely designed. The camera fits well, plus, there is space for the extra-battery and connectors; the bag has zippers in addition to the buckle, which protected the camera during a few highly humid conditions; and the straps/connectors still seem strong enough to withstand regular use.
Granted, it's not made for the camera I have, and granted the camera i have is a little bit wider, but this actually comes recommended from many places as THE bag to have for the S2 IS and it does work...mostly.  You have to push it in there to get it to fit and I've actually popped the lens cap off once or twice doing this.  At times I feel as if I might accidentally turn on the camera and start extending the barrel inside the bag (which, of course, would be bad).  Overall, this bag however is great.  it has space for extra batteries and an extra SD card.  I took this camera bad with me to central america for a week and it took some serious torture...and came out fine.  Cheap price for quality protection for a $500 camera if you ask me.
Enought space for spare batteries, SD cards and reader, weather-proof, and not that expensive.
I bought this bag for my Canon S2IS. The S2 is indeed a bit bigger than the S1 but the tight fit is not a huge issue. The quality of the construction is exceptional! Its no wonder that this brand is so heavily used by profesionals! The battery and memory card compartments are well layed out and easily organized.The s2 is indeed a tight fit but with a little practice I found it easy to put it in. The most important aspect to the tightness is that there is no stretching of the seams of the bag. I have the shoulder strap on my cameran and if you fold it around the body it fits fine. If you leave the strap hanging out of the bag it looks like it could be used as a wrist strap but naturally you need to be certain the bag is securly fastened.
This is exactly what I wanted. Plenty of space for my Canon S1 IS. I can carry a set of four AA batteries in the bottom of the case as well as four batteries in the front compartment.
The camera just fits, but it slides in OK.  There's a little room for extra memory or batteries.  No room for lenses or filters, really.
This is bag is not for the S2. It may be 5 Star for cameras that it is made for. However, contrary to some ratings, I found the bag too tight for my S2 and there is certainly not enough room for a mini tripod with it! Be aware that the S1 is smaller than the S2. I would not recommend ordering this for an S2.
The bag is bigger than I thought, but there's no way the camera get damaged or hit when is inside it.Good quality, the fabric is very strong and the bag has a lot of little pockets which is great to put the batteries, an extra flash memory, etc.I do recomend it[...]
I got this bag for my Canon S2 and works perfect. Fits the camera exactly and have a small pocket for extra batteries and memory.
I bought it for my Canon Powershot S1 IS. THis one fits the camera, the spare batteries and the spare meomry cards perfectly without getting bulky. The shoulder belt is just awesome. Used it the entire time when we went to Yellowstone National park. Great buy!
This case is very well made and designed.  However, for the Canon S2 IS, the fit is too tight.  Yes, the eyepiece gets in the way from easily sliding in, and once it's in, there is absolutely no room to spare.  You need to use two hands to pry it back out.  Also, if you have the strap attached to the camera, too much effort is needed to shove everything into the bag.  An alternative I found is the Case Logic TBC4.  It is a pretty compact camera bag with an outside pocket and 2 outside mesh pockets.  Sears carries this bag for $14.99 and is a much better alternative for the Canon S2 IS.  I am rating the bag 5 stars because it is one of the better bags on the market, but as rated in association with the Canon S2, it only gets 2 stars.
The materials and manufacturing are very good quality. The dimensions listed in the product details are the external measurements. The inside measures approx. 3 W x 3 D x 5 H. I read other reviews on this product saying it is a perfect fit for Canon S1, and I agree, although it is a snug fit. You wont have room for anything else besides the camera in the large compartment. You will have room for batteries, memory card, usb cable, etc in the front pocket, but you wont have room for any other larger accessories. If you want to fit a battery charger or lens adapters forget it, get the Tamrac Digital 6 instead.Please note, this camera bag will *NOT* fit the Pro1.
Excellent, however pressed it to Canon S2 IS.
I purchased this for my new Olympus PEN EP-L1 micro four thirds camera.  I already used a Tamrac 5684 for my Nikon D7000 and really liked it.  There are a couple schools of thought on camera bags.  Some people want a bag to carry all their camera components.  For me, it's all about protection in small package.  I don't carry extra lenses, chargers, etc with me on body.  If I bring those at all, I leave them in my backpack/suitcase.  I like perfect fit camera bags that are not overly bulky.  The Tamrac bags are available in so many sizes that they always seem to have what I'm looking for.  The EP-L1 with the OEM 14-42mm lens fits snugly and perfectly in the Tamrac 5693.  The accessory pocket is perfect for an extra battery and memory cards.  The neck strap is long and adjustable, and comfortable enough for such a small camera case.  The belt loop is VERY secure, unlike cheaper bags out there.  This keeps it secure against one's belt without any bouncing.The velcro + fastener main compartment cover is very secure.  It is not quick access but you also never have to worry about it opening.  The addition of the Velcro also enables some adjustment, so depending on the exact camera model you put in, you can adjust the flap to hold it securely.  The one complaint I have is that this bag lacks a zipper on the main compartment unlike the DSLR series.  Therefore, it is going to be more susceptible to rain.  But it does fully overlap so I'm not super concerned.All in all the 5693 is a well thought out bag at a reasonable price.  When compared to OEM bags, you get more for your money with Tamrac.
This is a nice bag for the Canon S2 if you have no accessories attached to the camera.  However, if you have mounted the LAH-DC20 lens/filter adapter on your S2 or S3, then the camera will *not* fit in the bag.  Further, there is no room in the bag to store the adapter separately.  If you never use filters or accessory lenses, then you will be happy with this bag.
A salesman recommended this bag for my new Fujifilm X10 camera, and it is a perfect fit. The outside pocket works for batteries or camera cards. The X10 has a lens cap, and I can put that in the outside pocket to keep from losing it. The camera's own shoulder strap can be coiled on top before closing the bag. It's well padded, sturdy, and the shoulder strap is comfortable.I hardly noticed I was carrying it on an hour-long walk shooting pictures with the camera. Rather than let the camera dangle outside the bag while walking, I could also rest my left elbow on the bag (with the strap across my body) and hold the camera easily in my left hand. I'll be storing the camera in this bag, sure that it's safe and cozy! My only small gripe is that the clasp is hard to press open, but I have small hands.
Tamrac's camera cases are in a league of their own.  Before I ordered the 5693, I tried a different case made by one of the other popular brands of small camera cases, and it was inferior in every respect.  The Tamrac case uses a smooth interior lining over a thick layer of soft foam (backed by a thin layer of sturdier foam).  It is a perfect fit for my Sony DSC-V3, but because of the thickness of the soft foam, together with the flexibility of the outer material, it can accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of cameras.  The cover flap with its side-release buckle is vastly superior to zipper closures which allow the zipper to rub against your camera.  There is also a velcro patch under the flap, which permits you to snug the flap down a little tighter than what is possible with the buckle alone.  Whereas most camera cases use plastic hardware for the strap, the rotating hook clasps on the ends of the strap are of quality metal construction, complete with an internal metal spring to keep the gate on the hook clap closed.
I've been searching online for a snug, well-padded, lightweight case for my camera because I like to bring it around in my bag everyday "just in case." As soon as I opened the package I thought it looked cute - compact and well-padded all around. My Canon S3 IS fits perfectly inside with enough room to pack in the neck strap on top (if you want to keep it on the camera) and there's room for at least 4 AA batteries, extra memory, and the USB cable. I don't think you'd be able to fit the battery charger unless you have a really compact one.I highly recommend this bag. I believe your S3 will be well protected. It comes with a long body strap (unlike the Canon case made for this camera) so you can wear it across your chest or on your shoulder and it barely weighs a thing.Awesome bag, thank goodness for Tamrac. I found it for [...] with no shipping costs so keep your eyes peeled for deals. :)
I went off of two other reviews that said the Canon PowerShot S2 fits in this bag, and they were right!  It's a snug fit, but it's not hard to get the camera into the bag: there's just not any concern that the camera will bounce around inside.  The pockets for extra batteries, memory cards, etc. are roomy and well appointed.  There's an adjustable over the shoulder strap and also a big flap that you could wear on your belt.  The clasp that closes the bag features both a large velcro fastening and a plastic clip, which makes me feel that it's very secure.I'm very satisfied with this bag!
I recently purchased an Olympus E-PL1 camera and have been frustrated to find a lack of bags that fit this size camera.  Lots of smaller options for P&S; cams, but the extended lens on the E-PL1 makes those very tight fits.  Lots of bigger options as well, meant for smaller DSLRs, but I don't want extra bulk or my camera sliding around.Then, by coincidence, I found my old Tamrac 5693 in the back of my closet (forgot I even had it) only to find it is a perfect fit.  The E-PL1 with kit 14-42 lens is a snug fit.  Nothing larger than that would work for me.  The camera with 20/1.7 Panasonic lens (which is usually on my camera) fits perfectly.  With either lens the VF-2 viewfinder in it's carrying case fits nicely on top of the camera.  No wasted space.The front pockets are perfect for an extra battery or two and spare SD cards.I would think this bag would be great for all the smaller micro 4/3 cams (GF1, E-P1, E-P2) as well.  Worth checking out if you have been frustrated in your efforts to find the perfect bag for that size & style of camera.
I purchased it for my Canon S2 camera.  If you want to carry extra batteries and memory card this is the bag, as other reviewers say.  The small bag in front of this bag for batteries and memory card makes it look fat.  Ugly looking if you want to put it on your belt.For potential buyers: ask yourself, are you going to carry extra batteries and memory card? The battery life of this camera is very good, and 1GB or 2GB memory should last for a day easily, even with some video clips.  There is no need to carry extra batteries and memeory card in most cases, really.I have used digital cameras for over seven years now and took thousands of pictures.  Portability is very important to me. I want something that can be clipped on my belt, that protects and the camera ONLY.
Just received the Tamrac 5693 bag as I saw it was recommended for the Canon Powershot S1.  I bought an S2 and the fit is a little tight but it works.  It is a perfect size and has lots of nice compartments for an extra digital card and batteries.I am taking it on my trip to Mexico and should work perfectly.
This bag is pretty much exactly what I wanted.  Fits my Canon S2 IS snugly and it holds the USB cord, my mini-tripod and 4 AA's perfectly.  It's also protective enough that I don't have to worry about the camera during my weekly work trips around the country.  No complaints here!
Perfect for our G5. I actually got this for our smaller G7 and although I know it will be a tad big for that camera, I kept it anyway since I really like the quality of this Tamrac bag.Clean and sturdy stitchings, high quality material, EXCELLENT padding. Highly recommended.
I have owned two of this bags and my experience so far has been pretty good. Construction material has a nice, tight fit, with compartments for memory cards and batteries. Belt clip and shoulder strap are also a plus for the design. However, the metal hooks paint decays with time, and breaks apart. That's not a big issue for me, but could be for someone else. Other than that, great product. Serves its purpose.
I was looking for as small as possible a bag for my Canon S2 IS - this is certainly one of them. The fit is certainly snug (the view finder catches a little when inserting the camera). The bag is nice and sturdy, has a belt loop that is nice and secure (snap buttons and velcro - I was worried at first that it might come loose, but not so). The front extra pocket holds an extra set of batteries and (since SD cards are so tiny) a bunch of extrac cards. The shoulder strap is long and stable. For S2 IS owners, I would recommend getting rid of the shoulder strap on the camera and replace it by a wrist strap - too much entanglement inside the bag otherwise. The Amazon deal for the black bag is great, too - this is one of the cheapest bags out there that fits the S2.
bought this camera case for my kodak z1015-is which is a full size camera. the camera fits in it perfect. the case also has a zippered front compartment that holds the charger and extra picture cards. and the case locks down with a plastic clip and velcro. the strap is thick nylon that is adjustable and can be detached. on the back of the case is a belt loop holder with buttons and velcro that is also detacahble. this is a great case for any full size camera.
I bought this camera bag for my new Canon S3 camera, and it is excellent. I haven't noted anything wanting since I've owned it. Totally met my expectations.
See my picture above.  The X100 slips right in and is well protected.  It ain't pretty, but it'll protect your camera. With room in the front pocket for a spare battery and memory card, it's perfect for a day out shooting.
Recommend product.  Great for storing and organizing AA batteries and SD cards.  Also has a snap-on belt loop to attach to belt or camera bag strap.
This is one of those products that when you get it, see its features and actually use it, you think "This is just a really good product!".I have aCanon Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Cameraand aCanon Speedlite 580EX II Flashso I needed battery storage for both the camera batteries and AA batteries for the flash.  I can fit eightSANYO eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteriesin the two pockets on the left side and twoCanon LP-E5 Battery Packswith their protective covers in the two pockets on the right side.  Everything is held in securely.  In addition, the fold-over red flags are a really great idea to indicate which batteries have been used.I keep this wallet in one of the outside pockets of myCanon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EGfor easy access.  It fits perfectly.  TheTamrac S.A.S. MXS5363 Compact Filter Casefits perfectly in the other outside pocket.  For a long shoot where you might have to change your batteries, you could also use the velco and snap strap on the back to put it on your belt.I haven't yet found a use for the full-length sleeve that's behind the two right pockets but I guess that you could put a couple of SD memory cards in there.  This wallet is probably also good for storing the larger Compact Flash memory cards, but the XSi uses SD memory cards and it's pretty big to use just for storing these.  I use theVelbon DMSP-SD4 Plastic Case for SD Memory Cardswhich can store four SD cards in less than half the space of this wallet.It's well made with a sturdy zipper and durable nylon fabric so I think that this wallet will last a long time.
You can wedge a Canon battery in, it's hard. But you can't expect to get 4 in.  Maybe like the current picture shows you could do memory cards on the other side.
This is a nice accessory for any camera bag/case. It's nice to be able to store multiple memory cards or batteries in the same case instead of having them rolling around loosely inside your camera bag. Also, the snap button and velcro make it a 'snap' to attach to anything with a loop. It seems to be made of decent material so I don't have any doubt that it will hold up rather well.
Summary:- Robust and compact battery holder, great to toss in the bag and know that you can keep a couple flashes working hard for a long time.Pros:- Well built, with good materials and zipper.- Holds either batteries or memory cards effectively.Cons:- Overkill for memory cards -- I found it too bulky to be worthwhile and ended up using ThinkTank and Tenba alternatives.  This does NOT apply for batteries; I like the weight and construction very much for those and this is my standard battery carrier.
this case is small enough to easily fit in your camera bag and holds a lot to keep things organized. the red flags to show used stuff is an awesome feature
This is a great case for AA batteries, memory cards, or other similarly sized items. The red flaps are a great idea and overall the construction quality is very good. There is a larger pocket on the right side that runs top to bottom behind the two battery pockets that is large enough for business cards or even perhaps a very small card reader, as long as it wasn't too thick. The belt attachment is snap / velcro combination and attaches perfectly to two rows of MOLLE webbing.I'm very happy and will probably order more of these -- they would make great gifts.
I got this product to carry batteries in as required by the Airlines.  It works so well for organization and keeping small cards safe, I use it all the time now. The cases that SD cards come in, fit in the pockets and 4 AAs fit just right.
I initially bought this for storing my AA batteries.  But in the end I use it for my Canon 40D batteries.  I can fit three in there out of the pockets.
I own theKata Bumblebee DL-210 Backpack (Black)and i love this bag but its not perfect.  The only thing missing from it is the ability to truly organize my small accessories.  To correct this issue, i saw a usage for this device as i currently have 3 sets (1 set being in the flash) of theSanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 4 Pack AA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries with Charger.  I use one of the pockets for the remote shutter battery and the last pocket to hold mySanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro SDXC Card (SDSDXPA-064G-A75)& my IOGEAR GFR304SD SuperSpeed USB 3.0 SD/Micro SD Card Reader / WriterZips up very nice and lays in the storage pocket of the Kata bag.  This device has a strap on the back that is single buckled closed and for "extra" protection, around the buckle is velcro (though i can see people mistaking that they have buckled it as the velcro will hold it in place, that is until you give it solid pressure.  Because of this extra solution to the back of the case, you can use it with "Tamrac's official SAS compatible bags" or ANY bag that has accessory straps.  (see the kata shoulder straps right above the D ring, i can attach this pack to that, if i really needed quick access)Is it worth $16 bucks, eh.  I've spent more on worse (...PS3)  As an alternative solution, i have theCase Logic JDS-6 USB Drive Shuttle 6-Capacity (Black).  I am able to fit everything from the Tamrac wallet into the Case Logic (however the SD card had to come out of its plastic hard shell case).Its about half the cost of the Tamrac, and the only 2 features you lose is the memory tab system and the ability to utilize the strapping exterior carrying bags.  its up to you what you want.  I will post pictures showing each product in use
This is the best battery bag I've had!It seems really small but expands, it can hold 16 AA batteries!!!!!I currently have 12 AA batteries and a mini tripod in mine and the zipper expanded to fit it all!
Simply a great way to carry and organize your rechargeable batteries and/or memory cards.  It has built in red "flags." Just pull them out to mark pockets containing discharged batteries or full memory cards.  Tuck them back in on pockets that contain fully charged batteries or empty memory cards.  Foolproof and works great.
This case is well made and works perfectly for storing and organizing 16 AA batteries.Has taps that help you remember which are charged and which are not. Excellent buy.
After a couple of years dealing with a digital camera and doing the I need fresh batteries trick. You go back to the car for some, ask the wife to dig in her purse or where ever you have a bunch of loose batteries. With this thing you have your batteries, SD cards in one handy place. With you, strapped to your belt with an easy velcro strap. If you have a need to have more than just what battery life is left in the camera this is a must have.
The red flaps go over CF cards as you use them, so in the field you don't accidentally install a filled, or partially filled card in your camera and format.
Very well made and designed. Small but good enough for holding up to 16 AA batteries. The top right slot has an extra division layer which seems just right for protecting your memory cards.Well recommended !
I found the Wallet to be an ideal addition to my digital equipment inventory.  It is well constructed, holds several AA and AAA batteries, at least two memory cards and can even hold smaller Lithium-Ion camera or cell phone batteries.  It has a special feature that allows you to flag used batteries or memory cards.  It has a snap loop for belt or strap that allows you to put it about anyplace that is handy.  Kudos to Tamrac for an excellent product.
I have this in two versions. This one and the same in an 8 compartment version. I think its a really good way to manage you memory cards, and the red flags provided for sure tell that if you have used a card already. No need to mark them at all, just flip up the red flag to show a card has already been used. Mix in some spare batteries and you're all set.
I love these little battery packs. I have two of them. Charge up all 32 batteries and you can flash away or use in your camera for a long time.  These packs are compact and fit inside my camera backpack, or fit right into one of the outside sleeves.
I really like this pouch! Carry spare batteries, memory cards, and anything else small enough to fit in there. If your tired of carrying lens caps,and the sort in your pockets, buy it, thank me later.
Purchased this for a recent travel to Asia to hold two sets of 4 rechargeable AAs and two CF cards.  I was even able to stick two extra Canon 30D batteries between the batteries and the CF cards.  It's a little tight but it zips just fine.The material is very good quality
I've been searching for this and it just come in handy, well design. It hold my spared flash light batteries, camera battery and 2 CF card.
I needed a way to manage and remember which batteries were used on a shoot and which ones were fresh.  The red flag system is great.  My only complaint for this is that it's a little small for 4 Canon LP-E6's.  They fit, but it is not comfortable.  I have to squeeze them in to get the case shut.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card carrier.  I think I fit 16 CD cards in mine.  There's a handy opening behind the obvious mesh nets, that's where I tuck my used cards so they don't intermingle.  The only caveat to this is you must wear a belt, if you want to carry this on your body.  Sometimes, during weddings, my dress pants don't have the option for a belt but I've bought some more recently just so I could use this without worrying about it.  Very solid, excellent quality.
This is wonderful. Great quality and a great organizer. I love mine a lot. I am going to get another one since i have extra cards that I need in a bag. The only thing I wasn't happy about was the batteries for the Canon 6D (same ones as the 7D) won't fit in this. But I was able to put 4 of them in here anyway without putting them in the slots.
I use this Tamrac for carrying my AA batteries for my Canon 430EX flash.  It's perfect for that....a red flap and placing the used batteries in upside down, quickly allows me to replace the used batteries with charged ones.If you're a flash photographer this is an excellant choice to keep track of spent batteries and keep the sets together.I have not found a better choice.
Was looking for a multipurpose solution to organize and store AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and camera memory cards, and thisTamrac Memory & Battery Management Walletfit the bill perfectly.This well-made product is small enough to fit into my newTamrac 3536 Express 6 camera bag, but also has a convenient Velcro & snap strap allowing it to be hooked to ones belt or bag strap in seconds, and has a rugged zipper that closes easily. It has four inner pockets (see the photo) which are currently 12 AA batteries in three of the pockets, and two memory cards plus a spare micro-fiber lens cloth in the last one.This has been a perfect addition to my digital camera equipment cases. It also has an interesting feature that uses red cloth flags to designate which batteries and/or memory cards are available and which have been used, as can be seen in the photo. It weighs all of 2 oz. (57g), yet is quite sturdy.This one is highly recommended, a real 5-star product.
wife had those plastic cases for the memory card and a clip that held it on the camera carrying strap... anyone seen a memory card laying around somewhere in Florida?...  Well this case fits into a pocket with the memory cards inside, so no lost cards anymore. But it does holds everything kind of lose, so need to be careful when unziping it so everything doesn't fall out. Can hold a mix of batteries and cards with plastic card cases, but with batteries it's kind of a tight fit. Would be better to put batteries and cards across from each other instead as shown in the picture, with batteries on top. Card against card and batteries against batteries instead of batteries against cards. Pulling the red "flag" up seems to help hold things in place better. But the point of this carring case is it's suppose to take up minimum space and still have extra batteries and cards without losing them. It works.
i brought this case for my canon 450D batteries and SD cards.it take them all (2 battries and 4 SD cards) and then there is no mare space for the SD card reader.it's good to have every thing on one place.
This battery wallet is made of high quality materials, I only use it to store batteries, did not try using it for memory cards storage yet.It keeps 4 my sets of extra AA batteries secure and handy for when I need them on a moment notice while doing photography. Highly recommended
Keeps my batteries nice and organized and i always know which are charged and which aren't...I always go with tamrac products!
I use it to hold 16 rechargeable AA batteries and it holds them just fine. I only gave it 3 stars due to two design flaws; it holds the batteries loosely together and if you are in a hurry and don't zip it up completely the batteries will fly all over the place if you're not careful.  Also, if you take out a top set of batteries the bottom set will likely come out of there pouch and will be loose in the bag if you jostle it around a lot.  Over all, not a bad kit, but if you're into using a lot of batteries then you might want to look into hard plastic carriers.
This is a great memory & battery wallet. I especially like being able to tell at a glance which batteries are charged and which have been used. Great product!
This case can hold 8 compact flash cards in the pockets as well as a few more loose in the middle. I like keeping all my cards in one spot. I haven't used it for batteries. The outside strap can be secured to the strap on your camera bag which is useful. It's well made.
I realized that I was buying way too many AA and AAA batteries, only to toss them in battery recycling bins. So, I have purchased my last throw-away AA and AAA. I bought several rechargeable NiMH batteries, got a wall charger, and on sunny days, I can charge them with a small solar panel. The only problem was keeping the batteries organized and being able to tell which ones are charged and which ones need charging. This battery wallet is the perfect way to keep organized and sorted. There are four pockets which will hold four batteries each. Each pocket has a red cloth flap which can go behind the batteries when they are ready to go, and can be pulled over the top of the batteries when they need a charge. It is a simple, elegant solution.I will be traveling soon, and plan to take this battery wallet with me to keep my batteries organized. Highly recommended for others who wish to go rechargeable.
Exactly what I wanted. Just something small to keep an extra LP-E6 battery, some eneloop AA batteries, and an extra CF card. No problems. No worries.
I already have Tamrac battery wallet but since I have gone strobist I needed another wallet. I did buy some plastic cases and although they would hold 4 AA batteries they were to difficult to open. They do work fine for AAA types but I like to keep my batteries in groups so they are equally charged. This wallet holds 16 batteries, seems like a lot (my total is 32) but when you have to power 3 large flashes plus PocketWizards it's better to have more than enough on hand than not enough. This product is on the expensive side but it keeps all of the batteries in one place securely. For me it was worth the extra cost. And it is made very well.
The Tamrac MX-S536801 Memory & Battery Management Wallet 4 (Black) is a very nice way to carry batteries. I don't have the batteries flying around my camera bag or getting lost.
Easily holds 16 AA rechargeable batteries, or 8 AA's and two Nikon EN-EL3e's, or 4 Nikon EN-EL3e's (easier for two on the left, right side takes some fiddling). Well constructed, heavy cordura nylon exterior, with 4 pockets and 4 red flaps (see pictures above). Good zipper, and compact size. I was looking for something to carry my extra flash batteries (love the eneloops!) and this works perfectly. Highly recommended...
In my attempts to be better organized with my photo gear, I had been keeping my memory cards and batteries all in a little pocket together or in a zip lock bag. Once I saw this Tamrac wallet, I bought it. It's perfect. I keep all my batteries neatly in one place with my extra memory. Simple and inexpensive. A big improvement for some of the little things that are probably rolling around in your photo bag or backpack.
This wallet is well adapted for both spare battery and memory card storage. The 4 pockets can be utilized several ways. Up to 16 AA's can be stored. 2 Li-ion batteries in 2 pockets & 2 SD cards with their case can be stuffed in each pocket. Many combinations! There is one duel pocket which is more or less hidden behind one of the battery pockets. That pocket is the length of the wallet and would make a great place to hide your folding money, credit-cards and license. Simply place the red tab between the bottom and top pocket and its virtually hidden.I highly recommend the Tamrac wallet due to its rugged construction/durability with rip-stop nylon and beading, a strong zipper closure with a pull and velcro/snap combination belt loop. Its not waterproof but certainly water resistant enough to protect any accessory you store inside. This is a very capable wallet/case to add to your camera equipment arsenal.I have added several description photos.
On each of the pockets there is some black webbing that's part of the plastic. What this does is almost completely block the memory card in the pocket. In other words, you can't see which card is in the pocket. Actually you sometimes can't even tell if there's something in the pocket if you glance quickly. And I need quick access sometimes, not fishing into each pocket, then looking at each card until I find the right one. Yeah I know there are flaps that you can flip, but those are kind of gimmicky, and sometimes a pain to flip up.Also, the way this S.A.S. device attaches to a Tamrac strap leaves a lot to be desired. The hook on the Tamrac straps are small, and the loops on this wallet are huge! So it just flops around in the wind. Well, not the wind, but you get the idea; it's a loose fit. It's almost like the Tamrac engineers think that photographers only stand straight up, don't walk or climb, and never set their bags down.Battery storage does seem to work okay though.A sidenote, there is a pocket the length of the wallet behind the right side. So you can put little things in here, like maybe a card-reader. Keep in mind it is deep, and for little things, like maybe a remote, they are a bit harder to get out.I definitely see some room for improvement on this device, but unfortunately it's not likely Tamrac will make any changes.An easy fix for the hiding cards I complained about would be just to change the background material to a different, bright color. Like yellow.
This is the case I've been looking for. It works very well for batteries and SD cards. It also a full depth pocket which is behind one side of the two battery slots. This was a pleasant surprise and is useful for storing cables and larger items. It also is roomy enough to store a small battery charger in the cavity like a taco. Very happy with this!
I was trying to get a good battery organizer that would stay closed and keep everything organized inside a emergency kit/bag. This thing fits the bill and then some. I purchased two and have already urged my family to get some too. Each pocket will hold 6AAA or 4AA. It also has enough room that if you want to put a couple of loose batteries in the middle before zipping it up you can. The thing stays closed and is soft enough it won't damage anything else in your bag (unlike a hard case that might pop open).If you need to take batteries for camping, traveling, or an emergency kit, this is it. Well made and am very happy with it.
The Tamrac wallet works well and cleverly for what it was designed for -- carrying extra batteries and memory cards and allowing the user to know which have been used -- and that should be enough for most people. Me, I bought it to carry four CompactFlash memory cards (in their cases), and that's it. However, I can't give it 5 stars if it doesn't suit my particular needs.I like traveling with as little volume as possible, and find that the wallet is too bulky to fit well in my camera bag alongside my Olympus camera body, lenses, spare batteries, and other photography odds and ends. Getting a larger camera bag would defy the purpose of trimming volume (and would make no sense, since this wallet is the one item that always ends up getting shuffled around in it), so I tried two very compact Hakuba cases for two CF cards each, which I acquired in Adorama. These are working far better, as they are small enough to fit anywhere in the camera bag and I can clip them to the camera strap or belt strap.If you don't have a space issue, this Tamrac wallet should work well for you. If you do, I suggest looking for other solutions.
Absolutely LOVE this case!  I shoot multiple flashes when doing on-site event photography.  That in turn chews through batteries.  I pack all my Eneloops in these.  It is perfectly capable of holding 16 AA Batteries.  You can either use the red flaps to mark the spent batteries.  I however use them to note which ones have not been spent, as you can tuck the flap as you drop the spent batteries in.I have 3 of these that I load up with Eneloops and put them in the non-gear storage compartment of my camera bag.Excellent product.
Good transaction,quick delivery,...the product is just what I needed for my Geocaching hobby. My GPS and Camera use double A batteries as well as a memory chip.The quality is good and the size is right for my use.
The Red Flag feature of this case works perfectly to help identify fresh and spent compact camcorder batteries.  Also, by keeping the high-energy (and potentially hazardous!) Li-ion batteries isolated, there is little chance of a problem spreading to the other gear in your bag or case.  No doubt about it, Tamrac found a niche...then filled it.  This is a quality product that does exactly what it is supposed to do.
This holder is exactly what I needed to organize my batteries in my SLR kit. It is well made and designed, as small as you can expect for 16 "AA" battery storage and the red flag flap for expended batteries takes the guessing out of battery selection. There is a Velcro and snap strap on the rear that allows secure mounting of the case to your camera bag or backpack. It may be a couple of bucks more expensive than the hard plastic offerings of other manufacturers, but it is also much more useful.
This little pouch has already been put to good use.  It carries two extra sets of 4-AA's and an extra camera battery and still has room for an extra memory card if I need to carry one.  It clips on to my flash unit case very easily and can't get lost that way.  I like it very much!
Yes it holds my CF cards ok. But batteries? Maybe AA or AAA, but not digicam batteries. My Canon BP511's won't fit - period. I doubt my girlfriend's Nikon batteries will fit, either. So, I have a huge CF case. I guess it's ok - hard to misplace and the size does cause me to remember to bring it. That said, if I'm using my holster bag, it won't fit inside.Ah, the search continues.
This product helps with organization of my memory cards.  It gets really bulky with batteries, so I did not use it for that purpose.  Overall, it is a pretty good deal.
I was looking for something that could hold/organize AA batteries as well as my SD memory cards.  Being a Tamrac fan, this was what I was looking for and needed.  My configuration holds 16 AA and 10 SD cards.  Strong Velcro holds the wallet together extremely well with it fully loaded and offers a belt loop.  The loop is also secured by Velcro along with a button snap so my cards are always with me while shooting events.  The quality is what I expected from Tamrac...top notch.
This wallet does what I need, hold memory cards.Unfortunately, the clip on the back which allows it to attach to a belt or Sliplock loop (as on lowepro bags) is not super secure. The button snap comes apart easily, and the velcro is not as strong as it should be.The pockets are different sizes, and the smaller ones are a *very* tight fit for a compactflash card in its plastic case.A few small changes to the design of this product would make it absolutely perfect.
My brother in law is a big shutterbug, and likes to have extra SD cards and batteries at hand when he is out taking pix of trains. We gave him this little card wallet for his camera bag. He loved it. It is small enough not to be in the way, and folds up tight so that contents don't fall out. It is made of sturdy material, and should last him a while as well as provide a handy place to keep the cards and batteries that might otherwise get lost among his photo gear. I will order one of these for my hubby's camera bag. A winner!
I manage to stuff, without any great feats of mental or physical effort, four memory chips and four batteries for my Canon XTI into this unit. I will grant that when folded, it's a bit bulky but with short use, the thing settles down into a reasonable package.I put it on the strap of my Tamrac Adventure 9 (if full senility hasn't set in) and it causes no impediment to movement or comfort. I'll be ordering a second for storage internal to the bag as well.Altogether too many people seem to LOOK for the most nit picky things to complain about. They never really put in the effort to SEE if the product works. It seems being churlish is fashionable these days.
I have this in two versions, this one and the 4 compartment version. I think its a really good way to manage you memory cards, and the red flags provided for sure tell that if you have used a card already. No need to mark them at all, just flip up the red flag to show a card has already been used. Mix in some spare batteries and you're all set.
Lo9ve this item. it stores extra batteries for the electronic flash and extra media cards.in a safe well organized manner. it has a snap and Velcro attaching device for extra safely on the camera bag. I love it.
At about just the right size, it is large enough to keep safe a number of SD cards and adapters. However, not too large to be a problem to transport around those same items. This is a nice and robust way to move around those little items. Much better to have them in one place as opposed to having to search down all those items all over the place - a recommended purchase.
I've used Lowepro's neoprene card case for years with no complaint other than it's run out of room. I'm certain we all have the same problem of more memory cards than carrying space. The only reason I didn't buy another Lowepro was I wanted something that looked different. I figured I'd keep cleared cards in one and &#34;used&#34; cards in the other.I went with this Tamrac case for the known quality of their products' construction. It has the most capacity with large enough pockets for my SD cards in their cases. It can even hold my SD to USB convertor! Good strong velcro all around--and I disagree with the reviewer who said the belt loop's velcro isn't strong. Maybe he got a bum one, 'cause mine sure doesn't open without some decent pulling on my part. The snap on the belt loop adds extra security, and is likewise not easy to pull open.However, it's one little tiny detail that has totally won me over. Tamrac included red fabric at the top of each pocket, which you pull out to show which cards still hold images. I discovered this detail and thought &#34;Are you kidding me? A so-simple way to immediately see which cards are ready to use, and which aren't!&#34;My sturdy Lowepro has become my camera bag card case for my on-the-go needs. My new Tamrac will keep all the rest of my cards--used or clean--safe and together in one convenient place. And if I need to take it with me, I've no concerns that my cards are anything less than safely protected!
I really liked this bag.  It is comfortable and well made, can be worn on the front of your waist for quick access, and has nice accessory pocket for memory and even fits my miniature Bogen tripod.  It is best used with a compact SLR 2-lens Kit or a prosumer SLR like super-zoom.  It will fit up to 3 lenses or 2 lenses and a flash.  That being said I had to give it to my wife because I began upgrading and adding to my kit lenses which are rather compact to faster f2.8-35 lenses which are much larger in diameter.  In this situation my 50-200 is a very tight fit and will just fit with my E-500 and an 11-22.  I can just fit a teleconverter in the bag but the 14-45 is a no-go.  I am now looking at a velocity 8 for my setup.  One last note, my buckle did break but was an easy fix for a few bucks.  My wife uses it now for her Canon S3 and cellphone...
This is my first dedicated camera bag I've bought. I got this bag to hold my recently-purchased Canon 300D Digital Rebel SLR. The bag is just big enough to hold the camera (with an attached lens) and two other lenses. You should take a look at Tamrac's website to see the internal diagrams of this bag. I have the Canon 28-135mm lens, which is a pretty hefty lens, and the fit is a bit too cozy for my taste. If I keep the lens attached to my camera and place the camera in the main compartment, pulling out the camera occasionally knocks off the lens cap if it isn't very firmly attached.Additionally, there isn't much room for other material. There are three other compartments. One is in a small plastic zippered housing in the lift-top, another is in a large zippered compartment on the front of the bag, and the last is in some webbing in the front. All in all, there is just enough room to keep some spare memory cards/film and batteries. However, when I go travelling on foot, I tend to keep a lot of extra papers with me, including maps, guide books, and other junk, and it looks like there isn't much room for that.  Behind the bag is a snap-buttoned lining for holding the attached belt. I use this enclosure for keeping my compact 10" tripod.Other than that, this is a fine bag as long as you keep your accessories and other personal items to a minimum. There were other things I liked. One, inside the bag there is a good 1" of clearing between the camera and the lid. This is good, because I don't want anything touching (and potentially scratching) the LCD on the back of my camera. Second, the internal compartments are very well padded. Finally, the bag doesn't look like a camera bag. It looks like a typical daypack (with a nice blue colour to boot), so this will minimise the potential for mugging!
I'm using this to carry my Digital Rebel 350 XT, the 17-85 EFS IS USM lens, B&W; MRC UV Filter, sunpak grip strap, and the EW73B petal hood.  When everything is attached/assembled it slips in fine.  however, with the petal hood reversed for storage, the hood tends to snag on the velcro on it's way up.  this causes the lens to zoom out.  it doesn't happen every time you reach for the camera, but it does happen.the simple solution is to just live with it, or don't store the hood on the lens.  (which is probably better with this lens since the hood obstructs the zoom ring quite a bit)I'm able to store the following in this bag with space for more.1)  Rebel XT w/ EFS 17-85 IS USM lens + B&W; MRC UV Filter + EW73BII petal hood reversed on the lens + Sunpak grip strap2)  body cap and back lens cap tucked into the space on one side of lens3)  B&W; filter box tucked on the other side of the lens.  (no it doesn't sit flat against the bottom or side.  instead it divides the space into 2 triangles.)4)  memory cards and batteries in the turbo top clear pocket.5)  USB2 and Video cable in front pocket6)  battery charger and CF PCMCIA adapter in front pocket7)  pen in the pen holder in front pocket8)  cheap blower brush in front pocket9)  microfiber cloth in front pocket10) nothing in the front mesh pocket.the strap has 2 Strap attachment slots.  it is also fairly comfortable.  I'm sure neoprene straps are better/more comfy.the turbo top itself is semi useful.  you need to get used to opening and closing the top.  opening it means having a grip on the left side of the bag, and then pulling, as the zippers have some resistance to them.  closing the top is a little easier.  reason being, there's no need to grip the right side due to the buckle being located there.  in the field, i tend to keep the turbo top half zipped for quicker egress of the camera.the hip straps work great.  very pleased with them.  I've got a 31" waist.  there is a lot of slack when adjusted.this bag doesn't have tamrac's red flag digital organizer system.  but the clear top works great for storing batteries and cards.  it won't hold a 67mm B&W; filter though.no camera bag is perfect.  I'm still searching for my version of it.  for some, this bag will be their perfect fit.UPDATE - 6/24/5I'm able to fit the following in this bag...It the main compartment, with only 1 foam dividera Sigma 70-200 EX HSM with hood reversed and the tripod colar attached.Canon Digital Rebel 350D XT with EFS 17-85 IS USM with hood reversed.In the front gear catcher area, the charger, giottos rocket blower, giottos brush, PCMCIA CF Card reader, body and lens caps, and a pen.In the clear turbo pocket, giottos micro fiber cloth, spare CF card, spare battery.It packs in REALLY tight but it does fit.  the Sigma lens and the canon rebel 350D body fit very cozy.  Would probably not work if i tried to fit a 20D or a 300D.
Tamrac makes good stuff, and this pack is no exception. Good  accessability choices and carrying configurations, including a sturdy waist strap that can be used by people who have a waist size larger than your typical model, even downright hefty types like myself. Nice padded shoulder strap with good ergonomics.The pack material is very soft and might not stand up for years of exposure, but too early to tell. Due to it's tall, narrow look you can't tell it's a camera bag unless you are familiar with the brand, unlike other bags which scream &quot;Steal Me!&quot; such as the nice Canon pro bag with &quot;Canon&quot; blazoned on the front. Gee, wonder what's in that? The Tamrac has some subtlety to it.I have a couple of high speed telephotos and this bag can't handle those with the camera in place, but makes a great replacement for the surprisingly useless bag that came with my wife's Sigma.Great bag for smaller systems and basic to intermediate shooters, or as an accessory bag. Go bigger for more advanced systems.
This is a well constructed pack with nice belt and shoulder strap, but it didn't work for me.  I bought it to carry my FZ28 with lens hood attached.  There are two velcro straps along the length of the internal walls of the pack to fasten the dividers.  The lens hood caught on these straps when I would try to insert the camera in the bag making it a 2 handed and slow operation, so I returned the bag.
I bought this bag a while ago, and it had since gone to London with me.  I could not have made a better choice.  Firstly, it feels surprisingly light, even when full.  It is comfortable to carry with the shoulder strap (well-padded) or the waist strap (wide and adjustable for larger waists.)  It has 4 moveable sectioners to enable you to organize your gear.I carry the following in the main compartment of my bag:Kodak Z470 digital cameraFilter setCleaning kitWide angle lensTelephoto lensPocket tripodThe front zipper compartment has room for my wallet, credit cards & keys.  Tamrac sells add-on pockets which attach securely.  I have added a cell phone pocket and a water-bottle holster to mine.  Even with the add-ons, it is comfortable to wear or carry.Lastly, it looks like a large fanny pack, not a camera bag.  This makes it less likely to tempt a thief.  It's a rugged, practical bag and I am thrilled with it.
I was looking for a compact, easy to use and carry camera bag for my Canon XTi with the 28-70 F2.8L lens.  My camera also has the external battery.  I can barely fit the camera and nothing else.  The bag is very well designed and has two side storage, but it is just a little too small for what I have.  I am still using it until I find a bag that I really like.For those of you who have smaller camera or similar camer without the external battery, and want the verstility, this bag is highly recommended.
I find this sling pack to be great for "field use" of my D70 digi SLR. So, I can fit the D70 with 20-70 zoom attached, a 100-300 zoom, and 50 fixed in the bag. There's also a zippered side pocket, good for memory cards, small stuff. A flash would probably not fit well in the side pocket.The sling design fits nicely on your back, ala fanny pack style. There is also a belt to secure the pack, if your riding a bike or something like that.The top of the bag is easy-access, with a quick release clip. There are also two side clips that help secure the top flap as well.I think this bag is great, I spent a lot of time trying other packs on and sizing them for my gear setup. IMHO, this pack is the perfect marriage of portability, comfort, and capacity.FYI, Tamrac makes several other sizes of the Velocity, there is a bigger pack, as well as backpack style if you need to cart your entire studio around. :-)Tom
I really like the idea of having a sling around pack and this one is a unique design that works great.  It is great for a camera with lense attached and 2 extra lenses (or 1 lens and 1 flash).The pack is a bit small if you are used to a real backpack and if you are larger (I am 6' and weight 190), the pack feels small on your back.I actually ended up getting the one larger which felt more comfortable and let me hold all my gear.You "DO" have to get used to how to use it - as it is awkward in the beginning.
I found this bag too clumsy to get in and out of quickly.  It needs a zipper along the outside edge to give more unfettered access to the storage compartment.  I kept it, but really am not using it.  I have been looking for another solution and haven't found one I like yet.
While this bag is not the elusive "perfect camera bag", it fills my travel needs. I can fit my D80 with 18-200VR lens, hood turned backward, as well as a set of filters and a clunky Holga into the body of the bag. Tight fit and at first I had problems with the lens cap or hood popping off when I would pull out my D80. The edge of the Velcro strip for the adjustable dividers was catching the hood when I would happen to pull the camera out at an angle. A strip of well-placed duct tape ended that.As far as comfort, in past years after a half-day I have always had to take a camera bag off my shoulder and carry it by hand because of shoulder pain. Part of that I'm sure was due to the fact that I was toting way more equipment than necessary. With this bag I've made it through some long days with no discomfort. Last year I used this bag on a trip to San Francisco where I spent a lot of time on crowded busses, cable/street cars and caught in bustling pedestrian traffic. The bag wears close to the body making it easier to navigate crowds or squish onto an already crowded bus.At times I wish the bag had just a little more space to hold maps, guide books, water bottle, etc....but I know that the more space I have, the more "stuff" I'm going to be tempted to carry. I've enjoyed the Velocity 7 because it has taught me to pack just the basics, travel light and enjoy the trip rather than spend the day burdened down with equipment I rarely use.
I had a lot of trouble finding a bag that I felt suited my petite frame. I am 5',1" and 95 pounds and I am also rather fashion conscious. I was honestly going to give up on looking for a bag because they were all either 1) incredibly ugly or 2) too large or small for my equipment. I own a Canon 30D and a Canon 70-200mm USM L lens (and hopefully more lenses in the near future).This Tamrac bag is very versatile. You can adjust the velcro pads as you wish and it fits my lens with body attached, with room to spare on the sides for extra lenses. The front pocket has adequate room for camera accessories like memory cards and batteries, but it is also doubles as space for personal items like keys, wallet, cell phone, etc. This is one of many features I like about this bag since it means not having to carry my purse in addition to my camera bag.In addition, it's a decent-looking bag. It doesn't look like the monster large bags (or backpacks) that they normally have available. I like that it also doesn't look like a typical camera bag, making it rather inconspicuous. If you're carrying expensive equipment I don't think you really want the world to know anyway, or at least that's how I feel about it.Another wonderful feature is that you have the option of swinging the bag from back to front, access your camera and equipment, all without taking the bag off.The only complaint I have about it is that it doesn't distribute the weight as evenly as I thought it would. Well, either that or I am really just a whimp and can't carry a couple of pounds -- which may very well be the case.Overall it is a good camera bag that is decently sized, easy on the eyes, well-built and designed.
Initially I thought the bag was too small to carry my two mainly used lenses with a battery grip, I would use the bag for when I just needed the one lens and then I got a little creative.My gear:* Canon 30D, w/battery grip* 580 EX Speed Lite w/Sto-fen diffuser* 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM* 24-70mm F2.8L USM w/hood* 70-200mm F2.8 EX HSM Macro w/hood and tripod collar* Spare batteries for the camera and flash* Memory cards (5)* Polarizing filter (77mm)* Lens cleaning cloth and cleaning fluid* Pen and note pad.I also have a Tamarac large lens case and memory wallet. With this I can carry my 70-200mm lens (hood reversed w/tripod collar) by attaching it to the side of the bag. The bag will hold the camera w/the 24-70mm (hood reversed) and the flash it is a snug fit with the battery grip. I took everything mentioned out to ride quads. I did leave the battery grip and the 17-85mm home and I was able to get my camera quickly and easily. I also own the Canon camera bag (Back Pack style) and for the ease of excess I really do prefer the velocity. I am considering buying the larger vision (want to get additional lenses and another flash) but for now I am pretty satisfied. When I buy a larger bag I will keep this one for the lighter shooting days, you know you don't have to carry it all, all the time...
I received this as a gift and it's a great bag IF your equipment fits it.  My camera (300D) and 3 lenses (70-300, 18-55, and 50) fit it PERFECT, not an ounce of wasted space, no matter which lense is on the camera.  I love the one strap -sling- style. It feels safe on my back and it's so easy to swing it to the front, get the camera out fast and get the shot.  With the included waist strap I feel like I could do  backflips on a trampoline and not even think about the $1000s of equipment on my back.  It's a great bag.  No, it doesn't have space to grow and grow with all your equipment for decades to come, but that's not what it's about.  It's meant to be a trim, secure bag that can hold your dslr loaded with your long zoom lens. The only thing I would change, is that I would add in a full zipper front for loading and accessories a little easier.Please, before choosing this one, check out the Lowepro SlingShot 100 All Weather Backpack. It's a similar design and given a 2nd chance I might choose it first.  However, I still give this one a 4 out of 5 because it's really well made.
changing the compartments inside is more difficult than indicated, and space is at a premium...
This bag has a nice form factor.  It is a bit tight for D-SLRs as it holds the following quite tightly: Nikon D50 w/18-200mm VR and reversed hood attached; Sigma 10-20mm with reversed hood attached; and Nikon SB-600 Speedlight.  The additional pockets hold the usual assortment of lens cleaner, grey card, memory, etc.  I had to put 2/3 of the included dividers at the bottom of the bag to make it fit my stuff.I have two minor complaints:1. The waist strap is not detachable so when not in use it's either in the way or tucks uncomfortably into it's own pocket.  So I guess I'll just wear it loosely.2. The shoulder strap doesn't use quality padding so I'll be buying a pad for it at some point.  I guess weight is the penalty for nicer lenses...All told, for the price it's a nice little bag, carries nicely out of the way, and has a non standard look.
If you need to carry a decent sized SLR and a couple of lenses around for prolonged periods, then I would recommend you take a look at this bag.I bought this bag for a one-week trip to Maui, figuring I'd want to have my D200 and a couple of lenses with me for a good part of the trip.  The downside to renting an open-air Jeep was that I couldn't leave anything of value inside, so I ended up carrying my bag (literally) everywhere I went.  Here's my take:Good carrying capacity - it comfortably held my Nikon D200 with a 18-70mm lens; a 12-24mm lens and either my 70-300mm lens or my SB-600 flash.  There was also plenty of room in the front pocket for a spare battery, some memory cards, my wallet and cell phone.Comfortable - I agree with a previous reviewer that it did not distribute the load as well as I had anticipated, but so long as the bag was slung to the front, it was comfortable even on a 6-hour hike.Rugged - It kept all my gear safe and it wasn't damaged despite lots of brushing up against rocks, sand and trees.Handy - Out of all the different camera bags I've tried, this one made it the easiest to get to the camera and swap out lenses quickly.The bag comes with an extra strap that can go around your waist, but I found this cumbersome and it made it a little harder to sling the bag around.  That said, it folds up out of the way nicely so it is not an annoyance.The net is this bag did everything I wanted it to do and it did it well.  If you're looking to carry your SLR with a couple of lenses on long walks or hikes, then this is worth a good look.
I've been searching for a long while for a camera bag that will not only hold my camera and 'daily' lenses but would also be functional while on the go.  This bag does just that plus it will hold a wallet, pens, etc. so it doesn't stand out as a camera bag.I initially purchased several version of the Crumpler, another traditional Tamrac camera bag, and then a Slingshot-100.  The Slingshot held all my stuff but was bulky.  I found it awkward trying to get the camera out quickly. Being a woman, I found it hard to deal with being slung across my body and when I used it on one shoulder it became difficult to access the camera.  Plus the zipper, while secure, didn't allow quick access so I missed some spontaneous shots.With the Velocity series, the camera is set like a toploader.  I can unlock one clip (leaving the 2 others clipped so the whole bag doesn't open) and pull out the camera to use.  Quick and easy.  Right now I have the Digital Rebel XT set up with the Canon 28-135mm IS lens in the main pocket along with the Canon 100-300mm divided off.  There is still more room to spare for a smaller lens or cables in the main compartment.  I had to get creative with the pocket dividers so I could raise up the camera but that wasn't a problem.  In the zippered top flap of the bag I have 2 extra batteries and MANY compact flashes.  So lots of room there too.  There's another zippered area that opens and has a stretch pocket inside.  A great place for a small wallet, more flash cards, etc.This bag works perfectly for how I need it.  When I travel I don't want to look like a tourist and this bag (I got the black version) can not only hold my camera stuff but also the essentials so I don't need to carry a purse.If you have an SLR with lens and 1 or 2 extra lenses that you want to carry around this is a great bag.  If you need to lug more than that you probably want the Velocity 9.  Like I said, I've bought MANY bags and this is the best for me.
I knew it would be difficult to choose a camera bag online. This bag is an excellent bag, extremely well made, with many handy options. I was in a bit of a hurry when I ordered it, and I found it just too small for my Canon Dig Reb2 35mm DSLR and equipment.
I'm so tired of reading reviews that this bag is too small- can't fit their camera in the bag WITH the flash on, etc. That's a pretty tall order for bags of this type and purpose. Next, there will be complaints because the tripod can't be attached during storage as well. This is a wonderful, comfortable bag that is best for a medium sized DSLR and two lenses and some small items. But I have  carried four lenses and my DSLR in this bag without a problem. What's so hard about removing ONE lens to get to another? In addition, if you want to carry more lenses without stacking in the bag or more "stuff" you can buy accessory bags that fit  very nicely on the sides of the bag. I bought two accessories bags- one holds my flash, one holds my filters (if I decide I really need them and usually I don't)- I could have alternatively bought two lens bags as side attachements to the bag. This bag has the capacity to "grow" with the ingenious use of accessory packs that fit very nicely. I think some reviewers are expecting too much for a $40 bag that is intended most of all for taking a minimal amount of equipment, on the go, very comfortably and very accessibly and they are overlooking the accessory system. If you want to take all your odds and ends, of course this isn't the bag for that- buy a huge Tamrac Expedition 7 backpack-you'll be sweating and heaving within 5 minutes but you'll have all your stuff. Please Rate items for what they are intended for, not for what your dreams are and don't overlook the accessories that fit with this bag for more storage room. I love this bag and I think the craftsmanship is great for the price. I find of the four bags I have (all for different places, purposes), I use this one the most.
you will find yourself running out of space... the velocity 7 is tiny... unless you will only carry on item. when I go to Disney..sometime I would like to carry just one bag for my camera and my jacket... i don't like to deal with my backpack on top of it... so get a bigger one.
This bag will tightly fit a Canon 5D body with attached Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM lens and reversed lens hood, and one Canon Speedlite 580EX in the main compartment.  Smaller accessories will then fill the remaining void in the smaller outer compartment.The bag is small enough where it can hang comfortably from my left shoulder.  But it's nice that it can function as a sling bag as intended providing quick removal of the camera from the main compartment.This is the bag I use the most for situations requiring one camera and lens combination assignments.
I've had my Velocity 7 for about 6 months and while it's still looks pristine, I've gotten a fair amount of use from it.  I disagree that it's too small, but then I have a Canon XTi, which isn't the biggest DSLR out there.  That fits nicely in the center with the 17-40 zoom, between a 70-300 and the 50mm.  There's even room for a gallon ziplock bag and a micro-tripod.Pros:* Decent amount of space* Good separators for the main compartment, with velcro to customize to your needs* Protects your gear so long as your reasonably careful* Easy to get to and not bad for pulling out your cameraCons:The reason I recommend the 7X instead of this model is that the top flap on this opens towards you.  The 7X opens away from you, so the lid isn't in the way of getting in the main compartment.
I really do love this bag.  People call me anal sometimes but I rarely purchase something for more than $20 without doing my research.  I really wanted a camera bag that wasn't the standard under the arm bag, maybe something around my back.  I have a sling around backpack like this, and when I saw this bag I liked it.  It appeared to be the best bag for me and I eagerly awaited its arrival after I ordered it.  Now that I have it I love it!  It really is nice to have your stuff on your back but when you need it you can just sling it around to the front.  I use this bag to hold my Pentax K10D, 2 lenses, lens hoods, 4 filters, handful of SD cards, external flash, and camera battery charger, and still have enough room for another lens!  This bag is great for hikes or just carrying around.  It's just the right size and holds just the right amount of equipment for most consumers looking for a medium-sized camera bag.  The only thing I don't like about it is that there is nowhere for a tripod to be carried on it, but I don't know how you could fix that in this size category of bags.  Just a note, I don't use the strap for around your waist, I just leave it tucked in.  I highly recommend this bag, and I think they might have a new line of very similar bags on sale now, and I would highly recommend them if they are anything like this bag.
Great piece of equipment. Plenty of roof for SLR, 2 lens, + point and shoot, flash cards etc. Great quality.
Performs exactly as I expected. Room in the center divider for my Canon 350D with telephoto lens mounted. Side spaces have room for 1 medium or short lens. Outside pocket has room for memory cards, filters and small batteries.Well constructed with adequate padding. Extra quick-release buckles on top (at the sides) thus top has three quick-release buckles. All seams are flawless and the material is water resistant. Extra internal dividers that attach via velcro.Two thumbs up!
Like most I keep looking to try and get something for nothing so accumulate numerous cheap pairs. Theses are a pleasure. Very happy. Keep in mind the price you are paying. I am sure a professional may be able to tell me all the things that are wrong with these but for my amateur old eyes they are great value for money. People keep recommending lower powered magnification for hand held so the only thing that I should have done is maybe bought the lower powered ones. These are not bad but still a bit hard to hold very steady but useable,
Had to return because of the size. They are very large and heavy. Not really suitable for travel or &#34;on-the-go&#34; viewing. Wanted them for trip to Africa. Just Too large.
Read instructions on what to do to adjust the view, my husband doesn't read instructions just tries to figure it out. So my son read them and very easy to adjust. The only thing I didn't like was there was no strap for the bag. My husband likes to hang the bag up for better storage. It comes with a strap for the binoculars and nice bag.
I work as a fire lookout scanning the land for fires.  A co-worker uses this model and ideal for what I do.  We need something that we can use a moments and we must be able to see using a hand held binocular, not something that requires a tripod and these are good for me.  They were also affordable!
Having worked for over a decade selling cameras, optics and binoculars, these are just as I remembered, excellent. You won't find anything nicer unless you are prepared to spend ten times the money, even then you might find you're not be purchasing higher quality optics, but rather paying for a high end name.
Pentax has been a trusted name in lensed products for a long time.  This product met those expectations and then some, and,  Amazon Prime made it a great value!
I bought this set of 10x50 binoc's to replace an old Nikon 7x50 model. The Nikon cost more than this Pentax when it was purchased. The differences between the two are amazing.First, the 50mm lens on the Nikon is actually smaller than the 50mm lens on this Pentax. Perhaps because of this, the view through the Pentax is considerably brighter. It is much brighter than I would expect simply because of the slight size difference, however.Secondly, although the Pentax has 10x magnification rather than the 7x of the older unit, the view is much sharper and clearer. I would have expected the reverse to be true.My only complaint is that the "built-in tripod socket" requires an "optional tripod adapter" in order to actually use a tripod. Why? It would seem simple to make the socket the correct diameter and thread to fit a standard tripod. And why should the adapter be optional? It must cost all of 25 cents to make.So, four stars instead of the five I would give it based on quality of view.-dan z-
These are an excellent pair of Binoculars.  It is very clear, light, powerful and has a wide field of view.  It feels nice and well made.  I use these to look at the moon and also when I go to the mountains.  It comes with a case and it is very portable.  I really like this and I highly recommend it.
My daughter bought me the 16x50's based upon the comments that they were great for football.  Perhaps the 10x50's are.  However, I found the 16x50's totally unacceptable for watching a game.  The depth of focus is incredibly small, meaning that items in front may be infocus but things a few yards back are out of focus.  Trying to follow a play was also impossible.
We wanted something more powerful than the 8x30 compact binocular that we have without going to an unit that requires a tripod. This Pentax fits the bill perfectly. Its high quality optics delivers a clear view even under low light. If you are trying to read a sign far away, you will need to steady it on something. The case is very basic. If you plan to take it on a trip, you will need to upgrade the case.Overall, I would highly recommend the Pentax XCF 16x50 binocular!
These are great binoculars. Compared to several other sets I have purchased, these binoculars are much more clear and are particularly good in low light conditions. In low light, the image through the binoculars is brighter than with the naked eye. In addition, compared to my other binoculars, these produce a very sharp image. The price is certainly right for Pentax quality. Hard to believe you can get them for this price. I keep a set in my car and another set at home. These are not small, but they are not too heavy either.
I have purchased several binoculars in the lower price range, none of them were any good until I bought these. They are very clear at any range!!! you won't go wrong buying these!!! They perform like those that cost A LOT more!!! I'm buying the more powerful ones too.
For casual use, these were great, especially when they provided a 20 dollar MIR. Of course, you should not expect lens stabilization, or any other fancy features given the price, but for a pair of cheap binocs with high magnification, these work well.Do note, these are not very portable, and will not fit into any small carrying cases.
We love camping and kayaking.  Needed a new pair of binoculars and didn't want to spend a fortune.  Read a LOT of reviews and decided on the Pentax model which we are very happy with.  They are not as"heavy" as some reviewers stated and they are perfect for the kind of nature watching we enjoy whencamping and kayaking.  Very pleased with the price.
I'm no expert on these things, but we took them on our recent trip to Denali, and they were just what we needed!  Rugged, good feel, excellent optics.  We zoomed in so easily on the bears and sheep and other critters!  They're too big for me to take to a football game, but for wilderness viewing, they're the tops in my book!
full size but smaller than nikon.not made in china. made in philipines.very good quality. weight makes it easy to hold steady.
I just got these binoculars and I love them!  They are not too heavy (only about 3 pounds) and work very well!  I got rained on earlier this week when I used them and so far, no problems!! They're a good price as well, I highly recommend!
GREAT!Seems like a lot of bang for the bucks......I am very happy with these Pentax  10 x 50 Binocular
The only thing I feel I should mention is that they are BIG binoculars, and can become wearying to hold up fairly fast.
It is a bit heavy I have to admit, but the quality is perfect. Sharp and clear. Given the price I have to say it is the best choice I could think about.
I purchased these when they were on sale for my husband.  He tends to &#34;misplace&#34; things so I did not want to spend a lot of money.  This is such a good set of binoculars for the price point.  He hunts from a blind and I think a lot of times, from his truck!!!!!  HA HA.So, I would recommend these for the person that does not want to spend too much money but wants a good quality product.
They seem to be very clear I have had no problems with them. Are easy to focus and have been able to pick out animals at 500 yards
A Truly Excellent Pair Of Binoculars...super for any outdoor event and nature watching.Well constructed....easy to focus and use....and the guarantee is amazing...Pentax basically will take of the binoculars for as long as you own them... !! Who else says that ?
The piece performs very well.  I was surprised to the know the piece was manufactured in Philippines.  I would have liked to know that before making the purchase, but I have no complaints on the workmanship..
THese have the clearest, brightest, biggest, viewing of any binoculars I've ever owned. I wish I would have had these all my life.They are excellent for hunting, horse racing, football, bird watching, and girl watching.
I am happy with these they are everything they claim, had them for 6 months use them regularly. They are big but I knew that going in.
Mine were TERRIBLE. Focus is impossible! Focus adjustment is rough and sticks. If you try to fine focus, you go right past where you want to be..I thought these would be good binocs from the other reviews. The body is metal, but the eyepiece assemblies are completely PLASTIC. They warp and they are not quality. Even the eyepiece "lenses" are plastic, not glass. The main objectives are glass, but the eyepiece lenses are plastic. That's not quality in my book. I wanted to send them for repair, but Pentax wants me to pay $25 AND shipping, to repair them! That's not a warranty, it's highway robbery!.Never again Pentax!
If you want good value then these are your binoculars.  When I got them I went out in the street and read a license plate three blocks away.  I'm nearsighted  - 220 in one eye 160 in the other - yet I can balance the binoculars sans glasses & get a crisp view at any distance in a couple seconds. Good for dim light.  We are going to the Grand Canyon and also to the U2 "Claw" tour and these are perfect. The rubber lens caps are sturdy & fit tight so hiking in dirt and wet will be okay. They are fairly light for their size, but they aren't small. Very nice lightweight nylon weave case and strap.
I have a pair of Nikon binoculars that are excellent, but expensive.  I was looking for something less expensive that I could take along on our boat to view wildlife.  Honestly, I think the Pentax 10 x 50 is just about as good as the Nikons and half the price.  I am very pleased with the purchase!
Needed an extra set (pair) of binoculars to keep in the car for unexpected birding moments and I am pleasantly surprised and pleased overall.  After I received them I did a comparison with a pair of Nikon Action binoculars with the same specs.  These binoculars give just as clear a view, and it is a fine, bright, clear view.  The only difference I noticed between the two binoculars is that the Nikon binoculars give a bigger field of view in the circle.  That is, I noticed a slightly larger black circle around the edges of the viewing circle with these Pentax binoculars.  Still, they seem excellent for my application and I was able to recently view a nearby loon and duck with ease. These binoculars also are very well designed ergonomically, allowing me to get a good grip on them when holding them.
Great binoculars, very pleased with how well they are build and clarity of the view, would purchase another pair and or the same brand in a New York minute........
Excellent binoculars for the money!  Was able to count antler points from about 300 yards without much problem (buck &#34;fever&#34; was my only issue).  Didn't notice any weight issues, worked as good as binoculars priced much higher.  Like the feel, the diopter, very glad I bought these.
Very well made, large field of view and good in low light. I have several other moderately priced binoculars used regularly (Nikon, Simmons and more) and this pair beats all in low light use. Good purchase and perfect for bird watching and more. The only con is that they are slightly heavy, but with more glass and being full-sized that is to be expected.EDIT: 01/10/13I have since purchased a another pair of Simmons binoculars and have had the time to spend comparing the different binoculars I now own. (6 different pairs.) These are rapidly becoming my favorite. They bring in the most light, they are smooth and easy to focus and the sharpness is at least tied with any other pair I own. Certainly a 5 star.
I really am glad I got this.  The view is very clear and bright. Object could be brought in from far away.  Very impressive product for the price paid.
I purchased these binos because I wanted to get something better than what I already have. I have a pair of 10x20 and they work good but, I wanted something that would allow me to see further and have a wider view. I have already used these binos to do a little star gazing and they work great. I also like to sit down at the river and watch the boats go by. They are very easy to use and have great optic. I would recommend these to anybody who is looking for a great pair of binos.
Neck strap broke at seam about the forth time I used it.  Binoculars are OK.  The price was low also.
i bought this camera a few days ago.my co-worker loved this camera, and told me to buy this one repeatedly, since it's such a good camera. so, i did. and, i was disappointed immediately, when i took first few photos.  i took so many pictures indoor, trying to find out what was wrong.  it didn't seem to focus right in dark with flash light.  pictures come out fuzzy, blurry.... :&lt;so, i returned it after a few days try... got Sony Dsc-S85.DSC-S85 worked much better, taking much better pictures at the same price.  if you like to carry a camera in your pocket all day long, DSC-P9 may be way to go, but, if you want better picture, clearer picture... get DSC S85... its twice more functions and it is twice clearer imo... i am very happy with DSC S85 even though it's heavier. DSC P9 didn't cut it for me.
There are a lot of nice things about this camera that are mentioned in the other reviews.  I just want to alert you of some of the drawbacks that lead me to give it three stars.1.  The autofocus is slow and there is significant delay from when you push the button to when the photo is taken.2.  Pictures of things in motion come out blurry.  For example, I took the camera to the park with my children and photos of them on the slide, swing etc. all came out blurry.3.  The battery dosen't last very long if you use the LCD display and the flash.  If you buy the camera, you should get the extra battery.4.  If you are using the flash, it takes about 30 seconds for the flash to recharge between pictures.These might seem like small things, but I've been using the camera to take pictures of my children and it seems like I miss the nice shots because the camera hasn't focused or I'm waiting for the flash to recharge or my kids look away between the time that I push the button and the picture is actually taken.
I absolutely love it! I won't list specs in this review, but I like the fact that you can record audio/video and the limit is your memory stick. Also handy is the quick review of the last photo in the same settings you are in vs. having to switch the dial to the 'review' mode.I would highly recommend a 128M memory stick. 16M fly quickly especially in High Resolution.The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the zoom capability.. Don't let the digital 2X fool you. I would recommend sticking to the 3X optical zoom to get good photos.Also if your hands are big, get a bigger camera.A bientot.
This is my first digital camera. Since we got it couple weeks ago, we use it almost everyday. It is so compact and you can carry it everywhere. The photo quality is good. I really like the movie clip feature and its quality is better than we thought. The default flash mode is &quot;no flash&quot; and it's a little bit annoying. There is no notible problem other than that.It's a great camera and I really recommand it.
I love this camera, size and picture quality wise. I did a lot of research and I chose this over the Nikon or Canon because I wanted an underwater housing for it and one wasn't available for those at the time. ... I have tried to get one from Sony but have been unable to do so because I live outside the US. The quality of the pictures is great and I often crop and blow up sections and the quality is still great, although I don't have other brands to compare to. My main problem with the camera is that so few of the features that I want to change from picture to picture are available manually (i.e. on the menu screen)e.g. high, normal or low level flash; Center focus or multipoint focus etc; portrait, macro or landscape mode; twilight, full-sun or shade, most of these features cannot be manually set by the dial on the trot. While scanning through menu features on the screen you miss your picture moment. There is loads of space on the manual dial for these features to be added on the next model of this camera and then I would give it 5 stars. I think if you change settings often another camera might be better. I didn't think that so many basic settings would be unavailable by manual dial. I am still trying to get the underwater housing.I would now add that I was finally able to get the underwater housing from Amazon and love it.  I am finding the lack of quick change from flash: (off, on, auto, red-eye, low, normal, high) a particular irritant especially since, as I have now realised that low light pictures are not that great.  Outdoor pictures however, are superb, especially pictures in and around water, which given where we live are the majority of my photos.  Red-eye is turned off and on from the setup menu, a major pain and so I rarely, if ever use it and choose to correct red-eye by software.  Low, normal and high flash levels are turned off by the menu, again a pain!  I think they should all have been alterable using the flash on, off, auto button on the back of the camera. I am still working on finetuning the manual controls to get better indoor/low-light shots.  I hope the new DSCP-10 has improved on these things.Unlike another reviewer, I have been able to take excellent macro photos of orchids and butterflies, I'd say as close as about 10 inches.
I have tried both a DSC-P8 and DSC-P9, and have had the same problem with both cameras.  I have owned a Canon S110 for a few years now, so that is my basis for comparison.If you own a DSC-Px, you can try this test for yourself.  Try taking a picture of a friend indoors with low light.  Have the friend stay about 10ft away from you.  When you view the picture on the computer, you'll notice that your friend's skintone is very pixelated.  This does NOT happen with other digital cameras.  It definitely doesn't happen w/ the Canon.  I thought I had a defective camera, but not anymore as I've had this happen with two Sony DSC-Px cameras now.Someone who has never owned a non-sony digital camera probably won't notice the problem.I do admit that the Sony is a great looking digital camera, and it seems to be the only camera which allows for nealy unlimited full motion video.  I really wish this camera didn't have the problem I just described, because it would be my ideal camera otherwise.  However, the problem is bad enough for me to stick with my Canon S110.
Tho this is a 10 year old camera, I needed something good, reliable and cheap. less than less than 20 bucks for camera and new knock-off battery.
After doing a lot of research on digital cameras to replace my aging Fuji MX-1200, I decided this seemed like the best one for the money.With the 4 megapixels you can even use the digital zoom without worrying about sacrificing too much picture quality -- though the 3X optical zoom will suffice in most cases.  The picture and movie quality are both very good (sound quality is also surprisingly good), though movies tend to come out dark if you're shooting indoors without a lot of sunlight (though, for a still camera, I haven't seen much better).The one thing you'll want to familiarize yourself with is the manual brightness settings.  Pictures indoors with sub-par lighting will also come out a bit dark on normal settings, but if you adjust the brightness manually (using Sony's easy-to-navigate menu system) it won't be a problem at all.The camera also has both USB and A/V out jacks for displaying pictures/movies on your computer or TV -- which are both pretty much plug and play processes.One last thing -- as is the case with all digital camera -- is that you'll want to buy a bigger memory stick than the one it's packaged with (16 MB).Overall, an excellent camera.
The Sony DSC-P9 is my second digital camera. I only have it for a few weeks now, but I have to admit, this loaded little gadget is a great companion. Not only is it small enough, but with it's solid Aluminum body I really have it in my pocket most of the time.No need to repeat all the technical specs here. Overall the camera has an excellent price/value ratio.Be sure to buy enough 128M sticks ... you will play with MPEG-HQX, be warned. The video editing software included only creates MPEG-1, so don't forget to download VirtualDub (free software, GPL).Have fun and great shots!Jan
I get my firs digital camera about 10 years ago, it was an HP photosmart with almost a quarter o megapixel, since that time I have bought more than 10 different cameras, and thisone is te very best.Easy to use, light, small, and take suberb photos. The only con. I found was that you have to charge the battery while its in the camera.The price is good and the camera is the best in its category.
I read various reviews of this camera at photography sites and most expressed concern over it's picture quality in low light.From my experience with this camera I never see a problem with that. I think this camera is for people who like super compactness in stuff they carry around and at the same time has decent quality.If you are looking for stunning quality pictures no camera this size can take them. But this one is capable of taking pictures good enough for an average dad and mom who love taking simple, yet decent quality pictures. I took over 300 pictures and there are only a few of them I can complain.If I have to buy all over again, this one will be an easy pick for it size, quality, and style. Oh! don't forget to get the camera bag(Model: Sony LCMPX) specially made by Sony for this camera. It's a perfect compliment to this camera and has great style.
This camera is top notch in many ways.I gave it only 4 stars because of one thing: low-light shots.Someone wrote that if you set the flash power manually to highest, it produces good low-light pictures. Unfortunately it's not true. I wish it would be. This camera is worse in low-light shots than the competition. Believe me.It's your decision: if you can handle this, buy it, because otherwise it takes excellent pictures in normal lightning conditions. If low-light, night and indoor shots (with poor back-light) is important for you, look at the Canon S45 or S400 instead.
I just purchased this camera for myself as an early christmas  gift and I'm so glad that I did, becasue I love it !!! It's my first digital camera, and I'm very impressed with it. The picture quality is excellent, once you master the white balance and flash controls.  It's so ultra light weight and so compact, that I find mayself carrying it everywhere with me.Make sure to take advantage of the ... coupon offer for online registration which is included in the box (the accessories catalog).  Simply go to the Sony website listed and once you register your camera online, you get a coupon to purchase accessories and save big time !! I got the Stamina Value Kit (soft case, memory stick holder case and one battery) for a great discount using this offer.  Don't pass it up !!! It's good on all accessories for this camera - even the nifty mouse that has a memory stick reader slot built in, so you can transfer pictures to your PC in a snap through the mouse. VERY COOL !!!
I just bought this camera on saturday after researching it for about 2 months.  I quickly narrowed my choices between Cannon Elph 230 or this one.  I loved the look and feel of the Sony as well as the option of storing the images on my Clie.  The image quality is fabulous!  I was really impressed with the ease of use and the options given at your fingertips.  The only thing I was disappointed about was the fact that everywhere I tried to buy it in the last month were sold out.  :-)  I was even told from one of the places that it was discontinued, but that proved wrong.  They now have it in stock.  This camera is a MUST GET!I do recommend, like most that have posted, that you get the spare battery and extra memory.
This is a very good camera. It can let you take a perfect picture, movie, or sound. The LCD is so clear, you can see almost exactly what the object look like. You can review your picture and delete the one you don't like. Everything is just perfect. I suggest everyone don't buy a film Camera anymore, it is useless now.
I got this camera over a year ago and I have not regretted it. It is compact, takes great photos with high detail, and it is not hard to use. While there are some downfalls (average close up focus and poor low-light capabilities), I find that these are not things that routinely prevent me from acheiving great photo quality. As for reasonably close-up photos, I use this in my dental office to take close-ups of smiles, and they turn out great. That should give you some idea of this camera's abilities. Many reviewers have hit the nail on the head regarding this product, so I will use my review to give you guys some great tips I've found.1. Buy the 128 Mg card, the carrying case, card reader, and an extra battery.2. Dont buy the charger. I find that if I have an extra battery, I usually get all the photos I need by just popping in the fresh battery when the first is low. Later, I charge the batteries with the camera's built-in charger. I actually bought the stand-alone charger, but it seems to take longer and is pointless since I am not using my camera at the time anyway.3. If you are like me and want to carry your camera in your pocket try this trick to protect the LCD: get some of those Palm Pilot screen covers and cut out the size of the LCD, and then place it on your camera's LCD. The screen can get knocked by keys in your pocket and not get permanently damaged. Plus, you'll never run out of covers because one palm sheet can make 4 lcd covers.4. If you have a still shot to take in low light and don't want to drown out the subject with a flash, use the SCN feature to recover some detail. But it only works if nothing is moving.If you are looking for something to have on your vacations, birthday parties, and in the home that takes high res pics without the complexities and hassles of bulkier digitals, don't hesitate to buy this one. You'll be happy with it.
As a photo enthusiast with a number of photo workshops/classes and countless books on photography theory from landscape to portrait photography so I'm a very hard person to please when it comes to digital cameras.  First I would like to mention that digital cameras are still a long way from matching quality of the better film cameras using 35mm slide film and no where near the potential quality of medium and large format cameras, so you need to take that into account and consider what you will be using it for.  When I purchased this camera in June 2002 it was the cutting edge CyberShot.  I immediately dumped the 16mb memory stick and picked up the largest available (and still to this day) 128mb Memory Stick as well as a couple extra lithium batteries.  The great part is one of the batteries lasts right about as long as it takes to fill up a 128mb card!The pictures are outstanding for a digital camera, the other thing that is really cool about it is you can capture mpeg format video with sound.  Dont toss your video camera yet though, its dark light performance is hideous and resolution is not even close to a digital or tape video camera, but it is a neat feature when used under the right circumstances.My biggest grip is Sony never came out with Memory Sticks larger than 128mb and doesn't appear to ever support it.  They've produced a smaller MemoryStick version thats half the size but has an adapter to make it work but still none of larger capacity.  I recently read on their web site that they are comming out with a total new format that isnt going to be compatable with any current MemoryStick device but will have capacities in the future exceeding 1 gigabyte.At max resolution 2200x something, you can get 65 still pictures on a 128mb card.  The pictures are in fact so good that you can stand 30 feet away from a soup can and snap a shot of the label, view the picture and zoom in to the point where you can read the ingredients.  You can also set it down to 640x480 and get like 1500 pictures on to that same 128mb card so theres a lot of flexability depending on your needs.Its a great camera if you need something compact and good enough to take pictures of things in every day life for instant digital gratification.  If you dont plan to blow up prints the size of a poster you will have no problems with the resolution and find that the max setting is many times too much for your standard birthday party or trip to San Diego.
Sony's DSC-P9, released in June 2002, is the state of the art in terms of resolution and features in a very compact camera, with point-and-shoot ease of use.  At just 4-1/2 x 2 x 1-1/2 inches in size and 7-1/2 ounces with battery, this is a camera you can take anywhere - so you will have it with you and take more pictures.  It's smaller and lighter than many less powerful cameras, and smaller than earlier generations of Sonys.  The camera and features give you that feeling that they have really been carefully thought through and designed for ease of use, though it does take some effort to learn to use.Features include:- The 4 megapixel (million pixels, or MP) resolution (2272 x 1704) is at the high end of consumer cameras, and should allow very good enlargements up to about 8x10.- The 3x optical zoom will help you compose good photos and make the most of your pixels.  The zoom lens is the equivalent of 39-117mm on a film camera, so will go from slight wide angle to moderate telephoto.  It's a very versatile range, though not wide angle enough to shoot wide shots in small rooms.- The lens aperture (opening size) is rated (max) at F2.8-F5.6 (depending on zoom; low numbers are better). This is fairly "fast" for this type of camera, making it better in low light than some.  The autofocus illuminator and the Twilight modes also help for low light situations, which challenge all digital cameras.  However, you will find it much easier to get crisp shots when the lighting is good (or the flash is used).- The DSC-P9 takes great pictures without requiring much thought.  But if you want, the camera gives you several white balance options; light sensitivity (ISO) settings of 100, 200 and 400; pattern or spot light metering; multiple focus modes (3-point, center, manual at pre-set distances); shutter speeds down to 1/2000; and a macro focus setting for great close-ups from as little as 4 inches away.- Other features include video out, to show pictures on your TV; and a metal case and metal tripod mount.- The computer drivers should allow you to use a wide range of PCs and Macs with this camera.  (Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Pro, XP Home/Pro, MacOS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0/9.1/9.2)For most users, this is all the digital camera you will ever need, in a compact package, with easy to use features.  It's not for everyone, though:- If you want maximum control over your photos.  Direct manual controls are limited, though if you use the features wisely you have some control.  Also, there is no option to save photos in uncompressed format; and no lens thread.  Consider the Canon S40 if these matter to you; the S40's image quality is also slightly better.  The Sony DSC-85 will give you even better photos.- If you mostly shoot snapshots, and never print enlargements, you probably don't need 4MP.  You can save some money by getting a 3MP camera like the Sony DSC-P7 or a 2MP camera like the Canon S330 or the Sony DSC-P2.  But having the extra pixels does give you more options, and allows you to trim the picture and still have good clarity.This camera shares many of the issues all digital cameras have:- You will have to buy more memory.  A 128MB stick will get you about 75 photos at maximum quality, and 2-3x more at snapshot quality.  Sony "Memory Sticks" are more expensive than other formats.- Start-up and shot-to-shot times are slower than film cameras.- The flash on a camera this size cannot match an external unit, but it is rated up to 13 feet, better than many compact cameras.- The viewfinder (for when it's too bright to use the LCD, or you're saving power) takes some getting used to, as far as what is in and out of the actual photo.- The MPEG movie feature is low-resolution (320x240), so of limited use, though this Sony can record audio and shoot any length (limited only by memory stick capacity).- Battery life is very good for this type of camera - you can get 100-200 shots - but the battery must be charged in the camera (unless you buy the Sony charger, extra), so for very long days you may want a second battery.
No words can describe the beauty, simplicity, and power of this little miracle device!  I've been using it for about 9 Problem-free months.  This camera is super for digital snapshots.  Connectivity to the PC is simple via USB.  It uses a proprietary Sony MemoryStick and a tiny rechargeable removable battery pack (which you can buy on ebay for cheap).This camera has many functions that even a die-hard photographer will go nuts over: EV, aperture focus, white-balance, spot meter, iso, picture quality, image size, sharpness, flash brightness, & record mode ie video, email, voice & more!I'm the dummy so I keep most things on default, and it still works well.It also features red-eye reduction, flash on-off, and video recording (but the quality is very poor so I advise from using it)You can choose from among 5 picture sizes:2272x1702 (4 megapixels)2272(3:2) -- I call this the widescreen, my favorite setting1600x1200 (2 MP mode, quality like 4MP, use if cramped for space)1280x960 (quality is ok, use for auction pix and shrinking later)640x480 (quality not so good, for email or low bandwidth use)All in all, in today's day in age, I still think that 4 megapixels is overkill for an ordinary Joe.  2 Megapixels is the best bang for the buck today.  But if you're into taking high quality pictures, want ease of use, want a decent fair price, AND want bragging rights, then this camera is for you!
I bought this camcorder 7 years ago. Although they no longer make this model I feel compelled to tell people that I still use and love this camcorder. I love the fact that when I use this thing no one is looking at me thinking, "Hey buddy get a new camera!" It looks at up-to-date and in my opinion better than a lot of these new camcorder. Forget Hard drives MiniDVs RULE!
This is my first digital camcorder that I have ever owned and it is great!  I love the digital stills (I don't have a digital camera) and the input/outputs.  If you are looking for a good camcorder and don't want to spend more than $$$ then this is the camcorder for you!
I hesitantly opened up my Sony PC-101 as a X-mas present from my wife, worried that she had not done the research that I would do in buying such a gift. To my surprise, she picked a camcorder that has lived up to all my expectations. The one control on the back of the camcorder determines whether you are using the camcorder for playback, Video or Stills which removes the clutter of buttons that you might find on other cams. The cam fits into a coat pocket, which has allowed me to take several footages of our kids skiing. Connecting the camcorder to my PC was simple. With XP, the USB connection was recognized immediately. I opted to not install Sony's Pixela software and use Microsoft's "Windows Movie Maker" instead with no problems. The only complaints that I have are 1) that the zoom and still capture button are so close and similar that many times when I attempt to zoom, I have found myself taking a still. 2) I can't see the touch screen in daylight (I have to use the viewfinder) and 3) the camera is awkward to hold (maybe the nature of the beast). Bottom line, I have happily taken more video of children in the last 2 months than the last 2 years and have forwarded many 2 minute wav files to family and friends.
of this camera.  I had been looking for a digital camcorder to replace our analog one.  My main criteria was it had to be small, so that we would take it almost anywhere (unlike the old clunky one).  After much research, we decided to get either the Sony DCR-PC101 or the Canon Elura 40MC.  Even though, the Sony cost more, we picked it since our digital camera is a Sony.  I got a great deal at Sears on an open box product ... and it came with the full warranty.  I have used it a couple times and I absolutely love it.  The software (pixela) could be more user friendly, but I will probably get bundled software with a 1394 card that I will buy.  Some folks complain about the small buttons, but hey, you can't put big buttons on a camcorder that fits into your pocket!
This is my first camcorder and I've been using the Sony DCRPC101 for three months now. It's small size and light weight allows me to take it everywhere. Pictures taken outdoors (bright light, overcast), indoors (incandescent, fluorescent), while driving (day, night), are impressive. I use a Macintosh to download footages through iMovie. It came with a USB cable, but the Firewire cable (6 pin to 4 pin, that comes with the Macintosh) is more reliable.In my experience, the battery life varies tremendously, depending on how you use the camcorder. With the LCD on, constant on and off, taking 1 to 2 minutes of footage each time, repeated standby and replaying previous shots, the battery won't last through half a tape (36 minutes). With LCD off, 15 to 30 minute shots, limited standby, the battery will last over 3 tapes (3 hours, 12 minutes). If you plan to shoot all day, buy the NP-QM91 battery. I did, and was able to record to 6 miniDV tapes (that's all I had). There was time left on the battery for one more tape. (FYI: 6 tapes equals 6 hours which translates to 51 GB of hard drive space.)Using the camcorder for the first time, you have to get use to the location of the control buttons. They are small, and close together, compared to my friends DCRTRV25 and ZR50MC. After using it for a while, you'll notice how convenient the buttons are located. It's just a matter of getting use to the layout. The zoom is instant. From minimum to maximum, it takes less than a second. Not exactly what I wanted. With a little practice, you can achieve a smooth slow zoom.I've read complaints about the cheesy plug cover hinges. I don't get it (not just yet). They are not hinged, but attached to the camcorder with what appears to be a nylon tether. I know hinges break, but unless you pick up the camcorder by these covers, I don't see how they can break.As far as durability, my camcorder has been dropped (on carpet, twice, from waist height), ran over (radio control car), and toppled (on the driveway, mounted on a tripod, me tripping on the tripod). Besides a few scratches, the camcorder still functions like brand new.I think all miniDV camcorders you buy today, have still image capture. The Sony DCRPC101 is equivalent to a 1 megapixel camera. I have a 3 megapixel Canon digital camera that is dedicated to taking still images, and I use it exclusively for that. Even though the digital camera can take video shots, it's image/sound quality is nowhere near that of a miniDV. And the same thing applies to the miniDV camcorder. The stills cannot compare to the digital camera.If I have any complaint, that would be the built-in microphone. The microphone, and it is a good one, is mounted on top of the camcorder. It is omni directional, and picks up sound everywhere. Of course, the closer the sound source is to the camera, the louder it is. If you are the one taking the video, and decide to add your voice, you will definitely come in loud and clear. During silent passages, you can almost hear a humming sound, which is the motor noise. My friends old JVC 8mm, records some very obvious noise, something I've never noticed before, until I started making comparisons. The ZR50MC also picks up motor noise or whatever it is. Another friends DCRTRV25 is very quite. But it's something you have to focus on.The best accessory to buy for your camcorder is a 30mm UV Filter. This is a must have. Think of it as insurance, it protects the lens. It's easier to wipe the dirt, dust, fingerprints off the filter than the lens. If the filter gets scratched, you can replace the filter.
First of all, thanks to all the other reviewers of this Sony PC101, you really helped me in my final decision. Being a first time camcorder buyer and researching all the different options, i.e.,1ccd or 3ccd, size, cost, image quality , which Manufacturer (Sony vs Canon endless debate) etc. can be a bit much. In the end it was all the rave reviews about how nice the Carl Zeiss optics were and what nice image quality it produces.Anyone considering buying a 1 chipper camcorder  can purchase the Sony PC101 with confidence.  The camcorder  also worked flawlessly with my iMac and iMovie as well.
I bought this camera to use to take photos of items to sell on eBay.  I was not dissapointed.As far as quality is concerned, this camera is great for still shots, although with high light pictures tend to blur.  This applies to using the flash; you need to get a tripod or have a very steady hand to use the flash successfully.The movie quality is frankly bad.  This is not a web camera.  It records in super fast mode, the recording controls are slightly confusing, and it emits this really load and annoying beep as it records.  Use it for still shots only!The computer interface of this camera is amazing.  They have it so the camera appears as a Drive under My Computer, and you can simply drag the images in JPEG format to any folder, as you would in Windows Explorer.  You can also easily delete selected images, or all images, on the camera directly from your computer.  It was so easy, I could start taking pictures and uploading them to eBay within minutes of taking the camera out of the box.Operating the camera is no-duh.  You press power and press the shutter and you're set to go.  You don't even need the instructions.Finally, the camera is feature-packed.  It has a timer-delayed shot, a cool mini-mirror on front which lets you see yourself as you take pictures, you can hook it up to your TV and view the photos on the camera, you can expand the memory with "CF Cards" and it has 3 different picture qualities.Overall, this is a great value.  The quality isn't amazing, but only slightly blurry at most, and it is not too hard to get a pretty decent looking picture.  The only reason I gave it 5 stars is because the image is not always great.  But if you don't need every shot to be perfect, and won't fret if a few shots come out blurry, this is a great camera for you.
Due to the first three reviews here--and help from friends who sent b-day gift certificates--I bought the DC2200. I wanted an easy camera to get me started with digital, and I wanted to simplify taking photos of the classes I teach for upload to my website. I'm not an artistic photographer; I only take photos to "capture the moment." This camera is perfect for my needs.The simplicity of using the DC2200 has not been overstated by most of these Amazon[.com] reviewers. The buyer literally can take the camera out of the package, insert batteries, and take photos without reading any instructions. I was amazed at how easy it was to hook the camera to the TV to view my photos, to install the software on my PC, and to view and save my photos. Illustrations are included in the instructions, and common sense and computer experience can play a part in the ease of the camera's operations. And, as with any camera, the photos range from "good enough" to "excellent" quality, depending on factors such as the lighting and angle.I have only one "complaint" about the camera: the instructions *could* be stated better in terms of, for instance, how to get the flash to work. I did finally figure this out--but managed to delete thirty photos in the process! I recommend that a new buyer experiment with such functions before taking any important photos.Otherwise, this is a great starter camera, and almost anyone with a PC can operate it. The system requirements include the following: a Pentium 166MHz or higher; Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, Me, XP, MAC OS 8.6, 9.0; 32MB SDRAM for Win98/98SE, 64MB SDRAM for Win2000/Me and MAC, and 128MB SDRAM for Win XP. The video cable for the TV and the USB cable for the PC are included in the package. This camera's a great deal with such a low price. Don't be afraid to try it!
...P>My brother, who is getting a computer science degree, couldn't even install the software. No matter how great the camera is supposed to take pictures, if you can't even see them, they're still useless.The actual camera is very, very annoying just taking pictures. First of all, the description completely ignores the fact that it lacks an LCD screen. Second of all, the buttons are small, so that it's rather hard to turn it on when you want to, but they stick out, so it constantly was turning on when i -didn't- want it to. Not to mention the extremely annoying beeping that it makes almost constantly. Two long beeps when it's turned on, a short beep when a picture is taken, another long beep when it's ready to take another picture. Not even soft, quiet beeps. The loud, obnoxious beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep kind of beep. It also turns off after i believe is one minute of not taking a picture. This could be useful if you're only taking one picture, but if you're taking a series of shots, such as on a tour of some sort, you'd have to turn it on again constantly. That wouldn't be such a big deal if not for the obnoxious beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeps every time it turns on.In conclusion, DON'T BUY THIS CAMERA. It isn't even worth anything for kids or beginners. Buy something that has even some value unless you just want a [$$$] piece of plastic sitting on a shelf forever.
Think of this as your first Kodak Brownie film camera you owned, but with worse picture quality, and you won't be far off.  It's OK for as a very first camera for kids (5-year-olds think it's fun), but don't expect it to rock their world... with no LCD screen, much of the fun of digital photography is missing.
If you have Windows 2000 don't even think about getting this camera. The drivers do not work and the manufacturer won't support you. Their updated drivers do not work either. However, if you have XP or 95 or 98 you'll be fine; the camera pratically sets itself up in fact. The users manual is ONLY on the CD, nothing except a quick-start guide comes printed. If you can figure out a digital watch, you'll have no trouble with this camera. Despite its shortcomings: no preview window, indoor shots come out very green, the flash doesn't throw more than 6 feet, max resolution is 640x480, ANY amount of jostle distorts the picture, and the 4 second lag - despite all that, this camera has its up side: it can hold a lot of images right out of the box, the battery life is good, and the daylight pictures come out nicely. This is a decent camera for kids or for your online auctions. I will never buy another Argus camera after my experience with this item however.
I'm not sure what one reviewer's problem with the batteries is.  Yes, it does run through batteries fairly quickly, which is a pain, but I certainly didn't run through 8 batteries learning how to set it up!  But it is a battery hog.  I use rechargeables and have to carry an extra set with me if I'm going to be shooting a lot, but I shot about 50-60 high-quality small format (4x6) pics on one set -- and that was using the flash.  Another problem is the battery indicator only warns me at the last minute that my batteries are dying.  That's a pain.  This happens more with the rechargeables than alkaline disposables.  Maybe the rechargeables don't delivery juice as quickly.I got the camera with a bundle: Epson C42 photo printer, Dazzle flash card reader, 64 MB flash card, all for [a good price], so I'm not complaining.  The only problem I'm having is that Windows XP won't recognize the camera through the USB port, but that's not a big deal since I have the card reader.  For some reason WinME recognizes it fine.
Well, I got this camera & took a few pictures with it, but it was a hassle. The power button never seemed to work properly. I couldnt tell if the camera was on or off half the time & it would make weird clicking noises at me. The few pictures I was able to take turned out good, even on the lowest res.There is a combination of 6 different qualities-2 poss. resolutions: 1600x1200 (which still isnt 2.1 mp tho??) & 800x600; and 3 poss. compressions: super fine, fine, normalThis yields (w/ the onboard 8Mb) anywhere from 6 to 95 pictures.From what Ive heard (this is really my first digital camera), most digital cameras drain batteries quick. Well, this one is a joke- the batteries were drained in a day. Save the 4 AAA batteries that come with this camera for something else & buy some NiMH rechargeable (I bought 8 so I'd have 4 to use while the others were charging).... You'll also need a battery charger (if you dont already have one)- ... And an AC adapter (which BTW is extremely difficult to find one that matches the specs needed) ...  Luckily I got a free 32Mb media card, or that would've brought my total for accessories up near the price of the camera.One more suggestion about battery life: turn off the preview and/or view finder to save power.In conclusion, if you have most of the supplies ... To be honest though, I wasnt able to experiment with the camera too much before the power button stopped working, but based on the low res pictures, I should be very happy with one that works.
Hello everyone. I have been using this camera for close to 1 year. I think i can tell you all a bit about it.Good:1. It is very lightweight2. It has a stylish front3. When it every single setting is correct according to the environment you are in, it will take good shots. just good, not great.Bad and Ugly:1. battery life is so poor that it will leave you poor. Only about 18 shots per 4 AAA batteries.2. Mediocre performance with photos3. No optical zoom, digital zoom is no good!4. tiny space for pictures. 8 at highest resoloution and a max of about 45 at very low resolution.5. Hardly works with poular compact flash cards...only uses prpiretary ones. I tried sharing compact flash cards and it would not allow you to.pverall it is a good camera is you want a fancy looking device. But for a digital camera, i rate it poorly.
OK, I bought this camera when it was an AMAZON "Hot Buy!"  One of my techie co-workers came running up to me and yelled, "Don't come crying to me when the lens falls out!!"  Ha ha ha... It has 2+ megapixels and is perfect for around the house, at award ceremonies, for newsletters, websites and of course, EBAY.I broke the Nikon 775 - the... digital camera, I borrowed from work.  Yes that camera had better software - but it stops THERE.The ARGUS is very compact, has an LCD screen and once you buy an additional card and card reader... you are SET to run with the big dogs!If you decide in a year or two you have gone PRO, then by all means, [get]  a NIKON, but for your learning phase, this camera ROCKS!
I purchased the ARGUS DC3500 after careful review and comparison. The Argus people need to go back to the drawing board on this camera. I had the following problems: Image Quality (color is very very bad); Battery life (I got 10 pictures max); The camera overheated; You could'nt tell if the camera was on or not and when it was it didn't work well at all. The argus is also very particular about what type of memory media you try to use with it. The argus has very poor firmware, even the words are not spelled correctly (what does out of momery mean exactly??). In a word, spend ... more and get something better ...
This digital camera is an adequate begging, if you don't have the cash to buy a canon  PowerShot A200 which can cost you around 140 dollars and it's lot better DC.The Argus DC-3500 takes good pictures, but most of the time the camera will add a reddish effect to your picture, and you could try any configuration in the camera to fix itBut it will not work; the only way to fix it is using photo editor software like PhotoshopOne more thing is that the camera takes too long to be ready to use after you either turned it on or had just taken a picture, causing the waste of most of your battery charge. Another point is that Amazon neglect to correctly say the type of battery used by the camera, which 4 AAA, finally the camera only use compact memory from Hitachi o Sandisk.A word about the manufacture; the web site does not gives adequate information about any of their camera, and the manual that they have up on the internet does not match the camera to detail.
We bought it for our daughter as an inexpensive camera.(1) It takes 4 AAA batteries(2) It takes a LOT of batteries.(3) The Simple Tech CF memory card  included is not compatible.(4) The darned thing creaks as you press buttons.(5) It is SLOW.(6) The most difficult digital camera to use so far.Buy something else.
I've tried out many different digital cameras over the last three or four years, from Kodak to Olympus to Canon to odd ones like HP. I've tried cameras that cost anything from $150 to $1000. So, when it came time for me to give up my never-used 35mm Canon SLR, I knew exactly which digital camera I wanted to replace it with.A few years back, I tried out a friend's Olympus Camedia camera with the same body as this one. It was only in the 2-megapixel range, as opposed to the 3 megapixels of this model, but I was always really impressed with the quality of picture it took. For a point and shoot digital camera, the shots were just amazing.So I didn't have to look very far before I found this camera, the Camedia D-550. And it's certainly lived up to the expectations I'd developed from using the friend's camera.In my opinion, this is what really makes this camera stand out from its competition:&#65533; It looks and feels like a camera. Some digital cameras go out of their way to be all futuristic and oddly shaped, which I find annoying. I want to be able to hold a camera with my hands, not my fingertips.&#65533; The design of the navigation software is excellent. I've used cameras that go to the extremes of interface design, and I've hated it. I used a Kodak camera once that used menus and control panels that were so big and colorful, it was like it was designed by Fisher-Price. Sure, it looked friendlier to use at first, but when I actually tried to find anything, like how to change the size of my pictures, it was too big and clunky. On the other extreme, some companies make cameras that use a completely bare and technical interface that's impossible to understand. With the Camedia D-550, all of your important tools are no more than two button presses away, thanks to the intuitive design of the interface. If you want to switch to Macro mode, you just turn the camera on and press "Up" twice. If you want to change the size of the pictures you're taking, you just hit the menu button and press left on the wheel that pops up, and you'll see a nice list. Not too invasive, not too technical.&#65533; Streamlined features. A few years ago, it became popular to pack as many different things into a camera as you possibly could. Sound recorders! Movie cameras! PDAs! Cell phones! Put everything you'd ever want in one device! I thought this was a terrible idea. If you want a video camera, get a video camera. A still camera can't possibly hold more than a tiny clip, so why even bother? While this Camedia D-550 does come with the ability to take video clips, it doesn't assume that video will be your primary use of the camera like other models sometimes do. The feature is there, but you can easily ignore it.&#65533; Rugged body design. Olympus sells a similar Camedia to this in features and price, but a different body. I borrowed one for a weekend, and was constantly having trouble with the lens that stuck out of the camera body. The lens cap would fall off all the time, and I just wasn't careful enough with it. When I had my 35mm SLR, I just put a UV filter over the glass of the real lens, and didn't worry about scratching it, but you couldn't do that with the other Camedia lens. With the D-550, you avoid the problem entirely. When you turn the camera off, the lens retracts into the body of the camera, and is covered by the sliding panel that's part of the camera body. It's a brilliant design that keeps the lens safe, and the speed of the lens movement is quick enough that it's not annoying. I love that my camera is so tough. Though I haven't dropped it yet, I have the feeling it would survive a drop just fine.&#65533; And, of course, the image quality. Even with plain old point-and-shoot simplicity, the colors are vivid and sharp, the exposure is just right, and the low-light pictures are just incredible, which is important to me as a hater of flashbulbs. The other day, a bird fell down our chimney and got trapped in the upper grill of our fireplace, beyond where we could see. So I stuck the camera up into the fireplace and had someone point a dim flashlight where we thought the bird was, and I got a pretty decent picture of it! The bird ended up getting out of the fireplace and flying out the window just fine, by the way. :-) The macro feature is pretty cool, too. My desktop picture on my computer is a photo of an ant I took with my D-550. People are really impressed that the ant takes up 3 inches on my screen.When you consider all the excellent features this camera has, then realize that it's much less expensive than similar cameras, it seems like a no-brainer. I would have easily paid twice what I did for the D-550, and still felt like I was getting a great deal. This camera is going to last me a long, long time, and I'm loving every minute of it.
This is my first digital camera. I researched it thoroughly and for the features this is a GREAT price. PCWorld also said that it had the best overall image quality indoors and outdoors. This is definitely true of my pictures.One thing it's lacking that I really wish it had was audio with the movies.It's a little heavier than most digital cameras but not much more than film cameras. So carrying around will feel no different. I kind of prefer the extra weight which isn't much to begin with.Don't buy a DC input adapter for it. It calls for 6.5V, center positive but any 6V center positive adapter with the right connector will do.It's very easy to use and wait between shots is minimal on the default setting. It's pretty slow on maximum setting but that makes sense since it has to store to the smartmedia.Don't regret buying this camera at all.btw, for first time buyers like myself, if you don't plan to print much, 640x480 resolution (taken by 1 MP cameras) WILL do. I didn't quite believe all I read, but the images aren't all that bad.
I guess if you are going for an older camera to save money, this isn't a bad choice, but I would recommend looking at newer ones.  Like most electronic gadgets, they get better every year.Pros:- generally easy to use- uses standard AA batteries- no lens cap to lose- software - easy web page publishing in professional versionCons- a little too big to be pocketable- there are comparable cameras with 10x and even 12x optical zoom- no stabilization feature- lacks shutter-priority, aperature-priority, and manual modes- difficult to impossible to get good pictures of indoor sporting events and other low-light situations where the flash does no good or you can't use the flash (actually, this is probably true of many other consumer-level cameras)- slow reaction time - push the button and it takes the picture about a second later (or not at all if it thinks you need the flash)- menus aren't explained very well in the manual- software - version that comes with the camera is crippled, but the professional version freezes occasionallyDespite what somebody else said, backing up files to a cd isn't that hard if you know what you are doing; you just have to mount the CD so it looks like any other disk drive.  I had no problems with this.Anyway, I'd say spend a little more money and get a Panasonic with 12X zoom, image stabilization, and some of the other features mentioned above.  You could also go for a camera with higher MP, but I'd rather spend my money on features that will actually help me take better pictures, not just bigger ones.
The key thing on these little digital cameras is the tradeoff between compact size, versus low price and good quality. This camera is a good compromise.Excellent photo quality, good battery life. The use of standard-size batteries gives flexibility; when you are travelling and cannot recharge your rechargables, you can just buy some AAs and stick 'em in. A big advantage versus the Nikon Coolpix 3500, which was my main comparator before deciding.The Nikon though is slimmer, with that intelligent swiveling design for the lens barrel. Olympus could not slim the 3500 down and maintain enough depth for a good zoom. Slimness is a big advantage when slipping the thing into your pocket! Like into a ski jacket for example.But the Nikon costs more...Another reason I finally chose Olympus.We've had it for four months and are using it a lot - just took mountainside shots flying over the Alps - crisp and clear as could be. Action shots skiing also turned out great. With 3 megapixel image size, you can easily crop out the unnecessary parts of a photo and still have enough quality for a good sharp picture containing only the part you wanted. This turns out to be a great advantage of a digital camera I didnt realize before buying.If you have Windows XP you dont need to use the Camedia software, its a snap just using Windows Explorer > My Pictures to store everything in there. But the Camedia software was also quite good and has additional nice features, I just preferred to keep life simple.Summary: great photos, handy enough, small enough, just wish it were a tad thinner.
This was my first digital camera and is super-easy to use.  My son wanted one just like it for Christmas so I bought this one for him.  It was in perfect condition, had all the paperwork and software and was a big hit for the holiday.
This is an excellent camera for the money. The resolution is good enough for a clear 8x10 glossy. It is easy to use and the panorama feature is great. I also like the 35 mm format option that can be selected. It would be nice to have a better zoom. The 2.8X optical zoom is good and is mainly useful for framing. Most of the 10X zoom is digital and I found that if you zoom much over 3X the pictures loose their sharpness. The size is perfect and the appearance and quality is excellent. I was only interested in the models that had the sliding door over the camera lens, so I sacrificed the zoom quality for this feature. I found the instruction manual to be lacking. There are features that the manual does not address, like how to make a panorama, and how to download to your computer. This information is in the software that comes with the camera but they could mention in the manual that one can basically use the camera like a drive on your computer. You don't really need the software to get the pictures to your computer. My only real complaint is with Olympus support. When I loaded my software, I could not run the Camedia Master 4.0 on my Imac because it required a serial number that was supposed to be on the sleeve but it was not. I got the run-around from tech support. They said they would send me new software but did not. I persisted and finally received the software, but it took nearly three months to get it and countless communications with some individuals that had no communication skills and in one case barely spoke English. I was disappointed in the software because it did not have "slide show" as the earlier versions did. To get that you have to pay for a $20.00 upgrade. In my opinion that is just a "rip off". All-in-all I have been very pleased with Olympus products, I just wish they had better technical support.
I just received this camera yesterday and really like it except that it will not save your choice of picture resolution and format.  It always defaults to SF mode.  Other than that, it will make a fine addition to my collection.
Have tried & used a number of Digital cameras, borrowed a friends Olympus and was so impressed, bought the Camedia D550 for myself.Have just returned from an overseas trip where a large number of 'pictures' were taken, I am so happy with the amazing results!  The ease of use of the camera, almost as simple as "point & shoot", and the quality of the images is truly outstanding - could not be a happier Olympus customer!
I bought this to upload pictures on ebay.  I have a fairly new Casio camera that is faster and is a 10.1 megapixel, but the file size takes too long to load on ebay.  The Olympus has a 3+ megapixel, and the file size is about 1/4 the Casio.  These load fine and are good photos.  My only complaint is the size.  It is about the same height and depth, but the thickness is about four times the size of the Casio.  I guess when this was new that was OK, but just something I thought I'd point out.Conclusion:  If you need a good basic camera and don't mind the thickness, this is a nice older model that still works well today.
This is a very good camera for the price.  It has features ranging from movie mode to a 3X zoom.  The software is easy to install and with Windows XP one does not need to do any special steps to download pictures from the camera to the computer.I recommend taking pictures in SQ mode for the simple reason that they are smaller files.  I left the camera set in HQ mode and now have 40 vacation pictures that claim over 40MB of disk space.  This is my fault, and not the camera's.I really enjoy the compactness and functionality of the camera.  It came with a 16MB card, and if SQ resolution is good enough, then this should be adequate for any three day weekend trip.  I did buy, and do recommend, purchasing a large card.  I bought a 128MB card for [price] and in SQ mode will capture over 1000 pictures before filling it up.  Since I download to my computer the first chance I get then delete from the card, I don't foresee ever needing another card.  Even in HQ mode the 128MB card will hold over 150 pictures.Again, this is a fine camera and I'd recommend it to anyone.
After doing much research, both online and in print, I chose the Olympus. I am very glad that I did. It takes great pictures. Clear and sharp. It is truly a point and shoot camera. Not many adjustments, which makes it very easy for my wife to use. The software that comes with it does a great job. Everyone loved the great pictures from the recent Niagra Falls trip. In short, an excellent value and great little camera.
This D-550 was my first digital camera purchase. I purchased it due to high recommendations .... Photo quality is very satisfactory for a point and shoot artist like myself. As a 35mm convert, the 3 megapixels this camera possesses is a godsend. Battery life is amazing considering you buy the camedia rechargeable batteries from olympus. Great camera! I love it! But like others said, this camera has a couple things that might irk a few. For one, the zoom is very annoying. For myself, I find myself having to whip out my camera very often and very quickly to take some emphemeral shots. The problem is that this camera takes about 5-6 seconds to unwind and start up, an additional 2 seconds to power up the LCD. Adds up when your trying to take a picture of your kid walking for the first time or a once in a lifetime sports event. The camera is also very boxy and big when compared to other similar cameras. But if you'd be able to put up with these small problems, this camera is an amazing buy.
I shall say that overall this camera performs well. My main complaint is that the pictures taken in low light (with or without flash) tend to have excessive noises, i.e. tiny color dots all over. However, under ample sunlight, the problem does not seem to exist. Also, I noticed that the camera does not produce as sharp pictures as my brother's Nikon digital does. It does not degrade to the extent of defectiveness, but there certainly is more to be desired.
I received this camera as a birthday gift. The pictures turned out so well and the camera was so easy to use everyone in my family eventually bought one. However, after one year of use  the camera started malfunctioning. (Naturally after the warranty expired) Pictures taken indoors in low light were fine. Anything with window light or light from a light fixture became streaky. Additionally, pictures taken outdoors in any kind of sunlight looked completely overexposed. These problems have rendered the camera completely worthless. My brother, who also owns this model as well, is just starting to encounter the same problem. His camera is also approximately one year old.
I do not just buy something quickly.  I look around and around and around.I checked a lot of reviews on this camera.  And I really liked what I read.  I got the camera and have used it about a week.  Thus far, it has everything that I wanted and more.  Still getting my camera "feet" with it, but it is getting easier and easier to use.I am very happy with the quality of the pictures.  Happy with the size of the camera and the "feel" of it in my hands.I am a happy camper....
I have been using Olympus cameras since I first got my Olympus AZ300 back in 1987.  Incidentally, the AZ300 still works!!I recently got this camera because of a newborn on the way.  It's handy to be able to take pictures, review them, and add/erase pictures as needed depending on how pictures came out.  Although I never had a bad picture with my AZ300, the digital camera is one less step that I need to take in terms of picking pictures that I want to develop, e-mailing them, and storing them.Olympus has been known for their fine camera construction in terms of both optics and automatic functionality.  This camera is no-exception.  It allows both full-automatic function with some user-overriding features--not enough to make it a full-blown professional camera, but enough to allow a user to take a good photograph in unusual lighting conditions.  Controls include spot metering, ISO selection (although I wish speeds higher than 400 were available), 7 different portrait modes, exposure control, sharpness, white balance, etc., give users something to work with as well as typical features such as black-and-white picture shooting, etc.The 3.0 MP resolution is more than enough for casual users as well as those who wish to make prints up to 11x14, although maximum resolution setting are recommended for this kind of application.  Utilization of various TIFF and JPEG modes are covered well in the manual -- just remember, TIFF for VERY "spiff"y prints!!Word to the wise.  I'm sure it's mentioned already, but INVEST IN RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.  Although some may lament how AA's are not necessarily robust to handle this type of application, I find it refreshing to know that there is an extremely standard and relatively inexpensive power source that I can use.  And rechargeable batteries certainly make up for their cost in just a couple of charges alone.Also, invest in a 128 MB SmartMEDIA card.  The supplied 16 MB card is good for casual use, but woefully inadequate to store any amount of high-resolution images.  I like using the 3:2 mode so I can print 4x6 images on the HP Photosmart 7350 without cropping or resizing!!!Some negative reviews proclaim something to the effect of image aberrations ("UFO's?") that occur during night shots.  I have not experienced any such malfunction.Great camera, great price!!  This is the one to buy if you're an amateur looking for a good digital camera!
Olympus has a great reputation with their 35mm and now that reputation is passed on to their digital cameras.The camera feels very sturdy except for the shutter door which I do agree needs a new design.However after the initial akwardness of the shutter door, it doesn't become much of a big deal.  You just get used to it.What's great is that the pictures turn out ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULL if you choosethe HQ (high quality) or SQ function which takes up a bit of memory. Therefore I highly recommend gettinga 128MB smart media card which lets you take 173 photos and short 30 seconds movie clips (no sound)!Also I do recommend getting the rechargeable battery and adaptor because the LCD eats up all your battery juice.I do recommend this camera if you are thinking of getting a digital camera that is reliable and affordable.It has a lot of potential and features that you can explore but I'm a point-and-shoot type of person.
The Camedia line continues to be a great all around camera for the average person to use. I bought this one after using my father Camedia D-510 extensively. It is simply and easy to use, with a basic manual that answers your questions. The onscreen directions are usuable, but could have been better. I havefound the pictures to be quite clear as I expected. It was easy to use on pick up, I only went to the manual occasionally to find specific features or answers.Forget those Mac switch ads: It is VERY easy to transfer your pictures to the PC via a USB cable. They fixed one thing in this regard in that you have to activate the camera when plugged in to transfer.  The older model just drained your battery as it turned on immediately and stayed on. The transfer wizard is useful for transferring to the PC, but you can also just treat this as a removable drive so why switch? The LCD window is great for taking up close shots and looks to be inprovved over pervious versions as well. This is a point and shoot camera and is one of the best at 3.0 MP. It offers everything I need, plus I can make mini movies with ease (no sound).The only problem is the camera lens door! They did not fix this problems! You have to open it of course to shoot, but if you do not open it all the way the camera will not take pictures and this can be confusing for some as the viewfinder is blurry. You must make sure to click it all the way open. I have learned to live with that, but when I am taking shots it is too easy to shift the door slightly back inward and cause the camera switch back to view mode. This is the only flaw, it will frustrate you greatly when it happens, but I have adapted to taking pictures in a way to avoid this.I had hoped they had fixed the door, but did not.  Either way I love my camera and still recommend the product. Search around for competitive prices.
The Olympus D-550 Digital Camera was a surprise replacement my older D-490 camera which I had the misfortune of dropping on the ground and breaking.  As much as I loved the D-490, the D-550 proved more than up to the task of replacing and succeeding the older version in terms of my satisfaction.The D-550 brings a number of a excellent features to the table:Pros:------Sharp 3.0 Megapixel resolution-Closeup optical and digital zoom capability.-Large memory capacity (in terms of size of cards it can support)-Lightning fast USB connectivity.-Multiple light exposure settings.-Quicktime full-motion video capability.-Easy thumbnail view of pictures from back LCD screen.-Compact designCons:------Short battery life (rechargeables are a must!)-No sound with Quicktime movies-Fragile case-cover that is essentially a $5 piece of equipment that can render the entire camera useless if it breaks (I know this from experience).When it's all said and done, this camera holds up remarkably well against comparable models.  The cons listed above are likely found with any brand of digital camera in this grade.  This camera is not designed for the professional photographer, but if you're a person who simply loves to take lots of photos as a way to create a record of life, then this is the digital camera for you.
At closeout price of $199, this is a good bargain. It uses the regular AA batteries (four needed) which means you don't have to pay high price for the rechargeable and you can get regular ones everywhere in case your rechargeable run out. The down side of using AA batteries of course is the size and weight.The image quality is good to excellent. It produces very good 4x6 prints from Costco or Sam's Club digital prints. 8x12 is probably the maximum one will want to go. At this size, although some resolution and other image quality issue shows, the overall result is still good. At 11x14, the image quality is only ok to decent at close range. It looks better at more than 2 ft away, which is probably the distance most of the people will look at pictures of this size.Speaking of resolution, the 1,984x1,488 pixels only produces 2.95Mpixels, not 3Mpixels is an odd ratio. While is may not sounds like a big deal, it is if you are thinking to get this one vs some of the 3.2 Mpixles camera. The difference in pixels is larger than you think. More importantly, 1,984x1,488 is an odd ratio. Unless you always make prints at home, or crop every picture the way you want, the Costco or Sam's will automatically crop the top and bottom for you! The camera offers a 3:2 mode to "solve" this problem. But the big problem is it reduces the resolution to 1,984x1,312. Either you use the 3:2 mode or your crop it yourself, the effective resolution dropped to 2.6 Mpixels!! If 4x6 pictures are what you use the most, you should think of this camera as a 2.6 Mpixels instead of 3.Like others have mentioned, the flash is not designed that well. It pops every time because otherwise it blocks the optical viewfinder. BTW, you need to use the LCD viewfinder for the 3:2 mode. You cannot tell exactly what image area with the optical finder with 3:2 mode.The color is very good but the contrast level is a little too high. This problem becomes visible when you print it at 8x12 and very visible at 11x14. The white balance under sunlight or flashlight is quite good. Under other man made lighting conditions the white balance is less than ideal.Would I buy this camera had I known how it actually works? Yes at [less money[ but not at [more money].
The D-550 is another of the Olympus line of clam shell cameras dating back to the old (non-digital) Stylus models of the mid-80s. In that sense, the design is tried and true and I like it for its compactness and its ability to protect the lens from those with a penchant for losing lens caps. For the vast majority of digital camera users, this camera will meet all of their needs well into the future. The D-550 trumps the recently released D-520 by offering resolution at 3 megapixels, which with some software manipulation (similar to TV line doublers) claims to raise the maximum resolution to an effective 6 megapixels. I've played with interpolation and am not a believer, and I have stated in numerous reviews of other digicams that resolution beyond 2 megapixels is generally wasteful. The question here is whether the D-550 is worth the 50% premium it carries over the D-520. This cost jump is a function only of the increased resolution. This higher resolution can be worse than unnecessary for *most* applications, it can make the camera less user-friendly. Aside from the fact that it raises the initial price of the camera,  operationally it requires greater battery use, usually involves longer lag times between shots, takes much longer to download to a PC and especially prolongs both phases of e-mailing photos (your uploading the file and your recipient opening it). These latter issues are, in my opinion, the most important, as the real purpose of digital cameras is being able to integrate them into the world of personal computing. [note: For those folks whose needs are enlarging photos beyond 8&quot; x 10&quot;, higher resolution is required] The other features of the D-520 worth noting are its very adequate 2.8X optical zoom *plus* a vaguely helpful digizoom (do not accept digital zooms in place of optical zooms; they are not equals), its ability to operate off readily available AA alkalines (though it will accept rechargeables and these make more sense in may ways), its easily expandable memory (it uses SmartMedia, not quite as good as CompactFlash cards, but close enough) and an adequate number of user-controllable settings, all of which can be handled automatically if you prefer. The only drawback of significance has been slow focus on the Olympus digital cams, resulting in more blurred pics than I think acceptable (and this even with my 700, self-stabilizing model!). Personally, I'd take the D-520 and use the money left over to buy a bigger memory card and some rechargeables.
I agree with most of the positive comments in the other reviews, so I'll focus why I didn't give it 5 stars.1. For a point-and-shoot guy, I find the focus harder to get then my past non-digital Olympus. I take mostly portraits and pet shots so I need to get the focus on the person/pet and not the background or other points.2. I can't find any way to save the settings I frequently use as the default settings (anyone know how?). This means I have to reset several setting each time I open the lens. In general, the documentation is OK but sometimes I can't do what I want until I try each menu and several of the options.3. Since the Windows software from Olympus doesn't have enough editing features, I must use other editors that I only have at work. The software could easily have been better.4. The delay between the click and the picture means I often miss the shot I want of my pets.However, with practice, I now usually get the photo I want on my first try and I can delete the rest. I am totally pleased with the picture quality - but since I always get 4x6 prints I'm not fully testing the resolution.
Not worth the price!I had both, the 520 first, which had some features I was not happy with but I thought the 550 with the 3 MP was the way to improve on it.  Definitely not.  At night, it looked like there were UFO's behind me.  Even when standing perfectly still, lights came out as streaks in the background.  Printed pictures were not great and most photos taken were blurry.In the end I got the Sony CyberSHots 71
This review is based on three years of use and 3000 pictures:*This camera is durable.  The sliding cover and flip-up flash show now signs of wear*haven't worried about keeping the lens pristine*switched to rechargeable AA batteries early on and they still work.  have to recharge them every 200 pics (get 158 exposures on the default setting on a 128MB card resulting in 700KB file sizes--enough for 8x10 pics!)*use the default Camedia picture software (got the upgrade) exclusively for picture printing and decent editing*software could use better 'templates' aside from 'happy bday'*plugging in the camera to the TV video inputs and running your own slide show is great for family get togethers (especially at the end of a trip before you leave is a nice recap of family events)*it's not a compact camera, but it's designed to hold well in your one hand to take pics*find myself adjusting the 'gamma' up a couple of notches before printing out the pics*night mode works great if you have a tripod
If you are looking for a versatile, relatively inexpensive 3 megapixel digital camera, the Olympus Camedia D-550 is a very nice selection.  It takes good pictures, the Camedia software has greatly improved over earlier versions, and transferring pictures is especially easy using Windows XP (Home version).  One of the neat things about the camera is the ability to let you choose what equivalent film speed you want to use.  The &quot;faster&quot; the film (i.e., the higher the ASA number), the less light you need, but the grainier the picture.  I took a few pictures at dusk in the San Diego harbor using an equivalent ASA of 400 and got some terrifically colorful, but grainy shots.That said, there are some aspects of this camera that are annoying.  Nothing that cannot be dealt with, but it's still annoying that you have to deal with them.First, the flash pops up EVERY time you open the camera lens.  I don't know why this is so annoying, but it is.Second, the camera defaults to a HQ (high quality) resolution that is not the best resolution.  You have to change that manually.  The problem is, every time you shut off the camera, it resets to the default setting again.Third, the default setting on digital zoom is off.  Again, you can change it manually, but guess what?  Every time you turn off the camera, it goes back to the default on the digital zoom as well.Fourth, the instruction booklet is skimpy on information.  If you like playing with this toys, this may not be a bad thing; but it would be nice to have more information on how to use all of the features.In summary, this is not always a user friendly camera, but if you overlook those flaws (which just require you to keep on your toes), this is a very good camera.
It took me a week to find my first digital camera (I tried both Olympus D-520 and Kodak D-3600 (what a joke this Kodak!) but I returned them after couple of days of use) and by this time I've been having D-550 for two weeks already and I just want to describe its pros and cons based on my own experience.Pros:1) Compact size. Viewfinder and lenses are protected when the camera is off2) Battery compartment has a lock that prevents it from being accidentally opened (I had this problem with D-520 and Kodak)3) No special software or drivers required (I use Win2000) to transfer data from camera to PC or vice versa (unlike Kodak)4) Amazing picture quality when you shoot outside whether it's sunny, cloudy or it's night. For night pictures you MUST use tripod or place camera on something steady. I'm not quite impressed with pictures taken inside but it's a tough test for any camera and I've not finished yet playing with manual settings. I believe I can get more out of itCons:1) Often when I look through viewfinder my nose sticks to monitor leaving marks (not such a big problem as it may sound)2) Movie mode lacks sound and limited to ~30 seconds. Of course you can have as many 30 sec flicks as your memory allows3) Viewfinder is a bit offset4) No buttons or any other widgets to pick mostly used features like scene or flash selection. You are bound to use menu A LOT which is not the most handiest way5) Useless printed manual. You should read PDF one on included CDTo sum up I would say that I'm really happy with this camera, it already gave me good deal of joy and sense of satisfaction. I highly recommend it.
If you're looking for a great digital camera for a great price, get the Olympus C-720. Like most of you, I'm not a professional photographer, but in the first week I was able to take what I consider to be some very nice shots. After reading the extensive manual, I quickly came to the conclusion that this camera will do a LOT and I'm going to have to experiment with it quite a bit to learn all of its capabilities. The only beef I have is the slow auto-focus only, no manual focus. Though the manual zoom is accurate, it can be a bit slow when you're trying to catch a fast moving object. For example, I was trying to take a shot of my dog as he was running toward me . . .forget it . . .the focus was just too slow. Olympus' suggestion is to "pre-focus" on the subject, then take the shot. Okay, sounds good. But why not include a manual focus? The 8X optical zoom is awesome. Coupled with the 3X digital (to get 24x) it is incredible. As with other high-zoom cameras, use a tri-pod for high zoom shots or a VERY steady hand. The 8X optical zoom is so good, I rarely use the digital zoom at all. Though this camera has a smaller rear viewing monitor than most cameras in its class, it hasn't bothered me at all. I can still review photos with ease and it saves on battery life. The quality of the photos is remarkable. My wife and I have taken quite a few "jaw-droppers" in just the first few weeks of owning the camera. It's nice not being saddled with film processing costs and delays. You can review the shots right on camera and delete what you don't want. Consequently, we've taken more pictures with this camera in a few short weeks than with all the other cameras we've owned, combined! So far, the battery life is amazing as well. Around 400 shots! IMHO, it blows the 2MP cameras away. Get a 128MB card and you'll have a hard time filling it up in one day.
****The best selling points of this camera (for me):- it works on AA batteries, and if needed, you can buy them in any country. (Buy rechargeables!)- it has an awesome zoom (when coupled with the digital zoom)- the pictures are beautiful, and can blow up to 8x10 on high resolution- even when you shoot the shot at a high resolution, you can change it later to a lower res if you want to. But be careful, you can go down, but not back up!- it has a panorama function that works pretty good, and it includes stitching the pictures together- it fits on a tripod- it is quite practical in size- it is very affordable for what you get and the quality of output.- you can view your pictures immediately on a television with the video cable- you can view the image on the TV while you are shooting the picture (works great for family portraits so you can see the shot before it is taken and fix things that don't quite look right)- I like the rapid fire shooting it hasThe things I can live with but wish were better:- it takes any smart media card, but the panorama function only works if you buy the Olympus smart media card- If you plan on using it for extended periods, you really need to buy rechargeables- the digital zoom is not very clear when viewing the image UNTIL you actually take the shot. And you really need a steady hand. But the shot comes out perfect. The thumbnails look blurry, though the picture really isn't.- The pics take a long time to load onto your computer if you try to load them through your camera. I bought the DAZZLE ZIO! SMART MEDIA READER and it downloads the images boom-boom-boom-boom...instantly! Excellent feature, but sold separately.- Doesn't come with a carrying case (good carrying cases are expensive - also sold separately)- it only comes with a 16mb smart media card, YOU NEED MORE! (cha-ching)...for a 128mb, which by the way is about all you need for a week vacation. Takes 167 pics at high resolution.- It sometimes takes a long time to focus and I did miss a few action shots because of this, but if you are prepared and pre-focus the camera it works great. You can also use the rapid firing option and just delete the ones you don't want. I did that too and it worked great.Overall, this (in my opinion) was an excellent choice. I have had the camera for 2 months now and I LOVE IT! It was quite affordable if I were only buying the camera at... but when you add in the rechargeables, the recharger, smart card, carrying case, cleaning rags, media card reader, and tax, you do need to think of it more like an investment than a toy.  The final bill came out to... OUCH! Would I do it again? You bet! Considering the stock market, it was the best investment I made all year. Do I regret not getting the 4.0 mp? No way, the zoom is not nearly as good as the 3.1, and when am I really ever going to print out an 11x14 picture (which is the only reason you ever need to go bigger than a 3.1.) besides, my printer isn't even big enough to print it, so I would have to have a shop print it - not realistic. Don't waste better options for more mega pixels, unless you are a professional, you really won't have the need for them.Hope this helps!
I researched carefully before buying my first digital camera. Prices were still up, but had dropped enough to afford a 3 megapixel. For my purposes that is plenty. I am not sorry I went for the Olympus 720. Two years later it is still working beautifully. On auto-mode it takes great pics, automatically adjusting for low light and finding the focus quickly. The controls are well-placed. Since most of my photos are for personal or online use, I rarely use the advanced features. I only hope Olympus continues to maintain the high quality of this product. If so, I'll be faithful for life.User Tip: For those complaining of poor image quality, read your manual and learn how to use the camera properly. Try setting your ISO to 100 and changing the flash setting to "fill" if you're having problems with color or brightness.
I've only had my C-720 for a few days but I did take it to a softball travel tournament this week-end. My daughter plays third and I got some really neat shots from my side of the fence. I also got some nice shots in and around the hotel. It's easy to pick-up and start shooting right away even if you've only used the simplest disposables. I took a picture from the window of our hotel room of a beautiful fountain that was across the street and several hundred feet away. It captured the beauty of this fountain and captured my grand-daughter and daughter standing there too! If you buy it I don't think you'll have any regrets. What more could you ask for it has 8x optical zoom and 3 megapixels. That pretty much covers it. Plus a whole lot more!
The camera is really nice and works well but, will not work great in low light,unless you use the flash and are pretty close to your subject matter but not too close, other than that the zoom is really nice it really brings things in close and with the 8X Zoom the 3 megapixel is nice,I have taken some great photos in full light and in medium light making sure that the camera was held still. The software will let you do a lot just using the auto enhance option.On the down side it is just a bit too big to put in a shirt pocket so I had to get a bag for it or put it in a jacket pocket in cooler weather.
Don't waste your money...there are much better cameras out there.  This camera is too big, doesn't always cooperate, and takes horrible indoor pictures.  It has an eight time zoom but the more you zoom the more distorted your photo is...very disappointing.
I own the 2MP version of this camera and the user interface is at once both simple and powerful (there are aperture priority and shutter priority as well as full manual menus as well as lanscape, portrait and action full auto settings).The important thing about this series of cameras is the optical zoom (note: this is NOT DIGITAL ZOOM - digital zoom simply pixelizes and eliminates original information). The more optical zoom you have the better for your composition. My earlier version of this camera has 10X optical zoom and I use it ALL THE TIME. It was the difference between capturing my son's first time on stage at his Christmas play and just having crowd shots!Don't get another camera.  This (and anothr Olympus at 10X) are the digital cameras to have under $[money].
This is a good camera, but if you really want to get the most out of it, take the time to learn how to use its features.  Once you do, you'll get great pictures.The zoom is the selling point, and one should keep that in mind if they plan on buying this cameria.  The zoom will allow you to capture items other off the shelf cameras won't.  Take advantage of this feature!
This is my 2nd digital camera (the first being a Sony Mavica FD-7) and have found this to be great camera for both indoor and outdoor use.  Macro shots are fantastic and the 8x zoom is tough to beat on the other end of the scale.  It does have issues in low light at maximum telephoto and in those cases a tripod may be required.  Overall, I have not experienced too many issues at maximum zoom.  Add some decent rechargeable NiMH batteries, a 128MB SmartMedia card (holds about 60 SHQ or 175 HQ photos), and you're set.  The camera is light enough to carry all day and small enough to tuck into a bike pack.
This is my 4th digital camera and they have certainly improved.  I chose the 720 because of it's 8X zoom lens and small size, plus the use of standard sized batteries.  I took it on a two week canoe trip in Ontario and it performed great.  The photos are crisp and sharp.  Even with the maximum zoom, the focus was sharp, although I did use a mono-pod for stability.  I was particularly impressed with the battery life.  Based on my older cameras, I took 6 sets of batteries for the two week trip.... but I ended up only using two sets:  one set of NiMH rechargables and one set of lithium batteries was all it took for two weeks and over 600 photos, including lots of previewing with the LCD display.I also found the LCD viewfinder more acceptable than I had first expected.  It is a bit grainy and takes some getting used to, but it was brighter than most reviews have implied and it was great to be able to see 'exactly' what was going to be in the picture since it is 'through the lens'.Overall, I am very pleased with the camera.  Very impressive.
And they are SO Right, it has so many whistles and horns, I cant figure out how to use it. The instruction book is as long as a novel. I have never used a digital camera, so I can guarantee that this one is HARD to understand.Once you figure out the important needs of the camera, the one part that is easy is getting the pictures on the computer. That is camera/computer friendly, and easy to understand.I noticed that all pictures have red eyes, and what I don't like the most, is I love taking pictures spontaneously, you can not take moving pictures at all, and that is a big downfall when you have kids and cats or dogs. Anything moving  comes out blurry every-time. It is not the camera for those that like to be on the go, or like to take pictures as they happen. Its more for the mountain and tree type families, that take pictures of still objects.
This is my third digital camera. Previous to this camera I had a Nikon Coolpix 885, which I quickly learned to despise because I never knew if (or when) it had taken a picture. I sold it on eBay and bought this camera.Oddly, the first Olympus 720 I got was defective and would eat a set of batteries in 15 minutes. I exchanged the camera for a new one which is quite fine in this regard. The batteries last quite a long time and the camera is good at conserving power.What I like about the Olympus 720:First, the video viewfinder is actually through-the-lens like a proper SLR. This is great. I can see when the camera is in focus and when it is not. This also helps in an unexpected way: Because you see it out of focus, you will focus the camera. Thus when you want to take a photo, the camera is already focused and there is very little lag before the image is captured. With rangefinder digital cameras, you don't see it out of focus and therefore you may not squeeze on the release until the moment you want to capture. Of course then it has to do its focusing thing and sometime later actually take the picture.The settings can be viewed through the eyepiece in addition to the monitor. This helps me as I am now getting far sighted, and with the Nikon I had to put on reading glasses to view the settings on the monitor. Not so with the Olympus 720.I can see when the camera takes a picture. Like SLRs whose mirror swings up when the shutter is released, the Olympus momentarily blacks out the viewfinder when the image is recorded. You absolutely know that a photo was taken just then. You don't have to listen for a beep (Nikon 885 doesn't even do this), or wonder if the flash you saw was your camera or someone else's. Many times with my old Kodak 280 I'd get a blurry photo because I had already begun to put the camera down when it actually took the photo.8 to 1 optical zoom. Not stinkin' digital zoom... optical zoom. Wow. Most digital cameras are 3 to 1. This is a real help. Scanning some of the other reviews here I can only assume that the people complaining about motion blur are simply inexperienced photographers that don't know that longer focal lengths require additional stability or shorter shutter times.AA batteries. I much prefer the flexibility you get using standard size AA batteries instead of some oddball or photo only battery. I got nice NiMH recharables. Works great. In a pinch you could use plain-Jane AA batteries but of course they'd get eaten up quickly.In general, the camera has lots of features as you'd expect. I use the PASM mode. In that mode it displays the f-stop and shutter speed through the viewfinder. Good stuff.What I don't like:Well, the image quality is not quite as good as I'd like. I'm going to experiment with the auto ASA to see if manually setting it to 200 or 100 makes for a better picture. Don't ask me why, but my ancient Kodak DC 280 takes the nicest looking photos of any digital camera I have seen. I wish the Olympus' sharpness and tones were as nice.The manual: There's a quick start guide, a paper manual, and a PDF manual. The paper manual while thick, is not complete. Print out the PDF manual.The quick start and paper manual neglect to mention that when you connect the camera to your computer via USB that you need to set the camera's mode to Image Review. Only the PDF manual reveals this vital fact.Body color: Now I'm getting picky. I would much prefer a nice black over the silver color.
I got this camera for Christmas just a few days ago. This is my first digital camera, and I'll tell straight out that it is excellent. The first picture I took (An ornament on my tree) came out perfect, literally. I showed a few of my relatives, who were all incredibly impressed, and rightly so - the picture is beautiful.I've heard a few people complain about problems with the screen, but I really haven't had any. It looks fine to me, and makes no difference whether it's in light or dark. I actually really like it.The picture software isn't slow on my computer, which is two years old. I'll say that it isn't the easiest to load, but it really isn't a hassle.And finally, picture qualities. They're really sharp and beautiful. Focusing is easy, and for me, it hasn't been as long as some people have said.Highly reccomended, especially for a first time user like myself.
I've tried several digital cameras over the last 2 years searching for the elusive combination of speed, image quality, and lens.  While the C-720 isn't the best in any one category, it is a great package for families and trips.  The autofocus is quick and the lens is outstanding - long enough without being so long as to cause excessive shake.  You have to work with this camera - set the shutter speed high and you can zoom all the way out without a problem, perfect for parades, and other family outings.  No digital camera is perfect, at least not in this price range, for some things nothing beats a large film image - but for 90% of what we take photos of, this camera, and its siblings (730/740/750) are perfect for what they do,
The camera arrived very quickly, which was much appreciated.  It's in fantastic shape and works and looks like new.  The price was a steal, and the seller very pleasant to communicate with.  Would buy from this seller again in a heartbeat.
In a word, yes. The 700 was my favorite digicam ever, putting most everything else in storage. However, along comes the 720 &amp; adds a 50% better resolution while sacrificing only a small amount of the fine optical zoom (from 10x to 8x) that the 700 is known for. In point of fact, zooming at 10X without a tripod or image stabilization (not present on either the 700 or the 720) is extremely challenging. Anyway, this camera is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The aspherical all glass lens system is excellent and the resulting 3 megapixel images are crystal clear at 8&quot; x 10&quot; and quite acceptable at 11&quot; x 14&quot;. The zoom of course remains the trump card on the 720, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 8x limit is awesome. Another nice feature is its ability to take QuickTime movies, which really adds to its versatility. The camera as shipped does benefit from some upgrading, but these things can be added later. I would suggest the first purchase be a much larger memory card than the 16 megs included (I like the 128); if possible, buy Olympus, as these proprietary cards allow for a few more digital formatting tricks than do the others.
Couldn't ask for a better camera. Very easy to use. The picture quality is really fantastic. The photos come out looking very professional. I would recommend this camera to anyone.
I own this camera and am very pleased with it.  I have some photography experience but this is my first digital camera, so in choosing a camera my goals were to find one that is as close to a traditional 35 mm film camera, but digital.  This camera acheives that goal.  The main drawback to this camera is that it is difficult to take action photos.  I'll get to that, but first a few pros:- Of course, the powerful optical zoom and optical lens, (combined with digital zoom gives you almost 30x zoom).- For having an optical lens, this camera is really compact!  It is easily held in one hand.- Full automatic controls of shutter speed and aperture, but also the option of full manual (as well as shutter speed priority or aperture priority) should you want to do something creative.  Though it does not have unlimited exposure time; you can't go past about one minute.And a few cons:- The necessary accessories will drive the price up.  It only comes with a 4 MB memory card, and much more is needed (I recommend at least 64 MB, probably 128 MB).  Also, rechargeable batteries are recommended, as well as a carrying case.- Though it uses double-A's, most rechargeable double-A's don't last long.  I often end up buying regular double-A's in the end anyway.- Like other digital cameras, the camera must be powered up before taking photos but you don't want to leave it on at all times in order to save batteries.  However, if you have a sudden photo opportunity it does take a minute for the camera to power up.  The camera will go into sleep mode to save batteries and it &quot;wakes up&quot; a little faster, but still somewhat slowly.  This is a minor drawback.- And the biggest drawback, for me, is the difficulty in taking action shots.  It is difficult for two reasons:1) The auto-focus is slow.  By the time the camera focuses and shoots, your photo opportunity easily may have passed.  It does have manual focus but it is much slower!  You have to use the up/down and left/right arrows on the back of the camera to focus.  First, this is an inconvenient location especially if you are using the viewfinder instead of the viewscreen.  And, the buttons are digitally controlled; each press of the button requires a short processing time.  If you think you can manually focus on the fly with this camera while shooting sports photography, forget it!  So, unless you are in a situation where you can focus  manually once and take all of your photos at that focal length, you will have to rely on the moderately slow auto-focus.2) After each photo, the image freezes to show you the picture you just took.  This is a nice feature on most any digital camera nowadays, but since you can't turn it off it can really interfere if you are trying to take several photos back-to-back.  The viewscreen does this, but so does the viewfinder, so there is no avoiding it.  The only option, if you want to take quick back to back photos, is to turn on the &quot;rapid-shooting&quot; which will take 2 or more photos every time you press the button.  Fortunately it's digital so you aren't wasting film!All of that said, I will mention that I have managed to take some decent sports photographs.  The drawbacks are a nuisance but can be worked around in ways like those that I have mentioned.I recommend this camera to anyone that is looking for a digital camera at a very affordable price that will provide many of the benefits of a traditional 35 mm film-based camera.  It is good for beginners as well as amateur photographers, but if you're planning to do action photography I recommend sticking to the 35 mm, or finding a different (though surely more expensive) digital camera.Bottom line: it is hard, if not impossible, to beat this camera for this price.
I got this camera to replace a Model C700 that I severely damaged.Both cameras are excellent and have way more features than I really need.They are slow to register the snap, and the camera is not good for action shots, in my opinion.
We purchased a C-720 in 2003 and are very pleased with it.With proper training, anyone can take awesome pictures with it.  There are several reviews here that criticize the camera's "slow" auto and sports settings.  I've taken probably 10,000 pictures with this camera, and almost none of them were taken in either of those modes.  I highly recommend using P mode for outdoor pictures, or pictures in good light, and shutter priority (S mode), with shutter speed at about 1/30 or 1/40 of a second, and the exposure compensation on +2.0, for indoor pictures.  The results are great.The good things about this camera include the wonderful 8x zoom (for outdoor pictures, with shutter speeds of 1/250 second and faster, even max zoom shots come out great), the vibrant colors it captures, its wonderful work without a flash (very dramatic pictures), and the nice effect in portrait setting (in which it uses depth of field to have a sharp target and blurred background).  The menus aren't that difficult to use.  Battery life is great; I typically get 200-300 shots on one set of freshly charged NiMH batteries.  My 128 Mb SmartMedia card holds about 200 pictures in the mode I use most often, and they're large enough to print sharply as 4x6 or 5x7, even after I crop a lot out of them.There are two things I don't like about the camera.The first is that it has a tendancy to develop "hot" or "stuck" pixels when doing a lot of shooting in low-light situations.  Pixel mapping (a built-in pixel repair function) fixes this, but it's still really jarring to see ugly red and green pixels in the viewfinder and LCD and images when this happens.The second is a quirk with my camera, and, from what I've read, lots of Olympus cameras.  The C-720 uses a capacitor to "remember" the date and time, even with no batteries in the camera.  There is something wrong with the capacitor in the C-720 I own.  The connection to the batteries, even a freshly-charged set, breaks quite often.  When that happens, the camera won't turn on until I open the battery compartment and rearrange the batteries, and then half the time, the date/time (nothing else) has been lost and needs to be reset.  Because the camera cleverly uses the date to name the image files, this lost date/time is a real headache to deal with.Because of the battery/capacitor quirk, I'm docking the camera one star.  I'd give it five if the date/time didn't reset way too often.As more and more people buy digital cameras, that are usually higher-end than the film cameras they once had, the learning curve associated with camera like this will decrease.  To anyone who finds themselves disappointed with this camera because of blurred pictures, read my advice above and try again.  Once you know what you're doing - it won't take long - you will take great pictures with the C-720.
This is the first dv camcorder I've bought.  Its size appealed to me, and it seemed to get great reviews online.  At first I liked it, only being a bit dissapointed in the grain you get in anything except for very bright outdoor scenes.  A few months later I had to send it in for repair because it started recording a few pixels as constant red.  This was very distracting and pretty much ruined any  picture.  I was told the repairs would take 2 weeks.  They took a month and a week, but at least I got it back fixed.  It worked fine for another year, when suddenly it became a very expencive doorstop.  It started when I put in a tape and got a "Remove this Cassette" error.  A few more tries left me with a camcorder that won't even close anymore.  It just beeps and spits out any tape I put in it.  I can't even close it without a tape in it.  I searched for this online and found hundreds of people complaining about the same problem.  It seems like this camera only has about a 1 year lifespan.  Other canon cameras seem to suffer from the same problem.  I'm really upset about having spent so much money on something that didn't last a reasonable amount of time.  Do your research before you buy this.
For most consumer users, this will be a great choice.  Definitely for the entry to mid level consumer, but a wonderful general purpose camcorder.Pros:- It provides much better than average video quality in high light situations.- It provides the most common controls on the exterior of the camera, so you can control the camera without opening the LCD screen.  This feature also means that you will not need to worry about batter power as much.- Canon did a great job with the controls and menu interface.- An extremely small camera, so it can go with you just about anywhere.- Plenty of input/output jacks for audio and video.- Great ergonomic design.  It is very easy to control this camcorder with one hand.Cons:- Small LCD, but that couldn't change due to the size of the camcorder.- No accessory shoe.  However, most consumers will not use this feature anyway.
I like my camera, it's durable and functional. The gizmo's are pretty much kept to a minimum. THOUGH, Sony has a patent on a night-vision mode that NONE of the Canon's have, which is pretty cool if you've seen it first hand. And something that stinks with many Canon products (in my experience -with scanners and camcorders) drivers and what-not always seem to be a ROYAL PAIN.
I looked at quite a few DV camcorders before I settled on the Canon Elura 40MC.  You will not find a more compact camcorder with this many features in this price range. I especially like having the ability to convert my old analog videos to digital using the pass-through feature.My only complaint is that it is easy to block the auto-focus sensors with your fingers as you hold the camera. I practiced holding the Elura so that I know the proper position of my fingers. Other than that, I haven't found anything else that I dislike.
Other than the so-so optical zoom at 10x -- you should never pay any attention to digital zoom claims -- this new Elura is a winner.  The miniscule size is definitely its strongest selling point, emphasized by stylish styling.  It uses the industry-standard MiniDV tape, unlike Sony's MicroDV model which is slightly smaller but uses the faulty MicroDV format.  The Elura is a carry-anywhere, shoot-anywhere camcorder that allows you to capture all the unexpected moments in life.  Like other digital camcorders, the still mode is so-so, more an added bonus than a real digital camera, but as such the Elura's still mode yields good-quality photos for its resoluton rating.  All in all, a worthy contender in the pocket-size camcorder arena and you won't regret the purchase.
I got two years old Canon Elura 2. It's basically same as Elura 40. I love this camcorder, very handy. Its low-light performance is not good but tolerable. The real problem is eating tape and losing data. It's not only for Elura but also for Zr10 and others. I believe all the Canon camcorders have the defect. You never know when it will start or not but I saw many posts about this problem. I'm not going to buy Canon camcorder anymore.
Pros:1. Small size - smaller than my 3MP digital camera !2. Standard USB, IEEE 1394 ports, S-Video, RCA everything3. Ability to take small 10 sec AVI files on the MMC CardCons:1. The zoom button does not feel comfortable - needs getting used to2. Low light quality not great - most cameras are bad at low light3. Focus not as good as Sony4. LCD not as bright as SonyGeneral:If you are buying the camera to take still shots - do not. The quality is very poor - it is good extra feature - NOT a primary featureSony cameras fell better overall, but my last Sony died after 13 months of buying (perfectly timed after the warranty period expired ! - wonder if they had timer going !) - servicing was very costly and would cost me more to replace the camera than get a new one. So this time it is a Canon !Overall a great camera - bought it and am satisfied so farEDITED Oct 2004 -  The firewire stopped working after less than 2 years - I guess all brands are just as bad.
If you are looking for size, this is a great camcorder; but if you are looking for a camcorder that takes quality still pictures as well as digital video, then you better look elsewhere.  I bought this camera because I thought the quality of still pictures could replace having to buy a seperate digital camera; however, even after changing the settings to fine the still pictures very not good.  As far a the video quality goes, I am fairly happy.  The audio is not terrific however and you will need to have alot of light.  If I could return this, I would.
I just got my camera back from Canon today. Repairs, which were free (Canon paid for shipping both ways), were completed in about a week.I give Canon credit for owning up to the camera's desing flaws & providing free repairs even thought the cameras are WAY out of warranty.I've owned 5 Canon cameras, and I will continue to buy & recommend their products. The cameras have worked well, and I respect the company for fixing their problems.
I've had this camera for a month. I selected it for two reasons - the 28mm lens thread is the same as my Nikon CoolPix, so I can share lenses. This works great! 2) the compact size - I mount it on the same rig as my still camera for dual shoots.Good points:1) Compact, light2) Variable zoom works nice3) Cool looking4) Uses any 28mm threaded lens, like the CoolPix 9955) Can capture video directly to the MMC card.Negatives:1) Battery life. 55 minutes with the viewfinder, 30 with the LCD screen.2) LCD screen not as maneuverable as others.3) Itty bitty buttons. I have to use my nails or a pen. My finger tips are too big.4) No accessory shoe to mount light or micReally bad negatives:1) Video noise. I was in medium light - not low light. A room with three skylights and four windows, but no lights. Grain, grainy and more grain. Looks like I'm shooting through a dirty window!2) Records tape motor as a constant high-pitch background wine. This makes the audio unusable unless you recorded in a loud environment - loud enough to overwhelm the whine. Nature shots, quiet scenes, etc. - unless you like a sound like an overloaded hearing aid in your audio, you'll want an external mic. Since there's no place to mount it, you'll need the Canon mounting bracket, a separate mic stand, or construct something yourself.3) Multi Media video card. The manual states it works with any MMC card. The camera comes with an 8mb card - the capacity was too small. I purchased a 128meg card. It will not work. There is NO help in the manual or site concerning MMC card capacity. I can only assume that higher capacity cards won't work. Why did I want this capacity? Because you can capture video directly to the MMC card. Pop it in a card reader and you have web quality instantly.Am I happy with it? Well, it was considerably lower in cost than the comparable Sony and I can use my 5 Nikon Lenses with it. It's small and compact. If I had to buy it again, I would probably go for the Sony if there was a $100 price difference.I have a custom camera bracket, so I can mount a light and mic. But adding these items totally defeats the advantage of having an ultra-compact video camera - now it's bigger than an old VHS camera! Here's this little, ultra-modern video camera with two arms, one with a mic the other with a light.I can live with the low light problem. But the audio quality is totally unacceptable!Followup: I returned this camera.  Several sites that gave it rave reviews have yanked the reviews. Don't but this camera. The "Oh look how small it is - cool toy" wears off fast - especially if you want good video!  I purchased a new Sony instead.
i mainly ordered this for my canon 70-200L lens but noticed a loss of sharpness and not enough zoom for my needs.it did seem to work ok on the 28-105 with no auto focus problems, on both lenses.maybe the canon version is sharper but its a bit over priced.i may sell the 70-200 and get the 100-400L with image stabilize, when i can afford it.
I bought the Tamron 1.4x Teleconverter because I'd rather loose one f-stop, than two (which is what would have happened had I bought the 2x one).  I use it mainly with a Canon 70-300 IS USM lens and on a sunny day it works great and auto-focuses with no problem at all.However, I've found that on a heavy overcast day, or a rainy day, or in the early morning, or late evening, (anytime you have "low light" conditions) the Canon lens finds it harder to auto-focus with the 1.4x attached.  But, by using the manual focus ring on the Canon lens, I can get a fairly sharp image.  Usually, I'll just snap several pics as I slowly turn the manual focus ring on the lens.  One of them will usually be in good focus.In short, I'm enjoying the Tamron 1.4x Teleconverter, but more so on a sunny day.
If you're buying this, you likely have done a lot of research to make sure it will fit with your lenses, and do what you want. If you haven't done this research yet, you need to go read reviews and forum posts about it, and then make sure it will still do what you want. I tested this on a Canon 50D on an overcast day with my Canon 300mm f4L EF IS lens and my Tamron 24-135mm zoom...and it fit both lenses, and auto focus DID work with both as well. With less light coming in through the lens, it DID cause the auto focus to search a little harder on both lenses, and it couldn't always resolve...so consider that you really want to be out on a well lit day to expect quick and always accurate auto focus with this attached to your lenses. The less light, and the higher the aperature, the more difficult the auto focus seems to have. I photo birds, and if they are in flight, you'll need to be out on a bright day for the auto focus to be near fast enough. This, as your research should have told you by now is reported to work much better with f2.8 lenses.
I wanted some extra reach on my Tamron lenses. I didn't want to pay the price either in dollars or f-stops for the 2.0x Teleconverter so I settled for the 1.4. It does give my Tamron 18-270mm lenses a bit more reach without sacrificing light and it does AF, but the reach difference is minimal. As expected, this teleconverter only works on Tamron lenses and so does nothing to improve the reach of my Canon kit lenses.
Am using this teleconverter on my Canon 40D with a 200L lens mostly for shots of wildlife.  The auto focus works great, and I can tweak it manually if desired.  With wildlife standing in their native habitat of brush and trees any drop off in sharpness has not been noticeable.Have also tried a few long range shots of mountains with unusual lighting and cloud formations.  The results have been great so far.
The 1.4x will attach to the Rebel T4i EOS camera body o.k., but is not compatible with either of my Canon lenses. The short instruction sheet that comes with it says it's compatible only with Tamron lenses (and not for use with digital cameras.) Neither of these caveats are pointed out on the Amazon webpage, which says for Canon-mount lenses. The Tamron site is worthless. In response to a similar situation by a reviewer, the B&H; site says""On the converter's product web page we say, "Teleconverters are not recommended for lenses wider than 50mm, e.g. 28-105mm." So the 18-55 will not work.In addition, the customer's lenses are EF-"S" lens and will not work on non-supporting converters or older digital camera bodies."This should be on the Amazon page. I'm having to return it. Great disappointment.
I've had this product for only 3 weeks.  It has been used on two occasions to test its viability with my system, a Canon EOS 40D.  I've used the teleconvertor with a 70-200 L Series Canon lens.  Results have been very satisfactory with a total of approximately 50 photos that have been reviewed carefully with Photoshop Elements 6.0.  The af feature works flawlessly with my lens, and my very sharp lens still produces excellent results, only with a longer focal distance.  I'm very pleased at this point.  I wanted a neutral extender with no coloration and got it - at a much better price than one from other sources.
This item, or probably any other lens extender, does diminish image quality somewhat. They really aren't for everyday walkaround use, since you lose one f stop, must use a lens that's max aperture of f4 or brighter and reduce the image quality. This extender does require a full frame lens (not APS C sensor only lenses). This converter does work on cameras with the smaller sensor, it's the lens that has to be capable of full frame. Within its limits, it works well on both my Canon T3i & 60D with the 70-200mm f4L & Tamron SP 70-300 f4.0-5.6. AF won't function very well in dimly lit scenes. Don't forget, if your lens when zoomed out requires the minimum aperture to stop down smaller than f5.6, AF probably won't work unless you have a lot of light. Another feature that does not function at any lens opening is the VC, but when you're using this converter you probably have it tripod mounted, so the VC, IS or VR should be diabled then anyhow.
I've only had it a week or so, but it works fantastic.  I use it with my Tamaron 18-270 Zoom lens on a Canon T3i.Sometimes get better results at the long focal lengths manually focusing.  No Big Deal!  A wonderfully priced addition to birding ambitions.  It also automatically shows the correct aperture in the view finder.  If there are any flaws, I haven't found them yet.Highly recommend!
First off! This Teleconverter will only work on EF lenses.( lens must have the little red dot on lens!)  This Teleconverter will NOT work with EF-S Lenses!(The one's with the little white square!)  Second! This WILL work on Canon lenses as long as it has the little red dot on it and is a 50mm or larger len's, for example: 50mm, 60mm,70mm, etc. I use this Teleconverter on my Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens and the Auto focus work's well when there is a lot of light!! In low light you will need to use Manual focus! For best result's! You should use a tripod with this combo,however, i have taken many good photo's hand held at 420mm zoom on a bright day!  With the EF 75-300mm and a 1.4x Teleconverter combo, i get a max of 420mm at full zoom. I hope this help's a bit as i see a lot of bad info in this review section of this product!
I've only tried it once on my 70-210mm telephoto and it definitely moved you closer to your subject. I took my pics on an overcast day and the focus ( which did work on auto) searched alot and sometimes never did achieve sharp focus. Picture quality is definitely degraded using the teleconverter with some fuzziness. I plan to try it again on a brighter day. It's a nice addition to my photo tools but not sure how much I'll use it. I like crisp clear photos.
This item did not work on the lens I had bought it for - an EF-S 50-250mm zoom.  It worked fine on my only EF lens, but at 50mm, it was a waste for me.  I sent it back, and will have to concentrate on composing without "super zoom" capabilities.
I'm using this teleconverter on a Canon 100-400L lens with my Canon 20D and 5D.  The autofocus still functions just as the manufacturer claimed it should, and it even seems to focus just as fast as before.  There is a detectable drop in sharpness however, which is to be expected with any teleconverter, especially when you're using a zoom lens.  This TC would be an ideal choice for people with prime lenses who need autofocus intact (i.e. for birds in flight) and maybe for zoom lens owners who don't intend to make big enlargements or crop their prints heavily.I was able to compare it with the more expensive Tamron 1.4x Pro and found absolutely no difference between the two in image quality.  Autofocus doesn't even work with the Pro version when you've got a slower lens like mine (f/4.5-5.6) and Tamron even says there's no real advantage to the Pro TC unless you've got a fast 2.8 lens.I only wish I owned a prime telephoto lens to check if it's worthy of a five star rating.
I have been using the 1.4 teleconverter with a Tamron 75-300 lens that's pretty slow (f5.6 at 300), so I can only use manual focus.  I have read that teleconverters will give images that are no better than what you would get by cropping and then enlarging with a regular telephoto.  I am glad to say that I have found the images with this teleconverter to be much better than that.  When I was cropping and enlarging images taken at 300 mm, I was able to see identifying marks on birds but the images themselves were really bad.  The images with this teleconverter are much better, though it's true that I've only used it in daylight and with a fairly high ISO to get a decent shurtter speed.  I find some of the images to be a bit soft around the edges, but am overall quite pleased with this relatively inexpensive solution to needing more reach to take pictures of birds and wildlife.  Someday I hope to be able to afford a really good, really long telephoto.  Until then, this teleconverter and the Tamron 75-300 together cost about one fourth the cost of the cheapest good long telephoto I've seen.
This product works as promised but Tamron can't really deliver a good telephoto converter at the low low rate of $150 brand new.  The SP version is $250 and is sooooo much better I bought both and tested them.  Keeping the Pro SP for sure.
I was unnecessarily concerned about others' moans that Tamron disclaims digital camera compatability.  Mounted between my Tamron 18-270 and Canon T3i, this guy works 100% as advertised... REALLY boosts the reach, but at the expense of ~1 aperture stop and a very small hint of the fuzzies.  The auto focus and VC work just fine, and purists can switch to manual focus when racked out if they like.  I use a "lens band" to prevent barrel creep on the 18-270, which is probably why I don't struggle with uncertain focus.  I CAN conclude that a 2X converter would likely be too limiting from an aperture perspective... forcing ISO into unwanted realms.  Consider: 270mm x 1.6 camera factor x 1.4 conversion = 605mm equiv., so you're well into tripod country, and most "focus" moans are more likely "operator vibes"... and don't forget to kill the VC when using a tripod!  Eric - Owner, Fotominnen Ltd.
Tamron AF 1.4x Teleconverter for Canon Mount LensesJust received this item and took a few quick test shots using a Canon 60D. I intended to take this teleconverter on an extended trip to the UK and India, and wanted a little extra reach for the Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 IF Macro that will be my primary lens: this extender will take it to 420MM (also bringing a Canon EF-S 10-22MM f3.5-4.5 USM in case you're curious.)I did a comparison using my Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS as a base line (FYI-I didn't want to bring such a big and expensive piece of glass with me on this trip, as it is very obvious, and having already used the Tamron 28-300 on an earlier trip, I found it the perfect unobtrusive companion for handling 80% of my photo opportunities.)The 100-400 zoom was set on auto-focus and image stabilized. Exposure was f6.3 1/320 sec., and ISO was set at 1000 (overcast day)The Tamron 28-300 zoom was manually focused (I used Live View mode-magnified to get the sharpest focus that I could manage hand-held) and image stabilized. Exposure was f9.0 1/320, and ISO was set at 2000 so I could achieve a similar shutter speed.Notwithstanding the pains I took to sharpen the manual focus with Live View (magnified), the Tamron still came out somewhat less sharp than the Canon 100-400 on autofocus. There was also a loss of contrast, although I expected that given the difference in quality of glass between the Canon and the two-piece Tamron set-up.Concerning the auto-focus on the Tamron, I noticed that auto-focus worked, but only up to 100mm of zoom; after that, I had to manually focus. Since I will likely only be using this extender at full zoom extension, I will be manually focusing. Given the situations I expect to be doing that, I don't think it will be a problem.Net, for the money, this looks like it will be an inexpensive, compact and useful solution to my problem.
As with any teleconverter you lose one stop when trying to photograph.  I will be using this Tamron unit for wildlife photography in high light conditions, so this is not a problem.  Also the unit works with the AF of my other Tam ron Lenses.  Can con speak to the fact if it would work on Canon lenses with AF.
I would recommend this to anyone who may want to get closer to the subjectI did not know that it was auto focus and was so please when I discovered that.I know little about cameras and equipment and I bought this for my husband and he was more than pleased.
I opened the box and saw those descriptions were missing from the Amazon product descriptions:From Tamron manual in the box -"For best results, use the Tamron tele-converter with telephoto lenses ranging from 50mm to 135mm.""When used on Digital SLR cameras: This teleconverter is not designed for digital use. We do not guarantee its performance when used on Digital SLR cameras."
This works great with my Canon 6D and 60D.I use it mainly with Canon EF100-400 and auto focus works remarkably well.  Have not had any problems mechanically.Auto focus also works well with EF 28-105 f4Have not had enough time to sufficiently test image quality in different light but so far I am pleased with results from this TC.
I bought these camera batteries twice before through Amazon.  Can't beat the price.  Shipping very fast.  Quality is top notch brand name.  Highly recommend it.
The supplied batteries were exactly as expected. Delivery was on time and the quality is first rate
Just wanted to note that you need two batteries for most cameras, and this is a pack of two.  Don't buy this twice, like I just did!These batteries have lasted a very long time.  Take care not to run the display on the back of the camera all the time, and you should be able to take many hundreds of pictures on one set.
Maybe some of the lesser cameras in the olympus line drain these at an acceptable rate, but the power intensive E10 and E20 will tear through them in a few sittings, worse if you use the flash (less than 100 pictures).  While you won't change batteries as much as with  alkalines which will last you maybe 10 pictures with the flash, these cost proportionally more, and you will soon find all your friends buying stock in battery companies.  Do yourself and the environment a favor and buy a good set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and a charger.  While these lithium batteries may have lasted twice as long as the early NiMH batteries, that is no longer the case as NiMH batteries have improved by about 30% in the last two years.  It costs pennies to recharge the NiMH batteries and they do not have memory, so they will last for years.
I've found these batteries to last longer and perform better than standard brand batteries.  Delivery was great as usual.
These batteries are great. I was previously using just AA batteries and always had to have lots of spares. I bought 4 of these for a week long vacation thinking I would go through them quickly with all the pictures I would be taking but I only had to replace once. I even left the camera on for long periods without use and still had power to spare.
I wasn't sure what to expect when using these batteries.  I had received the Olympus C-720 Ultra Zoom digital camera as a gift and it came with these disposable batteries.  I had heard that the digital cameras eat batteries for lunch and didn't expect too much.  My wife had purchased an accessory pack that came with NiMH rechargeables, so I had them all ready to go before we left on vacation.  After 9 days of vacation, I was shocked that these disposable lithium batteries were still working fine.  I filled up my entire 128MB SmartMedia card and had often reviewed many of the pictures in the evening on the camera's screen.  Many more shots were taken than the 200+ that fit on the card.  Some I had erased after looking at the shot and took it over.  On the last day of vacation, the batteries finally died and I was forced to put in the NiMH.  I felt that I truly got my money's worth out of the disposables...
If you ignore the one star rviews that some people are actually giving for the reviewers(in which they are correct in doing so, but incorrect in reviewing the battery for it) then you would see the average go up.  I buy these all the time for my D550z.  I have done alot of research and not only is this the best battery solution for the D550, it is a pretty good one.The D550z is your common camera that takes great pictures. and these batteries last a long time, We have a young baby and we are both photographers and have taken over 3,000 pictures in the last sixteen months, that number is not exagerated.  These batteries generally last two or three months. Sometimes with flash, sometimes with the screen on.In short, These batteries are great for your basic common camera and will be eaten up by power hungry cameras like the E10 and 20.They last way longer than alkalines and niMH.  I personally don't like the rechargable solution because you spend a lot of time charging batteries that die quickly. For every time you load these batteries you are going to change Nimh 3 times and charge for a total of 5 hours.  Charging for that much time is expensive in itself. $15 every two to three months, for the amount that we shoot, is a bargain, and a bargain over time spent. These should last the regular point and shooter much longer.
This may be something for the casual photographer, but for someone who needs to use their camera on a regular basis I don't recommend these batteries.  First, you need TWO for the Olympus c740...which is roughly $26 at a time.  I volunteer for a local football organization that has 3 squads and on game day I take pictures for approximately 6 hours straight.  I don't use flash at all, just point and shoot.  These batteries lasted for a little over 200 pictures and 9 hours of shooting time before giving out.  This means that I would have to replace these batteries for each game day and that is ridiculous.  I certainly didn't get over 1000 pics like the previous reviews!  I have since purchased 8 of the Monster rechargeable Nihm batteries with the charger and I make it through game day just fine.  The total cost was $60 but it will last me all season and more....better value in the long run.
These certainly work well in myOlympus D-580 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, and last a lot longer than alkaline batteries, but I only got about 300 images, and a few short (3 minute) movies out of one battery.  And if I did a lot of optical zooming, the camera would slow down for a bit until it rested.  When the first battery in the 2 pack died, I put in a new one.  I've taken around 30 photos on the new battery, and then I checked the voltage on it compared to the one I hadn't used yet:  2.928 volts for the "dead" one, and 2.967 on the new one.  Pretty close!I just got the2 NEW Lithium-Ion BATTERY & CHARGER For KODAK CR-V3 CRV3 C743 / DX4530 / DX6330 / DX6340set and couldn't be more pleased; 2 rechargeable batteries and charger, and for about the same price as this 2 pack!
I received the merchandise in working condition promptly, and at the lowest price.  I will use Amazon again.
I use these batteries in my Olympus digital camera for work.  When taking pictures on the job, I don't need to worry about unreliable batteries. I have found these batteries to be dependable and cost effective.Dianna BahrWeb Site Designer
good price and great battery life - and we take lots of pictures.  What else can you say?
I've had this camera for a couple of months now. The quality of pictures is perfect for me. Use a photo printer to get great looking pictures.  Navigating to different menues is real easy.  The best part of this camera is the Remote Control. You hook the camera to your TV. Have the camera set to take pictures. What you have the camera aimed at will appear on the TV. You push the self-timer button on the camera. Now you can get in front of the camera by yourself or with others and use the Remote control to snap pictures.  You can snap one right after the other without touching the camera again. Just use the remote control. When you push the remote control....a number count down appears on your TV.  5-4-3-2-1 SNAP!  Your Picture is taken!  Hit the remote again....5-4-3-2-1SNAP! Also, when you connect the camera to the PC..your pictures pop up fast.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that the memory card is located with the batteries at the bottom of the camera. Having the memory card accessible from the side of the camera would be more convenient. But I'm very happy. I haven't messed with the 'movie-clip' much yet. But turning it on and off is very easy too.........as is the playback. Very easy!
This is my first digital camera and I have owned this camera for about 3 years now and really like it except for a few things.Pros-Produces great pictures in good light, and in some but not all, dark light situations-Uses AA batteries which are easy to find if yours run down-quick focusing-Can zoom optically whilst taking movieCons-Takes a long time to power up and get ready to take a picture (about 7 seconds) and this has lead to me missing a few good shots whilst driving past some great scenery.-Recycle time is slow about 3 seconds-Movie quality is poor with no sound-Is bulky to carry-Shot selection would be easier to perform if accessed via a dial and not a menu option.-Batteries do not last for 200 picturesThe above cons are not really major issues for a camera in this price range as it does take great pictures which is what really counts at the end of the day.
OK, it's now 2010 and this little camera is getting well past its prime. At 3.2 mega pixels the image size is quite small but still adequate. If you are looking for web images it has plenty of size. I have owned two of these and I am always surprised how good the colors look in the pictures. The blues especially are quite nice. The sharpness is quite good but there is a bit of noise in the images especially in low-light situations. It has a fair amount of features and you can even use full manual exposure.One of the biggest complaints I have about this camera is that is has difficulty focusing in low light. I have found it basically won't focus sometimes. The start up time is very slow by today's (2010) standards. Also, you can only use smaller capacity SD cards.One of the most surprising things about this camera is that it is sensitive to Infrared Light. In fact, this is the only reason I still own one of these. If you use an infrared filter such as  the Hoya R72 filter you can obtain infrared images with this camera. It's too bad that the camera does not have a filter thread on the lens and you have to just hold the filter or balance it on the lens to keep it in place. Alternately, for point and shoot cameras, there is an adaptor that screws nto the tripod mouint that allows you to use a filter.So, in summary if you are looking for a very inexpensive used camera for use in daylight then this would be a good choice. Also, If you want a camera that is sensitive to infrared light this is a good bargain camera to start with.
This camera is an excellent value.  We bought ours at Thanksgiving and have been very pleased.  The pictures have been excellent in quality!  Make sure you go out and get rechargeable batteries for it or this thing will eat alkalines like nobody's business (it does say in the manual to use rechargeables).  Also, make sure you get a bigger memory card, 8MB is not very much space.  Even with a 32MB card that we have, you're only lookin' at about 27 pictures before you have to erase or download them.  I only have a few complaints, one is you must be very careful not to touch the lens when grabbing the camera with the lens cover open-maybe its just me...The accompanying software (ACDSee) is not exactly intuitive for editing pictures, there is much better software out there.  It would also be nice to have some kind of pouch on the camera case to carry extra SD memory cards.  Even though Toshiba is not the first name you think of when looking at cameras, I would still (and have) recommend checking this one out!
I have this camera for a bit more than a year now. Overall, this is a great camera for 169.00 I paid for at that time. I bought this so that I don't have to use my regular minolta maxxum 5 all the time to take pictures.Pros:1) Tons of features- Manual controls- Macro focus- Night shot mode- Manual Flash controls2) Real canon glass lense. Decent optical zoom and combine it with digital zoom and you get very good coverage.3) LCD display is sharp even in birght sun light4) The remote ! The remote is awsome. No more running to the seat after for self timer.5) Last but not least. Picture quality is really good in good lighting. Contrasting colors come up very nicely. Like pictures of flower bed.Cons:1) Poor picture at low light2) Cycling time is a bit slow3) For macro photo focus is always not very sharp
I bought this camera in early 2002.  Pictures are great for the computer viewing and e-mailing.  Program that comes with it is easy to use to download pictures.  Picture quality when you get prints done from a photo store aren't very clear unless you always use full size and quality for every picture you plan to get on prints.  Even then they have a slight &quot;fuzz&quot; to them.  When I bought this camera it was 3 times the price, but it has just now started having problems with picture taking 2 years later.  At this current price you can't beat what it can give you.  Has lots of options so you can mess with the pictures you take as if you had a regular SLR type of camera.  Great for the &quot;point and shoot&quot; type also.
This digital camera is a GREAT little device!Pros:- Its [low] price!  I bought mine for about 300 where most 3.2 pixel cameras are around 350-400- Awesome quality!  This camera takes great quality pictures, and if it's teamed up with the right photo printer it can print some amazing photos.  It takes great shots in pretty much any light because the camera automatically adjusts the settings in different light.- It's good for an beginners because it has an easy interface, and it's good for the advanced because you can change it to manual mode where you edit the settings.- It comes with a remote that is a pretty useful device for taking group photos when you want to be in them.Cons:- I have nothing really to complain about.  The only thing i noticed was that the batteries seemed to run out a bit fast although i have never owned another digital camera, so I'm not sure how long a digital camera is supposed to last on batteries.  Though i don't have much of a problem because i went out and got some rechargable batteries.Review:*****This digital camera is great and I'd recommend it to anyone.  It competes up there with any digital camera on the market when it comes to the picture quality, and you can get this camera at an unbeatable price!
Despite my list of complaints, I'm not disappointed with this camera.Things I liked.1. Zoom. It's good. Opticial zoom is great. Digital zoom starts pixelating but far less than other cameras I've played with. You can't see the pixelation if you don't zoom in further on your computer.2. Manual controls. I appreciate the aperature priority, shutter priority, full manual, burst, etc. options.3. Batteries: I'm glad it takes normal batteries, I can buy more if I out of power.4. Has both viewfinder and LCD (which you can turn off if you want)There are a few complaints/things I don't like about this camera:1. Lack of AF (Autofocus) helper light. I've played with lots of friends' camera and they all have this little built in light (little flashlight) that helps the camera autofocus in dim or dark conditions. This camera doesn't. I've experimented and, sure enough, if I point a little flashlight at the center of the image, even in the dark the camera can focus. But the by itself the camera has a hard time focusing even if it's not that dark.2. Manually focusing is only limited to the follwing options: macro, 1m, 3m, infinity.3. It seems to cause redeye easily. It has a redeye reduction flash option and it does reduce the redeye but it's still there.4. You have to buy a larger memory card. You have to buy rechargeable battery kit (it uses 4 AA). It says in the manual the included batteries are for testing only.5. I didn't really like the pc software. Windows xp will automatically recognize the camera and you can use any software you want with for playing with pictures. No stiching/panorama software.6. Movie mode is not really special. No microphone.7. A little bigger than I thought it would be (Room probably needed for the 4 AA batteries).8. LCD: If you're out of focus or over/underexposed, the LCD will not show this to you.One day in the future I'll probably get a fancier camera but this is great for everyday stuff.
the person below with the bad review, just ignore it!!the universal insert that he is talking about is delivered withyour camera, not with the dock! So NOTHING is missing at all!Every new kodak camera receives the universal inlay for the dock! Even HP ones get it!
I really like this compact charging device, as it sets perfectly on my desk and keeps a good charge in my battery packs.  Would not hesitate to buy another if needed.
I bought this along with my Kodak DX4330 camera thinking it would be really nice and convenient.Well, it IS nice and convenient - easy to set up and works well. One touch and it sends the pictures to the computer. The charger works fine too - I think the problems others may have are more related to the battery than the charger. But here are the drawbacks of this product:1) Too expensive - I later discovered there are cheaper battery chargers (by Kodak as well). They don't transfer images to the computer like the dock does, but I don't think that's a big deal after all. Do a search for 'battery charger' ...and you'll find quite a few good alternatives to this camera dock.2) They should have had a way to turn off the charger. Right now, when I'm done charging the batteries in the camera, I remove the camera since the 3 lights just stay on forever. I know that the batteries will not get damaged from overcharging, but those 3 lights staying on forever eventually seems wasteful! Since there's no switch to turn off the charger, you have to remove the camera if you don't want the lights to stay on forever. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a dock in the first place where you'd like to just leave your camera in it till you need to take pictures again.So overall, it works as intended to transfer the images from the camera to the PC, and it charges the batteries fine. But it could do with improvements AND it really needs to get [less expensive]!
This dock makes it easy for me to recharge my batteries when I am away from home. It transfer pictures quickly and you need not be a rocket scientist to use this equipment. I would purchase it again if something happened to mine.
I love my new Kodak Easy Share Dock.  I took it on my 10 day trip to take pictures.  It worked fine, except the plug went out & would not charge my last 3 days. Thankfully I had an old one at home & used it after I got back to look at my pictures & put them on the computer.
Overall, this is a handy little add-on for your Kodak Digital Camera.  I own the DX4530 and really can't complain about anything with the dock.It is true there is no USB cable with the dock, however, it runs off the one that came with your camera.  So just make sure you have that one handy.The camera fits nice and snug in it's spot within the docking station and the station doesn't really take up much space on your desk, which is also nice.Personally, I like the one touch button to transfer photos. Why?  Because under the old method of connecting the camera to the USB, you always had to turn your camera to auto, or some other mode in order for the transfer to take place. With the dock, the camera can be in the &quot;off&quot; position and you can still transfer photos.  That means less wear and tear on the dial, which is always a good thing.I haven't had an issue with the battery either, so previous reviews must be dealing with bad batteries.  If you don't want your batteries to stay charged all the time, you can either undock the camera or just unplug the power from the back of the docking station.  Not too tough really.It really is not a necessary component.  But I take a lot of pictures and am finding it to be very useful for me.
If I were using a desktop computer that had a permanent home, this would be a wise investment.  But since I use a laptop and move it around with my wireless network, it's never practical to leave this sitting out, set up, all the time.  And that more or less defeats the purpose.Most of the time it's easier to circumvent this and go straight to the camera, particularly since the dock won't work even just to transfer pictures unless it also has the recharging power supply connected too.For non-mobile users, this is convenient, but I don't think it's worth quite what it costs.  But if that convenience is worth the cost to you, you can't ask for it to be better done.  The dock is stylish and functional, easy to use, and gets the job done.  All it really needs is to be priced a little more realistically.
I purchased a Kodak digital camera but decided to save money on the dock since I did not think it a big deal to plug in a USB cable to transfer my photos.What I did not realize is that the camera came with a NON-rechargable battery - the expensive proprietary sort. Kodak used to ship cameras with a rechargable, but not on my new DX4330.After some hunting around, I decided to buy the dock, mostly because it includes a rechargable battery. Amazon/UPS delivered the dock in record time - less time than advertised.The dock seems like a foolproof device. I plugged it into the power, into my PC, changed the batteries in my camera and I was away. No more worries about suddenly flat batteries.It works as advertised to upload and share photos, but I mainly brought it as a convenient battery charger.I think the item is expensive for what you get. Acessories is where Kodak must be making their profits.
Creates a convienient way to transfer pictures to the computer with the Kodak software that comes with the camera.  More importantly, it keeps the batteries charged.  It would probably be cheaper to buy a battery charger and the camera is easily connected to the computer's USB conectors without the dock (a card reader on the newer computers is an even easier way to transfer the pictures).It is convienient to always know where the camera is, to know that the batteries are charged and to download pictures without having to look for a USB cable but is it worth the price??--I guess so.
I have an Kodak DX3600 and the Camera Dock.  I like the dock, it keeps the camera charged and makes downloading pictures and video easy.  It's nice to have, but I think the price point is a bit high for what it does.
BACKGROUND:One of the most frustrating aspects about digi-cams are the "short-lives" of the batteries that come with them.  Batteries tend to die out quickly, especially if you use the LCD monitor on the camera (which is one of the best things about digi-cams).  Based on other reviews it seems that a lot of users have complained about the "power issues" with the Kodak DX series of cams (and other digi-cams as well).  To solve your power problems (or avoid them completely), you'll definitely want to invest in the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock II.When I first purchased my DX3600 a year ago I got off to a great start with it.  However, within a few months my DX3600 started dying out on me ALL the time, even at the most inopportune of moments.  Buying new batteries did not help at all.  Eventually I found my way to the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock I.  After getting Camera Dock I my power woes with the DX3600 eventually came to an end as the dock kept my camera batteries (the Ni-MH rechargeable batteries which is the recommended ones to use with the dock) fully charged.  Plus it made the picture transfer process easier (ONE TOUCH!!!).  At work we invested in a DX 4900 and had similar problems with the batteries dying quickly.  By then the Camera Dock II came out which we invested in to even better results.My investment in the camera docks has helped keep my cameras in tip-top working condition.  Trust me, if you plan to get good use of out your camera, invest in the camera dock and Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.  It will save you a lot of frustration when your camera does not die out on you at an inopportune moment.ABOUT THE PRODUCT:The EasyShare Camera Dock II is basically (as the name implies) an upgraded version of the first camera dock.  It has the same features (fully charges your rechargeable batteries, plus gives a "one button touch" solution to picture transfer) but improves on the first one in that you now have a "recharger LED scale" to judge how much longer you have to recharge the camera.  The first dock only had a one light LED where you had NO IDEA how much longer it would take to recharge your camera.  Kudos to Kodak for this basic, but important, improvement in user design.THE VERDICT:Overall, you DO NOT want to go without this re-charger.  This is a certainty if you use your camera heavily.  Even if you aren't a heavy user and just use your camera casually, it is STILL well worth the investment as:  1- your camera won't die on you when you least expect it, 2 - you'll cut down your cost on buying new batteries (you'll go through them fairly often otherwise) and 3 - you'll save some time with the transfer process.HIGHLY Recommended
The dock for the Kodak EasyShare is simply a great idea. With one click, you download your pictures and recharge the camera.
I got this and the seller was super..He thought it would fit my camera and it didn't ..He made an adjustment on my cost and Did not want the dock back.  I still have it packed and ready to go back to him but he told me to keep it. I told him that I'd be happy to send it to him if he ever needed it.  Great seller and very trustworthy.
Easy and simple to use.  I particularly like the fact that I can keep the camera charged with this dock.  Also, transfer of pictures from camera to computer is easy and quick.
Pros: Makes transferring pictures from camera to computer a snapCons: Have to drag it along to recharge the batteries, priceSummary: By using the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock as storage for my camera, I never have to worry about the camera getting lost in the clutter and shuffle of our house. I always know my batteries will be completely recharged before I remove it from the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock.When I go on an extended vacation, I can unplug the dock from my computer and take it with me to leave in my hotel room. If you chose to, you could download images to your laptop while away. In our case, I will just use it for making sure my batteries are 100% each day. In some ways this is a hassle; I can't just use a power cord to recharge the batteries off of a wall outlet.I also feel that the price tag is somewhat high for a computer peripheral that only serves one function. However, after buying my daughter a digital camera with only a cord between the computer and camera, and seeing the hassle she has had with it, I am glad that I opted for the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock.If you want to download pictures with no hassle, then the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock makes it easy. It also works with all of the cameras in Kodak's EasyShare line.Although a bit pricey, this peripheral by Kodak makes transferring images practically foolproof.
If you like simplicity in a camera, EasyShare might be a good choice for you. The base charges the battery, holds the camera safe and easy to find on your desk, and uses a USB port to connect to your computer. To upload pictures, simply touch the button on the base. Easy as that.
The amount of things wrong with Kodak almost escapes words, but I'll make an attempt.The holder doesn't charge any sort of rechargable batteries, including the ones that came with the product.The holder doesn't read the camera even with fully charged batteries in it.And personally, considering these are the two things this port should do, I really don't need to list any more.  Though the 'on' light comes on, the battery lights have yet to show even a low charge.  Though my computer recognizes something's going on when I connect the camera, I cannot transfer pictures (with or without the software).I shall try one more time to  uninstall and reinstall the software, but regardless, I shall never purchase a Kodak product again.  I'm even switching to FujiFilm.
i may be doing something wrong but the dock won`t send pics to my pc.i still have to plug into the camera.it does keep my batteries charged,so i guess it`s worth the price.
Overall I like it, its fits my camera. Nuff said.Also bought a charger pack since the original battery charger died on me.Link:Battery Charger EasyShare Digital KLIC 5001Both make a great combo for my old camera.
I have two of these batteries and they are the only ones I have ever used in my Kodak Dx7440 which I've had for 3 years. One came with the camera and the other I bought at the same time in order to have a spare. While traveling I use my camera all day for photos and videos and frequently look through the pictures I've taken so I certainly give the battery a work-out. These have worked well for me. I recommend traveling with two of them and re-charging at night so that you're always prepared.
The transaction was very smooth.  I was given great communication as to when the item was sent and when it arrived.  I have used the battery and it works great.  I am very satified with the seller and the product. Thank you.
Battery arrived in good condition.  Turned out that the battery in the camera started working again.  For how long, I will have  to see.  So for now the new battery will be waiting to be used.
Needed a new battery for my camera works perfect.Fast Shipping. Great Product.Recommend for people looking for an inexpensive fast charging battery.
desperate for a camera battery before I left on a trip I hurriedly ordered here and it came in time but I believe the quality was poor  as the battery just doesn't last very long before needed a recharge. So i've basically switched to using another camera that takes the more easily available AA batteries rather than this speciality battery.
This battery seems to work as advertised. After a recent vacation trip, I returned home without my Kodak DX6490's charging dock, power adapter, and spare battery, so this was a replacement for the spare battery. When I received this new battery, I realized that it has a lower power capacity (1050mAh) than the battery that came with this camera (1700mAh), and thus has a thinner profile, but the camera accepts it just fine. If I had checked my camera's existing battery beforehand, I probably would have looked for one with the same power rating, but 1050mAh is probably sufficient for my purposes.
I bought this as an extra battery for my new Kodak EasyShare One.  It lasts a long time and recharges quickly.  If you are in the market for a quality camera battery, this is it.
I purchase a lot through amazon.com! I typically find the best prices on the Internet here. But not so in this particular case... This item is 'way' over-priced here.Most likely because it's sold by a third party, but fulfilled by amazon.com. Something I'm seeing more and more here, something in-between amazon.com itself, and an amazon.com marketplace seller.For this particular item, it can be found at least ten dollars cheaper through the Kodak Store, who is NOT known for their 'bargain' pricing. Seeing many other references to this battery through other sellers on the Internet that I will be investigating, and most likely be purchasing through.It's unfortunate, and a well learned costly lesson, that with Kodak digital cameras, it's best to use original Kodak Batteries. I've purchased those 'compatible' import batteries in the past, and found that they have a tendency to 'swell up' after a few charges, making them extremely difficult to get out of the camera. With the 4 to 5 Kodak digital cameras I have owned, Kodak's battery compartments don't allow for much clearance.I've even had original Kodak batteries, swell just enough to where I had to give the camera a little tap in the palm of my hand to get the battery out enough to grab onto it to pull it out.So don't purchase third party 'compatible' import batteries for sure, and when shopping for those original Kodak batteries, don't buy them here!
Not much can be said about a battery ... As usual, anything connected with Amazon.com shipped very fast and I enjoyed the free shipping with the $25+ purchase.
This Kodak KLIC-5000 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery is exactly what I needed for my digital camera.  Price is what it is.  Smooth, fast transaction.  Thanks
Product was in perfect shape and received timely.Works great in camera and able to take pictures again. Would order again from company
i've owned this model for three years and it JUST gave out on me. The camera takes great photos, but sometimes stalls when you want to take that instant photo, so a lot of the "kodak moments" end up being staged since you have to wait around for shutter and all the redeye flashing to stop.the camera plugs into a computer nicely with the USB cable, making transferring photos a snap.The power source for the camera is a specific battery which doesn't last long, which was a problem on weeklong trips away from the charger.The shutter mechanism failed about one year into usage.But the thing's a workhorse, as i've taken about 1000 pics with it over the years. good starter camera
I agree with the other reviewer that said that there's a major problem with the shutter delay on this camera. If you want to photograph action, this camera is not for you because you never get the picture you want. Other than that, this is a wonderful,  easy so use camera with tons of effects that I'm still finding out about after three months of owning this (I had no idea you could zoom in on the pictures you've already taken.)
It is very interesting how a few people reated this camera and said that they had movies with sound yet the Editorial review/documentation states that movies are silent, can anybody resolve this discrepancy?
I got this camera for my wife as a Christmas present.  I did alot of research and tried several brands and models before I decided to give her the Cybershot DSC P7.  One of the strong selling points for this camera was the ease of use.  The menu interface for the camera was easy and it made sense.  It's ergonomics are excellent, it is lightweight, and compact.  This camera is very forgiving and allows us to take almost flawless pictures regardless of the lighting situation we put it in.  The delay between when you press the button and when the picture is taken is minor, but it might be an issue when you're trying to capture an action shot (I normally pre focus by focusing on the subject and holding down the shutter button halfway and it works).  If you want a camera that captures action, you'd probably do better by sticking with the SLR cameras.The LCD screen is crisp, but you'll need to use the view finder on a bright sunny day.  The digital video is fair to below normal meaning you'd get better quality with a camcorder because the cybershot has a lower frames per second ratio, but it is nice to have the "movie" option in a camera.  With a 128MB stick you can record up to 5 to 6 minutes of footage at the highest resoulution.Other features are the multiburst mode (for your golf swing, etc.), night mode (use a tripod), white balance (snow or beach pictures), 10 second timer, multi and center focus, and a red eye reduction.We have noticed that our picture taking has increased 300 percent since we've started using the cybershot.  I would definitely recommend that you purchase the 128MB memory sticks. We can put about 80 to 90 pics on a 128MB stick depending on the resolution we choose.  Also buy an extra battery.This camera was designed for the average person, primarily the  point and shoot crowd so it may lack some of the manual and advanced settings professionals prefer.  Overall, it is a fun camera that is easy to use and I think that makes up for any advanced features it lacks.***Update*** 10-21-2003Still No problems with the camera.  Now that we've used it foralmost a year, we kind of wish that there were some lens accessories to increase the optical zoom. It still takes wonderful family pictures which is what we bought it for.
I have had this camera since it first came out and have saved it in my closet for the last 5 years for my children.  We have upgraded twice since and now use a Sony DSC-H10 Cybershot.  I'm buying a new lithium battery for it and will be giving it to my son on his 4th birthday.  I recommend saving your old cameras for this very reason.  They want to sell horrible quality pictures for the kids cameras.  I know they are supposed to be "kid tough", but if they aren't old enough to explain how to use one, what is the point?!
I've had this camera for over 1 year now and I am nothing but satisfied.  When I decided that I wanted a digital camera it was important for me to get one that was small enough not to impede on my active lifestyle yet did not compromise on technical ability.  Sony's DSC P7 is the perfect mix.  I travel a lot internationally and so I just put it in my pants pocket and keep the charger in my luggage.  You can snap about 300-400 pictures before the battery dies.  The menu functions are very user friendly and allow you to highly customize the settings.There is also no compromise on other aspects.  The movie quality is not perfect but really good and the sound is excellent.  Another thing that is annoying about most digital cameras is how long it takes for the picture to snap.  With this one, it takes the picture as soon as you push the button.  This is also true with the movies.  I know on some digital cameras when you are done recording a movie you have to wait a while for it to "save" to the flash memory.  Not with this one; Sony seems to have gotten the right idea in that, flash memory should work in a flash.  The only problem I have with it is that sometimes in extremely low-light conditions when the flash is imperative, you have to wait about 6 seconds for the flash to build up.  But just to reiterate, this doesn't happen in the light.  The other cool thing is the memory stick.  You can get 512MB sticks and you can even buy generic ones (from the same company that makes them for Sony) at half the price Sony charges.  The picture quality is outstanding.  The user can select a variety of qualities along with visual effects such as B&amp;W, etc...To recap: It responds quickly to user commands, picture quality is excellent, it's small &amp; light, it's not that expensive, and the movies have excellent quality sound with very good video.Bottom Line:  I'm a tough customer but the Sony DSC7 gets 5-stars because it deserves it.
For something that fits into a shirt pocket, this little camera is full of features. I bought it to take with me on the plane to asia. I have a Nikon with all the &quot;stuff&quot;, but this little Sony DSC-P7 is just great. I plan on doing lots of walking and I don't want to be lugged down by a camera bag.
I highly reccomend this camera, it takes astounding pictures, stores them fast, and is very easy to use.  I especially like the case, which is all metal and looks great.  This is mostly a point and shoot camera, but has many customisable settings, and great battery life.  I usually get about 1 and a half hours of battery life, which is plenty to fill up my 128mb memory stick.  I reccomend buying a case and a bigger memory stick, because with the huge pics this camera takes, youll need more than what it comes with.  This camera is definitely worth the money, and i would be willing to pay even more for it.
I've had this camera for a bit over 4 years.  It was with me in Hawaii, Peru, Germany, and all over California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah.  It took awesome pictures.  When I printed out pics, people always asked me "and that little camera took these pics?".  Yes!The short-comings: there was always a delay in certain conditions, which I lost many good pics to.  Sometimes the shutter only opened halfways, with me noticing only later when I downloaded the pics - pics lost forever!Battery life was very very poor, drove me nuts.So now it finally died.  Bought new battery, nothing, will return battery.I loved this little camera, despite its short-comings, it will be hard  to replace with another compact.
I have previously used a Nikon Coolpix and Canon Digital ELPH. The Sony is far and away the best camera out of the three. Extremely crisp images, also has a letterbox feature (so you can take pictures in widescreen format if you want, which looks pretty cool). I would've liked if the digital video was captured at a higher res, but I can't complain since this is the only camera out of the 3 I've used that allows unlimited video capture (the only limitation is the size of the media) and audio. Also has some cool image effects- you can add sepia tones or take negative exposures. The menu is easy to use. The camera is sturdy without being too heavy, my only issues are battery life (about 1.5 hrs on a full charge, which is pretty standard but I'd expect more for the price) and the size of the provided memory stick- 16mb is ok if you're only using the lowest resolution, but to take advantage of the camera's full capabilites, including the digital video w/ sound, go out and get a 128mb stick as well.
I have had this camera for two years...The battery life is EXTREMELY POOR....have two batteries and for a day out, it is not enough...many times the memory stick causes errors....lighting is tricky, sometimes pictures come out good, most time bad....lighting is always a problem....outdoors too much, indoors not enough...this is my second digital camera and have decided to go back to my old film based Minolta which had never dissapointed me....
Came without battery, without memory stick and without usb cable!!!  By the time I purchased all these things I had close to 90 dollars in a 35 dollar camera
(please note: this review is intended for those at least vaguely familiar with digital photography.  anyone looking to purchase a digital camera for the first time, knowing nothing, will not care about what i have to say, mostly)I purchased this camera because I was in need of a cheap digital camera with zoom capabilities.  Noticing that this camera not only had 3x optical zoom and excellent picture resolution for less than [$], I was enticed.I was also, however, disappointed.  I got what I paid for: junk.  My major qualm is with the picture quality of the camera in anything other than perfect lighting.  Pictures turn out horribly, with texture lines all over the place and blurs where there really shouldn't be.  The camera also has a bad habit of slightly discoloring things like skin.  Focus times coming off of zoom are pretty bad - expect to wait 15 seconds after significantly changing the zoom before you will be able to take a picture of reasonable quality.The other major gripe about the camera is the battery life.  You can expect to shoot through a 16 MB smart media card worth of pictures at the default resolution/quality on one set of 4 AA batteries.  To make things worse, there is no way to disable the LCD screen while taking pictures.  For people like me who do not use it anyway, this is a huge detriment, given that the LCD is what kills the battery the most.If you insist on purchasing a cheap camera with zoom, however, be my guest.
I spent a lot of time looking at reviews and comparing models before I bought this camera back in March. The picture quality is almost unparalleled in it's price range.  It is fairly easy to learn,and it comes with a quality no frills photo editing software (Image Expert). Toshiba provides excellent customer support. I used it extensively for a Windows related problem (I ultimately found out the problem was with my computer not the camera/software).I strongly recommend getting NI-MH rechargeable batteries, alkaline batteries only last a few hours. An 8MB Smart Media card is ok to start with, but will only hold 7 high quality images.The only drawback I have found after 3 months of almost daily use, is the design of the camera. It is boxy and somewhat difficult to maneuver. It took me longer to get used to it than any other camera I have owned.Overall this camera is an excellent buy, and makes a good first time digital camera.
This is a decent starter camera for the price-- the software is useful, and the pictures are crisp. However, this camera is relatively large and eats batteries (4 at a time), even with minimal LCD use. The lens cap keeps falling off and is not as convenient as a slide cover (like the Olympus Camedia D520, which I now use). I would recommend another camera like the Olympus or the Canon Digital Elph for the more active point-and-shoot person.
Having never used a digital camera previously, I have to say using this camera has been nothing but easy and fun.  The photos can be effortlessly transferred to your PC via usb port to JPEG format. The enclosed IMAGE EXPERT software is also very user friendly. While the camera's auto-focus does have some difficulty getting the shot in low (artificial) light settings, the overall results are quite good.  For example the outdoor daylight shots without the use of flash are amazing. Also the 3x optical zoom lets you  get up to three inches away from your subject for crisp, clear controlled exposures.  (This is ideal for internet auctions). The flash gives you the option for red-eye reduction as well.  Another really fun feature is having the ability to view your pics via sideshow on your TV set. (This can be used to video tape the pictures onto a VHS tape to mail to friends/ family members who do not have a computer).  I strongly suggest picking up the Toshiba PDR-ACM1A AC Adapter (sold separately through Toshiba).  This way you needn't worry about drained batteries when transferring images to PC, or while taking photos when at home.)  Otherwise, you could just keep a stockpile of alkalines on hand, or pick up a rechargable set of batteries.  A great first-time (Macintosh compatible) digital camera!
There are ways to get around the low light problem on this camera using the manual option and adjusting the brightness/contrast. You can also switch a few other things around. I don't know what they are exactly, but they have worked for me in solving the low res problem. Anyway, the battery problem also has a solution. NIMH rechargable batteries have lasted me all day and then some for several filled cards. I use 64 mb cards. I have 2500 mah NIMH batteries. I use a plug for the camera when I upload the images to my computer to conserve the time I can use shooting pictures with the batteries.I got this camera for free years ago and it has survived hell and back. I've literally dropped this poor thing down a rocky hill, it's been left in the rain, stepped on, and god knows what else. It's sturdy enough to survive an adult toddler like myself who can't seem to keep it out of harms way. Sturdy enough to last years mind you. I've had it for around 3 with out malfunction. Anyway. All I have to say is that people need to learn how to use their camera, stop griping, and problem solve. If you want a fancy camera that does a lot more than this one, be prepared to pay for it. You can't expect cream puffs for the price of jello.And as far as people recieving cameras that don't work. Duds happen. That goes with mass production of a product. A few bad eggs are bound to happen. It's stupid to judge a whole product on a handful of duds.
I bought PDR-M25 and have been using it for the last 4 months.  I am very happy that I made this purchase and it's really proved it's worth.  It's got no fancy features and so very decently priced.  I wouldn't be using most of the features that are provided with the higher priced cameras anyways.  A truly worthy deal...
This camera was a present from my wife. I've had it about a month, and it works well for me. I've been using a SLR film camera with a zoom lens, which is in a higher quality/price bracket, but I'm not even an advance amateur photographer.I'm quite happy with this camera. To echo other reviews, yes it can eat batteries. I did however just shoot over 120 pictures on a partially used set of batteries, but I usually keep the LCD off - yes you can turn it off - and turned the flash off for the last 20 shots or so. (I find the flash often fires even outside if left on automatic.) I don't know if that is really out of line with other similar cameras.Also, low light can be a problem, along with shooting into light. I do have a lot of low light photos that came out great though. You have to be careful that you are not shooting towards a lamp or window (even in a corner of the frame) which throws everything off.My only other complaint is that the top dial, which selects manual, automatic, and playback modes, is easily moved just by putting it in its case.Overall, it takes great pics for it resolution and cost. I got a 128MB card with it (and a card reader) that gives 131 pics at the highest resolution (and something around 2000 at the lowest resolution and pic size). You will want a larger memory card because part of the advantage of digital cameras is you can take a ton of shots and the ones you throw away don't cost you anything. (And if you save to CD-R, the ones you save cost a fraction of a cent a piece - of course unless you print them.)I did not use the encluded software as I use a Mac with the free iPhoto and own Photoshop for anything more serious.A friend who owns this camera recommended it to my wife for me, and I would recommend it to others. Sure I'd love a digital SLR, but would not love spending the bucks. I do take lots more pics now that I have this camera.
I hate the fact that I have to write this negative review but do yourself a huge favor and buy anything but a Toshiba camera. I bought the PDR-M25 from Toshiba and it didn't work when I received the unit. The LCD display on the back didn't work and the unit was basically a factory defect.I contact Toshiba and they tell me that I have two (2) choices.#1) - Send the camera to a &quot;repair facility&quot; in Illinois and wait 4-6 weeks for the camera to be repaired and returned to me.#2) - I can &quot;trade-in&quot; my defective camera for another unit and since I'm trading-in the JUNK they sent me in the first place they are willing to give me a discount on the other camera.This is completely unacceptable. I have filed a written complaing against Toshiba with my states attorney generals office and I will never buy any product from Toshiba again.
I bought this camera after reading a very positive review in a major "consumer" based magazine.  8 months later the image chip went defective.  Just as the same "consumer" magazine reported in a later issue.  Nikon fixed this for "free", they would not pay for the incoming shipping ($30).Now 4 months later the flash does not work, the ISO settings do not change, the auto-focus is a no-go.What a piece of junk!  Nikon won't pay for these problems either!DO NOT buy!  Get the D50 or Rebel XT instead.UPDATE!  Nikon has issued a service bulletin for this model.  This is the second SERIOUS issue and this piece of junk went back for the second time in its 16 month life.I repeat-do NOT buy!  Get the Canon Digital Rebel XT instead!!!
[Note: I have revised this review, originally written August 2002, to reflect the fact that better cameras are now on the market from other manufacturers.]If you are an advanced amateur -- someone who likes to take really nice pictures for aesthetic reasons, in additon to occasional ordinary snaps -- this camera will impress you with its quality.Having now tried several thousand shots under varying conditions, I am quite pleased with the Nikon Coolpix 5700. It was a good purchase, and worth the price. The photo quality is definitely comparable to most 35mm cameras. The camera combines subtle color sensitivity, good brightness sensitivity, and extreme detail in the images. The range of the zoom lens is wonderful. Controls are available for almost everything an advanced amateur would want. The included software (with included USB cable) makes image transfer to the PC, and previewing a big set of photos, very easy.You NEED to read the manual to use the advanced features of this camera. You can leave it set to full-auto, hand it to a friend, and just say "press here to take a picture," but to get the full benefit of the camera you'll need to understand some rather elaborate controls, some of which are un-guessable. After I invested 90 minutes to read the manual, my shots went from good to breathtaking. Since getting this camera I have not taken one single photo using my rather nice Canon EOS 35mm film camera -- it's all digital for me now.Though the camera is far smaller than "8x zoom" would lead you to believe, and smaller than an SLR camera, you'll still want to use two hands. And there is no way you'll be putting it in any sort of pocket -- it's not something you'll carry around just in case you want to take a snapshot.The single included battery lasts for well over 100 shots, assuming you don't use the flash much AND you use the viewfinder instead of the larger preview monitor. But frequent flash use drains it quickly, so if that's your need, order a second battery. And you'll NEED a larger memory card (128 to 512 MB is reasonable), so go ahead and order the extra memory card now.There are lots of semi-advanced features for the photo buff -- too many to list here. If you like messing with settings and trying different things, you'll like this camera. If you just want to turn it on and shoot without thinking, this is not the model for you.The main weaknesses I'd still like to see improved all relate to action photography: (1) a noticeable delay between pressing the button and taking the shot; (2) a slow auto-focus motor, sometimes painfully slow ;(3) high-speed shooting only at low resolution. One other weakness is that resolution in the new digital viewfinder is not even close to the sharpness of a normal 35mm SLR optical viewfinder -- it doesn't show you enough pixels.A further very real weakness is that this camera has extreme difficulty auto-focusing in dim light. Even if you intend to use a flash, that doesn't help the camera focus. And due to the above-mentioned viewfinder, you can't manually focus very well with this camera. So if you intend to shoot much in very dim light (e.g., indoors at night), this is NOT the model to choose.While there is room for improvement, and it's showing its age vs the competition, this camera is feature-packed and fun to use and takes photos of the highest quality. And you could not pry the 8x optical zoom lens away from me now that I've seen what it can do -- I could not go back to my previous digicam with 3x optical zoom.If you want to read even more, the "Steve's Digicams" reviews website has extensive details on this fine camera. I've been quite pleased with mine -- but I got it a while ago, and the competition has definitely improved since then.
I have had the Coolpix 5700 since July 2002, and I am delighted with the photos I have taken and the compliments I have received on them.  I have taken some stunning photos and printed them onto 8 x 10 photo paper with incredible results.  I've even blown up tiny portions of pictures without any pixels becoming visible when printed!  The Coolpix has a number of features that make it a great camera, but it also has some drawbacks.The 5700 has several different user modes that can be preprogrammed for different situations.  The auto modes are well-programmed if you don't want to set these items manually.  The auto-focus has several different settings (i.e. spot, matrix) and a manual override that comes in handy for photographing minute items such as spider webs that are too thin for the autofocus to &quot;see.&quot;  The 8X optical zoom is great for setting up shots without having to move.The biggest drawback I have found with the 5700 is that it is useless for digiscoping.  I have a Swarovski spotting scope through which I want to take pictures (bird watching, etc.), but because of the size of the lens on the 5700, my pictures have severe vignetting.  If you want a great camera for digiscoping, I recommend the 4500.  Another disappointment is that the 5700 does not have the panorama assist feature that the 4500 has.Overall, the picture quality and settings for the 5700 are great, but it has a couple of drawbacks depending on what you want to do with the camera.
I love my coolpix camera. It is very easy to use and close to professional quality. Great Job Nikon!
owed Nikon 35 mm cameras in the past, and for the $$ this is the best going, pic quality great, takes some learning, but the video if u can. may great features, only problem i found was the lack of a lens thread that would take filters, this is easly solved by many aftermarket suppliers. get an extra battery. resoultion is as good as any 35mm camera up to 16X20. light weight and extremly well built, but again, does have a learning curve. and also loved the 60sec video. great for vacations. impressed with the quality in relation to the D series cameras. best value for the money....
been very disappointed with the camera. i've used to travel to 12 different countries and the pic quality is good but way too slow to capture any large files other than normal and zooms so slow that it  is painful. but i am selling mine if you want to buy one.
I have owned this camera for 6 months and find its picture quality superb. The ability to preprogram for certain functions such as cloudy lighting, movie mode, and a third incandescent light ( you can program many other features easily yourself) all easily accessible through the turn of a dial, are wonderful to have. Accessing the macro function is also readily accessible. I mad 700 pictures in the Galapagos islands, and having 5 mega pixels to crop and enlarge to make great 8X10 pictures that are really wonderful. The movie function with sound is much better than my Nikon 880. the 8X zoom functioned well. Comparing my photos with those of my fellow travelers, I think the colors are more saturated and clearer.Reading the instruction manual is important to use all the features of this camera. Battery life is shorter than I would like. Focusing when there is not much light and at times for close-ups is slow. Since I had read about this from others, I was prepared and accepted it. I have not tried manual focusing yet. Taking pictures of fast moving objects is possible, but difficult, as with most non-professional digital cameras. I enthusiastically recommend this camera.
I read the user warnings:  impossible low light autofocus, poor manual focus with no distance indicator, battery eater, buttons on the side can't be found when you need them but always hit by accident, no filter threads.  I thought, &quot;It's a Nikon.  Must be operator problems.&quot;  I was wrong.This camera has a good flash and works well with Nikon external flash units, but there's a catch.  The camera will not focus under conditions when you normally need a flash!  No focus assist light, and the manual focus...you've got to be kidding:  Hold down a button on the side of the camera while turning a knurled wheel on top.  Under really bright conditions, you can sort-of tell when the image is in focus, but under those conditions, you probably don't need manual focus.  If you think maybe you'll just estimate the distance under dim light and dial it in, well guess what?  The focus distance indicator is a bar which slides between a flower and a mountain.  How's that for precision measurement!Yep, it eats batteries.  Buy two spares ($$ ouch!) and a rapid charger plus a car adapter.  You'll always have batteries on you mind when you use this camera.  You can turn off Continuous Autofocus and reduce battery drain, and noise, significantly, though.I found a press-on adapter for $25 to use standard threaded filters.  That helped, but should not have been necessary on a $900 camera.And just wait till you hit the file type button by mistake--and discover you've changed from Fine (JPEG) to RAW, and have to wait 45 seconds for the 15MB file to save to CF, while you scratch your head trying to figure out what happened.Yes, the menus are a little complex and mastering the extensive feature set may take a while, but that's to be expected with this many features, although some would be better placed for quick access.  Built-in macro focusing is good, too, but an aperture smaller than F8--at least F11 or F16--might give the depth of field you need for close-up photography.  The 8:1 zoom is nice, with 35mm  equivalent of 280mm, but the wide angle end is weak with only 35mm wide angle instead of the more usefull 28mm equivalent.  And given the price of this camera, image stabilization should be included for hand-holding the telephoto zoom.But it's the low light focus that will drive you screaming into the night.  A helper pointing a small flashlight or a laser pointer at your subject will help the camera to focus (you'll get used to the Canon people laughing at you), but you'll still be guessing on the composition, since the viewfinder display goes nearly black in low light.  If Nikon could at least update the firmware to display manual focus distance in feet--that would be a help, but just try and contact anyone interested!  You get referred to the incredibly lame FAQs and &quot;knowledge base&quot; every time!If you really want the precision framing of TTL viewfinders on a digital, save your money for a true digital SLR.
After reading all of the reviews, I had high expectations for this camera.While the menus are very complicated, and seemingly needlessly so, they can be mastered.  But the camera  doesn't seem to  be able to easily retain settings, despite following the manual as closely as possible. Battery life is quite short, despite not using the LCD screen or flash, and I couldn't find anyone that has additional batteries in stock.Other issues involved the camera's failure to connect to my computer [an iMac], although Nikon help desk couldn't figure out why.  ....My previous digicam, a Canon A20, has performed flawlessly, and in fact took pictures as good--if not often better at the same outdoor event as this Nikon.  I am not a high-end professional, nor do I think you should have to be one to produce superior results with this camera.  I bought it specifically to be able to control the exposure more, i.e. shutter speed, along with a reduced "shutter lag."So far, I'm disappointed on all counts, even allowing for my lack of sophistication when it comes to high-end digital photography.  The LCD screen is almost unconscionably small, which is housed in a much larger flip-out panel that could easily accomodate a larger one.  To me this is an indication of the haphazard approach Nikon has made with this particular camera, having had no other experience with Nikon previously.  I strongly recommend you try this out in person, and then make sure everything works before any time elapses.
The Coolpix 5700 is my 5th digital camera (3rd Nikon) - and no previous camera compares. The 8:1 zoom alone is worth the price of admission (it's what I'd been waiting for.)Until this camera I had a firm rule of no camera without an optical viewfinder. I had seen too many digital camera users stuck in very bright or very low light, unable to use their cameras. I warily decided to make an exception based on the fact that in addition to other compelling features of this camera - e.g., 8:1 zoom, 5 megapixels -  I got through-the lens-viewing, albeit electronic. Well, this electronic viewfinder is so good that in my opinion this camera really is an SLR.  In fact, I don't know why they can't call it that. It does have viewing through the lens, whether there's a flip-up mirror or not. I would imagine terminology will eventually change to allow such cameras to be called "Electronic SLRs."I disagree with other reviews I've read that talk about a steep learning curve. I found learning this camera rapid and intuitive. Especially if you've used any of the previous Coolpix models, you'll find everything just where you would expect it to be, but more refined and elegant than in previous models. It is very easy to navigate the menus and to set up. And of course in the default full-auto mode it works just like any point-and-shoot. There's no reason anyone can't pick up this camera and use it right out of the box.A reason why I haven't bought any previous high-end digital SLR was a concern about size and weight. I had to have a camera I could carry around my neck for bicycle touring.  Pictures I'd seen of the Coolpix 5700 made it look rather large and heavy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's virtually the same size and weight as my previous Coolpix 995 - like a compact 35mm camera. It also is the easiest to grip and manipulate of any camera I've owned - it seems to cling to your hand. I love the easy shutter release button. A complaint about previous Coolpix's was that for me pressing the overly stiff and "clicky" shutter release button would cause the camera to move. No so with the 5700.I love the fact that there is a large, REAL lens cap, cleverly designed so that it simply moves out with the zoom if you forget to take the cap off before power-up. I also like the real hot flash shoe. This camera's a winner - the best of any I've had.
I had a Coolpix 5700 for a little over a year and was very satisfied with the pictures it takes. I would advice owners to definitely read the manual. You should also get an external flash. This will do wonders for your pictures in low light settings. I only sold my camera because I purchased a Canon dSLR. The Nikon's zoom capability, quality pictures, and many manual functions are excellent, but you must read the manual to take advantage of the camera.
Yes, this camera has flaws.  It is not perfect.  It has problems with low light.  The buttons on the side can be hard to use, and it can be difficult to find the right one when you do want to use them.But this is still one of the very best digicams on the market, for any amount of money.  Nikon has introduced a new 8700 model, but I am not yet convinced that it's actually better -- higher number of pixels doesn't help, if the quality of the pictures is worse (so far, the jury does not yet seem to have come back with a verdict on that issue).  Nikon also has their D1 and D2 series now (true professional SLRs, with the D2H being the first ever that is truly suitable for professional sports photographers), as well as the D70.But for prosumers, being able to see the picture on the LCD display as you are framing the shot, is very, very important.  It's also important to be able to see the display when you are holding the camera at odd angles.  The Canon 300D (a.k.a., Digital Rebel) is a good entry-level digital SLR, and is the first to allow you to see the picture on the LCD display as it is being framed.  But the display doesn't flip out and twist, unlike almost all the other truly successful prosumer digicams.If/when Nikon can come out with an SLR camera with the kind of resolution of the D70 (and the ability to change lenses, etc... like all SLRs), but with a flip-n-twist LCD display like the 5700/8700, they will permanently take the market back from Canon.  Until then, you have to ask yourself which features you want more than others.
My Coolpix 5700 now gets a "lens error" whenever it is switched on, and it won't operate at all, nor even switch off again until you remove the batteries.  A quick google search reveals that this is a chronic problem with this and other Nikon models (the lens gearing in Nikon cameras is evidently quite fragile), so I don't know if it is worth trying to have it repaired.  Additionally, the flash on this camera has never functioned (it never would pop up), although the camera always thinks that it needs the flash even in the brightest daylight, so it never takes any pictures at all (instead showing a cryptic "SB" error message when you press the shutter) unless the flash is first manually turned off.  As a workaround, I have always kept it in one of the "user preset" modes in which the flash was disabled.  I don't like to use the build-in flash anyway, so this was not a big deal for me, but the "lens error" is evidently fatal.  I now see many other user comments online about these same problems, and about Nikon's unresponsiveness on the issues.  Some of these cameras have died after just a few weeks, so I guess I beat the odds by getting two years of moderately heavy use out of mine.  As my CoolPix 990 also died after just two years, I don't think I will ever buy another Nikon.
I've owned this camera since it first came out in 2003, and since I'm not a qualified camera "expert", I want to give you my thoughts on this camera. I'm giving this review as someone who is relatively new to digital "point-and-shoot" photography...First and foremost, study the Nikon manual. Then study it some more. The controls are overwhelming at times, provided you are a neo-phyte like myself.Second, for exterior photography on the normal setting, this camera cannot be beat! It is exceptional. The images are clear, clean, and colors are spectacular. I've photographed NASCAR at the California Speedway, and other events like the Coronado Speed Festival, etc., and the outdoor shots look great. Now for the indoor-shooting...This is where the camera gets its two star rating from me. I do not know how to select the manual control on-the-fly. I've tried to set up controls to shoot indoor photography, but I don't have weeks and weeks to learn the settings. I've photographed people who are standing completely still, slightly moving (my kids), low lighting conditions, fair lighting conditions, and still cannot get proper images to come out.The indoor photography is pitiful, as the colors are yellowish, muted, and nearly 90% of the time, the images are all blurred. The pop-up light is only good for 5-8 feet at best. I took some special shots of people who were stationary, and it appeared that the photo looked "good" when zooming in and out with the control. When I downloaded the CF card to my PC, the images were always blurred and the colors were way off.Mind you, I'm not a camera professional like many of the reviewers here, but rather I'm just an average "Joe" who would like to have decent indoor pictures that looked natural and were not blurred.I would sell this thing on Ebay if I could get more than a few hundred dollars for it, but I've already invested over $1,200 for the snap-on lens adaptors and protective lens cover which keeps the retractable lens from getting damaged. I bought this from a company in Canada back in 2003.All in all I'm happy with the exterior photos, but am very, very, disappointed with indoor pictures. I guess this thing requires a lot of tweaking, and many, many hours of studying the little manual that Nikon has provided.I would stay away from this and save your money for the newer Digital SLR's. I've had this for over four years now, and just wanted to write a review based on my experiences with this camera.Just a thought...
I've had my Nikon 5700 for about nine months now. I started out with it as a complete novice, got shutter lucky, and found some beautiful shots in the camera. Over the past months I've moved from a completely automatic point-and-shoot snapper to all-manual settings. I've picked up some knowledge about the basics of photography along the way, and the ability to pop the card and see the results of a setting instantly really shortened the learning curve.First and foremost, this camera takes absolutely beautiful photographs. Colors are bright and vibrant, and details are rendered beautifully even when printing at large sizes - you can get a 13x19" enlargement to print at about 140 dpi on an inkjet, resulting in a very "painterly" image somewhere between photograph and painting. I decided at the outset to shoot only in camera RAW mode, and so what I've gotten out of the camera is exactly what went in. If you need to re-touch in Photoshop, this is the ONLY way to do it. You can correct a surprising number of mistakes (white balance, exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation) in RAW prior to bashing the image to smithereens with Photoshop editing tools - they only work on processed, "rendered" images.Downsides are well id'd in the reviews, but I think you can get around most of them. Battery consumption climbs closer and closer to the top of the list of negatives as you move from automated to manual operation. Tip: use manual focus. I've found that assigning manual focus to the function button on the top makes focusing easier than punching for the button on the lens barrel. There isn't anything you can do about slow memory card writes, and we're not likely to see any firmware updates to accept the faster WA cards out on the market.I've added some filters and lenses to my rig. A good tripod is essential, and the AA battery pack, with a 15-minute charger, makes everything a lot more fun. Note that if you add Nikon lenses, you are permanently out of luck for filters - there are NO filters for the Nikon lenses and adapters that fit this camera. Luckily, there are very acceptable third-party lenses and adapters that will take UV and/or polarizing filters.I'm no pro, don't even consider myself a photographer yet, but the folks who work with my wife don't know that. It's because of the pictures - they're gorgeous.The more time and effort you invest in this camera, the more you'll get out of it.
I purchased my Nikon Coolpix 5700 just before our October trip to experience the New England foliage. Wow, just in time! This is a wonderful camera in every sense of the word. I'll give you the good and then the bad.THE GOOD:The lense is by far one of the best on the market as evidenced by the clarity and sharpeness. The zoom is very handy and I was able to close in on far off mountains, eagles, etc. It's a good size for my hands and I'm 6'3", a big guy to say the least. Whether you are into all the gizmos that SLR's offer or simply want a point and shoot, this is wonderful. You can save settings for various situations. For example, I have one setting for dark indoor places, another for cloudy days, and another for macro shots. My wife hates gadgets and I taught her how to simply switch it to automatic and she loves it too! The camera doesn't feel cheap, but rather, amazingly sturdy.The 5 megapixels come in handy since I am shooting to find the best to use as original art in my home. My sister-in-law is so impressed that I'm now her photographer instead of the costly studios when shooting her newborn. Hey, I'm not a professional either and the camera made me look like an expert!THE BAD:Yeah, the clicking and whirring is annoying but if you know how to read and comprehend decently, you'll understand ways to focus differently in certain situations. Those that complain are either impatient or might be lacking in the comprehension department.Attachments are a great plus such as the 2x close up lens or whatever. Hoever, they will take about 10 - 20 seconds to get out and set up for various shots which is annoyance. Having said that, isn't it about the same for a true SLR camera too?I wish the filters would go directly over the lense but instead, it goes over the attachment meaning that you will not get full range of your 8x lense because the attachment doesn't allow for full extension. Sometimes, I get the dreaded barrel look so I think I'll look into a wider lense to make up for the barrel.Batteries go fast! However, I have one backup and a quick recharger that can be charged in the cigarette lighter of my car. Keep 'em charged and you are fine. With both batteries, I can fill up 526MB card without problems as long as my saving mode is relatively short.BOTTOM LINE:Great prosumer camera. After researching and testing many, this is the best quality if you are into quality of photos with the most toys as long as you are willing to take time to LEARN how to use it! This camera should last me another 6 years or so.
If you are attracted to the Coolpix 5700 by the attractive price, you should keep in mind that this SLR-type digital camera first came out 2.5 years ago, which in digital photography chronology was more like the days when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.The 5700 is by no means an incapable camera. It has 5 megapixels, 8x optical zoom (which gives a range of 35-280 in 35mm equivalent), a swivel LCD screen, and electronic viewfinder (EVF).  EVF shows you what the lens sees, so this is an SLR-type camera, except the lens cannot be changed.  The built-in Nikkor lens is actually very high-quality and is designated ED by Nikon: the ED stands for extra-low dispersion, refering to the high-quality glass used to make the lens.The lens, in fact, is the best part of the 5700 at the after-rebate price: if you want to get a professional-quality zoom lens for a low, low price, the 5700 gives you a lot of bang for the buck, so you are basically getting a capable 5MP digital camera for free.  On the other hand, the 5700 is showing its age in other departments: auto-focus capability (esp. problematic in low light situations), processing speed, shutter lag, etc.  More recent models such as the Coolpix 8400, 8700 and 8800 have better functions and are better supported by Nikon, and also have better picture quality plus more pixels.  (Remember: pixel count does not equal picture quality, just like hard drive capacity has nothing to do how fast a computer is.)In summary, while the 5700 was top-of-the-class two years ago when I first played with it -- and its professional zoom lens is fantastic -- it's showing its age as a digital camera and is effectively a discontinued model.  If you want an SLR-type digital camera, consider the newer Coolpix 8400, 8700 and 8800 or the latest G-series from Canon or other similar cameras from Fujifilm or Konica Minolta.On the other hand, for semi-serious photography without spending too much money, the after-rebate 5700 makes a terrific value.
Takes great pictures, but its one big failing is that its painfully s-l-o-w power up and focus makes it useless for candid people shots. My cheap little Casio digicam is three times faster on the draw. I kept Coolpix for a couple of months and then got rid of it. I lost too many shots.
I have been a Canon fan for years but a friend recommended the 5700. After only a few hundred pictures the flash stopped working and my friend said that he now has the same problem. I contacted Niknon and they said the problem was not covered under warrenty and I payed $170.00 for the repair. Hope it works for a while. I have now purchased a Canon 10D SLR and love the Canon. Do not buy the 5700!!Wes Avengwaven@mindspring.com
I've been searching for another digital camera since I sold my old one (Koday DC4800).  The two I was thinking about after a lot of research was the Minolta Dimage 7i and the Nikon 5700.  They are so neck and neck it was hard to choose.  I finally decided to go with the Nikon because of it's reputation as a quality camera, the 8x optical zoom (don't ever bother getting a camera based on its digital zoom, digital zoom is horrible), and the MP quality.  The main reason why I didn't get the minolta was the battery choice they made.  My first digital camera (Agfa ephoto 1680) used AA and it ran out within an hour of using it and swore I'd never do it again.  That camera was only a 1.? MP camera, the minolta is a 5 so you can imagine how bad it'll drain the batteries.  This camera can use different kinds but primarily uses a rechargable Li-ion.  And if you want, get the optional battery pack and you can use AA if you want (maybe a good idea if you don't want to spend the high price for extra Li-ion batteries).  Also since it's a 8x optical zoom you really only need to get the wide angle lens so you'll save money there.  My experience has shown that I have needed a wide angle a lot more than a telephoto lens.
This camera is awesome.  While contemplating either going up to a digital SLR or not, I discovered the 5700.  After holding the unit in my hands, I fell in love with it.  The functions are amazing, not missing many functions of SLR digitals.  However, because of the point-and-click ability, the camera functions and its small size, it functions as my everyday camera as well as my portrait camera during my professional jobs.  Although it lacks the "professional" look of a big, bulky SLR camera, my results are arguably equivalent to those made with my film-based SLR.  I would highly, highly recommend this camera.My only complaint is the lengthy time that it takes to write to the disk.  I understand that it is not extremely lengthy for digitals, but I see that as the main drawback in my experience of digitals against analog, film-based photography.  However, my write speed has significantly been increased by use of Viking cards rather than SanDisk (very slow media) cards.
First off let me say that the camera is amazing.  The pictures are better than any digital pictures I have seen before.  I would have given this camera six stars if Nikon had done two things differently:1.  Put a bigger flash card with it.  They include a 16MB card with it.  That is a joke for a camera like this; they should have included at least a 64MB card.  I would recommend at least a 256MB card.  In RAW format your pictures are over 14MB!  I know not many people are going to take a 14MB picture; I like to use the fine setting, which averages out to about 1.5MB apiece.2.  The batteries stink.  They last about 90 mins which isn't that bad, what is so annoying is that they are not standard batteries.  Replacement batteries retail for about 50.  (Although Amazon sells them for much less.)  I want AA!!!  (They make an add-on that allows you to use AA but that will set you back a pretty penny too.)For as much money as this camera cost I would expect it to be a little more consumer friendly.All in all it is a great camera and I would recommend purchasing to everyone.  Just keep in mind you will need to buy a larger flash card and at least one more battery.
Nikon 5700 Digital CameraBefore you make a decision to buy the Nikon 5700 camera, consider a badly designed aspect on this camera's view finder. The picture you view through the electronic view finder, lags behind the real image, and it feel like what you see is being dragged across the viewer. In other words, for a fast moving scene, it is almost impossible. Another major draw back is a flare across the view finder. On a sunny day, you won't be able to properly compose a picture more or less when you are facing a bright subject. The view finder presents a wash out with vertical strips across even at low settings of 1SO 100.
There is nothing like a Nikon lens.  The clarity, the guarantee that every shot will be perfect.I traded up from the Coolpix 995 (somehow it was a bit too small and the winding motion just didn't suit me).  This is more like an SLR in size.  The 5700 is packed with goodies and if you have had any experience at all with the Coolpix series, then this baby will be a cinch to use.  As it was, I was able to use it right out of the box.Improvements?  On Auto, the camera decides when you need a flash and it will automatically pop it up for you.  View finder or screen?  With a fold shut LCD screen, you can view your pictures there or use the familiar viewfinder.  And Zoom?  This camera practically reinvents the zoom.  It's quite simple to use.  Then, as you get the hang of basic pictures, you can get far more advanced with it.So.  Why only four stars?  First off, it is compact but a tad bit too small.  Gripping it is a bit of an oddity.  Even the manual highly recommends that you always use the neck strap.  But the biggest gripe I have is, how can they charge so much for this camera and ship it with an 8 MB card?  People are going to use this to get the best picture results so they're going to pump it up to the highest resolution available.  How many pictures do you think will fit on a card that small?  Amazon.com tried to relieve the situation by sending along a slightly larger card but if you are serious about this camera, you have to buy at least a 128 (for vacations, etc., you'd be best with a 256).So, the Nikon quality is still there.  A little bit smaller in size, a bit clumsy to handle and you have to do some added shopping but this is a camera that is worth it.
Please don't buy this camera. This camera has the WORST auto focus you can imagine. I have used Canon EOS for over a decade. Maybe that is why I believe this camera is sub-standard. For indoor pictures, it takes a few seconds after you press the shutter to take the picture. Try to get a good picture of a young child with a camera like that! Even my 3MP Kodak takes better photos indoors than this one.
I have had my Coolpix 5700 for several years and rarely go anywhere without it. It takes great pictures unless there is low light. It is impossible to get decent shots in the late evening or in the house. The controls are pretty complicated, but I leave almost everything on auto and this works most of the time. It is a very tough camera and has taken a LOT of abuse from me (including being dropped on bricks from a few feet up). I love my camera but it is not for the casual user.Buy 2 batteries! Always keep one on the charger and you will be thankful.
Although I am pretty familiar with Nikon's digital controls having owned a Coolpix 880, I recommend spending some time with the instruction manual:  Not because I think the camera is that complicated, but so that you can fully appreciate what the 5700 can do!  This is an excellent camera if you really want a digital SLR but can't justify the cost; the 5700's electronic viewfinder behaves like a true SLR while the 8x optical zoom (not digital, which is nearly worthless) covers most lens focal lengths.I love my film cameras (also Nikon), but there are many advantages to owning a digital camera.  Not only can you see your results right away, but the digital nature has some cool advantages - want to shoot in B&W;?  Don't change film, just change a camera setting.  The viewfinder in the 5700 will also show in B&W;!  That's pretty cool.  At a decent resolution with moderate compression, I can get 1,100 images on a ... 256 MB card.  Yes, that's one thousand one hundred - at a quality that will produce a very decent 8x10 print.  How many rolls of film is that?Of course the Nikon quality is exceptional, from the ED glass in the optics to the very strong alloy body.  I do not feel that the size is too small, but I do find the positioning of the right camera strap a wee bit awkward.If you do consider digital, with the 5700 or not, I do recommend buying extra memory cards - the prices are low and the 16 to 32 MB cards that usually come with the camera will fill too quickly, especially if you want to use the full 5 MP resolution.  Also, battery life is a problem.  Buying those ... lithium batteries for the 880 (same battery as the 5700) nearly bankrupted me until I bought Nikon's rechargable battery system (which the 5700 comes with - kudos to Nikon).  Buy an extra battery or two - you will not regret it!  Indeed, shell out the bucks for the 5700, you won't regret that either.
My family fulfilled a dream Christmas, 2003 when they gave me the Nikon Coolpix 5700.  Upsides: 1. This camera delivers fantastic results. 2. It feels good in the hand. 3. It's compact for its power.  4. Good price for the quality.  Downsides: 1. The built-in flash is a joke.  It's way under-powered.  2. The digital zoom is also a joke...obviously added only to be competitive on marketing comparison lists.  3. Nikon Service is structured in such a way that it's almost impossible to talk to a person and the back-and-forth of impersonal response forms with no person's name on them and no phone number is enough to make me move to another company's product line for my next camera.On the last day of our trip in June, 2004, to Yellowstone National Park, my Coolpix 5700 stopped powering up.  When we got home, I logged onto the [...] and followed the links to warranty service.  After shipping my baby off to Nikon, I received one of those form letters in the mail, informing me that the repair would cost $203.00 dollars and listing -$203.00 warranty allowance with a net of $00.00.  No additional information of any kind about the problem.  (In other words..."Trust us")  At the bottom of the form were instructions for logging in to nikonusa.com and approving the repair.  Ok...since there are no charges, they're going to sit on my camera and not repair it until authorized to do so?  Exactly why did they think I sent it to them anyway?  So I logged in and clicked in the approval checkbox.  The window went away and gave me no response of any kind either there or in email to indicate acknowledgement of the approval.  So what if the web connection malfunctioned?...or the programming was less than stellar?  How would I know except that my camera would never be repaired?  A week later, I received my baby in the mail...took it out of the box and read the included form (yes, another form with no contact name).  It said two boards had been replaced.  I turned it on and it came alive!  I tried to take a photo...but couldn't!!! because they obviously had not tested it and the entire panel of adjustment buttons on the left side of the camera were non-functional!!!  At this point, I'm not very happy.  There was an 800 number on the form returned with the camera and I actually was able to speak with a live person and explain the problem.  She was wonderful and sent me a pre-paid shipping form in email.I sent it back (per instructions) and am right back where I started with trying to get some response or information out of the nameless corporate entity.SUMMARY:  I love my camera...I hate the way the Service web pages have been programmed and the protective walls that have been put up to prevent me from talking with a live person.  Dear Nikon...if you won't talk to me, just who do you think is going to buy your next camera line?
Read the Manual...read the manual...The Manual! I know many don't like to sit down and spend quality time with a manual but with this camera it's worth the effort. Way too many options and not always clear as to what will work and what won't. For example someone mentioned setting the auto-focus to manual. Yes but it isn't possible in auto or A mode..only in User 1,2,or 3 mode. So here the person's advice left out an important detail. Batteries are available quite reasonably if you are willing to shop for them. I've been paying 18 before shipping and will get two more to make it a total of 5 which includes the one with the camera.Pictures are what count! Resolution is so far great. We live where there are Mountains in N.W. Montana almost Canada and if you manual focus you get better resolution than on auto. But either blows the lower digitals away.Take time to make some cheater cards the size of business cards that show your selection modes and settings for User 1,2,&3. (We assign or think of User as not user perse but for usage. Macro's verses scenery manual focusing for scenery over the auto mode etc.) If you need to change one you then have the info handy to reset it later. Also some quick reference cards help remind you of things you might need to do at a later date. We laminate them up and update them when we find our preferences have changed. Manual is often to bulky to carry in our packs or in smaller belt camera cases. Only had this camera since Wed...under a week. I got it for myself to use professionally in macro seed work and scenery both. Can't get it out of the grips of my husbands hands. He has it around his neck constantly. I think he's sleeping with the camera too. I know he'd taken naps with the manual tightly gripped in his hands. I've warned him he's got only a week to decide that it's not his or I will too have to order another. I did get a great deal on this one..under eight hundred with rebate and it came 2 days after ordering. Not every dealer stocks it. A lot of dealers esp. NY area want to bate you and then put it on continuous back order. I got off that routine and was amazed how much I got a USA warranty package. Good luck..it is a very interesting camera.Update the memory to 256 right away. Amazon.com has had great prices on 256 size Compact Flash memory from various vendors. Save around half of buying just one mega sized card by going for four 256 cards. (Saves battery life too.) Also more flexable system to assign various cards for specialized work. Macro seeds/ flowers field / Mountains / Wildlife or general. One can be downloaded and have a spare card to go! If you put in the effort with this camera it'll perform!
The Nikon digital cameras I've tested over the last year have not fared so well against comparibly priced models by Sony and Olympus, but the 5700 is a huge step in the right direction.  The optics are a significant improvement over other Coolpix models tested and in particular, the problems at wide angle have been reduced.  The 8x optical zoom and fast continuous shooting mode make this one of the better consumer 5 MB action cameras on thre market today.  And, as usual, flash performance is a step ahead of the competition.  At 1,200 bucks, this super performance doesn't come cheap, but if your needs match the 5700's fortes, you'll love it.  Solid class A.
This is my first digital camera and I LOVE it!! It makes me seem like a professional photographer even though I'm just a snapshot taker.What surprised me most was the clear pictures and the resolution. On the basic setting I get large pictures that I can reduce on my computer and they look WONDERFUL.Shooting in low light is a problem, but I have not taken the time to learn about F stops and all that can be configured. Almost everything can be configured on this.The 8 times zoom is something I just love.I almost bought an Olympus E-20, but am glad I got this one. It's a little smaller, which is very nice and it performs very well.I could have spent my money buying a ]$$$$] camera, but I'm glad I went all the way and got something I just love.
I'm bringing this camera back in exchange for a Coolpix 4500 tomorrow.  The camera is well built, does produce high quality, sharp pictures and has a boatload of features, however the autofocus is horrid.  The autofocus doesn't work correctly in anything but bright sunlight.  If you're shooting inside under slightly darker than normal conditions, the autofocus just hunts.  It's very frustrating when you miss shot after shot because the camera is struggling to autofocus.  If you want to stay with the Nikon name, check out the 4500.  It's a far better performer.
This camera rivals the [$] pro cameras on the market. Add a 1 Gig IBM Microdrive and you can take 134 photos in the high res. Raw format which will easily make a perfect 13x19 print that is true photo quality. The minimum density is fantastic so skin tones are beautiful, I was shooting with a Nikon N80 and scanning the transparencies with a Canon 4000 DPI scanner. That is both expensive and time consuming. This camera is about 80% as sharp as that combo...but with a better contrast range! My average session with a model is 6-8 rolls. With 2 microdrives I can achieve that quaintly with no computer necessary! And the cost of a single drive is recouped in 3 sessions (Film and processing costs eliminated).Cons: Horrible low light sensitivity...Slow saving in the HiRes modes and the camera controls TOTALLY lock up while the cache is written to the disk/drive (after 3 consecutive shots in HiRes ONLY). You can shoot, but not change ANYTHING manually. This problem disappears in the JPEG modes which are fine for many applications. Autofocus is slow at extreme telephoto setting and in low light. AND the shutter release button delay is intolerable when using flash or in low light.So if you want to do a lot of action photography pick another camera. If however, you want the sharpest image for the least money then buy the Nikon Coolpix 5700. And buy several extra batteries and as large a storage device as you can afford.
Today is my 15th day of Nikon Coolpix 5700 ownership.  Let me put to rest the "too long to focus under low light" rap--I just shot a beautiful photo of the not-yet-full moon, and I can count the mountains and craters.  Considering the fact that I bought this camera primarily for macro work and web publishing, I have yet to find anything that it does not do well.It does come with only 179 pages of instructions and it is covered with some 18 different buttons and external controls, but don't let that stop you!  You can start with it set on full Auto everything and use it like a high-end digital Brownie, or you can dig into the instructions and start to mine that Nikon pedigree.  My first shot was an Auto everything of my son, and it was stunningly gorgeous with very little help from me.  He was standing in a darkened stairwell and the 5700 saw him a lot better than I did.Is that Nikon pedigree worth it?  Oh yeah, you bet it is.  You will find your love of photography rekindled with this camera in your hands.
this is my first digital camera, and the first attemp to use it was frustrating, there were so many buttons, and so many menus to explore; then after an hour reading the manual, I learn how to use all the controls and now I taking pictures like crazy, probing all the features, wich by the way are endless. Anyway, the best choise, outstanding quality in every picture, somewhat noisy, nothing too important to care anyway, and tons of options for every situation.At first the shots may seems a litle oversaturated, but with a few settings being adjusted, it's perfect. &gt;the RAW format offers you a great amount of data to work with in graphic programs, such as photoshop (its fully supported in photoshop cs).The 8x zoom it's of great help. and the digital 4x zoom has his benefits too. The memory card it's not enough for this machine. Buy a 256mb or more, and make sure you get one with fast writing speed in case you're planning to go RAW.Finnally, the Nikon warranty it's international, so it's perfect for those who don't live on the US, or travel very often.
I never figured out how to use this camera. I gave it to my brother-in-law who was an IT manager for the Balkan states for KBR. He really liked it and had no problems with it.
I bought this camera about 6 months ago, And I must say that aside from a few minor draw backs, This camera will fullfil all the expectations that you have for a digital camera, However this camera is not for the average user, You must read the manualand once thats done read it again, and keep it within arms reach for reference  untill you get use to all the wonderful features of this semi pro camera.
The 5 Megapixel Nikon 5700 has been around a while, and people continue to love it and hate it. The optics are why you buy Nikon, and this is one sharp lens.  It's complicated to operate if you want to do manual settings (M, A, S), but the Program mode will suffice for most people.  It will shoot in RAW mode, unusual for a consumer camera.  That gives you a lot of flexibility in adjusting the image.  If you're not willing to read the manual though, this may not be the camera for you.  Sort of like driving a manual transmission, it's so easy once you know how but you have to give it the effort to practice.Nikon supports this camera with repair if you have problems, flat rate is reasonable (go to Nikon USA direct, dealers mark up).  One common problem is the CCD failing, due to a Sony image sensor that a lot of camera makers used.  Free repairs in about 2 weeks, but it's annoying.  After that fix, this is a solid camera.  I like mine, and shoot a lot of quick shots with it.
I simply love this camera.  It has everything I want. I especially like to play with the shutter speed and aperture in Manual mode.  This is when you can really get creative with your photos.  Although in auto mode, it does a super job.  I bought this camera for it's manual capabilities and the many accessories you can add to it.  I strongly recommend to only buy Nikon accessories.  They are pricier but you know you are not getting anything generic or substandard.  I also highly recommend taking the time to learn it and read the manual.  This way you will be able to use the camera to its full potential.  Many of other reviewer's "frustration"  come from the fact that they didn't take the time to learn the camera.  Also, if you take it to your nearest camera dealer, they will be more than happy to show you it's many awesome features.
I saved my nickels to buy a Nikon. What a mistake.. I did not believe the other reviews that detailed the poor focus performance of the Coolpix Nikon camara line what a mistake. Once I had purchased the camara I tried to contact Nikon for support what a mistake...Save your money buy ANYTHING but a Nikon. It is a terrific dissapointment both for the camara and the support... If you have questions about its performance ask your cat, you will get better results....I wonder, after 2 months how much I will get for it on eBay... No chance of Nikon support reading these reviews they have proved themselves unconcerned with customer focused quality.. Show them your concern by not buying Nikon....The SONY digital camara actually focuses on things..JUNK, JUNK, JUNK, JUNK, JUNK, JUNK... expensive JUNK...
After years of happiness with a Nikon SLR, I decided to go digital at last.  But I had great fear that the camera would be like my home-heating control or an early digital watch, i.e. that you had to carry a fat manual around just to figure out how many times some button had to be pushed to make basic commands.  All I can say is, this camera was superbly designed in a user-interaction sense:  the software/hardware mix is far better that in computers.  It is all common sense!  Thus, this camera is a joy to use and far more economical than my old SLR.The quality of the pictures is also excellent, at 5 megapixels even more detailed than an analogue photo.  I have now experimented with the camera in many conditions and I must say that it focuses quickly and easily - really a joy to use.  And it is much lighter than my old SLR and so easier to carry for long periods.  About the only thing that is a problem is how fast it eats batteries - I would definitely recommend getting the rechargeable battery set.Highest recommendation.  Though more expensive than other models, you are purchasing the Ducati of cameras!  I think it is a design masterpiece.
I've had the camera for about 10 days.  It's the second digital camera for me -- so I have something to compare it against.  The first one was a FujiPhoto with very similiar features, but 2.3 Mpixels.  If you haven't owned a digital camera I can see where you might think the Nikon is difficult to use.  After having explored and used all the features, I give the Nikon an "A" for ease of use.  The advantage is that the features most often needed are available through readily available buttons, thumbwheels, or a combination of the two as opposed to deeply nested screen menus.  If all you want to do is shoot vacation photos, you shouldn't spend $$$$ for a camera.  On the other hand, to take advantage of the camera you must spend a few hours with the manual and machine.  The Nikon will reward you.The quality is noticeably better -- for at least two reasons.  One, the Nikon has 5 Mpixels and then the Nikon glass is reputed to be very good.  The lens seems to make for about 2/3 the size and weight of the camera.  I'm not sure you would notice the difference between 3x5 photos taken at the company picnic, but get into the fine or high size and use the macro lens for closeup photos of flowers and the detail stands out.On the critical side I have a few comments.  Someone else has mentioned the size of the review screen and I agree its a bit small -- smaller than the Fuji even.  But then again it does swivel and the camera has a good viewfinder to boot.  I've adapted to the size without problem.  One annoyance I've found is having to reset the timer after each shot when shooting on the tripod.  I don't do that very often -- and who knows, maybe there's a way to set it that I haven't discovered yet.  This probably applies to most digital cameras, but for me some of the options are unneccessary (e.g., sharpness, contrast, etc.).  I think the filters are better applied through photo software on the computer.  I do like the noise reduction feature, though, for long exposures.  It seems to do a better job erasing those little white spots than the computer.I like the camera and will enjoy using it.  You'll need a case for all the pieces, a CompactFlash with at least 256Mb, and an extra battery.  I also recommend a CompactFlash reader so you don't have to hook the camera to the computer and an SB-30 Nikon Speedlight flash. This small, additional flash will more than double your effective range since the camera will also use the internal one simultaneously if needed.
It's obviously a great camera and there are many pros. I'm sure it's not a problem to find what's great. I've spent some time comparing this camera with others so I want to share what cons I've found.1. Motorized zoom. Many people feel much better about manual zoom ring.2. Price. It's a few hundred dollars higher then close competitors.3. Proprietary batteries. Usually proprietary means less freedom and higher price.4. Zoom range. It's very impressive 35-280mm but if you take wide angle shots (e.g. inside small rooms or shoot buildings on narrow streets) then you might prefer to have zoom starting at 28mm...Everything else is just either perfect or very good.
This is a very good quality camera in most respects. The optical quality is superb, the zoom is excellent, and the function is fairly intuitive. It is compact and cleanly designed. I have problems in three areas however. As others have noted, the autofocus is annoyingly slow. Also, you cannot raise the flash manually when you know you will need it. Instead, you must depress the shutter button, which results in an unintended flash photo occuring half the time. Lastly, the close focus limit is rather distant making macro photos impossible. Since it too big to fit in a pocket or purse I am looking forward to a suitable carrying case being available. Overall, it is an excellent value.
After reading these reviews I am starting to wonder if we are even discussing the same camera; people either love it or hate it. I am of the former persuasion: I really love this camera. No, it's not perfect, but all in all it is the best digital non-SLR machine I've ever used. First I'll discuss the things I'm not happy with; then I'll cover the features of which I am. After that section I'll address some of the complaints that I've read in some of the other reviews.Let's get started:What don't I like? I do wish the buttons on the side of the barrel were moved as they are a bit too easy to push by mistake, though once you get used to their location that sort of goes away. I also wish the tripod mount was directly in-line with the lens, not in the middle of the bottom of the case (though to be fair, that's the way it is with most cameras).Nikon refers to the included 16 MB Compact Flash card (think of it as your digital film, if you aren't familiar with the digital camera world) as a &quot;starter card&quot;; and that unfortunately is true. 16 MB only holds 12 pics at 5 megapixels.. For the price of this instrument I strongly feel Nikon could include a larger capacity card; 64 MB or higher would be ideal but I'd settle for 32. Finally, it would be nice if the camera would accept other forms of media in addition to the compact flash or micro drive. However, this final observation isn't really a major complaint. It's more like a wish.The things I lovePicture quality is first rate! The color and clarity of the pics are superb, as is the tolerance of slight hand shake. I've taken quite a few snaps where I've known I moved my hand a little at the last moment, and the pics came out razor sharp (not so with other cams). It has auto bracketing (it will take a series of shots that vary between a range you select for white balance/exposure, adjusting slightly between shots, and display the results with the data, allowing you to choose which is the most satisfying), best shot selector (you hold the shutter release button down and the 5700 takes a series of pics-up to 10-and saves the best focused to the card), image sharpening, noise reduction, and about a million other settings. It also allows you to save up to three sets of options or settings as &quot;user settings&quot;, so you can recall the settings with just one menu choice, instead of resetting everything again.One of my favorite features is the macro mode. You can take sharp amazing snaps up to 3 cm or 0.8&quot;. If any of you are interested in seeing a sample, send me an email.The printed user guide is good; not great, but good. I haven't seen any that were better, and quite a few that were worse. You could buy a third party guide to the 5700, and they are usually worth the price, as they give you tips and lessons that the manual doesn't include. Also, the Nikon web site has a multimedia manual/lesson feature for the 5700, and it is a very good overview and covers the basics well. This is provided free of charge.The case is metal, which makes it feel substantial and allows the quality of the build to come through. I don't feel that it is too small, in fact, it feels pretty much just right and I am rather ham-handed. I also love the fact the camera can save in the RAW format for use in programs such as Photoshop CS. Working with RAW images really opens the field of creativity.Complaints Others Have ExpressedThe most common seems to be the auto-focus at low light. I've not had any trouble at all with this feature. I've taken pics in pretty dim areas and the AF worked fine. I wonder if the folks who had problems had the selected the correct settings; a read of the manual could solve the apparent problems. In addition, you can turn the auto-focus off and use the manual (focus)I've also read some have found the buttons confusing. Now here I feel I must get on my soapbox. &quot;Prosumer&quot; level cameras are called such and cost the amount they do because of the quality of the images as well as the user controlled settings/features/options. If you are going to spend the kind of cash these machines cost, then it only makes sense to devote some time to learning how everything works. Any camera at this level is similar, there are just too many options to be able to make everything appear when/where every single user expects them to.I've taught enough people to know that some folks become very frustrated very quickly no matter what the subject. If this is you then I suggest you avoid the Coolpix 5700 or any of the other cameras at this level; you'll just drive yourself nuts. There are a number of good quality point and shoot models in the market and these will be a much better match. If you are one of the folks who enjoys learning new things and the challenge of such, then these types of cameras are great. In the case of the 5700 I found the menus quite intuitive; however, you do have to read the manual to get an overview of how the camera works.Some people also complained about the battery life. I've not experienced any problems. In fact, I own dig cams from Kodak, Olympus, Pentax and Canon, and all operate about the same as the 5700.
Takes excellent pictures usually. If the picture is not perfect, it is usually a focus problem. The swing out LCD is too small, low res and nearly worthless. The electronic viewfinder could be better. If you want to use the manaul focus its hard to tell when you have it focused accurately because the viewfinder isnt very sharp and there are no measurements (feet or meters) of distance, just a sliding bar. Zoom lens is great. Macro mode (close ups)  is outstanding. No low light flash assist. You will need an extra battery and a bigger memory card so put that in your budget if you go for this expensive baby!If you can live without the 8x zoom lens, there are probably better choices where you can get more camera for less money. Otherwise just bite the bullet and try not to whine too much like I do.
Using this camera for the past 7 months. Taken app. 850 photos till date. No issues what so ever and excellent photo quality. But you need to buy an additional battery -- which would have been the case with any camera with chargeable batteries. You can turn off Continuous Autofocus to reduce battery drain. I do use high speed compact flash memory cards such as SanDisk Ultra II 256 MB ( currently the best ) and Lexar Media 256 MB USB 12X with my camera otherwise the wait time between consecutive shots can be very high.Pros :: 5MP, 8X zoom, lightweightCons :: in-built flash is not sufficient, especially outdoors photography. Using NIKON SB-50DX Autofocus Speedlight with my camera.
This is a very sophisticated camera that appeals to the affluent casual user & the pro-sumer - hence the spectrum of ratings ( its really too sophisticated for the casual user - & has annoyances for the semi-pro user ). This camera is a VERY sophisticated - feature rich camera. Most of the problems noted in the reviews have excellent work arounds ( IE like any other camera ) IE shutter priority, aperature priority, bracketing. What probably frustrates users is that because it is heavily "automatic" - it doesnt solve all picture taking problems "at the press of a button" - you have to use alternative modes in low light conditions, a tri-pod etc - these workarounds are usually buried in menus etc. I have found the battery life excellent "IF YOU DONT USE THE FLASH MUCH". I carry two batteries - I buy the MAHA batteries - they are cheaper & have 20% more capacity & their charge time is just as fast - work with the NIKON OEM charger - forget the OEM NIKON batteries. The Nikon software is excellent & much improved. This camera ( for what I do ) - there is nothing else out there the is like it in a compact package - the ergonomics as simply excellent - & the flip out view finder is essential for what I do. The resolution capabilities, & zoom are fabulous. The small camera bag that can be bought as an accessory from NIKON with the belt loop - SUCKS - this has disintegrated on me & has also almost let my camera depart my body for the pavement !! If you buy this camera - use you VISA - VISA adds another year or two to your factory warranty & forget the consumer add-on warranties ! Im also using a 1Gig IBM microdrive - which has very fast write-times - remember this when you are looking at solid state memory ! Therefore, the recovery time between shots is reasonable. NITS - camera does not recover between shots very quickly - very annoying - have missed some shots - but this is true of all current digital camera in this price range. The power save mode puts the camera asleep when not in use, also causing you to miss candid shots if you are not mindful - I usually pulse the trigeer occasionally to "keep it awake" - this can be adjusted though - which I havent bothered to do .. The competition in this price range - SONY/Minotla 7? - SOny uses over priced proprietary media ( memory sticks) has slightly better resolution & horrible ergonomics ( overall for me not worth it - plus Ive never have a Sony product that has lasted very long - they look great - but my experiance is that they are fragile.) The Minolta in this price range is not as good & eats batteries- but is cheaper - IN THIS PRICE RANGE ONLY TWO CAMERAS - The S0ny & The NIKON period as of 10/2003.. But check the price of the Sony media ...The IBM microdrives can be had for very cheap right now since they have sold out to Fugitsu on the uDrive technology & patents ( Fugitsu now offeres a 4 gig microdrive based on the IBM technology - & again the advantage is writetimes - check this out !! ) If you are going to buy solid state memory - get the VIKING on AMAZON w/rebate, you won't find a cheaper price, yes - even on ebay !
I found this camera under a bunch of junk in a closet at work.  Although the camera was stored in an M Gear bag, I was rather suspicious of it being able to function.  Surprisingly, the boss (the camera's owner) said the camera did not work and to take it home.  So I took it home and the camera worked fine.  I went online and learned this camera might have issues so I contacted Nikon Customer Service who told me the camera had already been serviced.I reported my findings to the previous owner who said to keep the camera anyway.  All I can say that was my lucky day.  Although this camera might be considered obsolete by today's standard, this sturdy jem can still find a niche among people who need an easy to use camera which can produce outstanding photos.The tiny articulated screen might be a problem in bright sunlight and for those who need glasses to see the image; however, you can get those unique angles in tight places with that limber little screen. Zoom capabilities is functional for the newbie,although a bit slow and noisy.  I'm not into the techical garb about iso, white balance and so forth so I can't offer any critisms there.I found the camera easy to use; it had to be as I had no written manual what-so-ever on how to use it.  I like the sturdy metal body.  The only fault I can really find with this camera is the battery life.  Dang things might last 15-20 minutes so have plenty on hand.  The battery life is the only reason why I gave this camera 4 stars.  Otherwise my closet camera would have been a 5 star find.
I've had two other Nikon 35mm film cameras  over the past 15 years and I bought the 5700 coolpix recently. It takes pictures equivalent to or better than the 35mm cameras. You will need a photo quality printer to get the full advantage of this digital camera.
I bought the Coolpix 5700 after I sold my older Sony DSC-P1 3.3MP camera. I missed the manual flexibility I had with my older SLR cameras and the 5700 gave me the best of both worlds, a point-and-shoot camera with Nikon's superb metering and autofocus, and full manual control over all of its functions. Pictures come out GREAT in 5MP (averaging 1.7MB each on 2560x1920 1:4 JPEG compression), handling is GREAT after you learn where everything is.The included 16MB flash card is not very useful. You can store an average of 6 snapshots at 2560x1920 Fine (1:4) mode. So, Amazon was offering the Viking 512MB Compact Flash Card for less than $$ and I took it:It gives me an average of 209 shots at 2560x1920 Fine (1:4) mode. So, I can be away from a computer for a while before the need to offload the pictures and format the card.I'm sure other reviews on the net tells stories about how GREAT this camera is, but let me tell you about my disappointments:- I feel I should make a comment on the battery, Nikon did a good job by making one battery for the entire Coolpix line, this makes it easier for you to buy extra batteries when needed. However, an extra battery is a MUST. That's why Nikon included the external battery charger with the camera, you can charge a battery while you use one (my old Sony had a power supply that plugged into the camera, which tied up the camera during charging times.)- I usually install a UV filter on my SLR cameras to protect the lens, I failed to find a UV filter for the 5700 and no adapters are available yet for it. I noticed that the Coolpix 4500 has a standard 28mm thread, which could have been made for the 5700.
I just bought the 5700 after using a 5000 for 8 months. When I bought the 5000, I found four things I didn't like about it: Not enough telephoto, flash sensor in bad location resulting in severly underexposed flash photos, on/off switch a little difficult to use, and the lens cap had to be removed in order to turn on the camera. The 5700 corrects all of these things with up to 280 mm (35 mm equivalent) maximum focal length. The on/off switch is just like the one on the 5000 but it is easier to turn. Both the 5000 and 5700 seem to be the same camera as far as features and quality are concerned. The LCD monitor on the 5700 is a little smaller but it is clear and sharp. The 5700 has an electronic view finder which I was concerned about before I was able to try it out. It is just a miniature LCD monitor and it is surprisingly good, even in low (relative) light conditions. Only one monitor can be on at a time which saves power consumption. It is a little deeper in size than the 5000, but that's necessitated by the long focal length of this camera. I love using this camera. I highly recommend the Nikon Coolpix 5700 camera.Update after 3 months.  I recently took my 5700 and my N80 with me on a vacation to Colorado and Utah visiting nat'l parks.  I like the electronic view finder very much as it displays what the picture will look like with any adjustments I have set, i.e. exposure compensation.  I never took my N80 out of its bag.  I took over 600 pictures and I was extremely happy with its use and its results.  This is one mighty fine camera!
We got this camera for Christmas, 2002.  Since I don't think that reviews written when the item is new are very useful, I waited for six months to pass and the camera had some use.  I now find it all I hoped for, and more!  There is only one annoying characteristic and that is the shutter delay, but it is something you learn to anticipate.  Pictures are very good (don't make decisions based on the small canera screen) and really come alive when uploaded to the computer.  You do need experience to learn the extensive menus and you will find things contained that are very hard to get back to, but it is all there!  A great camera for the money.
I purchased this camera about a year ago, and have really liked it -- for what it is designed for.  It is when you try to stretch it a bit, like I did, to get it to replace a beloved old Olympus OM-10 SLR I have had for 20+ years, you really start to understand the limitations of the current crop of digicams (to separate them from the still-too-expensive-for-my budget digital SLRs).  To Nikon's credit, they have produced a number of really nice accessory lenses and flashes for this camera, and its ability to make really close-up macro shots and assisted panoramas still astounds me.  Even with items like their wide-angle and tele-adapters, etc, though, there are still about three major shortcomings that will eventually force me to look at the new crop of under-$1000 digital SLRs that will be coming out in the next year or so.1) Now matter how you cut it, a max F3.5/F5.6 (wide/tele) lens is too slow for any real handheld available light work, unless you are outdoors.  I've tried handholding indoor shots with it, and experienced too much camera shake because of the slow shutter speeds.  There is simply no substitute for a fast (F1.8 or better) prime lens when you need to get that shot without a glaring flash.2) You would think that the slow lens situation would be helped by cranking up the ISO, say to 400.  Unfortunately, the noise at ISO 400 in this camera is unacceptable to me.  Again, to Nikon's credit, they have a really nice noise reduction function, that substracts a dark frame in the camera, but this doubles your time between shots, and that can be a real issue if say, you are snapping shots of the Disney electrical parade.3) Electric zoom -- one word, ich!  It's OK for camcorders, where a jerky manual zoom is considered poor camera technique, but in a still camera, it only slows you down.  Forget trying to do action/sports photography with the camera.  Even if the focus could follow a changing scene (and it is no stellar performer, there), the zoom is glacial in comparison.  Give my a push/pull manual zoom ring on a fast lens anyday.So, given all the limitations of such a system, it doesn't appear to be worth tossing all the cash into the camera, lens, and accessories, only to have an "SLR-wannabee".  The camera, etc. is bulky enough that I have to make a conscious decision to pack it for a trip, just like an SLR system would be.  Better to spend your cash on the smallest pocketable miniature digicam you can, like the super-small Canons or Minoltas (these days they produce excellent 3- and 4- megapixel pictures), and save your money for one of the newer digital SLRs coming out, if you are really yearning to 'go digital' and retire that trusted old SLR.  And don't forget that big investment in 'glass' you may have with your old SLR system.  Hopefully will be able to reuse some of it, until you can afford the truly astronomical prices that some of the new glass for digital SLRs are going for.
I did alot of research before I bought this camera a year ago. The research has paid off dividends. First off this is a great Camera!!. I bought it for two main reasons. One was astrophotography and the other was just going on trips and tooling around.Pros of this camera:-Intuitive (after the manual is browsed) B+-Picture Quality A+-User controllability A++ (my cousin has the Fuji and you can't manually control anything, just a bunch of predefined settings. Alot of the other cameras were like this)-up to 5 min of keeping the shutter open (nice for astrophotography, but you do need the remote for this)A+-The Auto Focus is Great with even marginal light B+-When you controll the settings yourself you can get very artsy with your photos (this is sort of cool)Cons:-In very low light situations the focus can have trouble but I have rarely noticed this, besides there is a manual focus if the light is way too dim, and I mean waay.!!!ONE IMPORTANT SUGGESTION!!!!If you decide to buy this camera buy one of those screw on UV filters. It has no negative effects in picture quality, only positive effects, and it can save your lense. After fifteen days of owning the camera I accidentally scratched the lense. It was minor but I was SOOOOO pissed after spending all this cash, so i tried to replace the camera through the in store warranty, but it was void by the time I found the scratch. So I bought a $15 UV filter and no scratches since. However, if I do get one, it's on a $15 dollar lense I can easily replace. Also Once you clean your primary lense and screw on the UV filter you won't have to clean under there until you remove it. It's a pretty cheap invesment for alot of benefit. Hope this review helped!
The Nikon 4500 was the end of the line for the large, swivil body line that Nikon pioneered.  Brought out in 2003, it was a great camera that I enjoyed using very much.  In addition, I purchased many accessories to go with it.  Earlier this year, my old freind suffered a fall and was damaged.  I debated about sending it to a repair facility, or  just buying a new camera.  You can imagine my delight when I found a "like new" model on Amazon for only $100.  Instead of being like new, it was new, unopened in the original box.  Now I am back taking excellent pictures with a camera I am familiar with, and one that I can do a number of things with because of all the accesories I have accumulated.  This was a great deal.
On the good side, the swivel body is well integrated into the design (great for take picture over the head of crowds or take picture close to the ground), easy to hold (comfortable in the hand), has an optical view finder in addition to an LCD display (makes picture taking in bright sunlight a breeze), fairly rugged, lots of manual adjustments that have well behaved automatic defaults, the PC/Mac software if user friendly & many good features, optical zoom is totally internal (no lenses moving back & forth), excellent macro capability (focuses down to 2" - great for taking pictures of small items for eBay ads), wide selection of exposure times (compatible with time exposures), very good panoramic image stitching mode, very good color rendition, great optics (no perceivable optical distortion at any zoom level)On the bad side: Poor battery life (make sure to get a couple of spare batteries, you WILL need them), fairly long time delay between pushing the shutter and taking the picture (makes taking action shots very difficult), built in flash is very limited, connection for external flash requires custom Nikon cable, poor auto-focus in low light conditions, slow lens (high f/#).
This is a camera for someone who likes to read the manual and undertand the truly amazing functionality.  Its features far exceed many other digital cameras at this price point, especially in manual modes.  The battery life is amazing. Glad we don't have to fool around with double a's anymore...There are better options like Canon for the "point-and-shoot" only kind of person.
This is a great little camera and I'd recommend it to anyone who's technologically savvy. The only problem I have with it is the battery's life, which lasts only a few hours. However, I do love its versatility and durability.
I got this cam in thailand two years ago and while it's been a real workhorse for me, i'm surprised to see it's still selling around the web. Well, maybe it's that good a camera. I give it four stars; here's why: the quality of the build is good but for the following things: focus motor connector came loose once and rubber strip on front is now super-glued. i am a journalist, so i beat the hell outta these things. as far as function: the tele-converter tc-e33d 3x is worthless on this camera without a tripod and the results are questionable even with. Performance in low light is not good.  Battery life is good. And the fact that you can pop in disposables available anywhere is a blessing. Oh, the AV output connector stopped outputting some time ago...the socket in the camera is defective i suspect.  BUT THE AMAZING THING is the camera's clarity in closeup mode using the WC-E24 lens. It's what you would expect from a professional SLR, but not in a consumer digital.  I did some catalogue work with this camera using the ring-light adapter and I don't think the SLR could have done better. Don't be swayed by those who say why not get an SLR instead of this one, or get a tiny IXUS?  This camera is perfect for the professional who already has too much to lug around and can't be bothered with tiny toys either. Good luck!
first the good:  it takes great pictures, the macro mode is better than most in its class, the swivel lens allows for some interesting setups.the not so good:  low light pictures are not that hot, the lcd is very small, slow lens.the story:  sure, i could sit and write more technical things but there are many websites out there that have detailed reviews of this camera that do a far more professional review.this is (was) my third digital camera.  my first was a fuji 1 megapixel that i outgrew in no time.  the second was the canon a40 - a camera i still love and would recommend to anyone in the market for a great 2 megapixel camera (i believe it makes the best first camera).  then this.  when i first got the 4500, i was really excited and took pictures all day long.  you can do so much with all the manual controls and swivel lens.  but as time went on, i found myself using this camera less and less.  the reason?  the controls are too complicated - i had to keep reading the manual to figure out how to do this or that.  what's the point of all the features when you have to go through complicated menus every time you want to use some feature.  in the end, i gave up and bought a canon g3.  though i cant say the pictures it takes are any better, it is far easier to use.  to me (and to most others, i think) that is the most important thing.  you want good 8x10 prints but you also want to enjoy the trip/event.  the last thing you want is to be reading the camera manual with a flashlight at basecamp so you can get good pictures tomorrow on the hike.  do yourself a favor and get some other camera.
I've been watching the Nikon Coolpix 900 series (900-995, now the 4500, all with twist feature) since they were introduced. The Coolpix 4500 is priced right, plus it has the resolution I want for enlarged photos. I have produced 15 x 11-inch exhibition prints with this camera. They are tack sharp.One of the alluring features of this camera is that it is inconspicuous. You can take photos and it does not bring attention to itself. When I am shooting with a Nikon F100, sometimes an observer wants to know what I am shooting. He or she will even suggest what to shoot. When I am shooting with the 4500, fewer strangers, if any, intervene.Sometimes I shoot from my kayak. When doing so, I like to shoot right at water level. With an slr camera, this is impossible. With the 4500, I can twist the viewfinder so I am looking down while the lens is facing my subject (grasses, lobster buoy, etc). With an optional viewing hood on the LCD I can see clearly despite the sun.  I am getting images I would not get otherwise.You can also use this camera effectively in candid street photography. Use the twist feature and your subject will not suspect you are photographing him or her. Your subject can even be behind you.This camera also takes an off-the-camera flash. I use a Nikon SB-28DX with my F100. This Speedlight is compatible with the 4500 as well. I have a bracket that holds the camera with the flash to the side with a sync cord attached. This feature, of course, eliminates red-eye and fosters more candid portrait photos.I bought this camera primarily for its:- 4-megapixel resolution,- very sharp lens,- 4x-optical zoom (compares to 38-155mm on a 35mm camera),- 3/4 inch macro AF mode,- twist feature,- compatibility with my Nikon Speedlight,- various drive modes (P, A, S, M),- three-mode metering which includes spot,- compatibility with auxiliary lenses, and its- "low-key" appearance.However, I am discovering all kinds of features I enjoy using. These include:- a five-area multi-focus system,- one-touch uploading of photos, and- auto-exposure bracketing with white balance and exposure values,- plus more.Does this mean I will stop using my F100? No. I can create larger quality prints with the F100.  The two cameras complement each other. The 4500 enables me to experiment without the expense of film, see immediate results, then apply the features to the F100.  And, as mentioned, the 4500 enables me to get out-of-reach shots.
This Coolpix 4500 is my second Nikon digital camera. I'm still new to photography, but I can say that so far, the 4500 is an excellent camera.The 4500 takes absolutely beautiful pictures, and the 16 modes go a long way to help novices take great looking pictures in all kinds of conditions. I like the new modes included over the Coolpix 885. The sports mode works well, and the panorama mode makes it very easy to create composite shots that look like they were created by a professional. Focusing is quick, and pop-up flash works well, and the camera feels solid.Above all, it's pictures are amazingly detailed, with grat color reproduction. Highly recommended for novices and intermediate photographers alike.
I've owned this camera for a long time and have have shot thousands of pictures with it. I even use it with a Kaidan panoramic mount and both the fisheye and wide angle lenses without any problems.  All I can add is that it is a tough camera with lots of features and great quality.
I just traded up from my 995, and this one is far better.  The fit, and size along with new flash.  Not to mention the 16 scene mode.  Only down size is smaller screen, menu navigation, and skimpy 16mb card.  Overall dollar for dollar I don't think there is a better camera.
I didn't care much for the Coolpix 995 when it was out.  The 4500 (which is the 995's replacement) is much better in my opinion.  The body size has been greatly reduced.  Unfortunately that also resulted in a reduction in screen size, but I guess that was unavoidable.  Excellent image quality, excellent macro mode (3/4 inch!), good zoom.  It comes with a different battery charger, probably because the ones that were included with the 995 were awful (I work at a camera store and they came back defective all the time).  The software leaves something to be desired--invest in something like Adobe Photoshop Elements to do your editing.  Overall, a good camera.
The swivel baffels some.  Besides the camera's crisp pictures this is one of the great features of this camera.  I can be standing in a crowd and swivel the lens 90 degrees from the screen and hold the camera arms length over my head and look up to frame a perfect picture over the heads of the spectators.  Great feature that wasn't obvious when I bought the camera.
I used both this and the 995, and the 995 has a more solid feel, better grip, easier menu to navigate and larger LCD monitor. If you are getting something in this range, get a 995. It will be cheaper since it is an old model and although at 3.34megapixel, it is a minor difference. I just did exactly that!If you take 100-200 high resolution (Fine, 3:2) photos with frequent use of flash in one outing, immediately get a couple of 256MB RAM cards and an extra rechargeable battery. With the money saved buying a 995, you can do this.In both, the swivel action is very useful (360 degrees in this model) and the pop up flash is a great improvement from the 990! And the rechargeable battery is useful.The 4500 is smaller and easier to stuff into your belt when cycling! It has a higher rating for optical zoom and resolution but I did not feel it was worth it. Much better to go for the 5700 if you can afford it, but that is much bulkier.The 995 Nikon does very well with macro photography but is a little poor indoors compared to a Sony.
Just after the one year warranty and I turn on the camera to hear loud clicking noises. Have to take the battery out to shut off. &quot;SYSTEM ERROR&quot;. $200 to repair from Nikon - oh and they won't tell me what's wrong with it. I'm not the only one. My friend had the same problem, but he had it repaired in greece for $100. I've read that a number of people have had the same problem, actually some on Amazon reviews, where are they now?Way to go Nikon. I won't be a return customer thank you.
This is an excellent camera.  One of the best features is this camera can be rotated to take picture in any angle. i.e. you can keep the camera a feet above your head and by looking at the LCD display you can take a perfect picture!  This is an awesome feature!!
I have worked my way through numerous brands of digital cameras, and recently purchased a Coolpix 4500.  Picked up a 512MB which allows for 266 of the finest qualty pictures the camera can produce.  The familar "split" design of the camera housing is wonderful, allowing  photos at odd angles.  The QUALITY of camera itself is SUPERB.  The 4.0 MP  produces 8x10 prints that rival and surpass many film cameras.  I use it with a Canon i560... and colors and detail with knock your socks off! The menu system requires a little learning, and it is worth reading the manual. I've only scratched the surface of this cameras' abilities.  No complaints, except I believe this may be the last of Nikons "split" design. (a real shame!)
Overall, not terribly happy with this units user interface and design.  The spartan instructions require pressing buttons referred to in the manual as "SW1" SW2" etc, but they are not labeled as such on the device.  You toggle through modes that are abreviated on the display with just 2 letters to tell you what they are ("TR" "CH" what??) Just an unfreindly interface all around. Look for a better unit.
I own two of these and have had no problems using it as a thermometer.  I use one for desert backpacking (over a year) and the other has been mounted outside my Jeep for several months.- Neither has been rained on- I've never tried to use it as a compass
Used this Digital Compass for about 20 days and am returning it. It  does not seem to be capable of giving reliable directions. The same position - try the reading twice and the directions are off wildly. Tried in open fields, inside my home and the same. Tried calibrating a dozen times and setting the Declination correctly, but no change.
Really well made and solid feeling.  Easy to use (has good instructions too).  Small enough to clip onto the fanny pack or backpack.  Numbers are big enough to easily read.  Looks cool too :)
Had to return the first one due to non-functioning thermo and fault compass. Small is nice for hanging it on keys or pack, but the same smallness makes it a little hard to opwerate one handed. I also have a Brunton compass that fits the hajnd much nicer. We'll see how long the 2nd one lasts.
I had this camera although is adorable and it felt as if i was a james bond movie person, it took horrible pictures. The inside pictures if it didn't have the right amount of light the camera would not take pictures at all and when I took pictures outdoors it woould have a blue outline around the images.The saying you get what you pay for is very true.
Absolutely fun little camera. Spent the first day after getting it (on an impulse buy) making little AVI's of the new kitten in my house. The included software makes this a snap. No, the quality isn't fantastic at those resolutions, but making mini videos with a package this size for this price is going to be tough to beat. Keep the battery fresh and you're good to take it just about anywhere. Great fun little product...and probably going to be Christmas gifts for everyone this year. :)
People who rave about this thing either work for the company or are vision impaired. I bought one on a whim so I could take it with me on vacation. I can honestly say that of the 100s of pictures I took with it, not one was a keeper. The shutter stays open for so long that unless you are completely motionless, your pictures are blurred. I found that subjects centered in the view finder do not end up centered in the pictures. The camera &quot;crashed&quot; often, and I needed to take out the battery to &quot;reboot&quot; it. This happened a lot. The camera worked in sunlight, but pics taken indoors were way too dark. This thing is not ready for prime time. not even at these prices.
Cute for size, but not for longevity.  Once the battery dies you lose the pics on the camera - so why buy it.  If you take it traveling and it starts to die, everything is lost.  Haven't used it as a PC cam, but methinks that's the best use...  Save (the money) and apply it towards something lasting.
Never mind the fact that picture quality is below average for the resolution this camera provide.  This camera literally drains battery.  The battery came with the package completely died after taking just three pictures and transferring those pictures to my PC.  New Duracell Ultra battery completely drained after two weeks in the camera w/o any usage.  I gave this camera a two star just because the unique size.  Word of advice, you get what you pay for.  Don't waste your precious money on this camera.
This is a fascinating little product - carry it in your pocket without any weight.  I love carrying it along to kids games, and the kids want ones of their own.It has a few drawbacks, however.  Some expected, some that need fixing in the next generation.The expected (but still a little disappointing)- limited focal length lens means that elements outside the very center of the picture are blurred (barrel distortion)- No flash for low light situtionsThe real problem:- it loses your pictures when the battery drains down, i.e. its memory is volatile.  Flash memory is so cheap, why did the designers make this choice?- There is no early warning, actually no warning at all when the battery is too low.  In fact if the battery gets low it will still take pictures as normal, then it freezes up, and all your pictures are gone.Caveat emptor here - a great product in so many ways, but make sure you replace the batteries early i.e. Every 50 shots or so.  Its not a cost issue, but you will lose your pictures beyond hope for recovery, even though the camera seems to continue to act normally.
Even though this review is mentions many of the camera's negative qualities, I really like this camera.  For the 4 stars, about 1 star is the camera and 3 stars for the price, size, and fun.The images of the product do not do it's tiny size justice.  It's like getting a piece of spy gear.  For the price it is a no-brainer if no other reason than just to play with it.  I have no qualms at all letting my 4 year old daughter have fun with this camera.  The camera beeps when the photo is captured so you can know when to let the button go.  I don't think you can turn the beep off, so no pictures in church!I have had it a couple of days and have taken about 100 pictures with it.  The camera claims to hold about 100 640x480 images and I have had 70 on it at once.  It took a little fiddling with the software to get it to work but I am now downloading images with no trouble.  When the software gives you a choice for "normal" or "larger" images, large apparantly means blown up in software.  So don't use that as you can probably get better results enlarging the photos in another application.  After those 100 pictures plus the PC transfer, I am still on the first AAA battery that came in the package.  Photos seem to be stored quickly and the camera can take 1 shot every 2 to 3 seconds (in other words don't buy for the movie feature).  I have not tested the web cam functions and do not plan to.The blurry edges described in other reviews are definitely present on my camera.  Make sure to get your subject in the center of the frame or you will miss the shot.  I'm also pretty sure that there is a fair amount of barrel distortion because if you get just a face in the frame the nose area looks a little too big.  No zoom on this camera so between that and the resolution you realistically have to be within about 10 or 15 feet of your subject or you will probably be disappointed in the photo.It also needs a fair amount of light to take a picture.  I took it into an Outback Steakhouse and it was too dim to take a picture.  When that is the case the camera tells you by a "err" message on the little LCD readout.  No Mac drivers which is a bummer.  I would love to not have to fire up my PC just to get the photos off.
I bought this after seeing someone else with it. It's very difficult to take clear photos due to the size of the camera - the only way is with the tiny tripod (which is pretty impractical). I saw that people were recommending this for kids - I wouldn't bother - go with something a bit more substantial that they can steady for a real photo.
Can't beat the price and the package is mighty tiny.  Warnings about the image quality are correct, but for [$$] I think the image quality is just fine.  What zapped me, however, is the lack of Macintosh support.  The device is USB and TWAIN, so it can't be very hard to support the Mac.  It works on my PC but not on my Mac.  There goes my plan to give one to my kid to use on his Mac.
This is a SMALL camera. A great feature since you can take it with you everywhere. Smaller than a pack of non-filter cigarettes. Too bad they didn't include a protective pouch so it doesn't get dirty. My mom's Largan camera included a vinyl case that had a belt loop, a great feature.The photos are above-average for cameras in this price range. The colors are suprisingly accurate. The software is easy to use. I was able to take and download photos within minutes without reading the owner's manual. At this price, I was suprised it even HAD one!Light is very important, since it doesn't have a flash. On a cheapo camera they aren't that useful anyways. Often they just provide an ill-lit off color photo. Instead, this camera double beeps when the light is too low and you get an "err" message. It makes good use of indoor lighting and the photos are decent, contrary to the comments in another review that it won't take indoor photos at all. It even has an indoor/outdoor selection in the settings to allow for better color balance. I have forgotten to switch to indoor and still got good photos while in outdoor mode.I've taken over 100 photos so far and am still using the battery that (thoughtfully) came with the camera. Also, it has a keychain attachment and neck strap. Handy, but it makes you look a little like a tourist!Serious photographers will frown, but if you like taking a camera with you everywhere (in theory, if they weren't so darn bulky!) then you just might find the Stylecam is ideally suited to your needs.
As a Minox fan and owner since 1969 and gadget lover, I was eager to see how this much-touted little gem worked.  I first did a lot of research reading data and reviews.  BOTTOM LINE PREPURCHASE INFO:  No other beginners camera even comes close to the quality of photograph and accompanying software.  Having bought two fancy digital cameras for family and friends and a Panasonic Palmcorder with good digital camera inside it, I am well aware of imaging software. ...P>PERFORMANCE:  The little camera performed as expected.  Operation was simple with two buttons and good menu and LCD menu indicator, photos reasonably sharp given the tiny size, and the accompanaying software superbly usable.  It even came with a Duracell AAA battery, a detail no other review noted, but to me connoting a note of quality and not tyring to cheap out every which way.  As a webcam, I looked at the images produced, and they were typically sub-mediocre but also in line with webcams of this price.  Indoor shots are a bit fuzzy, but my son took a great panorama shot in a seminar room of me giving a seminar, which I easily stitched into a broad panorama with the included software.  By the way, one review I read was dead wrong:  The delayed beep does not indicate when the photo exposure starts; rather, the delayed beep indicates when the photo exposure stops, which inside in dim light is a couple seconds.TWO FLAWS:  First, I almost sent the camera back, because the image gets a bit blurred around all the edges.  Then I looked up photos posted on the British Amazon site and elsewhere, and they were the same way.  This I can live with.  Second and more serious, the battery drains disturbingly rapidly when you're storing a lot of pictures. For two weeks I had no trouble, but last weekend I went on a trip, took perhaps 30 pictures, and the battery drained in less than two days, leaving me with three photos only.  This problem has been noted in other reviews, but I can live with it also.  However, if you take a lot of photos, download soon.  I have yet to experiment systematically with it, but I changed the battery quickly with those three pictures, and they were still there after changing the battery, whereas the instructions say you will lose pictures when you change batteries.  There may be some mechanism that allows you a socond to change batteries and not lose your photos....P>CONCLUSION:  The SiPix Blink is the first camera ever that allows the general public to experience what (subminiature camera) Minox owners have enjoyed for decades:  A camera you can and ACTUALLY WILL take anywhere that takes decent pictures.  SiPix is currently a price performance breakthrough, throughly fun, and a great affordable way to get into digital.  Not bad for insurance purposes too.  As for me, I'll use mine a lot, but I'll still carry my Minox B, the last of the Minox cameras needing no batteries.Jim
I purchased this camera through Amazon for my six year old daughter for our trip to Walt Disney World.  It has a nice clear plastic strap that she can wear around her neck so that she doesn't lose it.  The picture quality is pretty terrible.  At the price-point, it's great for a six year old.  Important: You must remove the battery between outings because the memory slowly kills the battery.  Plus, removing the battery kills the memory.  So, before shooting for the day, insert a rechargeable battery (good for 120 "higher-quality" shots), shoot for the day, upload into the computer (using included USB cable), then REMOVE the battery.  To make matters worse, we seem to have scratched or dulled the lens so now all the pictures look like we're in fog.  I don't know how we did that since the lens is pretty far in (protected).  The Q-tip ruined the lens?  We're still figuring out how to clean the lens.  Anyway, it's great for a six year old.  It's about the same quality as the film camera I had when I was a six year old.
....but not much more. This is a handy little digicam with very limited capabilities, the best of which is its ability to function as a very adequate webcam, broadcasting at a standard Internet quality resolution of 640 x 480. As a camera for general photography, however, this is far from adequate for anything other than emailing images, posting pictures to websites or dropping pictures into reports. There is not enough resolution to make printable pics (even standard 4&quot; x 6&quot; will look grainy), and the lack of any kind of zoom limits its use further. It is easy to use, happily runs on a single AAA battery, has an adequate (but non-expandable) internal memory and attaches easily to your PC via any USB cable. If you're looking for an inexpensive webcam that just happens to offer easy pocketability in case you want to take it with you for some potential photo opportunity, you can hardly go wrong at this price. However, if you're really looking primarily for a camera (as opposed to a webcam), you'd be advised to look elsewhere.
I was skeptical about this camera, but it got enough good reviews that I thought it might be a fun thing to have. I wasn't expecting to use it to take artistic shots to keep and treasure forever and ever, but I did think I'd get something other than shapeless blurs. Unfortuntately, I think this camera will get little to no use, because it just isn't worth the trouble of checking to see if the battery is dead (usually yes), taking the pictures, and uploading them onto the computer (if they haven't inexplicably disappeared) using the awkward, poorly designed software (with no documentation whatsoever). I have gotten a total of zero useful photos with this item. If you want a digital camera, don't buy this one: you still won't really have anything more than you started with.
I think this camera is excellent.  The best part I think is its size.  I'm an adult, but my hands are very small.  This camera not even being 2 inches square fits nicely in my hand.  When I first got it I took a few pictures and set up the program on my computer.  I was so surprised at how great my pictures came out.  I'm really looking forward to the holiday season.  I have a nephew who is almost a year old and I am excited about taking his picture and sending it to our extended family that lives several states away.  If you are thinking about buying this camera, but you think that the low price means that it's just junk think again.  You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good deal!
It's cute as heck but after a week I had to return it even though it only cost me .... That's money that needs to be spent towards a usable camera. What indoor shots I managed to take were dark and heavily pixelated, no matter what quality I tried. Plus until you upload you don't know which shots were actually taken. The shutter speed was abysmal. I couldn't stand still that long, much less a child. Even outdoor shots were disappointing.
I've had a great time with the Sipix Blink digital camera. Took it on a family outing over the Labor Day holiday and came back with great pictures to share with the family. Nothing publication quality but certainly good enough to show people what the kids did for fun over the weekend. The Blink lens distorts the images around the edges, but for snapshooting, it's at least equivalent to the old Instamatics and Polaroids. It is surprisingly good in low light, tho the shooter must take extra care to hold it still.It's main advantage is its size and weight, both of which are negligible. Coupled with the generous memory (100 to 400 images, depending on resolution), it INVITES you to carry it constantly and shoot pictures of everything.Two points to remember: (1) It's easy to wrap your hands around the camera SLR style and make your fingers part of the scenery. (2) It's so small and handy that it's easy to lose. I have a nightmare of leaving it in a shirt pocket and sending it thru the washing machine.
If you are looking for a cheap little camera at a decent price with good resolution for sending emails and the like - this is the camera for you. Sure you can't expect the same quality as developed film, but the 640x480 resolution is plenty good for attaching to email or a quick small print on paper. Finally, the quality of picure is the same as the...Sony my father-in-law got when the 640x480 resolution first came out. If you read the directions on it's operation, you will have lots of fun and good digital pictures to share with family and friends. Additional information:PLUSES:+ Very compact.+ Really great price.+ Quality resolution for still shots.+ Free software for downloading the pictures from camera to PC.+ Software allows you to email the picture right from the program via Outlook Express.MINUSES:- Memory is volatile so make sure you have a fresh battery after two full uses if away from computer, you could lose all your shots.- The viewfinder is not "what you see is what you get", nor does it have a target, at least in my camera.- Action shots are somewhat blurry even at low resolution, and I've found it is not quite quick enough to catch the subject when it is moving quickly.
Exact same battery they were selling for 60+ in Circuit City. Been using it for sometime now and I've yet to need to recharge it. Best purchase I've made in a while!
I purchased this battery at the same time as a Canon Xti. After charging it once I have been using it to take about 500 photos (2GB CF card) many with flash and still have not had to recharge this battery. It has been 3 months and I finally changed the battery because I was going on a trip. Great Product..........
This Digipower  battery is the second of this model for me. It is a good deal overall for replacement of the Canon OEM. The first one lasted five years and will still charge and lasts for 50 or more pictures. The new one obviously performs as a new battery should pereform.
This battery fits my Canon digital camera.  I bought a couple of spares so that I can fill a card (roughly 250 shots) when out on a &#34;shoot&#34;.  This battery needed about 15 minutes charging when I first got it and it worked perfectly.  Love it.
I purchased this battery at the same time I picked up my XTi.  It's been about a year and a half now and this battery no longer takes a charge while the original battery is still going strong.
With DVD recorders!  That would have been a nice little piece of info to include in the description, eh?I found out the hard way, after buying the thing.  Now I have to go through the trouble of returning it.
I stress this because I see the Sima go for outrageous prices on ebay; buyers think they will get a product that will do this. But 90% of the time it won't do it. It's been a while since I used the Sima; but I bought the Clarifier Classic from Facet Video Dot Com  because the Sima would not make dvd back-up copies off store bought dvds with CGMS/a copy protection (which is just about every retail dvd these days).You should have no problem transferring your old store bought video tapes to dvd with the Sima - those videotapes do not have the CGMS/a copy protection, only Macrovision. Now another reviewer, Uncle Fester, says there is an easy dvd-to-dvd fix; maybe he can help if you buy the Sima. Or you can go ahead and pay a few dollars more for the clarifier classic or a similar device. At the time of this review, Facet video's website is down again (they've had MPAA problems) so you may have to settle for a similar device.It's too bad this preservation business has to be so difficult. We movie going consumers have every right to back up dvds and tapes we bought.
I am really dissapointed with this.This unit doesn't work with dvd recorders just with dvd to vhs recordings.It creates an electronic protection even when the original doesn't have it.Just lets you copy dvd to vhs, don't expect any more.
i rev'vd the unit before the due date. i am not sure i reviewed this, or else i am late reviewing this product. so i'll be brief. i've used it since i received it whenever i am working on vhs tape archives.  when i received it, i was surprised at the condition of the unit.  it was definately like new.  actually, i would say it was new. anyway, it does works very well, but does not cure all video issues.  i don't think there is anything available that is a cure all for everything. you still have to work some of them out through other devices. but that is only in some cases, so far. i have no complaints of this product. it works as expected and then some.
I purchased my Sima SCC for backups of commercial DVDs and old VHS tapes. Hooked it and and it worked out of the box - real simple. It creates high quality copies with no degradation at all, as far as I can see. The analog controls for color correction are also a plus. I recommend without hesitation to anyone needing this use.
This product is great for those videos you took in less than ideal light conditions, it can put color into faded video, adjust your sharpness and contrast. I used it to improve some dvd's I recorded indoors that were kind of washed out looking, the new copy looks much better than the original. It is simple to use, input,output, separate controls for red, green, blue, color level, sharpness, brightness, contrast, overall color level.
I found out about this device in Sound&amp;Vision from a reader that was experiencing the same problem that I had;namely, that macrovision encoded movies screw up the brightness on some TVs even with direct connections.  I worked with the Macrovision people for a month to straighten out the problem but didn't get anywhere.  I didn't want to ditch my 31&quot; monitor that I bought in 87 so I got the Sima.  Works great and doesn't create any noise that's apparent.  Can also adjust the picture without screwing up my TV settings for videos with color problems.
It does allow control of Red, Green, Blue, color saturation, sharpness, brightness, contrast, but unless the source material needs correction, most of the controls should be left at 12:00. The sharpness control doesn't provide any noticeable effect that I can tell. The contrast and brightness tends to wash out the video. Remember that increasing brightness means blacks look less black.Too bad the brightness control didn't have a greater negative dB range to allow fade in and out to black. The color saturation can go from B&W to saturated. The bummer is that it does not defeat copy guard as advertised. I tried several VHS tapes and my DVD recorder flashed the E20 "can't copy" error message. I purchased this primarily to copy my protected VHS tape library to DVD for longevity. False advertizing in my opinion.
I was one of the first purchasers of this camera.  I was excited by the small size and prospect of 4mp resolution. I also liked the slide=away lens cover which I felt would be highly protective and the metal body.It is a lovely camera but has had one flaw that makes it less than ideal for me.The problem is the focus, indoors in low light.  It's fine for outdoor snaps but most of the pictures I take are indoors.  Often the light is low because I am in a meeting room.In this case, the camera cannot autofocus well and, as there is no manual focus to override it, the problem is impossible to fix.I returned the camera for service, thinking perhaps it was a manufacturing defect but, sadly, it did not improve.I am now looking for another camera to replace it.It's a pity because it is a sweet, compact thing that's easy to carry.  It would be a great choice for someone who is mostly interested in outdoor pictures.
For some people this is going to be a great camera, it all depends on what kind of gear you're looking for.  Design-wise it's top notch, very cool blue lights, with solid steel exterior.  A real eye-catcher.However, there were several things I didn't like about it.  Someone else made the comment that the sliding lens cover seems to bump the lens - I also found this to be true, which is not a good thing because the lens itself wobbles a little bit if you jiggle it.  The steel casing shows fingerprints like crazy- so it gives a somewhat dingy appearence if you don't wipe them off all the time.  The steel also makes this camera a brick to carry around, very heavy for its size - you'll notice it in your pants pocket.  But the kicker and the main reason I returned mine (apart from several stuck pixels in the camera's imaging device), sub-par image quality.  Granted it's a somewhat subjective thing, it all depends on what you're used too.  This camera can't even beat a three year old nikon 2MP digital.  The pictures are "soft."  Soft not as in -showing depth of feild- soft - soft as in, I just took a shot and not a single thing is crisp.  Not blury, just not crisp, grainy and sometimes a little dark.It is a good camera, especially if you can get a deal; but it's not the best.  If you want a memory stick compatable camera in this range check out the Sony P8 (excellent camera), otherwise check out something in the Canon digital elph line.
I've been shopping around for an ultra-compact digital camera that uses SD cards.  I spent a month trying out the Konica Revio KD-400Z, but wound up returning it to the store because I just wasn't happy with it.Despite its 4.13 megapixels, this camera suffers in terms of picture quality.  A close friend of mine has a Canon A40, and over the course of a few days we took several pictures under similar conditions, both outdoor and indoor.  Seeing the shots side-by-side, I noticed a number of disappointing things about the pictures taken with the Konica Revio.The main thing I noticed was lack of detail in the pictures.  The Konica Revio handled bright colors, bright light, and contrasts very poorly.  Bright colors, such as red, were super-saturated; all detail was drowned out.  Pictures taken in a dark environment using flash suffered from excessive brightness and contrast.  There's no way to turn the flash down.  Taking pictures of my friends across a restaurant table at night produced shots where the background was extremely dark and the faces of my friends were lit up so bright they looked like washed-out ghosts.  In fact, anytime there was a bright object in the picture, the camera handled it poorly, giving it an overexposed appearance and losing the details.Indoor shots suffered from a brownish-yellow haze, despite my attempts to adjust the white balance.The cool blue LED on the front of the camera had an adverse effect on the color in macro shots.  I took a close up of some purple orchids at a flower show and they wound up looking white-blue in the photo due to the influence of the blue light.All in all, it seemed like the colors and lighting weren't true with the pictures I took with this camera.  For what I paid for it, I expected much better picture quality.  And seeing the output side-by-side with another camera confirmed my impressions that it just wasn't taking very good pictures.Pros:  The camera is small, compact, and stylish.  I kept it in my purse and barely noticed it was there.  The LCD screen was nice and bright.  The zoom worked well.Another pro is that there was almost no shutter lag (which can be an issue with digital cameras).  It is truly a point-and-shoot camera in the sense that you can take instantaneous snapshots with it.However, for what it cost, it should have more features and controls, and should take nicer pictures.  In the end, I was not happy with this camera.I'm going to try out the Casio Exilim next.
I originally loved this camera.... small, light, good battery life, hi-res photos to work with.  However, after using it for the last year, and taking over 2,100 photos with it (the camera keeps track) I have to say I'm extremely disappointed with it.Unless you're outdoors in VERY bright sunlight, or using the flash, forget about taking decent photos. I've held the camera solidly against a wall to take indoor photos without flash and all you get is a streaky mess.  You can't control the apeture setting, and hence EVERY photo comes out blurry unless you are in bright, direct light.I spend a good 3-4 minutes with EVERY photo that DOES come out O.K. (not blurry) touching it up in photoshop.  For whatever reason, the CCD is just not getting enough photons to take good, crisp, bright photos.Too bad, too, because in most other ways its a great camera.
Some negative comments in here have no merit because they came from people who do not know about electronic or computer.  There was a comment that the pics didn't show up nice on the monitor is just plain ignorant.  Get a better monitor!Here is my review:Pros:very high quality images (PCwold agrees)Very study builtTiny &amp; beautifulTakes two different media cardslowest price &amp; best valueCons:short battery lifeKey features are hidden in multi-step menu (such as video)limited features (because it's small :)Buy this if you are not a pro or advanced shooter.  This is the best deal out there !  Pics quality is up there at 97 percentile!
This is the best ultracompact for your money. Four megapixels for a price lower than 3 megapixel Canon's S230. It's lighter, the same size, and has a 3x optical zoom, superior to the S230, and even better specwise than the 3x of the S330. The camera is very durable, has an excellent design to protect the lense (no lense shutter which can stop functioning). Startup time is excellent. In two seconds of opening the shutter, the camera is ready to take a photo. Compare this to say, the Minolta F-100, where you'd have to wait up to 7 seconds once you turn it on.Low light pictures are good, although red eye is a problem if you use flash. You'll want to either go for a slow exposure, or correct red eye corrected with Photoshop Elements, which is included in the package (the best software package included with any digital camera). You may want to update your firmware software to improve low light shooting and inbetween flash times. Go to the "Other digicams" forum at dpreview.com and read up on how. The KD-400Z is one of the top rated cameras out there, and a well kept secret.
I've owned this camera just shy of 30 days and am in the process of exchanging it for the Canon S230.  I opted for the Konica over the Canon because the Konica was cheaper and offered more megapixels.  Konica includes Adobe Photoshop Elements, the best software I've seen packaged with a digital camera, but unfortunately, the camera doesn't match up with the software.The biggest concern: poor focusing ability.  After taking nearly 100 photos, I found that well over 50% were not in focus.  It's particularly noticable when you try and print.  Red eyes are a serious problem with the flash although in fairness I've heard similar complaints from owners of the Canon and other digital cameras.Also troublesome is the fact I can't review pictures without powering on the camera, which is done by opening the lens cover.  Closing the lens cover, I frequently knocked the lens itself, which can't help the longevity of this camera.In sum, it's packaged well, comes with great software, feels great and is simple enough to use.  If it focused better, I'd certainly have given this camera 4 stars.  Perhaps I got a lemon, but I'm not wasting time with an exchange; I'm trying the popular Canon s230.
I don't use it much but it does allow me to use the extra lenses that went with a much larger SLR camera.Worth buying if you need to use a larger lens than is on the camera.Mine is an Olympus Camedia C 765 Ultra Zoom, an older one with 10 X zoom. I love it. Birds in tree tops look like they are 10 feet away.Annie
This component works well and allows the use of 55mm filters with my 46.5 mm C-770 Ultra Zoom.  I am leaving it on the camera from now on, combined with a Tiffen UV filter and a new lens cap.
Purchased to use with some Tiffen Filters and a Telephoto Lens.  The adapter worked fine.  I am going to try to find a 55mm lens cap so that I can keep the adapter on at all times instead of removing it each time I store the camera so that I can use the lens cap that came with the camera.
I use this with my Olympus C-730. There is nothing wrong with it. It does what it was designed to do. It gives you a 55mm diameter mounting thread for using optional wide-angle, telephoto and macro lenses with your Olympus camera(s). These are the cameras that it can be used with: C-700, C-720, C-730, C-740, C-750, C-765 and the C-770. Five stars means all is well with it.
Solid construction, good finish.  Works great when used on the Olympus SP-510 camera with the wide angle and telephoto lenses for this camera.  I leave it screwed on at all times and have purchased and attach a 55mm lens dust cover.  Although this arrangement makes the camera less portable it allows for more stability when the camera is held.  I feel that it will provide more protection to the lens assembly and help prevent accidental touching/smudging of the lens.
This lens adaptor tube is wonderful.Not only does it adapt other lenses to your Olympus, but if you know anything about lens tubes... it is just the right length.The farther away from the camera you can mount a lens, the better close-up pictures you can get.
I don't really like this extention. It isn't really handy or very usable for me.
I use it not only as an adapter, but as a lens hood.  Only drawback is you have to remove it when shutting down the camera.
The CLA-4 Lens Adapter Tube seems very difficult to position so it will thread straight into the lens barrel. I lose a lot of time getting it positioned just exactly right. Other than that, it is fine - it fits the camera and the telephoto lens and seems to hold the rather heavy lens quite securely once it is properly positioned.
This is simply the easiest digital camera to use. The results are fantastic! With 3.3 megapixels this camera produces some amazing images. The software is easy to load and images transmit instantly to your PC via the USB cable provided. I highly recommend this great product!
So far, I have no complaints!  It is a very good camera.  Great for someone who is not too terribly interested in a huge load of bells & whistles.  This camera is basic ... does what 99% of most cameras do, and takes great photos.  It is very easy to use.  I would recommend it to anyone in need of a decent camera under 300 dollars.  It takes movies with sound.  The only thing I heard about it that was considered negative was the weight of the camera. I really do not see how that was a factor at all.  It feels like a camera SHOULD feel like.  It is not as heavy as a brick, and it looks as if it is made very well. Not like some toy, like some digital cameras look and feel.
I was really unsatisfied with this camera- beware- if you buy this camera you will need to buy the docking station and a camera card- both of which DO NOT come with it. You will need these items to use this camera often. This camera is not the best of what is out there but it gets you by. Wish I waited to buy something else- most other digital cameras are smaller now, come with more and hold more pictures.
I found that the camera was very easy to learn.  The quality of the pics, movies, sound was very good.  A couple of things that bring my rating down are:1.  Camera has no light, zoom features when taking movies2.  The access to the batteries is a little awkward(sp?) to figure out.3.  The access to the extended memory/usb/tv jack is a little flimsy leaving you with the worry that the cover will come off.4.  And now after 7 years of use, I now have to manually open the lens cover when I turn on the camera.
I purchased this camera ~10months ago, based upon reviews I had read.  The concensus opinion is that this camera is a good balance between price and photo quality.  Overall, I agree with this assessment.  But hindsight being 20/20, I don't know if I would buy this camera again because of the lack of manual control or override for the exposure/whitebalance.In use, it is a little bulky but easy to use with one hand.  I find that the heft actually helps me keep the camera steady in use.  Mixture of brushed aluminum and rubber for the case is aestheticlly pleasing and reassuring to the hand.Autofocus is good and quick in normal to bright light, but slow and easily fooled in dim/low light conditions.  The flash is not usefull beyond 15ft.The automatic whitebalance and exposure settings are another matter.  In situations where the light level of the centered subject is lower than the light level of the backround, the camera defaults to the backround.  You can not totally override the automatic settings so you are left with an underexposed subject.  The menu allows for only slight adjustment of the auto settings, but the adjustment range is not great enough.  A good example of this problem would be an outdoor picture, where the subject is in the shade but the backround is not.  The subject is underexposed, while the backround looks great and no amount of digital processing can reverse the result.I have also used this camera to photograph items for Ebay auctions.  For this purpose, the camera is perfect.  With some attention paid to lighting, the photos are well exposed with excellent fine detail.The included HP Photosmart software is basic, but usefull.  Like the camera itself, there are not alot of custom editing options.  The USB link from the camera to the software is quick and automatic.  Data transfer of a full 64mb card takes ~3min.  Slow to some, but OK by me.The included 16mb of onboard memory holds ~11 full resolution pictures.  I purchased a 64mb plug in card, which can hold ~52 full resolution shots.  What is interesting is that the onboard memory and the plug in memory are segregated.  You can fill up the onboard memory and then plug in the card and fill it up.  Used this way, I can take a total of 63 high resolution photos.Battery life is fine.  I did invest in recharchable batteries and I get ~160-180 photos per charge.  I would estimate that I use the LCD screen ~1/2 the time.Like most camera LCD screens, it is usefull in all but daytime outdoor conditions.For pictures from a distance of less than 15ft, there is a bit of parallax(sp) error between the viewfinder and what the camera records.  But once you see the difference a few times, it is easy to compensate for by framing your subject to be just a bit offcenter in the viewfinder.  This is not a problem to me, but may be to others.In summary, this is a good point and shoot camera for most situations.  Manual features are limited.  Used withing it's limitations it is fine.  If you need manual control over exposure/whitebalance, look elsewhere.  If you want a simple, rugged camera for casual use, the 720 should be a candidate, expecially at current prices.
I bought this at the suggestion of the camera manufacturer for an extra battery for my camera. This battery would not charge at all, I tried several different ways. I was stuck on vaca, with only one battery for my cam-corder I had to keep charging. SAVE YOUR MONEY ON THIS ONE
Replacement battery for digital camera - Ordered two because - according to camera battery use chart  - the recording would exceed battery charge.  Found that one batt does the job of 2 OEM.......
You could pay more for this battery, but it will not be better. It is a great replacement battery and meets requirements.
Look, I just needed a battery to replace the HP R927 digital camera that I own.  I don't care how long it holds a charge or even how long it lasts.  Just that I can find a battery to replace the stock battery that was included with the camera.  That battery (HP's), gave up the ghost with little use and few recharge cycles(which may be why it gave up the ghost).  HP indicates that the camera should be left in the charger when not in use.  Anyway, I was a little more than disappointed to find out HP stopped manufacturing digital cameras and ended any substantial support for legacy products.  I thought they sort of gave their client base a 'kick in the shin' with that move.  So, I was very pleased to find a replacement(NP-60) with Amazon's partner, Eforcity!  Not only did they have the battery in stock, it was offered at a substantial saving from retail chains.  Shipping was nominal and fast!  I am very happy just to have my camera working again as I bought it new for over $300 at the time and hardly used it.  Now my neglected baby is back to snapping pics again.  Thanks Amazon and Eforcity.  I must give HP some kudos as they provided information for battery substitution that led me here.  I'll try to provide more feed back later as I use the camera more.  The battery arrived with half charge, so I found out right away it was compatible.  Hope this helps others in the same predicament.
I ordered this battery based upon the model number (NP60), however the size specified in Amazon's product description is not correct.  The correct size is approximately .25" x 2.1" x 1.375".I've reported this discrepancy to Amazon, however they did not respond with a change because I am not an "official" source of this information.The battery works fine.
It is good to be able to use my camera again.  Now I can take movies and pictures of my little guy growing up without the battery dying after a few shots.
Although this camera is cheap, it should be. Pictures require a great deal of light and then tend to be very contrasty... too bright in sun areas and too dark in shade. Movies are better than still pictures. It is easy to carry, but eats up batteries very fast. I use rechargeables but after 15 pictures and two 10 sec. movies, on a fresh set, I got a low battery warning. I have owned about 15 digital cameras over the past 15 years, and this is the worst by far. It is about the quality of most camera phones... if that good. The Oregon Scientific and the Logitech took much better pictures and took them in much lower light conditions. I bought the refub model for less than the price here and it came with all the extras.UPDATE: I have taken another two dozen pictures in good light and the pictures are better than the first batch. In fact, I compared them to those of my Kodak from 1999 with the same resolution but $200, and they are nearly identical, so I must conclude that cameras with this resolution take the same quality pictures, or nearly so, so it is really a four star for the price. Converting the pictures to black and white in Picassa 2 or other software produces very good b&w; pictures... surprisingly good.
For the price you pay, this is a pretty good camera! It's handily pocket-sized, takes decent screen-resolution pictures, and stores more than 40 of them at high quality. Macro focus makes for excellent closeup shots. the Pencam 1.3 is excellent for web or non-professional-level digital photography.On the down side, however, it's only good for bright light conditions, high-contrast photos sometimes suffer from aliasing (pixelated edges), the video feature is near-useless, 2 AAA batteries rarely last more than a week, and worst of all, there are no Apple drivers, so I need to do my photo transfers through VirtualPC on my iBook.this is a sweet deal on a fairly good mini-camera. I've been using it for art photos on my photolog, and I'm quite happy with the output, and the fact that I can take quick, discreet pictures without attracting too much notice is icing on the cake. :)UPDATE: unfortunately, I've just found that VirtualPC on Mac OS X does NOT work with the Aiptek Mini Pencam 1.3 in a virtual Windows 98 or 2000 environment. It hangs while downloading images, whether from the Camera Manager or the TWAIN interface in Photoshop.The good news is that Mac-users can still use the MP1.3 with a piece of open-source software called Macam, which even Aiptek's own customer support rep suggested. It's at [ [...] ]. Macam is technically a video webcam app, but hooked up to the MP1.3, it will instead function as an image downloader.Hope this helps.
I think this is a simple case of deciding what you want.  The Aiptek camera tries to cater to consumers that don't know what they want.  Its an adequate webcam, an adequate take anywhere digital camera for very small photos or large web pictures for your website or online auctions, and an adequate camera for taking small movies.  But with that said, the camera does not excel in any areas.-Webcam-  the actual quality is very nice when compared to some other usb webcams (but it is more expensive) and it can be powered by the USB connection.  But there are some problems with Yahoo Messenger, so if you want to use Yahoo with this webcam, beware, there may be some minor hiccups.  It comes with a decent stand, but the base sometimes will give way to the rigidity of the USB cord and will tend to pull the camera over.  The webmovies are almost unusable.  Apparently this camera uses some kind of little used codec that most people don't have unless they have the aiptek software... so don't count on sharing small webmovies with other people.Like all cameras of this sort, low light is its mortal enemy.-Digital camera- the camera MSRP is about $80.  There are some cheap sub $100 cameras that are 2 megapixels.  I know I personally saw a 3 megapixel camera from kodak for $100.  So is it really worth it to buy this camera for 1.2 megapixel resolution?  On the plus side, the camera does offer a macro mode which I have used to varying success for taking pictures for online auctions and this camera does have the advantage of being very small (if you are a spy or something?).  Also I found the memory adequate if not robust.  In all probability you will not be taking many pictures with this camera anyways.-Battery Life-  If this is mainly a webcam, the battery life really doesn't matter since it is powered by USB.  But if you use this for a camera I found that the camera will last a few days of sporadic phototaking.  Purchase of rechargable batteries are recommended.Summary- My recommendation is to know what you want.  Do you want a webcam or a small digital camera?  If you MUST have both and you can't afford to spend a little extra to buy both, then the Aiptek camera is an adequate compromise.
Still picture quality is equivalent to $10 disposable cameras from 1997.  Just remember that a 1 megapixel digital camera was $1000 in 1997.Still photos are 1248x960 and can be downloaded in Linux, but video can only be downloaded and decoded in Windows.  Not a big problem because it only records 30 seconds of video at 624x480 9fps.  Can be powered off USB or internal AAA batteries.  Has auto shutoff when running on batteries but stays on when powered by USB.Still photos are stored in flash.  Video is stored in SDRAM, so you need those AAA batteries to keep your videos from getting erased.Very flimsy, like all Chinese products.  Different icons on the LCD panel wink off if you squeeze the case.Not as small as it looks in the picture.  Really 1" deep.  Very light, however.
A couple of years ago I bought a digital camera (640 X 320) to see if I would really use it.  Several hundred photos later I knew I needed something better.  My digital did very nice landscapes but nothing close up and people looked "boxy".  I was hesitant about buying an expensive camera because you never get to see the pictures the camera is capable of taking and I didn't want to spend a lot of money and have the same problems.  We saw this little one advertised as a 1 Megapixel and I said "no way".  Later I saw the same camera in [local store] with a copy of a picture attached saying "actual picture taken with camera".  It was great.  I bought the camera and have been very happy.  I did not expect it to perform like a more expensive one with lots of features but it has really surprised and pleased me.  It takes worse pictures in low light than my 640 x 320 but I am more than happy with its real features.  The close up works GREAT!  I can take pictures of documents and they are clear and readable.  And I can take it to the beach and take shots of the kids playing in the sand and salt without worrying about ruining an expensive camera.  And no one is "boxy"!  For the price I didn't expect a lot of features but it has performed well above my expectations.  I would gladly recommend it to someone who wants a snapshot camera that will take nice "people" pictures without a big investment in funds.  My first day at the beach, I took 59 pictures at High definition and was totally blown away by the improvement over my 640 X 320.  Now I can take my time and decide which digital camera has the features I want instead of settling because I want to be able to see faces!
I purchased the PocketCam 1.3 for my kids over the holidays.  All was right in the world when it worked.  To begin, the company hasn't done the necessary paperwork with Microsoft to ensure that when loading the software on Windows XP you don't get the error messages telling you you could really mess up your computer by loading this piece of software.  After assurances by the tech support team, I went ahead and loaded the software with no problems.  But it doesn't end there.  The camera just died in early February.  It took the company almost 2 months to get back to me (after more than 5 emails and phone calls to their tech support team).  It's now April 2 and they still haven't resolved my issue.  When the camera worked, it was a great starter digital camera and my kids loved it because it was easy to use and it took decent pictures.  I've since purchased a Canon Elph and I stand in awe of that piece of machinery.  I would stick with a reputable company when making any electronics purchases.  This company is not one of those.
I bought mine direct from the factory on sale for 39.99 with a free case and this is truly the coolest camera I've seen for the money.  Pictures are bright crisp and clear outside.  Inside requires light of course like any camera, no flash.  Movies are very high quality and it will do 640 by 480 res clips!!!  Comes with a hell of a software package and is just too cool for words.  Even has adjustable focal length for closeups of flowers etc.  I LOVE THIS THING!  I bought it for launching in a rocket to take aerial video but now I may not, it's just too cute to risk!
1 star only because you can't opt to choose no stars.I bought this thing about a year ago. I wanted a small camera to keep in my every day carry bag and figured this would be cool since it was small and cheap.I got it, loaded the crummy software, took ssome sample pictures, hooked it up to the computer and nothing. I have yet to be able to get the picture of this thing. I don't know if it's a problem with the software or the camera itself but after several attempts I just put it in the closet and forgot about it.
I bought their VGA model several years ago it takes OK pictures INDOORS but not outdoors, unfortunately editing software does not improve the quality.This camera takes GOOD pictures OUTDOORS but not indoors HOWEVER editing software will lighten it up to EXECELENT QUALITY. I have taken a picture that appeared to be totally black (ie no pic) and made it fantastic.The best thing (other than the price)is the camera is QUICK to start AND will take pictures as fast as you can push the button.This makes it execellant for capturing those unexpected moments you would miss with a high end camera which takes so long to "think" about what it is going to do that the moment is lost before the camera is ready to shoot.I keep one in each vehicle ready to shoot. I have the camera open with alkaline batteries out of the camera so they don't drain down.When I go skiing with the kids I can get the action shots when the moment is RIGHT.Downside- The shutter button gave out on one after two years - I now use it for video chats. The camera shuts down TOO quickly between shots.
I have two cams a logitech and a this one. Aiptek definately is the better one, its small and performs gud....i have had this webcam for 2 years now. It connects seamlessly with my PC and i never had any problems with it.It not only very small it is also very rugged. I must have had dropped this camera atleast 20-25 times on hard wood floor but still it is going strong.As a web cam i think it does a very gud job, indoors or outdoors with your laptop it does a good job. Although i dont expect a webcam to take great still photos but since they advertise it this way, i wud say it takes ABOVE AVERAGE Pics outdoors and does a bad job in less light. It's small camera/webcam n u can easily conceal in your palm.It does have one major fault and that is stability, the stand that comes with the cam is small and its base is not adequately heavy. The USB cable that comes with the cam have a  bulky node towards the side it connects to the camera, this makes camera tip over very often. u cant keep this camera upright on any slanting surface. Since i use this camera with my laptop while i am in my bed, small size and stability matters..............anyways, the base stand broke few months bk....i must admit i used this camera very roughly....now i have to sandwich this cam in between books or pillows on my bed.If you want a camera for your desktop, i think this will be a good choice but i will not recommend this cam for laptop users.Picture quality is comparable to other cam's in this price range.Overall a gud small cam but not for laptop users.
The Aiptek comes with batteries, USB cable, a mount for desktop/computer top mounting for use as a web cam, an adjustable neck loop and software which includes 'Mega Manager' and Ulead 'Video Studio' and 'Cool 360' (for making a 360 degree spread). It is so light to carry; I use the neck loop and place the camera in my top pocket where it is more secure and readily available.When turned on one can cycle through a small list on the menu for a short video, single shots or erasing selected files or all contents. The lens focuses for normal portrait/landscape or up close; a very simple utility. Shooting is a breeze: literally, point and shoot using the eyepiece but KEEP THAT CAMERA STEADY. With no zoom one may have to get rather close to the subject and it prefers good sunlight. The camera turns itself off after a short period of inactivity. Picture quality is only average, but then this is not a mega-pixel camera: personally I find it more than adequate for quick snaps, email and for fun things. The web cam feature is fun as I work in an office with 6-foot high cubicles and I just raise the camera arm height and literally 'have a look around' to see who is nearby!Getting files onto a PC and emailing  is a breeze but I haven't tried the "Cool 360" yet.One problem which caught me napping several times is that the batteries run down for a pastime. It uses two AAA batteries but you MUST carry spares if you want to shoot more than, say thirty shots, even though it will hold many more. When the batteries get low, it just refuses to take any more pics, not even a "low battery" warning.So, in brief, a great useful and fun camera for the money; grainy but good-enough pics; bad battery duration., don't go out without spares.Would I recommend it: Most positively but remember it's limitations. It suits me real fine.
this camera takes good pictures out of doors & with a flash or bright lites could take pretty good indoor pics, I think-----batteries can be removed after snapping pics without losing images, in order to save battery life----pics are still bright & clear when enlarged-----main problem is the same as with most cheaper cameras of any type: the view finder is not in same position as the actual lens, so resulting pic is slightly different than what you see (or significantly different for close ups), so you have to adjust & experiment a little.  I found instruction booklet somewhat confusing.--------but pretty versatile, all in all-----definately not a rip-off, for the casual phtographer
THIS CAMERA IS SMALL AND KINDA NEAT,BUT IT DIDNT WORK VERY LONG.AIPTEK MAKES SOME REALLY COOL CAMERAS BUT THIS IS NOT A GOOD ONE!!
This case is perfect for holding my camera accessories like cords, manual, charger and filters. It's a really good deal.  I searched a long time looking for the perfect camera case and couldn't find one that wasn't too bulky or cheap looking.  Instead I bought a form fitting leather case that just holds my camera and use this case to hold the accessories, giving me two light weight cases to carry, instead one bulky one.  Very pleased with this case.
this bag would cost $20-$30 in stores. what a buy, what a play, what-a-burger. I am very happy with the purchase.
This looks better than the bag I just paid 16 bucks for. How can they sell this so cheap . ??? Its padded really nice. Shoot Id pay 2 bucks for the padding lol !! This is a ridiculous steal and I noticed the price has gone up .50 cents since I bought 3 yesterday heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. me thinks these are selling like hotcakes. When they run out Ill sell my 3 for 7  to 10 bucks each and make literally a few bucks but Ill get good feedback cause these are quality cases,.
Usable dimensionsMain compartment curve starts 5.75 expand to 6.25 x 2.5 x 5.5 to 6.40 (a 6.25 x 6.40 rectangle with rounded corners)Outer compartment 3.75 to 4 x 1 x 4.5Comes with a removable main compartment divider. The attachment velcro is 2 inch wide and runs the full width of the bag so the divider can be oriented either vertically or horizontally through at 3.75 long it won't fully span the compartment and provide protection.  There is a belt loop (which has bottom snaps to make it easy to put on a belt) and a shoulder strap.  The outer compartment has a double zipper while the main compartment has 2 parallel zippers.  The bag seems well made, well padded, and sturdy (won't easily compress vertically or horizontally but not so sturdy in depth).  Nice medium bag for an unbeatable price (5 bucks).
This is an absolute steal at 2 bucks, but mine did not come with a shoulder strap.  Fortunately, I already owned one from another case, so no bigee.  I just wanted to note this for future buyers.Oh, and it is deeper than I expected.  The total depth is 4 inches on mine (3 inches main compartment and 1 inch front pouch.)  My measurements are 7.5 wide X 7 tall X 4 deep.Hope this helps!
What a great compact bag I bought this bag with no great expectations but it fits my compact camcorder and all its equipment and then some like a compact tripod that I have placed on the back of the bag have posted pic's on here check em out it's is an extremely well put together bag for the money.
I HAVE USED THIS BAG FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND WOULD NOT TAKE MY MONEY BACK FOR IT.. A REAL BARGIN FOR SURE...
I had an amazon prime account so this product cost me a total of 1.99 dollars. For that price, it was an excellent deal. The bag is synthetic leather of course, but it's still better quality than ones made with textile material as it is waterproof and has a high gloss look to it. The only immediately cheap looking part of the bag is that the straps are connected by plastic not by metal but I don't expect it to break anytime soon. Fits my canon 350d dslr perfectly with lens taken off and placed on top.
The four star rating reflects the term "large" in the bag's advertisement and the questionable purpose of this bag.  In quality, it is a 5-star bag all the way w/o exception -- for a point and shoot or hybrid (point and and shoot w/ interchangeable lenses).  It IS NOT for a dSLR unless the dSLR is small and has a small standard non-zoom lens!  But, what owner of a pocketable point and shoot needs a bag!?  with a shoulder strap!?  with an exterior zipped pocket!?
Don't buy one, buy 2 or 3!  Seriously, I bought one, then placed another order for 3 to give away as gifts.  For the price, this can't be beat.  It's a medium size and fits my Nikon P500 perfectly.
The bag looks good so there's no problem there. The problem is that it's too small. Somehow when viewing the picture, I thought it was larger. In fact the description even says 'large". Dont be fooled.It couldn't hold my Canon T3 and one lens. The fit was too tight and I had trouble getting them out of the bag.  About the only thing I would put into that bag is a small  point and shoot camera and even then  it would be difficult to add  anything else.This is a very small bag. If you need something to carry your camera and lens in, this is not it.
It's a fine bag. It's decent quality, fine finish, snug fit for my camera. Not much room for accessories though. Would be better for a smaller camera if you needed room for cables, etc.
This is a quality nice leather bag for almost no cost, I wish I knew about it sooner!If they are still availiable you should get one in my humble broke opinion
I purchased this case for a few dollars several  years ago and this case had held up so well. it has had to hold more than just my camera on occasion.
This product arrived as described and in time.  It is exactly the one that I lost and works like the original one that came with the camera.  No complaints.
Not much more you can say - Works as advertised - no problems.  That's what you want it to do.  Mine is over 4 years old and is charging its second set of 2 batteries and it's still working.  Sometimes things get a 5 rating because they do what they're suppose to and you don't notice them.
I bought this charger [and an extra battery] two years ago when I bought a Canon s200 elph. It has more than paid for itself in this time. It charges the batteries in about two hours and it's easy to carry along on trips. What can I say? It's served me well.
I like this product and it works on my camera.  I would recommend it to everyone who is looking for a battery charger.  I had this thing for over 5 years now and it still works wonderfully.
I use this to charge batteries for my Canon S110. I feel this is one of the shortcuts Canon took on an otherwise awsome line of cameras. Yes, it works and I've never had any major problems with it, but its made of clunky plastic, is just about as big as the camera and just feels tacky. On the upside, the electrical plug folds into itself to provide ease of portability which is a very nice feature. Have not figured out why, but sometimes when its charging batteries it makes a humming noise. But its reliable. Mine is going on 2 years and still works fine.
This item is exactly what I needed and works perfectly!  I charges very fast and it is easy to see the status of your charging battery.
This charger is lightweight (no transformer), compact (with foldaway prongs), and simple to use. Just insert the battery (you can't insert it incorrectly), flip out the prongs, and plug it in. When the LED glows green, unplug the charger and pull out the battery. The charger accepts 120 and 240 volts, so for travel all you need is a physical adapter. The unit's only minor drawback: When using 240 volts, it emits a quiet, high-pitched whine--loud enough to keep me from sleeping. However, the charger works quickly, so I simply unplug it at night and resume charging in the morning. By the time I'm ready to go, so is my battery.
This unit is quick and extraordinarily simple to use: put in the battery, plug it in.  That's it.  The indicator glows red for &quot;charging&quot; and green for &quot;charged.&quot;  There is nothing else to it.  The prongs fold away so you can carry it in your camera case without worrying about them scratching anything.  The only improvement I could suggest is that it have space to charge two batteries simultaneously.
There isn't much you can say about a battery charger... I bought this for use with my Canon Powershot S500. it works well, charges the batteries in a reasonable amount of time and it quite sturdy for travel.Once nice feature is that the prongs that plug into the wall outlet fold into the unit when not in use so that it takes up less space and won't jab into things in your bag.
Works fine.  Direct replacement.  No complaints.
The Canon-2LS Battery charger was the perfect replacement for my S400 camera.  I'm completely satisfied with it.
i dont know what the problem is with this prduct for everyone that gave it bad reviews, but it works just fine.
I was mislead by the title here. This item is a REPLACEMENT for the Canon CB-2LS. It is NOT a Canon product. It does indeed charge the NB-1L battery. It does work on an AC or DC power source. The real Canon CB-2LS is a neat, compact unit about the size of a deck of cards and the AC power prongs fold down out of the way when not in use. It will store quite easily in a camera bag. This item here is about 50% larger and comes with an AC transformer and power cord and another power cord with a cigarette lighter adapter. Just what I needed, another product with a transformer and power cords to keep up with. This is listed as the Canon CB-2LS, but it is not. I will be sending it back because it is NOT what I wanted nor was it what I was lead to believe I was ordering.Addendum: Today, I see that my review is accomapnied by a picture of the real CB-2LS by Canon. The price here is about $35 which is probably the real thing. I paid about $20 for an "equivalent" [though "equivalent" was not in the product description]. My advice is that you should be sure that you are getting the real Canon CB-2LS. If the price is too good, you probably are not.
I lost the original battery charger for my camera so I ordered a new one. This one works great! I was so happy to be able to find one at a great price! Without the battery charger my camera was useless.
Same as the one that came with my camera, which I lost in LA. So it works JUST the same. Always quick charges for me. Perfect. Just don't lose it.Cheers.
This charger came with my Canon Powershot S200 camera, and I've been using it very frequently (taken close to 10.000 pictures with 3 different batteries in the last 12 months). I've been using it with 2 Canon brand batteries, and one generic battery, all of them without a single problem.I've taken it abroad and used it with 240V without any problems. All you need here is a pin converter (cheap at any travel store) and not a voltage converter.It's plastic and hence very lightweight, which kind of gives a cheap feel to it, but it's been amazingly durable. The prongs fold into the charger and out of your way, so it's very portable. It's a bit big - about the same size as my camera.It does sometimes make a very high pitched continuous sound when charging, something that can often be remedied by giving a bit of a nudge, or by just adjusting it in its socket.It charges my batteries in about 2 hours. A red light goes on when inserting a battery for charging, and it turns green when the battery is done charging.Pros:* Built in voltage converter - runs on both 120V/240V (with a pin converter).* Lightweight (plastic)* Prongs fold into charger* Has turned out to be amazingly durable.Cons:* A bit big* Sometimes you'll experience an annoying high pitched sound when charging.* Does not feel very durableAll in all, I would highly recommend this charger. It's come in very handy at home, and when traveling abroad.
I only bought this because I lost the charger that came with my camera.  It has a "fold out" AC power plug that makes it easy to pack for trips and does it's job well.  It's simple and charges fairly quickly, just like it's supposed to.Nice to have a device that does it's job well and that's it.
Does what it says:  Charges batteries.  Never a problem.  Fast charge, LED indicator (red for "not charged", green for "charging complete".  Slim design lets you plug it in a variety of outlets.  It's a Canon.  Of course it works!
I wouldn't know how good the actual Canon charger is, because they sent me a generic battery charger. It works, but it's not what I paid for.  BE VERY CAREFUL HOW YOU ORDER THIS!!!I will recommend that if you get ANY charger and travel with it, put a string on it so you're not stupid enough to leave it in a hotel room's outlet when you leave!
Newer model than I had before.  No wires so now I can carry it with my camera at all times.  Very simple to use.
You can't beat this recharger. It's small and very light. The prongs fold back into the unit allowing you to put it in our pocket or bag without worrying about bending them.The single LED light shows red when charging a battery and turns green when the batter is fully charged. This little touch save is just one way this recharger is geat.  I've had mine for over a year and it still works as if it were new - not the case with many cheap single LED devices.  After a while the LEDs begin to fail and often you're left with a single color.  Not with this recharger!My recomendation is to always have two batteries when you travel - Even with a recharger, you don't want to be caught with your only battery drained.I took this charger to Europe and with a small pin adapter I was able to charge my bateries without having to buy and additonal converter!  I recommend you use one battery durring the day and if you get a chance to return to your room before the evening begins, swap out and have your daytime battery charging during the evening, and when you return to your room for the night, charge up your spare battery overnight.  In the morning you'll have two fully charged batteries for your day on vacation!
I've had this camera since it first became available (about 2002) and it has served me well. I would suggest this camera for anyone who isn't exactly "technologically" savvy, it's extremely simple to use. It's a littel thicker than the average digi cam out these days, it lacks the sleek, trendy look. It gobbles up 4 AA batteries at a time. All in all, those are the only drawbacks -- this is a pretty OK camera.
This is the perfect Digital Camera for someone who wants the ease of point &amp; shoot but needs the editing/preview capabilities of a digital unit.Great starter digital camera.
Bought this camera for 97.00 with a free starter kit! what a deal pic's are great to send on the internet or to just make prints and so easy to use. Thanks Amazon!
I got mine at Wal-mart for $220.00,in 2002. I still have it today. I use mostly to take pictures of family members. The only thing I didn't like was it didn't record auido.. That is my only complaint. It surived my test runs for over 6 years. This will last a long time!!!
In general this camera is very good. It's a bit big and kind of ugly, but the picture quality is good and it is easy to use. I do not use anything but the highest resolution because that is the only way to get real looking pictures. I strongly recommend getting a memory card because otherwise the camera will only take 8 pictures.  The program that comes with the camera is basic but good.  I particularly like that that the program allows you to make slide-show DVD's of the pictures that are on your computer. I struggled putting the wrist strap on; the best way to go about that is to use a paper clip.  The only other disadvantage of this camera is that it takes four AA batteries and uses them up quickly. I recommend either using lithium batteries because they are lightweight and last longer or rechargeable batteries.
I looked up this camera here and all I can say is the guy who put up one star because he couldn't get the wrist strap on has skewed the stars unfairly.  I don't know about you but I buy a camera for what it can do, not for the wrist strap! (I got mine on with some patience)The camera out of the box worked great, took great pics and I can hook it right up to my HP printer and printe directly from camera to printer - no computer needed!I got mine elsewhere (won't say where -...).
the camera works OK.  The wrist strap is impossible to put on.  I need it since many users need this on the go and it would save the camera from dropping.The wrist strap was so frustrating, that we wanted to throw it out the window.There is also no case.Can't really recommend it since it gave us so much initial frustrations.
This HP 320 2.1 MP camera is rock solid and takes great pictures.  2 MP is totally adequate for typical picture taking.  Very few people blow up there photos beyond 8.5" X 11".  An optical zoom (digital zoom decreases resolution) would be nice, but more than doubles/triples the price.  Instead, the operator just needs to move forward or backwards to get the proper framing.I purchased this camera on sale with the free accessory kit (case, NiMH batteries and charger) for fewer than 100 clams here on Amazon.  I also picked up a new HP 8881 docking station on ebay for 30 clams and a 128MB-memory card for 35 clams (after rebate) at Dell.  So, you can get into great digital for not a lot of money.This camera is an outstanding value and a rock solid performer.  I highly recommend it for people who want to take great pictures without the added cost of advanced features.  All you need is the camera initially to get started.  From there you can decide if you want to add more accessories.PS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE ACCESSORY KIT OFFER, YOU WILL NOT FIND ANYTHING CLOSE TO THIS VALUE AT THE TIME OF THIS POSTING!  THIS IS A HIGH QUALITY HP PRODUCT!UPDATE- I did have to upgrade my camera's firmware to support the 128MB SD-RAM cards.  HP sent me a free 16MB SD-RAM card for the upgrade process (you need a SD-RAM card to facilitate the procedure).  The process worked well and I'm now enjoying my fully functional 128MB card!
My goal was to get a digital camera for under $. I tried the equivalent model Vivitar, and Kodak, and finally settled on this HP. For all the features I wanted, and all the hassle I didn't,this camera is the best of all worlds.To start with, I wanted SD/MMC as my memory medium. I own a Palm m125, and it also takes SD, so the memory could be interchangeable. I wasn't too concerned with the megapixels, since most of what I use the shots for is web applications, but 2MP made the pictures look nice, even when printed to 4" X 6".The movie feature is great, and with minimal effort you can burn your movies to a CD-RW and watch them on your dvd player, if your dvd player will show VCD. It's great for us, because my husband does medieval re-enactment, and the movies are neat to show people what he does in motion, instead of just poses.This camera also has direct print and email capabilities. I've not used them as of yet, but the gist is that when you take a pic that you can queue it to send email to so-and-so, or print copies of this particular print when you plug it in.The zoom works well, although I wish it was an optical zoom. I feel like I traded the coolness of the movie mode for any optical zoom, and I'm fine with that.The usability of the camera is awesome. The buttons on the camera are kept to a minimum, and most actions use menus. This makes it easy to learn how to use all the features, I tought my technology-deficient husband how to use it in minutes.It integrates seamlessly with my Windows XP Home. I plugged in the camera and the PC recognized it immediately (even to the model number) and led me through the options of how to upload.Altogether, for someone on a budget, this camera is a great buy.
I just started playing with my new camera.  I notice the batteries don't last very long, especially when doing many functions.  I started to price the AC Adapter (HP $49.99) and found that most on eBay are generic multi voltage units (around $30). Then while looking at the HP Photosmart 8881 Camera Dock (HP $79.99) I noticed that it too included a AC Adapter.  I called HP and found out that it is the identical adapter that will hook directly to the camera.  So I was able to get the HP Adapter AND the Docking Station for just a little more than the generic adapter alone.
On the surface, you'd think this would be a great camera.  2.1  MP, takes SD cards and has a great price when compared to other 2.x MP cameras.  The problem is it takes fairly poor quality pictures and handles low light senarios poorly.  Ontop of that (a minor irritant) it is impossible to attach the strap.  I tried for about and hour and then gave up.Previously I had borrowed a Sony. DSC-P51 from a  friend to test and was quite happy with it.  Stay away from this one.  It's  dud.
I bought this camera for E-Bay listings, and I am greatly disappointed.  If you have to take a picture of anything closer than three feet away, forget about it.  For close-ups, the manual (and HP) recommends using the zoom feature and cropping with the included photo program.  Trouble is, the zoom looses so much detail, the close-up is a waste.  I have an old I/O 420 that blows this camera away, and it's ancient technology now.  Regular outdoor pictures are ok, but why bother if that's the only thing you can use it for?  I'm also in the process of finding out why Amazon.com only refunded 1/2 of the purchase price when I returned the thing after two weeks for a refund.  My recommendation is to spend an extra $30 to by the Olympus D-390 at chiefvalue.com  It's a vastly superior camera in every respect, for just a little more money.
This digital camera is a huge bang for your buck.  As a quick sidenote--if you are very into photography, this camera is NOT for you.I'm the average picture-taker: I use my camera for vacation pictures and pictures of my friends on crazy-drunk nights in college.  This camera is great for average picture-taking.  The quality is great, the menu and design is very easy to use, and unloading pictures to the computer is virtually dummy-proof.  The only downfall I can find is the battery life, especially when using the viewfinder.  It seems like the batteries run our VERY quickly, which is unfortunate in a vacation-like setting.  However, there might be some accessories to help with this problem.  Overall, I would highly recommend this camera; I've had mine for 2 years and haven't had a single problem.
LCD is dark and not too clear but pics do turn out excellent displayed on PC or once printed (this depends obviously on your printer as well). No optical zoom but digital is zoom is very good. No sound for movies but it is very nice and length depends on your storage media size. Comes with 4 Energizer E2 batteries which have amazing battery life. I'm still using them after > 80 shots and 4 weeks. If you get low battery indicator turn the camera off, wait awhile (couple seconds to 1 minute) and turn on again and you're good to go. This is apparently a little trick with Photo Lithium batteries, they need a rest. Major problem is that the battery compartment is too easily opened. Several times I've accidentally opened it. It's also not meant to take night shots where the subject is > 6 feet.It's about the size of a medium sized palm but does fit nicely in my hand. Simple and easy uploading to PC. Camera use is so simple you won't even need the manual. It's an entry level so there's no advanced controls. Simple point and shoot camera for the entry level masses. Considering the low price and the intended market it's a good buy.
Great binoculars for the price. They feel great and with the extending eye cups you can easily use them while wearing vision correction. I've seen many new birds with these. They're quick and easy to focus, with great vivid realistic color, and they have a great range. Not to mention they fit nicely in my small-ish hands. I would DEFINITELY recommend these to a friend.
After hinting for some time to my fiance, I was thrilled to receive these as a Christmas gift.  I've used them over the past few weeks and have been thrilled with the quality of the optics.  Scrutinizing some Bohemian Waxwings from 30 feet away revealed great detail and color richness.  The adjustable locking eye cups are a great feature.  The hard rubber exterior is strong and offers a good grip.  The only negative review I have to offer is similar to others; the lens caps are cheap and are beneath the level of these fine binoculars.  For the money I challenge anyone to find a better pair.
Before buying these Nikon binoculars as a Christmas gift for my girlfriend, I asked the advice of my birding friends.  Among them are people who travel to foreign countries to bird watch for hobby and for science, who work for U.S. Fish and Game, and for a local environmental NPO.  All recommended these binoculars.There was a single mild dissent, however.  One expert suggested that Nikon's Monarch 10 X 42 was a better choice than these, the  8 X 42's.  Nevertheless, as my girlfriend is a novice to field binoculars, I worried the extra magnification would result in an unsteady image for her.  (On a walk, siting a white-throated swift, my intuition was confirmed.)  But consider them both.
I bought these to use on our African safari after reading many positive reviews.  I noticed that our Safari Guide also used the Monarch ATBs - and no wonder - these binoculars are fantastic!  You really noticed the difference in low-light conditions (dawn and dusk) and with these we were really able to spot all of the wildlife- from elephants to birds. We even put my camera up against the lenses and were able to use the binocs as a kind of passable "zoom" lens for photographs.  Buy them - they are worth every cent!
I started looking at the Monarch when I was originally shopping for a quality binocular to assist me when doing bird photography. I bought a Leica Ultravid 10x42 at that time. I later bought the 8x42 Monarch to use whale canoeing and for knocking around, and they are very impressive for the price.The image quality is excellent edge to edge (not exceptional like the far more expensive models, but truely excellent). They are very light weight and well made. They are easy to adjust (I need slight diopter adjustment for my eyes and can quickly reset them when sharing them with other people). The eye cups are easy to adjust and also easy to remove and clean (like when they get full of peanut skins and shells at a baseball game).I normally keep these in my car and they come in very handy.If you are looking at less expensive models, seriously consider spending a little more for the Monarchs. Ifyou are looking at more expensive models, these are worth considering also. They pack a lot of optical quality and most of the build quality of the top models into these for a very attractive price.
A great value for waterproof glass. The one attribute for an 8x that comes from the elegance in design here; balance. At this magnification, it's important to have stabilization, and with this 8x42, comes naturally. The optical quality is Nikon, alright.
I bought these after seeing them very highly rated on a consumer rating site. I've just used them a couple of times, and find they are everything promised- easy to focus, focus very close up, quite light and comfortable.  I find it a little difficult to get the interpupillary distance just right (that is, the distance between the eyepieces so there isn't a shadow around the field of vision) and it tends to alter while being carried so has to be fixed repeatedly.  But that's getting easier with practise.  The only complaints I have are with the 'extras'- like the snap-on eyepiece protector which is designed to be fixed on the strap.  It doesn't stay on the eyepieces so doesn't actually provide any protection while walking with them- and the thin plastic slot that holds it on the strap tore the first day out.  The product logo (a tiny bit of plastic glued on the binocs themselves) came off the first day- not that it serves a purpose, but for the price these cost you don't expect things to fall off!  And the strap is difficult to put on and to adjust.Overall, I think I would buy these again and recommend them- but I wonder why the manufacturers would have poor-quality stuff on such a high-quality piece of equipment?
I bought these Nikon binoculars based largely on the comments left by others on Amazon.  I got my purchase today and am positively thrilled. Thanks, reviewers.Focusing is easy, the weight is good, the strap is substantial, and the lens caps are ATTACHED!  I won't lose them!  I live in Costa Rica now and my long time hobby of birdwatching and nature study demands good optics.My 8x25 Swarovskis were a gift (sort of hand-me-downs), but didn't have the warranty information, case, lens covers, etc. Furthermore, living in the tropics means there's lots of rain and my Swarovskis just weren't cutting it for me because they weren't letting in enough light. Also, without lens caps, I couldn't protect them easily from off-and-on rain showers while out in the field.  Finally, they got just too banged up, and without warranty info, I couldn't see shipping them off to Austria.We just got back to the house with my Nikon binoculars late this afternoon.  I can hardly wait to start using them in the morning and find out just how much they may help me see new birds.P.S.  My identification (Conniedallas) is not applicable any more.  :->
I broke them in in the rainforest of puerto rico and ID'd 12 new species i'd never seen before. they aren't too heavy and are a great value!
The binocuar box was simply placed in a larger box by Amazon with no packaging material or protection. The binoculars appear damaged from the USPS throwing the box around during shipment based on the condition of the shipping box. I'm unable to view thru both lenses of the binocular without getting a black encrochment. I attempted to provide feedback to Amazon thru their webpages but was unable to do so.
I am a wildlife biologist (mostly birds) who uses binocs for work all the time.  I ordered the Nikon monarch 8x42s after losing my previous pair (same model) in the field.  They are the best binoculars for the money in my opinion, plus they are lightweight and pretty rugged as binocs go.  They have changed the design since my first pair, now instead of having guaranteed-to-lose cheap covers for the lenses, the have attached the lenscaps to the binocs with a little plastic strap (not in the photo on amazon).  At first I was happy with this improvement, unfortunately after 1 month one lenscap has broken off and the other strap is tearing and will probably go soon.  Why they don't give you decent lenscaps is beyond me.  If you use these a lot you will probably lose the caps, be warned.  Still a great product for the money though, my favorite field work binoculars.  Get a lenspen or some wipes to keep them clean since they don't have caps!
These binoculars deliver very good performance for the price. Their size and weight are easy to hold and carry.  The eye cups provide progressive, effective relief.  Objective and eyepiece covers are funky, but work well when installed.  The image is bright and well-aligned.  Focus is very good, but suffers from a bit of spherical aberration across the field of vision.  All together, the binoculars work well and are a pleasure to use.
Excellent optical quality, sharp edge-to-edge.  Bright, no chromatic aberration is noticable.  Easy to carry, handle.  Excellent value!  It delivers 85% of the quality of a very high end item for 1/4 the price.  Recommend highly to birders and other nature-lovers.
We a taking a two week trip to Alaska shortly and wanted a good weather proof binocular. The reviews were very positive for this item. So far our observation is that the clarity and low light capabilty are much better than my Nikon Travelite V ($100). The case is nothing to get excited about but it works. The cap system seems pretty good, so I don't think we will be using the case very much anyway. We will be able to evaluate better when we get back from our trip
I found these to be relatively compact, and easy to use.  I like to photograph nature from horseback, but, my eyes aren't what they used to be.  I ride in fairly rugged terrain, open forests, and brushy areas.  These binoculars allow plenty of light and allow me to see critters in the brushy areas close by as well as across the next canyon.  I have owned several pairs of competitors binoculars in different sizes and these are by far the best and easiest to use.
The image is bright and sharp.  Only a thin edge of blur around the outer lense, but its barely noticable or in the field of view.  They're extremely easy and quick to use.  The focus wheel is smooth, fast, and precise.  I prefer their lite weight, but I have to plant an elbow or lean against some thing to prevent shake. The bins are smaller than I imagined.  They're easy to hold and feel secure in my hands.  They are cheapest in online auctions. 2/3 the cost of most web sites.  I'm extremely happy with these.
I brought these about four months ago and love them. The main reason I brought them was for bird watching. I spent a bit of time researching, as I wanted a good pair of binoculars. They have a really nice fell and weigh 689grams with the strap on. I've dropped them once and there was no problem. Not long after I got them I took them with me on a Safari to Mali, Africa. The first evening I used them I was standing on a hill looking into a valley while the sun was going down. When I looked through the binoculars I could see all the villages around that were made out of mud and people where walking around their little village. Without the binoculars I could not see the small villages nor the people. The optic quality of these Binoculars is really good. They really bring the colour of the birds out. I showed my father in-law, the binoculars, who has been bird watching for 30 years and he said they were really good. For the price you pay the quality is great. Sure you could go and spend $2,000 on a pair but if you lost, broke or they got stolen then you would have a few teary nights. With these I wouldn't loose too much sleep if something happened to them. Besides the way how technology works the $2,000 optics will be &lt; $500 within 10 years or so. I looked through a few pair of expensive ones and can't say that they deserve $2,000; yes they were better but not 5 times better. Unfortunately I couldn't buy these on Amazon as they don't send them overseas. If you live outside of the US and want to buy them go to Binoculars.com as they send them overseas at a reasonable price.
Bought a pair of Pentax DCF SP 8x43 binoculars over a year ago.  I like them but I bought this Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 X 42mm ATB a couple of weeks ago because they are less expensive.  I consider these two binoculars about equal.  The Nikon's feel slightly lighter.  That's a good thing.  The image quality of both binoculars is equal in my opinion.  I see what people are saying about the front lens covers.  The attachment is of a material that is more plastic than rubber, must be bent at a sharp right angle, and will probably break over time.  That could have been better designed.  So far, I am very happy with the Nikon's and would buy them again.
I bought these binoculars based upon reviews I had seen by people who use binoculars in a serious way. The optics seem to be extremely good - clear, bright views that far exceed my old binoculars. However, I was dismayed to see that, stamped on the frame, was "Made In China". I mean, when you spend this kind of money to buy a Nikon product, you would expect it to be made in Japan. Hopefully their quality control is such that it won't make any difference but it may take years to know. The good news is, I understand that these binoculars have a fantastic warranty where Nikon will repair or replace them for almost any reason for 25 years.
I purchased these based on the recommendation of a fellow birder.  They were selected due to the longer focal length which allows me to use them without removing my glasses.  They are wonderful.  The field of view is very bright and clear.  I can again focus both eyes through the instrument.  An added bonus was the great price.
I'm a novice birder who was growing frustrated with my compact Bushnells.  They were cloudy and not bright enough to get a good look at birds in the woods.  These Nikons are wonderful!  Bright, nice-sized field of view, lightweight, comfortable in my hands, quick focusing.  Now I can actually find the bird quickly in my binoculars and get a bright, clear view of it.  I searched for a long time to find the right combination of price and performance.  These aren't too pricey and, for me, work as well as the $1200+ Swarovskis I borrowed from a friend once.
I did alot of research before deciding on this pair. As an experienced photographer, optical quality was my top priority.I originally purchased them for hiking and long range mountain scanning in southern Oregon, and while initially perplexed between the 10X or 8X version; I found the extra sharpness of the 8X resolution negated the need for a 10X magnification, because they rendered so much detail.With the 8X, I spotted a fire lookout station that I'd never seen before, on a mountain 15 miles out of town. Quite remarkable. Added to that, was the research at Cornell University's Ornithology Center on the web. Birdwatchers extraordinaire; who called them a steal. I concur. I never thought I'd be so happy paying this price for binoculars, but it was a no brainer. Tack sharp, lightweight and well worth owning.
I get the reviewers' comments about the great glasses but the lack of heft gave caution; mine, no internal fogging; but, I've not been in inclement weather or even in cold.  I hate the lens covers for both the lenses.  Also, since Nikon came out with a new model on Amazon's site, went for the non-new one for 50 USD less.  Have the 1000 USD heavy superior Swarovski glasses; these Nikons are so far superior in comfort and nearly as clear and comparable to the swarovskis, I've not had them A-B compared to Leicas; I've used the Leica glasses that one reviewer mentioned; and, no it doesn't have the "heft" of the Leica glasses; however, the Leicas are 5X the cost, too.The person whose review said that they took these on a Safari and found that their lightness and cost gave them comfort in carrying them without fear of breaking a $Grand pair of glasses was compelling; Now that I have mine, too, I agree.  As I have a thousand dollar pair that are heavier and a slight bit brighter in low light; I only wish that these had been out over 15 years ago when I forked out that much for them, there's no contest between for the dollar and convenience which is better and which I'd pick today if the Nikons had existed then: the Nikons hands down.
I bought these binoculars for an Alaska cruise.  To my delight, we brought with us our older binoculars (another well known brand)and we were able to compare the two.  With our well known American brand, we could see the shore when steaming along and see trees, etc.  But with Nikon Monarch, we could not only see the trees, but the limbs, the birds in the trees, and the bears coming down to the water.  In Glacier Bay, we could see inside the crags of the glaciers and spot glaciers high up mountains with detail.  My wife and I have decided it's time to sell our older (only a few years) binoculars at our next garage sale.  I don't have equal eye sight in each eye.  With the Nikon Monarch I can see clearer than wearing glasses and much farther.  I highly recommend these binoculars!
We have 2 houses on lakes in central Florida, and have had just about every kind of wildlife found in the Southeast, from alligators to foxes to bald eagles, wander into our yards.  I have several sets of cheaper binoculars, but wanted something a little better for general wildlife watching. Based on the great reviews I found on the Internet I bought the Nikon 7430 Monarch.  These binoculars are fantastic, far better than most others I've used over the years.  Images are bright and crystal-clear.  Although some people in other reviews complained about the lens caps that came with these binoculars, I like them. I can find absolutely nothing negative to say about the Nikon 7430 Monarch, and would strongly recommend them to anyone looking for a pair of high-quality, medium-priced binoculars.
I'll be honest and tell you up front: I have no experience with comparable binoculars.  The only 'nocs I have ever had were cheap pocket-sized ones.  I bought the Monarch binoculars on the hearty recommendation of various Internet reviews and have been overwhelmingly pleased.  They collect so much light that sometimes I catch myself thinking they must be powered binoculars.  Images are crisp, easily-focused, and quite bright - even in low-light conditions (such as at night with just street lamps lighting the evening).  I do wish I had had a chance to try a pair of 10x 'nocs before purchasing, but there is a good chance that those would have had too much wobble, so I am highly pleased with my purchase.  You will be too.
Checked out this pair at a local sporting goods store so I knew what I was buying. The price was right and the product that I received was excellent. Quick delivery.
I purchased this from Amazon and got a great price and read many reviews on the web. I received them 3 days after I ordered. It was in time for my deer hunting trip over a bean field in driving rain. They performed very well considering it was a hard rain for 3 hours. As stated in other reviews the rain guard caps do suck but it certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. My eyes aren't as good as they use to be being just south of forty but I could easily see spike horns at 200 yards in the last hour of daylight so to me thats worth the price alone and ofcourse it can't fog up. It doesn't matter what magnification or how bright it is if they are fogged up.
I spent a lot of time looking at reviews before I purchased these and I am very happy with them.  I also went into a store and compared them to binoculars that cost hundreds more.  The very high end ones were slightly better, but not enough to justify spending an extra $600.  The lens covers can kind of be a pain but it's really not that big of a deal.  These are a great value and also have a great warranty.  Only real complaint is that I have not received my $50 rebate from Nikon yet.
Excellent binoculars esp. for wild life, used extensively in central america for nature hikes and images are pretty comparable to the top of the line models like Leica and Swarovsky.
I needed a new pair of binoculars.  Until now, I've used a more portable pair.  I'd always thought the optics were fine.  But, the first time I took these out, the difference was obvious.  The clarity, sharpness and depth of field are all excellent.  The image through the lenses seems brighter than the actual conditions.  I have never seen birds so clearly.  The fact that these binoculars are waterproof means there are no worries in less than optimal conditions.
They are fairly light, comfortable to wear around your neck, and their optics are excellent.  In short, I doubt if you could beat their quality for anything like the money.
I bought these binos after extensive internet research.  While not an optics expert, I really like these.  Images are very, very sharp and plenty bright.  Lightweight and fairly compact.  Only downside is the rear caps are completely useless.  Bought them for my wife for birdwatching.  Highly recommended if your budget allows.
I can't use technical binocular terms here but I do know what I like. I had a pair of Nikon lightweights that my wife had bought me about 20 or so years ago and the optics were super so I must admit prejudice for Nikon. I wanted something more powerful for all round use and the reviews by "birders" were what I keyed on when I became interested in the Nikon Monarch 7340's. I did note that in the older reviews many were unhappy with the lens covers but everyone was impressed with the optic quality and build quality of the Monarchs. I ordered a pair and after a half day at the local beaches and scanning the hills surrounding, I must admit that I am impressed. I can even read the phone number on the trash can at a neighbors driveway at least 300 yds away. I spent some time with an old pair of Sears 7x50 glasses that I bought in the 70's.. made in Japan and they are good but so heavy they are not fun or practical to use. I just wanted a benchmark and the Monarchs blow them away in all categories.The covers that came with my glasses seem good..very good to me. I have not snagged them on anything to test how rugged they are but a close exam and a little use today..hey I like them. The objective covers are the "inside the lens housing" type and they are attached to the binoculars with a little snap and flapper which keeps the covers always on the binoculars and all that is needed is a little tug at each cover to use your binocs. Returning them is literally a snap. They fit flush and this allows you to stand the binocs on the objective lens covers on a table or anything else flat. The rain guard is also trick. It is permanently attached to the neck strap on the left with the right side having a loop for attachment if you want but it is notched and easilly removed from the strap so as to get it out of your way. I just left it attached to the left side and unattached on the right for conveniance. When I am not using the glasses I cover them up for obvious reasons.The Monarchs are just weighty enough to suggest quality but not heavy enough to discourage me from taking them along. The case provided is just fine. The glasses fit snugly inside..no room to stuff the neck strap in there. The case has a Nikon nammie tag on it so I am ok with it. These are great.I don't go anywhere outside without them.
I wanted the lightest pair of 8x42 binocs and found these.  I've used these along with my Leica Duovids and cannot see a $1,800 difference.  An excellent bright image.  Great value.
I bought the first pair last year before going on vacation.  My wife and I were so pleased that this year I bought a second pair so that we each have one.  Nuff said.
I am an occasional birder and really needed to replace a very old pair with separate focusing for each eye.  I am happy with the center focus on these.  I do wish the strap fit into the case so would be neater when it sits on the shelf waiting to be pulled out to view a bird in the backyard.  I plan on buying a harness for when I next have a trip where I want to keep them around my neck.
These are just the thing for birding. The 42mm lens lets me see a bird even it its under a bush. The twist-out eyepieces are perfect for people with glasses.
Happy with the performance. Sturdy built, Nice carrying case. Great range, crisp and clear view. Used it to view Eagles in concert @ Busch Stadium and was able to clearly see the band on stage. Very happy with the product. Expensive but good value for money if one is looking for a very good binocular.
I received the binoculars within 5 days without paying for special shipping. A+ condition- Highly recommended seller.
Just back from Peru, with time spent in both jungle and mountains.  The Nikon Monarch ATB binoculars performed exceptionally well in all light conditions.  No fog up in humid conditions of jungle or cloud forests.  Attached lens caps were a real plus.  Compared them to the guide's $2,000 pair and feel I got a better bargain.
I bought these to replace a pair of Pentax 8x42 WP's which I had scratched.  For the money, I don't think you can do any better for optical clarity and resolution, in my amateur opinion. Not 'wow' better, but did seem a tad brighter than the Pentaxes.  They are amazingly light and the overall ergonomics were good so I enjoyed using them. That 'quality feel' was lacking when compared to the Pentaxes, for whatever that's worth, and I don't think it was the lack of 'heft'.  The twist out eye cups worked well when full out or in. The diopter ring was stiff and not so user friendly, it doesn't lock but won't likely budge anyway.So why only 3 stars?  For it's price class it deserves 5 stars, but my example began fogging internally on an Elk hunt in otherwise benign conditions.  A fluke?  Others on the net have noted significant variability within the model line suggesting quality control issues with these Chinese made binoculars.I returned them to my local Cabela's and was refunded without question so did not deal with Nikon directly (25y warranty, FYI).  If I can't find a better bin for similar money (considering Eagle Optics Ranger's, Vortex Vipers, Bushnell Elite e2, etc...), I may get another pair, after looking through several at the counter and doing my own 'testing' once I get them home.  Hope that helps.
I've been using these binoculars for at least 4 years. All birding. I've used these binoculars on scores of birding day trips in Western North Carolina and low country of South Carolina. Three birding trips to Costa Rica and one trip to Panama. My wife and I have a range of binoculars from the low end to Swarovski Swarovision, but it's the Nikon Monarch 8x42 I keep strapped to my chest.Pros: Very clear, bright, and sharp image - obviously high quality glass.  Light weight (I carry around a birding camera, 500mm lens, tripod, etc. that weigh a ton and everything else needs to be as light as possible). Good feel and quick on image. Very rugged, good construction. Very resistant to rain, probably waterproof (?). Good price.Cons: front rain guard cover is worthless. I'm finally looking for a replacement cover. But this is minor.If you're getting serious about birding, there may be other good binoculars, but you honestly can't lose with the Nikon Monarch.
After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail this year I decided I wanted to stay close to nature and began searching for a good set of binoculars that wouldn't break my bank account (as always, Amazon had the best price!).  I wanted a set mainly for birding and nature spotting.  The decision to purchase the Nikon Monarch 8x42mm All-Terrain model was a good one. No wonder they won best mid-priced bino as rated by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.These are lightweight, solid, water and fogproof, and provide good eye relief fro eyeglass wearers.  The first time I took them out on a local bird walk I was amazed at the image quality.  Now they're my favorite "go to" binoculars.  They'll be yours too.
Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 X 42mm All Terrain BinocularsOutstanding performance and quality. Once you get use to these binoculars, I do not believe you would ever let them go! I give the Nikon 7430 Monarch binoculars a 5 Star rating.
These are great for those who wear glasses - plenty of eye relief. Has great close range focus. Only complaint is the almost worthless lens cover.
A month into use and I can say that these are great binoculars for the  price point.  Brightness, clarity, and colors are noticeably good and provides for a satifying birding experience. I can see why the product has received so many positive reviews.
I just love these. These binoculars are really easy to use with eyeglasses. Also the focus easily and are light and easy to handle. I use them for my new hobby, birdwatching... oh, sorry birding!Yeah, what others have said about the lens covers is true.
After a lot, really... a lot, of research i finally decided on these binocs and very happy i did. They are much smaller than i imagined and the clarity is incredible.  A Coworker has a $1500 pair of binocs and i think these are right up there with regards to quality and much lighter which is important.  Spending ~$300 was more than i wanted but i think these will last me a lifetime and well worth it.
I have recently taken up birding with my father - who's been birding for 60 years. On a recent trip he had his $1700 Swarovskis and I had the Nikon Monarchs - so I was able to test them both out side by side. To my eye they are identical in brightness and image clarity. The Monarchs are comfortable, compact, not too heavy, it's easy to find the bird you want to look at, and they do what all good binoculars are supposed to do: give you the sense that what you are looking at is "right there" in front of you.The Swarovskis do have that cool groove under each lens barrel to rest your thumbs in, and they look like they'd take a beating a little better. But is that worth $1400?A few criticisms, although they do not affect my recommendation.1) the bottom lens caps - which are tethered to the lens barrels -  are clumsy and don't stay out of the way. I just took mine off and use them only when packing. The top lens cap only stays on when the binoculars are stowed in the carrying pouch - they fall off instantly if you're carrying the binocs around your neck. But I noticed my Dad wasn't using his Swarovski lens caps either - maybe no one has really figured them out yet.2) I wish Nikon would include a better neck strap, the one that comes with the binocs is a little flimsy and scratches your neck after a while. You can always get a decent aftermarket "harness" strap  for $20, but at this price it would be nice of Nikon gave you a good one.But all in all: a top-notch pair of binoculars, at a fair price, from a top name in optics.
Bought these for an African safari.  Bouncing around in the jeeps, they were nearly worthless.  Another woman on the tour had stabilization binoculars, which cost about the same as these.  They now sit in my closet.  Other reviewers say they are good for birding, which we saw many in Africa, but I think other binoculars would have been sufficient.
We have 2 of these and have bought pairs for family members. We're avid birders and my wife is a field primatologist who spends months at a time in the rain forest and even when cost isn't an issue, this is her pair of choice. You can spend a lot more and not get any better a pair. The 8x42 is the right balance for her conditions (field of view, brightness, weight) but you can't go wrong with any of the Monarchs.
Very happy with these Nikon's plus I got $50 of product for purchasing during promotional period.  Seller is authorized reseller so you get the bonus. This would be a perfect gift. Best product, best price, can't beat it.
The optics are exactly what you would expect from Nikon.  The image is exceptionally sharp.  They are also very lightweight and easy to focus. A great value for the money!  I would highly recommend them.
I purchased these new at perhaps 40% off the retail price, so I really shouldn't complain.  But, the eyecup covers juct fall off.  I've tried other Nikon binoculars and the eyecups fit snug; how could Nikon screw up this badly?Otherwise, these are outstanding:  The image quality is remarkable, they look and feel solid, yet are quite light.  The 25 year warrenty seems fabulous.I needed these to read print far above a floor; (sometines 30') it takes very "clean", "low-glare" optics to do it.  Very pleased with the purchase, hope Nikon will do something about the eyecup covers.
Am just an amateur birder but wanted to upgrade my binoculars. After reading many reviews decided on these. The first glimpse through the lens confirmed the very positive remarks about quality and clarity. I compare them to High Definiton TV while my other glasses were like a TV with an antenna. I have taken these glasses into the field and have been very happy with the results.
Save thousands and go for Japanese products instead of Austrian/German products, the quality difference is very small.
These are great.  I bought them as a birthday gift for my husband and he loves them.  We own several other pair and these are by far the nicest.  Our Bushnell's are not as nice.  If your looking for a nice pair at a good price I would recommend these.
Just what I expected from Nikon.  As a retired professional photographer, I used Nikon equipment for years.  I found their products to be very well made and reliable. These glasses for their size are very light, which makes them great for hiking.  As a long term investment, in a good binocular, the money is well spent.
What a difference from my cheap older binoculars! Very crisp and clear. I would recommend for general viewing and birding.
Pros:1. Crystal clear magnification2. Great compact design.3. I love the weather proof design (I don't feel like I have to baby them).4. Great price.Cons:1. The lens covers leave a little to be desired. The cover on the business end always wants to come off. The covers on the other end are hanging on by a little piece of plastic, you know that wont last the years.
Needed a pair for a trip to a tropical locale.  Pretty much perfect...only fault...lens cover is a little too loose to be useful.
I really like these binoculars.  They are light, bright, work well with eyeglasses and I give five stars because they are excellent value.  I bought these binoculars for a nature trip in the Amazon and I use them in the back yard, on hikes and occasionally at the symphony or opera.  My sister, an ornithologist, told me to get the most expensive binoculars I could afford.  To her binoculars are a professional tool but I really didn't want to afford a thousand bucks like she was suggesting.  She also told me to try out binoculars in dim conditions and to get 8x42 rather than 10x42 because it is easier to find what you are looking for and easier to hold so that the view is not shaking.In the store I compared these with the same power Leica.  The Leica was nice but a lot heavier.  I could tell the Leica was better, but not three times the price better.  It was dusk, overcast and drizzling (ideal conditions for trying out binoculars).  For example, I was looking at the brick work under the awning on a building about a block away from the store.  I could see more detail in the brickwork and felt more `there' with the Leica.  In brighter conditions the difference is less noticeable and I like the lighter weight of the Monarchs.On the Amazon trip I has the opportunity to compare binoculars with other people.  Most people had brought cheaper binoculars and I think as a result their wildlife watching experience was compromised.  The only people who had brought comparable binoculars were avid bird watchers.  They had Opticrons which are in the same price ballpark as the Leica.  Again, they are excellent binoculars but not three times better.I like the hard rubber-armor construction.  It does not become slippery when wet.  They feel solid but light.  I am not so nervous about dropping the binoculars as I would be with the Leica or Opticrons.  The firm turn-and slide eyecups (like the Lieca) are a huge improvement over the fussy soft foldable rubber eyecups found on many other binoculars.Looking for binoculars is a lot like looking for Hifi speakers.  As the price goes up, the quality improves.  At a certain price point you can no longer tell the next price level is clearly better; it is mostly just different.  That is a good place to buy, and is something of a personal judgement.  Minolta has some binoculars that are priced between the Monarchs and the high end and I think the Monarchs are every bit as good.
The binoculars is easy to focust and very clear, Very light not heavy for hiking and bird watching, love it very much.
I purchased this pair of Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 a few days before leaving for my trip to Alaska. Although I already owned the very small Bushnell 8 x 21, I realized that my husband and I might want to use them at the same time. After reading and researching, I made the decision to purchase the Nikon. They are bigger and heavier than the Bushnell, but show a clear, bright image, just like the reviews mentioned. I did not have any rain in the two weeks I was there, so being waterproof was not challenged. Because I saw clearly wildlife of all sorts, birds, glaciers, and mountains (including Mt. McKinley), I would certainly buy them again and feel that they are a good compliment to the smaller pair I already owned.
These are great binoculars for the price.  You'll need to pay a thousand dollars more to buy a set with significantly better optics.
We have a pair of these and have given a couple away as gifts. I don't think that there is a better pair for the money. In fact, one of the people that we gave a pair to has just bought a second pair.
First- the negative point.  My first pair fogged up on the inside after a couple of weeks.  I took them back to the store where I got them, but could have sent them back to Nikon just as easily, thanks to the excellent warranty.  Point is- save the box and receipt.  It is worth noting that I haven't heard of anyone else who had theirs fog up, I suspect that I had the bad luck of getting the one bad pair.  Nikon has a no-fault 25 year warranty anyways.  Covers are pretty bad too, but they had to cut costs somewhere to make binoculars this good for this cheap and better to cut corners in the covers than in the optics.The good... pretty much everything else about them is perfect.  For the price, you probably won't find anything better.  I used some similarly priced Eagle Optics for a while (2 summers as a field biologist) and I like these a bit more.  I have used a few pairs of Leica and Swarovski that are way outside of my price range: they are pretty similar optically (but great eyepiece covers...)  $2,000 binoculars are better than these, but not all that much better, and certainly not $1,750 better.  If you are in the under $500 budget- these are probably the best you can get.  My mom has the 10x42 monarchs, they are just as good.  8x42 will inherently have better low light ability, better field of view, better depth of field, and less problem with shake; 10x42 will inherently have better magnification/detail.  If you aren't sure what you are looking for or are a beginner birder, get 8x as they are a bit more versatile and easier to use (wider field of view).  8x will excel in the forest, with fast birds, at dawn or dusk, and anytime you may have shaky hands (while hiking up hill, for instance).  The 10x are probably better for shore birds, hawks, and small birds that are still.  Which ever pair you get, you'll probably like them.Updated Feb. 2011These monarchs are wonderful, no doubt about it. I recently bought a pair of top-of-the-lineCarl Zeiss Victory - Binoculars 8 x 42 T* FLbinoculars (retail is about $2,000). Here are my thoughts on how these stack up: Overall, these monarchs stack up with the most well regarded pair of binoculars on the market (costing close to 10 times as much money) very well. The zeiss's are definitely better. A bit nicer in the hand, very subtly better optics in good light, noticeably better optics in poor light. There is bit more "pop" to what you are looking at, colors a bit richer, things look a bit more 3 dimensional, subtle markings on birds are a bit easier to see. Note the extensive use of modifiers like "a bit" and "subtle." These monarchs are about 90% of what you get for $2,000. In contrast, these monarchs are 2 to 3 times what you get for about $100. I would describe these monarchs as the cheapest binoculars you should get, and frankly, they are good enough to be your only pair ever, even for really serious birders. Do I regret spending money I can't really afford for the top of the line zeiss? Nope, it is a rare luxury for me and the zeiss victory's are better. Did I need to replace these with the fancy/expensive pair? Absolutely not, for me to really see the differences, I have to look through them one after the other. Should you get these or nicer ones? Hard to say. The step up between these and the so called alpha binoculars (zeiss, leica, swarovski) is much smaller than the step between the best of the sub-$100 binoculars and these. If you are going to buy binoculars, don't waste your money getting anything cheaper that these. If you can afford the money and if you look through binoculars a lot and if you want to have the very best, there are better binoculars on the market (but they are painfully expensive, and improvements are subtle). The overall experience with the very best binoculars is a bit nicer than with these, but you can see everything with these that you can see with the expensive ones (except for very subtle markings in low light). I hope this helps. Every household in a America should have at least one pair of monarchs, even with my new Zeisses, I'll keep these for travel and for loaning out. For the price of a few months of cable bill you can have a lifetime of wonderful wildlife watching.One more note: get the newer version of theseNikon 7294 Monarch ATB 8x42 Binocular, they cost a little bit more (about $50 more at time of writing) but have a better coating which supposedly improves lowlight performance, which is really the only area in which the monarchs are not stellar.
As a part-time birder as well as the fully confessed "uninformed" regarding optics, I researched the beGezus out of modestly priced binoculars before settling on these. And I'm glad I bought them! Housed in rubber armor but sharp and sleek, and not too heavy, the Monarch ATB 7430's bridge the gap between too cheap and too expensive as well as not enough and too much! With precision aligned optics for extended viewing and roof prismatics these binoculars provide sharpness and clarity found in +[...] binoculars! The 7430's Monarch binoculars are fog proof as well as waterproof (I live in the mountains and we get lots of both!) and great for folks who wear glasses as they have built in Extended Eye Relief and a center of focus. As an eyeglass wearer, I find these two options extremely useful when looking for the elusive Pileated Woodpecker, a large beautiful bird that can often be difficult to find in the forests. In my decision to purchase these I considered reviews from a lot of sources, and they are recommended by Cornell Bird Labs, Optics Planet and [...], as well as the fine folks here at Amazon!
These are great all-around binoculars, offering superb performance and sturdiness for the money. Only higher-end glasses like the Zeiss Victory, or the Leica Trinovid (which I also own) outperform the Monarch - for almost 10 times the money.
These binoculars are probably at the sweet spot price quality wise.  For the money you probably won't find a better pair of binocs.  And if you pay more the quality won't be that much better for the extra cash.  These things are NICE!What really impressed me was my son's reaction.  He's in his twenties, been in the Army, traveled the world, and is very perceptive and sensitive to quality.  That said, he's quick to criticize some of my suggestions/purchases.  So he was visiting, sitting out in the back yard one morning, and I handed him the Nikons.  He views a bird in a tree and says, "These are really nice!"My bottom line:  if you can afford them, buy 'em.
I agree with the other reviewer who said this was a cheap little plastic camera. It is, but the photos were great quality, crisp, clear images and vivid color; just as good as you'd get with a &quot;regular&quot; camera. Immediately, I started taking all kinds of artsy-fartsy pictures, wondering how they'd look once they were developed. My pictures came out almost looking like postcards. I got the best results taking close-up shots of things. I'd also reccomend taking pictures of neon signs. I did the Radio City marquee. Very cool.I only give this product 4 stars, because I dropped it on the ground, and it half opened up. None of the film was compromised, and the AA battery they sent with the camera was dead.
I received this camera as a gift.  After one roll of film the flash stopped working.  I tried replacing the battery, no go.  So far everything else still works. The camera takes AWESOME pictures though.  I was so excited that it had a flash because I have a super sampler that I always thought would be better with a flash.  I guess I will try taking it to the camera repair man next.  Since it was a gift I think it would be worth the $ to try to fix. I hope they don't laugh at me!
Never in my life do I recall taking an item out of the box and receiving such a swell of laughter.  Every time I bring this plasitc camera out, manually switch on the flash, manually advance the film and of course, forget to remove the lens cover (manually), my guests laugh enough that they don't have to say cheese.  As of yet, I have never taken a picture that shows my subjects in their entirity.  I havent even gotten used to what I have to do to get a picture that doesn't draw yet more laughter.  I know that you can not be close to your subject if you even want to see their whole face.I didn't expect this to be a digital quality, sharing the moments type of camera and it is a good thing.  My guests and I do share the same feeling that it is a fun camera just preparing the camera for use.  Quality -- NO * Fun -- OK * Amusing -- Yes
This camera is very cool, although I wish I had ordered the one that takes a series of photos instead.  This one takes all the photos at one time so there is no movement, it is just blah.  I got some really neat shots with it though so I can't really complain too much.  Everyone always loves how cool the gold looks, I kind of wish I could get a regular camera with this much BLING!!  I guess the only thing I don't like about the Lomography cameras is that they are not all that practical.  I think it would be good if you could alternate between 9 lenses and 1 lens.  Then you could have more options with the same roll of film.  All in all this is pretty great, just uncomfortably basic for me.
I think this camera was more or less invented for the use of art for those who don't have a computer for imaging. A little expensive for the quality, but none-the-less great pictures can be blown up and used as decortive accessories for your naked walls. I give this 5 stars based on a great idea for someone with no digital camera, computer, software for computer, or a decent printer.
This low-frills camera delivers arty photos at the press of a button. No need to focus.  Just turn on the flash and shoot away.  Keep in mind that what you see through the viewfinder is a smaller portion of the image you are capturing.I have not been disappointed with this fun camera.  Not for serious photos or photogs, it nevertheless provides fun and fun pictures.  Be sure to warn the developer that your plain 35mm film has been run through a 9 lens camera.  I haven't had the slightest trouble in devloping from the corner drug store, just so long as I let them know what they're getting.
Can't believe people actually pay for this kind of crap.
As a photo and scrapbook junkie, I'm always looking for something to make my collection "pop". This little gold treasure (dubbed my "bling" camera by my friends) is a complete hit! The colors are vibrant, the feel is vintage. I am completely in love with the prints. They have so much personality! I definitely plan on investing in more Lomo products.
I would give this camera 0 stars if that were a choice. I purchased this camera and didn't even make it through four shots before the shutter stopped working. When it arrived it looked cheaped and fragile and felt the same way. I wish I could recommend the Lomo Pop 9, because I really like the concept behind it, but after owning this own and having similar problems with the Oktomat, I would say save your money.
I found this by accident, and if you are tired of taking perfect digital pictures this is a lot of fun.  People will look at you funny when you take off the lens cap and they see all nine lenses.  Sometimes my wife cuts the pictures apart for scrapbooking.  It really works.
I picked up a Pop 9 to add to my LOMO collection.  Cheap or not, the lens quality is great.  Colors and sharpness are right on, and you can get REALLY close to your subject.As everyone else said - it's a cheap, fun, and flashy item.  The gold finish is gaudy and a fun conversation piece.  You'll be the focus of attention with this thing in your hand.  The viewfinder is basically useless, so just aim the camera as best you can and experiment.  Every time you have prints made, it's a surprise.  Even the most mundane objects can look really artsy with the Pop 9's format.Can you take 9 shots with a regular camera or layout a nine-frame, repeating image in Photoshop?  Sure.  But that's not the point.  It's all about having fun, snapping some shots on film, not knowing EXACTLY what you're shooting, and getting back an envelope of nice surprises from the lab.
I just opened my new Pop 9 and was a bit surprised. It's made of cheap gold plastic- REALLY cheap. The "lens cap" has a tiny plastic handle to pry it off- it's already almost broken off.  The film is a little tricky to engage too.  However, I just got back my first set of prints, and they're great!  Not a blurry shot in the bunch, no matter how close up I took the photo.  The view finder is off-kilter, but after one roll you can pretty much see how to adapt.  I love it!  Fun fun fun.  I can't wait to take more shots.  There are so many possibilities with this camera!
Although they are a little awkward to adjust, once you get there these are really nice to use. They are small, light weight and can easily fit in a purse or small tote.  I use them for watching wildlife around my house and they are perfect for that.  I would recommend them.
It is sized right for back packing and other boyscouts activities.  Clear images and good field of range for the size.
The first pair purchased 15 years ago is still good. We have used this product for many years. They are light and easy to use
these binoculars from Nikon are excellent, providing a great depth of vision and magnification. There's no colour leaching, or bleed, and the rubber diaphragm cap is securely fitted to avoid any over exposure. The bracket and adjusting screw retract smoothly into the lens housing, and the faux-leather carrying case loops nicely over either shoulder. The strap is particularly hard-wearing and does not bite into the flesh, providing a thick sweatshirt is worn. A fetching electric blue colour, the lenses are clean and speck free, granulated glass providing a rich, diverse prism and optical effect. An excellent all round binocular for taking to the races, the opera, or to the football match. Probably best suited to bird-watching, though. All in all, excellent.
I have used different binoculars for decades but as my eyes age I have trouble focusing. The short distance between the eyepieces fix this problem and their light weight allows for easy carrying in hand luggage. This is a great product for astronomers to use at night for star finding only. This product does not allow for high magnification.
Went to the Amazon and these were just what we wanted. Compact, Light and  perfect for our needs! Would recommend.
I have neck issues, with this harness felt no pain nor strain. Best accessory.  We spend hours at a time bird-watching. Ease of use - easy on/off and simple adjustment for individual fit. This will last many years. Can switch out with camera...as long as they have a clip for harness to connect too. Nikon true to excellent reputation. Great price, toi!
Securing the Nikon binocular to the harness was complex and time consuming.  One cannot just casually pass the binoculars to colleagues once you are wearing the arrangement.
Keeps the binoculars close to your body so when you lean over they don't swing out away from your body possibly striking something, damaging the binoculars.  Would recommend to anyone that will be moving around when using their binoculars.
I got his for my wife to us with her camera. It releaves pressure on the neck.  I also tryied it with my binoculars and worked like champ. It i soft, padded, and easy to put on.If the standard harness puts too much pressue on your neck then I recommend this harness!
My binocular harness arrived quickly and in original packaging.  It's a great item to have on my bird watching field trips.
I thought the plastic tie-backs were tacky, but were needed because the binoculars do not have large enough hooks to clip the harness to it.  The harness makes it very comfortable.
I had the same issue others addressed here. At first, I could not find a way to attach it. the snaps are too big. But then I too found the little plastic bag with the two keyring like rings in it. Not the easiest to install on the binos...but worked like a charm once I did.Why...oh why...does Nikon not include some instruction? I also overlooked the rings at first. And was not totally sure what you were suppose to do with them until I read the other reviews here.So one star off for that lousy customer assistance on the part of Nikon.But as to the product itself, once you have that figured it, well it works swell. Very comfortable, easily adjusted, and makes wearing the binos, especially for extended periods of time, very nice.
Great Product! Used it for binos and camera while hiking in Alaska and Canada. Adjustable to fit over a jacket. Keeps bino and camera from bouncing around on your chest. Also great when bending over - no swinging around of supported item.
I shopped around quite a bit before I found this item.  I now have one for every SLR camera and every pair of binos in the house.  Why you would want a strap around your neck is beyond me.  This item takes the pressure off your neck and prevents the camera or binos from flopping around when you walk.  I don't know why these are marketed only for binos, because they are just as useful for cameras.  I found several more expensive versions of this item, but this one works great.  Nothing fancy--just very functional and a good value.  I am delighted with it.
One of the drawbacks of Amazon is returning marginal items, and this is one of those.  I bought a Nikon binocular (which I really like) to replace my older Brunton binoculars, and I bought this harness for the Nikon.  But I liked my Cabelas camo harness for the Brunton so much I swapped it off and never used the Nikon harness, so this Nikon harness has just been sitting in the box.
I do a lot of hiking and wanted a harness for my binoculars that would keep them convenient and eliminate the neck strap (which became a pain in the neck after an or so).  This strap is perfect.  Keeps my binoculars suspended on my chest, the weight is evenly distributed across my shoulders, and the back portion of the strap fits so comfortably under my backpack, I don't even noticed it.  Made of durable nylon, it also has quick release clips so I can swap out my binoculars and camera whenever I want.
I am 5' 5" and weigh 110 lbs. Small framed and athletic. With the straps fully adjusted until they could go no smaller, this barely fit me, but because the nikon shoulder pads are thicker than the movable binocular rings, it was unasable for a small framed person.
If you don't mind looking like a dork wearing a binocular harness, then these things are awesome. Just don't jump up and down real high with it because it will slingshot your binoculars into your face. Keeps your binocs at the ready for instant viewing of stuff that is far away. The connectors didn't actually fit on my binoculars as they were not Nikons but it came with handy zip-ties. Great, comfy, harness. Way better than a strap, all my classmates were jealous.. kinda.
This harness really helps when hiking with binocs.  They ride smoothly and it is easier to hold them steady.  Why not 5 stars?:  the harness came with no instructions (OK, it is a no-brainer to use, but I believe in instructions), It should have come with more than one set of split rings so that you could swap between different binocs (say 8x vs. 12x) and the design is a little off for the feminine frame (for some of us).  It still beats a neck strap by a mile.
This is a decent, pretty standard bino harness.  If you're still using the neck strap, the benefits of the harness are that you don't have a sore neck at the end of the day, your binos don't bounce and swing on your chest as you walk or do other activities, and it slightly stabilizes your grip while viewing.  The harness is highly superior to the neck strap!!!Down sides of this model:  The quick-release clasps are actually a little tricky to unclasp.  Maybe this is a good thing if you have super-expensive binos, but I find it a little frustrating.  Also, the plastic strap-junction pieces aren't designed quite as ergonomically as they could be.  There's a big "Nikon" logo on the back that I wish wasn't there.  But if you find it for a competitive price, go for it.Another downside: The bino harness makes you look like you're some tool thinking he's tough because he's wearing a pseudo-gun-holster (ie Gareth Keenan's cell phone holster in "The Office").
I bought my first Nikon Prostaff Binocular harness in 2006 through Amazon and have used it extensively (hundreds of hours in the past 7 years) with Nikon Monarch 10 x 42 (3 years) and Nikon MonarchX 10.5 x 45 (last four years) binoculars, as well as Nikon DSLR cameras with moderately large (300 mm) telephoto lens attached.  The harness has worked extremely well, keeping my expensive optics near my chest for hands-free, and swing free, carrying.  This is especially important when moving through uneven terrain, where bending over and climbing would otherwise cause my binoculars to swing down and away from me, possibly catching branches or hitting the ground.  It also is much more comfortable on your back than a neck strap, if you are going to be wearing your binoculars for extended periods (I sometimes wear them for 6-8 hrs/day).After all that use, the elastic is now beginning to stretch and I've finally started to shorten the straps to compensate.  I suspect this will continue to be an issue and eventually they will be less functional.  Still, seven years of heavy use is pretty good, and I've just ordered another one, figuring I can still use the old one as a dedicated harness for my camera.I have one minor issue to note.  The metal rings that you put on your binoculars for attachment to the plastic harness clips may squeak a bit as you are walking.  A very slight application of silicon or teflon lubricant will alleviate the problem for a while, so keep this in mind if stealth is important.All in all, I've been very happy with these and couldn't imagine going back to a regular neck strap.  I have no way to compare to other harness systems, as this is all I've ever needed or used.A quick update having just received my new harness.  I differs in two ways.First, the attachments for your binoculars are now leather loops, rather than metal rings.  I will try to post a couple pictures.  This should reduce the squeaking I mentioned above, but I wonder about durability.  There were four of them included and I will toss the metal rings into my binocular case as a back up.Also, the back "spreader" is black, with a white "Nikon" logo (as shown in the item image), rather than the black on yellow pattern of the original set.
Pros: I enjoyed it along all our travels. Once you put it if you're going on and off your car (on a scenic route for instance, or birds/whale watching) I kept it while driving. It was no problem. Good distribution of weight for a prolonged period of time compared with the original neckstrap which at one moment I felt like choping my neck!Cons: It did not come as advertised: at the end of the strap I expected to be like in the advertised picture: a standard camera strap in order to attach the QD system connectors. It came with some fixed plastic hooks and you have to install 2 metal rings on the binoculars (which personally I do not like). Somebody thought that this might be an improvement! Honestly my intention was to use this harness for both bino and camera mainly on my hiking trails where I don't want always to carry  the camera in my hand instead of hanging from my neck (and so the danger to smash it against a rock).
This harness works great.  I already had o rings on my binocs, so it attached easily.  It definitely relieves the neck strain of a regular strap.
Would reccomend these easy use good price  got here on time.fit well use them all the time during hunting seasoning
The harness works well enough.  It didn't come with instructions on how to attach it, I envisioned a harness that allowed for better clip and release functions.
Nikon binocular harness is well-made and easy to use.  It has a no nonsense design which appealed to me.
I find these to be well made and easily adjustable, as good as any others I have used. Comfortable on long hikes.
I used the harness for the first time last weekend.  Steep 6 mile hike.  My bino's hung in there just great.  No chaffing from a neckstrap.  They didn't bounce around.  When I pulled them up to my eyes the elastic strap made this an easy maneuver.  I had them hanging there for about 6 hours (didn't take them off for lunch break).  No pain, no discomfort.
As noted by another reviewer, AT FIRST, I too thought there was no way to attach these to the Nikon Monarch strap anchors as the clips are too thick.  However, Nikon includes a small plastic bag containing 2 small metal rings (much like heavy duty key rings) which attach to the bino anchors and the clips then attach to them. It works perfectly and I'm sure makes it workable for just about any set of bino's. I would note that I almost overlooked these rings as the small bag had fallen onto the floor when I openned the package up.  Once I saw them it became obvious what they were for.  Perhaps these went unnoticed by the previous reveiwer or were missing entirerly.Overall a quality product. Maybe a simple diagram of the attachment point would resolve any confusion.
I am a very big guy, 6x shirts and i bought this in hopes it would stretch or add material to it to make it fit, But there was no need, i opened the package and moved all adjustments to the max and put it on, i actually had to tighten it back up it was to loose. Only down fall of this product is the attachment doesnt fit my NIKON Action EX 8x40 8.2 degree waterproof binoculars. This product does come with two small key ring like adapters to assist in this problem but here is the problem....The only way to attach them on my set is to use the provided strip ties to secure the rings to the binoculars and then attack the harness to that 1) very cheasy way to attach to a very expensive set of binoculars and 2) the one zip tie broke during instal so now i have to find another way to attaching my harness. The good part is i don't think it will be to difficult just have to head to the store and find something. If i had to do it all over again i would buy these in a heart beat just do to the size and the solid construction. 5 stars
The clips on this harness are too big to go into the strap holes usually on binoculars.If the manufacturer would include offset rings with the setup then we can make that work.Funny thing is that BOTH the harness AND the Binoculars are from the same company - NIKON.
I bought this harness as a gift for my son.  I was looking for a harness with the connecting straps that are shown in the picture.  What we got was a decent harness without the connecting straps.While the harness is ok, I'm very disappointed with Amazon.  The inaccurate picture feels a lot like a bait and switch.  I certainly wouldn't have ordered this harness based on the picture that's actually on the packaging.  No fault of Nikon's, but I can't say the same for Amazon.Also, the processing and shipping time on this order was crazy.  Over ten days before the order was even ready to ship.  I'm a long-time Amazon customer and used to be quite of fan of their customer service, but sadly, I just can't say that anymore.
I got the harness, and found the little plastic bag. Instead of metal rings it had four sort of T-shaped tabs. I couldn't figure it out, so used short strips of nylon cord to make the connection. Absolutely no help from Amazon or Nikon, and I checked the Nikon site. Other than that, the harness looks fine and should work like the ones we got from Mass Audobon some years back.
You will never carry binoculars any other wayWhat else can I say these this harness is great, but it looks like I have to say more
I really like this as it definitely takes the weight of the binoculars off the neck. It is effective, comfortable, easy to adjust just as you want, and it keeps the binoculars from bouncing against you too. Highly recommend!
I put clips on it and change from binoculars to camera with 4 clicks.  Keeps the stress off the shoulder or neck.  Distributes load evenly and they are at hand without fumbling and you ca ndrop them without having t oworry about placement.
This is my first digital camera and I am very impressed. The camera itself is simple to use and takes great pictures. With the 3 different resolution settings, it makes it very easy to take pictures in accordance to how big you would like to print the pictures once you're done. The 1600x1200 size with minimal compression produces great looking 8x10 prints, and the 1024x768 has resulted in several pics that I have used as wallpaper in Windows. Nothing brightens up your day like turning on your monitor, and seeing a hi-res image taken at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia! I fully recommend this product for the beginner or the experienced!
This camera is faster than most digital cameras out there; from opening it to it turning on and being ready to shoot it takes about three seconds; from pressing the shutter button down to it taking a picture it takes almost one second (even faster if you've already pressed the shutter down half-way to focus and meter);  from it taking a full-size, best-quality 2 mega pixel shot to it being ready to take another it takes about three seconds (even faster with less quality or smaller sized pictures).  The camera controls on the back allow you to easily change to close-up mode or change white balance or add exposure compensation or turn off the flash or use the stitch-assist mode or the self-timer with from one button push for close-up mode to around four to six button pushes for the more complicated added features.  The lens is the equivalent of a 39mm f2.8 lens on a film-slr camera and it focuses very fast with an auto-focus mechanism that chooses the most likely subject among three focus squares in the middle of the viewfinder/lcd screen to focus on and it has an auto-focus assist beam that aids in focusing; speeding it up especially in scenes with slightly lower light levels.This camera is cheaper than many cameras out there.  It costs around [$$$]right now which is cheaper than most 2 megapixel cameras right now.  The material it's made out of is a  sticky plastic which feels grimy if you hold it too long while you're out in the sun because the sweat on your hands tends to smear all over it and generally yucks it up (just wipe it off with your shirt; it's no big deal).  This camera takes compact flash type 1 cards which are very easy to find and fairly reasonably priced for a good-sized card (if you already have a more expensive Digital camera that uses compact flash cards then obviously; you're in luck!).  The batteries that it uses are two double A's; rechargeable or alkalines (very-very easy to find; just go down to your local [store]to find the nickel metal hydride rechargeable kinds).  If you don't have a compact flash card reader but you do have a usb port then you can transfer the images right off of the camera and straight into your computer (Mac or PC).  If you don't have a computer then you can still use the camera; just buy one of Canon's two available dye-sublimation printers and you can print pictures from 6X4inches to smaller than a postage stamp and almost every size in between to your heart's content.Is this camera better than most cameras out there?  One argument against it is it doesn't have an optical zoom; but truthfully having a zoom lens doesn't necessarily mean your pictures are automatically going to be better; for example instead of zooming in and taking a "stalker" picture of that cutey down the hall why don't you just walk up to that cutey and say smile! and take that cutey's picture from up close and then engage that cutey in an actual conversation; believe me your picture quality will improve dramatically!  Another argument against this camera is that it only has two megapixels; but truthfully for snap-shot sized pictures or smaller including pictures that you're going to be using on the web you don't need that extra one or two megapixels over the first two megapixels; it's just pixel overkill for a picture of your uncle holding up that trout he just wrestled into his net or extreme close-ups of your baby doing everything from sleeping peacefully in the crib to crying red-faced while you're giving her another bath or changing her diaper for like the hundreth time.  A third argument against it is that compared to a comparable camera such as the[$$$]it is made of cheaper materials and it's much bulkier; but truthfully many people find those smaller elf-like cameras clunkier; they're slower to turn on they're slower to extend their lens; they're heavier; they're more expensive; they're less responsive to the user when their shutter buttons are pushed; they use more expensive proprietary batteries; they give people with bigger hands or arthritis carpal tunnel syndrome and the list goes on...Is this camera better than any other camera out there I ask again?  Well obviously the simple truth answer is no; you can always buy a more expensive camera and get more pixels or longer lenses or interchangeble lenses and flash-shoes and doodads to your heart's content so a more appropriate question to ask would be is this camera better than any other camera out there for the intended task that I seek it to do as a prospective camera buyer on the market?  Well; we'll leave that question up to you!
THis is a very good camera for its price, however, on lithium batteries it will last only 4-5 exposures. make sure u get a set of good NiMH batteries with charger.. one charge lasts about 300 exposures or more, and u don't have to use expernal power source while camera is connected to PC - those batteries handle 'em all.
Designed as an easy-to-use, entry-level digital camera, the new PowerShot A200 combines a 2- megapixel CCD chip with several advanced camera features to create high-quality digital photos at an affordable price. In addition, by connecting directly to Canon's CP-100 dye-sublimation printer, first-time users of digital cameras can make high-quality color prints without the complexity of a computer. The A200 can also be used as an underwater camera when used with its optional waterproof housing to depths of up to 100 feet. The PowerShot A200 will be available at authorized Canon retailers nationwide in July,2002 and have a suggested retail price of $ 299.The PowerShot A200 is a 2.0 megapixel, single-focal length autofocus camera incorporating several advanced camera features including Movie mode, Photo Effects, Direct Print capabilities using Canon's CP-100 dye-sub printer, and magnified playback up to 10x for precise image confirmation. It is designed to make digital photography as easy as point-and-shoot.The PowerShot A200 also incorporates a number of high-end features including the popular Photo Effects mode originally introduced in the highly advanced PowerShot G2 camera. A low sharpening mode has been added to the Vivid, Neutral, Sepia and Black-and-White modes for a total of five separate effects for greater creativity.The shutter speed range of the A200 is among the widest in its class with a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 second. Combining this speed with the lens's f/5.6 minimum aperture setting makes the A200 ideal for daylight photography and fast-moving objects. Alternatively, when the one-second slow shutter speed is combined with the camera's f/2.8 maximum aperture and optional ISO 400 setting, photos taken in low light conditions can be captured easily.The PowerShot A200 can record movies in QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) and Q2VGA (160 x 120 pixels) at 20 frames per second. Up to 9 seconds of continuous recording is possible in QVGA, and up to 30 seconds in the Q2VGA format.Additional features offered with the PowerShot A200 include 3-point AiAF focusing; magnified playback to easily confirm critical focus, high-speed continuous shooting at 2.5 fps, 4.0X digital zoom capability, built-in flash with four flash modes and RGB primary color filters. The A200 uses two AA-size batteries and is compatible with CompactFlash Type I removable media.Image Management SoftwareBundled with a suite of programs enabling image management, editing, compositing and printing, the PowerShot A200 is compatible with a wide range of Mac and PC computers, including support for Windows XP and Mac OS X. The camera comes equipped with Apple QuickTime 5.0, Canon RemoteCapture 2.5, and PhotoStitch 3.1 for both Macintosh and Windows, as well as Canon ZoomBrowser EX 3.4, PhotoRecord 1.4 and WIA and TWAIN drivers for Windows, plus ImageBrowser 2.3 and a Photoshop-compatible plug-in for the Mac. When using ZoomBrowser EX 3.4 or ImageBrowser 2.3, users can take advantage of new and improved features for auto layout printing, self-running full-screen slide shows, and automated preparation of images for use as e-mail attachments.PowerShot A200 Features2.0 Megapixel CCD for images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.5mm (39mm) F2.8 optical lens, 4x digital zoom1.5-inch TFT color LCD, approx. 120,000 pixels3-point AiAF system with single-point center focus and focus lockLow-light focus assist illuminatorExposure modes: Auto/ manual/ stitch assist/ movieMotion video @ 20fps, 320x240 9 secs or 160x120 30 secsWhite balance options: Auto, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent HShutter speeds from 1 second to 1/2000 secondEvaluative linked to focus pointISO settings: 50, 100, 200, 400 and Auto (50-150)Photo Effects: Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, B&W;Built-in flash with Auto, Red-eye reduction auto, Forced on, Red-eye on, forced off and slow-synchro2x-10x enlarged playback function with scrollingDirect Print to the CP-100 and CP-10 printersCompactFlash Type I storageUSB connectivityPowered by standard AA type batteriesOptional wide angle, telephoto and closeup lensesSmall (4.3 x 2.3 x 1.4 in.) and lightweight (6.2 oz)
I have a "grown up digital camera", a Minolta Dimage 7 with all the bells and whistles. It is a camera to use when you are being very serious about the pictures you are taking.It is big though and I carry a lot of stuff in my bag to support it. I needed something small to take pictures when lugging around a Dimage 7 is sort of a waste of energy.This is a very good little camera, which takes pictures comparable to my old Nikon CoolPix 800. The Nikon cost a lot more, too.There is no optical zoom, however and that is what keeps me from giving this camera a 5 star rating. But I can pop it into my pocket and know that it is there when the unexpected photo opportunity comes along.It has an available underwater housing and I would have no hestitation using it properly fitted (even if they had it for the Minolta I would never risk it). I also think it would be acceptable for use on the slopes.
I bought this camera to take some pictures of my baby girl and I discovered that it's very very easy to use. Multilanguage menus (configurables), Excellent options such as a great zoom, Auto Focus (with Artificial Intelligence), etc.Such as this kind of electronic equipements this camera eats batteries... with a pair of AA Alkalines you can use it by 2 1/2 or 3 hour... No more... Without using the display...!Excellent for beginners...! I recommend you to buy the charger to this specific model... it longs the life of your batteries and can be rechargables...!
Overall, the A200 takes decent pictures. I've used the included software to send pictures via email, and I use an HP Photo printer when I want to print out pictures. Unfortunately, I have finally gotten tired of the S-L-O-W recycle time - that is, it takes forever for the flash to recharge and the lens to refocus after taking a previous photo. Groups posing for pictures have literally gotten up and said, &quot;Forget it!&quot; while waiting for my camera to finally take another picture. It is very frustrating!
Had this camera for years, held up to a lot of abuse before I sold it.
I recommend buying the Canon A40 instead.  In fact, I just returned my A200 in order to do just that.  Here's why:* The A40 has a more solid feel in your hand.  Instead of &quot;perching&quot; in your hand, it &quot;fits&quot; your hand.  (Look at the nice curve that fits into your right hand as you hold the camera.)* The A40 has an optical zoom, as well as the digital zoom that most digital cameras have.  The A200 only has a digital zoom; you lose some quality.* The controls on the A40 are easier to understand and better layed out.  The A40 has what you call a thumb wheel.  To switch between picture taking modes, or into photo review mode, you just spin the wheel.  No pressing the same button over-and-over.* Finally, it's easier to change the batteries on the A40!!  Why did Canon make the battery compartment so hard to open on a piece of equipment that needs its batteries changed daily or weekly??If you just need a bare-bones camera that takes great pictures, buy the A200.  I was very impressed with the quality of the photos.If you want a more comfortable and intuitive camera, get the A40.
I bought it as a first digital camera, checking out the terrain before making a big investment.  My friends are ohing and ahing over the pictures I took in Rio with this thing (of course, you don't need a great camera to get great pictures in Rio!).  It travels well, eats batteries more than I expected, is easy to use, takes a little while to warm up when first switched on, and lives up to the positive reviews I've read here and on the web...Buy a 128M memory card and rechargable batteries, and enjoy.  There's a waterproof case available, something I'll buy if I can find a discount as I'm an avid SCUBA diver and snow-skier (the kind of skier who would need a waterproof case).  I was disappointed with my order - Amazon listed a coupon for a reduced-price memory card but the web site wouldn't let me apply it to my order - but I'm not disappointed with the camera.  Enjoy!
I purchased this camera to replace a Kodak DC200 plus, one of the first 1 megapixel cameras on the market. It's a great camera that has provided 1000s of good looking 4X6 prints over the years. But, it's time to upgrade.Let me start by saying that I am not an ace photographer or anything. I'm just your basic point and shoot family picture taker kind of guy. So, please interpret my comments about the A200 in light of that fact.I decided to purchase the A200 based on two factors -- price and reviews. Both were excellent. Out of the box it is eye catching. Much smaller than my old Kodak with an automatic lens cover (nice to have!). Opening the lens cover fires up the camera and it's ready for the first shot within a matter of seconds. OK, here's where the annoyance factor kicks in. This is, by far, the slowest freakin' digital camera I have ever played with. A three hour visit to the camera sections of a few electronics stores this afternoon confirmed my first impression. It really is slow! You absolutely must depress the shutter release button 1/2 way and wait for it to autofocus before taking the shot. One cannot get a shot off quickly with this camera. I have a two year old. He is in another room by the time this camera is ready to take a picture of him. OK, so you've taken a picture, now the waiting continues. It takes roughly 12-17 seconds (depending on the charge in the battery) to recharge the flash and prepare for another shot!!! Yep, 12-17 seconds! My old Kodak is faster. In all fairness, when the flash is not used, the A200 is lightening quick at refreshing for the next shot. However, because of what I use it for, most of my shots are indoors and require the flash.What about picture quality? Not bad. Not great. Three out of the four professional reviews that I read about this camera state that the picture quality is excellent. The fourth review seems to concur with my opinion. The quality is OK. Red eye is an enormous problem, even with red eye reduction on. Again, hate to sound like a broken record, but my old Kodak...Professional reviewers seem to like this camera because of the manual controls. These are not important to me, as I just want to turn the thing on and take pictures. If you're just looking for a simple point and shoot camera, I wouldn't worry too much about manual options.One last complaint before I tell you what I exchanged the thing for... The controls on the back of the camera are completely unintuitive. No little jog-dial like you find on several other cameras, including the Canon A40 (an excellent, though clunkier, alternative complete with 3X optical zoom).So, after some serious thinking, reading, and playing, I decided to go with the Sony DSC-P31, also an autofocus, no optical zoom, 2.0 megapixel camera. About 20 beans more but it comes with two high capacity rechargeablee NiMH batteries. It has essentially every feature that the Canon A200 has and more. It even has an option to take pictures in 3:2 format, which is the perfect format for 4X6 prints I guess. No cropping needed. The big plus for me is that the thing is very very fast. Fast enough to take pictures of spazzy kids. Not only does it take pictures quickly but it is ready for the next shot in about 3 seconds even when the flash is used. It also has video out so that pictures can be viewed on your TV set or even recorded to VHS if you so desire. A nice feature.About Amazon, absolutely, hands down, the best place to buy things online in my opinion. They frequently offer free shipping deals and, of course, no tax. Customer service is incredible and it is very very easy to return products. They even pay return shipping. Also, you can keep track of the location of your package from the moment you place the order to the moment it arrives on your porch. Items always come sooner than they estimate. You can even cancel your order up to the moment that the product is prepared for shipping. Nice option in case your spouse doesn't agree with your decision to buy that $5000 plasma HD television set!Happy shopping!Update 12/29/02....  I've had my new Sony DSC-P31 for about a week now and took gobs of pictures with it during the Holidays.  I highly recommend this camera over the Canon A200.  Much easier to use, much faster, and more conistent picture quality with the Auto Focus on.  One cool thing about the camera that I didn't mention before is that, in addition to Auto Focus, you can set the focus to a range of different distances, like 3 meters, 9 meters, 30 meters... infinity.  I decided to disable autofocus and set the focus distance to 9 meters (I think, as I don't have the camera with me).  This makes the camera even faster than before and seems to provide better pictures than with the autofocus on!  I've had minor problems with red eye, as I gather is common with most cameras especially when shooting pictures of kids.  Luckily, this is easily fixable with the software that comes with the camera.  Best wishes, Joe.
I've used a previous generation of the powershot and really liked it so we picked the A200 for an upgrade.  What a waste. The interface is confusing, but worse of all is getting it to actually take a picture. Push down the button and it'll make a noise like its working on the picture-- but watch out cause it didn't do it. What its doing, I have no idea. Autofocus? Anyway it only took a real picture one in five times of trying. Sometimes I had to hold down the button for 4-5 seconds to get it to shoot. Extremely disappointing for Canon, I expected the 'next generation' and got something worse than our 1999 Canon camera.
Hi All,This camera has a number of nice features and takes nice photos.  Many cameras in this price range don't do nearly as well in terms of low light performance, color fidelity in incandescent lighting, or macro ability, plus having all those buttons on the back of the case is actually a lot easier than having to go through a bunch of on-screen menus.My two main misgivings about the camera are that I've gotten some aliasing of diagonal lines a few times (though they don't seem to be all that noticeable in the prints) and the focus assist beam never seems to help.  I guess I can live with the latter for the most part as I've figured out what focusing range the camera defaults to when it can't lock focus, about 8ft to infinity in normal mode and 4.25* inches in macro mode(*which is about the width of the camera, 4.3&quot;).  The infinity mode also doesn't appear to have any effect from what I can tell.  How have other people's experiences run with the focus assist beam, infinity mode and aliasing?Lastly Canon's tech support hasn't been very good,  I don't need someone to read out of the user guide to me, but that's as much as they seem to do.  If I could get past that first level of tech support, things would probably be different.But really, I like the camera!  Oh yeah, the small size and light weight mean I can comfortably carry it in a shirt pocket.  Battery life with 1700mah Nimh is fine, though I rarely use the flash or the LCD.  I guess it would be nice to have an output for display on a TV and the little rubber flap that covers the ports could be more secure.Will
The Optio takes true 4MP pictures, which are good for enlarged prints.  The image quality is good, with decent colors and slightly soft edges.  (I personally don't like sharp edges anyway.)  The form factor makes it easy to hold, and the 3X optical zoom is fast and accurate.  You can use either the LCD viewfinder or the optical viewfinder, the latter saving you considerable battery life.  A solid product that I think you'll like.  Do look around for the best price.
The reviews and specs do not give this camera justice.  My favorite feature so far is the digital filter mode.  You select the filter feature, and can take pictures in black and white, and use the following filters also:  sepia, blue, red, yellow violet, and green.  There is also a slim filter, where you can elongate vertically or horizontally.In addition to the automatic mode, where you can zoom and the camera sets everything else, there is also a manual mode you can shoot in.  For those of us who enjoy manual photography but don't want to pay the price for a super expensive manual digital camera, here is a good in between.  You can set the shutter speed and aperture using the controls.You can also do continuous shooting and a night-mode is also on this camera.The 3-D feature is neat; the camera comes with a separate 3-D viewer.  I am still figuring that one out.The mini-movie (30 seconds long, no audio) is neat.  It's good for when there is lots going on at once visually (no flash; need good lighting).The zoom works quite well, also.All in all, I love this camera and would highly recommend it.I have Windows XP, and have had no problems.  The only Windows software that the software is not compatible with is Windows 95.  It comes with ACDSee, a photo editing software.  I have Roxio's Photosuite 4 Platinum, and am able to edit my pictures no problem!
I'm on my third one, and this one just died. I seriously don't mistreat them at all, I even keep it in a hardshell case when travelling. But invariably, every six months, it goes dead, I call Pentax, they take it in, send it back to me with "a board replaced" and I wait six months for it to die. If it wasn't for the chronic death syndrome - it's be a great 4 star camera - it's fairly quick, has a good flash, good depth of field and really great image quality. But i'm tired of returning for repair.
Most high-feature cameras are too large to carry with me all the time. The Pentax Optio 430, on the other hand, fits EASILY in a shirt pocket, yet includes every feature I wanted, plus its quality matches Canon and Nikon. Interestingly, smaller size and matching features and quality was also the main virtues of the Pentax I used 30 years ago over the same competitors.I've just returned from a two week trip to Northern California, during which it took over 300 pictures. I consider many of them great...4MP means you can crop without losing visible detail. I added a Sandisk Ultra 512 Meg Compact Flash card and a spare battery, allowing me to take as many pictures as I wished each day, deleting bad ones each evening.This camera replaced two Canons that still work well. Compared to both, I find it easier to use.One suggestion: 1) cover the LCD with a plastic Palm screen cover. I once damaged a Canon for lack of that.After 9 months of use, I still consider this the best small digital camera at any price. Highly recommended!
Easy to use, good pix.  But some of the settings were a problem: using autofocus makes this camera very very slow.  Manual focus works fine except for stuff closer than one meter, so I set it permanently on MF.  Now it's fast.Tons of features, most of which I won't ever use.  (The 3-D photo thing is a weird gimmick...)  But there are plenty of things to like, such as the color filters and the (rather crude) in-camera image cropping.Overall, very pleased.
So far so good; we are happy with this adapter. A pretty decent buy.
Note that I'm reviewing the value, not necessarily the quality of the product.The PowerShot A620 that I used this with has excellent battery life with Lithium or rechargeable Nickels, so, while the power adapter works well, it's not worth it unless you're doing a lot of shots or are doing a lot of flash-intensive work from a fixed location (near an outlet).For about half the price, though, this product would feel much more justifiable for a purchase.
Used it for a couple of years and is still working as it is supposed.
It's extremely unfortunate but I can't help looking at this as a predatory product. There's no good reason to make the camera require a proprietary design to begin with but then to charge this much money for it -- it's insulting. The quality is fine but for less than half the cost, you can buy a charger plus four AA batteries and recharge them galore. Heck, you could buy three more sets of perfectly good AA batteries and never ever run out of juice.I'm a Canon fan but enough is enough. The camera's Excellent, the lenses are Fair to Good, the AC adapter is a bad buy for the money.
I can understand having a charger for a laptop, but this I don't quite understand; at least not for this price. I would highly suggest getting some  good rechargeable batteries (Powerex or Eneloop) and a good charger (MAHA or La Crosse). Right now I'm charging the batteries (energizer) for my camera, and all my other batteries are in use. I figured that getting the adapter would be useful; but now that I've seen the price, I have to reconsider. I'm just going to buy eight rechargeable batteries. That way I'll always have a charged set, I can use them for other purposes should the need arise.
Indeed, if you have a Canon Powershot you will need this AC device when you transfer pictures from camera to PC.  I had mine for almost two years and it works.
the item looked good and arrived earlier than expected. unfortunately it did not fit and it had to be returned to seller. refund was no problem. I only rated it ok,because tit was never used nor do i have any negative feedback.
I bought this after seeing the price at Amazon. It is a discontinued item but for the price (or even 3x the price), go for it! I have a 24mm on my 35mm film camera (Minolta) and used it all the time. I find I use this lens (26mm equiv)quite a lot. It's a little bit of a pain to attach/de-attach/reset menu, but if you like photography, you'll like this. Excellent optics.
Makes my Fuji x100s a 24mm instead of a 35mm. Some softness in the corners but that can be expected.A weighty quality lens. I like it
Must be a mistake!Dollar for dollar, this lens rates as possibly best among the many accessories I've purchased for my camera. I have the CP4500, which I bought about 4 years ago and although I have several other digital cams, including DSLR, the 4500 is the most used. It seems that a few years ago only the expensive version of this lens was available from Nikon, so I alternatively bought other (far more expensive than this one) brands. They were clumsy to use and produced disappointing picture quality. This lens is great! Built well and pic quality is excellent! Very happy to have found it, even so long into owning the camera. I can't say how it compares to the expensive version but for the money, it can't be beat.Pete V
I bought it because I read that it did not gave any distortion when you photographed straight skyline.It is not true, you always get the horizon curved and that is a real pain.Same when you want to photograph a high rise building, you will get a curved line.Please do not buy if you are very serious about it.ALso I tried to return it and I could not get any answers from Amazon. Beware.
I bought this lens on an incredible sale.  Including the adapter, which you have to purchase seperately, I spent right around $50.00.  Many of my friends have larger, fancier, Nikons (the D-80's etc.) and are spending $600.00 or more on fisheye lenses.  None of us are professional photographers. For what we do, my Cool Pix 5000 and this $50 lens take shots comperable to theirs.  The bennefit of mine is it is much more compact.  The lens does add quite a bit of wieght to the camera, but it is still much smaller and lighter than than a regular digital SLR.  Very easy to use and assemble.  Comes with a protective sack, though I think a sturdy carry case would have been nicer, still for $50.00 I'm not complaining.
This worked fine at first but after a few months, the charger could not hold the AAA batteries in place. The spring mechanisms failed for 3 out of the 4 positions that would hold the AAA batteries. Thus, I could no longer charge the AAA batteries. Then after a while, the charger just quit working all together.
This charger does not seem to charge the batteries fully. I thought that my rechargable batteries were "out of life", but discovered that it was just a case of this charger failing to recharge them fully. My Daughter brought home a cheap Sakar overnight charger when visiting. I popped in a set of batteries I thought were done for, and found them to be just fine using her Sakar charger. What happens on my charger is that the lights (indicating that the batteries have been fully charged) all go off, and the batteries are "cool to the touch" (indicating that they have been fully recharged). Nope! Only about half way recharged.
I bought this charger 11 months ago.  It came with 4 Kodak 1850 mA NiMH batteries.  After a few months of light use, the batteries were unable to hold charge as much as 1850 mA batteries should.  If I use the batteries immediately after charging them, I can take about 20 pictures (while my 2000 mA NiMH batteries can do &#62;60).  If I charge them and put them into my camera bag as reserves, they won't be useful after only a week.The charger is capable of charging both AA and AAA batteries.  But a few months ago, 1 spring for switching between AA and AAA stopped working properly.  This was after very light use.  I only charge AAA batteries once a month.The market for NiMH batteries and chargers is more competitive than a year ago.  I would not buy this Kodak if I were to buy today.
I need a fast, compact charger that could easily fit into my digital camera bag. Other chargers are compact, BUT the electric cord takes up a lot of room. This charger DOES NOT have an electric cord to contend with, Instead, it has a collapsable plug, which folds completely hidden into the unit when not in use, allowing it to be placed neatly into the camera bag pocket.With the storage issue taken care of, the performance of this unit is above expectations. The recharging process is less than 3 hours. Unlike other models, you can recharge either one, two three or all four batteries at once and still get a full chargeon all batteries. The two battery option is nice for my kids walkie-talkie batteries. The shut down mode when complete is a nice option that is really needed, especially for the time when you forget about the charger until the next morning.I've tried several other chargers and this is the BEST model that I have worked with. Compact, easy storage, fast charging, auto shutdown, charge less than 4 at a time. ALL the options I need for a battery charger.
Right up there in the Editorial review, it says &quot;Each of the four Kodak Max AA NiMH rechargeable batteries offers a 1,850 mAh capacity rating...&quot;This device comes with 4 Kodak batteries - so it seemed to me that it was implying that this came with 4 Kodak Max AA NiMH rechargable batteries that were 1,850 mAh...But no. It comes with 4 1600 mAh batteries.Not a huge deal, but it is particularly annoying for me since I was going to buy something else and then switched to this specifically because of what that said.But I want to use this stuff now, so I'm not going to go through the trouble of returning it all.
The only disadvantage of this product is that it works on 110V only. If you are traveling to Europe or Asia this is NOT the right product for you. It takes five to six hours to recharge the batteries.
I have had this Kodak Charger for almost 2 years now.  I liked it so well I went back and order another one for my daughter.I use mine to charge AA batteries for my Olympus and S series Canon digital cameras.  My daughter recharges her C-Series Olympus camera and for re-charging  battery operated toys for her twins.  Between the two of us, we have 3 years experience using this model charger.We like it because it is so portable.  Just fold in the AC prongs and toss it in your bag, purse, or coat pocket.  No need to carry the charger, plus an AC adapter and cord with you.  This charger easily fits in our camera bags.I have used the Kodak Rapid Charger to charge various batteries rated in power from 1600 to 2200 milliamps (mA) with no problem.  It usually takes about 3 hours.  What sold me was the portability and the trickle charge.  With some battery chargers, you have to be sure to unplug it after so many hours before it overheats and becomes a fire hazard.  The Kodak Rapid Charger can be plugged in and it will not overheat or overcharge the batteries.  So, if I forget the batteries are charging it is no problem.  I can unplug this charger "whenever".  I especially appreciate that when I travel and can recharge the batteries in an afternoon or overnight in my hotel room.  When I travel is when I am most distracted and not following my normal routine, so that is when I am most apt to forget that I have batteries charging.  Not a problem with this charger.  You can leave the charger plugged in indefinitely.This charger lights up with green lights when it is charging.  When the batteries are charged, the lights go out, so it is easy to see when the batteries are fully charged.  Even from across the room.Some folks have mentioned that the batteries fall out.  I believe that is because when you plug this charger into a wall outlet, the batteries are in a vertical position in the charger.  Gravity will tend to pull them out of the charger if the batteries are not firmly seated in the charger, or you slap the charger against the wall so hard, the batteries will bounce out of the charger.  I have had this happen too.  However, all I had to do is put the batteries the charger and gently insert the charger into the wall outlet.  When I am in a hurry is when I have had the batteries fall out.  Besides, I figured if I cannot gently insert this charger in the wall, I can always use a short extension cord so I can lay the charger in a horizontal position.  However, that would mean I have to carry a cord around and I think that would defeat the portability of this charger though.  I have found it is easier for me to slow down and put the charger gently into the wall so the batteries don't fall out.I highly recommend this battery charger.
I must be a battery charger junkie.  I bought my first NiCd battery charger when they first came out, and I still remember how big and awesome-looking it was.  And it charged two AA NiCd batteries in, oh, 24 hours.  Then the batteries would run down after about 5 hours in my Walkman.  Those were the good old days.Anyway, nowadays I must have more than half a dozen battery chargers.  What I like about the Kodak Rapid Charger is it does a very reliable job of charging four NiMH batteries in a few hours.  The exact charge time depends on (i) AA or AAA, (ii) how many batteries, (iii) how much charge is left in the batteries, (iv) the total capacity of the batteries (e.g., 1600 vs. 2400),(v) room temperature, and (vi) random factors that even the electrical engineers don't have a clue about.  Suffice it to say that a fresh set of 4 AA batteries will charge in about 3 hours, give or take half an hour.  Much better than the overnight chargers.Also, compared to my Radio Shack stock rapid charger, the Kodak can charge any number of batteries, up to four, whereas the Radio Shack must do four.  The Kodak also seems to trickle charge better, because on the same set of batteries, I seem to get longer life out of a charge down on the Kodak than on the Radio Shack.  My other chargers are Ravoyac which I like the most, but the Kodak is also a good, and it cost less than a comparable Rayovac I was looking at.Anyway, this is a solid battery charger for AA and AAA batteries.
This charger allows you charge single battery. You have to charge 2 or 4 batteries on other chargers.It can be used to charge AA or AAA batteries. Great charger does the work right. No complain.Giving it 1 start by the stupid owner who use the 110V charger on 220V voltage is very not fair.
While traveling in China I hooked up this charger to a Sharper Image voltage converter and had to through it away after it started smoking.  A much better buy would be the Sony charger with worldwide voltage and for 5 dollars less.
I bought this a couple of months ago and so far it has worked fine. I like having rechargeable batteries because they're cost effective and help to save the environment.My only problem is finding more batteries! I bought these batteries originally for my digital camera and so I'm always using two batteries at a time. Thus, there is no way I can use the batteries for anything else. AND, 90% of the time the charger sits in a drawer unused because I don't have batteries for it to charge. So while I like these batteries, I just wish I could get more of these batteries to use around the house.
I have two of these chargers that I bought directly from Kodak for about $10 each. Each of them came with 4 AAA batteries which do not charge at all straight out of the package. One of the chargers has become defective after somewhat heavy use. Battery charger technology is not all that complicated but Kodak doesn't seem to have mastered it yet. No wonder they were practically giving these away. I'd avoid purchasing these now at any price.
It was ordered, it arrived, it worked.  No big deal unless it did not arrive or did not work.  Nothing Earth shattering about it.  The constant harrassment to leave a review gets to be a big pain in the nether regions, though.
I bought this product to save camera battery life and it meets all my expectations.  Highly recommended.
Save money, Batteries and the planet. Use this power adapter and forget about using batteries when you don't need them.
I am so glad I got this product. Arrived on time.  Product works great.  I do video with my camera and the rechargeable batteries kept failing while doing the video.  Now I can do video with full power. Love the long cabling still have to use extension cord though but that's a minor problem. Overall great product.
What can you possible say about an adapter. It works. The problem now is that my Canon Camera doesn't work. I used it once. So now I have a new cord and no camera.
I am using this with my digital camera and have no complaints.  It's nice not to have to worry about running down batteries, while taking indoor pictures and then posting them.
This is definitely a good thing to have if you often have your camera on for extended periods of time, as  when you are taking multiple photos, or showing photos to friends, or on your TV or computer, since it saves batteries.I do have one complaint about it, though.  It is not until you open the package and read the instructions that you realize that you also need a DC coupler for it.  This meant checking the Canon website to determine compatibility, and then searching for a seller of the correct coupler.  Luckily, I found the correct coupler being sold by an Amazon retailer, and was able to buy it at a reasonable price.
I bought this to increase my battery life when shooting photos for my online sales. Before I obtained this item my batteries would go bad before I had finished my desired photos. Now I plug it in at the beginning and no worry on how long it takes me.
It's a must have addition to the A530 camera, especially when learning to use the camera, and running slide shows on tv. Saves big time on batteries!!! The only reason I rated it less than 5 stars is that it's a little large.
This adapter is what I asked for and I already new it was big and bulky before I ordered from reading other reviews. It does what it advertises to do. Only dificulty I had was finding the one that said it would work with Cannon A520, I did not want to asume anything.
This adapter is great. It has a very long cord which makes it really flexible for me to film/take pics of my puppy, and conserve my batteries, since there isn't that many power outlets in my house. Not much more I can ask for in an adapter.
This a battery saver.  I do alot of photography!  I found that this is great to use in the home or at a place where the camera will be stationary.  I use this when using my tripod!
I think it's a MUST HAVE addition for your Canon A550. Now the camera itself doesn't burn batteries quickly, even rechargeable ones, but then you would like the flexibility of having uninterrupted power.
We've used this adapter for hours already, and have hooked and unhooked it from the camera.  No parts have broken, come loose or stuck anywhere.  I'm glad I went ahead and bought it.  Great little piece of equipment.  It's saving me a ton on batteries!
My Canon G3, used a similar device, would renew the ION batteries.  I am disappointed in Canon for putting out a camera that could only use batteries.  Why have they fallen so far, that they cannot keep up the high standards that were once known to Canon buyers.  This is very poor quality.
Canon is a rare company. They don't punish you for purchasing their brand of electronics by overcharging you for the accessories. Super high quality AC adapter and connectors.
This power cord works great for my Canon Powershot SX120 IS.  Saves huge amounts of battery life when I'm sitting around at home taking shots of the kids.  Great for when the camera is on the tripod and you're near a power outlet.  Highly recommend!
This is excellant to use if you just want to look into all the details of your camera and take your time without the fear of using up battery life.I,am glad I purchased this adapter becaue I am a novice user and need time to check everything out slowly.
Adapter works great with my Canon SX100IS camera.  Has helped me save on batteries.
Works great, easy to use and store.  It is just what I need.
It was the wrong item and not compatible for my equipment. Product description mentioned it would work with my camera. Not even close.
Glad I found this item on the net.  fits my Canon PowerShot A460 excellently and works perfectly.  If only it could store power so I could take it along with me wherever I go.
I needed a new Canon NB-1LH battery for my Elph S500, because I lost mine. Not because it wore out or was performing badly.Having learned my lesson about purchasing the inexpensive generic camera batteries (NB-1LH), I found that a Canon battery would cost $42.99.With this kit for only six dollars more, I got the Canon battery I needed as well as a lovely protective leather pouch and a camera bag, with lots of zippered, velcroed, or clipped compartments and a nice long, adjustable strap.Two cameras will easily fit in the bag, as well as a charger, extra batteries, cables, maps, passport, wallet, and other small travelling accessories.You'll definitely see me with my new camera bag on my next trip, slung diagonally across my shoulder, as I'm riding on the back of a motorino. Ciao!
What and awesome deal!! An absolute must have!! Don't leave home without it!! The perfect accessory kit!! Build quality is Five Stars all the way. Metal parts, extra padding, great access to many compartments large and small. Kit also included a nice leather case for the camera body, not the nylon case shown in the Amazon ad. The camera and I are totally stoked. The pack even had room left over for a small tripod, the AC charger, 12Volt car charge, my 7x42 Zeiss binoculars, Sony Clie PDA, Apple iPod and Delorme GPS. WOW, I'm set!!
I bought last year's model of the Canon ELPH series because it has a CF card rather than an SD card. When I needed an extra battery, I found that for a genuine Canon battery, this kit was cheaper than just the battery alone. The small leather case is nice too, and you get the large handbag case for free as well.Throw in Amazon's super saver shiping, and this deal can't be beat. Just make sure this is the right accessory kit for your camera. It doesn't fit the current models.
The local retail shops had it for $69.99.  So I saved $10 and shipping.  Includes a battery, leather case (which can be strapped to your belt), and a carrying case for all the accessories.Only gripe was with US Postal Service.  They're just inept.  They attempted to deliver to a business on a Saturday (when they weren't open) and couldn't redeliver till the following Friday.  Next time I'll pay a few bucks extra to get the professionals (UPS, FedEx, etc.) to deliver.
I needed an extra battery.  This whole kit was cheaper than the price of the battery alone.  In addition to the battery, you get a standard camera case (Retail $10-20) and a very nice shoulder bag intended to carry 2 cameras, accessories, and the portable Canon printer.  There is absolutely nothing not to like about this deal.
Take outstanding outdoor photos.  Easy to use, aim and shoot. I highly recommend the Fujifilm FinePix F401 to new users of digital cameras.
Had a problem with recharging the camera (not a battery problem, defective camera). Attempted to use the warranty: after hours spent on the phone with unhelpful Fuji staff, after months of waiting, after Fuji not returning the battery (took 6 weeks to get it back), we got a beat up refurbished camera back!!! It broke within a week!!!! Thanks for nothing, Fuji.
Although this camera is now a bit out of date, it's still an excellent buy in my opinion. I bought this over a year ago and spent a long time searching for the 'perfect' digital camera. This one fit the bill.It's small and light enough to be carried anywhere and the quality of the pictures are *excellent* for the size of the machine. At the time of buying, I had the choice of the larger, heavier model with higher quality pictures or this lighter one with slightly less quality. I'm very pleased with the decision I've made, and have taken 100s of beautiful pictures with this camera, and it's still going strong!The battery can be a bit fussy sometimes but has a long life and charges exceptionally well. I haven't had a problem with it, or the accompanying software, as of yet.My only complaint is that the travelling case is insufficient. It merely has a small loop to go around your neck, which is uncomfortable. They'd do better to make a shoulder-strap for it, but then again I could easily rectify this situation by buying myself a proper carrier.Over all, I think if you're just someone like me who appreciate small, sleek, high quality devices and just want to take some beautiful pictures then this is a very good choice for a digital camera. If, however, you're looking into professional photography or are a bit of a 'camera snob' I don't think this will be what you're looking for, but luckily there are many great digital cameras out on the market now that would be perfect for you.
after doing some research i desided to buy the kodak dx4900( bad choice , poor quality and limited features for the money )i returned the camera after only a few days . i was about to give up on digital cameras, but the salesman talked me into trying the fuji f-401wow great camera , good pictures and a movie function.the quality appears to be good, the software downloaded without a hitch.it came with a dock - kodak wanted another 130$ bucks for theirs.give it a try im sure you will be happy
I went to Ritz(wolf) to get the F401 after seeing the price on Amazon. I had to pay tax but got some free software(Picaso) which was very good for arranging photos, etc. The cradle is handy and allows you to use the camera as a high quality webcam.At 199 it is pretty hard to beat.  The telephoto is very easy to use the menu is less easy but OK. It is far better than the Olympus Digital 280 I had before. The rechargeable batteries and cradle make it very cheap and easy to operate. It also takes 90 second AVI movie clips and allows narration.  The small size allows you to fit it in a shirt or jacket poctet.
Four primary factors pushed me to buy the Olympus C-4000.1. I already own an Olympus D460 Zoom and have been very happy with it. The Camedia software is the best I have found for fixing pictures that are under-exposed or off color, and that is saying a lot. I have used many of the main image software including Microsoft and Adobe and the Camedia is still the best in my opinion.2. Cost - when compared to the Canon G2, which in my opinion is the only other camera close in the 4.0 MP league, there was a $200 to $250 price difference. The on-camera ease-of-use features are slightly less on the Olympus C-4000, meaning you need to go into more menus and adjust things manually instead of turning a dial or pushing a button, but overall the camera will do all the same things that the G2 can.3. Batteries - The largest cost savings advantage is the savings you get in batteries. The G2, and many other cameras like it, require special batteries. The C-4000 will run on 4-AA batteries. Of course standard alkaline will run out quickly, but using NiMH rechargable batteries works EXCELLENT. They last a very long time and you can use them over and over again. The camera comes with 2-CVR3 batteries, but don't let that scare you, the literature clearly states you can use standard AA batteries.4. Maximum PC Magazine put the Olympus C-4000 head-to-head with the Canon G2 and several others and the C-4000 came out on top. Their review is worth reading. Their motto is (and it is on the cover of each magazine) "Maximum PC, Minimum BS" and they certainly live up to that claim in my experience so far.
I first want to say that I am a total novice. I probably have used about 1/10 of the features of this camera, and even then it's been great!  I took some pictures of my daughter that would rival a professional photographer's headshots. I then printed them in black and white, 8 x 10, and they were superb!  I did some of our two cats as well, and they, too, were excellent!  I especially like the option of no flash. More often than not, I will choose this feature over flash indoors because the warm tones are amazing. The flash pictures can be cold in comparison.  If you want to operate on a budget, here's what you can do:  1) Get a printer where you can easily figure out how to refill the black cartridges (color can be more difficult and the results unpredictable- who wants muddy skintones?)  Check out atlanticinkjet.com. Then you can print black and whites at home, and go to your local Wal-Mart, CVS, etc. to get reprints and edits done easily without the hassle of worrying about replacing your color cartridges.  2)  Get a Smart Media reader. They are relatively inexpensive, and they give you another option for quickly creating CDs that you can also bring to Wal-Mart rather than risking transporting your SmartMedia card and losing it or damaging it.  3) Use rechargeable NiMh batteries. They are cheap - about $7 for 4 of them. You will probably need at least 3 to 4 sets of 4. The chargers are also cheap.  3)Don't get conned into buying any package deals with lenses, etc.(this isn't an issue with buying from Amazon, but it can be with many Internet camera stores).  You will pay a reasonable price for the camera, but a hefty price for the accessories. I know because it happened to me!  So since I am a true novice with this camera, and still experiencing great results, I can recommend this camera. My one concern, however, and that may be a power issue, is that sometimes the camera initially shuts itself on and off. I also hope that the few times that I have forgotten to remove the lens cap have not been damaging to the lens. I am going to take the suggestion of several other positive users and use the adapter and UV filter which of course were bundled with all the over-priced accessories that I received.  So, have fun, and enjoy getting to know this camera!  And take lots of people pictures with no flash. Be aware that some will be blurry because you have to stay really still as does the subject, however, it will be worth it! Here is your accessory list:1) Printer will easily refillable inkjet cartridges (Lexmark Z55 works great for black refill); 2) SmartMedia or card reader for more than one type of memory card; 3) 3 to 4 sets of 4 NiMh batteries -readily available at Wal-Mart and you should be able to use them to replace AA batteries in other electronic devices; 4) Digital Camera bag - you might get lucky and find it at Wal-Mart or similar store with many accessories included; 5) battery charger for 4 NiMh batteries - also cheap at Wal-Mart; 6) 46mm conversion lens adapter - mine is Sakar Digital for Olympic 2000/2020/3000/3030 models; 7) set of 46 mm filters including UV filter to fit on lens adapter-I have Digital Optics Super High Resolution Multi-Coated; 8) Lens Cleaner and Wipe Cloth; 9) AC Adapter - I purchased switching universal power supply and set it to 6.5V at laptopsforless.com for about $20 - you might need this if you run out of rechargeables and you don't have AA batteries on hand, or if you are connecting using the USB cable and don't want to waste your batteries.  10) 4 - 128 mb SmartMedia cards - each should store about 200 or so photos of good quality - they can be found at very different prices, so check around.  Also, since it appears that newer cameras aren't sold with SmartMedia cards, you might want to purchase a few just for future use so they'll be readily available. I also have two lenses that were included with the fabulously expensive camera package. I haven't used them much, so I can't recommend them, but I'll try to update this review.Have fun taking pictures!
I had this camera for years it has been a good camera but they don't make storage media (smart media card) for it anymore... to buy a storage card is quite costly now nearly 400 times what new media storage is going for.  Don't buy it!!!
Great camera but awkward for Lefties
I have had this camera now for about 2 1/2 years. It sits on the shelf. I have replaced it with a Pentix Optio 33 WR (water resistant).First off this camera takes beautiful pictures. Crisp with correct color. The macro shots are wonderful too. There is a design flaw with the lens cap as mentioned below, but it can be rectified with an aftermarket lens cap called an olycap.But the beautiful outdoor pictures are negated by the slowness in focusing and acquiring images indoors. Indoor focusing is very hit or miss, most often resulting in soft focused pictures. Actions shots are impossible, and by action I mean trying to catch your toddler doing something cute. You press the exposure button and sometime in the future the camera will shoot. My wife hates it.If you want to shoot outdoor scenes, and macros of flowers and bugs its a great camera. Anything else, you take your chances.Happy shooting!
If you're going to use this camera with Linux, don't waste your time with gPhoto (it won't work anyway).  In fact, getting this camera to work with Linux is really easy.Just connect the USB cable to the camera and your computer and Linux automatically detects the camera as a SCSI device.  So just mount it as normal:mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/cameraAnd get your pictures from the filesystem!
PC World called its picture quality outstanding and I agree after seeing my prints of 8X10's. Pics looked better printed than on screen. One could make out almost every blade of grass in my prints.It has almost every control one can imagine - and a few I hadn't thought of earlier. Exposure control in automatic mode is exceptionally accurate with slight tendency to overexpose.Minimal to no purple fringing..I've almost never noted it.A set of 4 Panasonic NiMh's lasts me a whole day worth of shooting with electrons left over for downloading pics.Supermacro is astounding - capturing details that  my 20/20 vision is not able to discern.Nightshots with noise reduction is amazing for their clarity.Kind to your wallet by being significantly cheaper than its nearest competitor - probably the G2/G3's from Canon.You can control - Focus/Shutter/Aperture/Flash/Exposure/Bracketing/ISO Speed/White Balance - plus more..and assign your favorite setting for quick recall at one go.I give it 4 stars and not 5 because of a lack of a hotshoe. This should have been included in a camera of this calibre.So - whats not to like?The push button menu driven interface is cumbersome - the C5050 interface is way better in this regard.Its easy to get your fingerprints on the lens - since the outer element of the lens sits on the edge of the barrel.Its easy to switch on the camera with the lens cap in place - and the camera makes grinding noises and beeps away. I assume that this does not damage the camera - I've done it a couple of times.Requires special cable to use flash and its a very cumbersome solution - lack of hotshoe is the biggest shortcoming and one that almost drove me to purchase the G3 instead.Move mode does not capture sound (the Canon's do)Summary - the camera to buy if pic quality and cost is of concern to you. Very satisfied inspite of Cons listed. Totally usable if you know nothing about photography and are only into point and shoot. But if you want to use the advanced features - its all there for you.
I bought this camera in March 2003, and have convinced 7 of my friends to buy it also! I have no photography experience, but with a little help from a photographer friend, I have taken some near professional pictures. I carry it with me everywhere, it is small enough to fit in my purse if I need to, and packed with features. It will even take a mini movie, sans sound. I took it to Paris and Brazil with a couple extra memory cards and got great shots! The macro and super macro have opened my eyes to the small things that often go unnoticed. For the first time my pictures come out just like what I was photographing. With Photoshop and an Epson printer, I am hooked.
My friend bought this camera off someone. She thought it's a lemon. It was just sitting on her cabinet collecting dust. I got this camera from my friend to try it out.Pros- Takes great pictures. Especially in low light. It out performed her pink Sony camera (forgot the model).- The flash is powerful- Awesome image quality. Colors are vivid and true to life (or close). Great for night or low light shots.- I love it's macro- Has different settings options- Relatively durable. I accidentally dropped it few times and didn't break on me and my friend was abusive with the camera and it still survived.Cons- Drains out batteries too fast. While you are trying to find out different settings you will run out of battery juice.- Heavy and bulky- Has major shutter lags and is slow to response (while eating up some more batteries)- Hard to focus sometimes, especially at full zoom in macro setting.- Occasionally produces barrel distortion- Uses SmartMedia Card which is now costly and discontinuedBottomline, it's a great cheap camera that takes good pictures at low light. However you have to invest on good battery recharger and batteries. Because it's so SLOW at responding and eats out batteries like no other camera I've used, it will require you to look else where for a camera.
If you looking for a great digital camera that won't take you to the bank, this one is it. I upgraded from a Kodak and I can't say enough about this camera. You have so many obtions to choose from and alot of different settings, that the possibilities on picture taking are endless. Everyone I know asks me to bring my camera on outing and family dinners because of the quality of the images. GREAT CAMERA, GREAT PRICE!!!!
Let me begin by saying that this is a wonderful camera.  I don't have a lot of experience with digital cameras yet, but having been a semi-professonal film photographer for a long time, I'd say the image quality here is very good.  You have to eat up lots of memory, of course, but that's a given.  With this camera, you also have to be willing to go through some fairly intricate &quot;on screen&quot; menus if you want to deviate from the default settings.  The defaults are fine for most purposes, though.  My only complaint is that while the manual is multilingual, it is not very helpful.  It tells you the obvious, but does NOT tell you that if you enable X function, you will disable Y and Z functions.  Although I've taken many photos that I'm pleased with, I STILL have to figure out how to enable some of the features.  I'll use the 800 number once the holidays are over.  Overall, great camera, mediocre manual.
I bought this camera for less than $300. search the net for lower prices. This camera has wonderful picture quality both indoors and outdoors. a very good buy and worth the money.
At the present I use this camera. For me is the best camera I ever bought. I have tried with another but finally I sold them.
This is a very full featured camera for not a lot of money compared to other similarly equipped cameras out there.Relatively compact size with a nice comfy handgrip.  Menu features are easy to access, although this sometimes makes it difficult to quickly customize your shot (such as setting f-stop, shutter speed, ISO, etc).  Fortunately, the automatic mode takes very good pictures and does a good job adapting to lighting conditions.  One of the buttons can be set to access a feature you commonly want to change, such as picture resolution or ISO.  Two of the menu items can also be customized for quicker access to shot settings.It does a much better job at focusing in low light conditions and seems to be a little easier on batteries than older Olympus C model cameras I've used.  The flash is adequate, although if you want to light things up more than 5 meters away, you'll probably need something with a little more oomf.  The viewfinder is reasonably accurate (actual photo is a little bit larger than what's seen in the viewfinder), but for close-up shots you'll want to use the LCD.One nice feature I have been taking advantage of is the ability to take panorama shots using panorama-compatible Olympus SM cards (the cards will indicate this compatibility).  Switch to Panorama mode and you get two boxes on either side of the LCD that you can use to help with registration.Overall, an excellent camera with tons of features for the price.
i love my olympus camedia, and just about all the other reviews here are righteously top notch, BUT the problem i have had several times with my own is that the LENS POPS OUT. it is held together by a very weak link on the inside, and just one wrong move and the lens gets bent and won't go back in. it is TOO FRAGILE, and has to be sent away to get fixed, it is not something you can readily fix on your own. it is unfortunate, because otherwise this digicam rules.
This is the second camera I have purchased from Olympus that has broken down soon after the warranty expired. The camera itself is great for beginers, even if it's a bit bulky. The quality of the pics is great! Alas, it saddens me to see the quality of this once great company deteriorate to the point that their products seize to work a few weeks/months after their warranty expires... Yes, there are lemons out there, but two cameras? What are the chanses of that? The first Olympus camera that failed on me was the C4000, when a week after the warranty expired the flash died on me. At least I got a good year more with that model (even if I was confined to day shots)... now, the 770 has totally died on me... it seems like the microchip/bar controlling the off-playback-auto-movie modes has malfunctioned on me as it is only turning off and into playback mode (even on camera/video mode)... no use sending it back to the factory as I don't have any warranty and y'all know how much they charge for repairs on digital cameras. So, if you do buy Olympus, get the extended warranty!Nothing left to use but upgrate... this time i'm getting the darn extended warranty... oh, and yes, I went for the Sony Alpha 100.... first dive into dSLR... can't wait to get the lenses this week to test it all out... more on that later.
. . .decided to purchase an Olympus as my first digital.  While it's true there are many more manual settings on this camera than some might like, when I got into jewelry making and needed to close in on my subjects these options were appreciated. It did take awhile to find the exact combination of settings that worked best for this kind of detail but once I did the results were satisfying.  (I'm hardly what you'd call an 'expert' photographer so if I can use this camera and get good results, most can with patience)No problem with the lens cap staying on, to date - it has tabs on each side you pinch to remove, pinch to snap it back on.  Also has a lens cap strap that attaches to the camera strap so you don't lose it.The Camedia lithium battery packs that came with the camera performed well for me, a moderate camera user (somewhere between occasional and high use).  I keep the batteries in the camera when downloading pictures directly into my computer and still got decent life out of them.  (Some prefer to save battery life by not doing that)I'm upgrading to a higher MP camera now but am definitely looking at Olympus again.
I bought this camera back when it was popular in the market place. I have many cameras (I mean like nearly 20) and this is truly one of my "favorites". It has taken many "great" pictures and I like all the manual controls. It uses only the "smartmedia" card format and is thus limited to having a maximum of 128MBs at any given time in the camera, but I'm not really bothered by that; it isn't as though I have to put in a fresh card after only a few pictures. I have 4 128MB cards to use with it and that's essentially the equivalent to having a single 512MB card. Also, I don't really think that it is all that "attractive-looking" a camera, but that also does not bother me because it gives great results. If you ever discover one somewhere and you can trust the seller then I would heartily recommend buying it for yourself! The most important consideration should be the quality of pictures it gives and based on that I give it the full 5 stars!
I have owned this camera since it was first offered by Olympus.H urged others to buy it also and they all, like I, thank it to be the best digital camera on the market and currently off market.. my sister purchased a refurbished Olympus C4000 from Amazon at my reconmendation.. she is very pleased, and glad she bought the Olympus C4000 instead of a newer model camera, which did cost less, from another manufacturer.. people who bought the other camera have already experienced problems.In all the years I have owned my Olympus C4000, I have NEVER experienced any problems!!
I like this camera alot, pretty much because i used it like a mad mofo, while i was making my map(a level for a game). I used it to create the textures, great detail i had it set to maximum excellence. Point and shoot, go on computer, connect it to usb port, and it acts like a seperate drive. The software is pretty handy if you don't already have photo editing software. I myself have photodraw 2000 and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8, great software for texture editing. I would have photoshop, but i dont for obviou$ reasons.The only complaint i have, is with the camera itself; when you turn it on, eg. picture mode; the camera doesn't seem to notice the lens cap is on, so lens cap pops off, this would be ok if i didn't already know that it doing this would eventually break the mechanism that makes it come out. A little warning from me to you, the customer, make sure the lens cap is off before you turn it on.
I like very much this camera because is easy to use, you can transfer pictures to PC in no time, no drivers needed (Win XP), with amazing photo quality, allowing to choose many options for different light and exposure conditions.For the price of this Camedia, you can buy a nice SLR camera. Maybe as you are right now, I hesitated a lot between SLR or Digital, but, considering the large quantity of photos I am taking now for my newborn daughter, the possibility of sharing and re-taking and the scale economy of the digital era (eliminating film, processing and printing), by all means, digital is the best choice.The same options you seek in a SLR, you will find in this Camedia, because it can be adjusted manually (ISO, Aperture, exposure) or semi-automatic (portrait, landscape, both, also low light and fast action).Note: Fast moving objects (NASCAR or so), you have to pre-focus in order to get a good picture.Overall, I am delighted with this camera.Updated: Until Aug, 2004, over a year of use, this camera works perfectly, AA NimH rechargable batteries are cheap and last long, and a lot of great moments have been captured. I recently discover that great photos can be taken easily under very low light conditions, like a photo of a Chicago at night over the Sears Tower.
I researched this camera for about an hour and a half and almost bought it. It has great optics, size, and at a 4mp res. it would have been my first choice-except for one thing. It does not have a lens that retracts, so you have to use a lens cover. This to me is archaic for this level of Camera. I just know that this a factor for a lot of other people too. I am very disapointed that I had to pass because of his design feature that did not appeal to my active lifestyle. When I am out in the outdoors, I have to insist that any camera I own has a lens that retracts and protects the Camera.
I went back and looked at some of the photos that I had taken with this camera and I was impressed once again with how well it takes close-ups of people's faces.  I still have my camera kicking around somewhere along with some extra lenses that were "sold" to me when all I really intended to buy was the camera.I have now had many cameras since this one - several Sonys and now a Canon SX40 HS.It would be great to pull this camera out and do a comparison of close-ups.
I think I bought my Olympus C4000 back in 2003 and I still use it from time to time. It may be only 4MP, but takes pretty good shots. The presets work as expected, too. The only drawback are that the memmory cards are obscture (smart media) and these cameras are hard to find for cheap. Nobody wants to cut loose of these little guys!Cameras for Kids: Fun and Inexpensive Projects for the Little Photographer (Volume 1)Animal Portraits With The Digital Photography Of John Crippen: Learning Photography With AnimalsScenic Photography Using Examples From The California Central Coast: A Visual Guide To The Central Coast And Digital Photography
I got my C-4000 after a recent trip when my, up til then, trusty 35mm SLR decided not to function and I lost 1 and 1/2 rolls of pictures that could not be replaced. Now with my digitals, I know that I have the pictures and will not lose nonreplaceable shots. The C-4000 is one GREAT camera with so many options it will be difficult to use them all. I highly recommend getting the "Referance Manual" from Olympus. This is much more complete than the users manual enclosed with the camera.One method to protect the extended lens - yes, it does move out when the camera is turned on and can be a problem. This will also end the lens cap problem mentioned in some reviews. Get the lens adapter tube, an adapter ring and a UV filter. Leave them on the camera and there is no need to put the lens cap on and the lens will move inside the adapter tube and not get out of wack. It does make the front of the camera stick out a bit, but it is well worth it for the protection it affords.I have an HP 435 point and shoot pocket size digital to carry around for quick shots, but for the absolute best results use my Olympus C-4000.
knowing nothing about photography...didn't read the manual...just turned it on, point, click, and shoot.Some of the best photographs I have ever seen.  Printed in conjunction with HP130 photo printer.Even use some of the many, many features, but it would be worth it without them.  THE QUALITY IS SUPERB!
This is my second digital camera, the other being a Sony Mavica 1.6MP. That camera was pretty good under ideal conditions, but the Olympus 4000 blows it away in terms of image quality and flexibility. With the Sony, I would have to color-balance nearly every photo in Photoshop to get a proper tonal range, but the Olympus automatically does everything for perfect images every time (even offering to show you the histograms as proof!). The range of settings available, as well as the flexibility of the menu system, makes this camera a pleasure to use. Even with extremely low-light conditions, using a fixed camera and subject, excellent images are possible, with up to 16-second exposure time! If I could change one thing it would be to add a more powerful optical zoom, and perhaps to include at least 32M of storage out of the box. Sometimes it's difficult to take indoor shots of moving subjects (namely, 15-month-old toddler), but that's typical of any camera. I've noticed that some people have complained about the manual being poor... the truth is that the paper manual is only a reference guide for the massive 260-page electronic manual which comes supplied as a PDF file on the CD. This manual goes over every function in minute detail with many, many charts to show what functions can and cannot be used together. Do yourself a favor if you own the camera and read it--there are lots of things you will learn about how use your new toy. Of course, something cheaper and better will come along eventually, but if you're considering this one, it's a great buy!
We ordered this camera just before leaving onvacation because we lost our Olympus 3030 (letme know if you found it!).  The C-4000 takesvery good pictures.  It continues the Olympustradition of good optics.  The interface iseasier to use than the one on the 3030 -- youno longer have tiny little buttons that haveto be pushed to change modes.  It's a bit bulkierthan some of the other 4MP cameras but I thinkyou gain in picture quality.  This camerais at the end of its product cycle (Olympus ispushing 5MP cameras such as the 5050) so you mightbe able to find it at a reduced price.
I just recently bought this model for my first digital camera, and I have to say I'm extremely impressed.  Within 30 minutes of opening the box, I was taking photos at work and downloading them to my iBook (this camera works GREAT with iPhoto).One thing I do like is that Olympus makes it easy to get started, but gives you TONS of control over the photos if you want the control.  A friend of mine who is very knowledgable about digital cameras was showing me some of the manual controls and how they affected photos.  I definitely recommend you read the manual (in PDF format) on the CD... it's much better than the small, printed manual Olympus provides.All in all, I think this camera is going to keep me happy for quite some time!
I got this camera as a Christmas gift last year.  I love it!  It's very easy to use and my pictures come out incredible.  I highly recommend it.
I bought this camera several years ago and I absolutely love it. The picture quality I can get from this thing is remarkable. I have several cameras; including DSLR. I love taking pictures and do so quite often. I've used my C4000 for years and was quite happy with it, as an everyday camera. But it is rather bulky. So last year I decided I would replace it with a newer, slimmer and smaller camera that I could slip into my pocket. So I bought a Nikon coolpix. The only thing good about the coolpix was the size. The picture quality wasn't very impressive at all. The options were ok but nothing spectacular. But hey, it was a $120 camera. So no big deal. My coolpix died a few days ago at a semi-important event. I had originally planned to bring my DSLR but decided to use my coolpix for the event (an event that I needed pictures of for my website for my business). The coolpix was dead when I tried to start shooting. I bought it in December and this is July and it's dead. And I take very meticulous care of my camera equipment. So I drove home and grabbed my DSLR and everything was fine. Later that night, I got out my old C4000. I am now using it again as my daily shooter. It really is a great camera. The only thing that sucks is the size. I can't just pop it in my pocket when I'm not using it. Other than the size, this is a great camera. The cards are no longer made for it which means the ones that are still on the market are crazy expensive. So that sucks. But if you're looking for a great digital camera and you are on a tight budget, you can find these second hand for very few dollars. And the good thing is, if you find a used one for sale, chances are the owner will have several of the cards since they don't fit into anything else.
This camera covers the gamut from Point-and-shoot to Full Manual, with everything in-between. Worked seamlessly with iPhoto too. Battery life is great with over 200 shots on the set of included batteries. The rechargeable types never seem to hold a charge for me. These new Li-ion batteries have a 10 year shelf life which is great for me. No more picking up the camera just to find dead batteries - like my video camera.
My parents gave me this camera five years ago when my daughter was born.  Not having any real experience with cameras, I am just now learning to use the manual settings on it.  Even so, I have taken some studio quality images using just the auto settings, but the images don't print well any larger than about a 5X7.  My two biggest complaints are the lag time between pressing the button and the shot actually being taken, and the lens cover.  I really liked the way my 35 mm had a lens cover that opened automatically when the camera was turned on, since about half the time, even after 5 years, I forget to take it off.  My parents specifically bought a camera that had a viewfinder, but I must say I never use it.However, I have decided I need to upgrade for more pixels.  I would not recommend this camera to anyone, especially for the price I see here, because the newer cameras are better and cheaper.
I don't think I've ever bought a camera before, so this is might be my mistake, but I was very dismayed to find that mine did not come with a SmartMedia card or any saving device. :\ I feel like they should have been mentioned in the description. The old "such-and-such sold separately" line.UPDATE:After getting the SmartMedia card I was able to use it a few times. However I went to use it the other day only to find that it would no longer recognize the card! This was ridiculous. Between the cost of the camera and the card, this is a purchase I really regret.
I have it. Believe me. The only thing that isn't that great is that it uses Smartmedia cards that really suck. Otherwise it's great. Just get a 128MB Smartmedia card with it and you're set.
While some people call this a point and shoot camera it is much more than that.  It takes pictures of stunning crispness that easily enlarge to 8x10 with no problem.  Using an adapter ring you can put filters on the camera.  I added a circular polarizer to mine.  This camera is trustworthy, reliable, easy to use and taking pictures with it can become a totally intuitive process.  My only problem with it is a problem a lot of other similar cameras would have- and that is that the display screen is not protected from glare so sometimes under certain lighting conditions you cannot easily see the image you are taking.  I compensate for this by taking "Hail Mary" type shots and most of the time I get useable images.  I have also learned to take an extra set of batteries with me when doing a lot of photographic work in one day.  I shot most of the time at ISO 400 and had no problems with noise.  I did a lot of close-ups of flowers and got really nice images.  A great little camera!
very nice camera!
Now I see why digital is comming on. This camera is everything it says. The pictures are great. the ability to send them by E-mail or burn them on CD's for slide shows makes you the producer. Of course you can print them with a photosmart printer getting excellient results. This area is costly though, but no waiting for the photo shop to deliver. The only area I wished an improvement on, was the opitical zoom. For the money that is, 5X instead of 3X should have been a go.
Fantastic Camera for Online Auctions!  I sell a lot of stuff for extra cash on Online Auction and this camera takes perfect pictures everytime. I just keep it on the Den table. Turn it on and switch it on Macro Mode, slightly push down picture button for auto focus, and voila.  A perfect close-up pic everytime. I have a nicer Olympus C-2500L (originally $2000.00) and this camera does a better, quicker job with macro closeup photos.  If you need great fast pics for selling buy this camera.
Pros: Lots of manual options, incredible feature set, superb four megapixel digital images, Fantastic optics for color and clarity, Manual and automatic controls for pros and debutants, Very little lag, Excellent image quality and easy to use buttons, Fast, Many settings and options, great zoom ratio, nice control layout, nice size LCDCons: Slightly Heavy, Not as cool looking as other cameras, 8 MB Storage card supplied with camera is woefully inadequate, User manual, software kind of plain, battery life, Size of pictures and erase features are not what I would like.Summary: The C-4000z is a very impressive digital camera and for the price it can't be beat. This camera packs a serious punch with features only found on higher end digital cameras. I have been using digital cameras for the past four years from Kodak to Sony but this one out beats them all. Now I won't beat around the bush and say there are no flaws with the cam, the first being the batteries shipped with the cam (they are one time use only)! So right off the bat you have to spend a couple more dollars for rechargeable batteries. The batteries I got I'm able to take about 200 hundred high res. (TIFF) pictures before being replaced. The second problem is the small memory card shipped with the cam (at the time of my buy Olympus was giving free 64 mb cards with mail in rebate). The camera does come with a owners manual but has very limited information in it, for a extensive manual you have to read it off the installation disk in PDF form which isn't bad for me because it makes it a little easier to look something up using the word find feature. Now for the good things about the camera. This camera is packed with features and this should be taken into account if your new to digital cameras there is a lot to take in. Everything is arranged on the camera that makes it easy to navigate and set up. Olympus even went and put a user choice setting button which is nice if you use certain setting such as focal length, shutter speed etc. which enables you to set your preferences and return to them without having to set the whole camera up again. The pictures that result from this camera are amazing! I was at Yosemite a couple of weeks ago and shot some impressive pictures which I framed and had hanging on my wall a service tech who was doing some work in my house actually wanted to know where I had bought the pictures. Several other features that Olympus thought of were the ability to attach an external flash (optional). The camera also gives you the ability to crop pictures right on the camera. The panoramic feature takes a little to get used to but works really well. I don't want to bore you with the fine details (exposure settings, shutter speeds etc) but just wanted to let you know if your looking for a decent digital camera at a fair price the C-4000z is for you. Oh just one more thing a little tip I use all the time, If you happen to have a smart media card take it along with you to your local camera shop or electronic store and ask the sales person if you can insert your card and try the camera. You can then take the card home and if you have a media reader or printer that has a reader built in you can see the results of the camera prior to buying it (just a suggestion). It also gives you the opportunity to see how your digital dark room will do when it come to printing from this camera.
I wish I had more than a 1,000 word limit to explain my satisfaction with this camera.  I have, until recently, been a know-nothing when it comes to cameras, digital or not.  I was the poster boy for disposable cameras until one day I just couldn't take it any more.  Digital cameras were appearing on the necks of the people all around me and the possibilities seemed outstanding.  So I finally took the plunge and bought this camera.Now, I know some readers are eager to read about the dazzling features and whatnot, but not the bulk of readers, because this camera is definitely not for pros.  It is clearly for two classes of users:1) total novices who want to be able to start snapping GREAT photos within 24hrs of receiving it, and look forward to growing into the cameras many great features,  and;2) dabblers, intermediate and amateur photographers who want superclear photos and a decent variety of bells and whistles to play with.You can get extensive technical reviews and specification sheets all over the net, so instead of giving you an amateurish rehash of all the information I gathered, here are two links that will be of great service to you as they were to me.w w w dot dpreview dot com, andw w w dot photo dot net/digital/cameras/choosingSo far, I've taken pictures at day and night and have been very pleased with both.  Since this camera has a built-in electronic flash, you must eventually read some articles about lighting or you'll never realize the latitude you can potentially have on making face shots look a lot better than just point-and-shoot.Consumer Reports Nov 2003 included this camera in it's review of 34 cameras and while they made no specific mention of the C4000, it was rated &quot;excellent&quot; for print quality.  It's other features were competitive and for the price made them seem like a bargain.Careful of the lens cap.  It's easy to forget to remove it before powering on whereby the lens automatically extends.  I read the lens gears are plastic so eventually this will grind them down.  I've read different opinions of battery life.  Consumer reports says a set of rechargeable batteries should result in 130 photos (I haven't taken that many yet).  The camera includes a small manual but the real manual is on disc and praised as a worthy read by many reviewers.  Don't let the accompanying software get you down.  It's meant to be basic and you can find plenty of image editing software online.  I personally recommend:- minimum 3yr extended warranty (1yr is standard and can go by fast.)- Battery Charger and 4 Extra 1800mAh Batteries (supercharger and 2000mAh+ batt if impatient)- USB media reader to free up your camera while transferring photos- 128MB Smartmedia (extra digital film)As a first time digital camera enthusiast, I am very happy with this purchase.  I rated it a 5, not in comparison to other cameras, but in comparison to my overall experience when making any kind of purchase.  I hope this review has been helpful.  Happy clicking!
I must say that I would like not to like a digital. However, this camera is really good. I have a good 35 mm and a Nikon film scanner. This camera, the Olympus 4000, comes really close in in image quality. The controls, manual shutter,f stop, and even a very cool manual focus, are a must for capturing the right images. Controls/menus are a bit confusing, however, like anything, you will adjust. The LCD screen is large and sharp. The camera is not too tiny, so one can hold it more firmly and not get a hand cramp either. Like the tiny cell phones can do to you. I bought this for my wife as a gift. I may buy one for me, too.UPDATE....I did buy one. I liked it, however, after using the camera for one month, and on a trip to Italy, I returned it the place that I bought it. Many good things but, the digital cameras are too slow to react when you take/press the shutter. The zoom is slow, the LCD screen is often glared and the view finder is 75% of the image and skewed. Although quite impressive and versatile, change iso, color, hue and so on, I find the 35mm SLR to still be a much better camera for the same money. The digi-camera has a long way to go.  Still, I believe that one in the family is great. My wife love's her Olympus C4000. I do at times.  One nice thing...carrying the equivalent of 15 rolls of film in a tiny pouch was sweet, and no fear of the film getting ruined at airport scanners.
I've owned this camera for about 3 years now and have lots of experience with it.  Here are my observations:Pros:- Great picture quality- Good battery life- Durable (I've dropped it several times with no ill-effects)- Good manual controls once you figure out how to set themCons:- Big & bulky- Horrible delay.  From the time you hit the button and the time the picture is captured is at times up to 2 seconds.  This is unacceptable.  I've missed way too many shots because of this.  This alone is reason enough to consider other options.- Menus are not intuitive at all and require lots of trial & error or actually reading the manual ;)  Other cameras I've played with make the controls more intuitive.- After you finish downloading pics to your computer and then turn it off the darn thing insists on cycling through a full lens extention before shutting down.  You can hear the lens grinding away against the lens cap until you remove it to let it do it's thing...I'm going to be selling my camera - replacing with the Casio Exilim EX-Z600SR 6MP.  Can't wait for it to arrive!
i really like the way this camera looks, feels and the controls on it, but...the response is really slow, and the picture quality is only acceptable.  I think it would be a good starting camera for a kid to learn on, and it is a tough camera.
You know a camera is good when people are still willing to buy Smart Cards for it.
Purchased this camera at Costco.  So that I'm not just repeating the things others have already raved about, the top reasons I love this camera for are:1.)  Night Shots - Simply unbelievable pictures when taken at night.  You can get pictures in almost complete darkness so long as you use a tripod.  Stars far away show up on this camera which is simply amazing!2.)  Customization - The setting features go beyond anything else in it's respective price range for features, range of settings, customability and presets including self portrait which does a very good job of capturing you while holding the camera out in front of you when there is no one around to take your picture.3.)  The Macro function for getting really close up shots does an unbelievable job when it comes to detail and clarity.  I have compared my shots with people who have much more expensive cameras than mine and they can't believe how crystal clear my close ups turn out.I've had people with much more expensive digital cameras get sort of depressed when they see all the features my Olympus has and the quality photo it takes compared to theirs.  I did a lot of research on digitals and have still yet to find another camera for the price that does a better job.
This camera delivers nice output, and the optical zoom provides some range.While very happy with this item, there are a few drawbacks:1. Nearly all controls are menu-driven.  Some of the more commonly-used controls would have been nicer on rings/buttons.2. The lens cap needs to be removed when the camera is turned on.Still, exposure, focus and aperature controls are flexible, but more sophisticated photographers may find themselves wanting more, such as interchangeable lenses.
I ordered this product and it came right on time. I used it to charge my battery once and it worked. It's always better to have one extra charger in hand before the product goes out of the market. I have a JVC camcorder and the charger stopped working. I tried to get another charger from JVC and web, but that model was not available. I had to buy after market charger and it didn't charge well.
Product is in good condition like described. It performs well. However, the order took a long time to ship.
great charger
This was just as described and exactly what I expected it to be.  Seller was great to work with.  I would purchase this again.
I may be a little naive, but I was expecting an actual battery with my battery charger.  Other than that, it's fine.  It works and it charges the battery in the stated time.
This is a very helpful device for traveling and it did a great job for me while I travel to Louisiana last week. So handy and light, a must for outing.
I purchased charger at same time of battery purchase.Belive me it's everything it's supposed to be.Just plug it in, snap in battery and in about 1hr.45 min. to 2hr.you will have a fully charged battery.Don't know about other batterys or chargers claiming to be compatable with my Nikon. It's always been my belief if you have something that has optional accessories stay with that brand.
You get what you pay for! This is a genuine authentic Nikon charger, not a fake! Great condition and does what its supposed to do! Great shipping time also! Thanks!
I was looking for a green light to come on when the battery charger was done. None appeared. The light flashed when I slipped in a battery and after a time became constant. I guess that means the battery is charged. (?)
This is the only charger I know of that will charge this Nikon battery. It works.Update: the camera went berserk, and only takes pictures of a weird, alternate, psychedelic unreality. Gotta get that fixed.
Pros: excellent pictures/colors, light, easy to use (point & shoot), very good PC software, and much better priced compare with other 3.x Mega Pixels.Cons: plastic body, shuttle lag.I recommended this nice toy to all of my relatives and friends. We all love the outcome of pics.
I bought this camera after researching for a good digital camera that was inexpensive.  I am glad I picked this one!  It takes really good pictures and a lot of them with the xD cards.  It will take a huge amount for web pages and the finer the picture you want, the less you can take but still it is a good amount for digital.  I don't think you'll regret buying this one if you want a simple, easy to use, inexpensive everyday camera but if you are like some who are really picky or professionals then you should go for the more pricey ones.  This camera is a 5 out of 5 stars for me!
This is my 3rd digital camera and I couldn't be happier.  The last two were both Olympus.Pro's: Small and lightweight, fast reaction time loading images on LCD, fast reaction when turning cam on and off, very simple to use, built-in flash (as opposed to flip up), and new XD card technology.  The complaints about the "cheap plastic" feel really don't bother me since I prefer to have a lightweight camera.Cons: No sound on video, fast battery drainage (get rechargeables).
For its low price, this camera is worth it.  It takes nice quality pictures and is durable. I've dropped it a few times and it hasn't broken yet.  It is also extremely easy to use.  Even my mom figured out how to use it!!!Overall:  A very good camera
Do yourself a favor and limit your camera search to those that use the industry standard memory format, COMPACT FLASH.
I've had this camera for a couple years and I'm just dying to buy a new one.We went to Vegas a couple months ago and tried to take pictures of the Lions at Caesars. Here's how it works:1) Turn on camera, wait a minute for it to be ready2) Take a picture (with flash)3) Wait about 50 seconds until it's ready to take the next one.I can't believe this camera has such high ratings. Besides being horribly slow, the picture quality is hit or miss. When it's on, it's really great, but about half of the time it's "off."
I just bought this camera after doing a fair amount of research on various models.  The interface is very simple to use, and it takes good pictures and makes decent movies for a digital camera.I'm writing this mainly in response to another review.  The only concern I had in buying this camera was that one reviewer here said that if you scroll through the images on the camera, stop in the middle, and then take pictures, it will overwrite the images that you've already taken.  I talked to a friend of mine who also has a Fuji digital camera (although not this model), and he said it didn't happen with his, so I decided to buy the A303.  After playing around with it, I found that it does not overwrite the images in the scenario described above.  So I guess this guy either got a defective model, or accidentally deleted his pictures himself.
Small &amp; compact. Easy to use. Takes great digital pictures. I have several digital cameras &amp; this Fuji A303 is so handy. It uses 2AA batteries &amp; you can take about 200 to 300 pics. depending if you shut down the LCD. Xd memory is the size of a stamp. You'll want the ac adapter &amp; an Xd reader that is hard to find in stock. Camera is plastic, but holds up very well. You can't go wrong with this digital camera.
I have had several digital cameras, and none gave me better service than the Fuji FinePix. Normally, I do film photography and if I want digital pictures, I scan in the negative. When I went to straight digital photography, I found out that I needed certain features as "must-haves." The Fuji did pretty well on most counts.Photos: Resolution 2048 x 1536 - on the fine setting 1600 x 1200  -on the normal setting (fine for most work) 1280 x 960 or 640 x 480 Lower resolution email setting for smaller files (nice!)Features JPEG format.  Up to 60 seconds of 320 x 240 or up to 240 sec's of 160 x 120 motion video 3X optical zoomPros: Great resolution for the price. Fuji delivers sharper pictures than many entry-level competitors. Choice of settings including that email setting, great if you are taking a bunch of pictures and want to email them without a lot of massaging Exposure compensation for backlight available (+1.5 to -.2.1 EV exposure value) White balance choice to change exposure from automatic, good if no manual settings are available, as they are not here. Controls are EASY to use. I love that directional button for playback and settings. XD Picture card-new standard for digital-supposed to reduce battery consumption and faster read/write, as well as large capacity.Cons Relies on AA batteries, leaving you to have to shell out for  a NiMH rechargeable instead, recommended so you don't leave a nasty pile of eco-unfriendly batteries behind you as you go on a photo shoot. And recharging IS more convenient, believe me. You may be concerned about moving to a new digital format (the XD) or have a stash of standard Smart Memory cards. It's annoying to move to a new standard, though XD offers some advantages.Conclusion: You can't go wrong here for an entry-level digital camera. This delivers plenty of performance for the buck and most people will be more than pleased. Just get a rechargeable battery.Specs: 3.24 Megapixel CCD for images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels. 3x (38-114mm equivalent) F2.8 optical zoom lens Seamless 3.2x digital zoom in 640x480 mode 1.5-inch TFT color LCD, approx. 60,000 pixels Program AE, Manual mode offers exposure compensation Shooting modes: Still, Movie, Macro Motion video w/out audio up to 60 secs @ 320x240 White balance selectable in Manual mode Shutter speeds: Automatic 1/2 seconds to 1/2000 second 64-zone TTL Metering ISO sensitivity 100 equivalent Built in flash with Auto, Red-eye reduction, Forced on, forced off and slow-synchro 9-frame and 13x zoom playback function with scrolling xD Picture Card storage, 16MB supplied USB connectivity Powered by two standard AA type batteries Small (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.5 in.) and lightweight (8.8 oz)
I was 100% satisfied with this seller.  The camera was delivered in less than a week.  The packaging was excellent to prevent any damage.  The camera was also in wonderful condition.  My other Fuji FinePix gave out on me after a number of years of constant use and I could not find one through the company itself so this was so exciting to see it online for sale.  I have never bought anything online like this so my experience was just perfect.  Thank you so very much as I now can continue to take many memorable photos.
Surprisingly good images from a small camera at a small price, what's not to like? Now and then, for work, I've shot with a number of 35mm, a couple large format film cameras, one pro-35mm digital, and one digital large format studio system.  That's for work though. The little Fuji A303 is for fun and what simple fun it proved to be.The camera belongs to my 12 year old nephew. It's so simple that a youngster has no trouble getting shots that are every bit as good as the ones I take! Carrying it around all day, taking indoor and outdoor shots, close-ups and scenics, this little camera never flinched. I never had to override any of the automatic exposure settings. It handled backlighting with ease (my subject was in front of a very bright window with southern exposure). I couldn't make it fail. Exposures were brilliant.These images look great printed out, and they are super for use in web sites, email, etc. I'd even use them in a small brochure if shot at the highest setting. (But they are jpegs with some compression so I wouldn't use them too large if the printing is done professionally). All in all, I can't fault this little camera. It's a little stunner. You won't be sorry if you buy it.
Buying a digital camera these days seems to be about as easy as using a spoon to empty Lake Superior. It's a daunting task to say the least, simply because there are so many different manufacturers out there and each makes several cameras. Worse, there are some companies that shouldn't be making digital cameras because the products are so lousy (Polaroid springs to mind). I myself looked at several cameras under five-hundred dollars and above two-hundred dollars as a starting point. I also had criteria including things like I didn't care whether it could capture video. All I wanted was a camera that took pictures and could then transfer those images to my PC. Once I started this process, narrowing down what camera I wanted became a little easier.There aren't many digital cameras out there that can take pictures as well as a half decent 35mm SLR, at least not yet. Some make a very good attempt at it, but, and this is an important but, you're buying the convenience of not having to spend money developing rolls and rolls of film. Another criteria I looked at was storage medium- Compact Flash cards, Sony's proprietary memory sticks or the new XD cards. After examining the different media types, I found I didn't care which one my future camera took. How many of these things are you gonna need, anyway? Between the 16 mb card that came with the camera and the 64 mb card I bought with it, I can store about 250-300 high quality images. That's a lot of pictures and considering you can review and the delete the ones you don't like, freeing up extra space. So unless you're taking a 3-month tour of Europe, it is unlikely that you will run out of memory to store pictures.Initially I had settled on the Sony DSCP7 3.2 mega-pixel camera, but at the last minute jumped ship and purchased the FijiFilm FinePix A303- another smaller 3.2 mega pixel camera and haven't really regretted doing so. It's a wonderful little (about 3 x 2 x 1 inches) silver box that takes good quality images. It has everything I wanted- 6x total zoom, USB port for connecting to my PC, built in flash, built in timer, and red eye reduction. And like anything, it also had to be easy to use, because taking pictures shouldn't be work, but a part of the fun. The A303 can also take video without sound, but that doesn't matter to me since I also own a video camera and if I'm camping on traveling around, I carry both in the same bag.Having owned it for a little over a month, I have found only two irritating functions. First, it eats batteries like there's no tomorrow. In day light, with the view screen turned off and no flash, you might be able to fill a 64 mb card before the batteries die, but if you use the flash and/or screen, forget it- you'll be changing batteries before you know it. The second thing it does and this is the killer because I lost pictures because of it, is if you scroll through images using the review function and don't go all the way to the end, you will overwrite images in memory when you start taking new pictures. I found this out the hard when on a canoe trip when I discovered that several pictures of a white tailed deer drinking from the river side were overwritten by later photos of friends around the camp fire. The first failing is forgivable- alkaline and rechargeable batteries are cheap, but replacing pictures like those are not. It's going to cost the camera a star. Some reviewers have also complained about its plastic construction- okay, so it's made of plastic- what isn't these days?That aside, though, I am very happy with the A303- it does exactly what I want: takes good pictures quickly and easily that I can send to my family and friends. It's economical considering I don't have to pay to develop pictures or even wait to have them developed. It's small and easy to carry and now that I know about the overwriting foible, it won't happen again because I'll know better. For what it costs and for what you get, it's a great value, fun and easy to use. I don't regret buying and the pictures I've taken have made some people very happy.
Good:1. 3 megapixels for high quality photos2. lightweight3. fast response time, a good camera for point and shoot.4. can record pretty high quality videos5. both optical and digital zoom6. very nice white balance (especially indoors)7. only needs 2 AA batteries.Bad:1. blurs easily indoors without proper/bright lighting. Outdoor pictures are great though, and I'm a firm anti-flash type person,  however it seems like the only way to get rid of blurriness is to use flash.2. bulky. It's light yes, but it's also bulky, meaning you can't really carry it conveniently wherever you want; you basically have to carry it in its own case, which is rather annoying on vacations and outtings with friends and well....travelling anywhere.3. videos don't have sound, but I don't really think that's a downer...my little short silent ones are totally fine, although sound would be a pleasant extra to have...Overall, this camera is pretty good. I think it's a nice deal for the low price. However, the fat and plump case/design made me supremely jealous of my friend's credit card-sized camera that she can fit in the back pocket of her jeans. This is NOT a camera to lug around. As for durability, I haven't dropped it yet, so I wouldn't know.I'm currently looking for a digital camera that can compete in quality and response time while being slim, light, and much more travel-friendly.
I bought this camera several years ago and can say that I am pleased with its performance over that time.  I thought I would add my thoughts on it to the chorus.Pros:Reliable - It has not malfunctioned for me in the time I've had itUses 2AA batteries so it is easy to replace them in a pinchThe xD media has become comperable to other media in priceEasy connection to computers via USB cableCapable of switching resolution from 3.2 MP down to .3 MPGood for taking close-upsMultiple flash settingsCons:Extremely slow in start-up and between shotsSlow shudder speedAutomatic focus makes it virtually impossible to shoot through glassVery small LCD screen in the backPictures become blurrged when the batteries start run downFlash can fail or be mistimed when the batteries are lowNo sound on videoAll-in-all, it is a decent camera considering its age and price.  It is good for stationary subjects such as landscape, plants, and overweight cats.  If you expect to need to take action shots or several shots in a row, it is not the camera for you.  The shudder speed is too slow for moving targets and it can take 5-7 seconds between pictures when using the flash.My personal opinion rates is at 4-stars, though I could not rationally give it more than 3 due to its age and the afore-mentioned drawbacks.
i have a nikon cp800 now, and have used my friends fuji 2600 for 3 weeks. so, thought at 3mp this must be better than a 2600, wrong. i bought the camera and took about 50 pictures. the camera only give acceptable shots at full sunlight outdoors. the pics indoors are useless. even outdoors the camera gives lousy shots unless there is extreme bright light. i like fuji digital cameras, but they missed here. you get about the pic quality of a $$ 1mp camera. if your looking for a $ carry along camera, get the fuji 2600. my guess, half of a303 will be returned.
Pros: This camera is compact, easy to use, has very good photo quality, inexpensive, Easy menu navigation, 3X zoom lens in relatively compact body, separate self-timer mode.Cons: The movie (video) mode has no sound, Some add ons are a must and cost more, No rechargeable battery included, fairly long shot-to-shot delay, noisy images.Summary: Just bought the A303, and I don't think I could be any happier. I have been snapping and printing shots for the past few days and it has been very easy, even for a technological nivice such as myself. The camera is small, good looking, and lightweight (7oz!). I Paid $300 before accessories, resonable for 3 megapixels. The camera basically comes with everything one would need, but for those who take a lot of shots, a larger memory card (16mb included with camera) would be necessary. I looked at many other brands. Canons were a little bit overpriced, Sonys looked good, but the accessories end up costing more than the camera. If your first time digital enthusiast like me, go for the A303, you won't be sorry!
I will try to point out some of the problems with this camera,1. It looks cheap and feels cheap plastic. Cover of lens although good looking in pictures, is very flimsy. Try playing with one in a store and you will realize what I mean. Its basically a very thin sheet held by a spring, sure to break soon.2. Too thick/big to compete with Canon Elph's.3. Very less weight means more camera shake and blurry pictures. Yes for a digital camera being too light is also problematic.4. Picture quality only average for a 3MP. Nothing spectacular. Don't be guided by just a "3MP" tag... doesn't necesaarily mean better quality. (Just like having fastest processor on your PC doesn't mean best performance, other things like motherboard, chispet, memory etc also count)5. Has max shutter of only 1/2 sec, meaning you won't get any decent night or low light pictures.6. No Video out port for watching pics on TV.7. No sound recorded with movies. Movies have too low frame rate and useless quality. Use as a webcam also isn't practical.8. Lens worse than even other Fuji, 2650.9. To make things worse, it uses a propreitary xD card which is *more than twice* as expensive as CF card here on Amazon. Plus there's no 128MB in stock anywhere as of today. Death to xD card !Why wouldn't someone buy a Canon A40/S200/S330 or Fuji 2650 or Nikon 2500 or Minolta Dimage X or one of dozens of Kodak/Sony/HP models floating around ? Why A303 with new propreitary card and no features for the price except a 3MP tag ? Maybe you might like it though.I don't see any reason why Fuji couldn't use SD or MMC or CF or one of the existing formats or add video out and better movie mode. Hopefully FujiFilm will come with something better next time around !
My experiences with the Finepix 3800 are doubleplus ungood.The biggest problem is that it refuses to focus unless there is plenty of light.  Either you use the flash or you have broad daylight.  Anything less and the camera refuses to focus.The shutter speed is slow.  The Sony digital I have used has a quick and responsive shutter.  This thing takes the picture at least a second or two after you press the button.  You also have to wait a couple of seconds before you can take another.  If you want to take a picture quickly or something not posed and the target is holding absolutly still, then this is not the camera for you.Since the shutter speed is so low, you have to hold it absolutly still.  If not, you will get blurry pictures.  (Even more so in low light.)If you are taking pictures outdoors with subjects that don't move, then this is the camera for you.  Otherwise look at something else.
I purchased the Fuji FP 3800 in August of 2003.  I used the camera very little during that period, and it was kept in excellent physical condition.This year I started doing some shooting with it, and found that often the viewfinder display often come up blank, even with fresh batteries or running on the A/C adapter.  Some times it would display, sometimes it wouldn't... other times, the dsiplay would flash intermittently with bright horizontal lines.Now, it fails consistently.I read numerous user reviews on this product, and it's obvious to me that this problem is "systemic" with the 3800, and not the result of misuse, or associated with normal wear and tear problems.  It's a defective product.Just Look at the number of "no display" and "flashing display" complaints here on Amazon... I lost count.Fortunately for Fuji, this failure occurs just after the warranty period, has ended, and as far as I am aware, Fuji has never recalled this obviously defective camera, or... offered any form of reparation.I will never purchase another Fuji product, and I will encourage my friends and associates to do the same.Fuji used to be well a respected company, known for good products at good prices.Sadly, that is no longer the case... and even sadder... I can't give the Fuji FinePix 3800 a "0" rating.Al Campagna
I bought this camera about a week ago, and will be returning mine as soon as the stores open tomorrow.  My old digital camera is a Kodak (1 megapixel).  The Kodak's indoor pictures are much better than the Fuji.  The auto flash indoor pictures I took with the Fuji came out looking fuzzy about 65% of the time.  I kept thinking that I must be doing something wrong which is why I kept the camera for a week.  I read the manual backwards and forwards, I tried all the possible settings...but the end result was fuzzy indoor pictures (outdoor pictures looked fine).  The camera salesman at Best Buy tried to talk me out of buying the Fuji 3800.  He told me that for a new camera he's never seen so many returned. I thought maybe he was just trying to get me to buy a more expensive camera (or something that wasn't selling well).  Now I think he was just telling me the truth.The software isn't that great either.  It takes up quite a bit of disk space and is not very user friendly.I'm not sure what camera I'll buy now.  I'm a little gun shy after purchasing the Fuji 3800 (I thought I'd done my research).  I've heard good things about Olympus...maybe that's the camera I'll purchase.
I had this camera for less than 2 years and used it only on rare occasions - you know, holidays and special events - so it has pretty low usage.  Yet it has decided not to work.  It turns on foe a second or two (with brand new batteries) then shuts itself off.  Rearranging batteries and resetting factory default settings no help.  Had similar reliability problems with another fujifilm camera.  Fool me once shame on you, twice shame on me!  Goodbye Fujifilm - forever!
This is a GREAT camera.  The combination of the 6X optical zoom, a great form factor, and excellent battery life are unbeatable.  Still I recommend buying TWO SETS of rechargeable batteries (get the highest mAH number you can find).
It was a nice camera until it stopped working in the first week of my three week Paris, France trip. It was working fine, I took couple of pictures and turned it off and then it never turned back on. Also from other reviews you will see the same engineering mistake. There is a small screw coming out and shorting the circuits and power. I called Fuji, they told me to send it to a repair center, and the cost of repair is same as the camera itself now, I won't get it fixed or buy any other Fuji product again. This is a common problem that they had with their design in this particular model and they should fix it with no cost at me. If a car has such a common problem, they recall it and fix the problem for you with no cost but for cameras you pay 400 dollars (it is some money, maybe not same as cars but why do we measure respect with money) and they don't respect their customers, then ok, they won't have loyal customers either. NEVER TRUST FUJI, go buy a better camera from sony or canon.
Received the camera early this month and loved it from the first time I took it out of the box to use.It is simple to use and the pictures are great. Just like with any camera whether digital or not there are some pictures that just don't turn out right so you just delete them and try again. I would recomend this to anyone.
I bought this camera approximately 18 months ago and have been totally and completely satisified with its performance and picture quality. This is my first digital camera.  When I was looking to dive into the digital world, I wanted a camera that would give me all of the features my SLR camera had (zoom, picture quality, etc.).  I absolutely cannot say enough good things about my Fuji.  It takes great pictures with little or no effort on my part.  The battery life is long; consumption is at a minimum.  I am able to take close to 100 pictures before I need to change batteries.  I keep two sets of rechargables.  One in the camera and one fully charged in the bag.  So all I have to do is switch them out when necessary.  I immediately bought additional XD cards. With the 128mb card, at normal resolution, you can store just over 200 pictures.  I love to take pictures...  My idea is take 10 pics and you'll probably get at least one really good one.  My husband used to cringe at the sound of each picture, thinking about costly film developing.  Now, he doesn't care.  I take 10 pics, and delete nine.  Only print out the one that is good.  :-) The long and short of it is, I love this camera.  It is a good purchase and well worth the money if you are looking to transition over from film to digital without giving up any features.
I have had this camera for over three years now and I bought it when it was valued at $400.  I love the quality of the pictures it takes.  I love the design, it feels more like a professional camera.I've read the reviews below this one, where people have had complaints of the camera not working.  I've experienced the camera shutting off on me for no appearant reason.  So far, it still works.  But I do have another digital camera that I use often too.  If my camera stops working, I will update.
All the favorable reviews about this camera are true.  If only I could still turn it on.  It would have been great to have for the rest of my life.I know exactly what the problem is.  The batteries rest on metal tabs that do two things: They are electrical contacts, and they are supposed to act like little springs, holding the batteries up firmly against the electrical contacts in the battery compartment door.  Unfortunately, these little tabs are now sagging.  So the batteries no longer make firm contact, and, even with fresh batteries, the camera can't muster the power to take pictures.Pulling the tabs back up is problematical.  They are buried at the bottom of the battery compartment and very hard to get at.The camera still works fine if run off its power adapter.  You have to be near a power outlet.  This basically turns it into an indoors-only camera.Didn't the Fuji engineers know that a thin strip of metal, placed under constant pressure, will eventually sag?  Maybe they were well aware of this.  Maybe this is an example of "planned obsolescence".May 12, 2011 update:  I flexed the metal tabs upward with a nut pick, and the camera is working normally again.TIP: When storing the camera, remove the batteries.  This will take the stress off the connections at the bottom of the battery compartment.
Love my camera, it takes the greates pictures even it your not a professional.  I love the video also.  The quality is excellent and mine was refurbished.
My 3800 needed to have its power supply rebuilt twice in its first two years of service.
Our office purchased this camera a couple of years ago.  I am the primary user of the camera.  (This model provided the balance between features and price at the time it was purchased.)  This is a good little camera, adequate for general use, with one or two sticking points to be aware of.This camera has difficulties in low-light -- even ordinary room lighting -- without a flash.  (In fairness, this disfeature is a fairly common occurrence in many cameras of this caliber and price range, though, as is the JPEG artifacts one gets in the images.)  Using the flash will help with out-of-focus photos but go through batteries faster, the resulting photographs are usually less pleasing too -- people harshly lit with drastic shadows.  (This can sometimes be minimized with thought and care.)If you are not afraid to use the manual settings, brace the camera against something, or use a tripod, it is often the way to go.  Some great shots can be had, even in room light, with manual settings, a tripod or steady hand, and a steady subject.  In fact, using manual will often produce a better photo, with more natural color, than can be achieved with the automatic settings usually!  Well worth learning.The use of standard AA size batteries is a plus.  I thought that the use of four AA batteries (rather than two) might mean longer life.  I was incorrect.  Be prepared with extra batteries and/or a good quick charger, especially when flash or zoom is used.The biggest annoyance with this camera for me personally, though, is the fact that every time the batteries die, or are changed, the date must be reset before the camera will allow any photographs to be taken.  (I don't even bother setting the date any longer.  I just hit two or three buttons to skip past it all, but it's required every time the batteries die or are changed.)  I've often wished the camera contained a capacitor or watch battery to maintain its memory while batteries were changed.  (I believe newer Fugi models may have resolved this issue though; Fugi has some newer models with nice improvements and optical zooms up to 10x, in similarly price models.)In the end, I would not discourage anyone from buying this model.  The photo quality is on par with any of the rival models, just be aware of this model's quirks.  Generally speaking, Fugi seems to make a fine camera.  I just wish we had held off for another year and the newer models.
I researched, and researched, and researched digital cameras for over a month. I went back and forth, trying to determine my budget, what I needed, and what I wanted. It came down to a few models - the Canon A70, Sony DSCP72, and this one. I liked the manual features of the A70, but couldn't ignore the fact that the Fuji 3800 has TWICE the zoom. You may not know how important a feature this is until you actually use the camera. My advice - go to a retailer, pick up all the cameras you're considering, and take some sample shots. The zoom on this is amazing! Plus it feels SO much nicer in your hands than the others I looked at.I also liked the XD memory card, which is SUPER fast for uploading pictures. I just took a ton of pics using my 256 mb card and uploaded them to my computer and they look AMAZING! I use one as my desktop wallpaper and I swear it looks like a professional picture downloaded from the internet. And I develop [online] for about the same price as a 35 mm camera, and the pictures are unbelievable. Even better than the real thing.This camera is super easy to use, and does have some neat manual features for the amateur photographer. You can browse through all your pictures on the LCD display and delete the crummy ones before uploading to save time and batteries. The software is really good, and a lot better than other reviews have stated.Also, contrary to a lot of other reviews, this camera does GREAT in low light situations. Sometimes you have to adjust the aperture on it to get the best shot, but that's why the camera offers manual controls. I definitely suggest reading the manual to learn all the capabilities of this camera - there are a TON.I couldn't be more impressed with a digital camera. I was so hesitant at first, but now am convinced I did the right thing. This camera goes with me everywhere now. Do your research, find what's best for you - but check this one out - you will not be disappointed.
This camera takes excellent pictures. It can be used as a point and shoot camera, or for the more advanced photographer it has an easy to use menu to offer more advanced settings. The only drawback of this camera is in very low light conditions, the electronic view finder is hard to use, but for the average user this sould not be a big issue. There are three accessories that  must be considered and purchased; a larger memory card (128mb memory card will hold about 250 quality pictures), as the 16mb does not store enough pictures if you are on a trip, a 55mm UV or Skylight lens filter, a lens cap to protect the camera's lens(Fuji has provided an adapter so that these can be used permanently), and a set of 1600-1800 NIHM batteries and charger.
After much research, I settled on the FinePix 3800. I have no regrets, this is my second digital camera and it is amazeingly easy and fun to use. The  64MB xD picture card is tiny and holds enough fine quality photos for a typical event or trip. The 6X optical zoom is the best available in the price range, and this is a very important feature.
I purchased this camera after doing quite a bit of research on digital cameras, likes and dislikes, amateur to professional.  I used to be heavily into photography several years ago, but now that I have a family, I needed something to point-and-shoot and also allow me to send pictures to my family and friends scattered all over the southeast.  This camera had the requisite features I was looking for.Pros -3.2 MP will give you very crisp shots on enlargements, but 1 MP is great for snapshots - this camera handled both ends of the spectrum well.The buttons are well laid out and easy to find and manipulate.The built-in flash works reliably and is easy to employ.The cycle time between pictures is relatively quick, making it easy to catch multiple shots (like kids at play).Uses AA-bateries!!!  No searching for an odd battery type while on a trip and no worrying about when you will have to recharge.Cons -A bit bulky.  The camera is comfortable to hold and use, but a bit large to stow away when not in use.Flash is sometimes a bit too strong for the picture.Autofocus has trouble in low light situations.Overall, I wouldn't trade my Fuji for anything.  Despite a few problems mentioned above, my camera has functioned without a hitch for nigh on two years.  As far as buying one, I would suggest a retailer who has a product replacement plan warranty.  If you are going to throw down the cash to purchase something like a digital camera, the extra $30-$50 is well worth it.  Imagine buying a digital camera, then something breaks, you take it back and it costs almost as much as the original retail to fix.  These warranty plans will save you a lot of headache if this ever happens.
I just bought this camera as a replacement for my Nikon 775 which I really liked, but its battery housing broke.  This camera, nearly a year later, is the same price I paid last year for a 2.1 MP camera (ah, technology) and takes fabulous photos.  I had read about its difficulties in indoor or low light situations, so this weekend I took it on a pretty good test of lighting conditions: a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico, where I shot in bright outdoor, dark indoor (cave interiors), from within caves facing outward, and all variety of different situations.  I found that it performed magnificently in all but the very lowest of lighting, and in these instances would have been fine if I had used a tripod.  I used both auto and manual settings and played around a lot to see how it would perform (and in doing so, whether I would keep the camera) and I was quite impressed.  My only dissatisfaction about this camera is that the lens cap is extremely inadequate and I would not consider transporting the camera anywhere without my bag because it simply will not stay in place.  Otherwise, it is compact and sturdy, uses standard AAs (nice if my rechargables die on a trip where I didn't pack the charger), and the 128 MG card I bought will take over 200 images on the highest resolution settings.  Overall, a great buy for the price.
I brought my brand new Finepix 3800 to Las Vegas and took about 200 pictures with it, both indoor and out, in the daytime and at night, mostly without using the flash.  The pictures came out sharp and the colors were brilliant.  My pictures of the Strip at night of the casinos are postcard quality.  For outdoor night shots, I put the camera on something solid before shooting the picture to prevent shaking, since I did not bring a tripod with me.  Most of the pictures were taken at 1/2 second with f/2.8 (Note: Fuji includes this info in the file, I only find out after loading the pictures on my computer).  When situations permit, I have also put the camera down and used the self-timer to take pictures, further eliminating camera shake.This is my very first digital camera.  My other camera is a Nikon N70 SLR, shooting pictures since the '60s with a Minolta SRT-101.  The color of a picture of an orchid taken at the Mirage was so rich, it put all of my Nikkor lenses to shame.  I also took some pictures inside St Mark's Square (indoor) at the Venetian.  The 3800 was able to produce accurately the color of the performers' costumes.  The night shots taken on top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris were fantastic.  What I am trying to illustrate is that I have no problems taking pictures in low light and how accurate the 3800 is in terms of color.Other than the small 16MB xD card, the only other problem I've found with the 3800 is that once you press the shutter to focus, the picture on the camera's LCD screen &quot;freezes&quot; and you won't see the subject moving (this was a problem shooting lion pictures at the MGM).  So you really can't focus first and take a shot even a second later.  I've bought a 512MB xD card, with it I can take up to 400 pictures using 3.2 megapixels in &quot;fine&quot; mode.  I find 3.2 megapixels just the right size, fine enough for my pictures and not too big in terms of file size.  Another must is a set (or 2) of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries.  I use a Rayovak 1 hour charger.I do wish the flash has a higher guide number, allowing it to reach a subject farther away, but then I shouldn't compare it with my Nikon SB-28 dedicated flash.  :-)Others have complained about Fuji always uses the same filenames beginning with 0001.  Some have also complained about the lens cap falling off.  I don't find either to be a problem.  I do keep the adapter ring on at all times.  It protects the camera lens from accidental scratches and the lens cap fits the adapter ring nicely.The 3800 comes with a CD-ROM.  The only software you must load is the USB Mass Storage Driver.  Once you've loaded that and connected the camera to the computer with the USB cable provided, the camera becomes a &quot;removable drive&quot; on your computer and you can use Windows or MS-DOS to copy the picture files to your computer hard drive.  It works extremely well.  The camera is also suppose to work with the Mac.The 6X optical zoom lens is mighty long.The camera is easy to use, though you do have to read the manual at least once to learn how to use all the features.  It was rated no. 1 by Consumer Report two years (2002 &amp; 2003) in a row for 3 megapixel digial cameras.  Even though the 3800 is an older model, it is still an excellent camera.  I paid $296 for it, before a $60 manufacturer mail in rebate.  It is also a great value.
I have three ditigal cameras (all Fuji), and I've owned this camera for a few months now.  I can say without hesitation, that when taking pictures out of doors it's really a very good camera.  If it has any fault at all it's the flash.  There have been times when it doesn't fire properly, but I do mostly outdoor photography so the flash hasn't been that big of a problem.  If you want to see just how good a picture it does take you can see one of my pictures in the November 2003 issue of the magazine &quot;Digital Photographer&quot; (page 52).  I took several pictures that day and they all came out great!  The camera only comes with a 16MB memory card, so you'll need to invest in a larger card.  Would I recommend this camera?  You bet.  I even bought one for my wife.  She wanted something simple to operate and yet she wanted a camera that gives good, clear photos.  This camera fills the bill.  If you take a lot of indoor pictures, this may not be the one you want.
This camera takes sharp, detailed photos with excellent color. I particularly like the zoom capability. I have read that this camera does not do well in low-light situations but i have not encountered any problems yet. The camera is easy to use and the manuel is excellent. Both the electronic viewfinder and the LCD display are difficult to see in bright light, but so is my Nikon and i have learned to work with it. Bottom line - the quality of the pictures I've taken with this camera are outstanding and it's a pleasure to shoot with.
Great picture quality, Easy to use and value for money. the viewfinder does not operate too well in low light conditions but i do notfind that a problem at all given the ease of operation and the nice pic software that fuji provides. Recommend purchasing rechargeable batteries while purchasing the product. Kudos to Fuji for the great product.
I looked around comparing features and prices before buying. I am delighted with my Fujifilm 3800 -- vivid photos and lots of features for the money. However, I would definitely recommend a larger capacity card. The 16 MB card included does not hold enough for long shooting sessions. My only other criticism is a lens cap that dangles in front of the camera.  An auto cap would be nice.Everything considered, this is a great buy!
I purchased my FinePix 3800 in early spring of 2003. I also purchased extra memory flash cards, because the standard 16 MB card won't really store enough high resolution photos. A 64MB card will take about 45-50 pictures at the highest resolution. The picture quality is superb, very clear and defined, even when enlarged. This camera is not only easy to use, but it actually resembles a camera! So many of the digitals today look like a small box, it was refreshing to see something familiar again. The zoom is about twice as powerful as what you will find installed in other cameras of this price range, and it works very smoothly. The only complaint is the display can sometimes be a little "dim" when used outside in bright sunlight, but that is true of most digital cameras. All in all, this is really a great little digital camera, especially when considering the pixel count versus price. I am very satisfied with this purchase.
It just stopped working after like 2 years.  My previous camera was my father's, that he used for like 20 years.  No problems for him or me.I don't believe cameras should just stop working after 2 years.  From looking online it seems it is a common problem but people just expect electronics to have the quality of cars made by GM in the 1970s.  Sorry I expect things to work and not just for a short while.
A few years ago I spent double for 1/3 the camera.I totally love this little gem of a camera. Quality images, crystal clear, very low noise, and 6x opti zoom.Very easy to use, point and shoot, AND manual settings for those "tricky" shots, or to experiment. I was hesitant to buy a fuji, and really wanted the Nikon 4300. But I am glad I bought the fuji.My only complains are, indoor-low light shooting is difficult with the lcd or viewfinder.Only comes with 16MB XD card.I would recommend this camera to anyone looking to buy a digital camera.
I just got this camera and absolutely love it. It's lite weight, compact and easy to use. It does everything but wash the dishes.
This Fuji is really easy to use and takes great pictures.  I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and sharpness of the pictures.One minor complaint.  The lens cap does not fit securely on the lens adapter.  Aside from that the camera is an excellent buy.
After a couple months of good performance my camera wouldn't power up.  Still under warrenty mailed off to Fuji in NY and got it back the next week with details of repair and they also repaired a cosmetic problem without being asked!great service from Fuji!Only problem with camera is a little slow to cycle pictures but for general snap shots its good.
I bought the 3800 at a very reduced closeout price. I like this camera, but have found a few situations--as mentioned in other reviews--where the image results are unpredictable, at best. Do NOT buy the Fujifilm SC-FX304W case for the 3800 or the 3000. (See my review for the case.)
Movies, Photos, 6x zoom, and it doesn't eat up batteries like other digital cameras--what else can you ask for in a mid-priced camera.  If you are looking for a great, easy-to-use digital camera--this is the one!
I received this camera from Fuji as a &quot;Complinebtary Upgrade&quot; 6 months ago. The Fuji 2600 I bought earlier broke in 3 weeks and the one Fuji replaced it with -guess what??? broke again in a week.Anyways, I just love this camera. The 6 optical zoom and 3.2 MPis matchless with the price tag it carries. Plus the pictures  turn out as sharp as any other 3.2 camera's.But...It seems to me that for some lighting conditions the auto function has problems focusing on objects indoors. Even though you use the &quot;focus-click&quot; (that is pressing the button halfway while pointing at the object to secure it is the center of focus)pictures sometimes turn out blurry.One other inconvenience is that the camera is cumbersome. Forget about putting it in your pocket and going hiking. You need to have a not so small size carrying case.Still it is an unbeatable deal.
Many digital cameras leave you wondering why you ever left the SLR 35mm days.  The zoom factor leaves objects so far away. Not this camera.The 6x optical zoom can is the best in it's class.  No other camera offers such a high zoom rate at less than $400.  The optical zoom also offers a much higher quality that a digital zoom.As others have mentioned the low light situations are a drawback for this camera.  Subjects are hard to see in the camera but this is a problem that still plagues most digital cameras.  The same holds true for eliminating blurry pictures.  It takes practice but the camera is wonderful about telling you if you need more light or need to hold the camera steady.  This again is a problem with digital cameras as a whole.That said, I wouldn't trade this camera for any other digital camera under $500.  The camera is light and very comfortable to hold and takes just absolutely clear wonderful pictures.  I'm having a great time making photo CD's to send to my parents of their grandchildren to play on their DVD.
I've owned this camera for about six weeks and have taken several hundred pictures in many different situations and environments.  The Fuji Finepix 3800 has excellent picture quality with great color, detail, balance, and sharpness with a minimum of digital artifacing (I haven't observed any).  The picture quality with this camera surpasses what you might expect from a digital camera.  However, it has one very significant and major flaw that cannot be overcome. In considering whether to purchase this camera, you must decide if you can live with it.  The flaw is that it must have a great deal of light to take the high quality pictures of which it's capable.  It is permanently set for an equivalent of ISO 100 film.  This means that you cannot take indoor pictures without a flash, and many outdoor settings in the PNW are too dark for it as well.  Without using a flash indoors, your pictures will be blurred.  I have been quite frustrated by this because there are many situations where it would be preferable in a brightly lit room to NOT use a flash, yet you must do so.  With the Canon Rebel I sold to pay for this camera, I used ISO 100 film only once, finding that the graininess of higher speed film was worth the trade-off of needing summer brightness outdoor sunlight.  It is astounding that a digital camera would have such a requirement when the technology for lower light capture is available and of good quality.This camera has the ability to change settings as you might on an SLR, but you will unlikely find yourself able to use any aperature setting above 2.8 in normal situations due to the light requirements.I decided to keep my camera because in spite of the frustrations, I found myself using it regularly, and it does take excellent pictures.  I do not think there is an alternative to this camera in this price range with these features.  The Canon that is similar to this camera has digital artifacing problems (purple fringes at contrast areas) that are more unacceptable to me than the high light requirements of the 3800.
Pros:6x zoom is great.lens is fast.macro works very well.easy to handle.good value.Cons:auto-focus battles with combinations of foreground and background items (no spot focus, or focus-lock).struggles even more at night-time.viewfinder is useless in the dark.can be slow when using the flash.bulkier than some of the competition.Overall:The 6x zoom and good macro make up for most of the problems, but for my next camera I'll be looking for better focusing and night-time performance.
It is hard to tell how I like this since it was ordered in March and still has not arrived and the new projected delivery is mid to late June. I have no understanding of why this is since you can find it in stores like Best Buy and Circuit City everyday. Unfortunately, I was given Amazon gift certificates for it so I'm stuck waiting and missed several important events where I needed it. Be cautious of ordering this camera at Amazon if it is the one you want and you are expecting or needing it soon.Reviews indicate it is a quality product and it received a CR recommendations.
Our 3800 is an extended member of the family. GREAT camera, I reccomend it to all my friends, and once they bought it, they reccomended it to thier families. I did a lot of research before buying this camera for about three months, and was it worth it.Love it because:-So easy to use, auto-focus does everything for you-Quality of picture is superb for the amatuer picture obsessed family (best quality I've ever had in a camera, better than my pentax zx-50). Friends and family always compliment my pictures.-Looks good, everyone asks me "What camera is that!?"-Still small enough to tote every where (I take mine shopping with me, so I don't miss ANY great shots of my two yr old)Only complaints are:-Like any digital camera the batteries wear out FAST, this is annoying, but I invested in rechargeables and keep a spare set already charged--problem solved.-The lens frame fell off and the screws got lost (this prevents the protective adapter ring from going on, which is CRUCIAL to protecting the delicate lens)... HOWEVER, this leads me into another pro for Fuji: 6 days before my one year warranty was about to expire, I sent it in for repair, and within one week they sent me back a completely new camera FREE of charge. I will definitely be more careful with this new one and prevent knocking it around or dropping it.I've never been so pleased with customer service as I was when I got my precious camera back with such speed! I highly reccomend this camera to you! I absolutely love and depend on it, and wouldn't trust anything else with all my family's milestones!
This is by far, the best money I have spent in a long time. I took this camera out of the box in the parking lot of the store, loaded the batteries and mem card, and was set to go. Easy as that. It takes GREAT pics, never had ANY prob. with the red eye I heard about. I researched for a month. I'm so glad I did instead of the Kodak my family suggested. This pretty little thing blows them away!!! Amazing pictures. Clear as a bell. You won't be disappointed with this purchase. And the software is as easy as using the camera. I took pics at 3pm, my mother was viewing them at 4pm.
Although I only used this in the store I have something note worthy to consider before buying this, aside from its lack of a versatile range of adjustments. It has to do with the fact that it only supports xD mem. As if there were not already enough memory formats, yet another one. It seems to be about either desperate, or greedy companies trying to capture customers into their markets forever. Why can't we just have one or two formats of memory?? This is as bad as it would be to have 5+ formats of CD-RoM drives. And SONY is even more guilty than fuji/olympus.Smartmedia was developed by Toshiba/Fuji/Olympus, and now Fuji/Olympus couldn't get along with Toshiba/Panasonic for the sD card. Memeory cards will become more and more versatile into the future and soon be used in countless devices. We need to standardize the market. We can't afford to buy special memory for each and every device. If you buy Fuji/0lympus, I sincerely suggest you buy a camera that is not limited to xD. Together the people can control the market for our own good..
I was previously very interested in this camera.  However, after using it for a time, it has been very possibly a nearly useless camera.  The autofocus is poor at best, the movie is only 320x240 max, and less than 30fps.There is also a considerable delay in taking pictures, as the autofocus has a meeting someplace inside the camera to discuss if there is any point in focusing on anything in particular!There are many better choices, not to mention the Finepix S7000!
This is my first digital camera and I bought it after talking to a lot of people and reading online comments. I am not disappointed. It performs really good. Pictures are sharp, high resolution. It takes good photos in almost every condition. You may not take good shots with it at first use, but when you learn to control your hand and know how to adjust in different lights, then you are on it. Still I wouldn't say this is a professional camera; use it for your vacation, home or family use. The battery consumption is reasonable. My only thing against it is the size. You need to carry it in hand or on your shoulder all the time which may be annoying sometimes (it doesn't fit in pocket). But that's the price you pay for a moving lens and great zoom. Also you should learn how to use flash settings in the dark with this camera, or your photos may turn out dim.The camera used XD memory cards which are a little more expensive than the conventional ones (like CompactFlash, etc.) It uses four AA battery, which I think is a good feature of this camera. You can use it anywhere. If your batteries run out, at worst you have to go to a shop and get four new ones. As opposed to the cameras with special batteries and chargers, which will cost you a lot to replace batteries and in each country you have to be careful if the electric system macthes your charger.
I bought this camera in 2003.  It recently went flakey on us giving our pictures light distortions.  I absolutely miss this camera's pictures!  The pictures outside were fantastic.  I had very little motion blur and I took a lot of action pictures.  The close ups were awesome.  I took thousands of pictures!  I'm reluctant to replace it with the same model if others have experienced reliability problems.  I love the pictures, but am not willing to buy another camera every few years.
I've been very pleased with the camera with the exception of the EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) visibility under low light.  The 6X zoom is outstanding, the pictures are excellent, and the battery life great.  I wish you could adjust the ISO but most cameras at this range do not offer that capability.  Occasionally the camera would not focus too well under low light.  Also, I don't use the bundled software as the WinXP camera wizard works quite well with the camera.
I got this about a year ago and have used it to record all of my children's development.  My family is a long way off so I need to take lots of pic's & send them home to Grandma & Grandad.  This camera consistently takes great photos!  I have blown some up to 8X10 and they still look good enough to frame & display (even at 2MP setting, never mind 3mp Fine). As I said I use it a lot and have never had a single problem with it.  It has a good feature range (most of which I don't even use never mind understand!).If you are looking for a great entry level digital camera that takes great pictures and is very easy to use I recommend it highly.The only comment I would have is that it is NOT a pocket camera. You will have to carry it around in a fanny pack or case of some sort which is not a big deal from my perspective!
I researched digital cameras for a few months before choosing this model. The things that were most important to me were picture quality, grip/handling comfort, and audio/video capabilities. I felt good that Consumer Reports rated the picture quality as very good for this camera. This is our first digital camera. For me, this model was head and shoulders more comfortable to hold onto than any other camera I tried out. I found so many of the smaller cameras very uncomfortable to hold-too thin, slippery, or poorly balanced. I also liked the larger LCD screen, the matte black border around the screen (no glare), and the protective cover over the LCD screen surface. One reviewer of this camera highlighted the importance of the 6x optical zoom. I can say with experience that this is definitely something to NOT OVERLOOK when comparing other models. The zoom is indeed awesome and it will enable you to take pictures that you would otherwise miss or end up with a lousy miniture distance shot. I am so not techno savvy, but I've had no problems learning how to use this cameras many features with just skimming through the manual. The XD card is the bomb. So quick and efficient, very easy to use, and the read/write capability is amazing! The video with audio works well and will be awesome to have when I don't have our digital camcorder with us. I don't want to miss any cute kid moments. I find that in bright outdoor shooting the LCD screen looks dim, but don't fret. I was concerned about the LCD screen brightness because of other reviews, but I needn't be. The screen is plenty visible in any light to frame your shot. You will be shocked and amazed at the brightness and clarity of your actual shots regardless of the view via the LCD screen. You can still make out your subjects fine and the photos taken will have you shaking your head in utter disbelief. I even took pictures looking into our bathroom at night with just the night light (the room was very, very dark-no flash used). The pictures I took were completly focused and the coloring was very accurate. I truly had no difficulty viewing/focusing via the LCD screen in this very low light circumstance. The photos I've taken (about 250 or so) have blown me away. My pictures look three dimensional!! I am absolutely floored at the quality and the richness in every regard. I've made one 8x10 from a 3 &quot;Normal&quot; MG shot and the photograph was gorgeous. It looked better than shots I've taken with 35mm cameras. I take at least 24-48 photos a month on average-most of my kids. I've taken photos of my kids swinging on the playground from quite a distance using the full 6x zoom and they have come out razor sharp! I decided to give digital a try because of all the &quot;no good&quot; shots I was consistently paying for. It is awesome to have instant gratification of picture review and the ability to only print shots which are &quot;keepers&quot;. I am certain this will be a cost saver in developing fees. One last note, I also had concern about the lens cap. Some people said it doesn't stay on. I have found this to be not the case whatsoever. The lens cap locks on just like my SLR. You have to depress two areas on the cap simultaneously to remove it. Once again, no problems and only the best possible experiences to report. I wasted time researching so dilegently and worrying so over a few &quot;issues of concern&quot; which have turned out to be no issue at all!
I ordered this camera a couple of months ago and love it. Unlike some Sony models my fingers don't have to be miniatures to move pictures forward or backward. You can zoom in on a pic even after you take the pic. The qualify of the pics are excellent. Spend the money for the larger memory. And buy the rechargeable batteries. Even a novice will be working with this camera in no time. Only one negative. In low light, you can shoot closer, but no pics of kids on stages, they blur when the lighting is low.
I researched digital cameras exhaustively before I made the jump from film to digital and all the research paid off with the Fuji 3800.  10x Optical Zoom beats the competition hands down in this price category.  NiCad Battery Life is very good because they use 4 cells instead of many of the competitors that use 2 and the battery compartment is what fills up the handle portion of the camera body so its much easier to hold steady on low light shots.  Lets face it, the little flash units on digital cameras arent much good past about 15 feet and never will be.  The electronic viewfinder is extremely limited in low light but if you can prefocus on a bright object and hold the camera steady enough/use a tripod, the meter is very good even in low light conditions (the picture is exposed better than I could do manually with a 35mm).  I've learned to forget bracketing exposures as the multipoint metering is better than I am and I used to take photos for a living! I've taken fantastic pictures in very difficult lighting conditions, I've even gotten great pictures of a fireworks display by just trusting the camera's metering system.
After my husband's previous camera was broken, I ordered this one at Amazon to take its place.  He loves it.  He is used to how it works.  The simple features are easy to use.  It takes quality pictures.
I got my Fuji Finepix 3800 in February 2003; I've taken it on trips near and far (including Hawaii) and have used it extensively at home.  I've been completely pleased with it; it has proven to be durable enough to be carted around, pulled out and used with very little fuss.My only problem with it is that it's a bit bulkier than I would like; can't just pop it into my purse.  That said, it's taken quality pictures in a variety of situations with wonderful detail.  I do not regret this purchasing decision and I am not casting covetous eyes on newer digicams, but anticipating a few more years with this one.
I purchased a Fuji 3800 last year because it seemed like great value for money. Like many things that seem too good to be true, it was. Almost exactly a year after purchase, in which it was used sparingly, the camera went dead - it just would not turn on. By the time I got it to a repair center, the 1 year warranty period was over. The estimated repair cost including tax is $150 - I can get a decent new 3.2 MP camera for that price these days.While it lasted, it took decent photos. The 6x zoom which was a big selling point of the camera was fairly useful. Focusing in low light was difficult. Overall it felt too light and plasticky. With the breakdown, I'll never buy a Fuji again.
I purchased mine through eBay for a good price and I'm satisfied with it.  It has a nice optical AND digitial zoom, fits snugly in your hand, has good accessories, and I like the XD Picture card!  You can buy a card for this camera with up to 256 MB of memory (which is a LOT!).  The software that comes with the camera is easy to use, and in fact, the camera itself has very simple instructions and is easy to use.  Another option:  you can make video w/ SOUND.  Most digital camera dont carry this option.  The quality in video is what you can expect from a digital camera however.  I recommend this camera for someone who  wants to have an almost professional camera that is very easy to use with a nice price tag.
I don't know what that other person was saying or the guy in Best Buy, but this camera is awesome.  Sure you will get fuzzy photos if you don't hold the camera still, but it will take some excellent pictures if you know how to use an SLR camera.  I have had this camera since September and I am soooooo pleased with it, indoors and out.  It actually took photographs of snow as it was falling, my christmas tree lights, etc.  Love this camera.  Of course, not every picture came out great.  It would be nice if I could remember to open the flash, lol.  But frankly, this camera is awesome and I love it more than any digital I have had, that was 4 of them.
I was surprised to read previous reviews about reliability.  I've taken my camera everywhere for years, including my deployment in Kuwait and Iraq, and it's still working wonderfully.  I've taken thousands of pictures, and have never been unhappy with its performance.  I am constantly being complimented on the quality of the pictures I show people, and I know it's because of my finepix.  My two complaints....the d#$% lens cap will not stay on, and there's no real-time battery-life monitor.  That's MINOR stuff for such consistently great pictures.I bought the 3800 as my first step into digital photography.  I planned on using it to figure out what I liked + disliked, and to upgrade to a digital SLR.  That was almost 4 years ago, and I've never had the urge or itch for anything "better".I'm not discounting anyone else's experiences, but mine have been exceptional.
Prices always change, but it's obvious that in the spring of 2003, Fujifilm positioned this camera to move off the shelves, and make a good impression.Some of the bad reviews touch on problems with this camera, but you're not going to find a perfect, or even a professional grade camera with these features in it's price range. None of the problems are fatal flaws, in my opinion.The worst flaw is that neither the LCD screen or the EVF are bright enough when the light is very low. There are other digital cameras that do this better, but if you're going to be doing a lot of low-light shooting, and you want your framing and focus to be right every time, don't get a digital camera. Get a 35mm film camera.If you're just taking snapshots at an indoor event, this can be annoying, but you can always reframe things when you edit the digital pictures. Let's face it. You're not going to have a perfect picture every time no matter what camera you use, so you're going to be doing some editting anyway.There were a couple of other issues brought up in some of the reviews I read. For example, in anything but bright sunlight, when you have the zoom fully extended to 6x, you're not going to be able to hold the camera steady enough. That would be true with any camera, digital or film. The longer the zoom, the more your minute shaking will affect the final result.Also, each time you erase the memory card, the numbering on the filenames starts over again at 1. If there is an option to change this (as I had in the Fujifilm 1300 I replaced), I have not found it yet. That means when you store your originals you'll either have to change the filenames, or store them in seperate folders.As for battery life, the first 200 pictures I took were inside shots, many using flash. Because I wear glasses, I find it easier to use the big LCD. I was able to take almost 200 pictures before the original batteries started to die. Still, I pop 4 AA alkaline batteries into my pocket when I take the camera with me.The 16MB card is too small. It's inclusion is similar to the half-full ink cartridge included with new printers, or the 10 test strips included with a blood glucosse meter. Your first purchase after deciding to keep the camera should be a 128MB card. A 128MB card will hold 90-100 pictures at the finest resolution.The camera fits perfectly in my average sized hand, but it may not fit in your hand. Of course if you have very big or very small or oddly shaped hands, you already know to check it out by holding it in your hand at a local store. The weight is quite low, and it's balanced fairly well. For most people there won't be any ergonomic issues.Three people I work with also purchased digital cameras in the same price range as the Fujifilm 3800 about the same time I did. As we compared notes, and passed our cameras around, the other three wished they would have considered the Fujifilm 3800. And while a couple of those other cameras had some neat features mine didn't, I was still satisfied with my choice.Is it a professional camera? No. Is it a perfect camera? No. Is it a great value? At the time of my purchase, and even now at the time of this review, yes it is. I have no regrets about choosing the Fujifilm 3800.
We brought this camera back in February 2003. We researched and researched. Read so many reviews, our brains felt clogged. Then we read the reviews in Consumer Reports, and it was decided.We LOVE LOVE LOVE this little thing!!! Can not say enough good things about it. It is compact, light weight and takes beautiful pictures.  I have had so many people comment on what great quality pictures they were! Even at the lowest setting, this camera takes better pictures that my mother-in-laws high priced Cannon.My boss owns the Sony Mavica (the newest one with the cd drive), and there is no comparison. Even she had to comment on how crisp and clear the pictures come out each time!! Now she's the one who likes to borrow my camera. :)My son is almost 2 years old, and those quick movies (1 min or 3 - depending on the resolution) are great!!!!!! I even won an amateur photo contest, and I attribute the quality of the picture on this camera alone... because let me tell ya, I am no photographer!This is just a happy customer's review. Nothing technical, purely from a users point of view.  Do your research, read the reviews and then go GET THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!Happy customer & amateur photographer in FL.
I love my Leica. It is rock solid and it takes nice pictures. It is true that there are some noise problems in iso 200 and 400, but hey then I just use iso 100 for indoor shots. That requires longer opening times and can give blurry pictures, but usually I just set it to take 4 or 8 pictures at a time and then at least one of them is usually ok. Should I buy again I would probably go for Canon Digital Rebel which is almost in the same pricerange.
The Leica Digilux 1 one may resemble a souped-up version of the old American 35mm Argus rangefinder camera, but appearances are certainly quite deceiving; it's images are far superior to any made by the old Argus. This is simply one of the best handling digital cameras I've held, producing images that are among the most brilliant, and rich in contrast, that I've seen from digital cameras. The controls may seem a bit large, but they should be comfortable to those accustomed to holding large 35mm autofocus SLR cameras made by the likes of Canon and Nikon. Unfortunately I don't own a Leica Digilux 1, but still I recommend it highly for anyone interested in getting the finest digital imagery from a relatively compact camera. Without question, Leica - in partnership with Panasonic - has made an excellent 21st Century camera worthy of Leica's dedication to optical quality and excellence surpassed by none.
Unlike many other digital cameras, the Digilux 1 has little or no perceptible lag between pressing the button and taking the picture, especially if you 'prefocus'.  Another nice feature is the multi-exposure setting, where you can automatically shoot 3 or 5 photos in rapid sequence, varying either the exposure by 1/4 to 1 stop increments, or varying the depth of field using different F stops.  Both approaches give you a chance to pick the best shot after the 'decisive moment' has passed.A negative is that the smallest aperture seems to be F8, which impacts the depth of field available in closeup photos.  You'll also want to get a 256M card, the supplied 64M card holds only about 30 photos at medium compression.
..if you aren't obstinately attached to the brand. Aesthetics apart ('big', 'boxy' come to mind) this is NOT the camera you should go for if you want anything beyond an ISO of about a 100 -- and this is not coming from a point-and-click amateur. Yes, the manual controls are charming but if alternative brands offer me a better device (primarily, better pics, i.e.) with a lighter price tag, I begin to question.WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THE DIGILUX:(1) Very, very fast response times in its class. This alone could be a dream criterion for some of you.(2) A spacious monitor on the cam, bigger than matching Olympus, Canon or Nikon offerings.(3) The much vaunted manual controls, no need for reflex cams.(4) The Summicron lens, which leads to good pictures if the only alternative you have owned is a Sony entry-level point and shoot. If you have ever worked with a Nikon D100 or a Canon G3 (or above) then the quality difference is minimally incremental.WHAT'S NOT:(1) The price tag. For me, just the name doesn't cut it.(2) Sub-par battery life.(3) .mov format for the movies? Why?(4) Think about where you'll be getting your tech support. It's not very easy.(5) The reference guide is a pain to comprehend.(6) A lean 2x optiocal zoom, which is also a bit deceiving - the imaging chip is so small, you can almost NEVER achieve background blur for portraits, or any other form of professional photography.(7) Where's the noise reduction that is so COMMON with other competitors?(8) A hood for the lens would've been nice.(9) WB when using a flash is too bluish green.(10) Ugly body (ok, this is subjective) -- almost seems tailor made for big German hands.(11) Where's RAW?SUMMARY:I know a Leica when I see one. If you're looking for a digi version of the M6, this isn't it. I wonder why other reviewers would rate a product based on the halo of its overall brand. I'd wait for a revised version of this offering from Leica, their lens is worth the wait. Meanwhile, consider Nikon D100s (or even 5700) or Canon's EOS (or G5 etc) if you are in the market for a digital.
First point worth mentioning: If you're looking for a pocket camera, look elsewhere. Check the dimensions on this, and then check your pockets. On the other hand, if you don't mind carrying the camera around with you, it will reward you IMMENSELY for the effort.Designed as a reportage camera, the response is incredibly fast. It reminds me of the time I traded in my 133MHz computer for a 2.4GHz. I can't stress enough how fast this thing is. And not only that, but it's PRECISE. The optics are about as crisp as they get, and the CCD captures the image very well.For me, the camera is completely automatic. For later, it has a manual override on everything. For the transition (while I learn more), it has shutter or aperture priority. This includes the best manual focus on any non-SLR digital camera on the market, by the way. It also has a macro focus that allows you to take wide-angle shots within 6cm of the subject. Also, the LCD is a massive 2.5in.With automatic everything, manual overrides on everything, unlimited video (it'll fill your memory card if you let it), crisp and detailed images with no artifacts, a superior LCD viewfinder/replayer, classically gorgeous styling, absolute blazing adjust/focus/write/refresh/everything speed, and all of the other features I haven't time to mention, this is THE camera to have.I shopped for several months, and after learning about this one, my interest in ALL other cameras just disappeared. The ONLY thing I could possibly agree is worth considering is Sony's latest top-end camera. It has excellent Carl Zeiss optics and both 5MP and 5X zoom (which outmatch the Leica by a small margin). It also has infrared night shots, which could be a fun feature to play with. It just lacks the speed of the Leica and costs noticably more (shop around and see). Not to mention it requires memory sticks, where the Leica has SecureDigital memory, which is smaller in size but still as large in capacity and is becoming more prevalent in a number of manufacturers.You don't have to take my word for it, though. Read the rest of the reviews and check Leica's website for really detailed specs. Then shop around for the best price and GET the camera. Enjoy.Addendum:  The more I use the camera, the more I love it.  A few features I've uncovered: Adjustable flash brightness (I illuminated an entire auditorium with it.  Amazing), camera saves preview image with every video for easy reference, manual is VERY comprehensive, Leica partnered with Panasonic (to provide the digital aspects) which in turn means Leica provides optics on Panasonic's cameras - if you don't want to pay this much, check out Panasonic's cams.Finally, I found a great program for organizing and editing pics as well as creating several types of albums.  PhotoMeister.  Check it out.
When I first pulled this out of the box and tried it I hated it. I have glasses and it just kind of slammed into them thus hurting my face. There are instructions on how they can be more comfortable for glasses wearers. I suggest reading all the instructions first before using them, or better yet research them online first. I cannot use the digital camera part yet because it's not compatible with my computer. I'm not thrilled with the fact that you have to take the batteries out whenever it's not in use or you will lose your photos and the batteries will die. It's ok if you can find them for a nice discount.
This camera is excellent for birdwatching &amp; catching those great shots. The perfect picture is about 16 feet from you- I have taken some prize winning photos with mine.It is fixed focus and takes some time to learn to perfect your technique- but by and all I am pleased with the price and the product. My boyfriend also bought one and we enjoy taking pictures together and comparing.A good product- a good price.
Received Binoculars/Camera as a Christmas gift.  The Binoculars seem to work fine.  However; the digital camera leaves a lot to be desired.  Do not expect to get a Sharpe picture on distant objects!! I have taken at least 60 different shots and the only fair ones are from 50 to 200 feet.  I am using the Nikon Colpix 5000(5Mega Pixils)!!  The difference is like night and day!! Do not expect the Meade camera to even come close to the quality of our Nikon 5000! We  Plan to use the Binocular portion mainly on hiking trips and to take an occasional picture at about 200 feet out.  This would be OK for someone new to digital photography and wants a entry level camera. A nice toy, but not a quality camera!!
This is a really clever combination, and a really noble attempt at a product, but seriously, anyone who uses binoculars for more than a peep at some popstar's midrift is a person interested in seeing what they are looking at, and 640x480 resolution is, frankly, not enough resolution for anything more than webpage icons (don't forget that most photos end up being cropped).  Having the name Meade attached is a draw, but I expect this is one more item in their new line of made-in-China products (the telescope is ok, but scrap the tripod!).  Maybe ok for a toy for your 10-year-old, but if it costs more than [$$$], you're better off with a JamCam.
Couldn't get my computer to recognize the digital camera so had to send it back. Could not get any help to try and resolve the problem.
For the price, this camera s pretty decent. I took a few pictures with it and they came out decent, The only real gripe I have about the this device is the way it was designed. I can not get it to properly fit to my face so that I am looking out both scopes at the same time. Due to where the camera sits there is not enough room for the user to adjust the width or the binoculars. Either you will end up looking through the right scope or the left but never through both. Unless your head is wide enough. I am impressed with the clarity of the view. Which is crystal clear. If I was able to get it to fix properly, I would have given it 3 or 4 stars.
for the price you cant beat this item,just got this camera yesterday,took pictures today,excellent picture quality,no blurring from pressing capture button,if you don't get to close to subject pictures(only what you see in binoculars is adjustable,camera is fixed )are supprisingly clear,this camera is best suited for about 50 feet and further.you wont be disappointed!!!!!!!
This is binocular melded with a very low end submegapixel digital camera.I can't even rate the optical portion high, because it was very uncomfortable to use.  The spacing and spacing adjustments between the barrels are awkward.  My nose has to rest on the USB port entry to be able to see into the lenses.The camera automatically shuts off in less than 60 seconds, sometimes not enough time to line up a shot.  When the shutter engages, it beeps once, but it beeps twice more before shut off, forcing me to look at the camera to ensure I didn't hit the shutter again.The worst part, is my 10X digital camera opticals gets a tighter closeup than the binocular.
This is a very good pair of binoculars with a very lousy digital camera attached.
The picture image is about what one expects from a basic digital camera.The camera is easy to program and use,the centre wheel adjustment is responsive.If one closes the right eye,focuses the binocular,then adjusts the right eye lens diopter,the image is crisp.The photographic image is smaller than the visual one,as explained in the Users Guide.The focus of the camera is fixed,thus the centre wheel focus for the lenses will not zoom or pan the camera.The small size makes it perfect for back pack,fanny bag,or purse,but it's too big for pockets other than cargo pants or coat.I use a pint size Crown Royal velvet bag to put mine in to protect them when in my pack.The camera mechanism does tend to ride the top of the nose,and takes a bit of getting used to,but over all,it is worth the money.I'm quite satisfied with mine.
I have had my Canon GL2 for several years. It worked fine for the first 2 years or so, then I got the dreaded "Remove the Tape" error. After looking online, I saw that a lot of others had the same problem, and that the only solution was to send it in for replacement of the tape drive mechanism -- to the tune of $250.I bit the bullet, sent it in, and it came back fixed --- for a while. Now it's about a year after the fix, but I only used the camera a few times, and the problem has returned.The camera is easy to use, and shoots good video, but if I had to do it over again, I would go with another manufacturer. For [...]bucks, thething ought to work.  My experience with this camera, and previous digital still cameras is that Canon quality/longevity leaves a lot to be desired.My old (10 yrs) Sony digital 8 camera is still going strong. I will look at Sony and Panasonic to replace my Canon, and never go back.
Alright, so I've been reading some of the reviews that people have put in here about this camera, and I just want to offer up the nice statement that "If you gave this camera 3 stars or less, you're a retard." I'm pretty sure amazon won't allow me to say it, but it's true! This camera is so freakin' great! I own this one and the xl1s, and this is my "toy" camera. I'm just a 24 year old kid, so maybe my opinion means nothing to you. If so, then stop reading this. No one asked you to, anyway.This camera sells itself. Compare it to some others in the same category (make sure you're checking out the GL2 and not the predecessor GL1). The $2999 asking price here is way too high, though. Shop around, and you should be able to find a new one for about $1750 or so. That and the extended warranty that covers cleanings once a year. SO worth the money. I take her (my camera ... her name is "Mandy") everywhere, and I've already made enough short movies for people to have her pay for herself. And she can take a beating, too. I took her from 75 degrees at 8,000ft above sea level to 23 degrees at 12,000ft in less than 6 minutes time and she didn't complain at all. She was a definite plus for our snowboarding trip!Tired of reading all of those specs that may not make sense to you right now? This camera is usable by someone who has never used a camera (which was me before I made my purchase), and adjustable to have everything completely manual.My only qualm is the "noise" in LOW LOW light. That should be expected, though. For that I use the xl1s ("Jessica"), but don't let that stop you from your purchase of this.This camera is incredible! I seriously love it.
Love it. It works really great. I plan on buying another one.
I purchased this camera looking to take more manual control over my video projects. And that is exactly what it has allowed me to do. It has the right balance of manual controls (as well as automatic modes) and price. It has given me the flexibility I was looking for. The weight balance is good, the controls are easily accessible and battery life is very good.
I bought this over the Sony and I regret it.  I get a tape eject error every time I try to rewind.  I can only rewind at 10 second intervals before I get an error message to eject the tape and do the same thing over again.  That's a long time to rewind a 60 minute tape.  Many Canon users are having this problem and the only way they address the problem which is clearly a mechanical problem is to charge a ridiculous price to send it off to be repaired.  Canon needs to own up to this problem and have a recall on the item.  I will never buy Canon again after they have turned a blind eye to a serious problem.
Its a pretty good camera. Not anything extraordinary but better than a typical tape camcorder of the time. This is NOT an HD camcorder, but its a MiniDV cassette-based model. It's quite impressionable in terms of quality for a 2002 model. Video is free from grain. Low light quality isn't the best but average. The-chip video sensor; (considered a must for most amateur and professional videographers).Pros: Camcorder has the features you need today. It was built in 2002 ahead of it's time. Now, it still in line with the present video technology. Video can be imported to computer via FireWire. Pictures can be stored on Memory Cards. 3CCD camcorder. Quality comparative to that of a modern DVD or handheld standard definition camcorder. It also records in 16:3 Widescreen aspect ratio!Cons: Simply put, it's an OLD camcorder! Its perfect if you're looking for it as a gift. Or if you're going to shoot some average video but if you have more money or are really a stickler on quality and features, go for a higher-end HD camcorder and get something newer. Low light quality is grainy in dim settings. Although MiniDV is the preferred format for many for easy archival, its a slowly-dying format, loosing out to hard disk and flash-based DV and HD formats.I'd recommend this to entry-level videographers who don't yet have the funds for an expensive camcorder but want something professional.
The Canon GL2 is NOT a hi-def camcorder, but it still holds up for it's picture quality and durability. Over the past 3 years, we have produced over 20 instructional videos using this camcorder and the quality is evident every time we use it. I suspect that many of these will start turning up in the used market in the near future since these well made camcorders will likely still be functional well into the hi-def age. We will very soon replace our GL2 as our main camera with theSony HDR-FX7 3-CMOS Sensor HDV High-Definition Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom, but will continue to use it for picture-in-picture shots (very useful in instructional videos). We also recommend the following accessories:Canon Video Light for Advanced Accessory Shoe,Canon Directional Stereo Mic (DM 50) for Camcorders with the Advanced Access Shoe,Ultimate Guide to the Canon GL2Highly recommended!
What can I say about the GL2 that hasn't already been said.  What drew me to this camera was the 20 X. optical and the still picture function.  When I was making the choice between this and the XL1S I chose this camera because of the LCD display.  This is something the XL1S does not have and I feel is needed so you don't always need to look through the eyepiece to size up a shot.I think the best feature of this camera is Frame movie mode.  where the camera takes 30 still frames a second instead of interlaced video.  This keeps action shots from being blurry.This camera will do what you needed to do takes great pictures.  Even in low light.  The wide-angle lens adapter, I feel is a must have also.  So I recommend this camera!Check out this web site for updated information on features[...]Have fun and get it done
An ok camera, just not what I expected. I own a Sony VX2000 and PD-150 we use in video production of homes for sale. We bought the GL2 because of the fact it was about a half pound lighter and a little smaller than the Sony cameras.The first problem is when you attache the small 3 watt Canon light, the drain on the battery is too great and shuts down the camer before the battery is one half way drained. Even with the biggest battery that Canon makes the battery life is short with their fill light.The second problem was when the telephoto zoom button failed after 70 minutes of use, making the auto zoom function useless. Now I must send the camera back to Canon only after 20 days of use. The mail order place would only take it back within 15 days.The third problem is the low light noise is a little worse on the camera when compared to the Sony VX2000 or Sony PD-150. It is not a big difference, but it is noticeable.I never had a reason to mail in a Sony camera for repairs, even after years of use. It's a dissapointment to have a new camera fail in so many ways.
Compared to what's available now, this camera can seem a bit "outdated" but I bought one used many years ago and it is still going strong, recording projects with very competitive SD picture quality. It isn't HD and it doesn't have 24P but its "frame mode" does provide a low-cost alternative. I chose this camera because I had a lot of experience using it from other GL1 and GL2 owners and I'm still not disappointed. I say this is a very good introductory camera for filmmakers and videographers not looking to spend twice as much for the most current technology. This camera is designed for professional applications and is not a good choice for people shooting "simple" home videos and little league games. If you are not serious about shooting and editing professional video, this camera will easily discourage any buyers not willing to learn a lot of functions.After at least 4 years of service (not including how long the previous owner used it), I have still not seen any malfunctions such as the "remove tape" error that seems to be occurring with some GL2 owners. I own several camcorders and reserve the GL2 for only the best projects in order to spare this camera from heavy usage and abuse. Owning a cheap, "junkie" camcorder for tape logging to the computer is a MUST. No one spending their money on any camcorder in this price range should be using it as a VCR to watch tapes and log clips.
This unit is pretty awesome especially with frame.Also, a noteworthy thing is this camera first does 16 x 9 and then encoding producing a higher quality image than a comparable Sony model.I've actually owned the precursor unit to this one, the GL1, and was also pleased with it.This camera has the hotshoe feature and the longest OPTICAL zoom in its class.Optical VS Digital, optical definitely wins.This camera is all-a-round useful and also, this unit is actually the preferred camera of choice for many sports film-makers.If you take this thing to the slopes like i have, strangers will come up to you and instantly recognize the unit.Great with kenko lenses.Only actual thing I've seen is that it doesn't like low light, so adding a VL-3 is a must, or a VL-10 is recommended.One thing to watch out for is that you must keep care of the camera. For example, you must get yourself a tape-head-cleaner. The Maxell's are a good buy, but you could go OEM if you want to.Also, don't cheap out on the cassettes.In my 6 years of using the GL1/GL2, I've always used TDK and JVC tapes. The JVCs come in a 6-pack and can be found a a best buy. The TDKs also come in a 6-pack, and you can find them at Costco.For more reference, I have pushed this camera beyond its specification as it has been rained on, snowed on, and frozen to the point where there is actually lag in the LCDs and yet, it still works like brand new.Definitely a good buy !
I've had my GL2 for 11 years. It's an amazing camera. It's starting to show it's age, though, with the abundance of HD cameras out now. But, if you're a budding filmmaker or are learning to become a video photographer, this is a great starting point.I'm not going to get all scientific and in depth about it. I just want to explain the good points and bad points of the camera to people who would be looking at this camera and not the professional that is using a $50,000 camera. First off, out of the box, it shoots amazing video. But, really, if you're wanting to do that, you can find other cameras for about $500 that can do that, too. The star here is all of the manual controls. You can affect genlock, focus, zebra, white balance (true white balance, not that implied white balance crap that's on most consumer cameras), iris, and so on. I thought that the side screen was a gimmick when I got it, but I use it quite a lot and comes in handy. It will not be as accurate as the eye piece, but it's great for reference or if you can't physically be close to the camera. The hot shoe allow you to attach lights and external microphones. There's even accessories that allow you to attach XLR mics. Makes it a bit bulky, though.Very nice lens on this guy. Colors are beautiful and objects in focus are crystal clear. The optical zoom is amazing on this thing. You can get in further with digital zoom, but I'd recommend turning it off unless you see something far into the distance you really want to see. The digital zoom just makes everything look horrible (because of how digital zoom works, not that this one is any worse).If you need to shoot something for broadcast, this guy will do the trick. It has 3CCDs that allow the video to be broadcast compliant. That's why you can't go out and shoot a video with your iPhone and expect someone to run it on-air (unless its for a news story or something quick).On the down side, you can't change lenses. Although, you can add filters. It does not shoot HD. So, if that's important to you, you need to move on. That doesn't mean it can't shoot widescreen (because it can). But, you're not going to get that beautiful clear HD. If that's what you need, check out the Canon XH A1S.Honestly, the tape door and power switch seem a little flimsy. But, they've never failed on me. Some of the buttons, like the white balance and CSTM buttons are in awkward places. The zoom rocker could be a little smoother, but works nicely once you've gotten used to it. The menus can take a little studying to get used to and are not as user friendly as I would like.Otherwise, I don't have anything bad to say about it. The positives greatly outweigh the negatives. At the time I bought it, I wish I could have afforded the XL2 with it's interchangeable lenses. But, I don't regret getting the GL2. It has served me well. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.This is a consumer camera with professional specs. With that in mind, you have to treat it, to an extent, like a professional camera. You have to clean it and perform maintenance on it or it could give you problems. Like another reviewer said, if you want a camera for your kid's birthday or that trip to Aruba, this one may not be it. This is an ideal camera if you're in college taking film making or communications. Maybe you want a camera to make your own commercials for your business (although I don't recommend that - leave that to professionals). Perhaps you're a storm chaser shooting video for a news station. It's not a bad choice for starting out as a wedding video photographer. All of these are great uses for this camera.
My GL-2 just came back from Canon's repair shop last month - another $400 to replace the cassette drive.  I paid $1900 for my GL-2 three years ago, and the most recent fix brings my grand total for repairs to $1600!  Pros: Great video, great audio.  Cons: This thing breaks all the time!  I didn't read any reviews before I purchased my GL-2, having used Canon SLR cameras and lenses since 1993.  HAVE I LEARNED MY LESSON! Just look in my wallet..not much left in there.  I love my GL-2, but there are better cameras out there for the money.  This model has several known defects that Canon chooses to ignore (only ten tapes through since the cassette drive was replaced the last time).  I babied my GL-2 - seriously, I took better care of this than any camera I've ever owned - and it broke anyway...three times.  I'm tranfering my video over to a digital hard drive and then putting my GL-2 out to pasture.
the camcorder arrived in a couple of days, sooner than expected and was tested for performance doing great, just looking for a great shooting with it doing commercials and videos
I recently purchased the GL2, and am very pleased with the results I'm getting so far.  Image quality is great, especially for such a small and lightweight camera.  The manual focus is really nice.  The zoom is amazing.Should you buy this camera?Maybe.  The GL2 falls into an odd mid range.  If you just want an easy to use camcorder that has great image quality, i'd probably reccommend one of the small panasonic 3ccd cameras.  And if you want a digital camcorder that has broadcast quality video or high definition, then you want to step up to the next level.  So, basically you could spend under a $1000 and get a good simple camcorder, or you could get the next level of quality at $4000+.  But for this price--$2200--this camera is great.  Even though it's not 24p, there is something about the image to me that is very well suited for film...
The GL2 has proved to be a great friend.Pros:My documentary work involves a diverse set of environments, from deep caves to back country wilderness to the barrios of seeder stretches in Mexico, and the light weight, compactness and ruggedness of this camera has amazed me. A fine machine in the field, 300 hours later I have had zero malfunctions and continue to be pleased by the diverse range of features. It has weathered tough environments and significant impacts without a hitch.Excellent fluorite optics. Fine zoom control. Beautiful images. Useful if semi-low rez digital camera mode. Great image stabilization.Cons: Many of the control features are controlled through a menu access system. This has taken some time to adapt to, but has now become second nature. At this point it no loger bothers.The low light capability is limited compared to the XL1, which I also use, and must be compensated for by generous lighting and judicious use of low db, low f-stop settings and slower shutter speeds, typically 1/60 or 1/30. The GL2 is rated at .37 lux, but this is at the trippy but relatively useless 1/8 shutter speed. Get some lights if you mean to film in dark environments.A wide angle lens can be added for approximately 160.00 and significantly improves close up work and fast action shots. A must.Ironically, one must sometimes weight the camera to improve smooth motion.UPDATE ON CONS: Ah, the infamous EJECT CASSETTE warning? Yes, Canon has had occasional problems with its Tape Transport Mechanism, and these finally caught up with me about a year after the rest of this review was written (8/2005). Result? New mechanism installed ($400 price) for Free. Total cost for me: A $60.00 submission and cleaning fee. Repair and return time: 7 days. Camera fully cleaned, little things like a missing tiny screw on the mounting socket replaced. Not bad. Canon has admitted there is an occasional problem here, and they are now treating it with honesty and fairness. We are now well over 1000 hours of GL2 use and 400 hours of footage in very challenging environments. Hey, I'm happy.Upshot: Canon quality isn't cheap, but is well worth it. A fine investment when you want one of the best in its class. HD is coming, but it hasn't arrived in a truly afordable format yet.
Bottom line, the Canon GL2 is a great mid-range pro-sumer camcorder for everyday use and learning. We bought one for a high school broadcast journalism curriculum, and so far it's been great. We considered several other camcorders within the same price range, but we decided on the GL2 because of recommendations, features, and Canon's reputation.Some thoughts on the GL2:Pro:-Great bang for the buck.-*Extraordinary* image quality and focusing (3CCD instead of normal consumer of 1 CCD). We've shot a soccer game from about 150 feet away in the stands, and the zooming and focusing combines into outstanding quality. I've heard the GL2 has much better image than some other more-expensive pro-sumer cams, and the GL2 certainly gets the job done.-So-so internal mic. (But you should buy an external shotgun mic to use anyway so you don't pickup audio of camera adjustments.)-A fair variety of manual controls to learn and gain experience from.-Capable of shooting 9:16 wide screen shots, but it's not actually HD. A separate feature puts bounding boxes indicating 9:16 boundaries on the viewfinder for 4:3 shooting mode.-Secondary record/start-stop button and zoom dial on internal microphone area above cam body useful when shooting with camera near ground.-Steady-cam feature works fairly well.-Variety of preset effects/transitions.-White balance automatic/manual options easy to use. Feature's buttons near LCD panel.-Feature to reduce flicker shot of CRT monitors. Feature's button to left of LCD panel.-"Frame mode" - nice for documentaries, "unique" clips-"Advanced accessory shoe" behind internal mic for accessories such as internally powered lamps. Also can hold external shotgun mic shock mounts.-MiniDV tapes load in top side of GL2 opposite LCD unlike most consumer camcorders - can easily & quickly change tapes when using on tripod.Con:-Learning to operate some manual controls can be a little confusing and complicated.-The manual takes a bit getting used to terminology and language. A *couple* terms specific to this camera's operation refered to in feature explanations are not explained.-Included battery pack BP-915 only lasts about an hour. You'd probably want to also want to buy a secondary battery (that can hold more power), especially if you shoot sports games, meetings, etc.-As some reviews mention, some manual controls are operated within the same menus, and a couple common features users may frequently used are in the main menu. Check the manual for more info.Tips:-Make sure to white balance each shot, it's definitely worth it and makes video look that much better.-If you shoot outside footage in any precipitation, it's a good idea to get a rain slicker such as the Porta-Brace RS-GL2, and perhaps the Porta-Brace Polar Mitten Heated Case for temperatures below the low operating temperature of 32 deg Fahrenheit.Overall an outstanding piece of equipment I would certainly recommend for anyone looking for a camcorder with these types of moderately easy-to-learn features in this price range. Fun to learn from as well.
We needed a good camera for a worship service that we were adding out our church.  I found this camera for a great price, and it has done what we needed it to.  However, it does not video in HD, and therefore, we have a need for another camera now.
If you are looking into buy this camera....DON'T. get the Sony HDR-A1U High-Def camera it's 20x times better,newer,same price and High-Def.if you buy the GL2 you will get the "remove the cassette" warning after about a year of use!!!!!
I've used this camera for 6 years.  Last year I started getting intermittant "Remove the Cassette" messages.  I wish I had captured the outstanding three recorded tapes onto my PC then.  Instead I recorded another 45 minutes.  Now, the error message is solid, no matter which tape I use.My experience with Canon in the past has taught me not to waste the time or the money to bother having this repaired.  (I spent about $700 having my previous Canon Camcorder repaired.  It worked a few weeks and died again each time.)Having gone to the web to research this bug, I'm convinced fixing this one will be an expensive and time consuming exercise in futility. (6 weeks plus turn around! and Canon won't tell how much the average repair cost is.  Check the web .. $500+ )Lesson learned.  I'll be shopping a different manufacturer.  Sony?  JVC?  Never again Canon.
This isn't the latest and greatest camcorder, but it is still worth consideration for anyone who wants a higher quality camcorder, but isn't quite ready to become a professional.
This camera is SPECTACULAR!!!! For about a year or two.Then the system tape rejection errors start (do your research). Once this happens it's to the canon repair shop you must go where they are currently charging $516 for the parts plus $400 for the labor plus taxes and shipping etc. I am now throwing my GL2 in the trash and saving up to buy a new one. Canon's repair costs are outrageous - especially when this problem has been complained about for YEARS. A Canon rep even told me to never use the camera to play or offload videos (why advertise it as a feature if its such a bad idea?). He advised that you should buy a cheaper video camera to do those types of tasks. Good advise.... but even if you do... remember to add that cost to the purchase price of the GL2- Disgruntled.
There are few flaws with this camcorder. Power save function automatically shuts off the camcorder ever when you are in recording mode. This does not happen always but once in a while you get this. Please read reviews from various sites before buying this expensive one.
The GL-2  Was great, keyword was.  Time to move onto to true HD.  Get a Canon 7D or 5D, the picture quality is what you need most, and this product no longer offers the goods.
Pros: Excellent image quality and color fidelity; 20X optical zoom; two-channel audio control; 1.7-megapixel still image capture; lightweight.Cons: Too many controls per button; onboard microphone is omnidirectional; mediocre battery life with included cell.Summary: An ok camera, just not what I expected. I own a Sony VX2000 and PD-150 we use in video production of homes for sale. We bought the GL2 because of the fact it was about a half pound lighter and a little smaller than the Sony cameras. The first problem is when you attache the small 3 watt Canon light, the drain on the battery is too great and shuts down the camer before the battery is one half way drained. Even with the biggest battery that Canon makes the battery life is short with their fill light. The second problem was when the telephoto zoom button failed after 70 minutes of use, making the auto zoom function useless. Now I must send the camera back to Canon only after 20 days of use. The mail order place would only take it back within 15 days. The third problem is the low light noise is a little worse on the camera when compared to the Sony VX2000 or Sony PD-150. It is not a big difference, but it is noticeable. I never had a reason to mail in a Sony camera for repairs, even after years of use. It's a dissapointment to have a new camera fail in so many ways
I think this is an awesome camcorder for its intended target market and purpose.  The results are pristine and every button and function just works great without being overcomplicated.  This is one camera where you don't have to read the instruction manual to figure it out.  You have to maintain and clean the camera from time-time to deliver maximum potential, but it's not a hassle.  And don't switch tapes often - stick with one brand.  This is a camcorder I cannot do without.
I own the GL2. A pixel has blown. I called an authorized Canon repair service and they told me not to bother installing a new CCD chip as that one will fail as well. And that lesson would cost me $[...] (US).I hadn't had the GL2 long enough for the Tape Cassette failure the GLS is famous for to kick in yet.It is called "Planned Obsolescence" and is now designed to kick in after the warranty expires.I can't recommend any Canon products. My EOS 20D camera's flash unit has never popped up. I didn't use the flash until after the warranty was up. I know I was negligent for trusting Canon's reliability but know I know better.And the Canon 50mm lens I bought new has a defect like a scratch or speck inside the lens. Also discovered too late.Read the complaints about Canon.[...][...][...]Never again for me.
Why is this camera still on the market??  It isn't even HD. And it's tape format.The price should be around $700.Don't get me wrong, this was a great camera 10 years ago ... I've shot documentaries and music videos with it...But when I saw it here on amazon I had to express my disdain!  lol
I own 2 Canon GL2's. The picture is really great when the camera is new. I use a VCR to import video for editing. After about 20 hours of use I can no longer use the vcr. I must use the camera to import video. I have had both cameras fixed twice for $240 dollars each time. After 5 months one went bad again. I went back to Canon and they have now raised the price to $400 for the same repair.They claim parts are hard to get. This is a current model! I have sworn off Sony, now it's Canon's turn. By the way the problem is caused by the same issue as the eject message, The tape transport.
I use these batteries in my automtic light time switches for my house.  They last a year and have never given me any trouble.
I was very pleased to see the price of these batteries.  I have been paying almost twice as much at my local stores.  My photos come out sharp and perfect.
The battery was for a stun gun. It worked just as described. I wish I saw these in stores, but there are not very common anyway.
Items were ordered thru Amazon and were received promptly.The items have been installed and are functioning properly.Good value and quick response to the order request.Good overall value!
good price for a replacement battery for my golf laser range finder.  Not sure what else to say about this.
As an avid novice photographer, happy with a great camera that utilizes Advantix film, it's great that my ability to continue using my camera hasn't been fully taken away, so that I have to go digital or buy another camera, just yet. Happy to have a source for both batteries and film...Thanks so much.
This set of batteries cost far less than they would in a local store, arrived quickly and do the job of powering my camera.
I bought this after I have gotten myself a GR1 film camera. This battery is hard to find at supermakets and even though camera shops sometimes do carry it, it's usually a lot more costly. This one works fine for my camera and price is good.
Batteries fit right into the camera I have so that I could use my Advantix film which Kodak no longer makes, but the camera still works now due to the fact I found these batteries.
Kodak MAX KCR2-2 Lithium Photo Battery, 2 PackEconomic price. Quick delivery.I am satisfied with this product. Durablity, I will see.Excellent.Kodak MAX KCR2-2 Lithium Photo Battery, 2 Pack
This is a quality bag for the price. It is a little small and tight for the Nikon Coolpix 8700.
Bit of a ... tatty little bag.  When closed the top allows space around the sides for water/grit/gunge to get in. Not an appropriate bag for your expensive 5700.  Try the Lowepro range instead - altogether a better class of bag.
If you're looking for a good snug fitting case for the 5700, this is it. It's a tight fit, but holds the camera and strap. There is room in the top inside pocket for a card or other item and the front pocket has quite a bit of room for a extra battery or other misc accessories. Belt loop seems robust and the rings for the strap is sewn into a nylon strap that goes all the way around the bottom. This is perfect for when I just want to carry the camera and move fast and light.As to the turning on in the case. I suppose this would be a problem if I didn't consistantly turn the camera off and the switch to review. If the camera is switched on accidently, the lens won't extend. Simple solution that one should always use regardless of the case.I imagine this will fit the new Nikon 8700 as well.There seems to be two models of this case floating around out there. (especially on ebay) The one pictured above is the best. The other seems to be lacking some pockets and features.
The 5700 camera fits like this case was made just for it - which it was.  The reviewer who said the camera wouldn't fit has the wrong camera or a different case than this one.  It's soft, well made and and has pockets for extra batteries and CF cards. If you want to carry more gadgets, you would be better off with a gadget bag than this camera case, but if you want just a case, you won't do better than this one.
THis case looks great &amp; is $$ cheap, but is realy for the casual user &amp; not a &quot;working bag&quot;.  The belt loop will eventually tear away &amp; will allow your over-priced camera to crash to the ground ! This has happened to be. Another annoyance - the way the camera is loaded into the bag - it is very easy to inadvertantly turn the camera on - which will bugger up the lens drive motor/mechanism as it tries to force the lens &quot;out&quot; against the bags close-confining sidewall !!!!! This also happened to me in Paris where I had to buy another camera to get me though my trip! ( where I had to carry this Nikon around because of the dead lens ) ...It also only has room for a couple batteries &amp; perhaps another media card. It really a storage bag for when the camera is not in use - it is very fiddly to get the camera in &amp; out when you are using the camera over extended periods. Get the TAMERON, or the &quot;other&quot; NIKON bag that is bigger. Photoflex also has cool bags ..
for the power size combo, this is a great price, and these are quality both in durability and experience.  I wish they were a bit smaller, but they are pretty small still.
Really great buy!  I use them for all types of events mostly bird watching.  Perfect small size for the wife she loves them!
These are lightweight bino's. Easy to carry either around neck or on belt. Great, so far for what I use them for. Wife asked if I was going to purchase one for her as she likes them as well.
I bought these in July 2012 for birdwatching.  They are easy to use, and provide a fairly crisp image even at far distances.  I find that I have a hard time centering my eyes on the eyepieces, though, even with the extenders.  I have to hold them away from my eyes and at a bit of an angle in order to see what I'm looking at.  Also, something happened to my first pair, where something came loose inside and each barrel lens was loose - one eye would look at one thing, while the other eye was focused in a different direction.  I sent them back to Olympus and they sent me a brand new pair, no questions asked.  I don't even know how they broke, I was using them fine one day, then the next they were wobbly.  So, kudos to Olympus for a quick replacement.  I have a pair of full size binoculars that are my go-to pair for serious bird watching, but when I'm hiking or otherwise more mobile, these do the trick.
Purchased the product for our vacation.  The camera is lightweight and works well.  Easy to focus and easy to pack.
my nephew loved this gift.  They are lightweight and easy to use.  He was so surprised with them  He does a lot of long distance hiking and these will come in very handy
I recently took these binoculars to Alaska. They were amazing for spotting animals . I would recommend them to anyone going bird or animal spotting. they are light and easy to pack.I did order a more comfortable strap as some other reviewers mentioned. That was well worth it too.
These binoculars are lightweight and compact as advertised.  They have good quality glass and are small enough to carry along on vacation, which is what we bought them for.  Although we've had them only a matter of weeks, we have trialed taking them about town on walks to see if they're really as portable as they say, since we wanted binoculars for a vacation next summer.  They are everything we expected.  The case and lens covers are also good quality.  For the price, they are perfect.
Light easy to handle but hard to focus. I followed the instructions but have yet to get it focus well on each eye!
This binocular is a great balance between performance and convenience. Because of it's size and weight one is more likely to carry and use it more whether walking in the woods or watching a sporting event. Also, for someone who wears glasses, it works well without removing them. Great for bird watching.
Was working as a Marshall at a PGA golf tournament.  These were crucial in helping to spot the balls on the drives.  Good quality and competitively priced.
I ordered these because I wanted a reasonably priced, compact pair of binocs with a zoom function for bird & wildlife identification.The magnification is very good & the zoom function was fairly easy to use (though I wish they had put it up top instead of on the right eyepiece).  I didn't expect the field of vision to be wide with such small objective lenses, but it was still smaller than expected when zoomed out.  The optics are pretty sharp, though there's some distortion around the outside, especially when I pan the binocs.When I put the strap on the binocs, I found that hanging them from my neck was uncomfortable:  the position of the strap attachments (midway down the binocs) make the top lean out, so the edge with the objective lenses digs right into my sternum.  (They do provide you with a soft pouch that you can wear on your belt.)As others have mentioned, the eyepieces are hard plastic and uncomfortable, and I sometimes found it hard to open/adjust the binocs properly to get a good stereoscopic image.All in all, these are okay, but not good if you're going to do any extended wearing & viewing.
Eye relief is a bit restrictive. Control placement is awkward. Probably would have done better with a lower zoom. I used it for sightseeing on a river cruise
Instructions don't make sense.  Too complicated.  Shouldn't need to adjust with five knobs.  Too long to get object in focus.
Had the chance to own this pair of binoculars and I tell you the optics from Olympus is just plain amazing. It is light weight and compact perfect for those needs or trips that you don't need to lug extra weight around. The optics are awesome. Great for bird-watching or walks in the forest. They are clear both in daylight and low-light. At the lowest magnification (8x), the images are sharp and crisp. At the highest (16x), the images degrade a little bit because of shakiness which is expected once magnification is extended to its maximum. The weight is just right for handling a binocular of this size and compensating image shake. I own another comparable-sized binoculars which is a Barska Gladiator 9-27x25 and the Olympus Tracker just beats the Barska in clarity (although I also gave the Barska a 5-star due to its rubberized body and overall quality make). Olympus is a quality maker of everything related to optics and you will not be disappointed with this Binocular. Great quality, great optics.
I have an Olympus camera that I'm pleased with and I wasn't disappointed with the Tracker. I took them to a symphony performance where I have good seats and was able to see strains of hair on the musicians' heads. Yesterday I went to a football game and enjoyed using them. For the size and price the quality is great. If you want more magnification at a sports event for some reason you should buy more powerful binoculars. However, they were almost too powerful to use to see the team from high in the end zone where I sat if the game play was on my end of the field.
looking for light weight to take on our New Zealand Adventure- these met the bill, and were easy to carry.
They are light, good quality vision, compact, but only 15 to 20x ( never 30x !) and the field of image is small. For the price and zoom they are not the best. His mechanics is not completely amicable to focus. If you wait for a great zoom and a professional binocular you will get disappointed. I will never buy it again.
Good with the price.Cons first:It will be dramatic darker from 20X to 30X.(from 10X to 20X is not so obvious)Image quality drops as the brightness, too. Not sure if it is because hand-shaking amplified with 30X, or the lens design limit, or both.I personally am not used to the location of the magnification ring.Eye-relief is plastic, not rubber. Maybe Olympus shouldn't cost down here....Pros:super light weight, with 10X-30X wide range magnification.10X image is pretty clear. (can't say crystal clear since I've had a chance to use a 2000+ Swarovski one ...)acceptable image at 20X  and usable image @ 30Xfor this price, I don't think it should be complained for its image quality
These binoculars are fine for a compact, handy set of glasses for hiking, walking, etc.  The optical clarity is pretty good at the lower power level, but as you dial up the magnification the clarity degrades pretty quickly.  The magnification lever is not very smooth.  it is difficult to move, and feels &#34;gritty&#34; as it moves.  I would have expected smoother action from Olympus, as I have a larger set of binoculars that have a smooth action.  In summary, these are a good set of compact binoculars for the price - just don't expect to use the higher power capability and be satisfied.
These binoculars are really quite nice, very small and they work well, I would not say they are great, but for what they are and the price point they,re at they are well worth it, nice images, work easily,and small.I,ve dragged them around with me all over, dropped them (in case) and still continue to work ok.
This olympus tracker is fantastic. I can realized many works with the help of this product. I think made a good invertion. Very recomend
Great binoculars and can see a lot thought it.  I just took it out of the box and went to a sporting event and had no problem.
I bought these binoculars about a month ago and have been using it since. This pair does all that it promises, if not much more. The unit has a solid feel and does not look cheapy. The images at 10x are crisp but when you go 30x they get a tad dull given the 25mm lenses (I wont blame Olympus for this one since it is not a fault, just a way to cut size and costs. 50mm is the way to go if you dont mind the size).I would've given it 5 stars had it not been for the zoom-lever; the lever sticks just a bit when I zoom to max almost giving a "grindy" feeling.A couple of minor desirable features I'd like to see added:1) Tripod support - if you have steady hands you are fine but at 30x even the slightest of shakes can make the image look blurry.2) Lens caps - Given these babies cost me about $80 I'd like to see a pair of caps for the object lenses.I will buy something with 50mm objective lenses and variable zoom if they came less bulkier.
Not a great item - doesn't do much and definitely not worth the price.
Overall it does what it is supposed to do.  Compact size is a plus.  The only complaint is the view gets dim when you zoom in a cloudy day.
These binoculars were inexpensive, but you are better off spending some more money, and getting something good; this product is really junk and shouldn't have the good name of Olympus on them.
I am satisfied with the build and quality of the binocular.It is lightweight and small and easy to use.In higher magnification it becomes difficult to view objects without tripod due to shaking of hand.
I purchased these Olympus binoculars at the same time a set of Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binoculars.  I wanted two for a trip in May for my wife and myself.  After using the higher priced Canons with image stabilization and large field of view, everything else does not seem that good.  With the small eye pieces I find it hard with the Olympus  to align my eyes with the eye pieces and therefore see out of both eyes well.  Also keep in mind that when you do use the large zoom option, you are loosing a lot of light which is OK during the day.  This is of course not a good feature in the evenings or night.I know a lot of these shortfalls all come from being small travel binoculars which is why I gave it a 3 star rating instead of a lower rating.  Image quality is good for the size and the zoom is a nice feature, but the image will be hard to keep in the field of view on the largest setting.  If you do have the money, then these work well for the size.  If you can afford to spend more and give some on weight and size, then I really recommend the Canon Image Stabilization Binoculars.
Great for tossing in your vehicle for occasional use.  For $40 it would be hard to find anything better.  They aren't super bright or super wide, but normal daytime viewing works fine.
For the price, I'm happy with these portable, adequate binocs.  I take them to sports games, concerts, hikes and on my last cruise.  They're about the size of a hamburger (!) and fit nicely in the case, which I just chuck in my bag.  It's not for a serious bird-watcher or long distances...but it's great for casual use.The portability of these binocs means that I tend to bring them along more often -- and enjoy using them more often.  Glad
Durable, clear view, very light, pretty powerful for their size, very compact.  I've used these while camping for extended periods and basic day trips.  The magnification isn't mind blowing, but definitely helps.  No real complaints that I can think of, but I'm not a big expert on binos.  I wish they were more powerful and still the same size and weight, but pretty sure I'd have to shell out more cash.  Bang for buck I'm pretty darn happy.
I got these binoculars to watch birds on back yard feeder from kitchen window.  Since I'm always the same distance from object, the focus stays constant.  However, if you did need to adjust the focus often, operating this knob would be a pain.
Olympus Roamer is a great choice for anyone who is looking to get a decent pair of binoculars that is portable, provides good performance and will not burn a hole in their wallet.The Good:Compatible: Great for sporting events.  It will not take up a lot of space.Stylish:  Silver-style finish gives it a sleek look.UV-Protection:  It claims to give you UV Protection.  I'm no UV expert, but I'm guessing its a good thing.The Bad:Doesn't provide the advanced features of the deluxe binoculars, but it is still a great bang for your buck.Bottom Line:  A great set for those who are looking for their first pair of binoculrs for sporting events, opera shows and other short-medium range close-up viewing.  While these are a great for recreational activities, these will probably not going to be an ideal buy for the professionals.
Pluses: small, lightweight, inexpensive.Minuses: dim, surprisingly bad optics.Understand that when you buy glasses this cheap, small, and light you're not getting premium optics.  The barrel distortion (off-center straight lines appear curved) is very pronounced.  But for hiking these are just right.  The outdoor light overcomes the problem of dimness and, really, who cares about distortion?  To be able to carry something this small and lightweight and not care if something happens to it outweighs the downside.  It doesn't look very tough so I'm carrying it in a little plastic box.
Love the small size; they will be perfect for theatre but also can be used in lots of other places.  Clarity and magnification are so m ch better than my old opera glasses.
Picked these because we needed small and light as they are going to be used during a backpacking tripReasonable price and decent resolution
These binoculars are lightweight and well made.Excellent optics but field of vision is limited due to small size.Good for sporting events, theater or getting visually close toanything that can be first found with the naked eye.
Good product & Good priceThis is a very good quality binocular for the price. Received on time.Bought as a gift for my brother and end up bought the second one for myself.
Don't hesitate to pucrchase these binoculars.  Image clarity and overall lightness make them a "go-to" product for indoor sports viewing, play productions, hiking, camping, birding, etc.  Yes, it would be nice if the lens caps were attached somehow but you just can't beat them for the price.
I'm very happy with my purchase of these binoculars.  For their size and weight they are terrific for hiking.  They have a good field of vision and incredibly clear optics.  They cost a bit more than similar binoculars but in my opinion they are worth it.
I purchased these compact binoculars immediately prior to an Alaskan vacation because I wanted a good pair that was convenient to carry and use.  The Nikon Travelite V 9x25 binocular served that role beautifully.  It was great to wear the case attached to my trouser belt and handy for use in all situations.  It is as good as a larger pair of older binoculars I have and Nikon makes a quality product!  I would recommend this binocular to anyone needing a compact pair. Totally satisfied with this product.
I purchased these to replace a pair just like them that I disassembled the eye piece to remove a leaf, while high in a tree, where I dropped the diopter adjusting eyepiece, never to be found.The original pair was used for hunting and they took a moderate amount of wear and abuse for 10 years.  Never had a problem with them for those 10 years, until the "incident".  The optics on my original pair were super clear from edge to edge, gathered massive light, the focusing mechanism was always good and tight, as was the eye width adjustment.  They saw rain and snow, dirt and dust, and with reasonable care, were the best field glasses I had owned.These new glasses are super clear, light weight, and tight, just like the old pair.  They are very light weight and just an awesome choice for field glasses when you do a lot of walking and hiking.  You can spend more money, but I don't know why anyone would.  You can spend less money too, but these are well worth the $96 with shipping I paid for them.  Purchased through adorama camera in July 2006.
Positives- Very sharp image and bright for small lens- Solid contruction- Good left/right focus adjustment- Nice caseNegative- Lens cap for eyepiece only. They don't spend nickel in plastic to provide for other end.- 9X magnification can be shakey and more noticable with such small field of viewOverall, would buy again but possibly give up magnification and go with 8x for more stable view.-- Mark
I purchased these for my mother, who specifically requested binoculars that weren't heavy or bulky, and she was really pleased with them. They provide very clear magnification, are easy to focus and the case is really good. Could use a lens cap for the other side, but other than that they're great.
I was looking for a pair of travel binoculars to replace a pair of stolen vivitar. Though these glasses have superior optics they are not as easy to carry as the vivitars. For women who would like a pair to keep in their purse, I would suggest something smaller. These are great though for stadium/concert glasses and can easily be worn on a belt. Nikon does know something about optics.
Great pair of small light binoculars, extremely bright for a 25mm lens binocular.Would certainly recommend if you want something light around your neck while hiking or even birding.
I am very impressed with the Travelite series. These small binoculars are great for kids and travel. These are the only binoculars (for the price) to have if you where glasses because of there long eye relief. Since I stopped taking off my glasses every time I wanted to see through binoculars I use my binoculars more often. These are clean crisp plastic optics that are super light weight and easy on the eyes. I have purchased a second set of these and found the 10X a little to much magnification and like the 8x better. For kids the 8x is much easier for them to find targets quickly especially when birding. I have tried the zoom models in the store and the images are not a sharp as the standard models.
This worked when I first bought this.  My camera heads got dirty again so I put this in and tried it.  Nothing.  I did it four times, as the guide recommends - but it still didn't work.Canon wants $179 for me to mail the camera in for a professional cleaning.  NO thanks.
I have an Canon GL2 camera and was looking for a product that would be compatible with the camera. I have used it once so far and it seem have done a nice job of cleaning the heads.  I did find the price a little high, but if it lasts as stated it should be fine.
We were having problems with our mini DV. We decided to try this cleaning cassette, and our problems were resolved!  I would highly recommend this product!
This item worked well on two of my camcorders, one of which was a palm-corder.  Overall, I was very pleased at its performance in my camcorders.
but I am sure I will need it before the freakin' holidays. Arrived in time and in excellent condition.
My Canon Gl-2 mini DV cassette type camcorder has frequent dirty head messages on the viewing screen.  The only economical way of cleaning the heads in order to prevent the horizontal type lines in the video is to clean the heads your self, instead of taking the camcorder to a professionalcamera repair center. The head cleaner works well.
Our church uses this to keep the heads on our Canon GL-2 professional camcorder in top shape in order to produce top-quality video.
I noticed better picture quality after using this as directed. Every Videographer should have one of these in their bag if you use tape and own a canon camera.
I FIND THIS A NECESSARY TOOL TO KEEP MY CANON  ELURA 100 IN TOP OPERATING CONDITION........
I own a Canon GL2.  I was recommended by the manual to clean at least every 15-20 hours I spend using the camera (for playing and recording)I bought the official Canon head cleaner, and it's works perfectly as it's expected.  Only once in 1 1/2 years has my camera actually alerted me that the heads were dirty.  So, I figure my occasional cleaning has done what's supposed to--extend the life of the camera.  It's a small price to pay for the comfort that you're keeping your camera as clean as you can.I RECOMMEND shopping around for prices.  Head cleaning tapes greatly vary in price depending on where you buy them from.  I've seen this same Canon brand sell from $15 - $35 from different retail sites.
I'm sure it doesn't cost much to manufacture this cleaning tape. It's way over price. But I'm using it with a $3500 Canon camcorder so I am willing to pay for the Canon recommended head cleaning tape. Okay, I will stop whinning now.
Fantastic camera. Pictures are great, price is fair, LCD is good enough. The battery that is included in the package lasts a long time. I took almost 400 pictures (most of them with the LCD on), recorded 2 movies, and the batts are still working.I am completely satisfied. Thanks Kodak!
I LOVE THIS CAMERA! I bought it just over 3 yrs ago after my youngest son was born. It is so easy to use, so much it can do. I did have 1 digital camera before this and to download the pictures I would spend a frustrating 30 minutes every time to get my computer to 'see' it. My husband doesn't like 'complicated' electronics but he will use this. Much to my joy I receive e-mailed pictures from him every couple of weeks (I am currently deployed to Iraq). Since being here a few other people have been interested in buying a digital camera and I HIGHLY recommended a Kodak Easyshare. I actually wish Kodak would start making digital video cameras. This is the next step for video and I would defiantly by one...
This is a simple camera that does a lot.  It's lightweight, takes pretty good pictures, has excellent storage and battery life.  I have had a lot of trouble with the software; sometimes it won't download, or it will take several tries until the pictures download.  This can be frustrating.  Kodak has been helpful and concerned but has not been able to do much about this.  Some cautions/advice: you do NOT need the docking cradle unless you really like rechargeable batteries.  The cradle takes up room and is no easier than the USB cable, in my opinion.  Also, you should ONLY take pictures in the &quot;Highest Quality&quot; setting; anything less can be grainy.  The camera cannot focus on moving objects, and the flash is only useful in quite close shots; for others in even soft light, it's best to set the camera on &quot;night&quot; or &quot;landscape,&quot; as another reviewer also advised.  Red-eye is chronic and the software has been of limited utility in correcting  them (and my son has bright blue eyes, which end up devilishly red every time). The memory cards are invaluable.  Get as much as you can on one card; there's no reason to get less than 128MB.  I took 175 pix on 2-64MB cards but was always worried about losing the full card.  The travel kit is very useful: I used the case as a purse while traveling (with the camera nestled inside) and it comes with all kinds of adapters that travelers need.  However, battery life is looooong: on a two week vacation on which I took 175 pix, I only used two (non-rechargeable) batteries.  Otherwise, the travel case is kind of big, so a smaller case would be useful and they are easy to find.  I bought a smaller case direct from Kodak.Summary: great camera, great value, fussy software, excellent customer service, excellent accessories, skip the docking cradle.
This was my first digital camera purchase. After reading so many reviews (and going to different shops like Best Buy to check out the cameras) I decided on this one. I was definitely not disappointed. Here are the main pros and cons:Pros:1) The 3.1M pixel resolution is more than adequate for a 5 x 7 (which is what my wife loves to print). We ordered prints from ofoto.com and they were superb! (seemed even better than prints from a 35mm).2) The movie feature is also nice - it's done at a fixed low resolution and the output is in a quicktime movie format (.mov).Cons:1) The main drawback is the fact that you need to buy a separate battery charger. There are cheap ones available or you could get the relatively expensive Kodak camera dock like I did. The dock is convenient for charging and downloading images to the computer, bit I still think it's too expensive.2) You also need to get rechargeable batteries since the ones that come with the camera are not rechargeable.So overall, the camera is great, but you do have to factor in additional accessories like the rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Still, it's a great camera and I would highly recommend it.
I bought this camera last december, It's great, I have to say It's the best buy for the money, The quality is great, great battery life, but the only problems I have found are lot of crashes on the software Easyshare over Win XP, but not big deal. Also I don't like the Quicktime format for Video/Audio (*.mov) because the compression format could be better than this one. The mayor problem I have found is taking pictures at night, most of them are out of focus, or with a orange shadow around the objects, specially if it is a open wide picture.Anyway if the most part of your pictures are going to be taked on good light, don't think it twice, buy this one.
I love this camera.  Batteries last longer than I expected, nice photos, easy to use.  I chose it as it has a good 3 times optical zoom and 3.1 mega pixels.  Most camera seemed to have either one or the other.  Also, consumer reports rated this kodak range to be the best for what I required and was prepared to pay.  My only negatives were that I had a bit of trouble installing the software on my MAC and had to get help from Kodak.  The other negative is that there was an inexplicable black spot on all the photos but as this is a problem with my particular camera once I receive the replacement this shouldn't be a concern.  Overall, highly recommended.
This is the easiest to use digital camera I have ever seen.  It has the ability to take movies, and even has different modes (auto, sports, macro, low-light, and ZOOM)... all without making it complicated.  That's why this camera is good for beginners and experienced users alike (enough options for many of us, but easy for the novices).  It has a 1.8inch viewable LCD.  I've found that the cams with bigger screens used up batteries to fast, and those with smaller screens just weren't big enough to see.  This camera has INTERNAL MEMORY.  A big plus because many digital cameras only rely on memory cards.  Also, you have the option of using SD memory cards if you want.  They're cheaper than SONY memory stick, more compact that Compact Flash cards, and are so versitile because it's the same size that fits into PDA's such as palm-pilots.  This makes it especially handy.  The flash is easy to use on this camera and isn't overpowerful like my last camera.  It's bright enough without drowning out the image with white flash.Only drawback is that the Dock is usually sold seperately.  I suggest you buy it bundled with the Dock (charges batteries) to save serious $$ on batteries.  You can also always use regular AA batteries in a pinch.
I am a happy owner of this camera model. It has everything you need. It takes pictures almost automatic, it has a good zoom, many options in the menu, sharing capabilities, and so on.The resolution is more that great!  But if you want to take pictures at a high resolution, you are going to need an extra memory card. I have a 256Mb MMC and it can store more than 300 pictures at the highest resolution.The image quality from the pictures is very good.  I have printed like 100 pictures (using an online service) and the quality of the printed pictures is even better than a film camera.The only issue I've found in this model is that in the night, there's a green led next to the viewfinder which makes visibility through the viewfinder very hard.  Sometimes you have to take pictures using a good sense of positioning because the viewfinder will be completely unhelpful.Another drawback in this model is the self-timer.  It has only one option (on/off) sometimes I'd like to have more options like (number of pictures, time to wait, etc.).The camera don't have any effect in the menu, but come on, this is still digital so you can make the effects with the software included.  But this mean that you are going to need software if you are thinking in making some funny picture effects.And finally, after buying this camera, you'll have to think seriosly about buying rechargable batteries.  You are really going to need them when you are traveling and need to take several pictures.
I received this as a Christmas gift this past year and all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!  I took more pictures and short video in two weeks than I had taken in two years with my old 35mm camera. It is a Minolta Maxium 5000, with a 35-85mm lens and a 70-200mm lens. This Kodak is the most like a &quot;real&quot; camera that I have seen in a digital format.  The macro mode and the sport modes are great. You can even get great 8x10's at the 2 mp setting. You won't be dissapointed with this camera, but I recomend you get at least a 128 mb secure digital card to go with it and take the pictures in at least to 2 mp mode because with all the pictures you will be taking you will want to print them out.  BUYS THIS CAMERA! and you WILL NOT be disapointed. One more thing get a good editing photo software I recomend Picture It Premium or Digital Pro,  very user friendy
It is probably the best deal for the money. You get 3.3 MP, a movie mode, internal memory and expansion slot. The LCD is not good as the earlier Kodak models like the DC4800, but for that price it really beats all competition. The low light picture quality has also improved since the DC4800. The docking station is not perfect, but is very convenient for casual (non-computer savvy) users.The user interface also needs getting used to, but the main dial matches most point and shoot cameras, so should be a easy transition.It also has a cool address book (email) feature that can be entered on the PC and stored on the camera to email pictures from the camera on the next sync.
When it come to ease of use price and phot quality this camera is it.
At first I didn't know anything about Digital Cameras. My father's company gave him his camera for work. It's the same camera I own now. I love the camera! It has a sharp image and I love the up close feature it comes with (the little flower icon) it's great for taking up close images! I have the Kodak Card reader instead of the loading dock and it works nicely.And the really nice deal is if you get your picture developed they only cost .29 cents per picture at Wal-Mart for the one-hour developing. Great deal! I just can't say enough about this camera! I enjoy it and try to use it whenever I can.
I bought this for my 7 year old daughter, since she is forever taking pix with my phone.  For 3.1 megapixels, I'm pretty impressed.  The pictures are sharp, clear, and colorful.  Nice auto flash does a good job. It even takes video.  She will take this camera on vacation with us and take her very own photos.  I bought it at a yard sale for $3.00, so if she were to lose it, there is no big money invested.**Helpful Tip**KEEP THE LENS CLEAN!  Low quality photos are often a result of a dirty lens.  Q-Tip and Windex works wonders on these little lenses.
I purchased this camera about 6 weeks ago and around a half hour after I took it out of the box I was taking pictures.  It was that easy. But, don't let the simplicity of use fool you this camera takes great pictures. I have used it in daylight and low light situations with really good results.  I have blown some of the pictures up to 8' X 10' with very little loss in sharpness or color.  The docking station is a must because not only does it charge your battery but with the touch of one button it automatically transfers your pictures to the computer via USB.The camera comes with a Internal Memory card but it is only good for about 10 pictures so it would be wise to purchase a 64mb card or greater depending on use.The LCD display is large enough to see what your taking pictures of but in low light situations you would do better looking through the view finder.The software that Kodak gives you is adequate but to do more editing and special effects Photoshop is the program to use.The camera is good to the feel and is pretty well made except for the Lens cap, which keeps coming off all the time.For someone looking for a really good 3mp camera for a moderate price, this is the one.
I did a lot of research before I bought this camera. One thing no one seemed to talk about much, but that was a big issue for me, was shutter lag. I just hate it when I press a button and have to wait a long time before the camera takes the picture. I thought I wanted an Elph because they're so tiny, but went to different stores, and even with fresh batteries and/or no flash, the Canons and Sonys I tried took forever to take the picture. By the time 1.5 or 2 seconds has gone by, many times your shot is lost forever.But this Kodak is fast. I press the button, and it takes the picture almost immediately. If I hold the button down part-way first to let it focus, then when I press it the rest of the way it does take the picture IMMEDIATELY, even with the flash on.The picture quality is excellent, the software installed perfectly on the very first try (I use Windows 2000), and the very first time I attached the camera to its included USB cord, my computer recognized the camera and I only had to click once to get it to upload the pictures.The video quality isn't great (I knew it wouldn't be), but I love being able to carry this thing around in my purse all the time and snap either pictures or video with sound, any time I want to. I've captured some really memorable moments this way at picnics, at my son's preschool, and other places where I would never have dragged the video camera. And the sound is really excellent.
I bought this camera over 10 years ago.....bought several since then, but i always go back to this one if i want GREAT pictures...i don't even bother with the other cameras i own.  there is just something about the pictures that just "pop"...the colors are SO rich and clear. I've done side by side comparisons of pictures taken with other cameras, there is no doubt this is the  best camera to own if you want good pictures.  and now in 2013 you can get this on ebay and other places for like $20.  I had my original stolen a few years ago....went online and found one for $20.  last week i was given a Canon Powershot  A2500 for my birthday....small 16 megapix camera...but the image quality doesn't come close to my old Kodak...and the Kodak picture files are small...a plus when e-mailing, etc. I really can't comment on the video...I'm sure newer cameras are better at that, but printing regular 4X6 pics come out great.  not sure how they would come out if i tried 8x10...never tried it.  you will NOT be sorry to have this camera....Kodak "color science" does things right.I take a lot of pictures of my companies functions....i rely on this camera to do the job right....other cameras let me down...i learned the hard way.
this camera is so easy to use, you don't need to go thru menu after menu, buttons after buttons. I also love the movie functions that i used a lot. the movie picture quality is so-so (sure, it's camera but for bloody sake) but movie picture does look pretty if you plug the camera on TV.Problems:the only problem i have with this camera is the battery life. I am surprised a couple folks said the battery life is not bad, but I think only the CRV battery coming with the camera lasts decent long enough, but other NiMH rechargables aren't last enough. so you may want to carry extra battery.Overall, I still highly recommend this camera with highest rating.
I just purchased this camera yesterday after shopping for a number of weeks, and I can't help but like it. The dial that  turns the camera on, to video mode, and to various focus-lengths contributes to making the DX4330 one of the easiest to use gizmos I have ever seen. There's even a sport/fast-motion mode, accessible from the same dial. The pictures seem nice and sharp, and the zoom works really well. There's even a flat space on the back for putting your thumb! It &quot;just fits&quot; in my hand, while still being small enough to cart around.I haven't used the software, since I'm on a Mac using iPhoto, but I can tell you it works just fine with that. This also means I haven't used the &quot;Share&quot; button to its fullest extent.This camera even has an orientation sensor, so if you take a picture turned 90-degrees, it appears right-side up in the camera screen and in iPhoto. A small feature, yes, but this camera is full of such small features. I'm really impressed with the amount of thought that went in to making it not just a usable camera, but also an enjoyable camera to use.It just works, and it works well. I'm looking forward to using this for a long time. My only regret is that I didn't buy the docking station, as well. Doesn't matter -- Christmas is coming up. :-)
Simple to use and simple to organize pics.  3 megapixels is plenty i have no need for anything larger than 8 1/2  by 10.I love the media
I've had this camera for 12 months and 3 weeks.  It (of course) has a 12-month warranty.  2 weeks out of warranty and it dies.  While this has been an excellent camera while functioning, it is particularly frustrating when an electronic item fails moments after its warranty period.  Kodak will not budge.  Other electronics companies that I've dealt with in the past have stepped up and responsibly honored their warranty slightly beyond norm in appreciation for customer loyalty.  So far, no luck with Kodak.  After talking to a service center, I've found that the repair is likely to cost me about $200.  Important note; the camera was never dropped or exposed to moisture. This is simply a mechanical failure.While this camera was great while it worked, my experience has me doubting that I will replace it with another Kodak.
I had some initial problems with the camera after purchase, and had to return it to Kodak twice for repairs.  But since then it has worked fine.  I enjoy the Kodak picture program that came with the camera, although it does not offer all the possibilities of the Adobe Photo House program.  Camera is convenient and easy to use, and I'm sure it is capable of doing much more than I have discovered to this point.
I purchased this camera about two months ago.  After browsing through the user manual &amp; playing with the camera a bit the first night, I quickly had the key functions figured out.  This camera is very easy to use...the function dials &amp; buttons are clearly marked &amp; easy to figure out.  I did struggle to get some clear shots of close-up items at first, however once you figure out how to auto-focus before snapping your picture (simply press the shutter button down halfway to focus then press all the way to snap the picture) everything comes out crystal clear.  The process of uploading images from the camera to the computer is simple, &amp; the functions in the photo program that allow you to manipulate the images (crop, reduce red-eye, rotate, etc.) are easy to use.In addition to the camera being easy to operate, I was excited to see that the quality of the photos taken with it are excellent! I have had several friends tell me how impressed they were with the picture quality when I e-mailed them some of my first few pictures.  So far I have not purchased the docking station, a memory card or any other accessories for my camera - only rechargeable batteries.  I have found that I can take over 30 pictures using the internal camera memory before it is full &amp; has to be uploaded to the computer so more pictures can be taken.  I plan to buy a memory card eventually because 30 pictures won't get me far when I'm on vacation &amp; am unable to upload the pictures off of the camera, but for now it works great for home use.Excellent digital camera - I would definitely recommend it! Although I have used digital cameras before at work, this is the first one I've owned.  So far I am very pleased with my choice!
I was a intimadated when it came to digital cameras. This one is GREAT. Easy point and shoot. My photos came out good everytime. With the review screen I could delete all the bad photos and retake at that very moment. Goodbye film.
**PC users this info may not be the most helpfull ;-(I bought this camera to run it through it's paces before a trip to Europe this summer.  I will be using it with a Macintosh, and was nervous as to it's integretation with Apple's iPhoto and iMovie.The camera works flawlessly, and with Apple's built in software you barely need Kodak's bundle.  Just plug in the camera with the supplied USB cable (I plug it directly to the extra port on my keyboard), turn it on and iPhoto and (Kodak's) Easy Share Photo automatically launch.Downloading images to iPhoto is straight foward, but you need the Easy Share software to download movies (automatically downloads them to your 'Movies' folder in OSX).I have already burned a 'test' DVD with the movies that I've recorded.  Quality is good considering it's not a camcorder.  And I can't say how easy it is (just open movie in QT, export it to DV Stream then import into iMovie).The photo quality is great, and colors/saturation is awesome, most of my test shots were taken in a cocktail lounge, and the background looks good (not compleatly black), very important since not all of my pictures will be in bright sunlight...  All in all a very strong preformer.The things that I didn't like are,*  There are only 3 quality settings, all of which are in JPEG format - I would have prefered an uncompressed setting for day to day (when I'm close to the computer and don't need to get 160 shots on the card).*  To get good lowlight shots (even with flash) the camera uses a very slow shutter speed - you have to hold the camera a lot more carefully than I would have thought (takes some practice with that), I guess not a bad trade off if you're aware of it.*  The Microphone picks up a lot of 'Camera Noise', if you change your grip a little (or when pressing the button to record), that will be the loudest noise in the recording.  I would assume that 'Wind Noise' will also be something to be aware of.
The camera is easy to use and the quality of the pictures is very good. Getting the pictures out of the camera and into your computer is another matter. The software is very un-intuitive, lots of "albums" and "gallerys" but all we wanted to do is get the photos into the PC. The "Help" file is not much help and Kodak's webpage essentially says to read the manual. Now I know why Kodak is going down the tubes.
I am an aspiring photographer.  I received this camera as a gift and I like it quite a bit.  I've outgrown the camera and am upgrading to the Canon EOS 20D.  However, I highly reccommend this camera to beginners.  It takes AMAZING landscape photographs.  It's light, durable and fun.  This would be a good camera for families, as well.  I think it's the best camera for beginners.Some of its downfalls are:- You cant take on the spot pictures.  It takes a second to capture the image.  My dog is notorious for turning his head just as I hit the button.  Henceforth, this makes it a bad camera for action shots.- I do photography of a local band and this camera is not very good for photographing indoors in low light.- The video funtion is pretty much useless, as the sound quality is horrible.- The lens cap pops right off.I've had no problems otherwise and have had the camera for almost 2 years.  Again, I think this is a great camera.  I tried to upload my photography on here, but after spending all the time choosing them, writing captions and such, it had problems and didn't upload them.  I'd be happy to share some of them with anyone.  I have quite a few that I've made no adjustments to, so you can see how good the quality is.  Just drop me an email on here.
This camera is absolute crap. It is hard to use (with only two buttons) and the pictures are of poor quality (especially indoors). This is definitely an outside-in-broad-daylight camera. Indoor pics are too dark to be of any use and outside pics have clear foregrounds but blurred backgrounds. I've briefly used it as a web cam and it seems decent enough. It seems more web cam friendly so if ya want to buy it for that purpose go right ahead but as a digital camera it sucks.
Not a bad camera for what it is, which isn't much. This is as basic as it gets--really a digital instamatic.However, this really can't be beat for the price (which is why it gets a 5 rating). I picked mine up on sale for $10 after a rebate. It does take pictures (fairly low res). There's no LED to display the photos, so you have to download the pictures to a PC first.It's the perfect camera to throw in the car "just in case". It's not something you'll use every day, but how many times have you said "I wish I had a camera..." well, here's your solution. Just don't expect great pictures.
I ordered this years ago, it never arrived but back then Amazon didn't have the customer service and features it has today to help you. So, since I never received it (even though Amazon's files say they sent it), I can't comment on it.
I have bought over 100 items from AMAZON and this is the first item I am writing a review about. I wish I had read the reviews before purchase but I actually thought no digital cam / webcam can be that bad. I got this for my daughter for Christmas because I thought it was a deal. It is a horrible digital cam and a very weak webcam. 95% of the pics taken are blurry and very pixelated (low res). Because of the price and shipping it is not worth returning. Sorry AMAZON I give this one a big thumbs down!
Ordered and took delivery at a price discounted.  The article does not look like the item pictured, neither in color nor shape and size.  The camera delivered looks like a 50 year old Kodak Brownie or Hawkeye--but Black color.  The advertised model is silver gray in color and with a smooth modern appearance.  I would consider returning this camera but its not worth the trouble nor the price.
A tripod bag is not a complicated item and I can not understand the $75 and more price tags on some. This bag is well made, uses good materials, and it holds and protects my tripod just fine. The padding is just right- not too bulky, not cheap and thin. Zipper is good quality. Size is right for my Gitzo 2540 with head attached. The pod fits with a little room for some other small gear. In short, it is a well made bag that does what it needs to do at a good price. What more can you ask from something as simple as a tripod bag?
This camera bag is sturdy and more than adequate for the Gitzo CT3541 4-section tripod with ballhead attached.  Fully comfortable to pack with your tripod (and a large assortment of other things, including for example, a light windbreaker or fleece top, extra batteries and cards in the inside velcro compartment, flash, and even a bottle of water or two) and then sling over your shoulder and you're off!  The outside side pocket will easily fit your phone, wallet, filters in their cases, keys and other such goodies that you want to have quick access to.  Recommend this tough bag to keep your tripod safe and for easy transport.
I bought this case after getting two light stands, an umbrella and a soft box that didn't come with cases. It accommodates the whole shebang and even has handy side pocket for one flash unit or assorted pieces. Great purchase!
Perfect fit for my Manfrotto 3-section carbon tripod with 496RC2 head. Even have room for a light jacket and shooting vest rolled up. The side pocket stores the strap and remote release.The only nit is that the zipper can separate behind the pull. Not a big deal because the handles keep the case closed. Even with the strap attached, the case stayed closed enough that tripod did not fall out.
The Gitzo Explorer is an odd shaped tripod due to the head column sitting off-center. This causes the top of the pod to measure 6 x 4 1/4". Most bags (including Gitzos') are designed for "normal" pods which are thinner and longer, so any "regular" bag that will fit the Explorer will end up being around 37". My Explorer w/head attached is 26 1/4". That's 10+ inches of the bag flopping in the breeze doing nothing. The Hakuba 100 is nice and stout and perfectly fits my tripod w/head with enough room for my monopod w/head or a jacket or a six-pack. As others have noted, the bag is top quality all around. Great choice for a wider tripod...
I bought this bag knowing that my Bogen Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 would not fit in the bag with the head attached and it doesn't. I have a mono pod and it fits in the bag with my tripod and head, so when I need either one I get it out of the bag and attach the head to which tool I will need at the time. The bag is well made and padded, seems like it should last a long time and protect the investment that I made. It`s perfect for me.
Holds my full sized tripod with no problem, very lite and easy to carry.  Holds all accessories, too.  All in all, I would say this has been one of my better purchases!
This is a 5 star bag for the amateur as well as the professional photographer.  It is light weight and, combined with its water proof, durable construction, it is a must have for any photographer.  Perfect for traveling it will hold a tripod, monopod and camera easily.  Highly recommended for the price.
Fits my Manfrotto 190Pro just fine, with the 486RC ball head.I read a review where it fits this perfectly, but this bag is pretty tall. so it sits in the bottom, but it leaves enough room to put in a manfrotto monopod as well.I would have purchased another bag if i had known the fit on this, maybe one skinnier, but my lack of research on the product has no bearing on its quality,. and for the price you just cant beat this.5 stars!
I was looking for a better tripod case for my Vanguard Alta Pro A63AGH, and Manfrotto 190 X Pro B 3 Tripods. My Vanguard came with a thin unpadded case, while my Manfrotto came with none. I was wanting a padded case I could use with either, as I did not care for the unpadded case for fear of denting my tripod or cracking the plastic if dropped.To sort my search carefully. I searched Amazon for &#34;Padded Tripod case&#34;. It came up with several results. A few were lower priced,and after looking at them I decided the Hakuba-100 looks of better quality.The search also showed some higher priced name brands that were double this price,and looked of inferior quality.I am happy with it.Looks as if it should last forever & quality is outstanding. The only downfall or 'Cons' about it would be as others have mentioned in thier reviews. The shoulder strap sould be longer.Yes I could have given it only four stars for this shortcomming. But I feel that the quality is outstanding & I could not buy another one of the same quality or better without paying twice the price. Maybe I am being generous with 5 stars, but I think it is worth every dime I paid for it.
The case is high quality, very heavy material and I expect many years of service from it.
If you were like me, you were trying to figure out if your 28-1/2 inch long tripod would fit in this bag that says 27 inches. The answer is yes. I have a Manfrotto 3221 with a 128RC head on it that measure about 28.5 inches total. I did not want to get the Model 200 since it would have been more money than I wanted to spend and would have had a number of inches of waste space to carry. So I ordered this on a gamble and for once , I won. I did not have to jam it in there, it just fit snug and comfortable. I can even tuck my shorty carbon fiber mono in there if I want to. The side pocket is just a bonus.As others have already said, this is well constructed with a solid zipper and the perfect amount of padding. My only concern would be that the 128RC head is right up against the end, so if dropped just right, the padding from the end of the case would be minimal and may be an issue. However, that's why I buy Manfrotto stuff, I have yet to see it break.I can't guarantee your slightly longer than 27 inch tripod will fit because girth may also be a factor depending on what you have, but my set-up as mentioned fit nicely. Hope this helps you folks that are on the fence.
fits the manfrotto 190xprob w/ ballhead perfectly, just enough wiggle room  to get your tripod in and out, but not so loose it sloshes around. nicely-made ballistic nylon w/ foam padding. heavy-duty two-way zipper. reinforced trim.  a stylish, understated, pro quality look. the padded acc. pocket and ID cases are nice touches. you can switch out the shoulder strap, too.
Like numerous others I didn't buy this bag to actually carry a tripod, instead I wanted it to carry my speedlight strobist setup.My problem was that I use Manfrotto Nano light stands ( which I love by the way) which collapse to be very small ( about 15&#34; ), and couldn't find a bag which was the right size. Nearly all light stand bags are much bigger than this and using one of those would sort of negate going to all the effort to get small equipment which is easy to carry!So I came across this bag from a recommendation of someone else doing the same thing, and I totally agree with them, it's a perfect strobist bag! It's about 20&#34; long, so slightly longer than my light stands but still really portable. It's also surprisingly roomy inside, I carry 2 Nano light stands, three collapsible umbrellas, umbrella clamps and a small boom arm and it all fits no problem at all.The side pocket could have been made for a speedlight, I carry a Godox TT660 in there together with spare batteries.Add to that the fact that it's sturdily build, has double zips and nice carry handles and this has to be the strobist solution of the century!
We have owned and used this bag for 6 months. It has been on vacation with us in Maine, Vermont and NH. It went into the woods with us photographing wildlife, and the Fall foliage without and signs of wear. Great bag for the money. Top notch quality. Buy one today.
This bag has a lot of padding greater zipper. For the money you won't find a better bag. I would buy it again.i
Decent bag but good value at the price. Not much padding but better than others at the same price.  Purchased to fit my Kessler dolly slider traveller size and mounting head.
I bought this to hold an inexpensive tripod that I use to hold a wireless repeater that increases the range of a Parrot AR.Drone 2.0.This bag holds the tripod perfectly, and the nice padded outer pocket holds the WiFi repeater as well.  The outer pocket is padded well enough that I'm not worried about any damage to the repeater when it's in there.  The inside of the main pocket is well padded as well, and I'm not worried about my cheap tripod taking any kind of damage under normal use with this case, either.The case seems very well made.  All of the stitching was solid, and the zippers seemed nice.  The straps all feel like they are good quality and I feel that they will last quite some time.Overall, I'm impressed.  When I start looking at nicer tripods for my T3i, I will look into getting another one of these cases.Recommended.
I purchased this as a storage case for a small (90mm) refractor.  It's perfect for that purpose--high quality, padded well, fair price, just the right size, and the outside pocket is very handy.Pre-purchase I could never tell from any product photos where the zippers start and end, and I sweated this a little bit until the bag arrived.  Turns out the zipper on the "tall" end (left side in the photo) goes around the top and halfway down the end, and the one on the other end stops abeam the shoulder strap D ring on top.  This works out fine for inserting and removing the scope, but any shorter would have been problematic.Don't expect to carry much else in this bag, other than what you can fit in the external side pocket.  The inside pocket is rather useless, it's small and flat, good for only an ID card or something.Finally--the lenth and height dimensions do measure as advertised, but it still "feels" smaller in real life.  I think this is because the case is somewhat skinnier than it is tall.  When purchasing I figured the bag would be just a little extra-big for my scope; it turns out to fit like a glove, and I wouldn't want it any smaller.
I recieved this case today (Saturday).  The workmanship is absolutely top notch!  Beautifully finished case  Plenty of room for BOTH my Giottos Monopod 9180 with Kirk Pro Monopod head MPA-2 AND Giottos Tripod MT-9260 tripod with Markins Q20 professional ball head mounted... and still quite a bit of room to spare!! Lengthwise it allows about 1" to spare with my ball head with ball head cover mounted. I love this case!  The padding is good without being too thick.  You CANNOT go wrong with this case for any tripod/ball head combo up to 27" in length!!
I wanted something to hold my Manfrotto tripod when stored away and protect it when I am traveling. I didn't expect the quality of this unit to be as well as it is. For the price, even for twice the price its a great unit.Durable thick canvas on the outside, soft padded nylon on the inside. Large zippered outside hard pocket good for small to medium flash and diffusers. Soft Velcro pocket on the inside. bag itself has a a ridged caps and one end more of a cup, to protect head. Its fits my Manfrotto 190XB with 486RC2 head perfectly.
space for manfrotto 055xprob and grip ball head with room to spare.  So far, seems very well built
I bought this tripod bag for my son's "Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head" and the "Manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 055 MAG Photo-Movie Head".Fits great!We purchased the tripod and head at a local Dodd Camera store because we really wanted to see and try out what they had with my son's camera.I'm glad the store did not have any tripod bags suitable for my son's tripod/head setup, because this is one nice case !I measured the tripod with the head attached... about 25+ inches was needed.My son really likes this case to protect his photo gear !
I bought this case after I got my tripod and ball head. It makes a world of difference not only for storage, but for taking the tripod out on a shoot. My older tripod I carried around Disney World one night and that was a pain. To much to hold onto. With the case you can carry it around your shoulder and it makes it very light and easy to get to.  My current setup is a Manfrotto 055XB w/ Manfrotto 484RC mini ball head.  This case will hold the tripod with the ball head attached.  Perfect fit.The case is also very well made.  I haven't put it though any tough situations, but it does look like it could handle alot.
A stronger, tougher and roomier alternative to the carry bag that came with my Velbon 600RF tripod. Construction and size/shape is ideal for my Velbon tripod. It has 3/4 length strong nylon zipper and has big enough zipper hold-ons for someone whom has a grasp problem through arthritis I would expect. There is a small velcro compartment inside the main area which I put my car keys when hiking. The outside pocket is large enough for my wired and wireless camera releases and a spare tripod platform and quite a bit more. Even with my tripod in this case there is room to put in a spray jacket for my wife and I. The shoulder strap could have a couple of inches more adjustment for me and maybe a little padding on the rubber shoulder pad but my wife is a seamstress and she could make something quite easily I feel. With my camera backpack it wanted to slide off my shoulder occasionally so I slung it over my shoulder and then put on my backpack ... problem solved.Overall a very nice tripod case for the price.
I bought this bag for a Gitzo 3541 tripod.  Although not the largest of tripods, it is of moderate size. The only thing larger in Gitzo are Series four or five tripods, which have a wider top portion.  Even under those circumstances, I find the space a bit too generous.  Extra space means extra bulk when carrying and the internal slop negates some of the protection that is afforded by the bag. I'm in the process of ordering something that fits my tripod better.  I'm going to use this case for compact light-stands, which it seems well suited for.  I can fit three Cowboy studio light-stands that fold up on themselves, quite easily.  Like I said, it's a well-made case, just not for most tripods.  And for the minority of people out there that carry series four or five tripods (or equivalent), I would assume, they have the budget to spend on something more tailor made.
Fits my Manfrotto perfectly. Sturdy. Beautiful. I have no reason for the duration i have used this case to in any way be unhappy with it. Can I ask for more? Maybe a shapely blonde beauty as a caddy.
I was looking for a tripod to fit my Sunpak 9001 tripod and took a chance on this one.  Boy am I pleased!  The bag is well padded and has a very durable covering.  It is indestructable, unless you use it for target practice, of course.  The inside has a velcro pocket to store small, thin items and the ouside has an ID pocket and a padded pouch.  I can store my digital camera, the lens cleaning pen and the shoulder strap in the outside pouch.  What's really nice is that it can be carried with the short handles or the adjustable shoulder strap.  I can't see buying any bag that wasn't padded.  This is one heck of a good quality bag, and I would highly recommend it if you're searching for one!!!
Very sturdy, convenient to carry around. It is big enough for my tripod and other accessories. I am so happy I got this product.
This is a great tripod bag.I have theManfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)with theManfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N)and this bag fits, but barely.  I would recommend theHAKUBA USA INC PSTC200 TRIPOD CARRYING CASEfor this combo, but as I said this bag will fit, if only barely.  You have to fold the head to the side and it still is hard to zip.  My fault for not measuring properly.That said, this bag is well padded, the pouch on the side has plenty of room for misc items, the card holder on the side makes it easy to mark the bag, and the small inside pocket is great for another piece of identification.Highly Recommend.
There are important things to a photographer that technology has developed: Zip Lock bags, Lithium Batteries, B & W C-41 processing film and Target for cheap camera cases (i.e. 6 Pack coolers that fits my 4x5 Field Camera: cost $6).  So, this case is one of them.  This case is built so well and so padded, it fits to my back like a glove.  The base is built roomier than I needed for my Gitzo carbon fiber Mountaineer tripod, unitl I realized that I can fit my focusing hood and rain jacket in there....  This has turned into an overnight shoulder bag without evening realizing it. I have even shoved the toothbursh and towel in there.  It is so lightweight, I rarely feel it.  If I could improve upon it, I would add add a new color, dark blue.  That's all.
This case works great - I'm using it for a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 tripod with a RRS BH-40 head with clamp and panning clamp and it fits perfectly with a little length to spare.  I've also mounted an Arca Swiss D4 geared head and that fits as well, so most likely any normal head setup would work.  Interior space is generous, but the case is not overly bulky like the MAMBAG80PN padded Manfrotto case which was kind of gigantic for this tripod/head.The case looks made well, the padding is good, the strap is removable, there is a padded external zip pocket and a small unpadded internal velco pocket as well. The zipper works easily and looks rugged enough.If you are wondering if your rig will fit, get a tape measure and measure the length of the tripod _and_ the head - up to a 27inch setup will fit.
This is my third tripod case. I went through a VidPro first, a very cheap, "you get what you paid for" type of bag. Does the job but no padding. Then I upgraded to a much better quality case, Pelican, with excellent padding, zippers and material. I especially appreciated three well padded exterior zippered pockets. The only problem with this Pelican, however, was that it came with very poor shoulder strap and the interior dimensions didn't quite meet my multi-gear storage needs.So came this Hakuba PSTC100, and the third time is a charm! It compared excellently to the well-known quality material, well sewn zippers and protective padding of Pelican while the greater interior dimensions allowed my tripod and the Manfrotto Variable Friction Magic Arm with attached superclamp and Camera Bracket to be stored comfortable together in the case. (See the photo images I provided above.) I always use the Magic Arm when shooting videos with my tripod for backup audios, and the exterior zipper pocket became a perfect place to house my TASCAM DR-100MKII with its cover case.While the main features were satisfying, I found the need to change out its short and cheap shoulder strap with another one I had hanging around. I also didn't care for the cheap velcro interior pocket that the case came with. I suppose it's better than nothing. But other than these minor shortcomings, the Hakuba case is something I'd highly recommend.
Fits like a glove for my tripod and not bleeding edge price. I love the outside pocket for extras. Seems to be well made. In the NW you need to protect your things from the elements and this does the trick.
I purchased this carrying case not for a tripod, but for the Orion 120mm Refractor Telescope.  It is a perfect fit!  The case is well padded, and the side pocket is convenient for small accessories.  I am very confident in its ability to protect my telescope.
This well-padded tripod bag with an outside zippered pocket and an inside velcro pocket is high quality and priced low.  I can put my Manfrotto 190XV tripod with Bogen/Manfrotto 3126 head attached plus a Pentax 65mm angled spotting scope in its own case with one astronomical eyepiece in place, and even a small field guide all inside with no problem - and then fit 3 fairly large astronomical eyepieces and a homemade eyepiece holder in the outside pocket with room to spare for microfiber optics cleaning cloths and other small items.I am very happy with the utility and quality of this tripod bag and I'd buy it again!
I was in the market for a new stand case and found this one.  I carry in it 3 compact light stands with umbrella mounts, 3 umbrellas and a few other things for securing stands and small strobes during photo shoots.  The bag and zipper seem well designed, but the strap is too short and connect to the case in awkward spots for shoulder carrying.
I can put my slik spirit tripod, mono pod. table mini tripod + umbrella,  manfotto clamps and light stand. Um.. what else you need?
A high quality padded tripod case. I would give it 5 stars, if it was smaller. This case can hold a tripod and probably all of your photo equipment, plus a jacket or maybe two. As a result, it is less portable. For example, you can not hang it around a camera backpack. It is just too big.
This filter is fantastic, i bought it to use on my d90 and was able to use it recently on a tropical vacation.  I found the filter to be very impressive and intuitive - it did bright blue sky and sea pictures very well, and produced some very nice in-door shots as well.
My understanding is that linear polarizers don't work well with some modern camera functions, such as auto focus, so I bought this circular filter. Well, the effect of the circular polarizer isn't anywhere near as dramatic and useful as the linear, as I remeber things from 35 mm film days. So, since I mostly use a polarizer for wide angle landscape shots, I think I'll use a linear and focus manually.If linear filters DON'T mess up auto focus and/or metering on DSLR's, I invite correction.
This Hoya filter 52mm circular polarizing glass filter arrived well packaged. No dust or chips or cracks in filter. The product was flawless. Works great on the Nikon D5100 on a number of different lenses. The threading on the filter was perfect no issues. Filter works as well as you would expect.
This is a proper polarizing filter.  It has a marking line on the forward (rotating) half of the filter, so you can keep track of the angle.  Rotating the forward half is what changes the shadows reflecting off of the subject.  It is also a true circular polarizing filter (I verified this myself).  This is necessary for use with the autofocus systems of SLRs and Bayer filters over the sensors of DSLRs.
A very good, affordable filter for any budding photographer or hobbyist. I've noticed that when viewing images at full size, the detail is reduced a bit when using the filter on a Nikon D3100, but when printed or posted, no difference is visible. Recommended.
Overall, it okay for the price. I'm not thrilled by it but it does the job.
Just ordered this filter before my recent trip. The results look great with blue-er sky and more saturated colors. Would recommended!
Filter arrived promptly, was best price I found for this - fits Nikon 18-55 and 55-200 lens.  Recommend this item.
The 52mm circular polarizing filter is the size for inexpensive the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 "kit" and DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 telezoom lenses for the Pentax dSLR cameras, like the entry-level $400 K100D and expert $800 K10D.  For those that don't know (new to SLR), you need a "circular" polarizing filter on auto-focus lenses, as a "linear" polarizing filter will prevent autofocus from working.  Adding this filter does bring out the rich colors of the sky and water without breaking the bank.  Such lenses are not fast (higher f-stop), so be aware that the additional f-stops this filter will add (it's not the most transparent) will limit your capabilities.E.g., with the filter off the DA 50-200mm at its full 200mm zoom and f/5.6-6.3, I could get a 1/1000th shutter which was good enough to shoot F-15/18/22s at 400 knots in overcast.  However, putting this filter on brought my shutter down to 1/350th or less, and I couldn't capture aircraft unless they were moving very slowly.But if you're trying to capture such motion and want a better filter, you're already spending more money for a faster lens as well.  If not, then this is the filter you want, at the right price.  I give it four (4) stars because it is a great value for still or slower motion photography when you have inexpensive lenses where speed is not your consideration, but cost is.  Again, remember, you need "circular" polarizing filters for auto-focus lenses, or auto-focus will not work (such as with "linear" ones).
Works great, used it on a Grand Canyon vacation and the polarizing filter makes a huge difference in the quality of creative photography.
I ordered this after the first polarizing filter I ordered was a linear filter (they didn't mention this on the other listing).While it works fine and has provided some good photos, when it came time to remove this filter from the lens more than once I was unable to remove it.  The reason for this is the outer adjustment ring is the same diameter as the knurled body.  When you try and grip the filter and remove, the adjustment ring spins, but the filter threads will not budge.  It required LARGE pliers to grip and remove.  Other filters I have used (different brands) have a slightly larger thread diameter ring section, so you can actually grip the filter and remove it.
I read somewhere that the Circular Polarizing Filter is the one to buy if you're just getting one.  I found that to be completely true.  We were in the tropics, and using this filter helped take the glare off the water and amplify the colors.  It worked really well on our zoom lense as well.  Many of our pictures looked professional, even though we're definitely in the amateur class.  I highly recommend this filter.
I bought one of these - heard all the talk about some polarisers messing up auto-focus so went with the circular (although I don't use auto-focus a lot). I shoot film (Nikon F90X) & frankly I was VERY disappointed: the effect was way milder than I expected. One day as an experiment I shot my digicam thru my sunglasses and voila!! That's the look I was after - the super intense colors & classic "black sky" look. Went to my local camera store & told them that's the look I wanted & they handed over the LINEAR polariser. My Nikon immediately got the look I wanted.It seems to be photography lore that "thou shalt use a circular polariser", and I spose there must be something to it, but before you hand over the cash just be sure it's gonna work for YOU. I do mostly manual focus of landscape/abstract stuff, so maybe I'm a special case, but I LOVE my **linear** polariser & use it ALL THE TIME, while my circular is in the drawer at home. Buyer beware.
I purchased this filter for an upcoming trip to the beach. We just received a pretty good snowstorm so I attached the filter to my Panasonic DMC-FZ100 camera and went out to shoot a few photos.  Wow - what a difference this item makes when your shooting in the snow - it really makes the blue sky pop - usually all of the light reflecting off the snow will trick the camera into washing out the sky.  I took several photos of the same subject with and without the filter.  I am very pleased with the results using this filter.  As a note - the filter you receive does not look like the product pictured at Amazon.  This seems inexpensive for a circular polarizing filter - but it works great for me.
It just brings out the best of an image.  Should have gotten it long ago.  It was shipped in a shorter time that was stated and arrived in "store bought" condition.  Very happy with the purchace and service.
Spending $14 bucks for this quality Hoya polarizer was a no brainer.  My roomate has a Hoya HMC filter for his 18-55mm D50 Kit Lens that costed him $90.  The difference in quality and function is extremely minute to the naked eye.  I see no reason to purchase a filter than is $75 dollars more unless you are shooting professional photography, where optical quality is of the upmost importance.  For me, the Hoya 52MM Circular Polarizing Filter on my 50mm prime and 18-55mm works fantastic.  The contrast is amazing, the colors are vibrant, the skies are blue and there are no surface reflections if used properly.  Its a bargain for $14 bucks, just get it.
Does exactly what it's supposed to do.  Improve contrast, saturation and apparent clarity to certain types of images if you use it correctly.  I haven't noticed any sort of image degradation while using it.
There are better circular polarizers out there, and there are worse ones. But for a 52mm thread, you are probably considering this for your canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, which is under $100. So why spend another $100 on a circular polarizer? This one works great and hasn't degraded my pictures as far as i can tell. When filming blue skies or green grass, the filter really brings out those colors. It's not one of those filters you will use all the time, but it definitely has its uses, and is good to have in your collection.The quality on this lens is not too bad. a lens cap easily fits on the end of the filter, and the circular ring turns smoothly. Sometimes with these filters, there will be a small amount of haze on the glass when you first get it. Using some mild soap diluted in water with a mircofiber cloth should remove it. Be careful on the edges because sometimes the grease used to lubricate the ring can sometimes get on the lens and smear it. It can be easily cleaned off, but do not use harsh chemicals as they may effect the coating of the lens (I'm not 100% sure but I don't want to find out).For the price, this is a great circular polarizer and I highly recommend it in the 52mm size.
On pak box doesn't tell you too much about spec. I checked website, it says to get better effect, is aim to surface above 35 degree. I tried at 35 degree, it just filtered out some reflectance, but not too much.Other angles no matter how you rotate the ring, it does NOT work to filter out the reflectance.I tried take picture with it, from outside window. The result is terrible, no polarizing effect at all: many many reflectance there. I remember at old time my Kenko and K-mart brand polarizing filter can easily filter out a lot of reflectance, why this newer Hoya can't do it?I guess either it's defect, or, the polarizing is just a gimmick!
Does everything it is supposed to.  No ghosting.  No flare.  What more can you ask?  A more convenient case would be nice I suppose.
For the price there is nothing better.  Hoya is great and these are quality filters.
I've had two other circular polarizing filters, and this just doesn't seem to do quite as well as those did.  However, it's satisfactory, and certainly good to have in your bag when you need it.  Given the price of circular polarizing filters, unless you really need one often, or have need of a top-notch CP filter for a demanding shot, this will do quite well.  Nothing spectacular, but no significant complaint either (using a Nikon D70).
Good price, easy to attach and use.  It works very well to cut down on the sun glare.  I even use it indoors to cut down on the overhead glare from my train room lights.
So far so good with this filter on my Nikon D3100 DSLR. Smooth rotation of the filter once its on, just be careful if you are using AF, because using a CPF can cause AF hunting (in my experience).
I've been using this and like it says it does bring the details out especially when it comes to landscapes.  I've used it to make the oceans for fleshed out and skies bluer instead of it being dull.  I love this polarizer and couldn't imagine how long I haven't been using one.  Granted, theres always photoshop, but, this would eliminate some of the problems that you would face right off the bat.For me, I think its worth the purchase.
Amazing quality for the price. I used this on a trip to the Catskills to shoot ponds and waterfalls- couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend this product!
Delivered early, and in my early uses worked as advertised. Definitely good enough quality for my level of photography. I've been using it with a 35mm/1.8 Nikon lens and my D90 camera.
Very pleased. I'm using it with a Pentax DA 18-55mm lens and it work well.
There are a lot of expensive circular polarizing filters out there.  Frankly, I can't tell the difference between this one and other more expensive ones I've used.  I'm sure there are professionals out there whose careers depend on having the best.  But if you're an advanced amature photographer as I am, this will suffice for most all of your outdoor needs.  If you've not used a circular polarizing filter before, be sure to read up on how to use them, what to expect, and then go practice with it so you'll know how it can help improve the color quality in your photos.  This filter is a good place to start.
This is a great filter for taking pictures when it is to bright out. I love using it for water pictures.It comes in a protected case and is easy to install and use.
it is a very good made filter but its made by hoyaso that explaines it all . but the price was pretty goodfor the quality of the lens.
For the price, this polarizing filter is a great alternative to a UV filter when you are shooting blue skies, water, or glass/shiny things that have a lot of glare, as I explain below.Generally, I have found the threading on this filter to be very smooth for use with my Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and 55-200VR lenses, both 52mm for filters. Also, I found the price of this filter quite reasonable compared to similar polarizing filters.Outdoors/Blue Skies - Generally, I have been able to capture more vibrant colors, and it really makes my blue skies a deeper shade of blue while cutting down on glare from various sources. I have experimented by taking similar pictures using this filter vs. the Hoya UV filter, and I can confirm that the polarizing filter does make a visible difference, which I personally prefer.Water/Glare - At my in-laws' lake house last weekend, I took a few pictures of people sitting on the dock, and of the kids swimming (with life jackets!) in the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn't there during sunrise/sunset to get any "real" photog shots. But, the pictures of the kids in the water in the middle of the afternoon turned out great. My conclusion is that this filter allowed me to get some great shots without any distracting light/overexposed areas due to the glare coming off the water. The filter cuts that glare out.Glass/Reflections - a couple weeks ago, I went to the zoo and took a few pictures through glass. In some cases, due to the angle and the lighting, I wasn't able to get a shot. But in other cases, where my sister's point and shoot could not focus past the glass without getting a reflection of the crowd and whatever else was on our side of the glass, with the polarizing lens my camera was able to "see through" the glass and focus solely on the animal, and it was nearly impossible to tell that I had taken the shot through glass (as if I could get that close to a gorilla without something between us.)Lastly, I should note that I have not noticed as huge drop off in light when using this filter. Some reviews of filters talk about a large drop off in light, which can be due to various coatings applied and the fact that it is a polaring filter. Keep in mind - a polarizing filter, because it does filter out "non-polarized" light, will make your pictures slightly darker, requiring you (or your camera, if you use Auto) to adjust your f stop, shutter speed, ISO, or exposure compensation accordingly. I have hardly noticed this, but want to mention in case you wanted to use this in applications where light is scarce.In sum, this filter does everything that I expected a polarizing filter to do, based on my limited knowledge of photography and filters. I haven't compared it to other polarizing filters, but if you are wondernig whether this filter will make any difference, I hope I have explained how it makes some difference.
At an affordable price, this filter does exactly what it is supposed to do. Just remember that ANY FILTER, no matter how much it costs, will downgrade to different degrees the optical qualities of your camera lens.
It works as a polarizer no doubt. Fits right on my 50mm lens.But it creates a wierd greenish flare when I am taking pictures of any light source (e.g. lamps, sunlight).But sometimes flares are cool. I would recommend spending more money on a multicoated circular polarizer, or not buying any at all.
Great filter: very good quality, and it works! After I started using this filter, my pictures improved a lot: before I could never get these vivid colors that you see on the professional photographs.
I wanted a polarizer for my digital camera.  Thought this would do it, but I guess these filters are not made for digital cameras.
This filter is a great value for my purposes and I have no negative comments.  I'm an amateur who tries to find additional uses for equipment.  Since my Pentax K100D dSLR's lowest ISO setting is 200, I have used this filter as a neutral density filter (about 2-stops).BTW... if you also have a 52mm LINEAR polarizing filter, you can attach it in front of the circular polarizing filter to create a variable neutral density filter for making long exposures in bright light.  Rotating the linear filter will effectively vary the combo from a 3 to 4-stop neutral density setting to a very dense setting.  Note that at darker settings, a bluish cast may be added.
Nice rotating circular polarizing filter for my micro four thirds cameraI use this primarily at the beach to get brighter/deeper colors.Really sharpens up the sky and clouds.
If ya only have two filters mape this one of em and a UV the other.
Does what it says, have not had much time to play with it but so far does its job.Quality of build is good.
I dont really know what to say in a review for this item. It works, it works well, it works exactly as described, it fits easily onto my lenses, it doesnt scratch easily, it's easy to maintain, it hasnt fallen apart. It's exactly what I wanted and was expecting
this is the my third polarizing filter in a year. I just wish they sold something that would prohibit me from losing the things. I don't know if I bought something different the second time, but this (and the first are very good). I love the saturation and removal of glare that this filter brings to my shots.If you don't have one, but it, but you may end up getting hooked on what it can do.
I bought this filter for $33 dollars thinking it was made in Japan.  It is not, unless you get an older production. The picture on this Amazon listing is also not correct. It does comes in a blue box and is the standard series.Not sure of what to make of the filter being producded in the Phillipines, I contacted THK Photo, the company representing Hoya in the States. I asked them of this and whether this filter was inferior to the one made in Japan. Here is their reply: "The green series has been discontinued, and the blue series (standard) is now being made in the Philippines. It is a higher quality filter than the green series, and still made with optical quality glass to the same specifications as the Hoya factory in Japan."I gave this product four stars on account of the confusion. I have yet to use in my camera.....Gotta love outsourcing.R
This filter is amazing. It makes the skies bluer, and the clouds stand out so much better. Also, it arrived the day before a big car show, and without it my pictures wouldn't have been anywhere as good.
I have had no problem with this product.  I'm a beginner, and not too knowledgeable.  But, I found that it does work on changing reflections and filtering them.  Affordable, and goes well with my Nikon 35mm f1.8 lens.
I think it's worth buying this filter especially now that we are getting more sunny days.  It does help with avoiding blown up skies.
So far so good, but need to use the lens more to appreciate the filter. Opportunities in the coming weeks in a more 'somber' Europe light to see the benefits.
It's very well crafted, has an excellent and predictable effect and surpassed my expectation all around.  Especially for the price.  Nicely done.
Very well constructed.  Does as good a job as those more extensive models.  Shooting foliage, water or glass - then you need a polarizing filter.
I purchased this filter to protect the front element of my lens.  And protect it did.  I dropped my photo bag, with the camera inside facing lens-down, and the fall jammed the lens cap into the lens.  Well, the filter was in the way, and took the hit.  Rest in Peace, sacrificial 52mm UV filter, you performed your duty well.
I have a number of Hoya filters.  I used them or B&W .. one or the other.  Hoya is a bit more cost effective and seem fine for me.
Great piece of glass at a great price, delivered fast. I know, most photographers state that the UV filter is virtually useless on a digital SLR, except for protecting the lens. But, Hoya makes the best, and why would you choose anything less than the best for a great lens you spent so much on. So, I bought this for protecting the lens without altering the image I'm photographing.
For the price, this filter works very well!  It is well built, and feels solid.  The glass is very sharp.  Cleans, easily, as well.  Photos are beautiful through it!  That's the most important thing, I guess.
A great little filter for cutting down on glare and protecting my lens at the same time.
First...it works, reducing UV.Second... it protects your lens from scratches and other damage.Third... It isn't expensive.Get any good brand.
I bought this filter as extra protection for me lenses and that's exactly what it is doing. You can't go wrong with this one. ...and the price is great too. ;-)
For the money, this is a very well priced item of protection for your lens and its coating.  No need to fuss with all the high end coated filters, that's why you spend all the money on a good lens.  Lenses have the coating that matters.  This filter keeps that coating from scratches and wear.
My friends suggested me to use some kind of UV filter lens for two purposes: accidents happen, its cheap to replace UV filter than actual lens and crisp final photo. I would recommend Hoya UV definitely for anyone looking for good UV filter. I suggest one lens per main lens from camera.
Has a very solid built, doesn't feel cheap at all. Very good quality and I've made great shots with this on. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
I purchased this product for protection on my lenses to keep from getting scratches. Fits perfect of course. UV help will be to my advantage. So far photos look great crisp clear and in focus.Fast shipping from Adorama Camera too.Hoya 55mm UV Haze Protection FilterHoya 55mm UV Haze Protection Filter
It works for my purposes. It protects my lens without causing distortion to my images. Has the added bonus of filtering UV rays. Has threading on both sides of the filter so you can mount additional filters onto it. If I had the cash, I'd probably get a better Hoya filter, but for my current needs, this fits just fine.
I purchased 2 of these Hoya filters for my two lenses I have for my Sony A33 DSLR...If you have a lens, you need a Hoya filter! Awesome price! I bought mostly for lens protection...the enhanced clarity is a bonus! They fit my lenses perfectly.
Purchased the Hoya UV Haze Protection filter for our new Sony A200 DSLR primarily for physical protection for the lens.  It arrived in a very nice plastic case with a seal on it so you knew your's was right from the manufacturer. The metal ring was very well made and threaded right into place on our lens with no problem.It did have one little manufacturing defect - the small plastic ring that secures the lens in the holder was not fully in the groove.  I carefully worked it into place and it seems to work well. I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it so I'm OK with it. It definitely came that way from Hoya - not a problem of the merchant.
I don't think there's that much to say about a UV filter... This one's a good one, there are obviously bad ones out there that aren't coated. I've used it now for over a month with the expected results, protecting my lenses without adversely impacting image quality.
This is my first circular polarizer and I bought it on the advice of a friend that has a much higher grade camera than mine so I don't know if that is why I feel like some of my shots are s bit dark or if it's just because I am inexperienced. Unless it's pretty bright out I have trouble seeing detail through my viewfinder at times and think I maybe should have picked a lighter shade of filter for not so bright days. The images I get from my camera with the filter on are great.. Being a novice I have to  remember to stop and rotate the filter till I get the desired color for water or sky but this filter does leave zero glare and makes the sky pop big time.
Not much else to say outside of the title "Works Great - Excellent Price".The rotation of the circular polarizer is a little stiff out of the box, but I suppose that is a good thing as it's only going to get looser with use.Get a nice polarized effect on both water or sky in pictures taken thus far.Definitely a good value for your 58mm attachments.
I don't have a lot of need for a polarizing filter, but when I do want it, this one works quite well. It turns smoothly, seems durable so far, and screws in easily. Oddly, when I try to take it off, it "catches" a bit, and then screws in just as easily. You'd think it would be as easy to remove as it is to insert, but it's not the case.The photos taken with this filter come out clear, and I'm pleased with the effect.
I love this filter so much!  It makes photos 'pop' with excellent contrast which would be unattainable without a filter.
Unfortunately I no longer have the camera that this filter was intended for (it was stolen) and my new camera is 62mm so I am going to use a Step Down Ring so I can continue to use this filter.  It is well made and I would recommend it.  Good price.
The Hoya PL CIR is a well-made adjustable filter.  Its split-ring frame enables the user to rotate it to adjust for the particular outdoor situation.  Reduces/eliminates reflections, glare and improves color contrast.  This circular polarizer is designed to work with auto-focus zoom lenses.  Hoya filters offer excellent optics and superb tints with colored glass elements rather than clear glass with a colored coating.  Started over 70 years ago, Hoya became known in the US for its world-class photography products in the early 1960s.
I am a beginner and I followed exactly what many has said about using the cir polarizing filters and I got really stunning sky and water colors. This is my first filter and I really love it. This is easy to fix on your current lens, I have a Rebel XS with 18-55mm with diameter 58mm. I am going to experiment with this filter over and over again and write more reviews. But I would strongly recommend this filter for beginners.
I would recommend. I use it. I got excellent results in snow.  no need for flash of Facial brightness .
I have had other Polarizer filters and this is much the same. i went with the Brand name due to my past history. They stand up to time and still work great.  A trusted name and product. The ring was a little stiff at first, but soon i could grab it correctly and turn as needed.
Clear, crisp images, used in bright sunlight it makes the color saturation and contrast so much more visible. Can't live without this one in sunny Florida, especially when waterside compositions are being photographed. Reduces glare, restores back lighting to a natural color.
This is really a great circular polarizer. I always thought that the images stated to be taken with this filter were unreal. But this belief broke soon after I received this filter. No the images were not unreal. This filter can really take such great pictures with gorgeous colors. Highly recommended filter and a must accessory for any photographer with a DSLR.
This is one of the first filters I have ever purchased and it is well worth the $45. The build quality is great and the effect it has on the camera is irreplaceable. The filters bearing is smooth and has not worn down in the weeks that I have used it heavily. You have to get the filter in the right position for it to have its full effect, though. And if you have an autofocus lens you have to readjust the filter, but this is a minor inconvenience. It is very easy to put on the lens and has an effect unparalleled by any other filter, lens, or photo editing program.
I bought this filter, and it was fine for three months, but then while out shooting it came apart in my hand, meaning the half of the filter that you rotate separated from the half that screws to your lens.  The C-clip that holds the two halves together went flying, but I managed to find it.  Unfortunately, it ended my shooting day, because the C-clip is coated with a thin oil that splattered all over my lens, and was impossible to remove without a strong cleaner.When I got home, I managed to snap the two halves back together, and managed to clean my lens, but the actual filter is almost impossible to clean, because when you wipe it, your cloth will touch the edge of the filter and pick up more oil, so you end up fouling the glass again.I've contacted the seller to see about a replacement.  The filter works well, but could use a bit better QC.
This product is well built. All the reviews saying that it fell apart in their hands is bogus. Im sure this would break because it has moving parts but you'd have to either have a defective filter or be too aggressive when handling it. For regular use, its built tough enough to handle.The quality is really good, I enjoy shooting in the sun now! Ive even shot with it on while shooting indoors at night and the image is pretty in my opinion.
I have had fun playing with this particular filter. In lighting situations that would be detrimental to snapping vivid, glare free photos, this lens has awesome written all over it. I was nervous about trying it at first but ever since I started going outside of my comfort zone and trying new equipment, I have begun dabbling in artistic editing of photos. This filter allows you to practically point the camera straight at the sun at high noon and still capture unbelievably clear and vivid shots. I can't wait to try out other exciting toys for my photography hobby! If you are serious about your photos like I am (not a professional here, just a hobbyist) then you need more toys for your camera too. ;)
It makes blue skies bluer and reflections truer. That's all you need to know. A great value for any photography you'll be doing on a clear day.
Being relatively new to photography, I don't have extensive experience with other polarizers to compare this to. It was purchased to compliment my favorite 50mm lens. It has allowed me to take pictures during 'harsher' light and improved the quality of the colors immensely!
Does everything it says it is supposed to do.  I should of bought one for each of my lenses but I didn't at the time.  Maybe later.
I'm an amateur who takes a lot of photos. My polarizer is always with me. This is not a particularly expensive filter, but results suggest that it's of high quality. It fits on two of my Canon lenses.
I love this filter, took me a second to figure out where to spin it to, but once i marked my 0,45, and 90 degree positions taking pictures of water, mirrors and the sky started coming out just like i wanted. I think everyone should have a polarized filter in their kit. and this filter kicks booty for the price.
I purchased this circular polarizer as an excellent addition for my Canon SX40HS camera system.  This system assists me in creating the exact image that I am trying to create with my camera system.  It does not seem to be quite as efficient a polarizer as those that I have used in imaging before but they were systems used with film cameras.  Will be interested to see if I am able to create the desired effects under all the conditions that I wish to use this system.
I purchased a Hoya CIR-PL filter on Amazon.  I am an experienced photographer and can say with certainty that it doesn't work.  At all.  Regardless of position of the front element relative to the rear, there is no change in color, saturation, reflection, or any of the other criteria that circular polarizing lenses should correct or effect.  In one instance, I was able to take better reflection-free photos through a window with my iPhone than with my Canon EOS Rebel XTi, with the CIR-PL filter on either my EFS 18-55mm lens or EFS IS Ultrasonic 70-300mm lens.  In short, the two elements of the filter might as well be made of window glass. FWIW, this particular filter was manufactured in the Phillipines.I wrote to Hoya and am waiting to hear back.  I will update when and if I do.
I got it to darken the sky which it does when the sun is in the correct location. It can produce an overly dark sky but this is a known limitation of this type of filter. It does a good job of reducing glare.
Given 3 starts because item was given to user as a gift.  Didn't have any negative feedback from user, as he was the one that requested this item by name.
First, buy a polarizer of another brand but distorted and Comrade D3100 enfocr could not zoom the objects. But this filter is excellent. The saturation is the best. It is noted that amteriales are of the highest quality. No doubt Hoya is best. The downside is the price since it is costly
Not to bad for the price.  I think I will invest in a more high end one down the road as I take a lot of landscape photos.
Gave it 5 stars because it is adjustable and works great.  Took some pictures with it right away and saw a great difference in the quality.  Really happy with the purchase.
Works fine as a polarizer. Trying to change the plane of polarization seems to have a very insignificant effect, unlike some B+W filters.Generally makes pictures really dark, unless you increase the exposure but keep the camera *incredibly* stable.For the price it is okay.
I got this for my T2i kit lens (18-55mm). You can't pull focus in video mode because the filter will shift (in terms of exposure) while you do. Make sure to set your focus and then set your filter to how you want it. With the kit lens you'll only be able to shoot a talking head and not a moving object. If you pull focus after that, you'll mess up your footage. I'm planning to get the 50mm 1.4 soon, so having a better focus ring will solve this problem easily. If you already have a better lens with a focus ring that's not on the VERY front of the lens, you'll be fine with this filter. Shout out goes to Oliviatech dot com and Cheesycam dot com for helping me find this.
This is a great lens for shooting used cars, I am a rebel and like to take pictures of cars in full on sun light, this makes em' look great!
We put this filter on our Canon S3 IS and took a picture of a car.  With filter, we can see through the glass windows into the interior.  No filter, we see reflections and glare on the glass.  Mission accomplished!  This filter does exactly what we want such a filter to do.  Comes in a good hard plastic box to protect it (some of our other filters from other makes come in paper boxes or simple cloth bags).  Price was nicely competitive.
Deep, dark blues in the sky.  Whites are bright and contrast is pretty decent, nice detail in clouds.  Not too much contrast, good balance between colors. Reds are dark without going orange. You'd have to spend twice as much to get a better polarizer.
Well, I think this polarized filter is probably the best for the price. I'm brand new to DSL' and I kept stumbling over discussion's about polarized filter's and went looking for one. It's true that you get what you pay for. Theres less expensive ones and certainly more expensive circular polarized filter's. There seemed to be a big jump in price (maybe around $60.00)from this price to a better quality filter. So, for your first try at using a polarized filter's, I think this is a fair price. Granted theres better quality out there.
With this polarizor, my colors are richer, and background skys are not so bleached out. Would definately recommend for better pictures.
Make sure you practice adjusting and focusing with this filter on.  Otherwise it is a great quality filter.
This is my first polarizing filter, so I can't compare it to other polarizing filters.  What I can say is that as I spin it, I can literally watch the reflections in glass disappear, and I can watch the highlights on leaves come back.  Also, blue skies get bluer.  Works very well.Quality-wise, it's very high quality.  It comes in a nice, small, plastic case which is a good place to store my B+W UV Filter while I'm using the Hoya.  It's not quite as heavy as the B+W, but it's close.
This filter completely cuts out the glare when taking photos of prints under glass, therefore making it unnecessary to remove the print from the frame!  It works tremendously well!
This filter works great. Makes my the colors pop. I would recommend it. I use it a lots when shooting around water through windows etc.
I'm not a technical camera person but this works great for my 58 mm lens. Its easy to use and does its job.
I've buyed other brands, like Tiffens, but this Hoya works excelent! I would definitely buy this again, because is worth it.
Not much exciting about a polarizer, it either works or it doesn't, and this one does.  However, better take a filter wrench along.  It tends to be difficult to remove.  I keep a UV filter (also a Hoya) on my camera to protect the lens, and no matter how hard I try the polarizer gets stuck and is difficult to remove by hand.  Most unhandy when trying to remove it quickly; who wants to fool around with a wrench at that point?
Excellent product of highest quality.  I recommend this to anyone. Shipped and received in good order. Excellent for use when taking images of clouds to make the clouds show their shapes.
After I discovered that I can buy a filter adapter for my Canon SX10 camera, I ran to Amazon to purchase this filter. Normally, filters cannot be used (without difficulty) on a Canon SX10 unless you buy an adapter (such as the one from lensmateonline.com but there may be others), which allows me to use any 58mm filter on my camera. A long time ago (in the pre-digital camera age), I used several filters (mostly from Cokin), including a polarizer. Initially, I wasn't sure if the quality of this made-for-digital filter would measure up to my older equivalent made-for-film filter.But Hoya is a recognized brand name, so I decided to give it a try. I should say that the filter was exactly as pictured on Amazon.com. I attached it to the filter adapter and mounted it on my SX10 and went out on a bright, sunny day (when there were multiple reflections off of glass, chrome, and the ocean) to take some photos. When I downloaded the photos to my computer, the results were everything that I had hoped for.This filter does exactly what a polarizer is supposed to do. What more can you ask of a filter? My advice is that if you want to capture rich, blue skies and eliminate distracting reflections off of shiny surfaces, this is a wonderful choice. And Amazon (and, in this case, its 3rd party supplier, DBRoth) will provide you with excellent service.I'm happy I bought the filter. You will be happy too. Now I get digital photos reminiscent of my old Kodachrome slides. In fact, the only thing that was momentarily scary was that when the package arrived, it was so light I thought maybe they had shipped me an empty box. Of course, they hadn't.
This works well with my canon 50 1.4 lens. It's my favorite lens and to be able to use it outdoors in the Arizona skies is awesome.
I love this polarizer.  I use it ALL the time.  When I turn it I can really see the difference in the blue in the sky and it's also fun to point my camera at my laptop and watch the screen turn completely black as I turn the polarizer.  I couldn't take pictures without this.
I recently gave this filter a workout on a trip to Los Angeles, California.The results have been outstanding. I traveled from the mountains of San Bernidido, Big Bear Country, Palm Springs, (hot) and back to Los Angeles La Bera Tar Pits. The HOYA Filter gave me excellant results. I would definitly recommend this filter.Samuel Jones
It did its job but I've used better and cheaper polarizers in my life time, so good but not great.On ocassion I would have trouble mounting it on my cannon xsi dslr because the cannon's cheap kit plastic lens has to mate with hoya's metal screw threads. So this is more a dig at cannon.
Very good. Everything you could expect from a quality product. No complains at all.
For the price, this CPL was the best quality and performance I could find.  it takes great photos.
I am just a week end photo fan. use an olympus E620 which is a great system. Live on Lake Erie, shoot a lot around the water. There are hundreds of filters on the market, Reading on line this was considered a good basic filter to start with. This filter makes a big difference shooting sky/water photos, Great definition, great contrasts. easy to use. Not understanding the hundreds of filters available I can only say this filter is really helpful for a novice.  Steve in Cleveland
Have always liked polarizing filters and they are great for day shots and scenic items especially with water and sky shots.  Hoya to me is one of the better filter makers.
Great polarizer.  Have it mounted to a telephoto zoom that I use often for nature photography.  Really saturates the colors and handles reflections well.
This is good filter for the price. Works as it should. Turns fairly smoothly. No complaints, really. I would purchase again. Recommended.
This is a great product.  Polarizing filters help with bright sunshine situations.  I used this filter extensively on a recent vacation.  I would recommend it to anyone who takes outdoor pictures.
You don't have to be a professional to appreciate what a polarized lens filter can do for your camera.  If you have ever worn polarized sun-glasses, you already know what that technology does in terms of clarity and visual enhancement.
A great basic filter.  I have used this filter for about two years now and I love it.  In fact, when I somehow misplaced the first one, I bought another without hesitation as it is a great price for such a great little piece of equipment.
I am not a professional by a long way but even I can appreciate this filter and the difference it make in your photos. I am going on vacation tomorrow I will give it a good test. I have used it several times already and can see the benefits of the polarization effects it preforms. This filter can be adjusted to black out a computer monitor  or to enhance the saturation of the blue skies while keeping the clouds white.
I'm not a pro but I like to take pictures. This filter does great job and I use it most often of all my filters.
Did I have a polarizer filter on? I know I did,p because I put it myself, but my pictures didn't display the change. Also, for the first time user the purchase didn't come with any instructions. I learbpned from a friend about the little arrow and turning of the filter.
So far so good... It's well made and not cheap, happy with the product and the price.
Great protection for the lens and added color and contrast to the sky and clouds. This and a uv filter is a must for any lens.
Great filter. Just perfect for my new "Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO-M "Motorized" DG Macro" Lens.
Hoyer is my preferred brand of filters.  I ordered this filter when I received my new lens and I wanted to protect the lens from scratches and damage and also to improve the quality of my photos.
Great price. Fast shipping. Photography instructor informed me that purchasing this brand was just as good as buying name brand. I am very skeptical when it comes to buying brands or things that I am unsure or unaware about, or, have never heard of. However, I opted to follow my instructors advice (given he has been a professional photographer for over 30 years). So instead of paying five times the amount I paid, just for a name brand, I got this equally reliable filter for a fraction of the cost. Fits onto my Canon perfectly. Packaged properly for shipping. Serves its purpose well and I am very content and happy with this purchase.
Works wonderfully.  I leave it on all the time to protect my expensive lens. Hoya also, is a great name for filters.  Some tend to be somewhat expensive and with the economy the way that it is well....... Anyway, this is a good product and fortunately it also had a good price.Thank you.....
Great Product! the quality is great nice Glass construction. Will buy more products from them in the future.
good deal and will protect the lens without cutting out too much light - I used a pol filter full time before but it was just too dark for indoors.
Works fine - at a very reasonable price. Used to protect the actual camera lens.
i love this filter fits well with my lens at a good cost and after shopping around for a cheaper filter this one fits the bill
I did alot of photography in the past and HOYA was a filter/lens you could count. I'm now getting back into this format and boy-o-boy, HOYA is not the same. This lens was spotted.
I'm basically using this filter for protection and was very pleased with the quality of glass as well as metal which now a days can be an issue.
UV filters are good for daytime shots or shots with loads of sun and they also act as a lens protector, saving the actual lens glass as it is much cheaper to replace a damaged filter verses a lens.
I purchased this bag for my Canon SX30IS. The bag is small, simple, protective and convenient. There are two pockets - one inside at the top of the bag (that I use for my memory cards) and one outside in front of the bag (that I use for my camera cords and extra battery). The strap is adjustable and long enough to use as a crossbody or fanny pack style (depending on your size). Or you could easily remove the strap all together and it's left with the belt loop that's sewn in on the back.  However, there is no way to use your camera strap while the camera is in the bag. I searched high and low for a bag that didn't cost a fortune but yet practical -- and this one fits the bill. I ABSOLUTELY love this bag!
I really do like this bag.  It's small, simple, protective and convienent.  There are two pockets - one inside (which I do not use) and one outside which is fine for an extra battery or lens cover.  The only drawback is the strap system.  I removed the strap from the bag (easy), because I rely on the strap that is attached to my camera.  Unfortuantely there is no easy way for that strap to be used while the camera is in the bag.  If you remember the old black leather cases for the SLRs of yesteryear - they had holes in them for the camera straps to slide through.  Thay way you could carry the camera in the bag by the camera straps (keeping the camera safely attached to your body at all times).The case fits my SLR with a shorter telephoto (85mm) or any shorter lens attached.  It will not fit a longer telephoto zoom (250mm is too big).
I have a Canon Xs with the kit lens. I like the bag very much. It fits perfectly and it's easy to carry around. It probably won't work with longer lenses, but I am a complete beginner, so I plan to work with the kit lens for a while. I like the size that it's not too bulky, and you can still bring all the batteries, memory card and even a brush pen in the bag. I like the color because as a girl, I don't want anything associated with my camera black. It has nice padding all around, so I suppose it helps protect the camera. However, I dropped my camera on the ground, lens facing down, and the lens broke immediately. (the body is functional thhough) So I guess the bottom line is, it's a good bag but it does not shield the camera from carelessness.
I bought this bag to hold my new Canon XSi and its kit lens, and it fits perfectly! No space to spare! But I can also fit a LensPen, a mini bendy tripod, and a battery in the front pocket. It's great if you want a small, portable bag when you don't plan on carrying around lots of other lenses and the like. Highly recommend.
With the standard 18-55mm (non-VR) kit lens + filter my Nikon D40 fits snugly inside.  The construction is what you'd expect from LowePro, bulletproof and well-padded.  With minor effort, the charger fits in the outer pocket.  This case works well either over-the-shoulder or on a belt or backpack loop.Note:  If the lens was more than 1/2" longer this case probably wouldn't work.
Fits the Canon Rebel Digital SLR nicely, but not much more. Has Zipper areas for extra memory cards or like items.
Got a D-40, need a travel bag and don't want to spend a fortune?  Then buy this.  Easy huh?
I just got mine. I had two tapes which my camcorder tried to eat and wouldn't rewind --- I was hoping if I could get something like this to rewind them then I could still play them in my camcorder (it plays and records okay, just has trouble rewinding sometimes). So I popped it out of the box, plugged it in, first tried it with a test tape (had to, after reading all you other reviewers' bad experiences!) and had no problem. Then I popped in the first bad tape and rewound it with no problem, then the second and the same thing, no problem. I was going to just take these two tapes to a video shop and have them repair them and transfer them to DVD which would have cost over $100. But now I think I should be able to do the transfer to DVD myself. So while I might have problems in the future like other users, I figure it has saved me $100 bucks, so it was a great buy for me. I'll update my review if I encounter problems, but in sum it worked perfectly for the 3 tapes I tried so far (2 which were slightly broken!)
Piece of junk.  I agree with the other reviewers.  It ate several tapes before I finally just threw it out.
I used this piece of junk to rewind one of many mini DV tapes for a client I was working with and it ate the tape. I had to take the cassette apart and spend two hours trying to gain back his precious memories. Tape is so precious when it's so fragile and cherished memories can be crumpled to a stringy mess but if that's the way you like 'em - go Maxell!I too had all the problems listed in the other reviews! Before this, I bought Maxell's Hi-8 rewinder only to find out it does that same exact thing....eats tape.
The first rewinder I bought had a loose screw floating around in it. Just an extra part? Maybe but it also tried to eat the leaders of the tapes I rewound in it. I sent it back and received a second one. The first attempt to rewind with the new one, the button wouldn't stay depressed.  I had to manually hold the button down until the tape was rewound. However, after that first glitch, the second one has been performing nicely. Maybe I just had bad luck with the first lemon and the first try with the replacement. With additional luck, the replacement rewinder won't suddenly develop an appetite. (Luckily, the first rewinder did not damage the crucial part of my DV tapes so no film footage was lost.) I'd advise using a non-essential tape and testing your rewinder a couple of times before using it on your important cassettes -- just in case you have even worst luck than mine.
I purchased a mini DV tape rewinder for our camcorder.  Both my husband and I could not easily close the top or door so it would rewind the tape.  Was afraid to break it so sent it back at least a couple weeks ago to the manufacturer after calling and getting the address.  Still do not have a replacement product nor my money back as far as I know.  I later received the replacement and it works fine to rewind the tape from our video recorder (movie camera).  Had a previous movie camera that would not rewind the tapes correctly !
However, I wish it came with its bag.
I seriously doubt you can find the quality and size of this tripod at a similar price, great bang for the buck.  Have used this on my driveway, the deck and even a slippery hill, all with great success.
This tripod is heavy duty, allows for easy adjustments in many directions, holds your tripod at a variety of angles, is light and folds easily.  My only regret is not buying the $15 bag (available seperately from Amazon) at the same time, but I'll get that with my next Amazon order.
I am not much of a filming specialist, but I am very happy with this tripod.  It is very sturdy and easy to adjust.  The quick release for the camera mounting plate is a nice feature.  For the price it is a good choice!
For a basic tripod at a reasonable price, I like these tripods a lot.  I had one a long time ago, but only recently replaced it.  In the interim I had a super cheap one and I shouldn't have bothered.This tripod has smooth operating knobs, tightly fitting parts, and is quite smooth and fluid when in use.  Keep in mind it is BASIC, it will not support 16mm film cameras (maybe a bolex) and even DSLRs that have a battery pack are pushing it slightly.  That's what I have, but was simply getting a static shot, so I was there to make sure it didn't topple.I like this brand, hence I have gone back to them again.  Well made, and reliable.
we didn't realize 3 lb. weight limit--unsuitable for our need BUT otherwise appeared to be a good product.thank you! sorry!
I recently purchased this tripod and have to say that we are delighted with it's quality and versatility.  For the price, I would not have expected an item of this standard - You can probably pay a ton more and end up less satisfied than we are.
I have always used Slik tripods. When I lost my U-212 I had to replace it quickly but couldn't afford another, so I saw this and figured it would suffice. Much to my surprise, this tripod was sturdier than expected. It is easy to adjust and with the ability for vertical shots, makes it very versatile indeed. If you're looking for a quality tripod at a great price, this is the one.
will use this for several different applications as well as intended use for spotting scope, colors are bright and crisp, easy to use
Been through a number of tripods trying to find one that meets my needs (wildlife still photography) and I was apprehensive about this one but decided to go for it because of the relativley low cost.  I'm glad I did!  It meets my needs: lightweight, easy to set up, and sturdy.  The only dislike I have is the quick-release mechanism - it's a little cheesy and they could have used a more appropriate material than flimsy cheap-o plastic.  Otherwise, it's a tripod that meets my needs and I am happy with it.
Good, solid, looks good with all the basic elements of a tripod. For the price...you are getting a pretty good tripod
Haven't used it a lot but so far it seems to work great! Easy operation. I'm using it right now with a kestrel weather station and it works great.
My daughter was getting a spoting scope for outdoor archery and we needed a tripod for it.  This definitly fits the bill.
Got this as a gift for my Dad who is a musician who needs this to record his live stuff.  He was ecstatic with it, and he used to work in film and tv.  He thought it cost way more than it did on quality alone.  That should tell you all you need to know.
I had to do some video with my camera and needed a cheap tripod to get the job done.  I was very pleasantly surprised when I got this tripod at the simplicity of use, ease of set up and take down, and the smooth movement that is needed when shooting video.  It does cost a little more than some of the other tripods that you see out there for a camera, but if you are shooting video, it is great for a starter.  I would highly recommend it.
I bought this item for my father for Christmas.  He uses it for his video camera.  For the money this tripod has everything an average person would need.  The quick release is a great feature that he didn't have with his old one, he likes that a lot.  I don't know about professional use, but for personal use it's great!
Very pleased with the tripod - it has a very nice silky feel to the catches and threads that hold the head in place.  I wouldn't call it 'heavy duty' by any stretch, but it can handle my Nikon D50 with a Nikkor 70-300mm zoom on it, without much problem.I have used a video tripod with my camera and it kept everything pretty tight and steady, for even long night-time shots.  This one does the same, but isn't as heavy or bulky to carry.However, if you have an older, heavier camera or use heavier lenses, this might not be for you. For all-purpose serious amateur use with modern cameras, it's fine.  Pretty lightweight for travelling and fits very nicely in the bag, which I also bought (from separate Amazon vendor).Minor irritations - I probably could use a few more inches on this, as I'm 6' 2", but it's manageable.  Also screw plate that fixes to the camera needs to be screwed down quite tightly to prevent movement.  Otherwise all fine so far - very happy with the product and vendor.
This is an excellent value for the $ spent.  The tripod is lightweight, stable and very easy to use.  I particularly like the bubble level and the ease of camera attachment and removal.  It provides a stable platform under most conditions.  If you are shooting under windy conditions where there are gusts above 30-40 mph, there is some loss of stability.  If there is a slight weakness, it is using the tripod for panoramic shooting, where there is some loss of linearity at the extremes of 3 or 4 overlapping exposures.  However, considering the very reasonable cost of the item, this is a nitpick.  In any event, this minor issue can be offset for the serious hobbyist or professional by using a high quality stitching program such as PTAssembler / PTGUI.  Overall, this is nearly an ideal product for the price and is especially well-suited to back-country use or other scenarios where weight is an issue.
I bought this for a product video I was doing for myself and wanted to do some slow pans with minimal "jerkiness".  For the price I didn't expect a top-notch, professional panning head, but I did expect there would be some fluid dampening when panning.  However, it is strictly a frictional head.  No matter what I tried with this tripod, I could not find that "sweet spot" between not enough friction and too much.  Too much and the head binds, and too little and it flops around aimlessly.  This tripod is excellently priced for something that doesn't work well.  On the good side, the return policy for Tie Photo & Electronics Inc., was good and I was able to return the tripod and buy the ePhoto Professional Video Camera Fluid Drag Tripod Head by ePhoto INC 717AH from Amazon instead.  I paid only $79 for the head and attached it to an old tripod (quality) I had, although I did have to buy this adapter to make that work: Manfrotto 088LBP Adapter 1/4-Inch- 20 to 3/8-Inch with flange.  If you're looking for a cheap tripod for home use and don't care about panning, then this might be a good choice.  It does come with a built-in level, but don't be mislead by the "3-way Fluid-Effect Head".  There's nothing fluid about it.
Item was shipped with broken handle AND an invoice that claimed a tripod bag was in the box!  RMA procedure by Amazon is very good.
This tripod is great for anyone on a budget. Its construction, while not overly impressive, gives the sense that it won't tip over. Beyond that, it does what it's meant to do -- holds a camera steady and allows you as the photographer to make adjustments easily and with precision. The built-in level helps get things straight, while the adjustment knobs are easy to learn and work well for quick adjustments. I really can't ask for anything more for the price.Simply put, if you don't want to spend over $100 on a tripod, this is the one to get.
When i was picking out a tripod i basically focused on price and the weight of the tripod, not the weight capacity.  The more they weigh the less top-heavy they are.  This one is nice.  It's sturdy, adjustable, i can rotate and pitch the camera on it when in video mode smoothly, the quick release feature is awesome, and it has a extremely little useful bubble level.I found this to be the best tripod in my price range.  The only thing i would change is the crank for the elevation, the plastic looks a little weak compared to the rest of the tripod. Overall i'm definatly satisfied.Good stuff :)
I wouldn't call this heavy duty, light to medium duty maybe. Overall quality is good. Crank it up to full height and it gets a little flimsy. Don't know what fluid filled means, feels more like plastic on plastic it doesn't have a fluid feel.
He had another brand that had issues with slow movement in video mode, it would jerk around. He loves this one and is very pleased with its performance. I'd give it a five out of five but it does have alot of light plastic on it. Makes me question durability. But, so far so good. We've taken it out on a few hikes and it's done great in the snow and sand.
Nice sturdy tripod.  I am using it for a large spotting scope and it works great.  I have a tripod from another manufacture that wasn't quite as well built but this one is great.  Might be a little on the high side as far as price still an ok value.
It does everything it says.This tripod is light, and can fold to less than half its height.I use it with my Nikon 8800, and have taken many portraits and close ups with this wonderful Tripod.
The tripod is easy to adjust, just the right height, fits in my large suitcase and is very attractive. I wish it came with a carrying case or at least a built-in handle. I was leery of its low price and "D" shaped legs but it is well made and very sturdy. The legs are easy to set-up at different lengths, in case you are working on a non-level surface. I'm concerned that the handle is plastic and the pan-head is tight when trying to move up and down.
My first delivery had to be sent back. The hand lever had completely broken off, so it was useless. The second one arrived with no damage. So far, it's a like! I could spend the cash on a more expensive one but really didn't see why since I won't be using it that much.It is slightly heavier than expected.
I will tell you more when I get the new unit.  The shipping box was crushed in and a small adjustment piece wan damaged.  It seemto be a UPS goof and NOT a problem with the tripod itself.  The seller has been very cooperative and responded to my emails very quickly.  I would buy from them again.
Superb product.  At only 3lbs, it's small enough to be backpack-portable.  Impossible with the 12lb+ "pro" models, those are good for studio use only.  I recorded silky smooth horizontal pans with this.  Setup and collapse is very quick.  Camera release is instant.
Something is wrong&#8230; I have this same exact model at home and love it. I bought it a few years ago at my local camera store. I purchased this one for my vacation house so I wouldn&#8217;t have to bring it back and forth. It is nothing at all like the one I bought a few years ago! The bubble was broken off when I got it but the box was not damaged at all. I didn&#8217;t even notice the bubble was broken at first. I set my camera up on it and tried the different functions. It was jerky and not at all smooth when panning. I couldn&#8217;t find the bubble to see if it was level, I thought they moved it but it was nowhere. I looked in the bottom of the plastic bag and there it was. At first I thought I just had to snap it into place&#8230;. wrong. It had broken off completely. I can only guess that this tripod isn&#8217;t being made where or how it was before. Don&#8217;t waste your money!
I own a heavier Velbon as well - a Camarge. I wanted something smaller and lighter, which could fit into my daypack on walking trips. I read an inconclusive article about lightweight tripods in "Outdoor Photography", and decided to do my own research.Of the quality brand lightweight tripods available (Slik, Velbon, Gitzo, Manfrotto), this one is one of the lightest (at around 860g including the head). Yet it's carrying capacity is one of the best (at around 3.6kg). Of the other brands, the only ones that came close were double the weight and 4-5 times the price. With a folded length of only 444mm (4 sections), it fits into my daypack - with the head mounted - no worries.The Maxi tripod is marketed for use for Digital cameras. The legs are even inscribed as such. Velbon is missing a large market segment with this strategy. I have no problems mounting a Nikon FM3A film-SLR with a medium-sized zoom lens. At the same time, the maximum operating height is good (I am tall).The legs can get wobbly if you mount a heavy telephoto, or on a very windy day - particularly if you extend the center column. Pull down on the center column for stability, or stabilise the tripod against your body. Otherwise shorten the legs.The ball head is easy and comfortable to use. The legs are equally easy and quick to setup or adjust. The rubber feet have built-in spikes (can be hidden). You may want to buy a small quick-release adapter as well.I find that I now use the Velbon Maxi more than my Velbon Camarge. It is a good compromise for most conditions.
Velbon's MAXi 343E tripod is the perfect size for traveling. It easily fits into my carry on bag along with my camera gear. Although it is too light-weight to support heavier gear, it is ideal for my digital camera work. I also love the swivel head that does away with the old arm-mount design. I can set up in a snap. Just level and shoot. It has solved my need to "travel light" and recommend it to others with similar needs.
For a tripod with an extending neck, and for its compact size, great item.
I purchased the Maxi 343E after reading Herb Keppler's article about it in Popular Photography. I really needed a tripod that I could travel with; my Bogen might be sturdy enough to mount a small car on top, but it comes with a price... WEIGHT!!PLUSES:It travels EXTREMELY well, and fits nicely in just about any piece of luggage, breaking down to about 18" and weighing barely a pound.The ball head is easy to use, and even with a Nikon D100 SLR and a telephoto, the head keeps the camera locked in place. (Very little sag.) ALTHOUGH, for a REALLY long telephoto that weighs more, I suspect that this ball head wouldn't be up to the task.The flap-locks are great. I like them much better than the screw-type locks seen on some tripods. Setup and breakdown is very fast.PROBLEMS:It's a light tripod. There's something to be said for MASS. In anything more than a little breeze, there just isn't enough mass to keep things from shaking.The ball head works well, but you cannot smoothly pan from side to side as you can with a more expensive head.BOTTOM LINE:Certainly worth the price I paid... and considering the fact that the price has dropped $20.00 since I purchased it a few months ago, it's now a veritable bargain.
I have had this Velbon tripod for a couple of years, but I rarely use it. Instead I use a Bogen/Manfrotto 724B Digi Tripod with ball head. The Bogen is 1 pound heavier. It is also 5" taller at 64.6" with the column raised. The Bogen is a much stiffer tripod with a much better ballhead on top. Both tripods claim to support cameras up to 7.5 pounds, but I find that more believable with the Bogen than the Velbon.  I actually bought the Velbon first, and found the Bogen to be so much more of what I wanted, that I bought that second. I am keeping the Velbon for those occasions (e.g. backpacking) where that 1 pound makes a difference and I will only be using a light digicamera.
bought my Velbon 343 many years ago after Keppler did his "all I need in a travel tripod" articleand Velbon answered with the 343; if you don't have to use a big tele a lot, don't expect to pana lot with the small ball head, and don't beat the crap out of it (it's for photographic use, it'snot a baseball bat), it's all you should need for travel or hiking; it's not perfect but for it'sintended use it's close
I use this tripod with my film SLR and now with my newly purchased digital SLR. I have carried it to the tops of mountains in ten states, and dragged it through the Canadian Rockies and the Japanese Alps. For such a small and light tripod, it does a stellar job. It's very quick to set up and easy to adjust.Remember that this is a lightweight tripod, not intended to support a long telephoto lens in a heavy breeze. If you use it as intended, you will be delighted with it.
This is a lightweight tripod that was designed for travel and backpacking.Is it a good tripod? Not very. The compromises of lightweight mean that it is spindly. An extended column with a mounted camera will vibrate like a tuning fork in a wind. The ball head may not support pro slrs with heavy lens without drooping.But it serves the intended use very well. Light, packs into a small space. Mostly all metal construction, which is important to me after I broke a cheap Sam's club tripod the first time I tightened a screw. You just have to learn to use it in much the same way you would use a monopod. Damp any vibration and brace the camera by holding it with your hands.This tripod has spent a total of 30 days in Tibet stowed in bouncy Chinese trucks amidst 8 people's luggage, another two weeks on the luggage rack of my bike touring Nepal, and another couple of months being carried while doing the backpack tourist bit through Thailand. It shows the wear, much of the anodizing is missing, a corner of the spider has been flattened a bit from some inpact, but it still keeps on keeping on. I recently purchased another tripod that is only slightly heavier and more expensive and a better tripod, but the Velbon is the on I use when I want convenient portability.If you want a GOOD tripod, get something else. But this may be the best tool for its intended job. I've been very pleased with it.
I bought the Velbon 343E when it first came out a couple of years ago.  It was not long before the leg mechanism broke (internally).  I had a very hard time getting the Velbon address to mail it back to for warranty work.  I finally found the address after contacting the VP of Marketing at Velbon and mailed it back.After receiving the repaired unit it worked again for a few weeks and then broke again.  It has been sitting in my drawer since.  I am going to return it one more time.My advice:  It's a great concept, but is of no value if it breaks this easily.  I would avoid this product.
I bought the converter since I wanted to use it for landscape photography.  I took some test shots and discovered that the converter has an unacceptable amount of barrel distorion.  If you are thinking about buying this product just be aware that you will have to correct your images through software after you take them.
I Like the wide angle...BUT...DON'T USE THE FLASH WITH THE WIDE AGLE! Otherwise it is a Great Product and the Price is Good!Thaks,C.A.
To add to the precedent astute comments - the barrel distortion will prove a particularly nasty surprise if you happen to leave the lens on when taking panoramic shots - it will likely render the photo-stitching software useless and you will spend hours prodding and stitching the pics together yourself.  I found this out the hard way after coming back from a Paris vacation with 50+ panoramas!
Bought this wide angle lens and adapter for my Canon A70 to shoot lots of interior shots of rooms, as I am a house remodeler.  Lens makes great wide shots to encompass a small room and all its features.  Where this lens fails in that the size of the adapter and lens is so large hanging out the front of the camera that it blocks half of the flash when shooting.  The result is that most of the entire right half of your photos will be dark or have a prominate shadow.  This camera is the second A70 I have had because it has all the features I needed and makes great photos otherwise.  My only workaround this shadow problem is to now invest more  money into a slave strobe unit.  All combined, its making the cost of this camera skyrocket, compared with investing in a  higher grade digital  camera with interchangable lenses and flash adapters.
Works as advertised. Be aware that when using the flash with the lens it will cast a shadow in the picture. Also your view through the view finder will be partially blocked, but you can always use the LCD screen.
First off this is a fun accessory for my A95 and A80. At about 26mm lens you can shoot some very nice wide angle landscapes to close-ups for under $100. The lens is sharp and is a nice piece of coated class. Once mounted you zoom lens works inside the adapter so you probably have a 26mm to 40mm (total guess)zoom lens. Yes it does have barrel distortion, yes it does stick out and block the flash, yes it is black and it does look a bit dorky on the camera. So either go buy a digital rebel and a 19-35 zoom for over $1000 or correct the barrel distortion in your image editing program, use a slaved flash for indoor shooting (manual mode only) and paint it silver.Bottom line...if you like the look of wide angle, don't mind or even like a very very mild barrel distortion (ever so slight fisheye look), and are good with silver paint, then for the price of a cheap hotel room or a nice meal for two, you can have a lot of fun with this accessory.Highly recommended!!!
First off I must say I love my A95. It has the features I want (other than zoom range), plus the rather smallish size is nice after toting 3 SLR bodies and 6 lenses around for years. This wide angle conversion lens is nothing special though, and has some limitations.1. Noticeable barrel distortion, but it should not be a problem if your subject has no straight lines in it.2. Need to use LCD for precise framing/viewing. The adaptor sticks out about 1-1/2 inches, and the lens is about an inch, and they are 52mm diameter, therefore it blocks about 40% of the view through the finder.3. Flash not recommended because the adaptor/lens blocks about 1/3 of the flash coverage, causing a shadow on the bottom right corner. Not a problem outdoors.4. Only for use at widest angle setting. Essentially it makes your zoom camera a fixed-focal length camera.The largish size and black plastic finish sort of throws off the style of the A95 itself. Comes with front and rear slip-on plastic caps and a pouch. I'm not thrilled, but for $70 I guess it is OK within its limitations.
If you are using other lenses with your Canon camera, then you have to have this gadget to make it all work.
Are you looking to get a little more life out of your point-and-shoot before stepping up to a more expensive SLR?  Consider this auxiliary lens for any 52mm lens.  For the Canon models listed, you'll need the appropriate adapter.  This lens is nice for getting wider shots without distorting the image so heavily you get a fisheye effect.  Note that straight lines near the edge of the image will be slightly curved, but it's not horrible.  You won't see any vignetting with this model.You might also consider purchasing a 52-58mm step up ring and using a different model of wide angle auxiliary lens if you think you might use an SLR someday, just to make sure you have a lens that's big enough.  If you end up getting an SLR lens that uses a 52mm filter anyway, you could still attach that aux using the same step up ring.
I like the results - but the shadow produced when using flash - is not acceptable; it ruins the shot.
Canon definitely knows how to hook the consumer. If you have performed the research necessary to know the camera you seek, and it happens to be a Canon, you can bet a new lens or two or three will be in your future! And, why not? Canon has made lens transition seamless and simple. Moreover, given the cost of the camera, the low end incremental additions of wide converter and telephoto make your system relatively complete at a very reasonable cost. Do your research so you know what you're getting into!I've recently purchased the Powershot A80 (an incredible little digital and highly recommended), a replacement for a Nikon digital. The A80's onboard lens brings landscape photography in at 38mm, but anyone who is shooting landscape knows, &quot;the wider, the better.&quot; As a result, I purchased the wide converter (Canon product WC-DC52) to bring more picture into my landscape shots. The wide converter increases the angle from 38mm to 24.5mm, an exponential improvement, particularly for outdoor shots. And, all-in-all, the pricing is right, particularly if you shop it around a bit (however, Amazon has a great price). Further, the conversion adapter (see below), lens exchange is incredibly fast and elementary.Net, net, if you're purchasing a Canon digital (low-to-mid range), spend the dough for the wide converter. You won't be sorry; a great investment.NOTE: Make sure you purchase the Canon LA-DC52 Conversion Lens Adapter, which serves as the adapter for all compatible Canon lenses.
Used it some on my original Canon but it does not fit my newer one
I got this lens mainly for confined settings where you frequently end up backing into a wall or corner and still can't fit everybody into the shot.  You can squeeze a lot more in the frame with this lens.  Unfortunately, the lens and adapter block my A80's built-in flash.  Unless you want a big shadow cast across a large part of the shot, the lens has to be taken off every time you need the flash.  Which is more often than not at indoor social gatherings!  So I end up rarely using the lens at all.  It just stays at home because it's not worth hauling around just for those few cases when I could have used it.I will say that it otherwise works well.  You can still zoom all the way in or out. (This in contrast to the corresponding Tele lens, with which you reportedly must keep the camera zoomed all the way.)  And the entire field seems to focus fairly well.  (This in contrast to a similar though older Kodak product I own, which blurs all but the center of the shot.)The lens is very quick and easy to attach or detach.  (Also a contrast to the Kokak product, though at least the flash works with it so you don't have to take it off so often!)  Easy, that is, provided you leave the lens screwed onto the (required, purchased separately) adapter and handle the lens/adapter as a unit.A minor "issue" with this technique (keeping the lens attached to the adapter): The adapter is 1.5 inches long, so it does provide a bit of a shield around the circumference of the back of the lens (while they're screwed together), but that end of the lens is still somewhat vulnerable.  The cover for the camera end of the lens is too large for the camera end of the adapter.  It would be nice if Canon provided a cover for the camera end of the adapter too.  And maybe if the covers had a spot for attaching a string to keep track of them.One last tip: it's not convenient, but you can get acceptable results using the flash with this lens if you hold a flash diffuser in front of the flash.  I suppose you could even jury-rig some kind of mount for that...A related note: I highly recommend the waterproof case(s) for shooting underwater and in other wet (or sandy or dusty etc.) conditions with these cameras.
The Canon 250D and 500D are doublet type close-up lenses which are corrected for chromatic abberation ("achromat"). They offer better performance than the less expensive singlet type lens. I have been happy with the performance of these lenses used on an EF 100mm/2.0, even when used stacked together for higher power (which Canon does not recommend).
Encouraged by a raving Bryan Peterson I decided to get myself a 250D close-up lens. It probably delivers - I was just expecting more out of it.THE GOOD: very well made (before you say "one metal ring and two glass elements, what could go wrong" - I can give you an endless list of needlessly shoddy built cheap accessories). It's also easy to use and it comes in a container similar to some that you put filters in (the screw model), but it doesn't open as easily. Which is good since I usually find my filters at the bottom of my bag and the container open, unlike the container this lens comes in. Distortion and sharpness remain well defined - the optical quality of this design is without complaints from me.THE BAD: it enlarges the images, but not by a tremendous amount. I'd say about 1.5x. That allows you to get closer than without it but not as close as I'd want to. Obviously a macro lens will do better.BUT: unlike a macro lens, this doesn't break the bank, and doesn't take up significant space or weight in your bag either. If like me you have a "daily" camera bag this is a great addition. If you're a hiker who wants great shots of flowers, consider bringing a "real" macro lens. And if you cannot afford that, consider a reverser ring and a cheap 35mm or 50mm (used, manual focus) that goes with it instead.
I bought this to take pictures of small artificial flies (sizes 18-20).  The pictures came out great.One can see all the details of the flies.
Excellent addition to my EF-M 18-55mm for EOS M. No, it's not a macro lens, but used correctly can produce high-quality images. Very portable for those of us who are non-dedicated macro shooters.
The lens is a great addition to my camera as I plan on doing lots of closeup work this summer and I need a small camera for that task.
I bought this item as a cheap way of exploring the world of close-up (i.e., "near-macro range") photography with a digital SLR. I cannot comment on how the product works with one of the many compatible Canon P&S cameras. It is a high-quality, well constructed piece of optics, perhaps a bit pricey for what it is, but it appears to definitely fill a need. For me, it wasn't what I needed, and so I sent it back. I did do some homework before purchasing, but should have taken it to heart when I read other reviews stating that it really doesn't allow you to get close enough to explore digital SLR close-up photography, at least not when used alone on a non-macro lens. The difference between what I could capture with this close-up lens on my 35mm f/2 or 50mm lens, versus what the lens could do on its own, was pretty minimal to non-existent, from what I could tell. I think this close-up lens might work better for the A series cameras, or perhaps in conjunction with other close-up lenses and/or other tricks of the macro photography trade. I'm giving the item 4 stars because of its high quality construction and also because it apparently does do what it promises to do. It just didn't fit my needs, and that is why I was glad I purchased it from Amazon. I went on to buy a dedicated macro lens, which I LOVE!! It stays on my camera nearly all the time.
Provides a nice magnification boost and significantly reduces the minimum focusing distance of the host lens.Pros* excellent optics: does not (appear to) degrade the image produced by the lens it is attached toCons* a bit priceySummary: buy this if you have a excellent quality lens to mount it on; otherwise, you could probably get away with something cheaper.
Bag is ok but you must be careful if your moving around a lot. With extra batteries in the top zip compartment it is really top heavy and tips upside down while on your shoulder if the camera is out of it. The velcro does not  hold it closed well either. My memory card fell out of the bag during one of these episodes , Thank goodness my husband noticed.
It's great.  Nice top storage for memory cards and extra battery.  Compact.  Perfect for camera size.
The perfect little black nylon case for my Olympus C765.  It's not too big or too small. It's only slightly larger than the camera itself.  It easily holds the camera and strap. It has about a 1/2 inch thick insulated sides to kind of cushion the camera.  The strap on the case is just the right length to hang over your shoulder, or it has a belt loop on the back side.  You can slide the memory card holder down inside the case with the camera, and you can put extra camera batteries in a small zippered pouch on top.  The only thing that won't fit in the case is the battery charger if you have one. It also has an easily opened velcro closing top.
The camera fits the SP-510U perfectly. There is a tiny pocket that is not closeable in the camera compartment that only one or two memory cards can fit in. The top of the case has a zippered compartment. I keep an extra set of batteries and the lens adapter ring in there. I must say that this makes the bag top heavy. The compartment where your camera is in is held closed with velco! My fear is that if the bag happens to fall over or something that the weight would allow the camera to fall out. This has not happened yet, but then again i have not taken on an outing.
Not to big or to small.  Lightly padded with a small compartment to hold an extra battery.
I already own a larger bag for all of my other Olympus 765 UZ lens and batteries and the such.  I, however, wanted a smaller bag so that I could carry just my camera and an extra memory card and battery. This bag is great! Plus, the price is just right. It fits my camera with it's lens cap just fine and I can fit a couple of memory cards and a extra battery in the top zippered compartment without hassle.  If you want a small bag for a small outing then get this bag.  I can only speak for the 765UZ, but it should fit the other cameras listed.
This is a necessary piece of equipment if you want to mount your Olympus flash on a bracket to raise it high enough to make the shadows drop off behind the subject.  It is not as sturdy as I would like it to be; I had one snap in two between the flash and bracket connection in the middle of a wedding (during the processional!) and had to punt for the rest of the event.  Fortunately they are not horribly expensive.  I recommend you have two of these so you have a back-up in case one decides to break during an important shoot.
This cable works great with the Olympus 36R flash and my Panasonic GH1 micro 4/3 camera, totally compatible.
I have an Olympus E-410 camera and a FL-36 flash.  I also ordered the Olympus FL-BK01 Flash Bracket to go with it.  It works wonderfully.  I can move the flash off the bracket when need to get a fill light at in a different direction.
You need this cable if you want to have more flexibility with bounce flash. I don't use it with a bracket, but want to be able to point the flash a bit behind (to a white wall), to the side, to the ceiling, whatever, depending on the effect I want and the surface that will give me the right bounce characteristics.
This cable allows an Olympus flash to be mounted on Olympus E-P1/2 cameras. I use it on my E-P2 with the tiny Olympus FL-14 flash, to get shadow control and/or bounce flash. But this cable alone weighs as much (3.5 oz) as the whole FL-14 flash does. The miniaturization whizzes at Olympus need to design a lightweight cable to go with their new micro 4/3 cameras. In the meantime, this bulky thing (or the cheaper Chinese knock-offs) will have to suffice.
This bag is fairly inexpensive, but it has a lot of room and is well made.  I use it to carry the following:Panasonic Lumix FZ20Raynox telephoto extenderBattery chargerLens HoodTwo filtersRaynox adapterLens DusterCamera BrushSD cardsManualThose of you who are familiar with the FZ20 camera and/or Raynox know both of these are fairly large so judge the bag on that - PLENTY of room while not a huge bag.Everything fits easily and since I don't always bring the Raynox extender, when I leave it home, I throw in my cell phone and wallet too.Its a good size bag and has a couple of adjustable pieces to section off the bag.  Its reasonably padded and has several nicely sized compartments.
I made the mistake with my last digital camera of buying the small pouch-type carry bag that the manufacturer suggested.  The camera barely fit and you could not carry anything else in the tiny bag.  This bag is perfect for holding my Kodak digital camera, a spare battery, the cables for transferring photos, and even the manual until I become familiar with all of the features of the camera.  More importantly, I purchased the large bag as it also holds a MiniDV Camcorder and can handle my car keys and sunglasses too!  Trust me, it really does not get heavy at all when fully loaded, but it does cut down on the number of bags I have to carry when out with the family.
This bag will hold your camera, printing dock, and accessories. The bag itself is padded for protection and one side will come apart for just your camera case. When on a trip instead of having multiple bags/containers for your printing, camera, batteries, cords, etc. this bag carries it all.
The bag was not as 'large' as I thought, but very good quality.
Very spacious, can hold two UZ's (Ultra Zooms), wide angle lens offered by Kodak, 2 lens adapters for the cameras, spare battery and charger, Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density Filter (Both in cases) and still have room for a pocket tripod and extra SD cards. By the way I still have an extra pocket open for my cleaning products.Oh...forgot to tell what cameras that I carry in the bag. I carry the P850 and the P880. If you like to carry a lot of stuff this is the bag for you.
I don't know what they used to measure the main compartment dimensions, but it wasn't a standard ruler.  I wasn't even close to the size it was suppose to be.  I returned the item and went to Best Buy.
This camera bag is a good one for the hobbiest Photographer like myself.  It has enough pockets to carry extra battery packs and flash sticks.  My camera never feels like its moving around, even when I take it hiking.There is even enough room to store a bit of extra food for short hikes or car trips.
Bought this sometime ago and still use it.  Good quality several useful compartments for a Medium size bag.  Would recommend it.
Found bag the perfect size to store camera, cables, batteries, charger and extra SD Cards.
We've had this Kodak Digital Camera bag for quite a while now and it still looks brand new.  It's roomy, sturdy and a perfect size for our needs.
I have been looking for the perfect bag for my new camera.  I needed one that would hold all my extra lenses, batteries and charger, manual, memory cards, cables, and had KODAK on the label.  THIS IS IT!  It's VERY nicely padded inside, which is important when traveling.  Amazon's price can't be beat.
The Kodak medium size camera bag is a great size. It will hold 2 cameras, batteries and some ass. It has plenty of storage and pockets. I like the size and the quality. For the money, this is a good choice.
KOdak Digital Camera Bag (Medium) - I've used several dozen camera bags over the years, some good, some just didn't "fit" my needs.The Kodak Digital (Medium) Camera Bag, is, for my use, the Goldilocks "JUST RIGHT" bag I've been looking for. With the movable (velcro) partitions in the main compartment, I can adjust to suit my camera size, thus insuring the maximum protection in positioning the camera in the CENTER of the bag. The spaces on the sides of the partitions give me room for memory cards, and other such flotsam.The two side pockets are ideal for the battery charger, extra batteries, usb cable and other (again) related junk.The front pocket has a keychain clip (which I find I actually use), a narrow but "thick" pocket that seals and a zippered net pocket that keeps my card readers safe and happy.The strap is adjustable, has enough range and is comfortable. The top carry handle is usable and is frequently used.Everything I normally want to carry with me fit it the bag in a secure manner (including a shorty tripod). There's still plenty of room for all the extraneous junk camera bags collect, without being overly heavy or bulky.This one is a winner, I believe.
I bought this for my old digital camera and now I don't use it anymore because it is so bulky to haul around and my new camera is smaller and works better and can fit in my purse.
This camera bag really can hold a lot.  There are many different compartments and it is built of high quality material.  As another said, it is almost too big, but I cannot complain.  We feel confident enought to have our 6, 8, and 10 year old children carry it around at the airport and while we are out and about.  We personally use this case for our Kodak EasyShare Z740, but we do carry many other items in the case.  It is strong, very-well constructed, durable, and has lots of padding.  Oh yeah, the best part is the price.  I highly recommend this camera bag.
The bag should have been made large enough to hold the 740 manual without having to crunch it up and place it on the top.Disappointed.
It was the perfect bag for my camera. Has plenty of pockets for extra batteries, battery charger.
I was very pleased with how quickly I received the camera bag, and am pleased with its quality and features.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a well constructed camera bag.
This is a good bag for a digital camera.  It has plenty of space for your cords, extra batteries, spare memory cards, and the like.  However, if you have larger camera that has multiple lenses this bag is not for you.  I bought this bag for my Kodak Z650 and I have a lens mount adapter, wide angle lens, and telephoto lens for it.  It all barely fits in the bag, but is not easily accessible and probably not real safe for the extra lenses as they are stacked atop each other.  This bag is well padded, but be aware that you will not like it if you have too many accessories.
This is not a small bag, but I use it for travel because it holds my DX7440 camera with extra battery, lenses, and charger with ease.  It also keeps everything protected inside with padding.  It's light and comes with a shoulder strap.  No complaints.
This case is recomended for my z7590 but it is way to big, there is enough room in it for three digital cameras and accessories.  I knew from experience that Kodak's small bags were to small so I thought this would be perfect but the camera is lost in there.  I really don't have much else to carry, just the camera, charger and an extra battery so I am returning mine. I wanted a Kodak bag but they just don't make one the right size.  If you dont mind lugging around a huge mostly empty bag or you have a lot of extra stuff, this bag is a good value and seems to be of high quality.
My digital camera fits very well in this bag.  I think this is a very nicely finished product.
In all honesty, this Kodak Digital Camera Bag is UNDERPRICED...meaning you're getting way more than you bargained for.  Firstly, there are clever compartments for smaller accessories, like batteries, memory cards, cables, small lenses, etc.  However, the ingenuity of this piece is not its medium size, but rather the design's intelligent use of space.  There are 3 side pouches (2 side & 1 large front), with smaller zipper compartments inside.  Let me cut this review short...this product is worth your time, investment, and most importantly your camera.
I am really impressed with this camera bag. Great quality, great price!!  I wanted to keep all of my camera stuff together and the space in this bag allows me to do that.  The loops to hold the spare batteries is an especially nice touch.
I love the camera bag.  It is light and fits actually two of my cameras plus their battery backups and wires to connect to PCs.  It has lasted well and has the right sized pockets to carry all the accessories.
Perfect Fit for kodak cameras, small, lightweight quality bag. This bag is nicely padded and I love all the compartments to keep extra batteries and memory cards. Easily carried and stored when traveling or just because.
I just got back from a trip overseas and loved this bag for my camera. It protected the camera very well and had just enough space to carry other accesories in the front pocket.
When I purchased this case it was a perfect fit for my Kodak easy share camera.  I still have the case in perfect condition but I can't say the same about the camera.  Would definitely buy another one if needed.
In its description you don't realize that there is actually room for your digital camera in the front part, a second digital camera in the main pouch and a zippered small pouch in the opening flap for a digital card. It is well padded and will definitely protect your camera if it falls.There is a strap that you can use and it is adjustable. You can also remove it and use the belt strap on the back of the back that is securely attached.A very good value, in my opinion. Good for two camera families or if you have other accessories.
This is a great all-purpose camera bag. Not only does it fit Kodak cameras, but many others as well. Sufficient room in the front pocket for your USB cables, AV cables, etc. When you open the bag there is a small zippered pocket inside that easily holds your memory cards or rechargeable batteries. The carry-on strap is very useful as well.This camera bag is sturdy, lightweight and protects your camera and accessories quite nicely. A must-have for traveling.
I love this case.  It has nifty little places for extra batteries and  sd cards.  Protects the camera well.  Sturdy and lightweight !!!  NO CONS!!!!!!  Only PROS!!!!  Best investment I've made in camera cases.
This bag is good-perfect size for the camera and has little extra pockets to store things
I agree with the other reviewer who said this bag is not small. I think it depends on your taste - but for me, I was expecting a small bag that was just a little bigger than my Kodak camera. I was planning on attaching it to my belt. For my expectations, this was way too big and I too returned the item.One of the things that make this bag big is the pouch in front. It's hard to see in the picture, but this pouch definitely adds to the thickness of the whole bag (a side profile would have shown this thickness).But the quality is very good - if size is not important to you, I'd say this is a good buy. But if you're like me, and you're expecting it to be small, forget about this one.
I bought this camera bag because it was on sale but when I got it I discovered that it is a bit on the bulky side. It's a little larger than what I was expecting. If you don't mind toting a larger bag for you little camera than I would say buy it but if you bought your camera because it's easier to carry than I would avoid purchasing it.
Excellent for traveling. It came in really handy during my vacation. It is well padded but not too bulky or heavy. There is also lots of room for extra batteries and other stuff. It is sturdy and retains its shape. The bag's long adjustable neck strap is extremely useful for taller persons to carry the bag too.
This is too big in size and is not very attractive.
Nothing much to say for this review but Thanks Kodak. This camera bag is just great!
This bag nicely fits the camera and can even adjust the strap to snugly hold different compatible kodak models. There is also a compartment for storing extra batteries etc. which is very helpful. I have a CX6445 which drains my energizer rech. batteries so quickly (~20 snaps) that I need to carry about 4-6 spare batteries.Bottomline: very handy, fits the camera well, good value
Since it will not come with any bag, buy this with your Kodak!
Good camera bag.  It appears durable, well-padded and is big enough to hold my camera.  Not much else you could ask for.
when i first opened the box and looked at the bag, my first thought was, "holy crap! thats big!" but then i looked at it a bit closer. when i stuck my camera in, it fit rather nicely. it's nicely protected and has room for my batteries and memory card, which is also padded.the only problem is that no matter how i carry it, ill still look like a geek.extra points to amazon for the speedy delivery!
I bought the bag for use with my Kodak DX7440 camera. The bag is well made with adequate outside padding. The front pouch has room for the wall charger, SD cards, even a spare battery. The front pouch has elastic bands for holding a set of AA batteries. There is even a zippered webbed pouch inside the case flap for an SD card or battery. I like to carry a pen with me, and there is a pen pocket on the outside of the case.I'll probably be looking for another bag though, because the DX7440 fits too snugly for my preference. The LCD and lens are pretty much squashed against the walls of the case, and you have to push it in with more force than I prefer. My concern is that anything in the front pouch with corners could push against the wall separating it and the camera, and put force on the camera lens shutter/cover for example.
It continues to provide me with the mobility that I need to quickly move about the places I visit and still take good pictures.
This is an inexpensive and well made camera bag that has room for batteries and extra SD cards.
I don't understand the other users' comments about size of thebag, it seems to fit the camera perfectly plus has a littlepouch on the front for cards, etc.  My complaint about thebag is the clasp to get into the camera compartment, verypainful to get the clasp predictably undone, the processof undoing the clasp results for me in anger and frustration.
nicely built camera SD cards and a set of spare Nimh batteries easily fit in .Quality of the bag is also very good worth the buy right in size for CX series i have a 7430
This item is great in size, but if you need to bring camera directions with the camera, maybe a bigger size would be better.
I bought my Kodak Easy Share CX7300 on a separate web site, and soon found I needed a bag.  I was not willing to spend a ridiculous amount, and this was an economical, good fitting bag.  It does have some room, but I've used that to carry along money, license, keys, etc. when I planned to be taking pictures away from home.  Padded well and good length of shoulder strap.  Appears to be durable and should last.
This really is a terrific bag, small enough that you don't feel like you're lugging around too much junk. The only problem I have is that it is just a tad bit TOO small.  I have the Kodak Z730 and it is a little difficult to pull the camera back out once you get it in there.  There is just enough extra space in the front compartment for a few extra cards and a battery, so A+ there.  But if you want to lug your charger or cords or extra lenses, you're out of luck there.  Very good bag for light-weight trips! :)
Small enough to stay out of you way but big enough to take extra batt's and the charger.
I own a C310 camera and this bag is too big for it. IT would be useful if characteristics referes to specific models of cameras to fit.
For the price, this is a good buy. There are only a couple sore points. (1) The cover has no zip so that it is not entirely weather resistant and (2) for a 'small' camera bag... well... let's just say that I easily carry the camera (Kodak c340), 4 extra batteries and three sd cards in it.
This is a great little camera bag for my Kodak EasyShare Z700 camera.  It's nicely padded and just big enough to hold the camera, spare batteries and cables.
Suited my purposes. Has a pouch for memory cards and extra battery. Nothing fancy about it, but its sturdy, which is what I was looking for in a camera bag.
I bought this bag for another camera that I sold to buy the DX7630. It fits the camera perfectly. Nice and snug the way you should want your bag to fit...less chance of moving if dropped especially with the somewhat flimsy lens cap on the DX7630. Perfect bag for the camera
The title of my review sums up this bag:  It's nice, but it's big.  It says size small, so I don't know if maybe I am missing some fine print or I got sent the wrong bag, but this bag is rather large for my very compact Kodak V530 camera.  Don't get me wrong, I will still use it... I was just hoping for a more compact case.  I used a gift certificate to buy this, but had I actually paid for it... I probably would be sending it back.
Always somewhat hesitant about the constant changing technology, I found this was a wise purchase when my old camera wore out. After the initial trial and error period, it was amazingly easy to use. Learning to download and save to one's computer albums was at first a bit of a challenge, but then surprisingly easy to do. It is fun to email a picture to someone. The camera bag is very roomy and a great way to protect one's camera and have extra batteries on hand. Not having to worry about whether film was properly feeding through the camera is also nice.Alison D.
This has done a wonderful job of protecting my camera and my camera is still working fine after having it for all of these years. It has room to store extra batteries and the chords to connect the camera to the computer, so I always have that stuff with me whenever I have the camera with me and that is great, because I upload my pictures to my computer pretty frequently. My Mom has a super sleek container for her camera that would definitely allow her to get hers in her purse, but I like the extra protection and having extra batteries and my chords with me more than I am bothered by the fact that it is a tad bit bulky. Most of the bulkiness is from the extra coushin. Also, comes with a strap so you can wear it over your shoulder if you want, or you can take the strap off and use it without the strap.
Fits my Z760 perfectly, and has enough room for an extra battery, a couple of memory cards, and the connection cord.Built very well, nice padding. I feel the camera is secure when it is in the bag.
Has lots of room, especially in front zipper compartment.Very sturdy.
The Hood works, it shades the lens from unwanted light and the photos are sunspot free. Price was a bargain and the shipping was about the cost of the product, camera, Nikon Coolpix 5700 is old but for last 6 years it has served the family well.
This lens hood designed specificaly for the Coolpix 5700 is a must-have accessory.  It does more than just protecting the lens, which it certainly does, esp. for those busy moments when you might bump the front of the camera on something solid.  (Don't forget Murphy's Law.)But the lens hood can also improve your picture quality.  As with SLR lenses, the hood prevents light from entering the camera lens from the sides and enhances the sharpness and contrast of the picture.  This is especially true outdoors when the light is diffused (scattered).  Just use this all the time (see exception below) and your pictures out of the 5700 will be at their best (all other factors being equal, of course).The only times you should *NOT* use the hood is when you use the built-in flash on the 5700, esp. indoors when the flash is used as the main lighting source.  The hood will block the flash and cast an ugly shadow on your nearby subject.  Even outdoors when you use the built-in flash for fill-in light, you should remove the hood first to avoid uneven exposure.Get the hood today to improve your pictures and protect your camera.
This item is not essential but I am glad I have it as a lens protector and also to better keep the camera stable. It should be useful on sunny days but I have yet to try it. For the price I would recommend this product...
This is an awesome product and made the perfect gift.  Another eviewer extolled the virtues of the flexible hood and I totally agree.  Thank you!
I've owned the Nikon HR-E5700 lens hood for almost as long as I've owned my Nikon 5700. The lens hood screws on quickly and can be removed just as quickly. Not only does the hood shade the lens from outside glare but its firm rubberized nature also protects the lens from accidental side-to-side dings and accidents.There really shouldn't be a time when you need to use the lens hood and the speed light (flash) at the same time but if you did then the flash is going to be obscured by the lip of the hood leaving a darker shadow on the bottom of the image.If it weren't for the popup speed light I would leave the lens hood on permanently since it adds to the general bulk of the camera and makes the 5700 (and the 8700) 'feel' a bit more substantial a bit more like a prosumer digital camera.
I was worried about this attachment actually working with my camera, but it's perfect and it works with no trouble. It does take up some space in my camera bag, but cest la vie. People think I look like a pro while using it.
I have some JVC headphones that were about $20, which has excellent sound, but was curious if I could get a better sound from another equally priced headphones. I think that these produce sound as if they cost $50, and durable. The super long cord is somewhat perplexing, but I guess it has it's uses.
These headphones sound amazing for the the price I paid for them.  I bought them as a gift for my girlfriend and she was equally amazed.  The cord is extremely long and useful in places where you are far from the device you are listening to (ie. the computer, walking around listening to a CD boom box).  The Sony headphones I have now have no bass, are starting to break, and cost me almost as much as these.  See if I buy another pair of Sony headphones again...
These headphones sound great but hurt my ears when I wear glasses, and my hair also gets caught and pulled by them, so I don't really use them.
For $20 bucks, they're a good buy. I bought these for my wife as a cheap listening pair for work. They are the least competent of all the cans I own but they should not be compared to M50s or the like.Negative characteristics:Lack clarity of higher end cans (sound muffled) esp. at high range.Slightly heavy mid-rangeUglySeriously, good cans. I might also consider a entry level pair of Sennheisers (201s) or Koss Porta Pros for the same cost.
Nice on the ear headphones, not hi-fi quality, but a good sound for portable electronics.Comfortable, well made for the price...
Simple - I don't think you can get anything better For $20.  Plus the 11ft cord makes it perfect for PC use. Don't expect too much Bass. But sound is definitely acceptable.  Great item for the price.
To be honest, the sound from these cans do not compare to my Sennheiser PX100's.  They sound bass heavy and lack the clarity and detail of the PX100's.  But to be fair, they cost half of the PX100's and are reasonably good for the price.  They seem ruggedly built and are fairly comfortable.  They also come with a nice long cord and a 1/4" stereo adapter.  Definitely not for audiophiles but what do you want for under $20.
The Audio Technica brand carries considerable heft in the audio market.  Their phono cartridges and microphones defined the state of the art for years at the height of the vinyl era and for semi-pro recording enthusiasts.These headphones are good, but they sound a bit muddy, possibly b/c my ears are so accustomed to the immediacy of intra-aural buds.  But at $20 for the pair, half off list, they can't be beat.
So far I am happy with these headphones, with the exception of two points:- the material feels cheap;- the cord is way too long.  It is totally impractical, although some people may be looking for an extra long cord.
The wire on the headphones got snagged on my shoe and the wire broke. I got to use it for 3 hours. Not a great deal
not quite as good as my $100+ headphones, but really light, comfortable, and good sound at this price level. Bought these to replace the exact same model that I bought here years ago, that finally wore out thru frequent use, and am happy to say, these sound, look, feel like the original model (no apparent change).
I did a side by side comparison with my M2X headphones, which cost me under $25, with my friend's $300 Bose QC2s and here's how it played out: For details and the "inside the head experience," the headphones were equal. The Bose only beat my M2X in bass, and I don't care about heavy bass anyway.For comfort, both are light weight. The Bose covers your ears more fully, but we're cutting hairs here.I use my M2X for taking naps and the smaller size is good. One advantage of the M2X over the more expensive Bose: The Bose are flimsy. The head strap seems like it's easy to break. The far lesser costing M2Xs seem more rugged.At this price point the M2X come highly recommended.
For the price of these you can't go wrong.They fit well, sound decent, and are reasonably durable. I've enjoyed a few sets of Audio Technica headphones across their price range and while I might not suggest these to an audiophile for their iPod, they work great for when I occasionally want heaphones on my computer.
I got these to use exclusively when watching Netflix videos on my iPad and laptop. I wanted something very lightweight, able to be driven by the low output of personal cd/media players, comfortable for extended periods, inexpensive while still producing clear and vibrant audio. With these 'phones, mission accomplished. They weigh next to nothing, have comfortable ear donuts, and put out more than decent audio: voices are clear and distinct, every background sound is picked up, music is excellent with good clarity in the highs and midrange and resonance in the bass. Overall, the sound signature seems to be that of an auditorium, that is there is sense of sound in space, a sort of &#34;coming from all around you&#34; sense, a good thing for watching movies. No, these are not high-fidelity headphones, but as a major audio step up from ear buds, they are a nice complement to the laptop/iPad viewing experience. For this singular purpose, I prefer them to my much more expensive Sennheiser PX-100s which don't do as well with voices and treble.They are on the so-so build quality side (though the construction is nice and tight), but for around 20 bucks, probably impossible to beat.
Those are surprisingly accurate headphones for their price. Open back helps to improve bass/midrange clarity, but it leaks some sound in surroundings.
I just received my headphone today and I'm trying it out right this moment.  For $25, this is not bad in the price department. Ok, the sound is really good - right amount of bass in my opinion.  The fit: it feels a little weird (it somehow hugs my right ear better than my left ear), but it's adjustable so maybe I'll get used to the feel eventually.  External noise: well I didn't hear my mom talking to me when she was about 8 feet behind me, but I heard her sneeze down the hallway (then again she sneezes really loud =)  Comfort: the band has a leathery covering, and the earpads also feel really soft.  There's a light airy feel to this thing..love it!  Overall, I feel like this is a 4-star product just because of the odd fitting.  Hopefully, this thing will last me for years like the other reviewer said!  If this is durable, I guess it'd be a 4.5-star product.
They have a nice long cord, cover the ear nicely and overall provide great sound.
Tried these for about 2 minutes, then boxed them up. Apparently, Audio-Technica doesn't realize that most people's ears aren't flat against their heads. With no pivot capability in the vertical axis, these phones are held away from the front of your ear, while pushing excessively on the back part. Not comfortable at all. Don't waste your time ordering these.
These indeed are really great for the price.  Well beyond competitive offerings that I've tried.  The bass is on the heavy side for me, but that's small beer really.  The clarity is amazing, again at this price point.  I also wear glasses and am happy to find a decent set of phones that are on-ear instead of having to go over-ear route.Added bonus, even though these are open-back, they really isolate noise - not just coming in, but going out as well.  People at work repeatedly come up and think I can hear them - ha.  So you can crank it and not worry about bothering guy in next cube.  And, the long cord actually is a huge advantage for computer being under desk/jack on back kind of situation.Followup:  I recently switched to NuForce Icon uDAC-2 USB DAC/headphone amp (as indicated above, I use these at work) from plugging into sound card directly.  The updates would be: 1) As expected, the limitations of the phones are exposed, although again for $20 they are still great - but like you'd expect, if you really put in quality signal you probably want to go up a bit.  For work listening and reasons already described, I'm not in a big hurry to upgrade by any stretch.  And 2), the heavy bass above is diminished - this amp controls the bass much better so I think the bass response noted is probably more due to source issues than the phones themselves.
I purchased this for my 5 year old to use on the computer. They sounded just fine, but could not handle the wear and tear. The cord got shredded very quickly. A little too fragile for our use.
After owning a $50 Slik tripod for the past couple years, I splurged and bought this and the 322RC2 ball head. Wow. Now I see why they cost the money. These are really sturdy, quality-made pieces.I never understood what you got for the money. Well, here you get multiple leg positions, a hanger for weight when it's windy, a two-piece center post that can be used for low shots (with just the very short top) or in a horizontal position for shooting right on top of your subject - all for a terrific price.If you're still using a $50 tripod, spend the money - it's worth it.
I used to have small cameras and used to buy cheap tripods.  I bought my new camera, a Canon 5D with a battery grip, and the tripod I had wouldn't hold the heavy camera.  So I started looking for a new tripod.  I talked to other photographer's and read a lot of review's.  I decided on the Bogen-Manfrotto for their reputation in building some of the best tripods and their reasonable pricing.  I have used the tripod quite of few times now and find it a very easy to use, however, it is heavy.  I also purchased the Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with rapid release.  The combination of the two I find it to be tops.  I don't have to worry of the camera falling over on sandy hilly grounds or just plain straight floors.  It is well built, however, as I stated before, it's heavy, but it will hold the weight.  I would recommend this product to anyone.
With over 30 customer reviews and a perfect 5 star rating (at this point) this tripod obviously exceeds the expectations of most consumers.  With all the reviews written on this tripod I don't think I can really add any new insight to the product.However, I will mention that when I purchased this tripod I had the choice of over 12 different models, some of which were over $300.00.  After carfully examining each model I decided on the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO.This model had all the features I wanted plus it just felt more durable and better constructed.  Most of the new carbon fiber models I looked at felt, well...cheap.  I know alot of the professionals love the new carbon fiber tripods becasue they are lighter but I was really surprised at how shoddy they seemed.  I lowered some of the legs on one and it felt like it was ready to fall apart in my hands.The Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO was the strongest tripod I looked at, it is quality made and seems like it will last for decades.  I'm extremely satisfied with this tripod and would recommend it to anyone (amateurs  or professionals) looking for a quality tripod.
This is an excellent tripod and just oozes quality. Made in Italy. It has one of the best instruction sheets I have seen, and the flexible design and fit/finish are outstanding. It is strong enough to handle the heavier still, video, and fieldscope equipment. Built like a tank.The feature I like the most is the rotating center column, which allows unobstructed downward photography-always a nightmare with my old tripod.Another feature I like is that the Bogen-Manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod fits in my Costco 22 inch carry on bag when the center column is removed. This only takes a minute and no tools are needed. The tripod does have to be placed diagonally but the bag zipper does close. I recommend wrapping the column and the tripod in plastic bags. If you can check baggage it will fit in a regular suitcase.Don't forget to register your product to get the full 5 years warranty..
I started earnestly into photography with my first DSLR purchase in June 2006, and I learned the value of a good tripod around the 4th of July at a fireworks display.  Previously, I used a cheap camcorder tripod, which worked fairly well with my previous camera, a higher end point & shoot, but which failed miserably with my DSLR.After some research and finding a sale at Amazon, I purchased the 3021BPRO with the Manfrotto 486RC2 (I'd recommend a larger head, incidentally).  The difference is amazing!  The 3021PRO is absolutely stable and is simple to use.  The leg extenders are stable, and the locks are secure and easy to engage and disengage.One great feature for me is the ability to remove the center column and attach it horizontally.  With the ability of the legs to widen considerably, you can secure your camera at a very low angle -- ideal for macro work.The only downside is the weight and bulk of the tripod.  Even completely compacted, it barely fits in my large suitcase, and I had to remove the head to make it fit.  It's also not light, especially with the head attached.  It's close to 7 lb with the 486RC2, and keep that in perspective with the weight of a laptop in terms of carrying it around.  The trade-off is somewhat weight for stability but more importantly weight for money -- light, carbon fiber tripods cost a small fortune.  It is manageable except probably for hiking and if you want to remain somewhat inconspicuous -- you WILL stand out carrying this thing!  Fortunately, it is designed with two foam pads on the legs so you can rest it on your shoulder if you don't have a bag (which I would recommend as well) to sling it over a shoulder.A great product!
I like everything about this tripod except for the horrid pinch points on the leg clamps. I will often get blood blisters on my fingers or hand from unsnapping the legs due to the faulty design that allows skin to easily get caught during the unclamp procedure. This usually happens when I'm trying to unclamp the legs quietly, or am trying to keep the unclamp lever from rebounding. Take a close look at the leg clamping mechanism and you will be amazed at how easily it can pinch skin! I've been bitten by mine more times than I can count. I have now painted the pinch points bright red to remind myself to be careful. Other than that, it's a wonderful, versatile tripod. Just more painful than it needs to be.
The first tripod I bought was a $25 Sunpack over 10 years ago.  I won't go into the various issues with quality that the Sunpack unit had.  The Manfrotto 3021PRO on the other hand is sturdy (heavy), and inspires confidence when using a serious camera.  I personally use it with a D80 and Nikkor 18-200VR.  The unit expands fully to about 70" which is nice and its minimum height is about 5". I like the nice feature where you can use the center arm horizontally so you can shoot straight down for macro shots.  I haven't really used this feature yet, but it's nice to have and it was only $10 more over the 3021N. I like how this model comes with the 2 leg warmers.  They become invaluable in extreme cold or hot weather.  The spirit level is a nice feature as well.  Personally I recommend getting the matching strap model 458HL as it compliments the tripod perfectly and looks very nice and the rubber grip is quite comfortable.  I would also recommend getting the spiked feet as they add more surface area to the stock tripod feet and they provide more versatility in varying conditions.  I personally don't use the tripod to go hiking or anything like that so I actually welcome the weight which inspires confidence.  But if I was climbing a steep hill, or trekking through the woods, I probably would want a lighter tripod but then again that's just me.  I use this with a Giottos MH-1000 (also very good BTW) and I am very happy with the combination.  I paid $157 + $7 S+H from B&H for the legs and it's definitely money well spent.  I highly recommend this to the prospective buyer.
This tripod is not for backpacking (it's heavy), but if what you are looking for is great stability then this tripod won't let you down.  Even with both the legs and the head fully extended, I've had no problem with exposures up to 5sec (the longest I've taken so far), and it easily handles my heaviest lens, a 200-500mm, 9.3lb zoom.
I'm not going to repeat what others have said.  Its a great stable tripod although a bit heavy for backpacking.  Stability versus weight is the big cosmic question in tripod land.  However, for an SLR or medium format camera, the overall functionality to price ratio of this tripod really can't be matched by anything else out there.But I'm really writing this review to give you some advice on what else to buy with it.  First, get the Manfrotto carrying strap.  Its great.  Its got a nice handle, stays attached to the tripod, doesn't get in the way, and holds the legs together when you move it.Second, if you're going to get a tripod this good, don't waste your investment with a cheap head.  For still photography be sure to get a ball head and I'd suggest the Manfrotto 488 with the RC2 quick release.  Its a sturdy, serviceable head at a great price point.  I think of this as the Honda/Toyota setup - quality at a fair price.You can certainly spend more for light and stable tripods and great ball heads but you're in the land of diminishing returns - paying up to triple for maybe 10% more functionality.  If you want the Acura/Lexus setup then you should check out the Gitzo tripods and Arca-Swiss or Kirk heads instead.
I love the way the center piece could be positioned vertically or horozontally for different angles, I use the horozontal position for macro shots.
After spending thousands on a digital SLR and quality lenses, I wanted a reliable tripod to go with it and finally settled on this one.Make no mistake, this is a quality tripod.Excellent and versatile, great attention to detail in the design of this thing.I paired it with a 3030 head, after a lot of consideration of the fancier ball heads.  And I'm very happy with that decision too--the 3030 is simple and strong.  Easy to adjust and can bear more weight than ball heads that cost more than twice as much.  So overall this tripod with a 3030 head gives you a reasonably priced but very sturdy set-up.
This tripod feels as it will last a lifetime. If is very well made and very versatil with the independent leg positioning. The PRO version is worth it beacuse it will give you more "tools" to create your photos and expand your skills.With the 488RC2 it is perfect. I use the Rebel XT and wouldn't ask for more.
Real sturdy & very well made. Not too heavy and supports up to 13 lBS.Probably one of the best tripods for the price !!!You will not go wrong with this tripod if your camera,binoculars or spotting scope are under 13 lbs.
This tripod is one of the best accessories I have purchased for my camera. I've used it on the beach, indoors, baseball fields, and for takeing pictures of waterfalls. It seems to be infinitely adjustable for any need I have had. I really love the idea of mounting the arm horizontally for macro work. Great tripod for the money and not too heavy to carry around on a long hike.
This is a very solid tripod, but it is a lot heavier than I expected.  I returned mine and will get something that is a lot lighter.  This is way too heavy for a travel tripod.
As a photo-hobbyist that enjoys photographing my travel experiences my first camera support purchase was theBogen 3231 professional monopod with deatchable legswith the 3025 3D junior head.  This is a great monopod, but every serious photographer should also have a tripod.  After doing some research I purchased the 3021BPRO.  Now for over a year I've enjoyed the versatility and ease of use this sturdy tripod provides.Constructed of Anodized Aluminum, this tripod weighs about 5.3 lbs and without head stands 25.6 inches closed.  The minimum open height is a mere 4.4 inches, while the maximum is 69.3 inches with the center column fully extended.  It has three independent legs with two expandable leg sections adjusted by Rapid-action lever leg locks plus a third section each.  Two of the leg's top sections come covered with padded grips/warmers.  The foot of each leg is made of hard rubber to help prevent slippage.  The two-section center column has a solid metal clip to connect the suggested458HL strapat the bottom and is topped with a 3/8" threaded mount.  The top section detaches without any tools by simply unscrewing the knob at the bottom of the column.  The center column slips into the top of the tripod where the other metal bracket for the strap and a leveling bubble is located.  The maximum load capacity is rated at 13.3 lbs, and is designed to use for still photography, video, and sports optics.The design of the top of the tripod allows for rapid adjustment of the center column with the turn of a knob, and can hold the center column horizontally or vertically.  For those shallow shots the bottom section of the center column screws off to leave a short column attached to the threaded mount.So far I have not experienced any re-tightening issues even though a tool is provided for tightening when needed.  I've left the tool on the leg and it has yet to fall off or get lost.  I don't worry about loosing it since I carry camera equipment tools with me anyway.  I haven't experienced any other problems either.Bogen/Manfrotto products are high quality professional gear and this tripod is no exception.  After using this sturdy tripod for a year and traveling with it to Eastern Europe, I can say with no doubts this tripod is an excellent addition to my photo support equipment.  However I noticed a big difference between carrying around the monopod and the tripod in terms of comfort and weight.  There are times when a monopod just isn't the best tool for the job though, but I guess that works both ways.PROS:Double positioning vertical and horizontal center columnWell thought out versatile designEasy and quick to useHigh quality sturdy constructionCONS:I just cannot think of any
This tripod can do anything you want, and be stable as it is.  It's heavy but stable, easy to use, fast to prepared. Realy amaizing tripod.  The best.If you are going on a walk trip, ask for the belt to carry it.
The difference between this tripod and a beginner's Ambico tripod is amazing.  It's much taller, heavier, sturdier, more adjustable, and easier to handle.  The legs spread apart much further, giving it a tremendously stable base.  It has two padded grips on two of the legs that even make it comfortable to pick it up and scoot it over.  Since I've purchased a heavier DSLR I really needed a better platform on which to sit, and this tripod does not disappoint.
I got the item just as the seller said - I'm very happy with it!
I've only used my 3021bpro for a week now, but I couldn't see ever going back to a lesser tripod.  The construction on the tripod is absolutely perfect.  Many of the nuts on the tripod are nylock, virtually the entire tripod is metal, and it still retains a reasonable weight.  I can see this tripod will be around for a long time.It is stable, very stable, and adjustable in the extreme.  I haven't used it yet, but the center adjustable rod can be removed and inserted horizontally for overhead and extremely low shots.In short if you want a stable, solid, adjustable, well constructed tripod this one should be on your short list.
this Tripod is fantastic.it does so many different options and can support the weight awesome.love it weight is not a problem.very sturdy.would buy another one if need be.the use of it is quick and easy.great foere MAcro setup.
Manfrotto lives up to their reputation once again. This is my second tripod from them, and I cannot express fully how pleased I am with these legs.With the double position center column in its horizontal position, and the legs fully fanned at their lowest setting, you can get inches from the ground for some truly amazing composition. In addition, switching positions on both the legs and the center column is relatively quick, so your time can be better spent making shots instead of setting up for them.These are sturdy legs. They weigh in at about 5 pounds, so they may not be that fun to hump around on a hike for landscape photography, but these things will stay put once you get them there.One last note. I am 6'3".  With the legs and center column fully extended. I don't have to worry about getting scoliosis when using these legs. I might throw my back out carrying them around though.Worth every dime I spent on them, and would make the purchase again without flinching.
This thing is truly an excellent tripod!  It's not light however so don't expect to take it hiking too far!  Sturdy and perfect for those looooong shutters!!
I was looking for a new tripod to use with my Canon 20D digital camera and had seen a few recommendations for this tripod.  It is exactly what I was looking for.  I love the extra height.  I need it the first wedding that I shot.
Very solid and quality product. I use it all the time for steady solid shots.  It's a little heavy so I wouldn't want to take it hiking.Benefits- High quality very sturdy- Easy to adjust the height and legsDrawbacks.- Be careful moving the legs horizontally.  Easy to pinch your fingers.- Come with long neck so it's not very useful in very low closeups
This is a great and sturdy tripod.  You will enjoy it if you do not find it too heavy for your application.  If you want to buy the strap to carry it, get the Manfrotto 458HL which is designed for it.  It clips right onto the top and bottom and has a strap to put around the legs.  It has a handle to carry the tripod.  It does not go over your shoulder.
I never understood why people paid more than 20 bucks for a tripod. One will hold a camera in place as well as any other....right?  Not quite.  I had a "good" $40 tripod but the more I got into photography, the more limited I felt by my tripod.  I couldn't arrange really low shots because the tripod didn't go that low.  I couldn't shoot directly downward the way I wanted to.  The tripod was rickety when I positioned the camera (along with flash bracket, and flash) into portrait mode, and it didn't hold it in the exact position I was looking for.  And with the weight of the camera, flash bracket, and flash I always felt that the tripod was about to tip over, or break, or that it just wasn't secure enough, especially in portrait (thus also limiting my framing options).  So I finally got this tripod and a ball head.  After my first shoot with this tripod I was in love.  It's rock-solid sturdy and versatile.  I can lower the camera to within inches of the ground.  The center pole can be mounted horizontally enabling me to mount the camera pointing down.  In general I feel more confident and more secure shooting with this tripod.I use it with the Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head, which I fiddled with once at a camera store and fell in love with.  Whatever tripod you get, use that ball head with it.  It's expensive, but it's bloody amazing!  If you can't afford it, save up until you can.  It's that good.  And I'd say the same thing about this tripod.  It's expensive when you consider what it's used for (holding your camera).  But it's worth every penny when you consider what it DOES...empowers you to take better pictures, and enables you to really experiment with your creativity.  And its so sturdy that you also get peace of mind when you have your camera mounted on it.  So with this tripod as well, if you can't afford it, save up until you can.  Worth every dime!The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because removing the center vertical bar requires unscrewing the bottom bolt, separating the mast from the top part that holds the head.  Once that part is off, you can slide the mast off of the tripod, and mount it horizontally, then you have to re-screw the head brace back onto the mast, and then mount your camera.  It's really easy to do! Not complicated in the least, and doesn't require tools.  Just takes about a minute. But it's kind of a process when you want to quickly switch to horizontal.  Considering how quickly and easily everything else on the tripod works, the process of un-mounting and remounting that center mast is pretty ridiculous.  It'd be better if there were a switch or a pressure-knob that let you quickly flip the mast to horizontal and re-secure it without having to unmount and remount it.  Manfrotto does make a tripod with this ability, but it was out of my price range.  But still, it's not a deal-breaker for me.  This tripod is probably the best investment I've made in photography.  Who woulda thunk it?
Getting more serious about photography, this is my first 'professional', high quality tripod.  Worth every penny for trying to get the most sturdy tripod for the money.  The leg angles extend super wide which make for easier low angle shots, not to mention the removable center post which can be used horizontally - a very useful feature.  The soft upper grips on the two legs make for more comfortable carrying.  I prefer the leg locks of this model over the twist 'wing' locks of others.  Have not pinched any fingers yet.  This tripod is heavy for long distances but the sturdiness provided to my camera in questing for sharpness is worth it.
There is a little known set screw on this head to tighten the head.  The drag tension wheel is not a substitute.  This head will loosen over time causing most users to tighten the wheel to the maximum to prevent droop or sag. If the silver hexagonal set screw is tightened (adjusted) the wheel tension can and should be reset at its middle position. This will solve most of the complaints posted  about this head.I gave this head a 4 star because of the head placing the camera/lens off center to the tripod when in the portrait position; solved by the 322rc2. I still prefer the 3265/222 for where the control is placed. I just use an autodolly for the tripod and place one leg of the tripod directly over the overhang of the head.Note: The 322rc2 also has the same tightening set screw.
Being from the video game generation, it seemed like a great idea.  I must admit it is very easy to use if you are used to using a PC joystick.  If you only want to use a small point and shoot or very small SLR without flash, battery grip, or lenses over 100mm, this is an acceptable solution.I now only use this head for holding my flash unit.  The problem is that as a general rule your head should support about 2 times the weight of your system, which only allows for about 3 lbs and I have lenses that weigh more than that.  If you have flash units and/or heavy lenses that you will be using you will notice this head creep as gravity pulls on it.A better alternative is the 468MGRC2 head which is very smooth and easy to use with the added benefit of being rated for about 35 lbs. instead of 5.5.  Of course it comes at a price, but for something you will be using regularly it is nice to have something you are comfortable with and trust.
I have had one of these for many years and it has always served me well. It was even under salt water during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but after being cleaned up, is still going strong in 2013. There are certainly lighter heads and probably better heads, but mine has been all over the world with me and is still doing the job. It's mounted on an aluminum (read stout) Bogen tripod and handles my 7D with a 70-200 L lens effortlessly.
Wow.  I bought this head back in January 1996.  It has been a great head that has lasted through at least 5 camera and plenty of abuse.  I would highly recommend it.
I bought this item in 1997 as the head of a parallelogram binocular mount for 10x70 Fujinons, and named the whole apparatus "Mt Fuji". The Fujinons weigh approx 6-7 lbs, and this head would hold them at 90 degs with no problem. Mt Fuji amazed people who used it, and all because of this ball head.  I have subsequently used them for a Nikon D80 with the Tamron 18-270mm lens and it holds this equipment rock solid. I just returned from a Gulf Coast trip and noticed some damage. If I can't fix it I will definitely get another one or maybe the newer 222 JoystickManfrotto 222 Joystick Head - Replaces 3265... I've used this head for 14 years, and it is excellent if you want to freely and quickly move equipment around.
Excellent tripod head. Rock solid (and heavy) it works as designed. Its so easy, fast, and intuitive that you will probably never go back to a conventional tripod head again after using one of these.The pistol grip ball head system allows you to rapidly get on target, then lock down. Excellent for rapid, major adjustments, but its obviously not so suited to minor micro adjustments when in the target area. So be it, that's just the way all grip heads will operate.Many complain about it being a loose grip, too weak to hold a camera. I think they are not adjusting it properly. Mine is rock steady. I bought it used. The owner thought it was worn out because the ball head was very loose and would scarcely hold its own weight, much less a camera before flopping over. A minor adjustment of the tension screw located in the base (not the useless spin dial in the middle) fixed that. Now it will hold my EOS7D with 200mm lens without issue. Those who encounter trouble with tension are most likely trying to use the spinning wheel in the middle of the handle. That thing doesn't do anything, and I don't ever touch it. It just causes confusion because people think thats the way to increase the tightness of the grip on the ball when you release the handle. Its not. The tension screw in the base (that can be tightened with an allen key) is the way to adjust tightness.Overall a great accessory for your tripod or monopod. Now replaced in the Manfrotto line by the similarly excellent 222. I only gave it 4 stars for the inability to do micro adjustments, and the weight of the thing. Its beefy.My only complaint with the design is that if you want to shoot with the camera in portrait mode (vertical) you have to flop the head over 90 degrees. That really limits its remaining movement, and worse, puts the camera way over to the side, possibly tipping the tripod (if you have a heavy lens). If there was a second mount on the side (there is a slot for one....)that allowed a camera to be vertical mounted, this would be perfect. As it is, its merely excellent.
I have this for about 10 years now.  It has been great for group shots.  Only recently that I use it for macrophotography with D80 and 105mm VR Nikon macro lens.  Unfortunately, the weight is too much for the ball head to hold the camera when it is pointed at an angle, no matter how tightly it is set.
Great tripod adapter
I agree with other reviewer that this head is not satisfactory when using a long lens or flash on a large camera.  I wonder if this is a function of age as I did not notice this problem when I first purchased the head. I also wonder if there is a way to refurbish it so that it holds better when trying to shoot at an angle.
I bought this because it goes 360 degrees and can be used with a regular tripod or monopod.  It's extremely versatile!  The plate screws into the camera, binoculars or video camera, and there is a quick release on the Bogen head to attach the plate firmly to the head - no chance of the camera falling off with the safety on.  Since it rides on a solid ball it has a fluid motion.  Change the head position by pushing in the trigger, and release to immediately stop at specific angle.  I like it because I can quickly move from a vertical shot to a horizontal shot, or anywhere in-between, without any camera shake.  Very simple to use.  I find that it even holds a heavy camera rock-solid - I've used it with a heavy older professional camera and also with a heavy older video camera, and it works well with anything I try.  I especially like to permanently attach it to a monopod and camera and go for a hike with everything slung over my back, ready to quickly take any picture without shaking.  It is especially good for macro nature shots which need a shake-free picture.  I can stand or sit or lay down with the monopod at any angle so it's easy to take shots at any height with a steady hand.
i haven't received it yet, but i used it while i was in school a couple times, and i loved it.mega recommend, especially for people who don't have the patience to be tightening and loosening knobs all day, the only down side is the 5.5 pound limit but my D70s is Plenty light.
This is the second 3265 (222) that I have purchased.  My first one still works as new and it is eighteen years old.  For me it does all I want it to do on either my tripod or my monopod.  I have never had any slippage and use up to my 100-400 Canon on it. I also use an XTi.  I did pay about twice as much this time around--but things have changed it twenty years as well!!
I have had this for MANY years, and it still is just as solid as the day I purchased it. You will not be disappointed. This will be a solid performer for you for many years to come. Some People complain about the loosening factor. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. All you have to do is tighten the little screw where your palm meets the pistol grip, with an Allen Wrench (i used a 3/32; but you can get one tighter), and presto, back to normal. Actually you can make it even tighter than first purchased, but that's overkill and you risk damaging the components. Trust me, I have done professional photography and I highly recommend it. There are models that are much more expensive, but this will be just a strong and reliable, with fewer bells and whistles. I have mine mounted to a Manfrotto tripod that I also have been using for years and they work excellent together.
This has been a great camera head for me for the past 5-8 years. I ran into the, "Can't hold weight" problem too the moment I went to larger lenses.Let me give you a heads-up. Tighten the small screw on the backside of the handle, towards the bottom of the grip. It is a very small, allan head screw. Then back the tension off on the handle setting and your good for more than 5.5 lbs. Good luck.
I like the product. It's been very useful to me. It's just too big and heavy.....  I don't have an alternative.
This review is for the 3265 tripod head which is the model sold in the U.S. but is identical to the model 222 joystick.My 3265 just turned FIFTEEN years old and has proven to be one of the best tripod heads I have ever used!!! It has traveled all around the country with me and has been dropped, dragged, tossed, crushed and gotten wet more times than I can count. It is STILL going strong and holding fast. The quick-release plate and mechanism work perfectly and are still compatible with other, newer, heads from Manfrotto.The 3265 takes the concept of a standard ball head and makes it much quicker. I have used it for every single type of photograph; from portraits to architecture and (of course) sports. This ball head has never left my tripod until just recently after purchasing a new monopod. And speaking of use on a monopod, I believe the 3265 has the benefit of extending the overall height of the camera. Which means you can use a shorter monopod. The downside to this is if the monopod is taller to begin with, then the added height of the 3265 could possibly be a negative result - depending on the intended use and your personal preference.And, unlike the 322/327 joystick heads, the 3265 can be used just as effectively with either the left or right hand. I've tried using the 322/327 heads backwards so I could use my right hand to release the shutter button, but it just didn't seem natural. I really dislike the 322/327 models having the grip on the right side.As far as weight holding capacity, the 3265 is only rated at around 5 pounds. It does allow both the trigger and ball head tension to be adjusted separately which is very nice. And, I have had zero problems with it holding a standard-size (non professional monster) 200-300 telephoto lens, camera AND battery grip combination. If you really want serious weight-holding power, the 327's capacity is supposed to be a whopping 12 pounds. But for myself, I am planning on getting the more traditional 488RC2 ball head to put on my now headless tripod since setting up the tripod takes more time than a monopod anyway. And, the 3265 just makes more sense to me being on a monopod.Pros: Does exactly as advertised, extremely reliable and durable, solid construction, holds camera securely.Cons: Slightly heavy and tall.
I purchased this for an astronomy/tourism trip to Australia to pair with a Bogen monopod to support 70mm binos, a point & shoot digital camera, and a DV cam.  I just can't say enough good about this head!For binos - I'm known as a bino fanatic and the combo of this head and the monopod gave a fantastically flexible yet stable mount.  This head is the smoothest mount I've used for binos and did a fantastic job.  I carry it everywhere the binos go and use it no matter if I'm sitting, standing, or on my back.For cameras - It's no surprise that the monopod-ball head combination was not as steady as a tripod, but it's far more flexible.  I would set it at a height that was a bit taller than eye height so I could kick it out and tilt the head, creating a tripod between the monopod and my legs.  It worked nicely and was great for quick snapshots of kangaroos and parrots on the move.The addition of the quick release plate was fantastic.  I had three, one for each of my cameras and one for the bino mount.  It was easy, quick, and efficient to swap between them.Over the last year, this head has been subjected to everything from baggage gorillas on several trips, abuse in my day pack, bouncing around in my Jeep on back country roads, and use and abuse under all sorts of conditions.  It still looks almost new and has yet to give me any problem.This is just a fantastic piece of gear!
I hold my Nikon N90 with 28mm-70mm zoom but can't hold the Canon 5D Mark II with Power Grip and 24-105mm F/4.0 L lens. And I have not add the Canon flash yet.It can't deal with heat. I left it in my car for one summer season without using it. After the 4 month of summer heat in Texas. Now it cannot hold my Nikon N90 anymore. So you know don't let it cook inside your car. now I've to paid for the repair.
I agonized over purchasing this lens for a long time. I had a Tamron 16-34 that was my primary &#34;walk around&#34; lens that broke down on a recent trip. That lens did an &#34;okay&#34; job and was much much cheaper than any of the Canon lens. Unfortunately, repair to that lens was not an option, so it was time to go shopping.There are a number of difficult-to-distinguish-between choices in UWA lens. Ultimately I chose this one for the additional f-stop (f/2.8 vs f4.0 in some other lens's) and the quality reputation. I bought mine used here on Amazon and it was still a lot of money. But I'm utterly satisfied.Unlike my old lens, this one takes photos indoor without flash and still pretty good shutter speed--the lack of IS in this lens is less important as a result. The auto-focus fast, crisp, and easy to control and the images are glorious. The lens feels high quality and doesn't feel like a compromise in any way. Your own research will probably push you up against the same choices and you may find one or another minor feature more compelling for your own needs, but once you do agonize and click &#34;buy&#34;, I can report that this lens meets or exceeds all of my expectations.
**UPDATE**Canon has released a II version of this lens that is also available on Amazon.  It is about $300 more than this lens and is advertized to truly solve some very minor problems that the pros really care about.  The new version has an 82mm front openning vs the 77mm of this lens...what that translates into is that if you have a 70-200mm "L" like I do, you can exchange filters between the lenses but not between the new 16-35II which has a larger front openning.  For me, I haven't noticed any of the small items they were trying to address with the II version as I'm not a Pro's Pro and a) will keep this lens and b) have noticed that value has been retained on this lens even after the release of a more expensive update to the lens.  Both are professional lenses in my mind just depends on your degree of sophistication.  Hope it helps.**ORIGINAL REVIEW**I got this lens because I didn't really own anything close to this range except for the kit lens (good but not great and not f/2.8).  I do own a 15mm Canon Fisheye but it does distort quite a bit even on the 20D and I don't like to have to correct in Photoshop each time and I wanted a wide lens.  I wanted something wider, that could capture lots of light (I do allot of ambient and low light photowork) and I wanted something versatile (on a 20D this is really a 24mm to 56mm --- great working range).Pros:1) With the 1.6x crop factor of my 20D this is really a 24 to 56mm lens.  This makes it quite a bit less of a wide angle and more of a midrange lens.  Consequently, it stays on my camera all the time and covers most of my daily needs.  I bought this lens fully expecting it to be 24 to 56 as I wanted it to be multi purpose and at 24mm its still pretty wide.2) I try to avoid flash as much as possible given the type of photography I do and at f/2.8 I can take some great ambient light pictures that I would not be able to do otherwise3) At f/2.8, I can also blow the backgrounds and foregrounds out of focus.  The out of focus areas are gorgeously buttery and the blokeh is very nice given the 7 blades of the shutter.4) The color saturation is like nothing I've ever seen before except with my 70-200mm Canon "L".  I was literally floored at some baby pictures I took where the colors were in two words "mind blowing".  I knew the color would be great but "WOW!" With Photoshop CS2 I can "fake" saturation but its just not quite the same as the color that came out of this lens straight out of the box.  Zero photoshop touchup needed.5) Its sharp!  This lens takes some amazingly sharp pictures into what I would classify as amazing.  I've received numerous positive comments on the sharpness of this lens.  I've tried looking at the edges to see if there's any CA or less sharpness and couldn't really find any.  Maybe on a full size sensor you can tell more but I couldn't really on a 20D.  I do notice that the plane of focus at f/2.8 is narrow (which is good) and I have to make sure that everything I want in focus is.  The blokeh is very buttery at f/2.8.  I like it quite a bit.6) Its built like a tank.  Black metal shell.  Metal EF mount.  Smooth manual focusing.  Sturdy recessed switches.  The red stripe catches the eye of photographers who know....easy to strike up conversations and learn.7) It was surprisingly smaller and lighter than I thought it would be.  About half the size of my 70-200mm Canon "L".  I was expecting it to be bigger and am much happier that it wasn't.  Its on my camera all the time and not a chore to carry around at all.  Unless you're a very petite person.8) Internal focusing.  So the lens size doesn't change in size or turn when focusing.  This is very useful when you put filters on or when you're focusing in close.9) USM Motor.  Its whisper quiet and it focuses super fast.  Faster than my 70-200mm....something I'd expect but wow its fast and silent.10) It focuses pretty close 12 inches or so.  You can get close to your subject.  Its not a macro lens but you can get some dramatic wide angle shots with its close focusing.11) Its TTL2 so works very nice with my 580EX flash.12) EF mount will grow with you.  If you upgrade your camera body to a full frame camera with an EF mount, this lens will fit your new camera and you can continue to enjoy your lens investment.Cons:1) On a 1.6x frame size, it doesn't get into "amazing" wide category but that's not the fault of the lens.  I'm marking this down as a Con but you can take it several ways.  If you want to get ultra-wide on a small frame camera, you won't with this lens (although 24mm is pretty darn wide) and about your only Canon options are the 15mm fisheye which I own and think is a great specialty lens, the 10-22mm EFS Canon, and the 14mm L. The 10-22 I hear is very good but its EFS (and won't fit the full frame cameras - less upgradable I think) and its not an L lens although for a non-L the 10-22 I hear is exceptional.  The 14mm EF L will run you almost as much as this 16-35mm zoom.  The 15mm EF Fisheye is wonderful but it is designed to distort and the distortion is visible on the 20D and even more so on full frame cameras and you need Photoshop to fix. On this 16-35mm L, if you want the f/2.8 and are ok with something like 24-56, then you won't find better for small-sensor cameras.  I'm very glad I got it and, if you already have a full frame camera or upgrade at some point, you can enjoy 16mm "WOW" wide.  I can only imagine the coverage I'd get on a full frame camera.2) The hood is massive...wide but not very deep...so its a shallow hood (It has to be with the wide angle I guess).  I never take it off -- it keeps stray light out and is a secondary protection for the lens.  I have had zero problems with lens flare.3) The front lens element does sink in and out inside the tube (exposed  but the lens case doesn't change in size).  There is no protective filter to protect that front element.  I bought a UV/Haze filter ($26 from Amazon) and I highly recommend you do as well to protect your investment.  With the UV/Haze filter, the lens is very self contained.4) Oh the cost....my oh my.  Expensive as heck.  Cost as much as my camera body --- worth every penny.  If its any consolation, these lenses are very hard to make and they keep their value.  Your camera body might drop in value as new technology arrives but this lens will hold its value if you take care of it.Differences, Notes, Things I've heard:1) I have no experience with non canon lenses so I can't compare but this 16-35 is amazing.2) Compared to other "L" lenses, it holds up and the quality is amazing when it comes to color, performance, lens construction.3) I hear there is some Chromatic Aberation at the edges of these wide lenses (well more than the 70-200mm) but that's to be expected when you're gathering light from such wide angles and focusing it....that's got to be hard.  Wide angles exhibit more CA than long telephotos. On my 16-35mm it wasn't visible to me.  I imagine a Pro's pro might notice care.  Anybody with less stringent requirements than a Pro's pro or extremely saavy person, couldn't even notice or care.  Besides, CA on this lens is orders of magnitude less than almost any other lens.4) I bought directly from Amazon.  Ordered on a Monday got the lens the next day on Tuesday.  Amazing service.  Great store.
great lens
When you need a solid wide angle lens, look no further than the 16-35mm f/2.8L! This glass is fast, durable and versatile. I have used it indoors in low light, outside in harsh conditions and have not been let down by the lens or its performance yet.
Having received some Christmas cash, I put it to good use with the purchase of this lens.  It works great with my Digital Rebel and certainly is a fine choice for any of the EOS Canons.  Sure, it is pricey and a little heavy, but if you want a fast, wide-angle zoom lens, there is little else that is equivalent.  The zoom range takes you from wide scenics to excellent indoor flash shots at 35mm (with a Canon Speedlite EX accessory).  The USM focusing motor is quiet and very quick.  Comes with a Canon lens hood.  Don't forget to add a 77mm UV filter to protect the optics full time!
I do fine art photography and mainly use L primes but have kept and use only three of Canon's zooms. This is one of those three. Lovely color, fast to focus and uses all the 5D's full frame and DR. If you are going to have a Canon wide zoom for 35mm and under this is it.
Let me start out by saying I'm a hobbyist and photography is not how I make my living...I work for a company that supplies structural steel to the commercial GC's all over Texas.  I use this lens to take great pictures of buildings!  I can get up close to the building and take a great picture with a lot of crisp detail in the foreground and bokeh in the background.  Without it, I was using a 50 or 85mm  and I would have to stand too far away and would loose the detail up close.Limitation:  One thing to note is that on a 10D, the lens is so big that the integrated camera flash will cast a shadow in your pictures.  This is not a problem with my 30D (or with a speedlite), but it is a problem when my father uses it on his 10D and didn't want to take a speedlite.Overall, I really like using this lens and use it a lot... in fact, it stays on my camera 85% of the time.
On Feb 22, 2007, Canon announced a "II" version of this lens that will correct the optical performance problems this lens has.  The new lens has been completely redesigned, and will require MASSIVE 82mm filters.  Yikes!  I do not own this lens, as I am now waiting to see if the II version will be more expensive, or if this version will drop below $1000.  As mentioned, the new version will require 82mm filters, which will be even more expensive than the filters the I version uses.The II version has now been listed on Amazon.  It looks like the II will be about $300 more, rather than this version dropping in price (so far).
I shoot with a Canon 20D and have used theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lensas my wide angle option. When preparing for an extended stay in Budapest, I decided it was time to invest in a faster, better quality wide angle lens. I reviewed the lens lineup at the Canon website and decided on the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L. As an L lens owner, I was confident this lens would be a great addition to my lens lineup.Being an L lens, this lens is meant for serious photographers. The sturdy construction consists of three aspherical elements and Canon's UD glass which largely eliminate the secondary spectrum. Weather-resistant construction at lens mount, zoom & focus rings and switch panel helps protect the lens from the elements. This lens is not compatible with the 1.4x II and 2x II extenders. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens weighs in at about 1.3 lbs/600g, and accepts 77mm filters or holds gel filters. Be sure to get a good qualityUV haze filterto protect the front lens element. Not only do I see this as a good practice, Canon recommends doing so on their site as well.The focus type is the standard twist zoom, and permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. In addition, the lens has a USM drive mechanism for optimum AF performance.Included with this lens are the front and rear lens caps, lens hood, soft storage case, and a US one year warranty. The case is a pull string soft case (LZ1319) that can also be purchased separately. TheEW83E Lens Hoodis used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations.I have to admit I was disappointed by this lens while in Budapest. I found that for wide angle scenes with the focused subject at a distance, the images were soft. This is precisely the type of images I wanted to use this lens for.  Just because this is a fast lens, it doesn't mean I shoot everything at f/2.8 either as some may claim. I have a good understanding of exposure and know how to use the aperture setting to my advantage. It didn't matter what aperture I used, distant subjects were soft in my eyes.I wondered if the lens needed adjusting or calibrating after hearing all the great things people say. I lent the lens to a friend who loved the quality and sharpness while taking close up shots. I then began to wonder if I was doing something wrong. After testing the lens, I've concluded that this is not the lens for distant wide angle shots like suggested on the Canon website. When the subject matter is much closer, like the other side of a room or several feet away, this is an awesomely sharp lens.The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens is too different to compare to the Canon EF 28-135mm. The clarity and sharpness is incredible on close-up shots, and the auto-focus is quiet and quick. Even though this lens didn't fit my original purpose, it has found a place in my lens collection. I don't foresee this lens being one of my most used options though. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L comes at a price, but it is worth every penny when used for its strengths.PROS:Incredible clarity and sharpness on close-up shotsQuiet and quick auto-focusCONS:Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)Distant subjects come out soft.
I chose this lens for my 7D over the 16-35 II and the much-loved EF-S 17-55. The 16-35 II is obviously way more expensive. I chose it over the 17-55 due to the build quality and the extra mm, I already have the 36-55 range covered at 2.8, and the fact that I found an amazing deal on it.Like other reviews I read stated, it is a bit soft at 2.8. And there is some vignetting in the corners, even on a crop, but it's nothing Lightroom can't fix.  However, I love this lens. It's sharp, focuses great, and has great IQ.  This lens still may not be the best buy for those on a crop - if you need a general purpose, the 17-55 is normally cheaper. But if you need the sturdier build, and don't need the range on the long end, this lens is a great buy if you can find it at a good price.  And the extra mm does make a difference!
Buy it. I know, it is more money than many of the other L series lenses.  I know, you usually only shoot portraits or people, you don't need a wide angle. I know, it is reported to be heavy.  I know, I know, I know. And some people say Santa Claus doesn't exist.  I just received my new lenses, having the 70-200 L lens previously.  I took the wide angle when dropping off my daughter at a birthday party and it did both for me. Captured the uniqueness of their barn property and took pictures at the birthday party. Most not needing a thing, just cropping, if that. I shoot with a 20D so of course I want the 5D.  If photography is your passion and your fun, especially if it is your living, get this lens. Youthful play will be restored as you lie in the leaves to get the perfect shot of the tree house. Buy filters, as it only comes with a lens hood. My daughter jumped on my bed. my camera plumenting to the floor, and with a cracked filter and it being jammed, I just knew. Wrong, camera and lens fine. The $15.00 filter took the hit, Also, for you adding to your lenses. If you are considering the Canon backback, it is wonderful, and not so wonderful. To me the camera body is not padded enough and of course it has a huge Canon label on the outside.  This has cost me to have my car windows broken into, the Canon name. So I put a label over it, saying Sarah's school stuff. Much less likely to get stolen!  Have fun, play, and remember to throw up the leaves as you lie there.  Stay a kid with this lens!
I like this lens a lot. Great glass, nice wide view. Not much else to say about it. It is a solid, sturdy lens.
This is a cheap lens - old design, very plastic - that can prove terribly useful for those on a budget who want a wider perspective, especially on 1.6x crop factor dSLRs.I learned about "cheap" with this lens - broke the focus ring the day after delivery.  But I blame myself too, and the replacement's given me no trouble, though I think my first one was a bit sharper than the second.  (Update: calibration of the replacement optimized my performance to match or exceed that first one that I broke.  It now performs *very well* wide-open at f/2.8, and beyond belief at f/5.6.)By many standards, this lens will match or exceed zoom lens of comparable price (as a prime lens should).  Autofocus is a little buzzy, but the main time you'll notice is when it loses its bearing and suddenly lurches way off target.  Mostly, focuses quickly enough and well.  Some chromatic aberration in worst-case scenarios, but nothing awful or unexpected.  Vignetting, even on a 1.6x crop, can be noticeable, mainly in sky shots, but gradual rather than sudden.  (Might be unacceptably worse on a full-frame camera.)  Undue distortion seems minimal - haven't really checked but also haven't really noticed, if you see what I mean.  Flare seems average, perhaps better than one would expect from such wide glass.  (I've never had a shot blown out, even with the sun in the shot.)  Bokeh is nonchalant, not dreamy but never intrusive.But at the price, the positives make up for the negative and "average" tendencies.  It's vibrantly colorful and contrasty almost to a fault.  Hard light is a little more challenging with this lens, a little more tricky to balance exposure between highlights and shadows.  It can be softish wide-open, but very unobjectionably - have rarely regretted shooting at f/2.8.  My main lens is a 50mm f/1.4, and switching back and forth on the same aperture setting is perfectly functional in practice.  Lose a little crisp for taking in four times as much space, and that's a trade-off I can run with.  (Their filter threads match too.)Before calibration, my second sample got "plenty sharp" by f/4, and "stunning sharp" at f/5.6 or beyond.  Now, I never find any complaint at f/2.8, and frequently get my breath taken away at f/5.6.  However, other reviewers around the web have verified something I've noticed - the focus is more consistently crisp when focused out to infinity (which isn't far) than when aimed at nearer subjects.  For any kind of scenic photography, I recommend setting the focus to infinity and then flipping to manual focus to lock it out there, for easiest and most reliable results."Crop factor" over-simplifies the effect of mounting a wide-angle lens on a 1.6x camera.  Yes, the field of view will match 40mm on a full-frame, but the perspective will not, because you'll be closer to your subjects.  Shooting live subjects (like bands, models, or street life) will require a learning curve, so beware mission critical work before you've broken yourself in so you can anticipate its exagerations.That said, I bought this lens primarily for "head-to-toe" model shooting in my modest studio, and it's been a real asset.  Interestingly, it tends toward a very useful "slimming effect" that makes hippy girls look more slender and shorter girls more ambiguous in height.  This happens if you're filling the frame with them and standing with your lens at about their head level - relatively speaking, their hips are much further away so they narrow.  Disconcerting at first but terribly useful once you've gotten the hang of it.  (Beware chicken legs or the reverse from dramatic perspectives.)I read every review I could find before purchase, and this lens seemed to be a magic middle between the higher cost clarity of the 20mm and the cheaper lesser sharpness of the 28mm.  Near as I can tell, I nailed it.  The build and buzz create an ongoing sense of cheapness, but the performance really pays off if you need an affordable wider angle that generally won't let you down.
Great buy for the money.  Very usable and performs like a more expensive lense.  I would recommend this for those looking for a good multipurpose wide angle lense without the super heavy pricetag.
I love, love, love this lens. It makes a great companion to myCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand has come in handy in many situations.If you're looking for a wider Angle of View, then this lens will provide it. Whether taking landscape shots or tight interior shots, it will perform and deliver outstanding photographs.That said, you have to be careful when purchasing filters for this lens. I purchased aTiffen 58mm Haze-1 Filterto protect this lens and when I put it on the lens, there was a small dot about 3-5mm in diameter in the center where the filter and lens were touching each other. I ended up having to buy a more expensive, thinner glass, filter to get an acceptable fit.Beyond that, the only other negatives for this lens are that it's more loud than my USM lens, but that's to be expected. It's also not so loud that it's distracting; it's just noticeable if you're used to USM. And the focus ring on the lens stops at either end. I prefer the way my 50mm lens handles that in you can just keep turning it and not feel like you're damaging anything internally. With this lens, I fear turning the focus ring too far.All in all, the negatives with this lens pale in comparison to the benefits. I don't think twice about swapping the 50mm for the 24mm when the situation calls for it.
I bought this lens to have a fixed, light lens to use with my digital EOS 10D (due to 1.6 crop factor it has the same viewing angle than a 45 mm lens, in the "standard" range). I use it in "keep it simple" photographic sessions.Resolution and overall image quality are quite decent; but it has one main drawback: vigneting is non-negligible at f/2.8, even inside the digital cropped frame (so I can't guess how bad could it be in a full 35 mm frame). At f/4 it becomes usable. I've done a very informal comparison with Canon EF 17-40 L and both lenses give comparable results at f/4.Design is old, but effective; it has a depth of field scale. I'd like it to have a more silent focus engine, or a somewhat more robust build, but it does its job.
An excellent lens for the price. It is sharp, with very little distortion and good colour retention. Fast and easy to use, with good auto-focus. There may be sharper and better lenses on the market, but at a much higher price and they probably do not fit Canon Cameras
For the money, this is a great overall lens. With the crop factor on the Canon t2i and t3i, this translates to a 38 mm lens, which is known to have broad applications for portraits, scenery, and even close ups. I get good images with this lens, both still and video, and use it more than any other lens. Also, being a prime, it works well in low light situations. It is also a light lens and can be used on a Steadicam as well. You can spend a fortune on glass, but like one reviewer has already said, you get a lot of bang for your buck with this. On Vimeo in the series titled Behind The Glass: An Intro to Lenses, Vincent Lafloret refers to the 24mm as a "bastard" lens because it is tighter than a standard 16mm and looser than standard 28mm, but seriously, it is a fine focal length! No one is going to criticize your focal length and say, "Hey, I would have loved that movie if only they hadn't used a 24 mm lens." Just move in or back away and the problem is solved!
Start with the Pros:Cheap - I got mine used for $180, with signs of usage but still perfectly functional.Sharp - Even wide open at F2.8, this lens is very sharp.Portable - It's very light, it's a bit lighter than 50mm F1.4 I think. It's small, it fits in small camera bag with my 5D MKII.Cons:Loud Focus - It doesn't have USM.Poor Built - Comparing it to 50mm 1.4 (which costs about the same), it doesn't have as good built quality and it has an old design.Strong Vignett - At 2.8, vignett is very strong on full frame and it's a bit annoying.Notes:Low-saturation - It isn't as saturated as my other lenses I own, which is not fair. I should not compare this 200 bucks lens with my other high end lenses. But it's more like FYI.High-contrast - It creates image with high contrast, which could be a good thing or bad thing, it's subjective.I give it a 4 stars because I think this lens should have a lower price point, given it's F2.8 and old design. 35mm F2.0 is cheaper, and with a wider aperture. I think at $400 price point, this lens should be F1.8 at least. I want to compare this lens with the new 24mm F2.8 IS. Regardless, I think the new 24mm F2.8 IS is overpriced.I strongly recommend this lens to anyone who wants 24mm prime but can't afford the 24L or anyone who wants 24mm prime for portability.
I can't change from 4 stars but if I could I would rate it at 2 stars.Why buy a prime, usually because it does something our zoom lenses can not do. Like be faster, or take better sharper photos.  Unfortunately this lens does neither.  It's not faster then my 24-70 F/2.8 and it takes worse photos then either zoom.  It doesn't even take photos as good as my under $100 Canon 50mm F/1.8 II Prime.So, I have since traded in this soft under performing prime.  It's not even close to as good as my Canon 50mm F/1.8 II lens which cost a lot less.  And it's not even as good as my two zooms my Canon EF 24-70 F/2.8 L and Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS both blow it away in sharpness and contrast which yes they cost a lot more but hey they are zooms.  A prime should always outperform a zoom in sharpness and contrast no matter the cost in my book otherwise it's worthless.My advice, if you ever plan on buying a good F/2.8 zoom in this range then don't buy it.  If you are on a severe budget it does out perform  the 18-55 kit lens that came with my Rebel XTi but that's not saying much.Pros:Great priceReally small and light, tucks away in the corner of any camera bagFast auto focus that rarely hunts (slightly faster then Canon 50mm F1.8 but slower then Canon 17-40 F4 L)Cons:Wish it were F1.8 or fasterSoft under performing prime not even as good as a zoomWhen the auto focus does miss the focus point it really missesAuto focus sound doesn't last long and isn't really loud (louder then Canon 50mm F1.8) but reminds me of the sound of a drillPurchase Reasoning:I purchased this lens after a lot of searching on the Internet and testing at camera stores because I need a fast wider angle lens on my Rebel XTi with better optics then the kit lens and a wider field of view then my 50mm F1.8 lens have.  I plan on upgrading to the Canon 6D or whatever Canon calls their newest affordable full frame EOS camera.  It really sadness me that Canon has so many great telephoto and super telephoto lens and no really outstanding fast wide angle lens that everyone agrees is the best.  I was not satisfied with the test results of the sharpness and contrast of the other lens I was considering the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens which I thought should have had much better optical performance for the price.  The 24-70 zoom does not even approach the optical quality of my 17-40 F4 zoom.  And the Canon 24mm F1.4 seems to be about the same in sharpness at F2.8 as the 24mm F2.8 and gets really soft when opened up any wider and is far more expensive.  I have tried some so off brand competitors lens and went through several bad lens with bad optics and or shoddy build which left a bad taste in my mouth.  So for under $300 I bought the Canon 24mm F2.8 lens.In Use:I haven't yet noticed any objectionable vigneting that others have talked about maybe because I am using this lens on a cropped sensor camera (Rebel XTi).  Maybe I just haven't used it in the right way although I have taken most of my shots at F2.8.  Another strange occurrence is the photos look a little less sharp and contrasty at F3.2 then they do at F2.8.  Once closed down to F4 the photos look better then F2.8 but still it's odd about F3.2 being worse then F2.8.  Anyway the depth of field on a 24mm is so nice and I usually use this lens in low light at F2.8 so F3.2 is not an issue.  If I am outside in bright light or use a flash I use my fantastic Canon 17-40 F4 L zoom lens which takes photos that seem to be the about the same sharpness and it has the convenience of being a zoom.Back to back against the 50mm F1.8My Canon 50mm F1.8 takes photos that are slightly more pleasing with greater contrast and sharpness then the 24mm F2.8 and as a plus I can shoot opened up all the way to F2.2.  F1.8 and F2.0 are simply too soft and muddy with the 50mm.  What I can't do with the 50mm F1.8 that I can do with the 24mm F2.8 is get 4 times the angle of view in a tight situation.  And that's where this lens comes to the rescue.  With pretty close contrast and sharpness and only a 1/2 stop loss in speed (made up for by being 24mm) I can shoot in those tight situations where I try to get everyone in the shot and can't back up anymore with the 50mm mounted on my Rebel XTi.Conclusions, final thoughts and suggestions:If you are on a budget and want the best optics you can get at 24mm at F2.8 for under $1,000 to cover a full framed EOS camera and widen your view on a cropped sensor camera this is your lens.  I'm keeping mine for those tight situations and I'm looking forward to using this lens on a Canon 6D.Update 1-3-2008Took this lens with me to Texas for my family Christmas get-together and it's just Ok.I took a lot of shots inside and out with natural light and with flash assist and I'm just not that impressed.  I don't think the photos are any better then the 24-70 2.8 zoom therefore I will probably sell this lens and get the zoom instead.  The Canon 50mm F/1.8 at F2.5 and higher is a real looker with a wow factor resolution and colors that will take your breath away.  I thought this lens could do that but I guess not.3-28-2008 Update:I sold this 24mm F/2.8 soft under performing prime and bought a Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 which is so much sharper it's a crying shame and my Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L is sharper then this prime as well.Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit lens Muddy, slow, pile of junk Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy!Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy! My favorite zoom lens!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L great IS, super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!!My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: _Canon EF 300mm F/2.8 IS L the finest lens ever
This lens has great image quality. It's images are sharp from corner to corner even with the lens wide open. Most lenses must be stopped down a bit to get a sharp image which to me defeats the purpose of having a fast lens. I don't notice any distortion, aberration, color fringing etc. under even difficult shooting conditions. This lens feels well made and I like how small it is on the camera. The autofocus is always spot on and focuses very fast. It makes a little whirring noise for about a nanosecond while focusing which I think sounds cool. I feel this lens is a super bargain and I enjoy using it as a general purpose or small light "walk around" lens for my canon T2i. To me the lens is a little "retro" because it came out around 1988, but I like that about it. In terms of function, I have found it to work flawlessly and much better than similar focal length canon prime lenses I've tried, except the 24mm 1.2L (which costs almost 5 times as much). If I were a pro, or made of money I would definitely buy the 24mm 1.2L as it is weather sealed, silent, f1.2, and one of the best canon lenses you can buy. As a hobbyist, I love my super bargain powerhouse that is very affordable, well made, retro cool and has image quality as good as my canon 17-40mm f/4L. I am really enjoying this lens and have taken some sharp, color saturated, stunning photos with it.
great lens, my wife & i run a photo booth service with our photography company & have found this to be the ideal lens for what we were looking for, love it & use it all the time. great quality too
My new lens will not work with my Canon new 7D. It will not screw on properly. I am returning it!
Good for the price. I don't mind the buzzing when focusing. A good step up from the kit lens 18-55mm. Highly recommend to buy camera body only without any kit lens if you haven't alredy.
Very happy with my Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, and so are others who have been viewing my pictures of the Aurora Borealis.  Crisp and clear.
This is a nice lens, relatively small, with decent resolving power (better at close distances)and a great,IMO, focal length for an 1.6 crop.What I didn't like was that it is relatively slow for a fixed focal lenth at 2.8, it does not have full time manual focus, my 50 1.4 seemed to resolve (this is a subjective conglomerate of resolution and contrast) better at infinity focus.  As far as small primes go, this is one of the few to chose from in this range (I like pentax's selection better), it is a good performer.Note: I find the 28mm 1.8usm edge sharpness similar.
I compared this lens to a Sigma 30mm F1.4, the Canon 24mm was softer at the same f2.8 stop on both lenses.  Neither lens is a great lens with the sun in frame, which I expected with the Sigma, since it is designed for speed.  The Canon 24mm is not that fast of a lens at f2.8, so I thought I would use it as a sunset lens.  The lens makes a horrible triangle shaped flare, along with other rainbow patterns.  The lens also did poorly with shooting a skyline at night.  I was disappointed, maybe stopped down it would look better, but that point your at f4, 5.6, 8, and there are plenty of lenses stopped down that look great.  Also manually setting at infinity, wide opened, seemed slightly off the mark, I only shoot manual, since I am a professional and use a loupe to always check focus, but I was also hoping to have a lens I could pull out in a dark moonlit landscape and know for sure where infinity is.  Might as well shoot though a lens cap.
And I believe this is it. With the 1.6x crop on my T3I this turns out to be about 38mm. It is perfect for general walk-around shooting or candids. I also really like canons 35mm lens but the fixed focal lengths on this one serves me better. Very lightweight lens and it does look a little cheaply made, but once again I don't plan on tossing it around like a football so it should hold up. I've heard that there are some of these lens floating around on line for cheaper than the used price i got here on Amazon (Three hundred plus).
I was on the lookout for a good-quality autofocus wide angle lens for my Canon 5D MkII, and this seemed to be the best option. Canon's telephoto lenses are generally superb and they make some good zooms, but the company has traditionally had trouble with the wider focal lengths. I can't justify the expense of a 24-70mm f/2.8 or the 24mm f/1.4, and the 17-40mm and 16-35mm seem either underwhelming or too specialised for what they are. The 28-135mm didn't appeal to me, ditto the 20-35mm f/3.4-4.5, the 24-85mm didn't impress me when I owned a copy. The non-L wide primes include the 20mm f/2.8, which no-one seems to like; the 35mm f/2, which lots of people like but doesn't seem great in the full-frame corners; the 28mm f/2.8, which I have tried and hated, and the 28mm f/1.8, which doesn't appeal to me at all. The 24mm f/2.8 seemed to be the dark horse, based on the tests I have seen, and so I found one cheap and snapped it up.It is surprisingly good. Not excellent, but sufficient. I already have a very good 24mm, an old Olympus 24mm f/2.8 that I use with an adapter, and although Canon's lens isn't quite as sharp it's more practical to use, on account of it having autofocus and an automatic aperture. I don't have to keep checking live view when I focus closer than infinity. I like the 24mm focal length, and with a 5D MkII I can always crop down to something approximating 35mm without too much loss of resolution.Physically it's a solid unit that doesn't rotate or extend. It doesn't feel weak and I have subsequently thrust it into bags and taken it out and about without breaking it. The autofocus is buzzy but the focus travel is very short, so it's not a problem. The manual focus ring is dire and I have only used it when shooting video. Canon gives you front and rear caps but no hood, the meanies.Optically it's close to very good. At f/8, f/11 it's sharp across the frame almost but not quite into the extreme corners, far better than the 28mm f/2.8 that I briefly owned. There is CA, but DPP will correct this. There is some barrel distortion, but it's not very noticeable and not offensive, and this is one thing the lens has over the 24-105mm f/4 (the other being that it's much smaller and lighter - in the end I went on holiday with this lens and a 50mm, and the combination was smaller and faster than the 24-105mm). Vignetting exists and is inescapable on a 5D MkII, this is the major optical weakness. At f/2.8 it remains sharp in the centre. The background blur is busy and it's not really a bokeh-licious lens. You, sir, are no 24mm f/1.4.Drawbacks? The very extreme outer corners are always mushy but, having said that, outside the world of Carl Zeiss every wide angle lens seems to have this problem. On an APS-C camera it would be sharp but redundant, because your kit lens is probably just as sharp and also wider and it has image stabilisation. The other problem is the price, which is too high. If Canon reworked the lens, added USM, sharpened it up a bit more, they could justify this price, but I suspect they will simply discontinue it in favour of the 24mm f/1.4. Which is a shame, because it is otherwise a bit of a hidden gem.
I ordered this lens primarily for landscape, but I also picked up an old 1970's Olympus Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 as well.  Found in on craigslist for under one hundred clams, and bought an EOS adapter from Amazon for about thirty clams.  Did some comparison shots, and the Canon 24mm is undoubtedly better at wider apertures (f/5.6 and wider), and generally, the contrast is better all around.However, at f/8.0 and higher, the old Olympus 24mm actually outperforms the Canon for sharpness and clarity!  Although it is still not as saturated, I can add saturation in post-processing...but I can't add detail.  Since I bought the lens for landscape, wider apertures are kind of unimportant.  (However, the Olympus actually has a cool vignette at f/2.8)Long story short, the Canon 24mm is a good lens...but for wide angle, smaller aperture shots, I am keeping the old Olympus Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 and saving about two hundred clams.
So far I have gotten great results with this lens on my 20D. I have a 50mm 1.8, a Nikon manual 100mm 2.8 with an EOS adapter, and the older (non-IS) 18-55mm kit lens. The 24mm was the perfect complement to my setup, rounding out my prime lenses, and making up for the kit lens. I've gone back and forth about whether or not the 28mm would have been a better value (20-30% cheaper), but I think the wider angle, especially on a cropped sensor, was worth it.I just took ~200 pictures with it of my newborn nephew in the hospital with low indoor lighting (too low for the kit lens), and I was very happy with the speed and field of view of the lens.This lens is great for head shots with a ring light. Close enough to only have someones face in the frame (~1.5-2.5 ft), there is some distortion of features, but I find it not unpleasant, and sometimes I prefer it.Compared to the 50mm 1.8 Mk II, the build quality is great, with a metal mount, a much more solid feel, and a much better manual focus. The manual focus is not as smooth as my Nikon manual lens, or an L-series lens, but I am pleased with it.I can't remember what the minimum focus distance is, but it is much shorter than the 50mm, but not quite as short as the kit lens. It is just right for close-ups of a flower with a landscape in the background.I just recently "discovered" Canon's Digital Photo Professional software for RAW conversion, but sadly it does not have this lens included in the list of lenses that it can adjust distortion and CA for. I have not found that I need those adjustments, but I would have liked to see what they could have done.Overall, I would recommend the lens, but if you have a tight budget, the 28mm, although I have not used it, might not be a bad compromise.
I have the Canon 35/2.0 prime lens, which I like very much but on my Canon XTi, it's not quite wide enough. So, I purchased this lens and also a Sigma 18-50/f2.8 EX Macro to take on vacation, thinking the Sigma would be used for more flexibility, and the 24mm for a very light walk-around lens.In my tests, though, my 24/2.8 wasn't nearly as sharp as my 35/2.0. It might have just been my copy of the lens, I don't know. But, the Sigma was as sharp as the 24mm. So, I returned the 24mm, and will keep the Sigma. With a prime, you lose the zoom, so it better be both a) sharper and b) brighter (wider aperture). Since it was the same sharpness as the Sigma, and no brighter, back it goes. I was thinking I'd sell my 35/2, but now I'll keep it, as it's both very sharp and has an f/2.0 aperture.Again, it could have have been the copy I got, but since my Sigma fits my needs, I won't try again.
My photography falls mainly into two categories: outdoor photography of railroads, and typical around-the-house photos of my family.  This lens has become the one most often attached to my camera for both purposes.At the wide end, 28mm is pretty good for indoor shots which aren't too close.  The zoom out to 135mm is a decent standard zoom and allows one to get closer to the action.What sets this lens apart are the very quiet and fast USM motor for focusing, and the image stabilization features which are helpful when making handheld shots.I would highly recommend this lens as a must-have for any Canon photographer.
I knew the kit lens was pretty much garbage so I decided to take that extra $70 and put it towards a decent walk around lens instead when I bought my Rebel XT.  Actually I put that extra money towards  the 50mm 1.8 prime lens which is excellent for it price.The 28-135 IS feels solid on the camera, moreso if you have the optional battery grip.  Focus is almost instantaneous and totally silent.  IS is worth the extra money if you tend to shoot landscapes and such, but since I mainly photgraph people and other moving objects (my daughter) the IS doesn't really help that much in low light.As others have stated, the IS only helps compensate for the shooters movement, not the subject you are shooting.  so if you are shooting a 1 year old in low light with IS on at 1/20 shutter, chances are that it will not be sharp. Nevertheless, I think the IS is well worth the added cost.  The lens is a great first and walkaround lens for most amatuer photographers.Just this week I grabbed my bag which was mistakenly left open and my 28-135 IS came flying out and landed on the hardwood floor.  I wasnt happy at that moment, however I tried the lens out by snaping a bunch of pictures and it still looks perfect. Something to be said about its durability as well.
I love this lens. I use it on my Canon XT. The range is great for that mid stuff that seems to always come up. The IS does allow me to shoot about one stop darker, as long as my subject isn't the one moving.I do notice a bit of chromatic shift when shooting in high contrast situations.
Dollar-for-dollar, this is the best consumer-grade Canon lens available. The focal-length makes it a great walk-around lens. The onboard Image Stabilization allow for crisp zoom shots without a tripod. If your hands shake a lot, this lens will help overcome that.On the flip side, I found the Macro option provides a really startling level of detail up close. I also found the combination of the f3.5 and Image Stabilization to be of great use in low-light, indoor shooting where flash is prohibited. It's a fairly fast-focusing lens, too.Even though I have upgraded to an L-series lens, the 28-135 is still a personal favorite. Considering it is 1/3 the price of an L-series lens, I cannot find a single fault with it. Anyone looking for a general-purpose lens for under $500 to compliment their Canon Digital Rebel, Rebel XT, 10D or 20D has found it here.
I know whitebox version is identical to retail version but for a MSRP of $479 I would expect a retail version, from Amazon!My review of this lens compare to my 15-55 II and 55-250mmPros:* Better build quality* Great zoom rangeCons:* Not silent as expected, noticeable IS noisy* Slower focus in low light, not expected from this USM* Not seeing better image quality
This lens looks on the surface to be a great all-purpose lens, and at first the pictures looked a step up from myCanon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.  It has image stabilization, and a good range, I thought it would be a good general purpose lens.  I quickly became disillusioned with the results, many pictures where out of focus, so I thought I would compare it against my other lenses.  What I discovered surprised me.  I took the cost effective 50mm lens, the 100mm macro lens, the 70-300mm IS lens, the kit 18-55mm and the 28-135mm and took the same pictures at focal lengths of 50mm and 100mm of a batik (where possible).  I made sure I had adequate lighting to avoid camera shake (1300 watts total, plus all pictures were above 1/50th second), which I thought might be the culprit, and took a series of photos with each lens at f4.5.  The worst lenses by far were the 28-135 and the 18-55 which gave about the same results.  Whilst the 100mm macro lens (from the same distance) and the 70-300mm IS, and often the 50mm showed the grain of the canvas on which the art was imprinted, the 28-135mm and the 18-55 were not sharp at all, and sometimes downright blurry.  This was at a distance of about 2 meters (12 feet).  There were 5 test pictures, in every single one, the 100mm macro lens gave the best result (just ahead of the surprisingly good 70-300IS).  The 28-135 was very disappointing.  I think the sample was wide enough to eliminate operator error.  I wondered if my camera was failing to auto-focus properly, but the results with the 100mm are perfect 9 times out of 10, often even when working at macro ranges with autofocus on, and bad 10/10 with the 28-135mm.In short: Avoid this lens if you want crisp pictures. Get instead theCanon - Lens - 50 mm - f/1.8 II - Canon EF(though some say the f1.4 is better, I might agree, but it's over 4 times the price, and this is definitely a step up from the 28-135), and also theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  It won't set you back that much more, and you'll get much better pictures and be able to do macro work!  You might argue that the 28mm end would be missing, but the kit lens takes as good photos as this lens, so you're not missing much except perhaps better manual focus, but I would imagine few are using manual focus with this lens.Other problems you may find are that the zoom barrel will extend of it's own accord if you point the camera downward.  I also found that I had to take two or three pictures at a time to get one that was anywhere near in focus and correctly exposed.  Lens certainly won't just 'snap' the moment first time, I dread to think what it would be like on action shots.
I expected the usm would be faster. (it's my first usm lens)the zoom will go out if you hold it upside down,it feels great in hand, it's heavy and the build quality is great.
I am not a professional or expert photographer...so take these comments with this in mind.I have two Canon cameras, a 40D and a 60D.  I have two other Canon IS USM lenses, a 17-55 f2.8 and a 70-300 f4-f5.6.  I bought this lens to fill the gap between the two.I haven't had this new lens very long, but here are my initial impressions...  First, it's shorter (when zoomed out), lighter and smaller in diameter than the 17-55 f2.8 lens that was previously our typical carry-around lens.  Obviously, it doesn't work as well in low light as the f2.8 lens, but that's to be expected.  Still, it takes very nice pictures, and doesn't seem too limited by the smaller aperture.  The colors seem accurate, and the IS seems to work very well.The barrel doesn't rotate, either when zooming or focusing, so it is possible to use filters that rely on a fixed orientation.  This is not the case with my 70-300mm zoom...that lens rotates as it focuses.  Though it isn't a big deal to me, others might be more concerned with this.My only complaint with this lens is that, unlike my other two Canon IS USM zoom lenses, it will extend under it's own weight when the camera is facing down.  And there is no lock (again, unlike my other two lenses) to keep it in it's shortest length during transport.  This annoys me when I'm carrying the camera.Comparing pictures taken with this lens to those taken with my 70-300 lens (at 70 and 135...the widest two lengths common to both lenses)...this lens seemed to have slightly more vivid colors, and a wider DOF.  The depth of field was to be expected, I'd think, given the shorter lens and slightly larger aperture.  The more vivid colors, I guess, could be explained the same way, though the difference was very small.  Both lenses produced very nice results, IMO.My lens was a white-box lens...which was not mentioned in the product description.  I half-expected this, given that the price I paid was low...lower even than the current prime price shown on Amazon for this item.  But I would like to have seen the item description accurately state this up front.  The lens came wrapped in a single layer of bubble-wrap inside a plain white cardboard box.  This was, in turn, shipped inside a slightly larger box and padded with packing paper.  There was no documentation or software included (save for the warranty card, which WAS included), as you'd get with a lens sold in retail packaging...so be aware that this is the case.  Nonetheless, my lens arrived quickly, and intact.  My order was fulfilled by ALLTIMEDEALS.
I purchased this when I was interested in getting the 24-105mm or the 24-70mm and I should have spent the extra money. The quality is decent, but I am not too impressed.
I originally purchased a 30D with the low-end kit lens - to me the pricing didn't really make sense to get either the body or the higher-end IS kit lens. I was looking for a good all-purpose zoom with full-size sensor covereage in case I move up the Canon ranks to a new pro-level model in the future.The 28-135 fits the bill nicely. Although it is fairly heavy, the difference in build and image quality between the 18-55 kit lens is incomparable. This lens takes beautiful pictures and operates flawlessly. I highly recommend it as a day-to-day lens, and the IS is a nice feature for extending the range down a few stops without moving up to the much more expensive faster lenses.
As I mention in the title of the review, this is the opinion of a serious amateur.  If you are a pro (or have such aspirations) or have a large equipment budget, you'll likely be looking for something else.  For those of us who have to make our hobby money stretch a long way, here's my review:I purchased this lens in September of 2007 for use on holiday in Italy.  I've used the lens extensively since, but its performance on the trip was  an incredible trial by fire.  As it was a two week trip and luggage space and weight were at a premium, I wanted to only bring one or two lenses that would cover most of the situations I thought I would encounter.  I chose the EF 28-135 for two reasons:  its range of focal length and the image stability feature.With the typical 1.6x crop factor, I found my outdoor shots of landscapes and architecture rather tight, even at the 28mm focal length.  This is of course not the lens's fault, but rather my choice and my camera's limitations.  Otherwise, the lens was spectacular.  It is crisp, focuses quickly, and yields consistent, predictable shots.At this point, I have to comment on the IS.  Many ruins and almost all churches and museums prohibit both flash photography and the use of tripods.  In the face of these hindrances, the IS was simply a life-saver.  One of several such examples involved over 500 year old tapestries in the Vatican.  They were presented in a darkened room with only muted, indirect illumination.  With the IS (and a steady hand) I was able to shoot them at 1/4s shutter with results, considering the subject, which were nothing short of amazing.  If you're jittery and off balanced, it's not going to do much for you.  But if you need to stretch a few vital stops while using good technique, it is amazing.Pros:-Great value-IS isn't a gimmick.  It works well if used correctly.-Excellent image quality for the price-point-Nice range of focal lengths in a single lensCons:-Barrel extends considerably at the telephoto end with noticeable slop.-For a consumer lens, this thing is huge and heavy.  When you're carrying it with the hood (not included) equipped, people are going to stare.-Not quick, whatsoever.  It's listed as f/3.5-5.6, but you'll be shooting at the higher end of that at most focal lengths.Summary:A great walk-around and travel lens for many circumstances.  In my opinion, the best Canon lens for the novice photographer in terms of both price and flexibility.
This is one of Canon's most versatile lenses.  I have used it for portraits and weddings since day 1.  The IS enables lower light settings.  It's a great alternative to the 24-70 L 2.8 lens that is so expensive.  This is a lens to have in your bag.
This lens is great for what i need it for. Its not light and built like a tank. Its definitely going to be my all around lens.
For a lens of this price with the Cannon name you would think the zoom feature of the lens would hold in place where you zoom to. When shooting down or tilting the camera down the lens zoom feature slides forward on it on, it doe's not have any friction to hold it where you set the zoom. Very annoying!Quality of the glass and other features are good. (pro photographer) See studio323.net for samples of work.
I a using this lens on a Canon XSi, and it has yielded fantastic results. The image quality is astounding if properly handled. The auto-focus is very fast and accurate. The field of view is a bit narrow at 28mm though, which is really its only downfall. Its very attractive aesthetically too! Highly suggested.
I love this lens--it is now my go to lens as I can zoom in/out. Pics are clear. I wish the zoom was a bit tighter, if you let point the camera down without holding the lens, it slides into fully zoomed out position. It's an all around great lens though.
While I considered purchasing a Canon 10D, I also started looking for a good first lens.  Most of the reviewers and Canonites on the various forums suggested this lens as a good starting point.The 28-135mm IS USM Zoom is the one I use all the time now on the Canon 10D, and that will be the case until I get over the sticker shock of the 10D/28--135mm combo and start adding other lenses to my kit.In the meantime, this lens gets the job done very well.  It gives you good range for a variety of of shots, from portraits to telephotos.  There is even a macro mode, which gives you the opportunity to do close-ups--not really a true macro, but okay for shots of flowers, your kitty cat's face, etc.  It is the flexibility of this lens that makes it so appealing if all you have is just one lens.  And remember that if you mount this lens on a digital camera, like the 10D, the range is actually extended by a factor of 1.6.The USM focuses fast, and the Image Stabilization (IS) really works.  In fact, I've been spoiled by it, and IS is now a must for any of the longer lenses I might purchase in the future.The IS system "locks" on target so that camera shake is eliminated or at least seriously minimized.  This means fewer shots ruined by camera shake, and the IS system allows the user to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds.  This isn't just advertising hype.  It works.The image quality is quite good.  I get good color saturation, contrast, and sharpness.  After tweaking some shots in Photoshop, I was able to turn out some excellent 13x19 inch prints.As others have pointed out, if you are just starting out with a Canon DSLR or SLR and want one good general purpose lens, this is it.As of August 2008 I have sold this lens because I have moved on to Canon "L" glass, but the EF 28-135 is still a great lens to start with if you are just beginning to learn photography.
I think someone earlier reviewed this lens as "a jack of all trades, but a master of none". It's probably the most accurate way to sum it all up.I've used the lens for about 6 months with a T2i. I always feel like I need wider zoom when I'm shooting at 28, and the 135 never gets me "close enough". I can shoot indoors at decent quality, but I know I've see better and sharper pictures with other lenses on the same camera. The low ISO/high shutter pictures come out looking sharp, but could be sharper. The DOF is ok, but nothing that makes you say "ooooh".
I am an amateur hobbyist just graduating to DSLR from point and shoot cameras. I love this lens! Takes nice sharp pics! I am using it with my Canon Rebel EOS SL1.
I received this lens as part of a kit for the 50d.  Here are my impressions using it with the 50d:Pros1. Nice build compared to the 18-55 and 55-250 Canon kit lenses.2. Great colors; really not too much to do if you have your exposure about right; Dial it in with your exposure comp and you will have a beautiful picture.3. Nice metal mount compared to the kit lens; will  provide better durability in the long run.4. Focus is almost instant with good light.Cons1. Lens creep when pointing down, but not when it is fully extended and pointing up.2. Heavy compared to the Canon kit lens and even to the Sigma 18-250.  Oh and the Sigma has lens creep also, but not as pronounced as the Canon.  The cheaper kit lenses do not have creep lens which I attribute to the weight of those particular lenses as they were much lighter.I have been very fortunate with the Canon kit lens (17-55, 55-250 and the 28-135 with the 50d).  All of them have been sharp in good light or if you could introduce light into the subject.  So the comparison makes it really easy with the kit lens; the build is better and the focus is much faster with the Canon 28-135.Comparing the Canon 28-135 to the Sigma 18-250 macro lens (Sigma) proved to be an interesting exercise.  The Canon focused faster in good light, better colors and sharper at the 28-50 range.  The Sigma focused faster in low light at all the focal length (shooting at ISO 800-1600) whereas the Canon hunted in the 28-35 range and at times would not lock onto the subject in auto-focus; if you're ok with using manual focus then no issue here.So there you have it.  If you don't mind dealing with the lens creep this camera is a fabulous walk around lens.  If you take more wide angled shots, then go with the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM.  This Canon 28-135 is highly recommended.One final thought.  If you are willing to buy it used (i.e. Craigslist) it can be had for about $200-250; maybe lower for those needing cash immediately or wanting to upgrade to a different lens.  Just make sure to bring your camera and test it out thoroughly with low light as well as bright sunny condition.  Again, highly recommended.
I hate this lens. It lost the focus when stabilization is on. I don't recommend it.
Arguably the best Canon walk-around lens for the money if you're not buying "L" series gear.  The USM system is fast and quiet, the full-time manual focus is very helpful when re-selecting a macro target, and the image stabilizer makes for better hand-held shots at slow shutter speeds.  The physical construction has only one flaw: The lens is heavy, and much of the weight is concentrated in the front element, meaning that accidental telescoping will occur once the mechanism loosens up with use.  That's a "when", not "if", so expect it to happen eventually.That issue aside, it has very good image quality, offers as much zoom range as any hobby or pro-sumer photographer could reasonably demand in one lens assembly, and even produces usable high-magnification shots in the near-macro range (shown as "Macro" in the focus assembly's depth-of-field window).  The 1.6x crop factor on APS-C bodies (pretty much any Canon dSLR except for the 1Ds and 5D series) will limit this lens' effective field of view at 45-216mm, even though the curvature and depth of field will still be 28-135mm equivalents.  That's a little narrow on the low end, so the EF-S 15-85mm IS USM lens and EF-S 17-55 IS USM lens should definitely be considered by all APS-C owners before making the final purchase decision, but most shooters won't have any problems with this lens.The lens has a 72mm filter adapter, so good-quality filters (particularly 72mm circular polarizers) will be fairly pricey.  Buyers should budget around $50-75 for a decent circular polarizer and a UV filter/lens protector.  Search "72mm filter" on Amazon to see a good selection.Final note: Don't be fooled by Amazon's ongoing policy of deceptive list prices for SLR gear, which they would never charge and no sane person would ever pay.  As I write, Amazon is showing a crossed-out $753.77 as the List Price for this lens, while the inflated MSRP on Canon's own US website is $479.99.  Amazon's current "real" price of $359.99 is very competitive, but it is not a "52% savings".  I'm disappointed that Amazon's marketing department has so little respect for their customers, but their customer service quality remains excellent, so buy with confidence -- just be sure you know your fair market value prices before clicking through.
Ok this came with my camera, but have a friend that wanted one for her camera.  So her husband bought it for her as a surprise I just ordered it for him .. But overall not a bad lens really.  Does what I need it to do and does some pretty good close up of things sometime too.  Not a bad lens would tell people about it.  Came on my Canon 7D, would have rather had a better lens but working on it.. Do like it
After upgrading from a Canon 40D to a 5D Mark III, I decided to give my niece the 40D. In order for her to be able to enjoy the full array of capabilities the camera offers, giving her a standard wide angle lens wasn't enough. I bought this lens and a 70-300 Zoom Lens w/macro for her as well. If it wasn't for the fact that this lens won't work on my current camera and my standard zoom lens is valued nearly 3 times as much, I would've kept it for myself.
I bought this lens about a year ago and I was surely disappointed with its performance. Images are not sharp at all, or at least not as expected. It is an o.k lens for snapshots.
This replaces a Canon 18-55mm normal lens. I need a little more latitude for distance than wide angle. this is a superior lens.
The Canon EF 28-135mm lens is a really good all around lens.  It focuses very quickly, accurately, and almost without any noise.  It is sharp enough to make enlargements as large as my printer (Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II) can handle.  And I mean sharp even with the lens wide open.The lens stabilizer works well.  I can get sharp pictures with this lens set to the extreme of 135mm for 1/30 of a second.Looking very carefully I can see no vignetting, but I'm using a 1.6 crop Canon XSi body.  A full frame sensor might reveal some problem here.  I don't know and it doesn't matter to me.  I can't afford better than Rebel bodies with the x1.6 crop factor.UPDATE 8/3/12The tendency for the lens to drift to full telephoto, when walking and using the wrist strap, has stopped.  Now I have to set it that way, and I do.  I get close enough faster to photo opportunities by doing this.  No matter where the focal length zoom is when I put the camera to my eye, I have to adjust the zoom and compose.  I mention this for those who don't like the zoom drifting so they will know that it probably will stop doing that with use.Another thing I've learned about this lens:  It is recognized by my recently purchased Canon T2i camera body and an electronic system acts to correct for lens aberrations for this lens and several other lenses.  Zoom lenses are difficult to make and some compromises in terms of distortions are usually made.  That this could even be done greatly impresses me.I should also mention that my Canon 18MP T2i camera body makes this lens' performance almost as perfect as one of those renowned L-series.
This lens is amazing for traveling. It has the perfect range of focal lengths for wide angle landscape shots, to portraits, to close ups, and even macro shots. I really appreciate the fact that I can bring one lens with me instead of my whole kit of prime lenses. Granted this is a variable aperture zoom and no where near as sharp as my prime lenses, but it wins me over with its versatility and the lack of weight in my camera bag. A big plus to this lens is that you will not be changing lenses often or at all which will cut down on dust getting on the sensor. My only issues with the lens is that you have to constantly keep an eye on the zoom as mine likes to slip away from 28mm. I do not know if this is a normal problem with this lens or if mine needs to be adjusted by Canon. The build of this lens is a bit cheap being as light as it is along with the plastic feel. I do wish that Canon made this lens a little wider as a 24mm would really be a complete package. But overall I am super pleased with this lens and would recommend it for travel, location scouting, or just walking around.
After years of use, this lens is still going strong. This has become the our most used lens. It is on our camera over 90% of the time. Works well for our different outings and isn't so large that it makes it uncomfortable to carry. Would recommend this lens to someone that is looking for a nice, high quality general use lens.
I love this lens, its a great walk around lens and gets all the shots you want, wether its a duck swimming in a pond, or a bird in a tree, this is a great overall lens.
I've only recently gotten my Canon 40D and, as I said in the title, this lens came with it.  So far, I am really happy with the detail it came capture.I added an image of a Downy Woodpecker to the images area and the detail of the bird is very good.  I'm still learning how to use my camera and lens, but so far, I am really happy.  The picture was taken late in the afternoon, in the shade.  I couldn't see the bird all that well.  I had the 40D on auto and the lens all the way out (max mag).  I used Picasa to lighten the pic and was really happy with what I ended up with.  It sure didn't look that good in the tree.I guess, when I get more proficient with the camera, I'll be able to take better photos, but with Picasa, I'll be okay.Bobby T.
After 4 weeks, 2 of which in the Caribbean, I returned this lens to Canon in NJ for repair and re-alignment.Pictures are too blurry, and autofocus seems to be fast but inaccurate (forward focus, very noticeable).Should be back within a week from now, so I'll update my review then. Thank goodness I had my 50mm 1.2L with me!I think this may be the last non-L lens I buy.Bogus Exception
This lens has a great range especially when combined with a 1.6X camera body such as the XT, 20D or 30D where you end up with a 216mm equivalent.  It works great for macro work due to its relatively close minimum focusing distance, you can enhance this by using extension tubes also.  The IS is nice if you don't feel like taking along your tripod.  It is not too heavy even when carrying it around all day.  The only other lens I would consider in this range, if you have the cash, would be the 24-105 L series.
Excellent one stop shop lens, lighter in weight than the newer model but still takes the same great photos. Highly recommend.
My main reason for buying this lens was the zoom range. 28mm is fair for getting a bit of wide angle and the 135mm gives good zoom. The lens construction is good but for some reason does not feel sturdy maybe because of the lens creep. This lens will extend when you have it facing down, even quicker when you have a lens filter and hood. Despite all these negatives this is still a awesome lens. Fast focusing and lightweight. Recommended.
Finding unbiased, reasonable, reviews of camera lenses can be more difficult than one might imagine. A large percentage of the reviewers deem anything that does not live up to the quality of the highly esteemed "L" class of Canon lenses to be, frankly, inferior.I almost didn't buy this lens because so many members of a forum that I frequent bashed this lens and recommended the 24-105L as the only really "good" choice in the focal range I wanted. Fortunately for me good sense pevailed and I bought the 28-135 anyway. The fact that the 24-105L was three times the price ($1200) certainly weighed heavily on my decision.SO GLAD I DID.This lens is well built, has a very usable focal range and (at least my copy) is RAZOR sharp. I expected good quality of a lens this price, but I was not at all prepared for the stunningly sharp images that it renders. Color and contrast are very good. The other good "walkaround" lens in this price point is the 17-85mm. I tend to prefer a longer focal length and the 28-135 qualified me for Canon's generous triple rebates so the choice was clear. F3.5 is fairly fast and the IS does allow hand holding in lighting conditions that would otherwise necessitate a tripod, but for very low lighting you may want to try the 50mm F1.8 prime (They're only $80, buy one).So if you are hesitating to buy the 28-135mm for any reason please don't listen to the "L" snobs, it's a great great lens.
I initially bought this lens in August 2007 for my Rebel XT.  It has served as my primary lens ever since.The Good:Useful focal length for a general walkabout.  First generation IS was awesome when it came out.  The price was reasonable, and it is much better then the old kit lenses, which did not have IS.The Bad:I just bought a 60D in November 2012.  The lens is now five years old.  With the lens on the 60D, I am a disappointed at how soft it is.  (Caveat, I tend to pixel peep.)  I am not sure if the lens is just worn out, or if the higher megapixel count in the 60D is exposing how soft the lens has always been.  What really gets me however is the older IS "jumps" after every focus movement.  This makes live view on the 60D almost impossible with the IS turned on, as the 60D cannot seem to compensate for the jumping picture.  (Turn IS off, and the live view autofocus works OK, however we buy IS lenses for a reason, right?)Compare this to newer generations of IS, such as theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasand the IS / Live View / 60D combination are perfectly happy together.The Other:My copy of the lens has always "flopped" about - however I haven't noticed this to produce to much impact on photos.  The lens has accumulated a little dust inside, but nothing that I would say is serious.  It weathered a rainy day inside a grocery bag (stopped working in the afternoon, but resumed working after drying out.)Bottom Line:If I was looking now for a lens, I would pass on this lens for something with a newer generation IS.
The best lens I have ever owned. I am a breeder of Dalmatian dogs and this lens is great to take pictures of the puppies in their little fenced in area. Very sharp and fast with puppies that are constantly on the move.Now I just need a similar lens to take those shots when the puppies are old enough to run further. If anybody can give me advise on one of those I would be delighted.
This is a very surprising lens.  It does it all.  I did not realize I could use the manual setting on the lens and take pictures as close as 9 inches. I have several garden spider pictures that are truly sharp and scary. As for the automatic setting at normal distances, all pictures have been clear and in focus. Love the lens.
I've purchased this lens with the EOS 40D kit and it is just a great walk around lens.  It is great for general purpose shooting if you just want to pack 'light'.  Don't be surprise if the pictures turn out a bit blurry sometimes even with the IS when shooting actions in low lights (indoor basketball game, hockey etc..)  Some people may think that just because it has an IS all pictures will come out sharp and clear.Bottom line is, this lens is a great lens at an offordable price.  It gives you a nice focal range and produces beutiful images.
The lens works very well. A little heavier than I expected, but that is not a problem. The lens produces sharp images. I've used it for portraits and landscapes. I'm very pleased.
After using this lens with other lens, I conclude thatthis is the worst lens I have ever used so far.And it is useless for crop sensor cameras. And I am wonderingwhy this lens came with Canon 7D as a bundle.Whenever I bring this lens out, I always regret.28mm is not wide enough.  And the general purpose quality of28-135 mm is below the general quality.If I compare this lens with Sigma 17-70mm, Sigma is so muchbetter. Sigma has so much quality and the sharpness is reallyamazing. I normally don't realize it until I switch the lens withthis low quality Canon 28-135mm. Comparing with Tamron's18-250mm, within the same range, I think that Tamron isstill better. And I am wondering why you should use this lenswhen you use cropped sensor camera.And I you use an expensive full frame camera, there is noreason why you make your full frame camera a cheap point andshoot by using this lens.
Shame on Canon. I got this lens as part of a package when I bought a Canon 40D camera. I thought it would be great with IS and all, but I was sadly mistaken. The images are soft and the IS doesn't really help much. Fortunately I still had a Sigma 17-70mm lens that I got for my Canon 350D and I use this lens most of the time because I get the IQ that I am used to getting and the Canon 28-135mm lens is just a great disappointment. I wish I had spent the extra $200 on an alternate lens. I hope someone will want to buy this Canon lens from me. It's the only Canon lens I own and I am sorely disappointed with it. It is in a box collecting dust!
I just bought this a few days ago and I must say that I am impressed. It is a very fast lens and super clear and bright. I have taken some of my best photos this week, without a doubt.  The lens, Rebel Xti and Speedlite way about 3.5lbs, so its a bit awkward. BUT totally worth it! Well done Canon, well done.
The Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens with Image Stabilization is a very capable, and more importantly, affordable lens,and is perfect for times when you just want to have one lens on the camera but you also want to have a lot of options with your focal range.  While you get the benefits of a slight wide to telephoto range in one handy package, you do lose in light stops as you move through the focal range (the maximum aperture stops down as you move toward the telephoto end of the range).  This is where the image stabilization comes in very handy, and allows you to keep hand shake at bay even when you have to compromise on shutter speed to get the correct exposure.I've had no complaints about the optical quality, I think you'll be pleased with the shots you get from it - the lens may be cheap but don't confuse that with what the quality of image this lens can provide.  Keep in mind on a camera with a cropped sensor (any Canon DSLR model other than the 5D and 1D models) the focal range is equivalent to @45-215mm - you lose a bit of the wide angle advantage, but you get more telephoto, so it depends which end of the focal range you value the most as to whether that is a disadvantage or not.
This is the kit lens that came with my 50D.  At least half of the first 2,000 photos I took with this camera were with this lens.  Many reviews are listed here, so before buying I would recommend looking at a variety of these reviews to see if this is the right lens for your needs.  For me, the lens worked pretty darn good under most conditions, but it's by no means the best nor is it a perfect fit for every user.  Let me explain why.The Canon 50D is my first digital SLR - I just migrated from a set of 3 film Minolta bodies with several high-end, mostly prime lenses.  I've never really liked the picture quality of point & shoot cameras, so the 50D + 28-135mm lens seemed like a good, affordable fit for me.  Since I do mostly weddings and portraits, I knew a good portrait lens was a must so at the same time I boughtCanon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, another well-priced lens.Within a week we were off for a month in Vietnam and Korea.  Been to both before but this time wanted to photograph a lot of memories.  The 28-135 is very lightweight and convenient (as is the EF 85mm), so weight or size were never an issue.  The Image Stabilization (IS) is nice to have.  The 28-135 body is plastic, so the feel is a little chinsy but the image quality wasn't bad.  But 'not bad' and 'outstanding' are not the same.Keep in mind that the 28-135 has a variable aperture, ranging from f/3.5 to f/5.6.  If you're ever planning on advancing beyond the symbol icons on the mode dial, venturing into aperture-priority (Av), shutter-prioity (Tv), or other modes, then you're going to need a larger aperture, at least f/2.8 or faster. If you want to use zoom lenses, having a constant, fixed aperture is going to make your life easier and your photos look much better.It quickly became evident that this lens is what it is.  It's an inexpensive kit lens.  Does it blow away point & shoots?  You bet!  Can it take beautiful shots?  Of course!  But my experience is that stellar shots are more of the exception than the rule with this lens.Remember that a large part of successful photography is technique.  Just having a nice camera or expensive lens doesn't necessarily qualify you to work for National Geographic.  The flip side is, if you want pics that are going to knock 'em dead, you have to start with good equipment.  If you're going to stick with inexpensive lenses, you're going to have to work much harder (and take a lot more photos) to get the money shots.  With good technique and with the help of a few other factors (good composition, appropriate lighting, a tripod, a good model or a beautiful scene, the right weather, plain luck, etc.), it IS possible to get great shots.However, for many people, sooner or later the day will come when you realize that this lens can't keep up with your skills or photographic needs.  For me it was about a week into vacation - about the point when I was familiar with my new camera, and I started to see the difference in the photos I was getting with this and the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens.For the price, the package is excellent.  This lens is one of the best values I have seen.  There are days when you just want an easy, lightweight, 'everyday' lens that won't break the bank and wont break your back, and you don't have to worry about the lens getting damaged.  For a lot of people, this lens will be a perfect fit for many reasons.  And I will say it again, you CAN get awesome photos with this lens.But for more advanced users, this lens will quickly become the limiting factor, the weak link in the chain.  Go ahead and buy your camera with this kit lens, get acquainted, and have some fun.  But put some money aside for an eventual replacement.  Canon provides many options, depending on your specialty.  For telephoto zooms, Canon offers a handful of different 70-200mm lenses.  TheCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerassells for under $600 and is the least expensive L-series lens available.  A little more expensive but a good high-end replacement for the 28-135 isCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasat around $1300.  For wide-angle enthusiasts, tryCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lensor its cheaper cousinCanon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.You can see the direction I'm going.  If you want to move beyond the amateur level and get more control of your images, if you want to use some of the robust features of your camera and get more compliments on your photos, you're either going to need one or more prime lenses, or you'll have to go the route of Canon L lenses.  Yes L lenses are expensive, but the color and crispness they bring to your photos is phenomenal.  I started with one, then added another.  And I still have my EF 85 f/1.8.  I've got the tools I need to take the quality photos I want.As for the 28-135, I can't complain.  For the price, the value is phenomenal.  It's gotten me some beautiful shots.  It also left me with some slightly hazy shots at a wedding and more over-and under-exposed, off-color images than I care to remember.  That's why for me, it's love-hate.  But like most unsatisfying relationships, the time came when I had to move on.  Farewell 28-135.  Been nice knowin' ya.  Buh-bye.
I will not go into detail with any specifications, just the most important information, in my opinion, to most photographers, beginners or advanced.  This lens is superb! The durability, quality, and sleekness of the lens are great! The color quality, the image stabilizer and the clarity of all my photos are beyond my expectations.  I love this lens!!
I'm not normally one to give any product a bad rating. For most things, if I don't like it, I discard it, and go on my way. But I bought this lens on the strengths of the Amazon reviews, and if I can help someone else avoid the same decision I made, it is worth it.Many reviews here seem to indicate that this lens is every bit as good as an L lens. That just isn't the case. If you need the L quality, this lens isn't going to give it to you.  The sharpness and contrast that you expect with an L lens are missing from this lens.Now, if your primary concerns are price, and the only lens you have is the kit lens that came with your camera, this might be a great choice for you. As other reviewers have stated, the IS is a nice addition to a lens, and the image is probably acceptable for casual shooters.  The zoom range is good for using this as a walk-around lens.I had really hoped that the lens could compete with other L lenses, because I needed a good walk-around lens. This one seemed to fit my needs, and at a great price, too.  But the images just don't measure up to the standards that I am used to.  For me, it is more important to have outstanding image quality than any other features in a lens. The 28-135 IS just doesn't deliver, and so this lens is not staying on my camera.
Great lens, as it does the job I need it to do. The Image Stabilization is awesome! I purchased this lens to use as my overall walking around lens, but found with some of the problems, I use another lens more often than this one. I decided to give it 4 out of 5 stars because when the lens is fully zoomed, the connecting pieces for the telescoping function seem a little shaky.  Also, when I am wearing the camera strap over my shoulder and the camera is on my side, the lens has a tendency to pop out -- Something I need to make sure does not happen less I hit something with it. Not sure if this is true for all of these lenses or just mine.  Overall though, I am glad to have this in my gear bag.
I got this for my Daughter in law....It is a very good zoom lens for portraits and sports.  So far it performs as advertised.
This was my default lens on a 40D and still somewhat compelling on a 5D II. On a crop body, it's a portrait telephoto best coupled with an ultrawide, but there's almost no reason to buy it over the 18-135/3.5-5.6 STM. That lens is simply better.The first copies of this lens appeared in 1998. My unit from 2007 doesn't have the zoom creep or poor telephoto quality that earlier reviewers mention. Build quality is average, without the tight production tolerances of recent L or EF-S lenses. The zoom ring is slightly sticky, and at 50mm and wider, there's significant play in the cam mechanism that holds the front elements. Neither seems to great consequence.On a crop body, the optics of this 28-135 are above-average on an objective scale and excellent for this focal range and size class. My copy is sharp across the frame wide open at 135mm and similar to my 100/2 at the same aperture. It's decent wide open at 28mm and very sharp by f/5.6. On a full-frame body, you'll want to have it stopped down to f/8 to keep the borders in the realm of decency. SLR Gear and The Digital Picture show good performance on full-frame, though in my experience, border quality on the 24-105/4L is significantly better at the same aperture. Because of the slow maximum aperture, you may need a flash indoors.Focus is fast, accurate, and consistent past 50mm, even in near-darkness. My copy occasionally misfocuses by small amounts at 28mm, seemingly the result of loose elements in the IS system. Balance is ideal for a 40D/50D and front-heavy on a Rebel body.Video shooters will fare better with the 24-105/4L IS. That one has a smoother zoom ring, constant aperture, and partially parfocal design (i.e., it holds focus when you zoom). The 28-135 is not parfocal. The IS system is first-generation and good for perhaps two stops. It has no panning or tripod detection. Rather than `locking' the scene in place like modern IS implementations, the lens elements slowly drift as if in a pond. Long exposures must have this feature disabled for sharp results.Don't pay $350 for it. This lens was included with many 40D and 50D kits; the used market is crawling with them. Mint copies go for just over $200 on the big auction site. It's a 5-star lens at that price and 4 at retail. With full-frame, the 24-105/4L IS would be better choice, particularly with so many copies under $700 on the secondhand market.
I need to start of by saying that I am new to Digital SLR cameras and lenses, and am by no means an expert.  That said, I find this to be a very good lens for the price.  I was origionally considering a number of lenses, most of them L lenses, and finally selected this lens based on its decent zoom range, its image stabilization technology, and of course its price.  I use this lens now as my main lens on my Rebel XTi, as it does a decent job of getting close up (almost macro) shots, wider angle shots, and mid range telephoto shots.  The image stabilization technology works pretty much as advertized.  It definitely gets you a crisper picture with it turned on while hand holding, and it has saved me from using a flash in a number of situations.  My only real complaint would be chromatic aboration, which is somewhat noticable in high contrast situations.  Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with this lense for the price.  If you are looking for an all-in-one carry lense with good features and overall good image quality, this should be on your short list of lenses.
This lens is an excellent general use lens for either a digital crop (Rebel, 40D, 50D etc) or full frame camera (5D, 5D MKII) although its slightly less appealing on a crop camera as the zoom range isn't quite as wide as on the full frame but still very respectable. In fact for a complete review of my thoughts on this great little performer check out the complete article [...]
It really is a great walk around lens.  It has a slight wobble to it but, ofcourse, it's not an "L" lens.  Takes crisp pictures for me on my 40D.
I needed something that would cover a lot of ground and would allow me to stop carrying multiple lenses when vacationing.  This one does the trick.
Picked this up as a replacement for the 18-55 kit lens.  It's a solid lens.I'd love to see a 18-300 lens from Canon, but alas it doesn't exist yet.
I bought this lens a while back as a replacement to the stock 18-55 lens that came with my XT (and then T2I after).When I took my family to San Diego for the first time it renewed my passion for photography.  I had bought a Digital Rebel XT back in 2006, but I kind of let it slide to the wayside for other hobbies.  When my oldest was finally old enough to take on vacations where she'd remember things we hopped in the car and took the drive to San Diego to go to Sea World, the SD Zoo and the beach.  I figured it was as good a time as any to give it another try, and hit up a friend who was a bit more enthusiastic and she loaned me her D series, and a few lenses (one of which was this one) to take with us so I had a bit more flexibility.By the end of the trip I was hooked again.  The bug bit me.  Last summer I had decided to start buying new glass, and a new body, and remembered this lens fondly.It's not going to be something you're going to use at professional events/photoshoot's, but it's a solid carry lens and replacement for the stock 18-55 lens.The glass is pretty solid, and the 28-135 range is a good mix that gets you close enough for quick shots, and long enough that you have a little bit of flexibility.  We use it as our go to "toss it on" lens all the time with our T2I.PRO'S:- Solid glass- Sturdy construction- Good mix for a carry lens (18-135)- Image Stabilization (Yes, pretty standard)- Fast Focus- Solid image qualityCON'S:- Heavy- Lens Creep- Possibly a little pricey for the overallThe only real con is that it's a heavy lens, and because of the design you can get some lens creep.  Carrying it around on your shoulder you'll find the lens extended every time you grab it.  Not a big deal, but worth mentioning.  The same can also apply to still shots depending on the angle.  I've had it creep a bit when I'd focus it, and let go of the lens for whatever reason and a combination of weight/design cause it to slide a bit.  Easy fix is just hold onto it.  When you're taking your picture to be safe hold onto the lens so it doesn't creep.  If you can't there are plenty of little things you can do to minimize the creep.Overall I would rate the lens 4.5/5 but since I can't do a half star I'm going to give it 4/5 for the creep/weight.  I still highly recommend it as a transition from the stock lens into something a bit more multi-purpose.
It's good lens, probably Canon's sharpest "consumer" zoom and certainly better than either the 24-85 or 28-105/3.5-4.5. Not bad considering the range. Overall a solid performer. And of course the IS makes it even more versatile.
This lens has a very useful focal range, is fairly compact, has a decent minimum focus distance, and has image stabilization. Everything you would want in a good walk-around lens, basically. Unfortunately it just didn't sing for me. I wanted it to be better than it is... I guess it's because I'm spoiled by owning some L glass and great third-party lenses like theTamron SP 24-70mm Di VC USD Canon Mount AFA007C-700.I do a lot of product photography, and in the small space that is my home studio I'm constantly running up against the minimum focus distance on the Canon 70-200mm lenses. The Tamron 24-70mm works well enough, but sometimes 70m isn't quite long enough to get the perspective that I'm after. I can switch to prime lenses, such as the Canon 100mm macro, however I thought that this lens would be a good all-around compromise, since it covers more focal range on the long end and focuses pretty close. Not quite close enough, I'm afraid. It has a little section at the end labeled "macro", but that's a joke. The closest focusing distance is approximately 19.2 inches (50cm) and the Max. magnification is a mere 0.19x. My Tamron 24-70mm, on the other hand, focuses as close as 15 inches (38cm) and has a Max. magnification ratio of 0.2x even though it is not labeled "macro". The Canon 28-135mm didn't gain me any ground in the area of close focus while giving up a considerable amount of image quality.Speaking of image quality, it is only moderately good and when you're used to shooting with high quality glass it's a disappointment. The image stabilization is an earlier generation and so it's not as effective as today's IS. I just couldn't see myself accepting the drop in quality to gain the additional focal range. You can see that this lens doesn't really hold its value as the resale price for used is considerably less than the price for new. It's currently selling used for only about 60% of the new cost. Compare this to most L lenses which hold their resale value much better, usually demanding 90% or more of the new price. On the upside, you can easily pick one of these up for around $250 here or on the 'bay and try it out if you like with minimal risk.Released in 1998, this is now showing its age. This, or something like it, would be a great candidate for a Canon remake. I hope they consider it because there are not any other full frame lenses to choose from that cover this particular range. There is an EF-S lens with a very similar field of view range, theCanon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameraswhich is an exceptionally good lens. If you're shooting on a crop body, definitely skip this lens and get that one. If you're shooting full frame, save up for the Tamron 24-70mm or the Canon 24-105mm f/4.Happy Shooting!
I originally reviewed this as a consumer who had no idea about photography.  Now I have some knowledge and have upgraded to the 24-70 2.8, and this lens now sits as a in case my lens dies emergency.Overall, for a beginner on a budget, this is a good lens.  Way better then any kit lens.  The zoom ring is loose and slides around very easily when you do not want it to. If you want a narrow depth of field (when only a small amount of the image is in focus) and you are on a budget, get the 50 1.8 lens instead.  But if you are looking for a good quality walk around lens this is great for a beginner or casual photog.pros- good quality lens for pricecons- does not open up enough, loose zoom ring
I bought this lens as a walkaround since it covers a wide range and can tackle most general shooting situations.  It is certainly the best bang for your buck and it's a good choice for around $400.  I consider myself just an avid amateur photographer so I couldn't justify spending over $1000 for a luxury lens.  The issue isn't exactly money but matching gear with your own skill, experience and use.  I take sharp, well exposed pictures with the EF 28-135mm and am not disappointed as it has handled various situations well for me.
This lens is a good general all purpose lens.  It is an IS USM lens that has is not to big, or heavy.  The pictures are crisp and clear, but no where near the quailty of L-class.  This is an in between lens.  It is between a zoom and a wide angle lens.  It may be wide enough to get a decent shot, and it may be good enough for a little zoom action. very multipurpose.pros:  IS-USM both very good features in the cannon lensgreat clean crisp picturesthis is an EF, not and EF-S lens which hopefully will make it more adaptable to higher class SLR models if you choose to upgrade to a larger sensor.the price is very reasonable.some of the cons are the construction.  again, not L-glass, plasticly.f-range is not the best.  but then again its a good multipurpose starter lensclosing.  very reasonable lens for the price.  a great addtion to a budding lens collection.
This is great multi pupose lens and image stabilization feature is amazing. I get more and more pictures which I like to keep than delete. In indoor low light conditions I bounced the flash (Speedlite) off of our white ceiling and the results are excellent.
When I got this lens, the first thing that I noticed was its poor build quality.  When I spend several hundred bucks for a lens, I expect that the mechanical bits will behave like they were built to strict tolerances.  When a lens clearly does not meet those high standards, I return it.  I returned two copies of this lens.  At this point, I've given up and concluded that Canon's quality control, at least for this particular lens, has absolutely gone into the toilet.The main build quality problem is the way the zoom mechanism operates.  When you turn the zoom ring on a well-built zoom lens, it moves fairly easily without sticking, but it exhibits some drag throughout the range, and absolutely does not move on its own.  With this lens, by contrast, if you tilt the lens vertically, it slams its way to nearly the maximum zoom setting--not quite all the way, because the last part of the zoom range is much tighter than the first part, but most of the way.  So the zoom action has way too little drag in most of its range, and vastly inconsistent drag.  I saw this problem on both copies of the lens, and the problem was even worse with a filter attached.To make this more alarming, this severe lens creep problem isn't a consistent problem with these lenses.  I've read multiple folks on the Internet who say that they returned these lenses to Canon for repairs (for unrelated problems) and got back tight lenses that worked as they should.  This suggests that Canon has wildly inconsistent quality control on these lenses, and that they just don't care enough to fix the problem.  That's deeply disturbing.The problem with lens creep is not just that the lens can change focal length on you without you intending to do so; it also means that the lens takes a lot of abuse during normal use.  When you take it off the camera and put it in a bag, for example, it slams its way to the telephoto end of its range every time.  When you tilt your camera down, it moves.  Every time it moves in an uncontrolled way, it is likely putting stress on various parts inside the lens, and that is almost guaranteed to reduce the life expectancy of the lens compared with a lens that moves less frequently.I've used Canon lenses for many years, including a wide range of EF and EF-s lenses.  I've never seen anything remotely approaching this level of lens slop in any of them.  It is simply unacceptably poor build quality.  From what I've seen, I would strongly urge anyone considering these lenses to go with the 24-105 instead.  It is a much, much better lens.  I'm not talking about a small difference here.  The 28-135 just plain feels like a toy by comparison.I terribly miss the extra reach that I used to get with my 17-85 on a crop body, but it's not worth dealing with a lens that is this sloppy.  I guess I'll just have to wait for the rumored 28-135 II, and hope that Canon gets their build quality right the second time around.
Of course with any Digital SLR, most people would probably hate lugging around big heavy lenses.  When I plan for a trip, I just pick out the lens that I would be using the most, and just keep that one on the camera.  The picture quality is great.  Used mostly for pictures my kids soccer games, it's quick and the quality is fine.  I'm no expert in picture taking, but I know it does much better of a job than my wife's sony 10 megepixel-- especially with the zoom this one can do.
This lens is good, but not great.  I always compare it to a swiss army knife: it does a lot of things, but none of them as well as a more specialized tool would.Keep in mind that this is a consumer-grade zoom lens - it's not going to deliver the results that a prime lens or an L-series zoom will.  Compared to 'kit' lenses and low-end consumer grade zooms, however, this lens shines.It's a good lens general-purpose lens for casual photography or when you only want to carry one lens, but it's not really sharp enough or fast enough for the serious amateur or professional who needs to make large prints.  It has close focus capabilities but can't compare to a real macro lens.  It's not very fast.  It covers a useful range, although it's not quite wide enough for shooting indoors with a cropped sensor.  While the image stabilization works well, it's a first-generation system that's not as good as the IS on more recent lens designs, especially while panning.It's an older lens that was designed for film, and it shows.  While even a low-end DSLR will out-resolve this lens, film hits it's sweet spot.  I've found it to be very soft at focal lengths 50mm and below, it gets sharper at longer lengths and is good enough for most purposes in the 70-135 range.  At 28mm on a 40D I can get good (but not great) 8x10 prints; larger print sizes make this lens's weaknesses very prominent.All in all, it's probably not the best choice for the APS-C DSLR owner, but a great one for a film shooter.  Within the same price range, the EF-S 17-85 IS is probably a better choice for the digital shooter who wants an all-in-one lens.  Professionals or serious amateurs in need of a general purpose zoom should strongly consider stepping up to either the (considerably more expensive) EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS or EF 24-105 f/4L.
I purchased this lens from Digital Pavilion Electronics (fulfilled by Amazon.com) and the unit I received was in a white box and not the retail box. There was a sticker on the box that said *New* and the lens looked fine, but white box versions generally sell for 10-20% less than this price and there is no mention in the description that I was buying a white box.Okay, I know- who cares about the box, it just gets tossed in a closet or thrown away, however the retail box is well constructed with form-fitting protective packing foam. The white box is flimsy and the lens was only protected by a thin bubble wrap sleeve. The shipping box had inadequate packing as well, as the lens was rolling around inside the shipping box. I was a bit concerned about the lens (after all, these are delicate, precision devices), but close inspection and testing revealed no apparent damage. Still, very unacceptable.The white box and packing did not influence my 4 star rating, since I do not think it is fair to ding products for seller-related issues. This is a very good lens and almost reaches the performance of the 24-105 f/4 L (no flames please- Google "ken rockwell 28-135 IS" for a qualified opinion). This lens has some nice high-end features such as the ultrasonic focusing motor, image stabilization, manual focus override, and non-rotating front glass. It loses a star since Canon has made no effort to address the lens creep issue, which is the #1 complaint about this otherwise outstanding lens.
I just recieved this lens and quickly shot some photos to test it's proformance. I went from total darkness to bright sunlight and produced excellent photos. The image stablizing feature was remarkable in low lighting situation without flash. I am very pleased so far.
I took this lens on a trip to S.America and Antarctica. The stock lens just felt a little inadequate for what I hoped to accomplish, and I did not want to carry a photo bag everywhere. The shots I took allowed for substantial leeway using RAW image to essentially crop and blow up most images as if I were carrying a 200mm lens; and with no manipulation, the photos were exqusitely sharp. On one photo of a landfall with moon overhead, shot at f/3.5 with a 1/30 shutter, I got details of the moon's surface. So the IS system really capable of doing what publicity says.
I loved this lens when I first got it, but after about a year of using it, it has peaked. I even sent it back to Canon - and paid over $100 - to have it calibrated and tweaked...and it's just not working right. I certainly used it a lot over the year, but a Canon lens should really perform longer than that. And after sending it back and spending the money to have it "fixed," I'm done spending money on it. The focus is poor and the lens is not durable.
I just started in photography with coaching I was recommended this lens to start for wide angle.  The more I experience with it the more I think this may accommodate a variety of my shots.  It covers detail and depth of field. An excellent lens.
This is a wonderful, solid and clear lens.  You will not hear bad things about this lens.  IMHO if you had a wide angle and this lens, you'd be set.
My pictures turn out great with this lens. I highly recommend it as an upgrade lens to any of the Canon cameras under $1600.
I've had this now for about 3 1/2 years now. It's my most used lens. There are so many Pros and Cons with this particular item and I'll just share a bit.Pros:-Price-good upgrade from the stock 18-55mm-Range flexibilityCons:-Zooming in or out tends to feel sticky at times, not like a smooth transition as you'd like it to be.-Attaching a lens hood to the end of this will of course add weight and will therefore extend your lens all the way out while you're on-the-go. I always have to retract mine whenever I notice that someone's bumped into me or I bump into some random object. Feels like an inconvenience.-Not so much a premium build/feel. But hey, you get for what you pay for right? Kinda makes me wonder why this is the standard lens for the Canon 7DAll in all it's just an ok lens. Nothing special. I use this on a Canon T1i and no I'm obviously not a professional photographer but I can tell the subtle differences in objects. Anyways, I would recommend this to any average amateur photographer.
Great lens.  Usual Canon quality.  I look forward to taking lots of pictures with it.
I'm a high school student and this lens is a little pricey, but I have found that this lens was totally worth the money. Based on the amount of time it spends on my camera alone, this lens was worth the money, but when you factor in the image quality, the good focal lengths, and the image stabilization, it becomes apparent that this lens was more than well worth the money. All focal lengths are sharp, and the zoom range is perfect. 28 is wide angle enough for most situations, and except for when you're shooting sports or wildlife etc., 135 is plenty of telephoto. Along with this, I have the 70-300mm IS (without diffractive optics) lens (which was another $400ish) and that covers almost the entire range one might need. This lens lives on my camera (VERY VERY VERY rarely comes off) and is terrific. If you don't have $1500 to spend on a lens, this is a high quality lens, for a moderate price and is highly recommended.
Just bought this lens for my new XTi and can't imagine being any more pleased. As other reviews all confirm: focus is fast and quiet, slippage isn't an issue (hopefully that will be true over time) and the IS lives up to the marketing for low light shots.Note that the "wide angle" end of this zoom isn't very wide, so we bought the standard lens with the XTi, instead of buying the body only, so we would have the 18 mm wide angle for shooting in tight areas.There are just two small warnings about this lens:1) It is pretty hefty. To get all this quality you need some substance, so beware that the strap might get a little heavy around your neck by the end of the day. For my wife's small hands the weight is significant, so we'll use the 18-55 that came with the camera for when we don't need the big lens.2) The focal length adjustment ring is a little tight in some areas, which makes fine adjustments jerky. Hopefully that will loosen up over time.Overall, a great standard lens.
This lens has shown its age. I am not sure why Canon still bundles it with the latest APS-C bodies. There are new EFS 18-135mm and EFS 15-85mm with UD glass element to replace this lens. Get these instead. However having said that, the EF 28-135mm can be used for full frame cameras. So it does have its advantage depending on what you do down the road. I bought this lens before the EFS replacement lenses were introduced. Its IS and zoom range were the features that intrigued me for the purchase. It was my walk around lens at the time because the kit lens, EFS 18-55mm mk2, was just too crappy (the new one with IS is lot better). The EF 28-135mm has accompanied me to many vacation trips and produced many good memories. I even accidentally dropped it on the floor one time along with the camera body. They survived. Picture quality is quite good, but not exceptional. You cannot compare it against a prime. If I stop down this lens on an APS-C camera body, I could hardly tell the difference of its picture quality from my EF 24-70mm F2.8L unless I magnify the image to peek the pixels. People complain about its zoom creep. But so what? My lens has taken a lot of beatings and still functions like it's new. For its price, the build quality is quite fair. The EF 28-135mm is a good bargain a few years ago for an average consumer. Today you have more choices. I am sure you would pass up on this lens and get the latest EFS equivalence. They are better built with better glass and IS.
First off, this isn't an L lens. Let's make it clear that I am rating it in it's class, in that odd in-between area between the basic lenses and the pro gear.I've been using this as my primary lens on a Canon T2i for 3 months now, and am starting to find where I like it and how to get it to work with my behavior.  The IS (image stabilization) is single mode for four axis (up down left right) and works REALLY well, and doesn't seem to be much of a battery drainer as I can fill a 32Gb card (1000 RAW shots approx.) and half of another before I need to change my batteries (using a 2-cell grip); with IS turned off I still can't fill that second card before the camera goes into low-power standby.  Not having any 2-axis mode can make IS panning shots a bit of a pain as you have to turn the whole thing off, so it really turns into how smoothly you can hold the camera... no cheating here, folks!While an f/3.5 isn't great, shooting in low light such as stage photography works fairly well as long as your camera has good noise reduction; however stepping up to the f/5.6 when pushed out to 135mm ISO becomes somewhat more tricky, in finding proper light without filling the shot with noise.  The aperture is a step and a half down from better quality parts like the 24-105mm f/4L at full zoom, and while the f/4 allowed me to keep at ISO 1600, in the end shooting stage at ISO 3200 with a better quality sensor and a much cheaper lens turned out to be the route for me, and the 28-135mm has been pretty much my given choice for most of my photography.Sharpness is artistically good wide open at f/3.5 through f/5.6, but you will see some softness, especially towards the edge (will be more apparent on full-frame cameras), but sharpens up nicely as you approach f/8, and then softens up again as you push up towards the minimum at f/22, but isn't problematic at all anywhere, largely the reason why I chose this lens.  A lot of the other (cheaper) options see a narrower band of "really good sharpness" where here I often shoot with the aperture wide open because it just produces cleaner images.The fact that this lens has full-time manual focus is a joy that you will not get with the basic options, and is something I really recommend to anyone who is chasing the subject and can't make them pose.  If the camera locks focus while they are in motion, it is almost constant that it will be off, because the camera's focus intelligence just isn't up to that level, and being able to manually adjust focus at a whim can save you from taking pictures of out-of-focus blur.Placement of the zoom and focus rings is very neat, making the lens easy to work while your eyeball is stuck to the viewfinder.  The distance scale is an excellent resource for fixed point shooting as you can easily dial it in after you've found your focal point.  And the switches for auto-focus and IS are placed neatly on the left facing surface so again you can easily make adjustments without interrupting your shooting.This lens is an internal zoom, so the end ring does not rotate, which makes it ideal for using polarizing filters.  The ultra-sonic motor is quick and quiet, far faster than cheaper lenses, but again an L lens will embarrass it on both factors.In general, if you are looking to build a good rig without spending yourself dry, this is a great way to go.  If you are spending the money to buy a higher-grade camera than my T2i, then perhaps you are outside of the class for this lens, and the L series would treat you better, but in general this particular part will treat you right.
Many other people have already written about the quality of this lens. This is a review of Canon's customer service, which I found to be refreshingly responsive and communicative.I received this lens as a gift and so did not have a receipt. After taking my first few pictures with it using a 20D, the shutter suddenly wouldn't trigger and the camera display read "Error 99." I tried a few solutions offered in the manual and on the web, but none worked. So I contacted Canon's customer service by phone and right away I was pleased with their response. They didn't have a deep phone menu and I didn't have to wait long to speak to a real person. Even better, that person was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable as she walked me through the process. After hearing what I'd already tried, she had me try one more attempt to fix the problem, and when that didn't work, she assured me that Canon would fix the lens even though I didn't have the receipt and had even lost the warrantee card.She emailed me a note with clear instructions on sending it in to Canon, with a link to the website. On the website, I entered in the serial number and it informed me that the lens was under warrantee -- how nice is that? I packed up the lens and sent it, and then I was able to check the website to see when they received it and then when it was sent back out again, which was about a week's time. (Of course, during this time I found the warrantee card, but apparently it wasn't necessary.) When the lens arrived it was in good working order and a note explained that they had replaced the element responsible for the problem.So even though I wound up with a problematic lens, Canon took full responsibility for it and fixed it for free, all the while keeping me informed and treating me with respect. This is exactly how it should happen, but sadly I've found it to be pretty rare when dealing with other companies' customer service. I own a lot of Canon equipment and have been very happy with it, but this experience gave me a higher opinion of the company than ever before. If only all companies would treat their customers the way Canon treated me.
Great Lens, Highly Versatile and with impressive Quality. (it keeps impressing me !)I have had it for like 5 months now and this is the lens i keep most on my EOS 350D.Just like the 50mm f/1.8, it's a must have lens in the lens portfolio. You just need a 70-300mm to complement the series ! However i am skeptical about the 70-300mm IS as some reviews say it gets blurry in portrait.
I am do happy I decided to get this lens.  The color of the images that I get with this camera are outstanding.  This to me is by far one of the best lens for the lower price range.  I definitely recommend.
I bought this lens thinking it is made in Japan since all the pictures on the website shows lens made in Japan written on the front lens rim.  But it turns out to be made in Taiwan and only have a whitebox packaging.  This is very disappointing.
This lense lives on my camera.  I got the 17-85mm kit and there are rare occasions that I put that lense on for wide angle I would not spend the money on it now.  The 1.5 crop factor of the Rebel, 10D, 20D, 30D really hurt on the wide angle but make this lense great for all around use.Photos are crisp and clean if you have enough light or a stationary subject.Great all around lense.  The best first lense for a 1.5 crop DSLR.  Don't bother with either of the kit lenses.  The 17-85mm is too slow and the 18-55mm is a throw away.
I have been using this lens for the past 3 years,Considering the price is a great lens.BUT IT Sucks dust, I thought i am the only one to get this but found out that almost everyone got infected with the dust.This can make it a useless buy after a very short period.
THIS LENSE IS ONE OF MY BEST WEPONS IN MY ARSENOL ITS GREAT FOR PORTRAITS AND ZOOMING GREAT PRICE.
It is a great lens but- Expect some slight play in the two-part extension of the barrel, expect focus and zoom rings that are not silky-smooth, at first I though it was broken, but then I've found out that it is typical from this lens.- The manual focus ring is small/narrow and requires familiarity to quickly find it while shooting.- No focal length lock is present - expect zoom-creep/gravity-zooming when carrying this lens in a downward position.Good price for the quality of picture, I'm happy.
So I have been saving to get a nicer lens than what I have. I currently have 4, the 18-55mm kit lens being the main one I use because the others are telephoto. It worked okay for a while, then I got this bad boy! From the first day I took it out to now I have been nothing but impressed! It focuses very quick and the pictures are very crisp. I now have this lens and a 50mm 1.8 and this 28-135mm will be the workhorse of my setup.P.S. I thought I'd miss those 10mm that the 18-55mm had compared to the 28-135mm, but I have yet to even notice it.
This is the only lens I use. It works great, very fast and pictures are very sharp with the image stabilization. An excellent lens for everyday usage, lots of versatility, good in low light conditions.UPDATE... 4 years later..I went with the L lenses (24-70 and 70-200 at approx $3000 total) and yes they are top of the line. This 28-135 went on the shelf for about the last year while using the L's. I want the new Canon G1x coming out soon for $800 and have sold my L's as the G1x has near L IQ. This 28-135 lens is back on my T3i and I had forgotten just how good this lens is, its not L quality but you have to really pixel peek to see much difference. If you have the bucks get the L's but for the difference in prices I think most will love this 28-135, I sure do.
I bought this as an upgrade to my 18-55 kit lens. Geesh, wonder I waited so long. Nice focal range makes for a great lens for everyday use. Takes the kind of flower close-ups that I like, good for lots of subjects and zero maintenance issues. Definitely a worthwhile purchase.
This lens was included with the 7D and is a great starter lens. Key word here is starter and if you are upgrading, I highly recommend the 24-105L.POSITIVES:The 28-135 has an excellent focal range, the IS works phenomenally, and the ultrasonic motor is silent and quick. Sharpness is good, but nothing like "L" quality.NEGATIVES:Lens creep seems like something Canon intentionally built into this lens. As soon as you tilt the lens vertical, the lens barrel travels (rather quickly) to 28mm or 135mm depending on angle. It is so bad, if you google "lens creep" this lens is the first one to come up.Build quality seems fair, but the plastic Canon used is not the same polycarbonate that is used in the 24-105L or 100L. It's the same cheap plastic used in dollar store toys for kids or more precisely, the Canon tailcaps for all their lenses.OVERALL:This lens is a solid lens, both in sharpness, IS performance, and USM. However, I personally would never pay for this other than it being highly discounted when paired as a kit lens with the 7D (about half as much as what you see here).
It's not super smooth, but it seems to work OK. Nice appearance, typically Canon. Image stabilization is important if you drink a lot and your hands shake.
I have owned this lens for nearly a year now and am becoming increasingly fond of it.  I own several other lenses, but this is the one I now leave mounted on my Rebel XT almost all the time.  My love affair with this lens was not immediate, however.  At first I was somewhat disappointed with the image stabilization, but after working with it a bit I realized that it was my mode of operation that was at fault.  The stabilization doesn't kick in until you partly depress the shutter button (as you do to auto focus) and it takes a couple of beats before it gets up to speed.  Also, the lens has to be relatively still (or tracking smoothly) in order for the stabilization to work properly.  Initially, I was simply hurrying too much -- raising the camera and clicking off a shot.  Now I have learned to work with the lens by slowing down and anticipating the shot, and the results are much better. I recently had the challenge of taking pictures of a performance from the back of a darkened auditorium.  I cranked up the ISO to 1600 and carefully squeezed off my shots.  Despite the very low lighting, I got some really great shots even with the lens run out to the full zoom!  I think the thing I appreciate most about this lens is that the stabilization gives me just that much more stability to take photos with available light in difficult situations.  Of course, there is a limit to what the stabilization can do -- you still have to practice a steady hand and it can't compensate for motion of the subject -- so every shot doesn't come out perfect.  But the stabilization feature does greatly improve the odds of getting the shot you are trying for when you can't or don't want to use flash.  At this point, my only "negatives" about the lens are that it is fairly heavy for lugging around and I wish I had a little more wide angle capability (the 60% crop factor of my XT makes it effectively a 47-225mm lens).  On the vanity side, it's an impressive looking piece of hardware (especially if you fit it with the Canon hood) and the heft of the lens balances well in the hand.  All things considered, I'm very satisfied with this purchase.
This isn't so much about the lens because it does what it is supposed to do, but more about the seller.  This was a VERY fast turn around for delivery, and the pricing was better than at Dell or Canon directly.  So thank you for the great saving.  As for the lens its self, it is a slightly wider lens than a standard lens but it is VERY fast on the AF and is a fantastic choice when it come to being used as my base lens.
I got this lens just in time for the NY Comic Con this past weekend. I wanted a mid-range lens with a quiet USM motor, and similar to my girlfriend's L-Series 24-105mm lens. However, since she's the professional photographer, and I'm the amateur with a Canon 20D, I didn't care to spend that much on a lens. So I sprung for this one instead.The Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens is part of Canon's "Ultrasonic" series. I own one other lens in the line, the EF 100-300mm USM lens. It's great, and hasn't let me down. The 28-135 is no exception. It handled beautifully at the convention.Durability wise, I was packed in with about 4,000 convention goers aimlessly walking around, bumping into me left and right, and subsequently bumping the lens hanging from my neck. Nothing happened though! Shots are crystal clear thanks to the IS function on it.The only qualm I had with it is that the focus is pretty loose, and it's something I also have to deal with on my 100-300mm lens. If you simply point the lens downward, the zoom will extend on it's own. I'm concerned that at some point I might damage the housing around it by bumping it on something. It's more of an annoyance than anything, I guess beggars can't be choosers, but oh well.
The Lens functions as one would expect from a Canon product, althought don't expect it to be of "L Lens" quality. Focus is smooth and fast, seems great at all focal lenghths.  Perhaps it is my lack of experience with lenses in this weight class,it is heavy and you have to expect the portability of this lens as an issue for vaction photography.
If you own the XT or 20D, this is the perfect walk around lens!  It doesn't get particularly wide and it doesn't zoom very large, but with the 1.6x crop factor, the zoom is better than expected.  Imaging is clear and precise and the image stabilization feature is fantastic.  The macro function isn't overly impressive, but it's solid.  Other lenses will focus much closer, but this isn't meant to be a specialty lens.  It's a jack of all trades lens that excels at everything it was designed for. You simply can't go wrong with this lens.
I have been using this lens for about a month and a half now.  So far, I have had excellent results!!  A good friend helped me with using this lens to it's best ability.  So far so good ;)
A great little lens for the price, I like the versatility it allows. I have other lenses that overlap this one's do more with it than any other one lens. Even at that it is not the one lens for everything but it does allow for more without changing out the lens as often. I really like it and I would recommend it for anyone even though it is a little slow. Images are crisp and there is no apparent loss at the edges.
I made a lot of research before buying this lens. was looking for an "all around" lens for the usual "family use": hiking, family events etc. I was tired of constantly switching lens and having to carry a lot of equipment with me.You may find that this lens doesn't get the highest scores in all the expert sites but for an average user like me (Canon 450D) I would just say: ignore it! the pictures come out crystal clear at any focal length, and your family will never notice any slight issues on the edges...The focus is fast, accurate and relatively quite, although i must say that I don't see why USM is such a big fuss. It's not going to be a factor on my next lens for sure. I rarely use the manual focus option but it's nice to have. Again, not such a big deal.The lens construction is good although not great. The zoom is not as smooth as I would expect. It's quite a big lens that gives you a real "pro" look but it's not huge so still easy to carry around.On my 450D, 135mm is enough for most uses. It's nice to have as much zoom as you can but for a single lens this is really a nice zoom. I also don't see any limitation with the 28mm. It's good for most uses including landscape. The only issue I can see is with taking photos of buildings: sometimes you will not be able to fit the entire building in your frame.Bottom line is: ever since I got it. I have not taken it off the camera... well, except maybe a few time when I used my 50mm prime for specific shots.
The standard lens that accompanies the EOS range is a 18 to 55 mm lens and this really has a limited range. Newcomers will be tempted to buy a larger lens next but this one is the way to go. Yes the ranges overlap, but with the 28-135 mm lens you have all you need when you need it. Capable of landscape to portrait and you will never need to change it. The 28-135 mm will be your primary lens for sure.On a technical note, this lens is the fastest and most silent lens I have had the pleasure to use.
I bought this lens last year for my first Rebel (300D).  I used it a lot to take indoor shots with and without a flash (the 420EX Speedlight works well with this lens).  I've been able to photograph my daughters' (both) at various school events (band, chorus, etc) with and without a flash.I just upgraded my Rebel to the Rebel XT (350) and this lens works even better at the higher resolution!I recently started using it for more obscure things like nature closeups.  The lens is a dream in this capacity as you sometimes have to hunt around a lot to find your "target" and only have a few shots before it is gone again.  The IS helps ensure that one of those few shots work out well.If I have a complaint, it is the size.  It is rather long, and was a pain in the neck before I bought a new bag.  I took a leap of faith and decided to replace this lens with the new Tamron 18-200mm Di II Zoom.  Well, after about a week & half the Tamron was packaged up and is heading back.  There is no competition!  Should Canon decide to go the "DO" route and shrink this lens (like they did with the 70-300) I might replace this one, until then it is "stuck" on my Rebel XT.Oh yeah, important stuff:  The IS feature uses power from the camera battery.  On the behemoth of a battery on the original Rebel, I could go on and on.  With the XT, however, I seem to get about 300 - 400 photos before having to recharge the battery (even then it is about 1/2 full).  So far this is not a very big issue.
I bought this lens as a 'walk around' lens and it does the job superbly. Solid construction. The macro function works nicely as well. It is tack sharp and focuses fast. The IS is a great feature and sure helps old shaky guys like me!! For a mid priced walk around it just doesn't get any better than this lens. You can't go wrong with it.
I bought this for my daughter for her first DSLR.  Eventually she'll move up the latter, but she'll have to buy the next one...  Good price!  Dependable Canon quality.  What more can one say.
When I say outstanding, I'm comparing it with my 24-105 f/4 L IS lens, my 28-75 2.8 Tamron, the original 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS kit lens and just for a high bar my 70-200 f/2.8 IS L (nothing beats that one).  I've found that when using the EF lenses on a cropped sensor camera like my 30D and 20D, some of the "lesser" lenses perform very well because they're using the center "sweet" spot of the lens.  Taking this into consideration for this review, I've found it very hard to tell the difference in photos between the 24-105 L lens and the 28-135 non-L lens.  The 24-105 L lens is built more sturdily, has the constant f/4 apperature, and has extra weather-proofing but the 28-135 lens is less than half the cost, has IS, and gains 30mm in zoom.  So seriously, if you aren't thinking about buying your lenses for the day when you upgrade to a full size sensor camera body, the 28-135 lens, for the price, is a fantastic deal.
Wonderful lens. Received on time. Lens was as advertised. Lens is heavier than I thought it would be. Love it's stabilization capability.
This is a great lens that can be used for almost everything.  It is great if you only want to take one lens with you.  Pictures are very sharp and the color is good.
If you're looking for a lens that gives you good response, clear images, and good range this is the lens for you.
I purchased this lens when I purchased my Rebel XTi camera body.  I have nothing to compare it to; however it has worked well for me.  Previously I was using a point and click camera.  I have not been disappointed in the quality of the photos I have taken.  I have been using this lens for over two years.
This is my new Walking Around lens.  Images are sharp, focus is quick, and the lens is fairly lightweight.  Highly recommended!
While this lens takes pretty good pictures, I can't endorse it's purchase.  When I received the lens, it looked like it was in good condition so I installed it on my camera.  I quickly realized that autofocus was not working properly.  After testing different shots and different conditions, the autofocus would only move every so often, and the camera would not take pictures because the AF wasn't working.  When AF DID work, it was very slow and sluggish.  After awhile, it wouldn't work at all.  I brought it to a local camera store, and they diagnosed it as a bad motor (all other lenses work on my camera, so it was not the camera).The lens worked fine with manual focus and I don't have any complaints about the picture quality.I'm not sure if the bad lens motor was due to Canon's QC or if was due to the infamous subpar packaging of lenses from Amazon.  Either way, the lens was defective and was sent back.
Pro:this lens is good for almost all situations from telephoto to wideangle,some decent macro( not really a macro lens,but you can shoot close up easily too) and sharp tooCon:only problem little bit too heavy
This is a huge piece of glass on the front of my T5i. It's heavy but the zoom ring is buttery smooth and the autofocus is quick and quiet. I love this lens. The only quarrel is that when it's hanging off my neck, the front glass falls down slightly with every step until it's completely extended.
I have been into photography for a little less than a year now, and this is my first lens upgrade (I've been shooting with a 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 and a 70-300mm f/4-5.6, neither with an Image Stabilizer, both with a 58mm lens face).  I bought this lens as my Christmas present to myself this year and I just popped it on... WOW!  I just zoomed in to 135mm and took a shot at 1/15 second with no tripod and no special stance to brace my camera.  It came out crystal clear!  With either of my other lenses, that would have come out terribly blurry.  Suffice to say I am a very happy customer!
I have always used third party lenses before but after trying this Canon I have to say I am impressed with the quality, it feels like a solid piece of equipment rather than a hunk of lightweight plastic.I find my photos to be much sharper due to the IS and the lens itself. I have tremors in my hands and so was having a difficult time with a normal lens but the IS has helped tremendously for that.I like the range of zoom as it is pretty much all purpose for me( have used the kit lens only once since i got this lens when i needed a wider angle). I could occasionally/rarely use a little more distance but nothing is perfect.My only complaint is that the lens is heavy and pretty much doubles the weight of my camera( Rebel xt). You know it's around your neck after a few hours shooting.I haven't had any focus hunting problems,which i had constantly with the 3rd party lenses. and the lens is very quiet which is imo a good thing.For a reasonably priced lens it is well worth the money.well i feel i have to edit this..shortly after the first review, my lens stopped focusing and would not allow me to take a photo, usually if i was bending over or using macro or in low light. Finally sent it in to Canon in Jan 2,20007...as of this date( march 20,2007 still do not have a lens that is as sharp as the initial lens. they replaced the IS and mother board, ( led me to believe they did that twice but i do not think they did so) clean adjusted set to factory specs but it is so soft i consider it unusable anywhere but around f8...so close to worthless. i am sending it in again after i run some focus tests but i think what ever they did ruined my lens and not although the lens will focus and the is is working, just not the same as it was initially. I wouldn't buy it given a second chance. I would compare it now to a poor copy of a cheap poorly reviewed sigma or tamron lens, worth closer to the mid $200 range
I think this is the best telephoto lens you can get for the money. The quality is much better than the kit lens, I've gotten some really nice photos with it on my XTi. The wide angle might not be good enough for everybody with a cropped sensor camera like the XTi but it works for 90% of the photos I take. The build quality might not be as good as an L series, but its definitely better than most other non-Canon lenses (sigma, tamron, etc). The IS seems to work well. I am definitely digging this new lens.
This is part of Canon's middle of the pack EF series. I have found it's build quality to be good, not great (on par with other EF lenses), reliable performance, and predictable results.It's image stabilization works well, but is rather noisy if things like that are important to you. It doesn't have a fixed aperture so not the "best" lens for video work.My biggest issue with this lens, and I have read that other people have had this issue, is it's lens or zoom slip. If I hold this lens upside down (with the lens end down), it will zoom all the way to it's 135mm length. It is not meant to do this and has proven annoying at times. Mostly, it adds wear to the zoom system and will reduce the life of your lens slightly.It's a good walk around lens, but I'd definitely look closer at some other products like Tamron if I were going to purchase again.
I bought this lens about 2 years ago with my 50D.  First thing I noticed was the lens creep - the lens slides out VERY easily if held at any downward angle, very annoying.  The worst part is, after very little use, but just out of the warranty period, the auto-focus stopped working!!  Google it, these two issues are incredibly common.  None of the suggested fixes worked for me and Canon wants $150 just to look at it!  Canon ought to be ashamed for producing such junk and then not repairing their mistake.  Very disappointed.
One thing that I learned over the last 30 years of photography, lenses(and cameras) can differ from sample to sample andlong range zooms (especially Sigmas) are the worst offenders. I first bought this EF28-135mm for use on my original 5Dlast summer-It turned out to be the 3rd most optically defective lens that ever owned (next to my old sigma 18-200 and 18-125mm)the right side of the lens never got sharp yet the center and left were fine. I sold it. Last week I saw a 28-135mm for sale at Hunts photo so I tried it out- it was better. I brought my 5D down today to try it out and I noticed the edges were very low resolution-this one was made in Taiwan. I explained to the salesperson my story with this lens and she took one off of a used 7D kit to try out. This one wasSHARP to the edges even wide open and made in Japan. It was spot clean and had a red mark on the mount so I think it was serviced and adjusted by Canon, it was even cheaper than the original one I looked at. Now I am happy, this is the sharpest wide zoom that I own, but unless yours was adjusted by Canon-Who knows..
This is the first IS lens that I've owned. I had trouble justifying the extra expense but am now quite pleased that I took the step up.Keep in mind that tis is an EF not EF-S lens. This makes its effective focal length about 45-215mm on my Digital Rebel.I love the zoom range (great for shooting action shots of kids without getting in their faces) and the ability to easily control the depth of field on my nature shots.Just uploaded some of my recent shots with this lens under "Share your own customer images".Pete LeClair[...]
I couldn't be happier with this lens.  Image quality with this lens is superb, bokeh is very smooth.  Auto focus is very fast and reliable, and image stabilization makes getting a clear shot easy, even with a moving target.  I'm using this lens on a Canon Rebel XSi, and it is now my primary lens.  It is far superior to the kit EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, and is a perfect intermediate lens between the kit lens and my EF 70-300mm IS USM telephoto zoom lens. If you need something with greater reach than the kit lens, but you don't want to spend more than $500, buy this lens.  You won't regret it.
If you are coming from a lower end kit lens (18-55mm), this will be a very nice lens.  It will give you greater telephoto capabilities, useful image stabilization, and decent performance.  This lens is NOT pro quality by any stretch, but for a $440 retail it's pretty darned good.  If you look around on various photo buy/sell boards you can find it for as low as $250 brand new.  This is because Canon has flooded the market with these lenses by offering them as a kit lens bundled with various new camera bodies.  This was probably a good business move on Canon's part, but it's of questionable value to the end user and it has caused the 2nd hand value of these lenses to absolutely plummet.  But I digress...This lens is a fairly old design and it is showing it's age a bit.  It has older generation image stabilization and questionable image quality by most standards.  That said, it is the best general purpose zoom in this price range you can buy.  It's better than the Tamron and better than the Sigma.  If you've got $400 and need a do-it-all lens, this is about the best you can do.Here is my summary of the lens.STRENGTHS:- Very useful focal length range - especially on full frame.  28mm is moderately wide and 135 is moderately telephoto.  On an APS-C sensor you don't really get much of a wide angle from it, but the telephoto is enhanced.- Image stabilization helps with the slower apertures.  Expect to be able to hand hold the lens at 1/4-1/2 the shutter speed that you would without stabilization.- Reasonably quick autofocusing speed.  Focusing was reliable for me on a 5D Mark II.- Comes with a lens hood.  It's small, but it does provide valuable protection for the front element.- Guaranteed forward and backward compatibility with all Canon cameras (Sigma, Tamron, etc, can't offer this).WEAKNESSES:- Mediocre build quality.  There is slop in the lens barrel and the zoom grip doesn't want to stay put.- Just "ok" image quality.  Near the center of the frame sharpness is quite good, but quality falls off rapidly near the edges of of a full frame camera.  It's a better choice for APS-C than full frame in this regard.- The zooming action is not smooth.  Zoom will frequently stick as you zoom in and out, making it difficult to be precise with zooming.If you have a bit more of a budget and only shoot with an APS-C size sensor, the newer Canon EFS 15-85 is much better than this lens and offers what is generally considered to be a more useful focal length.  If you shoot full frame and have more of a budget, the Canon 24-70 is far better than this lens as well.  However if you want a quality general purpose lens this lens is really tough to beat at this price point.
I use this lens as my single "walk around" lens on my Canon 10D.  It's versatile, wide enough to catch most scenes, with enough telephoto to be useful outdoors - and the IS works great!  The optics are also exceptionally sharp.  If you have the money, this is my recommmendation for a first lens, esp with the 10D.
This is a fantastic all day, walk around lens.  Outstanding optics, very quiet USM motor, and close focusing ability make this an excellent choice for the new, or established digital photographer.  Forget the 18-55 EFS lens that comes with some packages, as it's quality is poor compared to this lens.  If I were to sell all of my lenses, this would be the one I would keep.
Have had this lens for a couple of years now and have used it in several countries traveling. It is an excellent overall lens. Usually carry my 70-300mm lens with me as well when traveling but 95% of the time use this one alone. It provides excellent quality photographs with either my XTI or XSI and has not failed me.  Reasonable weight, provides excellent clarity. Highly recommend it for an over-all lens to use as your primary lens.
That Image Stabilizer is awesome. For Filmcameras this is pretty good lens but if using the cheaper digital slr's like Eos350 (Rebel Xt) 20D, you need some other lens that takes little wider area.
The EF 28-135mm lens is a excellent choice for a lens that allows standard photo and also some long shots. I nicely covers the gap between the standard lens and a telephoto. With the larger lens size, you receive more light and sharper images.
I don't know how it happened, but this lens is now almost always attached the the camera - over a year after I bought it and thought I didn't like it. I own the 55-250, but the quality of the photos I was getting when I tried to photograph my nephew's football games (from the sidelines) wasn't great. I switched to my next-longest lens, the 28-135, which I hadn't been using a lot because it's kind of heavy, and the lens doesn't lock so it creeps down when you're holding it (known issue).  But the photos I started getting of his games with this lens impressed me, and suddenly I realized how very useful the 28-135 focal lengths are. I do swap it out for my 35mm prime (LOVE that lens) but those two are the only ones that have a permanent home in my bag.I do wish it was a little lighter, and that it wouldn't auto-expand when facing down. Otherwise, I've come to love this lens.
This can be a great 'only lens' for the day.  Good weight vs capability for handing most photo opportunities you'll come across.  Good price for the versatility the IS function provides.
Either it was damaged in shipping, or I got a defective lens.  For whatever reason, the picture quality on any photo taken on this lens (with every setting, stop, is on/off, tested) came out blurry, particularly on the left side.  Photos taken with my old stock 18-55 lens were dramatically clearer.  The zoom range was decent, but I'm disappointed.  Sending this lens back.  It didn't even come with a manual.  I was really looking forward to a lens upgrade.---Update -I reordered the same lens from the same folks and, surprise, this one came in a real Canon lens box with manual and everything.  Clearly the one I sent originally was not brand new.  Be advised, if you don't get a manual and a canon box, you're getting sent something that someone else returned.  That said, the new lens is beautiful.  The shots are crisp and even using it for a few pictures, it's pretty awesome and the best lens I have.If I could, I'd change my rating from 1 star to 4.  For the hassle I went through returning the bad lens, I have to take away a star.
Update: The manual focus ring has a tricky behavior -- at one point I thought it was broken and called Canon tech support. If you turn past the 'stops' at either end (infinity and closest) it keeps sliding. Basically the ring is simply a rubber sliding strip that's read by a sensor; it's not the direct mechanical interface geezers like me recall. So what appears to be a defect is not.With ongoing use I'm more annoyed by the bulk of this lens. If at all possibly I recommend weighting for a lens designed for the APS sized sensor, not a lens like this that's built for a full frame sensor. It's a nuisance to pay the "full frame tax" of excess bulk on a lens that one would prefer to use quite often.I bought this for my birthday and I'm happy with it. So why the snarky seeming title? It's because about 30% of this lens is wasted for most dSLR users. I knew that when I bought it, but I was tired of waiting for a better solution. If you are able to wait until Feb 2007 it might be worth sitting things out.-- ORIGINAL --For the good news see all the other reviews. The one thing I'll add is that you need to think about when and how to use the image stabilization. Unlike IS products that sacrifice pixel resolution, this is an optico-mechanical solution, a spinning lens -- presumably in air or magnetic bearings. Move the camera slightly, the lens remains immobile.If you remember your physics, you can think of times when this won't work. If the camera is accelerating or decelerating too much, the lens will bounce around -- blurring the image. Point the camera straight down or straight up and the bearings may not suffice. Rapidly panning to track a nearby fast moving object may not work. The manual says you should press the button and wait 1 SECOND before shooting. That's conservative (it takes probably 1/5 second) but it's a good guideline. If you need to do rapid panning, use a tripod and turn off the IS (it should never be used if you're on a tripod). If you're focusing on your daughter 100 yards away dribbling a soccer ball you should be ok -- as long as she's not rocketing along. It works quite well indoors and I don't notice it blocking the flash on my Rebel XT.Now the wasted bit. This lens is made for a full-frame 35 mm size  sensor -- the kind that's on Canon's higher end pro digital dSLR and their legacy film camera. The APS sized sensor on almost all of Canon's popular dSLRs (and ALL of Nikon's dSLRs for that matter) is 2/3 of the size of a 35mm sensor. So about 1/3 of the light output of this lens is scattered about the innards of the camera.The result is a magnification effect and wasted glass. The magnification effect is not all bad. A "normal" lens for a Rebel XT is about 32mm, so this is basically a normal to zoomy lens. Pretty much the range I wanted. The wasted glass means the lens is 1/3 heavier and bigger than it should be, and the scattered light is sometimes said to cause image degradation (I wouldn't notice).The lens most of us really want is a 28-200mm IS USM Zoom built for an APS sensor for under $500. In other words, the next version of this lens. It would weigh about the same and have about the same f stop and size, but it would have 50% more magnification at the top end. That lens is not available for Canon cameras from any manufacturer. Alas, Nikon has committed to APS sized sensors fully so they DO make something like that.Canon will eventually crack and make the lens we want, or someone else will. So you can try waiting them out. In the meantime, this is a very nice lens and if you're a Canon amateur it's likely a quite good choice. Be prepared, however, to sell it for half-price next year and buy a new one ...
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasMy family bought me the EOS 50D for my 50th birthday. Knowing I'd want instant gratification, they opted to make this purchase with the EF28-135mm kit lens. I have since shot around 5000 images with this lens, and being the ultimate critic have done a lot of situational testing shots (ok, I'm an amateur techie), juxtaposed in between 1000's of more important vacation, soccer, music concert, and wildlife shots.I have to say that I'm fairly pleased with the results in general. I do see some softness in some shots, but always get acceptible results for "family photos". Stopping the lens down a bit to F7.1 or F8 helps, but I think some of the softness is just inherent with the glass being used in this lens. The zoom range is great (4.8X), and makes this lens good for general walkabout, but I find myself in a bind at times without wide angle capability due to what the 50D's APS does to 28mm.As mentioned, the lens softness is to be expected from the glass Canon used in this lens. I've also shot about 5000 shots with "L" glass, so I have a good basis for comparison on the 50D. I've gone through several micro-focus adjustment exercises with my copy of the 28-135 and found that at 28mm no correction was needed, while at 135mm the lens was front-focusing around +1 setting. So I opted to set a -1 adjustment for this lens in the 50D's lens calibration memory. I also compared the best micro-focusing I could obtain with LiveView fully zoomed on tripod, to that of AF on the same test shots, and saw similar performance. This particular result leads me to my general softness comments.Even so, I'm still pleased with the lens and shots taken in all sorts of light. (Note, the 50D does an excellent job with higher ISO settings, so I've captured some really good low light shots with the 28-135 as well as "L" lenses, benefitting from IS, and DIGIC IV assistance.)I did notice the well publicised lens creep issue with this lens, which can be really annoying when you need to shoot several shots with one hand (holding on with other hand, holding branches out of the way, etc.) I tried the well publicised rubber band trick, and that worked exceptionally well, except I noticed after several weeks that the focus ring had become jammed and was very hard to turn. I diagnosed this to the fact that the rubber band keeps the focus ring from turning at all, as well as adding tension to the zoom ring. The lens tries to move the focus ring slightly when focusing, and over time can mis-align the internal workings with the focus ring. Forcing the focus about 90 degree's rotation seemed to realign the mechanism, and focus ring movement became smooth again. I think I'll look for a narrower rubber band, or live with the lens creep. I thought I'd broken the lens at first...IS and USM are must-have's, in my opinion on any lens. I found at least 2 stops of benefit from the 28-135 IS, even more after I'd been jogging or climbing and was out of breath. And I know that the people sitting around me really appreciate the silence of USM AF.No lens hood or case comes with this lens - that's typical for non-"L" lens.The macro focus feature and capabilties of this lens are very good. Again, stop things down a bit, have good light, and you will be pleasantly surprised.Why only 4 stars? Not because of its softness (most cheaper lenses have this limitation, especially above 12 megapixels). No, mostly because of the lens creep, new out of the box (I would expect this over time, not new), and because of the focus ring getting jambed (this is supposed to be a lens with no mechanical link to the focusing ring, so that you can manually focus after setting AF in AF mode, so why would it jamb???).Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely. I've got many, many good shots to attribute to this lens, and I never leave home without it. Someday I'll be an all "L" glass guy, but until then, this is my mid-range lens and it does the job.
This lens is not one of Canon's L series lenses, however, it does exactly what it is supposed to do.  I read some of the posts here of how it is not fast enough for this or it has a slight that....  I have been photographing for 40+ years and have plain to L series lenses and this one will do everything you would want.  My apprentice used it last week on a Canon 7D while we were shooting a wedding.  I was using a Canon 5D MkIII with a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens and most people would not be able to see any differences in the pics.  Glad I bought it
This is a great general purpose walk around lens, and the Image Stabilization is great when hand holding your camera for shooting.  Sharp and Fast outdoors, but unfortunately the lens is not fast enough for most indoors photography (unless very well lit).  I've usually got this lens on my camera when I'm outdoors and I need an all purpose walk around lens.Pros:Fast and SharpImage StabilizedGreat range of wide and telephoto lengthsCons:Poor low light performanceGets soft in the outer ranges
This is a great lens!  I've been using it for the past year and have no complaints.  For the money it delivers each and every time with great, clear and colorful images.  Is it comparable to Canon's "L" series lenses?  No, but you have to pay two to three times the price for one of those lenses.  If you're budget is small and you're looking for a great lens to be your basic "all-purpose" or "walk-around" lens then this is the one.  Check out my website [...] if you'd like to see more sample images from this lens.  All of the pictures on the site are taken with this lens mounted on a Canon 40D.  You can buy this lens today and have no regrets.
Recently, I trekked up the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico. Hey, I'd admit, I'm not in the best shape, but carrying around a ton of lenses didn't make a lot of sense to me.  With my camera bag and monopod, I brought this lens and two other lenses.  I never broke out the other two.  The pictures and the video with my Canon 60D were incredible!A terrific all around, walkabout lens, I'd certainly recommend it for the amateur photographer.
A good outdoor general purpouse lens.  I think it's a bit too slow for indoor use, but then I have the 28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8 for that purpose.  Good macro feature.  Works will with the Rebel XTi, which it "acts" like a 50-200mm lens.  Good for serious amateurs or those thinking about going pro.  This should be the only outdoor lens you'd ever need -- unless you really need to reach out and touch something a long way off or are a super pro.
Great Len, your automatic establish is very accurate. And picture framework are amazing. The area range is very cool to takes pictures both close than relative far.
Zoom lenses are all about compromise, and this lens is a perfect example of that principle.  It is incredibly convenient, covering all the classic focal lengths in a single package, and adding in limited macro capability and 2 stops of image stabilization, at a very attractive price.  The downside is that it is comparatively slow, soft, and has significant (but correctable) distortion.This lens was designed in the film era, and it remains an excellent choice for people who still shoot film - I find that it's shortcomings are much less distracting on film than in digital.  Because it's full-frame compatible, it may be a better long-term investment than a more modern EF-S zoom lens for someone who plans to upgrade to a full-frame body eventually.  There are a lot of copies on the secondary market, seriously degrading it's resale value.It is a very good lens for it's price point... but it is still ultimately a consumer lens, not a professional one.  While it is a significant improvement over low-end kit lenses, it is not in the same league as a prime lens or an L series zoom in terms of speed, bokeh, or overall image quality.  On the other hand, it's also 1/2 to 1/3 the price of an L series zoom.  You get what you pay for.Overall, it's a excellent walk-around lens for casual photography, but it's not a tool for a serious professional or a dedicated amateur who demands superior image quality.
This is a great general purpose lens.  The zoom range is almost perfect for everyday shots (wish it starts at 18 mm).  IS works great as other reviewers have already pointed out.  Instead of repeating what other reviewers have already written, I want to point out that IS will compensate for camera shake due to hand movement, but not movement of the subjects in your picture.  So if you are taking pictures of people (or other moving objects) with the lens zoomed out in low light, it's highly recommended you use a flash so the shutter speed stays reasonable.  This worked for me taking pictures from >100 ft away, full 135 mm zoom, with an 580EX flash on my digital rebel XT, and the pictures of the people I took came out quite sharp.  So the conclusion is that IS is good, but you should still have a good flash in your kit for best all around performance.
So this was the lens that came with my Rebel xTi about 2 years ago.  I sometimes hear that kit lenses aren't all that great, but this one quickly turned into my favorite lens for the portraits that I take.  It isn't ideal for the lowest of light settings, but I use my 50mm for that anyway, so it doesn't matter.  This lens is sharp, fast, and not heavy, in my opinion.  It's the best every-day lens for my needs, and I use it for everything unless I need my 50mm for something.  Unfortunately, my lens was just scratched really bad, so it's now having to be put away until I can afford to get it fixed :(  This is devastating to me and my business, but it will be one that I'm keeping, as it's definitely a lens worth having and not trading in or selling.  It's a keeper!
This lens has quickly become the one that lives on my camera. I shoot with a Digital Rebel XTi and this lens has done wonders for my photography. The IS is especially useful for low light - I have taken some great handheld shots in low light that would have been blurry without it. I would, however, HIGHLY recommend that the IS be turned off when using a tripod. I'm not used to having IS on a lens so I've had to put a reminder on my tripod to turn it off, otherwise I miss some good shots. I posted some of my photos here on Amazon for review. All of the photos were taken with this lens.I like everything about this lens. It's a bit heavy, but to me it feels nice and solid. I'll deal with the extra weight if it means my shots will be better. It's very quiet and the auto focus works smoothly and quickly. I have been able to get some pretty good action, landscape and wildlife shots as well as some really nice close ups of my dog. I'm saving up for a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM, but this one will more than hold me over until I can get it.
I bought this lens because of Canon's reputation and my prior experience with their products.  I'll say right off that I am not disappointed.  Actually, I'm quite fond of it and it has become my primary 'walking around' lens.  As pointed out by numerous other reviewers the lens is quite capable of producing excellent images, especially stopped down a bit, has very good color fidelity, and sports super fast focusing with little of the 'hunting' that bedevils too many other AF lenses. The IS is a great feature too.  I'm generally not a big fan of zoom lenses (all my other lenses are of the fixed focal length variety) because of extra weight, mechanical complexity, and often compromised imaging capabilities.  However, this lens won me over because it doesn't cost a king's ransom (the "L" lenses come to mind) and is surprisingly light and small given its wide focal length range and decent low-light capabilities.But here's the puzzle.  As also mentioned by many reviewers, the lens suffers from "lens creep" where, when it is pointed downward and gravity has a chance to work, the lens will extend to its maximum 135mm focal length.  This will happen even faster, and with greater surety, when the weight of a glass filter and/or lens hood is added to the mix.  The practical result of this is that the lens, being fully extended, is more open to damage from accidental impact, and if you don't happen to be shooting at 135mm then you will have to re-zoom the lens every time you bring the camera to your eye.  This characteristic isn't a deal breaker for me, but it is odd that Canon hasn't come up with a simple fix.Regardless, I've become accustomed to the lens creep, and find the positive features and overall quality of the lens, especially considering the low price, more than enough compensation.Yes, I would heartily recommend this lens to a friend, albeit with a bit of a disclaimer first.
A very nice upgrade from the kit lens that comes with the rebel xt or xti. Focusing is fast and accurate also the ring allows you to tune the focus when needed. Lens is not to heavy, I spent 2 days walking around disneyland with this lens and had no issues. Image stabilization is a nice feature to reduce camera shake but it does not stop action in low light, only a faster lens will do that(f/2.8 or f/1.8).. I almost always have this lens mounted on my camera, the kit lens is history.
I've had this lens for almost 2 years now - first for my 300D and now for my 350 XT.  I find it super-sharp, even at full zoom and wide open.  The IS feature is good to have and is fairly quiet.  Fairly compact lens and easy to take everywhere - I use this most of the time, even for landscapes.  I will use the kit lens for indoor shots, or when a wider angle needed in landscapes, but the 28-135 is sharper throughout its range.  I would highly recommend this lens.
I have had this lens for about a year now, it came with my 50D. Since owning this lens I have taken a little over 10,000 "keeper photos" and shot a few thousand more. I work for my university's newspaper as a photographer, so I have used this lens in a vast variety of situations from award ceremonies, protests, campus events, and for a while even hockey games. In addition to this lens I own Canon's EF-S 10mm-22mm f/3.5-4.5 IS USM and 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, I am also fairly familiar with the EF 50mm f/1.8 II and EF 100mm-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM. I am mentioning my other lens experiences to provide a point of reference for my comparison.This lens is a great walk-around lens, it has a very nice range. The AF works quite well, not as fast the the L series lenses I have used, but that is to be expected as this lens is in no wan comparable to L-series glass. The AF can get a little slow in low light, but as long as you try to give it something good to focus on it will usually be able to get it right. The USM motor is very quiet. I think it is actually quieter than my 70-200, and it is much quieter than the 50mm 1.8 (which is not USM).The aperture range on this lens is not amazing, so it doesn't perform great in low light, especially at it's 135mm full zoom. The bokeh from this lens is pretty good, nothing really special and by no means creamy.The build of this lens is not amazing, but its still pretty solid. Its just about all plastic, it gets lens creep (slips forward) pretty easily, and the barrel has a bit of wobble to it. These issues really don't detract from photo quality in any way. All complaints aside, this lens has held up to a fall glass-first into a brick staircase, and a trip traveling Russia along the Trans-Siberian rail-road. Granted it was protected with a Hoya UV filter the entire time it was being used, and a lens hood after the first UV filter shattered during the brick staircase fall.In terms of quality? You can get some really good photos with this lens, just don't plan on having the luxury of zooming and cropping because the quality is not quite that high.If you want a really good example of what this lens can do, search flickr for the tag "canon28135f3556" to see how photos turn out for a variety of cameras in all situations by a myriad of users.
I am using my Canon 7D primarily for the HD video recording, and this 28-135mm lens came with the kit I purchased. It is great, from a videographer point of view, as a starter lens that provides great macro, fantastic portrait, and good telephoto capabilities. And since I usually shoot my subjects at about 7 to 15 feet away, this lens was perfect. (The full range of the lens is bigger than 7 to 15 feet, but inside of that range is "perfect" for shooting video with this lens.)The lens has a heavy feel, and image stabilization, which is a must if you are going to be using a DSLR for video.
I bought this lens for my Canon 20D digital camera and have found it to be a great all-purpose, everyday-use lens.  Here are the best features from my perspective:1.  The range of telephoto zoom is adequate for 90% of photo opportunites.  28-135 mm telephoto in digital photography translates into 48-230 mm in SLR film photography.  Since a standard camera lens is 50-55 mm, the starting range of this zoom lens equals that and then has the added versatility of zooming up to 135 mm (or 230mm in old style camera figures).  In my opinion, this added range of framing a shot gives the photographer so much more creativity, as well as being able to bring objects into closer, more intimate range.  I mentioned that this lens is good for 90% of all general camera shots; the missing 10% are those pictures that require a better zoom (more telephoto zoom), and those pics that need a wider field of view.  You may find that for group photos in close proximity, you want to take a step backwards to get everybody in the frame.  This is not a problem unless you simply don't have the room to take that step back.  I solved this problem by switching back to the original 18-55mm lens that came with the camera.  For the more distant shots that can't be drawn into the 135mm zoom of this lens I purchased a better telephoto zoom.2.  The lens has autofocus and IS stabilization technology.  For one used to manual focus lenses in SLR film photography, the addition of a fast autofocus lens is a terrific feature! I used to miss those spur of the moment shots because I was trying to achieve focus.  With this lens, you make those shots, because within a milisecond of depressing the shutter down halfway, the picture snaps into focus!  I absolutely love this feature!  The focuser has many points of potential focus, so it adapts easily to virtually all focusing situations.  For the really difficult focusing shots, there is the option of manual focusing.  While nice to have, I rarely use this option.  The Image Stabilization feature is a handy one in the longer shots.  "IS" lets one get away with a bit of camera shake without too much out-of-focus smear on the picture.  Canon does not recommend using the IS feature on tripod shots, so there is a switch to turn off the IS if desired.3.  The lens takes sharp clear pictures.  I have not been disappointed with the quality of the lens at all.Drawbacks1.  While there are not too many drawbacks to this lens, I think the major one is that the lens is bigger and heavier, in fact, much bigger and heavier than the standard 17-55 mm lenses that come with SLR cameras.  For me this is not a problem, however, for one that wants to have a lighter-weight camera, this could be considered a serious drawback.  On the other hand, a SLR camera like the Canon 20D or digital Rebel is not designed to be a smaller pocket-sized camera.  It is a larger format camera and of course the lenses will be larger (and heavier) as well.2.  Cost.  At just over 400 dollars, this lens is an investment.  Again, one has to weigh the obvious financial outlay, but the 28-135 mm lens is so superior to the cheaper 18-55 mm lens, that in my opinion, it is well worth the cost to upgrade.With this product, Canon made a great everyday camera lens.  From my perspective, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and I do recommend this lens to be your everyday standard camera lens.Jim "Konedog" Koenig
I consider myself a novice at best so I'm not completly privy  to the technicality. I do have to say the lens performed to my satisfaction while attending a composition class. It took some great shots and handled alot of shots using lower exposure settings. I used that while shooting at the lincoln memorial, world war memorial, and the world war II memorial. Only gripe I had was that the lens was very heavy compared to the 18-55 kit lens. I chose this lens because I wanted something to be a happy median between my kit lens and the big beast 55-250 lens.
I purchased this along with my Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Probably the most versatile lens you could buy, covering about 95% of the range one would ever use.  The quality of this lens makes the 18-55mm lens almost obsolete.  Although this is somewhat pricey, it is well worth the money.  Canon lenses are always top-notch and compatibility with your digital camera is assured.  Be sure to purchase from a reputable retailer so that you get a USA warranty.  You should never compromise quality, otherwise you'll regret getting something that wasn't the best.  Your camera is expensive, and your memories are priceless -- why short change both with a second rate camera lens?
This lens has a large focal range, combined with a 1.5' minimum focusing distance.AF is quiet and relatively fast.  I've noticed a tendency for my lens to front-focus slightly at the telephoto end where I use it most.Image quality is good, with moderate distortion at either end of it's zoom range.  I've seen some CA at high contrast edges, but this is generally hard to see unless you're looking for it.What really makes this lens useful to me is the low MFD.  I've been able to generate impressive bokeh by moving the camera close to the subject.  This has worked well for portraits of my son for example.
the IS is amazingly helpful. I took a handheld  (leaning against wall, but still) exposure at 0.5" and it came out sharp! If you are looking for an inexpensive lens to bide your time before you can afford an L, then this is it. I picked mine up on eBay for $210, and so far the results have already gotten me an offer to do a wedding, not to mention numerous complements on my pictures. Highly recommended, but be aware that this is a slightly older lens, and isn't an L, but it works.
I love this lens. It's quite a bit heavier than any of my other lenses and that does take some getting used to. I highly recommend this lens if you're looking for a higher quality lens with minimal zoom. I've been shooting with a 50mm lens and finally grew tired of the restrictions that lens puts on me and my pictures. This lens is great because it zooms out and in without going too far or not far enough. I just used it to shoot a wedding a few weeks ago and was able to leave this lens on my camera the entire time. I bought this lens refurbished and I was a little wary about that but it is Canon refurb and works like a charm (just a few hundred dollars less!). Can't wait to practice more and fall a little more in love with this lens and its possibilities!
I had it for several years.  Not like some made with cheap plastics, this entry level lens is still sharp, operating fast, with low noise, reasonable price, and easy cleaning.  Not the best for low light operation.
I bought this used in order to take portraits.  I've had several sessions and thus far I'm very happy with the purchase.
Purchased June 24, 2008A little disappointed so far.The lens creep is more like a lens drop!The outside shots are very good for the most part (how much is me or the lens!) I have some beautiful shots of weddings and outdoor events on bright days, but hit and miss indoors.Autofocus not quick indoors and I had expected more from the IS feature.In a brightly lit gymnasium, the shots were very dull and lifeless and I was unable to get anything good with movement of the subject. Wish I had had my 1.8 50mm Canon for that event!I will probably sell and look for something else.
I would highly recommend this lens.  I bought this lens specifically for a trip to San Antonio, TX and the lens did not disappoint.  I took some of the best shots I have ever taken.The only drawback is...the lens will extend while the camera is draped around your neck and walking.  Small inconvenience for quality shots.DK
Love this lens!  Good sharpness at F8 (rivals a Canon 24-70 F2.8 wide open).  Decent sharpness elsewhere except for 35mm wide open.  Got this lens after 2 professional wedding photographers recommended it to photographers on a budget.  The focal length range is excellent.  Probably the most outstanding feature of this lens is the USM focusing.  It focuses FAST, quiet and with perfect focus.  This lens over achieves a bit as it is not the sharpest lens around but it nails the focus every time making it seem sharper than perhaps other lens that have the potential to be sharper if they had as good of focusing system. The USM is the focus system used on Canon's L series so it is the best focus system Canon makes - it shows!  Wedding Cake maker picked my picture of the cake over a friend's picture of the same - he shot it with a Canon 40D with Canon's 24-105 F4 L lens and photo shopped the picture.  I just used Canon's delivered DPP software and a Canon T1i.  So this lens is good enough are you?
I first bought the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Zoom Lens to use with my Canon 10D along with theCanon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom lens.  About three years later I now have a Canon 20D and sold off the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM for a better lens.  As for the Canon EF 28-135mm, I still have it and get plenty of use from it.This is not an L lens, but that is no reason to avoid this lens; no matter what level you shoot at.  The construction is sturdy and consists of 16 elements in 12 groups.  The focus type is the standard twist zoom, and permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set.The Canon EF 28-135mm lens is compact measuring 3.8 inches long and lightweight weighing in at about 1.2 lbs/540 g, and accepts 72mm filters. Since my other lenses accept 77mm filters, I use astep-up adapter ringto limit the number of filters I have when I can. The f/stop ranges from 3.5 - 22 on the short focus range and 5.6-36 on the long with the f/5.6 starting at about 90mm.  The closest focusing distance is 20 in/50cm.  In addition, the lens has a USM drive mechanism for optimum AF performance, and the pulse control diaphragm (EMD) ensures precise aperture control.The IS system is composed of a pair of gyro sensors to detect vertical and horizontal motion and a microprocessor that compensates for it by shifting special lens elements in parallel with the perceived movement.  It is recommended that the IS be off when shooting on a tripod. I have used the IS on myBogen 3231 professional monopod with deatchable legssuccessfully.  A monopod is not as stable as a tripod though, with or without the legs.  Using the IS, you can obtain sharp pictures two stops below where you normally would.  This is a huge advantage in dim light or places where flash is prohibited.  Just keep in mind, the IS attempts to eliminate camera movement, not the movement of the subject being photographed.A distance scale ring sits below the focus ring.  Turn the distance scale ring all the way to the left and you are set for low magnification close-up photography.  Turn it to the right and you are able to set for infinity compensating for changes in temperature as necessary.  The distance scale includes figures in red as an infrared index to use when shooting black and white infrared film.  Shooting infrared is not available on all cameras.  If this feature is a must, make sure this lens is compatible for infrared photography on your camera body.The Canon EF 28-135mm includes a 1 Year US Warranty and the front & rear lens caps.  TheEW-78BII hoodandLP1116 soft lens pouchis sold separately.  Depending on your set-up, the case may not be that important, but get the hood as it will decrease lens flare and increase metering accuracy.  If you use filters, Canon recommends against stacking.As I add new lenses to my collection, this lens will probably be sold.  I don't see myself selling this lens in the next couple of years though.  Depending on what subject I am shooting, I get heavy use of this lens.  It is a great starter lens at a good starter price with plenty of versatility.Update:  Having come into some cash, I sold this lens May '06 and upgraded to theCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens.  The 24-105mm was not available when I originally wrote the review of the 28-135mm lens.  If the price difference isn't an obstacle, consider purchasing the 24-105mm instead.  Otherwise enjoy the 28-135mm lens.PROS:A compact, lightweight standard IS zoom that can be a workhorseVersatile landscape lensCONS:Hood not included
This has become my general lens. I use it all the time and it really fits all my needs as a pro and everywhere in between. I will never buy another lens without the featured (IS) Image Stabilizer.
Wow, I'm looking through the other reviews and I have to wonder if I didn't get a bum sample - or maybe my expectations were out of line, but the photos I took with this lens seemed a bit flat and didn't have that "pop out of the page" quality that defines good optics for me.Even so, that's not what killed this lens for me. First, the IS is an early implementation and just never worked that well for me. I've used other later generation IS lenses, and the difference is enormous: photos you never thought to take handheld before suddenly just work with the new generation of image stabilized optics. With the 28-135, it never felt that way. I'm guessing it bought me at most 2 stops, if that much.But the one thing that really condemned this lens for me was the terrible ergonomics (size, weight, balance) when mated to the Digital Rebel XT. I never before appreciated just how unergonomic that camera body is, especially the need to curl one's pinkie under the body - and indeed, when mated to the featherweight 50mm, it doesn't matter and makes for pleasurable photography. But with the 28-135 mounted, the camera started to feel very awkward to hold, and even after short photo sessions I'd notice pain in my wrist, as the lens overbalanced the camera and I continually had to torque it back to horizontal. As I said, I never noticed this before with the lighter lenses, and I still believe that the Rebel XT is a great body when mated to those. But I couldn't have a walkaround lens combination that I just plain didn't like holding.It just so happened that a neighborhood camera store had a Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200VR kit in its display around that time. I promptly returned the 28-135mm lens to Amazon (yay for customer service!) sold off the rest of my Canon gear to friends, and used the money towards the Nikon kit. Now, the D200 + 18-200VR is a beast in size and weight. But it's so well balanced that I can use it heavily all day and not feel any wrist strain (tired arm muscles are a different story). The Nikkor 18-200VR lens is worlds better than the 28-135 Canon: incredibly sharp and contrasty, colors come out looking rich, and the autofocus speed (thanks to a ring ultrasonic motor) is as good as any Canon. The image stabilizer on it really DOES buy me 4 stops enabling crazy stunts like shots out of moving vehicles at dusk. And I've had several occasions to thank the weatherproofing on the D200 body. All in all, if I return to Canon at some future date, it will be for the 17-40 f/4L lens mated to a full-frame camera for landscapes. I'll give the Canon 28-135 a miss and stick with Nikon for walkaround photography.
It's an okay lens for a travel lens in that price range. The range pretty much covers everything I need to do on trips, but I now prefer to just take my EF-S kit lenses with me (18-55 and 55-250). The 28-135 is quite soft, has a bit of zoom creep and has some difficult focusing in low light or indoors (just focus manually then). It still takes nice pictures and I usually stop it at f8 if I really want it to be sharper. I prefer to do as little post-processing as possible and I find the two kit lenses produce better and sharper results for me for around the same price. Bear in mind, the build of the kit lenses isn't quite as solid and heavy as the 28-135, but I don't mind less weight on the camera.
I bought this lens to serve as one lens fits all needs. It definitely served the purpose. However, this lens has inherent flaws - poor motor that makes the lens not to focus quickly, lack of sharpness in the image and the sound during focus etc. I was suffering to get a good sharp picture with this one.  I will definitely discourage getting this lens as there are better ones out there - even from Canon. Although I read several discouraging reviews before I bought this, price was the attractive feature at that point.Sadly, at the end, my digital SLR camera with this lens was stolen by Chennai Airport baggage handlers in India during my last trip.I am planning to get a new camera and a lens - definitely not this lens.
i am using this lens every day as standard lens , it is very nice lens it is gives me high quality image for short range and long range.
I bought this lens for my 20D after quite a bit of research and wasvery happy with it.  It was the lens I kept on the camera and found it to be Very good value for the money - well made and solid.  The range is also pretty good, and if you only have 1 lens this should be your choice (unless you want to spend 3 times the money).  I suspect for the average person this will be more than adequate.Update:  12-07.  I have since sold this lens and have the 24-105 L in it's palce.  I believe my new lens is superior but looking back at my photos taken with the 28-135 I must say I very much miss the reach I got with it.  I find the 24-105L shots are definitely more crisp but the old photos I took with the 28-135 still hold up well. After all, you are paying about 3x as much for the 24-105....I Still recommend the 28-135 IS lens  as a general lens.I have 8 other Canon lens including the 70-200L, and prefer them to off brands for the 20D .
I bought this lens about 3 weeks ago, and I truely love it.. This is a great first lens for anyone or just a great lens to have, Prob the best all around for daily use (I don't take it off and change lens when I'm going places, it is the only lens I carry).
This lens came with my 40D and is probably one of the better kit lenses. It features "IS" which is very useful for low light situations. One of the things I don't like about this lens is the fact that it doesn't have a fixed aperture. The aperture increases as you zoom out, which is a real bummer. Another weakness is the image quality. Images are not very sharp in my opinion and saturation/contrast is so-so. If your looking for a starter lens, then this is a lens you might consider. It's light and pretty reasonably priced for a lens having "IS"!!
This lens is fantastic! It is by far my favorite lens to use. I'm a hobby-photographer and can't afford the thousand dollar lenses, so after a recommendation from a photographer friend of mine, I bought this one because it was actually within my budget. I love, love, love it! I think the ranges in distance are perfect for an on-the-go lens. My favorite pictures to take are candid ones (at parties, weddings, etc), so this one is great, because I can get in on the action without getting in someone's face. GREAT lens for a photographer on a budget! I highly recommend it.
I just got the lens this afternoon from Amazon. I'm generally happy as it was way better than the stock lens that Canon included with my Rebel XT.I tried a couple of shots. And the verdict? I wasn't really impressed. Don't get me wrong, it's a fairly decent lens, the range is wide enough that it can cater to most of any photobugs general shooting needs.But the reason I wasn't really impressed was because prior to this purchase, the lens I used a lot was the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4I know I shouldn't compare apples and oranges but deep down I was. I wanted this lens to try to be at par with my fixed focal specially with the IS and all. Plus, I remembered all the optimistic reviews I read here at Amazon. But alas, I was wrong. I should have listened to my gutt's gutt feel.Anyhow you get what you pay for. I mean for a measly $370 you get a decent range coupled with some nifty features such as IS and USM, you simply can't beat that. And then again, it's way better than the stock lens (Canon EFS 18-55mm F/3.5 - 5.6 plastic lens)Lastly, if you own a fixed focal and love the crisp images, think hard before you consider this lens. If you can shell out an extra $800 or so then buy either the Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8 L or Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L lenses instead. Both are far superior to this lens and are well worth the investment.But if you are poor like me then I guess we have to live within our means.
As a small town sports editor who has to shoot hsi own sports photos, this is my workhorse lens. I use it for everything but high school baseball (where I feel a 300 mm lens is needed to get sufficient quality). My previosu one got cracked, so I was pleased to find this barely used one for a nice price. it does great work.
I really enjoy using Canon prime lenses - have a 20, 35, 50, and 85 so far. But when I need a zoom lens - say for a public event and I can't be jumping around to re-frame - I take this lens.  It takes good shots (I'm an amateur) and the IS really works.On a cropped digital camera like the Rebel XTi, the 28mm setting isn't a wide-angle.  So if you're going traveling, you will probably want to supplement this (e.g., the Canon 20mm prime which is amazingly good but costs as much as this lens does).
Pros: Affordable, IS works, focal length (28-135) is good for a general purpose lensCons: IQ in low light, 28 is not wide enough for 1.6x bodiesRecommend for beginners like myself, great focal length, IS works well but IQ in low light is definitely not L. USM is very quiet & auto-focus is very fast.
This is a great walkabout lens. After using it for a while, it focuses fast and quietly, the IS works brilliantly. Complaints, it telescopes under its own weight after a while. You cannot pan with the IS. If you are using a 1.6 crop factor body (20D, 30D etc.) it is not wide enough. I have noticed that its color and contrast could be better.
Good Lens and good Product !!!!  . I'm a fan of Canon  so I hope I can buy more another Lens.
I bought the Rebel XT w/ the 18-55 lens exactly 18 hours before the XTI was introduced, but that's another story. As this is my first DSLR, I was blown away by the results. But after the initial euphoria, there is always room for improvement. My first choice was the 28-200, favoring the longer zoom over the IS, but I found this one used at Penn Camera and got a deal on it and a 380EX flash, so the decision was made for me.I like the zoom range, it's great for framng portraits. If I need wider angle, I still have the kit lens.I won't make the usual complaints about the herky-jerky zoom ring or the rackety extension tubes, as I was prepared for this by these reviews before I ever saw the lens.I'm no expert on sharpness, and still trying to get myself dialed in, but my shots so far look pretty sharp to me. I have no "L" lenses to compare to, nor would I make the comparison if I did.In my somewhat uninformed opinion, this is a great step up from the kit lens. This is a lens a working guy can afford and most likely get great results with. Being a working guy, I'm extremely happy with it so far, and glad I made the purchase.
I bought this lens because I originally bought my canon 50D with the same one.  I used it for a while before I dropped it and broke something inside. Even so it worked for a while. This is a great framing lens. It has a good focus and focuses quickly. It has a good f stop for the price.
This Lense is an excellent portrait lense for shooting around the house, or semi pro photography. Of course your eye makes the difference, but this is an excellent tool. The image stabilizer and auto focus are seriously fast. Best value for the price in my opinion. This is my second lense like this one in over ten years. I gave the first one to my sister for her trip overseas, and bought another one. Durable, easy to use, and sharp image. Buy it and leave it on the camera, you won't regret it.
This lens has been my workhorse for the past two years.  I have dragged this lens through the rain forests of the Amazon, backpacked with it in Europe and hiked with it in New Zealand.  The lens locks into focus very quickly and the image stabilization works quite well.  When I first got the lens, I played with turning off the IS and then taking the same photo with the IS and I found that with the IS I could get the same quality photo at a slower shutter speed if need be.However, that all being said, this lens does suffer from some problems.  A friend of mine and my sister also have this lens and two of our lenses arrived out of the box feeling quite loose.  While holding the camera body with one hand and the end of the lens with the other, you could move the end of the lens about an alarming amount.  I am not sure if other owners have this same problem or if it is just normal.  Or maybe the looseness has just gotten worse over the past two years due to use.The biggest problem with this lens is dust in the lens.  Google this lens +dust and see how many people out there are complaining that this lens sucks dust into the body due to the extending piston design.  If I hold this lens upside down after it spends some time in my camera bag, I can see dust all over the inside of the lens.  I am not taking photos with a lens that I know produces spots and may be pumping the dust into my SLR body.  After only two years, I am now forced with the choice of returning the lens to Canon to be cleaned or writing off the lens.  Canon can not tell me how much the cleaning will cost until I send it to them.  However, I will have to pay $40 for their time making the estimate if I decide that the repairs are too costly.Despite the problems, unless you have the money for an L lens, get this lens because it is fantastic.  Based on my budget at the time, I would not hesitate to get this lens again despite the problems.  But, if you want a lens that will last longer and is much better, spend the extra money on an L.
This Image Stabilizer Lens, is simple wonderful for useing the zoom from 100 to 135 thers is no shaking, the pcitures come out clear and clean, anyone have a "SLR" camera should buy at least one if not two..
I love this lens and have taken tons of photos with it...from stills to action shots.  The lens IS is great for compensating for shakes and gives clear, blur-free photos.  Continuous shooting was used for photos of a track runner and every shot came out great.  The AF on the lens is quick...it doesn't hunt for the image.  In lower lighting it does slow down but only if you have the flash off, but this is true of most lenses anyway.Because of its range, it has become the main lens that lives on my camera.  I've purchased L-series lenses and have sold them because of how much I like this lens.  Combined with the Canon XT camera, I have a great grab and go set to take awesome shots!
i bought this to add to my &#34;army&#34; of lenses, and with the wider lens, clearer view than the standard kit lens with the cannon cameras, this was a perfect addition to my collection right before i shot a family wedding.
Bottom line:  The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens is great "walk around" standard zoom lens for full frame cameras such as the Canon 5D.  It also makes very nice short telephoto zoom lens for APS-C cameras like the 60D or Rebel cameras, with an equivalent range of 45-208mm due to the crop factor.The first standard zoom lens I had was the "kit lens" that came with the first SLR camera I owned (the quirky Canon EOS IX Lite, that included the EF 22-55mm lens), which served me well as I transitioned through a few cameras including digital SLRs.  When it came time to replace that lens, I went for this Canon EF 28-135mm lens.  This was a step up from the older lens in every way.Overall, the lens does a little bit of everything, and does it better than most lenses on the market.  Sure, there are better lenses for wide angle shots, or ones with more telephoto, or those that do macro shots better.  There are lenses that have better sharpness, or depth of field, bokeh, or...well, you get the idea.  But instead you get a solid, versatile lens that performs well (if not great) for pretty much anything you can ask of it.  You're still getting a relatively fast zoom lens, that has good sharpness and clarity, mild chromatic aberration, modest macro ability, and takes great photos--all at a very reasonable price.  Add in some image stabilization, and you can take fantastic hand-held photos in lower light that other lenses would require a tripod.  It's a good step up from a "kit lens," but still gives the same flexibility you probably have gotten used to having.  It's almost as good as the EF 24-105mm f/4L but with significant savings--and I own both lenses, so you can trust me there.  For a full frame body, you can't go wrong with this lens.  For those with a smaller sensor, such as the APS-C cameras, you still get a solid all-around lens...but you'll probably want to augment it with a wide-angle lens (such as the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM).  Regardless, eventually you'll want other lenses for specific purposes, but this lens can be a workhorse until you build up your inventory.Another way to put it is this way:  this lens is always on one of my cameras.  If I can only take one lens, this is the one I take.  Great value, good range of focal lengths, and respectable speed for a zoom lens allows me to photograph almost anything I want--all in one package.
I used this lens on the 40D. First of all, on a crop camera, the widest the lens goes, 28mm, is not wide at all. Usually for a general purpose lens you want the lens have a wide side but this lens doesn't. If you have a full frame camera, I would not recommend this camera at all. Although the focal range is very convenient, it is not very sharp and the 3.5-5.6 varying aperture just wont cut it. If you spend all that money on a full frame camera you need to get nice glass. For anyone using film this would be a great lens. If you need a cheap general purpose lens for a film camera this is your lens. One of the things I liked about this lens was the build quality. The build quality is pretty good. It is made of a strong feeling plastic. I liked how the zoom and focus ring felt. I did get some lens creep and when the lens was fully extended it felt a little loose. If you have a crop camera and are looking for an upgrade from the kit lens, you won't be happy with this. It's built like a nicer lens but your images won't be nicer. I recommend the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8. It has a 2.8 aperture, is tack sharp wide open, has a lens hood included, and is much wider. You really don't need the extra reach to 135mm. The lack of good image quality makes this lens no good for all cameras, especially full frame, and the lack of a wide focal length makes it no good for a crop camera. However if you are using a film camera, you might want to consider this lens. I sold this lens for the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and could not be happier! Also with the 2.8 lens, image stabilization will not be required and you will have beautiful out of focus backgrounds!
I bought this lense about 3 years ago and used it very little. I've used it at Christmas and various vacation trips. It's by far the worst lense I own. In fact I have several Canon lenses that SUCK!!It seems Canon has a problem with quality control. Make as many new models as possible to keep share holders happy. I would rate this minus 5 if I could. Canon want's $204.00 just to look and see if anything is wrong. Plenty, autofocus sucks, pictures blurry no quality control!!Yes, I feel better now.
The Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens is Great.  I have used is almost exclusively for 6 months.  It is my #1 all around lens.  I no longer use the 18-55mm lens that came with my XSi.  I take many photos from wide landscapes from the Grand Canyon to fine macro flowers.  The manual/auto option allow me to vary any focus.  The IS works great to stabilize shots.  The lens is a little heavy because of its size but not unbearable.  You can view many of my photos taken with this fine lens at [...]
Other than the lens creep I'd rate this lens a 4.5/5. Yes this isn't "L" lens quality but it's damn close. My major disappointment with this lens is where it begins at 28mm. I wouldn't consider it a perfect "walk-around" for that reason but that may be a personal preference. It's also the same reason why I didn't take this lens on a recent trip of mine. I'd prefer most of my lens's to start at a 24mm (at least). That is usually why I use a 24mm prime for candids and most uses. If this was an 18 or 24-135mm then I'd for sure give it a 5 star review. Otherwise, I think it's a great all around lens with minimal limitations. Overall I highly recommend this lens. Great IQ with great versatility. Prices are good here on Amazon so why not. Enjoy!
This is the "kit" lens I got with my 40D. I've found that this is a great lens to use for most general purposes, especially for portrait and other "people taking" opportunities.  As everyone else has mentioned the quality, optics, etc of the lens is great and the IS feature really does work surprisingly well.  On a less than full frame sensor camera you'll may miss the wider angles provided by the other "kit" lenses (18-55mm or 17-85mm) if you're a Realtor or need to take a lot of wide angle shots (even so, 17mm times the crop factor isn't that wide), but I think this lens more than makes up for this in its utility at the telephoto end.
This is now my everyday walkabout lens.  It takes great clear pics and amazing closeups.  I am definitely in love with this lens.
Pro: Its extremely versatile in outdoor environments and some indoor. the zoom ranges of 28 to 135mm are perfect and allow for the right amount of zooming when your outdoors and need to approach a subject while still allowing you to zoom back out and take a snap of something closer to your vicinity. The focus speed for any USM is much better then your standard lens and allows for quick snappy focusing without making much noise. Image quality is crisp, clear, and little noise.Con. The manual focus ring is a bit strange, its hard to really feel it move the lens, and because it doesn't stop moving when you reach maximum or minimum focus its hard to tell where the focus is without looking at the dial on the lens or looking through. if you don't take your lens out of auto, its not a problem. and the focus distance dial does help if you don't have a feel for the lens.Finishing up, this is a really good all-purpose lens, that will minimize your need to swap out when your shooting on the go.
I dont know how this lens can be put down for the range and versatility it offers.  No, we aren't going to be using this as our primary lens on the 5D, 1DSMKXX, etc. etc.  But on the cropped sensor cameras, it produces exceptional results all in a compact package.  Lets see a point and shoot camera do what a currently selling Canon XT/XTI or even used 20D with this bargain priced lens can do by comparison.  People not liking the lens should be shooting with the 5D and their good glass, not the other way around...
This was my first "white box" purchase (saved about 150.), and I am pleasantly surprised at how sharp this kit lens is, especially stopped down.  Feels very solid, and IS works well.
From the perspective of a hobbyist/amateur, I can not expect more from this lens. Images are sharp, IS works wonderfully and USM is very quiet, compared to my old Tamron 28-80. No more annoying creeping sounds, just smooth.One Drawback: When you pair it with a light body camera like my XT, it's gonna suck when you try to put it around your neck and go all day long, it's gonna make you tired very quickly since the lens causes the body to be inclined forwards.Other than that, highly recommend!
I bought this lens to launch my wedding and portrait business earlier this summer and this by far has been one of the best purchases I have made. This is my first lens that has been over two hundred dollars that I have ever bought, my second was the 100-400 L IS.If you are used to using the consumer grade lenses by Tamron Sigma or the included EFS 18-55 lens that comes bundled with the Rebel, the moment you put this lens on and look through the veiwfinder you will see the diffrence it is punchy clear and very contrasty in comparison to the kit lenses.I love this lens because it gives me nearly all of the focal length i need to get the job done, I can pull it back and on my digital rebel at 28 mm its about a 35 mm lens perfect for landscapes and wide angle ceremony pictures.  Zooming into 135 it becomes a 216 mm lens on my Rebel.  Perfect telephoto for quick candid shots of kids and brides.The Image stabilization is a great tool, I have taken photos which I have used for print hand held as low as a quater of a second.  Get used to it before you depend on it because it does have its limitations and be sure to switch it off when you mount this lens to a tripod as it will ruin your photos if you do not.I was impressed with the resolution of my digital rebel when i first used it with my old lenses but after attaching the 28-135 it was as if I had a completly new camera with more resolution and clarity than ever before.The focus is fast and silent you forget its there most of the time, its nice being able to over ride the focus at any time by sinply grabbing the focus ring.  It has a fairly close focusing distance also, you can get near macro shots, i have taken great flower pictures with it so far.You have invested money into a extremely highquality camera body, you owe it to yourself to get a good peice of glass to compliment the rest of your camera you wont regret it!
If you use this lens and get bad images, well it's your fault.  By the way, it's only one aspherical element off of an L lens.
I have been using this lens for five years, and have probably taken over 1000 photographs with it, film and full-frame digital, with sky filters, colored filters for black & white film, and polarizing filters as appropriate. As time has passed, I find that I use it less and less, because I can almost always get better results with something else.I have often found a kind of harsh contrast to the photographs I take with this lens. When using it, I have to be particularly diligent about lighting as a result. Zoom is convenient for composing but the camera is not optimal for controlling distracting backgrounds; this lens is certainly not appropriate for portraits.Only once did I get pictures with this lens that were much better than I expected, when handheld photos at maximum zoom on slow film in a dark temple came out perfectly. That's entirely a credit to the image stabilizer.Nowadays, I regard this as a snapshot lens; as such, it's often superseded by a point-and-shoot camera which takes pictures almost as well and is a lot easier to carry around.
Overall: 73% (3.63 / 5)Don't compare this to an L lens, because its not. but it's price/picture quality are great and provided you dont mind dealing with a few small easily reconsiled issues with the build, this lens will quickly become your favorite and never leave your camera mount.Picture quality: 4 / 5Images taken with this lens look fantastic. And that's all that really matters. The IS is fantastic and gains you a few stops. 3.5 is good for indoors (especially with IS) use a flash if zooming indoors.Ease of use: 3.5 / 5I was tempted to give this a 3 star rating here,  but this will depend on shooting style I believe. People handholding using primarily autofocus will find the variable aperture makes more work for them. this lense has a macro focus range as well!However, how hard is it to compensate for a variable aperture? Not very, especially at the price point of this lens.If you find yourself manual focusing you'll love the full time manual ring with auto focus over-ride. A nice feature (especially if your camera has live view) the AF is very speedy with a USM Motor.  Focal range is very handy and great to work with. Even on a crop sensor (such as the rebel series) if works out to 44.8 - 216mm still a useful range.Build quality: 3 / 5The main body is sturdy. switches feel durable. 2 major points of interest bring the score down. Lens creep and movement when the barrel is extended. It feels worse than it actually is, and provided you don't drop it all the time, it will last you years to come. To deal with lens creep. Extend the barrel before you start walking around (you'll need to zoom to frame your next shot anyway, so its really not a big deal)I really question canons engineering on this one. Rather than dealing with the lens creep by elimination, they seem to have designed the lens to hold itself when fully extended. (it doesn't creep when zoomed to 135). The result is a lens that when you examine it for the first time, feels like it wants to shoot either at 28 or at 135. If you buy this lens, it's going to feel like it was meant to skip 50mm all the way to 125mm. In practice however, It wasn't ever really a problem as when you're shooting, you have a hand on the barrel of the lens anyway.  The barrel felt loose at first to my tastes, but in practice it felt great in my hands.Value for Cost : 4 / 5This lens puts out fantastic images. At its price range, its undeniably among the best lenses on the market. I was disappointed canon won't include lens hoods without the L designation. Compared to canons competitors (tamron / sigma) their warrantee sucks, but the resale value it nice!  I picked mine up for 299.99 refurbished (new is 375.00  as of this review) For 3 reasons.1. Cost2. Its tested before I get it, so I know it works.3. I get a better warrantee with a refurbished item!
I purchased this lens in October of 2005 to go along with the Canon Digital Rebel XT body I had purchased.  I decided not to purchase the kit lens and boy am I glad!  The EF 28-135IS is a fantastic walk around lens...it does lack at the wide end a bit, but for me that is not a problem since I wanted (and bought) a Tokina 12-24!.The lens is built very well and offers excellent results!Many great examples from this lens can be found at this flickr group:[...]
First, I should point out I'm an amatuer. This is my first lens for my Canon Rebel XTI. I purchased this lens on Amazon over a year ago, and although I have no other lens to compare this to - I am dissapointed. Here's why:- I read a few reviews indicating that this lens could be your "only" lens - good for all purpose. I have to disagree. I am often frustrated by the limited 135MM range. Especially for landscape shots. Now, if I knew how to crop/ photoshop/ etc., perhaps this wouldn't be as big an issue for me. In retrospect, I wish I had purchased a telephoto lens with 300MM range and purchased the basic lens that came with the Xti for short-range photos.- I was warned that the lens was heavy, but I thought hey - I'm 6'3, pretty strong - no big deal. However, now I wish I had gone with a lighter lens. The lens is heavy and makes carrying around your camera all day a little less appealing. For a casual photographer who wants good shots, I have to imagine there is a decent quality lighter lens out there for less money (however, I admit I have no idea yet if that's true!).- I find that about 20% of my shots are a bit blurry. I attribute this to being an amatuer, but I never had this problem with less sophisticated "point-and-shoot" cameras. Is it possible I'm doing something wrong?? Probably. But again, I'm writing this as an amatuer, so if you're like me, perhaps there's a better lens out there (or maybe not - I'll have to try another one and find out!)In summary, although I have no major complaints with this lens, I was dissapointed after reading all the glowing reviews. I am now considering purchasing the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens OR the 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens. I plan on trying them both out at a local camera store before purchasing - especially since I want to make sure I get "enough zoom" in my next lens.Good luck with your purchase!
We're all looking for a good all-purpose lens, something that is wide enough for group shots but has enough zoom range to remove the frequent requirement to change lenses. The USM with full time manual focus was something that attracted me to it as well. Having something that would focus fast and quietly (compared to the grinding of the 18-55 kit lens - we're talking pre-STM days here) would have been a great thing.In the end, it never worked for me - while it was ok at the long end in terms of focal range, it wasn't wide enough on a crop at the short end. The USM focus was great but the lens itself was average, with too much chromatic aberration and corner softness.The image stabilizer was also hard to get used to, and missed a few good tripod shots because I forgot to turn it off (it will not detect a tripod and try to compensate for the motion that isn't there). Not sure why Canon ever thought this would be a good kit lens on the 50D - it was such a waste of a good camera on a mediocre lens. Maybe it was ok in the film days (yes, that's when it was designed), but it's not capable of keeping up with modern digital sensors.When Canon introduced the 18-135 STM lens, that was the obvious candidate to replace it. It is the one lens solution to have on a crop camera. On a full frame, I'm still not convinced it would be a good lens on the modenr, high density sensors, but I never tried it myself.I was a bit sad to let it go - the build quality was great, the lens had a solid feel which you don't get with the modern plastic lenses (even if they have a metal mount, it still attaches to plastic), and it looked great. I miss the distance window, something that the 18-135 doesn't have.I might buy another one (if I can find a cheap, non-functional copy) and keep it as an ornament - it's a good looking lens.
I moved up to the 7d from my original Digital Rebel with the Sigma lens. Heck of a jump by comparison and I think that there is value only achievable by comparing the two cameras and lenses. Not a weekend photog here but not a pro either. I shoot a lot of stop-action and full-motion animal pics, especially when we show our dogs at quite a few dog shows. The rapid response from the 7d and this lens is phenomenal by comparison. I made a good choice for sure.
Very disappointed with this lens from Canon, it has been released from 1998 and until now there is no improvement , the creep of the lens is not only annoying but also dangerous for its safety, not very comfortable for a walking lens, focus is slow, colors come out washed out and at 135 you  need a tripod for a sturdy  image. The good range is between 32-110mm, It looks great on Rebel T2i but that is not enough. I returned but i wanted to give it a second chance....i looked for a used one but all were with dust inside and dented lenses, &#921; had the chance to compare it with the 18-200mm and i can say there is a big difference between those two lenses. I preferred to keep the 18-200 and I will recommend you keep your money for a better lens.
I got this lens as the kit lens with my 50D. For the first month or so, I was pretty disappointed with the quality of images from it. Specifically, indoor available light shots were not impressive.  Outdoor shots looked very good.  As I started getting into strobist-style shooting, I became much happer with the lens.  The problem is that while the specs claim that this is a F3.5 lens, its only that for a tiny range at the widest zoom (28mm) and it rapidly drops to F5.6.  The lens is far slower than its label and size imply.It also suffers from lens creep, it will self zoom to 135mm when hanging over your shoulder.For me, the biggest downside is that the range, 28-135 would be great on a full frame camera, but it is not as good on a crop sensor camera like my 50D. 135mm is a long telephoto, and I don't have much use for it. It could have been useful for indoor sports, but at F5.6 it is simply way too slow. Similarly, 28mm on a Canon crop sensor is equivalent to 45mm on a full frame. It is more of a normal lens than wide angle. For candid shots in normal houses, the widest setting, 28, is simply too long.So its a good lens if you have a lot of light and a fair amount of room. Its far higher in both build and image quality compared to the $150 kit 15-55 used by cheaper Rebels.  But modern enthusiast-level Canons like the 50D and 60D, let alone the 7D, really deserve better glass.
I bought this lens mainly because of its image stabilizer feature.  I have a new born baby and need to take a lot of pictures indoor without using flash.  I'm amazed how well the image stabilizer works.  A few days ago I took a picture of my baby when the room was rather dark (5am in the morning, with all window shades closed).  Even when I set my camera to ISO 1600 the shutter speed is still at 0.5".  My baby looked cute at that moment so I took the picture anyway, without using tripod or flash.  I was very surprised the picture was still very clear.Also, this lens has good zoom range so I don't need to change lens that often.I'm sure there are some better lens available, but they are a lot more expensive.
This lens is worth the money, or buying as a kit option.  I would give it 5 stars, but there are couple of minor issues that bring it down.Pros: USM. Quick focus. Great images.  Pretty good range between wide field and moderate zoom at a great price point.  My favorite single travel lens if I don't feel like switching lens all day long or carrying multiples.Cons:  LENS CREEP.  After a while it happens to a lot of these.  There are ways to fix it if you are knowledgeable.  Dust gets in pretty easy but not enough to degrade your images or even notice.Overall, I think it is the best single carry lens on the market.
I order the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom lens for Canon SLR camera as a Christmas gift.  It is working fine for my gift recipients.
I use this all the time at my son's soccer games and get great shots. It's a little on the bigger side, but isn't too heavy and image stabilization really helps out.
This is a phenomenal walk-around lens when used on my 300D (and presumably, any other body with a crop factor of 1.6). This, of course, brings the range up to a usable 46-216mm lens, which, granted, chops off the wide end of things, however down to 28mm is covered by the kit lens... At any rate, this lens has an incredibly usable range for a great price. Visual qualties seem to be excellent (I have no "scientific" tests to verify this), and the image stabilization really is a useful inclusion. Like everyone else already said, it will NOT make up for poor technique, or compensate for a moving subject. Same rules still apply: brace yourself, exhale then shoot, etc. max aperature of 3.5 is still a max aperature of 3.5, so your light gathering is useable, but not blazing fast. Buy a flash and a canon 50mm for indoors and low-light. This is THE lens for the discerning buyer.
OK..Its a very good starter lens. But more and more I learned, I started finding flaws with it.But as a starter lens when it came with my 7D as a bundle for #230 more, It was worth getting it. But if you are going to pay full price of over $380, Avoid and get an L lens for a bit more.Pros:- It was only $250 since it came as a Kit.- It takes good overall pictures as a walk around lens. The colors and contrast are spectacularCons:The Build is shakey/Loose/creeps...- At 28mm, The kit lens 17-35 is sharper on the edges. Yes. I compared. The edges on the 28-135 at 28 with the Kit 17-55mm lens and the 28-135mm lens is downright blurry.- Some CA (Chromatic Abberation)  but this can be removed in PP using Lightroom software.
I have been enjoying using my used Canon lens, especially on photo shoots for my photography class. The zoom capability offers me a wide range of focal lengths from wide angle to closer up, allowing me to stand back from my human subject and get candids.  The photo quality is wonderful, sharp and clear pictures!  I am very pleased with this lens.
I have a Rebel XTi 18-55 kit.  After only a month I felt the need to upgrade my lens, this is what I chose.  What an awesome lens.  Love the IS, really helps me get sharper in low light (hard with stigmatism), AF is very quiet, but kinda touch and go, if you don't have stigmatism, use the manual focus.  Wish it were just a little bit wider, or a little bit longer, maybe 18 or up to 200, but I've really gotten some wonderful portraits and nice docu shots with this one.  Maybe not a lens I'll I carry with me the rest of my life, but it'll be my first option until I can get my hands on some L series glass.
The EF 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM, introduced in 1997, was an impressive engineering feat in its day: wide zoom range, silent and fast AF and Image Stabilization (IS). IS was the new tech on the block, and the 28-135 was the first normal range zoom to feature this technology. Nevertheless, this early IS implementation--amazing back in the day--is showing its age 15 years out. Newer designs feature panning mode and another stop or more of effective IS.It's a beefy zoom, tipping the scales at 540 g (18.9 oz). The twist zoom action is smooth but loose and prone to creep when pointed down. And it gets looser with age. After 10 years of extensive use mine was loose as a goose! Zooming is accomplished by expanding and contracting the nested barrels. Like most AF lenses, the manual focus ring is small and not as silky as the manual lenses of yesteryear. The nested three-barrel design has lots of cracks to suck in dust. All lenses that expand and contract during zooming are subject to this problem. However, I have more particles on the inside of this lens than any zoom I have owned. However, neither dust or loose zoom seemed to impact image quality one iota.It sports a ring-type USM (Ultrasonic Motor) that drives an internal lens group and, thus, AF rips. The front element does not rotate and the barrel does not expand or contract during focusing. However, the barrel extends considerably when zooming to 135 mm. Of course, being an USM lens, it is silent when focusing. It has FTM, allowing you to manually focus without switching out of AF mode. If you prefocus manually, the distance window in meters and feet is useful.The filter size is 72 mm, making filters expensive. The instructions state that you cannot use a polarizing filter with a lens hood. However, it's easy to rotate the filter through the petal cutouts of the lens hood. Oh yeah, that hood is an optional accessory.OPTICAL QUALITY: For a consumer zoom, it is sharp and contrasty, slightly sharper than my EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM. Although quality is decent wide open, the best image quality is from 28-50mm at F8. It is a little softer at the long end. It suffers from a small amount of barrel distortion at the wide end and pincushion distortion at the long end. However, I haven't noticed much distortion except in macro mode, where barrel distortion at 28 mm is slightly more pronounced. Image quality is good enough for excellent 11 x 14 or 12 x 18 inch enlargements.In terms of flare and ghosting, this is the weakest of Canon's zooms. In other words, flare and ghosting will probably occur if you shoot bright sunsets or other strong light sources. I keep the lens shade on to help keep flare in check.IMAGE STABILIZATION: This would be a nice lens without Image Stabilization (IS). However, IS really sets the performance and use of this lens apart from previous zooms. Small gyro sensors coupled to a CPU detect the degree and direction of camera shake and counteract this vibration by moving a compensating optical group. Subsequently, I almost always get a sharp picture, even two or three stops below my normal hand held shutter speed.IS changed the way I take pictures. I used to put away my camera when conditions got dark and murky, now I keep on shooting (I avoid flash except for fill). However, IS is not just for low light conditions, it helps eminently in any high vibration situation such as shooting in high wind, airplanes, automobiles or boats. Heck, I've shot one-handed while hanging off a cable car in San Francisco and nailed a sharp picture. For years this was my favorite ready-for-anything travel lens.The instructions recommend turning IS off when using a tripod as the lack of movement may cause IS to be erratic. However, IS is extremely useful in conjunction with a tripod as long as there is some vibration. For example, when windy, I use Image Stabilization with a tripod mounted camera and it makes a major improvement in sharpness.EXIT BLURB: If you can't afford the EF 24-105 4L IS USM, this is the next best thing and a nice lens for film and full-frame DSLRs such as the 6D or 5D MKII. With a 28 mm short end, it's not wide enough as a normal zoom for APS-C cameras such as the 60D or 7D. Why? The 1.6x cropping factor of these cameras yield an approximate 45-200 35mm equivalent zoom range. I find it odd that Canon used this as a kit lens for the XXD series. However, if you prefer a normal to medium telephoto range on a small frame digital, this may be the lens for you.
I own 8 different Canon lenses.This lens does 'everything', from Macro, to wide angle landscapes, to 50mm - 85mm portraits, to telephoto.Yes, there are faster lenses for photographing weddings in a dark chapel, there are longer telephotos, but this lens does a bit of everything.The drawback is that this is the only Canon lens I have ever owned that has to be refurbished every couple years.Three times this had to be sent back because the auto-focus and Image Stabilization failed.Canon used to charge $82 to bring the lens back to factory specs, but as of Sept 2013 Canon is charging $210 to fix the lens.And with the way Canon is raising the repair costs, in 2015, it will probably cost $325 to have the auto-focus and Image Stabilization fixed again.No other Canon lens that I own has ever needed to be repaired, but this lens has required three separate factory fixin' to bring it to factory specs.Discussing this with Canon Customer Service, their response is 'That is the way it is. If you can make the auto-focus and image stabilization stop working in 6 months, we fix it for free, but if it takes 12 months for this lens to stop working, we charged you again and again and again to bring it back to working condition.'
I travel frequently, but do not have the space to carry a full camera bag. I travel to areas where anything of value in checked luggage will be stolen. So for a camera, I am limited to what will fit in my carry on bag. This means that I can take one lens with me. So the challenge is that with all the lens available, what do you take when you can only take one lens.For me, the Canon EF 28-135 is that one lens. It takes great shots, has image stabilization, and is relatively compact. I have used this lens all over the world, and have never been disappointed.
fantastic 'next step UP lens' from your basic 18-55mm kit lens from Canon DSLRs.USM, IS, tack sharp optics make this an excellent walk-around lens for anyone starting out in photography and 'getting sands in their boots' weary of their kit lens.
Using this lens on a Canon Rebel XTI and as a general carry-around lens.  It's definitely better quality than the stock lens (EF-S 18-55mm).  Image Stabilization is AWESOME!  It's a bit heavy for the XTI but it looks great!  Not a great lens for macro shots and wide angle (there are other suitable Canon lenses for those).  With the image stabilization enabled, it takes a bit more time to focus so no quick point and shoot.
I've had this lens about a week, to bolster my fledgling wedding arsenal.  People may poo-poo this, but I say that at $409, the quality this thing puts out is surprising.  Stop down from wide open, and it is tack sharp, beautiful color and detail, with nice bokeh when zoomed.  Wide open is ever so slightly soft, but nothing that sharpening in P/S or GIMP can't fix. The IS works as advertised, though not too well for moving subjects like kids.  Focus in low light is terrific, as long as you have a contrasty object (like an eye) to focus on - that's common to all lenses.  Those who don't like the lens are either receiving a bad copy, or are too busy with their eyes one inch from a shot for three hours, trying to pick out imperfections.  If money is an issue, get this lens, and then sell and buy an L lens when you profit...which you will, using this lens.  Enjoy.
This camera is certainly cheaper than the L series, but you certainly don't get more than what you pay for. The IS is great, and certainly allows for better shots in the dark, but the sharpness sometimes leaves something to be desired. Don't get me wrong: you CAN get awesome pictures with this camera, but it is definitely not the norm with this lens.The AF is indeed quiet and fast. It is also a heavy lens, and despite the construct being relatively solid, the lens will make your camera tip forward unless you have the extended battery pack.All in all, worth the price. I have taken some great pictures! But don't be surprised if most of your shots end up in your recycle bin.
I started "prosumer" photography with a Canon 20D kit.  It was and is a good camera and took good shots.  However, when I finally decided that I needed to invest in better lenses this was my first choice based upon some online photography sites.This is now the lens that stays on my camera most of the time.  The IS gives you consistently sharp shots.  It has a very good range from fairly wide to fairly long.  The quality of the optics makes your shots look great.The only place I've found this lens lacking is in relatively long low light shots.  However, those shots really are the realm of lenses costing 2 to 3 times as much.As another reviewer said this is a fantastic "walkabout" lens.  I honestly wish I'd skipped the one in the kit and went straight to this lens.
A nice find and a great lense for those special ocasions when you need bigger light gathering lense. I use this mostly for evening or sun rise shots. Or night shots on long exposure.
Hi,We've been using this lens for a while now and we're absolutely pleased with its performance. When we decided to get into the extremelly competitive field of wedding/special event photography business we knew we needed a lens that offered us the quality and flexibility to just forget about it and take great pictures. Thus far it has not disappointed us one bit! Great shots at both the wide end and the tele-foto end. Of course, if you are a photophile or professional you might find some nuisances with this great lens. However, for the real-world photography, enthusiasts, amateurs and semi-pro this lens offers a great value. I've recommended this lens to friends and colleagues and will keep doing so until I can find a better price-value choice. A definite must have for everyone with real-world needs (i.e. not uber professionals).
I recently purchased the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM while on vacation in New York in June. (I hit all the "big boys" and came away from B & H with more than a few bargains).I found the use of the lens to be more than adequate on my daily "shoots" during my walks thru the city. Since I take some time to frame my shots  (I used full manual), I was pleasantly surprised when 99% of my photos came back totally "in focus"  Even when I purposely "shook" the camera.  The lens was incredibly responsive, even when I shut off the IS during a night Yankee/Mets game. Color return was vibrant.I do recommend purchasing the following Canon items (don't cheap out with this lens):  a good UV-HAZE Filter (L-39 Sharp Cut),  Circular Polaring filter (PL-C)and the Canon Lens Hood (EW-78BII).
I got this default with the 7D.  I have been using low F primes and didn't want to use this for much but took the chance.  It is somewhat dimmer and less amazing over a prime in low light but it does a great job in moderate to bright light.The most impressive feature of this lens is how well it performs with shooting video.  Light becomes less an issue and the focus is fast and easy to work with.  Try shooting vids with a prime and you will know what I mean about focus issues.  Now I take the one prime and this and all bases are covered. I plan on getting the 16-35 down the road but this lens will be greatly welcome among the others.
if you are an intermediate and wish to advance in your photography skills and do not have 1,000$ to spare this is the lens for you!the only problem with the one i bought is that it gets stuck between the 50,70mm so be careful
This lens is a great lens for the price. If you have no budget restraints you may want to do what I did and pass on this lens and bump up to the Canon 24-105mm L lens. The L lens has a much stronger build and produces high quality, fast shots. It also comes with a lens hood, a $30-$50 value. If this is not an option this lens will certaily please a wide range of photographers. Cheers
I've used mine for several months now and it is a good/excellent and usefull addition to my bag. I go along with all of the good others have said about it with the exception of it being a good 'Walk About' lense. There are only 2 real drawbacks to this piece.First, like all other Canon lenses, the aperture specification numbers don't seem to be as advertised. The low aperture (largest @ 3.5) should probably be up a half stop to 4.0. This, you can live with and get adjusted to. It shouldn't be a deciding factor for you. Canon DSLR's are programed to work well with these aperature specs.Second is 'Lense Creep'. No matter how you carry this (on camera), whether neck strap, holster, or in hand, the telescoping barrel will extend out quickly, and without notice. That is until you bump it into something you thought you would not hit, or put the camera to your eye and have to reset (re-frame) the shot.You can live with 'Lense Creep', but to me, that's why it's not a 'Walk About' lense for me.
This stabilizer lens is so great for my Canon Rebel XT digital SLR camera.  With the great zoom capabilities, I am able to get great sharp photos without having to worry about using a tripod all the time. However, I can certainly feel the weight difference from my standard lens.
I am an amateur and enjoy taking good photos. I bought this lens to go with my Canon 30D and I am happy with it. The combination allows me to take good low light photos which are crisp and well focused. Crisp is of course a relative term as at higher ISOs pictures get softer. The focusing is fast, quiet and accurate. In strong light the pictures are excellent. I find the zoom range very useful.
I actually got this lens to upgrade my original lens from the XTi set (which I was able to sell on Craigslist). It was a good upgrade, the zoom was better up to 135mm and the IS is good for picture taking. It is a versatile lens to use on a daily basis. Sometimes when I need to I use my 50mm prime for portraits but most of the time I have this on.Plasticity body but does feel solid, would have liked it to have more metal on it for $400. There is zoom creep when pointing extemely up or down especially when filters and hood are on. (does not come with a hood - again for $400 really should be part of the package).Main objective is the picture quality which is very good. Sharp and well saturated with good contrast. I also like the fine focus adjustment ring - nice.I think this was a good upgrade for the XTi, I do like using it and think it is a fair price when considering other options. For an extra 1 star should come with a hood and have no zoom creep and perhaps a bit more metal in the outer construction. One of the better non L lens.
I have very mixed feelings about this lens. It's one of my go-to lenses, but I have a significant complaint about it: It took me a year and a half to figure out how to take a single picture with it, and my other photographer friends were just as clueless. If you set it to automatic focus, you need to adjust the fine focus while holding down the button to take the picture, and it will take the picture when it's perfectly adjusted. The benefit of this is that you always get perfectly adjusted pictures; the downside is that this lens is so idiosyncratic that you can't hand it to someone else to take a picture of you without setting it to manual and risking blurriness. Also, it doesn't zoom in as far as I hoped it would, can't capture wide pictures as well as the kit lens that came with my Canon Rebel, and doesn't work for macro pictures. Also, it is extremely heavy. So it's really a mixed bag.
I have owned this lens twice, along with a # of L lenses.The 28-135mm has the following strengths:- works on crop + full frame- Is sharp and produces good color- Has a decent IS (though not the latest)- Is light, relatively speaking- Has a good focal range- Has USM and a bit of macro as well- Good price (I got mine used for around $300It has the following negatives:- It is a slow lens- Although the lens produces good bokeh, the aperture options do not allow much bokeh to be seen, except at 135mm taking pictures at close range (produces a nice OOF background)Considering the above positives and negatives, I have to say this is a beautiful beautiful lens. Images are great, especially on my 5D, and even on the 30D I had before.Thanks!
This lens has a great speed and is large enough to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions. It's good enough to use as a walk around lens as it can get to a variety of distances and still produce a good shot. The lens creep on this is horrible though so be prepared and be careful as once you tip that lens down the zoom is going to fall right out to the extended position. I find that I need to keep my hands on the lens while walking around with the cam to keep it from dropping out to the extended position.
I purchased this lens 3 months ago for my Digital Rebel XT and it has become my walking-around lens. I am a novice to digital SLR photography and did a considerable amount of research before buying. I included comments on this board in my research and want to say thanks to all who posted. Everything you said proved to be true.To begin with I like the focal range of the lens. It seems to work well for all the pictures I want to take. The Digital Rebel's 1.6X multiplication factor means on my camera the lens starts at a normalized angle of view of 45 mm (1.6X 28) which is about the natural view. I have not missed the wider angle so far but I have appreciated the additional normalized length of 216 mm (1.6X135). The lens is clear and crisp through the entire focal range, reasonably fast and takes wonderful portrait shots at 70 mm (105 mm normalized). The IS feature is a real plus and I have managed to get some great action shots of my dogs from a distance with the lens.This is a big and somewhat heavy lens and it takes 72 mm filters. Those things don't bother me but a buyer should look at the lens and price the filters before buying. I actually like the weight and the cost of filters was a little high but nothing that would stop me from buying the lens.I considered other lenses but decided that I was not interested in buying the EF-S series because I will probably up grade my camera in the future and don't want to re-purchase lenses if I buy the 5D or its equivalent. In the end this was the lens for me and I recommend it highly.
i purchased one of these a couple of years ago and was very pleased with it.  my son bought his wife a newer model rebel, so i bought this lens for her for christmas.  she loves it as well, says it takes much better pictures than the stock lens that came with her camera and she loves the zoom.
I care for three things in a lens - image quality, ease of use and overall weight. I've used this lens on my Canon 5D for over a year with the following results:Image Quality: The lens is not capable of delivering a truly sharp image under any conditions. It is not sharp by design. This problem is exacerbated by the IS device, when it is engaged. Furthermore, there is significant lateral CA (uncorrectable multicolored fringing) at the edges of the image. The lens is prone to flaring, even with the shade attached. The autofocus is not accurate - the only way to actually focus the lens with autofocus is to zoom to 135mm, focus and then re-compose after disengaging the auto-focus. It is much easier and more precise to focus manually. There is significant amount of complex distortion at all focal lengths, which is not fully correctable in Photoshop, but may be fully corrected using the PT Lens, which has a customized profile for it. The color balance of the lens is fairly bland, but can be boosted in both camera and Photoshop, so this is probably not an issue. This being said, the lens delivers its best at f11.Ease of Use: Considering all of the above, the lens can only be used in manual focusing mode and without the IS. It does not bother me much, but for people who is buying this lens for autofocus and image stabilization capabilities, this is a deal breaker.Overall Weight: This lens is unreasonably heavy and bulky for what it is. It uses a whooping 72mm filter, yet its maximum aperture is nothing to write home about. It is very uncomfortable in the field.Conclusion: I would use this lens primarily as general purpose portrait lens and it will proably do OK. I would not use or recommend it for even casual landscape or any other tuype of photography - it just does not deliver the quality it should for the money. I am going to sell it in the near future.
I was looking for a walk-around lens for my xsi because I am not totally happy with my 18-55. I was considering tamron 28-75/f2.8 and canon 28-135, eventually I got 28-135 partly because it would cost me less. I am convinced tamron can give me better low light performance, but really like the usm feature on canon lens and the canon brand lens on canon body.Performance-wise, this lens give me no problem. Faster focus, sharper picture, longer range than my old kit lens. Losing a little wide angle didn't bother yet. The focal range on this lens really make it a perfect walk-around lens. It is heavy, but I never feel small and light weight are attractive features to me. If I have money, I don't mind carry 24-70 and 24-105 around either. The IS really works, the focus is quite and fast, and very nice bokeh when the long focal ranges are used. A nice macro feature, but don't dream too much of it.Beside all the good things about it, there are some be noticed.The front part does feel a little loose, a little more than my other canon lens. However, I haven't notice the unwanted barrel extension when point the lens down. Like I said in the title, it is perfect outdoor lens when light is sufficient. Low light performance is not too impressive to me. Again it should not be held against this lens because of its f-stops range. You'll need flash to compensate the light, and still get good photos.Overall, it is a good product from canon. It has been there for ... almost forever. I can understand why Canon pairs it up with 7D, which is a semi-professional body.
I bought this lens in 2001 for my Elan IIe and now use it with my 30D.  It is not up to the standards set by the "L" lenses but I have never been disappointed by it.  My only critique is that on a crop camera the 28mm end is not really wide enough.  This would be supplemented well by the 10-22 or the 17-40.
For the price, you might expect this lens to be on par with other "entry level" pieces, but I think it is far and above other glass in it's price category. It's a fantastic value, well built, and the Image Stabilization is great. The shots I get with it are always sharp, clear, vibrant, and beautiful. The range makes it an excellent walkabout lens. It hasn't left my camera since I purchased it.
This lens is smooth.  It offers me so many new photo ops that I never had before.  The IS (image stabilization) is a charm.  You shouldn't use it with a tripod, but for the most part it does not blur the picture if you did. (Sometimes the sensor that is trying to constantly focus will move and blur the image when on a tripod. Its best to just flip the switch off and this will not be an issue when shooting) It performs well in low light, both indoors and out, and really enables you to get those shots at dawn/dusk that you otherwise wouldn't stand a chance at getting.An external flash will also give you extra options for shots, but if you are saving money in the short term, this lens will get those low light shots without needing to purchase an external flash as well.  Keep in mind the (IS) won't make every shot crisp in low light, but between using that and a tripod, you'll always be able to get that shot, regardless of light.I've had my lens for 2 months, and I've already impressed more friends and family than ever expected.  Common questions and comments you'll get include "how were you able to get that shot", "that looks like something a professional would take" and "you really know what you're doing".  Of course, even the nicest camera and lens cannot make you a better photographer, it only gives you the tools to do more with your creativity.Aside from having an on/off switch for the IS, you can also turn on/off the manual focus, so that if you aren't ready to take full control, you don't have to.The weight of the lens balances well with a battery grip added to the body.  (The battery grip is optional, I got mine through Opteka, and its a great addition for longer battery life and offsetting heavy lens weight.)  The overall range that it shoots makes it ideal for your every day lens.  With a 1.6x factor on an XT/XTi, you're actually shooting 44-216mm.  This will allow you to take your standard shots, get some great portrait photos of friends/families for those special occasions (including weddings), and also give you enough zoom to impress even yourself with the shot potential you will have available... until you find the need or the money to get that telephoto lens.  The macro setting also impressed me.  It performs surprisingly well, and will leave you smiling day after day. It is not a true macro, but will certainly zoom in within an inch of the subject.  The lens has just enough to satisfy both your zooming and macro needs, so you don't have to spend bundles of money on various lenses until you're ready to get serious.  The example photos illustrate both of these features remarkably well.This is a great purchase if you aren't able to jump to the L series of glass, and I'd strongly recommend considering this as your optimal walk around lens.
I have had this lens now for three years.  It is my second lens.  My first (serious) lens was the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro.  This lens was intended to be everything the macro prime wasn't.  For a while, it was.It's a good lens, no doubt.  Useful, versatile, fast and pretty sharp for the price.  Not super sharp, though.  Beware of amateurs claiming sharpness when they haven't seen anything better.  The 100 mm Macro kills this lens for sharpness.That said, I've sold framed prints at 11 x 17" and 12 x 18" from this lens, no sweat.  But there are a couple of areas where this lens shows it's weaknesses.I shot a wedding with it - my first.  I chose it for the versatility in a high speed situation and it was the right choice amongst the two lenses I have.  But it struggled to keep up (and outright failed) without the flash, even when I was shooting at ISO 6400 at the mainly candle-lit reception.  Even with IS on.  With flash (580 EX and a diffuser) it performed very well.  I managed to get a couple shots of the newlywed couple entering the reception hall without the flash hand held at 1/2 second.  Yes, they were motion blurred - but that was them moving.  And the contrast between the relatively sharp areas around them, and their movement, worked well.  The IS works.But upon processing the images from the wedding, I noticed that in several shots, there was such bad CA that I was literally forced to go in and clone it out.  Lighting was a cross between natural light through the windows, candle light, and incandescent.  The CA was visible even in 4x6 prints of those images!  And those were the "I do" shots.  The most critical of all. That really put a bad taste in my mouth concerning this lens.So, in the end, yes, I use this lens.  It's a good one.  Not my favorite, but it is too versatile to pass up until I can replace it with a 24-70 f/2.8L and a 70-200 F/2.8L II.Probably more than adequate for amatuers.  If you're going to use it for weddings, it's a decent lens to get started with, but you'll probably want to replace it with the above two lenses asap.
Love this new lens! Works great with the 60D and provides a crisp image. A little heavier than expected but definitely a great lens.
Love the lens, however, the lens slides and u have to re-focus again and again,could be very annoying. So I try not to hold my camera facing down when hand held, but I do forget, so this happens.
I bought this lens to get away from the mostly useless Rebel XT kit lens. I didn't want to drop $1,000+ but at the same time I wanted decent performance. Well, I got it.This lens takes gorgeous pictures with just a hint of softness at 135mm (stopping down a bit helps there) and virtually no barrel distorsion at 28mm. The f/3.5 limit is a bit annoying for low-light situations, but I don't expect f/2.8 at this price range and just use a flash when I have to. Color saturation is excellent and I haven't been able to see any chromatic aberrations at all.Of course, the IS is fantastic, and I find that I can't live without it anymore. I fear I'm going to have to upgrade to an all-IS setup soon. Being able to shoot pictures at lower shutter speeds without a tripod opens up a whole new area for most amateur photographers like me.The build is very professional and it just feels good. It's a large lens (diameter and length) if you're used to the 52 or 58mm glass. It looks very good on a Rebel XT and 30D. On the other hand you might find buying 72mm filters a bit more expensive.Finally, auto focus is as good as most other Canon lenses - I don't use AF very much but I'm constantly surprised at the ability of this lens to focus in very low light or non-standard backgrounds. Very nice.Many other lenses are recommended as an upgrade to the Canon kit glass - this is just a bit more spot on than most. The price is right and the performance cannot be beat.
I love this lens, I've only had it for a month and I've tested it in situations that usually require me to use a tri pod.I've taken pictures using different shutter speeds and this lens really does reduce the blur of the image significantly.Remember now it ONLY REDUCES BLUR in the pictures, it doesn't get rid of it. In my test, I can honestly say that you can get good pictures without using a tripod using shutter speeds of 1 second max, any slower and I can't hold the camera lens stedy for any longer.  But use any faster shutter speeds you'll definityly have a good picture.After you get this lens, I would consider getting a battery grip.  In my case, I use a Rebel XT and with this lens on, I feel the lens overwhelms the camera body.  I suggest getting a battery grip if you want to get a better grip with this lens. (Note that most lens with zooms usually are big) Check out the battery grip from OPTEKA, it's more than half the price of the Canon one and people are giving it great reviews aswell.I'll update this review when my battery grip arrives.
At first I did not like this lens at all and was ready to return it. Then I read that the image stabillization motor has a strong kick that vibrates your camera for about 1.5 seconds. If you use the IS, give it time to run before snapping a picture. Besides that, this lens is tack sharp with exact focus.
As most people have stated this is a really nice lens for both full-frame/film and 1.6x cropped digitals.  I really like the range on my digital; 45-216mm equiv., but I have to keep the kit lens around when I need wide-angle.  The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think the price is a little high for a maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the tele end; f/4.0 would have been nice.IS works really well, but don't fool yourself into thinking that just because you have IS that you can take low-light pictures without a flash.  As a general rule you shouldn't hand-hold a camera for an exposure longer then the inverse of your effective focal length (meaning that if you are zoomed to 60mm then the shutter should be no slower then 1/100 on a 1.6x cropped body).  IS on this lens lets you reduce that by about 2 stops (some say 3, but I'm not sure I agree); so in the example above you could shoot as slow as 1/30.  This is very helpful, but still not enough light for indoor with no flash.I use this lens with my SpeedLight 430EX, which seems to give me about a 100 foot shooting range in very dimly lit rooms at 100 ISO.  I really don't have to worry about the shutter speed much. With the flash my Digital Rebel seems to prefer 1/60; which thanks to IS, is just fast enough for the effective maximum focal length of 216mm.
This lens works great for a walk around lens. Gives a nice reach for the money. Fast and silent auto focus. Gives good sharp images. Can't beat the price either. It works great on my T1i. Nice lens for photogs that don't have or don't want to spend a lot of money.
I love this lens. It has a great range and takes excellent pictures. I can't say much more about the lens, I am very happy with it.
I bought this lens for my xsi and  I check the results and I was please ( So clear and very detailed pictures) Love it.
I've been using it for about 5 months now. Other than a bit of wobble, which I notice mostly when hiking on rugged terrain but not on normal walking around, the lens is pretty solid. (The Canon EW-78BII lens hood is great but contributes to the end wobble.) It is on the heavy side (mine is attached to the 20D) and after an hour or so of hand-holding it, my elbows start to twinge. On the plus side, the range is great. I love close-ups and the macro is fantastic and gets in almost as close as a similar lens on my film EOS 620 WITH a macro extender. The depth of field at the full macro is almost nonexistent, which I guess is to be expected, so the slightest variation in distance is the difference between getting it and missing it. Not easy to do handheld with a lens of this heft, so for this kind of work, a tripod and remote are essential. But, for a relatively inexpensive cost, this lens can produce some tremendous close-ups and still pull back for a nice broad landscape. Definitely a good choice for amateurs and semi-pros.
Have been using this 28mm-135mm for several weeks now, and I can say it is a welcome addition to my collection.The only down side is lens creep. As you lower the camera facing down (say while taking a macro shot) the lens creeps out of focus. It is not a real problem, but worth noting.The Macro distance is much closer than advertised. I can get a good crisp focus at about 10 inches and faster auto focus at 12 inches. This was a pleasant surprise!
I have been using this lens for 3+ years along with my XTi.  I definitely is satisfied with this lens as a general purpose lens.Pros:Construction, USM=focus speed, picture quality is definitely better than a kit lens.Having wider focal length serves better as a general purpose lens than a kit lens.Having a wider focus ring makes it easier to manually focus than a kit lens.Full time manualCons:No zoom lock.  When you walk around with this lens, it extends as there is not lock.28mm at widest is not wide enough unless you are using full size sensor.  This is the biggest con for this lens for me.  I still use a film camera and it serves me well for film.  But with XTi, I feel this lens is not wide enough.Overall, this lens is a good lens in its quality and for the price.  But if you are using DSLR with non-full size sensor, you might want to consider a newer 18mm-135mm.
Lens was reconditioned so is not in perfect working order and just wish I'd held out for a zoom telephoto lens but works great anyway.
I bought it used from KEH Cameras.I've only had it for a few weeks.  I was a little hesitant at first, but the lens was in great condition. So far it takes great pictures with no issues.
I have an XSi and the 50 f1.4 and have been searching for a zoom thatcould serve as the one lens that I leave on the camera body most, ifnot all the time.  The 50 f1.4 still performs better indoors in lowlight, but the 28-135 zoom gives me freedom to vary my compositionsmore when there is sufficient light, especially outdoors.  As such,this two-lens combination is serving me well for my focal length andenvironmental needs.  Nowadays, I keep the 28-135 on my camera most ofthe time and only use the 50 occasionally as needed indoors.  Twofinal notes ... first, you can purchase the 50 plus the 28-135 formuch less than the 17-55, but still have the IQ and a lot of range,and second, the 28-135 is much better balanced for the XSi than the17-55 in my opinion.  I am very pleased with the 28-135 as a qualitywalkabout lens to complement my 50 prime.
I bought this lens with a Canon 30D.  I am amazed of the quality of the pictures I can get inside with very little light.  I use a very high speed IOS setting (1600), but the image stabilization (IS) really helps in getting those sharper pictures. I recently took photos of my in-laws 50th and the quality was great with just the normal lights of a church.  I have experimented numerous times with the IS function on and off, and you definitely see the difference.  It is surely worth an extra couple of f-stops.  It of course does not have the quality of a Canon L lens, but the IS function really makes up for the speed of the lens.  One thing I was a little disappointment with is how loose the inner part of the zoom is as to the external tube.  I did like the IS function so much that I have also ordered the Canon 70-300mm IS lens also.  I would highly recommend this lens to anyone tat needs to shot in low light without a tripod.  I only knocked one star off for the quality of the fit of the inner and outer tubes, otherwise it is a great lens.
This is a good deal for the money. Image Quality is good, zoom range is great, build quality is decent (some wobble still). IS actually works correctly.Now in the age of DSLRs, this lens is probably not wide enough for general purpose walk around use. It also uses the "old style" IS which cannot be used in panning mode. This lens also doesn't have as great of IQ as L glass such as the 24-105L, 17-40L and 24-70L, namely lacking in color and contrast. Also, f5.6 at the long end is somewhat dim.
Bought a used lens. So far I have been very pleased. My only other lens was the kit lens that came with the camera, so I'm not a pro or serious amateur, but I have been taking SLR photos for years and owned my DSLR for three years. I wanted a lens I could use on vacation and zoom in closer than I am used to with an 18-55mm lens. The ultrasonic motor is new to me, and worked well, with a little less noise than the old lens, but still audible. I had to buy new filters of course, as the new lens was bigger in diameter, but I found them easier. I added a UL filter immediately, and got a circular polarizer for landscape/outside shots. One of the other posts complained about "zoom creep" and said their lens would "slam down" to full zoom when the camera was tilted down or put in a camera bag. Mine did not suffer from this severe zoom creep. I put it on a tripod and pointed it at the ground. When fully retracted, it did not zoom out on its own, at all. When zoomed about halfway out, and left alone, eventually it would creep out a little, but there was no slamming out or anything so immediate.Problems: Lens size. My old lens and camera fit very nicely in my little lowepro bag. the new lens is too long, even retracted, so I use my larger compuday pro backpack, which works well, but not for just walking around. Good for vacations when you want to carry around extras anyway like a raincoat or snacks or something, but not for just walking around. The other problem is weight. This new lens is at least twice the weight of my old one. Its a big deal hanging around your neck for eight hours at disney world. I was glad for some of the rides where I could take it off and put it away. The size is impressive too. It makes a smaller rebel look like a larger pro camera instead of a momtographer's toy, so it might tempt someone to take yours instead of the others, since everyone seems to have one, now.Overall I like the lens. It is big and solid, fits well on the camera, and has the IS and AF switches in the same place as the kit lens, so no confusion there. I had not played with my camera in a while before going on vacation, so it was a bad choice on my part to get a new lens and not practice a lot. I noticed my shots have suffered some, but since they were mostly things like shutter speed and iso selection, not connected to how the lens works, I can't very well blame the lens. Same fstop range as the kit lens, so I didn't lose any light there... pleased so far.
This is my default walk-around lens on my 40D.  The focal length range (28-135) spreads between "normal" (as your eye sees it, approximately) to a pretty decent mid-range telephoto (on a "cropped sensor" camera; on a 5D the range would be from mild wide-angle to low telephoto).Downsides:1.  The IS is single-mode.  There is no "panning" IS mode, which I often find useful on my 70-300.2.  The max aperture is "consumer-level", ranging from 3.5 at 28mm to 5.6 at 135.  I often really feel it at the telephoto end, having to go to a higher ISO sensitivity just to get the shot.3.  IS may not be incredibly useful at the wide end.4.  Relatively heavy (although not compared to the L lens you would get to "fix" any of the other downsides here!)Upsides:1.  Very sharp, crystal-clear pictures at every zoom, even fully "wide open" (at max aperture).2.  Smooth, fast, accurate focusing.Overall, a solid, go-to lens.  When going out on a hike, this is the one I'm most likely to grab from my lens bag (unless I'm wanting to go ultra-light with the 50mm 1.8).  I generally don't use it for sports photography, as the tight end of the zoom just isn't tight enough (and I can get a wider aperture at 135 from my 70-300).  Inside, it's a good lens for wider-than-50 (equivalent to 80mm on my sensor) shots, substituting IS stability for larger aperture.  The downside as an indoor lens is that the IS only stabilizes my hand, not the subjects, and doesn't de-focus the background like a large-aperture lens can.IS system works well.  I find myself able to hand-hold shots quite often where without IS I would have ended up with nothing but blurs.
I recently puchased this lens to fill in the gap between an EF 50mm f/1.8 II and an EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 telephoto, essentially replacing the low-grade kit lens which comes with a Digital Rebel XTI.The Good?- Sharp, bright images in a variety of conditions.- Image stabalization allows crisp shots at reasonable shutter speeds, even at full zoom.  I haven't found the need for a tripod outdoors using this lens yet.- Just the right range for a general purpose "walkabout" lens.  For a casual nature enthusiast, or even a more dedicated one, this lens is a must have.  Great for shooting flowers, large insects, or braver wildlife.  Of course, having a good macro lens and a telephoto is a must for a serious outdoor photographer.  The 28-135 will come in handy many times though!- Comfortable to hold, not unduly heavy or awkward.The Bad? I have no major objections, but I keep seeing comments about the durability of the lens, and for the price, it could be built a bit more solidly.  A general complaint with this series of lenses- I wish that Canon packaged hoods, UV filters, and a case with the lens (even if it increased the price a bit).
Great range and the USM provides quite and fast auto focus. The IS works well.While the lense takes sharp photos at extreme zoon at all other settings the pictures were fuzzy. Not sure if its bad glass or a problem with auto focusing.Not worth the money but it may be that I got a bad copy of the lense like so many others here have.I wanted this lense to work but ended up returning it.Had some issues returning it but as always Amazon worked with me and the lense is on its way back.
When I bought my first Digital SLR (Canon D60) I coupled it with this lens and used it for about two years before going to a faster lense (Canon USM 24-70 f/2.8L)This is an excellent all about lens for those times when you either don't care to carry around multiple lenses or can't carry around multiple lenses.  Overall performance is quite satisfactory though sometimes with my D60 it had a tendancy to under-expose.  But with all things digital that is rather easy to correct in post-processing.Overal for a relative inexpensive lens with a good field this will be a great starter lense above the EF-S that seems to come standard with most digital SLRs these days which I'm not a fan of.
This is a great lens.  A little heavy for all-day carry around but the functionality and great pics make it worth it.
I really like this lens.  No, it's not the high end "L" series (professional quality), but it takes bright razor sharp images.  It's also lightweight which is a plus when the camera is as heavy as the Canon 5D.  To be honest, I'm going to sell my lens to get one of the pro series models, but that's because I'm a professional photographer.  This lens should be perfect for 99% of all photographers.
The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens is only mediocre and not top-notch, it serves its purpose of being an "All purpose lens", but does not get any close to my famed Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM when it comes to performance. There is just no comparison. I now opine that the 28-135mm is probably overrated here on Amazon and overpriced by Canon. I tested this lens on a XTi, on a 40D, on a 50D and finally on the 7D in numerous lighting environments with a host of manual options and employing creativity. Picture quality was mediocre at the best. In retrospect, I regret having purchased this lens. I should have saved my 400 USD, added another 600 USD and should have gone for the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM instead. That is a far superior lens. I would have been a much happier person.My sincere advise, please do not rush into buying this lens. If you know someone that owns this lens, test it first before deciding to blow 400 USD on this mediocre lens. Shame on Canon for dubiously branding and packaging an inferior product and fooling the masses. I respect Canon otherwise, but not for this lens. Sorry.
This lens stays on my camera most of this time, that is how well I like it. In most cases it covers the focal lengths that I need at the time. I really like the image stabilization that is built into this lens. This lens auto focuses faster than most of the other lenses that I have.I would have given it five stars except I think that it would have been a better walk around lens if it went town to 17 or 18mm instead of 28mm. But all and all, I am very satisfied with this lens in the way that it preforms and for the price that I paid for it.
It is hard to tell that this lens has been used; it is clean and scratch free.It works just like I had hoped.
Bought this lens for my Canon Rebel Xt camera.  It was the first lens I bought extra for the camera.  I am very pleased with the results I got from using the new lens.  Bought this lens in response to a family of Mississippi Kites in my next door neighbor's tree.  Even after enlargement, the pictures were clear and crisp.  I can't wait to try it on other things in the near future.
For the cost of this lens, its very good. I've taken some really great shots with it over the years. The only thing holding it back is, it wasn't fast enough as far aperture. It wasn't the best lens in poor light. I will keep this lens as a back up though because its not a bad lens and takes very crisp images in good light. I used it for portraits, landscapes and nature shots. I replaced this with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens. There really is no comparison between the two. They are both good but the latter is great.I would give this lens 3.5 stars if I could. I guess 4 is apt.
I have been using this lens for the last 4 years now, and I am truly satisfied with it.  My photographic strength lies in creativity and not the technical side of it, so I am not able to pick apart any softness or any other terms used to describe lens qualities.  All I can tell you is this lens has been on my camera for over 95% of the photos I have taken over the last 4 years.  So if you are looking for a very dependable "walk-around" lens, don't hesitate to pick this one up.
If you can't afford to buy L glass, this is the way to go.  I debated for a long time between this one and 24-105L and finally decided to get the 28-135 instead.  Mounted on my 40D, I get results that are very close to my prime lenses.  Not as sharp, but close.  I've yet to have problems with autofocus, even in dark room and the USM autofocus is great.  The only downfall of this lens is the construction - the lens is a bit wobbly and the zoom creep is present if you point the lens down.
This lense works well in low light and is built strong and runs smoothly but it annoyingly telescopes out when hanging due to the weight of the glass. when i manually zoom with it it has an annoying plastic on plastic squeeking noise. It does not affect the fuction but is annoying as hell.
Make sure you buy it with the knowledge that you won't be able to use it to the full extent a wide angle lens is used to. Otherwise you will be severely disappointed with this lens. But just how so?I know a photographer that uses this lens for wedding photography with her 10D. For her the lens does the job wonderfully. The lens takes sharp pictures, is light enough to haul around in a wedding, and wide enough on a 1.6 form factor camera to provide sufficient field of view for such event. The field of view on a 1.6 form factor camera would be equivalent to 45mm on full format; almost normal view.I on the other hand used my 28mm lens for nature photography, and let me tell you the results were not just disappointing but down right useless! Simply stated, you will not be able to use high contrast/saturation landscape and nature pictures that are procuded by this lens.  The bright sun will cause sever chromatic aberration in your pictures. Hence, the fringes of trees and light poles for example will display the dreaded discoloration (with this lens the color is generally purple). Every tree branch at the top corners will become purple at the fringes. Those are truly unacceptable results.Now for the big question, is it possible that I had a bad copy? Probably not. After being so disappointed I researched this lens extensively (especially on Fred Miranda site) and found that others had the same problem. In fact, its overall score on that site was 7.4 at the time of my research, thus my 3 star rating. After learning the facts I decided to return the lens instead of exchanging it with another one. Since then I have ordered a 17-40 L.Should you order it? This lens is a great value. In fact, I rank it as a best value lens after the 50mm 1.8 in the lower end range of Canon prime lenses. Nonetheless, don't expect to take stunning nature photos with it; otherwise chromatic aberration will stun you!PS. I agree with most of what a previous reviewer mentioned in his post, but wonder if he owns a good copy. This lens has been in production for a while and there may be a difference in quality between various batches out there.
Because this lens is not very popular you can pick one up for a great deal. In fact I got mine used for 30 euros recently! The person just wanted to get rid of it. I've used it already for some studio shots and the images are great. I am using it on a T2i. The image quality meets that of my nifty-fifty. Even at f/2.8 it is very sharp. Focus is fast, not too loud. Color reproduction is amazing. For me, though, I don't think I'll use it much because my sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 (the $200 one) is just as sharp at 28mm (when stopped down) and it has OS. If you're using a crop-sensor body, a newer kit lens with IS or OS will serve you just fine, or get the 28mm f/1.8 for the extra stop and awesome shallow DOF. I'm going to keep this little lens though because I want to try it on a full frame body when I upgrade...I imagine it will be just as good, maybe a little soft in the corners wide open but who cares. I hope this helps any cropped-sensor folks who are looking at this lens...it is a fine lens, and if you can find it for cheap, get it, the image quality is great. Another note for crop-sensor folks...if you just have to have a wide prime for your crop sensor body, I would recommend the 24mm f2.8 as a wide-ish walk-around lens...this 28mm is not very wide...good for wide-ish portraits but not too good for landscapes or large crowds or in small rooms.
I like my Canon EFS 60mm f2.8 USM better, but this 28mm f2.8 lens is easily equal to it (just noisier focusing).  With both lenses the colors, contrast, and sharpness are excellent.  I prefer the 60mm lens only because getting up close, without actually getting up close, is more comfortable for me, and I think people are more relaxed when there is space between them and the camera.  But when I'm shooting in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors, this little lens earns its keep.  I wouldn't want to be without it.  I also like my super-cheap Canon 50mm f1.8 lens.  It too is very sharp for a budget lens.  I wish they had made that 50mm the kit lens that came with my camera.  I guess that was a marketing decision - thinking that a zoom lens would impress more potential buyers.My camera is the 12.2MP XSi and I can't afford L-Series lenses.  I'm an amateur on a limited budget.  But, with these three lenses, and my Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printer, I can print startlingly sharp images up to 13X16".  The prints are especially sharp when shooting in RAW format.  Cheap Class 6 32GB secure memory cards are now available so storage of large RAW photographs is no longer a burden.  With all this, I can't justify purchasing a more expensive camera or purchasing L-series lenses.Actually, when shooting people up close, sharpness is of lesser importance - after a certain point.  I also use the Canon EF-S zoom 55-250mm IS lens.  In very crowded outdoor events (like town festivals and sporting events) this lens reaches out into the crowds to catch people in the act of being themselves.  Setting the camera to Portrait softens the complexions of the subjects - making them look better in my photographs than they do in life.  Also, when I increase the ISO setting I can get cool shots of athletes in action.  I especially like this lens because of the Image Stabilizer.  With it I can shoot at its extreme length without needing a tripod or mono-pod.I'm very happy with my choice of cameras and with my lens collection - except for the kit lens that came with the camera.  I guess it's okay, but it lacks that certain something that would make me want to use it.  Being a zoom lens is about all it has going for it.It may seem that I have gone too far off the subject.  I did this because I figured that anyone in the market for a budget 28mm Canon lens might benefit from a broader view of what to buy now, and what to buy in the future.  I can't help that I'm a talkative and opinionated old geezer.
Pros: * Sharp center at F2.8, sharp corners at F5.6-8.0* Great contrast, vivid color reproduction* no problems with flaring* fast autofocusing* has focus ring,distance scale (unlike 50mm f1.8)* metal lens mount, more solid feel unlike 50mm f1.8* decent price $200-250Cons:* LOTS of chromatic aberration/ Color fringing* soft corners on full frame* AF hunts a lot in low light situations* noisy AF motor* this lens is known for having bad copies (unsharp at any aperture due to bad glass)(mine was great though)Summary:If you want another prime lens to add to your 50mm f1.8, this lens is a good buy especially sincethe 28mm on a crop 1.6 is closer to a real 50mm (28mm=45mm 1.6X crop  Rebel, 40D,50D,etc)Image quality is on par with the 50mm f1.8, but it just has the big color fringing issues.Also, another good prime although more expensive at $320 is the Canon 35mm F2.0 .....
I had used this lens at night with low light and taken many indoor shots.  My camera multiplies the les to 1.6 and it become a 44mm lens.  The shots were cystal clear.
Great lens and the price makes it less stressful to take anywhere without worrying about it getting damaged.  the pictures are very clear, having 2.8 is great, and it feels well-made.  I use this lens more than the other two I purchased with the camera.
Canon generally makes excellent lenses, but my copy of this lens is awful!  Even at f/8 with a fast shutter speed and low ISO, images are blurry when blown up to 100%.  It also suffers from severe CA, particularly in bright settings.  Yes, this lens is inexpensive, but I can't recommend it at any price.  You would do much better to save your money and buy a better lens.Canon should pull the 28mm f/2.8 off the market.
I used this lens w a Canon 10D cropped sensor lens. The combination was killer.  I took so many wonderful images.  The images were sharp, full of contrast, w beautiful color.  Did I mention inexpensive, small and light weight.  Maybe I was lucky?  Eventually, I gave my 10D w this lens to my son.Maybe I never used the lens on a full sized sensor camera.  I am considering buying another copy w an APS Canon such as a Rebel XSi as a walk around travel camera.Note that this is a very simple lens design w relatively few pieces of glass between the subject and the sensor.IMO, not fair to expect too much in optical performance such as edge to edge sharpness on a full sensor camera.On the other hand, I am a prime lens photographer and I believe that lenses with fewer glass elements are preferable and lenses with too many glass elements, as "perfect" their design and construction might be, do not escape "optically unscathed".Others will disagree.  That is my opinion, based on my personal experience and perception.
I must have gotten a bad lens based on these reviews but then again maybe they don't have to look at thousands of images at 100% in a photo editor. This is the worst lens I've ever owned. It is soft, soft, soft. Even my cheap 50mm 1.8 is significantly sharper.One reviewer said it's sharp on all four corners; not mine. It is embarrassingly fuzzy on the corners at any aperture and the edges as well as the middle too and forget about zone focusing. One of the great things about a lens like this is you can supposedly zone focus so that at .f.8 everything from 5 ft. to infinity is in focus - wrong.For the price this lens is a rip-off. This lens does have a sweet spot but you'll wait a long time finding it and it'll happen once in a blue moon. How can an image from a lens shot with a Canon 5D at 1/500 and .f.8 on a sunny day be soft? Unbelievable. Another reviewer wrote it can be had used for 30 Euros - I don't doubt it. Whoever buys mine when I upgrade should call the police.
The 28/2.8 is like the Rodney Dangerfield of Canon lenses.  He don't get no respect!  Honestly, it would be easy to pass this lens up and buy something else.  The design is ancient (circa early 1990s), is "only" F2.8, it doesn't have USM, and while 28mm is wide angle, it's not *that* wide angle.So what does this lens have going for it?  It's cheap, it's small, and it covers a full frame.  If you've got an APS-C camera, there are better choices (mostly zooms), and if you're looking for razor sharp pictures corner to corner on your 1Ds mark III, there are better choices.In the days of pocket sized cameras with 47x zoom lenses, this little prime lens seems almost quaint.  However if you're looking for a small, cheap, simplistic lens for your full frame camera (digital or film), this guy won't take up much space in your bag and is still a great choice.
I bought this lens for it's low light capabilities and I was not disappointed. I used it for inside shooting w/out a flash and &#34;freezing&#34; action in good light like hummingbirds. Very &#34;fast&#34; lens. I eventually sold this for it's slightly sturdier and a little faster cousin the Canon 50mm 1.4. Honestly I don't see a huge  difference. This is a good bang for the buck lens.
If you could only carry one lens for your Canon digital SLR, or you wanted to keep your gear to a minimum, this would be the only lens to carry. Of course, you would be limited in your range of photography, i.e. no large groups of people in small spaces; no sports photos.Otherwise, this is a very good lens for all-around photography.
I bought this lens some time ago and have taken several photos with it since then. I can assure you that despite this lens is quite inexpensive and made maily of cheap plastic, it produces wonderful photos! Sharp on all four cornes! Do not buy that Canon 50mm lens if you have a 1.6 crop factor camera such as Canon Xti or Canon 40D because it will become a 80mm! This Canon AF 28mm F/2.8 on a 1.6 crop factor Camera is actually a 44mm and will do the job much better. It is very light and fast. I really enjoy to connect this little lens to my Canon 40D and go around the city capturing all that I find Interesting. The ony thing I would say against this lens is that it is not a USM lens what means that the auto focus is a little slow sometimes however, for the price it is what you get and I really do not not care to wait a few seconds more for the focus mecanism to lock on the subject of my photo. I RECOMMEND THIS LENS! IT IS A JOY IN MY LIFE AND AN EXCELLENT TOOL... FOR PROFESSIONALS AND AMATEURS....
I purchased this lens due to the multiplication factor of Digital Cameras. This lens works as a normal size focal length and the wide open f-stop gives it excellent used in low light situations. Also, I'd recommend to family and friends.
I bought this lens for a couple of reasons. First of all, I picked it up REALLY cheap used (and you can get it quite cheap even new). Secondly, I really wanted a standard-view lens for my Rebel XT. But honestly, I can't say that I am extremely impressed with it. Simply put, the sharpness is just not there like it is with, say, the 20mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, or 50mm f/1.4. In fact, sharpness ranges from equal to worse than the 28-105mm (depending on aperture). There also seems to be somewhat of a decentering effect, where the right side of the picture is ESPECIALLY soft. And chromatic aberrations are on the high side. Honestly, I don't now how Canon went wrong with this lens, as the 35mm f/2 is a VERY similar design and actually a GREAT lens. Oh, and like the 35mm f/2, build quality leaves something to be desired.On the other hand, it IS better than the kit zoom. And even though it really can't beat the 28-105mm in terms of sharpness, it DOES beat that lens in terms of contrast and color saturation. Oh, and it is cheap. So it may at least be worth considering. But overall, I would pass on this lens in favor of the MUCH better 35mm f/2. Of course, the 35mm f/2 is somewhat pricier than this lens (but well worth it).
Waterfall lovers will appreciate a 28mm lens, and the Canon f/2.8 is no exception.  A 24mm lens often puts me into the spray zone.  A 35mm lens to me lacks drama.  I prefer fixed focal length lenses for waterfalls and similar landscapes to eliminate the ghosting that blemishes photos taken with zoom lenses: this lens has fewer groups/elements, consequently fewer internal reflections.  I sometimes couple this lens with a 12mm Kenko extension tube to create dramatic closeups of flowers.Don't feel the more expensive f/1.4 is a "better" lens just from the higher price.  In my experience, the ultrawide aperture lenses are harder to optically correct and seldom much sharper--but they are noticeably heavier and more expensive.  While the wide aperture might help with shooting action or portraits, you should ask yourself if a significant fraction of your photos require this.  Otherwise you're paying money for nothing.In short, this inexpensive lens is a solid performer and a great value.Update February 2013: Canon has now replaced this version of the lens with a bulkier f/2.8 with image stabilization.  The optical formulation looks like a revision of this lens--there are more groups/elements, and the new lens is a little sharper overall, but the MTF curves look very similar between the two lenses.  I bought this lens for $150, while the new version is clocking in at $650.  Have to say that I am disappointed about this--a sharp, lower-cost f/2.8 without IS would be preferable, in my view.  I have no need for image stabilization for most wide-angle work as I tend to do landscapes with that focal length.  The irony is that the older (and lower quality) f/1.8 is now the less expensive lens.If I had to buy today, I would lean toward the new f/2.8 but before purchasing I would take a long look at the Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 lens, or to go wider maybe the Canon 24mm II Tilt-Shift.  The Zeiss lens is sharp and supports high-resolution sensors, though the corners are soft wide-open (but better than the Canon 28mm f/1.8), and it is manual focus only.  The tilt-shift is also manual-focus, but the sharpness is fantastic and the new version is lighter than the first.  On all of the lenses today, I would look hard at ghosting since this would be my waterfall lens; renting first (eg: LensRentals.com) would give me the option of trying before buying.I believe Canon is prepping their lens lineup for higher resolution SLR sensors to be released in the next few years--perhaps as high as 40Mp (that is about 40% more resolution than a 20 Mp camera, and older lenses generally lack sufficient resolving power to support this).  That explains why lenses are being revised and prices are rising dramatically.  But I also believe there is a market for sharp, light-weight non-stabilized lenses for landscape photographers who know how to use a tripod, even if they have a smaller widest aperture.  I suspect that third party manufacturers will fulfill the needs of such advanced amateurs if Canon doesn't provide sensibly-priced alternatives themselves.
Great price for this 2.8 lens if you do a lot of architectural work.  On a crop factor body (I used it on a 30D and 40D), it produces virtually no distortion.  Only gripes are that is focuses slow and noisy.
I ordered this lens about 2 years ago and right out of the box the AF motor sounded like it was 'too tight'...made a high-pitched, almost abrasive sound whenever it would focus.  Being the first prime lens I got for my T2i, I didn't suspect anything at first.  After about 3 months, the AF stopped working entirely.  I sent it off to Canon to fix under a warranty claim and they had it back to me in about 3 weeks.  From that point, it worked for about another 8 months before reverting back to the same state of disrepair.  I resolved to just use MF on it, however, just having this lens attached to my camera nearly instantly drains even a full-battery....must be some kind of short in it.Regardless of the failed mechanics and weird behavior, the glass was good and I really liked the way it handled indoor light....great colors and warm tone, nice FOV.  Nonetheless, this lens is basically worthless to me now and just sits in the top of my closet.  Because of this experience, I am very weary to invest in more Canon lenses and have since only purchased Sigma lenses, with mixed emotions there as well.  One day....I'll get a good one...hopefully.
The Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens is widely considered to be a very good lens.  And it is.Difficult for me to imagine someone not liking this lens.
I acquired my Canon EF 400mm f4 DO IS USM lens (hereafter known as the lens) just recently and am very happy with it. I can say this with certainty "don't expect those fantastic shots to pop out of the camera the first time you use it".  There is a learning curve to it. I've had other super telephotos (above 400mm) in the past from Sigma and even from Canon itself and generally was only OK with the results. The past lenses were either too slow or somewhat soft. I do have a Canon 300mm f4 L that has been fantastic so when I purchased this I had great expectations.While this does not have an L lens monogram or red stripe it is absolutely a PRO lens. It is impressive to look at and stands out with its white finish. So if your trying to blend in with the crowd this is NOT the lens for you. The build quality is nothing short of superb. It is short and light for a 400mm lens. Shorter and lighter even than their 300mm f2.8 L. This was the reason I chose this lens.I mated it up with both a 7d and a 50d so both were crop camera formats. I did my first day shooting (nothing more than testing it out) and was somewhat disappointed. I thought it was my technique. I had some fantastic hits but they were few. So I got out a yardstick and set it up at about 30' at a diagonal to the camera (on a tripod with stabilizer off) and focused at the middle of the yardstick. The lens consistently focused at the 26-28" mark while I was focusing at 18". So it was back focusing by 10" at 30'. No wonder it had such a poor hit rate. So using the cameras' micro-adjust I tuned the lens in for each camera. NOW, the hit rate was much more in line with what I expected.The next day my friend and I went to a close by bird sanctuary. Generally the conditions were only poor with light being a problem (clouds) all day yet the lens did fairly well with a high ISO to keep speeds up. My hand held shots were better at first than with the mono-pod that I brought along. Even though I was using mode 2 for the mono-pod (this is supposed to be OK with a mono-pod) the lens made the pics blurry due to lack of movement to compensate. I guess I must be a rock when using the mono-pod. When I turned it off it did fine. I was able to hand hold with Stabilization to about 1/250 sec easily with a high hit rate. Pictures at 1/125 are possible with IS but I wouldn't recommend it. Birds in flight were able to be captured as the auto focus is almost instant and these were done hand held. I tried the 1.4X converter and it was still very sharp. In fact you really can't tell the difference. This isn't true with the 2.0X but still very good. There were NO discernible chromatic aberrations in the pictures even where you would almost always get them (dark lines on light backgrounds).Was I elated with the performance. Not quite. In fact I would have only given the lens 4.5 stars if I could. The reason was the bokeh. Not always bad. Some results were spectacular and buttery smooth but when there were specular highlights the background looked weird with some "busy" patterns to the bokeh ( a result of the diffractive optics). Another reason is that it can be short on contrast in some situations. Both problems are easily taken care of in Photo Shop so it isn't a deal breaker.So in conculusionPros- Light weight (for a super telephoto), probably the only 400mm that is truly hand holdable,  sharp, excellent build quality, VERY fastCons- Expensive, can have busy bokeh, contrast low in some situations.Is it worth it? If your like me and want to carry it on trails and hand hold when I need to there isn't anything else... So Yea!UPDATE: As I have gained experience with this lens I have found that if you are using ANY support (tripod, monopod etc.) turn off the stabilizer. It will blur the pics (makes a funny clicking noise too). If I hand hold I can get great shots down to 1/250 sec with IS as stated in review. The instructions seem to indicate that in mode 2 you can use a monopod but I have found that not to be the case. If I turn the IS off and use 1/500th or faster with support I get tack sharp results. But I can do the same with equal results hand held and IS on.
This is an often maligned lens, due to its high cost and the lower contrast compared to regular lenses. Both are true and the latter is easily fixable in the digital workflow. The upside that no other lens can compete with is, that one can carry it for miles without undue strain, handhold for substantial periods of time, like waiting a few minutes for some wildlife to move into position, or for some sports action to happen. Obviously, there are even lighter 400mm lenses, but those have typically no image stabilization and a very small maximum aperture.At this point for me, this is my one size fits all super telephoto lens. There are sharper lenses, longer lenses, faster lenses, etc. but this one can do almost everything, and do it good enough.
I hesitated for weeks before buying this lens. It's expensive (only $1,000 or so cheaper than the wonderful 400mm 2.8 Canon lens), it's 4.0 instead of 2.8, it's not an L lens (since it uses the less common diffractive optics), and the user reviews of the early production lenses were mixed (the latter reviews are much better). However, I finally decided to buy because I needed a 400mm lens for a mix of sports and outdoors photos, and I knew that I would rarely use the much heavier and longer 400mm 2.8 lens. It is true that the 400mm 2.8 has photographic advantages over the 400mm 4.0 DO, but those don't mean anything if you don't have the lens with you when you need it!In the month or so I've had the 400mm DO, I've taken it with me on trips--in planes, inside the cabin, with enough space for two camera bodies, and 24-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses--and I've shot sports handheld _exclusively_. The autofocus is very fast, the image quality is _astounding_, and I can only say good things about this lens. Perfect 10 for me!
This is my lens for handheld images of birds in flight, and when I don't want to carry a much bigger 500mm f/4L IS. It's sharp and exhibits no color fringing or other chromatic aberration. By comparison, my Leitz 400mm f/6.8 Telyt shows a fair amount of color fringing outside the center region. To be fair, the Telyt is a much simpler design.The Telyt does have higher contrast than the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS, but a levels layer in Photoshop can fix that.The 400mm f/4 DO IS is much lighter than any 400mm f/4 lens with conventional optics. DO lenses have a diffraction element that compensates for the color dispersion of spherical lens elements. It also reduces optical complexity and size.The f/4 speed makes autofocus faster, and allows even better isolation of subjects using narrow depth of field. While bigger and heavier than Canon's 400mm f/5.6L, the f/4 lens is light enough at 4.3 pounds that it's still easy to carry. I've used mine on hikes above 10,000 feet to photograph bighorn sheep.IS definitely makes a difference handheld, and on a tripod below 1/125 second. Canon's 400mm f/5.6L is a non-stabilized lens.I've taken some of my sharpest wildlife images with this lens - you can see every feather in some bird shots. Highly recommended if you can afford one.
I've wanted a macro lens for a while, especially for product shooting, but with the 50mm point of view, it gives me the chance to continually photograph more than close-up range. It also lets the user crop wherever you may want it afterwards, because it'll be 1:1 ratio.
Throws very good macro shots excellent lens to begin experimenting with macro photography.  The only thing I do not like is that when I'm automatic mode  I can not handle the zoom.
When you look at the pricing for Macro lenses you might be easily skeptical with the quality of this Macro lens. I was to the point where I took my camera body to a photography store and asked to use it in the store. I was immediately impressed with its close up qualities and the ability to easily create the "bokeh" effect when shooting my daughter running around the store.  I did not purchase it on Amazon (but I normally do) just for the level of service and courtesy that this photography store provided.I was double impressed with the lens once I got it home and was able to shoot outside and indoors. The pictures are stunning for close up objects and it works equally as well as a portrait lens. I don't claim to be a professional and I'm sure that a $700 Macro lens has features for a professional that this doesn't offer. When I run into problems with this lens I suppose I'll find out what those features are.Happy shooting - enjoy if you buy this lens.
I shoot a lot of food for a restaurant I work at, but I don't have the ideal conditions all the time. This lens allows nice closeups and can have a very shallow depth of field if I want. I shot the bottom of a wine cork with a slight dome on it. The DOF is so shallow the text on top of the dome is crisp while the edges are blurred; a difference of 1mm. Pretty awesome. Even in aperture priority mode you need a decent amount of light and a still subject. The kitchen moves fast and I have to jump in quick for shots. As far as macro goes, it gets the job done. I needed this lens in a hurry and didn't have much of a budget. If you're serious about macro work I would go for the 100mm or ultimately the 180mm. You have to get really close to your subject to get your shot sometimes with this lens; I mean inches. That isn't always ideal.
2/4/08 - I am updating this review. While I didn't own the lens when I first wrote my comments - I was in the process of purchasing it - I have owned it for years now. the lens is fantastic and I use it constantly in my studio. It provides great color/contrast, focuses quickly (mostly used on 1 series cameras such as the 1Ds MkII, 1D MkIII, and 1VHS, but also on a 5D, all without distortion. I also own/owned the 50 f/1.4, 50 f/1.2L (no longer own) and this lens does just what I need it to do for close up work.This is absolutely one of the best 50mm macro lenses available; highly recommended.NOTE: This lens is an EF mount and works with all Canon EOS cameras. While the caution I offered previously regarding the EF-s mount macro lens still stands (see below), the list of cameras available that can use it has grown to include the 30d/40d, 400d/450d aka XTi/XSi.Original review as posted in 2005....First I do not have this lens yet but I am buying it. It is reportedly an excellent lens with very little distortion along the edges (which is why I'm buying it). I will update this review after I have the lens, however, I feel that people should be warned about a big error in another well received review because it will only lead to frustration.Do not listen to John Kwok's suggestion to buy the Canon 60mm macro lens UNLESS you you own the 20d, 300d, or 350d/Rebel XT. The lens is an EF-S lens and as of September, 2005 it will ONLY fit those cameras - it has NOT been optimized for all Canon DSLR's as he states. On the other hand, the 50mm macro here will fit all Canon 35mm film cameras and all digital SLR's.
I have the 100 f2.8 IS macro as my main macro lens (which is AMAZING) however it got dropped at a wedding and I had to ship it out to have it repaired so I needed another macro and FAST... I ordered this to use for a shoot while the 100 Macro was out and it has not disappointed. Obviously it does not compare to the 100 f2.8 IS for clarity/sharpness but this thing gets the job done and I think i'm going to hang on to it because it's a very serviceable backup for the 100. Overall I'm definitely happy with the lens GIVEN THE PRICE POINT.If you're a professional photographer get the 100, if you're just looking to get into macro photography or you can't afford the 100 but want to add a macro lens to your gear bag this thing will get the job done!
Needed a lens to get the tight shot on coins and smaller areas of items that I collect.  Unfortunately since this is light years ahead of of the old manual focus Minolta macro I was used to this one is going to take some getting used to.  Too many years using a point and shoot has ruined the touch needed to get the most out of this lens.
I use this mostly for food photography, and it's a great lens.  I originally used a 50mm f/1.8, but when it developed a defect in focusing, went for this macro lens version.  Sometimes I miss the really low f-stops, but overall, I like it. It functions well as a non-macro lens as well.  Somewhat slow to switch from close to far, and a little noisy, but nothing that's really bothersome.
This is a great lense, with caveats.I prefer it to the nifty 50 since you can do everything the nifty can and get much closer to the subject.When you have focus dead-on, it just can't be beat (except by a better L macro lense).But, like another poster had commented, it grabs the wrong focus point at times.I find that anything lower than 4.5 simply delivers a fuzzy picture. Above 4.5 it is sharp as heck.I'm looking forward to upgrading to the new EF 100mm IS macro soon. But I'll keep this little gem.
If you're looking for a 50mm lens that's sharp, built better than  the Canon 50/1.8 and less expensive than the 50/1.4, this is a good choice.  Although by no means the best macro lens I've ever used (contrast could be better and its a little soft in the corners if used on full-frame), its the best $200 macro I've ever used.The reason its going back is that about 1/3 of the time it settled on the wrong focus point.  I was a little surprised, given the shallow depth of field when shooting up close.  I don't see anybody else having this problem so maybe this is a fluke or one of those Canon adjustments.But this lens got me thinking....please, Canon, make a few lenses that are this small, this light and very sharp (and please, not too much barrel distortion).  I don't care if they are fast; I don't care if they have IS; I don't care if they are plastic; I don't even care what they cost.  Instead of trying to make the ultimate 600mm f/2.8, how about the ultimate 28mm f/2.8?  I know you can do it.
Just received my Canon 50mm Macro Lens. Color clarity is great. Still trying to get use to close up shots. I can't quite get close as I want to. So I ordered a Canon Extension Tube so I can focus in a little closer. The lens is sturdy and light weight. Using it on a Canon XS, in doing so the crop factor actually makes it closer to a 75mm lens with the extension it will be closer to a 100mm. I would recommend the lens it also has a great brokeh.
I never bought this nor intended it for macro . I bought it because I have the canon 50mm 1.4 and while it takes nice pictures and has a fast focus it miss focus too many times for me to be happy with. I have a canon 6d and have a little above moderate knowledge on photography and I know my camera very well. I always focus on the eyes and yes even with the center focus and the canon 50mm 1.4 sometimes does not focus accurately wide open and the center is kind of soft with noticeable light fall off in the corners and lens distortion which the last two are not a big problem because I shoot raw and easily fixed in lightroom . Now the canon 50mm 1.4 I bought brand new in amazon some time ago and take very special care with because I know the USM motor is very sensitive and gets damaged with any little bump and if you twist to hard on a filter you can damage as well . So I protect it with a lens hood and a B&W (007m) UV filter . So thats my background and with that being said I still like the lens and it's great for low light. Now that lens left me with wanting something better something that did not make me lose my mind when I got the perfect picture with the perfect natural light of my beautiful 4 year old daughter and the autofocus did not focus properly and now the perfect light is gone my daughter won't sit still now ect  I know some of you share my frustration. I bought this lens strictly on the review of Ken Rockwell's site and was he right . This lens is excellent for portraits and close up photography ! It's phenomenal blows the 50mm 1.4 right out of the water the auto focus is accurate wide open and the eyes are tact sharp and also everything else thats in focus. Now I will add the autofocus is a little slow and the depth of field is very shallow so you have to be careful as well but it's extremely accurate. There are no chromatic arbitration no lens flare . Now I'm basing this on that I just got the lens on thursday and shot with it on saturday for an early mothers day BBQ I did with all the family and today I'm looking at all the pictures and processing them and they look great  No need for a lens hood on this one because the way it's made the lens element its pretty deep in the housing. I strongly recommend I hope this helps I know it would have helped me when I was shopping for a reliable 50mm .
I bought the Cannon Digital EOS to leverage my existing Canon lenses and the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro is one of my favorites. It's great for nature, non-moving nature in particular.Focus range is small, however the images are very sharp.  Physically the lens is not as sturdy as some but good for the price.  The bokeh is great!If you search around you can find some great photos on web taken with this lens.
The images are super sharp where you need them to be, the bokeh is beautifully difussed and the open constant aperture makes this lens a joy to use. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to start playing with macro photography.
Excellent lens. It does a fantastic job of focusing on small items, but it also takes really good photos of everyday non-macro objects.
I have been wanting a Macro lens for quite some time and saw this because it was on Black Friday sale. I have so far used it to photograph food, which is exactly why I bought it. I am happy with my purchase.
OMG I am in LOVE with this lens... I originally bought the 50mm 1.8 and was less than thrilled with the images. The AF took so long to catch no matter how much texture I was focusing on. Then I had the opportunity to buy this one instead....Just with the first few test shots I knew I had struck gold. For the price, this lens is an amazing buy. I consistently shoot crisp, clear, shots even with active toddlers and babies. This lens pretty much stays on my 20D at all times.IMO this is a must have for serious hobbyists, and those looking to eventually go pro.
One of the best Macro lenses I ever bought. Takes great pictures and close up. No visible light distortion/aberration. I am using it with a rebel T1 and T2i
I needed a macro lens and thought I could save some money. That was my primary reason for buying this particular lens. But I'm kind of disappointed in it. Mine seems very noisy and slow focusing. And, while now I finally have macro capability, the overall quality is just so-so.I have only used it one afternoon, for about an hour shooting flowers in the back yard. Maybe my pictures will improve. I'm sure some of the problem is my unprofessional technique, but I'm also thinking that I might have had more fun with a better lens than this one. There's no substitute for good quality, and this lens' quality isn't the best.
I am THRILLED with this lens's capabilities and the pictures it does.  I test shot a corner of a window to determine if it would be good for my insect shots that I like so well.Well, it did great as it came but I found that I wanted to have the 1/1 capability so I bought the add-on converter and am thrilled to have added both of these necessary items for my set-up.  I like nature photography the best and like to use my off summer days for hiking and finding photographs to take in perhaps well-known places but finding unique angles and subjects is what I like to specialize in.  This lens will greatly enhance your experience in that 'little world' we commonly trod over or weed-ate away.  I built a diffuser using a ping-pong ball over the flash so the lighting would work better.  (Works great, btw).As usual, it's great Canon glass that does the trick.
I tried this little baby out as soon as it arrived. I love it. The pictures are clear and sharp. It took me back to the 1950s when I bought my first 35mm camera, an Argus A4. I do not know why I waited so long to buy one for my DSLR.
My first Macro lens on the Xti -- I am loving using it so far.  The picture clarity is as sharp as can be, lovely background blur, great color.  Its a simple lens for a simple job and beyond it also doubles as a pretty great portrait lens.
The Canon EF 50mm f2.5 macro lens is yet another example of Canon doing a fine job catching up with the likes of Nikon, Zeiss and Leica with respect to optical design; optically it may be the best 50mm macro lens currently available for 35mm SLR film photography. I am impressed that a lens as cheap as this counts at least one aspheric lens element and an apochromatic lens design; unfortunately it is not nearly as durable a lens as the celebrated L series lens line or the Canon EF 100mm macro lens. Unless you are constantly working out in the field taking close-up photography, then the durability of this lens's lens mount and barrel should not be an issue. More importantly for the user is the quality of its images, and having read some test reports on this lens, I have no doubt that it is a capable performer. Those interested in digital macro photography may choose to look instead at the new 60mm macro lens, which is optimized for use with Canon digital SLR cameras.
nice starterlens for macro photography i have used the for about 6 months i like it nice sharp focus works as it should
I really, really love this lens.  I'm not a professional photographer, but do have an Etsy shop that requires me to take clear, accurate macro shots and my kit lens and 50mm/1.8f were not doing the trick.  This lens gives very nice, clear macro shots with beautiful detail, while compensating for not-so-great lighting conditions.  I read an article recommending it for food photography, and I find it's just as good for jewelry photography.  Even difficult-to-photograph pearls!  It's a really great lens.
It's a very good lenses which works very well specially during good light conditions. Sometimes specially when de light is not good, the autofocus is very slow, but for the price it was fair.I could take nice portrait using its F2.5 aperture.
If you follow my reviews you'll see I've learned the hard way about cheap products. They say you get what you pay for because it's true.Now this lens is great for beginners who have no idea what they're doing and want to dabble with macro shots on a budget. Sure, knock yourself out.If you need professional quality macro shots and are using professional gear (im on a Canon 5d mark ii), then you need the L series lenses. Sorry to be that guy but it's true. Night and day difference between a plastic macro lens, and a top shelf L series lens. I would even go with the sigma or something before this.However, if your camera body is only so good (t2i for example) then this is about as good a lens as you need. Why put expensive tires on a cheap car?Just my 2 cents, speaking from experience only (not bias).
I never thought a $250 lens could be so good. I have been trying to buy lenses that are light-weight for my 20D, due to a neck injury problem, and this 50mm fits the bill.Great in low light, and agree also, the bokeh is sweet. I do alot of bee chasing and manage some great macros with bees in flight with this one. All hand held. Can also take great indoor shots without flash, with a steady hand.I chose it also because it was one of the least expensive high rated canon 50mm's.It goes well with another inexpensive canon lens, the 55-200mm ef f4.5-5.6 II, which also does well outdoors, including macro.I am very pleased with both, and wouldn't part with them!
This is a great little lens.  I was looking for a macro lens to try some new photography.  It takes a little getting used to as there is no zoom whatsoever, instead, focusing on objects as you move closer or further away.It is a lot of fun to play with, getting closer to make the background blur away, or standing back and getting a good shot of a large area.  If you are looking for a macro lens, this is a great one to go with.
I bought it to use as macro, but be careful if you want it to use 1x1.  As portrail photografy, is also excellent and very lightful.
I use the lens for close up product shots for a business that my partner runs. I also use it for shots of my work for my portfolio. It is versatile and takes very clear pics. Overall I really enjoy using it.
Looking to increase the utility of my new Canon 40D for macro-photography - I stumbled over this lens after buying a series of walk around, kit and portrait lenses.Another arrow in my quiver so to speak. As a "semi-professional", I shoot portraits at charity events as fund raisers and have purchased both the f/1.8 50mm and 85mm for portraits, the 28-135mm IS as a walkaround lens, and inherited the kit lens and an older USM f/4 135mm telephoto from my older Digital Rebel (300D) purchase of 3 years ago. This pretty much handles the portrait side of the house and the general photography I like to do (using the 28-135mm kit lens).This 50mm f2.5 finally meets the needs of my macro photography hobby and makes using my light box a joy. As in Internet watch forum mod, I shoot photos of 50 watches or more a year to share with our online membership. The macro capabilities of the 28-135mm weren't getting the job done and I looked through a series of Sigma and more expensive Canons in the 100-105mm range not finding anything that gave me joy. The 50mm f/2.5 is a perfect focal length for light box use - even with the partial frame 1:1.6 sensor of my 40D and 300D cameras. Enough 'f stop' and depth of field to use my light box without additional lighting for all but my largest watches.I have two portrait lenses that are tack sharp - a walkaround lens adequate for most opportunity photography and now a dedicated macro lens with 'enough' sharpness and depth of field to make my watch photography come alive for internet and most publishing use.Slow focus on macro photos is very desirable - manual focus for tight shots is even more desirable to 'frame' depth of field results (if only Canon had a better LCD on the 40D)... as well as a tripod and remote shutter release completes my shooting bag for macro work.Canon continues to sell their lenses 'stripped' - without a pouch or (not needed for macro work in this case) a lens hood.5 of 5 stars and well worth your $250 as a macro lens only. Keep this lens to macro work only and you will never regret the purchase.
I bought this lens primarily for use in capturing very close-up images of rings (and other details) in my wedding photography business. It's a great, lower-cost option for those of us who just can't fit the legendary Canon EF 100mm macro into our budget, and this little lens also performs very well in other applications. Even though it has very good optics for regular people shots, I'd highly recommend the regular EF 50mm f/1.4 for serious portraiture and truly fantastic optics.
I've been spoiled by some of Canon's best lenses, since (and before) I went digital.  My go-to lens is the 28-135 USM IS lens, which will, in fact spoil a person.  So far, it'll do everything this lens will do, except for very close macro, and it'll even do pretty well at that.  Plus, I do miss the image stabilization.  I don't have a problem with the autofocus on this lens, but the only thing I've found yet that it'll do better than my 28-135 is take pictures (while tripod mounted) of very small pieces of jewelry items that my wife uses in making her jewelry.I will experiment more with the lens, and time will tell, I guess.David
I enjoy the Canon quality, but the previous reviews are correct. Do not even bother with the autofocus. You are never going to get the point of focus where you want it. This is definitely more of a 'hands on' lens, for formal work, than an every day 'at the zoo' sort of lens.This is a fun, small easy lens to have in your bag, and I would fully recommend it, especially for the cost. Enjoy!
I have been using this lens for about 2.5 years and it is an exceptional piece of equipment, especially for the price!I very rarely feel the need to get a closer image than I can achieve with this lens.It's very solidly built and I am sure it will continue to be a primary piece in my kit for years to come!
I really like this lens but my results are not consistent. I think though this is more of a function of my limited skill of photography. The focal range seems very narrow but when you hit it the results are outstanding. I occasionally get images that are out of focus but again I think this is my fault. I bought this for macro work but I use it as a prime lens most of the time.
Nature photographer John Shaw recommends, "if you're going to buy a 50 mm lens, get a macro version. Subsequently, you'll get small F-stops and the ability to focus close if you need it." And, yes, the EF 50 2.5 CM is optimized for macro photography and, thus, able to focus as close as 23 cm (9 inches) and create 1/2 life size (1:2) images. With the Life Size Converter EF it becomes a 70mm optic capable of life size (1:1) images.It looks similar to the EF 50 1.8 ("MK I"), but is more beefy at 63 mm L and 280 g. It has a 6-blade diaphragm instead of the 5-blade version common to most old AFD prime lenses. The front element does not rotate, but the lens changes in length when focusing. Surprisingly, the AFD based focus is peppy and is only slightly slower than the EF 50 1.4 USM. The motor sound is buzzy but soft in volume. Like the EF 50 1.8, this lens has 52 mm filter threads.The manual focusing ring is surprisingly smooth turning, albeit loose, but more useable for manual focus than the EF 50 1.4 USM or the EF 50 1.8. There are only DOF markings for F16 and 32, greatly limiting the usefulness of the scale. Finally, this lens may be stopped down to F32 for maximum depth of field, versus F22 or F16 for most 50 mm optics.Its nine-element design is one of the most flare resistant I've encountered, better than the EF 50 1.4 USM and EF 50 1.8. Moreover, it's supremely well corrected for distortion and is sharp and contrasty from edge to edge from macro to infinity. This lens is ideal for photographing coins, documents and other inanimate objects as there is virtually no distortion in the macro or normal ranges. However, this isn't an ideal lens for critters as the working range is very short.There is no official Canon hood for this lens, probably because of the extreme front element extension required for 1:2 or 1:1 reproduction. However, the front element is so far recessed that this is a moot point. If you're not using the macro range, use of a screw-in generic hood is a good idea. The filter threads are 52 mm, making filters and hoods affordable.The 50mm prime is one of my favorite "walk around" lenses. They often live on my 5D MKII or 6D for months due to the excellent image quality, versatility and petite size. The viewfinder is bright and vivid compared to most zooms. I've owned this lens for over 20 years--outliving dozens of EOS cameras--and it's still one of my favorites and the first one I reach for when shooting small products, flat art and general macro.
The lense arrived relatively quickly, and my wife loves having a macro lense, though she wishes that Canon had a 35mm macro lense that fit her digital and film cameras like this 50mm does.  She does mention that it's a bit noisier than her other lenses, but she is having fun with it.
For me, I thought this would be an upgrade to a "niffty "fiffty" but it's basically the same thing but with Macro - minus the f-stop amount.Like the 1.8 the lens is very slow and sounds like a fisherprice toy from walmart. I had a real difficult time focusing with AF. The lens would only AF on areas with high contrast in textures, as for the fine details you are out of luck. To me, the AF on this lens is useless. MF is the way to go. I even had some back focusing problems out of the box.It feels and looks better than the 1.8 and the close up stuff is pretty cool. But if you are anal like me I would highly suggest getting the 60mm macro 2.8.If you DO plan on getting this lens or keeping it you'll really want to crank up the shutter speed... or your focas points will be soft. And turn off the AF!
The Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro lens is a great lens. I thought it would be difficult to work with a fixed rather than zoom lens, but it has turned out to be easy. And the close-up shots are everything I could want.Thanks, Rosa
I purchased this lens to take photographs of vintage wristwatches.  I use an original Canon Digital Rebel and the shots are really very detailed.  It is easy to use in fact, I can hand hold the camera and capture the details in the hand-made craftsmanship of the watches.  Its F2.5 opening is a welcome change when you are use to shooting with a zoom lens and it is quite sharp edge to edge.  If you own a Canon digital SLR and want to pocket some extra coin then this is the lens for you.
My fiancee loves taking pictures of flowers and was new to the canon EOS DSLR camera.  She was able to use this lens quickly for some really great photos!
I have owned the 100 2.8 macro and currently own the Sigma 180 Macro HSM 3.5 EX - needed a shorter lens to take pictures of small objects.Very sharpQuick AF (a bit noisy if you're used to USM lenses)No need for a hoodReasonably pricedOnly gets to 1:2 but that's all I needed.
This is the first macro lens I have ever owned, I have have so much fun with it I can't believe I have gone this long without one. I shoot lots of food photos and this lens is just a miracle. Made by Canon, well made, works great.
For less than $300, this is a pretty decent 50mm lens, but it's not the best choice unless you do simple, straight-macro work. Why? In my experience, for 1:10 or smaller magnification (focusing distance of about 0.6m or 2 ft),Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasprovides better contrast and image sharpness than this lens at any aperture value. So, the only time this lens is the better choice is close distance macro work.Now, when I use this lens at 1:2 to 1:5 magnification range, the resolution and contrast are good, but I noticed a bit too much chromatic aberration (CA) with shiny objects such as jewelries and silverware. The color is magenta and green, depending on the distance of the object in relation to the focusing distance. The CA decreased to some extent by stopping down. A significant drop of CA was seen at f/8 for 1:5 and f/11 for 1:2 magnification, although CA was still noticeable at those f-stops. Sure, at such magnifications, you would stop down to about that range anyway, due to very thin depth of field, but I would be happier of CA was lower from wider apertures for a bit more creative flexibility. Meanwhile, it's not impossible to correct for CA in professional image editing softwares, but that just means more editing work.The lens is excellent for non-shiny small product shoots, such as hair accessories, cosmetic products, food, etc., although tilt shift would be useful whenever the image uses creative styling. Therefore, for creative macro work, TS-E90mm, possibly with extension tubes, would be more useful, although there is a price to pay in terms of dollars, pounds, and more demanding manual work. Whether 100mm macro is better or worse is not so much of an issue as other people say. EF100mm f/2.8 macro provides more working distance and flattens perspective (which may or may not be good for product photography), but not as different as what you can do with TS-E 90mm as a macro lens. The 90mm TS-E is a truly excellent lens, even if you combine with an extension tube for 1:2 magnification.About the only thing this lens is superior toCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasat non-macro work is that this macro gives more pleasing bokeh than f/1.4. But for that matter 85mm f/1.8 or TS-E90mm is better, and so this isn't a good reason to buy this lens.In short, EF50mm f/2.5 macro lens is good for simple, straight-forward macro work. If you don't do macro, buyCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasorCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. If you use more elaborate styling or creative work, buyCanon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens for Canon SLR CamerasorCanon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. If you do macro work of jewelry or any other shiny or high contrast objects, be careful about chromatic aberration and stop down as needed.
I purchased this lens back in March of 2005 to shoot static "Warhammer models" with my 10D.  I found that longer lenses such as the Sigma 105mm, the Canon EF 100mm, and the Tamron SP Autofocus 90mm all were "too long" with the 10D's 1.6 focal crop and would result in requiring me to use a lot more physical space that what I had room for to get the shot.The Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 is nearly a perfect match with the 10D for this purpose.  Its small, its compact, and its short focal length do not require that I be standing three feet away from the model I'm shooting.As far as shooting at non-static objects, such as insects, the lens is slow to focus and loud, in both noise and vibration, which results in "startled" subjects and missed shots.The same also applies for non-macro shots as well.  Its slow focus makes it a poor choice for action photography, and its loud enough to draw attention to you when you are attempting other shots as well.
The only limitation this lens has is my limited skills at photography.  I've take amazing macro shots with this.  Canon really knows lenses.
Having already owned the 50mm 1.8 and the Tamron 17-50 2.8, I wanted a real macro lens and decided to get this. Unfortunately the construction is shoddy (similar to the 50mm 1.8) and I could not get a much closer shot over the 17-50. Overall it was the worse of both lenses I owned. I would highly recommend the Tamron because it is also a zoom, it is more versatile, and can still do nice macros compared to this lens.
i bought it as a gift, but it takes great pictures. would recommend for any starting hobbyist or professional photographer.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced macro lens for taking pictures of my husband's scale models, and wanted to get all of the fine details that a macro lens can find.This is a fairly decent macro lens, I haven't fully tested the lens but what I've done so far with it I'm liking it.  I'd love it if I could get even closer sharper images, and sometimes its hard to have it focus on what I want it to focus on.If you are on a budget, this is the lens for you.
This lens has great clarity and auto focus is spot on.  I took a series of up close pictures and they came out perfectly. The photos stood up to manipulation in my picture software, keeping the clarity and color of the picture very well.
I had this lens recommended to me as a gift for my daughter for her photography hobby.  The lensis every bit as advertised, easy to use, beautiful pictures, she couldn't be happier (andconsequently, so is her Dad).
Small and lightweight, takes 52 mm filter, not a full macro but enough for most work. I use it for taking jewelry shots and portraits. Auto focusing is not USM but I don't use that for macro work anyway.
I really love this Lens! I would say the best lens ever made by Canon. The built quality is amazing on this lens.
Amazon had an amazing price on this beautiful lens, the glass more than I could have imagined.  Any trips involved I always have this baby with me.  Thank you Amazon!A. Hunter
It was a good buy. Just as the seller said. L series that works fine. Had it a few months now and it still works fine.
I take a lot of photos for local theatres and acting groups, so having a fast autofocus is very important.  During scenes with fast action, I adjust my framing and zoom a lot, and the lens will lock on fast and consistently.  I lose 1-2 images every now and then, but I am pretty sure that was my own error.  Furthermore, the images are sharp, with no noticeable color fringing.The lens comes with a nice case and a tripod collar.  If you're not carrying around a bag with you, the case has a strap and a belt loop.  It wasn't the best lens exchange system, but it was nice when I didn't want to carry around and entire bag for just one other lens.  I also strapped a speedlite on for more formal pictures.It would be nice to have IS, but for me, it's not worth the additional price.  The lens will get very heavy after a couple of hours, so you'll need to pump some iron, or this camera.Summary:Pros:Fast FocusGreat imagesComes with a case and tripod collarCons:HeavyOverall:If you're looking for a 70-200MM lens that is fast and reasonably priced, get this one.  IS is great, and will probably increase the number of useable photos you get, but this lens will still rock your world.
...there are two things that you should know.  The first is that the f/2.8 version of this lens is big and heavy.  The second is that the f/2.8 version of this lens is the more versatile and, therefore, the more useful of the two choices.Why is the f/2.8 more useful?  It allows you to use Canon's outstanding extenders and still have a sharp and practical lens.  With the 1.4x, you will have a very, very good 98-280mm f/4 lens.  With the 2x, you will have a good 140-400mm f/5.6 lens.  In both cases the lens will autofocus--very well with the 1.4x and adequately with the 2x.  The use of the Canon extenders also allows the 70-200 to make a pretty nice close-up lens.  The original close focus of the lens is maintained with the extenders, giving you both 280mm and 400mm focal lengths that focus closer than most prime lenses of the same focal lengths.  While you can use the extenders on the f/4 version, it makes for some pretty slow lenses with limited applications.There's not much you can say about this lens that hasn't already been said.  It's one of the sharpest zooms around with a look that, while certainly subjective, is highly appealing.  I have a preference for prime lenses over zooms but I still rank this as one of my sharpest lenses.Is there any reason to choose the 70-200 f/4 lens over this one?  Cost aside, I can see a valid argument being made for the f/4.  Carrying around the f/2.8 in a full camera bag is no fun unless you're putting it to use.  Since I mostly use shorter focal length prime lenses, sometimes the f/2.8 is a pain in the neck for me--literally.  Unless I know I will need it, I have taken to leaving it behind in favor of a lighter, smaller and less sharp Canon 100-300.  So I can see the utility of the smaller 70-200.  Maybe I can talk myself into owning both.  Nah, that's a little too excessive.
This lens is superb! The quality of the images are beautiful and the range is awesome. And it has a fairly low f stop, which is awesome for shooting often low-lit weddings. However, it's much heavier than what I've been used to, which I hadn't considered. Not sure I would have bought it as my first lens for my new Mark 5D iii, considering I use it professionally to shoot weddings. But that's okay! Still a fantastic lens and works well in low-light. Just not something one necessarily wants to carry around/wear on their neck for 8 hours straight.
This is my first L lens from Canon.  I also upgraded cameras to the 40D.  What a perfect match.  Great lens for indoor and outdoor sports.  Tri-pod mount on the lens provides the perfect balance for lens and camera.Takes great photos in gyms for sports and stages for school performances.  I elected to save money and not buy the IS version as I almost always use a monopod or tripod.  This was a good decision as I have yet to see a bad picture due to camera shake.
This lens is well worth its cost. I was debating between this one and its brothers, the f/4, f/4 IS, and the f/2.8 IS. At 200mm, some people may need the IS, but a good sturdy tripod will work just the same. I have had no issues with that, and I couldn't justify the extra thousand dollars for the IS version.This lens is a must have for any portrait photographer. Since I bought this lens, I have only taken it off the camera once. If you are debating between this one and either of the f/4 versions, absolutely go with this one.Hands down, this is my go to lens unless I absolutely need something wider.
There are many other reviews to this wonderful lens and I can't add too much on the technical issues.  This is an upgrade to the Canon 70-200 f4.  I shoot in dimly lit interiors (basketball, volleyball, church settings, etc.) and the extra f-stops is worth it.  Outdoors with the 1.4x extender (baseball, football, soccer) is fantastic!I decided NOT to get the IS for several reasons:  1) I use a Manfrotto monopod almost exclusively when using this lens (used it with the f4 also) and with practice the pictures comes out sharp.  The monopod also helps to hold everything during a long shooting session.  Having 3 pounds of equipment hanging on your neck or holding it up in shooting position is a pain. 2) I couldn't justify the IS expense since using the monopod partially defeats the IS feature.  Again, practice holding steady regardless.  Remember shooting the old Nikon F with the teles before IS, VR, OS were ever invented?Bottom line:  Great lens, great bokah, great in low light situations.  Highly recommend a good monopod to hold everything steady!
I have had this lens for about a month, and the longer I shoot with it the more impressed I become.  This was my first L lens, and has been a sheer joy to work with.  It is sharp, fast, and creates beautiful bokeh.  I was a little worried about the weight before purchasing it, but it really wasn't as burdensome as some reviews make it out to be.  Sure, if you are going out hiking for several hours it would be an issue, but for a 1-2 photo shoot neither my wife nor I have noticed a big difference.I'm sure that the IS version of this lens is better, but as a poor college student the extra $1,000 for IS wasn't really worth it to me.  I can shoot just fine in low light if in a stable position.  Also, this lens does perform incredibly well in low-light situations.  I use it everywhere now- sporting events, portraits, walks in the park.  Great purchase if you can afford it!
This lens is simply amazing. The quality of the images captured is remarkable but this quality is not a panacea and it will require much more practice on how to use this lens to get the most out of it. The settings of your ISO range and the aperture is amplified and you will realize how much more you can get with the proper setting. This lens is heavy, I would always recommend at least a mono-pod to steady this lens on the 150 to 200 range. I will have to be honest that I have taken some incredible photos already, and that I still have more to learn, but in hindsight I would have purchased the IS II version. If you do action shots and hand hold the lens, the IS would be a must have. Build quality and the smooth operation is second to none.
I'm not going to rehash how great this lens is, and yes it is.  As of yet, I have no IS lenses, but try to stick to "L" series glass. I had thought about purchasing the IS version, but would rather put the extra $500 into another high quality lens.  With the quality of today's cameras, you can reduce the need for IS by upping the ISO and shutter speed a bit.  With the 2.8f, you will have enough light to do this while shooting at 1/200th of a second.  At this speed, IS is no longer needed.  I recommend this lens very highly.
Excellent Lens, superb sharpness, great contrast, not so heavy as i thought it would be, focus super fast, and you have f2.8 all the way !!!
Exactly the lens I needed to move to the next level. Very versatle and not too heavy to carry around.
Pros:  Excellent build and amazing picture quality. Fast AF and beautiful Bokeh. This is what separates the L's from the rest.Cons:  Maybe could be cheaper but it's definitely worth the moneyPros:  It's all been said already. Phenomenal value. Perfection in a tube.Cons:  Gives a false sense that all Canon 'L' zooms are this good. They aren't.Pros:  Tack-sharp at f/2.8, nice size, easily hand-holdable, practically glued to the camera, works great with the 1.4x TC.Cons:  Hood fits a little bit tight, but other than that, nothing!if your a newbie here's some infoA lens is "fast" when it has a low f-stop... ok so when you have a smaller number the apature is bigger which allows more light through, so this means you can up the shutter speed. and still have enough light reach the sensor.ok so lets say you have an out door shot if you have say an f/4 lens the shutter speed could be 1/250 of a second and you would get a good exposer. Now this lens can only go f/4but if you in the same outdoor setting, had an f/2.8 lens you could jump to 1/500 of a second and get the same exposer. and freeze the action mmore effectivly, this i believe is why it's a "fast" lens.ok have fun and get it done
Since I got this lens it pretty much hasn't left my 40D!  I wanted to get it before my honeymoon in Kona/Hilo Hawaii so I made sure to get it a week or so before we left so I could get used to the weight.  Yes, it is heavy but I knew that before buying it.  I don't get why so many people that buy this lens whine about how heavy it is.  You don't get a lens of this superior quality without trading off something!  And I had no problem with paying that much either!  You get what you pay for and that money bought me an incredible lens that is worth every penny!The week before we left I shot a ton of pics all over of everything from planes overhead to people to flowers to buildings, etc, etc.  I've been blown away with how awesome every picture has been!  Once we got to Hawaii I've just been in heaven.  I put on a 2x extender and from our hotel room I've been able to get shots of the sea turtles in the tidal pool below that makes it seem as if I'm right there.  Yesterday we went to the volcano park and since you can't get right up to the activity this lens and at times this lens coupled with the 2x extender were perfect!  I'm thrilled because I got amazing pics of the most beautiful place on earth and I have been saying the whole time "I freaking love this camera and this lens!!!"Do no hesitate to get this lens!  You won't be disappointed!
This was my first L lens and I am very pleased; zero buyer's regret for me.When I first started to seriously consider buying one of the 70-200mm lenses I wasn't sure which to buy.  I first thought about buying the f/4 version because it was cheaper but then found out the f/2.8 comes with a case (~ $40), tripod ring (~ $120), and a hood (~ $35) in addition to the extra stop in aperture.  For the $600 difference it reduces down by about $200 by including additional stuff that you, frankly, should have.Most notably is the tripod ring which takes the lens weight off the camera body but also balances the camera at the tripod mount.  With the f/2.8 attached to my 300D it balances just fine on the tripod foot (even with a EX550 flash).  In shooting with a tripod it's very easy to rotate the lens within the ring to go from landscape to portrait without off-balancing the weight.The extra weight is an issue depending on your muscular build.  I can shoot for a couple hours without the weight being bothersome but my fiancee (very petite) has some difficulties.  In actual shooting I find the tripod ring comes in handy to put the weight on my palm thus leaving my fingers free to adjust zoom and focus without a hassle while providing a firmer base for stability.I cannot comment on the f/2.8 IS version since I've never used it but I have seen people selling their f/2.8 IS because it was too heavy.All-in-all this is an extremely good lens and you get exactly what you pay for: quality.  Some day I intend on complementing this lens with the 24-70 f/2.8L for wider angle shots.  Of course, if you have the chance to test all three versions of the 70-200mm lens at a store then you certainly should test them for yourself.  And, by all means, buy a UV/protector lens.
This lens is awesome and does exactly what I need it to do. Of course it's heavy, but I knew that going in.
My first L lens! The lens is super sharp! Captures action shots at softball field with amazing detail. Would definately recommend. It is heavy but WHO CARES! I've been shooting photos for 20 years exclusively using canon and I'm very pleased with this purchase.
If you've found these reviews, you already know this lens is one of the best Canon products out there. I did not bite on the IS version, and I have not found myself ever wishing I did; this lens is everything it's hyped up to be and performs well in low-light/indoor situations.I don't think it's weight is that big a deal. I really don't have any problem carrying this lens around for a day -- in my hands or in a bag -- even with a 1.4 extender attached. It can feel a bit heavy but I don't mind, and neither will you when you see the results later on.I've used this a lot for shooting professional baseball and it's landed me front page ink several times. In my mind, I could get the 1.4 extender with this lens and give myself a 70-280 range, which is pretty adequate for most sports and nature photography, considering the 300 f/2.8 and it's friends are much, much more expensive. The lens works basically just as fast and sharp, in my opinion, with the 1.4 at f/4, although some may debate this. Flip on any baseball or football game and you will see this lens around the neck of most every pro.If you can swing the price, enjoy it! My advice is to continue reading up on this or similar products, although I found most everyone agreed, this is one of the finest lens around. It's one that makes people stop and stare and wonder who you are.
If you are serious about photography, this is one of two or three lenses to own. The 24-70 and a wide angle, 16-35 or 17-40 are part of it. By far and large, this lense is on my camera 65% of the time, whether I'm doing portraits, events, or anything else.I dropped it, along with my camera, and it shattered, brok the lense, broke the motors, and everything to go along...$500 later, I got a brand new one (well, they said they just put new motors and glass, but the whole thing looks brand new to me). Get and keep insurance on your equipments, it's worth it, don't learn your lesson the hard way.
Up close and personal !  Clarity and Quality is much better with this lens.  You should not try to compare to the standard 300mm lens that comes with all canon digital cameras.  This one has much sharper image when printed and your finished photos will look incredible !  This 200mm may not have the range as the 300's do, but the quality is much better.  This lens came with the Lens Hood, Front and Rear Lens Caps, Tripod Mounting Ring installed and a very nice durable Nylon zipper case.  Impressive outfit.  The f/2.8 is perfect for outdoor sports events after dark.  Stadium lighting was more than adequate with this one !  Make sure you get the f/2.8 and not the f/4 !!  The Lens and accessories arrived fast through Amazon and were very well packed for shipping.
Love, love, love, love this lens. This lens has been reviewed tons of times so I'm not going to get all technical here. If you shoot Canon, get this lens or one of the other variations of it. The versatility, durability, photo quality, speed, etc.....is awesome!!! I see people complain that it is heavy. Well what would you want? A lightweight cheapo lens or one of quality. I use this one my Canon 5D MK II and get phenomenal shots!! This lens is on my camera the majority of the time. A must have.
It took me months to finally pull the trigger and order the Canon 70-200 f2.8L lens.  I couldn't decide between the Canon f4, 2.8, Tamron and Sigma models.  I couldn't decide if I should go with the f4 or Tamron to save some money or try a Sigma with OS for a few hundred more.  I knew for sure though that I couldn't afford, let alone justify, the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II.I read all the reviews until I couldn't see straight.  I finally decided for the Canon f2.8L without the IS.  It was faster than the f4 version and focused faster than the Tamron.  It didn't have the optical stabilization of the Sigma but I heard the Canon was sharper.  I can't verify that but I know my copy is nice and sharp.When the lens arrived I couldn't wait to try it out.  It is definitely a hefty lens!  It took a while to get used to the weight.  The lens just feels solid and the build quality is what you would expect from an L lens.I had buyers remorse and thought I should have waited and saved some more for the IS II.  I wasn't getting very sharp photos in low light.  It turns out I just needed a little more time with the lens.  I needed to get used to weight of the lens and use proper hand holding technique and sufficient ISO and shutter speeds.  I finally saw how well I could shoot with the lens when I took some photos at my cousin's wedding in an awfully lit church.  The pictures I took(no flash, using natural light) were brighter than the official photographer who was using a Sigma 70-200 OS and flash.Overall I'm very happy with the lens.  I believe this lens requires more attention to proper technique and settings than the Canon f2.8L IS II.  That lens is more forgiving and flexible.  To all those photographers on the fence about getting a non IS lens, this lens is sharp and fast.  It will make you learn to be a better photographer.
I'm very satisfied overall with this lens. I can use this fast lens with high ISO settings and fast shutter speeds and actually get usable hand held photos. (still, a tripod is recommended)
Canon has been building these L lenses for nearly 20 years and they continue to be a best seller. This lens is a solid performer and well worth the cost.  True, you can pick up less expensive telephoto glass made by Tamron, Sigma, and others (I know. I tried) but you will not get the crisp focus and rugged durability of this 70-200. This is one of three L series I own and I take it with me everywhere I shoot.  I have used this lens mainly for large events such as fashion shows and music performances or any place I needed some telephoto power. With a max 2.8 aperture it performs exceptionally well under low light conditions and creates a creamy bokeh (background blur) unrivaled in any other lens I have owned.  The sharpness is superb and used with a full frame body any vignetting or aberration issues will be virtually non-existent.  This lens does NOT, however, have IS (image stabilization) which is missed, but not required. Using a tripod or monopod negates the need for IS.  For all other conditions I have found hand held shooting in non-action shots have never been a problem.  IS is better suited for sports, dancing, any situation where fast hand held shots are needed.  But for my purposes, and because the image quality is neither improved or degraded by the absence of IS,  I simply don't need it and neither do I need to pay $1200 extra for it (which is more than a little outrageous). Something else missing is weather protection which is available with the IS version. So extra caution should be used if this lens is going to be exposed to elements; there are rain shrouds available and highly recommended if there is any chance water might hit this lens.  Finally, this is a tank of lens. It is heavy and unwieldy, which is actually kind of comforting knowing it's all metal construction can take some punishment.  Still, probably not a good choice as a walking around lens.
Even though the first Canon 70-200 L was released in 1995, it is still a class leader.  There are four versions of this lens.  The non-IS f4 is a great bargain, but I wanted something more.  The new f2.8 L IS II is astounding, but beyond my budget.  That left me to decide between the f4.0 IS or the f 2.8 non-IS.  Last year I rented the f 4.0 IS and it's a great performer.  The is is truly remarkable and would probably let me shoot one shutter speed slower @f4.0 than the 2.8 @2.8, but while it will compensate for camera shake, you still have to contend with subject movement.  I studied some photos I took last year of my grandson on a playground slide and that was the case.  I'm used to using a monopod or tripod for my medium and large format cameras, so I decided to go with the 2.8.  I plan to use it mostly for nature, travel and portrait photography.  The bokeh of this lens is legendary, as good as most of the best fixed focal length lenses in the Canon series.I ordered the lens Thursday using Prime and it arrived Saturday.  It was in perfect condition and my tests show this is a great copy, exceptionally sharp and with accurate focus.  I have a 70-300 f 4-5.6 IS EF-S lens, which takes sharp photos and has served me well.  The 70-200, though, is head and shoulders better in all areas - sharpness, contrast and build quality.Lastly, Amazon's service was top notch as usual. They shipped special to honor the two day free shipping and the lens was well packed.This is my first "L" lens and I couldn't be happier.Edit November 2013:  I continue to be impressed by the 70-200.  It is super sharp and focuses very fast. I've had no problems whatsoever and have taken some of my best work with it.
What can I say that hadn't been said already...this is the best lens ever! This is my full moon Lens.
Great lens. I upgraded from the f/4 model and also upgraded my camera to a 40D. I used this lens to shoot a lot of night time high school football games, and many of the stadiums do not have good lighting, but in conjunction with my 40D, I was able to take really good photos most of the time.If you shoot any kind of sports photography and think you might end up shooting a bunch at night time events, then this is a lens you need to have in your arsenal.
The Empire State building, the Pyramids, and Hover Dam pale in comparison to this lens. This is my first L glass and I did not know that the L glass was made from crystalized Unicorn tears. My pictures are so much better after owning this lens. Instead of the lens freezing action, the action actually freezes and waits for my lens to take the shot. This lens was engineered by studying Chuck Noriss's eyes and is the same size and shape as a Minatars member. Also since owning this lens I've lost my virginity, won a body building competition, and beat a horse on foot at the Kentucky Derby Race&#8230; coincidence? I THINK NOT. If you buy only two lenses this year, buy this lens three times. The End
MAKE PICKTURE FAR!!! HIDE IN TREE!  RED RING YOU INSTANT PROFFESHENAL!!!  SUPER BIG HEAVY OK GOOD YES BUY NO PROBLEM!!!  HAPPY JOY EXTRA SPECIAL!!
Canon's 70-200 L lenses are workhorse lenses pro photographers rely on every day. I went with the non-stabilized lens for a couple of reasons, my use case and the cost. I wasn't getting it for indoor use so using it outdoors I could always get a shutter speed that was fast enough not to need stabiliztion. Because of that, the lower price made it an easy decision.This lens is heavy so it's not for the weak. Other than that, everything worked as expected. Super fast focus and ultra sharp pictures are the norm with this lens. As an added bonus, the big white lens gets people out of your way because they figure you are a pro. The downside is that the white lens screams for attention.It turned out that I used the lens a lot more at the 200mm end so I ended up selling this lens and getting the 200mm 2.8L lens which is lighter and discreet since it's black.If you're looking for a 70-200 and don't need image stabilization for the things you shoot, this is an excellent lens.
I recently added this great piece of glass to my lenses as an Indie Filmmaker. The images are fantastic. Video and pictures are extremely sharp with excellent bokeh.This lens is a bit heavy; however well worth it's weight when it comes to having an F/2.8L. I struggled with the decision between the F/4L and this F/2.8L. Hands down, I made the right decision. Night shots are beautiful in low light situations. I would caution against using this heavy lens without a tripod; as every shot counts.This lens comes highly recommended for shooting with the Canon 5D Mark II. This isn't a good carry around lens; however provides excellent pictures and video at long range (70-200mm). It is difficult to compare other non L lens from Canon - as this is a great piece of quality glass. The lens is built like a tank!
a great companion for the 100-400LCanon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasmiss the IS but a monopod is a great help. the f/2.8 is worth the extra $ in added light on a subject. the close up switch is a big help in all cases on both lenses. both lenses literally grab a subject from the air compared to my 70-300 IS USM which is also a good lens for the size and weight.Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
I wanted to move up from the kit lens to &#34;glass&#34;  lens and finally decided on this one since it was not too expensive compared to the other L lenses I was looking at.  Wow!  Was I surprised with the first couple of photos I took.  They were very crisp and clear.  Looked like I knew what I was doing.  I highly recommend this lens as your first step up from a kit lens.  You won't be disappointed.  I have learned it is better to invest your money in a good lens than camera body.  You will eventually replace your camera but your lens will last a very long time.
I have used the Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS lens for thousands of shots and was very pleased with the results. Then, decided to order (not from Amazon, I LOVE Amazon, but just had to go another route this time) the Canon EF 70-200mm L USM and I was AMAZED at the photos!! I could hardly believe how this lens performed. Extremely sharp photos. I haven't missed  having IS yet. But, maybe someday I will come across a situation when I wish this lens had IS, but for now and several hundred shots taken, it's incredible...
I researched for a while as I have limited resources and can't buy every lens I would like.  This lens is very nice.
This lens is outstanding, it has a very solid and strong construction. Any thing i could say may be redundant, my only advice is that the filter Diameter must be 77MM not 67mm like amazon's says.
This is an awesome lens, but it is much bigger and heavier than I anticipated, hence only 4 stars.  I have a Sigma Bigma and this lens is only slightly smaller.  I have only taken maybe 50 photos with it and it autofocuses immediately, is very quiet and the pictures turned out great as they were crisp and clear.  One thing was also immediately apparent was that the depth of field is quite small.  An example I took a picture of my dog in my kitchen 6 feet away and everything immediately behind her was blurred.  She on the other hand popped out of the picture.  Pictures taken at a greater distance cut this effect drastically.I saw in another review that Canon wouldn't honor his rebate.  I am hoping that isn't the case with mine.  The rebate was for $100 off if purchased between March 2, 2014 and March 29, 2014.  I bought mine on March 6th, so we will see.Since receiving this lens I have since purchased a Joby carrying strap as even my Tamron 28mm - 300mm stresses my neck after a bit and the Canon lens is at least 2+ times heavier.  I will review that product in conjunction with this lens when I have had an opportunity to utilize both together (supposed to get the strap tomorrow).
It's amazing and i love it. The pictures taken in that lens looks very cool, love to took more photos on this. I would recommend for the  peoples who are trying it for functions or vacations its very cool...
01-01-2009 Canon 5D Mark II UpdateBokehWell, the reach my be less but man on man the Bokeh of this lens using the 5D Mark II has to be seen to be believed.  Much smoother creamier and richer on the 5D Mark II.  Something like double the Bokeh since you can get twice as close, just make sure when shooting at F/2.8 you have enough dept of field.Sharpness and clarityThe sharpness and clarity wide open at F/2.8 that was just Ok on the 40D is much improved for some strange reason on the 5D Mark II.  I would not have figured it this way but it's just plain better.  Putting this lens on the 5D Mark II has transformed it from a so so lens to a sharp, high clarity monster even wide open.  You wouldn't know it was the same lens I has used on the 40D.Reach:The reach of the lens on a full frame sensor camera is half but when indoors shooting weddings this can be a good thing.  On the cropped sensor cameras you often find yourself running out of space to back up when you want a wider shot but on the 5D Mark II the 70mm end is actually useful.  When shooting outdoors if you can't get pretty close you will want a longer lens.  This is when I reach for my excellent Canon 100-400 F/4.5 - F/5.6 IS L Lens.Vignetting:On my Canon 40D and Rebel XTi Vignetting or peripheral illumination problems are practically non-existent, but on my new Canon 5D Mark II I use the auto-peripheral illumination correction as with it off it is a problem.  But with it ON its no problem at all.You can either have the 5D Mark II auto-correct peripheral illumination on board for JPEGs or adjust Raw images using Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software that came with your Mark II.  I have noticed on the full framed 5D Mark II with the peripheral illumination correction turned OFF the 5D Mark II images will severely vignette or be dark in the corners when shot wide open (F/2.8).  It's almost like looking through a dark tunnel.  It's especially noticeable shot wide open with the sky as a background.Auto-correct to the rescue!!  With the peripheral illumination correction turned ON it's almost magical the darkening in the corners for your JPEG images is gone!  If you want you can even shoot in Raw mode and adjust the amount of Vignetting or darkness in the corners for effects such as when shooting portraits and you want to emphasis the person in the middle of the photo.  Just open the Raw photo in DPP and click on the NR/Lens / ALO tab and select Lens Aberration Correction Tune and adjust the peripheral illumination to suite by dragging the slider or entering and amount.  Or select all the photos in a directory and you can correct all your photos at once.  This way you can either have no Vignetting or as much as you want.Pros:Tack Sharp at 70-135mm at F5.6 at any distanceSharp at F2.8 at a distance for some reason but soft up close (10 to 50 feet)Sharp at F2.8 for indoor non-flash gym / church distance photos any zoom setting.  Gets a little soft focused close and at infinity at F2.8Auto focus tracks moving objects like a laser guided smart bomb!  I have many in flight bird photosBeautifully made with perfect qualityBeautiful deep colors, lots of contrastAuto-focus is super fast, quiet and spot on even in dim lightWhite so it's cooler out in the hot summer sunComes with nice case and nice lens tripod mountPretty good Bokeh better then the F4 70-200 of course but not as good as primesReally bright in the viewfinder the brightest long lens I've usedThis lens has Auto Lens Vignetting correction using peripheral Illumination control see Auto Vignetting comments below:Cons:VERY shallow depth of field at F2.8Costs twice as much as the great F4 70-200Seems to weigh twice as much as the F4 70-200Very LARGE and white gets a LOT of attentionSoftens a little above 135mm approaching and at 200mm at infinityReview:I bought this Lens to use on my Canon Digital Rebel XTi to shoot wild birds, animals at the zoo, sporting events and aircraft shows.After having taken over 4,000 photos with it and trading out and using my friends F4 70-200 I have the following conclusions.This lens focuses very FAST!!  I have tracked birds in FLIGHT!!  It focuses in light so low I don't see how it's focusing.The F2.8 is MUCH larger then the F4 you have to use these two lenses back to back to really appreciate the difference.  Also the lens hood sticks way out on the F2.8 which does protect the lens more but makes a long lens even longer.  The F4 is more of a hold all day out shooting lens for the average person the F2.8 more of a tripod lens.I do love this F2.8 lens, but in hindsight I might have bought the cheaper lighter and smaller non IS F4 lens.  We tried several tests using a tripod while using mirror lockup and remote release so camera shake and depth of field were not a variable.  We found my F2.8 lens is slightly sharper in the middle at 200mm but the F4 is slightly sharper near the edges.  Both lenses were tack sharp edge to edge at 70-135mm at F8 with the F4 lens maintaining more sharpness over all from 135 to 200mm.  However I found the F2.8 is brighter looking through the view finder then the F4.The F2.8 does seem to produce slightly richer color but you can easily make up the difference between the F4 in a photo editor program.This lens also softens some at F2.8 and gets sharper the closer to F8 you get.  I tried several test shots on a tripod using mirror lockup and remote release of a  photo test card so camera shake and depth of field were not a variable.  Speaking of depth of field at F2.8 the depth of field is so shallow at close range F2.8 is almost unusable.  You can take a photo of someone and their nose is tack sharp and their eyes are soft.  This could be a plus if you are looking for this effect.So why do I keep this lens?I shoot a lot using a tripod and love the included lens tripod mount.  The camera and lens are MUCH more stable when the lens is mounted to the tripod then trying to shoot with a long lens with the camera mounted to the tripod and the lens hanging out front.  Note: You can buy the lens tripod mount for the F4 lens but it's $150 extra.I need the extra stops F2.8 gives me for low light indoor photograhy I have gotten shots at F2.8 ISO 1600 I could not have gotten with the F4 lens.I do like the attention I get and questions.I love the way this lens is SO bright in the viewfinder, noticeably brighter when framing a shot then the F4.I don't mind the extra workout carrying it around I need the exercise.I'm thinking about also buying the F4 70-200 and having both.Why only 4 stars:If this lens were tack sharp edge to edge at 200mm at any distance I would have given it 5 stars but felt that this was enough to pull back to 4.Also the min distance switch is too easy to move, it doesn't need this switch anyway the auto focus is great,Recommendation:If you have the money and want a bright in the viewfinder, great color, large, imposing presence tripod mounted lens the F2.8 lens is for you.If you want to save some money and shoot hand held with a lighter lens and don't need the F2.8 for low light shooting and Bokeh then get the F4 lens.If you have lots and lots of money buy them both!9-23-2007 UpdateThis lens continues to impress me.  I have been shooting more around F2.8 at longer reach hand held on cloudy days and inside buildings where flash is not allowed and have found this lens really can work hand held at higher ISO say 400 to 800.  I'm thinking about buying the 40D which has higher ISO performance then my Rebel XTi so I can shoot at 1600 ISO and 3200 ISO with less noise.Filter Update 1-3-2008After much searching I found the perfect filter.  The Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 Protection filter is not supposed to filter the shot just protect the front lens element.  I was very worried that it would affect the shot after having tried some other premium filters like the B+W UV which caused the photos to be softer and duller.  However, after some tests I found that in some weird way the Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 actually makes the photos seem to have just a little more contrast and be a little sharper then without.  I thought I had gotten the test shots backwards and had to retest with a little sign in the photo saying with and without filter in place just to make sure.  Really amazing!!!  I'm sold!Update 3-1-2008 Arizona Renaissance FestivalHere's a brief summary of my thoughts when using both the Canon 70-200 F/2.8 USM L and Canon 135mm F/2 USM L at AZ Renaissance Festival.The first thing I noticed was the zoom can be much more versatile especially at the bird show where it's ability to zoom in and out was nice, but it's minimum focus distance is quite a bit farther.  I noticed several times taking face shot close ups that I ran into the stop and it could not focus, so I had to back up.  Also knowing that full sharpness was not reached until F/5.6 I kept the lens at this stop to make the shots sharp.  But there is no denying its ability to reach out and photograph someone at a distance and then turn around and get a shot close up.  Also, the Canon 70-200 really stood out to people.  I actually had several people ask what lens it was and could they look at it / hold it.  Several workers made jokes about my large canon when I had it mounted.On the Canon 135mm side there is no denying the quality of the photos and the ability to blur the background and still have a sharp subject at wide open apertures.  The creamy smooth Bokeh and quality of the photos make them treasures I will show off and print for years to come.  There is some 3d quality that these photos possess that the 70-200 just does not have.  The Canon 135mm is much more stealthy with people not really thinking you are taking their photo from far away.  No one asked to hold it or even what kind of lens it was.  The workers didn't make jokes about having a large canon in fact there were a couple of workers that said they had seen bigger.I love them both, but if I had to choose only one to take to the Renaissance Festival it would be the Canon 135mm F/2 USM L.  It's half the weight, black and stealthy and takes photos I will treasure forever.3-28-2008 Update:I still love this lens and it was my first L lens.  It's funny how much more attention this lens will get everywhere I go.  You will be asked what news agency you are working for, can I see it, can I hold it, how much does it cost?  Things I have never been asked about my Canon 85mm F/1.2 L II lens which cost hundreds more.  So if you want a great 70-200 zoom and crave attention and can carry the weight this lens is for you.  I still love mine and plan on keeping it forever!8-18-2008 Update:I find myself falling in love with this lens all over again.  A friend has borrowed it for a few months to use and I went on a shoot this weekend with it and wow!!  When you use Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to make your JPEG from RAW this lens is a razor blade even at F/2.8!  There is that much difference in processing using DPP then usin Adobe Camera Raw!!!  It makes my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 look almost as sharp as my Canon 135 F2.The only strange thing when I first got the lens back it focuses more slowly then normal for a few shots about like the focusing on my Canon 85mm F/1.2 which can be a little slow.  But within a few hundred shots seems to be back to the milisecond focus speed.  I wonder if he left it out in the car in the hot Arizona sun?Still get's a huge amount of attention.  You would think it was a Canon 300mm F/2.8 the way people stare.  Guess the white L lenses are still pretty rare out and about.  My friends Canon 70-200 F4 L is just as sharp but the F/2.8 lets in twice as much light!  But the F/2.8 feels almost twice as fat in the hand and after a day of shooting is heavier!!  Still when I was already at ISO 3200 and F/2.8 yeasterday at a very dark church function I was stopping action that you could not do with the Canon 70-200 F/4.11-07-2008 Update:This is still one of my most used and versatile lenses.  And I've noticed in some of my photos this really cool almost 3D effect around the main subject usually at wider apertures.  My only regret is that it does not have IS.  After buying two lenses that have it I can see that in really dark situations IS can really make a huge difference.  Also there is the one single spec of dust in the middle of the outer most element.  But it does not seem to affect the photos.It's taken many beautiful photos for me and I will probably keep it as long as I live.Auto Vignetting peripheral illumination control:Canon has this super sweet Auto Lens Vignetting correction that works with this lens both in camera with JPEG's and in RAW using peripheral Illumination control in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) when using newer Canon digital EOS cameras (Canon Rebel XSi, 40D, 5D Mark II etc.) . No more vignetting when shooting wide open!!! When shooting Raw open the file(s) in DPP and click on NR/Lens Lens Aberration Correction / Tune and click on Peripheral illumination. The cameras listed above have already picked up the amount of vignetting based on focusing distance, zoom setting and F stop from the lens and the camera has saved the information with the Raw file. You can then adjust the amount under Peripheral Illumination if you don't like the amount automatically suggested. If you shot JPEG then you get the auto amount. SWEET!!!Verdict:You can't go wrong if you need 70-200mm and fast speed.01-03-2009 Canon 5D Mark II Update:This lens is actually just behind my Canon 100-400 IS L Lens in the zoom sharpness and clarity department but it's no where near as versatile on my 5D Mark II as the 100-400. Still it's a must have lens when shooting weddings when you need the super Bokeh background melting power of an F/2.8 aperture and lower light power of an F/2.8 aperture. The Bokeh that was Ok on the 40D is smoother creamier and richer on the 5D Mark II.  Still I almost wish I had bought the Image Stabilized version instead.  I'm finding that on the 5D Mark II you can really sharpen up images when shooting in raw and processing in Canon's Digital Photo Professional.  As that and the price were my only complaint about the IS version of this lens I now wish I had purchased it instead.Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Zoom Lens Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit Zoom lens Muddy, slow, pile of junkCanon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm and stopped down, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy, repair prone!Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy! My favorite zoom lens that I own!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS Zoom Lens super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh can be great or bad, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!!My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: 'Canon EF 300mm F/2.8 IS L the finest lens ever
Fast silent AF, built like a tank, picture quality, contrast and sharpness are outstanding. Probably more sharp at 70mm than 200m, but still plenty good. The only problems are its big size and weight, plus I would prefer it to be black instead of gray. Apart form that, totally happy with my purchase.
This is probably Canon's best value in a mid/long zoom.I got this the same day I purchased my 30D...along with the EF-S 10-22 and the EF 24-70 2.8L.  Talk about pleased!  No regrets whatsoever.This lens just screams quality.  Images just pop out at you.  If you're considering the f/4 model...take a hard look at this one.  Add a hood (cha-ching) and (yikes) the $100+ tripod ring and the value of this lens really shows.  It's a bit larger & heavier but look what you gain!  If you're one of those that considers the sweet spot of a lens to be stopped down a step or two just look at where that puts you on the f/4 compared to this one.  And the focus speed is nothing short of "holy mackerel that's fast!"Sure, you could spend a few more bucks and get the IS version...but frankly, to me at least, if it's that important I'll be using a tripod anyway.  Hmmm, just took the shakes out of the equation.All in all, a great lens at a decent price.
After struggling for years, the speed and versatility in this lens helps me catch better moments in natatoriums and halogen lit gymnasiums. Great lens.
I don't personally subscribe to the notion that the big brand manufacturers always make the best lenses out there, but this is one instance where they really, honestly do. This thing is lightning fast, sharp as a tack, the bokeh is much better than Sigma's equivalent, and you'll have a hard time finding a use for your raw processor's chromatic aberration correcting sliders when coupled with a digital body (you CAN still get some purple fringing around backlit subjects, but genuine CA bad enough to show up in a print has so far proven non-existent for me at any focal length or aperture). The weight is a serious downside, but it's one I can live with.If you're a nature photographer who really has a problem holding still or if you plan on using extension tubes, the IS version might be worth the extra $700 to you, but if you're doing event photography where the subjects are the ones jumping around like rabbits, save your money and your battery power; ain't a thing wrong with this lesser model.
I'm incredibly happy with this lens. I haven't seen many images with apparent camera shake, I've had some practice with this lens by renting before deciding to buy. The glass is well worth the cost, and I'm SOOOOO glad I didn't go for the f4 70-200. This is one of my favorite portrait lenses, that f2 is phenomenal. I haven't regretted getting the non-stabilized version for a second! Don't hesitate, get it for yourself!
my cousin's wife is a professional studio photographer who occasionally lends out her lenses to me for clothing / lifestyle photoshoots (I've been pretty active in this area for some time, just now starting to go full digital), and I've used the f/2.8L about four or five times and this is one of the best lenses I've used. period. shooting wide open allows you to retain high shutter speeds for night shots, as well as get very interesting and vibrant long shutter shots (of crowds, the freeway at night, etc). when shooting action shots, the tripod mount can get in the way of zooming and focusing, but it can be removed easily enough.I personally just purchased the f/4.0L, which, coupled with a relatively wide max aperture and shooting at either 1600 or 3200 on my 20D, should do nicely, but I still rate the 2.8 high up on my list.
This is a beautiful lens that is comparable to prime lens throughout its 70 to 200 range.  Pricy, but worth it.
I got this lens last week and was really surprised about pics, not as good as every one says on reviews , i wanted to sell my 70-300 IS But i guess i will keep it since the pics i take look better in all ways than this 1329 dlla lense, i paid 3 timesMore and i lost 100mm range an IS That is really important at full zoom,.maybe profesional photograpers can get more out of this lense, aint me,,. perhaps i will send it back. Chek my pics using 70-300 IS  they have the best rating at amazon .UPDATE,, i was shoting yesterday and i guess i just need to learn how to use it, i had to change the stars, from good to better. i cant beleave the price on this droped 100 bucks just after i bought it, pity
I just received this wonderful lens two day's prior to this review. And I must say that stepping up from an 18-55mm Kit Lens on my Canon Rebel T2i, this lens has an amazing fast auto focus, the pictures are very very clear even from a great range. The Bokeh is also worth noting. Great price considering the age of this model of lens, compared to the newer versions with IS. Not bad if you are starting out with photography and are looking for a great L series lens.
I highly recommend this lense! It works great with the 1.4x and the 2x extenders. I have not missed IS. I use this lense for birds in flight. The image quality is great!! I would recommend using the money saved by not getting the IS model and using it to purchase the 1.4x and 2x extenders. You will be happy with the different reaches if you shoot outdoors. It's like have three L lenses in one.
Canon's legendary L-lense reputation is built on lense such as the 70-200mm F/2.8, this is the lense that gives the credit to the WOW factor associated with Canon L lense.  Sharpness, constrast is second to none.I know many people are probably deciding between the F/4L F/2.8L and the F/2.8L IS.  If you want the most bang for the buck go for the F/2.8L.  Why, because if you're serious enough to buy the F/4L you will eventually migrate to this F/2.8L (like many photographers), why because there is nothing going to speed up your shutter speed better than the f/2.8 at the long end when compared to F/4 especially for fast moving targets.  Another big advantage is the canon 2x extender which boost this lense to 400mm at the long end with great results and at F/5.6, it is one of the best performing combo at 400mm focal length especially considering the price of a 400mm lense by itself.If you have cash to burn go for the IS version, but cost increase is a bit steep ($500+), especially considering using a tripod will make the IS an non-issue, and for a shot deserving attention, a tripod or some sort of stablizer should be used anyway might as well save the $500 and put a bit more in for the 17-40mm L lense. :-)
If you have done any research on this lens then you already know how great this lens is. I use this lens for everything from weddings to portraits to events. It's very versatile and the quality of the results are just amazing.
This was a great addition to my camera.  Everything has worked flawlessly, and the shots have been magnificant.  The lens is heavy, and takes some getting used to, but the results are worth it!
This lens is fantastic. 5 stars all the way. A little heavy to carry around but is a very fast lens and i loved it.
This is my first L-series lens and I have to say that initially I was considering retuning it.It's very big, and heavy, and that for $1500 ...On top of it; definitely not you "all-purpose" lens.I experimented with this lens for a few days and have to say ... WOW ... this lens is FAST and produces awesome pictures.I have pictures of my dog running through the snow and the snow flakes look like frozen in the air.Now I will never buy a lens that is not at least f/2.8 ...I did consider the f/4 version but having experienced this speed, I'm glad I didn't.I also considered the IS version (much more expensive) but I think that would have been a waste of money for my purposes.I have yet to take a blurry picture. Even in the evening indoors, it's preforming great!As you can gather; I'm not returning this lens, it has become my new favorite ...I only wish Canon would create an L-series lens to replay my 18-135 Canon lens ... then I'd be completely set with the lenses I need.Oh right, I did get the Canon X2 extender as well - and it's a great accessory to get with that.One note: I did purchase a case for the lens, to only find out that one is already included with the lens (as is a tripod mount - which helps holding the lens).For those in doubt; consider renting one for a couple of days, or visit a local camera store. You'll be amazed by the picture quality.
Another great Canon L lens that produces razor sharp images and focuses extremely fast. Great for fast moving subjects such as sports, wildlife and kids playing in the back yard. Highly recommended.
I love the 70-200 L lens, great image quality and focal length but I can get over how this doesn't have Image Stabilizer[EDIT]After getting more into video I have found a new appreciation for this lens, Trying my friends 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L and finding the image stabilizer to be a real pain in a lot of cases I am glad I saved the money and bought this version instead!
Although expensive, this an excellent lens with terrific clarity, speed and image stabilization. Highly recommended for any serious Canon photographer.
Excellent and versatile lens.  A bit pricy but I'd recommend it to anyone with a Canon EOS camera. I have a 20D and this is a great addition to my lens collection.  Terrific at most any range.
I'm not a professional photographer in that I don't make money doing photography.  However, I believe I know a thing or two about the subject that has been a passion of mine since I was first introduced in middle school (yes, we used darkrooms) and many classes/books later.  I'm a dad who wants to take pics of my little boys, some family events, and vacations - and I want those pics to be phenomenal.  If you're reading this, I assume you've already learned the basics of this lens and where it fits in the overall Canon L-series lineup. So, as you already know, this lens is absolutely brilliant for portraits and sports, especially indoor sports and even weddings. I also assume that you are struggling between this and the 40% more pricey version with IS. But prior to getting my new bodies, I'd never been tempted to write a review being that so much has already been said.  So what can I add?  Short answer is I can "shed some light" (sorry) on why IS is less necessary on the newer bodies.I can say (having owned/owning earlier generation Canon bodies) that between this and the more expensive II IS version, that now more than ever before, the additional cost of the IS version is more superflous than ever on the newer Canon bodies.  For reference I own a 70D and 6D, and also my older 5DMark II and 40D.  In upgrading, I elected against the 5D Mark III because of the lack of Wifi/GPS (remember why I shoot), and some other nits, but that's another review altogether.  I also elected against the IS version of this lens a while back previously because I felt I didn't need it - I often turn it off on other lenses to eek out that slightly last bit of, admittedly subjective, focus "oopmh" and "sharpness". To be honest, I can't think of when I ever actually turn it on. Cost was not a consideration whatsoever, for me at least.  It just seemed like a pointless "feature" that would add unnecessary heft and slightly soften images.  However, with the revised Mark II version of this lense, I began to read that maybe the image quality of the II IS version was a smidge better - and that's what I'll open up the wallet for. So, before selling my non-IS version on eBay, I decided to try it out on the newer bodies and I must say that - THIS IS NOW THE BEST VALUE/MOST USEFUL CANON ZOOM LENS PERIOD. FULL STOP!!!  Shhhhh don't tell to many people before the price skyrockets or Canon stops making these puppies!!Remember, IS doesn't stop "shake."  If your hands are shaky, all the IS in the world won't help you.  IS is to assist in reducing motion blur which usually results from a shutter that is open too long. I don't mean to insult most of you who already know this or to portray myself as an "expert."  How does one avoid using a slower shutter? Increase light. Enter the newer bodies.The 6D, for example, is able to autofocus in super low light conditions (down to -3 EV for those interested. 5DMarkIII is a full stop higher FYI).  This is a gamechanger because the low-light stability that the IS offers is even less of an issue now.  These newer bodies also have a phenomenal ISO range, with much-improved lower-noise/higher ISOs. I never had a problem with this lens before, particularly with sports and well lit indoor events.  But now, I'm increasingly confident using this lens in lower-light situations with outstanding results and without a tripod/monopod (of course especially with a monopod, this lens is actually slightly sharper than the IS version, but again, others have noted that).But with the 70D, I think this lens really goes to a level to where I feel that, at current prices, buying this lens is robbery.  Like, I feel that someone at Canon is asleep at the pricing wheel.  This lens is a gift!!  First, there's the 1.6 crop factor which extend the focal length of this camera to 112-320mm.  Folks, that's a pretty darn useful range to capture at f2.8!!  And you get the same high quality/low-noise ISO technology.  An ISO of 1600 is actually quite reasonable "low noise" ISO on the 70D - above that, for me at least, is meh. But at two stops of light above 400, you can imagine what options this gives you for lower light settings without a speedlite!  More light equals faster speeds equals less room for "shake."  Now add the 7fps continuous shooting and the fast autofocus (a smaller factor to reduce shake) and you have a monster here.So, to be fully candid, the only situations now that one would need the IS are situations where you are likely to need a tripod/monopod anyway, thus rendering the IS totally moot.This is such a great lens.  And it bears repeating, but you already know, the bokeh is out of this world wide open. But drop down a stop and you get exquisitely sharp images. What more can you ask for???!!So if you've come this far, do not think twice about buying this lens, especially if you have a newer body (although, I still think this was my best lens on the prior bodies).  It's a NO-BRAINER over the IS version where the IS feature is the driver.  I cannot speak extensively on the purported image quality improvement in the Mark II version - I haven't had the motivation to try because my images are killer with this lens.  So if that's your motivation, perhaps you should test that out.FYI Other lenses:24-105mm 4.0-5.6 IS85mm 1.217-55mm EFS IS lens (another star, FYI)100-400mm 4.0-5.6 IS
I love this lens, it is built like a tank. I use this lens to shoot sporting events like football, high school wrestling and basketball. I have spent 12 plus hours shooting with this thing and let me say it is very very heavy. At the end of the day you will be a little sore. But that being said I love this lens and will continue to use it.
This lens blew me away when I first started shooting with it!  I have to admit, for a year now, I have been watching the IS version II of this particular lens, however, I just couldn't come up with the funds to purchase it yet, so I got this lens.  I've heard all of the talk about L lenses before, and MAN!  This lens is so sharp, its scary.  I love the blur quality of this lens, especially zoomed in at 200mm.  The build is very good.  I can't wait to start shooting events and weddings with this thing!  I also have the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens and with both of these beasts working together, I should have no problem shooting in dim light.  The only issue, which is small by the way, is that it does not have Image Stabilization.  It's not so much of a big deal to me now because I know how to hold most of my shots steady enough, however, I still want the IS to cover me when I'm not as steady, especially while shooting an event.Overall, I will definitely recommend this lens.  If you have the money to pay for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS, then go for it.  If you don't, but still want to shoot in low light from 70-200mm, get this lens.  You will not be disappointed.PS: If you decide to get this lens, make sure you learn how to hold your camera steady.  Also, if the weight is an issue and you want some kind of stability while taking pictures, check out some $50 monopods.
If you shoot weddings or sports and need a short end of the telephoto in situations where cant change lenses this lens is amazing! Even though its the early version its still got the sharpness and resolution I need for my photos!
I have rented this lens and the IS version of this lens over the past 3 years. I purchased this version and have no regrets!  It has helped me improve my pics and keep Mothers happy.  It is awesome for indoor basketball pics!
This lens is my staple for any concerts and indoor events, or any settings where flash is forbid or better not be used, such as wedding. This one does not come with IS but I use this lens mostly with the tripod anyways. It is extremely sharp and fast, and the range is just perfect for shooting from a distance. I use this for both photos and videos on my 5D MKII, and they always create a great pictures or videos. Only drawback is the size and weight, but for the quality, I can't forgo this lens. This lens at 70mm is also perfect for portrait sessions. Wonderful lens, you won't be sorry!
Great product once again from Canon.Pros:The ultrasonic motor is quick and focuses very well.Shallow Depth of field is amazingNone of the lens protrudes when zooming inIncluded tripod mount ring, hood and case is of high quality.Cons:PriceWeightOther Thoughts:With this low of an aperature, you can afford to drop the f/4 IS and go for the f/2.8!
I'm not a pro, but have loved taking sports photos for years with film SLR and digital cameras.  I have a Tamron lens that has been great so spending this much money on a lens was questionable to me.  I wanted better night shots and all the reviews on line for the canon 70-200 lens were great.  After using the lens I can say spending the money for the f/2.8L was worth every penny.I'm glad I didn't go with the fixed 300mm as I wouldn't have been able to take shots as the boys ran toward me.  The 70-200 gives just enough range to get great distance and close up shots.  The shots I get of the high school football games are outstanding... stopping grass in the air, catching the fumbles, the sweat on their faces.  Now I'm on to basketball and hope to get shots that are just as good.
I write martial arts books. It's a niche market, one that's not horribly lucrative, but that requires a lot of high-quality photos. After spending nearly $4,800 to have a professional take the pix for my first couple books I decided I'd get a lot more bang for my hard-earned bucks to purchase some high-end equipment and do it myself. Shots include both fixed poses and "live action." After agonizing on this a bit, I decided to go with two lenses, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. Together they cover the vast range of angles and distances I need.I'm hugely impressed by the quality of this lens. Autofocus is silent and spot on; I don't use manual focus much, but it's intuitive and easy to use. Despite it's size I have not found the lens to be overly heavy or cumbersome, even during all day shoots. It balances really well. Overall the lens is solidly built and delivers awesome quality results, truly outstanding. Instead of fretting about lack of IS, I picked up a quality tripod for studio shots and monopod for field work. Again, much better bang for the buck. Even handheld I haven't had any problems, though as a lifelong firearms enthusiast and onetime competitive shooter I may have steadier hands than most. YMMV. The f2.8 works extraordinarily well in low light, so much so that I rarely use the incredibly expensive flashes and light stands I purchased with my older, slower lenses. I cannot complement this lens enough; it's worth every penny and then some.By way of example, I used the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM to shoot the cover photo for this book:Facing Violence: Preparing for the UnexpectedIncidentally, I use B+W UV filters (Hoya has similarly excellent glass and is a bit cheaper but also more challenging to keep clean). I don't see any degradation of the photos due to the filter and have had outstanding results in reducing glare. Don't even need the lens hood most of the time, save perhaps as an extra layer of protection in case a fast moving subject smacks into it.
There are several professional reviews on this lens (DPReview.com and TheDigitalPicture.com are two of the best), so I will limit this review to my personal reasons for buying this lens and some observations about it's performance.First off, the 70-200 "L" comes in four flavours, two of which are f4.0 and two in f2.8, the main difference being "with" or "without" Image Stabilization. I use a tripod most of the time so I decided to save $800 and get the non-image stabilized version.  The lack of I.S. also gives this lens a slight advantage in sharpness as there are two less pieces of glass that the incoming light has to pass through.I decided to get the f2.8 version, despite the hefty weight and price, to maximize the versatility of the lens. The f2.8 maximum aperture gives the photographer the opportunity to capture images with a much shallower depth of field than the f4.0 lens can give, especially at subject distances less than 100'.  Also, the 1 f-stop wider aperture (admits double the amount of light of an f4.0 lens) makes the f2.8 easier to focus in dim light and of course lets one use a faster shutter speed.Weight: Make no mistake, this lens is a beast to carry around, especially on a camera body that is also weighted down with a dual-battery grip.  Use of the included tripod ring is highly recommended. The control rings are butter smooth, as one would expect from a "L" series lens.Performance: Simply outstanding.  This is probably the sharpest, most distortion free medium telephoto lens I have ever, or will ever, own.  It is noticeably sharper (by a small margin) and gives better color rendition, than my 70-300 f3.5-5 "L" IS USM lens.  It is the perfect complement to my 17-40 and 24-105 "L" lenses.  Surprisingly, it was not difficult for me to get very nice handheld shots with this lens despite it's weight.  By increasing the ISO to 400 to gain some shutter speed, and using the 2-second self timer to limit camera shake from pressing the shutter button, and bracing the lens with my left elbow on my chest a certain way, I was able to shoot handheld at 1/200 second, and the photos are almost perfect ("almost" because there is a tiny but perceptible amount of motion blur at 100%).  With the camera on a tripod and using the remote cable release, the images are tack-sharp throughout the zoom range.SUMMARY: The current $1300 Amazon price is a steal for a lens of this quality. Or, if you do a lot of hand-held shooting, there is the I.S. version for $2100. Either way, this lens will satisfy you for a lifetime, I don't think Canon could improve it even if they wanted to.
Este lenta aunque es un poco pesado es muy buen producto, no ha dado ningun problema y se adapta muy bien amlas necesidades
This was a HUGE cost and investment but I love it and so do the parents of kids that I photograph during sporting events.
I recently had a chance to use one of these lenses and was blown away with the picture quality. I have a Canon Rebel T3i and was using the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 that came with it. I Had previously taken that to an Ice Hogs game at the Rockford Metro Centre, one of the darkest arenas I have ever been to. I got some decent pictures, but a little dark. I met a friend of mine at the game though and he lent me the 70-200mm f/2.8, and I could immediately tell the difference. Yes, it doesn't have as much reach as my 75-300, but what's the point if it's too dark to see anything? I was able to shoot at a lower ISO, and still get brighter pictures. I did manage to get some blurry pictures, but that's probably more my inexperience. I will have to start saving for one of these lenses.
I bought this lens to compliment my Canon 40D. I like the constant f2.8, ultrasonic motor and L quality lens. It's definitely bigger and heavier than the f4.0 but with the collar attached to a monopod, it gave me stability.
I have used this lens extensively, weddings, portraits and landscapes and all I can this is a super excellent lens. Since this is not IS, my shutter speed is always 100 to compensate shake and if I am using a tripod I can go down to a very slow shutter speed, recently I purchase a canon 2x tele-extender and the image quality is as sharp as the original.
Lente fenomenal para el uso que lo compre, fotos deportivas, enfocadas al f&uacute;tbol, la abertura a 2.8 es ideal para gr&aacute;ficas deportivas. En estadios de f&uacute;tbol en horario nocturno con iluminaci&oacute;n media las fotos salen optimas, imaginasen con la iluminaci&oacute;n perfecta. Compra realizada desde Venezuela, el costo super econ&oacute;mico relacionado al costo en este pa&iacute;s. Es algo pesado y no es notorio la falta del estabilizador de imagen, con el monopod se controlo todo. El lente lo uso con mi c&aacute;mara canon T2i.
Using this with a Canon 5D MkII. This lens stands out above my other EF glass for sure. I'm shooting both video and stills with it and it works great in both situations. With video, the lighting is often minimal, so the fast 2.8 aperture really comes in handy. If I had a 5D MkIII with much better high ISO performance, I'd be tempted to say the f4 version might be good enough.
Buy this lens. It is amazing. I chose this over the second version of the lens after reading multiple reviews saying it was comparable in quality. Bokeh is superb.  Lens is deadly fast and makes you feel like a sniper.
After shooting with a 50mm prime lens for a few months and a 17-50mm 2.8 lens, my f4 telephoto lens never came out of my bag. I was accustomed to great quality images and I knew I wanted a telephoto zoom lens with a wide open aperture. I am very pleased with the image quality of this lens. Outdoor performance is simply amazing. I am getting razor sharp images with jaw-dropping color and intricate detail. The other day I shot my husband and son playing basketball in the park and I walked away with incredible photos. The lens is fast so freezing motion, while blurring the background is easy. The color, detail and sharpness that day just blew me away.  I'm now getting the kinds of images that I admire from professionals! The image quality is so incredible that I do very little editing in Lightroom. This lens will give you razor sharp professional grade images.
I decided to get the non IS version of the 70-200 2.8 because of the price. I did not think it was worth paying so much more for IS. I am also glad that I chose the 2.8 over the f/4 lenses because you can get faster shutter speeds and more out of focus background. This lens is very sharp. Even at 2.8 it is pretty sharp but the depth of field is so shallow that you really need to check the focus at 2.8. The only problem I have with this lens is the minimum focusing distance. You cannot get very close (around 6 feet) and when you do use it close to the minimum focusing distance, it is not as sharp. You can't really shoot anything 6-8 feet in front of you and get the same quality as at other distances. I'm not sure why this is but it is a little disappointing. The build quality is amazing. It is all metal. The focusing ring and zoom ring feel great. Not too stiff but not really loose. Yes, it is heavy but it is not so heavy that you will not want to use it. There have been some occasions where IS would have been helpful. I mainly shoot action with this lens so IS was not a big deal. Even with outdoor portraits later in the day, I felt IS was not necessary. I have also shot animals at the zoo in the shade and did not need IS. If you do the majority of shooting in low light (indoors), buy the IS version.
I received this lens as an engagement gift from my fiance's father. I'm currently using it on my Rebel XTi, with the EF-S 17-85 as my standard zoom lens. The lens itself is considerably larger than the f/4, and about a pound heavier. Its size and color also attract a lot of attention in public, which I have found may or may not be a bad thing. During autoracing I have found that track workers and drivers all instantly respected me, thinking I was a professional for having a white lens. The instant respect meant I was allowed on parts of the track spectators usually aren't, which allowed me to take pictures from awesome vantage points. At other times, people just stared. In other words, be prepared to be treated differently just because of the lens itself.The lens is incredibly sharp. I've reviewed track shots, portraits of people and animals, as well as landscape and sea scape shots, and the color in those pictures is amazing. They're vibrant, alive, and clear. Chromatic aberration is extremely well controlled, especially when comparing to my 17-85, which does a decent job most of the time. At f/2.8 I can get extremely shallow DOF with beautiful bokeh, and at f/2.8 the lens focuses quickly and accurately. This is certainly a step up from my 17-84 f/45-5.6, which would often hunt for something to focus on and at last focus on the wrong object. This lens also allows for low light photography, especially indoors. There have been times that I have wanted the version with IS, but then I realize the IS would be about a pound heavier, and at that weight might be enough for my hands to shake, thereby canceling the IS benefits.The lens came with a lens hood and soft lens case, which are very good quality. The hood is stiff and a bit hard to screw on and off the front lens element, but offers good physical protection and reduces flare in bright lighting. The case is nice and would be useful mostly for storage. As I pack my camera gear so that I'm always ready to leave in a moment's notice, I keep this lens in my camera bag with my other stuff, and not in the case it came with. I have a feeling that toting around a camera bag and a case would make me forget one or the other somewhere.I'm a very small person, around 5'1", so carrying this lens around was not trivial. As I am decently fit from working out, my arms and neck did not get as tired as I expected they would after carrying my camera and lens around about 12 hrs a day for 4 days straight in 100F weather, but the weight and bulk may be a concern if you have a small frame. I also had to change how I hold a lens and my camera so the weight wouldn't affect my balance and picture taking. One thing that might help with ballast is buying a battery grip, or using a heftier camera. My XTi is a very small, light camera, and is probably not the best camera to use with this lens without attaching a battery grip.One last thing to consider as that because this lens is large and fairly heavy, you may have to upgrade your camera bags. I have a Kata R-101 backpack and a Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home, and the lens would not fit in the Crumpler as I expected. What I didn't expect was that it would be such a tight fit in my Kata backpack, which looks quite roomy inside. I had to re-arrange the partitions, but even then it's hard to squeeze the lens, my camera, 17-85, EX 580 II flash, lens cleaner, and other small things with it as the tripod ring takes up a lot of room.Overall, I love this lens and I've made changes to my camera gear and my picture taking to accommodate it. I've taken some very wonderful pictures with this lens that would not have been possible with a cheaper lens that didn't control chromatic aberration, lens flare, etc as well. I highly recommend this lens -- you'll have fun with it!
Simply amazing, only downfall is slight image degradation wide open, but still better than everything except the f4L and 2.8IS II
I opted for the Non IS version because I have a 5D Mark III, and I can put the ISO pretty high. This lens works so well, I feel like the extra thousand for IS would have been a waste for me. Such a beautiful lens, I recommend it to everyone.
Yes, the quality of your glass is what helps you get great pictures.  I am by no means a professional photographer, but when it comes to getting the best, I do whatever I can to get it.  This lens is smooth and delivers.  I highly recommend this lens.  I used to purchase SIGMA and Rokinon to save money but after experiencing the quality of the Canon manufactured lenses, I probably won't go back to the others.  I know this is expensive glass and if you can afford it, or you are in the business of making money with your camera, then you should get quality glass.
I cannot believe I didn't try the Canon L series before this. Nothing against my EX Sigma lenses but the upgrade was way more than I expected. The focus is lightning fast. I took hundreds of photos at a night high school football game and was VERY impressed. Low light photography is my achilles heel but this lens has allowed me to get the shots I have been missing. I loaded the photos for some editing after the game and realized that no color or contrast corrections were needed.
I am still getting used to this zoom, but I love it.  I'm so glad that I went with the CANON.  The good news is that you can use a single spot--great, you can flash highlight, and it is fast fast fast.  I'm getting such clear pictures, and such nice contrasts.  Faces are a dream (even African faces in dark areas) and country side looks as good as it is.  What you have to be prepared for is the weight.  It is a two handed camera body and lens.  I have not tried the double tri-pod method yet, but just using hands.  And for a relatively poor person, this lens is expensive.  But, my plan is to have it last the rest of my life, so it has made me very very happy.  The fact that it doesn't match my black camera means nothing to me, but for those who have to have matching color, you would have had to pay a few dollars more.  Who cares? Not me.
There's not much I can say about this lens that hasn't already been said before:1. Autofocus is insanely fast when the light is right.  If you use this in lower light situations, it can hunt a little, but this is true of any lens.  The AF assist light on your strobe will help, as long as you're close enough to your subject to be effective.2. Bokeh is gorgeous at any aperture setting.  I use this lens for portraits routinely zoomed all the way out to 200mm to compress facial features.  You do have to be careful, because at f/2.8 the depth of field is so shallow that one eye can be in focus and the other slightly blurred.3. Tack sharp even wide open.  Picture quality is just as good at f/2.8 as they are at f/16.  Stopping down is really a non-issue with this lens.4. Price is right compared to the IS version, but you do need to be mindful of your shutter speed.  Don't be afraid to turn the ISO up on your camera!  These days ISO1600 is as good as ISO200 was a few years ago -- that's a three stop difference.5. Compatible with the 2x extender, turning this into a 140-400 f/5.6 lens, while retaining full autofocus capabilities.  Put this on a body with a cropped sensor and a fast frame rate, such as the 7D, and you have a 224-640 effective focal length.  Fantastic for sports!If you think the lack of IS will be an issue, remember, the combination of high ISO capability and a $50 monopod will go a long way!
OK, first off, I won't repeat how professionally sharp this lens is. It's expensive, and there's a reason. Image quality is stupid amazing. This is the best zoom in its focal-length class.But--the IS version is not quite as sharp as this non-IS version. I know, I know, people may balk at the statement, but the Canon tests and the real pro photo reviews don't lie. One reason is less elements bogging the image. Only in a hand-held lower light situation will the IS version get you a sharper image, no doubt, at slower shutter speeds such as 1/30 etc. BUT, you'd better be taking shots of a museum or something, because if the subject is moving (people at a wedding for instance), you've got subject blur and IS becomes useless. But in a brighter setting where IS doesn't help because you have a fast-enough shutter speed (that's right, IS doesn't kick in there), this non-IS lens wins quality-wise, ESPECIALLY tripod mounted.So you'd really need to have a dedicated reason to spend 500 bucks more and be willing to carry almost a pound more of lens weight for IS*. The non-IS lens is heavy enough as it is. I use a monopod and boost up my ISO on my near-noiseless Canon 5D, and viola, I've gained the same 2 to 3 stops that IS can give you, and at a faster shutter speed to boot. Oh, credit where credit is due, I'm fairly sure the IS version has weather sealing where the non-IS does not. I wouldn't take my lens out in the rain anyway, but that's a point to note.For those of you wondering about the f/4 version, I can see that being very useful if you do nature photography on a tripod and don't need f/2.8. The f/4 is WAY lighter in your backpack. Pick up a tripod ring on the popular auction site (f/4 version doesn't come with one), it's way cheaper there. Again, IS not needed here at all. For the price of the IS f/4 you can get the non-IS 2.8.This 70-200mm 2.8 non-IS is the best lens I've owned image-wise, and the 500 bucks saved can be used for a 100mm Macro or a 580EX flash or a couple TCs or a 50mm 1.4 (plus a good LowePro backpack) or almost the cost of the 17-40mm L. I think it's a no-brainer there!*UPDATE 11/14/2010: The specs on weight are wrong on Amazon, the non-IS is actually heavier than they say, weight difference is only 5.6 ounces. Also, the new IS version of this lens has been redesigned and now boasts the same image quality of the non-IS. However, the non- IS is 1300 bucks, and the new IS version II is 2249, so that's almost 1000 bucks more (although you can save 200 bucks during the current rebate). If money is no object, go for it, the image quality is there now!Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Thumbs up. If you have a sturdy frame, a little muscle mass, and you don't require IS, then save yourself the extra $600-$700 and buy this lens. You won't be disappointed.
Ever since I tried my brother's 70-200 on his Nikon, I realized how much I was missing in creative potential with a medium telephoto lens. I bought this lens a year and a half ago, and use it about 60% of the time. The sharpness is uncanny. I had a Rebel XT, and now a 7d. The results are so satisfying when I review my images (Aperture 3) on my 27" iMac. For outdoor shots, I can get along without a tripod, altho' I use a monopod for many shots. Sometimes, I wish I had the IS model, but not often. My only gripe is that I need to get a slightly larger camera bag, since I can't fit the mounted lens on my 7d in my current bag. I've gone thru the microadjustment exercises to test the focus, and it is spot on with my 7d. I've also invested in some Kenko extension tubes and 1.4x converter. This lens, along with say, a 24-70L 2.8 would be all you need for most photo excursions. The latest version of this lens looks nice too. However, I paid $1182 for this model and couldn't touch the newer one for that price. If you can afford this lens (new or used), go for it!
I was totally blown away using this 70-200mm f/2.8L USM telephoto for the first time at a night softball game*!  Using a manual setting to take advantage of the f/2.8 aperture proved to me that this lens is, without a doubt, worth the investment!  I was considering the same lens with the IS, but at $1,000 more, it was out of reach financially speaking.  On a side note, even though the description is not clear, this lens does come with the tripod mounting ring, which I recommend using with a monopod or tripod.  The picture doesn't clearly show it, but it is there.  I also highly recommend getting a UV filter (77mm) to help protect the front glass.  In regards to image quality, I am very happy with how my night softball game pictures came out.  I need to use it more during to day to provide accurate feedback.  Overall, if you are thinking about getting this lens, I think you should change that thinking to action.  I do not think you'll be disappointed.*While photographing the game, I used a monopod to help keep the images clear because this lens, or as I should say, this piece of glass, is heavy!
This lens takes EXCELLENT shots and the 2.8 ap really brings in the light, compared to my F4, but MAN is this thing bulky and heavy. This is important to take note as this is not an IS lens, and the awkward size and weight make it more difficult to hold steady without a tripod (especially when compared to the F4). Even with these issues this lens is worth it's weight in gold when you see the results it gives.
I got one of these off an auction site, used for somewhat less than a new one.  Like others, I was worried about the weight and the value.  Having owned and used it for over 2 months now, on a Canon 30D, all I can say is it is very well worth its price.  I debated going with the f4.0, which is lighter, but then decided to get this one to allow me to use it in low light, get more blur in portraits, etc.  Now, when I take long distance shots of my kids in dim lit school auditoriums, I can do that quite easily, without a flash.  Just turn up the ISO and bingo, I get my shot (ISO over 400-800 gets noisy quite a bit, so there is a limit to this).  Sports events, it is freeze action.  And the PQ is just amazing.  The weight is not bad at all.  Only downside is it is HUGE and attracts lots of attention and questions.
This lens is worth every penny. While it costs five times the prosumer Sigmaf4-5.6 70-300mm lens it's a relative bargain. The Sigma lens was not suitable for low light conditions such as the high school soccer and volleyball games that I photograph of my daughter playing outside hitter or goalkeeper.I just bought it last week and last night I had my first chance to use it to take pictures of the daughter's soccer team. I shot 274 shots and kept 190. The photos I kept are incredible. Those I discarded were simply bad photography on my part.WHAT's in the boxLensHoodCaseCase strapInstructionsWarranty cardFocus is lightning fast with my Rebel XT.PICTURE QUALITYCrisp, clear and sharp describe the images. Color is vivid and very saturated. F 2.8 makes night time high school soccer shots easy to do and still have adequate shutter speed at full 200 mm of zoom. I really like this lens. While image stabilization would be nice, the extra $500 was beyond my hobbyist budget. I shoot with a monopod so on the field shots are crystal clear. If you want to hand hold it save up the extra money.WEIGHTIt is not an issue for me. I use it mainly for taking shots of my daughter playing soccer and volleyball. Both are low light conditions. The monopod really helps. Hiking with this thing could be an issue.SUMMARYIf you can afford it buy it. You won't be disappointed***************UPDATEI have had this lens for a couple of weeks and shot about 3000 pictures with it of both indoor volleyball and night soccer games.  My opinion is getting even better.  Bar none, this is tremendous lens and it a league of its own.  If you can swing it money wise go for it.  I shot all evening last night on high school soccer field that was (by high school standards) well lit.  Using shutter priority I was able to keep the shutter speed faster than 1/200 of a second and was still operating in f.28-3.5 range on the lens.  Weight is not an issue.  This is a non-IS lens but the monopod makes that a non-issue.Now I need to sell my Sigma 70-300 mm lens so I can buy a 1.4 teleconverter for this lens for pre-dusk warmups where there is ample light.
It's just a beautiful piece of glass, a great looking lens, built like a tank, it's all it's cracked up to be. In my opinion, if you are on a budget, at least get one amazing lens, and the rest you can look for bargains. This way, when all else fails, you always have your ace lens to pull the load.
I have owned the Sigma 70-200 2.8 Canon 70-200 2.8 and now the 70-200 2.8 ISAs far as the sigma vs canon in the 70-200 withstanding better auto-focusing with the canon I would say it was an absolute tie! So if you are between those 2 I would save the $500On the other hand I would buy this lens again and again, and I would NEVER turn back to either of those 2 lenses!
I have a few 'L' lens, and this is by far my favorite. Reviews saying this is their favorite lens are not kidding. There are plenty of other reviews going over all the features, but I would like to add to the IS v Non-IS.I purchased the NON-IS version because I did not want to fork over the extra million-dollars for IS. If I knew I was to like this lens so much and it would become my favorite lens, I would have splurged for IS.Somewhere on the great-big-internet I read a comparison between the two versions. The IS version clearly shows less sharpness, but it was not clear if that is only when IS is on. And I'm not sure if it would be noticeable on Digital.
How many ways can you say sharp? If you like to crop and enlarge portions of images you'll really appreciate this lens. Portraits taken through this lens can show fabulous detail - including every blemish and unshaved whisker. It's expensive, but is likely to leave you wishing you'd bought it long ago.At f2.8 the bokeh (blurred background) is wonderfully smooth. Images positively jump off the page.I'd call it hefty - you'll know you're carrying it but I don't see its weight as a particular problem.It's pretty big and conspicuous, especially with the hood. Maybe not quite as big as a beer stein, but close. The customer images posted show the lens well (including the hood and tripod ring), but the Digital Rebel in some of those images also has a battery pack attached, and that makes the camera look proportionately larger. I suppose the battery pack's weight might help to balance the apparatus. My 20D looks like an appendage to the lens.I bought it from Amazon, and in the Canon box were a hood, tripod ring, and soft lens case. The product description doesn't say those are included, but I have the impression that's the standard product.
Exteremely heavy but worth the effort.  Pictures turned out great! I wouldn't recommend it for long hikes or difficult terraine unless you are physically prepared for it.
In my 25 years of using SLRs and having a wide range of lenses at my disposal, this is my favorite lens of all time. It is so sharp, you almost cut your corneas when you look through the eye piece. I've used this lens many times in lieu of my macro lens when shooting close-ups of insects and flowers, because the lens is so incredibly sharp and fast. To have a mere 2.8 on such a long lens is a true luxury. I'm currently shooting with an EOS 50D and carry this lens with me wherever I go. Because the 50D does not have a full-sized sensor, I'm actually getting a longer focal length than 70-200... I think it's more like 90-250 or so... so the lens is sometimes too long for things I think I want to shoot - then a beautiful eagle will fly overhead, and I whip this lens out just in time to get an amazing close-up shot of a magnificent bird of prey that would never get close enough for me to shoot with a shorter lens.I've used this previously on a 10D and 30D and always have magnificent results. I've frequently had to take low-light photos in classrooms where students would be distracted by a flash - and thanks to the wide-open lens, I can zoom in on a student across the room without being in their face, and without distracting them with light panels or a flash - all with spectacular results. The lens is light-weight for its length, but still has quite a bit of heft and can wear you out if you're trekking quite a bit with it. As many lenses of this length and weight, it has its own tripod mount, which I use frequently.Every year, I set up a studio at work to shoot employee photos where I work and this is the lens I use. A longer focal length is far more flattering to the face - and I'm able to crank up a couple of stops for sharpness around the eyes, mouth & nose while still being fast at 5.6 and having a slide blurring on the backdrop for a great portrait.If you're looking at cheaper off-brand lenses due to the price, I would first implore you to go to a camera store that carries this lens and look through the lens before you 'save' a few hundred bucks on lens that is unworthy to be mentioned in the same breath as this one.
This lens weighs far more than the f/4 version. It really weighs 2.9 lbs, or 1310 grams. Close to twice what is listed in the specs here. Kind of an important detail for Amazon to get wrong considering there are four 70-200mm Canon lenses and that would be one of the more important points of comparison.reference:3.3" x 7.6", 2.9 lbs. / 84.6mm x 193.6mm, 1310g[...]
What a great lens. I have started using it and I really don't want to remove it from the camera, it is that incredible. The pictures are color perfect and sharp as a tack. The movement is smooth and precise and the focus is very quick. I only wish I had gotten this lens earlier. WOW !
I love this lense. I use it with the 5D MkII and 7D bodies. It delivers crystal clear and sharp images. She is a little on the heavy side compared to my Canon 400 mm f5.6 lense (zoom vs prime). Plus, the 70-200mm has a low f/2.8.
I dreamed about that lens for a long time and finally I've got it. The quality of the lens and photos are great. If you are serious about photography buy this lens and will not be disappointed.
This is my first 'L' lens from Canon and I must say I am not disappointed in it, even though it's a pricey piece of equipment for the bag.  I agree with all the 5-star ratings this lens gets - it's without a doubt worth the money.  My only regret may be not buying the IS version, but....I had a hard enough time getting myself to pay for this particular lens!All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase.  It's one of my favorite lenses for shooting photos at my boys indoor hockey games!
I've used am f4 "cheapo" Canon 70 - 300 mm lens (meaning, I suppose, inexpensive but still pretty good)and have been happy with it.  On a splurge, I bought the 70 -200 L.  It's in an entirely different league, with colors more (naturally) saturated and (at F2.8) a much narrower field of focus (a good thing).  I love it, but a warning.  It's way heavier than the camera it's attached to, and way heavier and more conspicuous than smaller lenses with the same focal length.Bottom line, if you've got bucks to spare and you don't mind carrying something heavy around that is heavy and notable to those around you, it's the best there is, bar none.  Many people who will consider buying (or will buy) this lense probably shouldn't (over less expensive lenses).  You should consider whether you will often need its extra capabilities, or often appreciate its much higher quality images.  Its all at the margins.Tom Hurley
This is my first good lens I have ever purchased, however it is amazing.  It is incredible the difference that the lens makes in photos.  It was well worth the money!
3 Pounds is really heavy, more than I thought it would be.  Takes great pictures !  And YES, it does come with all of the accesories and case.  No scratches or dirt.  I almost sent it back because the entire box was crushed by UPS.  I suggest you pay for some kind of premium shipping like fedex.
If you're looking for a high-quality telephoto zoom lens that is fast enough to use indoors, you may have found what you're looking for.  The 70-200/2.8 lens produces beautiful results that are overall on par with the 135/2 prime lens (although not quite as sharp).The main downside to this lens is that it's big and heavy.  I don't mind carrying it around my neck on the camera so much, but when you go to use if you have to put extra effort into keeping the lens from shaking in your hands due to the weight.  And it's not exactly the sort of lens that I would want to toss into my backpack, just due to the immense size.If you don't mind spending an extra $500, consider also the 70-200/2.8 IS (image stabilization) version of this lens.  It weighs even more, but the built in IS unit should help compensate for shaky hands whilst using the lens.
How can I sum this up? This lens is a masterpiece, and probably the best lens Canon makes (it is also one of the sharpest.) Images at the 200mm range at 2.8 are sharp - stop it down to 4.0 and it is SUPER SHARP. This lens is also a SUPERB value! At just over a grand, you get the best range ever for a telephoto (except maybe the 28-300mm that Canon makes, but hey, it's double the price) and it's also SUPER FAST. I can't even believe it when this lens focuses - it catches the object before I do! Along with my 50mm 1.4 and 16-35mm 2.8L, I have a dream team that will travel the world with me. Great job, Canon, keep up the amazing work!P.S.: Are you debating between the non-IS 2.8 and the IS 2.8? The difference comes when we look at prices. The IS version is almost twice as expensive! However, it takes as great quality as the non-IS plus gives you extra stabilization protection. However, if you increase the shutter speed to 200 or over, then your really don't need IS because 200 shutter is all you really need (for the non-IS.) Happy shooting!
When you are ready to take your photography to the next level, you need to upgrade to an "L" series lens. The Canon 70-200 f 2.8 is a perfect lens to start you on your way. While it is a big investment to make for most amatuer photogs, it more then makes up for the cost with the images it will return. If you look at other pictures and say "I wish I could take shots like that", this is the type of lens that can make that happen.
Had the 70-200 f/4 and loved it to pieces with a D60, and now with a 1D MKII, but sold the 4.0 in order to pay for a 35-350, which is my work horse. Due to the push and pull feature however, the 35-350 gets dusty quick in good ol' Montana land, so it has to go in for cleanings every once in a while, and the f/stop isn't always desirable for certain situations.  The 70-200 F/2.8 is amazing. The twist zoom is a little close to the camera, so it takes some twisting of the wrist to get it where you need it, and IMHO, is a bit too much of a turn to be from 70 to 200 in the time one might need for extreme sports. (Rodeo, NASCAR etc) The clarity of this piece of glass just blew me away. I did a comparison of images from my 70-200 F/4 when it was new, and the 2.8 is still visibly sharper. I put an expensive filter on it, as my equipment is asked a lot of in very harmful conditions, and I do notice the slightest big of distortion with a filter, even though it is a good B&W..... so when I can, I shoot the lens with no filter if I require extreme detail. The 35-350L is nowhere near the quality of this little 2.8... if it weren't for the difference in distance, this lens would be my one and only. Oh, and I love the IS. As it is my first IS Lens, I treasure is, but know I will not buy another distance lens without it.
Wow, I have been spending way too much time reading and reviewing this lens, seriously, just get it.  My lens had a code of UW####, which means it was made in September of 2008, so new!I just tested it real quick, and it seems to focus very well at all focal lengths, quiet, and focus fast!  This is my first L lens, and I am so excited!  This lens is definitely worth every penny.  Yes, everyone says that, but really, it is.  Get it now!
yes it is a LOT of money. yes it is worth every penny. Instead of 10% really good shots, I got almost 50% worth posting to galleries and putting up for sale. This lens begs for a tripod or monopod (and I have both), but I was able to take lots of pictures comfortably with an old stitz flash handle - amazon's closest equivalent is hereSunpak Digital Camera Flash Adapter- connected to the LENS rather than the camera socket.
the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS was my second L series lens purchased, and they still do not disappoint. build and image quality is amazing, and even though its on the heavy side, the images are well worth the extra weight over an inferior telephoto lens.this lens can cover you in most situations, from outdoor nature photography to indoor studio. for outdoor, i also recommend purchasing the 1.4X extender-which increasing the zoom range to 280mm at a constant f/4, still respectable for medium to low light photography with a high iso.while it may be pricey, its more than worth it. if cost is an issue, the 70-200 f/4 L IS or non IS lenses are both very good, but the IS is really worth the extra money, especially on a lens of this length.edited several years later:the price on the 70-200 f/2.8 IS has jumped from $1600 to $2000, despite the release of a version II. While it's still a great lens optically, and still an option if you cant scratch together another few hundred dollars, I hate the idea of paying this much for an old tech lens.
This is one of the most versatile high quality lenses around. For the hobbyist, this will suffice as your number one lens for portraits and medium distance telephoto shots. It's a fast lens with exceptional quality glass.This lens, along with the EF 14-35mm f/2.8L USM and the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is all a serious hobbyist-photographer needs as basic gear. Ok, it's expensive; but so is quality. If you're a designer and not a pure photographer, then don't waste money on high quality glass. A high end point and shoot will do. Photoshop/Painter skills is where you should invest.
Purchased this lens a little over a year ago and I simply love it!  The lens is a little heavy but when you're taking quality pictures with a professional camera one would expect a unit that is built with the best quality in mind to have some weight.The IS in my lens makes it possible to shoot subjects from long distances clearly.  The price might be a little much for the hobbyist but if you purchase this lens you'll get what some call "L" lens fever.  This lens makes you want to purchase more lenses of this quality level.One last thing is this lens GETS YOU NOTICED.  So if you're trying to be incognito then this lens is not for you.  Highly recommend this lens!!
Get it and see that all the hype is true.I am honest, great lens.If you are thinking about it then you deserve it because you care about photography enough to seek it.If you ever decide on selling it you will have fantastic resale value.Buy it now.  Nobody is ever going to get that for you.
This is simply the best telephoto lens I have ever used. It arrived about 3 weeks ago and has performed flawlessly on both my 30D and my film camera (the old EOS 630). The blurred backround at wider aperture settings is satisfying and seamless, while the contrast, color and sharpness of the image are remarkable. There is a very slight, but barely perceptible, softening of the image on film when the lens is wide open at f=2.8, but by f=3.5 I can't detect any lack of sharpness even on enlargements.The IS works perfectly. There is a little motor noise (very soft) while the IS is engaged, but nothing that would disturb a nearby subject. As others have stated, IS is no complete panacea for hand-held shooting in near total darkness, but I have been able to get a lot of great exposures that would have been impossible with any other telephoto.Another huge plus is that this lens allows full time manual focus; you don't have to flip a switch to override the auto focus. All you need to do is start turning the focus ring. This saves a lot of time and missed shots when the autofocus is choosing something other than what you want to shoot.On the other hand this is not a "walk-around" lens. It is very serviceable off the tripod for short sessions, or even hanging around for a couple of hours. If you watch Art Wolfe on "Journeys To The Edge" (highly recommended show on PBS)he uses this lens a lot, and often hand carries it around without using the neck strap. But it does get heavy after a while. And it is a long,fixed length lens. But the weight and length are just the price we have to pay for a lens that retains its maximum 2.8 aperture through its entire range.If you are serious about the images you create, and can afford the price, this lens is an investment you cannot afford to pass up.
I purchased this lens specifically for weddings, and for trips.  I have NEVER had a better lens. Yes, it is pricy.  But you always get what you pay for (that's my motto).  Definitely not cheap.  But I will not buy a non L IS lens so when it came to getting a new zoom, this one topped the charts in my book.The output is absolutely incredible.  It comes with AF and MF.  Yes, you can hear the IS a little bit when in use.  My first one was rather loud and "scratchy" sounding, right out of the box, and I had to send it back for a new replacement, but once I received my second one, it has worked like a charm from day one.  This lens has been around the world with me, and has never once faltered.  The photos are crisp, clear, and quite simply, amazing.  Outstanding in low light settings!This lens is quite heavy, and bulky in my opinion, however, coupled with my D40, it balances itself out because the body of the D40 is also on the heavier side.  Be aware of arm fatigue with this one, however with much use, my muscles are now loving this lens, and I don't enjoy light "flimsy" cameras/lenses anymore, even on a temporary basis.If there was one thing that I had to complain about (only a nit pick) is the fact that it is white.  VERY noticeable when shooting.  People tend to stop and look when I use this lens (thinking I am paparazi perhaps?), because it just seems out of place and bulky.  But once I used it, I knew the trade off of lens color vs output, was worth it 100 million percent.
After researching and reading reviews before I purchased, now I understand, sharpest most amazing peace of glass I've ever seen much less owned.
Just to give you some background, I'm probably a typical "prosumer" photographer.  I take maybe 100 shots a week, and I'll go out just to shoot maybe 6-8 weekend days a year.This is the most expensive lens I own, and other than some indoor wide shots for family gatherings, it's the only lens I use.  I got one of the kit lenses, and the quality of the shots with that lens is so poor in comparison, it pains me to have to use it.There are a few things that make this lens great.  Specifically, I find it surprisingly versatile.  Other than some indoor wide shots, I can basically use it for everything.  If you like portraits, this lens is fantastic for pushing everything but the subject out of focus.  Of course, any tele is going to do that for you, but the crispness and quality of the shot, the lightning fast and accurate/usable auto-focus, really make this lens a joy to use.Initially, the weight seemed like to big of a nuisance, but after comparing the quality of what I could do and what I got out of this thing vs any of the cheaper lenses I had, I just couldn't stop using it.So if you're anything more than a point-n-shooter, and you're considering stepping up to a nicer lens, this one is worth every penny.  I couldn't be more pleased.
This lens is one of (if not THE) best lens Canon makes, period.  It is the premier "sports lens" in the industry, and it has that title for several reasons:1.) BUILD QUALITY:  It's built like a tank.2.) WEATHER SEALING:  couple with a 1 series body, as soon as it starts raining, everyone else will be scrambling to keep their cameras dry.3.) SUPERIOR OPTICS:  color and contrast from this lens are excellent.4.) IS:  I bought this lens because of the IS.My former 70-200 lens was the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM.  I'm not going to sit here and lie saying the Canon completely blows the Sigma away- it simply doesn't.  The Sigma is a fine lens.  It is also built like a tank, the HSM is almost (when I say almost, I mean by milliseconds- ie barely noticeable)as fast, and the colors and contrast are superb- almost indistinguishable from an L lens.  There are a lot of "almosts" in this paragraph, I know.  The Sigma is "almost" perfect, the Canon IS PERFECT.  If you are willing to pay the substantial price difference for perfection, more power to you.The main reason I purchased this lens was not because it was white, not because it has a red ring, and not because it's a Canon.  I bought it for the IS.  I am a sports shooter and I found myself limited in the shutter speed I was able to use with the Sigma.  I am a big proponent of the 1/focal length (x 1.6 on my 30D) rule.  At 200mm, I would need a shutter speed of at least 1/320 to prevent camera shake.  When using flash, I would have to use HSS for the flash to work at that shuttter speed.  HSS significantly cuts down on flash output.  I would rather use my cameras maximum x-sync speed (1/250) most of the time.  This is where IS comes in handy for me.  With the Sigma at 200mm/ 1/250 I would get blurry shots, with the Canon using the IS I'm safe.  I can even go several stops slower than 1/250 if I desire.  The IS is fantastic and is definitely worth the extra $$$.
One of, if not the best lens to have on your camera or in your bag.
got this lens because of the reviews. there is no  question the glass is outstanding. the night time pictures are out of this world. shot a thunderstorm, unbelievable pictures.overall very very nice. But the weight is an issue. it is pretty darn heavy after two hours. i would not use it as an everyday lens. it is worth having in the bag, but until i get a lot stronger, it is my #2 lens. (24-135mm #1)
Amazing lens! You get great contrast in photos, they come out sharp. IS helps you obtain shots that you would not normally get. However, those shots may not come out as crisp as you would like (I think expectations that IS is the cure-all should be lowered, remember, you were not suppose to get those shots). This lens and the non-IS version are in a class of their own. If you have money to spend, get the IS, if not, get the non-IS. In my opinion, these are not travel lenses, if I travel I use the 70-300 DO lens because I like to travel light (not a 2.8 but I compromise when it comes to travelling). For travel lenses, consider the DO, or the 70-200 f4. I will carry this lens only if there are specific things I want to shoot and I want the very best quality. Amateurs need not bother (unless they have money to burn), if its a serious hobby, get it, professionals, its a no brainer.
Amazing product.Got the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM  lens about 2 months back and I am really happy with the quality of the pictures. I am amazed at the clarity of the pictures taken with very little light - thanks to f/2.8.I use the IS almost all the time unless I am shooting night time with very long exposure during which I use a tripod. The AF is very fast at all zoom lengths.Downside:* It is very, really very, bulky.* Too much attention from people around you.* Being a 70-200mm lens, its tough to get a portrait shot. So you can not afford to have only this lens. You need atleast 1 more lens so that you can take portraits and "normal" photos with a little bit wider angle.Note: review is based on my experience with Canon EOS 50DThere is no doubt about the quality of this lens. You just need to decide whether you want it or not.
I'll keep mine short, since you can read all the reviews from all over the internet anyway, it's expensive, very nice shots are made from it, IS really helps, f2.8 makes the viewfinder brighter and AF functions much faster and last but certainly not the least... I'm very hapy to have it, it's a joy for me to use it, which is, i think, the most important thing. :)
I use this lens for high school gym, volleyball and basketball on a Canon 50D.  If you've shot in this environment you know it's tough...IE Low light, fast action.  This lens is as good as it gets.  Of the available lenses it's Perfect for this venue.  Fast at 2.8 & Image stabilization are what make it the best.  Sometimes wish it was 50-200 in smaller gyms.  Push your IS0 to 3200 for speed/grain best balance (on a 50D) and you'll love it.
Yes, it's expensive. I waited a year before I purchased mine about 8 yrs ago then remembered asking myself why I waited so long. It's an amazing lens. I'm a portrait/wedding photographer and enjoy using this on all my jobs. Also great for taking on trips to zoos, etc. During the day the images are sharp and crisp, at night the lens grabs subjects quickly and easily, it is indeed very quiet. This lens weighs a little over 3 lbs which makes it cumbersome for some but after awhile of working with it I carry mine around all day with no problems. I even dropped this lens in the water once (fresh water lake and a complete accident of course). Left it untouched for 3 days to let dry and after that I've never had issue with it, it works flawlessly. Amazing and worth every penny. Definitely recommend!
Can't add much new over what's already been said about this lens. One of the best lens produced by canon, if not the very best. Extremely versatile and at this point my favorite lens. I own two other L lens, the 24-70mm 2.8L IS and the 100-400 3.5L. More expensive than non L lens but worth the dollars.
I bought this first for portraits on a full frame camera (5DMkII) and second as a wildlife lens with Canon 1.4x and 2x extenders (for 280mm F4 and 400mm F5.6).First the good:  The lens does not extend when zoomed, a convenience in many situations.  The large aperture is good for viewfinder brightness and autofocus.Now my disappointments:With extenders, this lens is terrible...actually terrible isn't my word of choice, but this is a family website.  In my controlled testing, I found that I had to stop down to F8 with the 1.4x and F11 with the 2x, if I wanted even decent sharpness.  So much for wildlife.  The 100-400 is far superior in that role.Normal use is also disappointing, as F4 is really the largest aperture that will give an acceptable photo.  At F2.8, the corners are very soft and vignetting is also a problem at 200mm.  Fairly annoying CA at all zoom ranges, too.  So if I can't really use F2.8, I might as well have bought the F4 for less money.Last, this lens is heavy.  Another reason to consider the F4 version.Thinking I had a bad copy, I did some research (as I should have done before the purchase!) and found that Photozone (photzone.de) in its objective testing of two copies, found similar results.  In comparison, the F4 version got rave reviews.  My recommendation is the F4 IS, if you need this zoom range.
I borrowed this lens (and a 5D) and was absolutely floored. I'm used to my Canon EOS 20D and 28-135 IS lens, which are great in their own right but not in the same league with the L-class lens and full-frame camera.Yes the 70-200 f/2.8 IS costs 4x as much as the 28-135, but its 4x more amazing (Yes I did the scientific measurements and everything ;-).Its a rather large lens, but not so heavy as to be totally unwieldy. I wouldnt want it around my neck on a grueling hiking trip, but walking around town for a little while isn't going to kill you.Images are sharp and focus is lightning fast, compared to what I am used to. This lens is on my wish list right there with the 24-70 f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.2 both of which I have used, but sadly enough, cannot yet afford.
This is a super set of optics, but it is heavy.  The weight, 3-4 pounds, doesn't sound like much, until you carry it for a while.  Aside from the weight issue, it is professional grade, solidly constructed, works as promised, and delivers crisp images.  Just remember that it is heavy.  Cheers!
Even on a 20D, 200mm is too often not enough.I've added a 1.4X telextender;hauling another or larger lens for extended distancesbecomes more aerobic exercise than photography.
This is a great lens that has demonstrated it's popularity with professional photographers for nearly a decade. I love it's solid construction, as well as the speed and depth of field of a 2.8 aperture throughout the focal range. With it's older IS technology though you can hear the gyros spinning and it sometimes takes a moment to acquire a focus in low light - so I presume the IS system in the new April 2010 version 2 of this lens will address this.It's a solid lens, a must for wedding, portrait and fashion photographers among others. With the EF lens mount I can use this on full frame (5D) and my APS-C (Xti) camera bodies - where it effectively becomes a 105-300mm lens! I've also used a Marumi 77mm DHG (Digital High Grade) Achromat Macro 200 (+5) lens for some macro photography which can be fun too - though note the focal range becomes very shallow with that!
This is the perfect lens for anyone wanting to get professional results from a lens thats quick (ultra fast focusing), long enough to get "in close", yet light enough to be able to use hand held. I'm not sure if the "IS" feature is needed for sports photography or not, but it's a nice extra.
I am not a pro. I am a little dissapointed with this expensive lens. I did some non-profesional comparison and don't see much difference comparing to my 28-135mm IS at 70mm and 135mm.If I had a choice, I will buy those less expensive 70-300 IS lens.Now the most used lens in my collection is the $75 prime 50mm f1.8. I just love this plastic cheap feeling lens.I got some dirt on this 70-200mm IS lens, how do you pro guys clean it?Thanks a bunch,Nick Xu
Hi,I was waiting for this lens...I was unable to take photographs of the swimmers indoor very well.After I mounted this "beauty"on my camera...everything changed,suddenly I was able to go up to 1/500s w/2.8 f stop to catch swimmers in the pool.I need to take more photographs to have more to say but right now I love it.If you want to see more photographs please go to my web site: [...]Thank you.01/14/2010 I spent a few hours with this lens at the pool...guys ...simply I love it.When I walk around with this lens it makes heads turn.You really need to work out b4 you can work with this 'horse" it is heavy but the photographs and the f stop is all what I need .Do not spend any money on lenses with f3.5-4.5 you will scremming for f 2.8.Enjoy and thank you Canon for such a great lens.
There is a reason why this lens is so expensive: everyone is prepared to pay the price. This is simply the best portrait lens available. It's fast - through the whole range from 70 to 200 mm it can operate at f/2.8. Wide open it produces a really great bokeh that rivals that of prime lenses. The AF focuses quickly, and very quietly (which, considering that this is a zoom lens, is not that important). Operating the zoom ring feels almost perfect, as it is positioned exactly where you expect it, and it is wide enough not to accidentally touch the focus ring.The lens has an image stabilisator that  is more than capable, and *very* helpful when trying to follow motion (the lens provides a special IS mode for this). The IS is nicely balanced, and does not jerk the image when activated (the slight oscillation it induces on the hand holding the lens takes some getting used to).It's incredibly sharp at one stop above 2.8, and no discernible vignetting fully open (I'm using it on a 1.6 FOV body). Since the lens uses internal focusing, the front will not turn, making using circular polarizers much, much simpler than with other lenses that do not have this feature.One thing that is of concern, and will always be, is that this lens is heavy. At almost 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) it is by far my heaviest lens, and makes that camera/lens combination top-heavy. Luckily, the lens comes with a tripod ring that helps alleviating this problem (you do have a tripod, right?). One of the reasons that this lens is so heavy is the way that it is build: metal, and professional grade environmental sealing. It is safe to assume that unless you are using an equally professional camera (which i do *not*), the lens will outlast the body it is mounted on.My lens came included with tripod ring, a hood, and nice bag (with it's own shoulder strap) - so stay away from any bundles that offer a carrying bag or hood. The only thing I needed to purchase was an UV filter (I use it to protect the lens) -- I recommend B&W; filters -- and a tripod plate. I also got the 1.4x extender, but have found little use for it so far.The reason I find this lens so good is that it produces excellent pictures -- especially for portraits. Since it produces beautiful bokeh (the blurriness behind the focused object) and operates in fairly low light conditions without a flash while still giving sharp images it will allow you to shoot incredibly beautiful pictures. And having a 200mm zoom allows you to give your model some space to relax, while the range of 70-200 allows you to quickly adapt to the situation without having to change the lens. The result many times are downright stunning. If there is a perfect portrait lens, this is it.I wholeheartedly recommend this lens over its more affordable brethren (the non-IS and the slower variants of this lens). You get what you pay for. If there is one L lens you want in your lineup (or better: can afford to have) make it this one.
I'll keep this simple and to the point.  The lens is bullet proof.  It produces beautiful images even in low light situations and that's even hand held.Only one minor complaint, it's pretty heavy.  I guess that's a small price to pay for beautiful photos and dependability.  You get a bit of a work out, but who isn't in need of that.
This is a wonderful lens.  I put off buying it for a long time, but finally bit the bullet and got it.  I love it.  Still got to figure a few things out, but that would be user issues, not product issues.  Looking forward to more sports photography now.
It's a bit heavy but a superb lens.  Interior construction has quite a bit of plastic however which is a bit of a concern.  I've dropped one onto hard packed dirt/soccer field w/no damage...so it's pretty sturdy :)If you can live with 1 stop less light consider the newly released 70-200 f/4 L IS.  This is the new 70-200 f/4 with IS from Canon and will save you some weight if that is a concern.
An amazing lens and a must own for serious quality in the 70-200mm range. One small draw back is it's very heavy.
Worth every penny! I was caught between this and the 400 f4. I decided to go with this and the doubler. You lose two stops with the doubler, but it's pretty close to the 400 f4. You have 2 lenses in one with this and a doubler. And this one is fast and shoots in low light! I love it!
I agonized over this one for a YEAR.  I am not a professional photographer by trade, but have come to love it as my hobby.  When I recently upgraded from a Rebel to my 7D, I felt it was time to take the plunge.  Man oh man, am I glad I did!  My daughter is in gymnastics and they perform in caves.  OK, not literally, but trust me when I say the lighting is as bad as it gets.  With this lens, I was able to shoot at f2.8 1/250 @ 3200 ISO and got some amazing shots.  In a few cases, when they were way in the back, I cranked ISO to 6400 and went to 1/500s and while noisy, at least I had the shot.  Others around me (including a guy with the 70-200 f4-5.6) were out of luck.  It focuses fast and the quality is just amazing for an amateur like me to use.  Find a way to remind yourself about the different IS settings and optimal zoom setting.  Sometimes I shoot for a while realizing I had it set non-optimally.  I drive a Hyundai so I can feed my camera habit, and I don't regret it one bit.  This thing is just great.One other thing.  As many of the reviewers said, you WILL get noticed with this.  I've already been asked by owners/management at a pool and restaurant who I worked for and why was I taking pics.  "uhhh, it's my daughter's birthday."  So just be aware that you are conspicuous with this thing.  Highly recommend a monopod as well.  It is heavy.  But worth every ounce.HTH
I bought the lens as part of a paired replacement from my EF35-350 lens and am very, very happy with it.  I've currently used it mostly for indoor flash-less sports photography and it's been great.  Nice high speed still photos that capture fast action cleanly and crisply.  Autofocus has been fast and accurate.  The wide aperture with long zoom makes for some very nice narrow dept-of-field facial pictures.One interesting note: when I ordered the lens from Amazon, the one I received had no lens hood.  Luckily I knew that was supposed to be there and Amazon replaced the lens without question (great service!).  Be sure to make sure the hood is present when you receive the lens.Strongly recommended!
Ok....I'm in love with this lens, so I'm a little bias here.Pros: not enough room to write allcons: it's a little heavy....but totally worth it.  Wish it were cheaper.
With so many positive reviews posted here and anywhere in any form of discussion around the globe, this lens is a must-have lens if you own a Canon digital SLR camera.This lens, the superb built quality and image quality aside, is also a  versatile lens covering portraiture, low-light shoots, sports, landscape, photo-journalism, you name it if you want the quality images.  With Canon Close-up lens 500D, you can take unbelievable MACRO shots.I also own a Nikon version of this lens, equally outstanding, so when I bought the Canon 1D Mark III, I immediately bought two lenses: this lens and the 16-35mm, f/2.8 II. Some highly reputable photo-journalist only have these two lenses to cover their entire work all around the world. If you can get 24-70mm,f/2.8, that will be all you need to do basically everything.I will post some images taken with this lens: MACRO, night scene, daylight scene.
I bought this lens to compliment my new EOS-5D and the combination produces stunning photos... and severe muscle strain!No doubt, the combination is very heavy, but its worth it.  Also great is that with the fast F/2.8 glass, you can use a 2x converter and get a 400mm lens and still use the autofocus.All in all, a great lens that's worth the investment.
It's been 30 years since I've had this many bad shots in consecutive shooting sessions.  I just tossed out another 200 of 215 shots from a sporting event for being over exposed and not having a single point in the frame that's in focus. This is the 8th session in a row ruined.  Maybe it's a great art lens or a good wildlife lens (the only great shots I've had with this lens in 4 months are wildlife shots)  too bad I prefer sports photography.  Bulky.  Heavy.  If it hadn't been a gift, I would return it.  My 20 year old cannon lens has better zoom and superior focus with the D40.  Supposedly the "better" optics would make it so I could crop photos and get better results.  Not a chance.  Photo after photo with not a single point in a photo actually IN FOCUS in auto focus mode.  Shutter speeds 1/200 and above.  Great light.  What a waste.
I purchased this lens to use for sports shots and it has not yet failed my standards. Recently I was at 'Head of the Charles' in Cambridge Mass and almost every picture I took came out wonderful. For those that do not know of it, 'HOTC' is the biggest, and most famous regatta race in the world. The Image Stabilization is a dream...Some shots that I would never have a chance to capture, I get so easily now!While I have heard that this is not a lens to use with a tripod, I do use a one for some set shots and those always come out great. The only real drawback of this lens is the weight, but it really is not THAT bad. Just get a more comfortable camera strap (the ones that come with the cameras, I NEVER like) and you will find that carrying this lens attached to your camera is no different than carrying another quality lens. The white paint will draw some looks, so you have to think about that as well.Also, another side effect...As this is my first "L" lens, I am really itching to buy more! I'm totally ruined from purchasing "Non-L" lenses now.Come on Christmas bonus!!!
Received lens  today,  WAY  AHEAD of schedule.  Good Job.  Lens looks to be as advertised in very good shape.  will try it out this week end at kids Taekwando meet and add to this review.
This is a big, heavy, sharp lens. Everything about this lens is high quality and built to last a very long time. The nit that I could pick with this lens is the included lens shade, that petal design is just not very good looking; and the lens shade exterior is black - it needs to be white like the rest of the lens.This lens is a massive step up from the world of amateur lenses. The constant aperture f/2.8 opens a world of photography not possible with those less expensive lenses. My Canon 7D focuses so much faster and more accurately. There are a set of auto-focus sensors that will only work with f2.8 and above lenses.I photograph college football. This lens is a decent compromise over the f2.8 300mm (Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras) if you are not a working professional. Specifically, this zoom is a very sharp lens. My rate of out of focus pictures was reasonable, maybe 5% with this lens. For comparison, about 25% of my pictures are out of focus with my Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 zoom. Both were used during afternoon full daylight games. Move to night games and the Tamron is almost unusable.The lens barrel is large and mostly constant diameter the full length. The zoom and focus rings move very nicely, the right amount of resistance so they aren't moved accidently. The AF can be overridden by simply turning the focus ring; this is a common feature in the USM professional grade lenses. The front element does not rotate during zoom or focus. The barrel length stays constant. The switches on the side of the barrel are a design choice I'm not very fond of; they look like a strange afterthought add on to the lens. Ugly aside, the switches are solid and of incredible quality. The tripod / monopod mount is rock solid and located at almost the perfect center of gravity with a camera body attached.Image Stabilization is in two modes, I and II. The first is stabilization in both vertical and horizontal direction - in other words used for stationary subjects. The second mode stabilizes for panning; it applies stabilization in the vertical direction. Do they really add four stops of sharpness - yes probably. There's no really good way to test that claim definitively. My gut says yes. A picture I took of the moon was amazingly sharp with no tripod.The photo results are really good. This season I've compared three lenses, this zoom, the Tamron 70-300mm and the Canon 300mm f2.8. The gold standard for sharpness, speed of use, and build quality is that 300mm lens. I have never seen sharper images anywhere. The out of focus background is velvet and amazing. The biggest problem with that lens, it is super expensive and so darn heavy. The Canon 70-200mm zoom performs reasonably well compared to the fixed 300mm. It is not as absolutely sharp, but that is to be expected with a zoom versus fixed focal length. The out of focus background is nice, but not as velvety smooth as the 300mm. The Tamron just isn't even in the same universe - slower focus, nowhere near as sharp, and much smaller maximum aperture (which translates into less precise and slower focusing even with the 7D).I am in love with the 300mm f2.8. That lens is magic. This 70-200mm is an incredibly nice lens. I really like it, but I'm not in love. It is the real affordable alternative to that beast of a lens.Is this lens worth the high price? If you are going to shoot sports, absolutely yes it is worth every single penny. When I consider that a Canon IS zoom in all plastic body is around seven hundred dollars, this lens does not seem that far out of line (all steel body, weatherproofing seals, fantastic sharpness, non-rotating front element, and f2.8 maximum aperture). For the non-sports photographer, this is a much harder sell.This would make a spectacular used lens buy. These are pretty much bullet proof lenses. With the newer mark 2 version of this lens (Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras), this particular version should see a decent price benefit in the used arena. The newer model reviews are very good, but nobody is saying the mark I is now obsolete.I like this lens a lot. It is a good solid performer at all f stops. I would never attach one of the telephoto extender lenses to this lens. They are a cute idea, but totally defeat the purpose of this lens, wide maximum aperature and maximum sharpness. It would be much better to simply crop the image after the fact.
Third lens I've purchased and by far the most fun.  The price was hard to swallow but I haven't regretted it once.  The shallow depth of field and telephoto abilities make this lens worth every penny.  It's awesome.
I use this lens as my walk around on my 5D all the time. Sharp, fast and versatile. Only drawback is weight so carrying it all day can be a drag if you are not use to it. Add the 1.4 Canon TC and add more versatility too.Can't say enough about this copy.
I purchased this lens for shooting indoor and outdoor sporting events.  I use this lens with a Canon 30D body.  This lens has been a great addition to my set of lenses.  I wore out the focus ring once already and Canon did fix it at no charge during its warranty period.  I've had the lens for about 8 months and have already taken close to 7500 photos with it.  I would recommend this lens to anyone, especially those shooting sports indoors or in low light conditions.
I will save my fingers from usage.  If you are contemplating it, get it!  Wouldn't part with it for anything!  Best ever!  Enough said!
I did a lot of research before I bought this lens and I checked out over 15 companies prices and integrity.  I could have got the lens for a few dollars cheaper from other dealers but I felt the safest with Amazon.  I got the lens when they said I would receive it.  It works perfectly and would purchase again in the future.The lens is very pricey and heavy but I love the look and the great depth of  field I get from the 2.8
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens is nothing short of incredible. I'm using it on my Canon XTi. With the XTi's multiplication factor of 1.6 the effective focal length of this lens is 112mm to 320mm. The thought of a 112mm to 320mm lens which features a maximum aperture of f2.8 throughout its range and has image stabilization is hard to comprehend at first. After a couple weeks of use, I find this lens is fast, sharp, quiet, and a bit heavy. This lens is fantastic for portraits. It's also great for close-ups taken from about 5-6 feet away. It's far more versatile than I expected.
It is everything I thought it would be. If you can afford it, then it's great!
There are four models of Canon 70-200 L lenses. Two are F/4.0-5.6 and two are F/2.8. Each set of two has an imaged stabilized and non-stabilized version. The pricing starts at about $700 and moves up to this one that is about $1699.After reading many reviews, it seemed to me worthwhile to invest in this one rather than the 4.0 versions. It is great to have constant F/2.8 all the way through the zoom range, and also to have image stabilization. I crank it up to ISO 1600 then shoot wide open at F/2.8 and people are amazed I can get pictures even in fading daylight without flash.It seemed rather strange to read reviews saying that the color was great, but after experiencing it I now know what they mean. Wow, what great images and the bokeh (out of focus background) is absolutely wonderful. Not many told me about that great benefit.If you think you can only afford the least expensive model ($700) then carry your lunch for a while and go all the way with the savings! Turn down your heat 2 degrees or turn up the temperature on your A/C by 2 degrees. Eat chicken instead of steak weekly. Car pool! This lens is worth making some sacrifices!One caveat: some reviews I saw elsewhere have said that Canon optimizes this lens for full-frame SLRs (the expensive ones from about $2,000 (5D) to $8,000 (1DS), while Nikon optimizes its version for cropped frame SLRs. Therefore, I am not sure it will be as much of a "wow" on a cropped camera because I have not been able to try it. I have a 5D and have been lending out my 20D to my son-in-law for the last couple of months.
Having been a photographer by hobby for 20+ years, I have to say that this is by far the best glass that I have ever shot with. To be succinct, if you are at least a "prosumer" Canon shooter, you shouldn't be without this lens. It has been versatile enough for me to shoot everything from a deceased soldier's burial to youth sports without being a disrupting influence. I've used it to shoot airshows (static displays) and news events. It is simply a must have for the Canon-carrying photojournalist.The mechanics of this "L" lens are solid and the focus is sharp and fast. It may be a little heavy for some but I've gotten used to it. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over if you take the time to learn it and how to use it.If your wallet can bear it, then I say go for it. You won't regret it.
I bought this lens a few weeks ago and it consistently produces out of focus images at f/2.8 through f/4.0  Amazon was great to work with, and they sent a replacement which turned out to be defective as well.  I've shot several hundred images on each, under various lighting conditions, using my 5D Mark II body.  The two exaples I evaluated are very poor performers at f/4.0 and wider.  One went back to Amazon as defective, another went to Canon for a warranty claim.I hope they can fix this lens, because I really want it to perform as well as some of the better examples of this product out there.If you buy the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS, be sure to test it at wide apperture values while you can still return it.Shame on Canon for a poor quality control process.
I bought this lens a couple months ago and have a little over 2,000 images (mainly summer lacrosse leagues and tournaments) and could not be more pleased.  Fast, works well in low light conditions, and the images are razor sharp.  Its built like a tank and rock solid.I paired this with the 24-70 2.8L and the 20D body and feel like I can go anywhere and be covered.I have a friend with a 400mm 5.6L and when he complained about shooting in low light conditions (even just cloudy days) that's when I decided to go with the 2.8.I figure with 8.2 Mega Pixels, I can crop to cover the lost reach.I spent alot on my outfit, but don't forsee ever needing anything else.  This will get passed on to my kids after I take my final picture.Updated July 2010Have had this same outfit now for more than 5 years and have shot well over 10,000 images (my 4 digit frame counter rolled over about a year ago) and am still extremely pleased.  In fact, I kind of wish my 20D would develop a problem so I can put this glass on a new body.  But it's been a great body and I won't replace it until I have to.  This lens, though, is the best part.  I got the 2x converter to reach out on bright days for wildlife.  The image quality continues to be outstanding.  Highly recommend.
I had the 70-200 F4 L for a few years (non IS), which is an excellent lens, and a bargain "L" but I sold it to upgrade to either the 2.8 IS or the 4.0 IS. Both are great lenses, but I bit the bullet and went 2.8 IS, knowing the lens is a beast, but also knowing I'd carry almost anything if it was the right tool. For those who are trying to make this decision, all I can say is that after the first 100 shots, I'm hooked on this lens.  Faster, better focus than my copy of the 4.0, which was no slouch.  INCREDIBLE bokeh, and ability to handhold shots that would be blurry without IS.
Pros:- Outstanding sharpness, saturation, and bokeh- USM AF is fast and quiet- 2 focus range settings- Fast f/2.8 throughout zoom range complements 24-70mm f/2.8L- Image Stabilizer- 2 IS modes: 1 - normal & 2 - panning- Weather sealed- Common 77mm filter among L-series- Front element does not rotate with focus- Non-existent zoom-creep (lens does not extend)- Solid construction and feel- Focus range indicator window on top of lens- Comes bundled with lens hood, tripod collar ring, and standalone lens bag- Well controlled vignettingCons:- Heavy- Expensive- Longest of the 4 Canon 70-200mm'sThoughts:Outstanding Lens! Always use a filter and use the lens hood as much as possible. The lens hood does get in the way of using a polarizing filter since the front element does not extend. Front element does not rotate when focusing. One of my more favorite lenses. It is used in conjunction to my 24-70mm f/2.8L. My 1.4x extender is only used when I want more reach, but it does cut the sharpness down a bit. I love the IS on here. The ability to change IS modes is awesome. Having 4 setting switches on the lens is a step up from the 24-70mm f/2.8L (that having none). The white finish on this lens garners a lot of onlooker attention. You'll get a ton of attention at events and need a monopod if you want to use it for a baseball game and the like. 24-70mm f/2.8L seems light after wielding this lens. This lens attached to a 40D will not fit the Lowepro Slingshot 200 in the quick draw position. That said, I never use the included standalone lens bag (it looks more like a tan & black lens holster; comes with a thin black shoulder strap). It's best to get this on sale (Christmas season comes to mind). The $1700~ price tag is steep, but the $200~ in instant rebate is nice.Bottom line:Outstanding Lens! Highly regarded and recommended.
All the reviews are true. If you can afford it, buy it. It's very heavy but it's also the best all around lens there is in the Canon line.
This lens a must-have for the professional photographer because it is fast, rugged, and has image-stabilization for those pesky low-light situations.The 70-200mm range is sweet spot focal length for portraiture as well as candid photography. This lens is a favorite amongst photojournalists, wedding photographers, and as a short-telephoto for nature and sports photographers.The f/2.8 aperture that stays constant throughout the zoom range allows you to photograph as higher shutter speeds and/or lower ISO-ratings in lower light situations. The f/2.8 aperture is also excellent for separating the background from the subject.The AF is very quick and accurate.The best part of this lens is that it takes the amazing image quality of the non-IS version and gives you 3-stops of image-stabilization allowing for 1/15sec @ 200mm exposures. Handheld shots in very low light such as candlelit areas are now possible with little to no camera-shake blur.Canon maintains the tremendous build and image quality of it's L-series lenses with this image-stabilized version. So, this lens will be with you for years to come.
I've been using this lens on my Canon 40D for about a week now, as my #2 shooting lens for general work walking about town when I need to reach out a bit farther than usual (my #1 lens is a 24-70mm f/2.8L USM). I've used it for architectural detail shooting, some portrait work, some entertainment-subject shooting in low-light conditions, even some quasi-macro shooting. This is easily the best long EOS lens on the market, and at Amazon's prices, it's one of the best bargains in photography.The glass is perfect, the IS and USM mechanical works are super-fast and silent. And it's absolutely astounding how the image-stabilization voodoo can allow me to hand-hold shots in moderate light that before would have had me running for my tripod. And that cavern of an aperature lets in an *enormous* amount of light.Add the 2x extender and you have a 400mm to 640mm f/5.6 image-stabilized supertele lens, screw in the 500D close-up diopter and you have the next best thing to a dedicated 70-200mm macro-zoom. Quite the versatile lens...About the only thing that may queer the deal for some shooters is that the IS works will draw more juice from your camera battery than you may expect; I wound up using a BG-E2N grip with two 511A batteries whenever I'm using this lens, just for safety's sake. But OTOH it gives me a better grip to control the lens by; it certainly is a bit on the heavy side, at just under 3-1/2 lbs.Also, you really do have to keep tabs on your depth of field when shooting this lens wide-open to keep your subject in proper focus; the DoF at f/2.8 is razor-thin! But that's what wide-open aperatures doAll things considered, though, I couldn't recommend this lens highly enough.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens was the best purchase I have every made. It performs better than I could every imagine. If you need a great telephoto lens this one is for you.
I have owned this lens since February 2005 and have used it exclusively with a Canon 20D.  This is the second L-series lens I've bought from Canon (the other being the 24-70mm f/2.8L).  Before buying, I researched the different versions of this lens Canon offers (IS, non-IS and non-IS f/4).  I looked for every reason 'not' to spend the money on the IS version but ultimately got it anyway.  I have never regretted the purchase.You should know that IS (Image Stabilization) is not a miracle cure for camera shake, but it does give you the equivalent of two or three stops in terms of usable shutter speeds.  A motorized gyro inside the lens helps compensate for a modest amount of camera shake. It's powered by the camera's battery.  That means if the slowest shutter speed you can shoot handheld without unacceptable blurring is 1/60, you will be able to shoot 1/40 or maybe 1/30 with IS.  In some situations, that's the difference between a photo that's a keeper and one you toss.  Of course, you can still take blurry photos with IS--as I said, it's not a miracle cure, but there's no question it's a worthwhile feature.  This version of Canon's IS can be used with a tripod unlike the older version on some other Canon lenses such as the 100-400mm L, which cannot.  It has two modes, one corrects for vertical motion only (for shots where you pan with a moving subject) and another that corrects for both horizontal and vertical motion.  Note: IS does NOT compensate for subject motion--the only way to slow subject motion is with a faster shutter speed.  IS is purely a feature that helps avoid the blurring caused by the camera moving.My copy of this lens is very sharp at all focal lengths.  Color and contrast are excellent.  I really don't have a single complaint about this lens.  Some people find the weight objectionable, but it hasn't been an major issue for me.  Unless you need to be physically running around to capture your images, or unless you have to hold the lens to your eye for lengthy periods (isn't that what tripods are for?), I don't see that it would be a problem for most average-sized, healthy adults.  I often carry my 20D in a shoulder case with this lens, the 24-70mm L and a 580EX Speedlite.  Hours of carrying this bag around does require transferring the load from shoulder to shoulder periodically, but it's a price I'm willing to pay to get quality photos.I own Canon's EF 1.4X II teleconverter and have used it on this lens with great results.  The 70-200mm is so sharp to begin with that there's no appreciable loss in sharpness when combined with the 1.4X TC.  Reportedly, the results from the 2X TC are not as good, and some find the falloff in sharpness to be too much (not just with this lens, but with any of the telephoto lenses).This lens is highly recommended.  If you can get over the steep entry price, you'll have a high-quality optic built to last for years to come.  Of course the non-IS versions can take beautiful photos as well, but having lived with IS now, I've been spoiled.Update 5-17-10: It's been 4 1/2 years since I wrote this review, and I continue to use and enjoy my 70-200mm, which is now paired with a Canon 7D. Anyone considering buying this lens today, however, should know that Canon updated this lens earlier this year.  The mark II version has improved optics and the latest generation of IS, but it is priced $500 (MSRP) more than its predecessor.  Check Amazon's listing for the mark II to see the exact difference in price.
This is actually a very nice lens but considering how much better the 70-200 F4 IS is, it's hard to like this beast. The size and weight difference between these two lenses is enormous. I also was not happy with it's performance wide open (especially at 200mm) so I would generally be using f4 to get the sharpness I demanded.Because I shot it at f4 so much there was no need to be lugging it around. I sold it for the f4 IS and now I get even better results and my shoulder is thanking me.
There are 2 lenses you should have in your camera bag which will cover 95% of most users needs.  I do believe that Canon prices their lenses a little too high, but who doesn't.  Many users a lot of money on a camera body and very little on glass.  I have several cameras and put this on my oldest (10D) to see how it performed and was amazed.  This lens will last me through many generations of  camera bodies.  It is great in low light, sports, and head shot portrait.  If for any reason you need a longer lens you can by an extender.  And for the other lens you need, 20-70 L Is 2.8.
The images produced by this lens on my 7D are excellent!  I highly recommend this lens.  Know however that this lens is heavy and that using it for long periods will produce arm fatigue.  Other than the weight I highly recommend this lens.
There really isn't much I can say about this great lens that has not been already said. But, I will warn you after you use this lens nothing else in your lens arsenal will have any appeal unless it is yet another "L" lens. After using the 70-200 f2.8 IS USM, I started selling off all my other lenses to save up for L replacements.
Heavy and large lens, but gives amazing pictures and sharp focus.  If I have to buy another one of these suckers, I'd look at the Tamron line.. :)  This is due to the cost of this baby!  Tamron didn't have this lens at the time.  This lens is good on both a cropped body and a full frame.  Using this lens on a cropped body will give a longer reach.
It's big. It's heavy. But it does an awesome job. I have to carry this lens around for a whole day at a time, and by the end of the day it's tiring. But, it's the only lens that does what I need. Low light hand held, quality images. The f2.8 combined with IS mean I can handhold for just about all my shots. No blur even down to 1/60 second at full 200mm.The included lens hood adds a lot to the length, but it works very well. It's held in place with a simple "push and turn" lock, so it won't fall off, even if you knock the lens against something. It will also keep the rain off the front lens (unless it's being blown straight at you, but then nothing works, does it?)The autofocus has 2 settings. One for only when you are shooting at distance, and the other for closer work. I only use the longer setting. This is meant to speed up autofocussing if you know you will not be coming in close. Also, once you have locked in with autofocus, you can just turn the focus ring to over-ride autofocus. No fiddling with buttons on the camera, or having to always use manual focus (although that is an option). I frequently use auto to get close, then quickly adjust manually to get the final exact result I want.One negative is the minimum focus distance. From memory, it's about 1.4m (or about 4 to 5 feet). It's not a problem for me, but check this limit if you need to come in close.The tripod support bracket is easily removeable if you only do handheld. Saves a little on the weight, and also makes for a much easier lens to hold and operate.So, if you need a fast lens with good image quality, just get this lens. If size/weight/$$$ are issues, then look to the non-IS or f4.Happy shooting :)
What's there to say?  It's a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS lens!!!  Shipping with a tripod ring, lens hood, and case, it is a simply outstanding, tack sharp Canon "L" lens; moreover, the Image Stabilization provides a two-stop-plus difference when hand-holding.  Those features and its outstanding performance make it one of Canon's most desired lenses -- and my personal experience with it has been excellent.
This is a fast 70-200mm lens, and f/2.8 max aperature is available throughout the zoom range.  This gives me greater flexibility in low light or fast-action situations, and gives good depth-of-focus control.  The fast lens speed and good image stabilization makes it more forgiving for hand-held shots.  The IS will work on or off the tripod.  Autofocus is fast and image quality is tops.  It is well sealed for dust and moisture resistance (this does not mean waterproof).The price of having a faster lens is the greater weight and cost.  If light weight is more important to you than speed, Canon's 70-200mm f/4 is lighter (and lower cost).
I've been saving up for this lens for awhile now and been wanting it ever since I got my DSLR. It's expensive, but worth every cent after you shoot with it. There's nothing like seeing your pictures have that extra pop and the nice background bokeh when you use the lens at full zoom. I shoot with both a canon XT and a 40D and with both the pictures pop. I can't imagine what it would look like with a full frame 5D Mk2! If you want to have the full experience of photography - this lens is a must along with 2 other lens 16-35L and 24-70L. Can't afford it? Save up!!! It's worth it!!
My wife purchased this lens for me as a present.  I am too frugal and have been eying it for three years.  I am truly impressed, the clarity, color, and contrast of the pictures are earth stopping.  It puts my 50 mm 1.8 and Sigma 17-70 lens to shame.  I now understand why these lenses have a nice red L. Rarely do I need to add any sharpness to the pictures.The lens stays at 2.8 80% of the time, I am able to shoot may lower light events such as plays, dance recitals, and late afternoon soccer games.  This would have been impossible with the 70-200 4.0IS.  The use of the 2.8 can not be understated.In a addition, I have purchased a 1.4 teleconverter, which extends the use of the lens.  There may be a slight loss of quality but it still better then my 17-70.This lens is a lot of money, but it really steps up the game.  It is very versatile, and able to produce extremely outstanding results!!
This is a great lens for sports photography. It is sharp and the image stabilizer works well. Highly recommend.
This lense deserves its reputation.  It is fast, in the perfect zoom range for a wide variety of applications (portrait, indoor and youth sports, and performances being my primary uses.), and produces flawless images.  If you use this lens and have bad photos, rest assured that the problem is with you, not the lens.  No lens will produce great images on its own, but this lens will let you live up to your full potential.
I've never used another medium telephoto so I don't have much to compare this to but I love the shots I get out of it - they are plenty sharp with decent bokeh and the contrast is amazing.  It is also the only IS lens I've used but I found that feature to be very handy - don't have to carry a tripod around.  I picked this over the F/4 version because I do most of my shooting indoors and that extra stop of light is worth it to me.The downside is that it is pretty heavy but not as back-breakingly so as some other reviewers have mentioned.  Also I wish they made a black version for non-pros so it wouldn't be as noticeable in public.
I have been looking at this lens for quite sometime now and decided the only way I was going to be able to afford such an expensive masterpiece on a firefighters salary, was to sell the dirt bike.  After reading reviews and drooling over the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens I knew it was within my reach.  I've seen pictures of it and it looked white.  It's not but I read it had a greyish tint to it.  It does.  This did not upset me. White would have stood out way too much.  Not that this doesn't.  When the hood is added it really makes this massive looking (added to canon 40D). Picture quality is great but I'm still working on camera settings.  Will get a lot of looks from people while shooting with this. You will get Lens elbow at times (joke).  Heavy but worth the weight.  Still playing with it but very happy over all.  Will try and post a picture of it with battery grip and 580ex II flash
Nick Xu, if you can't figure out the difference between this lens, and the cheaper consumer grade lenses, by all means, stay with the cheaper consumer grade lenses. After all, "Mr Magoo" of cartoon fame couldn't tell a Chevy from a Rolls Royce. All kidding aside, this lens is simply awesome in use. Having one of these lenses in a camera bag is very close in practice to owning three or four high end prime lenses. Yes, it's that good.I am using a borrowed version right now, but as soon as I pay off my new 24-105 f/4 L IS USM lens (very, very awesome), I will buy my own  70-200 f/2.8 IS USM. It's as good as it gets in this lens range, but if you feel comfortable with a pinhole camera, carry on, as it's all about the end user.For everyone else, this lens is the Holy Grail of mid range telephoto lenses. It is simply the best available in it's range, and responds well to Canon tele adapters. If you can figure out a way to afford this lens, buy it, as it is all that. If you are a Nikon lover buy this lens anyway, and buy a fairly cheap 20D body to make it work. It's OK to tell your friends that you used a Nikon to take the pics, but you will end up knowing that Canon is the premeir lens crafter of the 21'st century.(Sorry, Nikon fans, but this lens stands all by it's self in the grand scheme of things. It's simply awesome.)
Excellent lens that produces great quality images. It is a bit on the heavy side, but well worth the extra weight. I have used it for over a year and the improved quality of my images is really amazing. If you serious about producing excellent images this is the lens for you.
Many have already commented on how silent and "fast" this lens is.  Agree that its heavy, but using a hand strap allows for greater stability.  Build quality is excellent as it is for every other Canon "L" series lens.  Some quip about the white color and it does attract a lot of attention.A few things surprised me, the date code on the lens that I purchased was no less than two weeks old from where it was manufactured in Japan.  This is a big lens that looks like a bazooka with the hood attached.  Despite its size, it is very well balanced on my 1D Mark II.  I've taken pictures for 2-3 hr stretches and it does cause some fatigue in your forearms, wrist, and hand muscles.The bokeh is dreamy and the IS has allowed me to capture images that would have been less likely without the IS.  Same image with and without IS and you'll see the difference -- especially in low light conditions or at shutter speeds less than 1/100.Lastly, image quality and sharpness appears to be dependent on sensor size. Images from full frame sensors (1D series and 5D) are sharper and less soft compared to those images taken with APS-C sensors (Rebel, 30D, 40Detc).  This has to do with pixel density and the "magnification" which exaggerates perceived softness.This is every bit a professional lens -- great build quality, sharp, weather-sealed, and of course the price.  There are many debates about IS or non-IS and 2.8L or 4L.  Yep the 4L has better MTF graphs, newer generation IS system, and the images are stunningly crisp.  But if you shoot in variable light conditions, the 2.8 won't let you down.  Just ask the pros...
This white whale of a lens is very well regarded, as you can see from the number of very positive reviews.  BUT, as some have mentioned, it utilizes an older, less effective form of image stabilization than is used on the70-200mm f/4L IS, and is generally considered to be slightly less sharp than that lens as well.These would not be persuasive reasons to not buy the lens, of course, except that it is expected to shortly be replaced by a Mk. II version, incorporating the newer Hybrid IS technology that is used on the100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and possibly making improvements to the lens' sharpness as well.IF you can wait until late November 2009, you may be rewarded for your wait either with a decrease in the price of this Mk. I model, or the opportunity to buy an improved Mk. II model.--------UPDATE -- As indicated in the comments, the rumors now indicate that the newer version of this lens won't launch until after the new year.  Still, the comments above remain relevant - when the new model is launched, the older model may be significantly discounted, or the new model may be an even more compelling buy.  Base your buying decision on all the facts, and try to time your purchase well!--------UPDATE II -- On January 5, 2010, Canon announced the release of the new lens, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, with 23 elements in 19 groups, five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements,  a ring-type USM AF motor, reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.2 meters, and an updated four-stop Image Stabilizer mechanism.  No word on price yet, but US dealers expect delivery in April, 2010.
I carry this all day for weddings and at motorsport events it's really not as heavy or as big as you might have read (try carrying a 500 f/4 IS around all day).If you're debating on getting the IS or getting the f/4 because of price that is one thing and only you can decide. But if you make your money shooting for a living.. think long and hard.... the f/2.8 can be stopped to f/4 the f/4 can't be opened to f/2.8. You can always turn IS off if you don't need it. It can mean the difference between someone paying you for that shot or not.
I had the 70-200/4.0L but wanted to get to only three zooms all at 2.8. I've never felt IS was needed. Well, I got this lens for Christmas and have changed my mind. With the 5D's low noise at high ISO's this lens opens up new  ways of shooting with availble light and not having to keep changing out to fast primes.One of Canon's great lenses, you'll not regret it.
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this lens? Absolutely wonderful. Fast accurate focusing for sports. Tremendously wide aperture. Crisp images. Great bokeh. Expensive, but well worth it.
If you are serious about your pictures and need the zoom this is the lense you want.  It shoots wonderful picture even in lower light conditions.  I never thought I would be able to afford this but it has paid for itself in the quality of pictures it produces.  Now if I could only afford a better body!
Without question, this Canon EF 70-210mm f2.8L IS USM telephoto zoom lens may be the best of its class; a worthy competitor to Nikon's 80-200mm f 2.8 lens which many regard as the finest zoom telephoto lens in this range that's available now. I have been quite impressed reading excellent technical reports in both Shutterbug and Popular Photography regarding how splendidly this lens performs for both general photojournalism and fast-moving sports photography. If I owned Canon equipment, I would probably opt for this lens over its slower f4 sibling since I tend to do a lot of available light photography where the larger aperture (f2.8) would be quite beneficial for focusing. There's no doubt in mind that this splendid zoom lens is among the best in Canon's celebrated L Series line of premium optics for 35mm film and digital photography.
Debated for a while over this lens v/s the f/4 sibling.  Decided to go with the f/2.8 even though I had some reservations about the weight.  I have since used the lens a few times and the weight has not been an issue.  Background blur is awesome and even though this is a zoom I swear the pictures look as clear as a prime.  If you're going to spend this kind of money on a lens I would say go for the f/2.8 - this is a great investment that will provide satisfaction with whatever you are photographing.
This lens is the best in terms of both image and build quality, and it is worth every penny.  With my copy, Images at f/2.8 are remarkably sharp with vibrant colors.  Stopping down to f/4 improves the images a little, but not by a whole lot from my experience.  Bokeh at f/2.8 is stunningly smooth and pleasant.  This lens can throw a distracting background entirely out of focus when used correctly.My primary motivation for purchasing this lens was for photographing my cousins' youth hockey games.  Prior to this lens, I was using an EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS.  Hockey rink lighting is often very dim, and that makes for a tough time with a slow lens with that.  With that lens, I was only able to freeze motion if I used an ISO setting of 1250 and above.Using THIS lens, I am able to obtain acceptable results using ISO 400-800, which results in a pretty good reduction in noise on my 40D.  The results have thoroughly impressed my aunt and uncle, who enjoy having the clear, vibrant images of their kids that only a pro lens like this can deliver.There are only two issues that I can think of that people might have with this lens, and there's nothing here that isn't covered in other reviews.  The first is the weight:  This is a heavy lens.  Personally, I find the added weight to be a benefit because it helps me steady my hands and, lets face it, if you spend this much on a lens you want it to feel expensive.  The second is the obvious fact that this is a big, white lens with a flashy red ring.  You will get noticed.  The attention you get could be good or bad depending on how you feel about it, but it will be difficult to avoid in any case.  You will, however, be the envy of anyone using anything less than this.The good far outweighs the "bad".If you can afford it, go for it.  You definitely wont be sorry.
I have been using Canon equipment for years. This has by far been my best investment in Canon gear.  Both my kids compete in sports and you can't get a better lens for that purpose.  Whether it's indoors or out, this thing is fast and sharp.  You will get a lot attention with it as well.  I have been able to get into restricted areas of sporting events just by looking like a pro with my Canon gear.  I have had great success in poorly lit gyms, with gymnastics, basketball, and volleyball.  I am now looking for a prime lens with a 1.8 to help with the more dimly lit gyms I have to shoot in.
Pro:  Great image quality, especially for available light portraits shot at f2.8 where you want a pleasingly blurred background.  The IS is good but see note below.Con:  Weight if you plan on carrying it around all day on a pro camera body.This is a great lens and if I didn't also own the 70-200mm f4.0L IS Canon lens I would have rated it 5 stars.  IMHO the f4 is a better all around carry lens if you don't absolutely have to have the f2.8 aperture.  The IS in the f4 is Canon's latest and is usable up to 4 stops slower shutter speed than you'd normally need at less than half the weight.  The 2.8 version uses the very good, but older, 3 stop IS.  On the surface you would think that the f2.8 aperture being one stop faster would place them on even ground where IS is concerned but it does not.  the newer IS on the f4 version is INCREDIBLE in operation!  To be fair to the 2.8 lens, given the same lighting conditions, it gives you one full shutter speed faster that may make a difference if stopping motion is needed in the shot.  My best advice is to not end up with both lenses becuase it is so hard to decide which one to take along!
This lens is Perfect for so many different applications. I use it mainly for portrait and sports photography, and even though it's a bit heavy, it produces clear, crisp, and perfect pictures! I was recommended this lens by several other professional photographers, and taking their advice led me to my new favorite lens.
This is such a good lens.  Yes it's my first L lens so maybe that's why I'm so in love but I really am shocked.  Sharpness, contrast, and color saturation is so much more than I ever thought could happen by changing a lens.  And IS is worth every penny for me.
Each and every time I mount this lens on my 1DS mark II camera, I'm falling in love with Photography again. This Lens is super fast auto focus and deliver sharp and crispy images quality even at wide open F/2.8 the IS functioning is all about for my handheld shooting on location without tripod, it works effectively and reliable. I can compare and rate this lens almost perfect like my Canon 85mm F/1.2L but 70-200 IS USM is faster autofocus. With the zoom lens like this shooting on Manual mode is my favorite cause I can make the most beautiful pictures out of this lens.It wasn't true as some previous review said there is a problem with many lenses with serial number of UT08XX or earlier. Honestly! Mine is UT04XX but it perfect and I will keep it till my last breath.
I put off buying this for years because I thought it was just too much money.  Finally broke down a couple of months ago and am glad I did.  This lens is wonderful!  It produces excellent sharp pictures on my 5D MkII.
I bought this lens for shooting softball action in early evening, twilight, and night games.  The autofocus is unbelievably quick and impressive. It's important to remember to set it to IS mode 2 during action. I forgot a few times and the images were not clear enough. The zoom ring is smooth and is conveniently placed. I chose this over the 80-300 mm because the 70-200 got better ratings regarding picture quality and it has the f/2.8.  The range of 70-125 is great for infield and shallow outfield, but beyond that it needs to be on a tripod or monopod.  I'm thinking of renting 100-400 to see if that works better for my needs. I've taken a few shots indoors of my dog and wasn't impressed -I'm sure it is due to my lack of skills and not the lens itself. I haven't learned to use a monopod so I've been hand holding it while attached to the Canon 40D.  I don't think it's too heavy, but I've been getting flair-ups in my carpel tunnel pain the day after using this lens.
I say "unexpectedly" not because I thought it wouldn't be great; I damn sure expected it to be great for nearly 2 large. I say "unexpectedly" because I did not expect to get so much use out of it. I had planned to use it sparingly (for special events, weddings, portraits) but it turns out I am getting 80% of my great shots with this lens. In fact, I just got finished with a day of shooting with this lens mounted on a 40D and the 35mm f/1.4 mounted on a 5D and all of the "keeper" shots were taken with this lens and the 40D combo. The 40D is a nice camera, but it's no 5D. In fact, up until this point I have not been thrilled with the 40D (in comparison to the 5D which really spoils you with its low-noise and sharpness) and have used it only as a backup. I attribute my satisfaction with the day's results, however, to this lens. It's just flat out awesome. Ditto everything that has already been said about it. The combination of the sharpness and the telephoto focal lengths is just stellar. I have used many other telephoto lenses and I can not recall any of them being so sharp at the longer lengths. This lens stays razor sharp at all lengths. I also don't mind the weight as much as I thought I would. In fact, not once today did I say to myself "this lens is just too heavy." I was too busy shooting to worry about it. It's big and heavy to be sure, but not as big and heavy as I thought it would be. So I am very pleased so far in every way. Like always, if I find an issue down the road I'll come back and revise this review to reflect it. Right now, I have zero complaints.***UPDATE 4/11/08***After more extensive shooting, I have found a minor flaw. It is moderately (more than expected) soft at 180-200mm and really soft at 200mm. So soft I will only use it in a pinch at this focal length. 140-180mm is great but I have found the sweet spot to be 70-140mm.
Canon makes 4 L designated lenses in 70-200 range. The question often is f 2.8 vs f 4, and IS vs No IS.  I found the image quality of this lens fantastic, wide open, even at 200mm.  I find for me IS is essential for this focal length, as I am often shooting portraits with this lens at 1/60th to 1/100 of second.  The f2.8 allows for a more accurate focusing as well as better lowlight focusing, and of course, one stop of light.  The downsides is that its heavier and more expensive than the f4 variant, but I think well  worth it.
I would use this lens all the time if it wasnt so heavy.  It does help keep my arms in shape though!  This lens is sharp and the depth of field you get at 200mm with a wide aperture is awesome.  Many of my friends are mom-ographers.  I always recommend they start out with a simple 50 mm then after they get used to their camera I tell them to take the plunge and get this lens.  Its great for shooting kids at their sporting events or just playing in the back yard.  The quality of the images are amazing.  I use this lens when shooting lifestyle outside or shooting fashion in studio.
I am more of a novice in photography.  I understand the basics of speed, appeture, etc.  But this lens has added so much excitement to my photgraphy I a can't wait to get deeper into it.  I could not agree more with the ratings here.  The lens is fast to focus and crystal sharp.  It is a little heavier, but it's an acceptable trade off for me.  I can absolutely tell the difference between this and my midrange lenses in the quality level.  I couldn't be happier that I spent the money.  When you walk into a room with this equipment, people know you are serious!
If I had to pick only one lens to own this would be the one.  It is a bit heavy to lug around compared to the f/4 but well worth the extra weight for the IS and the wider aperture.  Great for covering large parties and sporting events.
There are more than a few positive reviews available on this  particular item and I must say that I agree with almost all of them. This is a fantastic lens for your Canon  camera. The images are nothing short of break taking and will make an amateur shoot like a pro. The ,"L' lenses is what makes Canon the name it is keeping mind mind a lens makes the camera.Initially I had to drop this unit off at Canon in Orange County with my 30D for them to calibrate the lens to the camera. An otherwise sharp image got even sharper. This was done within warranty and thus no cost to me and something I recommend to everyone as there are always manufacturer spec discrepancies.The lens comes with a handsome case that offers very little protection so something stronger is recommended to protect this bad boy of a lens as a simple drop on a hard surface from 3' up guarantees damage to the lens while in the case.I normally stop down my images a full stop for best clarity and this lens is no different. Open wide the images are ok and could be a tad sharper but stepped down it works wonders and it very sharp through the entire field from edge to edge.The Image Stabilization is superb and works flawless. Quick and accurate under almost every situation though I did find some loss of lock when an object is approaching me such as my dog running towards me from 40 feet away.The build quality is above par and is typical of Canon L lenses. You get what you pay for here and you know where the money went. This is a solid piece of glass built like a tank. The while paint does scratch easily so be careful there.Keep in mind that this lens is heavy and requires that one hand is holding the lens and not just the camera. For tripod mount use the lens to mount and not the camera.Autofocus on fast moving objects is good and is equally good in low light situations. It also has a selector switch on the side for focus ranges for even quicker focusing.Overall I am very impressed with this lens as it continues a Canon tradition of great lenses.PROSGorgeous ImageryFast lens F/2.8Quality lens.Fast focusLow light focus works greatGreat bokeyInternal focusingImage stabilization works greatThe WOW factorNice dust shieldCONSVery heavyScared to use in case it dropsSome focus lock on moving objectsNot sharp out of the box.Cannot remove lens cap with dust shield installed as you can with TamronOverall a fantastic lens that is highly recommended. If you have the means of course.
I had previously had the Canon 70-200 F4L lens, and couldn't justify spending the money for the upgrade...A year later, I bit the bullet and upgraded my 30D to a 5D, and realized the beauty of full frame DSLRs.  At the same time, I went for the 70-200 IS, and have absolutely no regrets.  The lens is super sharp, and in low lighting conditions, the lens holds amazingly!!!
I absolutely LOVE this lens.  It is a wonderful portrait lens!  Photographs are crisp, clear, with vibrant color and to-die for bokeh.  I love the zoom range, allowing me to walk around my subject and zooming in and out for completely different looks even while my client is in the same pose.  But it is HEAVY!  When I second shoot weddings, my main photographer asks me to start out using this lens.  Initially I could only go three hours, but now I've worked up to about five hours before even the IS can't save my shaking, aching arms and I need to switch lenses to my 100mm or my 24-105.I also love this lens on a tripod for nature photography.  While I might not be able to fill up a frame with a bird on a tree limb, on my 5d ii I am able to crop the image to make a beautiful, tack sharp image that looks like I had a super zoom lens on my camera.Highly recommended.  If you don't have the money for this lens, but want a good portrait lens, consider the 100mm 2.8 lens.
It was hard to swallow the price tag but trusting in the Canon lens paid off. The hardest part about learning how to use this lens was figuring out how to trust it; letting the glass do its job.Ease of usePlug it in and take pictures, it's really that easy.FocusI've already used this lens taking photos on the sideline of a college football game so quick focus is critical. Trying to watch all 22 players on the field can be difficult and trusting the lens to find the one you are trying to photograph makes all the difference between terrible photos and poster-worthy shots.QualityThere's a balance to walk, spending money on quality camera's or quality lens. Since new camera's are created all the time it's probably a better investment to put money into quality lens'. This is worth it.FlexibilityThose huge lens' you see during games can't capture close up shots. This telephoto lens is just the right size for everyone trying to capture distant shots and players running right for you.Great lens if you can afford it!
If your shooting Canon, this is the lens to get! Expensive, but worth the features. If you can wait, buy it with rebates.
Flawless operation.  Super sharp.  Great Bokeh.  I wish I got this sooner.
I shoot with a Canon 20D and before purchasing this lens, used the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 III USM lens. I've always noticed the limitations of this lens when shooting amateur softball. I reviewed the lens lineup at the Canon website and decided on purchasing the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM Lens. The 100-400mm is a great lens, but it can be a little soft. For that reason I decided to add the Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8/f IS USM telephoto zoom lens to my lens collection.As an L lens, there are numerous features and is manufactured with high quality materials and a higher level of dust and moisture resistance compared to the standard line of lenses. This pro quality lens is meant for serious photographers with high demands of their equipment. The construction is sturdy and consists of 23 elements in 18 groups. The four Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate the secondary spectrum reducing residual chromatic aberration. An improved 8-blade circular aperture offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. The Canon EF 70-200mm lens weighs in at about 3.24 lbs/1,470 g, and a minimal focusing distance of 4.3 ft/1.3 m. The front thread accepts 77mm filters, be sure to get agood quality UV haze filterto protect the front lens element.  This lens is compatible with the1.4x IIand2X IItelephoto extenders.Being white, this lens looks out of place, but helps it stay cool when shooting out in the sun. Some people are concerned that being white, it attracts attention to criminals. From my experience, my 20D attracts attention regardless of what lens I put on it. In addition, I most likely have a camera bag and tripod/monopod with me to further attract attention. I personally doubt a thief looking for something to steal is taking the time to evaluate the cost of the item and are more concerned with the ease of taking something they can unload. I try to make things difficult for would be thieves and have my equipment insured as a back up.The dual IS system has two modes. Mode 1 is for stationary subjects while mode two is for moving subjects. It is recommended that the IS function is not used while using a tripod; however I have successfully used this feature while on my monopod. The IS helps to eliminate camera shake and helps stabilize the lens when shooting from a moving vehicle or in low light situations. While there are limitations to what the IS can do, it can give you a few extra stops.  Just keep in mind, the IS attempts to eliminate camera movement, not the movement of the subject being photographed.This lens permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. There is also a switch to shift from a 1.4m/4.6ft to infinity or 2.5m/8.2ft to infinity.Included with this lens are the tripod mount, lens hood, and storage case. The tripod mount is the best option to use when mounting to a tripod, helping to maintain balance. Mounting the camera instead creates an unbalanced set up that may topple over. The case is a zippered soft case (LZ1324) that can also be purchased separately. Thelens hood (ET-86)is used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations. Often times, Amazon recommends purchasing the lens case and hood, however they are normally included with the lens.The Canon EF 70-200mm is such an awesome lens, it almost fails to compare to theCanon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom. TheEF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lensis a well used option for me, but the clarity and sharpness of the 70-200mm IS lens is more refined. I doubt the 100-400mm lens will be replaced by this lens as a favorite.  I find the push/pull focusing of the 100-400mm lens to be a benefit that the 70-200mm cannot replace. This lens can be used for portraits, landscape, sports or as a general walk about lens. The f/2.8L combined with the IS makes this lens a good option for certain low light situations. The features add creative versatility. The Canon EF 70-200mm IS lens comes at a price, but it is worth every bit of it.PROS:Incredible clarity and sharpnessQuiet and quick auto-focusFeatures add creative versatilityDual IS systemCONS:Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)
I used it on 5D for low light portrait mostly. This one is the only 70-200 2.8 zoom with the IS for EOS. Would be interesting if Tammy or Sigma add their VC/OS to their zooms.I did some side by side comps of this lens and Canon 200mm F2.8L II prime, and Canon 70-200 F4L (non IS). The tests were done in indoor lowlight. The results are very predictable: Wide open 70-200F2.8IS is not the sharpest but pretty close. The IS helps a big time! All handheld, with the help of elbows and back against walls, doors, etc. The IS zoom gives the most reliable and consistent results. The prime and F4L produce the sharpest pictures when not blurred. But in my case, over 50% were blurred from those two Non-IS lenses. I am talking 200mm / ISO 1600 on a 5D at about 1/30 - 1/60sec handheld. I don't know what version of IS this lens has on it, but it certainly works great!The other thing surprises me is that the weight isn't all that bad at all. I thought the difference between the IS 2.8 and the non-IS F4 would be day and night. Not so. Especially when shooting in slow shutter speed at the long end, I have to focus on keeping my hands steady so much that I didn't feel the light weight of the F4 at all. Light weight isn't always a blessing.  I didn't realize my hand shaking so much till I compared with the results from the IS. I've always used door or wall to help steady my hands when using the prime (the F4 was used for outdoor only). But still, the IS is amazing.The reason I give it a 4 star is for the price/value ratio. This lens is way over priced IMHO. I am surprised Tammy and Sigma haven't gotten their VC/OS into their 70-200 zoom yet. This lens is 3 times more expensive than the Tammy!The real appeal of these L lenses are their reliability and consistency. The AF on L lenses have been consistently accurate and fast for me. For the 3rd party lenses there're more misses and hunting in low light. That is why I never hesitated to go for Tammy and Sigma for their macro primes where AF are not that important. I am not disappointed at all.Would it be great if this zoom is as sharp as a macro prime wide open at 200mm? Ya, sure. But life is full of compromises and for what it is and what it can do, I have yet to see a worthy competitor to this one. Also, sharpness is not everything for portrait anyway...If you need the 2.8 and want to hand held at 200mm, this is the one. The added flexibility of the zoom from 70-200 is a bonus really.
Can't imagine life without this lens.  I owned the 70-200 f4L first, used on the 10D which had poor high ISO/low light performance.  The f4L lens itself is spectacular for those who can get away without shooting in low light.  I love to/have to shoot in low light, bought this lens in Feb 04, and it's rarely off of my current body, 20D.  I'm a pro equine shooter, and for us this lens is the "gold standard".  Also use it with the 1.4x TC and am pleased with its performance.  The isometric exercise from hefting the combo has prevented "tricep wave", which afflicts many of us over 50.  My lenses have to stand up to considerable environmental abuse due to my subjects' location and both of my Ls are more than up to the task.
As all of you "L" users know, the optics on these lenses are just amazing. For those of you looking to buy one of these lenses, this is definitly a good start. This lens is constructed from tank material I'm sure. It not only has superb optics, it also is very fast in low light. The IS is one of the best features, giving you the ability to hand hold the lens in almost any low light situations!! Another beautifully crafted lens from Canon. Highly recommend!!View some of my work at (...)
This lens is everything that they say it is - unfortunately they also say that it's heavy.  This is the only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars.  My #1 use for this lens is outdoors, so f2.8 is not as important to me as the weight.  I ended up returning it...BTW - Amazon has the best customer service!  I had an issue with the original shipment of this lens and they handled it quickly and without issue.
Before I got this lens, I was worrying about the weight because many reviewers claims that this lens is very heavy (> 1 kg). It will be a pain if you carry it arround your neck for more than half an hour.In fact, this is not true if you have a quality strap (with gelpad) for your camera. I am an active hiker and I have no problem to carry this lens around my neck.I am using this strap and I highly recommend:OP/TECH 37012 Pro Loop Strap for Camera Equipment (Black)
You can't go wrong with a Canon L series IS lens! With Amazon you even save a few bucks!
I work in commercials, specifically in motion graphics and graphic design. On the side I have a small photography business. [...] is my side business's website, from there you can rate my professionalism.For it's medium range, it's the most excellent lens in it's class I have or have used, bar none. In the words of a buddy of mine, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is sharp and fast; just like the price.It's bulky, and I only found one bag locally I could buy to carry this juggernaut in. It comes in around 3.1 lbs I believe, which makes it almost 3 times the weight of my camera body. Don't worry, your wrist will adjust to the weight after 2 weeks. If you put this lens on your camera every soccer mom with an SLR and junior high kid will seek you out and comment, "that's a huge lens you have."There's a host of sites that give you technical specs based on what body you're using, full-frame or digital-frame, etc. But this lens is so good you really see the difference in the minute settings of your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. With a lens like this you'll really get a feel for your camera and experiment more and more with the creative controls (Tv, Av, and M).This lens is great for candids - especially if you are doing weddings or parties - for portraits, and with it's f/2.8 you get great, great shots without the flash; essential for party and dinner and intimate settings. Before this lens I was only keeping around 20% of my shots after photoshop. With this lens I get so many great shots it's hard to choose what to keep and what not to keep. (And once you discover shooting in RAW, and you get a good RAW editor, like the one in photoshop, modifying a photo takes about 1.5 minutes instead of the 20 or so in photoshop doing all the highlights and adjustment layers, etc.)As another wedding photographer told me, I shall tell you: a lot of times you'll put this lens on and never change it out. Apart from architecture or landscape shots, it's a great, quality lens that makes you feel confident in your professional gear - if you don't already (and it better, considering the price)!
what a lens! it can take a beating and keeps on going churning out beautiful images one after another. the is probably my most versatile lens in my lines of L lenses. Can't recommend enough!
First off, I am very new to photography. I rented this lens, and I shot a Rave down in LA in a stadium. The lighting was less than desirable, but it seemed I could do no wrong... I hand held every shot, and whatever I pointed it at was pure gold. I shot with the onboard flash when I needed to, because I was too dumb to rent a flash unit.I liken this lens to a magic wand. I normally shoot with my 28-135 kit lens, and after using this, I was sold on L quality. Autofocus was a snap, IS was a dream, the lens feels nice and I for one welcome the weight. I shot a 30D with a loaded battery grip, I ran around the stadium, up and down the stairs at least 50 times, shooting everything I could manage, for 16 hours straight. I felt pretty beat up by the end of it, but the weight of the lens never became an issue for me. I for one welcome weight, if it was light it just wouldn't feel like quality and inspire confidence.Sure there are tactical advantages to being light, but this weight is manageable. I also shot a 50mm 1.2L, and I must say I was not blown away like I am with this lens. I am now selling everything I own to buy what I feel is a dynamic combo: this lens and the 16-35 2.8L - worth every penny.The only thing I didn't like about shooting this lens was the focal length, 70mm on a 1.6x body is a little hard to swing in a stadium filled with 10,000 people. Especially in the crammed VIP room, but I somehow managed to do it, it just took a lot more effort. This is my fault for lack of lens selection. I would shoot with this lens 100% of the time if I could swing it.On a side note, this lens draws serious attention, especially in Hollywood - everyone assumes you can make them famous. This might be a good thing if your looking for work, just keep your wives at home because I had to beat girls off with a stick (I brought sand to the beach if you know what I mean).
I tourtured myself about buying this lens and himmed and hawed for a month. Dont do it yourself just buy the lens, you wont be disapointed one litte bit.Purchased this lens to shoot sports photography indoors at low light conditions.  Auto focus is fast and quiet and percise. image stableization is very good, especialy for some like my self that is alittle shaky. Image qualty is awesome.  Tack Sharp from edge to edge at F4 through out 70-200mm range, just a little softer at 2.8 but execptable.  Lens is built like an abrams tank! One expects such quality at this price point. I also have used the lens for doing portrait head shots which come out incredible. JUST DO IT.. ;-)
This is one of Canon's finest pieces of glass, period. I know there's debate over some L series lenses truly being of superior quality. But make no mistake, this one is the real deal.Yes, it's heavy. But i just consider that proof of its substantial build and quality. It's not a walkaround lens. But with camera attached and hand under the zoom ring, it balances nicely.Now, onto performance. Wow. The 2.8 allows you to freeze action under most lighting conditions. And it produces a really nice bokeh, so your subject is always the star. I used it to capture my 6 year old's soccer game and it's really nice to be able to catch the intensity of the player's eyes as the ball is frozen it midair in front of them, while the cars in the parking lot in the b/g blur away.The depth of field control is amazing. At wide open, i was able to focus a soccer ball 150 ft away, while blurring out the grass 1.5 feet in front and back.I've also shot some nice portraits with it...it's actually a pretty good length for doing this. I wouldn't have thought so.The focus is super quick and silent. And for the most part, always dead on and razor sharp. I haven't noticed any distortion yet.The IS function doesn't help freeze action any better. But it really pays off in lower light situations, where 3 stops really come in handy. I handheld a 1/15 sec shot with great results.If there is one downside, it's that this lens is a bit of an ordeal to mount, unmount, recap, put in case, etc...so switching lenses as you go is really a pain and you can't go back and forth between this and a wide or prime, for instance. So i tend to stick with just this lens once i start shooting. Unless you're a pro with two bodies around your neck, you're always gonna be "stuck" with the big one. (not a bad thing, tho)Bottom line: it's expensive. it's heavy. but for performance like this, it's worth it.
I purchased this lens about a year ago and it is one of two that I use very often.  The professional level quality and the f/2.8L allows for more light to enter the lens and therefore allows you to shoot in lower light conditions.I use this lens almost exclusively for concert photography, where a fast shutter speed is critical despite the low-light conditions.This isn't a light lens - it will weigh you down considerably - but it is well worth it.The image stabilization is wonderful as well, although the stabilization motor is a little loud (a slight humming/clicking sound) when you're shooting in quiet environments.
You will need to read up on this lens and what it can do before you can appreciate what it can do for you. It is most effective at closeup shots with very clear crisp satisfying shots that you will be glad to share. Up close though the FIELD OF VIEW is quite tight so if you know what Im referring to you know what I mean. This lens will take excellents shots of flowers , insects , hummers so you dont have to be right on top of them possibly spooking them and get great shots.If you are lucky to find a good used one like I did it would be just like new and save hundreds of $$$ if that is important to you.
I wanted to take agility pictures of my friends dog, and had trouble getting a picture of dogs going over jumps. I would have to click the picture before the dog got to the jump. Sometimes it worked but most of the time I ended up with an empty jump. I wanted a fast lens, and looked to see what the photographers at the trial were using for their terrific agility shots. They all had this lens, every last one of them. Then I wondered if the lens would work for me, a senior who was a bit afraid to spend so much money on a lense. I finally got it as a long awaited present to myself. It was everything I wanted. Not only were the dogs captured going over the jump, but also in front, over, and landing. The pictures are wonderful. I love this lens. The only problem is it is heavy, but I guess that just comes with the quality of the lens. I've had the lens for quite sometime, and people think I actually know how to take pictures. This lens will makes pictures that make you look like you know how to take pictures. Even if you are a novice. One day I'm going to take a photography class, but in the meantime it's all the lens and I love using it for pictures of the grandkids. After having this lens and loving it, I recently bought another Canon lens that is its equal at a shorter distance, and between the two of them I have so much fun taking beautiful pictures. People have even started asking me if I'm a professional. Heck no, far from it, I don't even know much about lenses but I can read and view what is being used by people taking pictures I like, so I thought I would share this with anyone looking for a lens that makes great picture even if you hardly know what you are doing. Just know it will wear you out to lug it all day around a theme park, and it doesn't fit in your pocket, but it does make fantastic photos.
There are plenty of good reviews so this one will be a short summary:Pros:- Sharp images accross zoom range- Effective image stabilization- Fast, precise USM autofocus- Built tough with moisture and dust sealCons:- A little heavy but considering lens size this is minor- A little on the pricey sideOther:- Comes with hood and soft storage case- Overkill for student/amateur like myselfCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I've had this lens for nearly 2 years and hardly ever used it until the last few weeks.  I use to shoot with a Rebel XTi, but now I'm using a 5D.  Pictures taken with the XTi were usually nice, but nothing special.  Eventually I got into panoramas using medium format, manual focus lenses and shift adapters, so the 70-200 was put on a back shelf and was only brought out when I began to wonder if I was having trouble focusing my old, used MF lenses.I had a $95 Hoya UV filter on the 70-200 until one day I was comparing its sharpness and image quality on the 5D to a set of 25 year old, medium format, manual focus, East German, Carl Zeiss Jena lenses.  The 70-200 could not match the old commie MF lenses until I dumped the UV filter.Then a couple of weeks ago, because so many of my usual haunts are flooded by the Mississippi, I dragged out the 70-200, put a 2X extender on it and started shooting big white egrets in a local park.  It doesn't work so well as a bird lens, especially white birds against a green background.  Focus wasn't so good.  I compared it with the 2X extender to my 300mm Zeiss Jena, manual focus, MF commie lens targeting a monochromatic stone church bell tower from 600 to 700 yards out.  The old commie lens bested it.But this Father's Day it took wonderful pictures of family coupled with the 5D, and again today, it took beautifully sharp photos, coupled again with the 5D, but general photography, not big white birds or monochromatic stone work at great distances.If you want to see what this lens can do:1. Ditch any and all filters.  High priced UV filters are worse than useless, they significantly degrade image quality and the lens doesn't need nearly the protection every newbee seems to think it needs.  If you put one of those on the front of an f/2.8 70-200 you wasted $1000 of the $1600 you paid for the lens.2. Ditch any and all tele-extenders.  Getting good shots with an extender is very hit or miss, especially if the target is pretty much monochromatic and/or glaring white and very far away.3. Get a 5D (or 1D) because with the little Canons (anything less than a 5D), you'll never know just how good this lens is.  Of course, if you can't afford a 5D or better but plan on getting one some day, it's alright to buy the f/2.8 70-200 now.  It'll be there waiting to show you what it can really do when you finally get a camera that can do it justice.
I purchased a used version of this lens. I was hesitant about the image quality, because I had read reviews and heard this lens tends to be soft at f/2.8. I was sold on it after taking two pictures with it. This lens is awesome and sharp, and the build quality is spectacular.Also, I've shot with the non-IS 2.8 version of this lens, and I have to say the IS really comes in handy when shooting without a tripod. It noticeably reduces blur. Also, the weatherproofing available only on the IS version is noteworthy.Finally, I would have to say that if you are considering getting a 2.8 version, be it for low light or speed, go with this one if you can find a good deal on it. IS isn't enough to justify the $700 price jump between the USM and the IS version II, but it is for a couple hundred dollars more.I am very satisfied.
I cant really say much more than the thousands of sterling reviews all over the net. Simply one of the best built, toughest, most versatile with OUTSTANDING image quality lenses made! Rent one first if your unsure or frightened by the sticker shock, you will end up getting one:)
Weight:I've seen reviews complaining about the weight. I was worried too when I bought it. Each gram is thanked for, once you see the results. It's heavy because it has a lot of glass to make you produce such nice images. So if you go for a long walk and want to take pictures, take some other lens. But if you want the best pictures, go for this lens. Besides: it's not THAT heavy.Stabilization:When I was comparing lenses in Amazon, I wondered about the difference between shooting with and without the IS. Were the pictures in the reviews real or were they made by some guys from Canon? Let me tell you: if you're going to use a tripod, don't buy this lens. But if you're going to shoot without one, you can REALLY see the difference. The pictures you found with the "with and without IS"? They are real. It's amazing. However, keep this in mind: You don't need IS for every shot. If there's enough light, you can shoot without it. One thing that helped me decide: think about the times you've said "if only I had shot this with a tripod". If they're higher than 5% of your pictures, go for this lens. If not, I don't think you need it.
I have been into photography for quite a few years now and I really havent gottin into lots of pictures with the lense so far but the few test photo's I did get are quite impressive! The autofocus is really nice but if you want to pick out a certain thing you want to zoom in on it easily can switch to manual focus to get the specific thing you want to take at long range. I highly recommend this item. I take a lot of wildlife pictures and this lense does the job.
The BEST all around lens for doing anything. Great telephoto for portrait since it covers all bases. Great for sports photography, Great for weddings, Great for parties, Great for night clubs and a diffuser, Great for anything and everything. Be prepared for quality and dead on glass that delivers better then any lens I have owned. I treat this better then most friends only because it would be a shame to lose this glass or break it. Hopefully as time progresses I can move up to the type II but for now I am more then just content with what this has or can do for me. If you can afford it then you must get it.
I am not a professional by any stretch! Read all the reviews and made this decision. I needed a zoom lens and spent this kind of money because I needed a zoom to take church/family/misc photos. It is simple to use and all the photos turn out great!!! I do not regret this investment!!!
I've been using the 70-200 f/4 for a couple of years, and realized that I really needed a faster lens with image stabilization. Justifying the price for a lens to feed my hobby was difficult, but am I glad I did!  First, this lens is larger (I had to purchase a new sling camera bag to fit the lens) and a lot heavier. I shoot a lot of action stuff, mostly ski racing, shot on the hill. This means that I can't put the camera down, or use a tripod or monopod - so the weight really puts a strain on the wrist during a few hours of shooting. But, there is no camera shake in my images. They are as crisp as is I shot from a tripod - just see the samples I uploaded.Another big plus - I have the 2x adaptor from Canon. It was not really practical with my previous lens - slowed it down too much, required a tripod, too dark. With this lens - holy cow! Hand held shooting with a 400mm! See the samples - great quality and color.I can't say enough good things about this lens. There are two different IS modes. Mode 1 is full stabilization. Mode 2 if for panning, say when you're following a moving skier or car.  It stabilizes the vertical but leaves the horizontal alone.  Typically an IS lens is pretty useless for action photos when you're panning the subject - Mode 2 saves the day!The downside: The weight.  The image stabilization is loud - at first I thought the auto-focus motors were messed up.
Excellent price, great quality and faster than expected delivery. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT AND VENDOR. THE LENS WORKS VERY WELL AN\D I PLAN TO USE IT FREQUENTLY
If you're a Canon equipped pro you own this lens.All the superlatives are true....It is that good ... and.... It is that heavy.But that saves you a gym membership, which you helps offset the cost of the lens.Oh and the fancy beige/white color really stands out and tells everybody on the photo line that you are a "Big Dog".This ain't a lens you'll see in the hands of "Uncle Bob".
This is far much better lens than any other lenses out there.  It is super sharp, fast and has an amazing personlaity.  With my Canon 7D, it works great.  Every pro and sami pro photogrpher MUST have this lens.  This has far much better DOF and with full frame SLR's you will be amazed with the results.  Very silent, fast auto focus, sharp quality and delivers very pro resutls... Must have this lens.Cheers!!!
I love it. Bought it a month ago and just can't stop taking pic. You get what you pay for . I just wished it came a little less pricy.
What is there to say about this lens that many others have not said. After several years of performance I would put this lens in the Top Two of my arsenal between fixed & zoom 'L' lenses.I use it for Weddings and HS Seniors. Overall a fantastik lens.[...]
I have shot Canon for years and other than the Kit Lens I I never advanced to the infamous (L) glass.Most of the work I do is theatrical as staff photographer for our 1927 vintage theatre for concerts and stage plays so I needed a fast lens such as f/2.8. I shoot hand held.The lens , though heavy, is solid and very easy to use and it is sharp It is as a tack. I often stand back in the auditorium and zoom to fill the frame with a character and I can still see the eyelashes of the person. I only shoot with ambient/stage lighting This lens is outstandiing.The cost is justified.
Ok,after months of reading reviews and research between 2.8 or f4. IS or non IS,I finally went this route. That was months ago. Now I've had time to get my feet wet with this lens and have not been dissapointed. I was worried to death about bad copies,but I guess I got a good one although I have no other L series to compare too, yet. I love sports and action photography and with the F2.8L lense,the 6.5 fps on the 40D and Canon's DPP software I have gotten some fantastic night-time shots at rodeo and football events. And daytime in the bright Texas sun, soccer and horse racing etc......unbelievable!!  It's amazing how people will step aside when they see this lense thinking you are a professional I guess. Reviews are correct saying that the 70-200 will attract attention. At a horse race earlier this year two "gentlemen" actually followed me around thinking I was photographing the upcoming winners!!  Wish I had that foresight.Buy one and have fun.
[For unclear reasons this review and all others for the Mark I lens have disappeared, I'm re-posting mine]I purchased this lens about 8 months ago as my first "L" glass - since then I have added the 24-70 f2.8 Canon (without IS) to complete the range 24-200 mm at f2.8. I really can't say enough good things about this lens, though in retrospect I might have bought the 24-70 first as it is a bit more versatile. The build quality is terrific and the IS is VERY helpful especially at the longer focal lengths. The f2.8 also allows you to get a teleconverter to double it to 400 mm (though I don't have that as of yet). Though I'm sure the f4.0 is a great lens, the extra stops on this lens allows you to take existing light pictures in amazingly dim conditions. One of my primary uses for this lens will be school programs as it will allow pictures without flash in many of those conditions (especially after a body upgrade to push the ISO a bit - but that's another story). This is the type of purchase that changes the level of photography you are capable of. If you can afford it, you will be very pleased with the results and will have a lens that will likely be a mainstay of your equipment likely for decades. Other reviews have noted that this lens turns heads / looks impressive and that is true though I don't think that is a reason to get it - the quality of the pictures is the big payoff.I decided to write this review after hearing that they are coming out with the Mark II version of this lens with "fourth generation" IS and an additional set of lens elements that are supposed to further improve the picture quality. Honestly, I don't see how further improvement in image quality is possible after seeing what this bad boy can do. The modified IS is supposed to allow for an extra stop or two as a hand-held lens which is nice if you are really shaky but I doubt will really improve things much - of course IS is really a "portable tripod" and does not allow additional stops for subjects in motion. IMHO the IS on this lens is more than sufficient for the task and no modification is needed. As I understand it, the Mk II may be priced around $2400. I hope that they keep producing this "Mk I" lens since my advice would be to buy this one and use the money saved perhaps for a prime lens or the aforementioned teleconverter.ADDENDUM: Indeed, the Mark II came out at a pricey $2500. The first 2 reviews for that glass are reportedly people who compare the lenses directly which I cannot do, of course. If I had it to do over again I would still buy this one and perhaps use the leftover funds to upgrade to a T2i body.
What else can I say that has already not been said.  I am should have not purchased a couple of consumer lenses and went straight for the gusto.  It might be a bit heavy, but this lens is the greatest.
I'm not a "professional" photographer, but I did a great deal of research prior to purchasing. This is a heavy, solid lens with Pro features. It doesn't zoom in  great deal more than the 35-135mm lens that came with the 40D body (as would be expected just looking at the numbers), but the real benefit is being able to get an extra 2 stops of exposure than using an f/4 lens without IS.  Gets pretty heavy carrying it around on vacation all day, but you get the great shots. No regrets.
This lens is still one of my favorites and used most of the time.  Good all around zoom lens.
I recently moved into the category of "serious impassioned amateur photographer" and, after a healthy dose of research, purchased the Canon 20D D-SLR (see my previous review of the camera and experience with it). As is necessary to all impassioned photographers, the lens selection(s) is tantamount to the best photo, as seen by the photographer's inner eye. As a result, when I decided to purchase the 20D, I wanted the broadest breadth of lens exposure possible in the fewest possible lenses.In large part, my search came to a rapid halt when I ran across this lens, the Canon EF 70mm-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom lens. While this lens is heavy in terms of weight (approximately 2.9lbs) and price, it is easily the best lens purchase I've made, hands down. I have paired this lens with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom lens and a 2x telephoto extender, and I am set for most any shoot. I have read reviews regarding quality degradation when shooting with the 2x extender however, I've not experienced that (perhaps it is my inexperience...but my photos don't show it!). The 2x extender has provided me with exposure options from 24mm to 400mm, with the high quality expected from Canon "L" lenses.A few words about IS (image stabilization)...I love to take shots of the moon. First, to get really great shots, one must have a reasonably telephoto lens (that is, if you want to actually see the cheese). The next issue is simply, how do I keep the moon from looking blurry even though the night is totally clear? The answer is simple: get a tripod or get a Canon lens featuring image stabilization. The IS feature has allowed me to take my best moon shots yet, and yes, the cheese is quite visible and quite clear. IS is a must for those shooting without a tripod.All told, this lens is incredibly rich in features, handles well for a large telephoto, has a tripod bracket for easy attachment to a tripod, and is pretty much the nuts for those of us not fully versed in photographic knowledge. While not the most inexpensive lens around, the features and product results afforded by this lens is well worth the cost. I'd buy it again without hesitation.
Title says it all, the best there is and I echo all the good things said.
As with all of Canon's L lenses, this helps you get an extra in your photographs. Better contrast, better colors than cheaper lenses.Combine it with the 1.4x extender and you won't have to get the 70-300mm DO lens anymore, except for the 70mm end perhaps.The only downsize is the size of the lens; it attracts attention somewhat, which the 70-300mm DO does far less.
This is a pretty spendy lens but worth every penny if you take low light action photos.  The photo quality is incredible.  It is fairly heavy and you'll want a tripod after the first 15 minutes of trying to carry and shoot.  My highest recommendation for sure.
As a professional wedding photographer, I'm always looking to get the best in quality and performance.  With this lens, you get the best of both worlds.  I've rented and used this lens about 5 times, and the images it produced were astonishing.  So much so, I had to just splurge and buy it.  Although this is a zoom lens, the images are very close to prime quality.  If you're looking for sharpness, this is as close as you'll get to prime lenses.  The 70-200 range is very convenient for portraits and tight shots.  I can stand in the back of a low lit church, turn the IS on, and get spectacular shots at f/2.8... handheld.  Mount this on a tripod or monopod, and you can get tack sharp images in almost any situations.  The IS works really well, and you can feel it working.  You can easily get sharp shots at 1/60th of a second, and very usable images at 1/30th. [...]Most copies are excellent, but it's possible to get a soft copy (canon has a known quality issue with some of their lenses).  The 1st copy I ordered from amazon was a bit soft wide open, but I returned it and exchanged it for a much better copy.  They even refunded me the money it cost me to insure and send it back.  As with any lens, it's best to test it out in person... but you really can't beat amazon's price.  The best thing to do (if you can afford it) is to order 2 or 3 of these lenses, test it out, keep the sharpest, and return the others.  I still don't have the sharpest version (the one I rented was), and this is the only reason why I didn't give a perfect rating.If you're considering getting this lens, then you probably already know why this is canon's best zoom.  Supposedly the f/4 is a tad bit sharper, but the 2.8 more than makes up for it in low light situations.  All I can say is, it definitely lives up to the expectation.  This is THE most convenient lens in my bag, and it practically sticks to my 2nd camera body at all time.  If you need to get one zoom, then get this without a doubt.
I shoot a lot of horse events (dressage, jumping, etc.) and this lens has rapidly become my favorite, both for range and speed. Stops action with crisp detail and beautiful color. Somewhat heavy, but pretty much ANY lens in this category is going to give your arms a workout. I use a monopod for more stability.
I bought this lens used through Amazon. This is the 1st version of it but i saved myself all most a thousand bucks instead of buying the mark II version. Lens is super sharp on my EOS 5D Mark II, I use this for portraits and low light photography. If anyone is wondering what lens to get besides their kit lens or prime this is it. Every photographer should have this in the bagPros:Sharpfast focusLow lightblur backgroundCons:ExpensiveHeavy but not to bad
I bought this lens after a year and a half with the f4 version and am amazed at the quality. This lens performs amazing for all of my needs, though I am no professional. It does get a little soft when wide open. The weight however is a big concern. It begins to hurt your hand pretty quickly. For my needs I have decided to sell this lens and go with the f4 (no is) which performs equally well at f4 and the extra features on this lens aren't worth the extreme premium
I have the non-IS version of this lens, so I can't and won't comment on that feature. But the glass is superb. I've taken probably 5 of my 10 or so best shots ever with this lens.I shoot sports and some other stuff. I had several "news" item shots with this lens published in various newspapers. It is a good all around lens, and makes a great combiniation with Canon's 28-70 L (or 24-70). As far as sports, I shot a lot of basketball without lights in poorly lit gyms, and this lens coupled with good film came through. I've recently gone SLR digital and only used this lens outdoors, but I liked the results (I do have some digital camera tweaking to do!).A couple of things about use. First, its better if you use a mono/tri-pod. On rare occassions do I use this without a monopod. It certainly isn't the heaviest lens in the world, but the pod adds more stability to your setup. If you don't use a pod, you'll need to carry your setup by carrying the lens to minimize potential damage to the camera mount. Note that this applies to all EOS film cameras, the Digital Rebel series and the non-1D line. The 1D line of cameras are so heavy, you can probably get away with carrying the body only, but check that. I don't own a 1D(_) and would use a pod with one anyway. The IS feature gives you the ability to shoot without a pod, certainly, but still support the lens on the camera when shooting as such. Since I don't have the IS feature on my lens, my pod comments relate to weight only. I've heard someone actually say a pod is counterproductive to IS lenses; since I don't own any IS glass, I can't comment. Check other reviews or do your own research if you think that will be an issue.The lens includes a mounting bracket that can easily rotate for portrait orientation shots. Most of my sports work is done this way. The auto/manual focus is easy to get to, and I'd always be aware of how it is set and shoot accordingly. I go manual focus a lot, depending on the body I'm shooting with, and its easy to work with. But you will find some of the fastest autofocus you've ever seen with this lens, even on an early '90s film EOS body. One of my film bodies is a EOS 10S and, coupled with this lens, the autofocus speed was light years ahead of a late '90s production Nikon N90s with the "new" Nikon 80-200 lens.This lens belongs in every Pro's and advanced amatuer's bag.
This is the best lens you can get in this zoom range for the Canon EOS. It's not the cheapest and it's not the lightest, but it's the best. This lens is fast, it has excellent optics, the build quality is very solid and the image stabilization (IS) feature works wonders for hand held shooting. If you shoot hand held in marginal light, this is the lens for you. If you always use a tripod, you don't really need IS -- take a look at the less expensive non-IS version of this lens. If you always shoot in good light, the lighter and even less expensive 70-200mm f4.0 may do the job for you. But for me, the extra stop of light and the IS make the difference between unusable images and great images. This is an awesome lens.
I bit the bullet and upgraded to this lens based on all the 5 star reviews.  They are all correct.  This is simply the best telephoto zoom I've ever used (most recently Sigma 18-200mm, Sigma 50-500mm).  The image stabilization combined with the superior optics makes this lens unbeatable.  I've shot over 500 photos in a week's time with this lens and attest that the color and sharpness attainable are astounding.  With the image stabilization, a lot of my shots were 200mm at f/11 (for depth of field)and taken at an amazingly slow 1/100th of a second hand held!  The performance of this lens blows me away!
Sheesh...after reading all the reviews, buying this lens, and using it...what else is there left to say?  You'd be wasting your time on other Canon 70-200 lenses.  IS and f/2.8 is the way to go.
I spent a great deal of time evaluating alternatives to spending this much money, as another reviewer here notes as well, and reached the same conclusion: This lens is worth every penny and I'll have it in my bag as long as possible.
What can I say that has not already been said???? I decided to fork out the cash for this lens, instead of going with the f4 IS version.... I am soooo glad that I got this lens! it is amazingly sharp, versital, and fun! Combine this with the 24-70 f2.8 L and you have a combo that cannot be beat, unless you want to pack around a ton of primes! Sometimes I do this.... but these two bits of glass work great together..... sharp sharp sharp
Love this lens !Just wish Amazon would of done a better job paking this $1600.00 lens. Received the lens in a box with no the packing at all; the lens box was just inside a much bigger box and they didnt even use paper to keep the lens from bouncing around.....other than than Im very happy with the lens :-)
So, my daughters are in a sport where the lighting is much like the lighting in a cave when trying to photo the events - not so great. After renting this lens from a local camera shop and attaching it to my 30D, I was absolutely amazed at the shots I was able to capture. Not only did I no longer need to shoot at ISO 3200, but the detail of the images was not lost in the noise or dimness of the captured scene. I now shoot ISO 1600, max, thanks to image stabilization, and the photo detail of the L lens is amazing. It was so great, in fact, that I was able to sell photos of the event to members of the team.Excellent L series lens, including construction and overall quality. It's price is steep, but does include the lens case, mounting collar and lens hood.
I've found this lens to be fast focusing and razor sharp, even wide open. It's my favorite lens for photographing wading and diving birds.I often work from a moving boat so I usually bump the shutter speed up to a 1000th of a second. On my Canon 7d set to shutter priority, that means that in the shadows the lens is often wide open at f2.8. Even so, I've been thrilled with the sharpness and bokeh.I'm working on a chest pod arrangement to steady the image and maybe pick up a stop on the shutter speed. Years ago I had a Leitz tabletop tripod, but so far haven't been able to locate anything that works as well.
Beautiful lens.I shoot a combination of sports (college football, basketball, hockey, etc etc), social events ( weddings, dances, conferences, dinners, receptions), portraits, and nature photography.  This lens excels at all of them.Originally I had bought the non-IS version, however I have found that the IS is essentially for low light photography.  At 200mm on my 7D ( which is really 320mm), I can shoot at 1/30 and even 1/20 of a second and get good results with the IS.  This lens also does a superb job at focusing in low lights, much better than my 24-70 f/2.8.When shooting sports this lens does a good but not great job focusing, for the most part it gets it right, however every now and then it will blow a photo out of focus ( EOS= every other shot).As expected, the DOF at 2.8 is shallow, and I'll often drop it to f/4 to give myself more room to work with.  F/4 is also sharper than f/2.8, however f/2.8 is still perfectly acceptable to use.If you only shoot sports, IS is not necessary.  However, I shoot enough other events that IS is greatly needed and appreciated.I recommend this lens to any photographer who needs a long focal length in low-light environments.
This the first 'big' lens I've purchased in my 8 years of learning to get good photographs of subjects I enjoy.  It seems to fulfill the need to have the ability to capture subjects well at a distance.  I bought it to help get good shots of softball players.  Since I play on a team, I am able to be on the field during play consequently wish I'd purchased Canon's Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens instead.  This lens (24-70) would have given me that little bit more distance ability than the f/2.8 17-55 mm I normally use.  Looking at the photo's metadata taken with the 70-200 mm lens I find most interesting, I see where 95% are taken at 70 mm.  I need to say that only about 300 images have been captured with the 70-200 mm, I'm sure as time passes I should be able to learn to use it much better.  (For what ever it's worth - most photos taken with the 17-55 mm lens mounted on a Canon 40D were taken at the 40-50 mm settings.  The reason for four instead of five stars is mostly the weight.)
This is unquestionably the best lens in my arsenal, and I own several other Canon L-series lenses. It's not the lens with the most versatile focal length range, nor the most convenient thing to haul around, but for shooting with a full-frame D-SLR, no other zoom can touch its optical qualities and feature set: astounding edge-to-edge sharpness, freedom from vignetting, great color and contrast, large max aperture, fast auto focus and two-mode image stabilization that really works.  It's so good optically, it makes me smile every time I find a reason to use it. Not everyone will want to put up with its considerable weight (it feels like it's carved from a solid block of metal) or hefty price tag, but if you need the capabilities of this lens it's simply the best.
This is a high quality lens from Canon. It's going to cost you, but if you are looking one of the best lens, this is it. Great Closeups. It is a little on the heavy side, but it is a sign of quality. You just have to get used to it.
All I can say is WOW.  I only had it for a couple of days and I can't put it down.  My only problem is I didn't buy it sooner.
Of all the photography equipment I own, this lens is hands-down my favorite.  I love it! I use it for weddings, for on-location nature shots, for outdoor portraits, etc.  It's a little heavy but so worth it!!
I thought my old pictures were sharp, but after using this lens, my old pictures don't look as sharp :).  It does not matter if the lens is at 70mm or 200mm, it's just as sharp.  At first the lens felt heavy, but after a few hundred shots, I got used to using it hand held like I did with my old feather weight lens.  USE THE STRAP!  USE THE STRAP! USE THE STRAP! Or prepare to drop everything.  It can be held by hand, but I had a very close call when I first tried it :).  This lens does come with the lens cap, lens hood, and a very big bag the size of a 2 liter bottle of coke by the way.  lol :).  I don't know why people ask me if I'm gay when I carry that bag...Despite the bag, this is a great lens.  I shot birds, I shot cars, I shot houses, I saw a chicken the other day and shot that.  I even shot the police.... @ 200mm lol :).  Then, I looked up and shot the moon. I need to travel around the world to find more stuff to shoot!A guy asked me if this lens would zoom.  "You see that fly on top of that truck over yonder?" I said.  lol :)They don't call them Canon for nothing.
When I read the news of Canon releasing a new Mark II version of this lens the first thought that came to my mind was why? Has Canon lost its mind? Why would you mess around with a lens that has become a staple of nearly every professional Canon user in the world? Since this lens was released in September of 2001 it has earned a reputation as being one of the most rugged and sharpest lenses of its kind.  Professional photographer and photo equipment reviewer  Ken Rockwell, for example,  borrowed this lens from a friend to test who had dropped it off an elephant to the cobblestones nine feet below while shooting in India.  Even with that event in its history Ken gave it a stunningly positive review!  Many of the most famous photos taken in the last nine years were taken with this lens, including many of the photos that appear in Canon's own sales brochures. In the lens life cycle, if such a thing exists, this lens is hardly an old timer at nine years old. With its proven powerful robust image stabilizer, legendarily sharpness, and tank-like build, one cannot help wonder what the motivation for fixing something that's not broke is. I think the real motivation was keeping "pace"  with Nikon and raising prices.Canon is seen more and more as falling behind its nemesis Nikon. With the recent release of Nikon's VR II vibration reduction which supposedly can work up to four stops, Canon had to fire back with a "new" version of the image stabilizer on its own lenses. Thus IS II was born. Needless to say, the new Nikon 70-200 lens retails for over $2300 on Amazon as opposed to this "old" Canon lens which sells for about $1700. It's expected that new Canon 70-200 2.8L IS II will retail for at least $2300 if not more. Is the new lens really worth $600 more than the old lens still being sold?  I own this "old" model now for about six months and the only way I can see improvement is if somehow Canon could recreate this same lens, ruggedness and all, at half the weight. Now that would be something worth paying $600 or more for!  In reality, the new model will actually weigh 20 grams more than the "old" model. So much for progress!I have shot indoor and outdoor shots both hand held and with my Bogen automatic mono-pod with this lens. In both cases the results have been nothing short of amazing. Clear sharp images almost every time with magnificent color and superb brokeh (blur quality).  The image stabilization is first rate and runs hard and strong.  Don't be fooled into saving money buying the other versions of this lens. If you ever expect to be free from using a flash and get great results in reasonable natural lighting, this is the lens to buy. If you can't afford to buy this lens then save up for it. If you compromise you may be sorry later.I believe that any changes Canon has made to the new lens will largely be undetectable by professional and amateur photographers alike. The only exception to this is the added weight, increased price, and the very slight ability of the new model to focus closer (about 8").  It's also hard to see how the current powerful image stabilization could be made much better.  At some point it all becomes a matter of subject movement and no stabilization system can deal with that other than using higher shutter speeds.  That said,  the more important question to ask is whether Canon produced a "better" lens at all? Currently we have no test reviews to look at and it is entirely possible that the new lens may actually under perform this "old model". We just don't know at the moment.  For my money I would grab this "old" model while you can. Not only is there hardly any risk, but in all likely-hood the after market value of this lens may soon rise.
This is an awesome lens.Obviously use a tri- or mono- pod at lower shutter speeds
This is my first purchase of a Canon L lens and I couldn't be more pleased. It focuses very fast and feels solid in my hands. As a longtime Nikon shooter, after handling this body & lens combo, it's no wonder why sports shooters jumped over to Canon a long time ago.
Sure this lens is expensive and heavy but it is worth every penny and pound.  Auto focus on a Canon 40D is quick and tack sharp.  Motion tracking with the camera's AI Servo mode sometimes takes a couple of seconds to capture and track but once it locks on the lens accuratly tracks focus for in-your-face close ups.  Get a sturdy monopod and use a quick release on the lens tripod mount and the weight is no longer an issue.  Depth-of-Field is outstanding when shooting at f2.8 at any zoom.  In all, a great investment.
Bought this lens over a year ago from Amazon and I couldn't be happier.  This is by far a superior lens!  I've taken it to a couple of IRL races mated with the 1.4x and 2x converter and it worked flawlessly.  If you're on the fence about buying this lens don't be.  Buy it and prepare to be awed.
This is my work horse lens in low light.  It is amazing no matter which camera body I stick it on (20D, 30D or 5D) and is super sharp. One of my favorites.It is heavy but so worth it.  :)
Using this product has been a joy.  i am a sports photographer for a college basketball and volleyball team.  The pictures I have gotten with this lens have been amazing from the first time I used it to now.I owned the 4.0 non IS version of the 70-200 and that was great lens as well! But this blows it out of the water for almost every task i ever do.I found that the f4 is just not fast enough whereas i can get really fast results with this new 2.8 it is great!Go for the IS or you will just sell the lower one in a month or 6 months, lose money, then have to do it all over again.
I have nothing negative to say...this is a winner!....a must have, dont bother thinking, just buy this lensand enjoy....also get the 2x zoom attachment so you can be in bliss.
As you can tell from the other reviews, this is an awesome lens. It is one of my favorites, if not my favorite, when outside of a small room setting. It can reach out and it can move close. This glass makes you look better than you are. Its versatility is unsurpassed when on the go, at the beach, on a hike, in the mountains or riding on a safari. Great versatile lens.
I read all the reviews about how great this lens is and I bought it based on the good feedback it has received. After using it for a little while I can say I totally understand why this lens get the praise it does. Great lens! It was a bit heavy feeling at first... but after using it twice it seems normal.The IS feature is incredible. Spend the extra couple bucks and get the IS 2.8 version. You'll be happy you did.
I have had a Canon digital SLR for several years, but have never owned an L series lens until now. I never thought I would drop this much $$$ on a lens, but it became pretty much a necessity in order to shoot all of my kids' sports activities especially gymnastics where I needed a fast telphoto zoom lens because all the events are inside and there is no flash photography allowed! I considered the non IS version, but my experience with other Canon IS lenses moved me to make this choice.So far I haven't been disappointed in any way. The lens is very solidly constructed. The IS and USM work great, and the zoom is very smoooth. All of the images I have shot with this lens are sharp throughout the zoom range.The bottom line...this is an awesome lens though it is a bit pricey for non professional photographers. The upside is that these lenses retain their value well when properly cared for as can be attested to on Ebay.
I've tried to get the most of my camera equipment but I've always felt that something was missing when I see other shots that just look better than mine.  Digging into it a little I noticed that almost every pro that I saw shooting Canon equipment was using the 70-200 2.8 IS L.  I gave it a try and it's truly the "great equalizer."  I'm using it now as my go-to telezoom lens because it just looks better on all my shots.  Naturally sports it's a huge plus shooting high shutter speeds while the IS lets you hand hold.  In motor sports the multi function IS lets you pan smoothly while still keeping the image from jumping around.  It's taken my photos to the next level.  Oh yeah, it is heavy, but I'll sacrifice weight over image quality anytime.
OK so its low in Piks,but for general and close up,I find this camera unbeatable,it also adds to my Canon collection,next will be the 1d-MK111 (Yes I am a BIG Canon fan)
Disclaimer: I did not buy mine through Amazon.I was in high school when I first saw this camera, but I could not afford it back then. Fast forward to now and I was able to purchase one secondhand, with the charger and battery, for $230. I put on a 40mm lens and started taking pictures with it. Coming from a 20D (which I still use), the controls of this camera felt a bit 'awkward' but besides that I love the fast, accurate AF and the images it produces. I'll post some pictures when I get the chance to, but I swear the noise reminds me of film grain.Would I recommend this camera to anyone? Absolutely not! I'd only recommend it to individuals who are aware of its limitations and know how to take picture besides using the "auto" mode.
i loved this camera.  i dropped it on a giant rock on a beach once and it just got a scratch.  i actually loved the scratches on it as it showed it metal construction. at the time the perfectly normal 4mp was just fine.  not until later did people realize that printing up to 20x30in was no where big enough. for anything on the internet 4mp is more then big enough. it will print to 11x18 all long and 20x30 is fine if the exposure is just right. this thing shot fast 8 pics a second or something. bullet proof camera.  amazingly fast focus.  i only sold it to pay for a 1d ii.  but i ended up getting a 20d then a 30d then a 40d and now a 7D and my new 7D is the first camera that i have liked as much as the 1d and i loved my 40d and still have it as a second camera.i do agree that the newer cameras are much better i would get a 40d or a 5d before i would buy another 1d for regular use.  but i think ill buy another one just to own they are so cheap now days and are still a beautiful working camera.
Any one that would give this camera a two, obviously has never had one, I have a canon G9 and no way that this very great point and shoot begins to compare with my 1D, well maybe in ease of carrying. Is it worth $1,500 probably not, but then I paid $450 for my G9.  This is one awesome camera and you need to experience it to know how great it is.  I have taken photos at 1600 ISO that were very usable with this old technology.
Purchased this used for $450 and am VERY impressed with it. It only has 4.2MP which is fine because if I ever need images above 2464 x 1648 I can just use interpolation. This is a very solid body, I love the 8fps, and for a 10 year old camera this still blows away the Canon rebel series. I also own a T2i which is great for the video, high iso, & high MP but the build quality of the 1D is far superior as well as the fps, & af points.I highly recommend this, or if you have some extra cash then get the mark ii
Good camera, but too low resolution.  No, excelent camera, but too low resolution.  Need more words for review to take: Good camera, but too low resolution.
I picked up an EOS-1D in excellent minus condition for $300 with a fresh battery (awesome deal).This camera is a Cult Classic.  It has features that no other camera can beat, even today (2013).First of all, it has only 4 MP spread across an APS-H sensor.  Which means that this camera has clean low noise from ISO 200-1600.  It also focuses very quickly and shoots at 8 frames per second in raw (tiff) format.I have a Canon 20D and after using this baby for a couple of hours there is no way I can go back.  I'm too spoiled.  The professional controls, the extra large, bright viewfinder...this is like driving a Rolls Royce and my 20D is a Camry.The quality of the images off this camera can only be described as "special".  Maybe it's the low pixel ratio to the size the sensor, I don't know.  As I was learning the camera and messing around in my kitchen I took two awesome portraits that just blew people's minds when I posted them on Facebook.  The depth, color rendition and three dimensionality of the images are just classic.Okay a few pet peeves.  This camera is heavy.  After a few days I developed the strength to heave it around.  The battery life is surprisingly good when you think it can take 300-500 photos off the equivalent power of one AA battery.  However the batteries are huge and the charger is an absolute tank.If your looking for a "pro" level camera and aren't interested in being caught up in "megapixel madness" then this is the camera for you.  The only camera that could replace this one would be a Canon pro level full frame, but right now they are WAAY too expensive.  Maybe in five years time I can get a full frame used for $300.  On the other hand, I just might shoot with this cam for the rest of my life :)
I see where this camera is selling used for $2000. Lets face it. This was a great camera 6 years ago but $2000?, no way. Time has passed it by. I realize it's built like a tank and has a fast burst rate but in every other way a new $600 DSLR is superior. In my opinion if you pay more than $500 you're wasting your money, unless you're a collector maybe. The IQ can be matched in most ways by a new P&S camera.
You can not fault this camera. It does everything a film camera can do and more and does it well. The film even gets physically numbered on the corner for easier archiving. If you pair it up with the EOS cable link you can connect it to a PC running Windows 7 and the virtual XP machine (that comes standard with Windows 7) and you can review recorded shooting data stored inside the camera for your last 99 rolls (i think). You can also customize the button functions that way. There is even an option to roll the film slower at the end of film for minimum noise or fast. It is still superior to recent digital in terms of construction as the whole body is magnesium alloy with the parts that you grab are covered in non slip ruggedized hard plastic on top of the magnesium. Because of that they tend to look new forever whereas the 1d*_***** series plastic get beaten down aspect after a few years. As of now the 1d, 1ds, 1d mark II, 1ds mark II, 1d mark III all digital SLR that came after the 1v are no longer in production but the 1v is still being produced. This tells you how good it is. Realistically the only weakness is not in the camera but with it's dependance to processing and scanning (unless you just print photos). Its advantages are : you can use very high resolution and DR black and white film or use positive film (slides) both which you cannot do at the same level of results with digital even today on a full frame sensor (35mm).
It's a shock to me to find that many years after release, no one has written a review of the EOS 1V. This is one sweet camera. It has a carved of a chunk feel that tells me that I can use it hard and not have to worry that it will let me down. There are enough pro features to cover any challenge.I bought mine because I shoot a lot of motor sports and this baby autofocuses faster than my Nikon F5 (a camera I really like too). The metering system, once you extablish the proper ISO of your film, is dead nuts on.  I leave the camera on "P" for program for most assignments and use the amazing matrix meter setting for surprisingly accurate results. Case in point, I recently did a salon shoot of a Ferrari 308GTB and the guy at my prolab said "the exposures were great, as usual."Some cool things that I love about the EOS 1V: I wear glasses and I can see the entire view finder with ease. The camera handles like a dream in the horizontal and  vertical position (mine has the motor drive with the second shutter release - I recommend it to any serious action shooter.) Film loading is a snap. With custom functions, you can prevent the camera from rewinding at the end of the roll - a good idea in a church or other quiet setting. The camera is weather sealed with gaskets on buttons and switches. If you have newer EOS lenses, these include gaskets around the lens mount.  These, combined with the gasket built into the EOS 1V body help keep the moisture outside if you find yourself shooting in damp conditions. (No, the camera is not waterproof. But it's well sealed against all but the worst that mother nature can throw at you.I shoot a lot of slide film, so in tricky lighting situations (e.g., back lighting, subjects that are very dark or very light, etc.) exposure bracketing is part of the deal. The exposure dial on the back of the body makes it easy to do 3 or 5 or more quick exposures, varying each by one third of an f-stop.I have run several hundreds of roll of film through my EOS 1V (The camera has a feature that imprints the roll number on the leader tab) with nary a problem. If you are still shooting film (and I know a bunch of us are still out there), this is one outstanding camera worthy of your consideration.  And, given the cost of the new Nikon F6, it seems to be a bargain too.  (If you are looking to spend a little less money, the EOS 3 has a lot of the same features except, of course, price.)
The more I held this camera the better it felt.It was everything ,everyone had promised.No regrets but there was a small fly in the ointment(the buying experience).For reasons I can never explain, I asked Amazon if a battery ,type 2CR5, should have been in the box.The prompt reply was "yes".I got a shock to say the least.Not because I had been short changed out of a $6 battery but that I could have been sold an used or returned item.I trust Amazon but mistakes do happen.So another e-mail to Amazon but this time they said that the previous e-mail was wrong and no battery is included in the package.They offered a $50 rebate into my credit card account as a form of compensation for the distress they had caused me.Being the el' cheapo I accepted it.However to my suprise, Canon USA ,whom I had checked with about the battery, said there should have been a battery in the box.Here we go again I thought.Now I am thinking could the guy at Canon been wrong.Maybe he, being new to this field is thinking of the  EOS DIGITAL cameras which come with batteries.Can anyone tell me if this camera(EOS-1V) comes with a battery?Thanks.
For those of you that think your $10 camera in your iPhone 5 takes great pictures, you will never understand the quality of pictures that can be taken with this camera and canon's 35 mm/1.4 lens. Try blowing up one of your high definition pictures the size of a wall in Grand Central Station and see what it looks like. Well that has been done with a canon film camera and Kodak's 35 mm Kodachrome slide and it was grainless. Your high definition picture would have pixels the size of your head.
It feels odd to be reviewing this camera in 2009. It represents a technology that won't be coming back -- the caliber of images from quality digital SLRs now equals 35mm film, and digital is easier to work with. For a while, some people used excuses like "Kodachrome has better archival properties than digital storage," but Kodachrome has been cancelled, and after December 2010, it won't be possible to get any remaining rolls processed. Those who use film in education are unlikely to buy a professional camera like the 1v, and those who use film cameras for their atavistic style are probably more likely to pick up a rangefinder.The things that make the 1v great are primarily of interest to professionals -- 45 autofocus points, and very rapid autofocus even by the standards of a decade later, extraordinary quick film advance (10 images/second with the PB-E2 winder attached, and everybody who buys the 1v also buys the winder), massive customizability for a film camera (and yet, of course, nowhere near the customizability of any mid-range digital camera, where effective ISO rating and white point can be changed on the fly). There are probably some professionals out there still using their 1vs for these advantages, but I doubt anybody is buying new ones.As a result, these camera are now widely available in the used market, often in superb condition. The 1v is a tough camera -- you could probably use one to pound nails and still sell it on eBay as "near mint".This is a an amazing piece of engineering, a pleasure to hold and use. I use it mostly in Program or Av modes, and other than the standard caveat to adjust settings for a silhouetted subject, it makes good decisions. Ditto for the autofocus, which is materially better than the autofocus in my slightly lower-end EOS Elan 7. It shares most accessories with my EOS 5D, and of course I can use the same lenses on both of those cameras and my EOS IX. If from time to time you want to work with a 35mm SLR that has auto-focus and auto-exposure, you will never find a better one, and there is something lovely about knowing you're using the acme that a line of technological development ever produced. If your pictures don't come out, you certainly can't blame the tool.I have only one complaint about the camera -- the shutter button is so sensitive that the camera takes a picture if I breathe on it hard. Always remember to shut the camera off before putting it in your bag.
as soon as i got it i loved it and haven't put it down.  The controls are exactly like my 1d and the transition was seamless.  I can't wait to give a real workout.
What a great Macro/Close-up flash.  The flash works great lens mounted or by romoving one or both of the heads (they also have tripod mounts on them).  This makes this flash so versatile.  Excellent Canon quality and performance.  Ettl works flawless with my Rebel XTi!  It is also able to control a slave and I believe it can also be used as a slave.  I couldn't be happier with this flash!
Yes, this is a top-end flash, but Canon sure makes it difficult to use on all but their standard macro lens. I was coming from an Opteka RL-600 E-TTL II Macro Twin Ring Lite Flash, and the transition was frustrating. First of all, the Opteka starts out to fit any 77mm filter size and provides adapters for smaller lenses. With step-down adapters, the Opteka will fit virtually any lens. This Canon starts out at only a 58mm filter size, which means that larger lenses will be blocked by the ring, and that's a really poor design choice. This rig could double as a fill flash on many lenses, not just macro, if only the design allowed for it.Knowing that going in, I assumed that this would still fit any lens with a 58mm filter size. Not so. It only fits the original, non-L, non-IS 100mm macro lens. (In order to fit the "L" macro lens you are asked to buy a $40 adapter which is little more than a step-up ring which should only cost about $5.) I had assumed it would fit the new Tamron 90mmm Macro VC lens, because that lens has the same 58mm filter size as the original Canon 100mm macro. But no, the clamps on this ring are designed ONLY to fit the Canon. I had to buy a different $15 adapter which then allows this to fit any lens with a 58mm filter.Once I had that annoyance straightened out, it's down to the performance of the unit itself. There are two main modes, an ETTL mode which sets the brightness of the flash automatically, and a manual mode which allows you to set the brightness. The ETTL mode is easier to start with because you can adjust the flash compensation in your camera. Still, getting the right balance of flash and background light is difficult. You will need to experiment, and should be comfortable using the M (for Manual) mode on your camera.The main problem with macro flash is that the light drop-off is very dramatic and at the default settings you will get a well-lit subject with a very dark or even completely black background. This may be what you want for some photos but you will quickly tire of this look as it is not natural looking at all. This combines with the fact that the light from the flashes is too harsh and what you end up with is a very sharp but very artificial looking photograph.There are two ways to improve upon this and achieve more pleasing, natural-looking photos. The first is to use a diffuser to soften the light. I got some custom-built ones from the UK on the auction site. Secondly, you have to find a way to light your background. There are several ways to do this. You can remove one of the flashes and manually aim it at the background. This is difficult to do with only two hands. You can utilize sunlight, a slave flash or a light on a stand to light the background. You can use a slower shutter speed to capture more background light. You can turn up the ISO and turn down the flash compensation. You can also add some fill light in post. Or you can use a combination of these. There are all techniques that you will need to explore on your own to achieve the look that you're after.This is a well-built but overpriced unit that is capable of very good lighting of macro subjects, but only if you are willing to take the time to do some customization, manual exposure adjustments, and background lighting. I don't like the fact that Canon forces you to very limited choices of lenses, but now that the Opteka RL-600 is no longer available this is essentially the only twin light true flash rig available for Canon.
This is a great macro flash. I also have the canon ring flash which is good for macro shots as well but the twin light flash is by far much more superior. I can swivel each light up or down independantly and I can slide each one independantly on the ring and I can turn the ring itself plus the light controls are extremely versital. The light has its own independant power source so you can quickly go to the next shot in 1 to two seconds and you are not using up the cameras resources. Excellent product. I would recommend it to any serious photographer.
I have had my eye on these for years, then was sold on them at a Macro clinic sponsored by my local camera store.  Amazon had the best price available at the time.  These make a tremendous difference in terms of adjustability, modeling lights help set up the flash units, ratio adjustments work as advertised, if a little less effective than expected, but also can use them to bounce light from a small reflector, which is a nice advantage when combined with a third IR controlled EX flash to create interesting or desired lighting.  Remember to purchase an adapter ring (expensive but necessary) if you are using a lens other than the Canon MPE65 Macro and a 58mm lens cap if your macro lens or lens+rings take a different sized filter.  Expensive and well worth the price, if you are serious about macro photography.  Also note it is highly portable rig that can easily be taken into and assembled in the field.  Relatively light weight.
Great macro flash. Very versatile with the adjustable flash heads that rotate and tilt. Plus each flash head is removable and can be hand held in any position.  I first bought the Canon ring flash but was too limited on where I could aim the flash head. Returned the ring flash and bought this one. Clamps on 58mm lens without adapters (old 100mm macro 2.8 lens). Need a special adapter for the newer 100mm 2.8 II lens.
The twin macro flash allows you to light your subject with two strobes which can be set at different intensity, allowing a beautiful game of shadows to fall on your subject. The twin lights can rotate around the ring that is installed in your lens. Each head can also rotate left/right around its own axis, as well as up/down. It is also possible to detach the lights from the ring and position them anywhere, which is easier to make if you use a &lt;A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/DUAL-ARM-Macro-Bracket-camera-flashgun/dp/B00AR9JSP2">DUAL-ARM Macro Flash Bracket Mount For Canon camera Nikon R1C1 flashgun Black&lt;/A>, which is a nice add-on. Without that accessory this flash lights attach directly to a &lt;A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MP-E-65mm-Macro-Cameras/dp/B00009XVD5">Canon MP-E 65mm&lt;/A>. If you wish to use this flash with a &#60;A HREF=&#34;http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002NEGTSI&#62;&#34;Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro lens&lt;/A>, you need a &lt;A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Macrolite-Adapter-67/dp/B002O3UOUW">Canon Macrolite Adaptor&lt;/A>, to use the flash attached to the lens.I use this flash with both the Canon MP-E65mm and the Canon 100mm f2.8L lenses with great results. My macro photography improved up to a certain level, when I then noticed that in order to go further I needed a macro flash I ordered this unit. I could then push my skills further. I highly recommend this unit over the &lt;A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MR-14EX-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00004WCI7">Canon MT-14EX&lt;/A> macro flash, as the MT-24EX allows the lights to be moved around, while the MT-14EX can only rotate around the lens. If you do not need to move your lights other than around your lens, however, the MT-14EX is a great flash unit! Other difference is that the guide number for the MT-24EX is higher than that for the MT-14EX, which translates to an ability to light subjects that are farther away. In the macro world, however, that just means the possibility to have a stronger blast of light if needed.This is, as of today, the best macro flash unit you can get from Canon.
After years of manual flash macro work, recently in digital format with extension tubes on the Canon 100mm macro lens, I decided to cast a onsiderable sum of money at this twin light.  Where I used to struggle just to get the correct exposure, now I'm able to concentrate on background (no night-looking flash fall-off anymore) and on modeling the light -- including little shiny aphids tended by ants!  If you're serious about great macro work -- this is the flash to have.I was worried about breaking the hot-shoe mount with rough field work, but the 45 degree angle of the mount adds stability.  Even so, I bent up an aluminum strap bracket in my shop that surrounds the camera and flash -- a camera "roll bar."There's a bit of a learning curve -- but when I tried manually setting the aperature (f22 is my lens's "sweet spot") and a shutter speed of 1/200 -- ISO 100 -- all of the exposures were perfect, because the ETTL function "dials in" the foregrand and background appropriately.  I've used the same manual settings for just the macro lens, and for many variations of one to three extension tubes.I've retired my 25 year-old Cokin flash unit that has served me so well with guess-timate exposures.
Very nice light setup.  Ability to point and aim the lights is unparalleled by anything Canon makes. Even though it costs well over $700, it  does not fit on Canon 180mm Macro lens without separate adapter.  I would rate 5 stars if it came with the adapter.
I opted for this model over the MT-14 because I liked the option of adjusting the position of the flashes independently of each other giving maximum control over the final image.  I found it very easy to use and felt comfortable with it right away even though I really don't use flash lighting, I strongly prefer natural light.  Macro photography often requires the additional light though, so I was happy to find one that's so easy to use.  Just one warning, if you have the 100mm with IS then you mst buy an adapator ring in order to make it work.  That's annoying but not a ding against the flash since it was released before the 2nd gen 100mm macro.
This does a great job of lighting macro pictures take with the canon prime 100mm and 65 1-5x. It almost has too much power. With an auxiliary battery pack jack, I can shoot macros all day with a 1-2 second cycle time. It is not cheap, but has really improved the lighting of my macros, and allows smaller apertures for better depth of field when I am shooting outside.
This flash unit is more then expected. Easy to use, out performs Speedlites for macro photography. Ordering diffusers for both flashes.
As a twin flash, this works and helps take great macro photos. It provides better light control with individually adjustable twin lights. In addition it can control a third light (such as canon's standard flashes). The third light can be very useful in exposing the background.It has sturdy build and works with easily replaceable 4 AA batteries.However it falls short on many fronts as I would expect much better from such an expensive flash light.1. The twin lights are not wireless, nor can the wires be disconnected. Those thick cords are fixed. It is a nightmare to store it and when I need only one light, I can not completely disable one light. I have to leave one light dangling or hold it with my hand pointing in opposite direction.2. No AF Assist! I can use modeling light, but it does not have enough range, and the AF assist will be much more helpful as it provides a much easier pattern for AF assist.3. Very poorly designed lens adapter. Basically the mounting adapter is designed for 58mm. The 72mm adapter does not replace 58mm fitting, it is just a step-up to fit the 58mm opening onto a 72mm lens. So the 72mm lens is still covered by a 58mm opening. It obviously causes too much vignetting unless one is focusing really really close. In addition there is no adapter for any other lens size.Basically this flash symbolizes Canon's arrogance. We are limited to using this flash only for canon's intended purpose, with canon's intended lens, and in canon's intended ways. Nikon's system is cheaper and has none of these limitations.Unfortunately however I have no choice but to recommend this unit as there are no other viable options for Canon users.
The best macro flash on the market! With patience to learn to use is the best option.Hello! (sorry for my English)I have this flash for 4 months and have no hesitation in recommending it as one of the best macro flash in the market. Yes, it is much more expensive than its brother, the MR 14, but well worth it for its easy to configure in many ways and so achieve a professional lighting for any macro shooting. Do not be fooled, is not an easy to use flash. The learning curve can be slow, according to the abilities of each user, but once you learn to use, the results are amazingly.It's a good idea to think about the use of some accessories to change the light, which is usually very strong without the use of additional diffusers. In my case, some were bought right here on Amazon, and others did in my photo-studio. I will upload photos as soon as I can, to show how they were made.I am sorry for the friend "Zafar", but he should read much more before they spend money on something that was not what he needed, and it's not just that they qualified with 3 stars just for their own ignorance.If macro photography is your area of ''work, do not hesitate to buy this flash, the extra money is well justified if you consider the things mentioned here, and you can read in other reviews.Sincerely, Frank!
I find this Speedlite an essential complement to my MP-E 65mm.  I'd give it five stars but for two admittedly minor (but irksome) features.  The first is the screw-down 'locking' ring to attach the unit to the camera hot shoe. It would be such an improvement to have the lock-lever found on the 580 EXII and 430EXII Speedlites.  The second is it lacks the select dial like the 580EXII.  At the price this flash system demands, these refinements seem not that much to ask, and would make things much easier in the field.  Still, the MT-24EX is a must-have complement to the MP-E 65mm Macro, and has worked very well for me.  In all other aspects, it's a five-star performer.  I've not used it on any other lens.
Though I have used Kodaks Black and White 35mm film before I have yet to try Fujis product. If it is like their color film then I am sure that the Fuji product will be superior. Fuji film has always in my mind, at least as of late, been far superior to Kodak film stock.The film arrived in a very timely manner and was packaged well.
This is such a great film. You will definitely get good negatives if you develop your own film. This is my favourite film.
This is just great film. It has beautiful grain and seems to really work well with my F100.Also a great value compared to kodak B and W. Scans well with beautiful tonality.Nothing that comes out of a digital camera looks like this.
For capturing shadows with clarity and still retain the coloration of the film. May be used under any lighting condition.
Good stuff, lots of fun, Ok grain, The price is to high, I can find just as good film for $2.49. Common Fuji!
The quality of this film is one of the BEST 400 speed B&W; films available anywhere by any manufacturer. I shoot most all kinds and brands of 35mm films on a regular basis and this stuff has some of the finest grain structure and consistent image quality I have ever seen - and it can be found often at a much better price than the other "big" guy brands, and quite frankly has been my favorite 35mm B&W; film for quite awhile now.  I only wish they still made it in 120 as it used to be my favorite medium format film as well.The only way I have ever had a roll of any film come out blank was when the film was loaded in-correctly.  If the film was exposed/ruined in shipment it would come out black - not blank. Besides, buying it from Amazon makes this a non-issue as if you don't like the results you can always return the film for a full refund for the defective product.So recommend you buy it while you can for this price, as all the other sellers are quite a bit higher!
I did not purchase this item through Amazon, but will venture a review.When received (April 08) the tripod had a damaged mounting plate; this was not the fault of the vendor or the shipping process, it was obviously defective from the manufacturer.  The vendor (B&H; photo) replaced the damaged piece at no cost.  I rarely use a tripod (hand held and monopod are my preferred styles) but I have a shoot coming up in a couple of days that requires a tripod.  I decided to do a test setup before venturing to the shooting site - and the bolt that secures the vertical slide snapped completely off with the bolt end remaining in the tripod socket.  This was not a case of overtightening - I was in the process of loosening the bolt when it snapped.  No tools were used, it was "finger loosen" only.  It appears that the bolt may have crystalized.  The tripod will have to be sent back to the U.S. service provider (Manfrotto) for repairs.  I had to purchase a replacement tripod (Manfrotto XL190B) from my local camera store.The features of the Gitzo are very nice and it is very stable; I've had no problems with the tripod legs in my (admittedly) limited usage of the tripod.  However bolts should NOT break off of tripods - that's an easy way to do serious damage to the mounted camera and/or lens; it is absolutely unacceptable for such a thing to occur.  The entire reason for having a tripod is stability and security.That being the case I cannot recommend this particular product.  Of course it is very possible that I got a "lemon" and that the vast majority of the units are fine.  The fact remains, however, that tripods MUST be dependable 100% of the time, and quality control at the manufacturer must be monitored very closely.
After two weeks of using it one of the screws broke. I need to send the entire tripod back to Bogen on my cost.Updating this post.Today, January 8th, two months after sending the tripod to Bogen for repair, I still do not have it back.Updating on January 6, 2011.I still do have this tripod and I'm relatively happy with it now. After the initial repair I did not have any other problems with it. Good tripod for the price, especially useful for macro photography.
The G2220 has to be the best tripod deal going right now.  It only weighs about 1/3 of a pound more than it's carbon fiber counterpart yet costs considerably less.  With this package you get the expected Gitzo durability and quality but the rotating center column gives you a versatility never before offered.  You literally can set up your camera in any position imaginable anywhere you please.  Underneath the rubber feat are spikes so even difficult terrain is no problem.  I've also found out that the 13.23 pound limit is only if you have the legs really splayed out.  Using a more "normal" setup one can go a lot heavier.  For example, I haven't had any stability problems with my Canon 20D + battery grip and up to a 400mm lens mounted.  It's been rock-steady every time (however, if you're regularly shooting monster-sized glass then you would definitely benefit from stepping up to Gitzo's beefier models.)  So stop thinking about it and get this tripod already!  In the $200 price range, this gem simply has no competition.
Bought this in the winter of 2002 and some 10 years later it is still with me working away. Tripods are personal and while this is not "perfect" is has many good qualities that I've been able to use. The variable leg spay adjustments are useful for uneven surfaces at the cost of some set-up speed. This also reduces the load capacity but I'm not hanging heavy 300/2.8 or larger lenses while shooting on an uneven surface with legs spayed differently.The offset rapid column is great for getting the camera over subjects that would be difficult on a typical vertical column tripod. Especially with ground level macro. Same with table top product shots.The plastic shims can be brittle and at the same time, exercising due care keeps any tripod happy. I've had mine apart countless times in these 10 years and being careful is key along with not over tightening the leg collars.  After being immersed in rivers, sea water I disassemble the tripod legs to clean and apply a light synthetic lubricant on the internal working surfaces. Makes operating this tripod very easy.The tripod has seen many SLR's, the Bronica 645 rig, Noblex panoramic camera and will continue to soldier on. The value for this has been exceptional.  This rig is mated with a Gitzo 1372 3-way head and may soon see a RRS BH40 ball head.  (I have some nit picks with the head but it has also been a fantastic performer.)
"THIS TRIPOD IS JUNK",  "truly a useless product" ...some reviewers comment like these. I don't usually believe those comments with strong words. After 3 month of light use, I had become another looser of this awful product.Flip-lock system is far quicker, but I chose twist-lock system because of its clean look.I trusted its durability because of the brand name and its history.It has a quite high price so I expected to have more than decent quality.Followings are my story:[2 month later]  After light uses of the tripod, first sign of problem had appeared.Symptom was a difficulties of locking or loosening the legs.It seemed to be jammed shims inside the legs.[3 mouth later]  Broken white plastic(nylon?) shims came out.So I disassembled the legs to see the mechanism inside.White shims are paper thin and crispy so they don't have physical strength.Bad design and engineering.Even if you see positive reviews, those owner's tripods won't last long because of bad design and crappy materials. I must speak out for many innocent photographers who is seeking decent tripods. This is the one to loose your money and important shots.
I've had an excellent experience in the 6 years I've owned this tripod.  It's light weight enough to carry into the hills, yet the hook option on the (telescoping center post) gives you a place to keep your bag off the ground (and adding more weight if needed) while offering more height so you can look that bird straight in the eye as you take that amazing shot.  It also shortens enough to use on a tabletop for macros and folds small enough to fit in a standard sized pack.  The construction is sturdy and the snap closures lock securely.  You can also order different kinds of feet for various terrain/surfaces at reasonable prices and it accommodates various heads so you can get creative with lenses and 360 pans.This is a versatile tripod at an exceptional price.
I've had this tripod for almost two years now and it's still going strong. One of my twist locks sticks once in a while, but if I twist it closed carefully when I'm done using it, it isn't a problem later.Strengths: Rock solid, very stable, easy to set up, high quality build, extremely flexible in what it can do. Because the center-post and legs can be placed in almost any angle, you can configure it in ways that standard tripods can't match. If you're into macro shots and general photography, this is the ultimate low-cost high-end aluminum tripod!Weaknesses: Price gouging - I originally bought this for about $190, now everyone is selling it for almost $100 more. Definitely shop around for a good price.I don't consider these things negatives, but you should be aware of them:- It's not a super quick setup tripod because the legs don't have any "detents" to lock the legs at specific angles, but you really get used to that very quickly - the leg locks are super-easy to use and lock the legs very solidly into place. It only takes me about 30 seconds to get this tripod set up with a camera on it if I'm in a hurry.- The tripod leg sections use twist-locks, like all Gitzo's. I didn't think I'd like twist-locks, but now I definitely prefer them over flip-locks. They give a more solid feel and they definitely look nicer to my eye. Also, I have NEVER had a problem twisting the locks while wearing gloves, especially photographer's gloves.- At 5lbs this is not a "light" tripod like carbon-fibers can be so you will really notice the weight on long a back-country hike. But it's also not excessively heavy and for short or easy hikes you probably won't even notice it.- If you are looking for a studio- or wedding-photography tripod, get something else. The 2220 is great for everything else, but too configureable to make it a quick, easy, and safe setup for time-critical situations like weddings.- It's made of aluminum, so it will get very cold in cold weather. Either wear gloves or buy a set of Op/Tech 1" leg-warmers (leg wraps) for $30. The leg wraps also help when you're carrying the tripod over long distances. For the record, I've used this tripod in cold down to 20F (nothing for you non-West-Coasters!) and never had the problems that another reviewer here described. This is not a tripod I'd take on a long back-country winter trip, though.NOTE: This is only a tripod: You need to buy a ball-head or other head unit to attach your camera to this tripod.------------------------------------UPDATE 10-28-07: Still an excellent tripod a year later, no problems at all! I changed my mind about the ease of setup: Once you get used to it, this thing almost sets itself up!------------------------------------UPDATE 11-12-08: I've had this tripod since Feb. '05 and it's still working great. I should probably tighten the tension screws on the leg locks, but they still work fine.A few months ago two of the rubber pieces glued over the top of the leg locks fell off and are lost. These little rubber pieces are there to protect your hand from getting pinched when you unlock the leg to change position or collapse the tripod down. And it HURTS like @#*#! when you get pinched. Gitzo's "lifetime warranty" apparently doesn't extend to these parts which irks me, but you can buy them fairly cheaply from the company.FYI, Gitzo's newer GT2330EX Explorer is basically the same tripod, but lighter and stronger and a bit more expensive (they also carry a carbon fiber version that's about twice the price). If you're considering the G2220, take a look at the GT2330EX.------------------------------------
Nothing bad to say about this product.  Works just as it's supposed to.  I'm not sure about the current price I see it's going for though. I got it for a lot cheaper.
Replacement for the Nikon cap that I took off and left behind.  Works fine and much cheaper than the name brand.  I have not had a problem with it staying on as the other reviewer stated.
This cap is fine for the price, but I would spend the additional money for the Nikon cap.  The cap fell off much easier than the orignal Nikon (when I brush it against something).  I ended up losing it after a month or two - because it fell off.  The Nikon cap doesn't fall off much at all.  This cap was also a little harder to secure/release - but not a big deal.
Why pay more for a branded piece of plastic that protects your lens.These fit and work fine.
I completely agree:  Why pay more for a brand?  Granted, I do like Coca-cola more than Sam's Choice...but that's a taste thing.  This lens cap does exactly what it's supposed to do.  Snag a lens keeper and you're set to shoot.
I recently bought this light stand case to carry not only my two 10' light stands, but also my tripod for my videocamera, and it took them in with room to spare. The materials used to make this carrying case is top notch. Nothing flimsy (not even the zippers, which I found from experience is usually the weakest part of carrying cases).So now instead of carrying three individual carrying cases for each of my stands and tripod, I can put them all in one bag, throw it over my shoulder, and move my equipment in one shot.
This thing is AWESOME!I have been searching for months for a bag that would hold a couple of light stands, a tripod, a boom pole and all without having to force everything in. This things is perfect. I put an extension cord, 1 light stand, backdrop stands and cross pole, 2 tripods (Manfrotto 055x with small fluid heads) and was able to get it closed. The bag is extremely well built and the zipper is very strong. The straps are very strong as well.I would not hesitate to buy this again. I couldn't find anything else that would even be similar, but I love it. I am a happy camper.
I actually bought this bag for a fairly large tripod that is easier to carry around with a bag than without it. I gather that what applies to the tripod applies to lightstands as well though.Well made bag. A nice touch is the velcro divider in the side pouch - the pouch is big enough to warrant it. The double zipper design that opens up on one end and goes almost to the other end provides easy access to your gear inside. Protection will be adequate; it's well padded for daily use. But I wouldn't use it to check my tripod for a flight - the bag will not protect for abuse by baggage handlers.A bit disappointing are the straps at the bottom of the bag. The idea is that you can use them to tie down your gear, but the use of camera strap style buckles (as opposed to backpack style quick-releases) baffles me. Every time you want to use the straps you have to weave the one end through the buckle. Was a snap-release that much more expensive for a bag at this price? For this reason I rate this bag with only 4 stars, not 5 - because outside that this bag offers tremendous value for money.
For those who want a shorter case, Hakuba makes it, but this one does 2 2214 lightstands,  SLIK pro 700 tripod with tall joystick head, plus although a tight fit, a couple of foldup softboxes and umbrellas and their brackets.  Fortunately its tough zipper seems able to hold it all in. The shoulder strap is adequate, but not comfy enough to avoid the nice grips.  A bit too much gear for one bag but since I need another traveling lightstand, another PSTC400 will even it out,  It seems very well-made and -padded.  It's only a little more money for this higher level of quality. While there is still an argument for studio strobes, the trend out of the studio, toward lightweight portability and shoe flashes is well-served by protective cases such as this.  Recommended.
This is what I can fit inside this bag - 4 x 13&#34; light stands, some cinefoil, 2 small umbrellas and a folded 5' piece of sheer black cloth. It's tight but can be done. The pouch on the side is good for some A clamps and a few other smaller items. Zip seems to be fine and the whole bag appears very sturdy, I have absolutely no complaints so far.
I use this for my tripod (Giottos MT8160) with geared head and a macro rail on top of it. The combined length, width and depth are more than most the so called big bags can handle. I bought this bag based on the spec and wasn't disappointed. In fact now I can fit (tightly) my other tripod Bogen 3011BN with a big ball head in its bag into this Hakuba on top of the other one. I just need it for protection in the car and light field travel. For air travel, I probably have to remove the heads and rail and pack them separately. The side pocket is well padded as well so the short column and remote release and tool are all going there. The bag is made of solid quality fabrics inside and out. The secure inside belts are useful if you check the bag in I suppose. It doesn't feel like the bag will disintegrate through light scratch and friction like many cheap nylon bags do.Great big bag at a very reasonable price!
This case was better than expected. It is heavy duty and roomy. It is 46 inches long. So it even holds my heavy duty stands. The zippers are heavy duty as well. This is a very good light stand case.
I purchased this bag to carry light stands AND a tripod and this bag does the job very well.  The bag is padded and well constructed with heady duty materials. The zipper is heavy duty. Nothing is cheap about this bag.It's just the right size and fits in my trunk (Maxima). I shoot weddings and take this bag filled with (2) 10' light stands, (1) Promaster Tripod, (2) 32" umbrellas, (1) light pole, (2) extension cords.  There is also a side zippered pocket that holds hardware/brackets.  This is a really nice bag for the price and would highly reccomend this one if you want/need to carry several stands/tripod. I could probably fit one more inside if I had to.
I was looking for a large bag for my tripod, most other bags are small and not well made. I am able to fit not only my large tripod, on my shoot last week I was also able to fit my camera tripod, 2 light stands, 1 mic stand. That normal would have cost me 3 trips to the car and back. I am very pleased with this bag, fits in the car (side to side) and keeps my fluid heads protected. I will get 1 or maybe two more of these and I love the size and construction top notch for professionals.
This product is very well made, I have no problems with it.  My lower rating is due to Amazon failing to list the size.  It is HUGE.  It's 46" long, while I was hoping for something a foot shorter.  I hope they remedy their listing by actually including this pertinent information.  They list the weight but not the size, how much sense does that make?  I'm going to return this and get the PSTC200, which is 33" long.
I'm very happy with both the price and quality of this filter. I would buy it again.
Please be aware, although this is a linear filter, it does not say so on the website. It will not work with an auto-focus camera. So get a circular polarizer (Cir-PL), which is more expensive.
I have an aging 6 year old Kodak DX7590. It is an old and worn out camera, having traveled around the globe 2 times already.The front lens coatings are destroyed due to my neglect and abuse. Pictures come out low in contrast. A million dust specks live on the lens and also inside the lens. The fact that I live in a very polluted and hazy city didn't help the pictures either ...I was struggling to find a reason not to put this camera into the closet and buy a new camera.Until I found out how polarizers can boost contrast on your photos by cutting through the haze in the atmosphere.The polarizer is incredible. I can transform the sky into a rich blue now. Without the polarizer the sky comes out overexposed, white, burned.It gave me a reason to keep my Kodak, compensating for the abused lens. The difference is clear. With the polarizer photos come out much better saturated. Without one they come out meh, dull, flat, grayish, hazy.Nonetheless, I bet even better results can be had if my lens weren't scratched and dinged and knocked up.Thank you Hoya for saving me the cost of buying another camera :).
Hoya has some good polarizers for the 52mm and this is one of them.  Its not MRC which can be a problem.  Had several scratches on this lens but, really can't see in on my photos, only the dust particles appears on photos.  Comes in handy when taking pictures during the day and capturing reflections on lakes, and some beaches (if the water is clean) helps you to see reefs and what not.  I notice it doesn't come in handy when shooting through a glass window where you're capturing a picture of a person or thing through the window as it cuts down on your reflection (depending on the light source too).I bought this a couple times and my first one, the ring broke off and was bummed out.  I never had this happen to my b+w.
For those of you looking for a circular polarizer, keep looking.  I purchased this and it is a linear model.Amazon is paying for the return shipping so I ordered the proper version ($[...] more).
Although I don't use Hoya filters myself on my Leica and Rollei cameras, I have friends that use them and are quite happy with them, and I've used them on their cameras, too. They're good quality and at a reasonable price, which is more than I can say for the Leica and Rollei filters. So I thought I'd put in a plug for Hoya here even if I don't own any myself. Actually, I recently was given a Canon EOS Rebel for my birthday, which will make a perfectly decent knockabout, everyday camera when I don't want to carry my more expensive ones, and I'll probably get a few Hoya filters for it.A polarizing filter is great for reducing unwanted glare from reflections, and will even help to enhance color and produce more saturated colors as a result. Remember that the filter's greatest effect is proportional to the sine of the angle with respect to the sun, which means that at 90 degrees the effect is greatest, and at 180 degrees, the least. This is no problem when using an SLR since it's all through the lens metering. But if you're a rangefinder user like me, you'll need to take this into consideration when correcting for your exposure. You can do this by using a spotmeter set to the exposure settings on your camera and then taking a reading with and without the polarizing filter in front of the spotmeter, subtracting the two, and then dialing in that correction on your camera. It's not 100% accurate but it's pretty darn close. This will enable you to get the most out of your filter. When I haven't had a spotmeter, I've just used bracketting to make sure I get enough exposure. Although that wastes an exposure or two, it usually works okay for those times when you don't have your meter.***A little footnote, since writing this review several years back I have bought Hoya filters and used them and am quite happy with their performance. Plus they're certainly more reasonably priced than the Leica and Rollei ones.
I bought this filter to take on my Alaska cruise. I love the photos it took. Will continue to use the Hoya brand. It came highly recommended.
Very good product. Excelent for enhancing pictures of sunny days, lakes and removing reflection from windows. I have also taken some ointeresting shots of reflection on puddles. Easy to fit and remove.
What can I say, it does what it's supposed to do.  Are there better quality polarizers?  Sure, are they worth it?  Nah.  I'm quite happy with this filter.
I chose this as a step up from my Zeikos CPF for my Sony a57. This filter feels so much sturdier than my previous filter. The threads were clean and it attached fine. The polarization is great. I love the effects.
I took some fun photos with this filter. They are a lot of fun to play with. Plus I seem so much more qualified as a photographer now that I have one, regardless of their necessity.
Not having formal training, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with a "circularizing" polaroid lense.Basically, it's a normal, polarizing lense, free floating in a ring.You screw the ring onto your camera, and the polarizer is still free to spin.It's not a circularly polarizing lense, rather, it lets you adjust which angles of reflection are blocked.So, you have reflections from location X, and you spin the ring until they go away.It's amazing how much difference it makes to filter out glare and reflections. Your mind does this automatically when looking around, but when looking at a photo, you really need one of these to take care of it for you.
Works very well for eliminating glare from reflections on glass and water, as well as deepening colors in outdoor light. I use it on a Panasonic FZ50 digital. Simply rotate to get the desired effect.
This filter works great with myPanasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black).As the other reviewer said, this filter is great with water shots where it cuts out the reflection, enabling you to see beneath the waves. The color balance is completely neutral as far as I can tell. However, due to the polarizing efftect, some colors like the green on leaves actually look more natural due to the removal of glare. Also, I can detect no distortion or loss of detail, even on enlarged 10MP pictures.It must be noted that the use of a circular polarizing filter will require you to adjust the aperture settings in daylight by two 'F stops' or shutter speed by two levels to compensate for the lower light. For example, if without the filter your camera's setting is F8 @ 1/500 sec, the setting with the filter would need to be F4 @ 1/500 sec, F5.6 @ 1/250 sec or F8 @ 1/125 sec. Typically, your camera will automatically compensate in Auto mode. But keep in mind that if you shoot in low light you may need to use a tripod.
I love the way this filter takes out the glare and brings out the blue in the sky and water!!  Once installed, you just rotate the filter to get the effect you want from a little polarizing to a lot.  My only complaint is that my lens cap won't stay on the filter when installed.  The filter will protect your lens so i guess it isn't too big a deal, but it would be nice if the end of the filter accepted lens caps.  Despite this drawback, I still recommend it and find myself using it all the time.
This filter is everything it should be. size is correct, quality is first rate. I've taken several photos with a digital camera with good results.
The polarizing filter works fine.  A linear polarizer was ordered and an circular polarizer was delivered.  For the small difference it was not worth returning it.
This filter works as it is supposed to and is a great value.  I've been using this polarizing filter for the past few months in sunny, cloudy, and slightly rainy weather.  The polarizer takes a good amount of the haze out of my photos on sunny days (although not all) and makes colors pop on gray and sunny days.  I would definitely buy this filter again.
found this for about half the cost.  works great. just whats its suppose to do!
I received a linear polarizer (as described). Seems to be pretty decent quality. I've only been able to take it out once on shooting session. Using a Panasonic GH2 +manual lens it does get a little tricky to see when the polarizer is in action. The LCD/EVF auto gains to present a viewable image so they won't always do the trick. Instead keep track of the exposure value and histogram. Wasn't the best session to really test it (I am also still learning to use it) but it definitely seemed to cut out reflection when I was testing it on some car windshields.
WONDERFUL FOR BRIGHT SUN SHOTS
The filter is very good quality, but what I do not like is that, it add gray to the photos. May be that how it suppose to be, but all photos taken with this filter, need to be adjusted the levels in Photo shop.
I've been very impressed with this product.  It has made a significant difference in the appearance of my photos.  Granted, under certain conditions it is unnecessary.  And as of recent, unless I'm working in extremely bright light and using a very good aperature lense, this is actually taking something away.Basically, in my opinion you need to know when to have it on and when not.I personally prefer to shoot in B&W; as opposed to color...and this lense has intensified an appearance that I try to create with my exposures...some might now really care for them but I personally prefer it.  I don't sell my shots for any profit so the move away from what is normally "accepted" is good to me as it adds a bit of a signature to the picture.Would I buy this filter again - WITHOUT A DOUBT, YES!!Would I expect something other than the results I received - in some terms yes, in others its been right on par.Well worth the money.
My only problem is it is too thick for my 20mm lens.  (Nikon 20mm AF-D f/2.8)  I get cropped corners.  I am sure it would work fine on a longer lens.
very fast shipping... the lens is working great and am happy to say the pictures it is taking are also great. the only thing I am worried about is when there isn't alot of light.  the zoom keeps on trying to find the focus. I just switch to manual and all else is great.  I like manual anyway so it's a win win situation.  only had it two days but can tell the pictures are a deeper color than normal and I am shooting into my fish tank for some awesome effects on the colors.
The best polarizing filter I ever had.Very good results.Sturdy quality.If you find a good price, just buy it.
Shooting with this filter sometimes causes a huge cloud of flare on the picture so i need to take it off at times. I think this filter will only serve as a protection to your lens from scratch and nothing else. and it's serving it's purpose for me...HOYA 67mm UV Haze Protection Filter
I purchased this filter to protect the front lens element on an expensive zoom lens.  To test the filter for image qualiity effects, I took two photos of the same scene with the camera mounted on a tripod.I then magnified the pictures on my computer and looked for any loss of image quality.  Within the limits of the image on my monitor, I observed not loss in image quality.This filter replaced one that I had on the lens that broke.  I'd rather pay for a replacement filter than a much more expensive camera lens.
Save your money and buy the more expensive Hoya SUPER HMC Haze UV(0) filter. This filter ruined my precious vacation photos. stay away from this.
The circular polarizer is by far the most important filter to almost all photographers. You cannot go wrong with this purchase. John Crippen, writer and photographerScenic Photography Using Examples from the California Central Coast: A Visual Guide to the Central Coast and Digital Photography
this filter was well packed and of good quality. hope it can help protect my lens and camera &#65292; &#12290;
I had one of these filters on my camera.  I tripped and fell on concrete with my camera (high end Nikon).  Of course the camera hit the pavement lens first - on the rim.  I held off crying until I checked the damage.  The lens cap was a bit askew and jammed on.  Finally pried the cap off to discover total shatter into teeny pieces of glass and glass dust.  Carefully dumped the glass pieces, delicately brushed and canned aired.  Unscrewed the filter ring, dumped and brushed and aired some more....... and VOILA!  My lens was in perfect shape, not a single scratch.So, of course I bought a replacement filter right away.
Great filter for the price haven't had any issues with threads or coating. Great price and quality product.  Quality workmanship as expected.
Cheap but not useful. Buy one for my Nikkor 18-70mm as a scratch protection. It gave serious ghost and flare effects to the pictures. Don't want to re turn it because it cheap so the shipping may cost half of the price. Buy another 67mm Tiffen UV filter to replace it.
Filter is loose in frame and probably will not affect function.  But it is disappointing.
I purchased this filter just for the protection of my 17-55 2.8. No issues or defects, happy with the quality. It is Just as it is supposed to be, a great protection filter. :)
It was nice shopping experience. I put it on my lens. I am not sure how good this can protect my lens, but HOYA is a good company. However, I was surprised that this filter came without any case or box and product information.
I ordered Hoya brand filter due to their reputation for quality filters, and, of course, ownership of other Hoya filters is a benefit.Price for this size filter, 72mm, was reasonable, considering other retailers were asking a lot more.  Filter arrived, undamaged within a few days of my order, which was a very pleasant surprise.  I use this filter on the Canon EF-s 18-200 zoom.  I own a few Tiffen and B&W; filters, and, Hoya is right up there with Tiffen and B&W.;  Excellant filter for an affordable price.
The GOOD:The pictures I took with this filter came out wonderful. Amazing results on clouds, sky, water. It is true, the fish under water that you barely see will come out perfectly clear on your pictures.Price is very good. If you have never tried a polarizing filter, like me, an small investment will show how good this filter is.The filter is very slim and it doesn't affect the picture border with wide angle lens. I was using an 18-200mm lens.The BAD:The only disadvantage I found is that sometimes is very difficult to take the filter out. Because the filter is very slim, and the inner ring is not grooved, your fingers just slide over.I tried not to tight the filter, but a couple of times it dropped on my hand while rotating the outer ring.I was tempted to apply a couple of drops of epoxy on the border of the inner ring but at the end I bought a more expensive model, same brand, but with grooved inner ring. I wish someone has told me about the importance of the groove on the inner ring.
It's Hoya, so the glass is good.  The filter polarizes the light first, allowing you to control saturation, then re-scatters it, allowing autofocus sensors on the newer cameras to work.  It looks the same as an old linear polarizers to the human eye, but autofocus sensors work with polarization tricks, so they need scattered light.  The glass is not coated.
I have only used this filter a couple of times, but it works just like it is suposed to and the price was right.Bill
The last time I purchased Hoya filters was 25 years ago for my film camera.  I had some concerns when reading other reviews of this filter.  However, I have found this filter to be solidly made and sturdy.  In a world where everything is made cheaper, it's nice to find that Hoya is still producing quality-built filters.
I am very pleased with this polarizer. It is a great value at a modest price.
The filter is fine, but when I screw it onto a B&W UV filter it jams and I can't get it off.  I must put both in the freezer for a few minutes in order to get them separated.  The ambient temperature makes no difference.  Tried to save a little money and now I regret it.  Should have bought the B&W.
Many filters you can turn 90 degrees to shut it off or turn it on.not this one.  It is on all the time!! works well and helps with darkening bright days to capture flowing water to a silky effectgood item!
I used this filter on a recent trip into the Sahara desert.  The polarizer was able to give great depth and color that would have otherwise been washed out in the bright sunshine.  It does take a little longer to take the photo, since you have to adjust the filter to just the right area to get the best results.  However, for me, I felt it was definately worth it.  The color of my sand and sky was perfect.  Time of order to delivery was very fast and the product arrived in excellent condition.
It is as promised. Nice filter, good quality, easy to replace if you ruin it. Use this one in the field and save the $100.00+ B&W for the protected areas.
I like Hoya filter products. They are well made and reasonable compared to other brands. Never had a problem with any I have used. I have CirPol filters for all my lens and use them when lighting conditions apply. i.e shooting something that has a bright spot like an automobile or shooting through glass. Easy to use.
You may not receive what you think you ordered - I didn't.  The picture that accompanies this item says "Super" on the side of the filter ring.  Hoya filters marked "Super" are multi-coated.  The filter I received did not say "Super" on the ring and it has no coatings.  This is a plain glass filter without any AR coating on any of the four surfaces.  It turns out the picture is obsolete - Hoya no longer makes a filter marked "Super" but they do have several varieties of coated filters, this just isn't one of them.  Like any four surface uncoated filter, this filter has around 80% transmission vs. 98% for a well coated filter, and is prone to adding ghosting when aimed near the sun (unlike coated filters).  Polarization characteristics are excellent however.  Build quality is marginal - the filter I received was made in the Philippines, the good Hoyas come from Japan.  Hoya makes great filters (most of the time)- but the reason most of us are willing to spend the money on a Hoya is because of the great coatings - there is not much point in buying an uncoated Hoya.  Best Buy sells an uncoated 72mm circular polarizer for $15 - I suspect its just as good.  Spend the $100 for a Hoya HMC or go to Best Buy and live with the light loss and added reflections.
Polarizer works well with my Canon 40D camera.  I keep it on at all times when I am taking pictures outdoors.  The colors are much more vibrant.  It also takes the glare off windows when taking pictures from inside.  Just turn the polarizer and watch the glare disappear.
This is a great filter.  It makes the blue sky bluer as if it was Photoshopped. A must have for protection and great value for adding darker blues on your photos.
I suppose the overall quality is good and the results for the most part were fine but If the colors at the top edges are already dark (deep blue sky, for instance), the vignetting is fairly pronounced. I can crop or fix in Photoshop but I don't want to have to allow for a crop when I'm framing a shot.
Had a cheaper Tiffen polarizer from a previous 35mm camera that does a much better job that this supposedly upgraded filter. Only a slight difference when used, and not worth the money. One major complaint is the filterdoes not have a serrated rim which makes it extremely difficult to grab on tight enough to remove it from the camera lens.
I bought this filter after searching through all of the possible options on amazon (many of them being much more expensive), and so far have been very satisfied.  In my 10+ years of experience with film/digital SLR's, I've always had a good experience with Hoya glass, and this is no exception.I've got a sigma 18-200 lens, and the filter fits very snuggly.
After years of not wanting to use a CP, this is the third one I've purchased since last Fall.  With the top portion of the CP being movable, it's often difficult to tell if you've securely attached the bottom portion of the filter to the lens.Apparently, I don't do that (or else it's too tight to remove!)  Anyway, the first one fell off somewhere in Corning, NY.The second one (a replacement) fell off when my lens tapped the aluminum support for a canopy on a moving boat (and promptly sank to the bottom of a deep lake!)However, because using a CP did improve my waterfall and other water photos (especially, on sunny days), I absolutely had to replace this one also.Surprisingly, another trip to Amazon provided a Hoya CP Filter for about what I paid for the first ones - PLUS there was no shipping fee, so it was actually less expensive.Here's the good part - Hoya's bottom, stable part of the filter is a lot wider than the others.  This means it's a lot easier to A] determine if it was attached securely, or B] if it is attached securely, there is something substantial to hold onto to remove it.  Anyone who has ever tried to attach or detach a CP wonders if it's the filter that is what's moving or if it's just the top part!Anyway, I carry a couple of rubber bands with my gear, slip one around the CP base for a better grip (the wide part on the Hoya makes that possible), and either attach or detach easily.Oh, yeah - the polarizing aspect works beautifully toward creating better images.  BTW, make sure you are ordering a Circular Polarizing Filter if you're using it for a digital camera.  If it doesn't say "Circular" and is a really low price, it's probably a Linear type (used mostly for Film cameras.)Great buy!
So annoying that the two rings constantly separate.  Good luck finding the thin spring steel ring that holds it together in the grass!
I am very pleased with this product. I have a very nice nikon 18-200mm lens and when I use this polarizer my lens stays sharp. Photos I have taken at the lake and the waterfall look really great...you can see through to the bottom and glare is cut.....great buy for the money!!
After many years using my first Hoya 72mm polarizer it fel7 apart in my hands while rotating it. Since it had last for years I ordered another one. The new one came from Philipines and felt apart on my first try, just like that. This is a known problem with Hoya circ. polarizer and it seems that was never fixed. Never will buy anything Hoya after this experience.
This circular polarizer is reasonably priced and works well for such a large mm size.  Even though it is not multi-coated it produces a very noticable difference in non-polarized vs. polarized views when dealing with clouds and bright skys.
For the price, this is the best polarizing filter out there.  I used it on my Olympus e-520 with a Sigma zoom and shot some nice outdoor shots.  It cuts glare and reflections just as it should and is as optically pure as any filter I've used.  Why pay more?
Hoya is synonymous with quality, and this filter is no exception. Hoya brand rates with the best, and when purchased at a reasonable price, this is well worth the investment. Circular polarizing filters are not all the same; cheap ones are just that. This type of filter requires quality to perform well, and Hoya delivers. CPL filters reduce glare in glass and water, and intensify contrast between earth and sky, among other things.
I own a few Hoya filters and I am pleased with each of them. I have bought cheaper filters but I always end up replacing them with Hoya filters. Well worth the cost!
I've purchased Hoya filters in the past and was very satisfied. I didn't realize until the filter arrived that it was multicoated and had serious reflection problems. Also, the filter had the Hoya name but was made by Tokina. I am familiar with Tokina lenses but didn't realize they had glas making capbilities. Did they buy Hoya filters? I strongly recommend anyone buying a Hoya polarizing filter buy only one that has the HMC (Hoya Multicoated)labeling. Multicoated polaring filters are a must as one of their primary purposes is to reduce reflections.
I bought the HOYA about a month ago for my new Canon 50D with 28-135 IS Lens. I shoot mostly travel and landscapes so I rely on my polarizer for the the best color and exposures. Tried a cheaper polarizer lens filter that I bought in a package deal with a Canon lens hood, and the results were terrible. All my photos were washed out. I had used a Hoya filter for many years with my old Digital Rebel and had good results. I just assumed that any circular polarizer would work as well, but I was mistaken. The Hoya is moderately priced and does a fantastic job. I could have spent a lot more, but this filter does all that I need it to do, and I have gotten some great images with it, even shooting at mid-day.Also, these filters are tough. I fell backing up for a shot and dropped my old camera, lens first, onto concrete. The Hoya took the brunt of the fall and except for a small dent on the outside of the ring, still worked perfectly.
This is a replacement for the same make & model filter that got broken. I bought the last one in a camera shop and the price was considerably more. I appreciate the saving this time. It is a filter I use for most oydoor work.
This filter seems to work well.  It is fairly thin to avoid blacking out the corners.
So far, this filter is doing what it is supposed to do. The changes are very subtle and it does take some time, but it works.
I bought this because of the reputation of the manufacture.  It has worked well over the past month, since I bought it.  I would recommend it to someone  else&#62;
Highly recommended filter, it does not affect the quality of pictures and does the job of protecting expensive lenses.
Bought this item as a front element protector.  Hoya has decent quality glass, excellent filter threads (both male and female), and an affordable price for photographers on a budget.  I would definitely buy Hoya filters in the future and recommend them to others.
This was the first filter I ever used and I am happy with it. There are no scratch marks when I received it and it doesn't feel cheap. Its made in the Philippines but it was a decent price. I also heard it is a better construction than Canon's version from reviews.Its good for protection of an expensive lense
Uing it to protect my lens,, which is common practice with a lot of people as far as I know..it also helps to reduce the need to clean the lens as well, dust, etcI think its a good investment, and it doesn't effect the picture quality at allFred
Does what I needed it to do.I will recommend for protecting those expensive lenses.
I don't really know how you can mess up a filter, so of course this one is great.  It screws on easily and it functions like it should. I've been very pleased with it.
It's good if you can using canon non-L series lens.However, when I use it with my 16-35L and 100-400L, you can see the images are blurred.
I am a beginner to DSLR photography. I recently bought an expensive (for me) 18 - 200mm lens for my Nikon D40 and wanted to protect that purchase with a UV filter.  I chose this one based on price.  Unfortunately, this filter has led to distorted photos for me.  It's OK outside in normal sunlight; however with pictures that I take inside (particularly when using the flash), areas such as people's hair get a weird looking sheen (for lack of a better word) to them.  It also seems to cause a less than sharp focus.  I finally took the filter off after a couple of serieses of disappointing photos, and now my pics look as sharp as ever again.
This is a must have product for all of your camera lenses. I purchase my UV filters to protect my lens. It will take high impact. That is exactly why I recently purchased this filter. My camera had fallen at a wedding I was shooting and it cracked the filter. It did its job and my $1000 lens is fine. I decided to purchase the Hoya brand because I respect their products.
I ordered this Hoya 77mm UV filter to protect my wide angle lens from any scratches as I do with all of my lenses. This filter is perfect for everyday use. I would recommend anyone who invests in lenses to be smart and use some kind of filter to protect their lenses from scratches and this Hoya UV filter is a great option.
I get a lot of glare from this filter. Good price but if you have the money, get a B + W multi-coat.
Bought this item for my new Canon 24-70 2.8 L, apparently I didn't thoroughly checked the product when it arrived, I immediately propped it in and after a week of use I started seeing some whitish spots on the filter, I have always been careful with my lens and couldn't recall bumping nor dropping the lens. I am a casual hobbyist. Disappointed, please check your items the moment it arrives SHOULD you decide to get it.
Bought two of them to protect my expensive lenses.  Thay are doing the job just fine.  Some people say that cheap UV's affect image quality a little -- not a problem for me.  If you want image-quality-perfection, you can buy those muti-coated UV's, of course they are gonna be more expensive.
Love it. Use it all the time to store my camera.  If I don't have the long lens on it it's kinda overkill on the size and now exactly &#34;pretty&#34; but it does the job.  I used it as a camera case AND purse on my trip to Paris. Good buy.
I have yet to be disappointed by a Lowepro product. I recently purchased the Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD lens and this holds the lens attached to my E-30 body with battery grip. I wanted something simple to hold it and my 25mm f/2.8 Pancake lens and this works nearly flawlessly. I do a lot of sports shooting and don't need a huge bag to take a lot of gear with me (and if I do, I have the Computrekker AW for that).Main pocket takes the E-30 body + battery grip + Opteka Grip Strap + 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5mm SWD with the hood on backwards. It is very well padded. I'm not sure if I would have liked the zipper to run the opposite way or not. As it is, it's not the quickest to open, but it does provide easier access to anything in the pouch inside the top of the lid. I'd call it a draw.The front pocket will hold my 25mm f/2.8 pancake, FL-36R flash, a rainsleeve, and spare batteries with no problem. I found it can actually hold my old E-410 body with the pancake attached, so it is much larger than it first appears. I would prefer some padding on the pouch but for the money I paid, I can't entirely complain.I would have liked a flap over the zipper to help with water resistance but I can't see this being a major problem. it holds up fine to mists and light showers, and in anything heavier than that, I'll be leaving anyways. The strap leaves something to be desired by not having a rotating clasp (to prevent twisting), nor a sliding shoulder pad, but this isn't meant for carrying heavy gear so it's not too much of a problem. I would have liked the AW cover but again, for the cost, I can live without it, or just have a garbage bag ready to rig up if worse comes to worst.All in all I'm quite happy and would recommend it to anyone.
Lowepro Topload Zoom 2 Camera Bag - GreenLowepro Topload Zoom 2 Camera Bag - GreenBought this camera bag to hold a Pentax K-x DSLR with a 55 to 300mm lens.  The bag is perhaps 25% larger then needed for this camera and lens but then that is good since there is ample room for batteries, an extra flash unit, another lens, etc.The price was about half of what similar bags were in local stores in the Baltimore, MD area.  Many were over $50 while this one was about $30.  It is well constructed and the materials should hold up well while protecting the camera, lens and accessories.  I have not discovered any negative aspects of this item and would buy is again and highly recommend it.As I said it is larger then need be and probable could hold a Rollieflex, a large twin lens reflex 120 roll film camera.  I only mention this to give you an idea as to the size of the bag.
This case is so versatile. I can use the provided strap over my shoulder and then attach the bag to my hip with a fanny pack, or belt. This allows me to have my camera ready and close while doing something active such as ballooning (lots of lifting etc). With the shoulder strap the camera is always ready for use. I don't always zip the zipper completely and the case still holds the camera safely. This allows for total access without having to dig through a bag with tons of stuff in the way.  I can add additional lenses cases, with the tie offs on both sides of this camera case. Some times I put it into a day pack for greater security when being readably available isn't such a big deal.  This bag holds a large SLR (mine is a Pantex K20D) with a large telephoto attached. I can even squeeze the camera in with the battery grip attached. The insides are adjustable so the camera fits snug. The outside pocket has plenty of room for cables, lens covers and more. When I have my 28-80mm attached I have room for the padded divider and an additional smallish lens. This camera bag allows me to have great access and remains versatile so as to meet the needs of the day.
This bag fits my Nikon D90 with and attached zoom lense and room at the bottom for one other smaller lense.  Plenty of room in the outside pocket for my flash or extra battery and a couple of filters.
i purchased here on Amazon, have used it for nearly 2 years.  I have Nikon D80 with kit lens, 18-135.  It holds the charger, camera and lens.  I can put it in my Wenger Notebook back pack for plane trips (one carry on then).  I use it when hiking, simple to access, not bulk or heavy.  I just purchased the 28-70, 2.8 Nikon lens and plan to use with it as well.
The Lowepro is a super bag for the money.  It is not large enough to allow the grip for my Sony A700 on the camera, but I can put the Minolta "beercan" 70-210mm lens on the camera and fit it in the bag.  The front pocket is large enough to my 100-300mm lens AND a small, dedicated strobe (or the grip).  The optional chest harness works well with this bag as does the optional belt.  It is a great bag to wear on a belt or cross-shoulder.
I really like this bag. You can use with a short or a little longer lens. The front pocket expands and able to fit a short lens. I would definetely recommend this bag.
Inexpensive somewhat comfortable lighter weight bag, with decent enough light padding and firm stiffening. In it's main compartment it will hold a Nikon D70 (fairly tight tho, prolly better with a D40?) camera with an 18-55mm lens attached to it and a 35mm lens in a padded compartment underneath this. Also in a pinch I was able to put my 75-240 zoom in it's outside pocket, but be aware there's no padding on this outside pocket.It's not discreet, it does look like a camera bag, and it's not narrow enough to conform to your body like a messenger bag so it does stick out a bit on your hip. But as a quick throw-on bag for when I want to go out and photograph locally with not a whole lot of gear along, I find it's a very good inexpensive combination of protection and lightweight portability!Greywoulf
As with all Lowepro camera gear the quality is exceptional.  I was first given the smaller version of this (the -1) on the amazon vine program - I used it for my dad's olympus E300 camera but it did not fit my olympus E3 with the battery extender underneath. I bought the -2 larger version for  twenty bucks and was very impressed by the value.  Underneath the pouch there is a velcro compartment with a rain poncho in case you get into wet weather.  There is also a belt loop, handle on top, and a shoulder strap to carry the camera.  It's fast to get into by loading from the top and can accommodate longer lenses than the -1 version of the bag.As an example of the bag's quality design, there is a zipper inside that seals the inside pouch for media.  Even the zipper is covered by a leather flap to protect the camera from scratches caused by the zipper.  Ordinary cases would just use velcro or omit the leather flap to protect the camera resulting in scratched camera equipment.Basically I was so pleased with the construction of the -1 that I tried that I bought the -2 for myself.  The quality of the -2 size is the same as the size 1 version, and the -2 version has a larger pocket on the outside and inside to store accessories.  Plus I can put my E3 with the dual battery attachment into the -2 size bag as well as a longer lens.I've already found the bag handy to have on hand with my camera to catch an event quickly.  Without it I would not have brought my camera with me.  It's a very well built with padding all over and economical at this price, prefect for my olympus e3.
I just received my TLZ2 today, and have been trying to fit all my gear in it. At first sight, it was much larger than I imagined. The front pocket is GIANT and fits a smallish lens (Canon 10-22) quite easily. For the price, it is a very solid bag. I bought it because I will be backpack travelling through Europe this summer, and I wanted a bag that allowed easy access to my camera while on foot, with the possibility of an extra lens plus some accessories. I think I made the right choice.I can fairly easily fit the following gear into the bag, even with a bit of extra room:- 40D with 24-105mm attached with lens hood on backwards- 10-22mm (outside pocket) with lens hood detached (under the 24-105)- Extra battery and charger (on bottom of bag)- Cleaning kit including brush, spray and cloth (on elastic loops inside)- B + W Polarizer in the plastic case that it came with (inner pocket)- Extra memory card (inner pocket)- Canon wired remote (outside pocket)One thing about the bag that is weird is the reverse zipper to the main compartment. It makes opening the bag when it's around your shoulder pretty awkward. Also, for those of you with battery grips or full-sized bodies, I can't imagine them fitting.
I got this bag for my Canon 30D with a 50mm lens. This bag is great! The pocket on the outside is pleated so it can grow to fit whatever you need it too. The pocket on the lid is shallow but I don't have enough stuff (yet) to use that one. I adjusted the velcro "shelf" to fit the camera in there nicely with plenty of room to spare below the lens. This bag was bigger than I imagined it to be. Probably the coolest feature is a little leather flap that covers the zipper on the lid pocket. I gather it's purpose is to prevent it from scratching the camera.The inside dimensions of the camera pocket measure 10.25" deep (bottom of pocket to zipper opening), 7.25" x 5".After a long while of searching for the right bag for my needs I'm glad I finally went with the one I was leaning towards all along.
Quality bag. A little more attention to detail would have made it great instead of just good. The front pocket is big enough for lenses, but not padded. The zippers are on top, with no covering flaps; I wouldn't trust it in the rain. The nylon strap is not terribly comfortable and has rough edges that can be hard on your shirt, especially "quick dry" synthetics. Finally, a lighter color, like a gray, would have made it less of a solar collector.  It heats up fast in the sun.
I use this bag for my Nikon D90. I could easily fit my camera along with 18-105mm lens with hood and made it easy to carry around my accessories.I love this product
Have too many different size bags but most are large and there are times when all I want to do is go shoot with one lens so figured I would give this a try based on all the positive reviews. If it will accommodate my Nikon D80 with 18-200 mm lens and (hopefully) SB-600 flash I will be happy.At any rate, I purchased this item today from Adorama (Great Company) for $29.95 plus free shipping. I love Amazon but their shipping costs kills me and if I can save on cost + shipping, I'm gonna do it.
I'm not sure about the 2 camera description for this bag, I got it because I've a telephoto and a shorter lense and didn't want two bag's for one camera when I switch lenses. With my EF 70-300mm lense on my 400D XTi it fit's great. Just right. I've also a Cannon ET-65B hood but you'll have to turn it around. Still fits fine. Figure the inside depth at a maximum 9 1/2" for your cam and telephoto on. It's got a strap that go's with, a wide belt loop and a nice wide handle on the lid. A zippered lid and I'm not real sure about how water proof they are. Theres a little 3"x6" pouch inside the lid.  Theres also a 4"x4" loose pad and I use that to lay over the cam's LCD. Good value for the price. It's not junk!
I use this case for short hikes. I also have a 75 AW toploader for longer lenses. These are great for hiking here in Montana since the weather can change in minutes. I shoot a lot of wildlife photos and I sometimes take these cases to protect my cameras from rain and dust.
I have had this bag for two years and use it every week, even though I also have a larger Canon camera backpack.Presently, I put my XTi with battery grip and Canon F4 L 70-200mm IS lens in the main compartment with a 50mm prime and Tamron's 17-50mm lenses in the outer pocket.  With the L glass and battery grip, there is no way to put anything more than a lens wipe in the interior pocket but there is still room to put extra batteries in the exterior pocket.The bag has held up well to wear and tear while the padding has protected my L glass from harm.I don't worry about the zipper being difficult to open because it's a sling bag, so taking the bag off my should before removing the camera is simple and expedient.In closing, this bag ended up being far more useful after sitting in a closet for a year because it is far easier to lug around than a full camera backpack and still carries the core items.  It just took stuffing a camera bag full of lenses, chargers, batteries, padding, camera bodies, etc for me to appreciate its value.
I own a Nikon D80 and I usually go out with 2 lenses at any time. I purchased the topload zoom 2 for 2 reasons:1/ decent size and plenty of room for my D80 mounted with my 18-70 + a 50mm 1.4 at the bottom of the bag. The bag is ok padded, and resist small shocks when you move around. But let's face it, you will not throw this around with your equipment. If you're looking for something rugged, go elsewhere and spend $$$$. The front pocket holds 2 filters, 2 extra batteries, and even has room for a compact digital camera (in its own case!). Useful as a backup of when you want to have short movies.I was not looking for a bigger bag because I simply don't like it and I do not care to have all my gear with me. I wanted a portable solution and this is it.2/ I got this for when I go hiking to use it with the chest harness and a backpack at the same time. While the harness is not that easy to put on the first time, the combo topload + harness is so convenient. It does not impair your capacity to carry other hiking related stuff, you don't have to miss all these incredible shots because you can just grab your camera whenever. And you do not need to kill your neck keeping your camera out all the time either. More importantly, this is a nice way to equalize the weight of your equipment when Hiking.Why 4 stars? This does not have a rain cover, unlike the topload AW (which is much bigger and more expensive). Oh well, mist will not harm the topload zoom 2 and you can come up with your own rain cover if necessary.overall, I like it!!!
Sturdy construction, all walls are padded, great protection: survived a car trip from LA to Mexico City with no problems for the camera or lens.It's very easy and fast to open. First impression is that it's definitely much bigger than your average camera case: that's because it can carry a camera (in my case a Canon 30D) with a lens on (the smallish Canon 50mm 1.4) and another lens by itself underneath, at the same time .In spite of this first impression it even fits inside a Domke F-802, which is more of a laptop bag.*Update 30/12/08*After changing the original camera strap for anOptech USA EZ Comfort Strap Black Neck Strapthe Canon 30D with a 70-200 F4L mounted actually fits! You need to get a bit creative with the strap, leaving it to the side of the camera, and it's very tight in there, with no room left for accessories in the inner compartment, but this is a very nice surprise, as I'd given up and was already looking for an even bigger bag...
I bought this bag to carry my Canon EOS 40D with 17-55mm f2.8 lens attached. It fits with a lots of room to spare. The bag is somewhat larger then I thought; I wanted tigher/smaller/more compact fit, so I'm thinking about ordering also the smaller version (TLZ 1)- could be about right for my outfit. I already own TLZ mini, so I would have all 3 of Lowepro's toploads, I guess to fit anything I want precisely.I would recommend TLZ 2 if you don't need too compact package, otherwise maybe TLZ 1 would be a better choice.
I just got this bag after having owned the TLZ1.  And while I love the design of this bag (and the Zoom1 / TLZ1), it's about 1 inch too short for my 40D with 70-200 2.8 mounted on it with the hood reverse mounted.  It can still be used as a great walk around bag with the chest harness, but I can't close it.  It will also be handy when I have another lens on it and want to pack a few other things in there too.I was really hoping the 40D with 70-200 would 'just' fit into this bag, and sadly, they do not.
originally got the lowepro TLZ 1, which is the same bag as this but smaller. but i had to send it back since it wasn't big enough for my d300 w/grip.the TLZ2 has a much larger 'footprint' -- it's not exactly inobtrusive, and i doubt you'd want to wear it on a belt as a holster unless you want to lean to one side.however, you can add a belt along with the shoulder strap for added stability when hiking or active sports (like crowd-wading) and there's also a chest harness available if you're into rock climbing, skiing, etc.what fits into TLZ2:d300 w/ grip and attached 50-150 lenssb-600 flash w/diffusermemory cards/filtersthe strap is switchable, which is a good thing since the supplied one isn't padded. and the material is a rugged cordura that should offer some water-resistance. there's just enough padding, and removeable dividers as well.if you have a pro dslr, this is the one you want. for a d80/d40 or rebel xti with a small zoom, i'd get a smaller size.overall, this is a classic, somewhat understated case. it's good for when you're packing your camera in a seperate bag, or when you just want to take a camera, one lens, and a flash.
I ordered this bag just recently. It is a great bag.  I must have ordered more than 4 camera bags before I finally find the one suitable for my Nikon D-40X.  After attaching a Nikkor 18-200mm lens to my camera, I still have plenty of room left for my accessories such as my SB-800 Nikon flash, and batteries and charger.  I would recommend this bag to any one who wishes to take a few camera accessories for either everyday activities or long trips. It's neither big nor small. Finally, the price is quite affordable.  I paid 30 bucks for mine on Amazon.
Good construction, good quality and plenty of room but I really don't like the design:1. the top flips outward is not easy to use.2. the accessory compartment inside of the top is too small. the spare battery had to be squeezed in.
I originally purchased a Lowepro Apex 140AW for my new Nikon D90. With the lens hood on and the telephoto lens (55-200mm) it did not fit. However it did fit my Nikon D70 with an 18-70 mm lens and hood on.Next purchase was this Lowenpro Topload Zoom 2. It is a black case, (not Navy as stated). But my Nikon D90 with the lens hood attached fits perfectly. Enough room for extra batteries and memory cards if needed. Not enough room for more lenses, but that was not my intent.The quality of both cases is worth the price. Easy in and out of the cameras and plenty of padding.I am happy with both purchases.
Bought this bag hoping it would be large enough for my new Nikon D300. It fits perfectly with the 18-200mm lens attached. There's enough room for an extra battery and some filters. This bag works great.
I guess if black is the new navy blue, its fine.  The one that arrived is black, with no explanation, but the size is great and its impossible to go wrong with a Lowepro bag.
I have this bag with a Rebel XT with a 28-135 lens w/hood attached.  This bag is great and fits the camera, lens and hood very well.  The front pocket expands and could carry another lens or other "stuff".  Looks like if you had the battery grip that it would still fit ok.  I will be getting that pretty soon I think.  I do have to say that of all the places I have seen this bag that [...] did have the best price.  $27.95 plus $5 to ship.
its useful for just a camera, but i got a lot of different equipment for my camera
I have a Sony Alpha 330 and I moved from a point and shoot to the DSLR because I wanted to be able to take pictures where my subject was in focus and the background/foreground were not. I was getting this affect a little with my stock lenses but I had to shoot the picture and then check it to see what happened. The first thing I noticed with this lens was that I can actually see this affect in the view finder. Also, as far as I can tell this lens is as good as if not better than the Sony Alpha 50mm f1:1.8 but I got mine for 1/3 the price.
The best thing about it is the price. I paid just over $75/used copy on amazon.com and for that price you get a very good lens BUT... although it's very sharp in the center throughout the range (f/1.7 to f/8), it did have very soft corner results from about f/1.7 to around f/2.8. I think the lens tack sharp "hot spot" range is at f/5.6 to f/8 ...giving that better balance of center and corner sharpness. I would say it's not really a "great" low light lens if you're looking for overall sharpness near the wide open range but good for portrait photography and for those on a budget. For me, it just leaves me feeling that I could just save the money for a more expensive, newer and better lens.
I love this lens!  Sure, as my first prime lens, it's been a bit tricky getting the angle of a picture that I want without the zoom function, and it still is taking some getting used to, but the advantages of this lens in razor-sharp clarity, faster shutter speeds, and incredible detail, especially without a flash.  I was having some second thoughts about the Sony A300 that I purchased a year ago, and was thinking that I needed to move on to a better cammera, but this lens has proven that the cammera has a LOT more to offer, and all I needed was a faster, better lens than the standard 18-70 ;ens that it came with.  I highly recommend to anyone who has bought a Sony SLR, and is getting sick of pictures still looking a bit amateur-ish...  A must have!!!
Don't believe people when they say that cheap lens are no good. If they do, they are clearly telling you a lie.i love this lens! i have it for almost one year now and i am able to shoot kids portraits for family and friends. so incredibly sharp! sure light and maybe not as sturdy but it has survived me. i can recommend this lens to anybody who needs a 50 mm lens! my dad bought the more expensive one but now wants this one.you can get this lens on Ebay from $50-$80USD, awesome portrait lens.Super sharp, great portraits, fast, super cheap.LOVE IT!
Purchased a used lens Minolta AF 50mm and it works great on the full frame Sony a99 at 24mp. Lines and detailing very crisp.
I own Sony a560, and this lens perfectly fit for my camera. After reading reviews about this lens, I thought I am going to get a "jet" out of box. But I was not impressed at first. First of all, it is not a Konica-Minolta, it just a Minolta (release date 1998). Konica Corporation merged with Minolta Minolta in 2003, Sony bough Konica-Minolta in 2006, inheriting technology along with A-mount. This lens have 5 electric contacts, comparing to SAL Sony lens, which have 8. Minolta 50mm, f/1.7 has very fast auto focus. It's not quiet but very fast. There is no zoom obviously. 50mm provides about 2.5x zoom, so to take a portrait picture you need to move away from an object. I was not impressed with indoor pictures. The quality of this lens is about quality of mine Sigma DC 18-200mm lens at the same 50mm focal length. The only difference I found between these two is that Minolta has a better bukeh of background than Sigma DC (f/3.5-6.3). With wide opened aperture to f/1.7 of Minolta an image will have a softness because of micro-movements your hands or object. The steady shot is not helping here. So, I had to pop up the flash to get a sharp images, but again they weren't better than Sigma DC f/3.5-6.3 Lens when I used it with flash. In certain low light conditions the Minolta was a winner in A-mode, because you can open wide the aperture and decrease an exposure time, so you can get a sharp image with nice background bukeh. So, in two words the Minolta 50mm f/1.7 did not blow my mind away with indoor pictures. It was a bit better than Sigma DC and SAL1855 but not that much. So, I was thinking to return it. I, maybe, still will, if I find better than this one. However, the day time photo shooting gave me pictures quality what I always dreamed of. Landscape, especially with water, gave great sharp images. However, keep it in mind, that infinity sign on the lens comes up after 6-7 meters from your camera, means after this distance all objects should be in a focus range. So, you have to decide what is your focus priority. The lens great without filter, however I prefer Hoya HMC 81b, which worms colors (skin, wood, leaves, sand and so on). Filter diameter for this Minolta lens is 49mm. Filter does not move when you focusing. I wish I could have 16-200mm lens with this quality, but I am afraid they do not exist.All in all, if you wanted sharp images and did not want to spend hundreds of dollars for lens, this Minolta 50mm, f/1.7 could be a great alternative.
This little 50mm f1.7 lens is very good for the price it's sold at. Granted, you get what you pay for, but what you get is a very fast lens w/ good bokeh. The built-in hood is a joke and there's no f-scale, but a good shootist can still get very memorable photos with this lens. If these items are a nuisance, then go get a good B&W metal hood and one of their excellent slim line UV haze filters and learn to judge distance. It's a good portrait lens on the 7D. BTW, to those who don't know, this lens is an auto-focus lens, hence MAXXUM. Maxxum means auto-focus. Getting this lens won't disappoint you.
I have aSony Alpha SLT-A57K 16.1 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology, 3D Sweep Panorama and 18-55mm Zoom Lenscamera but the bundled lens is f/3.5-5.6. I have been looking for a lens with a better f stop, but didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars. After doing a lot of research, I bought this lens when it was being sold for eighty plus shipping.While it is true that it is a great lens that will take very good sharp pictures even in low light without flash, its shallow depth of field could ruin the picture if you aren't careful. Some of the portrait pictures I took have the eyes in sharp focus, but nose and ears out of focus. Yes, that shallow DOF. However, you can use that shallow DOF to your advantage to take some great pictures when the background is very "busy."Lack of zoom is something I miss, but I know I didn't pay enough to get everything I want.A fantastic product, and I highly recommend it. Just experiment a lot and know the tool before using it in important situations.
This is a great autofocus lens.It is a fast lens, colors are great (minolta color). Higly recomended.
This is the best lens for the least amount of money.  I recommend this lens to anybody who enjoys taking pictures.  Its aperture abilities are so much fun.  The lens is in a metal casing so it is durable, but makes my camera pretty heavy.
The focus ring for the prime lense was frozen in place upon receipt and I did not discover this till opened tonight. Return window missed, so I'm stuck with the useless item.
The truth... I bought this thing on a whim.  I wanted a 2nd unit to go along with another night vision unit, (a rifle scope) so that I would not have to hold the rifle up to scan around the field.  This was not my idea, another Amazon customer made comment of the issue in another review.  The other "reason" I chose the Newcon was, and I admit this is corny... the product has the word "Stargate" in it.  Ok, don't hate me just because I'm a Stargate fan :)When the Newcon SGT-150P arrived I expected a "toy" but what I got turned-out to be a solid, well made, nicely designed tool.  It's entirely made of metal with the only plastic/rubber parts being the ring covers for the user adjustments and the front lens cover. Even the mount for the wrist strap, which is not a plastic strap but a piece of almost paracord, is a steel 1/4-20 threaded "camera style" mounting point.  The thing is a handful of quality!This thing does not use batteries.  That being said, it is going to be ready any time you pick it up.  You will not have to worry about leaking cells or finding the right cells before going on a trip.  Just grab it and go outside.  The included illuminator does use a single CR123 cell and I will speak of this in a moment.When you use the Newcon, you squeeze-down the wing-like lever until it's against the body of the device and hold it there.  I think there is a piezoelectric charge generator in there that provides the high voltage required to bias the image tube.  The voltage bleeds-off very slowly and the image is intensified for as long as you continue to hold the lever down.  After several minutes, you will begin to notice the reduction of the brightness of the image, simply release the lever and again, squeeze it down.  Do not "pump" the lever as if you are charging a battery, you get nothing for your effort and the Newcon will get mad at you. :)This system works great and is easy enough for small hands and people with slight muscle strength.There is a tiny hole in the front lens cover allowing use in bright areas, but the gains provided don't outweigh the losses in image quality... under these conditions, just use your own eyes.  With the cover removed, and in an area where you can not make-out the details or in situations where the contrast is so great that you can't figure out what's in the shadows, the Newcon SGT-150P really starts to show it's stuff!  It's amazingly bright and with the slight magnification and controlled field of view, you can easily look past the stuff in the foreground into a dark area and see what's lurking there.  The image quality is "normal" for 1st Generation night vision devices with the expected "fish bowl" distortion and un-even focus.  The image center region is sharp and you can easily read things like license plates and people's expressions from a respectable distance... don't expect a television-like night vision image, this thing is the real-deal not a green filtered camera image.  If you need supplemental light and you don't want to use a visible light source, such as a flashlight, the (included) infrared illuminator easily fills-in and provides more than enough "brightness".  It attaches to the Newcon using a "hot shoe" like on a camera flash.  The illuminator uses a single CR123 cell.  Considering the brightness of the Newcon, you won't be using the illuminator often enough to worry about keeping a bunch of expensive spare batteries around... just remember to turn-off the illuminator when you are not using it.Please forgive the lengthy review, I found this thing to be much better than I expected and wanted to say stuff about it!
It might not be a perfect monocular, but a really good monocular the doesn't require batteries for that price is a home run. Works pretty well without the IR illuminator, but adding it is like looking around with a flashlight. It's much better made than I ever thought it would be.There is a good amount of &#34;fish eye&#34; an  the focusing takes a little getting used to, but I really do like it overall.
Quality product that does what it says it does.  It's convenient that it doesn't require batteries, although it's not as bright as it would be otherwise. The battery required for the IR light isn't standard and was hard to find, but it worked fine without it.It's amazing to see how many stars you can't see with the naked eye.
I was looking for a rifle mounted night scope and by fault came across this gem. I was surprised about the weight/feel/look when I opened the box, sure it is a toy, but a very good one at that. I took my dog in the backyard at night time, clear sky, fair bit of stars, no full moon, and with out the illuminator on I can make out details in complete darkness my eyes would not see, like some one hiding, or animals and so on, and could make out where my dog was in total darkness, but is a lot more brighter with the illuminator on, if you want to be able to look for some one, an object, animals, your way down a dark path/building in total darkness, than get this! Sure you will get a better clearer picture with more expensive gear, but this gem does exactly what I wanted it for, to be able to see in the dark.The main body if not most of this product is made from metal, and is small enough to put in a day/back pack, it works with out batteries, but needs one CR123A battery for the illuminator, and that's just fine as my Steripen has a solar-power case with it, and it uses the same battery!Would I recommend this product? yes and I gave it 5 stars.
It is so much better than nothing.The fact that no batteries will ever be needed is a real plus.If there is a flaw in the design it was the odd size battery in theillumination device attached.I have purchised 3 of these now and plan to always keep one on hand.
You just have to love the no battery thing, I received this product fast, came in good condition and works wonderfully, I have yet to take it camping....but have played around with it, Its the size of an 80's video cam...maybe a bit smaller.its first generation so don't expect to see the entire area all lit up...its 2x zoom and both apertures focus, the IR light that comes with it...is utterly useless...unless of course you are using this device as a night micro scope..I am very happy with this purchase, no need for batteries (not even for IR light) its small and sees fairly clearly, its very well constructed, very durable feeling..has a pinhole in lens cover to see in brighter situations...just in case you cant control yourself and play with it in daytime.
I saw a lot of negative reviews for this but I don't see why. First off its not going to have fantastic visual clarity for the little that this cost. I didn't buy it for superior vision. Though I believe that its quality is real good. I bought this as a backup to the battery powered unit I already have. The visual on this is really good and it doesn't take any batteries. I used it with only low ambient light and it worked fantastic.
This is by no means the highest end of night vision devices.  It's not even near the top, by most criteria.  Indeed, the 2x magnification is perhaps more confusing than helpful insofar as getting your bearings.  Worse, you can't really put anything on it or put it on anything else in an optical sense, so it is useless as a scope for something else or to have additional optics added.However, there is absolutely no comparison to this device that I have seen elsewhere.  You have night-vision in your hand with no batteries required.  I am not certain if the power system would survive an EMP but I'm thinking it would, and in the land of the blind, the monocled man is king.
Sounded good .did not work well after the first time.  Would recommend against it.  Spend more ,it will be worth it
Great little device! It truely does what the description says it will do. Has nice metal body construction. Really works Quite well! Good quality throughout.
Should've saved my money for at least a 2nd generation.This device works OK, and doesn't require batteries (at least for the intensifier--the illuminator still requires a battery), but unless you're searching for something around your feet, well, you might consider spending a but more.
Fantastic. Sharp and accurate on its focus. The focus is a bit slow since it's designed for portraits and not journalism, but it locks on really well. It's even sharper than my 85mm F/1.4G which has been my favorite Nikon lens until now. The defocus ring is fun to play with but you really shouldn't mess with it too much because you might accidentally throw your focus and produce hazy images.The color rendition and clarity is beyond what I had expected.
I have shot Nikon lenses and cameras since 1969. At that time I had the Non-AI Nikkor 135mm. Just a great lens for a short to medium Tele. with my old and venerable FTn. Bokeh was sweet. Some of the best shots I had taken were with this lens.A few months ago I needed a med. tele. for both machinery and portrait shots. As I researched the Nikon lens array I kept coming back to the 135mm f2 DC. You see, this is a lens that is fantastic as to sharpness and does a marvelous portrait and is capable of scenics and interior architectural shots at the same time. I do not rate it as highly for portraits as I would the 85mm f1.4. I would give the analogy that if you had a 300 foot board (the 85mm) and cut off 1/4" (you now have 299'3/4") then you have the 135mm f2.The largest misconception I have heard of this lens is that the DC affects DOF; it does not. It affects the CoC (circles of confusion) in front of or behind the critically focused subject. In other words, it gives you bokeh "choices" front and back of subject.This is one of the greatest lenses with this amazing speed that Nikon has come up with.It is equivalent to a 200mm lens on my D300 given the sensor crop (Cmos). It is FF (full frame) on my F5. It works beautifully for portraits as it is so sharp. On the other hand, it is superior in the field for landscapes or stationary subjects. It is a bit heavy at almost 2 pounds but I shoot with it in every aspect of my photography. So versatile.
This lens is astounding. Of course it is sharp, darn near from corner to corner even on FX, but the reason to buy it is not for sharpness but rather for it's extraordinary bokeh, and the control it provides you over the same. This lens produce soft, creamy, washes of color, and with the DC ring you can ensure you have that perfect bokeh not only at any shooting aperture from f/2 to f/5.6, but you can ensure it for either foreground or background objects as needed. This is something that is not possible with regular lenses. There is always some combination of subject and background distances, and shooting aperture that can produce poor bokeh with a traditional lens. With proper use of the DC ring, this situation never occurs.Is it hard to use? Yes and no. The DC ring is set to optimize either foreground (F) or background/rear (R) bokeh. You set it to the aperture that you are using, which means you need to be in manual or aperture-priority mode and set DC ring to match before you shoot. If you change your aperture, you must change the ring, too. For any aperture smaller than f/2 (actually f/2.8, for reasons that are outside the scope of this review), you must use your DOF preview to see the effect in your viewfinder. This lends itself more for planned shots than casual use, though you can of course disable the DC feature by setting the ring to neutral and simply shoot with a super-sharp 135mm lens.On DX, this lens might be a little long and the 105mm DC may be more practical. I find it perfect on FX for basic portrait and moderate-distance work. It is of course longer and slower than the 85mm f/1.4 lenses, which makes it even more of a challenge in low-light, but f/2 is still plenty fast and you can get sharp, handheld shots under "room" lighting if you have good shooting discipline. And, of course, it never, ever produces bad bokeh when used properly.
I can tell you for sure after more than 3 months of usage: love this legendary Nikon lens!I use it for portraits and tele (substitute for 70-200mm f/2.8).very pleased with my purchase!The lens is best used at wide open aperture at f2, where u have the freedom to select DC from 2 ~5.6 without creating soft focus effect.
This lens doesn't focus well with my Nikon D 2-X and D 2-H camera bodies.  I called Nikon and was told I need to send the lens to Nikon with one of the cameras to have the camera adjusted to work with the lens.  That's probably going to cost about $325 or so.  It's not good to sell this lens without telling people it won't work out of the box with all Nikon SLRs.Nikon 135mm f/2.0D AF DC-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
I owned this lens back in the '90s and sold it when I needed some cash around '97.Since then, I've absolutely regretted that decision and have thought of this lens as "the one that got away".  I've frequently considered adding it back but it is nothing if not a very expensive lens, so I've gotten by with others instead.In terms of the "DC" ring, yes, you can do some really cool things with "defocusing", but virtually all these affects can easily be done in post production these day.  When I first got the lens, I did play with the ring, but soon found it to be more of a "gimmick" than a useful tool.That said, the bokeh you can get at f2.0 is absolutely freakin' stunning, to say the least.  Easily I'd compare this to Canon's 85mm 1.2, except the depth of field at 1.2 is virtually impossible to use (shoot a model and her eyes will be tack sharp, but the tip of her nose is blown out...not a good look really).Anyone who says this lens is not a sharp lens must have something seriously wrong with them (or they need a new pair of glasses), because it is as sharp a lens as you can possibly imagine.For me, I only really ever used this as a portrait lens, so I can't comment on its ability to be used for anything else.  I do know that others have found it to be excellent for things like landscapes, etc.Anyway, it can be very difficult to find this lens (they're getting harder and harder to find and even though Nikon still has the lens in their catalog. I'm really not certain how many they're still producing [if any]  As has been noted here on many different reviews, it's generally thought that Nikon will discontinue it very soon) So if you can afford it, BUY IT.  You won't regret it.And if you have one already, or can find one, NEVER LET IT GO.  You'll rue the day if you do.I absolutely do.
With everyone giving steller reviews about this lens, I want to talk a little about what this lens is not.  I have tried this on a variety of bodies, and they all produce exceptional pictures.  On DX body and therefore 200mm equivalent, it's pretty fast considering its size but it doesn't really shine because there are other options.  On FX body, it creates a very unique partnership.I believe there is certain myth about the Defocusing Control feature.  I had tested the effects on bokeh in very controlled environment and frankly unless I am blowing up a 12MP photograph to 100% crop, I cannot tell much of the difference!  This doesn't mean it is useless, but I misled myself when I first acquired the lens thinking it can turn a rather unavoidable harsh background into swirled soft ice cream.  Of course, the soft focus works well, but honestly there are so many ways to make a picture "soft" do I really need to spend $1000+ on a lens for that effect?  Marketing people make me cry sometimes.  To me, the DC feature is worth about $50...However even if I ignore the DC ring for a second, this lens produces beautiful and sharp photos.  I pretty much own all of Nikon's best lens line-up (in the similar class I have 85mm 1.4, Carl Zeiss 85mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, and all the constant aperture 2.8s).  Yet when I have a special occasion and the distance I need to work with I will always pack this lens with me.  It renders beautiful colors, and creates ultra-sharp subjects (that are in focus of course).  The AF speed is respectable and the accuracy is dead-on.  I rarely shoot at 1.4 unless I am indoors with very low light, so to me this f2 lens is perfect for me.I always recommend this to people if they are uncertain whether they will like a certain prime lens.  Just take a cheapo zoom lens and set it to the length you wish to evaluate and fix it there.  Shoot around all day and see if you can get used to the length and the working space.  135mm is an odd length, therefore one may find it inconvenient.  However, I don't think anyone on this planet can argue about the quality of pictures this lens produces.
This is a stellar lens for portraits as it does not distort facial features and is sharp as a razor blade.
There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said about this lens.  It's almost unbelievable how sharp the subjects are while it delivers a silky smooth bokeh in the background.  If you aren't completely convinced of the capabilities of this lens, there is a flickr group that you can search for that shows off some of the capabilities of this glass.I'm a firm believer that the glass is the most important thing in making a great photograph as long as you have a skilled photographer behind the camera.  If you need/want great portraits, this glass certainly won't dissapoint.
I was really hoping to just LOVE this lens but it has been rather disappointing.  It is softer than most of my lenses even when stopped down.  Then the aperature ring started to lock all the time.  So I sent it in to Nikon complaining that it just wasn't that sharp and the locking aperature ring was a problem (easy to fix but really annoying when it locks while you are chasing a toddler at a photoshoot and miss the shot).  It just came back from Nikon and they claim it is in perfect working condition but the softness I see and the ring problem are due to it being an old design on a new body (D3S).  The rumor is that this lens will be updated in the next year and I certainly intend to buy the newer version that will not have the DC.  The DC is sort of a waste too.  There are some reviews of it online but the difference between Front Bokeh and Rear Bokeh is nearly impossible to notice.  And it can screw up your focus.  Just keep the DC in the center and you'll be better.  I'm glad to see Nikon ditching the DC technology.
Ken Rockwell claims this is the greatest portrait lens of all time, period.  As a portrait photographer, I almost agree--it is superbly sharp, produces accurate color, and razor sharp detail.  And it is 135mm on my D700 and about 200mm on my D300S so very, very useful.  The defocus control is interesting but, in my view, hardly compelling, especially given post-processing software options for managing backgrounds and bokeh.The only lens on earth that competes with this for portraiture, again in my opinion, is the Nikkor 70-200mm VRII which is rightfully legendary.I waited over a year to acquire this lens as it was out of stock everywhere--I suspect that it will not be produced by Nikon for much longer as the big N is redesigning and re-coating everything throughout their line and offering new models like crazy.Optical performance-wise, I am sure there is some room for Nikon to do something to this design so it can be re-issued but I can tell you that I have no intention of letting mine go--ever.This is a super lens.
This is probably my first high dollar lens although I do own the Nikon 80-200 and Nikon 50mm 1.4 which are both fantastic lenses. There are plenty of reviews discussing the technical aspects of this lens. For me, when I bought it, I'm thinking $1300 for a lens what am I crazy?! So First thing I do is put a B&W filter on it. Read the directions, then place it on my Nikon D2x. Go to my back yard looking for something to shoot with it. Not a whole lot as it's winter. Any way start taking pictures which turn out to be &#34;crisp&#34; or sharp. Background is nice and blurry while the subject is sharp as a tack. I realize that was $1300 well spent. I'm old school Nikon and like my lenses to be solid, a little weight doesn't bother me. This lens is built like a tank. The design is a bit old school as well. I imagine at some point Nikon will upgrade this lens with VR technology and other bells and whistles. Or maybe not. Why improve something that needs no improvement? If you're thinking about getting this lens, I say go for it, you won't be sorry. I hope to buy a full frame Nikon camera next. I just wanted to get a few good lenses first before shelling out the big money for one of those.
This lens is a classic, all metal build, the traditional metal slide out hood. The adjustable de-focussing is unique and very effective in creating some fantastic Bokeh. A true classic Nikon lens, I read some where along the way if Nikon quit producing this lens (already in limited production) the worth of a used model would double overnight and after using this lens for about 3 months now I would have to agree, a must have for your portrait work.
This lens is very, VERY good as a portrait/short telephoto on FX. On DX this ends up at an equivalent focal length of a 200mm f/2; it's a truly phenomenal medium telephoto and portrait (if you're willing to back up from your subject!).  There aren't many frills and features on it; no VR, no aspherical elements; no nano-coating. The purpose of the 135mm f/2 DC is simple: create the best rendered depth of field as possible. The defocus effect is subtle, but under the right circumstances and lighting can create breath-taking images. Even without using the DC ring this lens is an incredible performer. One downside to this lens is it gets some quite noticeable color aberrations when wide-open or using the DC ring in certain lighting -just be wary of your lighting as the CA can get quite bad if you're not careful. Wide open at f/2 you can get incredibly sharp, high-contrast images and melt the background away. The sharpness wide open is very impressive and gets even better as you stop it down, and with the large, rounded aperture blades the bokeh balls stay round and wonderful. Speaking of bokeh, this lens is one the best there is. That's the point.Mechanically this is a solid, solid hunk of tank-like glass and metal. It weighs quite a bit too, but it's a short lens so it doesn't feel unbalanced (depending on the camera you use of course). My only complaint with the design is that Nikon did not weather seal this lens which might disappoint some, but others may not need it. The autofocus is screw-driven as it's a D-type lens, but it works far better than any other D lens I've used. The focus is quite fast and snappy without much play. *NOTE: the focus will vary depending on the motor in your camera.* I'm glad to say the lens does not torque when you focus unlike other D-type telephotos like the 80-200 2.8D which can cause issues with steadiness; this lens has no vibrations or torque. The focus ring locks when in autofocus which is extremely handy and when you switch over to manual it's smooth, precise and weighted nicely; perfect for portraits and detail work. It's a rear-focus design so nothing moves externally. The focus scale is thorough and easy to read, though the lens doesn't have an infinity hard-stop because of the defocus control. The built-in lens hood is perfect, I wish more of my lenses had this. The mechanics and ergonomics are quite pleasurable and everything is well thought out.Pros:- Spectacular image quality and rendering- Very sharp- Unmatched quality of depth of field and bokeh- Precise control of bokeh, softness and aberrations- Virtually no distortion- Fast autofocus (even for a D-type)- Very, VERY good build quality and ergonomics -it's made like an old manual focus lens- Built-in durable lens hood- Locking focus ring- Detailed distance scaleCons:- Strong color aberrations at certain apertures, but controllable with DC- Defocus is tricky (not really a con, but a warning)- Only stops down to f/16- Not weather sealedVerdict: This is the best F-mount lens I've ever used. Stunning image quality, sharpness, depth of field and bokeh; while a little difficult to use, the Nikon 135mm f/2 dc is very enjoyable to shoot and produces some of the best images at this focal range out there. Nikon doesn't make lenses like this anymore and using the DC lenses is an amazing experience.
I had an older 135mm AI lens long ago and was really happy to get the newer version. It's even better than I remember. This is the best portrait lens I have used. Nice and sharp. The defocus feature is great for adding that litte extra touch when shooting. I highly recommend it. BTW, I've been shooting photos since 1979 and decided on Nikon soon after. Great choice!
This is a fantastic portraiture lens if you can get a good copy. This was my second copy, and is significantly sharper than my first. Pretty darn sharp at f/2 but absolutely Japanese kitchen knife sharp from f/2.8 onwards. I dont shoot this much higher than 5.6 - defeats the purpose IMO. The color rendition is fantastic and the bokeh amazing, as others have mentioned.I also own a 85 1.4 and a 105 2.8 vr and at 2.0 this is even sharper than both of those on my D90, and is at par with the 85 1.4 in the beauty of the photos.Build: old school Nikon crinkled finish. I wouldn't be surprised if tanks were made out of the same metal. The hood extends out and is a little fidgety if you try to slide it out or back down without an even distribution of pull or force. This may not make sense until you actually try to do it (as I found out when I got the lens).The weight of the lens is a personal issue, depending on what you are used to. It feels very sturdy in my hand, and not particularly heavy.As a point of reference the front element is not as sunken in as the 105 DC so may be easier to damage it if you prefer to not use a filter. The DC effect takes A LOT of work to master, not a feature that you will pick up overnight, but is icing on the cake if you can master it.This is a tough lens to find - so if you like portraits, i.e. half body/headshots, then pick it up when you can, it doesn't come in big quantities and doesn't seem to stay in stock long. Second hand ones are now trading for $1500+ so it may go the way of the 28 1.4...The only thing missing is VR, but if I can keep my shutter speed above 100, its smooth sailing!
I have read where people claim that this is the sharpest and best lens you will ever own.  I just got mine a few hours ago, but at this point I think they may be right.And the bokeh is superb!So far I've only used it on the D700.  No doubt within a few days I also will see how it behaves on the D80 and the D300s.
Useful primarily for playing games with bokeh, but that's what it's designed and marketed for. Good optics, as far as I'm qualified to judge.
This review is for newbies, so you advanced types can just move on.  I bought my new Nikon D-7000 because I was dissatisfied with the quality of photos from my Canon point-and-shoot.  After doing a little homework, I realized that was missing for me was depth of field and bokeh.  I was all about the bokeh.  So I splurged and ordered this lens before I even knew what I was doing, because I was going to get me some bokeh, :)  Anyway, of course, as soon as it arrived, I stuck it on my camera and ran out to take some pictures.  Most of which were terrible.  But then I read the manual, which you really must do for this lens.  And I tried again.  And they started getting better.  Some were downright excellent.  Crisp as could be with bokeh, at last.  But you really do have to read the manual.  It is important to know that you have to keep the defocus relative to the aperture.  And that you need to set that before you focus.  Now that I know a bit more, I understand that you can also get great bokeh with a 50 mm 1.4, which is MUCH cheaper and smaller.  And also with a 85 mm 1.4, which is a little bit more cash.  But I'm still glad I bought this lens.  The ONLY reason I ding-ed it a star is because this lens is so heavy.  As a woman with normal-sized hands, it's cumbersome to hold my heavy DSLR steady with a heavy lens attached.  And that's a factor with this lens because it does not have VR and isn't that fast to focus.  I know all the purists like a heavy metal lens, but I think plastic is state of the art and preferable when a lens is this big.  Btw, I love the built-in lens hood and don't understand why Nikon went away from this.  I think it's a little tacky, also, that they sell a $1K+ lens and don't include a lens pouch, but I guess that's just the way it is with Nikon.
This lens is not just a specialty 'portrait lens' but a superb piece of optical excellence from Nikon, and a lens that you can buy now and use for an entire career or lifetime of photography.  It is among Nikon's sharpest lenses ever produced, with sharpness exceptional even wide open at f/2 in the corners.  Autofocus is extremely fast on a D300 or D700.  At f/2 the bokeh is gorgeous, close to that of the famed 85mm f/1.4, but more interesting as the 'defocus control' (not a good term for the actual function but Nikon's choice) allows you to do the following things:- leave it at the same aperture at which you are shooting (i.e. if you're shooting at f/2 or f/2.8, then set the DC ring at f/2, or f/2.8 in either direction) to get beautiful bokeh and a sharp subject; in this case, your bokeh will be more pronounced either behind or in front of your subject (assuming there are things in front of the subject which are out of the depth of field or focal subject).  An example: a row of flowers in a garden in front of the subject, with focus on the subject set, and shooting aperture of f/2.8 = setting the DC at f/2.8 "F" ("front") causes the flowers in front of the subject to have 'more bokeh' than normal, whereas setting it at "R" ("rear") causes the same for the rear row of flowers (although this is a bit harder to see unless you're at narrower apertures where you usually don't get that much creamy bokeh).- set it beyond or below the aperture you are shooting, to gradually 'defocus' the subject that is already in focus.  Now this sounds like anathema to anyone who wants "sharp" photos from lenses (as "sharpness" is one of the big selling points) but for portraits specifically, a tack-sharp shot is in fact not always what you might want.  For older, more 'mature' subjects which may have the various blemishes, wrinkles, lines, etc. which would be very pronounced and distinct in a tack-sharp lens' focus, a slight change of the DC ('defocus control') ring allows for the ever so slightest (at one stop different from your shooting aperture) to a much more soft 'defocus' of the subject.  In other words, if you're shooting at f/2.8, setting the DC at f/3.5 or more (either "F" or "R" - I found "R" to be a bit nicer) will gradually place the subject of the portrait ever so slightly out of focus - or 'soft' focus, as the old lenses and filters would create - and make the subject very attractive without any of the unwanted details that one wouldn't want in a portrait enlarged to, say, 11x14 or whatever size.The wide f/2 aperture allows for beautiful bokeh and tack-sharp shots without manipulating the DC ring, if you're not interested in 'soft' focus, and the f/2 aperture is exceptional for low light photography, whether at night, indoors or outdoors, or in a low-light setting such as a theater, sporting event indoors or outdoors, etc.Some say this lens is 'hard to use' because of the DC ring; once you take a few sample shots with it and experiment with one subject, you'll start to get a feel for the types of settings that you find most pleasing, and use those in the field.  Or, you can just not change the DC ring at all and enjoy the extreme sharpness, superb bokeh and extraordinary color rendition from this ultra-pro-quality lens.The construction is solid, tank-like and built to last a photographic lifetime; the price is not trivial, but it is about right for this level of lens, and as a one-time investment, it's justifiable given the shots you will get from it.  There is no VR, of course, so it's important to use good technique to get the sharpest shots (i.e. try to limit camera shake, use fast shutter speeds, etc.) at this 135mm focal length.  On a DX camera the focal length converts to about 200mm so this is superb for portraits outside (basically at the same length as the non-DX 200mm f/2 pro lens which sells for $5k).  However, the long focal length means that the slightest camera shake at slower shutter speeds may impede sharp photos; I try to stay at 1/100 or faster when handheld to avoid this (and in low light, the f/2 wide open will allow that if you have your high ISO set on a newer model that gives usable images even at ISO6400).  Now on a tripod for portraits this lens has to be best in its class; the difference between the 85mm f/1.4 may be only 50mm in focal length, but the effects that this lens can produce with some judicious use of softening the subject's focus really stand out in enlarged shots, particularly those of weddings, etc. where tack-sharp isn't always the aim, and even a slightly "dreamy" or "romantic" mood is the goal.  It focuses quite close for this focal length and aperture, so both head-shot-only close-ups and head-and-shoulders portrait shots from farther away (even full body shots, if you're far enough) are possible.  It's nice as a medium telephoto or quasi-macro lens outside, as well, for flowers and other nature shots, as the focal distance works well.Ergonomics: excellent.  The built-in hood is a little clumsy but very convenient, and doesn't ever get in the way.  The weight is perfectly balanced and feels terrific on my D700.  The rubber focus ring doesn't move when focusing, and is perfect to grip with the left hand (assuming a right-handed camera shooter).  There is no case included with the lens in the box, but a Nikon soft lens bag for $15 or so is a good investment - get a big one like the CL-S2, as this lens is rather large (not much smaller than the 70-300mm VR).  The recommended nylon hard case is a bit bulky and not really necessary if you already have a camera bag or backpack that holds a few lenses - just get the soft case to protect it from scratches, etc. inside that bag.
I had the 105mm DC and decided to pop it off for this 135mm DC. Glad I did. A little extra reach than the 105mm DC and the construction is solid like a tank just like the 105mm DC. Again this lens like my 105mm DC is a brilliant piece. Love the bokeh it creates. There are endless possibilities with this lens for a creative portrait photographer. Many say this lens is not a very popular lens. I have gotten used to this lens and use it quite often for fun photography with friends and family, I must say this lens is a master for portraits. I still get a bit jittery to put it to use for a serious job but looks like I will have to get over it someday for the simple reason that the pictures it creates are so sharp and out of this world. I might be wrong but I do find the contrast on the lower side. I still love it though.
easy decisionIf you have the funds, and do portraiture and like a little compression and a lot of sharpness - buy it. If you don't have the money, and like portraiture, save up and get it. Never had a better lens. The 1.8 85mm is also great, and sharp, so is another option - but this lens is so so wonderful !!!
Having been using this too long, it a really well made lens and quite tack sharp at 2.0 for headshot. The skin tone and boke were very pleasing as other reviews had claimed.
I'll start off by saying that I'm a full time working professional. I work day in and day out with a variety of different Nikon equipment and this is the first time I've felt compelled to leave a review for anything in the system.The short: I don't believe this lens is up to the task of being paired with the newest generations of Nikon camera bodies and suffers from major softness issues and horrible CA.The long: Both copies of this lens that I used were tested on both a D4 and a D800 and I saw the same poor results from both. The biggest flaw with the lens is that it simply is not sharp at f/2. The first copy I received wasn't acceptably sharp until f/4 or f/5.6 and the second copy was only marginally better. If you're using it exclusively for portraits or in otherwise excellent lighting conditions it's not too bad, who wants razor sharp portraits anyway? However, as soon as the light dips or you're shooting something requiring sharpness and critical focusing this lens becomes virtually worthless. The other MAJOR issue is the CA. Jumpin' junipers it's bad. I can honestly say that I have never used a lens of any kind, brand, or cost with CA as bad as what I saw with this one. Even catch lights in a subject's eye showed CA for heaven's sake!One last note, if you're a bokeh junkie this still may be the lens for you. BEAUTIFUL bokeh.
This simply is a fantastic lens.  Sharp, detailed, contrasty, vivid images comes from using this lens.Because it's so powerful, It's a bit like using a bazooka to fend off houseflies.  But you get terrific sharpness, etc.Combine it with the 6T closeup lens (screwed onto the front), you'll get even greater magnification.The manual focus is a bit sludgy, as others have pointed it out.  You get used to nudging and encouraging it to hit optimal focus.  And if your subject is distant, autofocus with a recent body can be quite adept.Of course, it's all too easy to obtain blurred images - technique is king, with this lens.  Use of a solid tripod.  For focus-stacking, a focus rail or slide is ideal.  A cable or wireless shutter release gadget is essential, for eliminating vibration before the shutter fires.  Best on tripod, although it works well hand-held as a middle-distance telephoto (even the autofocus becomes useful at this range).Caveats: the lens hood (HN-30) is pricey, but worth it if you spend any time shooting into the sun, otherwise you'll get a noticeable amount of flare.I wouldn't bother purchasing a UV filter for this one, unless you actually are shooting with film.  Just a circular polarizer will do, and this lens takes the same size filter as the Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G lens, so you can share.UPDATE: My HN-30 hood was destroyed in an accident.  Turns out there are very decent alternatives available, just search for "62mm lens hood" and you'll find options at less than half the price of Nikon's.  Caveat that they all appear to be shorter in length than the HN-30.
I own both the Canon 180/3.5L USM Macro and this Nikkor 200/4 AF-D Micro. I have also owned (in the past) both the Nikon 105mm (non-VR) Micro, the Canon 100/2.8 USM Macro, and the Sigma 105/2.8 Macro for comparison purposes. I currently own the Canon MP-E 65 as well, but it's really not comparable to any "standard" macro lens.The Canon lens has USM (Ultrasonic Motor) and is Canon's best Macro lens. It's an excellent piece of glass and better than every Macro I've used... except for this 200mm Micro-Nikkor.As far as bullet-points are concerned, you could be forgiven for thinking the utter lack of technologies such as AF-S, VR, weather sealing, and Nano-coating, along with the shiny black paint with gold ring would doom this lens.Think again.This 200mm lens is an aberration in the exotic lens kingdom. Think of it as a white elephant or a unicorn -- something magical that only a few "choosen" people will ever experience. It's like experiencing Nirvana, or the perfect moment in time. It is greater than the sum of its parts, and when mastered will produce a finished result superior to any other tool of its kind.Sound fantastic? Foolishly hyperbolic? Sure, but...The lens itself seems to weigh much more than its relatively diminutive proportions would indicate. That MASSIVE focus ring that occupies the entire front half of the maw seems like overkill -- until you use it, and then it makes perfect sense. The manual focus seems, for lack of a better word, hydraulic. It is *so* smooth, *so* precise, and *so* consistent you'll think your flanges are swimming through heavy cream. Equally adept at non-macro photography -- really an exceptional long *portrait* lens in its own right -- a quick switch of the AF selector makes this lens focus surprisingly quick; substantially quicker than the USM-equipped Canon EF 180/3.5L Macro. Only the focus noise belies its lack of AF-S. The incorporated tripod ring is exceptional as well. As a whole, it feels as though the lens was crafted from a single block of solid plutonium. It feels bulletproof.That's all well and good, but if it doesn't perform optically then it's all for naught.In reality, if the lens was optically as good as it felt it would be perfect, but the plain truth is... it's even BETTER!Dealing with depth of field (DoF) has alway been the macrophile's thorn in the flesh. How do you close the aperture sufficient to render adequate DoF and still maintain adequate shutter speed to combat motion blur -- especially in the absence of a tripod or while attempting to capture subjects in motion? With a 200mm lens, this conundrum is exacerbated significantly and makes life that much more difficult. Modern dSLRs, especially the current crop of Full Frame models, alleviates this slightly by offering excellent high-ISO performance, but there is no "magic bullet" at one's disposal to eliminate this ever-present demon. The only way, sad to say, is through continual practice and perfecting of one's technique. Even then, the "keeper rate" of a seasoned macrophile will always be a small fraction of a percent, unless you always shoot in a controlled environment; like a studio or set.This 200mm Macro is not for the faint of heart or for the casual user who wants to take the occasional close-up. It is *NOT* a lens for the first-time macro wannabe. It's a lens you work up to, having learned good technique already on lesser glass. It's intended for those willing to put in the time and effort to "master" (a generous term) such an instrument. But, boy-oh-boy, if you take the time, the rewards this optic are capable of producing are, in a word, unparalleled.If you're a perfectionist, willing to buy the best macro optic ever produced by man, and are not deterred by the frustrations concomitant in extracting the best from what it is capable of producing, then look no further. This lens is your window into the very soul of the macro world.==========Although it does not do it justice, below is a link to a 100% crop taken with this lens taken a number of years ago (2004) using an old Nikon D70 6MP SLR *not* in RAW, but in out-of-the-camera JPEG (Fine).[...]The original image was taken at a distance of roughly 6-8 FEET from the butterfly.Here's the UNEDITED, out-of-camera JPEG:[...]Keep in mind, Nikon are notorious for their poor in-camera JPEG engines, and the D70 of last decade was one of the worst. RAW results, with a new model, are simply astonishing. I'm hesitant to post this example, but it's under the "worst" circumstances, and still holds up well.
I've only had this lens (purchased from Amazon) for a few weeks, but it has proven a spectacular tool for creating great macro images, as well as being a really great telephoto lens.  I'm using it with a D90 and a D40.  AF is OK at normal distances, and even at macro distances if the limiter switch is set for the appropriate range.  Of course, manual focus is usually the best choice for macro use, and the focus ring and action on this lens is very nice indeed.  I've used it both hand-held and on a tripod and the results are really pleasing, by far the best macro I've used.I used to shoot Canon (back in the 60's and 70's) and Minolta (in the 80's and 90's) and of all the many lenses I've used, this is the sharpest from edge to edge by a good margin.  Seems to be tack sharp even in the corners wide open.  Very promising.Looking forward to spring and summer when I will get much more chance to use this baby.
I've been looking for this lens for several months, and then one day noticed it was available on Amazon from Ace Photo. I have and use the 60mm micro (mostly for table top, product shots) and the 105mm VR (fantastic lens too), but wanted the reach and love the tripod collar, as on my 70-200. I did order and try the Tamron 180mm, loved the reach, but images were flat, lens felt cheap and plastic, so sent it back. So far I enjoy this lens, and use it on a D80 and D300 for the reach. Have not tried it yet on my D700, but suspect great results on full frame too. Very satisfied with the purchase. May be expensive, but after trying Tamron and Sigma lenses, I'm sticking with Nikon. Highly recommended.
There's a common theme in these reviews, and I honestly don't have much that I can add, other than to put one more vote up that this is the best macro lens I've ever shot with - and I've shot with several.I've owned the Nikon 60, the Tamron 90, the Sigma 150, and the Nikon 105, but none of them comes close to delivering the stunning images put out by the Nikon 200. In particular, this lens has some of the most amazing bokeh I've ever seen in a lens. With a working distance that feels like a mile, you can capture some amazing shots of very skittish insects and animals, due to not having to be 2 inches away. Even though it's well over a decade old, the design is still tack sharp, and unrivaled in its optical construction.Before I purchased this lens, I looked at the superlatives in every review and wondered if it could ever be as good as everyone said it was. After owning the lens and using it in a variety of contexts, I can do nothing less than shower those same superlatives on the lens.Ultimately, the pictures are what tell the story on this one. My profile page contains a link to my blog, where I have several macro shots with this lens posted. Feel free to ask any questions or ask for samples of what this thing can do - it is truly stunning in every way.
The price for this lens is on par with most Nikon & Canon primes of this magnitude. There are a couple third party manufactures that perform very well for their cost, but this lens is a true Prime lens. I have tried other models at differing focal lengths and find this one to be absolutely tack sharp. For this reason it is easier to find the best focus more quickly and it feels easily controlled under such high magnification.Coloration and contrast are amazing as well. I was shooting neon blue dragonflies  with a D700 set to standard color. They were by all means colorful, as was the background with a distinct artistic blur. There was no flash involved, yes lighting was about perfect being diffused by light cloud cover. Contrast and chromatic abberations are also second to none, even with light skies in the backgrounds.Optics of this quality are not left to chance, so the lens body is built with magnesium and Nikon's nice hard coat finish. I appreciate the low profile lens mount for fitment into gear bags, and handling for pictures. Not to advertise, but Kirk Enterprises has a special lens mount for the 200mm micro with a flash bracket mount available. That is what I have with a SB-600 when flash is needed, and it is indeed a very effective setup for close up and portrait photography.This lens was purchased through the Amazon link on Ken Rockwell's review of the Nikon 200mm F/4.
Great, sharp and easy to use. I find the focal length to be ideal, but if you are working indoors, you should consider a shorter focal length for a macro lens. This one is ideal for outdoor use. It is an older design, but very sharp and also can be used for moderate telephoto work. Pricey, but worth it. The only downside is it's weight-I can only describe it as heavy. An otherwise wonderful lens which will work together with Nikon's D800E to give fantastic results.
Often when one refers to something as a classic, there is some performance trade off. Not the case here. This is THE tele macro of choice for Nikon users. It is so so sharp at macro/closeup shooting distances. The bokeh (out of focus area) is spectacularly smooth. This is not an AFS lens so the AF performance is neither quick nor silent as more modern designs deliver. Yet, know that this lens is really designed for close-up/macro work, so focusing speed is less of an issue. While some find it to be a serviceable medium tele (it is a fairly fast 200mm lens after all), I find it to be much more of a specialist's tool. Luckily, macro has become a specialty for me and this tool is phenomenal. A little longer than the phenomenal Sigma 150 and much more expensive as well, so if you are on a budget for a tele macro lens, do take a very very serious look at the Sigma. Highly recommended.
I took this Nikon 200mm micro lens to Desert Botanic Garden two days after I received.  The pictures taken with this lens are absolutely beautiful.
as expected
Fit perfectly.
Good
it fits
Keeps falling off my camera.  Not like the original.
What's to say, it's a Nikon LC-52 Snap on Front Lens Cap. Fits as described and protects your expensive lens. A must have for any Nikon owner.
No big deal, this is the &#34;original&#34; Nikon lens cap like the one you probably received with a lens purchase in the past decade. Looks just like the lost one, seems identical to the lost one .....
Lost our original one at a football game...oops! This is a perfect replacement for our stock 18-55 lens on our D5000
Nikon makes great lens caps. Although a bit more expensive than a generic lens cap, I trust the secure connection a Nikon lens cap makes with the lens or lens filter. The cost of replacing a lens is so expensive, I consider this cap (and a filter) cheap insurance to ensure the lens will operate flawlessly and without degradation for years to come.
This lens cap is the perfect replacement for a 52mm wide Nikon lens. While there are plenty of other lens caps out there, I just like having the proper brand logo on the lens.
What is there to say, it does the job.  Stays on the end of the lens when you put it there.  Nice job Nikon!
Fits perfect and works great as it supposed to, no problems, affordable and nice purchase. I would recommend this product
A cover for your lens, that's it what else can you say about it, great product no problems fits Nikon 3100.
Just right ,fit nicelyif this product is fake like some customer sayingI wish all fake product were like this.
I prefer the new lens caps with the pinch grip in the center. Spend the extra buck for the newer style lens cap.
Fit perfectly on my 18-55 lens love it,A friend of mines lost my old one very good price for a very well needed cap.
It has been a life long goal of mine to write a review of a Nikon lens cap purchased from Amazon.Today I'm fulfilling this goal.  I'm quite pleased it is a positive review.I would suggest you purchase at least 2 or more when you buy them.  The shipping is the same and you know you will eventually loose this one too.
I like an OEM lens cap rather than an off-brand cap.  They all fit properly and don't fall off.  The only problem is placing it in a pocket or on a surface and losing it and there are plenty of accessories to solve that too.
I had lost the cap to my 18-55mm Nikor lens last fall while at a horse show, and after looking at the Nikon store and talking with someone there, they didn't even have what I needed!  Big disappointment!  After a little looking, I found this cap, and ordered it, crossing my fingers that it was the right size for my camera and lens.  It's perfect!  I couldn't find any solid info anywhere that this was the cap that would fit, but here it is: if you have a Nikon DLSR with the AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G lens (standard, should be the lens that comes with your camera--mine personally is the D5100), this cap will fit!  Thank you Amazon!
Not much to say about it. Its exactly the same as my original lense cap.Nothing to complain about.It even arrived the next day, which was wonderful.
Product arrived quickly and was a perfect replacement for the one I lost. Fit like the original. Not a bad idea to buy an extra if you're clumsy like me.
does the job as expected. Its nikon and the quality is there. I am going to buy more nikon. go for it
i don't know why i waited so long to replace our lost lens cap. this one arrived quickly and fits our nikon d60 perfectly.
I needed to order this lens cover since the one that came with my camera was lost.  The design has a very subtle clip-on function, so subtle that if you do not have it snapped exactly into place, the cover rubs off quite easily.  Anyway, it finally disappeared on me, so I was glad to see it could be replaced so easily via Amazon.  I was a little disappointed, though, when I put the new lens cover on my camera only to discover that the little snap-on feature was even looser than my original cap.  It's hardly worth sending back and all, so I will use it, but it's not quite right.
I tried a "cheapy" brand lens cap and within a few uses, the cap lost its clipping ability. The replacement, although more expensive, is well constructed, and will last you a long time.
It's an &#34;official&#34; Nikon lens cap. I've had knock off versions so I'm just happy it says Nikon on it. Though when it arrived it seemed rather cheap. Either way it protects my glass, which is what I paid for.
This fit our D5000 camera lense perfectly! So glad I finally got a cover back for my lense! :) My camera lense is 18-55
A review of a lens cap.  I have to say I like the way the Nikon lens cap works and how easy it is to take it off and replace it.  Because the mechanism for releasing the cap is triggered by squeezing the pieces on the front of the cap, it is nearly impossible to end up with a slipping finger to mark-up the glass on the front of your lens.  The cap stays on securely and protects the lens, as necessary.
lost my original cover, so got this as a replacement. it is exactly the same as the original and works well. I also recommend purchasing a lens cap keeper. I purchased the one below, and it worked well.Bower Pro Lens Cap Keeper for SLR Cameras CK501
I lost the lens cover for my Nikon 18-55mm lens during a backpacking trip, and I couldn't wait to replace it.  For something like this, IMO, you will be best served by getting the name brand replacement rather than a no-name version.I ordered this lens cover from Adorama camera, and they processed and shipped the cover very quickly.  Plus, there was no shipping charge.Since this is a Nikon product, I didn't have any worries about whether it would work, and it's doing a fantastic job.There really is nothing like the real thing!5 stars.
It's a Nikon lens cap, what can one say about it? Does what is supposed to do and, looks good.
This is a great end cap, it might even be better than the one I lost.  Heck, why not get two?
nothing much to say. It is the original Lens-snap-on-cover. I ordered it to replace the one I lost, so I thought, but as soon I got the replacement, I found the old one. They are identical and now I have a spare.
I lost the cap of my kit lens 18-55, for which i ordered this.it worked perfectly for that. I would recommend this to anyone in similar situation.
dont knw wht to say. lost my lens cap and got this one.serves the purpose.big deal. could have been more cheap i believe thats y 3stars
This is the best price I've been able to find a Nikon lens cap for. The after market caps are cheaper, but don't stay on as well. This is one of those cases where it's worth it to buy the name brand.
Bought the extra one of rhte extra lens cap I lost. Fits great and easy to use. Should have bought an extra one at time of purchase. Now have extra one that attaches to strap !
The other week the lens cap on my D40 popped off and I lost it off a bridge into the water never to be retrieved (should have been more careful, I was running and the camera bumped against my leg).  The Nikon store wasn't the most helpful and after a few calls and inquiries, I finally confirmed that this is the cap I needed.  I am grateful to the people who posted pictures comparing counterfeit and genuine Nikon products/packing, it reassured me when I finally received the new cap (it checks out!).  This new cap seems more snug than the lost cap, so perhaps it's more common to lose them than I thought (maybe the springs weaken over time)?
It fit, I lost the lens cap and tried another online vendor to try and find the correct one. Failed. I then tried Amazon and perfect fit. Great price as well.
This cap is either a stock OEM cap or a really good fake with the Nikon logo...either way, I can't tell and it doesn't matter.  The cap fits great and looks good.I also bought a foto tech camera buckle lens cap holder that goes on my camera strap so I don't need to buy anymore lens cap replacements....I also recommend this product, especially if you can't keep track of your lens caps
If you are worried about getting a genuine Nikon lens cap vs. a ripoff, I can vouch that the one from Adorama is a Genuine Nikon LC-52.
After losing my cover in a NYC cab, I was pleased to locate this replacement.  I was a bit concerned with it's fit due to lot-to-lot variation, but it has been perfect and I couldn't be happier with the replacement part.
There are many off brands out there but this is the original Nikon lens cap for a Nikon lens.  It works as intended.
Lost my lens cap while on a  cruise and tried to purchase one locally at a port. First finding the correct size was next to impossible and the price was astronomical. I decided to pass up those opportunities and wait until I returned. I purchased the Nikon lens cap which was a replacement and it works great. Great quality and fit.
I can't seem to find anything wrong. I left my oem cover in Jamaica, so I had to buy a new one. It fits just like the oem, and seems to function 100% perfect. Buy it without hesitation.
The price was right and it fit just perfect, and you won't have to be buying another lens becaue of scratches
These fit perfectly and I have had no issues. Looks nice and does the job without any problems or breaking parts so far.
I lost my lens cap at the circus. on the way home I almost picked up a &#34;nikon&#34; $1 or $2 lens cap but after reading review saw they were not real Nikon products and have holes on the side that allow dust to get inside.I decided to spend a few $ more and get the real thing. this work just like the first cap I had. Awesome!
It worked for my Nikon D40.  Seemed like a good cap at a low price.  I recommend it to other buyers.
Perfect.  Thanks. Exactly as advertised ( 15 more words required is ridiculous . What more do you want me to say?)
I bought this to replace the orginial one that come on my wifes Nikon D-40. It fit perfect! Happy with my purchase.
The lens cap is identical to to original one which I lost, and it works perfectly. However, I think twelve bucks for a small piece of plasic is a rip. I would have given it five stars otherwise.
I always need an extra lens cap or two, they fit very well and are well used, the price was just right also!
I got the 2 lens zoom kit for the Nikon D3100 and these repalcement caps fit both the  &#8226;AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II  and the &#8226;AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED[...]I am very happy! Fast shipping! Great company!
works as the name suggests. Lost my camera's lens cap on a recent hiking trip and ordered this one. Looks just like the one I lost.
Lost cap while on vacation so was happy to order replacement to have when I got home.
I dropped my lens cap through the bleachers at a marching band competition and this cap works nice a s a replacement for it.  It is as close to identical as the one the lens came with.
This lens cap was bought for a lens that I had bought second hand that didn't come with one. This is exactly like the lens cap that came with my kit lens. Side by side, you cannot tell they are different, and they both work on my lenses, even with the filters on them. I bought a cheap generic one from my local camera store and that one wouldn't stay put. This authentic one however, does stay put.I'm very happy with it.
This ended up being just like my original lens cap. I needed a spare, just in case and this one is perfect.
This cap is as expected and if fit like it was supposed to.  I like nikon and their quality as always.
My order arrived promptly, and the lens cap is exactly as described. I will have less anxiety about losing a lens cap in the future now that I know it can be so easily replaced. And to the person at Sendero Laguna Nimez who finds the one I lost, use it in good health!
Arrived quickly. Does the job. Not pricey. All I all....if you need a replacement no need to look further. Good deal.
I bought this to replace the lens cap that came with my camera after I lost it. It looks exactly like my old one. Shipping was not slow but the product did arrive a day or two later than another product I ordered that day.
I don't know why these things fall off, but they do occasionally.  Might be a quirk with my camera case.  Anyway, having some spares around is definitely useful.
My husband lost our lens cap so we needed a replacement.  This fits exactly as the original.  Can't beat the price!
Lens cap tends to come off on its own, other than that it protects it well enough to keep the lens safe from scratching
What can you say about a piece of plastic really?  It's to protect a lens.  It fits.  It says Nikon on it instead of Canon .. that's a good thing.
I have a bunch of aged Nikon lenses, some missing their caps. This new &#34;squeeze&#34; design is really nice. It doesn't fall off by accident yet is easy to remove.I remember way back that Nikon 52mm lens caps had two little metal buttons sticking out (later, plastic buttons, but the same idea) attached to a threaded ring that was only a partial circle. The cap held on via the threaded ring's natural springiness. It fell off constantly.This cap has nothing sticking out so it can't catch on anything and a dedicated spring that holds it tight against the filter threads on the lens. Much improved.
i was looking for a cap to my cameras body for a nikon d300 and the title for this cap clearly says nikon d300 its to small does not fit it was a waist of money just not happy with this product at all
I'm not sure what else to say about this other than it's a lens cap and it fits my camera. That's really all you need to know.
If you're anything like me, you lose things without even knowing it. I swore I left my lens cap on the kitchen counter. Fast forward two hours, and the lens cap is gone. Vanished into obscurity. Nowhere to be found. So, of course, I go look for my other lens and decide to take the cap off of that one to use temporarily, since that lens is safely being kept in a bag for the time being. Well, turns out that lens cap was lost months earlier and I'd already been using my secondary lens cap for my primary lens. Dammit -- that means I have a total of two lenses and zero lens caps. Enter Amazon! I ordered three of them... just to be safe (and you should too)!
It is a lens cap - it either works or not - this one works!  I've replaces all my older ones with tabs that protrude with this design.
I accidentally through my old lens cap for my Nikkor 18-55 lens for a Nikon D5100 in the trash, so I ordered this as a replacement. It seems to be a perfectly adequate replacement.
It is a lens cap. It covers the lens on our Nikon D-40. It works.
Fits the lens well for which it is made. It works well and as intended to protect the camera lens. Buy with confidence.
It did what I needed it to. I lost my last lens cap, so needed to replace it. This was the right size for my camera.
I had lost my lens cap for my Nikon camera and I picked up an off brand thinking they are all alike...well they are not...I practically had to pry the no name cap off my camera each time I wanted to use the camera...I am so glade I ordered this Nikon cap that was made for my camera and fits it beautifully.  I highly recommend buying the product that is made by the manufacturer of your product whenever you can...at least that is my experience for proper fit = satisfaction.
We lost the lens cap to our Nikon and so it was nice to be able to find a replacement so that the lens does not scratch. Works just as well as the old one!
I recently acquired some older Nikon lenses, some of which were missing the front lens cap and some that had the original or non-brand replacement lens caps.  I decided to replace them all!  I have found that this newer design seems to fit better and is less likely to fall off and be lost.  I frequently find lost lens caps when I am hiking, and I cannot recall ever finding this design.  From my own experience, the only ones I have lost were ones I set down and then walked away....lesson learned (they now go into my pocket).  I now keep one of each size as a spare....52mm, 62mm, 72mm, and 77mm....in my kit at home.  My lenses feel naked without their lens caps!  :)
It was exactly what I needed for my camera.  So excited to be able to replace it.  It took awhile to get here but worth the wait.
This is a good product.  My order was prompt and efficiently handled.  It arrived in a timely manner with no problems on my end.  It works great.  It is a good value for the reasonable price I paid.  I would highly recommend this product.
Well same thing here i bought this cap thinking it was going to fit the lens i had it didn't fit...will wait for future nikon lens purchase.
We got a backup cap in case we lost ours. For us it was a good idea. We lost our original cap the first day we had our camera, but we already had this replacement.
I bought this cap for my NIKON D40 and it fit like a glove, was a purchase i needed for a very long time. Im glad I found it here on Amazon at a great price.
I original lost my lens cover so I had to order another one.It came perfectly package and good shape. I was very pleased with this thank you.
This ia an original lens cover for the Nikon D3000.  It is of good quality.  I recommend using a lens cover leash with this product.
I think I may have erroneously reviewed this while filling out other feedbacks.  I received this in a very timely manner and it fits my Nikon D5000 perfectly.  In my other review (which may have been erroneous on this or another camera item....bought too many camera accessories recently) I stated it took a while to get here as it was being shipped from China....if I did write this, since I can't find my other feedback..it was incorrect......Delivery was very timely.
If you saw my studio you would be pretty confident that the original lens cap is in here..somewhere! I didn't want to take a chance so I bought a replacement. It fits perfectly and is just like  the one that decided to disappear.
I lost the lens cap from my camera and needed the Nikon 52mm lens cap to replace it. It was certainly very convenient to go to your site and just order it. It was just what I wanted.
I am always worried about protecting my Nikkor lenses, now I don't have to. This little item should be standard for all who shoot photos. I highly recommend it.
Bought this cap to replace the original one on the camera.  Perfect fit.  Of course I knew it would be perfect as are all of the items I have bought through Amazon.com
What is there to say...It works, and is great. If yo ulike your Nikon, don't cover the lens with moist bologna. (this cap is better.)
Bought for the Nikon D100.  Perfect fit. wish it had some type of strap so I wouldn't lose it, but...
I like that I got exactly what I paid for with this camera cap. I could tell that it was real and high quality, and it fit my Nikon D80 just as I had expected it to. Like the one that I had before (which I lost), the cap sometimes falls off unexpectedly in your bag, etc. But thanks for a true product! It DID have Chinese on the packaging, but it was a real Nikon package. So I guess it's important to remember that China doesn't just sell fakes - they have real stuff too!
Original product always good. I lost one on my trip to Jamaica. Five stars is a must to Nikon. Thanks.
This is the Nikon original lens cap and it works better than any other brand lens cap at any price.
Fit my Nikon perfectly. I purchased this because I lost mine at a photo shoot for a banquet. These things happen and I am glad I could come to Amazon and find one for a reasonable price. I've had it for three years I think. So, for the first time since the banquet, I put on a coat I hadn't worn since then and there was the original cap. Proud owner of two now but not complaining...
Make sure you know the exact size of the lens cap you need. I made this mistake and had to mail the original cap back and order the correct one. It was a hassle but it was my own fault - I am satisfied with the order though.
These standard Nikon lens caps are as advertised -- they work well, but maybe not with the very thin filters available nowadays.
What else can i say? This is a perfect fit for the kit lense that came with my D5100. Its hard to give it 5 stars for something so simple, yet it wouldnt be right to give it any less.
My wife lost my cap, ugh.  I was very apprehensive to order as I've heard of alot of fakes.  I ordered from adorama and it seems to be genuine,  I recommend.
fits on a stock lens on my nikon d5100.  not a bad price and came in two days with my prime membership
I bought this to replace my lens cap that I lost.  I figured I would get one with a leash.  The leash is nothing but a thick piece of thread with no way to attach it to the camera.  Look at the picture and see where the thread leads...no where. The picture is not accurate and does not show the ends of the strings.  I give it a &#34;1&#34; because the description is miss leading.  I will never purchase from this vendor again.
This arrived on time and clicked right on to my dad's camera, so I'd certainly recommend it as a back-up lens cap.
I lost the front cap on one of my lenses and I just needed another one. Anyways, you cannot go wrong with Nikon, that's for sure :)Thank you Nikon :)
I had lost my own cap, which I guess had gotten kind of old since I had had it as long as my camera. This one works pretty well, and snaps on perfectly, what with being new and all. I put it on top of my circular polarizer filter, and it generally snaps pretty well onto that. It stays on for the most part, unless I'm sloppy and don't attach it right. It feels slightly more secure on the actual lens and makes this reassuring clicking sort of sound I guess you would call it? But it attaches pretty well to the filter. I even tried shaking the camera with the lens attached, and it's still there. So I guess it does what it should.Still though, $8. But it's by the original manufacturer, and hey, it's protecting way more expensive equipment, so I guess that's all right for now.
&#34;buy this as a replacement for your Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens this is it. The cap fits super tight if put on correctly, As good as described&#34;
love it got it as a back up for my d3100 and it works great.  so glad it works :)
fit right on.  then i bought some filters in an attempt to confuse the cap.  didnt work. it fit right on the filter too.
Okay, it's plastic, but they've been using plastic for lens caps most of my life.  Still a high quality Nikon product.
Not much to say -- good quality and stays put once installed.One suggestion to Nikon however - I (along with I suspect many others) put the cap in my pocket when using the camera.  This invariably results in depositing a fair amount of lint on the inner (mechanism) side of the cap.  Since the cap spring loading mechanism is fully exposed, the lint gets into all the nooks and crannnies and is a pain to clean out.  A smooth baffle to cover the mechanicals would allow simpler cleaning.
First quality replacement for those of us who aren't quite quick enough to catch the first one as it falls in the river...
Fits perfect and looks exactly like the original one that I lost at he zoo. Considering buying more to have just in case.
i lost mine, that's why i got another one. i wish the push buttons that unlock it from the lens were sticking out more when it's onto the lens.otherwise, i love it.
You know you're going to loose this sooner or later... This is exactly the same cap as shipped with your DSLR new. Works great, you might want to buy two...
It fits very well for a Nikon D60. Is worth it, especially to prevent any dust or damage to your lens. As for people complaining about the cap getting lost, just spend a little bit of money and buy the Bower CK501 Lens Cap Keeper from Amazon, and your cap shall never be lost!
This is a nice product. I lost my original one and get this one. However I returned it because I found my original one underneath my COUCH (ugh I didn't even know HOW MUCH my couch EATS!!). I compare and contrast between these two, I find this one like original Nikon lens cap
Lens cap fit just fine on my 18-55 mm lens.  It looks like it is made of quality material. Would highly recommend.
Good quality and will recommend it. It fits well on to the lens and is tight. Arrived on time with adequate packing .
Does what you think it does.  Replaces the cap you lost somewhere on vacation. Now I need 6 more words. Done.
Does the job as designed for my camera lens keeping dust and blowing sand at the beach off the lens.
the only reason im putting this as 1 star is because it didnt fit my camera! i dont know how to tell what lens fits on what ir what size to get
Of course I found the lost one as soon as this one arrived! But it's great to have a back up now.
A little bit pricey but you have the pay the price of your own lack of care....As good as the original.
As advertised. Fits perfectly with our d-90. Always handy to have another lens cap to protect your lenses. Would and will buy again.
Works well on the Nikon lens I own, perfect. Bought the cap savers as well to prevent losing another cap.
A nice cap at a fair price, fits the 52mm filtrr perfectly. Product came in as advertised and packaged nicely. Package included note from company and packing slip, unusual but I liked the extra detail. Will use this company again.
Just as listed. I bought this for a replacement cap since I lost the one my camera came with. Fit perfectly.
I got a replacement lens cap for our Nikon camera and it fits/works just as expected, I would recommend this to anyone needing a lens cap replacement.
I am always leary of replacements, but this fits in perfectly without having any side to side movement on the Nikon
I bought this as a backup for my D5200 (with the stock 18-55mm kit lens).ProsIt fitsIt didn't come brokenConsNoneIf you need a replacement lens cap for the 18-55mm lens that comes with the D5200, this is the one you want.
perfect to replace a lost lenses. price is not too bad therefore I can afford to lose more covers in the future.
One of our lens caps went missing so did quick search for a replacement one. Thanks Amazon! This one fit perfectly, arrived in good condition, and arrived quickly from the vendor - I'm satisfied!
It works perfectly on my Nikon lens.  It came on time, it was in one piece, what more can I say?  Thanks.
This is Nikon. It is the only extra lens cap I would use.  I bought this along with the Fototech buckle lens cap holder and am quite sure I will never need it to replace a lost lens cap now!
thank goodness I found a cap for my Nikon...I bought two just in case I lost another one. once again thank you
This fits the lens that comes with most Nikon kits. If you need a replacement for yourNikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lensthis is it. The lens ships withD40andD40xkits (among others) and should include this cap.The easiest way to see which lens cap you need is to look at the number on the back of the cap, which pretty obvious but I almost overlooked it.  Mine says LC-52 52mm.  If you've lost yours you can measure the front of your lens.  Nikon's more common ones are 52mm, 62mm, 72mm, and 77mm, so the only ones you'll have to measure precisely are the 72 & 77's.The cap fits super tight if put on correctly, but sometimes, if I put it on quickly, it doesn't line up right on my lens. Somehow I've managed to make it peel up the inner plastic ring right by the lens where it says AF-S DX Nikkor. The impression it left is of the exact shape of the moving parts on the cap.  The lens still works perfectly but I'm really annoyed. I can't take a star for that because this is the best cover I've ever owned, but it should be noted that double checking that it's on all the way is recommended.  There is a picture of the damaged lens and back of cap in the "Customer Images" on the product page. :)Amazon's list price is about 15 bucks and there are way cheaper caps out there, but these are really worth it, especially when you've got more expensive glass. Plus they sell for less than half that normally...just be careful with it.
Just kidding. But seriously, it's a lens cap and you should have one. Product works as intended, operates as designed, and no complaints from this fella over here ^_^
I bought this cap to replace one I had on a mid-1990's Nikon 28mm lens where the release pinchers were on the circumference. It was always awkward when removing the cap when the lens hood was attached. This cap is very easy to remove because the pinchers are in the interior. With the lens hood on, there's ample room for your thumb and forefinger.
Because it's just a lens cap, there isn't a whole lot to say.It is an OE part, It fits securely, the Nikon logo looks great, and it was relatively inexpensive! I see no reason to settle for an aftermarket lens cap.
Very nice work -- looks classy. Not the cheapest, but feels solid. You'll miss it when you lose it, so buy two.
The snap-on cap is easy to use.  Just grip and hold the indents above and below the Nikon label, place cap on the front of the lens, then release.  You're set.  No time wasted screwing the cap in place!
This is a genuine Nikon lens cap.  It is not a knock-off.  The center pinch design fits myNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasperfectly  (when I lost it somewhere taking photos last weekend).  Obviously, it CAN fall off (I lost mine), but maybe I didn't have it on 100% correctly.  Sometimes if not seated perfectly, it can click off - which must have happened to me.Please be cautious that you buy the right size.  This is a 52mm, which will fit the kitNikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens.
Wasn't quite sure where my lens cap went, so I ordered this as a replacement. Looks as though I never even lost the original!
Hard to review a lens cap, it is what it is - this is more to review the vendor, J&R Music and Computer World.  Quick delivery with no problems!
When ya own a D5000, ya know how important these lil things are! I had lost my original so I ordered 2, so now I have a back up :)
I just grabbed this as a replacement for an old Series E 35mm f/2.5. It's a lens cap. Nothing more and nothing less. It does exactly what it's supposed to. I suppose this means it warrants 5 stars. That is all.
Original Nikon front lens cap. Works great for what it's supposed to do. Not a knock off or cheaply made cap.
I bought a cheaper cap, kept falling off. This one has stayed on very nicely, definitely worth the money. Wish I would have purchased this one first.
Serves the purpose. Easy to remove and put back. Seems like good quality finish. And at a reasonable price too.
This lens cap snaps in tight and fits perfect.  I bought it to replace the original cap (which I lost) that came with my Nikon 18-55 DX kit lens.
Nikon lens caps are the best on the market.  The are hold securely, don't release accidentally, and are cheap, too.  If you have another brand of camera, just use a marker to black out the Nikon logo :)
Fits perfectly on the lens. Nice looking, great value for the money. Need to add some sort of latching thread so we don't loose the cover.
I've no idea who I lose so many of these caps but regardless buying these replacements is relatively painless. I'm very pleased with the quality.
I bought this as a replacement cap for my lenses which fit my Nikon D3000. It fits perfectly on both of my Nikor lenses (50-200 and 18-55)
I own a Nikon D3200. I droped my lense cap into the Grand Canyon while taking photos. I ordered this cap and it fits perfect. Not much more I can say. Good price.
I have lost my original cap so I bought a replacement to protect my lens/filters. It fits perfectly. After 3 month, I have just recently found the original cap. Now I could verify that it is exactly the same as the original.
Bought for my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens to use instead of the Canon furnished cap. The Nikon cap is a much better cap, easier to deploy and rock solid.Item was delivered on time and as advertised.
was very relieved to find this lens cap to replace the one I'd lost. Was shipped fast and the price couldn't be beat.
I love my Nikon and Nikkor equipment.....I fret over losing pieces. Sadly my original cap disappeared in the field....literally a hay field. Anc ..ooh should I...looking for a lens cap in a field was about like looking for a needle in a haystack. :-)  I prefer brand, Nikon is good to excellent quality stuff (though some of the Chinese made isn't as nice). So I was quite relieved to find this for a tolerable price and received it a few days later. I do wish Nikon would put a little loop on there for a tie, dropped it in the snow today when the click didn't catch. But it usually does the job.
I lost the lens cap on my D3100 and this was the perfect replacement. It tends to come off more easily than the original but generally works the exact same.
The only reason I didn`t give this 5 stars was because of the price. It is the same as the original one so good quality but considerably higher priced than the 58mm cap.
I lost the cap for my Nikon lens and I bougth this one.  It looks just like the one it came with the lens and it fits perfectly.
This item is exactly what I was looking for. An original lens cap that fits my Nikon D60!
Was exactly what I needed after a student lost the cap to one lens.  Fits the 52mm lens for the nikon lens.
I teach photography at a University, and we use the Nikon FM10 camera body with a Nikkor 35-70 mm stock lens.  When students lose their lens cap, this is what I purchase to replace it.The two sides are sort of like tabs that squeeze together, and then after it is on the camera, they snap back into place, holding tight within the front of the lens.Haven't had any problems with the cap, other than students losing them!
I just wanted one because I lost mine. Now that I have cases for the lenses, I don't think I lost one again.
Fits perfectly on my D5000. Great price, I have been looking for a replacement for about 2 years and this was the best deal.
Works as described, no complaints. Opened the package, slapped it on my lens and BAM! No more worrying about scratching my UV filter. Makes you want to lose the original lens cap more often :D!
The center-pinch design is very easy to use and less prone to being knocked loose .
I mean,,it's just a lens cap. A Nikon lens cap that fits my lens just fine. The spring-loading in the Nikon cap feels more secure and is easier to work than those in third-party caps I've used. And, of course, it says &#34;Nikon,&#34; which I'' proud to show.
The lens cap worked as expected.  It was original Nikon equipment which is what I expected.  There are less expensive alternatives which also work.
I lost my lens cap and this was cheap and made by Nikon.  Exactly what I needed to keep my lens protected.
It's just what I wanted...Nikon brand cover.  Fits right!  Does the job.  No complaints.  Good to have handy as a spare.
My mom and I both have Nikon camera's that take this size cap. One of usually loses or misplaces (luckily so far we've alway found them back) when we go places to take pictures, so we finally broke down and got a spare just in case one of us does actually lose our cap some time. The price is great and it was well worth it have spare and be able to keep the lens protected. The cap fit great and looks just like the caps that came with the camera/lenses
This little sucker came in a sealed Nikon baggy and is genuine Nikon. It works, it's fairly sturdy, and is just a good buy.
This was a replacement lens cap and it worked great even on my non-Nikon 52mm lens.Fits perfectly and does the job.I actually prefer lens caps with the little leash because I'm less likely to lose them.  And losing lens caps is a hobby of mine.
Fits the lens and seems to do what it is supposed to do.  I would buy it again for sure.
Exactly what i lost a few weeks ago. Glad I have the replacement so my lens will be protected from my fingerprints.
This was a perfect fit for my nikon d3100 perfectly. It was a great prce and fast shipping. I like that it is a Nikon brand and not a generic
Well, it does a good job protecting the lens when it's attached. You squeeze the top and bottom portions to fit it inside the lens area, where it will snap in place and lock itself.If you aren't careful, it could come off easily if you accidentally nudge or push against one of the squeeze portions in anyway. That's how I lost my first lens cap.There's nothing super special or unique about it. There's not any convenient way to just keep the lens cap with the camera (via string, some sort of attachment, etc.) so that you won't lose it - I've had to resort to buying a Nikon lens cap holder, sold separately. Overall, 4/5 for me.
Works like a charm.  I needed one for one of the used lenses that I've bought, that came with a really old cap.  This one is as good as new design caps.
I finally found a price worthy replacement cap! Took me forever after I lost mine on a motorcycle ride.Buy this!
I had to order a few replacements because you know how it goes, things like this get lost on occasion.  I was happy to see that these are in fact the real deal, work perfectly, look good and keep your lens spiffy.  I wish they were a dollar or two cheaper, but when don't you end up thinking that haha.
I compared This cap to one that was included with my Nikon D3100. Both caps are the same. There is absolutely no difference between the two even down to the embossed word and numbers on the inside of the cap.
It fits my Nikon 18-55mm lenses, this product is totaly original. I have compared them with an extra front lens cap that came with the camera, and they are the same
I needed an extra lens cap for my camera, and so I ordered this one, which fit perfectly.  Just like the origional
I lost a lens cap so replaced it with this one. I found the other one eventually but now have a spare!
I gave this as a gift to go with his camera since the other lens didn't come with a lens cap. It fits great and is nice and tight on the lens
Snug fit on my 18-240mm lens. Can't differentiate from the original cap that I lost on a trip. A lot cheaper than buying it from the local camera store.
ONLY THING  THAT CAN BE USED ,REST OF STUFF WAS WRONG IN SHIPPING SHOCKED IN FINDINFG THAT RIGHT PART SHIPPED
Exactly what I needed !  Not much to say other than it is a Nikon lens cap ... that fits my camera!
The Nikon cap is a must for your camera's lens.  It is a perfect fit and protects your camera lens.  Now I am awaiting the lens cap keeper to make certain that I will not lose this cap!
yeah, I'm pleased with the service and product. It met my expectations. I new it before and everything was Ok for me.
I have never had a problem with mine falling off. I bought a replacement simply because my son put it somewhere in the house and it is a mystery where.I've knocked my camera, bumped it and the cap never falls off. This new one in fact clicks on tighter than the original that came with the camera. Either way, neither falls off. easy to put on and take off quickly too. 10 bucks shipped, not bad.
it was delivered on time and it works great!
works as advertised, kit already came with one, now i have extra one. it snaps on and snaps off, perfect.
...which is what I had on the lens when I bought the camera used. The previous owner had lost one of the lens-caps, so I needed a replacement. The local Ritz was charging twice as much for a lens-cap than Amazon, and it came in only a few days.The lens-cap says Nikon on it, and so does the lens, so they were clearly meant for each other. It snaps on tightly, and can be removed by a little pinch. It's a lens-cap, what more do you want from it?
I own a nikon D90 and 2 Lenses Nikkor 18-55mm another Nikkor 35mm and they both are using these nikon lens cap.Pros: inexpensive, easy to use, and looks good.Cons: NONE.buy a few if you have more than one lens. you will eventually lose one.
What can I say,"It is a Nikon product, overpriced but well made and is the best lens cap in the market place". I have them on all my (12) + Nikon lenses and also on other makes and types of glass in my bag.R/KMW
The Nikon snap caps are a better fit than most of Fuji's own X  series lens caps. This was a replacement for one of my X series lens caps.
My son loved this gift since it was just what he was looking for to keep his nice camera in good shape.
What's not to like? and original equipment manufacturer lens cap. It would be nice if it took great pictures for me, so that I might get a few shots with me actually in them&#8212;but hey, what do I expect for a trumped up piece of plastic?
This lens cap is a perfect replacement for the one that I lost.  It fits exactly like the original one and I have no complaints.
i'm thinking about buying it for my Panasonic camera as this cap is so great and easy to put on
i must say you do not want to loose one of these caps. They are spendy to replace that is why I turned around and also purchased The lens cap keeper holder. It is a must have cause like I said these are spendy to keep buying if you happen to loose it or misplace it.
I didn't know if it would really be exactly like the original one that I lost, but it fits perfectly and looks great!
My son and daughter both lost their lens caps and these fit both their cameras perfectly. They were a great price and were delivered promply.
I never knew a lens cap could cap a lens so well.  But seriously this is a great lens cap.  However I also have an aftermarket one that has a nice string on it that I attached to my camera and thus no need to keep buying lens caps.  I suppose if Nikon did something simple like this they wouldn't sell as many $10 replacement lens caps.
This is a perfect lens cap - much more sturdy than the one that came with the lens originally.
This cap does just what I bought it for a cap for my Nikon camera after I lost the other one. I added a keeper to this one so it wouldn'tlose this one
It snaps on.  It snaps off.  It hasn't broken as have others.  Nikon makes quality gear, and this is one part that does what it does reliably.
I had lost my original lens cap, so this is just a replacement. They are so nice to have and are very easy to use.
I lost my lens cap and needed one badly. Here in Hawaii we have limited stores. Going online and receiving the product in record time and at a good price was awesome. I love Amazon.com
I bought this to replace a cheap replacement cap I had purchased while on a shoot a couple of years back. The cheap cap would fall off in my camera bag, this one stays put. Love it.
I lot my original lens cap, and ordered this one on Amazon.  It came in a decent amount of time, and it fits my Nikon like a glove.  Would recommend
I am very pleased with the speed of service in which I received my order.  I had lost my original caps and these are perfect.
Received this item within 3 days -- great delivery and service.  Fits exactly on my Nikon D40 just as the original.  It looks and feels like the orginal and I would recommend everybody to get an extra -- just in case.
Very nice replacement for the older model lens cap. I've replaced all my older lens caps with this model.
This is exactly like an original Nikkor lens cap.  You will definitely love the look, the fit, and the quality.
lost my original cap, so had to buy replacement. this one is same as original one was. I have nothing to say something negative about this cap.
This fits my Nikon camera perfectly.  I like how it snaps on and off.  Have had no problems at all.
Perfect fit, OEM replacement for my D3100 camera, will pickup a few extras. Need a replacement thanks to my dog.
Fits my Nikon D5100. Love it. It looks like a real original Nikon cap. A good steal! It comes in a nice packaging also!
Who likes buying a lens cap? Not me, but it's definitely necessary since I don't like re-buying lenses either.  This standard Nikon 52 lens cap works great.. as expected.
Good enough.I just don't like the hole in the lense cap.looks very cheao.but, it serves the purpose.it protects my lense
Exactly what I wanted at the price I wante to pay.  It is a Nikon brand that fits like it should.
It;s exactly what we expected to get.  How much more can I say about this item?  It works on the lens.
tapa original para el lente 18-55 mm de nikon. lo unico que falta es que tenga una cuerda que permita siempre estar conectada a la camara y asi evitar que se pierda.
Purchased this after losing the lens cap to my D3000. Wasn't sure if it would fit the standard 18-55mm lens supplied in my camera kit since there was no lens cap part # in my original paperwork. However, Nikon assured me the LC-52 lens cap will fit most standard lens in the 50mm family. Arrived in 2 days & fit perfectly. Very satisfied with the purchase.
When I noticed that my lens cap was missing, I heading straight to Amazon to look for another one.  I found what I needed and ordered it.  The cap was delivered quickly and my lens is once again protected.Great service!
This is no rocket science product,  it does what it is supposed to do.  The appearance of the cap (if you care about that) is much more rough than the one that comes with the lens.
I lose lens caps all the time, used to get the generic ones but this looks just so much more professional! Glad I got the real thing back, so worth it for just a few bucks more
I lost my originals and needed to replace them, this was the place to do that.  The shipping was great and I'm glad I didn't settle for the camera shop cheapies!  UGH!
I was surprise when i receive this item. its pretty cool and its the same as the original. you can't tell the difference. thanks for the business..
Low price, high quality, is perfect combination for a quality product. I highly recommend this Nikon lens cap. Snap on design is easy to use.
I felt the quality seemed cheap but adequate enough to do the job.  I think I would probably have paid more money to get something that was more of the Nikon quality as I feel this lens cap was not.
Nikon lens caps are the best I have used so far. I have never been satisfied with other lens caps I have used. As expected expensive than non OEM caps.
Hubby lost his lens cap on vacation and needed a new one.  Wanted it to say &#34;Nikon&#34; just like the one he lost.  A perect fit and happy hubby!
My dog chewed up my original one (bad Peanut!), so I got this.  Works perfectly, and I couldn't be happier.
I lost my original lens cover so I ordered this one as a replacement. I thought the price was fair and it is identical to the original one I had. I am very pleased.
I like the snap lock fit. It holds snug no spaces. Good price fast delivery if I should lost this one I will surely purchase another same place
I admit it, I'm shallow enough to want the "real" Nikon lens cap (with the logo)... rather than just a knockoff. Plus, the Nikon caps have a better "snap" action than generic ones (when you are snapping it to the lens).But be advised, you WILL want a lens cap holder (elastic string that attaches the lens cap to your camera). Otherwise you are spending too much for something that will probably get lost the first time you're taking a bunch of exciting pictures and drop the cap!
I wanted an extra lens cover for my camera and this is an exact duplicate of the one I have. Good price too!
I got this to replace a lens cap I lost; it fits on the camera and works great.  good buy.
It works well. I am glad that I purchased it. Very nice. I recommend Nikon products because that are state of the art.
I bought this because a generic cap seemed in danger of getting lost, but instead I lost this one on my very first outing. Are there Nikon caps that are attachable? I need one.
I couldn't find any difference with the original cap. The fit and finish is perfect and would surely buy this again if I lose the lens cap again!
Quick shipping, perfect fit.  Exactly as shown and expected. For $7 bucks it was great to have a replacement lens cap after I dropped mine in a waterway.
I am not sure what to really write about for a lens cap? It fits the lens it specifies and it feels exactly like the one I got directly from Nikon for a fraction of the price.
Thought it was priced higher than it should have been but does the job.
It fits perfectly on my Nikon camera, just like the original one that I lost during my trip to Victoria. It's totally worth it.
Have been looking around stores for this. But just got it from amazons and very much satisfied. I need it for protection of my precious camera which I am carrying around most of the time.
It fits tight and snug on my NIKKOR 50mm f1.8 AIS lens, or on the UV filter when it is attached to my lens.  Great.  Plus, it arrived in excellent condition and fast too.
Ordered a couple of new lens and one didn't come with a cap. Order this one and it does the job.
If you're partial to Nikon products, you want the real deal all the way, including the lens cap, not some generic that happens to fit the lens.  Amazon made it easy to order, and it arrived sooner than I expected.  Thanks, Amazon!
Same as factory, I thought I had lost mine on a recent trip to the coast.  This is the real deal from NIKON, factory package.
It covers my lens and stays put. I prefer the inside pinch mechanism over those that use the outside tabs. Besides, I shoot Nikon glass, so I'd rather the cap said that and not some Chinese company's name.Well worth the $$
What else do you expect from it? Just the typical protection for the Nikon 50mm lens when you find that you have dropped the original one on your trek in the woods.
It fits on lenses.  It keeps dust and fingertips off the glass.  It says &#34;Nikon&#34; on the front, so you can show off your brand loyalty.  C'mon, it's excellent at what it does, but it's not rocket science.If you have a Nikon DSL lens, and you don't have a matching one of these, you're being silly.
I've purchased a number of these and love them.  These caps are far better than caps with outside tabs, especially inside hard hoods!  I might lose them in a pocket or misplace them (sometimes, with a leash attached), but I've never had one come off.
These lens caps fit my Nikkor 35mm lens perfectly. I buy them in bulk cause lens caps like socks always seem to go missing.
Its a Nikon lens cap, what more can I say. Its a great price here on Amazon and I would buy another if I needed it.
I lost my lens cap for my DSLR Nikon camera and rather than trying to make it without one, I ordered this replacement.  It was the most reasonably priced one and it works perfect!  What more can you want?
My brother didn't have one for his first DSLR so I bought this one for him.  Taking care of your lens is important
This is a genuine OEM Nikon lens cap at a very reasonable price. Does the job it's supposed to do...
this does not fit the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G lens! its way too small so I think it's made for the 50mm f/1.8D lens.
Just what I needed to replace the lens cap I accidentally left on the bench at the zoo!  Great fit!
Unfortunately, it's what goes on the lens. But it's difficult to manipulate the little squeeze tabs, especially if you are older or have big hands (like, I imagine, most men). It's &#34;fiddly&#34;, as a Brit on another site put it. I have dropped so many, and if you bump the lens into anything, it pops right off -- have lost a fair number of these this way.
I have a lot of misc caps but I prefer using the Nikon caps on my Nikon lenses.  They do get lost once in a while so I do buy them (again) as I need to.
I don't know how I did it but I lost the lens cap for my camera. it does not have a string attaching it to the camera so I really need to keep a eye on where I put it. Very good price! OEM!
I purchased the lens cap for protection of my lens. yes I would recommend this to every one that wants protection of their lens.
Replace all your lens caps with this new design (available in most sizes).  They work better than any other.  (Easy on, easy off, secure)
I received the lens cap the next day even during an ice storm! The cap fits camera perfectly, I should have ordered it a while ago.
Not much to say except that it fits my lens and appears to be well made.  Wish I was able to attach to camera so I don't lose it.
Got this as a replacement for my original lens cap. I won't get into the story of how I lost the original one, but the story involves lending out my equipment to a friend and a severed pinky toe. It was very traumatic for all involved.But every sad story has it's silver lining... In this story, that silver lining came in the form of a Nikon LC-58 58mm Lens Cap.Not only did it arrive quickly, but did not ask too many questions about it's predecessor before promptly assessing the situation and ultimately protecting my lens from the harsh world.The seller was great, if only they made spare pinky toes.
You need to protect your lens at all times, having a clean lens is always the diference.
... what more needs to be said. It is a Nikon lens cap, it fits my Nikon lens like a glove. It is the best lens cap it can be.
I lost my original lens cap.  This one looks, feels and works just like the original.  No complaints.
Nikon nailed this one.  Yes its a simple original cap but Nikon's is so much better than canon's.  The pinch mothod in the middle of the cap is so much better that little area of the cap that is pinched on canon's version of this very simple product.It's the little things that count and here Nikon takes the cake.I've used it for my nikon P7700 with step up ring and larger UV filter. No vignetting and larger more of a standard sized cap that is easier to handle and apply then original small one that came with the camera. Not that it makes a difference but many people have complimented me on how nice the P7700 looks with this somewhat cosmetic upgrade.
Lost the old one....new one is perfect for the P7700 with the sunshade or my 50mm prime lens. Good stuff!
These caps replace factory caps for Nikon and work perfectly.  I like to always have a backup.  Would certainly recommend if you are looking for a replacement lens cap.
Not a whole lot to say about a filter cover.  It is pinch operated, it fits, and it works as it should.
What can you say about a lens cap?  Hey it works?  Just like what I thought I was getting, a genuine Nikon 58mm lens cap.However, if you read the Product description or Technical Details... Well it describes a D Type lens at 52mm.  I ordered anyway, and got what I wanted.
If you buy the best or even a lens that it makes your pictures look like magazine photos, the the best is to protect it form scratches with a good lens cover.
This cap fits my Nikon perfectly.  Protects by extra lens from scratches, looks nice, stays on the lens even while in my carrying case.  Definitely a good buy.  The price was excellent.  Order received promptly and with no problems.
I love Nikon caps. Even if I shot with Canon I would order Nikon caps. Why? Because they are quick and easy to remove, even in the middle of the desert in pitch black where I take pictures of the bodies before I bury them. Just kidding, no but really it's nice, it's a lens cap however, and can only be so nice. I could remove a star for it not being made of silver, but that'd be mean. Order one. =]
Got this cap for my Canon Prime lenses.  I don't like the stock Canon cap because it's really hard to insert/remove when the hood is on the lens.  I've tried the Tamron caps and they're alright ... but the Nikon caps just feel much more comfortable.The only drawback is that now all my nice expensive Canon lenses have Nikon and Tamron lens caps.  These caps confuse people who are looking at my Canon gear and wondering why I'm using Nikon gear or cheap 3rd party lenses.I don't know why Canon can't figure out how to make a decent lens cap.  Until they do, I highly recommend these Nikon caps.  The quality is good and they're reasonably priced.
Bought the 50mm/1.8G Nikon lens used, and the previous owner sold it to me with the inferior Canon lens cap. Bought this to have a matching cap, and so I could give the Canon one to my brother to protect his 28mm/1.8.Was a bit worried after reading others' reviews that this product would not be genuine, but the copy I got from seller 'shopit' appears to be every bit as genuine as the other Nikon lens caps I've got.Can't beat the price, too!
Had to purchase this to replace a lens cap I lost to the wind. Usual Nikon high build quality, very pleased.
I purchased this cap because I installed some filters on my Coolpix 8800 and I am very happy with my purchase.
Hard to write a review on a Nikon branded lens cap, but it's a good item. It's original, has good spring-loaded clamps and does what it's supposed to do. If you want a Nikon original cap in 58mm. This is it.I picked this up as part of a three-accessory combo for my Nikon P7700. Although it's front element is 40.5mm, I wanted this for my secondary setup.I have a Nikon NC filter for the 40.5 front which stays on along with the original cap. I got an EzFoto Metal Hood for the P7700 which can act as a, well hood. I got it to double as a hood AND light weight 58mm stepup ring. I keep an AGFA circular polarizer on the EzFoto hood and this cap on the front of that in my bag. If I wanna use it, I just remove the original cap on the P7700 and screw the hood on and the rest is already in place. It also protects the CP filter when it's not in use.Kinda $ for what it is, but that's OEM for you.
Our original may or may not have dropped in a raccoon enclosure at the local zoo, due to somebody's large fumbling fingers.  This replacement fits perfectly and got someone out of the dog house.
These are easy to lose, so it's nice to be able to pick up one quickly. Now to keep this one from disappearing.
Very impressed! I have a Nikon D5000 that has a 50mm lense with a 58mm UV filter on it and this fits perfectly!
What do you say, it's a plastic lens cover. Wish it was cheaper, but Nikon is over priced, so what do you want? It fits the 58mm size as a stock cover would, but also feels a little cheap, like a stock would. It does the job, I bought it, and would again if need be.
Bought this to screw on to my lens cap being used with my new Nikon P7800.Does the job and just what I needed.
This lens cap was reasonably priced and arrived quickly. Just like the original that I lost. I ordered 2 so if I lose one again I have one on hand. I don`t like to use the connecters because I don`t like the dangling lens cap, these are cheap enough that I won`t worry so much about losing one.
This is exactly the same lens cap as originally came with the Nikon lens. Nothing less, nothing more. There might be a better third party lens cap, but I would rather stick with the Nikon original.
I lost my cap for 55-300 nikkor lens... then i order this to protect my lens and it's good. I would recommend that.
Better than the caps with the pinch points on the rim because accidentally pushing one won't dislodge the cap.Also because you can put it on or take off while the lens hood remains in place.
I like Nikon lens caps better than those that come on other cameras.  I bought these as replacements for the caps of my Olympus OM-D E-M5 lenses.  They have the pinch opener in the middle of the caps that make them easy to get on and off in a hurry compared to the ones that came with the lenses.  The only downside (?) is that people ask me about my Nikon mirrorless camera and I have to explain that it is not a Nikon.
it is set in a plastic clear bag with nikon and its info all over it. it looks fake almost as I have never bought Nikon parts packaged as such. but there were all the correct numbering and part numbers on the cap.overall it looks and fits correctly. I did feel the edges of it and it feels a bit more sharper then the one that I had with my lens. maybe i'll take a light file to it and soften the edges.
I use this cap for my Fuji X series lens. It has a better &#34;grab&#34; than Fuji's own lens cap.
If you own a Nikon digital camera and are actively taking a lot of photos you are going to lose a lens cap cover.  So I bought a couple of these to keep in my camera bag for that purpose.  Fits perfectly and latches properly.
The cap fit nicely on my Sigma lens. I purchased this as I had lost my previous cap.
Great replacement lens cap.  The lens cap appears to be manufactured by Nikon and doesn't appear to be fake.  I strongly recommend as a replacement.
I bought a new AFS 50mm f1.4 lens, and of course the first time I used it I lost the original lens cap. I ordered this as a replacement and its perfect. Not a lot to it. Anyway, I found the "lost" cap soon after receiving this and now have a quality spare......:)
These are the best, ordered a lens off eBay and had a generic lens cap, I order this one to replace it, because I can't stand any other lens cap.
I lost my lens cap and purchased this one to replace it. It is a perfect fit.  It is a good product.
This fit perfectly and filled a big missing need in our collection. Thank you for having this stuff ready to go!
Fit my Nikon FX lens perfectly. Make sure that you have the correct diameter before ordering and you should be fine
a must to protect expensive lenses from scratches - easily lost & a must to purchase to protect your lenses
Perfect fit for my 300mm Nikor.  Nikon brand that is great quality or much less than in a camera shop.
Great for protection and from dust and other debris. A must for any lens. quick spring loaded lens cap, easy.
Great cap. Nikon quality. Wife had an off brand on her camera for a while until it somehow got stuck behind her car seat. The force form the seat on the cap pushed the cap into the lens and broke the filter. It happened because the off brand cap had poor tolerances and didn't fit exactly as it should. Spend the extra $ on the Nikon cap.
This is a real Deal Nikon cap. I was a bit skeptical, However i just want to let everyone know it is legit
I ordered this particular lens cap because it looks like the older model, which I prefer marginally to the newer one. I find it easier to drop the newer design, especially with gloves on, which is how I lost the last one while changing lenses on horseback. It's a good product (I have one for every lens I own), but the one pictured is better, IMHO.
Not much you can say about a Nikon lens cap, so maybe a Haiku?Not a thousand wordsNeed describe my Nikon capIt is a fine cap
Lost my lens cap in New York City. Had to buy a quicky generic (non-Nikon) replacement on the street ($25): lousy quality at a high price. The minute I got home, I ordered this at half the price and am a happy shooter once more. :)
Got 18-200mm VR? Then you will need one of these. I accidentally dropped my original lens cap and slightly chipped it enough so that it wouldnt snap on properly. This is the original part replacement. If you own the 18-200mm VR or a Nikon lens w/ a 72mm thread, get one of these as a back-up along with a lens cap leash.
After losing my 72mm cap I went to Amazon to search for a new one.  After arrival it fit perfectly and is identical to the one I lost.  Highly recommended.
pro sports shooter with constant 18-200 use - lose a cap every few months and these are the ONLY ones I buy. WORTH IT over generics that don't hold as securely
It fit properly and appears to be genuine Nikon (crazy to think that there are counterfit lens caps out there)...
Always worth getting the Nikon original.  Fits like a gem, and overall great mechanism. Since I lost my last one, probably need to order more.
When I fell and broke the lens on my 18-200 Nikor lens, getting it repaired was painful.  And when i found out what the replacement 72mm lens cap cost in a camera store, it just added to the pain.  The identical item at a great price found on Amazon was a lovely surprise.
Expect high quality from nikon (even a lens cap) and was not dissapointed by this purchase
Excellent product, it&#8217;s an actual Nikon cap or a darn good copy, it&#8217;s the newer style with the indentations for the finger in the inside of the cap. It fits securely and stays on till you need it off, then it comes off without a fuss.
You squeeze the sides to remove it, and snap it back on when needed, it's a perfect replacement for your 72mm cap.
During a recent trip, I either set down my lens cap while taking a photo or somehow knocked it off the camera. Upon return to my hotel, I immediately got on-line and ordered two new ones!  I find the lens caps a necessity for keeping the lens clean and protected.  The day after I returned from my trip, the new lens caps had arrived.
yes its help to protect my lenses after i lost the old one &#60; and its good quality like whta i have before
I like the new middle pinch design from Nikon.  Makes getting the cap on easier even with the hood or a filter on the lens.  But it is still just a lens cap.  Essential but not very sexy.
I've spent years hunting for the perfect lens cap for my 18-200mm.  I've no idea where the original cap went and I was certain the love in my heart for that poor, lost cap could never be replaced.  But, I was wrong.  This cap is just as fantastic and fulfilling as the original.
Genuine item, just like new original.  Prior reviewers had noted fake items, but this is from Nikon, so yippee indeed.
Nikon OEM lens cap.  Looks and fits great.  Hard to find anything more that you can say about it.  It could be a little cheaper?
Genuine Nikon replacement lens cap. Price was good, and free shipping with Prime membership. At the rate I lose lens caps, I am sure I will be buying more.
I was surprise at first for receive something different than the picture but it is exactly like the others in my originals lens, just bigger and fix perfect in my 18-200, 72 mm Nikon lens
Just like the title says, it's a Nikon 72mm lens cap.  It works, although it's really quite expensive for something that comes free with every lens.
I keep losing lens caps to my Nikon lenses but this was a perfect replacement.  Felt no different than the OEM cap that came with the lens.
just as described, also order nikon original... this was just as good as oe. very pleased with product. I would highly recommend this product.
I bought this on the bet that a standard 72mm pinch-type cap for nikon would work on an olympus lens with a UV filer just the same.  Sure 'nuf it does.So all you Olympus guys out there head over here if you are buying the high end lenses for a pinch type cap from our friends at nikon.  It's easier to get off and on than the onlympus stock cap.Now back to your regularly scheduled nikon programming....
Lost the original lens cap and needed to replace it.  Does what it's supposed to do at a good price.
What can you say about a lens cap?  I ordered it, and got what I ordered... simple, perfect, done deal.
This cap has a center pinch feature, which is great if you have a long lens hood and you can't quite reach down and remove a standard lens cap with the releases on the sides. However, because of the center pinch feature, there are internal mechanisms inside the cap taking up space that cause it to almost touch the front element when you put it on. If there is a small slight of hand and you mount the cap even a little bit off center, depending on your lens, it is easy to touch the front element. When this happened for me, it left a small mark that I easily wiped off with a microfiber cloth. It's still safe for the lens, as glass is much harder than plastic, but I still consider it a hassle to have to be so precise when putting on the lens cap. Also, if you were to drop the lens on the front, the lens cap would provide almost no clearance between the front element, possible transferring the shock to the front element instead of absorbing it. Once again, this problem only presents itself in lenses where the front element is very close to the front mount, so if your lens has good clearance between the front element and the front of the enclosure then you don't have to worry about this problem.
After losing the lens cap to my Nikkor 18-200mm lens I tried some off brands but they didn't fit right.  Only the original will fit perfect and this one did!
Full Nikon quality.  I had tried to save money with a "knock-off" cap that looked exactily like the original.  It however lost its paint (name) within 2 months. It was very flimsy and occasionally came off.  I will stick with Nikon as much as I can.
Replaced my lost Nikon Lens Cover for a fraction of the cost from a camera store or other online sources.  Can't tell the difference between this one and an original factory lens cover.  You won't be able to, either.  Great lens frame tension. Travel extensively and at no time has this one fallen from my lens. This includes zip lines in Maui, spelunking in Kentucky, bouncing around in a long distance boat race in the middle of Lake Michigan, floating the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and mountain hunting for Dall Sheep in the Brooks Range of Alaska.  This is not a cheap copy.  How did I lose the original, then?  Left it on a counter while shooting pics at a wedding, while quickly grabbing a candid shot. My Bad.
Nikon quality. Easy to install or remove. Famous Nikon logo displayed on the front so everyone knows that you've got a Nikon (and you should probably take that cap off before you start taking photos). What else do I need to say. :)
Exactly what I expected. The lens cover fits snuggly over the outside threads of my Nikon NC filter. I highly recommend these Nikon caps.
Great replacement for my original.  Could never tell the difference.Wish it was two dollars instead of ten. Glad I got it.
I got this for a Rokinon 85mm f1.4 lens I purchased on Amazon. Love the lens but the Nikon lens cap makes it easier to use because it works so much better. Having purchased cheap aftermarket Nikon lens caps in the past and found them inferior, I stick with the real thing now.
Fits and works just as it should, good price. Didn't find any problems. Always need one or two spares for when lose one.
This  item does exactly what I wanted it to do.  It caps the lens.  It replaces a lens cap that left home.It is just like the original, center pinch and secure with the great Nikon name on it.
Never leave home without your lens cap.  It is well worth the money to protect the glass on my lens.  Absolute no brainer given the price of this and price of my lens.  Exactly as original.
I purchased this cap as a replacement for my lost Nikon lens cap and it is perfect! Good product, very good quality
The lens cap for my Nikon fit perfectly and is exactly what I expected when I ordered it.  I'm sure the cap I lost will show up now since I bought this new one.
Basic &#34;pinch&#34; type lens cover.  Haven't had it long but I've had it out a couple times now and it works just fine on my 72 mm Nikon 18-200.  Unfortunately, it did not work on the 72mm B&W 72mm Slim-Line Circular Polarizer I ordered with it, because the polarizer has a very very thin rim which does not provide enough purchase for this type of cap to lock onto.
This is not a knock off, it is the real NIKON cap! It features the quality you would expect from Nikon. If you need a replacement, here it is!
The lens cap works great! I've had it for several months now and I haven't ran into any trouble with it thus far. It's easy to use and it isn't loose or pops out from the lens when I take my camera out. It protects the lens at all times and I'll probably be purchasing another next year.
Does the job, I like the new locking mechanism better than the older one, seems a bit more secure.  As expected for Nikon original product
I lost this cap on the street one day while taking photos.  This was the perfect replacement for the one I lost.
Excellent lens cap. Snaps on tight and firm and offers the needed protection for you lens. I would purchase this again, but hope I don't loose this cap.
I have bought many lens caps.  You lose them, misplace them and break them.  This is not a generic knock off.
This lens cap reminds me that within the small details of life there is found significance.  I am repeatedly amazed at its outright roundness, and how it perfectly conforms to the front of the lens.  When it falls or is accidentally knocked free, its importance really shines-- then you realize it is the only barrier between a clean glass and your finger.
I had ordered this as a replacement for my original cap - the springs were not working on that. This looked exactly like my original one and fits my lens perfectly. I would recommend this product.
This seems like a factory lens caps.  I dropped it to 4 stars because the buttons have a slight wobble.  Still it fits perfectly.  What can you say about a lens cap????
Lost mine recently so I ordered on from Amazon, it was cheaper than getting directly from Nikon. It was for my 18-200mm Nikon lens w/ a 72mm thread, got a lens cap keeper / holder too, so I don't loose it again.
It's an item that if you loose one you need another one to protect the lens ... a must have item.
Could have bought this same cap at the photography store literally 1 mile from my house.  But they wanted $17 for it.  It's outrageous how much something costs because it has a brand name on it.  Then of course you have to make sure that you are buying the 'real' brand name item and not getting duped by purchasing black market copy products.Does it fit the end of the lens, yes.
the works as advertised.  I ordered this item to replace the lost lens cap of my VR 18-200 nikor lens.
It's hard to get too excited about a lens cap, but this one is nicely designed, being sturdy with good grip on the lens threads.I bought this for use with an older Tokina telephoto lens which has an integrated hood (a long cylinder around the end of the lens, which can slide forward to shade the end of the lens from stray light).  The nice thing about this lens cap is that, when attached to the lens, the outer diameter of the lens cap is no bigger than the lens itself, so that if the hood slides forward accidentally, it cannot pop off the lens cap.
I use the F5. I am a Mamiya RB67 Pro SD photographer. I love Med. Form.. I also love my F5.I have a Nikon D70s and a Nikon D300. My lenses are pro lenses and that is the real crux. The lens, not the camera, for the most part. However, the F5 is a great body to attach a Nikon lens, of any quality, to. The real difference is the F5's meter. For the past 40 years of photography that I have loved every minute of, the F5, as a 35mm machine, has been the best 35mm camera I have ever used.I love the larger 6 x 7 neg of the RB's and the 6 x 6's of the Rollies. But, if I had to choose a 35, it would be the F5 for its performance and its meter. The meter is superb and I don't feel that Nikon has beaten its meter game in a meaningful way since the F5. Superb.Of course, I love film and make my living in a "negative" way. Mostly 120 and 220 Fuji. I shoot a lot of Nikon for personal photos and the need of a lighter camera and no tripod for PhotoJournalism and some landscape. I have used many formats over almost half a century and the Nikon F5 is the best of the 35mm's I have used and beaten up. I have never beaten up this tank of F5 mechanics and electronics.You have to know what you are doing with this camera to get the best. Nothing in life is free of learning. The custom settings are your way of setting it up for your needs. However, it will give you great results out of the box if you let it do the work for you.Should you make this choice and learn the camera, intensely, you will have a friend for life. This is a machine and nearly weather proof. Be careful though. You can ruin anything if abused. Don't drop it from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
I just got this camera a couple days ago, all though i have not developed my first roll yet, i am extremely happy with my second ever film camera. I had one cheap 35mm film inexpensive Nikon camera about 15 years ago and i was actually not into photograpy at that time. I currently own a D7000 and i have it paired with my D7000.Bottom line, i am incredibly fortunate i ran accross this beast, i LOVE BIG AND HEAVY cameras. The view finder is HUUUUUGE!! lOVE IT! For a long time i have kept my eye on a FF body but it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to afford one of the current FF body, even a USED D700.I find this camera incredibly fascinating because there is no LCD to preview any photo, so there is an internal emotion and anciety to find out how your photos will come out. A film camera certainly makes you use your brain before you actually take a shot, and not just BLAST OFF like a digital camera assuming that the camera will do everything right for you. It is actually extremely sad that not too many people shoot film anymore and that the majority have become lazy photographers that want everything easy. I can't wait to see that old classic look result from this camera in color and specially black and white, stuff that cannot be duplicated by none of the current DSLR cartoonish technology.As of 9/6/20012:  I just developed my first film rolls and got the photos in a DVD. I am very pleased with my camera. I am actually impressed on how the photos can look very much like digital after PP. Of course they won't match the sarpness and detailed look of digital, but the photos are nice, specially going back to that "old" film look.  For my first roll I actually used cheap film, just to start getting the hang of it, now i do have a higher prefessional film in it and can't wait to see what the next batch of photos will look like.
I've been shooting and F5 for about 2 years and if you have a chance to get a clean one - do yourself a favor and go for it.  The metering, autofocus and handling are superb and unlike digital imaging products, while this is among the more complex film cameras out there, operation remains simple so you can focus on what's important - image construction.  The inconvenience of film is worth it for certain results that can not be replicated with digital capture - the quantitative metrics are highly misleading.My camera is an early one from 1996 and was used by a working pro, but still functions exactly like the precision instrument that it started life as out of the box.  It's hard to appreciate the tactile pleasure of using something like this, and the sheer speed really is breathtaking.  And it works with all of the modern Nikkor lenses.All those qualities aside, though, the F5 is a camera that gets out of your way so you can focus on taking a picture - and if speed is your thing, you can take that picture RIGHT NOW.  It can be heavy, and it eats batteries, but in a pinch it could also probably be used as a weapon.The only problem with owning equipment like this is that it spoils you for the consumer-grade stuff.  Seriously.  Don't think about buying one of these as a "bargain" - because it'll psychologically prevent you from owning very high-performing, mid-range stuff in the future.  Nikon's best stuff is really, really nice and it's not easy to go "back" to the consumer-grade stuff, which is kind of nasty in comparison.I love my F5 and you will too.
I have been a photographer for 50 years and have shot with the best-Hasselblad, Contax, Canon, Mamiya, etc.  The one film camera I have kept in my possesion is the F5.  I feel totally comfortable and confident with this camera.  It is part of my body and the results are always the same-wonderful.  I just hope I can continue to buy film and find decent processing. Long live the F5!!!! Charlie
I have one of every model Nikon F made from the FTn to the F5.  I used to think that the F2 was God's gift to photography. Rock solid and mine is 30 years old and it still works fine.  However, as good as it was, I would not want to go out on a magazine assignment with an old F2. The capabilities of modern AutoFocus cameras make my old F2 and even the F3 too limited - especially with regard to invaluable tools like automatic fill flash, auto exposure, simple exposure bracketing and simple and fast film loading. I have an F4 too and in its day, it was a gem. But I shoot a lot of motorsports and the F4 was too slow for fast action. The F5 is everything the F4 was plus it focuses better and faster.  The camera is a joy to hold (at least for my two hands) and is possibly the best handling camera I have ever used in my over 30 years of picture taking. As mentioned above, it focuses very well and very fast - especially with the newer "S" lenses with the motors in the lens. The camera takes lithium batteries and they seem to last through many dozens of rolls of film - not as cheap as alkaline but very convenient and much lighter to carry. The high eyepoint finder works great for me and my thick eye glasses. The controls are where Nikon has put them over the years so long-time users should have no trouble working fast with the F5. Mine has seen rugged use here and in Europe and it has never failed me. The only gripe I have is that the removable prism does let in dust but every Nikon I have has the same issue.  It's simple to eliminate the dust with a soft brush or some canned air so it's a pretty small gripe. I think the Canon EOS 1V cameras and lenses focus a tad faster (I tend to use them more for my motor racing assignments) but the F5 is such a joy to use and the Nikon glass is so sharp that I look for assignments where I can use this camera.  The F5 remains for now in the product line, despite the introduction of the new and more expensive F6. The F6 looks like a winner and handles well too. But its $2400 price tag and the fact that the majority of the market for a high powered pro camera has already turned to digital, makes me wonder who but a serious amateur with deep pockets will pony up the bucks for one. My final warning to you camera junkies out there is that once you handle the F5, you will not want to put it down. And that's not a bad thing.
I just recieved my f5 and am thrilled. I haven't shot film since my FE days, someone needed the FE more than I did and it was stolden. I have shot some Digital with a sony Cyber shot. But,I feel they didn't have the same feeling as film. I have not shot any images with this camera yet. I am still rounding up Assessories. You are ready to shoot film or you would not be reading this. I feel this is the best film camera you can buy. Mine is a 1998 model SN#314---- , it came from KEH and is like new, except the right grip being a little loose (a well known problem) maybe I can fix it with super glue, or maybe I will take it to Nikon, here in SLC. I think that with the revival of film images these camera's will be in short supply, best to get it now.Update 2/25/13 I made a mistake and ordered a DX lens (55-200 VR) I should have read the specs'. Oh well got a roll of fuji and shot the heck out of it. It is a very good lense, got some vig in the corners but very little, and a little croping took care of it.
Without question, the Nikon F5 is one of the best conceived, well built professional quality autofocus 35mm SLR cameras I have come across. True to the tradition of ruggedness expected from a Nikon F series camera, the F5 is truly built like a tank. In a sense, it is the autofocus equivalent of the old Nikon F and F2 cameras, which made Nikon's reputation for building a first-rate professional quality SLR system. Indeed it is the only professional grade autofocus 35mm SLR which comes with interchangeable finders and screens, harkening back to its F and F2 predecessors. I've handled the F5 in camera stores and also at trade fairs such as Photo Plus East; it may be the best handling autofocus SLR I've come across. However, it is about to be replaced by the newly introduced - and much lighter - Nikon F6, so potential purchasers should look carefully at this camera and the F6, before making their purchase.
Since this camera came I almost forgot that I have a DSLR, This camera is awesome!!! the metering is great, build like a tank, fast focusing and everything they say good about this cam is spot on. I don't really mind the weight, personally it's just like caring my digital stuff.some shotshttps://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/942780_10151654500753413_226946175_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941368_10151654500848413_1604893969_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/48069_10151631474538413_1045403296_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/3586_10151631474778413_1982335633_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p206x206/970833_10151710566168413_954697460_n.jpg
The Nikon F90X was a very good intermediate-type camera during the mid 1990's.  I sold it and purchased a used heavy-weight (features and mass) Nikon F5 from a Toronto photo flea market 5 years ago.With over 250 rolls of 24 exposure film, this camera has not failed me yet.  It is well balanced with every AF and AFS Nikkor lens that I have been able to mate it with.  The camera also works extremely well with the Nikon SB-28 Speedlight.The 3 gripes I have about this camera are:a)  Lack of illuminated focusing points in the viewfinder,b)  Lack of a focus lock to prevent accidental focus shift, andc)  Having to visit Nikon to default the film rewind leader out.Overall, a solid performing film camera body.
When I opened the box, I couldn't believe my eyes ... this camera was virtually new. I took it on a trip the first weekend I owned it and came back with 10 slides I will enlarge and put on my office wall. It works smoothly and flawlessly. It has been called the finest 35mm camera ever built ... I believe it.
The F5 is very likely the best 35mm film camera that will ever be, and in most ways takes the 35mm film SLR concept to its ultimate.  This camera, operated with even minimal skill, simply will not take pictures that are not superb, at least from an exposure and focus standpoint.  The F5 has a lightning fast autofocus system that will work fine even under very dark conditions.  The F5 exposure system is probably about as good as any auto-exposure system will ever be, and certainly it is as good as anyone needs one to be.  I have constantly been impressed and often startled by how good my F5 pictures turn out, even under tricky lighting conditions that a lesser camera (without a better photographer) would have screwed up.  The F5 is a great camera.Things about the F5 I don't like?  A few.  First of all, the F5 is built like a tank--very durable and heavy duty.  Unfortunately, after you carry it around for awhile, it feels as heavy as a tank.  The F5 is large, heavy, and not especially easy to stow away for trips or toss in that backpack.  This is about the only thing about the F5 I found to criticize.  Incidentally, a smaller Nikon that is technically very similar to the F5 in features and performance in most respects is the Nikon F100.  Amateur photographers who want the best film camera available should consider the F100 which has almost the same exposure and autofocus systems in a lighter, sleeker body.Why do I say the F5 is (probably) the best 35mm camera that will ever be?  Very simple--the world is going digital.  Camera companies, Nikon included, are not likely to put much in the way of R&amp;D towards improving 35mm cameras.  Their money is going towards improving the digital cameras, which are presently undergoing rapid evolution, and which are beginning to approach (but have not yet equalled) the F5.  Fortunately for film enthusiasts/die-hards, the F5 and its smaller brother, the F100, are so good that little more improvement is called for.
I just got it, but cannot find a memory card that fits its unusual design.  Overall I like the feel of this camera, but it's just sitting here screaming "feed me".
Yes I said SLR. OK I still shoot film... so what! :) I have a Nikon DSLR also but I've like what this one does. It's a great camera and at a great price. It worked just the they said it would. I highly recommend this... if you actually know what film is... ;)
I like the F5 so far, loaded batteries and film, haven't shot any frames yet so none has been developed.In good shape and received promptly.However, seller wasn't kidding when they stated &#34;body only&#34;. Did not receive a a camera body cap. It came in a sealed zip-loc bag. I mean really! Didn't happen to have a spare body-cap for a Nikon lying around a camera shop. Really cheap...Though, the camera seems to work great and is on good shape.
Great camera for college photography class.  Can be expanded for other uses after taking your class.  Just remember it's old school.
I got this camera when I graduated high school and started college in early 2000. It is lightweight yet solid. The viewfinder is clean and clear and very easy to focus with the split screen focus. The kit lens is not very good bordering on trash... I would recommend getting a 50 1.8 or a 35. In the mid 2006 I went full digital and stopped using film for several years. In that time I left my FM10 in the trunk of my car for over 2 years... thats 100+ summers and mid 30's in the winter... When I picked it back up it shot like it always had... I didnt even need to change the battery... If you want a simple dependable manual slr, you would be hard pressed to find a better camera.
I first placed an order for this camera on a Sunday by Friday it still hadn&#8217;t shipped after a call to Amazon I was told that it was &#8220;stuck&#8221; in their system so they sent one overnight. Got it Saturday afternoon tried to load film but the shutter release button is frozen I can with a cable release make the shutter work but I don&#8217;t want to do that each time plus the light meter doesn&#8217;t work at all.  I wanted an old school camera like I learned to shoot on nearly 40 years ago but the whole Amazon experience has been a disaster.
This product works well. The battery pops out if you clip it with your fingers, but it is a minor inconvenience and fits right back in.
The FM series of cameras from Nikon has a long and distinguished history.  The FM10 is a totally manual camera with through the lens center weighted metering.  The beauty of the manual system is that you have a complete range of shutter speeds if the batteries fail.  Additionally, you get to set the camera settings how you want to without trying to out think and out smart the auto programming that most cameras have now.  In other words, you get to take the picture; not the camera.  The FM10 is a sturdy camera that has one of the widest ranges of lenses available to it.  There is not a lens that you can think of that can not be found for this camera.  Beginners or professionals: anyone that wants to be a photographer and not just a button pusher should get this camera.
This is a fully manual film SLR which I purchased roughly around the time when it was first released and I used for about a decade.I am taking off one star because it is plastic. I don't like that and it takes something away from the feel of quality. There is something intangible about that. Now that this camera is retired, I would have expected that given the many years of use, I would feel more sentimental about it. I don't and I blame the plastic.But plastic construction is where my criticism ends. Let me be clear: this camera is a work horse and looks pretty much as new after about 10 years of use and abuse. The only apparent wear and tear is on the lens. Also, in terms of design, it is an elegant looking camera.I have taken it on many trips abroad as a student and have brought it to remote wilderness areas. I even dropped it into a lake once. The film was obviously ruined, but I immediately opened it up and dried it out in the sun. Nothing happen to it! I've never had any mechanical problems with the camera and the the pictures that it produces are great!I don't believe any reviewer who says that this thing is not durable because of its plastic construction. My guess is that people just assume that it won't last.  I think this really is just an aesthetic issue.What I really like about this camera is the very large (although slightly dim) viewfinder. The camera is just asking to be held up to your eye. The lens is good but also plastic with cheap looking aluminum mount . The focusing ring has a smooth and nicely dampened action. It's relatively small too.I hate to say it, but in spite of the fact that this is a good camera, if I were to shop for a manual SLR all over again, I would purchase something that's metal. Having said that, I've never regretted owning it and I am happy with it. I would recommend it.
I will not attempt to actually rate the camera so much as comment......  When I buy a camera that says NIKON on it, I expect to get one MADE BY NIKON, not some second or third-stringer called Cosina.  I will qualify that by saying to the readers that I used a Nikkormat FT3 for many years (couple decades, actually) which was sold through Nikon that was a Ricoh body.  When you bought it, you had a choice of lenses to buy with it, OR, none at all if you already had Nikon or Nikon compatible lenses.  This did not bother me because it was made clear up front by the dealer *exactly* what it was.........and, I bought the tried and true Nikon 50mm f/2 lens with my FT3.  On the FM10, however, not only is the body not made by Nikon, apparently neither is the lens.  Both made by this Cosina and simply gets a Nikon name slapped on it.  Until this episode, I never even heard of Cosina.  For a &#34;non-Nikon Nikon&#34; the price is too high, and so is the chance you are taking, in my opinion.I discovered this not long after placing the order and tried to cancel it but got an email from Amazon saying it was too late.  But they did also tell me that I could refuse it on delivery.  That's what happened, even though UPS marked it as delivered initially. I contacted Amazon customer service who cleared up the thing with UPS and is also refunding my money - supposedly within a couple days (you know, you'd think that since they can debit your card within seconds..........they should be able to credit it back at the same speed  :-)  ).  The CSR was quick and polite, three cheers for that.  That's what is getting the 5 stars.I have suggested that Amazon make it clear that this is a &#34;non-Nikon Nikon&#34;.........not that I really expect that to happen, but the suggestion needs to be made anyhow.  In the meantime, I have a used Nikon N75 coming in, and assuming that it is in the condition that the (well-known) vendor has stated it will be a much better buy at less than half the price and about 10 times the feature set than the FM10.  My wife used an N75 for quite some time before going Digital and REALLY liked it.  I had my hands on it now and then and felt that it was a very nice camera.  We have a need to shoot some actual film this summer, or I probably wouldn't have bothered - but, maybe on an occasional basis it might be useful.  Been through enough digital escapades to know that in some cases digital does have its downsides.This episode is a reminder of an interesting saying, &#34;owning a Nikon (or insert your other favorite brand) doesn't make you a photographer, it only makes you a Nikon (or insert your other favorite brand) OWNER.&#34;  Which is true, but having a camera that is less than it should be can really mess up your day.........
I started to get into photography earlier this year. I bought this camera and a 50mm prime. Right away I can tell you dont buy the fm10. Do yourself a huge favor, go to ebay and buy an original FM, FM2, FM3. What isn't being said is that this camera is NOT a real nikon, its cosina with a nikon bayonet style f mount. I believe i payed 45 dollars for it off ebay and that honestly too much seeing as FM's or FM2's run about 90 bucks in good condition.TL;DRPros:Its a 35mm film cameraTakes lots of old nikon lensesMeters wellCons :Cheap, Awful build qualityNot made by nikon (actually a cosina)Over pricedOriginally intended for emerging south asian markets for the "Nouveau riche"Overall:Be nice to yourself, buy an FM, FE, FM2, FM2E FM3,
Can't go wrong here, it's a classic. It comes with a decent lens so you end up with some pretty cool prints right out of the box. It also comes with an owners manual so those of you who aren't so familiar with fully manual SLR's will have no trouble at all picking it up.
I ordered this camera for my sons college photography class.we were having a tough time finding this particular model and as usual it's amazon yo the rescue. You not only saved my life, you also saved my sons behind.( the professor only gave the students a week to get this camera or you'd fail the course). He absolutely loves this camera. From the bottom of our hearts we say thank you,thank you, thank you! !!!
we are very happy with our new 35mm NIKON camera kit. it is just awesome.
This is the same basic 35mm camera students have been starting with (and often using forever) for ages.  It works great.  Everything is manual, but it does have a light meter.  It uses readily available Nikon lenses.  There really is nothing negative you can say about this.  I started using the Pentax version of this in teh 70's and the only difference was that this Nikon replaces some of the metal parts with plastic, but I haven't noticed any difference.We have been using this for about six years now and are very happy with it.  The only problem is finding places that will develop film.
I've had this camera since 1999 when I first started taking B&W photography class. I believe that this is a great camera for people to learn basic photography. Although I moved up to Nikon F80 and Nikon D40 I still take this camera out for a spin once in a while (a family member closed his camera store and gave me boxes on 35mm films). I fully recommend this camera to anybody that wants to learn basic photography.
This camera is pretty amazing for a fully manual SLR.But I love my Holga equally.Photographer love.Notes: Sometimes it's a PITA to get the film to catch properly, and the mirror flipping is loud as hell. No stealth with this baby! This is my 3rd FM10 in 10 years. They don't last forever, and sometimes the mirror locks. My last one went across the ocean twice before it died, and I must have shot thousands of frames--hundreds of rolls of film. It's still the cam I grab first when I'm photographing people.
I really hope that this short review is of some help to those who are out there searching for a nice and affordable camera to buy. There are so many to choose from and so many different ways, especially with shopping via the Internet, to purchase cameras that it helps to have someone help out. You'll find that the Nikon FM-10 is lightweight, but as durable as some cameras that are much more expensive.I am an avid photographer and I love two brands of cameras, Canon and Nikon. The Nikon FM10 is a durable and dependable 35mm film camera. The kit comes complete with everything you will need to begin your new photographic adventure. My only concern for people that are not VERY familiar with cameras, is that you might now realize that this model is not automatic like the newer versions. If you have the time to spend focusing your subject-then this is a camera that will perform consistently for you. If you are brand new to photography and would like for your camera to do all of the focusing and other adjustments, you're likely better off at least reviewing the newer versions of this SAME camera.I have used this camera over and over and over again. In all honesty, it's as good a camera as any at this level. The photos are always crisp and predictable and the body of the camera has held up well for over 7 years. I've found myself taking photographs and then the rain would come and soak myself and the camera. Even without proper water protection, the camera has not shown any problems or any sign of rusting.You'll find it easy to load your film and quite easy to get used to taking great pictures. The lens that is included with the Camera Kit is a very good one and will serve most of your needs. There is a great array of additional lenses and other products that you can buy to add to you Nikon FM10.The camera was launched to the public, as the Nikon FM-10 in 1995. A magazine that I like to read, Popular Photography, felt that Nikon could have done a bit better with this camera outfit-but that was ONLY their opinion. But In 1996, an automatic version of the lightweight FM10, the Nikon FE-10 was also being introduced as a continuation model to the discontinued Nikon FE-2. The FE-2 was retired in 1986. For many Nikon fans, mixed feelings were abundant about the original launch of the NIKON FM-10. But few could argue that the general mechanics of the camera are good to outstanding.Take your time in researching the right camera for you. I think that this would be a great camera for students who are taking an introductory photography class. With Automatic-Everything Cameras, it's too easy to swith to "AUTO" when you're learning how to take photographs in a class. The Nikon FM10 would allow the new student to "focus" on the true and important elements of photography that are extremely helpful to an aspiring photographer.I hope this was helpful at least in part. It was a pleasure to share information with you and I'd be happy to entertain questions about anything that I've missed in this review.Happy Picture Taking!Peter CanniceScottsdale, Arizona
I bought this camera as a back up to my F2, my baby. I wanted SLR that I didn't have to worry about getting damaged, stolen, etc. I've run a couple of rolls through it and what can I say?  It does EXACTLY what its supposed to. It accepts all of my older Nikkor lenses AND my newer auto-focus Sigma zooms. It has a strong metal shutter, the viewfinder is bright and crisp (especailly after adding a f1.4 50mm lens). Now, its not a FM3a, a FM2(2), or even a FM. But, it has A LOT more features than a Pentax K1000.  I haven't attepmted using any of my macro equipement on it yet, but I am almost positive it will work.  Its a nice basic manual film camera that one can use their nikkor lenses with. My biggest fear is the cameras overall construction, the shutter is solid, but the body....worries me a bit, its not metal. I do pamper my equipment, so only time will tell. If you're even slightly interested in this camera, you'll probalby need to make up your mind soon. As many of us know, Nikon has discontinnued all manufacturing and develpoment of all film cameras.  Whatever is currently being sold now is whatever stock that is leftover since Nikon discontinnued anything film.  All around film SLRs have now become a rarity, especailly manual ones........Something about something called digital (?)
The most flimsy camera Nikon has ever made with a very bad lens. Junk. Most used Nikon film cameras are much better than this.
This is Nikon in name only - the durability is just not there. Nikon created a plastic toy that looks and acts like a Nikon FM/FM2 but it is not the same. The plastic build does not hold up under use and repairs are more than the camera is worth. If you baby your equipment, then maybe this will serve your needs, but if you are looking at it for teaching purposes - then do not waste your money. I strongly suggest buying a used Nikon FM from KEH or someplace for half the cost. You will get a much better built camera that will serve your needs for years to come.
For the money, this is a good buy. You actually get a case with it, too. The camera strap triangular rings do not fit the camera body properly, a very slight annoyance.Unlike a lot of inexpensive SLRs both the camera body lens mount and the lens bayonet mount are metal. ( The lens itself is primarily plastic but I was pleasantly surprised that the bayonet itself was metal )From an epileptics point of view there is nothing blinking or flashing which is a real blessing! ( All there are are three exposure range LEDs visible on the left side of the viewfinder - &lt; + O - >.Since this camera does not have an adjustable eyepiece for the viewfinder, if you need glasses, you will also have to buy the eyepiece diopter correction lens ( Note that the value you need is for distance, not for reading so if your normal distance glasses are +2, get a +2 diopter correction lens! If you have a local Nikon dealer it is probably better to buy this locally, otherwise you may end up with a box of correction lenes )I also reviewed the Nikon F6 SLR film camera. Too much blinking. It is trivial for these manufactures to provide an accessibility menu for people who are 1) color blind ( when there is a color display then colors should be selectable ) 2) visually impaired ( have an optional display with larger characters/numbers ) and 3) epileptic ( disable all that useless blinking ). Good luck, none of these manufactures have heard of the ADA.
I've been taking photo's for decades.I own a great deal of Nikon gear, from the F3, to latermodels like the N80, an excellent camera BTW.Included in my collection is the Nikon FM-10.Produced in the early to mid-90's, and made as cheaplyas possible, this is an ok starter or spare camera.But it is NOT a Nikon. It was manufactured by Chinon,a company that assembled models for Olympus, Pentax and Nikon,all using this same body and lens.This camera enjoyed sales in a student generated marketas the RZ 2000, using the same lens, as sold By Ritz and Kits.the RZ is a cheap useable camera.The FM-10 models sold here on Amazon are overpriced, capitalizingon the market value of the Nikon name.The FM-10 is an OK camera, but it is no Nikon.If yours must be a Nikon, buy a different model.
For the price of the substandard entry level Cosina-made (NOT Nikon! junk for sale here, you can purchase an older, top quality mechanical SLR made by Canon or Nikon in used but nearly new condition, and have enough left over to have it CLA'd by a professional camera tech, and also for a fast normal prime lens and some film. Though buying new is in my experience often the safer bet when it comes to camera equipment, in this case you are simply wasting your money.And if you are not constrained by the need to use a traditional mechanical camera, then, by all means, do not for a moment consider shelling out good money for this junk. Three hundred dollars in 2012 will easily get you into 35mm outfits that cost THOUSANDS less than a decade ago.  Used professional gear beats new mediocre crap hands down in my book.
I bought this camera because the price was so low ($199 with the lens) and I wanted to be able to print very large sized photos. I specifically got this to take on a trip to Austrlia and then Nova Scotia. I also took my digital camera as well. of course the prints from this camera are far more beutiful then the digital camera, there is just something about film. I wonder how far off we are from it being gone all together.I love the auto mode, and I love the manual focus. It's simple to use but flexible if I want it to be. A great camera.
Great camera, the only downsize is that you can't select ISO speed.
I'm a professional photographer,and I absolutely love this camera!! It's so easy to use,and produces wonderful pictures.I worry about how long that film is going to be produced,and have debated about buying a Nikon digital camera.But have decided that I'm going to wait until that time comes when film is no longer available-because I love this camera so much.I've shot thousands of pics on this camera with the autofocus,and have never had a problem.One reviewer said that Kodak film was the only way to go with this camera.I absolutely disagee! I use Fuji film exclusively,because of the color balance and rendition.(I worked in and managed a photo lab for 10 years)In fact,I had a Kodak rep tell me that Fuji 400 film was better than Kodak.Nuff said!!
I'd recommend this for anyone looking into buying an SLR camera.You can choose between fully manual mode or fully automated mode,it's great for beginners and as you learn more you can try other things. I used every day and i'm so happy with it.
I have a digital camera I love to pieces. And now that I've mastered that I thought I'd try an SLR camera. The camera has a auto mode on it for beginners and as you learn more you can try other things, like shutter speed, apature settings and all kinds of new things. You can even do multiple exposure to create pictures that look like ghost like images. Also it's 28-80 mm. lens, unlike most of your camera's- like Canon which is 35-80 mm. And it's light and is easy to use! I'd recommend this for anyone looking into buying an SLR camera.
It's easy to use. It's light weight. It takes great pictures too! At first,I was disappointed because of the plastic body, but I later enjoyed the fact that this is a light weight camera. I also enjoy the automatic focusing and the easy film loading. The 55N has a built in flash that pops up automatically when the light is not sufficient or if extra light is needed to soften a picture. I would recommend the additonal purchase of a "circular polaring filter" because it greatly enhances your photos. You can find one on Amazon. This is a sofisticated camera that is easy to use and has made me a better photographer. I highly recommend this camera.
Just when I thought that Nikon did not have a camera to compete with the Canon Rebel 2000, I discovered the N-55. This is a camera that compares favorably with the Canon, even in price. It has that famous Nikon &quot;feel&quot; and smooth operation that Nikon users have enjoyed for years. The auto-focus lens works smoothly, and the pictures are great. This camera is very affordable as well as easy to use. I don't think you can go wrong with either camera, they are both comparably priced and both give good performance. It comes down to personal preference for either Nikon or Canon.
I was very impressed with the variety of features that this film camera has, like automatic film rolling. It also looks very nice and all the Nikon lenses fit on this camera which is convenient because I also have a Nikon DSLR. It's so fun to use this camera, because it wasn't very expensive but the photos are so cool, both in color and black and white. I really recommend any photographers to use film and this camera is a perfect choice!
I bought this for myself for mother's day and am disappointed with it. It came with everything it said it would but, the camera came without batteries that I have since found out are extremely hard to find due to the age of the camera. Once I was able to find the batteries they cost me as much as the camera did. The camera itself appears to be in good condition except there is an area on it that appears to me that it has been taped together before. I am going to have to put it in the shop because the film does not feed properly.Needless to say I am disappointed.Martha
I have owned two other 35mm SLR cameras.  The first was a Nikon FM (fully manual camera) and the second was a Cannon Rebel E (similar to the Nikon N55, in terms of features).  I loved the Nikon FM camera and have always wanted to return to a Nikon product.  After I lost my Canon, I switched to Nikon again.This is a great camera.  It's light and the most compact 35mm SLR camera I have seen.  One can choose between fully manual mode (great for complete creative control) or fully automated mode (for the point and shoot crowd).  The N55 also has shutter-priority and aperature priority modes as well as special settings for close-up shots, landscape shots, and sports shots--to name a few.It is a very versatile camera, focuses sharply and quickly, and is a great-looking SLR.  I get compliments on the pictures I take with it, but would recommend Kodak film only!
I really like this particualr Camera, I recived it for after completing a photgraphy course and enjoy taking gorgous photos at night.
Will not load film after first battery change.  Garbage!  Nikon should be ashamed.  I will nver buy Nikon again!
I have had this camera for about 7 months now and have shot many rolls of film through it and it continues to amaze me on how good of pictures I can get with it.  I'm just starting out in photography so it fits me very well.  It allows me to go all manual when I need to and has really given me consistent results.  It has a ton of features that I haven't even tapped into yet to improve picture quality in different situations.  I do alot of research before I purchase anything and this camera was highly recommended by proffesional photographers and amateurs alike as a perfect beginner to intermediate camera.  I have also seen alot of pictures taken with this camera and they are incredible.  Overall I love the camera and can't wait to take more pictures with it.
I LOVE my new camera! I received my camera on time & in working condition. I&#8217;m replacing 1 I had just like it. (dropped it while hiking) So far everything works great.
Exactly what I expected. My doughter put it to work immediatly. Very professionale for a begginner. For the money it was a very full bundle.
I recieved the camera very quickly and was in peak condition and even with film and batteries. There were a few pics on the roll though of flowers. The seller emailed me the instructions as well. Would definently recommend it as a camera, and the seller as well.
This camera takes great pictures. I use it mostly as point and shoot but some times I take protrait pictures and the sharpness is breath taking.The bult in flash is not very strong. But if you take pictures with sufficient light you do not need any flash. Make sure you get the Nikkor lenses too as some places sell with other lenses.I am now looking to buy the D70 Digital SLR.  Just waiting for the price to come down a little more.This can be your entry level SLR and the price is great.
Wow, worth the money, of course it's better than digital. Bought is because sick of those blury bad quality photos. This is good for all occasions, professional-everything. We bought another long zoom lens that makes it a proffesional camera. There is no question about it-buy it before you buy any other camera!Very durable and proffesional quality. Good options for day and night shots. When will they make video camera's like this!Of course you must press the button twice to focus and then the light will pop up then you shoot. At first your always worried your going to take a picture bought you'll get easily use to it. Look at pictures 20 years from now in good quality, you won't look back on the purchase. It's a Nikon at a great price that all families and photographers need. I'm not upsessed with photograghy, but I like to preserve memories and send good quality christmas cards out.I got a digital Kyocera and we took 12 pictures before it broke. Of course that was several years ago when the camera was purchased a little under a thousand. We go the nikon because we knew it was easy and trustful. Their are sprint pcs palm sized digitals that are nearlu the same quality as our kyocera-Big Big Mistake!
Here is a list of Pros and Cons for the Nikon N65.Pros: Feature Filled, Small, Light-Weight, Cheap, A Worthy Introduction to Nikon's 35mm SLR System, fairly inexpensive, good quality images, 2.5 fps., depth-of-field preview, 3D Matrix metering, Nikkor-lens compatible, portability, ease-of-use, durability, User friendly, 5 programmed modes, fully automatic capabilities, manual operation, fast autofocus, interchangable lenses, metal lens mount point, multiple eyepieces, Solidly constructed, tons of smart features, built-in flash, professional grade.Cons: No metering with MF lenses, may be not enough for professional photographers, slow flash sync, no backlit LCD, Cannot manually set ISO, The G lens that comes with it is garbage, Read-eye reduction feature, waiting for parts if broken takes forever, no vertical grip, Manual settings require two hands, Pop up Flash throws shadows in wide angle pictures if using lens hood, Battery Meter, Steep learning curve for trickier options; can be confusing to operate.
I purchased the N65 for a young nephew who's just getting involved in photography.  For the most part, this camera fits his needs.  It's highly automated and allows him to do high speed photography (sports), something many point and shoot 35mm cameras simply can't do.I've been using a Nikon N70, an older and somewhat more advanced camera, for about ten years.  I've always been pleased with it, for the most part.  One of the drawbacks, however, was its lack of a focus assist light.  The N65 delivers this.  The N65 also has a more advanced focus system, especially for moving objects.  Again, great for shooting sports.The N65 has all the standard modes - Full auto, aperature priority, shutter priority, portrait, sports, night, landscape, manual, etc.  As a hardcore user I find some these things unnecessary.  Still, I can see why other users would like these extra fuctions.Unlike the N70, the N65 in low light situations, in auto modes (auto, portrait, etc.), will release the flash without input from the user.  This is probably a great function for novice users.  As someone who can take a handheld shot at 1/15 or even 1/8 of a second, without using a flash, I found this feature annoying.  The user can circumvent this feature by using the manual modes (e.g. aperature priority).Another feature lacking on the N65 is a spot meter button.  This comes in handy in difficult lighting situations (e.g. half the image is in sunlight, the other in shade) when a center metering system will fail completely.I also found the N65, like most of the modern SLRS, as just a bit too flimsy.  (The heavier N70, when first released, was considered "cheap" by pro users.)  It's mostly plastic and it feels like it will break easily if dropped.  This is true with SLRs made by all the major manufacturers.  The 28-80mm lens also shares this cheap feel.The N65 is a bargain for novice users with prices on 35mm cameras falling steadily as digital begins to dominate the market.  Another good camera in this price range is the Canon K2.  Still, if you want control over your images or you need something tough and sturdy, it would be best to either pay more for a better camera or, at the other extreme, buy an older used Nikon from the days when they built cameras to last.
I've been a serious amateur and occassional professional photographer for over 40 years. My experience spans the early SLR entries up to the present.I've also been a long-time Nikon groupie. In my opinion, they manufacture the best equipment of this type available, though in recent years the quality provided by a few of the tops seems to be closing the gap. By that I mean Canon specifically.That having been said, I'm the type of photographer that drags around a select few lenses and a couple of bodies so I can mix and match lenses and films.Speaking of which (films): I am not technology-averse. I love the idea of digital. I shoot home movies direct to DVD on Sony equipment. I also scan my 35MM negs/prints using the Canon 9950F (an excellent print scanner) or Nikon 5000ED Coolscan (the best slide/neg scanner)to digital files for further action in Photoshop.HOWEVER, that being said, I still shoot my stills in 35MM film.Several reasons:  Current digital camera bodies simply do not afford the flexibility in speed, sensitivity, or versatility that film does.I HATE the fact that the CMOS sensors effectively double the focal length of all my lenses (with currently only one exception, by Canon, I think).I'm recording my images to the only currently available archival medium: film. Yes, I know bytes and bits are supposedly archival. But 50 years from now, is your DVD still going to be readable by any then-current technology? Remember Beta? Or 8 track tapes?However, Daguerre's and Matthew Brady's prints(both from the 19th Century) still will be. As will mine -- and yours if you shoot in film.That having been said, a few years back, as I decided my eyes no longer afforded me the luxury of manual focus and I decided to go for the auto-focus capabilities now available, I stuck with Nikon and bought my first N-80.I am so happy I did! This camera is simply outstanding in every way, affording you the ability to use it as a simple point-and-shoot if you wish (due to its extremely fast and sharp system coupled with the Matrix Metering system, and on-board pop-up flash), as well as the option to take direct control over every aspect of the creative photo process with intuitive and easy-to-use systems.I liked it so much that a couple of years later I bought a second as a backup and system enhancer (meaning two loaded bodies with different lens/film combinations).An additional benefit is that as the current fad seems to be toward digital bodies, N-80 prices have gone down significantly.An interesting phenomenon that merits a quick observation: in order to get the same quality of resolution available with a good film/camera body/lens combination as far as cropping or enlargment capability goes, you have to spend in the neighborhood of $3000 to $4000 for a body-only camera, and you're STILL limited as to the duplication of film sensitivity. Try duplicating a 3000ASA film speed on a digital camera. Good luck! You'll be blasted by "noise" on the image; what we used to call "grain" for film, i.e. a loss of resolution and sharpness.I'm finally making the move up to my next big camera purchase. Guess what? It's a Nikon F-5. Another film body. What does that tell you?Buy this camera! It's great!
Photography has been a hobby of mine for nearly ten years now.  Having shot on a lot of Minolta and Canon I can say that Nikon equipment is sufficiently superior to its competition unless you are in need of fast auto focus (i.e. for sports) where Canon tends to rule.  However, in nearly every other arena in the 35mm SLR world Nikon is at the top of the list.  From build and lens quality, to controls and light meters Nikon beats out the competition.  So if you are already sold on buying a Nikon (which you should be) the N80 is a great pick for the serious amateur or beginner, but probably a little bit too high on the food chain for the casual photographer.The N80 fits nicely between the N55, N65, N75 cameras and the F100, F1 cameras.  The F100 and F1 (as well as the D100 and D1) are geared for the professional photographer and provide quality and features only an experienced amateur or pro could notice.  Those cameras are definitely not appropriate as first cameras unless you are serious and just have money to burn.  The N55 and N65 are geared toward the casual consumer that wants more quality than a point and shoot offers, but likely doesn't really know or care much about photography.  These cameras provide &quot;easy&quot; to use features including some that are simply annoying for the serious photographer.  The N80 operates in a very similar manner to the F100, F1, D100 and D1 and it makes the transition to these cameras down the road much easier when the time is right.  The N80 also provides 10 segment metering, selectable auto focus regions, composition guides (awesome!) and it opens up features of the more advanced Nikon lenses.  Overall the N80's build quality feels better than its smaller counter parts as well.Who is this camera for:The serious amateur and student photographer, especially those wishing to move up in the Nikon line in the future.Also, make sure you get a great lens too, I'd highly recommend the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom as a first lens.
I have had several digital cameras, including the Nikon 8700, I feel that digital is still got a way to go, they are wonderful, yet can be very tiring, printing gobs of prints for friends and family is tiring , tedious and expensive.The cameras unless using some exotic means still cannot focus well in low light, also dont like taking pictures at a place and the whole world standing over my shoulder.Soooo, happily back to film with the N80 and a Nikon 28-100 Nikon that I bought in a kit.Its so great to be back in film, now I can get some control back.As far as the N 80, it really is beautiful done and highly intuitive to use, well made, features are wonderful, a joy to own and use.  I made the right move, know that now, shot a few roles of Kodak Color 200, results were so good, if I still want to get lazy, can have the photo processor put the shots on a disc, havnt done it yet, enjoying the prints too much, think I,ll run out and get some Echtekchrome. Photography is an important component for me in my life, the N80 is bringing it all back in a slick very competent manner and I completely enjoy it.
I ordered one of these here on amazon a while  back, it was either sold from b and h or adorama it's been a while and i'm too lazy to check so for this i apologize. The reason i am writing the review is because the product i received was a gray market version an f80. i was kind of miffed that this hadn't been disclosed but i decided to deal with it since it was basically the same thing. I don't shoot much film and am pretty gentle with my gear because i intend for it to last a long while. well, i shot maybe 2 rolls during the life of the camera. then one day when i decided to shoot a roll i got the camera out of the bag, inserted the battery and started to shoot and after each shot i would get an error message and then the camera would basically lock up until i depressed the shutter (i assume to essentially waste a frame if any of the frames were actually working) so i blazed through a roll testing it out and assuming i just hadn't properly loaded the film or something. so i put the camera away until i could get back to the manual. the manual informed me that the error message basically requires me to send the camera in for service. i would be ok with this except that i had a gray market camera which is limited as far as the warranty's are concerned. so be weary, this camera can be a risk apparently since it can have a terminal error without hardly any use (or maybe the problem was it didn't get used often enough, who knows) and sellers here are apparently not great at disclosing that they're selling gray market versions.
As a serious student photographer who worked with old metal bodied all manual SLRs I thought the transition to an automatic camera would be difficult. Too many cameras on the market are made of cheap, lightweight plastic that feels like it's going to crumble in my hands. I like a camera that has weight to it, but won't require a visit to the chiropractor after a day of shooting. The N80 is great for this. It has a very solid construction, and a comfortable, weighted feel in my hands. The grips on both sides are well sized and well placed and I feel that I have optimal control at all times.The thing that sold me on this camera over similar models was its ease of use. As someone who never wants to read an instruction manaul, but still wants to use the bells and whistles, this was a great camera. The controls are the most intuitive I've seen on any camera of its kind, whether you're on your way to becoming a professional, or you're just starting out, the combination of versatility and ease of use is perfect.It's extemely self explanatory to change from automatic/program mode, to aperture priority, to shutter priority. Its also easy to use the timer and the multiple exposure controls. bracketing, similarly is easier. I've had the camera ofr 6 months and enver needed to consult the instruction book, hopwever there are many features I can explore in the book if I so choose.The focusing is about the same as you get for most cameras in this price range. The focus lock works very well, as do the zones. The on;y problem is focusing in low light conditions, but this is typical of these cameras.Overall, I've found this camera to be a perfect blend of great price, great variety of accessories, utter ease of use, and bells and whistles for the serious student or amateur or aspiring professional.
I think this was the deal of the century.  I wanted a film camera, to complement my digital bodies. The Nikon made sense as it fits all my lenses.  For me to shoot he occasional roll of film this camera was perfect, small and light. Smaller and lighter than my D7000. Not as sophisticated as the D7000, only 4 focus points, for example. But auto film advance and rewind, and electronic metering and it will accept to a wide range of lenses. This camera has a permanent place in my bag.
I've had this camera since 2002 (bought it used) because I was getting a little bit sick and tired inserting 35mm film into my Nikon FM10 (still love this camera too). This camera performs as I expected and I had no problem with it at all. I may not have used all its features (I've used it mainly for point and shoot) but all the pictures that I took turned out great. The only time when the pictures turn out blurry is when I accidentally focused it on something behind the subject (human error). It also helps a lot when you have a basic understanding of photography. I fully recommend this camera.
this camera was for my film photography class, its very useful for a class. the teacher said no Digital so i had to buy this. came almost just as new. first the camera came in a very nice package alot of foam. i got the use one for 80 bucks and it camera with a lens which is very nice also. the camera use a CR123 battery which is very expensive i bought 1 set and they were 20 bucks!!!. but very nice camera i love the side screen. the mode dial is a little short on mode but i shoot in M mode so it really doesn't have a problem. over all the camera is very nice since it was out like in year 2000.
I purchased this camera many years ago (8-10 years?) - probably the same year it first came out in USA.  I still make use of it, although less so as the days go on.  A few years ago I purchased a small fit-in-my-pocket digital camera and the compact size means I take it more places.This Nikon N-80 has worked well.  A few weeks after purchasing it the built-in speedlight (flash) died.  I sent it to Nikon in NY and they fixed it within a week.  I have never had problems with it since.  I've taken it all over the USA on many trips and the photos have always been wonderful.  I also purchased a 70-300mm & external flash unit for it.These days I use it for astrophotography and for those "big" vacations.Things I like:* Full Manual Mode (aperture, speed, and focus)* Bulb* Full auto mode.* Depth-of-field preview* Priority modes.  This camera can control some features while you control others.  Or you do it all, or it does it all.  Mix and match.* Grid on focus prism - so your horizons are always straight and level in the frame.* Long battery life* has more features than I've been able to use (I've played with them).* Easy to use, easy to hold.  All buttons/knobs where I would expect them.* Light weight, fast start.Could have been better:* The camera has some low light issues when in automatic mode...* Auto focus tends to "hunt" in low light.  I've missed a few shots, and tend to use manual focus in low light.* Wrong focus mode and it can focus on the wall behind the subject, it is easy to make this mistake - often :-)* Auto focus assist flashlight is a blinding white light.  Draws attention in crowded rooms.* Doesn't have mirror lockup  (I hold cardboard over the telescope until it settles).I have and old SB-50DX flash (which has also been great).  The nice feature is that the SB overrides the built-in auto-focus light and replaces it with a dark red almost invisible grid.  This is nicer for the subjects because it doesn't blind them... and it also seems to work better & faster.  Plus the two flashes can be combined to produce more light, or aim the SB up and use the filter to overlay the built-in flash for neat effects.I've used the N-80 in mist, bumped it along in knapsacks, overnight camping, and dropped it once or twice.  Still works light a charm.  Nothing wrong with it, 8 years old?!  While I protect it, I also don't worry about it.Between my cellphone and point-n-shoot-digital camera,  I don't make much use of the N-80 SLR anymore.  While the N-80 is the better camera, I find portability more important.I'm thinking of replacing it with a D-7000.
the older days. AH,yes. decent body, but you need a lens.[dont we all..]mine was OK. the button for the flash has a short in the flap switch that doesn't always work. other than that, it works okay. not an F5, but it does the job nicely.
I purchased this camera about 6 months ago from another web site for a whole lot less than this retailer is asking so,do your research.  I got a new  in the box N80, a new in the box Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom , a new 50 MM Nikon lens, a used but like new Vivitar 70 to 210 macro zoom, a used Vivitar 283 Flash , multiple filters, two rolls of film, and a brand new  backpack carry case for $176.00 plus $15.00 shipping.I really like this camera and use it a lot. I also have several digital cameras that I use regularly including the new Nikon P510 which I will also give a 5 star rating that I bought from Amazon. Each camera has it's place. for quick shots of general objects I will use the P510 but if I really want to get the best out of a photo I will use the N80.
interesting - there used to be at least a dozen reviews of this camera on this site, but they seem to have been removed.I bought this camera, found it too complicated and difficult to use, with tiny controls that were very inconvenient and hard to maneuver. I constantly had to have the instruction booklet with me. I ended up trading the N80 to a camera shop for a very good lens.Maybe some people think that autofocus is worth the trouble, but I didn't.Here's the main point. Nikon cameras are wonderful because the lenses are so good. I think new photographers make a very big mistake if they spend a lot of money on a Nikon camera body, and then buy a cheap lens to go with it.My recommendation is this: Buy the cheapest Nikon camera body you can find, and then save your money for the best lenses. It's the lens that's capturing the image, not the body
not sure if it's the kit lenses that came with my d5100 or if it's the camera, but the viewfinder seems awful dark to me.  exposures seem to be good,
I receifed a F 80. The company had some computer problems. I got the lens and was told that the order was completed. I emailed them and asked where was my camera. They corrected the error. Offered me a full refund or a different camera.I took the silver body F80.It is a very nice camera. I am happy with it.
I have been a Nikon user for nearly ten years. My first Nikon was a used N70 and I loved it. It wasn't until after I read a review that I learned it was supposed to be confusing, somewhat difficult to master, and not quite up to Nikon's standards. I loved the results and loved my Nikon camera. When the N70 needed repairs and the cost was prohibitive, I purchased its replacement, the Nikon N80 which in all likelihood will be my last film camera (I've just purchased the Nikon D70S).The N80 has the best features of the N70: an automatic mode and programs for portrait, landscape, night shots, action shots, and close up, settings that allow for manual focus and the ability to set specific apertures and shutter speeds, bracketing, and red eye reduction. It has more features than the N60, but works in a similar manner omitting some of the dials of the N70 that seemed to confuse many people who were used to earlier Nikon models. It's a light weight camera with an excellent. The features are easy too master and it allows a person to take sophisticated and creative photographs. It's also sturdy and I hope to use it for many years to come.My guess is that some people reading this review may be asking should I invest $300 for a film camera when I could also purchase a digital SLR camera for just a bit more. Digital is the wave of the future and the future is now, there's no question about that, and as I mentioned I own a digital camera. I believe that a  film camera teaches a person to be a more careful photographer. I see a lot of people take lousy digital shots figuring they can be erased and miss great shots. While it is true that with digital the results can be seen, the screen is awfully small and until the images are downloaded and viewed on eth computer, what appears to be a great shot may in fact be junk. Film cameras teach the photographer to carefully frame  a photograph if for no other reason than film costs money. Photography is also supposed to be fun, and seeing the results of film whether it be prints or slides can be fun. Also even though Photoshop can create a black and white portrait for a digital shot, nothing will ever beat the darkroom experience. Most serious amateurs and professionals I know use both digital and film and I'm assuming that for the foreseeable future I'll be using digital for candid shots and film for scenics, landscapes, and nature shots. If you are serious about taking good photographs and are looking for a film camera, the Nikon N80 is an excellent choice. It is reasonably priced for what it offers, is easy to use, and allows for the opportunity to take great photographs. To me, it's well worth the investment.
Be warned, this teleconverter does not fit all Nikon lenses. Read the specifications on Nikon's site before purchasing this teleconverter. I was disappointed to find out only a few lenses will fit this teleconverter. Nikon has added a small piece of metal to block use of other lenses.I wish Nikon would allow other lenses to fit this teleconverter. They claim that the elements will touch. If that is so, then all they need to do is make this teleconverter slightly larger to fit without elements touching.It would have made a great edition to any lens collection.
So I read the tree previous reviews and the two low scoring ones could have been prevented with some help.  When doing background research, do not skip the brick and mortar stores or the manufacturer's web site.  I researched this product extensively on DP Review and Nikonians, finshing up on the Nikon web site where they make the product manuals available for download.  Usually in PDF format.The product works as advertised.  If there is image degradation, it is minor and will not be noticeable in most peoples 4x6 prints, though it may be perceptible in enlargements.
I was prepared to send this doubler  back if it worked as poorly as the 2x Kenko Teleplus pro, which had significant chromatic aberration and softness issues with my 70-200 f/2.8.  But I delighted with the quality of this glass.  I can see almost no degradation of optical quality when used with the 70-200.  With my D300 I can shoot hand held at ISO 800 in reasonable light with acceptable noise at f/5.6.  Overall performance was way better than what I expected.  A keeper.It's worth noting that the reviewers who found this lens unacceptable did so because they had not verified that it would work with the lens they hoped to use it with.  I understand the frustration there, but that is no reason to give the teleconverter a bad review.  This is a terrific product when used with the correct lenses.
I have an older model of the TC-20E, stamped with "AF-I Teleconverter" which is the same unit as the one stamped "AF-S Teleconverter." Nikon only changed the name and not the manufacturing. If you find one used don't be scared away by it's potential compatibility. Firstly, I have used it extensively with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR model which cost around $1,600. The lens sold between 2003 to 2009 and as of this review, April 2011, Nikon is listing the same lens, refurbished at over $2,000 on it's website! In 2009 this lens was replaced by the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S model selling north of $2,400. That having been said, this teleconverter just works. Your lowest F-stop will be f/5.6 but you've turned your already great lens into a 140-400mm monster. If Nikon's digital sensor size is taken into account it is like having a 50% multiplier on top of that from the 35mm film days... 210-600mm lens with VR. It still amazes me. I've included the prices to demonstrate that money spent on quality Nikon lens is not wasteful. The original 2k spent has given me shots I would not have otherwise pulled off and the market price of the teleconverter and lens has gone up by more than 25%. In ending, this teleconverter works wonders with quality Nikon glass with a low F-stop. I'm glad I spent the money on this fantastic duo. I doubt I'd be as happy trying to combine this with a high F-stop lens (anything over f/2.8) or a Nikon want-a-be manufacture.
This review will be short and sweet.  I used this for one of the first times today at an outdoor swim meet.  I was using a Nikon D200 with the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.  I used the same camera/lens last summer, but without the teleconverter. Today, the teleconverter allowed me to get great close up shots of the swimmers.  The quality of the pictures was every bit as nice as the pictures I took last summer without the teleconverter.  If you've got the right lens and you want more zoom, I highly recommend the TC-20E II teleconverter.
I've read mixed reviews for this teleconverter and there is now a newer model available. I can tell you I'm going to keep this TC-20E II. I'm happy with the results when I use this device with my D700 and my 70-200 F2.8 VRII lens. I only use this in good light but when I need the 400mm reach this baby comes in handy. I don't often need this reach so buying a Nikon 200-400 zoom for $6,000 isn't going to happen! For now I'm happy with the TC-20E II.
I bought this for my D300 and 70-200 2.8 VR. It works very well. The auto focus and the vibration reduction are not hindered at all by the TC. This increased my range from 300mm to 600mm @ 5.6, all with Nikkor quality, vibration reduction for $430, are you kidding me? If you can find a better Nikkor lenses at this focal range with VR for $430 please share it with us. Oh BTW, for the reviewers who bought this TC and found out that it does not work for your lens, please be patience and work on your reading skill.
Buying any teleconverter takes a good bit of homework.  Teleconverters are not nearly as compatible with lenses - including of the same manufacturer - as most people may assume.  Though I use this with an older Nikkor 70~200mm lens for sports events, it is actually designed for longer telephotos.  If I were to do it over again, I probably would choose a shorter Nikon teleconverter given the pixel-peeping level of softness for this shorter lens.  Yet, the TC-20 II does work on my smaller lens, but it does not work on any of my other lenses.  So it is not as versatile as I had hoped.  Ergo, buyer beware.  This is a very good teleconverter, but only when properly matched.
This cap is solid. Way better then the OP/TECH Filter Cap. It stay on my camera through bumps and did not come loose. Only thing I would like to change is to have a slightly lower profile.
now this iis one great product. it's cheap - well made & very very handy. you get your shot much quicker and get a better chance of getting that "money shot"
fits tight,,,doesn't fall off.  you can adjust the angle that the cover opens out.  try it you will like it.
I got one of these to put on my Panasonic HC-X920 to provide some protection to the filter lens that I mounted to the camera.I find the attached flip cap to be very easy and convenient to use. I don't have to worry about securing a removable cap or having a removable cap flapping around on a tether. I have it positioned so it flips open toward the bottom of the camera. It doesn't block the microphone or interfere with my use of the camera.The one minor problem that I have is that the cap when mounted to my filter lens has enough height to be seen at the edges of the shot when the camera is moving the lens around at its extremes to reduce high shakiness in the shot. You only notice is as a darkening in the corners during extreme movement so it isn't terrible but something to be aware of if you are using a filter ring like I do.Overall a well made product that I would readily recommend.
I have this on my permanently for my SEL 24mm f1.8 CZ on my Sony Nex-7.  Keeps dust, water, all elements out.  I might buy more!
Cap is well made and a great idea. The lid is on a hinge that just flips down and so you don't have a lens cap dangling on the end of a leash. However, there are 2 major downsides and they are the reason I am returning the cap to the seller. First, the threads are not long enough to secure it to the threads on my camera. The threads start to catch, but there are not enough of them on the product to hold it secure to the lens threads. A little bit of pressure on the lens cap is all that is needed to pop it off. The second drawback is that the front of the lens cap ring is not threaded to allow the addition of extra filters or lenses. So every time I would want to add on my polarizing filter or 2x lens, I would have to remove the lens cap assembly to access the threads on my camera. The design on this lens cap does not allow for the addition of extra filters or lenses.So skip this product until the manufacturer fixes these issues. Its a great idea, but sure needs some refinement to be truly useful.
I used one of these for years on my old Canon. It was the perfect solution -- no more lens cap dangling from a string, no more losing track of where my lens cap is. At this price, I'd just put one on each lens and never think about lens caps again.And I had no trouble mounting it securely to my UV filter, and there it stayed for literally years.
Perfect product for the objectives on my binoculars - couldn't be happier!!!  52mm is the size that you would like to buy for a Canon 10-42 IS system.
Keep your lens clean and protected, and then flip it out of the way without worrying about losing it.  Too easy.
I've been a user of Montana based Op/Tech's line of fast caps since I picked them at a trade show a few years ago. The overall quality of their gear speaks volumes. I picked up these 52mm Fast Caps to protect my Nikkor lens. Over the course of time they've gone the distance and protected my gear well.The cover easily attaches and stays on without any slippage. Unlike the flimsy, cheap glue based string systems, I don't have to worry about the hinged Fast Cap falling off. It covers the bases in protecting my lens from both dust and scratches. The seal is pretty much water tight too. Most photographs that I've seen of this product seem to depict this product in a lighter color. Its black and is available in other sizes ranging from 49mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm to 67mm.For me, these Op/Tech lens caps are durable and cost effective tools. I've not had any problems with them since I made the switch. They are built to last. That's good enough for me.
This item seems like a good idea, but the truth is, it really does not work well.  The threads are too shallow and the hinge part is always in the way.  I used it for about an hour, then took it off and went back to the teathered lens cover.  If you want one for free, I'll send you mine!
i got this to put on a FZ 200 panasonic. Did not like the factory lens cap which you either attach with a string, or remember where you kept.This is mostly good, except at the wide end, where there is vignetting. Definitely a lot more convenient than a lens cap dangling at the end of a string.Having said that, and bought/paid for this, I found another variant of this doodad,B00006I5KYThis one fits in between your lens-protecting filter and the lens body. No vignetting here. I would recommend this over the Fast-cap widget.
I saw the one-star reviews below & wanted to set a couple of things straight about this cap.First, while it's true that with certain brand filters the cap does not adequately thread on to the filter, it's a very easy fix. If it won't screw on well enough to hold it to the lens, get a Zeikos UV filter. The Zeikos filters have nice, deep threads that are plenty long enough to hold the Fast Cap's threaded ring very well. I'm sure there are many other filters that would work well too, but I can personally vouch for the Zeikos filters. Zeikos filters also happen to be cheap and very good quality.Second, it's also true that you can't screw on additional filters with the Fast Cap in place. But if they made it so you could, you'd be looking at a MUCH more expensive, and bulky product. In order to make it so you could use additional filters with the Fast Cap in place, they would have to:1) Make the front much deeper like a lens hood2) Make it somewhat larger in diameter to accomodate the filter3) And they would have had to made it with a locking telescoping mechanism so you could either slide the front flare with the cap backwards to be able to grip the filter to remove it, or allow you to remove the front flare with the cap altogether, so you could unscrew the filter.In addition to the cost, there's also the side effect of making it more bulky, and  some photographers probably wouldn't like that, either.Here's something else to consider, if you use a digital SLR: Other than a UV filter to protect the lens, how often do you use filters anyway? Most any effect or color correction imaginable is easily done, and with much more precision, with your photo editing software, like Photoshop. Filters on a DSLR aren't the neccessity they used to be with film cameras.I have used Fast Caps for years on my lenses for years & I love 'em. Not having to fumble around with a separate lens cap makes me a better photographer, since it allows me to concentrate solely on getting the shot. And I'm sure they've paid for themselves in what would have been lost caps over the years. I think they're a great idea and a terrific product.
I was constantly losing lens caps for my Canon T4i so I started looking for a smarter lens cap and I found it in this product.  It is a very simple solution, the outer ring of the cap screws onto the lens and the lens cap itself is hinged to this ring,  So it is possible to open and close the lens cap without removing it from the camera lens.  The cap itself gets completely out of the way when open and is easy to snap back closed.  It is just a great solution!
Screws onto end of tube adapter so must be taken off for widest angle pics. Other than that inconvenience it is fine but overpriced with shipping charges added in.
This cap is one of the most convenient ways to protect a lens. I keep this on my Canon 50mm f/1.4, and it's great to be able to leave the cap in place and flip it open whenever I'm ready to take a picture. It's perfect for walking around with the camera at my side, because it provides more than adequate protection for the front element.
This is the most convenient lens cap I have ever used.  I now have them on all my lenses, no more lost caps or dangling get in the way caps on a leash!
I like this cap because it is impossible to lose. I had a cap on a string keeper but it would flop all over the place. This cap makes it easy to catch a quick picture.
Op/Tech makes good camera straps. I like the broad width, for around my neck. The ends of the strap are easy to assemble to my camera. I have other Op/Tech straps of different styles and they are also good. Highly recommended.
This is a great replacement for the OEM Canon/Nikon straps that come with the cameras.  It's a soft neoprene wetsuit-like material so it doesn't get annoying to wear.  I wear it across my chest with camera at one side and can forget about it after a minute or two it's so comfortable.Only con and not worthy dropping the rating is it's much more flexible than the OEM straps.  With the heavier camera/lens combos like my 5D and 70-200 the strap has a slight bounce to it.
I bought this to replace my canon original strap. It is a great quality strap but it still to big for what i was looking for. Its a plus that i can detach it when i'm using the tripod.
I so wanted to like this strap, but I ended up tossing it in the garbage.See, I bought this German strap years ago, and it has been the best strap ever.  But the label fell off, so I've been searching for another one.  I hoped this Op/Tech was its equal.  Both are neoprene straps with quick connects.  But the German strap has "skin" neoprene on one side, which means it NEVER slips off my shoulder.  Sadly, the Op/Tech strap has nylon fabric on both sides and constantly slips off my shoulder.  I almost dropped my Nikon quite a few times.  Bad design for the way I carry my Camera.  I tore the nylon off one side and solved the problem, but now the strap looks like junk.  Not the way a pro wants to look.But worse - the cheap plastic devices that attach the strap to the camera are too large, too stiff and always - always get in the way.  And after a while I got tired of being forced to move those darn things out of the way so I could shoot.  I give up.  Into the trash it goes.Op/Tech doesn't tell you about these things, and give few details about the construction, so I can't tell if I should try another of their straps or not.  The ones with the Pro Loop attachments may be better, but most of those have large, thick shoulder straps.  That type is hard to pack in my already overflowing bag, so I will pass on Op/Tech.  Hopefully they will see the light and resolve these problems.  It's not hard.  But my advice is to pass on this strap and keep looking.
This is my all time favorite camera strap. I have one for all three of my cameras, two of which are DSLR's with extra battery grips and often carry heavier lenses (like an 80-200mm f/2.8).The strap is very strong, although it does have a little give or bounce to it that might feel a little unnerving at first, it is solid and over the past 12 years I have been using these straps I have yet to have one fail on me.The strap is much softer around the neck than the factory straps that come with most cameras. Since there is no rubber grip on the strap, if you wear it across your body, with your camera hanging to your side, it will not catch, but simply slide around you as you lift your camera to take a shot. Also if you don't want or need the strap for a moment, just snap off the buckles at the ends, remove the main part of the strap and buckle just the thin ends together, leaving you with practically just your camera.All in all a great product at a killer price!!!
It was a Christmas gift for the photographer who needed a lil something new.  This was a great addition and she loves it.
I made the stupid mistake and went by the product reviews on Amazon, eventually settling on this product. I bought it from a local retailer and felt buyer's remorse right after I took it out of the box.It's pretty cheap looking. The legs are not round in their construction - they are fragile and somewhat bendy. I couldn't feel the quality of higher end tripods like Manfrotto ones, even though that was implied. The design of the tripod is really strange and looks like something out of the 80's. You can't really tell that by looking at the picture. In person it's just awkward. Leg tensions will pretty much guarantee that you'll injure your finger at some point.Today I returned it and got a much better one - Slik Pro 400DX. It's just a 10 dollar difference but the construction and the quality trump this baby tripod. It has a nice weight to it (just right), and the legs are cushioned. I love the 400DX.Learn from my mistake and don't buy it because of the glowing reviews.
My old tripod use to have a thing in the midle that make that all the legs keep the same angle, this one dosn't.The estructure is very solid, I like that.
After looking at tripods ranging from $20 to $1,000, I plunked down in the middle.  The U212 has proved to be solid, stable and easy to adjust.  The quick release is a nice touch, as well. As the name implies, it's not a featherweight, and I'd probably not use it as a backpacking tripod, but then, I take my little point and shoot up mountains, not the big D-80 DSLR.  The Slik and a good prime lens work very well for photographing theater in available light.
I'm sure for a photographer with a still camera,  this tripod is fine but I bought this for a camcorder and quickly found out I should have spent the money on a better tripod.The quick release head doesn't work very well with my camcorder and twice I've had to catch my camera from falling off the tripod.So basically the lesson is, don't be cheap when buying a tripod for a videocamera.
Great price for a high-quality item. My mom used this tripod for decades, taking it on trips and for daily recreational photo shoots. I took photography classes in undergraduate school and my mom bought me a new one for me to launch my photography journey... I'm definitely not a pro, nor am I familiar with what's out on the market these days, but I believe this to be a very reliable, sensible product that I intend to use for many years.Perhaps this video review from YouTube will help.[...]
I've had this tripod for 4 years and have handled it carefully, but one of  the leg clamps broke and pretty much rendered it useless. Can not recommend this product.
I've had this tripod for quite a while and only have two complaints, otherwise it is an all-around good tripod.  The quick-release is great but I wish the tripod came with a second quick-release posts to keep from having to buy another (and pay shipping, etc. for something half the height of a AA battery).Complaint #1:The mechanism for adjusting the angle of the legs is deficient for one reason.  When the tripod is opened to the standard angle, there is insufficient friction to keep the legs fully-out.  So when you pick up the tripod and move it, it's likely the legs can collapse some.  If you need a tripod that can be set, used, picked up, set down, used, picked up, set down, etc. then you might want to consider a tripod with legs that lock out (not this one).Complaint #2:The center column is held in place by two compression fittings (one at the top and one at the bottom).  The nut that applies the pressure can come loose (has on me only once).  The tighter the nut, the harder it is to crank the column up and down but the less likely it will come loose; the looser the nut the more likely it will come loose and fall off (and hopefully you don't loose parts).These two complaints are easy for me to live with, but may not be for you.  It is still a great tripod and I'd recommend it for light usage: a bit heavy for hiking; complaint #1 isn't a problem for portraits; works good for night stills; etc.  I can't give it 5 stars, but hopefully the next generation of this tripod will correct these minor complaints.
I bought this thinking that it was going to be an awesome professional tripod with sturdy parts. It's pretty nice, but I feel like it is a compromise between weight/portability and sturdiness. I was looking for something sturdier and more robust for a studio setting, but this will do (too lazy to return).
I do really like this tripod. I have owned some of the cheap department store tripods and this one is way better. I use this to take night time photos with a canon 50D. Very durable and still holding up after a couple years.
I've had my Slik U212 now for over 25 years. I used it at first for my Cannon A1 film camera.. several camcorders and done tons of video work on it. Last few years it's been supporting my Nikon digitals including my D200. Have done everything from filming weddings and local commercials, used it in the mountains, woods and swamps. Had up to 18 pounds of equipment mounted on it, perched on the side of a cliff. Tripod is excellent! Rock solid, easy to set up and use. It's a little heavy. I found an excellent tent pole sack to carry it around in years ago which helped, but it is heavy. Because of the weight, I've kept my eyes open for the last 20 years for a replacement..trying out, borrowing other tripods over the years, but looking for something that I'm willing to spend up to about $300 on.. to this day.. I have not found anything I've liked better... It's been dragged other half the world and still looks and works perfect... the quick release is worn down so I might new a new head for it in the next or 10 years.
Amazon and the manufacture both did a very good job describing this tripod.  I feel I got exactly what I expected. A good steady tripod with lots of features and flexibility.  I especially appreciate the crank on the center column, and the quick release for the camera.  I will mostly just use one camera on this tripod, but of you have two or more that you will switch back and forth, an extra &#34;quick post&#34; for each camera would be a great idea.  I originally bought a smaller Slik tripod, but I returned it.  It was a good tripod, butt was to light for my needs.  This tripod might be a bit heavy to lug around all day, but it won't let me down when it is time to put it to use.
Over two decades ago I was shown this tripod and recommended to buy it.  Having looked at all the kinds out there, I have to admit, I made the right choice getting this one.  I bought this tripod with a different head, however.  The head I got back then, and still use today, is theSlik Pro Trigger Release Ball Head for Digital SLR Cameraswhich I have also NEVER regretted purchasing.  All in all it was a $200 package and it could do so much more than most regular tripods.Firstly, tripod has rectangular legs and clips which allow the tripod to extend and raise to about six feet.  The legs can also be adjusted so that the tripod is almost on the ground, which allows for low-angle photography.  To get even lower, the head can be mounted on the leg and when lowered to the ground, you can get really low-angles for macro and flower photography.  An additional mount is on the underside of the mast, allowing the camera to me mounted in an invert manner so to allow for photo "copying" or to allow the mounting of weights to the tripod so as to stabilize it from movement (with additional hardware that is optional).The Pro Trigger Release Ball Head that I purchases also is great, because it only requires one hand to use, or it can be loosened so that the operator can freely move the camera.Having lugged this tripod through forests, parks, across national borders, through airports and on long road-trips, I can attest that this tripod is of HIGH quality and worthy for any photographer (pro to amateur) who is willing to afford it.  Well worth the $200 I paid for my version.  You won't be disappointed.
Back in 1978 I bought a Minolta XG9 SLR, lenses, a ton of accessories, a Cokin Filter system, and a couple years later, the original Slik U-212, the one with the green dial on side, not the later one with the red dial.. The Slik was $80.00 brand new at a local camera store. I spent roughly $1500.00 on that whole system, buying more stuff when I could afford it.. it's way too easy to get addicted to buying photography equipment, and the kiddies who carry around a cheapie digital camera don't know what they missed.. shooting on film was an entirely different experience.. you really had to LEARN a lot because you'd never know how your shots came out until you got your prints or slides back..So in my mind, there's just something about shooting on film like there is with vinyl LPs versus CDs or digital music files.. there's more hassle involved, more equipment needed..While a 30 year old turntable can't play CDs.. a 30 year old tripod works fine with a modern digital camera.. the oldest tripod around will never be obsolete, as long as cameras have those universal threaded mounting holes on their bottoms..In the early 1990s, when hard-up for cash, in a fit of madness, but out of necessity, I sold my entire 35mm system, including the Slik to a friend.. well I just got it all back last week, for free!.. since my friend hadn't used it for years, and had stored it all in his closet..The Slik was still in its original box!.. it was like seeing an old pal that I'd been without for many years.. now I'm using it again with digital cameras..Plusses - The U212 is a classic design, around since the late 70s or early 80s.. adjustable in just about every conceivable way.. very thoughtful features like the parking hole for an extra camera mounting post.. huge, fast-action ball-bearing level window instead of a tiny water bubble.. independent legs that aren't linked to the center elevator post means they have an almost infinite range of positions.. Slik's quick release leg extension levers.. rare back then, common nowadays.. the unique "no twist" leg design, big, easy-to-use controls and knobs - you could adjust anything on it while wearing gloves without a problem.. lots more I could say about it, but the build quality is top notch, the materials are excellent, and I just love the thing and can't see why I'd ever have to buy any other brand or model of tripod.. it was a radically new design back then, and a classic one now..A few minuses - mostly metal, at six pounds, it's a tad on the heavy side.. at this price point, it should come with the carrying bag in the box.. it doesn't.. it should also have a carrying handle on one of the legs somewhere.. it doesn't, so after you crank and fold it back down, it can be a somewhat clumsy to carry.. where, exactly does it want to be held so you don't mash your fingers.. unless you buy the optional bag.. or have some other bag that'll hold it, this is problematic..After spending many years in its box in a closet, the adhesive holding the rubber pad to the panhead / camera platform gave out and fell off.. I'll just hit that pad's underside with a hot glue gun and that should take care of that..No product is perfect, and the much cheaper Chinese Vanguard AK2OS I was given as a gift a year or two ago, is far from junk.. it has some thoughtul  features (gadget bag hook, beefy, well-centered carrying handle, heavy-duty bag in the box, ability to remove the whole panhead and mount it to a car window).. that I wish I could "graft" onto the Slik U-212..For some, this may be a minus, for others, maybe not, but it'd be nice to have a gadget bag hook somewhere on the Slik..But while hardly junk, the Vanguard just feels cheaper to me, although it looks as though its designers studied the Slik U-212.. and learned a few things about how to make a tripod..The fact that even the first circa 1980 Slik U-212s sell on a certain, well-known auction site for almost the same price as a brand new one, and the fact that Slik is still around making and selling them, and that the latest incarnation has barely changed from its 1980 ancestor, attests to the demand for them.. if there was no demand, they'd sell used for peanuts.. or Slik would've discontinued it.. but they don't.. and they didn't..Like I said, no product is perfect, so I'll give it four stars simply for the lack of a bag hook, a carrying handle, and no tote bag in the box.. no complaints about the way it operates, its range of, number of, and design of its knobs and levers all makes sense to me..If I had to give up one of these two tripods, the Vanguard would go, and I'd keep my circa 1980 Slik U-212.. despite those few missing features, it's a classic design that any camera nut should be proud to own, and enjoy using.. I'm glad to have mine back again..
The work professional in the headline is misplaced.  Compared to a professional tripod this is wobbly. I can't even press the shoot button on my a77 without noticing the legs move.  I have a DX700 for my spotting scope, should have just bought another one.  I bought this because it had the crank vertical head but really don't know if it will be usable.  Anyhow the a77 has a 2 sec timer so I guess I'll just use that.
I've already used this at two weddings and other events.  It is a very sturdy tripod, and allows great flexability when positioining the camera.  The legs can be folded completely out to allow the tripod to get into some unusual positions.  It also allows me to pan very smoothly.Additionally it takes up very little space when you store it, it folds up very nicely.This is a very big imrpovement over some of the mostly plastic tripods that cost less than half the price of this one.
I bought this tripod about a year after it hit the camera stores. I have owned a couple of tripods but this is the only one I've kept. It still works as good today as it did over 30 years ago. You can't say that about many products today.You can get to a few inches of the ground with it for macro or low angle shots. Since the legs adjust independently, it's great on uneven ground or for bracing on rock walls, etc. I haven't found any situation where I couldn't get it braced securely to get my shot. It's still going strong for me!!
Need a tripod to throw in the car and head out for the day - the Slik U212 deluxe is great.  Legs adjust independently, bubble level, quick release mount, 3 way pan head, calibrated panorama guide, retractable rubber spike feet, and an added mounting post on the leg.  Overall this is an excellent tripod, great stability for small and medium SLR's. Great for landscaptes and close up shots.
This is a very solid and versatile tripod for the money. I used it for about 6 months and later sold it to buy heavier Bogen tripod. Ever since I am repenting on my dscision. This tripod is lightweisght (compared to Bogen) yet stable enough agains high wind and a 70-300 zoom lens with a medium size SLR body. The detachable pan/til head can be used for low angle macro shots and the legs can be set at any preferred angle. Only gripe is the quick release system, it can be better, but for 95 bucks I can not expect any more than the bundle.
My father had one very similar to this when I was growing up and starting to get into photography. It was awesome and I knew it was high quality, so when I went to get my own tripod I picked up the same thing. Works awesome, is nice and stable. Got a couple SLIK 628-752 quick posts for them as recommended by some other reviews, good idea and thank you.
My parents bought me a 212 for Christmas the year it came out.  I still use it.  In fact, I am now an Army broadcaster (MOS 46R)about to deploy to Afghanistan, and I'm kicking myself for not bringing it with me.  The speed of use, light weight, and versatility of ths is what I will care about in a combat situation, not whether the wind is making it shake a little.  The U212 dances circles around the ridiculously ponderous operation and overbuilt, heavy construction of some of the Gitzos and Sachtlers I'm forced to use, which cost anywhere from three to ten times the money.  I would sacrifice a thousand $500, pro-grade fluid heads for the ease of use of the U212.  Did I mention the legs go all the way out, 90 degrees?  Or that you could fully elevate the crank column and drop it to grass level, and mount the head on a leg?  Or that the legs deploy or fold in seconds once you get used to opening all six clips in three easy motions?  Or that it has lots of hook points for sandbags or accessory nets?  Brilliant.  I remember worrying in the late '80s that some of the plastic components would loosen or break with age or use.  They haven't.  If I needed a new tripod, I'd buy another one of these in a second.
I've had my Slick U212 since about 1988, my first and only tripod.  Bought it used from a amateur photo shoot buddy.  His thing was the Leica R4, If I remember correctly, while mine was the Olympus OM4 SLR.Haven't used my U212 much since the days of photo shoots.  Currently looking around to supplement the U212 with a ball head by Bogen Monfrotto and a binocular adaptor.  Lots of searching and thinking with adaptors and bushings because Monfrotto is threaded for 3/8" while the U212 is 1/4".All this tinkering just to find all that is really needed is the binocular adaptor and perhaps some spare quick shoes for the U212.  The Slick Universal U212 really is universal.The U212 is not the lightest, strongest, or flexible (head swapping) unit available.  If your needs for a tripod are general and non specific the U212 has proven over the years to be exceptional.
Wonderful tripod, but the quick release head on it really sucks.  Big time.  I replaced it with one from another manufacturer.  The combination is great.Really, the quick release head  his Slick tripod is terrible.
Because I've only recently gotten back into photography after many years, I decided to do my homework on the best buy for the money in tripods. I read a number of reviews and found that this particular tripod rated highly. I bought it and have not been sorry. It is rock solid and can easily be adjusted to fit the situation. I can recommend this tripod without reservation. -Paul
I have owned an original U212 for about 28 years and it is a good tripod.  We have hauled it all over the country and I have carried it on my back, on hikes, in a home-made denim pouch.  In spite of age the black anodized frame still looks fine, the leg latches work like new and the tripod is in good, sound mechanical condition - with one exception.  A few months ago it took a bad fall, head down, onto a concrete driveway.  It sufferered a lateral crack through the center of the pan lock block that has resisted bonding (this is my fault, not the tripod's).  Even now the head works well but the pan lock just isn't as effective.Good news is the head for the new U212DLX is different but will fit.  I have a head on order and wouldn't even think about replacing this good, old tripod.  By the way, in looking for a replacement head I have looked at the new DLX in the store and they haven't changed that much.  Very much like mine.  I fully expect another 28 years from mine. (at least I hope I'm around that long!)
I purchased this tripod in early 2004 (it's now Nov. 2011) to use for holding my spotting scope while out birding. After 7 years, I've finally decided to upgrade to another brand. Generally speaking, it was a decent tripod. However, don't get the leg clamps wet without drying them off...they will rust! It was usually stable, although it wasn't heavy enough to withstand strong winds when I had the center column all the way up. After ~5 1/2 years the clamps cracked (presumably from repeated exposure to cold, wet conditions) and the legs started to slide when they were "locked." All in all, it was a good tripod for a long time!
I bought my U-212 in 1984 and I have been using it ever since.  When we moved last time (the 7th since I got the tripod), something fell on it in the truck and broke the crank arm.  Today I emailed the US distributor ([...]) and asked about getting a replacement part.  Glenn Nash the Technical Service Representative emailed back within an hour with a price and a phone number to order.  A quick phone call later and the part for my 24 year old tripod is on the way.  I fully expect to get another 20+ years out of this great piece of equipment.
Let me tell you. I first purchased a SLIK U212 in the summer of 1981. I've taken it to deserts, mountains, beaches, you name it. It's been a consistent (no nonsense) workhorse all this time. Everything positive you've heard about this wonderful device is absolute truth. I've recently opted to become a wedding photographer and am purchasing another one of these miracles as backup.You can pay more for one of those swank, foreign-sounding tripods. Or buy a SLIK and get out there an tear up the landscape with your SLR and your digital camera and take great pix. I still marvel at how resilient my U212 is. You deserve this tripod. Buy it, and you won't be sorry.
A great pro tripod. Very sturdy all metal construction. All movong parts metal as well, great durability. Has several features that are not found in most tripods. You can mount the camera to a leg for ultra low shots and even extend and lock the legs out to 180 degress for straight down vertical shots. Nice professional features and feel for an affordable price. Would purchase again!
This tripod is well made, fast and easy to set up and use, and has become indispensible to me for outdoor photography. Here in Colorado, wind is a frequent issue so although this tripod is a bit heavy for me for everyday use, I always keep it available in the trunk of my car for those photo op moments in the great outdoors. I use a monopod for most everything else to stabilize my camera. Money well spent.
I bought this after reading several reviews of people that have had this for some time; now I understand why it seems to last for so long: it is really sturdy, and after a quick glance at the instructions it's very easy to use. I'm 6 feet tall and can easily get a Canon 30D at eye level.Everything seems easy to control with precision, which is a big reason why you'd get this over a cheaper model.You can leave a quick-release post on the camera, so it's a good idea to buy more of those if you have several cameras; you can also take the whole pan head out. You can even mount the camera on one of the posts - slick indeed!One thing I didn't get - Adorama didn't have it at the time - was a bag; do get one, it would be a shame to scrape this while transporting it.
This tripod works well, and I've had good success with it. The thing is sturdy enough to hold my Canon 40D and 70-200 lens, and I really have no issues with overall performance.That said, I do have a problem with the quick-release feature. It works great and all...but the little mounting nub that screws into the threaded part of the camera (or lens mount) tends to come loose rather easily. Just be aware of the thing, and that it can fall off at any time. When it does fall off, the tripod will be useless. So my advice is to buy a couple of extra nubsSLIK 618-752 Replacement Quick Shoe for Tripod U-212DXto have on hand for when (not if!) you lose one.
Very strong for people on the go. We needed a rugged tripod capable of holding large heavy video cameras and DSLR's with a large telephoto lens. Traveling in the back-country of Alaska, the equipment we choose must withstand some uncharacteristically rough environments. This tripod is just what we were looking for.
I was afraid that this tripod was going to be a little better version of something I could buy at walmart or best buy, but i am pleasantly surprised. First off the tripod has a little weight to it, but I actually like that. Mass seems to help counteract movement. Second I couldn't tell if the legs were all co joined to the center post like most cheap tripods or if they could move independently. They can and I quite like the locking mechanism. You can bring these legs completely parallel to the ground even. There is also a thread on one of the legs so that when you bring it low you can remove the head and place the head on the leg and have a stand that is darn near sitting on the ground if you want. Very Very stable. And although I can see where people would say that the thread adapter that is screwed into the camera could get lost, I don't see how if you place it back into the tripod and lock it down. I actually like the locking design because rather than relying on the connection of a plate to the camera then the plate to the tripod, this system takes a stud and them uses a cam-lock to pull the stud down tight making the direct connection between the head and the camera base with no middleman. Now maybe over time that cam lock will begin to loosen then I might be concerned,but I don't see it happening right away. All in all well build and in my opinion better engineering (especially in the leg system) than some of the other brands I've played around with.
I love everything about my Slik tripod.  If you've read any of my other reviews, I'm a stickler for quality materials and workmanship, especially with my gadgetry.  Slik doesn't slack off in either department.It has a very nice finish, smooth handling with the legs and vertical position crank.  All locking mechanisms feel solid and haven't ever broken loose on me.  I've loaded up my fairly heavy video camera, P&S; digital, and my Canon EOS 20D and it handles it all with aplomb.The feet have adjustable points for rough ground and hold their place well on dirt, rock, and man-made surfaces.  The included head is of decent quality and though I use my Slik Pistol grip for the most part, it makes horizontal and vertical work simpler and has an easier mount.
When I bought the U212 I was looking for a tripod that would offer the greatest amount of versatility. I had been working on a team that developed training materials for the State Department. My career as a photographer began filming mass casualty training scenarios. The action was fast; while free hand was sometimes required, since there was a lot of movement, when ever possible I would use a tripod.I fell in love with the 212 the first time I was fortunate to use it. Be forewarned, the documentation that comes with the tripod is sparse to say the least. When they say &#34;professional&#34; I guess that means you should already know how to use a multi function tripod. Don't be scared off by this. You should be able to figure it out. But some of the features are hidden. In fact, I still seem to find features or ways to do things that I hadn't seen or figured out before.The best thing about this tripod is that it looks so cool. You'll be proud to take it out where ever you find yourself. Knowing that when you have a cool looking tripod not only do you look cool you'll look like a pro as well.
I purchased this tripod in 1985 when I purchased a Canon AE1 camera and assorted lenses. It is very versatile and not too heavy (too heavy to take hiking and such, though). Anyway since then I have been through many other cameras and accessories, with this tripod being the only thing I have kept through all the years. Now, 28 years later, I have a little Panasonic FZ200 and it works well with this tripod. The tripod still works as well as the day I bought it.
What a great well-built product! Strong,lightweight,and easy to operate! Highly recommended.A perfect tripod for beginners and pros alike!
This is a great pair of binoculars.  I bought it for a safari trip and enjoyed every minute of it.  They are light on the face and very easy to focus.  Once you've set the eye distance and the focus of the binoculars for your eyes, everytime you look through it, it will be perfect.The price point of this pair of binoculars is excellent.  You truly are getting a quality product which won't break the bank.
These binoculars have good clarity and field of view.  The eye relief is sufficient for me to use them without pushing my glasses up.  This is important for my father, as the vision in his one eye has deteriorated to the point that without his glasses there is not enough adjustment in most binos.The eyepieces are indexed so that people can pass them back and forth with minimal trouble.  One thing to note is that these are no center adjust.  You adjust them for distance and they are focused down to about 30' or so.  This makes them inconvenient for looking at things close up, but from 50' and out you never need to focus.  Might be problem for birdwatchers, but it works for me.One aside is that they do have the weight of fullsize binos, so an important consideration is how much you need to carry them.  I find myself using a pair of compact as much or more when I am going out for all day.
Completely satisfied in all aspects of this product to include prompt delivery and product quality.
I like mine so much that I'm buying another pair of Steiner Safari binoculars from Amazon as a gift. The pair I have are perfect for all around travel use. They're small enough to fit into a pocket while trekking to a good birding spot and are unobtrusive around the neck on safari. They're powerful enough to pull those wildlife sightings in close but don't force you to steady them on a tripod because of too much power. I've taken them on two African safaris, to Iguazu Falls in South America and most recently birding on the Mekong River in Laos. I found that an added bonus was the rubber coated shell, allowing them to get banged around without damage. Their small size also means less room in your carry-on luggage as well as being easily hidden when traversing shaky Third World city streets. Guides on my travels who've taken a look are always thoroughly impressed. For the money the Steiner Safari can't be beat!
We purchased and used these binoculars on a recent hunting trip. Optics are superb and they are light enough to wear full time. I also like the individual focus adjustment, a feature not found on many competitive brands. If I could ask for any improvement, it would be a wider field of view. Mayby I'm just spoiled by the larger (and heavier) 7x50's I have used previously.
We recently took these binoculars on a safari to East Africa.  Having your own pair of binocs is very important and these work wonderfully.  The clarity of view and not having to reset the focus each time are very important attributes.  You might think larger and more powerful binocs are necessary, but the closeness of wildlife did not require that.
Was looking for a inexpensive way to get 600mm telephoto for my Canon 20D. Decided to try Tamron 2x teleconverty.... here are my initial assesments:Pro's1) Quality/construction is good.... I find this on previous Tamron products used in the past.2) 2x Telephoto using a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 on a Canon 20D DSLR is good.Con's3) Biggest downside to this combination is that you must manually focus... ie autofocus function of Canon lense doesn't workOverall4) The Tamron 2x teleconverter does what I expected for the price. Now looking for a lens with a low aperture &lt;=2.8 where the autofocus may work.
I purchased this for astrophotography purposes, I'm using it with a Canon Rebel XSi (EOS 450D).As the description says, using this costs you 2 stops.  Autofocus has been hit and miss for me; my 50mm prime searches a bit, but usually focuses fine.  My Tamron 70-300mm Di LD lens won't autofocus at all.Quality-wise, I get noticable purple fringing in some images, but nothing that's uncorrectable.I'm definitely recommend this to anybody searching for a cheap teleconverter - If you want quality though, get the Canon version.
I purchased this as a gift for my son.  He is very pleased with it.  It exceeded his expectations.
I just got done testing this on my 60D using a EF 70-300 1:4-5.6 IS lens. I was able to get auto focus to work and the loss of 2 F stops was not an issue in outdoor light. I Can't think of a situation I have ever used this lens in the dark except for sunset shots and a tripod is the best bet for those anyway.I did get good clear shots, I don't see where picture quality is affected.I want to add this will not work with any of the EFS lenses, the mount is slightly different on those so it should be stated it only works on EF canon lenses.
I bought this primarly to take photos of birds and squirrls . At the time I had a Tameron 75 to 300mm lens. With this the lens was a 150mm to 600mm lens. The 75 to 300mm lens no longer works so I bought a new Tameron 70mm to 300mm lens and this product works well with the new lens as well. I got some really great photos using this the Tameron AF 2x Teleconverter mostly of goldfinches, Cardinals, Bluejays, House Sparrows and White Breasted Nuthacths.
Tamron AF 2x teleconconverter for Canon Mount LensesWhen I first tried to use this, it would not attach to my EF lenses (18-55mm zoom, 75-300mm zoom).  I am using a Canon EOS T1i.The teleconverter would fit very snugly on the camera but I could not get either of my lenses onto it.So I was quite upset.  I am stationed out of the country and had purchased it through Amazon while on a visit.  I was not able to try it until I got back "home".  So I figured I was stuck with it and a week later I actually decided I would try and "make it fit" and started to look into a way to "adjust" it so it would work for me.  While examining it for fit I managed to connect one of my lenses to it and then was also able to connect the other as well.I did not make any "adjustments", I figure that there may have been a small burr or something stopping me from being able to connect the lenses.  The teleconverter is a tight fit both to the lenses and the camera and will work better for it.  Perhaps I was just not patient enough in trying to connect it the first time.  I have noticed other reviews commenting on fitment issues with Canon lenses so maybe there is a build problem with the Tamron teleconverter...Under operation, with my camera, my auto focus actually worked at full zoom...I was taking pictures of a house & landscape in somewhat overcast conditions in the middle of the day and I was not using a tripod.  I took pictures at full zoom with and without the teleconverter and I am very happy with the results.I am a novice photographer and this teleconverter certainly seems to be worth the money for my current applications.Working now for me.Only 4 stars for the early angst...fyi: I did not receive anything for writing this review...disappointed that Amazon allows "paid" reviews...
Great product. I read other peoples reviews and opinions before I made up my mind and while they were mixed I thought I would try it. It has turned out to be one of the best photo equipment purchases I have made. Tamron has yet to let me down.
Perhaps I got a bad one but I found this teleconverter completely useless. My equipment consisted of a Canon 60D and the latest Tamron 70-300mm telephoto lens with VC. I'm aware of the limitations as well as the probable need for manual focus. Unfortunately, no matter what settings I used, tripod or handheld with image stablization, or how well I focused the lens, this teleconverter could not produce a sharp picture. I went as far as taking a photo with just the lens and then taking the same exact photo with the teleconverter. NOTE: I took several photos to account for human error and took the best photo from each series. I then took each photo into Photoshop. I enlarged the lens-only image by 185% (2x is more like 1.85%) so that the subject was the same exact size. Even enlarged, the lens-only image was easily sharper than the teleconverter's image. So, in essence, this makes the teleconverter completely useless. Like I said, maybe I got a bad one but I can't recommend this item to anyone.
My husband drives a truck for a living and now can photograph all of the wonderful sites.  A must have for anyone who wants to take clear photographs.
Description of this product is incorrect.  This teleconverter will ONLY MOUNT TAMRON LENSES ON A CANON CAMERA BODY!!!!The instructions included with the teleconverter specification notes state "This device is designed specifically for use with Tamron lenses. It is not compatible with other lenses."This is in direct conflict with the Amazon description "Tamron  AF 2X Teleconverter for Canon mount lenses"I am in the process of returning the teleconverter.  It was very disappointing Xmass present.
I find myself not using this teleconverter as much as I thought I would. The images that I get tend to be low in contrast, almost as if there's a slight mist in the air. I believe this is because of either low-quality coatings or no coatings on the lens surfaces. Also the images are not as sharp as I would've hoped they would be. I'm finding I can get as good or better pictures without using the Tele converter and just magnifying it digitally via a good computer image processing program.However, that being said, I will continue to experiment with it and see if I can squeeze out the amount of magnification detail I had hoped I would get with this Tele converter.
Works great with my Tamrom 70-300 lens on my Rebel T3i.  Still have auto focus and everything else, although sometimes the autofocus has to search and wont lock on.Just so potential buyers know, this will not work with the canon 18-55mm kit lens, the lens wont even connect to it.
I was a bit concerned about other reviews stating that the Tamron 2x Teleconverter didn't work with any but Tamron Lenses. I found that to be false. I can mount my Tamron 18-270, Sigma 200-500 and my Kenko 1.4x extender to this extender.The 2x Teleconverter mounts without issue to my Canon EOS 60D.I did find that I could not mount this Tamron 2x to the Kenko 1.4x. Since I plan to use the 2x with the Sigma and the 1.4 with the Tamron 18-270 lens, this small oddity is not an issue.Limited testing leaves me happy with this purchase.
Works great.  The only problem is the f-stop is a little off, but with a little practice you'll have it working perfect in no time.
What other reviewers have said is true bout losing 2 stops of light. Really only for outdoor use or VERY bright indoors
nowhere in the item description did it state " this teleconverter is not designed for digital use"  It does work with my XTi/ tamron lens
Even though it is advertised to work on a DSLR it will not fit the Canon lens. I called the Tamron tech support and they affirmed it will not work on digital cameras. It resides in the useless junk pile along with other stuff I bought on Amazon that did not perform. The resellers advertise stuff that does not fit the manufactures description. Too bad as the price is so low it does not warrant returns.
Description of this product is incorrect. This teleconverter will ONLY MOUNT ON A CANON CAMERA BODY NOT LENS!!! You cannot mount your lens back on. So you actually need to buy a lens as well. And to make it worse, BEACH CAMERA WILL NOT ACCEPT MY RETURN. Going to fight it. But if you think you're buying this for your Canon and you're all set, think again.
I had researched a while for a good "walk-around" lens, and it was a toss-up between this one and the Canon. I honestly went with the Tamron because it was available at my local camera store whereas I would have waited at least a week for the Canon. I'm impatient that way.It took me a while to get used to it. For one it's a bit heavy, although surprisingly well-balanced on my Canon Rebel XTi (400D). It's also the only non-Canon lens I own. Since it's more of a macro lens, and therefore the depth of field more narrow than I was used to, my other shots seemed to appear out of focus at first. With more practice (and several hundred shots), I discovered the problem was user error. Once I set the aperture to 8 or higher for landscapes and messed with other settings such as the autofocus points in the camera, the images improved dramatically.The Tamron is sturdy, well-balanced, and the IQ is excellent. As one other person said, it's a sleeper lens and deserves more attention.
I purchased this for my new Canon XSI Camera & I'm telling you this is a AWESOME lens---it really takes fabulous pictures, WOW!  This is a top notch lens and all I can say is I love it! I use it most all the time, great for portaits, macro, etc...If you get it you will not be disappointed.
I got this lens as a replacement for a Sigma 28-105 f2.8-4.  The Sigma is no longer made and the one I had failed and I'll need to get it repaired.  Meanwhile, I needed a lens that was in the same general range.  I have 8mm fisheye, 16mm fisheye, 10-20mm aspherical, 17-35 aspherical, the 28-105 Sigma that this 24-135 Tamron replaces, 50-200 f2.8, 75-300, 120-300 f2.8 - so the range on this lens was a critical "hole" to fill in.I read a number of reviews on this lens which were good.  Even though it isn't wuite as fast as the Sigma was, it has a nice range (24-135mm).  After getting it, I was very impressed with the super sharp pictures and extremely close focusing range I got with this lens.I highly recommend it.  I would have given 5 stars if it were an f2.8 lens so that's the only reason for the 4 stars, it could be a little bit faster.
I bought this back in 2002 and used it before the Digital age. I loved the range and the edge to edge sharpness.It sat in the closet when I went digital. last week a finally splurged and bought a 5D. The tamron is back and a PERFECT match for the 5D. I had the lens calibrated and aligned by Tamron for digital use.This lens performs extremely well. Better edges than canons 28-105mm and better contrast. There is NO difference between this and the ef 24-105mm L. The L has the advantage of stabilization and f4, but the Tamron has sharper edges wide open and less corner falloff. At f8 the images are identical between these lenses!The Tamron will save you $700 and give you 30mm more range.
Using a Canon Digital Rebel, sold my 28-135mm lens for this lens.  Quality is superior.  Is almost at the Canon "L" series level.  It's lighter, more compact & weighs less.  Very satisfied with the photos I've taken.  A serious contender.
If you are like many of us trying to get our collective juices going, this lens will not disappoint.  It has an excellent zoom range that gives you the most used focal lengths and produces an excellent product.  I recently compared this to a Canon 24-70mm L series and I must say that unless you are getting paid major bucks for you photos it really isn't worth money other than for bragging rites.Now thats not to say that the lens is equal to L glass.  Its not.  But damn close.  I would say though that this lens is equal to if not superior to the non L line of lenses from Canon.You will not be disappointed.
I've had this lens now for a few weeks and i bought it strictly to use as a 'walk around' lens.  The lens is built solid; the entire frame is virtually made of metal and adds about 2 lbs to my canon T2i body.  The images produced are pretty sharp from 24-100mm, better than the Canon 28-135mm lens. At 135mm focal length, the images are okay and has a little barrel distortion. Monochrome images look great at virtually all focal lengths from 24-135mm.  However, the AF can be a bit slow at maximum zoom (135mm).  Also, the zoom ring can be laborious. i'm not sure if its my specific model or every model, but this Tamron lens is harder to zoom in/out than my Canon zoom lens.  Canon lens have a smooth and easy zoom, while this Tamron zoom ring is a bit laborious to turn.  Overall, this lens gives you exactly what you pay for.  I paid $298, which is the lowest price in its class. I did my research on [...];  Despite the laborious zoom ring, i still would rather have this lens than Canon's competitor 28-135mm IS USM "lower image quality" lens.  Read the reviews on [...] for the Canon lens 28-135mm IS USM, and you will read that most people are giving poor reviews for the image quality and construction build. I've played with one before on a 40Dand 50D  and thought it was just ok. Asthetically, the Canon lens looks cooler and more professional. However, the Tamron lens gives you better results and is more affordable.  This specific Tamron lens is discontinued and you will have to purchase it used. Make sure you ask the seller that it has no or minimal dust in the barrel. Overall, I am happy with mine and my purchase i made with Amazon.
I decided to give this lens a try after reading Wayne Kuban's review. I wasn't disappointed. Very sharp lens, with true colors and fast focusing. The zoom ring (after several months of continuous use) is becoming more fluid. Auto and manual focusing are both spot on. The only gripe is the hood - the hood is just not adequate for bright sun / open water photography (i.e. lots of reflections). I had to either shield the lens with my hand or shoot 180 to the sun (UV filter didn't help), or shoot lower than the horizon. Other than that this lens is a keeper.
I previously shot with a Canon 5D and the Canon 24-105 F/4L lens. I loved that combo for the zoom range and picture quality but decided to switch to the Nikon D700 for its great features (auto-iso, better metering, autofocus, 6.5 fps, etc). Nikon doesn't have a constant f/4 full frame zoom lens with the same approximate 24-105 focal length range. The nikon 24-120 comes close, but its reviews have been mixed. After using this Tamron for 6 months, I can say that it makes a great walk around lens. No, its not as sharp as the Canon 24-105, especially in the corners, but for less than half the price, I did not expect it to be. The smaller size and weight is nice as is the extra range on the long end. Until Nikon comes out with a f/4 full frame equivalent to Canon's 24-105, I'll be holding on to this Tamron.
This lens is much sharper then many nikon lenses I have tried. It does flare into the sun, but it is a sharp overall lens.  I am selling my Nikon 24-120,and my Nikon 28-105.  Seriously also considering selling my Nikon 17-35 also, it's great glass and you can work around the flare.  It also has manual control over the f-stop, which for professional shooters is a must.  I am impressed.
I bought this lens based on Internet recommendations, to go with the D700 body I was buying.  I intended it to serve as my main walk-around lens for this camera.  I have been very happy with its performance, and it handles 80% of what I want to do with the camera (I also use a 24/2.8 for low light and a 70-200/4.5 for telephoto).While not designed or advertised as a macro lens, I find it works well at maximum zoom for photographing flowers, which almost fill the frame at a working distance of around a foot.I didn't expect a lot for a lens in the $250 range (mine was purchased as a refurb), but I'm very happy with it and recommend it as a good general purpose walk-around lens for your full frame Nikon.
* This SP (Super Performance) lens is now my favorite for relatively close subjects (car shows, birthdays, putzing around, etc). This lens is a couple of notches upward on image quality compared to my Tamron 18-200mm Dii lens. 24mm is plenty wide enough for just about anything you might need under "normal" circumstances. If you're a realtor and shoot the inside of houses you should use something wider than this (10-20mm Sigma or 12-24mm Nikkor for example). And 135mm is "telephoto enough" for closing the gap, unless your really wanting to see those wrinkles around someones eyes from 30 paces.* It may just be my imagination, but I think this lens really soaks up the color. Looking at my most recent car show pix show tons of color, great sharpness, and contrast. NO signs of vignetting at all, which is something my 18-70mm Nikkor lens suffers terribly from. And like my other Tamron lens (18-200mm), the 24-135mm comes with a lens cover that can be easily removed when the lens hood is in place. Although this "center pinch removal design" is also used on my Nikkor (Nikon) lenses, I have 2 Sigma lenses that do not have this feature and you really can't install (or remove) their lens caps without 1st removing the lens hood. A hassle (hear that Sigma?).* I was almost tempted to lower it to four stars, but decided against it. My only complaint with this lens:- I have this lens mounted to my D200, and I sometimes slightly impede the lens' autofocus from performing it's duties. Why? The focus ring is pretty close to the zoom ring, which itself isn't all that wide, so my hand sometimes migrates forward just enough to drag down the focus ring as it spins. It could stand to be another quarter inch forward in my opinion, but then it wouldn't be as compact. I forgive Tamron THIS time because the focus ring feels perfectly positioned when focusing manually (I, and others, still do this from time to time).* Bottom line - A very good lens overall, and worthy of at least 4-1/2 stars. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if this one was lost or stolen.*** EDIT *** I uploaded some car show pictures that DO NOT do this lens credit. Amazon's photo samples are a nice feature but reduce & compress images down to a level that seriously degrades their true quality. Rest assured that they are much better than as shown here.
Ace Photo Digital is the type of company that goes on vacation for almost a week, has no intentions of selling you an item, and blows you off until you call them. They used the bait and switch tech on me saying that the package I bought was a mistake of amazons (which it wasn't) and they wouldn't honor my purchase. Very unprofessional company. Asked for a manager to call me, and never did. They do not care about their customers. It was a $150 camera w/ 2 lenses, tripod, flash, and case. They ended up canceling my order when I told them not to. DO NOT ORDER FROM THEM!
I love this camera.  It is one of the only manual cameras still being manufactured.  Digital-electronic monstrosities (which are unbelievably expensive) simply cannot produce images like a simple manual camera with a good 50mm lens.The lens that comes in this kit is multicoated, which what you want.  It is also a K-mount, which means that the camera is compatible with the vast hoard of K-mount lenses out there (probably one of the most popular lens mounts ever made, along with the Canon EF mount).  This camera is basically the modern equivalent of the venerable Pentax K-1000, a great camera if ever there was one.  It is easy to find all sorts of other lenses, if you ever want them.  I could shoot 35mm film with a 50mm lens for the rest of my life and be happy, but it is nice to have options.I like the fact that I can control the speed and aperture with simple, familiar mechanical controls.  It has an actual, physical shutter knob, and an actual, physical aperture ring.  These things will never fail, if you take care of them.I cannot believe the price.  A camera like this -- simple, but durable, with a timer and a built-in meter -- would have been out of my price-range when I was starting out.  This little camera would have been one of the most advanced cameras available, at that time (and I'm not that old!).Digital technology is fine for internet applications, for newspaper reporters, maybe even for some wedding and event photographers.  But digital images just don't look like film.  Digital prints are still basically ink jet print-outs -- the image is squirted onto the paper.  Plus, to enlarge them much more than an 8x10, you would need more megapixels than most people can afford.If you want a good, surprisingly inexpensive camera that makes fantastic images on FILM, without being tied to a computer, then get this camera.  Get some Tri-X film.  Heck, you might even consider getting a basic darkroom kit and setting up a lab in your bathroom (it's not very expensive -- a lot less than the cost of a digital SLR, for example, even including the camera).  That way you can have total control over your prints and make images that people love, not just snapshots that get thrown away.
The camera Vivitar sent to me had a broken light meter, so I contacted the company to send it back and have it replaced. The company made me pay the postage to send back a camera that came broken, and then sent me a second camera that once again didn't have a functioning light meter. I would send it back a second time.
Cosina is a "behind the scenes" Japanese manufacturer of many cameras and lenses, and have made cameras for many branded as high-end and entry level models for decades. If you purchases an SLR, or if you've amassed a collection 3rd party lenses, good chance you have something made by Cosina but didn't know it.Cosina has been making this camera for Vivitar for the past 15 years that I know of. I know because I purchased this camera's ancestor - pretty much the exact same camera and same lens, 15 years ago around 1990 for around $100 on sale at K-Mart.I have a digital point and shoot, and I like it. But, I still like film, and there's something to be said for a manual camera, which this is. And, right now there's a TON of high quality used glass in the Pentax K mount that can be had for a song on eBay.What I like about this camera over digital: 1. produces better images than a point and shoot, and about as good as a $1000 DSLR for less than the cost of the lowest end digital point and shoot; 2. Mine has lasted about 15 years, still going strong. 3. Doesn't need batteries to operate (well the meter does, common watch 1.5's you can get anywhere. They last for years.), 4. doesn't require a computer, photoprinter, or software. I just drop my film off at the local lab, and they're ready in an hour... doubles for about $9.50. No computer required. Give the extra set to whomever, no sitting in front of a PC futzing with images in Photoshop, running out of expensive inks.  Been there, done that. Let the "real" photoshop take care of all that.This camera comes complete with a VERY fast, high-quality 1.7 50mm lens. I got spoiled with this excellent lens because it's about as sharp and as fast a lens as you're likely to find.So, come join we Luddites who prefer "real" photography with "real" cameras - no EVFs that go dark, no LCDs that wash out, no batteries, SD cards, etc. Let the others have their infernal digital contraptions. Me? I just think manual cameras are TONS more fun, take better pictures, are cheaper, simpler, last longer, require you to think, and require a measure of photographic skill. I also like collecting all those lenses I couldn't afford over the years used now on eBay... also fun.Will those $600 digicams (that can't shoot beyond iso 200) be around in 2020, like my camera? More likely, they will long since retired to some landfill somewhere.Think about it.
Summary:If you prefer or tolerate used equipment, find and obtain a respectable camera from the 1980s or 1990s. If you prefer new equipment, the Vivitar 3800N is a decent choice, but not as good as the best mechanical SLRs in their heyday.Background:I bought this camera in order to re-enter film photography. I had my own darkroom kit since middle school. I love technology and in 1997 bought one of the early consumer-oriented digital cameras (it came with a 2 megabyte compact flash card). After some years of digital photography I decided that there is much to say about film photography. I wanted to leverage my investment in K-mount lenses, and because I prefer brand-new, I bought what seems to be the last of a dying breed: a purely mechanical SLR.Review:The Vivitar 3800N is a steal considering how complex the mechanism is. And I'm satisfied because I got my money's worth. But that's the point -- it's not very well built.Hate to say this folks: this camera is cheap. The serial number is a sticker on the bottom plate (not stamped into the metal). The rubbery material that covers most of the back plate is sure to deteriorate over time (it's sticky). The multiple-exposure button is located right under and in front of the shutter dial, and it's easy to press by mistake. (To be fair, it's a mere distraction, because pressing the multi-exposure button won't due any harm, because the button only works when it's pushed in while the film winder lever is advanced to charge the shutter.) The mirror is hardly damped and makes a big clunk. Engaging the self-timer immediately raises the mirror which stays up until the focal-plane shutter opens and closes.None of these issues are big deals -- the camera does work. It sports a vertical travel metal focal-plane shutter, and a diagonally split image rangefinder surrounded by a microprism ring area. If the Vivitar 3800N were sold in the 1960s, it would have commanded considerable respect. But film cameras evolved to T-rex levels in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Compared to the mechanical cameras of that era, the Vivitar represents the lingering remnants of a bygone tradition. Perhaps Pentax will consider a limited revival production run of the K1000, KX, or MX. That would be something worth paying a bit over the Vivitar 3800N.Footnote:I got the "kit" package, which includes a flash (the worst I've every held in my hands), a multi-exposure toy cap (hmm this could be a conversation piece), a UV filter (nice), batteries for the internal exposure meter (not needed for the camera's operation), two cases (a camera case and a kit case; haven't had a SLR case in 35 years), a roll of monochrome film, and a 50mm f1.7 lens. I got the "kit" package because I was curious. Knowing what I know now, I would've bought only the Vivitar 3800N body if I could have.
I love this case!  It replaced a nearly identical case purchased many years ago.  The pull down file folder compartment is convenient. I love that it has combination locks, so I can secure my laptop without having to worry about keeping track of keys. The telescoping handle is longer and more comfortable than the one on my older case.
I bought this for my husband for work/Christmas gift.  Very sturdy and strong bag with wheels, makes a great gift.
Very good for paper work good for travel flight excellent peace enjoy it good wheels confotble for any one men or women
Bag is made well, very sturdy especially at this price point. It is a bit heavy, and the gold color finish on the locks look cheap.Have been traveling with it for a month now, and it had held up very nicely considering its been on boats, planes, and taxis.I am able to fit a12 notebook and a10 tablet in the laptop partition.
Purchased this case for my attorney wife who had been trying to carry too much in a shoulder strap bag. Holds all her folders and files along with her laptop in a nice roll-around case. Not heavy like a leather style case (but can get heavy if fully loaded of course).  Very sturdy, she has used this case on a daily basis for more than 3 months now with few signs of wear and tear.  Case opens from the top so access to files is very easy.  It has two combo locks to keep things secure.  Has a sturdy, extendable handle that makes it easy to pull behind you.  It also has a heavy duty handle for picking it up to put in your car trunk.  Highly recommend to people that need to carry large volumes of files / books / computer equipment in one easy to use case.
It looks nice, but the wheels are not big enough.  The puller is a little flimsy.  I am keeping it, but it just doesn't look like it will hold up for longer than (or even) a year with daily use on the sidewalk.  In general,  all these SOLO products do not last me longer thatn a year.  I am searching for better catalog rolling cases.
These batteries are great! They last 3 to 4 times as long as alkaline batteries in my Olympus C-730 digital camera and about twice as long as the individual AA Lithium batteries. They are pricy but you do get your money's worth. In the long run they are cheaper than buying either individual alkaline or lithium AA's. Go for it.
First of all, the batteries that we received were not the Energizer Lithium CRV3's, they were just plain Energizer CRV3's.  The expiration date is 03-2020.  The batteries were completely dead when I went to use them less than a month after they arrived.
Item was not what was pictured. They were standard lithium CRV-3 batteries. Won't be doing business with this merchant again.
had no problems with these batteries.  they have lasted for a while and are still going.  good product.  same as in store
I ordered the batteries and a charger( the charger came from a different shipper. The charger did not fit the batteries. Now I have to search for a charger
Didn't want to take my good camera to New Orleans but wanted good touristy photos...I used to own one of these so I already had a huge memory card for it, then grabbed this one. Did the job. Great pics for an older little camera!
I bought my Finepix 2650 before Christmas 2002 so I could have a small camera instead of lugging around my SLR and bags of equipment.  I didn't expect great shots from an inexpensive, pocket-sized camera, but WOW, I was truely amazed at the great results.  The 2650 blows away my Canon Elan IIe for consistantly good color balance and overall image quality.Is it the perfect digital camera?  No, but it's about the best you'll find in this price range and even among those costing a couple of hundred more.  It's packed with features and I've experienced zero problems in the 4 months I've owned it.Pros:*Great overall image quality*Small but not too small*Good selection of picture modes*Accurate focus*MP3 movies (no sound)*XD picture card*Good battery lifeCons:*Menu (you have to surf to find what your looking for and memorize the symbols since it doesn't give text descriptions)*Somewhat slow shutter speed (set to the equivalent of 100 asa 35mm film)*Crummy, ad-filled software (if you have XP don't even bother installing it)After experimenting with several of the modes available, I'm happy to leave it in full-auto which gives great reults for 98% of my shots, indoor and out.  I haven't even used my SLR since buying the Fuji.  The zoom lense is adequate except for extreme long range shots (but how many people own 500mm lenses for their SLRs anyway?)  For anyone who complains about weak flash - the flash is as good as any in a small camera, it won't illuminate a stadium, but it's not meant to.Last but not least, the XD picture card.  Yes it's proprietary and currently only Fuji and Olympus use it.  It's extremely fast, amazingly small, works well and is not over-priced compared to other media.  I dare-say anyone who has a complaint about proprietary issues hasn't changed an ink cartidge in their printer and probably still uses floppy-discs for their primary data storage.Great Job Fuji !!!
I thought this would be a good starter phone for my nephew, but when I put batteries in it and tried to take a picture, the screen would go blank. I had to turn it at an angle in order to take the picture. It would've been a great camera, had it worked correctly.
It's an awesome little camera, I was surprised at all the features you get for the price.  I told my husband that I wanted a digital camera for Xmas (and not to spend too much$$$) I wasn't expecting something this great!I went back to the store and got the 128bit picture card, little bit of sticker shock there :o  But it will be worth it because now instead of 27 pics I have enough memory to take 398.
My daughter's wedding in Hawaii in Oct. 2002 was the biggest test so far for my 2650 Fuji Finepix. I shot over 140 Pics. (without once re-charging my 1700 mah batteries) in all kinds of lighting and didn't miss a shot. I was using a 128 MB smart media and I had plenty of space left for about 60 more shots. I take this camera on board my boat for my Salmon fishing trips both in winter and summer here on the Washington coast and the shots have all come out great. My son has a new Cannon G3 4MP and he can't believe that my camera takes better pictures than his. Buy it! You won't be sorry.
Oh, and I forgot to add: The time it takes after each picture is so frustrating!! After I've taken a picture, people always ask me if batteries died. grgg! sO IF YOU ARE AS IMPATIENT WITH TECHNOLOGY  as I am, spend a few extra $$ (or get your parents to) on a camera that has light speed recoveries and zooms. Otherwise it will seem like you are manually rewinding a camera. (like you do with disposables or pro 35mms)I give this 3 stars mainly because I like the pictures I took. They came out great.
This is the first digital camera that I owned.  I didn't want to go all out, like some of my friends and buy an expensive camera, but I wanted a digital camera.  This camera is wonderful for the price.  It takes great pictures, although trying to take pictures of small things up close, doesn't work too well.  They come out a little blurry, but it is wonderful!
This was my first digital camera. I won't describe the pros and cons of this model as other reviewers have covered this ground already. I used it for over 2 years with no problems, then the front lens became loose. The reason for the failure was evident upon disassembly. The outer barrel (the part that protrudes from the camera body) is held by three metal pins mounted on plastic tabs that are part of the lens barrel. One side of one tab broke, releasing the pin holding that side of the barrel in place. I suspect that the inner zoom lens barrel may have caught on the inside of the outer barrel, straining the tab and breaking it. Ordinarily it would be a simple fix to switch the lens to a new outer barrel, but if the entire lens assembly is sold as a unit, the repair would probably cost more than a new camera.If all the moving parts were metal rather than plastic, the camera would probably last forever. Then again, others have commented on the limited life of the viewscreen, so my suspicion is that the entire unit is only intended to last a short period (by which time it would be obsolete anyway). Digital camera design is progressing so rapidly that no one should buy one without the intention of replacing it in a few years. If you want a camera you can pass down to your grandchildren, film is still the way to go.I do need to comment on some of the other reviewers' observations:1. The camera stops working - permanently - if you drop it or knock it off a table: This issue isn't limited to this model - virtually every electronic device will break if dropped or handled roughly. Many cell phones will take an incredible amount of abuse - if you want an indestructible camera, get a cell phone with a camera built-in.2. The camera is too thick: It's about the same size and shape as a 35 mm snapshot camera. I suspect this is a problem only because much thinner digital cameras are now available - no one ever complained about this with the older film cameras.3. The image in the viewfinder doesn't correspond exactly to the captured image: Again, just like a film camera with a viewfinder. Unless one is looking through the lens, parallax wil ensure that the viewed image differs from the final photograph. Even SLR film cameras only show 90-95% of what the film sees in the viewfinder.Overall this camera was a great introduction to digital photography.
Being someone who just takes pictures for fun, I wanted a digital camera that was little bit more than a point-and-click.  This camera offered that.  The menu is easy to use and for an amateur, it is very easy to get accustomed to.  The pictures come out pretty well.  The only thing I wish I had on it would be a stronger zoom but for what it does offer, it's not bad.  Uploading the photos from the camera to the computer is very easy also.  Again, this camera is great for someone who is looking for digital technology but is not exactly the most camera savvy person.
For the first camera that I've taken to shows, this little guy performed surprisingly well.For being so bulky with lackluster zoom (thank goodness I was in the front row for all 4 concerts in a row for Flaming Lips last fall), I surprised myself with the nice quality of the shots I got.I even took some nice ones from pretty far back @ Better than Ezra at the Wildflower Fest 07.The time it takes for this to power up is what really got on my nerves:  I actually MET the Flaming Lips twice while we followed them around in the Fall and both times I was heckled by the band (in a nice way of course -- best bunch of guys you could ever meet) due to the elderliness of my camera and how we had to stand around for so long waiting for the thing to turn on.The key with this little one is either BRIGHT light and slow situations or shoot a BILLION pictures to assure the fact that you will get some good ones (I would get about 200 good ones out of 400 and so on).I upgraded to the Finepix s700 6 months ago and I've already outgrown that, but for just quick point n shoot spur of the moment type things, this camera would probably do the trick.
I bought this camera as a birthday gift to my mother. Both my mother and father love it. They told me that it is small, light and handy. The pictures are bright and sharp. The camera itself is easy to operate. The software is also very friendly. I am satisfied with this purchase.
prosThis camera produces excellent quality images.light weight and sturdyconsTakes long time to get ready between shotsNo video output to TV
This was the first digital camera that I owned and I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago and at first it was nice because I didn't know any better.The camera is very wide. I personally like the slim cameras. The time it takes between pictures is WAY too long! Then the screen turns black if you wait too long to take the picture so you have to hit a button to turn the screen back on and that takes another 3 seconds.  The zoom feature sometimes doesn't want to close. Also the batteries come out easily because they aren't very secure. I've taken very good care of this camera.  I only dropped the camera one time and now I hear a noice when I shake the camera like something is lose inside. The screen now turns black and won't take any pictures.There are better options out there.
As mentioned in other reviews, after about six months, the auto focus feature stopped working.  At first, we thought the battery was low or we needed a new card.  After purchasing a new battery &amp; new card, still the auto focus will not work!  Very frustrating!  I feel like we've just thrown our money away &amp; we're stuck with a useless camera.
When I bought the camera it was a good buy for the money, considering features.  I've never been impressed with the photo quality though.  This model is too fragile... drop it once and it is dead!  The lens just broke off of mine following a mild bump -- the quality of the mount was far poorer that what I'de expect in a camera costing half the price.  I have a friend whose FinePix 2650 died in a similar manner.  Look elsewhere for a more durable camera.
Ok, I am the one who sells digital cameras for living. One day I decided to look for a cheap point and shoot camera for myself and the FinePix 2650 caught my eye because of the features that it comes with:  small size, optical zoom, glass lens, movie mode lower price, comparing with a previous SmartMedia version FinePix 2600 and surprising - ability to use that camera (as all the rest of Fuji cameras) as a webcam for video conferencing. I checked reviews online on CNET and Amazon.com - it had very nice user comments. So I decided to give it a test. After I took several pictures (which I do every day with other cameras) there was no question left - this camera can't focus. First after the camera identifies the object it remembers its location, puts itself in a sleep mode for about a second or two (which is a lot) so it can actually establish the focus, and after the focus has been established it actually snaps the picture. And as a result - during those one-two seconds being in a sleep mode either your hand can move just a little bit, the object itself can move, or anything else around the object (like a car on a background, or a pedestrian somewhere on a side) which causes the camera to loose it's focus immediately.  That's exactly what happened in about 28 pictures out of 30 total.
I always wanted to have a little camera that fits in my pocket (or knapsack) that goes everywhere.. my SLR is always a production to drag around... so this is the answer to being able to snap that beautiful cloud formation or sunset on the spur of the moment..  I love the fact that it only takes 2 batteries.  I have read other people's reviews about it eating batteries, but heck, maybe I just don't leave it on except to snap the pix after I line up the shot, so haven't had that problem yet.  I did get the 128 card, probably because I know what it is to run out of film on my SLR camera, and then find a gorgeous shot - that ended up missed, but I have yet to fill up this card.. maybe when I do a long holiday trip.. This is fun for quick shots (you can even do a self portrait real easy) to send to friends in emails (yes, this is me now with orange hair!)..  The cable to download to computer comes with camera.  Do get the adapter (to plug in for power - esp good for re-viewing what you shot, and for downloading).  I lamented not findin one in stores I knew of... then looked on the fuji.com website.. man, you can find supplies worldwide! I found the adapter at a dinky little foto shop in a little strip mall that's almost on my way home from work.. so do get it - well worthwhile... :) have fun!
The quality of the pictures this camera takes are more than you would expect from an entry level digital camera. Well worth the money.
It's user-friendly and captures all of those special moments with precision and clarity.  Perfect for the beginner!
This camera has a good price. However for anyone with any desire to tweak settings you should definitely not get this. Other 2MP camera's such as Canon A40 have lots of creative options not found here, including adjustable ISO speed. This will add visible noise above 100, but it is possible to get low light shots not thinkable with this camera. Also the maximum . 1/2 sec. shutter interval does not help in this respect. As someone mentioned, the white balance tends to be off a bit. Here are some additional ideas of mine relating to this product and the fact that it only uses xD memory(which by the way, as of this, costs twice the price of CompactFlash or Smartmedia and by the time you buy a good amount of memory you will have spent as much as a better canon or something with the same amount of memory):I could not agree more on the issue brought up here. As if there were not already enough memory formats, yet another one. It seems to be about either desperate, or greedy companies trying to capture customers into their markets forever. Why can't we just have one or two formats of memory?? This is as bad as it would be to have 5+ formats of CD-RoM drives. And SONY is even more guilty than fuji/olympus (w/Memstick).Smartmedia was developed by Toshiba/Fuji/Olympus, and now Fuji/Olympus couldn't get along with Toshiba/Panasonic for the sD card. Memeory cards will become more and more versatile into the future and soon be used in countless devices. We need to standardize the market. We can't afford to buy special memory for each and every device. If you buy Fuji/0lympus, I sincerely suggest you buy a camera that is not limited to xD. Together the people can control the market for our own good..
y wife and I decided to get a digital camera...Because I'm a techno-head Art Director, not just any camera would do and the price had to be right. Plus, it had to be loaded with enough features to justify the purchase. I really wanted at least a 4.0 mega pixel but after discussing it over with my wife, we figured a 2.0 would do exactly what we wanted:1. Instant digital gratification.2. Excellent for e-mail shots and iPhoto.3. The possibility of printing higher res shots.It takes great color shots right out of the box. Extremely intuitive. The optical zoom eliminates bitmapping (jaggies) when close-up. And the auto-focus mode is idiot proof. It has 5 flash modes for lots of shooting customization. Macro (close-up 3.9" to 2.6') and self-timer photography add to the host of features. White Balance (for light sources), Exposure Compensation and Movie (no sound video) mode round off this great little camera.Check out the fujifilm.com sight for a great interactive preview. It's what really sold me. The purchase is up to you from there. The only other option in the same category was an Olympus, but the memory card was only 8mb, as was the Sony which only had its body-style going for it.Good luck!
First of all, this camera is an excellent value (performance & features vs price). The quality is apparent from the first moment you see the box, when it becomes clear that Fuji put a lot of effort into designing this product. This camera also has several advantages over other brands at similar prices. The most obvious advantage is that this camera uses the new xD picture cards; and these little fellas are really neat. If you ever watched the original Star Trek, you know that Starfleet around that time stored its portable data on small cartridges. xD cards are like that but much, much smaller; sort of like a thumbnail size wafer, which you can slip in the coin pocket of your blue jeans; so small, that these xD cards are suitable for use by James Bond on one of his secret missions; and they are durable, too. When I shopped for other digital cameras, it became obvious that xD cards are the latest and finest technology, and they use much less power too (and that's important when you're dealing with a portable digi-cam). The other advantage of the 2650 is that unlike similarly-priced models, it has a digital AND 3x optical zoom. First I looked at an Olympus, a fine outfit, but for the same price I got this Fuji with the optical zoom; usually a feature only on the more expensive models. I'm happy also with the compatibility of the Fuji digital software with my Windows PC. Fuji has a marketing agreement with Microsoft (I'm a big supporter of MS, because I LIKE to be able to have all my software working together), and my dreaded installation of the included Finepix 3.2a software CD-ROM went very smoothly. After you install the included software, which is quite easy, it is really a cinch to download pictures. You simply connect the included USB cable to your camera port, and your PC and Fuji camera automatically take over; the Finepix Picture Viewer pops up on your screen, and you're in business. You don't even have to "download" your pictures, they automatically synch right into the PC viewer, and then you can simply select the ones you want to save to your hard drive (the Finepix software also works on Mac's for all you Apple geeks [get in touch with your dark side--try a PC.]). The operation of this Fuji 2650 camera is also elegant and efficient. Remember, this camera is relatively inexpensive for 2 megapixels & an optical zoom; but you sacrifice nothing in terms of performance. The user interface and menu is so intuitive I was using this camera before having read the instruction manual (I still have not read it, just a few paragraphs from the software installation section), and a "QuickStart" foldout guide comes with the instruction booklet, so I was taking pictures within minutes (The people at Fuji Japan are obviously very sharp). The LCD screen on the back of the camera is adequate, and doesn't seem to use up my batteries too quickly. I want to make a few suggestions to you if you're interested in buying this camera: First of all, go to the Fuji-USA website and you can take their interactive tour of the camera (this alone will sell you); when you buy this 2650 model, make sure you purchase a genuine Fuji 3V AC adapter (digi-cams can drain batteries away faster than politicians can find new ways to tax us) which is available from Fuji on their website (I hope Amazon.com decides to stock this item); also, I purchased the Fuji-brand accessory package for the 2650, which includes a very fine Panasonic recharger and set of 4 top-of-the-line Panasonic NIMH rechargeable batteries (better than NiCad), a mini-tripod, a genuine Fuji padded soft camera case (it's worth it just for the charger and batteries), and also a complimentary copy of Microsoft Picture It! 2002 Express (although all you really need is the excellent Fuji Finepix software). Now, I want to ask you, unless you're a professional photographer, why would you need something more expensive (and more complicated) than this Fuji 2650? I know I sound like some spokesman for Fuji, but I'm not (look me up on my Amazon profile). I simply appreciate it when a company designs a beautiful, integrated product and sells it at a great price. This is somewhat akin to choosing between a Toyota Camry and a Jaguar XJ-S; with the Jag, you will be paying 300% more for a car you have to endlessly worry about, take care of, and constantly repair and protect, not to mention learn how to use all the advanced gizmos; with the Toyota, you're buying a car which is fun, nicely designed, practical, and solidly built. My Fuji 2650 pictures are great, even at the lowest resolution. I bought this camera for a specific purpose (posting pictures on internet dating sites) and so far I am scoring with the great photos (and the ladies too:)--relax, I am just trying to amuse you); but this camera will do very well for you no matter your purpose. You don't need 6 Megapixels and a 10x optical zoom, take the $500 you save buying this camera and buy a good stock, or a present for your girlfriend or significant other. Good luck!
I did a lot of comparison shopping before choosing this camera.  I took it on vacation with a friend who had a Kodak digital camera and we were impressed with how much better my shots were.  Unless you're planning to make a lot of prints over 5x7, the quality is more than adequate.  Another reviewer mentioned a frequent warning about having your hand over the lens, but they're mistaken - that refers to the fact that, having turned the flash off, you're at risk for a blurred picture due to low light.  It's hard to hold the camera still enough in that situation.I love how lightweight and easy to use it is.  My only real compaint is that I run through the batteries pretty quickly, maybe because I can't resist looking at every shot after I've taken it, so I have to always have spares with me. There've been a couple times when I was stuck with no charged batteries.  You have to get used to staying on top of that.  On vacation, I find that easy to do, but sometimes around home, I miss out on impromptu photo ops for lack of batteries.  Get yourself several sets.  My first digital camera used 4 AA batteries, though.  At least this one only uses 2!
This is my first digital camera.  I bought it because it came highly recommended from CNET.com.I would definitely recommend buying the rechargeable batteries. Like most digital cameras, it EATS AA batteries. :) You can buy the rechargeable batteries and charger right from Amazon.com as well. There are different brands available. You can see what's available under accessories.Camera does everything it says in the description. Takes WONDERFUL pictures!Great price...cheaper here then I have seen at other places.It is verrrrry easy to operate...not a lot of bells and whistles that you will probably never use. You can zoom in on your subject reallllly close and still have a high quality picture.The program to upload pictures to your computer is also verrrrry easy to understand and use.There is a few seconds lapse in time from being able to take one picture and then another. Maybe that is standard on all digital cameras...I don't know. The time lapse isn't a big deal to me though. It would only affect me if I was trying to shoot action shots.There is no chance of taking a picture with the cover on...you will get a message that your cover is still on. :) It is light and compact. I am just amazed at what a great camera this is!100% satisfied! ...
Positives - Outstanding photo quality, ease of use, ruggedness (have dropped it a few time), AA battery use (for pete's sake, invest in rechargables...), good software.Negatives - compact - but smaller options available in the market, XD cards cost slightly more than SD or CF cards, flash takes at least 5-7 seconds to recharge (annoying if you want to take another shot quickly...), no TV out capability.Bottom Line - Excellent photo quality. Highly recommended for basic users.
I got my Fuji Finepix 2650 in 2002 or so.  Previous to this, I'd been a 35mm SLR shooter, but I needed a digital for online auction photos and this one, when I checked it out in stores, seemed to be able to focus down to about 4-5 inches, so I got one.The first one died within a few days and I had to take it back, but the replacement I've carried around and beaten and abused - the finish is worn off most of the case; the lens did break on one side and you have to be careful it's not crooked or it will give photos that are blurry on one side.  Sometimes the on-off needs to be flipped several times to make it come on, a couple of times had to open the battery compartment.  The flash is obviously set at one setting, which tends to be too bright for close up pictures, and too weak for low-light pictures at a distance or of large objects - the happy medium seems to be around 10-12 feet with some kind of lighting.  It's slow to shoot (auto anti-red-eye) when pressed and takes varying amounts of time to recharge depending on how weak the batteries are.  It tends to eat batteries fairly rapidly.  The shutter speeds are limited and control seems to be auto only, for instance on a cloudy, rainy day it needs the flash or it will set itself so slow you need a tripod for a clear shot.  At the same time taking pictures of say a passing car in bright light, it's too slow unless you turn and pan with the moving object (which has resulted in a few nice photos).  The lens cover is easy to bump over just a bit, which makes the lens retract.I have never used it for video, it's an extra feature I don't see a need for since unless you put a big memory card in it you can't shoot for very long.  If I were looking to shoot videos, I'd buy a camcorder of some sort.  The only reason I can think to try it is it may provide a means to beat some of the low light weaknesses of the photo side through the use of still frames out of the videos.But it's done it's job, I've taken literally thousands of pictures with it and it's paid for itself more times over than I could stop to count.  For a basic camera, I've been pleased with it.  But it's worn and it's time for a new one.
I've had this for almost 2 years now, and am very satisfied.  I'm not a contant user, but have probably taken close to a thousand pics by now - all look great.  These cameras make pictures more fun - no messing with film, picking up, storing - just load on the computer.The reason I'm writing is to make a comment on durability.  This seems like a pretty fragile camera, very lightweight and obviously very few steel or metal parts in there.  When I fumbled it onto a barely carpeted wood flow from almost 6 feet, therefore, I figured it was history. I picked it up and turned it on - nothing.  Cursing and depondent, I popped the hood to ascertain the damage.  Once inside, I noticed the memory card was a little askew. I pushed it back in place, closed her up, and voila - worked like new again.Maybe it landed at just the right angle, or maybe I'm just very lucky, but I have to hand it to any camera that can survive a 6 foot dead drop with no permanent damage.
When we decided to purchase a digital camera we admittedly knew very little about them. Therefore we relied on online reviews and such to help us find the right camera. In so doing we came upon the Fuji FinePix 2650.Here was a camera that didn't have a million different features, but seemed to have everything necessary to take a good picture. We were told by someone who knew quite a bit about digital cameras that having both a digital zoom and an optical zoom was a very good thing. We found that most cameras in our price range did not have this feature, but the Fuji did. There were just enough menu options for us to feel like we could do a range of things and take a variety of shots. It's light weight though a bit thick. And the quality of pictures that the Fuji took was very nice. Find the right printer and paper and it would rival professionally developed pictures.A few drawbacks to the camera--~As many other reviewers noted, digital cameras eat up batteries. We had only take about thirteen or fourteen shots when the low battery icon came on. The power saver mode kicks in pretty quickly when the camera is on, but that didn't seem to be enough to make the batteries last longer.~In an attempt to save some battery power, we thought we'd buy a memory card reader so that we didn't have to have the camera on in order to download the pictures onto my laptop. The problem with that was that because, as we were told, Fuji has a XD card none of the readers were compatible. Except for, that is, the one put out by Fuji, which was just too much money to actually purchase.~The camera comes with a 16 MB card, but we figured we'd get the 128 MB and not have to worry about how many pictures we took for some time. Now, the Fuji cards aren't cheap so we looked for a "generic" one that was a bit cheaper. A similar problem to the one above occurred. Fuji and Olympus seem to be the only manufacturers that produce the XD card right now. So we were stuck with the cost of the Fuji card.Overall, the camera was a wonderful purchase. If you want it simply to take on vacations and day trips and such you couldn't do any better. The price is right and it's fun to experiment with. One thing is that I'd recommend buying rechargeable batteries--We found an Energizer kit that charges in an hour, is small/thin enough to pack, and the batteries are cheaper than some. I think I can honestly say that, even if we had known about some of the things stated above beforehand, we still would have purchased the Fuji FinePix.
After purchasing this camera, I compared the photos with that of a friends that costs over twice as much.  In my opinion, the quality was as good, if not better than the other camera.The camera was very easy to operate as well.  I am very pleased with it, and would highly recommend it.
I've had this camera for over two years (it's my first digital camera) and I am very happy with it. I've taken thousands of pictures and the camera is still going strong.Pros:-Very inexpensive-Transporting pictures onto the computer is super easy-Has a nicely sized viewing screen so you can see the pictures you've taken-Definitly pays for itself over and over againCons:-Very big and bulky compared to some other models out there on the market-The clarity of some pictures is not good (flash should be stronger)All in all, I would buy this camera again. The only thing I would really change would be to make the flash stronger (so the pictures will be clearer) and mainly, make the camera thinner. It is very thick and impossible to keep in your pocket and takes up a ton of room in your purse.
This is a great first camera for digital camera novices like me.  As a web designer and technology geek, I was looking for something that was easy to use and inexpensive, with all the bells and whistles.  This one fit perfectly.The easy to use interface lets even a keyboard jockey like me navigate the 12 or so basic functions.  The 2 Mega pixel resolution prints great in color and decent rough copies on my laser printer.  It takes great shots for the web.  I loved the lens protector and the easy to access battery/memory compartment.I have taken about 50-60 pictures on my first set of batteries using the flash for most of them.  I have yet to fill my free 32MB memory card. I took 3 twenty second video clips and that wasn't even half full.There was quite a bit of lag from when you push the button fully and the shutter snaps.  This is easily overcome.  I also would have liked it to display the picture for a little longer after the shot is taken.  It only stays up for a second or two and you have to change modes to view it again.  The easy to use buttons make this easy enough to do.Overall Highly Recommended
I bought the Asian version of this fantastic digital camera in Hong Kong about 10 months ago, and it has performed admirably under heavy usage.  This is definitely a very high-quality camera.  My 3rd Fuji, and I'm glad this one has a lens cover, unlike previous Fuji cameras (film or digital).  This one is also very stylish and cool, and the movie mode works exceptionally well (albeit no sound).  Picture quality is superb!  Bright and vivid colors.  I paid twice as much for this camera in HK, but no regrets whatsoever.  This is wildly popular in Asia, so you'll be in good company if you get one. :)
This camera is awesome in comparison with the competition in the same spectrum. Considering cameras with 2MP, 3x optical zoom and LCD display, this one is hard to beat.Many people may find the xD-Picture format of the storage to be a negative point, but it is blazingly fast and has an extraordinary form factor. Besides, it is backed by Fujifilm and Olympus, which guarantees that this format will not be a hard-to-find item or out of catalog before you decide to buy another camera for a different reason.
I had been shopping for a digital camera for a long time. I came across the Fuji Finepix 2650 and saw how great a bargain it was. It has a 3x Optical Zoom, 2 megapixels, and is light and compact. The pictures it takes are excellent quality. I can't tell the difference between those pictures and pictures taken by a regular film camera. If you want to print pictures that are 11 x 14 or larger you might want to consider a 3 or 4 megapixel camera, but for 8 x 10 and smaller this camera does just fine. If you are looking for a great buy on a great digital camera, this is it.
This is our first digital camera, so we took our time to choose. Finally we decided that 2.0 megapixels should be enough for our needs: non-professional &quot;entry-level&quot; users.We looked at many options, and when talking Price-Value the FinePix 2650 is really a bargain. A nice little camera packed with all the functions one could expect, very friendly and easy to operate. Even do it's a fully automated camera, all BUT focusing can be set to manual. And there is the flaw: under poor lighting conditions auto-focus usually fails.Other than that we are very pleased: great colors, batteries are standard AA, fun to use.
This is my first digital camera and I love it!  I researched various cameras for a couple of weeks and decided on this one because of the new xD Picture Card and the reasonable price.  Of course, being a newbie, I have nothing to compare it to, but I'm having a ball!  Since it is my first digital, I was impressed with the fact that I was able to use it within minutes of receiving it.  I haven't got all the details down pat yet, but I'm working on it.  The basics came very easily and I'm not a professional photographer or a computer expert.  I've taken short movies as well as pictures, which amazes me! I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone interested in a simple, quality, reasonably priced digital.
I got the camera by accident but have been very happy with it.  Granted 2 megapixels is not a lot these days, but is adequate for most everyday photos, and you can print good 6&quot; by 4&quot; prints.  (I use an Epson inkjet printer and the results are very gratifying.)  The image quality exceeded my expectations.  As with other Fuji products, it's well made and packaged.
After having this camera for a month now, I really must concede to the fact that I couldn't be happier with it.Before purchasing the Fuji Finepix 2650, I looked into a seemly endless variety of other digital camera options. Yet from the beginning, my intentions, desires and constraints were very clear - Although I needed a camera that would perform well as a vessel for making high quality prints, what I really needed was an economically feasible camera that would excel in effectively providing me with photos for online posting. After looking into comparable models in Sony's Cybershot series, Nikon's Coolpix series, Cannon's Powershot Series and Kodak's EasyShare series, I discovered quite simply that the Finepix 2650 is a marvel of a fit for my distinct needs over all the rest.For this camera's price, you really cannot get a better deal. With a CCD rating 2.0 megapixels, you get incredible photo quality capable of displaying images at 1600 x 1200 resolution. For the great majority, this photo quality is more than enough for intermediate-to-advanced use. With regards to such intermediate-to-advanced use, compounded upon the camera's extremely versatile Automatic setting, a fully featured Manual setting is also offered. When assigned to Manual mode, the user is given the option to toggle white-balance settings for appropriate color saturation and hue, shutter speed for low-light photography and exposure compensation for effective light-intensity balance and color separation. The Finepix 2650 features 5 flash modes that include an automatic setting, forced flash, suppressed flash, red-eye reduction and a slow-synchro mode for nighttime/low-light scenarios. Available on both Automatic and Manual modes, is an excellent macro-mode that is used to take extremely detailed photos at lens distances as miniscule as 2 centimeters. After playing with the macro feature on a myriad of different subjects, I am completely astounded at the level of detail evident in each photo even at the low-quality settings. The last and slightly less impressive feature of the Finepix 2650 is it's ability to shoot full-motion video. On the plus side, video resolution is pretty good boasting the ability to record at a 320 x 240 VGA display. On the negative side, however, the exclusion of an internal microphone means that that there are no audio recording capabilities. A more practical use for this camera's video capturing option is that of a webcam. In fact, included in the bundled software package is a webcam/web-conferencing tool.This camera runs off of 2 alkaline or nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. When compared to other cameras, the Finepix 2650 has a lower power usage rating that obviously translates into extended battery life. Albeit a slight advantage over other models, this camera still eats through batteries along with the best of them. I highly recommend picking up a set of rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries with a power rating at least 1700Mah. One feature of the camera that no doubt contributes to this camera's lower power drain is it's exploitation of the xD media format. The latest in what seems to be a whole sea of memory cards, the FujiFilm/Olympus/Lexar proprietary xD Picture Card is known for it's low power drain. The xD Picture Card, barely the size of a penny, also features transfer and read/write speeds far greater than Panasonic's SD format or Sony's Memory Stick. Bundled with the Finepix 2650 is a 16Mb xD card which, in most cases, is somewhat adequate. However, most will find the need to upgrade to at least a 64Mb xD card.All in all, the Finepix 2650 is a great, feature-loaded camera that is available at an extremely reasonable price. Easily one of my best purchases - Highly recommended.
I just got my FinePix 2650 from Amazon yesterday, and I'm delighted. It has far exceeded my expectations. For a budget camera, the photo quality is excellent.This camera is so easy to use that I was taking pictures of my family within about 2 minutes of opening the box. I hadn't even read the manual yet, but everything seemed so intuitive, even for a newbie like me. The pictures were sharp and clear, and my family was thrilled.Apart from the modern styling of the unit, its logical design, its high quality construction and its ease of use, there are two other features that deserve special mention: the 3X optical zoom, and the powerful flash. This unit features a true optical zoom which allows you to capture detail that's just not possible with a digital zoom. Additionally, the powerful flash is good for about 10ft or more in low light conditions, and is more than adequate for your average living room.Transferring images to the PC is so simple, once you're using Windows XP, that I haven't even bothered to use the included software. I just connected the camera to my PC via the USB cable, let Windows install the device, and my photos were downloaded in about a minute. I then used my own graphics software, PaintShop Pro, to edit and print the photos.Although my novice efforts are unlikely to win any artistic awards, I'm more than happy with the results produced. For the price, I think this Fuji is an unbeatable value. I enthusiastically recommend this camera.
This is the greatest little digital camera.  It is so easy to use; I could use it right after the salesperson showed me how.  It takes really excellent pictures. You do not need a camera with higher pixels to get a good picture. The 2.0 Mega Pixels is just fine.  I have reccommended this camera over and over.  You will not go wrong on buying this and the $$ is good. Enjoy
I finally took the digital plunge and bought the Finepix 2650.This camera is nearly everything I wanted in a digital camera.The software loads and works with ease.  The pictures are very good even in the lowest resolution.  The colors are very natural.  The price was affordable.  As a place to get started in digital photography this is a good choice.  I would suggest resisting the urge to buy a larger picture card with the initial purchase of the camera.  I thought about it and am glad I didn't because the 16MB picture card that is included will hold 25 pictures at the highest resolution and 122 at the lowest.  Once you download to your computer you can erase the pictures individually or collectively from the card and go on taking pictures.  I would wait until you really find you need more picture capacity and instead spend that money on recharchable Ni-MH AA batteries.  I bought the Olympus batteries and they work fine.  I found a Fugi vinyl camera case.  Over all a modest total investment for a camera this good.
I loved this camera so much.  It was a present, but they did a good job choosing it.  I had it for a year and a half.  It was very durable because I had dropped it once or twice on wood and it worked fine, then it got dropped a final time bouncing off a metal chair to concrete and the zoom lens broke, but it still works, just all the pictures are blurry.  So I'm saying good-bye and getting another fujifilm because I invested in a larger xdcard and because I really liked the quality of these pictures.  They were very crisp and clear even when printed-and lots of my friends cameras produced grainy shots with only 2.0 megapixels.  I took some really nice yearbook photos for friends with it that came out really nice. So overall it's an excellent camera that I would tell anyone to buy if they didn't want to spend too much money on one.
I purchased this camera when it was first released by Fuji and nearly 7 years later, I still use it.I recently upgraded to aFujifilm Finepix A850 Digital Camera 8.1 Megapixels 3x Optical Zoom ISO800 (Picture Stabilization) 2.5-inch LCDthat I'm no where near as pleased with as I with this one.  And most times, I will still use this camera when taking indoor photos.This is an excellent camera that takes quality photos and will last for many years.
After looking around for a while, I decided on the Fuji 2650.  I am really impressed with the quality of the pictures!  I compared it to the Olympus and Canon same quality models, and the Fuji won hands down.  The Fuji, although slightly bulkier, is sturdier.  I accidently dropped it, to my horror, within a couple hours of opening it and it didn't phase the camera.  I did have to adjust the brightness level for the LCD screen to display pictures properly. But once I got it, the display is beautiful.  The pictures downloaded seamlessly to my computer and again, the quality is magnificent. However, I am a little upset that I have to buy an adapter to use my memory card with my printer.  I wish it was standardized.  I didn't know I was going to have to buy an adapter when I got my new photo-printer, but the Fuji xD memory card will not fit in the slot properly nor in most other photo printers unless there is an adaptor.  A very big inconvience and when you are trying to save money but later find you have to buy adapters to make peripherals work, the low price of the camera isn't so low anymore.  However, you can print from via computer to printer.  I just wanted the ease of printing from my camera to the printer.  The movie feature is just fun.  It's not professional and no audio.  But if you want a simple little video, it works fine.  The major drawback is that you can't use the flash when you are recording a video.  If you are recording a video in low-light, the quality is rather grainy.PROS:*Wonderful quality pictures*Easy to set-up*Sturdy camera*LCD displays pictures crisp and with good color*Nice features included (manual and auto modes, movie option)*Holds good amount of photos.*QUALITY OF PICTURES IS GREAT!Cons:*Wish there was the option to use the flash while using the movie feature (if there is an option, I haven't figured it out).*Goes through batteries.  The batteries included were used up in a matter of 2 hours.  I hope newer batteries last a bit longer.*Long delay (about 3-4 seconds) between pictures.  If you need to take shots in quick succession either find another camera or use the movie mode.*LCD doesn't display images in dim environments very well.  Once picture is taken and then viewed, it's much better.Overall, the quality of the photos makes this camera worthwhile, not to mention the ease of available functions. I would recommend this camera to anyone looking for a reliable, good quality and inexpensive camera.
Fuji FinePix 2650 is my third digital camera. The first one was KB JamCam (that is sold for [$$$] today) and the second one was Kyocera KZ (that I bought for [$$$] or so). Although I had to pay slightly more this time, the improvement is obvious.The pictures are crisp and sharp with colors that are smooth and bright. Unlike the previous cameras, I do not need to adjust the brightness or the contrast of each picture using photoshop software. They look beautiful as soon as I upload them into my computer (and even on the camera's LCD display). The flash does not "wash out" the faces; the pictures taken at night look fine, too. The camera has automatic detection of the lighting and also a manual mode that allows one to adjust the "weather" and other parameters. There are also several settings for the flash (on/off/auto/red-eye-remove/night-scene).Fuji did a great job with power conservation. Two alkaline AA batteries (included) were sufficient to take about 150 pictures (including 50 shots with flash) and several short videos before the "battery low" icon appeared. The power saving features are better than they used to be even though the lens is moving constantly especially when the camera is turned off and on. This motion looks sexy and the sliding cover protecting lens is useful.Aside from the power switch attached on spring, trigger and the switch between three modes stillpix/view/video, the camera is controlled by three buttons next to display - which I would call "display on/off/grid", "enter" and "escape" - and four arrow keys to browse the menus on the LCD display. The up/down arrow key is put on the same button which is also used to zoom in/out. FinePix 2650 can zoom up to 3 times optically (which is the case that keeps the maximal resolution) and the LCD display shows where the digital zoom - up to 2.5 times - takes over. FinePix 2650 has furthermore the 3-position trigger with the AF/AE lock that allows one to focus on the object which won't be in the center of the picture at the end.The totally new feature of FinePix 2650 - compared to its predecessor 2600 - is its tiny and cute Fuji XD memory card. The default 16 MB card (included) can be replaced by cards with up to 128 MB (the biggest one costs about 70 dollars). I am afraid that it is such a big memory that the (alkaline) batteries would be gone before I could fill the memory. With 16 MB I can take about 45 pictures at my favorite 1280 x 960 resolution, about 30 pictures at the maximal resolution 1600 x 1200, or about 130 small 640 x 480 images.The camera has the logo "designed for Windows XP" (which is my OS) and it works without any problems (I believe it also works with all older systems). FinePix 2650 immediately connects to the PC as a "removable disk FinePix E:" in my case. The package contains a manual as well as some extra new photoshop software. The camera can be also connected as a PC camera for videoconferencing.Generally the videos from FinePix 2650 are sharper than those made with Logitech QuickCam, for example, however I am not satisfied with the behavior of videos in darker environments. The videos (and probably also the image from the "webcam 2650") are too dim and I found even QuickCam better in these situations. The camera also does not focus very well in the dark which makes the pictures a bit fuzzy especially if the flash is not used. There is a lot of space for improvement. However, night video is not the main reason why I bought this camera and therefore I can unequivocably recommend this camera.
Good things about this camera:1. CHEAP2. very lightweight (though not particularly small)3. Nice quality lensBad Things:1. In even moderately low light (like a room with windows on a nice day) the camera still needs the flash.  Without it, the pictures come off blury and off color (even with white balance adjusted).  Expect to take ALL indoor pics with a flash -- ditto for outdoor at dusk.2.  Very little in the way of manual settings. If you switch to "manual" you can choose from some preset whitebal adjustments (e.g. incondescent, flourescent) and make some minor adjustments to whatever the camera judges is the best exposure.  BUT none of these settings is available if you want to use the self timer.3. MEMORY IS VERY EXPENSIVE.  This camera uses Fuji (and Olympus) new "XD" memory.  It's smaller and not particularly fast.  It also costs three times what regular digital camera memory (FLASH) costs.  So tack that [X]  premium back on the price.I got an amazing price on the camera with coupons and such, but I'm still returning mine because sometimes I'd like to be able to take a good picture without that flash look. (You can manually disable the flash, but the pics just don't look good without it).
The Fuji finepix 2650 is a great camera for the price.You will be hard pressed to find another camera with 3x OPTICAL zoom and a video mode for that price. The detail at 2 megapixels is tremendous. You dont need more then 2 megapixels unless your a serious photographer. Two megapixels will print out an 8x10 photo with good quality.You are able ,in the macro mode, to zoom in for fantastic detailed images. Its no exageration to say you can see the pores in your skin in the Macro mode better then if you were looking in the mirror. You can zoom in on an eye and it will fill your video monitor when loaded to the pc.It is very easy to use and the 16 megabyte card included is plenty for most people. Just plug the camera in using the included USB connection and they will load up automatically. From there you can use any software to enlarge ,crop or edit in the manner you choice.Having not owned a digital camera prior to this one its hard to compare battery life however they seem to last plenty long enough for me. I purchased 4 rechargable batteries and a charger so I should not have a problem in that area. The new XD card is supposed to use less battery life then the older style sorage cards.Only dissapointment would be in the video format. It does not do well in low light situations. If your indoors you will need bright light to get a decent video clip, outdoors in the sun its fine. Hint, you can use windows movie maker which is included with windows XP to join your clips and it also resaves your clip in the WMV format which compresses the video considerably for a much smaller file size with little video quality loss. This is ideal for e-mailing the clips.I highly recomend this camera for anyone who loves to take pictures, beginners to pros.
I received this item as a Christmas gift last year and boy was I surprised!  I love this camera, being that it's my first digital camera.I love that it's cute and compact. Trust me though, it's way better than the 2600 series.  It has 3X optical zoom and takes pictures at a 2.0 MEGA PIXELS.  Pretty low mega pixels. It comes with a hand strap, camera software, 16-MB picture card, USB-cable, picture/camera software (Windows XP/Win 98'), and comes with 2 Fuji AA-batteries which let's you start having fun once you open the box.  It has a 1.5 inch color LCD screen which let's you control the brightess of it, also it lets you pan a picture after you've taken it.  You can view 9-images simultaneously.  It has a one finger-touch easy to open lens cover and a one finger touch picture taking button. The "MACRO" feature is pretty awesome, you can zoom into your subject to take a close-up picture.My suggestions are this:  Buy rechargeable AA-batteries and a charger for this camera because since it requires only 2-AA-batteries it will eat them up quickly.  Also, it's a bit slow after taking a picture, meaning the recovery time is slow and you can't really take pictures one after the other quickly enough.  You have to have a steady hand in order to take a picture and your subject needs to also be in a steady position.  Moving objects don't photograph very well.  If you choose to do a manual flash or no flash at all be prepared to take a lot of blurry pictures no matter how steady your hand is.  I suggest leaving the camera on AUTO at all times.  It does take some really nice pictures though, proof of this is in the "Customer Images" at the top of this page.  Basically, you get what you pay for.  It's a camera built for vacation snap shots, not to build your creative/artistic picture library or to start your picture taking hobby, for this you'd need a higher MEGA PIXEL or SLR camera.  Another tip, get a higher capacity/MB picture card, the 16MB only holds about 30-pictures.  Also, invest in a picture card reader so that your camera's port doesn't waste as quickly.
I am an avid, if novice photographer, and have been putting off buying a digital camera for ages now. I finally couldn't resist any longer, and ended up buying the Fuji 2650, and i have to say it was definitely worth the money. It's easy enough for a beginner to be able to pick up and feel comfortable using it right away. Photo quality so far has been excellent. My one minor complaint, is that the batteries end up dying VERY quickly. But overall, an excellent camera.
I bought this camera about two years ago and loved it.  The picture quality is better than most cameras that cost 5x as much.  The shutter speed is slow (a tip: if you hold the botton down halfway it will autofocus and then you can take the picture immediately when you are ready) and the camera's bulky -- but the photos this camera takes are amazing.The problem is that it was dropped today (I won't say by whom) and now it is kaput (grey LCD, etc. like what happened to about 5 other reviewers).  So I guess consider this thing a disposable camera.  If you plan on buying another camera in a year or so, anyway, then this camera is for you.
For the price, this is a good camera.  It may be one of the better deals among 2.0 mega-pixel cameras right now.  That said, there are a few issues to be aware of:- Manual controls are only available through the menu system.  They are simple to get to, but get turned off when the camera is turned off.- Barrel distortion can be an issue at its widest angle (the default), but zooming in on your subject a little will eliminate the problem.- The plastic construction gives it a "cheap" feel, but it is not flimsy and doesn't seem like it will fall apart- The boxy dimensions make the camera feel awkward at first.  With a little use, it became quite comfortable to use.- The viewfinder is not as accurate as the LCD.  It doesn't show some of the picture.  This can be especially annoying with group photos. You'll probably want to setup shots using the LCD most times, but this can be difficult in direct sun light.- The camera takes 2 AA batteries which will probably not last as long as your trip.  I recommend getting some re-chargeable NiMH batteries.  Target had a reasonably priced set of 4 with charger.- The included memory card is only good enough for about 20 of the highest quality pictures so you'll want to get a 128M xD card.Despite these limitations, I have been quite happy with this camera.  I was looking for a 4 megapixel camera that could do everything I wanted (low-light photog, manual controls, noise correction, etc.) at a reasonable price.  When I finally gave up my search, I bought this camera to use while waiting for my "dream" camera.  It may not have all the features I wanted, but it will make the wait easier.
When I purchased this camera, I had no idea how much I would fall in love with it!I come with a solid background in film photography.  I own 5 35mm cameras which range from a 3D relic to my Cannon A1 SLR.  With the new addition of my FinePix 2650 I am able to enjoy photography.  The processing cost was the largest problem.  Then you need a scanner to scan pictures.  Then you have to deal with drivers that don't load properly.  Then the pictures don't look as good as you would expect... then... then...Digital photography is awesome!  This is the way photography is supposed to be.  The FinePix 2650 produces a decent picture at 2M.  The resolution choices are adequate for general photography.  The software that comes with the camera is also adequate.  I eventually purchased a NiMH batteries (they blow away NiCad's)and a 128M card so I wouldn't have to keep running to my computer so often to download my pictures to clear out my 16M card.  It stores up to 990 640x480 pictures!!! And over 300 1M pictures!This camera has solved my general photography needs ... until ... I dropped it one time too often.  Moral of the story...if you want to have a great digital camera last, don't drop it...ever!  And think about purchasing a service contract...I didn't want to and I regret it now!
I got my camera last Christmas, and I'm glad to say it has lasted me a year. The layout of the camera is simple. You just probably just take it out of the box and start using it without the manual (that's what I did). Switch from the camera view to the view pictures screen to the camera view instantly by just moving a dial. They're even labeled well! Camera view is a camera, the picture viewer is a Play button icon, and the video view is a video recorder picture. It doesn't take a lot of thought to tell which one is which.The image quality is good. It works for me. Some people aren't fond of it, though. But if you're someone who doesn't need huge, perfect, crisp photos every time, like me and most of us, this is the camera. The quality lowers a bit when pictures are taken in very dark areas, but still turn out. The most pictures you can take is about 130, the dimentions about 800 x 600 (it could be 1024 x 768, I'm not quite sure), the smallest dimentions. You take take HUGE ones, but you are limited to about 15 of them. The # you can take depend on the battery juice and the amount of pictures and their quality already token.Battery juice is the only drawback. It drains them in about 2-4 hours. ALWAYS bring extra.It does take a little while for the camera to load and prepare for a picture after you've already taken one. It depends on the setting of No Flash, Flash, No Red Eye, or Auto.In conclusion, if you aren't some magazine photographer and just want it for personal, family, or web site use, this is the perfect camera. It's cheap, too ;).
I am sorry to say this but the Fuji 2650 is a very poor camera. It should be recalled and taken off the market.1. The 2650 is only good for outdoor daylight posed shots or indoor posed shots within 8 feet due to a feeble flash and poor low light picture taking ability.2. The time delay between pushing the button and the shutter snap is so unacceptably slow that you will always miss the candid shot.3. The fixed ISO is set to ISO 100 which is too slow to stop any action.4. Forget about any low light picture taking.I have seen other digital cameras take clear night photos. There is no hope of doing that with this toy.5. The auto-focus seemed to work better when the camera was new but now it seems to have gotten slow and unpredictable and seems to frequently focus on things other than what is in the Autofocus frame.6. When taking consecutive pictures of the same subject in Auto mode, the shutter speeds inexplicably vary between 1/140 and 1/450 sec.  causing various degrees of blurriness .7. Red Eye reduction and all the other special settings do nothing. All these special features may sound cute but in reality are just nonfunctional gimmicks. It would be nice if Fuji would get serious and dispense with all this silly nonsense and just build in a faster ISO or variable ISO speed.8. The worst thing is that the logic chip has gone haywire causing the LCD display to be scrambled and unusable. Others have had this same problem and have stated Fuji can't seem to fix it.9. Video mode has no sound. You will immediately wish it did.Anyone who thinks this is a &quot;great&quot; camera and gives it 4 or 5 stars in these user reviews either has very low standards or is just plain ignorant. This is such a disappointing camera I am not even going to spend the money to try to get it fixed. According to other reviews it may come back from Fuji still broken... or fixed temporarily and only work for a short time before the LCD problem reoccurs.Do yourself a favor. Get a Canon or an Olympus with 100, 200, and 400 ISO speeds built in. It's important.
I bought mine, of course, for a lot more than what is on the site right now, *but* it, in my opinion, was a good investment.Never before had I thought I'd use a camera so much more than I have ever previously used one. The batteries on older digital cameras were gross. About an hour off of four AA batteries. No more, folks. My cam works on 2 AA rechargable batteries for about 5 - 10 hours and then it only takes an hour tops to charge again. If you buy two pairs and charge both up before you leave then you're good to go!The zoom is wonderful. Unless you're going to be taking exceedingly long shots of something you won't need a further zoom. REMEMBER: 3x Optical Zoom, 2 or 3x Digital Zoom, and then on top of it all if you put it on the highest "best" quality, you get an image that's like 1600x1200 or something like that. I usually scale my pics when I save them to 800x600 (or whatever) just so I can fit them on my computer screen fully without cutting 1/2 of it off when trying to view it. Best of all if you take a pic with the highest setting and zoom all the way in with the optical zoom (the digital zoom is sort of [bad] but that's the same for all digi cams), take the pic, and then cut out what you'd like when you edit them on your computer. 800x600 is bigger than a regular sheet of paper printed on an ink jet, btw...The only *problem* I have with this cam at all is that the images without flash are a bit dim unless it's exceedingly light (I'm talking halogen light brightness). With the flash and with the image close enough you should have no problems. Due to the brightness fact and the Ineptitude of Windows XP the contrast/brightness controls all are not available... I will look for another update to my software, but to this day the webcam feature is kind of [useless] unless you have a window or a hugely bright room.
Brief and to-the-point:- Great value (sub $200)for 2MP with 20sec movie, 3X zoom, and more memory than most. Features compare very favorable among other similar cameras.- Cannot see anything in a dark restaurant, club, etc.. Basically, I aim and click. If the pic doesn't come out right, I re-take it -- so far, not a huge deal.- A little bulky, so if you plan to carry it around alot, it won't fit in your pocket.All in all, a great cheap camera for taking fun pictures.
Here's are the positives,1. Its dirt cheap and beats all its competition in price.2. Has 3X optical zoom.3. Uses inexpensive & easy to find NiMH AA batteries.4. Light weight.5. Downloading pics on Win XP is very easy, you don't need to buy any AC adaptor or card reader. Included cable works great.6. The manual is easy to read and understand.7. The menus on the camera itself are very easy to use and navigate.8. Nice, sharp & well focused daytime pics.Here are some negatives,1. Too thick to put in any pocket, except maybe a big winter coat.2. Uses a propreitary and expensive xD card. This adds to cost and makes tougher to recommend it.3. Lens has very slow startup time and takes long to retract back. I feel its slower than even 2600.4. Poor low light performance.5. Mostly the white balance/ brightness is wrong, have to fiz each picture in Photoshop.6. There's no TV output on this, what a shame !7. The movies recorded don't have sound and are not so great8. Cheap and low resolution LCD screen.9. Fuji cut too many features compared to 2600 on this, smaller LCd size, no NiMH battery/charges included, slow startup times etc.10. Poor build quality. Last yr's 2600 failed due to many things like stuck lens and battery leaked charge. 2650 seems likely to have same troubles.Wish Fuji had made this thinner by about 0.7", used a standard Compact Flash card instead of propreitary xD card, had a TV out, better white balance and quality control. My 2650 is going back to store. I had rather buy a Canon or Nikon.If you don't mind being stuck with a dead camera on a trip and don't mind above shortcomings its a good buy. Overall if you on a tight budget or a first time buyer you can go for this. Otherwise look for something worth your time and money.
Better than a larger megapixel camera in my opinion. Batteries last for hours, not minutes. I don't need to see the individual atoms on a hair :)
I had this camera back in 2003, it takes great photos.  I dropped it into the sand, and we all know what sand does to cameras.  I now have an Olympus E-300 dSLR, and a film SLR, but I wanted a small, but not too expensive, camera for my purse.  I bought just bought another 2650 for a few bucks, refurbished by Fuji, which shows you how much I think of the image quality.  For those people who are saying the image quality is not good, you really don't know what you are doing.  The image quality produced a perfect 5x7 and a good 8x10.  It is sharp, colors a fuji fine and at these prices now, why not get a cheapy and carry it around with you.  If it gets stolen, you will not worry too much about it.  Again I will say, this is a great little camera.
I bought this camera for 230$ which included a free 32mb smart card.  This camera has very good detail for a 2mp camera.  It also has a movie mode, which i used and it was cool, but still does not take the place of a good video recorder.I once went to mexico and took a picture of a famous place, i also had the same picture in a travel book.  When i came home and printed it out on my hp printer, it was picture quality, flawless.It does however have a tough time with movement.  I mostly take picture of pet fish, and they do not move that fast, but i find it very hard.  I find myself tweeking each little ajustment to get it just right, and I CAN get a good picture, but it does take a good deal of work to acheaive it.It has a lot of nice features for under 200$ now, and i would recomend it to anyone who likes to take still photographs.Note: Many people say the LCD screen is hard to see in the dark, which it is, but if you turn up the lcd brightness to its top setting it is ok.~hope this helps
We (my wife an I) got a Fuji 2600 digicam last year for X-mas. The 2650 is the same camera but with the new XD storage card. We're pretty impressed with the quality of the camera and the features. The 3x optical zoom is one of the better features. To get that kind of zoom on a camera in this price range is rare. If you're looking for a camera, don't fall victim to the &quot;digital zoom&quot;. Some manufacturers advertise a 3x zoom, but its of the digital variety, not optical. All the digital zoom does is make the pixels bigger. Optical zooms are like those on traditional film cameras.There are two complaints we do have. The first is the battery life. It doesn't last very long when you're using the LCD as the viewer. To compensate you can use the manual viewfinder. Fortunately our camera came with the rechargeable batteries. The other problem we have seen is in the lens itself. It is not very high quality. On some pictures you can notice a little spherical curvature near the edges. Its not noticeable unless you have a straight line like a wall to use as a reference. But for a camera of this price, these quibbles are easily overlooked.The Fujifilm 2600 and 2650 are great values in the digicam arena. They make great cameras for those just getting into the hobby. They have easy to use controls, come with a lot of extras and are relatively inexpensive.
This tripod meets the need of common use. It stands fairly firm, not shaky but not too strong either. Height range is good, and so are the many control knobs. It is compact and light for carry. The biggest disadvantage is lack of a bag. I can't think of a reason why SONY is so stupid.
Great product for the money. Seems well made, and I expect it will hold up well and last. Nice and stable, too. My still photos are way sharper when I use the tripod.
I shopped around and priced the sony tripod and yours was more cost effective.  I ordered and it seems like I got it the next day  lol.  That was fast. . . .All the negative remarks made me think twice.  But, I see that you can not believe all the negative remarks made about vendor products.  For my part, I received a great product at a great price and good customer service.  This has made my day  lol.
I bought this tripod for use with my Sony a55 DSLR, fits perfectly. I've never owned any other tripods, but from what I can tell, this particular one was well worth the money. The build quality seems really good and it's adjustable in all kinds of ways. Would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an affordable tripod.
Purchased this tripod mainly based on a video review on Amazon, it is very good and fits our Sony Alpha NEX-5. Well built, sturdy and very versatile. Only thing I can complain about, is that the seller sent it in an oversized box which didn't really offer any extra protection. The Sony tripod is excellent and I recommend wholeheartedly.
This products was purchased for myself and is absolutely wonderful! Extremely easy to use and very light weight.  Made with great material!
This tripod extends from the bottom, then it extends again from the bottom, and extends even more from the top. It is extremely cool with it's pan, tilt function that can be adjusted for just the right feel (loose, barely moveable, not moveable) it's your pick. Installing your camcorder/ or video device is a breeze and takes no more than a minute. Literally.I wish the Sony remote control tripod wasn't so expensive otherwise I would've purchased that model. You will not be upset with this item overall.
The Price to Quality ratio is excellent on this one. Buy this and you won't be disappointed. Don't listen to "plastic parts and heavy" review. It is listed as $40+ regular and I bought this for $30+ on sale. If you are a particular person then better not buy some $40 dollar tripod. But if you just want to have something to prop your camera, then this is the one. I use it for my Sony A100 DSLR and voila! I don't have to put my camera on a rock or ask some stranger to take a picture of me and my family whenever we are on vacation.
The top intersection of the arms and the center column is a plastic piece with tabs, one of which broke. Now the center column can slip out of place. Probably not worth making a warranty claim since labor is only covered for 90 days. Perhaps epoxy will do the trick.
The tripod is very strong in the legs, and center, the only weaker pieces on it are the knobs for tightening, and the crank for raising and lowering the center portion.I think that crank part may be the first thing if any that would break, especially because it's made out of a plastic.My only other gripe is more about my camera than the tripod, while using the Sony Alpha 57, while mounted I can not turn the screen because of how low the screen is attached to the camera. It hits the tripod. So I have to unmount the camera in order to flip the screen around first. Not a big issue, and nothing against the tripod- more so the camera. I know that the A77 does not have the same problem because the screen does pull up and out instead of just turning.
This is my second tripod and I usually use SLRs for photography. I was amazed by the quality of this tripod for an under $50 budget.I have checked out few in FRYs , Bestbuy, brands like Velbom,Sunpak..but this one is far superior to those.I would suggest this for everyone , as long as your not a pro/I am really satisfied with Amazon and Sony
When I was shopping for this, one review caught my eye saying this tripod was "mostly metal."  That claim, along with the light weight in the description, were the two things that sold me on the model.Well, NEITHER ARE TRUE.  This thing is indeed mostly plastic made to look like black metal.  Apparently, this fooled the other reviewer, but not me.  The only metal I found on the whole thing were the bars of the legs themselves, and the bar of the swivel handle.  Every single other part of this thing is black plastic.  All of the hinges and joints are plastic.  The leg braces are plastic.  The height crank is plastic (yikes!).  Even the center tube is PLASTIC.  Overall, it looks nice, I'll give them that; but please know that you are NOT getting a "mostly metal" tripod here.  No way.Now, that by itself wouldn't be too bad, except that you'd expect something that's nearly all plastic to be much lighter - it isn't.  The part of the description that reads:Product Dimensions: 22.3 x 5 x 4.9 inches ; 1 pounds..is WRONG.  Maybe this thing weighs 1 pound on the moon, but it's much heavier where I'll be using it, here on earth.  It is, indeed, much closer to it's described shipping weight:Shipping Weight: 4 poundsWhy the large discrepancy?  Who know?  Sloppiness on Amazon's part, I guess.  At any rate, the weight was key for me, and there were several tripods lighter than 4 lbs which I passed up.  I guess I should have trusted my instincts when they told me this was too good to be true.Anyway, if I'm going to buy a plastic tripod, I want it to be much lighter than 4 lbs.
Tripod holds camera very well.  Allows vertical adjustment, incluiding from it's axis.it's about 1 foot when retracted and about 3.8 feet extended.great quality.
very good quality, easy to use, light weight,just a little bit too long for my backpack. i bind it to the side of my backpack. it works. but if you buy a separate bag for it with shoulder strap this shouldn't be a problem. overall, i like it!
After trying out my luck on one of the cheap $10 tripods that you find on ebay and amazon, I have learned my lesson. Paying a little more for a higher quality tripod is absolutely necessary. The plastic/metal looking tripod that I paid near nothing for on ebay lasted me about 1 second before coming apart. One of the legs came unglued before it even came out of the box, and gradually pieces of it started falling off, literally. This tripod however is sooooo much sturdier and I trust it completely with my $800 camera I just bought. There was no way I was letting my jank tripod get near that camera! Now although I film my videos mainly indoors for YouTube and I don't need anything too special, this little guy would do well outdoors and for more professional use as well. Not knowing exactly what this was going to be like before ordering I was nervous that the quality was not going to be anything near what it came out to be, I mean it was still a pretty inexpensive tripod. After playing around with it and falling in love with how much better it is than my last tripod, I can confidently say that I would have paid double for this had it been priced that way.AMAZING value for the price! Definitely purchase this over the dirt cheap ones, you won't regret it!( I use this tripod for my canon rebel t5i )
Light, easy to use and adjust, classy looking....its a Sony!  I am very pleased with the VCTR640 and would highly recommend it. It is very stable and pans with ease.  You can spend more....but you will not find a better product!
It works good. It looks good. I think its pretty sturdy. Worth the money in my opinion. Quick release is nice to.
Purchased it for my small shop to record product videos. It has been serving well and is sturdy, cannot complain
This tripod is very easy to setup. Once I got it out of the box, I didn't even need the instructions because it was it looked like what it did. This can go up to around 5 feet MAX. Which is pretty tall, its a good value for a tripod. This is very lightweight and small enough to bring it along with you! Definitely buy this if this is what you are looking for!
It's basic, but has a nice crank to lift and lower the camera.  A level.  Thick sturdy legs.  And a fat wide platform for a DSLR.  I came from a cheapo Best Buy tripod, so this thing is a Rolls Royce compared to that.  But I also had a heart attack at the Manfrotto tripods which are $500 or more.  This was cheap and it's Sony so the quality is well beyond the price.  You'll want to purchase a quick release plate, but just get a no-name generic brand for another $15 and you'll be able to pop your camera on and off this thing instead of always having screw it on and off.  The pan, tilt handle is smooth and the legs fold up pretty compact.If you're buying as a second tripod and already have an expensive one, you won't be sorry.  If you're upgrading from a cheapo $15 one from Target, this thing will blow you away.
I'm very satisfied - I have a tripod that works, is inexpensive and has a good range of height adjustments. Highly recommended (no leveler though - you have to eyeball it)
This is a fine beginner's tripod or one for a person who doesn't want to advance beyond being an amateur. Nothing wrong with that. Makes it much easier to get a non-shaky photo. Essential to getting a non-shaky video.
This is the second Sony VCT-R640 tripod I've purchased for our business. We train people and video them with a small Sony HD camcorder. This tripod works well, is low-priced, and packs into my 22&#34; roll-aboard carry-on luggage. Like it a lot.
I bought this tripod just a few days ago through Amazon.com.  First, it shipped on time and arrived on the first estimate date.  It's got the basic features, and although it may not stand up to the wilderness, it certainly is well made.  All the movements are smooth, and don't jerk at all.  I have owned a couple of cheaper tripods from wal-mart, and paid $25 for them.  This is only a little more money, but you get a lot of quality for the price!
Excellent tripod. Great quality. It fits perfectly in my Sony DVD650 camcorder and my Kodak digital camera.
This tripod stand is very sturdy and its not that heavy that means you can carry this stand with you very easily. The only thing it lacks it the Case with the handle with the help of which it could be easier to carry it.
This product is perfect. It's lightweight and sturdy and does exactly what it says it does. Good choice. I had a couple options to choose from, went with this one and don't regret it in the least.
First of all i'am satisfied with Amazon free shipping i got the tripod after a week wich is before the begining of the estimate date.The tripod is really nice and good looking, it's black and metal and controlers and knobs are very smooth also it gives you the ability to move your camera to different angles.I got this tripod because of one reason, which is that i failed to take pictures at night using the night scene mode (which is the best of the camera's settings to take pictures at night) without coming out blurry and simply, this tripod does the job.
I just got this tripod to replace a broken one. I used it for a little bit. It meets my expectation per its price. Hopefully it can last for sometime.
helps on the taking pics of the family, and us . really reliable and flexible. easy to fold back up.
After searching pages and pages of various tripods, I am very happy that I found the Sony VCT-R640. Smooth operation. Feels very sturdy with either my JVC camcorder or my Nikon Coolpix. By far the best value on the tripod market.
Well, I've had this tripod for 4 months now. I hoped (like many others) that it was a solid aluminum beast, but the truth is, it isn't. It's mostly hard black plastic. The plastic is OK, but it broke on me on the plastic where the legs connect to the central member.I purchased a Dolica Proline at the same time as this one. So far it has been a better, more durable tripod (overall).This one out-performs the Dolica if it's being used for shooting videos though.The Sony name is good, but this product is relatively brittle. I would recommend it only for someone who will use it for light-duty purposes.I give it 3.25 stars (despite the fact that it broke on me.
I bought this to use for my camera to help steady it and all.Very good and I got a good deal when I bought it. I use it a few times.Just to let you guys know...if you are looking for a carrying case..[...]This one will fit it nicely! I bought it with my tripod and it fit nicely it in.
For a cheap tripod, the pan and tilt are very smooth. Wanna complain? Buy a $20 tripod from Walmart and try to pan smoothly with it. Wanna moan? Buy a pro tripod for a couple bills and moan about how thin your wallet has become.This tripod is a good value, smooth operating - a step up from the junk tripods that are too short, too fragile and too jumpy. I gave it four stars instead of five only because there are better tripods out there if you want to spend four or five times the money.
Great tripod.  Sturdy, folds up compact for easy traveling, built in level, and smooth side to side and up down tracking.  This is a quality Tripod and works great with my Sony HDR-SR11.
I use this tripod for my Canon T2i. Not a bad tripod, I like the quick release and it seems stable. Plus its only $28 dollars, and works just fine with my 18-55mm IS and 75mm-300mm lens.
i needed a tripod for my photography class and i didn't want to spend the money just yet for a professional one. this one is perfect and does the job just fine. there are a lot of knobs and such to adjust it, but they are all very helpful.
Out of the box this tripod feels sturdy, I mounted my A77 immediately to get a feel of it, pan and tilt action feels smooth, it has a good max hight, it is light so it is not the steadiest but steady enough, and for the price I think it's a great deal... Quality appears to be excellent, I will see if it really lasts.
I was very impressed by this tripod, solid, sturdy construction.  The only possible negative I can think of is that its a bit heavy, but for most people this is a plus.  I would definitely recommend this tripod to a friend.
I bought this at amazon at more than $40..now it's $5 less after only 2 weeks. Sheesh..Anyway, the tripod itself is stylish with it's black color and very useful because of it's 3 way pan and it's maximum height is around 56". It's lightweight and it seems durable enough for normal photoshoot sessions. If only this had a case or something, then it will be easier to carry anywhere you go. Might have to buy a separate case for that purpose.
First, I'm a budget filmmaker. A REALLY budget filmmaker. Nonetheless, I like to get pro-looking results. While I'm not expecting perfection from a budget tripod, for my money, I want it to operate as advertised.Build Quality: Not too bad, not too great. A lot of plastic, and I had concerns about the reliability of the center brace and leg clamps. The head itself in conjunction with the quick release plate has too much flex for me to be used with a DSLR.Performance: This is where things start to get hairy. Like I said, the quick release has too much flex to give consistent results, and I often find my self tightening the head down, only to find my framing off by quite a bit because of how the camera settles in. And this is just with the kit lens. Naturally, the riser crank isn't smooth at all, but I can't really complain about that. What troubles me the most about this, though, is the operation of the fluid head. There are at least three different spots in rotation where you can feel a "jump" in the drag force on the head, making it completely impossible to get a smooth pan. Not only that, but the head isn't truly level relative to the legs, so you may end up with an unintentional dutch angle when you try to pan around from a seemingly level perspective.Overall: I'd say it's meh-to-okay for casual use, just for photography and basic video, but it just doesn't hold up to even mildly demanding work.
This is a well built, solid tripod. Although it doesn't fit in your backpack butgives an easy to use great stable platform to my Panasonic FZ 200 bridge camera.
I like this tripod. I just use it for basic picture taking. It took me a while to figure out how to release the nob so it will take a vertical picture. Other than that, it does the job. Definitely can't beat the price.
I like this product very much!. Great Japanese quality and a very good product and price. I would recommend it to anyone that needs a good tripod.
Was looking for something lightweight, and this is perfect.  I also like the quick release feature for clipping in and out of the top, converting to handhold when tripod is not necessary.
Get's the job done. Happy with product and quality. This company always makes quality products. I would buy this item again.
ESTE TRIPODE ES BUENO PARA AQUELLOS QUE DESEAN INICIARSE COMO CAMAR&Oacute;GRAFOS, LES DAR&Aacute; MAYOR CALIDAD A SUS VIDEOS Y ES MUY F&Aacute;CIL DE USAR. LA MAYOR PARTE DE SUS COMPONENTES SON PL&Aacute;STICOS AS&Iacute; QUE DEBEN TRATARSE CON CAUTELA. GOOD FOR THE MONEY.
Excellent tripod especially given the price. Light weight, portable and great value for those on a consumer level and a tight budget.
I have been using this for almost  a year now and I have been using it quite often. It has traveled with me overseas twice and it has been at quite rough remote places. So far, it is still holding up. I like the light weight, the quick release feature and the ease of setting it up. I mostly use it with my DSLR and its quite sturdy. I give it a 5 stars and will recommend to anyone!
Let's be reasonable folks... this is not a $200.00 Manfrotto tripod.  Right?  However, this is a very well made tripod that should meet or exceed the needs of the compact digital (still or video) photographer.  I originally (foolishly) purchased a Sunpak tripod from Best Buy... the Sony blows this away.  If you're looking for a SMOOTH video head at a LOW cost... you just found it!  It's a PERFECT fit for my Lumix LX3!
I am not a professional photographer but felt the need of a tripod in certain situations. I purchased this and have been happily using this. Price, quality and ease of use all togther in this device.
Great Tripod, is ideal for camcorders, but I use with my H9 DSC and works perfectly. very reliable and very light!
I bought this tripod for my Sony cyber-shot camera DSC-WX50 mainly to take video with & use more as a camcorder.  The camera mounted on very well and I was very suprised how sturdy this was and how high it extended to.  Very good item for a great price.
I was looking for a tripod for my Sony Handycam.  This tripod is great it has a lot of features and I was scared of the quality but knowing it was coming from sony was more of a relief for me.  Sony didn't prove me wrong in their standards and for the price this tripod is definitely worth it if you want a tripod that does the job.  I read one review and someone says that the tripod doesn't go that high, but I think it goes very high and you can adjust it to the height you want it at.  My only issue with it is that I wish it came with a cover or bag for it, and I would have paid a couple more bucks for it, so for the price I can't really complain.  Overall I would definitely reccomend this tripod.
This is a good tripod, yes It is plasticy and lightweight but I have used several tripods and this one is my favorite. I recommend it to anyone looking for their first tripod or for one that is convenient to take on trips or exploration adventures.
i feel safe putting my camera into this tripod. I have a cannon t2i, and it works for that almost perfectly.  the pitch of the threads on the screw seems a bit off tho.  basically i would never carry the tripod with the camera on there, however sitting still, the issues with the screw arent important.  a year or so after i bought it, none of the screws have loosened to the point that it affects the shot, the swivel still works great for videos, and i have yet to have a big issue with the tripod.I suggest buying it if its on sale, however for full price, there are plenty of tripods out there just a bit better.Edit: at the end of 2012, the tripod broke, I figure I would ad this so people know.  It lasted for about 2 years and for the price I bought it at, Im happy with the purchase.
Nice first tripod for my son to use as he gets into photography.  Good value for the price!  would buy again and recommend.
I needed a tripod,for my Sony Cybershot tx1,and this one was good but not the best,i kept feeling that the tripod was not stable or uneven,even setting down and checking for uneveness off all the legs,i discovered this problem looking trhough the camera's lcd,lines of the side walk were not alligned,by the rules of 3rds grid,HOW EVER this could be do to the camera's lense,which gives it a natrual fish eye lense,I hope on buying the Sony Cybershot tx100v which fixes the problem of the lense issue,that is why i gave it 4 starsThe tripod helped me take better pictures in the dark and helped with better videos =D
I am very happy with this purchase. Height is OK, simple to use, and looks very professional for someone like me on a budget and only doing casual video recording. Only fault I have with the unit is that it's a little tight to tilt up or down. This problem might not be evident if you are using a heavy camera or camcorder. I will try lubricating it witha little WD40 for smoother movement.However, do not let this little problem sway your purchasing decision, because overall it's a good product for the money.I would recommend it to a friend/family member.MMG....
I bought this tripod to go with an Orion Short Tube 80T telescope that I gave my mom for bird watching in her back yard.  It's fairly light but has a little too much plastic on it for my liking.  For her it will work great since it will most likely stay open and in a short stance without the very thin bottom set of legs extended and won't be moved around much.  I'm a little rougher on my gear and move it around a lot and I doubt it would last long for me before something broke.  My personal tripod is a Vanguard CT-28SS and it is built like a tank and I expect a long life with it but of course is cost four times as much and didn't include a head.The bottom line is, if you are looking for something inexpensive that will be used sparingly with a light camera or telescope then this will probably work for you.  Other than that you might want to look for something a little sturdier.
I though it would be a bit bigger, but it's very compact and easy to carry around. Mines been through quite a beating too and it's still holding up after 2 years.
well i bought this on wed night and recieved it fri night, you just have to love amazons free shipping, it simply amazes me at how fast they ship out.now about the tripod, its mostly metal which i like and its all black which i also like. it has a bubble level which comes in very handy when outdoors on uneven surfaces. all the controls move very nice and smooth which was my biggest concern with buying a tripod online and not being able to try it first hand. though i read some reviews online about this tripod and i was happy with what i read. i only wish that it had a handle to make it easier to carry but i have only seen bigger tripods with the handle. all in all its great and i love it, also it was only 5.94 since i used my 25GC from amazon weeeeeeeeeeif you dont want to spend much i def recommend this one as it out performs all the crap that circuit city had to offer.
Feels solid and motion is fluid - no jerkiness observed with camcorder as compared to some others I've used in the past. Good buy for the price.
This product is a great product, a must buy for photographers, not only is it steady but also can extend till the point which they mention, without having stress at the legs. A great product for the price i got it in. It surely has a lightweight and is portable to carry around in the field while shooting. I would surely suggest photographers who are thinking between tripods, you dont need to spend 45 and 50$ behind tripods, if you are confused surely buy this one. Also keep in mind dont look at only the price, the cheaper ones tend to not withstand weights when they are at their best height. I have use a few so i know. Surely go for this product and happy shooting.
My husband gave me a video-recorder for Xmas a few years ago, but my arms get so tired when I'm filming the plays my son is in.  So, he got me this for this past Xmas.  It is very functional.  It was easy to set up.  It is easy to extend its height.  There are two extensions, in addition to the one shown.  Plus, you can turn the handle and extend a "rod" up the center, to make it even higher!  There is a nice lever/handle so you can turn/rotate the camera up and down or side to side smoothly, or you can lock one or both of these functions. There is a level indicator, so you can level the stand on uneven ground.My camcorder fits perfectly.  So does my camera!Last weekend, my 9-year-old took a class at the science museum during which he made a telescope.  His telescope fits on this tripod (although, technically, you'd want a taller tripod for a telescope.  He's only 9, so he was VERY excited to be able to take it outside and view the night sky with the tripod.  This is a perfectly functional well-priced tripod, for average, everyday, family use.  So this tripod is versatile, as well, and seems to fit a wide variety of electronics and objects!At this price, it's hard to go wrong!
Even better in person. Compact, light, but sturdy and safe for my Nikon 3100. Would recommend to friends looking for DSLR tripods
I havent used this tripod much, but has worked great the few times I have used it at games etc.
This Tripod is great, it is VERY light and stable. I can't see how anybody can complain. Come on it cost $30!!!!!And it's a SONY.The name is worth $25 ;)
I use this "Handycam" tripod for my Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 which doesnt say is compatable through Sony.  Works like it should, very lightweight, easy to use, and a great tripod.
I have now bought a more heavier, expensive tripod and for a semi-professional photographer like me, this tripod wont be as good.For beginners this is not a bad item.I would recommend if you are a beginner and trying to learn photography with tripods for waterfalls, long exposures moonshots etc
This is a very sturdy, well made piece of equipment, a great buy at the price. It's easy to set up and to break down, steady as a rock, adjusts quickly and smoothly, and it's reasonably light -- although I wouldn't want to take it on a ling hike.
Haven't used this tripod yet but went over it with a fine tooth comb. Looks like quality construction and everything seems to work just fine. I'm sure it will hold a pretty heavy camera and it operates very smoothly. For the money it will suit my needs just fine and I think it's a great deal.
The tripod works great so far. Seems sturdy enough for heavy cameras. Pans and tilts are smooth. I like the removable adapter, you will too! Makes it easy to take cam of the tripod when you want to hold the camera.
Can't seem to figure how to keep the camcorder SECURELY on the top.  Other than that, it works fine.
Received the tri-pod yesterday, purchased based on positive reviews on Amazon, very disappointed. The tri-pod is 80% plastic. All the controls are plastic, how long will this last is debatable. The weight should have been a clue. Lesson learned see it in person first. Would not buy again.
I'm mechanically challenged, but the instructions were easy to follow.  It tilted and panned smoothly and was stable during camera operation, and you can't beat the price! It's simply perfect for me!
don't expect to shoot video with a long lens or any kind of wind, even if static.  Controlled conditions it's not terrible for basic pan or tilt.
My wife bought this tripod for me after an older one broke when I forced a retaining clip that was supposed to secure a telescoping leg segment in place, but did not hold well.  The newer breed of tripods, this Sony tripod included, have a revised design for the retaining clips.  Whether the new design will prove to be more robust than the previous generation is an empirical question; only time will tell.  However, after looking at many models, both professional and moderately priced like this Sony, it appeared to me that all had the same retaining clip design.  One can only hope that the clips will hold the extended leg segments securely in place and will be less fragile than the previous design.The retaining clips aside, this Sony tripod has little to distinguish itself from the competition.  The tilt/pan head does not distinguish itself for smooth movement, but it is adequate for the casual use to which I would put it.  The black color is a nice touch, compared to the pewter color of many other tripods, but that is a matter of personal taste.  I doubt that Sony is the manufacturer of such a pedestrian product, and my guess is that they are an OEM reseller that inflates the price by marketing it under their own brand name.  Other tripods in this price range come with carrying cases.  This does not, though the case from my broken tripod fits it.  Some tripods have a hook at the bottom of the center tube from which stabilizing weights can be suspended.  This model does not.  And, it is mostly plastic except for the leg tubes and the tilt/pan handle.  That is not necessarily bad, but, again, whether or not it will stand up under use is an empirical question.Botom line: it works, but it is by no means outstanding, and it does not appear to be any better, nor any worse, for that matter, than the competition in the same price range.  Perhaps the main distinguishing feature is the black color.
I needed a travel size tripod for my D200 and my Sony point and shoot. I know this is not like those professional type expensive ones.. No. But this is very casual and easy to use. Of course there are lot of restrictions and limited functionality as to the usage. It wont work as a ballhead tripod if you have used one, but this is good for casual travel type requirements. I used it in my trip to Mexico and Italy. Sometimes I found it really not working as I need, but then its only 30 usd vs a 600 usd one.
I ordered this tripod to use with my Sony A77. It is very light and solidly built, but it is more of a video tripod. As other reviewers have mentioned, the pan function is very smooth for video recordings. However, I purchased Sony 70-300G lens recently, and I can see that the legs get a little bit shaky. I also purchased same pricedRavelli Professional 65" Ball Head Camera Video Photo Tripod with Quick Release Plate and Carry Bagto compare, and so far, I like Ravelli's better for DSLR. It is about 10" taller than Sony, fully extended or closed, and has a ball head and twist-and-lock mechanism. Overall, if you have a lighter camera/lens combo, you will definitely enjoy this Sony tripod.
I watched the video posted by VegasGar and found it very helpful.  The tripod measures 21" when it is folded up and fits wonderfully in a VidPro TC-22 Padded Tripod Bag (a great product) also sold on Amazon by TheMemStore.  The tripod is lightweight, made of metal and has quality moving parts.  It's sturdy, has two extensions on the legs and the head pans left and right as well as up and down.  In addition, you can flip the head so that you are shooting vertical rather than horizontal.  I have used it several times indoors and have been as pleased with its performance as I was with its price!  My brother liked mine so much, he asked for one for his birthday.
Great product and fast shipping. The best deal for the buck. We took it to our trip to Maui and it was great to have it there.
The motion of the head gives extremely smooth pans and tilts.This is one of the few cheaper tripods I've owned that I actually like!If you have a smaller camcorder and are looking for a tripod, this is the one I would recomend, for the price and quality.
I'm not a professional photographer, and I probably use the tripod no more than 3/4 times a month. For this kind of usage, it proved to be compact and light enough to be carried around, and at the same time stable enough to take great low light pictures or pretty good HDR ones.
The webpage and reviews indicated that this tripod was acceptable for video use. It is NOT. The pan and tilt action is erratic, jumpy and unpredictable, making it useless for any kind of camera motion.  I should have known this based on it's price, but wanted to give my daughter a simple tripod for her video shoots. Mistake. By way of contrast, the Sony VCT-60(or80)AV is a fine, inexpensive tripod & head for entry level video work. The R640 would be fine for still shoots. I'll add that I know a bit about this as I'm a career cinematographer who owns or uses, on a regular basis, tripod heads costing 100's of times more than this unit.
The price of the tripod is great and the quality is very good. The movement of the tripod is great if you use it correctly.
This is my first tripod and I chose it because of the user video recommendations I found on its page on Amazon.com.  It is exactly as they both described.  It is solid and compact and easy to use.  Just received it, so I cannot go beyond these comments except to say that it fits my Sony camcorder and my Kodak P850 perfectly.  I gave it 5 stars because I do love it.  I am a techy nut and definitely an amateur photographer.  Initially, I wanted a tripod to 'stitch' photos of each room in my home.  But I can see it will have other uses, particularly motion shots.  Also, the tripod arrived several days earlier than anticipated and was packaged well.
The tripod is great! It has all I need and it is better than what I expected for that price. I just have to wait and see if it is long-lasting...
It has been more than 1 month since I received this product. I am very happy with this purchase. It's a very solid and well-made product. Although part of it might be plastic made as others mentioned, it does not feel flimsy at all. My sony camcorder and nikon DSLR fit perfectly on this tripod. I definitely recommend this tripod!
This is a very affordable tripod that I use with my Fuji X-S1. It's rock solid with this camera on it. The tripod is very light weight, yet sturdy on level surfaces. Mine doesn't have screws to dig into rock and dirt, so it's lacking on that feature. It does have very easy to use panning lever: smooth as silk! The Sony Tripod sets up fast and nothing seems to tilt or creep once up and running. The camera screw on adapter is removable as well. It is so light weight, I don't hesitate to use it. My rock solid Bosch is so beastly, it sits on the porch unused. Well worth the money for its intended purpose. If you need a simple, solid, and affordable tripod that pans smoothly, this is the one to buy.
I have been using this tripod stand for my Sony Camcorder for several years now and it is still very sturdy. I don't use it often but it is very high quality. It is also great value for the price I paid. I would recommend it to anyone who has a light use of tripod stand
Received this tri pod in what appeared to be a new condition. The only problem was that one of the three leg supports, was not connected to one of the three legs.  A  pin, or short rod was missing. This made the tri pod unsafe  to use. I needed it for a Christmas photo shoot, couldn't wait for another, & had to pick one up locally. The company, FOCUS CAMERA, who sold me the tri pod, through Amazon, understood & credited my purchase. Thank you, FOCUS CAMERA.
I am sooo pleased at the quality of this tripod! It is sturdy, yet, lightweight. The head tilts smoothly and I can shoot portrait and landscape with ease. It is a great buy!
The best part I like about this camera is that it is very easy to use. Taking photographs is fun with user friendly menu. I did not even pen the manual. I have taken several good photographs using this camera. Thge pictures were crystal clear at highest resolution. But if you are lookign for a camera which can zoom, then this camera is not for you. I take only point and shoot pictures most of the time and so its perfect for me.Okay now I want to tell something about the part after you take the snaps. That is downloading. The software is so easy to use and when you plug in this camera the software automatically downloads all the pictures. Actually on my computer I can see the camera as a drive in windows explorer.Things I dont like are low memory and low battery life. I recommend buying rechargeable batteries and 256 Mb compact flash card which is right now on sale in amazon.com.
A previous review made a false claim regarding the flash.  If you turn it off, it will stay off (or whatever you set it to) until you turn the camera off and turn it back on again.  the default setting is always auto.As for the quality, I think the camera is well-made, but perhaps some aspects of the design are lacking: the battery door opens very easily if you rest your fingers on it while holding the camera; the SD slot door clicks closed nicely, but the hinge is flimsy; the directional pad is hard to press in the middle (for the OK button) without also pressing one of the arrows at the same time.  An annoying flaw is that the camera has trouble taking more than 2 pictures in quick succession.  After that the camera takes several seconds to be photo ready again.The same reviewer was accused by another reviewer from Seattle of being a racist based on the comment implying that everything made in China is cheap in quality.  ...Being half-Chinese myself, I don't think there was anything wrong with the first reviewer's statement. Most of the stuff made in China IS cheap in quality. They're getting better, but it's practically a fact of modern life that &quot;made in china&quot; = significant probability of low quality.Back to the camera: This is not a professional camera nor anywhere close to it. Diagonal lines, for example, are often pixellated even on highest quality (when viewed at actual size).  that said, the quality of the photos is plenty adequate for simple photography, and its close-up photos (use the switch, take photo from range of 1') are top-quality--they are the best type of photo it takes.the 2X digital zoom is pretty worthless, since it degrades the quality of the picture.the camera gets very good battery life on 1800mah NiMH rechargeables.when indoors and not using the flash, you either need to hold the camera extremely steady or decrease the exposure time, otherwise the picture will be blurred.If all you want to do is have a digital camera for basic use, i.e., simple family photos, sightseeing, etc., buy this camera.  And if you happen to sell a few things online every now and then as I do, this camera is more than adequate for close-up product-photos, unless you need photos at a range of less than 6 inches.  If you're looking for a camera for amatuer photography or anything more sophisticated, you might want a 3MP with a zoom at least.
Compact, light, and does it all.  About the only thing about it that I don't like is that it takes a second or two from button-press to capture -- which makes it hard to catch a moment sometimes.  But otherwise it's a great camera.  Good battery life, nice bright screen, and crisp big pictures.
All you have to do is play with this camera for a few minutes and you'll get the picture.--Kodak is still the standard!
I knew nothing about digital cameras before I bought this.  I really just wanted something to take quickie pictures that I can use online. This is perfect for that.  It's simple, easy to use, and the pictures turn out well for the price you pay.  I am extremely satisfied.  This camera is not for the serious photographer.  You'll need a mre expensive, flashier model for that. But but if you are looking to make good pics for web pages and e-mails quickly, I don't think you can do any better than this.
I really like this camera.  Although it is only 2MP, I find the photos are excellent quality and still print out on a photo printer as clear and good as a normal photo.  It is also very easy to use, very much a point and click camera.  The menus on the camera are easy to find and adjust anything if you need to.  That is takes short videos is great too, this feature has saved me from spending hundreds on a video camera then having to lug that and this one around.  The docking station is by far my favourite feature though -just plonk it on the cradle, press a button and all the photos download -easy!This is highly recommended, I don't see any point spending more when you get this excellent camera for such a good price.
I just downloaded my 3000th picture off my camera and I really like it.  In hindsight I wish I had paid some extra and got the optical zoom but that is just me.  The pictures are clear the color is bright in all but the most extreme conditions.  It was easy to use and with the purchase of a $5 camera bag, it has stood up well.  I recommend some Nickel Hydrate batteries to go with it.  It takes around 300 pictures on a pair of freshly recharged batteries for me.  I haven't printed much off as I prefer to post them online on one of the many free photo sites but the few I have, I have been happy with their performance.
I have had the camera for about a year now and I love it! Numerous amounts of times I have developed pictures taken with this camera and they come out great! The software is the easiest thing in the world to use. For the price, it is definately a great buy.
This was my first digital camera, and I was happily snapping pictures 5 minutes out of the box. Menu system is very easy to use, though the controls to do so lack fine control, and you may wind up trying a couple times to select on option, but that's a very minor complaint! The images are fine for email, but as with other reviewers -- printing them out in any size is an exercise in frustration. They're simply not good printed, but for 2mg pixels how much can you ask for? I found the color to be extremely true to life, the flash *more* than adequate for casual pictures, and so far it has handled surprising extremes of lighting very well.Cons? The camera sucks battery life like a starving vampire! CRV3 batteries are the only thing with any life at all, but at $10 a pop for those, you'll want to be very conscious about turning the camera off when not using it. Do NOT use AA - you'll go through 60 pounds of them inside a week, and camera performance suffers.Do NOT buy the dock! It's outrageously expensive, and you can transfer pictures with the USB cable provided. The dock is a waste of mnoney.I recommend this camera because it's the best value for the money spent for a name brand camera at the beginner level. However, if you take a lot of pictures, or want more control - ie filtering, zoom, movies etc -- then you should spend more and move up the pixel ladder to a 4mp. But be prepared to spend *several* hundred more to do so!
...the batteries don't last at all!!Ni-MH batts are a little hard to find here, and it says on the user's guide &quot;do not use alkaline batteries&quot;. and so i did, only i had to replace them 3 times before i could get the camera to take one single picture - and then that was it.i tried using alkaline batteries instead, and funnily enough, they lasted way longer. the Ni-MH batts really do last even longer than regular alkalines, but still not long enough. so i HAD to buy a set of rechargeable batts, and a recharger.on a brighter note, the camera takes great quality pics and is very easy to use.
I was just venturing in to the world of digital photography, the new computer was packaged with a digital camera, but I was not able to take decent picutres.  Agonizing with a friend, I was telling him, I just didn't think digital photography was for me.He recommended this camera to me, and I would in turn, highly recommend it to anyone else with basic photography needs.  It takes great pictures, they are easy to download, print and edit.I would recommend the dock, the cost savings in batteries will make up for itself in short time.  Using the dock, there is only one button to push to upload your pictures directly to your hard drive.The camera is small and light weight.  It easily fits into your pocket  The internal memory does not hold a lot of picures, but with a 64mb card, I have capability of taking close to 200 picures using a lower resolution.  Even using the lower resolution, the pictures are very good.
This is amongst &quot;THE GREATEST GIFTS&quot;  I received this year!  I love it, it's simple you don't have to be an expert to use this camera, and everything is ONE TOUCH!  It's a great price and since I've gotten it pictures have been a cinch to get to relatives over seas, or just across the street!  Anyone looking to make a wise investment, and love to take photos as much as I do I would recommend the purchase of this camera.......
My husband and I purchased an Olympus c730 for Christmas, and although it is a fantastic camera, it is a bit too much for ME. for a Valentine's day present my husband gave me the Kodak CX4200. What a dandy little thing. It's as simple as they come, just point, shoot, connect it to computer and download. It can't get any easier. Plus it is very light an comfortable. A great purchase!
This isn't a bad camera just make sure that you get rechargable batteries.  If not you will be replacing the batteries alot.
Pros: Very easy to use, inexpensive, sturdy, Easy to use, lightweight, great pictures, video out, lcd and traditional viewfinders, Good exposure, compact, Easy download of pictures, good starter software.Cons: No optical zoom, The extra "dock" costs you ..., but you don't really need it, small lcd, small internal memory, Zoom options are limited, Only 16 MG of internal memory, Secure Digital is the only memory upgrade avaliable, eats AA batteries like candy!!!Summary: The pictures that I have downloaded and printed on my printer have been excellent quality. I even printed an 8X10 of my daughter and it turned out great. The images were not grainy as I had suspected they would be. I have read a lot of reviews that state the casual photographer should not need much more than a 2.0 mega-pixel camera. After printing pictures and having some printed by online retailers, I must say I am NOT disappointed. The colors seem true to life and I haven't seen much red-eye.Transfering pictures to your computer is easy, even without the dock. Just connect your USB cable to the camera and your computer, turn on the Kodak easy share software and hit transfer. You can transfer all your pictures at once, one-by-one, or by date acquired. I transferred 8 pictures at once and it only took a few seconds. You can edit the pictures with the software, e-mail them or order online prints. I have it set up so that pictures automatically get stored in the "my pictures" file on my computer, but that really wasn't needed.I think this is a very good camera for first timers and people that are on a limited budget. A must Want List!!
Unless you're a philanthropist or one of those people who just love pain, don't buy this product.  My first use went OK; I was able to send the pictures to my computer with little problem.  Finding them was an adventure, but with a little computer knowhow (not available with camera) I found them.Everything since then has been a nightmare.I can take pictures, but my computer refuses to recognize the camera through the USB cable.  Frustrated after several attempts, I bought Kodak's overpriced camera dock.  It doesn't even do the initial charging of the batteries!  But that's for a review on the dock...The pictures it did take (both the ones I was able to get to my computer and the ones forever stuck on the camera) were subpar at best.  They were fuzzy, and any amount of light (daylight and lack of) won't help this.  The included software only helps if you don't use it.  Even the wretched Paint software included on every PC is more help to pictures than the Kodak software.Please, please, spend your hard earned money elsewhere.  This product isn't worth any price tag.
I have a feedback of almost 1000.  I bought this camera for the main purpose of ebay way back in 2000 or 2001 and have used it every single day since until this very moment. 2 MP is perfect for those listings on ebay.  Absolutely NO problems with this camera at all !There is definitly a 1 second delay between pressing the capture button and the shutter actually "catching" the picture which makes taking pictures of fast motion real bad.
This camera has served me well since January 2003 when I first bought it. Since then I have taken over 7,000 pictures and I am so glad it's still going. I plan on getting a new camera, but only because technology is improving so rapidly. This camera has been wonderful and survived many drops, hits, stratches and throws. Kodak is a great company and helped me whenever I needed it, including sending new battery doors to replace the ones I've broken when dropping the camera 4+ feet. Great model, great company, great memories. Thank you.
The FinePix A200 is a 2.0 megapixel zoom digicam with a non-zoom lens. It is one of the first cameras to use the new xD-Picture Card.It also includes other fun features that everyone can enjoy, Video Recording and PC-Cam Internet mode are just some of the fun feature every can enjoy..The FinePix A200 can record AVI movie clips of up to 20 seconds at 10 frames per second.Recommended Accessories128mb XD-Picture Card
I've owned one of these cameras for about four years now, and I have been very pleased with it. It is light, small and easy to carry. It takes beautiful pictures--very sharp, and with good colors. The pictures look good even when you blow them up so big you can see the individual pixels.It was actually my second camera like this. The first had a problem with the USB port on the side of the camera, and I took it back to the store and traded it for a new one. This camera also had a problem too, after about two years, the button on the back that is needed for making settings stopped working properly.But still, considering the cost of the camera and the quality of the pictures, I will be buying another one. It's worth it.
Overall, I think this camera is great for a beginner or someone who wants a knock around snapshooter for a very reasonable price.It handles certains photography aspects surprisingly well. It uses the XD picture storage card which is a new technology shared with Olympus. These cards are tiny and I mean tiny. They're almost *too* small.Pros- Surprisingly good pics for such a small lens.- Excellent metering. Most images show very well formed histograms.- Very fast start up times.- Shutter lag not an issue.- Great LCD for this price range, nice and bright and good detail.- Ability to change exposure EV +/-- Ability to select different white balances- Surprisingly good macro shots as long as you stay at 4&quot;- Flash auto meters very well for macros- Extremely simply menus- Built-in Lens protectorCons- while the pictures are good, they do exhibit some noise.- it is very small, but won't quite fit in your jean's pocket without activating the power switch.- this camera is fixed focus. That means it's focus is preset to infinity and it stays there. This means that subjects closer than a few feet will not be very sharp. It also means the camera relies on a vast depth of field to achieve picture sharpness. Therefore, the largest aperature you get is 4.6 and that means...1. This camera requires good lighting.2. It is not a very good indoor camera as the flash is not  particularly powerful.3. Again because of the largest aperature being 4.6, indoor movies will suffer unless it is very bright in the room.- No sound with the movies.- Since it is a small camera, it uses only 2 AA batteries which means battery life isn't fantastic. But that's the tradeoff with a very small camera.Overall, if you know what to expect and are aware of the limitations, I believe you will be pleased considering the price. The trade off here is indoor and low light performance, it just isn't there but given good lighting, the pictures are very good. With a 2mp camera, you can create decent 8 x 10 pictures and excellent 5 x 7's as well as excellent 4 x 6's.For the price- great camera.
I sold my five year old Agfa ePhoto camera in order to upgrade and get something with a better zoom, user friendlyness, size & battery life. Here is what I got:This camera is definitely light weight, user friendly & has a great battery life! But, the zoom leaves a lot to be desired. But what could I expect from a [...] purchase?? I looked around all over the net to find a deal and this was it!For the money, this camera is worth every penny. Will recommend to anyone who wants to save money and buy a camera that is hassle-free.
This camera is amazing. Out of the 3 digital camera's under $150 I've used, this is by far the best, beating out the Kodak and the SiPix. I originally bought the SiPix, and it was junk. Don't buy the SiPix that's under $150. The Kodak for some reason didn't seem like it took as good pictures as the FinePix, but the software was a little better, being from Kodak.This camera can take pictures of resolution up to 2 megapixels, but I don't even use that option because the 1 megapixel pictures are so amazing. It comes with a 16MB removable memory card, so you can take around 49 pics at 1MP, around 24 at 2MP, and it takes short videos for about 30 seconds in mpeg format at a 320 x 160 resolution, or more on a lower setting. The LCD screen can easily be turned on or off to save battery power, and the 2 AA batteries it takes lasts pretty long. It has a nice, sleak design, and the software has no issues with windows XP at least.The only cons I could think of are that the only zoom it has is 2X digital zoom, which is pretty much useless, and I never use it, since it's the same thing as zooming in with your picture viewer on your computer. So you can consider it not having any zoom. The software for it works well, but it could be better, options wise. The filenames of the pictures will default to a number depending on its order on the memory card, so if you transfer pics to your computer more than once in a day (since it creates folders based on date), you'll have to rename each pic. But I hardly complain, since the pictures come out so incredibly well.I'm so happy with this camera! If you want a camera under $150, this is the one to get. Don't even waste your time with the Kodak, unless you want the one with 3X optical zoom, but that's $200. I use it for general purpose, taking pictures of freinds and such. Once in a while I take a picture of a sunset at 2MP, and that will be photo quality printed on a full page. 1MP creates crisp and clear desktop wallpaper size images, and .3MP will created good smaller images to put on websites. There's no reason to buy anything else, go with the Fuji FinePix A200!
I had and tried several digit-cams and can say that you cannot find a better camera for this price.Pros:+ Great value, low price+ Easy handling+ Portability, light weight+ Great Fuji colours, good auto white balance+ Fast shutter response, close to film cameras+ Control over exposure, flash and pre-programmed white balance+ It uses AA's, great battery life+ Changig between images in playback mode doesn't take hours+ Excellent prints from the photosCons:- Images noisier than competition (but they are more expensive also)- Images too much compressed, therefore less detail, no control over jpeg compression (but this is the same with most Fuji models unfortunately)- No control over ISO- Low resolution LCD, too dark in low-light- No optical zoom (but at this price it's ok)- The camera has a cheap feel to it (but again, at this price it's ok)- Weak flash for outdoor night shots, but enough for smaller room shots- Flash recharge time takes a few seconds, camera freezes (but this is the same with most Fuji models unfortunately)- It uses expensive XD-cards- Sluggish zooming and panning in playback mode- No sound in videoI highly recommend this camera for beginners or to those who doesn't want to spend more on a digital camera.I've read many negative reviews due to it's bad photo indoors. Okay, it's not a Canon G3. At first I thought the same, but then set the controls to manual, set the exposure up to the highest value and then shot the picture. The end result was much better than in full auto mode. So my advice is indoors and in low-light set the exposure manually, you'll be glad you did I promise.The colours are well balanced, and the prints come out great, no matter how noisy the images are, you won't notice that on the photo paper.This model is now out of sale, but if you can find a second-hand one at a good price don't be afraid to buy it, it's an excellent buy.
I got this camera for a Christmas present, so I haven't had it long enough to comment on how durable it is, though it seems sturdy enough.  All the parts have a nice feel, and it's light but not too light.I went through my first set of batteries after taking more than 100 shots, many in low light with the flash.The flash is fine for illuminating your subject but the rest of the room may remain dark, especially if the wall is far away and the room is not bright to begin with.  Low light shots without the flash tend to have a reddish tinge and you have to be careful to hold the camera steady.  I've been able to hold it steady by hand, having about half the shots I take that way work, and the other half come out blurry.The controls are easy to use and intuitive.  I figured almost everything out just by fooling with the camera, though I had to consult the manual for flash modes.  I wish I could turn of the &quot;are you sure you want to do this&quot; messages for some of the functions to let me do things like lock a frame with one button push instead of two.  A very minor complaint.Colors in normal light conditions are good, and the camera does avoid the washed out or metallic looking highlights I've seen in other digital cameras. Also blessedly absent is the pause between pressing the button and getting an exposure that a friend's camera has.  With this camera, you press the button and that's the image you get, not an image from a second later.I still have just the 16MB card the camera came with, which holds 24 of the highest quality photos.  That's more than it sounds, because you can throw away shots you don't like.  For me this means 24 shots is equal to about 3 or 4 rolls of film, so I'm in heaven.  I'm experimenting with shots that I'd never try with a film camera and having a ton of fun.  When I go on a road trip I'll spring for a bigger memory card.My main annoyance is that after you take a picture with the flash the LCD goes blank for a couple seconds.  I'm also miffed that the digital zoom doesn't work in highest quality mode (you can only zoom if your picture is being taken in a lower quality mode).  This makes sense, I just wish the product description had mentioned it.
This camera is a good price for a very basic camera. However there is one issue I would like to bring up, regarding the fact that it is limited to xD memory. As if there were not already enough memory formats, yet another one. It seems to be about either desperate, or greedy companies trying to capture customers into their markets forever. Why can't we just have one or two formats of memory?? This is as bad as it would be to have 5+ formats of CD-RoM drives. And SONY is even more guilty than fuji/olympus.Smartmedia was developed by Toshiba/Fuji/Olympus, and now Fuji/Olympus couldn't get along with Toshiba/Panasonic for the sD card. Memeory cards will become more and more versatile into the future and soon be used in countless devices. We need to standardize the market. We can't afford to buy special memory for each and every device. Besides the memory costs so much more now (two X) that by the time you buy alot of memory, you could have bought a better Canon or Nikon or something with the same level of memory for about the same. If you buy Fuji/0lympus, I sincerely suggest you buy a camera that is not limited to xD. Together the people can control the market for our own good..
I bought this camera for my 17 year old son for chanukah.  He wanted to take pictures with his friends wherever he went.  The camera looked small and seemed to be well designed.  It is! This camera hardly weighs anything and can fit anywhere.  The controls are easy to use and the instructions are not difficult to follow. When I used the camera the screen seemed a bit dark (in a poorly lit area) but the images were excellent.  The USB cable allows him to download and share with friends quickly.  The lens is covered when the camera is off which is important for a teenager who takes the camera with him often.  I'm also amazed by the new xd card. It is incredibly small but holds a lot of images. I recommend purchasing atleast one extra xd card and carrying extra AA batteries.  So far I'm really impressed and my son is very happy with his gift.
works fine
Received it in perfect condition. It is working as I expecting. Very nice condition & it is made in Italy. It' s worth the $$$.
I felt compelled to write a review because of reviews which ding this head for not being a ball head. Well, um, it is not advertised as such - it is a tilt/swivel head: you can use it for landscape or portrait shots. I bought it to use with a monopod to shoot sports, and for that purpose it works terrific. Well contructed, heavy duty enough to support a 70-300mm zoom lens. A nice product, sturdily built
The single axis or rotation is perfect for my 3 section Bogen monopod. It is a lot lighter than the 486RC2, which I originally bought for the monopod. It isn't practical for a tripod due to the limited adjustment possibilities.I searched for a long time for the type of mount I would use on my Canon 40D. I wanted only ONE tripod/monopod mount on my camera, and it would stay there. I chose Bogen, as they are 100% NO COMPROMISE. Now I have the 3 section mono, and the 190 4 section tripod. On the tripod I use the 486RC2-FABULOUS!I am blown away by the quality, and the Bogen equipment continues to surprise me every time I use it (the sure sign of quality). I've had to make no excuses since owning the equipment, and can't reccomend the Bogen line, and the RC2 adapter, enough.
I have used Bogen's "RC2" system for years and I needed a means of swivel for my monopod.  This was the perfect option because it allows me to use my existing system.  I can't complain with this model.  It works great and it's very inexpensive!  What more could a fella want?
Well made and definately worth having on a monopod. Name might be mis-leading, the head moves in the tilt axes only. Not recommended on a tripod. My primary use is with the Canon 30D and Sigma 50-500mm lens [almost 6 lbs]. The tilt feature makes it easier to get bracing at high zoom and by keeping the monopod in a secure or vertical position. Additional feature is the Quick Release plate, it can be used with other Bogen heads, switching from the monopod to a tripod Bogen head couldn't be easier.  I can recommend this head without reservations.
A must to go along with the Bogen-Manfrotto Monopod. Well worth the price.
This is a well made head constructed of solid metal with a nice finish.  There are no plastic parts and even the rubber piece on the quick release plate is hard rubber.  I have used it every week for about two years and have had no problems with it.  I use it mainly attached to a monopod for sports photography and videography.  The quick release has a clever locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.  I bought an extra quick release plate so I can switch between two cameras.Tilt only -- no swivel:  Amazon (and others including Bogen) calls it a Swivel Tilt Head, but that seems to imply that it moves in two directions -- tilting (up and down) and swivelling (side to side or panning).  This head only moves in the tilting direction which allows you to orient the camera in either landscape or portrait modes.The tilting action could be improved if the head clicked into the upright position when you tilt it back to landscape.  When you are going to the portrait mode, there's no problem since it stops at 90 degrees.  However, when I want to go back to landscape, I have to hold it out and look at it to see if it's level.  A subtle click to know I'm there would be nice.Dec 10, 2009 update:  I have used this head nearly every weekend now for 5 years and it is still in very good condition.  I dropped my monopod (with this on top) once onto concrete a couple of years ago and it chipped the paint a little, but still works perfectly.
Excellent product. In combination with my Bogen monopod it is is perfect. The product is well constructed, easy to use, and highly recommended.
Great build quality and functionality. The Quick release system is excellent...the two step release function ensures that there is no way a camera/lens will accidentally come loose.Absolutely recommended.
The Bogen 3229 goes hand in hand with a monopod to allow a 90 degree tilt for portrait photography. The build is mostly solid metal, with a very solid feel to it. It feels like it should be a lot more expensive than it is. The quick release is cool - you just press the plate onto the swivel mount and it locks into place. Just turn the metal lever and it comes right out - very fast and easy operation.I expect this piece to last a long time; I'm sure it will outlast my monopod, for example.
I've used this with two different monopods, a light-weight Manfrotto monopod that I use when I'm travelling, and a heavy-duty pro-grade Manfrotto that I use at home. This head works wonderfully and is exactly what you'd expect from a company with the reputation of Bogen.
I use this with a manfrotto monopod and the Adorama shoulder support bracket.  It was well worth the $40ish I paid for it.
This is really a special purpose head.  Its best used for a monopod and not a tripod since you can get enough tilt range by tilting the mononpod.  The only reasons you even use this on a monopod is for quick release or for vertical shots.  Its just not flexible enough for a tripod.  For a tripod use I'd suggest either the Bogen 486 or 488 ball heads, both of which offer good value and come with quick release.In any case, note that this uses the RC2 quick release.  If you use camera supports even 20% of the time, you can just keep the quick release attached to your SLR.  I've got two other heads and all use the RC2 system.  The adapter is always on my camera and I can easily attach it to any of my tripods/monopods.  Its really easy to use and encourages me to set up the tripod/monopod when I might otherwise get too lazy.
works great with monopod, very handy...the little pin lock is somewhat tough for my old fingers to operate, but I'm getting the knack...still recommend it highly
I got this to use on my monopod made by someone else, so I can leave my Bogen plate on my camera regardless of using my tri- or monopod.  I knew I'd need an adapter bolt, but I was not expecting this head to come with one.
The tilt head arrived as promised and in good condition.I use it on the 676 Manfrotto monopod and it is an excellent addition. I took it overseas packed in my Lowpro Flipside 300 camera pack while I packed the monopod in my checked luggage. Its' simple operation allowed me to use it in low light conditions without even looking at it although care must be used to hold the camera when one flips the last lever to prevent the camera from falling.It holds my Canon 5D with Sigma 105 or Canon 17-40 attached with no slippage or elevation problems.
I hae this one attached to my monopod (for those locations that refuse admission to a tripod).  It works quite well for the monopod, but I would not use it for a tripod.
Couldn't be more pleased with this head. I put it on my monopod and I love the lock system that allows me to carry my camera around without having to remove it constantly. It's light weight, sturdy and well built.It feels good and safe unlike some other manufacturers. Price was a bit more than something you would buy a Best Buy or CC  but the quality  is well worth a few extra $$.
This is a very solid, reliable, moderately priced monopod head.  It does the job.  However, the cast metal construction is very heavy for the functionality.  If you're traveling light and want a quick-release, but don't really need the tilt feature, then I recommend the much lighter weight Bogen RC2 instead:Bogen - Manfrotto RC2 Compact Rapid Connect Adapter w/3157N Plate
use this on my bogen monopod. sofar so good. with this i can take vertical shot and not limited to just horizontal. very light and easy to use.
I purchased this together with a 4 section monopod.  This head is very solid, and works very smooth.I would definitely recommend this if you are planning to use it with an SLR.  I you have a smaller point and shoot, you might want to stay away.  Before my current Rebel XTi, I used this with a PowerShot S3 IS, and the quick release lever would stick into the palm of my hand.  Very uncomfortable and distracting when you're trying to compose.
This quick release tilt head works wonderful on my monopod.  I leave the top part of the head connected to my camera (Nikon D70s) all the time and when I want to use my monopod it just clicks in place to my monopod  very securely and off I go taking more pictures.
Very well made and looks like it will hold up for a very long time!  I'm not a professional photographer, far from it, but I don't think you can go wrong with this if you have a DSLR without a huge telephoto lens to support.  I have an Olympus E-500 system and it's great with this!
I own several Bogen-Manfrotto heads and tripods.  I was convinced to purchase this one for a mono-pod and hate it.  It takes so long to adjust the tilt back to horizontal after adjusting it that I always leave it set in the same place.It is solid but no more useful than just using a quick-release plate.  If I anticipate using the mono-pod a lot in the field, I take another head to use instead.
This is my second 3229 head.  I got a second one as I keep misplacing the original and I can't live with out it on trips!  I should note this head is specifically designed for monopods and not tripods.  Honestly it's kind of a pain on tripods.  Both of the units I have lock easily and hold a Canon 5D II with L lenses well at any angle.  I'm not encountering slipping nor do I really care about returning the camera a precise horizontal because, hey it's on a monopod!  I haven't found a monopod that this head doesn't work well on.  The only minor quibble is that the paint does chip off with typical use, not otherwise my original has gone through LOTS of abuse without any problems.
I ordered the Bogen Manfrotto 3229 to use with my terrific Adorama Podmatic monopod (also purchased thru Amazon). The Bogen head looked to me to be very solid, secure, and well made, and has the precise functionality I wanted (to be able to securely lock my camera in a solidly fixed landscape or portrait mode position on my monopod), but it's BIG! It's a little bigger than my fist, and I'm 6 feet tall. I hated to send it back, but there was no way it would fit in my monopod bag which, it should be said, was thoughtfully designed with extra fabric to accommodate a mount/head. I'll have to suffer with my flippity floppity ball head until I can find something like this that isn't quite SO large.
I have never experienced build quality such as I found on this item.  The action on it is so superb, I secured and unsecured the quick dismount plate many times just to feel the utter perfection of its motion.  It's not a ball mount so it only pivots along one axis, which was my desire, perfectly matched.  I can't imagine a more perfectly designed and manufactured product.
The Bogen Tilt Head w/Quick Release arrived in excellent condition and I love it.  I use it on my Bogen Monopod.  The great thing about it is that I can quickly release it from my monopod and instantly attach my camera to my tripod using the same mount.  I have the Bogen system on my tripod with quick release.  It saves a lot of time.
Bought mine a long time ago with a monopod. It's been very good and I still use it, especially since I bought a Pentax K10D (internal shake reduction) and a new monopod with quick-extend/retract action.
I mounted the Bogen-Manfrotto 3229 Swivel Tilt Head with Quick Release on a 3-section Manfrotto monopod.  The head, like the monopod, is extremely solid and the quick release safety provides a very secure attachment.  I believe that the quick release plate works with all other Bogen-Manfrotto quick release heads.  If you're looking for a tripod head, I'd recommend something like the 486RC2 Compact Ballhead, but the 3229 tilt-swivel head is ideal for use with a monopod.
Very well made.  Once you are holding it you will feel the price was quite low for a product this solid and well designed.
Bogen - Manfrotto Automatic Mono-pod - Black  I bought the Bogen - Manfrotto 3229 head for my Bogen - Manfrotto 3245 automatic monopod which I will use with my new Canon 40D and my older Canon 10D DSLR. This head and the Bogen Automatic mono-pod work perfect together.  The 3229 head does not swivel but only tilts up and down.  There really is no need for it to go from side to side since this head is only meant to be used with a mono-pod which you can easily shift from side to side anyway.  The up and down tilt has mediocre dampening so it's really not designed for use with a video camera.  The head is also all metal, and while it has some heft, it is really not heavy despite what some of the reviews here claim.  This is a rock solid head with a super secure system to lock the quick release plate and keep your camera and lens safe. It also has a good strong knurled turning knob for up and down adjustment. The plate has rubber on the base to protect your camera body from scratches as well.  My only complaint is that Bogen packages only one quick release plate with this product.  Go ahead and buy the 3229.  It's a first rate build, not too large or heavy, and a joy to use with any mono-pod.
this has been great for me I have attached this to my tripod as a quick release and able to help me level my horizons
Works great. The quick release is well designed to allow a quick release, without worrying about it falling off if you hit something (like some other heads) since it requires two actions instead of one. Very nice and stable.
I have a Canon S3 IS & got this to go with the Manfrotto 676B monopod.  Have used it numerous times & it works great.
I read a review by a reader like yourself who said the relase was something that could pop open, and it did to him and his camera was smashed on the street.  figured this guy might be a moron considering the other reviews, well I guess I am a moron also becuase it also happened to me, $4500 lesson. Dont settle for quick release, that just begs for a problem....my strap caught the turn lever and off went the camera...don't know what was worse, loosing the camera or the shoot that day....either way I will never ever buy a quick release anything ever again....this product gets a 1, only becuase this survey wont allow it to be left at 0.
I know, I'm giving it 4 stars and recommending you look at something else instead, but here's the thought process...This is a great head, I used it for quite a while, but it's somewhat limited if you want complete 3D freedom. If you need to lock in you pan while you tilt, this works great, but I' found that I didn't really need to do that, I wanted more freedom, and thus the recommendation that you look at the 322RC2 grip. It's $120 instead of $35, but as the saying goes, you can pay me now, or you can pay me later.In either case, if you want the tilt-only action this head provides it's a great buy, if you want more freedom, look at the other one.
The Bogen swivel tilt head was recommended as a 'must have' to accent the monopod I also purchased...  a solidly built unit but totally usless with any monopod.  I would give it 5 stars for quality/sturdyness... but zero stars for functionality, with a monopod.  The quick relase is usefull however... but doesnt help in photography, just the camera removal.  Best to get a REAL tripod with these features already there!
This strap is longer (easier to sling under-arm) and much more comfortable than the strap that came with my Canon 60d. Also, it doesn't have product branding on the outside that reveals to thieves that I've got a grand of camera gear hanging from my neck. That being said it does feel slightly less secure than the canon strap did, but I haven't had any actual problems with that aspect yet.
I am a big fan of the Op/Tech straps and this is no exception. The fast detach feature of the strap makes it easy to share a strap among different cameras.
These are great straps for cameras or binoculars--it's like the camera weighs a pound less with this strap!  Very comfortable, well made.I especially like this model, that is nicely bound on the edges (not all straps have that detail.)
I agree with other reviewers that the cushy part of the strap is too short. I have another (older) Op/Tech strap that is identical to this one except the cushy part is longer. I like the longer one better. That said, I used this new strap for the first time this weekend to photograph a wedding (actually, I had both straps around my neck all day supporting two cameras) and there was no difference in the feel or functionality of the straps, so I've decided that strap length is just a visual preference for me. That's why I'm giving it four stars, though it probably deserves five.
Most comfortable strap I have worn. I use it on all my hikes in the Grand Canyon. We film trails in the Grand Canyon, [...], and some of these hikes we hike over 40 miles.
This review applies to the Swivel Hook Connector, Classic Strap, and Adapt-its combination. If you are like me and use many cameras but don't want to maintain many permanently attached straps, and sometimes wish to use a camera with no strap, then OP/TECH has a solution for you. The tiny plastic Adapt-it loops are the only things that remain permanently in your camera rings, and then you snap in the Swivel Hook Connector; it removes very quickly also.This is a good design and makes more sense than threading those awful ugly narrow nylon straps through your rings. However, OP/TECH has used rather poor materials; the black straps on the Swivel Hook item look to be the very cheapest type of loosely woven polyester from China.The whole system is flexible, inexpensive and it works - but the appearance and durability may not match your fine quality cameras. Also, the unique item is the tiny Adapt-it loop; once you have those you can attach many kinds of straps and swivel hooks. You don't need the rest of the OP/TECH.
As a pro photographer I've used OP/TEch for years and they never disappoint. They make the most comfortable straps on the market.
Unlike many neoprene straps that are too springy, this one has about the right amount of resilience.  It's comfortable around your neck and has some "give," but it's not so springy that your DSLR bounces about.  The only thing I don't like about this strap is the white "OP/TECH USA" lettering on it.  I prefer total stealth but this is far better than the bright yellow lettering on my OEM Nikon strap and more comfortable.
There is nothing fancy on this strap, but it is discrete and works well by taking a load off one's shoulders and neck due to the neoprene construction.  This is so much better than having a shoulder/neck strap with some garish camera manufacturer's logo on the strap for all to see.Highly recommended.
I found this strap to be much more comfortable than the stock Nikon strap. A great strap for a great price.
For anyone who wants to protect their investment in a camera, this is the camera strap you want.  Not only is the neoprene strap easy on the shoulder, but if you ever stumble or trip, it will absorb the shock that could end up in your camera and cause damage.  I've used one of these for 30 years and recently bought one for my son.  He loves it. The local camera store can't keep them in stock, so I was saved by Amazon!It's extremely comfortable and provides a definite 'shock absorber' effect to your camera when you need it.  This should definitely be the next upgrade for your camera!
I have another op/tech usa strap that is a little wider so I kind of knew what to expect with their products.  This is a nice and comfy strap that I use on my Canon SX40.  It is much better than the standard strap.  It could be a little longer, however.  You can buy the extender straps to give it more length but I haven't done that yet.
I bought this for my camera four years ago. When I bought a new camera, I just looked up on my Amazon history what I had bought and bought it again. You can argue with success! Comfortable on your neck as it is padded well.
I received the strap I ordered in a timely fashion and the vendor sent me all of the proper e-mails with the status of the order and what-not.  One bonus is that I went directly to the vendors website, adorama.com, and found a site that I will be using in the future.  Great photo tips page and great prices on picture developing.
This fella isn't too pretty (but it's better than the 70's pseudo-floral straps), but man is it comfortable. I bought green because it was less expensive, and I don't care what my strap looks like particularly.I bought one of these to travel with on a camera that I thought was painful and heavy (at only about 2 pounds) and just the foamy padding and weight distribution of this strap totally changed my opinion on that camera.I've since bought another 2 to outfit other cameras with. This strap for me, is an essential accessory to replace all my camera straps with.I am sure you can find a nicer strap for more money, but in this class, and at this cost, this is an excellent strap.It's also great for travelling. It's simple, unremarkable, and doesn't make your gear stand out. Additionally, you can disassemble the strap to reduce bulk while packed, and clip it back together in moments when you're ready to get out and take some pictures. I would recommend the OP/TECH products wholeheartedly now that I've tried some out.
Great strap, use it to carry my 18X50 Canon binoculars which are quite heavy. The padded strap makes it comfortable to carry the binoculars, totally takes away the feel of the heavy weight. Quality is very nice & heavy duty clips makes it a breeze to disassemble the strap.
Having a tough time finding a strap for my Canon SX40 HS! This neck padding is stiff, rough, and rides high on my neck, though the straps do insert easily into the recessed camera brackets.OP/TECH customer service is exemplary, though, and after the fourth call to them, I've discovered that the &#34;Pro Strap&#34; has the same fastener strap as this one, and the Pro is super comfortable. Just DON'T order the &#34;Pro LOOP Strap&#34;: the loop diameter is too thick for insertion on the Canon.
I bought this for my daughter to use on her Nikon D40.  She has tried a few straps and absolutely loves this one.  She favors around the neck and thinks this is the most comfortable of all the straps she has tried.  I like over the shoulder and this strap does not stay in place how I would like (reason for the 4 stars).Durable and comfortable.  If you wear your camera around the neck, you will love this strap.
I purchased one for myself and another as a gift.  So much more comfortable than the Nikon strap and long enough to wear cross body.
This strap is much more comfortable than the thin nylon fiber ones that cameras come with. Also, it's easy to shorten the strap by disconnecting the main strap and then clipping the two short connectors together. Very handy if you want to put the camera on a tripod, or carry it but not hang around your neck.
Replaced the factory Nikon strap on my d3100 with this strap. Couldn't be happier. Makes the camera feel a good bit lighter and my neck and shoulders don't hurt wearing it.
This strap works well with my mirrorless camera (Olympus OM-D E-M5).  I previously bought one for my DSLR and it slipped a lot on my shoulder.  This one does not, as the camera is considerably lighter weight.  In fact,I can even carry it around my neck.  I miss the little pockets of my Black Rapid strap, but this is less expensive and the Black Rapid would be overkill for this little camera.
Despite being a new DSLR user, I couldn't chuck the original strap fast enough for something softer. The width is right and any wider would not have worked for me(under 5'4".) My dad's op/tech is wider with longer cushioned portion. I helped him carry his camera often and felt no better than this one. Mine has been to many countries by now and I find it a perfectly serviceable strap. Good price when I got it for less than $13.
The modular design allows me to use heavy straps for one camera and lighter straps on another. These are the only ones I buy although I do buy other designs with wider neck padding to distribute the weight better. At the end of the day you don't have a strap cutting into the back of your neck.
What a great strap!  It is well made and truly takes the weight of the camera off my shoulder.  The webbing also feeds well through my Fujufilm S4200 (unlike a similar strap purchased from a retailer).  I would highly recommend this strap for use with any camera or binoculars.
Very comfortable, with a neck pad that's wide, but not too wide.  The finished edges of the neck pad are much more comfortable than the sharp/rubbery edges of the average neoprene pad.I really like the way you can remove the neck pad and snap the ends together to make a handstrap.  I use that feature often - when I put the camera on a tripod, or when I'm using a long lens that has its own strap.The price is excellent - less than half what some straps cost.  And it doesn't look cheap at all - quite the opposite.
The strap seems to magically reduce the weight of the camera(s) around my neck. Well, it's really the superb padding but it just seems like magic. Most of the time, I carry two Canon 5D mkIIs and various heavy lenses on two Op/Tech Classic straps without fatigue. I also like the fact that the strap does not have Op/Tech's name printed on it much less super large & bold like Canon's straps.
This classic strap provides secure camera support and relieves the neck pain that I experienced when using the manufacturer's strap.  Looks good and feels good.
These straps are easy to install, are a good length for general use, are of solid quality, and look decent ( though by no means a fashion statement item).  The one negative per se is that Optech stopped adding the anti-slip silicon caulk-based griples; not that they wworked super well, but in coating old vs. new, I note that the old strap slips a bit less.
I've been using this for a year almost every day with my Nikon D7000 and a zoom lens (usually a Tamron 18-270 or Nikon 55-300).- Securely attaches to the camera if installation instructions are followed exactly.- Soft and compliant. It handles the weight comfortably all day.- Very strong. I think you could hang from this strap. The snap releases are extremely secure if properly snapped closed.- I'm 5'10" and keep the camera resting on my front hip just above the leg when we walk. The strap is plenty long and still has about 10" more strap for longer length.- It has no advertising such as "NIKON" or "CANON". I think this lack of flash provides a bit of safety if somebody is looking at a crowd to steal a camera.- Fully adjustable for use as a sling strap (my preference) or neck strap.- I used the snap releases once when for unknown reasons and against all logic the camera strap got all tangled up with a dog leash, with a squirrelly 65 lb dog at the other end. Stuff happens and it's nice to know you can quickly and easily detach your strap to protect your camera and your neck.- The pro model is a bit more expensive, but the pro strap doesn't adjust to as long as this model.I'll replace this strap with the same thing if ever needed, but after a year of extreme use it looks like it will last for many more years.I can't think of one negative to write about.
The three things I took into consideration when I was shopping for a digital camera was: size, price and picture quality. This camera met all 3 requirements easily.Size: almost as small as the current crop of cell phones. People couldn't believe how small it was. Personally, it's a little on the thick side so I put it in my pants instead of my shirt pocket.Price: good value for your money. More features than you'd expect from a sub camera. Comes with its own recharger and NI-MH batteries. About 13 hours to charge it fully.Picture quality: I was actually quite surprised by the picture quality. Really. It's more than just decent or average, it's good. Movie quality however is terrible. Don't bother with it unless you are outdoors. Also, you cannot record sounds.Bottom line: you'll be glad you gave this camera a shot. Great conversation piece too. Pop in a 128 MB memory stick and you can take up to 375 pictures at 1280x960! It's just a lot of fun!
very small, cute and chic. a little pricey, and lack of a viewfinder eats up batteries, but you get what you pay for. images come out pretty good for a camera this size. great gift. can buy a camera holder, but using the nokia 8260 cell phone holder works just as well.
I have owned Olympus 400 Z, OlympusRS E100, and when asked by friends about what to look for in a digicam, i always emphasized on the lag time and readiness to shoot.I believe a digicam is for convenience, and not for professional features, which should be left alone to traditional film based camera.So i have been not very happy with what i got, even Olympus RS is a rapid shoot, it still  take multiple steps to set it up if the power is turned off, and the size is as big as a traditional SLR.I just finished the Honolulu Marathon, taking with me in my palm, a brand new Sony DSC U10.The holy grail of digicam is here.It is so light 4 oz, it is instant ready when i slided the cover to the side.The case is plastic, but the whole camera is solid.Once reset the resolution, either VGA, or SVGA, then it is ready to shoot.I don't notice any lag time when i press the record button. Since there is no zoom, the lens covers quite a bit of depth.The color came out very nice, comparable to my Olympus RS.Of course, i couldn't quite capture the front runners when they zoom by, but had i used the burst mode, it might have worked.There is also a mpeg movie mode, but i haven't tried.The built in flash has several setting, including red eye reduction and back light fill in.So i took 48 pictures during the race, 4 of them were not usable.I am very happy with this camera .I will pack my Olympus RS now, and put the Sony in my pocket all the time.May be i finally become a photojournalist.
I just got this little gem as my new glovebox cam. I've used it indoors and outdoors, with and without flash, and I'm very pleased with the pictures I've gotten thus far. I took an experimental movie clip (no sound) and it also looks fine. The 1 megapixel resolution (you can also select 640 x 480) for photos is perfect for computer use and for prints up to 5&quot; x 7&quot;. The camera uses 2 rechargeable AAAs (the charger is included) and the battery life is very good. The included 8 megabyte Memory Stick is too small, but I put a 128 meg (Lexar) card in there and I get almost 400 pics on its full 1 megapixel setting. Settings and menus are simple and the instruction manual is not needed. The size and weight are of course the big pluses here. I gave it only 4 stars though because I felt the price was a bit high for the specs (obviously, the price is the premium for the size) *and* because without an eyepiece viewfinder, one is forced to frame through the tiny LCD on the camera's rear. That is a nearly impossible task in sunlight, making for a significant drawback. Nonetheless, I'm having fun with it and I'm sure you will too!
This is my first digital camera.  I wanted something simple and dependable--for shooting photos of students, sending shots of the cat to my kids, selling stuff on the internet.  The Sony looked like a good bet.  What I hadn't counted on was the exquisite smallness of the camera.  Scarcely larger than a cigarette lighter, it makes my wife's Canon Elph look like a behemoth by comparison.Given the size and convenience of the camera, I'm a bit surprised and disappointed at Sony's assumption that its owner might require options like sepia mode and a few other features aimed at the "creative" photographer.  Just more potential things to go wrong and detract from the camera's point-and-shoot simplicity.  Also puzzling is the feature that allows you to partition the screen into 4 frames containing 4 different images--each about the size of a molecule.Anyway, I'm getting great shots with everything set on "automatic," and the convenience of the thing is leading me to use it much more than I had planned.
I've had my U10 for for 5 years or more and it's always with me - always!  The pic quality is excellent and I have printed (at Walmart, etc.) many 4x5 and 8x10 (yes 8x10) pics and no one believes they were taken using a 1.3 MP camera.  My only real complaint is the shutter lag which is significant when trying to shoot my fast-moving grandson.  I wish SONY would make a similar size camera with a super short shutter lag and maybe a decent movie mode - even if it were only 2-3 MP.
This camera gets great marks as something you can always carry, and shoot quickly with.  (The simplicity of the camera reduces the "shutter lag" that is so frustrating on some digicams - many digicams miss the shot you want because of a delay between when you press the shutter and when it captures the image.)  With this tiny Sony, you get the benefit of the several generations of Sony design of compact digicams, and Sony's skill at miniaturizing electronics.  For some, this really can be the perfect camera.But there are some big compromises, so make sure this is what you want.  There's no optical zoom, so it's harder to make the most of the limited pixel resolution by zooming in just the part of the scene you want. (1.3MP will give you good 4x6 snapshots, but only if you can use the entire frame to capture your images.  For emailing photos, though, that's more than enough pixels - you'll probably trim it down for emailing or for web site photos.)  Lack of a viewfinder means you'll drain the battery quicker, and may have trouble seeing what's in the picture in bright sun (which washes out the LCD).  And the optics and flash do suffer on a camera this small.So think about what you need.  This camera will be a dream for some.  But others can get much better quality and lots of useful features - without much more size or cost - in the Sony DSC-P2 or P7.
I keep these in my truck, don't use them a whole lot, but I had occasion to of late and they're  not bad.  Still somewhat useful at max zoom, fairly clear at the lower ones.
These binoculars are quite a good deal for the price. I bought them for a trip to Maui so I needed something small and lightweight for travel, they fit the bill. Optical quality is extremely good and the zoom is a great feature.
These are great at the lower 7X setting but are kind of blurry at the 15x setting so I tend to not even use that setting.
At 7 power the field of view is bigger but what you see is a smaller circle through the eye piece.  At 25 power the circle fills up the image through the eye piece but the field of view is smaller.  It would be nice if the image through the eye piece was constant at all powers.  I ended up leaving setting at around 10 power.  The size of binoculars is handy and confortable when using.
As one of the cheaper options for a zoom optic, I was impressed by these. The clarity it pretty solid, even at full zoom. Only gripe I have is that the zoom is not the smoothest. Also, at full zoom, images can be a bit shaky. For the price, I don't think you can beat these. I saw plenty of garbage out there and was concerned these may be the same, but I was wrong!
Great size for my 9 year old who uses them to bird watch. They are also comfortable for me to use as well.
Good value for the money, Fit my purpose perfectly.  Bushnell makes quality products that you can depend on every time
Yes, it is good to see a show, theater or birds.But not enough in quality.I knew it when I bougth, it'll be usefull when I'm going to see odd things at contryside.It's quite expensive in Brazil something like that.Don't expect to much for somenthing cheap.
These binoculars work really well for general use.  It is amazing how they bring something far away into focus.  Good for travel as they are small and easy to carry.  We are very happy with them.
Purchased these to use when out hiking. Wanted something that is fairly rugged, but not to expensive. These are lightweight and have good clarity. They are perfect for the casual user.
They weren't kidding when they said &#34;compact&#34;.  These binocs are way smaller than I expected (which I consider a plus):  roughly 4-inches wide and 4.5 inches long.  And very light.  You could hang these from your neck for hours.  But they do the job very well for things like casual bird watching or casually reading the license tags on cars from half a block away, or casually spying on some delivery person because (like Lidia from Sopranos) you have some baseless reason to think somebody's up to something (ha ha). If you're new to binoculars be sure to read the instructions about zooming and focusing because I discovered I was using the zoom like a focus and the focus like a zoom--which makes it very difficult to get a good look at your target.  There's also a left eye adjustment thing and you can read about that too.You'll have to attach the neck strap yourself, but this shouldn't be a problem unless you find opening breakfast cereal boxes to be a serious challenge.
I thought these binoculars would be cheap crap like any other but when I got it and started using it the were great! The magnification zoom is great and it is very compact. One problem is its stability if you don't have very stable hands you will see a very shaky image when you zoom in.Overall its good quality and use full.
I use them at the racetrack.  The zoom is really shaky at max, loss of clarity but about what one would expect.
It is very difficult to see any detail in this binoc. Very small view, very difficult to focus. I tryied to use them on a shooting range. I can only see more or less decent with one eye.I am buying Nikon.
I'm no expert but these binoculars are perfect for me.  They are easy to carry and are as clear as can be.  I love the zoom option.  If there is a negative, I can't seem to focus the left eye when fully zoomed in.  I found that if I back off just a touch, though, I can get it crystal clear.  I love them!
This is a very powerful pair of binoculars. Used on Carribean cruise, worked great. The only downside was that entering the cruise ship balcony from air conditioned room the lens fogged up.
This info is base on what I found from the bino 7-15X25mm I bought for you people out there to know.  It's small enough to put in the glove box, in the jacket pocket and hang it around your neck to do quick view things around you while walking, no tripod needed. It looks kind of sturdy, but don't expect it to handle dropping on to the floor,ground.  I never want to drop or put optics or electronic gadgets in the rain or water even though they were made to be water prove.  This bino came with eye relief lens covers, a pouch, a lens cleaning cloth and a sling, neck strap.  The view is clear at low zoom to almost max zoom.  At max zoom, the focus is not that clear and the light is darker compare to low zoom and also the fish eye makes it little hard to see the target. I have to align the bino precisely with my eyes. Some people are more steady than the others.  For me I sometimes have to put a finger or thumb of the hand which is holding the bino somewhere on my face to help the stability. At the max zoom and best setting with sun shine, I still can count the pine needles on a tip of a pine tree about 100 yards. At about 400 yards, I still can count the pine cones, with no detail of the cones, if they are infront of the tree.  I haven't experienced the high $$$ end optic binos how clear they are through the zoom range.  I'm satisfied with this small end bino for paying in the $30s. I don't expect the small end bino can do the large end bino's job.  I'm debating on buying a larger one with the zoom up to 25x50mm but that might be too big and heavy for carying, also may require a tripod.  When traveling, going hunting or going to places, I always want to pack minimum for light weight.  Hope this help everyone. LY from North Carolina.
The optics are very good, but the zoom mechanism is not very smooth.  It works well, but it simply has a rough feel.
Very difficult to adjust to eye width.  Low light performance is very poor.  I expected more from Bushnell.  Zoom is very difficult to use.
I purchased these as a gift for someone that had an ancient pair of compact binoculars that needed replacing.  We use them for birding - specifically to watch a nest very close to out balcony.  Orginally, I wanted a pair that self-focused but after doing research, found those weren't always the best option if the things you wated to view were very close already.  This pair focuses manually, but quickly.  They are lightweight and easy to use.  We are not 'pro-anything'.  Just casual users that like to see detail.  We are both very happy with them.
Used only a few times. Back the binoc's in my fire vehicle. Keep them handy for small tasks. Like them so far. Not the best optics I am sure but they work well.
My wife and I are avid birders.  My wife's prior pair of really expensive binoculars were stolen, and we couldn't afford to replace them right away.  So we got these as an interim replacement.  They are pretty darn good - very bright, good magnification, very lightweight.  Good enough for average birding conditions, on a trail or in the neighborhood.  The magnification isn't great - the image quality goes down perceptibly.  But it's handy to have in case you need a closer look at something.  Would recommend for anyone who is shopping in this price range.
Great descent size binocular. A bit heavy if you have to carry it for days but definitely worth it. Did you try to look at full moon with it? No? Please do!
I bought this compact zoom binocular for my sister to use when she goes with me on birding trips; but find that I am using it almost 100 per cent of the time, but reluctantly turn it over to her and then resort to my heavy 10-27 power binoculars of old. May have to buy a duplicate pair, since her friend wants to join us birding. We will use it easily and comfortably at plays and musicals. Easy to adjust - zoom is somewhat tight but will loosen by use.
i was looking for a pair of binoculars that were light weight to take hiking.  these fit the bill!  i also love the zoom feature.the only negative is that i wish the case had a carry strap too.
I wanted a pair of binoculars that were light enough for carrying on hikes and powerful enough for some good bird watching and nature viewing.  These fulfill those objectives just fine but lack the quality that I am accustomed to with Bushnell products.  I suppose they offer them at a lower price for that reason but I am a little disappointed.  The main problem is the lack of precision engineering.  They tend to be stiff, difficult to open, the zoom lever doesn't move easily and you have long lost your subject by the time you manage to adjust it.  I might note that my first set from amazon was defective.  One of the internal prisms or lens were mounted crookedly and I had to return them for another pair.  I hope that Bushnell decides to use a better quality inspection system with their Chinese made products before their reputation suffers.
This binocular is light and compact. The optics are good, focusing is smooth. The adjustment of magnification 7 to 15 times, is a bit tight and bumpy. I usually live it half way, at 10 magnification, also not to decrease the luminosity at the higher power. I have another compact binocular, a Nikon with fixed power of 10. I would rate it better than this one, but it is more expensive. The Bushnell is clear and sharp and does what it is supposed to do. Great binocular for the price, but if you don't need the zoom, stick to a solid, simple, 10 power unit.
I use this for my bug out bag. I mainly like it for it's compactness, how the objective lens are place, and the magnification. Last year (Oct 2012) I participated in the Tiger valley bug out drill. It's was a great learning experience. One of things I learned was compact things were key. I borrowed my buddy's bushnell powerview 10x50 wide angle binos. By all means it was a great pair of binos. The problem came when I tumbled off a wall and rolled onto my bag. This snapped off one of the objectives. That resulted in buying the bushnell powerview 7-15x25 compact zoom. With the curved design, I don't have to worry about the objectives snapping off. But then again, I do have to worry about the eye pieces. But hey, structurally, these are perfect for what I need in my bug out bag.
We love these binoculars!  They are great and fit in the glove compartment, purse, take them on vacation, to concerts, etc.The price was perfect and they sure work better than the larger pair we used to use.Delivery was within ten days and I couldn't wait to try them out.  I highly recommend them.
This is my first binocular, I was disappointed initially when i could not get the settingsright. Once I figured out the setting..no problems whatsoever.
This is a great mid grade set of binoculars. For those of us that don't ever like to buy junk anything this is the pair to get. I always buy at least mid grade and it can sometimes be difficult to discern which brand/model that is. Binoculars are available in such a diversity of styles and prices that it's easy to feel like you aren't making the most informed buying decision. I looked around for an hour or so before settling on these. I got them today and I was very pleased and impressed with them. The binoculars are well made and definitely have a sturdy built feel in your hand. They have a light rugged hard shell that isn't plasticy or cheap feeling at all. They were easy to use with intuition right out of the box. This model has a zoom feature which I really felt added to the versatility. When you don't know what you are going to be doing with something in the future it's nice to know the product can adapt to the need. Also included is a lens cloth, carry strap, carry pouch, and rubber eye caps. There is no cap for the objective front lens. The strap, pouch, and lens cloth are all high grade continuing the tone set by the binoculars themselves. It all fits together in the pouch and is compact and ready to be on the move. I'm glad I didn't get stadard size binoculars after handling these. Compact is the way to go unless you know you need big ones. If you are on the fence about a couple of pairs this is the one to get hands down. You won't be disappointed. They are well worth their retail price. The great price on Amazon is icing on the cake.
Compact, lightweight, loaded with features, excellent quality, excellent price. Watching deer in the field across the road is just amazing with the zoom feature.
I purchased these to replace a pair of Nikons lost with my baggage on Air France. They are light and compact as well as good from a performance standpoint.  nice bins.
These field glasses were a great gift for the holiday season, maybe a little small for large faces but they fit whom I ordered for.
These binoculars are light weight, compact, great craftsmanship ,  the vision is clear, the zoom is fantastic.  Our family members who tried them out were truly surprised with the quality of this product, and, best of all the price was right!
had to return the first set as they began producing a grinding noise after ~6 months of use. Cost $10 fee plus $7 shipping to get a new set, which seem to be fine. So keep in mind that you may have to add another $17 to the price if you're unlucky, as I was.
The fact that it is a 7 to 15X optical Zoom binocular makes this $40 item a bargain. Bushnell has good optics. This pair is very light weight.  It has a small size and small case to go with it.  Everybody needs a set for sports or birdwatching or sightseeing on a trip. Buy it.
bought this for myself to look mainly at my roof after storms. the power clarity and zoom feature make them a great buy.
I was looking for a stronger binoculars in a compact size and these have worked out great.  Great shipping and price, I would recommend these to everyone.
Light weight, comfortable in hand(s), gripping design is great, zooming in / out is smooth, focusing is great, and compact size is good.
As advertised, compact, light weight and easy to use. Great for wild life observation. Took it around Cape Horn and later to Alaska and it handled the cold without fogging up.
It would be tough to find better binoculars for the same price.  I bought these for safari in Africa and they worked well.  I especially liked the zoom feature.  With just a high-power binocular, it's hard to find what you're looking for.  With these, you find what you want at 7X, then zoom in.I would have liked to have had a slightly more powerful binocular in a few places (maybe 25X), but overall they were great.  We were able to get close enough to most animals to see them well with the binoculars.  They were still bright enough even on a cloudy day, which can be a problem for compact binoculars.  Best of all, they're cheap enough that you don't have to worry too much about damaging or losing them.I was planning on selling mine when I got back, but I'm going to keep them.
you can not get a better product for the price paid. small makes it very easy to carry in shows and trips. I recommend it.
These are great for traveling and sightseeing. Kids really enjoyed them and found them easy to use. The zoom is useful as others have mentioned. I would definitely recommend them.
These are a replacement for a Bushnell zoom binocular.  We had the previous one for several years before the lens came loose.  We liked them so well we chose another pair as close to the old one as possible.  Like the size.  Great when traveling or watching a sunrise or full moonrise from a balcony overlooking the ocean.
Very good small and clear, some people say not to get zoom since it goes out of focus from one eye with the zoom.This is correct, however all you need to do is adjust the diopoter when zoomed in or out to make both side in the same focus.This gives you the option of 7-15 x zoom which is great.
Very crisp and clear image, and ultra light when you are on the move.  The one thing I didn't like was it was very narrow angled, so you couldn't see much of the football field, for which I purchased this item.  Otherwise, for the price, the weight, and quality of workmanship, this is a good product.
After a number of noteworthy nature encounters on the golf course, I decided it would be wise to purchase a compact binocular for my golf bag.  To that end, I purchased the Bushnell Powerview 7-15x25 reverse porro prism binocular.My overall impression has been quite positive.  At 7x magnification, the optics are wholly sufficient, providing crisp, bright views with only minor distortion toward the edges.  The 262 foot (@ 1000 yards) field-of-view is somewhat narrow, but appears clear and deep.Taking the magnification higher, the optical quality predictably declines.  At full 15x zoom, the field-of-view shrinks to 183 feet at 1000 yards, and significantly less light passes through, leaving objects conspicuously darker by contrast.  Nevertheless, the higher magnification can reveal details that are not visible at 7x, provided that the user has a very steady hand and good eyes to begin with.The zoom function itself is intuitive and simple, completed with a quarter-turn of the collar that frames the right eye cup.  The instruction manual recommends beginning at full zoom, then drawing back.  This way, less refocusing is required.  I prefer to begin with the full field-of-view, increasing magnification if desired.  It is entirely possible to increase from 7x to 15x without losing sight of an object, but some refocusing is required once the desired magnification has been reached.Relative to price, I am quite pleased with the Bushnell Powerview binocular.  It fits comfortably in a small pocket in my golf bag, and provides excellent views at lower magnifications.  I am, as yet, unsure what value to place upon the zoom feature.  Whether it will be of use to you depends upon how you weigh the relative importance of magnification versus light-gathering capacity.  While the zoom feature is somewhat amusing, consumers in search of a quality optical instrument will find a nice, standard compact to be a superior purchase.PRO'S:- Optics at lower magnification are crisp, clear, and bright.- Size: fits comfortably in a large pocket.- Appearance: well-designed reverse porro compact.- Eye Relief: Fold-down rubber eye-cups make viewing through sunglasses (and presumably eyeglasses) possible.CON'S:- Optics at higher magnification are darker and more difficult to focus.- Not comfortable for extended viewing.- No objective lens covers.
Excellent value for the money.  Appears well made.  Easy to adjust.  Would recommend this to a friend...Fast Delm. Good communication
The equipment is very good. I think it will suit perfectly for a trip to Africa to do with my kids. But as I got the refurbished equipment rather than new, as was specified, one of them came with problems.ULYSSES F NUNES  11/07/2011Later in February 2012, when I went to Africa, I found out that another device, also was defective.Really was a bad purchase.ULYSSES F NUNES  08/23/2012
We ordered this item just a few days before we left on vacation to Alaska...which worked out perfectly as we certainly needed it up there.
Skeptical that these would work, based on low price.  But zoom is great.  Really 15X, and not a lot of tremor.  Highly recommend as a pocket set that you won't cry if you lose.
These binoculars proved well worth the purchase. They are quite powerful and the zoom effect is a nice added attraction. Once they are focused to your eyes the zoom is always in focus. Highly recommend them for bird watching and outside use.
I looked at a lot of binoculars before getting these.  Took them on a trip to Alaska and was extremely pleased with the results.  Small, light, and yet powerful ... for a great price relative to other options out there.  Strongly recommend.
I wanted a present for a 9 year old interested in nature and birds in particular.  At first I tried several &#34;auto-focus&#34; models that are really fixed focus, I realized that back yard distances were too close.  The focus knob is easy to use and not confused with the variable power lever.  These should last many years.
I purchased this product to steady my large binoculars and it works perfectly with my heavy duty camera tripod.  Very useful to me.  Don
I should have considered the 6 "one star" reviews on amazon. I was looking the 5 stars review and wondered that these people must have got a different batch than mine. I would not go in to my Bushnell 10x50 binocular.
Bought this with my new Bushnell binoculars and it works GREAT!Allows attaching binoculars to a photo tripod securly so you can view hands-free.I'll use them frequently.
Works perfect with my Bushnell Powerview 16x50 Wide Angle Binoculars. I agree with Rima below - VERY awkward to attach and remove. Worth the $13.09 I paid for it on Amazon. The adapter works perfect, with one easy to live with flaw. Recommended.
This adapter is not something high tech. It just attaches the binocular to the tripod stand and it goes in the front in the middle so easy to work with. It fits and works for me or you can say that it does its job (as compared to some reviwers those who have complained for certain things). I am using on bushnell binoculars so have no issue of compatability.One thing that I noticed is that as this adapter holds the heavy binocular from the center so the two sides tend to swing on either side while viewing (like a see saw) and the adapter screw get loose from the binocular and as my kids were using they dropped the binocular but luckily it did not break. Otherwise without a tripod it is difficult to view clearly using heavy binoculars because of slight shake/movement.
Simple, well made and sturdy. I use it for my Nikon 10x50 binoculars. Easy to use. This one should work with any binoculars that have a standard 1/4-20 thread.
It connects my Pentax 10x50 binoculars to my 60" Vista tripod.  Both ends are easy to attach and detach, and the molded plastic body feels solid.  It meets my expectations at a good price.
Instantly and effortlessly mounted to my Bushnell 12x50 PermaFocus binoculars. Offers great visual stability and is attractively priced. Would recommend highly.
This is very useful accessory if you have a binocular like 20x50 it is really stable although at first use its takes a while to screw it on your binocular as it is not a fine thread, but once you have it screwed its just fine.
it was easy to install on the front of my Bushnell 10x60unit clamps on the tripod with a standard camera mount screwusing tripod with any binocular makes day or night viewing of any object a lot more enjoyableextremely helpful for young children, my daughter loves itworks perfectly, no complaints and i wish i had got it sooner, would recommend it 100%a simple but very useful product!i do not know how, but amazon/usps had it at my house on saturday afternoon, day after i purchased it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is poorly crafted. Too bad Bushnell puts their GOOD name on junk like this. Also, it would seem to me that if a bino were tripod adaptable you would not need an adapter if the screw hole is positioned properly you would simply screw the bino straight to the tripod. Also Amazon should make their description match the manufacturer so both Amazon and the customers would see that  this adapter is not compatible with the Legacy 12-22 X 50 mm bino.
This item is what I wanted to connect my newly purchased (from Amazon) binoculars to my tripod. Problem was the threads on the adaptor were not well made or not checked by a quality control person. BUT (again)a fellow in my office has a die set and was able to clean up the threads and the adaptor, now, works perfectly. I don't like sending things back and was glad to "fix it up" so it would work but this should not be.
the binoculars were very poor so i returned them together. Im sure they would work well but never had the chance to use them
Ordered for an Alaska vacation. I found the threads for this Bushnell mount did fit my tripods but did not fit the threads on my Bushnell binoculars. I did not have time to return it.I made the hard choice to drag out my "tap and die" set and rethread the mounting screw to fit my binoculars. Would not have done that if the cost was any greater.I went back to double check the site. It does not say anything about thread options for the binoculars or mount other than "For 10x binoculars or above." Mine are in that range.Customers need more information/cautions so they will not run into these issues. Dealers know their product(supposedly)and should know of issues which customers may need to be aware or questions they need to answer before a purchase. They need to help the customer make a good purchase instead of hoping they just "eat" a non servicable purchase or "make do" as I felt I had to do.If not for this issue, I would have given it five stars.
My adapter  seems to have been manufactured better than a lot of the reviews on here. The threads were straight and screwed right on to the binoculars. I would recommend to anyone.  HOWEVER....there were no directions on how to connect it to the binocular, and once I figured the adapter screwed on to the pivot screw on the front of the binocular, ( I was unaware that there were plastic threads in the cap),  I used a knife and pried it off. Unfortunately, the threads are now damaged and  the cap will not screw on correctly.Reminder, this is a threaded cap and not a snap on/off.
...it works as expected.  Just like some of the other reviews it was hard to attach it for the first time then all the other times it goes right in without a problem.  If fact I used it with my binoculars this morning to look at the crescent moon.  Because Bushnell has this product is why I purchased it and their binoculars.
Poorly designed - won't securely fasten to binoculars - have to remove it to get binoculars back into case.  Get yourself a Giottos Ball Head adapter instead - works perfectly - and a couple of bucks cheaper.  Would return this Bushnell thing, but I have found another use for it.  Nothing against Bushnell binoculars - have a couple of pair - and they are terrific.
sounds to me from reading all the reviews that Bushnell China does not have any inspectors on the payroll just a couple guys running around cutting threads on these adapters with hacksaws and old rusty files......maybe they need to get them done here in the good old USA where they will be done correctly. I'd pay more to have a great product and put an American Citizen to work...and I mean Citizen, not a Green Card Holder.................
The threads only go in a couple of turns on both of the Bushnell binoculars I own, the Bushnell Perma Focus 12x50 Wide Angle Binocular, and the Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars.  This leave a lot of wiggle room for the binoculars to pivot from side to side.  I suppose you could put some sort of a spacer or several washers in between so you could keep the connection tight.
Very sad.  Bushnell is a big brand.  It's a shame that they would put thier name on such a crappy product.As you will read with other reviews, the threads on the bolt that screws into the binoculars is so poorly made you barely get 1/4 turn before it binds up.These are absolutely 100% useless.  I was on the phone within 5 minutes arranging for the refund/return back to Amazon.
Why is there a generic product description?  How does knowing that Bushnell makes so very many great products to suit my needs help me with the product at hand?  What's the damned thing made of?
It is very reliable, high quality (as all that Fuji does), produces clean , clear, wonderful images with high tone quality. Camera is easy to operate and logically constructed. I've been using this one for couple of moths and it was really joy to use. It has its drawbacks but they are few and minor. Let say they are not troubles but matter of personal taste with equipment. Definitely recommend it.
My first impression when I took this camera out of the box was that they forget to put the guts in the cheap plastic shell that holds this thing together. I've never owned a "pro" camera that is so cheaply constructed. It feels like it's ready to break at any point and will no way hold up to the beating a wedding or other pro work will subject a camera to. It doesn't get any better in use. The camera is built on a Nikon F80, a consumer body, that has been jerry rigged with electronics from Fuji. It features an itsy bitsy viewfinder that's like looking down a tunnel. The focusing screen doesn't have any split viewfinder for manual focusing, which is an absolute requirement for this thing because its autofocus system is pathetic, unreliable and simply doesn't work right. Exposure is likewise eratic.With a lot of work and a lot of luck, nice images can be produced. But if you want reliability and consistency, forget this camera.Also, don't even think about it if you want to shoot handhold below 1/125. Anything below that, and I get blurred images thanks to the lightweight body and lack of internal dampening. This is the worst body I've ever owned for camera shake problems. I have the D1H at work and can shoot at 1/15 of second with it and no blur. The Fuji would produce a fuzzy mess at that.Also, don't even think about using a cheap lens on this thing. It demands great glass. We're talking ED lenses to get "pro" results. It also wants Silent Wave motor focusing on the lenses.In short, buy this camera and you'll be facing an endless pit in which you'll toss money for batteries, cards, lenses and backup.Buying this camera made me appreciate my Nikon F4s bodies all the more.
I was using a Nikon D1 previous to purchasing the Fujifilm S2 Pro and I would have to admit that the camera body doesn't compare well to the Nikon pro bodies.After using the S2 Pro since it's introduction and shooting everything from fashion to action rodeo images,I have to say that the image quality (Isn't that what really counts in the long run?)is top notch.For action shots I shoot in high rez JPEG and for everything else I shoot in RAW format.I feel that the 12MP Raw images are every bit as good as any that can be captured on 35mm film.If one is not getting the image quality expected,from the Fujifilm S2Pro,perhaps they should examine the quality of the lenses used.Are they Nikon's Pro lenses? Are they after market lenses? I find that alot of complaints registered for various cameras are the result or either poor lens quality or of poor shooting technique rather than camera quality.Without getting into the $5,000.00+ digital SLR price range,I feel that the S2Pro is the &quot;Cream Of The Crop&quot;.
Reviews are usually worthless to people, unless the reviewers tell the readers what is they believe in wrong with the product. I will dispense the experience I recieved while using this camera for a year as the editor of a acclaimed college prep high school's yearbook.The bad:1) The autofocus of the camera can wake the dead. If you're trying to quitely take pictures w/ autofocus, you minus well throw this camera out the window. Not only is the autofocus extremely slow compared to Canon's, but it is extremely loud. People will notice you not because of the camera, but because of the sound. It's a loud grinding of gears. If you're taking 7+ FPS (which this camera can do), the autofocus will almost ALWAYS leave you with 5 or so blurry pictures, and you will invaribly miss a good portion of the action due to the slowness of the gears.2) It eats batteries. While it eats batteries rather quickly, it does not compare to Olympus's E10. That monster will go through 4 AAs (Fully charged, 1800 NIM-H) in less then 45 minutes, WITHOUT the flash. The S2 has a dock loader that holds 4 AAs, and a bottom loader that holds dual lithiums. Should ANY of your batteries fail, the odds are it will render the S2 inoperable. The 4 AAs run the computer in the camera, and the lithiums run the camera itself. The camera will still take pictures should the AAs fail, but without the computer, there is no way to record those pictures...My suggestions: Carry spare lithiums at all times, AND carry a battery pack, such as the ones Quantum makes. Those last for 4 hours at contiunal use, with onboard flash, using 7 FPS every 3 or so minutes. Lithiums, during peak months, we went through 4 every month or so. Meaning, the average person will probably need to change lithiums ever 2 months. However, the weight of a extra battery pack, plus a external flash, will wear you down before you know it.3) The flash is...bad. Not much you can do about it. The flash, like many onboard flashes, highlights certain areas, creating pictures with zones of highly contrasting levels of light. Parts are very dark, while other parts are washed out. Just get a external, there's not much I can say about it.Now just some accessories that you would probably find invaluble.1) 340 IBM microdrive OR 512 SM cardLots of space. This camera, on medium quality produces 2 meg pictures. If you're a shutterbug, you'll find that a 128 meg card is insufficent. However, i would lean towards the SM, because they, as a general rule of thumb, record faster. I've spent 10-15 seconds waiting for 7 pictures to record. Not fun, especially during a waterpolo or soccer game.2) rechargable batteries. Buying 4 Duracell ultras every two weeks is going to cost a arm and a leg. Just shell out $50 for 4 AAs and a good charger, perferable a 1-4 hours. It will be much cheaper in the long run.3) 35 mm lens. Nuff' said.4) 70-300 mm lens, nothing like a telephoto lens to make your day.5) 28-300 mm lens. It's so nice just to carry 1 lens around.6) Filters for your lens. I hate dirty elements, and you never want to touch them. Cleaning a filter is far easier, cheaper and less dramatic.7) A bag, don't get a black one, nor one that says "Photography", that's asking people to steal it. heat is the enemy of electronics as well as humidity, get something that reflects as much heat and light as possible.8) A card reader. Even though the firewire is fast, being able to physically pull your card out and move it between comptuers as you do matainece on your camera is invaluble.
I've had an S2 for three years or so (just replaced it with an S3), and I've found that the battery life is VERY dependent upon use of the rear-panel color LCD display.I spent three weeks in the UK in 2004 with the S2 and no charger, so I made a major effort not to play with the color display. I went nearly all three weeks and took 1800 pictures on three sets of NiMH batteries (I finally put a set of alkalines in two days before the end of the trip).The Lithium cell life depends mostly on flash usage. I usually got four to six months on a set. If one dies in the field, you can use the camera without them. Only the flash doesn't work.
I have owned one for 4 months now and am very pleased with it.  The reviewer that claims it can't take sharp photos is an idiot (he is no doubt the problem).  I have seen 30x40 prints shot with this (by Will Crockett) and they were amazing.  If you love Fuji film you will love the way this camera "sees". Fuji has tuned their software and electronics to record images with that fuji look.  Sure the body is plastic but I'm more interested in the quality of images and the images are simply the best.10/04 I've now owned this camera over a year, I've had no problems and have am still very pleased.  Battery set-up could be better,and will be in the up-coming S3, but the this camera is all about image quality and I still believe it's the best of the bunch.1/05 - Sold this camera last month.  Image quality was great but needing two type of batteries, and highh energy consumption are a major pain.  The CCD died on me, in the summer, while on a job, but was replaced by Fuji free of charge.  I'm awaiting my d200's arrival.  As happy as I am I'm glad to see it go.2/05  I have my D200 now and really love it.  Higher battery consumption than my d70s but of course it also has a larger brighter monitor.  check out the D200, it rocks!2/07 I love my D200 but still think the Fuji sensor results are closer to film and I look forward to the upcoming S5.  The D200 body with a Fuji sensor, it should be a great combination
I bought this camera as a back up to the Olympus E3. I find the color and clarity are very good. I also have the 28x80 and the 55x200 lens and they work very well with the camera.
Granted the S2 is not built like a tank. It was not billed as such and I suggest that anyone who thinks they need that, chili out the $4.5 K for the D1x or $7 K for the 1Ds.I  purchased mine to be housed for undewater shooting. I have shot mostly macro to this point but will now be shooting WA as well. The color saturation and TTL are incredible and equal in quality to my previous N90s/Provia 100 setup. The S2 is the only camera on the market where the TTL is compatable with underwater strobes. You can see some of my underwater photos at [...] .I have used it extensively top side as well. You can purchase 24 2000 MA AA's for less than $30. I have also purchase the lithiums online 24/$30. This makes this setup very inexpensive and convenient to power. Plus you can purchase AA alkalines anywhere to get you out of a pinch.A 1 GB Compactflash card for under $300 will hold 78 shots in RAW at the highest resolution.
Good camera even after 10 years. The seller is very kind, the camera come with an unusual storage card, which allows me use the camera right way. Pictures taken by this camera are very good.
Now that Nikon and the rest have all moved on with the latest and greatest, this camera has come down in price enough to make it a good buy or at least worth a second look, for the serious amateur.  It also makes a great entry-level pro camera.Though its metal frame makes it heavier than most of its newer siblings, the solid construction of the D100 make it durable in even the most rugged conditions. With the addition of a new VR lens, it becomes an unbeatable digital SLR, especially for the price.  While lacking some of the bells and whistles of the latest Nikon cadillacs, it's a sold performer and still easily competes in the most important category: image quality.  Pictures are sharp and bright and the "purple" edging from which so many digicams and digital SLR pictures suffer, is unnoticable without serious magnification.A single caveat here.  As with most digital cameras these days, there are numerous functions accessible by a number of buttons and dials on the body, and even more through menu options.  This is not a camera you can put in the closet for a couple months and expect to easily remember how to use when you pick it up again.As a digital SLR, it does not fall prey to the dreaded shutter lag of digicams, of which the Nikon Coolpix line is the worst offender.  If you're looking to upgrade from a simple point and shoot camera or are advancing in your career as a serious amateur, this unit cannot be recommended highly enough.
I call the Nikon D100 the "VOLVO" of digital SLR cameras. It is safe and rugged, and once you buy one, you cannot buy any other. I bought the D100 about 3 months ago, and after test-driving it for a few months, I have been very happy with it.Photography has been my hobby for the past 12 years. I am an avid (and loyal) Nikon user, being the owner of the N70, N90, F4, and F5 35mm SLR cameras (yes, I have a thing for Nikon). Therefore, it is almost logical for me to stick with the Nikon brand, and hope that the lenses are interchangeable.I was quite skeptical about the capabilities of digital cameras, and I never thought digital technology will be able to catch up to film resolution for a while. Until now. I have to say that the Nikon D100 convinced me to take the first steps towards the digital revolution.Now, I primarily use the Nikon D100, and use my film cameras as back-up. I've only used my film cameras during rainy days, so that my new toy/investment would not get wet.I've made a brief list of what I noticed about the D100.Pros:-instant on-fast response-nice fit in [my] hand; very ergonomic-superb resolution-default pictures have higher contrast-compatible with Nikon lenses, especially the Nikor F mount lens-LCD monitor cover comes with the camera(Thanks, Nikon!)Cons:-6MP, compared to the 8MP of the Canon (20D and 350D)-moire effects-no firewire connection-does not properly tag JPEG images with correct color profile; have to use Nikon View software to separate images for full Adobe compatibilityOne camera that almost swayed me away was the Canon EOS 20D. I was fortunate to have friends who have these cameras, so I was able to make a head-to-head comparison of the Nikon vs. the Canon, and the pictures and features "side-by-side." The pros and cons of each camera balance each other out, so in the end, it all comes down to personal preference, and what you like or dislike about these cameras.For me, it was because of loyalty* and investment. I saved a few thousand dollars because my lenses (especially the Nikor F mount lens) are compatible with the Nikon D100 (I was informed that they are also compatible with the D70, but that is second-hand information).Conclusion: The Nikon D100 is a great camera, which is cheap enough for the amateur photographer, and advanced enough for the professional photographer.Footnotes:* Loyalty did not come instantly. Like I said earlier, I have been a photographer (and therefore camera enthusiast) for 12 years, and it took me a few years to appreciate a good camera.
I've always been an avid Nikon user. And from now on I'm even more than ever!I haven&#8217;t been able to put it down since buying it in July, 2004.The picture quality & clarity is amazing, as if you&#8217;re actually  there in the photo!I&#8217;ve flown front seat in a helicopter this summer and took some great arial photos! "National Geographic Magazine" here I come!!!This baby has a lot of great functions!The quick speed of the playback monitor & deletion of unwanted photos are must-have functions! It's nice to have only good photos, rather than over-exposed trash. I&#8217;ve been able to take so many photos with this thing, I don&#8217;t know what I&#8217;ll be doing with my F90X and the rest of my other film cameras. There&#8217;s no end to the imagination with the D100. With my F90X, the colors and effects are lost during the development of the film and the printing of the photo. Having the D100, I&#8217;ll have less worry over my photo&#8217;s results.During my partner's 25-day business trip, he only shot about 362 photos out of 598 & only recharged the battery once. Spares come in handy, that's for sure! I have a 20-35mm. f/2.8D Zoom lens. I used that baby left and right with the F90X and it seems to be the perfect lens for the D100 (FYI&#8230;this lens is discontinued and has been replaced by a 17-35 f/2.8D).Our D100 is loaded with a 1Gb memory card that gives me 598 frames configured as jpeg normal, large (3,008 X 2,000) Pixels.Battery life is excellent. We don&#8217;t have to change the battery all that much, and when we do, it recharges quite promptly. If you don&#8217;t play with the monitor frequently you should be able to take about 1600 shots on 1 battery.Obviously, frequent use of the Monitor takes up a lot of battery juice. I try not to use the monitor much because of just that. Owning this Baby is fantastic, because it&#8217;s saving us a bundle of money on film & reprints.If our friends ask for a copy of a photo/s, we just email them out and it&#8217;s done! No more waiting on Friday afternoons at the photo lab!Some Good Technical Points about the D100:- Dynamic-Area AF (Auto Focus): Useful when you have an erratically moving subject. The focus will readjust itself.- You can adjust the ISO sensitivity from 200 to 1600 and HI-1 and HI-2.  Trust me, it works great with proper use!- White Balance: (the color of light reflected from any object). The white balance makes sure that whites are whites in any given situation instead of coming out a shade of gray.- AF-Assist Eliminator: It helps the camera Auto-focus on a poorly lit subject by sending a beam of light on the subject to help the focussing process.- Memory Buffer: is extremely quick for fast, consecutive shots.- Comfortable to hold in right hand- Fairly Light, depending on the lens used- You can input comments on the monitor, with the keyboard area, to the comment area and attach it to your picture.- All Nikkor lenses are compatible with the D100, depending on the nature of the lens. Some minor adjustments or compensations or different settings may need to occur. (out of focus or manual lens, AF-S, AF-I Nikkor lenses etc&#8230;)- True to life color photosPhoto Manipulation:Each photo, when uploaded to the computer is about 1.5Mb in size.With the use of Photoshop, I usually have to make only minor adjustments to the levels, depending on what needs to be enhanced. With the D100, I&#8217;ve tried taking photos indoors without the flash, but it doesn&#8217;t guarantee clarity unless you crank up the ISO sensitivity, and use the noise reducer. You may find yourself needing to use the flash indoors, more often, because it will most likely result in a blurred or distorted photo. With the D100, I'm able to capture indoor images I've only dreamt of, and didn't need to use slow speeds and a tripod.Our first Nikon was the F1 standard model with a Photomic Head, in 1969. I've had many disappointments with my non-digital Nikon models because of multiple visits to the repairman, resulting in the carbon track in the Photometer being worn out & couldn't be replaced. That would explain why all my photos were always over-exposed. I&#8217;ve always had wrong readings.My partner&#8217;s decision to switch to digital was one of his greatest purchases within the past year, among other things! I suggest you invest in this camera because you won&#8217;t be sorry!
This is a great product that came in very good condition for being used. Will need to get flash, because otherwise the photos are dark when taken inside, but over all a very nice item.
My girlfriend purchased this camera for me for my birthday about 2 years ago, and I fell in love with it immediately. I'd already owned a Nikon 8008 film camera and was thinking of going digital anyway. But I'd recently spent a lot of money on new camera lenses for my SLR and didn't want to just lose out on the funds I'd expended. Amazingly, the Nikon D100 adapts my lenses to its frame and I can still use them! Awesome!I would argue, though, that this camera is compact. It isn't. It's just as large as my 8008, but I don't mind that. I like the feel of a bulky camera in my hands. It feels firm and I have something substantial to hang onto. I've see these tiny little digitals that have buttons the size of pinheads on them and they drive me crazy! I'm a big guy (6'3, 250 pounds), so I need something bigger. Thankfully the D100 was (is) the answer.I also enjoy the large view screen on the back of the camera, giving me a peek at the image I just took.There is some controversy still surrounding digital imaging and printing. One group of photographers say that printing on a home printer is too expensive (ink and paper costs), while another group says that film is too expensive because you can't delete what you shoot, can't pick and choose which images to have developed; you've gotta pay for them all. I'm in the latter group. Although photo paper and ink cartridges are expensive, being able to delete images and select only the very best for printing far surpasses the film option in both convenience and cost.This is a fantastic camera. But a friend of mine just purchased the D70 model (the latest and greatest Nikon Digital Camera), and boy does that one look nice, too! Hmm. What to do?
I'm not a professional photographer. I don't make a living off of my pictures. Most pros I've seen would opt for the much more expensive D1x or Canon EOS-1D as their primary DSLR, but wouldn't hesitate to have a D100 in their bag as a backup. If you're a very serious amateur or have professional aspirations, look no further than Nikon's new D100. At 6.1 MP, it can easily compete with standard 35mm film cameras up to 8x10 prints and beyond. Most people in this market will be wrestling between the D100 and the Canon D60. I'm not wed to Nikon, so the deciding factor in my selection was availability, price, and overall feel. The D100 just felt better and more substantial--with better switchgear--than the Canon. In most head-to-head reviews they usually come out in a draw, leaving it up to you to decide. They each possess strengths and weaknesses that the other doesn't, which balance the reviews without a clear nod to one over the other. Generally, most reviews tend to favor the sharpness of the Canon for still or studio work and the Nikon for outdoor or action work. The easiest decision will be whether you're fortunate enough to already have an existing lens collection. If you do, then the decision has already been made. If not, you can't go wrong getting the D100. There simply isn't enough room for a detailed review of the D100 in an Amazon blurb, but you'd be well advised to check out sites like DPreview.com (especially) and a myriad of others like StevesDigicams.com, etc. I would recommend getting the MB-D100 multifunction battery grip too. It adds another battery and the ability to use six (6) AA's in a pinch, plus it gives you a vertical grip, shutter release, and duplicate controls when in portrait mode, as well as a mini microphone and speaker that allow you to record voice remarks for each photo if you desire.Naturally, the D100's image quality is astounding. Mated with quality lenses and proper technique you are left with no excuse for not producing the best photos you've ever taken. Friends and onlookers will drool with envy where ever you go, because you just can't hide a D100 with an MB-D100 grip and a fast AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED IF zoom in your shirt pocket--forget about candids.It's big, it's heavy, and it's all Nikon--and everyone will know that you're serious about your picture taking.
This is a brilliant amateur camera for what Nikon calls the prosumer market- consumers who fancy themselves professionals on the basis of having taken pictures for cousin George's wedding. When used with Nikon lenses and accessories it performs extremely well and is rugged enough but lacks those features that allow adaptation of the camera body for technical uses, live TV monitoring, bellows use or anything that made the F series wonderful for innovation in imaging. In other words, if you want Nikon to dictate the limitations of your cameras based on marketing concepts this is a swell camera and cheap. On the other hand, do not think of  the D100 as a backup to professional cameras as the Nikkormat was for years. Neither should one depend on the owners manual to be  forthcoming about the camera's  limitations, the telephone help line is hopeless and the best information is on Nikon's UK website.It's strictly prosumer man.
Having had three different digital cameras prior to purchasing the D-100, I was ready to move up to a Digital SLR and get away from annoying shutter lag.After waiting for more than a year, I now have the Nikon D100 and couldn't be happier. I've been putting this camera through its paces and haven't been disappointed yet.  It captures images under most any lighting conditions with stunning results.I have been amazed and very pleased with the batteries.  They seem to last forever, though I'd still recommend carrying an extra one if you shoot as much as I do (an old habit from my previous three digital cameras) - though you'll probably find that you won't be changing the battery very often.Being able to use Nikon D and G lenses is another plus for those who own Nikon equipment and wanting to make the switch to digital - you don't have to invest in lenses all over again - but, keep in mind that there is a 1.5x lens ratio difference that may take a bit to adjust to, but with instant feedback from the camera that shouldn't be a major obstacle.Using this camera, I can tell that Nikon did its homework and put a lot of thought into this product.  The result will be many happy hours of shooting and thousands (if not more) of stunning images!  Be sure to get extra 512mb CF cards!
I read many reviews before finally deciding to spend this much money for a camera - and I am so glad I did.  Proof is in the pictures processed and they are beautiful.  All of the important buttons are on the outside and easily reachable.  Autofocus is fast and accurate.  Battery life is long and camera is easy to use and learn.Lag time with pictures was always a problem with the other cameras I had used, but with this camera that is a thing of the past.  I really haven't found anything bad complain about with this camera.  A great buy.
I have had my D-100 for six months, having used a Coolpix 5700 for two years, and I am satisfied but not ecstatic. My first 20 shots were underexposed, lacked color depth, and were short on flash. After adjusting the settings through the menu, it came to life. You can control this machine in any way you can imagine, but experienced buffs all know that the lens is the most important ingredient.Your choice of lenses, being aware of the 1.5 correction factor--which Nikon Tech Serv says applies to all DX Lenses also--will determine how you use this precision instrument. My old Nikon lenses worked well for a few months, but my 35-70 Zoom (53-105 actual)was not adequate, because I had gotten used to the great range of my Coolpix. For me, this meant an 18-35 Zoom (27-53 actual) and a 24-120 Zoom (36-180 actual) The latter has proven to be fantastic, and all but the wild wide angle crowd will be happy with this choice. Indoors and close quarters will favor the 18-35 Zoom, but mine remains boxed.This is no lightweight to haul around, but the photo perfection is worth the effort!
I bought this camera as a backup. I had one before but sold it to buy something else. The Seller AK was great and easy to do business with. He sold me a camera in near mint condition with lots of extras and he even had the firmwear upgrade done. Thanks AK.
Gave to granddaughter for Christmas-she picked it out - just texted her and she says it's awesome.  Thanks it was nice to be able to trust when you order on line
I am a serious amateur and after several years use (and happy ones at that) with a Sony Cybershot, I had outgrown it. I've owned the camera for nearly two weeks now and I am quite pleased with its performance and the quality of the photos. The advantages of this camera are many: interchangable lens, manual controls, camera settings easily changed from a dial and buttons right on the camera body so it is easy and quick, fantastic battery life, no shutter lag (in milli-seconds) and a number of others. It is not as light in weight as the Sony but it feels comfortable in my hands. The LCD screen allows you to review the images afterwards but not before - another reason the battery lasts so long. You will need to buy the lens separately. I purchased the inexpensive but decent for the price Nikkor Zoom 28-85mm G but there are other reviewers who took serious issue with this lens because of its plastic construction and its optics. Thus far my photos have come out very clear though I have not taken photos at every f stop. It has three metering modes matrix, center weighted and spot. You can also adjust exposure compensation. There seems to be a tendency to under expose the photographs which may be related to my technique or optics. In comparison with the Canon, I cannot comment as I have not used that camera. However, I know that Nikon has made high quality cameras both fully mechanical and digital. I would recommend it for serious amateurs who are going take a lot of photos and want the option of manual controls.
got it  fast,  very happy  with it ,  we  don t  use it as much  as  would  like,  but  over all  very  happy
i just recently bought this camera off of amazon and i got it for $175. The price couldnt be better in my opinion. Overall, for the amount of money that i spent on it, it was a deal but there are some problems. Personally i feel that the shutter lag time is too great. Regardless of shutter speed, there is about a half second delay between when the button is pressed and when the camera acutally takes the picture. Other than that it is a great camera with tons of features. I also would have liked the screen to be bigger but what can you do when it was made in 2002. I give it two thumbs up for its time.
I have only had this baby for 2 days, but it has been a workhorse, as I have gone through hundreds of images in that time.It has miniscule boot time; take the lens cap off, switch to the ON position; take photo &gt; super quick.I bought it w/ the AF-Nikkor 28-105mm F3.5-4.5D lens, and a 1GB 32x Lexarmedia CF card.  Works fine so far; I will be adding lenses and accessories as time goes on.Nikon has produced a real winner.
This is an awesome digital picture-taking machine, which heralds the imminent death of 35 mm film.  The D-100 does pretty much everything that a high-end film SLR does, and it does it beautifully.  A 512MB CF card will enable the D100 to take hundreds of high-quality pictures that are indistinguishable in quality from those taken with film.  The Six-megapixel images in Large/Fine or RAW mode are quite competitive with their film counterparts for almost all purposes.  The advantage of digital, of course, is that the consumer, equipped with pretty much any computer, can process and print the pictures him or her self with far more power and flexibility than one had in a darkroom processing film.  The digital darkroom has arrived.The D100 can use Nikon's entire line of autofocus lenses and many of the older manual focus lenses, allowing the photographer to easily migrate from film to digital.  The camera has spot, matrix, and center-weighted exposure options, a programmed mode, apature priority or speed priority, as well as all of the manual options.  Autofocus is crisp, fast, and works very well in low light.  This camera is nearly as powerful in terms of its focusing and exposure options as the Nikon F5, which is the film camera I used for years before replacing my F5 with the D100.Perhaps the greatest testimonial for the D100 is that it is notorious that the vast majority of photographers who I know who have bought a D100 never (or at least rarely) shoot film ever again.The D100 takes OK shots right out of the camera, but to get best results most photographers will want to &quot;process&quot; the pictures through either Nikon's own program &quot;Capture 3&quot; or an aftermarket program like Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.  I and probably most others have found that some of the post-processing settings on these programs really improve the images produced by the D100.  This is a deliberate design &quot;feature&quot; of the D100 in that the D100 anticipates that serious photographers wish to retain a certain amount of control over their images.  Accordingly, rather than making all of the decisions for you, the D100 produces images for which final exposure and contrast decisions can and should be made in a post-processing program such as Adobe Photoshop Elements or Capture 3.  That having been said, the D100 can and does produce fine images without using a post-processing program.  But almost all users have probably found that the best results are achieved by using such a program.  In my opinion this is true of pretty much all of the high-end digital cameras out there, and is not confined to the D100.  This is the power of digital photography--the photographer, at little cost (a low-end PC and $100-200 program are all that are required) can have a powerful &quot;digital darkroom&quot; which yields tremendous control over how the images turn out.Physically, the D100 is ruggedly built.  The rear LCD is bright and clear.  The menu systems on the D100 are very well designed and quite intuitive--after familiarizing myself with the manual for several hours, I now find that I do not need to refer to the manual at all even for very complex &quot;custom&quot; situations.  The menus are not overly &quot;layered&quot; as is the case with some digital cameras.  The on-board flash is fine for snapshot portraits and the like, but most serious users will want to spring for either the SB-50DX or the SB-80DX flash, both of which are more or less designed for the D100.Negatives on the camera are few.  I mentioned above the post-processing issue, which in my mind is not a negative, but instead is just Nikon giving the photographer as much power and flexibility as possible.  The matrix metering is not as powerful on the D100 as on the top-of-the-line F5, inasmuch as in tricky lighting situations the D100s center-weighted or spot metering will sometimes yield better results.  Having said that, after several hours of experimenting I can now confidently take consistently good pictures with the D100 in fill-flash conditions.  In common with the exposure issues, the D100 more or less requires photographers who want very &quot;sharp&quot; images to apply &quot;sharpness&quot; post-processing.  Most of us have probably found that this produces better results than setting the sharpening in-camera, for reasons that exceed the scope of this review.By the way, the battery life in the D100 is phenomenal.  The on-board proprietary Nikon battery lets you take many hundreds of pictures, and serious shooters can buy at modest cost the MD-100 accessory which lets you shoot with either 2 Nikon batteries or a bunch of AAs.  Either way this allows you to literally shoot all weekend likely without needing to recharge.  The Nikon batteries recharge in a bit over an hour.For good reason the D100, retailing now (October 2003) below $1,500, has put powerful digital photography in the hands of serious amateurs.  It is a well-designed and sturdy camera that is a delight to own and use.
I was expecting the resolution to be not quite up to film SLR standards, but what a suprise. Maybe custom photolab work could make film shots a higher resolution, though I doubt it. Taking the same shot with film, processing it through standard processing and comparing it to identical exposure, lens etc. with the D100 the digital camera outstripped the film camera in spades. No more film for me. No more trips to the processor, no more film costs, no more waiting. Just shoot and downlaod and manipulate away in the digital environment. I use this camera professionally(ronwood.com) for my work and can not recommend it too highly. Delighted!!!
The Nikon D100 is an excellent digital camera.  I consider myself an advanced amateur and I bought the camera almost two years ago.  I chose the D100 because I was very happy with the Nikon Coolpix 5000 and because of Nikon's reputation.  The 6MP CCD sensor captures images with brilliant color and clarity.  No one can tell that my photos are digital.  I have enlarged photos up to 20x30 inches and it is still impossible to tell the photos are digital.  After purchasing this camera, I hardly ever use my film SLR's.The Nikon D100 was designed based on the Nikon N80.  The D100 has a rugged, well-designed body.  There is a large, bright LCD screen on the rear of the camera.  The LCD is used for reviewing photos and changing settings.  (Most digital SLR's use the LCD similarly.)  The viewfinder must be used for taking photos.  Most of the camera settings may be changed using the controls on the body or scrolling through the LCD.  The camera uses compact flash memory cards which are readily available and is also compatible with microdrives.  I prefer the faster speed 1GB compact flash cards.The D100 comes with a rechargeable battery, battery charger, camera strap, manual, USB cable, AV cable and Nikon View software.  The Nikon View software is used to transfer photos from the camera to the computer and has a few basic photo-editing tools.  I recommend purchasing a compact flash reader for the computer.  Nikon Capture software is also available separately.  Nikon Capture is a powerful photo-editing program made specifically for the Nikon digital SLR's.  Aside from photo-editing, Nikon Capture allows the photographer to connect the D100 to a computer without a compact flash card.  Photos are stored directly onto the computer hard drive.  Other features of the Nikon Capture software include changing camera settings and taking photos without touching the camera.  Everything can be controlled from the computer.  This is convenient for studio photographers.  The battery life is amazing.  I purchased an extra battery and usually charge the batteries after several months.  The AV cable is a nice accessory because it can be used to display photos on the television in a slideshow mode.Photos taken at the fine resolution (6 MP) are very sharp and detailed.  There are three formats for photos - raw, jpeg and tiff.  I have purchased several 1GB faster speed compact flash cards and I usually keep my camera at the large jpeg and fine setting.  I have taken beautiful photographs in the raw setting as well.  The enclosed Nikon View software allows the user to edit the photo without changing the file.  The Nikon Capture software has far more editing tools and functions than Nikon View.  I would recommend using faster speed compact flash cards in the raw setting, otherwise the camera sometimes lags when the buffer is full.  (This only happens if more than six photos in the raw setting using a traditional, slower compact flash card are taken within a few seconds.)  I seldom take photos in the tiff format.  (Tiff is basically an uncompressed jpeg file.)Nikon is famous for both cameras and lenses and has a large variety of lenses and accessories.  After purchasing the D100, I bought a 24-85mm zoom lens, 28-300mm telephoto lens, 60mm macro lens, 1.5x teleconverter and SB-50 external flash unit.  One zoom lens may be sufficient for amateurs.  The three lenses have been more than sufficient for my needs.  (I seldom use the teleconverter.)  I may add a wide angle lens to my collection.  When purchasing lenses for the D100 (or most other digital SLR's with CCD sensors), it is important to note that there is a 1.5x conversion factor (i.e., a 24-85mm lens becomes a 36-127.5mm lens).  The conversion factor is great for distant subjects but may be inconvenient for close subjects.  Nikon has released a series of DX lenses specifically to address this issue.Other items that I bought after purchasing the D100, include the Canon i9100 photo printer and Adobe Photoshop.  I used Photoshop LE before purchasing the D100 and decided to upgrade to the full version of Photoshop after my purchase.  I use Photoshop for almost all my photo-editing.  I only use Nikon View for photos in the raw format.  Most of the time, I edit the raw photos as needed in Nikon View and then convert the raw photos into jpeg.  The newer version of Photoshop CS is able to read the Nikon raw format.  Adobe Photoshop Elements may be sufficient for most amateurs but Photoshop is more powerful and fun to use.  The Canon i9100 prints stunning photos but it can be expensive to print photos at home.  The ink cartridges and photo paper can become expensive over time.  I print at home when I need a few sample photographs or I need the photos immediately.  Most of the time, I print my digital photos at Costco One Hour Photo.  The photos are reasonably priced and available within an hour.  Similar photo processing services are now available at drugstores, grocery stores and discount department stores.  It is also convenient for photographers who do not want to deal with the entire photo-editing and processing situation.I recommend the Nikon D100 for advanced amateurs and professionals.  The camera takes beautiful photos and is definitely a good investment.  I learned a lot about digital photography and photography in general after purchasing this camera.  I love this camera so much that I will probably never use film again.
I just got back from seven days in Yosemite with my D100 which I bought back in December. I shot 6071 images. I took two batteries. I changed the batteries three times and I only had to recharge twice. I never had any downtime. I bring the images into Photoshop and make one small levels change, one small selective color correction to the neutral colors, and one small unsharpen filter change. I apply the same three changes to every image automatically and the images are perfect. I upload to one of the online photo services and get perfect 5x7s. I only use the small+fine resolution setting since I never need more than 5x7s. The small+fine resolution (1504x1000) is just a little smaller than a 2Meg picture (1600x1200) and has plenty of data for high quality snapshot images. The ISO/ASA sensitivity settings are great. I don't even bother using a flash. When I'm indoors, I set the ISO to 1600 and fire away. If the image comes out too dark, I set the exposure compensation to +1ev all the way up to +4ev. I was able to capture indoor images that I've been trying to get for years, and I didn't need to use slow speeds and a tripod (who'll let you use a tripod indoors anyway these days). I have found that the program mode works really well with lenses that have the 62mm front end. My 28mm lens with the 52mm front end doesn't seem to let enough light in, so the image is a little overexposed, but I fixed that by setting the exposure compenstion to -1ev. It's also important to set the ISO Auto feature to OFF. Great battery life and enought buttons and switches and settings to allow for lots of creativity. I've used Nikons for twenty five years and I've had many disappointing non-Nikon digitals. I'm very, very happy with this one. Sometimes I dream of the D2H, but this is half the price and very lightweight which is important to me when I'm in the field. I'm already thinking of buying a second one so I won't have to change lenses. I bought mine right here at Amazon and I'd do it again.
This is a good camera, but it's a little behind the times. The only real complaint is the requirement to purchase a special adapter to use commerical lights etc.The software and features are also a little dated, but it's still a pretty good deal overall, if you cant spend 5 Grand on a camera (The new DX2) it's a good choice.Next year they are supposed to be bringing out updated pro-sumer SLR's but I still think the camera is a great value for your money.[...][...]Good luck, great camera.
I first heard about these in an binocular optics forum where people obsess over virtually everything about binoculars. These were mentioned as one of the best binoculars you can buy for the money. They would be leaders in their optics class whether you are talking about a porro-prism binocular (which this one is) or the far more popular roof prisms. I've had these for 5 months now and they are my go-to binoculars when it's not raining as these are not waterproof or fog-proof.First impressions: these are so comfortable in the hand! It is quite remarkable how they fit my hands so perfectly.The view from these are crystalline and extra-ordinary. Once you see the brightness and crisp colors and detail, all against a 3-D background, you will understand what the fuss is all about. They might be a bit fussy for some, with the blackouts that might occur if you don't have them &#34;just right&#34; against your eyes. But with these you can see details that were probably not viewable through lesser binos because the SE's are very bright, allowing lots of light to your eyes.Not that they are perfect: I don't like the folding rubber eye-cups or the rather distant 9 foot near focus. They don't hang flat around your neck and they come with a rather basic case.But these are nitpicks and these are now my &#34;surrogate&#34; Alpha-class binoculars and I understand now (more than I ever did before I got these) what the difference is when you spend more. To get the quality view of what you pay for these, you would need to pay $1,000-$2,400 and it might be a very small gain from what you can get with the SEs.But I think the SE's have earned their place for me. The image quality is effectively good enough for me that in practical terms I will not want for much more than waterproofing or twist-up eyecups. Optically, they really held their own against the big boys and for a fraction of the cost, with so little to be gained (in terms of both brightness and sharpness) for 2X+ the price, they deserve their reputation.Very glad I made the investment! These are keepers!Note: Nikon does not keep many of these on hand, and these are considered special order, so the fulfillment time may vary.
I just want to add to the chorus of online reviews just how good these are.  While not waterproof (they are weather resistant according to Nikon) and not fashionable like roof prism bins, you cannot find a better 8x32 binocular on the market today.I've compared these to Swaro 8x32 EL's, Zeiss 8x32 FL's, and some various Leica 8x32's.  None of them are as good optically much less better.  You will find the Nikon SE's have better edge sharpness, better image clarity and detail, and, to me, better handling.I've had mine for five years and every time I compare them to the alpha roofs I end up coming to the same conclusion - there is no finer 8x32 made.The one issue any potential purchaser should keep in mind is that they may not work well in situations where fog-proofed and water-proofed optics are needed.
First time I looked through an SE in while. I put them up to my eyes and went WOW! No wonder they are legendary they are seriously good optics! The SN 550846 means mine have the newer coatings and are eco glass. I am just going to discuss the optics and then award a winner between the two but first a few things about the binoculars. The Nikon EDG II 8x32 and Nikon 8x32 SE look similar in alot of ways. The armouring on both is almost identical and very comfortable. The focus on both also is very similar meaning very smooth with no rough gritty spots and equally smooth turning both ways. In other words perfect. Both of them have excellent ergonomics and balance and you can tell they are really quality. Weight is actually pretty close with the EDG weighing a couple of ounces more than the SE. Of course the EDG is waterproof and fogproof and focuses closer but both binoculars have very similar FOV's. Diopters work perfect on both and the IPD tension is perfect. I had no trouble with blackouts in the SE like some have reported. They work perfectly for me The EDG has rollup eyecups while the SE has rubber but if the rubber eyecups hit the ER you need they work just as well as the rollups. These two binoculars represent one of the best porro prism binoculars made and one of the best roof prism binoculars made. In my opinion they are the best. Now, to the optics. Using both binoculars for a while and doing a little birding with them I noticed several things. The SE of course has a better 3D image and this can be be very beneficial in birding. The SE has also has better DOF which is also helpful because you don't have to focus as much as you do with the EDG II. CA in both was well controlled and I couldn't give the advantage to either because I could see very little CA in either binocular. The SE has better glare control which was obvious when observing near the sunset. The edges on both binoculars were almost the same being very sharp with a very slight advantage going to the EDG which is razor sharp right to the edge. When you look off center in the SE you can see a very, very slight fuzziness at the edge ,whereas, in the EDG the edge is razor sharp. Contrast in both is excellent and I would rate them equal. The Nikon SE 8x32 to my eyes has better contrast than the EII 8x30 which I just tried a few days ago and much sharper edges. When birding with the two I noticed the SE brought out fine gradations of color and hues that the EDG didn't. The SE could help you ID a bird in tough situations better than the EDG I feel because of this. Finally, I took the binoculars and compared resolution on a chart at about 20 feet away and I found the SE could resolve just a hair better than the EDG. Print was more readable with the SE and I think this is why the SE brings a little more detail out of the bird especially when you are looking into shadows and under cover. These are both amazingly good binoculars but I think the porro optically is a slight bit better which is amazing because it is 1/4 the price. It presents an awesome 3D sharp view that is hard to beat. I would have to give the title of the world's best binocular to the Nikon 8x32 SE. It is legendary but it deserves it. Buy one before they are all gone!
This is truly a marvelous binocular, and unquesitonably one of my favorites.  The size is perfect, it's lightweight and very comfortable to hold.  And the images are breathtaking in their clarity and detail.  In terms of image quality I prefer this binocular over much more expensive models by Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski.  Yes, it's that good.The 8x32 designation means that this binocular magnifies the image by 8 times and the objective lens (this is the lens pointed towards what you are looking at that lets the light in) is 32mm.  While some are drawn to 10x42 models or even 10x50, it needs to be stressed that more is not always better.  Additional magnification tends to only enhance the minor muscular trembles in your hands and arms, making the image seem less stable.  Additionally, higher magnification leads to a constrained field of view.  While the 42 and 50mm lenses do allow more light in and thus theoretically lead to brighter images and higher resolution, this is an advantage that is seen in only very unusual circumstances.  And it brings a lot more weight and bulk as the penalty.  For most terrestrial observation, this 8x32 combines exceptional image quality in a light-weight, ergonomic package.The downside is that this binocular is not waterproof.  While some careful preparation should allow a user to keep safe in the field, I've had more than a few experiences in tropical forests where unexpected rains have left me thoroughly saturated.  For most users and in most applications, this issue shouldn't be too much of a problem.  But if you are prone to stepping off the path and going into some inhospitable areas with severe tropical rain, I'd suggest a waterproof model.  You may wish to look at the Nikon Venturer series.If you're looking for a comfortable, light-weight binocular that is easy to carry, this is the one.  If you're looking for binocular with images that are astonishing in their clarity and purity of color, this is one.  And if in most instances you will be avoiding situations where waterproofing is essential, it's hard to go wrong with the Nikon Superior E.If this model was waterproof I would give it 5 stars and unhestatingly recommend it for general use over any other binocular currently available.  It's that good.
Their are 2 downsides to this bino.Not waterproof, if that is a factor for you.Some users report the "rolling ball" visual effect when panning. (not for me though).Other than that they may be the best bino optically speaking, on the market. At the time of this review and for their aperture class; they optically out-perform any other porroprism design, and are optically matched by a one or two of the roof designs costing above $2200 USD.A well made porroprism bino such as this one will out-perform most roof designs due to much of the expense in the roof design, apart from hopefully superior sealing/waterproofing, goes into overcoming the losses resulting from the higher number of reflective surfaces in the roof design.Serious review: [...]
I spent my first few seconds with my new Nikon SE 8x32 porro binocular looking at wild turkeys in my backyard and wowww !!!  From 12-15 feet I could count their enlarged hair follicles, see the fine thin hairs on their scalps and necks, and see the incredible complex wrinkle laxity on their faces and wattles.  The depth of field with these binoculars is phenomenal.  The view is crystal sharp from edge to edge.  This is why the Nikon SE 8x32 porro binoculars are second to no other. The only other binoculars that could compete with them are pricey  European alpha roof prisms like Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski.  The only draw back is that they're not water resistant.If you are interested in the BEST binoculars and don't need them to be water resistant, look no further.  The journey ends here.  Also, the fact that these legendary binoculars can be purchased for under $700 makes them a bargain.
The SE is very well made and fits nicely in the hands. In fact, it is one of the most comfortable binoculars I have ever held. Additionally, it is lightweight at 22 oz. and hangs fairly well from it's neckstrap. The focuser is in a convenient position and moves firmly, yet easily, requiring about one and a quarter turns to move from extreme close focus to infinity. The diopter wheel is easy to set and, although it does not lock, it remains firmly in place. The eyecups are rubber and roll down for eyeglass wearers. Twist up eyecups would be more desirable, however, given the SE's tendency for blackouts, but more on this later. The SE line is touted to be "water resistant" by Nikon, but it is not water proof. This is not a problem for me as I do not plan on using it in the rain, but for those who live in damp or humid locations, this might be a consideration. The center axle is firm and remains solidly in place throughout a day's hiking.The glass surfaces are a deep, liquid green and cast very few reflections. Nikon's excellent coatings result in very bright images rivaling the views through larger binoculars. Color rendition and contrast are very good overall. Moderate pincushioning is apparent at the eyepiece. On axis sharpness is outstanding, offering the ability to pick out tiny details in birds and terrestrial views. Off axis, the view remains sharp until the last 10%, at which point it drops off. The fov is listed by the manufacturer as a satisfying 7.5, a figure that appears accurate from my comparisons with other binoculars. Internal reflections and flare are very well controlled. Eye relief is adequate at 17.4mm. The 8x32SE shares one unfortunate flaw with the other members of the SE line: blackouts. Eye position is critical in order to control this problem and twist up eyecups might contribute to mitigating this effect. Overall, however, the optical quality of this binocular is excellent.Other minor issues include Nikon's inexplicable policy of including rather poor quality accessories with its premium binoculars, including flimsy objective covers, uncomfortable neckstraps, and a cheap case. These irritating oversights are easily remedied by replacing them with much better aftermarket accessories, but for the not inconsiderable price Nikon charges for this fine instrument, a little more attention in this area would be very welcome.Included with the SE is Nikon's excellent 25 year no fault warranty. This is a valuable feature and it should be an important consideration when choosing any expensive binocular.To sum up, the 8x32SE is one of the very best birding binoculars available at any price and will satisfy any dedicated birder who wants top quality optics. The matters of waterproofing, cheap accessories, and blackout prevent me from bestowing it with a perfect score, but it is one of my favorite binoculars in this class, nonetheless.
I purchased these binoculars in April (it's now June) and used them for a couple of hours maybe 3 or 4 times. As I was packing to go on a hike, they fell 3 feet off of my bed onto a carpet while they were still in their case and ended up out of alignment! I've dropped my other lightweight binoculars when they were out of their case onto much harder surfaces and never had this happen. I sent them back to Nikon under warranty and they're now charging me $20 to repair them plus shipping.Although the lenses are wonderful, I don't think these are tough enough to use out in the field. Or else I got a real lemon and Nikon won't acknowledge that. Either way, I'm done with Nikon.
These binoculars are extremely light and portable, the lenses let in a lot of light, and the image is crisp with vivid colors.  The lack of eyepiece covers hasn't been a problem.  These have been fantastic for bird watching, between the excellent optics and the light weight (less neck strain not only because the binoculars are hanging around your neck but also because you're pointing them upwards into trees).Only complaints:- Setting interpupillary distance is a finicky process.  Eyepieces may not be aligned properly.  I have to bend the binoculars to a very specific angle to get a circular field of view.  The hubby can't get a circular field of view.- Not so good for viewing objects less than 20 feet away.  Circular field of view becomes two distinct circles and you might have to refocus the binoculars (as you might expect).  Minor complaint, though.  These are fantastic binoculars that weigh almost nothing.
Nikon truly makes excellent lenses for binoculars. The 8x25 is superb for bird-watching, concerts and vacation travel. The quality is extremely clear and they are very lightweight and compact. Really durable and high quality feel in your hands. Superb for eyeglass wearers. I tried the 10x25 and found the magnification too strong. The 8x25 makes bird-watching easier due to wider panoramic view. The 9x25 is also great and magnification is really the buyer's choice.
We use our binoculars for the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic. For both, we usually sit in the highest levels. Thus, binoculars are needed for better views. We are on our fourth pair; in every case, hard falls were the wreckers. We selected this Nikon mainly on the basis of comparative reviews on Amazon.com and were led properly. Good prior experience with Nikon and its reputatiion were also factors. The binoculars are easy to use and magnify well. The actual supplier was one with whom I had previously dealt directly and found reliable. This was true with this transaction.
I wanted a lightweight, easy to carry pair of quality binoculars. After reading several reviews, I chose the Nikon V-7470 binoculars. This product is very lightweight, and performs as advertised. Adjustments are easy and the image is sharp for a product of this size and pricepoint. Overall, a very good product for travel, leisure and economy. I recommend this product.
Why have good binoculars if you might drop them in the water [if you have a boat]?  Good question, but the answer is straps that will float your binoculars.  These will.  They are a little wide and take some time to get used to wearing. But well worth the slight inconvenience.  Highly recommended!
As other reviewers have stated, this is a large float strap, and you may need a new binocular case for carrying your binoculars; that said, it works extremely well and will float quite heavy binoculars with acumen.  I have a set of Fujinon 7x50 binoculars with a proper compass (not digital) and this strap will keep them afloat and in-sight under any conditions I have encountered.
I'm giving this product 3 stars because it will definitely keep your binoculars afloat, but you could also do that by attaching a life jacket to the binoculars - this strap is that large.  It will probably also keep you and your boat afloat if it ever sinks. Anyway, I bought this to provide positive buoyancy to an underwater camera that will sink like a brick otherwise.  No floatation straps designed for a camera will keep it afloat, so I decided to give this a try. While I haven't taken it out of the package, I'm sure that it will keep the camera afloat.  In fact I think it would keep an outboard motor afloat.  It's HUGE.  Do binoculars weigh that much? It's also rather inflexible and won't be comfortable to wear around your neck - like wearing a horse collar.  It looks well made, but it's simply not practical. I haven't decided whether or not to return it yet.  It may be possible to render it useful by using a razor to cut it down to a manageable width. It's 2-1/2 inches wide now and maybe cutting that down to 1" would make it work. It wasn't that expensive, so if I ruin it by trying that it isn't that big of a deal.
This item is massive and definitely not appropriate for binoculars. I think that my toddler could use it as a float device in the pool. I can not believe that someone would actually attach this to binoculars.  The device is 1-inch thick, 2+inches wide and the strap is about 3-4 feet long - get your ruler out and see the absurbity of the device before ordering. When the box arrived and was taller than a box used to ship baseball bats, I thought ohhh-nooooo.
The binoculars no longer fit inside the case.  I was surprised by how wide the strap was.  The attachment to the binoculars seems very secure, more so than the orginal strap.  I have not dropped the binolars in the water yet to see if they float.
These are exactly what they say they are. they float. The only down side is they are a little uncomfortable but since they are keeping my expensive binoculars safe I'm ok with that.
The strap is just as I expected. Because I tend to worry, I weighed my Nikon 8208 marine binoculars and then attached the same amount of weight to this strap to test that it would float that much weight, and it worked fine. (Well, I wasn't about to test it using the actual binoculars, even though they're waterproof.) By the way, the strap fits perfectly on the Nikon 8208, the model with an illuminated compass.Other reviewers have complained that they're too bulky to be comfortable. I see their point but, seriously, buoyancy is a function of how much air - or some lighter gas, if you want to get exotic - is in the foam within the strap. If you reduce the volume you reduce the buoyancy, it's that simple. So, to float heavy binoculars you need a strap that fills a lot of volume. So given the limitations imposed by basic physics, these can't be any more compact and still work. IF you have binoculars that weigh a lot less, you can get away with less strap.
Not what I had hoped for. I think it will be okay though. Might have to cut it down a bit
Tough waterproof cameras are excellent, however they do not float.Use this with the EzFoto Stainless Steel D-Link Screw and you will feel comfortable taking the camera out in the canoe, kyak, or paddle board.
This is the third time the lens mechanism has broken. The first one was with a similar C-3030 and it was repaired under warranty. The second time it broke it was not under warranty and too expensive to repair. I thought the lens looked sturdier on the C-5050, but it failed.The mechanism that moves the lens in and out failed. It had taken two pictures and then the next picture the lens just got stuck.I've pulled the camera apart - but can't get the lens out - maybe I'll try again.Its too bad because the lens was good for the camera's compact size, for its age it was fun to use all the controls and it was very good in low light.My other camera I had to sell on eBay for parts - I fear this will go the same way.
This was the best incarnation of the Olympus C-series cameras, the final one to be made with the two key features that made the line unique: a fantastic F/1.8 lens and the ability to run on AA batteries.  In addition to this, its other main virtues are build quality and feel in use: it's built like a truck (or like a very serious camera) and designed around a solid, comfortable grip and controls that drip with precision and sturdiness.  Sensor technology and Moore's Law mean that the guts of a digital camera age very rapidly indeed, and in many respects (light sensitivity, fine detail, and speed/shutter lag) this is indisputably an obsolete piece of equipment compared to newer cameras, but I still miss using it anyhow and wish Olympus made a truly comparable one today.  The Canon G series and newer Panasonic and Olympus models are similar, but made much smaller and without AA battery capability, and even their very good lenses still don't quite seem like a match for the C-series' excellent glass...
I have been doing photography for 30+ years: portrait, scenery, sports/action and so on. I expect a lot out of my equipment as I push it to the limits. Digital cameras tended to be too much marketing, too little substance and too much changing too rapidly. As such, I held off getting a digital camera for a long time.Overseas travel loomed in my future. I did not want to lug the camera, lenses, films and such across the ocean only to be inspected at every security point. With the possibility of fogged film, I decided to take the plunge. I had used Olympus for decades, liked the gear and found generally good reviews for the C5050 model. So I took the plunge and purchased the camera.After using the C5050 for close to 6 months now, I am quite pleased and happy with the purchase. The images are crystal clear, sharp and true to the original scene or subject. And with 5MP of resolution, I can crop, blow up and print without getting stairsteppy, something that lower resolution cameras do not do as well. The various modes also allow me to adjust to a variety of situations with just the touch of a dial. There is even a setting to take video and sound for motion pictures. All in all, Olympus has done an excellent job with this camera.Only nit: it comes with a 16MB memory card. That's too small for normal use. Solution: go out to Crucial and buy a 512 MB card for it. That gives you 400+ high-res shots, more than enough for even the most snap-happy photographer.Bottom line: if I could take it back and do it over again, I would still buy the camera.
I just went online with Consumer Reports and they have the C 5050 by Olympus as the number 2 spot in the 5 megapixel showdown. The Nikon coolpix was number one. I don't exactly understand that considering that the 5050 gets 400 shots per battery charge, and the coolpix only 100. Additionally, the coolpix has an 8x zoom, and the Olympus has a 3x. Sometimes bigger isn't better. The problem with bigger zooms, is that they have really small lense sizes, therby limiting the amount of light they are capable of taking in. For inside the building shots, that is a super big factor. The Olympus with a 1.8 Super Bright Lense beats the competition. Think about it, if you want to take a shot in low light conditions, you have to have a long shutter speed. With a long shutter speed you need a tripod or a very steady hand. With a bright lense the C-5050 you barely need a flash. I have the Olympus C-2040 which also has the 1.8 lense, and I prefer to take pictures without the flash. It is almost like the camera records light undetected by the naked eye. The pictures are unbelievably bright for a so so light condition. Without the flash, you avoid the red eye problem, and the bleached out flash light. Skin tones and colors look a lot better without a flash.Think about the brighter lense this way, when someone is moving around, or when you are in an action shot, the brighter lense automatically creates a faster shutter speed, so you get a non blurry shot. With a smaller lense opening, you are stuck with a longer shutter speed which results in a fuzzy shot. I know my earlier experience with 80-210 zooms, I always had to work around a 2.8 aperture. That is a serious limitation. My 2040 has a 3x zoom, and that is all you need. If you go crazy with a high zoom, you once again, should be using it on a tripod. The slightest hand shake is magnified with a big zoom. Then that is amplified even greater with the smaller aperture.My Olympus C-2040 was consumer reports number one rated camera two years back. As CR puts it, the 2040 had superior printed picture results even above the 5 megapixel cameras. The following year it was comparable to the 5s. When printed on 8 1/2 by 11 glossy photo paper, you can't tell it from a 35mm photo. I have seen shots blown up to that size with a direct comparison to the Nikon Coolpix at twice the price, and the 1.8 lense made the background a lot more defined. Both produced great detail in the subject.I am keeping my 2040, but I thought something should be said about the 5050.
I have two slight annoyances with this camera.First i wish olympus would solve that lense cap problem where it would strain against the cap when you turn it on wiithout removing the cap.Second, like all the reviews said, the noise is too high until you lower the sharpness setting. But after i fixed it the images were just great.Otherwise The camera is absoltely great. I begin using all the advanced settings right away and i just love the images im getting.
I purchased my C5050 just 1 week before heading to AZ for vacation. I had done my homework both on the vacation spots I intended to shoot and also on which camera to purchase. My previous digital was an Olympus D-510 which I had simply outgrown as my needs changed. I would still certainly recommend a 2.1 megapixel camera for anyone whose main goal is to take family photos and print out nothing larger than 5x7. I was even able to use my D-510 for photos which were submitted to a trade magazine for publication and had some great shots - learning the lighting features was a big plus. As anyone who has made the leap to a higher level digital camera knows, however, the real challenge comes in when you want to enlarge your photos. The  C-5050 produced some real "knock your socks off" shots. Using the manual features feels a bit like a return to my earlier 35mm days, but because I have an understanding of shutter and aperature priorities, bracketing, etc. it's basically a refresher course for my photo brain. I don't intend to outgrow this one for quite some time to come! Love this camera and all its features!
Great deal, this camera and housing is perfect for the mid-level diver/photographer.  We have been using the Olympus c-5050 camera for years.
I have had this camera since Dec 2002 and love it. The only thing to watch out for is very, very slow focus in low light (and it does have a nice f1.8 lens). The same holds true if you try to focus on a featureless space.
Being an old SLR owner, I like a camera with a lot of glass.  The C5050, with the f 1.8 lens, will amaze you in subdued natural lighting situations.  It will generally show things much brighter than your eyes would.  I recently photographed some of my wife's homemade Christmas ornaments using only a lamp across the room and the tree's own twinkle lights.  Of course, a tripod was very helpful as was the C5050's tiny remote.  No need to touch the camera, so no shake.  Beautiful!I give this camera 5 stars but not the software and the manual. The Camedia software is a fluffy icon-infested version of its buggy predecessor.  Come on, guys, you could have done a lot better by now.  (I've had an Olympus 460Z 1.3mp for years and the software that came with it.)If you don't know something about photography to start with, you will have a very difficult time with the manual.  Get a good paperback book on basic photography and you'll be OK.  As someone else said, this is not the camera to give your sweet 16 for her birthday, unless she happens to be in the photography club at school!Here's a quickie tutorial on running the menus: All the buttons under your left index finger are menu selectors.  Pick one and hold it down.  The LCD display will light up with an animated ring of settings to pick.  Use your right thumb to scroll the selector wheel until the setting you want is in its proper place.  Let go of the button and you're done.  The manual is written exactly backwards for understanding this.  (If you learned to speak in the manner the manual is written, you would have had to memorize the dictionary before you would be taught to say, &quot;Da Da.&quot;) Explore the menus with your left index finger and your right thumb and all will become clear with time.Recommendation: buy an extender tube (they're cheap)to go over the lens.  It will allow you to use filters (the polarizer with a clear blue sky is wonderful) and it will protect the delicate moving lens from impacts and grit.  Do the old SLR trick of leaving a UV filter on at all times.  Very inexpensive insurance.Pros:1. Sees in very subdued lighting.2. You can manually intervene on most everything.3. The macro modes are marvelous.  It will focus right up to the lens.  (How about a full-frame of your fingerprint?)4. AA batteries are the way to go.  Buy a bunch of NiMH AA's and a good charger.  Look around; there are deals to be had.Cons:1. Reverts to default settings every time you turn it off except if you put them into the My memory.  Annoying but managable.2. The manual.  What can I say...3. The software was created by the art department, not users.  It does work, however.Bottom line: I LOVE THIS CAMERA.  At my house, film is dead.
I've had my Olympus C-5050Z since spring 2004 and so far it's been great in most respects. This is the first digital camera I've owned, and I did a lot of research before deciding which one to buy. Key features that swayed me:* f1.8 lens (at wide-angle setting) for good low-light performance* moderate zoom (optional add-on zoom lens gives you a decent "portrait" zoom)* 5 MP (plenty of resolution for prints up to 8 1/2 x 11 in.)* price &lt;$500 (I bought it new, but when it was technically "last year's model" because the C-5060 had already come out)* ability to shoot in RAW as well as TIFF and JPEG formats* uses AA batteries; no longer a prisoner of the proprietary lithium battery syndrome!* remote control (nice for group shots, longer exposures)* wide variety of customizable settings, as well as auto settings for emergencies or borrowing by less-geeky family & friends* good macro capability* flip-down LCD for easier shot previewing* flash hot-shoe (which I don't use currently, but is nice to have if I want it)* ability to accept multiple storage media formats (I use CompactFlash most of the time, and just recently got a Sandisk 1GB CF card which is working great so far)* panoramic capability (but only with Olympus xD cards)After using the non-digital Canon Rebel G for the previous few years, I'd finally gotten fed up with the slowness of the Rebel G's 35-80 mm zoom lens (f3.5 was the best it could do, so I had to use ISO 800 film unless I knew I was going to be in bright daylight for the duration of the roll). There were also maintenance problems (two expensive shutter repairs, and a camera back door that had to be secured with rubber bands after the catch broke). The last straw was returning from a trip with what could have been some great photos, paying $50+ to get them developed and printed, and finding that only 3 or 4 of them were any good at all. Bye-bye film!In researching digitals, I looked at many many sources of information, spending literally weeks populating a complex spreadsheet with various criteria. The most helpful source overall was imaging-resource.com, where I found the same test shots taken with all the cameras I was considering, plus detailed but easily understandable descriptions of camera features. Steve's Digicams also had some good info, and of course the user reviews on Amazon were valuable as well. By taking such a deliberate approach, I also realized what features were really important to me. For example, good macro performance was high on my list, but movie capability was merely a nice-to-have.I came very close to buying the Canon G3 but decided the Olympus C-5050Z had a slight edge by virtue of AA vs. proprietary batteries, and f1.8 lens vs. f2.0.Now that I've been using the Olympus for a while, I can give you the benefit of my experience. I've found that the speed of the camera (both startup and shot-to-shot) is excellent, despite some others' comments to the contrary. I've taken a lot of pictures that are very high quality (in my humble opinion), including amazing stuff like macro shots of an insect that was only 1/4" long but looks like a monster from outer space in my photos! Most of my pictures are of outdoor nature subjects, and I've had very good results, with accurate color, very little--but some--chromatic aberration (purple fringing), wide dynamic range in my images, good results in a very wide variety of lighting situations, and even decent short movies (although I listed that as a "nice-to-have," it is kind of fun!). Many times I've taken pictures that had things in them I didn't notice until later, such as the incredible colors and textures inside an iris blossom, or the "cicada" that turned out to be a hummingbird! (And thanks to the C-5050Z's excellent image resolution, I was able to crop and blow up that hummingbird and get a fantastic stop-action photo of this marvel of nature in flight!)I also like having several options that I was familiar with from using the Rebel G--aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual, as well as full automatic "program mode." On top of that, you have many many other controls if you're willing to delve into them: white balance, color saturation, flash mode (I keep it turned off most of the time), ability to creatively over- or under-expose, and of course the all-important DELETE key if you see you've just shot a dud!It hasn't all been rosy with me and the C-5050Z, though. Several times I've been irritated to return to the computer and find that all my photos were apparently shot at midnight on 12/31/2001, because this camera loses the date & time setting every time you change batteries, and sometimes even when you don't! So I'm training myself to check the date & time before every outing. I've also had some frustrations with the focus. Quite often if the subject I want is in the foreground, the helpful auto-focus will give me a perfectly sharp background with a fuzzy subject!! Arggh! Maybe there's more about the focus metering I need to learn, but I was under the impression that "spot" focusing should do the trick. The results are not always consistent. I've also had some trouble getting the "manual" macro focus to work at times (it gives you a magnified view of your subject as you move the electronic slider up and down to get the setting you want); when it works it's great, but in bright light it's hard to see the LCD display and the microscopic numbers indicating distance to the subject--especially if it's a hot day and you've got sweat dripping off your nose and insects buzzing in your ears! However, I should add that in normal shooting situations, the LCD is excellent, and you can adjust the display brightness & contrast for bright daylight, so that's been pretty good.There are a LOT of external buttons on this camera, which is convenient once you learn what they do, but it takes some patience and a willingness to dive deep into the documentation. Some of them function differently depending on the context, or in combination with other buttons--common with new technology these days, but still a challenge for anybody older than 25. It's also sometimes difficult to find settings in the on-screen menus, but again you do learn with some practice. When you don't want to fool with all the options, just set it to one of the program settings and start shooting.As some have noted, it's a pain to turn on the camera and get about 15 insistent beeps while the zoom lens bumps into the lens cap and retracts. I've trained myself to avoid this most of the time by a) removing the lens cap *before* powering up (duh!); and b) in case I forget to remove the lens cap, making sure the mode selector dial is in "review" position before powering up, since the lens doesn't extend when you power up in that mode.Bottom line--would I buy this camera again? Not being a rich person, yes. (Or, for the less geeky who are willing to sacrifice bells & whistles for ease of use, I'd recommend the Sony DSC-W5.) It would be much better to have through-the-lens focusing, and I'd love to have a good long-range zoom lens for wildlife photography. But for most situations, the Olympus C-5050Z is a great camera. And I saved enough buying it to justify buying the excellent Epson R800 printer, which can produce archival-quality prints that are instinguishable from "real" photos. And now I have a Mac with Photoshop CS software, so with this suite of equipment, I can produce some truly stunning images. (I also got very good results from the same printer with my old PC with PaintShop Pro and the Olympus Camedia software).I look at this as a camera to tide me over for a few years until good digital SLRs become plentiful and less expensive. Then I'll be in the market for an upgrade, but until then I expect to have many more pleasurable outings taking pictures with my C-5050Z.
After having my 4040 stolen about 1.5 years ago, I saved a bit for a replacement. I got the 5050 about 2 months after it was released and I couldn't be happier. The image quality blows away anything in its category, including the coolpix. Getting familiar with the RAW mode is highly recommended as it will give you smaller images than the tiff format (and in much better quality), eliminates all noise, and gives you a greater range of controls over the image once it is taken.The controls are exhausting, and took a bit of time to get used to, but now it's like second nature.The flash is a little too bright and requires some compensation for a decent image.In conjunction with a middle-of-the-road photo printer, I'm able to produce images superior to any point-and-shoot 35mm and that rivals my SLR.
The C5050 is a remarkable camera in so many ways that only the passage of time can take away from it. Just a year after the 5050 made its debut, the market saw a veritable flood of 6- and 7-megapixal cameras, most considerably smaller with new features and capabilities. For those who have external flash units, this camera offers a flash shoe; however, those who want to travel light, I'd recommend a smaller 6-megapixal with a non-glare LCD and AA batteries. Skip the proprietary batteries. They won't be around in a few years.The Olympus D-40's a great camera if you can still find one. It's a 4-megapixal, but it's a beauty.
It takes great pictures! I had to send back my unit twice because the tiny plastic clip in the battery door keeps breaking off for some reason. Also be extra careful handling the unit. The lens retraction mechanism is very delicate. Next time, I will go for a camera with a lens that stays inside the body. Also remember, the repair warranty only lasts 6 months.
I was very leary of the digital world, having seen very mediocre pictures from friends' digital cameras in the 1.0 megpixel range.  I was very concerned when my wife presented me with an Olympus D-490 2.1 megapixel camera as a gift.  The first few shots of our dog (zoomed in to show the whiskers with a wonderful sharpness) changed my mind.  While the difference between film and this camera's pictures was apparent, the benefits of digital made this our camera of choice 90%of the time.  A fall put the camera out of service, and I "upgraded" to a Nikon 885, thinking that our other Nikon film cameras were top notch, and Nikon wouldn't let a poor performer out the door.  The disappointment despite my trials at fixing the poor contrast, smudged appearing results was a constant reminder of this poor choice.When Olympus announced the C-5050, I decided to try it again, specifically because of the experience with the D-490, and the fact that I had a collection of Compact Flash cards that would now fit into this Olympus product.The thrill is back!  The first few pictures brought back the same excitement of seeing a wonderfully crisp, well exposed photo.  There is a significant improvement in the ability to "zoom in" on portions of the image and still get very acceptable 5x7 prints.  The lcd screen's sharpness and detail are improved.  This is what the Nikon should have been.Sure, the menus take a bit of getting used to.  And the on-off switch invariably gets turned to the on position when I put the camera back into my coat, and the position of the tab on the switch makes it less intuitive to switch it off without looking.  The pivoting lcd only pivots 20 degrees down, making it hard to frame a shot while holding the camera above your head and the rest of the crowd.  But despite a few rough edges, this camera's performance and features now place it as one of the best I've had the pleasure to handle.  I've yet to test the night shots and extended exposure times, and the flash needs augmentation for larger group shots, but after all, there is a hot shoe on top.  The feel of the camera is solid and professional, and while a tad hefty, its compact size adds to the feel of quality.I hope the depenability of my original Olympus flows through to this camera.
GREAT CAMERA:  I have owned many Olympus Digital cameras and I find this to be the best near pro model there is. I love the control I get with the many setting options and manual settings. The Multi-storage media and hot-shoe for flash gives added selection and options.You get excellent pictures weather you are a novice or pro.The only problem I can find is in the fact that the owner's manual is on Adobe file and not printed. It could have been written better so you could understand the control buttons more easily..
This is a great camera. While I've only used it for two weeks, it does everything I've asked it to. The menus are easy to use and intuitive. The buttons are easy to use and the battery life seems really good. The delay between depressing the button shutter button and the recording of the picture is much better than my previous camera but there is a delay.  SLR camera are still better than digital for action photography because of this.
This camera takes excellent photos and in particular I like its ability to take photos in low light conditions.  However, I can not recommend it based on my experience.  After less than two years the capacitor that maintains the date, time, and user-mode settings failed.  Now everytime I change the batteries, no matter how quickly I change them, the camera loses these settings.  It's very annoying and in my opinion a serious product defect.  Based on my Internet research I am not alone in having this problem and Olympus apparently has no interest in offering a reasonably priced repair.  Very disappointing.
My interest in digital photography began with my mother's Sony Mavica FD-75.  I began taking photos of flowers in our backyard, but hated lugging around floppy disks wherever I went, and found the bulky body too cumbersome for my delicate subjects.Following my love of Sony products, I went for the Cyber-Shot P-30, a much more compact version of the previous camera.  The MemoryStick media was much more convenient.  But after less than a year, my photos were becoming more detailed and 1-2 megapixels just wasn't enough.  I was also sick of tossing 9 out of 10 photos because they were out of focus.I needed something better, something that could focus within an inch and had all the bells and whistles so I could fine-tune before I even shot.Enter Olympus Camedia C-5050 Zoom.  This camera is totally custimizable, with buttons for most everything and menu functions for the rest.  It can focus on a subject while the lens rubs against it, with SuperMacro.  And it can handle most of the standard memory media, including the new xD format.  It can capture and associate sounds with your images, apply special effects to them, and then save them DPOF format directly to your digital printer.  Even more exciting, this one doesn't use interpolation like almost every other digital, so you don't end up with grainy images.  When they say 5 megapiexls, they mean it.My new best friend.
I've owned several olympus digital cameras.  The 2020, 3030, and D40 (and now the 5050).  I returned the 5050 6 hours after purchasing.  The camera takes wonderful pictures, has a feature set to die for, and all around is a fantastic product...except. about 40-70% of the time it takes pictures completely out of focus.  If you're careful and setup the shot very carefully the pictures are fantastic.  If there is a fore-ground and a background the camera tends to focus on the background blurring the foreground.  After 4 years of digital photography this is the only camera that has ever behaved this way.  Great camera and pictures for carefully composed pictures, as a point/shoot this camera fails most of the time.  Not suitable for my wife to use for quick pictures of the kids...{sigh}  I really liked the feature set.
I love this camera.  That said, I have experienced a major glitch you should know about.  I originally bought a Viking 1 GB CompactFlash card to go with it.  Hours out of the box the card doesn't work.  After reading extensive forums on the subject (look under Olympus forum ..., it seems there are major compatibility issues with higher capacity CompactFlash cards and this camera.  Specifically firmware version 77 and 76 (and lower if you have it).  Version 78 seems to have very few complaints and you only get v79 when you send in the camera for repair and they happen to update it.  Now, there seems to be no way to check this version until you take a pic, put it onto you computer and use a program to look at the Exif information (like Exifer, freeware).  Olympus, Nikon, and other companies experiencing this are not giving up any info on this subject.  Apparently Olympus firmware upgrades can only happen overseas.  Some CompactFlash card companies are starting to list camera compatibility charts, but be warry.  Viking says the CF1GB works with the C-5050, but it didn't in my case.  I'm still trying to figure out whether I will be returning the camera and try to get another one in hopes it will have the better firmware.  Fortunately this camera takes 4 types of media.  Interesting how Olympus and Fuji make there own, new media type (xD Picture Card) and now the camera has problems with the CompactFlash.  Hmmm.  Maybe I should buy the Olympus brand card.  Kind of fishy, but I bought this camera with plans of using the cheaper CF cards.  I'm no expert on this.  You now know what to look into if you want or have this camera.  This is an annoying issue, but notice I still gave the camera 5 stars.  I love it otherwise.
I purchased this camera when it first came out and later bought a 64 mb xD Picture Card for it when they were very expensive. Recently, I went and bought a one gigabyte card, only to find that it is not supported by the C-5050. Olympus was useless in supporting their product and simply stated it's non-compatible with no plans ever for it to be. They could upgrade the camera, but they decided its not worth it. There is no way for me to return the card - thanks Olympus! Oh well, it is a great camera like the other reviews generally reflect. Other than the compatibility issue, I do have problems with the media cover reporting that its open when it is not. This is easily fixed; if you break the plastic pin that pushes in to feel the door is closed, so it would not bother me enough to effect my purchase decision.
I have owned my 5050 for coming up on 3 years now.  It's a great camera, although many were effected by the bad Sony CCD issue.Mine went dead just after 2 years of use.  Olympus covered the repair under an extention of the basic warranty  for this problem only(announced just about the time miine broke, and they rebated earlier people who had paid for the repair).  Took about 2 weeks to turn it around, and they did a nice job.There are some other longevity issues, many relating to the capacitor that preserves the settings when the batteries are out of the camera.  Olympus is not covering that problem.I do love the camera.  Takes great pictures, especially with the Olympus FL-36 flash attached.  It has a fast, bright lens and works wonderfully after you lower the default sharpness setting and move the ISO mode to 64 or 100.Fears of longevity issues keep me from rating it a 5.  Love of the pictures keeps the numbers high.
Purchased C5050-Zoom in August 2003, refurbished.  Worked great for about 2 years.  Then when switching batteries, date/time is lost every time.  I searched internet, no info on getting a 'base' battery replaced or details on type of battery.  Sent e-mail to check on service, and told to send it in an it would cost a lot of money ($170 comes to mind).My children know how to operate and take photos/movies.  Ages 20 - 6.  Has advanced features for more experienced users.Around Aug. 2006, I noticed that after putting in fully charged batteries, after taking a few pictures (with or w/o flash) that the 'low battery' warning was blinking.  If I power on/off, it goes away for a few pictures.  I tried this just yesterday (31 Oct 2006) on 'low batteries', ended up taking 118 pictures with it.  Most were without flash, and did not use LCD viewfinder.Used a C-2100 Ultra Zoom for over a year in 2000-2001 which I why I picked Olympus.  2 other family members purchased Olympus on my recommendation.  I hope those models turn out better than the C5050 and Olympus support is better and more reasonable.For the expense of servicing, I'm just riding out this camera until it stops working.  Will then put money towards a newer/better/cheaper model.  Other family members have Kodak Easy-Share models, have not heard problems with them.  Great photos, easier to charge on base and copy files to computer.
This camera is no longer manufactured so we purchased a used one. It takes beautiful photos, but the camera itself has a few funky glitches, I assume due to the fact that it was used for several years by someone else. It doesn't always work outside in the cold, and sometimes it won't take pictures at all, with the alarm going off for no apparent reason. But it always comes through with a little patience and we have enjoyed it.
pros:- fast F1.8 lens, 5MP resolution, 3X zoom lens.- very good resolution.- good reliable metering.- good color balance.- full manual controls.- allows fine-tuning of white balance.- impressive macro performance.- solid build quality.- shooting priority play mode (double press quick view button to go to shooting mode).- eight separate user settings - that's a lot!- very wide range of manual and parameter controls.- flash hot-shoe.- good night exposures with noise reduction enabled.- no color cast from flash.- AF assist lamp.- impressive bundle included IR remote control.- flexible: supports three types of memory cards: xD, SD, CF.- supports both RAW and TIFF formats.- uses non-proprietary rechargeable AA batteries.  this means that in a pinch, replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store.- impressive battery life.cons:- competition has at least 4x zoom.- noticeable purple fringing.- images noisier than expected, even at low ISO setting.- jagged diagonals sometimes visible.- complex user interface - button placement has a random feel to it.- shutter lag when shutter speed isn't fast.- LCD only tilts and not flip-out like canon's and nikon's.- cannot cancel writing to memory during TIFF capture - very frustrating if you already know you're going to trash the picture you just took.- slow start-up (over 5 seconds!).- slow shot to shot times.- bigger and heavier than its competition: 4.5 x 2.7 x 3.2 in, weighing 17.1 oz.- 32MB xD card provided is inadequate so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.- manual is on CD - very annoying.this is a solid 5MP camera but suffers from noisier than expected images (even at low ISO settings) and noticeable chromatic aberrations.  its flexibility and wide feature set deserves consideration; just makes sure you also check out its impressive competition: the canon g5, sony dsc-v1, and nikon 5400.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
I purchased this camera about four years ago and it's still going strong.  Although it was my first digital camera, I had few problems with all the controls - most of them seemed rather intuitive.  I used the camera for professional photography and had flawless results every time.  Between the camera's capabilities and my ability to edit, pictures came out literally poster perfect nearly every time.  The only "complaint" I have is that there is no way to turn off the LCD when using the viewfinder, which makes the camera an annoyance to others when using it in a dark theatre situation.  I had to come up with a little black velvet-like "baggie" to put over the LCD when I was using it in dark places (such as when I went to a museum show).  The camera is a complete joy and is so portable that I can even pack along my tripod and some extra lenses without feeling like I'm loaded down with camera equipment.
This was my first serious digital camera, bought in 2003 for a trip to Peru. Even with a measly 5mp sensor, I took wonderful pictures of Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the indigenous Quechua people. Long out of production and succeeded by vastly more sophisticated point and shoot digitals, I still use this camera to produce bright, brilliant landscape and nature prints and carry it as a backup camera when I travel. This camera will write to three different switchable cards, a great feature.
Unbelievably great close-up shots! Poor low light performance and most of the images are quite noisy. Widest range of features I've ever seen in this category.
As a professional photographer who still strongly believes in film (and first experienced digital imaging as a $40,000 option for a twin-lens Rolli) I've watched closely as digital cameras evolved. That said, it took me until I had a serious need for a camera that could hook up to my Speedotron studio strobes.  I needed a replacement for a defunct Polaroid back so that I could test my lighting, etc. I also wasn't looking to replace my film based equipment so my need was for something reasonably priced that could produce fairly high quality images, can use camera/lens mounted filters and could fire off my studio strobes.  I found that in this camera!  Since the camera has a hot shoe (and no p.c. outlet) I'm able to attach a Wein Hot-shoe to PC adapter and fire my strobes.  The camera has fantastic optics and amazing range of capabilities that I've yet to get the opportunity to fully appreciate.  The picture quality is crisp and contrasty and yields excellent results under a variety of lighting conditions.  The fast 1.8 lens (at the wide angle position) produces fine images even hand held at 1/15th of a second (not that I'd typically take something that slow handheld but, I had to try it!).  Overall, a great camera for someone who needs the bells and whistles such as full manual exposure, multi-spot metering, flash exposure compensation, etc.PROS:- Mult-spot metering- Flash exposure compensation- "MY Mode" custom exposure mode settings- HOT SHOE!! (which can provide TTL flash with their flashes)- fast lens- adjustable display- rugged construction- Multiple media formats, multiple power source options- much, much more!CONS:- Doesn't go down to ASA 50 (though easily correctable with exposure compensation)- Learning curve for multi-spot metering because of unclear directions in manual- when in full manual the monitor doesn't show you what the image will look like at the current settings (check out the Canon A70 to see what I mean) it only shows you what a "proper" exposure would be (as determined by the camera's meter).- f1.8 only at wider angle setting.  Would be nice if it maintained f1.8 maximum through entire range.- would like a minimum aperature of f16 or f22- minimum aperature not consistant throughout entire zoom range.- would prefer a camera that had a zoom range of 28 - 135 (35mm equivilant)Now, that being said, the minimum and maximum aperature issue seemed to be consistant through every brand I played with.  Overall, the Olympus 5050 best fit my needs in features, performance, quality, etc.  For someone who loves the technical side of photography this is a great addition to your set-up.  For the avid amature, you won't be disappointed!As another reviewer pointed out, the Olympus CLA-1 lens adapter is a must.  Not only so that you can use filters on the camera but also to protect the zoom lens from damage (a fear of mine where all non-SLR or non Pro equipment is concerned).So much more can be said but I'll leave it at this.  You can't go wrong with this camera if it's in your price range.
After three weeks of using my new C-5050, I have these words to say about it: I have been a dedicated film user for many years but always wished for the ease and speed of digital. I've been waiting for the digital quality to match the quality of film before spending this kind of money on a new camera. My family has a 2MP Olympus that we have used for vacation photos and snapshots, and the quality of those pictures is what has kept me from using a digital camera for more serious work. When Canon released the EOS-1Ds, I thought that was the perfect digital camera, albeit with a price ten times higher than this Olympus. I thought nothing short of the 11 mega-pixel Canon would produce images nice enough to fool any normal viewer. I have read many of the reviews posted here and elsewhere and even have a relative who uses this model, and after reading what they all had to say I decided to take the plunge and go digital. Out of the box, the pictures this thing takes are amazing. With the right system tweaks, the pictures are shockingly good. I usually print 8x10 inches on an Epson printer, but the pixel count is high enough for larger prints. Even better than the resolution, though, is the amazing clarity and detail you can capture with the nice lens of this camera. Admittedly, you have to turn  down some of the camera's sharpening and ISO settings for the best quality, but you would use slower film for smaller grain in any camera. The RAW option is also nice if you want to export directly to Photoshop in 16-bit mode (the Olympus web site has a RAW Import Photoshop plug-in available as a free download), or you can shoot TIFF files (very large file sizes!) for the best quality 8-bit pics. The range of manual overrides is the best thing about the camera as far as I'm concerned - few serious photographers want the camera to do all the work - and the auto modes are simple enough for any family member to use. An all-metal body gives the camera a &quot;pro&quot; feel, too. If you want to show prints to your friends and family that make their eyes pop, you will not be disappointed with this camera. And I almost forgot: It uses the included rechargeable AA batteries, or standard AA batteries, or longer lasting lithium photo batteries. Of all the cameras that I compared this one to, this is the only one that supports AA batteries that you can buy anywhere in the world. Great feature!
Typically, digitals have suffered from two major problems.  Shutter lag and poor performance in low light situations.  The Olympus cameras (particularly this one) suffer none of that.  The shutter opens when you push the button which is crucial when your subject is a two year with the attention span of a gnat.  Additionally, the f1.8 aperture lens is as good as it gets for a non-slr and consequently this camera does a great job in low light situations.  Combine this with the incredible # of features (umpteen shooting modes, you can shoot the shot in Sepia, save to SmartMedia, CompactFlash, & XD picture cards), this is one great camera.  I simply could not be more pleased.  Finally, if you learn to master a decent photo editor (e.g., photoshop, paint shop pro), you can produce near works of art with this camera that people are willing to part money for.  I have.
Outstanding camera from Olympus old-school five megapixel, bought this one to replace one which battery door broke. For a point and shoot camera it can't be beat
I've had models 2000, 3000, 4040 and now the 5050.  (I keep the model for about 1.5 years and sell the old one for about 50% of the new model price.)Of all the upgrades, this was the least expensive.... Yet it has the most additional features/options.  (Most of these are covered well in the other reviews below.)Only two disappointments are that the max (native) MP rate is 2560x1920.  Do the math... thats 4,915,200  not 5,000,000.  Where did the others go???  (The model 4040 had the same issue, it wasn't really 4MP either.)  And the recharger takes NINE HOURS to charge completely dead batteries.  (Others on the market charge in two hours.)Other than these two things, the simply best camera on the market !  (I've done the research.)
I'm not an avid photographer, but I do like my photos to resemble the colors and shapes that they are in real life, which was not happening with my old Kodak Easyshare. It sufficed for photographing things to sell on Ebay and/or Craigslist, but not much more.I received the Olympus C-50 as a hand-me-down from my aunt, who wanted to upgrade. She used the camera for a trip to Italy (and is the very definition of enthusiastic P&S; photographer), and it took gorgeous photos so I had high hopes.It does take very nice pictures. I wouldn't know a chromatic aberration unless it was pointed to me, but the colors and shapes are true. You can play with the exposure time, which is nice. Flash is a must when taking indoor shots, and it can overexpose in this way. You also have to use the LCD over the viewfinder, because it's the only way to ensure the focus is correct. But for the most part, I'm very pleased with the photos.What is making me want to upgrade is the on/off mechanism, as well as its speed (or lack thereof). I have promised myself never to buy a camera with a sliding door as the power switch, because it has been spontaneously shutting itself off even if I'm very careful in not touching it. Also, it takes about 30 seconds to fully start up, from the moment the door opens to when you can actually take a picture. Probably okay if you're taking pictures of things that don't move, but definitely not a camera you want to take to the zoo, or a party.Also, the flap that covers the USB port is a flimsy sort of rubber, and was open and flapping away when I got it from my aunt. Same with the power port.To conclude, it takes nice pictures, but is so slow it probably doesn't suit most people's needs.
The Camedia C-50 is my first foray into digital camera ownership, after years of using them at work or tinkering around with those owned by friends and family.  The C-50 is, quite simply, the best I've come across thus far.  An impressive array of features, from extremely economical memory to in-camera editing features to zoom and remote controls, makes the C-50 a top choice if you've decided to go with a 5 Megapixel device.  This camera may look like the littlest kid on the block, but it packs one hell of a wallop.
I have had this camera for about a month.  It meets or exceeds my expectations except for the editing software.It is small and light to fit in my pocket.It makes crisp clear shots that can be enlarged - A face in the crowd can be enlarged it seems forever before it begins to break up.It is fast. On a par with my 35mm.Automatic setting are easy to use and provide so much flexibility that I have not felt the need to use the manual overides.I got the 128 mb card that holds about 115 high res pictures.The cameral is very small and thus the viewing screen is small.  This makes it difficult to see the pictures and printing if your eyesight, as mine, is not very good.  Practice with the the menus before picture time has helped.The Camedia editing software works but I find it awkward. To be used properly it has to be upgraded for a few bucks but I would hope there is something better available.
I had read so many great reviews of this camera I couldn't wait to get it. I thought it would be an improvement over my 3 MP Kodak DX 3900, which took excellent pictures. I brought it home, took pictures and was disappointed to realize about 80 percent of the pictures had redeye, even when on the redeye reduction setting. And some of the pictures were blurry. Very disappointing for a $400 camera. It gave me a greater appreciation for my Kodak, which hardly ever had redeye.So I took it back and got another one thinking I'd gotten some lemon. But yet again I had the same problem.Don't get me wrong, when there's no redeye the pictures can be stunning and very sharp but having to get rid of redeye in photoshop on every picture wasn't an option.I gave up, took it back and got the Canon sureshot s-50. What a difference. Get redeye only about 10 percent of the time and the quality is excellent. And it uses Compact Flash which is ALOT cheaper than the xd picture card.Well, hope this helps those of you trying to decide amongst 5 megapixel cameras. I really want to love this camera but it let me down!
Everybody's right with their list of pros and cons...but here's the thing...if we all wanted all those extra features we would've bought a different model! Why is this camera good? Small size, great resolution, point & shoot, good battery life, resitant to cold (i dropped it in the snow and it's fine).I practically take it everywhere and it's still alive. I've had it for almost 4 years, and even though there're other great cameras in the market..i know it still competes, cos its got great features in such a small package. But if you want something more professional, this is not a camera for you. I hope my review is helpful for you!!! =)
I have had this camera for about 6 months now and love it. It's not perfect, but does a great job for a mid range compact camera. Everyone is impressed by the quality of the pictures and it easy to use, yet has advanced settings for those who want to really tinker with the settings for special situations. Battery life is good. There were days when I would take over 100 pictures and still have some power left. Downside? It has a little bit of a hard time focusing in dim light. But a great camera over all.
I recently bought a C-50 with some reservations about picture quality based on other user reviews. However, I am very pleased with this excellent little camera and the pictures have amazed my friends.The camera is easy to use and takes just a few minutes to master. The battery life is good comapared to other digital cameras I have owned.My only beef is that there is no sound on the movie mode (which takes good quality (though brief) movies.The included software is barebones, but adequate, also, the included manual is weak although there is a full one on the CD.I would certainly reccomend this camera to anyone.
Having been a serious amateur photographer for years, I was very skeptical that a small snapshot size camera could effectively compete with film.  I am converted.I took some well lit test shots then sent them off to get printed at 8 by 10 on photographic paper (via ofoto.com).  I was blown away.  These vibrant 8 by 10's have all the accuity and impact of 35mm film. This is not true of a 3.2 megapixel camera we own.  It cannot produce professional quality 8 by 10's.  But the 5 megapixel C-50 can.At nearly $... you had better plan on more than snapshots.  Any of the $... cameras can serve that role.  But if you plan on doing serious photography - easily and well, this little camera is your choice.
After spending days and days surfing the internet and reading review after review, some good and some not so good regarding this camera, I went forward with the purchasing of one about three months ago.  All hesitation and concern has since subsided and I have to say that this camera is really quite excellent.  Is there a learning curve?  Sure.  However that is NOT to say that the 'auto' feature is insufficient and won't take great shots.  What it does mean is that with a few minutes of investigation and time, you can work with all of the many different settings (that I've not seen on other similarly priced cameras) and take even better pictures.I came to this Olympus from a Fuji (2 MP - Finepix 2400 zoom) and I always thought that my Fuji took brilliant pictures and that it couldn't be beat.  Boy was I wrong.  I can't say enough about the differences.  My Fuji was a great camera, however whenever I take a look at my older pictures taken from my Fuji, they are WAY too bright and in retrospect look quite horrible.  This Olympus' pictures are much softer and easy to look at, more true to life.  In the three months that I've had this camera I've come to realize that this camera really does take fabulous pictures, both in manual and auto mode.  I just can't say enough about the picture quality.One other factor for me was being able to print 4x6 photos on my HP printer.  I've been doing this now for a while and in many cases you're hard pressed to tell the difference.  I've also printed a couple of black and white 8x10's and they look great.  Each full resolution picture takes approximately 2-3 megabytes so make sure you have the disk space for these photos.Overall this camera is excellent.  I was hesitant to spend this much but I've really wanted a 5 MP and believe me it's worth it.  You can zoom and zoom in on a picture and the resolution doesn't change, thus making it easier to zoom in and crop for printing purposes.Buy it..you will NOT be disappointed.
A very powerful, versatile, and impressive little camera.  For taking shots in conditions of plentiful light, this camera was hard to beat, at least when it came out (it's since been discontinued).  When it hit the market, it was unquestionably the most powerful digital camera of its size.There are problems, however:1.  On the little movies, there is no "sound" available.2.  You have to turn the camera off and close the cover to review the picture you just took!3.  This camera cannot take pictures in low lighting conditions at all.  Not without the flash, at any rate.  Starting from about the late afternoon on, this camera is all but useless for natural-looking shots.  They'll be far too blurry; this is a constant annoyance.Olympus recently came out with the C-60 Zoom, which is the new version of this camera.  With that one, they have fixed problems 1 and 2 but not 3:  still a major problem, but this is not the only brand of digital camera with this problem.Also note:  if you're replacing a c-50 with the new c-60, you'll be able to use your batteries, your battery charger, and your memory disks with the new version.  But the cable that connects the camera to your USB port is slightly different, so you won't be able to use that.Also, the C-60 can take memory cards of up to 512 MB!  This is pretty impressive (on the highest-quality setting, for example, this will allow you to take about 120 picutres; on the lowest-quality setting, over 6200!), although that's a pretty expensive little card.  With the C-50, coming out of the box the most it would take was a 256 MB card, unless you bodily sent the camera in to Olympus for a "firmware upgrade," which was free if you provided proof that you had bought a 512 MB card.  This is not necessary with the C-60.
Olympus has proven to be a worthy competitor in the camera industry. Today we take a look at one of their newer 5.0 megapixel cameras, the C-50 model. The camera packs many features that make it a perfect choice for aspiring professional photographers. The picture quality is quite good. The camera packs a handy 12x zoom (3x optical and 4x digital) and will take pictures at a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels! In this review we will take a look at how easy it is to control the cameras advanced and not so advanced features, the quality of images produced, the movie capture mode, some very advanced technical specifications and, naturally, talk about how this camera stands out from the rest. (find the full review @ bytesector.com)
I was looking for a camera with 5 megapixels because I wanted to be able to replace our 35 mm film camera. The ability to print film-quality 8x10s was a real allure. My wife wanted something small that we could carry with us all of the time. Our decision came down to the C-50 and the Nikon Coolpix 5000 series. This camera is decidedly smaller than the Nikon, and cost less to boot. Since niether of us are professional photographers, we did not miss all of the "add-ins" in the menu system that the Nikon had. This is a great camera to point and shoot with incredible results.As some have mentioned, there can be a lot of redeye with this camera, but I think this is likely from most cameras. Anyways, almost everyone uses some program to take out the blemishes, so that is not a biggie. You will want to buy a bigger xD card though, I would recommend the 128 MB. The xD is quite nice as it seems faster than CF and SD cards, so no complaints there either.We have had this for over a year, and love it. Highly recommended.
I bought this camera for my husband 2 years ago.  Worked fine until recently would not download pictures. I ordered a new battery and it still didn't work.A real dissapointment.Would never recommend it.Sorry
I am a die hard Olympus fan.  This camera replaces a C-4040, which took great shots.  This small camera takes out of this world shots even at it's lowest setting.The small size does take getting used to after the C-4040.  But as the saying goes "Great things come in small packages".  That definately applies to the C-50.The manual does leave alot to be desired, but the menus for all the Olympus digitals are basically the same.  Just play around with it and you'll easily learn all the camera can do.It's also excellent that Olympus included the Lithium battery & charger.  It's alot better than using alkaline or other rechargeable batteries.
I had an Olympus 3040, which my wife took over, but I saw that she didn't always bring it places, because it's odd shape meant getting an medium sized camera bag. We got our nephew an Olympus C-40 when he and his wife had a baby, and they loved it. So, for her birthday this year, I went to get my wife one, only to find out the C-40 Zoom was no longer made, but the C-50 was even better (the new lithium-ion battery has longer life, and the XD Picture Cards are smaller and faster). She brings this camera everywhere, and besides the travel / family picts, she's now starting to take some artistic pictures, as the camera is always with her. If you can afford it, it's a great camera. Only drawback we've seen so far is the 3x optical zoom, and no ability to add an extender - but, I basically knew that going in, so I shouldn't complain!
pros:- 5MP resolution in a small, well-designed metal body.- allows a great deal of manual control.- good color reproduction.- higher than expected contrast from tonal balance.- low image noise with moderate shutter speeds.- spot metering.- shooting priority play mode (double press of quick view button).- good night exposures with automatic noise reduction.- solid build quality.- bright, high resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.- included Infrared remote control.- decent battery life (but i'd still recommend getting a spare).- compact dimensions 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.7 in, weighing 8.0 oz.cons:- some purple fringing / chromatic aberrations.- noisy images, &quot;jaggies&quot; visible.- limited adjustment on image parameters.- no manual white balance.- no manual focus.- some blue cast using the flash.- no AF illuminator.- high redeye occurrence.- poor movie mode when compared to competition.- manual is on CD.- LCD not very useful in very low light.- glacial write times for TIFFs.- slow image write times.- RAW format not supported.- you can't slide the lens cover to turn the camera on and off when mounted on a tripod nor can you change the battery or xD card.- poor macro ability.- fastest continuous shooting speed is only 1 fps.- no histogram display in record or play mode.- the supplied 32MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- the batteries supplied are proprietary so add a few bucks to your budget for a spare.the c-50z is a decent camera with 5MP resolution in a compact package.  but there is no manual white balance and no manual focus plus the images compare unfavorably against its competition.  at this price point, check out the canon s50.i hope this helps you in your buying decision. peace.
This is really my first digital and I have only had it a couple of weeks.  However I find the delay between when I press the button and when the picture is taken far too long.  It averages 6 seconds on auto and 2 or more on the sports setting, which I am told is as fast as it gets.  By this time my kids are halfway down the block.  I have a lot of pictures of my yard, empty doorways, and blank walls.  At least I know I have to take the picture again because I can view it immediately, but somethings can not be repeated.  Is this delay normal for other cameras...?
Overall this camera has been great since I received it.  However, some pictures take a little practice to get right.  When you take them correctly they are absolutely perfect.  However, if you don't have your setting correctly set or if you are taking a picture in an odd setting they tend to come out fuzzy or &quot;off&quot; in some way (as mentioned by some other reviewers).  With a little practice though this can be resolved and over all the camera is well worth the money.  Just be sure to read your manual before you start shooting to get an idea of what to do.  I hope this helps some.
I have had this camera for a week and a half.  I love the pictures, the camera body, all the features.  There is a handy remote to take pictures of a group with out having to reset the self timer.  I love how small the camera is, the sleek metal body, the size of a 35mm point and shoot with all the functions Olympus has to offer.I have had other digital Olympus cameras and can figure most things out, if this is your first camera the paper manual leaves out some details.  The cd-rom manual was hard for me to follow.  The camedia editing software looks pretty, but doesn't do a lot of "editing".  I use Image Expert to download pictures from the camera and Adobe to edit.  To edit "video" from the camera you have to pay [money] for their "Pro" package(offered from Camedia's Main menu after software is installed).  For me it was worth it to be able to change brightness and make cuts.I have called tech support twice and was helped and off the phone in minutes.  (The first minute is an automated menu where they try to talk you into checking FAQ's online.)
Christmas 2002, I recieve the Olympus Camedia C-50 Zoom Digital Camera as a present.  After 7 years, I still own it; unfortunately, I could of taken better care of it and will have to get a replacement in the next year.  But I believe that this is a testiment of this camera's durability; it's been dropped a couple of times and consistantly thrown in my backpack or purse without it's protective bag.  The features I enjoy using on the Olympus are the variety of camera shooting settings i.e. manual, landscape, portrait, night, action, etc.  The bulky camera size and small screen makes the camera look a little outdated.  The original Li-ion battery lasted approx. 5 years before getting a replacement.  The only problems I have encountered was 5 years later: the lens cover falling off the track (which I had fixed under warranty), the lens doesn't always extend the first time pushing back the cover, I have to press the shutter button down several of minutes before the camera shoots the picture, and the flash doesn't always go off.Pros:*picture settings*pamarama option in the screen menu*continuous shooting with manual setting*multiple flash modes (slow, redeye reduction, slow & redeye reduction, autoflash, and no flash)*long battery life between charges*durabilityCons:*small LCD screen*bulky camera body*15 second quicktime movies (no sound)*32MB card hold approx. 12 pictures at highest resolutionI'm discovering its difficult to find another point and shoot camera that offers similar or better features as a replacement; in addition to letting go of my constant traveling companion.
4.5 StarsThis was the 5th digital camera I've bought and the second with a 5 MB image size.  I've been shopping for a small camera for well over a year and the features of the C-50 finally pushed me over the brink.  A year ago, we chose the Sony DSC-F707 for it's excellent optics and large image size.  Consumer digital has always had inferior image quality compared to even mediocre 35mm film cameras, but the 707 has been an excellent compromise.  The 707 is far too bulky to be a camera one could take anywhere, anytime, thus the search for something more compact.  The C-50 fits these requirements well.We also needed the small camera to be tough.  My wife plans to carry it in her purse nearly all the time and I want to use it on long rock climbs and for mountaineering.  The metal body of the C-50 protects the lens well when not in use and the whole camera has a rugged feel.  Considering how tough Olympus cameras have proven over the years, I expect this one to hold up well.It's trivial to learn to use the C-50, with most of the knobs and buttons having symbols that make sense and allow for intuitive learning.  The user's manual is adequate for learning the fine points.  The flexibility of opeartion is excellent and includes full manual exposure and spot metering, a real plus for capturing a high quality image when the ambient illumination is difficult.Just for fun, I compared the optical quality of the C-50 to our Sony F707, using both a professional copy stand and also using outdoor light while hand held.  In all cases, the Sony provided superior image quality, but the Olympus did very well in comparison, particularly at its widest angle setting.  Excellent wide angle performance has always been a hallmark for Olympus digital cameras, but remember that the Sony F707 costs 1.5 times what the C-50 does, so if you want a small camera with excellent image quality, the C-50 may be the best option currently available.
I think this camera is definitely worth the money. It takes great pictures and has many many features. Its easy to use once you use it a few times, or read the manual. Battery lasts a while, takes great close ups too! Non blurry. Sometimes get the red eye but depends what setting you have it on. Once you learn how to use it you know what setting is best for what it works wonders!
To buy, or not to buy a digital camera... that is indeed the question.  With so many makes and models to choose from, I embarked on a year of research not only to compare features and prices, but to figure out at what point in the technological turnover could I purchase the camera that will not be a paperweight in 6 months, but rather be one that will be cheap enough, but carry enough megapixel/zoom/storage power to withstand the scourge of obsolesence.I was set on buying a 3.5 to 4.0 megapixel camera and actually picked a different model.  But when I came across the C-50 zoom, I was floored.  I had made the judgement that I was completely shut out from the 5.0 megapixel class of cameras obviously because of price.Considering that I was willing to part with [money]to purchase a different model that had way less features sounds idiotic to me now.  The C-50's compact footprint compared to most other models' 5 mp cameras is probably it's most substantial advantage.  It's ease of use and straight-forward design is welcome to the technologically -challenged.  featuring 12 exposure modes, 3x digital and up to 12x optical zoom, this camera delivers unbelievably clear pictures.  Excellent as a point and shoot in auto mode, it also gives you the creativity to shape your images to your liking.  I particularly like the portrait and lanscape modes well as 2 modes of spot metering the apperture/shutter priority modes.  One feature that I haven't seen in any model is the "Mymode" which lets you program your own favorite settings an can be accessed in the mode dial in the back of the camera.It's on board menu's are easy to navigate and the XD picture cards are easy to swap and manage.  With the supplied USB cable, the C-50 effortlessly docks with any PC or MAC.  It also comes with the Cam media software for either platform.  (for you mac users like me, the C-50 smoothly interfaces with iphoto and imagecapture in OS 10.1.. just plug it in! )All in all, spending ... more proved to be worth it.  At ...retail, the C-50 packs tremedous value and features not found in other compact cameras and is clearly priced much lower than the bulkier, SLR type 5 megapixel cameras available now.  (although those cameras will have more powerful optics)
I've been a big fan of Olympus from day one.  I've been using digital cameras for a few years but have never owned one until now, so I wanted to make sure I got the most bang for my buck.  I was looking at this camera and the Canon S45 which has just hit the shelves.  I opted for this camera over the Canon, despite it's few shortcomings.  Let me explain...To start off with, I'll give you the downside.  You can't record audio in movie mode (so, just get a video camera if you want to record videos).  Low lighting shooting can be difficult since there is no infrared sensor top assist with the shots.  Disappointing.  Finally, there is no manual focus, which could actually assist with the low light shooting, but alas, it was not included.  This is why I give it 4 stars.On the positive side, pictures are fantastic!  I take this camera with me everywhere and barely have to make any adjustments for my picture taking.  Also, the camera allows you to rotate the pictures and crop WITHIN the camera itself!!!  So, for those of you that take lots of portrait shots, like me, have that capability before downloading to your computer.  Such a time saver.The xD-picture card that it utilizes is the size of a postage stamp.  The card has a current capacity of 128 mb with the 256 mb card due by the end of this month.  In another year or so, the capacity will theoretically reach almost 8 gb!  That's an insane amount of pictures, but it's what you need on those vacations.Plus, the battery life is excellent.  I've used this thing like a workhorse and have taken pictures to fill up my 128 mb card, downloaded the pictures, and started taking more and still didn't have to recharge the battery.  I'm getting a backup just so I don't ever have to take my charger with me.Bottom line is this 5-megapixel camera has all of the bells and whistles you come to expect from Olympus and then some.  For a camera this small that I can pop in my pocket and forget about it, I think the money spent is well worth it, even with the 3 shortcomings I mentioned above.  I highly recommend it!
Five megapixels. A point and shoot with full manual capabilities..that is so compact I was initially concerned about whether or not it would be hard to use. However, the controls/digital screen are about the same size as it's larger cousins the C-4000, 3020 etc., It's small because of it's more compact battery and storage card system. It comes standard with a battery charger and battery. The case is solid and the lens retracts when not in use with no lens cap to fool with. The photos are great thanks to 5 megapixels.
This camera takes great shots - but low light is still an issue.  Even taking a picture of someone sitting inside with the sun shining on them through a window will still blur if there's any motion.It also takes a good 3 seconds or so for the camera to ready itself to take a picture.  I've missed a few spontaneous shots because it couldn't extend the lens fast enough.Other than that the camera is great.  It's super small, so it fits in my jeans pockets.  The 5 megapixels shots are huge and can make 8x10 prints.I would recommend a spare battery if you're going to do extensive shooting.  I usually recharge before I head off somewhere, but if you run out of juice halfway through your tourist day, you're out of luck until you can get back to the hotel and plug it in.
I could not agree more on the issue not brought up here regarding xD memory that this camera is limited to. As if there were not already enough memory formats, yet another one. It seems to be about either desperate, or greedy companies trying to capture customers into their markets forever. Why can't we just have one or two formats of memory?? This is as bad as it would be to have 5+ formats of CD-RoM drives. And SONY is even more guilty than fuji/olympus.Smartmedia was developed by Toshiba/Fuji/Olympus, and now Fuji/Olympus couldn't get along with Toshiba/Panasonic for the sD card. Memeory cards will become more and more versatile into the future and soon be used in countless devices. We need to standardize the market. We can't afford to buy special memory for each and every device. If you buy Fuji/0lympus, I sincerely suggest you buy a camera that is not limited to xD such as the C-5050 (drools over it). Together the people can control the market for our own good..
As reported by others, my lens cover is giving up its ghost. The camera does not turn on everytime on first attempt. Opening the cover and general cleaning did not help. The power-down mechanism is still very effective though - sometimes in the middle of composing a shot, it would power down at the slightest provocation.It was a great camera 3+ years back with a solid feel and a compact size then. Now it is neither here nor there; the superzoom cameras have made a 3x optical lens obsolete (or, "entry" level only) and the really compact cameras have made this look like a tank.Losing a camera in slightly over 3 years is not good; my Minolta SLR from 1990 is still functional a 100%.I suppose it is time to buy again and I will buy another Olympus this time , probably the E-500 with dual lens kit. That would allow me to use the current remote - and I have been VERY satisfied with the optics.
I have owned four Olympus digital cameras and this is the best of the lot.  I took my Olympus C-50 to Switzerland last spring and it performed beautifully.  The battery held a charge far longer than I expected.  The settings on the camera are a bit complex, but I managed to deal with most of them after a short time. The picture quality is fantastic for any camera available today and for a camera so small and light weight it is just what a traveling photographer needs.  This camera is all metal and as rugged as can be.  I am no expert, but the Olympus C-50 is the best camera I have ever taken on one of my trips.When I got home the downloading to my PC was a breeze.  I use Camedia Master to put my digital photos onto a CD-R disk. I would recommend this camera for anyone who wants high performance in a very small (shirt pocket) package.
Pros: Ultra compact, five megapixels, manual exposure options, Compact, high resolution, razor sharp, bright LCD, Small, lithium ion battery/charger, picture quality, compactness, easy to use, loaded with advanced features yet point-and-shoot simple on automatic, multiple resolution options, including uncompressed TIFF, compact and light.Cons: No LCD screen cover, no AF assist light, questionable low-light capabilities, many settings, price, uses new xD picture card, Poor LCD viewing in very low light, extremely slow save for TIFFs, occasional image noise, works poorly with a tripod.Summary: I did quite a bit of research before deciding on the Olympus C50. I wanted a small digital camera that had some manual controls. The camera also had to feel sturdy and have a menu system that was intuitive for me. The C50 won out over my other choices hands down (Minolta F100 and Nikon CP4500). Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and can live with the little quirks I've read about with this camera. The remote comes in handy when displaying your pictures on TV. Also, the battery life on this little guy is quite good -- much better than the Kodak I had. Olympus could have done a better job on the printed manual. The manual on CD is much better and they should have just printed out that manual in the appropriate language for the countries they ship to.
I purchased the C50z from Fry's and it worked fine for a while.  The 5 MP produces very vivid images. However after 9 months photos taken with this camera produced a white line that ran vertically in the middle of each picture.  Olympus support agreed to fix it under  the 1 year warranty.  However as this camera belonged to my company I had it professionally packed and sent via DHL to Olympus's repair depot in California. A month later Olympus sent me a terse note stating that the camera had "UPPER CORNERS DENTED. WARRANTY INVALID DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE".  They demanded $150 to fix it "out of warranty". The fact that I oversaw the packaging myself and saw not a scratch makes me suspect that either DHL or Olympus employees damaged it in transit and both company disavowed any responsibility. Though I personally use an Olympus still camera for the last 10 years and have had good experiences with it, I must say that the current level of quality/control and warranty support leads me to believe that quality has dropped considerably on Olympus products in the last few years.  Their support dept seems more interesting selling people newer models or billable repair than in providing actual post sales service.
This is a great little camera! Fits easily into a pocket or purse - I've carried it from desert to glacier and it has performed wonderfully. Terrific quality shots - just enough zoom - and very hard to damage when it is closed up. I'm buying a second one because my  wife and I are always both trying to grab for the one we have. (Over a bigger, fancier, digital Nikon no less.) If you can get a good deal on one - buy it quick while they are still available!
This camera has good picture quality.  It has a good battery.  It has a nice design.  It hooks up to the computer well.  It also has relatively good software packaged with it.  In other words... it's a great camera.  It has one annoying flaw - when you take a picture it shows that picture for about 8 seconds - but then if you want to view any photos you have to close the lens up and wait for it to go back in, turn on the viewing mode and then to take another picture you have to open it back up again - which is a time consuming process. I would recommend this product - if this problem doesn't bug you too much.
This is a BRILLANT camera!! Being that it is a 5MP, it takes great photos. The compact size is a PLUS as is the stainless steel (front) body. Be forewarned ... this camera does take time to get to know and I would NOT recommend it for people with larger hands or "troubled eyes".  It has a VARIETY of features.  It can be used on auto or you can adjust, and store, the settings to suit your preference, it even has a light meter. You learn this camera by "playing around" with it first. The manual will give you the hi-lites, the rest is up to you. The LED screen is quiet small and the icons are even smaller - "tired eyes" will not like it. Transfer of photos is easy, either connecting to the computer directly, or using a "card reader". The software that comes with this camera is "ok".  I perfer to use other programmes. IF YOU ARE PATIENT, CREATIVE, AND HAVE SOME KNOWLEDE OF CAMERAS, DEFINTIELY BUY THIS ONE. (In a "past life", I did photography for commercial purposes, having abandoned the profession all together, this is one of the few digital cameras that I like. I don't like limitations.)
"Olympus Camedia C-50 5MP Digital Camera" is an excellentcamera.  I have been using this camera since December 2002.And I have already taken more than 800 pictures.  Thiscamera is simply remarkable.It is easy to take pictures.  Excellent picture quality.Easy to carry.  Wonderful long lasting battery life.Easy imaging (black/white, sepia) with wonderful quality.With a tripod, you can take pictures of nice night viewwithout using flash.  I took several pictures of San Franciscofrom the treasure island.The only minus point is that the pictures may look little blurrywhen you take pictures in the dark without the flash.  But thatapplies for all the digital cameras in the market.
I have been a serious amateur for 30 years, starting with Nikons and moving through a number of other mechanical SLRs.  I was impressed with this camera.  To a few who critize battery life I offer the following advice: read the instructions when all else fails!  The battery must be removed when not in use.  An unfortunate need as it affects convenience, but documented in the instructions nevertheless.  A small demand apparently will drain the battery over time even when turned off.  Olympus should fix this with a switch or timer of some sort to break the connection...easy to do.  The pictures I have taken so far are equal to my Nikon and pentax 35mm stuff.  I took a test shot out of the box of a bouquet on our table before even charging the unit and my wife made it the wallpaper for our computer.  Shots like that.  The resolution was incredible too.  Took a close shot of a friend and was able to zoom in on the computer until he and I discovered he had a rye seed stuck in between his teeth which was not otherwise noticable to either of us...amazing resolution IMO.
This camera's quality of picture is terrific.  The zoom is unbelievable.  This is the first digital camera that we have owned, but not the first we have used.  It's true you need to buy rechargable batteries, and I recommend the 128 Media card.  With the 128Mb card, at high quality, you can take 161 pictures, and at standard quality over 900!  The quality of picture is fantastic, did I mention that?  This camera is well worth the price.  One more thing, the camera bag for the Olympus C-series that pops up with this camera is too small for this model.
my zoom stopped working! This was the one factor I chose to buy it.  I spent 1 hour on the phone wiht tech support, they cannot figure out why it no longer focuses when I use the zoom. I went to reset all features, and the zoom still will not work. The weather observer job I committed to has failed because I can no longer zoom in an ANYTHING at all.Please if you are a current user, please reply with any suggestions.  It has many functions, I may have done something wrong.  Although I did check to make sure the ZOOM is set to ON.  I love this cam, but am in tears over this.  Please help.
I purchased the Olympus 730 Ultra Zoom and am very impressed. I had a difficult time finding the camera that I wanted. I wanted a burst mode so that I could take action shots as well as close ups. I just had the chance with our last snow to get pictures of some deer running across my pasture using the telefoto lense that came out as good as those in National Geographic. The pictures were clear as a bell and not even a hint of a blur. The low light shots that I have taken have also be of excellent quality. The pictures are clear and bright on the camera screen and down load easily to my computer. I am very, very pleased. Thanks Olympus; Murphy Brown
I absolutely love this camera. It's the first digital camera I own and I was initially worried that the picture quality would be less than that of a normal camera with film. However, having printed more than 500 pictures, I can honestly say, the quality is fantastic. Besides this, it produces great photos for computer screens. It is also small and lightweight and not a "burden" to carry around for the casual photographer.Most impressive is the zoom. The 10x optical zoom alone, already lets you reach those elusive targets - in my case, a lot of shy and faraway African wildlife. The 3x digital zoom lets you come even closer, and as long as you are able to hold the camera steady, you'll get a good shot.It didn't take me long to figure out how to work the camera with the host of different settings; and for me, the automatic functions were easy to use and produced great pictures. On top of that, I also got some great movie shots of animals running - absolute top notch quality (although my own camera work is in need of some serious help!)Two minor negative points are the digital zoom and the speed of the camera. The digital zoom quality is not as nice as the optical zoom, and you can see the difference upon print. I also found that the reaction time of the camera can be slow - I tried to take a bunch of shots of cheetahs running, often missing them completely since they'd run out of shot before my camera "hit" them. With a film camera, it would have gone when you pressed "go". I learned to move my camera with my object on the sports setting, which worked really well.I sent lots of pictures via email, using the user-friendly Camedia software that came with the camera. I reduced picture sizes to post photos on the web with ease.As far as the memory cards go - it was no problem buying additional memory even in Africa. And digital photos can be printed everywhere these days. The quality was as good in Africa as it was in Europe ...Needless to say, this camera has been fantastic and has put the joy back into picture taking for me. I carry it with me everywhere!
I want to bring up an issue here regarding the fact that this camera probably only accepts xD memory, which by the way is twice the price of common formats. As if there were not already enough memory formats, yet another one. It seems to be about either desperate, or greedy companies trying to capture customers into their markets forever. Why can't we just have one or two formats of memory?? This is as bad as it would be to have 5+ formats of CD-RoM drives. And SONY is even more guilty than fuji/olympus.Smartmedia was developed by Toshiba/Fuji/Olympus, and now Fuji/Olympus couldn't get along with Toshiba/Panasonic for the sD card. Memeory cards will become more and more versatile into the future and soon be used in countless devices. We need to standardize the market. We can't afford to buy special memory for each and every device. If you buy Fuji/0lympus, I sincerely suggest you buy a camera that is not limited to xD. Together the people can control the market for our own good..
This camera is a very good one for the price, although not for everyone. The menus are complex. Beginning digital photographers might be happier with a cheaper point and shoot camera with 3X optical zoom. People who take zoomed pictures in dimmed light might have a hard time holding the camera stationary to avoid blurring. However, I like the C-730. It can use both SmartMedia and xD cards so you can choose to go cheap with the SM cards now or get the slightly more expensive xD cards that will probably have much greater capacity in the future (I read that this format had a theoretical limit of 8 gigabytes). The camera has a number of programmed modes for moonlight shots, sports shots, portraits, landscapes, etc. It also has manual options on shutter speed and aperture settings. It takes quick-time movies with sound. It's also small enough to stick in a jacket pocket.There are two things that I wish the camera had: (1) a stablized lens like its predecessor, the C-2100UZ, and (2) an infrared focus light for taking pictures in dim light. However, most people just think about megapixels. Maybe Olympus thought a cheaper, non-stabilized lens had a bigger market.
In a word, yes. However, I would say after all this time that some other makes are somewhat better at rendering truly faithful colors and that the Olympus autofocus mechanism is slower than newer digicams and therefore will more often yield a slightly blurred image.That notwithstanding, the 700 was my favorite digital camera for a long time, that is, until the 720 came along. Then along came the 730, which maintained the 3+ megapixel resolution of the 720, while reinserting the 10X (true optical) zoom (the 720 has an 8X).In point of fact, zooming at 8X or at 10X without a tripod or image stabilization (not present on either the 700 or the 720) is extremely challenging. Anyway, this camera is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The aspherical all glass lens system is excellent and the resulting 3 megapixel images are crystal clear at 8&quot; x 10&quot; and quite acceptable at 11&quot; x 14&quot;. The zoom of course remains the trump card on the 730, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 10x limit is awesome. Another nice feature is its ability to take QuickTime movies, which really adds to its versatility.The news with the 730 is that it is the first Olympus to utilize the new xD memory card format, the &quot;xD-Picture Card&quot;. This is a new type of ultra-compact memory media developed jointly by Fuji and Olympus. The main features of the xD-Picture Card are its ultra-compact size (20.0 x 25.0 x 1.7mm), its lower power consumption (the xD Picture-Card users will benefit from the convenience and savings of longer battery life on a single charge) and its faster read/write speeds. Of course, a new card means a new card-reader will be needed, but these are inexpensive and aren't immediately needed, as the camera can be linked by the included USB cable to your PC without too much fuss. Overall, I think the 730 is a winner, especially as prices have fallen steadily over the past year.
Nice little camera. Performs well, although the number of megapixils leave something to be desired. The 10X zoom is long enough to compensate somewhat for the 3mp, because you can crop the image in camera using the zoom, and still get an acceptable image.
Digital photography is my realm. I'm avidly using Photoshop and my photo scanner and printer to make surrealistic artwork and make digital prints. However, I, the digital photo enthusiast, was missing a critical tool: the digital camera itself.After doing some research on digital cameras and decided that I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a camera, I settled on the Kodak DX4330. I went to Best Buy with my friend and picked up the camera for about $$$ and also got a 128MB SecureDigital card.Ease of UseAfter getting the camera at Best Buy, my friend and I both got into my car and went to the mall. Without a peek at the manual, we figured out how to work the camera during the car ride there-- no joke. The camera is very intuitive and simple to use. You choose the shooting mode with the master dial on top of the camera, and press the shutter. It can't get any simpler than that.For those who can't quite get started that quickly, the camera includes a quick-start guide separate from the manual that outlines everything you need to do to get set up right away.FeaturesThe camera features a 1.8 inch LCD screen, a screen larger than most digital cameras out there. The screen is very bright and easy to see in bright daylight. It also has capability of recording video with audio. There is a 3X optical zoom and a 3.3X digital zoom. All these features at a price of $3$$ made the camera quite appealing to me.Design and DurabilityThe camera feels pretty solid and easy to hold. The hand grip comfortably contours into your hand, making it that much more easy to use-- all buttons are within reach. It is also moderately light for a camera its size. However, it is also slightly on the bulky side due to its odd shape. It is barely a camera that will fit in your pocket.Image and Print QualityOverall, the image quality of the camera reproduces colors vividly. Reds are extremely red and skin tones are very accurate. You'll only run into problems in low light situations, where everything seems to take on a muddy appearance to it.The print quality of the DX4330 is something to be desired, however. Since the camera uses JPEG compression, when you zoom look closely at an image, you can see artifacts of roughness, one of the cons of JPEG compression. This makes enlarging an image to a large size quite undesirable.With that said, with my photo printer, printing an image at 4x6 yielded great results-- fantastic color and accurate skin tones without any signs of flaws. However, printing at 8x10 showed some slight signs of the JPEG roughness described above.Battery LifeThe battery life is somewhat substandard as well. I shot about 70 images in broad daylight before needing to switch out the battery. Mind you, I rarely use the LCD screen when composing the picture, so your average Joe with his first digital camera with the LCD screen on all the time, will experience even lower battery life.However, the camera accepts lithium and rechargeable AA batteries as well as the proprietary battery size Kodak supplies, so it is quite easy to run to a store and replace the batteries when needed. I keep a spare pack of lithium AA batteries in my car-- just in case the batteries die on me at a bad moment. (Kodak does not recommend the use of traditional alkaline AA batteries.)Something that I would have liked is if the camera had some type of indicator showing how much battery power is left. That way, I could accurately predict when the camera would die.Bottom LineThis is a great camera for someone starting out in the realm of digital photography and is looking for something basic and easy-to-use. However, if you're a more seasoned digital enthusiast, it's a better idea to hunt around for a better camera. Even with 3 megapixels, the JPEG compression will ruin your ability to make fantastic enlargements.The only downsides were:- Average battery life- Decent quality for a 3 megapixel cameraYou can't beat the price though-- I've seen the camera out there for $$$ to $$$.
When I looked into digital cameras, I could see from all of the advertising that Kodak really wanted me to believe that theirs are the easiest to work with.  I have to admit that I had my doubts, but with the dock you seriously just hit the button and your pictures zoom onto your computer.What really impresses me is the picture quality.  I have a 17 inch monitor, and when I preview my pictures on a screen that size they are still GORGEOUS.  This camera takes better pictures than my Nikon point and shoot.  Well worth the money.
If you've gone to all the stores, searched the web, read the rating and you're still confused.  Stop!  This is the camera for you.I had no idea what I was getting into when I first decided to research digital camera's.  There's so many choices, that after a while, I just wanted to throw in the towel.  Then came along the Kodak EasyShare DX4330 Zoom Digital Camera with the optional Camera Dock II.  This camera is terrific.  I had no experience with a digital camera, but this system makes me feel like a pro.  After the sales person showed me every in and out of the camera, I knew it was the one for me.  I never felt apprehensive or buyers remorse about buying it either.  The features are cut and dry and the user's guide is written in layperson's terms.  It doesn't hurt that it's part of the Kodak EasyShare Series, which has been rated as a Consumer Reports Besy Buy.  My only suggestion is that you purchase an additional rechargeable battery pack (approx. $...).  All digital camera's eat battery power and having an extra pack handy is a good safe guard against unexpected problems.  I also purchased the Camera Dock II.  It not only works as the downloading tool, but as a recharging dock for recharging the batteries.  With one push of a button, your pictures are downloaded to the EasyShare software package and you can start sharing your pictures with family and friends immediately.  It doesn't take up much space and if you wanted to take it with you on vacation, just pack it in your suitcase and plug it in at the hotel for easy recharging.  I'm very happy that I choose this camera.  Every picture that I've taken have been wonderful, even the night time shots.  I was worried that the camera wouldn't pick up dark shots, but it has gone above and beyone my expectations.  If you're going to invest in something worth while, go for it!  I have no regrets about the price or performance.
I have had this camera for about 3 months now and love it. I have used it extensively for a variety of shots.  Portraits are great, but shots of my son's indoor ice hockey games are not so great. It is very simple to use and provides great quality pictues.  To net it out:ProsEase of useSoftwarePicture QualitySizePrice PerformerConsLow light level and fast action=poor quality pixLimited zoom 3x opticalrechargable battery life is limited, have a backup
What a super camera.  The pictures are incredibly clear and look perfect even when blown up to 8 1/2 by 11.  It is also easy to use.  I too recommend the rechargeable batteries.  Wonderful value for the money.  Thankyou Kodak!
I have this camera for about a month and can't say enough about its ease of use even for someone who is a novice with digital cameras. The docking station, which is extra money, is worth it because it not only keeps your battery charged but with the press of one button the pictures are automatically transferred into the Kodak software via USB. The camera is a perfect size and is quit rugged except for its lens cap.  I have taken about 300 pictures with it in day and night settings and they came out great. Kodak software is adequate but certainly not anything to write home to mother about. I am using Adobe Photoshop which has many more editing features and the pictures come out great.  Also, the camera comes with an Internal Memory card which is only good for about 10 pictures, so purchase at least an additional 64mb Memory Card which will give you about 50 pictures.My advice, if your looking for a great 3mp camera for a good price, this is the one.
I purchased this camera for an art class I am taking and so far I'm in love!  The software installed easily, and within minutes I was transferring my pictures via the docking station- what a handy creation it is!  If you're really into photo editing you might want to purchase PhotoShop, but for almost all home needs the included software is more than adequate.  You can edit out red eye, crop and add what kodak calls &quot;fun effects&quot;, such as sephia tones and black and white.I took this camera with me on spring break to Disney World and took some great pictures of my daughter.  It has also accompanied us to the beaches of St. Petersburg, and so far it seems pretty durable.  Battery life is a little above average, but with rechargeables, it doesn't much matter- I always have extra on hand.  My only complaint is the &quot;Live View&quot; function.  The camera book says the super bright LCD screen is viewable in bright light, and maybe it's just the Florida sunshine, but I can barely see it in the daytime.  Minor flaw, as far as I'm concerned.  This camera is excellent in every other way.
I don't know about you users out there who are having problems with your CX4230, but me and mine spend countless hours together and the only hitch we've had has been that it was dropped a couple of times.I've had this camera (and the same batteries) for more than a year now and have had nothing but fun with it. The only reason I give it four stars, is because there isn't a skin (like a cell phone skin) available for it. I'm not too crazy about the camera pouches that are available. But hey, I'm going to give in and get one anyway.Okay, so the docking station isn't the best of creations from Kodak, but I believe they'll fix that sooner or later. But I don't have to &quot;hit&quot; the camera. Maybe a jiggle once in a while, but that's it. And that is so infrequent that it doesn't affect my love for the whole shebang.I enjoy this camera. So much so, that when my employer requested that I reasearch and find him a digital camera, I went right to Kodak for the answer and the product. Needless to say that now he is a happy camper with his 5MP Kodak.Honestly, I would like to get my hands on a more professional quality camera. But that is because I enjoy the feel of the larger format cameras (you know, the big and heavy 35mm type?), but that is in the future, and would only serve for taking those truly professional looking pictures. Everything else is done with my little buddy - the Kodak CX4230.
This camera/docking station is a big let down. It has mood swings. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The driver even resulted in an XP blue screen a number of times (This is a sign of a poorly written driver)...I strongly suggest that you avoid going anywhere near this product.
Admitted, I am not an expert in comparing digital camera - nor, did I feel I had a lot of time to compare the various features of one camera to another.  But, I can say that as a family, we are very pleased and have enjoyed our camera very much.  As well, the delivery of the order was very good.
I read the first two reviews and feel terrible that these two poor souls had so much trouble. I used it for several days before sending it on to my daughter in California and the pre-charged battery shot 60 pictures with no sign of slowing down. The pictures were terrific for a 2.2MP camera -- sharp, decent color, and they enlarged to 5x7 flawlessly. I use an inexpensive Canon S600 printer, so it isn't like the printer could have made up for poor image quality.I have owned a Kodak DC4800 for 18 months and have had great results so I didn't hesitate to buy another Kodak, and I was not disappointed with the CX4230. It's a great starter camera for the budding digital photographer and I have recommended it to my friends who went right out and purchased one. So far they say love theirs, too.The only big drawback is that the battery didn't come with an adapter that lets you charge it in the camera, which the DC4800 does. Apparently, you have to purchase an expensive docking station -- a useless thing since you can upload pictures with the USB cable that comes with it. A $$... or $$... power adapter would have been a reasonable thing to include. That is all that keeps me from giving it the full five stars.
My husband and I bought this camera to take pictures of our newborn son. I love it and have had zero problems with it.  It was easy to set up and takes terrific pictures.  It is so easy to email our pictures too!
Just bought this little gem, Drivers installed without a hitch, great pictures, easy setup, and free updates available from the Kodak Website, what more can you ask for?
You may want to stay away from Kodak. I bought this based upon the other reviews that were posted here. I was unable to install the Kodak EasyShare software from the included CD after several hours of trying which basically makes the thing useless if you are unable to transfer the pictures to your computer. I have also been unable to connect to [their website.] Nobody home...I would sure recommend buying from a local store where you can at least get some assistance or return [stuff] that doesn't work to get a refund. After wasting a half a day of my life on this junk I'll now have to go to the trouble of boxing it up and sending it back.
I've been using this camera for almost a year. Ease of use is excellent. Quality of video much better than the Canon ZR series. I don't use it for still images, have a Sony DSC-F707, so I can't comment. Low light video performance is better than I expected.This model has yet to eat a tape or moisture check in 10 months. I've used it skiing down the Rockies and treking through jungles.Of course, being a male, I'm now looking at moving up to the Optura 300.
The price you see now on Amazon and other Amazon providers is way out of whack for what this camera is available for from other sources. I considered the Optura 300 and the Elura 50, but I already had a major investment in BP-500 series batteries and chargers. I also use an Optura Pi and a Rebel Digital. Be aware that the 300 and the 50 use other model batteries that are much less available and less robust than the 500 series batteries. I am a big believer in optical stabilization but that is becoming less important nowadays due to excellent electronic circuits.Getting to the camera, I also do not miss the accessory shoe as I bought this camera for two reasons. The battery compatibility as I mentioned and its small sized ergonomics. As other reviewers have mentioned, the rotating hand strap makes the camera comfy and very handy. My wife can throw it in a purse or I can keep it in the same bag as my digital rebel. And that's the point. Along with the Optura 300 and Elura series, this is a go virtually anywhere miniDV cam. The person that is comparing (and comparing poorly) the GL2 to this cam misses the entire point. 2 different cams for different purposes. I doubt that if you are considering a GL you are even looking at a compact cam. The GL and XL series cams are much much better than any of these.If you want a compact camera with optical image stabilization, with typical Canon engineering, optics and quality, this would be an excellent choice. But shop around for a deal because the Optura 300 is also very good (some would say better) and the Elura 50 is a budget minded compromise if that's what you need.
I am actually a huge fan of Canon optics.  When I first started searching for a DV camcorder, I looked at Canons.  Then I realized that Canon does not know how to make a quality camcorder.  The ZR series (all of them) suffer from tremendously bad audio, and the MC200 is a worse model than the MC100.  Actually the MC100 was probably the best DV camera that Canon ever made, and it just so happens to be the one that is discontinued.  Since I am so fond of Canon photo equiptment, I wrote this review hoping that Canon would hear it's consumers cries, and fix thier awful camcorder problems.Do yourself a favor and stick with a Sony or Panasonic.  They each offer solid audio, video, and features.
Well here is an up date to my last review, I know now not to by used CANON gear no matter how much you save! Come to think of it all my CANON gear VIDEO and Film and DIGITAL doesnt seem to hold up very well at all. YEP NO MORE CANON STUFF, Customer support from CANON bites the dig one as well.This little box aint so bad, It plays my recorded Tapes to my computer for editing, since my PRO grade CANON XL1S That refuses to without eating tapes, BUYER BEWARE! The used stuff can cost you more in the short term than you think, My CANON XL1S will cost me 350.00 to 500.00 plus shipping to get professionally repaired, this little Canon OPTURA 200MC save me from losing what might be the lastOf my KIDS Sports games. So If you have ISSUES with your CANON XL1S or got burned like I did, this will play then into your computer throughout the 1394 DV in/output cord although not the same resolution it will save your MEMORIES FROM BEING TOTALLY LOST!
I researched small camcorders for 3 months, July through September of 2002, to take for a week in London and three weeks in Scotland. I selected the Canon Optura 200 MC. It arrived in October and at 60 years of age, I practiced with it and it was easy to learn. We left on our trip in mid May of 2003. I took 1174 digital stills and 17 hours of mini DV tape in that month. The pictures I got were wonderful. I have received lots of compliments on the quality of both the stills and the video. I defy anyone to get better quality pictures with cameras that cost twice as much or more. I would not trade my camera for anything. When I finally am ready to purchase a camera in the future, I WILL buy another Canon.
The Optura 200MC is a good choice for three types of users. First, if you need a small camcorder with decent quality. I take this camcorder trail running and get great footage passing people while leaping over logs, etc. I simply couldn't carry a bigger camcorder some of the places my Optura 200MC goes.Second, my acting classmates borrow the camcorder to review rehearsals. It's easy for a student to &quot;point and shoot&quot; without training. The viewscreen is big enough, and the built-in speaker loud enough, for two or three students to gather around and watch.Third, I advise spending half (or less) of your video equipment budget on a camcorder. Budget plenty of money for audio gear, tripod, lights, computer and software for editing, etc. If this leaves only enough money for an Optura 200MC, buy it. You'll make better videos with an Optura 200MC and good accessories than with a GL2 or XL1S and no accessories.The Optura 200MC has three shortcomings. First, the built-in microphones are awful. You hear mostly motor noise. The Optura 200MC lacks a microphone hotshoe for adding an external mike. I bought Canon's microphone mounting bracket, a Sony directional mike, an extension cable to use the mike for interviews, and two Sony wireless mikes. This totalled $400. I now get great audio, although the external mike and mounting bracket double the size of the camcorder.Second, the FireWire chip has failed twice, and the exposure manual control has failed once. Each repair takes a month. If you need a dependable camcorder, consider buying a more expensive camcorder.Third, the video quality is pretty good for a 1-chip camcorder. It has only two preset color balances, sunlight or incandescent light. On cloudy days, or with florescent lights, etc. the color balance is off unless you do a manual white balance. The color saturation is OK, not great. The lens sharpness is pretty good, and it handles low light better than you'd expect. The automatic exposure uses a spot meter in the center of the frame. If you have a bright patch of snow or clouds in the center, everything else is too dark. Like the color balance, you'll sometimes have to manually adjust the exposure.--Thomas David Kehoe, author of &quot;Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships&quot;
I'm by no means an enthusiast. My wife and I got this (based on on the reviews here) for our honeymoon and it did it's job wonderfully. The instruction manual was hefty, but it was very easy to follow. The fact that it was small and compact really worked well for putting it in my carry-on for the airplane. Therefore not leaving me to worry about it getting ripped off by storing it in luggage. Also that it was both a digital camera and camcorder proved indespensable for light packing when heavy walking. We went to Istanbul and every shot we took turned out great. If the flash went off, all we had to do was gently place our finger over the top so it would not pop up. The sound quality was also very good. I have read where some had problems with motor noise coming from the machine but we never did. The only real complaint I have about this is the night vision with the camcorder portion. If you put it in the "extreme low light" mode, the video puts out a slow-motion blurry mess even moving the camera at a snails pace. Once again I'm not an expert, the fact that the blurry mess is in color may mean something to those reading who are hobbyists. However I was able to get what I wanted in moderalty dim environments and at night in the city with the normal setting just fine. Where the low light setting pulled through was in the still pictures we took and that's what I wound up using it for. I recommend getting the largest battery offered for this model. Not only does it last forever but it's great for balancing the camera for a steady shot. Get a larger memory card too. Great for beginners that leaves room for serious filmmaking. Glad we got it and recommend it.
I dare you to try to find another fantastic 4.0 Megapixel digital camera at this price! I am in love with my Kodak dx4900! I purchased this camera when I found a price that was too phenomenal to pass up. I am so pleased with the performance of this camera, ease of use and the function range available.First, let me address the ease of use. After switching on the on/off button you have 3 modes to select from via a dial setting: picture review mode (allowing you to view all pictures currently stored on your compact flash card), capture/picture taking mode and setup mode. All modes allow you to choose many available options (I will address these later), if you choose to do so, by selecting from menus. However, fabulous results can be obtained without selecting from various options this camera has to offer, allowing the user to snap a picture quickly. Next, you can utilize the two zoom buttons to get up to 2 times closer to your subject (by using the telephoto option in the picture taking mode, you may use the digital mode to get up to 3 times closer to your subject). After your options are selected you are ready to snap a picture which is immediately viewable on the lcd screen. You are then given the option to delete your picture if you are not satisfied. The picture is automatically stored on the flash card if you do not chose to delete. Many other digital cameras on the market are not novice friendly and require several settings before you are ready to snap your favorite subject.Within the Capture Mode, the following menu options are available: light exposure compensation (controling the amount of light allowed into the camera), white balance (correcting the amount of white desired in the picture in different light settings), color mode (controlling color tones), quality (picture resolution), exposure metering (the amount of light entering the lens) ,sharpness (highlight or blend of the edges of the subject), ISO speed (camera's sensitivity to light), shutter speed and date and time stamp. In the capture mode, a menu button is pressed to pull up the menu for these options and the user uses an up and down arrow to scroll through the options and choose the settings.Within the Review Mode, the following menu options are available: magnify(zoom in on portions of the picture for viewing purposes), delete picture, protect (preventing special pictures from being deleted), slide show (displaying all pictures on the flash card in a slide show fashion), print order (used with a Kodak Personal Picture Maker printer) and picture information (displaying the date each picture was taken). In the review mode also, a menu button is pressed to pull up the menu for these options and the user uses an up and down arrow to scroll through the options and choose the settings.Within the Setup Mode, the following menu options are available: power save (allowing you to chose your balance of battery performance with camera performance), digital zoom (telephoto option), camera sounds (various camera function "beeps"), date/time set, video out(chosing the video out standard available in your area), language, format card (used to erase or format a corrupted compact flash card), reset user settings (reset to factory defaults) and about this camera (displaying name and model of your camera). Again, a menu button is pressed to pull up the menu for these options and the user uses an up and down arrow to scroll through the options and choose the settings.Software is included with this camera allowing you to upload, view and print your pictures from your Windows or Macintosh based computer. Pictures can be uploaded directly from your camera via an included cord hooked to an available USB port on your computer or a Kodak Easy Share docking station can be purchased allowing the user to both easily upload pictures while also recharging the digital camera batteries simultaneously. The Kodak Easy Share dock also requires a USB port for uploading capabilities.As previously mentioned, pictures taken by your camera are stored on a compact flash card inserted in the side of the camera. Included with your purchase is a 16 MB card. Additional flash cards can be purchased in various storeage sizes to allow for an unlimited amount of pictures to be taken. This camera requires two AA lithium batteries (included with your purchase are two non-rechargeable). Rechargeable batteries can be purchased allowing you to use both the Kodak Easy Share Camera Dock or a Kodak battery recharger, extending the life of your batteries. Also included with your purchase is a 95 page user's guide that is simple to understand and quite informative. Kodak also offers additional support through a web address, fax customer support number and telephone customer support number.
We are an older (60+) couple who received a Kodak Easy Share for Christmas. We had no prior experience with digital cameras.  We needed a little help from the kids to load the software and get the camera up and running (and still can't manage to load pictures for the docking station), but we have been delighted with the quality  of the pictures and the ease of operation. We taught outselves to edit photos in less than 1/2 hour.  Generally, we are very happy with the product.
The DX4900 is a fun digital camera that is especially great for people new to digital photography. I have had the camera for six months and have used it under many conditions, using nearly all of its features. I really like this camera.I can understand why people enjoy the docking station, with its simple one-button transfer of images to the PC. However, I think the docking station is a pricey addition when your money could be better spent on a rapid battery charger, a backup battery and additional memory.This is how I handle the transfer of images from camera to PC: I leave a USB cable permanently plugged into a 4-port USB hub (~$ online) attached to the PC. When I am ready to download my pictures, I plug the USB cable into my camera and turn on the power. The images are automatically downloaded to the PC using the Kodak Transfer Software. Why spend an extra $ for the docking station when it is this simple without it?Battery/Power: I have had absolutely wonderful results with my Ni-MH battery and the Kodak Rapid Charger. My battery lasts a lot longer than I ever expected and only takes four hours to recharge.Durability: I have used the DX4900 in freezing, wet and snowy weather conditions. I have also used it at high altitudes up to 10,000 feet and have had no performance issues. I'm pretty rough on the camera too, having dropped it a couple of times, but still it works great!My biggest complaint about this camera is that it takes so long to take high quality pictures in rapid succession. This is a known problem with the buffer overrun that has to be cleared after every couple of shots. The wait between shots can be annoying and I'm not sure if this occurs with other cameras in this class. You can temporarily override the slowness by setting the camera's image quality to "1.0MP Burst", which will allow you to shoot 12 immediate shots in a row while holding down the photo button. Unfortunately, this will sacrifice image quality.I get some really great results using this camera and would like to see more reviews on the accessory lenses to know if they can add more to the camera's capabilities.
I got this camera for my husband for Christmas. It is great. The camera is easy to use, and with the camera dock, you just push a button and the pictures are loaded onto your computer. It takes excellent pictures and you can edit out whatever you don't like.
works better from a tripod. battery length definitely shorter than expected. Very good quality pics but too many blurry pictures from the least movement of the picture taker.
Excellent product, works for any type of lens. He arrived in the estimated time.
Good product.
It is nice.
It  works.  Not so sure what to do to clean the brush from gathered lent particles.  Some have the  spin  brush feature to sling off particles  and entergize the magnetic field to  gather new dust particles.  Oh well.... It  does look  good and it has a nice NIKON brand  name on it.
I got these to replace the cloth that came with my Ray Bans. They work quite nicely although I don't believe the brush does anything special. The &#34;squeegee&#34; does the trick to remove most of the oil and grim though.
I use this on my Canon Rebel XTi and my lens for the camera. I have even used it on my glasses that I wear. Works well cleans away dust and smudges. Happy with the price as well.
This is a nice, compact, stylish little unit that has the brush extend and retract into itself to keep the bristles straight and clean. But it's only part of the solution. It would have been nice to somehow incorporate some type of air blower in this pen. However small the blower design would have been, it would have been useful in combination with the brush. This cleaning pen, a soft, lens cleaning cloth, a compact blower, all enclosed in a small ziplock bag and you have some of the basics for lens cleaning and protection. Recommended at $10. or less.
Good to get off multiple layers of dirty/sand/etc without harming your lens. One of my must-haves as far as my camera kit goes.
It just works. No marks left on the lens after cleaning. Takes only seconds and does not take any room in my camera bag.
Nifty pen, small easy to use and pull out at a moments notice to remove dust or other debris. Fits easily in a pocket or purse.
I expected this product not to be much better than the cleaning kits and cloths that I already own.  But I'm the kind of person who likes to try out a variety of things just for the heck of it - especially if they are not terribly expensive.  This pen turned out to be a pleasant surprise.  The thing I really like about it, is that your hands never have to touch the cleaning brush or the wiper.  With a cloth, you have to use your hands, which may already be dirty and greasy.  Of course, the thing has to work - and it does just that, with both smudges and dust.
the cleaner is effective as it looks, just don't pressure it too much against the lens or any glass surface or you might scratch it.
This is a simple thing to add in your gear bag. it cleans your lens fast and well with no danger of damaging your expensive glass.While a simple glasses cleaning cloth would do for cleaning your lens but i would not use them because the Nikon Cleaning pen is DESIGNED to clean lenses and when you spent over $1000 for those expensive glass, i'd have second thoughts about using other alternatives.
I purchased one of these lens pens for myself six months ago.  It's compact and fits in a pocket, easy to use and does a good job of cleaning the lens without any scratches. When my daughter told me that she had gotten a new Nikon camera I immediately ordered one for her.  I sent it to her and she told me how pleased she has been with the great job it does.
great if you need to clean your lens in a hurry. but the felt end leaves black marks on you if you touch it which kind of gets annoying. great buy though.
This is something that I carry around with me every day. It's really easy to use. You just use the brush end to remove dust and the flat end to remove fingerprints and dirt. It works very well and I don't have to worry about scratching my filters or lenses. I'm really happy with my purchase as it's easy to use, effective, and comes in a small package for a reasonable price. Highly recommended.
This pen works well, engineered such that you can always have it handy and I have since bought another one for a friend of mine.
No brainer to get this - great for cameras, binoculars, eyeglasses, and lens of projection TV. Works great!
I use it on my point&shoot cameras Canon S40 and A640, the pen really cleans the lens, very easy to use and it works as advertized.
Buen producto. Pr&aacute;ctico y ligero para mantener la limpieza b&aacute;sica de lentes y filtros. Debe complementarse con otros elementos de limpieza.
This is one nifty device, definitely. I really like it, it serves the purpose quite efficiently. So far I have no problems.
Very useful cleaner.  I use it often.  I thought it was a gimmick at first, but, it does what it's supposed to without damage to the glass.
Best dry cleaning method there is. These days, with all the coatings, you want to use dry as often as possible. I take it everywhere I go.
I got this to clean the lens of my Nikon Coolpix point and shoot camera, and the pen part of this is too big to clean the lens unfortunately. However I can still use the brush on it and I'm sure I'll find other uses for this as well. Overall good value for the price.
I do change my lenses frequently therefore sometimes leaving your finger prints or marks on the lens are unavoidable. I use this lens pen to clean the lens and it works perfectly.
I was looking for a good pocket lens cleaner for my DSLR.  This does an okay job but more often then not I have to use something else.  If it is simply a matter of dust, this is the perfect tool.It is a little massive for a pocket but still a great item to carry for that quick dust off and get back to shooting.Don't choose this as your only path for lens cleaning when out on a shoot.
What more can I say ? Works great,no more cloths or paper cleaners for my Nikon DSLR. Will be looking forward to the next pen when this wears out !
So far I've only had occasion to use the brush end of this nice little acessory.  It works well and keeps the dust to a minimum.
I have used this to remove finger prints from filters, and it was very handy recently when I had to fix one of my zoom lenses that I broke.  While diagnosing the problem, I put a fingerprint on one of the elements inside of the lens.  This little champ erased it like it was never there.  Love the charcoal end to clean the smudges so effortlessly.
Cleans just like the box says and is so much better than that of other off brand companies too! All in a small and well compact package......well worth it for camera lens, viewfinders and professional optics!
Bought this product to clean my camera lens, the pen looks kinda cheaply made, but it works really good. one side is a push out brush and the other side is cleaner with a type of solution that can clean the product. product works real good.
Easily fits in your pocket or camera bag. Nice to clean camera lens when on the go. Has both brush and cleaning pad with fluid.
I bought this because I was tired of cleaning my lenses with clothes and still have a residue of specs from the cloth.It seems to sweep fine dust and specs quite easily from my lens.
I read a lot of the reviews here and decided to take a chance with this, and oddly enough, it was a good decision on my part, for a change...  :)The price is fair, the build quality is good, and best of all, it works as advertised.I cleaned lenses that (usually) after I cleaned them they still were dusty or smudged looking, this works like a charm.Hopefully this will continue to work this way, I have no idea how long these are supposed to last, but for what its already done, it was worth the price.Also, I had some really old filters and lenses from the late 70's, early 80's that appeared to have fungus, it came off, (most of 'em) and I have cleaned them recently, or, tried to, and it didn't phase 'em.I also like the brush that is on the end, I was in need of one again, and it does its job.So I am a happy buyer, and for the amount it costs, it's a no-brainer if you have needed one of these, I was kind'a skeptical, but I ain't no more...  :)
My dog sheds hair less than the brush on this. The pad end - useful to remove fingerprints but it adds more to the lens than was there before. Microfiber and air appear to be the way to go. Avoid.
My first item arrived damaged. The package broken and the item inside damaged on the area of the clip. So both ends still working.The idea is great and it really get the lenses clear without fingreprints or other stains. A lot cleaner and handy that the old cloth technique. Sometimes I combined with a giotto blower but I found that the brush is many times enough.My problems with this products were: 1) arrived damaged;  2) the cap does not fit the brush end (logical place to put it), so you cannot put it there while using the chemical tip, and you end with the camera, the lenspen and the cap on you hands, 3) the brush is starting after a week of frequent use, to were out leaving some hairs on the lens!!!! and 4) the tip with the chemical that makes the trick gets "replenished" only by touching a very little sponge on the cap. Inside the pen there is nothing but air and the plastic that moves the brush in and out. Then I do not expect this cleaning pens will last much longer. Very disappointed since I thought that being branded Nikon, it would be better constructed (like not leaving its hairs back).I will get another because it really works better and faster than the cloth but I would try the Lenspen brand to see if it last longer than the Nikon.A great product that last shorter that expected.
Small lens cleaning system that stores in camera bag or pocket. Easy to use and cleans the lens as expected.
works as promissed. great product, helps keep my lenses clean cannot complain about anything. genuine nikon product a a a a
This came apart the first time I removed the cap.  It is glued together and the glue just pulled apart and I tried to take the cap off.
I am not sure what happened with so many positive reviews, but my experience was not a good one. The buffer style side of the pen worked wonderful, the first time. When I went to use it a week later it was greasy, it just smeared the stuff around leaving an oily residue, not to mention it didn't clean the edge of the lens where some of the oil was shoved to in the process of "cleaning".I am not really sure what went wrong in one week. I didn't have it out of my camera bag between using it the first time and then the second time. The oily residue could be fixed using normal methods. Worse than the oily residue, the brush turned my camera into a walking electrical field. I couldn't prevent the dust from collecting every time I changed the lens.I admitted defeat and brought my camera in to be professionally cleaned because I could not get all the dust off.I asked them about the best thing they had for cleaning it, thinking of course they would sell me something. They told me the best thing is a simple soft cotton cloth and the fog from breathing on it.I knew this, but I always thought there might be a better/safer way to get it clean.________________________________________________________Edit: I was sent a new "pen". The customer service is excellent, but the pen still was NOT. I had the pen sitting in my closet for about a month because I knew I wasn't that impressed with it the first time around. I took it out today and used it before a visit to a local state park. After using the pen the camera lens was perfect(before stepping outside of the car). I spent 1 hour at the park. It was hot and the humidity was high, probably a bit of dust in the air. When I got back into the car I looked at my lens and it was full of a greasy film. It reminded me of the oil from a car with the rainbow effect EXCEPT it was on my $500 camera lens.After trying for a short time on the way home with a soft cloth to remove the oil I still did not remove all the film off from the lens. I am very frustrated because I just seem to be smearing it around more or leaving a greasy scratch. I am quite mad at myself for doing this to my lens again.
Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning SystemThe brush works as advertised, but the other end is rubbish. I've ordered two pens and both came with the same defect: The foam tip is lodged in the pen cap. The remaining part of the tip is felt-like, but is covered in black stuff. Good thing I tested on my hand first when I didn't notice the issue with the foam. I would have gotten black schmutz all over my lens!
I don't have any problems with this little &#34;pen&#34; as it will clean the lens and then go back into it's holder like those clic eraser things.
Seems like such a simple idea. A little pen-sized lens brush with a buffing surface that's safe on my lenses. But until a friend showed me how this worked, I didn't own one. I have 2 of them now!
It really isn't for small lenses, like on gadgets.  They should make that clear.  If you have an expensive big lens, go for it.
If you are a photographer, i know you have done the same, grab your shirt and start wiping, then you realize that is a $2000 lens you are wiping with your shirt. Better to get the pen.
love it , it is perfect for cleaning your lenses, fits in any camera bag, would recommend for photographers for that fast cleaning...
I've been using various cleaning cloths from Adorama and Etsumi.  They all get quite dirty with a lot of outdoor use because I clean my lenses very regularly.  I work outside in nearly all weather conditions shooting with four lenses - that's what I do 99% of the time.  The Nikon Pen is pretty terrific in my view though i doubt it has a very long life on either of its working ends.Cleaning the back glass of my lenses is done under a very well lit architect's lamp that uses large magnifying glass just above four small florescent bulbs. I do my best to have a grease, dirt and dust free cloth to do that, The pen, in the short run, works even better, though I didn't use any cleaning fluid - I generally include that with the cleaning cloth efforts.I have a Nikon D7000 that needs to have the viewfinder and live-view screen cleaned as well.  The pen isn't right for that,excepting the brush, though that has little value beyond light dust removal. I have no idea whether the main cleaning tip might leave light damage to the Live View screen or not. I think the screen is plastic - though frankly it shouldn't be.For those that have said they find a "ghost residue" I'm sure that's true.  I'm glad they did because it caused me to use a 2"X2" cleaning tissue that one can buy in bulk for next to nothing.  I wiped the business end of the round cleaning tip across the tissue, gently and evenly enough to dislodge an obvious amount of built up grease along with the residual "schmutz" from daily exposure to Manhattan's never-clean air. I couldn't believe how much "dark matter" showed up on the otherwise untouched tissue.  I repeated the process on the now-clean lens and it left no dark marks on the next tissue.  I.e., the pen was not shedding any of the rubber tip's compound onto the paper - only the dirt that was originally on the lens.  This is very handy; being able to clean the cleaner is a nice touch.  After de-greasing the cleaning tip of the Nikon Pen, it cleaned my other lenses as well as any cloth, and did so more rapidly and with less pressure.  I never used any fluid either.  That in itself is a pleasure.Cons - mine came only with instructions in Nipponese.  Sorry, I lose it with the Greek alphabet, much less the complex Japanese symbols.  However, Nikon drops the ball by having no cap on the brush end of the pen; the brush has a push pull/in out device on the side of the pen.  With no top, if the pen is not firmly in place when being carried around, the brush may well come out some or all of the way.  Since the opposite end's cleaning tip has a snap on cap, why not one for the brush end?  No matter where you carry it (I put it in an inside pocket) with that end open the tip of the brush for now is going to accumulate its own dust and will then need some sort of "blow out" or a new pen!  Bad idea.Pro beyond the review - it came with a free hand squeezed air blower.  Though not as good as the my Buck Rogers look alike version its good enough to dislodge dust, if not larger particles, that the brush can't get to.Certainly a worthy alternative due to its compactness, good lens cleaner and its wonderfully cheap price.
This is the best lens cleaning tool that I have ever used. Fits well in my camera bag with all the other 'junk' in there! Cleans well for 'on the go.'
The Nikon branded LensPen is a rebranded version made by LensPen in Canada.  I was pleasantly suprised to find that it works exactly as described.  It cleaned up all of my lenses and filters and they all look great.  I got mine through Adorama and it arrived within 2 or 3 days.
As most of you already know, keeping your camera and lenses clean is a must, especially in a tropical country like Sri Lanka. That's why i needed to get this item to help get rid of dust and smudge marks from my D90 body and lens.One side of this lens pen has a fine brush which is used to dust of particles and leftover debris from outdoor usage. The other end has a neat smudge remover like eraser that can be used in a circular motion to remove smudges, fingerprints etc from your lens filters (always use filters for your lenses!) to make them nice and clear again.It is definitely a must when you are out on the road and need to keep your camera equipment clean and ready.Cheers!
it's very simple to carry this lens pen. Just attach it to/in your pocket and go.This pen is so easy, you don't have to worry about damaging your lens. You may brush particles/dust away or remove stains with the other end, where a cloth like cleaner is attached.Cleans very good and easy to use. Brush is retractable when not in use.Also use it for cleaning my sunglasses.I would recommend this item to others owning lenses/optical equipments.AKOGAN from Suriname
This lens cleaner is expensive but worth every penny, it must be in your camera bag.
For $10, it's pretty much a no-brainer, great for those moments when you've been rushing/setting up and have tried to take the lens cap off when it's already off (guilty once or twice), I've been happy with the results thus far, I haven't seen any smudges or imperfections, even on large DPS (double page spread) - sized photos. For $10, it's a must-have. The clip isn't the sturdiest, so I've avoided clipping it to anything, and just kept it in it's case. (I don't know if this one from amazon comes with it, as I bought mine elsewhere?)
I am new to the SLR conversion, transitioning from a "hobbyist" to what I would classify as a vehement "enthusiast." This pen is a bit expensive, yes, but it's performance is extremely satisfactory for removing organic materials (e.g. fingerprints and various other matter of "gunk") and general debris. Most of my shots are still life thus far, so very tight shots have resulted in some dust and pollens collecting on the lens. This pen is easy to remove from my bag with one hand, slide out the brush, and then use the cleaning end without needing to fuss about with my camera other than support it responsibly.The only drawback is that my camera bag is relatively small, so the pen takes up a bit more space than I have. I am purchasing a larger bag, though, so this will be rectified shortly.
I wear plastic frames with glass lenses. Since there are no nose tabs I tend to get facial oils on the lenses. This pen just smears them around. I am buying the microfiber cloths that I know work. I wish that this Lens Pen worked for me. It would have been just what I was looking for. Oh well. At least the price is low.
Adjustable brush for all of my cameras. Nice to have while out and about when lenses need to be dusted.
What a nifty little product. A must have in your camera bag if you want to quickly clean your lenses that have dust or smudge marks. Very simple to use too.
I used it a couple of times, not exactly that useful. I'm not sure whether all of them are like this or just the one I bought. Its just too dry, and twisting the cap doesnt help either. I'm not using it anymore, scared it might scratch the lens..
it works ok. but it adheres all the dust to itself (well, you may say it should do!) but the dust doesn't go away. I don't know how should clean the pen itself. I am even concerned that the particles on the pen may scratch the lens on the next occasion ?!
Sometimes an item comes around that is so simple in design and great in function you want to have been the inventor. This is one of those things. Compact, easy to carry and does a great job of cleaning your camera. While it could have been made with sturdier materials at this price get several. Despite being made by Nikon it works perfectly on my Olympus camera..
I was a little leery about getting this type of cleaning tool since I thought the only way to truly clean was to use fluids.  But I thought I would try it, and to my amazement it really does work great.  I still use fluid cleaners every once in a while, but when in the field this pen cleaner is perfect.  I no longer have to worry about running out of liquid cleaner or worry about fluid bottles drying up or spilling all over the bag.  This pen stores neatly in my bag and won't get messed up by other items in the bag due to its protective covers and sturdy construction.  The brush retracts perfectly into the holder and the buffer is protected by a cap.  I have used this pen cleaner many times over and it still seems as new as the day I got it.  The brush works great at getting rid of dust particles over the entire lens, not just the optics.  The buffer makes finger prints and water spots disappear from the glass.  I frequently use the Nikon 14-24mm lens, and that is a lot of glass to clean; no worries with this handy pen.
I received this product prime with fast shipping, cleaned my main cameras lens, went to clean my girlfriends lens and the little pad started coming off, by the third use the pad came completely off, so now I have to sorta use it like a swiffer and put the pad on between the pen and screen, move it around, when I pull the pen away the pad stays on the screen. Thanks for the 3 successful screen cleanings. If I knew it'd crap out on me I wouldn't have bought it.
I tried it for a couple of days with my camera gear and I absolutely love it. Finger smudges do not completely get wiped though. But for the most part it is easy to get rid of dust or grid in the lens or around the mount points.
We saw this cleaning pen in operation on Saturday. Came home and ordered it right away. It does a great job of cleaning the camera lens.
I have used this item many times on camcorders, binocs, and of coarse the many lenses that I possess. This thing does the job from removing smudges to stubborn water marks. I recommend to shop Internet for best price, can very a great deal. Amazon was my choice.
I wear glasses. sometime when I clean my glasses it cannot clean very well.I see this item then I think my help, but actually the hair of brush start falling down and when I use the other brush it make everything dirty.this was try before I clean my brother digital camera, and it is good I make this try.
Although I had high hopes that I could carry this cleaning tool with me during my hikes, I've since decided that it's almost worthless.  The main cleaning "tip" is too large to reach the oculars of my Nikon binoculars (nice going, Nikon!).  And although I can use it to clean other lenses (objectives, camera), the results are uneven and unimpressive.  As a long term Nikon user, I'm very disappointed that they've put their name on a product that's as mediocre as this one.  Surely there's a better alternative for a compact cleaning kit that I can carry in the field!  I certainly won't buy another one of these.
The best parts about this are it's simplicity and self-contained design.  For most basic lens-cleaning operations, this has everything you need in a nice compact package.  Works as advertised, used it on my Canon SX10IS to get dust and fingerprints off the lens.
I should get my camera professionally cleaned sometime, but until then, this did great in removing the bulk of the dust and cleaning the flecks and smudges on the lens.  The padded side returned that "new" gleam to the lens.
Cleans the lens without fear of lint or swirls. Bought this for my gopro I've found it handy to remove finger prints or water spots from the lens. It's a interesting cleaning compound sort of like using felt tip marker yet not wet. Works well enough for me to buy it again and it sure beats the micro fiber towels that seem to just smear.
This device is perfect on many levels:1) works just as advertised2) great engineering (cleaner and brush)3) fits perfectly in the camera case4) super value at the price
The thing I hate about this is that cap always seems to fall of easily. Other than that I have found it to be alright does its job when I need to clean dust of a lense.
The handiest little safety device invented for a camera. Safe and easy to carry or through in to the case or bag. You cant beat it for the money.This is my second one, the first was in my binoculars case and still is there today. Seem to last and work well.
I own an E-PL1. unfortunately got a smudge on it. ordered this and cleaned the lens with it. worked flawlessly
I have used lens cleaners for years and this one is the best yet. There is a cleaning felt at one end and a brush at the other  end. The brush slides in and out of the tube  thus keeping the brush intact. This is a quality product and anyone that needs a lens/camera cleaning brush should consider this one. It is light and compact and the price was certainly right.
This one is pretty straight forward. It would have to either work or not. It works. I like the cap that keeps the dust off the brush when it is not being used.
I took this on my trip to Africa.  It worked great for keeping my lenses clean.
If you are seriously into photography like I am, you need one of these pens.  Don't know why I didn't purchase these before.  It cleans fingerprints with one end; and dusts off well dusts with the other end.  Compact to fit in your camera bag and works as described.  Would recommend.
Toss it in your bag and you will always have clean, non-smudged lens. Closes up tight, removes small smudges and gives a light brush for the shutter or lens.
Seemed a bit cheaper feeling than I expected. There were a few hairs on the brush that were longer than the rest but nothing a bit of trimming with a scissor couldn't fix.
I've had my pen for just a few days, and when I gently touched the pad end it left a  dark black residue on my finger.  Probably a dumb question, but IS THIS NORMAL????  I'm a little worried this black material will transfer to my lens.  Has anyone had this happen?  On a positive note, it seems like it would be good at cleaning a spot from the extreme perimeter of your lens, where it meets the metal housing.  I would appreciate any comments.
This thing is great!! I've used all of the other cleaning methods and this is perfect for a quick cleaning. I travel a lot and shoot in some extreme conditions. This pen is asy to carry anywhere. Does a great job. My camera never leaves the house without it.
nice pen works great on the lens so dont think about it just go for it
Absolutely, completely useful and convenient. Will buy two more to put with each of my kits.  Will buy for my kids and their kits. I wish I had this tool 20 years ago.  Won't go anywhere without it.  Only suggestion would be to make the shape more triagular so you could spot clean an edge better.
Dry tip, ineffective.  I figured it would have had to have some kind of wet solution inside it to wash smudges.  All this thing does is smear the dry black gunk that comprises the polishing tip.  I got no benefit out of this item whatsoever.
I got a fingerprint on my lens while on a trip doing an engagement photoshoot. i was able to whip out this pen and clean my lens immediately. it worked very well, and was fast. i was a little worried about the cleaner tip scratching or smearing, but it miraculously pulled the oil right off.the only CON for this item is that after a while you may need to replace it, but at this price...its worth it.
The retractable brush is OK, but the "cleaning tip" is just a tiny disc (about the size of a paper-punch hole) of soft cloth, mounted on a rubber tip. It did clean the lens reasonably well, but I would think it would get dirty pretty quickly, and there is no way to clean it or replace it. And in my case, I won't care, since it fell off after a few uses (yes, I was treating it gently and not using any solvents).I think there are much better choices available, unless all you want is the retractable brush.
simple tool that is a must need for any camera enthusiast.  easy to carry around in camera case and makes keeping lens clean easily.
Good construction. Works well for cleaning minor smudges and such. Handy, compact tool to keep in your bag for a quick cleaning.
The first time I used one of these I thought something had gone wrong because of the black carbon dust left on the lens. I then read the details on how the system works and the black dust is the cleaner. The brush is how you get the dust off. This works well for most general purpose cleaning. If you get something sticky on the lens, you want to get it off some other way first, this is just for getting rid of a smudge or finger print or similar.
this is good for small dirt and dust and fine hairs. I have something else on the filter glass and this does not clean it off but the small find dust that blew onto the camera/lens/hood all came off fine with this.
This cleaner pen seems to work exactly for what it is needed for.  When my D70 has a dirty lens, it cleans it.  If I had to find a problem, the cap doesn't stay on extremely well.  It is helpful when I am not at home and it is raining, foggy, or just dirty outside.  All camera owners should own something like this.
The brush sheds like a Labrador the other side is nothing but a shami circle glued to a suction-cup and overall the pen isn't that high tech to spend 10 bucks on. I'd recommend the AMAZON version to anyone looking to buy one. It's got great reviews, it's cheap and it actually has Prime Shipping. I though this one did however it still took 4 days to show up. Oh and the vendor for this uses USPS which in my eyes is a way of pissing on the customer. They're good at getting letters across the world quickly, but packages aren't their thing.
This cleaning brush/pen fits in your pocket (has clip) and works as expected.  The brush is retractable, and there is a small circular cleaning pad under a cap at the oposite end.  My only complaint is that there should have been a cap on the brush end as well.  Though the brush is retractable, the open end is upward in your pocket letting dust settle in.
This is great for keeping in your pocket to clean your lenses. It is very soft for your lenses and convenient to carry around in the bag. I highly recommend getting this.
It's a lense pen!  Not too much to say here other than it's solidly constructed (like you'd expect an official nikon product to be), has a soft cleaning bristle, and works well as a stocking stuffer for the photog on your Christmas or Hanukkah list.
I got this little guy to clean fingerprints and crud off of my EOTech EXPS2-0 . It works PERFECTLY. Use the brush for big stuff, flip the pen over for detail work.Every time I use it on the EOTech, the dang thing looks brand new.It's a super small pen that fits great in the range bag.Buy a couple.  Highly recommended.
I love this thing. I use it all the time on my Samsung camera. I highly recommend it! I keep it in it's own pocket so it wont get oily, or an dust on it, so it's always ready to go!
I use this thing all the time.  It is great to use to clean both lenses and filters.  It is so easy, even a goober like me can use it.  I also bought a Nikon cloth cleaner, but I rarely use it.  The pen is all I need most of the time.
Works great, another quality product from Nikon, would not use the &#34;grit&#34; side on a lens, just on a lens cover, but that's me.
I just bought that little thing that made my life easier. I'm using my new camera nikon d7000 and it's amazing!
I appreciate this product because it's inexpensive, yet does a very effective job at removing smudges and spots from my lenses. Good work Nikon!
This is a Nikon branded version of a product called Lenspen and the Lenspen set that I got for $20 at a trade show included three sizes of cleaning pens; only the largest of which Nikon chose to market as this 'system'. If they had gotten the other two smaller sizes, the problems with binocular ocular lenses and even tiny fixed camera lenses (like a Treo or iPhone) could have been cleaned.So to this particular pen: I like it a lot and it really does a good job on my Canon digital SLR. The Lenspen rep stated that there is a cleaning compound inside the cap which coats the cleaning tip with something like a fine carbon black powder and that is what makes it so effective in cleaning the lenses of oils and dirt without scratching.Of course the fine brush at the other end is used to brush off the large grit and damaging dirt before you move to the cleaning tip.All in all, this is a good part of a more complete system. If you have no need for smaller lens cleaner, this is a good choice.
For the convenience and price and compact size, this product works great. For absolutely spotless squeaky clean, use Nikon Lens cleaner or Residual Oil Remover on clean microfiber cloth and clean
Maybe it's just me but when I tried to use just the lens pen, there was visible dirt on the lens that would not be removed.  After I removed the tough stuff, I used the lens pen again and it seemed to be better than when I started.
Beware the word "SYSTEM" in the product title. It is not a "system".  It is a quick and effective means of removing many smudges and lint from viewfinders, mirrors, and some lenses. It is not a one stop shop tool to clean your expensive glass.* the tiny tip is great for point and shoot viewfinder glass: it gets in the corners* brush stays lint free* i use it to clean the mirror of my DSLRs with great effect* TIP: buy some cheap-o canned Air Duster (Memorex 3 8oz. can pack costs ~$15 and lasts for months with half a dozen cameras) and carefully blow off your glass and internals (hold camera upside down) do remove dust* avoid any kind of wipes, microfiber cloths, chemicals (except "Invisible Glass Professional") for your optical glass investments. When using Invisible Glass always use a brand new (not washed and reused) microfibre chamois guaranteed to be lint and particle free. Don't do this often, and always make sure you blast off the glass with Air Duster to remove the hard particles first.Otherwise this pen is a great little tool for small jobs. Just use common sense and don't ruin your glass.
If you like to keep clean your lens, this is for you, the brush is smooth and won't scratch any  lens. The cleaner is good even if you clean the lens helping it with a gentle breath over the glass.
Nikon has managed to engineer a simple device that you cannot do without in the field.  This pen slips into the smallest space and functions as a brush and lens cleaner, all in one package.  It is one of those innocuous devices that you don't appreciate until something causes you to need it.  Try it, you'll like it!
It's okay. But is also nice to add to your must haves for your Nikon camera. You will like it.
These lens pens are a great way to clean safley and quickly.The brush typically gets most dust and such quickly off the lens, and the spot tool atthe other end helps remove small spots of oil and such.Its quick and compact, the main down fall is that while storing it like you would a normal penthe upper compartment that holds the brush is open to the air.
A few weeks into owning this, two things broke:- The cleaning pad came unglued from the tip.- The whole tip came out of the pen.The lesson we learned here? Nikon needs some better glue. Two stars for being cheap enough to buy another anyway.
I don't know if it is dry-rotted or if they're all this way, but the cleaning tip not only leaves black pieces of suede or whatever it is made of, but leaves black streaks anywhere you use it.  I rubbed my finger across it, and my skin was stained black.  Returning immediately.
This is a real cleaner. Easy and convenient to use. Just think you're carrying a pen.........
Lens pen cleaner works great, love it.  Only complaint is that the shipping was just about as much as the cost of the pen.  Bundling it with other purchases was problematic
This pen sure comes in handy with all the wind.  We use it a lot to keep our camera lens clean!
I was primarily looking for a good lens brush, and this one fills that need.  However the brush end is unprotected from dust or lint from a camera bag, or pocket.  A cover for the brush end would have been good (like a &#34;lipstick&#34; design brush).  I haven't used the cleaner feature yet, as I have some hesitation about applying liquid to lens coatings, and would do this only as a last resort.
I have no problem with this item.  I don't trust just anything to touch my lenses--Nikon.  It works and at a good price.
Bought this to help me clean my Nikon lens...works as promised...its small compact and simple to use. Nice price too.
Very handy tool for $8 - Like anything however you need to take care of it and use the right tool, but for field cleaning dust brush offs, and minor lens smudge clean-up's I would absolutly call this a mandatory item in everyones camera bag or shirt pocket! Adding it is all self contained and easy to carry around and can safely roll around the bottom of your bag without getting messed up or dirty..
I bought this pen to clean various lenses, and it works quite well. It takes off the finger prints and smudges very nicely, and the brush is nice for removing sand and other damaging materials. The only problem I have had is the polishing part is bit to big to clean my Canon S100 lens, the squarish frame of the lens prevents the corners from getting clean. It worked great on my binoculars and slr lenses because they are much bigger, and don't have corners. Overall, I would recommend this for people with larger lenses; those with compact cameras may want to look elsewhere for a lens cleaner.
You cannot beat these pens when it comes to keep dust out of your lenses. I would recommend it to any photographer.
Apparently this product has been on the market for some time, but I was clueless to it being available. In a word: EXCELLENT. Very effective. Sure beats dragging a cloth across a high quality lens.
When you can buy original Len pens for $5, only Nikon partisans should be buying these. 2$ for a &#34;Nikon&#34; screen print job? Enough said.
The Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System arrived A LOT sooner than expected and it's very nice! My little cousin came over and decided to touch my lens, I whipped this out and it was back to clean!
This is the best cleaner I've ever used for glass. Does a fantastic job at cleaning my lens, filters, ect. Don't skimp on this, it's worth every penny, this should be in your pack at all times.
I watched the video, read the instructions, and this seems like it should be awesome, but unfortunately results varies drastically. The felt tip came off after 3 Lenses cleaning. The cranking cap that recharges the carbon seems like it contains nothing on the other end, touched it with my finger, there is no carbon on the felt. If there were, my finger should have black smudges, but it didn't. So with all that said, all three Lenses I cleaned with, didn't get cleaned at all. I had to go back with a Tec pad and clean it the old fashion way.
I got this for my Canon Rebel; it's compact, convenient, and easy to use. I haven't had any issues with it to date.
I travel with a still camera, binocs, movie camera, iPhone - lots of surfaces that can get dirty.  Have at last found the perfect side kick for my optical array!
It's really more of a gadget than something that is essential.  I use it occasionally, but I think I could get along without it.
Brushes don't work very well on camera lenses because they just move the dirt around or put dirt on the lens that was already in the brush.  Buy a rocket blower instead.
This product cleans the lens of my camera well.  It is compact and will come in handy as I continue to use my camera in less than favorable environments.
I learned about this cool little device from a friend who uses it to clean his binoculars.  One thing I like is that it doesn't scratch the lens, an important consideration for those who've invested in good optics.
It works well and does exactly what it says. It is nice that it is not liquid as I have found that even liquid cleaners will still leave residue behind. Even microfibers are prone to absorbing your fingers oils and transferring them to the lens. I personally do not like even using microfibers more than once or so. The best way to keep that glass nice is to use a filter whether it be UV, colored, or clear, using a filter is the best way to keep your glass safe.FYI Carbon Black is a known carcinogen. It is often used in the production of rubber for tires. It enhances the properties of natural rubber as well as other synthetic rubbers. It is as black as black can be and comes in a very fine powder. I have never heard of it being used for cleaning purposes but it seems to work well so I can argue. Just don't sniff the pen.
The brush is good, but (very big but) the felt tip on the smudge eliminator side fell off on the first use.  The glue used to adhere it to the rest of the pen was wonky. Possibly just a manufacturing problem.
My son-in-law has one and really loves this product and was glad to get a second one but my daughter said that this would be hers for her camera!
Good for cleaning off dust and minor blemishes. Won't clean a real dirty lens, not enough moisture even with breath. Nice to have when out shooting but for a heavily smudged lens wont get the job done. If you keep this with you and use frequently you probably won't need anything else.
not as good as &#34;lens pen&#34; lens pen.  It's a little bit hard to clean really dirty lens with this product. but for nomal dirty UV glass I think it's ok.
Great cleaning accessory. I use the brush and lens cleaning cup all the time. Both clean beautifully and scratch free!
I love this thins.  It does everything it is advertised to do.  Great cleaning tool for smudges.  Enjoy it.
Have seen these in other people's bags for years, finally got around to getting one. Fantastic! Much quicker, easier and more thorough than lens cloths or tissues. Especially useful on optics like binoculars or rifle scopes where the lens may be set back into a recess a bit.Get one and add it to your kit.
It's not the quality I see on the pics, of course it's all plastic, but hey! for less than $7 USD...This one is what I carry on my Trasnit sling bag (150), and use it regularly to clean the lens. It comes with a kind of circular pad in the opposite end of the brush, and it works great to remove the fingerprints.
If you haven't used a lens pen, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised -- it works well. The description doesn't make it very clear that this product has TWO different cleaning tools, one at each end. The brush, which retracts, is to take off dust particles. Hidden in the other end is a soft pad with a cleaning agent to remove fingerprints and more serious dirt, hopefully without damaging the anti-reflection coating on your lens.My only reservation is that this particular "Cleaning System" is a bit overpriced (at the time I wrote this review, Amazon was selling it for about $21). Essentially identical double-ended Lens Pens without the Nikon name attached cost $8-$10 from many sources, including Amazon (search "Lens Pen"), so you're paying quite a lot to impress your friends ;-)One more thought: another reviewer mentioned cleaning his lens daily with this product. That's not such a great idea. Camera lenses, and especially their anti-reflection coatings, are quite fragile. The more often you clean your lens, the more likely you'll damage the coating, or even scratch the lens due to a small dirt particle on the cleaning pad (likewise, NEVER clean a lens with bathroom tissues, since they contain tiny, hard wood chips).The fact is, a moderate amount of dust and dirt on your lens does NOT affect the pictures you take, since anything that close to the lens is so out of focus.PS -- Here's an update: I just got an Adorama Camera catalog that lists this lens pen, WITH the Nikon name, for $6.50! Imagine that.
This pen fits easily into the camera bag. I bought it mostly for the brush, in order to get any debris out of the crevices and around the lens during regular maintainence.
got this for my friend for his bday and it was very easy to use. i have also tried this on canon camera and it work just as well.  so all in all, it was a good buy.  :)
theres a brush to get rid of lint and a foam sponge with cleaning liquid that comes out, although it looks black when it came out. I'm going to be using it with a telescope and its same for multi-coated lenses. It won't be able to clean any eyepieces smaller that about a cm wide very well since the sponge is bigger than that.
Works great.  Smudges are easily cleaned and the brush is very soft and just the right stiffness.  The compact cleaner is much easier to carry than the old air-puff brush and cleaning cloths.
I used the Nikon version of this for about 2 years, and finally wore it out.  It's been through some of the worst conditions imaginable, and kept my glass perfect.  There are less expensive products out there, but I'm not afraid to pay for quality if it keeps my kit in running order.
I had to return this lens pen because it was obvious that it had been used before.  It was described as &#34;new&#34; but clearly was not.  The packaging was opened and incredibly dirty and dusty inside, which pretty much negates the fact that I would use it to CLEAN a lens!  You get what you pay for and I guess 10 bucks is too cheap for a good lens pen.
I purchased it three years ago. Use it all the time on my Nikon. Good price and great quality product!
I've needed one of these for awhile and finally bought on. It works just as they describe and does a good job.
Standard equipment for a camera bag, works great in cleaning those smudges off your lense.Do not use on a polarizing filter.
There are cheaper versions of this out there but I believe in supporting the OEMs.  The brush works great and the chamois tip is great for getting rid of unwanted fingerprints.  I use this combined with a lens cleaning cloth and couldn't ask for beter results.  Get a couple and put one everywhere your camera may end up.  Definitely a camera bag must!  Good quality and works great.
I believe the review that stated that the same item could be purchased cheaper without the Nikon logo. That is common. That being said I am a big Nikon fan, and with some things such as photo equipment on a purely superficial level I prefer to have the branded merchandise. I am not generally a superficial person, but it's just a very minor character flaw I guess. I generally will buy generic items, but on photo equipment I prefer not to take a chance. Daniel
It does the trick. Although you might get a cheaper version from another manufacturer, I went with Nikon...
great addition to my camera kit. Tends to get a little dusty here in Texas, So its defiantly be worth buying just keep it with me when walking with my camera.
This pen has a problem with losing its hair. Had to seen my camera end to get the hair from the pin cleaned.
Well made and does what it should.  Takes little room in my gear bag.
This is a great item for keeping my camera lens and binoculars clean of dust, dirt and removing finger prints.
I am very glad to have purchased this pen. for all my camera needs. very valuable to all the photographers at there
I use this pen regularly to clean my lenses.  It still is working well after having this for quite a while.  Cleans the lens very well with not too much effort.
I am a novice photographer, but I bought a nice digital SLR and one of these lens cleaning pens. I occasionally get a smudge or water spots on the lens filter. This cleaning device works great every time. I liked it so much, I bought one for my father to go with his D-SLR camera.
This was  a gift for my wife that she uses with her new Nikon DLSR camera. She says that it works well and that she is happy with it.
A must have pen for lens cleaning, I use this pen frequently. It's the best tool I use for getting tough smudges off of the lens.
This is a great little item.  The old lens cleaning solution and tissue just don't work for me with new multi-coated filters and lenses.  The lens pen used gently works like a charm.  It lasts a long time; eventually the cleaning disk gets gray and frayed around the edges when it's time to replace. The new micro-fiber cloths for eyeglasses work great as well.  For really cruddy filters, I have even used soap and water with my fingers, then the micro-fiber cloth.  Allow a couple of days to dry out the filter channel.
does what it claims to do and does it well.Only one concern.  After about a few month, the cap doesn't really click to secure in place.  It's kind of closes it but loosely, sometimes it will just slip out.
When it comes to cleaning my digital camera lenses, i'm very afraid of damaging something, so this little and cheap product takes away all the fear, and all the dust from my lenses.---Cuando se trata de limpiar los lentes de mi camara, me da mucho miedo que se da&ntilde;e, entonces con este peque&ntilde;o y barato producto, fuera miedo y fuera polvo.
I've been using the LensPen now since it first came out.  I find that it is an excellent system. (Those rating it low must not be reading the instructions on how to use it.)  If you follow the instructions, the LensPen is the fastest and most effective way I have found to clean my camera lenses.  I even use them for cleaning my digital sensor on my dSLRs.
This is a great solution for on the spot clean lenses and a spotless lcd.
Much better design with the screw on cap, worth having anytime you go for a photo shoot. I carry a couple with me all the time!
I carry this all the time. Too often I've juggled something and accidentally put a fingerprint on a lens. This product is great for those times and I feel safe that I won't damage or scratch a lens in any way when cleaning.
No liquid.No tissue paper.Very simple and effective.All you do is brush off dust and then if necessary take off any smudges on the glass. You can take it with you, put it in your pocket and use it on the field. Wham! Done! Your lens or filter is clean free of anything that can affect your image.
well, i would like to give this a good review but it doesnt seem to have any carbon cleaner in it, i have seen other reviews and pictures where people complain that the carbon cleaner gets on their hands, but mine doesnt seem to have any at all.it kinda streaks and spreads the oils around on a lense which gets them cleanER but not clean...all in all, i am going to try a different lens pen from another company and hope for better results.
Works great. I needed to blow on the lens, but it dealt with it well. I kept brush partially withdrawn to make it stiffer.
I bought this because it was compact and easliy fit in my camera bag.  Have not used it yet, but it appears to be quality and will do the job intended.
Removes all but the most stubborn smudges and fingerprints safely.  The brush end whisks away dust.  Small enough to fit in your camera bag.
Convenient, all in one, carry in your pocket for easy access.  Don't have to fumble around looking for it.
Works well and doesn't take up too much space in my gadget bag.  It also works well for the small lenses on today's point-n-shoot digital cameras as well as my DSLR.
It does just what it says, and it does it well. It's very easy to use, and very compact so it's no problem to bring with your camera anywhere you go. I don't really understand by what magic the little suction cup thingy cleans the lens, but I do know that it works and it's great!
We have a couple of these we keep in our camera bags, they are easy to use, light weight and compact enough for on the go. There is a brush side and a small disk side that work to remove any dust or grime that happens to get on your camera lens. Perfect when the little kid sneezes as you are taking his picture and gets goop on the lens.
This product is not only for cleaning  my cameras but I discovered that its useful for cleaning my  electric guitar too.So if you don't want  too scratch your guitar upon cleaning your pickups especially Les Paul type guitars,this is the perfect tool.
The tip leaves many streaks on my polarizer lens.  Seems to work fine on other surfaces, but still.  There's got to be a better product out there.
When I first used this product I realized it puts a film on the lens that you have to scrub off.  It's not hard to scrub the film off with the pen but made me a little nervous at first.  I use it with a compact camera that my kids are constantly getting finger prints on. Like the subject says it does its job and leaves the lens shiny clean.  The only downside is that it doesn't fit nicely in the camera case like a micro fiber cloth.  I eventually lost this pen and now use a microfiber cloth that comes in a little pouch.
Quick and easy to use... just push down and out.
As soon as I used it, I loved it. You can use the brush side to brush away any dust particles for the camera and lens. With the cap side you can use it to wipe off any finger prints on the lens, from the inside and outside. It really works!
Well I just got this, so I haven't really had a chance to use it, but it is a great size and I see getting a lot of use out of it.
This "Nikon 7072" lens pen is a 100% replica of the item "LensPEN Lens Cleaning System" which is sold here on Amazon also.  It's so much the same that the general wording on the package and the plastic flashing on the product is 100% the same.  I would save yourself $2 and get the other one - they are clearly made by the exact same company.
This is very handy while you're on a shoot and want to get rid of a smudge or dust.  For some stuff though you still have to use the old fashion non-scratch cloth and lens solution.
This is a great, inexpensive item for traveling.  But I would like to correct a couple of misconceptions from some of the other reviews: (1) Someone said a "moderate amount" of dirt and dust on a lens is "okay", because it's out of focus and won't show on photos.  This is absurd.  I can always tell when someone has shot a photo through a dirty lens, just as you can tell, if you wear glasses, when they're dirty.  Cleaning your lenses is a quick, cheap way to markedly improve the quality of your photos.  (2) That said, don't get crazy; use the brush 95% of the time, and the cloth only when there are smudges and fingerprints and the like.  Scratches are even worse than dirt when it comes to degrading photo quality.
smsll, convenient, very effective, and cheap. this thing is awesome. effectively replaces my air blaster plus cleaning fluid plus kim wipes combo for the "light and fast" camera bag
Binoc, teles, range finders and cameras. All can benefit from one of these. Light and compact, sturdy and effective. Keep the prints off the lenses.
As an eyeglasses wearer and photographer, clean and scratch free lenses is important to me. This tool sweeps away scratch making surface debris with the soft brush on one end and then polishes away smudges with a suction-cup-like device on the other. I have no idea (nor do I need to know) how this thing works but I know it does.Hasn't scratched yet - and it's dirt cheap.
This is a handy tool.  It is pretty compact (not much larger than a highlighter/magic marker), has a built in clip(so you can securly place it in hip or breastpocket). And it does a great job of removing incidental finger and water smudges from your precvious lens with an extruded endpiece that looks to be covered with some microfiber material. And you simply "erase" the marks. Simple as that.It also comes with a retractable brush that can be used to quicky wisk off any dust particles around the edges or creases of the camera/lens.Highly recommneded to anyone with a camera to keep that lens clean and producing the best shots you are capable of.
There's just no reason to be out without one of these. Handy for all my lens, but especially handy to use with binoculars, which always seem to be dirty. Just remember to take it with you.
I still have a "old" Nikon F1 along with a Nikon F3 with all of the lenes I think that it is a great product. But I changed to a digital D90 - easy to take a pic with out using real film !!!
Works as a brush, not a wipe.So I'm new to this whole photography thing... at least new at the DSLR level. I bought this thinking it maybe had a pad or something that I could use to wipe my lens (fingerprints.... like I said, I'm an amatuer). This will not wipe fingerprints or anything that is smudged to the lens. This is a very fine brush only. It will remove dust, lint, anything dry from the lens.I fogged up the lens by breathing on it, then used the condensation to clean the infgerprints with this brush. So I did find a way to make it work.
In use for more than a year and still cleans of lens smears from camera and binoculars - small enough to clean small eye-pieces
It is hard to write a review for a gift you give someone else. She was excited to get it
I have used the pen numerous times on a shoot. It is easy to use and makes the removal of bits of dust pretty painless.In reading the other reviews, I was surprised to note the price complaints, but when I reviewed my order from Feb 2006 I saw that I had paid $6.99 for it. Now that it is $21.90, I cannot recommend it as highly. For that money, it is better to invest in a professional lens care kit.
Second one I got for my DSLR lenses. Very portable and convenient. Great price. If somehow they can incorporate an air blower this would be a 5 star item.
1. with one end, extend the brush, and wipe debris away.This item is on sale for $6.49 and you are not going to beat this price for Nikon quality.The pen has two working ends.  On one side you have a brush (very soft so it will not damage the lens) to remove debris from the lens,,while the other side has a pad that polishes away finger prints and smudges.  All you have to do is twist the tip of the pen to use it.This is a easy to use lens cleaning device for anyone.I had great results using this on my Nikon digital camera.I have had excellent results using the Nikon Lens Pen on my Nikon digital camera.
There's not much to it, but it does what it says it will do.  I went and cleaned all my lenses and filters the night it came it.  Everything is sparkling clean.  It's the best lens cleaner I've ever used.Definitely worth the money.
bought for my d40, but havent used.  may come in handy in the future.. i'll update post if i use.
What's not to like about this?  It's $10, fits in your pocket or camera bag easily and works exactly as advertised.  It's much easier than taking out a cloth to clean your lenses.  And although this may be blasphemous, I use it with my Canon dSLR even though this is made by Nikon.  Sorry to say but I'll freely admit that the pens and lens caps on Nikon are pretty useful, but I'll stick with my Canon.  Bottom line on the pen, BUY ONE - you'll find that you use it a lot more than anticipated.
This is my second Lens Pen, and I like it a lot.  It is convenient having the brush at one hand to get rid of dust particles before using the soft felt to clean the lenses.I read a few of the reviews, and I get the concern with the "dark" stuff, but I think that is just a fine powder used for "lubrication" so the material does not scratch the lens (my guess, I don't know for sure).  Certainly I do not see any residue on the lens, nor do I discern any performance degradation in light gathering or clarity.I used to carry fluids and cleaning tissues, but it was always a pain to clean a lens on-site.  These allow for quick removal of dust (brush) and smudges (the felt end).  When the instructions are followed it works very well, and very quickly.  When I travel it's all I use, and in fact I have not used liquid cleaners on any of my lenses for a number of years now.I would recommend this to anyone who is fussy about their lenses.  By the way, when I used to use filters, I noticed these don't work nearly as well.  I'm guessing it has to do with the design of the cleaning end; it works much better on the slightly curved lens glass than on a completely flat surface.  If you use filters, you may not be happy with this product.
I like that it is smaller than all the other lens pens I have used.  It works just as well as the more expensive models.  Great buy!
Hello,I had a nice lens pen that received as a gift and another one that I bought for cheaper. I wanted another good one as a spare. So I looked several models and selected this based on the good comments. I received the package pretty quickly but when I opened it I was a little disappointed with the quality. On the brush end the hair is not cut evenly and to the other end the flat cleaner is glued to the body with a cheap glue and when you open the cap everything moves.It will do the job but for this quality you can find for cheaper. I was expecting a nicer product for the price. Hope this helps
I wasn't ready to buy this since I pride myself with using Canon products and I viewed buying this as being a traitor, but I'm glad I put my silly notions aside. Since I couldn't find a Canon branded one, I opted for this one since I figured if it's good enough for Nikon to put their name on it, then it's gotta be at least of decent quality.We visited Niagara Falls in the winter and the mist had landed on my lens, wiping it with micro fiber cloth only left streaks. Literally within seconds, the lenses were clear as the day I bought them. There was no left over black marks or streaks on the lens.I'm thinking of ordering another one just in case.
I'm not much of a photographer, but I have a point and shoot Canon SD800IS that I use all the time and I like to keep pristine.  It sometimes gets a dirty lens which of course needs to be cleaned immediately.  For it's price this would be great for a larger lens than a point-and-shoot camera.My only problem with it is that it's cleaning head is a little too large to clean the lens of my camera with out some fooling with it.  It does work though, and I would recommend as an emergency backup  for anyone.  It's made by Nikon too, so it can't be all bad ;)
This is simply the  best sub $10 investment you can make in a lens cleaning device. After you spend $$$ on your lens and filters you need to keep them clean.  It is simple, easy to use, and cleans a polarizer filter better than anything i found so far. ....oh..it is also small & easy to store in Lowe pro sling 200.
Second one I've purchased. The brush is good to get dust and dirt particles off. The other end works great on smudges, leaves the lens sparkling. If the lens is really dirty, I'll brush it first, followed by a moist tissue and finish with the rubber chamois end.
in the meantime, ordered one from adorama which was cheaper and shipped faster. one side works well for eliminating smudges and surface scratches, the other is a brush for whisking away dust and lint. pretty basic.
This is a very handy little brush for removing the odd speck of dust, etc., from a lens. It is very useful and convenient, but the price is pretty absurd for a little plastic-bodied retractable brush. The thing is more expensive than the remote switch for my camera...
After a lot of researching and hoping to find a good camera cleaning product, I purchased this. And it was quite a mistake. I have no idea how many hairs fell out within the first MINUTE that I began using it, but the pen's &#34;brush&#34; is significantly thinner, due to loose hairs. True, I did pull these hairs out, but I thought I would only be pulling one or two hairs out - the extras, you know? Turns out almost ALL of the hairs were this loose, and no matter what, I couldn't get the slightly longer hairs to disappear - apparently every time I attempt to clean my camera lens, loose hairs will come out. This is super annoying and I can't believe I paid this much money for a product that is of such poor quality (if the hairs were secure, the pen would have been fine!).
It is great practical cleaner that works. It is small so you can store it easily. The brush will clean up dusts and the other side will take care of finger prints and other sticking things in front of your lens or filter. A highly recommended on location cleaner for everybody who owns compact cameras or dslr cameras.
This little guy is worth every penny. Makes cleaning a breeze and do not have to worry about scratching my lenses. I don't know how I lived without it prior to...
First off, there is no cleaning fluid sprayer on the pen. The description is misleading because there is no sprayer on the pen as shown in the picture and stated in the description. There is no microfiber cleaning cloth but there is a carbon cleaning head and its on the one end of the pen. All-in-all this is only a lens brush and nothing else.
I keep one of these in my camera bag at all times. These are such a quick, easy, and SAFE way to clean lenses without scratching or leaving lint behind. Anyone who changes lenses regularly should have one of these in their bag!
I have used different lens cleaning cloths and solutions, but this double-ended &#34;cleaning&#34; pen is the better mouse trap.  One end is a soft brush to remove dust and the other end is a cleaner tool which is so simple to use. A half turn of the cap when done renews the cleaning end.  Made with Nikon attention to detail and effectiveness, but this tool can be used with other cameras and other lenses.  Safe for any lens.  Very impressive tool!
The pen is great and has come in handy for me in numerous occasions. I will usually just keep in the camera bag and because of the compact size it fits into any compartment. It's really easy to use - even with one hand. No need to mess around with a cloth. Simply pop out the cleaner, clean the lens, and pop it back in.I even use this pen on my iPhone to clean the lens!
What a ways we have come from the old blower and lens tissue.  I received my Lens Pen just in time.  I accidentally smudged my lens with my finger.  I also noticed that a bit of dust was accumulating on the surface.  The "eraser" totally eliminated the smudge--very impressive.  The brush is similar to most dust cleaning brushes.  Having all this in this nice compact unit is very convenient.  I carry my camera in a LowePro backpack and this fits nicely in one of the "pen holders" which makes it easy to find.
Not a catchy headline but hey its a lens pen. I bought this primarily to get the dander off of my camera due to a skin condition. But the lens glass cleaning end really does a good job of getting water spots off of the lens where a cloth cannot reach. A good investment for such a small amount of money in my opinion.
Its ok does what it does cleans . Its nice to have in your camera bag and does not take up much room even in the smallest bags.
I've been looking for something like this!Great combo of two tools in one easy-to-carry tool. 1) One end has a little brush to clear bits of dust, etc. 2) The other end has a soft little scrubber thing for the tough spots.
I am afraid to use this product on our very expensive camera. The hologram was partially removed from the package and I am not sure if it is counterfeit or not. A waste of money.
I had high hopes from this Nikon product. Sadly, the cleaning surface under the cap peeled off relatively quickly, and the item soon became useless. I got one good photo trip out of this product, but am now in need of a replacement.
Others in my tour group saw me use it, and asked me to clean their lenses and viewfinders, too. They have never heard of this product before, but went away impressed by its ability to thoroughly clean lenses without having to deal with wipes that have to be tossed after each use. It is now a permanent, must-have accessory in all of my camera bags.
I bought the nikon trademarked lens pen because I thought it would be substantially better than the off brand lens pen that would have cost almost half the price, but it was not. This product works, but I wasn't blown away, it still leaves some of the stuff on my lens sometimes but usually works. Save yourself money and go buy a non nikon lens pen.
Compact, the brush is soft and retractible. The cleaning tip does a great job of removing smudges of the lens.
This cleaning pen has a compact and handy design.  When I use a camera outside in the woods and without a carry bag I always stick this in my pocket.  It's quicker and more convenient than a cloth and the brush retracts out of the way. Cleans nicely and keeps the lenses and filters dust free. It won't clean off any finger smudges or contamination but if you have that problem you'll need something more like a wet cleaner.  For regular lens cleaning or keeping lenses dust-free this is really very good.
it works great and after the brush, I used the flat part on the back and that was amazing actually
If I'm going to haul myself up a mountain to take pictures of wild orchids, I'm not hauling anything else but my camera and this pen.  It has saved me in the field more times than I can remember.  It's durable, functional, and easily tucked away.  I also use it to clean binoculars, magnifying glasses, and a loupe.  The Nikon lens pen doesn't seem to work any better than the Brand X's that I've used and continue to use, though it is more expensive.  I just wanted to see if the name was worth it.  It wasn't.  By the way, it's not a bad idea to keep a spare.  People get spoiled by their lens pens.  You don't want to go without if it's misplaced or taken by your teenage son who thinks possession is nine points of the law.
Simple and effective - does its job without danger of ruining your lens, weighing down your camera bag, and doesn't feel cheap.
For my Son and daughter in law and they love it.They were spending a lot of money on studio portraits yet had a high end DSLR.Easy setup and use.
Good buy compared to the ones at Best Buy, Too bad it is only a dry cleaning tool, kind of expected a cleaning solution.
Exactly what I was looking for for my Canon Powershot S2 IS. Does the job well at a great price.
The pen is designed well; brush retracts and lens cleaner is covered so it's protected in camera bag.  Works well.  Recommend.
There are suprises here, it is a low cost cleaning system that does what it is supposed to.
This is so simple to use and yet very effective at cleaning up delicate lenses.  One side has a soft brush for whisking away big debris harmlessly and the other side has what looks like a leather pad and some kind of cleaning compound.  Going in a slow, circular motion cleans up lenses without harming them and re-capping and twisting the cap applies more cleaning compound to the leather pad, when needed.  Simple.  Easy.  Effective.
The " Cleaning Head" will leave a light and uneven grey film on the lens. The brush is not well protected. It can trap dirt even it is retracted. Do not waste your money on it.
Read a lot of reviews concerning the black carbon dust. I tried on the pen on a regular camera lens before touching my expensive ones. Worked great.
This little pen is great, I am using it constantly to clean the dust or smudges off my lenses and filters. Some filters I bought had some sort of adhesive stuck on them and with a little fog from my breath and a few swipes of the applicator they were good as new. the applicator is some sort of charcoal or other material that is made for lenses so don't get it on your hands or anything, It also has a self cleaning feature inside the cap, just give it a little twist.
Instead of mucking around with cleaning cloths and blowers, in the field this cleaning pen is fantastic.Not much to add, it should be in your arsenal of tools.
This low-priced pen cleaning kit from Nikon is a must-have.  I was surprised that it costs less than non-Nikon cleaning pens that do exactly the same.One end of the pen has a soft brush which is retractable.  It's perfect for brushing away dust on the lens.  The other end is a cleaning pad, which is used to remove fingerprints and particles that get stuck on the lens.  Because this product is small, it doesn't take up any space in the camera bag.  It's also very convenient to use.Of course, if your lens surface is really dirty, you should get a complete cleaning system including lens-friendly cleaning solution and soft tissue paper.
This POS smears the lens when I tried cleaning with it. Pressing it down on a white paper it leaves a black ring smudge. It's junk! I can't leave less than one star or I would.
This Pen Cleans where cloths fail. It is powerful without injuring or damaging your lens.
I have one of these in every camera and/or bag that carries optics, including both vehicles.  The unit is compact, the brush is held in a relatively tight pattern which helps whisk away dust and dirt (an ever present problem in AZ). The cleaning disk is very soft and reaches right to the edges of the lens (even my Nikon Travellite minis). Unlike others, I've had no problem with the disks coming off, the adhesive seems not to be effected by alcohol cleaning solutions.Simply put, you do your job, this will do it's job.I'm certain the "Perfect World" Whiners will find all manner of flaws, but in my bag this is a must have.
after MR.MURFEY messes you up; READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!it will work great,i know there are others that works good also.but not as handy.
This cleaning pen is compact and easy to use. The brush ends slides out and will effectly remove any loose dust from the cameral lens. The other end, under the cap has a cleaning pad that removes smudges. The smudge pad is cleanable, and the package informs how to clean. You may want to write this cleaning instructions down, since they are on the packaging which will be tossed once the pen is removed. Now,I cannot remember the exact process for cleaning this pad.
The pad leaves behind greasy black smudges, the brush loses hair. After 'cleaning' your lens is dirtier than before, and you need a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove the smudges. A very disappointing product from Nikon.
Greatest thing in the world!We are not professionals by any means.  But we do have a toddler!  We keep the Lens Pen in our camera bag for when our daughter likes to reach out and leave finger prints.
Very good product, it only works for dust, i think they could have made it a bit more small it is about 1 penny of diameter.
I bought three of these pens figuring the brand name should be security to the quality and the price. One of them broke on the first use. The cleaning tip detached from the body and was reattached with double sided tape. Hopefully that holds up. The other two seem to work fine for now.The brush seems to leave a bit of hairs behind but not to bad as you can just brush them away. Other then the one bad one. They seem to do everything as described and might give them another shot in the future when the need arises.
I don't know how I got along before without something like this.  Yes I do, my lens wasn't as clean becuse I didn't have time to get out a lens wipe every time I needed it.  The brush end quickly flicks off dust and the cleaning end quickly gets rid of accidental smudges.
Now I can clean my lenses on the way without worry to scratch it! One of the best accessory for your photo equipment.
This little lens cleaner does a good job keeping smudges off of your lens and is small enough to easily slip into your camera bag.
most lens pens are flimsy. the slider usually ends up ushed into the casing.. this Nikon hasnt done that yet but I think its part of the game. Its a good size too.
Good enough I bought a second one!  Always lives in my camera bag.  I'm a frequent filter changer, so something like this to remove either loose dust or finger smudges is a necessity!
This Nikon Lens Pen is a must have for anyone who is into photography. For a quick lens cleaning, this lens pen comes in handy and is portable enough to fit in almost any midsize camera bag.This model, the Nikon 7072, is much better than its cousin, the LensPen NLP-1. I find that the NLP-1 leaves a residue when cleaning and does not have a cap which twists over its carbon.So, if making a choice of which Lens Pen to get, I prefer and recommend this lens pen over its smaller cousin.
I have used Nikon products for many many years and have never had any major issues. This is a good product to put into your bag so you can clean lenses and glasses when needed. Last a long time and you cannot go wrong having this item in your bag!
This thing is pretty awesome!  You might think that you could just use a wipe and some cleaner to get the same results, but this is pretty effective and more convenient.  You know how you get the little speckles that dry on your lens from rain, or the colored smudges from an accidental fingerprint?  This removes them in a snap, with no cleaner needed (and no residue or wipe marks). The pad tip is small like a fingertip, so it can clean right to the edges of the lens glass no problem.  The retractable brush is very handy for flicking off dust, hairs, fur, or whatever other junk inevitably ends up on your lenses.  The pen shape makes it easy to store, and long enough to easily reach into lenses with a hood.  One of the best things about this is that it is made by Nikon, so I don't have to worry about it damaging the optical coatings on my lenses, which is always something I worry about with liquid cleaners.
This little gizmo actualy works. Apply just a little elbo grease and it will remove sticky dirt from your lens.
Becarefull when you use this guy as the hairs will break free of the pen and you might not know it until after you look at your pictures....
I use this Lens Pen frequently. I like being able to keep this with me while i'm shooting pictures. this Lens Pen is very compact and easy to use.
I am pretty new to the SLR world (5 months), but it does not seem that this pen does a great job. I followed the instructions and it removes most of the dust (maybe I am expecting more that it can deliver). What I like about it is the size: it fits right into the side pocket of my camera backpack. It is probably produced by the same company that produces a no name version, but it is probably a challenge to find a same quality device without the same price tag. Anyway, if you had spent at least 1000 bucks on your camera system so far, you can spend another 10-20 in this quick cleaning device.
I just bought my nikon d80 and I accidentally touched the lens and left  fingerprints that couldnt be wiped off.But the brush and the sponge on this pen helped me a lot!
Small enough to be unobtrusive in my camera bag and simple enough to use.  Does a very nice job in the field if I need to dust off or clean my lens.
I bought this for the convience of keeping my lenses clean durring fast & furious wedding shoots.  It has worked beautifully.  It works great for taking off fingerprints and wiping away dust.
Just a generic lens pen with the Nikon label.It's not the go-to  end-all-be-all cleaning the lens on the field for quick cleaning.It does its job of what it can do on my Canon cams lenses & filters on quick notice.
This type of cleaning system for lenses works great. I ended up getting the smaller one, just like this larger one also. They keep the lenses of my cameras spotless. They fit in the camera bags and have the option of clipping to the side of the bag on the outside so that they are handy but won't get lost.
The lens cleaner works well. Unfortunately, there was a long wait before the item was received. Was going to give as a gift, but the item came too late. So I am using it on my own camera.
In order to keep and expensive possession in fine shape, there are some items that are are really &#34;Must Have&#34; items and this purchase was one  of those things.
the pen is great for cleaning lenses, but do not make the mistake of using this to dust off the inside of the camera. Will create more mess than there was to begin with.
This is a tool every one must have. It cleans your lens, CD, DVD, etc.
Perhaps I got a defective one, but when I use the brush end on any surface it seems to leave a dark residue.  I would assume that there would be just a plain, reasonable quality brush in it but it wasn't.  I've used better items.
I'm an borderline (OK, maybe full-fledged) obsessive about keeping my lenses (and computer LCDs, etc.) clean and dust/lint-free!Your first tool should be a nice blower (like a Giottos Rocket!) since you don't to risk any abrasion to the lens.For stubborn dust, you'll need a spray and cloth or lens pen.  For situations where you can't keep the bottle of lens cleaner and cloths (or simply want to clean up faster)on you, I like using a light brush.  For stubborn items that can't be blown off via air, these fit the bill and are cheap, compact, and effective.I didn't really need a Nikon-branded one, however, it was cheap enough (compared to non-branded ones) to not matter.
This is a good small tool for cleaning a lens and it contains a nice soft brush but it is no substitute for a good cleaning solution and a soft cloth if you have a really dirty lens.  I keep it in my camera bag in addition to some lens solution and a cloth. (Provided TSA doesn't seize the liquid.)
I don't believe in liquid cleaning feature of this pen. I only use its brush to blow out the dust. Expected price at $4
This is precise I would recommend to all it really keeps the camera  clean, you will love it.  Great buy for the price
I have been using this pen for a short time and it is working great so far, I did not know about this cleaning mechanism before and I was used to clean my lenses very carefully nevertheless sometimes got scratched. This pen saves a lot of time and it's incredible easy to clean your lens properly. No scratches, no fingerprints anymore. I would definitely buy another one.
Bought this, and the Nikon 8072 microfiber cleaning cloth. They take up almost no space in the (small) camera case, and are more than enough until you get home and use the bigger cleaning systems.
It is a great Lens and LCD cleaner.  The brush is good for dust removal but the other side microfiber cleaner is superb in removing finger prints.  On top of all this it is Nikon (so no scratches).  Bought it for my Sony HDR-SR11 and thinking of buy a couple more for general cell phone and laptop LCD cleaning.
very good pen.. i will not worry about cleaning my lenses after getting this pen.. i cleaned both lenses and filters..
lens cleaning pen works for me, I'm no pro at all but it removes smudges and gets rid of loose dust.  and if you're in a tight spot in the field it will be the thing you grab first.
Great product use it every time I go out to take photos with my Nikon camera, helps be dust off and remove any smugs super easy
I ordered the pen and when it arrived, I sceptically used it, thinking it would do a so-so job. It actually did clean the smudges, and the round tip for cleaning the lens felt just right, without going into the black outer edges of the lens. It has a brush for brushing the dust off before cleaning the lens. It is also very convenient, and can be carried easily in your camera bag without taking too much space, which is a plus especially when travelling. It would be a great alternative to using sprays and cloths. Try it!
Ordered one - then ordered a few more for family that loved them.Got what I ordered!
You cant go wrong with this compact brush.  While it wont perform miracles, it cures those white splotches you get from dust and debris.  Its the perfect companion for your lenses and filters.
Never leave home without it! This pen is an absolute must for any photographer who is serious about the quality of their photo results
After reading positive reviews, I purchased this lens pen.  I had bought a lens filter that someone had put their fingerprints on.  The pen cleaned it completely.  It sure seems like the thing I need to carry in my camera bag to keep my pictures clear.
Keep it in your shirt pocket as a pen, and use it when needed to clean lenses.  Very practical.
It's a cheap tool to have in the tool kit, but an important one. Solid construction, and cheap price. Can't go wrong!
Works as advertised---very easy to clean up  smudges on a lens surface---Some even use it on  a camera's sensor----much more effective than wiping with a cloth or tissue--
This cleaning pen is easy to use to clean the lens of my camera and is made so it is easy to retain.
Works well and it's handy, but the end-cap is a little oddly fit - not that it falls off, but it's a tad difficult to seat so it's on &#34;well enough&#34; to stay.  I'd buy another one, though.
Love this for keeping my lenses clean. Doesn't scratch and is compact for easy packing. I will definitely order again.
Great at cleaning finger prints, water stains, or any blobs/residuals that's left on lens surfaces. Combine this with a Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large  and you are set. I don't even need a cleaning cloth.
The pen worked OK, but it could have used a flip-around tip for the smaller eyepiece lenses on telescopes. That said, it worked fairly well on things with bigger glass surface areas, such as binoculars. Bottom line: Recommended for binoculars and the wide lenses of telescopes, but not for telescope eyepieces. For those, stick with Kleenex & alcohol/water mix.
I was on youtube and saw an add for this item. I must say I will never be buffing my lenses with my T-Shirt &#34;cringe&#34; any more. The fact that I can have it on my body throughout a shoot is amazing. I even used it on my glasses. Works great!
For the price, this is an amazing little tool. This is great for removing dust and fingerprints from your lenses and is only slightly larger than any regular pen, I just leave my in my tripod case. One side is a brush for removing dust while the other has a firm but soft cup shaped surface for applying a little gentle pleasure to take off smudges.
This is one of those little items that make you wonder why it took so long to come out. Rather than fiddling with cleaning clothes that always seem to trap everything but the dust on your lens, this is a quick, convenient way to reach exactly where needed. Takes minimal space and is right where you need it when needed. Very satisified!
Loving it and it works...i use it on my 50mm f1.8 lens before I put on my new bought Hoya filter..brush and little wipe work nicely.
my boyfriend loves this pen to clean his lens ;)nice product and worth it for what we paid for
The pen works great for cleaning my lenses.  It was shipped in a timely manner and does exactly what they said it would do.  I would recommend it to anyone interested in one!
I was pretty skeptical at first, but after using this Lens Pen a few times now I can highly recommend it. I have been taking photos for years now, and I have struggled  with dirty lenses/filters from the start. There are some other ways to clean lenses (which some of them I have tried) but this pen really works the best so far for me. It works like magic. I don't know how long it will last (I have it for a few months now), but at this point I can say that it's a must have for a DSLR owner who likes to take care of his/her lenses.
Several years ago, I bought a Nikon lens pen over my previous Leupold brand because they had a cover for the brush end & Leupold didn't. With no cap, it's easier for dust to get on the brush. It looks like they have changed the design, however. Now there is no cover for the brush end. In addition, the cover for the graphite cleaner end can't be put on the opposite end of the pen while you're using it. (Unlike the caps on inexpensive ballpoint pens.) Thus, the cap remains loose and easier to lose. So, basically Nikon completely messed up a good design.I'll go back to the Leupold version, or search around for another option. At least with the Leupold, there's only one aspect of it that I don't like (no cap on brush end) rather than two bad design features (no cap on brush end, cap must remain loose when graphite is being used)  - - -like on the Nikon.Do the people who design these objects actually use them day-to-day ?  I wonder.
At the risk of repeating another review, it works and does exactly what the product description says it should do.  This handy tool is not for heavy duty cleaning, but to be honest, if you keep your equipment relatively clean, this is all you need.It is small, inexpensive and it works!  I will carry this with my camera everywhere I go!
Well...not much to say really.  Got it for my Pentax K-x (EXCELLENT camera) to clean the lenses.  Does the job and does it well.
I purchased this to clean my hunting scopes and it did its job, It is the same as pretty much every other lens pen on the market.
this item is exactly as stated. a 2 in one pen, brush at one end and cleaning pad at other. takes up no room in your bag or pocket. clear off dust with brush or open the cap and clean both lens or filter with cleaning pad. a twist of the cap applies more solution to pad after use. it might not fully replace a standard cleaning kit, but this product works and you won't have to take out the solution and lens paper to clean your equipment. also, a great buy...jeff
Pros: Small, keeps brush bristles protected, cleans my lens just fine.Cons: None so farOverall, this does the job and is a good price.
Love this Lens Pen.  Brush retracts well so it is not damaged easily when not in use.  Fits perfectly into my camera case.  Cleans my lens well.
Doesn't take up much space. Lightweight. Easy to use. Gets the dust off without scratches or smears. No need for sprays or extra wipes. Best for camera lenses.
Best purchase ever! I was deciding whether to get a dust blower or this first. I went with the pen since it got good reviews and now I still have not purchase the dust blower because it does such as good job cleaning off dust.
These little items are great to put in each of your cases.  I attach one to each of my camera cases and they work flawlessly.  I have Nikon lenses, so won't touch them with just anything . . .
A great design and price.  One half is a retractable brush to remove debri, and the other end is a dry compound to clean the lens.  Place the cap and twist and the compound is reapplied to the cleaning tip.  I use this for all my cameras and phone's.
Bought this for my husband who has begun getting into filming. This is a great cheap gift for all film makers if they don't have one. Easy to carry around on set to clean lenses and fits into gear easily without taking up much room!
This works great for cleaning the lens on a DSLR camera. Works faster and better than trying to use a microfiber cloth. It's too big to use on a point and shoot camera lens, but i think they make a smaller one for that. It's a nice all in one tool, brush and cleaning pad. nothing else needed. Unless the lens is extremely dirty maybe. but it should never get that way in the first place.
I carry this in my camera bag with me in case I need a quick cleanse for my lens (dusty streets, beach, etc.). It's lightweight, handy, and does a great job cleaning the lens...all at a reasonable price. I couldn't ask for more. I may purchase another one of these just to have around.
The product packaging opened easily enough; maybe too easy. Brush side of the pen looked like a brush-too soft, too coarse, whatever. The other side of pen however left a black residue when I touched it to my knuckle. Yes, black like a Sharpie and hard to wash away with soap and water after dotting the back of my hand in repeated disbelief. Has to product tampering. Too bad.
This thing single hands sly saved some of my shooting days. Super convenient and cleaned my lenses very well even on my point and shoots. In a pinch I also used it to clean my iPhone screen really well also. I wish I didn't lose it after only using it for a month or two. That's what I get for leaving it in the car...or so I recall
Item arrived in great condition. I have not had need to use it yet, so can't really provide the feedback on quality.
This small convenient lens cleaning pen presents a simple, safe means of cleaning optics while in the field The pen presents the user with a much safer way to clean your optics than cleaning cloths, which catch dust particles, and always present the possibilities of micro scratches on the lens.
This is a great brush for cleaning camera lens in the field, small and portable but plenty of fine soft bristles to clean the lens.
Just started getting into photography and purchased a high quality lens and didn&#8217;t want to run a towel and scratch my lens so I got this brush and works great. It even removed light finger smudges.
A must have for you camera Kit. Great for brushing off your camera lenses if they get dusty.
I got the Lens Pen for my SLR and it works great!  It removes dust and smudges from the lenses quickly with almost no effort... I consider it a must have for my camera kit!
Takes off smudges and dust nicely and easy to use on the run.  Much easier than carrying around a wad of lense wipes and a bottle of lens cleaning solution.
Seems it shouldn't cost quite so much and the cleaning area is a bit small.I have used it for cameras, gun scopes and binoculars. It works fairly well. Will have to look into how to care for the cleaning pad.
Product was just what I needed to keep my lens spot free.  Fast shipment, thank you.
This dry cleaning system works very well. Much better than wet wipes. Make sure to blow it off with a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster after cleaning. Keep it in my camera bag all the time.
Good thing it cost under ten dollars...this is one product you won't like. It didn't clean my camera lense, it just smudged it up. Better off using a regular cleaning cloth or lens wipes.
The brush is well made & soft (very important). No loose bristles as reported by some others. I haven't tried the smudge remover yet.For my money, the best brush for optical work is a genuine camel hair brush - if you can find one. I also like a very nice brush I got from Edmund Optical some years ago; it looks just like a lipstick container, and the brush is advanced & withdrawn just like lipstick. It is an order of magnitude better than the Nikon brush - it would get 5 stars easily. Still, this one is good enough to carry in my camera bag.
I finally bought a couple of these Nikon lens pens afteer a couple friends sung their praises. Well, I'm a convert. In one piece, worn like a pen, you have a complete lens cleaning kit. Nice idea, well made.
Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning SystemThis is my first use of a lens pen of any sort. I've read about them, but worried that ANYTHING that repeatedly came in to "brushing" contact with a camera lens might eventually pick up grit and scratch. However, based on lots of good feedback, and the low price, I decided to give it a try.I used it first on my viewfinder glass and LCD glass. I have a real issue with greasy "face" prints and "thumb" prints on my 50D LCD. This pen took immediate care of the "grease" with light rubbing. I then tried it on a cheaper lens of mine, and it really seemed to leave it crystal clear. I haven't used it on my "L" glass yet, but probably will if I end up with a greasy print or water spots on it. For the most part, I shoot with a UV filter/protector cover on my "L" glass, and wouldn't hesitate to use this pen on such a filter.This pen works well, but I wish they had put a cover on the brush end. It would be easy for contaminants to get to that end of the pen, and then for the user to inadvertently "wipe" the brush on a lens, and transfer the contaminant. I will be looking for a make-shift cover to pop over the brush end to keep it safe.Nice product, and I'll probably buy another to use on my eye glasses (and LCD screen/viewfinder) as I don't want to use the one for my lenses on ANYTHING but my lenses.
This is the way to go! I don't know if I received something extra or what but I think the bristles on this unit "Nikon" branded one are a little more nicely trimmed than on the LensPen version. Also mine came with a large LensPen puffer that really puts out the air. Both for about the same price as the LensPen version by itself. Highly recommended.
Excellent pen, fits in my bag well and helps keep the dust and dirt off the lens.  Worth the $$
construction quality is cheesy (cleaner end pops out of barrel when taking the cap off), but the brush is what I was really after and it is convenient to keep on hand
Good lenspen  to dust off  the lenses. It is a little expensive. Hard to get fingerprint and smudge off on the lenses.
I was very skeptical when I saw this product.  I did not believe that this device could give the results that it does.  Not only do I use it on my camera lenses, but also eyeglasses.  It would be great for binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, or any opitcal device that has a lense which gets smudged.  It is the only cleaning kit I have in my camera bags.  I have one in each of my Nikon Digital SLRs.
These work great...I use them to clean both sides of my lenses, plus my wife's Swarovski birdwatching binoculars and spotting scope. Very easy to use and they get great results.
It's a must to include this in your camera bag when you travel.Extremely handly and light.Perfect when you shoot in dusty cities in Asia.
Lens pens such as thisNikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning Systemare quite handy and great for field use, but they can be misunderstood. Think of these as a brush for removing debris from the front of the lens or the filter with a small cleaning pad at the other end, and you'll be closer to what they are. I've had a few of these under different brand names, but they all seem to function the same way.In Use:The main thing to remember is that the lens brush portion of this device is the essential tool to remove dust and debris from your filter or front lens surface while in the field. It should be used gently, just dusting off any debris or dust that you may find on the lens. I use protective UV filters on each of my DSLR lenses, but most compact digital cameras don't have the option of using these. Most of the compact point-and-shoot cameras have protective louver blades, and the lens retracts behind these when the camera is turned off. In that case, dust or debris could be trapped behind the protective blades, so it's doubly important with these compact cameras to dust off any debris before powering off.The retractable brush slides out for use quite easily, and it's quite soft. You may be tempted to touch the brush, but it's suggested that this be avoided, as your fingers may leave oils on the brush tip, and then you may find that it leaves streaks on the lens or filter surface, which will result in it needing further cleaning.At the other end is a capped cleaning pad for removing smudges and fingerprint marks from the end of your lens. This part should be employed only after you've used the brush portion to clean dust or debris from the filter or lens surface. If you rub too hard and dust residue is still present, it can leave small or microscopic scratches on the multicoated lens surface, and that's not something you want. Just remember: brush first, then wipe, and you should be OK.Alternative Products:As noted earlier, there is a variety of similar devices available here. TheAmazonBasics Lens Pen Cleaning Systemis a good one, and it has slightly different features. The originalLensPEN Lens Cleaning System, where most these had their beginnings, is a proven product, and there's a newer version, theLensPen NLP-1, which is more compact than its predecessors. If you look around here, you'll find other brands as well, so compare the features and the prices, as they do fluctuate.Additional Cleaning Remedies:Anyone with a digital camera knows that it's almost impossible to keep the LCD display screen clean and free of fingerprints. One can get the various clear film screen protectors, only to find within a few days or weeks they will fall off, or they'll be the type that are sticky, and leave a gummy residue all over the back of your camera. There are some made of ultra-thin optical glass "with at least 90% transmittance" but some of those also require gummy tape to be applied to the LCD screen or the rear of the camera.I don't clean the LCD screen on any of my digital cameras with any part of the lens pen. I use theNikon 8072 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, which is the same thing that I use on my eyeglasses, and there's one that's attached to my camera bag right now. The main reason is that all too often there will be additional fingerprints or even "nose grease" on the LCD surface, and I've found it better to not let this contaminate the lens surface. When at home, I'll usually use the largerNikon MicroKlear Microfiber Cleaning Clothfor general maintenance. What they don't tell you is that the microfiber cleaning cloth is washable, so I've had years of use from these.Summary:These products are all relatively inexpensive, and are a low cost way of maintaining your photo gear. TheNikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning Systemand the others mentioned here are quite compact, and fit quite easily into even small camera bags.  Any of these would make a great gift for a photographer or anyone using field optics, and are usually quite appreciated. They're highly recommended for keepin' it clean.9/3/2012
Lens Pen is my favorite way to clean lenses. Through the years I have purchased a few of these, in Nikon and other brands, and I have never been disappointed. Lens pen cleaning system is a great product. The biggest advantage over wet cleaning processes is that no visible residue is left on the lens, and there is no need to buff afterwards.
Not a lot to say except it does what you would want it to do and it is well made.
This pen is perfect for cleaning your camera. The brush is non abrasive and the cushion &#34;pen&#34; for cleaning the lens it's amazing. A must have.
Incredibly simple and effective, this product should be a standard part of every photographer's kit bag.  Works on all lenses too, from video cameras to sunglasses.  One side has a brush that is used to effectively remove all the large dust particles (I usually use a micro fiber cloth, and cannot get as much dust as this simple brush removes).  BTW, the brush is retractable, so it won't get easily damaged.  Next, there is the lense tip.  Wow, for me, my issue has never been the stray fingertip or smudge (as I'm extremely careful about my lenses), however, the occasional droplets of morning mist are virtually unremovable with the microfiber cloth alone... not true for the Nikon 7072!!!  I find myself using the brush side at least once a day and the lens cleaner at least twice a week.  Again, I definitely recommend this... oh, and the price is definitely on the mark for something you'll use multiple times!!!
Good cleaner kit additive..
This is a great tool to have because it is compact and easy to carry if you happen to be a photographer or a bird watcher. Always being out in the field you manage to get your lenses fogged or messy no matter how careful you try to be and having one of these is mighty handy.
This is a great product. very light and handy. The brush comes out of one side and the powdered tip from the other side.
I used the lens pen cleaning system as soon as I opened the package.  It is easy to use and very effective.
This is very handy to have in your bag when you need to clean a lens when out on the road.
Nikon lens cleaning pen works great for me. I generally use it in one or two months on my 18-55mm VR lens. Good product.
Easy to stow in your pocket and simple to use.I have a Nikon D3100, and this works really well to remove debris or clean the lens.Highly recommended.
I can't believe I waited to get this!  Easy to carry along and super easy to use.  Professionally clean glass every time.  GET IT!
I have a couple of these things in case I lose one. This is safe to use on my lens, and since it's preloaded with a cleaning compound, I don't have to worry about trying to use some of my own. I know I saw a reviewer who said that it was a dirty cleaning pad and showed all the dots of dark spots on their hand proving it, little did they know that is the cleaning compound, and now not only did you waste all of that, but you just put your grease all over the cleaning pad which will transfer over to your lens next time you clean it..
I used this as a stocking stuffer for Christmas and surprised my photographer. She couldn't wait to put it to use.
PERFECT! There's no better word to describe this thing.It's works magically! Very clean lens. Very easy to use. If you care for your lens, do not hesitate to get this. It works better and faster than any microfiber cloth.
As anyone with interchangeable lenses knows, protecting them is absolutely essential. This pen cleaner is great because it has a brush style cleaner on one end to remove dust, lint, and other debris, and the other end has soft tipped cloth type cleaner to remove smudges and fingerprints. Never go out to shoot with out it!
I bought it with my Nikon D60, earlier in May this year and I can't really describe, how useful this pen is. It stays with me, whenever I go out with my camera. It works as shown in product descrition: remove the debris with the retractable brush and then open the cap and wipe the lens.It cleans all dust specks, dried water drop marks, fingerprints or any other marks leaving your lens clean & spotless. Being small, it is easy to store and can come in the side-pocket of your camera backpack or belt-mounting bags or jeans pocket. I consider it as an innovation from Nikon.Recommended to buy for anyone who uses a camera, be it a SLR, professional or point and shoot.And yes, did I mentioned, it is dirt cheap for its price....
Love it - it's handy and effective.  I have several  - one in my glove box, one in the camera bag, one in the house...plus makes a nice gift for a friend. :)
This pen is fantastic.  Always have it with me when shooting to clean any wayward specks.  The brush is soft and works well for dust.  And the graphite cleaner is great...leaves a completely clean lens/
This tool works well, easy to store and carry, and is moderately priced. I will definitely buy another one when this one needs replacement.
Quite the handy little gadget when you're in the field.  Easily cleans your lens of dust and the brush is great.
I bought this to go with my new camera that I recently took to Peru.  It was absolutely a lifesaver time and again.  At Machu Pic'chu when my lens got dirty, it saved the day. The footprint of the device makes traveling with it the best.
We gave it as a gift for our daughter-in-law for Christmas.  She says it works wonderfully and so handy to use.
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT. THE POWDERED CLEANER TAKES OFF ANY SMUDGE OR SMEAR. EXTREMELY EASY YTO USE, AND IT'S MUCH MORE COVVENTIENT THAN THE OLD STANDBY.
does exactly what it's supposed to, and does it well.to use:1. with one end, extend the brush, and wipe debris away.2. twist the cap on the other end, and take it off.  with that end, wipe in a circular motion, and smudges get polished away.
This is a easy to use lens cleaning device.You use the bush end to remove any debris from the lens, and the pad end to remove fingerprints and the like.The bush is retractable and soft enough not to damage lenses.The pad is treated (coated) in such a way as to remove fingerprints without leaving smudges.I have had excellent results using the Nikon Lens Pen on my Sony DSC F-828 digital camera.  However it is important to note that the pad end is much too big to use on the electronic viewfinder (or anything else less than about a half an inch in diameter).The Nikon Lens Pen appears to be identical to many other LensPens out there (they all seem to be identical except for branding and coloration).  Perhaps they are all manufactured by one company (perhaps other than Nikon)?
The value, price, and functionality of this is great!  I like how the brush retracts so I don''t unknowingly get dust or debris in the brush, then wipe it on my camera.
I'd say this sucker works great. At least much better then your tshirt. I have an OCD when it comes to clean optics, and use this also on my sunglasses quite frequently.
Convenient. must have for every camera bag.
It is what it is. Works well. Hard to write the required number of words for such a simple but well made item.
I don't know why a certain reviewer is unhappy because it doesn't clean his binocular eyepieces! It's made to clean camera lenses, not tiny binocular eyepieces, and it does a remarkable job when used properly. I have had one for over two years and its still going strong. I highly reccomend it. In fact, I'm ordering another one.
You cant mess these pens up and Nikon certainly hasn't. Feels sturdy. Does the job its intended to do. Not much more to say.
The first few times I used this, it was great, but I just pulled it out after about a month of not using it, and the spongy pad thing crumbled apart as I tried to use it. When I inspected it with my fingertip, it left black smudges on my skin. The brush end is fine, I guess.
The strength of this product is the size and packaging.It's small and convenient to tote and it works reasonably well.Cleaning larger diameter lenses can be a little chore though.
It's a simple brush, nothing more to say about it...actually, I'm going to buy one right now since I just got a camera :)
This is fantastic. I figured I would use the clothes in the Nikon kit more than anything. This is an amazing tool to clean those pesky smudges off your lenses. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it irritating the cloth can sometimes take a few extra swipes to get a smudge off. The felt side of this brush takes a simple swipe and presto. I cleaned every one of my lenses after I tried it out.Definitely add one of these to any level photographers kit.
I think these pens are great.  Forget the lens cloths, they always leave smears (they might seem to disappear after awhile but if  your breathe on the lens you can still see the swirls/smears!)  Microfiber cloth is a close 2nd, but this pens is the best.  You just want to make sure any dirt/reside is off your lens before you use it, it has the potential to grind dirt/grit into  your lens if you don't clean it first.  This is the very last step, just for almost imperceptible smudges/fingerprints, etc.  Use a rocket blower and the brush to pre-clean the lens.
Simple but effective little brush on one side of the pen and a cleaning pad on the other.  I keep it in the pouch with my binoculars.  Careful not to use the cleaning pad on dusty lenses or you'll scratch them.
I had been using fluid and wipes for decades. No more. This pen is MUCH better at removing aberrations from lenses and filters. After several years mine is finally drying up so time for a new one. I just upgraded to the 7100 and am excited to get shooting with crystal clear filtration.
I've been using these for years to clean my camera, binoculars, and scope lenses.They work great without scratching the lens or leaving smudges.They're marketed under a lot of different names, but they appear to be the same quality wise.The Nikon branded lens pen works as well as my Leupold lens pen, and looks identical.They also last a long time and hold up to a lot of use.If you care about your expensive lenses, get a few of these.
It works great at dusting off anything that's on the lens with the soft retractable brush.  The other side of the pen with the cleaning agent work amazing at removing any fingerprints or smudges from the lens.
This product works well, until it works. Unfortunately, the felt tip has completely eroded, after about 20 cleanings. And I don't even have that much hard cleaning to do. Some of the competing products advertise up to 500 cleanings for the felt tip. I didn't see that until now, when I came back in to review this product. Not sure about the veracity of those claims, but 20 cleanings seems very lame, even independently.
I am surprised that Canon doesn't make a comparable product!!!If you have any SLR and a lens that you care about, just but this.
Now I don't have to worry about the dust on my lens. This product is very easy to use. And it works great. It's a must buy for photographers.
Great pen for my nikon camera. I really enjoy this for cleaning it. Easy to pack in my duffel bag.
very easy to use cleans the fingers prints of your camera lenses  without the black  spots or lines  works great !
Compact and works well, what else is there to say.  simple and works.  But need four more words to submit..
I have is the hairs fall from the brush...other than that, I use this with an Air Blaster and get great results.
It's like a very fat pen, with a clip to secure it to a case or pocket. It's not clear in the item description, but as mentioned in several reviews there are two parts to the cleaning system: the retractable soft brush, and at the opposite end, a capped cleaning pad for removing smudges.
Great product!  I own canon products (traitor I know) and it worked perfect with them.....It did the job and for $7 or so when the tip runs out or gets too dirty is it really that big a deal to just buy a new one?  I think its well worth the $7 and I will def. buy again.
I was looking for a easy to use and portable cleaning system to use on my Nikon D80 with 18-200VR lens.  Often my lens collects little bits of this or that when I'm walking around with my lens cover off.  Even with my UV filter protecting the lens, I want to clean it off periodically so my images are clear.  I like the two parts of this pen.  The brush works great for loose bits of dust while the soft pad (hidden under the cap) is great for smudges or fingerprints. The pen is small, easy to use, and does exactly what I needed it to.  I'd highly recommend this to all of friends looking for a simple cleaning solution.
Love it!  I ordered the Nikon 7072 Lens Pen along with the Nikon 8072 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth and they both arrived at my door within 2 days as promised. These two items are a necessity for anyone with a DSLR. The pen and the cloth can both be clipped on the inside of my camera bag, in my pocket, anywhere! I love that they are so small (and functional) because it is never a problem to keep them close by..you never know when you will need it. Nikon hasn't failed me yet, and I just don't trust some off-brand product when it comes to cleaning my expensive lenses. I have NEVER been disappointed with Nikon products.  A great buy regardless of the price!
Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning SystemA simple lens-cleaning systemSmall, pen-style design easily fits in any camera bagSoft brush retracts into pen body to stay cleanRemoves fingerprints, dust, and other debris that may compromise your imageWorks with all types of cameras (digital and film), as well as binoculars, telescopes, and other optical products
Of course the lens pen won't replace thorough cleaning, it is the best thing I've ever had for use while out, actively taking pictures. It's simple, compact, easy to carry and there's zero trash or clothes to use. The cleaning end is self replenishing and the brush end is soft enough to be safe, but still strong enough to brush beach sand away safely. I love it!
This keeps my camera lenses sparkling clean, no streaks or residue.  I can find no other words to add except, I recommend it.
In the "old days" when film cameras were the only option for taking photos, I always carried a package of lens tissues made by a famous film and camera manufacturer in my camera bag.  Those tissues did the job, but like any consumable, they needed to be regularly replaced.  This lens pen does an equal or superior job, but is far easier to use, takes up only a small space in my camera bag and doesn't leave me looking for a waste container to discard a used tissue.  This pen is as much of an improvement over tissues as digital photography has been over film and Amazon's price was reasonable.
it's easy to use and do well on its job. small enough to carry it go anywhere. i love it!
Very useful and cheap accessory to keep your lens cleaner.  If you occasionally change DSLR lenses, another cheap but great tool is Giottos large air blaster to help clean your DSLR.
This is yet another nifty tool for photographers on the go who don't want to be bogged down with a lot of extra cleaning products.Granted, it doesn't clean lens surfaces and other surfaces as thoroughly as more complete cleaning systems, but its compact 2-in-1 cleaning tools make it a must to carry in your gadget bag.Although I've never been overly impressed with most of these doodads, the Nikon Lens Pen's patented cleaning solution and applicator provide a quick and effective method for removing most dust, smears and small debris that lodges on the lens filter's surface and in and around small, difficult to reach places around the camera's external working mechanisms.The Lens Pen goes with me everywhere; it keeps the lens clear of dust when I'm shooting, so my proofs don't end up with spots. At the end of the day, when I pack up my gear, I use a complete cleaning system for the lenses and to wipe down camera mechanisms before packing it up.
It is amazing how easy this pen is to use and how well it works.  I have one for my camera bag and one for my spotting scope.
First I will review the product, then I will address some negative issues raised by other users, and finally I suggest how to use the Lens Pen as part of your lens cleaning system.Product Review==============The product is constructed of durable plastic. The price-to-benefit ratio is very high since it is very good at what it does and I'm sure I will use it for years to come. Compactness (or specifically, length) is the only issue I have with Lens Pens, by Nikon or any other manufacturer. I don't understand is why they can't make them shorter. The thickness of the product is appropriate but it doesn't need to be 5 inches long for the 2 simple tools it includes. They could have made it at least 1 inch shorter. Carrying the lens pen becomes difficult if you don't have large bag (I have one that only fits my D3000:Caselogic SLRC-201 SLR Zoom Holster (Black))Issues======This pen should not be the only tool you use to clean your lens but should certainly be part of your kit. The most interesting aspect of the Pen is the "Carbon black" tip (see my close-up picture in the customer images) that has caused some controversy. Some people claim it leaves smudges on their hands (check out customer images) meaning certainly that "smudges are left on their lenses" right? Wrong. According to an official statement by Nikon, "Carbon black has been found to be a [not THE] most suitable material for cleaning optical surfaces". Therefore, "Adsorption of organic contaminants" by Carbon black particles functions using "the same principle as activated-charcoal water filters." (customer image, B. Cooper).What all this essentially means is that Carbon black IS safe to use on any optical surface and while it may smudge on your hand, the Lens Pen is designed to clean glass not skin! I have not seen any black smudges in pictures I have taken after cleaning my lenses with the Lenspen. In fact, the lens looks like brand new every time I clean it using Lenspen.Make this a part of your lens cleaning system=============================================Here is how I use the Lens Pen to clean my D3000's lens:1. Use a blower for the removal of non-sticky debris: I use theGiottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large (Black). Do not rely on your breath because you WILL eventually spit.2. Use Lens Pen's included brush for the removal of sticky solid debris.3. Use Lens Pen's carbon pad for the removal of liquid stains or anything the first two methods did not.4. If, after using the Lens Pen's carbon tip, there are still liquid stains on the lens (river or sea mist, someone sneezed on your lens, etc.) use toilet paper with high-percentage rubbing alcohol (don't use water or any other type of alcohol [eg, ethanol]). (Restart at step 1 to remove any lint left by the toilet paper.)Use these steps and your lens will deteriorate slowly.Never ever: use your shirt to clean your lens or a lens cleaning cloth unless it has been kept very clean (they acquire microparticles very quickly, use the brush!).
I purchased this along with some other things so that I could get free super-saver shipping. It effectively cost me ~$3! For that price or for the $8 it is absolutely worth every penny. This pen stays in my camera bag along with my D50 and does it all. It cleans my filters, my lenses, my viewfinder, and my LCD. Definitely a great purchase. Includes both a brush and a swab/sponge to take care of any foreign objects on your photographic equipment. I would definitely buy another! =)EDIT December 2007:I've now had this cleaner for almost 8 months and it's still holding strong! The brush has been very useful to rid my lenses, filters, and even my camera of dust and other things. And the swab/sponge does a FANTASTIC job of getting rid of finger prints, smudges, and just about everything else on your lens and filters. It also works great in a pinch to clean up your in camera LCD screen from those pesky nose-prints and smudges!The only complaints I have are the following:-The swab/sponge sometimes leaves little black pieces of itself on the lenses if you use it really hard to clean something off. BUT, these are a cinch to get rid of with the brush at the other end, so it's not really to big of an issue.-One problem in extreme conditions: Salty Sea Spray takes quite a bit to get off. It takes about three passes with the swab/sponge to get it all off; including breathing on my filter to get some moisture on it to help clean and also "refresh" the swab/sponge by "cleaning"/"recharging" it in it's own cap which has a little foam in it to clean the swab/sponge.Generally I'd DEFINITELY still recommend this product to ANYONE who needs to keep their equipment clean. Absolutely worth every penny; it keeps my pictures clean and spot free!
Interesting. The Nikon lens cleaning brush I received was bundled with a bonus puffer and was packaged for the Japanese market. No English writing on the packaging whatsoever. I got mine from seller: DeepDiscountscoThis was a great deal. An unexpected two-fer.Puffer and brush both seem to work great. I've tried them briefly and they did remove the lint from the lens easily. I haven't tried to remove anything more troublesome than lint and dust.
I dont know when i bought this, but since than Is always with me and never had a problem with. After some years it's getting kinda old, but compare to similar products that I bought at the same time, this is the only one that is still alive around here.
Easy, fast and serius tool, for cleaning your optics.  The easy use is discribe in the manual that is very clear to understand.  Cleaning is fast with the Nikon lens pen, cuase it has the necesary to do the job well done, as any profesional tool.  Now I have 2 of them, for my two camera bags.
If you want a quick, simple way to remove dust from your lens/filter/camera, the pop out brush is ideal. And to clean your glass, the head style cleaner makes for quick work. I usually just breath on the glass, and run the head cleaner around a few times, and my lens/filter is smudge free in seconds.The unit fits nicely in my bag, no worries of leaking chemical cleaners, and stands at the ready, when ever I call on it. Could not be happier.
This lens pen cleaning system is great, as it is easy and fast to use.I have cleaned my lens with it and noticed immediate, long lasting results.
Bought it for my D90 to make a cleaning kit to fit the pocketThere are some cheapos for fraction of this pricethey may do good but I went to branded ones....Any how I keep my gears clean so minimal use for these items.I used the brush to clean dust and small particles on the filters (never expose you lens glass) and some times to dust off my camera bodyThe felt cup/tip to clean smudges / finger prints on the glassIts worth having to maintain your grands worth of gears
If you aren't quick enough to wipe the lens this leaves the lens smeary and streaked. I get better results with microfiber cloth and water.
It works like it should, no problem with the item.  Becareful with the sponge end though, good product overall, and well build.
It sort of works, but not very well. It doesn't clean the lens particularly well, the "moist tip" isn't moist, or is so minimally moist that I can't detect it. The best thing about it is that it is very compact and easily fits in a camera bag. As a cleaning system, it's not really worth anything. Even for free.
I've been really happy with this convenient little tool.  The brush is very good at cleaning dust in hard to get spots where a cleaning cloth won't reach.  I haven't used the cleaning pad much so can't comment on that.
Camera manual says to use a blower (so I bought one), but the brush takes up less space and seems to work better (had one for years now).  I'd only use the BLOWER on the inside of the camera but for the lens and outside of the body I like the brush.
GOOD FOR WHAT IT DOES
I saw a similar device by LensPen on Tekzilla ([...]), so figured I'd give it a try.  Bottom line, it works!  So far I've used it on eyeglass lenses and a laptop screen. The brush does a good job removing loose grit and the dry cleaner end does a good job removing finger prints and greasy smudges.  As for anything sticky, haven't tried it but I'd be careful not to get that on the pad.The amount of pressure required for the cupped cleaner end to contact the surface being cleaned was higher than I expected, but it's not anything I'd consider excessive.Bottom line, for cleaning those smudges off, it's much better than my the best I'd seen - a microfiber cloth and liquid cleaner.  I'll still keep those around for nastier grunge.
the brush works fine, in conjunction with any puffer air blower.  What sets this cleaner apart is the other end... the rubber-like disk under the cap.  It will gently take off finger smudges and dirt all the way to the lens edge.  The pen's shape lets me carry it all the time.  Highly recommended.
This product is good for on the spot field cleaning.  I would not recommend that this be your primary lens cleaning set up.  It will work well at removing dust from the surface of the lens and can remove a smug.  Nice compact design that takes up little space in my camera bag.
After using just a handful of times, the felt pad came off the pen.  Waste of money.  Only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because the brush end still works.. perhaps because I don't use it because I don't need it.
With a soft, retractable cleaning brush to wisk dust away at one end and a lens cleaner tip on the other end, this is a really good, practical product for the person who is serious about his or her photography.  Plus it can be carried in a camera bag with no appreciable difference in weight, or in a shirt pocket.When I bought it from Amazon in December '08, it was listed at $7.99, so it appears to have gone up a few cents in price.  I can tell you that I saw this pen for $6.50 at WalMart just yesterday, June 24th '09.Price not withstanding, you need this pen.  I bought it; I use it; now you go buy it.
As a first time DSLR camera owner, I was very weary on how to clean expensive lens without doing any damage.  I found this as a cheap option from a trusted name.I received the item.  To clean smudges, you lightly breath on the lens to create a slight bit of moisture.  Then, wipe the area with the chamois tip in a circular motion.  It is simple and works like a charm.
Pretty handy tool.  What's nice about is that you can put the brush away when you're done, and it won't get damaged in the bag.
A great accessory to ensure your lens is clean.  Easy to store, and easy to use.  I have one in every camera bag I own so I never forget to take it.
Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning SystemThe Lens Pen goes with me everywhere. It keeps the lens clear of dust when I'm shooting, so my proofs don't end up with spots. This is a nifty tool for photographers on the go who don't want to be bogged down with a lot of extra cleaning products.
This is a wonderful item to carry in your photo bag at all times. It is easy to use, works well, and its a great value. Cleans my lenses perfectly, and the brush is very smooth and effective in removing large pieces of dust, etc. Recommended to all!
I saw there was some chatter in the reviews for another product, the lensPEN, that some people felt they didn't get an authentic product.  That led me to choose this, and I'm happy that I did.  Not only is it authentic, with a hologram on the back of the packaging, but it works extremely well.  I've only been shooting with my DSLR for a few months, but anytime it gets dust or smudge marks on the lens, this thing takes care of it fast!  I don't know how it stacks up with a lensPEN, but I really couldn't imagine anything doing a better job than this.
nice and usufull item for camera user, maintaine lens clean , do the job properlly nikkon quality you can sleep quite if go with it
This brush cleans dust from my camera lens easily and stores in my bag with the bristles protected. This should be a standard item in every camera bag.
While it seems like a great idea, I was very disappointed in it's actual performance. The brush is a great idea although I already have several of them in my camera bags. The other end that is supposed to remove smudges and fingerprints proved to be just about useless in my opinion.After 'cleaning' two filters with the Nikon Lens Pen, I used a micro fiber cloth to actually get the smudges and film off both sides of the filters.As far as I'm concerned it's not even worth giving away as stocking stuffer.
I used it 4 days ago and it was awesome. I'm surprised with the concept being a newbie and all. I like the brush tip and the cleaning tip. A must have in your camera bag
Purchased it for my DSLR camera, works like a magic, no-frills cleaning device for any optical lens, inexpensive solution for your camera investment.  Highly recommended.
This is an excellent product for binoculars & spotting scopes.  I've been using them for years & they are 100% safe for all kinds of lenses, if you follow the instructions.
I have several similar digital lens cleaners, and they're all decent.  This is nice because it's a bit heftier in girth, with a slightly larger-than-others contact surface and with its size making it easy to dig out of a camera bag or a pocket. Good value for an essential photography tool.
This is a must have for any camera person.  Allows you to lightly brush off dust from sensors or lenses. Store it in an airtight bag for best performance (keeps dust out).
I bought this for my brother and used it on vacation with him. When I got back from vacation I got one myself! Works great and costs little.
I realy like this little jewel. The retractable brush keeps the bristles clean and intact. The lens cleaning pad on the other end does a great job on smudges. All this in a neat little package!Cheers and happy shooting!
Great tool at a great price. You can easily carry this in your bag. Excellent product by Nikon. Keep you lense clean with this lens cleaner. Great quality!
I have been very happy with this item. Works just like advertised and what I like best is that I can carry it in my pocket while out on a shoot. I have not experienced anything except clean lenses with this item.
Not much to say - well made, clean, good bristle quality, compact, works as designed. I have always bought cheapo versions before, but now I will not.
Great product, cleans dirt and smudges very well. Portable and convenient for all your lens cleaning needs! Every Nikon owner should have one.
I found it to be very effective in cleaning my camera lenses.  It is simple and convenient.  Plus, it is inexpensive.
These things are the best tool I have ever used to clean a lens. I have one for glasses even!!! For the price? HOLY WOW! Totally worth it. Grab a few. Stuff them everywhere you use your gear. Totally worth it.
I got this as a gift to go along with the Nikon camera I bought for a relative for the holidays.  It is really cool.  Very nice handy item to have to safely clean a lens on a very nice Nikon camera.  It was new in a package so it was great for gift giving.  I love how the brissels collapse back into the pen to keep them neat and clean.  Thanks.  Very happy!!!
Missing a fifth star due to flimsy cap constantly falling off of the pen.  Device works well to clean my lenses and the price was right.
Great product for what it is. Seems durable enough and I always have one in my camera bag. The brush sometimes doesn't do a great job of getting dust/dirt off but the other end does that job just fine. Always nice to have several of these around in case you need one.
I love this handy product that works in a pinch when a smudge or lint gets on my lenses. Very compact and lightweight.
Much quicker and more convenient than using a cloth.  Brush the big stuff away, wipe using the tip-sponge on the other end of the pen, and the lens is ready to go.  No need to wipe!  No need to keep peering at the lens at odd angles looking for spots!  Hooray!
I bought two of these to keep in my two camera cases.  I am amazed at how will it works to get rid of smudges on my Nikon D50 lenses.  I keep the paper like lens cleaners and Pec-Pads with me but almost never use them now that I have this pen.The brush is nice to get any rough stuff off the lens and then a little breath to moisten the lens and the pen really does work miracles.My wife got some sun tan lotion on the lens once and was using lens cleaner and Pec-Pads to try to get it off but she could never get the "smear" off the lens.  She said she worked in it for over 10 minutes.  I pulled the pen out and the "smear" was gone in about 3 seconds.I highly recommend.
This is a must have if you own any camera, especially a high resolution DSLR.  Has a brush to remove dust particles on one end, and the other end has a chemical to rub off any oily or water smudges on your lens.  I carry this with me anytime I have my camera, because I have lost too many great shots with small dust particles clinging to my lens on windy days.  I now religiously clean my lens while out shooting.
It works! Sometimes the brush itself gets dirty but it isn't bad. It cleaned my lenses well. Great quality.
This pen is great! It is compact, easy to use, and very lightweight. I carry it with me everywhere I bring my camera. It has helped keep much dust out of my photo's and I am glad I purchased it!
I've used cheaper pens that didn't lose as many bristles as this thing does.  For now, I'm using my Giottos Air Blower.EDIT: 12/14/2013Do your self a favor and try these;B00ELB91V8They work, the bristles stay put and they were delivered so quickly.
I really like this despite some of the other reviews that the cleaning pad is too small. I use it to clean my camera lenses and I find that it does a better than average job. I'm only cleaning off lint, dust and smudges however, and I use a large lint free cloth first if the lens is unusually dirty. This is a quick and easy way to clean minor lens artifacts. I give it four stars for not having a replaceable pad.
It is interesting how a product so inexpensive can meet its purpose so nicely.  Not a disappointment in any way.
I absolutely love this product.  It's so compact and portable that you will always have it with you when you need it.  If there is any sort of cleaning problem you can't solve with this, you must have dropped your lens in mud or something.  The kinds of light dust and dirt and water spots and whatnot that you have to deal with all the time?  Just reach for this simple, reliable, well-designed, nicely constructed, excellent simple tool.
Very useful, lowcost, well integrated & easy to carry. Not sure how lasting it is.
I use this pen on my Canon S2 IS camera and Canon 17-40mm f/4L lens.  It does the job well.  The brush side is great for brushing away the dust and the otherside is used to clean smears and smudges.  No liquid or microfiber cloth needed with this pen.  The cleaning side is concaved to meet the curves of the lens.  So this brush isn't really meant for filters even though I have used it to clean my Hoya UV and Hoya cir-polarizer filters.I am planning on buying two more of these.  one for my bag and one for my car as I tend to get my cleaning pen at home.
Very handy, because of the mechanism that hides the brush; the brush still intact and still good. Thank you very much.
I bought this tool to clean my rifle scopes and binos. I have found it is easy to carry in the field and very quick to use. I much enjoy it.
Well designed and functional -- nice to take along on photo trips. Not costly and was worth the price I paid
I purchased this along with some other things so that I could get free super-saver shipping. It effectively cost me ~$3! For that price or for the $8 it is absolutely worth every penny. This pen stays in my camera bag along with my D50 and does it all. It cleans my filters, my lenses, my viewfinder, and my LCD. Definitely a great purchase. Includes both a brush and a swab/sponge to take care of any foreign objects on your photographic equipment. I would definitely buy another! =)EDIT December 2007:I've now had this cleaner for almost 8 months and it's still holding strong!  The brush has been very useful to rid my lenses, filters, and even my camera of dust and other things. And the swab/sponge does a FANTASTIC job of getting rid of finger prints, smudges, and just about everything else on your lens and filters. It also works great in a pinch to clean up your in camera LCD screen from those pesky nose-prints and smudges!The only complaints I have are the following:-The swab/sponge sometimes leaves little black pieces of itself on the lenses if you use it really hard to clean something off. BUT, these are a cinch to get rid of with the brush at the other end, so it's not really to big of an issue.-One problem in extreme conditions: Salty Sea Spray takes quite a bit to get off. It takes about three passes with the swab/sponge to get it all off; including breathing on my filter to get some moisture on it to help clean and also "refresh" the swab/sponge by "cleaning"/"recharging" it in  it's own cap which has a little foam in it to clean the swab/sponge.Generally I'd DEFINITELY still recommend this product to ANYONE who needs to keep their equipment clean. Absolutely worth every penny; it keeps my pictures clean and spot free!
The Nikon Lens Pen is a great way to touch up lenses.  The brush + the cleaning pad provide a very effective method for getting fingerprints and smudges off lenses.  I have several Nikon Lens Pens as I use them not only for camera lenses but also for eyeglasses.
Good... but expensive and not feel difference between this one and 2$ from ebay lenspen...and item not like on image.
Formerly carried the little bulb-brush, lens tissues, lens spray in a baggie. Not exactly compact. This great lens pen provides all that in a compact system from a trusted optics/photography company. A must have for those who travel with their camera.
Mostly shoot outdoors in the sun and sandy/dust conditions in the southwest. Works great for cleaning my Nikon D5100 camera and Nikkor lens.  Brush comes in handy cleaning the hard to get cracks on the camera, mono-pod, and accessories that get a little dirty.A good bonus is this pen makes the best cleaner for eye wear of all types.  My sunglasses are crystal clear after using this pen compared to just smearing the oil and fingerprints using soft cloth or paper towel.  I ordered additional pens to keep in each car just for eye wear.
I had no idea, it's got a brush that you can push out with the orange lever and a suction cup thing on the other side, shaped like the end of a Nerf gun's bullet, and it cleans just fine. Flawless and no streaks.
This was the mast way I've found to clean my lenses, even makes it fun. Even when the cleaner eventually dries up it&#34;s cheap enough not to mind.
Nice solid construction.Very easy to clean the lens and dust. Should be a part of everyones camera gear.
It is a good product, A little bit expensive but it does the job and seem good quality. I haven't seen any other's so I can't compare, That's why I give 3 stars to it.
This did so well cleaning the sensor and lenses, however, it's so small it got lost, and that's really sad. But it was good while it lasted
After trying microfiber cloths, various cleaning liquids, disposable lens tissues, and a cheap blower-brush - this is definitely the most effective and _safest_ way to clean a lens.  Don't waste your time with other options.The only thing I would recommend in addition to this is a good strong blower, like the Rocket Air Blaster.  Microfiber cloths work well for cleaning lens bodies, but are not ideal for cleaning the lens optics.
It is ok for the price. I have used it to remove dust from my scopes and so far it is ok
I got these to have in my pocket for when I walk around at car shows or dusty areas that I can just take out the pen and open the brush and brush my lens off.The other end has the cleaner/smudge removal pad and that works really well but I don't use it as much because I rarely touch the lens..But it works great!Another great product from Nikon.
For the price, the tool is not bad.  The brush works well around the edges of the lens, but take care not to touch it as, even clean hands, will leave a bit of grease on the brush and it does smear the lens.  I'm not entirely impressed by the round tip 'polishing' tool.  I ordered 2 of these pens and 2 'Lenspens' (by the way - they are absolutely identical and I'm sure they come from the same factory, just with different brands - don't be fooled by the price difference).  So far I used one Nikon pen and one Lenspen and both left a bit of 'ghost-smearmarks' on my lenses - not impressive at all.  After using the pens I always have to give the lenses a wipe with a cleaning cloth also.I would approve the use of this tool though, as there is no other way to safely get into the tight corners of the lens area (not with a cloth anyway), and also on the sensor side of the lens where you have even less space to work, this does come in handy.As closing remark - I will not get anywhere close to a sensor with this pen.  It is not being sold as a sensor cleaner, but just in case you were wondering...
Mine started shedding the first time I used it! I'm glad I bought the rocket air blaster along with it to blow the hairs off my lenses after cleaning them. It's a good little tool but it sure seems to be falling apart quickly.
This Lens cleaning pen worked as advertised.  Very nice and compact to carry around with you and will remove dust and smudges from the lens.
This is, far and away, the easiest device yet for cleaning lenses.  Just buy one, throw it in your camera bag, and you'll never go back to anything else!
Tried to use this on a very sensitive lens and the pad at the end left little smudge marks.  They were easily removed with lens cleaner, but this was not the best buy for my needs.  Great idea though.
I had a problem with dust and lent sticking to my polarizer filter once, that tried my best to wipe off with cleaner liquid and a microfiber towel to no avail, then I tried this pen in two steps, started with the brush then used the applicator of the lens preservative, worked like a charm. extremely clean glass with no dust, lint or scratches, so as soon as I got home I ordered 3 of them, just in case that is.
Hi, bought this items to fill te 25$ to get free shipping when buying a case for my camera, a Canon Powershot S1 IS.I own a Scope and i had some Eye Pieces with some fingerprints (I'm kind of dumy without my night vision fixed!!!) I used the Nikon lens pen to remove those fingerprints and the result was absolutely awesome.  I have used it wtih my camera too! I'm really pleased with the results.... now i'm carrying it with my camera and with my scope... it's easy to use, small, usefull, cheap... I totally recomend it!
BUY IT..........KEEP IT IN YOUR BAG...........AND IM SURE SOONER OR LATER YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID............
I have experienced many particles on the lenses I use and when I switch from one to another on my Nikon I discover dist and finger prints where I don't want it. I have found this tool to be very helpful.
The only problem with this product is not losing it.  It looks just like a pen so I keep it in my camera case or one of them and it still finds it's way back to the junk drawer in the kitchen.  I used it this weekend with great results in brushing off the pine pollen and coastal mist of rugged Mendocino California.  I only use it on my filters and leave my lenses to a soft cloth.  The problem with the pen is that with any brush - if you don't blow on the brush before using it for cleaning, a particle stuck to the brush could damage your lens. A blow dryer to the brush, gentle no heat before my photo day is great.  Ordered a second to clean the keyboards of my macs where I eat even though I know better.  Simple is not ineffective here.
Great cleaning tool. I just wish it had a cap on the brush end. Debris can get into the brush due to lack of a cap.
Great cleaning kit
not bad but we are paying much more price that it is applicable for the product ! Not really recommend beacuse you might get the same quality product from other merchant .
On time as stated. looks like a great product for my Canon Eos. Looked at the features and I see why this product is #1.
This is a helpful product.  My only concern is that the tip comes off easily.
Does a nice job cleaning lenses, but can get a little messy when it comes to the black cleaning material.
I take pictures in a woodshop so I nneded somethig to remove fine dust and wood particles from the surface of my lenses. This product works very well for that purpose.
This lens pen really does work on my DSLR.  The cloth-like part gets rid of smudges and oily stains while the brush gets rid of dust.  I used it on my camera's LCD screen too.  One downside is that if you rub the cloth part on your skin, it might leave some black smudges on you, but it's no big deal.
This is one off my backpack tools, It's easy to use and save to the lens. It's a great invest.
This product is perfect to have in your back, since it is small and pretty effective.  Although for a better cleaning, I'd ratter get a better one.
Extremely easy to use and incredibly helpful when on the go.  It's great not to have to dig in my bag for a cleaning cloth.
This pen style lens cleaner is a great device.  It has a brush to remove dust and other loose debris, and then a soft, slightly moist tip to remove fingerprints or other smudges on you lens.  I keep it in my small camera bag and it is handy, even on backpacking trips.
Successfully cleans smudges, prints and random dust particles. Compact enough for the small camera bag. This product and the ninja remote 2 as super long range remote shutter are the best additions to your Nikon camera
I received this today and firstly let me say the brush end is very nice, the brush is soft and I feel comfortable using it on my lenses.However the other end of the pen with the cleaning tip is of concern to me and I advise caution for the following reason. I took the common sense approach of testing it on something other than expensive glass before using and to my alarm when brushing it against my hand it left a black smeared mark. I tested it further and every time I brush it against anything it leaves a black smeared mark. It seems apparent there is some kind of black dye in the cloth tip or something along those lines (I found nothing in the paperwork to suggest this was normal), either way I do not think you want to use anything on glass that leaves a mark. Especially since it was not that easy to wash off of my hand let alone anything else.Very strange, needless to say that part of the pen will not be used by me anytime soon. Be aware of this and check before trying, this maybe a freak occurrence on my brush or it may not. Terrible quality control by Nikon there I think.
The unit is nice and compact and fits nicely into my camera bag.The brush portion is soift and non-scratching, the other end is nice for clearing small particles on lense that aren't removed with blast of air from my Giottos rocket air blower.
One of the best ways to clean your lens is with this "pen".  On one end is a  brush and the other a microfibre type cleaner.  Perfect!
For keeping expensive lenses and camera mirrors clean, you can't beat the simplicity of this brush. Retracts to stay clean.Sleek enough to fit in the camera bag.And the big plus is that the long length of the pen shape lets you get down to places that a lens cloth can't reach - plus it's a lot gentler than a lens cloth for cleaning some things.
I just traveled out Northeast to take a lot of photos. With all of my lenses and equipment, space was a premium in my camera pack but I wanted a means to clean lenses on the road. I researched on Amazon and found this Nikon Lens Pen. It had very good reviews. It had a decent cost and it was small. I was presently surprised. It worked very well and I was confident in using it on my D5000 since it was a Nikon product. I would recommend it to anyone taking their camera on the road.
I think Nikon knows what's best suited to clean their lenses. That's what motivated me to make this buy. Make that plunge. You won't regret it.
This is a good tool to have for your camera.  I'm sure camera owners are aware of that annoying area above and behind the lens on the body of the camera where dust likes to gather, this is a great too for easily removing that dust in all those hard to reach areas.  I don't even need to remove the lens to use it just a quick little sweep and gone.  Great addition to your photo bag accessories.
This is one of those neat things I wished I had invented. Compact easy to use great to take in the field. You won't be sorry you got this.
If you're a progressional photographer, this is one tool you need. Its a great way to clean up any dust particles when you're doing maintenance cleaning on your lenses and DSLR bodies.
I take pictures outdoors and this pen helped a lot with the dust borne along in the wind and sea breezes. I purchased this pen with the Nikon name on it because the brand has never let me down!
No problems here. The cleaning pen works exactly as it says it should. It's great that the brush is retractable. I've had this for years and still use it nearly every time I pull my equipment out.
I LOVE THESE "PENS"!! Every camera bag I own (about 20) is equipped with at least one of these pens. The pen is compact, easy to work with, and works great! This is not a purchase you will regret. I especially like the pens when I am traveling abroad. They make life so much easier!
I just started using this and it is great, dont know if it causes any long term spotting though I have only for a week.
This does work but a squeeze blower and a lens cloth do just as good a job from what I can see.
This is great.  The only downside is there is not way to attach it to the camera itself.  Other than that it is perfect
Obviously this just isn't for Nikon; I use it with my Canon and my Sony HD Video camera, too. Great little pen to keep in the bag.
This lens pen works as advertised. Great cleaning tool, small, easy to pack in your camera bag. I never leave home without it.
No regrets here. A very useful tool. Still need a cloth to get the most stubborn finger prints off the lens, though. To me this is 5 stars nonetheless.
The Lens Pen has helped me most of the time i tried with the the lens cleaning cloths but they don't clean as good as this Pen.the Brush and cleaning tip combination makes it a problem solver, have also ordered the  Nikon Lens Cleaner solution and wet clothesbut have't got a chance to try them on since this solves the problem 99.9% of the time, have re-stocked after using the initial one for an year.
I originally used this to clean the lens and filters on Canon 18-200 EF-S lens.  There were 3 cloud marks on the filters which i had the most difficult time removing.  Other cleaners kept leaving streaks. After using this, i finally got it clear enough to find out that the filter did actually have cloud mark scratches.  I was so impressed that I got another one.  However my second purchase seemed to leave some residue while the first didn't.  That is why i left only 4 stars.
Nice to have in the bag. Perfect for a finger smudge and the brush is nice for loose dust too. I will buy another one... but I think this will last a very long time.
I have fought with my micro fiber cloths placing lint onto my filters for weeks now, but ever since I purchased this gem of a tool I have had crystal clear lenses and filters!
Very convenient; I used the brush all the time and the cleaning pad comes in handy for stubborn spots like salt spray.
Left a lot of carbon residue on the lens. But I tried cleaning it several different ways. I notice if I use to brush for the debris first then the polishing to polish the grime of the lens then use the brush again to take of the residue. Not sure if that's how your suppose to clean it but it gave me better results like that
Bought one more than a year ago...then bought a cheaper one, never thought there would be much difference.  Wrong...Nikon quality is excellent.  Whether you are a Canon user or Nikon user, get this.  Cleans quickly and leaves no streaks..a lifesaver when out on the road.  Just bought 2 more.
Easy to use! Very Precise! A must for all photographers that need a cleaning system! Highly recommended to anyone! &#60;3
I cannot tell you how many times I have had to use this "pen", but it is structurally well made, works perfectly and I literally carry it everywhere my camera goes.The only problem I had with it, is that its so nice that my friends all try to steal it!! This item would be a great product to be able to put your business name on the side of it and give it to your photo friends.
I got this in a kit with a Gorilla-Pod, and I really liked it because it was so compact. I never used the spray, but the brush was great for getting rid of dust quickly in the field. I like to travel light and convenient, so this was perfect.Unfortunately, the glue on the brush head is both cheap and applies directly to plastic (a major no-no). After about 30 trips this thing broke down on me. That's not bad, except most photographers won't see this last for more than 2 months.
We travel a lot, and I'm carrying three cameras. This compact gadget, with it's cleaning end and brush end, has proved very useful in keeping my lenses clean as possible through each day.
It uses some sort of carbon powder to clean the lens and polish it.  I had some nasty water spots and finger prints on it...used it 2-3 times and it was like new again. I noticed better quality in my pictures since! no cons, and it's about as thick as a highlighter and fit's in my bag with ease!
A must for your camera bag. Always brush a lens and blow with air before cleaning. This product works well.
I just bought the LensPen a few days ago to get rid of some smudges on my lens. This cleaning solution is not something new, basically they were using this in the film industry for quite some time. The pen does it's job really nice and you kinda catch-on how to manoeuvre it really fast.Great results for a very good price.
I use these cleaning pens for my camera lens, 1 in the camera bag.I use them for cleaning my spotting scope, 1 in my bulls eye pistol box.I use them for cleaning the lenses on my two pistols that have Ultra Dot red dot sights. 1 in my other range bag.I keep one on my gun reloading and gun cleaning bench for cleaning all the optics on my weaponsI have one on the coffee table for cleaning my reading glasses.I keep them in mt coat pocket when I go out and need to clean my glasses.The brush on the one side is of good quality, none of the hair fibers have ever come out when cleaning optics.There is also a lot of carbon under the cap that all you have to do is give it a half a turn and the carbon cleaner works for a long time. I have not used one up yet. I thought the camera one would of been empty of carbon a long time ago but it keep putting carbon on the black cleaning head to clean all of the lenses. This is a really great product for the money. I never worry about scratches using the pen.
This pen does what's it's supposed to do. The Brush is fantastic. And the pad works fantastic. It makes fingerprints disappear. For all the negative reviewers, go read how carbon cleans the pad/lens and you'll see it was user error.
Useless. Yes if you are trying to remove one fingerprint maybe this product would work. But to clean a smudged or dirty filter or lens? Forget it. Useless. What a waste of money. GARBAGE!
This lens pen cleaning system is great, as it is easy and fast to use, is retractable and easy to carry on.
works grate but would recomend a changable tip on the lens clener/polisher side of the cleaner but the brush side works good for the soft dust
This a great pen to carry around as it is light weight and very effective.  Helps to take good care of binocular on a birding trip.
Very happy with my purchase! The lens pen cleaner allows me to brush off dust and clear smudges on my dSLR lens and filter (18-105 and 70-300 with tiffen filter on my D90). I like the compact pen design with a cap on the smudge cleaner and the brush retracts inside the body. It fits in nicely in one of the pen holders on the side of my camera backpack (Flipside 300). I've only used it twice to clean my gear and my co-worker, hope the smudge cleaner holds up for awhile. I agree with the other reviewers, wish there was a way to clean the view finder as well using this pen but overall for the price and quality it works for me.
I'm glad I bought this Nikon Lens Pen and I use this right away in cleaning all my Nikon lenses.Sometimes I was thinking if I needed to clean it because it has a UV Filter so I included to clean up my UV Filters.
I like this better than cleaning with a cloth. This is so easy to use.
You'll find this same lens pen branded by Kodak, Nikon, Canon and others.  I've purchased all of these - and they are all the same - although there some cheap knock-offs, so stick with a brand name.  That said, here's what you get - a nice brush (I wish it had a cover, even though it's retractable) and the polisher.If you have a really greasy fingerprint, you'll want to clean the lens first with a wipe or lens cleaning solution, then follow-up with the lens-pen.  If you have spots, dust, etc., then you can start cleaning. Lens Pen states that the pen will clean a fingerprint - that's true - but not if you were eating pizza first.  That will just cause a mess.  I have one friend who thinks it's funny to lick his finger then swipe it over a camera lens when you're not looking.  Pretty childish, but once that mess dries, even a Lens Pen won't clean it - but the 1-2 punch of lens cleaning tissue/fluid and the lens pen will.I keep one in my various camera bags, at home, etc. (I own several of these) and use them often.Find dust on the lens? Use the brush.  See some spots? Use the polishing end.  Now keep in mind, these have a life-span. According to LensPen, you can use the polishing end 500 times or so. When you put the cap on the pad end, give it a 1/2 turn - this replenishes the tip. Realistically it's closer to 200 times. The polishing end is a carbon embedded micro-fiber with a curve that will fray over time. When this happens, it's time for a new pen.NEVER use on a wet lens - or fresh finger print.Always brush clean first.Clean with a circular motion - not back and forth across the lens.Recharge the tip after each use.For the average user, one LensPen will probably out last the camera.  They also make smaller versions (Lenspen LENMCP1 Micropro Lens Cleaner For Small P & S Digital Cameras) for smaller lenses, plus a version for DSLR (Lenspen LENSK1 Sensorclear Dslr Ccd Cleaner) sensors (those work great!)
I do love this pen.  Very handy for using on the fly! Fits nicely in your shirt pocket too.  Cleans the lens well.
These are great pens for quick cleaning/brushing in the field or when getting ready to go out and shoot.  word
Works as expected. Available in store for less! Had to search online for documentation on how best to use.
I received the lens pen as a gift...a very thoughtful gift. It is very portable...easy to both carry and store which leads me to actually use it! The brush end is sufficiently dense and very soft enabling me to safely remove dust or debris from my lenses without fear of causing damage. I highly recommend this tool for everyone.
Bought this because I never had much success with the lens cleaning tissues.  Works much better.  Could also use a larger tip.
I'm not one who subscribes to the &#34;keep a UV filter on your lens at all times for protection!&#34; school of thought - modern coatings make for pretty  damage resistant optics nowadays. But it is helpful to have this little gem around for occasions when some gunk gets on the lens and you just don't want to use your own grubby paw to flick it off. No battery to die, easy to stick in your camera bag - there's no reason to not have one. And the cleaning tip really does work!
If you are a photographer pro or not, you should have 5 of these onhand. Protect you lens` the professional way.
I am surprised Nikon offers this item. If used VERY carefully you can use the brush to remove dust - but - don't try to wipe the surface of your glass with this device unless it is brand new, as grit can and will get in there and produce fine scratches on the surface of your expensive lens if you are the least bit careless. Better to not get your lens dirty in the first place. Barring that, there is a much better way to properly clean a lens that involves rolling tissue that you can find on the internet that costs nothing and can prevent scratches while removing even severe grime.
Contrary to another review that this product by Nikon was a "rip off" because of poor design and manufacturing is simply not true. One has to read the user instructions first and then set one's level of product expectations.I found the user instructions to be clear and easy to follow. The product's functionality met everything that Nikon intended for its use. Manufacture quality was good considering that it is a basic retractable pen made of fairly sturdy plastic that contains a brush and a pad designed to clean a lens of small foreign debris. Common sense and experience dictates that it was not designed to polish a lens or rid it of abrasive dirt. A lens blower with liquid lens solution and lens tissue should be used for the tougher jobs, just as a hammer should not be used to drive a screw.
Many years ago I was a pro photographer and had one of these pens. Back then it cost a lot of money. Today they are better and cost much less.  Buying from this dealer was a great experience. Would recommend!Well what can I say; I was wrong. It was and is junk. I assumed it was like the one I had earlier.  It wasn't. The little fiber brush fell off the very fiirst time I attempted to use it. Surprised Nikon has their name on it. Anyway that's it; I was wrong it is crape. Buy a better one!
This pen works well. Its small enough to keep in my camera bag. It came on schedule and was packaged well. I use it a lot to keep my camera and lenses clean. I take a lot of photographs in dusty conditions (around horses) so this is a great product for me.
A good price and I think an excellent product for the price. I would buy this again and recommend. I am using it and am pleased.
The brush is soft and does a good job of getting the dust off rather than just pushing it around. The design is nice for clipping in a camera bag so you can find it or a shirt pocket for those dusty areas and the retractor keeps the bristles clean and straight. Nice little brush for not a lot of $. Ordered another for the photo gear back pack.
I've been using this lens pen for about 4 years now, and I'd never use anything else. It has lasted a long time, and I have no scratches to any of my lenses.  It is effective, easy to use, takes up very little space in my camera bag and doesn't get lost as easily as other cloth lens cleaners tend to.  I would recommend this to anyone.
Good compact tool for cleaning lenses, I used it for a while with a Nikon Coolpix P300, but it was overkill, the new owner has real interchangeable lenses that make better use of it.
Inexpensive, handy, compact and does a good job.  I just got back from a great trip out west in an area that, due to winds, had dust issues.  This little brush proved its worth time and again.  I'm glad I bought it!
i use this alot.  to clean off dust, etc.Im not sure how great the charcoal side works as sometimes it seems to leave some streaks.Its worth the $
I ordered one of these gadgets because they are easier to carry around than my blower and my other brush. One thing that I like is the rubber end to get those stubborn dried up droplets that sometimes come from nowhere.  Go easy on that rubber because it could potentially damage glass.  Follow the instructions that come with it!
I bought this because I was told that it was a great product. The first time I used it, it scratched my lens. I then had to send my camera back to Nikon to get it repaired! That cost me almost $200.00! I threw the pen away!
Perfect, just what I needed to clean my telescope lens and accessoriesGood quality, delivered on time and reasonably priced.I would recommend this to a friend.
Wonderful lens pen, you'll use it often to keep the smudges off of your lens.  Works wonderfully, soft bristles make your camera safe in this lenspen hands.
The lens-cleaning tip can require a little work if the smudge is severe, but I think this product works very, very well - especially for the money.
does a really good job cleaning lens. compact and easy to carry, and a must have if you shoot outside to keep your lens clean.
This item has been great so far. Works good for cleaning the lens. I bought 2 more to give as gifts.
I've been using this cleaning too to refresh the lens on our D90 for years. Recently I took our DSLR to the beach and dropped the camera on the sand. Using the brush side, along with a soft cloth and strong breaths) I was able to get every last speck of dusk of the camera and lens. Works for me!
Yep, I am so glad I bought this.  Its so much easier to keep my lenses clean, smudge and dust free.  Cloths just don't work as well.
I don't get it?  What is it?  A brush and some type of felt pad?  It does not "remove" it blends.  Best way to clean is to use a Gotti blower, lens tissue and lens solution.  A brush is good to use as well. I blow off my camera every time I use it.  Not worth it really. A brush would be just fine.
The brush is the only thing saving this item.  The lens cleaner is terrible.  Plain and simple.  The brush is nice compact and pen shaped so its easy to hold/use.  I would not replace it with the same item if i lose it, etc.
Works well enough, but feels cheap.  I've used it a few times now and its effective and clearing away dust from the lens.
As far as I can tell, it doesn't actually clean off any oils, like fingerprints. It just smears them around...
Small, compact, easily accessible, performs the job well, has two ends for two different purposes like dirt and the other for dust. Couldn't ask for more at this price. Will be using this on my overseas trip extensively to put it to good use.Update #1 used these for 3 weeks during my trek in remote high elevation. Works like a charm for my lenses. Fantastic product, would buy from again
Great service from seller (fast), the product does the job it is supposed to do. I keep it available to use it in order to clean the camera when needed. No complaints.
very good the pencil, I can clean my glasses, the body of the machine and of course take beautiful photographs, is also small and easy to carry, I recommend it ..
This device is a must in every camera bag.  Does exactly what it says.. absolutely no complaints.  I will definitely buy another one when this one wears out.. which it show no sign of so far
Good idea and design, but Targus has one almost identical EXCEPT it has the retractable brush on one side and a cap you remove on the other side that covers a small spay nozzle.  It comes filled with cleaning solution and a cleaning cloth.Sometimes a brush just won't get off the fingerprints, the Targus TGK-LPC just seems a lot more versatile and effective..The Targus pen is available at Radio Shack for $4.99 as well as tons of online stores.
I was really suprised!  This thing actually cleans the lenses and it does a good job.  You really can't do without one.  I just got mine and while I was on vacation I kept having to stop and clean my lenses so that I wouldn't have spots in my photos.  With this pen it's a breeze.
I was never able to clean the camera lens so clearly before.  This clears the lens instantly without making scratches.  Lens look like new.
The Nikon Lens Pen works so much better than a $5 cleaning kit I had. I used to spend minutes cleaning my camera lens with the cleaning solution and microfiber cloth because the solution dried quickly and was hard to get rid of. The cheap-looking brush didn't work well either.With the Nikon pen, it is a breeze. The brush wipes off dirt effectively. The cleaning head cleans the smudge in seconds. It really works! Plus, it doesn't take up much space and you can carry it with you anywhere. I think every camera owner should have one.
I've had this for about 6 months now, and it gets a pretty regular amount of use. My favorite thing about this is it's light, and it has a clip so it fits in a shirt pocket for easy access during a video/photo shoot. Also, the non-brush side, I'm not sure what that thing is called, looks like a pad, works great, and I've never had a single issue with that end of the pen, which is why I'm giving 3 stars.Now for the downsides&#8230; It sheds like crazy, and it has since day one! I had hoped it would stop over time, maybe a few loose strands from shipping or something, but it as been very constant. In fact it has gotten to the point where so many have fallen out, and the glue that hold the whole brush in stopped working, and the whole brush has actually fallen out all together. I was able to shove it back into place, and I hope to get a few more months of use out of it, but I can already tell it's on its last leg&#8230; Though the design is great, I will not be buying this particular brand again as it just doesn't last long and the shedding can become a major issue if you don't have time to triple check your lens for strands from the brush. Not to mention, you could get an even cheaper version and probably have the same issues but save yourself a couple bucks...
This is my second Lens Pen. The last one I have been using for a couple of years. Very good to keep it camera bag.
works awesome, very easy to handle and nice and compact.  One end you can push the yellow lever to pop out a good quality lens brush.  The other end is for more stubborn spot.
When in the sutdio or at home, use a good cleaning system like a lens cloth and a lens cleaning solution, etc. But when you are shooting 150 miles from civilization and your lens gets dusty due to the desert breeze, this pen is fantastic.The retractable bristles are soft and provide a fast efficient method of cleaning the lens and surrounding parts that dust can impair, such as the hood, the LCD screen, the eye piece glass, etc. Should a speck or two just not want to come off, you can gently remove it with the felt-like tip on the other side, which is also great for removing those odd smudges that occasionally happen on the lens, but happen ALOT on the LCD.I've used my pen for just over a year almost weekly, and nary a scratch on my lenses. This is no replacement for a full cleaning with a good cloth and solution, but is PERFECT for intermediate cleaning.Work of caution: DO NOT use this on your image sensor!!! the filter that covers your sensor is very thin and very fragile. It is less expensive to take your camera in to have the filter cleaned than it is to damage it and get it replaced. :)
Solid construction, the plastic isn't too cheap or feel like it would break if dropped or crunched in a bag. The yellow sliding button clicks into place nicely.Occasionally the bristles from the brush will come out, but overall they're pretty well made and do a nice job removing dust and small particles.The carbon tip WILL LEAVE BLACK RESIDUE on most surfaces that aren't glass. This is NORMAL. Carbon is effective at absorbing oils and other gunk you don't want on your lenses.DON'T USE IT ON A SENSOR, ONLY BLOW AIR ONTO YOUR SENSOR.I would HIGHLY recommend also carrying moistened lens wipes. This pen will clean 75% of all situations, but occasionally doesn't do the best job. For its size, it's a great product at a good price.
Great product for all lenses.  Very convenient to use and I like how the brush stays in great shape when retracted.  Bravo!
Don't know exactly how it works but it does. Cleans the marks on the lense and removes all the dust at the same time. Highly recommended.
I read the reviews on this thing and bought one to clean my SLR. I have to admit, this really does the trick. Nothing comes close to it. Period.
It serves its' purpose.  I have had it on several vacations and it held-up well relatively.  If I buy again I would just go with a kit because it is more bang for your buck.
The tip for cleaning lens will not last long while the brush is convenient for removing  dust and other fine particles. Also good for mirror system.  Just don't  count on the tip  holding up, purchase a micro cloth and air blower. (I purchased a nasal aspirator and works well. Also much cheaper than a camera bulb).
I recommend one of these in every camera bag.  It efficiently and easily cleans your lens without scratching and without leaving any streak marks.
This lens pens is great, its effective and works well with my D3100. Since its small, I keep it in my camera bag so as not to lose it. Well worth the purchase.
The most used and useful thing I own to simply brush dust off the lens in the field.  But first, remove that stupid "so called" smudge remover felt thing with black gunk on it by simply clipping it off with wire cutters or scissors, "snip"! That stupid thing will never touch one of my lenses again.  It's a smudge "applier" not a remover.  Second, clean out the cap with hot soap and water, then alcohol, because there is black gunk in it, from that stupid felt smudge applier thing you just cut off which could corrupt your brush bristles when we use it properly .  Third, put the recently cleaned and sanitized cap over the brush end of the thing where it belongs!  There, now you have the most useful piece of equipment in your bag.  P.S. I bought this same exact thing under the name "Lenspen" about 5 years ago for about 3 times as much.  Now you get it for a fraction of the price "with" the coveted Nikon name on it too!  Now thats a great value. enjoy. :)
This works great to brush off dust or to clean smudges with the other end. I prefer this over using cleaning cloths. It fits perfectly into the pen holder compartment in my camera bag so it's not loose all the time.
Though it cost me less than $10, this pen has become my cleaning item of choice for several digital cameras and HD video cams.  The ability to remove all dust, in both humid conditions where it would seem to not want to stick to the brush, and dry conditions when static electricity would seem to make it want to stick ot the lens, has been remarkable.  The felt end also does a fantastic job on slight smudges that I'd normally have to use a wipe on.  I'm very happy with this.
Very simple and to the point, effective and usable with one hand. There are a thousand brushes like this out there, I purchased this because it was represented with the Nikon name.
Falling apart. I can't believe they charge money for this thing. They shouldn't even give this thing away. They should pay people to take one and throw it in the trash. They should pay people for looking at this thing and skip buying it. They should pay people to forget this thing was ever manufactured. JUNQUE. They should pay me for warning people off of this tube of disillusionment.
Lens pens don't do a perfect job, but they do a better job than anything thing else I have found.  It is a "must have" product for anyone with a camera!  And the Nikon lens pen has worked well for me.
Really works well and have been using them for some time now and they are not expenisve, even if you buy just a brush it is often this much. As for the small cloth cleaner tip at the other end it work well cleaning prints and smudeges off the glass and I would only use it on a dry surface no cleaners/solvents, save that for your actual cloth or cleaning systems. I bought a few of them so I have them where ever I go with point and shoot as well as the pro-level film and DSLRs. Pick one up and try it for yourself.
This is most useful because it's there when you need it. The carbon-implanted disc and the brush make short work of grease and dirt.
Easy to use, simple but very much an important to have if you use DSLR lens and change lens more often.
Cleans the lenses very well. After using one month, I lost the cap.Loosing cap has probably nothing to do with the way this product is built. The cleaner works just fine after loosing the cap anyways. I give 5 stars to this product.
I bought this item as a gift to myself in December and was excited to own something compact and contained, as opposed to my microfiber cloth I was using.  While I enjoy the brush to remove debris from my various DSLR lenses, the other end came filthy black and turns everything it touches black including my lens, clothing, and skin.  Obviously defeats the intended purpose of this item.  Looking through the reviews I am not the only person this has happened to.  Just a heads up to those considering purchasing.
This lens cleaning pen works fine.  The only thing I would change about it is thge size which would be much better if it were smaller to fit into smaller camera cases.
I needed something easy to clean the occasional smudges off my lenses and this was the right solution for me.I pack this in my camera bag when I go out, just in case I need a little touch up.  It's the size of a fat pen and is very light so it doesn't weigh you down.The good:- Lightweight and portable.- Easy to use.- Effective cleaner.The bad:- Sometimes, it doesn't clean the first go around so it can take a few tries.- The brush end is not covered.  It is stored inside the body of the barrel with the end exposed so I worry about dust or other particles getting onto the bristles and potentially scratching my lenses when I use the brush.  The cleaning end does have a cover but I think both ends should be covered.  As a quick fix, I carry this in a small zip lock bag just in case.All in all, I'm happy with this product but would be happier if the brush end had a cap to prevent dust/particles from getting in.
I don't use my camera much and I never thought about cleaning the lens until I saw my granddaughter put her fingerprints all over it.  I ordered the Nikon Lens Pen based on the recommendations here, and am happy with the purchase.  The Lens Pen is very compact so it fits in my camera bag.  The cleaner applies easily and isn't messy at all.  The brush retracts into the end of the pen, so there's nothing to get lost.  It was very effective at removing the tiny fingerprints on my lens.  Great product!
The product I got the sponge was off the device and was in bad condition.There might be a better product than this.
A friend of mine recommended this to me and it's awesome.  Cleans up smudges really well without scratching the lens.  Very nice pocket size great to keep handy when you're out doing photo sessions!
I went on a long trip with a Pentax MX-1 camera. The weather was very wet and my hands became dirty and wet all the time. Most of the times I found myself accidentally touching the lens with my fingers and this Lens Pen worked VERY GOOD each time. It cleaned the grease and dirt with ease and now it's an important part of my photo gear.It's important to use the brush first to eliminate some particles (sand, etc.) that could scratch the lens when using the lens pen.Recommended!
This is a replacement for a worn out Lenspen.
Very nice, compact means of having a lens cleaner at hand. It adds essentially no additional weight to my camera case.
If you are a photographer or user of binoculars, a great method of cleaning your valuable optics. The specially treated circular object [not the brush end] is perfect for cleaning the eyepieces of binoculars. This cleaning brush is available, if I recall, at lower price without the Nikon logo. If you like to spend money and want something bizarre for cleaning your optics, get a 1 inch Staticmaster brush.  At least for about six months the polonium radioactive strip will blast any static helping attract dust to your optics. The Russians bought ten of them, ground up the radioactive elements and put the substance in the food of a spy who had defected to the West. He died a miserable death. No end to what strange uses an optics cleaning device can be used.
Great accessory for your camera bag or your binoculars case.  The brush retracts easily.  The lens cleaning patch works well on a dry lens.  Minor gripe, it would be nice to be able to store the cap on the butt end like most pens when in use.  I found that it tucks OK under the pocket clip.
I'd give it 5 stars, but I just haven't been using it that long (a couple of months). Seems to work quite well and came highly recommended from my photographer friends.
Nikon Lens Pen Cleaning SystemThis is a very handy & easy to use tool. I do wish there was a cover of some sort for the brush end.
I use it in on my gun scopes and red dots and spotting scopes.  Quick, easy and efficient.Takes up little room in the gun box/range bag
I was pleasantly surprised by this item.  I thought it would do a decent job but that I'd have to rely on wet wipes, spray and microfiber clothes to get a perfect, glare-free clean... but this thing rocks!  Get rid of the big stuff with the brush and then clear away any smudges or oils with the specially formulated squeegee-deal.  Truely crystal-clear.I thought I'd ruined the thing when I was trying to clean saltwater off of my lens filter because it continued to be smudged.  I just cleaned the filter with wet cleaner, then went back to the cleaning tip and it was perfect yet again!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This is a perfect device for those incidental smudges on one's rifle/pistol scope. I make sure to use it every time I grab the rifle and head out to the field.
I purchased this product based on the reviews. I'm happy with the ability to clean the smudges/fingerprints using the carbon pad. After you gently rub on the lens using the carbon pad you can see carbon powder leftover on the surface. It's not big deal, since you can clean that off using the brush on the other side.My issue is that every time i use the brush, at least 2-3 bristle breaks off and gets stuck on the edge of the lens. This is the most annoying because when that happens, i have to use my finger to remove those stuck threads, and then have clean the lens again.Only time I didn't have this issue is when i clean my Nikkor 50 mm with UV filter(it doesn't have any edge where threads gets caught) on at all times. I rarely remove the UV filter from that lens, therefore the lens itself requires infrequent cleaning.Not sure if it just a defective product or its normal.
I got this from Amazon warehouse and it barely had any of the cleaning compound in it. I twisted the tip in as far as possible, but there was very little residue when I removed it. And it's brand new. The brush works fine, but the bristles seem to come out easily. I could probably give this pen two stars and call it a day, but I'm assuming it normally includes more of the compound (I watched a YouTube video on how to use these things, ha) so I'll go with 3.
I've used this on all my cameras, even my point and shoots, like my canon elphs.  The tip is meant for bigger lenses however.  I use this primarily for my Sony A55V DSLR.  I have not experienced any problems with this scratching my lens or anything else to that matter.It is a great small lens cleaner that I keep in my camera bag for any occasion.
It is compact, light weight, and cleans my lens just fine. I carry it with my DLSR camera bag and use it when I need quick clean.
Lens pen has a very thick, yet soft brush.  No chance of damaging a lens.  The spot removing chamois tip is great for a few emergencies.I use this in my kit, every day.
I was looking for some easy way to clean the lens of my Canon Rebel XT, and also my camcorder. Cleaning kit is neat, but a cleaning pen can do the job once in a while. Well.. I did put my finger print on purpose on my UV filters, and lens. It took me maximum 10 seconds to clean the mess using the "pen side", which looks like some kind of gum material (humid too?). It's as clean as if I used my regular cleaning kit. I used the brush side to get ride of the residues. Pretty cool tool. A must have !
Small, easy to throw into the camera bag. The brush is quite good. Pen end is usually effective, but sometimes doesn't remove smudges as well as my pre-moistened lens cloths.
A very handy tool as it is self contained and you can pocket it to have it handy at a moments notice.
i have had generic pen before and this is much better quality than my old one. This pen have more thicker brush then my old one and tip is more flexible. i would recommend this pen over cheaper version. camera lens are not cheap and you don't want to take a risk.
High quality but a little pricey, I have another lens pen and just wanted to compare the quality. I think the other pen I have is just as good and a little less expensive. But if you want to ensure you are getting the best then spend the few extra bucks and purchase this one.
Small, practical, useful. Just great.Add just an air blower and a good tissue and you'll have a very good cleaning kit.
Cannot relay how well it works because I gave it as Christmas gift. The person was glad to receive it.
I was only attracted to this lens pen because it's a Nikon product and it had a bunch of good reviews on it. However, when I received the item it was in a used condition (although I paid for a brand new one from "Shopit").Aside this, the brush works fine, I use it to clean dust particles off the camera and lens.The downside of it, is the tip brush usually aiming at cleaning finger prints and tough marks on your lens glass. When I first received the item I opened the cap where the tip is located. I applied it on my finger and I had a black ink-like circle on it. So I thought I might have a bad copy as it was used. Nonetheless, I checked other reviewers comments and it seems that everyone is facing the same issue. So I preferred not to use it on my lenses as it can damage the expensive glass.Better use a microfiber cloth along with a rocket blower to clean the lens.
Purchased the cleaning pen on 5/16/2013 and 5/20/2013 total of 4 pens Fulfilled by Amazon. These cleaning pens came on time. But it was not an original Nikon cleaning pens. I called Nikon they told me that there should be a printed website on the pen. (www.nikonsportoptics.com). I was told to return them and buy them at (bandh.com). I have used these pens for five years and had six of them, all had Nikon website on it.
I own this product for almost an year. I use only brush of this pen as it is effective in removing any dust from the lens.I stopped using the lens cleaning part because over the period of time, whenever I use it on my lens, it leaves slight black smudges on the lens element which I have to end up cleaning some wet method.I would not recommend this product to anyone.
This thing is FANTASTIC.  I don't know how I ever owned a camera without it.  Don't use it on the sensor like some people suggest though.  Just for the lens.
the tip is starting to come off (unglued) from the piece that holds it....this could be because i have to press so hard on it to actually get anything but its edges to clean...the tip is very stiff and instead of hugging the lens only the enges of the circle touch the glass unless you press down.i noticed hairs from the brush fall off 4 times already inside my lenses which i opened for cleaning...frustrating to say the least.the pen cleans well but ive only used it maybe 6 times and im already worried about the tip falling off...dont feel like i got my moneys worth.seeing as though it was my first lens pen...i would advise anyone and everyone to just get the cheaper ones...if the expensive one doesnt last might aswell save some money and get your handfull of cleannings out of a 4$ pen instead of a 15$ one.
I had been looking for an affordable lens cleaner for a little while when I came across reviews on amazon for this product. So I ordered it and gave it a test run and believe me, it does an excellent job at cleaning. Initially, I was thrown off with the "Nikon" since I use a Canon but when thinking about it for a moment thought, "a lens is a lens!" So I ordered it and it works well. I have canon and tamron lenses and it's not a problem at all.
I ordered two Lens Pens to keep in the different bags, and I avoided buying the generic ones for the quality of the Nikon brand.. The disappointment was the black residue the cleaning tip left on my hand (picture added), which lead me to avoid using it on my lenses.
The bristles on the brush started falling out on the first use. What good is a brush that leaves more debris than ti removes? The cleaning pad side did nothing. It didn't seem to have any cleaner on it and just made the smudges on my lens bigger.
These work pretty darn good. I always carry one when out with any of my cameras.
I have been using these for years. They are in my opinion the best way to clean your lens if there is no grit or dust on the lens. Every one I have bought appears to be made in the exact smae factory so brand is not an issue. Just remember, these are disposable items. once you have used it a bit throw it away and get a new one as they do accumulate dust in the tip and they lose effectiveness and could even scratch your lens. Keep a UV filter on your lenses and all you risk is a $40 filter.
Very good product, Brush the right stiffness for brushing off the dust and the pad does a great job on getting off water spots, ect.  Wouldn't be without one
Always carry one with me on a shoot! Easy to carry, easy to use and does a good job. Good quality also!
This pen is super.  I use it for all my lenses and don't hesitate to use it on the most expensive Nikon or the irreplaceable camcorder lenses.  When I am using the camera of another person, I check the lens first.  I always have to run this pen over their lense because not everyone has one of these.I used the blower/tissue/solvent kit for years.  I never saw a lens as clean as when I use the Nikon Pen.  I recommend it to my video buddies.
This really works for a camera, in my experience, as most of the other reviews also proclaim.  Nikon and Sigma must use the same OEM, though, as I also ordered a Sigma PLE Lens cleaner (from Amazon) and it was cheaper and identical except for the color of the plastic slide button.
In conjunction with a rocket blaster this lens pen is awesome. One end is a nice retractable brush and the other end, under the cap is a carbon impregnated microfiber touchpad.My method of lens cleaning is very simple and very efficient. I shoot the beach often and my lenses get nasty and this metho works very well.Use a rocket blasted to blow off particles.Use lens pen brush to dust off stuck particlesUse Tiffen lens tissue paper and my breath to clean the lens of fog/filmy residueUse the lens pen to clean.Use pen to hold the lens paper to final clean lens, pushing paper gently around.Sounds like a lot of work but it isn't and I use this method on my best glass with excellent results.
Carry this at all times;  you don't want to wipe your lense with anything that may scratch it and if you don't have this with you  that's exactly what will happen.
This little gem kept all my lenses free of debris with no problems during a two week trip through the West Texas mountains and desert.
I bought a lens pen 7 years ago and it was time for a new one.  I use it often  but should tell folks not to touch the brush with your fingers for fear of contaminating the bristles with oil.  The bristles are very soft and a natural reaction is to feel them.  This pen is another must have item for your camera bag!
The bristles of the brush fall out several at a time each time I use it. Do not, I repeat, do not use the brush to clean the image sensor of your camera. You will get loose bristles inside your camera.
Helps to clean your lens effectively and really helps remove dust particles that might be missed by other cleaning options.
This removes smudges and dust without scratching scope or binocular lenses, like it was designed to do.  Use it dry like it says, otherwise you'll ruin the felt pad.
This thing is great because it is a brush and cleaner all in one.Portable enough to fit in the camera carrying case.Brush used to brush off large dirt particles and the other end is a cleaning cloth used to clean off the fingerprints and oils left of the lenses.
Almost can effectively remove dust on the camera. I was satisfied. But I don't know if it is dirty, how can I clean it?
I used it only once and it worked. But I don't know how many times it can be used...
It's work great, clean the lens like magic. It is a must-have for every DSLR owner.
This is really a great lens cleaning system.  I'm going to buy another since I somehow misplaced my first one.
This is a good cleaning pen to carry around in your camera bag. It doesn't take up much space but it does the job! Love it.
I like this product, and it works well and has been a workhorse for me, but the vendor has recently changed the design of the product and I felt I needed to comment on it.The thumb lever is now black, not yellow, is much more difficult to operate, and the pen itself is about 1" shorter in length and slightly thinner in diameter.You can see the new version here:LensPen NLP-1The Nikon packaging now says BOTH "NLP-1" and "7072" - the older product said simply "#7072" - and the UPC is EXACTLY THE SAME between the old and new models, so there's absolutely no way Amazon would know the product had changed or could look around in their warehouse for a supply of the old, IMHO better version.In short, if you're looking for the older, larger version, you can't get it, at least not from Amazon and would likely only find it for a much higher price from a B&M; camera store with old stock still on the shelves.If you're fine with the shorter, thinner version you might has well purchase the version above without the Nikon logo and save the $1 or so.To reiterate, this is NOT Amazon's fault; the vendor switched the product to one that is cheaper to manufacture.
I've been using two of these for the better part of three years now with my wedding videography business, and for dozens of commercial shoots.  It is true what they say, this is a passive mixer.  However, since every single one of my microphones happens to be self-powered, this really isn't an issue with me.  It's perfect for wedding ceremonies.  I can put my wireless Sennheiser on channel 1 and my ATR-55 on channel 2, and adjust them as need be.  In my instance, the Sennheiser is hotter than the ATR, so I just adjust the channel 1 slider accordingly.  In over 100 weddings and dozens of commercial shoots, I have never needed to use the 3rd input on top of the first two, although I have used it plenty of times by itself if I only end up needing 1 microphone, instead of plugging the mic directly into my camera, and it has always given me great results (albeit not true stereo, just mono in both channels... I have a stereo mic if I need it).All in all, for the price it has done exactly what I need it to flawlessly. I have never had instances of getting too much extra noise or hissing, just a flawless pass through of the audio onto the left and right channels.  It has earned back it's cost hundreds of times over over the course of the last three years.
Very impressed. Recommended to me by customer service at Audio-Technica who I'd purchase two mics from. They said it was their go to recommendation for anyone wanting to run two (or three) mics in to a single mic jack.  I use it with a Sony CX260V camcorder and two Audio-Technica mics. Perfect solution for interviews with both parties mic'd. If you arent using the third channel, avoid hiss by setting the slider to zero.  Passive, so nopower drain.  Highly portable, fits right in my camera case. Very happy and totally recommend it. Unbelievable price.
I've had the opportunity to use the azden cam-3 for the first time at a wedding anniversary and I plugged in my three mics to it; on channel 3 I plugged in my stereo shot gun mic and I moved the slider on the Cam-3 all the way up to increase the audio signal and I notice that this mic was my weakest one, so I increase the audio levels on my camcorder accordingly.The wireless and the interview mic had stronger audio signals so I moved the sliders down for channels 1 and 2 to adjust the audio for each one of them accordingly. It gave me the flexibility to open and shut each mic just the way I needed.I was hesitant about buying this audio mixer because of the first bad review that this person gave to the Azden Cam-3, but now that I myself used it I can tell that he just did not know what he was doing, that is why I took the time to post this review.  Great product at a great price. Keep up the good work Azden.
works really  good with my microphone and camera and does a terrific job for our project love it great produce
Scrap is not the word i really wish to use, but just to be polite, this is just a non sense product, I tried different combinations to give the product the chance to work.. it Failed to.I connected the output to my camera, then to a recorder, to a RF Transmitter, and not even noise or Humm went out of this piece of scrap.For the price, this is biiiiiggg  fail.
This helps free up you boom mic man form staying next to you and helps mix three different sounds at once. This is a great by for filming.
This product has worked well for me.  It easily balances a couple of microphones, and is easy on the wallet.  Have owned for well over a year now; never had a problem with it.  Does what it says; doesn't boost signal, merely helps balance a "hot" mike with a quieter one.
My wife and I do street interviews for our web sites, and I needed something to lower the volume of my wireless mics. I was reluctant to purchase the Azden Cam-3, because of some of the very negative reviews it received. However, I took a chance anyway.Here is my response to the negative feedback givers:It's definitely possible that you received one that was DOA. However, those who gave this product negative feedback for other reasons do not understand what the Azden Cam-3 does, and does not do.1. It does NOT increase the volume of a microphone. How can it? It is passive--no battery and no electrical connection.2. It does NOT hum, or add any other noise or interference. Let me restate this--it's passive, so it cannot add hum or any other extraneous noise.3. What it's meant to do, it does perfectly! It adjusts the volume of a microphone that might be louder than others that are connected, to create a uniform volume. It does NOT increase the volume of the others, just lowers the volume of the overly loud one(s).4. It's a perfect size--a little larger than a Digital Video Cassette. I easily attached it to the side strap on my Panasonic DVC30.I do wish that ALL the inputs were stereo, but it's not that big a deal. As it is, inputs 1 and 2 are mono, and input 3 and the output are stereo.Bottom line: It does exactly what the AD says it does!!! My only regret is that I did not buy it sooner.
Ok - you're all set to record an interview.  Your interviewer has one radio lapel mic and their subject has been mic'ed with your backup radio mic on a different frequency, but they have the mic way too close to their mouth and dwarf the interviewer.  You have a stereo shotgun mic on your hotshoe mount for B-roll footage and you're ready to go.....Except for the fact you have 3 microphone sources and your camcorder has one stereo mic input - plus your two radio mics have different output levels causing one channel to clip occasionally as your two radio mics have unequal levels and you must unplug everything to use your shotgun stereo mic, which isn't easy to do with today's tiny cameras.That's where this comes in.  There are 4 jacks and 3 sliders on this compact product just slightly bigger than a DV tape in its case.You have inputs 1 and 2 which are left and right mono inputs great for radio mics, each with their own amplitude slider to get your levels equalized and bring two separate mono sources to a stereo output.  Input 3 is a stereo input for a stereo microphone that you might use in shooting b-roll footage.  If you want to kill it from the interview mix, just slide the volume for mic 3 all the way down and its gone.  You can also mix in some of the ambient sound with a touch of the 3rd slider.Sure it would be nice to have a mixing board on the back of your hand strap to manage audio, right?  This is the only product I could find that even comes close.  The next step is a 4 channel audio production set which dwarfs the size of most camcorders today.  On the back of this case is a clip which can be rotated 90 degrees into 4 positions to clip onto anything and hold on tight.Since everything is passive and well shielded noise is not an issue, but be sure your mics are powered (most video cameras want separately powered mics anyways, even if it is a button cell in the mic case).  The very low output from unpowered dynamic capsules won't do as well as a condenser mic with a button cell inside giving you 7mv RMS or so of output.The mixer comes with 2 cables, a mono-stereo and a stereo-stereo to connect it's 4th jack (stereo mic mix out) to your camera's stereo external mic in.  All jacks are 3.5 mm, 1&2 are mono, 3&4 are stereo (with 4 being the mix output and 3 being the stereo mic in)This is a great accessory for anyone with more than one mic in use on a portable camera and at the price it's a very affordable solution for the convenience in setup it offers.  If you have ever cursed that your camera doesn't have 3 mic-inputs with knobs for each, then this is the next best thing, and easier to use while shooting than the camera's controls.There is one really minor negative that won't affect most users - being a passive device not requiring a battery, this mixer will not output a signal higher than the input signals from your sources.  If used with powered mics this is not a problem, but really low level outputs will be low level going into your camera.  If you know you want to record a weak signal (say an electric guitar) you'll want a pre-amp to go on that signal.  You can attenuate strong signals down with this to get equality.My unit stays with my 2 radio mics and receivers in their case and gets used every time I hook up external mics to my camera.  It is a clean and lightweight solution to a messy cable problem in the field.  I give it 5 stars because it handles most everything in an elegant simple manner with a minimum number of parts and is designed for today's smaller HD camcorders.  Form definitely follows function in the product design.
We needed a small mixer in order to run 3 mics into a cam and low and behold this little gem came up during an Amazon search. The reviews were good so I ordered, tested and as long as your mics have power this mixer works perfectly. A simple and small device that is exactly what we needed for our shoot.
Once you understand that this is a per input variable attenuator that can be mounted directly on the camcorder, its use is very straight forward. It is a good way to mix amplified mono microphones for use with a stereo input jack on the camcorder.
I bought it ... hooked a seinheinser MKE-300 mike into it, and plugged it into a SONY TRV-33 camcorder ... and I can't hear much of a sound (very very very very weak sound) even at the max range of the audio channel.  Completely fails.
This mixer is worth for more than the price.  It gives you the ability to mix two mics in mono or one mic in stereo.  I shoot a local interest tv show.  This helps me control the volume as well as ad an additional mic for interviews.  This is a simple and well designed product that I highly recommend.
Has no preamp and not battery powered so all passive. Volume on channels has to be turned up so high that you barely hear anything and full of shhhhhhhhhhh (white noise)Don't buy it.
I bought this mixer in the hope that I could start using some of my mono mics with my Kodak Zi8, and it did not turn out so great. I plugged in my Audio-Technica ATR35 in the 3rd hole (the one that take any audio feed and turns it into a stereo one), and the result was sub-par. Sure, the recorded sound was in stereo, but a fair amount of static white noise was also added in comparison with plugging the mic directly in and getting audio only on the left channel.I ended up having to clean up the audio anyway.
For the price, the Azden passive mixer is really too expensive! Behringer audio mixers offers two different mixers that are amplified, that I needed for the same price or less. Behringer mixers have so many options for the same price, that it makes the Azden mixer over rated! I returned the Azden mixer. If you don't need any preamps for your mics and want a subcompact package for your camcorder, then the Azden mixer works okay.
Incredibly useful little gizmo. I have run my Sennheiser MZW400 and a super cheap Sima wireless lav mic through it simultaneously and gotten good results.
If you are wondering what or how to use this check out my youtube post on it. Netcommercial is my page, the Title to find it is; Azden Cam-3 mixer.Works fine. As stated by other's, it is not an amplifier, just a pass through for multi mics. 3 in's and one out.Make sure you use the right, decent cables to reduce any static or Hiss, as complained about. It is not a pro mixer but will work in a pinch for 50 bucks. Like, if you are Lapeling two people and one is dominant over the other. this will allow you to bring down the dominant.Not for boosting a soft spoken person. You will need to catch that in editing. Yet, if both are at the same level at shooting, it makes it easier to crank up the whole track in editing, then trying to do it on the "fly"I did try it with using an Azden Lapel and an Azden shotgun. There is obvious pick up diff for the different caliber mics. Yet as stated if you are using a couple of Lapels of the same make you will find it a handy goodie in the bag.
Haven't even got to use the mixer yet.  As I ordered it as the 'additional items' to go with the lapel mics.  Unfortuantly I thought I was getting to mics with the thing that I ordered, and it only came with one.  Therefore, no use for the mixer yet.  It seems very light.  Needs to be attached to the camcorder, but it has a clip on it that you can clip to the strap on your camera, that seems nice.  However it's pretty cheap plastic and might have potential to break quickly.
This mike works fine, if you use it off camera, which is the way professionals always capture audio.The camera is the worst place to put the microphone. Using even a much better mike, no matter how directional, doesn't give much better sound. That's why pros us a boom, or clip on mikes.I use it with an extension cord, I mount it on a fiberglass extendable painters pole. Works great. I also found that using a mono extension cable gave better results than a stereo extension.
Although we must correct a little with some sound editing program, yet the product is very good. I was very pleased.
I did a lot of research and the reviews for this Mike all came up good.  Well, I am here to tell you the reviews do it no justice, this microphone is totally underrated and under priced.  I will be purchasing another really soon.  I do a lot of video recordings and could never find a microphone so compact but has the sound qualities this one does.  I will never record another video with the cameras microphone again.  Awesome JOB Azden!!
If you use this mic in "short" mode, you'll be fine.  The quality is pretty impressive.Forget about the "long" mode.  It's worse than your internal mic on your DSLR or Camcorder.Now... the big downside.This mic does not have a light indicator that tells you whether the mic is on or off.  Bad, bad, absolutely bad.If your battery is out, you won't know if it is out when you turn on the mic because there's no indicator.You'll be filming with the mic switch turned to 'on', when in contrast, the mic will be off because the battery would be out.After a great shoot, when you playback what you shot, you'll only get 'silence'.VERY BAD DESIGN.However, taking only one AA battery to run this mic is a big plus.  Makes the mic very light in weight.
If you need a mic for semi-professional work, this is the perfect item!  I've been using it for a year with my Canon HG10 and it works very well given the price.  I'm so glad I have this mic.  It is capable of doing distant recording with a direct line of sight OR close recording with the flip of a switch (long / short).  Also, it has an attachment to mount it to my HG10 with the ability to take it down for interview style questions.  If you're on a budget or just can't sleep at night knowing you paid $100 plus dollars for a camera mic, this is the mic for you!
worked fine for me..................ok nothng else to say a a a a a a a a a a a a
On an beginner level, this mic is the best thing going for the money. If you've been depending on your built in mic for audio...buy this mic!
I read a good review about this mic in a Japanese magazine called Video Salon. I have a Sony HDR-FX1.  the shoe is placed way above and to the edge of the camera so I didn't worry about camera sound getting picket up by the mic.  The mic that comes with the camera never picks up zoom sound or hand movement on the camera.  The ECZ-990 barely picks up the target sound. And the sound it does pick up is tinny. It DOES however pick up every little sound of the camera.  You get a huge buzz when using auto zoom.  And every little movement of your fingers against the camera body is picked up as a booming sound.The only use i can see for this mic is to get an extension cord and let someone hold the mic up to the target sound source. Strangely enough, the mic didn't pick up too much sound from the hand holding it.The price is low but I honestly feel like I threw away my money.  Lesson learned: Only buy a mic you have personally tested yourself.
When I swap it out on camcorders like the JVC GZGX1BUS, SAMSUNG S10, the audio gain is slightly lower than I would wish, but I am sure, great for a H2N ZOOM, or the TASCAM PR-10.  Works as shotgun, eliminates side sounds.
Fun little additional to my cameras.  Collects focused sound or ambient sound.  Keep a pack of batteries with you at all times.
I have an exceptionally noisy mobile AC unit less than 4 feet from where I sit at my desk, which was so bad that the noise cancelling software on my collar mic was nearly drowning me out, along with the background noise, every time the AC unit kicked on. I can't tell you exactly how noisy, but I can compare it to about sitting in a 10x10 laundry room with both washer and dryer going at the same time. Maybe a slight noisier.Anyway, it was obvious to me that if I was going to be able to record clear voice over game reviews, I needed to find a solution that didn't rely on software filtering to accomplish the lions share of the background noise filtering. After some googlefoo I settled on shotgun mics, the cheapest of which tend to be camcorder models. (Its why I didn't just spring for a yeti or comparable mic)I checked some live reviews on YouTube, and felt that this mic was a reasonable purchase. Especially considering Amazon had an open box refurbished unit for about 20% off its current 70 something price. And I can honestly say I was not disappointed. Actually I am pleasantly surprised.Without any fancy software, I simply plug this into my PC (utilizing a 3.5mm extension) and enable the default motherboard drivers noise suppression. The result is surprising enough that I have a hard time saying that, at least to my ears, I can't hear the AC unit at all on my recordings.Keep in mind I am recording at 41K Mono, so its not the best quality in the world. But its clear and it gets the job done. And now I don't need to worry about the AC unit next to my head while I record my work.Note: I use the SHORT setting exclusively.
This battery fits exactly like it should! My camera turns on, winds film, has a light meter, etc.. all because this battery works. Thank you!
Worked perfectly, great product and the price was right, will be highly recommended to friends and family.keep up the good work.
The price on-line was about one-third that of local supplies.  Check with me in ten years and I'll tell you if it lasts as long as it is supposed to.
I bought this battery for a laser that goes on my bow.  Duracell is the best battery in my opinion.  I am hunter with many things that takes batteries and I always use Duracell.
I use this battery on my dog's collar for the electric fence we had to install when she learned to climb a chain link fence from the cat!The battery has a long life of at least 3 months.  I keep a spare around because when the battery becomes weaker, I don't really have a way to know that it needs replacing except when the dog climbs the fence again. The price is much cheaper that what I have found locally so I will continue to re-order from this vendor.
I still have my Canon A-1 film camera, and this is the right battery for it. Yes, some people still use film. So, I love the battery 'cause I love my old camera!
used in my canon point and shoots. Battery lasts for ages and delivers fast recharging of flash unit on my camera
This product came just as described, brand new, quickly shipped and exactly the price i needed it to be, considering my dogs bark collar goes through them like crazy. I would recommend this product and shipper to anyone. Was NOT disappointed.
I have used Duracell products, when available, for as long as I can remember.I believe that, says it all.
Really expensive and didn't last long at all.  Unfortunately, I am saddled to this battery if I want my device to function.
This is a hi-peformance Lithium battery that is a cost-effective replacement for this type of Alkaline battery. I use it for a LAN-Test equipment that gets seldom used but is important when needed.  Preferred over other types.
The film camera I was using was a Canon A-1 (not an AE-1 which is newer). This was the battery I needed!!
fit as it did in 1980's the camera worked fine , took all the photos I need to last good time
Caveat emptor. I found out too late that several other Amazon sites that sell other brands of this type of battery clearly warn that it does not work with the CN-160 LED video light and even steer you to the right type of battery.  This site does not mention it.  It's probably too late for me to send it back because I assumed for a few weeks the battery charger was the problem.  If Lenmar is listening, I'd be happy to write a nice follow up if you would fix your site.Follow up written a day later:  I wish I had read the reviews on this one.  Apparently several other people fell into the exact same trap.  But bravo to Amazon.  Even though the battery was well out of the return grace period and I had thrown away all the packaging, the chat rep offered me an 80% refund plus free shipping and promised to take the steps needed to get the site fixed asap.  This is why I love Amazon!
I have not used this item for more than a couple of weeks but it charged in a reasonable amount of time and I was able to video with no problems so the charger works as it was advertised.
Heck, *if* you could find an OEM battery for a 6 year old camcorder, it would cost you half the price of a new camera... This is a fine alternative, it does the trick for a good price.
This battery is advertised as "Lenmar LIP220 Lithium-ion Camcorder Battery Equivelent to the Panasonic CGR-D220 and CGR-D16 Batteries". Equivalent to the CGR-D16? Perhaps as far as battery power, but not dimensions, and that's a problem.I purchased the "NEEWER 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera Light", which has a mount for a Panasonic CGR-D16 battery to power it. As a matter of fact, Amazon suggests buying this battery, the video light, and a charger in their "frequently bought together" section, so I did.The battery does not mate up with the mount on the lighting unit. Turns out, my friend had a real Panasonic CGR-D16 battery. We tested it on my light, it mounts perfectly and performs flawlessly. Yes, I did try to save a few dollars on an aftermarket battery such as the one I am reviewing right now. It DOES NOT PROPERLY MOUNT to the light. The pins that are supposed to mate up with the slots on the light fall a few millimeters short, so no solid connection, thus no power being conducted.It is possible the battery I received was incorrect, I do know the color was different (advertised as black but mine were silver), but other than that I figured they were the same battery as they were advertised as such. Either way, I'm extremely disappointed that this battery is advertised as an equivalent replacement to the Panasonic CGR-D16, as the dimensions are different and it simply does not work.
I was looking to replace my worn out panasonic battery that came with my camcorder and found this one. This battery works great with my camcorder and is compatible with the original panasonic charger as well. It lasts way longer than the original panasonic battery. Overall great battery.
I bought this as a back-up battery to help film a wedding, but I quickly discovered that this battery works even better than the original Panasonic battery that came with my camera. Of course, this has a higher mA rating than the original, so a longer life is to be expected. I normally opt for the brand-name batteries, but I completely urge anyone to buy this instead of the brand-name and you'll save lots of money too!I saw reviews that said it didn't work for them, but I had no problems. Just make sure your Panasonic battery is a CGR-D220 or CGR-D16. It will say on the battery. If it's not one of those two Panasonic batteries, this won't work for you.
I bought this because it said it would work with the NEEWER CN-160 LED Light, but it doesn't even fit! Word of advise. Don't ruin the packaging because then you won't be able to return it!... DO NOT BUY IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE IT FOR THE NEEWER CN-160!
This is a great battery for a low low price.  Fits my panasonic pv-dv600 Mini-DV recorder as advertised.  Replaced battery cgr-d16.  Charges in a few hours in the original charger and and lasts a long time.
I have a Sony trv900. This battery works perfectly. Seems to communicate well with the charger and the camcorder with regard to the battery status. I recommend this product.
Great price, works as described, came packaged well and on time. What more does a vidiot need!
I purchased this battery a couple of months ago and it has performed like a champ. I have an old digital 8 sony camcorder (TRV-310) which I bought 10 years ago. The original battery lasted many years but several years ago it could only hold a 40 minute charge. I bought a newer smaller camcorder to replace it. However the Sony has a superior lens so I brought it out of storage and bought this battery to record my daughters soccer games. This battery registers 480 minutes, and it can record several soccer games over several weeks on 1 charge. This battery has performed very well and I would recommend it to others10/10/2011 update:I have had this battery for about a year and it still works like a champ... I am totally satisfied..
haven't had any issues with it, works fine.  Don't use the camcorder endlessly but has been ready to go whenever I need it...had the battery for about four months.
I purchased 3 of these in November of 2010.  I do day long shoots and they had performed as expected.  About 2 weeks ago, I was doing a 3 hr evening shoot and one of the batteries "died" after about 45 minutes.  I quickly switched to another battery and finished the evening.  When I got back and put the "dead" battery in the camcorder it worked just fine.  I will now mark it as defective and only use it for setup and testing but no longer for production.Also, all 3 batteries give ridiculous run time estimates when they are charged.  They battery time indicator shows 2,000+ minutes.  I still have 3 original Sony 750's purchased in 2004 and they show an expected 400 +/- minutes when charged.  In summary I think that this is an inexpensive OK product but not up to the quality of the original Sony batteries.
SUPER BATTERY THAT TOOK CARE OF MY NEEDS. I CAN NOW RECORD MY VIDEOS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF POWER.THANKS
This battery replaces a Sony NP-F550. It was about 8 years old so I was only getting about 30 minutes of record time. Now,with the Lenmar 750H, I'm getting almost 9 hours of record time...Awesome! It works perfect with my Sony DVR-TRV9 camcorder.
These are fine batteries that deliver great bang for the buck, which is true of all high-quality NiMH batteries I've tried.  The problem a previous reviewer reports with low capacity is indeed with his charger, not the batteries themselves.  The charger he mentions delivers a fixed amount of current per hour for fifteen hours and shuts off.  It has no &quot;intelligence&quot; about the capacity of the battery in it, about its current charge state, or anything else.  Using these batteries in a good, intelligent charger, such as a Maha MH-C401FS or the smart Lenmar charger he mentions, yields great results, as the charger recognizes the capacity of the battery and doesn't stop charging until it reaches it.Use these batteries with a good charger and they'll please you over and over again.
I was tempted by the cheap price and got myself a 10 pack. They are rated at 2000 mAh, but run out of juice after the digital camera has shot maybe 5 frames. My 2 year old Panasonic 1600 mAh in contrast can run the same camera for over a 100 shots. I tried these batteries in my MP3 player - and even there, it won't supply enough juice after an hr worth of playback. It is not that the battery does not hold any charge - that it has. But it just does not supply the peak current required by most digital devices. It seems to be all right for use in a flashlight. A set of batteries that will not power a camera will power a flashlight (a bit dimly) for hours (yeah - I tested it). For the test, I had  charged the panasonics and the lenmars for the same duration (it is not a charger issue).I plan to complain to the state consumer affairs department regarding this brand and hope action is taken against shady products which are nothing but rip-offs.One last tip - nowadays, the best NiMH batteries are made by Sanyo. It is better to pay 2 - 4 times for them than for a Lenmar. Trust me!
UPDATE: Thanks to "alabamaargiope from Madison, AL USA" for pointing out that it is indeed the charger that's the problem here. The batteries do infact recharge fine if I leave them in my "dumb" recharger for two "sessions", ie for a total of 30hrs. It would have been useful if Lenmar had addressed this problem on their packaging rather than letting us find out afterwards that we should really upgrade our charger to a more "intelligent" unit before buying these batteries.ORIGINAL REVIEW: These Lenmar NiMH rechargeable AA batteries are rated at 2000mAh, which means a higher current than from most other rechargeables available, which is why I bought them. However, using an Energizer ACCU recharger that automatically times out after 15hrs, these batteries last only half as long as other NiMH batteries I use, even though these other batteries don't look nearly as good on paper as the Lenmar brand (namely Energizer rated 1600mAh, Energizer rated 1850mAh and Kodak rated 1850mAh). So I am not sure if these Lenmar batteries are just no good, or if I should be using a more sophisticated recharger (perhaps one sold by Lenmar), but I'm going to avoid this brand in the future. Why buy batteries that cannot be fully recharged by any NiMH recharger?
I owned four different sets of NiMH AAs; this was the latest purchase and the first one to stop working.  I do have decent chargers and never dropped them or anything.  It actually ruined my day twice.  Very disappointed.
I purchased two ten packs of Lenmar batteries.  Of the twenty batteries, only 4 would take a charge.  I used 3 different chargers, an Energizer, LaCrosse, and a RipVan100.  The LaCrosse is a high-end charger with diagnostics (can display voltage levels, etc., individually for each battery, it can also 'repair' batteries maximum capacities, etc. - so can the RipVan100)...  None could charge the 16 faulty batteries.  I sent both 10 packs back.
I bought 8 of the 2300 mAh Lenmar batteries about 1-2 years ago. Initially they were great, compared to the 1600 mAh batteries I had been using, but they quickly deteriorated to the point that they just won't hold a charge, and they are all now completely unusable. The 1600 mAh NiMH batteries I bought before these are still going strong. I won't ever buy another Lenmar battery.
These charge in any charger that I have used.All of my Lenmars lasted a long time, longer then the other name brand rechargeable batteries that I have used, and I still have 2 or 3 around that are holding a good charge after nearly 10 years.
PLACE MY ORDER AND RECIVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS THANK YOU
Got this for my Canon Optura Xi.  Its a lot bulkier than the standard battery that came with the camcorder but for good reason - its battery life is much longer.  The bulkiness doesn't bother me as much since the camera is a bit on the larger side anyways.  The battery life feels almost 2x longer than the previous but that is just a guess.  The battery, though bulky, does not add much weight to the camera so I don't feel the camera is imbalanced.  I would highly recommend this battery.
I purchased this battery at the same time as a genuine BP522. The genuine BP522 battery is still working fine after more than a year, but the Lenmar died after 6 months (holds a charge about 5 minutes). When they were new, both provided more than 90 minutes of recording time each.
I bought these for my father in law around Christmas, and he was able to use them in his camcorder. No more dropped power, as these are just as good as the stock batteries.
Using on a Canon ZR-85 DV camcorder, better battery life than expected.  Old batteries were so worn out they wouldn't retain a charge.
This battery is double the capacity of the original and I got it shipped in one day at a fraction of the cost of an OEM battery.  Works great.
I was extremely leery about buying a third party battery for myCanon ZR80 MiniDV Camcorder w/18x Optical Zoom. I expected something that was of lower grade, felt like it was going to fall apart with things floating freely inside the battery casing, and either didn't hold as much power as it claimed or lost capacity rapidly.What I got was nothing of the sort. The battery is extremely well constructed, charges quickly, feels very solid, and powers my ZR80 for quite some time. How long you ask? I think I can get about six hours out of it when shooting video. I know I exported about an hour's worth of stuff to tape overnight, and when I came back about seven hours later, the camera was still on (down to about maybe a 1/6th of its total life.I charge it with aCanon CG580 Battery Charger for 500 Series Batteries (ZR80/85/90)wall-charger, and it doesn't give the battery any trouble. Full charge takes between an hour and two hours (I haven't actually timed it, but I know it's faster than I thought for a battery of this capacity). The battery also has the added advantage of balancing out the camera, so it isn't front heavy. The disadvantage of the battery, however, is that because it's so big, the eye piece (unless tilted up) doesn't even extend to the edge of the battery. It ends up short by a few millimeters, so you can still see.I'd say it was an excellent buy, and I would recommend it to anyone else looking for a replacement battery. It's a vast improvement over the stock BP-508 battery that came with the ZR, which barely lasted an hour.
I bought this Lenmar battery because I had purchased Lenmar batteries in the past and always find them to be of superb quality when compared to other 3rd party battery suppliers.  When you buy a battery from Lenmar, you are getting the best, in my opinion.This battery seems to stay charged for a very long time when used with my camcorder.  As a matter of fact, I've used the camcorder three times since purchasing this battery and it still not require a charge.  The battery strength meter is showing just one bar down from fully charged, with 45 minutes of recording time.  This is excellent.  The original battery from Canon would be dead by now.The battery fits the camcorder perfectly but it is bigger than the original and protrudes out a little farther than the original battery.  This protrusion does not get in the way of filming or using the viewfinder or any camera features.
The battery works perfectly in the Sony camera.Delivery of the battery was as expected and the price was good.This is an old digital camera using a floppy disc for the camera card.Glad to find a battery at a good price.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JPN0/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
I was very disappointed in this battery.  It will not hold a charge for any length of time.  I have bought off brand batteries before and decided to give this one a try since the Sony battery is so expensive.  In this case it would have been better to spend the extra money for the Sony.
This was the only place I could find a battery for my old Sony Digital camera.  The battery was expensive, but not as expensive as replacing the camera.  The battery came promptly and in good condition.
To be honest if I could have found a Sony that's what I would have ,but aging electronic's is why there is a use for these products. It came it charged and it works and saves me & my wife from more new tech.
Product arrived on time and fully charged.  I was hessitant as some battery reviews on amazon made me leery that I might be making a mistake.  Battery operates as promised and I would call this a perfect transaction!
Ordered this battery for my camera.  When it arrived, I put it in the camera and plugged in the charger.  Darn...a flashing light which indicates there's a problem with the new battery...ugg.  Called Amazon and explained I had ordered this so I could take a digital picture that was due Tues and I had received a bad battery..  It's now Sat and no batteries available locally.  No problem.  Amazon immediately shipped out a new replacement battery which I received TUESDAY...lol.  Held my breath, put it in the camera, plugged the charger in, and there was what I was looking for...a nice steady green light.  It charged in hours and I had time to do what I needed to do.After a few hours of charging it says I have 100 hours of use on this new battery.  I suspect this is going to be a nice one.  If there's any problems I'll come back and update but I don't expect a problem at all.
I've tried the equivalent Canon batteries, but after a couple years they just won't hold a charge anymore. These Lenmar batteries just keep going and going - better than the Energizer bunny! I've had several for years and they are all still in working order.
So far this battery has met my expectations.  Purchased as a backup for my 40D.  It holds a charge equally as long as the original Canon BP-511.  In my 40D this battery goes many shooting sessions before needing to be recharged.  I give it 4 stars due to the short time used, hopefully it will continue to hold charges as long as my original Canon battery that's still going strong.
you can find batteried for a little less, but the lenmar have always treated me well and not given any firmware nagging like some other generics can. does not have the full 1500mAh Capacity, more like 1200, but still decent.
In the past I have been skeptical of &#34;off-brand&#34; batteries, however as my cameras age I become reluctant to spend the money on the Canon brand battery. So far, the Lenmar has worked perfectly well. Please be aware, however, that the 'Lenmar' is ever-so-slightly smaller than the real deal. [Perhaps for patent reasons?] As a consequence, the plastic &#34;shield&#34; that covers the contacts on the Canon battery won't fit the Lenmar - it falls off. And 'Lenmar' doesn't provide a plastic shield. Be careful how you store the battery, I have read that it is a very bad Idea to short the terminals.
I'm going to make this short and sweet.These are the best batteries I've ever used in my Canon 5D.They last forever before I need to recharge them. I've got two in my battery grip and I've got 1500+ shots with auto-focus on!Seriously. I'm impressed. And look at that price!!!
I am always leery of buying knock off brands, but if it saves me big $$$$ and works, then I'm all for it. And this is the case with this Lenmar battery. I popped it in my EOS-30D after charging it up and it runs about the same length of time as the Canon one does. What else is there to say? Cheap and it works great. Are there ones out there that may perform differently? Absolutely. Can that be said for a BMW too? Absolutely. So...YMMV Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
I have had this battery forever (at least 3 years) and is still going strong with regular usage.  I would suggest this as an equal to canons version.
I purchased five of these over the past two years for my 50D/5D cameras. Even the oldest one still works like new and they have all worked as well as the original OEM Canon battery. I have been very impressed with these batteries and recommend them to other photographers. The value cannot be beat. If you are looking for an extra or replacement battery for your camera, this one is a great product and even better value.
Can't beat this for the price! Charges in the Canon charger that came with my Rebel, and lasts a looong time. I recycled the original Canon battery already, but when I looked after first getting the Lenmar, the rated capacity was considerably higher than the oem. This is the only aftermarket Li-ion battery I've ever bought for my electronics, and I am very pleasantly surprised!
No problems at all so far.  Great back up battery.  I can't say whether the charge lasts as long as the canon as I haven't used it over a long period.
UPDATE 23 October:  These batteries are still going strong!  I am very pleased and plan to buy another one as the battery life is still very high and they are seeing use on a weekly basis.Purchased two DLC511 batteries from Adorama via Amazon and two LIC511 Lenmark batteries from M-E-E.  I bought these to use in my new Flashpoint grip on my Canon 50D (this set up is used to shoot my daughter's competitive cheerleading events).One of the DLC511 batteries was defective from the start (it appeared to charge but in reality did not accept a charge).  Adorama promptly refunded me for the defective unit (excellent customer service).The other DLC 511 worked fine and is in my camera now.  I am very pleased with its performance. The DLC511 seems to focus the camera slightly faster than the LIC511 but this could just be a perception on my part.  Overall I am happy with all three batteries that work (and yes, disappointed in the one that did not).Battery life seems highly acceptable - I have no complaints.  Will I buy these again?  Yes, I can buy three of these for the price of one Canon battery.
I might of gotten a bad battery. This thing would not hold a charge at all. Showed it took 100%, then when used the next morning it was empty.  Again it might have just been the batch but this one is no good.
You always take your chances not buying exact replacements for backups but this one has performed just as good as the original battery that came with my Rebel.  You can't ask for more than that at a fraction of the cost.
I bought this as a replacement for my Canon EOS and I didn't expect it to do as good as it has.  I can take several hundred shots before it goes down one bar.  I'm glad I didn't buy an original because I'm getting (if not better) performance, for a fraction of the price.
Battery fits and works as expected, has a similiar life as the original. I believe the original went longer on a charge, but this battery comes in at a close second.
Bottom line: The battery lasted approximately 4 months of very light use. Won't take or hold a charge. Won't purchase their products again.
Unfortunately there are many, many replacement BP-511 batteries out there. Some are cheap and not worth the money, some are, in my opinion and experience BETTER than the OEM battery.Old Canon batteries (as came with the Rebel XT) had only 1100 mAh rating. Newer batteries from Canon are 1390 mAh while my Lenmar is 1600 mAh.  You don't really need to understand what "mAh" (milli-amp hour) means, except to know that the bigger the number, the longer it can run. This battery (if you indeed get the 1600 mAh one) has 15% more capacity than the Canon OEM battery and 45% more than the old Canon OEM batteries. That adds up.There is a downside, the housing is rather flimsy and with a little pressing and some fingernails you can disassemble it. The Canon OEM battery requires an Exacto Knife to disassemble (I disassembled for a project). In short, the Lenmar may not deal with getting bounced around as well as the Canon, but in my opinion more capacity at a cheaper price is all goodness.For what it's worth I have 4 BP-511s. Two are OEM, one a Lenmar, and one another off brand. The Lenmar is the one I put in the camera when I'm want more capacity - and I get it.
I've had good luck with Lenmar products in the past and this one is no different. Great capacity! I haven't actually counted how many photos it allows me to shoot before needing a charge but I can easily go for 2 weeks shooting here and there (somewhere between 500-1000) without having to charge my Canon 20D.
Well, I got this battery and was so happy when my camera started right up!  I was not so happy when, after using the camera one time, and then after about six weeks went to use it again, it was DEAD!  My bad, you get what you pay for.  Stay away from imposters.
Not LENMAR batteries.I purchased additional batteries thinking that I was ordering Lenmar batteries...NOT.  They are some no name chinese knock-off.  Cannot qualify the quantity but the vendor blames Amazon for using the Lenmar description and take no responsibility for that description.Will update this in a couple weeks once I've given the batteries a workout.
For the price I think this is an OK deal. Not bad, not great. I use this battery with a Phase One P25 digital back on a Hasselblad V series camera without any problems, though the battery life is embarrassingly short. For a full day of shooting in the field I think it would take 5 or 6 of these batteries, maybe more. It does seem to charge quickly. The battery is 2000mAh. It is not black, it is tan and silver.
Just an FYI this battery isn't black it comes in a silver color. I find it lasts longer than the black batteries that came with the Phase One P65+ back. But it isn't black. You camera back will look murdered out.
I was looking for a Li-on battery for my Phase One camera.  These fit perfectly.  Battery life stands up to my expectation.
Needed a battery for my portable monitor, and it keeps the charge and is light enough not to make the monitor too heavy. Will order another one soon to keep my monitor working all the time.
Just got the battery yesterday, charges well and fits properly into my Phase One digital back (which uses Canon BP-915 batteries). The only issue is that it's not a black battery. It's got some incredibly cheap looking silver paint and the back side that slides into the holder part is computer-beige.I have no doubt the quality as a battery will be fine, Lenmar has a great track record on that. I was just disappointed with the appearance.--> Updated November 29th 2011: Bumped the score 1 star, as it's been a great battery and I ordered a second one. Recommended replacement battery, except for the appearance.
Not to much to say. It arrived in a timely manner and fit my camcorder like a glove. When I turned camcorder on it instantly came on.So being it arrived ahead of schedule,a great price and the battery worked perfectly I am one Happy Customer.Would definetly buy from them again.
Great replacement for my Canon Camcorder.  Has remarkably long useage time once fully charged
do not recall this product
Stop....buy this one. It is the original device for VHS-C tapes. Works perfectly. Why buy a knockoff and trash your tapes? Spend the money....it's worth every dime.
This adapter is very well built and does its job.I don't see it breaking apart or mechanically failing from daily use.We got it since two months and almost every other day we play on of the old VHS-C cassettes and it's holding on.Highly recommended if you want an adaptor that lasts.
Helped me get my projects converted onto DVD's and even help remaster clients old films on to a digitized format for them to enjoy in the future.
i had been looking for one for a long time and found it here. so far it works great.
I had one of these adaptors that got broken years ago.  What a wonderful surprise to find that it was still being made!  Works great for those compact videos you haven't seen in years.
I've had the same Panasonic VHS-C Adapter for the past 13 YEARS!We bought it along with our Panasonic camera and both have had few problems.The adapter has actually had no problems except that the battery cover came off and is missing.  But, that was my fault.
If you need a playpack dont settle for anything other than this. The ONLY reason i've had to replace mine is because my cat knocked it off a high shelf. Before that I had dropped it plenty of times. It workes flawlessly and is, of all things, durable.Very worth the money.
Product did not work for me but I gave 5 stars so as not to penalize the overall product status since it appears to work for those who actually bought it for the correct cartridge type. I was looking for a product which would allow me to view my 8mm video catridges, without the camcorder, and a search directed me to this product.  For whatever reason , it wasn't clear that there is no product for the 8mm video cartridges except a camcorder.  While Amazon was terrific about the return procedure, I discovered I am not the only one who has made this mistake. It may save buyers time, and sellers money, if the seller made it clear what cartridges can not be played in this handy gadget. I learned what the "C" stood for only after the product did not work.  In looking at the product advertisement again, it is not clear that the "C" indicates a specific type of cartridge.  It is easily interpreted as part of the name of the product. I am satisfied with policies for return and how that was all carried out.  Thank you.
I recently purchased the Panasonic VHS tape adaptor for my camcorder tapes. I had bought another brand, and right out of the package that adaptor did not work. I ordered the Panasonic and when I got it I just put the battery in it, which was included, and it works like a charm!!!! I would highly recommend this product.
Great product. Product arrived quickly and was in great condition. Definitely will do business with seller in future if there are some other audio/video products I need and this seller has them.
I bought this adapter for my video business to accommodate people who needed this kind of vhs tape converted to digital. So far nobody has ordered this so I can't say whether it works or not. But before I bought, I reviewed all the available adapters and this one was rated the highest. I have every confidence that it will function flawlessly.
Recently purchased to retrieve the video from 30 or so of our VHSC tapes. This appears to be identical to the adapter that came with the camcorder when I originally purchased it nearly 15 years ago. We gave the camcorder and adapter to a family member a few years back, both working perfectly then and now. I considered saving a few dollars on an off brand model, but since the original has lasted this long, why risk it.
I bought this product in 2008, used it a couple of times and am afraid to use it again.  When I used this adapter, I noticed that the sound on my tapes was unintelligible.  I then noticed that the very edges of the tapes were crinkled after playing, and the unintelligible sound is permanent.
My old converter for playing compact VHS-C tapes from my camera in the VCR broke leaving me no way to view (copy) my tapes after the camera broke.  This worked great!
I received the item I ordered quickly and it worked perfectly. Great price too. I'm very happy with this merchant and would buy from him/her again.
This is a great item for the price. If you could even find it in stores it would be double the price.
It worked just great.My family was able to see all our old memories with no problems.
I successfully digitized one VHS-C tape.  The tape tracked very poorly, with massive amounts of distortion for many seconds at a time.  I do not know if this was due to the 10 year old tape, or the PV-P1, since I have no way to inspect the tape now.The VCR can not eject this thing.  The tape isn't jammed.  I am able to rewind and fast-forward from the beginning of the tape to the end.  I can play.  I can stop.  Everything works except one crucial function: the ejection mechanism.I have little ability to diagnose a mechanical problem such as this, but I will do my best.  It seems as if this tape, being heavier than a standard VHS cassette, is too much for the JVC HR-S6900U to handle.  When I hit the button, it begins its usual round of clicks and spools before attempting to lift the tape up out of the playing position and into the exit slot.  It then jams, with a high-pitched mechanical straining noise, for about 3 seconds before giving up and shutting down.I can still play the tape, rewind, fast-forwards, etc.  But this sucker is not coming out of there.  I tried ejecting with the unit upside down, sideways, jamming a pen under the tape to try and lift it out manually.  Nothing works.Now I am not only out the $25-30 paid for this adaptor, but the VCR (which was quite nice in its heyday, with S-Video ports and editing functions) is now worthless.  The footage on the tape was not worth the loss of the VCR.  I had more standard VHS tapes to convert, and now that may never occur.  Do retailers even sell VCRs anymore?All in all, I would strongly recommend that you carefully consider the relative importance of the footage you wish to access with the PV-P1.  If losing your VCR is unacceptable, you might want to forget about those old VHS-C tapes.  Now all I have is a big grey doorstop and about 2 minutes of very distorted footage to show for it.
We had sold our compact video camera some time ago and had no way of viewing the many compact VHS tapes we had amassed. This product works as advertised and has allowed us to once again experience our tapes. There was no problems playing and rewinding any of the VHSc tapes...even though many of them hadn't been viewed in years. Needless to say, we are very pleased with this product.
I am looking for 8mm tapes' VHS adaptor, but it does not fit into the VHS C Adaptor, it only accepts VHS C tapes, which now I know, and how a common user can figure out the difference from a computer monitor.  The description for the type of tape it is made for has to be more specific.  VHS C and 8mm tapes look similar by the picture shown.  I can not find a 8mm tape VHS adaptor in the marketplace, it has to be reproduced from a camcorder or a VHS tape copy.
This adapter is much better than the ones which don't take a battery.  The difference is the other type manually pulls out the tape with a set of rollers when it's closed, and that can screw the tape up. The battery model I believe is also better at rewinding, the manual ones always drag down my VCR when I've tried it in the adapter.For the reviewer below, they don't make 8mm adapters.  Vhs-C is nothing more than a small-scale VHS tape, which is why they can make these adapters.  The best way to get 8mm tapes copied on VHS tapes is to use the camcorder as a tape deck and connect it to a VCR's input, and record it from there.
I had previously purchased a frustrating manual version from a different company. Had to chuck it because it trashed the third tape that I put into it. This product is really convenient because you just insert the tape, close the lid, and let the adapter automatically flip up the tape lid for playing. Easy as pie.
I have a VHS and CD machine and all my old tapes from my old camera are VHS, so I really need this adapter. Best Buy had a cheap copy that I bought and it didn't work at all...Bernies didn't have it or know where to purchase one. I then thought of Amazon and was delighted to find just what I wanted shippped directly to my house and it worked just the way the old one did....just remember to take the battery out if you don't plan on using it for a while....that's what happened to me and the battery caroded in the battery compartment.....
Have a lot of VHS tapes in the small cases and this adaptor is just what I needed to play them in a regular VCR. Yes, some of us still use them!
I have old home video but the adapter broken so I check online I found it I was so happy so we can watch the home video great memories thxxxxx a lot for having it
Well, all I can honestly say is that exceeded my expectations, in performance easy operation and battery duration
The MiniDV cassette does the job -- if you have an older digital camcorder, you'll want one of these for sure.
Panasonic makes excellent MiniDV tapes. We use them on our Panasonic PV-GS150 7 & they always perform well, mechanically & picture quality.
I'm still a tape guy and love the mini DV cameras.When you record on tape there are no issues of corruptionor complete loss of the program as in chip cameras. Panasonicmakes the best tape and I love the 80 minute cassettes.
Slipped it into an old Canon camcorder. It works great and the picture looks nice. Panasonic makes great electronics for a unbeatable price.
I was a DV early adopter and have been shooting with it since 1998, I've always used quality brands of tape and problems have been extremely rare. I got my first 80 minute Panasonic cartridge in a special 3-pak along with two 60 minute tapes. I was very skeptical about the 80 minute tape because thinner tape can mean problems.No worries, I've NEVER had a problem with a Panasonic 80 minute tape and I've used hundreds. The 80 minute blanks are all I buy now, that extra 20 minutes of recording capacity has helped me capture the best moments repeatedly when I'd still be fooling around trying to load another tape if I'd been shooting with 60's.I'm looking forward to going tapeless but until them I'm buying these, Amazon makes it so easy.
I record videos for a local dance studio and need the extra tape length. I still love tape. I can archive it for long periods of time. I have never had a problem with Panasonic tapes. Delivery was fast and packaged just fine.
Hated the deal, only able to by a few at that price.  Longer-length tapes are very over-priced, but this deal made it worth it.  I would have bought more if I could have.
Basic, compact, easy-to-use mini tripod. Perfect fortaking closeups of stationary objects with an ELPHwhen you need greater stability than you could get holding it yourself.
This tripod is well made for the price, and very convenient for small cameras. I found that it may have some difficulty holding a camera with an off center tripod socket like that found on the Canon Digital ELPH 500 camera. But, this is only an issue when the ELPH is orientated in the vertical position and tripod legs fully retracted. Other then that it's worth every penny.
I didn't expect this tripod to be so tiny. I read the information on it but imagined something else. It is MINI. It's great for taking stable images on a table for something like ebay, for example, or for using in the house for timed shots. However, I have to get another one for outdoor shots. I'd give it a 5 if I hadn't expected it to raise up higher than it does.
This little thing is extremely useful and versatile.  Some camera cases would even hold it with the camera itself.  One feature I would have liked to see is a metal ball head, so I could adjust the angle of the camera easier.  It can still be done without the metal ball head, since each leg is retractable, but it would have been easier with the ball.
This tripod is helpful for needing to get close to the ground of your photography subject and has an incredibly low height. The quick release shoe is easy to use and attach to a camera. It has the capability to extend out to a 90 degree angle to the ground if your camera is looking down on an object, but this makes the tripod unstable if used with anything other than a very, very compact camera. The tripod is very small and lightweight, and fits easily into the front pocket of a midsize camera bag.
The picture and description you see on this page are for Sima ST-10T, but you will actually receive Sima ST-10K, which is even better. It is a very comfortable and tiny tripod. Ball-head is the biggest improvement since ST-10T and it works great. Quoted from official site:The ST-10K features a quick release, universal screw-on mount, adjustable swivel head, extendable legs and a carrying strap. There&#8217;s no better mini on the market and no better support for your camera. (agree with this last sentence, can add only that the price is also the best out there)SpecificationsSwivel head2 section legsAluminumRubber feetQuick release6.75&#8221; extendedPicture: [...]
Fit securely on my camera.  Adjust from side to side and up and down to get that perfect photo for keeps.
If you have a camera with a  wide screen you may need to return this, but it just barely accommodates a Canon Elura 100. Other than that, this holds your external mike and lets you get a steadier shot. All for a few dollars.
I attempted to use this for the JVC Everio GZ-HD7 camera.  It didn't work.  I couldn't screw it on because the tripod screw was too small.  So please be forewarned all HD7 users.
I purchased the bracket because my camcorder has neither a video light or a built in bracket to hold a light.  The bracket is exactly what I needed to complete my set-up.
This is a great product that cannot be used with my camera.I own a Panasonic PV-GS500. It is a top of the line3CCD wide screen camcorder. The problem is that the viewingLCD screen is wide to accomodate true 16:9 video. The bracketis not quite big enough to fit around the screen.
I use this with my Canon Elura 100 Camcorder for an external mic.  It works great, with or without a tripod.  It may appear to be big and bulky, but really it isn't.  It actually gives you an additional grip to use if you're shooting hand held stuff.
This product does the job it is made for. My video camera doesn't have a hot shoe so this bracket makes it possible to use a light with my camera. I bought it to use with the Sima light and the light is worthless so until I find a decent light, I won't much use from it.
A handy item and reasonably priced. The SIMA SVB-1 2-1 Video Bracket fits the need if your camcorder doesn't have a built in light. It's well designed and very useful. I recommend it.
I purchased the bracket for my super zoom because they are designed for one hand operation and one hand on the lens to stabilize. Unfortunately this make shooting macro shots without a tripod very difficult.The metal frame and rubber grip work well enough for my purposes and the screw-on mount attaches to a quick release ball-head so it's easy to have it pre-configured with a flash. Though I only messed around a little with the video camera, the use of a bracket noticeably improved framing of the shots.A very good value and I highly recommend it for digital still as well as video cameras.
can you use it with tripods, meaning is there a socket on the bottom of that screw to take standard tripod 1/4 bolt?
This device is very handy and well worth the price. Can be used on cameras, video and many flash units.
This thing is great.  Very easy to use.  I use it on a monopod rather than a tripod.  I love how easy and securely it locks in.  Solid build.
I purchased this quick connect for a home made steadycam.  It worked perfectly for what I needed.  It is sturdy and compact and well made.
I use this monopodSTX Monopod Ball Quick Release(purchased locally, not from Amazon.) I love it except it's quick release is too cumbersome.  So I purchased this, permanently tightened the original quick release into the original base and then screwed this on where my camera normally went. Now I can get the camera off quicker and this provides a much sturdier mount for the camera. I took it out yesterday and shot with the ball head of the monopod in all different angles. I use a Fuji HS20, which has a DSLR-like body and has bit of weight to it. I felt the camera was more solidly attached with this than with the original quick release. It's breathed new life into an old monopod. While it is plastic, except for the bolt and camcorder pin, it seems very sturdy. It is about the size of a hockey puck. The quick release seems about the right tension to where the camera is solidly locked into place but you are not fighting it to get the camera off.We've also now realized this would be the perfect solution for an older, but incredibly sturdy, tripod we have that never had any sort of quick release.One last point that others have noted.  I carry a quarter with me in my camera bag and my old quick release could be unscrewed with that. You have to use a dime (or small screw driver) on this one as the slot is too narrow for the quarter. It would be nice if they could add the fold away "handle" for tightening instead of needing a tool to tighten it, but for I don't think it's going to come of my camera all that much.If you need a generic quick release, I don't think you could go wrong with this product.
Sima Quick Connect for TripodNice, neat piece for any monopod or tripod. I didn't need the stabilizing screw for my SX30, but the whole thing makes my monopod much easier to handle and much easier to carry and get into action fairly quickly. Simple manufacturing makes it lightweightand doesn't add much to my gear.
I wanted more options for camera placement so I got this to use with a clamp. Granted it does work, which is why I gave it three stars, however it is smaller than what I have come to think of as the standard size. This makes it impossible for me to quickly and easily swap between tripods and clamps like I wanted.
Every tripod I have owned has used a different size mounting plate.  Why do they do that?  I bought this for my son to use with his monopod, and I also got one for myself.  It's a clever idea having an inexpensive assembly that can attach to the tripod/monopod and allow the camera to be removed quickly.I once had to wait several months for a dealer to get a replacement plate for my tripod.  This one arived from Amazon in two days.  If I lose another tripod mounting plate, it will be cheaper and faster to buy one of these.
Fast shipping. Works great, I use it for video and still shots. Great little item that can be stored in camera bag for quick access.
A solid little device for all your homemade camera equipment needs. A bit too much plastic, could've used some more metal in the finished product, but feels pretty solid. It sits flat and any platform you attach it to and can be quite useful. I don't know if I would trust it with a very heavy camera+lens combination without a lens rail system for support. But you should be using one anyway, right? I would buy several if the price is right- no more than 8 to 10 dollars per puck.
I have never used it.  After receiving I had a couple of surgery's  and was unableto use it.  I tried it on the tripod and seemed to be fine.
I purchased the Sima Quick Connect tripod adapter not for a tripod, but to mount a compact camcorder to an Adorama bracket with a handle which I use for better hand held control of the camcorder.  This unit is plastic but is well made and the release lever has a strong spring return.  The unit is ideal for my purpose, but if I was mounting an expensive DSLR camera on a tripod, I would probably look for a better one made of metal.
Made of plastic but pretty sturdy for my usage. I bought two of these, one for my monopod and the second on a DIY shoulder rig for my HDSLR. I wanted to be able to switch my camera between the two quickly and this quick connect works great.
For a $10 product it rates a full 5 stars.It's solidly good enough.  I'm using these on Tiltall tripods with HDVcams and DSLRs, each using lenses around as heavy as the camera bodies themselves.  Relatively lightweight stuff.  For this the Sima seems perfect.If I was using heavier equipment, maybe sagging would be a problem and I'd start looking into metal quick mounts.  But I'm not, and anything more expensive would be a waste of money.  These are a good sturdy $10 product for light equipment.
This works great with both of my monopods and my DSLR and P&S cameras. About to buy a second. Strongly recommend!!!
These are pretty good but increased in price by about $3 in the past few months. All in all it holds my DSLR with a battery pack nicely. I think with some real serious use you'll see the plate start to wear.
I have a canon f2 and, with age, I cannot hold it as steady as I would like.  I bought a travel tripod, small and light enough to carry easily, but mounting the camera to the tripod was awkward and time consuming.  The Sima quick connect solved my problem, and makes it a lot easier to take the kind of pictures a tourist usually takes.
i think i already commented on this one, its decent enough, cheaply made but best bang for the buck! i recommend this company to anyone looking for camera accessories!rick~
bought one for my parent's basic Manfrotto tripod bought for them. no complaint heard after a couple of months usage
Sima Quick Connect is sold, well made and does exactly what it's supposed to.  I've got a monopod and it's very annoying screwing my camera on and off of that.  With this Quick Connect it takes seconds to put on/off the monopod.If your monopod/tripod doesn't already have a built in quick release then this is a very inexpensive investment to save you a lot of hassle and wear on the equipment.
I have 2, one for a Canon HF-S100 and one for a Nikon D40.  On the HF-S100, mount plate is small enough not to interfere w/ the SD card loading slot & door.  No such concern on the D40.  I put the base mounts on an old Ambico tripod and a Canon Monopod.  No issues mounting.  Each one screws on firmly.  For the Canon Monopod, it makes the mount section look more substantial and adds much needed quick release functionality.  (Interchanging between the Monopod and tripod is quick and easy now!)The fit & finish of the product is what you'd expect from Sima.  The molded hard plastic reminds me of a hockey puck, like high-impact grade plastic.  (I accidentally dropped one from the car onto the drive way, mounted on the Canon Monopod... I thought for sure it was damaged.  Not the case. It survived the drop without a ding or scratch.)  The puck is about 2 9/16" in diameter, with the exception of the latch sticking out about 1/4" when in its closed position.The latch mechanism could use a bit more refined engineering.  Between the 2 I have, one swings open with only a minor studder when first opening to release the mounting plate.  The other one requires a bit more force to start the swing to open, like there's a more pronounce "notch".  So of the two, I prefer the one that "easier" to open.  (I guess your mileage may vary with which "version" you get...)  I mention this only for those using it on video equipment in the instance where you find yourself mounting or unmounting your device while recording - you'll definitely shake things up!)  Otherwise, the latch feels strong and secure.The screw stud cannot be tightened by fingers - there's no way to "grip" the screw from underneath the plate.  There's only a slot for you to use a screwdrive/coin to tighten the screw when mounting the plate to a camera.  This can make attempting a quick remove of the mounting plate frustrating if you don't have a coin/screwdriver/key handy.The guide post in the plate is "adjustable" and fully removable.  It is not spring loaded, but instead threaded for easy screw adjustment and/or removal.Overall, it is what it is.  It does what it was designed to do for the price.  I recommend it as a resonable solution for getting a quick-release mount/plate system.  Just mount it & forget it until you need to release it - that's what it does best.  If you looking for pro features & quality , you may need to look else where.  If your looking for a simple solution in a nice package for a resonable price, then buy it now...
Bearing in mind the price (i.e. cheap), I thought long and hard about how many stars to give this, and settled on three.  It could easily have been four or five, but for three problems I had with it. You may not have the same problems.They're cheap, they do what they're supposed to do, which is let you screw the base on to your camera (kind of, see below). Solid plastic, so they'll likely last a very long time.My setup: I bought this so I could add a quick release/connect to my macro slider rails, primarily for convenience.  This item does let me add quick release/connect to that situation, but it does not do so conveniently.  For it to be convenient, I would need to have one of these on my tripod, and on my macro slider rails, and on anything else I planned to use it on, so I could leave the camera piece attached.The reason for this is that there is no way of tightening the main screw on to your camera or glass by hand (there is no mini handle on the bolt/screw underneath the plate to attach to a camera). You either need a thin coin, or better, a screwdriver.  For me, that's a problem. I don't want to carry a screwdriver or a dime just to take this thing off my camera.The second thing I did not like about it was that the plate that attaches to your camera is very small, and the mechanism for locking it in place feels finicky and very tight. Maybe with time I will get used to it.The third thing I didn't like is that the pin on the plate (far side of camera bolt in picture) is not spring loaded.  So to attach it to my camera, I have to actually take that pin out. Which, you guessed it, you need a screw driver for.I can see this working for someone who wants to just attach it for a single camera/tripod setup, or for someone who plans on buying lots of them for every application they have (or doesn't mind carrying around a screw driver).I won't be buying more of these.
I am a paranormal investigator and have built a stablizer rig to hold my video & audio equipment in one.  I wanted to purchase a quick connect item for my rig and tripod, this one fit the bill.  Great seller, great product and great price.
Ordered the Sima Quick Connect over a month ago together with a Canon Monopod 100.  Both were listed as "in stock" at the time of order.  The Sima was "recommended" for use with the monopod.  Sima Quick Connect arrived within days!  Excellent!  The Canon Monopod 100 was listed for shipment over a range from 7 - 30 days in the future -- and was eventually explained as SOLD OUT.  I'm still waiting for the Canon Monopod with no current delivery date in sight.Hope to receive the monopod soon; will update this post when it arrives and I can test the Sima Quick Connect.
Perfect!  Fits my old tripod perfectly.  Plate for bottom of camera is small and can be left on.  Plate does not get in the way of the battery compartment.  Easy to use.  Holds camera (I have an EOS Rebel) steady.  Shipping was super fast.
I purchased two of these Sima Quick Connect units several weeks ago.  I have used them with both a Nikon D80 and a Nikon D90 SLR and with several different lenses and on two different tripods.  They are OK if you are using a small light lens like a prime 35mm or 50mm.  But I'm not comfortable using the Sima with larger and heavier telephoto lenses. Why?1. The surface area of the insert that connects to the camera is too small.2. It's all plastic.  Better (and more expensive) mounts such as Manfrotto are metal.3. There is no additional safety lock pin to prevent accidental release.4. It's relatively inconvenient.  One must use a screw driver or thin coin (a dime works) to tighten the unit to the camera tripod mount.Unfortunately, it is with the telephoto lenses that tripods are most necessary.  So I've coughed up the significant extra money to convert to Manfrotto.Manfrotto 323 RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate - Replaces 3299 (Black)If you plan to use the Sima Quick Connect with a small compact camera, you will probably be very happy with the product.  It's certainly a lot cheaper than most of the alternatives.
This Quick Connect is perfect for my Dynex DX-SW040 monopod.  The Quick Connect base is 1/8 of an inch larger than the top of my monopod but it looks original to the monopod.  The camera plate works perfectly with my Canon Power Shot SX20 IS  There is enough room to change the batteries with the camera plate on.  Also the camera plate can be taken off and on using a dime if there is no screwdriver available.  I couldn't be happier with my purchase!
Without this for your monopod you'd have to screw the camera on every time you want to use the monopod.  With this device, you simply push the lever and pop your camera on and off.  My only concern is the durability of the product but so far so good.  That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.
I bought this to secure my Canon R10 camera a custom-built stabilizer & accessory mount rig for handheld location shooting. The small shoe allows the battery & SD memory door on the camera to open fully without removing the quick connect shoe. Works well with the lightweight camera.Canon VIXIA HF R10 Full HD Camcorder w/8GB Flash Memory (Black)
I originally picked this up for my monopod thinking it would make life easier, but the lack of adjustment sent me after a giottos ball head instead.  The base of this is a little bulky but the locking mechanism works great.  For the price it's a decent product.
Really too clunky and troublesome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .e
I bought this to mount onto my Bern Snowboarding Helmet. The Helmet has dime sized hole at the top for ventilation.I mounted this onto the helmet using "1/4"-20 Tripod screw to Flash Hot Shoe Mount Adapter" I bought from Ebay (specifically item: 190635502778).It fits on snugly and allows me to attach my new Nikon AW100 or my ContourHD.It would be great if the base of this has some sort of rubbery material. It is completly plastic, but feels solid enough for my needs.
One of the few things that just plain old works as advertised. Nice that there are no drivers, external power connections needed. Just put it on your tripod and camera and you're done.
The Sima Quick Connect is a snap to use.  Can switch from video to SLR camera in a matter of seconds on monopod or tripod. No more screwing one off then having to screw the other on.  The Quick Connect is well worth the money even when you have to buy two in order to have camera plates for two cameras.  Would be nice to have two camera plates with each Quick Connect.
I have several of these for all my cameras, tripods, and mounting poles.They're great, versatile, and secure.  No complaints whatsoever, other than they're cheaper now than when I bought them :)I not only use them for my cameras (photo and camcorder), but I also use them for my Rode Microphone as well.Highly recommended.Note: I don't have the heavier DSLR/Lense combos so I don't know how they stand up to those.
I bought two of these and they work well. I just wanted to add a note that the mount plate is just about 36mm square, and also that it has bevels on all four edges so that you can insert you camera on one orientation, or on the 90 degree angle as well.I bought these without knowing this, thinking that it might just fit into an older Cullman tripod with a similar shaped square mount system, or that they might be interchangeable with the quick release on the cheap little Cowboy Studio $15 micro tripod I bought at the same time. They are all different sizes however. The Cullman plates are about 40mm square, the Sima plates are 36mm, and the Cowboy is about 37. So no luck there, but there was a solution.I eventually settled on using these Sima 36mm plates and adapting the other receivers with shims glued in place. It took a bit of work in the shop but after about 1-1/2 hours I now have no less than 7 quick mount receivers on various kinds of tripods, dollies, monopod, micro steadicam etc, and can mount two different cameras quick as a wink on any of those seven holders.Personally I feel that all cameras should come with a quick mount plate like this, the square shape with all four beveled edges makes the most sense, and that the industry should settle on one or two standard sizes for cameras of different weights. It's just so dumb to be constantly screwing and unscrewing your camera to a tripod when something like this is so quick and simple. I wish my camera just had one molded into its body.As for the Sima hockey puck, I'd say it's pretty solid for smaller cameras up to medium size SLRs. It could have a bit of a lower profile but it's not a big deal. The plastic seems to be pretty tough stuff, probably ABS. I paid $15 which is a little bit much, but a lot easier than fabricating your own (which I've done before I discovered these things.)
It may not be the most appealing attachment to a tripod or to your camera for that matter but it does it's job okay.  It snaps the camera back on the tripod with relative ease.  I am a satisfied user so far.
I bought it for the Slik monopod I got and it works smoothly, quickly and securely.  I just used it on a subject in which the light passing through some blinds was creating a great pattern on a large indoor plant leaf.  I needed the monopod quickly and the light was fleeting, and I already had the quick connect pad attached to my camera so I was able to get it almost immediately.  It's a bargain for what it does and makes one wonder why all monopods don't come with them.UPDATE:  the plastic top for the quick connect pad has partially peeled off. Also, it does need to be attached with a flat head screwdriver. I wish it were the same size and material as another quick connect I have with a tripod that is rubberized and has held up for decades.  This does work but there's no reassuring feeling of security with it while having a heavy camera and lens attached to it.  I'm no longer using it and am simply screwing the Slik monopod into the tripod hole.
Not much to it but secure & well worth the +/- $ 10.00.Bought 3 probably  buy 3 more-cheaper that the platform alone for most .
I bought this to use on a tripod that I found for free that was missing it's own quick release portion.  Bolted it on and it's like a new tripod to me!  Made of plastic.  I use both a Vado HD pocket camera as well as my Canon 7D on it and it holds both well.
If you are like me, you have several mono/tripods and/or devices you want to attach. These are inexpensive enough that you can outfit your equipment so that everything can quick connect to everything. If you end up with spare parts, so what? And yet they are not flimsy junk.  My monopod has travelled for a decade over three continents, from beaches, through the world's greatest cities to mountain tops, with one of these Sima Quick Connects at the top of the monopod. And my monopod doubles as a walking stick. My gear has been attached and detached innumerable times.The quick release plate has both the traditional 1/4-20 screw mount plus a removable video camera pin. The 'hockey puck' shape is wide enough to provide solid support for your equipment, and the lack of sharp corners prevents it from damaging nearby surfaces or ripping your pod storage bag.Please buy multiples so they keep making this time tested item.
This item is functional, barely.  It's OK for use with a lightweight camera and standard lens in horizontal position only.  With a longer lens and/or vertical position this plastic unit feels underbuilt with a sagging problem in the vertical position.  Spend a few bucks and get an all-metal Bogen product, you'll be happier.
It would've been nice if it were compatible with my slik tripod's quick shoe, but it's slightly too big. That might be asking a bit too much though. I'm happy with it and it's cheap.
I've just recently got into shooting video with DSLR's, and I needed something that would allow me to switch from my mono-pod to my tri-pod to my shoulder stabilized rig quickly. This quick connect is the perfect compliment for this setup.I picked this quick connect mainly for the price (I didn't want to spend $30-40 per mount as I needed 3 of them) So I opted for this.Things I liked:-It's low profile (doesn't add a lot of extra height to your setup)-Smooth quick release-Price-Square shape of connector (lets you mount with the release facing any way you want, which is handy for some cameras)I don't have any real gripes with it. It's a great quick release connector. Pick one up (or two).
I mounted the Sima Quick Connect base on a Canon 100 monopod.The quick connect plate mounted to an Olympus O-MD camera body.On the O-MD the plate does not interfere with the battery door.The construction of the base and plate is good, and maintains a stable mount when the camera is attached to the monopod.Note that I would NOT recommend toting the camera around while it is mounted on the monopod unless one maintains a grip on the camera; the mounting bolt is 1/4", but anything can break. It would be disheartening to have ones camera crash to the ground.  Rather I would recommend taking advantage of the quick release function and remove the camera from the monopod when walking any distance.The unit is light (for those who are not rock climbers or competition bicyclers, those folks live by different standards of what constitutes "light").  The quick disconnect plate adds very little to the weight of the O-MD and I believe can be left more or less permanently; the only downside is that when the camera is set down on it's base the camera does not sit even.I prefer something more substantial for a larger camera (I have a Nikon D300 with battery grip and use a Manfrotto/Bogen quick release system for that system).However for a smaller camera, such as M43rds or Nikon D3100, I think this unit works well.  Of course this assumes that a reasonable lens is mounted on the camera - if you mount a 500mm telephoto you may get unsatisfactory results.Regards,Jim
If you really do a lot of swapping on and off the tripod, this is handy. From a quality standpoint, it's very good. However, the design lends itself to being substantially less than rock solid.
Having never used a quick release before I find the use of this product suits my needs perfectly. My only regret is not purchasing more than one when the price was lower, I definitely will be buying more when price drops.
Bought this for use with my T2i. Works great even with a battery grip and telephoto lens. You'll need a dime or some other flathead screwdriver to screw in the connecting plate to the camera. Feels like a solid chuck of plastic and I'm looking to buy another one!
Had problems with the the two pieces not fitting together well enough for a solid fit. After a little filing and shaving of the plastic, I was able to get them to clamp together tightly. Since then it has worked perfectly and It's certainly reasonably priced.
Very low-cost item that works well with my Panasonic GH2 with external mic and monopod. Small plate  does not interfere with battery removal/insertion as most other plates do, which is good since the screw requires a tool or coin to remove/install. The unit has decent build quality and seems sturdy enough to hold the DSLR. If there's any caveat it would be about the longevity, or lack of. But that's not an issue at this price.
Got my shipment fairly quick and although not solid construction, should be good enough for the camera mounts I'll be using them with.
No issues, I use this on top of my mono pod. Makes it easy when I wish to shoot with just the hands.
Product received very quickly.  Excellent addition to monopod and tripods we had on hand.  It makes rapid changes for stand to hand held use or viseversa possible  for phographers of all skill levels.  Sometimes you just do not know what the subject or action will require and this makes adjustment possible with a mimumum effort or time lost.
I bought a couple of these years ago. 5 stars without an issue at all. I just bought 2 more as I now have a monopod and a camcorder and want everything to be compatible. It's still made in Taiwan but not the quality it was.Original screw had a slot any coin would fit. New one needs a small screw driver blade to remove. Minus one star for sheer stupidity.Original had a felt insert for a tight plate fit. New one has none. Minus  star.Original had a smooth looking finish to plastic. New one cheap looking plastic poor finish. Minus  star.Original had a rubber mount strip with little side to side give. New one is too flexible.Original had a high quality casting with very low casting flash. New one looks to be made from worn out dyes. Minus  star.I can add my own felt and then put it on my camcorder with no need to remove plate in the field. It keeps my cameras mounts compatible. With a touch of sanding the edges of the plate it will fit a Slick U 9000 tripod. So it gets some stars back. I just wish Sima could have maintained the quality.
This is a decent product that works well with my tripod and Nikon D-90 camera. It screws down tightly to the tripod and the plate attaches tightly and securely to my camera. I really like this product.It is plastic but I didn't find it smelly as did one 1-star reviewer. Of course I didn't stuff it up my nose to test it either. The plastic appears to be high quality and the entire unit seems to  be strong and well made. There is, however, a problem and that's the reason I've rated it three-star rather than five.It seems that additional quick attachment plates (shoes) are not available anywhere. I have multiple cameras, lights, etc., that I use on my tripods and I'd like to put quick attachment plates for this mount on all of them. I have searched Amazon, Ebay and multiple sites on the web and they just don't seem to be available. I cannot conceive that SIMA would manufacture a product like this without having additional plates available. It appears that most of the other manufacturers do have additional plates available for their mounts but they are considerably more expensive. I suspect that what may be going on here is that SIMA does, in fact, have additional plates available in their product line but none of the distributors stock them, preferring instead to sell the entire complete unit because the price for the SIMA complete unit is about the same as others charge for the plate alone with  one lower-priced exception that I could find.There is a Giotto attachment plate at less than $8 which appears to be just a tiny bit smaller than the SIMA and it may fit. I plan to order it. I will post an update to this review after I've tried it. The only other option is to buy enough SIMA complete units to cover all of my cameras which, to me, seems to be a waste of money and a wasteful use of what I think is a pretty good product. Based on the cost of the entire unit, the Sima attachment plate should cost between $2 and $3 which I would consider a reasonable price for a teeny piece of plastic.Some have complained that the SIMA will not support heavy telephoto lenses. I use my Nikon D-90 with a Sigma 600mm reflector telephoto lens and don't feel there is a problem with the 6+-pound weight. Of course the telephoto lens rather than the camera attaches to the tripod in this configuration which balances the weight securely.In my opinion, this is a five-star product which is diminished because additional attachment plates are not available. If the Giotto attachment plate does not work, I likely will upgrade to a more expensive unit for which I can buy additional attachment plates. And that's sad because the SIMA unit works for me.UPDATE: The Giotto attachment plate is too large to fit the Sima base. It's almost identical to the Sima except for its size. Too bad it won't work.
Pay attention here. These are very good for some people, but not for everyone. The Quick connect is a great alternative universal mount for anyone looking to standardize one or more cameras to multiple platforms. If you're looking to swap from a tripod to a mono pod to a cable cam to a jib to a shoulder rig to a steady cam or whatever - then this is for you. It will work, even with heavier cameras as the Sony NEX-VG20, but caution should be used in high stress/vibration situations.  I don't recommend this for lens-heavy set ups.  The base/mounting puck is about 7/8&#34; high and about 2.5&#34; diameter. The square camera plate is about 1 3/8&#34; square at it's widest and 1/4&#34; high. The benefit of the square plate is that the camera can be oriented in a North, South, East, West configuration on a tripod, etc. simply by releasing the lock, lifting the camera and remounting where you need it.If you're looking to standardize mounts on super-expensive cameras, then look for a more expensive universal mount.  If you're looking to mount GoPro's and handy cam type camcorders on multiple points quickly then don't buy less than 6 of these at one time.
Great little tool to have to connect your camera easily to anything. The locking mechanism holds the plate really sturdy so there is no wiggle. I use this with my t2i with a self build steadicam.Also there are two little wholes on the bottom where you can screw the quick connect to something if you are a handy person.Works great for the price.However, i noticed that the plastic rubber on the plate does warp and melt a little in hot weather during summer. I live in NY
I have used a couple of these Sima quick releases for years and they work very well. Naturally, I have lost half of one the sets. Local camera shops have stopped carrying them, so when I saw the Sima here I bought another to supplement the one I still have. I keep the male half on my camera and another on the foot of my telephoto, with the big half on a tripod. I like these much better than the expensive metal ones made by Arca and Manfrotto.
This quick connect gadget works the way it is supposed to and is a pretty good value. It allows me to use my monopod as a walking stick and quickly attach my camera. As my camera has the battery/SD card compartment on the bottom, I have to remove the quick connect to access either. That's my main quibble with the Sima. It attaches with a slotted screw head. A dime works well as a screwdriver, but my last quick connect used a hinged key head that allowed me to attach and disconnect it without tools.Most outings my battery and card last long enough but occasionally they don't and I would like to not have to have a tool with me to remove the quick connect from the camera, especially on really cold days.
works as expected. great for the quick switch up. i want to get a few more for the stash. worth it
Anything but quick. Somewhat cumbersome to take on and off. Decent quality. does not fit as secure as one would want. You get what you pay for.
I got several of these. I put them on my Gorrilla Pod, TriPod, Monopod, and my different cameras. I even put them on my portable stabilizer. Bonus!
Works great on top of my Canon Monopod 500 to allow me to quickly put the camera on and take it off.  I just wish the plate had a manual screw so that I don't need a screw driver to get it off the camera.  Otherwise...works great.
This Quick Release accessory is OK.  For the cost it was what I expected and meets by needs although I do feel it will not last long and I will need to replace it.  The biggest complaint I have is that when connected there is a slight shake causing the effectiveness of the mono/tri-pod to be reduced.  It is easy to use though and inexpensive.
Bought this for my mono pod as the old silk tripod only has a quick connect, now things go faster when switching from on to the other. For tripod use I would consider this as  a minimum must have.
I purchased two of the Sima Quick Connect to use on a steadycam and a tripod.  I can now remove my video camera from the steadycam and place it on my tripod and then return it to my steadycam without having to re-balance the steadycam.  Works great!
Sima Quick Connect for Tripod is an excellent product. It replaces the old quick connect very easy and it is very easy to install.
I used the Sima Quick Connect for my makeshift shoulder rig and am extremely satisfied with the results. It adapts well to the mount and grips to the camera incredibly well. A great alternative to more expensive and outrageously priced systems.
I wanted this unit for my vivitar monopod, it fit it perfectly and the quick release part was great. It was a bit larger round than I imagined but no great damage there. Shame it didn't have a ball joint but that was my problem not there's. Does exactly what its meant to, very pleased and strong build quality.
I am pleased with the value this item represents, I mounted it to the top of a gitzo mini ball head to use with my d80 w/ a 18-105 lens. It as a little bigger than I thought, but the shoe is just perfect, and is very un-noticable on my camera. It makes it three times faster to mount the camera to the tripod and increases the utility.
good for what it does, but it is made almost fully of plastic, the only metal parts are the screws and the 1/4 on which the camera sits.  But the good thing is that it feels quite secure and does not have play when using with a dslr camera, would not reccomend mounting with a heavier camera.  The best thing about this is that unlike the manfrottos and the knockoffs which doe not sit flush with the mounting surface, this sits flush with the surface it is mounted on.
This tripod adapter is perfect for those with both several different cameras and different manufacture's tripods/monopods. If you ever wished you could buy a very inexpensive toy to do just that trick, this is it. I have them on a couple cameras and a couple different size tripods. Switching between them all used to take time but not anymore. The material seems plenty strong with no flex and the "click in" is positive and has no slack or give.The only reason I gave it four out of five stars is because of its size. It is larger than a normal tripod/camera mount but for the price still a good deal!
This adapter is well designed. Much easier to use than my old one.The cam system makes adding and removal very quick.
This is by far the handiest tool in my camera bag.  Can't imagine going back to the old way I use to do!
light and strong , easy to use - bought 3 for different camrea's
This camera mount is great, set it up on a tripod and when you want to go with the camera fast just flip the lever and go.
ok for my recordings i tend to mount the camera via a suction cup mount to the windshield. which gives my a nice and static recording. once i can reach for the cam to move it around to get more views, this thing helpes me snap the camera off the mount in a flick of a switch and BOOM, done. great stuff, bit bulky but hey, it works !
It's small, and functions well.  It's made out of plastic, but if you abused it enough to break it, I'm sure your camera would be a goner too.  I bought 2 of these.  I put one of the base units on my tripod, and the other on my monopod.  The camera piece is so small, I just leave it on.  So I can switch back and forth easily between the two pods without moving the base unit around.  It does not interfere with the operation of either of the pods.  I use it for my Canon SX20IS camera.  It does interfere with battery replacement in my model camera, but nothing else.  You'll have to remove the part on the camera to get the battery door open.  Not much of a problem, it unscrews using a penny or dime if you don't have a screwdriver with you.
The base is not the standard size to go on a tripod. It is a smaller bolt size and will not go on a monopod or Sima Tripod. I did not return item due to low cost. Maybe someday I will have a tripod it will fit.  The product description did not say not standard thread.
Fits my Opteka monopod and Canon.  It does get in the way of the battery door and has to be removed for that purpose but other than that it works well..
I've used this on a Canon T1i with the lightweight lenses (18-55mm and 55-250mm) and it locks the camera in  fine.  I would not recommend trying this with a big heavy camera or heavy lens due to the connector's plastic construction.
I liked the idea of using this on my monopod for a quick release. The only issue I had was with the rubber around the screw. When I would tighten the little plate to my camera, this rubber would start moving and shifting eventually keeping it a little lose to the point I stopped using it because it wouldn't tighten well on my camera. It's a great idea but could've been built better.
I liked the first one I bought a while back and needed an additional mount for a second tripod so this was a no brainer. Nice, solid and secure.
With a very sensitive sensor and image stabilization, my Nikon Coolpix S8100 can take amazing long telephoto photos, hand-held.  The problem is, it is hard to compose at such a long zoom, or even to confirm that the camera is focusing on your subject.  Solution, a marvelous monopodNorazza Monopod-lightweight TD140which weighs almost nothing and collapses to 16".  I wanted the Sima QC to use with the S8100 and the monopod.The Sima QC is less-than-ideal for my purposes, because:> You have to remove the "camcorder pin" with a screw driver---no problem, but it will then almost certainly get lost.  A better design would be to allow it to retract (on a spring), or fold away.> You have to attach the "camera plate" to your camera with a very thin (sharp) screw-driver, even a dime is too thick.  A better design would have allowed the screw to be tightened with a penny or a dime.> The camera plate is 1 1/2" square.  Attached to my camera, it will not fit in my camera case.Nikon Coolpix S Series Black Leather Horizontal Case for S6000 and S8000.> The "tripod adapter" piece is relatively enormous, 2 1/2" across---not a huge problem with my camera, but with other small cameras, it could get in the way of looking through the view-finder.Minor Gripes> The lock-lever actually opens a little too far, in which case it actually gets in the way of removing/installing the camera plate.> If I was using a bigger camera, I would be concerned that the camera screw is offset to the edge of the "camera plate" (the leverage of a heavy camera could easily snap the camera plate in half).  The "camera plate" is only a square of plastic---why can't Sima provide a non-camcorder plate (with the screw centered, and no camcorder pin), in addition to the camcorder plate?HOWEVERI'd love a mini-version, half the size of this one, particularly built into a mini-ball head similar toProfessional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount
I only have one of these pucks, but I must say I like it. The only thing about the item that I do not like is the fact that you must use a screw driver to tighten the removeable piece (quick plate?) to you camera and it's so small that you can not use a standard quick plate with it.No big deal.Personally, I have a DIY camera rig and I used a bolt to secure the Quick Connect to the rig. I can now easily attach and remove my camera from the rig and I love it. I'm going to order four more for my smaller camera rig and my two tripods (one with two quick plates). That way, I can attach the Quick Connect quick plates to my two cameras and easily move them around to different camera mounts.
So I invent things to hold my camera, and after pulling my hair out I found this guy WOW, life saver! I am IMPRESSED!
Thank you!  Great dealing with you.  Perfect transaction, quick & easy and we would not hesitate to purchase from you again.
I am using this with a Canon Monopod 100 and a Panasonic FZ28.They make a nice little combo. All seems safe and secure. The thumb release is easy to use.I have to remove the camera plate (using a dime as a screwdriver) to access the FZ28 battery, but this is not a big hassle.  I'll be ordering another one to use with an old Sears tripod.
Quick conect is fairly small and works well.  The alignment pin on the piece that connects to the camera cannot be tightened against the bottom of a flat camera surface.  The threads on the pressure pin are too short. You can replace the provided screw by a nylon flat point set screw but why should you have to?
This is the third of these I've ordered so I can have one on all my cameras and tripods or monopods work quickly and easily inter-changeable. The first I ordered over a year ago. I'm not kind to them and they are holding up fine.
I bought this device to use with my Canon Monopod and my Canon EOS Rebel T1i. The device is quite simple, but works very well. It has two pieces. One is attached to the monopod in the same way a camera would attach to it - it screws on. That provides a platform on the monopod. The other piece screws into the bottom of the camera, and remains there until you remove it after the photo shoot. Once both pieces are mounted and in place, it is very easy to mount and dismount the camera on the monopod. Simply push a lever on the platform piece and slip the camera into position on the monopod. To remove, simply push the lever and lift the camera off.When I received this from Amazon, it had a guide pin attached to the smaller piece, for use with some cameras, in addition to the screw mount. In my case, that guide pin was an obstacle preventing camera attachment. But it was easy to remove and thereby eliminate the guide pin by simply unscrewing it.It should be noted that, to attach the smaller piece to the bottom of the camera requires the use of a screw driver or at least a coin to screw it on. The same is true for removing the piece from the bottom of the camera. This requirement can be solved by adding a small screwdriver or even a coin to your camera bag.In summary, this device seems sturdy and well-built and does exactly what I had hoped it would do.
I use this to mount my Canon T2i onto my Glidecam 2000 and it gets the job done nicely. Once it's latched, it's on there real solid and you really don't have to worry about your camera falling under any sort of normal movement. And even with my heavy Fisheye lens on it still feels solid. I would recommend it for DSLR owners.
I normally don't use consumer equipment, but I needed a camera light ASAP, so I ran out to purchase this product quickly at my local Fry's Electronics.  I saw the reviews on Amazon beforehand and was prepared for the short illumination time (around 10-15 minutes).  This one lasted only 6 minutes (after a 5 hour charge).  I was using it to shoot a quick video blog at a convention.  I was very disappointed.  Your mileage may vary with this one.  I'd pass on it and purchase something that you can actually use more practically.  Always account for more time than you need!
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS LIGHT AMAZING QUALITY TOO BAD ITS DISCONTINUED.  PARTS ARE EASY TO FIND THOUGH! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!
I started out with just using one of these little video lights that I would take along to my weddings to help give some sparkle to the ring shots...however, these little gadgets are so tiny and inexpensive, I've purchased a few more so that I can also do some creative lighting techniques with the Bride & Groom, in low-light situations.  The only complaint I have is that they only last a maximum of 17min and they take something like 10 HOURS to charge back up....and there really isn't a way to tell if they are done charging.  It doesn't make too much sense to purchase extra batteries for them, though, because they typically cost $20 and buying another light is only about $30.I do recommend these bad boys if you want to do experimenting.
Great light for the money; this little light will do wonders if you need a little fill light for videos. If you need a lot of fill light look elsewhere, and be prepared to shell out some serious cash.
I bought this for photography, not videography.  I am looking for mini "hot lights" and this seemed to fit the bill!  We tested it in the studio and I am thrilled with the results - it's small, easy to use, and screws right onto a monopod.  Doesn't bother me that the battery is short lived as I will be turning it on and off as needed and may use it for 11 minutes total!
i purchased this unit because of good reviews. The bad reviews given on the basis of the long charge time and short illumination time, which is for me is not an issue as i use it for still photography and it sufficient time for my needs, and 5 hours charge is not that long, just plug it a forget it, it will be charged.The unit is solid 4 or 5 star unless the one factor that wasn't mentioned by reviewers that i wish it would be mentioned.The real problem that the unit doesn't gives an even illumination. Instead of an even spotlight it gives ring shape of light where light fades in the center and brighter at the ages. This one factor ruined the tool, and its good only as a household flashlight.
I purchased two of this video light.  Each would light up for 10 to 11-minutes on a full charge.  I have tested each light for four times and the results were fairly consistent.  In the tests, the lights were switched on immediately after five hours of charging and switched off when they became dim.This light seems brighter than the built-in camcorder light.  It enhances the video quality when filming indoors or under low light conditions. However, it also appears to have added a slight orange tint to the picture.  The light can be mounted onto the hot/cold shoe of a camcorder or a tripod.  It is not so small compared to the size of a palm-held camcorder and its glass lens is about 34mm in diameter.  The 15-Watt halogen bulb is replaceable, so is the rechargeable Ni-Cd battery (the replacement bulb is $18 and the battery is $20 directly from ToCAD America, Inc., the Sunpak distributor).The drawback is the battery's short illumination time per full charge. Five hours of charging would yield only 10 to 11-minutes of constant use.  The Ni-Cd battery could suffer the voltage depression (memory effect) and further reduce the usage time.  The DC port (opposite the red on/off switch) is for charging the battery only. It cannot be used to power the light by a DC adapter.At the $30 price tag, it is a decent and useful video light, despite the short usage time per charge.  I would suggest keeping at least two of this light in the camera bag, instead of just buying the spare batteries.Note: 55RL is the "Cat no." for this Sunpak ReadyLite 20.
I would recommend this item to anyone that is looking for more lighting while recording. The thing that I didn't like is that the wide range of light  is kind of small.
Recently I purchased a Sima 30 LED light for the same price that lasts 1 hour on a charge.  I no longer carry this with me unless the Sima isn't charged.  This light gives a nicer color but if you want something that lasts all day at a wedding chose the Sima light.
I get less than 3 minutes of use out of the video light.  I might have a defective battery, but I've been very disappointed in the battery life and as a result, I very rarely break this out.
The main issue I have with this light is the battery life.  The lighting is adequate to good while it's working, but it seems like a tease to have light for only 10 or so minutes.  Sure you can buy backups, but I would rather buy a light with a longer battery life, even if the light is not quite as bright.  I recently bought the Sima LED video light model SL-20LXi and it lasted the 30 minutes I needed it.  It still had charge remaining, so I'm not sure how long it will last, but I felt much more comfortable not wondering when I will have to stop and exchange the light.
I love to film my travel adventures and find it necessary to utilize a camera light especially in dark areas (i.e caves) or more generally at night time. It's very bright and powerful, but the downside to it is that it only lasts about 10 minutes on a full charge! The power of the light drains the battery like crazy. So, whatever you need to film you better do it quick!
I bought this tripod specifically to keep in my camera bag for those times when I need a tripod but don't have one.  It is a light-weight travel tripod and that's exactly what it's good for.  Don't buy this if you expect more than that.  For $18 (what I paid, definitely not list @ $30) it's there for me when I'm in a pinch.This tripod (without legs extended) will hold my digital rebel, 550EX flash, and canon 70-200mm f/2.8L lens (about 4 lbs total) level but the ball head locking mechanism is not strong enough to hold it at an angle.  It certainly cannot hold this setup in portrait.  Using a smaller lens (e.g., EF-S 17-55mm) and no flash this tripod will hold at any angle including portrait.  If you have a non-SLR camera this problem probably shouldn't be an issue for you.I have used this tripod in both night shots and a spur of the moment family pictures (I certainly wanted to be in it).The tripod is somewhat difficult to fit in the case (tight fit but not too hard to get in and zipped shut).  With no center column it's fairly easy for the camera in portrait to hit the legs when panned around and requires some shuffling around with the legs to get the shot.All in all, a worthy tripod that fits the bill of what I purchased it for: to keep handy.  If I buy another flash (like the 420EX) then this tripod might serve to hold that flash when used as a wireless slave.
It only works when you don't extend the legs AT ALL. The legs are absolute crap aluminum. Had they gone with plastic legs, this might have been a decent product. Don't buy it for anything more than setting on top of tables, books, etc.
I am an intermediate digital photographer, and this is my third tripod.  I travel frequently, and wanted something that could come anywhere.  My first tripod, inherited from my father is exceptionally sturdy, but heavy and immense.  My second is smaller, folding up to about 15 inches in length and nearly 3 in diameter.  It's light enough to be portable, but large enough to be combersome.  The Vanguard Tourist 2 is not designed to be a primary tripod.  It's small and lightweight (it actually does weigh about a pound).  It isn't very tall at full height, but it will due for those moments when you need to have either A: a steady camera in a low light or night shot (a tripod is a definite must here) or B: to use the self timer and hold above a crowd.  It comes with a small travel case, so if you already carry a camera around with you, throwing this into a bag or hooking it to your belt (although a little weighty and sure to raise eyebrows at security checkpoints), it's an excellent choice to have.  It's not plastic or flimsy, it feels surprisingly sterdy considering the size and weight, but don't expect it to take too much abuse.  If you need something better, get a real tripod.
Okay; if you want something STURDY this may not be the tripod for you. Out of the box I was a little afraid, but I liked the fact that it is this small, while extending a fair length. I do miss a quick-release and the (easy extending & retracting) legs don't spread out very wide, but for a cheap, lightweight tripod compared to the price I paid I cannot complain. In practical use it does all that I require it to do and it holds my 2.2 lbs camera stable and still (I shot some long exposures of the moonrise over Palm Springs from a windy 10'000ft peak). Nifty carry bag easily clips to your belt, but as mentioned elsewhere it may raise some eyebrows (looks like you are into something kinky).  So; if you don't like to tote around a big tripod and you don't require easy (or any) panning and your camera is at or below 2 lbs, this may be all you need.
Compact in size.Light weight.Good height.Good quality.The only bad thing I can say is that it is not easy to adjust the height. You have to carefully adjust the 3 legs to make it level, but it is perfect if you use it at full height or with all legs colapsed.
I enjoy a good tripod as much as the next guy, but when I go to the zoo or another place where I need to steady the camera for a zoom shot relatively quickly, the tripod takes too long to set up.  I can't afford a VR lens, so instead I talked with photographers in my area and they all recomended getting a monopod.  I looked around and this was the best deal in terms of both price and performance.So far it has held up to abuse!  I find that it gives me the stability I need without too much fuss.  It sets up quickly and holds firm.  This is definately a great accessory for anyone who wants to take nature shots or any zoomed shots where you don't have time to set up a tripod.Hint:  If you are taking a shot and the subject moves, make sure that you move or adjast the monopod.  Don't get caught angling the camera differently to get a good shot because when the camera isn't level with your subject it can ruin your shots...
I was in the market for a sturdy monopod that could also serve as a walking stick for light trail use. The Vanguard MP-15 fits the bill fairly nicely with the following observations:Pros:Inexpensive compared to similar monopodsVery solid constructionVery sturdy camera mountCons:Pan and tilt handle too close to grip when folded downAttached "foot" does not provide much added stabilityAll-in-all, I am very pleased with this monopod.Recommended!CFH
Pros:  It's a monopod, and it's affordableIt's tall.Cons:  A few too many for me.The mounting is very loose unless you tighten it with a coin.The only way to tighten it is with a coin.  You'll break a fingernail trying to do that thing.  My tripod has an easy screw.It's much too BIG.That little foot is absolutely uselss.That's about it.  It's ok, but I'd keep shopping.  Get something smaller and better made.
I really wanted to like this monopod. I have a Nikon Digital SLR, so I wanted something better and more rugged than the flimsy low-end monopods, and this sure looked like it would do the trick.This monopod is very sturdy, rigid, and well-made. The flip-to-lock tabs set the leg length securely wherever you want, and they don't slip. It's quite impressive.This model has a so-called "quick-disconnect shoe": you attach the camera to the shoe, then attach the shoe with camera to the monopod. Be warned: this is the ONLY way to attach a camera to this monopod; you can't just screw it on."Quick-shoes" are a professional standby, but you should consider whether one really fits your needs or not. A good pro quick-shoe system is above all stable and secure; it's quick and easy to attach and remove the shoe from the camera, and also to attach and remove the camera with shoe from the monopod/tripod.Unfortunately, I found that this model has problems in all these areas. Maybe because just the little shoe of a pro system costs as much as this whole monopod.To use it, you first remove the quick shoe from the monopod, flipping a spring-loaded release lever while pulling the shoe in a particular direction and lifting up. It took a little doing, but I finally got it off. Then, you need to find a quarter or something similar to turn the screw which attaches the shoe to the bottom of the camera; you can't do it with your fingers since there's no knob. Then, line up the screw with the hole in the bottom of the camera and screw it in as tightly as possible.Then, you drop the camera with quick shoe attached back into the recess in the top of the monopod, while pulling the release lever. I thought it would just neatly drop right in. Silly me. Unless it's lined up quite carefully, it won't. But after a while, and some futzing, it does. Of course, while doing this, you're balancing the monopod with your left hand and the SLR with your right, while pulling on that release lever with your other hand.Unfortunately, Vanguard doesn't give you much help: there are no index marks to show which way the shoe, camera, and monopod attach to each other, and the instructions provided only talk about tripods, not monopods.But now (whew!) you're ready to take a picture. Hope it wasn't something moving, because it'd be gone by now.Well, maybe I just need more practice with this thing, because some people love it. And I was willing to do that, until I picked up the monopod, and my camera swung sharply to the right. No, it didn't come off, fortunately, the screw just loosened. Guess I didn't tighten it enough. So I reversed the procedure above, removed the quick shoe and camera, re-tightened the screw as tight as I could get it with the quarter, and put it back together again. I picked up the monopod, and the camera swung sharply to the right. It was loose again.I CANNOT tighten that screw enough with the quarter to hold my camera securely, and I've got pretty strong fingers. Obviously, my camera and lens are too heavy for this monopod, or rather, for its quick-shoe system.But besides the insecurity, for me it's just too much time and hassle to put together, which keeps me from using it for spontaneous shots which still need some stability. I can get my camera on and off my ancient Sony non-quick-shoe tripod in a fraction of the time it takes with this monopod, and I don't need a quarter, and it doesn't come loose, either.I considered leaving the quick shoe on the camera all the time, as the pros do. You can, but it adds a 5/8" high lump to the bottom center of the camera, so it's unstable when you put it down, the lens now carries part of the camera's weight, and it could mar some surfaces you set it on. I guess I could just leave the camera on the monopod all the time, but I don't really need it that much.If you have a smaller, lighter, point-and-shoot camera, this monopod may work fine for you -- as long as you're more patient than I am, not interested in spontaneous shots, have strong fingers, and always have a quarter handy.
I got this so I would not have to carry a bulky tripod everywhere and this works very well. It has a nice heigth to it and can get down low when you need to. very lite and manuverable I had it out in the woods and never got hung up on any thing. It stores really nice on my rucksack. It will not totally replace a tripod but it works where a tripod may not be a good idea. Highly recomend this piece of equipment for your gear.
It's a good monopod.  You do NOT need to tighten it with a coin - if you are tightening it that much you are probably going to strip your threads.  That is what the spring is for, make use of it.  It isn't a great monopod, the head could be better and it isn't replaceable.  But it will probably do everything you need a monopod to do, and it IS a great value.  If you are looking for bang for buck (and great height in a monopod) look no further.  BTW, the top of the head comes off (quick-release lever) for quick handheld shots - a nice feature.
I love my monopod, folded it's only 23" yet for someone who's over 6' this is great as it scopes out to 68".  Lightweight yet sturdy, nice smooth fluid panhead and...the must have quick shoe.The cushion-foam hand grip and spiked foot allow this to double as a walking stick which can be adjusted to any height for both climbing and coming down steep paths.  It handles my digital SLR with no problem,even with my biggest lens on.  Quick release leg locks are great and they are nice and firm not like flimsy ones I've had in the past.  Can't say enough.
Nice and sturdy.  Exactly what you need when you want to steady a shot without the mess of a full tripod.  Well made and easy to use.
I've had this monopod for a few months.  It appears to be sturdily built, and is actually a little taller than I need (I'm 6'1").  The tilt handle does get in the way a little when looking through an SLR viewfinder.  I actually built a shorter handle using a 6mm bolt, although most people wouldn't want to go to that much trouble.  Also, the detachable foot, which is very convenient once it is attached to your camera, does appear to require a coin or screwdriver to tighten it tight enough so that your camera won't rotate inadvertently on the monopod.  If your camera/camcorder has a second key hole for the key on the detachable foot, this might not be necessary.  One other note:  The Amazon product description says it folds to 18.5", but it is really in the 23" range.
I think $32 is a decent price to pay for this.  I accidentally ordered the Canon monopod for the same price, but I have not recived it yet.This monopod has three aluminum sections that independantly slide up, down and lock in any position.The bottom portion has a flip over lever that you can put your foot on so that the bottom can be steadied more. The bottom point is a rubber, screw out, knob type of thing with ridges so that it can be used on wood floors, linoleum or whatever.  As you screw this knob in, a metal tip pokes out from the middle for those times you really need to plant this sucker in the ground.The top part has a foam hand grip with wrist strap.  The mounting head swivels left and right, which I don't understand, because if you want to rotate your camera all you have to do is twist the monopod. This swivel portion locks with a twist of the knob.  It also moves to swivel the camera lens up and down, and it also locks with a twist of the wrist.  If you want to take a vertical picture all you do is untwist a know and flip your camera vertical. This can be locked in the vertical position by twisting the knob.My only gripe is about the quick release portion.  It is a little "clunky."  The tightening lever should have a concentric portion to it so that it tightens the mount to the head as it is pushed in. It does lock the mount in but it can be lifted up a bit.  If this was a tripod it would probably be more of a big deal but the weight of the camera helps keep the mount down.The way the mount attaches is that you put it in and as you move the lever it pushes the mount over where it locks in a little keyway.  It is kind of a little extra safety device to keep your camera from falling.As far as the mount attaching to the camera, yes you have to tighten it with something like a coin but you don't have to over torque it.  It is a screw head and it is designed to be tightened down.  My tripod had the same type of attachment.  Perhaps the expensive tripods and monopods have something different but I don't find it to be a big deal. I don't see how one would strip out threads in their camera.I build 767's for a living so I am familiar with materials and building structurally sound components.  Even though I have only had this monopod for a week it seems well built and I don't forsee any problems with it breaking.
For the money, this monopod rocks- plenty tall, totally adjustable, and the quick shoe is very handy. The quality is really quite high, as well- a nice looking, sturdy piece. The foot piece seems unnecessary, but it can probably be removed. I am very pleased with this one.
For the price you pay, you can't beat it.  Feels sturdy and light enough, but the only thing I don't like is that you need a coin to attach the quick shoe to the bottom of your camera.  You can probable get away using your fingernail, but it'll be a little loose.
I bought one & never used it until 3 years later & had the hand grip break the first time I picked it up.  Vanguard replaced it and I stored until 10 years later & I went to use it the 2nd time... and the Foot thingie broke.  I glued & put back in storage until 13 years later & I tried to use it a 3rd time and while checking it out... discovered the top extendson lock bracket was broken & would not lock.  That's 3 times in about 25 years I tried to use it & could not because something was broken.  And it just sat in a corner all that time welled cared for waiting to be used.  Oviously they had production problems when my two unites were made.
Bought this mono-pod to use with my camcorder. This is a well made, sturdy, and easy to use mono-pod. I found the quick release shoe easy to use in every respect and its a nice feature to have with a camcorder. Im very happy with my purchase.
I love this accessory! I use it all the time with my Rebel XT. I also have the tripod that shares the same quick-connect and I like the way I can move the camera from the momopod to the tripod.
This is a sturdy piece of equipment to be called "lightweight".The screw on the camera plate could be improved (requires a coin to tighten it) but all in all it is a very good buy.
Perhaps it's my fault, but my brand new camera fell off and was totally destroyed. I thought it was secure, but it only seemed to be. I'm not pleased with it at all. The mounting is clumsy. I am very unhappy this morning.
Like :-Quick extent and retract.-Solid stucture.Dislike :-A little difficult to detach base plate.- The lenght when fully retract is long to feel compactness.Overall :- Good quality Mono pod.
I use a chair to get around, so a regular tripod would be too hard to handle.  This is just great.  It is light enough for me to take along and easily adjustable.  This will help me to get better, steadier pictures, especially at night.  Because of nervious shaking of my hands, I have had problems with blurry pictures.  Now, this will help cut down on them.  Thanks.
I bought this unit to use w/ a D30, extra battery case and a 100-400 prime lense, the unit is well put together but can't handle the weight(especially the link between the "detachable base" and the pod (it's plastic and will rock  back and forth w/ the heavy lense/camera combo)  would be great for a lighter application.
I wasn't at all sure that a monopod would be an acceptable alternative to a tripod for getting nice, sharp images, especially with a telephoto lens. Have been pleasantly surprised.I bought the MP-15 to use in circumstances when I didn't want to lug a tripod around; like on day-hikes, etc. Figured the MP-15 could double as a walking stick. It works admirably as a trekking pole; very solid (though heavier than ideal for that purpose). Interestingly, though, I have found that I often leave my digital SLR attached to the monopod and carry it horizontally -- my camera balances the extended monopod. When I see something I want to shoot, I bring the MP-15 to the vertical, quickly adjust the height of the monopod (if necessary), make any last minute camera adjustments and start clicking away. Very fast and convenient. I have also found it very convenient to strap the MP-15 to the crossbar of my bicycle when I'm taking my camera "on the road".The things I like best about the MP-15 are its 1) solid feel, 2) long extension, 3) ease of quick height and orientation adjustments, 4) quick release shoe, 5) compact transportability, 6) combo metal spike / rubber tip. I agree with other reviewers that foot piece is of no use (I use a rubber band to bind it up). The pan and tilt handle has one problem (though not the one reported before -- it is trivial to lock the handle so that it doesn't interfere with the grip). The problem is that it is too long; it can catch you in the shoulder when you're trying to get your eye up to the camera's viewfinder.Many features to recommend it, only a couple of minor niggles against it; it's an excellent value. Highly recommended.
Side-to-side panning works smoothly. Flip-out foot brace helps steady monopod on smooth flooring. Simply put your foot on it. Much better than a tripod.
Now I can actually be in some of my pictures when I'm on the go...great portable product!
This is a good travelling tripod.  It comes with its own carrying case, is reasonably light, sets up quickly, extends to an acceptable height, and allows for various camera positions.
Considering the price, it's a great little tripod.  I bought it to take pictures in dimly lit churches and caves in Italy, where I won't have access to an appropriate surface to use a table-top tripod.  The tripod serves the purpose for which it was designed - an inexpensive, compact piece of equipment that's good in a pinch.  It's probably unsafe in windy conditions and certainly can't be used to hold a camera with a heavy lens, but it wasn't designed for this.One complaint: it's tricky to get the legs extended all the way.  Vanguard arguably could have paid more attention to this aspect.  But for the price, I can't complain too much.
There isn't much I can add to the top reviews, but there is one feature I'd like to discuss more - the tubular telescoping legs.Many have complained that the legs will not lock unless they are fully extended. This is not 100% accurate. The legs / latch will lock anywhere along the top-most segment IF all the sections below it are fully extended. This gives you about a 6" tolerance, which is useful on uneven ground. However, you can't really use it at intermediate heights because you may run into problems with the legs slipping if all the lower sections aren't fully extended.Unfortunately, the legs are not very rigid, but I didn't really expect them to be. But they are adequate for getting rid of some of the hand shake, or getting in the pictures via self-timer, and they seem heavy duty enough to support the larger dSLRs.A big bonus of the telescoping legs is the extremely fast setup. I didn't fully appreciate this until going back to my old tripod, which has 3 latches for each leg.Overall, I like this tripod for what it was designed for - travel. At 12.3" collapsed, it easily fits in my backpack, and at 49.6" extended, it's a pretty comfortable height.Note: I'm not sure how many versions of this tripod are out there. Amazon changed the photo a few days after I reviewed it (now it looks like mine). However, mine doesn't have a bubble level, geared elevator, or spiked feet, as Amazon describes.
I have another tripod which is smaller and has a carrying case which has a large enough strap to go around your shoulder. The only set back is that it does not have a quick release but I rather have more portability. I have taken it to all my travels. It is so small and yet performs much like a full scale tripod. The tourist 5 did disappoint me because I thought it was going to be smaller and the carrying case you have to hold it with your hand instead putting in around your shoulders. But it is good firm quality and has a quick release.
If you need this for use with a small camera for travel this is an okay one. Mine didnt work quite well with a Panasonic Fz15 camera. It was not stable on the ground. Dont even think of using this with an SLR. And SLR is worth much more that what you save with this.
This is perfect for me. The height and the weight is perfect so I don't have to pull my back down to aim the picture. what I like the most is the quick detached connection at bottom of my camera to the tripod, I just need to pull the release button to take camera out and fold back the tripod back quickly.
I used this tripod on two trips last year, Mesa Verde and Arizona.  I found it to be good only for still photography at best.  Even then the leg locking issue was problamatic.  As stated in an earlier review, if you do not fully extend the leg in its section then the unit does not lock and it buckles.  The problem is that it is not always easy to determine if you fully extended the segment.  It was in trying to adjust for this that the tripod broke.  Apparantly I pulled a little too hard on the segment trying to make sure it was locked and it broke.  This might seem like negligence but I kid you not when I say you need to pull hard on the segment in order to make it lock.  I might have actually been upset except it was such an awful tripod for panning that I was better off shooting video without it.  The pan head is jerky and hard to move and required me to place my hand on the camera and slowly rotate the head using pressure.  Needless to say this is time consuming and uncomfortable.  Yes the unit is light and packs well but overall you are better off with a tripod that is built better.
I got this because I was tired of lugging around my larger tripod.  Obviously it's not as tall as a full sized tripod, you'll find yourself looking for something to set it up on, but it works.  A good alternative and less obtrusive.
Great tripod for the price.  It is sturdy and quite compact.  Fits nicely in my backpack while hiking.  My biggest problem is with the legs.  Unless they are all fully extended, they don't like to lock in place.  This makes it very difficult when trying to set it up on eneven surfaces.  It is great when fully extended.  I am about 5'8" and find it comfortable to use without having to bend or slouch too much.
twice as heavy as other lightweight portables regarding total backpack weight.. and it BROKE after about 6 months No abuse, but one of the legs pulled out of the socket, and the socket broke apparently from pulling out aforesaid leg. Gluing it back in is not working real well. I am going to buy something else very soon. nice compact size when folded, though. ultimately, thumbs down.
it's quite portable and light and can fulfill the needs of a normal user, but with a lot of sacrifices. the locking mechanism of the legs are kinda flimsy, the legs actually locked only when they are fully extended. no level bubble meter.
Overall, I am quite happy with this tripod.  I got it so I could take some of the weight out of my luggage when I travel to photo shoots.  I normally shoot with a Bogen 3011, which easily weighs 10 pounds, if not more.  So when I would check my luggage in the past, I would always have the "Heavy Item" tag put on it, and also had to travel with a HUGE suitcase, which is a pain.  This little gem weighs so little it almost didn't feel like a tripod, and I was able to use a medium sized, almost carry on sized suitcase.  But it also works very well.I had to use my IR remote shutter release to trip the shutter, b/c when this tripod is extended to its full height (which is considerable for such a lightweight, compact tripod) with a dSLR attached to the top, a lot more vibration understandably is introduced.I was making vertical panoramics of the Library of Congress, which required me be able to pan the camera all the way up to the ceiling, completely vertical, which this tripod allowed me to do easily!  The only thing was, I am used to a sort of ball-head action on my regular tripod, which allows me to adjust the leveling of the camera in many different directions easily.  However, with this tripod, I had to adjust one of the tripod legs each time I moved the camera up higher, as that is the only way to adjust it.  (But what can you expect for such a price?! To me it was well worth it.)
Tripod appears to be as advertised. I wanted an inexpensive tripod for travel that could be used under rough conditions and if lost or stolen wouldn't "break the bank". This unit fits the bill. It has all of the basic features you would expect of a lightweight tripod and would be suitable for holding camera gear up to 8-10 pounds. At under 21" in length, it is more packable than many other units on the market.
The Vanguard MK-1 tripod is extremely nice, and well worth the cheap price. When they say it is lightweight, that is exactly what they mean. It is quite sturdy and is built well. The rubber soles on each of the three pod legs helps a lot in keeping it steady.I bought this mainly to use with my new Flip Ultra Camcorder to conduct interviews and it works extremely well. It also fits my digital camera as well. I would highly recommend this tripod to anyone who likes to have a nice tripod without breaking the bank.
I purchased through you a leight weight tripod a month ago and received it from Ritz Camera in a damaged condition.  The plastic guide of the center pole was broken and my contact with Ritz Camera was terrible, to say the least. I'll never do busness with them again. They were not impolite, however, the efficientcy to handle the matter more business like just wasn't there.  I still dont have a new tripod and my return of the broken item was declined.John Becker
I have a Flip Video, a regular Nikon 7.1 (small) camera and a large 15 year-old SONY video camera.  The SONY is touchy with the balance, but I rarely use it (uses tapes).  The Flip and my Nikon are perfect, as I can raise and lower the tripod from 22" to 52".  It's really lightweight and sturdy, especially with the rubber tip mounts.  Maneuverability is great!  Plus, its reasonably priced.  For small stuff, I still use my Flip ATR1B Tripod, but this is great for outdoors on concrete or grass.
You get what you are pay for. Its a lightweight tripod andit cannot hold an average DSLR on its side (it slips).
This handy dandy tripod is great for my flip camera, stable secure and can pan and tilt effectively I love it while doing my holistic shows, it has a built in level that you can adjust it correctly on uneven surfaces.  All in all a great working piece of equipment.
Flimsy (wobbles and feels like it will bend over) with camera on it, fluid head but the so cheap it jerks, making the fluid head worthless.  Sad that a company would waste the resources to make such a useless product, and Amazon would sell it (and waste my time) .
the base of this tripod is stable but the head is useless. the head doesn't keep the camera stable at all. in any low light situation the only way i can get a stable shot with this tripod is to set a 2 second timer on the camera. pressing the shutter release button shakes the camera too much.
turned out to be a great buy for me. its very steady and te bubble level is very helpful. didn't think much of the carrying handle initially, but that turned out to be really very helpful for carrying around. extremely light also.
It does what it says. You can not complain with this product. If you do, you prolly should buy a more expensive one. I'm just taking pictures for fun only. As long as the tripod can stand, it's good enough. Other functions just putting more plus on this product.Please aware that there's bubble level on the tripod. I'm not sure how accurate it would be and I really don't care because it's just $30.Each "leg" has two clip which make each "leg" can be extend twice.
- the compression clamps work well whenpoles are extended (during frequent use)- the leveling bubble is reliable for price- the plastic components have performedbetter than I first anticipatedPROs- a surely competent apparatus for beginners- cost/benefit pays for itselfCONs- nothing that you would expect of a $20 tripod
Bought after reading other reviews but have to say I am a bit disappointed. The 3-way head is not as fluid as other lower brands specially the vertical axis; and even the spec says it supports a load of 6.6lbs, it is a bit unstable for my Canon T3i with the 55-250mm lens - about 3 lbs. The leg clamps seem to work well for now, but the overall finish shows low quality plastic work where seams don't line up. The quick plate also requires a dime or a flat head screw driver to be tightened.Pro: Low price, probably good for light cameras with short lenses.Con: Not fluid head movement, cheap plastic work, plate mount screw not hand tight-able.Recommended: Probably not.
Light weitht (many plastic parts), light duty (use only small camera or small optic), but light price also.  You make the call.
For the money you are paying you will get an excellent tripod. Light enought to carry around but sturdy and firm to get the quality of pictures you need.  Great tripod.
I Bought This One Online Kmart.com $[...] Plus $[...] Shipping & Sales Tax..I Could NOT Believe My Eyes When I Took It Out Of The Box!! The QUALITY-CONSTRUCTION-COLOR-Ease Of Use, Its All There! You Will NOT Be Dissapointed With This One! I've Seen Them Online From $39 Up!!  By The WayIt Raises To 63 3/4"  NOT 65" If This Is A Problem For You!I Install "Cosmic" Ceilings & Walls & My Star Theater Projector Will Fit The Camera "Shoe" By Installing A 8X10 Plexiglass Platform & Some Duct Tape! Gets Me Within 3 Ft Of The Ceiling!
When I pulled this tripod out of the box I was all set to come here and give it a glowing review.  It seemed very sturdy and I really thought it was a fantastic deal.  That was three days ago.  Since then, I have used the tripod only a few times.  Today, I was photographing some trees.  When I was done I went to lower the head.  I turned the crank and everything was fine until the head was about 2 inches from the base.  Then the crank made an ugly grinding sound and little bits of plastic fell out from the base.  The crank no longer does anything, it just spins around freely and the head is stuck at the position.I'm going to have to buy a new tripod after only 3 days of light use.
Bought this tripod to replace an older sony tripod that only went up to my chest.  It has excellent height and is a steal at $21, still, it has some problems.  The old sony tripod has thinner legs but feels more solid/less shakey, probably because the connectors that go from the legs to the center column are aluminum while the mk-4's is plastic.  It's stable enough though.  The removable mounting piece is really cheap(but it serves it's purpose) so I use the mount from another tripod instead.  Panning is not the smoothest, the legs on mine are silver which can cause bad reflections in glass, and minimum working height is 2 feet so you might want to get something to cover low shooting.  It does not come with a bag but has a carrying handle.  The older sony had a bag but it is VERY uncomfortable carrying a loose, dangly tripod on your back, and it is also awkward to carry without a handle.  I very much prefer the handle over the bag.  Even with all it's flaws I still do not regret the purchase because it is very tall, serves it's purpose well enough, and is super-cheap in price(just wish it was heavier).  I use it to hold up a medium size camera, and it feels like it can hold up something like a Canon Digital Rebel with its plastic body and a lightweight 300mm lens okay, but not a heavy metal bodied SLR with a great big long lens.  If you've got money for a camera like that, then you need to buy yourself a better, heavier tripod.  By the way, people who NEED expensive bogen-manfrotto tripods and probably use bulky, heavy equipment have no business buying cheap-o $21 tripods and then saying how much they suck, IMHO.
Over 20 years ago, I bought my very first tripod, a Vanguard for about $17.00.  I loved it.  However, the leg clamps that snap & lock, finally crumbled due to age.  The fix for that was to fully extend the legs and put hose-clamps (like those used on cars) on the legs.  However, that meant the legs were no longer adjustable and had to be used in their fully-extended position.I just bought the Vanguard MK-4 to replace my older Vanguard tripod.  This is a very good tripod for the money.  They still have the same old snap-clamps on the legs, which are superb, ..... until they break.  Hopefully these will last longer than the ones on my first tripod (which did last about 14 years).CON: The Quick-Shoe (panhead) The quick-shoe that comes with this tripod (and it only comes with one) is awful!  It's very thin and cheap.  But the worst thing is, you have to carry a coin with you at all times to turn the screw in the bottom of the panhead.  Most quick-shoes on other tripods feature a hinged flip-up wing on the screw so that you can turn it without a coin or a screwdriver.  It turns out that the panhead quick-shoe for the Velbon PHD-41Q fits this Vanguard tripod perfectly and is much more secure than the Vanguard quick-shoe.PROS: The best feature on this Vanguard tripod is the crank that raises and lowers the center post.  It has a very smooth operation.  It's so nice to just flip up the handle and crank it without having to worry that the tripod is going to shift from the pressure of manually trying to 'lift' or 'lower' the center post.I would definitely buy this tripod again as long as I don't have to use the cheaply-made panhead quick-shoe that comes with it.  I hope this review will help some of you out there to work around some of the Vanguard issues we've all been dealing with for years.
This is my 5th tripod so far, all I still use depending on situation. This one is the latest I bought (for travel use only) and I am happy with it.Pros:- Lightweight at roughly ~1.5 lbs with aluminum body- Solid and steady, even when fully extended with the center extension pole (need to tighten the screw, but that's common)- 3-way adjustment - good enough for most purposesCons:- Extends only to 50" so most people still have to hunch down a bit (but I knew it before I bought it)- The head adjustment is not always precise and flat, so you need to put your camera on slight angle for some flexibilityBut overall it is solid for traveling needs when you don't want to carry fullsize tripod or pay $200+ for a carbonfiber one.
This is a very decent, stable yet lightweight and easy to use tripod, and I recommend it to someone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money and wants a sturdy tripod to take with them around town or on vacations.4 stars (not 5) because of no bag included with the tripod. Which isn't a huge deal but would have been nice for keeping it from banging around stuff while you carry it around.  I did end up buying a cheap 15 dollar bag to go with it, so consider that as well when factoring the price of this compared to other tripod competition which may have a bag included.
It's quite sturdy with the legs not extended, and light and compact enough to fit into the largest kind of backback that fits carryon luggage limits. My only complaint is that the head doesn't tilt--it only swivels. The product was advertised accurately, so this is my fault. But I'd really like a travel tripod whose head tilts--it's a useful feature, since you need that to take vertical format pictures.
this is one of the best tripods i have ever used. i cant find anything wrong or bad about, great buy
I wanted a tripod that I could use for simple photos.  I had no prior experience using tripods when I ordered this.  This tripod is very simple to use.  It holds the camera very well.  I find it easy to adjust to many angles.  I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to try a tripod out.  It is very helpful if you intend to use the camera's self timer frequently.  Great purchase for a low price!
I bought the MK-2 Tripod a few months ago and within a few weeks, I lost the removable head piece (the part that screws into the camera).  I decided to buy the MK-S because there's nothing to be removed [thus, nothing to lose] and because it's sturdier that the others.  The legs are a little thicker and don't look like they'll snap like some of the other ones.  The price is great and I really recommend it.
After 3 years of excellent pictures, I got the white fog.I read about the faulty CCD and went to Sony Service to get a repair quote.They called me after 2 days saying my camera was fixed and ready.The pleasant surprise: Sony has extended the warranty on the lens assy (apparently CCD & Lens is 1 piece).Invoice Total = 0$.Way to go Sony!
The camera is the best.Period. The picture's quality is absolutelly stunning, the lens are unbelievable, the filters from Sony are the best etc. I print many of 8x10 and they as good as any of my prints from medium format 645 Fuji camera, even better. The picture quality is BETTER than 6m Nikon 10d.Very smart camera. It works perfectly with my nice PowerMac machine. I'm very happy with all that. I really recomend to get the genuine Sony filters, they are perfect.
My husband and I purchased this camera a few months ago for a vacation to the mountains. We had so much fun shooting tons of picutres. The picture quality was excellent and we loved the zoom and shutter features. The Auto focus is very fast. Even taking pictures in a moving car.The picture of the camera to me made the camera look huge. So we went to a local store and checked it out. Was smaller to me than the picture implied. Even tho it is a bigger camera than most.I agree with the other reviewers that More thought should have been put into the user manual, and a larger memory stick and carrying case should have come with the camera.Altho they are available separately.I would highly reccomend this camera to anyone wanting to take excellent digital pictures.
My husband bought this camera right after our wedding in March of this year, and so far we've take over a 1000 pictures.  Every single picture has turned out great, even the unfocused ones!  The camera is quite versatile - it allows for autofocus and a great range of zoom, and it also allows for manual focusing with the whole fstop contraption, for ultra focused targets.  The color is excellent, and it remains one of our best buys in the last couple of years.  At first I was concerned over the size, as it is quite a bit larger than the slim digital cameras that are so popular today.  However, he carried it everywhere we went, and it really won me over.  This camera really is worth it's weight, and the price though high, is justified.  If you are in the market for a high-quality professional style camera, look at this model!  We've even started critiquing the photos from our reception, and wish our photographer had used a camera as good as ours.  Check it out!
Since 2003 till now and still one of the best cameras to use , great clear pictures while viewing by lcd tv or led tv ,Thousands of pictures took by this camera and each time i use it i feel satisfied
This camera is amazing!! I started with the 505, and then moved up to the 707. If you're like me, you have a love for photography, but not necessarily the skill for it.This camera handles all the details for you, so it's literally point and click. The features are more than abundant, and the quality is beyond belief.I recommend getting the 128mb Memory Stick (maybe two if your going on a long vacation) and the Memory Stick USB reader for your PC.You will not be dissapointed!
With my Sonvy F717 I've taken team fast action photos for three and a half years:  lacrosse, softball, baseball, football, and indoor basketball and racquetball.  I've also photographed weddings, senior portraits, candid photos, still life, and movies for nature videos and family reunions.1- outside photos are crisp, even in mid-air, and I can stop the ball!2- with digital cameras there is a delay - we have to learn to anticiapte the shot.3- inside fluorescent lights and motion cause blurs.  I take constant photos of the action, then sort them at home.  I always find great pictures of each player.4- I've combined my camera with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Elements.  My teams love my end of year videos with music, slides, movie clips and special effects. (just movie clips tend to be boring) I've also created wedding videos, newsletters, wedding and birthday cards, flyers - - we're only limited by our imagination.5- my son cut out a picture of himself hanging from a limb, and pasted it onto the wing of his grandfather's airplane!  It looked real!
This is not my first camera of this make/model.  We have been using this same model at the fire station for years.  We are using this for our FD action and fire investigation photos.  This along with an addional flash unit takes great nite photos for us.
I have owned my Sony DSCF717 since 2007. Since then I have taken some incredible pictures. I have never been more happy or pleased with another camera I have owned.  It has a 5x Optical Zoom lens and long life battery and has a built in flash. It does night photo&#8217;s and some video. If your Memory stick is large enough for doing video.  If you are someone who is a Photo enthusiast this has some really cool advanced features. Myself I like the full auto functionality of it. It knows what to do to take a perfect picture and will if you let it. After you have taken your pictures you can use the USB cable to download you pictures. I also like the eye piece or the screen on the back. If you wish to hold the camera up to your eye to size out and take the picture or if you want to tilt the lens and use the screen take pictures from any other position other than from looking through the eyepiece.The only thing I don&#8217;t like is that is a bit bulky and does not make it easy just to carry around. You are using it because you want to use it and there is just not any easier way to carry it other than around your neck or in a bag. If you carry it in the bag then you have to dig it out to get it ready to shoot some picks. If you have it around your neck for a long period of time it can be a pain.Other than size this camera is perfect and takes perfect pictures.
Years later still going strong. The Optical Zoom is still the strong point of this camera. I have a Nikon digital SLR and Canon 14.7 MP Powershot and this Sony is still my favorite and old reliable. I have taken fantastic photos over the 6 years I have had it. I would never part with it.
LOVE this camera! It is a replacement for one that was stolen and it is just the best.The seller was a dream to deal with, absolutely fantastic!!!
After having an old film SLR for years (won't say how many), I resisted going digital.  When I finally decided it was time (new baby) I thought I would have to go with a digital SLR.  A friend loaned me the DSCF717, and I was relieved to see that the quality was as good as I was used to with film, even on the 8x10+ enlargements we do of baby portraits.  The real plus is that my husband is able to use this when set to auto.  (He never mastered the controls of our old Nikon.)You can add on lens accessories to expand capabilities, and the price is so far below entry digital SLR's that you can really afford to splurge on those goodies.  (Especially extra memory, battery and car charger.)Many reviews mention the awkward size, but I have not found it to be a bother at all.  I hardly ever took the zoom off my old camera, so this feels normal to me.
With the Sony 828 coming out in January, the 717 may soon be a relic. But at this time it is hands down the finest digital camera in the Sony line and strong competitor in the $750-1,000 range.I've only given this camera 4 stars primarily because the price is misleading. For all practical purposes you can not operate a camera like this with the small Memory Stick provided by Sony. You'll need to upgrade to at least 128 or preferably 256MB or you'll spend more time downloading files than taking photos. So tack another $100 onto you bill. Also consider a UV filter to protect that protruding (and thus vunerable) lens (add $20).PROS- overall outstanding image quality- best-in class low-light photos (helpful at Xmas!)- optional manual controls and hot shoe add flexibility- Burst "feature" allows three essentially simultaneous shots.- surprisingly quiet- decent battery lifeCONS- bulky- zoom is ergonomically difficult to get used to. Practice before a big event!Also check out the Minolta Dimage and the Nikon Coolpix 5700 --- comparable cameras with a lot to offer and have a more traditional SLR feel. I ultimately chose the Sony because reviews showed it outperforming the others in low-light, a situation I find myself in frequently.
I got my first Sony f717 in about 2002 after a lot of research and looking at sample pics on Steve's Digicam. I loved that camera and between the two 717's I owned previously I have taken about 27,000 pictures. My dog knocked over my tripod and smashed the first one against a rock. So I immediately bought another. Didn't even consider anything else. This is back when they were still $600. Second one stolen about a year ago. Although wanted to use this excuse to "upgrade", I started remembering how much I liked my 717 and found there are a lot available on ebay and are pretty cheap now. Hmmm...  got another one.There are many features I like about it.1. Takes really great pictures. Although it doesn't do too well with intense reds occasionally, it more than makes up for it with how well it does whites, esp white flowers and everything else. Rarely a problem anyway. Some of my favorites shots with it were red flowers and leaves.2. Unbelievably good macro function. You can take incredibly crisp pics almost touching the lens. Autofocus still works great that close. The macro function actually sees much better than I do and it is routine for me to see stuff in picture when on the computer I didn't see when taking the shot. Got some great tiny insects on flowers inadvertantly. Love the macro on this camera, love it! One macro of a rare salmon colored cactus flower is my favorite computer background.3.Very easy to hold, lens is perfect size to fit in hand. Optical zoom is easy and good.4. Fast to take pics. While apparently not quite as fast as it's successor the 828, it is still faster now than many new digitals I have used. Makes taking lots of pics of same subject (to luck into a good one) much easily and less frustrating.5. Takes great night shots. I like to take pictures in the very bright moonlight of the Colorado highcountry.6. Battery life is superb. Both how many pics per charge and how long they last. Mine never went bad with all those pics.If you get one, add a UV filter (mainly to protect lens from scratches) and a good circular polarizer for most outdoor shots. Hoya circular polarizer is easy to find on ebay. Also this camera, though point and shoot takes screw on 58mm filters and telephoto etc.
I spent a lot of time getting up to speed on this camera.  Although it takes extremely good pictures and would be great for a pro, it is not for me.  You have to use both hands for most pics. The zoom feature is on the left side of the bulky lens, for instance, while the shutter release is on the r/h front side of the camera, making zooming in and focusing a tiresome task.  It has too many features that you pay for, but which are not easy to learn to use. In fact, most of them  you would probably never even use if you were a family man just taking pictures of family activities.  I took it back after owning it for a week & exchanged it. However, If you are a true camera nut or a pro, stick to the DSC- F717.  It really is great, it has a great many pro features not found on less expensive cameras.
The only thing that I don't like is being limited to 128 meg memory sticks. I like taking pictures at high resolutions and that eats memory sticks fast!I have heard a rumor that 1 gig sticks will be available within a month. That should be plenty of room for most people. (until you can dump everyting into your computer's hard drive)I love all the maual options this camera provides. It takes beautiful, in focus, pictures in complete darkness. With a shutter speed from 1/1000 to 30 seconds you have the abilty to take great action shots and night shots!!!!The only thing that I would suggest for improvment would be making it smaller. I'm sure they are already working on it!!!
This camera is simple one of the best on market. You are receiving a lot of options, a great color and good pictures with low ligth. I used it for my vacations on Spain and it was just perfect for any situation. The best is what you get for what you pay. if you are looking a good camera this is the one.
Frankly, this IS an investment...you spending [$$$] for this camera plus some needed accessories. Few people will ever shoot 5 Mega Pixels (MP) shots every time, but serious (and serious amateur) photographers will certainly appreciate being able to produce stunning detail when the need arises. Look at images shot on your friends' 2 or 3 MP cameras...this level of quality is amazing...but you WILL want to exceed this occasionally, and (...) is the price you pay to get the technology NOW. A 5 MP head shot will allow you to EASILY discern individual hairs on life-size prints (as in 11x14)...it's truely amazing.I looked at the Minolta Dimage 7...the auto focus zooms past the subject and back...it seems irritatiingly "loose", for lack of a better term. The Sony is a bit crisper in it's approach to auto focus, though not perfect.The Fuji camera does not have the same zoom & expansion capabilities. It's an overgrown pocket camera.The Sony will handle weddings, public events, and function very much like a professional film camera.Low-light shots are a challenge, but the viewfinder does have a tremendous amount of information available, including exposure "F" stops, shutter speed, low light warnings, etc. The true genius is that you can essentially operate the camera in a manual mode, quickly overriding the meter to compensate for the light in any situation...backlight, contrasty light, reflections, etc.The 717 has some moderate metering improvments over the previous 707. Most major functions are the same.If you ever used a 35mm in manual in the old days (when you really had to KNOW photography), you'll love the control available. And younger photographers will find a whole new world in being able to make this camera do what most digitals will still not do...take the unusual shot.The camera is well balanced, and rather sturdy. You will get used to the shooting position...give it time. My biggest complaint is that the zoom selection switch operates "backwards" to my taste. Intuitively, I want to zoom "in" pressing the "out" button (!)...You have an adequate built-in pop-up flash...PLUS a PC connection for external flash AND a flash shoe! Slavery, anyone?The memory stick is a bit of a hassle, but extremely convenient once you get over the struggle. There are now numerous varities of portable USB readers. I* carry the Sony Floppy Disc reader and the Lexar USB reader. And buy the 128 MB memory stick...nothing smaller. The newer 256 sitcks require you flip them over but they ar even better bargains.A friend with this same camera recenlty pointed out that we should all be shooting at the highest possible resolution. You can always reduce the resolution later on the computer. Don't miss that shot of a lifetime.The images are good, but I do have to compensate a bit in low-light. Based on shooting several thousand "test" shots with another camera, I'm happy with this one. It does the job and can satisfy both consumer and professional. Note that I do not plan to replace this camera for several years. Why? Because printer technology has not caught up to the resolution of the camera (at least for the home user) and no one really needs much more in a camera. Five Mega Pixels will generate a poster-size image with very nice quality...you won't be doing it often, but you'll be glad you did when you do.I like it, and I shopped hard to ensure the most features with the best price. As with all electronics, find a cheap extended warranty. (...) . Cameras DO break.Shop carefully for a CASE to put it in...the unique shape requires some thinking. I have 3. One for everything including cords and cables, one for the camera plus memory sticks, and a Sony brand "ever-ready" case. Depends on how long you're out and how fast you want to access the camera..at what level of protection. Think.You'll want an extra battery. Perhaps a travel charger, otherwise you charge the battery by plugging the CAMERA in the wall (!)...thanks Sony. :-(Buy a UV filter (58mm) to protect the lens.This camera is expensive, and generally reliable - it's a Sony. Many features I have not detailed, and it has a superb 10x OPTICAL zoom (and a 2x digital). If you are thinking digital and want to not have to trade-up for a while, I suggest the Sony DSC-F707. If you love photography, do not buy a smaller CCD chip than 5 MP...even if you buy another brand. But I certainly recommend the Sony DSC-F717 camera for people to whom the image is important.
In short: check out [...]Three day ago (March 24th, 2006), I got an "important notice" from Sony in my email:"This notice is to inform you about a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit titled Bruce Chabansky v. Sony Electronics Inc., (the "Action"), the Court's conditional certification of a settlement class in that Action, and of a hearing to consider the settlement.  The Action alleges that certain digital still camera and camcorder models sold and marketed by Sony Electronics Inc. ("SEL"), and manufactured by a separate entity before March 2004, are defective in that they include a component known as a CCD imager that fails at an abnormally high rate causing a blank liquid crystal display ("LCD") screen and electronic viewfinder or causing a distorted image to appear on the LCD screen and electronic viewfinder rendering the camera and camcorder incapable of taking pictures and recording video, respectively. SEL denies these claims, and denies that anyone has been harmed or deserves compensation in relation to these claims.  The Court has not made a decision on the merits."If you purchased one of the models at issue, at retail, or received one of the models as a gift from the original purchaser, you may be a member of the settlement class ("Settlement Class") that will be a party to a settlement agreement that resolves and forever dismisses the Action.  Under the terms of the settlement, members of the Settlement Class are eligible to receive a CCD imager repair-or-reimbursement remedy from SEL under limited conditions.  Please see the complete notice of the proposed settlement at [...] or telephone (866) 703-7669 to obtain a copy  of the complete notice which includes details regarding the requirements to be eligible for the repair-or-reimbursement remedy and how to receive the remedy if you are eligible.  If the proposed settlement is approved by the Court, the person who filed the Action and two others who filed a similar lawsuit in Wisconsin will receive an additional service award of $1,500 each, and the attorneys for the plaintiff in this Action will apply for an award of attorney's fees.  These awards and attorney's fees, however, will not affect the relief available to members of the Settlement Class.  All claims of the Settlement Class members which were or could have been asserted in the Action based on the facts alleged therein, will be forever released, if this settlement is approved by the Court."I hope this solves the problems other reviewers have or had. (I haven't had any problem with my camera (yet?)).A big thank you to Bruce Chabansky and the others who filed the lawsuits!
I've spent a good deal of time with my 3.2 megapixel Olympus and thought that it was a pretty good camera.  That is until I bought the Sony F717.  The good things...Looong battery life with fairly quick charging..... accurate autofocus, even at macro setttings...controls/menus are obvious, you don't even need the manual to figure most of it out...fast cycling...great through the lens or screen readouts and framing, a focus ring that feels like the thing is on a real camera...intuitive location of controls, after ~15 minutes of fooling with it I could shoot and never take my eyes off of the viewfinder despite changing aperture, speed, flash, macro etc frequently.The bad things...the manual is a great quick get-started guide but lacks the detail I'd like in a camera with this much potential that costs this much.  The software that comes with the camera is not great, but if you spend this much on a camera you ought to use Photoshop or PictureIt any way.
I have had this camera for 5 years, and taken several thousand photos.  It is as close to an SLR as you can get.  The optics are very good, photos all come out excellent.  It's not a compact pocket camera, but then neither is any really high quality camera with a first-class lens.  The optical zoom range of 5x is very good and there is no discernible image deterioration at any focal length. The white balance feature is flexible and better than on many much more expensive cameras. The tilting lens-body combination is a great asset and very useful at events where you hasveb to take pictures over other people's heads. I have since added a Nikon D90 to get up to 300 mm; it has 12 MP but I rarely use more than 6.
ONE HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAMERA THOUGH! CCD:>>>>"IMAGE SENSOR RECALL FAILURE". SONY HAD A HUGE RECALL ON THESE AND ALL THREE OF MINE HAD TO BE SENT BACK TO SONY FOR FREE REPAIRS BUT IM NOT SURE THEY WILL STILL FIX THESE FOR FREE? NUMBER TO CALL IS: SONY;>>>> 1-866-703-7669&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; GOOD LUCK, DON
I base my purchases on what I require and REVIEWS, so I hope this is helpful...First if you are like me this camera is in your top three choices (and it should be) Five Megapixels is a minimum, not an option for printing out 5x7's or 8x10's, if you are looking at anything under five then quit. Buy a Canon i860 printer and Adobe Photo Shop Elements and you need little else.Get a 256mb Pro Card or a 512mb Pro...shoots faster, get a MonoPod...this has a large lens and is steady on a monopod, makes it easy to carry. Why SONY?...Huge battery capacity/Highest Quality Lens/Zoom...I can shoot all weekend and not have to recharge...shooting in the highest quality mode...why buy a 5mgpixel if you shoot low res?  This camera has THE longest telephoto lens for the money and the highest quality lens.Resolution and picture quality is amazing...flesh tones are excellent...USB straight to the computer...plug this into your front port and the pictures are sent automatically to your hard drive...if you can, get an external Hard Drive and keep all your photos on it...you can take it with you to share photos with family.  This Camera is Sooo much better than my 2meg Fuji...Night Vision is a very cool option, this camera has complete Manual control as well, good for photography classes for the Kids, Way more than a point and shoot but can be used that way if you wish. The Zoom lens is something I use ALL the time, didnt think I would but you start lovin it...I have shot over a thousand pics with no trouble. If you can afford a SONY Tripod then get one! You can control the camera from the handle of the Tripod! shoot/zoom/pan all from the handle...Sony knows what they are doing...If you just cant deal with a camera that is this big, then get the DSCV1...it has the High quality optics in a smaller package...I have recomended this camera to all my friends and family...I'm buying the 8meg version as soon as I can!
Well, I must admit that one of the main reasons I bought this camera to begin with was its cools looks, in addition to the sturdy feel and build of it. (We call it &quot;Big Papa.&quot;) Beyond that, it has proven itself to be quite a nice camera with plenty of features and excellent quality shots. The hologram lasers that shoot out to ensure proper focus are also a hit when showing it off to people.My only real complaints are that the size and shape occasionally becomes annoying, and the auto-focus is off more frequently than my two-year-old, three-megapixel camera. That bugs at times, so take multiple shots when you can.Overall: highly recommended.
I bought my first f717 new in 2002.  I shot tens of thousands of photos all around the world before it essentially pooped out. I liked it so much that I bought a second.  And a few years later, a third.  The ergonomics of this camera are unparalleled by any modern (2010) camera I am aware of.  Holding it by the lens, you can quickly twist the body up or down to get candid people shots (lens up) or above a crowd (lens down).  Battery life is superb.  Because there's no lens to extend/retract, it comes on quick, and there's little drain for a quick on/off shot or two.  It is not unusual to have this camera sitting on a shelf for a few months, and being able to take 50 pictures.The lens is very fast by modern standards, which allows good low-light performance.  Its laser focusing system provides perfectly-focused shots in pitch darkness (with flash of course) and its infrared light source yields usable images in total darkness.One of its nicest features for the serious photographer is that you can view a live histogram in the electronic viewfinder.  Trust it, tweak the exposure to optimize dynamic range if required, and you'll get superb exposures with none of the 'duds' that are common on point/shoots.btw this is a 'weird' looking camera, which I've found is an advantage in exotic locations, as it doesn't attract attention like an SLR.  The camera is light and compact enough to stash in a jacket pocket.
This may be a funny-looking camera, but it is a gem of a performer. Its Zeiss lens is tack sharp, its electronics do all of the thinking for you, and the results are superb. You should get the optional lens hood, as the glass is very close to the front of the lens barrel. And if you plan to do much shooting at one time, plan to get a memory stick pro with a lot of memory (I use 4 128mb sticks, and wish I had bought a 512 mb stick instead). If you get a chance to shoot someone else's and look at your results, you'll buy your own, I guarantee. It is not as large as it looks in the picture, and it is relatively light in weight and easy to carry at your side. This camera is a winner.
I studied long and hard before spending so much on a camera, and my time paid off. This camera is comfortable to use, easy to learn and with a bit of time, to master, and produces great results. Excellent color, and the unique night-focus and night-shot features work as advertised. Not cheap, but worth it for the serious amateur digital photographer. Wouldn't embarass a pro, either.
Not as good as their 8 megapixel camera, but still good value for an amateur.  For most people, the difference between the two resolutions won't be noticed.  The camera has many of the features of it's high-priced brother, and still has the same flexibility of letting you decide how much control to exercise over exposure and focus.
I wrote a review for this equipment back in August 2004 and awarded it a decent share of stars, but felt compelled to change my rating and update my review after I read, just now, Martin Valka's review.After a little over two years of use the same mysterious fog appeared all of the sudden on my pics. This problem degenerated rapidly into completely washing out my pictures in a couple of minutes. At first I thought it was a problem with a fogged up lens, then the flash... But after a few shots I just lost hope. Even the LCD viewer faded away too.I contacted Sony as Martin did and again was frustrated by the cost of the repairs. I even asked them if someone had reported this problem previously and, of course, they had never heard of it, which I now seriously doubt. This is why I am re-rating this equipment now with 2 stars, one for every year she worked properly.As I said in my previous review, be aware of the procrastinating mode this camera kicks into when taking quick shots under low light situations (you might never take the shot) and now with the spooky white fog special effect that appears in every picture after two years of use.So, bottom line... If you are planning to own a magnificent camera for JUST 24 months... This is the camera for you.
IM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER BY NO MEANS. BUT I LIKE TO HAVE A CAMERA AROUND TO TAKE PICTURES WHENEVER I CAN EITHER OF MY BOYS OR BEFORE AND AFTERS OF PROJECTS AT THE HOUSE. I ACTUALLY GOT A CARRYING CASE FOR IT AND ACC. I TAKE IT EVERYWHERE I GO. ALSO GOT A PRINTER TO GO WITH IT. WHAT WONDERFUL PICTURE THAT I CAN TAKE. IMAGINE IF I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT TAKING A PICTURE WHAT I COULD DO. A FRIEND HAS SAME CAMERA AND HE FEELS THE SAME WAY.
The first thing people say when they see my camera is that it's so big.  They ask lots of questions - is it an SLR, what is the zoom (optical v/s digital).Then, when they see the results this awesome camera produces - excellent pictures with awesome color and wonderful resolution - they are just floored.I have shot at least 10 times more pictures than I usually shoot with a film-camera 'cause once you splurge the $625 for this camera, you're not paying another dime more.  Buy this and thank me for the rest of your life.  Sony really knows how to keep their customers happy with easy-to-use, well thought-out products.  I love my new toy!!!
This was my first digital camera.  I have shot more than 12,000 photos with my camera and it never skipped a beat.  I even dropped it on concrete (not recommended) and after a few seconds, it came back on and shot thousands of pictures since.  It is perfect for someone who wants a step up from the point and shoot, but isn't ready for pro SLR.The only reason I am not using it now is that I have simply outgrown it.  There are some limitations, like continuous shooting, and the ISO is only up to 400, but it has enough features for the common photographer.  I shot many horse racing photos and actually sold my prints, so it does adequate high speed and sports.  It was a little limited with inside a gym, but the photos were fair.  Did excellent portraits and candid shots of people and animals.If you get the chance to get a good deal on this camera, take it.  You won't be disappointed.
AFTER GOING THROUGH LOT OF SEARCH I FINALLY DECIDED TO BUY F717 TO FULFIL MY DREAMS REGARDING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE DECENT AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARD CAMERA.IT IS NICE COMBINATION OF SIMPLE AND ADVANCE OPERATIONS.THE BEGINNERS COULD USE THE AUTOFOCUS MODE AND THE OTHER PEOPLE COULD DO ALOT WITH THE FEATURES OF THIS CAMERA.FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DONOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHY THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR THEM. ANYONE WHO IS INTO PHOTOGRAPHY THIS IS A VERY GOOD CAMERA.
I have owned several of these cameras and love them.  They take wonderful pictures.  The plus to this camera is the Carl Zeiss lens and the ability to take close-up pictures.  The camera I recently purchased is in perfect working condition and I am very happy to receive it. Thank you for your quick shipment and nice packing.  I appreciate sellers such as yourself.  Thank you.
We've had the Sony DSC-F707 for over a year and love it.  I had a chance recently to test drive the newer F717 and was suitably impressed.  The features and use are nearly identical to the 707, as is the performance.  One difference is price - the 717 reatils for $100 less than our 707 did.  And, if you shop around, you can easily get a free 128 MB memory stick thrown in, maybe a case too.On the test stand, the two cameras measured virtually identically.  That's a tribute to the dependability and quality, considering the thousands of images I've acquired with the 707, in a wide variety of demanding conditions, such as high altitude winter mountain photography and hot, dusty shoots in the desert.  This camera makes the A list for consumer digital cameras and if you can afford it, you'll be a happy camper.  One of the major challenges in consumer digital is the optics and the 5x optical zoom Zeiss optics are excellent.  The electronics of the 717 seem a tiny bit faster than on our 707, but both have less lag than most 5 MB models I've compared (over 30 onto the test bench in the last 3 months).  This baby is a keeper.
I am a semi professional digital photographer. Although my experience in digital cameras is not terribly great, yet, I needed something which would give me a lot possibilities as my abilities grew.Working with computer games development I need this camera to take high resolution shots for textures, as well as provide me with movie clips for rotoscoping when animating.I absolutely love this camera. I keep finding new and useful features, and I imagine that will continue for quite a while. The battery is almost impossible to run down, so it is perfect for gathering reference materials on longer outings. The lens is top notch and gives you picture quality second to none in this price range.Five stars from me for a product without any things to really bother you.
When I say amateur photographer, I mean someone who wants a little more control in their photo composition than someone who prefers a 'point and shoot' model.  While you can let this camera pick all the settings for you, I love being able to work through trial and error, finding the right settings for a picture.  I learned a lot of photography basics in high school, and I wanted to pick up a model with which I could put my education into use.  I have the filters, and picked up the Sony telephoto and wide angle lens for a steal.  While I've made good use of all of them, over time I've found that I don't really need all these accessories as much as I thought I would.  The zoom on the camera works very well.  I even took a picture of the Missisippi riverbank from the 29th floor of my office building a quarter-mile away, and the pictures came out fantastic, with incredible detail.  The 8 x 10's I print out come out fantastic.  A lot of people have asked me when I'm going to devote my time to this professionally after seeing my portfolio.  I think it takes a good eye to come up with great pictures, but great equipment doesn't hurt either.  I'm not sorry at all that I stopped using film.
I bought this camera in March 2003 and it has taken many great photo's. Suddenly, in late 2006, some photo's all had the "white fog" problem and it soon completely failed with all photo's having the problem. I just found out today that this is a known problem and am trying to get a repair. I do like this camera - when it works, it does everything I want in a digital still camera. If I can't get it repaired, then it's bye bye Sony. Wish me luck.
Pro:* Preforms well in low light even without a flash.*  5x optical zoom*  The ability to manually focus*  Controls easy to navigate* Excellent picture quality* Special settings such as sepia* Three burst mode for action or hard to capture shots (Beware of long write time before you can take pictures again if you are using a high resolution setting)* Manual control of white balance allows for color correction* The battery life is really good (however if you plan a long day of picture taking an extra battery is essential)* Ability to manually set shutter and / or apertureCons:* On high resolution can take a while to write to* Bulky compared to a lot of other digital cameras (but not so much so when compared to a good 35mm)* Memory sticks have historically cost more than other digital cards but I find that prices have come down significantly* Sony really should ship this camera with a 128MB memory stick.  The 32 it comes with captures only a few pictures at a high resolution.Things I would recommend to get along with the camera* Extra memory sticks.* Memory stick case* A UV filter.  You don't need to get the one that Sony makes for the camera.  Any 58mm-thread filter will work.* Tripod* Sony's shutter remote* A Neoprene camera strap* Extra batteriesThis is a great camera and I would recomend it even over the 827.
Pros: Excellent quality. Exceptional feature list.Cons: Not good as your first digital camera. It is big and heavy.No matter what this camera will give you an excellent picture quality.If you don't mind the size...It is one of the best cameras on the market.
I did my homework for 3 months for a digitnal camera under $800 before I finally decided to purchase this one. Frankly I hesitated at first because most F717 pictures I viewed on websites looked kind of flat and the color was less saturated. I was WRONG. I found out that I can control the contrast and color saturation on a photo editor program (I use free Microsoft Photo Editor, which comes with Windows XP). I am also impressed with the overall body design. You may question what is good about the lens barrel moving up and down. You will find that feature convenient when you hold the camera up above the head; when you take a close-up picture; even when you shoot at eye-level.As to the features, the camera allows a whole range of operation from fully automatic to complete manual. Most people would be happy with fully atomatic or programmed automatic, but as they avance in the skills they will appreciate the manual operation features. I personally would love to meet the people responsible for designing this camera, and shake hands with them to say &quot;Thank you!&quot;
This is the first digital camera I've actually preferred over my standard film camera.  In fact, so much so, I'm selling my old gear in favor of the digital here.The control I have is amazing, as this camera is so much more than point and shoot.The Sony intelligent battery system is awesome, and enhances the camera's value.  It comes with the FM50 M series battery, which provides up to 4 hours of continuous power, depending on usage.  But I found it also accepts a FM31 series battery, which is the exact size of the FM50, but has a 30% less power capacity.  (The FM31 comes with many of the Sony HandyCam devices, which also means the charger/AC adaptor can be used on both.  An elegant solution if you want to interchange batteries and adaptors.)The lens system is first-rate, and provides clear distortion-free pictures.  The lens also tilts on the camera body, enabling those over-the-head shots common to public arenas, and while keeping a clear view of the LCD viewfinder.  Use 58mm screw-on lens accessories.Memory Stick Pro is also a good investment with this camera, and even the smallest one of these will provide nearly 100 shots at full resolution, and several hundred snapshots at the lower resolutions.DPOF is also supported, if you can find a lab that actually supports it.
I had a Sony DSC F707 that I wore out and wanted a similar replacement. The F717 is the newer improved model. The newer one has some improvements that I don't like. They moved the zoom button to an akward position. They also do not allow you to change the exposure level in auto program mode. It does take very good pictures.
For an older camera this one was well taken care of and works perfectly.  True nightshot makes it a valuable tool in my profession.
Awesome camera, takes excellent pictures and it looks stunningly beautiful and appealing, wherever i go people inquire about it.....and the pictures that i take with it never disappoints. I read about many people talking about it strange barrel lens that makes holding it difficult but i believe it is very well designed and it fits in comfortably in my hands.....battery life is just awesome, it just keeps on going and going.....response time(after u click) is bit slower but much better than many other digital camera which i have seen, unless u think that u will be very often in a position where u really need to take real quick pics, this camera should do the job for u.....if one have to write about this camera's great features it will easily extend to many pages....gist of all is this a beautiful camera which takes stunningly beautiful shots-no matter what the conditions are and erybdy in my famly loves it....GREAT CAMERA!!!!!!!!
I like this camera very well, but in the several months I've owned it I did uncover a few minor weaknesses that detract from my original perception of it as a dream camera. Here's my list of pros & cons. POSITIVES: (1) Upload of photos is incredibly easy, compared to Sony's TRV-140 camcorder, which the saleslady never should have sold me. Do not use Pixela. It's garbage, and with this camera you don't need it at all. (2) Colors are beautiful. I couldn't believe the colors in my first photos of iridescent seashells! That's why I still bought Sony instead of Nikon, despite my earlier troubles with a Sony camcorder. This Carl Zeiss lens is supposed to be better than a Nikon lens. (3) Portrait mode creates the narrow depth of field effect that I like. (4) An entire memory stick of photos can be quickly deleted at once, instead of one at a time. (5) Macro mode allows very close-up (2 cm distant) pictures using the same lens. (6) Viewfinder-to-LCD display switch is quite useful. (7) Lens cap included. (8) The hot shoe allows an external flash, which is supposed to be the only sure way to get rid of red-eye. (9) This 5 megapixel resolution will produce quality 8"x10" prints with an unpixelated appearance--any camera with a lower resolution will not do this. (10) The ability of the camera body to tilt almost 90 degrees upward from the lens is outstanding for catching candid people pictures from your lap. (11) The white balance features are extremely useful for indoor photos. If you haven't played with those yet, do so! NEGATIVES: (1) Another lousy Sony manual. The manual doesn't mention that the exposure button must be reenabled after each photo before the jog dial will function. It doesn't say why the macro icon disappears when the camera is switched to manual focus. The troubleshooting guide never caught my first real problem: everything was blurred at all times, and only after much experimentation did I discover that the finder adjustment dial had accidentally gotten rotated. The 3-pronged icon that keeps popping up automatically is not explained anywhere that I can find. Many terms are not listed in the rear index. (2) Auto exposure often gives an ugly, grayish tint to the pictures. I use manual exposure almost exclusively now because of that. (3) Macro mode is tricky and counterintuitive. One must zoom *out* before being able to get macro shots, and then there are problems when focusing around the 0.9 meter range, which unfortunately is the distance of most museum exhibits and flowers. (4) The flanges on the hot shoe constantly snag on the interior netted pocket on my Sony carrying case. They should have been rounded off. (5) Too many automatic features that are annoying, like the flash unit that scared the hell out of me the first time it automatically popped out of the side of the lens, the pretty music that plays upon powering up the camera that alerts animals and people that you're about to snap their photo, and the added complexity of unnecessary video capability and special effects. (6) Similarly, all this complexity and having to traverse electronic menus discourages me from changing settings often, with the result that I often end up using an inappropriate mode for some shots. (7) Red laser beams that shoot out of the lens when taking photos in dim lighting, which alert people that their photo is about to be taken. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Get an ultraviolet lens immediately to protect this expensive lens. UV lenses are only about $10-15, have no discernable visual effect, and screw on easily. (2) Use 128 MB memory sticks or higher. With the resolution I use, I can get 90 pictures per memory stick, which is quite good. SUMMARY: So far I haven't found any flaws serious enough to make me want a different camera, and I'm quite pleased with all the positive aspects. This camera is used by some pros selling photos on the Internet and it's certainly the best camera I've owned so far. You can buy a 6 megapixel camera, but if so you're going to double the price for that extra 1 mp, and unless you're making unusually large prints, that extra resolution will be useless. And all the attention and comments I get with this camera are fun: "Now *there's* a camera!" "That's quite a lens you got on that camera." "That lens is bigger than the camera!" "How do you like your camera?" "Excuse me, can I ask you about your camera?"
Wow, what a great camera!  I spent quite a lot of time looking at digital cameras before investing in this one.  I've always had SLRs and I've had my own darkroom before, so this was a step in the other direction.  The camera itself is a little bulky and the lens makes it a bit cumbersome, but it more than makes up for this with the zoom ability and picture quality- it's the perfect camera for outdoor and wildlife enthusiast because of the amazing lens.  It makes you look like a professional photographer.  It takes great indoor shots, too, and is very true to color.There are so many functions, you really have to try it out at home with the instruction manual for a bit before going out or you'll end up frustrated.  Once you get a feel for all the buttons and functions,  it gives you even more creative control then even a good SLR would, plus the video function is great (I got a few great videos that are a couple seconds apiece that I took on a whale watch of the whales surfacing) and the night shot is a lot of fun to play with.  I've done some beautiful pictures of the moon and I'm planning on buying an attachment so I can hook the camera up to a telescope and take some astronomy photos.The battery will last for days, which is great if you're on vacation (I haven't had it run out yet).  The only gripe I have is about the memory cards.  The one it comes with is a joke and will last you all of ten minutes before it's full.  I have bought 3 separate 128mb memory cards, which will get me through a week of vacation away from any sort of computer where I can load them up.  Then I have to start going through and sacrificing photos that I took to make more room.  The memory cards are small and seemingly delicate and a tad difficult to change.  I don't think I would be able to do it at night or in the winter with cold hands.  Returning to my old ways, I keep the extra memory cards in a plastic film canister, which keeps them safe.  When you see the picture quality, it's worth the struggle.
My wife finally let me upgrade from my 707, so now we have one 717 and one 707 and go out shooting at least once a week. I love this camera, it is almost everything I hoped for as an upgrade from the 707.It is much faster than the 707, though still weak with action shots.  You can nail predictable events like a bird in flight, but when wild dolphins come up to your sailboat, expect to miss two out of three shots.  If you do need to shoot action, hit menu and one of the record modes is "burst 3" three rapid shots one after another, you might get lucky that way.The "A" and "S" and settings to enhance depth of field and shutter speed do not seem to give good results. Likewise, The new scene selections (twilight, landscape and portrait) seem limited, though I have had some fun with portrait when I am dealing with a messy background.  However, for best results, I just leave it on the green camera icon, that seems to perform the best.  One BIG problem though, the camera is only two months old and all the markings have worn off the mode dial making it hard to set up in a hurry, shame on Sony for that!The 717 shoots well in intense light situations, the beach at 1 PM is no problem, except that the light is harsh, if you are going to shoot in snow or at the beach, think about getting the lens hood and ND filter accessories.We dropped $500.00 or so on the Sony wide angle lens, that was a mistake, it weighs so much it appears to hurt the camera and like all wide angles, eats light.  On the bright side, there is less distortion than I have ever seen in a WA.The 717 doesn't handle subtle transparent sky light, a muted sunset, or rainbow can be lost. I still haven't scored a double rainbow with a digital, I can see both, the cameras can only see one of them.They have moved some of the control buttons from the 707 positions; moving zoom was a mistake, it really is better to have the zoom control as the farthest out control on the lens so you can find it without taking your eyes off your subject.  On the plus side the focus switch is in a deeper indent, this keeps you from switching into manual mode accidentally.The auto popup flash is really noisy and vigorous and it has caused me to miss a few shots as it slams into place.  Red eye reduction as usual doesn't work so well, but that is why God invented photoshop.Moving to some of the really positive features:The macro mode for closeups is a marvel. I need to do some tripod scientific tests, but it seems like the 707 out performs the 717 in macro.  But we are still nailing great closeups of dew on flowers and the like and the 717's speed lets you freeze a bee on a flower or a hummingbird.The way it handles light on water is just spectacular. It can also handle shooting the sky through trees and similar shots that confound simple cameras.Like the 707, the combination of movable lens and ability to work with finder or lcd screen really gives you flexability when shooting things taller than you are. I got a "Senators Only" parking sign on Parliament Hill Ottawa that was about 8' up by holding the camera above my head and aiming through the lcd.  I was trying to get a shot of a wierd bug face to face the other day so I laid the lens on the floor, and turned the finder screen to face me.  Love it!The range of the zoom is all you can ask of a single lens, yes you do lose a bit of resolution at full digital zoom, but it can still nail a seaplane landing in Vancouver harbor and has enough pixels left to print a nice 8.5 x 11.It interfaces with both my Mac 10.2 and Windows XP Pro with no problem in either case. The XP software is actually a bit more efficient than iPhoto.I will close with some final tips:My wife got me this little nylon Ex Officio bag to tie to the strap. That is a much more efficient in an active shoot than the memory stick wallet.If the subject moves, as soon as you start framing, teach yourself to push the shutter button half way down, that cuts a lot of the delay out of a shot.Don't buy a memory stick less than 128M, I think my wife's 707 came with a 16M, now *that* is funny.If you have never tried one of these web based photo storage and printers like Amazon.com's photo services or Image station, they are great for situations like shooting a family reunion. Just send the URL to everyone and they can order all the prints they want. Remember the days of looking for the negative with picture 5 on roll 9? I love my 717 and I am never going back to film.
I got my 717 in Dec. 2003. in the U.S. I have taken about 5000+ photos, with no problems! 3 days ago, I went to take a pic of my son and the screen looked like a wet painting that ran. I reset the cam. and recharged the batt. and it was still the same. I'm here in Europe right now, so my wife called the big Sony store. The guy said he never heard of this before, but we can send it for service. When we took it to the store the kid said, "sure these have problems" it's costing me approx. $80 just to send it in, and they my or my not charge for the repair. Only now I found all these other stories. So the jury is still out, I don't know what I'm in for? 5 stars for the cam. 1 star for it taking a %&"$
After about 3 years and less than 500 pictures taken my DSC-F717 failed terribly. I never dropped it, it never got wet, always stayed in a dry warm place. No one else handled it. All of a sudden when I was taking pictures it took a long time to get the picture every time and it started having horizontal lines running across the screen without allowing to see anything. Today the camera failed to see an image completely. Some horizontal "ghost" and lines that move across the viewer  screen and the screen is completely dark, although the charge minutes remaining indicator is appearing and I can view my taken pictures as well, but when I put it on "take photo" mode, the screen is black with sometimes lines running through it. How do I describe the problem otherwise? It is like if the camera has lost vision completely. It works, charges, takes pictures, but it can not see, the pictures come out either totally dark without any image or with some violet ghost light and no image whatsoever. When I point the camera to an object, the screen is dark or dark with horizontal running lines or some violet coloured ghost moving across the screen. Of course, I made sure I removed the cap and etc. I also did RESET and changed the battery, but no help. June 2007 UPDATE: it appeared to be a failure with all or most SONY cameras, just like a pre-programmed timed failure. There was a class action against SONY and they set up a recall program and I shipped my camera to them (SONY paid the shipping both ways as a part of the recall program) and they fixed it and sent it back to me. UPDATE: October 2009. My camera keeps on working, so I'm going to raise the rating a bit. UPDATE: August 2011 - camera still works although I rarely use it. Before this one I used to own a camera for 30 years that never broke and I'm sure the thief (ex family member) who stole it from me still uses it.Conclusion: typical case of Planned Obsolescence.PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE.
I bought this camera while traveling through Spain a few years ago. It takes great pictures and it is very easy to operate. It is a simple camera that performs well. I have used it many times. Can't beat the value and it is an Olympus. Reliable.
Hey guys, I just got my Olympus camera today. I have already used my 24 exp. film (that came w/ it) out of excitement. This camera is everything I expected and more! I think this camera would make an awesome gift for either yourself or for a loved one. I really love this camera!
A handly little camera that works most of the time.  At times the flash doesn't work but perhaps I am not using it correctly.  I can carry it in my purse and have it with me at all times.
Good for the price. It's Made in China. If you use a 400 speed role then the quality is really noticable. If you wanna gift it to someone then its an ideal deal. Its a basic camera with basic required features.
for such a cheap camera this is one of thes best ones that i have ever bought. this is a great camera for starters or anyone kinda rough on them~which that is me!! i bought this because the camera that i had stopped working, and i found this one on here and thought that with the price it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. i have a habit of dropping stuff and with three small kids always getting a hold of things i didn't want to spend big bucks on a camera. this little one does a great job. i would recommend it big time
I've owned the Ti for two years. I've taken many good photos over the past two years, and really enjoyed the quality of close up pictures with the included lens. I have been disappointed a few times with taking landscape night photos. Even when the camera is sitting still on a flat surface, its still hit and miss with a long exposure.Recently, the very tiny plastic piece that latches the film cover closed broke, rendering the camera useless. Once more it didn't break from a hard drop, or massive hit. It simply broke after I set it down on a table. Even though I've had the camera for two years, I'd say I've only gone through less than two dozen rolls of film. So it can't have broken from excessive use either.Luckily I bought an extended warranty and will not be out $300, but now I think I may make the move to digital. If you want to stick with 35mm, the Canon rebel series is good while it lasts, but be sure to protect your investment with an extended warranty.
If you still like to take pictures using the 35mm format, then this camera is for you.  Like many others, I was quick to purchase a digital camera (Canon Powershot) and enjoy the whole digital camera scene but when it comes to superior photographs, there is nothing that can compare with 35mm photography.  I was looking for a new 35mm camera and went into a local camera shop.  I was introduced to the new EOS Rebel Ti and it did not take me long to really enjoy the features and looks of this camera.  It is significanly lighter then its predecessor and its looks are striking.  I like having the menu screen on the back of the camera in a larger LCD screen.  It's much easier on the eyes.  The different settings allow even the most advanced photographer options that are often found on much more expensive cameras and like all of Canon's 35mm line, the lenses are interchangeable and give you greater flexibility in your picture taking experience.  The built in flash pops up automatically in low light settings and you still have the option of adding on another flash on the cameras top.  You get so many features for a really great price.  ... This is the camera for both the beginner and advanced photographer.
After 12 years of other interests, I decided to get back into one of my favorite hobbies - photography.  I was looking for an intermediate SLR that could be both fully auto and as manual as I would like.  AND not be too expensive....  The Canon Rebel TI fit the order perfectly.I am very impressed with the features packed into this small, light camera.  While, I have had to work and practice a little to understand all the features, I have found the camera to be very sophisticated and capable.  I can also point and shoot at those times I just don't want to think about the details.  Either way, I have gotten great photos in outdoor scenery, family photos, and the kid's sports.My only concern with the camera was the electronic view finder.  There are seven focusing zones each shown with a red light in a box.  I found the red light in the top and bottom boxes have a halo around them as if the light is being reflected or diffused.  I had the camera replaced (great service by Amazon!) and had the same issue.  I have looked at the same camera in other stores and see it in all of them.  No one really seems to know why the problem exists, but it does not seem to impact my photo's.  I do not think this is a reason to NOT buy the camera.All in all, I'm very pleased with the camera and received 2 Honorable Mentions in a photo contest I entered 3 weeks after purchase.
Well this film camera looks like contemporary camera. It looks sharp. Not just the look but picture quality is very good supported by 28-90 mm lens that comes along. I had fun taking many pictures, about 10 rolls of films. I highly recommend.
As a dentist, I take a lot of intraoral (macro) photographs.  I have a Minolta X570 as my main camera and recently added the Canon Rebel Ti.  I agree with the user who recommended that you read the manual several times -- it took me three "reads", with the camera in front of me, to really grasp the "creative modes" -- but the effort is well worth it.  Yes, you can use the camera forever on the fully automatic mode, but learn (at least) the following:-- AEB (auto exposure bracketing): the Rebel Ti will take one shot at exact metering, then one shot stopped down and up (you decide the bracket range).  One of them will be the "money" shot.-- multiple exposures:  it sounded hokey to me initially, but the ability to superimpose images is fun to experiment with and yields surprisingly good results.A-DEP (automatic depth of field): this one is worth the price of admission!  When subjects are at various focal lengths from the lens, use this feature.  The Canon's brain will determine the nearest subject and farthest subject (as covered by the seven autofocus marks in the viewfinder) and compute the ideal shutter speed and aperture necessary to render all in focus.**WARNING** If you buy the Rebel Ti kit at a warehouse (Costco or Sam's), check the lens -- it probably has the designation "III" on the front.  The one from Amazon (and camera stores) has a "II" on the lens ring -- according to the Canon EOS website, the II has more elements and better specs than the III.  If you can find a Rebel Ti kit with a lens marked "USM", that one is better still -- but the kit price will be ...more (and I doubt that the optical quality difference is even noticeable).
Excellent Quality.Nice feel and weight.Looks very good.  looks expensive.Good features.Only thing That would be nice its for a safety switch that prevents opening the film door on an unfinished film and cause a bad moment in your life.Marco
This camera does everything I need it to do.  It's light weight, durable, and good quality.  This is a great SLR, especially for the price (since its not digital).  There are plenty of lens options you can purchase and if you've ever had a Canon point & shoot, the controls follow the same format, so you'll be ahead of the learning curve.
I'm writing this review after more than a year of purchase, this is a very good camera, all of you guys who goes for B&W beginner or intermediate photography courses, this is a peice of art, very good results, easy way to adjust, it's may be different from the Leica, but way cheaper and yet as good as it with a back led screen to show u your settings and inner light meter that flashes when your exposure settings are incompatible with the amount of light needed, unless you want the pic so dim. WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND
This is an excellent camera.  It has helped me learn more about photography. The preset modes allow you to just point and shoot when you're in a rush, and the manual mode lets you get more creative.fast, accurate, versatile, durable.  little bulky, but all SLR's are.
I am a second year art student and I just got this camera to explore the world of photography a bit more. The camera is far more impressive than I had ever expected and takes really great pictures, especially at close range. I have gone through ten roles already and have been very impressed with the results. I've also had a lot of fun with the multiple exposure feature, which has produced both beautifully crisp and strangely abstract pictures. I am still in the process of getting to know the creative functions of the camera, but I've had a lot of fun with it so far. I was also very impressed the autofocus capabilities. I would definitely recommend a good lens to increase the capability. This is my first SLR Camera and I couldn't be more pleased, I definitely recommend it.
To be honest, I'm not much of a photographer, but that's what makes this camera so cool. It's so easy to use. I pretty much take pictures only in the automatic mode, but if I'm feelin wild, i might even just go for.....landscape mode. But for those people who actually know what they're doing, this camera has a ton of other features that I haven't even explored yet. So if I ever decide to go for a more artistic picture -- there are a ton of options for me. I just got my first two rolls of film back and the results were amazing, just as I had expected. But don't base your camera-buying decisions on me. Do the research and you might just find a better camera. Well, probably not.
I own this camera and the Gii, and I love them both.  They are both wonderful cameras, with great features.  Wonderful camera for the casual or professional photographer.
I've used Canon SLR cameras for the last 21 years and have never had any problems with any of them (a F-1, AE-1, EOS 5). I've been using this camera for the last 3 months and have been very pleased with it.This camera's initial appeal is the compact, light weight design. However, this camera offers much, much more!This camera has most of the features and manual setting possibilities found in professional level cameras along with idiot-proof automatic settings that make it as easy to use as a point-and-shoot...Because you can mount any of the countless quality EOS lenses to this camera, the possibilities of crafting quality pictures is endless. The 28-90 lens that comes with this camera is a good place to start, but don't limit yourself to just this one choice. Canon has been making EOS cameras for the last 16 years and has been a market leader all that time. There's lots of great new and used lenses available.Another definite plus to this camera is the awesome ergonomics. Unlike most SLR's, you can easily operate this one (including setting all manual and automatic settings) with just your right hand. I've never used a camera that I've been able to do this in a natural, comfortable and secure manner.
When I purchased this camera 3 years ago (2003), it was about as close as you could get to a dSLR without forking over $2000 to buy one. Given that context, I would have rated the camera 4.5 to 5 stars at the time.But now, with so many new, affordable dSLRs available, I couldn't offer more than 2 stars.Some time in the last 6 months, after sitting unused for about 3-4 months, my CCD suddenly went out, causing all images to appear in an odd shade of purple. Needless to say, it will costs several hundred dollars to have it check out...The autofocus is far too slow by current standards, and shooting moving objects with autofocus is next to impossible. Although the zoom is a true manual ring/gear mechanism, the manual focus ring is electronic, and therefore not as tactile or responsive as a true SLR.The camera is quite a battery hog, so I nearly always run off an AC adaptor or an external battery back.The good things:Great image quality (when using low ISO).Convenient 7x optical zoom (300mm equivalent)Easy to use, with many onboard image processing options.Built in Quicktime movies with audioDirect output to A/VFairly quick dumps to high-speed CF cardsBad:Evidently the CCD is not built to last (see previous two posts)Tripod mount not centered along axis of lensSlow autofocusBattery hogManual focus is not truly manualSummary, I'm probably going to toss this in the back of the closet and buy a Canon Digital Rebel XT... (For a bit over half of what I paid for my minolta...)
I've you've never used a high-end camera in your life, you would think this is a pretty good camera. But I have, and I'm pretty disappointed.What disappointed me:- Wrong subject focused. If you let the camera's artificial intelligence pick the subject to focus for you, you're likely to have to refocus a lot, unless you fix the focusing point.- Impossible action focusing. If the subject is moving, you can forget about getting it in focus in the continuous focus mode. You'd have to prefocus.- Slow focusing. Even slower than some compacts.- Power hungry. Make sure you get spare batteries. I have a feeling that most of the power goes to heating the CF card, since the card gets pretty hot when reading/writing.What kept me from trashing it:- Picture quality is pretty good.- Adobe RGB colorspace can be useful (if you use it).- Good lens range (28mm-200mm equiv.), with decent quality throughout.- Pretty good macro performance.- Manual zoom, but this is subjective.- Comfortable to handle, though slightly small.- Useful view modes, like grid or crosshair.- Useful manually controlled focusing point.- Allows screw-on filters.So should you buy one? I'd say that if you do any form of action photography, be it sports or just cute kids running around, look elsewhere. But if you like landscapes, architecture, still life, portraits, etc. where the subject doesn't move around, this might be for you.
The best batteries for this power-hungry camera are probably the Maha Powerex 1800's. The Sanyo rechargables that shipped with my 7Hi are almost useless. One flash picture and they're gone.Two or three sets and a charger and you'll be able to shoot through the heaviest holidays. I took 91 pictures during christmas and didn't have to change batteries once!My friends continually praise my 7Hi's quality (as if the photographer had nothing to do with the results!!!)Get in line for a 7Hi, and you'll be rewarded with great photos for years to come.
I bought my 7HI  used about 6 months ago. I come from a manual-focus film background and this is my first digital. Overall, I am pleased with the results I get from this camera. I like the fact you can manual focus. Also, the ability to use filters such as a polarizer and black and white filters is a bonus. (This is one of my main complaints about  many point and shoots-no filter threads).The ability to shoot RAW and TIFF  files is also an important feature. I've gotten some great Macro shoots with this camera too. The overall image quality seems quite good. There is some noise especially at higher ISO. I am not too impressed with the landscape shots I've taken. Even at f8 it still seems that something is out of focus. The lack of depth of field markings on the lens does not help. You can not use "Hyperfocal focusing" techniques. Image quality in my opinion still can not touch film- especially slide film. I find too the autofocus is slow with moving subjectsSo far I've had no major problems with this camera. Every now and then it does something weird but I just take the batteries out and reboot and it seems OK.It has many great features on it and, thus, is not for the inexperienced photographer unless you just want to shoot on program all the time and not use the extra features. Overall, a good camera. I would probably not buy one new but if you can pick one up used for a good price then I would recommend it over  a point and shoot style digicams or if you can't afford a digital SLR.
I've been a shutterbug since elementary school, I'm 41 now and own 7 different cameras 35MM SLR's as well as digital. I purchased the camera on 7/22/03 and the Minolta 7Hi has got to be one of the best camera buys I've ever made. The wide range of options offered in this model is so amazing I thought I was using my Minolta XTSi, which has some of the same features on the 7Hi, the appearance, ergonomics', options, quality and functionality is what set this camera apart from all other Digital's.I love the vivid color option, which really enhances and brings out the rich colors and the picture quality is awesome due to a superbly clean focusing lens.I have experimented with all the picture quality options, but I continue to use the super fine setting, tight grains, and crisp clear pictures.The sports mode setting is awesome; the camera will process the pictures as you continue to snap shots on fast moving items and storing the pictures in the internal memory (64MB) until it's finished writing to the flash card.I bought this camera as a bundled package, case, tripod extra 256MB CF, UV & Polarizing filters, Macro & 2X telephoto lenses with a spare set of rechargeable batteries with charger. The chances are if you are a serious photographer you will want these anyway so it's defiantly a cost savings. I tried to use regular AA bat's (DON'T) this camera is designed to use rechargeable, it will drain the regular AA's in mere minutes!!I did purchase eight (2 Sets) of 2300 mAh batteries and fully charged there's more than enough juice to use up a 256MB Card, worth the investment.I had started out with a low end digital (1.3 MP Olympus), not sure if digital was for me, but after using it I basically grew out and wore out of this one (Sent it in twice for repairs) and was in the market for a more entry level professional model. Looked at the Nikon's, Canons, Fuji ... I didn't settle because I wanted the best quality for my money, so the Minolta 7Hi was the ticket. I'm now getting better picture results with this digital camera and can make the same adjustments as a 35MM SLR, aside from the non interchangeable lens this camera steps up and exceeds the 35MM Film class.The 16MB card supplied with the camera is a joke in my opinion; I don't think it would be too much to ask for Minolta to supply at a minimum 64 or 128 MB CF card.I've played a little with the movie clips but not enough to comment on other than it doesn't seem to stay in focus when I try to zoom in?? This could be user error, due to lack of experience.I have not played with the external flash option yet, but plan to in the near future. The hot shoe option on this model is replaced with a cable type plug-in?? Don't know why other than it's a proprietary thing with Minolta? A way to charge more for a product it seems.Overall if you're a Photonut, take a lot of pictures, and want a little more out of a digital camera, you'll get plenty from the 7Hi.I would give this one 6 stars but only 5 are available!!
You won't be disappointed by the quality photos the 7Hi will take.  If you're still considering buying this camera, consider other options as there are newer models.  Considering there are dozens of reviews on the product itself, here are the weaknesses that I've experienced:- Drains batteries.  The 7Hi uses 4 AA batteries.  If you're going on a trip, plan on bringing 4-8 extra rechargable batteries (at least 1800 mAH) and a battery charger.  One set of batteries should last at least 100 shots (without flash). Do not use regular alkaline batteries as the camera will go through them quickly (Maybe 50 shots).- Does not utilize highspeed CF cards.  I purchased a Lexar 512MB 40x CF Card, and did notice any increase in performance over the one included.- Many digital cameras now have video capabilities.  The 7Hi records videos in quicktime .mov format at a maximum length of 60 seconds.  The videos come out grainy.
I've used a Minolta SRT 201 35 mm SLR since the early 80's and took the plunge with a Nikon Coolpix 2000 when I decided to try out digital photgraphy.  It became obvious that the 2Mp Nikon was rather limiting and I got a Dimage 7Hi last spring.  All of the positive points in the other reviews are accurate.  This is not an entry level camera, and there is a learning curve, but the results are worth it if you use a decent photo editor, and print on high quality paper using a decent printer for your serious work.  I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 (will be upgarding to 3.0) and print on a Canon i960.  I still use the Nikon when non-serious photography is appropriate.As for the negatives noted in the reviews, all Minoltas are notorious for draining batteries so at least one spare set of rechargeable high capacity NiMH AA's with a 15-minute battery charger are highly recommended.  Regarding the USB down-loading issues, my PC came equipped with a card reader, so I just insert the CF card into the reader and there are no USB issues as far as I am concerned.Eventually, when the technology reaches the 10Mp resolution stage, I'll upgrade for the last time, but until then, the 7Hi does the job very nicely.
I've had this camera just a little over a year and have made it through learning the modes in the rather large instruction manual and the one problem I have is not-so clear pictures!  It either get a pixelated photo or it just is slightly out of focus!  I thought there was something wrong with my camera alone but I went to: dpreview.com to their gallery and found pictures taken by actual digital cameras by actual people and in 18 pictures listed for this camera ALL of them were blurry/not sharp as well.  If you are shopping for a camera go to dpreview first and see what kind of pictures it takes.
Two cameras are at the top of the heap of "prosumer" 5 megapixel cameras -- Minolta 7Hi and the Nikon Coolpix 5700.  (The Minolta 7i is a half-step below but less expensive; Sony's 717 is a full step behind but worth a look.)  Minolta has it all if you're used to an SLR: a zoom ring rather than the motorized step-zoom familiar to users of video cameras; a manual focus mode that uses an SLR-like focus ring; and a very useful zoom range -- effectively 28 - 200 mm vs. the Coolpix's 35 - 280 mm.  For landscapes and interior shots 28 mm is better than 35 mm and you'd need a tripod to get good shots with the Nikon's longest telephoto setting.  The Minolta fits well in one's hands -- better than the Nikon 5700.  Nikon has a flip-out LCD panel, but it's small.  Though the Monolta's big LCD panel doesn't flip out, the viewfinder rotates up.  (Be sure to adjust the diopter dial for the viewfinder to match your vision.)The controls are logically laid out and the important ones are easy to access from dials on the camera, without having to go through little menus on the LCD screen.  But you need to familiarize yourself, because there are lot of options.  Sit down with the manual and camera for a couple of hours and take some pictures with the various settings --contrast, saturation, manua focus, spot meter, etc. etc.  The Minolta manual is pretty good, although there's no index.The resolution is very good - a close-enough replacement for 35 mm film.  At the finest JPEG setting, 16 x 20 enlargements should be OK, even with a bit of cropping.  There is "noise" (like graininess in high-speed film) if the camera is set to act like ISO 400 or 800 film, but if it's set at ISO 100 or 200 it's not a major problem.  You can also shoot in "RAW", the Minolta-specific data format used by the camera before it creates the JPEG file.  If you do that, spend an extra few $ and download a Photoshop/Photoshop Elements plug-in ...it lets you tune RAW images far more effectively than the ... software Minolta supplies with the camera, and it opens them directly into the Adobe software.Minolta uses standard rechargeable AA NiMH batteries (don't use alkaline!) and the camera comes with a good charger, but it takes few cycles of charging for them to reach full staying power and even then you'll need an extra set of batteries -- get 2000 mA rechargeables (or higher), which will outlast the 1800 mA ones supplied with the camera.  Fortunately they're inexpensive compared to the proprietary batteries in Nikon and Canon cameras.  You'll also want to buy a 49 mm UV or Skylight filter to protect the lens and you absolutely have to buy a CompactFlash card.  Minolta gives you a 16 MB card that holds only a handful of high-resolution images. (Nikon's 32 MB card is only marginally better.) Buy a CF card with 256 or 512 MB -- preferaby SanDisk or Lexar because some other brands don't work with the Minolta.  A 512 MB CF card will hold about 100 images at the higest-quality JPEG setting.  You'll also want Adobe Elements or another good image editing software.  When you add up the accessories you'll spend another 25%-35% over and above the cost of the camera (not including the cost of a printer), but you'll have a very versatile, light-weight, high resolution camera to enjoy.
I purchased my Minolta Dimage 7Hi new 2 years ago.  Performance was fine up until two weeks ago when the camera's EVF and LCD displays went completely black (no images displayed). Contacted Sony (where you now have to go for Minolta service) as instructed and found that the base flat rate for repair was $211 plus $22 shipping. They got me once, but they won't get me twice!MadMax
The 7HI differs from the 7I in that it has an external flash port, which I needed for my working external flash. However, the item I received did not fire my external flash when connected to the camera's PC cord port. I received my money back including shipping.
I'll say this right up front:  I love this camera.  It's the third Dimage I've had - previously, I owned the 7 and the 7i, and I *may* go for the A1 soon.It's a fine camera, but it's not a *great* camera.Pros:- solid construction- wonderful manual features, esp. the rotating focus ring- lots of controls to customize shots- excellent zoom lens, that happens to be manual (a plus!)- variety of colorspaces to choose from- uses standard AA batteriesCons:- some noise, mostly on 800 ISO shots- complex to learn- hard to carry around - it's not that heavy, but it's awkward- eats batteries (though this has not been a problem for me, as I just carry a spare set of rechargeables)- rubber ring around zoom lens requires occasional removal and re-taping (as on all of the Dimage 7's)This camera has so many features that it opens a lot of doors for experimentation.  The ones I particularly use:- manual zoom- manual focus- 30 sec bulb exposure- external flash port- good &quot;sunset&quot; mode- good video w/ audio- digital viewfinder that switches to B/W in low light- high speed shot mode- excellent digital zoom doubler (2x)For $600 new, the current price, it would be hard to find a camera even close to this quality for $200 more.
I got this camera new back in 2003 and it served me faithfully for 5 years before the camera's compact flash reader konked out. I learned how to do better photography with this tool for my Maxxums. This is an intuitive tank of a camera and has an excellent lens that many overlook as it has a constant aperture of f2.8 and a zoom range of 28-200mm. This Achilles heal of this camera is it's mixed blessing of the use of the very common AA battery: and does this thing eat them! I already had a good supply of AA batteries and that an easy issue to deal with. I miss using this camera and took many memorable shots with it before it gave up the ghost. This review is a little late :) but I feel it's due because I really dig this camera and it was the one that got me using digital to help me be better at 35mm film.
The price is rather steep, but in return you get a feature-packed camera. Like most Minolta products you have total control over all settings, which implies a bit of a learning curve, but gives you great flexibility one you're broken in.My only complaint is a somewhat short battery life. Fortunately it uses standard AA size NiMH batteries, so you can purchase an extra set anywhere and carry it with you!
This is my fourth digital Camera and my second DiMage camera, I had the DiMage 7 when they first came out for couple of years, then I upgraded to DiMage 7HI about 3 months ago. This is a great camera, the most annoying thing about a digital Camera is you have to wait to take the next photo, but DiMage 7HI has 64mb of internal memory that allows you to do continous shooting, another point it uses AA batteries, I bought 2 additional sets of 1850 MAH rechargable batteries, $20!!,  in addition to one set that came with it, I never run out of power compare that to the proprietry battries from SONY!. Compact Flash CF media is very affordable, I use an IBM 1GB microdrive with this camera, it makes a great combination. Just realize that IBM microdrive has much faster write speed than regualar CF cards that also help speed up your recycle time between shots. You can also use a new hard drive called  Magicstor 2.2GB for $250, I take this camera on vacation for a week, come home with 400 shots of the highest quality!. Auto focus is %99 accurate. 7x optical zoom, fantastic quality. Auto or manual focus, why do you need manual focus?, let's say you want to take a photo of a shiny item, like a diamond or water falls, autofocus will not work with any camera, you have to switch to manual to get the correct shot.
I'm sure when this camera was released back around 2003 it was all the rave. I bought this camera back in July 2003 for $350 from Beach Camera. Alot of major annoyances with this camera such as the lens cap- you have to remember to take it off before you turn the camera on or else you get a message saying to take the cap off and restart the camera. The menu is tedious and cumbersome to work with. The manual settings take too much time. The start up time lags. Time between shots lag especially using flash. It can take up to 16 seconds between shots using flash. (You will definately lose alot of good potential shots using this camera). Its only a 4 megapixel camera. That might have been good in 2003 but in 2009- its time to buy a new camera. Does not have image stabilization.(IS is a must in 2009).The camera is pretty noisy while focusing. Battery usage is very low as is expected with all PS cameras. The included software is pretty much useless in 2009. Picture quality is pretty good which is one of this cameras highlights. So in conclusion- if you are on a shoe string budget then this is the camera you are going to get. I would not pay more than $70 used as this camera is over 6 years old in 2009. Dont expect any keeper shots if you need fast recycling time between shots. This camera was state of the art 6 years ago. Not anymore.
Although about 10 years old, it is in virtually brand new condition with all accessories (and documentation) included and in great shape. Works perfectly.  I couldn't bee happier.
The Coolpix functioned well until about 10 months into ownership, when the lens mechanism failed and the display shows only a "System Error" message.  I suspect that because the unit designs to force the lens against the lens cap, some damage occurs through frequent use if you fail to remove the lens cap before turning the camera on.  This is a definite design defect.  Although I loved the camera for 10 months, and frequently used it instead of my Canon EOS 10D, this design defect basically sinks this unit as defective from the get-go.  Avoid.However, in this edit of my review, I was able to fix the problem later by continuing to cycle the camera through a lens opening and closing and by forcing the retraction of the lense.  (I know it is hard to explain.)  Finally, the software matched the machinery and the system error vanished.  What a hassle, but it saved sending the camera back.
I bought this camera and took it on a trip to British Columbia the next day.  We took pictures for a week, and when we returned, were blown away by how good the pictures turned out.  Fantastic color, easy to use, even good night shots.Later I've used the camera more indoors and there I do see some weaknesses -- I have not been able to get flash shots that measure up to the outdoor shots.
Great camera.  I am impressed with how easy this camera is to use.  It takes great pictures.  The manual is easy to understand, and it is mostly idiot proof.  It is small, unlike my Canon SLR, so it easily fits in my pocket.  I have not yet figured out how to make it snap quick pictures for action shots.  Now where did I put that manual?
I loved my Coolpix, but being a gaget geek, I kept looking for bigger and better-more zoom, more pixels.  I gave my beat up and battered baby to my teenage son, and "upgraded" to a camera I had researched as better.  A year later, I am scrambling to get myself another Coolpix.  My son uses it like crazy, and won't give it back.  My mother, who is in her 60's and can't figure out how that mouse thing on the computer works, can operate it with no problems.  My son won't give it to her, either.  It will be a sad day when this model is no longer available.One con: watch the battery door, this model has a bad habit of loosening at the battery door latch, which weakens the contact and causes battery life to decline drastically.  Extra batteries on hand and duct tape pretty much will solve that, but that tape does make the camera a little less pretty!
We had a  Nikon FM 35mm for mega-years which was a dependable work horse that always got the picture despite sea air, sand, etc. we subjected it to. When we decided to "go digital" we turned to Nikon and picked the Coolpix 4300, knowing little about digital cameras and depending on Nikon's reputation of making excellent cameras.We have not been disappointed. I don't use the LCD screen to frame a shot, preferring to do it the old fashioned way and the dangling lens cap isn't a problem since I was used to that too. We do a lot of travel and I keep the camera in SCENE mode so I can  point and shoot, often at 70+mph from the passenger window. My thumb naturally rests on the zoom, making it fast and easy to use. The coolpix 4300 has NEVER failed to get the picture for me. We carry a charged battery with us but have never had to use it before day's end. My only complaint is buying a 128 mb card when half that size would have been more than adequate, if we had only known.The Coolpix 4300 is just heavy enough to steady your shot and fits your hand perfectly. Very user friendly and very simple to use with a wide range of options for artistic experimentation. I have cropped photos then printed to 8" X 10"  and they were not  grainy and the colors and saturation were  very true.I can't say enough good things about the Nikon Coolpix 4300  and I highly reccomend it to anyone wanting an excellent digital camera for the money.
If you do any research into digital cameras, you'll quickly find that this camera is just about the best value out there.These are the reasons I think it's great:1) It has all the features an amatuer photo-enthusiast would want.2) It is easy enough for my grandmother to use.3) It is very compact but the controls are so well designed that they're still easy to use.4) It has optional lenses like wide angles and extra zooms.5) For "digital film" it uses Compact Flash cards, which are easy to find, cheap, reliable and supported by many other devices you may have at hoome.6) The Nikon Coolpix line is a well-established line so you know support and parts are going to be available even when Nikon releases a newer model.7) Picture quality is excellent.8) Battery life is excellent.9) 3x built-in optical zoom is a lot for this price range.10) Great price for all the features.Here's what you may miss or be annoyed by with this camera:1) No direct firewire to the camera. There is USB, though.2) The camera is so small that when you attach some lenses (I have the 19mm wide-angle--WC-E68), the optical viewfinder is partially obscured. This doesn't affect the picture, of course. You just have to use the LCD viewfinder to see the whole picture. It's no problem for me personally.3) Battery has to be removed to recharge.4) An AC adapter for powering the camera while the battery's out is not included, although one can be purchased separately.5) Two different adapters--UR-E4 and UR-E7--are required for some attachment lenses....Most of these "annoyances", though, are comparable to what you'll find on other cameras in this price range.
My family had a Nikon 4300 for a few years and we enjoyed it because of its small size and its photos weren't bad. However, we did come across some problems.1. The shutter lag was utterly annoying and I missed a lot of photo oppurtunities.2. It takes a long time to delete the photos.3. Our lens got stuck or something and the camera gave us a "SYSTEM ERROR" in which the lens would not get pushed in our out.4. Poor photos with low lighting (Very blurry), which includes indoors.5. Battery life pretty short. Half of its energy was gone when I had the thing on for 20 minutes and I didn't have it on the whole 20 minutes.I DID get some good photos from the camera. It's not as manual as I'd like it to be, but I recommend to get a lens protector to avoid the System Error. I tried the Canon S1 IS in Best Buy and it turned on really fast and took photos really fast indoors. Also it wasn't blurry!
This is the first digital camera I have ever purchased, and I have learned a lot since then.1) Avoid cameras where the lens extends outward from the body! These are prone to many problems, ranging from impact to debris effecting its performance.2) Make sure the camera suits your purpose, test it in the store if you can. If you want a camera to capture action, this IS NOT the camera for you.For simple snap shots, this is not a bad camera, for action it is virtually useless.I now have a Nikon D50, which is infinitely superior, and worth the extra $$$.
This camera was my "step up" from a 2 megapixel camera. My first camera was also a CoolPix. Yes, this camera does have deficits (i.e., shutter lag time which is not great for kid shots). But at this current price, you will be very pleased with the quality of the end product. Although I do use manual controls, I have had fabulous results with Auto. I have taken pictures of my laughing, flailing grandson in the bathtub and the vividness and accuracy of water droplets and moving water is stupendous. I would rate this camera as "beginner." I have learned to select a camera which is beyond my capabilites. With rapid, advancing technology, the 4300 is in this category for the novice shootist who is interested in quality photos and quality product which can be edited in Photoshop Elements.
The other reviewers have clearly pointed all the good things about this camera, which i do agree. But there are certain issues ( might be they are to me ) here - All of them are minor & not major ones though,. this camera keeps on autofocussing ( in auto mode ) with a buzzing sound which can't be stopped. Would be really good if they have given an option to stop this autofocussing.. if you want to have the date & time on the image, its only through their software "Nikon view" ( which reads the images date & time from the images meta-data ). So if you use your card reader & copy images - you got to onceagain open them through their software to put the date & time. In that too, there isn't a direct way to add date & time - you got to say 'Print images' to a different directory in which there is an option to specify the date & time.. even the slightest of the shakes totally distorts your image. images taken indoor weren't so clear. you got to have flash 'on' to get it ( eventhough your room is well lit ). Lens cap is a really annoying. Go & get a high speed ( like Lexar 12x or higher ) CF card. Else with simpler ( viking ) CF cards, it takes couple of seconds to write a picture ( with approximately "Fine**" picture quality & "Image size** : 1600 ).. The movie clips taken will always have some 'noise' in it - you can't avoid that.But overall this is a good camera with a 'really good' picture clarity & an exceptional close-up shooting capability. I would rate this is 4.5 stars** -- Picture Quality & Image size defined above are specific to nikon coolpix.
Bought a Panasonic Lumix, so returned this one and they gave a prompt refund. Love this camera, though. It's an amazing camera for around $30 now-a-days. Have taken over 30,000 pictures with this kind of camera.
With our compact 35mm broken, and a vacation in Europe at hand, I finally decided to enter the digital age. I first intended to buy the 3100, but am really happy to invest the extra [money] for the 4300. The lense is a lot better, and the 4MB produce fantastic pictures.The possibilities with auto, manual, and the very helpful "scene" mode, which offers 11 optimized situational settings like portrait, landscape, beach/snow, sunset etc., are endless. The movie mode is also working great.The 4300 comes with excellent easy to install software (I use it on XP and Win98 without problem), battery charger, USB and video cable. A 64MB flash card (camera comes with a 16MB) holds 52 pictures on "normal" resolution. I experimented with online print ordering with the two major US brick and mortar retailers, and they both delivered great results. Even at the "normal" setting, a 8x10 print (!) shows not a single sign of visible rendering or pixels - you could never tell that the picture has been taken by a "digital".The battery life is ok, but can be somewhat short when working a lot with the monitor on. I therefore bought a second battery as a backup, and due to the lightingfast charging with the included charger, which by the way works on 110V as well as 220V in Europe, we ran never out of "juice".I highly recommend the accessory kit, which provides you with everything else you need: A nice camera bag, which holds camera plus all the cables and the charger. Furher it contains a card reader, a flash card folder for up to 8 cards, a lense cleaning rag, and an AC adapter, which is very helpful when working in an "outlet environment".Over all a fantastic very compact camera, which made us experience photography on a totally new level!
I have this camera for 3 years. The image quality is OK, optics are good. Battery life is good. Now 3 years later cameras have bigger displays, but thats not a negative point for this camera as it came out in a time this size was usual.The big bad thing with this camera is its respond time, and this really makes the good things pretty useless. It needs about 1-2 seconds from the moment I hit the shoot button until it actually takes the picture, and I have had so much occasion with peoples, where this ruined the take. Specially with kids, you have a good moment and shoot, but the picture is taken long after the good moment passed away. Also the time the camera needs to save the image after the take is extremely slow, there go other 10 good moments until the cam is ready again. Maybe the save file time can be shortened with a better highspeed flash card, the one I use is a standard card. But it will still be too much time to save the image. I am going now purchasing a Canon Powershot A710.
Love it.Compact, great pictures, good for those that don't like to figure out settings, lighting, pixels, exposure, etc.I especially like the "macro" setting that allows very close-up photography.Software included lets you download to your computer so images can be saved, emailed, or kept on hosting sites.
I HIGHLY recommend this camera to anyone looking for a good digital camera that takes great pictures yet doesn't take weeks to figure out how to operate.  We take this camera with us everywhere and are constantly amazed at the quality of the pictures that we get and the number of different ways the camera allows for pictures to be taken.  I am a picture fanatic so I consider myself picky and if your the same way this camera will not let you down.....now buy it!
I'm not a professional shutterbug .. I use this for personal pictures af family, friends, sports and the like.  It is consistently reliable in taking quality pictures under a variety of conditions.  I've owned it several months already, and haven't come across the issues mentioned in other reviews (mind you, I don't load it up to 100 photos before downloading to the computer).  It's light, small, reliable and a great high-end unit for a variety of users, in my opinion.Is the lens cap a pain in the neck? Yes, it is.  But the lens that it protects is a great, high quality lens, and so it's worth the pain in the neck to protect it.  I have used all of the zooms and the digital zooms and have gotten really fine pics as a result. Great lens and zooming features on this camera!Using this camera is like peeling an onion.  The first layer is vey easy and satisfying, and many folks don't want or need to go beyond that.  But there are many other layers underneath that can be discovered over time .. many things can be adjusted and customized as the user gets more into digital photography.  It's very scalable, in that way.  For me, it has gotten me more interested in taking pictures of a variety of subjects than I ever have been previously.  It may do that for you as well.This is a great camera. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.  Amnd, for the record, this is no marketing ploy.
My sister told me, right before my daughter was born, "you will want to take that camera and smash it into a wall!"  She was right!  Several times I have wanted to do just that.  The lag time between each shot is just too long to capture those instant events.  I have to take 20 to 40 shots to get my daughter smiling (I am not kidding). Little children and babies won't hold a smile or a pose for long.  I have missed so many shots...it is depressing. Also there is a pre flash or a flash indicator which alerts my daughter to close her eyes...I am not a professional...so I really don't know what this accomplishes.The quality of the shots you do get is very good as far as detail and crispness go but they definately lack something in the color arena.  If you use auto setting the flash captures the action very well but the color suffers.  My photos look too grey and harsh.  If you use the "scene" setting the flash and the colors are very true and natural but the picture comes out fuzzy no matter what you do...either you move a little or the subject does (one mode is "party" and I would like to see the blurry fuzzy pictures of people dancing).  If you don't use the flash in auto...you will also get slightly fuzzy pictures.  I have spent hours color correcting my pictures and it is a lot of work.  I would put up with it though if it would snap the darn pictures more quickly.Also the photo cap is just completely "gimicky" and unnecessary.  My daughter continuously wants to grab at it when I am trying to take a picture.  It dangles within her reach.  It also has ruined several shots I took of her laying down and I was standing over her and I did not see it hanging in the view...but in the image pic you see baby and right over her head a dark blob.Battery life is very good.  I can snap oodles of pics before charging.  You can take clear detailed pictures up close if you use auto setting with the flash on.
I'm a Nikon nut. Period.  The colors that this camera yields is terrific.  The macro ability of the camera out of the box is awesome.But, it takes a long time to save each picture.  In low light, it struggles to focus.Be sure to go to Nikon.com and upgrade your camera's firmware and get the latest version of the NikonView 6 software.Overall great!
I am new to the whole digital camera thing; well, new to the whole camera thing period, really.  This camera was affordable, very easy to learn, and produces spectacular images.  The auto-mode is good enough for most shots but the 4300 also boasts 12 versatile Scene Modes as well as a Manual mode (though I admit I haven't played with it too much on manual).  It's size also makes it ideal for travel.  Overall the Nikon 4300 is a very dependable, robust, and useful little camera.
I bought this camera with money my wife gave me for my birthday in 2001. At the time I wanted a great digital camera that had the look and feel of a more expensive model but with really good imaging capabilities. I looked at every review for months. I poured over product manuals and would goto the camera store 3 times a week to hold different cameras to see what I liked. Then I bought the 4300 when I found an awesome deal. Well I still like this camera very much. My wife uses it with as much ease as I do. But the last 2 years my biggest complaints are the batteries and the speed.Speed: Maybe its the camera, it takes so long to cycle between shots. Its definitely not the camera for taking multiple shots or getting the one instant really great shot.Batteries: I've always groaned about anything that uses proprietary technology. This camera can use Either $30 Nikon Li-ion rechargeable batteries or $10 1 time use CR5 Batteries. Finding a reliable source of CR5's is a pain in the butt. And paying $10 for a battery that lasts 2hrs is crap. The EN-EL1's aren't much better, Maybe the Two I have are crap now but I hate that I can charge both batteries for 4 hrs, and then Get less than 50 shots each from a allegedly freshly charged battery.I've always wished for a better Zoom as well. 3x Optical just doesn't cut it anymore. I never use Digital Zoom. I knew at one time there was a kit for adding a Telephoto lens that was supposed to add an additional 2x zoom, but I never could find the kit locally, and in the end a +2x zoom didn't seem worth it.Over the years other things have happened to it. Theres a slight blurriness on one side if the lens and the BAttery door no longer latches fully. I've went from 8MB CF card to a 16MB to a 256MB to a 2GB card. the 2GB card I got this last Christmas is supposed to be a much faster speed card, even though the camera is still just as slow as it was.Its still a really good camera. It has some of the best Images I've every taken. With amazing detail up close. With my tripod it will be used for studio type portraits or shots where I don't need speed.4MP has always been good for me. 90% of the time I never take photos that go over 4x6's. And a good 4MP image is good enough size to enlarge without loss of detail to tabloid size prints.
Awesome camera with huge print quality in a tiny package.  The same 4MP chip from the 4500 camera, plus a 3x zoom (with the ability to expand upon that with extenders), great closeup mode, long lasting rechargable battery, etc etc.  In my opinion it's the best camera for the money if you're looking for something that's easy to use, small (good for travel), and provides excellent, sharp images.
I got a chance to play with this camera today. The picture quality seems up to Nikon's typical quality. The only thing that really lept out at me, however, was how slow the camera was. Browsing through pictures can take up to 8 seconds a pop. Deleting a picture takes, literally, minutes. I've never used such an outrageously slow digital camera in my life. It seems others have also had this problem. In addition, the lens cap is a pain, and the lens smashes into it if you forget to remove it--not good. Nikon's mid-range seems to be lacking in the digital world, but their high-end stuff cannot be beat. There are better cameras than this one in the point-and-shoot segment.
I own an HP digital camera that I am very displeased with and decided to get a Nikon.  I have owned several Nikon cameras and currently own a Nikon SLR.This camera is FAR superior to the HP digital camera.  To be fair, this Nikon has a higher megapixel rating, but I get pictures that are consistenly brilliant in color and that are crisp and focused.The only complaint:  it is difficult to see a picture on the lcd screen outdoors in any kind of sunlight.  The solution:  take several shots, experimenting with framing, exposure, etc., and you'll get your picture.Simply incredible.
First of all, let's start with my needs: (1) $500 budget (2)4mp resolution, (3) optical clarity and color, (4)fast - very little shutter lag and quick sep-up for next picture, (5)compact size, and (6) good camera grip to minimize camera shake.For three months, I've researched the internet and magazines, queried various sales personnel, and took hands-on in-store test drives. And I finally settled on the Nikon Coolpix 4300.I have it for a week now, and this camera has exceeded my expectations. The daylight pictures are brilliant and the indoor shots are very good provided that your subject is no more than about 8 feet away. The shutter lag is on par with what I've experienced with point and shoot 35mm and APS film cameras and the next frame advance is about a couple seconds using a high speed 12x 128MB compact flash card (a salesperson recommended the high speed card since next frame advance speed was important to me - and it was only [a few dollars] more).Uploading the images to my Windows-based PC is very fast and simple.The only drawbacks I've encountered are: (1)indoor shots from a distance (>8ft) lack contrast and color, but I've found this to be a problem with all cameras with built-in flashes that I've used (even on a Nikon SLR). Right now, I'm researching for an inexpensive ... slave flash unit that's designed for digital cameras. (2) The battery life seems to be on the short side but adequate for most situations. I got 45 outdoor and 15 indoor shots with the monitor on (turning the camera off and on over a 4 hour period) before the battery died. An extra [$$$] for a back-up battery would be a good investment. (3)The picture editing software it came with is adequate, but not very robust. I'll still use my PhotoSuite for editing.One more thing about indoor shots - many of the reviews knocked this camera for low light focusing. Just for the heck of it, I took it into my dark kitchen with only indirect light coming in though the door, and the focusing was just fine.In summary, I love this camera and would whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone wanting a high quality point and shoot camera in the [medium] price range.(June 2003 - Since I wrote the review above in January 2003, I still love this camera.  I've picked up a few accessories that I found to be useful.  I bought a Digi-Slave DSF-1s flash unit.  I don't use a bracket, I just hold it above my head and aim the flash with my left hand.  I also got a UR-E4 Step Down Ring Adapter, LC-E900 lens cap, and the Nikon 28mm filter set.  This provides added protection for the camera lens and allows the use of filters.  I leave the adapter and UV filter on all the time.  This also allows you to turn on the camera on without having to remove the lens cap.  The downside is that you might accidentally take pictures with the lens cap on, the camera won't fit in the small cases, and 28mm filters are expensive and hard to find.)
I purchased the Coolpix 4300 back around Xmas. After using in heavily during the past 3 months, I can say that I am pleased and pleasantly surprised with it.The Coolpix is very easy to use. The instructions are clear, the controls make sense - even my technophobe wife has figured it out and takes good pictures.Picture quality is OUTSTANDING. I love the depth of color I get, especially outdoors. Once I figured out that pushing the &quot;shutter release&quot; button halfway down before taking the picture almost completely eliminates the shutter lag, my pictures have been great. It seems to take better pictures on the Automatic setting, as opposed to the various scenes or manual settings, but that may very well be operator error. And, of course, the real appeal of digital photography - with a couple of 256MB Lexar cards (for less money than I could believe), I can take 20 shots of the same thing with the certainty that 5 of them are going to be exactly what I want.Some other raves: The camera fits into your hand very well. It's small enough to put in your coat pocket. It's lightweight, but feels well-made. I've had good luck with battery life, although I'm glad I bought an extra battery for peace of mind. The software that comes with the camera isn't anything to write home about (not much here that isn't already included in Windows XP and Office 2003), but Nikon.Net is a VERY cool bonus.Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with the Coolpix 4300. I take many more pictures of many more subjects since I bought it, which is the whole point of buying a good camera. I enthusiasticly recommend this product!
I think i first posted this back in 2003. Just wanted to share that I've had this camera for 5 years now and it is still working great. It's got some scratches from being dropped a few times. We've used the camera for indoor and outdoors. Night use. Day use. Parties, schools, picnics, hikes, travelling abroad, halloween, christmas, family, business. This camera has been almost everywhere with us (except for underwater, ha!) Practical features too:  Zoom in, sports shots, quick video clips, special effects shots, reduce back lighting and glare, timer, auto, manual, portrait, sunsets, and so many more.Incidentally, over 20 years ago, I had my first Nikon camera, an FE. I didnt think that the lens of the simple coolpix could compare with the professional quality lenses I could place on my FE, but the ease of digital photography with the coolpix has more than compensated for its "amateur" level service.  I have even been able to take some professional looking chiaroscuro images that hearkened back to my photography buff days. I was surprised and happy with the results.We've even sent this camera in once for repair under warranty in its first year. It came back working better than ever(if not as it should have all along). Even my kids have gotten their turns with the coolpix. Yes, the battery has a short life, we have found that depending on use, we can get one day to 3 days of use on the battery life. We just charge it often and in between uses. So it still comes through for us despite the battery charging.We have had an easy experience with the coolpix 4300. its filled up our photo albums and library both digital and printed. We have all enjoyed this camera for family and fun use.We have just gotten a smaller, newer, more sophisticated and expensive Sony digital camera---I'm still on a wait and see mode on it. But, from durability alone, 5 years of use, I recommend the coolpix. And again, on ease of use and the immense and wide applications our whole family has and is still getting out of this camera, I highly recommend this and the coolpix family of nikon digital cameras.
This camera is perfect for an enthusiastic amateur photographer.  The pictures are razor-sharp, even in macro.  It is small enough to fit easily in a coat pocket or purse.  It is light enough to carry around all day without bother.  Operating its many features is easy and often obvious - I'm no Annie Lebovitz, but I was able to figure out most of its abilities just messing around with it at a camera store.  The manual does a fine job filling in any blanks that remain.  The auto-focus performs well, but I love having the 12 optional scene modes - they are dummy-proof, and correspond to many situations in which I would actually seek to use the camera.  Comes with a 16 mb compact flash and one rechargable battery (the charging unit, included, is fast and small).  I bought a 256 mb cf and a second battery, so it's good to go on a long vacation.  I enthusiastically recommend this camera.
I am an amateur photographer and here is a piece of advise to all the folks who are thinking about making a move the digital world. Nikon 4300, I feel, is THE BEST camera out there for the features and price.Here were my requirements in a Digital Camera:1. I had initially thought of buying a 2 or 3 Megapixel camera but these are good for 4x6" or 5x7" prints and I wanted some really great 8x10" photos once in a while.2. I did not want a very small camera as it seems to get lost in my hands and I wasn't comfortable with that...I wanted a decent sized camera with a contour for my fingers to hold it steadily.3. I wanted a camera that had a lot of built-in settings for different types of suroundings while giving me an option to use my photography skills (although, I am an amateur with an interest in photography) by turning on the manual settings.4. And, of course, I wanted a respected brand and had to stay within my budget because I had bought an expensive Camcorder before but hadn't used it much.Depending on all the above requirements, I had narrowed down my search to Nikon 4300 and Canon Powershot S400 models. Nikon got the final nod for its settings (auto and manual along with movie modes), medium & compact size, price, brand name, good software that is included and previous reviews.  I should say I have been very happy with my decision ever since. The pictures are absolutely amazing - the camera captures the minutest of details.A few things that might make it even better:1. Pictures taken in an indoor setting are a little dull and rarely hazy if you tend to take photographs from a distance.2. It takes a while for the camera to actually capture the photograph from the time you click the button and I have seen people becoming a little impatient waiting for the flash to glow...3. The pictures come out hazy if your hands shake even for a moment during the entire process of taking a picture.All the above, I think, are problems with all the Digital Cameras out there and so I have no major complaints. Try to buy a tripod and that should solve some of those problems. Whichever camera you buy, add upto about 200 dollars for an additional memory card (I bought a 256 MB card), USB card reader, camera bag and the warranty. And finally, get your pictures developed at a Kodak Picture Maker machine even though it costs you a little extra - no one can beat Kodak processing in terms of clarity and brightness...Hope this review has helped you in making up your mind. I have taken about 150 photographs so far and have absolutely loved the experience. I am looking forward to my Vegas trip for some great photographs now.
I love my Coolpix 4300!  This is the camera that finally convinced me to give digital a try after 25+ years with my trusty Pentax SLR, without making a huge investment.  The 4300 was easy to use right out of the box, and after a few sessions with the owner's manual, easier still.  It's so user friendly that even my nine-year-old son is now a confirmed shutterbug, taking macro photos of the bugs and amphibians he finds out in the woods!We've had the camera for about six months now, and have used it for landscapes, portraits and sports shots - all of which have excellent detail, except for those in the maximum digital zoom mode, where there's quite a bit of loss in clarity.  All the scene modes work well, although I believe the landscape mode blurs the details just a bit.  Indoors, night time, and fireworks modes do a great job of making the correct settings for us.  Included Nikonview software is very basic and nothing to write home about.  The camera itself is small, very portable and easy to pack along for hiking trips.Gotta-have accessories:  We use a USB card reader to download images directly from the card, and speed is not an issue at all.  I don't think it's unreasonable to wait 1-2 seconds per photo.  You will definitely need to supplement the included 16mb memory card which only holds about 8 pix.  I have a 128mb which I clear out frequently, so I have no complaints about photo storage.  You'll also need a back-up battery, but they're very reasonably priced and reliable, too.Bottom line - don't be afraid to take the plunge.  This is a nice, affordably priced camera.
This is my second digital camera, though I also use one at work and have some experience with several Nikon and Canon models.  The Nikon Coolpix 4300 is wonderful--easy to use, high quality, and compact in size.  With an extra battery and a couple of good sized memory cards you are all set for a day of picture taking while on vacation.  The auto setting does a great job most of the time but there are manual settings for those who want them.  If something were to happen to my Nikon Coolpix 4300, I would order another just like it.
I think it's a great little camera, even after SIX plus years.Working experience *CONS*: Low light is the pits; the flash is almost too bright, especially for animals and children and especially in low light (these cuties never hold perfectly still - GRAIN, Motion BLURS and EYES CLOSED). The movie feature is cute, very small, not the greatest quality any more.Working experience *PROS*: plenty of crisp details for a 4mp machine, easy and comfortable to hold, you can now find them dirt cheap on popular auction sites, great for web pictures, great for scrapbook pictures, great for printing small photographs (4x6 great; 8x10 okay to good), tons of features. I appreciated the hot-shoe for an external flash as well as the tripod mounting hole, manual settings availability, remote capabilities, and loads of accessories you won't find with the newer models.The battery / spare batteries were great when new, but after six years, they do not hold their juice as long and thus you must change the battery more often, buy new ones or use the AC Adapter with a short leash or extension cord for further mobility.After six years, 13,000+ photos later the only things wrong with this camera are user error and the time/date does not stay fixed (this must be manually plugged in every time the camera starts up or you won't have n accurate creation date stamp in the info file or the image file).It's a great little camera if you are starting out, letting your kids learn how to take pictures, etc. Oh, and it takes great pictures for selling items on eBay or Amazon.11/28/2009
Plus's:Very good camera...easy to grip, good pictures at night.Minus's:red-eye, longer time from one picture to another.
Great Camera, I have been using this for several months and got excelent results, simple friendly usage,  in many scenes ( indoor, outdoor, snow, close up macro etc...
I purchased this case when I purchased the Pentax Optio T20 (Pentax Optio T20 7MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom).  It's an ideal case for providing some protection, as well as a pocket for an extra battery and SD card, plus a loop to allow you to hang it on your belt.  It's well designed and well constructed; an excellent product.
My new Optio M20 Pentax camera fits perfect in the case. The quality of the leather seems good and looks like it will hold up for a while. I would recomend this case for the Optio M20.
If you want to protect your investment, then you need to get one for your pocket camera, just to keep it from getting dirty.
The case is a terrific fit for the camera, but is hard pressed to hold an extra battery and SD cards. I wish it had a bigger accessory pocket.
It's the only case that fits my 550 perfectly with a little room for an extra battery and flash card. Could be made just a wee bit wider.
I bought this case for a Minolta XG camera, and it is a perfect fit.I like the camera to be slightly loose in the case so that it goes in and out easily.  The extra pouch will hold 2 extra batteries  -OR- 1 battery and 1 memory card.I am going to buy another case for a Canon SD-700 IS
I love this case!  I had it for a previous camera that got lost so when I bought another camera (a Casio Exilim Z600) I could not find a case I liked as much as this one, I was thrilled when I finally found this case online.  It fits my Casio just fine!  I liked it so much I bought a second one for a friend (who has a Canon).  Yes, it is small but it is soft inside, zips completely around for full protection and has the small pocket for an additional memory card.  The only drawback is because of the small size, you cant really carry much else.  If you are using a camera that requires AA batteries, there would barely be room for a spare set.  But, since the whole idea when I purchased a small, slim camera was size, why bulk up with a large case?  I LOVE THIS CASE!
I have an Optio 10 and this case fits it perfectly and is just what I was looking for at a decent price.
this case if extremely useful for holding Pentax W camera. The front pouch is helpful for holding second battery or extra SD memory cards. It doesnt hold camera very well if you have purchased the "skin" for the camera, but it does fit if you jam it in there. Overall i am happy with the purchase of this case.
The unit is a good starter unit, especially for $$$  Once you get it, treat it delicately.  This isn't your mom's bakelite phone from 1960.As SOON as you see any visual display issues on either record or playback, stop and send the unit to Sharp for repair.Get an aftermarket extended warranty, preferable Mack, (not offered here, sadly).Unit has motor whine when in use with the build in microphone,  play back on a TV either directly or via a Firewire-PC-CDR burn to DVD will play the whine.  You have to use an aftermarket directional mic.It's much easier and friendlier to use that a normal palm camcorder, your hands are naturally positioned, and the screen makes recording easier for anyone.The digital picture mode doesn't take great photo's so it's not a replacement for a digital "camera"If you asked me if I would buy another sharp camcorder, no.  There are so many other companies making digital corders that have so much more durability and functionality.  I would miss the flex screen ability.Lastly, Sharp Customer service is pathetic.  They don't know their own products.  They don't even know that their firewire system supports full video/audio PC/Mac capture.
I bought this little puppy for our trip to Disney World this summer because I wanted decent digital camera/camcorder that wouldn't cost as much as the trip to Walt Disney World ...I played with this many times to get real familar with the functionality and I am very pleased that I got everything I wanted:1. Ability to store images on a SD card. I have several SD cards (1- 256 mb, and 2-128 mb). By using my 256 MB SD Card, I can take up to 1,200 pics at Fine quality, the best the camera offers. Also, since the camera accepts a SD card it gives me the option to popout the SD from the Sharp ViewCam and insert into my Pocket PC Phone (i.e. handheld) thus allowing me to email my pics anytime anyplace directly from my device. Now how cool is that!2. Create digital videos and delete scenes before downloading to PC.3. I wanted something compact, light and easy to use. After a couple minutes out of the box I was able to create a test movie and pics within a few minitues.4. The most important as mentioned already was value. The $$$ rebate was definetly an incentive to buying it but I may have done so without it.
This item was purchased for a couple of family special events. We wanted a dv camcorder that was packable--the whole thing, case, accessories, and all, had to fit in a small airline carry-on and still leave room for other stuff.  We also needed USB and firewire capability, for use on both PC and MAC computers, and AV output capability for television display. And we wanted something that was cheap enough that it wouldn't break our hearts if we lost it on our travels, or destroyed it somehow. (With this family, anything is possible!)The Viewcam configuration doesn't use an eyepiece viewfinder--everything is displayed on the LCD screen.  It has two-hand operation with a light nylon wrist strap, like a standard digital camera. All this decreases the weight and increases the "point and shoot" ability.Resolution on the LCD viewscreen is low, but finished tapes and stills are good to average for this price range.  No noticeable color degradation on inside shots.  No motor noise on film.  Microphone picked up average conversation easily. Battery life lasted just about long enough for a 45 minute church service.As advised by other customer reviews, we use only Sony tapes on this machine.  We are also aware that repair service from Sharp is hard to get.  This is a good, serviceable machine, especially if you find it at a low enough price to be almost considered "disposable"--as we did on Amazon.
Positives:1. You can recharge this camcorder by plugging it directly into an electric outlet- no dealing with rechargable batteries :)2. Can take still photographs &amp; uses SD instead of putting the stills on the tape.3. While in playback mode (watching video footage you took), you can pause it and take stills from the tape onto the SD card.4. The camcorder lasts a long time &amp; I do not have to recharge it often :)Negatives:1.  The quality of the still photos is not great but it is good for emailing.Overall I love this camcorder because of the 'Positives' I mentioned above- it has everything I need.  I know that the stills are not great quality but for the price of this camcorder I can manage ;)  This is a great deal!
I Downloded the User manual (Adobe Acrobat) from Amazon and was able to read all the gory details about the product before buying it.The big motivator was the price!  I looked in Best Buy and the baseline cost for a MiniDV camcorder is Four hundread bucks.The rebate of 100$ brings it to a very attractive price point.This was a Fathers Day gift ("Thank you Dear wife!!"). I owned a Hi8 camcorder for nearly 6 yrs and It was time to upgrade. This will last me for another 5 yrs easily, until the next technology (Maybe HDTV quality recording on blue laser discs).I am very satisfied with how it looks and what its doing.My dad what impresssed that it looks more like a Camera than a Comcorder. Make sure you order the IEEE 1394 (6pin/4pin) cable for transfer to computer and get MiniDV (ME) tapes. Amazon had good deals on them too.If you download the  user manual which is provided on Amazon - you wiff find out all the technical info you need to know.I a very happy with my decision. I found out that I can edit my movies  on Windows movie Maker 2 (Free program on Windows XP and Me), and transfer it back to  the MiniDV.Just Buy it !! You'll Like It!
Although this camera has analog input it has no S-Video support. So the higher resolution is wasted in some situations. Also this camera does not have video output when there is input from Firewire as in most digitla editing systems. If you want a cheap usable camera, it's okay. If you want to integrate it into a firewire editing system or have an S-Video capable monitor, look elsewhere.
Obviously if you want tons of bells & whistles you should check out more expensive camcorders from Sony and Canon and JVC.  The Sharp is a very capable and adequate camcorder for 99.9% of us amateur videographers.  The 3" LCD is beautiful.  Some people complain about the shape, but I find using two hands to hold the camcorder (any camcorder) makes much steadier shots, so I actually have come to prefer the shape of Sharp's camcorders.  In any event, it's really easy to use and the battery life is good, too.  So if you are looking for an everyday camcorder, be sure to consider this great value.
I purchased a older version of the Sharp DV camera.  I had problems with interferance when transferring to the PC.  I checked cables, etc.  Finally, I emailed tech support.  Never received a response.  Better stick with Sony or Canon!
The last video recorder that I purchased required you to carry it over your shoulder, so the compact size of this camera was verty attractive. It is easy to use and the batteries last quite a long time. Its very easy to switch from video record mode to digital still mode, and it is a snap to upload the photos to your computer, or play your videos on a TV or transfer to a VHS tap via a VCR. My only complaint about this camera would be that when zooming the video, it is difficult to hold the camera still enough to have a stable picture -- which may be a deficiency of the user rather than the camera.
I'm not a film maker, I just want tapes of the kid that I can edit digitally.  This is the best value out there, even without the rebate. I found it originally because of it's low price. After searching other low-priced MiniDV cams, I came back to this one since it has the features I need.  It has excellent quality for me, and it plugged into my computer easily.  Windows XP recognized it immediately and even started up the digital editing software for me.  You will have to buy a Firewire card with cable to connect it to your computer, so add $$ to the cost (there's no difference in firewire cards, don't spend $$).  My only complaint is that the camera is small and doesn't really have many places to hold it.  However, because it's small, it's easy to take everywhere.If you're looking to get into digital video, this is a great way to start.  Digital videos have the same advantage over analog that digital pictures have over film.  You can archive them digitally so you can have a source that won't degrade over time.  You can enhance them, correcting colors and brightness/exposure.  You can burn them on a CD and send to family.  Additionally, you can use it to digitize your old analog tapes.  This is one of the few low priced MiniDV camcorders that has A/V inputs using standard RCA plugs.  It does NOT have S-Video inputs, though.  This allows you to output your VCR to the camcorder and either pass it through to the computer (for digitizing) or recording on a MiniDV tape.  Either way, you will have a digital copy of your old tapes.  So it serves as a video capture device for your computer.  The digital still function is an added bonus, but the pictures are going to be pretty basic, worse than even the cheapest digital camera.  Still, it's not bad for a few quick snaps to email around.  Don't buy it thinking you'll avoid the need for a digital camera.  You'll still want a decent digital camera.If you're looking to get into videos, this is the way to go.  If you're already an expert, this may or may not be what you're looking for.  For my everyday use, it's perfect!Russ
Straightforward camera that gets the job done. Great value. USEABILITY: Slight downside on ergonomics. The layout with the screen on the back is useable, but a bit akward. You have to use the same finger (R thumb) for both zooming and rec/stop. More importantly, you generally have to use two hands, unlike the typical one-handed strap designs on most cams. So don't expect to use it while bike riding unless you like to ride no hands. STILLS: The still capability is cool but don't expect to use it for more than email-grade snapshots. DV cams are designed for motion, and the resolution on most is generally only around 0.3 megapixels. BATTERY: As with many cams, the supplied battery is small, so I purchased an OEM double-capacity ... The VL-NZ150 and 155 come with an extra battery (double-capacity). I am happy with the VL-NZ105 and am satisfied that it was a good value.
At this price this is a great buy!  I have been looking for a digital camcorder for a while now but didn't want to spend a lot because we already have several camcorders and they are all quickly outdated in the current world of technology.  When I saw the price (and the rebate) for this camera I was skeptical but I took a chance!  The camera arrived in four days with super saver shipping. I was ready to roll- almost! I hadn't purchased a dv tape as the arrival date listed for my purchase was a week away.  Note that this camera does not come with a tape- you must purchase one for it.  It does however include a very low capacity card for still photos.The camcorder is surprisingly small and easy to handle.  It is about the size of my current SLR camera and weighs considerably less.  I had neglected to purchase a camera bag but it fit into a padded make up bag and was easy to take along.The instructions are very simple to follow.  I attached the battery and plugged the camera into an outlet to begin charging.  I then went out to purchase a tape (available at local stores). By the time I returned the battery was finished charging.  The dials are easy to use and clearly marked.  After convincing my kids to allow me to video tape them at play I was ready to view my work.The playback on the camera includes sound although it is a bit soft.  The picture is clear and the screen of sufficient size to allow for enjoyable viewing.  I then tried playing it on my TV. It was a sinch to set up, play back and to transfer to VCR tapes.  The sound was loud and clear.  I was able to quckly send a copy to my parents in Florida. I reccommend plugging the camera in for play back as it will save the battery.  This is also easy to do.As others have stated the still pictures are good for viewing as a slide show or emailing, but they're not photo quality.  This is not what I purchaseed this camcorder for so the stills are just a fun bonus.Now came the tough part (for me).  Viewing it on my computer.  Thankfully my older son was home from college and again we accomplished this with ease. The instructions and mechanics are quite clear.  I have not done any editting, but I rarely edit my video as I like to save it all.  So far I'm really pleased with this purchase.This is a great deal and a great camera. Though I can't yet comment on durability the previous Sharp products I've purchased have been great.  I do suggest purchasing an additional battery and extra tapes.
At the current price, if you're willing to get okay color saturation, not the greatest lighting (the camera is readily confused by light and dark areas), and good (not great) resolution, the camera is a good deal.  For occasional recreational use it's fine.My main purpose for getting this camera (I got the 155U, which comes with an extra battery) was to send signals from a video astronomy CCD camera to the miniDV camcorder and then via firewire to my PC for frame processing.  This camcorder records the images sent to it very well and I doubt that other than getting a dedicated digital recorder (they cost about $1K), a more [costly] camcorder would have mattered.  So for that purpose I am immensely happy with the camcorder.  In the same way, one can transfer your old videos to this camcorder and get very nice transfers.Overall, very much recommended with the caveats I noted in the first paragraph.
Staring at an LCD instead of through a viewport is actually quite liberating. Say you are sitting in an auditorium behind some fathead. Just move the camera around or over the fathead's head.1394/iLink/Firewire Works great with Windows XP and Windows Movie Maker. No special software required. Just plug and play. Connecting the USB to the camcorder to download the pictures required the supplied camera USB driver. The anti-jiggle feature is quite lame compared to a Sony. Better order a tripod.A few things to note: Maximum still picture camera resolution is 640x480. Quite frankly, the pictures are very blurry. Don't bother with a bigger SD card because you won't be taking too many pictures with this. Also, it did not come with a 1394 cable,miniDV cassette or carrying case. I ordered the cable for &lt;$9 and got a sixpack of Maxell miniDVs at [local store] for $22.Overall I really like this camcorder. You certainly can't beat the price. If you are looking to buy a starter camcorder this deal can't be beat. Other than that you may consider the Sony Digital8 cam for $100 more.
I love this little camera. And, after seaching all over for drivers for Mac OSX, I followed the advice of a previous review, bought the appropriate firewire cable, and iMovie recognized it immediately.The picture and sound quality is exceptional for the price and it's small enough to throw in a pocketbook and carry around everywhere.
For those who refuse to go digital... this 35mm camera is great. Point and shoot... nice pics... Better get one fast because these cameras are geting harder and harder to find....
I recently purchased this camera to use for my photography course at school. It was very hard to find a camera that takes film and I'm glad I found this one. It works great for the price. I'm also thankful for the detailed instructions since I've never used a film camera before and wasn't sure how to put the film in, lol !! :)
got this for my mom because she only like film camera she was so happy but it broke after only 2 months
Digital cameras can be confusing; accessories to download photos from camera to my laptop can get expensive. It's just more convenient to buy 35mm film, take pictures, and have them developed. Than to try to make a digital camera compatible to a computer.
Everything was fine till I captured 3 pictures. After that I switched the camera off and switched it on after some time for taking some other photos. Now every time I click, it captures and moves three or four frames like it has not got any control. Pathetic quality!! Was fooled by the reviews, will never buy another piece of garbage like this.
Bought this camera a few months ago we have a digital camera but we like taking the films to get them developed it's a 35mm.We took a vacation in June and just took our films and had them developed in July. The pictures turned out great very goodquality very pleased what more can I say.
I purchased this camera and was totally unimpressed. I bought this camera for its automatic features. The camera feels [inexpensive], but then so do most cameras these days. I have taken five rolls with this camera and the pictures don't look any better then the pictures produced by my wife's [inexpensive] pocket camera. I still own an old manual Pentax K1000 which blows this camera away. The automatic focusing on this camera is useless at night and the autofocus is not that sharp when there is adequate lighting.  To my surprise many of the pictures were over-exposed when I had it on automatic. I was very disappointed. I'm sticking with my old reliable friend.
I bought this camera so I could take some pics of the kids and I was really happy with the pics I got. I used a variety of film speeds and the picture Quality was superb! It will need a better flash for alot of indoor shots if you keep them dim. Can't really fault it for that though, flashes are available.Five stares for me!
Initially, I purchased a Minolta Maxxum 4, but was sent the Maxxum 5 instead.  No problem, as I figured they were basically the same camera.  As has been mentioned, the camera is feather light, which in my opinion, isn't necessarily a plus.  I have never cared for the feel of a point and shoot, and this camera reminds me of that.  Even though, it's heavy on the functions, and has all the neat stuff a high priced camera has.  But, it has some drawbacks.  Nearly all of my pictures taken in the auto mode with flash have been overexposed.  Every now and then I'll get a nicely exposed photo, but it's been rare.  Also, I've had trouble with the power on this camera.  Not sure what happened, but I couldn't get the camera to come on.  I replaced the batteries (twice), and still no power.  And then, as if by a miracle, the power came on and I haven't had any trouble since.  Now, wouldn't that be a pain if one were in a situation whereby you were taking memories that were priceless??  Another thing:  My camera came with a CD that has the manual on it.  I don't care for that in that I've had to print it out and try to make it compact enough to carry with me on shoots.If I had it to do over, I'm not sure this would be the camera I'd choose.  Problem is, I like the functions, and they're relatively easy to learn.  Picture quality (so far) hasn't been what I'd expect; not anything near my Minolta Maxxum 7000 that I've had for 15 years.
Just bought this camera from Amazon.com and came with no harm.  The camera is pretty small, compared to Canon Rebel 2000 or the new TI and Nikon N65.  I kind of have a big hand and this camera is actually for my wife who has a small hand so it's perfect for her.  I chose this maxxum camera cause my friend has the old minolta SLR camera and still produces nice pictures.  The EYE START module is nice, it'll follow your eyeball to the object you want to focus the most.  It's really nice.  I'm no pro but loves anykind of camera.  Used to have N65, hated it, never got a single nice pictures, and it was so heavy.  With this camera, you can taste what a pro-like results even you use the complete auto mode.
It has the best features in it's class - Nikon N65/N75/N80, Canon EOS Rebel etc - you can compare side-by-side.It can produce excellent results.It's the lightest around which is REALLY important and nice.Once you know your SLR a bit, having a zoom 75-300mm will be a very rewarding experience. You might find yourself using only the zoom afterwards.Suprisingly Minolta does little publicity compared to Canon,Nikon though their products are so good.My 2 cents advice for SLR beginners-1.Read the manual for some length at least, before starting to shoot.2.Try not to use the All-auto(default factory-set) mode as soon as you can.Use S(125 speed is a safe choice) or A mode.3.Specially for portraits use ISO-100 film for best clarity.4.All cameras of this type have a small built-in flash which may disappoint you indoors. You can buy a Minolta flash afterwards or try using ISO400 film indoors.5.The auto light-meter of all these cameras underexposes a little bit. Try to apply compensation of + .5 to 1.5 depending on situation.
The finest sub-500 34mm camera I have ever handled.  I adore my Maxxum 5.  The Alpha mount system is fantastic (has been applied to a new series of DSLRs from Sony).  Plenty of nice lenses available for the platform, too.It is unfortunate that Minolta is no longer producing cameras.  I really loved their system and innovation.  The fact that they aren't in the business is the only drawback.I paid $490-something for mine back in 2002, and have used it a lot.  It was well-worth the money then, and is well worth the dramatically lower cost now.
This is my first SLR. I owned a Canon Point and Shoot (Sure Shot 85 Zoom Date). I considered the following factors in my research for a good SLR.- smallest and lightest camera in its class- budget Price - so competitively priced- eye-start feature is very pleasing- 1/4000-sec shutter speed is required for fast and moving subjects- autofocusing ability in low light- locking back cover after film loaded- quartz databackAfter using this camera for 2 roles of Kodak 200, I am quite satisfied with all the above features. I have tried all possible ways to test this camera by taking many pictures of my son. I tried all Subject program selections (Obviously I used it as a point and shoot in auto mode. Still I am exploring Manual and Advanced features). This camera did not fail a single shot. I could get clear pictures for all my trials.As I compared Maxxum 5 photos (Auto mode) with photos of my Point-N-Shoot Canon Sure Shot,Maxxum5:- I could get all photos with 100% success rate in all light conditionsWith clarity of distinction between subject and backgroundPoint-N-Shoot:- 70% success rate and other photos are very dark or very light- Canon absorbed more colors and more vivid**I believe this is due to Auto settings (Aperture Size / Shutter speed) and their match with the used 200 speed film. So I decided to try 400 speed film with Maxxum 5 to check correct color absorption. Until I explore all advanced features. As with the Maxxum5's shutter speed, I could get very clear action pictures of my son while he is playing in school playground.Still I need to learn more and explore this camera more.I received my order recently from Amazon along with free bag. Do not count on the free bag. In my view this bag is worthless.
I have been using 35mm cameras for 35 years taking pictures of the family, flowers, animals and landscapes so I think I know something about photo taking.  I am a digital virgin though!I shopped around before I purchased the HP-850.  I was looking for a 35mm like camera with shutter (time exposures) and F-stop control, lots of zoom, macro ability, flash options (red eye & fill flash), good focusing abilities (low light and spot/averaging options), an easy to use inexpensive battery type and a reasonable price.  All were there in the HP-850.I recently used the camera on a trip to Hawaii where I tried all of it's options except the different white light options.By purchasing a 110 Power Adapter cord from e-bay I was able to play with the many camera options and controls on my couch to learn the camera.  I was also able to view the results and not use any battery power while doing all this.I found the manual to be just fine.  Naturally you have to be versed in 35mm camera use and wording to understand options and how to use them but that wouild be true with any camera.The NIMH rechargable batteries lasted a long time (100+) photos.  I used the power adapter each night to edit the days pictures so I really only used battery power to take photos.  I did do some "on the spot" editing.What I liked, and I liked a lot:The powerfull zoom and the viewfinder indication (red box) when you transitioned into digital zoom.The ability of the camera to take indoor pictures without a flash - it's amazing.  Night time exposures were a lot of fun.  With the amazing cameras natural bility to use natural light 1 - 3 seconds was plenty of shutter delay in all cases.The flash red eye reduction and fill flash worked great but do take a few seconds to set up.  I'm getting faster!When Editing - the 4x enlarging option allows you to check focus detail over the whole picture.  Also the second thought "are you sure" option before erasing a photo is great.The view finder does not work until you get your face about 2 inches from the camera.  This saves battery power.The shutter can easily be partially depressed for focusing.  You do noy easily set off the shutter.I found the view screen great as a view finder when taking delayed shutter and time exposure photos.The camera is light and fits my hand very nicely.  The controls are easy to access and work.  You do not need a tooth pick or pen.  Once you learn the options and programs they make sense and are easy to use (I have not figured out the 4 white light options yet well enought to comment on them.Shop around for a bag.  Don't forget to make room for extra batteries and an extra memory disk.I purchased a battery charger and two sets of NIMH rechargable batteries.  I have not regretted it a minute.What I did not like:The camera takes some getting used to but then it may be me getting used to digital photography.The view finder goes black and there is about a 1 - 1/2 (noticable) second delay before the camera takes the pictuer.  This makes taking pictures of moving objects (ex = waved breaking or hitting a rock, standing wildlife - they seem to move constantly, people walking or swinging a golf club)a real challenge since you are never really sure what you are going to get and you have to anticipate.  Of course you can always review and erase/try again.  It also makes long distance shots using a lot of zoom very hard without a camera support of some kind.My wife, who has problems with a point and shoot, had problems with the focus in low light (set at central area of view finder).  She does not understand the need to aim the camera onto the focal point of the photo and 1/2 press the shutter button to set focus.  She is smart so it would probably help if I spent some time a explained it to her.The 16mb disk that comes with the camera is basically worthless as are the four batteries they provide.When asking others (waiters, bus boys) to use the camera the view finder going black, the shutter delay (1 second about) and 1/2 shutter button focus really throws them.  I usually had them take 3 pictures then edited for the best.  It helped to tell them what to expect first off and of course thier patience and ability to listen/learn are factors.
The 850 has awesome features, especially considering the price. 4 megapixels and 8 x optical zoom combine to give you terrific pictures and more opportunities than if you had a much better known, but measly 3 x zoom camera. Buy a 3 x zoom and you will be wishing every day that you had more zoom!!! The HP offers only autofocus. There is significant shutter delay, so action shots might not come out exactly as planned. Of course, you can select Action mode to compensate.Macros look great and the zoom is really really terrific and picture quality is quite good. Acessories (lens, filters, adapter mounts etc) are not easily available, but tech support at a popular camera accessory store stated that they would have accessories in early 2003. Styling is retro, grip is just perfect and the metal tripod mount seems better than plastic ones. Start-up time is fast. Battery life is not so good with ordinary Alkalines, but when I switched to using NimH rechargables, I have been getting much much better life.Video is quite good and the best thing I like is the Electronic View Finder (EVF). I tried the Finepix 2800/3800 and couldn't see a thing when I used it indoors in medium to low lighting. The 850 EVF is so much better and clear. AutoFocus Illuminator is a big help and most Sony's have it, though most Nikons omit it.Kudos to HP for giving us a straight-forward camera with great features and more for a really reasonable price. I would definitely recommend it.
The HP PS850 Digital Camera is a fantastic camera, Many functions that an experianced person would use and look for in a digital camera. But Buy the Docking Base with battery recharger... it will pay for itself over a very short period of time.
The camera does not connect to my computer.  The USB wire that comes with the camera plugs into the camera well of course, but the other end of the wire is almost square and cannot plug into my computer's USB ports, which are very rectangular holes.  My computer is a very mainstream laptop pc by Toshiba, which i bought new in about 2009.aside: On the positive side, the HP Photo & Imaging software did install successfully to Windows 7, even though only older versions of Windows are listed on the cdrom.
Let me first say that I usually like HP Photosmart devices:  Cameras, Printers, etc.  This is my third Photosmart camera.  It has a number of pluses:  1) An optical zoom that flows right into the digital zoom (and with up to 56X you can really get close), 2)  An easy-to-use display menu, 3) A viewfinder that adjusts to ones particular eye strength.On the negative side:  1) It takes too long to take a picture (after you press the shutter release, it is 2-4 seconds before you can take another picture (I do not know if this causes one to get blurry pictures, but at the 2.0 megapixel size (1.2 MB) for this camera and my HP 912, I had fewer blurry pictures with my HP 912 Photosmart camera), 2) You have to be within an inch of the viewfinder before it "turns on" (you can have the view show on the large display, but that uses more energy, and you still don't see if it is focused right), 3) It allows for several focus points, but even after adjusting to a center one, I still had some pictures where the background was in focus, but my subject wasn't.I know that I'll probably be in the minority of the reviewers, but to sum it up, if I had it all over to do again, I wouldn't get this particular camera.  About the same time as I got this camera, I bought the HP Photosmart 720 as a gift for my step-daughter.  While it doesn't have anywhere the zoom power of the 850 and only has 3.3 megapixels, it also doesn't have the other problems with the 850 that I mentioned above.
Thank you for the, HP PhotoSmart 850 4MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom, I bought one in November 2002, and wore it out with almost 40,000 clicks.. I expecting 35,000 or more from this jewel.
I really love the quality of pictures on this camera, very crisp and clear.  Comparisons to my old Nikon Coolpix 800 (2MP) are not even close.  The Nikon was a great camera, but double the Megapixel and quadriple the zoom, and you have an amazing piece of hardware.I made my decision to purchase this camera after comparing to the Fuji 3800 and Olympus C-730.  I went to the store and physically picked up the cameras, the Fuji and Olympus were kind of awkward.  The HP is large (I have man's hands after all! :) ) and feels like a quality camera.Now, all is not perfect, as many have noted.The cons of this camera include a limit of 60 seconds for video clips... now I have a 256MB SD card, and it can handle a lot of video, why only 60 seconds!  HP please get a firmware update to allow unlimited video!  Also, the included SD card is wimpy for a 4MP camera,  offered a special when I bought this on other SD cards...plus SD memory is dropping in price daily.  Get the largest SD card you can afford, you will not be sorry.Focus, you must have a steady hand to focus in 8x Optical zoom!  I find that the Digital zoom is almost as good as an optical zoom as well, if you have a tripod.  It gets a decent picture, not perfect, but much better than the Digital zoom on the 2MP cameras I have used.Also, I picked up the docking station.  This is a great feature, no manually hooking up a cable and starting to offload pictures, just plonk your camera down on the dock, press the button to either print or send to computer and it is all automatic.Overall, I think this is a great camera, and would suggest it highly.  Hopefully HP keeps it up to date with firmware updates, as I would love to see faster focusing, and a mode which allows 'burst' type pictures to be taken.  Even allowing different video sizes to be taken and having an opion to turn audio off on videos would be great.
I LOVE this camera. I was hesitant to give up my 35mm, but I am so tired of buying and developing film, I felt like it was time to take the plunge.  Not knowing anything about digital cameras, and being overwhelmed by all the choices, I spent several hours researching digital cameras.  You can learn so much about any product... by simply reading the customer reviews.A couple of things I learned from other customers: get a camera with a lot of OPTICAL zoom.  Buy as much MEMORY as you can afford.  Get the optional dock.  Buy a travel plug.Zoom: OPTICAL and DIGITAL zoom is not the same thing. Get as much OPTICAL zoom as you can afford.  3x Optical (seems that most of the retail digital cameras offer only 3x optical) is not very much; this one has 8x Optical plus 7x digital zoom (my 35mm has a 140mm zoom, and this is MUCH better). What that means is you can zoom in REALLY, REALLY far away.  I was at an outdoor cookout yesterday, and took a couple hundred pics.  I took one pic of a mountain a few miles away. Then I zoomed in as far as it would go and snapped another shot.  I was amazed to find that I could make out shrubs and boulders on the mountain! WOW! Couldn't see those with the naked eyes.It is extremely easy to operate. Within minutes of getting it, I was taking pics.  Taking digital pics takes a little getting used to compared to 35mm, but I've gotten the hang of it.  I've taken over 1,000 pics in the 45 days that I've owned the camera. When you take a pic, there is a slight pause (about 1 1/2 seconds) before it snaps the pic. If the subject moves right after you push the button, then the pic could be blurry.  I'm not too crazy about that, but I guess this is the way all digital cameras operate.  But after taking the pic, you can immediately review it and if you don't like it you can simply delete it and try again.I've taken pics using the macro setting, action setting, w/flash, w/o flash, w/the 10 second timer, as well as a couple other settings.  The great thing about a digital camera is, you can experiment, and if you don't like the shot, just delete it and take another.A really cool feature of this camera is that it will record up to 30 seconds of audio onto a picture.  This is really cool. We used this on a friend who met someone online and wanted to send a pic to her. She was impressed.  And you can record up to 60 seconds of video w/audio.  Neat!When I purchased the camera it came with a discount on a memory upgrade. The camera comes standard with a 16mb card (not much), so I ordered a Viking 256mb SD memory card at a very good price... The camera's owner's manual says that you can only use up to 128mb of memory, however I have not had a problem using the 256mb card.  It stores a ton of pics, depending on the size and pic quality.  I usually set the camera on the 4MP medium quality setting, or the 1MP best quality setting, and the card holds 232 pics on either setting.  On the 4MP best setting it holds 116 pics; on the 1MP good setting it holds 953 pics.  Try using all the different settings and see what you like best.I ordered the optional dock. Highly recommend. Makes downloading pics very easy, plus it comes with 4 rechargable batteries and it charges them when you put the camera in the dock.  The rechargable batteries last a long time. I've taken several hundred pics on one charge, and I always use the LCD screen to shoot the pics. Plus, I'm zooming in and out, reviewing shots, and deleting them, and the batteries still last a long time.I also purchased an AC adapter, so when I go out of town I can recharge the batteries if I need to.  Also, because of the depth of the camera, you need to get a large carry case.  I found one at Best Buy that was large enough for the camera and all the accessories.On the downside, the LCD screen is pretty worthless outside. It is almost impossible to see the image in sunlight.  Also, you need a steady hand when taking macro shots because of the delay. It just takes practice.But overall, I am glad I got this camera. Several of my friends are buying this after seeing mine, and a couple of friends are going to upgrade their digital camera after comparing theirs to this.If you are shopping for a digital camera, you don't need to look any further!  Or I'll make you a great deal on my 35mm.
If you don't have a pressing reason to buy digital right now, I suggest you wait another year.I have used several friends and family member's cameras, and purchased the 850, all have problems.  Biggest disappointment with this camera for me is image quality. Almost every shot has purple fringing, and clarity is a bit less than my father's fuji 3800 (3MPixels), and brother's year old Cannon 3Mpixel/3x camera.  This is true even at ISO 100, on a tripod, with good light -- even worse otherwise.Other people's complaints are all true too: Cranky zoom, Software Crashes, etc.  One thing not mentioned is that you can't adjust the LCD display for viewing angle.  If you are above the camera (like if you set it on the floor to take a picture) you can't see the display.  "Auto" white balance is not really auto, "fixed" would be more like it.  If you are under electric lights, you have to change setting manually to get good color.Battery life complaint is not valid though.  Get good batteries (1800mah or >), and they will normally last all day, then plug camera in to ac adapter at night and you are ready to go in the morning, don't even have to remove batteries.One really nice thing is unlike other cameras, simply plugging the camera into the computer will download all the pictures with NO intervention required on your part.Despite my gripes, this seems like the best the state of the art has to offer at this time and price point for overall issues I care about, and is good enough to switch away from film for.  To get a really nice camera right now it seems you have to spend about $...., sigh.You may want to consider fuji s602 though.  Some discounters sell it for around $....Wish list: Eliminate digital zoom.  Full manual control using SLR type barrel rings.  Who needs a motor to zoom? Costs more, works worse.  HP EVF better than most, but still worse than instamatic like glass view finder.  Save the money, keep it simple.  Should take larger memory cards, limited to 128M.
I've had this camera now for over a year and it is awesome. First of all to the people complaining about the battery life, you must have a faulty unit because my batteries last forever. I am always taking pictures and very rarely have to change batteries. I spent 4 days in Vegas and the Grand Canyon last year and took over 600 pictures and never even had to replace the batteries and that was also with constantly looking at the pictures on the screen and downloading them to my laptop without using a power adaptor. The pictures I have taken are awesome but you need to take the time to learn the camera options. For example you need to learn when to use the flash or change the shutter speed to get good shots. Its not complicated but most people don't bother to do this and then complain about poor pictures. Its your own fault. I even had a professional photographist complement pictures I have taken with this camera. The zoom is awesome. I have taken pictures of things over 1500 feet away and they look crystal clear. If you take your time and learn to use the many features of the camera you will be extremely happy with the results.
This is my first digital camera, and the first DECENT camera I've ever owned. I LOVE IT!  Works great right out of the box, although you'll need a bigger SD card (the one it comes with is SMALL, but not surprising for the price).  I've had it for 4 months now, and have taken some really beautiful pics.  Here are the compliments and complaints:-GREAT close-ups and macros.-software bundle is TRULY wonderful, given the price.-battery life is good, but get rechargables anyway--the camera starts to get weird when batteries are low (refuses to focus or unload images, even when showing there is still a charge).-no wide-angle view!  This is surprising, for a camera with this many other features.-metal tripod mount.-VERY easy to unload images (and I don't have the optional cradle).-landscape pics lack some definition (may be my fault).-low-light pics are VERY pixellated (common to all digitals, I gather, but still annoying).-zoom works great--I can't imagine only having 3X!-it's kinda big. Certainly not a pocket cam.-the case that comes with the... 'package deal' is a little small, and the strap's not long enough.  Charger works great, though.As the newly designated 'photographer' in my workplace, I get compliments on photo quality every time I post new pics--and it's certainly not due to my talent or experience!  I highly recommend this camera, especically at such a great price.
This is my first digital camera. So far performs well with still photos and I was amazed by the quality of the night pictures (including storm pictures with lightnings, where it performed excellent). It has the versatility needed when you want to under/overexpose. It does have some inertia and is hard to manipulate with dynamic subjects (action/sports/pets/children), where my 35 mm is still better. The lens with the 8x zoom is very good. I am not using the HP craddle - a spare charger for rechargeable batteries and an SD card reader are more effective, cheaper and less bulky.Overall very good value for the price.
First the great feel.  This is a fairly large camera that feels comfortable in my (large) hands.  I can grip it well without fear of accidentally pushing a button I didn't intend to.  The huge, bright 2-inch LCD screen makes it easy to compose shots.  The 8X optical zoom is AWEsome!  Some reviews here have talked about not catching the image they intended to when pushing the shutter.  I took close-ups of a clock's second hand, and the capture was immediate and in perfect time.  There is a very short blanking of the display when the 4.1 megapixel image is written to the card-barely a problem.  I also love the fact that the electronic viewfinder automatically turns on when you put your eye to it.  Much better cam than both the Fuji 6X zoom or the Olympus 720 with 8X zoom.  I tried them both.  Love this one!
Takes excellent pictures sometimes. Wonderful zoom lens.Intuitive menu system. Nice flash. Takes nice movies as good or better maybe even than my nikon 5700. Forget about taking still pictures of anything that moves. Other reviews coverd this topic and i agree with them. As far as i could tell there was no manual focus option. That would have solved a lot of problems i think. When i tried to use aperature priorty mode, i was looking for a workaround the focus problems. Sometimes camera would lock up when i did this and you couldnt turn it off even with the main switch. You had to remove the batteries.  I managed to take a picture of a humming bird with this camera but it took about 8 attempts. He was a cooperative hummingbird i guess.
Am more than pleased with this camera.  It took a very short time to become accustomed to features and focusing (especially during zoom).  A great all around camera!
I haven't used this in all the applications, but so far, I like it.  I primarily bought it for jewelry pictures, and it's definitely better than my old camera.  I think I have to play with the adjustments some more to get better results, but I'm pleased with it.
I ordered this to use with a Celestron C 90 which was in the same order and is nonfunctional so far. As well there were no instructions to explain how to use it.
Good product. Even used it to see Jupiter ( dont have a planet filter ). Could see faint lines, 4 moons quite well. Recommended
I know it arrived but my wife has been cleaning and moving things around and now is out of town so I'll wait until she's home to give a better review of this filter. I have to believe it will work as it should...BUT...I'd like to try it before I commit to that. ;-)
This works great, but be aware that it is made of plastic, so it has some flaws that you get for saving some cash. Mostly, the problem being the difficulty with plastic threads on the filter, which are hard to thread. I only recommend this if you are a beginner that just wants to get started. It really adds a lot of contrast to the surface of the Moon, and even Jupiter. It makes a bright moon very easy to view.
low cost and exactly as I expected. This is a great item to have handy when you are moon watching.
This inexpensive moon filter makes looking at the moon a much more enjoyable experience. Consider it "sun glasses" for your telescope. It reduces glare, increases contrast, and makes moon viewing much easier on your eyes, especially a full moon at higher magnification. Light transmission is about 18%.
It should have come with a little case for its protection.It arrived in a zip lock baggy, rather than a cheap plastic box.
This was the cheapest moon filter I found on the Internet.  The only reasons I knocked off a star are that it has a greenish tint (I don't mind, but some do), the plastic threading feels kind of cheap, and it comes in a little bag instead of a tiny case like my color filters (I'm a little paranoid I'll touch the glass trying to get it out of the bag).  None of these are deal-breakers, or even a big deal to me.  Once on the eyepiece, it has no noticeable affect on image quality (other than, you know, dimmer and a little greener).  It also worked fine on Jupiter.
This is a no brainer!  Do not try to look at the moon without this filter, you could go blind.
Looking at the full moon with a telescope you realize how bright it is. The Celestron moon filter cuts down the glare to help you see more highlights of the moon.
Color is way off - green tint throws off the overall contrast and the lens material is poor ( too much distortion). Got the neutral grey filter from Orion - WAY BETTER! Celeston quality control has gone by the wayside which is where I put this afterwards. Save your money.
This moon filter was inexpensive so I wasn't expecting much.  If I were to do it over again I think I would have spent a little more for a better one.  Main issue is the body is plastic and the threads were creased from the factory.  It still works OK but I don't think it will last long.
I order this one over the metal one to save five bucks. I figured I didn't need a great one to look at the moon. But;  wish I would have paid the few bucks extra. The plastic threads are uneven, and its very difficult to screw in the the eyepiece evenly. It feels like the whole plastic body was deformed from heat.Just pay the extra five bucks and get the metal one.
Although I purchased this item as a gift for my son, I had an opportunity to use it and I must say it does all it is supposed to. You cannot ask for more from any product.
I bought this for the celestron astromaster 70 which is only good for lunar observation. I found that the filter darkens the moon too much and details are lost. I feel better viewing without the filter...its even worse if you use a 2X barlow lense I also bought.
Cheap and gets the job done very well.  Would recommend to others looking for this size filter.  Images come through clearly and there is nothing to suggest you have a filter on the lens.  Clear as day.
The filter does a good job of filtering the bright light reflected from the moon.  It is especially helpful when the moon is full and very bright.  I think it also helps define some of the surface details of the moon.
I bought a telescope as a birthday present for a friend, and someone mentioned the need for this filter...  GOOD IDEA! If you look at the full moon without this filter, you will see spots when you look away from the telescope. Really. There are less expensive filters out there, so shop around.
It mates up with my Celestron telescope quickly and easily and lets me look at the moon in super detail without eye strain.
I read a number of the reviews and they all recommended to buy a filter so you are able to look up during the day and it works very well glad I read about it first not a lot of out of pocket either way worth it.
I have used this many times, even with my C8 on some Televue EP's that can take the threads.  I have even used this on Jupiter for a family member with very light sensitive eyes so they did not lose their night vision.You might not use it every time, nor should you.  However, the value price of this filter makes it a must for anyone who wants to start learning about filters.
This is a great camera for you! The Canon G3 gives tons of control for photo buffs but still has an "auto" mode that makes it very easy for the novice to use. I can hand this to anyone and know they will take some great photos!I love having the option to manually control the F-stop, shutter speed and even focus. I was able to take great photos of the 4th of July fire works, and got some amazing shots of the kids playing with sparklers. WARNING - I did read the manual! But if you've used a SLR 35mm camera, the controls are very intuitive! Once I read the manual I was able to point and shoot without having to fumble around trying to figure out where the controls are located. With a quick spin of the dial you can select Shutter priority (for high speed subjects), aperture priority (for focal length) or full program mode where the camera selects both for ideal photo quality. The manual mode is easy to use with fast access for the selection of shutter speed and aperture without having to fumble through menu options.It doesn't do you any good if a camera has all the features but you can't access them quickly when you need them!This camera also has a great feel and weight to it. You feel like you are holding something of substance, not some cheap plastic toy. The more I work with it, the more I love it!I would recomend that you purchase a Lexar media CF for the camera as the SanDisk card that comes packaged is too small and too slow!I didn't think I would find this quality and ease of use for under $900- I'm thrilled with my purchase!
The G3 is simply an amazing digital camera.  It offers all of the creative features a serious photographer could ask for, in a camera that when set to automatic, is simple enough for anyone to use.The fast lens means that the flash isn't needed as often as with other cameras, while the hot shoe allows an external flash for when flash is needed.  External flash is ALWAYS better than built-in, especially one with bounce capability (the Canon 420EX is a great companion to the G3).The Powershot G3 is NOT small and light enough to dissappear into a pocket, but that is part of what makes it such a terrific camera.  If you want a carry anywhere model, look at the Digital Elph or the S45/S50, which are much smaller and have built-in lens caps.  The G3, on the other hand, is made for using, not carrying.  That's not to say that its heavy and large, it is actually about the same size as most 35mm point and shoot cameras of the early 1990s.The larger size is what makes the G3 great.  It has a proper hand grip, that fast 4X zoom lens (physically a lot larger than the slow 3X lenses on other Canon cameras) and a large, tilt-swivvle LCD.  There are also enough buttons, dials and controls to make all of the G3's many features easy to access and use, rather than burrying them deep in the menu system.Some users complain that the lens barrel can be seen in the optical viewfinder when set to wide angle.  Yes, it can be seen, and no, it isn't that big of a deal.  If you've ever used a 35mm rangefinder camera you are probably familiar with this effect, and if you haven't, it isn't at all hard to get used to.Finally, the 4 megapixel resolution and accurate color balancce make for incredible images.  Automatic does a terrific job in most conditions, and when it doesn't, or you just want to be creative, you have more options with this camera than almost anything else on the market.I also own the 5 megapixel S50 as my compact camera.  I was concerned when I bought it that I would favor it over the G3 on account of hte higher resolution, however I just printed some 11X14s from both cameras, and resolution is not an issue on either one.  I see the extra resolution simply as more room to crop, which can make up for the S50 having a 3X as opposed to 4X zoom lens.  With the G3, I have more control over composition in the camera, doubly so as I also have the 17X Canon teleconverter.  With the functional equivalent of a 285mm lens on a 35mm camera, I honestly don't need much cropping, whereas the S50 is limited to 105mm and I often crop more.  Color saturation and accuracy are excellent on both cameras, and both are tack-sharp without any noise, at least if left at ISO 50 or 100 as I always do.In conclusion, I love the G3, and give it my highest recommendation.
I have only had this camera for one full day and I have to say that it is wonderful. the photo quality is amazing and i know i'm going to have fun with all the features. I've figured out most of its features on my own already (because i have used digital cameras before, so i know things like symbols). i'm one of those people that can only concentrate on one screen at a time so i've been having trouble paying attention to the little display panel on top, but that doesn't stop me from loving this camera. the reason i rated it a four is because of that darn diopter adjustment dial. its very small and hard to turn so you can't get an accurate adjustment (for those of you who don't know what a diopter adjustment is, it is to adjust the focus of the viewfinder to your eyesight.) I am going to have so much fun with this camera and when I learn more I will post a more accurate review.
First of all, if you are trying to decide between the G3 and the G5, consider that you would be paying $100 more for the G5 simply because it has an extra mega-pixel, otherwise, the cameras are identical.Now for the praise, this camera is simply amazing for it's price. It has a ton of advanced features and it's incredibly durable. I have dropped it a few times, and accidently got it wet and guess what, it still works. Also, it satisfies pretty much any kind of photographer. Switch to Auto and your grandma can use it, switch to any of the manual settings and it will satisfy the creative photographer. The focus, white balance, aperture, shutter speed, etc, can all be manually altered.Four mega-pixels might seem like a low number considering that high end compact digitals today have 5, 6 or more. But, 4 is more than enough to produce wonderful full-page prints. Also, because it's a 4 megapixel, it processes the photos very quickly, in about a second.Worried that it's not a digital SLR? Well, unless you're a pro photographer, you wouldn't mind simply getting one of the lens attachments such as Wide Angle, Zoom or Micro. I have the Wide Angle attachment I bought from a 3rd party on ebay for $50 and it works great with the camera, it has a built in macro lens as well.Anyway, if you want a compact digital, this is IT. Tons of features, durable, trusted name, ability to get lens attachments and you get awesome full page prints. Get it.
The Powershot G3 is a great camera.  Why?  Because it can help a so-so photographer take spectacular photos!  4 Megapixels is plenty for all but pros, and you will not be disappointed with the results of this camera. It's slightly lighter than the G2 and packed with even more features.  Make sure you get a big CompactFlash card (it comes with a 32MB) -- the 512MB cards are pretty [inexpensive] here on Amazon.com and can hold about 500 photos at a time!
The camera has a wonderful set of features. The LCD screen pulls out and rotates in any direction for easy pictures. You can even take a picture of yourself while looking at the LCD. The optical zoom works great and the 14x digital zoom is a very nice addition although pictures at the highest digital zoom are a little blurry. The highest optical zoom pictures are perfect. I have not yet seen any of the usual problems with digital pictures (purple fringing, etc) so I am very pleased. The Canon computer software used to download, sort, upload and manage your digital pictures on the computer is very nice and very easy to use. The only two minor issues I have with the camera are the lens cap (it is not very snug and can come off too easily) and the lens itself (it partially obstructs the view through the viewfinder but not views through the LCD). The menus are easy to navigate and the buttons are easy to use. It is a fantastic camera and well worth the price.
Recent price drops have made the G3 the best bargain in digital cameras currently available. Advanced photobugs will find more creative control than imaginable. Newbies will find the full auto setting will give them perfect pictures right out of the box. 4 megapixels is enough for anybody and the photo quality is awesome. Don't get fooled by the 5 megapixel marketing hype. Unless you want to print murals, you don't need it. Those used to 35mm cameras will find the G3 very comfortable and friendly to use. Anyone looking for more than &quot;point and shoot&quot; can make a huge step up for a moderate price difference. The extended zoom range and faster lense put it at the top of it's class. I expect the G3 will please me for years to come.
i bought this last week through amazon.. got a great deal from a reputable seller. i love this camera. i am still trying to figure out the may options it has. took hundreds of pictures and they were great. great colors, pictures and white balance. has 4x optical zoom which is higher than any other in the same price range. it is generally overpriced a little bit but you get what you are paying for.
When shopping for digital cameras I looked at the Nikon CP5700, Olympus C5050, Nikon CP5000, and the Canon G3.  Yes, all cameras except G3 were 5mp but I was looking for a lot more than just Megapixel power.Not only was I was shopping for a camera that would suit MY casual and artistic photographic needs, I had to keep in mind that my fiance wanted to use this camera as well.  Her main focus was having a camera that is easy to understand and use.The Nikon's are great cameras.  + They have great optics (CP5700 has great optical zoom)and features, not to mention take great pictures.  - The drawbacks were that they were not user friendly for the casual photographer, the LCD screen is a little too small, CP5000 does not take photos in RAW format.Olympus C5050 is a very solid camera with a metal body. + Takes sharp 5mp photo's, has great features and relatively easy to use.  - I didn't care much for the tilting LCD screen, it seemed very limited and not very usefull. Photos had some artifacts and noise.  My fiance just didn't like the way it felt in her hands.We also looked at the Fuji FPs602.  Nice Camera but doesn't take as sharp as pictures I thought they would, and again... fiance didn't like the feel.The Canon G3... 4mp, 4X optical zoom, takes absolutely beautiful photos with detail that challenges all of the above 5mp cameras, easy to understand and use (has a great swivel LCD screen), a LOT of features and add-on options, comes with great software (not to be overlooked), and last but by far not least, received my fiance's stamp of approval (two thumbs up!)A LOT of research went into digital camera's before I made this purchase, and hands down, the G3 had everything I needed plus more.  The other cameras were great and I'm sure many people will beg to differ from my observations, but to each his/her own.  I have no buyers remorse with this baby, and I never will.Always remember, cameras don't take great pictures, people do!
I spent a lot of time comparing different cameras, and I realized that there is not such thing as the best digital camera. You can always spend more money to get a better one.However, for a $600-$800 budget, I think this camera is an excellent choice. It has a beautiful design, lots of features, very easy to use, very configurable and customizable, and the battery duration is amazing!!! Also, the display is "hinged" and it can be placed in a myriad of positions, or to protect it against any damage. Excellent idea!One bad thing is that it comes with a pitiful 32mb compactflash card, and for most purposes, it is not enough. However, it seems that this is the general rule for most digital cameras.Another good thing is that this camera seems to introduce much less noise in dark places than others I've seen.
I am a long-time user of highly responsive film SLRs and professional quality external flash equipment, just so you know my bias. I have been watching the development of digicams for years, waiting to make my first move. What I really want is a $1,500 digital SLR with a full frame sensor that will take my Nikon lenses. I figure that is at least three years off, and I am getting impatient. Hence I decided to spring for a "point-and-shoot" digicam that that would have features that would let me get around their inherent limitations. I chose the G3 because of its reputation for very high quality, clean images.The two limitations I knew I would have to deal with are the very long lag time before it focus-locks (even in bright light), and the unsatisfactory light quality of the built-in flash. As of this writing, technology has not solved the focus-lock lag time problem for point-and-shoot digicams and anyone who is satisfied with it simply has never used a modern film SLR. At least once you've got focus lock, the shutter release lag time for the G3 is about 1/10 of a second, which from what I've read, is better than just about anything else available. What makes the focus-lock lag time something I can live with is the extreme depth of field obtainable with these point and shoot digicams at f8. Once I get focus lock, I can then wait until my restless subject (a pet or a child) strikes an amusing pose and then fire the shutter with some reasonable probability of getting my subject still in focus.Now what about the flash problem? Relative to what I can easily achieve with external flash on my Nikon SLR, the internal flash on the G3 produces harsh, flat images with ugly hot spots. Fortunately, the G3 has a hot shoe that can take an external flash, and fortunately for me, I already owned a one of the highest quality external flashes that money can buy: the Metz 60 CT-4. I can't use my Nikon external flash on a Canon camera, but I CAN use my Metz, with the proper Metz module and extension cord connected between the G3 and the 60 CT-4. For those who have this Metz flash (or the 45CL-3) and would like to get the absolute ultimate quality out of this G3, the Metz module you need is the SCA 3102 and the connector cord is the SCA 3000C.In order for this to work, you have to set the camera to manual mode and set the shutter speed and f-stop yourself. Contrary to what I've read elsewhere, the G3 DOES sync at 1/250 of a second with third-party flashes, just as it does with the dedicated flashes from Canon. You also have to set the G3 to second shutter sync, which is what you'd want to do most of the time anyhow. Then just forget about all the controls you have on the Metz flash head itself and the SCA 3102 control panel, because they are all IGNORED. The G3 completely takes over controlling the duration of the Metz flash, and most of the time, the exposure is spot on and when it isn't, it's because you've exceeded the range of the Metz flash itself. This might happen if you get too close to the subject and you are not bounce-flashing, or if you ARE bounce flashing and the walls are simply too far away. Unfortunately, the neutral density filters for the Metz flash are no longer available, so the first problem can't easily be solved. The second problem is solved by more direct lighting from the Metz (with the attendant shadows unfortunately). But once you've got your exposure within an acceptable range, the G3 is shown to produce utterly stunning images that I can hardly get with my Nikon F100 film camera. The 60 CT-4 flash head can actually be reversed 180 degrees and then tilted, enabling you to bounce the flash off the walls behind you. The results are shadow-free images that look as if they've been exposed with the gentlest natural light you could imagine.Now there is one more complaint I have about the G3 and that is the software that comes with it for processing raw images (I only shoot in raw image mode and the first thing I did was replace the 32 MByte CF with a 512 MByte CF, which gives me 130 raw images, as opposed to 7!). The Canon software for raw images does not present you with a raw image AT ALL, but the raw image after it has been processed by all the image-affecting settings in the camera. I believe this is enabled by a second file that comes out of the camera that stores all this information. Maybe if you delete those files before you looked at them with the software, you'd see the true, raw image that the camera actually produces. I didn't wait to experiment. Instead, I bought the Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in. What this plug-in reveals is the truly stunning quality of the raw G3 hardware. Without any tweaking at all, if the exposure is accurate, the colors are as realistic as I've ever seen produced by film, and this is a raw image! The Adobe Camera Raw plug-in shows once again that hardware is miles ahead of software. What the G3 raw image software gives you is a fantasy world designed to please the uncritical. What the Photoshop plug-in gives you is REALITY, and then if you want fantasy, you can use Photoshop to create it. But at least you're starting with the most photorealistic images I've ever seen from a camera. I am stunned and amazed at the quality of the raw images I am getting from this G3 (in conjunction with my professional flash system), and can easily put up with the camera's limitations, because I've never seen anything better within its resolution limits.
I've been using a PowerShot S330 for nearly a year, and wanted to upgrade to a 4 or 5 megapixel camera with a longer zoom, more adjustability, a hot shoe for an external flash, and a remote control. I looked at both the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and the Canon G3, and decided on the G3 due both to ergonomics (much more comfortable to hold and use) and the price ...I've had the camera for about two weeks and shot hundreds of pictures so far. And so far, I've been very pleased. There's a noticeable difference in the quality of a 4 megapixel image versus the 2 megapixels of the S330, especially if you want to crop and enlarge the pictures. The larger lens of the G3 gives better picture quality in low light, and the 4-times optical zooms gets you just that much closer.The moveable LCD screen is great. You can take pictures with the camera held above your head, way down, or beside you with no problem, allowing you to position the camera for the best shot without contorting yourself. The tiny (postage-stamp sized) remote unit is wonderful: not only does it trigger the shutter, it can also be used to zoom and review pictures. I also purchased a good sturdy tripod: the combination of the new camera, tripod and remote control enabled me to take some remarkable indoor, natural-light portraits I never would have attempted before.The hot shoe flash attachment allowed me to buy and use a sophisticated flash unit: I chose the Canon Speedlite 420. This has made the greatest difference in the quality of my photographs: the built-in flash on any of these cameras gives you flat photos, red-eye, and annoying shadows; a good add-on flash unit can be bounced off the ceiling or wall for pleasing, almost-natural lighting.I needed three batteries to keep myself going with the S330, but the battery in the G3 is a real powerhouse: I shot over 300 photos at my goddaughter's birthday party without switching out to my backup battery. The G3 has a different type of battery charging system from the smaller Canon cameras: the battery needs to be charged while in the camera, but the charging system also enables you to use the camera while plugged in without running down the battery.I have yet to try using all of the adjustment options: shutter priority, aperature priority, light metering adjustments, etc., but all controls are well thought out and and the manual is relatively clear. You can use this camera right out of the box on the automatic setting, or slowly get comfortable with the manual settings and what they can do.Negatives? I've been bothered by blown-out highlights on the S330, and the G3 seems to do only slightly better. (I'm starting to think that this may just be one of the weaknesses of all digital photography at this level.) The on-off button feels somewhat flimsy, and has an awkward, tiny little lock-out button that needs to be depressed to turn on the camera. And the body/construction in general has quite a bit of plastic, a disappointment after the stainless steel heft of the S330.I bought a 512 MB card, which seems to hold about 400 photos at the highest resolution. I was worried that 4 megapixel photos would download more slowly, but there's no difference in working with the files. I have a 120 GB remote drive I use to store my digital images: I can imagine that they'd fill up my iBook's internal memory pretty quickly.At the same time I purchased this camera I also bought Adobe's Photoshop Elments 2.0 software, and can't praise it highly enough. If you're investing in a camera at this level, buy this software! And as I said in my review of the S330, all of these digital cameras are easier to use with Apple computers.The bottom line: if you're serious about your digital photography, or been bitten with the bug after using a digital point-and-shoot, this may be just the camera for you. But make sure to buy a tripod and separate flash unit at the same time: you'll see the difference in your photos immediately.Added 2-24.  I've now had the camera for two months and I'm even more pleased with it.  I wound up buying a gray card and use it all the time with the custom white-balance setting.  It helps avoid the problem of a color cast on the pictures, especially in mixed-light settings.  If you don't have a gray card, you can use a plain white piece of paper.  I also discovered the exposure-bracket setting, which enables you to take three exposures with one press of the shutter:  the first at the camera-determined exposure, then one lighter and one darker.  Especially useful with portraits and difficult-to-meter situations.  I did buy the telephoto lens (and the required extension).  Very easy to use.  I'll probably also get the wide-angle now, too.  Very comfortable camera, easy to use, and the best digital photos you're going to get at this price.
This camera is wonderful!Originally bought it to photograph my children but found it to be a priceless gem for my business (Assistantforyou.com).One of the services I use this camera for is supporting Real Esate Professionals and photographing their client homes for listings.This camera is great and offers a wide variety of options from still shots to 30-second video with audio!  Switching from one to another shot form is easy and quick!Love it and highly recommend it!
The Canon G3 is perhaps the best 4MP camera out there.  I've tried the Sony S85 with the Carl Zeiss lens, but the pictures were too digital.  With Canon, you get pictures that appear to be photos, not still camcorder shots.  I love the EOS based controls and easy menus.I don't need to go into exhustive review of this camera.  Many before me have done that already.  I agree with the positive reviews.  But there are two things I don't like about the camera that were not mentioned in any previous reviews.1) The included lens cap is very loose on the camera.  Though the instruction booklet says that the camera should display "lens" when the cap and the camera are both on, the camera lens extends out and simply takes the lens cap off by itself. I'm concerned that with the easily removed lens cap, I may damage the lens.  Very cheaply made.2) The body construction - buttons, casing, etc, are too prastic.  The G2 was better in this respect.  It had a heavier and more sturdy casing.Despite these grieps, I still recommend the camera.
This camera is closest to perfect than any other digicam that is 4-5 Megapixel. Beats that Sony F717; its archrival. I'm glad Canon decided to keep the 4Mp resolution and improved upon it with new technology; I can't fit all that resolution(4Mp=2272x 1704 resol.) in my 19in flat monitor(1200x1024 resol.) anyways. Please go to read dpreview.com and you'll get the complete story. My story is based on personal usage.Yes there is a corner lens barrel distortion(I don't like it too but no harm done since I always use the camea LCD screen to see exactly what I'm going to get) in the viewfinder when you don't zoom(when you zoom the lens distortion goes away), Canon knows this and engineered it that way to minimize the parallax phenomenon; that is what you see in the viewfinder perimeter is not almost exactly what you will get when you shoot the picture. Moving the viewfinder elsewhere on the camera will remove the lens distortion but increase the parallax phenomenon. The distortion is not a flaw. As with taking digital pictures, I notice other people including myself have errors on their compactflash which results in certain shots being partially taken or lost- this is an issue that seems to effect compactflash and other digicam brand.I've haven't heard about a diagnos or fix for this. In terms of the shots taken, this camera is INSANELY GREAT!. The pictures are fabulous and their is a (short)learning curve to it; there are tons of features I haven't even gotten to.In terms of the important accessories,I got myself an the extra litium battery. Based on my used, 1 full charge was enough for at least 255 shots.  I also got myself a 512MB Viking compact flash(enough for 255 shots at full 4Mp resolution and max picture quality) and a used $250 3lb subnotebook with USB connection and tons of hard drive space for long trips so I can verify what I've taken and that subnotebook also saves me from having to buy extra compactflash. The compact flash is delicate and I hate to swap it in fear on the connetions(camera and CF) bending(can lead to CF erros) or losing it.Anyways, Canon has improved upon the G2 with this G3. It's a winner. I've been pleased with the picture quality and durability in snow, car, boat and wind. My only suggestion is to get a lens protector to help protect the shooting lens(the lens coating will wear out after so many clean wipes) and I'm getting the those ( 52 mm adapter and UV lens filter )at lensmateonline.com. They got the best lens adapter for the G3-better than Canon's. That's what I did and hopes this helps.
The catch with the Canon G3 camera, (and perhaps all of digital cameras) is that its unresponsiveness will cause you to miss precious shots. Prior to the purchase, none of my digital camera friends mentioned the delay between pressing the shutter button and the camera taking the picture. No one told me, but I wanted to tell you. This is not the same thing as a film camera.  And while it is cool and fun and has no film processing costs... they haven't got all the bugs worked out just yet.Most of the time, my G3 is a well-behaved camera. But once in a while, I run up against it's major flaw: It sometimes takes the picture at some indefinite period of time AFTER you press the shutter button.  I am not talking milliseconds.  Picture this: Your child is going to do a cannonball off the diving board, so you compose the shot and wait for your moment. When it arrives, you press the shutter release. Splash! The moment passes, and THEN your new G3 camera takes the shot.Perhaps there is a way around this delay.  Some feature I could turn on or off, or some attachment I could get... Yes, I push the button down halfway first to avoid the autofocus delay. Yes, I have red-eye off, and yes, I've tried adding a flash. But after trying many adjustments, the camera remains unresponsive when compared to any film-based camera.  I own another Canon - an EOS (35mm film) camera. It focuses in a snap. Dim or bright, it would never take a picture AFTER the birthday candles had blown out, AFTER the Tae Kwon Do kick broke the board... Canon's G3 does it consistently.  It feels slow to focus, and unbearably slow to shoot.  I challenge anyone (who is not in direct sun at the beach at noon) to say it is fast and responsive.And so I must ask, what are cameras for? What task do they perform?Cameras capture moments. They stop time. Because once the moment is gone, it is not coming back. The dive, the kick, the blow-out-the-candles moments are, to me, the reason for cameras. A 35mm film camera captures the moments you want, while these digital cameras (my friends now inform me) all seem to capture the moment immediately following the one you asked to capture. Not all the time, but often enough to be a real problem.  Like I said, when the moment is gone, it is GONE.So buy the G3.  Buy it for fun, for lack of processing, because you want to use iPhoto, or whatever.  But do not assume, as I did, that the G3 has the same ability as [your current film camera] to stop the moment YOU choose.  From a dime store disposable to a top of the line EOS, all film cameras share this ability to capture the moment you tell them to.  Unfortunately, this digital moment-capturing device called the G3 sometimes captures the moment AFTER the one you wanted.
This is my first digital camera. Im very pleased with it so far. I wanted something that is able to take high quality photos but not be so bulky that Id wind up leaving it at home all the time. This seemed like a really good compromise. I compared it to the Olympus C5050z, the Sony DCS-F717 and the Nikon 5700. Based on the cameras features and about dozen online reviews, this one seemed like the best all round deal. Its not perfect though. Here are the shortcomings Ive noticed so far: It would have been a much easier choice if this were 5mp camera. You can see the lens barrel in the view-finder. (I knew this before hand, and its not THAT bad) There is no TIFF format. That would be a nice compromise between JPEG and RAW. To save a picture as RAW, you have to have the display on, this seems like a waste of battery power. It seems to me that after the focus and metering are complete theres quite a lag before the &Ograve;shutter&Oacute; trips. (Again this is my first digital camera and maybe thats just how they all are.) For those of you using a Mac in OS X+ there is no Twain utility to download your pics directly into Photoshop. Its very simple to import via iPhoto 2 and then move them to Photoshop. I havent spent much time with the included software, so I dont know what to say about it other than it seems ok.  Im quite happy with the camera.  It comes with a clearly written manual and the learning curve isnt too too steep. Yes, I recommend it over the competition.
I bought my G3 in September of 2003 after my SLR took a dump 3 weeks before my baby was due.  I have NEVER been disappointed.  Granted, if I had the money, I would have gone for something better, but this was the BEST I could have gotten for my money.  Some reviewers have commented on the camera not being worth the price - you must not have shopped around!  I found mine, brand new, for $460 from a reputable online camera store.My pictures turn out great most of the time.  I agree with the slow focus time, but you can't get everything with a prosumer camera.  I love the neverending list of options this camera offers (from flash output to f-stops to white balance, etc. etc.).When I have the money saved up I'll be buying the Canon digital rebel, but until then I am very satisfied with my G3.
I owned many cameras before but this is my first digital camera.  My experience told me that I should get something which is more reliable and slightly heavier.  I used to own a very light camera but it turned out the results were poor.  Canon G3 has the perfet conditions that I am looking for, unfortunately, it is far too heavy than I thought.  Overall, this is a good camera.  Still, I will say it is a GOOD BUY.
I bought my Canon G3 about a month ago and I have to say I am very satisfied. I have taken hundreds of photos with it and I continue to be amazed by their quality. The G3 is loaded with many useful features, and unlike many smaller digital cameras, it is easy to hold steady when using slower shutter speeds.Flaws?The lens is visible in the viewfinder when the lens is set to the wide angle, but since I use the LCD most of the time, this is not really much of a bother to me. Still I am a little suprised that Canon did not correct this design flaw before releasing the camera.Despite this minor disappointment, I highly recommend the Canon G3 anyone who is serious about digital photography.
I recently got this camera as an upgrade from my Canon S200. I am very happy with my S200 believe me but after shooting with my G3 I am amazed at the detail and color I can now get.I was wondering if the G3 was worth the price jump over the G2, my only reason for this was the body design of the G3 which seems more modern to me. I know this is superficial but it looks nice.The first thing I noticed was how similar the controls / icons were from the S200, so it wasn't a steep learning curve on known features. But these are some of the manual features the G3 offers:-P/ Program AE Mode: G3 sets shutter speed and aperture, you set ISO speed, light metering-TV Mode: G3 sets aperture, you choose shutter speed, ISO white balance.-AV Mode: G3 sets shutter speed, you choose aperture, ISO, white balance-M Manual Mode: You set shutter speed and aperture.-Auto mode: auto.-C1 and C2 modes: these are modes on the dial along with the others which let you save your own custom settings. This was cool because now I have a space for lmy own ow light setting and my own high speed setting, which i just turn the dial to get.Some other Pros I wanted to list about the G3:-LCD screen is beautiful, nice large, crisp.-Movie mode (320x240 max) lasts 3minutes, and plays back on the G3 with sound.-the two buttons needed for deleting images are right by each other, so you only need a thumb to delete. (dumb I know, but I delete alot on the fly) actually all of the buttons are placed thoughtfully.-wireless remote, is cool for shooting group shots.-macro mode is awesome, have gotten some very nice shots of flowers...etc-longest shutter speed is 15 seconds.-image sizes the G3 has, with images each size allows, based on a 256mg CF card, on medium compression:2272x1704, 221 images1600x1200, 439 images1024x768, 760 images640x480, 1560 imagesRAW 64, imagesAll in all, I am very happy with the camera and the purchase. Definately not one of those you will feel guilty about treating yourself to, because that's how I feel. There are other features which I have probly missed. But these were the ones I noticed at first.If you are looking at cameras and thinking about it, get the G3, its easy enough to use as an amateur. You won't be dissapointed.Have fun, cheers. (Oh, my pics are on pbase.com/flashboy99)
Yep. This is my first Digital Camera, and what a 'toy' it is!!! I am a software engineer and am very keen into technical details of everything i buy, I spend around 3 months before buying the digital camera; and i must say, G3 worth every single cent i spent on it.Just a little overview, PowerShot G3 is the flagship of Canon's PowerShot series and its an SLR-like camera, its 4 megapixel and (alsmost) full manual control gives the pictures a touch of brilliance. Whether you are a novice or an expert, its ease of use and functionality goes together. + you can have different kind of lens if you want + flashes, etc. As its 4MP, you might need bigger storage to store high quality images and recording movies (you can record 3 minutes of video). I am using Kingston 512MB CF which works great and is very fast. A good choice could be CF type II, Microdrives that can store around 1 GB of images.Some things that i didn't like (but hey.. nothing is perfect).* Main dial is not backlit.* Lens visible in optical viewfinder. (well thats only for old-school die-hard optical viewfinder fans) use LCD instead which is brilliant and you can twist around too.Overall I'm happy with my toy. :)
I used a Canon Powershot S20 for about 2.5 years and LOVED it!  There were a few flaws that I learned to deal with and took thousands of pictures around the world, losing a few that I really regretted.  I finally decided to upgrade, and started my research.  Canon was an obvious choice, but I did not want to limit my decision, so started researching all brands that would take my Microdrives.  I researched, held, tested, and observed 3 different brands.  Needless to say, the Canon won, hands down.  This camera performs like I can not believe!  I bought it for my trip to Beunos Aires, and also used it at the Iguazu Falls, and could not have asked for more perfect performance!!!  It was too new to have learned much about the advanced features, so I generally used the Auto mode.  This camera is worth every penny, and I highly recommend it!  Another point of note: the battery life is incredible!!  I did not have a backup battery, and had no need for one.  I did have ability to charge it every night, so don't know how long it would have actually gone before dying.  This camera will stay with me for YEARS!!5 Month Update:I am still loving my camera!  Took it to Croatia (very humid), Cannon Beach (very humid), with NO problems!  I was worried from a couple of reviews I had read, but experienced no problems.  The pictures I have taken are INCREDIBLE, with exceptional detail.  I still have NO regrets.  Many manual settings that I still need to figure out (or maybe not).  I LOVE MY CAMERA!!!!!!!
One word to describe this camera...Wow!  The G3 is more on the expensive side of the spectrum, but it is definitely worth the investment.  I would consider myself to be an amateur photographer, but I could never really take high quality photos.  After taking a weekends worth of pictures at the standard default resolutions, I loaded the pictures onto my PC and was absolutely blown away by how nice they were.  The quality of the image, the resolution, and the color were all breath-taking.  From close-up head shots to landscape shots, they were all the kind of pictures that you looked at and just said &quot;Wow, that's a really nice picture.&quot; The combination optical/digital zoom is pretty impressive as well and is more than you will likely need (I could zoom in and read license plate numbers from cars parked in the background). So I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking to improve the pictures they take...you definitely won't be disappointed.  Aside from that, the software was easy to install and surprisingly well designed, camera interface is fairly easy to understand, workmanship of the camera is high quality (doesn't feel like a toy).  It is a little larger than most digital cameras, which I actually like.  It would probably be a tight fit into a small pants pocket, but fits easily in a larger cargo pocket.Only bad sides were that 1)The CF card that comes with it is a paltry 32Mb, so look into getting something bigger and 2)Doesn't come with a case.  For $500+ you would think they could throw in a case, but I guess that's how things go nowadays.
I LOVE MY G2 SO THOUGHT I WOULD UPGRADE. BIG MISTAKE. THE G3 HAD PROBLEMS FOCUSING IN LOW LIGHT AND WOULD NOT TAKE THE PICTURE WHEN THE SHUTTER WAS PRESSED BUT AFTER THE SHUTTER HAD BEEN RELEASED A FEW SECONDS. GOT WAY TOO MANY BLURRY PICTURES. I HAVE RETURNED THE G3 (ACTUALLY I TRIED TWO OF THEM) AND HAVE MY G2!
I recommend unreservedly the Powershot G3 to any potential buyer looking for a first-class digital camera at a reasonable price - there is no better camera out there - period! It gives great pictures, the controls are easy to use, the battery lasts forever on one single charge, the software is very user-friendly and it is beautiful in it chrome casing.I began taking pics as soon as I got this camera and am amazed at the quality of photos I have took simply by using the AUTO mode...absolutely breathtaking.I was considering the Olympus Camedia C-5050 but was convinced to buy the G3 after visiting a store and holding it in my hands and trying it out. The Olympus is a bit clumsy-looking and the user-interface not as friendly as the Canon, but one of the features that sold me on the G3 was the battery life - no other camera out there gives you the type of battery life as the Canon G3.I would recommend a larger compact-flash card, at least 128 MB. I bought a 512 MB card by Simpletech and it works great with my Canon.In short buy this camera if you are thinking about a digital camera in the [expensive] range
The PowerShot G3, a substantial optical & electronic upgrade from the already excellent G2, has now come into the "Good Value" range, with the arrival of the (nearly identical) G5 version. The G3 and the G5 are physically and optically identical - save for the G3's silver case that now comes in black. For the few extra hundred bucks you get a 5 MP rather than a 4 MP camera - a difference that's essentially indistinguishable except with poster sized prints. I opted for the far less costly G3 and have been delighted. The lens (4X zoom) is first class; the battery lasts for hundreds of shots between charges; the swivel LCD has gorgeous colors and is very solidly hinged; you can use it as a point-and-shoot with great results, yet have dozens of manual adjustments available if you desire more control; the macro feature (down to 2" proximity) and the neutral density filter (to reduce exposure of very bright scenes) are worth the extra money alone.The one con is that the big lens obscures a corner of the optical viewfinder at the wide-angle setting -- but that's why you have an LCD viewer anyhow. Well worth paying a bit more than for a simple handheld camera; beatifully crafted, with excellent printed and illustrated manuals and first-class software.ADDENDUM: The current Powershot G5, a G3 in black drag with a 5 MP rather than a 4 MP CCD sensor, has received consistent criticism for showing chromatic aberration ("haloing") and digital noise when compared with the G3; probably because the higher density CCD feeds into the same electronics processing package as the G3. All the more reason to purchase the G3 - if you still can find one. The 20% increase in pixel count makes no perceptible difference (unless you print 11x15" banners), and the image quality has declined in the makeover; even so, the black body does look more professional (but is that worth the extra bucks?).
I am delighted with the the Canon PowerShot G3. I love the G1 and this is very nearly the same. The major difference for me is with the CCD Color Filter Array which is GRGB in the G3 and CMYK in the G1. Despite that change, the photos that emerge from the G3 have the same lovely characteristics as those from the G1. Unless the camera is very small, I want an optical viewfinder. Each of the Gs have that feature. I bought this camera used and it is like new. The USB cord was taped in one place and I replaced that for less than two dollars. It is a great camera.
Being a great fan of the G2 I set out with G3 with a somewhat negative expectation, difficult as it is to improve drastically on something already as 'perfect' as the Powershot G2. But Canon never fails to amaze. Some of the great gains over G2 --1. The ability to selectively switch to RAW format during record review gives you incredible more post-processing flexibility.2. Battery life is over 4.5 hours, compared to about 2.5 hours for the G2 or the 2 hours for most Nikons.3. The Remote Capture and FileViewer software bundled for photo capture is mind-blowing. Looks sort of like Picasa Software (google it if you dont know) in the interface and is as easy to install and operate as G2's, but more intuitive.4. The shape of this device is a little squarer, without losing the weight which means better balance and less shaking while clicking. A big plus in my book.5. The 1/200 sec, F5.6 + ND filter for highly exposed (or very brightly lit) environments. The light auto-correction is awesome. You could take a picture of a stone glinting in the sun and still avoid the shining glaze and get the contours right.6. The G2's "Color Effect" exposure mode has now been removed, the replacement is a selectable "Effect FUNC" menu option available in all exposure modes. There are six default settings (Off, Vivid, Sepia, Neutral, Low Sharpening, B&W;) as well as a 'Custom Effect' that allows you to control sharpening, contrast and saturation.7. A new PhotoStich software for stiching your pics into a panoramic view. I can of course buy such a tool off the shelves separately but helps if it comes with my camera. (Looks quite neat too suggesting that Canon may have, er, Canonized it a bit).8. Perhaps inspired by the Canon's factory white-correction settings (which were found lacking and had to be altered by a user before the white edges from buildings etc could be cleaned out), the G3 has much sharper white offsets. In English, this means that even straight out of the box, you'll be amazed at the pics you end up taking.9. In dim lit environs the G2 could easily outperform any other camera, and thankfully G3 maintains this rep. Personally I believe it even outperforms the G2 in terms of less haze and astonishingly real colors.Overall, the G3 delivers what must be considered the best image quality of any current >4 megapixel digicams, from a detail, tonal balance and color response point of view. There's really very little about G3 images to criticize. Short of the EOS range from Canon or the D100s from Nikon (both SLRs) this is quite simply the best you can ask for.
POSITIVES1) SLR like "Creative Zone" programming options gives you latitude to be creative, yet its Auto and "Image Zone" settings provide excellent photos if you don't want to bother with the settings. Excellent range of metering options as well. It's great to be able to toggle between the metering evaluation settings and see the results of the changes on the LCD screen.2) 4MP is about right for the target market of this camera (semi-serious amateur photographer)3) 4x zoom is nice4) The great thing about digital, in general, is that you can generally see the results of your exposure settings on the LCD screen BEFORE or RIGHT AFTER you take a picture, not two weeks later when you get the film developed.5) Its focusing system is also very flexible. you can move the focus range to almost anywhere in the scene with the push of a button, and it has an on-screen manual focus mode that would be really helpful if shooting a scene that is tough to automatically focus.---------------NEGATIVES1) Quite bulky (it's about the same size as my Minolta Vectis S-1 APS SLR) and uses a heavy battery.2) Not very ergonomical - you'll find yourself stretching your fingers in the weirdest ways to get to some buttons (especially the flash toggle and exposure evaluation buttons at the top-left of the back)3) Len's aperture is not very flexible (it seems that it's range is very small, even for a point-and-shoot lens)4) The viewfinder is borderline worthless and, inexplicably and ridiculously, the lens blocks part of the viewfinder at the wide-angle. I wish it were larger and brighter so I could use it when taking pictures in bright daylight when the LCD screen is hard to use because of the brightness.5) Its swiveling LCD screen is as convenient as it is annoying.
What else can you say about a camera that works for both of you? I make photographs at work, and so wanted a camera good enough to compare with what I use professionally. At the same time, I wanted my wife to not be intimidated by knobs and buttons.I recieved the camera, inserted a larger CF card, charged the battery, and handed it to my wife. I showed her how to turn it on, where the lens zoom lever is, and she loves it!This camera has Canon's great colorimetry, plus what you see in the LCD is what you get. The prints are beautiful! And you get about 120 images on a 256MB card at highest quality.I tried out some other brands in the stores, and was disappointed by the battery life of the other company; plus what you see in the LCD (no optical finder) isn't what you get - not even for color; the output was less than I expected.Although Canon's batteries are proprietary, they last a really long time, recharge fairly quickly in the camera, plus if you want 'more power', you can even find a knockoff charger and spare batteries right here on Amazon.
The Canon G3 improves in almost all ways on the G1 and G2 before it, and in fact beats the Nikon Coolpix 5000 in performance (picture quality and battery life) -- which is amazing because the 5000 is a 5 megapixel camera and the Canon is a 4 megapixel camera. Canon's optics are better and I believe their processing algorithms are also better. Simply, the Canon G3 is the best digital camera out there today at this price point.The Canon allows you to change lenses, and it accepts the IBM Microdrive (Type II Compact Flash), so you can have up to 1 Gigabyte of storage. For me on the Fine resolution setting (not maximum but very close) this adds up to over 1000 images with the 1 Gig card. The battery life of this camera is twice that of the Nikon 5000 and is better than anything else I've seen.The only minor nits I have with the camera are it is fairly boxy looking, it needs a wrist strap instead of a neck strap, and it is a bit slow between shots. Even with these shortcomings, I still think it is the best digital camera available under $1200.
I've had this for 3 months now, and I am pleased with my decision.  This is the perfect camera for a photo hobbiest who wants to have easy point and shoot ability as well.  My girlfriend loved using this camera so much as a point and shoot that I had to pry it out of her hands most of the time.  Battery life, the drawback to most digital cameras, to quote K. Reeves...whoa.  Manual functionality is excellent, downloading pictures is quick and a breeze, and the quality is astounding.I did a good month's worth of research before buying this over other similar priced digital cameras, and this IS the best buy for the buck.  Not perfect (yes, the viewfinder can get obstructed in instances...but the lcd works well enough in those instances), not the cheapest 4.0 mp, but the best 4.0 mp.  If you don't believe me on that, check the consumer reports review as well as the many digital camera review sites out there.  Or save time and just do it, you won't regret it.
WHY I PURCHASED THE POWERSHOT 230:I was never really a fan of Canon cameras, especially Canon digital cameras. It wasn't until recently that a few of my friends were sending me pictures via email that were taken with a Canon Powershot camera. I was pretty impressed with the results and decided to check out the newest Powershot; the S230. This camera packed a lot of features, but kept the bulk to a minimum. Producing images at 3.2 megapixels, the S230 was definitely appealing.WHAT IT COMES WITH:- Canon PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH camera- NB-1LH Lithium-ion battery- 16 MB CompactFlash (CF) Card- USB cable- A/V cable- Wrist Strap- CD with Canon software suite- Users ManualPOCKETABILITY:The first thing you notice about this camera is that it's small. Probably the smallest digital camera I've seen in the 3 megapixel category. You can truly put this in your pocket and not have everyone stare at the bulge...DURABILITY:I've already dropped this camera once on my hardwood floor. Amazingly, it still works like a charm. The S230 is encased in stainless steel with a few chrome accents and a couple of plastic parts (mainly the switches & dials). I expect this camera to last several years without any problems, if not longer. A buddy of mine has owned his Powershot S100 for over two years and he still loves his to death.EASE OF USE:The S230 was as easy to use (if not easier) as my previous Sony digital cameras. Before selling my Sony DSC-S75, I had the chance to compare the two, side-by-side. The size alone, gave the S230 an overwhelming advantage. The picture quality is very impressive with the S230. The indoor photos that I took without the flash turned out great. The auto-exposure, as well as the auto-ISO settings works fine, but if you want to manually set those on your own, it's easy to do. There are other cool features on the S230 such as picture effects (black and white, sepia, soft, sharp, etc.). The 1.5" LCD is very useful and is very clear, even in bright sunlight.ADVANCED FOCUSING:AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto-Focus) is a new feature found on the S230 that was not present in the earlier models of the Powershots. This function allows the S230 to select from one of the nine focus areas within the frame to capture the sharpest shot. It's pretty amazing how this works. This feature can also easily be turned off in the settings. This feature is found on the new Canon G3, as well, and is the flagship of the point-and-shoot digital camera line for Canon.PICTURE QUALITY:As I mentioned, I was quite impressed with the photo quality. I managed to print some of them on photo paper using my HP 960c deskjet printer. Printing them in 5X7 produced brilliant, almost photolab quality pictures. I might add that my Sony DSC-S75 also produces some of the best photos, as well, but I expect that from a camera that boasts a Carl Zeiss Sonar lens, 3.3 megapixel resolution quality.... If you own a Canon printer, you should be able to directly print off of your S230 using the supplied cable. I just ordered the Canon i850 printer, so I'm anxiously waiting to try it out.VIDEO MODE:The ability to capture 30 seconds of 640X480 AVI video (20 frames per second) with sound is awesome! My father was surprised at how clearly it captures motion video. Although you're able to capture the video with sound, you won't be able to play it back with sound on the camera itself, as it is not equipped with a speaker. The S230 is capable of capturing more than 30 seconds if you use smaller resolution. After visiting the Canon Powershot website, I learned that if you use a high-speed CompactFlash (CF) card, you should be able to capture more than 30 seconds of 640X480 video. Canon expects to market the high speed CF card soon.BATTERY STRENGTH:This is where I'd say that my Sony DSC-S75 shines. All of Sony's digital cameras display the remaining life of the battery in minutes. The S230 goes strong until there's about 5% or less power left. I've read a few articles and reviews stating that the battery life is the weakness of this camera, but it's not all that bad. It all depends on how much you use the LCD display, the flash, and how often you turn on/off the device. I quickly ordered an extra battery from buy.com and I'm perfectly happy now.The S230 comes with a separate battery charger. This is very convenient, as you don't have to charge the battery using the camera, like most of the Sony cameras do (Sony sells the battery charger as a separate accessory). From a fully discharged battery, the charger is able to completely charge it in about two hours. There is an LED which displays in `red' when it's charging and `green' when it's complete.OVERALL WEAKNESSES:Some people will say that the small size can be a weakness, but I'd say that the size is definitely its strength. The optical zoom capability is only 2X, so you won't be able to zoom up very closely from afar. It does offer a digital zoom, but this may result in grainy photos. The macro mode of the S230 isn't as crisp as my Sony DSC-S75, but I can live with it. Also, the flash on the S230 isn't as effective as it should be. The flash tends to white out (too bright) close-range subjects, but is very weak for any subjects more than 6 feet away. I'll have to play around some more with the settings, I guess. Finally, the tripod mount is not positioned in the center of the camera. It's actually placed on the side, causing it to be off-center and hard to balance.SUMMARY:I mainly purchased this camera for its size, but it's turned out to be a much better camera than I anticipated. In terms of photo quality, it may not beat the higher-end digital cameras, but it will sure give them a run for the money. We have to hand it Canon for developing a truly pocket-sized 3.2 megapixel digital camera.
I bought this camera almost 4 years ago, and I love it in every way. It takes great pictures, uses a rechargeable battery and is great on battery life.  I go about 6 months without having to recharge the battery. I would say I take a medium amount of pictures.Recently Dec. 2007, I went to go take a picture and the screen was blank with a few purplish lines running through it.. My icons showed up, but there wasn't anything in the LCD. When viewing playback pictures, those pictures show up in the view finder.  I recharged the battery and tried again, same thing.  For a while, I thought I would have to get a new camera.I called Canon support (for the other reviewer, I found the number very easy to find, 1-800-828-4040.) After going through their voice prompts, I got a customer service person right away. No wait! Plus, the rep was in Virginia, so there weren't any of the typical issues that happen when customer support is located in India (like HP).I described the problem, the rep helped me reset the camera, it worked for a few seconds. The rep told me to keep taking pictures for a few more seconds, because the fix may be temporary, and sure enough, the picture went blank again. (IMHO, most customer service departments would try to get me off the phone the second it started working again).Long story short, there is a service advisory out on this camera, it turns out that the "image sensor" may malfunction. Canon is paying for the shipment back to them and they will fix it for free. No muss, no fuss. It didn't even matter that I had the camera for almost 4 years.  This was one of the best customer service experiences I have ever had.If your camera starts acting up like this, call Canon right away.**update 1/12/08 ***Canon was not able to fix my camera so they sent me a BRAND new one, a SD900 , a much much better camera. My camera was not under warranty anymore, but since it was the "image sensor" issue, Canon still covered it. Amazing customer service, very rare these days. They just earned a customer for life.
I have owned a few digital cameras in my time, and spent too much money on them I might add. This one was cheaper than the others, and as far as point and shoot goes, this one is the best. Easy to use and it takes great pictures with little hassle. The battery provided takes enough pictures on one charge to fill a 64 mb card. (about 111 shots in the largest size & 400 small shots) I am Impressed with the quality of the camera for the price. It fits comfortably in my pocket so I can take it with me everywhere, wich I do!
It's my second Canon Elph, I had the 100 and it was a great camera. I purchased the 400 for the higher resolution, but the video resolution is not as good. For the money the Elph 230 is the nicest camera on the market.
I have had a Canon digital camera for a few years now... had the A50.  At the time it was the world's smallest 1.3 megapixel camera.  That camera worked great and finally I updated to the new S230.  WOW!!! what a great new camera.  Takes great pics and is much faster than the old A50.The movie mode is great for quick little movies.  I do construction management and take short movies of remodel projects in progress.The best small digital camera I think you can buy.  Its small, takes great pics, has great features and is easy to use.. buy it!!
I still havent delved into the cameras compensation mode but this Camera could not be simpler to use. Its still a bit pricey but compared to all the other digital cameras of its kind (and ive seen many) its worth the price. I think the LCD display takes too much battery power and the flash is too close to the lens but it is a very handy and smart camera. If you like small and well constructed things the likes of how Macintosh makes, (IPOD)you will like this camera. Its ability to take a good picture is 90% and to take the picture you want is 80%. Meaning youve got to put some work into changing the presets to get what you were hoping for but the beauty of digital is that its so manipulable.
ultra tiny, excellent over all image quality, great for point-and-shooters. also some nice features for semi-advanced users. takes very good videos. i got a second battery and a 512meg card, cost an extra $...,however,you will never need anything extra for day trips. two batteries and that size card will keep almost anyone content for days on end. in my experience the battery will last for about 120 pictures,with the LCD,and a handful of videos.what most don't mention is this camera comes with the built in ability to stitch together multiple images to great a panned image. you can stich as many photos as you wish. maybe a large scene won't fit in the cameras lens but you don't want to zoom out because it will include some unwated feature? zoom in and take 2 pictures rather than one and the computer software will stitch the photos together flawlessly. you can also do 180/360 degree pan of a scene.gripes:the zoom is tiny,but its to be expected for this cameras size.the full res videos are a tease, they are only up to 30 seconds long. if the camera had the ability to record streaming video right to the compact flash i wouldn't even need my camcorder anymore!get a compact flash card reader, the USB cable and software is a bit cumbersome for more advanced computer users.**side note for the gentlemen who dislikes the lag between pressing the shutter button and the actual photo taking.**read the manual,it will explain in detail this process. press the button half way,the camera adjusts all the settings automatically to the suroundings(lighting,focus,flash,shutter speed/aperature,ISO,etc),when its ready,it lets you know. then you may take the photo by fully depressing the button.
I love this camera.  It's small, durable, and takes very sharp pictures with little to no effort on the user's part.  There are better camera's out there, but for the money, ease of use, toughness, and size, this one has treated me very well...
My experience is that 2.1 mepixel digital camera can produce equal to or better 8"x10" picture than 35mm camera(I used to do wedding photo's).  Thus I didn't need a digital camera above 3.2 mp.  I wanted a good balance of weight/size, and cost, and features.  S230 weight/size is unmatched with beautiful stainless steel brushed face.  The camera is full of great features:  new image processing system, good lense, new focusing system, strong Li-I battery, and digital camera with adequate camcorder features.  Camcorder feature is very high quality though bit choppy.  The Flash, the weakest side of any point-and-shoot camera, is much better than my previous digital camera (Canon S10).  Only feature I wished it has is external flash hotsynch wire connection.  New Zoombrowser software is much better in handling database then previous versions, but lacks grace.  Mouse Scroll does not work.  Awkward way of deleting shots from the camera after downloading.  Should have given Adobe Photo Element instead of Archsoft stuff.
I also have to give this little beauty a high rating. A number of people have expressed complaints or problems. I thought I'd describe some of my own experiences.I recently bought the camera for work, along with an extra battery and a 256MB CF card. In initial testing I was very impressed with the clarity of the pictures, though I changed the white balance for indoor pictures. I took 110 pictures of varying sizes and 3 movies of about a minute each (much more than I expected, based on reviews I've read of battery life). This week my wife and I went to Disneyland. I brought the camera, the empty CF card and both charged batteries. I took 182 pix at max size/min compression without depleting the first battery! Ultimately, I got 328 pictures over a period of two weeks - about half taken with flash. I kept the LCD display off the whole time, except for the two-second review display in the LCD after you take a picture and the status icons which appear when you change something (like turning the flash off or forcing infinity focus).The review display defaults to 10 seconds, but as I grew comfortable with the camera I changed it to 2 seconds -- partly to conserve battery life, but also because you can't do anything with the camera until the display clears. By the last day of our trip, I had turned if off entirely due to the discovery of an undocumented feature: if the LCD and review settings are both off, and you keep the shutter button pressed after taking your image, the image will be displayed for a few seconds. This has the potential to decrease the time between shots if you're busy taking several in a row in a short time.I have an SLR 35mm camera and two point-and-shoot's. Though I like looking through the lens to exactly frame a picture in the SLR, I've learned with the point-and-shoot's to see as the camera does and not worry about the viewfinder. I took this point-and-shoot approach with the S230 and it works fine. If you think "digital camera" means "looking at an LCD display to frame your picture," I urge you to rethink this. It will mean far less worry about the battery. It should be noted though, as it is elsewhere, that the "weak battery" icon doesn't come on until the battery is pretty much dead, which means you could end up in the lurch if you don't have a spare; but the battery life is less of a problem than I thought.In different stores I took many macro mode close-ups with the flash off, which requires a slow shutter setting for the dim light. They weren't as blurry as I thought they'd be, and a couple came out great. A pocket tripod would make the blurriness problem moot, of course. A curious feature of CCD digital cameras you need to understand is that longer exposures create grainier (more artifacts) pictures, exactly the opposite of what you can get with film. Flash pictures of 8-foot circular displays, taken from 4 or 5 feet back, came out quite well, and hand-held macro pictures under sufficient light were very nice.I switched from auto mode to manual (mostly to access the white balance settings) early on. When turning on the camera in manual mode, you only have to think about a few things: Whether to set infinity focus (in situations where you're shooting something more than 10 feet away and don't want to wait for the auto-focus); whether to set macro mode for sharp close-ups up to 1.5 feet away (not commonly used, but handy); and whether to turn the flash on or off. To review several pictures you've taken, just flick the mode switch from photo to review.Images will tend to have more contrast than you see with your eye, a bit more than with film. If you're within 8 to 10 feet, use a fill flash. Alternately you can work with images in the provided software (Photoshop Elements). For example, I shot some photos of the Small World exterior late in the afternoon. The sun shone brightly off the white building, and the shrubs and waiting area were in shadow. I aimed at the building and half-pressed the shutter to set the auto-exposure. In that image, the building looked fine, but the shadows were were almost black, even though they were easily visible to my eye. In a second photo, I aimed the camera at the shadows to set the auto-exposure, and then aimed at the building and took the picture. In this image, the building and surrounding area was completely washed out, but the shrubs and passing boats in the darker areas were much more distinct. I fixed the first image in Photoshop, but the second image couldn't be saved. I did this to test the camera's limits, but the best solution would have been to come back and shoot it in the morning. A common "bad photo" problem is not understanding when you need to recompose a shot, change the lighting (or wait for better lighting), or not accepting that you just can't get certain photos to come out.For those special photos it's still not time to replace my SLR, or even my point-and-shoot APS camera. But for the size, weight, and quality of images, even though I purchased the camera for work, I'm very happy with it and will use it for personal uses as well.
I am extremely happy with this purchase. This camera exceeded all my expectations!
If you are an insurance claims appraiser or adjuster, this camera will make your life simple.  You just can't take a bad picture.  It gets all the details. Crisp and clear.
I bought this camera to replace the S200. It's the same camera, upgraded with more megapixels and better software. Physically, they're the sameWARNING: My camera survived being basshed about a lot, and being dropped from five feet onto rocks (twice). What it can NOT deal with is dust and sand.Once anything goes into the little crevice around the zoom lens, or enters the camera through the gaps in the battery  or flash card holders, it doesn't come out, and the camera eventually malfunctions.
I've had this camera since February (it's now June).  I really liked it at first.  When I took it to Cancun, it was great for taking photos of Mayan ruins and such.  But the longer I have it, the more the drawbacks irritate me.The biggest drawback is that in anything less than direct sunlight the CCD SUCKS.  I have a horrible time getting good focus even just in the shade of a tree.  Indoors I get a lot of digital artifacts.  With my previous camera, a Canon Powershot A50, it was wonderful in low-light applications, very clear, very sharp, very good color.There is the flash, but it isn't the best.  I still end up with soft (fuzzy) photos with a flash indoors, and if I'm close to the subject it often ends up being washed out.  I consider myself a fairly advanced amateur photographer and have tried all sorts of automatic and manual settings to improve it indoors to no avail.At this point I am beginning to review other cameras because I need to replace this.  The "low-light" drawbacks (that's in quotes because it's not so much a low-light problem as a less than extreme sunlight problem) make the image quality too embarassing to share photos from family functions.  I used to be proud of the photos I took indoors at family functions and now I only share them reluctantly.That said, the small size and the fast startup and shot speeds are great.  And the video function is the one function that works great even indoors.  I definitely like everything except whatever causes it to perform so poorly indoors and in low light.Buyer beware!
Had the camera for about 2 weeks and I love it.  Great pictures!  It is very small and I really like the metal body.  I recommend getting a bigger flash card, I am going to buy a 128 MB card.  Prices are coming down and Amazon has a bunch of them to choose from.  I also recommend a card reader, instead of hooking the camera up to the pc.  Long story short, I read reviews for at least a month, and finally picked this camera over the sony P7.  Very happy with it so far...
Canon is coming close to perfection here.  Any smaller and it would be difficult to operate with adult hands.Skip the Canon software and use a compact flash card reader for getting originals into your computer.  If you're a Mac user, Cameraid and GraphicConverter will handle most beginner needs.Buy a larger CF card and at least one spare battery.If you don't have a computer or don't know how to use the one you own, don't bother with any digital camera.  And No, Email and web browsing don't count as knowing how to use a computer.
I bought S230 based on many other people's reviews. I am glad that I made the purchase based on the majority of good reviews. I agreed that the camera takes quality pics.  I'd like to give suggestions to one buyer regarding the pics taken by the camera were grainy. Based on my experience, if the ISO speed is set to 50 instead of 400, the grainy effect will disappear. And the picture is very clear. Also I do find the digital zoom is useful when a landscape pic is taken. I took 2 minutes movie. It's so easy to download and view the movie on the computer. (with sound)  Overall, I love the camera. It's the best buy!
A pretty decent camera for the price. The small size is a huge plus! But if you're looking for top-notch picture quality and a big zoom, probably best to go with a bit higher-end model.
I was a little skeptical at first about buying a digital camera because I wasnt sure if it was time to adopt the technology.  Like most people I read constant reviews here and there and came to one conclusion...this was the best camera out there for the money.  Canon has always been a leading company with cameras and they proved it to me.  This was easily my best purchase in recent memory.  On a Mac computer iphoto automatically recognizes the camera and downloads your pictures (time to buy a mac people).  The pictures are crisp and clear.  It even handles moving objects very well unlike the lower end model S200.  I love how compact it is and I can just slip it in my pocket and its not even a nuissance.  The design is amazing and very durable.  The menu options, etc is easy to use/set-up and I didnt even have to look in the manual.  You will be stunned at how easy it is to operate.  One word of advice, buy a bigger memory card, b/c the factory one holds next to nothing.  I purchased a 256Mb card, I suggest you do the same.  If you buy another digital camera other than this one....big mistake!!!
I just got my Canon s230 from amazon for a real low price.  Anyway, I must say I am very pleased with this little camera.  Here is Why:1)Small yet durable.  Well constructed metal body2)Made in Japan (well know for high quality in electronics)3)Takes video at 640x320 (with sound), very sharp video you just have to see to believe (highest resolution around, better than even higher end cameras like nikons and s50 and s400)4)Softwares as well as camera menus and controls are easy to understand even for beginners.  Instruction manuals are well written as well.5)High resolution LCD screen so you can see your pictures crystal clear (unlike competitions such as Casio and Minolta which have very low quality LCDs)6)9 point AIAF is great technology that allows for nine focus points, and the flexizone even lets you choose which zone you want to focus out of nine, so you don't have to worry about leaving out a part of a beautiful tree or roof of a house just because you want to focus on your friends and family members when taking picture.7)Professional and Efficient customer's service.  If you have a question go to canon website to search for answer.  You can also ask them a question and they get back to you within 24 hours (I was surprised).My Thoughts about Some Complaints Others May Have:1)2x optical zoom: this is a mini point and shoot camera and most of the time you can just stand closer to your subject if you need a closeup.  I mean, I also have a canon s30 which is 3x, but I personally could not justify much advantage with a single x higher. (if you want to see a real difference pickup a 5x-8x optical zoom camera and you will understand my point, but be ready to pay an extra 200+ dollars)2)Red Eye: Small camera means close proximity of flash to shutter = red eye.  What do you expect?  Plus this only happens at night, and can easily be corrected with software provided.3)Technology: which other camera gives you 9 point focus? (not to mention Flexizone). which other brand give you 640x320 video? How often do you actually want video clip longer than 30 seconds? (if you need longer, if would be great idea to buy a camcorder, cause 512mb flash is only going to give you 8min at max)4)Proprietary Battery: I challenge anyone out there to fit 2AA battery in this thing.  There is no way.One misconception I see alot in reviews is that people don't see the overall funtionality and quality of a product base on camera class.  You can't expect this thing to perform like a huge camera, at least not in today's technology.1) Just because a camera has the same 3 megapixel doesn't mean their picture quality are the same ...  Some camera over compress the file so it looks a little grainy at full size, which for me is annoying.Finally, I read numerous reviews and saw various cameras before I finally decided on my s30 and now s230 (my second canon baby brother).  I catergorized digital cameras in general based on overall feature and performance with 1 being the finest and 5 being the most basic as follows: (Note Canon and Nikon are tie at first place)1) Canon (sharpest,most color accurate pictures)1) Nikon (sharp, outstanding macro capability)3) Sony (great laser and lens, picture quality can be better)4) Olympus (AA battery and good picture, high optical too)5) Minolta,Casio,Fuji,Kodak (these you have to enlarge their sample photos to see what I am talking about, and understand why they are in the last place)Don't just take my word.  I encourage you to read more professional reviews.  Just thought my research can help give you some insight.Wish you all get to own a great camera for keeping precious memories of life!
My Cannon S230 arrived last week...  I took it skiing today and it is perfect for the outdoors...  The size is the most incredible and useful thing about it... it's a camera that you don't have to debate whether it's worth lugging around... you'll forget that you are carrying it... Even though it's tiny, it was pretty easy to use with gloves on... the auto-closing lens &quot;cap&quot; is key, and it's difficult to turn the camera on by mistake.  The battery lasted all day in the cold...
I got one of these little beauties for Christmas last year.  My son did the research, and really picked a winner.  My husband borrowed it several times, and I decided to get him one this Christmas.  He was really pleased, and said when he opened it &quot;It's the same as yours; I won't have to be re-trained!&quot;I'm never without a camera---this one is so compact I can carry it in my purse, so if I want to capture a design idea for my house or one of my hobbies, or if there's a beautiful sunset, or whatever.  When showing it to people, I call it my &quot;computer in a cigarette case&quot;.This is the 3rd Canon camera I've had since the 70's (and the other two are stil going strong).  I've always been pleased with their quality and reliability.  Like the others, this model is as easy or as complex as you want to make it.  I carry the book with me at all times, because this has so many features that I can't keep them all in my head!  I've taken great snapshots with it on the fly, as well as some pretty nice &quot;arty&quot; pictures.I love the digital because I can review each picture before I decide whether or not I've captured the EXACT shot I want.  Much better than taking 5 pictures, hoping I got the one I want, and waiting for the film to come back.  Also much more cost-effective.  For anyone debating about whether to go digital, I'd recommend this camera.  I think the first one has about paid for itself by now in saved developing and film costs.  If I want pro prints, I just send them to one of my favorite studios.
it's amazing how fast new products are brought to market, especially in digital photography.  the s230 was the first 3MP in canon stable of ultra-compact cameras.  since then, they have brought out a 4MP s400, a slightly smaller sd100, and an even smaller sd10 (no zoom though). the s230 continues to be a strong performer and pricing has dropped to match the competition.  this camera remains a strong value.pros:- very good photo quality.- uses the same DIGIC image processor found in more expensive canon cameras.- good metering and good tonal balance - maintains shadow detail.- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours.- all metal body, solid construction.- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc).- the LCD monitor (1.5&quot;) is bright and has an anti-reflective coating - gives good live preview and review even in well lit situations.- shooting priority play mode (a half-press of the shutter release always returns to shooting).- fast shot-to-shot times.- fairly good startup time, especially for an extending lens camera.- minimal shutter lag.- AF assist lamp works well.- USB connectivity.- good battery life, although i would recommend carrying a spare since canon's batteries are proprietary.- as with most canon cameras, documentation and included software are very good.- ultracompact: 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in, weighing only 6.4oz.cons:- limited 2x optical zoom.- redeye performance could be improved.- average macro performance.- average flash performance.- you'll need to remove from tripod to open the battery compartment.- AF Assist lamp doesn't have enough power at telephoto zoom.- very few manual controls - this is okay if all you want is a point and shoot.- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.- the supplied 16MB CF card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for at least a 256MB card.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.as already mentioned, the s230 continues to be a good value but there are newer entries in the ultra-compact segment of the market.  if you want 4MP resolution and 3x optical zoom, consider the canon s400 - the eighty dollar premium is well worth it, in my opinion.  more comparable cameras at about the same price point would be the canon s100, pentax optio s, and the casio ex-z3.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
This camera is awesome. I am glad i spent the extra money to get a pocket sized high megapixel camera. I can now take this with me everywhere. It has the convenience of the size of a disposable camera with all the benefits of a digital camera. It is VERY easy to use in every sense of the word. The buttons are not too small and are very easy to manipulate. Hooking it up to my pc (alas i wish i had a mac though) was incredidbly simple. I would recommend upgrading to a higher memory chip however (i bought a 256 compact flash card so i dont have to download everytime i use it). Also i would recommend buying an additional battery so you dont "die" in the middle of a party.
I take my Canon PowerShot S230 every where.  The pictures are fantastic.  I love the video options.  With a 256 MB memory card, I take almost 500 pictures.
This camera is definitely one of the best point-and-shoot cameras around.  I know 'cuz I've tried 5 other cameras before deciding to keep this one for good.  I've tried the Kodak DX4900, DX6340, Minolta S414, Canon PowerShot S45, and the Sony DSCP8.  This camera beats all the others I've tried either in size, weight, ease of use, and/or autofocus ability.  Most reviews I read here tells you what's good about this camera.  I think it's important to list all the negative things about this camera, so you can make a better informed decision.  Here goes...1. Short battery life.  At full charge, the bundled 840mAH battery last for around 30 pictures (with LCD screen on).  Buy a 1000mAh battery ... it last much longer.2. Autofocus works 90% of the time.  The other 10% of the time, you'll get fuzzy pictures, regardless whether it is inside or outside.  I find this acceptable since the other cameras I've tried only produced well focused pictures 80% or less of the time. (The DX4900 produced well focused pictures 99% of the time)3. Red eye.  I get many more red eye pictures with this camera than I do with others.  This perhaps has something to do with the fact that the flash is very close to the lens.  This is acceptable to me 'cuz I have software that can solve this easily.4. 512MB card only gives 308 pictures at 3.2MP and the best quality mode.  I was able to get 209 pictures with a 256MB CF card in the DX4900 when set at 4MP and best quality.  The math just doesn't add up...I thought I would get at least 400 pictures with the S230.5. Battery door easiy pops open.  It lacks a battery door lock so you can open the door easily.  There is however a lock to keep the battery from falling out.6. Zoom is insufficient.  2x zooming is certainly not enough for times zooming is needed.  Two cameras I own in the past had 4x zooming and I certainly love to have that in this camera.7. Very very close-ups cannot focus at all.  I tried taking a picuture of the serial number on my pen and it simply would not focus.  I tried that with my DX4900 and it was able to focus on the serial number.8. Casing scratches easily.  I found a number of visible scratches two days after using it.  I tried very hard to handle this well and even bought a case to hold it.  But it still is vulnerable to scratching.9. Controls and menu options are fairly complicated to use.  You really have to read the manual to use this well.All in all, this camera is an excellent camera.  I love most of the features on this camera and finds it as a keeper.  The other cameras I've tried cannot match up to this camera.  You simply can't go wrong buying this camera.  I bought mine ...brand new just last week, so shop around for bargains.
I wish I can give 4.5 stars but the dropdown won't give me that option. This camera makes great pictures. It is small, lightweight, looks durable. I wish it can do 3x zoom but I didn't want to pay the price of the s400. This makes clear, fun movies too. Fast and reliable uploads too. I used to have a Kodak that gives frustrating mysterious I/O errors from nowhere.I am taking a half star off for not able to add date stamp into the pictures, although the upload will put it in the right directory.  The menus are a bit confusing. I should Read-The-Fine-Manual.Besides the driver, the software that it comes with it is quite useless. I don't need such things.
In April of 2003, as a footnote to the purchase of my Canon G2, I bought a Digital Elph s230 for my wife .... This is a very popular, ultra-compact 3 MPixel 2x zoom camera. I won't do a full review of it, but here are some quick impressions. Overall I'm pretty awed by this camera. My wife took great photos with it, and she is neither a photo geek nor a computer geek. I highly recommend it. (Canon has since introduced the s400, which is one step up from this camera -- 3x zoom and 4 Mpixel -- for more money.)It is incredibly small, feels very solid and tough. The model I bought is made in Japan. There are extensive manuals - with one major error: the manual doesn't make clear that to get the "continuous shooting" and "infinity shot" behaviors you have to switch from "automatic" to "manual" mode". These modes are mislabelled; they should be "simplified" and "standard" mode. In the default "automatic/simplified" mode a number of the controls don't work (white balance, infinity, continuous shot). In the "automatic/standard" mode all the controls work. It took me a while to figure this out, the documentation really fell short on this critical point.It supports the EXIF Orientation Tag. A sensor in the camera is used to document camera position at the time of image acquisition.Uses CompactFlash, same AV output and data cable as the G2, the same desktop software and very similar camera interface and operations and similar CF card format. So if you are familiar with a G2 (or G1, G3) this is almost your only logical choice.Battery is very small, very nice charger that plus directly into a wall outlet (would not fit well on a surge suppressor). I think you really need two batteries with this camera. Note that even though the charger is reasonably elegant it's almost as big as the camera! The charger can handle 110/220V and 50/60 Hz.Since a camera-plug charger is an unnecessary optional add-on, you really want to use a CF Card reader with your PC and don't bother using the data cable. My favorite CF card reader is hardly larger than the USB data cable, and arguably easier to transport.Canon made a very nice case for this camera, the PSC 300, that was sold on Amazon for $...! It had a small pouch for a flash card. Naturally, it was discontinued. It's been replaced by the PSC-50, which is even smaller. As of April 2003 neither of these cases is available, the PSC-50 cases are on back order and the PSC 300 have been discontinued.
The reason I purchased this camera is for the convenience of having such a tiny digital camera without giving up too many features.  The 3.2MP is more than sufficient to take excellent photos and the MPEG feature (although I don't use it that much) was very easy to use and turned out a good product.  I have two complaints, however, and if these two things are bothersome, it would be wise to look elsewhere for a different model.  First complaint is that it gets hot when it's been on a while - not extreme heat, but enough to comment about it.  Second complaint is that it only has a 2X optical zoom.  Although it has a 6.4X digital zoom, it gets quite &quot;pixely&quot; when used.So far I've been extremely pleased with my S230 as far as picture and image quality as well as its convenience and user-friendliness.  I highly recommend it.
I have quite a collection of digital cameras due to my fiance's photography. I really like my Elph and I use it quite a bit, though I have a smaller camera made by Casio that I tend to use more often.  I've been able to use this camera quite a lot and rarely had bad pictures.  It works fairly well, though I agree with many other reviewers in that the 2x optical zoom is somewhat disappointing.Like most cameras I've bought, it comes with a teeny card (16MB I think).  I have several 256MB and 512MB cards that I use - you can hardly fit anything on a 16MB card!  I wish the camera companies would start selling their cameras with better cards, but that's getting off the topic.This camera is easy to use and probably best for taking outdoor shots, or shots in good lighting.  It's not meant for taking shots in low light, and the flash isn't the best out there.  The movie mode on this camera is GREAT, and easy to transfer from the card to your computer.The batteries last a decent amount of time, and its quick to charge.  Overall, a great camera - especially for beginners who are not quite sure how to use a digital camera!  There are better out there, but it is a solid camera and definitely a good buy.
I use to own a Canon S200 and an old HP digicam.The Canon S200 lacks in pixels and the S400 is just overkill and overpriced.  Canon S230 sits right in between and everything is right.POSITIVE- it's small, carry it in your pocket- durable, I had no case, hit it around a couple of times, still no problem- takes up to around 2 minutes of film.- the price is awesome ...- rechargable battery and charger - lasts a long time.NEGATIVE- if anything, I wish the video quality was a bit better.
I was so excited when I got this camera (S230) delivered this afternoon.  I charged up the battery for a couple of hours and put in the Compact Flash card.  I snapped a total of three photos before this thing died on me, with an &quot;E18&quot; error message.  I tried again after a short while, and it took a couple more photos.  And that was it - the end.  Now I can't do a thing with it.  I researched this E18 message online, and apparently it's a common error with other models of Canon digital cameras (although none mentioned on this model - perhaps too new).  Am I the only unlucky one?  Did I get a lemon?  BTW, this ruined my Thanksgiving photo-taking opportunities!
This is a fantastic camera.  I bought it for my wife as a general point and shoot and after playing with it found it to be far more capable.  Excellent feedback, easy menus, lots of little "neato" features such as black and white, sepia toning, oversaturdation, signal histograms, 50-400 ISO range, video recording, etc.  Enough features to make it a worthy tool for even more serious photography.It's shortfalls are few.  It lacks a manual focus capability, the zoom range is limited, video record times are somewhat limited, and though its small size is abundantly convenient, it makes holding the camera steady for slow shutter and telephoto shots difficult.Nevertheless, it is a lot of camera for the price.  Go to Amazon and spend the $... to buy a 128MB or 256MB Compact Flash card.  The extra storage will be appreciated.  Enjoy!
Pros:Nice SizeStyleGreat image qualityLCD works great in light or darkEnergy Efficient compared to other camerasOnly two hours or so to charge the battery packIt may be small, but this camera has lots of optionsCons:16MB compact flash that is included is okay, but could be better2X zoom relegates this amazing camera to mostly a point and shoot
This camera is far from perfect, but I don't blame the manufacturer for most downfalls of this camera. Also, look into reviews and actual pictures when comparing digital cameras. Some people will just compare features, which isn't going to cut it. CCD sensor and lense quality will often outweigh the importance of how many megapixels the camera has.Problems with this camera:Artifacts, or circles from low-light flash pictures. These are by far the most annoying problem with the camera, and I can spot them out in quite a few shots. But keep in mind, that many small digital cameras with a flash close the lense suffer from this problem. If you really have to have a small, compact camera, then this may not be such an issue.Red-eye. Another problem with small cameras that have a flash close to the lense. This camera offers a red-eye reduction, which helps quite a bit, but these features often cause subjects to close their eyes or move from the initial flash. Once again, this is common for small cameras, so I'm not going to hold it against Cannon for this problem.Proprietary battery: Its expensive, in case you wanted to buy spare batteries.2x zoom: Its hard to get a decent zoom lense in a small camera. When you are dealing with something this size, 3x zoom is asking for a lot. Once again, I forgive Cannon for this.Good CCD sensor. Outdoor shots come out well.Tough body, with a light lense cover. Small enough to fit in your pocket. Though some reviewers complain of the tripod mount, I find they placed it fairly well to allow for some tripod users to change the battery while the camera is mounted or when using the AC battery dummy adapter. Incase you were wondering, this is why the tripod mount is offset, and it would have been difficult to place it any further from the battery compartment due to the small size of the camera.Autofocus is ok, but the ability to switch between compound and spot metering/focus will help you take better pictures. The feature is conviniently located and all users should learn how to lock focus and light meter.Filming is pretty decent. The reason you have a 3 minute/30 second max recording time is because the film is stored in the buffer before writing to the CF card. This buffer also allows for quick snapshots without waiting for write times, or continuous action shots.I could go on about every feature but it has been covered. If you can't deal with the artifacts, red-eye, and 2x zoom, then look for a bigger camera. If you have to have a small camera, then this camera will be a fine choice. Remember, the best camera you own is the one you use the most. If you find a Canon G2 for a good price but find it a little bulky and fragile and don't want to bring it with you everywhere, then what good is it?
I read a ton of reviews before purchasing this camera and am happy with my purchase. I saw all the negative comments made about this camera and assumed it was made my people who were comparing to other digital cameras and looking for perfection. But even though this is the only digital camera I have used and have no idea how others are, I agree with a lot of what others have said. So beware of these things before you purchase! But even with these flaws I'm happy with it as my first digital camera.- 2x optical zoom is not enough, and who cares about digital zoom when its the same thing as cropping a photo afterwards- flash is weak, camera doesn't take good photos in low light situations, have had spots show up when using the flash; when I don't use flash, photo often comes out blurry- not an action camera, and sometimes feels hard to tell if it has taken a photo when you are trying to take a quick photo- USB port cover looks like it will break off at any moment- you won't know your battery needs recharging until right before it needs to be.. there is no indicator telling you how much battery time you have left- the switch to choose between movie mode, camera mode, and view mode easily slides around and annoying that you have to switch out of camera mode to view photos- movie mode time is limited even if you have a ton of memoryThis is a good camera to consider if you want one that is easy to use, and you will mostly be taking outdoor and bright light photos. Batteries last a good amount of time and recharging only takes about an hour.
This is a really great camera. Has a lot of features like autostitch and movie recorder (has a built in microphone). Allows you to change picture settings like b/w, sepia...Very convenient to carry around, fits into a pant pocket easily.
Just received it in the mail from Amazon.  After playing with it over the past few days I must say that I made the right decision.  It is easy to use.  The quality of the pictures is outstanding.  The design is easy work with - it just feels like a good solid camera.  Other things that stood out to me from other cameras is that it uses a re-chargable battery and the directions from Canon are so easy to follow the camera is idiot-proof.  Canon suppplies you with not only the in-depth directions but quick setup directions and an easy to follow system layout.  Now I see why this camera was #1 on Amazon's list of Digital Camera Best Sellers the day that I ordered it.
It's a little sparse on fancy features, but it's got great stuff all around. Good resolution, decent zoom, some customizability with different color settings (B&amp;W, sepia, etc.). The menu is very intuitive and easy to use. CompactFlash memory is cheap now, so it's easy to have TONS of space for pictures. The shutter lag is fairly short, so you don't have to worry too much about action shots.The weakest part is it's low-light shooting, but it just takes some fiddling around with the white balance. Generally, once you find the right settings on exposure and so one, the flash is fine for most general purposes. It handles close-ups well (even macro-type shots), and is a great size. The battery life is a bit on the short side, so get an extra battery to carry around with you if you're going to be out all day.I use this camera alongside my Canon SLR, so it's a nice mix - the SLR for the stuff I'd like to set up more for, say when I go hiking or weddings, or something like that, but I also carry around the S230 for that stuff as well, and it's just nice to have around when going out with friends or a date with my girlfriend.
I struggled with all the options of digi cams.  I've never taken lots of pictures, so I read up everything from  CCD size to megapixels to apperatures and shutter speeds.  I determined brands.  Sony was out due to the limitation of its (proprietary) Memory Stick.  Olympus was the front runner with options, models, features, and lowest prices.  Canon was second.I started to like the features on the Canon PowerShot S230. ...  Put simply, this is some of the best money I've EVER spent.  I come from an industrial design background (sort of); and it is rare I ever say a product is nearly flawless in design, function, and value.  Trust me.If you can only spend $200 or $250 on a camera, save up your rainy day funds.  Wait another month or two.  Drop $400 and never worry about a camera again-period.  You'll be happy for the 3.2 (true-not rated) MP's when you start shooting.  Images are so good, you'll want to have a good printer like the Canon i950 (4800x1200 dpi).  Images enlarge to 8x10 perfectly.  Never buy film again.  Change between 50 and 400 ISO frame to frame. Black and White is fantastic.  Sepia has that old world quality perfect for some pics of New Orleans.  The long shutter speed allowed me to shoot some cool shots that are "instant Desktops" for my Mac.  Downloading's a breeze.Bottom line.  The S230 is a feature rich camera. It's size allows me to take it everywhere with me.  The Olympus D-5550 I assure you would not fit in my Triple5Soul cigarette belt-pouch.  My flash covers AT LEAST 15' of throw.  The only downsides?  Sometimes I need to fiddle with settings for a minute or two to get them right for a shot.  I mean: set ISO, white balance, light metering, color setting/b&w.;  Then there's always the movie setting.  Took lots of video of my dog playing outdoors.  But hey!  I wanted more features and control over shots, right?  For the first time, I have it.  Oh, the "red eye reduction" feature doesn't work as well as I might've hoped.  Yes, it's only a 2x optical zoom.  That's the limitation of such a compact camera.  I do wish it was a 4x-6x (3x wouldn't make that much difference), then I remember I probably wouldn't be lugging that monstrous camera and couldn't be holding it right then.  I'm just glad I didn't buy a Nikon F1 or Canon AE-1 a few years ago.  The 35mm camera would sit while my compact Canon travels.  All these positive ratings aren't wrong.  It would be a mistake to buy anything else.
I'm not going to repeat everything the other reviewers said, just emphasize that this little camera can take 3 minute long movies at 320x240 resolution, which when viewed on a TV come out amazingly sharp and fluid with fairly good sound.I used it a lot during my last vacation and then stitched the movies together using the EO Video software (not included with camera) to make one long movie with different scenes.  So many small 1 minute to 3 minute movie clips add up to a decent show.The camera is very easy to use for movies since you don't have to keep the shutter pressed, just press it once to start recording and again to stop.  You can easily hold it up over people's heads in crowds, but the funniest is to film unsuspecting friends, since they would never imagine being filmed by this little thing.  Make sure you get at least a 256 MB CF Card with a high 25x speed rating so that you don't have to wait long for the camera to write the data.  I found such a 256MB 25x CF card manufactured by Transcend for only...
This itineration of the now venerable ELPH series was meant to be a half step up from the once very popular S200 model. The change here was to increase resolution from 2 megapixels to 3.2 megapixels. Otherwise, its features were much the same: a slick looking steel body, a proprietary battery &amp; charger, a too-tiny memory card and a 2X optical zoom and a (not very useful) 3X digital zoom. All of the Canon models (I've owned 4) have been durable and all of them take good pictures.By now the 230 has been surpassed in most areas by cameras costing more or less the same amount of money. Higher resolutions, longer optical zooms, faster image handling (meaning less time btwn shots) and better battery conservation are now commonplace. Perhaps more devastating to the elan of these Canons is the plain fact that their diminutive size appeal has been lost to cameras featuring all of the above advancements in packages that make the 230 seem like a leviathan (the Pentax Optio &amp; Minolta DiMage being two good examples).If you already have an S230 or someone gives you one, you have nothing to complain about. It's a reliable and capable camera. However, if you're about to invest in digital technology, try one of the more advanced cameras mentioned above.
I own this camera and while it was very good in 2002-2003 the years have passed it by.  There are other cameras with more megapixels, faster response time, better battery life, lighter weight, better lens, etc.  Plus they cost the same or less than this camera is advertised for here.  I still use it because I bought the waterproof case (up to 100ft depth!) and I use that regularly.  You can probably find used s230s for way less than the prices here if you really want it.
I recently sold my Canon S30. While it was an EXCELLENT camera, I still found myself wanting a more compact design. It wasn't difficult to decide upon the S230 from the Digital ELPH line of camera's once they had a 3.2MP version.I'll say this, everything about this camera is top notch. If your looking for a high quality, well built camera that easily fits in your pocket, look no further.Only bad thing I can think of is the rubber door that covers the proprietary connection port on the side of the camera. It seems pretty flimsy and eventually with enough opening and closing may just wear off. It's a very thin piece of rubber. Other then that, that's all I can think of.You can try and knock the flash or the weak optical zoom, but if you consider the size of camera your working with I'd say they are more then adequate. If you need a lot of flash power, or a big zoom lense, look for another camera.
This is a fantastic camera!  I agonized over the purchase of a digicam and finally settled on this one - it was the right choice.The size is a great feature.  I slip it into my pocket and always have it available.  As a result I have captured some great candid moments with my kids that I would have missed had I run to get the camera each time.3 min video is great!  With the flick of a switch you can capture adequate video (up to 180 secs!) WITH SOUND!!  See above about capturing moments that were previously lost.Battery life is impressive - I keep waiting for the battery alert to go on but this little camera keeps chugging away through filming, video taking, and playback.  I can take between 100 - 200 shots before having to switch batteries.  And these charge fully, fast.Image quality is stunning, the included software is extremely useful and intuitive enabling you to bulk prepare photos for email by saving them as smaller images - no need to launch a separate photo editor just to reduce the size of the image for email or web.  I would lke a larger optical zoom (the s400 has 3x) but the digital zoom impressed me with its clarity.  The AV out cable is great allowing you to view all images and videos (WITH SOUND) on a standard TV.I also purchased a 256MB CF card which allows for loads of picture taking at all resolutions.  And also get a spare battery to have ready to go.
I searched and checked out all the offerings, and settled on this one.  I wanted a good 3.2 camera I would be able to keep easily in my pocket, at a reasonable price.  I considered the A70, but too big.It came down to this one and the same one with SD storage...It was twenty dollars more...So I went with the Compact Flash memory, and saved the twenty dollars. This camera is fine for what I want...The 2x zoom is plenty for framing purposes, and the 3x is not worth the extra money for me...The 3.2 MP is also PLENTY, despite the pixel wars raging...what do you need to do, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue??? No, I didn't think so.I got the 128 card for the extra bucks, got a good deal with rebate on Amazon....about half of other vendors..I do not yet have a reader, since with XP, I don't need to load the Canon software, which a friend hated....With XP, the computer finds the camera and it is simple to upload....It does not appear as a hard drive, however, so I still may pick up a reader for under the price of a movie for two.  The camera works great, and if you really want to find out how well, check out some of the websites devoted to testing cameras..the canons do fine.If you would rather get another, do so....I think most every digital is worth the selling price....as a matter of fact, my kid wanted one, so I picked up a Kodax CX series for the price of five movies for two. 3.2MP too!!! No zoom, but who cares?SO bottom line, I am using the elph to document my workdays, since I am a television photojournalist and go to about 4 or 5 news stories a day...I am grabbing a quick shot of each one just to have them...since I sometimes get to interesting locations...I just needed a camera to have in my pocket while I am lugging the tv camera around...SO far I am very happy with it. I waited for the price to drop below three hundred, and sure enough it did!
I have been absolutely thrilled with the quality of photos, ease of use, durability, and compact size of this camera.  Shortly after I bought it, I took some pictures at the highest resolution, and had them professionally developed to 11x13 size.  The quality of the photo was outstanding!  The photo was crystal clear, and I'm certain that I could have blown it up further.  I previously owned a Kodak 2.0 mp, and although it took nice pictures, the delay (from pushing the button to the time the picture recorded) was nearly unbearable.  I constantly missed photo ops of my new baby in action.  My Kodak also began having problems after 18 months (what a dissapointment- of course it was then out of warranty).  The S230 is lightening quick, and the recovery (from shot to shot) is also extremely fast.  I found the software to be very intuitive, as well as easy to install (I'm running XP).  Although I have other photo software, I am using the Cannon software, because I find it that functional.  I did a lot of research in the way of compact cameras, before this puchase.  I considered the Sony Cyber Shot (average response time, and very high price), the Minolta Dimage(got sub-par reviews for quality of photo).  Three people in my family own the s200's, and have been thrilled with them for over 1 yr.  The proprietary battery concerned me prior to my purchase, but I have been extremely pleased with the battery performance.  I have not had the need to purchase a spare.  I set up the camera (fooling with ALL of the settings), took over 100 photos, reviewed them MANY times, and downloaded them from the camera, before I had to recharge the battery!  The battery also fully recharges in about 1 1/2 hours.  One neat extra: the camera has a gravity sensor that "remembers" the orientation of your photos, so they are always "right side up".  In low light conditions, the camera has performed far beyond my expectations (compensating with a very good flash).  Because of the compact size (and flash proximity to the shutter, red eye is occasionally a problem (although no more so then other ultra-compact cameras), and can be fixed with the software.  However red-eye is certainly no worse then my HUGE Kodak camera was.  If you are looking for a compact camera, with excellent photo quality, and intuitive features, look no further.
I already own a 2 megapixel digital camera and I enjoy using it. Unfortunately it is not pocket size so I tend to leave it home if I'm on a long or vigorous outing.  When I read about the Canon PowerShot S230 I hoped the extra megapixels and the smaller size would make it worth the higher price.  This camera easily fits into a small pocket.  The clarity of the photos is great even for an inexperienced photographer like me.  The instructions for set up were concise and easy to follow.  After charging the battery for a couple of hours it took about five minutes to get started.  I took a batch of pictures and printed them directly from the compact flash card- simple, and great quality!  Then I tried the video mode.  On my old camera I had to go into the menu to turn on the video.  By the time I set it up the moment was gone.  With this camera I just flicked the switch, pressed a button and took great video clips (with sound).  The video was also far smoother than with my previous camera.  I can't comment on battery usage because I haven't had it that long but to be prepared I've already charged up an extra battery.  I also recommend at least one extra CF card in case you're not able to download immediately.  Yes, these cost more at the beginning but they can be used again and again.  In short this camera is very small, easy to use and takes great still pictures and video clips.
I own a Canon digital SLR and bought this as a "portable" camera.  After reading the reviews, I expected that this camera would take good pics, albeit not in the same league as my 10D.  However, to date, I have found the pics grainy and lacking color detail.  I have switched to manual and set the ISO to 50.  Perhaps that will solve the problem. I suspect camera may be defective because no one else has suggested the pics are grainy. One other problem--the camera does not have a battery meter, so you cannot tell when the battery needs re-charging.  This is a major design flaw.  On a good note--the build quality is excellent.  The camera is responsive, although there is a lag with the pics and the buffer. I may wait for Kyocera to perfect their ultra-compacts, because they have recently developed a chip that will load directly to the SD media, and lag is not an issue.
This is a feather-weight, tiny digicam but the results are nothing short of your typical Canon -- stunning. The colors are vivid and the movies are fun.PROS:(1) In the video, the sound and pic quality are shockingly better than what G5 manages.(2) Body design is good for holding and clicking with one hand.(3) Controls are sensibly positioned and, for the most part, adequately labeled.(4) Software bundle includes Canon's adequate photo utility for downloading and managing images, and ArcSoft Camera Suite 1.2 .CONS:(1) The optical zoom is decent but will leave you wanting more(2) The response time from a click is a bit sluggish(3) I like low-light pics without the flash, but this cam is not as good as the big brother PowerShots.(4) Some of the advance features are a bit hard to navigate, e.g., setting different focal points and certain light adjustments.UPSHOT:Excellent carry-around cam for people who want their cams lightweight, or buying their first modern digicam, or upgrading from an archaic 1-pixel piece. Recommend souping up with some extra memory and battery and you're good to go.
A lot of people wrote in their raved reviews and opinions about this camera. I agree with all the satisfied owners that s230 is a great 3.2 megapix camera-accurate colors, well adjusted white balance, intuitive, user-friendly menus and adjustments and so on.However, one complaint that I have (a complaint that I have not read any where else but I think people should know about) is that in order to recharge the battery, you have to take it out of the camera and slide it in the charger unit. This worries me  because 1) the camera will reset when battery is taken out for a while, and I will have to go through setting it up again, like time and date and whatever the manual settings I have chosen.  2) there will be more wear and tear from taking it in and out many times.This is definitely a scheme for consumers to buy a second battery, because in the manual, p21 it says, &quot;battery charge is insufficient to operate the camera, replace the battery pack immediately.&quot;Yes, you will spend more than what you think because you will most likely buy another battery and a higher capacity memory card. Or, if you decided not to get a second battery, you might have want the AC adaptor ACK500 to keep the camera active to prevent resetting.
I purchased my S230 for those times I do not want to carry a heavy camera. I have a Nikon D100 that takes superb pictures. I think the D100's images look better than 35mm film images taken with the same lenses. The D100 and any interchangeable lens digital SLR are far too heavy and bulky to carry when your principal activity is anything other than photography. The snaphots I've taken with the S230 have been sharp and contrasty. There is a surprisingly useful video mode that takes 30 second mpegs (with sound). The included 16 Mb CF card is ridiculous but 250 Mb cards aren't that expensive anymore. The camera even writes to the 1GB CF card from my D100. For the novice digital photographer the camera may seem to have a confusing number of options and settings but there are full auto point and shoot modes that do all the thinking for you. For the experienced digital photographer the S230 is a good choice for the camera to carry when you're not carrying a camera.
As a part-time graphic designer, I truly appreciate the picture quality that you get with this camera!  This is my second digital camera and the 3.2 megapixels is great if you want to print up 8X10 pictures and don't have a necessity to print poster size pictures. If you want to print 11X14 and bigger pictures, you may want to consider the Canon Powershot S400.I am very happy with this camera!
I have always been a cannon fan and this camera is very easy to use.It can be connected to you computer and is easy to use to print pictures to your printer.I like not having to buy film and always able to swap in a fresh memory card which I can then resue once I have downloaded my pictures to my computer.This is a good camera worth the price.Best Regards to all, MC - TheStickRules.Com
I, along with most of my friends, have this camera. You really feel as though you could back over it with the car and it would still work great. The pictures turn out great. The camera is incredibly easy to use and compact.  You will have to purchase an additional memory card (256 Megs recommended) since the one that it comes with will only hold 12 pictures.The negatives:  The LCD display has trouble if you are trying to take pictures without good lighting.  The zoom is limited but this camera is intended more for taking pictures of close up things versus long distance vistas.
Several friends & co-workers have the older 2 megapixel PowerShot models.. from the S110 to the S200. I've always been fascinated by these cameras and their carryability, but being a person who likes image quality I waited and waited (and waited) until Canon finally came through with the S230 with 3.2 megapixels. What a great camera, I bought it just before going on a week long snowboarding trip to Canada. Litteraly took it everywhere. It performed nearly flawlessly in every situation. It handled the cold & condensation just fine, and night shots at the bars came out great. The only small gripe I have is that the 9 point autofocus does wierd things, causing the occasional blurred shot. The improvement of the movie mode (now you can shoot 3 minutes instead of only 30 seconds at 320x240, as well as the ability to shoot 640x480) was a great move on Canon's part. The microphone does well except in loud or windy situations where the audio will clip. The only weak part on the camera body is the compact flash door which is plastic, a friend broke his off. Software: Most of the software works ok, the only thing that works kindof iffy on my machine (win2k) is the zoombrowser software. I went out and spent $20 on a usb compactflash card reader and now use that to transfer my pictures, plus it works as a portable disk to tranfer other files between home/work/friends. You can get 128mb flash cards for about $40 now, definitely pick one up, the 16mb card is useless except as a backup. An extra battery would be helpful, or just carry the charger (it's the same size as the camera) and charge it up at lunchtime or some other downtime. I used my camera throughout the day and only had to charge at night for an hour or so. All in all, it's a great camera, would like to see Canon squeeze a 3x optical zoom into the next version, but if it makes the camera any bigger I'd likely not carry it. The combination of size, quality and features of this camera are unmatched!
Especially good for those who wouldn't take pictures otherwise because other cameras are so much bigger.  This is a small, rugged camera that you can actually fit in a pocket.Pros: SMALL, good build quality, compact flash, nice LCD, long movie mode with sound (great for apartment hunting).Cons: RED EYE!!! 2x zoom, occasional focus issues.
had this camera for a long time. this is an old one so much better model came out now. but canons are generally known for their cameras.
I got this camera because of the 3.2 MP and the size.It fits in my purse, my pocket, in my glovebox in my car.It takes awesome photos.  If you are at a concert and do not want to have a camera detected, this is your best friend.  You can turn the flash off and take a good shot without anyone ever knowing.  Want to photograph your computer screen?  Get a nice clean shot with the flash turned off the camera.  Always wonder why the heck you don't have your camera when you need one?  This will solve your problem.  You'll find you'll never leave the house without it again.  I have photographed dragonflies, people, places, car accidents and more because of the fact that this camera is so easy to carry around, therefore I get 1,000 more opportunities to take photos.  Photo and print quality is astounding for it's class.
I got this camera after looking around and comparing it with others.  I'm glad I decided to go with the S230 for many reasons.Pro'sSmall and can fit in your pocket, great quality pictures, excellent movie mode with sound, comes with battery and charger, not complicated to use, all around excellent camera, and again the 3.2MP makes the pictures very pleasing to the eye.Con'sZoom isnt the best buts its alright, it takes good pictures when its dark out but you have to edit with a program such as photoshop to make it brighter.  These cons should no way bother you much and should not deter you to buy this camera.I suggest you buy a viking 256MB memory chip because the one that comes with it will leave you able to only take a few pics.  With the 256MB chip you take long videos and take well over 1200 pictures.  All in all excellent camera and as usual amazons shipped it fast and got the camera in a few days after making the order.  I look forward to buy from amazon and cannon again.
If you've ever seen something and thought to yourself, if only I had my camera... you're a candidate for one of these. For once, the phrase "fits your shirt pocket" is true; it really does. So you've no excuse to not have your camera with you.But this isn't the only tiny camera around. It's not even the smallest. But it's the first tiny one I've seen with decent storage capacity, a two megapixel CCD, a TFT monitor, and the likelihood that it will take some decent pictures.Cameras that can manage images at 640 x 480 pixels will give you images that look okay on screen but pretty poor on paper. This Casio can manage 1600 x 1200 (and not interpolated, like some others), so you can, at a pinch, print your photos at up to A4 size without any obvious quality problems.The Exilim does have its limitations, but you can accept them because of the size and ease of use of the camera. The lens is fixed-focus (mainly means in practice that close-ups are out), there's no zoom (unless you count the digital zoom which is pointless), there's no built-in lens cover (a case costs extra), and you're going to lose the minute cover for the USB/power connector within about a week. Shame they don't give you a memory card with the camera too because you'll need more than the built in 12MB.On the other hand, the Exilim is gorgeous to look at and to hold (it inspires instant envy). It has a beautiful TFT monitor, is a doddle to use (though surprisingly sophisticated and customisable), ready to go in a flash so you don't miss those opportunities you bought it to catch, and can take pretty good photos - if you can. And little movies too. Oh, and the battery seems to last for ages.I found that it was all too ready on a cloudy day to use a very slow shutter speed, so camera-shake is a bit of an issue. The minuscule built in flash is only good for portraits really. But on the whole, the results I've had mean that as a second camera, it's absolutely fine, and the results have surprised a few people. I shall carry it wherever I go.
I've been snapping photos for about a week now and have really appreciated this tiny camera. The fact that I could literally carry this camera in my pocket (and forget it's there) is what sold me. This is primarily a point-and-shoot camera, and as such the layout of the controls is well designed. With the camera strapped to your wrist, you can easily manipulate all the controls with your thumb and forefinger, without looking. Another thing, this camera is FAST, great for quickly--and discreetly--pulling out and taking a shot. It takes about a second to power up (it has a fixed lens, so nothing needs to zoom into position), immediately releases the shutter when you push the button without any lag time, and is ready for the next shot almost instantly. Interfacing with Mac OS X has been a breeze--nothing to install just place the camera on the base and push the power button and the camera appears on the desktop as a mounted drive and works seamlessly with iPhoto. Battery life got me through about 100+ photos with the LCD constantly on.  Speaking of the LCD, it's a handsome one. Nice and large and very sharp with good menu layout. Image quality isn't superior, but definitely acceptable for on-screen and 5x7 prints, especially for the camera size. One definite accessory you will want to buy is an SD memory card. I've found 64MB to be a good companion with the 16MB of built in memory, fitting about 120 images on the card and 25 in internal memory when shooting at 1280x960. If you take this camera out in public, be prepared to share it with everyone--it definitely draws curiousity as it is one of the smallest capable cameras on the scene at the moment.
This is a great camera for still pictures. It has a few filters such as monochrome, retro, twilight, and more. It also has the ability to creat short video clips, although they are almost too short to be of any use. The built in memory will hold about 60 economy photos. That brings me to another point, you can switch between photo quality to save space, which is a great feature.Pros:-The LCD display is kind of small, yet adequate-Great quality photos-SUPER SMALL-Strong and durable-Selectable photo qualityCons:-No audio for videos-30 second video clips only!-Not that long battery life
I absolutely LOVE this camera.  I would label myself as an "advanced" photographer, having done studio work, shows, and used various formats, but i never forget my roots in why i began liking photography- SNAPSHOTS!!! Nothing is better than coming back from that fun night of dancing and having hiliarious shots of you and your friends busting a move.  Or remembering that you have a camera in your pocket when you run into an old friend or some other unique situation.  This camera is so tiny, you can shove it in your pocket even when wearing tight clothes, and it's barely noticable.  It's also extremely durable.  Being the klutz that i am, i have dropped this camera a billion times and even spilled POP on it, and it still works perfectly.  Also, i have never even purchased a memory card for it.  The ten megs of internal memory is good enough if you are just takign shots for the web/online photo albums.  I set my resolution lower and i can usually get about 60-80 pics out of the 10 megs.  I have even tried printing some of those pictures, and they actually came out pretty decent.I wouldn't recommend this camera to someone who is taking precious shots of their baby and they want to print them and put into an album, but i would recommend it to anyone who wants fun snapshots on the go, has always been bogged down by the inconvenience of NOT having a pocket-size camera, and views most of their photos online. This thing is fun, hip, and extremely convenient for the spontaneous snap-shotter.
I've been using this camera for a little over two months now and I have to say I love it.  It's extremely easy to use and takes great quaility pictures.pros.very fast startup time - you can start shooting within about 1 second after hitting the power button.very quick review time for recents pictures - easily scan through your photos quickly and delete on the fly.thumbstick is easy to use, very intuitive - i never once picked up the manual.  just used the 'menu' button or moved the thumbstick to control all features.upgradable - i added a 64 meg sd ram card in addition to the 12 meg onboard.requires no software - just plug it in the cradle and turn it on and windows will instantly see it as another drive!LIGHT AND SMALL!!!  - it's the size of a credit card!!  fits in a shirt pocket with tugging down on your shirt.  so small, the wow factor on this thing is great!great screen quality - a generous 1.5" screen on a camera this small.OVERALL - just an excellent camera well worth the money!!overall - well worth the investment for web and family and fun photos.  will take up to a 1600x1200 image with no problem.  fun camera all aroundgreat battery life - no joke, i took over 150 pictures with flash each time before i got low on the battery.  it charges quickly too!  and you can turn off the screen if you don't want to waste battery life.consno optical zoom...the digital zoom is worthless but who cares. it's tiny!must use cradle to charge - which is kind of a hassle but the battery life is good so it's not a big deal.
I bought this for the small size. It was better than expected but the upgrade has all the features I was missing on this one: larger LCD, easier control button, higher MP. It is a great conversation starter. A lack of zoom did not bother me, I just zoom in on Photoshop.Pros: Very small &amp; lightGood quality picturesA lot of useful featuresGood priceCons: Short battey lifeSmall LCD screen, better on upgradeControl button is better on upgradeSmall size makes it easy to lose...but that is why I bought it!Otherwise is a great ultra-compact camera.I would recomend the upgraded version though.
I got my Exilim for taking pictures while traveling, mainly around Europe for three months.  The best feature is the small size, small enough to slip unnoticeably in my pocket T-shirt pocket.  Pick pockets are abound in Europe, tho violent crime is far less.  Being able to carry my camera unnoticeably was great.  If you want to make large prints of your travels, a camera with 5 or more mega pixels should be the choice, but the postcard size 4 X 6" prints I made of the trip were excellent and comparable to the 35mm point and shoot cameras I have used.  There are many options, such as setting the white balance, which is very useful, that you wouldn't expect on such small camera.  Pictures taken in very low light conditions, such as in a darkened night club, are not good, but you do get severely grainy, off color images if it's necessary to take a picture.  The 30 second video clips are much lower resolution than 2MP but can be fun to use.  I cannot complain about the 3500 pictures I took in Europe and more than that in the US in the first six months of ownership.  The battery allowed my chip limit of 120 or so pictures, as long as I could keep from constantly checking to see how the days shots were working.  Do all the editing at the end of the day.  I did have my laptop with me to download the days pictures.  It takes 483 pictures with my new 512MP chip.  Enough that my trip to SE Asia for a month later held most of what I took, with no laptop to download to.  No more wishing I had a camera on hand if that special moment occurs.
Casio has a history of poor service after the sale. This camera will work for a while, but don't expect to much more than give it a toss if it malfunctions.  I bought one of these Casio Exilim models 3 years ago. Since that time, the viewer cracked and the cost of the repair was 90% of the camera's price. Then the software began to malfunction, intermittently, by that time out of warranty. I find Casio has great features on paper but after the sale service not at all satisfactory. Now I have a very simple 5MP Kodak Easyshare. And judging from user reviews, Kodak will turn around a broken camera in 48 hours. I'll take that over a bunch of bells and whistles anyday.
Served me for about two years, then slowly stopped working.I have already replaced this with a camera with optical zoom digital, but first the screen stopped working correctly, the shudder sometimes would not close when off, and I got a lot of error messages at start up.I have not dropped it, but I carried it around in my shirt and jacket pockets a lot without the case.
I can snap away at those precious shots that we normally lose due to slow shutter speeds.  Just be careful, this thing is so small and convenient that I have taken too many pictures.  Hopefully I will print most of them before they get lost.  The clarity of 2 MegaPixels is amazing...  =).One the negative side:  Flash is a bit weak so taking group photos in low light is not a good idea.
I bought this camera around Christmas time and I have absolutely loved it.  I needed a point and shoot digital that I wouldn't have to think about adjusting, and this camera is perfect.  It has the little signs of being designed well: really fast start up time, very quick shutter response, it retains settings on shutdown (my first camera chraged the flash all the time and ate batteries like there was no tomorrow), and the list goes on.  It has the feel of a well thought-out product, the way something like an ipod does.  I highly recommend it!
I admit, I bought the thing because of the cool factor.  And yes, you will get people gawking at this gadget in public.  And I guess I knew going in that it was just for fun pictures, nothing serious.Given that, it performs well.  But yes, the shutter slows way down in low light causing more blurry pictures than I'd like.  And the flash is only good for a few feet (up to 6ft according to the specs).  But if you can learn to live with its shortcomings, it's a fun little gadget.It has many very useful functions like white balance and exposure compensation, all within its very intuitive menu system.  And you can customize the joystick to control a given feature during recording (flash mode, exposure, white balance).I thought the tiny joystick would be a problem with my big thumb, but it's not a problem once you get used to it.Digital zoom is fairly useless with a 2 megapixel camera; just blows things up and makes them blurry.The built-in memory won't hold very much, so you pretty much need an extra memory card.All in all, a fun toy that would be a lot more fun at $....  But if you must have it (and I did), go out and get one!
The Coolpix 2000 is a easy-to-use digital camera with two important features: 3x optical zoom and great picture quality.  However, it lacks a viewfinder, so you must use the LCD screen to shoot pictures, which is awkward and annoying.  I thought this problem was gone on all but the cheapest DCs.  Guess not.  Another problem is that the path to deleting photos is a little confusing at first.  This is the perfect camera to keep in the car for emergencies or to use for work.  If you're serious about digital photograpy, though, spend a little extra on a [more expensive camera].  You'll be happy you did.
This is the first digital camera I have ever bought and it was totally worth it. Ive only had it for 3 days. Even without the rebate the price was reasonable. It would be great for a beginning photographer and for the experienced. The photos come out very crisp and colorful, its easy to use, has lots of great features (including the different light settings and macro mode...Im obsessed with it), the menus are easy to use...even without browsing through the manual before hand. Ive read other reviews complaining about the memory card being a little difficult to remove...nonsense. Theres no viewfinder but the LCD screen is great...very clear and sharp. One warning though...battery life. If you buy this camera, BUY one set of NiMH rechargables and a charger. I went through one set of 4 AA's in one day because I had no idea how fast the camera would drain them. If youre like me and cant afford to buy the batteries &amp; charger yet, another item I would defintely recommend is the EH-53 AC power adapter...its excellent for uploading the pictures and not having to use batteries. It seems like a lot of extras youve got to buy but its completely worth it.I installed all of the software on Windows 98 with no problems at all. If you want to edit your photos I suggest downloading Paintshop Pro or some other image editing program. Overall, this camera is excellent and Im sure it will be even better once I get a little more practice with it.
Esta camara es muy buena para amateurs - la calidad de las fotos es alta de d&iacute;a o en ambientes cerrados con buena iluminaci&oacute;n - el problema es cuando tomas fotos de noche o en lugares con poco iluminaci&oacute;n, la foto no tiene buena resoluci&oacute;n y por ende poca nitidez. El otro drawback es el doble flash - cuando predeterminas para que la camara utilice el doble flash, estas salen movidas y no hay manera de corregir este problema.Pero en general es una buena camara y por el precio es muy recomendable.
The Coolpix 2000 is my first digital camera. For the money, I can't imagine a better camera out there. I bought it at Amazon.com, and with the low price they have on it (then figure in the rebate from Nikon) how can you beat it? It is a Nikon product, and has their usual quality.If you go through the manual, and view the info CD that comes with it, you will be taking superb pictures in no time.I had a little trouble with blurriness when taking pictures in low light at first, but all you need to do is use the correct setting, and use a tripod. There is a little "hand shake" symbol that pops up in the display whenever you run into a situation that a steady hand is required to achieve a sharp picture. I found that a tripod is the ticket for those situations. Tripods are a cheap and wise investment.As for the battery life...no big deal. It will accept an external power pack plug-in if you need to use it for extended periods. I bought a 7.5 volt Digicom model and it works great. You can take a TON of pictures on it without fear of it going dead. You will still need to pick up a charger and a couple of sets of rechargable AA batteries for the times where you use it for only an hour or two at a time. Forget about using any non-rechargable batteries. You would go broke in a hurry!Just set it so that it will automatically shut itself off after  30 seconds or one minute (there are a few settings for different auto shut off durations available).Compared to the way we used to go about it (buy film, pay for development, then sort through and save only the "good" shots), this is a far better way to go.If you want to view the pictures on your tv (like the old projector slide shows we used to sit through as kids) you can just plug it into the TV, and run through any shots stored on a card. We find ourselves doing this a lot after family outings to help determine which pictures we want to print out. There is never a shortage of opinion!By the way, You will want to pick up a bigger capacity CF card or two. I went with a 128 mb card, and that is enough for my usage. You can take about 132 pictures in the highest quality settings with it. It will store well over 200 on the second highest quality settings (still extremely good quality for 5 X 7 photos).I suppose there are a few flaws as expressed in some of the other reviews, but why worry? This a great camera from a great company for a great price. In its price range, I doubt if you can touch it (and I shopped). Buy one!
Nikon's line of digital cameras has been good, and the 2000 is a great bang for the buck. The camera is not the sleekest around, nor the lightest, but it gives you a lot of features and control for not too much money. You can point and shoot, or take more control over the photos you take. Right out of the box, you can start taking pictures, and then expand to higher capacity memory cards and longer life batteries. The optical zoom is superior to the digital zoom that you find on many cameras in this range. Most of the controls are on the right hand side of the camera, with a large open grip space in the front so pictures can be taken with one hand. And the picture quality is exceptional for a camera at this price point. Overall this is a very good bargain for the hobbyist who wants to record the family vacation or experiment in the world of digital images. A solid leader.
I got this thing on special at $... That came with a 32m flash card free on promotion.When I finally received this baby, I just could not put it down. I played with it until I could not find anything to photograph.It's fairly easy to figure on the buttons as well, without having to read the manual. I started taking picture and transfering them to my notebook before I even read the manual.The manual is very nice written, precise and written in an easy to understand language. Once I read the manual, which took less than an our, I was using my Coolpix 2000 like I have owned it for a year.This scene modes make it easy to take quality pictures under any type lighting. With the right sceme mode, I have yet to take a picture that's too bright or too dark.The red eye reduction works pretty well too. I turned off all the lights at my place and took pics of my girfriend in the dark. The results were good. I noticed though that from the side it does not work too lekker. Anyway, it's red eye redution not elimination.I did not use the software that came with the camera. I think it's not necessary if you're using Windows XP. It's just another package that fills up much needed drive and memory space.The LCD display is very clear, even under bright light. The screen updates very quickly as well, so you can move the screen around a lot and still not have to wait while it catches up.For an amateur, this camera is an excellent buy. It pretty much does everything for you and still takes excellent quality pics. I was not too impressed with the sticker that Nikon has put on the front of the camera and I could do without th noise from the zoom lens.
I've had my camera for about two weeks and love it.  Excellent pictures.  It is extremely easy to use.  I was able to use it without reading the manual.  Easy to review your photos, delete if you want, etc.  The manual is very concise and easy to understand, and gives lots of useful tips.  The more advance features are very easy to use and easy to remember so you don't have to cart your manual around with you everywhere.It does suck up the non-rechargable batteries.  I got two sets of rechargable batteries and haven't had to go into the 2nd set yet even though I've taken lots of photos and a few little movies.  Very easy to download onto the computer.  I haven't yet installed the software that came with the camera.  Accessories are pretty inexpensive.  ...  The card reader is nice to be able to move your photos off the card onto the computer really quickly.The only drawback is the LCD viewer is the only way to see what you're take a photo or movie of.  In bright light and at certain angles it's a tad hard to see but I'm getting used to it quickly and probably won't mind it at all later.  I can hold out the camera and take a decent photo even if I can't really see clearly what I'm taking a photo of.
Easy to use - I haven't even opened the Owner's Manual, yet (probably should do that sometime)!  For those wanting a simple camera that takes great pictures, this is the camera for you.  Great, small size plus features of many far more expensive cameras make this a great choice for those just getting into the market for a digital camera.  I do a lot of digital work for the web and this camera suffices for everything I need.
The battery pack came fully charged and hasn't needed charging yet about three weeks now using it on my Minolta Dimage 7i. In that time period, I would have used three sets of alkiline batteries.
I have a Fuji S9100 digital camera which uses AA batteries.  Now, the camera is really quite good so why a really good camera would be underpowered by AA batteries instead of Li-ion battery is beyond my understanding. So, I began looking for an alternative source of power and found this product.If you need lots of instruction and information manuals, this is NOT for you.  No instructions came in the package.  But, from reading user reviews, I knew that and bought it anyway.  It took some trial and error and a bit of time but I finally found the correct cable for my camera and got things hooked up correctly.  What a great setup.  Now I had power to burn (so to speak) and with the AA batteries inside as backup, life was so much better.  No more running out of power only a couple of hours after I started.  I charge it at night while I sleep and it's ready to go in the morning for early day of pre-sunrise shooting.I haven't taken the time to really measure exactly how long this battery will last in one charge but I will say, I've used it all day (usually 7-8hours) at horse shows, rarely turning the camera off and not had a problem.I've owned it for several months now and use it often without problems.The reason for only 3 stars is the lack of instructions/information.  Otherwise, it would have 4 1/2 stars.
Imagine opening a package and finding no fewer than eight (8!) pieces of electronics - a battery pack, various cables and adaptors - and no instructions at all. None. Zero. What plugs into what? And why? And how does one charge the battery - when during its cycle, for how long, etc.? No help, no advice provided. Still, I think I got this to work with my Panasonic DMC-FZ20 camera. I don't know how long this new battery will last. I do know that the battery-camera combination is a bit clumsy - a fair amount of added weight, which will take some getting used to, and now, a cable, albeit short, dangling about and waiting to get inadvertently pulled on - or lost. And the pack itself extends back beyond the camera body about 3/8 inch - though this does provide a new edge by which to grip the camera. Plus, I have to keep the camera's little side door open when this battery's plugged in, and I can imagine it getting snapped off its hinge.The moral of the story is that there oughta be a way for these digital cameras to pack more power internally. The last Brand X OEM batteries I bought for this camera - at $20 each, or so - have turned out to be duds. Somehow, Panasonic's own batteries can't be topped, but they list for $75!! Oh for the days of the all-manual Leica, when batteries were D cells and used mainly in flashlights!
Battery works as advertised and always ready to gowhen needed.  Would buy another.
Works well with my minolta digital and could also serve as a power source for other cameras as well.  Very flexible in output voltage.  Simple to use.
I bought this pack for use with my Olympus C3000z and almost two years later I'm on my second camera and this pack is still going great.  I keep regular NiMH's in my bag just in case but have only needed them once.  I love shooting fireworks and close up items and almost always have to use the LCD which eats batteries like I eat candy.  Great that it comes with chargers especially the car adapter.  Only problem I've had is when I screw my mono-pod to it I sometimes can't get it off without removing the camera and all but don't know of any way this could be addressed.If your even contemplating this PowerPack DO IT!  You won't be sorry.
Performs extremely well on my Panasonic DMC FZ20 camera. Practical, it screws on bottom of the camera, yet it provides additional thread for tripod mounting.Slightly disappointed that this unit appears to be losing power faster than my other DPS-9000 Power Pack which lasts longer when used under similar conditions.I ordered this unit based on my positive experience from the previous one. It turned out to be somewhat less enduring. Nevertheless, I remain strongly affirmative about the DPS-9000 Power Pack.
I bought the DPS 9000 for my Fuji Finepix S602.  I had added an external flash to the camera which left it a little top heavy, so I thought I'd attach the DPS unit below (it screws into the tripod mount below) and get the center of gravity of my camera a little lower.The unit shipped well by Ritz. Basically, it wasn't heavy enough to lower the center of gravity much.  However, I do now manage to get about 350 shots to a charge, even with heavy reviewing of shots.  Keep in mind, I review shots through the viewfinder and almost never use the LCD screen. Also, I'm using an external flash with its own battery power so the 350 shots are being taken without powering a flash.All told, I heard the DPS-9000 packs 1850 maH which is pretty respectable for a lithium battery.1850mah doesn't sound like a lot of juice in comparison to a NimH battery, but keep in mind the DPS voltage level stays fairly constant -- usable to the last drop!Minor quibble is the Fuji uses 4.5 volts so I had to use a connector cord with a little "step down" box on it, which I had to duct tape to the side of the actual battery.Also, the cord end that connects to the camera 4.5 volt input kept slipping out, so I used duct tape to hold it in place.The DPS 9000, for most cameras, uses a simple little cord (with no voltage stepdown box) to connect the battery unit to the AC input of the camera.  Be prepared to use a little duct tape to hold down the cord so it doesnt stick out and start lassoing small objects in your camera case.The charger has an eye that starts red and glows green (and flashes??) when the battery is charged.  The manual that comes with the unit is pretty woeful so you won't get any additional information about what the flashing green light means.  Also, if you reposition the charger in any way, the light goes from green to red: obviously a little sensitive and flimsy.However, don't let the above comments put you off.  For $40,  you get a lot of juice in a very small little unit.  Forget the double "A" batteries and go for the DPS-9000.Besides, when other photographers see your duct-taped camerea with that extra battery unit attached to the bottom --- they'll know you mean business!The real value, however, is having the confidence to go out and take a couple hundred shots and know you won't have to replace the batteries half way through your day (although take along a spare set of AA rechargeables, or better yet, a second DPS-9000!)
I love this meter! It's light, small, and reliable.  It has the capability to do incident and spot metering. After only using various spot meters for all of my life, I love incident metering.  With the incident metering, it takes the guess work out of making sure you are metering off a "middle gray".  If you need spot metering, the little white bubble on top slides off to the side to make it a spot meter.I first got a  Voigtlander VC II meter, which is tiny and nice, but it is only a center-weight spot meter. When I was using slide film, I'd spend too much time fussing over whether I was getting a correct reading, and the readings could vary a great amount depending on what you were pointing at. It also could get fooled by such things as light bouncing off water. Even though the VC II meter is smaller, I prefer the Digisix.Operation is simple. After setting the ISO, just click the red button and it will give you a readout. Then you can spin the white wheel until you get to you EV value. The resulting combinations of f/stops and shutter speeds along the rim are the various combinations that would give you correct exposure.I often just leave it on ISO 100, because EV 12, to me, means 3 stops off sunny 16. If you change the ISO to 400, the reading will say EV 14. If you are experienced, or after some use, you won't need the white wheel anymore. Usually I'll take several quick readings and sometimes there is a 1/3 stop variation. For example, I'll get reading of 12, 12, 11 2/3, 12. So I pick 12. If I had just done one, I might be off a little. (In the picture, the reading of 12 with two black dots means 12 2/3).I don't know why the other high profile reviewer is hung up about the extras. If you don't like them, don't use them. You need to press the bottom red button to cycle through to the extras. If you want to just stay on the meter, don't press the bottom red button. However, some extras have come in use. When traveling, I've used the clock, the alarm, and the temperature readout.
A perfectly small feather-weight meter that provides instant digital Ev readings at the push of a button (great for Hasselblad users), with a rotating analog dial to calculate exposure settings..  All functions are easily managed with one hand; even the incident light dome can be flicked aside with an index finger for instantly changing from incident to reflected light modes.Made in Germany (not China), the plastic construction feels sturdy despite its weight.  The controls are simple, and the calculator dial operates very smoothly, though its audible 'click' as it turns is a bit loud for my taste.The Digisix is calibrated in 1/3 stop increments.  Testing it along side my 'Luna-Pro F' and 'Luna-Star F' meters, as well as the Sekonic L-398, I've found it to provide comparable accuracy.Having a built-in air temperature thermometer is handy, though the one featured in the Digisix isn't accurate enough for darkroom purposes.  The clock, alarm and timer functions are superfluous, just bonuses really, but don't take away from the meter's functionality.This meter can read down to 0 Ev @ iso 100, which is perfectly adequate for metering in very dimly-lit rooms and even by the light thrown by my TV or computer monitor.  And this is *wow* 3 stops better than the L-208, Sekonics similarly priced and sized unit,Sekonic L-208 Twin Mate Light Meter (Black/White), which is powered by the same CR 2032 battery.  This difference sealed the deal for me, though I do still love Sekonic meters.The CR 2032 battery can be found cheaply at almost any drug store or Walmart here in the US.  The one that came with mine lasted 14 months with everyday use, and I've just replaced it.I mostly use hand-held meters for measuring incident light, and this unit is just perfect for that and a far better alternative for control freaks like me who would otherwise be fumbling around with ridiculous grey cards.One small annoyance is that setting the film speed can be awkward, since if you click too far you have to loop all the way through the available speeds to get back -- it could use 'up' and 'down' buttons.  Small thing, but worth mentioning.You can't beat this for the price; excellent, overall.Gossen Digisix GO 4006 Digital / Analog Exposure Meter
The digisix meter is advertised as a &quot;five-in-one&quot; device, but truthfully speaking, I've only ever found it useful as a light meter.  Besides the meter, it has a countdown timer that you can set to whatever length of time you want after which it starts to beep incessantly in a high pitched electronic chirp; it has a clock; it has an alarm for the clock; and it has a temperature thermometer.  I've never really used the temperature thermometer although it's there whenever I end up pushing the mode button by mistake and have to cycle through all of the other modes to get back to the light metering mode.  That's another thing that's wrong with this meter, besides having all these extra &quot;modes&quot; that I never use, if the meter is the only mode that you want to use then accidentally pushing the mode button makes you have to push the mode button four more times to cycle it back into light metering mode.As a light meter, this Gossen is nice little gem.  It's small (just about the size of a well-sized skipping stone), it's light (made almost entirely of flat black matte plastic on the outside, and not the cheap kind), it's got a sliding incident reading bulb (for taking incident reading light measurements or in other words, readings from the subject to where the camera is going to be), a digital readout (it's a digital light meter after all, or in other words with one push of the metering button it will display its light reading almost instantly), and an analog reading wheel (or in other words, a dial that you can turn that will simultaneously show all the readings for all the aperture settings and shutter speeds that are available for that current reading, for that current film speed that you're using).  As a light meter by itself I've found this meter to be very accurate for exposing normal everyday black &amp; white and color negative film.  I'm not exactly sure how accurate it would be for slide films (which have less exposure latitude than negative films and are more sensitive to small variations in exposure).Now, some caveats for this meter.  The analog dial only runs from 4 minutes down to 1/2000 seconds, but that won't stop you from etching in your own readings on the edge of the dial if your camera can go longer than 4 minutes or shorter than 1/2000 seconds (it is a simple geometric scale in other words, a doubling or a halving of the speed of the shutter to let double or half the amount of light through the camera and onto the film; it's not like the wheel stops turning just because it gets to the end of the numbers, Note: the wheel turns all the way around).Another caveat is that it is a multiple step process to change the ISO Speed reading of the film that you are metering for with this meter so if you're changing filmspeeds very often using this meter is going to be a pain in the behind.  If you only use one speed of film or if you're not going to change it very often then the multiple step process to change the film speed shouldn't be too much of problem, but it will be a caveat.A third caveat is that the way this meter works is you take your light reading with it and then dial into the analog wheel the number that it gives you in its display.  The analog wheel, in other words, is split into three layers: the outside layer has all of the shutter speeds on it, the middle layer is etched into the meter itself and has all of the aperture sizes on it, the inside layer is visible through a little magnifying bubble at the &quot;twelve o'clock&quot; portion of the meter and in it is displayed the &quot;EV&quot; numbers which correspond the actual number that the meter itself digitally displays after you press the reading button when taking a reading of a scene.  Now, this may seem kludgy at first but in actuality it combines the best of both the worlds of digital and analog light meters (and by the way is  the only meter I've found that does this).  In other words, it combines the analog physical wheels (that Gossen is famous for) with the speed of the digital meter.I like it, if you haven't noticed, but this little meter really doesn't need all of the extra modes that Gossen put into it as it slows down the operation of the meter on occasion and they're never really used.  If you ask me where they could improve it I would say make it solely a light meter, make it easier to quickly change the ISO speed of the film for the readings (maybe even include the ISO speed on a fourth layer on the wheels, as by the way it is done on Gossen's normal analog wheel meters).  Combine the wheels of the old with the fast digital readout of the new and you've got yourself a bonified five star light meter, but cluttered as it is now, although the meter itself is accurate and quick and easy to use, I'll have to say that in the end it's only really worth four stars.
Got this in 1 day shipping I installed the new battery (included) but did show any signs of being ON, installed several times and nothing, the screen looked like a cheap calculator screen, and it's made with cheap plastic,remind me of a prize toy in a cereal box..back in the day...
It may not be fully automated, but it'll get the job done. Very small and easy to carry incident meter. I get better exposures with incident readings most of the time.
The readings agree with my digital camera's readings. I purchased this exposure meter (after much research) to use with my Horizon 35mm panorama camera, which is purely mechanical. I had been  using a digital camera as a meter, but that is very inconvenient. This meter is easy to use, either reflective or incident readings are quick and easy. It uses a readily available, low cost battery, which comes with the meter.
I trusted Gossen name until this age (57). I'm a camera collector and amateur photographer. I have great regard to better names from the past. So I bought this item, to use with one of my Mamiya 645 cameras. At first the readings seemed to be off, so I checked it against a few Nikon cameras, incl. F6 and D2X. The reading are WRONG especially in the reflective reading mode. It can be used maybe only in the studio, where there may be a uniform lighting. This mode is at least 2 stops off, and whichever trick you use won't help. (like pointing to the floor etc.) The Incident mode is better, but at least 1 stop off. At least these 2 readings should somewhat match, but they don't. I have 18% and 12% gray cards, which I tried, and then I'm writing this report.They also inform that the power usage is very small, and that's why the unit does not turn off. This is not correct. My meter consumes a 2032 per week on the average. A few days usage, and it goes blank with BAT indication.This item ruined all the trust towards GOSSEN. It looks more like a cheap Chinese product (who knows, it may be so). If you need to contact me here is my mail address seyhunSPAM@gmx.net (remove the SPAM part). Best regards, Seyhun
I initially bought this because I needed a meter, and I needed it to be cheap. Well, cheap it is in both senses. I wish I'd paid more for something more reliable, or just put faith in a used different model.This completely died in less than a year. The first battery, which came with this, lasted 9 months or so. The next one lasted about 1 month -- and I had to remove it and replace it after every use of the meter, because the meter would give a "BATT" low-battery rating after every use. I'm pretty sure that's the meter's fault, not the battery's. Needless to say, this is a big pain and I've given up on the meter.It does not seem overwhelmingly reliable -- I took 15 rolls of film on a trip, using the ratings from this each shot, and there are some over- and under-exposed shots. It also doesn't have as extensive options as I'd like. Though it has a lot of ISO choices, it doesn't end up giving many options for, say, 3200 iso film in low light -- the numbers go up to 4 min, but this wasn't sufficient for a lot of photos I wanted to take. It also drives me nuts that this has no on/off switch! No wonder it gives up in a matter of months.
Firstly the pros:Makes good measurementsTinyThe dial makes it quick and easy to adjust your exposure when using a 10 stop filter. You just take a measurement and twist the dial by 10 stops to get the exposure you should use with the 10 stop filter on the lens. No mental effort needed.Cons:Flimsy, makes it seem very overpricedMADDENING "extra" features. Remember the scene in the movie 'Love Actually' where one of the characters goes to buy the necklace in the department store and the seller keeps adding lace and dried flowers etc etc to the packaging? The buyer is in a rush and just wants to buy a necklace and get out of there and the seller spends ages making it look fancy and nice. Using this meter is a similar experience.There is no off switch. This means that when it is in your bag, the mode button will get pressed and it will go into one of the extraneous modes. The following happens:It ends up in some mode other than light metering mode. This was annoying at first, now it's making me hyperventilate just thinking about it.It ends up in timer mode and the function button gets pressed which starts the timer. A short time later beep beep beep.......beep beep beep  from your bag or pocket. MADDENING. "We are gathered here today to join together in holy matrimony Jane and ...beep beep beep...."It ends up in alarm mode and the function button gets pressed setting the alarm for midnight. beep beep beep and stern words from the wife ensues.It ends up in temperature measuring mode!!! Whoever had the idea of adding this function must have also invented a chocolate tea pot at some point. You have no idea if the reading is accurate and besides, why would you want to know the air temperature anyway??? Especially when you don't know if it's accurate or not?Anyway, the point is that you have to look at the display and press the mode button to cycle to "light measuring mode". The button has a slight delay so you tend to press, get no change, then press again when in fact the meter has received the first button press. It then skips forward 2 modes. This makes it very easy to skip past the light measuring mode and have to cycle through them all again.Overall it's a battle to get to the mode you want when all you really want to do is whip it out and click the button to get you reading. The extra features turn this from a 3 second task to a 10 second task.Be prepared to say the words "er... hang on a second" when shooting people and hear a lot of beeping if you buy this.Personally I wouldn't buy again. I also own a Sekonic L-358 and although it's much bigger I find myself using it over the digisix, even when I just have my jeans / jacket pockets for storage.
I've had this product for years.  It works great!  My only problem with it is that the sound it makes to alert the arrival of a car is awful.  I've gotten used to it, but which I could turn it down.  Some false negatives from passing heavy trucks, but placement is key.
We tried to get this to work for almost 6 months and finally gave up.  With fresh batteries, sensetivity set to high and receiver close to transmitter it worked only about 50% of the time.
After much research on these items, I decided on the magnetometer-based design (rather than motion-sensors) because it senses only moving metal. (No false alarms from pets and farm animals near our driveway.)  I installed the sensor about 300 ft from the receiver inside the house.  The signal was weak and unreliable until I remounted it on the top fence rail next to our driveway.  The radio range is greatly improved the higher above the ground you can mount it.  Also I had to reset the internal magnetometer sensitivity to high because of the distance from the sensor to the driveway.  (The manual tells you how to do that.)  Overall, everything is working great now.And Amazon.com had the best price anywhere I found.
This unit is confusing.  It ignores the UPS truck.  It ignores small (Tacoma) sized pickups.  It always picksup my larger Tundra truck or my wife's Dodge Van.  Still, it is better than nothing but it is also disappointing and NOT worth the $90 price... Cheaper technology from other vendors would also prove to be as unreliable as this one!
We installed this monitor at our home.  It workedfor a few days then would work only sporadically. Italso false alarmed in the middle of the night.  I calledtheir tech support who were hateful and gave advicethat did not help. I tried to return it but they would notrefund my money because I had it longer than 30 days.  I did haveit for awhile before it was installed but I used it only a week.Don't waste your money on this piece of junk.
I didn't want to use the included mounting pole because I wanted to get it out of harms way. I also though it would work better if it was mounted higher.  I mounted it on a tree but that created false alarms every time the wind blew. Then I mounted it on a postand it works great.  I have a long driveway & the unit is quite a ways from the house but it never fails to work.
I purchased this camera two months ago. I was intrigued by the swivel lens feature after I had seen a friend using it. I discovered that I liked the camera for its size and weight even more so than the swivel lens, and I was enjoying using the camera and pleased with the performance for the most part. Yes, there is a red eye problem and the recovery time is fairly long for flash photos, but the camera takes relatively sharp photos overall. So in general I was pleased with the camera, and happy to have it as an alternative to my more bulky Olympus C-4000, which after several years is still fine.  Now to the problem for which I am going to have to send this back to the retailer...In the last few weeks, I noticed that the LCD screen showed bright images with pinkish tinges and lines running through them.  Yesterday while taking snow scenes and photographing snow on a lake through a window, I noticed that the camera could not produce an image at all. It simply came up with a big black void.  If I focused the camera on a more shaded image outdoors, it did fine.  It also still does fine with indoor photos with flash, but obviously the camera can't compensate for bright light in either the automatic or manual setting. I have had very good luck with all the products that I have purchased overall because I generally read all the reviews and then make a decision, so this is a major disappointment.  I thought that I would enjoy taking self-photos of me and friends, but they really aren't that flattering (the angle just isn't right), so that became less of a selling feature with this camera.  For a compact camera, there are a lot of really good features (automatic, manual, 3 X optical and and 4 X digital lens, continuous shooting, multiple scene choices such as fireworks,museum, close up, copy, party, snow - and many adjustable settings for exposure, photo quality,etc.) on this camera. I am hoping that this is a fluke, and my new or repaired camera will work for years to come, but if I were a consumer, I would be leery of purchasing this camera knowing what I now know, and also the fact that this camera is discontinued.  If you're looking for a similar camera, you may wish to consider the Nikon SQ, but I can't speak for its performance other than to say that the body is constructed of metal and appears to be very solid.  It has a partial swivel lens.I am sending the camera back to the retailer today. It was their last one when I purchased it two months ago. It was an open box product, but it came with a full one year Nikon warranty and additional retailer warranty. I had to seek out the Coolpix 3500 on the Internet and ebay and I decided on this retailer. I am actually hoping that they will need to refund my money or replace the Coolpix 3500 with another model. The actual retail - if you can find this camera- is about 50% of the suggested retail, so it is fairly priced if it works.I can't tell you how discouraging this is.  I have had to review the manual to look at the troubleshooting section. In reviewing the manual, I realized how much I can do with this camera. I only tried out the continuous shooting mode yesterday, and now I have to return the camera! I don't wish this frustration on anyone.
I went on a trip recently and used my friend's Nikon 2500, after reading the manual and learning the use of the camera our trip was captured perfectly.  When I was ready to buy my own digital camera I purchased the 3500 and was very excited when I received it.  Hint to most buyers, learn the scene features, the flash settings, exposure and so on.  This is not a high end camera for professionals, but if you need a camera for trips or family then I recommend getting this camera.
This camera takes sharp and color saturated pictures.  I had the chance to comparewith Nikon 5200 and Cannon G500, both 5megapix cameras.  Neither took as gooda picture as this 3.2 megapix gem.  Since I broke my 3500, (dropped it off a cliff) the process of looking for a replacement has been dissapointing.  I tested the above cameras quite thoroughly.  Took em both back and am buying on ebay another coolpix 3500.I just highly recomend this camera for clear, sharp, & colorful photos...JK  Anchorage AK
We have had this camera about a year now and have been through the highs/lows, flash and red eye situations.  I wanted a digital camera I could put in my pocket.  That I got --and have taken 2,000+ pictures inside/outside, snow/rain forest and have been satisfied with this camera.  I have had problems with red eye, but that was easily fixed using the portrait setting where there are flashes before the photo is taken to get eyes prepared.  The only thing that continues to be a problem for me is trying to find my subjects in the LCD especially in bright sun.  Overall we have been quite satisfied with this camera.Hope this helps
I had always though that Nikon brand is one of the top one. How wrong I was...:( This camera is the worst. I own 2 years old Kodac DC3400 2MP and believe you me this camera takes better quality, crisp photos not like Nikon. I could not focus this camera in more than half of the times. The time of flash to reload is a way to slow (you're talking about 3 to 4 sec minimum). The photos of the moving people appears so blury that it seems like I had tryed to shoot a "flighing" Formula 1 race car on a track. After more than 6 hours of frustraction, I am bringing this camera back to the store.
I'd actually give the Nikon Coolpix 3500 3.5 stars if I could.  It has many features and is capable of producing very good images, but I'm beginning to expect more from a camera in this price point range (~$400 retail).  This is a decent option if you plan to use the camera indoors often - the flash white balance and close-range flash exposure accuracy are excellent, as is the Nikon tradition.  Outdoors, in difficult light, the 3500 suffers compared to the competition, with poor color rendition and mediocre exposure accuracy.  In recent tests in our work group, the 3500 was rated below average overall in comparison to other optical zoom / 3 MP cameras in the same price range.  I think the problems with poor color on outdoor shots with significant contrast were its undoing (green tints to a blue sky stick out like a sore thumb).  Right now, I'm leaning towards the Sony and Olympus models as the best overall choice.
This 3.2 Megapixel camera has stood the test of time.  Its unique design is a welcome change from the standard rectangle cameras that flood the market.  Image quality is great, refresh speed is excellent, no lag whatsoever either from the flash or returning straight to the lcd after a photo is taken.  This camera excedes my expectations and continues too when even compared side by side with the new batch of CoolPix cameras (4600 and 5600).  If you can find one of these cameras second hand or in like-new condition I say jump at the opportunity.
I don't have much to compare this product to as I am new to telescopes and just getting to know the basics.  What I can say is this kit seems like it brings out the best in an amateurs backyard space exploration.  I am absolutely positive that this is NOT the best set available on the market based off of product feedback and general knowledge but it will definitely be a nice finishing touch to those who are attempting to get the most out of their scope.  For those that are new to this and wondering what exactly everything does,  *You can probably stop reading by now if you have a general experience of how scopes/lenses/filters work*.General Information For Newbies like myself: (Don't trust me word for word this is only from my understanding)The barlow lens attaches to the scope that you can then place any other lens into the barlow to get essentially a 2x magnification level.The size in MM of the lens represents its magnification power.  The shorter the lens (Small MM) the more magnification.  a 13mm lens is more "powerful" than a 32mm lens.  (Don't let the physical size fool you).The planetary filters alter the contrast of the image and help show "features" of objects that you otherwise wouldn't/couldn't see, they also do a good job at filtering out excess light so that you can actually see what you are looking at rather than having it seem to be looking at pretty much the same object no matter what planet or star you are on (for those that have weaker scopes).The moon filter is very nice at reducing the light as described.  Makes things much more enjoyable and easy on the eye.  I noticed after viewing the moon for a while without the filter I couldn't see much of what was around me being so dark out. The filter really reduced that effect.Tips:  Experiment around a little, don't be discouraged if you can't get it all figured out in one night and find your way to all of the planets and stars.  As helpful as the filters can be they can also hurt.  For faint objects through a low powered scope it can make some objects barely visible at best depending on visual magnitude. Remember the smaller the lens in size and MM the bigger the power.  That also happens to mean that you might get a much more distorted/fuzzy image and objects WILL be harder to locate.  I don't have a fancy "GOTO" scope (one that finds whatever you want it to for you).  I've learned through the small amount of experience that I have to start with a higher number MM lens and find what I'm looking for and then change out the lens carefully and slowly and fine tune as needed... The 8mm and especially 6mm lenses are virtually useless to me as I haven't been able to get them trained and tuned on anything.  (This might be due to my "cheaper" scope).Final Thought: The eye relief has much room for improvement... Most of the time with the short lenses the only thing I saw was my own eyelashes... Another reason the short lenses haven't helped me out. (eye relief gets better with the longer lenses, and for those that don't know it's the amount of space between the actual lens and your eye).  Hence, if you have your eye pressed against the lens you might see your pretty little batty eyelashes instead of the cosmos.Good luck and see you at Saturns rings! ;)
I own a Celestron NexStar SLT 130.  I was looking for an eyepiece kit to expand beyond the two (9 mm and 25 mm) that came with the telescope.  I have been very pleased with the kit.  The eyepieces seem pretty good to me, though I am definitely on the amateur side of the spectrum.  My only negative comment is that it would have been nice to not duplicate my existing 9 mm eyepiece (the kit comes with 4, 6, 9, 15 and 32 mm).  However, I did know that it would be duplicated prior to purchasing, so it was my choice to do so.The filters also work well, though it would be nice if their little boxes came labeled on the outside.  I ended up labeling them with a marker to make it easier to pick the right one.  The included guide for using the filters was also helpful.The carrying case seems relatively sturdy with pretty good foam packaging inside.I would definitely recommend this purchase to others.
I've been an amateur astronomer for over 50 years. Plus, I've tested and reviewed telescopes, accessories, and eyepieces for major companies, so I'm pretty sure I know what to look for and recommend. There's good and bad stuff out there, and it isn't always easy for novices to get a grip on the difference, without either using an item, or finding an accurate report about it.First of all folks, please know that a "lens" is the glass on the business-end of a refractor telescope, or the optic on your CAMERA. The thing you attach to a telescope is called an "EYEPIECE" -- not a "lens".Secondly, any "set" of eyepieces is generally going to be 90 percent useless. That's because most of the higher powered eyepieces in the set will only get used once or twice -- until you finally realize that high powers are only useful on a telescope if you're in a VERY DARK LOCATION, with almost perfect sky conditions (an extremely rare combination!).These eyepieces are all 4-element Plossl's -- a very old and very basic design, but very tried-and-true for general observing. The 32mm is the best in the set, and probably the one you'll use the most.The 2X Barlow is of average quality, but can be very useful -- it'll turn the 32mm into a 16mm without cutting eye-relief (good, if you wear glasses).The Moon filter is a necessity if you want to do any lunar observing. Only one or two of the color filters will be useful.So what we have here, is one useful eyepiece, a 2X Barlow, a Moon filter, and a color filter or two -- for which you'd pay a lot less by purchasing just those items SEPERATELY. And if you shop smart, you'll find a high-quality 32mm Plossl and a 2X Barlow -- Televue for example, are hands-down the best production optics available! They're generally more expensive, but well worth the investment.Celestron makes excellent telescopes!! My 6SE is a remarkable piece of engineering, and has World Class optics. But I use eyepieces of World Class quality to complement it, and I get awesome results.[NOTE]: These are not Celestron's "Feature" eyepieces -- they are their "accessory" eyepieces, and like Meade's accessory EP's they are only of average quality, and are usually way overpriced, like most Meade/Celestron accessories.My advice is to save for a Televue 32mm or 25mm Plossl, ($110 to $135 online) and 2X Barlow, ($115) and buy a Moon filter online from a reputable dealer (Orion offers an excellent Moon filter [#05662] for about $15, which I've been using since 1997). It'll all work out to cost a little more, but you'll find that you'll actually use them.[NOTE]: I rarely use color-filters. But the ones I do use are the Orion #80A and #82A. You won't need much more for general observing.[TIP]: The best way to store and carry eyepieces, is in "Eyepiece Canisters" -- clear poly screw-top containers made for that purpose. They're available online (I get mine from Oceanside Photo & Telescope) for $2 to $3 each. Put them all in a backpack or travel bag, along with your red flashlight, dew heaters, gloves, and Lance crackers. Much easier!! Better yet, I use a shooter's Range Bag (from MidwayUSA). They have roomy external zippered pockets and internal compartments. Plus they're well padded. Perfect!!Celestron Accessory KitNOT RECOMMENDED2 Stars.
Received this product a day or so ago and am just now getting around to scrutinizing it.  The contents are as promised (the lenses & filters) however, the outer case is molded plastic made to look like aluminum.  It is NOT an aluminum case.  There are what appears to be aluminum "reinforcements" on the corners, hinges, etc.  But the case itself is plastic.  Also, the inner foam insert is not as pictured.  As it is/was shown at the time I'm writing this, it shows that there should be 2 or 3 open/available holes for other eyepieces and/or lenses.  However, the one I received has one long, rectangular, empty cutout (Approx. 1" W x 8" L) running the down the lefthand side of the inside of the case- which I'm not entirely certain what it's intended purpose is for.  You "might" able to squeeze a car power adaptor in there?  Maybe?  Even the photo of the product on the back of the box it came in, shows the empty "holes" for eyepieces.  Guessing the manufacturer changed the product but has not changed descriptions or packaging yetHappy with the "important" parts.  Just a little disappointed with the chincy case and lack of any other slots for lenses I already own.
I love them, I can see jupiter, saturn, and now with a few nebulas. I bought this for my Orion 8945 Skyquest XT8 Classic, Kinda expensive but well worth it.
This kit came with a good assortment of eyepieces. I wish they would have included a zoom one but they can be purchased separately. The only filter I've tried is the moon one which is virtually necessary if you plan on viewing it much since it is so bright it hurts your eyes after a while. I bought this kit for use with a telescope that costs a lot less than the kit because eventually I will upgrade to a better scope and be able to use the kit with that. It does improve the images from the scope a great deal and the case is very useful.
I've only been into astronomy for 2 months now, but even for me this set is a bit too entry level quality wise. However I can see the value of this kit to some users because it does come with so many accessories that could be useful at a really inexpensive price.I already have two luminous eyepieces and opted to get this kit to round out my collection. However the image quality is very poor in comparison to what I already have so I opted not to keep this kit.The 32mm eyepiece did not show any signs that it was low quality, the image was good. However for the higher magnification pieces the image was never as clear as I wanted.The color filters are OK, definitely acceptable for the price.I really liked the case the most, it is well made and has room for other pieces you may have.The price point is very appealing for this product, but I believe the optics of the eyepieces may hold back your telescope from giving you the best image possible.
Most of the stores offer it for around $199 here for 100$, isn't it great?! Well it is a good kit for the price.It is a good kit for the beginner. You'll get excellent quality case and average (closer to low) quality eyepieces, so later when you get rid of &quot;bad&quot; eyepieces you'll have a case to put good ones. The 32mm one has something about 40 degrees of view filed, wish is so-so, other ones below 15 mm it's just a joke.I'll advice you to get Celestron X-Cel or Omni, if you want to spend more money and get better stuff try Ultima or Axiom, and if you are really serious about your hobby, get TeleVue.Average price for a good eyepiece is from $79-$350Amazon offers most of them.
Have used only 3 of the lenses so far and they work ok. Great value for the price. One high quality lens could cost as much as all these.
If you have purchased a telescope, you definitely need this kit. The lenses and filters really make a difference when viewing things in and out of the atmosphere. The carrying case is kind of cheapy, but more than enought for what it is. I was able to carve out a few extra slots for other lenses I have purchased and they all fit nicely.The Good: A lot of options for eyepieces and filters, great combo kit.The Bad: I wish it included a stronger Barlow, but I found one on Amazon and just added it to the kit.The Verdict: I like the kit and would definitely recommend it to a friend.
The 32mm and 9mm Plossls are great. The Barlow is adequite and the rest should be replaced later! Good strong case and the moon filters work wonderfully!Perfect price point for what you get.Would recommend this set for the beginner looking to expand his EP collection for as little $ as you can.
this kit is great work's perfect whit my telescope it have all I need for my research I do in the ski I recomend it
the box is strong and the lenses are well protected, i include others lenses i have without a case in a box and they also fix, just cut the  foam n ready. the filters works perfect
A great ad-on set for the Celestron 52238 C70 Mini Mak scope. Extra eyepieces for viewing at shorter distances and filters needed for astronomy observations.
The metal case is nice. The filters are ok but the eyepieces are overpriced and have poor eye relief. You just won't use the 6mm or 8mm eyepieces. My first telescope was a Celestron 4SE. I didn't know better back then and believed everything said by the manufacturer in their sales pitch. The reality is that Celestron products are not top quality and are over priced. Rather buy good quality eyepieces that you will actually use from other manufacturers. Read as many objective reviews as possible and try to physically compare items before deciding what to purchase. I would really like to see a comparison chart of the real properties of optical components instead of the 'objective' guesswork that tends to prevail. A poor quality eyepiece today will still be a poor quality eyepiece in ten years time. Rather buy ONE really good eyepiece now and save up until you can afford to add another to your collection. This is stuff that your children can inherit or you can sell for the same price in future. You won't be able to give away the cheap quality parts!
These eyepieces are a great value and an easy way to try out a variety of sizes.  All work very well and are usable on my 4 inch refractor.  With my 8 inch SCT the 6mm eyepiece is hard to use but that is to be expected unless the conditions are very good.  If you wear glasses the eye relief can be a problem, I had to put my contacts in to make observing easier.I don't like using colored filters so the included ones are pretty worthless to me.  However, the included moon filter is great and works very very well especially during a full moon.  The included case is also very good.This is a great little package.  It will allow you to find the eyepieces you use most and then invest in 1 or 2 really good pieces of glass.
If you have a telescope that these will fit, you'd be rather foolish not to have them.  Not having them would be like expecting one pair of shoes to work for everything.  Of course I recommend these.
I have been more than pleased with my purchase of the Celestron Accessory kit with my Nexstar 8 GPS. The eyepiece that comes with the telescope has become worthless thanks to his kit. I have gotten some excellent views of Mars, Saturn and a few deep sky objects. I highly recommend to anyone with a telescope.
This is a better set than I expected when I ordered it, very happy, there is room to place more eye pieces, ECT. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for extra power eye pieces, filters. I have used scopes for 30+ years, wish I would have bought this product earlier.
I bought this for my Orion 6&#34; Dobsonian. All in all for the price this was a good deal for a basic set of plossls.
I have a Meade telescope that uses these celestron lenses. They fit perfectly, Image quality is outstanding and the price is on spot. Carrying case is metal and sturdy and comes with soft foam inserts to keep everything safe. Overall, great buy! I Recommend this product!
purchased this kit to go with my telescope it has come in very handy for me to use in conjunction with the telescope
I had the good fortune of being given this kit along with a couple of telescopes by a family member. I was just starting out, so the vast choice alone made my giddy with excitement!My initial impressions:When I first used this set, I was very pleased with the quality of the Pl&ouml;ssls, and the lunar filters were a treat! I was getting some decent views of jupiter and her moons, and the view of our moon was stunning with the slightly diminished exposure using the filters provided. I was not (and still am not) a colored-filter person - they bug me. That said, the quality of the colored filters was also very good.My later impressions:Well of course, as time goes on, your expectations and observations change. I was introduced to $70 apiece pl&ouml;ssls and they rocked my world! The difference was staggering. I also was afforded the use of some more expensive filters, and again, there was a clear difference.Overall:The price of this set, and the diversity of accessories you receive is wonderful! Even though I have purchased some more expensive pl&ouml;ssls, I still use this set on a regular basis and they are dependable in quality! If you are just starting out, or don't want to spend exorbitant amounts on telescope accessories, I HIGHLY recommend this set! You won't be disappointed!
I use these cases for telescope eyepieces. I had one for many years  that was made from some plastic type of material and one hinge broke rendering it nearly useless. This case is better built and had some cutouts that would fit 2 inch eyepieces but I still had to modify it so one of my larger 2 inch eyepieces would fit horizontally rather than standing upright. this new case is as large and the old broken one but I wish it was a bit bigger yet but I'm still very satisfied with this one.  I will recommend it to others and probably buy another one for myself.
For this price, this set of lenses and filters is a VERY good buy. Haven't used the filters as much, but all the lenses are pretty neat. The Aluminum case is very compact and has a good feel to it. I'm an amateur star-gazer, and this was my first buy after purchasing the telescope. Next on the list is a solar filter.Highly recommend this.
This made a great telescope better, and enabled better enjoyment of objects other than the moon. The lunar filter wasn't a bad throw along either.
I just got my first decent telescope and I needed some EPs to give me a full range of magnifications.  Before I even decided on this kit I went through what I already owned (9mm,25mm and 30mm) and calculated what I needed to fill in the gaps.  To my surprise, this kit filled in the gaps perfectly.Eye Pieces - Let me start by saying, you can go ahead ignore some of the older reviews for this kit.  Celestron has obviously changed the EP range from what used to be included with the kit.  For clarity sake, this kit currently comes with the advertised EPs (6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm and 32mm) along with the 2x Barlow lens.  I don't have a lot of experience but so far the EPs seem to be sharp especially considering what I paid for them.  I'm sure that the high-end EPs that are available are going to be better.  If, however, you are someone like me who doesn't have a lot of money after shelling out for your scope, the range of EPs are great for letting you know what your scope is capable of.  You can always replace the more often used EPs once you get a better idea of what you want.Filters - I have messed around with these a bit and honestly the only thing they did for me was change the color of the object being looked at and didn't seem to really show any more detail.  The exception here is the ND Moon Filter.  The moon is so bright when you look at it through your scope it can be blinding.  My scope came with a moon filter that tinted it green and it really was ugly.  The included ND filter here just reduces the amount of light without losing any color.  I will certainly continue to use this filter, the others I'm not so sure about.Case - The case is nice and though not metal as the pic would lead you to believe.  It is still hard plastic and the padding is very good.  I definitely feel like my EPs are protected well when packed away.  The added "feature" of the key is just awful though.  I never really understood why I would want to lock this anyway, but just out of curiosity I tried to use the lock.  I fiddled with the lock for a few mins trying to get the key to even fit in to no avail.  To me this was a useless part of the kit that could have been skipped.Overall - I would recommend this kit just based on the fact that you get a lot for what you pay.  Sure there are higher quality items available at a price, but  the kit is a great start.
There's a lot of reviews on here bemoaning the optical quality of this set. It's a BEGINNER'S set, that's why it's priced as it is.And to that extent, it serves its purpose well. By no means for the hardcore astronomer, but for the casual observer looking to increase their options this works just fine. Definitely a great value for this many eyepieces and a 2X barlow, even if they're of just "OK" quality.Those who progress beyond beginner status will soon figure out what to replace and when...
I ordered this knowing full well that Celestron lenses weren't the greatest in the world, but this was still a little disappointing.  When using these lenses in my telescope, all of the images were quite blurry, no matter which lens I used.  The filters were less than impressive as well.  My yellow filter arrived with a very noticeable scratch through the middle that makes it nearly worthless for using with the telescope.  Also, the foam insert for my case does not match the one in the description and did not include space to store my own lenses and that was one of the factors for me that lead to my decision to buy this.  Buyer beware, this looks like a great deal up front, but the quality of these lenses and filters is quite sub par.
I purchased this kit to beef up my beginning collection of lenses and filters. I realize that there are much better individual pieces out there but, as I am a novice, figured this would give me a solid idea of what I really want to spend my money on in the future. So far it is doing just that. The views of Saturn through my 8 inch SC are awesome and the nebulae are easier to discover. The barlow works well. My only criticism comes with the moon filter. I wish it were "darker (less transmition) as it is still like looking at the sun when near full.
Celestron makes a good beginer set of plossl eyepieces with all the gadgets for viewing the night sky to show the user where their interests lie.
i purchased this to go along with a new Celestron Nexstar 6se. It came a day after the scope did, so the first night of stargazing was done with just the standard 25mm EP. With this accessory kit, you'll spend much longer looking at a particular object - trying all the combinations of filters and EPs and barlow to see what you can see. Also has enough space to fit the standard 25mm EP and diagonal that came with the scope.
This kit is excellent for observers that appreciate the heavens.  Observing takes on a different approach when you can change powers and filters to view planets.  A great addition to any telescope enthusiast.
I bought this kit the same day I purchased my first telescope. The eyepiece options I have now ensure that I always have the best view. The quality is good, and the color filters really bring out features on Jupiter and Saturn. The moon filter works good as well. The one thing I use the least is probably the Barlow. The case is well made and holds the two eyepieces that came with my scope (10mm and 25mm). This is a great kit and a great value, do yourself a favor and get it.
Great product a must have for beginner telescope users.When I use the ones that came with my scope I really see a difference.I use mine with a Celestron astromaster 114eq.Fit is good. Filters are great.Thanks,
Several  lenses have specks of debris on the inside of the eyepiece. I don't feel comfortable disassembling the eyepiece to clean then however.
It has everything I need for my new telescope Great price too.. Really nice case and lens are very well protected inside.
After many years spent without gazing at the stars I finally made my move again and bought a new Nexstar 114.  It came with 2 basic eyepieces.  This kit looked like a nice addition, for a fair price.I received the kit quickly, well this is Amazon...  The case, as said before in other review, is sturdy and well designed.  It is very convenient to carry around, and you don't have to worry about damaging your eyepieces at all. I found it very nice being able to carry all eyepieces at once, and leave the case a few feet away from my observation location, in order to grab elements I need.The set features some extra space inside, and you can fit another 3 eyepieces. Eyepieces are of good quality.  Not top of the line, yet they provide a crisp and clear view.  The barlow lens is well built as well.  I found the larger eyepiece (the 4mm one) to be of average quality, especially when used with the barlow lens.Filter are well chosen and give you a good range of choices.  I found the moon filter not dark enough to my taste, but it still does a nice job.Overall, the born-again star gazer that I am is very satisfied of this very good investment.
When I use this product with my celestron astromaster 70 telescope, I am able to acheive atleast 5X more magnification than with the lenses that comes by default with the telescope. By default, you wil have a 30mm and a 10 mm eye pieces with the telescope. But having a 2X barlow with a wide view eyepiece works like a magic together.Using this kit, I am able to view Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Orion Nebula and other clusters with greater details. And when it comes to the moon, u have it fully..Pros:-> Very nice colection of filters and lenses-> nicely packed with protected caps both for top and bottom of the lenses-> Barlow provides facility to insert any 1.25 inch eyepice for maximum magnification-> U can thread multiple filters together to create a nice effect-> Very handy boxCons:-> Keys doesnt work. It happened to me as well as my friends. But it doesnt matter much-> The box use to have two empty lens slots before. But now it doesnt. So if you have additional eyepice, u have tomake your own hole in the sponge.-> The cushion can be of a better thicker quality. It is normal sponge made interiors for this box(not a big deal)-> The 7 small boxes for the filters are made of low quality plastic. Can be improved.This is a must have for any 1.25" telescopes. You wont find a full utilization of your telescope without this kit.A worthy investment overall. I am very happy for this product.
I ordered the Celestron Accessory Kit w/five lens, Bartlow 2x lens, and assorted filters. The kit comes in a metal case w/foam lining. The metal cover, on the case, has a bubble in it. Located on the bottom of the case. This doesn't interfere with the performance of the product but it is a nuisance and a disappointment. It makes one wonder if this is a common practice, to move slightly defective material to internet customers, or maybe this is the agreement with Amazon.com and its suppliers. However, the contents seem to be in satisfactory condition.
The lenses and filters work well with the Celestron Nextron 130 SLT Computerized Telescope. I would have given it an excellent rating if the filters would work with lenses that came with the telescope, but the lenses don't have threads to attach the filters. The lenses that came with the kit have the needed threads. Celestron should include this information on their website.
This kit offers a nice, and inexpensive, selection of eyepieces so that you can figure out which ones work the best with your telescope and viewing habits. Once you have that figured out then you should buy some some quality eyepieces that suit your needs as, other than having eye cups, I really don't think these are of any better quality than the ones that came with my Celestron scope. The filters don't work well on my 4.5 inch scope, as they darken things down a bit too much, but if your scope has more light gathering ability I am sure they would work fine. The case is well constricted and has plenty of room to cut holes in the foam for add ons. Overall, I would say that this is a beginners essential need as a learning tool if nothing else.
This is a really nice set of starter eye pieces.  I used to be into astronomy several years ago, but pulled my old 8&#34; Celestron scope out of the basement and needed an inexpensive set of eye pieces to get back into it.  This fit the bill quite well.  If I stick with it, I can see upgrading to a better set of eye pieces in the future.
Perfect set of eyepieces and filters for versatile viewing with my Celestron Astromaster telescope.  The set comes in a very nice case for convenient storage and transportation.  The case is large enough to add a few tools and additional eyepieces.  The lenses are of sufficient quality for general pedestrian level viewing 100X and somewhat above.  Purchase price of the kit is a considerable savings from buying the evepieces, filters and case separately.  So, all in all, a very good buy.
The eyepieces are much better that the ones that come with the Celestron FirstScope. You can make room inside the case for other accesories.
Ok, maybe they are not the top of the line eyepieces, but for the money you can't go wrong.  And, the case is big enough to carry other accesories around, too.  I plan on putting mine to good use and unless you are a die-hard pro and demand the best (and the big bucks that go with it), this kit is all you will likely ever need.
This kit comes with lenses that way stronger than my telescope can handle. It also includes a barlow to double the magnification on any lens you have and lens filters for looking at the moon etc... I've read in other reviews that it's not a super high quality kit but it totally does a fantastic job in my opinion.
I was disappointed in my scope purchase until i tried this lens kit. It makes a world of difference and is a must have.
Nice selection of lenses and filtersOnly down side is the foam is already cut out and they are spaced too far apart to allow adding more lenses outside of what is already applied.  nothing a simple trip to the craft store couldn't fix.
You just can't beat the price!  Wait they just did!  I paid a little over 120 and they just dropped it 5.  Great case.  Eyepieces all work great and you get the filters also.  Has extra room for your other eyepieces.  I highly recommend this for all beginners like me,
All lenses were as advertised.  I have enjoyed using the different filters to enhance viewing of Saturn and the moon.  Only item I would add to the kit would be a solar filter.
Very sturdy case with very good foam padding inside.  Six round eyepiece cut outs and two rectangular cutouts.  First cutout is long enough to snugly fit eight or nine filters in cases.  The other cutout is perfect for storing a collimator or a few eyepieces laid on their sides.  I managed to make a seventh round cutoff in a free area for another eyepiece.  It was not too difficult to cut with a hobby knife.Standard quality lenses and filters.  Nothing special about them, but nothing wrong with them.
Many people told me not to &#34;waste&#34; my money on a kit but instead spend more on one or two quality eyepieces.  The problem with that is there is no way for me to identify which eyepiece to spend my money on without experience. This set gives me a wide range of options to experiment and play with. I have been using every lens and every filter every night we stargaze just to get the feel of what each one does.  We homeschool and this kit is working out wonderfully for teaching the kids many different aspects of science and astronomy.  This was well worth the money.  My only complaint, and it is minor, the picture showed two extra holes that would hold the two lenses that came with my telescope. Those are not there. But it is minor, there is more than enough room to cut the extra holes in the padding.
Good eyepieces for the money. They aren't the end-all, be-all top of the line, but they do the job just fine. And considering you can easily spend three times as much by buying them individually, you really can't beat this deal.
I purchased the Celestron Accessory Kit for my son in law who is an avid stargazer and he loves it! Great product at an awesome price! Would highly recommend to anyone interested in looking at the stars!
I love the carrying case with foam for the different lenses. Its a real treat to have with your telescope. Celestron was very helpful with my order.
It helps to bring out details of the moon and planets.
I think is a "must" for any beginner, for a low price you can have almost all the different size of EP. Try them for a few months and then when you will be completely sure what do you want and buy the EP that you need.
I haven't compared these to more expensive models too much. I did do a side by side comparison one night, and while there was a difference, I didn't see too significant an improvement in the more expensive one. I am new to the hobby, and I am discovering each night out that I've missed a lot on previous nights. As I get better at viewing, the differences might become more profound. But as for now, I am very happy with the value.
My daughter loves her kit & case. She tried the filter for the moon and was just amazed how it turned out! Great buy!!
Bought for my son to use on his Celestron telescope.  The results have been good and he is happy with the selection of lenses and filters.
True the 4mm and 6mm eyepieces are not very comfortable due to minimal eye relief, BUT combine the other 3 lenses, a very good barlow (mine is crystal clear on my 6se), a good assortment of filters, AND a case large enough to hold everything PLUS the 28mm eyepiece and star diagonal I got with my 6se (I could probably find room for the star finder in there too if need be) and you have one great deal.
I recommend this to anyone that has a telescope or getting into the astronomy part just for fun. It will enhance your viewing. Specially if you are getting a beginner telescope, it will definitely improve the scopes viewing power. If you don't want to disappoint your child get this kit....
The kit is overpriced. The 4mm eyepiece that comes with it is completely unusable. The eye relief (the space between your eye and the eyepiece) requires you to push your eyeball into the lens. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the eyepieces have horrible eye relief. The one I use most from the kit is the 9mm lens. You have to be pretty close to the opening in order to see anything. All of the eyepieces feel cheap. It seems like they're made in China - completely out of plastic. A few times, pulling the protective cover off of the 9mm, I felt as if I was going to break it. The barlow suffers from the same problem. It's cheap. But at least it's decent. Optically, it's alright. I could see paying $20 for one.The case everything comes in is actually really nice. It's well built, kind of tough, and has ample space in it. You could easily add a few more eyepieces. Of everything that came with the kit, I plan on holding on to the case for sure. I'm not sure of why or what I should use the filters for. After some reading of the instructions, I discovered I should use the lunar filter (it's blue) to take a picture of the moon with my cell phone. It cut down on the brightness but gave the moon a slight blue tinge. The picture I took looks like it's in grey scale. Before, the moon was way too bright to snap a picture of, so I guess that's one reason to use a filter. I tried out a few more and I don't think I liked them. I'm sure some people know how to use them, but I don't see myself getting much milage out of them for the time being.If I could do it over again, I'd probably only buy two or three really nice eye pieces. My 6se came with a 25mm. So then I'd get a 10mm X-Cel eyepiece (with more eye relief), a barlow lens, and maybe a wide field eyepiece from Celestron's Ultima LX series. An X-Cel 10mm lens costs $50, a better quality barlow will set you back $35. Already, you'd have a nice set of magnifications with real quality eyepieces that's 40-50 dollars less than the kit. You'll get tons more use out of just those two eyepieces (plus the lens included with your scope) than you will with the kit. I guarantee it. If you wanted to splurge, you could get a wide view eyepiece for $120. After viewing a few messier objects, I'm going to want one.In conclusion, skip the kit. Figure out which eyepiece you'll want by taking the focal length of your scope and dividing it by the eyepiece. For instance, my scope is a Celestron 6se. It's focal length is 1500mm. So, we find that with the included eyepiece, it has a magnification of 60x. With a 10mm eyepiece, you'll get 150x. With the barlow, you can get 120x and 300x (probably pushing it). You now have a good range of magnifications to see just about anything in the night's sky. If you choose to spend a little more and get a wide field lens as well, you'll be loving life.
The kit here is basically meant to cater to new low-end telescope purchasers who know they need a set of eyepieces to use their scope but really have no idea what they need...certainly, the feeling is that they just spent a ton of $$ on the scope and want a cheap set of eye pieces to get by until they know more.Fair enough....the celestron kit here does a good job of that....Except that:a) The eyepieces here are really horrible, especially the smaller mm ones..b) The eyepieces have really bad specifications for eye relief, the high end magnification lens are barely useable if you have good eyes...useless if you have poor or old ones.c) The other eyepieces degrade color and image quality so much that the children that most of these scopes are bought for might lose interest in astronomyd) Anyone who uses their scope for any significant amount of time will absolutely have to get at least 2-3 good eyepieces that will cost $100+ each...they are not going to be happy realizing how much $ they wasted on this set.So, should this set be purchased....maybe if you are buying it as a gift for someone who will not be using their scope much and who has amazingly healthy eyes...for everyone else, a different set would be a better choice.
As has been mentioned before, you're not getting top of the line ep's here and would you expect to at this price? What you are getting though is a good selection of good quality ep's, this is a quick and easy way to fill out your accessory kit for cheap and to have a nice sturdy case to house them in. I've been using mine with my 10&quot; Hardin dob and I have not regretted my purchase at all. The only negative to this kit was purchasing it though here, I placed an order and it was sitting unattended for 6 weeks. When I inquired if it would be shipped on the estimated ship date I was given a very vague answer that hinted at the date being unknown. I quickly cancelled the order and placed an order over at telescopesforless.com and only waited a week for the backorder to come in and be shipped out, for the same exact price as here. If you can get it through here or don't mind waiting a couple of months then do it, if you want to get to use your accessory kit I would recommend telescopesforless.
This is a very nice starter set for those of us just getting into the hobby.  I am very pleased
The first lens out of plastic bag can not be used.  Dust blocks light.  How dirty can you get?
While the supplied eyepieces aren't of the same quality of, say, TeleVue plossls, they are nonetheless good generic symmetricals (most &quot;plossls&quot; are not true Plossls) of the sort that would ordinarily cost you about twice what this set sells for- and you get filters and a case, to boot! The whole set would typically sell for about three times what Celestron is asking here. I'd recommend this set, along with a good 6&quot; Dobsonian reflector from Celestron or another quality vendor, as an excellent beginner's outfit. If you already have a decent beginner's scope that takes 1-1/4&quot; eyepieces, this set will provide you with all the eyepieces you're likely to need for some time.
Its a nice little kit, but it could use a chart or something telling you how to figure out the magnification with each lens. I spent quite a bit of time online trying to figure it out. Also a modular foam insert would be nice, since most telescopes come with 2 of their own lenses. Fortunately they thought this through and I did not end up with duplicate lenses. I modified the excessive extra space to hold not only the 2 lenses that came with my scope, but also the power supple and USB camera I bought. This will give you and Idea of how much space is in this kit.
I recieved what I paid for they work, I have nothing to compair them to as far as quality.  But they work and I am happy
The kit was well made.  The briefcase had a nice layout.  Overall, it was just good bang for the buck.
Great kit with plenty of fun stuff to use. I've enjoyed the eyepieces and learning which diameter to use.The moon filter has been the most useful for night viewing here in Phoenix; especially with my t-mount adapter. The Barlow lens has been great as well. Looking forward to finding a dark night sky somewhere.Now the negatives: The case is nice, feels cheap and wastes a lot of space.  They only provide a small space for extra adapters. Otherwise, you will need to cut into the foam.
This is definitive a great buy. One will spend a lot more $$$ buying all individually.  Something great for a novice  :D
I bought this kit in Feb 2011 and love it so much that I have learned to use it in the dark.  I use it with an Orion XT10, aimed manually.  The eyepieces, which are probably not strictly Plossls if you are a purist, are great and it is great to have a variety to select from - my kit had a 32, a 17, a 13, an 8 and a 6 mm eyepiece, and also a 2x Barlow, which when used with an eyepiece, essentially cuts the mm of each eyepiece in half (doubling the mag) at the expense of some contrast.Many planetary observers prefer symmetrical eyepieces for high-contrast planet observing.  The eyepieces are good, with little chromatic aberration even at the edges of the fairly wide fields.  The downside is eye relief; if you use the 8 or 6 mm eyepiece without the Barlow, you will be touching the eyepiece with your eyeball occasionally as you try to hit the sweet spot where you can observe most of your object of interest (which, if you don't have a tracking scope, will be moving through the field.)I also dig the 32 mm lens for finding and for observing loose open clusters; and the 17mm piece is optimal for finding the Crab nebula on a dark night.  I have used those two to observe a lot of 'faint fuzzies', and on a night with perfect seeing the 6mm shows me the fifth star in the Trapezium, surrounded by green wisps of O2 light from the nebula.The filters are a mixed bag.  They fit on the threaded eyepieces perfectly and are quick to swap in and out.  For gazing at the moon, they are all welcome - anything to cut down the brightness - and I like the orange one the best, followed by the gray (neutral density) filter.  I find the light green filter slightly enhances my view of Jupiter's bands - maybe - and for whatever reason, my best memories of Saturn are definitely through the butter-yellow filter, probably because of the great night I chose to use it.The lens covers are interchangeable and easy to use and keep in a pocket; the filter cases are pretty good and stack in the case for easy storage; the case itself is tough and lined with good eggcrate foam.I have since acquired two more expensive eyepieces, lanthanum-coated bombshells weighing a pound apiece, and their major advantage to my mind is just that the eye side of the exit pupil is much larger - makes it easier to navigate your head to a place where you can see it.  Each one of them sold new for about 5x what this entire kit costs and I am not sure I have ever had a demonstrably *better* view out of either of them.  So if you took my Celestron kit away, this amateur would want it replaced immediately!
I recently bought a new Celestron Nexstar 4SE telescope and this eyepiece accessory kit.  Much to my disappointment, the eyepieces in this kit did not fit very well into the eyepiece holder of the telescope, and when cold (nights in Colorado are 25-45F), the eyepieces did not fit at all.Celestron customer service was horrible and did not pay attention to my problem and did not follow up by email as promised.  When I called a second time, they had no clue about the construction of the eyepieces and no thoughts about how to fix this problem.  Amazon replaced the kit (Thank you Amazon!), but the replacements did not fit either.  I'm returning that kit too.  I finally bought a kit from Meade (3 eyepieces and a moon filter) that fit properly and are very easy to use.To be fair, if these eyepieces fit your telescope then they are a tremendous value (hence the rating of 2 stars rather than 1).  The Meade kit is a worse value, but because they work in my nice new scope, they are the best for anyone using a Nexstar 4SE.
Fantastic addition to my Celestron telescope.  Gives me more power and the colored lenses are great for seeing more detail.
Celestron Accessory KitThis is a perfect kit for the beginner astronomer, as it contains most of the eyepieces neeeded for casual viewing. The 32mm Plossl eyepiece, provides great views and a wide angle. The package arrived on time and is as advertised. I am happy
I bought this for my wife for Christmas.  It is a great kit, and includes everything to make your viewing enjoyable.  Dont even bother getting a telescope without buying this kit... A must have.
This was a good fill in lens kit. it has all the lenses and they seem to be of high quality. That said you get what you pay for. These are not fantastic lens but they do the job and are performing as I expected they would. The storage case is nice and helps keep all my scope items together.I am glad I bought this as it had the filters and other lenses that I wanted. I now know which size lens I will be looking forward to buying soon and I will pick a much higher quality glass for better viewing. Still, nice having this full set for looking at craters on the moon and even watching Jupiter, Saturn, and Andromeda galaxy.It is worth the money but don't expect miracles from them
This package is exactly what I was looking for. You have a great variety of high power and low power. The filters help block residual pollution and a 2x barlow. Combine this with a very nice aluminum case. You cannot beat the price for this.
Purchased to augment a Celestron NexStar 5 SE Telescope gift to my in-laws. Lots of extra features for them to extend the capabilities of the telescope.
I bought a $300 telescope at a yard sale for $25 but there were no eyepieces. These have worked fine.  I am not a serious astronomer or anything, just a casual go out in the back yard and look at stuff with the help of a smartphone app called Nightsky person.  So I give it all the Stars but you really should take the advice of someone more  knowledgeable.
I purchased these to go with the Celestron 21024 Telescope.  These lenses are very high quality and come in a very nice protective case full of foam.  The quality is very noticeable as soon as you touch these lenses.  I would very much recommend using these with the 21024 whether you purchase them at the same time or later, they complement the telescope tremendously well.
This kit provides all the range needed for a beginner - I even combined the smallest lens (4mm) with the barlow, for great images of craters on the moon (on a very clear night).  This theoretically exceeds my F9 scope's usable magnification, but works farily well anyway (with the reflector mirrors properly collimated).  Tried a few filters with OK results - perhaps they would produce more dramatic changes on a scope larger than my small 3" Newtonian reflector.  These lenses have a very nice "machined" feel, and the range of included sizes is about right for my purposes.  Actually I decided on one or two lenses (in combination with the barlow) for 75% of my viewing - mostly planets and the moon, with my limited experience so far.  The two lenses included with my Celestron scope compare closely to these, although optically these are somewhat cleaner across the view field and are better-built.  I keep the two original lenses in the same case in the spare slots, along with a small flashlight in the other slot.  Definitely a great buy to expand lens selection if you are starting out and limited to just a few basic varieties.  An experienced enthusiast would likely want to spend time researching a fewer number of more expensive lenses, especially with a higher-end scope.  I recommend a case even if you buy individual lenses, for convenience and protection - this one is really nice and included along with all the filters and lenses for just over $100.
I don't know enough about optics to really judge the quality of these accessories, but they have served my purpose well. I think it is the best telescope accessory I have purchased, and, really, the only one that is definitely worth the money. It comes with five eyepieces, a barlow 2x magnifier thingy, some filters and, of course, the case. There is even room in the case for a few other small accessories and cords.I haven't used the filters, yet, but I have used all of the eyepieces and have no complaints.
Bought this set to enhance telescope viewing capabilities and has been a good choice. One lens arrived with a crack, however product support sent a new set no questions asked, and covered the shipping costs. Would recommend this product to new and intermediate users.
I purchased this and found a bad 9mm lens. Neither the seller nor Celestron would replace the lens unless I returned the entire set. If one could pass inspection without being found, I figured I better not chance another set with more or a different lens being bad.I just decided to eat the cost of the lens.You'd think a company that makes lens' would have some type of inspection process to see if there were any problems but apparently not.There's really no alternative to buying this, each lens and filter would cost well over $500 if purchased separately, so take your chances.
good basic accessories for my Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope.  reasonably priced for filters and magnifier.  case and individual pieces are all of decent quality/construction.  well made for a decent price point.
I saw these on a web site for far more. They seem like great quality to this novice, but beware I am a novice. I didn't know the money I was going to spend on this hobby. I'm done till I ready to move to the next level of telescopes.
I'm not a professional at looking at the stars or anything like that, I just got a Celestron 5 SE with one len of 25 mm, so this kit was a great addition to my beginner telescope.
This kit is great. The telescope is cheaper than this kit. Why?. This kit was sent just on time to Bogota Colombia.
I am very happy with this as an accessory to my scope. My gazing experiences would be much less fulfilling without the plossl lenses especially. The filters are extemeley useful as well for planetary gazing. A must for a serious observer without the cash to pay for multiple lenses from $50 - $500, and even higher. The case is sturdy, well padded, and has room for addition peices, so it does better than just hold them and look cool.
Perfect, just what I needed to help me view the stars with my new telescope.Good quality, delivered on time and reasonably priced.I would recommend this to a friend.
A good kit to get for extending the use of your telescope. I have a CPC 800 and bought this set for it. The set is well made, and I have no complaints. I then purchased the 2 inch kit which includes the 2&#34; diagonal and back adapter and have to say that if your scope can do a 2&#34; lens, than for all means DO IT! The 2&#34; lenses are such an improvement over these due to the larger amount you can see. That's nothing bad about this it. The case is sturdy, and has survived being tossed around a little while outside at night. The foam inserts are capable if being expanded to allow for the soft storage of other items, and lenses. The filters are clear and clean. The lenses are also very well made too. I've heard complaints about some brands lenses being cheesy and obviously thrown together. The kit I have is solid. No complaints. Since I have the 2&#34; kit, I will probably eventually resell this one, and would have no problem recommending it to anyone.Enjoy your scope, get all out of it that you look at. Get good lenses. See what's up there. Keep looking up!
I bought this kit with my first telescope, so I was naturally obsessed with magnification like most beginners.  So yes, it's true that magnification isn't everything, but it is nice to have the option available all in one case.  The filters will take me some time to figure out how to use, but once again, at least I have them.  The case is well made and has room for extra items like the eyepiece that comes with the scope and even the red-dot spotting scope fits.  All in all, a lot of stuff for a reasonable price.
For the money, this is a really nice kit. I don't have to experience to see far off into space, but planet viewing is perfect with this. The Barlow and the 32mm lense on this are awesome. Nice kit for the money. Now, if you're expecting $1000 dollar stuff, you might not be so happy, but we were expecting moderate priced stuff. That's what we got. I would buy it again if I didn't already do it.
Very beautiful case, although it is mainly made of hard plastic. In a trip overseas, I had to transport it in my suit case, and the plastic got a bit blended. I've been able to restore it to its normal shape, but just keep in mind that it is not a hard case. I haven't been able to go outfield and test it yet, but the filters and eyepieces look great and have a good construction. I think the internal space could have been better designed for adding other gears. For instance, I use it to transport my telescope cable and collimation eyepiece, but they do not fit quite well in the extra foam hole. Overall, I am quite happy with this acquisition and highly recommend it!
There is that old saying: You get what you pay for. The Celestron Accessory kit hits that mark right on the nose but in a very positive way.I can honestly say for the price point this little kit does very well. As one gains experience in this hobby they can fashion a greater understanding of what their needs are as their knowledge grows; the Celestron Accessory kit acts as a beginers aid to an exspansive universe. If any given persons interests stick in this expensive hobby there will be plenty of time to by those ultra costly items, until then this kit performs just fine.My only gripe with this kit is the storage box,it is not exactly what those at Celestron would have you believe. Its sturdy and I have no doubt it will protect anything you may place in its innards; my issue is that the material used are not all aluminum as stated. Also, do not be surprised if the storage foam inside doesnt look exactly like the picture on the box.All in all very happy with this purchase and would recommend.See ya around, SOUND
This is a very nice starter kit.  The eye pieces are of good value and the filters are top notch.  I really enjoy this kit.
This lens set with the filters is geat.  It works well with the Celestron telescope with bought.  Can't wait to take it all camping with us.
This accessory kit is wonderful!  Not only are the different lenses a great addition, the case has room for the extra lenses that we already have.
this is a great kit, I'm new to astronomy so still trying to figure everything out but so far it works great, and I haven't even used the filters yet
These are a decent set of beginner 1.25" eyepieces, filters and barlow.  It give you a wide spread of size (x power) and fair quality. Nice case and at an unbeatable price (I paid $99 with free shipping).  Tom
The eyepieces are better than what I was expecting. They are good enough that I don't want to use the eyepiece that came with my spotting scope.  I can only imagine what even better eyepieces would do for the image.
The eyepieces are of good quality, though the Barlow is a bit on the dark side.  The 4mm eyepiece that comes with the set will be seldom used, as most scopes of less than 12&quot;, will not handle the magnification.  The quality of the filters is outstanding, and come with an instruction sheet on which filters are used for various viewing preferences.  The case is of excellent quality, comes with locks and keys so you can secure your eyepieces.  Be aware if your collumation is off, these eyepieces will exaggerate poor collumation.I tested the eyepieces looking at trees over a half mile away during the day, and using an 8&quot; Newt, was able to discern nobs on pine cones.  The images were clear, but not as bright as televue eyepieces would be.  In the evening, I viewed Jupiter, and a few of the messier catalog galaxies/nebulas, and found the eyepieces to work pretty well.All in all, given the quality of the eyepieces, the price, and the extras (case, filters, barlow), you can't go wrong with this kit.  On the negative side, the eyepieces will slightly darken your image, so don't expect televue, or nagler quality glass.
Bought this kit for a Celestron NextStar 8-inch SC scope.  Most of these eyepieces are useless because the Celestron telescopes don't have the quality optics necessary to take advantage of their power.  The most powerful eye piece (not lens or filter) would probably only be useful for looking directly at the sun (it's soooooo dark).  I joke, I joke: Don't look at the sun without the appropriate filter.Using these eyepieces in a Celestron is much like mounting a 24-power Leupold scope on an Uzi: It ain't gonna do anything for your accuracy.
The eyepieces alone are easily worth the price.  The barlow lens, planetary filters, and lockable aluminum case just make a great deal even greater.  Normally, Celestron only offers this deal if you also purcahse a Celestron telescope.  If you're in need of some good eyepieces and accessories consider this set.  You won't be disappointed!
Just getting into astronomy, and I bought the Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker. These eyepieces are a great addition for variety I will be excited to play with the filters and barlow as well.
Buying rechargeable batteries is simple - look for the &quot;mah&quot; rating.  Sony at 2100mah has most powerfull AA on the market.
I purchased these rechargeable batteries thinking that they would hold a charge much better than they do for I purchased these for my wireless mouse that is a Logitech MX Revolution mouse uses one rechargeable AA battery but the charge only last a couple of days at best before the battery needs to be recharged as opposed to putting a standard non-rechargeable AA battery into the mouse that lasts at least a couple of weeks so I am thinking I might have received just yet another Chinese counterfeit copy and not a genuine Sony rechargeable battery pack but that is just a guess.
Once charged, the batteries have a long life.  Our old batteries would die if left in the camera.  These still work after a week of not being used.
Batteries are to make things run smoothly and well. These are rechargable, making them eco-friendly - definately a plus. These were bought to replace the regular batteries in a wireless thermostat - I'm looking forward to having them help keep me warm and toasty on cold days.
YES, THESE BATTERIES EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!! NOT ONLY THEY LAST REALLY LONGER, THEY STAY CHARGED FOR DAYS, INSTEAD OF OTHER BRANDS THAT DIE IF YOU DONT USE THEM WITHIN ONE OR 2 DAYS! JUST BUY THEM AND NEVER REGRET!
The DiMAGE Xi is the upgrade of the popular Dimage X and is identical in physical appearance. It employs the same f/2.8 &quot;folded&quot; 3X optical 37-111mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens.  The main upgrade is the CCD imager which went from 1.96 to 3.2 megapixel and now yields up to 2048 x 1536 pixel images. Other enhancements include user-selectable ISO settings, optional date imprinting, spot autofocus, an improved anti-reflective LCD and automatic e-mail file copy creation.The contrast and color issues of the DiMAGE X have been remedied and I was quite impressed with the image quality. Even heavily backlit subjects were metered and rendered well which is quite a feat for a micro-size 3x zoom digicam.The 1.5 inch LCD is somewhat improved for outdoor use with the new less-reflective covering. I still found myself cupping a hand around the LCD to make it easier to see in bright light. When not using the LCD as a live viewfinder, the eye-level optical viewfinder makes it easy to compose the picture in daylight and by not using the power consuming LCD, battery life is extended.The DiMAGE X required 6 button presses to delete an image during playback as it had to be done from the menu. The DiMAGE Xi now lets you delete an image by simply pressing the flash mode/delete button on the back.It's a bit pricy as was the dimage x, but by far this camera is one the smallerst out there, fastest, and picture quality is much improved.  They pretty much fixed all the flaws of the x an made this camera 10 folds better. Pick one up, you won't regret it.
Yes, I had to spend some money, but it is money well worth it.  This camera works well in several situations such as dusk pictures, as well as moving pictures.  I would definitely recommend getting the 256 MB memory chip because the one that comes with it which is 16 MB can only take about 15 pictures and the memory card is full.  If you also ever want to use the video function, you will definitely need more memory.Fantastic!
This camera is amazing.  It's so light and compact, it's hard to believe you've got a 3.2 megapixel camera with 12x combined zoom in your hands!The camera uploaded/connected to Windows 2000 via USB with absolutely NO problems, and I had no trouble AT ALL at removing either the memory card OR the battery.  Wish it could take standard AA or AAA batteries, but that's the tradeoff you make for a tiny package.Also, I'm astounded with the extra features this camera offers:  record short movies WITH sound, record voice messages/memos to yourself, tiny moving lens cover, internal zoom parts, FAST startup and shutdown, just to name a few.  Wow.Even the manual is easy to follow and written in plain english.  I didn't try any of the enclosed photo software because Paint Shop Pro 7 is the best and easiest photo and paint software I've ever found. .The camera also has several levels of quality.  With my 128mb memory card, it can store 13 pictures on highest quality and picture size, and 1958 pictures on the lowest quality and smallest picture size.  On medium settings, you'd get at least 391 pictures at a time.  Not too shabby!I'd recommend buying an extra battery pack so you won't worry about running out of power, although the batteries do last a long time if you aren't using the LCD display much.All in all, this camera is worth the money you pay for it.
This is a very interesting camera, lots of features, easy to use and to load pictures and or movies into computer. But I suspect it's very vulnerable to sand damage. I carried mine in my pocket. After a couple of weeks a grinding noise on turn on/off. Sand had gotten into the camera. Warrenty voided. I would carry it in a ziplock bag from now on.
I have the original Dimage X (the 2MP version) and now wish I had waited!  The Xi has 50% more pixels and also more optical zoom.  Any potential buyer should be aware that the 3X refers to optical zoom, i.e., real stuff, not digitized zoom.  I find the new model even easier to hold and operate, so I don't understand why some people complain.  The size and styling and the optical zoom are the main selling points, but the camera also has decent image quality and fast recycle times.  If you are a casual photographer, you won't be disappointed.
The Dimage Xi exceeded all my expectations.  The small package is unbelieveable.  It is simple to use out of the box, yet I can see it has a lot of capabilities that I will have to learn about.But I can tell you this, my three year old 35mm Rebel SLR just got put on the shelf next to the buggywhip.  I can't imagine why I would ever use it again, and it's a good camera! No more waiting in line @ one hour photo, and hoping more that 25% of pics are good. I'd short your Kodak and silver stocks!The 16meg memory that comes with the Xi is not enough.  I bought a 256meg and an extra battery.  Can't wait to use it's full capabilities, but in the mean time it is cool as is.
I am confident I made the best choice but I nearly lost six weeks' work on a trip --700 photos-- when a 128 MB Sandisk SD disk crashed.  (I was ultimately, inexplicably able to recover the photos when I got home after failed attempts abroad.) The troublesome disk was the same brand and model as the 8 MB disk that comes with the camera, only larger capacity.  After that I found places to periodically save photos on CD for backup; Internet cafes with this capability are increasingly common, and it's cheap to do.  The disk was at fault, not the camera. As the manual says (and which I failed to do), format the disk with the camera before use.0)  You will definitely need a spare battery!  Buy only the SD (Secure Digital) type cards because they are faster than the so-called "Multimedia" cards.1)  This camera is so tiny that I found a fabric Tamrac case for it about the size of a fat wallet that also held my spare battery and disks.  I was able to wear on my belt and had it with me nearly all the time, which has been great on trips because I could snap a photo any time.2)  There is not enough flash to reach beyond six feet or so, and no hot shoe to connect a bigger flash.  If the notion of a hot shoe seems ridiculous for such a tiny camera, I assure you that it would not be inconsistent with the high level of features this camera provides.  The different flash modes allow one to command whether the flash goes off or not, or one can leave it up to the computer.  But one cannot choose *how much power* to use for the flash.3)  The lens is in a corner of the camera and it takes a long time (mark my words) before one learns to keep fingers and nose out of the way.  It is also a problem when asking strangers to snap a photo of you, because they usually touch the lens and smudge it.  (There isn't always a satisfactory place to set the camera down to make a self-portrait with the timer.)  Once I was trying to explain to someone who didn't speak English to not touch the lens, and she thought I was saying to press the lens to take a picture and that's what she did!  8-[]4) The viewfinder is nice when there's too much sunlight to see the display on the back of the camera. The view changes as one zooms in and out, as on an SLR camera, but be aware that the actual image includes a slightly more than one sees through the viewfinder.  That's better than the opposite, so at least it errs toward caution.  What you see on the LCD display is what you get.5) It comes with a USB cable to connect to a computer, and another to connect to the TV so you can view images there.6) You needn't take any software with you to e-mail photos while on a trip!  The camera just shows up as a removable disk on Windows 2000, Me, or XP.  If the Internet cafe you pick has only Windows 98 (now rare), you must get a driver from somewhere.  Most cafes will be more willing to let you connect to one of their computers if you can convey that you are not going to install any software.  The Image Viewer Utility software that comes with the camera is for rotating images and touching them up (lightening, hue, color correction, etc.) and I thought it was reasonably easy to use.  It's handy for both viewing and touching up a lot of photos fast, and has very few annoyances.7)  I found the controls easy to learn, the manual good, and I am very happy with the quality of the photographs.  My friends have been impressed; two comments I've gotten were that they look like National Geographic photos (blush, blush) and "Did you take that with your little camera?!"  --but note that I've studied photography since I was a teenager.8)  It takes seven (7) clicks to delete a photo!  That's a lot if you're throwing out several photos.9)  It makes movies with sound that one can watch on a computer, or on TV with the TV cable.
I am very pleased with this camera. I have had another very good digital for about four years but it is large and somewhat heavy. The size and weight of the Dimage make it easy to use. I just pop it into my purse or pocket. Make sure when doing so, to have it in a case because the silver shutter release button on top can catch on something and can come off. This happened to me.The quality of the pictures is excellet. I do my own printing and find it difficult to see a quality difference in the pictures between this and a regular camera. Take time to read the manual because this camera has a lot of features that can be used to adjust for different picture taking conditions. I am pleased that it has an EV adjustment. I take pictures by water and snow and this is critical to good results.I bought a 128MB card because I tend to shoot in fine or superfine and 2048 X 1536. The red eye reduction mode works well.The Dimage software is good. I also use Adobe when I want to do things Dimage cannot. I use Dimage to view other thumbnail pictures on my harddrive. One negative is that it is easy to get your thumb in front of the lense. The battery is supposed to take 120 pictures with 50% flash, standard image quality, no playback or not voice memo. I have not gotten this but then I shoot superfine and do some playback. Watch the very tiny battery symbol. It can be easy to miss and your battery can go out.
I took some pictures with this camera and tried to transfer them to my computer by carefully following the steps in the manual. The photos would not transfer. I called the Minolta support line and tried for six hours to get this thing to work. The computer was looking for a driver that did not exist on the Windows 2000 software. Minolta support sent me to the Microsoft site to look for the driver. Then back again to get the latest service pack.  However none of these things worked and I had to return the camera...I cannot understand...why Minolta does not include the required drivers on the installation C/D.So be warned, if you are running Windows 2000 it may be prudent to purchase your digital camera from another manufacturer.
I'm 64 and have been taking photos all my adult life. Starting with a Kodak Brownie, Argus C3, 4 x 5 press camera, Mamayiaflex, Nikons and Nikonmats. The Dimage Xi is my fourth digital camera and it is simply maverlous. I don't see how a camera can get any better. In one lifetime it's come to this.It's a jewelbox, small as a compact. The first thing I did was test its capabilities, taking a flash photo in the back yard at night, a closeup of a credit card, a movie, a sound file attachment and a solo sound file.The inclulded 16 meg memory card hold 45 standard photos, the 128 meg card holds 360. The optical viewfinder tracks with the optical zoom.I connected the camera to the iPhoto program on my Mac and -zip -  the photos were ready to look at.  Excellent quality. This is a marvelous camera. I keep it in my pocket all the time, something I could not easily do with my very good Sony Mavica 83. A really fine little camera.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast who loves to take pictures but deplore the weight and size of most conventional digital or 35mm cameras, then this camera is the one for you.Weighing only 4.6 ounces and smaller than a pkg of cigarettes this little beauty has a case that will attach to your belt and allow you complete freedom of motion.Technically, a marvel: 3.2mpx plus 3x optical zoom with no lens to retract or extend ( all this is done WITHIN the camera !!!) and sharp quality pictures.Negatively, the software could be better and the camera is expensive. This is the classic example of the old cliche: you get what you pay for.
Dimage Xi has a lot more going for it than the sleek looks. It may look like one of those compact point-and-click thingies, which it of course is, but this is not something pros would easily scoff at, its advanced manual controls are fabulous.WHATS GOOD:(1) Very, very easy to use, no unscrewing lens covers etc. Buttons are super-simple and intuitive to use without a manual(2) A [good looking] autofocus system, surprises even in dim lighting. When you depress the shutter-release button halfway in auto-recording mode, the camera's "Area AF" technology evaluates the scene that you're shooting and locks the focus on your subject, even if it's off-center(3) Extensive manual functions for control [people](4) Fast performance, clicks instantly unlike even some of the bigger cams(5) Needless to mention, sleek, pocket-sized design(6) Apart from the manual white balance (also found in other cameras in this class) there's a WB Custom Recall feature that saves and recalls your last manual setting(7) Captures video clips with sound. Built-in microphone and speaker allow you to capture and play back video clips of up to about 35 seconds in length(8) Can make copies of your pictures in-camera(9) Good battery life out of the CR-3V photo-lithium cellsCAVEATS:(1) No rechargeable battery included although your mileage may vary(2) Ships with only a 16MB memory card (easily fixed)(3) LCD somewhat smaller than other competitors, e.g., Nikon 2500 or Canon's S40(4) Doesn't support external flash or lens converters (a mildly major pain in my book but may not matter to everyone)(5) Automatic white balance may sometimes produce a bluish cast especially in bright light(6) Can use SD card or MMC card, but MMC card is noticeably slower(7) Somewhat high price?SUMMARY:I am generally a Canon fan for prosumer cameras, but Canon's small offerings are not all that neat. Canon S... (replace ... with model number) have a better LCD screen, slightly faster photo review scrolling, and slightly nicer overall build quality. BUT, Dimage has half the startup time, 3x optical zoom versus Canon's, capability for saving in TIFF formats (high quality images), a minimum focal length much closer than Canon's, and all internalized moving parts.If you want a sleek, small, yet very functional camera Minolta is one of my top recommendations.
My husband was so happy with this gift he used it in he garage first then turned the lights on and it stopped working for a minute.  But after reading the instructions he got it working again. Just make sure not to expose the uncovered lense to direct light and you will be fine.
I purchased this item to check out the state of the art for amateur night vision gear. The item is extremely bulky for something that does so little. It also has a very cheap feel about it. Can't imagine carrying this around with me anywhere, it's just not very compact. The power button is also a little too stiff and requires a very deep push. The infrared lamp is absolutely necessary for seeing in those instances where the human eye cannot. As for low light, the monocular is useless. I can see better with my own eyes than through the lens.The seller was fine. The item reached me with packaging that looked a little worn, but it didn't matter considering the less than valuable contents within. Incidentally, the monocular came with a pouch which was unnecessary since I'm more than happy to kick it around the floor along with my socks.
I ordered and returned an apparently defective unit.  Amazon handled the return very efficiently and at no cost to me, and has credited my credit card for the purchase.  Due to this performance I tried again and ordered the same unit again.  Again it appeared to be defective, it wouldn't turn on.  I was following the illustration in the manual for insertion of the two batteries.  The illustration in wrong: the batteries go in the other way and a small metal piece linking the two batteries is not provided or needed in the current product.  Once I reversed the batteries the unit has worked fine and I'm quite impressed with it.  I'm also very satisfied with purchasing a product directly from Amazon, it fact it was the factor in my selection of a night vision scope.  Other than the problem with the user manual I would rate this a 5-star product.
At first I was way bummed...couldn't get a clear pic, but after making a couple of adjustmets I'm super pumped.  I just wanted to look around the yard and have on hand for that "bump in the night."  Very happy.
Listen. It does its purpose, but at the price they're charging I think it should be better quality. Design is ok and it doesn't feel too fragile. At a price of about U$150, I'd say go get it. Dont pay more than that.
I bought this night vision instrument to keep an eye on my small dogs when  I let them out at night. It does the trick. Its pretty much idiot proof but does take time to get used to it.
My son-in-law wanted this type product.  I selected this for him.  He loves it, so it must be good.  He is a professor and very discerning.
Being a first generation scope this is a good one, the IR beam has a good range of about 50 yards. But anyone will see you because the IR lamp is strong and glows red. Things are only sharp in the center of the image, but they look clear and you can identify easily anything up to 50 yards.I bought this to watch wildlife, but honestly a good flahlight will be as good or even better because you'll see it in color.My problem wit it is that I was using a military grade scope prior to this and any comparision is unfair ...
This product is about as good as you can expect for the price and being a Gen 1 device. It's larger than I expected, a little larger than a small camcorder.It needs a little bit of light to function well. If your eyes adjust to the dark, what you can begin to see, this device brightens up a good bit. What is still too dark is also too dark for the device. It's good at showing detail in dim scenes. It's also good in places where there may be a bright area (where you can see) right next to a dark area. Your eyes have a hard time adjusting to the dark area with bright lights near it. This device allows you to look into the shadows and dark areas and see things your normally can't (of course, don't point it at the bright lights...) The manual says you shouldn't point it at anything brighter than 1 lux for very long. That's about a full moon, maybe a little brighter.The IR light works well out to maybe 50 to 100 feet. It's pretty bright on closer objects. Much further out it doesn't help much. As mentioned in other reviews, it's also really bright if you're looking right at it. If you put something in front of it, you can see the red light shining on it for about a foot. I've considered getting a filter for it, but am not really sure where to look. Some people suggested using primary red and congo blue stage lighting gels, I may do that eventually. I tried a floppy disk, and it helped, but it also made the IR light a lot dimmer for the night vision.Once focused, the image on the device is very sharp. It's distorted around the edges as with any Gen 1 device, but provides a very clear image in the center. I think the 2.5x is a good balance for providing a good angle of view but some magnification also. It's not great for things closer than 20 feet or so, or things over about 200 feet away.When I first turn it on, there are some bright flashes and such as the manual says may happen, but those disappear quickly. The image also kind of flickers, flashing a bit brighter sporadically. Not sure if that's normal, but it's not really that big of a problem.Especially in really dark places (where it's not much good anyway), and also a bit in brighter places, you can see what looks like static in the image. After you turn it off, the image remains for a few minutes before fading away. I found that once you turn it off, the image quality is actually better at first. The static clears up and you get a pretty clear image.The battery compartment can be tight. I have some normal alkalines that went in fine, but I have some rechargeables that are a bit larger that got a bit stuck in there.I was able to line it up on a chair with my DSLR camera and got some decent shots (a little blurry from movement and static), though it's really hard to point it where you want it and have it stay still in the right place. I needed about 10 seconds to get enough light for a good exposure at ISO 1600.It's no high end device but it's still functional and fun to play with. I hope to get some good time using it this summer.
This device is great. It works well on two AA batteries. Focus and 2.5 power are good to have. Wide field of view. The only drawbacks, this is Gen1 and Chinese in origin. The IR LED will glow red when in use. Use a Surefire light with IR filter or IR LED flashlight for better results. Add a Tenebraex or Killflash filter for the large lense to conceal reflection and you are set. The optical quality and view through this is great for the price. I have used more expensive gear, but for the price this is one to get. It also has a tripod mount built in so you can use it for night spotting of animals. Has a built in light sensor to shut down in bright lights. The main lense cover is a bit cheap, just blue plastic over the main lense, but this is moved out of the way for use anyway. I keep thinking this will crack or break as the plastic feels cheap, but it has held up well and has rubber in many places to protect it. I shoved this up against a video camera lense and it worked very well. Highly recommended if you can only afford one device and a cheaper one at that.
When considering night vision for any reason I needed to consider a few things and cost was a big factor.For casual viewing in the yard and / or star viewing I have found this unit is surprisingly good, for the cost it operates just fine and is better then I expected, much better.Another thing I considered was the battery replacement and this one is easy as can be, no exotic power cells that can only be found on-line just 2 plain old "AA" and it's up and running for a long time.So far I have hour after hour after hour on the same two batteries I started with. (removing them when not in use)Most other units I looked at were not so friendly in this area, many require batteries you'll never find in the neighborhood CVS or supermarket; that is a large factor to be considered, what will you do when you can't find batteries anywhere except on-line and end up waiting for 10 days to get them, that takes the fun out of it fast.All in all this has surpassed all my expectations and I can even take respectable digital photos through the lens with surprising results. It takes some patience to do but it works well and produces fairly good images.Someone in the yard at night..., an animal perhaps? This will to get the image, it'll take a bit of practice and the right camera but I found this one works just fine.So far all around I'm very pleased with this purchase and I do recommend it unless you need a higher end unit but for the average Joe for casual applications this is smart purchase for a low cost.
I've only used these glasses a few times, but they seem to do just what I want. I really haven't had to use the infrared much at all since the regular power is very good in low light that is not total darkness. They seem to be the right combination of power and price.
The lens for this monocular is badly fisheye, resulting in dramatic and unnecessary distortion. Plus, the magnification is mediocre. We ordered the Yukon Spirit 4x50 at the same time, and though it's not perfect, we prefer -- and are keeping  -- that one.
Infrared beam does not work well viewing through window glass.  Could not get a good answer from anyone as to whether or not there was a filter available.
I gave the Fujifilm camera to my 15 year old grandson to use for a film camera course he is taking in school. He was using my old SLR, but the flash was missing and he needed a film camera with flash for some of the assignments. This camera is not going to teach him about f-stops, but it is light and easy to use. He took it to a family wedding and got some wonderful shots. While digital is the way of the future. Film cameras still have thier niche. This is a great little camera for the price.
I bought this camera about 6 months ago and it doesn't forward the film any longer ---I'm not happy at all.  This is a first for Amazon which usually sells the best with former purchases.
Bought this throw back to analog days because my Mom doesn't know how to use a digital camera.  It works.  It's pretty simple to use.
Has never worked right from the very first time I received it,  I should have sent it back, just did not get around to it.
bought as a gift for my mother who has refused to switch to a digital camera...when her last one finally wore out, I could not find any in my local electronics shops...she has been pretty happy with it - simple to use, no fancy features, but does the job well enough
I am a grandmother who chauffeurs her grandchildren to after-school sport meets while the parents are still at their jobs.  It has been annoying to me to miss action at a remove corner of the field while sitting in the bleachers.  These binoculars are perfect to follow them wherever they are without having to re-focus.  Naturally, they are designed for distant viewing, but who needs binoculars when the event it in plain view in front of you.They are just what I needed to really enjoy watching the events and I recommend them for that purpose.
GREAT pair of binoculars.  Small enough to fit into a coat pocket.  Powerful enough to see what you want to see.  I use them almost exclusively for watching sporting events, and that's where the Perma Focus is so useful.And the price is right!  In fact, I bought a pair for each of my grandkids so they'd stop borrowing mine during a game.
Very clear vision, the images are razor sharp. The distance doesn't get as far as I wanted but the sharpness of the image makes up
not too clear. i have another pair of Bushnell's  that were even less expensive and are easier to work with.
Nice for sporting events, you can pass this around to people around you, no having to adjust or focus , great deal !
Very pleased with binoculars. Very good quality for the price. Ease of use. Gift for our grandson. He loves them.
After using these binoculars at a rock concert, and a football game, I don't understand why anyone would want to use binoculars that need focusing. It's great to NOT miss the action while already being focused in on it, instead of trying to focus in on it, and missing it.
I wanted Binoculars that anybody could pick up and see the object without a lot of adjustment.  I can pick them up at a sporting event, concert or viewing wildlife and quickly see what I want to see without any fiddeling.  I am not sure how the auto focus works ... you probably give up something in the image quality for this feature but unless you want to study something at a great distance they seem to be fine.
amazing quality, purchased for zoo trips, park with pound where ducks swim, and also mountain trips and big concerts. very cheap and reliable pair of binoculars.
can't beat the price for what you get, great product but wish it were waterproof.  helps me see fast moving critters in the woods quickly and cleanly and doesn't weigh much.
Perfect size and they work just as good as my full size ones I discovered a year ago.  Perma focus is the only way to go for me.
These are very easy to focus. Much stronger than I expected in this size Bushnell is well known for their products excellence
Bought 3 of these for my family before a trip to Alaska. These are GREAT binoculars. Never having to focus, like regular binoculars, was the greatest convenience. Even strangers questioned me about them and said they wish they had a pair. Buy these, you won't be disappointed.
The settings are all preset on this product.  I don't think there was enough information on it.  I felt like these were straight up junk.
I really like these small binoculars and the auto focus is great. You need to know that these do not have any adjustment for eye width and are rigidly set to a norm. I bought these for my wife but her eye width is too narrow to see out of both lens at once so they do not work for her, though they work great for me.
they are  very clear ,just the right size for hunting, always in focus at any range more then 15 yards ,got these for a Christmas gift amazon shipped quickly and ups got them here just in time for Christmas thanks
I researched quite a bit before I decided on these binoculars and I am so pleased with them.  They are easy to use and easy to grip, which makes them great for people of all ages.  I bought them as a gift for my 7 year old son and was concerned that the eye pieces would be too far apart for the size of his face, but their adjustment range is huge, so they work great!  I tried out a similar pair in a sporting goods store (same brand=Bushnell) and the eye pieces were way too far apart for children.  In addition, the pair in the store was bulkier in size.  The view on the pair in the store might have been slightly bigger, but not enough to get excited about.  The pricing on the in-store binoculars was very similar to this online pair.  The benefit to these being small is that they would be easy to pack for travel or sporting events or hiking, where every ounce counts.  Highly recommend.
Easy to use and no focusing needed.
I purchased this and the Hammers Mini Compact Small Auto Perma Focus Binocular for using at concert venues. Both the Hammers Mini Compact and the Bushnell are great units. This one is a bit larger than the Hammers and has a wider field of view, and is worth the larger size for the viewing quality and width. Great for concert venues where you are 25+ yards away from the stage. If you are Not concerned too much about size, the Bushnell provides a better view than the Hammers. Can't go wrong with either of these.
These binocs are very similar to the ones they replaced that cost 5x as much.  The old ones got tossed because they were showing a double image after living in my backpack for 2 years or so.  The Bushnells may or may not have the quality of optics that the more expensive units did but the "Permafocus" or infinite depth focus makes it so you just pick them up and look.  If what you are looking at is further than about 75' away it will be clear.  This is really great when multiple users are using them as you don't have to reconfigure them for each persons eyes.  It is also good for scanning a wide area as you don't have to adjust focus for close or far.  This also makes them great for watching sports where things move fast.I decided to try these because we have some older 10x50 units that use the same "Permafocus" design under a different brand that got bought by Bushnell and they have been working great for over 10 years.  I hope I will be able to say the same about these.
This is the second pair of these binoculars that I have owned.  They are fantastic and very durable...well, they won't survive when you run over them with your car, LMAO, but I liked them so much that I bought a replacment.
I had recently used a very old pair of auto focus (fixed focus) Bushnells and this item was as close as I could get to that pair.  It just not do as good a job and since I have other binoculars, I returned them.
This is a replacement for binoculars destroyed in the Santa Barbara, CA Tea Fire Nov. 2008. Our son is very pleased with these in that they are small enough to fit into his pocket, are already focused, and bring the ocean into view quite nicely from their temporary home in the hills.
I love these binoculars!  Just returned from Alaska trip and could view up close by just putting them to my eyes!  Small to carry, simple, quick use.  Highly recommend!
Very clear, very crisp and very affordable!  For the money, compact and love the immediate acquisition without having to focus.  I also have the Steiner Safari Pro compacts and after focusing, the view is the same as these, so I'm glad I have this set as well!
We recently went on an Alaska excursion where they offered the use of some Bushnell binoculars.  They were great as they hadauto focus!  I went online @ Amazon and found these for my husband for Father's Day.  He really likes them.  They seem have the autoforcus and stabilization, just exactly as expected and the price was pretty reasonable.  They come with a well-made pouch so they are easy to just throw in a bag and go.  Would definitely recommend them.
Overall I like the binoculars for distance. Compact and it has a clear viewing. The eye piece takes some getting use to because it is so small. This is not good for close viewing since it can not be manually focused.
Excellent value for the price.  Focus perfect beyond about 50'.  If you need a binocular that will focus under 50 feet, these are not for you. If you are looking for something in situations when looking at something quickly at distance beyond that these are the right fit.  The lens caps fall off and will get lost I'm sure as have lens caps in the past; the case is padded and will provide protection when not is use.  Great for concerts, hunting and athletic events.
I love these binoculars. Powerful, compact, and absolutely ideal if you are going to be sharing them with anyone, since you don't have to keep readjusting the lenses for your vision. I take a pair out kayaking on every trip, and also have a pair in our mountain home.
I purchased these for my wife primarily to use at the football games. We had another pair of binoculars but they were too heavy to comfortably carry around most of the day. These turned out to be so convenient, I ordered another pair for myself. The little case that came with them hooks onto the belt which makes them even easier to carry. We're very happy with them and I'm looking forward to the arrival of the second pair.
They were a present for my husband but they did not perform as well as he expected, so he asked me to return them.  Did not work well for birdwatching in our yard, distances were probably to short for the clarity we expected.
Purchased these for a trip to Alaska.  They worked very well and were easy to carry along since they are reasonably small and light.
I bought these as a gift for a friend and liked them so well I ordered 2pair for myself.  One for the truck and 1 to keep in the motorhome.
We bought these to take to baseball games.  They are nice and small (compact) so they fit easily into my bag without too much weight.  My only complaint is the caps don't stay on very tight and I am always afraid I will lose them.
We watch our backyard birds with a pair of binoculars, but these do not focus for either of us.  Sent back and ordered the adjustable focus.
I got these to replace a pair of Bushnell 8x21 camo folding compact binoculars that was stolen.  I like these better.  I don't have to hassle with unfolding them, adjusting them and focusing them like the old ones.  I just pick them up and look.  I tried a pair of generic Chinese 10x21 folding compact binoculars for a while, but it was a hassle to get them focused.  By the time I got them focused, somebody would say "lemee see, lemee see!".  When I got them back, they were out of focus again.  I thought I'd give the permafocus ones a try.  After a few days, I really like it.  Permafocus may not be for everyone, but it's exactly what I was looking for.  Now I can pass them around and still see stuff when I get them back.  Permafocus has it's limitations though.  For one, anything closer than 25 yards is not in focus.  Between 25-30 yards it's not in perfect focus, but good enough.  No problems at 50 yards and beyond.  The field of view is better than my old 8x21 binoculars and the eye relief is better too.I've owned full sized binoculars in the past.  These are way more convenient because they only weigh 9 oz and are small to carry around.  I like these better than the old standby 7x35 Sears binoculars.  To me, 7x is not strong enough magnification.  I've owned 2 pairs of 8x40's before, one was an old Zeiss model from the thrift store.  The image quality doesn't compare to the old Zeiss model, but these are smaller, lighter and no hassle.  The Zeiss model spent most of it's life in the case in the closet.  I've tried 10x50's and 12x50's as well.  These big honkin binoculars are just too big and heavy to carry around.  To me, anything 10x and above is kind of shaky to look through.  The 12x50's would have been better mounted on a tripod.  8x seems to be the best compromise between magnification and convenience.I think this Bushnell permafocus model looks kind of funky and backwards.  After trying them, I have to say this design is much better than I expected.  Also, this design looks like it could survive being dropped.  That was a big selling point for me.  Full size binoculars can go crosseyed of some kid or a drunk buddy drops them.  A pair of 10x50's is more likely to get tweaked.  This design looks more crashworthy and they are also protected by rubber.I only have 2 complaints with these.  I mentioned before, they aren't in focus at less than 25 yards.  I can live with that.  Second, the lens caps keep falling off.  Not a big problem, just kind of annoying.  That's why I give them 4 stars instead of 5.Update:  Had these for a while now and they still work great.  My 2 year old hasn't destroyed them yet.  These are about as kidproof as you can get.  The only moving part is the hinge.  Not much to break or get tweaked with these.
These turned out to be better than expected and the distance they have to be able to see.  Excellent gift idea too if you have hunters in your family.
Fantastic!  Bought this for our grandson and he loved it.  After using it I think I need one for myself!
The Bushnell Perma Focus 8x25 Binoculars are the perfect set for children. The Perma Focus feature allows children to quickly view either a game or wildlife without constantly fiddling with the focusing part of the binoculars. They are a great size for packing away as well. The only drawback is the level of zoom. For a child's first set of binoculars or someone watching a sporting event, they are an excellent choice. Highly recommended.
These are great for fast action sporting or even bird watching. I got them for my 4 year old son to use at the Georgia football games. He has a hard time with focus. These work great because all he has to do is look and it there. The size is nice and we have no problem adjusting from his size to mine. Ours came from an Amazon partner... Optic planet... I think. And they were great as well. Super fast shipping and great contact from start to finish.
First off, I'll say I love this camera!!!After my original Hewlett-Packard died (less than 2 years old too), I researched and researched for a good quality yet affordable camera.  This camera was at the top of my list and I must say I'm impressed with it.After reading all the cons about the software I decided to give it a gander as I usually don't use the included software if I don't like it.  Following the instructions *exactly*, I installed the drivers and software and STILL had problems with it.  But after a quick call to Kodak's customer support (free and 1-800 number) we managed to fix the problem within 3-5 minutes.  Now the camera and computer are in sync and we are snapping away!!!
In the ever changing world of digital photography I have been afraid to buy fearing that tomorrow there will be something better for less.  But, after using 3 different digital cameras at work I finally decided on this Kodak.For those of you who think more pixels is not meaningful, believe me when I say 4 is far superior to 3.anything in final picture quality.  You cannot tell the difference between a photo printed on photo paper with this camera and a 35mm from the store.  I would suggest a good printer.  I bought an HP 7550 with the camera.  They are both so easy to use.Even those a bit fearful of techno gadget stuff can use this camera right out of the box.  Reading the manual is not a chore for those so inclined.  All the controls are easy to manipulate even for the kids.  Don't try to look at the LCD screen in the sun with your polarized sunglasses on it doesn't work.All the normal drawbacks of today's digital photography exist.  Things like when you release the shutter there is a brief delay.  But you will learn to live with it.  If you need high quality action shots of sporting events you have to use a 35mm.  Digital [unless you are ready to spend for high end equipment] is not ready for this yet.Transfer of photos to the computer is the best feature.  It is one button and anyone [even my techno negative wife] can do this with no problem.
When I first bought this camera I thought it was great. It takes decent pictures, is lightweight, and easy to use. However, problems began soon after using it. The control/on switch is located on the back side of the camera,supposedly for ease of use. The newer Kodak cameras I have seen have the control on top, and for good reason. It is almost impossible to carry this camera without it turning itself on. When my wife put it in her purse we would find the battery discharged by the time we took it out. We used 3 different camera cases but still, any jostling would turn the button on.Not only would this cause battery discharge but since the lens could not extend correctly, the camera would malfunction. We sent the camera in once to Kodak for repair without problem but after the second break from the same problem, we gave up on the thing.Remember too that if you travel and want to charge it or download pics to your laptop,  you need to take the docking cradle with you. We tried every store in town but the cable to connect to the computer without the cradle is not available anywhere.You must special order from Kodak.
Pros: Fairly rugged, well built, easy to use, has a view finder as well as the screen, comes with a dock/charger station.Cons: Bulky, heavy, Slow, only 3x (optical) zoom, screen is smallI have had this camera since 2004 & have had no issues.  It is a little bulky & is slow to start up and recover between.  On the good side I have been happy with the picture quality, workmanship, and ease of use. I love that it still has a view finder.  The menu system is straight forwad and easy to naviagte.I work in a shop that repairs computers, and we check in many cameras to send out for repair.  The #1 issue we see is lens errors.  Usually due to operator error, damage/abuse, dirt, or acidental powering when the lens is blocked from opening.  I have never had an issue with any of these.  The recessed lens assembly, as well as inteligent design which stops the lens if obstructed, has worked wekk to protect the lens assembly and mechanism.The dock is a great adition.
Don't fall for this ad like I did. As the ad says "Kodak Easyshare LS 443, 4MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom ( Includes Dock ) This ad is misleading. All you get is the dock and power adapter, which is junk.THE CAMERA DOES NOT COME WITH IT.
These cameras start out life ok- good, actually- But then the dark side comes out, and that is the horrible lens drive system. The gears go bad, and repair is only temporary, even by Kodak. I repair these products for a major service company, and the design is just plain bad. Don't think you can get a cheap one on ebay, either, to fix yours- They all have the same problems. Toss it and buy something else.
I had/have 4-5 of different digital cameras and this one was/is the best! She gives you amazing pictures and it is very easy to use in any situation... I'm in love with her for more than 3 1/2 years!
This camera is the best!  I would recommend it for anyone interested in getting a digital camera that is simple to use and ready to go right out of the box.  All of the pictures that I have taken are wonderful.  The quality is spectacular!  It is so easy to use.  Since it comes with its own docking station with one touch transfer, there is no guess work in it.  I would recommend that you download the more updated easyshare software from the kodak website.  The newer software has some extra features that don't come with the disk in the camera.  If you get the 128mb card you can take up to 103 pictures at the best quality rating.  I have several friends who have bought this camera after seeing mine.  I can't say enough!  Thanks Kodak!!!
Do your homework before you spend $$$ on this camera. It is easy to use, and takes great pictures while it works. Average life span for this camera is less than 2 years. The longest anyone has had one in good use is 2 1/2 years. Way to much to spend for a "disposable" camera, that can't be fixed by the manufacturer.
I got this Camera for Christmas and used it on Vacation in March.  I was very unhappy that it malfunctioned and I was not able to use it for part of my vacation. When I got home I called Kodak who advised me that there would be a $35 dollar fee to repair.  I sent it in and they fixed it and upgraded some of the features to it.  However I did have to buy a new battery which was a pain to find.  I ended up ordering it over the internet!  Anyway it works better than new now and I was very pleased that they upgraded it!  Overall it's a great camera and would reccommend Kodak to anyone!
This was a surprise gift from the wife and kids, so I've only had one day to play with it.  But relative to the reviewer who had trouble with the EasyShare software and Win XP, I will offer a different (very positive) experience.  Kodak indicates that you must install the software before connecting the docking base to your computer or EasyShare will not install properly.  They even put a paper cover on the end of the USB connector with this warning on it.  (Bravo!)I was able to take my first pictures after spending about 2 minutes with the Quick Start manual (and charging the battery a bit.)  It only took another 5 minutes to get the software installed. A+ for clear, simple instructions and ease of use for the novice.  And the same thing for transferring pictures to my computer.  Plug the base into a USB port, put the camera in the base, push the button on the base, and the software launches.  Then you click on the transfer button, and in a few seconds your pictures are on your computer.I can't compare optical quality or other attributes with other digital cameras, but I will say that my pictures came out great, even some I took outdoors in fairly low light early this morning.  Haven't tried the video capability yet.The one thing I would recommend is getting a memory upgrade.  It comes with 16MB internal, which is enough for 11 pictures at the highest resolution--more at lower resolutions. But then you don't buy a 4 megapixel camera to take pictures at lower resolutions...  (16MB is also about 1 minute of video according to the manual.) The 128MB memory card should provide enough memory for over 100 hi-res pictures or 10 minutes of video (again, according to the manual.)
With this camera you can: -Print so good images, depending of your printer, paper and printer settings. -Take excellent closeUps without search for professional results.  -Capture video to get fun. Also you don't care about the battery with the camera dock. The one-press/one-click function it's easy to save the pictures in the computer. If you don't want to pay too much money, this is the choice.
I've had this camera for about a year and haven't had any technical problems with it so far (*keeping my fingers crossed, after reading all these reviews about the camera breaking*). It's simple to use and takes great closeups.Complaints:It doesn't do well in dim lighting. With a 35mm, if you take a pic indoors with the flash, your picture will most likely be clear. Not necessarily so with this camera.It also doesn't do well in bright sun. The pictures get blown-out looking ... the whites too white and the details lost. Though that may be something I could fix if I actually read the instruction manual ...I use the camera for taking photos for my Web site, so the compression thing others mentioned hasn't been a problem for me. I have also printed out a few photos (none bigger than 4 x 6), and they turned out great.
HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE!  I received this camera as gift a little over 2 years ago.  It went belly up AGAIN - shows the Camera Error #E45 like the other guy said.  It had done it once before where the lense got stuck and I couldn't take any more pictures nor could I shut the stupid thing down.  So the junk went back to kodak and they stated that the issue was the on/off switch.  They indicated that the on/off switch was causing the problems because it would turn on while it was in the bag (or purse) and thus, ruin the lense ??? ANYWAY ... the switch was replaced so you had to push a button in order to turn on the stupid thing.  Well it broke AGAIN!  Now this is only several months after they supposedly "fixed" it ... unless my purse figured out how to push the button .... hmmm .... VERY VERY VERY poor quality!  I was more than happy to trash it.  Not worth the time or the effort of getting it repaired.
I just replaced an old Sony 2 Megapixel camera with this Kodak. So easy to use!  And with the 128MB card I get about 100 pictures in the highest grade photo.  It connects to your PC for easy downloading, printing, automatic emailing.Fun camera. And this is a great sale price!!
Great instructions. Easy to use. Small size. Everything works perfectly - Zoom, Timer, Flash, review and delete. Except all the pictures are soft - nothing I could do to capture a sharp image. Used tripod and timer (to avoid movement) for senics, close ups and macros - all soft. Changed ISO to 400 to reduce apeture and increase depth of field - soft. I give up. Will contact Kodak.
My LS443 appears to have lasted slightly longer than the others, but the other day while I was using it to document testing I was doing for a consulting account, the E45 error appeared. I'm very disappointed. I also concur that the power switch comes on too easily, and the Fill Flash is just too strong for macro work.Kodak is touting their JD Powers award for "Cameras ranked highest in customer satisfaction $200-399 and $400-599" on their web site. Nice joke, guys. The Interactive Troubleshooting and Repair web site does not work, although when I go through the hoops and input the serial number, it comes back saying I am entitled to FREE repair, or upgrade to the LS743 for $125.00, but then the SUBMIT action fails.Customer Support (phone), however, was helpful, and after giving her the serial number she indicated that my LS443 is eligible for a "one time repair from Kodak." The followup email from Kodak with return instructions does not indicate I will be charged, nor have I been asked to supply a Credit Card at any time. I think Kodak is aware of the problem, and is trying to make it right. I will send the camera in for free repair, and not upgrade to another 12-month expectancy device for the $125.00
I looked at about twenty digital camera's and chose the Kodak's LS443. I have been using it for about a week and a half and that is not to say I haven't had any problems.  I bought a 256MB photo stick from Best Buy along with the camera which I found to be bad.  This camera takes great pictures and farely well video and audio for a digital camera. I Have Windows XP running on a Dell Inspiron 8100 and didn't have any problems with the software
The Kodak Easy Share LS443 digital camera is just what I was looking for. Four megapixel's give it a quality rivaling the best slr cameras and its point and shoot size make it a camera easy to carry and use anywhere. There is a movie mode, and you can take pictures in burst of three useful in sporting events etc.  I've had the camera about two weeks now and I am really enjoying it. I take it with me all the time. It has oodles of features. The only drawback is the joystick/OK button. Its a little small for my big fingers but I am working with it well.
I bought this camera about a year ago and have used it many times. It does take a high resolution photo but it has kind of a grainy look to it. It also takes very terrible night pictures, even at like twilight or in a shadow you can barely see a thing. It also takes a little adjustment for close up photos, and takes like 3 seconds to take a picture so throw away those in-the-heat-of-the-moment photo opportunities. Also, the connection software it comes with does not work well with my computer; the only way I can view photos on my computer is to drag and drop the files from the camera drive to the destination folder. Then the connection just failed so I couldn't view my photos on my computer at all. And another thing, when you zoom in on the picture your viewing on the camera, it takes a significant amount of time, which can be frustrating. Also, I've heard many customers complain that it breaks a lot. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this camera. I heard the Nikon Coolpix's were very good though.
I've been very happy with the shots taken outdoors, but anytime I use the flash the subjects are extremely washed out, to the point that I don't even bother saving the picture.The shutter lag is way too long - I'm constantly missing shots by a couple secondsA couple days ago the lens stopped retracting and I get the dreaded E45 error message.  I called Kodak and got an auth to repair it for $35, which is better than the $150 others have reported, but I'm debating if I should send it in or not even for $35.I'm thinking of getting the Canon A95, as I'm very happy with my Canon A65 I keep in my car all the time.
My LS443 camera worked fairly well for about 1 1/2 years and then all of a sudden it would not take any pictures.  Everything in the video display window was black - if you snapped a photo - it was also black.  I contacted tech support and learned that they would take the LS443 back and for a mere $100 exchange it for a DX7440.  Why in the world would I chance another Kodak camera.  NEVER AGAIN!!  This was not a great camera to begin with but to have a camera simply die that was not overused nor abused is simply unacceptable.  Does Kodak care?  Not a bit - there will be others who buy their product based on the reputation of the company.  Well I hope this review informs you that that reputation is not so well-deserved.
I bought this camera new back in the early 2000's and got about 10 or so decent rolls out of it until compact digital cameras got good enough and cheap enough to take over my routine photo taking needs.  It's a very well built camera, and pictures for the most part come out looking nice.The main problem with this camera is that it has a very slow lens with an aperture that starts at f4.5.  If you don't like to use the flash (I almost never use one), the T4 Zoom is of limited use indoors and in situations where lots of light isn't available.  I didn't know anything about technicalities of camera design like f-stops when I bought this, but had I known what I know now, there's no way I would have bought a camera with such a slow lens as my primary shooter.For some reason, this camera has held up its value very well over the years, so I was able to sell mine for a good price, but I would be very disappointed if I bought this camera today at the current going rate.If you want a small automatic film camera, go with the Olympus Stylus Epic.  It has an excellent fast and sharp prime lens and can be found at a fraction of the price.
Basically I was looking for the highest quality camera for under $200. I previously had the Canon Sureshot Classic 120 but was lost and now is discontinued.  Some of you may know that the Classic was a great, solid PAS (point and shoot).Pro's: Carl Zeiss lens! Solid aluminum body construction. Clean lines.  Doesn't feel cheap. Comes with case and remote (T4 Zoom Kit)Cons: Viewfinder seems a tad small.  A slight shutter delay, takes getting used to.  The zoom is 4 stages, you can't make zoom adjustements in between.Overall: I'd suggest this to anyone who wishes to get a great PAS and doesn't want to lug around a 35mm SLR.
I am a fan of the Yashica T4 Super, which featured a fixed focal length 35mm f3.5 Carl Zeiss Tessar lens. I still own this superb little gem of a camera since it takes pictures whose quality I can't readily discern from other, more expensive cameras I use, most notably the Contax G2 autofocus rangefinder camera and Carl Zeiss lenses, and the manual focusing Leica M6 with an assortment of Leica M lenses. Kyocera has updated the Yashica T4 into a phenomenal zoom P/S (Point and Shoot) 35mm camera which I wouldn't hesitate to bring along if I wanted to carry one light camera. The new Zeiss lens is superb, though it may lack a little of the Tessar's sharpness (I'm not sure why the lens is designated a Vario Tessar as opposed to a Vario Sonnar, which would make more sense, but I will leave this aside to those more familiar with Carl Zeiss lens lore.). I have seen superb 8 x 10" color enlargements made from this camera that have excellent contrast and resolution. If you are looking for a first-rate, yet relatively inexpensive zoom P/S 35mm camera, then the Yashica T4 Zoom has to be your first choice.
I've been very happy.  I've had the weatherproof version of this camera without the zoom kit since about 1996.  Basic rules of photography aside (lighting, composition, etc...), it has consistently taken some excellent pictures and has held up to a lot of abuse: hiking, sailing, snowboarding, kayaking (though it's never been submerged).  I got a digital camera but still take my T4 on all my trips.  It still works great. The super-viewfinder and timer setting (along with a pocket tripod) also comes in handy depending on the situation. I only gave it 4 stars because sometimes I wished I had a zoom, but I suppose there should be 5 stars now that it comes with a zoom kit.
This is a great camera. I looked around for a while for a 35mm point-and-shoot camera that took great outdoor pictures and was durable enough to go with me hiking. This one fit the bill. The Zeiss lens takes excellent photos. It is handy and durable. The indoor pictures are less desirable -- if you want a small size, very good pictures indoors and outdoors, but less durable, try the Olympus Stylus Epic. Yes, I also have a digital camera, but it stays home during vacations and hiking (there are many reasons). My longest period of shooting was a 23-roll set at Disney and all the shots turned out very well. Very impressed with this camera.
Bought this camera a few months back and retunred it after a few rolls.  Indoor pics are horrible compared to my old Pentax PS, and the camera is uncomfortable to operate.  Why on earth did the put a viewfinder on the edge?  Don't waste your money on this camera.  Go with Pentax or Olympus for PS cameras.
As somebody who travels a fair amount I always like to have a camera ready to take with me.  During my last trip to the tropics I took my aging Pentax Espio zoom with me which unfortunately packed up half way through the trip.  Knowing that I needed to get a new camera I made a list of my needs which are:Compact dimensionsSharp lensRobustValue for moneyGood zoom lens range.First off I had to decide where I stood on the Digital vs Film camera debate.  This was fairly easily resolved as it is clear that Digital cameras are still some years away in terms of image resolution and cost.  My view then is that my new camera would be film-based and if it lasted until Digital overtook then that would work out quite neatly.  In other words I'm expecting this to be the last film camera I will buy.Then I had a look at the available film options and the field narrowed down very quickly.  In this sector of the market the quality brands are Leica, Contax and Rollei by virtue of superior optics.  Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Olympus and Pentax are in the next group; don't get too carried away by these names - even though they make superb SLR cameras they tend to out-source the production of their compact cameras to China, Malaysia etc. fair enough but don't expect the high level optics the SLRs give.  Compact cameras are generally sold on features (length of zoom etc.) not quality of lens.  People only find out about this after purchase so it's not a key sales driver.  It is however the most important aspect of getting good pictures which is what this is largely about(!)Taking the three quality brands then: Contax cameras use Carl Zeiss lenses which are generally regarded by many pros as the best in the world, prices however are high.  Rollei models seemed expensive with a lesser reputation than Contax for optics.  The styling on the Leicas (C1, C2 and C3)is very "clunky" - they're trying for a retro look and failing but the optics are highly regarded.  Downsides all round and not an easy decision to make.  I was edging towards the Leica C3 (worth checking out despite styling issues) when a helpful sales assistant pointed out the Yashica.  This was interesting for the following reasons:The lens is a Carl Zeiss T* lens as in the Contax range (Contax, Yashica and Carl Zeiss are all owned by Kyocera Corp.).  *This is just about the highest quality lens which can be bought regardless of money*.  As well as pin-sharp precision it is also a faster lens that many others including the Leica.The zoom on the lens starts at 28mm which means you get a full wide-angle range.  More useful that the more common 35mm.The camera is compact and nicely styled.  Controls are well designed.The price far undercuts all of the other models.While not having quite the cachet of Leica or Contax this camera is in the same league of quality.  The results I have had from this camera are better than I had hoped and make the pictures from my old Pentax look rather second rate.  My dealer also informs me that many pros use this camera for fast, spontaneous shots and the results are indistinguishable from SLR quality.Highly recommended.
Lasts and works well!  A good buy!  They fit perfectly in my camera and last a longer time than other brands!
Since I don't have a car and have problems running around looking for a product, I was glad to see that Amazon sells this battery.  Plus, I had seen them for $5.00 more at my supermarket.  So, good deal all the way around.  And having &#34;Prime&#34; membership means that I didn't pay for shipping.  Very satisfied.
My older model Kokak digital camera requires this CR-V3 battery.  It lasts very long - more than 6 months - even though I take and download to my computer a LOT of photos.
I have been using rechargeable AA batteries for my Nikon camera for years but they just wouldn't last very long.  I have only used one battery so far and it's been six months.
I have a Kodak camera and the rechargeable batteries that I got with the camera no longer hold their charge very long.  I purchased these and they are MUCH cheaper than the rechargeable ones I had.  Since I have an older camera, I wasn't sure how they'd fit but they work.  I recycle my batteries, so they won't be in a landfill after they're done.  I haven't had them that long, so not sure how long they'll last, but for the price I can't complain.
Hard to find and very pricey, but actually make my camera work.  Can we come up with a new way to do this?  In the meantime, grab up these batteries at the best price you can, while they last, if you want to make your camera last.
These batteries are exactly what my camera needed. Although now this awful MAC computer won't upload my pics from it.
They do what batteries do at a price I'm happy to pay. They were sent fast and packaged well. Works for me!
I will be again for you best price I can get my Duracel batteries than you so much. love it
I have used these batteries for my old digital camera.  They seem to last a pretty long time.  Have not used any except Duracell so I cannot compare the usage.  All I care about is that it keeps my camera going so that I can keep taking pictures of my beautiful dog.
It does not come with the mike as shown on the picture. Mike sells separately. But for me the bilt-in mike is more than enough.I'm using this camera since April 2003. No defects, works perfectly, completely satisfied. It is recommended to use only one kind of DV tape for this camera. Choose either Panasonic MQ or PQ (or other professional quality tapes) and stick to them.Buy a clear protective filter (72mm) and put it on the lenses as soon as you open the box. There is a great bag made for this cam by KATA (around 100 dollars). Get an extra Battery (larger that the one that comes with it. Around 100 dollars). The battery that comes with it will last about an hour. I bought an additional Panasonic camcorder for 300 dollars, just to use for rewinding and capturing tapes from DVX100 (there is no loss of quality). This and the use of the same kind of tapes prolongs the life of camcorder (I don't know exactly for how long, so you might consider not following my advice).Most of the newer Editing software is now capable to handle DVX100 24p format.This cam was released in December 2003. As of December 2004, in my opinion, it is still the best Professional camcorder in the price range of 5000.
I ordered a used one for under $700, but it was much more used than I anticipated and didn't have all the bells and whistles I needed. The selling company was very accommodating on the return.
How do you say &quot;amazing&quot;?Panasonic says it by producing the DVX-100I'm a filmmaker myself, currently filming my second indie feature on this camera ------ lemme tell you what I love about it -1. the 24 fps is for real! No gimmicks at all! Make sure to edit with Final Cut Pro 4 to get the most out of the 24 fps capabilities2. AMAZING PICTURE --- the picture on this thing blows away all other cameras within its price range, and even a lot of those above it!3. Great professional controls --- manuel aperture, audio, etc --- and all easy to control!4. The simple stuff --- nice flip out LCD, big buttons, good lense, etcHowever, there is no anamorphic..... so I recommend purchasing Panasonic's 16:9 convertor for full capabilities!In conclusion though ---- you won't find a camera with better controls and better picture quality --- its easy to use, and looks AWESOME over any TV, or luck pending, movie screen!Buy it --- you will not REGRET it at all!
Hello..You've heard it all from the other reviews.The cons:- No autofocus in 24P... and that really sucks.- No remote control for focusing either!!!- Microphones do not sound good.. but that was expected. So get external microphone- Don't expect to shoot during lowlight environment in 24P... it's just not made for it.- Expect to buy a lot more stuff after this.- The manual is really BAD. If you don't know how to use this camera, you have hours/days before understanding it all.
The AG-DVX100 has killed 16mm motion picture camera systems and 16mm film stock except for the die-hard motion picture fans. The bottom line is - do not shoot 16mm or Super 16mm because this camera produces cine images that are better than 16mm and Super 16mm on DV, which means that it is also cheaper because you do not need to buy and process 16mm film stock. If you blow this video up to 35mm the image quality is still better than 16mm film formats.However 35mm still rules... but the future for digital looks good.Also the problems with this camera have been corrected in the AG-DVX100a version so you may want to hold back until you see that one on-line here. You would also do well to get the AG-LA7200G anamorphic lens so that you can shoot in scope with a squeezed digital image (Just like a real anamorphic lens!)!Bottom line. This is a top of the range domestic camcorder with pro qualities. 16mm motion picture camera users should use this in their productions instead. It is a waaaaay cheaper and looks better. The cine-switch technology in this camera is based on the same system that Lucas used to film his New Star Wars movies with. Also the PAL version does not have 24 fps but this does not matter because PAL is 25 fps and the difference can not be noticed with the naked eye alone and transfer to film is easy with 25 fps PAL but not so easy with 30 fps NTSC so the NTSC version of this camera can also shoot 24 fps for that. Also this camera is loaded with functions. There is not a single thing you can do not with it but! and this is a big but! the NEW AG-DVX100a will address the negatives that the AG-DVX100 has (zoom problems and focus problems and other things). Keep an eye out for the AG-DVX100a although it may be $1000 more expensive than this one but should be no concern to those who had to shoot on expensive 16mm film equipment with expensive 16mm film stock and expensive 16mm processing and expensive 16mm to video transfers.16mm is dead.
Pros: Real 24P at an affordable price for serious videographers; produces filmic look; professional controls; phantom power and two-channel audio control.Cons: High-contrast artifacting; noisy zoom and autofocus mechanisms; lack of gain adjustment and autofocus in progressive mode; only 10X optical zoom.Summary: I just got the camera two weeks ago. It is my baby. I have already shot a short film and it looks darn near close to film. There are so many tricks this camera has it is insane. I love it way better than the XL1 or the Xl1s' frame movie mode. This is the ultimate DV camera. It's pixelation is 410,000, the Xl1s only has 210,000. You do the math.What I didn't like was after using this camera and trying to edit the finished material I found that there were flash frames on edit points. The problem comes from the camera converting 24fps to 60 field which is what your data is when its put to a non linear to edit. Whats wrong with this camera is its trying to ride the 24p/1080 excitement that Sony's created with the HDCam product. This is not at all the same although some advertising is eluding to it.But other than that, it is a must try!!!
Power cord system incomplete, I can charge the battery but the cord from the charger to power the camcorder is missing. also the microphone,microphone adapter clamp and holder are missing from the camera. they never came with the order as pictured when I made my order.
This camera records in such a clear and film like quality, you will wonder why more people aren't using it.  I have tried out the other cameras on the market in this price range and no camera comes close.  Shooting 24 frames per second is one of the coolest and most useful features of this camera, if you are interested in converting to film, this is exactly what you want.The camera has a great view finder and LCD screen, it also has a a ton of options that really complete the package.  I have been looking for a while, the camera that is the next step above this is about $60,000, so this is definately a good starting camera and well worth the money, though make sure you shop around.The microphone works well, but I still went out and got a boom mic, it captures pictures in the dark wonderfully and the LCD screen lets you know if you are picking up sound or if there is over exsposure on something.  I haven't had time to figure out the entire camera yet, but this thing is definately leaps and bounds ahead of any competition at the moment, do not settle for second best, it is a distant second.
I purchased this bag for carrying a Garmin C330 GPS unit with all the accesories.  The bag quality, size, and construction is excellent.  It can easily accomodate the GPS unit, windshield bracket and optional dashboard mount, 110V A/C and 12VDC cigarette lighter adapters, cables, manual, and software.  Most cases that are designed to carry a vehicular GPS unit are usually way too small to house additional accesories.  This bag is a perfect solution.
Bought this same bag around 3 months ago at WallyWorld for $16.98. I would recommend it without hesitation. I use it to carry Canon DC310 camcorder AND a Kodak Z760 Digital camera. Has ample room for both with the adjustable dividers in main compartment. With all the other pockets & compartments, it also has room for my Memorex travel case that holds 12 mini DVDs, travel chargers & cords for both cameras, extra batteries for both cameras, various ac adapaters & cords, extra memory cards, a Sharpie, cleaning cloths, etc. I had used a smaller Samsonite camera bag for the Kodak for about 3 years before purchasing the camcorder. Loved it, too, so I already had a good feeling about the Samsonite brand. The only complaint I have about this bag is that I cannot figure out a way to get my 66" tripod in there! Seriously, though, I would not not hesitate to buy this or any other Samsonite camera bag in the future. I would check around for a better price, however.
I bought this bag for a Panasonic VDR-D100 DVD Camcorder and I loved it.All the pockets are usefull. I recommend this bag.
I purchased this bag from Amazon because I had a gift certificate.  Wal-Mart carries the exact same thing for about three dollars cheaper.
I purchased this for my Canon Rebel K2, and have been very pleased with the versatility of this camera bag.  I have room for extra film, my lens cleaning kit, and even my digital camera (small and slim).  I do wish that the front pocket was a little larger to fit my camera's manual a little better, but for the cost this bag is a very good buy.  I will be upgrading to something more substantial in the future, but for now this bag is perfect for my needs.
I like it alot.  I store my canon camcorder in it.  There is even room for my digital camera and some mini dv tapes.Plus it's a samsonite.  Buy the thing !
The Samsonite Journey Camcorder Bag is great!  I can put my camcorder AND my digital camera inside as well as all of the cords, the charger, and I put 10 tapes in it!  I think that if you are looking for a bag that can multi-task for you, this is it!
This bag (Samsonite 809BK) is ideal for carrying your camcorder and ALL the accessories (cables, extra batteries, charger, etc.) very comfortably.  Moreover, if you have one of the new smaller hard disk drive camcorders, and a digital camera, you will be able to fit both in here and still have enough space for all the accessories.  I have a JVC GZ-MG155 HDD camcorder and a Canon A610 digital camera, and both fit just fine in this bag.  This bag will come handy in carrying around both the items in the upcoming family wedding celebrations.  I got the bag from Walmart for $17.95.  I did not want to spend anything upwards of $20-25 on a camcorder bag, and this fits the bill perfectly.Overall, a nice bag.  Worth the money.  Go buy it!
This is a great bag in design and construction! It holds our camcorder and our digital camera and lots of accessories. The adjustable interior partitions are a nice design feature. We are certain this bag will serve us well for a long time.Thank you.
This camcorder bag is strong and durable. It gives you alot of room for your camcorder as well as sections for your cables and other accessories. The bag is neat and not bulky at all.Highly recommended.
The side pocket zipper doesn't close!Good size fits DSC HX1 and all his acessories.
You can find the same product in Wall-Mart.So, you don't have to wait for so long.
I bought this for my new Canon HV20 and for vacation.  I haven't actually used it too extensively, as in whether or not it's build quality can be judged but it looks and feels to be very well made.I am able to store my Canon HV20 with 2 lenses attached, remote for the canon, my Pentax Optio 550 and extra battery, extra Canon battery, Audio-Technica ATR25 Mic and cable, 10 miniDV tapes, 2 sd cards and cases, and I think it actually has room to put a little bit more like a little mp3 player or my Gameboy SP, though I'd want to maybe have a cushion so I can lay those on top of where my camera is.Nicely designed shoulder strap too, it's not just some uni-shaped band, but looks to be ergonimically shaped to your shoulder.So I hope the shoulder strap and handle strap lasts for my trip, it'll be perfect indeed.
I bought another brand of bag for my Canon 35mm last year.  For the same price, it wasn't nearly as roomy or convenient.  This is marketed toward camcorder purchasers, but it's too bad I didn't know about it last year for my Rebel EOS.  It has more room for lenses, cleaning materials, booklets...even a snack!
Economical, well-designed and offers good protection for the camcorder. Also has many convenient storage compartments.
Got this bag to use with our JVC hard drive camcorder. Lots of room for the camera, cords, books etc without being TOO BIG.VERY STURDY!!!Excellent price for a great little bag. I'd highly recommend this!
I've accumulated maybe 10 camera and camcorder bags over the last several years from Case Logic, Mountainsmith, Samsonite and various other makers and can honestly say this is my favorite one for several reasons:1) space-saving form factor with excellent size to storage ratio2) high durability and ruggedized construction3) numerous storage pockets and generously-sized compartments4) secure and protective4) fantastic priceThis is a well-made and easy to carry day bag that offers ample storage in a small form factor. The square shape lets you fit it anywhere inside a luggage compartment, a trunk, or stacked on top of other bags. I can take my camera, maps, and everything else I need to go out for a shoot all in this bag. MyCanon VIXIA HV40 HD HDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODELfits perfectly in the center compartment, leaving the 2 padded cells on either end for extra batteries, chargers, tapes, and other accessories. The dividers are velcro'ed in and can be removed or adjusted to fit your camera, no matter the size. The bag is tall enough that it offers plenty of overhead for holding other accessories in the main compartment along with the camera. The walls are thickly cushioned and offer excellent impact and drop protection. All the flaps and pockets offer a lot of extra cushioning and work as a buffer.The two zip-up side pockets easily fit 2 mini-DV cassettes each. A zippered front flap flips up to reveal another pocket underneath. The click-in buckles keep everything securely closed. I have no complaints about the zippers.The carry handle is made of thick ballistic nylon and as if that weren't enough, it is reinforced with a strip of fake leather sewn into the underside. The strap is sewn to the top of the bag with heavy stitching. There is no way this handle is coming off unless you really try to destroy it. It is an excellent value for under $20 and I highly recommend this versatile bag.
Great price, quality materials, the zippers seem sturdy and has plenty of room.  On travel, we carry both our video recorder and digital camera in it, chargers and tapes... it's little tight but it gets the job done.  Not for pros I guess, but for sometimes for traveling, the simpler the better.
This bag is made of high quality materials, has pockets everywhere, and fits a wide variety of camcorders. I got a great product for a great price. I definately recommend this product!
Although this is a camcorder bag, I use it for my camera.  It has all the compartments that I need for all my accessories.  It's VERY durable, easy to use, and the compartments are are nicely sized.  My only complaint is that I wish it was just a little deeper in the compartment that stores the camera.
THIS IS THE BEST CAMERA BAG EVER FOR THE MONEY.  I CAN'T BELIEVE A SAMSONITE BAG OF THIS SUPER QUALITY WAS UNDER $10! WE HAVE THE PANASONIC PALMCORDER & IT FITS VERY NICELY IN THIS BAG WITH SOME EXTRA 3" DVD DISCS, THE BATTERY CHARGER AND INSTRUCTION BOOKLET.  THIS IS THE BUY OF THE CENTURY!
Para mi fue una gran compra, es un maletin bien hecho, acabados perfectos y  trae una gran cantidad de espacios divididos para llevar todo lo referente a camara y videocamara.Yo cargo en este maletin mi videocamara sony con su cargador y bateria opcional y cintas mini dv, tambien llevo mi camara digital canon con un cargador de bateria con sus 4 pilas AA todos sus cables y memorias, es una belleza de maletin, es impermeable..se los recomiendo.Lo mejor de todo fue que lo adquiri a un buen precio
This is a perfect bag for my Sony SR-300, it's enough to keep and carry all the accessories
I purchased seven of these for use in a high school at the $21.00 price. They carry Canon ZR800 mini dv video cameras, their manuals, tapes, batteries and cables with ease in a very neat package. I am very satisfied with this purchase,
For the price this bag is great! Because of the size of todays handycams, digital cameras, cell phones,etc. you'll find they can all fit into this one bag, which makes it easy to carry them all(& carry on airplane) when on vacation.
Very Good product. QUALITY is super. Fits camcorder and all its accessories + digital camera with all its accessories perfect. Dont wait BUY!
I am quite disappointed in this bag, and in myself as well. I judged based on other people's comments that this would be a worthwhile inexpensive bag, and it has everything as stated: durable material, many pockets (fits my panasonic PV-GS500 video cam and canon powershot A640 (in its own case), along with gorillapod, extra batteries, extra dv tapes, no problem).So what's the problem? you are hopefully asking yourself: The main compartment has a double zipper that can be opened from either end, and one of them ripped. That means that the thing still closes from one end, but I have to be careful not to zip it too far the other way, or it will slip off. Bummer, but still functional.Like I said, you get what you pay for, so I got an OK bag that requires ongoing vigilance when I open and close it.
Got my son a JVC mini DV camcorder for Christmas... this is the perfect bag for that camera!  Just the right amount of room for the camera, the charger, the cables and tapes!
Plenty of room for my camcorder and my digital camera, It is light weight and easy to carry. I have plenty of room for the accessories that go with both cameras like extra batteries and picture cards,tapes and charger for the camera. The bag is soft and cushioned and has plenty of compartments.
I bought this for two reasons.1) The previous samsonite bag I bought ("Samsonite Worldproof 3.02 Blue/Black Deluxe SLR, Digital or Compact Camera Bag") is sturdy and very good.2) Reviews from others with average rating of 4.5I just received it and is a total useless product. I would never expect such a product from Samsonite. Here is what I could find in few minutes:1) Walls of the bag are very thin bend like papers2) The zippers are not good3) The front pocket does not have a zip - what do you expect to put there. Its no good for anything other than big items like battery charger, cables etc.4) The adjustable partitions inside the bag are also not sturdy.Go for "Samsonite Worldproof 3.02 Blue/Black Deluxe SLR, Digital or Compact Camera Bag" even if it is $7 to $8 more. Do not risk your camera or camcorder.
This is an excellent camera bag. The quality of the materials and of construction is unsurpassed. I use it to store/transport either my sony mini-dv camcorder or my Canon digital rebel SLR.
plenty of room for a handy cam, the manual, tapes and wires.  Name brand that you can trust for a price you can't beat.  Everything I was hoping for
This was an Amazon freebie so what is there not to like? It has plenty of compartments to carry all your gear and it's construction is rugged. The only slight negative are the plastic buckles that are not always easy to close. All camera bags have them these days, though.
I bought this bag for my Panasonic DMC-FZ10 digital camera and it is just great. It has an adjustable inside lining so you can customize it to fit your camera or camcorder perfectly. Besides that, the compartment on the front fits all the catalogs and cables and the ones on the sides are perfect for extra batteries, charger and lens filters. All together there are 5 different compartments, besides the main camera compartment, so storage is not an issue with this bag. However, if you are a professional photographer and use more than 5 filters and additional lenses, you may need something a little bigger. Quality wise, this bag is excellent for the price as with any Samsonite product. Comes with 5 year warranty.
I purchased this bag almost a year ago and I am very happy I did. I travel a lot and I carry my cameras (both camcorder and digital camera) everywhere. In my bag I carry all the cables, 5 spare tapes, chargers and spare batteries for my camcorder and the charger with cable and my Colpix digital camera (in it's own case) along with some extras all in this Samsonite Journey Bag. For the less than $19 I paid for it I feel I got a bag worth $50. I have not had one single problem with the bag. It's a great buy.Samsonite Journey Camcorder Bag for Most Camcorders
This bag is awesome!  I have room for my camcorder and digital camera in it!  It has so many pockets inside and out - I store my rechargeable batteries in it, extra memory cards, cords, instruction manuals, and blank tapes. Its PERFECT!
This was a free gift with my camcorder purchase -- what's not to like about it???!!!
The camcorder fits in the bag perfectly. The bag feels durable and even with the camcorder inside feels light like there is nothing in it.
I use this bag for my Sony DCR-TRV19 camcorder, and it works great.  Lots of pockets and storage with easy access, together with a nice look.  The only reason it didn't get five stars is that a plastic tab which attaches to a pull string for one of the zippers came off, which is quite minor really.
It did what I neede it to do for storage and carrying extra stuff if needed. I still have this.
I use it for my Panasonic DVC video camera and my Digital still camera. Both fit nicely with a few accessories.
I love my Sony Mavica and they don't have many places to buy the mini discs where I live now so when I found them on Amazon I was thrilled. They are an excellant product. I have purchased them before and they are just as good as the Mavica brand. With 50 discs I will be able to take so many pictures and the cost was exceptional. I will definitely buy these again!
I use these in my Sony Mavica camera, which I still LOVE even though its a little outdated!  If you need these get them now. I can't find them in stores anymore and they're getting increasingly hard to find online.
Or minimal/netinstall such as ArchLinux or Gentoo Linux.I'll never use them all. USB storage is much more convenient. Seriously. Save up.
These mini discs are getting harder to find at brick and mortar stores in my area, so when I ran out I was relieved that amazon had them.  I had hoped that since these are Sony brand, my Sony Mavica CD400 wouldn't pop up the annoying "Mavica Disc Recommended" marketing pitch...er..."helpful hint", every time I turned the camera on, but alas it still does.That aside, they work perfectly and I haven't had a failure yet.
I couldn't find disks for my Sony Mavica anywhere in the large city I live in.  Amazon came to the rescue. The disks work perfectly in the camera!
Just now had the opportunity to begin using the discs and they worked perfectly.  We do professional wedding photography and cannot afford for our memory source to fail.  These so far have been working perfectly.
They are just right for saving pictures and making copies for family members.  Have good quality pictures.
As the owner of three Sony Mavica digital cameras, I keep a ready supply of mini-discs, which are put into the cameras upon which to recordthe still image OR videos.  Maxel and Sony mini-discs have provided dependable service.  I purchased the 50-pack spindle of Sony discs from Amazon, as stores in my area no longer them or the Maxels, which had been my preference because of their 210 MB capacity.  Local stores DO carry the M*m*r*x brand, which in my Mavica digital cameras are totally undependable.I DO recommend the Sony mini-discs.
I'm one of the few people that actually bought 3 inch music CD's back around 1987.  Today I find the Mini CD-R to be the perfect media for archiving small data files.  Whether it be music, pictures, finances or just a couple hundred MB of miscellaneous nonsense you wish to permanently preserve, the Mini CD-R is perfect for the occasion.  If stored data is out-dated, these little discs can be shredded easily in most of todays paper shredders.  Also a must have for Sony Mavica owners.
I use these disks with my Sony CD-Mavica camera. They are high quality and never give me any grief! Of course, with Amazon, the price is always right!
Satisfied with the price I paid and the time frame delivered. (BUT) product was NOT NEW. Only 49 discs were in the package. Four of the discs separated throughout the spindle were cracked and one was scratched up all over the disc. These were located throught the middle of the spindle. None of them were next to each other.I therefore received a total of 44 usable discs.
I wanted a mini-CD that would hold my Galapagos Islands highlight pictures and that I could send to friends.  Whether I created the CDs on my Sony Photo Vault or in my computer's DVD writers (which tend to be very picky as to what media they'll accept) they wrote cleanly and were a pleasure to send out (fold a 3x5 index card over them, staple the corners, and it all goes out in an envelope at the 42-cent rate.  I'm very pleased with the product obtained quickly and at a fair price through Amazon.
I had a camera that used mini cd's and I loved it!  Sony products are well made and they stand behind what they make.  Jesus' Blessings and Peace
These discs are great, but for the Mavica recomended cameras that use them, I continue to get disc errors with the Sony brand. Though I do have to say, they are much cheaper than the Mavica's. I will continue to use them whether or not I get errors, because of their price... I just hope I don't lose too many pics from it.
Great quality, reasonable price, arrived quickly.  Just what I needed.
Worked in my Sony camera as they should, when Memorex wouldn't. Far less expensive than buying retail.
I own a Sony Mavica CD 400 and previously only used the recommended Mavica disks, both R and RW.  This is what happened when I put one of these disks in my camera:  As soon as I closed the lid, a message popped up saying that Mavica disks were recommended.  I then went to settings, as usual when inserting a new disk, and tried to format the disk.  It was already formatted.  I then went to initiate the disk and this proceeded faster than usual.  The photographs I've taken are recoreded without any difference whatsoever.  The disks work just as well in my computer's CD/DVD tray as the Mavica disks.  The only problem I can see with these disks is that I will save an extraordinary amount of money.  Thank you, Amazon.com, for shipping them out so quickly (I received them two days after order with no special shipping upgrade).I will not go back to using the more expensive Mavica disks which require an extra formatting step.
These work fine. I bought them for a Sony Mavica CD 3.3 digital camera. This is the largest capacity I have found, the price is great, and the quality is great.
I use these for shooting car shows and you can never have to many.  The only thing that is weird is the camera does not recognize that these are Mavica discs but it does not change how they work it just give yous a message that you should use a Mavica disc.
Real product not fake copy. I personally recommend that you always buy Canon accessories for your Canon DSLR. Especially for things like lens caps and body caps. They work, help resale value, and just look great. Note: Tekimoka is a great seller, they delivered on time for a perfect Amazon fulfillment order.
This lens cover will never holds it's place on a canon glass , its always loose and doesn't lock , can never match the original cover that comes with the lens , don't waste your money .
I was having trouble finding an exact fit for my canon camera without breaking the bank, and this item was excellent.  It fits right into the front camera with no problem.
I bought this for my Canon DSLR so I can keep the dust out of my camera.  Fits perfect. Price is excellent. I only gave it a four start because it is a generic cap and does not have the Canon label on it like the ad portrays.  Yeah Iam a label whore. After spending lots of cash for my equipment, I want them all to match up.  Dont YOU?
It's a cap. It fits on the back of your Canon lens. That's about it. Nothing more to say. Banana.
Unfortunately, I realized I was one lens cap short when I didn't have any lenses on my camera body. Not too bad of a price though it could be cheaper I suppose.
What can you say?  LOL, it's a cap for your camera.  Goes on protects the insides when not wanting to keep the lens on.. great product..
Does the job & its exactly what you need if you lost your lens cap like I did.$7 for a piece of plastic thats says Canon on it is pretty steep!!  The problem with the generic ones is that they don't fit snug so I spent the extra few dollars on the OEM part!I just feel like I didn't get my money's worth but I got what I wanted.....
Its a canon OEM.  I got what i needed and put it on and it works.  Arrived on time with no problems.
I lost the rear lens cap to my Canon lens.  What I like about the lens cap is that it fits both my Canon and Tamron lenses.  The Tamron lens cap will not fit my Canon lens.  Well, it fits but will not stay on.
This lens cap replaces the OEM cap that I lost. It covers the camera body and keeps dust and debris out whenno lens is attached.
My brother misplaced the rear lens cap on my &#34;Thrifty Fifty&#34;, so I ordered a replacement. Nice that it wasn't expensive (as opposed to their Lens Hoods). If you're in need of one, you have to have it.
Just buy it for extras if needed. gets the job done and it fits perfect. best part is, dont have to buy triple the usual cost youd pay at a store for
These things are necessary. I've had the third party rear lens caps be loose, which makes them useless, but never a Canon cap. Once you stomach the price you'll be happy your equipment is protected.
Lenses are so expensive.  Why take the chance of busting one up by not having one of these caps?  I bought these back caps to make sure I always have an extra handy in case I drop or misplace a back lens cap. Just keep one in your camera bag and it's always there for emergencies. They fit exactly the same as the caps that came with my lenses and they are stamped Canon.  I got mine for less than $5 so that is pretty cheap insurance!
Fits perfect in the canon body and the delivery was quick.  I was able to use it right away, very happy with my order.
As I mention in my profile page, I am a photographer who is enthusiastic about products that work - bonus points if they are cheap! As a wedding photographer, I frequently am distracted during a 12-14 hour shoot, and it is not uncommon for me to slip an end cap into my pocket while changing lenses, and find it's no longer there at the end of the day (my grand total is three now, and no, I don't do this with Memory cards!)Either way, this is a cheap replacement, that has fit every lens I have tried to put it on. Obviously, it is a little more expensive than the REALLY cheap end caps, but whenever possible I buy genuine Canon accessories to avoid any eventual headaches. I would highly recommend keeping a couple of these as spares in your camera bag - there's nothing worse than not having a five dollar item to protect that $2000 lens!Highly recommended!
again canon seems to like to charge a little more for their plastic.  no need to pay 6-10 bucks.  just go get an off brand rear lens cap.  sure it doesn't say canon on it, but I am sure it will protect your rear lens just the same.
The cap is the same as the original Canon lens cap that I lost and it was at a good price.  I try to support the local camera stores sometimes but when I looked for this there it was a no name brand cap and it was a lot more money.  I like having the Canon one.  :-)
I'm not sure how or why, but I managed to lose the rear cap for my kit lens.  When I bought two newer, nicer lenses after a year and a half of using the kit lens, I realized I didn't have the rear cap.  So, I came here to buy one.  No complaints.  None.  Zero.
This lens cap fits great and is a standard lens cap for a canon ef lens.  I would recommend to anyone needing to replace a factory cap!
My wife has a Canon Rebel XS and I have a Rebel T3, both with the stock lenses and a zoom one. She lost some of her lens covers so I thought it would be good to purchase replacements. These fit the lenses perfectly, and I have no complaints!
When changing your lenses, have you ever dropped or lost a back cap? It's annoying because lenses need TLC. I bought these back caps to make sure I always have an extra handy in case I drop or misplace a back lens cap. I just tuck these into the camera bag and it's there for emergencies. The fit and feel is exactly the same as the caps that came with my lenses and they are stamped Canon.
Fit my lens fine, perhaps a tad loose, but probably not any worse than other caps. I've been using it for a while now, and I'm completely satisfied.
Needed this item as the camera I purchased had no accessories.  Now I can store lens in bag with no worry of damaging the lens glass
An actual canon back lens cap. Fits my 16-35mm lens perfect that I bought used. Received on Monday after placing order on Saturday. Gotta love amazon prime!
As most photographer experienced one time or more : losing the lens cap.  I lost mine when I was shooting an outdoor group activity.  It's exactly same as the factory one, well built, solid.  And it's cheap!  5 stars!
Perfect fit for my camera lens.  Much cheaper than on the Cannon website.  Keeps lens clean and dust free. Very pleased with my purchase.
It does the job for which it was ordered. Provides off-camera body safety for the rear lens elements of a lens purchesed used and without the cap
What do you want?  It covers the rear of lens.  Nice to have a couple around so you don't have to dig in the bag for a cap.
Very nice to close your camera and lens and get away from dust and even to protect in the bag
Like others, I lost mine while shooting and needed a solid replacement that matched the original.  This is it.  It's a bit pricey, but nothing compared to the glass you are protecting.  Very pleased.
The Canon rear lens cap is included with the purchase of your EF lens, extension tubes, and tele-extenders.  If you happen to lose the lens cap, you need a new one.  This protects the rear elements from damage while your lens tele-extenders, or extension tubes are off the camera.  To save some money, look for anoff brand versionat a local camera shop.  There are no special parts to this cap.  Don't risk damage that will end up costing more than a replacement cap.PROS:Protects your equipmentCONS:Expensive for a piece of plastic (but you gotta have protection.)
Not much to say. It is exactly what it is advertised to be. Price was right. Delivered in a timely manner. If you want one, buy it.
Provides good dust and knock protection for the rear end of my Canon 80 - 200 mm lens. Goes on easily and comes off easily. I have to be aware of where I put it when not in use though, as it can be easily misplaced. That's no fault of the product though, rather the carelessness of the user.
I use lots of lenses and have three different XX-to-EOS Lens mount adapters.  To protect them I purchased this cap.  It goes on the EOS end (obviously) and protects the chipset for the assisted focus feature.When I purchased this item the total cost with shipping was under $5 so I don't see any reason to complain about price - to me it seems a veritable bargain - I probably should have ordered an extra or two at this price!Update:Be Careful - I ordered more of these (From a different seller) and received "fake" Canon caps.  The ones I received are NOT made by Canon.  They are very similar and even have "Canon" stamped on them.  However real caps say "Canon Inc." inside and indicate the country the cap was made.  The fake ones I received were not in Canon packages, had stickers hiding the "Canon" name (from customs inspectors...) and did NOT have "Canon Inc." and country of manufacturer stamped on them.  Buy from legit camera dealers if you want the real caps...
The OEM rear cap for Canon's EF mount.  Does exactly that.  A necessity for all lenses.  And I like to keep a spare, just in case.
I lost my cap somewhere, this replaces the cap nicely. Not sure that it matters, but the one I received had only the circle and not the square indent. the circle represents the red dot you would match up with EF canon lenses and the square would match up to EF-S lenses.
We seem to go through these like *something you go through a lot of* so it's nice to have an inexpensive replacement.  Overall pleased with this item.
There's not much else to say about this product. It correctly covers the rear of some Canon lens mounts I have for a Canon camera I own.
I lose these things left and right, and it's so great to be able to easily order a few spares from Amazon!  I'm sure one day I will find about 10 of these somewhere in my house and realize my dog has been hiding them all from me! ;)
I had lost the back cap to one of my lenses.  This was perfect, just like the one it originally came with.
I seem to have misplaced ONE rear cap and didn't discover my problem until 2 days before my trip out of town. Wanting to travel with both EOS bodies I was STUCK! SO, I turned to Amazon, QUICKLY found this replacement and ordered. I less than 40 hours my 40D and 7D were secure with body caps and lenses had new end caps. Everything fit perfectly as they were Canon, a product I ALWAYS trust....along with Amazon PRIME
This is a nice extra to have in your camera bag...I keep mine in a ziplock bag so that it doesn't pickup dust and I have an extra if all the lenses are off my camera.  Fits all EF and EF-S lenses.  Just like the one you get with the lens.
Original caps from Canon, purchased 2, one for replacement the other as a backup. Great buy, recommended in case you lose one.
Canon brand, the cheapest one on amazon with decent shipping speed.I buy these to fit my lens hack lenses they work great. check out lens hack for more info
its rear cap. solid plastic. fits as advertised. if i needed more i would reorder from them. Thank you alot
I got it as a replacement cap for my canon as I thought I had lost the original cap.  Soon after I bought this replacement cap, I had found the original cap.  They ar eexactly the same, so if anyone needs this replacement cap, it is the real thing.
I always take an extra one of these (and all my lens/body caps) with me wherever I go just in case I lose one on the road. You can of course get an off-brand cap for a little bit cheaper, but they are sometimes harder to find for some reason. You can find Adorama's version by looking for "Adorama Rear Lens Cap for Canon EOS Lens Mount." (including the period ('.') symbol). But I'm sure a lot of people want to stay in house to ensure that their very expensive lens is very protected. However, I can't truly speak to the off-brand lens caps because I don't have any. All I have are a couple Bower caps that came with some of their lens filters, which aren't as sturdy as Canon's. So I think for many the branded caps are a necessary evil (price-wise) and a godsend (functionally). There is just one gripe I have in particular with the rear lens cap: it is very loosely attached. That is, it stops threading after just a slight turn, and thus comes off almost as easily. I know that this is a result of the lens design, but I would think that canon would have designed a simple system of ensuring that your rear lens cap will stay on even if bumped ever so slightly, like indentations on the lens joint that would be filled by plastic bumps on the cap and thus not affect the lens/camera joint.
Rear lens caps are increasingly hard to find since most folks these days seem to not change lenses as much as in the past, but sometimes there is a need to protect the vulnerable rear lens, lens mount, and electronic contacts on a lens, and this does the job.  It fits, it works.  If you need more than came with the camera set or lenses, this will do the trick.
Not too much to be said for it. It is a rear lens cap for Canon lenses. Is a genuine Canon cap as opposed to a third party/after market lens cap. It fits well and functions.I choose this one as an extra over a third party rear cap due to concerns about fit- with the real article you don't have those concerns. Needed this to replace a misplaced rear cap for a 24-1055mm f4L.
I had purchased this lens cap as a replacement for my Tamron lenses, the end caps that came with my Tamron lenses are hard to screw on and when I am in a need to change lenses in a hurry. It was difficult to get the end cap on. So I had purchased a couple extra canon caps and they come on and off very easily. Canon defiantly makes the best end cap for lenses that I have used too this day.
Canon's lens caps are well-designed, and provide a snug tight fit, with a minimum of effort.  They work perfectly with Canon lenses, as well as with Canon compatible lenses by Tokina, Tamron and Sigma.  The same can't be said for some Tamron lens caps, which are fine on a Tamron lens, but loose on some Canon lenses.  Tokina's caps may not be as easy to grip, but might fit even tighter than Canon's.While functionality is not an issue, cost is.  Like many photo accessories, this Canon cap is overpriced, unless you think seven dollars for a piece of plastic is not ridiculous.  There are alternatives.  Manufacturers in Asia, expert at copying products, sell comparable lens caps on eBay, for a for a dollar or two.  The Canon cap is great, but if you can get an equivalent product much cheaper, does it really matter who's name is on it?
I bought two because I keep having to look for one and one I already have that came with a lens I bought is loose. Both fit great.
Perfect fit.  Nice and snug and very well made.  Great deal for protection. Best to have a few extras around.
original
The item is a genuine Canon rear lens cap, as advertised. Nice, tight fit. I lost mine and this is an exact duplicate.
You can put two batteries simultaneously in the MH-19.  But the batteries are not charged simultaneously.  First, one is charged, then the other is charged.The MH-19 is priced at $114.95 plus $8.95 for shipping.The MH-18 is priced at $39.46 with free prime shipping.You should buy two MH-18, have the ability to charge simultaneously, AND save $44.96.My MH-19 is several years old, and it has operated flawlessly; however, the price to value ratio is wrong.  I have several MH-18, and they are just as reliable.
Simple purchase.  Smooth all the way.  Entirely satisfied.  (Have bought photo equipment from other internet sources that should be shut down and their owners doing jail time.)
While bulky, this is awesome for charging dual batteries and not having to swap them out one at a time. I would highly recommended this if  you have two batteries.
I have had this charger since 2007 and shoot between 3-9 events per week, so it gets plenty of use charging my EN-EL3e batteries.  I haven't used it with any EN-EL4a batteries since they are too rich for my blood, so I cannot comment on that aspect of the charger beyond stating that the MH-19 has a &#34;refresh&#34; features for these while it does NOT have that same feature for the EN-EL3/e.  This has not been an issue since the charger seems to charge the batteries very well, not overdoing it and causing failure of the batteries, but it would be nice.After reading a few of the other reviews, I feel I should note that while the dual charger does not charge two batteries at simultaneously, it does charge them both in about the time it would to charge them simultaneously, it would seem.  What I mean is that charging them at the same time would slow the charging process down for both of them, resulting in no additional haste in charging.  I assume this would also produce more heat while charging and would compromise the integrity of the batteries themselves.One could use two MH-18a's plugged into separate circuits and charge the batteries faster, sure.  However, if one is to have only one charger, this one at least makes it so one does not have to swap batteries in order to charge two of them.The MSRP is RIDICULOUS, but since I paid about a quarter of that (thanks to Amazon!), I cannot deduct a star for the price.  I simply would not have purchased this charger at full price.  At the price I paid for it, it gets a full five stars.
What did I do without this?This is a great investment and absolutely necessary for anyone who has to have batteries ready at any time.The only negative is that the one that was sent to me came as a European version and I had to use the adapter to go in to my home electrical outlet(120V).  The adapter is pretty terrible and does not securely fit on the euro version, but just add a little electrical tape and you're good to go.Just buy it, or if you have a lot of batteries buy 2.  You won't be disappointed.
This is an OK product for what I'm using it for.  I have a Nikon D200 and wanted to be able to charge two batteries at the same time- This is not the case.  It only charges one battery at a time.  I probably should have researched and read more information about this charger before making the purchase.  I'm going to return this item, it's not a bad product, I want to be able to charge two batteries at the same time.  I'm going to use two MH-18's instead.  One other thing, you can't refresh EN-EL3e batteries with the MH-19.  The car adapter plug is a plus.
Perfect for the person who needs 2 batteries charged. Only thing i see that some may not like is the batteries charge one at a time. But if you just want the luxury of not having to worry about changing batteries after one is charged, this is what you want.
I have bought this lens for myself, my brother and another friend!  It is the best price for a nice lens.  The Prime really helps push your photography forward and the low f stop does a great job in portrait photography.
Just what we expected, I love it, thanks
Nifty Fifty! What more can I say? This is an awesome lens, especially for taking photos in low light with no flash. And, it's an awesome price. Buy it!
The kit lens that came with my T3i was terrible.  I found myself just going back to my LX5.  Well, this 50mm lens has completely changed that.  I don't remember the last time I picked up my LX5.  This lens is beautiful and bright.  Well worth the price.  I know some people are unhappy with the build quality, but I have never dropped a camera or been rough with my things, so I don't see durability being a problem for me.
They said it's the only lens you'll ever need, and they are damn close to being right.I use it a lot to shoot interviews, and the quality is amazing.  Great for the price and wish there were more lenses out there that that got you great images for a good price like this one.If you shooting video, there is no image stabilization, so be careful with hand held stuff.
Yes, the body of this is plastic, but it's all about the glass. This has the glass and gives the sharp, crisp photos I was looking for. There's nothing better than a prime lens, and this is one of the best on the market. The plastic housing does keep me on the toes and more mindful of my gear, but that's not such a bad thing. I have shattered some of the best constructed lenses in the past. This plastic has helped me develop better habits in handling gear and better photographs. It's also helped me save money for the telephoto lenses I need where plastic isn't an option. Very happy with this.
I picked this up a couple of years ago for Rebel when I wanted to try fixed lenses. I still pull it out from time to time. I am not a professional by any stretch, but I really do like this lens. It's great for when you want to get a crisp, clear photograph and have time to set up the shot without using zoom.I still grab my standard zoom lens more often, but this makes a great hobby lens for taking portrait types of shots.
PROS:  Low price, clear images, wide apertureCONS:  Lower quality housingRECOMMENDED FOR:  Beginning and intermediate photographersI was extremely impressed with this lens from the first time I attached it to my camera.  I originally got it to take better low-light, higher-speed indoor pictures, which it does fantastically well.  The wide aperture is also excellent for taking shallow depth of field photos.  The fixed focal length makes me try harder to compose shots (because I have to move my feet rather than the lens) resulting in better photos.  The low price makes it a low-risk investment.  I've found myself leaving this lens on my camera when it's in the bag and using it more than my other two (Canon 18-55mm and 55-250mm).As other reviewers have pointed out, the housing for the lens is of lower quality than, say, my other two lenses.  However, it is not as flimsy as those reviewers would have you believe.  If you treat the lens and camera as though they were expensive, high-end equipment rather than toys, you will not have problems.If you're an advanced/professional photographer, you probably aren't even reading this review.  If you're a beginning or intermediate photographer who is looking for an inexpensive departure from your existing zoom lenses or looking to expand your horizons, this is an excellent lens for you to try.For further reading on this type of lens, I recommend you check out:[...]
Pros:-Sharp-Nice contrast and color-fast-cheapCons:-poor build-clunky AF system-due to clunky AF system and the shallow DOF at f1.8, Focus can be innacurate at times-hard to manual focus due to short throw and poor MF ring-Somewhat "harsh" bokeh unless using wide open, but honestly this flaw is overstated.  It is not that bad-soft-ish wide open, although not any more than most fast lensesBottom line, you can't really do better for the price.  Even if you want to spend 4-5x as much, the Sigma 50 1.4 has AF troubles, and the Canon 50 1.4 is known for quality and durability issues.  The uber-expensive 50 L has the famous focus shift issues, too.  So really, despite a few flaws, this is a great option for the 50mm length.  It has quirks, but they can be forgiven based on the cost.  At least you aren't paying 4-16x as much for a "nicer" lens that still has its quirks.
Really terrific lens for the money.  Fast (1.8), less than $100, great for portraits.  No brainer.
the package was well packed, it arrived on time and the lens is just beautiful. I would highly recommend this lens for portrait photography to someone without a money-growing-plat at home. :)5 stars
This "nifty fifty" normal lens is an absolute gem... especially when consider that it is also a very thrifty prime. The build quality is about as low as you can get -- this thing actually feels like a toy, but once you start making photographs with it, you'll fall in love. And even though theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasis a better lens (in build and image quality), it is also over 3x expensive, making this little gem virtually disposable should the worst happen.PROS: Absolutely sharp images; stopped down from f/1.8 is tack sharp. Fast lens, when compared to the kit and most zooms -- can be useful when you absolutely must shoot in low light and can't afford something faster (like f/1.4, f/1.2). Light -- if you've a coat pocket, it'll ride along quite happily there, and while it is on your camera, you'll think your camera just lost a lot of weight! Price can't be beat, which helps override the cons...CONS: Only 5 blades forming the aperture, so bokeh is not great (you can't beat theCanon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasin this arena). Cheaply made -- the glass is fantastic, and the body is anything but. Everything is plastic, and the manual focus ring is just not good. (Thankfully AF works reasonably well, which is good, because the focus ring is a few mm wide, at the front of the lens, and is nearly impossible to focus with precision.) It is also not a USM lens - so expect it to make some noise while focusing. No distance meter, either. (Macro lovers: this lens can't. Get theCanon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens,Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Digital SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR Cameras, orCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Camerasinstead.)CONCLUSION: For around $90, this lens can't be beat. IQ is fantastic (I just wish there were a few more blades for better bokeh), and easily rivals higher priced siblings. Build quality, however, is the reverse, so don't expect a "buttery smooth" focus ring, metal mounts, USM, or FTM. But if it had all these things, it'd be the f/1.4, which costs over $380. For anyone in photography, this lens is a must-have, unless you can afford its higher priced siblings. (Even then, this makes for great backup in a pinch.)
Especially for amateurs and hobbyists, this lens is a "must have" mainly because of its big aperture opening with the price less than $100. Very handy for low available light and practical as a travel lens. It creates very distinct bokeh which gives your pictures a professional look. I like it and its worth it!
This lens looks great to the novice dslr user. I think the picture quality is much easier to obtain compared to the stock lens and is a really good lens to get a feel for your aperture priority mode. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a lens and are tired of the overexposure or unnatural feel your flash gives you, then you will want to check out this lens.Cons - it feels cheap, its about what i expect for the price though
This lens is wonderful. It is sharp and fast and bokehlicious. There are hundreds of better lens out there. Built better with better glass but none that come close to this one pound for pound on the price. The 18-55 IS kit lens with a rebel is really pretty good for a standard wide angle to medium range zoom. I would say if you're into landscapes more get a Canon 75-300 or the 55-250 IS first and then this one. If you're into portraits at all get this one first. It is amazing.
I bought a T3i not too long ago, which came with a 18-135mm lens.  This lens is quite heavy.  Now there might be situations when you do not actually need the zoom capability and you rather looking a light lens that does add too much "bulk" to you camera body.  The 50mm lens from Canon is the lightest lens Canon offers for their SLRs.  The relative aperture of 1.8 is far lower than the one of my standard lens that starts somewhere in the 3-something range and goes up depending on the zoom applied.  So, 1.8 will give you far more flexibility when it comes to low light conditions.  I read tests where the 50mm f/1.8 scored even better than the 1.2 version, which costs about a 1,000 dollars more.  The tests also show that the aperture set to 4 brings the best results.  In summary:  This lens is amazing.  It is light and you get crystal clear shots.  Just be aware that there is no zoom whatsoever.  50mm is "all" what you get.
This lens is hard to beat for the price. The glass is good the build quality is not but then you don't have to do much to it but put it on the camera body and leave it alone. It is what it is.It's just a fast fixed 50mm lens that can give you some nice shots and isn't going to hit your pocket hard.It could almost be viewed as a "throw away" for the price.Not a lot else to say about it.
very sharp and cheap. but also feel cheap .this is a must have lens.
Only thing is 50mm is significantly zoomed in. You have to be a bit further away from the subject, which makes some shots a little bit more difficult.
Is this lens the best? No. Personally I prefer it's cousin, the 50mm 1.4. But the price on this model can't be beat! It's great for beginners! Like I said, if you want a slightly better lens, pony up a couple hundred dollars more for the 1.4, but unless you're a pro, chances are you won't notice too much of a difference.
I don't know if its just the size of the lens or if something is wrong, but the autofocus makes so much noise on this lens that i'd almost like to try a new one.
At this price there is no reason not to buy this lens. with f/1.8 there isn't much faster unless you jump up a few hundred dollars. it's great for low light and indoors, sharp images and decent Bokeh.
Out of the three that I've ordered from Amazon, one arrived already broken, the plastic clips inside sheared off.  Its not very quiet.
The F stop on this lense is amazing for the price. Where has this lense been all my life? Turn the f-stop way down and then watch how every single picture looks amazing!
good prime lens, great DOF, good bokeh, good in low light, nice for portraits. good quality, the build is good. Recommend.This is one of those things every photographer/filmmaker should have in their equipment stash.
So when I got my XS I read that I should skip the kit lens and just get a cheap body and this 50mm. This lens did not disappoint. At first I thought it sucked because I didn't know how to use it and was using autofocus, for really good stills use that digital zoom button to get stuff far away in clear focus, its surprising how much detail you can get in your pictures. Sucks that I can't zoom in or out but I would rather have clear pictures and run around all the time than be frustrated trying to get a good quality picture with a zoom lens. Lots of people say the construction for this sucks, but what the heck do they expect from a plastic lens? its obviously built to be lighter and not weigh down your camera, besides if you drop your camera you're and idiot, thats why these things have neck straps, but i could see how a kid could grab a hold of it and slam it on the ground (this wold probably not survive) regardless its a great deal for 100 bucks, its inexpensive because its plastic, manual focus seems loose, autofocus is snappy and makes a really cool mechanical sound, 1.8 aperture at this price is an insane deal and i really don't care with any of the little faults on this lens, it takes great pictures and motivates me to move around and find more dynamic angles for taking pictures by forcing me to move around to get closer/further from subjects
Item arrived in time and in excellent packing. The lens construction feels slightly cheap (all plastic) but it takes amazing pictures (I am using it with Canon SL1). For the price the images are outstanding with very good shallow depth of field. Autofocus is towards louder side (non-USM), not the quietest of lenses. No image stabilization so steady hand is required or tripod to cater for blur. The locking/unlocking mechanism of the lens with SL1 body is not smooth like it is with kit lenses (18-55 STM and 55-250 IS II). IMO careful handling is required while installing or removing this lens as some previous reviewers have highlighted towards this lens not un-mounting from the camera body. All the construction issues aside the images which this lens takes are way better than the price of this lens.Why five stars?This lens has excellent glass and produces astonishing images. For results, output and value of money definitely five stars. Construction is not bad IMO keeping in mind its sub $100 price tag (New from amazon).IMO a must have lens for anyone having Canon DSLR especially for hobbyist or beginners like me.
I love this little lens.  For the price, it can't be beat.  Fantastic image quality, light small, and easy to use.
I used the standard 18-55 mm (3.5 - 5.6) lens which came with my camera. But I always felt something was missing. My images were never as sharp as I wanted. This lens changed everything. I love to take photographs now. This lens is must have when you are taking indoor photos.This should be the standard lens thats shipped with dslr's instead of the 18-55. It serves most purposes.
There are several aspects of this lens that I love and really only one that I don't like - I've shared my views of the cons and pros below:Pros --The lens is extremely quick with a maximum f-number of 1.8 this allows for the use of very fast shutter speeds under lower ISO (meaning lower noise) conditions.  Another primary advantage of this is that the large aperture creates a very shallow depth of field - a desirable quality for portraits.  This is also a great advantage for anyone that wants to shot their kids  or pets playing around in their backyard.  Note that canon does make a "big brother" for this lens in the form of the 50mm f/1.4 USM (USM indicates the incorporation of Canon's ultra sonic motor).-The sharpness on the lens is great even when shooting wide open, especially since the lens costs under 100 dollars.  Sure it's not an L lens but it's also not 1000 dollars.-The cost in general is very nice, you're not going to find another lens of this quality at the 100 dollar price point.-Weight - the lens weighs very little and isn't very long which is nice because it won't be straining you.Cons --As several other reviewers have noted, the build quality on the lens seems sub-par.  The body is made out of plastic and it feels cheap.  However, if you take care of your lens, especially when removing it from and mounting it to your camera, you'll be fine.  But don't expect this lens to be able to take a beating because it won't be able to.
This lens is the best lens I own.  I am an amateur photographer at best, but this can make a portraits look more professional.  Great for macro and portraits, but also a great lens for walking around at a family function.  Cant wait to use it again.
I was a little apprehensive when I bought this lens because it was so cheap, but after reading the product reviews which were almost all positive, I decided to give it a try! It is definitely well worth the money. Takes great portrait shots with or without playing around too much with camera settings. I am very pleased with this product!! The only thing that took some getting used to, is that you have to be a considerable distance away from your subject to avoid cutting parts of them out of the picture. GREAT LENS!!!
Everything about this lens is perfect. Great quality pictures, good size for everyday pictures, and awesome price. The only thing I would consider is the plastic mount. I would have preferred a metal mount like the 50mm f1.4, but thats a couple hundred more.Great kit lens replacement.
this lens is not for sports they auto focus is to slow. so i do it old school. pre focus manually. but, it is a great portrait lens. hint us a tripod or mono-pod.
this is an excellent lens in terms of image quality , and certainly has the best performance to price ratio of any lens canon produces if the build quality was better (its not that great) it would be one of the greatest lens canon produces as it is its till is one of the greatest lens they make extremely sharp and colours are wonderfull without barrel distortion.it also allows for available light photography and wonderfull depth of field photos.as for build quality do u really plan to drop and kick ure lenses.. i didnt think so, and at this price u cant loose
Tuesday afternoon, I got my 50mm lens.  I took some wonderful portrait pictures with it.  I loved it.  I preferred it over my other 55-250mm and 18-55 mm lenses.  But, my happiness didn't last for long. By Thursday night, something went wrong with the lens.  It was strangely acting.  It was making noise when it was attached to my T3i camera.  The shutter inside the lens kept on opening and closing.  I had to return this lens.  But, I will order another.
This lens is a must buy for any photographer, whether you are a beginner who just got their first SLR or an experienced pro. The image quality sits up there with the best lens made because it is built with high quality glass. I personally think the AF is pretty good, quick and quiet, not always perfect, but since when is AF perfect? The cost is very low, but as you may have read in other reviews, they have managed to keep the price this low by sacrificing build quality. I have had mine for some time now, and have mananged not to break it. You must be gentle with in and not toss it around, but I assume you wouldn't do that with any of your equitment.You really can't do much better, except of course for the Canon f/1.4, but that lens tend to cost more than four times what this one costs. I definately reccomend this to anyone.Enjoy the lens!
First off, I'm not an expert or professional. I'm a dad who likes to take pictures of his kids and not spend a ton of money.  I use a Canon T2i that I've got almost 2 years of experience on.  I've used this lens to take about 500 pictures and I have to say that I love it.  For the money ($104.00) I couldn't imagine finding a better deal out there.  This lens lets me take super-crisp pics with good depth and allow me to get the pics I want.  Yes, it's a drag to not be able to zoom in, but that's not why you buy this lens.  Anyway,  having used my buddy's f/1.4 Canon lens for quite a few pictures, I have to say that considering what I use it for, I can't imagine paying 3 times as much for a quality that I really can't tell at my level of photography. Reading what other reviewers wrote, I can see where they get that it feels light and cheap. However that's exactly what I expected from a lens at this price.  I am incredibly pleased with my purchase and highly recommend this item for use by amateur photographers looking to add a beginner's tool to their camera bag.
Before reading this, let me tell you i'm using a cropped camera, for people having full frames you probably are considering more expensive lens and won't have the same problem I have with this lens.I got this lens for my canon xti, crop factor 1.6, which I now understand makes this lens effectively a 80mm, and it is the great lens for the price you pay, if you have the original kit lens (17-55 without IS on my model) and then get this you, like me, will be initially very excited and well introduced to the photography world...  I found myself thinking this lens would be my one and only prime and the answer to my low light photos, and it is in its way: photos are nice, better exposed, sharper, faster (focusing and shutter speed), I started feeling like a pro, which is the reason I got my DSLR for, right?... but then you look at the pictures and realize things you shoot at have to be 15-20 feet away, and then again indoors shots are almost impossible and cropped because i couldn't walk far enough to get everybody in the picture.I have it for three years now, and I even though I still love my lens for outdoors, I know there are better lens out there(1.4, 1.2), not just faster but better built too, I regret not trying them before buying this, and for indoors I probably would be better with the 28mm 1.8, in these situations I found myself still preferring to carry the kit lens which is the one I always wanted to change! (I did learned how to use it tough and take much better pictures with it now)Bottom line, if you are in a budget and want to improve your photos without a bigger commitment, give this a try, just remember this is an entry level and if you have the possibility to try it before buying it, consider the situations you are going to use it before buying.
This is an excellent lens and you can't go wrong with Canon.  I woud definitely recommend this item and manufacturer.
Purchased this as a gift and have heard nothing but great things from professionals about how this lens is so versatile in video and still photography.
this lens is FANTASTIC...except i had to buy it from a store instead of amazon. the one i bought on amazon must have been defective, because it only worked once and then the next time i turned my camera on i got lens errors. returned promptly.
This is my first non-kit SLR lens that I've owned and very happy with the performance thus far.  The fast f/1.8 aperture is wonderful to use in low-light conditions, especially indoors.  On top of it, the narrow depth-of-field at that aperture blurs the background nicely for wonderful portraits.  I've heard the lens is rather fragile and the plastic construction is not durable, but keep in mind you are getting a fast SLR lens for close to a bill.  I have only had it a month but believe it will hold up well if you take care of it.  If you wanted something more professional or sturdy, you could spend triple the price and get the upgraded f/1.4 lens, the choice is yours...
Purchased this for the Canon T3i camera purchase 1st of the year. This is a nice lens for shallow dept of field and a good price at less than $100. Thanks.
Yes, this lens is fairly light weight, and it probably won't last as long as the $400+ version. But, for the price, you're not losing out on image quality. This lens is one of the best buys you will ever make. If you are a pro, you may want to spring for the extra $300 and get the higher quality lens, but for someone who is still learning, like me, you absolutely don't need the more expensive lens.The image quality is excellent, and has transformed my photography. You will immediately notice a difference compared to the kit lenses (T2i). Of course, it's a prime lens, so not as flexible. But, I still seem to keep this lens on far more often than the zoom lenses that came with my camera. And if you like Bokeh, I was able to achieve some amazing results with this lens.Got it for $109, and it was worth every penny. Some day if I am making money off of photography, it may justify the more expensive lens, but until then, especially if you are not a pro yet, this is one of the best lenses you will ever get.
The pluses and minuses for this lens can be summed up in one word: cheap.Yes it's plastic and feels surprisingly flimsy - but it's an f1.8 lens for $75!  It's two stops faster than your f3.5 zoom. (In case that's confusing, it lets in four times as much light - meaning that you can shoot in much lower light with no flash).I don't want to spend $320 on the f1.4 lens right now, much less $1600 for the f1.2 L-Series.  I've used this lens to take so many crisp indoor portraits with creamily soft blur that I don't know if I shall ever get around to buying a more expensive lens.For creative low light photography, this is the best $75 you'll ever spend.
This really is the best Canon value for that perfect shot! My only down side is that there are some soft qualities about it and I still can't find a flawless lens.  After returning two others... I still see imperfections in the glass.  I think Canon needs to step up their quality control on this one.  This doesn't seem to affect my photos, but it's not true prime glass quality.  Otherwise, when it spot on... this one makes you smile.  Totally worth the cost... My only down side now is that I want the 50mm 1.4! :)
I use this on my T3i for family portraits and various other shots. It works well in lower light, but it is difficult not being able to adjust zoom. It makes it more work for the shooter. however, works really well for the price and has held up well. I added a lens hood and it makes it look more professional. (note: show up to a professional type shoot with your biggest lens on your camera...not this one. If you show up with this tiny thing people will think you're an amatuer...but feel free to swap out once shooting).
If you're looking for a portrait lens to get your subject to really pop out and have an extra blurred background then this is the lens for you.  Very inexpensive for a good quality 1.8 aperture lens. I know there are more expensive lenses that probably give better shots, but for the 98% of us who want one extra lens that will give good portraits without breaking the bank, then this is the lens for you.
Recently I bought a new Canon SLR camera (Rebel XS or 1000D) with the intention of learning photography. I looked at online reviews for this lens at dpreview, by users at Amazon, at many forums - this has been rated as the best bang for the buck, and an amazing piece to have.My experience may be an outlier - but it may prevent others from facing the same issues.Pros:1. The lens is light - no bulk added to camera2. It is cheap3. The indoor photos are amazing - you can shoot a photo without flash and still get good shutter speed with the wide open aperture (1/25-1/30 with f1.8 to f2.2 - ISO400 to ISO800). Previously - I had to use a flash in the same conditions.Cons1. Construction feels cheap - you have read it all over the net so I wont go into it.2. The lens mount (stuff that attaches it to the camera) is plastic. Other lenses have metal.3. Note for first time SLR buyers - 50mm seemed nice, but it translates to 85mm as everyone will tell you. That restricts your photography options a bit. I didn't realize its zoom level - it still takes great photos but 35mm or 28mm would be much better on Rebel type cameras (non-35mm frames).The real bad part:I had ignored the con #2 - since many people have been using it for years. The lens fit onto my camera without any issue. The photos were amazing. But - the lens wont come off now (using standard procedure - press the lens release button and turn counter clockwise). After trying gently for an hour (you dont want to break your camera) - it wont come out. I checked on the web - apparently this lens does have this problem - there are reviews of this lens getting stuck on 450d and other Canon SLRs.This may be because of its plastic mount or some other reason (EF lenses not compatible with Canon Rebels :) ).Anyway - there is no solution for this on the web/with Canon - camera shops cannot fix it without risk of breaking the camera/lens. So the camera had to be mailed to Canon with lens attached - so that they can figure out the problem. If they mercifully find it to be a problem with the camera or lens - they will fix it for free - else it will be billed to me. Even if fixed - I wont use the lens again (it may get stuck again).So there you go - two days after receiving a brand new camera and lens setup - I am without one.Rare scenario? Most likely.Can it happen to others? Probably.What to do? Well - next time maybe go with better lenses - maybe EF 35mm f2 or EF 28mm f1.8 - it may be three or four times as expensive - but they wont get stuck to the camera and ruin it.
The lens opens wide and takes sharp photos in low light. It's an ideal close-up portrait lens for getting that shallow depth of field to drop the background out of focus. I have no complaints - the pictures I took with it are some of the  best I've ever taken.
This seems to be getting a little more difficult to find.  Picked mine up when they were plentiful @ $80.  Not I see them regularly north of $100.  Best bank for the buck prime lens.  Much better sharpness than the more expensive, but slightly more useful 28mm f2.8.The only other lens I would actually compare against this is the canon 35mm f/2, if you can find it
Getting this lens breathed new life into my old Rebel XT. It lets in a ton of light, which is great for handheld shots at night and more than makes up for the lack of image stabilization. Its narrow depth of field with the aperture wide open results in great portraits with a nice blurred background, and pictures taken at about f/4 are sharp as a tack. The fixed 50mm focal length means that you are going to have to be further from your subject than you're used to, but you get great looking results. The lens if very small and compact making it great for candid shots -- most people don't realize you've zoomed in on them.Photography buffs might complain that the bokeh isn't the right shape, or that the housing is plastic, but you won't find a better lens for under $100.
Now skipping the whole 1.6x factor when working with APS-C chips as opposed to full frame chips, this brings you back to your original days of photography. It it a little louder than the 18 to 55MM but that's ok as it can get you to a 1.8f stop and the other lens tops out a 2.8.
Cheap build but awesome picture quality.  In fact, I have yet to take a poor shot with this thing.  I use it for group shots and portrait work and its fabulous.. I have also used it for sports at night and it produces usable images (if you can get away with shooting sports at 50mm then its nice)Can't beat the price!
This is what I was expecting. You must be steady with it taking pictures, the problem I have after using lens with stabilizer too long.
Its a little noisy, and you have to be patient, for focus to happen. but after that the effect is better than the kit lens for portraits. I used it on SL1.
Love this lens. Depth of field is narrow and bokah is nice, so lots of nice soft blurry pics. Fast focusing, but be careful, with the narrow depth of field it can get out of focus easily.  I found it helpful to switch my xTi to either manual focus or only use one of the focus points in the eye piece.As far as some of the reviews regarding this being "cheaply made", well, its 70 bucks, you can't complain about that for the quality of picture you get. I'm not sure what you're doing with the lens that would break it either, its not made of paper.  For a little extra protection when its not on the camera, I found an old lens tube for a wide angle lens and it fit perfectly --keeps it safe when its not on the camera.
It's a 50mm prime. A lens that probably everyone with an SLR should have. It's crisp, and it's cheap. It's really a great buy.  Just know that the auto focus on this is unusable, and you will resort to leaving it on manual focus after about 5 minutes. Manual focusing isn't a bad option, it's just something to be aware of.
This is a good fixed focal lens- I wanted something that had the larger Fstops without costing a lot AND I wanted it to be a Cannon product.  Certainly there are other aftermarket types that might be better but I trust the name brand- maybe naive on my part- but so far so good.  No autofocus but has the image stabilization.
Fast and sharp and most of all cheap. I took some shots one time at night e by the swimming pool and if you got your settings right, this lens really does the job without even the fill flash. Only complain though is its plastic and feels like a toy. This is good in churches, museums and indoors where flash is not allowed. But use it also in good lighting conditions and you'll see how good this "toy" is. I use this for sunrise, sunset, winter, indoors, and you don't have to spend hours on Photoshop.
I'm new to the DSLR world, but did my research to find out how people take such incredible indoor, low-light photos without any blur.  The lens that typically comes standard with a new DSLR is a good standard lens, but you really need the flash to get blur free, indoor photos. Turns out the trick is to get as low an f-stop as possible.I feel like a professional already! Indoor photos look incredible. Friends and family all love how sharp, crisp and natural the photos look. And for about $100, there's really nothing to complain about.After a week's experience with this 50mm, I went ahead and ordered a 28mm with an f/1.8.Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR CamerasIt's quite a bit more expensive, but I'll be able to get much wider shots.I highly recommend this to anyone starting out.  If you prefer something a little wider without getting too expensive... there is a 35mm available with an f/2.0 that's a bit less than the 28mm:Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I carry my camera around every day, and this lens is almost always with me. It's by far the most fun lens I have, even if it's the cheapest. Here are some points to consider if you are thinking about this lens.It's cheap: The build quality is pretty bad. It feels like it's made entirely of plastic. It makes awful noises when it auto-focuses. The manual focus has no resistance. I don't think Canon makes a poorer lens when it comes to quality.But, this lens has so many redeeming qualities that it doesn't matter:It's Sharp: Stop down to f/2.2 or f/2.8 and this thing takes fantastic photos. They are SHARP. Very sharp. In fact, it takes images on par with several of my L series lenses.It's cheap: even if you break the thing, you can probably afford to buy a new one. I've had mine for about four months and I haven't had any issues.It's small: and light. This thing is tiny and makes a DSLR feel like a P&S; (well, not really... but almost)It's fun: shooting with a prime lens is fun. No longer do you have the luxury of zooming in and out so you have to move around. It's also fun to be able to open up to f/1.8 and get some intense Depth of Field.I recommend this lens to everyone I've ever talked to about photography. It's a must have.
Awesome lens considering its price. A must-have item for all Canon users. DOF is amazing, works wonders when working in HD Movie mode or even the EOS movie hack.The body feels like a toy, so do your best not to drop this baby. Many say that the AF is a bit loud, but I could care less...it gets the job done.Photo Quality: Amazing!
You simply cannot find a better lens for this price. It takes the sharpest pictures of all my lenses, including a $600 Tamron 17-50mm zoom.  I can shoot this lens in the lowest of light without the need for a tripod.
f/1.8 for $99, whether to tinker or for the occasional portrait shot you can't go wrong. A great addition to my camera bag. This prime lens is an outstanding value for the money.
It is a good product, the shipment was on time without problems the product was in good conditions. The lens is just like you can see on the web.
It is amazing lens if your budget it low or if you are a entry level photographer. The picture quality is just amazing, when i got this len i only had two other lens stock and 55-250mm and i never used it my other lens again. After a while my lens started to not work on my 60D. it only lasted a couple of months for me. I had to send it out to canon and that took forever & the factory is only two hours away for me. After it had came back, i did try other lens! After trying out the 85mm 1.8 usm and 50 mm 1.4 . those two lens blew the 50 1.8 out of the water, it was a major differences.
Esse lente &eacute; sem d&uacute;vida uma pea fundamental, especialmente para fot&oacute;grafos iniciantes. Leve, pr&aacute;tica, com uma qualidade optica excelente e muito barata! Vale a pena!
Everyone I've talked to insisted I get this lens-and after using it I see why.  It's a great lens at an unbelievable price.  Don't worry about the build quality, unless you're extremely careless or don't have a decent case.
i can't stress myself enough for this because what you're going to pay for this lens isn't enough for the quality you're going to get. simply in two words: BUY IT!It's worth more than it costs.
This is overall a good lens, and it is reasonable priced if you compared with other lenses from canon.It has no zoom which means you got to get closer to your subject by walking towards it.The angle of view is pretty narrow with a cropped sensor camera.Construction of the lens looks cheap, and it is a little bit noise when focusing but the advantages that this lens has are worth it.With a bigger aperture it will gather more light, so you will be able to capture at darker conditions without flash.It also produces the so much desired "bokeh" effect due to its shallow depth of field.Lastly 50mm it is more resemblance of how the human eye see the world, so the picture looks more natural.I like this lens and I recommend it.
I just picked up the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens yesterday, and now mad at myself for not doing it 2 years ago!!! Excellent lens for the buck! I'm using it on my Canon XSi (450D) body. The pictures are amazing, especially portraits and low light shots when the subject is moving. The only downside I see is that the Mark II current version has a plastic mount, vs. Mark I's metal, and this lens will not permanently stay on the camera. But for the price, I can't complain much!
great lens.  It's now my default lens... meaning I keep it on and switch it out only when needed.  Great quality for such a low price
Great beginner low-aperture, low-cost lens.  Great for practicing depth of field and low light shots.  I purchased this lens two months ago and have used it several times for evening shots when all my f/2.8 and higher lens are just too dark, even with ISO 1600.Weekend traveling on the low budget airlines within Europe, I can usually only take one backpack with me.  This small lens (smaller than 18-55 kit lens), together with a Canon Rebel XTi/400D body, make a perfect low-profile travel set.  Unfortunately with the 1.6 DSLR crop factor, a 50mm lens is equivalent to an 80mm lens with a film camera.  It's not easy to get those wide scenic shots, but you can get some nice portrait shots with blurred background.
took it out of the box and was amazed how good this was built , it may not be L lens weather proof and able to survive  but it is very good build quality for what it is.
This is a great lens.  It is quite compact and is a great walk around prime lens because you don't have to worry so much about hitting it on something while its around your neck.  The images are quite sharp and the f1.8 aperture allows you to achieve great depth of field and decent bokeh.
That's the best canon lens for the money. Sharp, with nice colors and decent bokeh. My only complaint is lack of IS and sometimes inaccurate AF. But for this price you will not find a better lens.
All photographers should have this lens in their arsenal. Whether you're a pro, amateur, enthusiast, doesn't matter. The bokeh is great, it's cheap looking and feeling, but the quality of the photos and color that you get is much more than what you'd think for a 100 dollar lens. Even with my many L lenses, I still find the 50mm 1.8 on my camera a lot of the time, I love this little thing, If you're thinking of getting one of these, don't wait. I'm sure everybody else has said the same thing and that's why you're here.
Pros:+ Awesome image and light.+ Turns DSLR into a point and shoot for novices, even a kid an use this lens with the camera on full auto.Cons:- Casing is made of plastic, and it shows.- Casing is a magnet for scratches and has a dirty look.
I use a Canon T2i and this is the only lens I use now. I absolutely love these lens! They can capture clear pictures in very little light! Just as a reminder, though, these are fixed lens...so, no zoom...you have to adjust pictures with your own body.
Forget the plastic mount, the plastic construction, the fact that it's not USM, etc...  This little thing is AMAZING!!!  I own the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, and even though I like the focal length of that lens (and also the fact that it has a constant f2.8 aperture), I always find myself increasing the sharpness of my photos a little bit in post processing.  With the Canon 50mm 1.8 I don't have to do that.  This thing is RAZON SHARP and for $100+ dollars, you can't beat that.I was a little worried (before I bought it) about the focal lenght.  I thought because of the cropped sensor in my Canon T2i, the lens was going to be too close to use in close quarters, or that I would have to stand 50 feet away from my subject, etc...  Boy I was wrong, this lens is just perfect.  GET IT, YOU WON'T BE DISSAPPOINTED!!!
Takes great shots for a great price.... got this as a gift for my brother-in-law and his shots look professional.
Very Good prime lens at $100 not too expensive.Very light weight. i can not talk about the other ver of the lens since i never try them myself.but i believe the 50mm 1.8 II is great enough for meI currently use it with a Canon t1i body.The quality of the pictures it produce is very sharp.
I LOVE this lens, it was cheap and gets AMAZING images. I have a Canon 7D and have had no problems with it sticking to the camera, although I've heard with that that it could be you are mounting it wrong you need to make sure you read the directions and mount it on the EF lens mount. The autofocus isn't great but as long as you use proper focusing techniques and use it in good light it will perform GREAT. In low light it will be slightly off on its focusing and appear "soft" but I have taken NUMEROUS images at f/1.8 that have come out tack sharp, see my example photos! Also, I am a professional photographer. The bokeh isn't the prettiest, clearly far from the 50mm L lens and even noticeably worse than the 50mm f/1.4  but if you're like me and just wanted a cheap prime lens with wide aperture capabilities that you could try out this lens is AMAZING. As long as you know what you're doing this lens is a great choice. For the average user you will probably be disappointed with it because the focus with often be off but then again the average user isn't trying to get tack sharp photos necessarily in which case this lens would be great for you. It really depends on what you are using it for, your knowledge of photography and what things are important to you. Overall I think this is a great lens for the money.
I love this product! My photography for close ups has never been better. This is a must have for all photographers starting out!
I picked up this lens primarily to shoot at night, or in darker areas with my 60D. When I got it I was blown away by just how great it was for the price!I purchased this on Jan. 13th 2011 and used it quite a lot in 3 months.Fast forward to May 8th 2011.  Reaching into my bag to pull the lens out, the entire front of the lens came apart from the rest of it!The build feels like total garbage.  It feels like a toy lens, but without the indestructible-ness of a solid toy!  I was shopping around and decided on a canon because it was a first party lens, and I assumed the build would be better.  After looking around the inside i could see the grooves in which it separated from.  After a little bit of fiddling i was able to get the lens back into one piece again but now the auto focus is totally unresponsive at all!  Hopefully canon can do something for me with this as im trying to send it off to them, but since its past the 90 day mark I'm not holding my breath.  Be warned, it really is great when it works but there's a reason why people call this the iffy fifty.I am totally disappointed in this product, and would not recommend it to anyone who is expecting the quality of a solid lens.
Very good and fast lens.  I was struggling taking indoor rock climbing pictures without a flash until I got this one.  Can use faster shutter speeds to stop the action while the 1.8 aperture lets in enough light to get the correct exposure without having to crank up the ISO.  Only one complaint: feels like it's made out of cheap plastic.  Have been using it for a couple of months now and don't think it will fall apart if it's taken care of but I would prefer it to have a more solid feeling.  But then I guess it wouldn't be so cheap, either.  I still definitely recommend it.
Fantastic lens for the price.  My daughter wanted a lens to use while traveling.  This lens has to be the best on the market for the money.  Build quality is not the same as my 70-200 telephoto, but at about 1/12 the price... go figure.  You can't go wrong with this lens.
Nifty 50.  Kinda noisy.  OK, REALLY noisy.  But, produces lovely images.  For the price, you can't go wrong.  Get one!
I love this lens and its price!It's light and it allows me to take very nice pictures. I highly recommend it !
WOW!!!  must own this lens, perfect low light fantastic for the Christmas lights and indoor with out a flash.  Takes great portraits.  Best compliments i have ever received on my photos came with this lens when a photographer wanted to buy my images!!
Like the other 900+ reviews, I too enjoy this lens. It hasn't left my 450d since I got it. Does get a little soft in low light but it's great that I can take low-light pics at all. Get it. At this price, even if you hate the lens your not gonna put a huge dent in your wallet.
This should be the standard by which all EOS lenses are judged - and in particular, the inexpensive ones. The standard in picture quality, that is. Sharp as a tack all the way down to 1.8, the pictures it can produce are nothing less than amazing. If it's your first EF lens, you'll be hooked. If you have the kit lens, this should be your next purchase.One problem mentioned by nearly everyone is the build quality. For $80, it's hard to expect an L lens, but you should be able to expect more than this. I'd rather see it cost $100 and have the increase go to a better build, but Canon hasn't asked me. I bought mine used, from what I understand was the second owner and it's working just fine. I don't feel it will fall apart or break anytime soon, but my 24-105 is on most of the time. If this is going to be your primary lens, you should consider the 1.4.That said, every owner of an EOS should own this lens. It can be the gateway to truly spectacular photos.
Capture some pretty nice shots with this little lens. Very handy. Need to upgrade mine but this lens picks up some amazing shots!
For affordability, this is the best starter lens for aspiring photographers, in my opinion. It opens all the way up to 1.8, is a great way to jump into prime lenses, and is quick and sharp. In fact, two years later this is still my go to lens.
I have a 35-70mm zoom lens but (mistakenly) thought I needed to get this lens for my photo class. I almost thought about returning it once I found out I could have used the 50mm setting on the zoom lens, but I really prefer the quality of this lens. Looking through it is much crisper than my (admittedly MUCH older - by at least a decade) zoom. I'd give it 5 stars but it doesn't have a focal length ring. My instructor has relied on us using that to help with depth of field, etc. but I've been at a bit of a loss because this lens doesn't have one. (It seems that only older non-zooms have them?) Otherwise, great equipment!
As if this lens needed another 5-star review.  It is such a wonderful lens.  Really handy to have.  Very small and lightweight.  Great bokeh.  I am new to the DSLR camera world, and this lens is pretty foolproof.
I only used it for a few shots, I much perfer my 40mm pancake lens because it has a great focal lenght and doesn't feel so cheap. I would recommend spending more to get the 40mm or the 50mm 1.4
As a new photographer, with a recently purchased Canon T3i, I figured I should invest in a new lens aside from the stock 18-55mm lens and the second lens I purchased (a 75-300mm lens).Enter the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II...this lens is simply put amazing. Now for my fellow newbies, first of all, note that this is a fixed millimeter lens; in another words, it possess absolutely no ZOOM capabilities. It will only shoot at 50mm, unlike your stock 18-55mm lens, which zooms between 18 and 55mm ranges. Purchasing this lens even when you possess the kit lens is a fantastic investment. In terms of clarity, I think this lens is far superior to the kit lens. I purchased this lens for the intent of creating portrait photos, and I had read that this lens creates excellent 'bokeh' (a Japanese term for backbround blur). The background blur that this lens creates is simply perfect for my needs. I feel that my photos come out near-professional looking. With the purchase of this lens, I no longer use my kit 18-55mm lens at all...Overall this is simply a fantastic lens, and I would highly recommend purchasing it if you intend taking portrait photos from a relatively close distance. If you are shooting landscapes or people from extremely far distances, this would probably NOT be the lens for you.(As a side note, for newbie photographers comparing this lens to the 50mm f/1.4 [which is slightly more expensive], I would say stick with this lens; if you're new to the game, why spend $400 on a slightly superior lens when you have yet to master the basic lenses still? Just my 2 cents...)
I know next to nothing about photography.. I received a Canon T3i last year and after a lot of reading got this lens in order to take good portraits, I LOVE that is blurs the background it makes taking professional looking portraits a breeze!
The best lens for the price! I shoot in low light. and almost no light at all and get the detail.Now I know why this lens should be in everyone's camera bag.
Great Lens, Very good quality pictures, but feels flimsy, and am afraid to break it...
This is a MUST have as the rest of the gang have mentioned..The sharpness is really out of this world ! I would highly recommend this one for any EOS model.The prices have gone up since I had it on my wish list.. so do not ever think that this baby is ever going to be available for cheap , EVER !!Cheers..
I wish I could afford other prime lenses after using this one for a year.  It is amazing.  It takes some amazing pictures that sharply focuses on your subject while blurring the background, even as close as a few inches from your subject.  It is great.  If you bought a dSLR camera, particularly if it is your first and you are just getting into photography, you cannot afford not to own this lens.
Lenses are funny things. We'll spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for a lens. Bokeh, the widest possible aperture, reputed clarity of the glass - those things that affect the picture - have to be measured against the impact to our wallets. We'll cough up for AF, IS, even cool stuff like catadioptrics or telephotos so long we look like anteaters carrying them around. Sometimes it gets to the point where we think we *have* to spend a lot of money, lenses are so cool.And yes, I've spent the big money for lenses; I don't like doing it, but sometimes, it seems like to get the features you want, you just have to.This lens taught me something. Maybe you *don't* have to. I'll tell you why.I bought a new camera. An EOS 40D. A great camera for me, does the things I like, and does them well. My first Canon, though, I had no lenses. So I thought long and hard about what lens to get first. I ended up buying a macro lens, about $500 out of pocket by the time it was shipped to me. A great lens, and you bet I got some great macro shots. But it was a *macro* lens, and you know it was only a few days before I was pining to shoot some "regular" images. I looked at all manner of lenses, and the choices were just too much. I ended up unable to decide on anything.So... then I saw this. $73? What the heck, let me get this and I'll have something to play with until I can decide among the many others that were seriously vying for my attention.And THEN... then I received the lens. Now I don't feel what it was that attracted me to the more expensive lenses. That's how good this baby is. It's true, it doesn't have as many blades as a higher end lens and so your background blur - bokeh - is a little bit polygonal instead of nice round blurs; but frankly, I consider that to be nit picking in the extreme. Look at the beautiful samples people have uploaded here, actual results, and you can see that it will do a great job of isolating foreground objects. The bokeh is fine unless you're in some kind of pro competition or you are so finicky about your photos you sit in front of your prints all night, twisting your hands like someone who's had too much coffee.Plus, this thing is really, really sharp. Give it the best chance - lots of light, tripod mount, fast shutter speed - and you'll be rewarded with pixel level detail, or at least as much as the optical low pass filter in your camera lets through to your sensor if you're shooting digital. I was *astonished* at the clarity, the EOS 40D's 10 mp sensor would surely find any glass problems, but... nothing. It makes perfect pictures. The AF works precisely, so that using center point only on my 40D, I was able to resolve exact details on many subjects using nothing but the AF. This is *not* typical behavior for an inexpensive lens.Speed: It's pretty quick, all right, especially if you're willing to sacrifice some depth of field. Canon's got an f/1.2 in the L series for about 20 times the price if this really isn't quick enough. Though I suspect that most of you, like me, look at lenses priced well above $1000 and quickly find other things we want to buy instead. Like a whole new camera! With this lens, you can literally shoot decent space photos on a high-megapixel camera just by setting the lens to wide open aperture, laying your camera on its back, and using a good fast ISO setting. There's a good example of this in the gallery. I tried it for myself, and it worked great (by the way, see if you can find a moment to rate that photo up... it's a terrific example of what the lens can do!) Frankly, that's something only a really fast lens can pull off, at least, in my experience - because if you keep the shutter open too long, you'll have star trails instead of points.Features: It's a basic lens. It just works. Which is just what we want, of course. But that's not to say it doesn't bring some features to the table.It's good from about one and a half feet out to infinity; it's autofocus, but you can't touch the focus ring while it is driving it - it isn't a full time manual focus design. There's a switch for manual / AF mode in the usual place. One thing I appreciated was the red alignment dot being a physical nub instead of just being silk-screened on (or inside!) the lens - I change lenses around often, and I really eyeball those dots a lot to save wear and tear on the camera. You get both the lens covers you need, one for the business end and one for the camera end (for when it isn't mounted on the camera.) It uses 52 mm filters, and the threading is well machined, I had no trouble at all attaching and removing filters. It takes the ES-62 hood, which is not included. The lens system itself is five groups of six elements for f/1.8 - they didn't just throw it together.Now, as to build. Yes, the barrel is plastic. Plastic is not a dirty word, though, really - it can be quite durable, with the right plastic in the right application.The lens feels fine, not "cheap" at all. I mean this in the sense that the lens fits the camera well, and there are no funny noises or other warning signs of less than sufficient design.It *is* plastic, and one thing about that is that the lens is very light weight for what it does, and that makes longer shooting sessions more pleasant. I can tell you that my physically much larger macro lens tires me out in just a few minutes; this lens doesn't do that, it's almost like it weighs nothing - it's only 4.6 ounces, all of it physically close to the camera so it doesn't exert much leverage on your wrists.Here's an issue you can, and should, sink your teeth into: When focusing, the lens physically extends, and that is a difference between a more expensive lens and this one that can really matter. This is because it affects how you can use the lens. It is something you should, no, you *must*, keep in mind when using this lens. I'll explain.Actually, I would speculate that of the people who managed to destroy this lens in short order, I bet at least some of them physically had the business end of the lens resting on something, or were holding onto the focusing ring when the AF system tried to drive the lens to a new physical configuration, and poof - the gear train, or the motor, or both, went nipples north.You just can't do that - not with *any* lens that extends physically. Don't touch, or rest, the focus ring on this lens in AF mode, EVER! If you watch out for that one issue when you use it, just keep the lens free in the air and your fingers off the ring, I bet the lens will last years.Why so confident? Simple: Based on the incredible track record Canon has for its camera and lens product lines, I think we can very safely say that Canon knows precisely what they are doing, generally speaking. They're not fools, I think we can all agree.With that in mind, simply consider that Canon has placed a full one year warranty on the lens. Frankly, I don't believe they would do that if it was truly going to fall apart in a few months when used properly, as some of the less positive reviews here have said. Treat it right, it'll almost certainly treat you right. This is *Canon*, people, not the Wang Chung Junque Manufacturing Co. operating out of a cave somewhere.In the end, even if mine did break, I'd replace it in a heartbeat. It is a truly great lens for the money. Highly recommended.*** I've added an image to the image gallery that is a CLIP of a small portion of an image shot of the night sky. In it, you can clearly see the great nebula in Andromeda. I've identified the individual stars for you, and you can see the entire image by checking my flickr account (fyngyrz). When I saw what I had captured with this modestly priced lens, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Is this lens sharp? Unbelievably so, and here's stone proof of it.
I use this lens on my Canon 60D and it has not disappointed me. The images are sharp, clear and have great depth of field with aperture stopped to f13 or more. The image quality when the aperture is opened all the way to f1.8 is great in the center out to about 75% to the edge. The image softens a bit close to the edges but when used for portraiture, close-up of a flower or bird where the center portion is sharp and the background blurred, it works really well. A bargain at the price of about $110.
best lens for the money out there! crystal clear, super good portrait lens. Yeah its plastic but for a 100 bucks who cares. I happen to like that its really light setup paired with my canon t3i.
First off, if you plan on taking very low light night shots close up and don't have a huge budget,  this is the lens for you.  Sure you have to move up to the subject because it's a prime lens(no zoom) but the auto focus is pretty good for a inexpensive lens like this.  Takes great portraits and even scenery.  I'll post some early pictures I took with it.  You be the judge.
If you are looking for a lens to take excellent portraits, this is great for this purpose.  Keep in mind that there is no zoom with this lens.
I have been able to take some amazing sharp portraits. the lens is small, very light and cheap.However, many of my pictures somehow came out out-of-focus. Just make sure to focus.I also get red-eye a lot.
I have got a bad copy. It's a refurbished one from Canon USA as I planned to have 85mm 1.8. When it worked, it's easy to use and the quality of picture was satisfactory. 50mm and 60D would work together very well. It's more versatile than 85mm because of 1.6 crop factor. However, with this copy, after about 10 test shots, I got the error message. After it's taken off and put back, it worked again. Then, only after a few more shots, the problem came back again. This happened with my Canon 60D camera. So I had to return it within 3 days, but it's a little pain to deal with Canon USA, and I had to pay 2 shipments (both delivery and return) even for this defective lens. This bad experience has cost me $25+, that's a lot of money for a cheap lens like this. Because of 50mm's versatility for crop bodies, later I will not get 85mm 1.8 but 50mm 1.4 which has better construction quality and USM, and I'll stick with Amazon from now on.
I'm a developing amateur photographer.  I just got a T3i, a major upgrade from the point & shoot I had been using.  This is the first lens I've purchased for my new camera.  I picked it because I wanted the larger aperture so I could experiment shooting in lower lights than the kit lens.The more I use this lens the more I like it.  Not only is it better at shooting in low light, but I love how it focuses. It is great at focusing on one thing and blurring the rest of the image, it is much more effective at this than the kit lens. This makes it awesome for all sorts of stuff, but especially for shooting people.It is a prime lens so you won't be able to zoom, but I have actually found this to be a positive.  I find that going around with this lens forces me to look at everything from a different angle than I did with the kit lens.  It has helped me develop my creativity and artisticness when I shoot.I highly recommend this lens to anyone else looking to develope their photography skills. It is well worth the $100 or so.
I personally love this lens.  I use it for everything.  I honestly believe this has made me a better photographer. It takes some amazing photos.
I received this lens as a gift, and have used it for over a year now. Truth be told, this lens stays on my camera more than any other lens in my bag. I have purchased both a UV filter (an absolute must) and ND filters for it to be extend the usability of the lens. I personally love a blurred background when taking pictures of people and close up objects, and this lens allows you to do that.It is worth noting that this lens is not without its faults. It is slow to react sometimes, and it gets locked on itself in a weird position and won't let me take any pictures. I have to zoom out, refocus and then go back in for the shot. Also, it's not a macro lens, you will not be able to shoot a small flower with this lens.Overall, this is a great lens for an amazing price. I would highly recommend this lens and the appropriate filters to any new or experienced photographer!
It is absolutely incredible to me that a prime lens this good is this inexpensive -- and it's not just cheap on Amazon, either. It's just plain inexpensive. I have taken so many great images with this fast aperture lens, and they have turned out universally well (so long as I didn't mess up the settings).In terms of construction, it's plastic, which probably helps with the cost, but it's proved very durable so far. The lens seems surprisingly dust-resistant. I haven't had to wipe it down more than once in several weeks. The picture quality at shallow DOF is crystal clear on the object in focus, and it's very sharp. The colors are very well defined, as well.My main complaint about this lens is the significant chromatic aberration after f/8. Bright objects -- water droplets hitting the sun, gems glinting in bright light, very bright white shirts in the sun -- get a terrible, unfixable halo if you're trying for a small aperture.Indoor pictures are excellent with this lens, though of course it's a prime lens, so you're going to have to set up your own shots. Most of the time this has definitely not been an issue for me.
I use this lens with my Canon EOS Rebel XS (or 1000D, if you are in Europe), and I could not have been more satisfied buying it. It's almost questionably cheap, but it has excellent optical quality. I think Canon did an excellent job with this lens, because they managed to put great lenses and a pretty decent AF mechanism in it without bringing the price too far up. Unfortunately, this means that they had to lower the production cost by doing something, and they chose to make it out of plastic. This makes it vulnerable to physical abuse, while its big brother, theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasis made out of metal and is able to withstand this physical abuse.Overall, this lens is great for those who are, like me, on a budget and are willing to take the chance of breaking the lens. Everyone else should try and go for 50mm f/1.4.
Just got it haven't been able to use it to much but what I'm getting so far I love.  Used it to take quick pictures of running children at a family function, and go some great shoots I'll try to upload one.
Loved the lens. a bit load but takes great pictures. Is more then was expected. Takes beautiful pictures Have tried it a few times on some flowers to see how it does Just great. Can't wait to try it on people. I know a family that I will be trying it on soon for Christmas pictures Just can't wait to see how it does. I just can not stop using it.
This is a Canon lens. It costs under $100 and it's 1.8.I use this with my 60D and it works wonderfully. The focal distance means it's more of an 85mm tele with the crop sensor, but the images at 2.2 and especially 2.5 come out quite sharp.Colors are nice and natural, slightly warm if not neutral. Focus is slow and loud. Build is a little off. But it's LESS THAN $100!Great lens. Any photographer with a Canon DSLR needs to have this lens in their bag.The fact that it's cheap also helps you if you want to take your gear on more perilous and daring adventures. You wont be losing much if anything happens to it.I'm completely in love with this lens all over.
This lens is awesome for 110 bucks! It takes amazing low light pictures. There is no zoom on it so you will have to move around more to get the right shot.
This lens is just what I was expecting when I ordered it.  So far, no problems at all.  For me, I feel that I have to stand to far back for some of the photos that I take, but that's because I like to be close :)  Especially when I'm taking pictures of my kids in their little bedrooms.  The noise is a little loud, but I expected that also from reading the other reviews.  Overall, fabulous lens for the price!
This lens is not perfect, but for under $100, what do you expect?  The images are good, & the lens is lightweight.  The build is cheap, the focus is slow, and it takes a while to get used to the difference if you are used to using a zoom.  The 1.8 is great for low light, and the shallow depth of field and bokah are wonderful to play with. I will be moving up to the 1.4 version as soon as I have the money though.
You can't beat the performance of this lens for the price! A staple of my lens collection. I take it everywhere.
I got exactly what I saw when I read about it, it's a really good lens for the price. I actually like the lightweight part of it, you may hear it's built cheap, to me, just because it's not metal doesn't mean it's cheap. Being light has it's advantages, the glass itself is just like the glass I used in my 35mm days, good stuff, so I don't have anything but good to say about this lens.The thing is, some people equate plastic as cheap, and in the camera world, there are also some people that are snooty, just like any other group, if you don't have a METAL prime lens, then you have junk.We are surrounded by plastics in our every day life, so why is it any different in the camera world?Buy it, you won't be sorry, and be sure to check for pricing, I have seen it jump around wildly, but it should be in the low eighties. (USD)I do want to say though, the price was good, but mine was shipped in a box about 8"x8", there was no packing, bubble wrap, peanuts, whatsoever in it, it was free floating. I couldn't believe that someone would allow that to go out like that. (It was still in the original box from Canon though, and that's probably what saved it)It did make it fine though, and it wasn't Amazon's fault really, it was the smallish company that they used though, so be careful which one you pick.I was really happy overall though, it all worked out and I still give it 5 stars. :)
This was for the wife she loved photography, and wanted to get this new lens to give her more ways to take photos.
Price is good for an entry level lens but personally I really disliked it. I returned it after taking a couple test photos, the focusing with the lens is in my opinion is louder than acceptable. I returned this and purchased the 50mm f1.4 lens.
Love this lens for taking product shots to the background &#34;blur&#34;.  It was a great investment as we have used it for some friends pictures also.
This prime lens is priced in a manner that you MUST buy it.  This is a very fast lens but has a bit of trouble with sharpness at f/1.8.  Not sure if it's the focusing mechanism or the lens quality itself.  I've been able to take pictures at night under candle light, with no camera shake but the focus itself can be off a bit.  Pictures taken with more available light turn out better, but still I would say the majority are 'soft'.  Certainly not bad enough to discard, especially if you are using this lens to take pictures as a hobby photographer.  Professionals would definitely need to use a higher quality 50mm lens...but for the average person who owns a DSLR, this definitely should be in their camera bag.Pros:-It has a very shallow depth of field which I think looks great-It's a very light lens and won't add much weight or bulk-Auto focus / Manual focus switch makes it quick to go between AF and MF-Takes pictures in very low light-Focus time is just as good as the kit lens-PriceCons:-Soft images at f/1.8-Loud and slow focusing compared to USM lenses-No Image StabilizerI can't decide if this should be a 3 star or 4 star review....I'm going with 4 star because of the price.  I am using this lens on a Canon T2i.
This is an incredibly sharp lens.  It's a little soft at 1.8, but anything above that is excellent.  Shooting indoor shots without a flash is a joy.  Biggest problems-slow focus and a 5 blade aperture.  The slow focus can be a problem, since the huge aperture and generally short distance to the subject makes for a very small focal plane-inches in some cases.  The five blade aperture means highlights and bokeh have a distinct pentagonal shape.  Still, this is the lens that lives on my camera (Digital Rebel XT).
I bought this lens because my other sets of glass just weren't cutting it. I am an independent film maker, so to start out I purchased the Canon EOS Rebel T3i/600D with Kit Lens. The lens that came with it were the 18-55mm f/3.5 and the 55-250mm f/4 lens. The f-stops on these lens was not very good, resulting in poor low light performances. I was considering purchasing the 50mm f/1.4 lens, but it was too spendy and hard to keep anything in focus during video with quite a bit of movement. So I purchased this lens and it was a great decision. It has a satisfying shallow depth of field, meaning it has very nice background blur. It also works well with low light since it stops down to f/1.8 wide open. It has a plastic build, but it means little compared to the image it produces, and it isn't much of a concern anyway, since it is durable plastic. It is a prime lens so it does not zoom, and it has both AF and MF. It is an EF mount lens. For me, it has been working very well and I am pleased with its performance. A nice bit of glass for the low price, if I don't say so myself!
I have only had this for a few days, but i am having a great time with it.  i read that it wasn't as sturdy as the much more expensive version.  it seems fine so far.  if it dies in a year maybe i will get the expensive one, but it is a great option for me since i am just getting into photography i didn't have to spend $300+ just to experiment.Great portraits!! very sharp and great background blur at f1.8  Easy to get that professional look.
The wife is giddy.  She is running through the house taking pictures of inanimate objects, dogs, people, whatever.  She says the quality is great and she is thrilled with the effects this lens has.  I am not a photographer, so I can only describe in layman's terms from the 30 pictures that she has made me get off the couch to look at so far.  It has a really cool effect of having the item in the foreground crystal clear and it makes the background fuzzy.  Pics look cool, does what it is supposed to do.  Yay.
This is one of the best lens for the price. With f value starting at 1.8 it does a real good job. This lens does not have zoom which will be a difficult situation if you want to use this has only/ regularly used lens.
Met expectations.  It's a nice, fast lens that lets me work indoors without a flash under reasonable conditions.  The price was right, the delivery reasonable, and it's a fun lens to use
I'm a total newbie in the SLR cameras.  Just got my first SLR (Rebel XTi) in January 2008.  The Canon EF 50mm lens is a great lens because you'll get sharp beautiful portrait shots as compared to my kit lens.  But at 50mm, you'll need lots of space in order to back up from your subject to squeeze and fit everyone in the frame.  But at $69,  this lens is a great buy!
I purchased this lens under the suggestion of my boss, and I honestly love it to death. My only beef with it is the fixed zoom, as it produces a very narrow field of viewing and has resulted in a (go figure) very expensive step up. This lens slays in low light, and I've gotten a few great shots at the show I went to earlier in November. Might post one up to show what this sucker can do.Pros: Very fast, quick to focus, does well in low light.Cons: Narrow field of view, zoomed in too far for being a front row fiend at a show.
After getting this and using it for couple of weeks, this lens is a MUST.  It is cheap, sharp, fast, and great for portrait.  I love it.  My only complaints (which are minor) will be the noise from the motor (which is not big deal from me at all), slow auto focus, and the build (have to be careful with it).
Okay so you bought that Digital Rebel (whichever generation) a year or two ago, and now you have a brand new kid/grandkid on the way. What little photography you've done, you've used the 18-55mm kit lens for, but now you want to be ready to better document some once-in-a-lifetime moments, without breaking the bank.If these are your circumstances, this is the lens for you. The 50mm focal length is ideal for portraits, and it has low-light performance and image quality you won't even be able to approach with the kit lens.Pros:Great quality opticsLight weightF 1.8 really ain't badCheapest lens you're likely to buy and useCons:Slow AF...that sounds like a bee in a tin can...and is difficult to turn off and manually focusPlastic construction feels flimsy because it isSo, in short, if you have a Digital Rebel (or even a 20-50D) and you never have taken the time to learn how to get the most out of it, consider this lens. Also, look up some online guides on how to read a histogram and properly color-correct (and with CF card prices as low as they are, you may want to shoot exclusively in RAW or RAW+jpg). Hope this helps!
I have had the Lens for about 2 months and shot several thousand pictures with it. It can give some real beautiful pictures, and does so on a consistent basis. It works great in low light! I was actually very pleasantly surprised by this cheapy.But, on the other hand... Sometimes it will spend way to much time searching for people. When the action is really on I draw out one of my other lenses. The build quality is embarrassingly weak. I have read several reviews about the lens falling apart, and sadly I could believe that. One bad bump, one hard jostle and it could spell the end for this lens.
I returned this lens and got the Sigma 50mm.  There's a reason the Sigma is more expensive, it takes better photos.  Don't waste your precious photographic moments with this Canon lens. You can have better bokeh, more clarity and less distortion with the Sigma.  Also, if you have other 77mm filter sized lenses, the you can share your polarizer, ND and UV filters with the Sigma 50mm f1.8 instead of buying a whole new set for this little Canon lens.  A good polarizer, UV and a couple NDs will end up costing you the price difference.
I like how this lens creates the blurred background when the aperture is set to f1.8. However, on a T4i, you do need to stand quite a bit far from your subject to get everything you want in your camera view. Sometimes it's not convenient to do so. This lens is best for doing portrait close ups which is the intended use. Sometimes I don't want to carry a lot of lens so if I have the 50 mm on my camera for general use photography, I just need to use my feet more for zooming out or in.
This lens is great for close up portraits. It makes the simplest pictures look so professional. And the price was reasonable compared to other websites
I bought my first Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens at the beginning of February 2008.  It is now the middle of June 2008, and I have just broken my second one.I'm a HEAVY photographer, and this lens has BY FAR become my favorite to shoot with.  However, it seems to just fall apart after a few months!  HEARTBREAKING!I'll be contacting Canon about replacing my lenses, and I might spring for the 1/4.
I love this lens. In fact, it just stays on my camera.Well I got Canon Rebel XSi. Only other lens I have right now is the kit lens, 18-55mm.So yes with 1.6x crop factor, the actual focal length on my camera become 80mm. This can be sometimes annoying as I have to step back, a lot for some shots.However, for most close up portrait shots, this is perfect lens. I love shooting at 1.8 aperture size because then everything else is blurred out. Of course, you have to be careful that you focused on right object and whole object is in focus. Sometimes I focus on one eye and other eye is out of focus.Oh I love flower photography with this lens because it is so easy to blur out the background.I use this lens for creative or artistic photos. For regular or travel photos, this lens will be too hard to work with. Right now, I use kit lens when on vacation. My next lens is going to be 28mm-135 IS USM Canon's lens. That should be perfect for travel and everyday shooting.
Taking me some getting used to to use a fixed lens but it's well worth getting used to because the photos are crystal clear!  I'm SOOOO happy with the quality!  Sharp where I want sharpness and blur where I want blur.
I got this lens few weeks ago and I am so happy about it. It is probably the best  price out there for such prime lens. It makes you feel like a profession photographer! Of course it makes your work for the perfect photos and especially portraits, but this is what is it all about, right. It is awesome and I love it!
I have had this for almost three months and only used it once just to test it out. The other day I was pulling it out of my camera bag and the lens had just fallen out of it. I couldn't even get it back in.
This lens opened up (pun intended) a whole new world for me with my undergrad thesis work.  It was exactly what I wanted/needed to bring another element to the body of work.  Often times I would let it decide where to focus inside the shot just for it to show me what it had to say.  For the price, it is well worth the money.  If you are looking to add a certain style or look to your images, I would highly recommend adding this to your repertoire.
This was my second lens (after the 18-55 that came with my Canon t2i) and I've been using it for a few weeks now.  I'm very happy with the lens and the pictures I've taken with it.  Most of my shots are of my 2 year old daughter running around and the kind of shots this lens lets you take is simply amazing.  This lens lets in significantly more light than the 18-55 kit lens when set at 50mm (around 8x more), which lets your camera pick lower ISO values and/or much faster shutter times without having to resort to using the flash.  The downside of using the lens wide open is that the shots end up slightly "soft", which, depending on the situation, isn't entirely a bad thing as it gives the photo a slightly dreamy feel.  You can of course reduce the aperture a bit to sharpen up the focus and still end up with a significant light advantage over the kit lens.Alot has been said about the build quality of the lens but to me it doesn't feel remarkably different from the 18-55 kit lens or the 55-250 I picked up recently. This is one factor that definitely depends on your frame of reference.  If you're just starting out like me and staying on the cheaper side of Canon's lens lineup, this lens will feel right at home.The major con of this lens is that after using it for a few weeks and seeing the kind of flexibility it gives you, the idea of spending many hundreds of dollars each on Canon's other "fast" lens will suddenly start to make sense.
I love this lens. It's great to get me started on working with fixed lenses.. I've always loved the 50mm so I was glad when I got this one. It is light and small. I got it for the Auto Focus which is so helpful to make sure the subject is correctly in focus. It does feel quite plastic though - I have another one from 1984, it is such a lovely heavy weight.. I love just picking it up! It has no Auto Focus (the 1984 one) so that's why I got this little lens. Great product for the price!
Best lens for the money.1.8 works great. I use it with full frame and it does amazing job.Buy it, you will love it
I was disappointed that I could not use to take more close up shots.  I need to reorder another lense from 18-55.
The lens everyone should have in their bag. After outgrowing the kit lens, every DSLR user should get this lens. It teaches you about your camera, you finally understand aperture, manual modes and yes, bokeh. Yes, it's plastic, but unless you're planning on playing ping-pong with it, you'll be just fine. I've had my copy for 3 years now.
I can just confirm very positive reviews which I read on the Amazon prior buying. I'm very satisfied with the pictures shot with this lens, the contrast between the main object I'm focusing on and light blurry background is very nice, ideal for portraits. For the price you can't go wrong.
I loved this product even before I bought it. The quality is just amazing. The best value for the money.
Every one needs a prime. Depending on who you are you'll get a 50 or a 35. Working with a prime proposes composition challenges. And makes one a truly better photographer. I recommend this to anyone just getting into photography for two reasons: PRICE and OPTICAL QUALITY. This lens is dirt cheap. The over all high prices of DSLRs and lenses can scare people, but I show people this lens and the shots I've gotten with it. I mean this lens is amazing for the price. You can't beat it!The AF is noisy but not a problem. The AF is off sometimes as well. 95% of time this lens preforms. Everyone needs this lens in my opinion. Buy the f/1.4 option if you've got the money. Personally I don't see that much of a difference, besides better bokeh.This lens is great for the beginner. This lens is a great instrument for learning digital photography. Buy it now and don't be disappointed.
I should begin by saying that I rate products on the basis of their value proposition - do you get what you pay for when purchasing this item?In the case of this lens, the answer is "duh. absolutely."The "nifty fifty" or "plastic fantastic," as it is often called, is not going to win any awards in the "most intimidating L-series glass" category. It is a very ho-hum lens with rather boring looks and cheap construction. That being said, if you shoot Canon and do not have one of these in your bad, one of two things is probably true:A: You carry the 50 1.4 or 50 1.2B: You are crazy.This lens is a fantastic introduction to the various joys of shooting with prime lenses. It does not zoom. It does not have vibration control. It lacks any bells and whistles in many other lenses, all of which are vastly more expensive. What it does have is outstanding sharpness and an incredibly wide open aperture FOR THE PRICE. The quality of the images produced by this lens when compared to the various kit lenses available with Canon DSLRs is outstanding.When connected to a crop sensor (1.6x, i.e., everything but 1D and 5DII) camera, this lens shoots as though it were 80mm on a full frame, placing it directly in the portrait photography sweet spot. Having shot with the 85 1.2L, I can say that while the 50 1.8 is not the last word in sharpness or picture quality, it provides nearly 90% of the performance at 5% of the price - a starling value proposition.What do you lose for that 1900 or so dollars, i.e., what are the shortcomings of this lens?1. Bokeh-quality: this lens has a 5 blade aperture, rendering out of focus highlights into pentagonal shapes, rather than smooth circles. An upgrade to the 50 1.4 will only get you hexagonal OOF highlights - if you want the incredibly smooth circles, you need to step up all the way to the 50 1.2. That having been said, the large aperture of his lens can still liquify nearly any background with the use of minimall conscientious framing and focus.2. Build quality: it's the "plastic fantastic" for a reason. With the exception of the lens elements, this lens is constructed entirely of plastic. The mount, in particular, could provide cause for concern. Luckily, it's incredibly small and light, suggesting that there will be little stress on the mount. It isn't a super-telephoto. And if you break it, you can buy another.3. Absolutely top-end speed. A 1.2 lens is (give or take) a full-stop faster than a 1.8. Why should you care about this? I'll explain a bit more below...Why do you want this lens?1. It's FAST. Let's return to the stops mentioned above. At it's fastest, the EF-S 18-55 IS II kit lens has an aperture of 3.5. At a similar focal length (50mm) it is likely shooting at 5.6. That is three-and-a-quarter stops slower than the 1.8 is capable of shooting. This means that the 50 1.8 can use a shutter speed that is 8 times faster than the kit lens. Real world testing (conducted unscientifically as I sit here) confirms this - the same shot on the 18-55 is 8 times slower (1/8) a shot on a 50 1.8 II (1/60). Why care? Camera shake matters, but image stabilization corrects much of this. It is worth remembering, though, that the best IS performance is only going to make up for 3-4 stops worth of shake, when they are working at their best. More importantly, no IS system is capable of making your subject hold perfectly still. If you want to nail that perfectly sharp portrait, you need speed!2. Depth of Field/Bokeh: A kit lens outside of wide angles is simply going to focus on a much deeper field than a wide-open prime. Why does that matter? True depth of field for this lens, mounted on a 1.6 crop body and focused on an object 10 feet away, is about eight inches, just enough for a face and most of a human head. Everything else will be pleasantly and softly out of focus, creating a high degree of emphasis on the subject of your photo. At 5.6, the same lens is going to create a depth of field of roughly 24 or 25 inches, letting a good deal more into the "sweet spot" of your photo. There are certainly photos where this is a good thing. But the amount of creativity that wide apertures allow a photographer is nearly endless.3. Sharpness. The fact of the matter is that prime lenses are sharper than zooms, or at least any zoom that wouldn't qualify as a ridiculous comparison to this lens. When you nail your focus and framing, the results are simply magical.4. Learning curves. This lens lacks IS. It is quite fast, meaning that it has a very shallow depth of field. You'll miss some shots as a result. You will also begin to learn some of the more fundamental and important skills that a photographer needs to produce beautiful images.That, more than anything, is why I think this is such a high-value proposition. For barely more than $100, you will be buying your first ticket into the world and art of honest-to-goodness photography, contrasted with the activity of taking pictures. Once you've had a taste, you'll probably be hooked, but the products are entirely worthwhile.
I have had this lens for four years now. I purchased it when I was just starting out as a hobbyist using my rebel xsi. I didn't really understand the versatility of this 50MM when I first received the lens, but now I take this lens with me trips, hikes and walkabouts.I use this as a travel lens because it's light, inconspicuous and works great in low light.  I don't always listen when people tell me I can't take pictures, so having this tiny lens is great.  The barrel does extend during autofocus, but it is very subtle and does not draw attention.  The versatility of the f stop range is helpful when going from outdoor to indoor shots. I set the camera to TV, and I am able to capture outdoor action scenes, then move inside and photograph quirky products in stores. Its very versatile and trumps the kit lens as a walk around lens.As a portrait lens, this lens is decent.  I have been able to get some shots at 1.8, but its very hit or miss. At 2.8, the lens is very sharp with enough DOF to get crisp eyes and facial features.  During this past photography season, I was grabbing this lens on multiple occasions to capture nice images of couples. I can't recall if there is color fringing, so it must not be noticeable. Compared to the 1.4, the picture quality could be better.The lens is made of plastic.  It doesn't feel like its going fall apart as I shoot, but it is definitely not made for professional use.  After four years, the innards of the lens is starting to collect dust. It is not noticeable in pictures, but it is irritating when i look at it and can't do anything about it myself.Pros:-small size makes it easy to travel-great lens for shooting from the hip-reversing the lens for good macros-good portrait lensCons;-plastic-collects dustOverall: I would buy this lens if you are just starting out.  The 1.4 is great as well, but for the price, this lens will get you through a lot of scenarios and a lot of pictures.
This lens is a fantastic deal.  There is no question that this should be the first or second lens that you pick up after entering into the DSLR space (after the kit lens that comes with your camera).Personally, this was my first experience with a prime lens and I absolutely love it.  Prime lenses tend to give much higher image clarity for the price, and this is no exception.  This boosted the quality of my portrait shots by a huge margin - everything now seems crisper and brighter.Moreover, this lens is FAST.  With this lens, you won't need a 5D to shoot in low-light without a flash!  I can get great results in nearly any lighting condition without a flash if I combine this lens with a 1600ISO setting on my camera, and I don't even need a tripod!Word of caution - because this is a prime lens, there's no zoom (if you haven't figured that out already).  Also, 50mm on a Rebel means that you're fairly well zoomed in already, so you will need ~10 feet between you and your subject if you are shooting portraits.
I was so happy to play with an f-stop lower than 3.5. It was very good, and I'm very satisfied with this purchase. Images come out clear and playing f-1.8 is fun, even though 2.8 might be more practical.
This review is targeted to new photographers and those a little more serious.Having started out as a hobby photographer and transitioned to professional photography, I can safely say this is the most important lens to have. There are a few important things to know...You need a kit lens with zoom range &#34;just in case&#34;. Don't toss that lens. The wide aspect is very important and a special lens for wide shooting is one of the last lenses you'd get when building your kit. Yes, the 10-22mm is amazing, but if I need room in my bag, my 17-55 is just fine. This is especially true with the new kit lenses starting at 15mm.That being said, you'll love this lens for everyday shooting. The most important factor is that wonderful f/1.8 number. This means that the lens can suck in a ridiculous amount of light. More light means less need for flash. Less need for flash means much more natural looking images. The awesome natural looking, well balanced, non-contrasty photos that you see are accomplished one of two ways: manually altered light with color tinted flashes/reflectors, or the lens was able to capture the natural light just fine. This lens is how you accomplish the latter. Obviously this is more convenient.There is a side effect to this light gobbling advantage called bokeh. This is the crisp image where the camera focused and very blurred image everywhere else. There are many variables to this difference (called depth of field), but the &#34;f&#34; number is one of the main driving factors. Beautiful girl/child in the image with the background perfectly blurred to create a super professional looking image? No expensive camera needed. Not even an expensive lens needed. A decade old Canon Rebel and this lens can accomplish that look easily. Don't like that look? You change this &#34;f&#34; number (also called aperture) to a higher number and viola, you have a clear foreground and background. Keep in mind though, this directly impacts how much light the camera can grab.Focus speed: This is important because people don't realize that this is where a lot of cost comes from. This lens can take a few moments to focus. Want something faster, but all of the other advantages? You're going to have to spend a couple hundred more for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM. Not for that fancy 0.4 difference in f stop, but those magical letters that say &#34;USM&#34; for ultra-sonic motor. I want to be clear, though. This is not a reason to not get this type of lens. Just want you to know where it stands. Want to switch to manual and focus faster? Definitely! The focus ring is small, but usable.Quality: Yes, good glass is nice, but you're looking at a $100 lens for Pete's sake. Trust me, if you are able to notice a difference, you would have the budget to get a 1.2 anyways. I'm not saying you don't want quality, I'm saying that it takes that good of pictures where you shouldn't be considering this variable unless you're a pro. You're going to want to upgrade for the speed before you upgrade for picture quality.Durability: I stands the test of time. Yeah, plastic, but you're not throwing your camera around either. Protect the glass like you would any other lens and you'll be fine.Usability: For the amateurs, buy this lens, put your camera on &#34;AP&#34; mode (aperture), and set it to 2.0. Turn off the flash and set your ISO to 400. Take some pictures of people, objects, cute kittens, whatever, but make sure there is at least a few feet of space behind what your shooting. You'll want to sit down before you look at the results. You'll then realize that this is why you bought a DSLR because the pictures look great.A little blurry? Look at the shutter speed of the picture you took (will be either 1/? or a decimal with &#34;) If it's a number bigger than 1/50, increase the number of the ISO.If that number is fine, it may be the focus. Remember that holding the shutter halfway locks in the focus (if you know the particular situation where this isn't true, keep it to yourself because this explanation obviously isn't for you anyways). That means you'll lose focus if you hold it halfway down and then you or the subject moves before you click the shutter.Overall, a must. Get it. It'll make you smile. Just make sure to laugh when people look at your pictures and say &#34;wow, you must have a really nice camera!&#34;. Those are the type of people that stick with the kit lens...
I have hardly used this lens and abused it in no way.  After 2 months it's no good to me because I can't get a sharp picture out of it.  The AF is way off.  If I manually focus I can come close, but no cigar.  All my other lenses are awesome so I know its not the cameras fault.
Cons:- super light to the point where you start wondering just how cheap this lens is- super tiny focus ring- loose bit of plastic rattling around insidePros:- 50mm is super versatile for portraits, video, etc- Not terrible quality considering it is grey market- super light weight- Great aperture for the price- It's only $100...I was hesitant to get this lens because it is so cheap, but so many photographers told me this is a &#34;must-have&#34; in your set, and after using this for the past three weeks I have to agree.This lens does everything you want in a prime lens that costs less than $200, and does it well.  If you can get over the fact that it feels like a cheap lens when you hold it, you will love this lens, because it produces excellent pictures in all kinds of lighting conditions.SKIP the kit lens, just buy the body and spend the extra $100 on this bad boy.
In good light, the results can be amazing.  In low light, it can practically see in the dark.I shot my first wedding as a second shooter yesterday.  During the reception, I was taking pictures on the dark dance floor with lighting only available from the DJ booth's lights. I was shooting a 40D, no flash, f/1.8, ISO 1600, AV mode.  Auto focus would not work so I flipped over to manual and went to town in High Drive.  Many were out of focus, but I did manage to get a good amount of amazing money shots.In good to moderate light, the autofocus is reliable most of the time on my 40D.  The non-USM motor is a bit annoying in how slow and noisy it is but for only $100, totally acceptable.  Build quality is descent, and the plastic doesn't bother me.If you are a consumer and don't depend on this to get the shot or not get paid, buy it in a heartbeat.  For the price you would be crazy to not have this.If you are a pro (I doubt you would be reading this) I would consider the 50mm f/1.4 or 1.2.  I haven't used that lens, but the USM motor alone would be worth the extra cash.
When I was looking into purchasing my DSLR I was told repeated &#34;Get a fast 50mm lens!&#34; so I took their advice and am SO glad I did.  It takes such absolutely stunning photos-I want to use it all the time!
I use this lens extensively on my Canon 60D and love everything about it. For only $100, I get sharp photos, great colors, fast auto-focus, amazing performance in low-light, and wonderful depth of field. It's my go-to-lens for portraits. The two things that I don't like about it is:1) it's made of plastic, so it feels like a toy, but it's not poor quality. Treat it with care as you would any other lens and you will be fine.2) it is a bit noisy when focusing, but it's fast and at $100, I can't complain.I was torn between this lens and the 50mm 1.4, but ultimately it came down to cost and I do not regret my purchase whatsoever. If I should drop and break it then, well, I've only spent $100. No big deal. Many folks have mentioned that this lens produces poor image quality, but I just don't agree with them. If you truly KNOW how to use your camera and can adjust for different lighting situations then this little thing will create photos that rival an L lens. Remember, it's about skill, not equipment.Also, please keep in mind that if you don't have a full-frame camera, you'll need to adjust for crop factor. One reviewer mentioned that he bought this lens and was disappointed because he didn't have enough room in his house to get a wider shot. This of course is a user problem, not a lens issue. On my Canon 60D, this 50mm lens is actually an 80mm lens because of the 1.6x crop factor.I hope you enjoy this lens as much as I do!
I developed a love as an amatuer hobbyist in photography after the gift of a Canon T1i. After a couple of photography classes, I am getting a better grasp of the skill. One thing I learned is that a lens can truly make a huge difference, but to spend so much $$$ is painful! This lens is a great investment, it gives you rich pictures with the "bokeh" or blurred out background seen in professional photography. I included some pics from the pumpkin patch I took in natural light on manual mode with no flash.
No zoom, not wide, not tele, not built like a tank, but the photos are phenomenal. The main reason is that it allows indoor photography without flash. A second reason is a narrow depth of field that blurs the background.
This is the least expensive, most fantastic lens I own for my Canon. Granted, I only own four, but for the price...wow! The thrifty/nifty fifty can't be beat. It's especially wonderful for portraits. I don't use it often as an all-purpose lens as, if you're trying to capture a wide scene or several people in one shot, you have to step way, way back. Prime lenses can only do so much. But this compact, light-weight lens goes a long way toward making me feel competent. I honestly don't feel I need to go down to the 1.4 for much of anything and am completely happy with this guy. I dropped and broke my first one and ordered another right away. Get it, you won't be sorry!
For the most part I can echo everyone's sentiments about the high quality photos this lens takes, and how fantastic it is for headshots and portraits. It easily gives me the blurred background I struggled so hard to achieve with the kit lens that came with my Rebel XTi.  Where I find myself disagreeing with everyone is the build quality of the lens - it appears and feels rock solid to me.  No plastic flimsiness at all.  (Perhaps Canon read all the reviews here and improved the lens??) So please don't let those comments scare you as this is a solid little performer!
I do photography as a side hobby and I have a simple Canon DSLR camera with the original lens it came with. This was my first fixed lens and I love working with it so far. It doesn't work well outdoors on bright sunny days, but it's great for overcast skies, photo studio setups, and captures great depth in lower light situations.
I use this with my Canon Rebel T3 and it's a great combination. I probably don't use the best technique but I can take all sorts of pictures with this lens, and it works great for me.
I had read about this lens on several websites and it comes highly recommended.  I am trying to expand my lens collection and thought this may be a good investment.  I have had it for a week and I have taken several portrait pictures of my favorite subject (my son).  I love this lense, it was easy to install, it's very light and the photo quality was excellent.
This is a fine lens for knocking around. If you do any manual focusing, though, it is not pleasant. The focus ring is tiny and frustrating to turn. On mine, the manual focus lets me hear the little scraping noises at certain points on the dial. Then there's the fact that the ring rotates with the motor, and you can't manual-focus on the fly - the switch has to be set to MF. If you're into the bokeh effect, this lens doesn't have the best. But, you can't beat the price, it's rated sharp at f4 and smaller, and it's very lightweight.
Well, folks. This is no IS lens. Don't expect it to take great shots while you're swinging on a playground swing. Haha. I love that I spent so little for a 1.8 max aperature lens! It's not a miracle lens, but it does do pretty well, especially for the tiny price point. The fixed focal length takes a bit of getting used to, and in some cases it almost seems like you have to stand back too far away from small objects to get a good shot. However, with portrait photography, this lens is awesome! Very beautiful softly blurred backgrounds  with sharply focused subjects. I love it. With a little anchoring to provide stability, this lens grabs beautiful shots. I remember reading reviews that boasted tack-sharp focuses at smaller aperatures more so than most kit lenses. I haven't quite found this out, yet, as I have mostly only gone to about 4/f-stop. What can I say? I bought this seeking a wide aperature, and that's what I use the most. I am loving the lens so far, and every time I use it I become more excited about it!
Holy cow!  This lens is awesome!  After I opened it and attached it to my camera, I snapped a picture of my son sitting on a step. I didn't use flash and the only light in the room was coming through windows, but this picture was SHARP and gorgeous.  It makes a better portrait than the school pictures he brought home.  A big-time photographer on the internet said you'd be a fool not to have this lens in your bag and he was right!  I got a lot for my money!
So i bought this lens for my girlfriend, and she LOVES it. She's an aspiring photographer and needed some new glass and something with a big aperture and low price was just the ticket for an Xmas gift!It does great depth of field shots that just look FANTASTIC, and the clarity you can get on specific light sources (say a christmas tree) is insane! Also I've played with a bit to do some star photo's and the large aperture works so well! I was kind of disappointed though after doing a long exposure shot to see that the light pollution had turned the sky yellow! Also taking a picture of a house across the street with a street light in front of it, I had no problem creating a clear shot where the street look like day!It's so refreshing all the interesting things you can do with the 1.8 aperture that I wasn't used to at all!So the bad.... it's all plastic including the mounting point.... it just doesn't feel like it's built to last. My girlfriend dropped it/knocked it a few times on accident while attached to the body and it still is 100% fine, it just doesn't inspire confidence.The other bad thing (and this may be more her camera which needs updating) is that it has a very hard time autofocusing in low light, also 50mm seems to be a little too much zoom for every day use, and it can be frustrating to move yourself to adjust the frame rather then changing your zoom.But hey! You get what you pay for! And for 118 bucks this thing is FANTASTIC! If you want a fixed focus large aperture lenss and don't want to spend lots of cash there's no better option.
Anyone wanting a 1.8 should buy this. For only 100 bucks you can't go wrong. Everyone should have this lens in their bag.
I love this lens!  Quality build at a great price. This lens is the best $120 you will spend on photography equipment. The f1.8 gives ridiculous bokeh. Great lens for portraits and landscapes.
The first time I used this lens was on an EOS 1n, shooting Ilford HP5+ black and white film.  I processed the film in the same tank as other Ilford film shot with a Leica M6 and a Summicron 50/2 lens.  After the film dried and I viewed it with a loupe, I really couldn't see much difference between the two.  The Canon was selling for about $75 at the time.  The Leica lens was bought used for about $600.While that is impressive optical performance, the EF lens is not so great in actual use.  There is no distance scale--forget hyperfocal distance.  (If you don't know what that is, you probably should read up on photography.)  If you should ever need manual focus, such as when using hyperfocal distance or the lens is on extension tubes and autofocus is a PIA to use, there is a rudimentary ring but it offers zero damping and feels like turning a loose bottlecap.  It's also cheap-feeling plastic from front to back, including the mount, making it very lightweight but also fairly fragile.  Quite a few people report this lens being disabled with minor bumps.I haven't used this lens in some time.  I have an EF 50/1.4 that has good optical performance AND has operational features and build quality that are miles ahead of the f/1.8 model.  I keep the cheaper lens around as a spare.You will be well-served by this lens if you accept the limitations.  Consider it disposable.
Works great, I treat it with care and get great photos, for $100 can't ask for more!  I am careful not to manually focus when it's on auto focus, which I think might one problem others have had...
If you want to get into portrait photography, you need this lens! Gives you great bokeh for an excellent price. It's a fixed lens, so you can't zoom, you will have to move yourself closer or further away from the subject. I use this on my Rebel T3. If you are just starting out, don't spend your money on a 1.4, chances are, you won't notice the difference anyway.
I am not pro photographer. I love photography and treat it as a hobby only. I take mainly portraits of my kids and friends kids. This lens brought new life to an old DSLR and works great on m new Canon 60D. I recommend this lens to every photographer I meet that does not already own it or its professional twin.
I understand I am comparing Fuji Apples to Gala Apples, but when I compare the image quality from this cheap, plastic-bodied prime lens to those from my several L-series Canon zooms, there is no contest: this lens outperforms. Now to those who say one cannot compare a prime to a zoom, I say: why not? Aren't we discussing image quality or are we discussing something else?Given the very large images produced by modern DSLRs, I can crop the image from this 50mm and get the zoom effect I need given the minimum zoom of 50mm (times crop factor). I can also place this lens on my Elan 7 film camera and get spectacular results. I use this lens more and more and zoom using my physical zoom (feet) and digital zoom (Photoshop or Aperture or any image editing software). The results are always great. No, I cannot print to 40x60 inches if I crop from this lens, but I am not planning to do that anyway.When I shoot a wedding (not bridal portraits, I use the 85mm prime for that) the photos made using this lens are always the best and always the favorites. I know it does not have the little red ring around it but that is just to show other photographers that you are hip and with it, not necessarily to get better images and certainly not based on the money-to-image-quality ratio. Nope, buying a more expensive camera or a more expensive lens will NOT make you a better photographer. Using a prime lens, however, like this very affordable option, will certainly improve your images.The cons are obvious: low build quality. This means that the lens is likely to last for only ten years or so, judging by the fact that other Canon primes (and all Canon lenses in general) are notoriously and incredibly reliable (the more expensive f/1.4 version of this lens a notable exception, but still very, very, very reliable).The sum of all my comments is but this: for the money, there is no finer nor more useful lens for your Canon EOS Camera.
All i can say is, you must have it.sharp pictures.excellent for low light.will make you move and learn to take shots from different angles.
This has to be the ugliest most platicky lens I've seen, but it performs like a champ for its intended purpose.  Though, it isn't the sort of lens I would have attached at all times, and it's mainly because the overreaching zoom factor is just too much when shooting indoors in average size rooms.Yes, the low light performance indoors is phenomenal and no flash is needed.After using it for a week here are some of things I've noticed about the performance of this lens:- At f/1.8 it gets rather soft- At f/7.1 seems to be its sharpest point- The len's shallow depth of field forced me to set the 500D's auto focus mode to center point auto focus which keeps the it from hesitating.- It you like dropping or banging your equipment around, the plasticky housing/mechanism on this lens is definitely not for you.- Accidentally moving the ring in auto focus mode almost feels like the gears will strip.- Though the flash is not needed indoors for this lens, at a 7.1 lens aperture setting with a Canon ETTL flash in bounce mode seems to add a touch of perfection.Overall, I'm pretty happy with this lens, but it almost looks like it's made of sugar glass construction.  I guess I'll have to see about its reliability in the long run.  But for the price (vs other prime lens), I can't really complain.
Received it a couple of days ago and just started shooting to get a feel for the lens with a Canon 20d body.  Simply wonderful.  It is light and yes it weighs practically nothing, but what a marvelous lens.  The pics are amazing.  Playing around with it to determine its limitations and sweet spot.  At 1.8, the pics inside the house was very good even at ISO settings between 400-1600 (80% taken without flash).  Yes it was soft, but very little noise.When I tested outside to take pics of flower and plants, some shots were just "simply stunning" and provide a great 3D effect (F7 or F8) with exceptional IQ.  Since I got the 20d (body, batteries & case) for $160 and the lens for less than $130 (UV filter and hood), I didn't expect to get the excellent results.  It has been a long while since my 35mm film camera experience and remembering some of the techniques for those film days really helped with the DSLR. I started with the camera again since I was so frustrated with the P&S; camera's inability to get moving pics of my grand-daughter. Now all of that has changed with the 20d & 1.8 lens. Some pics:[...]Did you note the bugs that were captured in the shoot?Please note that these are reduced JPEG files and looks somewhat soft because it is at less than 700k where the originals are at 3-8 MB (RAW & JPEG formats). I'm now looking for a Canon 15-85 or Sigma 17-70 to try out and have a good all around general, non-prime lens.
I would have given this all full stars if a. it wasn't just a fixed lens..would be nice if it was a.  variable but of course that's what the thousand dollar version is for, b. I had some issues focusing in the dark it searched a little bit. Other than that, so far, it's great for it's value. Beautiful bokeh and colors straight out of the camera with no post-processing.
Super happy with this lens. It was definitely worth the money. It shipped in 2 days! I know I will be using this camera a ton
love this lens. taking great pictures so far. would recommend and by again for my canon xti
this lens is light relatively quiet and sharp. many had written that this lens is noisy but it is one of our quieter lens that we have purchased and we have 7 lenses for our canon 7d. minimal effort needed to get professional looking photos. sharp and colorful you cannot ask for more! oh yes and its reasonably priced as well.
I mean, for $100, you cannot go wrong with this lens.  Yeah, the build quality is not on par with Canon's L lenses, but come on, what you expect?  The lens does feel light in comparison to other lenses of similar heft/girth.The bottom line is that this lens produces images that look amazing.  You won't be sorry.  If you're on the fence about it, just know that the resale value on Canon lenses is excellent.  But chances are, you'll end up keeping it.I highly recommend it if you plan on taking portraits and/or close ups of any object, human or not.
Whether a pro, beginner, armature, just get this lens! You will not regret it. The lens works amazing in low light. The lens is sharp, beautiful. The bokeh balls look great up to f 2.8, but begin to turn pentagonal when stopped down. Everyone who has a canon dslr should have this lens!
I purchased this 50mm 1.8 lens as my seconds lens for my cannon T2i.  The kit lens I opted for was the 18-55mm one and it is a great all around lens for me being a new entrant into the DSLR world.  The reason I purchased this particular lens was because of price, recommendations from professionals on youtube and websites, and the deeper depth of field I could achieve with it. The results I have yielded have been excellent! Compared to the kit lens, the pictures I take seem to be of a higher quality in the way of detail, and I am able to get a better blur of backgrounds when I am shooting.When considering which 55mm lens to purchase, the 1.2mm was completely out the question for me simply because it was twice the price of my T2i body and kit lens combined! Leaving me with this lens and the 1.4 option, I felt this would serve me a good for the price and my skill level. When doing research, I often found professionals said this lens had a cheap build quality. I can not comment to this being that the only two lenses I have used are entry level lenses; however, I can say that just being a human, I do not see this lens breaking unless I do something careless with it.So in conclusion, I think every new photographer should have a 55mm lens in their gear bag, I find it wonderful in portrait situations along with lower light situations when you need a higher aperture. Plus, for $100 you can not beat this one for the value it gives you! BUY THIS LENS!!
Definitely a must for beginning photographers.  My only drawback is the bokeh.  I wish it was just a bit smoother.  Other than that, I love this little lens.  Does great in low light, has fast focus, is very light compared to my other lenses and is easy to travel around with.  I get some of my best shots using this lens.  I find the sharpest images come from f-stops between 2.5 and 4.0, usually I hover between 2.8 and 3.2.  When indoors I find myself using my speedlite when lighting is low, but near an open window I don't need to.  Someday when I can afford it, I will be upgrading to the f/1.4 version, but for now it works great.
What a great little lens for not a lot of money at all. You'll notice a huge difference in how your photos look if you're just using a stock lens. The one downfall of a lens like this is that it is not a zoom lens. It is a fixed 50mm lens. It is great for what we've been using it for, but a few of my friends complained when they wanted to use my camera and could not find a zoom... you sacrifice the zoom for the 1.8 full stop which gives you a larger aperture. Most zoom lenses have a range of full stop (the f value on the front of the lens) the larger the number, the smaller the aperture. This lens is totally worth the money they're asking for it.
For the price you can't beat the photos it gives you.  Using a fixed lens really made me work for my photos, why not.
Great lens for the beginner photographer. Inexpensive investment. great portrait lens with great bokah.  Great in low light. a must-have for the amatuer photographers.
Cheap lens, but high quality images! This bad boy will have your photos/video looking sleek and sexy with its great depth of field! The only set back is that there is no zoom and it always appears to be way closer to the subject, but its a cheaper lens. YOu get what you pay for, but in this case, you get a little bit more. AHHHH YEA
Excellent image quality. Much better results than a comparable Carl Zeiss I have. Gives razor sharp images even under very low light conditions
i use this more often if im doing a profile pic, individual or specific subject..nice lens to have as well
Bought this lens as an upgrade to the 'kit lens' on my Canon Eos T1i, which came with a 18-55mm IS lens. I'm an amateur photographer, but the difference in image quality between the lenses makes my photos look professional every time. It allows me to shoot with natural light and avoid the harsh light from the built-in flash (haven't bought my Speedlite yet), producing stunning portraits of my infant daughter. It's lightweight, can comfortably carry it all day with camera over-the-shoulder or in a sling bag. I mounted this lens the day I got it and I seldom switch back to the 18-55 mm unless I know I will be in bright light and may not be able to move my feet to compose my shot. It's available for under $100 on sale, and will be the best money you've spent since buying your digital SLR!
I still consider my photography skills to be very limited, so branching out and purchasing a new lens was a bit scary at first. I spent some time looking at different Canon lenses within the $100-$400 price range and  for some reason kept being led to this one.  I was amazed at how crisp and clear my images were.  I should mention that I rarely ever use flash... And this lens feels like it was made especially for natural lighting conditions.  So far I have used my new lens indoors with very low lighting, outdoors while overcast, and outdoors on a very sunny day (no flash in any of those settings) and my pictures come out AMAZING! I could not be more pleased with my purchase!!!
We bought this to take high quality pictures of our new baby during Christmas. I got some beautiful bokeh shots for our xmas card with this lens. This is a great investment for ametuers and a neccessary tool for your camera bag.
I absolutely love this lens! It takes amazingly crisp pictures! For the price, it is an amazing buy. I totally recommend it!
Great lens, great price, excellent pictures. Only flaw is I feel that it's a little loud when you're focusing. But for the price you can't expect complete perfection. The photos are amazing especially compared to the base lens that comes with my t2i. I love it because I'm not paying an arm and a leg when I'm just starting out with photography but the quality looks professional
This is a great lens!  I got it to go with my T3i instead of the kit lens.  It has a very low f number and takes beautiful photos!
This lens has only come off my camera body once or twice since I bought it almost two months ago!  I love it :  Definitely worth the easy $100.
This is a great lens for the price. I am an amateur photographer who had recently bought my first dslr - Canon T3i. I started with the kit lens and  55-250 zoom lens. They were fun, but weren't really capturing the crispness I wanted to see in photos. I bought this to add to my bag and was so glad I did! I barely take the other lenses out anymore and solely use this lens. They images are crisp and clear and as a newbie, this lens lets me concentrate more on framing my image and the settings in the camera instead of messing with the zoom the whole time. Get this lens, it's worth it.
As a photographer on a budget I bought this lens for $106 for my Canon Rebel XS. I use it for portrait photography for babies and weddings and I love it. The 1.4 would be better (especially in low light) but for $106 I can handle it. Paired with an external flash make it even better. I  use a Canon 270EX II and love the results.
Photography is my favorite hobby, so when I was in the market for a new lens to play around with my friend suggested this one. It's great. I love the pictures I get with it, and it's very easy to use.
This is a great lens.  I bought it because I wanted to take photos of my daughters.  This is was the perfect lens.I'm not a professional photographer, so I did not want to buy a very expensive lens before I know what its features mean.  This lens was close enough and verrrrrrrrrrry cheap, and it's Canon!It's my first non-zoom lense, and actually my first fast lens.  At f/1.8 I can take very clear shots at night or indoors without popping the flash out.  And the bokeh created by this lens is just great.The only thing with it, is that its body is made of plastic.  But it's working just fine.  Just don't drop it :-)I only wish there was a canon EF 30mm with an f/1.8 or 1.4, with a cheap price like this one.So, for 90$ with great photo results, I would recommend this to everyone who wants to take great portraits.  Also, for any amateur like myself to try a lens with such technical properties before they buy the expensive stuff!
Great lens despite the low cost,  does well in low light, focuses quick and is nice and sharp..  I have enough brands of lenses to know a good one when I experience it and this lens is a must have in your collection.
This lens is my first fast lens, and a bargain to boot.  I have been able to shoot handheld indoors, handheld with just ambient lighting, all to outstanding results.  The f/1.8 aperture allows for some great low light shooting and extremely shallow DOF.  For less than $80 all Canon owners should have one (unless they've already opted for the 50mm f/1.4)  I will be looking to Canon soon for a 70-200L lens, but this one certainly will cover the "normal" length for me.  Build quality seems good, it IS plastic anyway, so it will feel "plasticky".Extremely light, small, and fast, you can't go wrong with this lens.
This is a great way to experiment with a Macro lense. the price is right and it is easy to use. took some time to get used to the fixed focal aspect. but for close up and portrait shots i am very please. will work with this lense for a while prior to upgrading. Great lense at the right price to test the Macro experience.
I won't go into all the details that have been covered in other reviews.  I simply wanted to share my experience of having used this lens for over three and a half years. Yes, the build quality on this item is almost entirely plastic.  It feels like a cheap, horrible, budget lens. However, the beauty of this lens is that it captures absolutely stunning pictures. It is super fast, super sharp, and super cheap.  You simply can't approach the quality of the pictures you will capture with this lens using anything else in this price range.  Period. I agree, the lens definitely feels less than sturdy, but I have used mine for three and a half years without ANY problems.  Even if I had to replace it now, I'd likely re-buy the same lens for another go as the closest lens to this (performance wise) costs three or four times what this little beauty does, IE theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens.  If you're considering this lens and don't want to drop $400 on a lens, don't hesitate.  It is worth every penny and then some.  (Of course, if you're comfortable with the $400 price range, the lens I just referred to is an absolute beauty that's built like a tank.  Whether it's worth the extra $300 to trade up, is ultimately up to you.)
I love this lens and use it all the time for natural light portraits. I would definitely recommend purchasing this lens!
I am new to the DSLR group but I understand the technical babel when it comes to good lenses, I know that there are better lenses out there, without a doubt, but when I got this for around $80 I just cant complain when I look at my pictures. They are very sharp, the color is not perfect but I just post process that anyway. Eventually I will get the more expensive 1.4 lens, but for now this is plenty of lens for my portraits. I would recommend this lens in a heart beat.Pros:Good color reproductionGood picture qualityinexpensivelightSharpDoes exactly what you by it forCons:No zoom capabilityBuild quality is okColor could be better
Nifty fifty alright!I do this just for fun, I am by no means a photo pro, so when I was recommended to buy this lens after getting the T2i I tought to myself "Should I realy buy the cheapest lens Canon makes?!? Would it make any difference?"YEAH! If you like taking portrait pictures of your loveones, this would be the best investment in equipment you've made. I was shocked by the difference this little thing delivers compared to the few "non-L" lenses I own. I can't believe the price, it must be a marketing gimmick by Canon to get people hooked. At this price there should be absolutely no excuse not to own this lens.
This is honestly the best lens in existence. It's super affordable, and with an aperture as fast as this it makes for some great low-light shots. This lens is perfect for just about everything, and I've found that it stays on my camera more than any other lens.
It's a $70 lens.  It's not supposed to be heavy, or metal.  In fact, my other kit lenses are also plastic.  No big deal.This is a good lens for indoor portraits for natural lighting, but at low light / wide aperature you'll have fun focusing.  Depth of field is extremely short at f/1.8, which is both good and bad -- great shots, but tricky to focus.If you even sorta think you'd like it, go for it; $70 is a drop in teh bucket on a $500+ body.
After reading about this lens from some time and looking at tons of photos taken with it, I finally decided to purchase one. I can only say that I wish I had done so much much sooner.I wish I could go back and re-photograph everyone I've ever worked with.To say that I love this lens would be an understatement.Cheers :)
Just an amazing lens. Works awesome on my 70D . The AF motor is loud so be prepared for it.
its badass. 1.8 kills it in a good way. great for a portrait semi close lens. cant beat the price.
It works for me. :) I may eventually get much better lenses when it's time to upgrade my camera. But for now, I am pretty happy with my nifty fifty.
Yet another positive review for this lovely lens. This was the first lens I bought to switch with the kit lens. I still can't believe the great quality I'm getting for &lt;$80. It's insane. The DOF is shallow if you want it to be. If you don't, then change your settings to see just how sharp your entire frame can be. Unless you have the extra $300 for the 50mm f1.2 (I forget if it's 1.2 or 1.4), just buy this thing. It's fantastic for portraits, food, flowers, day to day snapshots... those are things I use it for most often.
Best Canon lens for the price. It is a steal at $50. The 1.8 F stop lets you get some great depth of field effects on both still pictures and video.
This a great little prime lens.  Let's be serious...it's not L lens, but still does a great job.  Picture quality is crisp and nice.  The construction of the lens is plastic, so it's a little dinky.  But still takes great photos!
This lens is a really great deal for the price. It took some getting used to with the fixed focal length, but it's a great way to learn things about the camera, like how f-stop really works in regards to lighting and distance shots.  I had never really used manual mode with the stock lens much, but this one taught me a lot about how good it can be (especially when you don't want to use flash to ruin a good picture).
You can't buy a better lens for the price. It takes some really nice pictures. The f1.8 allows you to take a great portrait shot with a buttery background for that professional look. If you've never used one before it will only take a few shots to get the hang of it. The biggest problem I have is I'll get the front half of a face in focus and the rest from the ears back is out of focus. A quick F stop change in the camera and that's all squared away.
I bought this lens because I was having trouble getting quality pictures in low light settings... and this was exactly the solution I needed.  The wide aperture draws in more light at a slower shutter speed, picking up details my other, more expensive lenses couldn't capture.  It is absolutely perfect for portraits!As most everyone else has stated, the body of this lens is plastic and feels pretty cheap, but considering the great price, it is more than worth every penny spend.I would highly, highly recommend this lens!
For the price there is no better lens value for your Canon camera.  Lens purchased for portraits but happened to use it for flower shots at a botanical garden and pop!  Colors are great.  Clarity you can brag about.  Been snapping shots with this lens for a month and have yet to take a bad one.  Even in low light, indoor conditions.
It's a must have when I took classes.  I don't use it as much now, but glad I have it when I need a trustworthy clear high quality lens that doesn't zoom.
This is more tuned towards the professional, however I feel it's good to add my 2 cents, esp. when there are reviews comparing the 1.4 to this - 1.8Some basics first - 1.4 is much costlier than 1.8 about 5 to 7 times.Next, lens constuction is 7/6 for 1.4 and 6/5 for 1.8 (elements/group). I'll cover the importance of this later.Build quality - 1.4 is way above in terms of build quality.IMPORTANT difference - 1.8 doesn't have manual focusing, 1.4 - yes.- wide-open apertures, vignetting is more marked in 1.8.- The color-tone in 1.4 is slightly better than 1.8- Bokeh is much more visually appealing than 1.8.Basically, in when using DOF to an advantage to highlight the focus-point, 1.4 produces much more visually applealing photos as the color tone of the out-of-focus regions are more appealing and the bokeh is also more rounded than it's sibling - 1.8 (primarily due to the larger number of lens elements)If you're primarily buying your FIRST prime lens and you wish to LEARN to use it without much attention to detail of the photograph (from a professional perspective as a possible seller photo) then I would recommend to first buy a 1.8 - learn to use it, get exposure/composition/etc. correct and then buy 1.4 or even better the BEST lens in the world of CANON - the famous L-series 1.2 (about 1200$)
With the amount of light these lenses let in it is very easy to take nice pictures at night and the 50mm range is very good for portrait. It gives you the right depth of field to focus on peoples faces and nothing else. Everyone with an SRL should have a fixed lens on that range
Not so sure I love this lens.I think it was a waste of  money.:(  I do not see that it works as well as I thought it would - from all of the videos that I watched specifically on this lens.
This was purchased by me as a birthday gift for my daughter-in-law.  She put it on her camera right away and used it immediately.  She was so excited and very pleased.  She absolutely loves it.
I bought the 50mm for my T1i. It takes very good indoor pics compared to the stock 28-55mm lens. The best shots are in manual mode on the camera compared to the full-auto. Yes the lens is light and plasticky so handle with care.
I would recommend this lens for anyone who does not have this invaluable lens in their kit or go bag.Best portrait lens that Canon ever made in my opinion. With an F-stop of 1.8 you can NOT go wrong. This seller's price was very well/fair too.Can't say enough how often I've used this lens on tripod portrait shots!
I use this lens mostly for low light situations and it does the job well. The only drawback that I have found is that I have to get used to the fact that it isn't a zoom or wide angle lens and it forces me to be a bit more creative in my shots (not a bad thing!). Obviously not a good lens for tight or close-in situations where you have no room to back up to fully frame your subject.
Couldnt ask for more. Rediculous increase in low light image quality when using this lens. Makes your photos look like more professional right out of the box. The bokeh is rediculous with this lens. Absolutely love it! I just wish that canon had a whole line of lenses that were this cheap, yet still at this build quality.
The thrifty fifty is a great lens that gives you so much value for around 100 dollars. 1.8 apature is perfect for low light and great Bokah in pictures.
I purchased this lens from my local Best Buy for $110. I think a 50mm prime is pretty much necessary for any portrait photographer's collection, and an 85mm too if you can get one. I have an Olympus E-500, a Nikon D5100, and a Canon 6D (I'll be converting to all Canon soon enough; I think I found my love with the 6D) and I have an EXTENSIVE collection of lenses for all 3. I have also bought and sold many lenses so that I could find and keep the ones I really love. I read all the great reviews on this lens- on Amazon, on Ken Rockwell's site, and a few other photography sites. Let me start by saying that the photos taken by this lens are indeed tack-sharp. They can be beautiful. That said, it is VERY loud, and much slower than I'd expect ANY f/1.8 lens to be. I have f/4 lenses that are faster than this one. It does remind me a lot of the highly-regarded Olympus 50mm f/2 macro in both of those respects: that one is also loud and slow but take amazingly stunning, tack-sharp photos as well.This lens is good for a beginner or budget photographer, but I would rethink it if you plan to shoot newborns (many of them stir easily and I think the loud sound of this lens might make them restless.) I shot with this lens for about a week before I decided that it just wasn't my cup of tea and took it back. I am instead ordering the 50mm f/1.4, which I hope to like better. I also own the 85mm f/1.8, which I ADORE, but the long focal length makes it not-so-ideal for indoor photography.Another comparison, on that note, is that the 85mm f/1.8 performs MUCH better in low light than this one does, which I find curious since they are both f/1.8 lenses. Perhaps a little more research on my part would explain why, but it is sort of irrelevant to me. All I know is  that the photos taken using the 85mm in low light are for more beautiful and crisp with perfect color and saturation than the ones taken with this lens (same day, same room, same light, same subjects).One last thing- out of every lens I have ever owned, this one has the cheapest, most plasticky feel. It doesn't feel even a *little* durable.Just my $0.02 :)
This is a good low light lens. It is plastic and does not have IS but it's not expected to for this price. I mean its practically a disposable lens. I wouldn't even consider putting a lens filter on it either. If it gets damaged buy a new one. The lens filter would do more to distort the picture than protect the lens.
Loved the price and love the photos I am getting, any issues I would have with it are due to operator error and it is teaching me to take better photos of my boys.  I just adore this lens, I was iffy at first but the more I use it, the more I love it.
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is the best lens in its price range. Usually when you buy a lower end lens you sacrifice build quality and optics for the function of the lens. Example. The Canon 75-300 f/4 II will get you the zoom you need but fails to deliver sharp images when zoomed in, because of lower quality optics. With the Canon 50mm f/1.8 you do sacrifice build quality, however, it's optical performance and ability to have a depth of field as shallow as f/1.8 makes up for its plastic, toy like construction. As well, who can argue its quality when it's only a $100? I have had this lens for a couple years now and have been completely satisfied with the pictures it can take since day one. For its price, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with this lens regardless what type of photographer you are.
So, overall this is a great lens.  I have two complaints though.  1. There has got to be some way to make the AF a little quieter. 2) There was a very large dirt/unknown object on the INSIDE of the aft lens.  I understand that this is a $100 lens, but COMEON QC!  As previous raters have stated, this is made almost entirely out of plastic - eh...  I am sure that once I exchange this lens (I can't deal with the dirt), I will be totally happy with my purchase.BTW:  If it was not stated in the product details - the diameter is 52 (reference purchasing filters).
Spectacular! You can see every detail. It is a set lens, you can move closer or further away but the lens does not zoom in or out. 50 mm...
Truly "good" lenses start at $400, so you should probably know what to expect when buying a $100 lens. It's not going to be perfect, but this is a great performer for the price.Image quality (sharpness, lack of chromatic aberration etc.) is totally acceptable under good lighting and subject conditions. Under less than ideal conditions (wide dynamic range, high contract subjects etc), it doesn't fare quite as well, but that should be expected from a lens at this price.My biggest complaints? It feels cheap and light, almost toy-like, and consists of mostly plastic construction. Also, you can't help but notice how loud the autofocus is, it kind of took me by surprise at first. But again, for the price you expect such things!Bottom line - this is a great "starter" lens, the price/performance simply cannot be beat.
I originally left a very favorable review, but I was forced to revise my opinions. After minimal use, dust has already appeared INSIDE the surface of the lens. There's no way to clean it off. (I always use both end caps when the lens is not mounted.) I can only think the cause is poor weather sealing.Great pictures and glass, but the cheap cost means a cheap build quality, no USM, and a 5 blade aperture.
I'm just starting to get into the photography thing. I bought a Canon DSLR a year ago.when my child was born to get some better quality photos and was bit on the A## by the photo bug. My experience is obviously limited but I was very impressed with this lens right away, and at such a great price! The small aperature makes great bokeh and the detail is amazing. Honestly you can see a huge difference from the kit lens. It takes a lil getting use to the fixed focal distance but I think the challenge is good. I wish they had maybe a 35mm at this price. It's a plastic housing, so no it doesn't feel high quality. But I'm not a freakin snob, or a pro, and just wanted better quality photos. If your an amateur like me, buy this lens, you won't be disappointed. I love it soo much I rarely use my kit lens anymore.
IT works perfect in my canon TI3 and it does make the little noise but it has never gotten stuck (thank God) I just started taking pictures and it has helped me to get better at it.
This is a lens that I use to do headshots with. It's the perfect one for it, because it gives a very nice close-up view, and blurs everything in the background.
I just purchased my first DSLR and it did not take me long to realize that with a brand new shiny SLR, I'd need some brand new shiny lenses. This was a perfect first non-kit lens purchase. With the wide aperture it produces great shots, though it takes a little while getting used to shooting such a cropped area.The build quality isn't wonderful, the plastic casing feels fairly easy to break, but what is to be expected with a ~$100 lens? I love it.
Let me start by echoing just about any review you'll ever read, in fact my whole review does this, and say "For the money, this lens is worth it." It's pretty sharp, fast and produces a nice picture.Now for why I hate it...I feel like it was built out of Legos or plastic parts out of the bottom of many cracker jack boxes. It produces errors that require me to remove it from the camera and reset it frequently, usually when the shot is most important. Be wary that this lens does know the difference between an "important shot" and a picture of your cat and will act up accordingly as revenge on you.The mechanics are clunky and noisy, because it's made out of garbage plastic. It has hard clicks when it locks all the way to one side of the  focus ring and when moving sounds like a little kid on a big wheel coming after you.There's a lot of people who don't like to spend a lot of money on photography equipment and even the thought of an $80 lens seems a bit absurd to them. For those people I will always recommend this lens. In this case you definitely get what you pay for, but you get a little more. It's made like crap, it's not pretty, but the results are usually good and hard to beat for the price. I'd go out on a limb and say no lens in the same price range could produce the same quality pictures.However, if you're wavering back and forth between this and the F/1.4, for a few hundred more, do yourself a big favor and spend the extra money if you have it.
I bought this several months ago for indoor dance photos. Works amazingly well for the price. The only thing that I get frustrated with is the focus, if it wants to do it at all. But for $100? C'mon! It's great for a neophyte like myself.
This lenses is the best bang for the buck in the Canon family!! I own the 18-55, and the 55-250 both IS, and find myself glued to this lenses! I am a beginner so that might have something to do with it, but I ABSOLUTELY love this lenses!! If Canon included this lenses with the T3i, there would be no need to purchase more lenses! Yeah, it's that good!!
this lens with no canon markings on it would make you think that it isn't, but it has Canon's name on it.Mine is made in Malaysia, the body is plastic, the focusing ring is very small and AF makes a lot of noise, not good for weddings in the church.For students and people who want to learn photography, this might be a good lens for you since its sharpness is just great, but if you're willing to spend more for the 1.4 or 1.2 F lenses, they offer more quality but for more money as well.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mark I metal mount EOS is not available anymore, this one has the metal mount and a range indicator too that came with the Canon's 1 series.Try looking around, this might also be a good lens for you if you happen to find one.
I wanted a fast lens, compared to the ones which I purchased with my Canon 2i, but I wasn't prepared to spend the money for an L series lens.  For my needs, this lens fills the bill.  More &#34;tele&#34; than I would have liked (a 35 mm would have been ideal) but the price was right.
As I'm used to using zoom lenses, this lens took some getting used to. Now that I have figuredit out, it's my favorite lens. It's not as overwhelming as my other lenses. There are less variables so you can concentrate on less details. I haven't even picked up my other lenses, or my external flash, since I received the 50mm.  It does take some getting used to since it doesn't zoom. You have to move around more.
I was very skeptical about all the raving reviews for this lens. At a price point of around $120 I thought there was know way it would be any count. However, I really needed a low apature lens for an indoor event, and this lens was just amazing. I ended up also using this lens for a senior portrait session. For this the F1.8 was provided just a little too much depth of field for my taste, but after increasing to F4.0 the pictures came out very sharp, and my customer was very happy. There's something about this lens that makes me want to keep it on my camera more than my 24-105L.
This is a great lens at a great price.I bought it to use in my home studio for newborn and head shots.While getting great detail and shallow DOF, It's easy to get a nice bokeh background.
This lens is still pretty new to me, but I have a good idea what I think about it; I just won't be able to comment on its durability.I especially dig how small and light it is compared to my zooms (24-105 L and a 70-300 IS). On a 5D, the focal length is very useful and it takes sharp pics. I won't often use it wide open, but at f1.8, it's plenty fast. And the price is pretty good, too.The immediate downsides are the 5 blade aperture (pentagon highlights) and lack of a distance scale. I don't know, yet, if the plastic construction wil be an issue for me, though I do not often break things. It will probably work for me.
The housing is plastic but it is a F/1.8 50mm lens and the quality of my images are fine. People say the auto focus is loud but I almost always use manual focus. I've used auto focus a few times and I can't remember hearing anything out of the ordinary.The only thing I can think of that might be a con is that the lens cap is a 52mm instead of a 58mm, so I have a separate lens cap for this and I have to use an adapter for attachments.
There is a allot of hype regarding lens i.m.h.o. some of my best pictures, I have taken with this lens and with digital conversion 1.6 on xt rebel OR 20D it's around 80mm great for portraits, very light and sharp, I also bought a canon rebel film camera $100 with this lens for $70 you are off to taking great pictures for very little money !The EF 50mm F/1.4 is nicer optically, well built, with nicer bokeh but It costs almost four times more though. If money is no object than by all means go for that.
I'm new to photography and I purchase this to take snaps of my 10 months old baby. and i'm amazed with the kind of quality and variations in shots i can take. i'm still exploring, but i would say this is a must for all new comers and specially if you've kids and you want great shots.
bought this for making interviews. the lens is excellent, works perfectly for my canon t1 and my sony nex vg10.i recommend it a lot!
I bought this for my wife as she is just getting started in her new photography hobby.  She has noted that this lens is a great addition to her limited arsenal.  It does exactly what she expected it to, and has given her a new dimension to her hobby.
of course its not the quality of a 1.4 but it really does the job. its one of my favorite lenses! focuses and blurs the background, great for filming also! this is a must especially for beginners!
I bought this for my youngest daughter, she seems to like it, but as with most photo equipment, this was a bit pricey.  But, as long as she liked it, What else matters?
I've had this lens for about a week now and it pretty much is going to stay on my Rebel XSi with the exception of my 70-200mm "L" lens. The bokeh is smooth which you can see by some of the pictures I've uploaded.It also works well for Astrophotography. I've used it to shoot the Horsehead Nebula and once we get a non-moonlit night I'm going to use it to shoot the Milky Way. I've gotten the Milky Way with the kit lens but I have a feeling this lens is going to be way better.The one and only thing I've noticed is that sometimes it hunts for Autofocus but I'm certain that's more me just getting used to the limitations of the lens pertaining to distance (too close to the subject).In any case,  just order it, it's easily one of Canon's better lenses. I would suggest that you get the hood with it, I did and found out that it really helps with glare when the light source is too the side
I bought my first DSLR with one intention: to take better photographs of the events we stage at my job. The photos that would be regularly uploaded to our website as example of our work were typically taken by someone with an camera phone and, quite frankly, were a little embarrassing.Of course once I actually had it in my possession, I started learning more and more about photography, but never really had a genuine interest. On a recent event, I started chatting with the official event photographer and she told me to get a &#34;nifty-fifty&#34; for my 60D and just start shooting everything, and that I would fall in love. I told her that I just didn't think I had that kind of eye, so she reached in her bag and handed me her 50mm f/1.8 and told me to just try it.I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life. Since I'd been shooting with only the EF-S kit lens, I had no idea what I was missing. The combination of a very sharp and very fast lens just changed my entire perspective on photography. I shot over 600 photos that day with her 50mm, and I've shot another 1,500 with my own after she told me the lens was only $100.I think if Canon put this lens on all their demo models in the stores they'd sell a lot more DSLR's.
will recommend to my entire family. this was a gift for my son on his birthday, he is an avid photographer. he was extremely happy with this lens.
This is a wonderful bargain lens. You can't go wrong with this one. It is plastic but the glass is superb! I love it and use it a lot. I is great for low light.
I started off with the Canon 50 1.8 on a T2i as my first DSLR kit.  After moving onto a 5D Mark III last year, I upgraded to the Canon 50 1.4, and more recently I upgraded to the Canon 50 1.2L - see my review for that here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R832T1XMHVJJ7/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN;=B000I1YIDQ&linkCode;=&nodeID;=&tag;=.  Because I've never personally used the Sigma, I can only testify to it on the basis of the many reviews I've read on message boards.  I'll assume that you know most about this lens already from your research so the question I'll aim to answer is whether or not paying more is worth your while.The 50 1.8 has amazing value to it coming in at $100.  The next step up requires about $250 more of your money, but here are the reasons why I believe the Canon 1.4 is worth the extra dough:1) better image quality - no more pentagon shaped bokeh balls2) ultrasound motor is silent and not distracting - the 1.8 motor sounds like a loud mosquito when focusing, potentially distracting your subject(s)3) you get a distance scale and real time manual focus adjustment - like a real lens4) the build is much better - it doesn't feel like a toyHere is why going to the Sigma 50 1.4 for about $400 is worth it:1) incredible image quality, sharp wide open, better than Canon 1.4, some say it holds it own against the 1.2L, but I'll have to respectfully disagree....and that appears to be it. People complain about Sigma's poor autofocus reliability so that makes me think twice about getting it since I do mostly action shots.I think it's fair to say that for these three lenses, you get what you pay for.  The Canon 50 1.8 is unbeatable for the price, but like most things, cheap isn't always good.  The image quality is better than say a kit zoom lens, and you get a nice wide maximum aperture, but compared to some of the other kids, it's not very impressive apart from the bargain price.
I had been using kit lenses prior to getting this primary lens, and I was recommended to start out with this one, and I am glad I listened. For the price, you can't beat the quality. I don't notice it being too &#34;cheap&#34; feeling as some other reviewers stated, but it's less bulky and I can't see myself dropping it versus my telephoto lens which is a bit heavier and bulkier.I love the sharpness this camera has and comparing it to my kit 18-55mm lens, it focuses a lot better and works well for portraits.
This lens produces a crystal clear image and yet has a very shallow Depth of field at F 1.8. The lens has many creative possibilites in isolating your subject from the background. Not really a portrait lens, but would work well with small groups or outdoor people shots. Obviously fast lens has a real benefit in doors under low light conditions. The lens has a 52mm thread size, which in my case was very valuable since I have quite a few filters from an older film camera. As other reviewers have noted, this is not a metal lens, but unless you are unusually rough with your camera the lens should last for several years. The lens is also easy on the budget, since the heavier metal lens from canon costs about $380. It is unusual to see so many people a speciality item and be happy with it, so the lens has been field tested by consumers under a wide variety of circumstances. I would definately recomend this lens to a potential buyer.
I bought mine used and it came with a Lens protector and lens hood. nifty little lens. I enjoy it. awesome portrait work.
I did not expect such a low price on such a great lens. This little lens at f/4 will amaze you. Light gathering like you won`t believe. I shot pictures in late evening with 1000 shutter speed at f/15 with ease. Clarity and depth of field is also great. I suggest anyone looking for a first prime to purchase this one. Truely a great addition to any camera bag. Used on Canon T2i EOS Rebel.
If you are going to buy just one lens, get this one. It is a great learning tool because it teaches you how to compose your shot. No need for a zoom, thats why you have feet! Bought from Celltime and it was shipped fast and packaged very well. Don't worry about people saying this lens is cheap and made of plastic. As long as you don't drop it, it will last you forever.
I like the lens and I'd buy it again but I don't know why it didn't come with the typical 1 year warranty card that most lenses (such a my 55-250mm do). I am always uncomfortable when I don't get a warranty for something because it usually ends up breaking with my luck. Anyway fingers crossed and knock on wood and all that, if whoever I bought this from sees this could you perhaps mail me my warranty card?
I love this lens.  It is now my go to lens.  I use this lens for everything.  I am enjoying using it.
i like the DOF when the subject is away from the background a little. it makes the subject stand out more and the background merely that.. a background. The issue however is even in auto focus if you are taking pictures of foliage you get your focus set on where you want it and a gust of wind comes just as you snap and you look and it looks like it just raced by.. not really the lens' fault but still.. it's not fast enough for those types of things.i picked up a 1.4 lens as well and awaiting the lens to do a comparison on if this one will suffice or is it worth the extra couple hundred to go for the other one.
I bought the 50mm f/1.8 lens was the first lens I picked up when I bought my first DSLR, the Canon XTi, back in 2006.  I was a beginner who had saved my pennies for quite some time to invest in a fancy camera.  The entry level body was all I could afford, but I had done my homework and knew that the kit lens was supposed to be a glorified paperweight.  I wanted something else instead, but I didn't have a lot of money to drop on a lens.  I read a ton of reviews and determined that this little lens was the best possible choice.I remember picking this up for about $80 and the gentleman who sold it to me called it Canon's "fantastic plastic" lens.  The build of the lens resembles that of a toy more than a piece of high-grade camera equipment.  It is VERY lightweight and the plastic body is definitely more delicate than the average Canon lens.  This makes it great for carrying around in your camera bag, but you must take some care when you have it out and about.  I've never dropped mine, but I can imagine that this lens would be destroyed if it fell on a hard surface from a height of three feet or more.It is a fixed length lens, so you're losing some of the flexibility of using a zoom lens.  In my opinion, though, prime (fixed) lenses are superior to zooms.  They tend to produce sharper photographs and I think they teach the photographer to work better with the space they have when they are composing a photograph.  I've always thought that zoom lenses make for lazy photographers, although there are obviously exceptions to that rule.I love this because of the f/1.8 wide aperture.  I was doing a lot of photography in small, dark music venues of live music performances.  Concert photography is difficult to begin with, but I was getting great shots shooting with this lens wide open with a shutter speed of 1/60.  This lens is perfect for low-light photography.It is not a completely silent lens, though, when you're enabling autofocus and the focus ring "creaks" a little bit when it is focusing.  95% of the time it isn't loud enough to bother anyone, but in a very quiet setting where the photographer is trying to be inconspicuous, this may pose a problem.  It is something to take into consideration.The only reason a photographer should not have this lens in his or her kit is if they have upgraded to the 50mm f/1.4 or the 50mm f/1.2 L.  I think a 50mm focus length is the most versatile walkaround lens available.  You'll be shocked at the color balance and the sharpness of the photographs you make, right out of the camera.  Just stunning.  Especially when you consider that this is the cheapest lens in the Canon line.For amateurs and professionals alike, this is a great choice when picking out a Canon lens.
Perfect portrait lens, and affordable for beginners. If you're looking for a lens that will give nice bokeh backgrounds, this is it!
This lens provides the best bang for your buck!  The build quality is average, but optically it's a dream!  The images that this lens produces is almost L quality.  Not to mention having f1.8 on such a cheap lens.  I've owned 2 of these so far (the first died when it fell out of my bag), and if my 2nd ever dies, I'll buy another!  It's great for both beginners and pros!
Amazing in low light, not the best I have to admit, but better than the kit lens. Nice Bokeh. Others say the build quality feels cheap but I don't think this is a big issue, considering I take very good care of my camera equipment. It goes great with my Canon Rebel T2i. Oh and also,on APSC sensored cameras like the Rebel series, 7D, and 60D, this 50mm lens acts more like an 80mm due to the 1.6x crop and is perfect for portraits. Overall, This is the best $100 you'll ever spend on a Canon lens. I GUARANTEE it! I recommend any beginner start with this lens.
I read the reviews and bought this lens.  They were quite accurate.  It takes GREAT pictures AND is also fragile.  I went to a wedding recently and was told not to use a flash during the ceremony (using ISO 400).  I used this lens with my Canon digital SLR and got many great, clear shots of the ceremony without using a flash.  I could never have done that with my other lenses.  While changing lenses, this small 50 mm lens slipped out of my hand and dropped only about 18 inches and hit the carpeted church floor.  It broke in half (the entire inner portion of the lens broke out).  I immediately thought of the other reviews (LOL).  I did get another one because I like it so much.  I suggest you buy it, but DON'T bump it!
I have read the reviews about the housing being plastic.  This isnt a problem as long as you dont plan on playing catch with the thing.  I mean come on for the price it is well worth it for the picture hobbyist. Yes if you are the professional photographer then you probably can afford a $300 lens.  Does exactly what you need it to do.  Thanks Canon for making an affordable excellent quality 50mm lens for us po-folk.
I can't figure out why Canon made this so good for so cheap, compared to its other offerings, but that is what has happened.Bottom line ... this is a portrait and moderate distance lens needing lots of indoor space for group shots on an APS-C EOS body.  Outdoors, you can distance yourself as needed.  In either case, the results are knock-down gorgeous where the f/1.8 aperture really opens up the capability of your Rebel, et. al. If all you have used to date is the EOS kit lens, this one will cause you to pucker in delight.Some folk claim to use this as a walk-around, single lens, but that's got to work a body silly trying to get the right range in what equates to an 80mm film camera lens on an APS-C EOS body. For an EOS 35mm film camera, it's probably dead on perfect for walk-a-round. In either case, you should eventually own this lens. The housing is cheap, but with care it will last just fine.
I have had this lens and have used it maybe 2x, the lens will not focus, makes clicking noises... I absolutely hate it!
Came on time. almost like new. gave a free uv lens with it! super awesome lens, love the 50mm f/1,8 crisp and sharp. a must have lens.
Every Canon SLR owner should have this lens.  I can't put down my camera ever since I've gotten it.  Don't let the price, plastic body, or rickety focusing motor fool you this is a serious lens and can make you feel like a professional.  50mm with a digital SLR is tough but you get used to it after about 10 minutes (just give yourself plenty of room).Very happy with this lens!  Wish I could find more of this quality at this price!!
I regret one thing only that I spend to much time reading about it before i bought it. If you still don't have one until now stop reading reviews and buy it now, you will not regret it, if you do I will live with your mother in low for a year.
This little guy is a must for every camera bag.  The price is spot on and the quality is decent.Pros: Cheap, zippy focus, did I mention cheap.Cons: at this price none.
-Plastic-Super sharp after f4.0, attempt f1.8 at YOUR OWN RISK-Small/stubby-Too long on crop body (unfortunately 99.999% of people who bought this lens probably don't own full frame body)-Cheap-Fun to play for a short time-Not that expensive even after you're bored with its initial awesomeness
This has been said before, but this lens is the BEST starting place for any photographer. You cannot ask for a better combination of performance and cost, and you will not find one anywhere else down the line. I no longer use this Nifty Fifty, but it was my starting place, and held its value excellently when I eventually sold it to afford an upgraded replacement.This is the lens I recommend to every newcomer to the SLR scene.
I bought the Canon T3i body and this lens instead of the standard one that comes in the kit. Lets a lot of light in and gives you a great shallow depth of field look that really makes for excellent shots.
Does what it is supposed to do with no drama. Great utility lens for the price. If you need one, this is the way to go.
I love this lens, it takes great pictures but is plastic. If you are careful with it then it should last a while. It's a wonderful lens for newborn photography.
Unfortunately, there is lint inside the lens. As you know that is a bad thing - making photos unclear. The only way to repair this is to take it to a camera shop and have them rebuild it. We will be returning it.
gives you F1.8  for around $100  feels slightly plastic cheap  but seems to work well.  weight is good, clarity and bocha are nice
This is my favorite lense to use. I use it for video (which is a lot of manual focusing all the time) but still really great shots. Takes a bit to auto focus for photos.
This lens has been a nice addition to our digital SLR as it has allowed us to take better portraits and work with light in ways the included lens was not able to.  No problems.
Great Value! Very satisfied. This lens has treated us very well over the years and you can't beat it for the price.
I'm not going to get into the technical details & review of this lens (you can find that all over the place). I am just going to add that it was the best $100 I have ever spent in photography.  I wish I hadn't waited so long to buy it!  I have been very happy with this purchase.
This is a must have for your first lens.  At slightly over $100, this is cheap for a prime lens that will allow you to be creative with your shots.  On a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length is about 80mm which is a short-tele prime.  Though the auto-focus is a little noisy, but the lens is only $100.
I sold my 50mm F1.4 and bought this because I didn't think there was a big difference between them. Honestly, there isn't. Unless you are a pro that shoots with the 1.4 every day then you probably won't be able to tell the difference in picture quality. The build quality is less to be sure, but not any worse than their kit lenses that come with the Rebel series cameras. Also, it doesn't have the USM motor, but it's still faster than most aftermarket brand focusing motors it seems. Get this lens, you won't regret it.
A 50mm is a great Prime lens for general photography. Aperture is fine for a value lens. This is exactly as advertised.
There have been many reviews written on the technical details of this lens. If you were like me, you got really caught up in the Canon stabilized lenses, which are great and I am glad for every one I purchased. But if you want to take some awesome portraits and the like, this lens is incredible for the price. It will change your appreciation for the camera and the quality and detail that is possible, w/o breaking the bank.
After reading others' reviews of this lens, the purchase seemed an obvious 'do it'.  Why? Because of the picture quality obtained from a lens that costs little more than about $150.00.  But yes, it's made of plastic and if you drop it, it may come apart.  But so what?  Buy another one.It's a fine lens for the money.
Dollar of dollar, best lens for the money you pay.  What a great buy!  I love it!
for amateurs, this is a very nice lens to have.  it's cheap and very sharp stopped down below f/2.  If you can afford it, though, get the 50mm f/1.4.  the images from the 1.4 are slightly better, but the thing that really sets it apart is the focusing.  the 1.4 has USM focusing while this one does not.  this lens takes forever to focus in low light and intense light.  sometimes I can't get it to lock on at all and I have to manual focus.  even then some times I can't get it to confirm that I'm in focus.
I've had my dSLR for a couple of years now. In addition to the kit lens, I bought a third party 18-55 mm 2.8f lens.  That lens has served me well, but my kids have events like induction ceremonies in dark auditoriums where a flash is impractical. For a long time I've been deciding whether or not to buy this very inexpensive lens or the next one up at more than twice the price.I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger on this lens.  It's functional.  It works.  The speed is amazing allowing me to take images in light that is ridiculously low.  The fixed length makes it hard to get a wide angle if you're up too close.  So, you have to physically position yourself far enough away from your subject.At the price, get it.  You can't go wrong.  It's not the sturdiest build, but if it breaks in a couple of years, I've only spent $100.  Well worth it.
I have a ton of fun with this lens with my canon. Great bokeh and wonderful portraits. Highly recommended to anyone trying to get away from the kit lens without spending an arm and a leg!
I love this lens. I'm a beginner so I don't know too many specs and all that.... but for me it's been great. It takes such crisp pictures, and the backgrounds are so creamy. It's a dream. It is rather loud(compared to my other lenses) when you have it on auto-focus but you get over that. The 1.8 is so nice. It takes a bit to get used to but well worth the time. I love love love it. It fell off a cliff while hiking, hit some rocks on the way down and still survived. Can't beat that!
okay i would like to do a full spec review on the lens but im sure one of the thousand reviews have covered it so im just gonna tell you that the lens is amazing takes beautiful photos if your just using the kit lens which im sure alot of you are this one is a need to have item you know before you upgrade to more of the expensive lens also this makes low light videos look equally amazing so all in all its a must have especially for beginners! so if your reading this and wondering if you should get it the answer is YES!!!! YouTube also has alot of reviews on the lens if you dont feel like reading all these book long reviews on here :D
For 70 bucks you really cant beat this lens even if it was to break after 6 months it would still be money well spent for the shots I got.
I received this lens yesterday and have already taken 300 pictures or so with it--I got it for the low aperture at a great price.  It does a great job of blurring out the background for portraits and the color is outstanding.  I am a beginner photographer who enjoys taking pictures of my kids mostly, and this does a tremendous job.  After my kit lens, this is a great improvement, but be ready to move with this lens as you can't really zoom in or out with it (not really a problem with kids running around anyway).  It is a little loud and the auto focus can be a little slow (harder to get a fast moving subject), but the results can be fantastic.  I have a feeling this one will be my go-to lens.
I wanted an affordable lens that would provide me with a very shallow depth of field and also handle low light without a flash. This lens at f/1.8 is great for what I need. The manual focus feels very similiar to the 18mm-55mm kit lens that typically is bundled with Canon's DSLRs. It'll definitely come in handy when I start shooting portraits in my photography class this semester!
I purchased this lens in October of 2011 and it's still in good condition. I read reviews about it getting stuck, but I haven't had that problem. It comes off with ease on Rebel T3, but is a little stiff on Rebel T3i.This was my first prime lens and I was blown away by the quality of the pictures. But remember their is no zoom on a prime lens, so be prepared to run around.
This lens is fantastic! I've been shooting with it for about a month now and my photos are definitely looking good. It's a great starter prime lens with good focus and clear pictures. I've been doing show/concert photography with it and works wonderfully in low light. You get a lot of bang for your buck here. With most other lenses costing $300-$1200, the 50mm f1.8 is quite a steal at under $100. Buy it and you won't regret it.
For $100 you can't go wrong with this lens. I use it primarily for portraits and love the bokah from opening it up. It does get a little soft around the edges opened up to f1.8 but is fantastic for the price.
This lens is great it's currently the only lens that I use. It's not the best built lens but at this price if it breaks buy another one.
While this is an excellent lens, if you're planning to use it with a small-format dSLR camera such as the Digital Rebel XSi be aware that it is designed for full-format 35mm. On the XSi it is equivalent to a 80mm lens with significantly smaller field of view. Don't forget the 1.6x multiplier (like I did).
I have heard this lens called the "nifty-fifty." It truly lives up to this. It is a very clear lens. I would say the actual picture you get from it is comparable to "L" series lenses...great quality.Pros:1. cheap2. light3. small4. Great clarity5. great aperture (f1.8)Cons:1. noisy focus2. plastic3. hard time focusing sometimes (mostly in low light)Overall, I love this lens. It was well worth the $85 spent on it. I will continue to use it in tons of situations.
Canon 50mm lensI should have paid more close attention when ordering since this lens is so limited as to be rather useless.  I can take closeups of flowers but little else.
Okay, so I bought this awhile back knowing that is was cheap and more than likely disposable.Lets say that over the course of a year and a half I used it maybe twice, and had it always in my LowePro case.So I'm getting ready to move next week and packing up all my camera things. I see that the said lens is already on my Canon 50d (which is in immaculate condition). I turned on my camera to test see the battery level and take a test picture. Anyways, the motor was extremely loud and wouldn't autofocus - great - so it looks like it had broken without me even using it over the last 6 months. Fine. So I go to take it off and the plastic mount somehow had broken off and the lens wouldn't come out.I'll admit that I knew this thing was disposable before I bought it, but I certainly wasn't expecting it to break off inside my camera and render it useless.Anyways, I paid a camera store 25 bucks to pry this thing to pieces and salvage my camera on top of the 100 or so dollars I spent on this garbage lens.
I got my moneys worth with this lens.  It's plastic and not weather sealed, but it takes Excellent quality photo's.  I got my money's worth with this Canon Lens.  Well worth the price.
The Nifty Fifty. Nothing wrong with this lens, however, you must realize that this is for a camera that has a full sized sensor, not a APS sensor. SO if you intend on buying this lens for your T3i or 60D be aware that it becomes a 80mm lens when fitted. Just so you know that with the APS sensor you have to multiply 1.6 to every standard lens to get the true correct mm. If this works for you then get it. What you see through the view finder is what you are going to get when snap the picture, you will just have to stand back 1.6 times more to get everything in the same shot as if you were using a 5D mark III with a full sensor.Be aware of this difference when purchasing. Comes in a Canon box like all the rest. Just the same, I'm glad I have this lens.
This lens is more compact than I had even hoped. It makes my Rebel XTi more travel friendly. Once in awhile I wish that I had a zoom on there but mostly its the right lens for most everything I need my camera for. I personally think this lens is an essential lens. I wish other lens' I have bought in the past were so satisfying.
For the price every canon owner should have this lens.  I recenly picked up aCanon Digital Rebel XTiand this lens along with it.  I'd highly recommend it over the default lens that comes with the camera, the 1.8 makes for much better pictures even in lower light.  I haven't yet had any issues with quality like other reviews mention but it's only 1 month young.
I've used both this lens and the more expensive 50mm f/1.4 USM, and somehow, this lens beats its more expensive counterpart. Many people will wonder how that's even possible, as this lens should be technologically outclassed in pretty much every way. It's all plastic (save for the glass used in the lens itself), it doesn't have USM (so it's somewhat noisy), and it doesn't even have instant manual focus override. At the end of the day though, you'll get a greater percentage of keeper shots with this lens than you will with the 50mm f/1.4.I don't think people realize exactly what an aperture of f/1.4 entails. With a lens that fast, even the slightest focus error will cause your subject to appear out of focus. It's not at all uncommon to have someone's nose in perfect focus while their eyes are blurry, which is one of the worst things you could do with a portrait shot. The 50 f/1.4 lens is very prone to focus errors like that, and it often has to search longer to find its focus point than the 50 f/1.8 model does.Do yourself a favor and skip the more expensive version, and just get the lens that's been working well for Canon users for a couple decades.
I had been looking for a fixed length lens for a while, but they were all too expensive. I know this one doesn't have the best body and quality, but I think it is good for amateurs like me, who want to play around.I would recommend to any new aspiring photographer who doesn't want to spend too much money and still get a good fixed length lens.
I'm just starting in doing more professional photo shoots and dont have the money to go for the big expensive lenses quite yet. I'm very happy with this lens! Great quality for the money.
I got my Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 and settled for a few glasses like Canon 24-105mm F/4L and 70-200 f/4 L and decided to buy this 50 mm mainly because of the lower price tag and awesome reviews. I kept using the other L glasses and 70-200 gave the sharpest pictures but heavy to carry longer trips. Just thought of trying the 50mm in a cavern under very low light and WOW.. the pictures are really awesome. I'm uploading a few here. It is so light and gives really great pictures better than some of the L series glass. If you are looking for a lens for your Canon DSLR, just buy this one and you wont regret.
This lens is crisp, for a cropped sensor it will seem more like a ~80mm. As long as you are aware of this, you'll be pleased.Great lens, low price...hard to beat combo.
This lens is a perfect addition for any casual/advanced photographer.  The photos are clear throughout the the aperture range and the low light capability is outstanding.  What I didn't like is the lack of USM autofocus and the plastic construction of the lens but definitely not a showstopper for the price of the lens.  If you want USM and better construction as well as more light gathering, go with the 50mm 1.4 USM. For me, this is the best hundred dollars you can spend on a lens. I'm very satisfied.
Great lens that takes much higher quality photos than the kit lens.  Obviously it is very inexpensive, and there really is no excuse to not make it one of the first lens you buy for your collection.Durability is pretty low being made of plastic, but that shouldn't really make a difference if you are looking for lenses in this price range.
We were really skeptic before we bought the lens, but since we have started using this, we are more than happy to have bought this. Fantastic product and a must to have for all photographers amateur... as well as professionals who can't afford the high end lenses. The body is in plastic, but that doesn't really hinder the quality of images it gives.
The depth of field is a lot of fun to use with this lens and it sure beats the prices of higher end lenses.Besides not having the ability to zoom, this lens is a nice addition to a beginner's set.
This lens is what truly got me obsessed with photography.  Having a prime lens (one that does not zoom in or out) forces you as the photographer to be the zoom and to move your body to the best possible position for the shot.  This makes you think so much more about your positioning during your shot and forces you to actually move around which is a huge positive.  Also, having a lens that has an aperture as wide open as 1.8 forces you to actually learn about aperture and when it is a good idea to shoot with it wide open at 1.8 and when it is a better idea to use a smaller aperture.  At first you'll be very tempted to shoot with it wide open, but I have found I more often shoot with this lens at 2.8 because the depth of field is more usable otherwise it's too easy to let's say have one eye in focus while the other eye is out of focus.Like many others I use this on a canon T3i with a 1.6 crop sensor which means this lens will actually be 80mm.  This makes it a very ideal lens for portrait photography but it can be a little tight for let's say street photography.  If the focal length is a little long I would suggest going with an 35mm prime instead.  This lens doesn't have as nice of a build quality as some of the more expensive canon lenses but the price is unbeatable and the image quality is unbelievable at this price point.  This is the lens that is on my camera 95% of the time and I recommend it to all of my photographer friends.  Please stop reading this review and order this lens, you won't regret it!
I use this all the time for night photography and anything that needs depth of field effects. The focus on this is great with little lens distortion.Hey look a chain.[...]
The price is fairly cheap for a nice lens.  Yes, you have to use your feet to get closer but the lens does take great pictures.  It doesn't focus as fast as the 85mm for sports but it is a good lens at a bargain price.  If you can use this length of lens, you won't be disappointed with the results.
...because now that I have experienced the difference that a f/1.8 lens makes, I'm not satisfied with my other lenses anymore.  I want nothing but fast, bright lenses like this one.  But most other lenses with comparable image quality cost many times as much.  Sigh.  What to do?
It is much better than the default Canon Lens and it's perfect to take close-up pictures to objects. I'm not a professional photographer, of course, but I have to take photos in order to make reviews to products and books and this is s great lens for this purpose
Though I've only had and played with this lens for a little under a month, it's light weight and takes very nice, very clear pictures under well-lit circumstances.  The lens even takes decent indoor and dimly-lit pictures despite not featuring any image stabilization features.I've paid between $75 (this) to $400 on lenses before, and I can honestly say that this is probably one of the best $/value lenses that a prosumer who can't afford high-quality L-series Canon glass can afford.I do have to say, I was a little disappointed with build quality (feels a little cheap, plastic), but if you're careful, you shouldn't have any problems.This lens makes a great partner for my Digital Rebel XTi, so if you're just starting out in the DSLR world, I highly recommend this lens as well.
Este es el mejor lente que tengo, muy luminoso y muy econ&oacute;mico, lo uso principalmente para retrato y me ha dado unos excelentes resultados con baja luz, muy compacto y me permite disparos hasta 1/8 con muy buena calidad y poca luz. recomendadisimo.
After reading all the great reviews for the past few yrs. on this lens, I got mine. I'm amazed at the clarity and speed of thisinexpensive lens. A definite good addition to my Camera Bag. It will be used a lot. Thanks Canon and Amazon.
Pros:Amazing image quality. Fast focusing. Images are sharp and saturated. Very inexpensive. Fast 1.8 aperture!Cons:Focusing can be pretty loud. Cheap build quality. Manual focus is located in at the end of the lens and is very inconvenient to use.Conclusion:If your on a budget or new to DSLR photography and don't want to spent 4X the money on the 50mm 1.4 get this lens. It's plenty fast and you won't be disappointed in the images. It's impossible to find another lens at this price that performs this well.
I'm happy and I'm disappointed. I'm happy I didn't buy the big sister to this lens. Not at 4 times the cost of this lens. From f1.8 to about f4.0 this lens is almost useless. I know, I know, a lot of people have shots posted here that they like at 1.8, but if you could blow them up to 100%, you'd see what we used to call grain and is now referred to as noise. This lens eats light for breakfast, and little into lunch. I use a Canon T1i, by no means a slouch of camera. At first I thought there might be something wrong with the lens I received, but there doesn't seem to be. I was invited to take some pictures of people in a hospice. Until I mounted my 430xi II flash, the pictures, almost all shot indoors, were fine to the naked eye, but if you take them up to 100%, they granulate. Adding the flash, http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-II-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001CCAISE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286808573&sr=8-1, a great unit by the way, took all the worry about shooting inside. I've noticed quite a few people bragging about their shots, but the depth of field is so shallow, you have to be right on top of it to get your subject in focus. Again, I thought this might be just me,so I went to a couple of respected lens reviews and lo and behold, they had the same comments. The f1.8 and the 1.4 both suffer at low light levels. Now, one of the reasons I suspect that many people buy a lens like this is to shoot in low light without a flash. Which is good, and I understand the desire/necessity of doing this, but you should realize that without a bright source of light, you're usable focus area at f1.8 on this lens and on the 1.4, will be about the size of a quarter on a 4x6" print. The sites report the same findings I found in my every day, unscientific, shooting. You need light, lots of it, to really shoot pictures with this lens. If you need to enlarge them at all, you should be at least at f5.6. Once I was outside and able to get the lens closed down to f8, the lens rocks. I used the flash as a fill and it really balanced out the picture. I will use the lens in special circumstances, but not as my walking around lens.
Absolutely stunning images for portraits!  This is my main lens I use for portrait shoots!  So glad I have it!
This is a great lens for the price.  It is a little bit loud, and sometimes slow, but it gets the job done.  An excellent purchase for any photographer.
I've just got this lens and I love it. It's the least expensive canon lens, yet it provides great image quality and has a very good performance with available light. The max. aperture (f1.8) produces a very narrow depth of field. I love that in portraiture and macrophotography, but it also means that you have to focus very carefully. I look forward to exploring the 50mm lens a bit further.
This lens is on my camera most of the time. I love how versital it is! I can go from light to dark, inside to outside, near to far and get all kinds of different looks in my pictures. It handles low light well, even when taking pictures of my kids (they don't understand what sit still means).Getting those beautiful blurred backgrounds and bokeh is easy with this lens.I have only had my camera (canon rebel t2i) for about nine months now and this has made learning a ton of fun!
The fact that this is a small lens made of plastic doesn't make it a bad lens at all. I've taken great shots with this little fellow. It's a very good basic lens for a good price.
i own the 1.4 and this 1.8the difference is huge. the 1.4 is fast and quiet and SHARP. the 1.8 was terrible in comparasion. none of the photos looked all that in focus or sharp.PLEASE do not waste your money on this. pay the extra 200 for the 1.4
This lens is crystal clear, it is light weight, and gives amazing pictures.  I use it for all of my up close shots and have never been disappointed.
This is a great little lens. The pictures are sharp and it is small and light weight. Some might think because it is not a pricey lens, that it could not be good - they are wrong! I love it and take it everywhere.
As the title states, you really can't beat this as a first lens. I'm a prime lens purist, and this lens did wonders for the price point.
For awhile now, I was stuck with my kit lens and the 55-250mm zoom lens which would only give good clarity at f/8. Then I bought this. The Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II is really the best lens a photographer can buy on a budget. It is so clear, you can actually see the pours on peoples faces in photographs. I usually use this lens at f2.8 since that is in the lenses sweet spot, but take it down even further to f/11 and you got everything in focus. My biggest complaint on the lens though is that the motor is nosier than my kit lens and has to keep hunting for focus even when stopped up. This is now my primary lens on my Rebel XSi and will be also my primary on my newly acquired Canon Elan IIe.
I LOVE THIS LENS!!!!!!!!!!!!! There, I said it. This lens takes beautiful pictures! I think it is exactly what I needed for more dramatic portraits and also breathtaking photos of my 3 month old son. It gives you that wow feeling and makes a big impact! It's great for the price...
Crisp crystal clear pictures.Nice bokeh too. Great for landscape photography, only you have to use your legs a lot to compose the picture.Exceeds the expectations for this price.
Wow ! I read all the positive reviews and took into account that this lens is a noisy ( which it is), but the photos are wonderful, so clear, and sharp. It is very light and plasticky as others have said, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it , especially to newer photographers. The difference between this Nifty Fifty and tHe kit lens is unbelievable. Everyone should have one one in their bag!
This is a great lens for close ups, low light and for out-of-focus backgrounds. Great addition to a kit lens when looking to expand your lens collection.
Great affordable lens.  Bokeh is amazing, aperture is just what I needed.  I'm sure the f/1.4 is better (but more expensive) but I'm happy with this as a start.
so with the 1500+ 5-star reviews, there's not really anything to add about the quality of the lens.  color is fantastic.  sharpness is fantastic, yadda-yadda, but you already know all that.all I really want to add is that a few people have complained about the build quality and the plastic body of the lens.  it's important to keep things in perspective, I think.  most people in the market for a $100-$150 or less lens are probably just upgrading their kit lens, or interested in dabbling to see if they like a particular type of lens.  the build quality of the 50mm 1.8 is comparable to the kit lens that you most likely got with your Canon.  yes, it is plastic.  yes, it is light.  it is in no way "cheap" feeling by that standard.  I'm sure compared to a $1500 lens it would feel cheap though.if you're on a budget, or you just want to try out another type of lens without breaking the bank, don't hesitate to buy this lens.  you'll love it.on the other hand, if you've got money to burn, and you've used other professional-grade lenses, there are probably other options you'd be happier with.
A few months ago, I was looking to expand my lens collection.  I chose this lens based upon the price and good reviews.  First the price is hard to beat at under $100.  The pictures taken with this lens are soft wide open, but stop it down a little and they sharpen right up.  The same thing can be said about lenses costing many times more.That said, I'm not a fan of this lens.  The with only 5 aperture blades, boken lights are a weird shape, not that nice round shape I've been looking for.  The autofocus is loud and sounds like it's full of sand.If you're an amateur on a limited budget just starting out, then this is a fine lens.  It's sharp and fast.  For the more advanced amateur I'd consider savings for the 1.4.  And if you have any "L" series glass, I'd stay away.  You're going to be disappointed.  For me, I just picked up a Canon 24-70L, so I'll be selling my nifty fifty.
I bought this lens in early January and it's now late March and I have barely taken it off my camera. I've taken hundreds of photos with it and I'm still excited about how good they look.A great, inexpensive lens for any level of amateur photographer!As the other reviewers say, autofocus can be slow and it's not the fastest lens on the planet, but I'm taking photos of a speedy toddler, cats, plants, macros, etc., mostly with autofocus on and not finding it frustrating. The focal length is very narrow, which does mean sometimes I think a photo is going to be great but the focus is on the wrong part of the scene. (This would be frustrating if I weren't taking tons of photos.) This is, however, exactly why people go manual focus. I'll get around to it...Because of the narrow depth of field, you get a sharply focused subject and beautiful softening and blurring of the rest of the scene. This makes my snapshots of my toddler look almost as awesome as the professional studio photos.It's a prime lens so there's no zoom. Your frame is your frame and it takes a little getting used to.Update: It's been 7-8 months and I still love this lens! I have taken it off my camera once. It takes beautiful shots and the depth of field is just fabulous.
While it may feel like cheap plastic in your hands, let your eye be the true judge of this lens. This is one of my favorite lenses to work with and it's simplicity only adds to its appeal.This is a prime lens, so the zoom is in your feet. It's simple construction gives you exactly what you need when you need it. It's light, it's fast, and it can be used in a variety of situation.This is the lens that goes wherever I go.
This is the only lens I've used thus far (2 months) with my XTI and it has not let me down yet.  The pictures are tack sharp hand held down to 1/60.  Its AF is on the noisier side but I didn't expect USM performance from an $80 lens.  AF locks pretty quickly every time, except with indoors shots in low light where it will seek for a few moments.  I usually manual focus for these.  Bokeh is pretty nice with it wide open and it is great for night photography.  It does get a little soft wide open but nothing horrible.  Note that the lens pictured has a metal mount and this one does not.  I will continue to use this lens carefully and hopefully it will hold up for a while.  Long live the Nifty Fifty Plastic Fantastic.
This won't be a very long review: to put it simply, this is a must-have lens for any photographer who shoots portraits, which I suspect is the vast majority of them. Good, fast focus (bit noisy, but not very notable, compared to the shutter sound of my 450D) and a really nice piece of glass for such a low price. The image quality is very good, especially above f/1.8, where it tends to be soft in the corners (likely much more pronounced on a full-frame camera), but still quite nice with a very good bokeh. In short, a critical part of any DSLR user's arsenal of lenses (and my first, after the also-stellar-image-quality 18mm-55mm II).Looking back at my order history, I just realized I've had the lenses now since Nov 2006...for a lens with pretty poor build quality (the only con I can think of...but what do you expect at this price level? all the expense went into the glass) it has held up perfectly fine and bears no indication of its extensive use in those 6 years, besides some light smudges and surface dust (which I haven't touched until my Canon cleaning kit I finally got around to ordering comes in the mail this week). It doesn't seem to have affected the wonderful image quality of this lens. Stopping it down to f/2.8 is particularly remarkable: the resolution at that point is for all intents and purpose "perfect".
Alright, so Ill be the first person to say I did TONS of research before buying this lens. Im actually a wedding photographer. The kind who does affordable stuff for people who cant afford thousands of dollars. Id love to purchase the lenses that cost $700.00 plus, but realistically...Im far too broke for that. But, I think I do pretty oustanding photography work for someone who is using a Canon T3 and my lenses consist of an 18-55 and a 70-300 lens which is standard with my kit. For what I had, I made do great, but wanted to bring a new addition to it. So I bought this lil guy for 100.00 ...I was skeptical bc it was so small, but dont be fooled by any stretch of the imagination...this little lens is PHENOMENAL. It is SO incredibly sharp, and it does AMAZING even in low lighting.Ive never been the type to give technical specs, Im more of the speak what you know...Im not too saavy with all the spec stuff. I just have a good eye for photos, and after reading HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of reviews and researching lenses for WEEKS trying to find a good buy for under $200.00...this was hands down the one.I can notttt emphasise enough how great this little lens is. Who the hell would wanna use an 18-55 if you own this little guy. The quality is superior, the shipping was soo quick and it was packaged new in box, even though I got it mine cheaper used.If your trying to take your game up,  but dont have HUNDREDS to spend...buy this one. I promise promise promise... you will not regret it. I admit I dont know half as much as so many photographers out their, but I can tell you one thing...this lens is unbelievable.
Okay so at first I was regretting buying this lens because I just couldn't get the hang of it but after I started taking some shots I really REALLY LOVE IT! You can focus on what ever you want leaving everything blurred in the background. This is great for portraits and anything you want to get close to or just a great handy lens to have around.Not disappointed at all with this lens!
I bought this lens to go with my 60D body.  I didn't want to spend money on the kits only to get a lesser quality lens.  Kit lenses are never that great.  So I bought a body and this little beastie.  I figured I would then have a quality lens while I saved money for a nice zoom.  Well it has been a year and I am in no real hurry to buy that zoom.  I use this lens for portrait work and for photographing births.  It is a bit tough for the births since I would sometimes like a wider angle, but the quality of the photos I get can't be beat.
This lens is my new go-to lens for shooting shots where my subject is in focus, and the background is blurry.  It is in incredibly powerful photography tool for a low amount of money! Very worth it.
I owned only the kit lens and a 55-250 IS lens. This is WAY sharper than those lenses with much better bokeh. It is perfect for low light shooting, as well as shooting throughout the day. This is my new favorite lens, and for the price... It is untouchable!
Interesting set of options to rate - looks like the hackers have gotten to it.  Anyway, this is a great lens, especially for the cost.  Delivers consistently sharp images and is great in low light.  The 1.8 is to die for.  Granted, I don't prefer fixed lenses, but in this case I make an exception.  I have a 40D, and did not have a problem getting the lens on and off.  I think that issue must have been with the earlier versions of the lens.  Get one!
This is your standard introductory fixed 50mm lens.  It is louder than I expected, but the quality of the pictures are Canon quality.  If you are new to photography and you are looking for your second lens, this is the one.
This is a great lens for the money.  The image quality is amazing for a 50mm lens at this price level.  The housing is plastic so you need to handle it with care but I do that with all my lenses so this is no different.  You really can't go wrong for the money and the quality this lens delivers.
I have a Canon T2i. I purchased this lens after many friends told me it was the go to lens for video with a DSLR. I have a successful business shooting weddings and other events. I currently own a Canon HV20 and a Canon HV30. I had a wedding last night and dropped my rate to accomodate a couple on a tight budget. Due to this I decided to shoot with my new T2i as there would be a shorter transfer time and I wasn't getting paid as much as I normally do. This wedding was booked, literally, 12 hours before it occurred. This was the first time I'd shot a wedding with a DSLR. I have a mixed review...When the 50mm is on, it's ON! It looks absolutely incredible at times. I cannot stress this enough. There are times when this lens alongside a great Canon camera looks unbelievable. Like true film. However, the focus is a bother. If you want to focus on a subject you have to do it before you start recording. And it's specific to that length. If you move forward or backward the picture is completely out of focus. Then you have to focus manually. I've read other reviewers say their fingers get into the picture. That's not true. Although, the zoom mechanism is at the very end of the lens, I practically tried to put my fingers in the picture while adjusting the focus/zoom and couldn't do it. It definitely takes some getting used to, but you won't ruin your shots with a finger in your frames. I have long fingers and it wasn't a problem for me at all.This is a great lens. But if you're going for straight video go for an actual video recorder such as; the HV20, HV30 or HV40. Or have at least one more videographer with you at your shoot. It's just not the most reliable lens. It'll mess up or drop frames from time to time. This is mainly just a DSLR statement, but the HV20 & 30 are FAR better for the price. If you want photo and video this is your thing. Just get used to auto-focussing and doing it quickly. For $110 it's a good investment and a necessary lens. Everyone should have one. Bottom line.
This is my primary 'starter' lens.  I'll probably upgrade to a zoom with wider angle when I get the budget, but you can't beat this lens for quality and price.  I've been very happy with it.
Bought as a backup for my 50mm f/1.2, it's simply AMAZING! You won't find a better lens for the same price or cheaper.
I BOUGHT THIS LENS AFTER READING AN ARTICLE SUGGESTING ANYONE NEW TO PHOTOGRAPHY SHOULD HAVE THIS LENS.  AFTER USING IT FOR 3 WEEKS NOW, I HAVE TO SAY IT TAKES FANTASTIC PICTURES, EXCELLENT CLARITY AND COLOR.  THIS IS DEFENITLY WORTH THE MONEY AND IS BUILT WELL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY JUST TAKE GREAT PICS.
Wow...good lens...works good, excellent for portrait. Good clarity,perfect with kit lens. I highly recommend this lens to anyone. Superb product from canon.
I recently acquired a Canon T3i, and am absolutely thrilled with it.  My first DSLR was the first Canon Rebel model and I have been a faithful Canon customer ever since.  When I started lens shopping, I initially was somewhat leery of this lens because of the low price.  My final decision actually came down to . . . well, it has to be at least worth its price.I can honestly say I was very pleasantly surprised.  The lens has a nice "heft" . . . was expecting a lightweight, cheap feel.  The image sharpness produced by this lens is remarkable.  It will likely be my "walking around" lens.  The only drawbacks I noticed is a slow, noisy autofocus and the autofocus seems to get somewhat "confused" in certain lighting.  These "problems" will be non issues since I generally prefer manual focus anyway.This lens is WELL worth its price.Chuck
This is just simply the best lens that you can get for the money for a canon camera.  The 1.8 means you can capture images in almost any light without the use of flash.  It is true that it made pretty cheap, and I had one completely fall apart on me with normal use (mainly used indoors for family photos)... but I liked it so much I bough another instantly.  I can replace it another couple of times before it comes near the cost of it's nearest competitor, but I guess it shouldn't be your only lens .. just in case it falls apart.  Buy it, you won't regret it.
My first single focal length lens. I'm still trying to adjust it...but its getting better. Very light.
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this little lens? Works great for the money. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is that the I'm on my second one because after a year and a half the first one started to give me read errors with my Canon 40D. Because I had it for over a year (1 1/2 years), Canon told me I was on my own and would not repair it for free. Tamron, on the other hand gives you a 6 year warranty! But besides that, it really does take great photos, sharp and crisp and great bokah at 1.8. Thats why I bought a second copy of it. Hopefully I'll get a little more time out of this one.
There is a lot of debate here if this lens is worth it ... it is especially often compared to the 50mm 1.4 ... I think the article in the below link is unbiased and offers the most scientific research and objective conclusions into this question. A MUST read if you consider this lens!Since I cannot post a link here ... it is at Adorama dot com and called: 50mm Lens Shoot-Out: f/1.8 or f/1.4?
I am very happy with my new 50mm lens.  It is exactly what I was looking for, and I have been using it a lot.
I've enjoyed everything about this lens. Really great value. The only thing that can be humbug is you need to get some distance between you and the subject, unless you're going for a zoomed in look. But great!
This lens has been on my camera for a month now, and I love it. I have always use a 70-200 f4L, but this little booger is sweet. Don't get me wrong, I love my "Money Maker 70-200", but this little guy can REALLY throw the back out of focus with the 1.8.I have not seen the Pentagon shaped flares that I have read about when throwing the back out of focus, but I have also not had lights shining at me from back there.I am sure the L version, would have a better bokeh, but this guy has been great for me.I will probably get an L, but I figured for a little over 100 bucks, I could play with this focal legnth, and make sure I wanted one.
This lens is a great portrait lens.Opens wide for low light, pin sharp and very compact.OK it could be built a little better and maybe focus a little quicker/quieter but for under $100 it cannot be beaten
Anyone complaining about this lens is asking too much of it. It's an f/1.8 lens for $86. It is worth every penny of that $86. If you want a pro-grade lens, pay more and get the f/1.4. If you just want an nice starter lens that performs great (within limits), do NOT hesitate to buy this lens. It can SO expand the range of what you can do -- more so than any other accessory you can buy for $86. Works excellently on my 20D, and my first gig I completed with it paid for the lens several times over.I did not experience any of the undesirable pentagon-bokeh issues, but nothing I was shooting had hard point lights, so maybe I just avoided it. It can have difficulty auto-focusing at low-light, but other lenses of mine are no better. I did not find the noise or focus speed to be problematic.I might buy the f/1.4 in a year or so if I find this one inadequate, but in the mean time, the money I saved will go towards other accessories I need more.Plastic fantastic it is, in spades.
This lens was recommended to me by a pro photog.  I am just learning about slr photography and this lens saved me a ton of money and helped me to learn how to better use my wonderful Camera
For the money, I don't think there is a better lens out there for low light video. Sure, it's not the easiest lens to focus with its tiny focus ring at the edge of the already small lens, but it destroys anything in it's price range. I use it on a Canon T4i and even though i have a full set of Rokinon Cine len's now, the 50mm still comes in handy since Rokinon has yet to produce a 50mm cine. It's tough to use on a follow focus rig, but when running and gunning with a small set-up, it's perfect. It's also great for interviews or portraits on a crop sensor. It's plastic and will probably break if you drop it, but for the money, it can't be beat.
I am fairly new to this all new dSLR photography. Being for years an amateur photographer using P&S; super-zoom cameras like the Canon S2 IS and the SX30 IS, I wanted to step up to something more pro. Bought the Canon t4i with the standard 18-55 kit lens but as a nightshot lover I wanted a lens that could get me very sharp-n'-crisp low-light pictures. Something that make me proud of and could get along with my budget.All I knew is that I needed a very luminous lens (smaller f/) to take pictures at very low ISO settings, something that will allow me to take pictures at a reasonably fast shutter speeds.. At a $100 price point this was a great purchase. Taking into account that a 50mm lens will act as an 80mm if you compared to a 35mm full frame it's not quite a "human-eye" feeling, but it does get close to it. Having a fixed-focal length lens allows you to be more creative, and I like that.AutoFocus suffers most at low light conditions but nothing that manual focus can't fix.Totally happy with the purchase!
Takes great picture when you have a steady hand and when the subject is not moving. If you have kids who constantly move this will be hard to use especially indoors.I love taking picture using natural light so I used it indoors use with kids as subject is not good with this lens. Anyway, picture is good when the subject is still.
There is no reason not to own this lens for around $100... 50mm f/1.8 should be in EVERYones bag. This is my most used lens on any of my cameras. It is better than all of the kit lenses and in fact, when someone asks me what kind of camera to buy, I always recommend buying body only and just getting this lens. You can really get by with just this lens and no other! The plastic on this lens feels a little cheap, but nothing to complain about. It is very sturdy and looks nice. More importantly, the image quality you will get from this lens is outstanding. If you will be shooting indoors or in any low light conditions, or are just looking for the absolutely amazing bokeh background as we all are, this lens will do that for you. Oh and did I mention it's only around $100?! Yeah.. buy one.
This lens should be the one on every kit. It takes amazing pictures. So crisp and clear. Great lens for the price.
For the price everyone should own this. It takes great photos. Build quality is not that great as it is all plastic, but if it breaks, buy a new one. Great buy and a must for indoor photographers on a budget. Just google it and you will see that it is a must buy.
Excellent for the money. A must own for anyone getting into photography. If mine broke tomorrow I'd be ordering another the next day.
This lens is great because it's both cheap and fast.  Sure, it's plastic but the glass is good.  Don't expect to take it mountain climbing.  I'm on my second one because my son pulled the camera off a table (a height of about 3 feet) and the lens came apart.  Autofocus is slow, but most of the time you'll need to focus manually anyway.  In the low light that this lens exceeds, the autofocus is useless.  Just an aside about the wide aperture, it's very tough to focus on a close subject in low light.  The depth of field is so narrow and detail is difficult to make out.  I usually end up "bracketing" my focus.  Anyway, buy it...what the heck!
Works great - rich colors, nice and sharp, great low-light performance. As good as it gets for this price.The build quality leaves a bit to be desired as it feels somewhat fragile. The plastic doesn't quite match my Canon Rebel XT but it's nearly unnoticeable and hardly note-worthy.Overall a great lens!
This was the first lens I purchased after buying my DSLR. I bought it because many photography sites said that it is a must buy. I can see why now. It's extremely affordable and extremely sharp. I love the f/1.8! Lets me create some great shots that I can't make with other lenses. It also makes for a fantastic lens in low light. Word of caution though, It will have a hard time focusing in very low light. The lens is very light weight and small. Made of a cheap feeling plastic. Overall though, its a great lens at an amazing price. A lot of fun to play around with.
Best bang for the buck. Low light photos and 1.8 aperture for a price that no one can beat. It is a little noisy focusing so I wouldn't recommend this for video. I use it on a Canon SL1 and the focus is pretty fast. Although plastic what would you expect for this price point. If you're looking to upgrade from a kits lens to something that can shoot sharp indoors and out - get this. The 50mm focal length can be a little far for some indoors. So let's say I'm 4 feet from my 1year old I may be able to get him from waist up if he's standing. If you need a second lens after your kit lens you cant beat this price for what you get. I use this probably 75% of the time now. Waiting to save for a Canon L Zoom lens.
I do really like having a cheap 50mm. The ability to have it Autofocus on my T2i for taking pictures is great. However, the glass (especially the chromatic-abberation in the corners) tends to be disappointing wide open. However, since I have moved to a BMCC MFT and use it mostly for film - I have considered it subpar compared to my Rokinon 35mm F1.4 and even a Nikon 50mm with a Canon adapter. When you consider the ability to get a cheap but old Nikon metal lens for around $50-$80 and a Nikon to EF adapter and possibly get a higher quality image wide open - then this lens doesn't seem quite as Nifty as it once was.
If you have never had a lens with an aperture this large you will be in for a real treat. I can't believe how much light it lets in. Beautiful. It is also light and easy to toss in your bag to add some flavor to your shoot.
As small as it is - it's a great little lens for great images. Sometimes i go on a shoot and just bring this... since it's a prime lens you really have to work to get a good image. Your feet is your zoom but it teaches you to focus on composition. Love this lens. The price point on this lens is also incredible. Love it and very satisfied.
I love this lens. As a poor college student, I can't afford the next-better one. This is an excellent starter portrait lens for amateurs and semi-amateurs like myself. Great budget item.
Love it.  Takes great photos.  I feel like I got more than what I paid for.  Will never be able to live without it now.
This lens is very good and a great value at twice the price.  If you never make prints larger than 5x7, it is hard to appreciate just how good it is compared to the kit lenses included with most Canon SLRs.  I've used my 50mm f/1.8 for approximately 1000 pictures in the last 12 months and it hasn't failed me yet.I also have 24-85mm and 75-300mm lenses in my bag, but this is my favorite for shots when I have the time to set things up.
There isn't a better lens for the price.  You can't beat it.  If you're a novice looking to get into portraits, this is a great first lens.
First off, the picture quality is great. Chromatic aberration is pretty minimal, even at f/1.8. I love the limited depth of field you can achieve with the large aperture. When opened up all the way, the plane of focus is very small-- as in, when taking a portrait, if the eyes are sharp, the eyebrows will be noticeably out of focus. Of course, that means that you have to be very careful when focusing; using autofocus is likely to get you an awkwardly focused photo. Even without IS, because of the large aperture, it's low light capabilities are great. Be aware, if you aren't used to shooting in low light situations without a flash, that the autofocus function is basically useless in low light conditions without a flash to assist.Now we get to the bad part: build quality. It's not great. Actually, it's pretty bad. It's plastic-- in and of itself not a problem, but it feels somehow less sturdy than my zoom kit lenses. The lens cap is pinch-style, not snap-on as with my other lenses; I am having a hard time replacing the cap without looking at it-- not a big deal, and I would guess that will go away as I get used to it.The biggest issue by far, however, is the autofocus. So much so, that I honestly thought that there was something wrong with my lens at first, and then I considered sending it back. The autofocus is loud-- it scared me the first time I took a picture with it. On top of that, the lens moves in and out while it focuses in a way that my USM lenses don't. I found that when it cannot find a point to focus on (for reference, I was taking backlit shots against a window at sunset), the lens goes from one end of the focus range to another very quickly, and there is an audible smacking of plastic when it hits the furthest point on either end. Even on the tripod I could see it shaking a little from the force.As I don't anticipate a whole lot of fast action shooting with this lens (I'm a terrible manual focuser, I've never gotten the hang of focusing on moving subjects) I think I'll keep it. I'm a little irritated that the price randomly went up almost thirty bucks; I've had my eye on this lens for over a year and I've never seen it priced anything but $99-- until I finally decided to order it. I'm not entirely sure it was worth my $125. We'll see.
The construction isn't all that great, but it is perfectly fine for my needs. Treat it well, and you'll have no problems. Big improvement over the optics in the kit.
This is my first experience with a prime lens.  I've owned it since January, and while I have not used it a ton, it has been used.  I have to say, I like it.  It's good for when I am feeling a little lazy and just want to be able to "point and shoot" with the dSLR.  I haven't had the issues some of the people have had, but like I say, I haven't made it my primary lens.  It is a good lens for the money.  If you get a lemon, I am sorry.  I do not believe I have.  While I do not intend to use it for every single shot, it is nice to be able to just get a little lazy and not want to have to think too hard.
Not the best build quality. Mine somehow got damaged, but it was repaired quickly under warranty and back in my bag in a matter of weeks. FANTASTIC SERVICE and GREAT pictures. What more do you need to know? It's got a very fast set of glass and does great in low light.
I bought this lens knowing full well its negatives...except it penchant for getting stuck to the camera and damaging the camera's mirror!  Had I known that, I wouldn't have even bothered.So I dropped $100 bucks.  What could go wrong?  What I didn't realize was that the quality of the build was soooo bad that it broke after only using it for one week shooting portraits.  I can hear things rattling around inside the lens!  I'm now the proud owner of a 50mm f/1.4 and I have to say it was worth the extra money.
Just a quick hint for any one that wants to do macro work but does not have a dedicated macro lens. The 50mm f1.8 lens has served me extremely well for macro work. Bees, bugs, flowers, etc come out very good with the simple addition of a +3 diopter 52mm close-up adapter. The fast 1.8f lens speed allows you to stop down to a f4.0 or f5.6 at which aperture most tests show this lens to be the sharpest (as opposed to the kit lens which at these apertures is wide open and blurry.This 50mm f1.8 and +3 close-up combination has allowed me to focus as close as 6". If I did my calculations correctly a 32mm object occupies 1728 of 3888 horizontal pixels on my Canon XTI. On a 22.2mm sensor this works out to about 1:3 macro ratio. Of course I recommend that you use a doublet close-up lens such as a 52mm Nikon 3T, but you will be pleasantly surprised even with a inexpensive +3 close-up singlet from any photo store.By the way use the high speed drive mode and capture several frames, as the extremely shallow depth of field makes a lot of shots be out of nominal (focus on the eyes) focus.Jan 12 update Had a request for a link to the close up adapter,Sakar 52mm Close-Up Filter Set (+1, +2, +4 and +10 Diopters) Magnification Kit - Metal Rimhere it is. The Canon 250D is multielement and better, but 10 times more expensive.
I love love love this lens. For under $100 it can't be beat. The bokeh is AWESOME. The sharpness is AMAZING.
I love this lens it isn't the best build quality and has no zoom but it's "fast" it is worth 100.00 a must have lens i feel. Once you shoot picture in f1.8 you'll love it but you gonna then want theCanon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasIt is just a way better lens and more expensive but so nice.if your a newbie here's some infoA lens is "fast" when it has a low f-stop... ok so when you have a smaller number the apature is bigger which allows more light through, so this means you can up the shutter speed. and still have enough light reach the sensor.ok so lets say you have an out door shot if you have say an f/4 lens the shutter speed could be 1/250 of a second and you would get a good exposer. Now this lens can only go f/4but if you in the same outdoor setting, had an f/2.8 lens you could jump to 1/500 of a second and get the same exposer. and freeze the action mmore effectivly, this i believe is why it's a "fast" lens.ok have fun and get it done
this lens is a must for any canon dslr..super sharp, great low light performance with f1.8 ....auto focus is average, and it feels like a toy, but the pictures are really good.i find myself using this lens 80% of the time, than my 55-250mm and then the 18-55...
I bought this lens for taking the picture of our new born baby.  The large focus made it ideal for in door.  Most of pictures looks bright and sharp even low light conditional.  I am very happy with the quality of the picture and it is the lens I am using the most.This is definitely the lens for low budget people.  However, if you have more budget, go for the 50mm f1.4 with USM.
This is a great lens for portraits. It does a great job of blurring the background and making the subject pop.However, because this is a 50mm lens it's not great for large scenes and landscapes. There is no zoom. We took this lens to Machu Picchu and we had to get very far (up a mountain) to capture the entire site.Pros: great for portraitsCons: no zoom; bad for landscapes
Although this is the bottom line of the Canon 50mm lenses, I love this thing.  I can buy 3 of these for one of the next model up.  The focus mechanism is slower and noisier than the 1.4, but I don't really care.I think all photographers should have a 50mm lens.
I couldnt be happier.  Perfect for portraits, creative bokeh, just a great first prime lens.Yes, the mount is plastic, just don't let the kids play with it.  I havent had any indication that its anything less than well built for a budget.  Love the images!
This cheaply made glass from Canon is probably the best one they've put out on the market.  It has saved my shoots countless times.  This is one piece of glass that I will always bring with me, no matter what I'm taking photos of.  Granted, the 1.4 and 1.2 are probably better, but they don't fit my budget.  In my opinion, this one is just as good.  The AF is a bit noisy...if you don't like that, buy the more expensive glass (lenses).
I recently purchased a Canon Rebel Xti, EOS 10.1 MP SLR. It was an upgrade for me from a Minolta 35mm and a digital Nikon Coolpix. I found that I could not get the shots I wanted with the point and shoot cameras&iexcl;K the shutter speed was too slow and the aperture too narrow. By the time the shutter closed, my children were long gone from the image and so I got lots of blur. My point and shoots NEVER survived in low light&iexcl;Kneedless to say I have fallen in love with my &iexcl;Rebel&iexcl; and according to my husband,  spend way too much time with &iexcl;her&iexcl; In my search for a good SLR that matched my budget, I chose the Canon Rebel Xti. I also chose Rebel based on other customer reviews. I researched the camera to make sure it was the &iexcl;right&iexcl; one for me. My neighbor has an XT and she loved it. I got to see the feel of it and how it worked.The Rebel comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens, which is great for almost all photos. The clarity on this lens however is not &iexcl;top notch&iexcl; and neither is the sharpness.  The downside to moving to the SLR is that it is &iexcl;in the way&iexcl; around my neck&iexcl;Khits the kids in the face when I bend down and not as easy to &iexcl;lug&iexcl; around. Otherwise, I did not find it cumbersome to travel with. The cumbersome item was the tripod I carried in my hands. It is worth it though considering the HUGE difference in capability.Specifications for 18-55 mm &iexcl;V comes with cameraFocal Length & Maximum Aperture: 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6Lens Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups (1 aspheric element)Diagonal Angle of View: 75X 20' - 27X 50'Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with MMClosest Focusing Distance: 0.28m / 0.92 ft. to infinityZoom System: Rotating TypeFilter Size: 58mmMax. Diameter x Length, Weight: 2.7" x 2.6", 6.7oz. / 69mm x 66.2mm, 190gMy photographic mentor encouraged me to purchase a 50mm f1.8, as I enjoy doing portraiture, flowers, and photos in the sanctuary at church. I have had the 55 mm for about 2 weeks and shot about 700 photos with it. I paid  $75.00 for it. It is made by Canon. I really like this lens because the lens produces a nice bokeh on wide aperture shots. The lens is very fast and snaps that shot before the subject has a chance to move. I took some great photos of some geese in the UK and at f.8 1/100  I captured the movement of the birds&iexcl; wings and froze them in time. I have 3 words for this lens, sharp, fast and crisp.There are some downsides to the 50mm&iexcl;Kyour legs are the zoom. When you look through the viewfinder your subject is right in your face. Sometimes I struggle fitting everything into the viewfinder. I find this lens most appropriate for close ups and low light shooting&iexcl;K I have used it for landscapes, etc., but it is not my lens of preference for that&iexcl;K. I like the zoom lens for those shots.Specifications on the 50mm f1.8This is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Compact and high-performance, standard lens. Its Gaussian optics provide sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.Construction 5 groups / 6 elementsAngle of view 46XF stop range 1.8-22Closest Focusing Distance 0.45m / 1.5 ft.Maximum Magnification 1:6.66Filter Size 52mmDimensions (Length x Diameter) 2.7" x 1.6" / 68.2 x 41.0mmWeight 4.6 oz. / 130g
I would have gotten the 40mm, or the 50mm f1.4 if I knew how slow and LOUD this lense is; it also feels very cheap.  And on my basic Rebel XS, the image is magnified so it's really like having a 80mm lense on.  It takes great photos in low light settings.
My husband wanted this first and foremost for his Christmas.  Product arrived in perfect condition without damage.  This is going to be soo cool!
Very impressed for the money! Normally they say you get what you pay for but not the case with this. I've been using this as my main lens lately as the quality is amazing. It's my nifty 50! Love it and would buy again!
Yes, this lens is not a rock solid piece of equipment; it is plastic-y, light and you feel obligated to handle it with an extra amount of care. But-- the point of a lens is to take good pictures, and boy, this sure does. This is really just a matter of knowing what to expect. For $100, dirt cheap by lens standards, this is an incredible value. As so many have said, this takes amazing, sharp pictures- far better than kit zooms, and as good as many much more expensive lenses. This also equates to a very useful 80mm on a 1.6 crop body, which is likely what you are using if on you are getting a $100 lens in the first place, since you aren't a pro, or someone who starts up a cozy fire on a chilly morning with all your extra cash.Once you start using this, I can pretty much guarantee you will fall in love with it; and you will likely wind up using this far more often then your zoom lens(es). The trade off of having just one focal length for an ultra fast aperture and sharp images will win you over!
I bought this early on and then picked up its 1.4 "upgrade" during one of the old triple rebate things. This is how I would compare (have a full frame to do the comparisons):bokeh/out of focus bits: 1.8 is really awful and in my opinion unusable. 1.4 is good in general except maybe pinpoints of light can sometimes look funny. the 24-70 2.8L does a better job.sharpness: both are great, 1.4 might be a bit better, especially in cornersother image quality issues: the 1.4 would show better corners more widely open often, but generally it's pretty close even with 100% view comparisonsbuild quality: the 1.8 is really fragile feeling. the 1.4 is noticably better, though compared to my other lenses still feels a bit less sturdy. My 1.4 focus motor actually blew out after 2 years, but the fine folks at Canon fixed it in 10 days for only around $80.focusing: the 1.8 misses more often. the 1.4 hunts a bit more often, but seems to hit things spot on once it finds the mark. With the 5DmII, the 1.4 doesn't seem to hunt ever, but I might also be better at catching focus points.If you are deciding between the 1.4 and 1.8, I'd just go with the 1.4... it's a better lens and it will resell for close to what you pay anyhow. If it's between the 1.8 and not getting any of them, I would totally recommend it. It will definitely out-perform any zoom at the 50mm mark except maybe the 24-70 in certain circumstances (but not all).I sold the 1.8 and I don't miss it.
This lens is incredible. If you are starting out with photography and wish to move past the kit lens, this lens is an incredible place to start. The depth of field you can get with this lens is very nice.
As others have stated, this lens will yield very nice, sharp images. If you buy it, make sure you also get a lens hood for outdoor shooting; otherwise, expect all of your pictures to have lens flares.Unfortunately, I dropped my lens less than 2 weeks after receiving it. The drop was only 2 feet onto not-so-plush carpeting; but, it was enough force to crack the casing in half. It is a bit sad that the glass on this lens is stronger than the plastic casing "protecting" it. Fortunately, American Express' insurance company is covering the damage. I definitely recommend buying this with a credit card so you too can get that 90 day coverage. More so, I recommend finding something a bit more sturdy even if it is a bit more expensive.
bought this as one of my very first lens. It works really good. The pictures are clear and sharp, would definitely recommend this for anyone with a camera!
This has been one of my favorite lenses for years.  I bought this one to replace my original 50mm that I dropped onto a concrete floor.  They are called &#34;Nifty Fifty&#34; for a reason.  Images are clear, sharp, and it performs well in low light.
I was initially very hesitant to purchase this lens.  I have heard so many awesome things about it, but also some horror stories.  My biggest concern was that this little lens could possibly somehow become stuck to my camera body and the only apparent remedy is to destroy the lens and possibly inflict collateral damage to the camera body in the process.  (Just Google 50mm 1.8 stuck on xsi.)  A coworker bought one second hand and said he didn't have any problems with his, so I got up the nerve to borrow his and tried it out for a day, and I really liked it.So after price watching for quite some time I finally ordered one when I saw it at the cheapest it has been in awhile.  It hasn't gotten stuck on my camera, yet!  I was thorough in inspecting it prior to mounting to the body, and all appeared normal, no loose screws, it seems intact.  I carefully locked and unlocked several times without issue.  One thing I did notice, which caused me slight alarm, was what appears to be an air bubble within the glass, just slightly off centre.  I took several test photos and scrutinized the pictures, and it does not appear to be noticeable from what I can see.  This could be more of an issue in bright sunlight.  Not having owned a fast prime like this before, I am still getting used to it, especially in bright daylight where I found it near impossible to shoot wide open without blowing everything out.  I found that I had to stop down to f2.2 or more just to retain some highlight.  Other reviews have also cited focus issues, namely hunting in low light and front or back focus problems.  Unlike the unit I borrowed to test which was front focussing, my copy focusses dead on where I aim the centre dot.  Hunting in low light is an issue, and manual focus may be a better option if faced with that issue.  The focus ring is small, but it isn't unmanageable for me.  And focus motor noise is loud!Overall, I am very impressed with this little piece of glass (and plastic).  In terms of bang for your buck, this lens delivers images that are tack sharp with dreamy bokeh at 1/4 the price of it's 1.4 cousin.  I think the good outweighs the negatives of this lens.  If this ever breaks I will definately be upgrading to the 1.4, but for now its a cheap way to get into the groove of fixed focal length photography.  So far I am very happy I took the gamble on this!
Without a doubt, the quality of this prime (non zoom) lens is amazing! You'll be amazed at what this $100 lens can create on your DSLR camera. Images are crisp and overall vibrant. If you shoot on a camera with a cropped frame, the field of view will be less than ideal for shooting things too close, but if you have a full frame sensor, this lens provides just the right amount of field of view.The build quality isn't going to match that of a $500 lens because it doesn't cost $500! The lens case is plastic and doesn't feel very professional, but the glass inside is all that matter - and it creates professional results. You aren't going to be afraid to use this puppy in any scenario, encouraging you to go out and get some great shots! While the 50mm prime lens is great on many occasions, I find it does very well in creating portraits. With the wide aperture, you can get some really nice depth of field (blurry background), which improves the quality of a portrait enormously, in my opinion. Another great thing about the aperture opening so wide is that it allows for faster shutter speeds or a higher ISO to improve the image. This was my first and probably my favorite lens. Overall, if you haven't yet picked up the &#34;nifty fifty&#34; - what are you waiting for?!
This is a great lens. I've had it since December and it's been great. I've probably taken over 2-3000 pictures with it so far.The only drawbacks I have seen, are what most people have seen:The auto-focus can be a bit "pokey" in the dark/low light situations - sometimes even in good lighting conditions. Learn to use the manual focus.It's plastic. Yep, like others have said. That's one of the things you need to deal with when you pay $100 for a great lens.The only other complaint I really have is that it took over a month to get to me - it was supposed to be my Christmas present, but I didn't get it until the third week in January. We ordered it on December 10 or so.
What a difference this lens makes.  The bokeh is very very nice (better than I expected).  I did not find the attach/removal mechanism to be cheap or breakage-prone.. so far, so good.  The focus can be a bit tricky at times - but MOST of my photos come out impressively and sharp.  Can be noisy, though, as some have claimed. Glad I purchased this, and would recommend.
When I first received the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lens I thought I had been conned. It's very light, made of fairly cheap plastic and just felt like a toy rather than a proper camera lens but don't let the construction of the lens fool you.Some people may be thinking I've got a zoom lens that does a lot more than just a fixed 55mm, so why would I want to spend money on this lens? In a word, aperture. Most zooms have apertures starting at around f4.  This lens starts at f1.8.  If you are not entirely sure what f stops, apertures etc. really mean, in non-technical terms, the lower the f stop number, the more light gets into the lens.  The more light that gets into the lens the more control you have over shutter speed.  In practical terms that means you are going to get far better pictures in low light, nightclubs, bars, at dusk etc.  With a standard zoom lens, in low light, the shutter speed will have to decrease in order to let the proper amount of light in.  With the lower shutter speed you are very prone to fuzzy images due to camera shake, or the target moving.  With this lens, you can have a much higher shutter speed meaning these things are less likely to happen and you have sharp, clear pictures.The canon 55 prime (a prime lens just means that it has a fixed focal length, not a zoom) is a joy to use. It produces sharp, clear pictures, so although the lens in cheap it doesn't appear that Canon skimped on the quality of the glass inside.  Auto focus is fast however I'm not huge fan of the manual focus ring, it seems quite loose and turns to infinity but it does do its job.  With the lens being so light you don't even notice the difference in weight on your camera, its as if it doesn't exist.I tested this lens out on a Canon EOS 70D with wonderful results and for the price you just cannot beat it.  The Canon EF 50mm f1.4 lens for example costs 3 times as much.  Whether you are just getting started in photography or have been doing it for years, this is a must have lens.  You just can't beat the price/performance.
I was nervous buying this lens, because I had never bought from this seller before. There are also so many things that can be wrong with one that you might not find out until later. I was happy with this product. It works well, and I would feel confident buying from this seller again. Thank you!
Like I said, I love this lens.  I have a Canon 50d with a 28-135 USM IS kit lens & this.  This lens beats the zoom lens hands down.  It takes better photos especially in low light conditions.  I have a friend who bought the old version (version 1) of this lens a few years ago and always love the pictures.  That's why I bought this lens and I have not been disappointed.  I find myself choosing this lens over the zoom time and time again.If you just bought a Canon, buy this lens.If you own a canon and don't have a 50mm lens, buy this lensThere are a couple of other, more expensive 50mm lenses from Canon.  I did the research and they aren't worth the money unless you are doing high-end professional photography.  This is smaller and lighter and takes better pictures than the more expensive lenses in some conditions.It's clear that this is not an expensive lens, so if you're trying to look cool, buy something else, but if you're trying to make your pictures look cool, this is what you need.  It will make you look like a great photographer.  I don't think there is another lens on the market that will give you better value for your dollar than this lens.
Not only is this lens fast and sharp but it's also affordable! It rarely is off my camera these days.
This is a great lens. incredible sharpness toward the center of the image coupled with 1.8f will give u a great image when used right. The manual focus does feel a little plastic-y  but the 1.8f will let you use auto most of the time. Haven't had it focus-hunt very much.Some people will say that 50mm is not a portrait lense because its too wide of an angle, this bummed me out until I actually used it. Pictures come out fine, they may be a little bit skewed, but it's definitly fine for everyday photography. If you are wanting a professional lens so you can make a living off of photography you should probably think of forking out another couple hundred bucks for a 85mm.
Just what I was hoping for. Lightweight, yet great quality. It does have a ragile feel to it, but has held up very well so far. Love the image quality! I bought it for portraits, ubt am digging it for landscapes and still lifes as well.
Like this lens a lot.  Love the depth of field and the quality of pics.
great in total, but very bad auto focus, as much as i spend my time to tell you abut how much  am disappointed about focusing in low light situation, keep searching  for the focus point till you turn it to manual and show it to her.....  ;0)but still great lens in that value of money( sharp, light like plastic toy, fast )
This lens was required for a photography class, and I was pleasantly surprised to find it for such a reasonable price here on Amazon.The first one I received was defective, but Amazon made the exchange process a painless one.This transaction has made me more interested in shopping Amazon for other things.
The lens focus mechanism is a bit loud, but for such a great portrait lens at only $99 how can I complain?  The pictures it takes are stunning.
I cannot say how many thousands of outdoor portraits I took with this lens. If you have a cloudy day and a pretty park, get your senior dolled up and take his/her pictures with this lens.It is a fantastic low light lens, but it also really shines in diffuse daylight. You can open 'er up and shoot fast, and get a bokeh that will make the yearbook staff think you spent a fortune. Or you can stop it down for just a little background blur, and get the sharpest images per dollar you ever imagined.If anyone tells you pros don't use this cheap plastic piece of garbage, I'm here to tell you I have literally hundreds of happy customers, who had no idea what I was shooting with. They just liked the results and recommended me to their friends.The most important component of any camera is the 12 inches behind the viewfinder, so if you can make a good image, you can make a good image with this lens.I have sold mine on, because I made enough with my "hobby" to shell out for the magic 8 ball (the L 50mm f/1.2). Now, that is an addictive low-light lens. But if you're looking at this lens you are not shopping that one--yet.I cannot recommend this lens highly enough for the shooter just starting to explore new glass. If you have talent and love of images, you will find uses for this lens everywhere, and by the time you break it (it's rather fragile), you'll be ready to move on to the big Sigma 50 or the fantastic f/1.4 50 from Canon--or even the magic 8 ball.This is a great lens, because of its price. Canon made this just to suck you in, and it will do just that.
While it's probably just me, I seem to be having a hard time getting the hang of this lens.  I like it for the most part and think I will enjoy it more once I get a handle on it.  That being said, the quality is sturdy and it can take a small beating already (thanks to my son and his grabby hands).  It's also a great buy considering how inexpensive it is.
I ordered this lens a few days ago. It came quickly. When I put it on my camera i was able to take a few pictures, but then it just stopped. It said I needed to clean my lens contacts, so I did. It still won't let me take any pictures though. I bought this as used-like new. Its not like new, it doesn't even work.
I think i would be hard pressed to see another value like this.  The photos come out fantastic, and I am glad someone pointed me to this lense.  One day I might take the step up and shell out significantly more cash, but that day gets stretched out longer and longer because I am so happy with this lense
This is a great lens, super sharp, portable, fast auto focus. I like it a lot. Great for portraits.Yes it's hard plastic, but almost the same build as my rebel XTI (eos 400d)if you drop it you might broke this lens but is there an any lens that could not be broken when you drop?
Before purchasing this lens I did my homework. How could a sub-$100 lens be worth a darn? Every review out there said the same thing - "Amazing quality for a low price." They were all right - it is amazing quality for low price.Can you get a better lens? Of course you can. For $1200 you can get a "professional" 50 prime.Can you get a better lens for under $400? No way.Stop thinking about it and buy this lens already.
I'm a newbie to DSLR cameras and after reading the reviews I decided to purchase this lens....i love the way it blurs the background of whatever shot u're taking, giving the subject a soft but crisp look...i'm loving this lens more than the lens that came with my T3i...If you're considering it, buy it cause it's worth the price!
Long story short, I broke his camera lens. So i bought him this one. He was so thrilled that i did. Happy camper :D And they shipped it fast!!!
Crystal clear shots and the f1.8 really helps reduce the camera motion.  For the price, it is  hard to beat.
This lens is just fantastic. Light, sharp, fast....and did I mention sharp? The reason to get this for sure as your second lens is that it takes pictures that are so greatly different than the kit lens. Don't get this if you are about to get the pricier 50mm f1.4, otherwise it is a must have.
This is a great addition to my camera gear. Every photographer should own a 50mm lens and at this price it is a MUST!
I have bought this lens because of its 1.8 Av and its price...It is pretty good combinationThe only thing that could be better is focusing in shorter distance.The shortest distance for focusing is 0.45m (I think) and that is not close enough to use it for smaller subjects..
This is probably the best value for a lens I've ever seen. If you're new to prime lenses and want to start out small and cheap this is what you want.
This lens is an excellent little one! Pictures have beautiful bokeh! I would buy again if I had too! The lens has held up so far so good and I've had it a few years!
Bought this lens 2 years ago. It took some pretty amazing photos during that time. A lot of food photography. Quality is great - no, amazing - for the price.Today, in the middle of a photo shoot, I was lowering the tripod, and as I did, the lens bumped the side of the table (not hit, not crash, just a slight bump) and the lens literally broke in half!!! The front lens rolled off the table and onto the floor, and the other half of the lens remained attached to the camera. A Google search revealed several other consumers with the same issue.I could not find a way to put it back together.Canon won't fix it after a year. They wanted $112 to fix it. No, thanks.I had to run out to a store that claims their buys are the best, and had to shell out another $125 for a new one. Not happy. Lenses are supposed to out last the camera. My dad is an avid photographer, and has had lenses that lasted through the 80's and 90's and they're still perfectly fine to use today.
I am by no means a professional photographer, but I am very impressed with what this lens can do. This is the third lens in my collection so far, and am very pleased with the quality of photos that come from it compared to the others I have. It allows you to capture amazing photos in low light conditions, and gives an opportunity to capture images almost exactly as can be seen by the human eye. Some reviews and complained about the plastic housing of the lens, but I have not had an issue. I have had my Canon XTi for about 3 years, and have not broken a single lens. I guess it all depends on how hard you use your things. If you are continually dropping your lenses, you may have an issue. Since I keep everything in a padded case and always have the neck strap on, I have not had a problem.I would strongly recommend this lens to anyone looking to capture low-light or portrait images, as it seems to excel in both categories for me. Good luck and happy shooting!
Everyone suggests a budding photography/hobbyist to have a &#34;nifty fifty&#34; and I see why! Love the aperture, love the ease of this lens, quiet motor and clarity. This is my first prime lens, and I'm happy I bought it!
I spend every moment I can walking the streets of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, night and day, from dawn until after midnight or more. In the daytime I use a long lens with IS. By night and in low light ambient situations, this is the lens to use, even without IS. I find the clarity unbeatable, as it is a fixed lens, not zoom, and the simplicity very gratefully received for the difficult situations under which I shoot. Just stand, plan my shot, whip it out, snap, done.Love this lens. Those who do not have other issues.I used this lens last night in a coffeehouse poetry reading here in CJ and it worked great, including during the interpretive dance segment. Just really a great lens, and no problem slipping on and off. I need to carry light and do not carry a large photo bag around with me, just a very small over the shoulder bag like young kids forty years younger than me carry, and my set-up is what I will use until getting back to the hotel to change lenses. The pug nose of this lens makes things a joy all around, and the images produced are incredible, beyond belief, very sharp even with the higher ISO, and a lower ISO can be used because of the aperture.Don't take my word for it. Try it out. At this price it's unbeatable, but use it right, for what it was designed for, and you can take all of the candids you want or need.
I picked up this lens as a "disposable" lens to put on an older Canon Rebel dSLR, as well as a Canon 60D. I currently have a Canon 70-200 IS 2.8 (version II), Canon 16-35 2.8 (version II), and a Tokina 11-16 2.8 (version II). Since I was going to be shooting some shark fishing photos/videos in or near the water, I figured I'd get a lens that would not devastate me if "something bad happened" and I lost the old Rebel and this lens. At the same time, I wanted decent image quality, as well as the ability to do some nice depth of field work with a wide aperture. I saw the reviews and thought I'd pick this up as my first prime lens. I am SOOOOOO impressed with what this lens can do! I honestly look forward to testing this lens out in other circumstances...and don't view it as disposable any longer! I'm not sure if I got a perfect copy, or if every one out there is like this, but words can't do justice to how amazing this lens shoots! The photos from the older Rebel turned out so nice that I had to try it on my 60D. The results were equally spectacular! Seriously, I read the other reviews with a bit of speculation that maybe people were judging this lens based upon its low price/value. Snap some photos with it, then compare them to photos snapped with lenses costing 20x more...it will hold its own! If I was going to find a flaw with how it functions, I'd say that it front focuses a TINY bit when it's wide open and you're in really close (but that's nit-picking) and it's a little slow to focus vs the L series lenses (again, nit-picking). Overall, I'm very, VERY happy with this purchase and can't wait to use it again!
This is a great 2nd lens for someone that's just getting into photography or for an amateur who wants to take better portraits.  Has a learning curve, but with some practice you'll take great pictures!  Worth every penny.
I had to have it because of the 1.8. Now I don't use it as much as I thought I would but it is not the lens fault. Great lens, tack sharp on the subject, which brings me to another point. In some reviews I read that it was almost to sharp, I found that hard to believe and if it was true, I definitely wanted it...right?Well I think I know what they were talking about, so far, and I mean that to say I have not experimented with the lens long enough to get to know the tricks of it.  So far, it is so sharp that if you take a close up picture of say a face, I mean to fill the screen, the nose will be in focus, tack sharp but the forehead might not. This is my fault for not working with it, not yet anyways.It would seem to me to be a manual type setting lens, not your fully auto setting, just my opinion. Outside shots are great where the subject is the whole picture, even inside where the subject isn't so specific. The closer you get to something the more the depth of field become an issue. Not the lens fault, my own short comings. I like the lens and will continue to get to know it.
This is a must have lens in ur camera bag. As soon as I took the first picture, I was very impressed.The photos are sharp and very detailed. The built quality is not that great, but just watch out for the "drunk marmots" so you don't have any problems. ;)I would advice anyone buying this lens to buy it at your local store. I bought mine from Bestbuy and I had to go there twice to exchange the lens, because the autofocus motor wasn't working. I exchanged it twice and both lens has problems. So, keep it simple and fast, get it from the local store.
This is a sharp, fast, crisp lens that is ergonomic and easy to use. I just used it for the first time, and with a little bit of planning and setup, I got a fantastic looking image. Buy this, buy this, buy this. If you aren't sure whether you want to buy this, then buy it. If you don't want to buy this, buy it anyway. Trust me. The only reason that you could have to not buy this was if you already have the 1.4 or 1.2. If that isn't you, stop stalling and start getting great images!
Great buy.  I had one of these before but it broke.  This time I bought the canopy insurance and I am edited to use the lens.
This review is lengthy, detailed, and honest, but it reflects my personal experience which will likely differ greatly from your own, so keep that in mind. This review is geared towards budget minded people (I am a university student after all) with 1.6x crop-sensor cameras, e.g. Rebel, XT, 20D, 30D, etc. who probably started out with the kit lens and now have outgrown it.This is an optically excellent lens at a truly bargain price. Particularly if you are going to this straight from the kit lens, you will be amazed and even shocked at the quality of the images this lens can produce compared to the kit lens.Low-light performance is excellent, with the large aperture (still incredibly sharp wide open) allowing wonderful low light flash-free photography which will greatly impress you, your friends, and your family after you photograph people candidly at your next gathering.This brings me to the focal length limitation. For what I just described, candid low-light photography at a party or other gathering, as well as candid shots of children and pets, this lens excels because on a 1.6 crop camera (such as the Digital Rebel series, which I imagine most people who buy this lens have) this equals approximately an 85mm lens in 35mm film camera terms. This is a classic portrait focal length, and so naturally it is perfect for candid portraits (as well as posed ones, of course) because it lets you get pretty close to people without sticking the camera in their face, as well as providing pleasing out of focus backgrounds with very sharp subjects. Canon also makes an 85mm f/1.8 lens which people who own the more expensive full-frame cameras love for the same reasons those of us with the 1.6 cameras love this one, because the focal length and large aperture are perfect for the sort of photography I've just described.It's not that it has no use besides that, though; I've taken many landscape and cityscape photos with this lens that are wonderful. But usually, I feel very closed in by the long focal length. If you're a long distance away from your subject, this lens can often be great for landscape and nature photography, but eventually you'll be longing for a wider field of view and will at least be tempted to go back to the kit lens for many shots, and for some you will absolutely need it.And this is its biggest problem, which is the flip side of this being a great lens for low-light social gatherings - even if you only use this lens for low light situations, you will feel like you need a wider field of view at least half of the time. To get a group shot of four or five people with this lens in a small house, I literally had to shoot from across the next room through the door, and that still wasn't quite wide enough. My only other option was to use the kit lens, which with its f/3.5 maximum at the widest focal length is just not usable for most low-light situations without a tripod or flash, so I had no choice.To reiterate, it is very likely that if you aren't already spending a lot of money on your camera and lens collection, you will really feel the limitation of not having a wide enough field of view for a lot of your photography. Depending on your style and what you mainly shoot, you could easily get very frustrated with this lens despite its strengths.The other thing that is likely if you're upgrading to this from the kit lens is that you will get addicted to the insane increase in picture quality and low-light usability and will not ever want to use the kit lens again, which means you'll need another higher quality lens that gives you a wider field of view. I used this lens more or less exclusively for about three months, became frustrated at not having a wider field of view, and ended up buying the $350 Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for its "normal" ~50mm equivalent on my 1.6 crop camera, and for its large aperture. That lens is great, by the way, and I wholly recommend it instead of this 50mm lens if you've got the money. You do lose the advantages of the 50mm's long reach for portrait situations, but in general you can make up for this by getting closer to the subject, which admittedly is not always possible. Solution? Get both ;)Ultimate advice? If you've only got the kit lens and maybe a cheap telephoto zoom and you really don't want to or simply can't spend money on more expensive lenses in the near future, don't get this lens yet. Save your money up for a more versatile (and still optically excellent) lens in the $300-400 range, namely the "standard digital zooms" offered by Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina in that price range. I am currently saving up for one of these (probably the Sigma 17-70, the least expensive of them, since the advantages of the others are covered by the 30mm and 50mm lenses).If you crave the low-light performance (which was what attracted me), and you really don't feel like you can spend $300 or more for something like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, then go for it, but don't say I didn't warn you. You'll be craving more expensive lenses in no time.Another disadvantage that you won't notice too much unless/until you have more expensive lenses is the build quality. In terms of durability I'd say this lens is great and it will hold up to normal abuse, but it definitely feels like a plastic toy, the manual focus ring is only marginally better than the one on the kit lens (which is a joke), and if you care about this sort of thing, it looks a little awkward on the camera (I have the Rebel XT). It is the same size as the 50mm lens for my 1978 Canon A1, but since the body styling on these new cameras is so different from the classic camera body style this size and shape looks a little silly. It's purely a cosmetic concern, but don't be surprised if you feel a little self-conscious about using it in public (this won't stop you from using it, of course, because you'll know that the silly look of the lens has no bearing on the outstanding results you get).Finally, the autofocus motor is a little noisy, but if you're used to the kit lens you won't mind it because it's only slightly louder than that (just wait until you're spoiled by the silent and super fast ultrasonic motors on the more expensive lenses, though...) The focus accuracy is excellent, even in low light, but there's no avoiding that it will occasionally have to hunt for focus in very low light and while this is extremely annoying, there's really not much you can do about it even with the more expensive lenses and cameras.Overall - it is hard not to recommend this lens, but only if you get it knowing its limitations ahead of time and you are ok with it, and accept that it will probably make you want more expensive lenses to go along with it.Again - for the things it is best for (portraits and candids, kids, etc., though of course you can do a lot of creative things with it), you can't do better than this lens, especially on a budget (but, this lens compares extremely well with the much more expensive similar lenses!) What it absolutely is not, though, is a "walk-around", general all-purpose lens that you can leave on your camera most of the time like in the film days when most people just had the 50mm f/1.8 lens that came with their camera and never took it off. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 I mentioned fits that bill perfectly, if that's what you're looking for.
Great value for money. I'm a newbie to photography and I've read the other reviews and they're all true! I've an L lens and this does seem plasticky compared to the L, but so far so good.
The capability of this lens is near perfect. It provides awesome photographs. The build may be cheap but that is no reason not to get it. The price ratio to output makes this a must-have. Get it before someone catches on!
My daughter's friend is a professional photographer doing weddings, portraits, etc and when she got started she told a friend she was going to have to get a better camera that the photos weren't as good as she thought she should get.  She has a Canon EOS Rebel XS and they explained it wasn't the camera but the lens and suggested the EF 50mmf/1.8II.  She loved it and uses it on most shots.  So when I was looking for another lens I checked this lens out and read many reviews and decided to go ahead and purchase this one "last"(LOL)lens.  I got it before we went to visit family at Christmas and couldn't be more pleased. The shots were clear and sharp and if I had had time to practice more I am sure the shots would have been even better.  I am a novice and do not ever plan to be a professional but just want to do some really nice shots for me.  I use point and shoots just for fun but my iphone does just about as good and use my canon for those nice set up shots or nature shots.I read many reviews and agreed with most of them.  The lens is light but not cheap feeling to me and is my most used lens.  I use my big telephoto zoom lens for nature shots as we live in Colorado and the shots are amazing if you wait for them.  I have the 18-55mm that came with the bundle I bought with the camera but don't use it much.  I had friends try the lens on my camera during the holiday and they all love it as well and they all have other DSLR cameras too.If you want sharp good photos then this is the lens.  I keep it on my camera almost all the time and since it is so light I use my DSLR more than ever.  The bigger lenses are heavy for me to use constantly due to my RA but this smaller lens is just right.It arrived on time and in excellent condition.  Love it, love it, love it.
I got my new EF 50mm 1.8 II yesterday.  Some people have reported that this is a cheap plastic lens and the quality was not any good.  I paid $75 for it off Amazon.com (delivered).  Although it is made of plastic, I find that it will probably not "fall apart in your hands" as some others have suggested.  My only issue with this lens is that the Manual / AF switch was a bit difficult to slide.  The lens seems to take very clear pictures and the boken seems to be very good.
For less than $100, you get a great lens.Other reviewers, on Amazon and many other sites, have complained about the poor build quality... I can't deny that it's made cheaply compared to it's $300 cousin. But most of the people complaining have an unending list of L-glass lenses in their bag.If you're an amatuer, this lens is more than good. The more expensive version gives you 1/3 stop... a $200 1/3 stop. I've had mine about a year. At f/1.8 I've handheld shots in streetlight and in dim torch-lit restaurants. I cannot imagine a better lens for the money.And worst case, if the lens breaks, I can buy two more before I've come to the total that I would have put into the f/1.4 cousin.I highly recommend this lens.UPDATE 02/2010: After almost 5 years with this lens, it finally bit the big one... literally. First, my wife dropped it onto a wooden deck from chest-high. Other than a scuff on the plastic, no issues with the function of the lens. 2 weeks later, my dad dropped the lens out of my unzipped camera bag (DOH!). The drop didn't kill the lens, the night outside being used as a chew toy for 2 giant schnauzers did.  Bottom line, I stand by my original fervor for this lens. I might personally upgrade to the f/1.4 because I do like to work in very low-light and I occaisionally wish I had just a little more lens speed. But I am certainly teetering because I know how good this lens is.  Happy shooting!UPDATE 12/2011: After a long hiatus, Santa Claus hooked me up with my second copy of this lens. It is just as good as the original.It is still taking wonderful nature shots and is the lens that most often makes people smile when they see the photographs it takes.
This lens has given me some outstanding shots.  I use this lens about 70% of the time and I love it.-Pictures taken with this lens are great.-The price is amazing and once you realize how good the pictures are, you will smirk at the price-The build quility is not the best but for the price and the pictures you get out this lens I cannot give it anything less than 5 stars.
I've used multiple copies of this lens and the 50/1.4. If you're on a severe budget with a crop body and want to take portraits, buy it. If not, buy the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8.Let's start with the good. This is a super-simple lens design. It's very sharp corner-to-corner after f/4. It's sharp at f/2.8, decent at f/2, and a little soft at f/1.8. Contrast is high. Flare and other aberrations are minimal after f/2.8. Every zoom under $1000 is worse.It's durable. The front element is recessed, so you don't need a protective filter or a hood. It's plastic with mostly plastic components. When you drop it, it bounces or falls apart, but rarely breaks. It's trivially easy to take apart and put back together. The build tolerances are lax, but it has few elements and the design doesn't require that much precision anyway. It doesn't weigh anything. The mount is plastic to no consequence.The focus throw is extremely short. Manual focus for video or otherwise is a trial-and-error affair. There's no focus damping. Autofocus is relatively quick. It makes a brief micro-motor noise that no one will find offensive. AF accuracy is hit or miss. The mechanism isn't physically capable of fine differentiations, so you're likely to be a little off at f/2. Micro-focus adjustment is a waste of time unless there's a gross deviation in the base calibration. Most people will find that it focuses well enough.A point of technique: depth of field is very shallow at f/2 and below. Focus and recompose, where you focus with the center point and then shift your view before you take the picture, will ensure slightly out-of-focus pictures. You need to select the correct focus point for your composition. The 10D-50D, 7D, and 5D series all have a joystick to make this easier, though the lack of outer cross points on the 5D and 5D II may negate the benefit.Compared to the 50/1.8 Mark I? The older version has a metal mount, larger focus ring, and a distance scale you'll never use. The optics are the same, as is the focus mechanism. I wouldn't buy one. They sell for 50% more and were made from 1987 to 1990, so any copy has been around for literally decades. Spare parts are uncommon if it breaks.Compared to the 50/1.4? That lens is optically better below f/2.8, focuses quieter, and is capable of marginally higher AF accuracy. It's also less durable and f/1.4 has a gauzy, low-contrast look that's best suited to portraits.Compared to the 85/1.8? The 50/1.8 is worse at everything but weight. AF speed and accuracy is enormously better on the latter. I harp on AF in all of my lens reviews because modern DSLRs and DSLR lens don't have the right focusing screens or focus throw for manual adjustment. You're likely to be SOL if the lens can't hit a mark without assistance.Handling issues aside, this 50/1.8 is the peak of the Canon value equation. No other EF lens under $300 will provide such a dramatic leap in image quality and subject isolation relative to the kit lens. If the focal length is appealing, by all means buy one.
I received the lens promptly and with no damage. The lens is great I have taken about 3 dozen photos and the clarity and definition is superb. I was a little scared at first because of the price and the fact that the lens is plastic. However I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the photos. The lens is fast at f/1.8 and great for all of my potrait photo needs.
For the price this is a must have lens.
It costs roughly 200-300 bucks to get portraits taken of family, babies, kids, etc.  Buy this lens and do it yourself.  This lens will do exactly what you need and will allow you to take as many shots as you want and choose from any of them.  The price of this lens makes it very easy to buy it.
I don't know enough about photography to understand all of the fancy lingo and charts.  What I do know is that this is a great lens for taking pictures indoors.My other lenses are more whiz-bang, but I turn to this one over and over again for getting sharp pictures of my baby in low light conditions.Make this the first lens you buy after the kit lens.
Previous to this lenses I only had the kit lenses 18-55mm. I got this one because of the price and because a lot of people said it would be the next step from your kit lenses. This lens is indeed sharper than the kit lens. However it's incredibly hard to focus on subject. It seems it can't distinguish foreground and background well. I have found good for taking pictures of flowers and landscapes. That's about it.
Awesome lens. Completely worth it for the price.Great interview video lens and portrait photo lenslove this thingfixed 50mm on a crop sensor is pretty tight though
I have owned this lens for over a year. For the price, I don't think you can find a better lens. Takes amazing portraits with blurred background thanks to the fast f1.8.  It is plastic, but I haven't had any problems with it. Still works great!
For the price this lens works great! It takes awesome pictures and I love how low you can set the aperture on it, gives great depth of field!
have really enjoyed this lens, it takes a nice shot.  I have used it outdoors all summer taking shots of the kids and it has been great.the 50mm is a great basic lens to have...
Awesome lens!!!!  The low f stop gives great blurred backgrounds and greater control of lighting..takesgreat bokeh pictures and is awesome for portraits too!  It's one of the cheapest lens I've seen(price-wise) which is awesome because it takes such great pictures and isn't expensive at the sametime!
This is a great lens for portrait and I add close up lens for macro. I would recommend this lens. Great price.
Loved this lens.Its every photographers must have lens. Carry it everywhere i go.The low f stop allows more light to be captured in, yet again, allowing me to receive a huge depth of focus (blurred background/foreground)
Love this little inexpensive lens.  The very shallow depth of field can produce some very neat shots that really draws the viewers sight to the part of the picture that is in focus.  Some of my best photos are with this lens because of this.  I use this a lot when taking photos of my daughter so that her face will be in focus but maybe not the toy she is holding out to me or whatever is in the background, etc.  I use it on a t3i canon.
This was a great starter lens for my 60D. A friend recommended getting this lens instead of getting the kit 18mm lens for my Canon and he was right on the money. Very versatile and a great lens to always have in your lens collection.
Great for portraits. Kind of hard to focus without the range adjustment. But for still pics this is great. It's a little harder for kids since they move more.
After buying my girlfriend a Canon Digital Rebel XT as a gift, I got her this lens when I realized the kit lens was painfully inadequate. She calls it the "in-focus-subject, blurry-background-effect" (she's new to SLRs), and it is exactly that. This camera gives a nice, soft feeling to people-photos, inevitably making them look better than they actually are. Not as good as the 50mm f/1.4 L lens, but a lot cheaper. Great value for great quality.
I bough this lens for a relative who bought my old canon rebel xti from me (at a great price). Since she is pregnant with her 5th kid, I recommended this budget lens as an all-purpose affordable lens that gives a lot of bang for the buck. Personally, i shoot with the 50mm 1.4 which I love, but this does the trick, especially on a 1.6x body like the rebel xti. Anyone learning photography is wise to get a prime lens and learn to frame shots by moving around. Some say zoom lenses make people lazy. By moving around you can actually find better angles and shots than if you could just adjust a zoom. Sure, zooms are great, but prime's are both cheaper and better, and make better photographers, especially for someone just starting out with a dslr on a budget. The main difference to the 1.4 is the build quality is better on the 1.4 and the bokeh is smoother, not to mention a lower f-stop means lower light shooting without cranking up the ISO but not by much. This is perfectly adequate and for $104 on amazon, a no brainer.
The shots im getting off this lens are amazing. You do need to get used to it but you know what its part of the photographing fun experience.
This lens (or something of the sort) should definitely be in anyone's DSLR backpack, if not on the camera already. For the price it's being sold at, this lens can do so much at f/1.8. However, on APS-C sensor DSLRs, it tends to be a bit harder to use, since you have to back up to get more into the picture. You can capture great images with this lens, as long as you have enough light (as goes with most lenses and DSLRs). This is also a great lens for manual-focus video shooting, since the AF tends to be very loud and quite slow.
This lens is sharp as a tack and works quite well. The AF is a little slow, but it's still a bargain at this price. Every Rebel XT owner should have one in their bag for this price. The sharpness and clarity blow the kit lens away.
I bought this lens a few years back, but only recently got into things in depth enough to really give it a lot of use.Most people have echo'd the same things, but I wanted to put my agreements.The picture quality is solid, sharp, and amazing.  The lens is second to none for the price, and highly worth every penny.  You get some amazing pictures from it as long as you have a steady hand (or tripod/fixed surface).  You can't beat what you get for your 100 bucks.The only reason it didn't get five stars, and the same reason people have mentioned.  The build quality leaves a lot to be desired.  The plastic casing is pretty fragile feeling, but you know this is a case of "quality for low cost" design, and you're hopefully aware of that going in.  Just baby the lens, and you'll be fine.I highly recommend it to any photographer from beginning to advanced as a nice low cost piece to your photographic arsenal.
After buying nothing but L lenses, i thought I would give this another shot!  Originally bought it when photography was fairly new to me and didn't really like it.  Now that I know more on what I'm doing, def. a must have in my collection.  Very clear pics and super-fast as well.  Does look quite cheesy compared to  my 70-200 2.8 IS but who cares.  And on top of all that,[...] I'd give a lot more than that for it.  One more thing, build qual. is very cheap but who cares, I'll be buying another one when this breaks
For the money you can't go wrong. It is light and feels cheap but it takes great photos. I am able to take some great shots in very low light without flash using this lens. It gives me a lot of versatility in low light situations. You can't go wrong buying this lens.
50mm becomes 80mm on the Rebel XT. If that's the focal length you're after, great. I find it a little too long for what I normally shoot.Overall, it takes some very nice shots. I use this in churches that don't allow flash or tripods. It has saved me on more than a few occasions. Since it is a fixed focal length you have to crop your images afterwards to get the framing you really wanted. (Sometimes it is physically impossible to move to the position you need to be in to get the shot you want)It is soft wide open but starts to get very sharp from 2.8. Auto focus is pretty much useless in very low light. You have to switch to manual for these situations. One thing I don't like is that you cannot focus manually while auto focus is set to auto.One big plus is the lens is extremely small and light weight. Coupled with a Rebel XT you hardly feel like you are carrying anything around your neck.If you normally use zooms you will have to get in the habit of moving closer and farther from your subject. Your feet are now your zoom.Another big plus, it is only 80 bucks!!! If you are on a tight budget you can be getting great shots while you are saving for an L lens.Check out the pics I uploaded if you want to see unedited examples of what this lens can do.
This lens works great, provides a large aperture for the price, and has very fast focal lock. I have no complaints about it.
I'm just now getting into photography and wanted to upgrade from my stock 18-55mm. And I must say this lens makes a world of a difference! The f1.8 gives so much more freedom for indoor shooting than I could have ever imagined. And the piece has a good solid feel to it. I have the confidence in it to even let my 2 year old girl (under my supervision!) take a few clicks. Even she took crisp pictures with this lens indoors! But then again, maybe she's a prodigy.
This is a very nice, simple, clear lens.  I especially like the size and quality/stability.  Looking forward to experimenting with various other accessories to see what I can come up with.
Best lens I own, love it.
I was advised to get this lens by a friend and OMG!  It has definitely raised my work up a level!  I'd highly recommend it!
This lens feels cheap, because it's plastic, but if every plastic lens shoots as well as this lens does, sign me up for every plastic lens to come out of the market! It's light, and plasticy, but I cannot emphasize ENOUGH how great this lens shoots.I love 50mm, it's this wonderfully happy middle-ground lens, it's good for individual shots, group shots, close shots, nature shots, action shots, sports shots, event shots, etc. 50mm is just so versatile, and I really love having that generous f/1.8 aperture.This lens handles low light surprisngly well (but don't expect it to be absolutely incredible). You'll find 50mm to be a little tight for larger group shots (10 or more people), but for everyday shooting, this is my go-to lens. It focuses nicely, and quickly, and despite it's cheap plasticky feel, it is surprinsgly durable!It's been able to handle moisture, heat, and a fair amount of rattling, bumps, and bruises, and it still shoots beautifully like a champ!BUT, a word of warning. This hasn't happened to me, but a friend of mine with the same lens warned me, and this warning holds true with all lenses. Make sure when you're not shooting with this lens, you set it to manual focus, sometimes if you leave it in autofocus, if you jostle your camera around it can jostle the motors within your lens, and break the motors for autofocusing.
Very sharp lens. Fun to play with. Makes an excellent portrait lens on a cropped-frame sensor. However, it's plastic, and it shows. The focus is loud and not too fast, but for $70 you'd be hard-pressed to find something better.
What else can be said about it. It's sharp! Cheap * dont drop it*! and Compact! A little loud when focusing, but gives awesome bohen. DoF that is. I use it mainly as a headshot lens. Talk about sharp as a tack....! In a year or so.. I'll up to the f1.4. I hear great things about it too.
I work in video production, and we use a Canon 50mm f1.2 lens on a C300 for interviews. I own this lens, the f1.8, and use it on a 60D for stills. My walk about lens is the 24-105mm f4 L, but it's big and heavy. If I want to have a smaller profile, this is the lens I choose. The build quality is fine, and the performance is excellent for the price. For anyone who bought a Canon DSLR with one of the cheap kit zooms, this lens is a must!
There's alot of hype over this lens based on it's cost to performance ratio.  For such a cheap price, it really does well.  My copy however had front focusing issues.  At lower f-stops, which front focusing is not as much an issue, the images were still somewhat soft for my taste.  With studio lighting it does very will, and is very sharp.  I would recommend this lens to anyone starting out. It's a great lens to practice with.  Just check and make sure that it doesn't have any focusing issues.  I sent mine back because of it.
This is a must have lens for Canon EOS users.  It is so much better than the cheap zooms, and the extra stops make it worth it even if you already own higher end zooms.For the price point, it really has great optical performance.  Sure the build quality isn't great (don't drop it!) and it has noisy auto focus.  But this lens in unmatched in terms of optical performance per dollar.
The large f/1.8 aperture allows me to take action photos indoors for a reasonable price. My daughters do gymnastics and as long as I get close to the action, I've been able to get some nice shots that would have been blurred with my other lenses. Certainly, there are better (very expensive) lenses, but since I only use it occasionally, it makes sense for me. I have no problem with the quality of the photos. It works with both an XTi and a 40D body with no issues.
I love using this lens for documentaries! Great lens for the price! the F stop on this lens is amazing.
Pros: Absolutely no better way to get started with prime lenses short of finding a used EF 50mm f/1.4; it's fast, it's light, and it'll teach you about depth of field and bokeh. It'll make you focus with your feet, and getting closer WILL improve your images.  If you get a good one--and I received a good one first time out--the autofocus is fast and locks in tight.  And if something goes horribly wrong (slip, crash, tinkle), you can buy a new one with very little heartburn.Cons: With the sensor factor, it's effectively an 80mm lens, so it's not really "normal," it's made of plastic, it can be soft when it's wide open (the focal plane is vanishingly small at f/1.8), and it seems to be subject to some quality control issues in manufacturing.  If you have big, meaty fingers, it can be difficult to find the ring when you want to focus manually.I bought this thing as an affordable experiment: it's been a happy little surprise because it's a damn fine bit of glass. I find myself reaching for it a lot, especially for close-up work.  Now, the only thing holding me back from more primes is that pesky money issue.
good for low light use, especially indoors with no flash. a great lens for the price, while some people have expressed concerns about the build quality, it seems fine.  It works great with my Canon 30D,
I heard this lens called "Plastic Fantasic" somewhere. The description fits. It is light and a bit flimsy feeling and I wouldn't bang it around but then I don't do that to my expensive lenses either. The image quality from this is, in a word, ... "Fantastic". I don't need the faster version myself and could purchase many of these for that price. If you need the speed, spend the money on the better ones. If you want a great prime lens for portrait and other work for a little money, Get this one.
This little lens is worth its weight in gold.  With a f stop of 1.8 you can really do some fun shots that just cannot be done on other lenses.  The focal length is great for portraits as well as landscapes and is a good all around lenses if you are looking to empty out your camera bag a little big.  This lens is not a rugged as other canon lenses, I know because this one is my second, but at this price if you drop it and break the motor, not a good day for me, you can easily replace it compared to the 1.4 or 1.2 models that canon produces.  I think this lens is a must for any photographer who enjoys experimenting with portraits or other small depth of field applications.
Bought this lens for my 10d to shoot in low light conditions, and for that it works great.  It has a really shallow depth of field at 1.8, but that makes for some interesting photos.  The construction seems ok, it is a plastic lens, but if your careful it should be fine.  This has been my main lens since I got it.  big thumbs up.
I have not as yet had an opportunity to use my new lens to photograph. I have carefully inspected it, mounted on the camera body and focused on many objects to get a feel for the lens. I was greatly pleased with the product though I do confess that I have a preference for Canon products, the quality in which is always very high. I am certain I will be totally pleased with the lens when time will permit me to actually take some photos with it. In addition to that this product was well packed and arrived speedily at my home. Thus I am also quite pleased with the seller. It is apparent that they take great pride in their products and in their service. I would never hesitate to recommend them.
There are a lot of reviews here and there saying how this is one of the best lenses you can get for your money... & They are absolutely right and, better yet, you'll be getting more for your money.I was having trouble deciding between the 1.8 and the 1.4 but decided to go w/ the 1.8 (I was a student and was short on $$). The results this lense produced were incredible. The color and contrast were amazing and the sharpness is also undeniable. Great for indoor & low light shooting due to its wide aperture. Sure the 1.4 may be better in low light, and according to various reviews, 1.4 is a great piece of lense (I'm pretty sure they're right). I may have gone with the 1.4 if I had the $ for it, but I've never regretted going for the 1.8, not once.As for the build quality, what can I say? If one of your criterias on choosing a lense is build quality, this lense should be at the bottom of your list (perhaps not even on your list). This lense is no tank like the L lenses. It's light, flimsy, and if I shake my lense slightly, I can feel and hear some of the inside moving... AND I DON'T CARE! Yes, the build quality may be sub-par, but the results this lense produce certainly outweigh the negative build quality. My first 1.8 crapped out on me after about 3 years (didn't focus, AF or MF). When I found out it was broken, hell, I just got a new one (pretty cheap for a lense). Still rattled when I shook it, still had the plastic lense mount, still flimsy looking, but it is on my 20D almost 80% of the time.Some may think that this lense is just a big hype because of its price but you won't regret this lense.
I love this lens, great for people on a budget who want to get into photography.
This lens has become my favorite. I love the speed of the lens. Every beginner photographer should have this lens in his or her bag.
Initially, when pulling this lens out of the box, I thought this was one of the best deals I could have found. $100 for a prime 50mm f/1.8 lens sounded like a deal. I didn't have any fast lenses in my pack and thought I'd try out 50mm with my 60D to see how I liked it before I pulled the trigger on a more expensive 50mm lens. This lens has beautiful bokeh at f/1.8 and shoots moderately well in low light. Initially, when looking at the snapshots on the camera's LCD the images looked FANTASTIC. After pulling them onto my PC for editing I realized that the lens has a great deal of trouble with white balance and chromatic abberation. On one image of a fence shot at an angle, I was able to see that green and magenta halos appeared above and below black objects on white backgrounds, which explained the lack of sharpness. Many of the darks look crushed and the image never looks sharp, regardless of the shutter, ISO, and aperture settings. When using both AF/MF I wasn't able to get anything sharp enough to be viewed at high resolution, even when using a well lit scene, fast shutter times and a tripod because of this lens. The same scenes shot on my 18-85mm lens looked significantly clearer and much more accurate when shooting the same lighting conditions. This lens is also unable to focus on anything beyond just a few dozen meters. This would be the first 50mm lens I've played with that DIDN'T focus to infinity. The focal plane maxes out at about 20 meters. In Canon's defense, I'm pretty sure I got a dud, which is a bit frustrating on a $100 purchase, even if it is the cheapest lens out there it should be able to pass quality control.Because of the price, it's not worth it to ship this lens back or sell it. I'll keep it for less important shots. Unfortunately it's useless as a portrait lens because the colors on the face are wildly inaccurate and faces look unnaturally saturated in color. Next time I'll avoid buying an inexpensive lens. Reading the reviews I had assumed the lens was fine, but apparently there are some manufacturing issues with the glass components themselves, not just the casing.
This lens is such a good bargain.  At f1.8 it is great for low light work.  I go to this lens anytime I do family events or get togethers inside and at night.  At under $100 everyone needs to have one.
I got this lens just a few days before going on vacation to Europe so I didn't have much time to use the lens on my EOS T1i before I was putting it to use.  The first day, I arrived in Gdansk, Poland and it was already getting dark. By the time we got checked into the hotel it was already quite dark, but we decided to explore the old town at night.  I put on my brand new 50mm F1.8 lens knowing I would be taking night shots if I could get any shots at all.All I can say is WOW.  I was able to take shots at F1.8 that I just cannot believe.  I lost very few pictures to camera shake even though the lighting conditions were poor and I was well beyond range of a flash.  I took almost 200 photos my first night using this lens and I lost maybe 5%.  Once I got the hang of shooting in low-light conditions I was absolutely blow away by this hundred dollar lens.Not that low-light is the only condition where this lens shines.  The 50mm f1.8 lens is really great for taking portraits where it produces extremely sharp, clean results.  I took the best picture I've ever taken with this lens.  I'm having it professionally printed and framed.So to sum up this review:  Buy the lens.  It's worth more than what you're going to pay for it!
amazing lens. seriously, this lens is amazing for the price. stop reading reviews and buy it.
This lens takes a little practice to figure out how you wish to use it but once you figure it out the whole world is up for your creativity. I have enjoyed finding new ways to capture photos. To me this allows for some very artistic work.This works with manual or automatic focus on the camera. The photos are clear.
exactly what we were looking for the receiver of this gift was pleasantly surprised and has since taken many excellent photographs
I've just had the chance to take a few pictures with this lens and I'm really liking the results. I have 2 other canon lenses and the EF50mm f/1.8 ll seems to pick up more light so the shots appear brighter. Very happy.
this replaces a borrowed lens i needed to return.  i do a lot of macro work.  focal point is sometimes demanding, but excellent results
Great little lens for the money ... I got it for the price. Shots are above average compared to others in same price range. However, beware, it's pretty much a plastic lens... the housing feels very cheap and quality in build but just be careful when you are traveling or waking around with it. Actually it's so cheap in price, if it does break just buy another one. But I know Canon will honor any issue with it. I recommend this buy
This is the lens to experiment with. With f/1.8, you can make pretty nice effects here. However, the bokeh(out of focus area) is a bit rough at apertures other than f/1.8. This is due to the five blade apertures used in the lens. This is a very good entry portrait lens on APS-C camera with an effective focal length of 80mm.EDIT:In two years of owning this lens, I have found more uses for it than just shooting it at f/1.8.1. If you detach the lens and shoot through it in reverse (yes, reverse). This turns into a macro lens. Of course, it is not nearly as optically brilliant as a true macro lens, but it is definitely worth experimenting with! If you want to change the aperture, you will need a camera with a depth of view preview button. You'd press on that button as you detach the lens and it will be whatever aperture you set it too prior to detachment.2. This lens is also good for free-lensing, where you also detach the lens and pivot it. You can change the plane of focus to achieve effects that a tilt-shift lens can achieve, or google lensbaby. But you'd have the benefit of a f/1.8 maximum aperture. Changing the aperture is the same as I mentioned in #1.The possibility with the lens is endless!
This lens takes really good photos. The only problem is it does not have image stabilizer but I wouldn't trade it in for anything!
If your looking for this then you already know what it is....LOOK at the price.... Okay Stop trippin get that.Yes you know its made out of plastic and glass so no it wont survive being thrown on the grown...but then again neither will your camera.........take care of your ;)  again LOOK at the price..... Okay Stop trippin get that  #SOFOREAL #nsts
Upon arrival of my 50mm f/1.8 II lens, I literally spent the next few weeks shooting with nothing else but this lens.  It's very inexpensive, and also very fun.  For those who are just getting into photography and have a Canon DSLR, this lens is definitely something to be considered.  The image quality is great, rendering some surprisingly sharp shots.  The only downside is its construction, which in itself is not a problem, just a small nuisance.  After months of use, the plastic focus-ring has begun to make some noise and is no longer as smooth as it was when I first bought it.  Still, the plastic construction provides for a lens that is fun, fast, and very lightweight.  Overall, I would highly recommend this for anyone who is on a budget and has a passion for photography.
I want to love this lens. I really do.  In fact, owning this gem was actually a motivator that made me buy my digital SLR!  Seriously, I'm a big bang for the buck guy, and a father of 2 GORGEOUS little girls (the other biggest motivator for buying a 60D), and the idea of having a very fast lens that would allow me to shoot in natural light/low light situations (not a big flash guy), and that was considered the perfect "portrait" length lens, for only $100?  Sounds too good to be true.  Well, maybe, maybe not.  I remember from my days as a Rebel XS owner with the God-awful kit lens that whenever I was taking pictures of my kids, I had a muscle memory that was almost reflexive: zoom almost all the way in and crank the wheel to the left (to get the lowest aperture possible).  Why?  I had settled on "zoomed almost all the way in" as the most pleasing focal length for portraits. On that lens, that was--you guessed it-- about 50 mm.  And cranking the aperture all the way down?  Well, of course that was to get a short depth of field.  Unfortunately, though, that lens was so slow that, zoomed in that far, it wasn't quite short enough to get any of the pleasing blurred backgrounds we all love so much, and which scream, "Hey! This picture was taken with a REAL camera!".Enter the "nifty 50".  It stands to reason that as a prime lens, perfectly suited to this style of picture, and with a much lower aperture, it would be my go-to, but it's not that cut and dry.  The reason being, the trade-offs often make it a less desireable choice than my other lens, the 18-135 mm f3.5-5.6 IS (60D kit lens). Read on...Does the 50 mm f1.8 lens make blurry backgrounds a snap?  Sure it does.  But my dreams of shooting without a flash in low light and getting gorgeous, sharp portraits with blurred backgrounds are taking a bit of a beating.  See, according the reviews and my real-world testing, this lens is a bit of a mess at f1.8.  lt has noticeable edge blur and suffers from a lot fringing and some other  general sharpness-busting badness you don't want in a portrait.  How do you fix it?  You stop down.  According the the thorough review at dpreview [...] you get your sharpness back at around f3.5, and it performs its best at f5.  f5!?  Yes.  So, what do you get inside with artificial light at f5?  Motion blur.  You generally need to shoot at a really high ISO, which can be noisy, or at a low shutter speed, which introduces motion blur.  Not holding camera steady enough or not on a tripod?  According to the old 1/focal length rule of thumb, you're just not going to get good results below 1/50th of a second.  And this is where my other lens comes back.  See, at 50mm, the zoom lens, which is also surprisingly sharp, matches the 50mm's aperture at f5.  And--and this is a biggie--it has image stabilization.  Once I realized all this, I ran a few tests to see if it really meant what it sounds like.  I WANTED to be proven wrong on this.  Like I said, I really want to love the 50.  But test after test, I found that at 50mm, f5, with image stabilization on, I get better results from the zoom lens just about 100% of the time.  I'm sure there are situations where having the ability to jump down to f3.5 or f1.8 will be a welcome capability, but so far, I am finding that I am more likely to get a shot I will keep--a sharp, well-exposed shot without motion blur or noise--when I use my zoom lens.I don't mean this review to be an authoritative dismissal of this lens. On the contrary, I still gave it 4 stars, because I still think it's a surprisingly good product for the price, and have no doubt I will get some good results from it.  It just so happens that I bought it for a pretty specific reason, and I'm finding out that it may not be so well-suited for that purpose.  I'm still looking for That perfect use for the lens that makes me sure I couldn't do without it.
This is a great lens for the price! A MUST for indoor pictures, with or without flash.
This is working out great for my food photography. Easy and simple to use to get those great shots needed.
I was totally stoked to get the Canon 50mm EF II f1.8 and read the reviews about how cool it was, how the pictures were awesome, and how if you are careful the plastic casing wouldn't be an issue. Boy was I wrong. Let me start by telling you that I ADORE the photos I have with this lens. Completely love them, but the problem is I bought the lens in August and it has been broken more than it works. After one months the near focus didn't work. I could only shoot at infinity with it. I sent it back to Canon and it took two months to get it back! It worked fine again, but I noticed it's very loud when shooting AI SERVO (which I did on a dance concert photo shoot where I had 4,000 shots with it). It also made grinding noises. I shot with it for about another month and while away on holiday I went to take a shot and the focus didn't work again. I flipped to manual to get my shot before finding a table where I could examine the lens closer, but the focus ring would NOT turn. I took what amounted to a terribly blurry shot and went to a table. I took off the lens and tried to turn the ring again. This time, the front glass of the 1.4 fell of right in my hand! My lens is now in two pieces, and I am ready to call Canon to demand a replacement not a repair. I will then sell the replacement and use the money towards a 50mm f1.4!
If you own a Canon camera. Get this lens. A stand alone 50mm should be in everyone's bag of tricks. The DOF it provides at f 1.8 is fantastic. Highly recommended.
This is a great lens for portraits.  For me it feels great and I would definitely recommend it.  For the money you cant beat it.
Short and sweet, this is a nice little lens.  If you need a fast cheap lens this is it.  Super light because it's plastic.  I use this on a Canon 40D.  For the low end of $70.00 it can't be beat.
This lense provides an excellent starting point for newbies like me. It also provides excellent aperture level without having to go with 800+$ lenses.
I went through 3 of these little guys. I would consider this the lens that opened up the world of photography for me, mostly outdoor photography and even in low light situations. Really, this lens is extremely efficient and works wonders with very little lighting and performs well in bright sunlight lighting, which is what I mostly used it for.I used this lens in the early stages of photography and it was like buying a fancy pair of glasses that made you see the world differently. It is unbelievable what this little lens can capture, if you &#34;see it&#34; it will take it for you with ease. Super great for soft images consumed in a world of light.It is much sharper than kit lens but softer than its brothers (50 1.4/1.2). If you are looking to add a lens to your starting collection, make sure it is this one. I guarantee that for an amateur photographer it will open up a new world that will be magnificent to discover .. and picture.
this product is well worth the money! i suggest noob photographers to go with this lens. the only thing i don't like is that the photos are super cropped on my rebel xti but besides that it's awesome!
Only wish that I had known that I also needed to order additional lens hood as lens does not accept standard 50mm hood
This was one of my favorite lenses until it was stolen.  Takes very sharp pictures and with one 1.8 aperture, good for indoor with natural lighting.  The low cost is not reflected in the picture quality, but the lens body is plastic and will not last if dropped.  Still, it is light weight.  The length is a good general length, not too long if you have a crop body such as the Rebel line.  This lens will blow the low end kit lenses away with color and sharpness.I really missed this when stolen until I got the new STM lenses.  Purchased this as gift for daughter just getting into DSLR photography.
I got both canon 50 1.4 and the plastic fastastic 1.8. Most of the time my pictures get mix up in my 2011 and now 2012 folder in my computer and to be honest, CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. Maybe if someone is pixel peeping or looking for the shape of the bokeh (if that's important) but not me until I check the data. When times I carry my oldie L lens the Canon 17-35 2.8 in events or party, I carry my plastic fastastic in my pocket for ultra low light and extra reach just in case as most of us do. It's light, it's amazingly clear, and super cheap. I dont worry of beating it up but it doesn't because it stays in my pocket and it doesn't even have a hood so it stays small. AF is fine and better than my Carl Zeiss manual lenses, and AF motor is not really that noisy. I agree that this lens should be in every photographers bag as a main 50mm or backup. I am very happy with this lens.
I lost one of these down a crevasse, so I replaced it with another one. I occasionally need a fast (low light) lens for my Canon T3i, and this basically works fine. Optically, it's not a superb quality lens, but it's good enough to have in my kit. I think I paid, maybe, $80 for it. If I lose another one, I'll probably buy another one.
This lens is sharper than my 24-60mm 2.8 that cost 4x as much. It really makes the case for primes. Fun to use.
If you just bought a DSLR and want to dabble in photography, this is a great lens to start off with.  Although it is audibly slightly noisier than the $1000 f/1.4 version, it is still able to take marvelous shots with the ability to experiment with depth of field.  In my experience, it's narrow field of view becomes a crutch at times, but I feel it does a great job of training your eye on how to frame shots well.  Getting the 'entire picture' doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a good one.Being able to stop down the lens to f/1.8 means you can shoot in lower light situations and still manage to get fantastic shots.  The autofocus does struggle at times when you are in dim situations, so practice manually focusing, especially for indoor shots that are only illuminated by artificial lighting.Aside from all the great things previously mentioned, this lens really shines when used for portrait shots.  There is an acuteness to detail that none of my other average grade lens can attain and the subtleties of the image really pop.  In addition, there is a slight softness felt in the image that makes the pictures you capture feel intimate.  Pictures speak a thousand words so I'll upload a few pictures to demonstrate this better than I can describe.In conclusion, for $100, this is one of the best lenses one can buy and even after you save up for months to purchase more expensive L lenses down the road, I'm sure you'll still be coming back to this one.
given the fact that it has a plastic outer shell.. the lens is just super awesome for the price...and it takes some awesome pics as well. Super recommended
First, Adaroma is awesome.. they sent my lens before my camera came :)SEcond, it is sooo good and it's so cheap! sometimes i get scared what if it breaks cuz it's plastic but it didnt give me any problem till this time.. It has some issues with auto focus.. it doesnt get it quickly it takes some time to auto focus but if you do it manually it is just so awesome!I love my lens! great DOF.. Definitely recommend to anyone!
BEST LENSE EVER. I BROUGHT THIS FOR A PHOTO SHOOT AND THIS WORKED PERFECT. I WILL BUY AGAIN. GREAT PRODUCT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
At $300, this lens would offer great image quality. That you can get it for ~$70 makes it an absolute no-brainer. It should be in your bag. On a crop body like a 30D or XT/XTi, it makes a nice portrait lens.Yes, the build is plasticky, and it certainly doesn't look sexy, but those are minor gripes. If the build quality bothers you, buy another one when this one breaks. As for the sexiness, well, that you'll have to deal with on your own.
First off. Let me say to others. STOP DROPPING THE DAMN LENS! I have 5 lenses. In 7 years I have never dropped a single one! What do you people do? Any lens will break or losen up something if you drop it! Anyway. Get this lens over the 1.4. Why? Because on the 1.4 YOU CAN NOT USE IT AT 1.4! All your images will have a glow around. That is common for that lens. So you have to use it at 1.8 and 2.0. So why would you buy a 1.4 you can not use. Get the 1.8. It is a wonderful sharp lens! And you save about $200.00Yes the 1.8 has cheap build quality compared to things that are NOT metal! Just dont drop the thing! It has lasted me two years so far!
If you've been shooting with your kit lens and are starting to feel that rumbling in your gut from an oncoming attack of GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome), this is a terrific first lens to add.  It is inexpensive and has great image quality.  Most importantly, it is very small and fast.  When a kid is blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, the look on their face is what everyone should notice, not a camera flash or folks tripping over a tripod.  This lens will fit unobtrusively on your camera and is fast enough that with practice you can get your shots in all but the lowest light.
There is simply no better lens for the money in cameradom.  Yes its cheap, no its not the best build quality, but the results just speak for themselves.  Great piece of glass, especially for the money.  Excellent depth of field, sharp photos, I've gotten more than my fair share of "wows!" from friends and family based on the results with this lens.Can't say enough good things about it.  For somewhere just south of $100 you can't go wrong.  Many Canon camera owners should have this lens at the ready in their bag of lens tricks!
This is a fantastic lens. It is everything everyone said it is, plus more-(protection from drunk marmots is awesome..guess they want to make sure you pay attention when rating things) Anyway-I was surprised to read that the construction was cheap feeling. It doesnt feel cheap at all to me. Maybe because it is so small compared to other lenses that makes people feel that way but it feels well made to me. I was expecting to handle it gingerly and baby it but when I took it out of the box I was pleasantly surprised at the feel of it. Not toy like at all,but when compared to my other lenses yes, it is of course a huge difference.I love this lens so far and I've only had it for one day.I use a Canon 7D and I have a feeling this lens will quickly become my favorite!
There's been enough reviews written about this lens. If you have an extra $75 laying around and want to get a lens that takes better pictures of people than the kit lens, get this lens.
I've recommended this lens to many many people - this is the first lens every photographer or aspiring photographer should have.If you are on the fence between this and the 1.4 - the 1.8 it does just as good of a job, plus your assistant can drop and break it during a shoot, and you don't have to think about the 400.00 you are out. (this is our 2nd 1.8)Its not as noisy as you think - it focuses pretty darn quick, even in low light, and its tack sharp - just buy this lens!
I bought this lens as a gift for birthday. Item was delivered couple days before the scheduled arrival time and the packaging was just fine. But the lens happened to have a very noticeable back focus so camera didn't focus properly (especially on apertures 1.8 - 4.0) and most of pictures come out blurry. Too bad, going to return it and buy 50mm 1.4
For 100 bucks it's awesome but I'm a very amateur photographer and videographer. I recommend to all beginners before shelling out big $$$ for the 1.4 or 1.2
If you want a good all around lens you can't beat the price on this one.
This is a GREAT starter lens for any beginner to intermediate photographer.  It is perfect for night shots due to it's large f/1.8 aperture and it's amazing for portrait shots due to it's narrow depth of field creating a beautiful bokeh (blurriness) background for your subject.  It instantly makes your photos look professional, no kidding.  This is titled 2nd review because my daughter now has my original lens and this is a replacement.
This lens i bought as a back up lens just in case...but now and then i use it for close up shots... i dont feel the need to spend any more on a lens of this type when doing wedding photography, it works good enough.
This is a good durable product that works as advertised. I would recommend it to anyone it's worth the money. I love this lens.
I bought this item after taking a class and wanting to repeat one of the close-up examples the instructor shared with us all.  This is a great lens as far as I can tell.  I have no knowledge of the finer points but from my amateur viewpoint it does exactly what it says it would do and everything I could have wanted from it.
Let me first qualify by stating that this is the 1st lens I've purchased for my Canon dSLR Rebel XT beyond the kit lens (17-55mm).For the money this is one excellent lens. The build quality is good. And the shots are crisp, rich in color and are of a perceivably higher quality than those of the somewhat soft edged shots with the kit lens. The low F-stop allows you take shots that would otherwise require a tripod or a flash to capture without camera shake.I only wish there were more lens of this quality for the $$.Don't hesitate to pick up this prime lens as either an alternative or back-up lens for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
Believe me there's no reason not to buy this lens for the price and performance. This lens works so much better than the kit lens that came with my XTI. It works great in low light and I'm happy I bought it.
We have a Canon 5D Mark ii, this lens is awesome especially for the price. I would recommend for sure.
This lens take really clear pictures for indoors.
Love this lens!  Takes clear, crisp pictures with depth and vibrant color. It's easy to use, quality lens. Highly recommend!
There's a lot of other reviews out there by photographers far more knowledgeable than I, so I'll keep this little blurb simply about my experience with this lens.  I'm very new to DSLRs, and recently bought a Canon T3i because my old point and shoot (a Canon G10)was simply inadequate for taking pictures the way I needed to.  I teach autistic students, and enjoy taking candid pictures of all the fun things we do.  Unfortunately, using a flash in a classroom is very intrusive, and *not* using a flash results in many otherwise cute pictures being ruined because of blurriness.  So, I needed a camera that was better in the relatively low-light, fast-motion environment of a classroom.  Enter my new Canon T3i.  Even with the stock 18-55 lens, it was able to produce wonderful, clear pictures without a flash.But, after reading all the positive reviews of the nifty-fifty, I realized it may be even better-suited to my intended purpose.  And...it is.  The lens is very fast and sharp, and has yet to produce one blurred picture, even when the children are in motion.  I didn't find myself waiting for a movement pause to snap the picture anymore.  I just simply took the picture.  And, the narrow depth of field can produce an effect that makes pictures that look even that much more striking.So, given what I've experienced using this lens, I wouldn't hesitate to suggest it to other aspiring photographers in similar situations.  Cheers!
This is a great prime lens by Canon as all the other reviews have pointed out. I use it mainly for portraits. Because of the low f-stop, the depth of field can be adjusted to be shallow enough to get just the right amount of background of blur. It is also great for indoor shots in low light.
This is a sharp lens.  I'm using it to start exploring primes and it seemed a cheap way to do that.  Glass is good but body is expectedly (for the price) cheap feeling.  Auto focus also seems to hunt a little more than I like.
The bad stuff first, it's made of plastic and I can believe everything the other reviewers say about it's fragility.  Definitely handle with care. But wow, who would have known so little money could get you such a quality lens.  It's really a specialty lens for close ups and portraits, not what I would consider a walk around lens.  I am amazed at the sharpness and detail this little lens puts out.  At 1.8f it  creates some awesome clarity, bokeh, refined detail.  Perfect for intimate shots but also can be handy for wide angle use too,  just not very versatile and certainly not my first choice. Unfortunately it has no image stabilization so a tripod is a must to get the most out of it. Auto focus is loud but reasonably fast. A great value, fantastic pictures, and a must for any photographer's lens collection.
agreed, poor build quality. but why do u need to see the quality when it can shoot decent pictures? not 50 mm f1.4 grade, but hey....its damn cheap. u can use it for a few months and then discard when u upgrade. good for ppl on a tight budget/learners (like me :-(). anywayz, its so fast...never missed an expression on my kid's face...and works very well indoors/poor lighting. but i think i will never buy a thing from adorama again, took a month to get this lens, customer service sucks..they told me they shipped it so now its not their responsibility...had to wait in line for an hour at my local post office to get this lens. emailed them twice after that..no response...not even an apology!! adorama lost 1 customer for life.
Takes amazing pictures, although the fixed focus can become quite old if it's the only lens you have on your person. I highly recommend getting the standard zoom lens as it is more readily able to shoot pictures and videos. Great price. Can't go wrong with a prime lens.
This is a great lens for star fields. It is about the least expensive lens canon makes and also one of the fastest. The focus was sharp to the corners without coma. See my photo of a portion the Milky Way. This was obtained with a 30sec exposure with a Rebel XT on an inexpensive clock drive sitting on a picnic table.
This is a great lens for the money. It's cheap and has a wide aperture for low light shots. Love it.
Great buy for your money! The video quality is great. The lense brings in enough light so you can film in your room without any extra lighting and it doesn't look to bad.
this is the best esp... in low light i dont use all the time really i dont use much but when i need a great lens that will do its all in low light then u need one reall i thik every one should have one
Best lens for the price, but with a t3i, it doesn't seem very clear, even in RAW. I am not a photographer, but I have taken pictures in good light, and they don't appear that crisp.
First gift I opened at Christmas, took a ton of shots.  Have not had a chance to test it in real low light. Fast shipping - good price.
This is a great little lens.  It may not be an &#34;L&#34; lens but I own three &#34;L&#34; lenses and this little guy is every bit as sharp and colorful as they are.  Also, It's reasonably fast for indoor, focus works very quickly.  It's feel is cheap and plastic, but it's performance is top notch.  Canon is great.  Superior customer service.
I purchased this after watching/reading numerous reviews and felt I needed this lens.  I am using this on a canon 60d and currently been using the kit 18-135mm which has given me great results too. With this 50mm, am I able to capture images that have a completely different feel and has capabilities of creating awesome bokeh!! The bokeh you get at 1.8 is superb especially at this price! Images are also very sharp and contain very good color. The lens focuses pretty quick with noisier than average motor sound. No big deal. Yes, it feels plasticky, but if you take care of your equipment, it should last. I've only owned if for a few weeks, so I can't comment on long term use, but I expect I will be able to do so. People say you can't not own this lens. I agree!! For the price you can't go wrong. If you only use a kit lens on any camera and want a different lens for whatever reason, this is what you should get!
takes very good portraits. feels a little cheap, but takes high quality pictures. made my portrait pictures better.
This is a thrifty fifty, not the Nifty Fifty.Good optics, clarity and fast autofocus with the EOS-M. For most users it will probably be a good lens.I give it 3 stars because the infinity focus stop is incorrect and it is difficult to focus manually. The M/AF switch works fine, but It goes past focus and into blur very quickly, and before the focus ring hits the stop. Just the slightest bit of a turn is needed to get it out or in-focus, and this makes a really sharp shot difficult with larger aperture settings.
The pictures look great indoors and outdoors.  So far I've found no negatives to this lens.  Much better than the standard lens that comes with the Rebel XS.  My only regret is not buying this sooner.
I liked this lens so much, I bought one for my mother-in-law. it has a very cheap feel, but the narrow depth of field that you get from its 1.8 f-stop is great. It's also great for low light indoor portrait shots!
great lens! using it on my canon t2i and love it. excellent value for the price. wish canon had more value lenses like this for amateur photogs like me who don't really need the high end, high priced lenses.
Most people don't know this:  for every interval you go up on your aperture (f-stop: like  1.4  2.0  2.8  4  5.6  8  11  16  22  which you can find on your camera lens) then your camera requires TWICE AS MUCH light to make the picture.In reverse, when you go DOWN a full stop (from 2.8 to 2.0 for example), your camera needs HALF AS MUCH light to take the photo.Most off the shelf consumer cameras have a lowest setting of 4 or so.  What that means is that THIS lens (at f1/8) requires LESS THAN ONE QUARTER of the light that your stock lens requires to take the same shot!  So... you'll be able to take shots in darker circumstances, and you'll be able to avoid using the flash (which often makes photos look terrible.)The other advantage this lens has is with depth of field.  You know those shots in fancy magazines where only a part of the image is in focus, and the rest is blurry?  This lens makes it so you can take those shots too.  You'll feel like a fancy photographer, I promise.And man is it cheap. And light.  You'll be glad to have this lens in your bag or on your camera.
I fell in love with the lens the moment I started using it. sure, the build quality is cheap. it's all plastic and the focusing sounds like a blender, but the quality of the pictures is amazing for a 120 dollar lens. saturation of colors is excellent, no noticeable chromatic aberration, great sharpness. I prefer this to the t2i stock lens since the colors are more saturated and picture is sharper, not to mention the 1.8f aperture. Some people say they don't use the 18-55mm since they found this lens. I have to disagree. The 18-55 is too versatile to be substituted with this prime 50mm. but this lens definetely takes better pictures than the 18-55 at 50mm.I have a t2i and 3 lens: the 18-55, the 55-250 and this one. I'm not a pro, just a hobbyist and this lens is great for me.
I think the other reviews pretty much cover it: this is a great lens at a great price. It does feel a little less than solid but I don't want to shell out 4 times as much for the F1.4 version. Lets see how long it lasts - I think with care it might go a long way. As far as the quality of the glass, its great. My other lens is a f3.6 and its amazing how much 3 f-stops can do to your indoor photography.
I freakin love this lens.  I've used it for most of the past 3 months and love the shots it can capture.  some of the best $90 ever spent!  I thank my wife who gifted it to me  :)
at this price you cant go wrong. i was amazed at the difference between this lens and my sigma 28-70 f/2.8  i know i shouldnt be, but this lens at this price is amazing. i was taking pictures at dusk and this lens made it seem like midday (okay a slight exageration but not far from reality) these pictures came out awesome. like the old commercial says "try it youll like it"
I cannot stress enough that you should have this lens in your camera bag. This lens can do it all no kidding, I have taken shots of the stars on a starless night and it found the stars. I have used it for wide shots close shots and nature shots along with the natural choice for this lens portraits. This should be the very first lens you buy after the lens that came with the camera. This produces the best shots and you can get a great shot with the depth of field look that is really popular. I bought the cheap one but I will be saving the money to get the one that is better made. But I still cannot get over how great this works and on such a diverse level. Stop reading this and go buy it now!
I purchased a Canon camera kit and added this lens as an after thought.  I played with the lens that came in the kit, but when I threw this lens on my pictures jumped right off the page!  You can't beat this lens for the price.  I found the optical quality to be everything I'll ever need, and the f1.8 delivers such control over depth of field that regular, quick snap shots really sing!  Build quality seems fine, and in all honesty, if it were to brake tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate to order another one.
My lense broke about 6 months after buying it. We were very gentle with it but it fell apart. The images we took were outstanding with it... however we no longer can use it as it literally fell to pieces. Would buy it again if I had the $ but we are in a recession now!
Great buy. I was glad to see that it has an a/f mode too. Great price and good quality for what I need it for.
This lens lives up to the name, "Nifty Fifty".  Great color and clarity.  And it pulls in all sorts of light.  Great for portraits, but not for macro.  Understand that you need to be a few feet away from your subject.  Makes taking pictures of my cats really fun.  The photos end up looking so much nicer than with my Rebel XTi's 18-55mm kit lens.
You can't go wrong with Canon lens. They are the the best. And this one especially for the price. You can't beat it.
This is a very good beginners lens.  Most recommend 1.4, but if your on a budget, this is it.  You don't have zoom so it forces you to understand where and how to stand.  It limits you purposely so that you can be very creative.  The lighting is amazing as well, night and day on my mk2.
Is it an L lens? No. Then again, does it have to be? Trust me, if you need a simple 50 mm prime for portraits, landscapes, or whatever, this is and excellent lens to buy. Just remember that it is constructed primarily of plastic. If you treat it well, it well return the favor in your photos!
This lens is great. The f/1.8 capability provides many more options than before. I can shoot in low light and blur backgrounds like never before. I was skeptical to purchase because of a few reviews about the build quality, but after using it I see no problem. My photos come out crystal clear every time and now that I've learned a few things I can do some pretty cool shots with this thing. I highly recommend.
Great fast lens, f/1.8 for under $100!!  does some great outdoor night type shots without a tripod and without cranking the ISO too high!a little cheep feeling , all plastic, I don't foresee this taking all that much abuse, but for the price, i will just get another later.AutoFocus speeds are ok, not the quickest, but i have not lost a shot due to focus time!
I love the 50mm f/1.8, as cheaply made as it is it delivers great images. I got it May 2010 and June 2011 it has separated without any abuse(or use for that matter on my part). Reached for it in my bag and it halved itself. When I got it it was $99 now $119. Since I'm shooting with a 1.6 factor body, I'm considering if purchasing the 35mm is a better option.This is a great lens and I do recommend it. The downside is the same as everyone else has noted so I won't rehash it, the construction is poor. I'd rather pay more for this lens with better construction and even though the Canon f/1.4 is said to have better construction reviews say it has poor auto focus.What I loved:Dreamy images and great bokeh wide openGreat opticsLightweightEasy to useGreat for low light shootingI had no auto focus issuesWhat I hated(and yes I hated this):It broke after a year. I take great care of my gear and this is the only thing that randomly broke. Wasn't dropped--nothing! Just broke.The lens separated from the mount and I've read reviews where others have had this same problem.Would I buy another? Yes. Some reviews report getting longer use out of their lens, maybe there are a few better constructed copies somewhere out there in Canon land.Do I recommend it? Yes. Try it and you'll fall in love with the optics and possibly primes, I did. It's a sweet lens, just be aware that the construction is poor. Handle it carefully (which didn't help me) and know that some people report it getting stuck on the body but I never had that experience.
Great lens and a great price I should have bought it sooner. If your on a budget and just starting out you need this lens. Works great on my canon 7-D, the cameras sensor makes this lens a 75mm which is great for portraits
I'm not a pro, but have done a lot of scientific photography. I think this lens is a super value. I heard some complaints about it not feeling "hefty enough," but the lightness is a plus for me. Only had it a few weeks, so I have nothing to say about durability. The sharpness and quality of the photos is quite surprising. And it works perfectly with my XTi.
I've only had the lens about a month.  Seems like a good lens.  One will need to brush up on their camera skills to use this lens properly.  Pictures seem to be clear and with good color.
In my opinion this is a must-have lens for every photographer.  It is not the best made, but is very versatile.  I like to use my close-up filters with this lens to to a little macro photography.  Eventually, I will save up and get an actual macro lens.  This is a good walk around lens, and highly recommended for beginners, and as a decent, light-weight lens to have in the bag of those of who are more experienced.
Worth every single penny I paid for it. Considering the fact, that it is an inexpensive lens, it is the best for the price and quality.Pictures look great... Love it every moment.
If all you have are zoom lenses for your Canon EOS camera, you have got to give this lens a try.  It is simply the sharpest lens for the money.  Period.  As good as any "L" zoom lens (and I own a few.)Sure, the 50mm f/1.4 and some others might have marginally better bokeh, but they also cost much more.This lens is ideal for portraits or some landscape shots unless you need a wider angle.  For sports, the focus is a bit too slow.Believe it or not, this is my preferred lens for weddings and posed pictures.I can't overstate how incredibly crisp the images from this lens are.
I can not speak for the f/1.4 50mm lens. I have heard the 1.4 has a little better build quality, and it blurs the background a bit better, but it is also over 200 dollars more. Okay onto the quality of the 1.8I take a lot of family photos, as well more creative ones. This lens works great for family functions, gives a really good shallow depth of field (blur out backgrounds so the focus is on your subject). It's also very useful indoors or low light. Because it's so wide open (f/1.8) you can shoot at a faster shutter speed and eliminate unwanted blur or shake. I find myself using this lens more then the kit lens or my 75-300mm simply because the optical quality is better and the fact that its fixed at 50mm usually is not a problem.Pros-*Inexpensive :at $80 everyone should have one in their bag*Very wide aperture (f/1.8) : higher shutter speeds shallower depth of field*Optical quality :better then kit lens*small and light :doesn't add much in space or weight in your camera bag*fast focusing :auto focusing is fairly quickCons-*body build quality :plastic body, but does not change image taken*prime lens (50mm) :with cameras shooting 6-12mp+ you can crop the image
Everybody goes on and on and on about this lens, as if it were the greatest thing since sliced bread. I don't regret investing the $100 bucks I paid for it, but I'm not particularly impressed. In fact it rarely comes out of my bag. Some things to consider:A 50mm focal length on a cropped sensor DSLR is the equivalent of 75mm (actually slightly more) on a full frame camera. I simply don't care for 50mm lenses, and find that I constantly have to move around to get the shot I really want to take. I usually have to back up, which may not always be convenient or possible.In most instances, using this lens wide open at f/1.8 will deliver less-than-hoped-for results. At that aperture only a small area of the image will be reasonably sharp, while everything else is soft in the extreme. This lens has to be stopped down to at least f/2.2 or f/2.5 to give even marginally acceptable results. In dark conditions the loss of extra light caused by using smaller apertures will require compensation via a higher ISO and/or a slower shutter speed, which in turn may cause further loss of sharpness due to inevitable camera shake.Those who have not used a f/1.8 lens may think they'll be able to shoot in near complete darkness. Not so. If you have a decent amount of ambient light (from brightly lit streets, e.g.) you can get by, but you'll be forced to rely on a very wide aperture, with the consequent lack of sharpness discussed above. Otherwise you'll end up using a flash unit, which generally defeats the primary purpose of a fast lens.Who should buy the Canon 50mm f/1.8 then? Indoor photographers who want that dreamy, creamy, soft focus look in their images, and who are not at all troubled by the lack of sharpness delivered at large apertures, and street shooters or photojournalists who want an inexpensive lens to use when they MUST get the shot and for whatever reason cannot or do not want to use a flash. I'm in the latter category, which is the sole reason I bought this lens. I regard it more of an emergency tool than anything, one which will give me an occasional shot which I otherwise would not have captured (even though I may not like the resultant product very much).An afterthought: I also own the Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens, which I greatly prefer to the "nifty fifty." For me a 40mm lens is far more usable than a 50mm, and the f/2.8 is super sharp even wide open. No stopping down is required with this lens, which makes it eminently more practical than the 50mm f/1.8.
This is the standard low cost lens for taking macro / portrait pictures.  I like to take photos but I'm not an expert.  It takes pretty good quality portraits under natural light.  Since it's not a zoom lens, your feet will have to do the moving to frame the pictures.  I only used it a few times, so I can't comment on the durability.  But it looks decent solid enough.
This is a good lens it is good for what it would be used for. For the price you can not get any better.
This is one of the cheapest, best lenses you can buy for a Canon camera. Yes, the build quality if cheap, but it produces very sharp pictures in a lightweight package.
I bought this lens on a whim to see what it would be like to shoot with a prime lens. At $80 it certainly was worth the risk unlike the many other Canon lenses which cost thousands of dollars. The quality of the pictures from this lens is the only thing making me move away from zoom lenses.
This lens is a must for all photographers starting off.  It does exactly what I want and it takes some really sharp photos.  The only problem I have and why I rated it 4 stars is because it does not work for taking videos with my EOS 60D.
They dont call it the fantastic plastic for nothing!  It's under $100, goes down to 1.8 and... it's just fun.  Wonderful in low light situations, it's absolutely sharp, don't hear complaints about bad copies, and did I mention it's cheap?? yes, the body is made out of plastic but if it breaks, you really dont have to lose an arm and a leg to replace it.As a new camera owner (just bought a 50d) this was the other "just gotta have it" lens in my bag. The other "just gotta have it" being the 70-200mm f/2.8 L Magic Drainpipe of course!Really, it costs a pair of shoes which you'll replace before you replace this lens.
This is the cheapest Canon lens you can get.  And it is a MUST for any hobbyist's kit, and is in fact working it's way into my paid work as well.Okay, first off, on film or full frame (35mm) sensor sized DSLRs, this will provide the oft-sought-after 50mm focus length.  This has been explained a million ways, but the simplest explanation is that the human eye itself has around that same viewing angle, so pictures taken on the 50mm range will produce a very comfortable image, something we are used to seeing, and this works very well for close-ups or portraits.If you have a crop sensored DSLR (of which I do, T2i and 7D) the range is changed due to the crop magnification, but this will still produce a nice 80mm equivalent focal length, and still produces that comfortable feel you want in portraits.  This will slightly widen the space between the lens and the subject, but not tremendously, and you will find where it is comfortable in a hurry.This lens has a very wide aperture, but surprisingly considering the price even out at f/1.8 the image is quite sharp, and just a notch or two lower will produce some of the sharpest shots you've seen.  I will note that with an aperture set so wide, you will have a super shallow depth of field, which may be confusing initially.  For example, my emergency test model (my 16 year old cat) had to put up with me doing macro shots, and I was able to get his eye in perfect focus, with his nose (closer) blurred and his ears (father) also blurred.  Absolutely stunning in how fine it goes.  This will dial down to as far as f/22, which is almost infinity as almost everything is focused, but this isn't really where you want to have this lens fit overall due to the 5 bladed aperture window, which I will explain more below.I picked this up initially as a once-in-a-while lens for studio work, where my go-to lens at f/3.6 (which had to be dialed at f/5.6 due to wide softness) sometimes just has be pushing the ISO into grain to produce the images I need.  Working at f/1.8 produces good quality, while allowing me to jump from 1/60s to 1/120s and drop the ISO from 3200 to 800, and the improvement in image quality is amazing.  Cleaner movements with no blur, and very true color with very minimal visible grain.As far as construction goes, remember that this is plastic, even down to the mounting ring, so keep this in mind.  This lens will not tolerate the abuse I sadly inflict on my other lenses, and I advise that this should never be on the camera when it is in a slung-over-the-shoulder not-using-it situation.  The f/1.4 or f/1.2L would be a lot tougher, and if this lens continues to dominate on my shooting as it is right now, I will have no choice but to pick up a better lens because I WILL KILL THIS, with out a doubt.As I said above, the 5-blade window will produce some odd effects, so this is really the only part that I had to take a star off.  In bright sunlight or a strobed studio, this won't really affect image quality tremendously; the bokeh won't be as buttery as the f/1.4 or f/1.2L, or even alternatives like Sigma's f/1.4, but they are still quite smooth.  Note though that when getting into high contrast, especially night photography, bright objects will be skewed into 5 pointed stars, and this can be distracting or even ruin what would be a very nice shot.  Similarly, at very tight apertures (f/22) this same effect can intrude on your photos, so it would be a better idea to widen the lens up a bit and drop the shutter time and ISO to compensate.As I said before, this is a must have part for the budget kit, whether hobbyist or pro.  Overall, you will be impressed that something so cheap can shoot so well.
Pros:PriceImage QualityFocal length for Full FrameCompact and light.Cons:Vignetting wide open on a full frame.Terrible bokeh for specular highlights (like small reflections, etc)Plastic ConstructionNoisy FocusingWho should buy this lens?  Anyone with a Canon EOS camera capable of using EF lenses that doesn't already have an equivalent lens.  If you want the best bokeh, best image quality especially at the corners on full frame buy the new Sigma 50mm f/1.4.The reason I give this 5 stars is the balance of all the pros and cons.  For $85 US this is an unbeatable lens.  Sure, it has a plastic mount, manual requires flipping a switch, and a noisier micro-motor, but the images sure are sharp, the contrast is fine, and the focus is accurate.  The lens is compact and light which makes it a perfect travel lens for the 5D.My only cons is the extreme corners are nearly black on full frame at f/1.8, and if you are stepped down at all, any reflections or small specular highlights are pentagon shaped and rather distracting.  It seems to produce these easily too.  The plastic construction is cheap, but seems durable enough to me.  I haven't had any issue with mine.  The focus motor sounds squeaky and unpleasant, even next to other micro motor lenses.  Finally, the MF switch is small and hard to flip sometimes.But everything said, if you want a great value for a low light prime, this is the one.  For a general use lens it is better matched to a full frame camera than a crop camera, but it is still a great short telephoto for a crop camera.
Excellent lens for the price.  Why pay $300 for the f1.4?  This lens gives you very sharp, very fast photos.
Unreal lens for the price.  The pictures are sharp and bokeh nice for the price.  The auto focus is slow so I do it manually.
This was my first lens purchase for my Rebel xti. I was warned by a photographer friend that this 50mm may be a bit restricting on my crop sensor camera but I went ahead and purchased it anyways. Boy was he right! I can barely get about 2 faces in the frame before my back hits the wall in my living room. Although I'm probably going to need a 30mm or a zoom lens soon if I want to take pictures of more than one person at a time, this 50mm lens is DEFINITELY worth the money. $125 for a Canon Prime lens with max aperture....can't go wrong with that! :)
They improve pretty well the lighting, they are much faster than my 28-105mm 3.5-4.6 so I use them on dark environments. The only bad thing for me is that they have a large focal length so not much gets in the picture if you use a digital SLR such as the Rebel XTi. If you dont care about that its a great price for lens like this.
Great lens for the price, perhaps one of the best Canon EF lenses there is. Great in low light, and decent autofocus. It's worth trying if you are considering it, and has a great resale value if it's not for you.
I own theCanon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-inch LCD and and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lensand was looking for a reasonably-priced lens upgrade.  One of my friends bought this lens before he and his wife had their first baby, and it's taken remarkably beautiful pictures of her since day one.  If you're not a professional but are a decent non-pro photographer, this is fantastic for taking pictures of people and basic shots.  Since it doesn't have a zoom, you do have to physically move around more to get your shot, and it does by far work best in good, natural light, but the quality difference from the kit lens is phenomenal and is already making the type of pictures we take (travel and everyday family/friends shots) look 10x better.  Now that we're expecting our first, I'm so glad we have this to capture all the first shots of our little one!If you have a ton of money, yes, there are much more sophisticated options out there that cost a ton more.  If you'd like something for yourself or someone else that will give you a significant upgrade for your money for the type of pictures most non-pros take, this is it.
Camera I use:  Canon Rebel XSiI purchased this lens after only using the kit lens (18-55mm) and a telephoto lens (55--250) for over a year and a half.  I am trying to break into portrait photography and those two aforementioned lenses are not ideal for faces.  This lens, while definitely a bit louder when focusing, has made a world of difference.  Its ability to open up to f/1.8 has made it much easier when operating in a darker room, and because of the shallow depth of field created at that aperture you can get some really neat effects by focusing on one small area of your subject.  The last portrait session I did came out looking very professional and sharp.  I definitely recommend this lens--you can't beat the price and it is a must have for anyone taking people pictures.
An affordable portrait lens that I can learn with but not break the bank.  I'd love to upgrade to the 50mm 1.4 at some point, but my untrained eye can't tell much of a difference. This lens is great. I've read that it's the closest thing to what the human eye sees. I find that to be pretty accurate. I love the blur it makes in the background as well (bokeh).
If you want to take photos inside, you need this lens (or a more expensive version of it).  I'm on my second one.  My indoor photos in low light are crowd pleasers.  It feels a bit cheap - I dropped my first one and it broke, but it's inexpensive enough that I replaced it right away.  Great for portraiture and general indoor use because it does so well in low light.
I gave this to my son inlaw for Xmas and he was very pleased and anxious to use.
this is a great piece to go with the camera i got my daughter she loves it a lot great
This is a great lens.  It takes beautiful, sharp photos.  1.8 also makes for beautiful background blur if you are going for that look.  One of the main reasons I bought this lens was to have something lighter to carry with my T3i on hikes and trips.
Amazing. I bought this after reading about 3 million user reviews, many of which I must admit went a bit over my head (enthusiastic amateur, on my best day). Was considering the f/1.4 and went with this one for the price. LOVE THIS LENS! My husband and I own a Canon T2i and have been thrilled with the photos we're getting. We've owned it for about 3 weeks, which means we've taken approximately 4,000 pictures of our dachshund. Poor dog.Upon seeing some of the photos, my sister and mom immediately ordered their f/1.8 lens and are thrilled with the results (they own a Canon T1i and Rebel XT). The bokeh is beautiful, and the focus is incredibly crisp. It's also been a pretty good walk-around lens, which I think will improve the more I play with it (user error, no fault of the lens).If I had to pick only one lens to use, this would be it. The build is solid, even for all the plastic. So very happy to have purchased one. Get one! You'll love it!
Omg the depth of field on this baby is outstanding. I've been wanting to get this lens for a long time and my bf-now-hubby bought this and a wireless remote for me for my bday and I was in heaven. I love the way the photos turn out with this. It's a great portrait lens, does really well in low light, and the pics are just beautiful.
I love this lens. For $100 it's awesome! It is a little slow to focus and noisy, but the depth of field is great! I'd buy it again. Do wish it had a metal mount.
I can only think of two reasons to NOT buy this lens:1. You do not own a Canon DSLR2. You own a Canon DSLR, but you (foolishly) spent the extra money and have the f1.4 or the f1.2 version of this lens.Eighty-five bucks!  You might spend that much on the new SDHC cards you'll need for your Canon DSLR!The other reviewers give a full and excellent overview of the qualities and limitations of this lens.  I'll echo the following points:- It is NOT EXPENSIVE!- It is really fast!  f1.8 is a whole new UNIVERSE if you are coming from ANY point-and-shoot!  (And the extra speed when you go to f1.4 or f1.2 is pretty much meaningless.)- In the APCS-C world, this lens is a REALLY COOL portrait lens.  You gotta use this lens for taking pictures of babies, children, friends, parents, presidents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, corpses, pets, flowers, the North Star, etc.- While the f1.8 setting is (really) soft, you stop it down a little and you have a superb lens!  Try this: Stop it down to f22, put it on a tripod and take a picture of any still-life scene (flowers, Channukah candles, Christmas trees, your neighbor's I-want-you-to-be-able-to-read-by-the-strands-of-light-that-outline-my house, any city street).  You'll love the results.- One oddity.  I am used to having a UV filter on my lenses all the time.  This does not work very well on this lens, especially on these tripod pictures like city streets--there are some bad internal reflections of the bright spots.Did I say that you gotta have this lens?  Yeah.Update 5/2013: My opinion has changed somewhat on this lens.  The auto-focus is not reliable.  I did an impromptu group shot during a group picnic at work, and NONE (I repeat, none) of the pictures focused.  I took like 15 pictures.  I was shocked!  I really cannot figure out why this happened--it focused OK for me before and after this event.  Then I looked up some respectable reviewers online and saw one who measured the auto-focus miss-rate of this lens to be as high as 40%.  Wow!  I sold this lens on eBay and then bought the EF 50mm f/1.4, which is awesome (much sharper at f/1.8, and you can open it up to f/1.4!) and (despite my opening salvo here) is worth the extra money to me.  But, for the beginner who needs to be careful of money, buying this (f/1.8) lens for ~$120 is still quite attractive at about $220 less than the f/1.4.  Just be aware that the auto-focus cannot be relied upon in critical situations.
Not bad for the price
I'm not the only one to say it - this is a whopper of a deal.  A- lens for a fabulous price.  Definitely a much better deal than the Canon f/1.4 - probably only pros or people with specific needs need the faster lens.  Made of plastic, so not as sturdy, but the pro of that is that it makes the lens really light and portable.
If you're actually reading these reviews, I have to assume you're new to photography, or new to a Canon DSLR system.  I'll make it easy for you - don't even think twice.  Order this beauty immediately.  You won't find a better lens to use for portraits, indoor photography or lightweight travelling at 6 times the price.  This is an absolute must have, and you'll find yourself using it constantly for a wide range of situations.Canon makes some excellent lenses, but I can't say that many of them are a "bargain".  This one certainly is.
This is a great lens.  I is very small and light but is sharp and fast.  It is plastic but it does not feel ship, is just light. If you got the kit lens you must buy this lens and it will probably become your main lens. You can get great boken with this lens an at 50 mm is a great portrait lens in the XTi.
I love this lens!  I'm just starting out and learning and it's the perfect low-cost compliment to my other lenses.  It gives fantastic bokah!
Out of all my lenses I use this one the most. I am a concert photographer so it works perfectly in the dark little clubs.
As described. It's a lens and came well packed as described. I'm satisfied and will buy from again. Not much more to say :)
I'm a novice photographer, but this lens is awesome. DOF is disgusting. I'm really glad I bought it. Well worth the money. Nice size/weight too.
I love this lens! Even though the camera body isn't as sturdy as the usual canon lenses but it's still a great lens for the price.
This is a must have lens for just about everyone.  Being a 1.8 the bokeh is amazing and for the money there is no beating it~ you will not be disappointed.  I have a $650 lens that I use as well and I love this one equally, if not more for portrait shooting~ go for it!
This is everything you want from a $100 prime lens.  I have had it for a few months now and it has gotten me through quite a few situations, until recently.  Overnight, never being touched, the focus ring now "clicks" twice throughout the focal range.  These aren't hard soft-sand-in-the-works type of clicks but stiff and loud my-innards-are-coming-loose type of clicks.  I have read reviews about people having this lens literally fall apart in their hands and I think mine is on it's way out.  In hindsight, I would've taken everyone's advice to spring for the more expensive 1.4 50mm by Canon because now I have to go buy it anyway.  Through it all, I am happy to've owned this lens.  Save yourself the time... or take a chance, whatever.
Great lens.  Lightweight but great quality images.  If you know you want a Canon fixed 50mm lens...you can't go wrong with this one.
This is the main lens I used for so long, and now it is back focusing. I have had it for just over a year, and used it on many amateur photo shoots with great success! It was clear, super sharp, great colors, but now I can't use it at all. I will say though, for $99, I got more than my money's worth with this lens. The casing is cheap, but that doesn't affect the quality of the photos which is all I really care about. I am entertaining the idea of fixing this lens myself (as it would be more expensive to send it in for repairs) and if all else fails, I will probably purchase another. It was a great lens and I loved it so much!
On my Canon T3i, even with the 1.6 crop factor this lens creates excellent bokeh and may well replace my kit lens as the standard attachment.
First, I would like to give a little back ground on myself ie history; My first camera was an A95 which I bought for $200.  This is a small hand held camera which I would only use for its auto focuse as I had no other idea how to use a camera.  Now this camera took absolutely amazing pictures in high light situations, as good as a DSLR that was supposed to be far above it.  However I found myself very unhappy with not being able to capture low light photos without a flash.  With a flash the image or scene is simply ruined in my opinion.Second, What was I looking for in a camera and lens; I wanted a camera that could take photos in doors outside etc in extremely low light with no flash at all.  I wanted to be able to capture moments not portriaghts that are so unatural.  IMO real photography is spontaneous, it just happens and then it is gone like that ie like a shooting star.  I wanted to capture those shooting stars.Third, My references to which judege and decide what camera and lens to pick; My father is a semi-profesional photographer.  He uses Nikon, which is supposed to make some of the best lenses if not the best lenses there is.  I would look at his photos and I simply did not like the colors at all.  Further he used a flash and I did not like that at all, it made the photos unrealistic and I simply did not want to carry around all this heavy equipement.Fourth, My Choice;  I decided that I loved the colors and abilities of my A95, for me there is no better color capture capabilities than a Canon.  Next I wanted to keep my camera as small and light as possbile, further I thought of the types of photos I was taking most often.  I found that 90% of them required no zoom, I did not want nore need zoom and I prefer to get into the action of my subject or scene inorder to capture these moments.So with all this in perspective I realised I wanted something more than some reble, but I did not want to go beyond the price range of $600.00.  What to do?  I bought a used 20D, used?  Heck it was as new as new could be for $500.00.  Next I looked at lenses my two choices for this camera were the 1.8 ($89.00) and 1.4 ($350.00, with the 1.8 I was able to stay in my perfect price range.  If I had the extra budget I would 100% go with the 1.4, don't even hesitat.Results;  I use three different modes on this camera, I am no expert at all so I need this setup to do as much as the work as possible if not all the work.  That is exactly what this camera and lense does, I use the auto P, portriat, and action settings.  I may not be a professional on dialing the camera settings in, however what I am a professional at is choice of scene, use of natural light, etc.  The result is absolutely amazing, I did not expect these results, however the photos I have produced are absolutely professional.  The quality of some of the photos are 100% magazine material, everyone in my family are asking me to take photos for me and my father is out right considering ditching his Nikons for a Canon.Conclusion; Did I make the right choice?  Heck yes I did, you are not a professional if you have all this absurde equipment you have to carry with you, and how often do you even use your zoom for that matter?  I have shown my work to some professionals and they didn't even believe that I took the photos!  They got really snotty with me telling me the merit of flashes, you have to have a zoom lens etc.Listen I can caputre my family, friends, animals outside at dusk and inside the house at night time.  You are missing out on real photography and real moments.  Stand still portiats are lame, my christmas card was 6 kids sprinting full speed in a race towards me out side.  Never seen that before, time to change the game back to what it used to be, down with the flash!
This lens is great, albeit somewhat unforgiving. It is a must-have for your tool kit.  Color, contrast, low light and sharpness are fantastic. Don't mess up, though, because this lens will shoot fantastic shots or lousy shots...nothing in between.
Wish I had bought this instead of the kit lens its a good starter lens it does everything I could want.  Not good for everything but damn near close
This is a REALLY fun lens to use! I got it for my Canon Rebel XTi, and have used it constantly since. The lens casing does, of course, feel cheap and when focusing is slightly louder than a normal lens, but the pictures come out crisp and have good color saturation. I recently used this lens to shoot a preschool graduation in a darkened auditorium, and the pictures came out fantastic. I'd definitely reccommend this lens.***EDIT 04/27/2012** I've had this lens for 4 years now, and I still love it. I now use it with my Canon 7D. In fact, the price has RISEN $20-30 since I got it! What a great resell value! I have learned more about photography, and if you are using a crop sensor camera this is more like an 80mm lens, so you do have to be farther away from subjects than other lenses. For the price though, it can't be beat. I use this lens with low light indoors to take photos of my 6 month old son, and have gotten some amazing results so far.
This is actually a wonderful lens. It's lightweight, easy to use, works well in low light. I took this on a weekend trip as my walk around lens and never ended up using another lens the whole time.
This lens was recommended by a professional photographer friend - I told her I wanted a short, fixed length lens with great d.o.f.- and I was sort of surprised by the price. I guess you get so used to paying for quality that you can't believe something so good can be so inexpensive.The lens is great, works beautifully on the Rebel and we're using it on the 5D next. Beautiful image quality, really amazing portraits, handles light/flash really well.
This lens allows me to take very good quality pictures at an affordable price. I needed a faster len, but didn't not want to invest in a lot of money. The lens itself does feel cheaply made and there is always the fear of dropping it and having it break, but as with all my lens, I take much pride in not putting myself in the position to drop any of my lens. So, if you want a fast len, at an affordable price, that takes good quality pictures, here it is. Plus with my Canon 20D, I just wanted to stay with a Canon len.
I got this lens on a recommendation from a friend and based on the reviews here. I had two kit lenses with my camera (the EF-S 18-55mm IS and the EF-S 55-250mm IS). When I first took it out of the package I was surprised. I had read some reviews stating that it feels cheap and plastic-y, but I figured that I would be unable to tell as I was a novice. However, it was quite obvious to me even as a beginner. That said, I have had this lens for about a year with absolutely no problems. As long as you are not frequently banging this thing into walls, I think that you will be fine.The picture quality is my main focus in this review (pun fully intended). I have not had the opportunity to use the other canon 50mm prime lenses to compare, but this is a huge step above the kit lenses. Allowing you to open up the aperture to f/1.8, this lens allows you to experiment with bokeh to get that "professional" look to you pictures (particularly portraits). This lens quickly has become my favorite due to it's clarity and versatility, and I use it for pretty much anything besides landscape shots and shots requiring a long lens.On the downside, the auto focus occasionally hunts in low light, but still performs well since it can reach wide apertures. I have found that at f/1.8, the depth of field is so narrow that it is hard to get everything you want in focus (ie. a person's face, and not just their nose). I usually shoot at around f/2.8.On the whole, I think that this is a great lens even if you disregard the low price. Factoring in the value, I can not really think of a reason why any beginner photographer should not own this lens. Definitely recommended!
For a few coins you can get one of the most simple and best lens of canon. Obviously for that price you can't expect to be a hard construction lens, but it offer you pretty nice shots. This one is the second 50mm lens I had, because the first one died (that's what I mean with is not a hard constrution, because is basically a lot of plastic). But for that price it doesn't matter.
Yeah, it is sharp and cheap.  But cheap plastic feel, lack of a good manual focus ring that can be easily grabbed and turned, no markings for focus distance, slow auto focus, and a basic "Fast" f-stop (been making it since the 60's) leave me disappointed.  I can't believe the rating is so high for an obvious cheap, basic item for a reasonable price.  Save the big stars for the actually good products and give this thing the mediocre rating it deserves.
I was a little worried that I made the mistake of buying the &#34;cheaper&#34; 1.8 lens vs the 1.4 lens. I don't worry anymore. I have had this lens for awhile and the pictures turn out great. In my opinion, they look just as good as my friends 1.4 lens. I enjoy being able to take low light pictures without flashes. The lens itself is extremely light, and feels like a toy, but the pictures are just fantastic. I would recommend this lens to anyone looking at a 50mm fixed lens.
I bought this lens to do "portrait" shots of my dogs with my Canon Rebel T2i.  I needed to get a bit closer than with my 60mm so I could get good expression without being so close as to have the dogs want to jump into my arms, and I needed the availability of shooting in natural light indoors, both of which this lens offers.  So far, with limited use, I have been extremely happy with the results!!It has great glass and the shots come out crystal clear and sharp.  Even when used with the flash I can't complain.  I have been using it outside for some action shots and love the results there as well.We novice photographers seem to think the end all, be all is with a zoom lens but I am way liking my prime lenses!  I already have a 60mm and a 105mm... this one is a great addition to the others.I bought this based mainly on reviews here on Amazon, and so far, it is exactly what I hoped I was going to be getting!  Five stars because I can't complain at all!
My money has been well spent on this little thing! I'm not sure what the fuss is about regarding how it looks like plastic, but it is very sturdy. Great for portraits
At this price, this is a must have lens for any photographer!The depth of field you can achieve is just incredible!  Loving this lens!
great lense, love the bokeh and is very sharp
If you happen to have an APS-C Sensored Camera read this.It doesn't give you the perception of natural human view, on that crop factor it comes to 80mm, so here you have a perfect glass for macro, portrait, low light, super fast lens (on the shutter not the AF) for your cropped sensor.Pros:Light weighted1.8 gives a great speed, low light control and very shallow depth of field.the sweetspot starts at 2.8 so it's still really fast and sharp.Disguise for the non geeky robber as it doesn't look expensive.PortabilityCons:Plastic construction (although strong plastic)Slow AF (gets lost following subjects)Note: I almost never take it off from the t2i, it feels so nice and also takes great pictures, so i prefer it over my 70-200mm 2.8 Tamron for indoors (makes the battle) and way over the 18-55mm kit lens (that doesn't even compete with this one).
Single-handedly the best thing I've purchased aside from my DSLR itself.  I adore this lens.  It is marginally inconvenient having to physically be the &#34;zoom&#34; yourself, but until I get the 24-105 I'm dying for, this is typically my go-to lens for portraits.  People who have nicknamed it the &#34;Nifty 50&#34; have done so quite accurately because this lens is just that...nifty!
I kept going back and forth about whether or not to buy this one and so glad I did. This is my go to lens. Hardly ever leaves my camera.
this lens is amazing, the quality is super clear and it is very good for the price, it lets in a lot of light and is the cheapest canon lens.
What else is there to say?A prime lense for less than $100!  Totally awesome!:-)
This lens is definitely not "the best" lens around. But 6 iris blades, 1.8 f/stop, and auto focus for 100 bucks? This lens will prove value to any photographer who uses it! Its low light capabilities are nothing short of brilliant. Its all plastic and construction is not the greatest but is pretty solid as long as you dont beat it up or drop it.In comparison with the other canon lenses like 50mm 1.4 and 1.2, this lens is better for its dollar to performance value. If you are a obsessive pro who must have the best of the best equipment then maybe look into the 1.4 or 1.2 50mm L lenses. If you are a pro or hobby photographer who wants the best image for the dollar and dont want to go broke, then this is your lens.I have been shooting with this lens a while and i NEVER put my canon 28-135 back on after starting to use this lens.CoreyFaymus Mediafaymusmedia.comfacebook.com/faymusmedia888-864-1370
This is my first prime lens.  Very sharp picture quality. Just buy this lens and you won't regret it. Its better than the kit lens but hard to focus on dimly lit rooms.
This lens is great for portrait photography. Not so for landscapes without a tripod. I discovered that if you are going to use this lens in low light, ISO settings over 800, a tripod is a must. Otherwise, picture will be fuzzy. I would recommend highly. However, without Image stabilization you need a tripod most of the times or a stable base to place the camera. I took great pictures of my kids in the park on a nice clear day and by using the flash in auto setting. However, when you start changing ISO and lighting conditions are not great the pictures without a tripod did not come out very clear. When a tripod was used under the same conditions the pictures came out excellent.Update. I have been taking a lot of pictures with this lens and all I have to say is that this lens is great for portrait photography. I purchased an external flash and after taking pictures with this lens and the external flash I was amazed at the details and clarity of my pictures. Highly recommended. For low light conditions it is fantastic. If used with a tripod you can take great landscape pictures.
Really works as advertise.  If you are taking general pictures this lens takes clear pictures up close.  Focus works great for group pictures as well..
It's super light and produces great quality images.  I love carrying this lens around because it's so light.  I use to have the f/1.2 but I ended up selling it because it was so heavy and bulky.  As it's replacement, I purchased this.  It's been fantastic and just as useful as the f/1.2 for shooting images and videos of my work.
First of all, I know that if you're interested in this lens you'll end up buying it anyway cause it has raving reviews anywhere you look and it's cheap.Anyways, I wanna give my 2c about it because I don't agree with much that I've read here.I'm using it with a brand new Canon T2I that takes amazing pictures with the kit lens (18-55mm). I bought this lens hoping to take some nice portraits and for it's ability to blur nicely the background, since it has a very wide aperture (f 1.8).I can say that at least 70% of my pictures are off focus. I'm using single manual focus point in the t2i (center point) and even tough I always focus on my subject's eyes, their entire face seems WAY off focus in 70% of my shots. This doesn't happen at all with the kit lens. I don't know if I got a defective unit, it doesnt seem to be the case, but that's just the way it is.People say it's not sharp at 1.8 and they are NOT kidding. Its really, really, really soft. For the pictures to be usable I have to use at least 2.8, wider than this you get a very soft picture. And I'm not even a pro, they're really unusable.It does have a nice ability to blur the background, but FORGET about taking any landscapes shots with this glass, because 50mm on a t2i or similar is very "zoomed in" if you know that I mean ...If you just bought a DSLR and its your first lens after your kit lens, PLEASE keep in mind that this is a FIXED focal lenght lens, wich means it doesnt zoom in or out like your kit lens (wich goes from 18 to 55 mm). AND remember that on cropped bodies like the T2i, T1I, etc, you have to multiply the focal lenght by 1.6, so this actually means you're buying a 80mm mens. In my experience it's VERY hard to take indoor pictures with this lens because it always seem it's "zommed in" ...If you really wanna know how it behaves, get your kit lens, zoom it to 50mm and pretend you can't zoom out. Try to take pictures with it for a day like that and see if you find your shots usable ...
This is a fantastic portrait lens! (for the money) After taking a few shots with my Digital Rebel, my opinion about my camera rose dramatically (I was using the kit lens up to now). I was told many times that with the SLR, the lens determines the quality of your pictures, and after using this one I can attest to the validity of this point. You can probably get a better USM f/1.4 version but it will be much more expensive. At this price, you can't pass this by.
As a price and quality is very good, excellent!This lens is not good for SLRs with high cropping factor like mine Canon EOS 350D or (Digital Rebel XT) which is 1.6. The photo looks zoomed and if you want to capture something with wider angle is a problem.But if you want to shoot portraits, good choice!
Ok, there are a few things about this lens that are just frustrating, like the softness at f/1.8, the slow and noisy AF, the ridiculously thin focus ring, and the cellphone-like pink tone of the pictures it delivers. But it's $110!It is te best -or at least the cheapest- way to start on prime lenses. It can still give you beatifull pictures at f/2.8 or smaller apertures, and it's great for portraits.If you're on the budget, go for it! If you can spend some more, go for the f/1.4. You'll end up replacing it for that one anyways.
For the money, this lens can not be beat.  Great for low-light or for experimenting with very shallow depth of field.  This little "cheapie" is my favorite lens.  Yes it's got a plastic mount, and yes you can get a better lens, but be prepared to pay a lot more.  If you're on a budget, this thing is the best.
Great lens at a fantastic price. As it's mostly plastic, I'll be careful with it...but this is a travel-with-me lens anytime I'm out and about shooting.
For filmmakers you can get great depth of field and throw things out of focus beautifully in a cinematic way. Sharp images for its price also. Video is very shaky though with zero stabilization. recommended beginning prime lens #1.
You must get this lens since it's very affordable. You get great pictures at low light conditions. Most of my best pictures so far came from this lens.
I had my little "nifty fifty" for two years, when it fell off a ledge and smashed to pieces. I didn't even hesitate to put an order in for another one immediately. Such a great little lens. Sure, it feels cheap, but it takes great shots - really nice for portraits.
This is a great lens. Thank you so much for having it. I gave it to my sister in law once I bought a new camera and she loves it too. Thanks
The nifty fifty is an excellent lens that I highly recommend.However, I do not recommend Adorama. Long story short - they ripped me off. Lots of vendors out there without needing to use Adorama.
I read the reviews here and had to go out and get this lens. Let me tell you I was not disappointed the weather has been bad here with cold and ice.  I still went out and fired a few shots just to see if the lens was really that good. Compared to the lens (35 - 80mm) that came with my Rebel G.  I could see the difference I can't wait to go and do some portraits now.
There aren't many products nowadays where you can see a steady climb in price over the years. This is one where its going up and up. Since I bought it, it went about 50% higher. What I am trying to say is this: Its such an amazing lens that they need to push the price up to keep with the demand.If you were to have only one lens, this would be your best bet.
This plastic fantastic is the number one best selling lens canon has to offer, and for good reason. Great for full frame users (1Ds, 5D) and the rest of us with crop sensors (60D, rebel series). A fast f/1.8 aperture, low price, and excellent optical performance make this an instant buy for those who want to have a fast lens for low light situations. Even though it has a cheap build, it can hold up to the bumps and abuse at the bars and clubs. Situations like these are perfect for the 50, if it breaks, so what? Buy a new one as the price is cheaper than a tank of gas.
Don't be fooled by the price of this lens.  This is one of the few lenses that is "cheap" and tack sharp.  It is all plastic but what do you want for under $100.  It makes a great portrait lens and I love the shallow depth of field at f/1.8.  I'm sure Canon's 50mm f/1.4 is great but if you don't have $250 to drop on it you'll be very happy with the 1.8.  And if it breaks just buy a new one, it is a third of the price of the 1.4.
Great lens for us. We upgraded ourselves from a point-and-shoot to a digital (do we have to say this anymore ?)  SLR a year ago. This was is our second lens. Made lots and lots photos of our kids. My wife also used this to take food-photos for her blog... We are very happy with the lens.
This item performed as well as expected--it really makes any photograph look professional. I ordered it upon recommendation of a pro photographer, and it delivered as well as he said it would.However, when I opened the box, the item did not look like it was in its original packaging...Not sure if it had just been opened before or used. I wasn't able to send it back though, because I needed the lens the day after to shoot my friend's graduation pictures.Soon after, my camera began to malfunction, and the autofocus couldn't get a clean read...it just kept moving, trying to focus. Same thing with my other lens. One place suggested that I clean the contacts of the camera and each lens...it was really dirty. My old lens wasn't dirty at all, but my new lens was, which in turn made the camera's a little dirty.Everything works fine now, and I'm happy with the lens overall--I just don't like the idea that I paid full price for something that was probably used (hence the 3 stars instead of 5)Edit 6/3/13:I am beginning to have the same problem again...it keeps trying to focus--you can actually see the lens focus turning left and right and left again...again, this doesn't happen during live view. I'm knocking it down another star (from 2 to 3).
Very good lens. Superb quality. If u r getting a first upgrade, this will be it. Quality of the material is plastic. But it still produce quality photograph. Get this one. Do not forget to get the lens hood.
I'm using this lenses a lot since I got then. They have a f/1.8 stop that allows me to get nice portraits in reduced spaces.
I'm a graphic artist, and I just start to do photography just for fun of it, I got this lens basically so I can have not blurry pictures of my always running children. :) I did wanted a fast lens.It is a great price for sure, the lens it self feel a little cheap, but it work like a champ, now I' been getting better result with the manual focus, the auto focus never get what I'm aiming for. may be set up of the camera not sure. I own a Canon XSI rebel and compared with the other lens 18-55mm this one make the pictures look more professional, the depth that you can get is very nice, the color contrast is great, and for indoor pictures is very very good, not to fan of flash lights so the 1.8F stop really help.I already have taken nice Christmas pictures with this lens, and I'm sure with all the emotion of opening present I'll catch all that craziness in a sharp way.if you are like me this lens is great to add to your collection, portrait pictures is the strength here, now if you are a pro...well you will not be reading this for sure.
Probably the best value purchase I'll ever make when it comes to lenses. The lens is super fast. Great shots when I open the lens all the way and shoot with aperture priority.The autofocus is a little noisy and slow but it's a small price to pay. Still 5 stars!
I purchased this lens because I wanted something that could simulate the basic 50mm lens that my old faithful (film) SLR came equipped with.  In particular, I wanted a reasonably large aperture that would allow me to get the intimacy of close-in available-light shots of my new grand child.  This fills the bill perfectly!  The shots are crisply focused on the subject, but the narrow depth of field at close range with large aperture softens the foreground and background detail to turn a "snapshot" into a portrait.  My family loves the pictures I've been taking, and I love this lens!  One of the best purchases I've ever made.
After seeing the results of a similar lens on a Nikon D300s I decided to get the lens with a Fotodiox hood and 3 filter kit. I'm amazed of the results, especially considering the price. My friend paid 249 for the lens alone (Nikon). I paid 130 for the KIT. We could'nt resist comparing our lens and honestly, Canon's lens is as good as the Nikon. The Nikon is a tiny bit sharper (full cropping shows it) but the bokeh is better (alot) on the Canon. Colors and contrast are similar.Again, for the price, this is a no brainer-get it! The results are amazing, especially if your are using a kit lens and want a sharper, quicker, brighter lens.My Canond 60D with that piece produces photo good enough for magazine :-)
It feels cheap, but it looks awesome. I use that lens all the time with my Canon T3i. The focus ring is a little hard to manipulate but you get used to it.
Yes, there are better lenses out there if you're a serious photographer. But for the money, this thing is an absolute steal. It is also very light and easy to carry around. I have multiple cameras with multiple zoom lenses, but I forgot the fun of a prime lens and the sharpness that you can get with it. And the speed. So I can't give it 5 stars simply because there are better and much more expensive lenses out there. But if this review was based on value, it would clearly be 5 stars.
I read all the reviews, so I am not surprised to find the lens to be mostly plastic, feel cheap. But it's a great value on a workhorse lens. Very versatile.
This is one the best investment I ever made! I got this lens to shoot video in low light. This works better then any of my other lenses. I shoot mostly in low light and hardly use anything else. It works the best for both video and pictures.
Got this lens about a month ago from Amazon. Flawless service from them as always. Thank you.The lens itself is outstanding. True: the construction could be better, but for its price, the quality of the photos are great. Even more. If you have a Canon, and can't afford or simply do not wish to spend more (quality of the more expensive EF 50mm/1.4 is a bit better) - get this lens. It will make you happy. ;-)
I was worried about not having a zoom on this lens, but it has not been as big of a problem as I thought it would be. For general use with my family, I can easily take a step back or forward to frame my photo. This lens really allows me to take faster pictures in dim lighting, which really helps me take more candid photos. There are times when the lens has a hard time focusing, but it doesn't bother me to manually focus. Since it is such a small lens there isn't much of a hassle to flip the auto/manual focus switch. I like that the lens is small and lightweight, especially since I don't like carrying large heavy camera bags and I have small hands. If you want a nice low light lens at a low price, I would recommend this lens.
I get great portrait shots with this, even in low light.Sometimes I have trouble using it in AF mode
This is a great little lens for the price.One thing to keep in mind is if you are getting it for a APC-C rather than a full frame lens, this is effectively an 80mm prime lens with the zoom factor of 1.6.
This was my first lens, it produced absolutely wonderful pictures...especially portraits. I took it to Europe for my 5 week honeymoon and cared for it well, on the 4th week of use it literally fell apart in my hands. I sent it in under warranty and they fixed it and sent it back. Not 10 minutes of use later it fell apart again. I did get probably a 1000 pictures out of it before it fell apart but I am finally now going to purchase the 1.4 version of this lens, so I would have been better off just getting that one in the first place. I would say go ahead and spring for the 1.4, the used lens market prices are very high so even if you don't end up using it you can recoup your costs.
I broke my other lens and this is my favorite lens for the money. I have shot several national magazine ads and spreads with this lens and it never fails me.
It;s quite common to buy a DSLR with a kit lens. But I'd strongly recommend considering this one for the sake of start. It gives affordable &#34;bokeh&#34; and servers well. It;s also made of plastic. So it;s quite easy to carry under any circumstances. Anyway. Lens is a bargain. Most of the canon lenses cost a fortune and this gives quite nice shots. Only bad thing that it's fixed type lens. But it helps you lean hot to select proper composition schemes.Would recommend to anyone. (Besides one's that own 1.4 and 1.2 vrsions ;)Great quality for such an affordable price.
What can I say about a product that's so great? For about $100, you really can't afford not to own this lens. It's incredibly handy if you're out for a day and you're shooting a lot of city streets, or around the town. Because it's 50mm prime, the focusing time is super quick, and pictures come out SUPER SHARP. Other reviewers aren't lying when they say that it's scary sharp. The only thing I didn't like was that the housing feels cheap, but for $100, I'll shut my mouth. Oh, also invest in a Lens Hood for it.
My lens must be defective. I've tried using it on a rebel T5i and T3i and I'm unable to get a clean focus on any subject at any distance, while I'm fully able to produce clear images using different lenses on those exact same cameras.The lens was bought for work, and I didn't have a need to use it until after the month long return window expired.
Super value.  I use it on my Canon 70D for inside video.  Amazing results for cheap!!!!
This has been an excellent lens for my Portriat Studio. Yes it feels cheap, but at the price, i bought two. And i havent had to use the 2nd one yet. The images are sharp, clear and clean..
Just received my order and ran some test pictures. They look good. Very sharp & good color. However, in two comparison shots of the same scene, one taken with my standard Canon zoom did have better color, particularly the blue sky above a lake.
Well this is mainly a good news review. This lens is very inexpensive, very sharp, with very good detail and resolution. The lens is also fast at f/1.8. The bad news is it's not made very well. Which given the price is understandable. I mean you would not expect it to be a professional quality lens for under $100 . This is the first "prime" lens I've owned (I have two high quality zooms) and the picture quality surprised me. I see more prime lenses in my future. I highly recommend this lens for anyone. Oh... it's also fairly compact making it a nice travel lens for my digital Canon SLR.
This lens feels cheap. But actually takes better picture than my L zoom lens that cost over $1000 dollars.This prime lens is the way to go for the most purposes.However, you might want to take a look at f/1.4 as an another option for a better built and your one and only 50 mm prime.  f/1.2 I don't think  is worth it considering the price/performance ratio.
Probably the best valued lens in the entire Canon lineup.  It's quite cheap and for the f/stop and depth of field ability, it's a keeper.I use this lens exclusively for shallow depth-of-field work.
really a good lens for people who want to show of their photography skills without going through the expensive prices. i was a amateur in the dlsr catregory and after much reviews.. and research i got this for my canon 300d.... truely a must have.. no matter where you stand in photography...
Of all the inexpensive Canon lenses  I have for my series of Canon DSLRs, this one wins on optical quality. It's fast, has a reasonable field-of-view and stars appear pinpoint over about 90% of the area. This means you lose less of the field due to cropping (to retain only pointy stars). Holds focus fairly well - certainly better than the EF-S kit lenses these days. Solidly -built.
Even when it feels so flimsy in the hand (when you move the MF to AF switch on the side it feels it's gonna break!), it delivers good image quality and given its max apperture It is perfect for low light conditions and night photography.The bad: image sharpness. Don't expect to get decent sharpness (I'm not even saying outstanding sharpness) using the smaller f-numbers, you'll start to get &#34;good&#34; results at f/2.8. But hey, what else did you expect for under $100?
This lens is noisy, does not zoom (of course), but takes sharp 50mm shots.  I would be better off saving up for the 1.4.
It's a cool starter lens.  but it will leave you longing for more.  Ive had this for about a month and some change now.  It was a great tool and im looking fwd to upgrading soon to a 85mm 1.8.  I initially almost returned this in the beginning because i hated it.  Where this lens excels is on manual and your adjust your setting to the light you surrounded by .  It excels in low light with no flash and video quality is excellent.  The bad part is this lens is limited.  Especially on my t1i.  It's a tight look and I recently upgraded to a 5d mark 2 this week.  This is where you see you need to get a 50 mm 1.4 or 85 mm 1.8 if you like the look of a 50 mm.  It is a great starter lens but on the a full frame camera and if  your looking for a fixed inexpensive walk around lens. your better off  going for a 50mm 1.4 lens or a 40mm pancake lens.  Much better lens for a full frame.  I have learned alot from this lens and it's a great starter lens outside the kit 18-55 lens.  But to save money and if you know your going to get a full frame camera like I did.  Get the 40 mm as a starter, 50mm 1.4 & 85mm 1.8.  That will keep you covered as you learn and grow with your camera and eventually want to pick up a big boy lens to compliment your lens collection such as 70-200, 24-105mm or 24-70 mm....  It really delivers nice bokeh and took great pics of my one year old niece..
There is a reason this lens has more than a thousand reviews, and a very high rating. It is an excellent value.The good: I bought this with my new T2i to have a 'fast' lens to learn with. As an amateur, I wasn't sure what I was going to learn, but the reviews here encouraged me. I shot some hand held shots on my way home by train, bike, and on foot; the clarity and brightness are spectacular. Now 'I get it'. I have already learned a lot using this lens, for example, like the rank amateur I am, I thought the camera had failed to focus some of the frame, because I'm used to a P&S; where everything is focused.. Now 'I get it'.. that a shallow depth of field makes the image look 3 dimensional. It's awesome.I am looking forward to learning about how f/ stops affect DOF, and other techniques which right now I 'don't know that I don't know!' Yeah, the lens is plastic; but short of dropping it, I think it will last. Amazing that this is a Canon branded lens at this low price. Buy one, and do your Canon shooting friends a favor and get them to buy one as well.The bad:I looked more closely at my night shots after the excitement had cooled. Many of them have serious ghosting and refraction artifacts! Any time there is a point light source in the field of view, the lens ghosts. Get a hood to reduce this flaring.The auto focus is good, not great. The fact you can get an AF lens for less than $100 is amazing. Sure, its not USM (ultra sonic), but it works.The manual focus ring is thin; I would call it 'vestigal'. I wish Canon would have made it twice as thick in the knurled ring area; but then, most people will never use manual focus. I do for video.Overall, if you own an EOS, you should have this lens (or the f/1.4 version)
My Canon EF 50mm is one of the best lens that I have for close up. Proud that it makes pictures with no red eyes. Thanks Amazon for having this len on your site.
I have not used a prime lens in a while. I bought this one based on the reviews on Amazon that showed it to be a great lens for the cost.It is a smaller diameter than I'm used to with the kit lens (52mm v 70mm) but the picture quality is great in low light situations.I'm sure I'll step up to a f 1/4 someday, but until then I'm quite happy with this one.
I take pictures of family and friends for fun. This lens is great. Not bad for the price...
Unless you already have a top-quality fixed lens around this length (and Canon makes no L-series in 50mm) I can't understand why you don't own this.  It's so cheap.  It's fast and sharp.Eventually, every photographer needs a fixed lens at somewhere around this focal range.  I favor zooms for telephoto: it's hard to quickly shuffle on foot between a 70mm and 300mm focal range.  I also like zooms for wide angle: you can grab a big landscape or group shot, then a person in close-up, all of which makes a wide-angle zoom a good "walkaround" lens, especially for travelers.  The "middle range" between, say, 35mm and 100mm is portrait-range, and a great opportunity for the extra precision and handiness of a prime lens.Prime lenses usually generate better images at every price point, and the EF 50mm f/1.8 II is no exception.  In fact, on a ratio of image quality to price, this lens may be unmatched.  Images are sharp and have nice contrast and color.  At faster speed, indoor shots without flash are easily possible at reasonable lighting levels.  This is crucial for those of us without high-end flashes and who rightly abhor built-in flashes, or flashes in general.  The speed (and, again, the clarity) of this lens makes it an obscene bargain.  See the peachfuzz on your baby's cheek?  Get it; no flash.  It's also disposable: you can take greater risks because replacement costs are relatively low.Buy this, at least as a holdover, until you get L-series glass for your portrait range prime lens.
Since I can't afford the "L" 1.5 this does a good job. Using this lense's narrow dof is fun and I'm getting some interesting shots.
1st lens ever bought...and will keep it till the day I leave video production. For $120 this lens is fantastic(fantastic plastic) Its Amazing in low light with its f/1.8 I have found that at a f/2.0 it is the sharpest. My go-to lens for photography.
Optically this lens is not a new design; it is a large-aperture 50mm lens of familiar type but adapted for digital. On an APS-C sensor it works out as a slight telephoto which is ideal for portrait work, especially with the super-narrow depth of field at f. 1.8. The result is that even distracting, complex backgrounds are blurred out while your subject's face renders bright and sharp even in low light. A tremendous value and I have gotten many compliments on the portraits that I have taken with it.
For $110, this has got to be the best bang-for-your-buck camera-related purchase around.Sure, it is made of plastic and feels a little flimsy, but for $100, you can hardly buy a lens hood anymore. I use this lens on either a 7D or a Rebel T4i. On both, it takes outstanding portrait photos. I've used this in the park near the river for model portfolio development, and it is the first lens that I actually have to edit details out of the model's face, because it reveals every pore, every freckle, and every imperfection. The clarity is incredible.On a side note, the lens hood for this doesn't seem to do a whole lot for it, and at 10-20% of the cost of the lens, I couldn't justify the cost and returned it. Just a warning to anyone who is looking at buying the two together. It'd be a better investment to buy a filter- they're cheaper and affect the photos more.
I read most of the 324 reviews on this lens before deciding to give it a try. I must say that the optics live up to the glowing reports and this lens is inexpensive enough that it doesn't have to last forever.  I am looking forward to many fun shots.
Bought this for indoor sports pictures of my childrens basketball games. VERY impressed with the quality of the pics it took. Takes great  portrait shots as well.. Im not a professional, so the telephoto and zoom lens's with 1.8 and like aperture were out because of high cost.. Finding the right spot to shoot from is a little tricky, but have taken some amazing shots with it. The cost of this lens and the quality of shots makes it a 5 star in my book!
Yes its a great deal, but if you're investing in this because you're into the details of the hobby, you'll quickly see why the 50mm 1.4 is better in every way.  Like most lenses, both 50mm's are not at full sharpness wide open and the 1.4 just gets sharper faster at any aperture.  And if you're buying this for speed (and pretty much most are) then you're looking to dabble in the art of depth of field.  The 1.4 again, simply does this much better with smoother bokah (blur) in the out of focus areas.  It took me a while to realize that all those little pentagons in the 1.8's bokah where due to the bargain 5 blade aperture and made me realize why I needed to belly up for  the 1.4.  Of course all those things are even better with the 1.2 but for my money, the 1.4 is really the sweet spot of price/performance in the lineup.  Your mileage may vary.
I purchased this lens to beef up my repertoire without breaking the bank. I am truly pleased with the lens. The detail is unbelievably sharp with an awesome bokeh (blur). Many complain about the build quality; since it indeed is plastic and isn't the best glass out there. I don't know about you all but I use all of my equipment with extreme care. Yes, the threading isn't metal. That is NOT a deal breaker your camera itself is made out of plastic (polycarbonate) in some cases so I don't see the issue.  I do not have a hard time focusing with this lens at all; manual or automatic.All in all, for the price, the nifty 50mm lens is essential for every photo enthusiast out there - just take a look at the product's image gallery if you aren't convinced!
This is the second lens that I bought for my Canon Rebel XTi (first being the Canon 17-85mm IS zoom lens), also my first "fast" lens and first non-zoom lens.Hell yeah, you can't beat 70 bucks for a 1.8 lens. Well, maybe you can, I don't know, but it felt a lot better than the $400+ for my zoom or the $300 for my flash!I read previous reviews that said it was "plasticy" and cheap but I disagree. It feels pretty solid, takes awesome large aperture portrait pics, and has an undeniable price-point. $70 is like a stick of gum for camera parts (sadly).Some of my FAVORITE (and worst!) pictures have been taken with this lens, always wide open. My other lens is between 4-5.6 fstops depending on zoom, so this provides a much wider aperture for me to play with. It's my preferred baby-picture lens.The bad: AF is noisy and "searches" a lot (compared to my USM zoom lens). Cannot focus much less than 1-2 feet (NOT a macro lens!). Costs too little -- wait, that's a PLUS!I'd recommend it unless you're already considering a pricey lens that could fill the same role. If you have the kit lens or similar with larger minimum aperture, this a great fast lens to add on the cheap!
[About me: I have used SLR cameras and lenses for more than 20 years - as a hobby in the beginning and professionally later. Maybe because of my technical background I started testing my own lenses quite a while ago. I have a (no longer so) little test lab of my own where I do 6 different image quality tests (after taking a lens out for a while).]The EF 50mm f/1.8 II is an ultra compact and lightweight lens that offers a great maximum aperture at an incredibly low price. It's best for available light and portrait photography but can be used for all sorts of things. It is build from rather cheap-looking plastics and comes with the tiniest focus ring and a poor autofocus performance - mainly due to its lack of an ultra sound motor. It's a no-frills lens that comes without extras like image stabilization but though it's really a low-cost lens the image quality is quite impressive. Apart from the very low f-stops (wide open apertures) the lens is sharp from center to corner. It doesn't suffer any curvature of the focal plane ("field curvature") and neither are color errors ("chromatic abberrations") in focused parts of the image ("transverse CA") an issue with this lens. But out-of-focus parts of the image do suffer from color fringes ("axial CA") and due to the lens's angled aperture shape the beauty of blurred image parts ("bokeh") could also be better. Distortion and corner shadow ("vignetting") is also an issue with this lens but both are within acceptable ranges and can be corrected for in post.The EF 50mm f/1.8 II costs only a third of theEF 50mm f/1.4 USMbut offers a very similar image quality. In fact the EF 50mm f/1.8 II has a better performance in a couple of the image quality tests. The lens's weakest spot is certainly its autofocus and the lack of manual override during autofocus operation (which is usally only available with USM lenses). If you can come to terms with that the EF 50mm f/1.8 II will be a great addition to your kit and - due to its great maximum aperture - will potentially spur your creativity.A much more detailed review of this lens together with all test shots, sample images and technical data is available on my website LensTests_com.[BTW: don't take the Amazon star rating too serious - every lens has its pros and cons that I wouldn't want to squeeze into a single one-dimensional figure...]
Great lens, really good for portraits. As long as you don't drop it, it seems to be fine. A friend of mine got this lens a while ago, and he claims it broke because he tried to autofocus on something a little to close. This hasn't been a problem for me, but be careful I guess.
This lens really 'opened up' the camera capabilties for me!I am a beginner. I got my Canon 450D as a first SLR with the 18-55 kit lens. My first additional lens was a zoom-tele lens (Canon 75-300) so I can get bigger range, mainly for wildlife when spending time with the family outdoors.the 2nd additional lens was this one. I bought it because the price was attractive and I thought that it would help taking pictures indoors with relatively low light ("natural").The lens did that, and much more! It's a great lens for taking pictures in low light. With the appertura at 'max' you can user 1/50 shutter where with the kit lens you would use 1/15. around 3 times faster which of course create much better photos. Note however that with 1.8F you can't really focus on many objects in the same frame so it's limited to portraits and 'single object' photos but for family photos that's good enough.The other great thing you can do with this lens is take photos of flowers close up - which i really love. It's not a true macro lens however: the min. focus distances is .45m which is not that close and with a 50mm focal length it means that you can't really get too close to your object or get a really high magnification. I would assume a 60mm or even a 90/100 with macro abilities would be much better here but they cost around 4x more than this one. Still, with the 1.8f the flower 'close ups' are much better! the lens is sharp, the focus is great and the results have definitely improved!another nice use is portraits. They got improved as well comparing to the lens kit.I didn't notice any problems with focusing comparing to the other lenses I have. It may not be the quickest one but it certainly performs very well in most conditions including low light. The only time I noticed an issue is when you get close to your object and starting to push that 54cm min. focus distance.the AF noise is really not an issue - I don't see why people see this as a problem in other reviews I've seen.It's true that a better build quality would have been nice. The lens looks a bit cheap and it would be nice if it at least would have created a better impression of robustness. It looks like it can crack open if it ever falls down to the floor - which I haven't tested and not going to... However, I don't see this as an issue. It's still not much different than the lens kit which means that it's built OK. it's also very light and small, you really feel like you carry a compact camera.Bottom line is - i hardly ever use any other lens anymore... this one is great for most indoor photos and family photos and for portraits and flower shots. It practically replaced the lens kit. The 1.8F really opens up camera capabilities I wasn't exposed to using the kit lens with its 5.6F value (at the same focal length).
So I have had a ball with this lens. I just love taking portraits of kids, family, friends, etc. I love the low light capabilities. Unfortunately, 3 years later, the lens just snaps into two pieces. I suppose that's what I get for a $76.00 plastic lens. SO I said no biggie, I'll go buy a new one on amazon. I was shocked to see that the price has been raised over $40. I know it's not just amazon either.  Doing it all over again, I don't think I can rightfully purchase this lens again from Canon. Just to let you all know that they raised the price on the 1.4 from $314 three years ago to $399!
I've had this lens for about 2 years and have shot a ton on it.  Its a great lens but I've always had an issue with it which may be with me and not the lens, Its hard to get a super clear shot.  There is usually a small bit of blur to it from motion.  Sure, I could use a tripod but its hard to use a tripod when taking pictures of moving subjects (in my case, my kids).  It looked good in the preview on my camera after the shot, but on the computer in post, there was always a little bit of motion blur.  In broad daylight I'd shoot at 1/400 shutter so I just don't know why that blur was there.Recently I bought a 40mm STM pancake lens and have to say I am WAY happier with that lens over my 50mm.  I haven't had the same issue nearly as much and for just a bit more money, the results are worth it.My camera is a Canon T3i which has a 1.6 crop factor.  Also because of the 1.6 crop, the slightly smaller focal distance is ideal.  It gives me closer to 50mm on a full frame sensor.
I bought this on a recommendation of another photographer as an inexpensive smokin deal.  It's light, fast, accurate and low-profile.  I use it when I really don't want to intrude on the event and there's enough light so I don't require a flash.There was a special going on that pushed me over the fence.  No regrets.
I bought this lens once before way back in 2006 and I loved it.  The pictures I took with it were nothing short of amaze-balls.  Unfortunately I dropped my old Canon Rebel XT and the lens got jammed into it as a result.  I had to have it taken apart to remove it from the camera body.  I was saddened but determined to get another one but I found that the lens was now $25 more expensive than when I bought it originally (I paid $76 for it on Amazon all those years ago.  What a steal!).  So I waited just to see if the price would dip below $100.  It never did, but six years later (the present!) I bought it again.The pictures are still amaze-balls but the build quality has changed.  The connector ring that goes into the camera is plastic now, the auto focus is grindy and a lot slower than I remember my first lens was.  I don't have much confidence that this lens will last very long, to be quite honest.But, again, it's still relatively inexpensive for the kinds of pictures you can take with it and it still is my go-to walk-around lens for convenience.  Weigh the pros and cons.  If you're new to DSLR photography I say go for it because this lens will really make your shots pop.  If you're an enthusiast like me, at the very least this is a more-than-decent backup that's fast indoors although perhaps not wide-angle enough to get group shots.I only gave it 3 stars for reduced build quality as I fondly remember my first 50mm prime.  But if I could rate it a 5 for shot amaze-ballsness, I would.
I have better lenses, and it's true this baby doesn't zoom, but if you can get past that, this lens is great for capturing detail and allows a lot of light in. For around $100 bucks, you can't go wrong. I suggest this lens for anyone starting out as a secondary lens, and for anyone looking for a new twist on typical photos.
The review says it all. Yes, it has a plastic case, and is not durable. Yet, the pictures look amazing. Well worth it, and the number one camera lens for the money.
I bought this for my Canon EOS XS. It was really worth the money. You can see the difference when you take night snaps. With f/1.8, this lens enables the camera to use high shutter speeds in low light and there by reducing shaky images. You get awesome pictures and it cost so less!!
This lens is amazing! I have bought this lens brand new for $98 off eBay and it blows away the 35mm Nikon DX 1.8 lens. This actually gets more picture with less walking around than I have to do with my crop sensor Nikon D3200. I'm using this lens on a full frame Canon 5D and creates nice bokeh with amazing dynamic range. Some of the shots have a little vignetting at 1.8 and others don't. I think this has something to do with the full frame sensor and you have to get the lighting just right or you will experience a little vignetting although it kind of makes a neat style for your photo as well if you can manipulate your camera to do that. Anywho it's really amzing for $98 and blows away the 35mm $200 Nikon 1.8 DX lens. Full frame is where it's at, especially with this little gem. Go buy one now!!!
crisp, clean and beautiful. i love shooting on this and it was cheap. every photographer needs this lens.
At the price for thislens everyone who shoots a Canon DSLR should have at least the f1.8. Very light and easy to use. Of course there is the arguement about it being all plastik but hey, what do you want for the money?? Besides I baby all my gear so that is not a consideration for me vs the performance of the lens. It's tack sharp and a fun little lens.
I love my nifty fifty! The photo's are so sharp and crisp! It really puts the kit 18-55 to shame!
a great little lens. a very good image quality so far.Just do not drop it.i will save my pennies and upgrade when this wears out to a better constructed body . the glass appears fine
Great lens with a great price.  The low build quality is showing some but at this price, the build quality is actually good.  In the end, the pictures look great which is what we all want
I bought this super cheap lens just to check the quality of a Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 zoom I purchased to use with the 5D.  I assumed the prime would be better, and it was in studio side by side comparisons.  The Sigma zoom is excellent and far more versatile, but there is a noticeable (if slight) sharpness and brightness advantage with the 50mm.  Photozone's excellent lens reviews site places this 50mm f/1.8 at -or (more often) above- the sharpness figures of all other tested Canon lenses from 50mm to ultrawide. It's tiny, it's light, and although it's relatively fragile, it could be replaced several times for the cost of an L lens.  On the negative side, focus accuracy on my 5D was only good, not great; focus speed was good; decent background blur; the noise not an issue for me. Sharp at f2and beyond.  Good portraits from a cropped camera, a bit short for full frame portraits.  If you travel light and use primes, this should be in your bag. A super buy, I'd say!
Suggested by my friend I bought it and is a very good addition. The pics are very crisp and for a person who is new to DSLRs this is a lens that gives good closeup pics
This is Canon's best kept secret and is a lens that everyone should have in thier bag.  It is a good all around lens for most lighting situations.  I added close-up filters to turn it into a macro lens.
Sharp lens. Cheaply made on the outside, but the price is just right. One of my all time favorite lens.
When I purchased this lens, I was skeptical.  I had read many reviews critical of the build quality (plastic mount) and af (not USM).  I would have preferred to go with the f/1.4 USM or the f/1.2 L, but could not afford to do so at the time.  I know that a poor lens is no more useful than a paperweight, but despite the slower speed and cheaper build quality, I decided to give this lens a chance.I'm very happy that I did.  AF is fast, if not completely silent, and while this lens is not as well constructed as many of the other lenses Canon makes, I have taken thousands of pictures with it and have been very happy overall.  With my 400d, it's reasonably sharp at 1.8, and very sharp at 2.5.  If you're a professional photographer (if you make more than 80% of your income with photography) go with the f/1.2 L.  If you're a serious amateur with extra cash, go for the f/1.4 USM.  But if you don't have the money for more expensive lenses, you should be very happy with the f/1.8.  It performs almost as well as the other two, for a fraction of the cost.  If you decide to upgrade later, you can sell the f/1.8 -- even 5 or 10 years from now you can expect to get 75% of it's initial value by selling it used online.This is an excellent lens.  You will not be disappointed.
Pros:Small SizeLow PriceLight WeightNice BokehOk at F/1.8Better at F/2.2 F/2.5 F/2.8Sharp as most lens at F3.2 and still blurs the background wellNatural light photography sharper at F1.8 then the Kit lens at any settingGreat portrait lens on cropped 1.6 cameras like the Rebel XtiCons:Slow FocusPoor low light auto focusPoor motion tracking auto focusCheap plastic constructionFlash performance much worse then the 18-55 Kit lensNo Lens HoodActual use and thoughts:I bought this lens because I wanted to take sharper clearer photos then the kit lens until I can afford another L lens and because I wanted to shoot using natural light inside churches while photographing wedding portraits.Is it sharper then the Kit 18-55 lens? In natural light shots you bet!!I did some tripod mounted tests at different F stops and it's sharper at F1.8 then the kit lens is at any setting at any focal length.  However!!  You do not want to use flash with this lens.  I know I know you buy this lens to take natural light photography. But I flipped up the flash on my Rebel Xti to add light when my daughter wanted the lights out to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. The results where terrible!!  There was glare on all reflective materials and highlight over exposure.  Plus when trying to  focus on moving subjects in candle light you had better be ready to switch to manual focus.I found out that this lens is an old design and does not support E-TTL II flash photography and does not have the coatings the newer designed for digital photography anti-glare coatings or distance flash distance measurement system. What does all that mean for the person who bought this for natural light photography?  Nothing, it doesn't detract at all just know that the flash photography will not be anywhere near as good as that of the kit lens or any of the newer lens.Now, on to the good, this lens is great at natural light portrait photography on the cropped 1.6 Digital Rebel Body!!! On this camera it's now a 80mm lens, perfect for Portrait, with very nice Bokeh and good contrast.  Great for low light when you have to get a shot like this with no flash.On the other hand, it's not much good for anything else.  This field of view is too narrow with a cropped sensor for getting the entire scene and if you want their entire body you really have to back up.  It's also too narrow for scenic shots where you want people in the foreground and great wide scenic shots of places like the Grand Canyon where you would need something like 17 - 24mm.  It's also too short to be a telephoto lens.  Why do I mention this?  Because you will surly want a good zoom lens in addition to this lens Do NOT buy this as your only lens.  Buy it as a backup to a good zoom for when you need low light great Portrait or both.  Also know that you will be switching between the two during a shoot to get good portrait and wider angle shots.  In fact if you find yourself in a situation where you need to be versatile do NOT put this lens on your camera, it is not very versatile.  What do I mean by versatile?  Situations where you need to change angle of view or switch from natural to flash photography quickly.  Or shots where there is a lot of movement causing you to refocus your shot quickly.Bottom Line:  If you are cash strapped and want a great natural light Portrait lens to go with your Canon Digital Rebel then go with this lens.  If you have a little more money then you should go for the F/1.4 50mm lens which focuses faster has better build quality etc. and does the same job just better.If you can only afford just one do it all lens in this price range do NOT get this lens, get the 18-55mm kit lens  It's not as sharp in natural light but is all around a much more versatile lens and produces much better  flash photos.If you can afford $200 buy this 50mm F/1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens and use them together as a team.In closing over all I am pleased with the F/1.8 50MM lens when using it as a natural light portrait lens, but it's not as versatile as I thought it would be and I wonder if I should have saved up my money and waited to get the 50MM  F/1.4  lens which is a much better lens over all even if it does cost more then 3 time as much.  Now however I am hearing that the F/1.4 is having reliability problems with the auto focus and manual focus.  When shooting a wedding I can not use a lens I can not rely on.  I can rely on the F/1.8 to see me through and even afford a backup just in case I drop it again.3-28-2008 UpdateI now own the expensive and heavy Canon 85mm F/1.2 L II and Canon 135mm F/2 L lens for portraits and of course they blow this poor 50mm away.  But I still have a soft spot in my heart for this lens and for those on a budget or for those who are taking this lens into areas where you would not want to take an expensive lens I still heartily recommend the Canon 50mm F/1.8 II lens for the price it takes fantastic photos!Filter Update 3/28/2008After much searching I found the perfect filter. The Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 Protection filter is not supposed to filter the shot just protect the front lens element. I was very worried that it would affect the shot after having tried some other premium filters like the B+W UV which caused the photos to be softer and duller. However, after some tests I found that in some weird way the Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 actually makes the photos seem to have just a little more contrast and be a little sharper then without. I thought I had gotten the test shots backwards and had to retest with a little sign in the photo saying with and without filter in place just to make sure. Really amazing!!! I'm sold!7-4-2008 Update:My love of this lens continues.  Not long ago I took another short motorcycle ride with some friends and didn't want to risk my more expensive lens and camera.  So, I took my Canon Rebel XTi and 50mm F/1.8 lens.  I had forgotten just how great this little lens is.  You can take nice portraits with decent bokeh (some shots it's really good, but points of light show the 5 aperture blades producing 5 sided points of light).  You can vary the shot with F/1.8 giving you a creamy white super soft effect for the women and F/2.5 giving you less Bokeh but the sharpness you need for detail shots and male portraits.  The big plus for me as well is the weight. This is a combo you can carry all day long without killing your back and arms.At this low price how can you NOT own this lens?01-03-2009 Canon 5D Mark II Update:This lens which was pretty decent on the 40D and Rebel XTi comes completely apart on the 5D Mark II. No surprise since it's only $89. I guess the surprise was how well it works on a Canon 40D and Rebel XTi.If you have a cropped sensor camera I still recommend for the reasons listed in my review.  If you are using a full frame sensor camera like the 5D Mark II look elsewhere.Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Zoom Lens Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit Zoom lens Muddy, slow, pile of junkCanon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm and stopped down, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy, repair prone!Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L Zoom Lens Fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy! My favorite zoom lens that I own!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS Zoom Lens super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh can be great or bad, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!!My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: 'Canon EF 300mm F/2.8 IS L the finest lens ever
faulty. focus ring stuck.  a lens should last years!! not months!! This is the second one that has failed, and I have only used it once. I would not recommend this lens, because it is apparently too fragile or has a manufacturer flaw.
I ordered this Lens from Amazon and it is great for Bokeh effects. It does not have a zoom so your legs are the zoom. The videos I take are really artisitic, it's an awesome lens to have.
I got this as a gift for Christmas, and I can confidently say that this was one of my favorite gifts of all time! I'm kind of a hobbyist and am using a Canon XS. The kit lens that came with the XS was good, but I wanted a wider aperture. Once I put this lens onto my camera and learned how to use it properly (still learning, of course ;D), I didn't want to put my kit lens back on. And I haven't yet.Pros****-Price - This is a FANTASTIC lens for the price. Of course, I don't have a handful of lenses to compare this to, but I can confidently say that what I got from this lens was definitely worth the price. As a student, and as a hobbyist, I couldn't justify having myself, or anyone else, spend a lot on a lens for me. Sure, the f/1.4 might be better, and sure, I'll get it eventually, but I don't have an extra $200 to spend at the moment, since I don't have a full time job. In the end, I might be paying more to get this lens first, and then buy the better one when I'm actually employed, but I simply can't afford the 1.4 right now. If you're NOT on a budget, then by all means, dish out the extra for the f/1.4. Also, you can sell this 1.8 on ebay for a really good price if you choose to upgrade later, if it makes your decision any easier.-Sharp and clear! Sooo nice. Just remember that if you shoot at f/1.8 and decide to halfway depress the shutter to focus and then recompose your shot, your results might not be as sharp. This isn't really a fault of the lens, but the fact that you're shooting at f/1.8.-Wide aperture: SO lovely. It's excellent for portraits, or whenever else you might want to isolate your subject from the background. It CAN be a tad soft wide open, but it's not a huge issue for most people, especially since this is an inexpensive lens. And if you're a professional, you probably won't be looking at this lens anyways. On the plus side, the softness wide open can be nice for portraits.-Eats light for breakfast. This lens is fast. You can shoot in lower light conditions, compared to the standard kit lens.-Light and compact!Cons*****-Plastic construction: Not a huge issue for me. I honestly don't think it feels cheap, but I'm not a pro and have not used many lenses. It might feel cheap in comparison to those, but for someone who upgraded from a kit lens, it's fine. Just be careful and hope you're lucky? I haven't had mine fall apart yet (or get stuck to my camera, as several reviewers had issues with), so my fingers are still crossed. I've had this for 5 months so far. Also, I feel like most people know this, but don't fidget with the focus ring if it's on AF.-Loud AF: Whrr whhhrr whhhrrrrr. You won't be hiding in bushes, getting sneak shots of people anyways, right?! It's not a huge deal, but sometimes, the AF is so loud as its struggling to focus in lower light situations, I just want to put the lens out of its misery and set it to manual. But it's really not a deal killer for me. I'll let the whirring noises make my presence known!Side Notes**********There's no zoom, but it's a prime lens, so that's a given. Learning to move yourself (or your subject ;D) can lead to interesting results, compared to standing in place and letting zoom take care of everything for you. Moving from my kit lens to this lens made me feel a little naked at first, but I don't miss zoom.You can get up to around 1.5 feet distance from your subject. I keep wanting to get closer, so this is something I'm trying to get used to.Also, I use a Canon XS, so with the 50mm, things feel a little "tight" since the XS isn't a full-frame camera. The 50mm on my XS is more like an 80mm on a full-frame camera.It might be tricky to get shots of people in small spaces where you can't back up enough to get enough of them in the frame.Anyways, if you're on a budget or are a hobbyist, this lens is a great buy. Especially if you're moving from a kit lens, you'll be amazed at what this little guy can do. =D
My wife does use to do SOME portrait photography- now she does A LOT of portrait photography. When she use to love purely landscapes, she now dreams to own a portrait studio to shoot people and their families. This lens can deliver the most amazing shots I've ever witnessed with an ultra sharp foreground and beautifully blurred background that directs the attention to the subject. It feels cheap and is light, but do NOT hesitate- Buy this lens right now and be AMAZED.
Can't tell you why technically, but there is a difference with this standard lens that all must have. Works as advertised & takes just beautiful images.
This lens is great! With the large aperture (1.8) can finally take pictures of my kids indoors and get crazy shallow depth of field. I gave it a 4/5 because it takes a little trial and error to focus at 1.8 which I didn't seem to have trouble with using the more expensive 1.4 variation. Great for the price, perfect lens for the beginner's arsenal.
At the price (around $100 at the time or writing) this is simply a steal.The glass in this lens is the same as the expensive L Series lenses - so the quality of your shots is unsurpassed, but the construction is a LOT cheaper (it's all plastic, rather than all metal). That is why this lens is cheap, they haven't compromised on the glass at all.It's a fantastic lens that everyone should have at their disposal - sharp, lovely DoF, the only criticism is that the aperture blades will create 5 sided light bokeh, rather than small round bokeh. This is minor, and in a lens this cheap, rather forgivable.Plus - THE APERTURE! f/1.8? You can shoot some lovely shots with it in low light. It's not the quietest auto-focus (as it's not a USM lens) but it's hardly loud unless you are specifically needing total quiet - in which case you should be manual focusing anyhow.my tip - get a high quality UV filter and leave it on it. This means that not only will you be protecting the lens but you'll have the metal filter ring to screw attachments into rather than the plastic threads of the lens.Anyhow - this lens used to retail for $80-90, but seems to be getting more expensive. Pick it up as soon as you can. It's a steal.
So 3,000+ happy reviewers can't be wrong!  I'm a newbie photographer with a Canon t5i and I got the 15-135 kit lens.  Nice lens, for mid range shooting I think, but I was not happy with the closer up photos I was taking.  Then I read up on this little gem and figured for less than $100, I couldn't go wrong.ABSOLUTELY THE BEST LITTLE LENS AROUND!  I can only review in normal (not photographer) language, but the quick test shots I took won me over in about 5 seconds.  The pics are sharp, with a nice bokeh in the right f stop range.  Yes, it's plastic.  Yes, the focus is a bit loud.  But I can overlook all that for the picture quality and the price.I think I'm good to go now for a while on my learning adventure, with this lens and the 2 kit lenses I have.  Do yourself a favor and just buy this lens if you're looking.  You won't be disappointed.
This is a fast, inexpensive lens I recommend to all of my friends who are becoming interested in photography. Yes, it's not going to beat Canon's best lenses, but the person buying this lens isn't the one who wants to spend $1000+ on a lens right now. It's great for just starting out (we bought it two months after getting my first DSLR), and I tell my friends that if they want to save money, to buy this lens instead of buying their camera with a kit lens. The photos are beautiful and sharp. It's very popular now to have blurry backgrounds in photos, and I tell my friends that this is an affordable lens that they can do that with. I'll admit that the light bokeh comes out in pentagrams sometimes and is not as smooth, but the overall quality of performance of this lens coupled with it's practicality still makes it deserving of 5 stars in my opinion. If you are willing to spend a little extra and get the Canon 50 1.4, then I would go for it (I kind of wish I had). If not, I still think you'll be very happy with this lens. I have the 24-70 f2.8 (which I use depending on the shooting situation) that sells for $1000+, and I still love this prime. A large percentage of my photos so far have been taken with it, and it's light and easy to carry around. I might upgrade it someday to the 1.2 many years in the distant future, but that doesn't mean I don't love this lens. I should mention, however, that most of my photos are of people (mainly children), things at home, and the other goings on of family life, and the friends I recommend it to will be mostly photographing the same subjects.
This is a great lens! I used a friends lens like this before purchasing this one. It allows you to take great portrait photos which is what I use my camera for mostly. It takes some getting used to not having a zoom but it's worth it and you can't beat the price.
Even though I have the more expensive 50mm 1.4, I can't deny that the 1.8 has the ability to produce high-quality results.I have taken as many "satisfying" pictures with this lens as I have with the 1.4! I mean that literally! It has rendered many sharp and colorful pictures!Also, I know that the build quality has been condemned universally, but for some reason I don't think the build-quality is all "that" bad.Obviously, for the price, anyone who has a EOS 20D or Rebel XT (both of which I own) or a contemporary Canon 35mm film camera should own one of these!I love and recommend this lens!
I think this lens is awesome and I wish I had purchased it sooner! I just received it today (ordered it 2 days ago) and was thrilled to test it out.  I went ahead and bought the hood for the lens and a UV protector, so the whole setup cost about $105.  I'm looking forward to using this lens by taking pictures of the stars (in the sky).  Other reviews are right on about the build being a bit cheap, but so far I haven't had any issues and the hood was easy to attach to the lens/uv filter.  $80 for a great lens = worth it! :)
There isn't much to say about this lens that hasn't already been said.  It's sharp, compact, light and inexpensive.  Overall it's one of the best values in photography today.  A 50mm on a crop sensor body makes a great, cheap portrait lens, and the f/1.8 aperture on the Nifty Fifty will really make your subject stand out from your background.  The autofocus was quick, though loud, and I found this to be a suitable walk-around lens on my T5i.  This is a must have for any Canon shooter.
I purchased this lens to go with my Canon eos t3i do that I could my first newborn and it worked flawlessly even while taking video and in low light.
I knew about the nifty fifty for a long while, after buying my first DSLR but was a little skeptical due to the &#34;bads&#34; of this lens by reviewers along with an expensive camera. I now pair this lens with my Canon 60D and always detach the lens just as a &#34;precaution&#34; procedure after hearing about how the plastic mount can sometimes break if you're unlucky. Finally, just about 1 month ago, I finally gave in and bought it.Pros:That Smooth Crisp f1.8 lens bokehlicousness (background blur)Best for Low Light situationsBest for PortraitsCons:Since my camera isn't a full frame, it's 85mm on my cameraMakes me have to scoot a lot further away from subject just to get them into frame than I had to during use with 18-200mm lens(of course that has to happen, as the lens is fixed distance)Overall: HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND, but if you got the funds, get the metal mount version for protection of your precious camera. This should be in everyone's bag, whether pro or beginner.  A must have. I am stupid for being skeptical about buying it for the last 4 years. But yet I am still skeptical a bit after I bought it... just make sure you don't leave it on and demount it after you're done shooting.
The best budget lens ever made, this one spares compliments, everyone shooting Canon have, had or will at least once use this classic, lifesaver lens. Plastic Magic.
I agree with many who consider it a crime not to have this lens given its price.  Very sharp and very fast.  Gives me a lot of flexibility on DOF, too.
I purchased the 50mm f/1.8 II lens about a month ago along with my first dSLR, the Rebel XS. I certainly do not regret the purchase, as I've taken many of my favorite photos with this lens so far. And I can comfortably say were it not for the price I would not have bought it. However, I do have mixed feelings about the lens itself.First, the good: The 50mm f/1.8 II possesses nice optics for the price. The large maximum aperture proves very useful in low light, though you will find the results a bit soft and lacking in contrast. The softness can actually be nice for portraits where you don't necessarily want to reveal every detail. Stopped down a bit to f/4, the results are exceptionally sharp.Next, the bad: At this price, something had to be sacrificed. It turns out to be almost every aspect of the lens' build quality. The lens truly does have a toy-like quality to it. The plastic is cheap, the focus ring is bare-bones, there is no distance scale for manual focus, and the mount is plastic. Also, only 5 diaphragm blades were used, which can make for a distracting bokeh at times. However, probably the single most bothersome thing about this lens is the autofocus, which fails to focus correctly surprisingly frequently. The results are noticeable at apertures as small as f/4. The lens will confirm focus when in reality it has either front or back focused, making it pretty tough to get the sharp photo that I want at larger apertures. Finally, I've noticed that lens contrast and color saturation suffer more than usual under strong lighting, presumably due to the lack of modern made-for-digital coatings on the elements. Under gentler lighting the contrast is good though I think colors are a bit muted.Finally, the 50mm focal length is simply too long for a "general purpose" fast prime. I can't tell you how often I need to distance myself from a subject to get the desired composition. I would really appreciate a 35mm f/1.8 like the one Nikon just announced. The current Canon 35mm f/2 is an ancient design.Despite all of this, however, the lens is basically useable and produces some very nice results when it gets the focus right. It is difficult to wholeheartedly recommend the lens though, especially if you can afford the 50mm f/1.4. I would say the biggest reasons to take the next step up are the improved AF system as well as the smoother bokeh (based on what I have read and the samples I've seen; I haven't used the lens myself). Cosmetically the f/1.4 is obviously more attractive too. Unfortunately that is going to run you $400, almost five times the price of this lens. At that price, you may want to consider the newSigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, which is apparently optically superior.Personally I feel that Canon went too cheap on this one. I still recommend this lens for those who would not otherwise buy a fast prime. The good sharpness between f/4 and f/8 is sure to please, and as a bonus you can experiment with the shallow depth of field, though the bokeh is not excellent. Those who expect to get a lot of mileage out of their 50mm and have deep enough pockets would be well advised to step up to the f/1.4.
I reviewed many lenses before I finally settled on buying this one. I wanted the 1.4, but for the cost and what I would be photographing this one was the best option for me!!I've had this lens for the last month, and I have love every minute of using it. The bokeh is very smooth in all of my pictures, and it focuses very well. I am just so happy that I went with this lens, and it was the best photography investment I've ever made (next to my Canon Rebel)!
I needed a fill in lens quickly.  I read all the reviews, that means many, on Amazon and other blog lines.  I read the 5's, and I read the 1's.  I purchased this lens with my aperature wide open, so to speak, especially concerning the 1 write-ups that revealed some real bad experiences.  I chose to buy the lens anyway and have been thrilled with the photos I have taken.  I know I must be careful with it as it certainly isn't built like a tank as my Mark III is, but it is a wonderful lens for the price, actually surprised at the quality of pictures for basically a 100 bucks. Already shot at least a 1000 shots with it...glad I bought it.
This is the lens to get as a replacement for the kit lens. It's fast, sharp and affordable. It is probably one of the best Canon lens deals available. Highly recommended!
The lens is good for what it is. Cost effective lens in a pinch. You can take great pictures with it like most lenes. A long as you don't mind moving around. Was  looking for something a but more wide angle than this one is. The kit lens for  the 7d can do what this does and a little more. If you bought a camera body only though this lens will get you going on the cheap.
I've gotten some awesome pictures with this lens! I would recommend it to anyone wanting an inexpensive new lens for some great pictures!
It is a very good lense and good price. I owned the f1.4, this lense almost has the same IQ together, and light weight. Go for it if 50mm is the target range. Recommended.
This is my absolute favorite lens. I've had it for about a year now and it is still working great. Now, I don't really know a lot about all of the technical aspects of the lens, but I will tell you about my experience using the lens. In case you're wondering, I'm using it on a Canon T2i.First of all, this is one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, lenses that you can buy. This was the first lens that I bought after the kit lens that came with my camera, and it is one of the best purchases that I have made. It really expands the amount of things that you can do with your camera, especially in low light situations.I'd like to talk about the "quality" of the lens. If you take the aperture all the way down to 1.8 your images aren't going to be the sharpest, and you can't really expect anything more from a $100 lens. If you take it down to about 2.8, you start getting really sharp, great images.As this is a large aperture lens, you get that great bokeh effect, or what some people would call a "blurred background." It makes your images look really professional even though they were taken with a $100 lens. Unfortunately, this lens has a pentagonal aperture ring so your bokeh isn't going to look as great and round as it could, but it's not really noticeable unless you are really looking for it.The large aperture also makes it great for shooting in low light or indoor situations without having to pump your ISO all the way up. Unfortunately, because it is a 50mm, you will have to be a good distance away from your subject to be able to get it in the frame, which means that it won't be that great in indoor situations if you are in a small room or enclosed space. For this purpose I would really recommend a wide angle.The focus on this lens is incredibly fast. This is mostly because it's a prime (meaning it has a fixed focal length), but it still manages to focus faster than even some USM lenses. This is in fairly well-lit situations, though. If you're trying to use auto focus in a dark environment with this lens, you'll find that it hunts for a point to focus on for a while and doesn't always manage to get you something usable.As for the build quality, the lens is made of plastic, so you can't really expect much. I've heard stories from friends about the front plastic ring coming off, but I personally haven't had any problems with the lens. I've even dropped it once onto hardwood and it survived, which is amazing for any type of lens.That's just about all I'm really qualified to say about this lens, but I'd like to finish off by saying that if you have a DSLR camera, you should also have this lens. It performs amazingly for a lens of this price point, and I really can't praise it enough.
Got this for my wife to take portrait pictures at a church function.  They were sharp, clear and great color.  Now she is thinking of more ways to use it.
This is actually my second one of these. The last one was dropped from about hip high and it busted apart. It took me about 20 mins to find it again on Amazon and order another. I admit that it is not built like a tank but for the price I can easily afford to replace it now and again.
Great images. Incredible videos.I love this lens, especially for the price!The 1.8 f stop is gorgeous and looks lovely.
Superb image quality for potraits for indoor photography without flash. This lens is so fast I do not need any flash with it indoors. The excellent background blur it creates produces gr8 potraits.Do not to use this for group pictures... IT is a potrait lens where everyone should be in the same focal plane....
It's been said time and time again, this lens is the best value lens on the market. If you think you'll end up getting the money for the 50mm f1.4 soon, then hold off. That is IF and only IF you plan on spending the big bucks on the f1.4 soon. Otherwise, buy this lens immediately and enjoy crisp and sharp pictures with great color! The image sharpness and wide aperature makes for great indoor shooting and videos. I definitely recommend this lens to everyone who wants great picture quality on a budget. I couldn't ask for more from this lens at it's price. It delivers above and beyond the $107 I paid for it. If it ever breaks, you can bet I'll buy another again ASAP.
Unless you have one of the other two, 1.2, 1.4, than you'll need one of these babies! Cheap, sharp, fast, heavy Bokeh!
I may be a beginner but I have to agree with a lot of the other reviews in saying this is a great lens for the money! I have only been shooting with it a day but the shots are gorgeous!
I have had this lens for about five years and always wondered if the 1.4 was worth the upgrade.  I finally made the plunge a month ago so I could get that extra stop of light.And then I started editing photos from a session where I used the lens and was disappointed with the sharpness of the lens even though my f stop was not anywhere near 1.4, where pictures can expect to be softer.So I packed up my lens and sent it back and put the 1.8 back on my camera and realized just what a deal this lens is at a more recent photo session when the lens did a wonderful job with capturing the details in my four month old subject's eyes.Maybe I just received a "soft copy" of the lens but I will use my $400 on another lens
Got exactly what I needed and wanted. Nothing to complain about here. I'm going to write one, two, three, four. There done.
Anyone entering the world of DSLR should have one of these. It also makes you a bit better photographer since its a prime lens and finding a good shot is great practice. A must have.
A very good lense for the price, just remember 50mm lenses don't have mobility (or zoom), this lens is a MUST HAVE  for every photographer, once you try this inexpensive lens you can see if it is your kind of lens and if you love it you really need to get a better one (pay more). I added some pictures so you can have an idea of the quality.
For the size and cost...this lens is amazing.  The quality is superb, is perfect for low light. It's so small and light that you can fit in your pocket on the go. Everyone needs to have this lens in their pack...
This is a great lens for stills.  The only prime I would recommend over this as a first lens might be the 30mm.For video it is great, so long as you use a tripod.  It has no image stabilization so handheld shots are unusable unless you are an unusually steady hand.  I have not tried it with a rig yet, but its possible you can get suitable footage that was as well.The image quality is amazing at this price point.  I couldn't find a cheaper lens to get started with that had the same quality image.
I'm sure I have nothing new to add here. This lens is great, it's made of plastic so pro's probably don't like it, but other than that, it takes great shots at great shutter speeds. Drastically out-performs the kit lens for your everyday portrait shots. I'd say if you're new to professional-ish photography, and already have a body, I'd probably get this lens second, and then a speedlite flash. That, combined with your kit lens, should give you a very good setup for most everyday pictures.
A great lens. I bought it to go with my Canon T1i because I wanted to get away from zoom lenses in order to learn about composition. I am a hobbyist and work best when I am dealing with restraints. In this case, I have one lens and it has to do everything for me. I shoot a lot of pics at night and use available light, this should be fast enough to shave a lot of time off of my shots while giving a nice soft edge to things.
I have been using it for a few month and no problem so far.  It works well with my T2i.
This EF 50mm 1.8 lens is ideal for the photographer who wishes to enhance his low-light photography.  Other than the obvious benefits of faster shutter speeds in low light and a shallow depth-of-field for portraits, there is the added benefit of improved autofocus performance.Combined with the Auto White Balance (or custom, if you prefer) of today's digital cameras, available light photos are now more realistic than ever.  You can now do those existing light photos and get the colors the way you see them, not yellow or green because of the light source indoors!This lens is very good optically.  Although made of cheaper materials mechanically, it has a good record of reliabilty.  A terrific value!
I just bought a Canon 5D Mark II not long ago and realized that the lenses were usually as expensive, if not more expensive, than the camera body itself.When I found this on Amazon I was a little skeptical based on the price, but after reading some of the reviews I decided to give it a shot.Glad I did!This is a very small lens, but it has a great depth of field look to it.As a prime there is no zoom of course, but if you're shooting something like headshots or stationary objects, it's a great lens.I also use it for video and it gives a very cinematic look to your footage w/ the shallow depth of field, you just have to be careful where your subject is in relation to the camera as it doesn't take much for them to fall in/out of focus by moving only slightly forward or backward.As a beginner lens this is perfect. It's very affordable and gets the job done.The body is plastic, but I haven't had any problems with that. Haven't dropped it or anything, but the lens is pretty lightweight, which is nice.While it may not be best lens out there, it definitely is well worth the pricetag.I highly recommend getting it if you're looking for an affordable lens that will give you a professional look to both photos & video.
This is one of my favorite lens to use for portraits.  I've done a lot of photography recently and the fixed lens is definitely my go to when shooting just one subject.  It blurs the background perfectly while maintaining excellent focus on the foreground.  Way to go Canon for an inexpensive but effective lens.
Great little lens for indoor lower light shooting.  I took some great pictures.  I had been struggling to get good pictures with the kit lens and got this to assist with indoor shooting.  Great pictures with existing light.  I did forget that at F1.8, you don't get much depth, so you need to pay a little more attention to focus.Would recommend for anyone looking for a nice addon lens for the Reb XT ot XTi
If you're a &#34;super professional photographer who gets only the best equipment&#34; I highly doubt you'd need to be reading Amazon reviews to decide on a purchase. So keeping that in mind, to anyone who is reading these reviews to truly decide on whether this lens is worth it, it is! The low aperture allows you to shoot in low light, do very shallow depth of field, and create lovely bokeh. This lens produces sharp pictures, and is very light. If you're used to shooting with a kit lens, you will notice a difference in weight. The price is amazing, Canon is amazing, and I would say this lens is a must for all photographers.
At first I wasn't sure if I would like this lens since I like my zoom but it grew on me. I now use it more than my zoom lens!
If you are new to photography, then there is no reason for you to not buy this lens...its extremely inexpensive, extremely sharp, light, and will help you learn some valuable lessons about prime lenses (composition, aperture, bokeh,  etc..) before you decide to start adding more lenses. You may grow out of this lens very quickly thereafter, but for ~$120 who cares, it's well worth it!Pros:- Extremely Light- Great Image Quality- Produces great Bokeh- Great for low light situations (f/1.8)Cons:- Crappy Build Quality (very "plastic-y")- on a crop-sensor camera such as a Rebel/60D/7D you find yourself having to be too far away from your subjects (acts more like an 80mm would on a "full-frame" camera)
I love this lens... there's such an incredibly amazing difference to this than my kit lens and it's such professional quality for such a cheap price! The only down side is it is a fixed lens, of course, and doesn't zoom in or out. It is also at portrait range so you have to stand back really far to get things in the frame.Overall - BUY IT! You won't regret it!
I'm an amateur photographer just wanted to experiment with some portraits.  This lens has been a lot of fun and a great way to learn about shooting with macros.  For the price it's a low risk option as you learn what you like and don't like about macro shooting.
When I decide to switch to digital equipment and began 'testing the waters', so to speak, this was the second lens I purchased.  About 35 years ago based upon the advice of the renown photographer Hans Namuth, I purchased a reasonable good camera and my first 50mm lens, and never regretted it.  A 50mm is a great portrait lens. Optically it's identical to the human eye, (what your unimpeded eye sees is also what your camera will record while using this lens).  As glass go's, it's not the best but for picture quality it easily surpasses many Canon L lens.  I don't much care for the plastic body of the lens.  This lens is a f/1.8, Canon makes faster 50mm lenses which are more costly, but for the money this an outstanding lens.  While I've faster and better 50mm lenses I often still use this lens.  I can whole heartedly recommend this lens to novices as their first prim lens, if not their very first lens.
I think that the title says it all. It is one of the cheapest lens on the market, if not the cheapest. But that said, it actually a great lens to have. The image quality is superb. You will take unbelievable photos with this lens. The bokeh, colors and contrast is amazing. On the down side, it feels really cheap...you have to be careful handling it because it feels very fragile.Overall....for this amount of $ I can guarantee that you will not find a lens that has such a great image quality. Of course it feels cheap (it is cheap) and the focus is not USM but it works OK. So do not hesitate. This lens is a must for any beginner. I almost forgot....the 1.8 aperture is outstanding. I wonder why didn't Canon supply the EOS 350D and 400D with this lens as a kit. Light years away from the kit lens. By the way...i have a 350D.
This is the best lens to get for taking pictures of your family.  Our professional family photographer recommended this lens to us when we bought a Rebel T3.
This is the best lens especially for the price. Great in dark or dimly lighted areas. It would have gotten 5 stars but it is plastic. It may not last as long as most lenses but f you don't abuse your equipment thent it will last.
Excellent lens! If you only have money for one lens, you REALLY should consider THIS ONE!
Not the best camera lens, but for the everyday average joe, its a great camera len to use for taking pictures of your baby.  Fast shipping and legit.
Haven't taken this lens of my xsi since purchased. It is loud and a hair slow to focus but it's the best $80 i've even spent on photo gear.
I just bought the lens for my rebel xt, great lens for the $$$, sharp images. The lens is much better than the kit come with the camera.
I bought this based upon all the stellar reviews. It's an amazing lens for the price. I use it with my Canon EOS 30D. Now I just need to find other lenses with the same quality at this price point!
This lens is really sharp in low light.  Great for highlighting your subject on a blurred backdrop.  The only fault is that it's automatic.  There are no markings on the lens, e.g. distance, aperture opening, etc.  On my T2i the necessary information is displayed on the camera screen.  I guess I'm too old-school... I still carry a tape measure in the field.  Like I said:  one hell of a sharp lens for the money.
if you're like me and have just made your leap from point and shoot to SLR, this lens is the absolute perfect choice for you. it is such a step up from the 18-55mm USM lens included in my XTi package, and VERY easy to use. i've been shooting manually with this lens and producing tons of great images! and for such cheap price, i don't see any reason why you shouldn't get this lens. it's just amazing.
Lens is fine for general user. May not be the best for a pro, because it has a plastic lens mount. A plastic lens mount will not be as solid as a metal one and will become loose faster than the metal.  For the normal consumer this is not an issue.
I am an amateur  photographer. I have purchased this lens hoping that it will give me sharp pictures and make nice bokeh at the same time.However, I have to say that when using a wide aperture f1.8  photos are soft in the center. Corners are noticeably  softened.  Bokeh is ok in this settings though.I have to stop down till f3.5 to get acceptably sharp pictures.  Taking many pictures I noticed that this lens performs best at f5.0 regarding its sharpness but I lost bokeh effect significantly.  So I could not find a sweet spot for getting good result for both.Additionally, if you don't use high shutter speeds shooting handheld you will get blurry pictures because of no image stabilization feature of this lens.Also focus is hunting at wide f1.8 aperture sometimes and lens makes annoying noise.Overall,  i am not really satisfied with this lens.
If you want to take your pictures to the next level, you can't afford not to buy this lens.  If you want to take honest photos, instead of relying on your editing software for narrow depth of field etc., this will give you the ability.  Using a prime lens has taught me a lot about photography, and made me better at my craft.
This is a great lens. The pictures are very sharp and crisp, however; as everybody has mentioned the build quality is very very cheap. This camera will not last more then few months with normal, regular use!I had the lense for about a month and fell in love with it, but just after a month the lens literally came apart while It was auto focusing, still mounted on the camera. This lens is poorly built and very very delicate and it's just a short matter of time before this lens dies or falls apart,then you will have to buy a new one. I mailed my lens in for repair since it was still under warrenty, but Canon refused to cover the repair expense because they claimed that I dropped the lense causing it to come apart like it did, when in fact I had been very aware of it's cheap quality and had been extra careful with it and the lens broke on it's own. It was never dropped or abused!(yes the build quality is that bad!!).So the bottom line is, it's not worth it!  I lost weeks of missed photo opportunity while it was in repair, going thru the hassel of mailing, dealing with the customer service, and charging me to $50(repair)+$18(shipping)=$68 total for repair.Save yourself a lot of trouble and headache and spend few more bucks and buy the Canon 50mm f/1.4 for around $300. It is better lens and will last much longer!
This a cheap feeling lens. No question...no doubt about it.  If you haven't taken photos with this lens, then you have no idea what a great value it is.  The colors, sharpness and bokeh is unbelievable.  I would call this a no brainer and there are very few no brainers in photography but this lens is one.
This is a great lens for all around use and pretty much is needed 90% of the time. Its produces clear shots. I just wish it would have a depth of field meter and be made of stronger materials.
I don't have boatloads of cash here, but i wanted to try a new lens with my Canon rebel dos t3i.  It was either i go to a cubs game or buy this and i bought this.  Its no heavy duty built lens, but like on reviewer said, you take care of your equipment and it should have no problem lasting. especially if you have a bag.What i was looking for in a new lens was something around 100$, no real zoom capability, but i could get really crisp shots with aspects of it that are blurry. Really cool effect and i think you should buy this.
Does it feel a little cheap? Yes... but does it take great photos? YES.  Great portrait lens for the hobbyist... and an affordable backup to keep in your bag.
It gives you that "film" look on your movies or videoclips.It has f/1.8, Need to shoot an escene with no professional lighting?? NO PROBLEM! :DThe only "con" that i can tell its the focus ring.. its so damn close to the lens itself so you got to be really REALLY carefull no to put your fingers on the lens when you are focusing or searching for the LITTLE focus ring. dont want to mess the shoot with one of your fingers like big shapes attacking your actors :P!Overall its great nice light and nice deep of field (hard to control, but PRACTICE!) im kind of a master now :)
Just got this lens today and took several pictures. The autofocus on this lens is really fast and it takes great pictures. The IS works perfectly fine! I will be using this lens more often than the 18-55mm lens kit and the 55-2500mm IS. You have to have this lens. It performs very well (I wonder if I got the 1.4. That must be super fast) and a good bang for the buck! Don't read anymore reviews or research other 50mm lens. If you are on a tight budget but want something that is almost perfect 50mm lens, this is it!
I love the pictures I'm getting with this lens.  Especially portraits.  A great price for this quality of lens.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Every photographer whether an amateur or a professional should have a 50mm prime lens, prime simply means a fixed length (no zoom). Aside from this lens (f1.8) there are two others the (f1.4) and the L Series (f1.2), these are both more expensive than this one, especially the L series lens. This lens though has some major pros to it! First let me say the reasons as to why this lens might not be for you. This build quality of this lens is poor, it's sad that such an amazing lens has such a poor build to it, but it doesn't in any way affect the performance of this lens. Another reason which is also a pro to having this lens is the fact that it has no zoom, in this case YOU are the zoom! Why is this good? Because it produces extremely sharp pictures at all apertures! This lens is a definite must have for portrait shots and even landscapes. Due to many DSLR cameras crop sensor this is actually around 70-80mm, so this can issue a challenge in some situations, but once you get to know this lens you will naturally get used to it and the benefits are definitely worth it. At f1.8 you have a very narrow depth of field, resulting in a lot of bokeh. In the day this produces images where the background is completely blurred out, but the subject is in focus. At night it's the same thing but if you take a shot of someone in front of lights from say street lights you will get some really nice light circles and this creates a very nice effect. Overall this is definitely some nice glass, the build quality might be poor but if you don't want to spend the extra money for the other versions of the 50mm lens than this is perfect especially considering that this is the CHEAPEST lens that you can possibly buy for your Canon DSLR. Dollar for dollar this is the best lens that you can possibly buy, thus I rate this lens 4 stars out of 5 stars!I hope this review helped you out!
Autofocus is a little slow and the construction seems a bit fragile, but the picture quality is amazing especially for this amount of money. As long as you can get over the fix focal length, it's a great everyday lense.
It's a little on the cheap feeling side, but for the price and the quality of photos it takes it works wonderfully!
First... yes it feels cheap.A bit like a plastic toy, I tried taking close pictures of a cat and the noise scared the cat away, twice. But I still got a couple of good shots.So it is a bit noisy and doesn't feel expensive.Well considering that it is cheap I'm not complaining :)I always take this lens with me even though it doesn't have the quality of a $1200 lens. I think it's great for anyone who is not a professional photographer and likes to get close to bugs, flowers, mushrooms, etc - like me for example.At the beginning 45cm distance between the lens and the object was getting a bit frustrating I used to basically get 3cm close with my old non-DSLR but at 12mpx once you check the picture at 100% you notice that 45cm is more than enough and you have a load of details that the old non-DSLR was not able to capture.I do recommend it if you like to take macro shots and you have an eye for detail.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to add something to their photography that goes beyond the basic kit lenses that you get with your camera.  For around $100, you can get this awesome prime (fixed) lens!  I use it daily, and find that it takes pretty good shots outdoors, but it really shines in portraits.  Any close up shots of faces or details, this baby really does the job!  You get the bokeh effect (the blurry background behind your subject) and although it takes a bit of practice, it can do wonderful things with natural light too.  By far one of my most favorite purchases, especially considering the cost and amount of use!  If you're on the edge... buy it!
I'll just be rehashing what most of the reviewers already said...It's a great lens for the price. If you look around, there aren't that many lenses for less than $100.If you're a pro, this review prob won't help you much.If you're a beginner, then I say you should just go for it. And what the hell... if you're not 100% happy, this only cost you a dinner with your wife/girlfriend.
If you're just getting into photography, consider this lense a must have.  It's great for all around shooting and allows you to get some fantastic pics considering how inexpensive this lense is.  Sure, you want to splurge for the f/1.4, but wait for that until you are a pro.  If you're not used to a non-zoom lense, it can take some getting used to running back and forth, but with the amount of light it lets in, you can get some fantastic shots.  5/5 for sure!
I'm not a professional photographer or even an amatuer by any means, but I figured my contributions as a novice might help some who were on the fence. My parents bought me a Canon T3i for Christmas (Thank you, I love it!!) and it came with the 18-55 mm kit lens. I have to say, I didn't expect to know everything about the camera day one, but I was fairly disappointed with the results i got from the kit lens. I've since gotten a bit better at balancing shutter speed, aperture, etc, but I've got a long way to go. My sister happened to have the 50 mm 1.8 fixed lens and I have to say, after I popped it on, the results were amazing. The clarity and sharpness of the images makes the kit lens look silly. The ability to mess around with depth of field is pretty awesome as you can really shape up your shots. While the upside to the lens is great, be sure you know before buying it that if you use it on a crop sensor like the t3i, you'll actually be getting more like a 75 mm view than a 50 mm view. The only way you'll get all 50 mm out of this lens is if you use if on a full frame camera. This just makes it a bit hard to frame your photos and videos. I'm going to shoot a short film and because I am shooting in low light, I'll definitely opt for the 1.8. When I was doing test shots, I found it hard to frame up shots. You've got to do some footwork, but overall, this is an awesome lens for the price. Highly recommended!
I'll keep this short and to the point.  This lens is amazing.  Yes, I know the newer big brother (f/1.4) is made of sturdier material, but for $100 +/- you cannot beat the value and performance of this lens.  It takes a bit of getting used to since there is no image stabilization built-in, but that is a small trade off.Don't hesitate to add this lens to your arsenal.
Got my first DSLR recently and read many places that the 50mm is a must have and the first lens to purchase (at least for portrait photography). I went with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens primarily due to price (will probably upgrade at some point when funds allow). My first attempt at taking some portraits with this lens and my new camera was absolutely terrible (not one of my subjects was in good focus). Being a beginner I naturally assumed the issue was probably me and my lack of understanding on taking quality pics in AV mode indoors with no photography lighting. After posting my issue on a photography blog I received some great advice (and reassurance that everyone has the same issue at first). My second attempt yielded some GREAT photos and I'm sold. For the price (compared to the USM version of this lens) I couldn't be happier! I can't wait to try it outdoors when I don't have to worry so much about the lighting and trying to adjust settings to compensate.Awesome newbie portrait lens at a great price!!!
I bought this as a gift for my daughter-in-law and she absolutely loved it.  It worked just as she had hoped and fits well on the camera.
This is a great lens, as everyone says, for beginners like me. It was my first lens purchase aside from the stock 18-55mm. It is great for taking night shots with the increased aperture, snaps onto focus very well, and all around takes great pictures. I instantly noticed the difference in my pictures and the first day I used it. When I showed people the pictures I took of them at the party we were at, they all referred to me as their &#34;professional photographer&#34; for the day. The pictures just had that &#34;look&#34; with the mildly blurred background.A few things to address: Normal &#34;cons&#34; listed for this lens include the small focusing ring, cheap build quality, and a few other things that I promise you will not notice or care about unless you're a legit professional. And if you are, those small complaints are all very easily fixed in post processing I'm sure.The focusing ring is small, but I didn't find it to be an issue at all. If you have gorilla fingers, it may be an issue. Once you get used to the ring, it's simple. Not even remotely a con for me personally. The other thing is the plastic build quality. While it is apparent it is more cheaply constructed than other lenses I've used, it was in no way an issue for me and it's not like it can't survive minor bumps and knocks. I don't plan on dropping it from high heights or smashing it on anything, so if that's what allows it to keep its EXCELLENT price point, I'm fine with that. Again, the cheap plastic on the outside doesn't count as a con for me because A) It doesn't hinder performance in any way, B) I take good care of my equipment, and I don't think it's as weak as some people suggest.RECAP: Excellent lens especially if you're new like me, or even a little more experienced. If you want your pictures to be on billboards with no post processing, maybe you should buy the 1200 dollar lens that does much of the same as this lens. Your call. I love this lens.
I normally do not write reviews, but here it is.Obviously, as stated in other reviews, the lens feels like a plastic toy, BUT the actual quality of this lens is spectacular. I use a Canon 60D with a 18mm-135mm lens, and to be honest, the lens does not cut it for shooting videos. On the other hand, this 50mm lens does exactly what I need, and the auto-focus on it works stellar...even the manual focus is great. This lens gives a more realistic view of what your eyes are actually seeing, and what exact shot your looking for. This lens is a perfect tool for mastering the RULE OF THIRDS technique.I would highly suggest buying it.
Still playing with it and it's very different from a wide lens or telephoto.  So far though I really like it.  The price can't be beat and the uses are numerous!
Canon EF lenses are the best by far, but for this price it was even better! I was also able to get the lens in record time and I needed it after I dropped my other lens down the stairs and was shooting a wedding just a couple days later!
This was a gift for my son who takes a lot of pictures.  He seems to like it a lot.
There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. Incredible ease of use for beginner photographers, especially with the EOS Rebel T3. I don't do too much manual focus, so with the Aperture Priority setting, placing this lens on auto-focus, and keeping the aperture at 1.8, I'm taking incredible pictures that has made photography very, very enjoyable. Thus far, the majority of my shots have been indoors in a wide range of lighting (fluorescent, cloudy days, natural daylight, evening, incandescent bulbs), and this lens has provided incredible pics. NO MORE FLASH. This lens allows you to take flattering pictures using the light available to you. The blurring of foreground and/or background, with your subject of interest in complete focus, is vivid, and it just brings to life the true subject of your shots. A GREAT LENS. LOVE IT. This lens makes you confident to play with depth of field.
I love this lens.  I am a beginner photographer, and this lens is easy for me to figure out how to use, and which settings will get me the picture I want.  I love using it for micro shots.
I bought this lens about 1 year ago at BestBuy and I love it. Its very wide Aperture lets me shoot beautiful portraits and good shots in low-light situations which is good and is mostly what inclined me to this lens. The glass optics in this lens are supperior and are recessed in a little hole in the lens which actually helps protecting the delicate optic, this lens uses an EF mount meaning its compatible with all Canon dSLRs.
If you're using a stock lens, do your self a favor and purchase this. This lens alone will revolutionize the way you take photos or video at a great price.
The headline says it all. Great lens. Beautiful quality for photography and film. Would recommend trying this out first before you buy any other 50mm lens.
I paid just over a hundred dollars for this item, and while it IS a cheap plastic lens but, it does have a range of very acceptable image quality.  The IQ isn't the best fully open, however it can be quite good with the proper light at 2.8 and above.I have this range (50mm) in a couple other lenses, but not at this aperture and I have found this useful from time to time when flash or other light was not available.I think this is a reasonable value for the money, but it won't be an "L" quality lens.
I have the Canon t3 and wanted to try prime shooting. I got the kit lens with my camera(18-55) but it wasn't fitting my low aperture needs. This lens was exactly what I was looking for. Sharp 2.0 and above but 1.8 is still pretty good. Focuses fast for not being usm. Overall a great second lens 5-5.
What else can you say about it? Cheap, cheaply made, but beautiful shots.
This lens is is well known for producing sharp, high quality photos.  I hear a lot of stories about people dropping and banging these lenses, and having them fall apart.  Who are all these clumsy people?  I'm careful with my cameras and lenses -- I don't drop them.  This is one of my favorite lenses.
You get what you pay for, and it's a shame lenses can be so expensive.  Anyhow, don't expect much.  I use this for my t2i, about a 50/50 split between photos and video.  As for video, the focal length means you have to be a ways back from your subject to capture it.  Of course, this is also due to the lack of zoom.  Works rather well for photos, but the depth of field is a bit limiting, leaving you with many an unusable shot.
I recently purchased this as a cheap upgrade from the kit lens. This lens has great quality and is perfect for shooting in low light situations. Obviously, it isn't as good as an L series lens that will cost you over a thousand bucks, but for less than a tenth of the price you cant go wrong.The only con is that it's a 50mm so depending on what you are shooting, you might have to stand a little ways back.
I have used this lens extensively in the last year or so.  It's great for low light conditions and I consistently get good shutter speeds even at lower light settings.I would LOVE the f/1.4 but that is a little out of my price range at this time.  For the time being, for the price I paid, this has paid DIVIDENDS in my photography.
Works fine and is as reviewed by other customers.  Light construction but works well for moderate use.  Am enjoying having it as an option. . .
After buying a body and using what will probably be the standard kit lens that shipped with it, you're shopping for a new lens.  Yeow!  $600 or more for a prime portrait lens?  $300 minimum pricetags are making you (or your mate!) are rethink this photography hobby?Enter the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, called Canon's "stealth prime" lens by many internet reviewers.  Yes, it's lightweight and plastic-y, but the bang for the buck is truly awesome.  The interior hardware of this lens is a top-notch thoroughbred, even if the exterior is like a plastic naugahyde saddle.  It's the PHOTOS that count, right?  So buy it for the great hardware and the consistently great photograhic results it produces.For starters, if you're using a digital SLR, this 1.8 actually stops down to an equivalent of around 1.4, so that background bokeh blur one aims for in portrait photography is even softer than you'd expect.  I'll be honest and say that Canon's prime ($380ish if I remember, maybe more) version of this lens gives absolutely velvety backgrounds while this budget model is more like high quality velveteen.  But still, it's a welcome step in the right direction if you're looking to explore portraiture on a budget.  The notes I get from my professional photographer buddies are routinely along the lines of "that's with that $80 lens you bought?  Wow!"Many professional reviewers go on at length about how the inside of this lens is truly close to pro quality, housed in a cheapo body.  Do a little web searching and you'll see what I mean.  I treat my lenses well and haven't had the catastrophic failures that some have reported.  (I mean, are these guys rock climbing or playing roller derby with these cameras or something?)I've read that "downsizing" from a zoom lens to a fixed 50mm is a great excersise in growing as a photographer and now that I've done it, I agree.  Working with a fixed lens gets you more involved with your subject and this more intimate connection can really show in your work.  I keep this 50mm on my camera as my "main lens" now and only rarely break out a zoom lens unless it's absolutely needed.Once you play with this budget lens, you'll likely want to try to find a top-of-the-line lens that can give results this good at a distance.  You'll want a zoom lens that can stop down to 1.8 or lower.  That's when you'll cry to find that you're moving into minimum $600 range and into the $1000+ for some lenses.  And at that point, you'll think "wow, that little fixed 50mm f/1.8 was a steal."I was on the fence between buying this budget lens and saving up for the pro version and I'm really glad I got it as a gift.  That let me try it out on its own merit with no buyers' remorse.
Build quality is about what I expected, plasticky but not flimsy.  IQ is very good from f4.5 and smaller.  Sharp and clear.Needed in every camera bag in my opinion.
This lens is so light there's no reason not to carry it with you everywhere you go. For &lt; $100, it is super sharp in the center, even wide open at 1.8. It produces a nice bokeh IMHO and, with the addition of an extension tube (I use a 13mm or 21mm), becomes a fantastic macro lens.
Great lens for any price. I read where some folk complain about the Bokeh, It has been objectionable in only a couple of images I have shot.
I gave this product a 5 star review because of the price of this lens when considering what you get.  For instance for the sharp look and ability to open up to a f-stop of 1.8 makes this lens a great bang for your buck that I think is a great addition to any lens package.
I confess I'm not a professed-professional with my SLR, but as a guy who enjoys high-tech and great quality pictures, this lens absolutely does not disappoint for the cost.  I love the bokeh, even if it is a bit angular in situations where light sources are pronounced.  Seems to work great in low light conditions, thought the color rendition, in my opinion is a bit warm (which may be good for you depending on taste).I've been shooting with this since christmas just playing with various situations and compositions, and my only real complaint is that on my 1.6 fovc T2i, I've gotta take about 4 more steps back to get everything that I want in the shot.  It's not conducive to use in extremely tight situations, but for indoor low-light with some space, I'm pleased.Pick it up, vs my 24-105mm L, I'm having a lot of fun for 1/10th the cost.
I bought this a couple months ago and I've gotta say that this is a must have for any Photographer or Videographer. It's almost as good as the f/1.4. Although there are more expensive version, but for the price you really can't go wrong with this lens. I only wish the focusing ring wasn't on the front. I wish it was in the middle of the lens so I could use my shoulder rig's follow focus more easily.
When you feel this lens, it feels like a joke. The construction quality isn't stellar (i.e. come on, it's plastic) but I have been generally impressed with the quality of images it produces. I shoot w/ this on a 5D and it produces fantasticly shallow depth of field, great colors, and surprisingly sharp images. I would recommend getting this lens, if for no other reason than as a backup.
Initially, I bought this nifty fifty as a throw away lens for experimentation.I have been wonderfully surprised by the sharpness of the images that I get.I am using the Canon 5D mk2 to shoot with and I have not had any issues with vignetting, aberrations or sharpness at all.I tend to stop down to at least f2.8 to get a good balance between sharpness and depth of field.At f1.8 it is a bit soft, but at least I know it is there if I want to use it.Unfortunately, the focusing motor is quite noisy, the manual focusing ring is barely there, the autofocus can be a bit hit-or-miss is low light, and it has a plastic mount...... but it is sooooo cheap!I am more than happy to deal with these little issues for the quality of images I get.In terms of Bokeh; it isn't as creamy as my 70-200 f2.8, but it is also about 1/16th the price.The diaphram blades don't create as much of a circle as other lenses, as there are only 5, so you get more of a pentagonal bokeh effect, but it really isn't too much of an issue.Oh, and for anyone that says it can't be used for professional purposes, then think again.Depending on your situation, this can be a great lens.I experimented with a client during a headshot session, against a high key background, limited space and continuous lighting, and I was very impressed with the results.I will probably with upgrade to a lens with better build quality in the future, but I really don't see the point until this one dies.If this is your first prime lens, or you just want to experiment with 50mm I say go for it.This is one of the cheapest items in my kit, but one I always have fun using.
I love my EF 50mm f/1.8 -- if you are undecided ... just buy it.  You wont be disappointed.  I have taken some truly magnificent pictures of my girlfriends nephew in low light .. the little terror doesn't sit still either.  Its my cheapest lens .... and my favorite.  You just can't go wrong.  Pictures a sharp as can be, without flash in low light its still a joy (I hate flash photography), and background blur is very pretty.Re: Cheap Construction ... seems fine to me.  My Rebel has a plastic case, I'm not sure why the lenses should be any different.  I handle my gear with care and respect and I can't imagine how I could damage the lens without dropping it ... that'd break most lenses.
Takes outstanding pictures, love it.  I recommend it for you or anyone that enjoys photography.  This lens is a necessary piece of glass in your case.
I don't know too much about photography yet, so you can take this review with a grain of salt if you'd like, but I love this lens.  At first I thought I might be limited using it since it's a fixed focal length, but I was wrong. I just have to move my body rather than using the lens to zoom.  This thing works in so many lighting situations and it super versatile.  I'd highly recommend it, even for a novice like myself!
this is an awesome lens!  produces sharp, clear photos every time!  I love it.  if you want/need even sharper, then you can fork out an extra couple of $100's and get the 50mm f/1.4 but this one works great for me.  Without a doubt, one of the best lenses canon has for the money.  Small, lightweight and 2 to 3 stops faster than most zoom lenses.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera LensI was so surprised that this lens took such wonderful pictures, crystal clear and well well worth the money. it is quiet and works like a charm. Can't wait to find more like these lens. Got a great deal and appreciate the shipper that I purchased it from. Very fast service.
Sure the build quality leaves something to be desired, but it is simply a marvelous lens, build quality notwithstanding.  And the build quality is not all that bad.  Sure the lens is not as elegant or as well built as an "L" lens but you're only paying $75 dollars for it.  And the pictures it takes are simply beyond belief.  Beautifully saturated and amazingly sharp.  So sharp that it almost looks three dimensional.Yes the auto focus is louder and slower than an "L" lens.  So what'd you expect from a $75 dollar lens?  But when it comes to taking pictures this lens has almost no peer.  There are probably only three or four Canon lenses that compare in PICTURE QUALITY to this lens.  The only other lenses that I've owned that are as sharp are the 200 f2.8 L lens and the 50 f1.4.  Yes the 1.4 had a better build quality and better bokeh but it was not noticably sharper and had no better color saturation.This lens will give you many many good years of service if you exercise even the slightest care for it.  I do know that it has served me well.  Buy this lens - I promise you will not be disappointed.  HOWEVER, if you appreciate good build quality and the money is not all that important then splurge and buy yourself the marginally better 50mm 1.4.Either way, you will not be disappointed.
Everyone needs this basic lens in their arsenal.  It's great for getting that &#34;blurred background&#34; effect, which brings increased focus to your subject, making it great for portraits.  IT's also great for low light settings.  Durable, functional, and well-made.
I bought this lens first because its a good deal for the price and the results you get very good, so if you like a good bokeh shot get it !
i love this lens, i take great pics w/ it.  Great beginner lens, i recommend everyone get it along w/ UV lens protector
I purchased this for my mother who has taken up photography has a hobby.  She has used it a lot (weddings, photography class, family gatherings) and she is very happy with it.
This is a pretty cool lens to play with but you will need to know a couple of things.First, the aperture is ridiculously big so if you shooting in daylight and your camera only goes up to 1/4000s and you want to use F1.8, there is a chance you gonna over expose the pictures. So add an ND filter.Second, this lens does not do Macro. Not even close.Third, AF is a bit slow and a bit noisy.On the plus side, it fun and really rewarding once you get the picture absolutely right. The image is sharp and the depth of focus is very shallow. Also its very light.Just wish the material is a bit better maybe add some texture to the plastic so it looks a bit more nicer.
I bought this because I wanted to take photographs indoors under low light conditions. It doesn't disappoint. Nice, simple, lens that delivers.
I read many reviews about this lens, that is the reason that I bought it. The reviews were not wrong. It takes awesome portrait pictures. The quality is great. Very good value for your money.
Great portrait lens. Images are a bit soft on the wide open settings (f/1.8-2,8) but produces pleasant bokeh, You won't find a better portrait lens for this kind of budget
Sure the build quality is bad. What do you expect? It costs under $75. The image quality is amazing though. Right up there with the most expensive Canon lenses. I highly recommend this to any new photographer who wants to explore the possibilities of their new Canon SLR, but cannot afford an L series lens.
The images are really better compared to the ones shot with the kit lens. It's fun to experiment with, although you can't zoom in and out as you have to get the more expensive ones with that capability so it's quite frustrating that you only have a set distance. Even so I still very much prefer them compared to the kit lens.
For the price, this is really a great lens.  I'm an developing amateur at this, so this static 50mm with good depth of field is a fun new tool to experiment and build practice with.
I bought this lens even though the focal length overlapped my 17 -50 mm Tamron (another excellent lens), because of the size and weight. Suddenly my Rebel XTI is almost like a range-finder camera and is so much more usable. The lens produces excellent images, both with daylight and in low light. I strongly suggest using a rubber lens hood to keep flare low and to protect the lens; a hard plastic hood will not absorb shocks, in my opinion.
This lens just blew my mind, i am a starter photographer and i need it a lens with low f/stop  for portrait shots  and compared to other lenses this lens was great price does a fabulous job and results look amazing, overall i am a satisfied customer.
We havent been using this lens as much as we should but we''re amateurs. Ive used the lens obviously for close ups and have been very pleased with  the results. If purchased this lens after looking at reviews from pros so i recommend doing the same to see if this lens works for you.
This was the first lens I bought for my Canon Rebel XSI and I was just amazed! I spent hours at the park taking pictures and they all turned out fantastic. A great overall lens, well worth the price.
Value wise this lens cant be beat. It is light and a bit cheep feeling that said for ~$100 it is amazing. It is one of my favorite lenses with the bonus of being very inexpensive.
This lense is fast f/1.8, sharp, contrasty and built like a cracker jack box toy (OK, build quality is not that bad, as a matter of fact quite acceptable for me).  And it's so light, it virtually adds nothing to the weight of the camera.I sure can't justify over $300 for a 50mm f/1.4 for no discernable image quality improvement compared to this $70 part.  Superb.Man, I wish the canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is in this kind of price range!!  Well the sharpness will shame even the 70-200mm.
Nice alternative to the expensive lens...Low light captures are very good. Nice for the price.
This really is a fantastic lens for the money.  I enjoy photography, but am not a professional by an means.  This lens was a great purchase!  It does not zoom, but since I usually am using the lens for a specific purpose that doesn't matter too much.  The zoom would be nice, but for that feature you will pay a lot more.  I highly recommend this lens!!
Every photographer should own this lens (and most do). It's simply marvelous for low light situations, and my preferred lens for portrait photography. At this price, an extreme value for money.
Although I enjoy taking pictures everywhere, I am very much the amateur photographer.  But this lens makes me look like I know what I'm doing!From reading the other, more concise, reviews about this lens I guess I got lucky in the build.  I've had this lens since Sep 2007.  It was my exclusive lens all of 2008 and most of 2009.  It's been knocked around (gently) but still holds up.  Eventually I'll probably have to think about replacing it and will probably do so with the same, instead of the "better" but more expensive 1.4.  Only because I recently got a 60mm macro lens that I'm having fun with now, giving the 50mm a much needed rest.  (I think.)So, like another reviewer said, if you're on the fence about this photography thing, do not hesitate to buy this lens.  It really does help you take amazing pictures.  p.s. my camera is the Rebel XT.  check out some pics I've uploaded in the customer images gallery.
5 star product. Best value in photography! If you don't have one already, get one!! I highly recommend this lens to everybody for excellent image quality.
Loving this lens. Now that I have this I actually wish my DSLR came with a prime instead of or along with a variable focus lens. It is plasticy but it works and is fast to focus.
I don't have anything really to add but my own experience. As everyone else has said, this is a cheap lens but it takes VERY good photos. It feels cheap, it looks cheap, its noisy as can be when focusing. That said, it is the best hundred dollars I've spent on photography. I am not a pro and it works for me as I am learning. If you are a pro or are doing some kind of mission critical photography DON'T get this lens. People who purchase this lens and expect it to be as good as the $350 1.4 crack me up!
For the price you can't beat this lens. This was the first lens I bought - not including the lens that came with camera body. I have not been disappointed. It is very versatile... I'm able to shoot great detail shots with it (jewelry and cakes specifically for weddings).
got lens in time for Christmas, took some wonderful shots of the kids around the Christmas tree. Got that bokeh lights effect I always wanted.
I was a little skeptical of a lense this cheap, but gave it a try.  I am glad I did.  The images it creates are excellent.  My only complaint is that it doesn't work that well with my autofocus.  But aside from that I love this lense.
I never really used it that much but it takes nice portrait photos and it's affordable if your just starting out and want variety in your photo options.
Great sale price and had to take advantage of it.  My Canon t3i came with the 18-55 kit lens and has done well as a starter lens.  Photography is an expensive hobby so I wanted to keep things on the lower budget side just in case I decide to give it up.  Doesn't look like I will :)The lens itself was recommended by the various Canon and photography forums as a good lens to have.  The price was right, and wanted to really learn how to shoot.  Almost all photographers will tell you that it's not the gear, but the shooter.  Obviously, there is no zoom, so you need to move around to get your shot.  Great way to change perspective instead of zooming in.The lens is the lowest priced 50mm fixed focal lens and the quality is awesome for my usage, which is guitar photos and the beach/party lens.  It's made of plastic so don't expect any weight, and it does feel cheap.  For the money, you can't beat it.  Will the next model of 50mm give you a better picture?  Better quality, but a good photographer with a cheap lens will do better than a bad photographer with an expensive lens.I'll eventually upgrade but not until I've done everything to my ability with this lens.
Everyone should own one of these. Yes, I'll agree with the other reviewers who note that the build quality does seem to be on the cheap side and it's noisy, but it's only $70! It is incredibly light, fast and sharp for such an inexpensive lens. f/1.8 really does offer you a tremendous amount of control over depth of field and is a lot of fun to play with. And lets face it, at $70, it's a great option if there is any possibility the camera is going to get knocked around.
you can tell this lens is better built than the cheaper models. It seems to do great pictures for the price.
The is only one thing to say about this lense: Awesome! This little jewel is affordable and sharp as a tack. The depth of field you get is astounding. It is so fast it stops snow flakes in flight giving an outdoor snap-shot a real pro-like look.  The build quality is about what you would expect for $98.00 but that is it's only flaw... every thing else you might have read in other reviews, about the bokeh being not as smooth and the edges being harsh at wide open are true! But lets keep this in perspective... I took a picture of my three year old niece blowing out a candle with the Christmas tree lights in the background. I caught a moment in time! By candle light! Wow. Print the picture and hand it to Nana or Mimi and see if either of those loving matriarchs will pick up on the rectangular bokeh! (Ain't happening) No... all they will see is a really great portrait of a really cute kid, that I took. Someday I will probably have the f1.4 50mm. I will also have a few other higher value lenses but I bought this lense to have some fun with right now and on that note it gets my strong recommendation. The build quality is cheap though and for that alone I took a star. Is it still a great value? Absolutely! So, in perspective, for less than a hundred bucks you would be foolish not to have this in your bag of tricks.
For $100 this glass is probably the best deal Canon has to offer. It's sharp as a tack and excellent in low light. Keep in mind this is no USM lens and it's fairly noisy. With a DSLR 1.6x crop this becomes 80mm and is the perfect candid lens: There is no need for flash as it's very bright, it's also very discreet on a camera, making you look less like you're trying to zoom up some poor victim's nostrils. I think anyone with an EF mount should own this lens regardless of what you're shooting.
I bought this for my girlfriend for chrstmas.  It was between this one and another that was close in price.  I chose this one because it had an option to be able to zoom in a little, and i do mean a little instead of the other one that obviously couldnt.  I thought she would like the zoom option a little more.  She loves it, was really excited when she opened it.  Has used it pretty much ever opportunity she has gotten.
Watch out for this lens!  look up online PRIOR to buying.. it is cheap, nice photos.. but has a gnarly habit of getting STUCK to your camera BODY.. I had it for 2 weeks and went on a cruise.  Had some super nice photos and loved having a primary lens for cheap, get on ship with my other lenses and ready to go.. full camera bag for the cruise and then I go to change lenses.. its STUCK.. turns out there is a cheap dust filter that catches and snags keeping you from rotating to remove lens.  Once back home I was able to find the way to sacrifice the lens and save my CANON 60D camera body.  Some do this by brute force.. but the lens is toast anyway. BEWARE!!!
I ordered this lens a few weeks ago and my 9 yr old camera took its first fall ever. It was probably at a height of 2.5 - 3.0 feet. The lens had a plastic lens hood on but even with this, the front part of the lens broke right off the rest of the enclosure. Lens hood was still intact, go figure.Good lens but easily breakable.
What can I say that already hasn't been said about this lens?  It's sharp, it's light and contrary to what people say, it doesn't feel like a toy at all.  The finish is nice (albeit could be nicer) and the lens itself feels solid in your hands.  When it's mounted on your camera, you forget that it's a mere $100 lens, and you create pictures that professionals would have charged you a liver and a kidney for.This lens is great for beginners, and it's perfect in that it will teach beginners the magic of f-stops/aperture settings.The lens is incredibly sharp and focuses incredibly fast.  When light is low, it has a hard time finding what to focus on, but that can be corrected by focusing manually. ;)All in all, this lens does above and beyond what you would expect from it.  Buy it without hesitation.I'll post some pictures in the picture section; take a look for yourself.  I consider myself an amateur. :)
I'm pretty new to digital photography and this was the first lens I purchased after I got my camera. I was learning enough to have outgrown the kit lens, and a good friend who's a photographer recommended a 50mm. I couldn't be happier with this lens...the pictures I took are so much crisper, I'm able to get better shots in lower light. It's just incredible. I was skeptical about a prime lens because I'm used to being able to "zoom" depending on the shot. But the quality of this thing is just unbelievable. It's GREAT for portraits, esp for kids and babies.I'm by no means skilled yet, but I got so many compliments when I posted the pics I took with this lens. The lens itself makes a huge difference! And the price is really good considering how much it retails for at other online stores.One thing - don't forget to buy a UV lens filter and I recommend B&H; Photography - all the filters on Amazon seemed pretty low-quality.
I didn't expect too much from this lens because the price was almost too good to be true. I have been using the lens for 5 months, and it is the one I reach for most.
I know people will argue that there are "better" portrait lenses but for around a c-note this is as good as it gets.For a beginner, just getting a DSLR means you are in awe of how much better your pictures look... but this lens will make your friends love you that much more.  It makes people's faces/skin look fantastic (especially since it works so well in low-light you can usually go without flash... and on-camera flash is the ugly-maker)!Get this lens, and then count how many of your friends start using pictures from it for the Facebook profiles... if you could get a dollar from each of them it'd pay for the lens in no time!
ok, I got this lens because of all the great reviews. I worked good, it didn't seem as sturdy as the original Canon lens. I also know you get what you pay for so besides that it did work well. It took crisp, clean shots. It is a good lens for the price but it was to close to the lens I had already so I did send it back. It isn't that great for super close up work. When you got to close it couldn't focus & it sounded very loud when it was trying to. I would recommend this lens if you were just looking for a general lens not for getting to close to the subject.
I got this lens for Christmas. Got it out of the box to try it out yesterday. I accidentally dropped it, not a big drop just a small drop but onto a tile floor. The lens broke in half and is unrepairable. Warranty does not cover drops. Do not buy this item! It is plastic and cheap. We all have those accidents, and I have dropped my other lens in even worse conditions, and they survived just fine. Spend a little more and get the metal body it will pay for itself in the long run.If you do ignore this warning, prepare yourself for buying a replacement or be extremely careful with it. I may have been extremely unlucky, but I feel that this lens will break for most people, its just a matter of time.
I have been using this lens primarily for the last month. I am really happy with the quality and the color.I shoot with a Canon 60D
Truly, this is my new favorite lens - it captures with &#34;I can see eyelashes&#34; clarity even in low light. It's a bit loud, but the image quality is so stellar, it's worth it. One word of caution: it's best to use it for smaller groups or singletons, as the depth of focus blurs a bit with a larger group.
I really wouldn't consider me anything but a beginner photographer. But after finding out the kit lens only goes to f/3.5 and what that meant for my portrait pics, I set about reviewing those that know a bit more about a lens.  I found this and I can't say I'm at all disappointed.The lens is light.  It's easy to pop on and off, you do have to walk forward and back from your subject ;) which is kind of entertaining to watch I'm sure.  I'm still learning Manual mode and this really has put me on a new learning path.  Happily so.The shipping from Amazon terrified me though, the box was about 3 times the size of the lens box so it got banged up on its journey.  Luckily they had air filled plastic pillows to help it arrive safely.  No issues and a quick delivery even to my APO address.
Great lens for the price! Love being able to shoot in low light and being able to blow out the back ground.
The Canon EF 50MM f/1.8 II Camera Lens was recommended to myself and my husband when we took a photography class after purchasing our Canon T2i.  I must say, this has been THE best lens, and THE goto lens!The quality and the sharpness of the shots you can take with this lens is unparalleled.  I have taken some truly beautiful and breathtaking shots.  One of the most memorable is a picture of a Humpback Whale jumping out of the water during migration in Ko'Olina, Hawaii.  That photo is now on a beautiful large canvas in our office.As a new photographer, I am probably not even qualified to write a review for this lens because of my lack of knowledge and experience in photography.  As a newbie to the field, I have had the best of luck with all of the shots I have taken with this Canon lens.  It is on my camera far more than any other, and for the cost, I highly recommend it!
For the price, this is an amazing lens.  The build quality is cheap, but it takes amazing razor sharp pictures.  This lens is a must have for any photography enthusiast shooting with a Canon DSLR!
This lens is a great buy.  It has a very sharp focus even at a distance.  The low aperture setting really lets you isolate your subject from it's surroundings, and the quick shutter speed stops time.  It is the best lens you will find for the price, and it's a must have for anyone who wants to get into photography.
This lens can be had for a third of a 50mm f/1.4 so on that note maybe it is a great Lens.  However, it struggled to focus, and oftentimes we would flip through pictures and realize that they were not even truly focused.  It is possible that I just got a bad lens, but others have had similar experiences.  We upgraded to the 1.4 and never looked back.  Sure the 1.2 would be cool, but can someone please lend me the money?  This 1.8 in a normal setting might be ok, but it is all plastic, and not up to anything that might lack in light, or be quick moving.
Great bang for the buck! I went through a lot of  reviews before buying this lens but I finally got out and I love it! I shoot with it 90% of the time now!
Eager to use this new lens once spring arrives. It was shipped and arrived exactly as ordered and the price was reat too.
This was the first lens i got with my new Canon XTi.I chose it for 2 reasons:1) f/1.82) priceI think that most amateur (or newbie) photographers do not appreciate how important a wide aperture is.  Personally, i dislike using the flash (although flash pics with the XTi come out quite well).However, without the flash it is hard to take crisp pictures indoors.The wide aperture goes a long way towards solving that problem.If you don't mind having a bit of noise in your pics you can take very fast pictures with this lens at ISO 800 or 1600 in fairly low light.The problem with this lens? If you have a rebel series camera then the mag factor for the small CCD is 1.6.  That means that this lens gives equivalent zoom of an 80mm for film.  That is too much zoom for landscapes.So, while this lens is amazing for taking portraits or pictures at a party, you will want something wider for outdoor and travel shots.Take a look at theCanon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR's.  It doesn't have nearly as wide an aperture as this, but it will be great for outdoors.  Remember there is a 1.6x factor so the 17-85 is like a 27.2-136.The lenses that have BOTH wide aperture and zoom are at least $1000.
For a starting Lens- you cant go wrong. The Price Point is perfect for someone who wants to get their hands on a prime. This is the perfect place for learning how to use a fixed lens before spending more money on a more expensive one- totally recommend this!
I'm just starting out in photography, so i'm not the source you should trust for expert reviews by any means, but this lens has been great for me to learn on.i didn't necessarily need a fixed lens, but i did want a low f-stop lens that i could play around with and practice on.  this does exactly that.i think it produces pretty good pics, but again, i'm judging this on only a years worth of on and off photography w/ my T3ilike all the other kit lenses that i own, this one is very plasticy and light.  this comes across as cheap....but then again, it's meant to be an inexpensive starter lens.
Amazing little plastic wonder!  I bought this lens primarily to take low light photos.  Fast and tack sharp, all for around $100.00.If you are new to prime lens, or new to photography, this is a "must have" lens.  No lens kit should be without.Just get it!
The lens has been working great for several years even after some abuse from impulse filming on the spot, and having curious young children.  It has been dropped several times and rained on and still has not failed me yet.  I definitely recommend for anyone who is on a budget but needs quality for a small budget to upgrade from the lens kit.  I use primarily for filming but I use it for photoshoots also with my Canon T2i
Great for the price. Awesome step up if you want to delve in portraiture and dont have cash. A little noisy but it didn't bother me that much
It took Amazon over a month to get this to me, due to it being back-ordered. But now that I have it, it makes me think that it was well worth the wait. Sure you can get lenses that are built stronger (More weight), better optical features (WAY more money), or the ability to zoom (More money and less quality), but you should still go ahead and buy this lens. Even if you don't mind the weight or the extra money or you really don't like the way prime lens make you dance forward and backwards... The bottom line is that this lens takes great photos and is good insurance. You don't have to worry about dust getting into the lens as much as in your zoom lenses, and it can take a great photo is almost any light. All for around $70.Do keep in mind however that on a Rebel XT or 20D, you will effectively have an 80mm, which will make you stand really far back for group shots.
This was an excellent lens for a starter like myself, and well within my price range too! I was happy to find this!
I enjoy this lens. It takes great pictures and the advantage of having the f/1.8 is a great addition to my lenses. I mainly use the L series Canon lenses which out preforms this lens. I needed something good...yet NOT 1,000$ for close up/portraits with something better than the kit lens for my camera. This was a good choice and its certainly been a lot of fun using this lens. Recommended.
This was a GREAT investment.  The price is amazing and so is the lens.  When I got it I as a little skeptical because it doesn't seem well constructed and is super light.  To my surprise this lens performs well.  I usually do not use it wide open, more in the 2.0-2.8 range, but I LOVE the results. Incredible sharpness with great bokeh.  I am a family photographer and I use this lens more than any other.
Great lens works perfect
I finally bought this due to the rave reviews and price.  Out of the box I noticed dust on inside of lens and a possible scratch.  I still tried to use the lens since I had read reviews about the lens taking on dust and usually its not a big deal unless its at the center.  One day of shooting and the sharpness I had been reading about just wasn't there.  Packed it up and returned it.  Love Amazon.Disappointed, was really looking forward to a sharp lens.  Possibly got a bad copy?  Don't know.
I must say that this is a great lens for the price. it's only around 100$, if you are not a pro photographer and don't want to expend 400$ in the 50mm f/1.4, then this is a must have! very handy lens...
This is the best lens you can get for $100. Using the fixed 50mm is so great. I am not pro or even amateur yet, but this lens allowed me to step up my game. My next lens will cost $800 or so, since the quality of this just makes me want to buy L-series if it is truly that much better.
With 1962 reviews before mine, there really isn't a lot to say that hasn't already been said, so I'll keep this very short.The image quality is amazing when stopped down to f2.8 through f8.  By far the best of any of the lenses I currently own.  My wife could even see a lot more detail in my photos and she knows very little about photography and such.  I think her choice of words was just "wow!" (after showing her a few sample pictures I'd taken).It is a plastic lens, but still feels pretty well made.  If you're used to the kit lens on your camera, this one really isn't any worse (or better).  If you're used to all metal, L glass lenses, then you'll be disappointed.  Take care of it and i imagine this one will last quite a while.If this lens cost any more, then I would have to take a star or two off, but because it is so cheap (inexpensive), I can easily overlook the plastic build quality and say that I highly recommend it.Again, the image quality is just "Wow!"
This lens cost me $85.  The image quality worth 1 million dollar.  Sharp, sharp and sharp.  Excellent saturation and contrast.  Compare to my sigma 17-50, I feel shame to have the sigma lens.  Just returned sigma 17-50.  Start saving money for F1.3 version.  No, actually, I want to get the 17-40 F4 lens first.  Too bad, Canon does not make 14-24 mm.Anyway, perfect 5 stars.
Excellent travel/portrait lens on an aps-c sized sensor. Fast, light. Probably not the most durable, but still (even though price has gone up 15 bucks) about the best deal on the internet. 1.8 provides nice BG softness, and on my 40D it seems to have great corner to corner sharpness at most f-stops and I have had no auto-focus issues. Nice color, low CA; for the price, I don't think an EOS could find a better lens. I also shoot with the EF 28-135 IS and the EF 16-35L (though the latter is an intermittent loaner from a very kind friend.)This is obviously not the EF 1.4 or the EF 1.2, but it's also 1/4 to 1/12 of the price, and much more portable. The only minor "drawback" is that the "hood" supplied by canon is actually a catch all for smaller lens fronts, though they sell it as a dedicated hood, a bit of a price-gouge on that. You can buy a third party hood and get equally good results.
This lens is the sharpest lens I own. The colors are bold and vivid. This is one great lens and has quickly become my favorite lens.
I buy bargains.  I am not cheap, I have nice things, but I primarily buy things I think are worth more than what I pay.  This is quickly becoming one of the best bargains I have ever purchased.As a lens sitting on your table it has almost no use. I mean this because its not heavy enough to be a paperweight, let alone a lens.... but it is.It is as others have said a plastic pile of plastic, but what cheap thing isn't?The construction wont take a fall, so don't drop it.  If you do drop it, buy another one, and then drop that one, and then you might be near the cost of a metal lens... or should I say mostly metal lens.The important part are the optics, and speed.  Its fast, and mostly crisp.  I say mostly crisp because the focus near near the extents is not perfect, so I try and stay slightly off the limit.This review is random I know, but moral of the story, I would buy 2 of these before I bought the closest $200 option.Josh
I purchased this lens for the speed, clarity, and ability to shoot really creative shallow DOF shots.  This lens has not disappointed!  Images are razor sharp.  I took a picture of my dog and you can see the individual hairs in his coat, even when the picture is reduced to viewable size rather than full resolution.  I then took shots of him with shallow DOF that barely focused beyond his nose at times.  They came out stunning.  For the money, quality, and speed, this lens cannot be beat.  For the average person, there is no need to drop the additional bucks for a F/1.4.
Bought it for my wife and she loves it.  It is made of plastic but that's why you get it for the price you do.
I'm a professional photographer and I've owned this lens on three separate occasions over the past 8 years.  I've bought and sold a lot of gear and am very familiar with Canon 50mm lenses.  In addition to this lens, I've also owned the Canon 50/1.4 and currently own the Canon 50/1.2 L.I can confidently say this lens produced image quality that rival lenses costing many hundreds, upwards of a thousand dollars.  You won't find any full frame zoom lens under $1000 with this level of image quality.  Moving away from the 50mm focal length, you won't even find a prime this good for under $400.  This lens is so far ahead of others on the price to performance scale it's not even funny.  Third party manufacturers won't even attempt a 50mm F1.8 because there is no way they can do better than this lens at this price point.So for the position it occupies in the cheap prime category, the Canon 50/1.8 stands alone and nothing else comes close.So, what is it good at?  The benefits are many, I'll try to keep it concise.- It's small and light.  Smaller and lighter, in fact, than nearly all cruddy "kit" lenses which come with cameras.- It's cheap.  Compared to other camera lenses, it's a terrific value.- It's very sharp.  At F1.8 it's usable and has nice bokeh.  Pushed down to F2.8 the bokeh weakens, but the optics become super sharp.- It has great color, contrast, and saturation.  This will be the first taste of prime optics for many of you considering this lens.  The look, rendering, and "feel" of the images from this lens is addicting and very unique compared to that of a kit lens.  This lens really unleashes the true potential image quality of your DSLR.Why would you eventually sell this lens?- Build quality is "lightweight" to put it mildly.  The body and mount is 100% plastic.  It's not even the high quality plastic used on other lenses, it's the plastic you might find on a "made in china" toy that costs $15.  This is generally not a deal breaker though since the lens is so light.  Over the years I never managed to break mine, though the build isn't particularly inspiring.-  It's "only" F1.8. The 50/1.4 lenses take in more light and have better bokeh.- The 50/1.4 lenses are typically a little sharper at large apertures.  At smaller apertures it's a tie.So in summary I find this lens to be a good fit for beginners and novices to get a sample of prime image quality without breaking the bank.  The focal length makes for a splendid portrait lens on both a full frame and crop camera.  The performance is all around very good and the price absolutely cannot be beat.
After reading all the great reviews and along with its price, I said "Hey, why not?".  Well, I shouldn't have.  The lens housing is flimsy (think Cracker Jack box).  I knew this going in, but even I was suprised to see HOW flimsy it was in person.  Everyone seems to rave about its sharpness and color quality.  It seems to compare to my lens kit, which is an 18-55mm Ultrasonic f/3.5-5.6 in terms of sharpness/color.  I also shot it against my Canon 50mm f/2.5 Compact-Macro (w/ aperture & shutter speed set the same, on a tripod for exact results).  The results were pretty well dead on.  I couldn't see a huge difference in the two.After shooting with this lens for a couple of hours, I decided to put it back in its box, and send it back.  I don't see what all the hype is about.  To top it off, it's a prime (non-zoom)lens.  I thought I could look past this to get those "great shots" everyones talking about.  After having to move back and forth shooting my products, I was almost to tired to package the box for the return...I wouldn't recommend getting this lens.  Save up and buy a better quality piece of glass.  Hope this helps some of you sitting on the fence.
If your on a budget this is a must in your camera bag. Great images. I think I use this lens more than any other.
If you are just branching away from your kit lens that came with your DSLR, this is the first lens you should buy. Don't be fooled at its size, lightness, or underwhelming price. You will be blown away by the superb quality optics! Delicious colors, creamy backgrounds, closeups that will knock your socks off, all in a tiny plastic package cheaper than almost any other lens out there.Beware, though, that there is a learning curve with this lens. I was very frustrated with it at first. I couldn't figure out exactly how to make this lens shine. It's best for subjects that aren't moving fast, and are indoors or in subdued outdoor light. Nailing down the razor-thin focus can be tricky - I still have problems accidentally catching the surface my subject sits on rather than the subject itself. But when you hit that sweet spot, you'll be so grateful you gave this lens a chance.The 50mm "plastic fantastic" has gotten me hooked on prime lenses, and I can't wait to buy more. Out of all the other lenses in my bag, none of which are fixed focal length, this little beauty is by far the best in picture quality. I think next I'll try a 35mm, because as much as I love my 50mm, I don't get it out as often as I should, since in limited space you can't back up far enough to get your subject in the frame. It is a must-have addition to any lens collection, and for the price you'd be a fool to say no!
Works as expected, good clarity. Nice product well made.  Was a gift so I don't know too much about it. Recipient was very happy.
When you have less than a full-frame DSLR, the lenses are effectively longer because they focus the light on a smaller sensor.  I have always thought of a 55mm lens on a 35mm film camera to be what the human eye sees.  This lens, with an effective length of about 70mm compared to film (please don't rely on this math!) takes in much more field than I expected.  Inside at the Thanksgiving meal, I had to step forward to narrow in on my subjects.  The speed is fabulous, the pictures great, the lens excellent!
and maybe even if you don't factor in the price. As an artist that uses photos as the basis of my work, I shoot a LOT of pictures, with a slow month being 1K or so. I only own three lenses, and honestly only use two: this and my Canon 28-135. While the zoom is my workhorse, this is the lens I bring out in very low light conditions, or when I'm doing portraiture because of it's incredible detail, low-light shooting ability and depth of field. I won't go into a ton of detail: there about 2K other reviews for that, but the only drawback to this lens? If you're not careful, you can find you have someone's nose in focus and the rest of their face slightly out of focus because the aperture can be set that finely. Suffice it to say, I recommend this lens to everyone I know who shoots with a Canon and ever wants a solid portrait-type lens.
Off all the lenses I own. this one is my favourite for crystal clear clarity and detail it displays. The photo from this lens stands out to all other pics taken from the other lenses.
I just got my 50mm f/1.8 II, today and I love the quick Responsiveness of the auto focus on this lens, the photo reproduction is incredible, straight out of the box. Priced at $99.00 you can go wrong and its worth a try. getting this lens you will glad that you gave it a chance and say money well spent, going to take it out and put it threw the paces, but I'm sure it will live up to the Canon Name as all of my Canon Lens have so far...I am calling my other Canon Buddies to make sure they get this Lens Also!!!!
You can't beat this lens for the price. Dollar for dollar the best value in lens you'll ever buy. Get this lens.
Wonderful lens, but it broke from one fall. 1 week later I bought another one :)
I've used this lens a few times.  It is a great value, but the focusing ring is so small, it is almost unusable.
My husband did a lot of research and saw the value of this lens. We needed something that would work well in our home, which doesn't have a lot a natural light. We mostly take pictures of our daughter. We are very happy with it! We have a Canon Rebel T3i.Pros: Great price. Takes in a lot of light, so works great at night or in low light. Easy to use.Cons: Focuses well at one distance, but everything else is out of focus ( which can be a huge pro, but not when I focus on my daughter's bow or dress instead of her face). Fixed zoom.
This lens is a must have for all beginner photographers. Excellent sharpness and a really fast lens.  I know I've heard many complain about the cheap feel of it but at less than $100 you can't beat it.  Yes it does have a plastic mount, yes the focus ring is small but the quality of it's pictures and price make it a definite winner until you decide to move up to the much higher priced L's.
I purchased a 28-200mm and reluctantly the 50mm at the same time. I wanted the range of the 28-200 but also wanted something small, lightweight, simple and quick for spontaneous stuff. I was worried that since the 28-200 encompassed the 50, It would end up collecting dust. Not so! the 50mm is very modest looking little lens and yes it is plastic but it takes beautiful pictures. I set the 28-200 to 50mm and compared the two side by side the 50mm's pictures are a brighter. now I'm happy I have both.
I've bought expensive lenses, but can't afford the best of everything.  This lens fills the gap with an affordable product that will provide quality results!
I just bought this lens and thus far I am so impressed I can't wait to get some of the L lenses if they are any comparison to this prime lens! Sharp quality pictures and a lot of fun to play with as a newbie to the field. This is my first prime lens and it won't be my last, and you can't beat the price! It really is something you should get along with your camera if you are purchasing one as it won't add onto the hit your wallet takes, but it will add a great deal to your pictures! LOVE IT!
This lens is an absolute must have for amature digital SLR.  This is the first lens I bought (based on reviews from Amazon) and I have never regretted it.  I use this lens indoors without a flash to take pictures of my toddler and it works great!  Yes it is made of plastic - but I don't think that is a drawback to the overall quality of pictures obtained with this lens.
Oh, where to start?!? I absolutely love this lens! It is, quite simply, the best bang-for-your-buck lens in photography today. Its optics are quite sharp and I haven't had a shot yet that didn't come out the way I expected to with this lens. Lightweight. Decent construction for the price you pay. Yes, it is all plastic. But it feels quite sturdy, as if it could take a few knocks before completely being out of service. I use mine mostly for indoor photography with a UV lens to protect the front element. Using it wide open, I can get very clear shots without a flash in the range of 1/30 to 1/60 of a second depending on ambient lighting. So, am I happy I bought it? Absolutely. Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat. Would I change anything about it? At this price, absolutely not! So if you're straddling the fence about it, just buy it! You will NOT regret it!
I am not an advanced photographer, but this lens was recommended.  I am happy with the quality of the lens and the quality of the pictures taken so far!
My son recently got a Canon T2i for Christmas and I left it up to him to decide which lens he wanted for the amount of money that he had. Honestly, I like the portraits that this lens produces compared to my other lenses which are two to three time the price of this one. My wife has told me to buy one for our camera and I agree with her. No zoom if that is what you're looking for.
I love this lens. Its made of plastic, including the mount- BUT, its a low cost lens. It has excellent depth of field, autofocus works good, and you can't go wrong with a large aperture if you want fast shutter speed. By the way, if you are planning to put this on a rebel xti it will function more like a 70mm lens...
I just unboxed this lens and was pleasantly surprised. There were several reviews about cheap build quality, but I think most of them are unfounded. The quality seems on par with the other kit lenses that came with the T4i (18-55, 70-250 IS). After experimenting with some different conditions, my only complaint would be some hunting around with the auto-focus function, but in my opinion this won't really be a problem unless you are unable to wait for a second for the image to lock in. This is easily fixed using the manual focus ring as you get more photography experience. For just over $100, its a fun and inexpensive lens that won't break you heart IF something bad happens. This is a fun alternative to other lenses and could provide great practice for an entry level photographer to gain a different perspective and not rely on a wide range focal range to compose a shot. Included warranty information and a white box, I know there is some concern when using Amazon that some vendors don't include this.
I Have the Canon T1i + kit lens 18-55mm + 55-250mm lens.I bought this ones to try increase my photos quality, i really liked.I bought one for my sister too, that have a 40d , she was very glad and impressed, it was the second prime lens that she have.Best for the price, i think the 1.4 50mm don't worth for amateurs photographers.I hope that it help you to decide, because i was in a big doubt between 1.4 and 1.8 lens.Good Look
I've owned theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensfor a year now since October 6, 2009 mounted on my Canon EOS XTi [400D] from Amazon.com and at least 85% of the shots I have taken over the year was from this lens. No joke.Honestly this was the first lens I ever bought without any thorough research, but I just read how everyone is saying that this lens is a must have for portraits. The overall rating above for this lens speaks for itself.Do you want to make creative portrait shots? Then this lens is for you.Are you on a budget and you're tired of that kit lens you use now? Then this lens is for you.For the price I would say it is well worth it since its the glass on this lens that matters in my opinion. I normally set my aperture priority (Av) on f/1.8 and it works well in and outdoors. I would agree bumping the aperture to f/2.8 may increase the sharpness slightly many report that in can be soft at f/1.8, so use it when you need it. The overall "Bokeh" or blur-effect of this lens is spectacular and I constantly receive compliments when I post my shots online and as you can see on the sample pictures. Nothing can go wrong with this lens!Yes the overall build quality is completely plastic and it can be noisy while it focuses. That would be expected if you paid the premium for higher quality lenses which can cost almost ten times as much as this lens, but you get what you paid for when it comes to lenses. I have taken care of this lens the whole year taking on and off constantly switching between my kit lens with this one and I have not encountered any mechanical problems so far or any problems taking it on and off.My only warning to you is that you should be careful with focusing as with the shallow depth of field is that it may be a hit or miss as the camera may focus on something else other than the subject causing unwanted blurriness. So I recommend some experience in using the auto focus, but practice makes perfect. Also, at 50mm on a crop sensor would turn out as 85mm in reality so there can be times when you can't get everything you want to shoot in the picture. From my experience I can fit at most two to three people [of their heads to hips in portrait] at a general distance of approximately twelve feet if you were indoors at a party, but outdoors can be less limiting.So expect to have a slightly far distance from the subject if you want more in the picture, but you'll get the hang of it after a few weeks of experience.Other than that this lens is a must have and I'm sure you'll become addicted with this lens.For the price and quality of pictures taken I give it a five-star rating despite the cheap build and motor quality. It's definitely worth the shot and it's so affordable I could skip lunch for maybe a couple weeks. :)Reiteration: If you don't want to read all that.The Good:- Image Quality. I guarantee you'll see a difference from your kit lens.- Bokeh. Excellent for blurring subject background and impress friends/family.- Price. For about a hundred bucks, it's the cheapest lens out there with obvious drawbacks listed below.The Bad:- Plastic. It's plastic all around, but feels like its not cheap plastic like at the toy store. But remember, the glass matters A LOT more than its casing. If that's the case then you should go for a higher tier lens (L-series) which costs substantially more than this lens.- Noise. It sounds like an R/C car motor when it has a hard time focusing in dim light indoors without strobing the on board flash. But in broad daylight you will hear it for a second or two as it focuses faster.If you have the extra money to burn, then I would recommend the more better build and image quality of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4.
This is just the best lens I have owned for the money.  With the large aperture, you can shoot easily indoors, but you consequently get a very shallow depth of field.  This lens is what the art of photography is about.  You can control and create a shot where as many of the kit lenses that are available have a maximum aperture of 4 and the difference between 2.8 and 4 is substantial, and the difference between 4 and 1.8 is GINORMOUS.The lens does get a little soft when it is wide open, but in low light, you really aren't going to be able to take any kind of shot without using either a hotshoe flash or a lens that will cost 3 to 10 times as much as this one.Outside of a tripod, this lens along with its cousins is absolutely the way to go.
I am fairly new to the slr world, so I won't pretend to be an expert, but I was looking for a good lens for taking pictures in low light for a reasonable price, and this is the one that pretty much every website or review site says to start with, so I tried it out.The wider aperture is what I bought it for and it definitely takes better low light pictures than the 18-135 that I got with my camera when wide open. I know this is supposed to be a good portrait lens, but I haven't used it much for that. The random shots I've taken around the house in decent light have come out amazing though!For just over $100, it's hard to complain about something that gives pictures as nice as this, but if I had to compare it to the only other lens I have, it is sort of noisy (audible noise, not visual noise) when trying to auto focus. I didn't realize how quiet my other lens was until I tried this one. Since I want to take pictures of bands in low light, it may be notciable in a quieter setting. It also seemed to have a little bit of a hard time auto-focusing in general in that low light, but I'm sure it would be harder for any lens, especially a $100 lens, so I had to use manual more than I was expecting.All in all, you aren't going to find a better deal than this though and for anyone trying to build up their collection of lenses, especially on a budget, this is a wonderful place to start.
I like this product.Rate A+++++.:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :):) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :).
I LOVE THIS LENS. It is hands down the best value you can get. I am amazed at how sharp the images turn out with this, much sharper than the 18-55 Kit lens and for me was way better than the 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II that I bought, and returned.Colors are great, the 1.8 for indoor photography is awesome and the higher you set the aperture the better it gets. I love this lens. If you spent your $1000+ on a Canon Digital SLR you'd be nuts to not spend another $70 and pick this up. Going out and shooting pictures is a blast, but the icing on the cake is when you get home and they turned out how you imagined. This lens will do that for you. I shoot with a 20D.
This thrifty little lens is still a must buy for starter DSLR users and on a budget photographers.Recommended buy for anyone trying to take more dramatic or depth detailed pictures at medium to close range. Not a zoom lens.
If you want a decent lens to start with skip the kit lens.  This one takes crisp pictures and with a 1.8 aperture you can get some nice depth of field isolation and shooting indoors without a flash is possible.  You may miss the zoom at first but you will get used to walking.
If you don't have a prime lens, this is a decent one for the money. Keep in mind that it will be equivalent to 80mm on a cropped camera, but walking towards or away from your subject, will take care of that.  I needed something for lower light conditions and this fits the bill. Granted, the pictures aren't as sharp on the largest aperture side, as many lens in the consumer grade lenses aren't, but I still take decent pictures, which I wouldn't be able to take at a fast enough shutter speed with my zoom lens.  The Canon f/1.4 lens is probably a lot better (and the f/1.2 I would expect even more so), but for this price, it is a great buy.
At first i was skeptical on how good a $100 lens could possibly be. I wondered if it would just fall apart or not focus maybe have really bad picture quality after all how good could a $100 lens actually be.. Well upon getting this awesome little lens (yes it is actually really little on my Canon 70D)  and I was truly amazed on what I could do with this lens and its 1.8 F-stop that lets in so much light that you can actually take pictures in really low light that were impossible with normal lenses at any decent speed or hand help .I used this for taking pictures at a party event and it literally saved the day (late afternoon to be exact) the party hall lighting was really dark and pictures were terrible even with my canon 24mm-105mm L (is) lens and iso 3200 all pictures were Dark and if i adjusted the shutter speed to compensate the pictures were slightly blurry. There was just no way to get a decent picture without stopping people and making them stand perfectly still or using a Flash.The photos were really good for the low light situation that I encountered out of 80 pictures I got about 32 really good photosa few things I did notice is that the auto focus is fairly slow and loud (it does have a harder time to focus in most situations)the build quality is OK not good and I wouldn't rely on this lens as my primary for a major trip somewhere.Other then that This lens is really good and should be in every Canon SLR camera owners bag as a good backup lens at the least. as with all lenses this has its place and usability along with restrictions but for the price this lens is well worth it and you will not be unhappy with this lens
Even though there is the issue of plastic construction with this lens- it doesn't matter. If you are a real pro, then I guess it does since durability would be an issue. But for someone like me who pulls out this lens out a handful of times each year, it is perfect- especially for the price!!! It takes absolutely incredible pictures. Some of the still shots I have taken of people and my pets have been really eye popping compared with the lens the camera came with. I have a Canon Rebel T3i.
Firstly, if you are shooting digital without a full size sensor, this will be very similar to to old 85mm f1.8, as Canon's multiplier is 1.6 so it's going to be like an 80mm in film. Which makes it a nearly perfect portrait lens. But, a small depth of field can make for many interesting photos!I sell cameras for a living. If I show this lens to someone, they buy it. It has an incredible depth of field and all for, I think we sell it for $119.99. If you are planning to do portrais, and you want to blurr out the background, this will do all that at a very fair price!Yes, it isn't a USM so it isn't quiet, but define your terms. It isn't like a cement mixer. Though I grant mine is about 8 years old and may need to be replaced as it does sound like it's straining. Which brings me to construction, it has a plastic mount and this is why is costs under $200. If you take reasonable care it will last you many years. As I say mime is like 8 years old and it is just straining a bit. It still works.You want to take that perfect shot of a dandelion ready to blow in a breeze wih an incredible blue sky? You wil need this an a polaeizing filter. Oh, speaking of filters. Get yourself a UV filter. It really is just going to MAYBE save your lens if you drop if and it lands on the end. It MAY protect it from cracking the barrel. Think $20 and maybe not having to repair (repar a $120 lens???) or replace it. Also, you are less likely to scrath teh lens with a uv on it.
Works great, but fairly clunky when using the autofocus. However, for the price of this lens, that has no bearing. The image quality of this lens is wonderful, and its versatility is great. Mainly used during family gatherings for portraits, it's primarily run with the body on aperture priority to showcase its f/1.8. This is a wonderful lens to start with along with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit lenses, and if you're too strapped for cash to purchase the 50mm f/1.4, this is an excellent stopgap.
On the one hand, this is a great lens for the money. I'd blow off the crummy zoom that ships with the kit Digital Rebel XT and buy this one instead. I use it for 80% plus of my family pictures, with my Rebel XT APS-sized sensor it's a compact portrait lens.On the other paw, I dropped the camera. The lens might have hit first. The next day it wouldn't come off the camera. I forced it off (bad move) and found the inner ring of the lens had broken. This prevented the lens from full disengaging. My forcing it off may also have damaged the camera, though at this time the one retracted contact pin is again working and the camera seems to have survived.So .... there's a downside to cheap build quality other than the lens itself coming apart. It could damage your camera.Bottom line, don't put this on a >$1000 body. I bought another because I didn't have time to shop, but I think I may end up getting the 1.4 instead.
I bought this lens to have a good indoor portrait lens.  There is no zoom but with it's wide aperture it takes great indoor pictures with minimal light.  A good lens for the price
Ok, so this isn't the highest quality lens. It's plastic and might not survive a rough environment, but for the price, it makes an excellent starter if you don't want to spend a lot of money.  I would recommend this lens to anyone looking to shoot in low light situations without the high cost of something more expensive.
Great glass, but please, Canon should give us a "middle of the road" 50mm f/1.8 in the range of $150. The current plastic prime is great for college kids and beginners, while the 50mm f/1.4 is great for grandparents who can afford the $330 price tag, but isn't there a market for those of us in between, trying to build a nice, rounded out lens set on a limited budget? I would be more likely to purchase a solid metal-cased 1.8 for $150 than either option currently available. What say you Reader? Canon... do you hear us? We beg you!
The clarity on this lens is fantastic for the price and the low depth of field achievable makes it a must have especially for those just starting out in photography on a budget.  Yes it feels a bit cheap because of the plastic build but the photos it allows you to take are incredible (just google the lens for some examples).
Oh, I LOVE this lens! Not your typical walk around taking shots lens - you have to frame your shot carefully - but the quality is fantastic. A must have lens IMHO. Get the hood also!As an aside some of the "attribute" ratings are ridiculous and I certainly hope they won't reduce the overall rating of this product.
I bought this after using it over Christmas at my sisters. I am really happy with the results. But, there are two things I don't like. First, the mount on the lens is plastic, I would have preferred metal. Second, and probably more important for those with constantly moving little ones, the AF is a little slow. Sometimes it can take multiples attempts to AF properly and by then I have lost the shot.Overall, it was a good buy. I am happy with it. But, when this plastic one falls apart, I will upgrade to the image stabilized version.
I tried 3 of this lens and all of them had a bit of back focusing issue. If I changed the setting by soldering the board inside it would back focus at close range and front focus at long range. I have a Canon T3i and I don't have a focusing issue with the kit lens. I can try to have Canon fix the focusing issue by sending all of my lenses and camera but after searching google, I found that some people tried to fix the focusing issue by sending the units as many as 3 times but Canon just sent them back doing nothing but cleaning.Rather than be without my camera and paying for the shipping & insurance, I just deal with with the focusing issue by using live view shooting but it's too slow...Unless you have a camera that has micro focusing adjustment, be prepared for back focusing issue when shooting AF. Just google &#34;Canon 50mm back focus&#34;.
i am just getting into photography and am really enjoying this lens. i bought this lens because i love taking pics of my new twin babies indoors and in low light situations and it produces amazing results. nice shallow dof as well. prior to this i was using the kit lens that came with the canon rebel xti and after learning more about the capabilities of the camera i was seeing the limitations of the kit lens.
I have not yet met anyone who uses this lens that have not broken one, I am one of the many. Canon must have hired engineers to create a lens that is guaranteed to break. This thing is like a house of cards, beware of breathing on it, with fear and trembling (well, try not to tremble) use manual focus or put on a lens cap, or allow the camera to hang around your neck. it must be plastic the width of a strand of hair that holds this thing together. So yeah, just treat it like a newborn baby, never one careless moment, or else its head will fall out and you'll be out a $125. Some reviews mentioned the front part fell out while taking pictures, right after buying it, they did not even bump it. Of course Canon would not honor the warranty. Anything that happens will be YOUR fault, even if you did not abuse it. But yeah, with that aside, look at me, I got another one. It takes wonderful photos, I think it focuses faster then the more expensive 50mm 1.4, that I borrowed from a friend.
I bought a Canon 60D with the 18-135mm kit lens and bought this lens used from a friend. It became my favorite lens for shooting my two young sons.As others point out, the lens is made of plastic and has a cheap feel to it. This makes it light but inexpensive. The price also means the build quality will suffer. This lens is noisy when focusing and there is a little play from the front glass.Pros:- Inexpensive: You won't find a better bang for the buck.- Stops down to 1.8: This lens is able to suck in a lot of light so it can be used indoors or in dimly-lit environments and still focus and capture an image.- Light: This makes a great walking-around lens. Your camera strap probably weighs more than this lens so lugging it around in a pack or around your shoulders won't be too tiring.- f1.8: The depth of field at f1.8 is very shallow (around 6.3 inches) but makes for great candids and portraits since the background is nicely blurred and produces beautiful bokeh.Cons:- Build Quality: It's a cheap lens so you don't get a lot of heft or metal.- Noisy: The focus motor is noisy and you will definitely hear it as you focus in and out.My lens just broke and I'll probably get the Canon 50mm 1.4 but I have no regrets owning and using this lens.
For the money, there is no better lens.  This lens puts out incredible quality pics that you can feel.  The DOF (depth-of-field) from a 1.8 is absolutely incredible.  BUY THIS LENS.
I would probably pay way more for this lens!! It is possibly my favorite lens to use with my camera.  If you are new to photography I highly suggest this be your first lens purchase.
Immediately out of the box the lens was making grinding noises, It had terrible auto focus, and one month after purchase the lens housing actually FELL OUT while on a shoot. Embarrassing, Ridiculous, Unacceptable. Piece of junk..I feel like I would have gotten better quality out of a Tamron...
As a novice, I've taken some really nice shots at a wedding with this.  Performed well in low light.  Sharpness was good.If definitely has a 'cheaper' feel to it, but it did a great job with my Digital Rebel XTi.  And I'm sure it will perform even better as I figure out how to really use the features of my camera and get farther from my poin-and-shoot roots.
Make no mistake this is a cheap lens.  The auto focus is barely functional and the lens is very light. That said, it is an inexpensive way to achieve low light performance and shallow depth-of-field effects.  It should also be a good portrait lens when used with an APS-C sensor DSLR.  Just be prepared to use manual focus most of the time.
The lens works wonderfully as an entry level prime lens for any amateur photographer. The aperture range is exactly what I needed for night sky photography.
The ef 50mm is a very good lens foe the price. I take some wedding pictures were there was poor lighting I was amazed of the lens great job canon.
When I first made the switchover to SLR photography from point & shoot, I debated over several lenses to accompany the camera's kit lens.  The EF 50mm f/1.8 lens is often described as a "must have" lens for new photographers, so I gave it a shot.  I must say, I've been very pleased.Pros:f/1.8 Aperature:This lens is "fast" in that it has a very wide maximum aperature (f/1.8), meaning it lets through more light and can thus take photos with a faster shutter speed than a "slower" lens.  A wide aperature also allows for very shallow depth-of-field (and thus a lot of background blur).Because of the wide aperature, the lens is useful both for lower-light conditions--allowing you to still shoot at fast enough shutter speeds to permit handholding and often without having to add a flash--and for portraiture in well-lighted conditions, in which the background will be blurred.Cost:How many lenses of reasonable quality can you find for under $100?Cons:Focal Length on Digital SLRs:For the digital SLR user, unless you're using a full-frame camera, the crop factor of the APS-C sized sensor will make this lens more in the range of 80mm and thus a medium telephoto rather than the "normal view" 50mm that many film shooters are expecting--so keep that in mind.Autofocus:The autofocus is not Canon's USM system and is thus a bit slow and noisy, and it requires the use of a small switch to change over to manual focus (no full-time manual focus).  Sometimes, the lens seems to "stick" in manual focus after being switched there and then back to auto, requiring a dismounting and remounting of the lens to get it working right again.Minimum Focusing Length:This is not a macro lens and thus cannot focus at extremely close range, although I've successfully used it as such with the "poor man's macro" screw-on magnifying lenses.  The loss of quality in doing so has not been a problem for me, anyway.Build Quality:Make no mistake--the lens' cheap price is reflected somewhat in its build quality, although the optics themselves seem to be fairly good.  The lens may feel "cheap," and probably would break if dropped, but at the price, one could easily afford to replace it.Summary:Overall, I'm quite pleased with this lens and am glad to have purchased it.  I tend to use it for pet and human portraiture and have also used it in a pinch for macro photography of flowers and in low-light conditions indoors.
This lens is great, period.  People say "for the money," but I'm saying regardless of cost this lens is great!  Mine is so very sharp focusing on my Canon 20D digital camera.  I love the contrast and the color.  It is truly my favorite lens.  I have two high priced Canon L zoom lenses, and this 50mm II 1.8 is still my favorite.  I tried the Canon 24-70 L and I liked this one better. People say they love the contrast of the 24-70 L lens but for me it was too much(the image was just too dark looking). Yeah, I know kind of crazy, maybe, but that just gives you an idea that this 50mm is nice.  Plus if you, heaven forbid, scratch this one or damage it,  you can buy 3 of these for the price of the Canon 50mm 1.4.  (Note: Maybe the 24-70 L lens I had was a bad copy, because I have seen some beautiful photos on the web that were taken with it)Now, the only downside of this lens, if you can even call it that, is that I can't always use it for inside shots because 50mm is a little long and won't give me the wide shot I might need to include more people at parties and such.  On my digital camera, the 50mm is the equivalent of an 80mm on an old fashioned or very expensive full sensor digital camera, which is the focal length many people use for portraits.  I remember my first Christmas with this lens and it produced some great portrait shots of individuals opening presents and such.Oh, I almost forgot, shooting in low light without a flash is a blast!  No more red eye, reflections off glasses or harsh flash lighting.  However, if shooting indoors you really need to get the white balance set for the type of lights inside, or adjust it after the fact via your photo processing software of choice.  Some cameras do better than others with the auto white balancing.I've had mine for several years and still love it.  Honestly, I don't know how you could go wrong with this lens.
You can never got wrong with a 50MM. The price for the quality this lens provides in unbeatable. I highly recommend adding this lens to your arsenal!
I just recently picked up a Canon T3 Eos Rebel and this lens and I have to say that this 50 MM lens has made the camera worth while.  The original lens that comes with the Canon is also great, put when you want to get those jaw dropping crisp clean photos, lets say during portraits or to make an area just look more brilliant and spectacular then definitely pick this lens up and never leave home without it!  It is lightweight and shoots amazing shots.  The only thing you have to keep in mind is that there is no zoom so you will be moving around to get the focus point and desired angle just right. But overall 5 shiny stars because this little guy does wonders!
This guy is a little money maker............ Let me explain...On a crop body camera it is a great portrait lens....  I mean really - F/1.8?? .... It is a great portrait lens for most any place you need it!  $ kha ching!..............Secondly.... this guy is a money maker because when you strike your camera lens against an immovable object, like a steel girder as you are trying to climb a tower, it was not the $1,000 lens you have safely packed in your bag that was damaged!Yea! for good cheap lensesHappy Shooting!
You can't go wrong with this lens. Because I am not a professional photographer who gets paid to shoot, my budget is limited. This lens is one of the least expensive, quality lenses that could find. The result will surprise you.This lens is now my favorite when shooting portraits. Because of its wide aperture, you can really blur the background, even indoors. It's great for low-light shots for the same reason (wide-aperture).I highly recommend this lens to all amateur photographers as their first prime lens. Some people compare this lens with the more expensive lenses but I don't think you can compare apples with oranges because this lens is not in the same price range as other lenses.
Bought this for my Canon t2i and I am enjoying this piece of equipment.  As I have read numerous times on other posts this lens with force you to look at things differently.  With no option to zoom in or out you are forced to look for the &#34;right&#34; shot, lighting, etc.  I am enjoying the challenge and looking at things from a different point of view.  Give this lens a try and expand your skills and habits.  For the price it wont hurt the wallet too much.
This is a great lens, especially for the price.  My first real test of it was during parents' night at my daughters' gymnastics class.  The gym has very poor lighting for photography, and flashes are forbidden (don't want to cause an accident).  With this lens opened up and my Canon 40D in manual mode (shooting at 1/125 and ISO 1600 with +2eV), I was finally able to get some good "action" shots of my girls.  I was able to shoot complete tumbling passes without a lot of motion blur and still have enough light to actually see something without a lot of post processing.  My only complaint is that the lens is so small, there's not much to hold onto while shooting handheld.  I let a friend of mine borrow it for a basketball game, and he's getting one for Christmas!
There's not a lot that can be said about this that isn't already covered.  This lens makes beautiful portraits while being remarkably affordable.  You'll have to stand a bit back, especially on a crop body, to get the shot that you want, but it'll be crisp and clear and in many cases, tack sharp.
Pros: Very sharp, very fast, very compact, nice color saturation, very cheap.Cons: feels cheap because all plastic; noisy because no USM.I'd get another if this one somehow became unusable.
It's cheap enough for the amateur and fast enough for an experienced photographer.It's light and durable enough. Don't drop it though. I dropped once about 3 feet onto a hard floor and was able to put it back together but it didn't quiet seem the same anymore.
What a great deal for a prime lens! This lens should be in every Canon Rebel owner's bag. Like many others have said here, the build quality is not the same of the higher-end Canon leses, but for the price you can't beat this one. Perfect in low light and for portraits you simply can't beat it. Shoot with it wide open and you'll love the results. Focusing can be dicey and slow at times but I just switch to MF and I'm fine. Very highly recommended.
I was advised about this lens by the local newspaper photo chief.  He said that with all of his lenses, this was the one that he continued to use for pictures where you want a balance between the context and the subject.  I have lenses of every size and shape.  Recent trip to Glacier NP convinced me that this is the base lens to use.  It gives you a basic picture and works well for landscapes, group pictures, and pictures.  The plastic is a little cheap (Come on, Canon, spring for the metal!!) and I still use the plastic and bubble wrap for transport in my backpack.  For your basic lens with a wide angle, this is the answer.
This lens is great.  Very fast (well, not quite as fast as 1.4 or 1.2) and has great shallow depth of field.  Sometimes the shallow DOF makes it difficult to get the intended subject in focus, but that's my shortcoming, not the lens'.
If you have a DSLR, this needs to be the first lens you buy for it.  It is easily worth triple what you are paying for it and you'll notice immediately the increase in quality of your picture.
I purchased this lens to mate with my XTi and so far I have had no regrets.  It does take some getting used to with the fixed focal length, but it definitely gives you an idea of composing and framing that a normal zoom lens might not give you.This lens is just great for so many reasons.  The cost was definitely attractive to me since I didn't feel comfortable spending a ton on pro-level lenses.  It works phenomenally well in low light, especially when compared to the kit lens.  The build quality itself is excellent, though the materials do not really seem to be meant for longevity.  Metal > plastic, no matter how high quality the plastic.  Focusing is a bit loud, but worked fine.The lens also lowers the profile of the camera and makes it more manageable and less conspicuous.  It's hard enough to get people to act normally with an SLR clacking away, but with this lens your subjects don't really have to worry about you zooming in on their imperfections.  Overall, this lens is highly recommended for new photographers.
I'm no photography wiz but this lens is pretty awesome. I bought it off of a friend's recommendation and I wasn't disappointed in the least. The shallow depth of field easily creates great photos and the colors are very vibrant as well. A must have in my opinion.
I bought it because it's fast (F/1.8) and cheap. It turns out it's also very simple to use because you can't even fiddle with the zoom since it has no zoom!So armed with this lens and an indoor performance, I took a bunch of pictures, one-handed, on my Digital Rebel XT, and I ended up with some of the nicest pictures (indoor or out) that I have ever taken:[...]%20CNY%20Performance%202006/Most of the pictures are very sharp, none of the pictures were taken with a flash.The only problem is 50mm is really 80mm if you use a digital SLR with the typical 1.6 multiplication factor. So it's no good for some situations. I think I will have to get another more wide-angle lens that's also nice and quick to cover all the bases.Remember - a fixed focal length lens will tend to be very sharp and much quicker because it's a simpler lens. Boy was I blown away by this one.
You can not get a better lens for the price. A must have for any photographer that is looking to shoot indoors. The speed of this lens is incredible for the price you pay.
If you are looking, you already know you need this lens. get one, and have fun. the 1.8 is an essential for anyone with a Canon DSLR.Enough said.
I have a 40mm fixed and two zoom lens, but love this one both for its small size, and great pictures. The 40mm is very nice as well. I am not sorry that I have them both.
I have been using this lens for about a month after using my friend's paired with his Canon Rebel T2i. I decided to purchase it after seeing his great results and the vast praise it has received across the photography world. In my opinion, this is an extremely good entry-level lens by Canon.The large 1.8 aperture is very good for capturing indoor shots without a flash, which was the most important factor for me.  Second to the indoor lighting performance, is the dramatic depth-of-field effect that can be achieved with this lens.  These features allow for some truly professional quality captures.  I found the auto-focus and image stabilization to be fast and accurate in multiple settings as well.  Another important feature is that this lens also has a switch for turning off auto-focus and using the manual focus ring.I instantly fell in love with this lens when paired with myCanon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only).  I originally was using the 18-200mm kit lens which has an aperture of 3.5-5.6.  While that lens served me extremely well during my time in India for taking outdoor shots, it's indoor performance is terrible and necessitates the use of flash.  The flexibility of a multi-purpose zoom lens can be very attractive to beginners, but I can't stress enough the importance of having multiple higher quality fixed lenses such as the Canon EF 50mm in your bag as well.  Their uses can not be overstated.I highly recommend this lens to everyone.  For this price, it should be the first lens on your wish list. I paired this lens with aTiffen 52mm UV Protection FilterandFotodiox Dedicated Lens Hood, for Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens as Canon ES-62Good Luck!
For the price this lens is absolutely amazing.  When I first started I loved the depth of field and now with a little more experience the images are usable at 1.8 and stopped down are tack sharp.  My lens is now almost 3 years old and has been to over 20 countries and is still going strong.  I thought the plastic camera mount would show more signs of wear but so far so good.  After using the ultrasonic motors of the more expensive lenses this 1.8 seems a little slow.  But overall for the price and what you get it should defiantly be on your camera if you are starting off.
A lightweight lens that produces very sharp pictures, a beautiful bokeh and an autofocus feature that truly works.I am very, very pleased with this item having taken pictures of tropical flowers with excellent results. Good for portraits as well. No chromatic aberration here. Highly recommended.
I debated about whether to buy the 50mm 1.4, 50 mm 1.8, or else the Sigma 30mm f1.4.  It boiled down to this: I own a Digital Rebel XT.  I was not sure as to the relevance of the 50mm lens on my crop factor camera and the Sigma represents the closest way to get to a standard prime (i.e. old 50mm on a full frame machine).  And I may end up with a 5D this spring, so I didn't want to plunk down $400 bucks on the Sigma and end up with something I wouldn't need if I end up with a full frame...weighty choices.So I bought the cheap-o lens, figuring what harm is there in plunking down a few bucks.  I took it around the rainy streets of NYC and shot a bunch of test shots.  It's everything everyone here says it is: a cheap piece of junk, loud, and razor sharp.  It produces incredible colors and, although not razor sharp at 1.8 (not bad, though!), stopped up to F2.2 it rages in terms of clarity...and that's a lot of light for 70 bucks.So...the F1.4 or the F1.8.  If you are concerned enough to think you might want to get the 1.4, get it.  Anything (even the lousy kit lens from my Rebel XT) is arguably of better build quality...and you will have the 1.4 50 for life with the option to manually touch up focus (which is awesome).  But for knocking around town with a lightweight, inexpensive piece of glass, this thing is really first rate.At some point I am sure to want to upgrade to another prime lens, but for now, while getting reacquainted with photography, this will be great.  I assume it will break within a year of shooting, and then I will consider the way to upgrade.
this has been one of the best purchases of my life. the videos look so sharp, the colors look great. I am very happy with it!
great price & great lens. I keep it on my camera 80% of the time. Highly recommended for any new photographers interested in buying a new lens.
This is an outstanding lens for the money. Very clear pictures! Just remember to use a tripod and keep in mind that the body is fragile.
I'm an amateur learning about photography and i use other people's reviews in order to find out what to buy when i'm lost.Because i live in a country where $100 is a lot of money i have to try to make the right choice for a low end budget so, back to the lens, it's a must have if you:- Are not rich (like me :-)- Want a multi purpose very sharp lens- Have a brand new baby and want very good photos indoor (f/1.8 !!!!) without the need to use a very baby disturbing flash!If you have money to burn, there's a f/1.4 version which is a lot better, but in my opinion you CAN'T have more sharpness under $100 than with this lenses... they are just great!
I bought this lens when I bought my XSi on the recommendation of a friend, who to be fair, did warn me that it was lightweight. Loved it when I first got it. Nice sharp shots, good color, so much faster than the kit lens that came with my XSi. It's nice and light, but that came at the price of durability - I'd had mine for about 4 months (and I shot about 1500-2000 shots with it - as I said, I loved it), but after going through airport security on the way to Chicago and having my bag searched and unpacked by TSA, the next morning the front came completely off when I tried to remove the lens cap. This particularly sucked because it was on my way out and not on my way home so I was one lens short for my whole trip.All that said, you can't find better performance at the price range. If you're looking for a starter prime lens, this is hard to beat. Yes, it's more fragile than the f1.4, but it's also less than a third of the price.If you'd like to see some shots I took at an outdoor concert with it, check [...]
This is a must have lens for still and video shooting. I shoot on a Canon 5D MK II and it creates beautiful images. It's compact yet sturdy. Highly recommended.
zooms all your shots really far in, not great for video (it has a really hard time focusing). We end up keeping this on our camera all the time now
No this isn't a perfect lens but it is pretty darned good.  You will see many others talk about build quality.  Yes this is not an L series lens nor is it even a USM lens.  Of course it cost a fraction of the price.  Given that, folks get real, this is a bargain.  If you are looking to experiment with a lens in this range that is relatively fast, go for it.  In a year or two if you want go ahead and upgrade to the USM or L.
This is the perfect lens for portraits and people pictures.  It has a nice large aperture that blurs out your background.  Don't be fooled into thinking that your zoom lens (which incorporates the 50mm focal length) can do what this lens does. And for the price, it's hard to beat.
I'm shooting amazing pictures with this lens. I think the only reason why Canon do not sell this one as his default lens is because nobody will buy another one! :-)
Ok, let's be honest. This lens feels like a toy. Its constructed cheaply, there's simply no way to dispute that. However, the results it produces are anything but cheap. The 50mm is closest to what your eye sees and, therefore, should be included in any photographer's camera bag. The Canon version of this lens performs wonderfully despite the construction issues. From my experiences with the lens, it performs well in low light and its sweet spot seems to be at about f/11. The focusing ring is a bit awkward, though. The lens itself isn't long and because of that, manually focusing doesn't feel quite as comfortable as it does on other lenses. I take a star away from it simply for the cheap construction. However, for the money, the lens will more than pay for itself and lives up to the quality results that we've all come to expect from Canon lenses.
Quick, light, and takes great photos. Glad to have this lens in my pack at any given time. Not a pro photographer so this lens was a good buy for me - inexpensive but gets the job done.
I received this lens as a Valentines Day present from my mom. Amazing huh? Yeah she's the best. But about the lens. I've been wanting a small aperture lens since I got my DSLR basically. So when I found this one, w/ that price, I knew I had to have it. I have my own photography business, and I've used this lens twice since I received it, and it's amazing. The pictures came out just like I wanted them, w/ a very shallow depth of field. I used it for an engagement session as well as a senior(graduating, not elderly lol) session, and I couldn't be happier.
So far this has worked great. I love how I can have a decent prime lens with this low of an f stop aperture setting for such an affordable price. Once you buy this lens you will want to take almost all of your pictures with it. The only drawback is you will like this lens so much that you will be constantly switching lenses since this prime lens is not great for anything requiring zoom or a wider angle (it is a prime lens afterall!) Great starter prime lens at a great price. Good overall value.
I should begin by saying that I rate products on the basis of their value proposition - do you get what you pay for when purchasing this item?In the case of this lens, the answer is "duh. absolutely."The "nifty fifty" or "plastic fantastic," as it is often called, is not going to win any awards in the "most intimidating L-series glass" category. It is a very ho-hum lens with rather boring looks and cheap construction. That being said, if you shoot Canon and do not have one of these in your bad, one of two things is probably true:A: You carry the 50 1.4 or 50 1.2B: You are crazy.This lens is a fantastic introduction to the various joys of shooting with prime lenses. It does not zoom. It does not have vibration control. It lacks any bells and whistles in many other lenses, all of which are vastly more expensive. What it does have is outstanding sharpness and an incredibly wide open aperture FOR THE PRICE. The quality of the images produced by this lens when compared to the various kit lenses available with Canon DSLRs is outstanding.When connected to a crop sensor (1.6x, i.e., everything but 1D and 5DII) camera, this lens shoots as though it were 80mm on a full frame, placing it directly in the portrait photography sweet spot. Having shot with the 85 1.2L, I can say that while the 50 1.8 is not the last word in sharpness or picture quality, it provides nearly 90% of the performance at 5% of the price - a starling value proposition.What do you lose for that 1900 or so dollars, i.e., what are the shortcomings of this lens?1. Bokeh-quality: this lens has a 5 blade aperture, rendering out of focus highlights into pentagonal shapes, rather than smooth circles. An upgrade to the 50 1.4 will only get you hexagonal OOF highlights - if you want the incredibly smooth circles, you need to step up all the way to the 50 1.2. That having been said, the large aperture of his lens can still liquify nearly any background with the use of minimall conscientious framing and focus.2. Build quality: it's the "plastic fantastic" for a reason. With the exception of the lens elements, this lens is constructed entirely of plastic. The mount, in particular, could provide cause for concern. Luckily, it's incredibly small and light, suggesting that there will be little stress on the mount. It isn't a super-telephoto. And if you break it, you can buy another.3. Absolutely top-end speed. A 1.2 lens is (give or take) a full-stop faster than a 1.8. Why should you care about this? I'll explain a bit more below...Why do you want this lens?1. It's FAST. Let's return to the stops mentioned above. At it's fastest, the EF-S 18-55 IS II kit lens has an aperture of 3.5. At a similar focal length (50mm) it is likely shooting at 5.6. That is three-and-a-quarter stops slower than the 1.8 is capable of shooting. This means that the 50 1.8 can use a shutter speed that is 8 times faster than the kit lens. Real world testing (conducted unscientifically as I sit here) confirms this - the same shot on the 18-55 is 8 times slower (1/8) a shot  on a 50 1.8 II (1/60). Why care? Camera shake matters, but image stabilization corrects much of this. It is worth remembering, though, that the best IS performance is only going to make up for 3-4 stops worth of shake, when they are working at their best. More importantly, no IS system is capable of making your subject hold perfectly still. If you want to nail that perfectly sharp portrait, you need speed!2. Depth of Field/Bokeh: A kit lens outside of wide angles is simply going to focus on a much deeper field than a wide-open prime. Why does that matter? True depth of field for this lens, mounted on a 1.6 crop body and focused on an object 10 feet away, is about eight inches, just enough for a face and most of a human head. Everything else will be pleasantly and softly out of focus, creating a high degree of emphasis on the subject of your photo. At 5.6, the same lens is going to create a depth of field of roughly 24 or 25 inches, letting a good deal more into the "sweet spot" of your photo. There are certainly photos where this is a good thing. But the amount of creativity that wide apertures allow a photographer is nearly endless.3. Sharpness. The fact of the matter is that prime lenses are sharper than zooms, or at least any zoom that wouldn't qualify as a ridiculous comparison to this lens. When you nail your focus and framing, the results are simply magical.4. Learning curves. This lens lacks IS. It is quite fast, meaning that it has a very shallow depth of field. You'll miss some shots as a result. You will also begin to learn some of the more fundamental and important skills that a photographer needs to produce beautiful images.That, more than anything, is why I think this is such a high-value proposition. For barely more than $100, you will be buying your first ticket into the world and art of honest-to-goodness photography, contrasted with the activity of taking pictures. Once you've had a taste, you'll probably be hooked, but the products are entirely worthwhile.
I got this for my wife for Christmas.  I don't know much about lenses, but this seems to take really good portraits.
This prime lens is really great. It works really well for portraits, along with other types of photos. A great quick point and shoot lens. Also, it gives great BOKEH (a photographer's fave ha). I recommend this lens. Just take care of it and don't be reckless and it'll last and continue to work for a long time.
This lens is fantastic, especially for my fiancee's food blogging.  It makes her subjects stand out against the background, especially in AV mode set to f1.8.  The fast shutter speed allows the subject to spring from the background, even if the background is in the same pot of stew!
I have had this lens for a couple of weeks and I love it. It is my third lens. My first was the kit 18-55mm f/3.5 that came with my Canon T2i and my second was a telephoto 75-300mm f/4. I don't know how I lived without this one for so long. I've taken low-light pictures of my family while looking at Christmas lights that turned out amazing as well as some interior candid photos of the family during our Christmas party. The depth of field is dramatic and the clarity is amazing without flash.
I am fairly new to photography, having just purchased an SLR about 3 months ago.  (canon digital rebel xti w/ 28 - 105mm lens).  I wanted to get into more macro photography, but didn't want to spend a whole lot of money before I knew if I liked it or not.  This lens fit the bill perfectly.It's a light weight prime lens that with the addition of a diopter set allows me to take some great macro shots.  The thing that really amazed me was how versatile it was.  I've actually used it for our product shots because the lens is incredibly crisp and sharp.  I can focus it much more sharply than the 28 -105 lens, picking up individual dots on printing.One note though, if you're going to do insect photography, this is not the lens for you.  The autofocus is incredibly loud, at least 10x louder than the ultrasonic focus on my other lens.  Other than that, it's great!
ive recently got into photography and wanted to upgrade from my stock lens kit that came with my canon rebel xti. this one seemed logic because of the price and for all the great reviews ive read on it. let me tell you, it will not dissapoint. awesome lens. very sharp, and it captures great quality pictures. amazing almost like macro features too. ever since ive bought it, i havent taken it off my cam. give it a try.
My wife enjoys this lens for her Canon.  It is a good portrait lens and takes good close up pics.
I used it twice and the front part of the lense separeted from the body. It was built under very low quality standards. It looks cheap and plastic.
Don't let the price or the plastic body fool you-- this is a great lens that takes great shots. I am still learning the ins and outs of shooting with a DSLR and this lens makes my shots look like a pro. The only complaint is having to zoom with you feet, so it's not as handy when taking group photos, but if you've got the patience to compose your subjects without the ability to zoom easily it's not an impossible feat. Worth every penny.
Wow what a lens.  For about $100 it takes some incredible portraits.  I added it to my Canon XSI and honestly I don't think we will need to take family photos at Sears anymore this lens is that good.
Yes it feels cheap, but the depth the pictures is amazing! The other con is that since it is a fixed lens, expect to be limited with the kinds of shots you can take. Otherwise, I am very happy I purchased.
Must have! Cheap, but great image quality. And you can't beat the artistry that you can add to your work with the increased level of light
wow! no need to use the Flash with this lens!  The difference is amazing from the standard f4.5 lens 15-55 to this f1.8 50mm lens.  It's a must have and at this price it's worth all the wonderful pictures you will get from it.  Don't wait to buy it!
This has quickly become my new favorite lens.  Great photos, perfect to be your day to day lens if you dont need zoom.
I've had this for a day or two and snapped some pics and was extremely impressed with the IQ on my XSi.  All the reviews are correct that this is a very sharp lens.  I'm sure it'll take some nice action shots and portraits of the kid.  At f/1.8 it does soak up the light too.I compared it to 50mm on my Canon 17-85mm and to 70mm on my Canon 70-300mm and it is way sharper.  I know that's not scientific and I just used the LCD to view the pics, but it's pretty obvious this thing has some nice optics.It does look and feel like a toy, but I knew that and no loss of points for that.  It's so tiny and all plastic'y, but I will use my kid gloves with it.  If you are curious, just buy it.  If I were going to use this thing a lot and not be too careful, I'd probably splurge for the 50mm f/1.4 since it's more rugged with a metal mount, but for the price of this one, as someone said, I could buy 4 of these for the price of the f/1.4.
It works great! It is just what I was looking for. I am totally an amateur and this lens is so easy. I don't think I will be paying a professional to photograph my kids again any time soon.
Great value for the money.  The lens is very sharp at all apertures, and focuses quickly & accurately.  The focus motor is a little noisy, and the manual focus ring is a little small for my fingers but for $60.00 you can not beat this lens.
Build quality - just OKManual focus switch - very stiffAutofocus speed - just OKLens flare - some night shots with bright lights will require more hardware and/or editing laterLens getting stuck on body - no problems with Rebel or 40DBokeh - pretty much awesome all the time, web reviews can fill you in on the minor shortcomingsIf you don't have a lens that already does what this does, then either get the 1.4 version or this one.  Either way, you will grow as a photographer!
Sharp, sharp, sharp!  Auto-focus is a little klunky and noisy, but quite acceptable and accurate on my Digital Rebel XT.  Bokeh is smooth except the five-blade diaphragm makes bright highlights in the background pentagon shaped and they look a little funky sometimes.  I bet this thing doesn't last a year, but I'll happily buy another one in a year if this thing falls apart.  The f/1.4 is better but in some subtle ways, and I can't justify the price difference being an amateur photographer.  If I was a pro, I would certainly get the f/1.4 since I'm sure this baby will pick just the wrong moment to fail catastrophically.At f/1.8, the depth of field is razor thin if your subject is up close, so don't shoot wide open if shooting portraits and you want the whole face in focus.  Otherwise you will focus on the tip of their nose and their eyes will be out of focus...  (at f/1.8 with the subject 3ft away depth of field is less than an inch.)This is a great portrait lens especially for candid: its a very small, unobtrusive lens, but its also kind of a one-trick pony to me, particularly on a dSLR with a crop factor; it is the equivalent of an 80mm lens on a Digital Rebel with its 1.6 crop factor.Update 2012:  Whelp, color me surprised, this thing is still holding together.  I don't use it all the time but I did not expect it to last 5 years.
This lens is a fantastic value. It is plastic and doesn't feel nearly as good as other lenses, but when push comes to shove it does its job very well for a very low price. (The auto focus is noisy, but not prohibitively so.)My wife and I are about to have our first baby so budget is a concern-- because of this lens I will be able to take sharp pictures without a flash at a price we can afford.
I love this lens, it does great for portraits and I use it when my kids are playing around in the yard too.  Its super fast and sharp.  Produces nice bokeh if wanted!!
I love this lens.  This lens is fast (meaning, a low F-stop .... meaning allows in more light) for such a low price.  50mm is a surprisingly versatile focal range (well maybe, range is the wrong word since its fixed).  The bokeh is beautiful.  You'll take crisp, well lit, true to life photos requiring not much more than a lamp.  I keep the flash off with this lens and the pictures are great.
Everyone knows this lens.  For the price and image quality, every Canon SLR should own one.  Whether you use it every day or once in a blue moon, it costs nothing (compared to the rest of your kit), takes up little space and adds virtually no weight.  It's also a cheap entry into fast lenses.
Excelente calidad de imagen por el precio, a este precio no exigan motores ultrasonicos, ni mejor calidad del cuerpo, pagas lo que obtienes, pero en este caso obtienes mas de lo que pagas.
This is the best begginer Lens I have bought. People have been complementing my pictures left and right. Highly recommend
Bought to replace one that was &#34;stolen&#34; I love this lens and use it often. Would recommend it for all Canon users.
I fully enjoyed this lens (which is crystal clear up to wide angle landscape and down to quite close-up macro shots) and then paired it with the Raynox DCR 250 Snap-On for exceeding tight shots.  Both of these are very reasonable and VERY satisfactory.  I'm pretty sure I'm in love.
It Works as profisses. A necessary Lens for a basic kit. If you want to have a minimal Photography kit, Buy it!
I am no camera expert but this has to be easily the best thing that Ive bought all year and next to my t2i. I thought that I was doing something wrong with my photo's then I bought this lens. This lens is bringing tears to my eye's right now I literally felt compelled to right this review in hindsight of the last picture that just came out of my camera. Everyone who owns a Canon DSLR  needs to buy this lens or at least buy a 50mm to start with. Forget complaints about the construction I forgot it was plastic the second it was on my camera. Besides you taking snap shots of family not marching through a war zone. The only cons I can only think of right now is that I didn't buy this a year ago when it was cheaper and I began thinking about my first canon DSLR. Now stop thinking about it and add this your cart now and thank me later.
As with anything is photography, you get what you pay for. This lens is great for the price though, it offers great picture quality and sharp pictures time after time. The construction is one of the only massive drawbacks on this camera.. It is made of cheap plastics that, if you're not careful, will break. If you can be gentle then I would say go for it. If not, then maybe you should save up a few extra hundred and spring for the 50mm 1.4 or even the 1.2 if you really have patience.. All in all though, I haven't taken this lens off my camera since getting it. I love it.
I'm so glad I got this lens. I feel inspired to try a variety of techniques with the great range of bokeh this lens provides. I'm a beginner "photo hobbyist" and I've only taken a couple hundred shots with this lens. Without a doubt this lens has made my hobby that much more fun. Had the lens for about a week now and I can only hope and knock on wood that all the negative reviews don't prove to be true for me, but I will certainly be back to give my 2cents if anything does go wrong. Great starter lens for low budgets. I can't give more than 4 stars simply because its not the f/1.2 lens, but great bang for the buck.
This lens has an attractive price.  It is light weight and performs ok.  If the available light is good enough, or I am using strobes I would prefer to use the EF 17-40 f4.  If I find myself needing a fast 50mm I'll look at the EF 50 f1.4 or EF 50 f1.2.  Those last lenses are a little more pricey, so this lens has its place for sure.
You get what you pay for, great product for the price. If you have a little more cash I'd buy their prime 50mm lens, if you don't this works just fine.
I absolutely LOVE this lens. I have about 15 larger and smaller non-Canon lenses and I use this the most. It's so versatile and I am able to use it in most situations that don't call for a special lens. Obviously no lens is perfect for every situation, but this is great lens to always have with you because I find myself returning to it again and again. The low aperture setting makes for some beautiful bokeh and fantastic looking shots, and since it's such a fast lens the low light capabilities are wonderful! I do wish the focus ring was more in the middle than in the front edge of the lens, because I use this on a DSLR shoulder rig with a follow focus for film making and if I don't fit the focus ring on the lens just right it can slip off, but it's usually held in place by the matte box on the front of my rig. Overall, very happy with this purchase. If something were to happen to this lens, I would buy another in a heartbeat, I love it THAT much! I don't think any photographer or filmmaker should be without this in their lens kit!
I know there's a f/1.4 prime lens out there for considerably more $, but this f/1.8 for ~$100 is perfect for most and a downright steal when you find out how professional your pictures look. I own a Rebel T3 and this lens is my main lens. It forces you to be more creative since there's no zoom. For the price, you HAVE to get this lens. Focusing can be a bit slow sometimes but it's never bothered me.I'll just echo everything else that's been said: it's a great lens. It's priced right and its results can be phenomenal. I highly recommend this. It makes the perfect gift if someone you know recently got a DSLR!
This is my all- around go to lens.  For an amateur...this lens rocks.  I rarely use any other lens...especially for candid portraits.  I think that if canon included this lens with their entry level dslrs...they would have a problem selling any additional lenses.  I don't have anything else to say that already hasn't been said about this lens.  for 100 dollars....nothing even comes close.
I elected 5 stars based on the value for the price you get with this lens.  Fast focusing and great for low light conditions (f/1.8).  The build seems below average as it feels like a toy, but I can't complain for what I paid for it.
If you judge by the price you can be mislead, but this little lens is very powerful wether you are a beginner or a pro. An awesome upgrade from the kit lens. The built quality is a bit fragile but sturdy at the same time, easy to use -snap on and get started shooting.The picture quality is beyond great and the bokeh style images you'll be able to have is only limited to your creativity. If you think the f/1.4 is a bit too much for you then this is your solution.Perfect value, beyond any expectation.
I use a Canon XTI, and have been looking for a good (and affordable) portrait lens.  I teetered about this lens for several months before finally ordering it.  I read all the reviews on Amazon, as well as researched this lens on the web.  Money IS an object for me, as I am getting my business off the ground.  My lens arrived this week. I didn't have a chance to put it on my camera until today.  All I can say is WOW!  Despite it's "cracker-jack prize" plastic feel, this lens takes a killer picture.I shot cheerleading portraits of my daughter this afternoon, and I have to say, these are the best shots I've taken, yet.  Impressive for a lens so inexpensive.I also spoke with a fellow professional last week, after having ordered this lens, and he said he loved his; had another on order, because it fell out of his pocket & came apart in two pieces when it hit the ground, but loves the lens in spite of its plastic construction.I would recommend this lens to anyone on a budget.  My advice, though?  Be careful & don't drop it. (But I'm extra careful with all my lenses, and don't see this being a problem.)
lightweight, fast, clear, sharp images.  Used for events & headshots, the only limitation is the fixed focal length.
This is a good and very inexpensive lense and everyone should get it. It takes pretty good pictures & you won't regret.
What can I say about this lens?  Well......Let me say this.  Ever since I bought this lens, this is the only lens I use for the portrait shots.So easy to use. The only thing you have to do is to change the aperture per number of people.  Remember, it's pretty much wide open and at 50mm fix focal length, so, when you shoot more than two people, even if they stand back to back, one of them will be much blurry.  Here's what my experience told me:1.8: 1 person2.0: 2 people side by side2.5: 2 people back to back2.8: 3-5 peopleYou don't really have to buy the 50mm f/1.4.  This lens will do the same job.  The only thing you won't like is the lack of USM and makes this lens a bit noisy.  Other than this, this is perfect.
This is a portrait lens and you need it for portraits. It is a huge difference compared to other lens.
Firstly, everyone should have a 50mm lens, either F/1.8 or the more expensive F/1.4.I didn't have the money to buy the 1.4 so I bought this. It does feel very cheap and &#34;plasticy&#34;. But, the pictures are amazing! Its so much fun to takes pictures with this lens. Its obviously fast at auto-focusing and is very sharp because of the F1.8 You won't regret this purchase.
This is the first prime lens I've bought and it just blows me away at how beautiful it is.  Although it's not an L series lens, it's an amazing entry level prime lens and at a very affordable price.  The construction is much better than the kit lenses that came with my cameras but it's not quite the build quality of the L series canon lenses.  Other than that, it's a great entry level prime lens at a great affordable price.
I can take the same pictures with this lens as I could with the 18-55mm lens that came with my camera. I thought it would be nice to have a fixed lens but I was incorrect.
This in now my favorite lens, EVER!  I love the pictures this lens takes.  It blurs out the backgrounds perfectly - great for portraits and still life images.  I'm very detail oriented when it comes to photography so this lens is ideal for that.
My wife so excited about getting a new camera and all the accessories that go with it. Everything was in wonderful shape!
I am shooting with a Canon Rebel T1i, a cropped body, not a full frame camera. For a cropped body, I definitely recommend this lens.I purchased this after purchasing the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 lens, which is of higher quality I feel (and also a bit more expensive), but hard to use on a cropped body since it makes the image appear much closer than this 50 mm counterpart. The 85 mm was also a little heavier and felt like it had a more solid build than this 50 mm, but the images are still great on this one, so it doesn't bother me that much.For a cropped body, the 50 mm is perfect though. I can still shoot indoors and get quite a bit of my subject inside the frame. I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it once I get a full frame camera though, since I'll have to get significantly closer to the subject in order to get the same shots. We'll have to wait and see, but I would definitely recommend this to anyone shooting with a cropped body!!
Was debating to get the 1.4 but instead got this lens because the f/stop isn't that much different but the cost was.  I specifically bought this lens for my 5DII and am very happy with it because the images are surprisingly sharp.  The lens's body is all plastic and is VERY light indeed.  It feels like a toy but it's a very capable lens.  The motor is on the noisy side compared to the higher end lenses but is acceptable.  I've read the bad reviews and noticed the dates are from a while back (first generation lens?) and most of them complain because it broke apart when the lens was dropped thus giving it a poor rating, go figure.  Do I recommend this lens?  Absolutely!
Over all the lens has good result compared to the price it has to offer.Its made of cheap plastic, and it feels cheap when holding. TypicallyCannon has very expensive lens. If you have a Cannon 60 D, please don'tthink twice and make this purchase! The results are mind blowing.For those who have Cannon Rebel T2i (550D), due to the crop factor issueit might not give the same quality results. !!
I'll start off by saying I'm no pro.  I don't know if I would even call myself much of an amateur, what I am is a recreational photographer.  I take pictures of my kitties when they're being adorable, photograph my various arts and crafts projects to keep a record of them and take my camera with me to parties and on vacations.  Though I have taken photography classes I don't aspire to be Ansel Adams; my estimation of a good photo is one I would make my computer desktop background(High praise, indeed) ;^)With all that said, I bought the Canon 50mm f/1.8 for its low light capabilities, it's sharpness and in hopes that on an upcoming vacation I could get some wicked photos of the night sky and constellations in the southern hemisphere.  My first camera had only a fixed 50mm lens and this brought back great memories of my high school photography class.With the goal of being able to take night-sky photos, I took the camera down the street to a park one night and set it up on my tripod and started snapping away.  This camera has such an ability to pick up light that, when turned on the park grasses with only stret lamp light a block away and the camera stopped down to a -2 exposure the grass was still burnt out in the photo!  I had to reduce exposure time to 2 seconds to get a good photo of the grasses and if I went above 10 to 15 second exposure times on the sky the city lights would burn out all the stars in the sky! (Though I live in a pretty populated metropolitan suburb, and, sidenote, be sure to remove the lens cap before taking photos - ah, the lessons we learn...)I took it to the state fair recently, it's first official outting, and was generally happy with it. It was lightweight - much more so than my 75-300mm zoom lens and a little more so than the 18-55mm lens that comes with the Rebel XS - so it was easy to carry, which I liked. The barns are usually pretty dark and glary because of the bright sunlight outside but I was able to get good exposures of the animals, even after I realized I had my camera stopped down to a -1 exposure (oops!).  Some of the photos turned out a tiny bit dark but that can easily be corrected in a photo editing program and none of the photos I kept were so bad I had to edit them before posting them to facebook.The auto-focus did have a little trouble picking up what I was trying to focus on at times, but in the process of tyring to get it to focus I did manage to get a very blurry photo demonstrating the pentagonal/hexagonal bokeh (the blur effect).  This was the only photo I got that had noticable "not round" bokeh in it, in all my other photos the backgrounds are nice and soft.  I also had a little trouble focusing when I was taking photos of the night sky, though that has partially to do with the fact that the screen was ruining my night vision looking through the view finder (need to figure out how to turn it off...) and the weird, skyward angle of my camera on the tripod.  Auto-focus is also kind of loud when it's hunting around but not unacceptable when it's making smaller corrections.A quick aside on the focal depth, I was playing around with the lens when I first received it in the mail and taking photos of my cats (a notoriously difficult task with the best of lenses) and got a photo of my kitty's eyes, sharp as a tack at f/1.8, and noticed even on the screen of the camera I could see his ears were beginning to blur and his nose was ever so slightly beginning to blur.  That's the depth of the f/1.8 stop!  An exciting prospect, but also a warning if you autofocus has the kind of sense of humor mine does - use your imagination on that one. =^PBecause I have a Canon Rebel XS, the 50mm lens is actually more like a 75mm (because of the sensor inside the camera the actual focal length of the lenses is 1.6x its advertised focal length) which I found a little limiting when trying to take photos of my family with the animals at the fair - I couldn't get back far enough to get the animal and person in the photo with a nice composition, but hey, that's what you get with a fixed lens.  It's also a bummer that it takes 52mm filters and my other two lenses take 58mms but that's a matter of buying a $5 converter ring.My last main critique of the lens would be that I would have really appreciated if Canon had included Image Stabalization in this lens.  I don't know if that's only something they put in the zoom lenses (the $400 50mm f/1.4 lens also doesn't have IS) but it would have saved my bacon when I was photographing the equestrian drill teams at the fair where the light is even worse than in the barns and the action really fast - I couldn't get freeze-frame shots very often, but again, that may have more to do with my abilities than the lens.  It also would have been really helpful with the kids and piglets and baby cows that like to move around a lot more than the older animals do.Overall, though, I think it's a good lens to get for the beginning photographer interested in the fixed 50mm lens, or the amateur not willing to pay $400 for the better build quailty and slightly lower f-stop.  Great to get for your kids if they are taking a photography class (I'd say a must for anyone in a photography class!) because of the price point.  Keep in mind the sensor/1.6x focal length issue and see if your camera also has this feature - not hugely limiting but something to be aware of in general.  I'm very satasfied with my purchase, knowing that I didn't get the deluxe lens my expectations have been met so far.  It's good for my purposes, is a great low-cost lens and, my own limitations not withstanding, you can do some amazing photography with it if you know even a little about photography!
For the price this lens is GREAT. Beautiful photo quality. My son broke ours by dropping it on the cement, and after doing some research I came back to this one again.
If you're on a pretty tight budget but looking to upgrade from the kit lens, DO IT. Yes, it's plastic. Yes, it's fragile. And yes, the auto focus is loud and searches in low light.But this lens only cost 100 bucks. I bought it on Tuesday and it got to me by Thursday. Can't beat that with a stick!The quality of the build is not that great, however, if you're a photographer who is into better quality gear, you'll probably want to invest in the 1.4 or even the 1.2.
I bought this because I wanted a 50mm lens, but being a poor college student, I couldn't afford the 1.4! So far, I love this lens! The picture quality and depth of field are great. However, I do agree with others who say that the build is cheap. The lens casing is plastic and I imagine it would break very easily, so you gotta be careful with it. The autofocus is really noisy too, WAY noisier than any of my other lenses. So there are a few aspects of this lense that I am less than thrilled with, but I'll think of it this way...It takes great pictures and it's cheap! If you can afford the 1.4, I'd say go for it, but if you don't have that much cash right now, this baby will do you good!
Works well, haven't had any issues.  I haven't been using it that long but so far it's given me decent results.  Still learning how to properly use the camera but this is a good lens for the price
If you're wanting to buy a prime lens, this is a good first lens to get. Very affordable, very good results.
This lens was suggested to me by a friend & I'm so happy I got it!  It almost never leaves my camera!  It's a great little lens & produces nice sharp photos.
I love this lens.  It takes great photos and is nice and compact.  The lower f stop is really nice and allows it to take great photos.
It feels sturdy enough to me, despite other reviews saying it's plastic-y and cheap feeling.  A great price for a first non-kit lens.
I enjoyed the lens, but I decided to return it and upgrade to the 50mm f1.4 which is the lens I always use. I am glad that I decided to upgrade to the better one.
I love this lens. I also adore the price! That was the main reason why I decided to try it out. I've always wanted a lens that was able to have a blurred background, with a f-stop of 1.8, it works wonders.
The lens was great.  Very clear and very nice shallow depth of field.  My only complaint has nothing to do with the lens but the camera itself.  I was hoping this lens would be a good all around lens.  But since my slr has a 1.6 magnification (canon xti), i find myself backing up A LOT with this lens because my subject is just too close.  By the time I get far back to get my whole subject (i.e. a person from head to toe) in frame, i feel disconnected from the subject.  I'm so far away and anyone could easy cut in front of my without knowing... I'll still keep the lens but I wished I got a different one as my first lens (besides the kit).
...there's basically no reason not to own it.The fact that it's only around 100 makes the decision easy: If you don't know what lens to buy next and you don't have a macro? this is the one.Even without the ability to zoom, it's pretty hard to regret at this price - and it'll do its job beautifully!!
Decent fast glass for beginner/intermediate use. It is plastic- but I used it for years and sold it for what I paid. If you are serious, you'll want to move up to higher quality- but I think it is sharper than the f1.4 at 3x the price.  The f/1.2 is by far the sharpest though, but you'll drop a few grand on that fine piece of glass.
If this were a kit lens, Canon would be selling far more units! I use my 50mm on my Canon 6D (though this will also work with crop sensor cameras as well--you just won't get the full 35mm full-frame equivalent). People start depending on zoom lenses to get &#34;that perfect shot&#34;, and they forget that the eye and the feet really are the makers of the shot; this prime lens is perfect for street photography, day photography, night photography, portraiture, and so much more.  It's very versatile with a great max aperture, and I see almost ZERO vignetting (though for me as a photographer, I prefer adding them in post-processing so it wouldn't bother me in the first place). No reflections, glare etc. unless you're shooting into direct light or with reflective items, which will make your shots more creative. This lens also has a manual focus option in case you're working with stationary objects and a tripod. Shooting small objects will be a challenge due to the 18-inch focal distance, but if you have a camera with a large amount of megapixels this won't be a problem since you can crop (plus this lens wasn't made for macro). Despite this fact, the camera has AMAZING bokeh and I would choose it any day for portraiture over a telephoto zoom. Make this a must-have in your camera bag!
This is a great lense for the price.  Quick lense with amazing picture quality. I adore the images I get from this lense.
I bought my first DSLR (Canon Rebel T2i) in November 2010.  This is the first lens (outside of the kit lenses) I've purchased for my camera and I'm pleased.It took me a while to get used to the fixed focal length - you have to move your body because the lens won't move.  I find that I need to stand further away from people than normal to compose a portrait, but the image quality is worth it.I mainly purchased this lens for food photography and I'm very happy with the results.  It performs well in natural light and low light, so it's great for food on my table at home or in a restaurant.  It also creates that "out of focus backround" (bokeh) very well.I'm still learning about DSLR photography, but between reading books and purchasing this lens, my photos are much improved. You can't beat the price.  I recommend this lens if you're just starting out and you want to have some versatility in your camera bag.
arrived in 2 days! product is brand new, no wear whatsoever. Lens is clean and it twists on and works perfect. Thanks!
Seriously, just buy it. It's crazy cheap and will shoot 99% of what you need to shoot, flawlessly. It's build quality is a little cheap, but the price is so low, you can just buy a new one if you are that rough on gear. I've had mine for a few years and had no issues.I use it all the time for portraits, family snaps, vacations, random street photography, etc. it is so light and small, you never get bothered by the weight as compared to other lenses. Really the only thing I need to switch lenses for is sports and landscapes. I've got a lot of glass, but this really is the workhorse. Bump up to the 1.2L or 1.4 if you've lots of cash to burn, but this lens will destroy any other lens you own.The other 50mm variants focus faster and are built better, but this lens will still take the same photo as those other two.
I like having this fast lens in my camera bag for low light situations. The focusing leaves a lot to be desired, especially if your use to usm ring focus lenses. The built quality is low, but what do you expect for a sub $80 lens. I could post pictures and rave about the dof but most of the other reviews have covered that. All in all great bang for your buck.
At around $80 to get a f1.8 lens is just great and on top of that this lens can produce some great images. Now the quality of this lens isn't close to other Canon lenses, this is cheaply made and feels almost like a toy. On a nice DSLR this lens looks comically small, however if you stop it down a bit, you can end up with some sharply focused images and still have some great background blur. Because I have the 85mm 1.8 I rarely use this lens, but am still glad I got it for when 85mm is actually too much magnification. Worth picking up if portraits or possibly product photography interests you.
Canon produces three non-macro 50mm lenses: The f/1.8 (this lens), af/1.4 USM, and thef/1.2 L USM (prime).  If you're in the market for a really high-end 50mm, then you're likely only reading this review for sport.I've now tried both this lens and the f/1.4.  The f/1.4 is a terrific lens, without a doubt.  This lens focuses slower than the 1.4, and is obviously less sensitive when shooting in low light.  That said, it performs quite well for me, both indoors and out.Generally speaking, it makes a great portrait/candid lens.  You can fill the frame without having to crawl on top of your subject(s).  Bokeh is good.  Colors are bright when shooting outdoors and/or with decent lighting.  Indoors, I've been producing some very cool shots at ISO 400/800.If you're looking for a daily shooter that you can leave on the body and not worry about, this lens might be the one.  Buy it, use it, beat it up, break it and you can replace it with three more before you match the price that you would have paid for a single f/1.4.
I use this lens for photographing my daughters basketball games. For the price this is a great lens. I put my ISO to 1600 and my speed ranges from  300 to 400. The only thing I wished is that I could have found a wider angle lens like a 35mm with the same f-stop because sometime 50mm is too much
This is a great starter lens because its so light weight and is good for portraits - gives you a nice 'bokeh' or blurry background. Its also a low-light lens so its versatile- its not a zoom lens so great for small intimate spaces etc. I had to return this lens only because it was very close to my 24-70mm lens I already had with my camera, and if i were to purchase another 50mm, it would need to be the 1.4 or 1.2L instead of this 1.8 but still a great lens. and the seller did a great job packaging the item as well. Would purchase from them again
This lens is awesome. Just be sure that you're steady when you take the shot and it can give you phenomenal photos.
For anyone who doesn't want to buy an expensive 50mm lens, this is a good choice for start to learn how to take a photo with 50mm lens with 1.8F. The focus speed is good in normal light but in the low light it needs more accuracy point. The voice of the focus is not very quite. Please note that if you use it with crop DSLR the focal length would be longer than 50mm. I like it. It's cheap. recommend it.
Becomes my favorite lens very, very,  Sharpe  and great in low light I heard about it but I proved it for myself this lens make you rock.
This lens is not particularly versatile but is awesome at what it does - particularly sports like volleyball where I can be 20 feet from my subject.  If my subject is at the correct range and I get the focus right, I get an amazing shot.  I also get a lot of terrible shots when I miss the focus.
I'm a student photographer and I bought this lens to break free of my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 that came in the kit with my rebel XTi. I love low light shooting as much as I love natural lighting, so this is a great lens for me. Since the lens is so low profile, I find I'm even able to get away with taking shots as slow as 1/3rd of a second. Yes, the lens is made of mostly plastic but I take care of my camera equipment and I haven't had any problems in the month I've been using it so far. Bottom line, great lens, could have been built a little more sturdy but that doesn't take away from the image quality.
I use this lens with a Canon T2i. I have the 18-55mm kit lens but I enjoy using this 50mm f1.8 a lot. Be aware the the depth of field is vary narrow at low f settings. Also, the T2i (1.6 crop) will turn this lens into something like a 80mm. I shot some aquarium animals at about 2 feet at f1.8 and discovered that I only had about 1/4 inch DOF. At the maximum focus range this thing rocks. My hands shake a little, so I try not to shoot anything, hand held, under 1/500 shutter speed. This is MY lens for that. Low light without flash, very good results. Highly recommended by this amateur photo guy. :)
This is a great lens. I have only had it for a few days, and have already learned so much about using my camera. It is small and compact, and will make going out in the city to take pictures much easier than it was before with the bulky kit lens.
This lens takes very, very high-quality photos.  The color/contrast is amazing, and there is no pixellation or anything!!!!  I bought this lens 6 months ago as a backup lens, and I never used it.  About a month ago, I looked this lens up and saw the great reviews, so I tried it again and I was floored.  As an amateur 13-year-old photographer, this lens is great (for me), especially as I have a limited budget.Pros:Great quality photosGood autofocusVery lightCons:No zoomI hope this helps.
I bought this lens specifically because I had an opportunity to attend my first boxing event and needed a fast, low-light lens. This lens was highly recommended.  When I received lens I took a few test shots and discovered the lens not as sharp as I had expected based on the comments in the evaluations.  The kit lens on my Canon T2i was much sharper.Several days after lens arrived I attended the event.  Still in the first round of the first match, camera in the continuous shooting mode, I got a notice saying communication problem between lens and camera, clean the lens contacts. I removed the lens, wiped off the contacts, assembled camera and lens and resumed shooting.  Almost immediately another notice and another cleaning.  One more notice and cleaning and the camera stopped working.  My only solution was to use the kit lens and the result, as I feared, is no useful shots.  Everything is pitch black as though the event was taking place at midnight on a very dark night.The photos that I managed to take with the 50mm before it stopped working aren't bad.  Because I was trying to shoot at 400 or 500 to stop the action in limited light, they are somewhat dark but this can be corrected in Photoshop Elements.  There is also some blurriness of the sort I experienced with the first test shots, but I attribute this to a defect in this lens. What I am saying is that this lens seems to have been a good choice for my purpose, but because it was defective I am giving this lens only 1 star.Lens is being returned to Amazon.I have ordered a lot from Amazon over the years and always read the evaluations first.  Invariably, no matter how many 4 and 5 star ratings are given a product, there are at least a couple from people disappointed because product was defective.  This seems to have been my turn to be one of those people.
Great fixed lens for portraits. Very nice to have in the camera bag for photo shoots and headshots!! Recommend it
This is a fantastic lens for the digital rebel enthusiast, and any other camera that can take a canon mount EF lens.  This review covers usage with a digital SLR, since the resulting images are different with a digital.  The quality of a real PRIME lens is stunning compared to a zoom model, and definitely a huge step up from the 18-55mm kit lens.  If you like to photograph PEOPLE in low light or indoor situations, you need this lens.  I found the best results shooting in AV, opened up to around F2.2.  Low noise even at ISO1600.  Indoor portraits are phenomenal.  You will get used to stepping back to fit people in, and it's worth it.  You'll also learn a lot more about your camera settings than when shooting with a zoom.Others have complained about the plastic mount.  I've used it extensively and change lenses often, and it's still holding up like new.
I purchased a lens and filter. They charged me for the filter that was supposed to be a gift and the packaging consisted of two of the air filled bags in a box that should have had 4 at a minimum to keep things from bouncing around. The air bags arent shaped to stop things from flopping around. Where's the peanuts? Frankly I'm amazed it even works at all. When you get a box with a lens in it it doesn't make you happy to hear things rattling around in it. I'll have to try it now a week to make sure all the features work.  But I'll never know if the life has been shortened or when it stops a 3 months later if packaging was the problem and I'll have to pay for the return. I will never order something fragile again from these people.
What can I say?  This nifty-fifty is so adored by many photographers.  with it's low price, everyone pretty much has one in his or her camera bag.  It produces stunning photos with awesome bokeh.This one is actually my second one.  The first one rolled out of my camera bag and landed two feet below, into two pieces.  It happen right in front of my client, just prior to a head-shot photo shoot.Fortunately, it is affordable to replace.  I highly recommend it.
This lens lives on my T1i the low light performace is great and the clarity is great. Well woth the price.
Takes great pictures in low lightGreat field depth in this cameraVery small and easy to carry around with you!
Nice f1.8 prime lens. Can't beat price for performance. This lens is light but has great glass. Auto focus operates much faster when you use the central focus sensor and shut down the peripheral sensors. Lens does not feel like a toy as many reviewers state. Lightness has nothing to do with quality when buying a lens or any portable electronic equipment. Superficial looks are less important than the guts of a lens. Indeed this lens is built economically but in your hand it feels compact and solid. I cannot hear any jiggling of internal parts. If you take good care of your equipment this lens should have no problem serving your low light shooting needs for a long time. On a 1.6 cropped sensor body this 50mm lens yields you  an equivalent 80mm of focal length which is great for portrait shooting. Cost to performance can't be beat. I highly recommend this lens!
wow..just....wow, this is my favourite lens thus far. I currently own a rebel xt for over 1 1/2 years now, and had been using the stock lens and a tamron 28-80mm, my love for photography was slowly dying as i found most of my pictures to be soft and lacking ( requiring photoshop often). I bought this lens because of its cheap price and was simply amazed by the quality. this lens is perfect for porfraits and almost all situations going all the way to 1.8f. i love this lens although the build quality isnt all that good. would recommend to beginners to buy the body of the dslr and this lens to start off. get rid of the stock lens. This brings out the true quality of the rebel xt and xti.
I LOVE THIS LENS!!! It has now become my go to lens. I use it for everything, especially portraits. If you don't already own this lens, you need to. Before you buy any other lens, get this one!
This lens rocks, and the price is unbeatable. I will upgrade to the 1.4 because the bokeh is just not enough at times, but for a 1.8 it just can't get any better. I've seen reviews complaining about the plastic nature of the lens, I don't see the disadvantage of it, honestly. I've had it for a year already and used it many many times as my main lens and can't be happier.
This is absolutley worth the price. Now I take most of my photos in Av mode, without flash, with beautiful results. It's like owning a new camera. The standard kit lens only stops down to 4 - 5.6. With a stop down to 1.8 the options increase signficantly.
I HAVE SEEN THIS LENSE IN ACTION, BELIEVE ME YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.  THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST LENSE FOR THE PRICE.HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT...HIGHLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JESUS LOVES YOU...JOHN 3:16
i dont think i need to say anymore about this lens. its perfect. light fast, great dept of field. just a little noisy
Great lens for the money. Quality optics and IQ. Build quality is not so good but the lightness of the lens offsets it.
Some reviewers commented about the build quality of this lens.I agree it is a little light and flimsy-feeling but it's held together well and I've been using it quite a lot.Now, on to what matters! The images from this lens are beautiful! at f/1.8 max. aperture it's wonderful for using natural light indoors - the resulting images have been warm and saturated. Sure Canon offers F/1.4 and 1.2 versions that are much sturdier etc.  but it's the price that makes this one a winner.  It doesn't cost a lot to "check out" this lens and I haven't been disappointed. There are times that I wish it were a zoom, but I've gotten used to just backing up or moving closer. And consider, a comprable zoom in this range would either be much slower, or faaarrr more expen$ive. And even then you'd be hard pressed to find a zoom that's as sharp.I recommend it to anyone in the novice to avid-amateur status range. Snooty pros and people with unlimited budgets please disregard my humble advice (until I become one of you - preferably the unlimited budget thing . . . ) at that time my reviews may be of value to even you.
Though the lens body feels cheapy (and is a cheap lens) and very light weight due to the plastic body, the quality of photos you'll get from this lens is amazing. That's because this lens offers such larger aperture at f/1.8, and it creates such wonderful blur or bokeh in the background. It's cheap plastic body has its advantage - great for traveling! Its size is small enough to put it in your pocket as a second lens, and you don't have to worry about it too much as it's $100+. I got mine less than $100, so I'm not nervous wreck to haul this lens around with me all the time.50mm is also a versatile focal length, great for landscape and portraits. Only thing for those who used to zoom lens is that you'll have to use your feet as zoom and actually position yourself to achieve the focal length you want.Next level you can go is the 50mm f/1.4, and I did upgrade to that after I found out the power of 50mm lens. Although I LOVE the bit larger aperture of the lens, I was pretty happy with f/1.8 version, and I don't see why you'll have to upgrade when your budget is tight.I would say this is a must lens for every camera bag. You won't be sorry!!
I have the Canon t3i and wanted a lens that was affordable and could produce the bokeh effect. After doing much research, this was the right one for me. I know that they have the 50mm 1.4 and 1.2, butthey weren't in my budget. This is my first dslr camera, so I feel that as I am still learning about photography, this is fine. When I know more and feel ready for another lens, then I will invest in the next one that will suit my needs. I highly recommend this one if you are just getting started.
but i wish i had listened to many of the commenters ... spend the extra money and get the 1.4i borrowed my friends 1.4 for a wedding i was atcompared the photos between the two as well as my 'experience' using the lens, the 1.4 is just so much easier to use (especially in low light when focusing)maybe i can sell this to someone for 80ish and get the 1.4
I very recently purchased the Canon EOS Rebel T3... and let me tell you, I was disappointed in the photo quality with the original lens that it came with. I decided to purchase this lens because a close friend of mine is good at photography and has this lens. I LOVE IT! It made me love my camera also... The pictures come out looking crisp and professional even though I'm an amateur. THIS IS ONE OF MY BEST LENS. Seriously, get it. Definitely worth the price. YOU will NOT be disappointed. GET IT! You wont regret it... at least I didnt :) I'm very happy with this purchase. Here's one of the pics I took w this lens :) [...]
this is a great lens for what its worth.recommended... amatuer to experts.
First, if you buying a prime lens for the first time - be sure you know how to use one.With an aperture this big, you will be able to create the soft background that is highly desired in portrait/macro photography.  While this lense is not a "macro" per say, you can definately get some very close in shots.When you take it out of the box, you will notice that it is made of plastic.  The construction is not that great.  This lens is not a USM so in focusing, it sounds rough.  Some people question its durability, but if you take care of your stuff, this lens although cheap should serve you well.Taking photos, you will notice how bright the images are, opening the aperture all the way to 1.8 will provide you with a very "soft" background.  However, you will need to be very careful when doing this and compose your shots right otherwise, the effect of the aperture setting may ruin the shot.  Some people don't like this lense because of this.Anyway, its a great little and cheap "Nifty Fifty" and most photographers who compose portraits would probably want one of these in their lens portfolio.  The price is right for this lens.  Its a bit noisy and the construction seems cheap but it does the job.  If you want a more durable version of this lens look to the Sigma 50mm F1.4 or the equivalent Canon but both of those are priced in the $400 - $500 range.
I have bought two of these lenses, and they are really quite excellent for not being in the L series. It's a fast lens that does well in low-light situations and is perfect as a portrait lens. Wedding photographers love it was well as portrait photographers.
This lens is great for a short thelephoto. For full body shots you need a distance of about 4M so think about it. Otherwise. this lens is a must have.
This is my first EF lens and my second prime lens. Lens weighs lot lighter than my Tokina M35 2.8. Lens has a huge aperture, phenomenal opening. All the reviews out their complaining about poor build quality and sluggish auto focus, well those are all correct. You get what you pay for. I would use this for Av mode and to utilize it's 1.8 F value. Pictures come out very sharp with very high shutter speed. Most people buy this for portraits and bokeh is out of the world! Simply amazing bokeh! However, for F between 1.8 and 2.2 I would strongly recommend to have a very good understanding of the distance between you and the subject how far you have behind the subject. Depth of field is what makes or breaks this lens. Having the subject within 2 to 3 feet you are bound to get that blur edge around chin and cheek at F1.8. As far as I have seen it gets better as you go over 4  feet or if you go up a few stops. Great lens for the money, it is very light. If you like to take point and shoot of people then this is a great all purpose lens. Angle of view is a limiting factor 43 or 46 degrees I believe. Not a lot of coverage when it comes to width.
Love my new lens! Pictures are great, if you know what to expect and what to use this lens for.
I bought this lens because the 1.4 50mm is impossible to find. Everyone is out of stock and I wanted a 50mm lens. This was cheap enough for me to get "in the mean time" and I thought I would sell it when I can get my hands on the 1.4.  What a mistake! I'm going to take it back. When it works, it's great, which is why I gave it three stars.  The problem is, it doesn't work lot of the time.  I often shoot in low light, and this lens can not focus! It's ridiculous to have a 1.8 ability and blurry pictures. The focusing motor is LOUD too.  The lens just keeps going in and out trying to focus and rarely finds it. I often have to turn the auto-focus off and focus it myself.  It's very frustrating since I'm doing a self-portrait project right now. I guess you get what you pay for.
I was having trouble taking low light photos until this lens.  Works great.  I also like not having to think about zooming in or out.
- Very fast lens (F1.8)- Very true in color- Does not look like a sturdy design, on time can tell.- Good price ($100)- Recommended for novice photographers.
I thought my kit lens was great until I bought this. Now my Kit lens has become a play toy for my daughter. Amazing shots for a wide angle lens. It feels cheap but its not like you are juggling it around. Snap it on and shoot away. This combined with Magic Lantern has helped me shoot some great shots, but even better video. I have used this lens mostly for video and it has no zoom on it, but you shouldn't be using zoom for video anyways. Its great on a slider or a stabilizer and very light weight. MF is awesome during video and I can't imagine using any other lens under $150 for video. I have shot some high end stuff with this lens, and people dont believe me. I had bought it for $91 in Oct 2012. Worth every penny!
...But buy it only if you will use it. At one point in time, I was all gaga with the bokehs and that was when I bought this lens. Very nice and clean bokeh and a definite yes if shooting static subjects/studio shots. However, I, very soon( I mean really really soon) grew out of it as I am more of a landscape guy with zoom needs. Thankfully, I don't repent as much because of the price of the lens. But still, 100$ is a waste when you dont use it for almost 2 years after you purchased it. Again, not the fault of the lens, all mine :)
Love this little guy!  Inexpensive and it takes AMAZING photos.  I started it with my Rebel XS and the shots looked great, but when I moved to my Rebel T3i, they were simply astounding.  Once you figure out where to stand to focus this guy, you will not be disappointed.  Some of the best money I've ever spent.  I am looking forward to using it to shoot a wedding this September!
Great starter prime lens. Very light and easy on the wallet. The only thing is the build quality... Extremely cheap. I do recommend this lens to people who do not own any prime lenses, I really enjoyed it strait out of the package and it was very easy to use. After a nice weekend with the 28mm 1.8, I quickly felt the quality difference and lost the love i once had for this lens. I will keep it as a backup always as it is VERY small and light and only takes about half a lens spot in my bag.
No look back on this product. Definitely the best. Did lot of research and found that this is the best for those close moments with babies and kids even with low light. Right product for the price paid.
Saw all the great reviews about this lens on amazon. Ended up buying it from Adorama last weekend. Got it and took some low light still life pictures with it and the performance for dollar is just crazy on this model.Plus - Incredible low light performance, sharpness of the object in focus, bokeh effect so sought after in potrait shots and a super fast aperture rating of 1.8. In f/1.8 the sharpness is so accurate that it is possible to blur other areas on the object. This is the kind of performance that rivals 500$ lenses. For the price difference between this lens and the 1.4 picked this one without any second thought.Minus - Feels like a cheap lens....with all this incredible performance canon needs to have saved money elsewhere and that is the body. for the price you will not get any IS features. I am glad they have a af/mf button on the body. In AF the focusing is loud and it almost sounds like sand paper rubbing together. I try to use it mostly in manual focus...the ring is pretty flimsy and you might feel that you are breaking it.but beyond the small minuses..this lens is an absolute steal for the price....on my Canon T2i the images that I get are beyond beautiful... definitely looking forward to do some landscape shooting with this one.Also posted some sample images taken with this lens.....just looking at the images people have taken with this lens made me buy it :)..so passing on the bug!
Bought for my wife who is into photography and takes the most beautiful photos.  She was very pleased with the lens.
This lens helps me to take fantastic pictures.  I documented the early development of two Chihuahua puppies from birth with amazing detail.  I highly recommend this lens for portraits.
I bought this lens for my husband who is a budding photographer. We just upgraded our camera set up  from a point and shoot to theCanon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).I have to say he has taken some amazing shots! I only wish I had purchased it sooner for our daughter's wedding.This lens for the price packs a great value!
this is just perfect love this lens is exactly what i wanted. works perfectly and ive gotten some great pictures.
I wanted a fixed focal length lens for my Rebel since I heard they work better than some of the lenses that come with the cameras.  For the price this cannot be beat, great shots and decent overall performance.  Since it a fixed length lens it is limited in what it can be used for, so if you were shooting a family gathering this is not one you would want, unless you just want to shoot more potrait type images. Small and light enough though to carry with a general lens for the times you are looking for what a lens with this focal length is meant to do.
i'm a professional photographer, and use this for a lot of my shoots with young children (who are often on the go and hard to "catch"!)  It is a quick focus and sharp capture that I can use in almost any light.  two thumbs up!
I wanted a faster lens, wasn't to particular to the size, but this one is very affordable, a standard in the industry and worth it in every way. But on crop sensor camera it acts more like an 85mm, good for portrait work. Very narrow depth of field as you can expect. Bokah and blur are satisfactory to me. I'm not a real reviewer, just my personal thoughts. Glad I bought, it sits on the camera most of the time.
I waited FIVE years for a DSLR, got the one I wanted... and this lens. and... guess what. Less than a week later the lens is in 2 parts!! That's right people. One minor mishap and I can't use it. SO, IMPO save up and get the 1.4!!I am going to try to find random things around the house to sell to save up for the metal body.Off to cry into my coffee.
Everyone knows this lens. If you're looking for a 50mm prime, you know there are 3 choices from Canon. The almighty 50/1.2, 50/1.4, or this 50/1.8. The 1.8 is a natural buy especially for beginners b/c it's so affordable. Prices usually fluctuate from $90-120.I'm using a T3i/600D. My views of this lens:- For what I use it for, which is indoor shooting with available light, wide open at 1.8 is not terribly sharp. But the shutter speed gain is great, plus I don't have to boost ISO as much.- It's EXTREMELY cheaply made. Really, this thing is all plastic, feels very hollow and feels like a toy. It's also a bit big compared to some other 50 out there (i.e., Minolta's excellent 50/1.7). I would not be surprised if you found lots of dust and debris inside after awhile.- AF is very slow and noisy. Sometimes it will hunt for 5 seconds before finally locking or sometimes it will not lock at all.  At a recent housewarming party, I had to use it in manual b/c the AF just simply refused to lock in the majority of the shots. This is very annoying.But what do you expect for $100, right?  So as long as you can keep the expectations vs pricepoint reality check in line, I think you'll get great use out of this lens.  For how I use this lens, I find the focal length too long for indoors where I'm taking photos of people. I find myself hitting the walls after having backed up so much. Looking now for a lens in the 28mm range but I need to prepare myself to pay a lot more.
This lens has a beautifully small depth of field that makes every picture it takes just amazing.  It is an astounding $100, but this does not make it a bad lens at all.  It is one of my favorite lenses, and the most fun to use.  It really makes pictures look professional and you can get creative with it.This lens should be in every photographer's bag.  And I'm not just saying that because everyone else does!  I completely agree with the statement.It is such a tiny lens, you can bring it with you everywhere.  You SHOULD bring it with you everywhere.It is probably the highest awesome-to-cost ratio by a long shot for lenses. It is on par with my thousand dollar lenses in awesome.The only downside is that it does not have a variable focal length, but this is what they make.  It is not really that big of a deal.  It only annoyed me once when i was taking a group shot of 4 people, but in hindsight, I should have used one of my other lenses for group shots anyway - you can't really use the 1.8 with 4 people. (I usually use this lens with 1.8 or 2.8 otherwise I would use my other lens which has a larger zoom range)  I found that out the hard way with half the people's faces blurred!  The focal length is a good distance on my small sensor camera (Rebel XSi).I have heard some people comment on its build quality and how it is "plastic".  I can't really debate this much because I'm not an expert on "build quality."  I can tell you that for most people out there, you will not think this has bad build quality.  I guess it's plastic, it seems just as good as my other lenses!  Unless you REALLY care about build quality, I think you will be happy with this lens.  I never once looked at it and thought it was of a low quality construction.  I haven't dropped it, nor do I plan to, but if I do and it breaks... it was $100 dollars!  I will buy it again within the hour and wait anxiously for its arrival, hoping I will not need it in the meantime.They also offer the 50mm f/1.4 for $300 I believe.  I am a serious amateur, hoping to get into the business, and I feel no need to get the 1.4 ever.  1.8 is small enough.  1.4 isn't worth the money, and would probably be more difficult to make sure the focus isn't on a person's nose instead of their eyes.  Pictures with that much blur just get to be annoying in my opinion.  I would buy the f/1.8 3 times without any regrets over the 1.4 if I lost it or broke it a bunch of times (I'm usually very careful, so I plan to only buy it once).It is EXCELLENT in low light.  Aside from creative shots and beautifully blurred backgrounds on portraits, it is a lifesaver in low light.  I don't like using flash very often because I love candid shots.  This lens is perfect in low light.  Can't get much better than this!Having a f/1.8 is indispensable for a photographer.I can't say enough good things about this lens.Pros:  Like a millionCons: Zilch!
I've really enjoyed this lens for the few times I've used it over the last 6 months.  I was great for a low light wedding I shot last year and is what really got me started in wanting to do wedding photography.  Hope everyone enjoys this lens as much as I have.Secondly, I want to address some of the lower reviews by saying this.  This is lens sells for just over a hundred dollars, it isn't intended for professional use and it is clearly an entry level lens for people who are new to DSLR or for people who take photo's recreationally.Keeping that in mind, you should understand that the build quality isn't comparable to the higher end lenses.  You are right, it does have a plastic mount but all lenses similar to this does!  The outside is made of plastic but again all lenses like this are.People need to understand what they are shooting and buy accordingly.  Don't purchase a lens, that you know will be made of plastic and have a plastic mount if you are intending it for heavy use (Semi-Pro or Pro shooters) and then come on here and trash the lens.For the average shooter (who isn't hard on their equipment) this is going to be a must have lens.  It takes great pictures and I would highly recommend this lens!
For the money, you absolutely can't beat this lens.  It's very fast and sharp.  Not fast to focus, but what do you expect at $70?  I have four lenses , some costing 4x's as much as this one...yet I use this one the most.  Anyone looking to step up from the kit lens, or anyone looking to buy a camera body w/out the kits lens should look to buy this lens.
Great lens for the price. Build quality isn't the greatest, but for the price that's to be expected. The rest of this writing is to fulfill Amazons requirement of 20 non-repeating words to describe the item that you're reviewing that you're taking your own time to do. Lame Amazon, lame.Cheers,Kyle
Love this lens, great value....great quality. the dof is outstanding and its light weight. i usually just put it in my pockect so i have an extra lens on me at all times. i would recommend this lens to anyone if not just for the convience of it
this is a great little lens, used it for a photo shoot in low twilight lighting, and worked great. The low appiture allows more light in and is always helpful in photography, (keep iso down to reduce noise).  Can't wait to try this with star trails
When I first got into photography, all I had was a Pentax K1000; a 100% manual film SLR with a Sears 50mm f2.8 lens.  I loved it.  I messed up a lot of shots, and learned from every one.Times have changed a lot, but the thing I love is that a fast 50mm lens will still help you learn so much about photography.  From framing your shots well to shutter and aperture settings, you will learn a LOT using this lens.  You will learn about depth of field very quickly.  You will learn about how much light you need at what aperture settings to properly expose the image...Yes, the lens feels so cheaply built it seems like it must have come out of a Happy Meal.Yes, it's slow and loud to focus.However, it takes a darn good picture.If you have recently bought a digital Rebel, buy this lens and leave it on your camera in lieu of the kit lens for a month of shooting.  You will learn so much about photography in that time!If you get serious about photography then you will end up buying lenses that cost much more than your camera did.  Stick this cheap lens on your new camera and you will learn so much that you can make better decisions on what expensive lenses to buy.For the price of this lens you have nothing to loose.Enjoy!KO
For the price, you can't get a better lens for indoor/available-light shooting with nice depth-of-field.
I am taking picture with this lens for a while. I really like the picture quality and sharpness. Focus motor is little noisy but I knew it before buying this model and it doesn't bother me at all. Good price for the excellent quality pictures.
I love this lense. All the positive reviews here are so true. I am not a professional photographer, so this is good enough.
On auto focus it is very noisy. Tried using it to take portraits of a baby and he kept getting startled. That might have been a good thing because it kept him looking at me, but not with an expression I wanted. I prefer using it in manual mode. Otherwise, great lens at a great price.
I had attended a photography class last year where the instructor strongly suggested that our next lens purchase be a 50mm lens. I had held off on the purchase for a while as most of the photos that I take are action photos where I need a telephoto / zoom lens. The time came recently when I wanted a lens with more precision; one that I could use for still photos of my family and family events. I have been using this lens now for about one month.As someone who has been accustomed to primarily using zoom lenses, I have found it a little bit difficult to adapt to this lens. There is no zoom ring, the zoom is you actually walking forward or backward. It's taken a while to get used to framing shots as I always find myself either too close or too far away. Over time and with more experience, I would think that having a sense of proper distance will start to develop.The photos that I am able to capture with this lens are absolutely amazing. Photos are tack sharp, the colors are true, and the bokeh that this lens produces is fantastic. I have been using this lens to take team photos of my daughters' cheerleading teams and they have turned out great. I have also used this lens to take photos of my kids playing in the park. Since I can get the shutter speed up to 1/800 or 1/1000, capturing action shots of them on the swings or on a spinning ride come out perfectly. The quick shutter speed also comes in handy for candid shots of the kids while they are sitting around the house playing with their toys, riding their bikes, etc. I have really enjoyed playing around with depth of field with this lens; the ability to capture full backgrounds or blur the background depending upon where we are is great.I wish that I had gotten this lens sooner so that I could have been building my experience with the lens all of this time. I now use this as my default lens and only use my telephoto / zoom lenses for sports.If you are on the fence about purchasing this lens, JUST BUY IT!!! As of the time that I am writing this review, it is $119.00 which is the lowest priced Canon lens available. Do yourself a favor and purchase this lens... you will be happy that you did.
When I was starting with photography, I had a 35mm Nikon and three lenses, a 35mm, 85mm and 135mm.  Between those three primes (or a similar combination) you could do pretty much everything.  That was a long, long time ago.  Or was it?Now-days, it seems like you need 4 or 5 or 10 lenses to "cover" everything.  Especially if you read the forums, populated with those who prefer to look at charts and read specs as opposed to get out and shoot with what they have.  With all these megapixels at our disposal, what's going on?For many this 50mm 1.8 will be their first prime.  They got an entry-level digital camera and it probably came with a kit lens, probably a variable aperture zoom.  They got a bit into it and decided to upgrade to a zoom with a fixed 2.8, the mythical f/2.8 that allows them to shoot in the dark.Then they started getting more into it, what else is there in digital photography that I'm missing?  Why are these people's photos on the web (flickr, smugmug, whatever) so much more saturated and sharp?  How can I get that level of detail in my photos?  Sooner or later the stumble on the mention of primes.. primes vs zooms.. maybe they read about Leicas.. and they start to question if they really know what they're doing, maybe there's a solution with a better lens yet??And so the hunt starts.. some photographers will find their happy place and others will forever chase technology.There's not much I can add after 100s of other reviews.  This lens is a fabulous little gem from Canon.  The stories about it' sharpness and colors are true.  Let me discuss some of the downsides, and how they play out in practical use.FYI, I've paired this lens up with various bodies, including 20D, 40D, 5D, and a 1D Mark II-N.  It performs well on all.Build Quality: Plastic.  Not sealed.  Rattles a bit.  Loud focusing.  I see none of these as a negative.  They are commensurate with the price point and are honestly quite reliable.  I've used this lens at dozens of weddings, photojournalism assigments, etc.  I've had it caked in sand and salt water with no issues.  Would I bring a $350 1.4 or a $1200 1.2 into those conditions?  Definitely not.  I like having something near-disposable that I can abuse.Related to build quality, this thing is light as a feather.  If you're hiking, climbing, traveling.. pair it up with a newer Rebel T1i or T2i, and you have an awesome little package for stills and video that weighs next to nothing.  Beats the hell out of humping a couple bricks (e.g. 24-70 2.8 on a 40D) for a 3-day hike.  It'll be a bit long in the focal range, but I've never complained.Focusing: It's not USM, so it's not super fast.  But there are ways to make it faster.  For one, manually designating your AF point speeds AF dramatically.  This is true on any lens, from a $90 50mm to a $4500 300mm.  For two, pay attention and anticipate.  Having your lens pre-focused in an area where you suspect something to happen is going to decrease search time by 50%.  Finally, know how your AF works and get your AF point over a high contrast step.  There's a theme here... it's the photographer, not the camera/lens, that makes it happen.  You do your part, and the equipment will do it's part.I do have a gripe about the focus ring.  This is one aspect of the lens that is really lacking.  I'd gladly pay an extra $15-20 for a decent rubberized ring with slightly smoother action.  But, it is what it is.It's also clumsy to attach the hood to this thing, with the adapter piece.  But honestly it looks so silly I usually leave it off.  Haven't noticed any ill-effects from lens flare, just don't shoot into the sun or use your hand.If you've never used a prime, pick this up.  Stocking stuffer for yourself.
I got this because I frequently shoot video in low-light situations with my Canon 5D and needed a lens that could do the job.Well -- this one DOES, and then some.  I used it today to film some interviews in a dimly-lit meeting room and the results are beautiful.  It nicely achieved the coveted blurred-background look while my foreground subject looks clear & crisp.Not being able to zoom with this lens actually makes the filming easier.  Just set up the camera, position the subject and you're good to go.And I don't find this lens to feel as "cheap" as some others on here have said.  It's well worth the price!
A prime lens for under $90.00 that takes great pictures? That is indeed what you get. While the plastic build quality seems a little weak, the quality of the pictures you get from this lens are as sharp as they come.  If you are using a kit zoom lens with your Canon SLR, you owe it to yourself to try one of these to see just how well your camera can perform.  You won't regret it, and at this price, if it breaks, it's easy to replace. Highly recommended for those high-school camera jockeys shooting at high-school gym events and of course for portraiture.  Now, if only I can find a 18mm F1.8 at $100 or under!
This lens, as everyone has come to understand, produces some seriously beautiful images. Such is the nature of primes. Fast, shallow, and simple. The lens does everything it is designed and advertised to do, with two negative notes.First, it is very cheaply built. This is to be expected when paying roughly $100 for a lens, but that's somewhat besides the point. The lens is made out of very thin plastic, and is not durable at all. I have never dropped mine, so I haven't experienced this first-hand, but a friend of mine dropped his from about 3ft. in the air and it basically vaporized. It dissected itself into many little pieces. If you're looking for durability, look elsewhere. If you fancy yourself a careful person, there's nothing really stopping you from getting it.Second, and this is more of a video-centric complaint, the focus ring is subpar. It, too, is made of cheap plastic, and has only a minimal amount of grip room. Since it sits on the very end of the lens, and is made of plastic, you cannot fix a follow focus to it. Your FF will slip right off of it, if you can even get the gears to catch.Overall, great lens, but not recommended for focus-intensive video or photographers in need of durability.
I instantly opened this when it came in the mail got it on time and I love it quality is amazing absolutely amazing and will be using it a lot more than the standard kit lens that came with my camera definitely will be investing into  the 1.4 and 1.2 50mm lens
As some one else stated....people I know insisted that I get this lens with my new camera.  I see why.  It takes great pictures!  I don't think it seems cheaply made...although I don't have any crazy expensive lenses.  For a beginner like me its perfect, and even though its not super expensive it still gets treated carefully :P
I am so happy with this lens!  I have 3 children and always have my camera out taking photos of them.  I was always disappointed in the photos with my other lenses (zoom or macro).  This one makes me giddy with excitement!  I have taken so many great photos and their faces look amazing.  Even with my tornado 2-year-old who rarely sits still, I can get great photos.  I have yet to master the low-light photos, though.When I try to take photos in the house in the evenings (even with the flash), I have some trouble.  As long as there is some light outside, though, the pictures end up beautiful.  This may be more of a user-knowledge issue, though.This lens is an amazing value and affords me to have a lens that takes beautiful pictures without breaking the bank (remember I have 3 kids and the bank is already a bit broken).  I highly recommend this for the novice photographer looking to expand a bit.
I have been meaning to get one of these lens for a long time and I love the pictures! I am super impressed with the high optic quality of this lens, it is a must for any photographer, from novice to pro.  I am thrilled to finally have it and I have taken some pics already so I am pleased.
Super fast shipping! I recieved the item before I expected it! Very pleased with it!
I was using my 18-135mm kit lens whitch it is great to have around but a bit on the heavy side. love this prime lens. perfect for walkingaround town or low light! cant beat price either!
I was looking for a lens to help me develop my photography skills and also take some great pictures. I have loved this lens! It's an incredible value for the quality. I have a 6 yr. old Canon Rebel xti and was about ready to trade it in for something bigger/better (though I didn't have the money to spend). I bought this lens instead and it has renewed my excitement for taking photos. The best thing about the lens is the lightening fast shutter speed. I have an 11 month old and you have to shoot fast to catch those adorable expressions and the ever-changing development and movements! I rarely use a flash with this lens which gives my pictures that natural light look that I am going for. Even in low-lighting/evening pictures, I can leave the flash off and still catch some great shots!
This was something I read about and saw a few people suggesting to purchase this and I am so glad I did! The portraits with this lense are awesome!
I've always enjoyed taking pictures with my point and shoot cameras so when I decided to upgrade and buy my very first digital SLR camera (Canon EOS Rebel T2iand I *love* it), the best advice I could take was to buy a quality lens.After reading review upon review (and barely understanding the camera and lens lingo), I stumbled upon this lens and haven't looked back!I've primarily taken portrait shots and all of my pictures have turned out crisp and stunning. For not a lot of money (comparatively), this lens truly delivers quality (and I think professional) looking photos.If it has any drawback, as this is not a zoom lens, you will find yourself maneuvering quite a bit to get that perfect angle and distance to obtain your shot. Is this a good walk-around lens? I think it depends on your activity. Again, as I've used it mostly for portraits of friends/family/pets, it's been perfect for me.
I absolutely love this lens! My only thing is that it's plastic not like regular lenses but for the price it's a great lens!
Used to always use a 28-105mm or a 17-55mm relatively inexpensive zoom.  Having the prime lens produces some really sharp pictures.  Especially great for portraits of our new baby - get in close, focus on the eyes, and generate professional looking portraits without much effort!
This is a great lens for the price.  I love it.  I use it on my camera as a default lens.  In spite of the low price, I've found it to be very structurally sound.
Great lens that will help you take photos where subject is in nice focus and the background is blurred. If using for portraits make sure all faces on same axis if not some will be out of focus
I'm an amateur photographer [who happens to take a heck of a lot of photos] and I bought this lens to use on my Canon EOS Rebel DSLR camera.I'm not too terribly happy with this lens, but I did not expect the moon for $100.00.  On auto focus it never quits jerking back and forth and settle down to a firm focus unless you're in full sun-light. Even in full sunlight it can take its sweet time to focus. It feels flimsy -  poorly made.  But again, for $100?  I've since turned the auto focus off and just use manual focus all the time.I don't know if the lens is a lemon or if all of them would turn out the same way if I replaced it.  I think it probably the latter.  Other than that, I ordered the lens for portraits and it takes very sharp - clear photos.  Maybe too sharp as I've had complaints that every blemish or wrinkle in the face shows up in the photo.  I like the wide aperture setting for blowing the backgrounds out behind the subject- but care has to be taken that you have enough depth of field set so all of your subject shows up clearly.With all that said, I'm still happy [for now] that I ordered the lens and that I have it in my bag.  If the auto - focus worked as it should, I would probably give it another star or two in the rating. If I happen to break this lens somehow, I will probably just put together another two hundred dollars or so and order the EF 50 mm f/ 1.4.
I love my 50mm and highly recommend it. Besides, when it comes to pro lenses-- you just can't beat this price!
Very good price for an extra lens for specific application.  Have no complaints at all and will continue to test it.
Brilliant all-around lens. Even though it is bit noisy while focusing and can take a bit of time to focus on occasion, it is still a magnificient lens. It's low light performance is great and the the bokeh it produces really makes for some pleasing photos.
As a photography enthusiast and Canon owner I had heard a lot about the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.A LOT about it.  And often.  People rave and post gorgeous demonstrations of the results of photography using the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens prime lens, and generally gush.  Especially considering the relatively cheap price of it.So last year when I got the chance to try one out for a few hours (courtesy of SolarGravity.com) I certainly jumped at the chance.And I sure was not disappointed.The photos taken with it were wonderful, clear, clean, perfectly focused on the subjects, and there was some beautiful magnificent Bokeh.  Even though I had just taken a series of initial and random quick photos with the camera on automatic mode (gasp!) - the results were some excellent stuff.I concluded that I could not possibly take a bad photo with this lens.That's big to me, as I'm not a professional photographer and, at best, only an intermediate photographer.  Sure, I like to dabble in advanced techniques when something catches my interest - like High Dynamic Range Imaging.  And I use my camera quite often for projects for customers - mostly I take a lot of incidental photos for websites and usually not real high-resolution, and nothing like a nice portrait or anything along those lines.Yet I also concluded, as a person interested in photography and improving my skills, that I must have one of these "Nifty-Fifty's".It took me almost a year to get around to picking one up.The first thing I noticed when I opened the box up is the lens feels light, and kinda cheap.  Let's face it - it is cheap.  But just because something is cheap doesn't mean that it's bad or doesn't work well - as is evident with this lens.So let's get the bad stuff out of the way first.  The body is plastic, and it's very, very light.  The whole lens is quite small in fact.  The auto-focusing is very loud, and a bit grindy-sounding too.  It's not USM so the focusing also isn't that fast.But does it take great pictures!  It's hard to imagine NOT wanting one of these despite the few drawbacks.This actual series of Canon lenses was first introduced way back in 1990, the `Mark I' version for 35 mm film cameras.  Canon has continued the line with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens and the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM - which is faster and beefier but at least three times the price of this lens!The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens really only has two controls - there is an auto-focus/manual-focus switch and a fairly small focus ring.  Some people complain about the manual focus ring being small but it doesn't seem too small to me, and I have fairly big hands.As I mentioned above, the whole lens is quite small overall, though I made mine slightly longer and easier to handle with the help of a Goja 52-58mm Step-Up Adapter Ring (52mm Lens to 58mm) as well as a UV Filter to protect the lens.  You can find a quick review of the aforementioned adapter in my blog review here.  Both of these added a slight length to the lens, and the adapter allows me to add filters and lens hoods and other things to it, too.Speaking of the lens hood; the whole barrel of the lens doesn't rotate on focus but the focus ring does, as it's coupled to the motor (don't try to move the focus ring while in AF mode, you can damage something!), so if you put a lens hood on this lens you don't have to worry about the lens hood rotating.Just a personal opinion here but the lens hood looks great on this otherwise stubby lens, just from a cosmetic point of view.You can buy the Canon ES-62 lens hood also, which doesn't require an adapter ring.  But I liked having the adapter because now I can use lens covers, hoods, filters, and other accessories interchangeable among all of my 58 mm lenses.The lens acts as equivalent to something like a 75 mm to 80 mm lens while on my Canon Rebel, so it's especially great for portraits.  Of course you have to get moderately close to your subjects, as you would with any portrait lens.There is basically no chromatic aberration or even bluish tinge when using this lens, even at wide aperture.  Just pristine beautiful shots.  From what I have read the slight bluish tinge can be the case for the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM.But at F1.8 it's very sharp in the middle but kind of a bit soft in the corners/edges.  But if you stop down you'll find that the sharpness at the edges begins to increase also, so that everything is uniform if needed.And one of the greatest things about this lens is its sharpness, for such a cheap price.Unfortunately too much sharpness and detail can sometimes be a negative - as the lens will capture everything, and I mean everything (!) on a person's face in great detail, including unattractive details and blemishes that the naked eye might not notice or see.  A little softening in Photoshop or Elements and repair and such might sometimes be in order.Did I mention Bokeh yet?  I've tried not to mention it but once in this review, as the word gets thrown around a lot when talking about this lens.  Ah, but glorious effortless Bokeh.  Sure, the word may be used a little too much but it's so effortless it's worth mentioning again.  Some photographers seem to think the `Bokeh' isn't very good on this, with various artifacts and such showing.  I don't see it myself.You can do some macro work with it, more of a beginning macro exploration perhaps. But it sure can come out quite nicely if you use a combination of auto-focus and adjustment of your distance physically from the object (when you're too close).  The minimum focus distance is about 1.5 feet (.45 m) so you can only get so close before you lose ability to focus, manually or automatically, and you need to start moving the camera back.  With the addition of magnification filters, like this set; you can do a really excellent super-close macro with high magnification, or by using an extension tube.  Cheap extension tubes like this one don't have contacts so you have to focus manually, but it would work.  Better, this one maintains contacts even while using all of the extension tubes at once.But even without anything extra you can get some interesting macro shots.I wouldn't call this a perfect lens for "walking around" but you'll find it doing a good job whether you are taking shots of people, animals, scenes, or the occasional macro shot.  There's a lot of interesting things you can do with it.In summary - a great lens for portraits, as well as scenes and many other things.  Great for experimenting.  And almost indispensable for your camera bag.You can see some pics from my review on my blog that I wrote about this lens - [...]
This is quite possibly one of the greatest lenses, and for the price, it cannot be beat. Great depth of field, great for portraits.
Yes, it's a prime lens. A "walking lense". It has no zoom.But the pictures it gives are breath taking.If you love bokeh and are short on the money, this is the lens for you!I keep it on my camera at all times!
The title of my review says it all.I can pop this lens on my old 20D and get breathtaking shots. I can put it on my new 5D Mark II and get amazing shots.If you've got a delicate ego and need a big expensive looking lens to make you feel cool, don't get it. If you want great photos without spending over a grand on a lens to get it.....buy it because you will have ZERO regrets.
I like this lens.It is small and light.Doesn't seem too cheap to me, but I don't have too much to compare it to.The bokeh does have five points to it. The circles turn out to be pentagons.I have to stand back more than I am used to.  I think this is due to the 1.6 crop factor on my camera.  Makes it more like an 80mm lens.I have to zoom with my feet.I have to stay more aware of composure and placement of the subject.It takes great pictures.It is fast.It's a little noisy... I don't need a quiet one at this point though.I like it.
Kinda wish I had purchased a bigger lens.  Don't get me wrong this lens works great but for landscape pix and sporting events this is not really the lens you should go with.
This is a great lens for the price.  Clear optics, fast speed, and light.  Unfortunately the lens is not packed typical of all Canon lenses, with styrofoam, etc.  Only a little bit of bubble wrap.  Amazon has the habit of Not really packing lenses sufficiently.  Long story short, I had to return the first two lenses, one due to shipping damage, another because of a factory defect.  Other than these concerns, excellent lens for the money, and is making this photographer get addicted to prime lenses.
This lens is perfect for everything at a great price. Here are ten more words because there's an unnecessary minimum.
Recent convert to DSLR; I have the Canon EF-S 18-55 (kit) lens, as well as the EF 28-135 and EF-S 55-250. The EF 50mm/1.8 is my first prime lens; at this price point the image quality is unbelievably sharp. The focus speed is not stellar and the narrow MF focus ring requires patience - but these minor drawbacks can be overlooked considering the image quality and price.
Perfect for portraits. I took beautiful pictures of my daughter with it. Good valie for your money. I would recommend it.
Very crisp lens. Fast, sharp... excellent. I have not dropped it yet, so it is still in good shape. After I read the other reviews I am very careful not o hit it someplace. It is my best lens in my bag right now. Very inexpensive and very good lens bar-none. I will get another one just to have another one, that much I like this lens.Excellent score from me ;)
Although I couldn't get used to a non-zoom camera lens but the shallow DOF is really magnificent to use.In 3 simple words, I'm lovin' it!
I bought this lens in march to take on vacation and though it is a bit too close on my camera (Rebel series so it is more like an 85mm than a 50mm) for vacation photos, I LOVE it!It is a GREAT lens for portraits-fast and with good bokeh!it does sometimes have to hunt for focus (which is kind of a big deal at f1.8 and limited depth of field) but I usually solve that problem by setting my camera's focus to the specific spot I want it focusing on.I have never had problems with it getting stuck on any of my cameras (2 digital, one film) like other users have.I try to use this lens (vs my other lens-a sigma zoom) as often as possible because it is lightweight and takes great looking photos. the only problem (really the only CON this lens has for me) is that it is too narrow angle (at equivalent to 85mm) for some things. I am looking not getting a wide angle adapter for it but do not want to lose light so we'll see!
I am glad that I bought this lens.  It's the best bang for the buck as far as sharpness and the little amount of money it cost.  I'm not sorry I bought it.
Listen. I am likely to buy another one of these lenses, because they take EXCELLENT pictures. But when people talk about how flimsy the lens is, they aren't whistling dixie. I broke one of these lenses accidentally in a fluke accident that would not have damaged ANY of my other lenses. It's a problem because I'd gotten so used to using this lens it became my default. If you do happen to purchase this lens either be prepared to buy another one--and given that it is comparatively inexpensive this may not be a problem--or be prepared to really really care for it.
Please do not ignore the reviews on this lens when it comes to the build quality. I had always associated Canon with quality but this seems to be the one exception I've run across. I literally dropped it one foot, and it broke in two pieces on my first shoot. The glass is good, but the rest is bad, so if you must, make sure you pick up a lens hood to help prevent the same happening to you.
Great lens for the price. It's not perfect, but it's worth it for its price. This lens also works really well with the Fotodiox Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set. It's great for amatuer macro shots and the lens by itself is great for amatuer portraits. I have no regrets when it comes to buying this!
I've been waiting for getting this lens since last year's christmas. Since I am from Venezuela, it isn't easy to find this stuff at a reasonable price out here. I've read lots of reviews. The ones who praised the lens for being a bargain and the ones who said that it was crap.It surely isn't crap at all, I don't think it looks like a toy, the construction is ok. Although I haven't tried it like it should, so I can't say much about the image quality, just that the autofocus is lame. There's one thing that I have to say, and that pretty annoys me, it is the fact that it has moving parts in the outside of the lens when it is in autofocus mode, that creates lots of opportunities for the lens to be damaged by any bad movement or something like that. As an owner of a 24mm f2.8, I thought that it had a similar system, when being in auto focus, the ring is simply for decoration, so you can't do anything in that moment. Well, I'm an amateur, and there's maybe another review about it, or there's a group called "I really like canon ef50mm f1.8 because it has moving parts outside", but, well, that what's I think.
I'm not going to talk about the build quality of this lens. Yes, it's plastic, it's light, blah, blah, blah. Anyway.I started out loving this lens on my Canon 60D. I thought the bokeh was nice and images were good. However, upon closer review I found that this lens does not hardly ever give me tack sharp images. So I read up on it thinking "okay, I'm a newbie, I've gotta be doing something wrong." Many people said the lens is best at f/2.5-2.8. So I changed it up on my next shoot. Although the results were slightly better, I still wasn't getting the sharp images I'd been hoping for. After using this lens for 3 months, I'm still not as pleased with it as I am my 85mm 1.8.When it does give a sharp image, they are fabulous! I have nothing to complain about. But, sadly, much of the time I'm not getting the results I want. Being that it's $100 and really not worth the hassle of selling. I will keep it in the hopes that maybe it still is a user error and not just a cheapy lens error.The other issue I seem to have is terrible color fringing. I'm serious. The fringing is ten times worse than my 85mm 1.8 which is said to have bad fringing as well. I see hardly any with that lens. This lens has it in almost any situation, even if it's not majorly contrast-y.This is a light lens, it is a good focal length on a crop sensor, and for the money it's okay. I'm giving it 4/5 stars because it's cheap, still offers better images than the kit lens, and if it breaks you're not out several hundred dollars.I'm hoping my experience with it will improve and I can get more sharp images.
I have not taken this lens off of my camera since it got here.  It has gone with me on vaction, to a photo shoot and through putting up Christmas lights at my house.  I have struggled slightly with adjusting to the shallow depth of field when shooting multiple subjects, but other than that it's great!
i sold my 18-55 lens just to get this. It was worth it. I will say that its great for portraits. Also, makes pictures sharp and clear. I will say it was upgrade from the lens i was using and I prefer not to use flash and use natural lighting and this lens captures my photos the way i want them to come out.
This lens is perfect for a newbie photog looking for professional-looking photos.  You'll need to get used to maintaining a distance from the objects you wish to photograph, but the results are fantastic.  The main image in view will be crisp and clear, with a blurred background.  Highly recommend!
I have quite a few expensive lenses and this one is my new favorite! I have talked to a few photographers at weddings that I've attended and they all own and love it! I suggest it to everyone! Defiantly a great addition to any ones lens collection.I shoot with a cannon 20 d and it worked amazing on my rebel xsi!
I had this lens for a total of 2 days and returned it to the vendor.The majority of the reviews for this lens were good and the price was right so I figured I had nothing to lose by purchasing it.Upon taking the lens out of the box I did notice how light it was. After all, what would one expect for the price?Where this lens was disappointing was in its ability to focus consistently. I took about 30-40 sample shots at various exposure settings and the focus was hit or miss. The image quality for the in-focus pictures was pretty good, though. But with hit or miss focusing this lens just wasn't worth keeping in spite of the image quality.I'd consider this lens only if you have a lot of patience, are strapped for cash, and need something that has the potential of performing well in low light. Otherwise, just pass this one by and look at some of the other offerings by Canon and Sigma.
Working with Portable Guy was a great experience.  The product was just as described and arrived in a timely manner.  It was packaged appropriately and works just fine.  Would be happy to order from them in the future.  Haven't used my lens too much yet -- it will be a learning experience as it is the first time I have used a fixed focal length lens, but this one is supposed to be a good one.
I just got this and haven't had a lot of time to play with it but its definitely slow to focus and quite noisy. I know you can't expect a lot for a $110 but I guess I was expecting more. I knew the build was cheaper and read reviews but heard the shots were crisp and clear. I mainly wanted this for inside shots of the kids and dog and by the time it focuses I've lost it..time will tell. It could be the user.
I've been on the hunt for a great portrait lens, and after speaking to a few different sales reps at camera stores I decided the 50mm was the one for me. I've heard quite a few complaints that the f/1.4 motor fails after a short amount of use, and feared spending 2x as much on a product I may have to quickly replace. While I've only had this lens for a short period of time, it does the job for me! I'm very amateur, but this lens has created great images with a sharp focus, and beautifully blurred background. I'll be sure to post some images soon! Some complain of the noisy motor, doesn't bother me! While the body is fairly light weight, I think if you handle it properly and don't toss it around, it should last the desired amount of time.
This lens has served me well when shooting macro or portraits - it does MUCH better than the kit lens that came with my camera. It's light and fun to use - and considering the price, I think everyone should own it.
Just received my 50mm f/1.8 lens in the mail. The package was well protected with bubble wrap and two boxes. Took some pictures last night with it, and the subjects are crystal clear. Can't wait to play with all of the settings on my Canon T3 to see what all I can do with the new lens.
This is fabulous lens for close up work, kittens flowers etc.  I think this made my camera produce quality beyond the expected.
Great Beg. Lens, cheap and great to use. everything looks better with 50mm, shows great Bokeh with clear detailed subjects and nice soft backgrounds, at $100 you need to have this for portraits and close up shots, don't use for landscapes since there is no zoom function. Great buyPros:-cheap price-makes pictures look greatCons:-noisy to autofocus
I am not a photographer but I need to photograph my sculptures. After reading reviews I gave this lens a try and I've been very pleased with the sharpness that the lens as given me. Much clear, cleaner photos with my Canon than the kit lens was providing.
I like this lens and the price was really good. I am still playing around with it and trying to figure it out.
When you see a lens with a plastic mount and a price this low, the natural response is to assume it's a piece of junk.  But, to my pleasant surprise, this little lens has produced some shots that rival my favorite L (pro series) lens.  It's great for portraits, especially if you're shooting with a full-frame body.  On a 1.6 crop camera (i.e., a Rebel), you might find that you need to be farther from your subject than you'd like, but as explained below that isn't really a problem.One of the biggest advantages of this lens is the f/1.8 aperture.  It doesn't sound quite as impressive as the more expensive 50mm 1.4, but it's definitely enough for almost any situation.  It allows you to get really nice bokeh even when shooting a portrait on a 1.6 crop factor body, with a greater distance from the glass to the subject.  What's supposed to be sharp is sharp, and the blur is perfect.  I actually think, with the right lighting of course, taking a portrait at f/1.8 or f/2 on a crop body creates the ideal balance.  On a full-frame body, you'd want to stop down a little to get a crisper, sharper portrait given the closeness of the subject to the lens.Of course the aperture also makes it a great low-light performer, but if you're not experienced with camera equipment than know this -- opening the aperture to 1.8 (or anywhere below 3, really) will give you less depth of field than you probably want in average picture taking scenarios.  For example, if you're just taking candid pictures of people at a family gathering, or if you're doing a group shot with a large number of people, you don't want to sacrifice focus for the sake of getting a low-light shot.  That being said, I've been able to hand my camera to inexperienced shooters at family gatherings on full auto with this lens and they've gotten some pretty impressive shots.  Focuses fast and accurately, and nails the aperture and exposure time.All in all, as long as a) you've got some experience with lenses or b) you'll follow the advice to not shoot at super-wide aperture unless it's the right situation for it, anyone with a Canon DSLR should really enjoy this lens.
You get what ya pay for! This is the much-talked about "Nifty Fifty". Out of the box it feels cheap and plastic, why because it is a cheap build and plastic!1) AF in low light... Not good it hunts2) Sharp Not at all3) Build well as stated, plastic build plastic lens had it for less than a year and it is CRAP4) Go to ebay and buy a Asahi Pentex 50mm and an adapter ring and learn to focus manually for half the price! Really I own 2 and they way out work this cheap Canon lens geared towards the hobbyist looking for a correct all "I am a pro" lens.5)
Love this lens.  Yes, it is plastic and I can easily see where it could be easy to break.  But it's fast. The 1.8 aperature opening means I can easily blur backgrounds and the bokeh is great.  (I don't really care if the bokeh is pentagonal, it still has a nice effect).  I give this lens 4 stars more because of the auto focus than because of the plastic body.  I just don't think it focuses to suit me, but that's easily rectified by switching to manual mode.  It still does a good job, I guess I just expected more based on the reviews I read.  Would buy again...a thousand times over.
This is a great lens.  I highly recommend it if you are looking for a faster shudder speed in lower light settings.  I bought this lens as a good indoor lens for birthday parties, weddings, and candid shots.  It doesn't have a telephoto zoom, which limits its uses, but if you own a high megapixel camera you can crop the image afterwords and still have plenty of resolution for your typical 4x6 or 5x7 size photos.Be warned, it's an EF lens not EFS so your view finder is going to be much more narrow than you might expect from a 50mm if you are using it in a digital SLR.  Again, for candid shots and portraits you'll be fine.  And with f/1.8 the depth of field is amazing.  With my other lens, I had to zoom to 85mm at f/5.8 to get the same frosty background I could achieve with this lens.It's not a perfect lens, and the plastic body makes me a little nervous, but it's tiny and super light and for around $100?!?  I can afford another one if this one breaks =).  Sure the USM f/1.4 might have a stronger body and slightly faster focus and shudder but it's also 3x the price.  Pro's might go with the 1.4 but any intermediate or hobbyist needs one of these in their bag.
This is the second lens I have purchased for my camera. It takes great looking photos. I like to shoot in Aperture priority and this lens' wide aperture makes my portraits really stand out.
I love this lens!!! I bought it a few months ago. I was looking for a bright lens that wasn't ridiculously expensive for everyday use. I youtubed the lens for a little more research and I decided to get it. This is the lens that I use the most. It's a really good deal for the good images you get. The photos look very artistic and the lens works very good in low light. BUY IT.
Good lens are expensive and when people find a nice piece of glass for cheap the buzz goes around. Many time that buzz is spread by people who have never owned or used the lens. It becomes automatic assumption that because it is a 50mm prime, it should be great. Don't believe the hype.The first buzz about this lens is its advantage to the Nikon equivalent because this lens will AF with all the Canon Rebels DSLR. Just be ware that the AF on this lens is horribly inaccurate so you will end up having to manual focus anyways, and that is a pain because of the design of the AF ring.The second buzz about this lens is that it is great for low light photography because its f1.8 max aperture. Just be aware that this lens is useless at f1.8, it is soft and flat in color, and I mean it.  This lens becomes useful only after f2.8 so the whole low light advantage is only a myth.To be honest, I have gotten better and sharper results from the camera kit lens and for that I would caution you to spend your money wisely on a different lens.
This was one of my first lenses, and it was a great purchase. It is a good walking lens, and is a prime lens that is affordable. I used this for 2 years and now keep it as a back-up lens. It has never given me any problems
I bought this lens for under $60 from BH. This is an amazing little lens. It's light it's bright it's sharp. I used it to shoot small objects indoor and creat a very narrow depth of the field, and also used it to shoot night scence without a tripod.I will recommand this product to anyone!
This lens is a $100 miracle. This is hands down, the best lens for someone starting out with an EF mount camera. I bought this lens before I could afford the kit lenses to put on my 60D. However, now that I have my kit lenses too, I still find myself using this lens at every chance I get. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.Pros:-This is a FAST lens, f/1.8. Works great in low light, just make sure your camera isn't dialing back the f/stop and use the ISO to conpensate for exposure.-Light! This thing is as light as a feather. You can barely notice the lens when mounted.-Sharp as a tack. For a ~$100 lens, the optics are crisp.-Pair with 49mm worth of macro tubes for creamy and beautiful bokeh-ed macros.Cons:-AF can be jittery in really low to no light.-Can feel cheap in MF mode.-It's considerably loud when focusing, about twice as loud as the kit lenses.Conclusion:Am I glad I didn't blow 10x this on a USM 50mm lens? Absolutely. I'm not in the market for an uber quiet lens (yet). All in all, If you're on a budget and already have a camera body, BUY THIS LENS. I keep this lens in my backpack AT ALL TIMES. Not only is it a great lens to start out with, it's a great lens to keep in your collection.
This lens is cheap, focus quality is awful. I shoot with a 7D, when I switched to the 50mm 1.4f for $375 the image quality rose tremendously. The 50mm 1.8f only has 5 blades and is made out of cheap plastic, you get what you paid for. The 50mm 1.4f is much better and has a better focus area than the 50mm 1.8f.
Not sure if it's because it's not the most expensive lens or what, but this has not lasted a year for me.  I've taken it in and to have it looked at would cost almost as much as the lens itself.  If you're looking for a 50mm then save for the better quality.  I want to throw this one out of a moving car, but maybe you get what you pay for?
I am not 100% happy with this lens. It is cheaply made and does not do a good job of focusing. I used to have an older 50mm f/1.8 and I sold it. I will never sell older lenses again. They are made ten times better than the lenses they are selling today.This lens does the job for the most part, but I would not recommend it or purchase it again.
I have had this lens for exactly 20 years now.  I got it in 1993.  It is still holding up fine.  It is my sharpest lens.  I love it.  Its so small, and I can throw it in my backpack with out a protective case because its inexpensive.  Even the plastic ef mount is still working good.  The image circle is compatible with both full frame and crop sensor cameras.  I can disconnect it from the camera and do tilt shift photography with it.
This is a perfect little lens, amazingly low priced for the quality of the glass.  Everyone should add this lens to their kit.
I really struggled with buying this lens for a long time. How could something this inexpensive be any better than the kit quality lenses I already own. Looking at all the sample images and comments finally pushed me over the edge and I am glad they did.This little gem has been giving me clearer pictures than I have been able to achieve for the most part since getting my XSi camera early December 2009. I am even able to do some very nice quazi macro work until I get a real macro lens, and the bokeh is really beautiful. Taking portrait shots of people, well I just can't say enough good things about that.This is going to keep me entertained until I can afford to buy more expensive glass, but hey, I live in California, and work for the state. Can you say 'furlough'?Go for it!
Got this lens after owning the Canon 50mm F1.4.  Like the 50mm F1.8 a lot more.  The 50mm F1.8 is useable wide-open where the f1.4 is quite soft.  The 50mm F1.4 has more flare than I could tolerate, the 50mm F1.8 much less flare.  The focus on the 50mm F1.8 is a bit slow and noisy - like the kit lens (18-55).  No matter, this lens take Sharp Pictures!  Plan to use it at weddings and for personal use.  Update 02/19/2011:  Used this lens set at F2.8 on an Engagement Shoot.  Gave nice blurred background and sharp on the couple.  The coupled loved the pictures!  Have not noticed the harsh blur others knock this lens about. Update 3/26/2011: This lens has earned the name of Bread & Butter or ChaChing for short. When it is used for Engagement or Trial shoots, the wedding is bagged due to the sharp pictures and great bokeh from this lens.  Very impressive picture quality - sharpness and blur ability. Update 4/21/2011:  Used this lens exclusively on a Bridal Portrait shoot.  It rocked the H*LL out of it!  Stunning pictures, sharp on focus point, beautiful blurred background.  Primarily used in the F2.8->F5.6 range. Update 5/21/2011: Ok, so this lens frequently does not perfectly focus wide open or near wide open, even so the pictures are sharp enough at smaller viewing sizes and the client is distracted by the lovely out of focus parts of the photograph.  They have not seen a photograph quite like this being that all they have been seeing comes out of a camera phone!  Got a trial shoot this Sunday.  Going to mount the 50MM 1.8 as primary with the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 DII as backup.  Shooting outside.  Update 7/9/2011: Why do I keep writing about this lens!?  It Rocks is why! Use this lens on Trial Shoots and always get the gig.  Shot a picture of an engaged couple - F5.6.  Very Sharp!  Looked around the internet - you would be Very Hard Pressed to find a lens that could take a sharper picture at F5.6 and this is a $100 lens!  Enough said (I hope)!  6/23/2012 - the best pictures I take are with this lens.  The sharpest lens I own.  Primes are hard to work with when compared to zooms but my, the pictures are So Good!
I am so happy with this lens & you will be too. This little devil is amazing in low-light situations with my Rebel XTi. It's fast and the pictures are very crisp, it will definitely make you look like a pro. Most people comment that the quality of the casing isn't all that great; seeing as it's plastic, but if you take care of your equipment, you shouldn't have a problem. It's an amazing lens at a great price.
When I bought this lens, it rarely came off my camera.  It has since been replaced as my favorite by the Canon 35mm f/2 (mainly because it has better construction and a wider viewing angle for my T3i's crop sensor).  The image is nice and sharp, the bokeh is pretty good (if it's open all the way it's very pentagonal), and it does a decent job focusing.  Manual focusing is challenging and the lack of image stabilization makes handheld video challenging as well, but it's a great lens to get after the kit.  It feels very plasticy, but I haven't had any issues.
I absolutely love this lens!! I use it constantly, it was a great purchase my only regret is that I wasn't able to afford the 1.4 :( but maybe one day...but this lens is wonderful and takes amazing clear crisp pictures, I highly recommend it!!
Probably the best buy in the DSLR/SLR world. The plastic housing feels a bit like a toy, but the glass says otherwise.  A tiny, extremely sharp lens that is absolutely unbeatable for the price.  A useful focal length that is perfect as a low-light head-and-shoulders/portrait lens (especially on an XT/XTi/XSi or 30d/40d, since the crop factor effectively makes it an 80mm lens).  Between this and my EF-S 17-85mm IS I hardly ever have to use the flash. Unless you've got money to burn on the 50mm f/1.4 ($330), f/1.2 ($1300), or f/1.0 (discontinued, ~$3000), buy this lens and don't look back.
I have had great success with this lens.  I love the beautiful close-up pictures that I can compose.  You can't beat the price as well!
I am a professional cinematographer,and have owned several lens over the years.  I don't get the positive reviews, my lens is soft wide open and down a stop too, at which point I might as well use my zoom lens and not risk dust on the sensor by taking the lens off.  To me this lens is junk.  I have shot over 3000 time lapse sequences with DSLR cameras, love the Canon DSLR cameras, just plan to sell the 50mm off soon.  Some people may have received a better copy.  But when I shoot city lights from my house overlooking a city, this lens has been the worst I have ever used.  I make a living shooting beautiful images for stock footage, sometimes with quite cheap glass, so I was sad to see the results.I shoot quite a bit at night in moonlit landscapes, so I understand fast lens shot falls, but this lens was terrible.  I also only manually focus everything, I use a hoodman loupe for all shots, to check focus, I nail focus better then using auto focus on every lens I own.  So no auto focus issue, just poor glass.I don't mean to upset anyone who may like the lens, just my professional two cents.
Great lens and for under $100 you can't go wrong.  Obviously it's not "L" glass but this thing takes some sharp, well exposed images.  Get one for your camera now.
This little lens doesn't feel like much in terms of construction but it performs like the more expensive primes. If you like great Bokeh and cant afford L series or 1.2 or 1.4 BUY THIS. You will not be disappointed. I don't use it much any more because I bought a 24-70L but before that purchase I got great results from this little baby. It is also really light so it makes for a fun little lens to just take out to the park on the weekends and beat up and not worry about about the small $100 investment.
There is really no reason not to buy this lens, unless you're considering upgrading to the 50mm 1.4 lens for a faster and more durable lens, albeit at nearly 4 times the cost.  This could be worth it, but unless you change lenses like it's your job (which it might be), or work in ridiculous conditions (America pretty much doesn't qualify), there's really no need.  For the price and the great quality that you get in return, this lens has no equal.  The 1.8 aperture is unbelievably useful, especially for stopping action, which IS does not help anyways.The sharpness of the lens is a nonfactor.  This is also true of almost any lens made in the last 50 years by a reputable dealer.  Sure, the lens is a little sharper stopped down from f/1.8, but the biggest limit to the sharpness of the picture at large apertures is in fact going to be the depth of field, not the actual sharpness of the lens.  Since only one point is in perfect focus, the rest of a 3D object will be progressively less in-focus as it gets farther away from or closer to that point, limited entirely by the depth of field.Treat this lens right, and you'll have it for a long time.  The question to ask yourself if you're considering the 50mm 1.4 is if you think getting a wider aperture is worth the cost.  Or, if you don't care about the wider aperture as much (most people don't often need it), then ask yourself if you think you'll go through 4 of these lenses in the time you would go through one of the 1.4's due to cheaper build quality.  In my opinion, if you think you might, you should be more concerned about protecting your lenses.Overall this is a spectacular wide aperture lens, the color rendition is excellent, and it makes for a fine short telephoto on a 1.6 crop factor camera, or a great normal lens on full frame.  And while using this lens as an everyday lens is fine because of it's low-light capabilities, be aware that this is not a wide-angle lens, especially on a 1.6 crop factor camera.  So you might need to back up a few steps to get everyone in the picture, which is OK so long as you have the space.  If you need a wider lens, the 18-55mm IS lens is actually quite good for the price, with the only real competition coming from the much more expensive 17-40L, or the 18-55mm 2.8 IS, which cost 6 - 10 times as much.
I bought this lens to use on my Rebel T3i and so far it works great. The portraits look great and I also like the bokeh produced. I have had no problems removing this lens as others have. My only complaint is that it does take awhile to focus sometimes and hunts around but for the price, it wont be a real loud complaint.
Fanastic price, fantastic performance. Feels easy to break, but it's a camera lense.... it should be handled appropriately. Recommended first purchase lense aside from kit lense for a Canon camera.
I bought this lens a year ago and im still loving it! Its light, fast, cheap and very good in low light. I usually photograph my kids and the pictures are great! Get one now! Great for beginners also!
I bought the lens and inside the lens is waste , I can not believe Amazon sells second selection things ..... WARNING !!!!!!
Excellent family and portrait photos. Together with my new 60D is a unbeatable combination for low light indoor photos and video
Very nice lens for all kinds of work!  I used for everything you can possibly imagine, flowers, birds, portrait, and it worked great!!!  If you do macro work this will be perfect.  I also got the Lens Hood that Amazon recommends and it gave a nice look to the lens and camera, plus good protection from direct sunlight.
Wonderfull night lens, incredible bokeh and depth of field. I use a Canon EOS XT and it is great to have the extra aperture when you are shooting in low light conditions, this way I could set the ISO at 1600 the f at 1.8 and depending on the light, I could increase the shutter speed for better results.It definitely shows that the lens costs under $100 because of the built quality. But nothing to worry about, I've been using it for quite a while and no dust has gotten inside.My only complaint is the focusing and AF. This is very slow, specially in lowlight. I miss the USM feature. But certainly you are getting more than what you pay for. It is an amazing, with wonderful results, cheap lens.If you can't afford or don't want to spend much, this is your way to go, It is incredible, really.
I got this lense because I thouth It would help with low light enviroments and it does.though you will definitly need a tripod for realy low light shooting in order to increase the aperture time.I don't really care much about bokhee but it's nice.the only problem I find is that the 50mm focal distance on a croped sensor camera like the T3i is really an 80mm. if you are looking for a more true to life image area on a croped sensor it would be something arround 30mm and that as far as I know costs 3 times more so it's up to you.
Very good , the quality of those pictures is fine, easy to use. Canon defenility make a good product. So if you looking for filming or photos this I the lens .
This is a great value for a fixed lens. It is very clear and fast - just plain good to have as an option.
This is my second time purchasing this lens after my son broke the first lens. Very cheap build as everyone has said but for the price, you can't beat the speed and quality at this price. I would definately run a focus test on it as soon as you get it and return it if the focus is too out of whack. Overall focus is a little soft at 1.8 but gets much better at 2.8 - 4. I intend to get an extension to to do some Macro Photography in the future. I woud certainly recommend this lens to anyone.
I just got the new Canon Rebel T2i and my friend suggested this lens. So far I love it!! I would highly recommend this lens to anyone purchasing a Canon Rebel camera.
This lens seems cheap by the price and somewhat in your hands. It is not heavy and the attach rings are plastic-- get over it the lens is so inexpensive in price! I love this lens and it has a low F stop so it makes a wonderful portrait lens.
This lens lives on my Canon Rebel xs and produces incredible photos. I'm so happy that I was able to buy a prime lens now rather than have to wait and save up for one. Which is what would have happened if it weren't for the 1.8. You can tell it's not going to stand up to much abuse so I'll do my best to protect it and hope that it stands up to regular use, as it really is an amazing lens. Luckily $90 isn't so much money that I'll be heartbroken if it only lasts a couple years. Love it!
The lens is simple yet effective. It gets the job done, it's super cheap, and it's light weight. I am happy with the quality.
This might not be the best-built Canon lens, or L-glass, or even the lowest f-stop available...but this beauty does the job. Gorgeous bokeh, pin-sharp clarity, terrific in low-light situations and...hey, the plastic makes it lightweight, if nothing else....and it doesn't break the bank! If you don't have a &#34;money-no-object&#34; attitude or an ego the size of Neptune...save some money and get this lens!
I had this lens for almost 5 months now. It's cheap BUT don't let the price fool you. Image quality is superb, especially in low light condition. Excellent for potrait shot. Why need to spend 3 times more when the picture quality of this lens is as close as the expensive one. For 80 or 90 bucks, you can affort to make your own assesment.
I'm just getting started as a hobbyist photographer, and this lens was my first foray into primes. It takes some getting used to, but the photos so far have been great. I'm especially impressed considering it's definitely one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest entirely) lenses in the Canon lineup. The only thing I'm concerned about is that the focus ring seems to be getting a bit loose. It hasn't malfunctioned yet, though, so I really can't complain.
i got this lens because everyone said a 50mm lens was an essential one to have in your bag. it was super cheap, had a really fast fstop and had great picture quality. i was a little nervous about the quality of build and its just as cheap as it looks. however the pictures come out amazing and i love this lens. it is tough to focus because the ring is in the front and the autofocus is loud and slow, also its tough to hook a hood up to or a filter because it screws inside instead of on the outside like normal lenses. so if you have the coin buy up but if you are looking for a great lens for cheap this is it, but treat it like a lady or it's gonna be in pieces.
I purchased this lens a month ago to supplement my Canon T3i kit lenses (which I will also be upgrading in time). I wanted an inexpensive prime lens, a "normal" lens, for portraits, indoor, and creative outdoor stuff. The aperture of f/1.8 is tremendous in low light. Sharpness is wonderful. And it's fun, fun, fun! Why? It gets me out of zoom mode for a while and forces me to walk closer to my subjects and find creative angles. It takes me back to my early days with my old Pentax K1000. Anyone remember that camera? I imagine a lot of us, including me, learned to take pictures on a fixed focal length lens and we made do with that alright. I LOVE this little lens. Reliable, light, sharp, great in low light conditions--just plain fun.
I purchased this lens for my wife.  I bought it at the same time I purchased a Canon 50d.  She LOVES the lens.  Yes, there are much better lenses on the market, but this is a great lens for the money and she is just using it for pics of our two girls.  If she was going to be shooting professional photography we probably would have opted for the 50mm that is a step up ($300+.)  Depending on how often she uses it over time we may upgrade, but for now she is VERY pleased.
as a new DSLR owner this lens was recommended by a very well versed photographer friend.  Can't thank him enough, and not sure why Canon just doesn't offer this as a bundled lens in addition to the other standard lenses.  it's a must have for anyone, and the quality of shots are amazing! Way to go Canon!
Super cheap and sucks up so much light probably more than my 50mm 1.4 images are sharp but bokeh leaves more to be desired.  great introduction to prime lenses
Very solid product for the price. If you have any desire for portrait shots, this lens offers very nice depth of field.
Great glass in a cheap housing makes for prime fun.  I picked this up after several friends recommended adding this to my lens collection.  It's well worth the money and is a great choice for inexpensive (but great) portrait work.
Wow.. unbelievable photos!  For the price,  how could I pass it up? Not too worried about plastic construction. Mostly leaving on the camera.  Close ups are so sharp..even handheld outside in a breeze shooting some flowers.  This baby is fast!!
This is by far the cheapest and sharpest prime lens i use for my Canon d60 for portrait or food photography. Its great
It is best economical Canon lens, produce the best results. perhaps the best solution for portraits For 100 bucks, every EOS owner should have one.
I just ordered one of these upon seeing what my friends have been doing with this particular lens.If you're just starting out with photography, or are on a budget this lens is definitely worth the price. At $75-$100 USD, you literally will not get anything better without paying around 4x the price. Images are a little soft when wide open (but still very nice) and sharpest at f/8 (beats out some very expensive lenses at that point). The only problem you might have is with the plastic build of the lens, but at $100 or so, you'll probably get your moneys worth out of it.
This is a great lens.. I strongly recommend this lens if your on a budget like I was... You will not regret it.. it give great looking images.. plus its a must have..
i really enjoyed that Len. I like so much, the 1.8 gives you great photos.. I love it!Totally recommend
This is the perfect lens for day-to-day shooting.It's so fast (1.8) that you can shoot almost anything WITHOUT FLASH!I use it on Manual, never use the flash and have consistently great results.The price is incredible. (This lens is worth $500 but don't tell Canon).
With this 50mm f/1.8II and Canon 7D you can obtain really sharp images, even stoped down to 1.8, the lens itself is quite compact, plastic construccion, but the optics are great, a really basic lens, but that is precisely what it is meant to be. It allows you to take pictures on low light situations, keeping fast shutter speed, for portraits or other kind of images where you want everything blurred in the background
This lens is a must-buy if you're just beginning your collection of photography gear and accessories. This lens gets killer close-ups that are super clean with shallow depth of field. Can't beat the price!
this lens works great in low light situations, although [depending on your camera] photos look much grainier when set at 800+ ISO.  but, since most f/1.8 lenses are several hundreds of dollars, this lens is great in it's simplicity and effectiveness.
I just love it. Is a really nice lens for the price. Pretty clear, I had nice shots impossible without flash with my other lens (3.5-5.6). Every body with an SLR camera should owned this one
This is a great lens for the money. The only reason I gave it a 4 star rating is that the Auto focus is slow. Not a big deal for me since I do more filming than photography and only focus manually
At f/1.8 about 75% of the pictures I take indoors with no flash are either out of focus and those that are in focus are extremely soft. Stopped down below f/1.8 the pictures are mostly sharp, but I find this lens to be somewhat unreliable. Even outdoors in the sun many shots are out of focus. I don't know if I got a bad lens, but this has been my experience.
I've owned this lens for just over a year now.  My other lens is a 17-85mm, and while I use that one when I go outdoors and/or want a wider range, I keep the 50mm on my camera about 90% of the time.  These days I'm mostly taking pictures of my 10month old son, and this lens is fabulous for that.  Allows me to take great clear, crisp shots indoors with low-ish light.  I'll agree it might not be as nice as the 1.4, but for 1/3 the price that's to be expected.  If you can afford to go higher, then sure, buy the 1.4 or another more expensive lens.  But if you're strapped for cash and want/need a great lens for portraits and close-ups, this is the lens for you.
bough this on a hunch. wanted something that could take pics w/ low light and no flash. i have the 28-135 IS lens and it really stinks indoors (mostly because my XSi has a 12 mpxl sensor - the more megapixels u have, the less sensitive the sensor is to light - megapixels DON'T matter)at any rate, i posted a pic in the billions of other pics up here. it's the one with all the tomatoes and peppers in a glass bowl.i love it!
Bought this one to use for portrait photography indoors and outdoors. Can't say it blew my mind with super cool pictures, but it serves the purpose well, thus, I belive it is a good lense. The focus is great; it is easy to use; it is light and fast.
Wonderful lens for the Mom-tog, or beginning photographer. I really liked this lens, but would almost say that saving your money a little bit longer and going for the 1.4 is worth the wait...
From a lot of the reviews, I was expecting a "cheaper" plastic feel then what I received.  No, it is not like myCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras-Series lens in build, but it is not a toy either.  It does not feel like it will fall apart very easily and the build is good and solid- no rattles or other issues noted.  Good sharp pics with the right light and conditions (and this depends on the experience of the user- I am not a pro or even advanced amateur, just someone who likes to take pictures of the kids and landscape)  and is definitely lighter than my standard 28-105 lens I keep on myCanon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black).  I can keep this lens on now and just walk the image in closer/further away.  I also purchased theSigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV FilterandFotodiox Dedicated Lens Hood, for Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens as Canon ES-62to put on and they all fit and function flawlessly.  Glad to have bought and will certainly update if any negative aspects show themselves.  I definitely feel it was worth the $107 I spent on it.
Man...Where do I start...This lens is amazing....no IS but still my pictures are so sharp.It is very fast....colors are oh so bright & you can't beat the price. Simply amazing for themoney I spent. A++ Canon rocks !!
This is a good prime lens, although not perfect for the Rebel XT. Sharp throughout most of the range, and good for low-light shots. Overall, a solid buy.
Slow to focus, if your subject is fast like my 10 month old daughter your better off trying to take a mental picture because this lens will not deliver. I got rid of this guy and put down the extra $220 bucks for the USM f1.4. So much faster, more accurate to focus and doesn't constantly hunt like the f1.8. The build quality of the f1.8 is not good at all, it always felt like something was loose in side the lens. I took it to a local camera shop and I was told that's how the lens sounds. it's meant to be a cheap 50 for starters so Canon didn't focus on quality and it shows. For the price tag you really can't complain but at the same time I wouldn't compare it to f1.4 because the only thing they have in common is the 50mm focal length.
This lens is a great learning tool, as well as an amazing lens.  It really helps to demonstrate the relationship between aperture (f/stop), shutter speed and iso, and how they all relate to field of depth.  It's an amazingly sharp lens that works great in low light situations (due to the big aperture) and is perfect for portraits.  No photographer (beginner through advanced) should be without this lens in their bag.  For $100, you'd be crazy not to have it.
First,this is not a L series telephoto lens, but it is a fantastic prime lens for about $100!!! The construction is not real sturdy, and has a lot of plastic but for the money it is insanely great. Pictures are CRYSTAL clear and sharp. This is a great way to learn the lower f/ stops which is what I totally expected. The f/1.8 is more than enough to give you a ton of experience on what to be watching for. I missed focus on some secondary items in the picture due to setting the f/ stop too low, but that is my point, we need to learn by using a low f/ stop lens and this is a great way to learn. I also found that I will be looking much harder at prime lenses instead of zooms in the future. Without all of the compromises that zooms require, primes can get incredible sharpness! I have a lot of money in lenses, but this is the best bargain in my kit. And Amazon gave its usual great service on this purchase.
This lens is as sharp as my L lenses at all f-stops except for 1.8.  1.8 isn't bad but from there up it is TACK SHARP.This is also a great lens to help you think about your composition.  No zoom here.  You have to move around and really look at your viewfinder.  It makes you take more time and THINK!This is one of my favorite lenses (and I have a lot of L glass). Nothing to worry about here if you drop it, just go buy another one!
It could be faster, but it would be much more expensive. This is THE perfect lens for the money. It provides a clean image at a reasonable f-stop.
Absolutely love this lens! Some reviews about this product will say that due to it's build quality buy the canon 1.4, instead of spending an extra $200 dollars for a .4 difference in aperture and a metal mount, give this thing a try!! Yes it is made entirely of plastic but for the price and optics it can't be beat.
For the price you cant beat it for an amateur lens. It is a great lens if u want want to take indoor shots. Everyone can take shots outdoors with the proper sun light but this one will be your portrait lens of choice until you upgrade to the 85mm 1.8f which is almost 4 times the price. It is an enjoyable lens, that is not heavy and takes great photos, which will end up being your natural lens of choice when you are deciding which one to mount to your camera.
I love this lens.  I shoot with it constantly, and I loooove using it for portraits.  The focus is slow.  I've missed a few shots because of it.I was taking some photos with my 550D and suddenly saw an opportunity to take video.  I flipped the camera to video and grabbed on to the focus and cranked it.  Well, I had failed to turn off the autofocus on the lens and it made a cranky noise.  Now, the focus ring doesn't feel smooth when rotating it - it grinds a bit like there is a grain of sand or two in it.  However, it still auto-focuses perfectly.Moral of the story: I've beaten this lens up and it still works great.I recommend this lens to all of my friends and family when they get their first DSLRs.  Absolutely unbeatable for the price.
I wish I could give 6 stars on this - I shoot with a Canon 550D and this lens made a day/night difference in my photos from the stock lens. Sharpness is very good at f1.8 through f3.2 and very acceptable (better than kit-lens) in smaller apertures.When buying the 1.8, I was also looking at the much more expensive 1.4 from Canon. But since I shoot a lot of close-ups and my newborn girl, the extra 0.2 less creates an unusable depth of field for me. Mostly, I shoot at 2.2 to 3.2, which gives me enough light in most situations to go >1/100 and reduce motion blur.And if like me, you weren't sure about getting a fixed distance lens: if you do a lot of portraits, don't sweat it. It's true what they say about how it get your creative juices flowing and makes you look for new angles, positions, etc. to shoot from. I use my kit lens only in very closed quarters, arquitectual or 20% of my landscape photography.Build quality, as has been mentioned, is very plastic, but never to a point at which you think it will break too easily. And for US$ 110, it's something you just have to get out of your head.If there is one knock, it would be that it's sometimes tricky to use the autofocus on my camera with the highest aperture, which is another reason I don't use 1.8 much, unless I'm manually focussing. But probably that's more of a knock on me and my camera than the lens.
I was extremely happy with this lens.  I have been using the kit lens that came with the camera as well as a 50-250mm zoom.  I was looking for a "faster" lens, and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II fit my budget.  I have to admit, I now have to use "foot-zoom" to get the shots I want, but I hoping it will make me a better photographer.Happy and satisfied!
Photos are great even in low light.  I had mine about a year before the auto focus stopped working.  Even when it did work it was really sloooow.  This lens is plastic and cheap.I'm now springing for the 1.4 (metal) version.
After purchasing my 550D I was told I would have to upgrade from the Kit lense if I wanted to see improvements in quality of photos and video. This lense was recommended to me and it's been working flawless.Wish I had a bigger Focus ring but overall it performs quite well specially for a 100 bucks.Must have lenses after the Kit lenses.
has a great depth of field. really nice aperture, great image quality . and its only 100$ i think every photographer should have one
I've been shooting seriously for about a year now and a friend of mine had been trying to get me to use his EF 50 1.8.  I shoot quite often in low light conditions and my fastest lens before this purchase was Canon's discontinued EF 28-70 f2.8 L lens.  It's a wonderful lens, albeit a bit heavy, but really sharp.  Not quite fast enough for stage performance work, but it was the fastest lens in my bag.  After borrowing his 50, I was shocked at the plastic housing construction and the tiny focus ring.  All of that bias disappeared as soon as I took some test shots and examined them on my PC.  This lens is a real jewel producing acceptable bokah and color depth.  I find that I use it quite often and the featherweight allows me to keep it in my bag without adding much weight.  In most low light situations, the slight light fall off toward the corners is unnoticeable.  I highly recommend this lens, as on a price performance ratio, it certainly keeps up with the two L series lenses in my bag.  Bravo Canon.  You can view how this lens performs on my blog at [...]
Yes, it is cheaply built, but I have taken some very sharp and impressive pictures with this lens - very impressive pictures.  It's not like it is going to fall apart, but it's not the greatest quality build lens.  The glass is very good though.  The purchase of this lens for those low light photos, especially for the the price offered ... well it should be a "no brainer."  I have no regrets!
I bought this lens on a whim for my 5DM2 and was very pleased at the sharp images this thing can take with superb bokeh.  For the price, it's tremendous.  Sure, if you drop it on a concrete sidewalk, it's history.  But I've never dropped any equipment on a concrete sidewalk.  If it get's wet, it's gone.  I don't take photos in the rain.  So if you don't use your lens for a hockey puck and run around in the rain, buy this lens--the build quality is just fine.  Why does Canon make a lens like this?  Probably to let financially strapped photo students buy a decent lens.  Good for you Canon.
This lens is very inexpensive but don't write it off for that reason.  I mostly use it on my 5D Mark II and the images it produces are simply spectacular.  In fact, I prefer the results I get with this lens over some of my L series glass (lenses).  This is a great first lens for someone starting out with a crop body or full frame camera.  It's construction is not the sturdiest but it will hold up if you take care of it and are careful.  It is plastic so it may not survive a good drop.  But for the price you could buy several of these over what you'd pay for other similar lenses.
Unless you own a nicer more expensive USM lens, or can get your hands on an M42 (Screwmount) adapter and an old mimiya 55mm f1.8 somewhere, this is the lens to get.  I've taken a lot of photos with this lens and it is absolutely indispensable for shooting in low light when you don't want to use a flash or have a lot of grain due to high ISO.  The bokeh isn't the greatest, due to their only being 5 aperture blades, giving it a pentagonal bokeh shape.  But it's not terrible enough for the price to warrant not buying.  If you can afford more, think about getting the f2.8 40mm pancake, as that has since replaced my nifty 50.  Canon sells them refurbished sometimes, and I got mine for half off.  This is a great lens at a great price point and for those new to DSLR photography, this is an excellent starting point that will have your friends and family thinking you're a pro.  A fun thing to do is to open the aperture up all the way and flip the lens over to take macros.  Neat trick! The autofocus works as it should, but manual can be kind of a drag, due to the cheap plastic focus ring which sits on the very outer edge of the lens.  Not the greatest for manual focus when shooting video, but it still works if you can figure it out. All in all A+.
I haven't had the opportunity to use the lens as much as I would like so far.  But the one time I did put it to the test so far, it performed beautifully and as advertised.  I know i will make great use of this lens as I use it more.
If you're sitting on the fence for getting it, do it! It's an awesome lens, period, even better at this price. The build quality isn't as solid as a full metal body, but if you take care of your lenses this won't matter, and it makes it light.
takes pictures with excellent sharpness and can produce a decent bokeh at wide apertures. I have not had an issue with the lens getting stuck to the camera as have some reviewers. The autofocus is significantly louder than an stm lens, but this is to be expected. The glass is good, the construction is cheap and the price is right.
I use this lens for everything!  Portraits, landscapes, etc.  I also use this constantly for video work on my T2i/550D.  It's perfect.  Super sharp.  The build quality is rather shotty, however, it is an amazing lens for the price.  A must buy!
The nifty fifty is what people seemed to be Recommending me to start out with. I've been able to take some pretty awesome pictures with it so far.
As usual, Canon puts out an excellent product.  The vendor shipped the lens out to me on schedule and I had it when they said I wouldThanks.
This is my second copy of this lens and I really use it a lot.  I did find out something about it the other night though.  I was shooting some pictures at our church festival and taking pictures of the ferris wheel and other rides and found that I was getting some flare from the lights show up in the photos.  I had been shooting with a UV filter attached and when I took the filter off the flares disappeared. Who'd thunkit.
My first prime lens and I love it.  Very sharp focus.  Perfect fit for my Canon T2i.  Also at a very reasonable price.
This lens are fantastic! As an amateur photographer I recommend this lens it will take your photography to the next level and the quality of your photographs will improve! So get started with this lens as soon as possible!The shipping was fast and it it got delivered in perfect conditions.
For the price that it's at, even if it cost more this lens is still a great deal, not super fast focus in comparison to other lens the deliver the same sharpness and quality. Perfect for a lens that you don't want to stick out in a crowd, worrying about breaking or need it for low light. If it came with image stabilization this would be a super tough lens to beat. It's best on a crop sensor dslr.
I'll add to the thousands saying it: purchase this is you own a Canon DSLR.  Impeccable clarity, superb bokeh, fast aperture, right price.  A little fragile, but even if it breaks (and mine hasn't), it's super cheap to replace.  But if you treat it right it should last for a while.
This is the cure for an underwhelming kit lens. Amateur DSLR owners should seriously consider shelling out for it, because the quality you get for the price is staggering. Its size, ease of use, and quality optics make it a must for anyone that wants to grow their lens collection.The wide aperture is such a blessing in low light situations, and for creating that bokeh everyone loves so much. I'm not a photographer by any means, but some vacation photos posted on facebook were widely praised for their quality thanks in no small part to this lens.There are some glaring imperfections that any buyer should know about:-the build quality feels plasticky and nowhere near as solid as more expensive lenses-the autofocus motor is far from silent and might be distracting in quieter settings-the manual focus ring is almost flush with the FRONT of the lens and is fickle at best, making manual focusing more difficult than it should be.Those points aside, I still give it 4 stars. For around $100, there's no better vaule in photography. This should be in every hobbyist's camera bag, without question.
This lens although not the most sturdy feeling, has been awesome and produces fantastic images with great contrast.  I use it primarily outside for shoots.
This is a fast and sharp lens that works very well for portraits and indoor shots with low lighting. The f/1.8 speed makes this a no-brainer purchase if you don't have a comparable lens that covers 50mm. I broke the lens element in an unfortunate drop, but didn't damage the camera thankfully. I might replace the lens at some point, but the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 that I have works almost as well indoors and is just as sharp at 50mm.
With this lens, you get what you pay for.  While for some people think that's a bad thing (mostly folks who think you should be able to get superb quality for dirt cheap), for me it's working out great.No, this lens isn't true USM, so it's noisy and the autofocus can be a bit unreliable, particularly in low light.  And it only has five aperture blades, so the bokeh isn't as creamy and smooth as it could be.  And yes, it's mostly plastic.  But here's the thing: it's under $90.  No other lens in Canon's line-up comes anywhere near that cheap.  The f/1.4 lens is hovering around $250, last I checked, and that's not even a full stop faster.If, like me, you're new to photography and are trying to learn as much as you can about creating beautiful pictures WITHOUT dropping $300 every time you find yourself in situation where your current lens collection won't do what you want, this lens is an absolute must-have.  With a focal length of 50mm, it's the equivalent of an 80mm lens on a film SLR or one of the large sensor DSLR bodies, which is just about the perfect focal length for portraits.  The f/1.8 maximum aperture means the subject is super-sharp and all the other distracting background stuff is blur, as it's supposed to be.  And best of all, you can now do quality indoor photography without spending a couple hundred bucks on an external flash that washes everything out anyway.Do I wish it focused better, faster, and quieter?  Sure.  Do I wish the aperture was 2/3 of a stop faster?  Of course.  Do I wish the body, or at least the mount, was made of metal?  Heck yes.  Would I like a shorter focal angle for wider indoor shots?  Definitely.  Am I willing, as a new photographer, to spend $350 on a lens that does some of those things?  Not yet, I'm not.If you're a professional wedding photographer and need a portrait lens for your Canon 5D, this is not the lens for you.  But if you just bought your first DSLR and the kit lens just doesn't do what you want in low-light or portrait situations, get this lens.
You cant beat what this lens can do for you at the price you pay.  I have a telephoto and standard lens but use this one most because it gives such great depth of field. You cannon zoom in or out, but I find this only challenges me to make my art conform to the these limitations and makes me think outside the box on how to use the lens.
Firstly, the packaged arrived as described and in great condition - in the specified estimated shipping window as well!You just can't beat the value on this lens. I'm an amateur photographer, and after a week with this lens, I've been able to create a whole new level of art with the wider aperture comparative to some of the other lenses at my disposal.It isn't built as tough (read: it's plastic) as some of the other lenses in my kit, but for the price you won't find a better functioning lens at that focal length/aperture value.
I don't usually write reviews, but this lens is outstanding for the price. Perfect for portraits and closeups. I have an older Nikon 50mm and the Canon's build quality is not as sturdy, which is a con. But the picture quality is outstanding and it's very cheap. Highly recommended
With this lens it is well known that you'll either get a great sharp copy or a problem copy that is either soft, back focuses or front focuses. Most people get a good copy but this lens seems to have a higher bad rate than others.Anyways, just return it until you get a good one. Once you do get a good one this lens is never coming off your camera. Is has perfect sharpness, even at 1.8. Its a tad slow to focus and is noisy. It feels like a plastic toy from a snack box but dang, it has awesome glass and thats what matters.You're not going to find a lens under $400 that can perform nearly as well as this one does. Its extremely sharp that your eyes will bleed, it has perfect contrast and color. No true canon fan would be without this lens.Due to its awesome 1.8 fstop its great for low light. It can keep your shutter speeds nice and fast to stop motion in very low light. I don't know what I'd do without this lens.
save your money for the 1.4..plastic build and really hit or miss on quality.my friend loves this thing, but i hated it.  after selling it to him, i picked up the 1.4 version (i know 3x the price..) and it made a huge difference.i'm in the "you get what you pay for" camp on this one..if feels really flimsy, the front of it can pop out easily,and while pics weren't horrible, they simply were not the quality of the 1.4
This lens is a great deal for the price. And it does exactly what it is supposed to do. It is perfect for a beginner trying to get dark shots.
this lense shipped fast and was very well packaged.  This lens quickly became one of my favorite lenses.  Takes crisp pictures in low light situations.  This lens is great for photographing people and in door events, but keep in mind you need a little room between you and the subject do to its fixed focal length.  Great  lens, great price, great pics, what else could you ask for.
This is a no-risk no-brainer.  Super high lens quality at a stupid-low price.  You will not be disappointed.  I'm a painter who shoots his own large canvases when completed (for documentation and web/promotional images).  This captures my work far better than my gold-ring zoom does.  Highly recommend.
super cheap lens. but also sharp as a tack. everyone should start out with this lens as a step up from a kit lens. i had it for years first on a film canon 3. then on my first digital camera the canon 1d.  loved this on the 1.3 crop. works great on a 1.6 crop as well. i would recommend it to anyone needing a super sharp fast prime lens.  great for portraits i always wanted the 1.4 but this one was so good that i kept it until it puked.  it didnt actually puke i really dropped it with the weight of a 20d with a grip on it. landed right on the front of the lens right before a shoot to boot.  its a sharp lens sharp as an l zoom.  but not as solidly built as the original canon 1.8 but they are hard to find and are about 100 bucks more then the 50mm 1.8 ii.  i now have the 1.4 and i love it.  even sharper and stronger built. still not an l lens so i wouldnt want to drop it.  if you are paying for photography i would get this 1.8. if photography is paying you i would get the 1.4.
Some of my favorite photos were taken with this lens. On a crop sensor camera this becomes a killer portrait lens and the price is right. But I've gone through two of them already and am now considering investing in the 1.4 version. Flimsy construction doesn't just mean broken parts. I've babied these lenses and they still end up with dust and other mystery crud inside. My last lens actually grew mold, something I've never had a problem with other amateur and semi-pro (non-sealed) lenses in my collection, which I attribute to the obvious gaps in the fit and finish. I would view this lens as a must-have for outfitting an amateur or travel rig, but if you go into it thinking of this lens as disposable you won't be upset when it gets inevitably ruined.
For the money, this is a FANTASTIC lens. I contemplated getting the 1.4 for a trip I have planned but I wanted to save some of the money for the trip rather than the lens. I know I will give up some quality but the 1.8 is great for my current needs. I would absolutely recommend this lens to anyone who is seeking an affordable prime lens.
This is a good quality lens. A fixed lens has many advantages, because zoom lenses loose quality because of the moving parts. This lens size was a standard some decades ago.
This lens is the perfect addition to any photographers list. Wide open, the little "nifty fifty" expands your natural light opportunities. I bought if for my Canon XSI (450D) and it quickly became a popular option. It makes a great portrait lens and produces a pleasing Bokeh. The only down side if there is one is the that the long length of this lens puts it on the telephoto side which makes using it in tight quarters difficult.
I ordered this to prepare for my upcoming trip overseas. It arrived super fast and works just as I thought it would. It is perfect.
This lens is wonderful!  You have to get used to zooming with you feet with it but the pictures are so sharp and gorgeous!  This lens is never going to leave my camera!
This is a fantastic portrait lens.  My wife wanted to take shots with a blurred background and that is it's specialty.  Not recommended for video unless you want to manually focus.  The motor is very loud.
The lens is everything when it comes to picture quality, and this one will not disappoint.
This is a great little lens, with a tragic, ironic flaw. For all its wonderful image quality and ability to gobble up light, its almost completely worthless in even slightly dim lighting due to the TERRIBLE low light focus performance. I've come to think of it as a manual focus lens, its so bad. And without a flash, there is no focus assits lamp. Now I may be the problem here, perhaps there is a way to utilize the focus assist lamp without using the flash? If anyone can correct me on this, PLEASE DO SO!! I'd love to be proven wrong on this as I really love everything else about this lens.
I'll keep it simple...Pros:-Very lightweight-Inexpensive-Amazingly sharp-Depth of Field for days!Cons:-Inexpensive construction (but it was $99!)-Slower, noisy A/F (again, $99!)I'd buy it again without hesitation.
My images appeared tack sharp to me and the short DOF is killer! Can't beat the price, that's a fact! Get this lens, and if you can afford it, get two!
Once you try this lens, you will not go back to the standard kit lens that comes with the camera.  It does take a while to get used to not having a zoom option, but this lens is fantastic under low light--I never use my flash, and it takes great portraits, providing just the right amount of &#34;fuzz&#34; in the background.
A must have for every canon DSLR. Very easy to use and good photo quality. I give stunning details, especially in Macros.
As a cheap lens The quality is pretty good. i bought it for my friend last year.  The pics quality is nicer.
I'll keep this review short. Soon after I ventured into DSLR photography, i bought this nifty-fifty based on my research for finding a sharp lens that would give me higher quality photos i bought the DSLR for. It was a bit of gamble as i had never used primes and also in order to afford this, i had to sell my kit lens so this would have to be my only lens. I gambled, and so glad i did. I kept this lens for next 2-years - fabulous for kids portraits, amazing low-light performance, and oh that bokeh! This is one lens no one should be without. I became a big believer in available light photography just because what this lens can do. After 2 years i was ready for upgrade - i wanted wider and faster lens (low-light shooting is addictive) thus i decided on Sigma 30mm f1.4. That's another fabulous lens BUT after using that for a while, i noticed i miss not having the ability to take the kind of intimate portraits that this lens used to. Now i am searching for perfect close/tight portrait lens (trying 100mm f2.8, 60mm f2.8, 85mm f1.8) but i know in my heart that if i just go back to this cheap nifty-fifty, i won't have to look further. After spending thousands on quality lenses, i can confess that this lens is absolutely a must have - don't be without it.UPDATE FOR FULL-FRAME USERS: I bought a 5D mkII and as i was so happy with this lens, i bought a copy to go with it. But on 5DII full-frame sensor, the images it produces are softer than what i got on the crop-sensor Rebel Bodies. That's where you have to pay three times to get the 50/1.4 but it has its own quirks. Seems like no 50mm lens is a "shining star". I have gone with a Sigma 50/1.4 even though majority of reviews complain about its auto-focus issues but i have the capability to fine tune (micro-adjust) the focus on my 5DII. Thus my stand on this little guy is that its perfect on crop sensor (Rebels, 40D/50D/60D, 7D etc.) but falls short on full frame.
I have always had a zoom lens and I found it extremely difficult to use a fixed lens.  Having to move your body back and forth to get the right focal length is harder than it seems.  I missed so many great shots.  I also used it at night for a jack o' lantern blaze event and I felt it still was too dark considering the speed of the lens - I expected a little more.  I quickly switched back to my zoom and no longer use this lens.
Shooting in auto thus far, love it!!  Nice bokeh/blur effect in background.  Can be a little dark if shooting in dimly lit area.
I got this lens wanting a little variation in my bag.  I have 2 zoom lens and thought this would be good for portrait shots.  The pictures turned out really sharp and I'm glad I made this purchase.
I have been waiting a long time to get this lens and was very excited when it arrived.  However, it has an occlusion inside the lens so I will be sending it back.
My mom got this and used it once. She took one single photo and the whole thing exploded while on her camera. Parts of it were stuck on the body and could not be removed. The parts that were not stuck flew off the camera and hit my daughter in the face leaving a really nasty cut and bruise. We sent the camera and what was left of the lens to Canon because none of the local businesses would touch it. They had all seen this before and didn't sound surprised at all but nobody wanted to deal with it. Canon would not cover this under the warranty even though we did nothing wrong and used it in totally normal conditions. It was cheap so no big deal except the lens forced it's way into the cameras mirror box and damaged that and the sensor. Even if they were willing to fix this under the warranty (which they are not) they said there is no way they would fix the camera. They said there was evidence of impact. Impact! The only impact was between the lens and my baby's face when it went flying off the front of the camera! It was taken out of the box, put on the camera and didn't even make it one click. Since it broke on the first use I am going to have to assume it was either damaged before we got it, maybe in shipping or something or it was defective from the very beginning. The people we talked to at Canon said things like "We never cover the damage this lens causes." and other things that lead me to believe they are used to this type of problem occurring. To fix the camera would have cost more than buying a new one so this hundred dollar lens ended up costing her much more than that. In short, just get the 50mm f/1.4. I told her this was a throw away lens but she didn't listen. Darn parents never learn!
This is one of the sharpest lenses ever made, and at $70 the best bargain possible.
Once micro adjusted, awesome.  Can't believe the great shots I get with this for the money spent.  I saw some comments on the build quality, but if you are careful to not throw it around should not be an issue!  Background blur is fantastic for a 5 blade lens too.  Focus at 1.8 can be very picky!  Make sure to have only the center AF point used and aim for your subjects eyes.  I have have best results with this.
Purchased this lens so I had a lens that I could use indoors in low light situations. Image quality is surpurb for such an inexpensive peace of glass.Pros-exceptional image quality for price pointcons-build is ok, not great! auto focus is exceptable a bit noisy.It is what it is. buy it put it in your bag, it will get used.
It does take some getting used to, if you're not familial whit shooting below f/3.5. The DoF is so sharp, if you're not careful you'll blur your subject.Now, on to the reason I bought it.Low light photography. My wife and I like going to Sci-Fi Conventions. We bought a T3i for last years DragonCon and while it was much better than the PnS we used the year before, I had to really slow down the shutter speed to get pictures of the people. This proved to be difficult. But this this lens I can shoot at f/1.8, 1/50 and ISO 200 indoors with no problem.The one draw back to that. Its a fixed focal length. 50mm is a long way out when you're surrounded by so many people. To get a full body shot with this, I need to be at least 15' away from my subject. Thats really the only down side that I can find, There are so many other uses for this lens that to completely makes up for it. For around $100, its worth it!I read a lot of reviews saying that the build quality was crap or that the focus ring felt cheap. If you wanted steel rings and Steve Jobs quality, then you'd be buying a $1500 L lens. This thing is fine. You're getting a f/1.8 lens for next to nothing (camera related). Its an awesome lens and I'm very happy with it.
This lens is light. I was borrowing my friends 50m f/1.6 (which is a great lens). In comparison with this one, this one is much lighter. Friend's f/1.6 sweet spot is close to 1.8-2.0, where as this one is more like 2.0-2.5. Still a great lens for the price.Pros:Well worth the price.LightweightAwesome lens for 2.0 and up.Cons:Plastic mount (then again it's not your everyday lens. So sturdiness shouldn't matter too much.If you want a lens hood, it is screw on like a lens filter. It is not a bayonet style.Auto focus is loudFocus ring is on front edge so for video it can be an issue.
There are so many other great reviews about this awesome Canon lens that all I can say is just "Ditto".
It's cheap, don't drop it, not even lightly.  For the price it's really great for beginners.  A nice choice for portraits.
Make no mistake, just because this lens is cheap doesnt mean it's not sharp. It's extremely sharp edge to edge on my 5D Mark II.The contrast is very high (perhaps a little less a full aperture) and it's unbotrusive, meaning you can take pictures with this and people don't feel"intruded upon" as much.It's lightweight and will fit into your pocket.One of these fell out of my bag from a foot above the ground because someone was talking to me so much I didnt notice I had not closed the zip. Well in this caseit fell apart. So I've got proof it's not terrible solid. In fact the plastic is glued together. But the purchase of a new one did not set me back very muchand I was back in business.The alternatives are the wider aperture lenses which cost considerably more and are more solid. You can choose from Sigma and Canon, both are good, but do you really need that little extra light?
This is the best lens I could have bought for my camera for the money. I just wish there were options like this in other focal lengths. Great image quality for the price.
Several people told me to get this lens for product shots. Besides not needing to be far away for the shots this thing is GREAT! Brings in a lot of light and produces images better than any other lens's I have. I recomend it a lot!
Once upon a time, an SLR came with a 50(ish) mm "standard" lens with a maximum aperture of somewhere in the f 1.4-2.0 range. Today a 28-70mm (or digital equivalent) zoom is usually kitted with an SLR. This has a maximum aperture generally in the f 4.0-5.6 range. That's something like 1/2 to 1/4 the light gathering ability, and often considerable optical quality, given away in exchange for cheap zooms.If you're looking at this, then you've probably decided on a 50mm or so prime lens, likely because the kit zoom lens is both slow and not very good quality. Here are the options for Canon:Canon 50mm f/1.8 (version 2): It's inexpensive, very fast compared to any cheap zoom and exceptionally good for the price. On the down side, it's cheap feeling, noisy in focusing, and difficult to focus manually. You should buy at least this.Canon 50mm f/1.4: A little bit faster, but that's a less important trait these days with good digital high effective ISOs. More importantly, it's robust, easy to use, with full-time manual focusing (you can just grab the ring even when it's autofocusing), and good image qualitySigma 50mm f/1.4: More expensive than the Canon lens, but slightly better image quality wide open. It's a tough sell since the quality change isn't huge. But if the extra money and Sigma logo don't bother you, then go for it.Canon 50mm f/1.2: Big money for that extra light-gathering ability. If you need this for photographing in a club, then you'll buy it. If you don't need it, it's too expensive and heavy to compete with the lenses above.Another, used, option, the original Canon 50mm f/1.8 EF lens was sturdier and better built, but they're only available used and possibly abused. I own one and am happy with it. I have shot with the Canon f/1.4 as well and that's the lens that I'd buy today.
As others have said, this lens absolutely can't be beat for the money. Yes, the build quality leaves something to be desired, and it's quite noisy when focusing, but the optics are crisp, contrast is great and the bokeh is smooth as butter. The build quality varies from lens to lens, but if you treat it gently, it should last a while. However, at $70 per, you'll probably be able to absorb the cost of a replacement if and when the time comes. In lenses, you usually get what you pay for, but this is one happy exception to that rule. Bottom Line: The price makes this lens a must-have for amateurs and professionals alike.
Of all of the Canon lenses, this will give you the best bang for the buck. I was initially attracted to it for its ability to open all the way to f/1.8, which is *super* helpful for many indoor photographic situations, such as when you find yourself in the nocturnal part of the Lemur Center and the keeper is warning you that the aye-aye will eat you if you let a flash go off. With next to no light, this lens can still give you the shot! It's also great for portrait photography - it's quite sharp in focus, and gives a very nice, smooth bokeh. 50mm happens to be a very good focal length for shooting portraiture, which I'm sure is no coincidence. Sharpness is particularly good at around f/8, where this lens will perform at a level you would expect to pay several times its price to achieve.The lens is light and portable. Yes, it's made of plastic. I've had mine for several years and it's still going strong (I should note that it appears to have gone *up* in price since then rather than depreciating). But if it does eventually break in an ill-fated attempt to photograph Elvis driving by on a motorcycle, it's so cheap that I can just buy a new one and not sting for the loss.At this price point, this lens is a no-brainer.
I think I have used the lens 3-4 times in over 1 year.Not that it is not a good lens but it never happens to fall into my range.Technically it produces very sharp images and it's low-light aspect is great. It does produce some flare on sunny days so get a lens hood.
Great for the price! One of my frequently used lenses! Only had a little over a month but use a lot and it still is in great condition
This lens is truly awesome for the price, great for someone wanting the 1.8-2.8 aperture.  It is not the end all be all, but it is a great starting point.  The build is very light, but very plastic.  The auto-focus works well with my 70D, but is loud for video. (Manual focus is much quieter.)  However, for photos this lens has and continues to teach me so much about photography.  I would have never considered purchasing the more expensive upgrades to this lens.  So it is great to have this wide aperture as a very versatile lens for portraits, street photography, and low-light photos.  If you have unlimited funds, maybe step up to the silver or red line counterparts.  But if you are a normal person, start with this lens, it is worth the small investment.
This lens is great for the price. 50mm is pretty good for portraits on a crop sensor. It's also just good in low light in general due to the large aperture. There are some minor flaws like cheap build quality, noisy focusing, and I also feel like the focusing isn't the best I've used. That said - it's $100 for a fast prime with great sharpness. It's cheap, it's light, it works great in low light. It's sharp. Since it's an EF lens it will work if you later decide to go full frame too. A nice little bonus.Definitely a must have lens for the budget minded photographer.
Im a photographer and this lens is great to have and for the price I dont know why you would even second guess getting it!!
I just received this lens yesterday and I have already tested it by shooting about 50 photo's. I bought this because I was not overly impressed with the 50mm, f/1.4. I seem to never get the crisp portraits that I am looking for, and when I blow up the photo it goes blurry on me.I have a 60D and when I took some photo's I was very impressed with the clarity and sharpness, I might get another one and then sell the 1.4Yes, it is of a plastic build, but it feels very solid and focuses quickly. Now I see why so many people have bought this little guy.
This lens is exactly as it is advertised. You can hardly take a bad picture. I have shot many pictures in low light with sub-optimal conditions and 9x out of 10, the image is precisely what I wanted or better. Very happy.
I really love this lense! It produces such brilliant images that are so crisp with color. I'm happy with this purchase. Thank you!
My second most used lens.  Very clear, VERY FAST, I highly recommend it.  This lens will stick with me for life.
Like others I had one split open while in my camera bag (no bouncing). Other than that it's great. So be extra extra careful and enjoy this cheap lens.
brought this lens and have been very satisfied! it is well made and works great. Fast shipping enabled me to be able to use on Christmas day!
I tired out this lens over the Holiday weekend & I have to say for the price I paid it was well worth it.  $100.00 was a lot nicer to pay than $299.00. I am still a little concerned about the plastic housing other than that this is a great buy.  I would still like the $299.00 lens but this will do the job until I can afford the more expensive one. I highly recommend this lens it is a great PRIME LENS TO HAVE.
Bottom line up front:  This is by far the best choice for your first prime lens.  A very good, fast, all-purpose lens that takes amazing photos in terms of color, clarity, sharpness and speed with a price that can't be beat.There are over 3000 reviews for the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Amazon.  That alone should let you know that you're looking at a lens that inspires at least a bit of passion in those that own it.And it does.  Most folks get a zoom lens when they make their initial camera purchase.  And zoom lenses are great if you only have one lens.  Most folks will get another zoom lens, either a wide angle or telephoto, and those will be great as well.  But eventually you'll want to try other lenses and see what else you can do with your camera.  You'll hear about "prime lenses," and might look into them, but wonder a bit about all the fuss---they seem to be expensive, they don't zoom...what could you possibly use them for?  And which one, if any, do you pick???  There are a lot of good references out there to review, but in a nutshell a prime focus lens offers speed, aperture, clarity, sharpness and color that can't be matched by any zoom lens.  The tradeoff is that you have to spend a bit more time and effort to compose your photograph, but you'll quickly learn that is an easy trade to make.  But you'll still need to figure out which one you'll want to start with...24mm?  35mm?  50mm?  85mm?  100mm?  135mm?  Pick a number, it seems there is a prime lens with that focal length somewhere.  Picking one in the middle, say, 50mm, seems like a reasonable choice.  Even then, there are dozens of lenses to compare--even from the same company!  Canon makes three different 50mm lens!So why pick this lens?  If you own a Canon EOS camera, this is a fantastic lens, and the price can't be beat.  If you don't have any other prime lenses, a hundred bucks or so isn't too bad of an investment to see what the fuss about prime lenses is all about (especially considering that the next one in line is several times that, and the top of the line is around fifteen times the cost).  At first you'll be skeptical--it looks small and a little cheap, what with the housing being made of plastic.  It's also a lot lighter than you're used to, and seems a bit strange when you hold your camera with this lens mounted.  You'll instinctively reach for the zoom, only to realize that you'll have to be the one moving in order to get the photo you want.  But then you'll take a few photos.  You'll be amazed at the colors and how sharp your photos turn out.  What you thought was going to be just another snapshot now looks like it almost could be a portrait photo, and people will want you to take more photos of them since yours come out like you're a professional photographer.  You'll use it more and more, and wonder how you ever took photos without it before.My experience has been that this is an outstanding lens for both full frame cameras (1D, 5D, 6D, etc) as well as those with smaller sensors (Canon APS-C cameras such as the EOS 10-70D, 7D, Rebel, etc).But really, this lens should have a warning label on it.  For most photographers, this will be their first prime lens--it provides good utility for a wide range of photographs, is very fast, and the price can't be beat.  Once they start using it and finding what they can do with a prime lens, they'll start to look at other prime lens for their kit.  Once that happens, they'll start to look at the quality as well...and that will move them into some very expensive territory.  That is what happened to me, and many others.  I now have a few L lenses, but I still carry my Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens in my kit.  It's still a very useful, amazing lens and I really enjoy taking photos with it.  There are days I look at the cost of some lenses and wish I had never found this one...but then I look at the photos I've taken with it and I don't regret a thing!
Being pretty new to DSLR camera's (a few weeks) may give me a different point of view. This was my third lens to go with the 18-135mm kit lens. On a recent trip to the Jack-O-Lantern spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo I took this lens after having received it in the mail earlier in the day. I had my 18-135mm in my pocket and thought it would be nice being able to zoom in & out as need to frame shots but the 50mm worked out perfect. The light gathering ability of the 50mm over the 18-135mm F3.5 - F5.6 is immediately noticeable! Each and every picture came out great and I was even able to get a few pictures of a few fountains that had just a hint of lighting in them by using the timer and placing the camera on a steady mount. The only problems I may have with this lens is the body is plastic and does feel somewhat 'cheap' and the focusing ring is somewhat hard to find in the manual focus mode. But otherwise this lens is well worth every penney, especially for a dslr noob!
This is probably one of the best deals in a &#34;prime&#34; lens for still or video use. Very light and plastic, but I don't tend to smash my gear about and worst case, it's really inexpensive to replace if it gets broken. A very sharp lens for very little money. Works great on my 5D MKII.
I bought this lens for doing portrait work as well as food styling in studio, and wide open artistic type shots. Received it in 2 days as Amazon promised brand new in the box. At first view I will agree it is a cheap built lens well for $120.00 I don't know of a lens that would be built to survive a war. Im not really into EF series lenses on a crop sensor I tend to strange shots as well as really high up in the f/stops there is insane curvature, weird angels, strange light on the low end f/1.8-f/6 ish you can really kill the background and control how much it does it want it all out f/1.8 literally i took 6 pictures focusing on each stair the back ground stepped out as I desired. The middle F/stops I'm not sure how I feel its a weird view . Artistically its an incredible lens of insane control. The sharpness, contrast, color rendition, is literally the best lens i have ever owned I was looking on the camera in a RAW editor and was like why is "that" there its ghosting I put it in Aperture there to i zoomed in cause the wrinkle was in the shot before any lens probably would not have seen it . Skin humans are not perfect with this lens be ready to learn how to remove blemishes/smooth rough spots, incredible. I took this lens and my EFS 55-250 lens lens and took a few shots on each I am stunned almost everything i do is good . This is not a total darkness/night time shooter lens . Night /dark is my specialty and the camera super hunts for a spot to focus on a cheep zoom I have works way better when it gets a shot like daytime studio its awesome. The thing I hate is it is so loud like crazy loud there is no sneaking up with this one so its not good for some things and unbelievable for others I was thinking this would be great if it were like my Pentax SMC 1.2 50mm on film but it a totally different lens and the optics rock !!! I am going have to learn how to use it I am getting great shots but they are not How I imagine them in my minds eye. I say for 110.00 go for it its a super art lens, and is incredible on people which in 3-5 feet away , I know I am gona have huge fun with this one it brings out the "special" in stuff I call it the "model maker" buy this lens.
This lens is exactly as most reviewers describe it...it is very cheaply constructed, but the glass is good giving excellent images so as long as you're not subjecting it to abuse or bad weather you should be fine. For the money, this is the best deal you are going to find on a lens that is excellent for portraits and low-light shots.I bought this for portrait shots using my Canon Rebel XSi and it is absolutely awesome in this capacity. On a cropped-frame Digital SLR like mine it views at 80mm so if you are going to use it to shoot portraits just make sure you have at least 5 ft from camera to subject (for head/shoulder shots) and another 4-5 feet from subject to background/backdrop.I also noticed that at its widest (f/1.8) the center is tack sharp but the edges are a bit soft, which is not neccesarily a bad thing if you want/like that look. If you want sharp edges you would just need to stop down a couple steps to say f/4 (aka "the sweet spot").I also shot some outside images of flowers and such and did notice that the bokeh can be a bit sloppy, especially in "busy" backgrounds (pentagon-shaped blades to blame here) so you would probably NOT want to buy this lens if your main purpose was to capture nice background blur. You would probably want to spend the extra money and get the 50mm f/1.4 lens.That's why I think this lens is primarily suitable for PORTRAIT SHOTS where the background is typically a nice muslin/vinyl backdrop where the bokeh really wouldn't be distracting. People have told me that the portrait shots I took with white/black backdrops looked very professional.
I bought this a couple years ago, it's a great lens to keep on the camera, quick and sharp, great being able to open up to 1.8. Obviously it's not an L series but for under 100 bucks it's an incredible lens that you should have as a go to lens for portraits, action and low light, no complaints here
Great lens, and a deal for the price. Bokeh is real nice as well. I've taken some great shots with this lens.
This lens simply cannot be beat for the price. I bought it last year on a whim and thought, "what the heck". I then took it to shot indoor volleyball and it produced some pictures better than the $1500 Canon 70-200 2.8 IS. This lens is now a permenent member of my photo bag. For the 100 bones or so you won't be disappointed.
I purchased this lens because of all of the outstanding reviews it had received.  I was thrilled to have a lightweight lens for my Canon 7D as the other lenses I have are quite heavy.  Although it had a plastic casing, so many reviewers felt it produced excellent images.  I was sold and agreed this was good purchase and, indeed, I liked the images produced with this lens.However, now I have a different perspective about the lens.  In the middle of taking a photo about a month after purchase, the front of the lens literally fell to the ground.  I could not believe it came apart.  This also damaged my Tiffen UV Protector filter.  I have contacted the seller and will await the response before commenting about customer service.  Perhaps I just received a defective lens and all will be remedied with a replacement.  None the less, I wanted to post this review as a indication that perhaps you get what you pay for!
I originally thought I needed a f/1.4 lens to get the effect I was looking for.  However, I wasn't willing to pay more than three times the price (vs. the f/1.8).  This f/1.8 worked out perfectly.  Beautiful portraits, great price.  I haven't used it enough to really comment on the long-term construction.  At this point, I am quite pleased with my purchase.
For the price, this is a GREAT portrait lens. I love it. The depth of field is excellent with the f/1.8 option and you'll find that you can take good-quality pictures with this, even as an amateur.
After using this lens for the past few days, I found that this lens made sharper (or less soft) pictures than what my Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens (not the ii lens introduced with the Rebel T3i/T3 in July 2011) could do mounted on my 6 MP Digital Rebel (300D).I shot, using a remote control, over 2 dozen pictures on each lens, focusing on an eye and eye glass frame standing 6 feet away on a tripod indoor near a doorwall at 1pm on a cloudy day.  The kit lens was set at 34/35 mm (its optimum sharpness).  The camera was set to use Program mode for both lens at iso 100.  This resulted in the settings of f4.5, 1/30 or 1/40 sec. exposure on the kit lens and f2.2 or f2.5, 1/100 or 1/80 sec exposure on the 50mm lens.Using Canon's Digital Photo Professional 3.9.2.0, jpg pictures were produced from the RAW files.  Both Luminance Noise reduction and unsharp mask strength were set to zero (and other settings left unchanged).Comparing the results by flipping quickly between each lens picture, I noticed right away that the 50 mm lens was sharper (less soft).The pictures' contrast was the same from each lens.This lens is slightly louder when focusing than the kit lens.I did this review hoping to provide relevant information for people like me who only shoot family pictures and have only the kit lens as a frame of reference for sharpness comparison.BTW, those that have the original Canon kit lens WITHOUT the IS should seriously look into getting the IS version.  I noticed much sharper pictures when I had switched over from the non IS kit lens, even when shooting on a tripod.
it's ugly, feels cheap and embarrassing to have it on a 5d mark iii, doesnt have aperture ring, you cant see the distance, and it's noisy as heck! But i Love it lol it's so sharp, and contrasty, i love the picture it takes!!! yes , some times you get hexagonal bokeh, but i think it's kind of cool :P  If you have full frame, it will be on your camera all the time,  I only shoot primes, and this is my favorite lens!  and 100 bucks! are you kidding me! what are you waiting for!
i bought this lens as i was exploring photography and this lens was cheaper than a few other i bought but this was my favorite to use for taking pictures of people and smaller objects. the lens makes it very easy for a beginner to take great looking photographs
It's a really good product for this price. It is very light, it is nicely build and you get really nice portraits with this lens. I'm really glad about this investment.
I love this lens. It helps me take the beautiful pictures that I've always wanted to take. Great in low light, love the bokeh it creates. For my first DSLR I was happy to find an inexpensive lens that takes good pictures. I recommend it to everyone who is just starting out.
I bought this lens for my son.He's a photography buff & says he absolutely loves this lens.That's good enough for me.The photos he's taken have been excellent.
It's a hunk of plastic.  It's dirt cheap.  It's a great lens for boka in your portraits and flower shots.  It's a must in the camera bag of amateur photographers like me.  I love it!
I needed a fast lens to take pictures of my son's hockey games.  Hockey rinks are probably the hardest place to take great pictures.  The lighting is usually poor, the surface bright (forcing a manual overexposure thereby giving up some shutter speed), and the action is very fast.  Also, focusing through a puck-scuffed glass panel is another challenge in itself.I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens kit.  The pictures from the first hockey game were not very good.  The rink was one of the best in terms of overhead lighting intensity.  I set the ISO to 1600, zoomed the lens to max (55mm), set the focus to servo mode (continuous focus of moving objects), set the camera to aperture priority, and set aperture to the fastest setting for 55mm (f/5.6).  Since hockey rinks (surface and boards) are white, I had to set the exposure compensation to +2/3 so my son's image would not turn out too dark.  Since 55mm is not a large zoom range, I stood next to the glass near the other team's goalie (my son's a forward).  Unfortunately the shutter speed for all the pictures was between 1/50 and 1/80; way too slow to capture a fast moving sport. The only pictures that looked acceptable were face-offs and when my son was parked in front of the net.I purchased this 50mm 1.8 lens and used it this weekend for a hockey tournament.  The rink was at the other extreme in lighting; i.e., one of the worse lit.  For the 1PM game there was a bit of sun light coming in from a few small windows, so I set the ISO to 800.  I again set the exposure compensation to +2/3.  I used shutter priority this time and set the speed to 1/125.  That was fast enough to freeze the body motion and allowed for a nice blur effect of the hockey stick and puck when my son took a shot.  The aperture bounced between f/1.8 and f/2.8; the higher f-stops gave me a little deeper depth of field that helped put my son and the goalie in better focus.  The lens had no trouble with servo focus mode (continuous focusing of a moving object).  The biggest issues with focus was the marks on the glass and the other players skating in front of my son when I had the focus locked on him. In spite of that, the pictures turned out very nice; exceeding my expectations. The lack of image stabilization didn't seem to matter.  The fact that I captured a nice shot of my son scoring the first goal of the tournament (cool shot where my son and the goalie were in focus and you can see the puck under the goalie heading for the net) already justified the $100 purchase.  When I came back for the evening game, there was obviously no sun light boost from the windows, so I had to bump the ISO up to 1600.  Again, I captured many nice shots.I can't wait for a game at one of the better lit rinks.  I plan on using shutter priority and setting the speed to 1/250 or 1/500.This lens is definitely staying on the camera. I took identical pictures comparing the lens kit and this lens, and I can see the difference in clarity.  I did notice a slight darking of the corners at f/1.8 when I took a picture of the sky; however, if I wasn't looking for it, I probably would not have noticed it.This lens is a must have for parents with kids who play indoor sports (e.g., hockey, basketball, karate, wrestling, gymnastics, ballet, etc).BTW - The f/1.8 lens may be the sweet spot for lens speed.  There is a good (but highly technical) discussion in the DP-Review Open Talk forum titled "Light loss on current sensors at big Fstops, part II" regarding light loss on high speed lens.  Basically, fast lens (f/1.2 - f/1.4) pass light to the digital sensor at a very sharp angle and, as a result, there is signal loss of about 1/2 stop.  That makes an f/1.4 the equivalent to an f/1.8 lens.  The dSLR camera bodies (all manufacturers) detect the high-speed lens and compensate by "electronically" increasing the sensor signal gain.  That kind of defeats the purpose of spending the extra (and large) sum of money for a fast lens.
It seems everyone loves this little lens.  It does have some nice features, like f1.8.  It produces some nice bokeh, but it has drawbacks.First, all of my other glass is Canon L.  So, that may be my issue.  The build quality is just low.  It makes lots of noise and hunts for focus, especially on the Canon 5d Mark III.  Maybe it is all those auto focus points.  I feel like I hooked a robot from the 1980's to my camera.  It makes all this noise as it goes in and out for focus.  It is annoying.  The second annoying thing is the screw on lens hood.  Every other lens attaches via a 1/4 turn with a click.  You can also store the hoods backwards.  It protects the lens and keeps your bag neat.  You can't put the hood on backwards on the 50mm f1.8.  You just have to put it in the bag and hope it doesn't break or worse yet, break something else or scratch something.I know what everyone is thinking.  Its only a $100 lens.  I understand that but I have had lower price lenses before and they felt better than this.  I may buy the 50mm f1.4 and see how that feels.  There may be a 50mm f1.8 on ebay soon.  (mine)If I get the f1.4, I will update this review with some comparisons.
I love this lens. It shoots beautiful pictures and video. Only fault is the build. Other than that GET THIS LENS
This lens has great optics but is all plastic, but for the price....a must have.
This lens is AWESOME! I only wish that it was a true 50mm on my T2i (in reality it's an 85mm because of the cropping).  You have to get used to shooting with it because initially you always go too close to take your shot.All in all, you can not beat this lens for the price...hands down must have for the beginner to intermediate photographer!-Mike
What a great little piece of plastic. It is small and light but like everyone says, it feels like a toy. The focusing ring is very small and not smooth. People don't buy this lens for the build quality. It's the sharpness. I love using it on my 40D. At an equivalent 85mm on a crop camera, it is the perfect portrait lens. Sharp results wide open and a nice out of focus background. The bokeh is not the greatest but if you an amateur it doesn't really matter. For the price it is probably the best deal you will ever get on a lens. If you have the money, definitely go for the 50mm 1.4 but if you're on a budget this is still a great lens. If all you own is the kit lens you will be amazed at the sharpness and what 1.8 looks like.
This is a great lens for any photographer. It is dedicated for portrait photography giving you a beautiful bokeh effect.I really recommend it. If you want to see a video about it, go to: [...](The video is in Spanish)
I just took up photography, and this lens is great for me. It takes better pictures than my stock kit lens that came with the T3i, and it was under $100.
Yes, it looks and feels like a toy, it's extremely cheap, and yet it produces amazing quality photos. I can't stop using it. The DOF is superb and very fast at 1.8.
I bought this lens to use with my first SLR(Canon XT).  True it is the cheapest lens Canon offers, but it is a very good lens.  It is constructed of plastic, so I take a little more care in handling it.  But it doesn't seem fragile.  Nothing would lead me to belive it would fall apart on it's own.  I've only been using it for a little less then a month, but the images I have taken with it this far make me look good as a photographer.  It's cheap, shoots excellent quality images, and easy on the wallet if it does ever break.  I recommend it highly.
I just Love it. I try the 50mm 1;4 and I really prefer this one. Quality, is there, even if the leens seems to be light and plastic. It's a great lens, really better than you can expect for 99 dollars.
I love love love this lens.  Sure, it's cheaper made than the $400 and up lenses, but I'm not going to be throwing it around....and the f/1.8 gives me what I want without spending 3 times as much.Very glad I bought it.
It's a great lens. It stays on my 6D. It takes sharp pictures and is great for low light shots. Everybody should have one. For $100, you really can't go wrong.
This lens does feel cheap, however it out performs my 18-55mm hands down. I would recommend this to anyone who does portraits or using a up close style shooting. This lens came shipped fast, and was as described.
This is actually my first prime lens. Yes, it is cheaply built but I'm fine with that because they can keep cost down on this lens. In addition unless you plan on throwing this lens around like a football, then I'd imagine that this lens could last a while. I've taken some outdoor portraits with this lens and they came out great. For candids however I'd probably recommend something within the 28-35mm range. Due to the crop sensor on most entry level DSLR's (of which I own) it makes the focal lenght more then I would desire. Other then that it's a sharp 1.8 and you really can't beat it for the price. I'd highly recommend this lens.
The lens works fine, is outstanding for low light conditions, the bokeh is stunning!Great for portrait.. it's as many of photographer say: a lens that everybody has to own"but..I can not understand how an expensive mark as Canon has a deficient Quality team.Did not realize that lens came with a rubber drop inside.. I guess the Quality team in Canon is blind( i realized of that drop, yesterday that took pictures at the airport,and there's a lot of lights comingso pics were kind of weird with strange flares)Checked the lens and realized of that drop, now? I will have to shoot only during days, becauseI won't send back a lens from COsta Rica to US..nothing to do..performance/quiality : 5 starsCanon : 3 stars ( deserves a 1 )
I had it for 2 months v. good pictures, only concern how long it will last, from other reviews poor quality. Light and affordable.
Using this lens with my Canon 7D is very great! I am able to film with great field of depth. If you're good cheap lens, you come to the right product. This lens is able to be on auto or manual. You are able to focus and blur the background. This lens is very good for it's price.
This was so much better then I hoped for. Really fast and awesome for the money. This really shots portraits so much better then the kit lens. Dont be afraid to buy this!!
Dont let the plastic body fool you. You are buying glass. And this glass is super sharp.
I purchased this as an addition for my d40 equipment.  I returned it the next day.  The price should have been a tip off.  It hunted in low light about 80% of the time and 20% in good light.  It miss focused badly in more than have the 50 test exposures I took.  The build quality is definitely Canon's low end; feeling very plastic.  It was also surprisingly noisy for such a small lens.  I'll stick with the higher end Canon lenses like the 24-105L (which I love!)
Great lens for the price. If using for video it does have &#34;breathing&#34; issue but for the price it's really decent.
In its price class, this lens performs admirably. Nice sensitivity on focus, typically good quality glass as expected from Canon, and clean imaging results. You can't ask more for a lens under $100.
after reading the reviews, I decided to make this purchase. I am more than pleased. Images are sharp and in very good color. I would recommend highly.
I just received the Canon EF50mm f/1.8II and I'm already putting this thing through its paces.  First, let me address the build quality.  Yes, it is a plastic body, but no it isn't as poor as some reviewers will make it seem, in fact I think it feels pretty solid for what it is.  Second, many have commented on the audible noise factor of the lens.  Again, not as bad as I was lead to believe in other reviews.  The AF is actually pretty quick and precise.  Now, the most important aspect, picture quality.  WOW!  Dial this thing to f/1.8, and the sharpness and clarity of the subject is beautiful, great bokeh as well!  I'm still a novice to photography, so the price point of this lens was very appealing.  This is my first fixed lens, and I am loving it!  At this point, I may not be able to analyze all the intricate specifications of this lens, but I have a pretty good eye, and what this thing is producing out of the box is pure inspiration!  I'm humble enough to know that, at this point, I don't need to spend three time as much on the f/1.4, because this lens will definitely hold over a novice in training.  If it breaks in a few years, well then, hopefully, I'll be better skilled and ready to move up to the "higher quality" lens, but for now, for us novices, this is such a great purchase.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens.  I've seen this thing list for $99.00, but at $119.00 I couldn't find a lower price for a new one, and for $20, why take a chance with a used one.  Anyway, I hope to update this review in the future, but for now, my advice is buy this lens before the price goes up again!
The build quality is not great. This is a given simply based on the price of the lens. Of course it was $30 cheaper when I bought it 2004. The first lens would have lasted longer had I not have had a run in with "Butter Fingers". :)The second one is still built the same and still takes great picturesThis lens is amazing indoors with lower light.  I shoot with no flash in aperature priority, so I can make the proper adjustments.  Hand holding the camera I would 70% to 80% come out the way I had hoped.  Putting this thing on the tripod increases that to 90% to 100%.Once the sun starts going down I throw on my 580 flash and bounce it off the ceiling and the picture still come out great.I always recommend this lens to my freinds who are just starting out in the Digital SLR world.  It is a minimum investment for getting quality shots.No it will never be as good as the 70-200MM IS 2.8... But what is  :DI gave it 5 stars based on the what you get for your money.  You get a great lens at good price
This is a got to have lens, not for up close pictures but it takes great pictures that are crisp and clear and I just love it.
I have been using this lens for about 1 month. It's amazing. It takes some getting used to not having a zoom but that is not a big deal and the large aperture is great!Beware that you have to get used to the DOF with this lens. If you are not careful you might have the tip of the nose in focus but the eyes will be out of focus. This wonderful lens really performs when you learn all of your cameras settings that will make the most of it.You just can't get more bang for your buck than this lens!The plastic construction hasn't been an issue at all. It feels pretty solid and not like it's going to break off. I am sure if you abuse it then it will break easier than the metal lenses. The thing is that the lens is so short and light that the plastic mount works great.I would recommend this lens to anyone!
Wow! Got this to go with my new Canon Rebel T3i (600D) - my first DSLR. An EF series lens (which I can use on a higher level Canon DSLR, if I so choose down the line). Only $99. And... O-M-G... the images this lens can give you. I'm just scratching the surface of my Rebel's capabilities, and I'm already blown away by what this lens with that camera can do.This lens is a STEAL! You will not regret getting it. You may just fall in love with it.Update - Here's a link to a photo I took with this lens so that you can see what you can do with it:[...]
At $70, this lens is a steal.  It is a prime lens and I generally favor zoom lenses on my budget, but this is easily one of my favorite lenses.  The color is great and it is absolutely wonderful in lower light situations.Some reviewers have complained about the build quality and it does leave a little to be desired - but it is a $70 lens, after all.  I haven't had any issues personally with the build quality - it could be better, but I really don't think it is that bad.  And with image quality this good at this price, I'll deal with it.Buy this lens.  Enough said.
Some great pictures have come out of this lens but it's botched a bunch too. The low light and shallow depth of field means the camera has a terrible time finding a focus point. Generally my rule is never ever take a picture of anything moving faster than a snail. ON the plus side it doesn't cost a lot and it's fun to play around with.
This lens is probably about what you'd expect for the money. Its the cheapest of all SLR lenses that I have seen. I use it primarily for DSLR film making and it does exactly what I wanted it to (which is expand my low light capability)and it also provides great shallow depth of field. As some others have pointed out it feels pretty cheaply built. The manual focus feels really rough, especially near the stops. It also tends to have issues auto-focusing at times but not too bad.I use it on a Canon T2i, which like the T3i and the 7D uses the ASP-C sensor. That sensor has an unfortunate 1.6 magnification factor which makes the lens effectively an 80mm. Okay for most stuff, but tight shots can be a challenge.A couple notes about the lens to help you out:- DON'T use a cheap UV filter unless you want a lot of double reflections. Digital sensors are reflective unlike film. If you use an "uncoated" UV filter (older film style), reflections will bounce around all over the place in the light barrel, especially since this lens has such a wide aperture. Buy the coated ones that actually say something about being for "digital" SLR's. Expect to spend $50-ish, but its worth it. My $15 one shows 2 windows when looking at 1.- DON'T buy the 52mm filters! If you're buying this lens, chances are you already have some 58mm filters, buy the 52mm - 58mm step-up filter adapter. That will allow you to use your filters on more than one lens. I bought one on Amazon for $4.- A soft rubber lens hood is a nice addition too.  $7 here on Amazon!Bottom line, its a $125 lens, If you want more light gathering or better depth of field control, buy it. It works well for the money.
If you KNOW how to use this lens (which I feel 99% of people who gave it 1 stars don't..), then you should know it's great and does EXACTLY what it's made for.
This unassuming lens is definitely worth the tag, and more.  Where else can you find such a huge aperture for such low price.  Excellent for inconspicuos street photography even at low lighting conditions.
I love this lens! I use it all the time and consider it my staple lens. I figured out more things I can do with it in the settings (low F/stop allows this). As a beginner in photography, this lens has really surprised me, especially for the price. I bought it around 6 months ago and have had ZERO issues with it. It is durable and came with a lens cap and packaged securely.I get professional quality images with this lens and would recommend it to anyone.The only cons I see are that it is at a fixed focal length and you need to stand back a ways from your subject... but that is what the lens is.. 50mm... so my con is simply a personal issue versus a con with the lens itself. I received this lens promptly and without any problems. I would recommend this seller to anyone. :)
Compare to the Price of the product I highly recommend to any one who own Canon EOS camera....
It has been my favorite lens and I will continue to use it daily. Would recommend this item to a friend.
I have read some reviews saying this lens was cheap and plasticy feeling and to be honest if you have the kit lens (like the canon 18-55mm) to me it feels the same just lighter as it would be because it is smaller. The lens itself has worked great and I have gotten some great shots from it. I am glad I spent the $100 and this along with my telephoto lens I carry with me everywhere.
I am having a ton of fun playing around with this lens.  Great add on to my collection of lenses.
They call it the Nifty Fifty for a reason.  Everyone should have a fast 50mm prime in their bag, and for around $100 this lens makes that possible.  It gives nice bokeh and makes a great portrait lens for a crop sensor camera.  I could keep this on my camera for months at a time.  I also like using it on my 35mm film camera.
I really like this lens. I think once I play around with it I'll love it even more. I posted a picture to the gallery as well to show the quality. For the price I'm super happy with it.
Excellent lens for someone who can't afford the 50mm/f1.4.  Though somewhat cheap in construction the quality of the glass can't be beat for under $100.  I would recommend for any new photographer on a budget or for anyone going into extreme situations and doesn't want to risk bringing a more expensive piece of glass.
First one was dropped hard, motor malfunction. Purchased another one.Sharpness at f/2.8+ is fantastic with nice bokkeh. at 1.8 a bit blurry and slow.Value for money: must buy to complement your lens set.
This should be the first lens you buy for new photographers! Amazing quality to price ratio. Feels cheap but IQ makes up for it.
Everybody needs one! There are times when you don't need a great big lens and this is perfect for that. It shoots approximately what the human eye sees. Its fun to play with.
Don't think small lens are bad lens. If you, like me, don't have big budget for lengths, this one is really good pick if you take a lot of portrait shots and indoor pictures. Although it only costs about a nice dinner, you will be amazed by the picture you get. Of course, if you have a lot of money, get the 135mm one instead of this one.
Photography has been a hobby for about 2 years, but I didn't upgrade from my p&s to my DSLR until 6 months ago. I'm a relatively new photographer, but I use my camera very often and have taken more than 15,000 photos with my Canon Rebel T2i ever since! I'm becoming a more serious photographer, so getting a new lens was a must. This 50mm is a great choice for newbies who are looking for something that can deliver photos of better quality and add to their experience in photography. Working with a prime lens is different and can be more challenging since it isn't quite as versatile. I have been loving it so far though! I love the sharpness in my photos, and I've noticed the difference in sharpness and color between this lens and the kit lens. My photos with the kit lens just aren't as vibrant, and the difference gets more noticeable with practice. The 50mm is also great for indoor low-light settings, as you can shoot at faster shutter speeds because of the wider aperture. The only downside to this lens is that it's not a great choice when shooting people in short-range or landscapes. Unless you want closeup portraits or just shoulder-up portraits. But oftentimes I find that for special occasions where you want to capture full body or group portraits, this isn't the best choice lens. It also feels cheap, and it can be difficult to manually focus. Nonetheless, I'm in love with its quality and the amazing images I've gotten out of it! I always try to use it more than my 18-55mm kit lens because the quality is just that much better and saves me so much time in post-processing & editing.
I bought this for a friend who recently bought one of those fancy cameras. I thought this might make a nice addition to the many accessories that come with it. She seems to be happy with it which automatically makes me happy that I bought it.
Everyone absolutely needs a &#34;NIFTY 50&#34;. By far the most used for portrait type images.  Great item for the price!  If you want the zoom feature you'll have to spend a little more but I love this lens!
Yes. It really is an awesome lens. I have moved up to an intermediate photography for-hire level because of the work this lens has allowed me to accomplish. I have read books and reviews recommending this lens. Everyone said the same: that it is a fast, crisp glass, giving a pro appearance. So I bought one.Right away, I could tell the difference from the basic lens that came with my Canon EOS XTi. I could finally shoot indoors on "A" without camera shake. What I didn't expect was the difference between my favorite travel lens the Canon EF-S 28-135 Zoom and the 50mm. Although the glass on my travel lens is great, the glass on this sub-hundred dollar lens was better. I mean better by "more depth."True, it is a composite housing, but for under a hundred bucks don't listen to feedback that complains that the quality is not good.Using this lens has given me more confidence to get the money shot. Use it for fast portrait shots. Because it is a prime lens, you will find yourself moving around a bit more.  The reward is a beautiful, professional looking shots.
I purchased this lens a few months ago and I absolutely love it! I just shot a wedding and this lens produced amazing portrait shots. It's light-weight, sharp, and it's a 1.8 for $50...SICK. An essential for any Rebel owner.
This is a quality lens, I use it for primarily for portraits. I'm using this lens on a Canon T1i and it's fast and sharp. One item that needs to be taken into account when purchasing is that the magnification on the lens will be greater if your camera has a focal length magnifier greater than 1 (most digital SLR's). That being said, this lens is a great performer and meets my needs.
Yes this lens is plastic but its also one of the best values you can make in your purchase in your journey of photography. Do yourself a favor and make this one of your first purchases. Here's why:-As you start shooting you realize the kit lens of most cameras aren't that wide (usually start at f/3.5) and when you finally get a f/1.8 you realize you can basically shoot in the dark. Alright thats an exaggeration but you get what I'm saying.-Sharpness. Not bashing kit lens but most entry level/mid level cameras come with a 17-55 lens that is a great but nothing compared to the sharpness of this baby.-Value. Ok heres the kicker. Let's say you drop $100 and bought this when you first started out. Then let's say a few years later you become big time. Session here. Session here. Semi-pro to full time pro and you decide to drop $400 to get the f/1.4 or you hit the lottery and pony up $1600 for the f/1.2. You can sell your 50mm f/1.8 for close to if not almost your purchased price. It's crazy but its the one Canon lens where the purchase price is very very close to the resell price. Look it up on Craigslist if you don't believe me. And while your online do yourself a favor and just drop the $100 for this lens. You'll thank me later!
I can only concur with the other reviews. This is lightweight, plastic, and feels like a toy. Whenever I take off the lens cap I am worried that I will break the manual focus ring. The lens doesn't have a distance scale. The autofocus motor is louder than a typical compact digital camera, although not offensively loud.On the other hand, and this is a huge factor that outweighs all the above, the image quality is very good, at least when stopped down. The lens is objectively unimpressive at f1.8 - soft, with lots of vignetting, although you might enjoy these two attributes as an artistic effect - but it gets better as it is stopped down. From f2.8 onwards it is sharp and flat from centre to corner, and for the price it is very impressive. On a 1.6x camera the focal length is good for head-and-shoulder portraits / upper torso 8x10-style shots, although for anything else it feels between two stools, neither telephoto enough for lions nor wide enough for general shots. I have since used it on a full-frame camera, and the above criticisms apply; it is unimpressive at f1.8, but gets better, and the small size is a bonus. As far as I can tell from looking at the reviews and sample photographs, when stopped down this lens is at least the equal of all of Canon's other lenses at 50mm, zooms and primes and Ls alike.I have since bought some older 50-55mm prime lenses, including a Super Takumar f1.4, a Yashinon f1.4, and a Porst f1.2. I prefer the f1.4 lenses over the Canon 50mm when stopped down, and given the narrow depth of field at open apertures I also prefer manual focus. On the other hand, in a studio setting, or with plenty of light, when stopped down to f8 the Canon 50mm is as good as anything. I've also have a very brief go with the MkI version of the lens, which had a louder autofocus mechanism but felt stronger; I couldn't detect and optical difference, but then again I didn't take very many pictures.
I bought this lens for portraits etc...  It brings a lot of light and takes nice shots.  It does have some trouble focusing and is kind of "loud" focusing.  My main issue is the build.  This lens got stuck on my Canon T2i. I had to really force it off, and broke off the plastic back on the lens.  Over the next few hours of picture taking, my camera starting giving me the ER1 error more and more.  It turns out the lens broke a contact point on my camera body and shoved it back into my camera.  Fortunately a local camera shop was able to fix it for very, very cheap and only 1/2 hour of time.  For the price, it is still a decent deal.  Just be careful taking it on and off.  I got lucky.
50mm lenses are a true staple of contemporary photography.  Its a lens that seems to be in every kit and with good reason.  It is a natural choice for composition.  I think it has to do with complementing the way we naturally perceieve the world.  Its not as wide as a person's true field of vision, but it covers all the area that matters in a 'natural' way.That being said, if you are like me and own a camera with smaller APS-C sensor (that is: any Canon that's not a 1D or 5D or film camera) this lens is not truly 50mm.  With the "crop factor" of these other cameras, this lens becomes an 80mm lens.  Which is ok, but you should know that going in.  If you want that 50mm look on an APS-C sensor, you should get a 30mm lens.The low light/natural light capability of this lens is still a big asset.  I've pulled this out at candle lit vigils (with some extra ambient street lights) and had great results.  For what it is- a beginner lens- its great, but on a 'beginner' camera you may be surprised how closeup the image is.
I purchased this lens for my daughter who is quite a shutter bug and likes to take quality photos and not just snapshots from her phone.  She says it works perfectly!
The lens works as advertised. Just remember, it is a fixed focal length so what you see is what you get - no zooming. Fast action and takes good close up shots.
After weeks of contemplation, I finally decided to get this 'nifty fifty' although I was weighing on f1.4 and 50mm 2.5macro.If you are first time DSLR guy, I strongly recommend u to toy with this lens and may be invest on more expensive once u get more in to it. But the way this lens performed, I am not sure it will come to that.
Now, consider first the price: I paid about $100 for mine, with the going rate right now at about $120. This is not a professional lens, by any stretch... but it is one of the best lenses you can purchase as a beginning photographer!I have had this lens for about 4-5 months right now, and it has barely been off my camera! The aperture allows for very low-light photography, and the glass is good quality for the price you pay.The lens construction is plastic, but unless you are particularly rough on your equipment, you shouldn't have a problem. The focusing ring is small, but I rarely use manual focus because most of my photos are of action shots.Speaking of action shots, that's where this lens shines. I take photos of one of the local show choirs pretty often, and the environment in their shows isn't exactly conducive to photography. Lighting is very variable; sometimes the light is good, but other times there's a spotlight on one or two people with limited light on the rest. That makes for some demanding choices- do you go with a high ISO and/or aperture and try to get a good shot of everyone, or do you just try to get the people in the spotlight? With this lens, you can open up the aperture much wider than a kit lens, which means that you don't have to raise the ISO. That's good if you want to reduce noise in the photos. I can shoot 800 or 1600 ISO with a wide aperture and still stop the motion of the dancers.There are a few weaknesses, though. This is a prime lens- no variable zoom, which means that your zoom is all leg-zoom. I've gotten very good at moving around for my photography because of this, so unless you simply cannot move, this isn't really a weakness. The lens does sometimes focus slowly, and with a narrow manual focus ring it isn't easy to keep focused. It also isn't great for macro shots- the minimum focus distance is somewhere around 1.5 feet, so the kit lens is better in that one circumstance.Pros:InexpensiveHigh quality for the priceLarge apertureLightweightCons:Plastic construction (lightens the lens, but less durability)No zoom (not a Con for me, but for some it might be)Small focus ringSometimes slow to focusLong minimum focus length
This lens is overrated.  I just took two shots of newspaper print with my XSI camera in low-light.  One with this 50mm f1.8 lens at 1/160 and f2.8, and the other with my 18-55mm IS kit lens at 1/40, f5.6.  The resulting image with the 18-55mm kit lens was much sharper.  So my simple test proved (to me anyways) that the IS makes the kit lens a better low-light performer (unless you need the higher shutter speed to stop the action).  The only other reason to get this lens is the shallower depth-of-field afforded by the wider aperture.  I would really find this useful, but the other thing I've noticed about this lens is that it often misses the focus.  So I can't trust it.Also feels far too fragile to throw the lens in my camera bag.
This lens is perfect for portraits. Takes good pictures. High Quality. I would recommend this item. Also -- Amazon Prime shipping, it came one day earlier than expected.
The classic is always the best. I like to use this lens to take picture of my baby girl in the room. Perfect effect.
I absolutely love this lens.  I have had so much fun taking close ups with it, the pictures come out in such gorgeous detail.
This is an amazing lens and you can't go wrong with it for the price. I shoot both stills and video with it and I love the super low aperture on stills. It's tricky with video but when done right produces amazing results. No IS so video does get bouncy with handheld and the depth of field is super shallow at 1.8.CONSAuto focus is super slow so I use manual focus more.The focus ring is NOT buttery smooth but it gets the job done.No IS
I just entered the world of DSLR, and I needed a lens for indoor shooting (I also have a Sigma 2.8 28-105mm. Good lens, but not for indoor shooting). I asked around, and most people agreed that this was the way to go. I bit the bullet and bought this lens used, and I'm very happy I did. Don't let the fact that this lens goes for less than $100 new scare you; it's an amazing lens. Everything works as it should, the color is superb, the AF is quick (not the fastest, but quick enough), and even though it's made of plastic, it's fairly durable. Don't drop it on a hard surface, but it'll survive most abuse. Of course, there are better lenses than this one, so obviously a $1500 lens is going to be better than this one, but it would be easy to justify spending $200 on this lens (thank goodness it's only $100 though). Most photographers do agree that the Canon and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lenses are better lenses and worth the money, so if you have a lot of money to spend, go for those, but if you are on a budget, you won't regret getting this lens.
I had a few lenses already, wideangle fisheye, telephoto but i kept hearing about the 50 and read enough to know that it would pack a punch. This is a very necessary lens. If you are pro 1.4 is more powerful but the 1.8 is excellent and cost effective.
Pros: very sharp, very cheap, excellent picture quality outdoors, light. The sharpest and best value for money among Canon prime lenses. If you are looking for softly pleasing pictures, this is not the one.Cons: not ideal on a DSLR in cramped spaces, plastic (strong enough for careful users, but not to be used by clumsy people)Best Use: Photojournalism, environmental portraits. Landscape if you have space.
I am a beginner and I am extremely pleased with lens. Yes, the construction quality is not the best but for this price you can't beat it! The quality is stunning for such an inexpensive lens. If you're hesitant on buying this, I would just go for it. There is NOTHING to lose.Also, my item came the next day I ordered it. Very pleased with this company.
Does what it says it will, brilliant little lens. Can not be beat for the price! I use this as my main lens.
This is a must have lens for any Canon DSLR user. This is the second 50mm 1.8 prime I've owned. For the price you won't find a sharper lens. I find this lens is great for portraits.
I really wanted to buy the 50mm f/1.4 lens, but I was concerned that this focal length would be useless for a 1.6x crop Digital Rebel XT (~80mm). So I decided to take the risk with the cheaper 50mm f/1.8 lens. I was not disappointed and this lens produces very sharp pictures. More importantly the focal length of 80mm (on a 1.6x crop) is very usable for single person shots (or two if close by) even in tight rooms. Despite being a low light lens, the pictures were much better looking color-wise when I bounced flash off my canon 580ex II flash.
ChandaI really like how this lens works.  The photos are immaculate and the video looks amazing.  I am a true amatuer when it comes to the world of photography and I should have put more research into what I was looking for.  I assumed that this would be a zoom lens and not a fixed one, so that was the error on my part.  I really have to adjust to how I film/shoot pictures but otherwise, I love it!
1. As a new DSLR user I wanted a economical lens that would take great portrait pictures of my 3 year old. The Canon XSI kit lens (18-55mm) was not fast enough. The 50mm F/1.8 lens takes absolutely fantastic portraits of my kid at f/1.8 where it completely blurs the background in sunlight. For this price ($125 on Amazon now) it is fast, most pictures are sharp, and background is blurred great (bokeh).2. As a new DSLR user I have not mastered taking low light portrait pictures using this lens. Will update when I do that.3. When I take pictures of both my wife and kid and if one of them is like 6 to 10 inches behind, they will appear blurred. This is not a defect. I am writing what I experience as a new user.4. Many reviewers have stated that the lens body is cheaply built. I have not seen/used a $300+ sturdy built lens. So I do not share this opinion. This $125 lens looks sturdy enough for me.6. I needed a day to get used to the noise when it auto-focuses. The lens kinda throbs when you try to take a out of focus picture.To summarize, this is a lens for good portrait pictures.
I just got this, because if you ask anyone what a good DSLR starter lens is, this is the one to get! Friends of mine who are professional photographers say the same, and it's unbeatable for nice people pictures and gives that nice background blur with no effort. I occasionally use old SLR lenses with adapters, but this gives good results without depending on my reaction time focusing and setting up the camera.
I purchased this item after reading Scott Kelby's Digital Photography book. I was looking for a low light lens that was reasonably priced for an upcoming indoor even and this was a real steal (upcoming photographer).  It gives a very crisp look and a beautiful bokeh.  It got a lot of bad reviews, but for the price, you can't go wrong.  I recommend it.
Not much to say about this lens. It's clear and light. It really can't be beat for the price. The focus is a little slow but for $70 I can't complain. If I had money to blow, I'd probably go with the 50mm f/1.4 for the better focusing.
I shoot alot of portraits and this lens came in very handy for me.. This is a must have for all photographers, its sharp and gives such a clean image and lets not forget about the price this gets a A+ in my book..
This lens should be a required buy for anyone getting their first dSLR. Yes, it's cheaply built - don't drop it. No, it's not going to withstand years of abuse - it likely won't survive years of *normal* use. But images taken with it are crystal clear, the next step up (f1.4) is $200 more, and most importantly, this is a great learning lens. The fixed focal length forces you to be creative in framing your shots, makes you think about what you're shooting before you hit the shutter. f/1.8 is great for low-light situations, and absolutely brilliant for shots of people; if I'm hanging out with family or friends and I want a good all-around lens, I'll take my 50mm without hesitation.You know what I'm sick of? Amazon putting an $89 pricetag on something like this while setting it next to a scratched out $150 "list price" - as if there's any shop, anywhere on the internet, that would try and charge that much for this lens. It's a cheap and lazy sales tactic, and I could ignore it if not for the fact that it's *everywhere*. I'm looking at the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, selling for $404. "List" price? $763. In what world?
You just can't beat the Nifty Fifty for good value for money. The f1/8 gives you the ability for really lovely bokeh and fine edge sharpness/wide background softness. And at around a hundred bucks (give or take when you pick it up) it's just unbelievably good value for money.Now keep in mind on a crop body, 50mm is more like 80mm equivalent so you're going to need to step back a bit for wider angle shots. This can limit what you photograph if you're in tight quarters. It's also a bit plastic-y feeling but for the price, it's still worth it.It's not a lens I use all the time but I like having it in my kit since it's compact, lightweight and gives me options. It's a great lens to have and I just can't stress the value of it enough.
Great price. As others have said, it feels cheap in use. Takes great shots when it focuses properly. Focus is slow and loud! Requires patience. For a novice photographer, it's fine.
This thing is not totally sharp wide open, and experiences a bit of coma. Multiple tests of shooting stars at night revealed this. When I shoot during the day @ f1.8, I don't notice the flaws. Once you get to f4, the performance is much better. So many guys who shoot astrophotography avoid shooting at f1.8, and shoot at f4. I personally shoot between the two to capture more light.This lens is very cheap. Maybe the cheapest feeling lens I have ever handled. It is very light as well. The focus ring is tiny, and not suited for MF. Despite this, I still shoot video and photos in manual focus mode. The AF is loud. Be careful with what type of lens hood you use on this lens. A stiff hood might break the lens if you drop it or something. I would suggest using something that would absorb shock, like a rubber hood.This lens might have the highest sharpness/cost ratio out of all the lenses that are being sold right now. A great added bonus is that it can shoot at 1.8, and provide decent images.Personally, I think I will upgrade to the canon 1.4 soon, but keep the 1.8 as a back up or something. I've used the 1.4 a few times and the difference in focusing is night and day. The 1.4 focuses way faster! The 1.8 usually goes back and forth before it focuses but the 1.4 snaps right to it. Plus it's quieter, not that I care.My bro has an 18-55IS and a 55-250IS that he recently got. I have shot with them a bit and would skip the 18-55is. It is a fine lens for the money, but I think you are better off saving up for a sigma 10-20 or a samyang (aka rokinon) 14mm and combining that w/ a 50mm 1.8. The 55-250 is quite impressive because it is small and the IS at the long end allows for great sharpness handheld. So if you are debating between which 1st lens to buy, I would say: 1. 50mm, 2. 55-250is, 3. 18-55mm is. The 18-55mm is only useful if you really want the 18-35mm range for cheap. If that range is not critical for you, buying the 18-55mm given the superior optics of the 50mm 1.8 would not make sense.If you scroll to the second page of images, you can see a shot that I took of the andromeda galaxy. The only reason I rate this lens 4/5 stars is because the focusing ring is a joke. I don't understand why they could not improve it just a tadd, and sell the lens for and extra $20.
This lens provides very sharp images for its price.  Build quality is not as good as other lenses but if you take care of your lenses then it should last you a while. Take the note the mount is plastic and not metal so this could be a problem down the line. I get great performance in low light with this fast lens. I use it on a Canon T4i.
Great Portrait lens for DSLRI use this lens with both the 40D and 20D.  With the 1.6 lens factor this makes the lens the idea focal length for portraiture.Because the focal length is fixed it may take a bit of getting used to.  However the initial frustration is well worth it.  I used it the first week I had it for three different photo shoots (both a combination of indoors, outdoors, and studio lighting).  Across all lighting situations the color was great.The wide aperture helps greatly in low light situations; however it is important to keep the depth of field in mind when focusing.Some mentioned the lens is poorly made.  This lens is also a very light weight lens.  Due to the fact that it has a fixed focal length and no IS it is very light weight making it wonderful for long hand held shoots.All these factors come together to make this a versatile powerful lens at a great price!
I had a hard time justifying getting this lens since I already had a 17-55mm f/2.8 (even though this lens costs just over a hundred -- Canon's CHEAPEST lens). But I'm glad I finally decided to get this lens because, man oh man, not only is this lens as sharp as thevenerated EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8I paid over a thousand for, the bokeh (background blurring) is much more pleasing on the 50mm at f/1.8 than it is on the 17-55mm at f/2.8 -- the difference between f/2.8 and f/1.8 is very, very perceptible.I now see why the sharpness on the 50mm (f/1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2) is legendary. The other reasons why you would WANT to own this lens besides its sharpness is:1. It's small and lightweightIt protrudes from the body of my camera (a Canon 7D) almost exactly 2" when the barrel is extended (when the lens is focusing on a distant subject) and about 1-7/8" when the barrel is retracted (when the lens is focusing on a subject closeup). The lightweight and small size is wonderful as I can bring my camera on my hikes without feeling bogged down.2. The bokeh it produces is phenomenalThe background at f/1.8 on this prime lens more bokeh'd out than it would be at f/2.8, which is the widest aperture on any zoom lens. I had never owned a lens with an aperture wider than f/2.8, so I pleasantly surprised at the difference f/1.8 makes.Now, I, too, struggled with deciding between the f/1.4 and f/1.8 versions of the 50mm (the f/1.2 was definitely out of my price range). The f/1.4 is better in terms of:1. bokehWith an even wider aperture than the f/1.8, the f/1.4 will produce better bokeh. People also seem to make a lot of fuss over how the f/1.4's aperture has 6 blades while the f/1.8 has only 5 blades -- which translates into the out-of-focus points of light (technically termed "circles of confusion") appearing more polygonal on the f/1.8 (pentagonal) than they do on f/1.4 (hexagonal). The hexagonal points of light produced by the f/1.4 will appear more circular (which is the ideal shape) than that produced by the f/1.8. I really don't understand what the hangup is, but if more circular-looking out-of-focus points of light is important for you, you should definitely take this difference into account when deciding between the f/1.4 and the f/1.8.2. focusWith USM (Ultra-Sonic Motor), the f/1.4 has much faster focusing. The focusing performance on the f/1.8 takes a fraction of a second (as opposed to the USM on my 17-55mm, which provides almost instantaneous focusing). Seems trivial, but if you're shooting fast action, that fraction of a second can mean nailing the shot or missing it altogether. USM is nice! The focusing on the f/1.8 is a bit slow (and noisy), but still quite snappy for most shooting situations. Oh, and it's definitely FASTER than the 18-55mm kit lens! (Thank goodness!)3. where it's madeIf it matters at all, the f/1.4 is made in Japan while the f/1.8 is made in China.The only edge the f/1.8 has over the f/1.4 is it's slightly smaller and much lighter. The quality of the construction is decent enough. Its build is plasticky, yes. Its camera mount is plastic, yes. It looks cheap... uh... I'm really on the fence on this one. I think it looks and feels decent enough. I do not believe this lens would fall apart IF you take good care of it. And I can't say this enough: this lens helps you take phenomenal photos! Reviewed and rated 4-1/2 stars collectively by 2,683 customers as of this writing, this is one of Canon's best lenses -- I don't think you can go wrong with this lens. It will add a lot to your photography.I see I'm gushing over this lens, but I make no apologies for it. This lens is a real pleasure to use and I feel it's money well spent. If you're on a budget, I'd recommend this lens. If money's not a problem, well... you know the answer to that one!
I am new to DSLR and wanted a simple, high quality lens that didn't break my budget. I was very warey of getting a prime lens, but this thing had such great reviews that I went for it. I was not disappointed. I got used to moving around more since there is no zoom and it has forced me in some ways to better evaluate the composition of my photographs. This lens is a must have for a beginner.
This is my favorite lens! I purchased this as an attachment for the Pentax Q camera (need adapter do to this).It is light weight and takes really nice pictures.Totally understand why this is called the 'Nifty Fifty&#34;.
This is the first extra lens I purchased to use with my Canon T1i and I love it! The pictures are a good quality and the lens is really easy to use. A little light on the construction, but otherwise it's a great lens!
This is a great lens to add to your collection.  Google the pics you can take with it - great price, shipping as promised.  Love this lens!
Yet another great accessory for my T3i body. It's easy to attach and allows me to take some great shots. I searched a couple of places for the Canon EF50mm and found the best deal right here.
This lens is fantastic.  this is my go to lens for dramatic shots that i need.  excellent price for a prime lens.  This lens will make the photographer.  i great addition to your lenses.the build quality is okay. it is on the light side, but the images that come out are outstanding.  you wont be disappointed!  get in now!
I got this lens because it's inexpensive. I have been pleasantly surprised. It is sharp, fast, and you can do great things with the DOF (depth of field). You need to stop up to F/2.8 - F/8 . . maybe even F/16 to get the best results. Some of my best shots have come with this lens. Everybody should have one unless you can afford the 1.4 which is 4-5X as much and not really worth it IMO. The manual focus is horrible but works fine. The lens feels like a toy, but again, it works fine. In fact, better than fine. It works great. You can also keep it if you upgrade to a full frame some day. Get the damn lens. It rules and it's one of the most inexpensive lenses out there.Update after about 9 months : I am still using the lens and it's still performing fine. The image quality has been a big surprise. It has some fringing problems at the lower apertures but for the price it's got to be in your bag. I have taken some of my best portraits with the 50mm 1.8 It's really good for people. It's equally as good for still life and abstract which I love both. It has been my best investment. I have VERY expensive lenses like the 17-55 F/2.8 and 24-105 F/4L the 100mm F/2.8 and still use this lens quite a bit. Highly recommended.
Same as a lot of reviewers on here, I say you get what you pay for. For a cheap prime lens, this lens is great. Produces good images that any amateur shutterbug would be happy to hang on the wall. If you're a pro, and want pro results, spend the extra cash. For ~95% of us, this lens is a great prime lens with a big, fast aperture.Update: After several months of owning this lens, I can re-assert my fandom of this lens. I use it all the time, and the depth of field this lens allows is great for at-home pictures of pets, kids, and more. For the price, you won't find a better lens that will drastically improve the look and feel of your photographs.
I was pleasantly surprised with all the images I was able to take in low light situations. As well as the depth of field. I've found from experience that it will become a pillar in my photography for years to come. A definite buy, and frankly every photographer should have one!
I am going to be frank. the AF misses most of the time, and produces soft photographs. Sometimes the lens quite Autofocusing for some reason. When you press the button half way it makes a little noise, nudges a little, and stops. The lens is pretty soft wide-open, closing down to f/2.8 makes the images much sharper. It's not extremely soft, but it's not the sharpest. A plastic mount/body is not very desirable in the world of SLR photography, but for $90, you are definitely compromising key features. For the price, it's a great lens. However, in general it's not a great lens. If you are on a tight budget, and do not have semi-professional expectations, this would be a great lens for you. You get a lot more back for your buck with the f/1.4 version. A USM motor, faster in low light ( and sharper ), and better build are the main advantages with the f/1.4. For the money it's not bad.
This lens brings back an era of photography long gone to your Canon EOS camera,The day of fixed focal length bright and vivid contrasty lens with background blur so creamy you could put a cherry on top of it all.This lens is best suited for situations where you either do not have much light to work with, or you want to create a soft background with a limited range of focus.  Put this lens on your camera turn the ISO up to 1600 and watch yourself be able to shoot at night on street corners without a flash. Its small unobtrusive and coupled onto a camera such as the Rebel Xt it allows you to be very discrete and non existent when shooting street portraits.This lens does have its downfalls, the focus is very picky and needs to be spot on.  Sometimes the gearing doesn't allow the camera to focus right where it needs to be and you need to refocus in manual to get the shot right.  Its also quite soft compared to lenses such as the 28-135 or the 24-105 L IS,  of course though with an aperture range of 1.8 this lens will still be taking photos well after the other lenses run out of options.I could talk all day about why you need one of theses lenses, if you are interested in artistic photography get this lens you will not regret it!
First EF lens I've ever owned. It's fast (considering I just upgraded from FD, basically), has great optics, works great as a portrait lens. I dispute claims that it's noisy, as it sounds quite silent next to the sound of my 20D's shutter.Unfortunately it feels like it came out of a cereal box. The lack of a metal mount makes me wonder. And I worry that my lens doesn't say "MADE IN JAPAN". Still, the day I got it it fell off my printer onto the floor, about a four foot drop, which it survived entirely without a scratch... we'll see how that goes. One major ergonomic disadvantage, apart from the fact that in your hands the lens feels like something that came out of the cereal box, is the fact that the focusing ring is, like, right at the end of the lens, and is easily turned while holding the lens. I don't have a hood yet, so I sometimes run into problems when I'm holding the lens.
I loved this lens and all portraits taken with this have come so amazing. This works like a charm even in low light.
Very sharp lens. Great for portrait photos and also low light pics. Build quality is not so great but that is fine for the low price.
This lens is a cheap yet a great lens, takes great low light pics, even better than the lens that came with my 40d, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6f.  Worth the $85 especially if one is new in the DSLR realm.
I wish canon included this as the kit lens for a lot of their cameras. If you don't have this, there is no reason to even hesitate buying it. c
The other reviews that mention this product is plastic are correct, but I would argue that calling it "flimsy" is inaccurate. It's not an L series lens, but it never claims to be. The build quality feels durable enough for what I do (prosumer) and anyone that feels this lens won't hold up to their use probably should have bought the three times as muchCanon EF 50mm f1.4.This lens is much faster than the kit lens I used before and the bokeh it produces is something I almost never had before. It's an amazing deal for a first time prime user and I can't imagine anyone regretting the purchase. The only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars is that the pictures aren't any more crisp than on my kit lens which is something I expected out of a prime.
It's simple... this should be the first lens any person new to the Canon SLR world, and it should also be a staple of even the best photographers.  It is the lens that will take any new / amateur photographer to the next level.  F-Stop at 1.8?  For around $100?  How can you beat that?  Seriously.  Awesome.
I have a 60D and this lens is great.  I am non my second - by no fault of Canon... It is my walk around lens, and I dropped down some stairs.  For the money, you just can't beat the photos.  The 50mm f/1.2 is on my dream list - but I wanted a few other lenses first.
I love the lens.The only reason I rate it for stars is because when the lens arrived it got  particle of dust between the lens ,inside. I wanted to return it,but I said that I will try to see if I can remove the dust from inside by myself. So I took a little hand air pump,that I use to clean my lens with it,and I blew air on the sides of the lens,between the sliding parts.The particle of dust disappeared. No problems so far....
I bought this lens with my new Canon Rebel XT. It was recommended by one of my friends and I thank him very much for letting me know this beauty. It works very well for indoor portrait shooting and I got quite some nice photos for my baby.Only one thing worries me a bit. It doesn't look like it is going to hold on for a long time. But with $70 something as the price, I know I should't expect too much.
I've had this lens for three months and I LOVED it.  I bought it knowing that there were many reviewers who had problems with it breaking easily.  But I didn't have $350-$400 to spend so I bought the cheaper option.  Is the price to good to be true??  In this case I really think it is.  The construction is just so cheap.  A slight bump while still in the padded camera bag was all it took to break some little plastic piece inside and the whole front of the lens fell off.  So if you buy this lens, just know that it is EXTREMELY fragile.As for me, I'll just wait until I can afford to replace it with the pricier f/1.4.  I want a lens that is going to last.
The only disappointment I have is that I thought it would have zoom... I pretty much bought it just because everyone recommended it and it was cheap.NOW, I'm not disappointed with the lens, only the fact that I thought there would be zoom.Quality is great, however it doesn't allow you to get a clear focus within about 6 inches.For the price compared to other lens', I'm happy.
This lens has rapidly replaced my old 18-55mm kit lens as my go-to lens for most situations. The wide aperture makes it great for indoor shots without flash and night shots using just city lights. It opens up a whole new door in terms of creativity, and I can't recommend it more as a second lens, especially on a budget. That said, here are the few problems I noticed:The autofocus is rather slow when close up to things, and if you're taking pictures of all black subjects (cats, dogs, etc) or mostly monochromatic things in low light it will have a lot of trouble getting a lock. The Focus motors are also quite loud.Cheap feeling construction. The build is plastic, which means it won't last as long as an all metal one, but it has a better cement bounce factor if you're a Klutz like me. Also, If Bokeh is important to you, the aperture has only 5 blades, making the bokeh distinctly pentagonal.If either of these things is a problem, and you have the spare cash, you may as well go for the 50mm f/1.4 that goes for ~350 here. If not or if it really is your second lens ever, may as well go for this one and play around with it. I've been very pleased with it!
Wether you are on a budget or not, this is the lens to have in your bag. Great for portraits. It's crystal clear. Sharpest lens I own. Love it. Great shallow depth of field. The nifty fifty is a lens EVERY photographer should have.
Lets keep this short and sweet. Fast lens means you can get those shots in dark areas that would otherwise be blurry. 1.8 gives you an amazing depth of field and good bokeh. 100 bucks for something that gives you these results? I'm sold.
For 75 dollars you can get AWESOME quality photos. Read around.. this lens gets nothing but rave reviews.  The build quality is fairly shotty but for 75$ it is a moot point.  Bokeh can be a little harsh, but still nice. If your buying your first SLR, forget the lens kit and pick this up instead.
One of my favorite go-to lens! Very small, not heavy, and AWESOME pictures! Can't go wrong with this, trust me!
I have a Canon Rebel T2i (550D) and a total of $3,800 in camera gear for it. Of all of that, this &#34;cheap&#34; lens is my favorite lens. Don't let the price fool you. I'd be willing to pay a hell of a lot more for it. It's got super high quality photo and video. Keep in mind though that it does have the fixed focal length of 50mm so you'll have to adjust your own physical positioning around the subject when you use it. I would recommend it mostly for photo/video of flowers, portrait shots, interview clips, close-ups of pets or other nostalgic items. Using it at a high aperture (low f-stop) produces the best results.
A classic you-get-what-you-pay-for case with this lens. I'll get it out of the way: this lens is cheaply built. A drop from one meter and it shattered into at least fifteen pieces. (thankfully, this lens is plastic so it wasn't hard to put together) The autofocus is noisy. It's casing is entirely plastic. You might be wondering if there are any redeeming qualities in this lens. Good news for you; there are. Pictures taken with this lens come out great. It's fast, and for the money, you won't get a better lens. Would I recommend this lens? Only if you didn't get a kit lens with your camera. Even budget minded beginners should save for a better, more versatile lens.
If you're looking at adding one good prime lens on a budget to your camera arsenal, then look no further. This is one of the best bargain lenses out there of any camera manufacturer.But let's look at the price points for 50mm primes. The 50mm f/1.4 is nearly 4x the cost and the 50mm f/1.2 is nearly 12x the cost. This lens is a bargain and is fast and takes great photos and you can't go wrong with it. The image quality is amazing.However, it's loud, made of plastic and if you dropped it on a hard floor it might shatter into a good number of pieces. It's loud (you can feel it chugging along with the vibrations it sends through the camera).Nothing I'm saying hasn't said before in a number of countless reviews. I own this lens, and I've taken (what I think) are awesome photos with it. However, it's a $100 piece of glass and if it breaks, I'm not sure that I could justify moving up the ladder to the 50mm f/1.4 for a slightly faster, slightly better image quality and a better constructed lens.If you've got a Canon digital SLR, pick this lens up. You'll find it very valuable and doesn't take up much room in your bag. You'll have fun with it and if it breaks, you won't cry that much over it compared to a far more expensive one. And if it does, buy another - you're still saving money over the 50mm f/1.4.
Even though it feels like it's cheaply built, it performs very well, and the images are clean, clear and very crisp. It's a must have!
I purchased this upon all of the positive reviews.  I would say it works well but it does not do what I was hoping, with taking portraits.  I think it is the lack of my experience vs the product.
I bought the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens specifically for taking photos of my jujitsu club. The standard zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-200mm) were not fast enough (large enough aperture) to freeze-frame a judo throw. This lens works great. I already have a small collection of photos with people upside down in mid-air. The photo with this post makes it look like the lens tapers to the mounting, but the photo is just at an angle. The lens is a cylinder like all others. Auto focus can be a little slow and noisy.
I bought this mostly to cure my curiosity of all the high reviews.  So far, it has delivered beautiful results.  For the price, this lens is a must!  Also, worth a mention --- I don't find it to be so delicate as other people have mentioned.  They must be rough with their cameras!  It seems fine to me!
I thought my pictures taken on my Rebel XS using the kit 18-55mm lens were all right.  After reading lots of rave reviews on this lens, I figured it was a small price to pay to change things up.  Plus, I really wanted a lens with greater f-stop capabilities.Having never shot with a prime lens before, I admit it did take some adjusting.  Gone were my days of lazily standing in one spot and turning a dial to zoom in and out.  The price and the need to move around in exchange for the changes in my photos were well worth the price.  The images (when focused well) are amazingly sharp and I love the depth-of-field capabilities.  It did take me some time to learn to focus more precisely when using this lens, but once I did, I couldn't believe the difference in my photos.I now shoot with this lens pretty much all the time.  For those just starting off with an SLR and looking to take your photography up a notch, after ditching "auto" mode, I'd highly recommend investing in this lens.  You'll soon find yourself pining for other prime lenses to add to your collection.
I don't care who you are or what level of photographer you're at.  This lens should be in your aresenal.  The price and what you get just can't be beat.  This is a great first prime lens for a beginner, and at this price, is a perfect back-up/spare lens for a seasoned pro.  This lens takes really good pictures and the bokeh is awesome enough for this novice photog.  The lens does hunt around in lowlight a bit, but again, it's at a fantastic price point.  So what!Get this.
I tried this lens at f/1.8 in different lighting with and without flash. Results are just marvelous. Portraits are nice with pleasant bookeh..Initially I was little cofused about whether to go for 85mm or 50 mm.But after using this masterpiece, I think With an extension tube I will be able to get even better results even close to 85mm..This lense is so sharp, one needs to be really cautious at f/1.8..even a small amount of direct sun light may distract the picture..I think setting exposure 1 or 1/2 stop below should solve it. 5 blade aperture is also not a problem..I observed no blurr at almost any apertures, no CA too..I am so busy taking pictures with this lense, couldn't get a chance to look at its build quality or AF/MF button. I am mostly using MF and the focus ring is just fine to me.As others say, if it breaks in near future, I will buy it again.. and if it keeps braking, I will buy dozens..:p
Hi, I bought this lens few weeks back and I am loving its awesome results. I specially like the crisp clarity of every image. We can easily get bokeh effect using this lens. It has 5 blades so you will get pentagonal bokehs. If you are using this lens on cropped sensor camera, it will act as 80mm prime lens. so it will be mid telephoto lens. But I found a very nice technique to make this 35mm lens on cropped sensor camera also by just spending around $35. Here is what you need to achieve this. 1 step up ring (52mm to 58mm -$3 max) and Opteka HD Wide Angle Lens($30-G9 model). I used it for many indoor shots and  getting same awesome crisp clear shots. no need to spend fortune on wide-angle lenses. This lens is also best for portrait shots. I will soon upload few pics 50mm and 35mm ones on my blog and add link to this review.Thanks a lot for reading.. Just go for this lens.. and get thrilled by its quality. i give 100/100 marks to this lens.
Yes, this lens is not as "well-built" as the others but at $120 what do you expect? If you're the type that throws their equipment around (I don't know why anyone would do that, but in reading some of the reviews it is obvious some do!)then this probably won't last. However, treat it kindly and it will last a long time!  The photographs are AMAZING and the bokeh is wonderful. Get this lens now!  You won't be disappointed!
I ordered this lens before I even bought my camera, everything says it's the best one lens to have and they are right.  I considered getting the gray market one, for a couple bucks less, but why go cheap on a $100 item?  Get the real deal and the you have the company backing their product up along with Amazon.  It is beautiful and works perfectly.  Put it on as soon as it arrived and I haven't taken it off since.  Used it all day today at a wedding, and the pics are amazing.  All my friends think it's the new camera, but it's really this little lens.  Love it.
This is really a nice Lens. Feedback from other users really helped me to select this lens. its really crisp and sharp. and if you use it nicely you'll love this one.Its light in weight too. Plus the DOF is Awesome @ 1.8 you can really popout the subject.
i ve just set it on my canon 550 D and autofocus doesnot work ! what the hell is going on
wow just like the reviews say,this lens takes one sharp photo. indoors and out. well worth the money. I wish my 70-300mm $650 lens was so sharp.
I initially gave this lens 5 stars, but am now moving it down to 3.Long story short, while the lens certainly is a fantastic value and should be part of any beginning photographer's kit, it has some shortcomings that become annoying over time.First off, it is flimsy and will break easily. You probably know this by now though. Another issue is focusing. It is slow to focus, and will hunt until eternity in dark light. Lastly, it is very small. This might not be a problem for some, but when you put it no a large body, or a a body with a grip attached, it becomes very uncomfortable to hold.Image quality is still good, as well as color rendition (if you're getting weird colors, learn how to use your camera's white balance settings). It is sharp, even at f1.8, though it shines when you stop down a bit.Lastly, Bokeh is ok. I liked it at first, but compared to other primes, the bokeh is pretty dull.I bought this lens for $85 3 years ago and the price has been hiked since. If you're looking for a good prime and have a little extra cash, I'd recommend Canon's 85mm f/1.8 instead.
I love this lens for everyday shooting!! Clear shots every time!! Great for close ups, portraits or catching the beauty of the afternoon sun.
Granted this takes outstanding pictures for not much money. But if it breaks into 2 pieces after a year of gentle use, it is garbage in my opinion. I should have bitten the bullet and got the better built f/1.4You get what you pay for ...See my pic of the broken lens - tiny plastic tabs hold the two main parts together. When (not if) the tabs break, the lens is toast.
My wife had a gravity accident during a shoot and ended up needing to replace this lens.  This was well priced and has performed perfectly.  No issues or complaints.
The question here isn't whether you should consider buying this lens, the question is why you don't already own one. The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II is simply an amazing lens to use. The optics are super sharp and the wide 1.8 aperture will open up a whole new world of imagination for the creative photographer. It is really wonderful in low light situations and for all of you using a 1.6 crop size sensor, the 50 f.1.8 will be more like an 80 mm medium telephoto. Many reviews on this site complain about the build quality, but I am here to tell you that is not as big an issue as it might seem. If you are familiar with the Canon 18-55 mm kit lens, you will appreciate an upgrade in build quality with the EF 50. The focusing is smooth and the auto focus motor (although a little loud) is fairly fast and accurate. Creamy bokeh, tack sharp crispness and awesome, rich colors await you. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate photographer, you won't find a better prime lens in this price range. Dollar for dollar, the 50 mm f/1.8 II is a steal. Don't think about it... Don't ask your spouse... just buy one.
I just receive this lens when I was at work, I put it on my camera and GIVE ME A BREAK!!! Well I had to give myself a break...This lens is Awesome and for this price WOW.I love it for portraits the detail and color are just amazing, I was skeptical because of the price thought it was a plastic lens but it looks solid. It does makes lots of noise while focusing but if you have your headphones on you wont hear a thing :)Now time to go and see how it looks in different subjects - hmmm the city???
This lens is so fast yet so inexpesive...there are two dwonfalls which can be overlooked quite easily.  The first, is the build quality.  The lens is made of plastic...hey, for less than $80 what do you expect.  You will not find a faster lens at this price.  The only other issue is it focuses painfully slow.  Regardless of those two issues you will not find a more razor sharp lens that creates bequtiful bokeh anywhere for the moeny!
She wanted this for portraits and said it works great. She said it was plastic but had a high quality feel. The pics do look better
Some day I may upgrade to a faster fixed focal length lens for portraits, but for now this one is giving me great results for the price as an enthusiastic amateur.  I highly recommend it if your budget is tight but you want to get good portraits at social occasions.  I've used it to take pictures of friends and family at several parties and everyone seems to be very pleased with the results including me.
Beware! The lens gets stuck on the camera (Google + Youtube). I didn't think mine would end up getting stuck, but after 2 years owning it - it finally did. I had to break it in order to be able to use my camera again.
I bought this lens primarily for portraits and I've been using it with my Rebel XT.  It meets and exceeds that need perfectly and the price was right too.  I was a bit leery after reading some reviews of this lens saying it was cheaply made but I was pleasantly suprised.  It seems sturdy and well made.  This is definately one of the best "bang for your buck" lenses available by canon at this time.
I purchased this for the Canon T3. It goes great with that camera. The lens are easy to use and the pictures come out like professional photos.
I had a friend who asked me to buy this to take pictures of my new born. You can buy all those expensive lenses but still to take home portraits nothing beats this lense. I have 18-135, 55-300, 18-55 and this one. This one absolutely beats those when used for in home portraits. This was a great addition to my collection... Sure the others have a great wide uses but if you want to take pictures of your kids. Nothing beats this lense. I have Canon 60D as a beginner and for starters I am loving this lense.
You can't get better pictures for the money. This lens is on my camera at all times, (Rebel XTI) with the exception of when I want to take some landscape shots, in which case I switch out to the kit 18-55mm lens.The pictures are just phenomonal. The one gripe I have is in dark situations it can take a while to focus. But the low F-stop is just fantastic. I have taken my best pictures with this lens.are there better ones? Sure. But you will never beat this for the price. JUST BUY IT ALREADY!Update 3/15/2012 - I actually broke my first lens by dropping it. As expected, it isn't the most durable thing in the world, but for the price I couldn't really complain. I ordered a new one and have been using it since then with great success. I am starting to get tempted to upgrade to something a little higher quality (50mm 1.4) or wider (35 mm f/2), but I have to say that this lens helped me become a better photographer. I still have a ways to go but it really helped me focus and isolate my photography to the basics - composition, DOF, and so on. Still highly recommend, even if this is the only lens you ever get besides the kit lens.Also: I am now on a T2i.
This lens is truly amazing! The image quality is so good, there is no issue with attaching it to a 1D. I like everything about the lens and don't bother with a filter for protection since the price means replacing it is not an issue. Focus speed is reasonable but not as quick as it could be. In low light however, it is as fast or faster than most L series lenses due to the f1.8 maximum aperture. The construction is not as robust as i would like, but for this price i cannot complain. If you own a Canon DSLR or SLR i would get this lens without hesitation. It will allow you to understand the capabilities of whatever body you are using for a minimal price.
You can not find a better all around lens,esp for the price! this lens is light,cheap and sharp! It doesnt matter what level of photography you are at,go ahead and pick up this lens...i promise you will love it!
No it's not CANON glass, but you're paying less than $100 for a decent CANON lens. Would I use it for my $$$$ clients, of course not; would I use it in a pinch when I need it's speed and focal length, sure! I don't always have access to the 50 f/1.2, or f/1.4 for that matter; in those instances, I think I can fake well enough with this one...lol. Go ahead and get it, and KEH is one the koolest (best) places to get stuff.
Great little lens! A must have for your camera bag! Cheap, clear, shallow depth of field & compact! I highly recommend it!
needed one more lens to add to the bag.  Remembering my old 35mm days the 'normal' lens was always a 50 mm fixed.  Ease of use, good quality, whats not to like.  Only down side is the plastic casing.
I got my fixed Nifty 50-1.8 lens yesterday for my Canon T3, and it does everything those 2500 reviewers raved about. And I think it's probably still a good deal, even though it's popularity has pushed it's March 2013 price up to $114 plus  another $10-$20 for a protective UV filter, which I suggest. And yes, I'm going to get one of those inexpensive rubber lens hoods everyone suggests to cut down on flare, which also doubles as a bumper guard. BUT I'd like to point out something you may not have heard before, so you don't rush to get one like you can't live or shoot another picture without one. As a grandparent, I now shoot my grandkids, mostly inside a small 1100 sq. ft. house, mostly inside an 11' x 16' living room, with even less move-around space once you add furniture. My point is, although I got some great portrait shots yesterday of my little grandaugher, the fixed 50mm length was almost "too close" for me to navigate and frame the shots the way I would have preferred. I ended up with some very artsy, very close head shots with a beautifully blurred background. However, once I had those in the bank, I found myself yearning for my standard 18-55mm zoom lens that came with the kit. Canon knew what they were doing when they picked this lens for everyday use as it really does give you the flexibility to find just the right focal length without moving position for the everyday pics you want to take around the house. (You need those wide angle options in a small room.) And my amateur eye found the quality of the pics to be just as good as those I took with the 50mm, though I'm sure many experts would argue that point with me, claiming the 50mm was much sharper. Perhaps. In conclusion, for my life, this very nice 50mm lens with it's fast 1.8mm lens will be reserved for close-up indoor portraits where I want to blur the background. And as soon as Spring emerges, I think this fast 1.8 lens will be much more useful as an outdoor lens for flowers, stop action sports shots, fading daylight shots, and candids that get you discreetly closer to your subject's face without being in their face for natural, unsuspecting shots.
Everybody know this one, but I want to live one more review. For this price nobody can offer something better. This is high quality product
This lens should be part of any amateur photographer's kit. It is so inexpensive, yet takes incredible pictures. Very sharp, fast and allows you to create bokeh effects easily. This is becoming my favorite lenses (and I own L Series lends). On this one, I just can't justify 15X the price for 2 minor F/Stop. I recommend this glass to anyone looking at getting started in more creative photography.
i feel like i can shoot anything and it will look good. ok. i know that's not true, because i've prooved it multiple times, but as far as pic quality, this lens is worth the purchase and lives up to its nickname.
Chances are you're looking at this lens as an inexpensive first prime to go with your non-pro DSLR, like I did.I tried it on myCanon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, and loved its size and speed, but the crop-factor made it not very useful.What's important to know is that many DSLRs use a cropped sensor (check wikipedia for "Crop Factor" for details).  On Canon Rebels (and 40/50D), the crop factor is 1.6, meaning a 50mm lens gets cropped down to the equivalent of an 80mm (50mm x 1.6).  80mm is a medium telephoto, which I almost never want to use.  80mm is not enough telephoto for detail shots at distance, but you'd have to stand across the room to get a portrait of more than a face.  Since I primarily wanted a portrait lens, this didn't work for me, though I did use it to take some very nice landscapes.I found the lens very fast.  Its AF is a bit louder than the T1i's kit lens (18-55 f/3.5-5.6), but the resulting images were notably crisper than the kit lens.  Images are soft at f/1.8 end of the range but looked great at f/2 and narrower.  Using Av and a wide aperture worked very well for low-light nighttime shots, although there was still blur for moving subjects.I don't think it's fair or useful to compare it to L-glass lenses 5-15x the price like many reviews did.  It's very lightweight, barely adding any weight to my camera.  The fast lens with a big aperture provides lot of flexibility when it comes to variable lighting.  And it's cheap.  If anything, I wish Canon made more inexpensive prime lenses for those of us who don't need or can't afford L-series glass.Since I needed something closer to 50mm in actual use, I returned this one and am going to try theCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.I rate this 4 stars for doing what it's supposed to do, and doing so very well, but being a less useful effective focal length on cropped-sensor cameras.UPDATE 11/2009:I've since tried out theCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand theCanon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich cost roughly 3x and 5x the price of this 50mm.  Both are better built (especially the 28), but the 50mm actually holds up in image quality, producing images just as crisp (and slightly warmer) as the other two.The 35mm focus-hunts (in low-light) much more than this 50mm and has noisier AF.  So, if this focal-length works for you, the EF-50mm performs very well for its price.  Otherwise, consider theCanon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.
the lens itself is amazing. gives really good picture quality. on a scale from one to ten I give it 9 only because the out of focus lights have a funny octagon shape. it is really loud when it tries to focus specially in low light. also when in low light if your ISO is not high and/or you have a full frame it misses focus often. trust me i used it for about a year so i know how it works. yes a year. to some that is a long time but it was only used lightly ( one day out of the week because i work and not in photography)and when i got my flash and umbrella i started to used it often for the first time.highly not worth even 50 bucks yeah quality is high but it breaks with just one fall. mine fell from 1 feet high and it landed on my feet i looked and since i have dropped the camera from higher distances  didn't care. but when i looked again the tip of the lenses rolled in a separate direction after it landed, ON MY FEET. if you don't believe me the look for the drop test video for the 50mm 1.8 canon it broke in the first fall no joke and then you can't put it back together. well you can it just wont auto focus or focus properly for that matter.....oh yeah the canon warranty does not cover drops and falls :@
I bought this a month ago, and now I've got theCanon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameraslens as well (at 10x the price). My wife doesn't think the quality of the images shot with the 135mm are any better. :( That's a big shame considering that it gets 52 * 5 star reviews (and nothing less). However, that should tell you how good the image quality of the EF 50mm is.I'm holding out for some wide open spaces to use the 135mm on before I review it, but I will go ahead and say that provided you take care of the 50mm, you will consistently be impressed at the image quality of the nifty fifty. For $100 you can't go wrong.Sure it's not silent and the manual focus ring is tiny. None of those are of any real concern for what I use it for, and the price is far cheaper than anything else with equivalent image quality.The EF 50mm F/1.8 II is also a really convenient size for taking picture of your kids inside your house (our camera body is a Rebel, so there is a 1.6 crop factor). There is not a shot I can't get to with a little foot zoom, and the image quality is far superior to the kit zoom. If you are like us and take lots of pictures, 97% or so being of people and 90% of those being your kids, then this lens is for you. Just buy it, stick this on your camera and never look back. The kit lens will stay in the bag.And take care of your gear. Get a good padded camera bag like theLowepro Nova 200 AW Camera Bag (Black)and wear the strap provided.
Best purchase I've made for my Canon T3i so far!The wide open aperture allows you to achieve that cool effect of the background being blurry and your subject in focus.  I highly suggest walking around with this on your camera for a week to get a feel for how to use it.  On my crop sensor it was more like a 70mm portrait lens, but it produces some really sharp pictures in low light!
It's already been said by most reviewers, but this lens really is excellent as a day to day lens, and even more so at this price.Well done Canon.
I needed a good lens to attach my camera to my birding scope and this lens has met my anticipation.
This is an awesome lens at an awesome price. I am a newbie and just got the canon rebel t3i for Christmas, and after seeing this affordable lens on a top ten list I purchased it. As soon as I opened it, I had my sister stand in one spot and took pics of her at 50mm with my stock 18-55mm lens and this one. The background was blown out and so pretty with this lens!!!! It also came with a $9.95 credit towards a tiffen filter, and after checking reviews I got the warming one....PERFECT!!!! I am having my friends rank the pictures on FB and so far the 50mm with warming lens is winning!!!really, for a hundred bucks you CANNOT go wrong! I was told that this lens would be exactly the same as my stock, but that just isn't so. I love it!!!
Pros: CHEAP... f/1.8 is great for bokeh/depth of field effects.Cons: Don't expect to shoot anything quietly, or quickly with this lens.  The autofocus is nearly useless.  It is so slow, noisy, and at times inaccurate that you're better off keeping it on manual.  Also, 50mm on a cropped sensor is really an 85mm lens, putting you uncomfortably close to friends and other subjects.Personally, I think this is a waste of money.  I purchased the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras for $450 or so and it has been worth every penny.  It provides a wide enough angle, with a super-wide aperture, and a fast focusing motor.
Pictures taken are sharp when using lens. Tested 60d canon with better built lens and there was not a major different.
This lens is simple to use, fast, reliable and outstanding. In spite of the low price, it offers a very good stability and the pictures and videos looks just great. I thought the lack of zoom would be a problem, however, considering the main use is for portraits, the focal distance offers a great field range which allows to achieve great shots ( specially during the daytime). I really recommend this objective for those who are initiating with DSLRs and intend to achieve great photographs with a few movements. For those who are setting up their photography gear, this is a must-have, for sure.
Just be very careful not to drop it. I did and now the photos are always out of focus. Will probably buy again.
When in focus and f>2.8 the images are great.Sometimes my 350 XT is having problems with the auto focus. I can take 10 pictures in a raw and half will be out of focus. I don't have such problems with Canon 85mm USM lens.But for the money it's unbeatable. If you have some extra cash - buy 50mm 1.4 USM
- Excellent depth of field- Great for portraits and product photography- Budget lens, excellent quality for the price- Built quality is not the best (plastic) but for the price is good. This can be the only downside.Overall its a great lens, with an amazing DOF at a great price.
I am impressed by the brightness of the lens. large aperture. I have to make many more attempts. Very lightweight and fits well with my Canon T3i.BUT came with a manufacturing defect, a small point inside the lens, it is impossible to clean inside.So far I have not noticed this defect in the first test shots but it is terrible that an original canon lens has manufacturing defect. unfortunately  I live outside the United States and I brought it to me by mail, I can not return it and wait to submit another by distance and the cost of bringing a package to Ecuador.
I just started using this wonderful little lens with my new 500D and I'm blown away!  I have the 18-55mm kit len and the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens and this one blows both of those away.  All of my shots with this was hand held, many taking shots of moving subjects and many being shot from a moving vehicle.  Now one thing about he vehicle I was shooting from should explain even further how wonderful this lens is.... it's an armored Suburban with bulletproof tinted glass over 1" thick!People have lowered the star rating for this lens due to it's plastic build.  Now c'mon, this lens costs less than $100 and performs better than lens' costing 10X as much.  There are many people who have reviewed this lens who say they've owned it for several years with no signs of wear.  If you handle this the same way you would handle an "L" lens, then it will last you nearly as long.At full zoom on my 55-250mm compared to the 50mm shot of the same landscape, the  pictures from the 50mm f/1.8 is much sharper and that is under close scrutiny of every aspect of the two photos zoomed in to maximum magnification in Photoshop CS4 Bridge.As already mentioned, I took several shots from a moving vehicle with safety glass that as over 1" thick with heavy tint.  I shot close up portrait type photos, medium distance landscape, and very far off landscape, all from a moving vehicle.  Every shot made when I had my camera settings correct were keepers.  I've never had a lens that could do this, not even close.Long story short; you can't go wrong with this purchase.  Buy one, play with it, and fall in love with it.  If you must have the big brother to this lens and are willing to fork out the extra $$ then go for it.  But, for the rest of us who are happy with a lens that will PERFORM at nearly the same level, but feel like a toy, I'll stick with the f/1.8 II and be grinning from ear to ear because I can use that money for much better things.
This lens is a very good purchase. very cheap. I think that the material and quality arent so good. I miss the USM motor!! its very noisy!!BUT, i can take great photos under very low light condition. I can get an area of my pic very sharp and not the rest!Excellent to take portraits.I did not quilify this item with 5 starts becuase of the noisy and not so good construction.But I recomend this for the low price, you must have it ;)
Amazingly sharp and an outstanding f-stop. It feels like somewhat plastic but don't let the looks and the price mislead you. I shot pictures with this lens on using my new 40D one late afternoon. Results were astonishing! I have never had such sharp images with Canon 24-85mm zoom. If you own a Canon, you must buy this lens and use it. Fight the temptation to use a zoom for the time being. You will appreciate the light weight and the sharpness, as well as the brightness (F1.8).Remember, a fixed focal-length lens has MUCH LESS COMPLICATED optical elements than a zoom, therefore SHARPER & LIGHTER by nature. Many great sreet photographers of our time did not use a zoom. In fact, when I was a photography major in college in early 70s, I did not even dream of using a zoom. A zoom lens was for amateurs with dough, never for serious photography students.A sharp lens at less than $90? I believe this is one way for Canon to say "Thanks" to their camera buyers.
I bought two lens to keep with me at all times a tamron lens that cost me $800 & the canon one. I LOVE the canon lens. I can't believe how amazing the pictures turn out. Buy it, you won't regret it!
For may years now I have been involved in beam-splitting for 3D. First with my Pentax, then with my Canon EOS 10S. I found that the best overall quality for my stereo work came from the Canon using a 50MM, f1.8 lens as in this ad. The focal length, and clarity, linked up with my beam-splitter gave me the results that I desired.Recently,I purchased a Canon Rebel XTi. For beam-splitting, I use the 50mm lens from my 10S. The results of course is outstanding. Keep in mind though that I only use this lens for my 3D work. I have 3 other high end Canon lenses which I use for the majority of my work.The lens in this ad is perfect for portaits (and 3D), but should be seen as an auxilliary lens, not the primary one.Mary-Margaret
My daughter said I needed this lens to go with my new EOS Rebel T4i and she was correct.....as a novice I have been taking great pictures. I hope I keep getting better....but if not it's terrific like it is! Thanks for a great lens.
This was my first lens to buy for my first camera (Canon 60D). I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good overall lens AND a fabulous price. This is Canon's cheapest lens, but don't let that scare you from getting it!Since it has a 1.8 aperture, it handles low light or night photography VERY well.The only thing I have against it is the construction of it. It does seem a little cheaply made, but I think the great quality of the images and the awesome price overrides this fact. Simply put, don't ever, ever drop your camera. This was my second time to buy this lens because I broke my first one by dropping my camera.Once again, I highly recommend this lens!!
Focusing is slow, but what more can you expect from a lens thats so cheap. Would highly recommend.
I had been looking at this lens for over a year. Just keep thinking it can't be much since it's such a low price. It's not a pro series. I do a lot of portrait work, and have been getting very good results with T2i and the kit lens that came with it. I have read a lot of reviews about prime lens, and it seem that this is what I needed. So I bought it and have to say it gives the best results yet. My camera has a fractional sensor. So this 50mm is in effect like using an 80mm. Bottom line, it works great, and I couldn't be happy with this purchase. Fact is when my daughter saw it, she immediately ordered one for herself. Like with most any purchases from Amazon... they are the best to do business with.
Every DSLR owner should own at least one prime lens with a wide aperature.  For amateurs, the 1.8 is the obvious choice.  This lens is too inexpensive--and too good--for amateur DSLR owners not to own a copy.Obviously, it doesn't have a zoom, so it's not a good landscape or telephoto lens--you probably wouldn't rely on it at a sporting event, the Grand Canyon, or the zoo.  Still, it's the lens that is on my XTi most of the time.  I'm definitely an amateur, and I primarily take pictures of my family and friends at various events or around the house.  Its portraiture capability is great, and with the large aperatures you can really get creative.  The 50mm is great in low light too if--if--you have enough contrast for the lens to lock in on focus.  Otherwise, the lens has a tendency to hunt.  As long as you aren't shooting in pitch black and can find a contrast point to lock on to, you won't have a big problem.I've also found that my lens has a slight accuracy problem at higher aperatures.  It's not a big deal, but you definitely get a little "dreamy" effect at f/1.8 if you're not careful.  But the depth of field is so narrow, that it's probably partly user error, too.As for the build quality, this seems to be the biggest knock against the 1.8.  I don't think it's as bad as some people say.  If you're content with the build quality of the kit lens on the digital rebels, which also have plastic mounts, you'll be fine with the build quality of this 50mm.Is it better than the Canon 50mm F/1.4 or F/1.2L? Clearly, it's not.  But some people would never spend so much money for a prime, anyway.  The 50mm f/1.8 is for those people. It's so cheap and takes such good photos that, unless you're really serious and looking at the 1.4 or 1.2, you'd be silly not to own the 1.8.
So cheap it's insane.  Build is lame but light so it makes you feel like you are not carrying a lens at all.  In fact, on a smaller bodied SLR it makes for a very nice little combination.  This lens is a must have ion your quiver, especially if you let anyone else use your camera.  If you can afford to buy the 1.4 go for it, but then get one of these too as it is pretty much a disposable and incredibly fast, clear, and precise lens.  I love it in low light applications.
Like I said, I ordered the lens more for video use and it works great for what I need. I shot with it at night at the Kodak Theater for a music video and it came out better than expected. Great lens, great value and great for shooting video.
I love this lens.  It is fast, it is fast it is fast.  I bought it because I needed to take pictures of Africans in low light settings.  Perfect.  I also love that I can take pictures of Africans and Europeans in low light settings and I don't lost the textures of both.  I find crispness in all of the subjects and though yes, every facial discrepancy shows, that is life.  I wish it were a bit wider angled, but that is all.  For the amazing price, perfect.
I bought this lens for my EOS 20D. The image quality is just excellent, on par with lenses way more expensive. With my 20D, the 1.6 crop factor makes it an 80mm f/1.8 lens, which is perfect for portraits. Very recommended!
I pulled the review I wrote shortly after buying this lens: I was not doing it justice.It has now been a year and a half since I took to regularly shooting with this lens, and the more I use it, the more I like it to the point I take it everywhere in my condensed travel photo bag in addition to three (excellent) zooms.What I use this "nifty fifty" for:- Portrait: combined with a crop body (rebel, 7D) it amounts to a short tele (about 85mm equivalent) which is great for facial features and to get a creamy bokeh around the subject. Be sure to nail the focus when wide open.- Low light shooting at concerts when I am close to the artists- Macro. This is now my lens of choice when using extension tubes. The pictures are crisp and I can really get it very close to the subject without fearing too much for my gear: at about $100 I can always replace it if it gets damaged. Modus operandi: set it to manual focus; use a hot-shoe flash on a cord and a small soft-box; focus by moving forward and backward; press the shutter release. One major quality when using extension tubes: it is very light and does not risk damaging the camera boy or tubes as a heavy lens could.- Infrared - Not all lenses are good in IR as most are not designed for that specialty. It turns out this one works very, very well. It does not feature special coatings that could cause flare in other, more expensive and "refined" lenses, and it does not show any hot-spot.Cons - not many. It does not look very fancy, for those who pay attention to how they look when shooting instead of paying attention to how what they shoot looks.Pros - Light, inexpensive, pretty fast, sharp, works great with extension tubes, works great in IR.Bottom line: If I break it or lose it I will be ordering another one immediately.
Really great lens for low light shooting and depth of field.  The quality of the picture is lovely as well.  It only has one focal length though so you have to move around a bit more to get the desired shots.
I purchased this lens along with myCanon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)a month or two ago, having completely outgrown the optics and capabilities of myCanon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoomcompact camera.This lens has allowed me to take close pictures of friends at gatherings and parties (naturally indoors and at night, in dim light) without the use of flash, which I detest. They were talking, joking, laughing and generally doing everything except keeping still, and yet in most situations I was able to freeze the moment. Shooting in burst mode ensures that you'll have many similar facial expressions to choose from, either to flatter or mock your friends. :)The large aperture of f/1.8 also provides for a very small depth of field: whereas the person's face is in focus, the background is extremely blurry. Most people, when seeing their pics taken with this lens, absolutely love the effect. I love it too.In short, the value for money of this lens is very high. I recommend it 100%.
Sharp and cheap.  If you only have the 18-55 kit lens, this is definitely your next lens unless you can throw down a lot more cash.Pros:Once you get to about f/2.8 this thing gets pretty darned sharp.  The sweet-spot seems to be around f/4.0 to f/4.5 on my XTi which is where it is sharpest.No noticeable chromatic aberration.  Of course being a prime, we all should hope so.Cons:Everything else that makes a lens a lens is what this fails at.It's hopelessly soft wide open.  The bokeh is nasty looking.  Color saturation isn't so hot.  It gets softer towards the edges.  In low light, auto-focus will "hunt" far more often than it should.  I can deal with all those issues.  What really makes this a bad lens is the auto-focus miss issue.Focus will too often land just in front of your subject meaning that you're going to just toss the picture in the trash.  Given that it tempts you to use a thin depth of focus, this will happen a lot.  If you can get a good in-focus shot then all the other issues will melt away and you'll be in awe of what a great shot you can get from this thing given the number of dollars this item commands.
This is a performance-versus-price purchase.  Bottom line: Debate no longer --- DSLR newbies who have budget constraints but who want no-flash, low-light (e.g., indoor) shots and easy shallow depth-of-field, should buy this lens.Photozone.de rated this lens (5-point scale):optical quality 3.5, mechanical quality 2, price/performance 5.[...]The warning: because of the Digital Rebel's cropped sensor, this lens is not wide-angle; it's more like a portrait lens.  You'll have to take a few steps back to capture, for example, your child in his/her environs.  But you'll get some really nice portraits.If the issue of crop factor is going to bother you a lot, then consider, instead, theCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  With a maximum aperture of f/2, it will help you take "no-flash, low-light" while affording you a wider angle.  It costs more, but it may be more of what you're looking for.
A great lens for portraiture. It's pretty fast and works well for lower light situations which would require either flash or longer exposure times (on a kit lens). Need steady hands, though, because there's no image stabilization.
This lens is impressive for next to nothing in cost. Shoot sharp images in super low light at ISO 800+ on Canon DSLR. Nice focal length for use as a portrait lens with the 1.6 x magnification on DSLR's. Far superior to the 18-55 zoom that comes with the camera.
This lens is great. I use it on my Canon Rebel XSi along with my kit 18-55mm lens and my 75-300mm lens. The optics are a better quality than most kit lenses, and the AF is quick. The picture quality is superb. Low light quality is amazing with the 1.8 f-stop, and the 50mm focal length works well in almost all situations and gives you a great depth of field. I use this lens in all sorts of situations, such as family events, portraits, product shots, and on-location shots while I'm filming commercials. It's quick, simple, and small, so I'm not fiddling with it to get my pictures, I just aim and shoot. Though it is made of plastic, the construction in snug, no loose parts, and it doesn't feel like if you set it down too hard it will shatter. Overall I would highly suggest this lens to anyone, from seasoned to newbie, a low f-stop fixed focal length lens always comes in handy.update: After owning this lens for a year, it's still in great condition and works just fine. image quality is still just as great, and I still love using it.
Some picture turn out good, other are just OK. Not as spectacular as advertised. For a hundred bucks, I guess I will keep it.
This lens is light, small, very sharp and with the large aperature (f/1.8) you can take good photos in low light. I especially love the shallow depth of field you get with this.It's a great price, but it's also not a USM (ultra sonic motor) lens, so the auto focus is a little slow and loud. Not a problem though.
I bought this lens to start out with my Canon T4i.Although I have enjoyed it, the image quality is actually quite good and it has served me well ... I am counting down the days until I can replace it with the f1.4 USM.This lens's INCREDIBLY noisy motor aside, this lens struggles to focus in any lighting situation. I end up using the manual focus 70% of the time.The f1.4 is much more quiet when focusing, yes, but it also much FASTER and more ACCURATE.If you can wait or have the extra $300 to shell out for the f1.4 USM not only will you get 2/3 more stops worth of light, you'll also get a great increase in build quality, speed and accuracy.This is built like a child's toy with cheap plastic.Seriously though if you're looking for a starter prime on a budget, I don't regret buying this. I'm becoming more accustom to nicer gear as I invest more money into finer glass and this lens is no longer cutting it for me.
If you don't own a portrait lens, this is a good one to start with.I've heard it is "cheap" being made of plastic and that it will break if dropped, hence the 4 stars. I have had mine for over 6 months and, well, I have just avoided dropping it I guess. It still works fine just like the day I got it.Keep it in your bag and be careful when switching lenses and you should be just fine. It's a pretty good price for what you get in return, so just take care of it and you should get more than your money's worth from this lens.
I have used this lens as an inexpensive alternative to a good zoom, but it really gives marginal increase in width plus distorts the edges and at the widest angle blocks the corners view.Item came in on time and in brand new condition.
I like so far - getting used to no zoom, since i am an amateur.Looking forward to figure out how to use light, etc.
You can't go wrong with the "nifty fifty". The low light capabilities and light weight make this a must have prime lens.
This was the best purchase I've made for my camera.  Its hard to to compare any other lenses to this because of its price.  highly recommend this lens to anyone looking for a lens with a low F and who is on a budget.
I've read alot of reviews, and because this particuliar lens was regarded so wellI bought it as my starting lens and I am VERY satisified . It does most jobs well,and for the price ....it is a great first lens .
great lens. clear pics. i use this lens for extreme close-ups or portraits and love the quality and durability. happy
It was a present for my boyfriend and he loves it! And of course I love it too because when he is holding the camera, who else is in the photo? Me of course! Beautiful photo of me :)
Like it. Use it as often as I can but do not like being told how many words I have to use in are view
There are already over 900 reviews on this. I just want to add my 2 cents here. I am not a professional photographer. This lens is of incredible value to me. The major complaint about this lens is build quality. Yes, it plastic. But I really don't feel that it is going to break any time soon. Besides, it is only around $100. It should be in the camera bag of every amateur photographer.
Received my 50mm f1.8 today and quickly packed it up an hour later for a return.  I received what I thought was a new in box retail lens.  This thing is so light, I thought they forgot the lens when they packed it.  Anyhow, I took a quick look at the glass before putting it on my camera and noticed that the rear glass had a partial finger print on it!  I was a little upset but not enough to ruin the purchase.  I put some time into cleaning it and it did come off.  I Inspected the glass again for any other marks and found three noticeable particles of dust inside the lens.  Is this common?  It certainly was unacceptable to me.  I took some shots to see if it was noticeable in my shots.  They are not as bad but if your looking for them, you can find them.  I can say that at f1.8, the photos are not very sharp, but still look good.  Move it up to f5 and up, the sharpness improves.  Now I have to decide whether to get another 1.8 and hope this was just a defect or go for the 1.4 and hope they've fixed the motor problem.
This is a mediocre lens at best. It is very soft wide open. The bokeh is terrible both wide open and stopped down a bit (5 blades). Color and contrast are mediocre as well. The worst part is the AF. It is very inconsistent even in good light.This lens is very popular among beginners, and there was time when it offered much better image quality compared to the old 18-55 kit lens for crop bodies. Not so much anymore because the 18-55 IS is so much better than the old kit. The 50/1.8 can still be useful stopped at least at f/2.8 and it takes super sharp pictures at f/4, when it focuses well (almost never). With a crop body, in a typical scene, f/4 has enough DOF to mask the poor AF. More experienced users will be frustrated however.
Disclaimer: my lens hasn't broken yet, so for me, so far, the build quality hasn't been an issue.  Maybe it will be in he future when I drop it on the carpet and break it.  But that hasn't happened yet.  When and if it does, I will buy another one.I love this lens.  The pictures are sharp and beautiful.  Getting a precise focus is a bit tricky with such a shallow depth of field, but when you nail it, the results are outstanding.  Good smooth bokeh, sharp IQ corner to corner, and at f1.8 I never have to bump up past ISO 1600 on my 20D to freeze motion, even at night or at concerts.  If you want to spend $200 more for the more solid f1.4, that would be fine.  But if you don't, you would be stupid not to buy this lens.
Was excited to get this low-price prime lens based on the raving reviews and the assurance that the 50mm &#34;normal&#34; prime is ideal for so many situations.However, I suspect most of us who are buying the low-price lens also have the lower-price DSLR bodies with the cropped APS-C sensor.  I have the EOS 70D which has the cropped sensor and found that 50mm isn't such a great all-around lens.  With the 1.6x magnification provided by the APS-C sensor, 50mm is a telephoto lens instead of a normal lens.  You really want a 30mm lens to get the lens everyone raves about.  I ended up purchasing a 30mm lens from Sigma and it is great with my camera.  The 50mm hasn't been used once since the 30mm was added to the camera bag.
So much dust gets in behind the front element, i hate how it focuses so loudly. But its 100 bucks so i can't complain
I bought the lens because of the rave reviews and it does not disappoint. The lens is very light and does feel plastiky but that doesn't matter. I use it much more often than my 28-135mm for my kids. For the price, you can't go wrong.
I've had this lens almost a year now and I can happily say it was the best lens purchase I've made so far. The quality of images and the amount of light that this bad boy can capture is worth every penny. After buying this lens I no longer use my kit 18-55mm lens for portraits or family. Take a few steps back and a few steps forward and this lens will capture great images of individuals and families. The build feels a bit plasticy, but don't be fooled by the exteriors, the glass on this thing is great and is a great intro to prime lenses. *NOTE* this is not an L quality lens, you'll have to pay the big bucks for those, this is a great starter lens for anyone beginning in photography and want to start studying it seriously.
The Canon 50/1.8 proudly wears a lot of praise, and to a large degree I concur. It is the cheapest canon lens at under $120, yet it has nearly equal or sometimes superior optical quality than a good chunk of the Canon line. As such, it's a quick route to very good photo quality. It has several notable flaws, which one has to expect for such a steal of a price. Still, they add up depending on the type of photography you do, and may constitute grounds for shifting to this lens's pricier, faster versions.Pros* Very lightweight* Reasonably compact* Accurate AF (though see cons)* AF/MF switch on body* On-axis picture contrast at most apertures is quite close to the 50/1.4 and 50/1.2, costing 3x and 14x the price of the 50/1.8* Chromatic aberration is very low, to the point of nonexistent, at all apertures* Macro photography (using macro rings) is quite possible and fairly pleasing with this lens, so long as you are able to very carefully nudge the un-damped MF ring (or you have a hand-crank macro stand or rail)Cons* The AF fruitlessly hunts in low light, despite the wide f/1.8 aperture -- this is the kind of hopeless hunting that the cheapest kit lenses do: bzzt brrr, bzzzzzt chukkachukka brr bzzzt...* The AF is noticeably noisier than that of, for instance, the 28-70L (this is not a big surprise at all, but it's worth noting for photographers who want a very quiet lens)* The MF ring is cheap and un-damped, which results in a major loss of functionality for astrophotography (see other thoughts for more)* The lens body lacks outer threads for the lens hood, which necessitates affixing a lens hood to the filter ring* The bayonet (body) mount is plastic, not metalOther thoughtsIt's hard to ding this lens's picture quality. In virtually every test, resolution, ghosting, flare, vignetting, it compares quite favorably to Canon and aftermarket lenses costing much more. Chromatic aberration is essentially absent, something that the 50/1.2 and 50/1.4 simply can't claim. Its contrast, however, does not beat those two lenses at all. For budding photographers who need an inexpensive first lens that easily outperforms the quality of a kit lens, this is a fine choice. There's a reason the 50/1.8 used to be a pretty standard kit lens option with most SLRs. You'll eventually notice some things about it that you wish it didn't do, or did better, but by then you'll be looking at dropping some money on other lenses entirely.For astrophotographers looking for a cheap way into the fast lens market, keep looking; you have not found THE lens at all. The MF ring has no damping, and thus the manual micro-adjusting necessary for perfect focus is highly unreliable and essentially impossible. AF in starlight simply does not work, and thus you either have to focus in daylight and not bump the lens, ever, and must set your shutter release to not execute AF first before shooting, or... you *may* get AF off the moon, or, you have to electronically focus using onboard software such as Magic Lantern, or bring a laptop and use a Canon or aftermarket software title. In several ways, it's a no-win frustration-generator, and I cannot recommend this lens for astropix at all.For portrait photographers on a budget, you will likely notice a few issues with this lens, but be surprised at how good it is and how, in medium to bright light, it does quite well. It is very light, making your camera easy to handle for hours at a time, and, you get a little exercise because you have to walk instead of zoom.
I love this lens. It's great for portraits and low lighting. I haven't had any problems with it. Would recommend to someone starting out with photography.
Better than expected for the price. highly recommended. you will be happily surprised!Buen lente a bajo precio, altamente recomendado. no creo que encuentren algo as&iacute; por el mismo precio. funciona de maravilla.
I guess it's a good pair of lenses. But be aware: if you don't use a full frame, it's not so handy.I tried to use them while travelling, but every time I tried, I felt I needed to go back to the 28-55 (to use the wider angle).With a full frame, from what I heard, you don't feel this problem because the image is not cropped as it happens with other cameras.The image quality looks good, but I almost never use it..
for 100$, it doesn't get better.the auto focus is noisy and slowbut who cares??the crispness and colors of your image are magnificent.not to mention the outstanding bokeh and focus.it is also made much better than some reviews indicate.i was quite pleased with it's weight and durability.the only regret i have, seriously, is not buying this sooner.it is now the lens that will remain on my camera for 90% of the time.
I have been wanting to buy a 50mm prime for quite some time. Decided to go for this one due to the price and having not used a fixed lens since my high school photography class. I figured if I didn't like it I wouldn't be out too much money. Also, its hard to research this lens without finding a TON of happy owners.  I'm now one of them. This lens is perfect for me. I can already get higher quality shots than any of my previous lenses. Ill have to get used to the techniques involved for framing and whatnot since there is no zoom. Its tiny, light and takes great shots.This really is an extremely cheaply built lens but we all knew that when we ordered. I'm sure it will last long enough for me to save the cash for the 1.4 though. Ill just be keeping in mind its fragility when I use it.Some people have reported this one getting stuck on their camera. Mine goes on and comes off fine. I imagine the ones that got stuck may have been defective or something. Motor is loud and doesn't seem to focus very well (or fast) in many situations. My intentions were to generally do manual focusing so I'm not too broken up about that.Overall I expected great photos and so-so build quality with quite limited features. I got what I expected and I'm happy.  When I get my 1.4 Ill still be keeping this one around for potentially dangerous shoots where I would want high quality images without risking a $300+ lens.
This is a wonderful lens!!!  Can't believe it took me so long to buy it.  I do puppy pictures in half the time!!  Thanks so much!
I bought a 50mm 1.8 MKII in the Philippines for 70 bucks used. I love this lens, sharp, light, and quick. It was soo cheap that i just bought another one for 75 yesterday just because it was so cheap. This is by far the best investment that i have made for my camera. I never have any problems with it. It NEVER leaves my 500D one because i love this lens, and 2 because my friend dropped my kit and it needs recalibration lol. I HIGHLY recommend this lens. I am an amateur photographer who does not have a job, still in high school, and has to pay his own gas. This lens is what really is paying me not my camera.
Wow! My theory now is that Canon doesn't put this baby as their kit lens because many people would decide that they DONT NEED ANOTHER ONE! And many of them would be right!Like others, I bought the Rebel XT and the 28-135 IS lens. The 28-135 is heavy and priced like a gold brick. I guess it does OK, and I do keep it mounted most of the time.And like others, I stumbled on this lens somehow, read the raving reviews, and for the price figured, "What the heck?"This lens in tack sharp. It shows the fire in the colors you photograph. The wide aperture means candles can be excellent lights for portraits. Its narrow field is great.There are pitfalls though. I snapped a pic of my face at arm's length using autofocus a while back and (1) the focus locked on the tip of my nose and my face was already blurring (2) the lens was so sharp that I saw blackheads clearly on my nose tip I can't really see in the mirror (doh!). I've read that dSLR images are slightly soft to aid in later editing. I can only imagine what it would do on a film camera.Yesterday while camping I slapped this lens on. Unlike the 28-135, this one is light enough that I didnt notice I was carrying a camera everywhere. At night I put the lens on the top of the car pointed at the sky, set the shutter for 15 secs, and hit the button. Much to my amazement, the lens not only showed hundreds of stars that were invisible to my eyes, but it also found a galaxy. That pic is on the customer image section of this page. You can see what I saw, but the smaller size doesnt do the lens justice.One quirk of Amazon is that this page keeps alternating pictures of lenses. This lens does not have the distance focus scales on the outside of it.Zoom is nice for many things. But where zoom isnt necessary, performance is very, very nice. Performance at $70 is almost too good to be true.Let me close by repeating what has been said elsewhere and will continue to be said here....IF YOU OWN A SLR, STOP NOW AND GET THIS LENS!UPDATE 12/06 I have owned this lens for about a year now. Over that time I have immersed myself in photography, workshops, books, tests, etc. I have since upgraded to the 30D and a couple of L lenses, and now have a portfolio strong enough that I am now getting dollar signs thrown at me that I didnt even see coming. I say all this to give you some perspective on what I will write afterward.Now that Ive really learned the difference, I can agree with others that it is a tad soft wide open, but that is to be expected. I read a lens test recently that put the 1.8 against Canons heavweight L glass, and, not surprisingly, the L beat out the $70 plastic wonder in most categories. What might surprise you, however, is that when the lens was tested at F 8 it BEAT THE L GLASS in sharpness! As one that has felt the pain of trading large sums of money for L glass, I appreciate affordable quality...not something anyone can plan on seeing much of in photography.My 28-135 has since joined my kit lens in the garage. The 1.8 is still in my case with my newer 30D.With some experience under my belt I now would make the following recommendation. Right now, as you read this,  you may have an idea if you've been bitten by the photog bug. You may know that this beast is going to morph into something more than a simple pasttime. If you look inside the depths of your aspirations and you know that you are going to be a serious amateur, bite the bullet and get the 50mm 1.4. Trust me on this one. Eventually you'll end up getting it anyway, so just apply the $70 to the 1.4 now.If you're just exploring different areas of SLR photography, you cant go wrong with this lens. Case in point- as of this writing the baby in pink in the customer images section of this lens is one of the top-ten rated images of all pics uploaded on Amazon! This lens will allow you to dazzle friends and relatives used to snapshots from point & shoots. It will be the start of what you upgraded to a DSLR for in the first place. For you, the 1.8 is still, by far, the best value in photography!
Excellent lens and work great for my needs. I am an amateur photographer but find that this lens has been wonderful for creating beautiful, vivid, portrait style photos. The quality of the images are crisp and clean with the F/1.8 capability. The lens fits perfectly on my Canon T3i DSLR. No compatibility issues at all. Would highly recommend!
This lens is amazing. When I first saw how cheap it was I closed the Amazon webpage thinking it was trash. However, upon talking to my photography friends they all rated the lens very highly. So, I plopped down $79 for the lens after reading all of the reviews.First off, I have a Canon EOS XT and a 40D. The XT came with the 17-55mm and the 40D came with the 28-135mm. When the 50mm arrived from Amazon I went outside to take a few test shots. I was amazed at the picture sharpness and the depth of color in the shots. When I blew up the shots to 100% the sharpness of the image was jaw dropping compared to the kit lenses I'd been using.Sure, the 50mm lens isn't a zoom lens but let me tell you something important: with this lens I learned how to compose shots. Before I'd just take mindless pictures - stand in one place and shoot away. This lens taught me to compose an image to make it interesting because I had to move my feet to get the picture I wanted instead of mindlessly zooming back and forth. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to become a better photographer.My sister bought my Rebel XT. I'm letting her use my 50mm - she likes it so much that I didn't get it back. &lt;cough> So I bought another 50mm. :)The build quality is not very good however it works. The lens is super light (a plus for a heavy 40D) and it won't break unless you drop the lens (what lens wouldn't?). Otherwise, if you take care of the lens I see this lens lasting a long time. I'll report back here if I find out otherwise.
Can't ask for too much more than what this lens has to offer.  For the price, this lens delivers everything  it promises.
First is that this lens is very nice and cheap but it takes very clear pictures. and i don't think any lens can compete with its performance and price. I think if your just starting this is one of the good lens you could use to take beautiful pictures. I say if you have the money you can buy the upgraded version of this lens which is x2 pricier than this one and if you get paid for taking pictures then why not buy the more expensive one, but for casual photographers i think this would work well.
Anyone who knows Canon lenses knows that this one goes by the nickname of &#34;The Nifty Fifty&#34;.  it's cheap.  It's light.  The quality of the images it produces is amazing for this price range, and you get f/1.8 too!  Should be in every Canon owners bag!
If you are new to the Canon EF universe, GET THIS LENS FIRST. DO IT.Those cheap, slow telephoto glass that they throw in with all the kits are trash and will discourage you from making images. The 50/1.8 is sharp, it has an intimate distance (due to it being approx. 80mm on a crop sensor), and the flare and bokeh are pretty.No questions asked, every backpack or bag must have one of these.
Just like most of the other reviewers stated that you can't go wrong getting this lens. The 1.8 gives a depth of field that is beautiful for portraits, pets, flowers and objects. But remember, this is not a macro lens. I was also surprised by the sharpness. Although I am spoiled by the 18-55 wide angle versatility of the lens that came with my camera this lens takes better photos in sharpness and beauty. You have to step-back more often to get the shot. I think of it as an old school lens like when I had my first film SLR. I also got the recommended lens shade which also makes the lens look a little "cooler" and adds protection. Of course, if you have a $1000 to burn then look for another lens but for this price, you get a lens that will give you professional looking results at a fraction of the cost of professional lenses!- UPDATED -gave it 5 stars initially but after 1.5 years it just came apart for no reason. does not work any more. saving up to get a better sigma 1.4 ($450) as other reviewers stated about this poor build quality.
nothing new to say ... the number of reviews say them all... The best beginners lense with pro quality images... Excellent lense!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and not to mention the great price..
I own the Canon 60D with 15-85 and 70-300 L lens and also the Pentax k-x with numerous prime lenses. I spent a trip to Niagara Falls bringing this 50mm lens for its low-light capability and bokeh. After playing around with it I must say that I would not recommend it for those who are picky with their pictures. Only if you are on a very tight budget and just getting your feet wet with DSLR's, then it is a prime choice. No pun intended.First of all lets talk about its good qualities. Its cheap and very light. You dont notice the weight on the camera at all which makes it easier for walking around without getting tired. Thats a good thing because with this prime lens, your feet does the zooming. Speaking of which, the 50mm focal length (on a APS-C sensor) is just a tad beyond normal viewing angle. Meaning, if you loop your fingers into a circle and put it over your eye, then thats the image you get with this lens. This focal length is good for waist-high portraits without moving back too far. Because of the wide aperture of 1.8, this means its good for parties and indoor get togethers where one could take candid shots. I wouldn't recommend it for group shots, the image circle is a bit too tight. The best sharpness comes around f/4 to f/5.6, which is superb in resolution, and it is great starting at f/2.4. Couple this with minimal chromatic aberation and pictures can really pop at you against a blurry background. The build quality is ok, its plastic yes, but just be careful with it. Your money is going into the optical design. If you really want to have fun with this lens then I suggest a google search for "bokeh hearts". You will get endless questions from your friends!Ahhh but no lens is perfect and this is clearly one of them. For those who know bokeh (Japanese for blurry), this lens might disappoint you. Surely its capable of creating it easily with its wide aperture, but its very "nervous" looking both in front and back out of focus planes, far from buttery smooth. Highlights are nice and round at f/1.8, but quickly turn into pentagons with anything above that. Couple this with the observation that contrast and color are dull at the widest aperture. then your best images are not going to be at its acclaimed low-light capability. How much so? Well, it steadily gets better to f/4, and thats the aperture that I would call excellent for this lens. Shots against the sun will get you prone to flare and washed out images, especially if you have a Tiffen UV filter, which most people get with this lens.So there you have it. This lens has its pros and cons, but its a good value for starters. It would be my recommendation as the first prime lens to get to see if you like the use of primes. If you have any L lenses, then you probably already know that the 50mm 1.4 and 1.2 are increasingly better. Oh, if you find 50mm focal length too zoomed in then the 35mm f/2 is similar and a little wider. Hope this helps!
Yes its all plastic and yes it is not very impressive looking but it does take the most impressive pictures. I don't care what the price is but this lens is nothing short of a miracle. I understand Canon has a 1.4 and a 1.2 and I am sure they are great lenses but for what this one can do, I think it is a great lens. Bokeh is exceptional, and the IQ is extremely good. If you know what you are doing, you can take professional level pictures with this baby. Some of my best potraits have been taken with this lens. At this time I cannot think of a good reason to spend the extra $300 + for the 1.4, let alone the 1.2. I am more than happy with mine.
For just around a hundred dollars this offers a chance for dilettante hobbyists like me to explore bokeh.  But being used to IS (image stabilization) on other lenses, it took some time and patience to get good focused shots at f/1.8.  In fact in using this lens, even with narrower aperture you suddenly realize how much IS really helps in those other lenses.  If for some reason you are unable to control your shaky hands it would be better to use this with a tripod especially when shooting close ups at wide aperture and/or low ISO.Otherwise, enjoy the view!
I have owned this lens for only 3 days yet... and this is my second DSLR lens to the Canon 28-105mm USM one.Regardless, I can already see the difference in image quality when I compare the two. This lens is far better in sharpness and color rendition at an equivalent focal length. It is amazingly sharp around 2.8f.I wish I had bought this one in the first place... and then I wont have bought the 28-105 one so soon.To sum up:Pros:- A great lens for starters.- Very sharp around f2.8, sharp even otherwise.- Very good for low light conditions.- Light weight, not bulky in size.- Vibrant colors.Cons:- Auto focus isnt very handy.. and struggles sometimes in low light conditions. But thats expected I think.- Focussing is noisy.. no ultrasonic gizmos in there.- Manual focus wil need some skills... the grip threads arent very easily grip-pable.In the end, I would actually cross off all the cons from the list considering the price you pay for it: a sub-100 bucks lens that gives excellent image quality. People who complain about the build quality probably care more about a solid body than about the end result: image quality.. and will be happy to pay 10 times for a lens that isnt as sharp... so let them pay the extra bucks if they can. I speak from personal experience since I paid about 4 times as much for a USM lens and this one still beats the expensive one by a long margin!!Recommendation: I highly recommend this lens as a starter lens. I would in fact advise you to get this one instead of the crappy kit lenses that no one would buy otherwise.
This is an awesome lens and the output is very good! The only issue is the plastic body quality which I specifically faced because I dropped it while in elevator and it broke.But since it was cheap I ended up buying one more easy
I recently bought a Digital SLR mainly to take pictures of kids inside without the flash in low light situations. The lens that came packaged with the camera was a letdown every time I tried to take a picture in indoor low light situations. This lens is amazing - adds great depth of field to the portraits and takes great portrait shots. I'm extremely satisfied with this purchase and will say that this lens is a must have!
This lens is great, it's one of my favorites, but it is also very cheaply made, so far I am on my 2nd replacement, good thing is that it is also just about the cheapest lens on the market.
This is the best bang for your buck period. This low priced lens should be in every portrait photographers collection. This bad boy is fast and takes beautifull , professional looking pictures. The only thing I dont like about this lens is that its made out of plastic. But since it seems like its built to last , Im not worried about it. Great lens. Great price.
...That if something ever happened to it I'd replace it in less than a heartbeat!! The lens is THAT good! It's a bit soft around f/1.8 proper (from 2 or a little above it's sharp as a Ginsu knife) but that softness has its uses in things like portraiture and landscape photography where that effect can be exquisite if used properly. This is my very first Prime lens and I could not be happier. Though I love zoom lenses, the fixed focal length in this forces me to be more creative. Zoom lenses are great but they don't keep you moving like you should to get that shot you won't with a zoom. They tend to keep you with your feet rooted to a spot for a long time. They do have their uses and I use mine religiously! But this is really not a difficult decision. I notice that many reviewers complain about the plastic construction and the look. Well, I have no problems with this lens's aesthetic and I LOVE that it's extremely light so the plastic doesn't bother me. I'll just have to take extra good care of it :) What it comes down to is this - compared to other lenses it's extremely affordable, AND it's a superb, technically efficient lens! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a passionate amateur, no matter what your dedicated field of photography is, you NEED to have this in your arsenal! It's that simple. Buy it. Buy it now.
The product is OK, but the body is all plastic. First I use this lens with a subframe camera (the rebel family) in which case you have to remember this lens will be equivalent to an 80mm (so a narrower angle or in other words: more telephoto). That said the lens is excellent to take pictures in dark conditions: churches, museums, places where the flash is not permited or simply because like me, you hate flash! now when taking pictures with the lens wide open under those conditions if you use auto white balace your pictures turn out with a red hue. To avoid that you need to use one of the camera creative modes, take a picture of a white wall, and use it as a reference for the custom white balance. Or even better, get an expo disk for that task, it will make your life much easier and save you a lot of photoshop time. Remember this lens has no IS so it is a fast lens but it has limits. A cheap monopod and a ball head might be a good companion. I hope this makes sense and covers some of the main uses of this lens.
This was the first lens I purchased for my new Canon EOS 40D, which is a dream, by the way, and this lens just keeps producing amazing photos! While the focal length is somewhat limiting when you don't have room to back up, or maybe you'd prefer a wider lens for landscape photos (making my next purchase the 35mm f/2), this lens more than exceeded my expectations and is an exceptional value! It especially shines during indoors photo shoots, for example, the basketball games where I take photos for my school's yearbook, or during concerts (given you're close eenough to the stage), the maximum aperture of f/1.8 is very helpful at freezing action without cranking up the noise. All in all, this lens was more than worth what I paid for it!
Use this on my 6D.  Works wonderfully and is a must have for the amateur photographer/videographer.  I love this lens.
This is a great lens. If you don't have a comparable prime already and can spare $80, get one. It's fantastic for low light shots. The focus hunts in low light, though, and often it's hard to get it locked on in these conditions.For outdoors it's another story. Maybe it's better than the kit lens, I don't know, I've never tried one, but my Tamron 17-50 is definitely sharper at comparable apertures and it focuses faster (though louder!). Also this lens is a bit too long for a crop camera for a walk-around lens in my opinion. Canon 35 f/2 would be closer to a "normal" lens, but having purchased a used one recently, I don't think it's worth $250 (new) for what you're getting. My advice would be look for a used one on ebay.Now quality. I know it's the cheapest lens in the Canon lineup, and I don't expect a sealed lens with a metal mount for this price. A plastic mount is probably better for such a light lens anyway. But it's a little off-putting when your brand new lens arrives with dirt inside. I returned the first copy because of that. It had huge pieces of lint inside that I couldn't shake off the front element. The second one also arrived with lint and dust inside, but lint was finer and I was able to shake it off. This may not make much difference optically and most likely won't show up in photos, but if you're particular about dirt in your lenses, this may drive you nuts.
Sometimes this lens is more of a pain than it's worth. Luckily, it's not worth that much. With a little practice, it can take some amazing shots and is a great tool for pushing your creativity.The CONS first:It's not well-built. In fact, it feels like a toy and would probably not survive a drop or a hard knock into a wall. If you tend to be careless, beware. For the price though, I would be very surprise if it did have a better build quality but the construction is expected at this price level.My major peeve: It hunts like crazy (meaning that it will continue to adjust focus in auto-focus mode even when the object isn't moving and everything is completely still). It's very fickle when it is in auto-focus mode and will continue adjusting up until you release the shutter. It's a little annoying and sometimes I do notice blur/out of focus in the shots (which is why with this lens, I take more shots than average). This is especially inherent as you get closer to f/1.8 but I supposed that is a problem with such a narrow depth of field.The PROS:It's a great learning tool. Being a prime lens, you are forced to move around when composing your shots. Having a set focal range encourages you to look at the world with your camera differently rather than have zoom capabilities to fall back on.The f/1.8 is awesome! This lens is my current choice lens for making more artsy fartsy shots, having such a narrow depth of field.It's light and crappy-looking. I feel that it makes DSLR look more innocuous and cheap with this lens on which is great for street photography.I picked this lens up a few months ago at a discount from the already cheap retail price. The price makes it easy to love but it does take some practice to really get going with this lens.Although I haven't really had any lens flare issues with this lens yet, I have paired it with theZeikos ZE-LH52 52mm Soft Rubber Lens Hood (Black)which is a great match for this lens.For the price, it's hard to go wrong with this lens. If you are a budget photographer, this lens is a must.
Just having purchased a Rebel XT, I was looking for a good and fun second lens as I was still learning.  After reading all the positive reviews on this "nifty fifty", how could I go wrong?The build quality isn't all there, but man, one look at the price and the quality of these pictures makes you forget all about that.  Who cares that something rattles on the inside!  Works PERFECT!
This lens is a great lens to start out with if your looking to increase the quality of your pics without spending a fortune. The pictures are sharp with fabulous contrast, you really can't beat it for the price...and it's made by Canon which in my opinion, makes it even better!
I am starting to get involved in looking at my canon t2i more intensely. I spent the money but my pictures were just a tiny bit better than a point and shoot.  My daughter is now almost a year and I am really unhappy with my photographs around the house of her. This lens has been a huge change in that. I get really fabulous, professional looking pictures.  It does take some getting used to, such as the extra distance I need between myself and her but the beautiful bokeh is soo fun and I am getting a lot of complements.
This lens is the first one I have purchased for my Canon Digital Rebel Camera.  It's fantastic.  It has really helped with my concert shots & eliminates having to use a flash as much as I used to with the stock lense.  This allows for truer colors in your pictures.  It still looks great with the flash too.  It's also great for portraits, I would recommend this for everyone!
Pros: Cheap.  Light.Cons: No full-time manual focus.  Build quality.Apparently Canon is working on a Mark III version of this lens but who knows when it will come out.If you're short on funds this is a great lens to start out with.  The build quality isn't quite there so don't be surprised when it eventually falls apart.I didn't like the very tiny switch to go from autofocus to manual focus.  Also, autofocus is a bit slow on this.Other 50mm lenses to consider after you've outgrown this:~3x the cost:Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras(A new version for this is also in the works according to canonrumors.)~5x the cost:Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasI won't go into the 1.2 or the manual focus Zeiss 50mm lenses.
Its a great lens for whats its worth. I dont use it very often but when I do it matches up nicely with most high end lens. Its not very well built at all and I feel like it I were to drop it the lens it would break into a hundred pieces, but overall im very happy with it.
Terrific lens. Superb picture-quality. Razor-sharp images. Totally worth the price - actually worth twice the price. Get this lens - you need it!
Seriously, this is a great lens. If you need something inexpensive but with a low aperture, just get this lens. You won't find anything that compares to that price. It's lightweight and the bokeh it delivers is beautiful. It isn't wide at all, so you will have to step back a lot when getting shots, but in low light situations it's great.
I have to say that this is a great and affordable lens that is so small and light to carry. I am really careful in handling this lens because I don't want to waste a good $100.00 lens that produce good DOF and images taken from this lens.
I use this lens more than my other two combined. I love how crisp and clear the focused part of the photo is, yet the rest of the photo has a BEAUTIFUL bokah.  It is nice and fast, very responsive and very fast.I'm dreaming about the f/1.4 lens, but this is a VERY nice, less expensive alternative.
I was tired of my high priced macro lens, read a review on how to use lenses and what to buy.  The author was right, this was just the lens I needed or close up photos of moving objects.  As a newbie, I am very satisfied to have found this lens at such a great price and free Prime shipping.
The best lens for this price... in really love this lens, the pictures taken with this lens are awesome, is the lens you need to buy after the kit lens of your camera
Goog seller and item (1.5f 50mm)Tried the lens many times so far, great picturesI really recommend to have one along with wide lens
I recently bought the Rebel XTi, and decided to follow prevailing wisdom by abandoning the kit lens.  I bought this lens instead, and have been very happy with the results.  If you are just starting out with photography (like me), you will be incredibly happy with the results.  I get crystal clear images, amazing bokeh (esp. when the aperture is at its widest), and beautiful vivid colors.The caveat is that on the XTi, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II is an excellent *portrait* lens.  The XTi does not have a full-frame sensor; rather, its sensor effectively crops the shot at a factor of 1.6.  That means that with the 50mm focal length, what you are really getting is an 80 mm perspective, which falls into the telephoto range.  This means that this lens is a less than ideal "walking around" lens when used with crop-format bodies like the XTi.  By no means does this fact reduce the value of this lens, but if you aren't aware of this from the beginning it can be a little frustrating at first.  I plan on getting a lens with a shorter focal length, preferably short enough to actually give me a wide-angle perspective on the XTi body (~17mm).  If you really want to use the XTi for everyday walkaround shots, you might have to make do with the kit lens, or pay more for a good lens with a wider perspective.That being said, I *love* this lens.  My portrait shots are amazing, with beautiful bokeh, extremely crisp, etc.  Even the landscapes do not exactly suffer; it is simply a matter of finding the right POV.  To sum it up, I definitely have no regrets with this lens - just wisdom that I would like to share :)
The shipping was fast and the product just what we wanted. We use this for our photo shoot with our grand kids. It allows us to blur the back ground just like the pros.
This is a great lens. I just started with a DSLR, and this lens is really easy to get great photos with! It gives you those lovely pictures with the background out of focus. The lens does great in low light too!
You've got your new digital SLR and are wondering "which lens" should I get?  This is one of them.  Look at the price, and go to pbase and search the lens and review the results; this lens will make you look like a pro.  Very affordable, but the results from this lens are incredible. Great for portraits, indoors or any time you need a relatively fast lens (compared to the kit lens) with very good sharpness and clarity.
My husband purchased this lens for me as a Valentine's day present (he's so sweet) - it's amazing. I'm a new amateur photographer and have been learning a great deal on my new Canon XSi, and I was told that I had to have this lens. The person who said that was right. This lens is an absolute blast and I've been taking amazing photos with it. It's a definite must if you've got a Canon digital camera!
I was a bit apprehensive given the quality remarks, but with all the glowing reviews I bought. I took the lens along on a recent vacation and found that I was using it for most of my shots based on the great results. I keep it protected when not in use, no big deal. The camera feels kinda of weird with such a short lens but the shots speak for themselves.
Everybody should have this lens.  It is so cheap and so effective at doing what it does.I initially bought this lens for the 1.8 f/stop alone.  I am slowly building up my photography gear and needed a 'faster' lens.  I felt like I had been extremely limited by not having a lens that could perform well in low light situations w/o the use of flash.  This lens solved that problem.  I have been able to shoot in light that I have never before been able to shoot in w/o a tripod, etc.  Of course having spent most of my time shooting with a standard zoom lens, being limited to the 50mm is difficult to get used to at first, but also forces you to compose your shots within the frame instead of relying on zooming in and zooming out, not a bad skill to have!  Of course the one major problem with this lens is now I desperately I want a faster zoom lens hahaI took some time for me to get used to using the large aperture openings simply because of the extremely limited depth of field, which of course, is an effect that I wanted by buying a lens like this, but when the lens if fully open it was really a shock to me initially how little is actually in focus.  It took some getting used to, so if you have never shot with a wide open aperture before, you might also find that it takes some getting used to to, as far of just what you can and can't do with this lens.A couple true cons:  This lens is a bit noisy when it is autofocusing. I sometimes feel reluctant to use in situations that require quiet.  Secondly, the autofocusing has problems finding the correct focus in certain situations.  Often this is remedied by moving back from the subjects just a little.  I've encountered this issue with canon's autofocus system on other lenses as well, it just seems to be a distance and/or lighting situation.I was hoping to get pretty bokeh effect with this as well, and while it isn't quite as smooth as I hoped, in certain situations it performs well to create that.  I'm happy for what I paid for it in that respect when it comes to that effect.I do think if you dropped this lens on a hard service, most likely you would not have this lens anymore.  However, depending on the fall and what it hits, it could be quite possible to say that for a lot of lenses.So I received this, this is the lens that has been on my camera more often than not.  Lots of uses and produces fabulous images.
I am an avid fan of macro Photography and this was the first macro lens that I bought.  I was hesitant at first because it's less than $100. I am glad I bought it.  The picture was awesome for the price. If you are looking for your first macro lens, this is the one for still photography.
This lens takes amazing portraits. It is also great for low light situations. I have owned it several months now and am very pleased with the results the lens produces. I have some great photos of my daughter that I will frame and be looking at for the rest of my life. Auto-focus seems really difficult when setting the f stop to a low number. I often use the manual focus for these conditions.
Cheap build it has; but it does do a great job as a normal lens. Images are excellent. (Amazon had a good price too.) I probably should have purchased this lens with the Rebel XTi rather than opt for the kit lens; and later put that money into a great lens like perhaps the 70-200 f/4 L, or a wide angle.  The only reason I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 is the narrow manual focus ring; just a a little bit awkward to handle located at the end of the lens.
Pros:  Takes very good pictures, and allows you to do DOF images at a low price.Cons:  Cheap build quality, slow auto focus
Amazing pictures using this lens.  Autofocus works great.  Very sharp pictures.  Works great for portraits. A lens every dSLR camera should have.
As I become a better photographer on a budget. I realize that is NOT only the camera (not everyone can afford a 5D Markiii) is about the lens, the experience and originality of the photographer. Having said that... this lens is amazing for close-up, shooting small products portraits etc. It gives you AMAZING background blur and you can't find a lens this fast (f/1.8) for the price! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Well, it does feel a little cheap and it's not USM (so it doesn't AF fast)... However, for the price and what is does... it does it beautifully. The colors are almost "TOO REAL" - but you can always play in Adobe Lightroom and get soooo much more out of it!I LOVE IT! Until I can afford the super fast lenses... this is just fine!
I'm fairly new to the world of SLR's and had just very recently bought this lens so I wont be as elaborate as other reviewers - besides, I think there are enough reviews to tell you how awesome this lens is.As an amateur on a budget.. I thought this was a great lens. I recently purchased a 60D and wanted another lens to have - a cheap but good lens with a nice depth of field and would be great in low light.. and I found it! This is great for portraits, macro and almost everything. I've used this more than my kit lens.Pros:AffordableLightweightNice bokeh/nice background blurShoots well in dim/dark lightingCons:Not sure if it's my camera or the lens (or perhaps both) but at times it can be a little slow to focus when on automaticI've only had the camera & lens for less than a month so I'm still trying to get used to them. But overall I think this lens is pretty sweet.
Fast and great for portrates. If your in studio setting and have only one lense I would recomend this one.
What a great lens for the money! If you are searching for an affordable f1.8 portrait lens, then search no more. The images are clean and sharp and the shallow depth of field is amazing and just what I was looking for. The auto focus works fast and I have not had any issues with the lens. True, it's not a telephoto lens which means you have to move your feet. But it sure beats the $1,700 price tag of my f2.8 70-200 lens. Don't get me wrong, I love that lens too and it has it's place during weddings, but this 50mm lens has become my prime portrait lens.
Seems to me, one of the biggest complaints about this lens is the &#34;cheapness.&#34; Yes, it is much lighter than other lenses. Could it break if i dropped it on cement? Probably. Pretty sure my other lenses would too! I use it frequently with my kids and it has survived sitting in and getting pulled in and out of a diaper bag. I am not a professional and at times I struggle with it focusing on one out of three people in a shot, or even one eyeball when taking pictures of one person. But there are pictures that i get as a result of using this lens that are remarkably stunning...shots i definitely would not get without it.
Yes, its noisy, loud, and sometimes slow. But for a f1.8 aperture, for being lightweight, its worth $85 for sure. Great for a beginner photographer like I am to use this to try different shots with a prime lens. As others have noted, construction is plastic, but if I break it, drop it, or whatever, I won't be heartbroken.
It's not a L lens but it suits me fine for what I do. Does feel a bit cheap but I take care of my stuff so it's all good.
Absolutely the BEST Lens I ever used for what I paid. I can't find anything wrong other then the fact that it is plastic and a little noisy. But if your a REAL photographer you won't mind. I recommend not sharing or lending a lens like this to anyone only because it's fragile to those who don't know. Recommend putting a lens filter for protection and keep it in your bag for great portrait work. Many have spoken loud and clear how great a buy this lens is. I don't think I'll ever sell mine and that's how valuable it is to me. Set it at 1.8 for best results 100 ISO for portrait and blurred out backgrounds.
This lens is worth the $70 price tag, hands down.  No lens in this price range opens to f/1.8.  With that wide-open aperture comes a great deal of flexibility shooting indoors or in low light.  I've used this lens to photograph a good number of events indoors and outdoors, especially at night.  The images are sharp and clear at all apertures.Build quality and autofocus are this lens's only weaknesses.  It's inexpensive, so I wasn't expecting anything special, but the all-plastic construction does feel a bit frail.  The autofocus feels slow to me and hunts in low light.  Overall, however, this is a great piece of equipment.Keep in mind that this is an 80mm f/1.8 lens on a Rebel due to the focal length multiplier.  I find it fairly versatile, but it really shines on portraits.
Alright, first let me give you my opinion regarding some of the qualms I've read around here:* Yes, the lens might not be of the best build quality; however, judging solely based on optics and picture quality I can hardly justify spending 10X as much money in an L-series equivalent of this lens. I've used both and unless you're an ultra-professional juggernaut, I really doubt you'll notice the difference (image-wise) between this great lens and the much more expensive version.* Yes, it's not f/1.4 as the $600+ version...it's a whooping fractional step slower (f/1.8) for ~ 10X less money.As for what this lens actually is:* Great, inexpensive prime lens.* Great optics (good enough to use it in a portrait studio).* Inexpensive enough to be able to take risks with it.What this lens isn't:* A lens geared towards ultra-pros looking for absolute perfection.* A ruggeed, work-horse, durable lens.* A miracle that will make anyone a better photographer.* The best thing since diced ham.In summary, great lens, absolutely outstanding value and a must for portrait amateurs and enthusiasts. No wonder they call this lens "Canon's Nifty Fifty."
Just buy it already, you will love it.If you want the fast focusing of a USM ultrasonic motor then look elsewhere. All my other canon lenses have it so putting this lens on makes it painfully obvious how slow focusing "regular" lenses are. At least the wide aperture makes it easier for your camera to autofocus.Set at f5.6 and forget - use it whenever you can for critically sharp images free of dreaded chromatic aberration. Immensely better image quality than any zoom i own.Yes, the difference is that dramatic.
WOW. That's all I can say. This lens is awsome for the price! It has a great depth of field and the auto-focus is pretty responsive. If your looking for a good close up locked focal length lense at a great price, this is the lens for you. While it is plastic as apposed to metal, I didn't think it felt cheap like some of the other reviews state. In good lighting conditions I was able to rattle off exposures about as fast as my other lens.
As long as you know its a plastic frame you wont expect it to do more than it is supposed too. for being plastic and the price it is great!
It's my favorite lens and it  has a great cost benefit of all lenses! Very cheap and make great pictures!I recomend!
Great portrait lens! Inexpensive but great results. Every photographer should have one.
I love my lens! I was debating for months between the 1.4 and 1.8. I finally settled on the 1.8 only because it was more financially reasonable for me. I'm not disappointed. It's not as crisp as the 1.4 but I'm satisfied because it was less than a $100 when I purchased it. Cheap price for a great product.
Good for the money. Not well build but does the work if you are just looking for the first prime lenes.
If you are new to photography, look up Field of View Crop Factor.  This may be tempting because it is a "nifty fifty," but on all crop sensor bodies (Rebels, XXXXDs, XXDs, and 7Ds) this is really an 80mm lens compared to 35mm.  This puts it in the short telephoto range.  It's not exactly a catch-all walkaround lens (if you want this, go with the 35 f/2 or the 28), but the extra length is actually good for wider portraits.Still, this lens is small, fast, sharp, and CHEAP!  If you want to try a prime or want a cheap lens, this is a great place to start.  I actually use it almost as much as my 28-135, despite how long 50mm is on my 40D.
My son bought this lens for his camera.  He is all that he wanted and he is enjoying the lens so far.  He feels it is a good lens for the value
I am a horrible photographer, not much more than a hack, but with this lens, I feel like I could open a studio with my pictures.  With a f/1.8, your subject is crystal clear and sharp and the background/foreground are delightfully blurred.  It is so fast, that light is almost never a problem, even without a flash.The lens is also very light in weight and although it definitely feels plastic, I think for the casual photographer the lightness is feature.  It is prime focus, so, you will not be able to zoom with it, but it has a great field of view for portraits and everyday use.  It does not have image stabilization, but because of the speed, you really do not need it.This is by far my favorite lens.  If you are an amateur, it will make your pictures better.
I am new to photography and have a XSI with kit lens that didn't take pictures any better than my Canon 'sureshot'. After that disappointment I thought maybe a new lens would help.After careful review of the Canon F1.8 and F1.4 (didn't consider the expensive F1.2) I selected the F1.8. After I recievd it I took 8 or ten pictures and they were much better than I expected. So I said to myself 'wow the F1.4 must be better yet' so I immediatly ordered it. Within in a few days I had both lenses in my hands and started a picture comparison 'smack down'. At this point I have taken indoor, outdoor, close-up, far away, bright light, low light, portraits, dogs, dolls, books, etc. I have used different ISO, different F stop, different shutter speeds. I run side by side comparisons on my 24" monitor -- zoom in and out, match colors and edges, look at depth of field, and of course 'bokeh' (background blurring). For the most part I used the same set of subjects on the same day for each lense.My conclusion is that the F1.8 is equal to the F1.4 in overall picture taking ability -- many are sharper and colors are as good. Under some circumstances the F1.4 is better such as indoor low light but the difference is not obvious until it is enlarged. I think the F1.8 is  slightly better outdoors in bright light. Overall I think it is a push. I should point out that they are both better than the kit lens -- other than the variable focal length with better wide angle (F18 - F55).However the F1.8 sounds a little clunky when it focuses and it is obviously more cheaply made than the F1.4. The F1.4 looks better on the camera and feels better, the focus motor sounds more solid, and in general is a better lens.If they both cost the same I would take the F1.4 seven days a week. But given the significant price difference the F1.8 is hard to resist.
My initial impressions are wonderful.  For the price, you cannot buy a better lens.  The much hailed 50mm prime is a great alternative (esp. for dSLR beginners) to the kit zoom lenses that ship with many camera bodies.  This particular lens is nice and fast, lightweight, has great depth of field, and produces some sharp images.I'll go ahead and echo nearly every review of this lens that I've read: (1) the build quality is a bit cheap (plastic and all) but what do you expect for this price point? (2) it's a little slow to auto-focus when the contrast is poor or the light is low and (3) but if this lens were to break or get stolen, I would replace it immediately with another one of the same.
This is my go-to lens for portraits and candids at this point.  It captures so much light when you shoot at low f-stops that you can effectively use it for dusk photos without resorting to flash or high ISO.  Crisp and clean lens, awesome bokeh.  Very artistic.
I love this lens. Its so cheap yet it offers breathtaking photos with y 40D.I'm not even sure I will ever use my kit lens, 28-135mm IS. It also is a great lens but the 50 is so light and compact.
This lens is great if you have very little light to work with when taking a photo and don't or can't use the flash but does not take a very wide angle picture due to its 50mm setting.
Nifty fifty is a Fine lens to start out with and to just have as a spare for the price.Many good reviews on the web so thats it for me.
This is my first prime lens, and so far I think it is great. I took wonderful pictures, even at dusk. At this price range (see below), it is unbeatable.I think this would be an excellent starting point for someone who wants to become a better amateur photographer! It will enable you to explore deeper into composition, DoF, take action shots in lower light, etc., and assure this is your thing before you spend $1000+ on a &uuml;ber-high quality lens.Problem is... Amazon must rate their customers as suckers. The price for this lens has been all over the place in the last weeks, ranging from $90 to $110 - the price difference could get you one-day shipping. I decided waiting until I opened this page to get a fair price was too much of a hassle, so I got it from another store (I paid $87, with free shipping). What a pity - shame on you, Amazon!
Simples, com poucos elementos &oacute;ticos e qualidade de imagem excelente! Acho que todo fot&oacute;grafo tinha que ter uma dessas. A 1.4 deve ser perfeita!
Once upon a time the 50 mm lens was THE standard camera lens and was THE optical benchmark by which manufacturers were judged and compared.  Although the basic lens focus has now shifted (at least at the low to mid amateur level) to zooms - you can still benefit from years of research and development that went into designing the 50 mm lens and this here lens may be the best lens, dollar for dollar, that you can ever buy.  The question is can you afford not to own this lens?Years of development have brought us a lens that has a fast aperture of 1.8 - far faster than any consumer zoom lens - and that is sharp as a filed tack.  Be forewarned about the sharpness . . . if you are taking pictures of people, this lens is unyielding in its sharpness and may well surprise you and your subjects whose every blemish is captured.  The lens has a fabulously shallow depth of field if you want to use the 1.8 aperture to blow out a background.  This lens is also ridiculously inexpensive.  It is not USM - so it is a little loud.  It does not have a moving focus scale.  For the money though - this is heaven.As to the build quality - yes, it is plastic.  No, it's not built like the Rock of Gibraltar. If you are going to give this lens extensive use as your everyday lens and you shoot a lot, it may not hold up all that well as one reviewer suggests.  However, I've now had this lens and used it fairly regularly (although not as the primary lens) for about 8 years and it is still in great condition.  In my mind, spend the $$ on this first before you go and drop $330 on the 50mm 1.4 USM lens and I think you'll find it gets the job done nicely and that the extra $250 on the 1.4 may not be worth the difference in build (major difference), speed (minor difference) and image quality (minor difference).
What service!  The price was great.  The lens is perfect, just what I wanted and the photos that I took with the lens were great.  Thank you Amazon!
This is a solid lens. It isn't as versatile as one that can zoom / pan, but is small and discrete.
This is a very nice lens. Fast and accurate all the photos are very clear and in detail. Should have bought it a long time ago.
Great dop and lots of light make this lens a great buy. Love it ! Just used it on a low light client shoot.
My own opinions on this lens are very similar to what I have read elsewhere, viz., that it is a very good lens for the price.  Testing showed the first lens I got to be pretty soft, especially around the edges and especially at f/1.8 and f/2.  I returned it and Amazon very graciously sent me another which was better.  In summary I would say that at f/4 and above it is really quite sharp, and you have the higher speed if you need it.  Stick to the center of the lens (at the higher apertures) if you can.  Not the best lens in the bag, but not too shabby either.rps
I use this lens with my Rebel XSi, and it takes fantastic pictures.  The first thing I noticed is the tiny size.  Even compared to the small kit lens, this thing is minuscule, and I love it.The aperture of this lens is only 1/2 stop slower than the 50mm 1.4 lens, but is 1/3 of the price.  I have a feeling this is due to the plastic nature of the camera, but if you're not a pro using a 1-series camera I doubt you're throwing your gear around or being rough with it.  I am not worried about the sturdiness, but if I find out otherwise I will update this review.On the other hand this lens is over 1 full stop faster than the much more expensive f/2.8 zooms, and over 3 stops faster than the kit lens at 50mm.  When you look through the viewfinder you will notice it's much brighter, and that's due to the maximum aperture.I initially held off on getting this lens due to the crop sensor of the Rebel series.  While the focal length is tight (80mm equivalent), especially indoors where the fast aperture is most useful, the quality of the pictures are worth it.  Using this indoors forces me to take mostly portraits, but that's fine with me.I was quite surprised at the quality of this lens.  I initially wanted it just to play around with the fast aperture, but the sharpness of the photos it takes is really quite good.  And of course playing around with the narrow depth of focus is fun also.Recommendation:While I love this lens, I wouldn't say buying it is a no-brainer.  The focal length is fairly limiting on a crop body camera, and you may not find much use for it.  And if you don't use it it's not a bargain, no matter how cheap it is.  A better choice might be the 35mm f/2, which is twice the cost but has been reviewed well.  It is close to a normal perspective after taking the crop into account.If you do like the 50mm focal range though, but don't want to shell out for the 50mm f/1.4, this lens is a great choice.  It is small and light, as well as sharp and fast.
I wanted to play with a fixed focal length lens but didn't want to spend a ton of money.  This filled the bill.
Very cheaply made plastic.  Actually got stuck on my Canon T1I and I had to wrench it off which messed the lens up.
I love this nifty fifty!  I don't have lots of money to buy expensive lens, but this one does what I need it to do!  It actually exceeded my expections!  Have had it for over 3 years, and it's still great!  I use it almost every week! Everyone needs one!
I love the buttery warmth created by this lens.  It captures only what I want and everything else seems to melt into the background.  I took my sons newborn photos with this lens and they turned out wonderfully.
This lens is so cool, where else could you get this much fun for under a hundred bucks? Of course it's not an L, its doesn't have USM. hell it doesn't even have a distance scale or a metal mount. But I'd say for this budget lens your images will look superb. IMHHO. Just don't try to bounce it off the sidewalk, or even a pillow either. :-)
I picked this lens up at a local Camera store for somewhere around 100 USD, and it has blown my mind, I use it on a Rebel G I picked up on eBay for 4 bucks, and I keep turning out these awesome pictures, it's sharp, it's fast, the AF is fast (thought loud), and the depth of field is decent too, if you had to only pick one lens, this is the one I would recommend (though you might buy two, as they look a bit fragile)I want to say more, but as this thing has something like over 1500 reviews, the sheer number of people speaking out about this lense, speaks for itself.
I read it here before I took the plunge, but this lens is, by far, the quickest and cheapest way to improve the quality of your shots, particularly over what the XT or XTi kit lens can provide. Keep in mind, for beginning photographers, that a fixed 50mm lens means you are in a perpetual mini-zoom (imagine your kit lens - 18mm-55mm - zoomed most of the way in). That is certainly a moot point for this lens, though. A 1.8 aperture changes the entire ground floor for your shots. As dusk rolls in, you won't have to worry about flash-free shooting; this 1.8 will suck in light and even moving objects (assuming you are panning with them) can come out with significant clarity in the image. And indoors in the evening - wow - detail like you never thought possible will appear.The build quality is solid. Yes, it's plastic, but a robust plastic. The AF/MF switch is solid and the MF adjustments are very well-tuned. The 1.8 has become my default lens, partially because of its short size and therefore lesser weight.And the depth of field! I'm sure you can browse a few of the sample images above and see how amazing the depth becomes. Overall, there's no going wrong with a lens at this price and with these features.
This was the first lens I bought for my 30D and I'm very impressed by it. The pictures I have taken with it look very professional.At around $100, you can't beat the value of this lens. Sure, the 50mm 1.4 is a better build quality...but is it really worth 3x the price? Put that money towards another lens, the 50mm 1.8 is an excellent starter for your kit.UPDATE //7 years and thousands of photographs later, this little plastic fantastic is still going strong. This was the first additional lens I bought for my camera (30D at the time) and I've since transitioned to fullframe (5D mkIII). I've slowly acquired some L zooms with my setup and this little piece of plastic still holds up with the big boys.I'm still impressed by the sharpness and color rendition of this lens. I'll keep using this until the focusing motor finally dies or the plastic mount finally breaks. By the looks of it, it's going to be awhile...
This is a great lens - especially for the price. It has excellent bokeh (and is helpful for learning about focus and bokeh if you are new to DSLRs and/or photography). It is loud when focusing, and I've noticed a few times when the focus isn't quite perfect, but overall I'm very happy with it. I found 50mm to be a little long of a focal length with my 1.6 crop camera, so ending up buying the 28mm f/1.8 USM about a year later.
Great little lens. Perfect for my needs!
I love this lens.  It is exactly what I was looking for.  It gives me the depth of field  with a blurry background.  Great for Beginners.
I have had this lens for 1 year now.  I know that $100 is not much to spend on a lens, but I would think twice before buying this lens again.On the positive side, IF the lens focuses properly, you get very sharp amazing images - even at f1.8.  My problem with this lens is that this is a very big IF.I have a Canon XSi camera.  With the lens set to f1.8, there is a very shallow depth of field.  Combine this with the lens' problem of normally front-focusing (i.e. if you focus at an object 30 inches away, it will probably focus at 28" or 29"), and you have an out-of-focus picture.After having this lens for almost a year, and reading that this is a very common problem with this lens, I sent it back to Canon for this problem.  They agreed with me and replaced a large part of the lens assembly.  Since I have received it back, it works slightly better.  I have just finished running some tests on a tripod, and set to 1.8, about 80% of my pictures are out of focus because it focused incorrectly.  At f2.8, this drops to about 20%.So, if you do buy this lens, be prepared that:1.  You might have to send it back to Canon for repairs.2.  Even if it works "fine" expect limited usability out of it at f1.8.  Plan to shoot at f2.8 or higher.3.  At lower f stops, plan to shoot many pictures to get some that are good.I am not sure if this issues is worse with my model of camera.  I have no reason the believe that my cameras is any better or worse than any of the other Rebel series cameras.  If you have a 7D, or some other much better camera, with a much better focusing mechanism, then perhaps you will have better luck.  But then again, if you are going to spend $1500 on a 7D body, wouldn't you buy a much better built lens?
I bought this for my EOS 60D and absolutely love it. I have taken more pictures with this lens than any other lens in my bag. for the price you cannot beat it.
After reading many reviews on this lens,I thought it would be just what I needed for my first prime lens. I am an amateur new to the SLR world and was going for the 1.8 FStop for indoors and try to save money till I learn the ropes. This lens is truly worth every penny,but even to my untrained eyes,it is lacking even compared with the 28-135 that came with my 40D. It does feel like it might have came from Wal-Mart,I like Wal-Mart,and I think it's worth having one in your bag if you are a beginner like me or on a tight budget.
I love this lens because I got it for insanely cheap and it does what I needed it to do. Great for low light, and cool for making your shots REALLY shallow. hahaha
I bought this for my wife's camera and we haven't had any problems. it is pretty basic but it works for what she needed.
Great little lens  just don't drop it, it's a cheap plastic housing and it will come apart if it's dropped on a hard surface...
I was skeptical about all of the positive reviews for this lens, but went ahead and purchased it. I was surprised at how good this lens is. If I'm in dark situations, I usually just bring this lens with me. Works really well for taking photos of fish at the aquarium.Update: I'm still using this lens 6 years later! I just got a Mark II and have been using it almost exclusively with this camera (my only other EF lens is a 70-200). I've done portraits and a social reception with it. Very impressive lens!
Nothing not to like about this lens, just get it! Excellent value for money, gotta love the bokeh! If anything, be careful not to overdo it.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera LensI wanted something simple that takes really good pictures. Having always been disappointed with camera kit lenses in the past I opted to buy this prime lens mostly on the rave reviews on multiple sites.I am happy, it does take very sharp pictures overall. Since I am an amature at creative photography it does take some getting use to in regards to the large apertures (compared with my standard lens) and the narrow depth of focus this produces. I love the bokeh effect.I am learning a lot with this cheap lens. It is plasticy but not as bad as I thought it was going to be - it is like the standard kit lens that comes with the XTi (no metal/plasticy).Focusing is fine for me (not too loud and quite quick).Bottom line it takes great pictures.
My husband is new to photography and I got this lens to supplement the lens kit that came with the T3 camera.  He loves this new lens for a few reasons:1. Perfect for portrait shots the focal point is perfect and clear while everything else behind it is slightly fuzzy2. No zoom function so it is easy for him to gage where he should adjust his position to set up a shot3. Better image quality then the 55mm zoom lens that came in the camera kit.4. F1.8 Aperture better for shooting in lower light settings without using a flash.5. Really great for close up photography.6. Compact, great for if you are just walking around taking photos.If you are looking for a reliable lens for portrait or up-close nature  shots for the price this lens can&#8217;t be beat.
I LOVE this lens.  Lightweight, small, fast auto-focus.  Best of all, I never before had a lens that opens up to f/1.8 - amazing how much light it lets in for capturing indoor shots that I would have never before been able to do.  Great price.  Wish there could be a comparable wide-angle and telephone lens at the same price.
Someone recommended that I buy this lens for great close-up pictures when I first got a Canon Rebel. If you're looking for an affordable lens that does good close-up shots, just spring for a Sigma macro lens instead- this one is essentially useless. For everything else, the kit lens works perfectly.
This unit has thousands of reviews so I'm not going to belabor the point with another huge review, but I do have a few observations. I'm sure they're far from unique.(+) Images do seem sharp though no more so than any other lens I have(+) Pricepoint is crazy cheap(-) Lens is light but probably because it's plastic. Somehow I didn't quite expect a Canon lens to feel quite so... chintzy. Time will tell if it turns out to be useful or not.(-) Focus is fast but REALLY noisy. This may be the noisiest lens I've got. I won't be creeping up behind any woodland creatures with this thing.OK, that's first impressions. More as experience with the lens increases.
This is one of those low cost must have lenses. It works with full frame cameras but the low cost does mean it has a cheap plastic feel. It produces decent pictures and should be on the wish list of anyone getting started in photography
Cheap as hell to the feel. But the pic quality is awesome! I just hope it lasts a year or two, because it feels really, really fragile. I believe the reviews that state something about dropping it from a foot or two up, and it breaking. i think the pic quality is worth the price and risk though.
This lens takes great portraits and focuses quickly.  It allows for filters and hoods to be screwed on.  You won't be disappointed if you buy this lens and take portraits of people with it.
The Canon EF 50mm lens is a very powerful lens. It gives great photography shots, as works real well for videographers. I love this lens and I use it very often. Buyers beware though, it's a fixed lens so there is no option for zooming in or out with the Canon EF 50mm lens. So plan your shots well so you get exactly the look you're looking for. Very great lens for the price, I highly recommend it!
I was really excited to review this lens and tell the rest of the world about. Then I realized that 1000+ had the same idea already. I don't think I can say anything about this lens that has not already been said, but I hope I can add value to your search.I'm relatively new to the DSLR arena, so I only own this lens and the Kit 18-55 that came with my T2i. Of the two, this one is my go to lens, and I only use the other one when I want to go wider than 50mm. At 80mm on my T2i's cropped sensor, this is my portrait lens.This lens is so hard to pass up because of the price. After spending close to $1,000 on a camera, $99 is a drop in the bucket. Having only the kit lens as my other lens, I really like having a lens that can open up to f/1.8 for low light situations. Although, I should point out that the images can be really soft when it is that wide open. Funny enough, as I learn this lens, I try to stay away from 1.8 if I can, preferring to stay around f/2.8 or f/2.2 when I want a shallow depth of field.This lens does have some auto focus issues sometimes, mostly in low light (ironic, considering f/1.8 is perfect for low light). You'll keep getting the can't focus beep as it hunts for the focus point. It is so bad that until I got use to it, I started to think something was wrong with the lens or my camera. The other times it can give you focusing issues is when you are doing close ups (i.e. macros). It's nearest distance to focus is .45 meters or 1.5 feet. It will definitely let you know when you are too close.I have noticed some ghosting effects on some pictures of my son. He is an active 6 month old, so this is mainly due to his movements in a low light situation. I also hate flash and try to get away with ISO 800 or less in an indoor situation. I'll bump up the ISO to see if that solves the ghosting.As a walk around lens I love the pictures made with this lens. They are sharp and the color is very accurate. Given the two issues I pointed out, you would think I would not give it Four Stars. However, the price gives it the extra star. Advance amateurs like me will be quite happy with this lens.
I am pleased with the quality of this lens in general.  I was a little scared when only paying around one hundred dollars.  If you do not have a fast lens (2.8 or wider) and you don't want to spend a fortune, this is a great place to start.  Despite what some people say, I find the bokeh quite pleasing on a full frame camera.  It works quite well on my 5d mk iii  (yes I am one of the lucky first few!).  However, this lens is rather noisy and focuses nominally fast.  When attaching the lens hood (purchase separately) it magnifies the sound of the motor a little bit to make it even worse.  I have to admit that I wanted the 50 1.4 and was going to get it, but in the midst of great spending on a new body and new 24-70 2.8L I decided to save myself a couple hundred bucks.  Now I regret that choice because while it focuses quickly enough in medium / good lighting, it does take a while for it to hone in in lower light.  (and that's where these wide lenses shine!)  There is a half second pause as it reverses its focus direction as it gets closer and closer.  This means that it can take up to a good 2-3 seconds to focus depending on the contrast of the image (and that is with the new 5diii af system...).  Admittedly, that is the extreme however when I tested a 50 1.4 in a local shop, the USM was noticeably faster.  In fact, that was the first thing I noticed about that lens.  BOOM.  Locked on.  I'm seriously considering a return even though the IQ of the lens is frankly quite good.  I don't think that I will notice a difference in IQ of the 50 1.4 although I'm sure I'd notice a difference in handling (esp. with the better manual focus ring...)  If you think you'll be manual focusing with this lens at all, guess again.Summary:  IQ = quite nice.  Anomaly for this price.Handling:  =  not so nice.  While some complain about its plastic construction, I personally have no fears for the quality (longevity) of the lens, but I do not abuse my equipment.  If I pay good money, I also pay good attention...  As for the plastic mount, unless you plan on carrying around your camera body by holding onto the lens, this lens is so  light that honestly it doesn't even matter.  And even then, I've picked up my heavy 5diii with it and had no fear whatsoever.Could you hear me over the focus noise?
I bought the lens to use with my Canon 60d and so far had zero issues with it.  This lens is probably the best bang for the buck lens you can get that is pretty sharp and produces nice bokeh.
This lens is everything you have heard -terrific, fast, and sharp. It works amazingly well in low-light situations, and low-light events. Photos taken with this lens from the front couple rows of a concert for example give you brilliant colorful well-saturated shots at low ISO settings. I do a lot of theatre photography - I love that this lens allows me to take stage shots with the stage lighting colors intact instead of getting that wash-out yellow tinging with other lenses. A great lens used more often than you would think.
Flimsy little lens, just not built sturdy enough; too much plastic!! I used this lens for about a month, before it broke apart, unrepairable. Broken plastic parts. Useless! Worst 50mm, no matter how little the price is.Update: I'm a sucker! I am so short on cash, so I saved up. I caved and replaced this lens with the same one, in case it was a fluke. Now the new lens won't focus. :-(
I absolutely love this lens. I find myself taking most photos with it, even after the purchase of a telephoto zoom and a 35mm prime. The sharpness of the photos is unmatched at this price range.
5 star for value and picture quality.With the money of 1.4 version, I can have 4 of this, you only lost half stop of aperture. It is cheapest Canon lens yet produce probably the best result. 80mm focal length on Digital Rebel and 10D means it is the best solution for portrait lens.Yeah, plastic lens is not as good as metal one. But I really doubt if it will break any time.for 75 bucks, every EOS owner should have one.
After reading several of the excellent user reviews here on Amazon.com, I decided to take the plunge and get this lens. Speaking of which, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who wrote a review, both favorably and not of the item. I figured for $100 it can't be that big of a let down if it's not too great, right?All I can say is WOW. I have a Canon Rebel T2i/550D with the 18-55mm IS kit lens. I then purchased this lens and the 55-250 mm IS telephoto zoom lens (it arrives today). This 50 mm f/1.8 II has met and exceeded all of my expectations for the lens.Yes, the AF motor is a little noisy. Yes, the switch between AF/MF is a little stiff, which might be considered a good thing for some photographers. The manual focus ring is somewhat oddly placed at first, but after a few days of use I've quickly gotten used to it.This really is an excellent camera for bokeh. Need a shallow depth of field but on a budget? LOOK NO FURTHER.Trust me, you won't feel bad about getting this lens over the f/1.4 USM lens that's over 3 times the price. I would only recommend skipping this lens and getting the more expensive f/1.4 if you think that's a lens you will want one day. In other words, just save your money and get the more expensive one if you're a professional photographer, not on a budget, or must have the best and most expensive.If you're like me and you're an avid novice photographer that just wants people to say, "wow, those are great pics" and not trying to make money off it, seriously, just BUY THIS LENS. Skip the "add to wishlist" part, just buy it.At $100, this might be one of the best regular price (i.e. non sale price) deals I've ever gotten. EVER. I haven't snapped any pics with my 18-55mm IS kit lens since I got this 50 mm. And by non-sale price I mean Canon has this lens listed at $99 and it's sold for about that price usually. Many of the Canon EF lenses on Amazon are discounted compared to the MSRP, but this lens sells right about MSRP most of the time.
As a novice photographer yearning for more I wanted to get away from the 18-55 kit lens that came with my Rebel XSi.I bought this lens because, hey, at under $100 you can't really go wrong.The plastic-y feel to it does make it seem like it's a bit cheap, but if you're careful with it and are not ripping it on and off of the camera I don't see why it would break any time soon - and mine hasn't really even shown any signs of wear after 6 months of use.I would definitely recommend this lens for anyone who is wanting to get a really nice cheap lens that'll take faster/sharper low light pictures and is tired of their kit lens.
Nice sharp lens.  Christmas photos were very clear and color great.  A fine lens for the price.
I'm just tinkering around with this lens for now.  It pretty much completes my Canon 60D camera setup now.  It better because the Cannon camera bag is bursting at the seams, and it still doesn't have the flash attachment stored in it!
Using with a Canon Rebel T3I really like this lens. Autofocus is a little noisy, but the pictures look great. If you ever wanted to take those nice looking shots with blurred backgrounds, this is the one for you!If you are used to shooting with the kit lens that comes with a Canon Rebel, zoomed all the way in is 55mm, which will give you an idea of what your pictures will all be framed like with this lens. (It's a prime lens so it does not zoom). You may not want to use this lens shooting in small spaces for that reason if you have a Rebel, but if you can move back this is a fantastic lens. It would be really good for nice portraits, or taking &#34;detail&#34; photos. The f 1.8 not only gives you small depth of field, but it also lets you shoot under lower light conditions. I have used it with some success on the rides at Disney World.There are better lenses in this category, but definitely not for the money. They don't call it the &#34;Nifty Fifty&#34; for nothing.
It's a nice piece of glass for amateur photographers. It won't break the bank and it takes good photos. I use it for cinema and my only gripe is the flimsy feel and smallish focus ring
awesome lens for this price... just excelent bokeh... veeery intersesting pictures... very fast lens to operate with... just great light penetrating... i really loved it.. i trully recommend it... it's work the price... absolutely.
Since purchasing this lens, I've discovered a whole new world of photography. It is especially helpful for portrait taking. I wish I'dbought it earlier.
I do a lot of indoor shooting of events like school concerts, plays, and other functions with relatively low light. A friend lent me his 50-mm Canon f/1.4 USM lens, which is absolutely fantastic, but I just couldn't work it into the budget. I feel a little funny mounting this lens on my 7D, sort of a tail-wags-dog feeling, but this game is all about the results--and the photos are just great. Chromatic aberration is a bit of a problem when shooting wide open, but all-around, you won't find a better value in a fast lens for the Canon DSLR family. For image quality, I'd give this lens four stars if all other things were equal--but at this price point there's no debate in my mind about the five-star rating.
I got this lens about 6 months ago, and now, 80% of the time, i bring my camera and this lens and that's it.  What else can be said, it's a fantastic lens.  For me what shines most are portraits, and details.  The blur and out of focus area is great, and adds so much dimension and professionalism to almost any picture.  I was a little worried about the 'plastic' feel, and the build quality since other reviewers said this was a downside.  I'm not a professional, but it feels fine to me.  Fits snug on the camera, and doesn't in anyway feel like it's going to fall apart, or that i have to be careful with it.  The good news, is that it's rather small, so it doesn't poke out as much, so it makes me feel my whole camera is smaller, and thus more agile, and easier to carry around without worry i will damage it.  Love it, and use it almost exclusively as my go-to lens.
great prime lens with good quality image and f1.8 at a very low price - it acts like a long lens (telephoto) on my T2i - with a 1.6 factor it's like an 80mm lens on a full camera - good for portraits
Nice cheap lens, but as every other review has mentioned, its loud as crap and very very cheaply made. The glass is good and it takes some very nice portraits, but dont be upset if it falls apart after a few months of normal use.
Bought this lens for my 20D after using the Canon EF-S 17-85 zoom for several months. Debated whether to give it 4 or 5 stars. The build quality does leave something to be desired, but that's offset by its low price, and the image quality is superb. I  now find myself keeping this lens on the camera and going to the zoom mainly when I need a wider angle. The images from this lens are so sharp, and the lens is so fast, that by cropping and enlarging I can get image quality that is very competitive with the zoom at 85mm.Another thing: if you want to stitch several images together to create a panoramic image, this lens works great - far better than trying to use a zoom lens.It'd be a mistake to pass up this lens because it's cheap. It's actually a great value, and that's unusual in the world of digital camera gear.
Light, compact, fast, cheap. I have had mine a few months not with moderate use and have had no issues. Manual focus ring is small, but usable. I love this lens, and will not buy the more expensive F/1.4 untill i break this, If i ever do! The Immage sharpness i found to be incredible when stopped down to F/2.8 to F/5.6 and expert lens reviews confirm this. This lens actually is sharper at most F-stops than the 1.4 according to lens reviews. for the 100ish bucks this thing costs you cannot beat it!
The best $100 you can spend for your Canon. Pictures are sharp, versatile and vivid. It's light weight and cheap to replace should anything ever happen to it.
I've had the 50mm f1.8 for about three months now, so I wanted to put in my two cents worth after a little field use.  What originally attracted me to this lens was, obviously, the price.  It is very, very inexpensive.  This is likely due to the fact that the housing is, unlike its predecessor the Mark I, entirely plastic.  That initially put me off, but after seeing some images posted that had been taken with this lens (and after seeing the prices of the f1.4 and the used mark I)I decided that I really had nothing to lose.  There are, as with most lenses good and bad elements to this lens.  Lets start with the bad.Keep in mind that if you are shooting a canon DSLR (as I am) this 50mm lens actually behaves as an 80mm lens, so it isn't that terribly wide.  The fact that it is functionally 80mm can make framing shots a bit difficult.  This is definitely a secondary lens and really isn't that appropriate for a "walking around lens."  At least it isn't for me, as I tend to prefer shooting wider angles.If you have some sort of mishap with your camera, like dropping it, you can likely kiss this lens goodbye.  I have fortunately never had to test this, but I imagine that it wouldn't stand up to any sort of impact very well.  The flimsiness of the build is very obvious when compared to some of the older canon lenses.  MY 35-135mm USM is about 10 years old, and has a metal chassis.  These lenses can often stand drops and still operate.  This is not so for the 50mm mark II.Since everything but the glass is bare bones, the autofocus isn't terribly fast.  If all you have ever worked with is USM lenses, you will have to be ready to take a little more time focusing.  If you have experience with the 18-55mm kit lens, you will find that it is about the same.All that being said, you are probably wondering why I rated this lens at four stars instead of, say, three.  That's because there are a lot of nice features to this lens that far outweigh the bad.If you have never used a prime lens before (meaning, a "fixed" lens that doesn't zoom) then you are in for a pleasant surprise.  It is far more expensive to build a quality zoom than a quality prime, thus decent zooms tend to cost a mint.  Also, zooms are only at their best in the middle of their range.  The 50mm doesn't move, and so has been optimally designed for its focal length.  Shots are sharp at all aperture ranges; shots at medium apertures (f8-f11) will blow your mind.  Really.  Search the web for some images made with this lens in those ranges and you will buy it.  Resistance is futile.  Canon may have skimped on the body, but they didn't cut corners on the glass.  It is excellent.The wide aperture (f1.8) is really outstanding as well.  I had never really worked with a lens this fast before because, frankly, I hadn't been able to afford to.  You dispense with your flash and handhold at levels that you would not have thought possible.  And once you get away from flash use during night/lowlight photography, you will see some truly amazing colors that flash typically obliterates.The fact that it is fixed, and not too wide, forced me to be a little more creative than I normally would when framing shots.  When I went to Burma this year, I left my principal lens at my hotel, and didn't realize it until I was far away, so I was forced to use the 50mm as my principal lens.  Some of my favorite shots of my whole trip actually come from that day, as I was forced to come to terms with the focal length limitations of the lens.And finally, there is the price.  A lens with glass this good that costs less than a filter setup, or a dozen 8x10 prints?  How can you say no?  Unless you have the bucks to spend on the f1.4 or the Mark I, this lens belongs in every EOS shooters bag.
I was tossing between the Canon 1.4 which is much more expensive. I think if you have the money for it, go for the better glass. But this lens is exactly what I needed for the money I had. Although its plastic construction makes it seem like a toy at first, your images will make you feel better. Plus I don't feel like I'll be dropping any lenses anytime soon. So again, exactly what I needed to get me started on 50mm
Bought this as a second lens for my T2i and I have to admit that it is amazing. Very high quality for the price.
I purchased this lens for my Digital Rebel less than a month ago and couldn't be happier with its performance.  Not only is it one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used, it gives you a ton more flexibility for shooting in low light situations.  Plus, the depth of field and bokeh when shooting wide open is astounding!On another note, the 50mm focal length (when used with the correct magnification viewfinder) represents the normal magnification of the human eye.  I got a chance to shoot with this lens on a 40D and I could easily shoot with both eyes open, therefore dramatically reducing eye fatigue.Sure, it is quite lightweight and a little more plasticky than I would normally prefer, but for the price you really can't go wrong.  Cheap, sharp, and fast...that's how I like it.  Great for macro shots when reversed as well.  Every SLR photographer, no matter how novice or advanced, should have one of these little guys in their gear bag.
This is definitely a great addition to the budding photographer's arsenal.  It is inexpensive and takes great pics.  I would highly recommend it.
great lens!!! I do more fashion and glamor style photography and wasn't sure if it was the best choice....but for the price and nice bokeh effect, you can't go wrong!! only concern was the construction quality....I actually bought the same lens about two months ago and it broke after falling a foot off the couch one afternoon and landing on carpet....wasn't too happy about having to purchase the same lens twice in three months....however, for the results it gives, it's def. worth it!! I will post pics!!
I love this lens. I get really good pictures with it. For those used to a zoom lens, this will take a little bit of getting used to. But remember since there is no zoom, this is really a fixed lens with shallow depth of field, and therefore not many moving parts inside it. That's why you get great looking pictures. I'm sure you will like the results.
This was the right lenses for casual photographyat out door, ocassion and quick click in travel.. Canon lenses you can always depend on for  better results.
Cheap lens that takes great pictures. The autofocus is a bit louder than I thought it would be. Best bang for your buck out there.
All I can say is WOW!! This lens was recommended to me when I was looking for a new lens to go with my Canon 40D. The price is what really got my attention but the amazing photo's that people were able to produce was amazing. I have used this on a number of occasions and can not seem to get enough of it. Altho I tend to forget its in my bag but when I do use the lens it blows me away.Great lens for low lighting areas or even just walking around! If you are looking to add to your lens collection but want to save a few dollars don't wait buy this today!
I've had this lens since October 2007, with no problems so far.  It's lightweight plastic, but it still works great.  It's the lens I usually keep on my camera, and I don't exactly coddle it.If you have a Digital Rebel of some sort, this is without a doubt the cheapest lens you can find that will actually give you fully sharp pictures consistently at full resolution.  It's a whole different world from the kit lens in terms of image quality and versatility; you can get great pictures with this lens in low-light situations where a kit lens produces nothing but crap, and you can get shallow depth-of-field portraits that are way beyond what a kit lens can deliver.
If you want a prime lens, and don't want to spend a lot of money, then maybe this is a decent choice.  It "can" help you capture some good pictures.  But, it "can" also help you produce poor pictures just as often.  Next time, I'd spend a little more money and forgo this cheap lens, despite its attractively low price.In no particular order, here are my likes & dislikes, followed by a summary of my recommendation:LIKES:* It is very inexpensive* With the right combination of photographer, light, natural elements and pure luck, you'll get "some" good photos out of it* It is light weight (this is also a "dislike" - see below)DISLIKES:* It is very cheaply made; construction does not seem durable at all* Focusing is slow and noisy (it is especially slow in lower light, obviously)* Despite best efforts, it seems to produce just as many poor images as it does good images* Colors are not as vibrant as I'd like.I guess the summation of my review has to come down to your needs and your wallet!  This lens can serve some people well, under the correct scenarios.  So, here are some questions I recommend you ask yourself before buying:* Can you afford a more expensive 50 mm prime lens?  If so, then maybe pass on this one!* Will it see very infrequent use?  If so, then why spend more?* Do you expect it to get banged around during an extended outdoor trip?  If so, then this one might make sense because it is easily replaced due to its low cost!* Are you learning photography as a hobby and want to practice with a prime lens?  If so, then this is a great choice!* Do you demand a lens which can reliably produce very good, or better, images most of the time, and provide vibrant, eye-popping colors most of the time?  If so, then this is not a great choice.Wishing you best of luck in your decision!  Let me know if I can answer any questions!
I purchased this cause I needed a fast lens for portrait work.  The performance is as expected from a Canon product.  The only thing that bothered me was that it was not made in Japan and the mounting was made of plastic.Otherwise it has performed well.
May be I got a bad copy of this but the manufacturing quality seems to be a hit or miss.  Search on Google for 'erratic focusing' or 'forward focusing', you will see lots of people complaining.F1.8 is practically unusable for me as it is way too soft. One thing I use this lens for making videos.  I manually focus so there is no 'Auto-focus error'. They come out good as expected from a F1.8 lens.So, for photography it is a absolute no.
This is a great lens. It offers bright, crisp pictures and just sucks up light. The bokeh will amaze you if this is your first lens other than the kit lens that came with the camera. This lens is great for learning and composing shots. You may want to upgrade eventually, but this lens retains its value well, so don't worry about losing your investment. If you aren't sure what lens to buy, this is a great place to start.
I love shooting Bokeh shots for products and food pictures. Its Plastic FANTASTIC!!! you cant beat the price and the sharpness for the lens price is AMAZING! You have to try one out for yourself. It beats using the stock zoom lens even being fixed! Being fixed keeps your body in the game while shooting =]
To be honest, at first I wanted to give 4.5 stars. The half star off for the lens using 52mm filters rather than 58mm that match my existing lenses, and because it is a plastic that seems a bit flimsy. What I found though is the lens is not flimsy, it is fairly substantial and the plastic does cut the overall camera weight down when in use. As far as having to purchase an additional set of filters and a hood - it is worth it. This relatively inexpensive lens provides a good entry into lower light photography. Once you use it at night or inside a dimly lit building the value is readily apparent. The shots are clear and sharp, and really what more could you ask for in a lens? Comparing the picture between this lens and the more expensive f/1.4 lens gives a result that is hard to distinguish. Sure the f/1.4 will be the better choice for those low light situations, but at over triple the cost?  I think for most users, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens is a valuable addition. It performs in excess of what you would expect - for what it costs. Maybe 4 and three quarters stars...
Takes very crisp clear pictures. I love how they turn out of portraits. I am very pleased with this product and may order a second for another camera.
Can't be more happy with this lens.Pros:- Fast F1.8, takes clean and crisp pictures. Great for portraits.- Focusing is spot on. Takes good pictures in low light (because of high f/stop)- Is built well enough, nothing to complain about.- Is economic making it a good investment for beginners.Cons:- Focal length 50mm: on a D-SLR with crop 1.6 focal length is actually 80mm (crop 1.5 = 75mm), you really have to step back when taking pictures indoors, otherwise be prepared to crop someones head or feet off :)- is a little noisy, but that can be ignored when compared to the pictures it produces. And it is not USM, it is a regular 50mm lens.Overall, this lens is great for the price and I would recommend this over the kit lens for beginners.Update:This is not a replacement for the Kit Lens, but a great lens to begin with. I added the Tamron 17-50mm lens as a replacement to the Kit lens.
Lots of Bang for the Buck. You will not regret this purchase. Lotta lens for the money. Not as good as the F.4 or F.2 but perfect fit for a small budget.
This is an easy and affordable way to take portraits from ordinary to extraordinary. I love this lens. Thank you!
Shipped quickly in perfect condition. There are definitely higher-quality lenses on the market but if you know how to use this one it can be a real gem!
Of my several lenses (including the L-series 100 mm macro and 70-200 mm telephoto), this is on my camera much of the time. It takes great shots on my 5D Mark III and it's so nice, compact and light weight. I chose this lens over the higher f stop versions with the thought that the 50 mm is very common and has been well researched and developed and should be a good value.. I have not been disappointed and anticipate sticking with this version. Fyi - I am an avid hobbiest.
I am a big fan of the bokeh effect in portraits, and this lens is perfect for that!  It's affordable price made it a no brainer purchase!
I bought this lens used for $85 and you seriously cannot go wrong at that price.This lens is AMAZING for photographers who have been wanting for a wide aperture lens but haven't been able to afford one. The photographs I've been able to create thus far are stunning and everyone assumes I spent FAR more money on it than I actually did.Absolutely no complaints on this lens, I love it!
I really like shooting with this lens, and would recommend it to anyone that is just starting out.
It's a great lens, if you put it on a tripod!! I looked at the price and was about to fall over then i ordered the lens and started shooting with it, and all my shots came out blurry. This is a great portrait lens, but you absolutely need a tripod!!If you want the "real thing" it will cost you around $300...
As they say you get what you paid for. very nice lens. just slow at focusing cuz it don't have the USM. if used correctly the pictures can come out real nice. if ur on a budget get this one. if u have some money get the 50mm f/1.4 USM or if u really have money get the 50mm f1.2L USM.
Great lens for weddings or other lower light settings.  Lens itself feels more plasticky then some of my other lens but works like a charm with nice crisp images.
I put this brand new Canon 50mm lens on my Canon XSI body and took some really good portrait shots. Unfortunately, when I wanted to switch back to my zoom lens, I found out that the lens was stuck on the XSI body. It turned half way and it would not turn further. I was lucky that camera and lens are still under warranty and Canon was able to help. I was told by Canon that something inside the lens must have come loose or shifted. This should really not happen. In over 20 years of using Canon cameras, this was a scary first... Please inspect your lens carefully and if the locking mechanism looks different from your current lens, or if it does not attach very smoothly right away, return it and do not use it.I hope this will help others in the future.Update: After 2 weeks, Canon send camera and lens back and both work fine now. Nevertheless, it cost me about $ 30 to ship the camera to Canon. Even though the lens works fine and I love the picture quality, I am a little nervous to use it. What if it gets stuck again?
If you shoot a DSLR and don't own this lens, you're insane. This is my go-to lens. It's got a nice, solid build and is surprisingly sharp for the price.
Overall it is a very impressive product. With 1000+ review, automatically it is a success. Optically, it is larger than the retail price ($100 at year of 2009). You can get all its merits from other reviews, so I will not waste your time. The only complain I have is the focus speed is kind of slow possibly because of the lack of USM.However, my lens come with physical imperfection. Immediately, I noticed that there a stain on the outside of the back element of the lens. Look like it is a drop of liquid was dried there. Fortunately, the stain can be wiped off. Even before cleaning, it didn't affect optical outcomes of the lens. But I just felt very uncomfortable with the facts that happened on a supposedly new lens.
Usually when something is as cheap as this, its usually garbage but I read the reviews and they are correct; this lens delivers stunning results. Do not hesitate to buy this lens. Its very quick for low light and does very nice macro shots too. The F/8 and F/11 is the sweet spot for this lens btw. I use it for it for a Canon 50D and will use it on my 5D mark II, its that good.For more information on this lens check out Ken Rockwell's websiteThis guy is a pro and prefers this lens over the 1.4 because its actually more consistent with auto focus.
Delivery was very prompt. Got the necessary depth of field for portrait pictures. Being a novice in the field of DSLR it took me a while to get used to the low F number, but the quality of pictures were amazing !! Highly recommend for someone who's starting out with a Canon DSLR.
The 50mm/f1.4 and 50mm/f1.8 are the BEST PORTRAIT LENSES that Canon offers.  I own a Canon Rebel 2000 and Digital Rebel XT and have used both these lenses for several months.  Pictures have been outstanding and my professional customers frequently cite the sharpness, light balance, depth of field, color reproduction, and "bokeh" (intentional blurring of background in portraits) from these lenses.  Some people question the usefulness of a 50mm lens on digital SLRs with a 1.6x crop factor (i.e., 50mm lens = 80mm on a dSLR like the Digital Rebel XT)... I can vouch that the range is beautiful and relevant, focusing more closely on key subjects in portraits.WHAT DO THESE LENSES HAVE IN COMMON?  They are both fast (the f1.4 is blazing fast - dSLR can hardly keep up!), details are incredibly sharp (you can see individual hair strands), virtually no chromatic (color) aberration, no dithering or shadows in the corners, focusing is rapid and quiet (thanks to Canon's patented Ultrasonic USM technology) and photo quality parallels even my professional Canon "L" lenses.  These fixed aperture lenses also provide superior pictures than telephoto lenses at 50mm because of better glass and aspherical elements.HOW ARE THESE LENSES DIFFERENT?  Having tested both lenses across 1500+ pictures, there are 5 key factors that make the f1.4 superior (justifying the $300+ price tag).1) FASTER ESPECIALLY IN LOW LIGHT: Extra f-stop makes the f/1.4 better for indoor photos or low light.  Great companion to the 480EX flash.  I was able to take nearly 40 pics/min with flash and the fastest Sandisk 1GB Ultra II CF card2) NO CHROMATIC ABERRATION, whereas the f/1.8 has slight yellowing of photos under certain lighting conditions or where edge definition is low3) FULL AUTO/MANUAL FOCUSING RANGE: f/1.8 requires flipping between auto and manual using a switch, while f/1.4 can be manually "hot" focused/tweaked after auto focusing4) SUPERIOR BUILD QUALITY:  The f/1.8 is plastic and feels cheap, like it might fall apart anytime.  The f/1.4 is metal, weighty, and is for the proud lens owner5) CLEANER "BOKEH" - f/1.4 produces beautiful blurring of background in portraits ("bokeh") while the f/1.8 leaves less clean edges.  Canon reviews suggest this is due to the f/1.4 having 8 lens elements vs. 5 elements for the f/1.8WHICH LENS SHOULD YOU BUY?  This is a question of utility vs. value.  The f/1.4 costs over $300 while the f/1.8 can be acquired for under $75.  The f/1.4 will last forever while the f/1.8 will probably break under normal use in a year.  Does this justify the 4x price tag?  If you are a budding photographer looking for a "play lens" then the f/1.8 will more than over-deliver.  If you are a photo enthusiast who looks for "the perfect shot," you will want the f/1.4 because it surpasses every expectation (and so you're not left wondering, "what if").  If you are a photo professional, you already have the f/1.4 lens among your bag and are not reading this review. :-)
I bought this for my canon T3i. I bought it on a whim but it works great as a portrait lens and the price was great. 100.00 +. Nice little lens
I bought the lens last April and it sat in my camera bag until last weekend.  After a year, I decided to finally use it and just a week of use the auto-focus no longer works!!  I will say, the pictures it can produce are great, but if you like auto-focus look elsewhere!
Really impressed with the quality of the glass; always solid results.Pros:  fast, affordable, good glass, good colorCons:  plastic construction, feels a bit lightweightI've been using it regularly since August '11 without issue.
The images created with this lens are stunning and very sharp.  I have lusted over this lens for a long time and always thought that for the price, it was going to be a cheap piece of junk... boy, was I wrong! It feels a little inexpensive and the motor is louder than average, but it takes great photos, and that is really all that matters to me.  I only wish I had spent the menial amount of money on it sooner!Four stars, only because it's loud and feels a little cheap. For the price, if it does go down hill, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one! Perfect for the novice photographer. Produces beautiful images almost effortlessly, SUPER fast and great in low light. Wonderful for video. Even better for short distance product and portrait shots. I am thoroughly impressed! Great addition to the arsenal!
I am using with 3 close up attatchments and so far the clarity is wonderful. Auto focus is crisp and quiet even at 1/4 inch away. I use with a Canon Rebel Tsi, which I had one of the newer canon Rebela available...
Being a beginner, I think this lens has been one of my best purchases yet.  It's very affordable, and I have really enjoyed the freedom I've had with aperture, especially when compared to my 18-55mm lens.  I don't think I could have found a better lens for the same price!
I'll keep it short.If you have children and pets and you're tired of losing a shot because of poor light or too much motion you need this lens.  This is fast glass and a bargain basement price and you shouldn't be without it.
Don't pay much attention to the groupthink opinion that this is a cheap (build) quality lens. Is it tough as nails? Of course not. Do you want to drop kick it around whereever you go? No. But if you take care of your equipment and don't routinely drop anything, will this lens stand up to the test? Certainly.There are two very minor issues with this lens, and both are related. There is no distance scale, and the manual focusing ring isn't very easy to work. It would be nice to, for example, set the manual focus on a particular distance you know ahead of time if shooting in very low light or for sports. For professional shooters, that can be an issue, and if you would depend on either feature for your work, you are probably better off with one of the other 50's in Canon's lineup that may have both (if they do). However, the autofocusing speed on this lens isn't exactly slow, so depending on it isn't a problem. I recently shot indoor basketball pictures and had many fewer out of focus images, as a percentage, than I routinely do with my 70-200 L lens. The latter was used in football, so, to be sure, its an apples to oranges comparison. But my point is that this lens' autofocus can keep up with basketball action with no problem.For indoor available light pics, even sports, this lens can't be beat. For now, its my main basketball lens, though, on my 20D (1.6 factor) I might get something a little wider. It would likely be perfect on the 1.3 factor 1D series of digital cameras. And, of course, its a true 50mm on a film EOS if you shoot that. The background blur is good and the lightweight and compact lens makes shooting easy.I'm not a full time pro, so budget considerations are very important. Will I eventually get the 50 1.4? Probably. If for no other reason, I'd get it for that extra fraction of a stop. But for those of you with Digital Rebels just getting into digital SLR shooting, and wondering why your included lens requires you to use flash indoors or in outdoor stadiums, get this lens and you won't have to worry about flash and the likely red-eye.
Especially for the price, how could you not buy this 50mm lens?  I used to only have the stock Canon Rebel lens and a macro lens, and I much prefer using this lens over the stock zoom lens that came with the rebel. It takes great photos and it is light and compact!
Great lens for the price. Slightly slow AF and feels cheap. Although it felt more durable than described in reviews. The bokeh is very nice and when the AF hits just right you get an extra sharp pictures. Great lens for the price, I'll more than likely always carry one as a backup.
I haven't taken too many pictures with it yet, but the first outing was great. The focus was fast, the image quality was great and the f/1.8 blurs the background perfectly. Now I don't have to Photoshop background blur!Anyone looking for to try out a low aperture lens should give this a try. The price is great for what you get, can't beat it.
Cheap. Sharp. Fast. Awesome pictures. Go buy this lens and your friends will love you for it.
Honestly, I purchased this lens based on the numerous posting about it's sharpness and imaging abilities.  They were all correct - it is a fantastic little piece of plastic.  I've had a lot of fun playing with the f1.8 aperture and the relatively shallow DOF it provides and have taken some fantastic images of my sons with it.  But I find it not coming out of my bag much anymore, I guess the novelty has worn off.  I suggest everyone own this lens because of the price and the low light imaging ability but on a 1.6 crop camera it's a little too long to be a walk around lens and not quite long enough to be a good portraiture lens (and the five-bladed aperture can make the bokeh look weird if you have a contrasty background).
You can't get better than this for the price. I bought this lens for my Canon Xti and it has performed better then I could have imagined. I use it for portraits and  low light situations. I take a lot of low light night captures and this lens is perfect. It is a bit noisy and feels cheaply put together, but don't let that stop you from getting this lens. You will not be disappointed. How can you beat a great lens for under a $100.
This lens takes sharp pictures but I don't think it would last a year. The glass is good but the body is junk so back to amazon it went. I missed my full refund returns window, but I will gladly take a partial refund over trying to resell it and sharing potential headache with someone else. I ended up spending a bit more and getting a used MK I on ebay and I think that was certainly the right direction for me to go. I would have purchased the more expensive f/1.4 had I not found the f/1.8 MK I elsewhere. I am sad to see Canon releasing something with such poor build quality at any price point.Another factor in deciding to return this was that it wasn't any good for manual focus. It has a tiny ring on the end that was difficult to use. The MK I in addition to having a depth of field meter also is very comfortable when focusing manually.The reviews here indicate that many people are enjoying their Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. For me personally it was a no go.
This is an awsome and affordable lens. It's great for portrates or landscapes. This lens has become my go-to lens for most everything. I'm loving it.
For the price this is an excellent little lens. I may not be putting this through rigerious use yet, but if handled with care (as any electro-mechanical device should be) it should provide years of use.
The reviews speak for themselves.Of course it's cheaply made. But the shots you get with this are WAY MORE WORTH than the 125 bucks you drop for this little miracle. Must have for kit-lens owners or low budget shooters and even pros.. why not?! There is NO reason NOT to buy this Lens.Buy it. End of discussion. You'll get hooked on this lens, promise!
I love this lens and how good of a bargain it is.  I think it is perfect for individuals that have graduated from casual photos but want to do some more professional looking shots.
OK, so it's not the best for motion shots. But it makes awesome pics on my EOS 350 and 550. For $125-ish, I feel this is the best bang for your buck lens out there.A MUST HAVE unless you can afford the 1.4 or 1.2. Although, many experienced photographers have told me the 1.4 is overrated. 1.2 is Great for HD video, but not in most recreational photographers' budgets.This is one of those things that makes you thinks, "Oh yeah, this is why I bought a Canon." AMAZING shots, really.
A Nifty Fifty is always needed to create your key shot for intensity; the downside is the shots have to be static in order to avoid blur but they great for building intense scenes and Master Shots.
The lens I got from this company is not as good as what I expected. Camera lens should be very well manufactured, but my lens is very loose. You can see the pics are moving when focusing. Does low price mean low quality???
Good lens. Maybe not the most high quality, but I've been using it for nearly 6 months now, and it's really outstanding. It also seems very sturdy, I use it a lot and haven't had any problems with it falling apart or being "cheap" as some of the other reviews have mentioned... only time will tell if it holds up or not, but for around $80, even if it breaks tomorrow, it was worth the money at this point.Shot after shot, great quality, contrast, & DOF.
For this price, what a lens! Awesome image quality. Opens up to 1.8, you do wanna have that in low light. However, if you have a small sensor camera, like a 20D, watch out, it's gonna be 80mm. On a full frame digital camera, like a 5D, (or of course on a 35mm film camera) you can enjoy it as a true 50mm.
I flat-out love this lens.  I never use my kit lens anymore; this one stays on my camera and takes reliably crisp, intimate portraits.
I'm now in love with photograph! This lens is amazing! This is coming from a person who used my iPhone to take photographs so don't go thinking I'm some professional. One day though!
What can I say?  Is the focus loud? Yep. Is the focus ring a joke? yep. Can you get more bang for the buck? Nope. Unbelievable sharpness for $89.00.
I bought an almost new Canon 30d to go with a 5d, and it came with this lens.I thought I'd just sell it on Craiglist or Flea-Bay, but then I shot with it.  Wow.  For $89.00, this is one great lens.This thing is light plastic.  It seriously feels like a kids toy lens.  It has zero heft to it, and is cheap, black, super-light plastic.  It is so convenient and light that I often put it on my 5d and use it as a walk-around lens.  I also have shot some portraits with it.  It is very sharp, and has nice Bokeh when wide open.  And, at F/1.8 - it is FAST compared to any zoom lens.My only beef is its lack of USM autofocus with full-time manual capability - but I have no right to complain - for the money, it is absolutely great as is.  I'm just spoiled from using my USM L glass.My main lens is my 24-70 F/2.8 L USM...it is a tack-sharp awesome piece of engineering, and my favorite lens of all time, but it is over $1200 and it weighs a ton (See my Amazon review).  Sometimes it is nice just to put this little guy on and forget the camera is around my neck...like when hiking, etc., or when I want to fit my camera into a small bag.I'll eventually step up to the F/1.4 with USM at just shy of four bills if I break this little cheapie.  Until then, I am enjoying its excellent photos.If you have an extra body laying around, and you have a kid that wants to learn to shoot, stap one of these on there and let them fire away.Really, for the money, this little lens cannot be beat.  That is why I gave it 5 stars.
This lens does everything I wanted.  I get good shots in moderate lighting where the Canon kit lens fails, and get great bokeh/depth of field effects to make portraits stand out.  The clarity of this lens is VERY noticeable, to me, over the Canon kit lens.  Worth every penny.
After being sorely disappointed with our family photos I decided I can take better shots myself!!! I bought this lens and was right! This lens is great for a beginner photographer who doesn't want to spend a ton of money but wants great shots.Build quality could be better (I'm sure if I ever drop it it'll be toast) but that's probably why it's so affordable. Definitely worth the cost
I bought this lens for my Canon Rebel T3, as I knew I would be taking mainly portraits and close-ups (my child, around the house, etc). It does a great job of keeping the foreground really crisp and clear, and beautifully blurring the background in photos. It's a bit hard to take interior wide shots (for example, I can't get my whole kitchen in one shot), so if you are a lifestyle blogger or a realtor who takes a lot of full-room shots, this probably isn't the lens for you. I'd say this lens does the job 90% of the time really well, and I would need to use a different lens the other 10%.  But again, I am taking mostly portraits and close-ups - so for that, it's perfect.  Plus, at less than $100, it was a total deal for the quality. I'm not a professional, I just love taking pictures, so this works for me.
the lens is great I take a lot of pictures and it works very well.i still have to buy more lens and I know were to go.
I love the nifty 50. I mainly have this lens on my T2I. It is a must. For the price you can hardly go wrong.
I was amazed at the photos I saw coming out of my camera. as my first lens faster than f/3.5, I can say that this is one of the best purchases to help propel my photography to the next level. on crop factor cameras the focal length is a little tight at about 80mm but the way I look at it is that it makes me more creative with my placement and positioning to get the shot I want. You will find yourself stepping back a lot further than normal when you're doing casual candid photography in smaller areas sometimes not being able to get the shot you want because of the focal length plus crop factor.As for the construction, it's ok. not as "toy-like" as I was expecting from all the reviews. the way I see it is the less it weighs, the less I have to carry around. so it can feel light and flimsy all it wants as long as it keeps producing photos like i've been getting. If it's not "rugged" enough for you, then maybe you need to step back and take a look at how you treat your beloved camera equipment. I don't really do anything special but my equipment all looks and functions like brand new and I've logged tens of thousands of hours with my gear.as others noted I too have noticed that the focus does feel a touch soft wide open. still not ENTIRELY sure if it's soft focus or an unsteady hand and too slow of a shutter speed. I haven't done the tripod test yet but I think sometimes people are often too quick to blame their equipment when a review of the EXIF might reveal that the settings weren't what they should have been. Maybe i'm that guy but I think my kit lens might be crisper wide open at slower shutter speeds. I don't know...I just don't know anymore.But aside from that, buy this lens. for the price, you really can't be too disappointed as long as it doesn't show up broken.
Do not get this lens if you plan to use it for video.  Very low and jerky motor when focusing.  I actually found it a little too loud even when shooting stills.  I decided to return it and spend the extra money for the f/1.4 50mm instead.  I've been much more happy with it:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XVCZ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc;=1
As a neophyte in the video DSLR field, this was my first purchase moving away from the kit lens.  It is a very sharp lens, great picture and awesome dof.  Definitely an outstanding purchase for the price and quite frankly don't know why you wouldn't buy this lens if you had any kind of budget at all.  It does feel like a toy, light, cheap plastic...wouldn't want to drop it on the pavement...that is for sure.  But if you did...it less than $100.00, so the heartache is minimized.  I use it more than the kit lens as I think it produces a sharper picture.  Again, if you are starting out, have a budget, can't afford all the cool stuff, this would be your lens!
I loooove this lens!  perfect!  My husband picked it out, and it's the best lens I currently own.  It shoots like a pro in super low light!  You will not regret this purchase!  It is kinda loud when focusing, but as great as it performs... it's no big deal!  Get it!
I purchased this lens by mistake.  I just got a digital SLR and to say that I had no idea what I was doing would be quite an understatement.  But after using this lens for a short time I was impressed.  This lens is incredibly fast and takes wonderful portrait shots.  The subject, whether it's a person or a salad really pops and the colors couldn't be more vibrant.  I've had no problems with the overall quality or construction.  I've used it for over 2 months now hauling it with me on vacations to Europe, to graduations and elsewhere and it has performed magnificently.  I think that anyone who is interested in portrait photography should look into this lens.  Oh, and I forgot to mention, as far as lenses go it's relatively inexpensive.
I ordered this lens after reading the reviews, and I am surprised how much I love it! It takes great close ups, and really nice pictures from a distance also. I love the bokeh that I get when focusing on an item up close. Very pretty. The other benefit is that it's very easy to take my Canon Rebel anywhere with this shorter lens on it. Nice, inexpensive purchase.
This lens is just amazing...I am thinking why did I purchase all my other lenses..This is just amazing.. It does almost everything which you need to do on  a day to day basis.Pictures have amazing clarity and detail...You can impress anyone and everyone with these pictures..It has all the "build" problems but peeps get two of these lenses, and you wont complain about one breaking...Truly awesome!!
I just love Canon, great products all the time.  Never disappointed by a Canon purchase.  This lens is great like all canon lenses.  I bought it to add to my lens collection as I wanted something for close up shots and a lens that is a little lighter for hiking.
When it comes to sharp, fast glass, it doesn't get much cheaper than this. As the cheapest lens in Canons lineup, it's hard not to recommend it. Great first prime.
I can't say much that hasn't already been said. This is a great little lens for the price. I have used it a lot and I love the bokeh it delivers. I have no complaints!
I've been shooting with this lens for about a month now. It's a must-have for the price. I was annoyed with the performance of the Digital Rebel XTi kit lens (18-55mm) in low light, so I picked up the 50mm f/1.8. I'm completely happy with it. It's not as sturdy or hefty as the kit lens, since it seems to be made completely of plastic, but that hasn't caused me any trouble. It's also very light, which can be a relief after lugging around the camera body with larger/heavier lenses. As a prime lens, your zooming is now controlled by your feet (requiring that you physically move around to get the right framing and composition of your shot), but that's par for the course with any prime lens. I had a little trouble with manual focus - it seemed difficult to stop the focus ring at precisely the right spot - but I'm still working on my manual focus skills, so that might not be a problem for more experienced shooters. The lens is a lot more noisy than the kit lens or my telephoto USM lens, so if you need quiet autofocus, you might want to go for a higher end lens. The shallow depth of field at f/1.8 takes some getting used to, but with a little practice at choosing my backgrounds, I'm really happy with the results. Overall, you can't beat this lens for the price. The photos I have taken with it are much more sharp than those coming out of my kit lens, and I'm able to shoot indoors with available light much more easily with the wide open f/1.8.
The first time I got the lens the packaging was not proper- no air bag protection. Not sure if it was because of this the front lens was shaky.The rear lens alos had a mark which I guess was created by the lens cap being in contact with it. This I could clear by cleaning it. I soon got it on my 40D and autofocused and bloom the front lens came out.I returned the lens back and called Amazon customer service ( their return policy works great)  told them I need the reshipment, shipment method to be 2-day shipment so I can use it for Christmas. They were polite and tried to help me out but (after talking to his manager) told me that the item shipment cannot be changed for replacement once it has been placed online.To my surprise on third working day I got the lens delivered (velocity Express). Wow just for Christmas. This new lens was properly packaged had Invoice inside the package( First one didnt) and no scuffs. Worked great out of Box and took some cool picture, just as you would expect of this 50mm.I would add more as I take pictures through new year.
I am really kicking myself for not buying this lens earlier. For the price, this is a great deal. The 18-55mm lens that comes with the camera does not do well in low light conditions. This lens is awesome for portrait shots as it blurs out the background. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend this for Canon owners!
For the price, great lens and I've used it well. I highly recommend this lens for beginners like myself especially if you want to take portrait pictures indoors.
This lens is simply incredible. Can't touch the quality for this price bracket!Highly recommended, Almost want to buy a second as a spare.
Solid 4 star rating great lens for the price. It is not as sturdy as other Canon lenses, but works very good. The price may lead you to believe that this lens is cheap, however, do more research and you'll see its an awesome little investment. Great beginner lens.
LOVE this lens. I believe I bought me lens for here for an awesome price. Sadly I broke it and because I loved it I bought another one. And sadly again because its cheaply made my lens broke the 2nd day I bought it! I plan on buying another one just because of the price but that's just it its under $100 for a reason. If you buy this lens be VERY careful with it. Even the lightest thing can brake the lens. If you drop it its pretty much gone. I still recommend this lens to those that don't have the $500+ to spend.
This is a cheap, all-plastic little piece of lens that takes some amazing pictures. I agree with the other reviewers that it just feels cheap - but heck, for this price you can replace it every year. The optics are really good for a product at the bottom of the Canon product line. It's much better than I expected... I expected the same performance I get from the 28-80mm kit lens, but I was pleasantly surprised.I'd recommend the 50mm anyone who just bought a Canon Rebel XT as a good experimentation piece of glass to see what's possible outside of the kit lens. Once you figure out the value in having this lens you can step up to the more expensive USM version, or buy a different quasi-macro prime.
When I first got this lens, I didn't use it much. Then I started experimenting with it- and fell in love. The first film camera I ever owned had a 50mm lens on it, so I just had to go back to how I used to shoot. I had it for awhile...Then we were moving, and my camera took a spill onto the carpet and the lens broke. Not the glass, but the plastic. So once we got settled in our new place, I ordered another one.Within 48 hours it got broken. This time by my cat knocking it off the table onto the hardwood floor. Busted the bejesus out of it.So now I'm saving up for the $400 one- and hoping it's not as fragile as this one.PROS: It's super lightweight, making your camera more portable and easier to stow in your purse, and it's so short that you won't be knocking this lens into anything. The images are gorgeous- I LOVE the 50mm.CONS: Breaks EASILY!! Kinda loud too.
I bought this at a shop when I was on vacation in New Orleans.  The 18-55 lens that shipped with my XSi could not handle certain shots without a flash.  Well, that location was the aquarium.  Even with a diffuser, and bouncing the flash I would get a reflection of the flash in some glass.  With more sight seeing, I had enough of that.  So I tried the 50mm f/1.8 against the kit lens.  In the shop the same exposure required 1/8s with the 18-55 (f/5.6 at 55mm) and 1/125s with this lens.  I didn't try my 55-250 EFS at an equivalent 80mm, but that would be just over f/4.  Better than the 18-55, but nowhere near f/1.8. Additionally, the depth of field on this lens is tiny compared with such a large aperture - great for portraits. I took some great shots at Pat O'brien's in late afternoon in October with no flash.The next day was not so good.  The lens fell out of my bag at the Audubon park, and it broke into 2 pieces.  Luckily the optics were intact.  The ribbon cable for the electronics however, was severed.  I had a paperweight, temporarily.  Due to it's poor construction is was just as easy to put back together and rip apart again.  I replaced the ribbon cable with 7 separate wires (soldered them on) and viola, a working lens again, sort of.  I had to melt a  part on the AF drive to get the counter working again as well.  Without that the focus just hunts.  After a couple attempts, I got it mostly working - sometimes in manual focusing mode it still runs the motor for several seconds.  But some issues are to be expected with a quick on-vacation repair ($10 soldering iron from Walmart and some wires from a CAT 5 cable from my brother-in-law).Had the construction of the body of the lens been of better quality, I probably wouldn't have needed to do any repairing.  So as most people say, this is a flimsy lens.  But for the price, I cannot complain (you do get what you pay for).  Would I rather have the metal f/1.4 model for 4 times the price?  You bet.  Was it available in any shop when I was there?  No.  Until it breaks again, I'll keep using it.  Then I'm getting the good one.
I received this lens "stock" when I bought my Canon Rebel xTi (400D) off of a dude on Craigslist. He included a flare guard and a UV filter.  At first I had no idea what i was doing with the thing. my initial reaction to a nonzoom lens was THIS IS STUPID WHY DO THEY MAKE SUCH THINGS. I hated that I had to move super far away from my subject matter and that I could get wider shots. As I got used to it, I found out the secret awesome to a no-zoom lens.-INTENSE depth of field: details get nailed with correct focusI am very into getting a super focus on my subject, and this lens allows for a huge difference between the subject and everything else. Finding the correct way to focus took a few weeks, but once I figured it out I felt like all my photographs were some sort of brilliant breakthrough. It's invigorating to have the huge amount of detail from a lower end DSLR. My school had 5Ds for rental, and I feared I would take ages to own that type of hardware after graduating. The quality of shooting is extremely satisfying, as long as you know what you are shooting for. Until you can afford a macro lens, go with this guy.-capturing live music events can happenAs a band photographer and concert goer, I have played with different types of cameras and (if applicable) lens. The lowlight situations were a biatch when I didn't have a large flash and didn't want to distract the performers. This lens rocks at freezing singers in their tracks. Once you find your perch you're good for the rest of the night. You have to be a little closer than you think you need to be.I would not use this lens when shooting people in close quarters. you have to get quite a distance away if you want to have anything show up around your subject. It's a handy lens to have while sightseeing, especially for monuments. If you're in a museum that allows photography, I would not use it because of needing to be far from the subject -- you'd be pretty interrupting to the other museum-goers. The auto-focus can be pretty janky at times which can be a bummer when you want a quick snapshot. Be prepared to do all manual focusing; it creates the best shots with this lens.This lens is good for a beginner photographer in the land of DSLR because it makes you learn how to use your camera rather than letting you get away with pretending you know what you're doing. :P
This lens is worth about what you pay for it.  It's very soft around the edges when wide open.  Optics are so-so, but the build quality is very cheap.  I think someone else likened it to a "Cracker Jack Toy".  That pretty much sums it up.  This lens, if put to good use in the field, would literally fall apart.  It felt so "cheap" in my hands...rattle...creaking, loose, cheap.  I got rid of it just as quick as I bought it.
I needed a fast prime to shoot available light in a gym using my digital rebel in 1600iso mode.  The lens is really quite good, even wide open, but since it's not a USM ring motor, you do have to excercise a little more care when you take it on and off the camera or screw filters onto it.The type of motor in this lens is fragile and sensitive to too much torque being put on the focus ring (puts stress on the motor parts).  Forums advise you to switch to manual focus when putting the lens on or off the camera or installing filters or hoods to avoid moving that front focus ring too much while doing so.The build of this lens is EL CHEAPO plastic.  There is no full time manual focus with this lens.  I find that when shooting vertically that the lens sometimes has a hard time auto focusing (I belive the term is backfocusing), when shooting heavy action it's almost better to leave it in manual mode. I'm sure this was put out there for the photo schools to provide a cheap lens for their students--don't get me wrong it's a good lens for the price but don't expect it to stand up to a lot of heavy use.
A Must have lens!!
As all people here say, you can't beat the value.Personally, I think Canon priced it so that people get hooked to their prime lens.In crop body like REbel XT, you can use this lens to get a portraits.. just don't expect to get the whole body shot unless you are a good distance away. You get very good picture without harsh flash light.Very light, little noisy, but it doesn't bother me at all.
Picked this lens up specifically for an Anime / Gaming convention I was going to.  Price is low which always worries me when it comes to photography, but sample pics I saw online looked good for me.  I needed something for low light and something that would either be guaranteed to take abuse of the crowds at a con or be cheap enough to replace.  Well, it fit the second part fine, and surprisingly it took some pretty hard hits in the crowds and is still working fine.This lens is loud when shooting with it, but the person your shooting is not going to hear it.  This could be a con to some people but for me it's not a high pitch or anything I would consider obstructive / annoying.Wide open there is some Chromatic Aberration, nothing that wasn't fixable with Lightroom though.  It can also be used to add effects because it is predictable which I'm going to consider a plus :)Overall great lens to have especially if your in an instance you don't want to risk expensive glass just know that you can't skimp too much on proper technique.
This lens has actually been the deciding factor in many of my friends choosing Canon over Nikon SLR and dSLRs.It is too cheap NOT to get. The sharpness is ridiculous, the candlelight picture quality is amazing.The only gripes I hear are: bokeh, build quality, focus motor, and telephoto focal length.(1) bokeh - I don't mind pentagonal bokeh. This means that when you shorten the field of focus and the lights in the background get blurred out, they come off as pentagons. If that matters to you, you are probably a big enough photography nut that the 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.2 (which cost > 5x and 10x, respectively) are reasonable purchases.(2) build quality - Canon has been producing this model in its plastic mount for years. The first one I used was my dad's metal-mount model that he bought 12 years ago - heavier and very solid. However, I don't know a single person who has had a build issue with this plastic-mount version. It may not feel as nice as the metal-version, but it lasts regardless.(3) focus motor - Yes, this can be annoying in ultra ultra low light. I'm talking about taking pictures of friends in a long corner booth in a dark dive bar with a candle on the table a light bulb on the ceiling 10 feet away. If you flip to manual focus, you might be able to force the shot through. But as you get to know your camera better, you'll be able to set up the shot to help the focus out. But yes, this $100 lens has a slow focus motor.(4) telephoto - This issue does cut into my use of the lens. I have a Canon 500D/T2i, which means this 50mm lens is equivalent to an 85mm lens on a full frame camera. That's really not a big deal for a lot of uses - portraits, sports, general outdoor photography. In the aforementioned dive bar booth though, you'd better hope it's a big booth, or be prepared to walk out of the booth to take the picture.But as a relative measure of how GREAT of a value this $100 50mm 1.8 lens is...if you want to take that shot with the same f/1.8 aperture, you'd have to pay $350 (Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras) or $550 (Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras).BOTTOM LINE: This is an amazing lens that is sharp as ninja sword, incredibly portable and TOO CHEAP NOT TO BUY.
After using this Lens for almost a month now I am really happy with the results of my pictures.  This is now our favorite everyday lens.
Casual hobbyist photographer.I used this lens recently in DC outdoors and in the Smithsonian. Amazing! It was great for portraits out side and capturing some beautiful depth of field shots of memorials, reflections etc. Color, clarity and depth are beautiful. I shot mostly at 2.0 or 4.0. I can't get over the elegance of the photos!The only downside is the motor. It's not STM so you'll hear it and it seems a tad slower. It also may draw a little more battery. But that's the only downside I can see and that never affected my shooting. Regardless of materials (plastic) it feels durable. It's not a weather sealed, all metal lens (hence price). But the mechanics and glass are clearly very good.For $100+/- it's crazy not to get this lens, unless your paying $400 for the 1.4. To a non pro this lens was worth the savings which I can apply towards the 55-250.If this was helpful please check yes!  Thank you!
got this lens for my XS and it's great. i use it often during family gatherings and vacation. i was torn between this and the f/1.4 version but couldn't justify spend the additional $$$ especially when i'm just getting into DSLRs. it's a great lens for the price.
so I pick this lens because it was much more easier on my pocket book then the 50 f1.4.... I kinda wish I would have ponyed up the cash and bought that one... but I bought this one... the pics are good... great glass, fast, and great depth of field... but I just cannot get over the plastic... feels like an egg in my hand... I'm afraid I'm going to break it... however for the price it is a fantastic lens... a great buy... just treat it carefuly... also the auto focus seems to hunt around for a bit and is pretty loud... it is an old style motor so what could you expect... all and all it ia an ok lens and lives on my camera most of the time... but when it breaks I'll get the 50 f 1.4... but for the price I could not say no :)
Canon makes a nice piece of glass with their EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens - but it's construction is entirely of plastic (except, of course, the lenses...).  The lens is inexpensive, but takes great pictures.  (I picked it up for reduced light shooting.)  Yes, the bokeh shows a distincitive pentagon shape sometimes, depending on what/how you're shooting.  But overall this is a great little lens - and you can buy three of them for the cost of the next step up.So the question becomes, how to give it that little bit of extra protection the all-plastic construction requires?  The solution:Cosmos Black Extra small DSLR camera Drawstring Soft Neoprene Lens Pouch Bag Cover for Sony Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Panasonic + Cosmos Cable Tie.  You can spend a lot more for a small lens bag, or go whole-hog and get a hard shell case, but this one provides that little bit of extra protection that might keep the lens safe in your kit bag.  And it fits like it was made for the lens, though of course you'll have to remove any lens hood (even reversed).
I bought it because I like &#34;normal portrait lenses&#34;. In my 35mm and medium format days that is pretty much all I shot with and though this is basically an 80mm on my 7D's crop sensor, it makes for a very good portrait lens.I am spoiled by my other lenses which are a 17-40 f4 USM L and a 40/2.8 STM, both of which focus so quickly and are so silent in the focusing. This one on the other hand hunts quite a bit in low light and is quite noisy compared to the others.The bokeh is decent.For the price I paid for it, it is a good buy. A decent portrait lens for the street.
I appreciate possibility to take pictures when it's dark, and nice portraits with blurred background for only $75. Some unpleasant things: noise, no marks for manual focusing, not very useful for not-portrait shooting. Background is not that beautiful as in 50mm/1.4, but that one is 4x more expensive.P.S. And very light!
As long as you stay grounded in reality, you'll agree this is a great lens.You've looked at other lens prices soaring into the thousands of dollars, so you know this one, at less than one hundred dollars is inexpensive.Also remembering that you generally get what you pay for, you know that this lens isn't going to match the exacting quality of a Canon L lens.What you end up with is a lens that performs wonderfully as far as picture quality is concerned.  This super fast lens dosn't have rivals at 3x the price.  Plastic mounting surfaces and focusing noise that was acceptable in the early 1990s aren't really as bad as some would have you believe.  Just be gentle with it when you mount it to your camera and the plastic won't be a problem.  As for the noise, who are you trying to sneak up on with an $80 lens?
I can't say much more than the already rave reviews here. It's a great lens for the price.
With its large aperture, the lens is great for low to moderate lit, indoor shots of my kids.  And being small and light, I can fit it and the 40D in a compact bag which previously housed my G3 and lens adapter.While I occasionally shoot at 1.8, f/2.5 gives good results when it comes to subject sharpness and blurred backgrounds.  At under $80, this is a great buy.
Everyone says this lens is amazing for the money, and it's true! I would say the same had I paid more for it. To put it simply: this is a must for any photographer's camera bag, ametuer or professional.
This lens serves it's purpose well and the price is nice. It's light and best of all it makes portrait photography a breeze!
Great lens, great price.  Very useful in low light or for portraits. I would recommend this to all enthesitis who need to shoot with out a flash.
I received my lens quickly in the mail and of course immediately started playing with it as soon as I got it. First off, the motor is INCREDIBLY loud. Secondly, it wouldn't focus in auto mode and continued to distort the colors. I don't know if this is just me or this is true for everyone. It was usable on manual focus and I had to keep playing with the exposure settings and white balance for it to expose correctly and be true to color. Keep in mind this was with the same environment. The pictures I got after all these adjustments were nice but I'd sooner save the 100 bucks and put it towards upgrading to the USM motor. Unfortunately, mine is going back immediately.
The 50mm f/1.8 is the first prime lens I ever bought.  Paid $75 for it and it's been one of the best lens investments for me.  It's perhaps the sharpest lens I own, and small and lightweight for easy carrying.Yes, its plastic build is cheap, but come on, folks, you're paying $75 for this thing.  What do you expect?  As long as you take care of your equipment, this lens should last you a while.  It has for me.The only negative to me that really sticks out is it's a bit noisy when focusing.  But for the type of photography I do, it's not a big deal.This is a great lens for any amateur photographer, especially someone who is new to shooting with a prime lens.  I've had it for a few years now and in terms of bang for the buck, the 50mm f/1.8 is a great value!
A great little lens to have in your bag when you need to make those special "phisticated" shots.sturdy, well built/machined, tight but smooth moving rotations.Optics clear as expected from Canon.
Just wanted to share my elation over this lens! I bought a Canon Digital Rebel (300d) with kit lens and about 3 months ago looked to expanding my capabilites with some different lenses. I knew that I defintiely wanted a portrait lens, and as I have done a lot of convert photography, it needed to work well in low light situations (like clubs and bars).This lens was probably one of the best investments I have ever made in my photography. Since purchasing it a few months ago I found that I use it far more often than the kit lens, and I am amazed at how much the quality and clarity of my shots has improved. The lens is great for low-light, I had even used it for outdoor night photography (with flash) and gotten great results. Its great for use in low-light daytime situations too,  since this lens allows you to forego the flash. And at $70, it is one of the the cheapest lenses you can buy. This lens has been great- I have used it fairly heavily for a few months now and have no complaints about build quality. I also considered the more expensive 50mm 1.4 ($250) but I have been so happy with this lens that I'm glad I saved my money!
This is a fun lens but I don't know that it lived up to all the hype everyone gives it.THINGS TO KNOW:First thing to note is that this is very cheap for the great feature of large apertures. It's pretty slow to focusing and not very smooth but I guess that's expected from a lens this cheap. I love the very portable size and weight but the build quality doesn't feel extremely sturdy. This seems like a typical consumer lens and I wouldn't recommend it for professional use. The clarity is decent but doesn't compare to any L series lenses. In my personal opinion if you can afford any L series lens, those are so much more fun for both consumer and professional photography.SIDE NOTE:When purchasing this lens keep in mind that 50mm is a very specific lens. It's more of a telephoto/zoom and most definitely not a standard focal length. It's great for close ups and isolating faces/objects in large spaces. I wouldn't throw this on your camera as the only lens on you for the day or vacation. It's terrible for small spaces, group shots, fast moving objects and turning the camera around and taking a photo of yourself ;DIn closing fun lens for a great price, primarily allows you to play around with large apertures.
So if you're anything like me, you probably bought the kit lens with your DSLR because it's fairly inexpensive and having a lens is a necessity right?  Well if you haven't learned yet as I did, the kit lens really aren't worth having if you plan on producing nice pictures. You're much better off puting the $50-$100 towards better lenses.Its a true shock when entering the world of photography to see that most lenses cost more than camera bodies! However, this particular lens brings amazing value at it's price point and although it is a prime (no zoom) I would recommend this a 100 times over the kit lens.It is a fast lens at 1.8f which will give you nice bokeh (shallow depth of field)and will work quite well in low light situations. If you're not familiar with shallow depth of field, take a look at some of the pictures others have posted above and you'll see many that have something in focus and the background is out of focus. This is a really nice effect and makes your pictures look much more professional.If you do a lot of manual focusing (or video) the focus ring is pretty cheap and not fluid at all, yet at around $100 you really can't ask for more.  The body is all plastic, but again, there must be sacrices somewhere to achieve this price point.This lens gets 4 stars from me because of the last two points, but only because I've since used many other lenses that I can see where spending the extra money helps (especially since I do a lot of manual focusing), however if I were to rate this compared to the kit lens, ten stars all the way.  Feel free to ask any questions through the comments and I'd be glad to help. Although I'm not an expert, I've done a lot of research and if my experience can help you in any way, I'd love to share what I've learned! Hope this helps!
i love the lens it is everything it promises to be. the 1.8 is not enough for indoor pictures. If I were to do it again, i might have spent the extra dollars and got the 1.2
Build quality (plastic shell and mount) is cheap and offers no distance scale but for a very low price (relative to typical EF lenses) you get a very sharp lens.  Focus hunts in low light so it can be hit or miss.  I've had mine for over a year and so far it hasn't fallen apart yet.  If your have a tight budget then get this "nifty-fifty" lens.  Gave it 5 stars mainly due to price.
This is the first lens I bought for my camera and I love it. It is great for portraits and close up pics. It is plastic but relatively cheap. I think it's worth the investment
This lens sounds like grinding gears when it's auto-focusing. It feels a little cheap and actually rattles when shook. So why did I give it 4 stars?!It is very sharp! And with the f/1.8, I am getting incredible depth! I know there are f/1.4 and even f/1.2 lenses out there but I don't need anything faster than this. Would I love Image Stabilization or a USM motor? ABSOLUTELY! But for 1/4 or 1/8 the price of those other lenses, it CAN NOT be beat!
When I first bought this lens it sat, unused, for months. I was using the 17-40 for everything even though I was frustrated with it's limitations. On a whim, I put on the 50mm and I have yet to use anything else since. I find that the 1.8 is sufficient for what I need to shoot, and I can make up for any light issues with the 580 flash. I love how lightweight this lens is (probably because its plastic) and that it consistently takes excellent pictures. I tend to use it a lot for my volunteer work, photographing pit bulls in an attempt to get them adopted. Between wiggly puppies and hyperactive teenage dogs I've found this little dude can keep up with whoever I happen to be documenting
Pro's:-Great DoF (f/1.8)-Great bokeh-InexpensiveCons:-Plastic, unlike the mk1... I've heard it's very easy to break... If you drop it it's a goner-AF is noisy-Focusing ring is annoyingOverall:Overall, I love this lens... It's great, especially for the price. If you can't take perfect care of your lens, save up for the mk1, which is about $300 more, made of metal, and is f/1.4. But if you want a great lens for a cheap price and are willing to take care and just be a bit extra careful, I'd recommend this beauty.
Sure it is made of plastic and feels (and looks) like something you'd buy at a local garage sale, but this lens is a must have for any Canon setup. I have a 28-70/2.8L and a 70-200/2.8L but this lens is my favorite. It's crazy small and crazy sharp. I was starting to get tired of bringing our my SLR with the other two big lenses as it is just such an ordeal; however, with this lens, I find myself once again opting for the DSLR over the little point and shoot I have.Great optics + small/very light package + fair build construction + low price = MUST HAVE!
Review Update #1 11/23/2010This cheap lens is still working fine with no issues. I wouldn't use it for your top quality art shots, but if you're in low light, it works great.Original ReviewIt is cheap, "disposable", sharp, fast, accurate, and light weight. I use it  for low light conditions. I did some research before buying it and found most people gave it a buy rating. It is not built to last, so don't drop it. But for the money, if you need a fast, cheap lens, this is a solution. If you have the extra money, I highly recommend the 1.4; is a much better lens with very deep saturation. But, I have taken some really cool shots with this humble 50 1.8
basically $100.00 gets you a portrait lens that does what a $300.00 lens does. GREAT value. pictures are stunningly clear, sharp, and for me, as good as a pro! Believe me, i am just a normal person taking pictures for fun.worth the $. Fantastic value. yes it is plastic, so don't drop it on the concrete. But i would not drop my camera on the concrete either. get it. you will love it!
For the price think of it as a disposable lens. It has great optics, fast and pretty quite, but it will shatter if even dropped from a short distance.
I LOVE this lens.  I was worried about only having an fstop of 1.8, but it's perfect.  the 1.2f stop is way too shallow.I use this lens for all of my video work.
I bought this lens because of the price and because of the overall positive reviews. Sure, the construction is a little cheesy and the AF is pretty noisy, but it's a great little lens for portraits and the like for a beginning photographer on a budget. It's my first prime lens and I'm having a lot of fun with it. It's sharp, fast, and very lightweight. It's also great in low-light.To take sharper pictures, I usually have an aperture of about f/4 to f/8. Subjects tend to have a soft, creamy look if the aperture is wide open, which is good or bad depending on what you are going for and how you focus. I had trouble getting sharp shots because it was wide open, so I went to about f/4 for sharper shots following some advice from folks online. It really depends on what you're going for, however. I'm still playing with it and learning.Since it's not USM, the AF is very noisy, but it doesn't bother me that much at all.I definitely recommend this lens. The price is right and the shots it takes are amazing!
I bought my first one of these in 2000...and my second just bit the dust. Both fell completely apart, but I still spent less than I would have for the 1.4, and the quality of these lenses is fantastic. And at this price there is no good reason not to get this lens for your canon SLR. I have found most canon non-L primes are not as good as this, even the nice metal higher end ones.My most recent one broke after falling four feet off a shelf, a hard test for any lens. But most lenses cost a lot more to replace. You will not be disappointed by this lens.
I simply cannot stress this enough; every EOS owner should buy this lens!!!  50mm is a great focal length for portrait and all-around shooting on a 1.6x cropped DSLR such as the 20d or Rebel XT.  Kit lens users have probably notice that they do most of there shooting on or near the 55mm long end, so this is a very natural substitution.The f/1.8 aperture allows you to take professional looking pictures in low light that rival L-series zoom lenses costing over 10 times more!  The wide aperture also gives the background a nice professional looking soft-focus, but this comes at a price.  When shooting at f/2.8 and especially f/1.8 you need to be VERY careful with focus.  Set the active focus point directly on the subject's eyes to get the clearest picture and if you are taking two people together then make sure they are about the same distance from the lens.  If there is more then about 6 inches difference then one will start to loose facial features due to blur.  Of coerce you can always go down to f/4.0, to get around that issue, but doing so kind of misses the point on this lens.If you normally buy UV filters for your lens you should consider skipping it for this one.  First, you probably don't have any 52mm filters and there isn't much point in buying one to protect a $70 lens.  The front element is about 1/2" from the front the lens, which effectively gives you a built-in hood for some protection.  On top of that, you are probably not taking this lens outside so dust is much less of an issue.Anyway, stop reading and just BUY IT!!!  You will love it!
Been reading other reviews, and reminded me of Jack Nickolson's classic line in Batman I.  Yeah this lens is a rare find, a 1.8 apeture at $100?? what a steal.  Gorgeous pictures, shoddy casing.  Now that I'm taking photography a lot more seriously going to buy the 1.4, but for casual use, DEF buy one of these.  Great for group photos/portraits. Great for low light settings.
I recently purchased the Canon T1i with the kit lens.  I also picked up this lens because of its attractive low price tag.  This 1.8 has become my standard lens as opposed to the kit lens.  It is fast, takes great pictures in very low light, and the clarity is incredible.  The bokeh is very impressive and distortion is nonexistent.  My only complaint, and it is a small one, is with the build quality.  It is all plastic and looks somewhat cheap, but then again, it is a cheap lens that takes excellent pictures.  Save the extra money you would have spent on a 1.4 and buy yourself something nice; besides the price you won't notice the difference.
My fiance picked this lens up for me for my birthday and I have to say, after taking quite a few shots with it, I'm HIGHLY impressed with what Canon has done in the 50mm realm.Before purchasing this or any lens for you DSLR, make sure you are happy with your current camera. In reality the DSLR business is kind of like the reusable razor blade business. You purchase the razor system and then buy blades. With DSLR the camera is like the handle piece and the lenses are the blade replacements. Once you begin investing in lenses, this will most likely mean you will be sticking with the manufacturer of your lenses for life. The camera body can be easily replaced and will, if you get into the hobby seriously, be the least expensive of everything you own. If you know you want to stick with Canon "for life," continue reading.First, do you need a 50mm lens? Are you a hobbyist photographer that wants amazing focus and blur levels, like the professionals take? Are you a professional that wants the best image a camera can capture? If you said yes to either of the above, you need a 50mm lens. For Canon cameras, you have really only 3 Canon choices. This lens, theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasand then you have the grand daddy of them all, theCanon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras. So what's the difference? For one, the price. The f/1.8 is the least expensive of the three. The f/1.4 non-L is roughly $600 and then the L is roughly $2000 (discounting Amazon discounts). If you're a hobbyist, every review and comparison will tell you that this lens, the f/1.8 is the biggest bang for the buck.If you do a search for DxO labs comparison of Canon f/1.8 vs f/1.4, you will find that the results in actual image quality will surprise you. Image quality is generally regarded better on the f/1.8, though if you find you are photographing something that needs that extra bit of aperture, that could really make the decision easy for you as your only other option would be the $2000 L.I own theCanon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)and have made the decision to purchase only EF style lenses from now on, as I one day hope to be able to afford a full frame DSLR and will be using Canon for sure.I cannot directly compare the lenses myself as I only own the f/1.8, but based on the photographs I've taken thus far, the lens is very easy to get the right distance for the right amounts of background and foreground blur. I actually want to use this lens for almost all of my photography because it is just so easy to snap on, step to the right distance, focus and shoot. I'd miss out on some of the great macro photography of the zoom lens I have, so that's not really an option, but for every day shooting, especially portraiture, you can't go wrong with this lens. And at $200 MSRP, and an Amazon price as low as $99 (currently $115 is the norm), the value for your dollar is tremendous.Purchase this lens and forget about it. Great value for the dollar and dollar for dollar the best image quality.
I bought this lens for f1.8 to take pictures at night!  my pictures of the Spanish steps in Rome and the Acropolis in Athens are just terrific. many cities in the world come alive at night and a low f stop and a high ISO can produce wonderful pictures that document great experiences.
this product came in very fast. i deff love it. i recommend lens to anyone with a canon! it is awesome!
Purchased this lens to do some photos of our kids etc.. Great lens at a really great price.  Did a lot of research and found this to be a very highly talked about lens to add to any novice's camera bag.  It gives great portrait shots with that bokeh (blurred background) effect.  Keep in mind this is a fixed focal length lens so you are limited to 50mm but for a fixed lens it's great.  Great budget lens to pull off some of those expensive looking photos the pros do.  Highly recommend.
On my Canon Rebel XT, this is essentially an 80mm prime, which is absolutely perfect for portraits. From low light to no light, great portraits, from the real to the surreal, are easy. Bounce some light onto your subject's face with a piece of white cardboard to eliminate shadows and totally forget about flash shooting. This is a FAST lens! Fast to auto-focus, fast at f/1.8 (and up) and fun to use. You'll pay more for a quality lens cleaner kit than you will for this lens. You won't regret buying this. If it ever breaks I'll immediately buy another. This lens and the Tamron 18mm-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical Macro are the only two lenses I own. Adding a 4 GB card, a tripod, and a carrying case, my entire set-up cost less than $1,200.
I bought this lens to use without a flash, at indoor sporting events. I use this lens on a Canon 40D, and with an ISO setting at 800, this lens does exactly what I want it to do. Most of the pictures I take are a little 'soft' around the edges, but I knew that was to be expected from reading about this lens in several different forums. However; 99% of the pictures I take, the edges get cropped off, so for me, this is not an issue.
Although I should have opted for a lens with an IS feature, this is a great lens for the amateur and works great with the EOS 60D.
Like most Internet reviews say, this is a great all around prime.  Definitely the best buy around at about a hundred bucks.  It is a bit soft wide open at 1.8 but very sharp when stopped down some. Materials feel cheap but it works.  The manual focus ring and switch are a bit stiff and thin to grab.  It is very light and compact though.  AF motor is a bit loud.  All in all for the price and image quality I love it.  Great for portraits and low light shots.
Wow, this is a great lens for the price.  It's definitely an adjustment using a fixed lens if you're spoiled with a zoom lens like me, but the quality is outstanding.  It's worth the money, buy it already.
Super sharp, and it's almost always on my camera. One of my photographer friends kept saying that I needed a nifty fifty if I was going to start dabbling in photography. Best advice I could have been given.
I must say I was not expecting much from this lens but for $104 I thought I would give it a try. Well I must say that I am seriously impressed. It does feel a little cheap because it is plastic but the picture quality is incredible. The auto focus is pretty quick but it doesn't really matter to me because I enjoy manual focus much more. This lens gives a great bokeh and is awesome in low light. Here is a real scenario of how good it works: When I would take a picture inside my house using the 18-55mm kit lens without a flash I had a 1/60(sometimes even slower) shutter speed, ISO set at 3200 and the aperture at 5.6 just to be able to get a picture where everything isn't blurry. With this new lens and the same lighting conditions I was able to use no flash and have 1/60 shutter speed, ISO at 200 or 400, and the aperture set at 1.8 and it looks awesome. I definitely recommend this lens to someone who is looking to get a great looking picture for a low cost.
Great lens for the money.  If money is not the issue, get the 50mm f1.4.  The f1.8 is a good lens, but if you're really serious, get something a little better constructed with a better bokeh.
This was my first lens purchase beyond the one that came with my DSLR camera, and so far I am very happy with the results. It delivers beautiful portraits, crisp closeups at maximum aperture, and the bokeh is astounding.I've seen other reviews that say this lens has a "toy" feel. While it is true that it is lightweight, rather plain in design, and does not have a metal mount, the materials feel quite solid and in my opinion should stand up to normal useage.The focusing motor is a bit noisier than my original "kit" lens, but no more than should be expected for the significantly lower price.But the bonus of being able to snap clearly-focused seemingly shake-free shots in limited light conditions makes this lens almost a necessity for any photographer who cares about being non-intrusive and wants to avoid using any flash devices or extra lighting.
Part of the fun of photography is the acquisition of gear, I love using my 85mm 1.8,  and I shoot most often, it seems, with my 10-20mm sigma, and then there is my 35mm f2 which is wonderful, but when I cull my images and choose my top shots for a gallery or art fair I find that most of my favorites are shot with the 50mm 1.8.If you want tack sharp images in low light, buy this lens.If you want an upgrade from your kit lens, buy this lens.If you want the best deal in photography, buy this lens.If you don't own this lens, buy this lens.Caveat: If you are using a cmos (1.6 crop) sensor, this lens actually acts more like the 85mm 1.8 on a 35mm full-frame camera.  IF you want the 50mm full-frame effect on your crop sensor go for the 35mm f2.That being said, all the love I have shown in this review for the 50mm f1.8, I shoot on a 60d which is crop sensor.  So, once again, buy this lens.
I was worried about buying this lens.  Thought it was too cheap.  It's great.  ISO 1600, Speed 1/250th and my indoor basketball pictures come out great.Good lens to have background blur.BUT IT!
This prime lens is very inexpensive and the image quality is quite astounding and rewarding for the price.  The AF doesnt always work as quick as i need it to work for my action shots. (I move around my subject(s) quickly and take shots from all angles)  However, it works great for simple portraits and produces some great bokeh.  The IQ is still pretty sharp wide open at f/1.8 but i think f/2.8 is sharper. The quality build is not so great and it feels very light in the hands like a fragile toy.  The AF motor is pretty loud. However, this doesnt bother me, but it may annoy someone who is used to a USM. i highly recommend this to all amateurs and even experienced photographers for the great image results at a versatile focal length of 50mm! This is on my Canon T2i more than any of my other lens.  I've owned it for about 1 month and taken a few thousand shots. This is actually one of my favorite lens.  I've read another review that this lens wears easily and breaks.  If that is the case, i will repost my review and give an update after mine breaks from short lived 'wear and tear'.  It may be worth it to purchase the more expensive 50mm lens by Canon if this model wears easily.  For now, this lens is well worth the money spent.
Cheap, f/1.8 and an awesome range.That being said, the more expensive versions are obviously better both in design and construction. This lens does feel cheap and I imagine if I dropped it it'd crack.The real advantage for the nifty fifty is what you do get for such a minimal cost.
Good lens for beginners to explore past the kit lens.  Better than kit lenses in low lighting, and good tool for learning portrait shots.  When I carry my camera with me in an EDC setting this is the lens that is on it.
I've owned two of these, as they're inexpensive, fairly fast and sharp.  In my opinion, they have a design flaw which allows torque from an attached rigid lens shade, or even simple pressure on the front extended element, that can cause the lens to go out of alignment.  In the days of all-metal lens barrels this problem was less pronounced.  Since this lens is plastic, any flex causes sharpness and plane of focus to degrade rather easily.A bayonet lens shade design would attach to the outer lens casing and provide some protection from torque.
for newbie hobbyist to photography u can't go wrong with this lens. it's not ony Sharp it is Lightweight as well. my second lens aside from my kit lens 18-55mm. i fall in-love more to this hobby after i captured amazing shots and post it on my wall. follow this on Flickr you'll see how this piece helps create stunning shots.
I really don't like this lens that much. I am going to be the odd man out on these reviews and say that it is soft and the focusing is just OK. I have a really cheap Sigma 50-200 lens that I prefer at 50mm pretty much all the time over this lens. Maybe I just got a bad copy, but I would save a little more for the 1.4 if I were you. It is cheap though, so it's OK for a starting out lens.
This is one of the most incredible values in Canon camera lenses ever. They call this thing the &#34;Nifty Fifty&#34; for a reason. Great, super-sharp shots in low light without flash. Awesome ability to blur the background when wide open. Small, super lightweight, and, pardon me for saying this, but this is almost a disposable lens - meaning that if something ever happened to it I'd be right back here buying one that instant.
After an absence from photography for quite a few years I was rash enough to ask my wife for a D.S.L.R. for my birthday. I have to admit I do love it even though the complexity often makes me want to either pull my hair out or throw the camera out a window of a very high building. Luckily I didn't as the one I have now, (second camera) cost a bit more and if anything happened to it my wife would probably kill me.When I had my first one, a Canon 1000D it came with two zoom lenses. They were very good and I had fun with them but wanted something else. I was having a browse in a local camera shop and saw this lens on a shelf and asked the young lady about it. I was mainly impressed about the price and she gave me explanations about how Canon made it cheaper. I can't really recall what she said, I lost interest and said thank you, walked off and did a quick Google on my phone discovering it had a great rating and was such good value for a 1.8!The only problem, if it could be called as such is the Bokeh. No, I hadn't a clue what that was and googled it. Here's the link.[...]Evidently a lot of photographers use it deliberately to create effects, good on them say I.I found it a great little lens to use, very lightweight, the wider aperture makes it very useful in dimmer lighting and and the focal length of 50 mm makes it a very useful portrait lens.
Have had allot of great photos using my XT and XTi with this lens and it is allot less expensive than the f/1.4 I own.  However, this lens is delicate by comparison as it is plastic, however, I have had no issues with extensive use.
If u have the money to get the 1.4 do it but if you're broke like me this guy does the trick. Not pretty but works really well for the price.
Great lens.  The build quality is not as bad as I have read.It's on par with the kit lens.  There's a bigger focus ring and the front element doesn't rotate.At this price point, you might as well buy it.The depth of field is amazing.  Very easy to pull off some creative and interesting shots.Be careful.  After getting a taste of constant f/1.8, I literally ordered thisCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Camerasand thisCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswithin 24 hours of receiving the 50mm.It's a $100 photography lesson if nothing else.  You have to think about your shots much more, walk around, and tinker with the camera settings.  All great things to practice.5/5 stars  -  Any complaint about the lens I might think of is absolutely negated by the price.-Mike
Main purpose of my purchase was toddler shots, wasn't disappointed.For newbies on limited budget its a great start, produces extremely sharp images on T3i and wonderful Bokeh effect. I don't have any issues shooing outdoors however for indoors the length is too long at times and i have to often step back.Videos are a pain as the focus is tremendously sharp but limited at the same time, user cannot focus on a moving subject and get a constantly sharp vid, outdoors are fine.In real time shooting doesn't really allow users to switch lenses, this is my default lens against a 18-135 and I can safely say for me it suffices and I rarely change lens, it is fast and OK in dim light(f-1/4 is way too expensive)too.recommended.
Great value-for-money. The plastic make bothers me a bit. But other than that it is just greatfor potrait photography (Specially in low light condition).
This is a rare lens that produces great results and is available below $75. I have shot numerous pictures and they have come out looking crisp and vibrant. It is very compact and a must for any amateur photographer.Pros : the most economical f/1.8 lens around !, crisp pictures, easy to useCons : noisy & not very responsive motor, Awkward contol for switching between Manual and Auto mode.
This lens has great performance for the money, but it has an all-plastic body and feels cheap. Even the mounting bayonet is plastic and may loosen over time if you often swap it out on the camera.
This is a great inexpensive fixed lens.  There is no zoom.  It is great for portraits.  Small and light.  I have enjoyed it.
Love this little lens. I use it for studio work and although at times it might feel a bit too "zoomed in" its a great lens for the amount of money you spend. Definitely one of my best purchases as far as lenses goes (that coming from someone who doesn't have an L yet of course).I doubt I'll ever get rid of this little lens, like I said great bang for the buck.
As an ametuer in the photography I bought this lense to start out and love how it takes indoor and outdoor pictures. However trying it out at night shooting a picture to the moon a notice a spot on the lense and thought it was dust??? however nothing when shooting this showed a blue dot which I have only seen when taking when I shoot to the moon, haven't tried it on the sunrise or sunsents. It don't show up all the time. So I believe it must be a lens flare? Maybe I will have to buy a hood?That's why I gave it three stars which is a lot, but the lense cost me less than $100 so it's OK.
This lens is the basic lens that is needed to start taking pictures or video. Do not let the small f stop scare you away from getting the lens.
As advertised, this is a plastic lens so while it doesn't feel particularly sturdy, it is very sharp and is great for portraits and in low light situations.
I am a huge fan of researching lenses (or anything else I buy for that matter) to DEATH before committing. Even though this lens has a low price point I was nervous to buy it. My husband finally convinced me and I made the "big" purchase.Honestly, besides owning a sharp wide lens & macro lens (hopefully in my future), I don't see why I'd have to ever buy another lens.I have taken some killer portraits with this lens and the colors are great and it's super sharp with amazing bokeh.I don't know all of the fancy photog lingo but trust me, this lens is worth every penny.
Bought this lens as a backup as my current one sometimes wouldn't let me zoom or focus (stuck in place). Loving this lens so far :)
This is probably the best value in any lens. The problem is finding one that is good. I had to return two of these because they produced blurry results and the autofocus seemed unreliable.The third I bought was so much better than the first two. It was hard to believe that they are the same product. Canon is offering this lens for a little over $100 and that is amazing. However the value comes at a cost, quality control. Even the box is tiny and the documentation is crammed in it.I think this lens when working as intended deserves 5 stars. Quality control is lacking and I had to go through three before finding one that was good. Maybe I just had bad luck, but that's my reasoning for taking off a star.If you find you're not getting sharp images and the autofocus hunts more than you feel it should, send it back and get another one. For me there was a ridiculous difference between a good copy and the poor ones. Night and day,EDIT : There is one thing that I wanted to address. There are many people who have uploaded pictures claiming to have been taken with this lens. There is an extremely simple way to tell who is using this lens and who is lying. Look for the bokeh. If you don't know what bokeh is, look it up quickly. This lens use a FIVE blade aperature. This means that the bokeh will be distinctly pentagonal. Five sided. It's apparent and easily noticeable when you start using the lens and seeing the results. It's one of the problems with this lens. Not that huge a deal, but it's sill a negative point.Any picture that has perfectly round or elliptical bokeh was not taken using this lens unless they went back and did something in post, but that's not as likely. Not sure what these people get out of doing this bit there are plenty who are. Maybe they are trying to show their photographic skills using a cheap lens when they are really using more expensive equipment.Still a great value lens but watch out for images that seem too good to be true. At least specifically in terms of bokeh.
I bought this as a replacement for my last &#34;nifty 50&#34; lens.  I just love this.  It is perfect for low lighting situations. I use it to photograph newborns and it is wonderful
This was my second lens after the kit lens to my XTi.  It is a fast lens and its cost performance is unbeatable.  It definitely introduces new ways photos can be taken for beginners.  f1.8 is awesome in low light situations.Pros:Great cost performance.Fast lens for the priceLight weightCons:Noisy and slow focusFocus ring is too slim and has no weight which makes it little more difficult to focus manuallyNot full time manual focusCheap built quality.  After a while of use, I saw some dust inside the lens.Bokeh is not beautiful compared to more expensive Canon EF 50mm f1.4Overall, this lens is a great lens for beginners and its cost performance cannot be beaten.  However, I have purchased EF 50mm f1.4 while after as not having full time manual focus was definitely not working very well for the way I take photos.  Though f1.4 costs 3+ times f1.8, if you can afford it, I would recommend going for f1.4.
What a little gem of a lens and all for $100!!I kind of knew what I was getting into when I bought this lens from all the reviews and the specs (f1.8), but what I didn't realize is how right out of the box this thing helps you take pro images immediately.As everyone has mentioned, yes, the body is very cheap feeling plastic, but it IS only $100!  The lens itself produces incredible detail, fast response and a smooth depth of vision when f-stop is stepped.For the money, there is no comparison.  I considered the f1.4, but with all the reviews of a weak AF motor, I thought I'd pass.  The f1.2 was never seriously in for consideration due to the price.  Maybe one day, but at this point its hard to pass up such a value for the money.
I bought this lens a year ago and really enjoyed it at first. I started having some issues with the auto focus and was having to use manual focus. The focus cap kept getting stuck when the camera was trying to autofocus, making a horrible noise.About a month ago I went to remove the lens from my Canon T1i body and it wouldn't budge. I would push the release button and twist as I always have but it would not give at all. I shipped it back to Canon and three weeks later they told me it wasn't covered under warranty because my camera is two years old and the lens had been damaged. They wouldn't remove the lens for me without a $300 charge. The lens cost a $100 and they were going to charge $300 to remove it?! I asked them to return my camera to me and I started doing some research online. Many other people have had the exact same issue. Ends up that a plastic piece that snaps into a locked position breaks off and so the lens can't be removed. People have given demonstrations online on how to dismantle the lens to save your camera body with the thought that it is better to sacrifice the cheap lens than damage your expensive camera body. I have to agree. With a small flat head screw driver and needle nose pliers I destroyed a year old lens to save my camera. After more research it appears Canon no longer makes this lens only the 50mm f/1.4.
It's worth buying this lens for $76.00. The autofocuing is easy and quiet. It is very good for portrait and indoor photograhy without flash. I set ISO at 1600, and took picture in very low light(60W bulb)with F1.8. The picture is nice. I recommend this lens.
I am just now getting back into SLR based photography and thus want to load up on some glass.  Unfortunately some of the lenses I want are a bit out of my budget for the time being.  I wanted to get something basic for my Rebel T1i and asked my brother (a pro) what he thought about this lens.  He said he owns it...while that was enough for me, I decided to get more information.  He said, simply put and I quote: "This is a great VALUE and a lens that you can use every day.  While it is not the sharpest lens in its category, you would be hard pressed to find anything close in this price range....GET ONE"I, of course, listened and purchased one immediately.  I have been taking some shots from our backyard of the sunset...since we have a rather nice view and I love sunsets.  The pictures are stunning and this lens is now permanently mounted on my camera body.Great beginners glass at a great price. 5/5
This is great cheep lens to have. Results are amazing I will be upgrading to the EF 50mm f1.4 USM but this has held me over in the meantime!
I can't imagine how anyone could have a negative comment for this product. I pretty much leave this on my t5i. I love it!!! Amazing portraits - easy! The price makes this purchase a &#34;no-brainer!&#34;
I read a lot of good reviews about this lens and finally bought it. Now, most of the time I have this lens attached to my camera body. I think, My best investment in photography so far. I made one of my friend buying this lens.
FOR THE PRICE, you can't beat this amazing little lens.I find that if shooting at f/1.8 the focus is a little soft, but if I up to f/2 then it's a lot better. Again this is something I can live with for the price of this lens.I use this primarily for portraits and it does fantastic!I could go on and on about this lens, it's great! If you are on a budget and need a good lens for portraits, this is the lens!
I love my 50mm. At f/1.8, it's close to impossible not to get a great photo. I mean, really, you can take a photo of anything, anywhere, and make it look great. It's bright, the colors are perfect, f/1.8 is really fun, it's sharp and high contrast, and the bokeh is amazing (not all that smooth, but still really nice).The build is terrible, though. It's light, which is nice, but, honestly, this thing feels like a Tupperware container. The focus ring, especially, because it shakes around, it's tiny, and it just feels like dry plastic against dry plastic. Autofocus isn't any better. It's loud and obnoxious. It's pretty fast and accurate, but it's not pleasant, being jerky and stiff. After using it for a while, I stop noticing it, but when you're thinking about it, it's terrible.There are definitely better 50mm's that you could buy, but I couldn't believe the photo quality that I got for $100. Overall, I'm happy with my decision. Despite having a terrible build, it's my most used lens. Actually, come to think of it, because I use it so much, I probably should have bought the f/1.4. Hm. Think about it. But just keep in mind that you can't go wrong with this lens.
I don't have much more to add to what everyone else has said.  This is inexpensive, yet shoots great portraits.  The build quality is dubious, but after a few months, it still hasn't fallen apart on me, yet.  The price/value ratio for this lens is amazing.  I would recommend this lens for the beginning photographer or the photographer on a budget.
I love this amazing little lens!! It's capable of doing everything I dream of with my camera.  So glad I made this purchase, pretty happy with the price also!
Best bang for the buck by far. I'm amazed at the quality and sharpness. I got the fotodiox lens hood and a UV filter as well for a little extra. I think they helped. Took it out and the photos were just 1000x better than the kit lens. It has a warm and vibrant soft tone on the unfocused parts of the photo.Didn't have a problem with it getting stuck on my T2i. I do notice it acts kinda weird when you try and auto focus to something to close. The lens focuses in and out and wont stop. I guess it's telling you you're too close when it does that.I like the great extra blurry bokeh effect for the unfocused parts of closeup photos. So you can take some great portraits.Not really much else to say here. I suggest getting the lens hood and UV filter with this.
I love this lens and how the photos turn out. The only drawback is it's difficult to use when your subject is moving around, so it's great for still shots, portraits, and landscape photography. I'm a beginner, so it's a good starter lens for me. I think it's a great investment and a must have for any budding photographer.
This lens is fantastic!  I have gotten some amazing pictures. The price is so low, which is astonishing to me because the picture quality is out of this world. I haven't had any problems with the piece being plastic. It seems pretty sturdy and tough to me. I would definitely recommend as the next lens for amateurs.
This takes excellent photos.  It's hard to believe that it's so affordable.  I recommend everyone give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.
I am writing this review from a dollar value perspective.  For the price this lens delivers quality pictures and I would have to say in some cases it far exceeds what one would expect given the low price.  The only criticism I have from a capability standpoint is that it delivers rather soft pictures but acceptable nonetheless.  Most people who own a DSLR also have a computer and probably have some sort of editing software that will allow the sharpness to be adjusted somewhat so problem solved.  I use Lightroom 2 on all my photos to tweak them to their max potential.  I think this lens would be a great gift for anyone with a DSLR.
The lens is really pretty cool, I use it with a digital Canon Rebel (10 megapixel) and can get some pretty neat shots with it.  Some times in bright light or very low light it freaks out and won't get you a good picture, but that could be operator error too...  I bought it to be able to obviously blur out backgrounds and it does that and for a cheap price, so its a good buy.
Takes fantastic pictures for the price.  Sure there are better lenses out there, ones that are faster at focusing, quieter too, but for the price you can't beat the images.  Low light shallow DOF....very nice.  I would recommend this to anyone who is on a budget but wants to have a nice prime lens.
I bought this lens because it was cheap... and I wanted to experiment with portraits.Buy it now... You will be so happy. The image quality I get with this lens is superb. I like the 50MM form factor so much that I'll be picking up the USM model soon.Works well also as a general landscape lens. I have had it on the 20D for weeks I haven't had a shot I needed to remove it for.
Why wouldn't you buy this lens? I use it all the time indoors when there's not much light and for portraits when I want the background blurred out. Fair warning- if you open it all the way up, the depth of field is very shallow. I have some shots where my son's nose is in focus and his eyes are blurry. I've learned to take a step back and crop if I need to. The glass is great, and the focus is pretty good. Yes, it's plastic. That's why it's not $400.
I just received my new 50mm and I love it,the focus ring location and size is odd but its all good .Amazon is also awesomefast shipping Great prices,one unexpected surprise I found with the 50mm is that my T3i focused very fast on every subject  compared to the stock lens shipped with the camera.Very satisfied.
What more can I really say about this lens..? The nifty fifty is pretty much a MUST have for anyone who wants to get deeper into photography. This lens is stellar for walk around and does an excellent job. The pictures come out crisp and flawless. This lens really speaks for itself, I mean.. Just look at some images around the web that it has taken.3,300 reviews on amazon and this is holding a solid 4.5 stars, so that obviously tells you that it's an amazing lens. Don't even think about it, just BUY it. It's a staple lens for every single photographer with a DSLR.
This lens is great. For the money you cant beat it. It does have a cheap plastic feel to it, but the photos are great. The mark of a good lens is if you use it. I have a couple of red rings, but I always use this one in some fashion. The first day after I received this, I emptied both batteries and filled all my memory cards. It is also great for long exposers. With a fixed aperture all you have to do is focus and just worry about you shutter speed. You can adjust aperture settings in you dslr but use the standard and don't worry about the rest.
Before I purchased this lens, I was very skeptical of a prime lens. The price is right of course, but the quality is excellent.  I take wonderful photos (My opinion only) of family, pets, whatever.  I love the decreased DOF with this lens.  Now I see how the really professional photographers get such lovely portraitures.  Great product at a great price!
Recommended to me by a professional photographer. It gives me the effects I have long been yearning to get! Called the Nifty Fifty for very good reason!
Nov. 11, 2013I just got my second copy of this lens and it is completely different from my first copy.  The first copy I bought new from Best Buy.  After shooting with it for about a half hour my camera started getting &#34;can't communicate with lens&#34; errors.  Before the errors appeared the lens took a long time to focus and the images were not great.  I returned the lens and ordered a refurbished one from Canon.  Wow!  This second lens focused fast and is a killer low light lens.  It has amazed me.  However, I just got the lens and will shoot more with it and update my review.  I have read reviews about slow focus and the first lens I got supported that.  This second lens is not slow.
I loved this lens and used it as my primary lens here at the beach for all scenic shots. It was really sharp and the shots were just gorgeous. That was back when I had my Rebel XT camera. I captured the coolest up close shots of crabs and shells. It's not playing nice with my 60D camera however so I'm going to switch to the 24-70mm lens. I do love this 50mm lens and it's an awesome lens for the price.
For the price, if you have any gripes about this lens you are crazy! This is the absolute best lens per cost out there.  You will be thrilled at the quality of the images!
The lens is great. Not sure it is a "have to have." I use my Canon EF 18-55 mm lens more often. Hopefully, I will have a chance to use to 50 mm more.
I started off my photography hobby with a Canon AE1. It came with a 50mm lens--a very intuitive lens which no photographer should be without.This lens is a reasonable facsimile of the wonderful lens that came with the AE1. The main differences, aside from the autofocus, is the plastic casing, and the lack of a focus distance scale. If these are an issue, the f/1.4 provides both of these for a hefty premium--worth it to some photographers.This lens is inexpensive as camera lenses go at about $100, and is extremely useful. It is my "everyday lens", only switched out between my 60mm for close-up photography, and myCanon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Auto Focus Lens Retail White Box U.S.A. Warrantyif I need a larger lens.
I use this lens for close-up photography (with a close-up filter set) on a regular basis. The focal range of f/1.8 to f/32 is impressive, and it's sharp throughout. I've used it to take flower pics that blow up flawlessly to 16x20 prints as well as mouthwatering food shots for my brochure. It works great both on my old Canon EOS A2E film camera and my Canon Digital Rebel XT. For the price, it can't be beat.
It is very loud compared to the USM and STM lenses, but you can't argue with the results. It's easily the best bang for your buck lens out there.Just remember, for all the crop sensor DSLR users out there, this will perform like an 80mm lens.
I really, really like this lens. For the price, that tiny aperture just can't be beat. It's obviously Canon quality, which is great.
Update 2013:Ive had this lens for a few years now.  With a couple L lenses and a full frame camera now, this lens still finds its way into my bag.  I like it as a good all around prime lens - it can do portraits, low light, sorta close ups....  I even bought a 50 1.4, but took it back after a week.  Sure, the 1.4 was prettier, sturdier, slightly faster and much (okay - much, much) quieter, but I will spend the money on something I dont have instead.  Save it for another beautiful L, or spend it on your kids... okay, probably the 16-35L, sorry kids.Durability?  I toss it into my backpack in a small soft case.  take care of your stuff and it will take care of you.This lens with a nice polarizer takes great photos outside.Bottom line, still worth it!Old review:Ive been shooting with this lens in my bag for a few months - sometimes it even ends up in my pocket.  I havent had a an issue with durability yet.  The lens has great clarity at the midrange F stops for its price, especially on a digital with a cropping factor.  Any lens can have aberrations at the minimum F stop - yes even the 'L' lenses - it just gets less noticable as the price goes up. the question you should ask is how much am I willing to spend to get that small increase in quality?I dont think that I will have an issue with the durability as some other reviewers have - mostly because I try not to abuse my camera.If you are putting this on a Rebel XT then realize that although the Rebel has great features, it is NOT a Pro body with dust and weather seals, an alloy metal outerbody, etc.... and anything that will damage the lens will most likely damage the body too.  ALWAYS use a filter - UV, clear or haze to protect the glass, and it will protect the end of the lens barrel too.If you bought the Rebel XT because you wanted great and sometimes incredible photos at a great price, then buy THIS lens too!  If you bought the 5D then you can afford the all metal 50mm 1.4, and send me your hand-me-downs!Pros:  excellent optics for the price, small, light and fast.Cons:  50mm is actually a little long for the 1.6 factor - I havent used it as much as I thought I would.  Plastic body will not take Pro level abuse - should be fine for average or above average user who sometimes puts stuff back in the camera bag.Recommended based on value.  Even with the 1.6 factor making it longer - I like having it around at this price...If you have a Rebel XT save the extra money from the 50mm F1.4 and buy the Opteka Battery grip, an extra battery, another CF card and some good filters.
OK so at first i was skeptic on buying this due to most lower ratings involving problems removing the lens, and having to ship it back to cannon to get the lens removed, so i thought i might as well take a chance at it,so it arrived on time, opened it up and took a good look at the lens before adding it on to my camera (rebel T3i)looked at the attachment ring and noticed nothing different so i attached it and what do you know it fit right in,now came the tense part, taking the lens off, perfect no problem, so i guess it was just defects that went around,that went from 2 stars to 4,the quality of the photos are amazing, very clear and crisp no issues there, overall great price for lens tho the attachment ring is plastic i really dont mind at all, worth the price and worth recommending and will be purchasing again if need be!
I bought this lens to start experimeting with prime lenses. As many other people I was reading the reviews and the comprisons between the f 1.8 and f 1.4 before I order this one. To me spending $85 for a prime fast lens its nothing compare to the return. I have been shooting with this lens interior spaces under dim light and had no problem. The quality and the plastic feels cheap but for what it costs and what you get as a return I believe it is a good investment.If you have the oney though and you know what are you doing then spend extra $250 and get the  1.4. I did not because I am very happy with that one.
bought this because of the great reviews and price. im a beginner with my camera so i didnt really know what to expect. i'm used to the kit that comes with the camera so when i got this lens and there was no zoom feature i was a little disoriented. however, now that i have been using it i absolutely love the way my pictures come out.
I bought this lens for my used Canon A2E slr, and it works wonders. It has become my most used lens. It is a plastic lens, its obviously not the best-made lens out there. It does exactly what I need it to do.
Should you buy this lens? Yes.Should you buy the 50mm f/1.8 or the f/1.4 USM version? If you have to ask, you should buy the f/1.8! Save your money and try this lens first.For the price, this lens is nothing short of incredible. I love it. I am regularly shocked and surprised by the images I capture with this lens.I take a lot of pictures of my kids, my wife and my dog. Most of the time they are indoors, and stepping this lens down to the lower f-stops allows me to capture them in natural indoor light without a flash. I usually put my camera in aperture priority mode in the 1.8-3 range / ISO 400 or set it in "no flash" mode and let the camera figure it out. It won't capture quick movement very well but when they hold still for a second and I take a few continuous shots at least one is guaranteed to work out. Stunning clarity. There are far more prints of photos I've taken with this lens in my home and office, or shared online, than with my other lenses (18-55, 55-250).With a tripod and remote you can capture amazing super low-light images of still subjects, like a sleeping kid.
I will just say this: For the money, this is a perfect lens. It does what it's built to do and even more. I have 2 other lenses, but none come even close to this one. When I want to make photos that impress, I go with this one and it rarely fails to impress. I bought it once and broke it, because of the bad care (lens does feels fragile) and I ordered it again immediately, because I couldn't imagine taking photos without it.
Buy this lens.  Seriously.  If you don't already own a 50, there's absolutely no reason this lens shouldn't be in your bag.
I dun have money to buy a better lens so i should stick with this.... I like this with this price. Good quality lens. You should buy this if your budget limited.Highly recommended
If you have kids, and you want quality indoor pictures, you need a lens with a wide aperture.  I'm a novice photographer whose previous lens was a Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 lens.  The difference between the two lenses is night and day...literally.  I avoid flash photography as I don't have the equipment to make the pictures look natural, so I was always taking pictures with the flash off.  So many pictures turned out dark, blurry, or both.  I wondered how much difference a wider aperture would make.  I got the f/1.8 and was blown away.  I'm taking sharper pictures in good light, and can now get them in low indoor light conditions as well.  Your kids only grow up once, don't miss a shot, get a lens with a wide aperture.  ,and for the money, this one probably can't be beat.  I wish I had it years ago.(,and if you're wondering if I miss the zoom function?...I don't.  It doesn't take many steps to frame the shot you want.  The quality pictures more than make up for it.)
The speed of this thing focusing is unreal. I only have two other lenses since I shoot as a hobby and little here and there and get paid for it. I tried talking the awesome significant other into letting me spend the 2500.00 for the 70 - 200mm is f/2.8 but that is a definitely no since I am a student and not even working full time. I bought this one instead since my taxes are more than 3 months of pay for me. The speed that this focuses is unreal very, very quick and the depth is so defined in this lens that it gives it a new meaning. Unless you can afford the 2500.00 after buying this one I wouldn't get it. It will spoil you and all that you will want is f/2.8 or f/1.8 if possible
This is an excellent lens - especially for the money.  The only problem I have with Canon lenses is they make the serial number almost impossible to find.  Very faint on the barrel and you have to use a magnifying glass in bright light to find/see it.
I needed a fixed 50mm and this thing does the job VERY WELL, it is true what they all say about it, its a champ and a GREAT price for it too!
Until I got the 50mm f1.4 as a gift, this was my favorite and most-used lens.  I found that shooting with a really fast lens like this takes some getting used to as it is very easy to not perfectly focus on exactly what you want as the DOF is so very shallow, but this is a great lens.  The fact that it is so cheap is telling though.  It takes great images, but this is not a lens you can be at all careless with. You have to be careful with all lenses, but in all the time I have been doing photography (20+ years) I've never had a lens as fragile as this one.  The first one I had fell off a low table onto a rug and it was destroyed.  The second one was pulled out of a camera bag by a pet and rolled a few feet across the floor and it was also dead.If you want a fast, sharp lens and don't want to or can't spend a lot of cash, buy this lens.  Just treat it as though it were a Ming vase.
If you have to have one lens for your Canon DSLR, buy this one. For about a $100 you get a super sharp, fast lens that you can shoot with in low light and get a soft background focus effect- perfect for portraits.This is a fixed lens (no zoom, just focus) and it is not stabilized (anti-shake) but you won't need it because it lets in so much light that you can shoot at faster shutter speeds.It has a plastic lens mount and a cheap look and feel (but the glass is first rate) but who cares when it works as well as $1000+ L series lenses.Buy it.
Feels kinda cheap due to the plastic body, but it's a cheap lens and works well enough for me now.
I abosolutely love my new 50mm. Aside from getting use to a fixed lens I have no set backs with it. The weight of the lens is very light but it does not feel "cheap" to me. The clarity of my shots are amazing. I can really see the difference between this lens and my kit lens. I use this lens mainly for portrait work and love it. I would recommend it, especially for this reasonable price...you won't be disappointed!
This is an amazing lens for the money.  It takes beautiful portraits and does great things with depth of field.  I use it in all of my photo shoots and weddings!
Nice bokeh and the sharpness in MF is unparalleled. Took a really great portrait of my mother with it. Tack sharp, surprisingly so, for such a cheap, plastic lens. I've had it for a couple years and have just really started shooting as I moved to a bigger city with more photo opportunities. Great little lens for my ancient Canon T1i..
After selling the old one a few years back (along with all my old gear), I knew I had to buy it again. This piece of plastic just came in, and from testing it I can tell it's definitely not as good as the older model! It was redesigned with much cheaper materials, but the product link is the same as the original 50mm 1.8; be warned: all those beautiful photos you see that customers posted--anything from probably 2010 and older--are from the OLD lens.Changes:-all-plastic construction--used to be heavier, most likely metal-slower/noisier autofocus-resulting images are not as crisp, despite same settingsIf you are broke and want a decent lens to toy around with, this will always be a great value, and I will always recommend it for beginners. My complaint, however, lies in the fact that this product was "updated" to something of inferior quality and make, without any transparency in the process.Had this been my first time with the lens, I would have given it a 4-star "great value" review. Since I once had the pleasure of using the older version of this lens, I notice a clear difference in quality. Moral of the story? Companies will do ANYTHING to make cheaper products without informing the public--hold on to all your old gear, because it'll all be replaced with plastic without your knowledge!
I never use this lens. Ever. It's faster than the 40mm, but its extra size, the loudness of the focusing element, etc makes it pretty useless for me. I use the 40mm pancake ALL THE TIME. I used this maybe... 5 shoots? Been in the drawer ever since.Anyone want to buy mine used?
I kind of dont like how cheaply it is made. but for the pice it is a great lens. you can get a great narrow depth of field.
I got this for my wife for Christmas, it takes great photos, we haven't got to use it to its full potential yet though.
Plastic yes but the DOF is AMAZING!! I LOVE this lens and I have only had it for 2 days. For around $100 also, wish I would had this lens a long time ago, great piece for the collection. Perfect for portraits.
One good picture with this lens is worth the price.  I ultimately ALSO sprung for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens (a great buy).  I'd still recommend the f/1.8 for the value (makes a great backup lens, or a great first lens).PROS- price- optical quality (fast, sharp, good color)- did I mention price?CONS- looks cheap- durability (or lack thereof)Considering the f/1.4 or f/1.2L? Expect smoother bokeh, even better colors and sharpness.  The cases are also metal and much more solidly constructed.Overall, highly recommended.
I love this lens. The nifty 50 is a great bang for the buck. You can't go wrong with this purchase since its a must have for any photographer. I use it with my Canon 50D and so far its produced some amazing results. I recommend this lens for anyone shooting Canon.
This lens is a must-have for anyone who wants to take decent DSLR pictures. Some people have complained about shoddy construction or materials, but like any other piece of expensive electronics, if you take care of it, it will last. The pictures I've taken with this lens are incredibly better than ones with my stock lens, or even my 75-200mm F4. Obviously the ability to zoom is lost, but for most situations, the lens is more than enough to take great pictures. The best quality is the ability to take pictures in very low-light conditions, without using flash, getting clear, visible shots of dimly lit subjects. Everyone who's used a camera knows the implications of using the built-in flash (too much lighting, subject being too close, shadows, etc.) but turning off the flash and using this lens for even that one spectacular shot will make you feel like you got your money's worth.Even though I'm still an amateur photographer myself, I can already tell that many people's complaints on equipment seem to be rooted in the fact that they don't understand the balance between aperature, ISO setting, shutter speed, and white balance.This lens stays on my camera all the time unless I absolutely need to take that zoom shot, as infrequent as that is. It severely cut down on the number of lenses I feel I need to carry around with me, and since it is so lightweight, it makes shooting even easier.I'd recommend this to any aspiring photographer. Although the F1.4 version of the same lens would likely provide even more extraordinary shots, the extra cost for .4 doesn't seem like a reasonable justification in my opinion, unless one has the money to spend on the best of everything.
This lense takes great close up pictures, I use it alot to take pics of my grandbabies. I want to get the 50mm 1.4f , I think thepics are more sharper with that lense
Thank you for the quick easy transaction.  We would be happy to recommend you to others & purchase from you again in the future!
This lens maybe plastic and all, but it takes great pictures.  I hardly have to edit my photos now.  The color are vibrant, images are clear and sharp, and does a great bokeh.  Just what I was looking for!  Keep in mind, try not to change lens so much.  Overall, I love this lens and the price!
This lens is like a cheap and easy date 1st date... you walk away getting lucky when all you were expecting was decent conversation and a drink!  Seriously... this thing is great!  Super sharp and super cheap.  What more do you want?  I'm no pro... which is why I'm using this lens to begin with... but I gotta say, I'm loving the image quality and resolution I'm getting with this thing dangling from my Panasonic GH2.  This thing easily kills my 14-42 kit lens and sorta trounces my Lumix 14mm pancake as well.  Yeah, yeah... different bags of cake... but still... the most engaging shots I've taken have been with this lens.  And isn't that what a good photograph is supposed to do?Suffice it to say, I don't have a ton of quality photographic experience... but for capturing and archiving the musicians that come in and out of my recording studio this thing is priceless.  And though the studio is well lit (for a recording studio, that is...) the overall lighting would be considered "low light", so the fact that I can capture super clear and properly exposed shots without a speed light makes this plastic-y featherweight indispensable to me.  Using a lens adapter negates the autofocus feature and the thing is stuck 'wide open', so I'm manually focusing and playing with ISO to expose my shots properly.  No biggie.  If this thing breaks, I'm buying another.  Hell... if only my eyeglasses were this sharp.  Perhaps I'll rig up some temples and a bridge/nosepiece and strap these babies right to my face!  Now if they only came in chrome.... LOL!
I got this lens hoping to improve from my 18-55mm kit lens. Although i was a little on the fence with buying it because i liked the kit lens at the time. When i got it i didn't notice anything special till i took a few pictures with it! After like 5 i became in love with the quality, it is soooo much better than the kit lens' quality. If you are currently thinking about it, i would go for it! Although, if you do have a couple more hundred dollars to spend, i would defiantly make the step up to the 50mm 1.4 lens, the 1.8 is great so far. If i ever want an upgrade it will defiantly be to the 1.4!!
If you don't own a 50mm lens, you need one. On an APS-C camera it's a nice portrait length. On a full frame, it's a good all around lens. Wide open this lens has a very nice bokeh. It's much noisier than the $350 mm f1.4, but if you are on a budget, this lens will get the job done. Highly recommended.
Best low-light lens for the money!  I was leery of buying this lens because of its price. I mean come on, a SLR lens for $100?  After friends recommended it I purchased it and haven't regretted it for a moment. The autofocus is a litle slow but that's the only downfall. Works flawlessly and even though the exterior is plastic, it's a tank!Update!!  Almost 3 years later and it's my go to lens!!  Get this lens if you have a Canon DSLR!
I'm glad i bought this item. My friend recommended this lens and after some research, I made the right choice instead of getting several lens and filters for my canon. Just this one lens is enough...at least for the portrait photos.
Between the kit 18-55 and this, it is easily one of my most-used lenses for walking around.  Totally worth the price.
This inexpensive lens is great. I bought it for my Canon 6D for use when I don't want to haul the 24-105 L glass around. This lens is of good quality and the wide 1.8 is great. However, with the 50mm lens, it can be difficult to frame something bigger when space is tight.
I've used Canon for years, and so it was a bit of a surprise to me that so many people recommended this lens, the least expensive lens (I believe) in Canon's lineup.  but WOW, the things you can do with this lens!First of all it is fast.  1.8 gives you so many options in terms of low light capabilities, as well as a shallow depth of field. I have found it great for taking pictures of my children, macro photography, and lots of other uses.This is a small investment, but is a must-have lens for anyone who wants to hone their photography craft.
I'm a novice, weekend, every now and then photographer. Well, this thing makes me look like I know what I'm doing! Believe me, I don't! But what I do know is I've gotten more compliments on my portraits with this lens than I would have ever imagined or expected. If you're thinking about this lens, do yourself a favor and buy it, now!
Images with this lens are RAZOR sharp, cant ask for more out of a lens. Would like it to have a metal mount, but for the money you cant complain... would have paid twice this if need be. Actually... I bought two. One for my father because he was so impressed with the lens: and he was a pro for 20 years shooting with only AT-X glass.
I did a lot of research for this lens.  The f 1.8 is more than I expected.  I take a lot of sports pictures in the evening and under the lights.  My 75-300 f 3.5 - 5.6 can only take blurred pictures.  Being somewhat new to photograpy I thought I was doing something wrong.  This lens makes it look like daylight.  It is everything I wanted.  I am now looking at a low f stop zoom but for the money this lens is great.  Sometimes the autofocus seems slow but what do you expect for 120 bucks.  Well done Canon.
As an inexperienced photographer, I can't give the greatest review but I can say that I really enjoy using this lens. It has such a sharp focus, and can be used easily to get that blurred background look. Plus the lens is so light and small, it makes the camera easier to handle. I especially recommend using this for up-close interviews.
I purchased this lens for to take pictures of indoor sporting events: swim meets and wrestling tournaments.  We had trouble using the other two lenses we had (18-55mm and 75-300mm USM) as they were too slow to get crisp photos in these low light situations.The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens has a plastic, "cheaper feeling" build.  Don't let this fool you though.  The lens has performed remarkably well.  Very Nice pictures in these indoor events and it makes a nice portrait lens as well.The bottom line is that although the lens is super-light, and not of the highest quality build (what do you expect for &lt;$100?) I recommend this lens to anyone who would like a fast lens for a great price.With a price of under $100 and a very fast F/1.8 light factor.... This lens is a must have for anyone who wants to add a quality lens to their arsenal without breaking the bank.
Very convenient to use. Light weight, Good optics, Nice price. Plastic bayonet mount, which is too bad but I haven't had any problems.
So I read all the reviews here on Amazon regarding this lens.  I wouldn't spend the additional money to get the $300+ lens when this does fine for me at $100. I had never had a fixed focal length lens before so ordered and then when receiving decided to return it because I DO like the option of zooming in or out.  So my 18-55 does the trick and saved myself $100!
I've enjoyed photography since the 70s. This Canon f1.8 50mm lens is very sharp and accurate and light weight. Zoom lens are fun and versatile but a fixed focal length lens will almost always be sharper and manage depth of field better. Aberrations are quite minimal on this lens. The 1.8 50mm is a great value and highly recommended. One last thought. Some reviews comment on build quality. Canon uses a composite lens mount instead of metal. This lens is physically short and very light weight. The use of a composite is smart engineering. The physics of such a short lens would dictate that there will be minimal stress placed on the mount compared to the leverage and stress that a longer (telephoto) lens would have.
I am on my third copy of this lens. The first was not sharp. Sent it back. The second was all everyone promises. Sadly, I threw that lens in with a camera sale because now, on my third copy, I am back to wishing I had the second one back. I will probably sell this one and try to get another good copy. Moral of the story, I think the build is inconsistent.
You simply can NOT beat this lens for it's value........I thought the worst about image quality, just wanted a lens that opened up larger than my 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 stock lens.I was VERY surprised with the great image quality from very little indoor light.I thought it was a lens just for indoors or areas with very low light (shadows at dawn), but was surprised when I took it for a spin outdoorsand again great image quality and color.gets a 5 in my book.
This lense is really good for the money spent. It produces great images for being a very inexpensive lense. I still am a little nervous about the make of it, especially since it's made out of plastic. I just handle it with a little extra care than my other lenses. Hopefully I can get alot of wear out of it. Either way, I already got my moneys worth.
Received this lens super fast, and it is very easy to use. My pictures look amazing. I think this is a very good deal.
This 50mm is probably the best bang for the buck lens in the Canon lineup.  The quality difference between this prime lens and the other non-L lenses is very noticeable.
Great lens for the bucks.  I later replaced with a better lens (Canon 85mm USM).
I got this because I wanted something for candid indoor shots without a flash I never intended using it for anything else, but this lens to so sharp I have been using it for some studio work. This lens blows my 24-105mm L IS USM out of the water on sharpness.I like using it with a macro extension tube because it is so light weight you can get in really close and its easy to maneuver.The only downside is it looks really cheap, I feel kinda silly sticking it on front of my 5d and the focus ring creeps pretty bad if you are shooting straight down at your subject.
As far as your first lens, this is the best choice.  With an aperture of 1.8 you'll be able to take low light shots with a lot of success.  This lens is very sharp, so if your shots look blurry it's probably you, not the lens.  The focal length may seem a little narrow.  However, you'll quickly learn what your next lens should be.  Do you want to be closer to the action?  Get a longer lens.  Do you find yourself backing up?  Get a wide angle.While this lens will not be the last one you buy, it should be your first.  In my opinion, it's the best training lens.
This lens shoots great photos for the price, just don't drop it.The body is plastic so the first time I dropped it it just fell apart. I was able to sort of put it back together but it makes clicking noises when focusing.Still, it's cheap enough everyone should have one unless you can afford one of the better 50mm lenses.
its ok, not what I had hoped for, The Lens works well, but you are very limited on shots. It's at best Ok
I bought a used XTi body, and wanted to pick a decent quality lens.  Sure, I wanted to buy the 1.4, but this lens was so much cheaper, and has received great reviews.After about a week, I am impressed with what I've seen.  What really attracted me to this lens, was the low f-stop.  I wanted to be able to take great low light pictures without a flash, and nothing comes close to this lens for this price, or for another couple hundred dollars.Know what you're getting though.  This is a fixed lens, so no zooming.  Also, it is not wide enough for a lot of indoor shoots, at least on a cropped sensor (equivalent to about an 80mm).It takes incredible profile pics, great sunrise/sunset shots outside, and have found the lens great for indoor sports, as long as you're not looking to get a tight shot.Will have to come back after several months of use to update durability and other thoughts.
I was looking for a better lens for taking pictures of my grand child. This lens didn't disappoint me at all it is a fixed focal lens but it produces a crisp clean photo. I will be stepping up in lenses in the future but for the price this item preformed above and beyond my what I expected I am very pleased with it.
As a parent that bought a DSLR for the sole purpose of taking good quality pics of my toddler and my newborn,  I highly recommend this lens.  The kit lens on the Canon Xti is good but its not very good indoors and in low light situation.  Unfortunately,  most of my pics are indoors because of personal preference and situations.  I debated about getting the 580 EZ Speedlite flash but my budget is tight so I decided to wait. That is until I stumble upon the customer photo gallery for this lens. Amazing! Those pics are taken with an Xti and this lens and no flash!! I can do that setup!!!  I excitedly ordered the lens and it came in 3 days with free shipping.PRO:1)No Flash needed indoors/low light so your kids don't get annoyed while being photograph.2)Cheap3)Capable of taking way better pics than the kit lens4)Bokeh!CONS (I can only think of one based on my intended use of the lens):1)  Might break easily according to the other costumer reviews.In conclusion, If your situation is the same as mine I highly recommend this lens.  If you want a cheap portrait lens that takes very good pics and only expect this lens to perform as a portrait lens then you won't be disappointed.
1000+ reviews for this lens tells you something.  I'm just upset I didn't pick this up years earlier.  Recently upgraded to a 7D and wanted to pair it with a great low light lens.  The F1.8 for this price is amazing.  With the 7D's high ISO and this lens' F1.8 fixed, I'm getting great shots I never would've before (without a flash).  If you're new to photography, a good walk-around lens and this one would make a great combination.  Your portrait shots will look beautiful and you can get good shots without knowing too many settings or shaky hands.
This lens performs amazingly and it's dirt cheap. It's given me nothing but great shots. Perfect for portrait shots and close-ups on video (you get a real cinema feel with this aperture). The autofocusing is a bit slow and loud, BUT HEY LOOK HOW CHEAP IT IS.
Lets you take Tack Sharp images at f/2.8 and smaller. For ~$125 you will get the sharpest possible photos from your Canon dSLR. Colors are very faithful. Contrast especially in the details like foliage or skin texture is superb. There is virtually no distortion and no lateral chromatic aberration (fringing).Auto focusing is fast & accurate but noisy. Manual focus is crude at best, I almost never use it.Beautiful background blur at f/1.8. I don't care much about "bokeh" quality, you can hardly ever see this at smaller photo sizes. For those that care - you can see a hexagonal bokeh pattern in the background in your viewfinder. The sharpness is very sensitive to larger apertures, I'd rate it as follows,1.8 - Very Soft - creates halos on your subject, nice for portraits and some B&W; shots - awful for landscapes.2.5 - Somewhat soft / Acceptably sharp.2.8 - Very sharp4.0 - 8.0 Sharpest - sharper than anything i've ever used as a photo enthusiast.11 - Very sharp16 - softerFeels like a plastic toy - I would never lift the camera by this lens. However, I treat this lens with the utmost respect as it produces the best photos.Canon - please make us a version with IS.
I was recently asked to photograph a wedding of a friend and I don't own any 'short' lenses.  I didn't feel like shlepping my 300L around on a monopod the entire time so it was time to go wider.  Each purchase I have ever made towards my photography gear collection has been an investment, something I expect to have a monetary return on.  Seeing as I'm not going use the lens often I opted for a cheap, but still reliable lens.  I've never really paid attention to the shorter focal length lens market because I have no use for them normally (I do fashion photography).  This lens, however, caught my eye and didn't let go.The only cons I could find about the lens were the construction, a 'plasticy feel' (is that a real word?) is the most common complaint.  For functionality the autofocus was the largest downside.  Both of these are true, however, as my grandfather always said- you get what you pay for.  Chances are if you are even looking at this lens you are either in the same boat as me, or one very similar (budget, budget, budget!).Taking those things into consideration I have become a big fan of this lens.  What is my reasoning you ask?  Let me break it down for you:1) If you purchase a lens for under $150 you cannot put your expectations too high- it's like taking someone on a first date to a fast food restaurant and expecting to get married the next day.  Does not happen, but if it does it's time to rethink your choice.  But I digress.2) The autofocus is mediocre.  Again, see the price tag for the best possible explanation.  What solution do I provide?  Shoot in manual!  A shocking revelation, I know.All in all I am very pleased with my purchase- it's a bargain for the glass and it will be a handy lens to keep in my bag just in case.
For the price of this lens you can't go wrong. Picture quality is great. Its made of plastic but shouldn't but too much of a big deal for most people I'm sure. This is apurchase I won't regret.
Update 6/19/11: After much research for a replacement - even willing to pay almost $300 more for the 50mm 1.4, I am opting to get another 1.8. A few of the not-so-positive reviews for the 1.4 seem to suggest that it may have own its issue. My decision is mainly influenced by consistent mention of the optical quality of the 1.8 being very close to the much more expensive 1.4 or 1.2s. So, since I am more of a casual photography, I will get another one of these and try to handle it like an egg. Also, +1 star, since the value is just too hard to ignore.I purchased this lens in Dec. 2010 and used it for some Christmas holiday shots - the picture quality was consistently awesome. I have used it once since then and it has been parked in my camera bag. I was completely shocked recently to notice the inner lens core loose from its outer shell and some part rattling as I shook it - as if the lens was disengaged or detached from its motor assembly. The lens has never been dropped. The only possible means of damage could have been that the lens had made contact with a lower lens in my 2-compartment camera bag. If so, the contact would have been very light since my bag has barely moved in months. Short of this scenario, the lens simply broke on its own - which I just cannot believe. Nonetheless, the lens construction and its plastic components (maybe interior parts as well) seem fragile and cheap. Too bad for such awesome glass. I have been contemplating a replacement for the past week and just can't convince myself that a same-lens replacement is wise. I may be opting for a better-built replacement instead - unfortunately, much more expensive.My advise: If you seek a lens with excellent optics and are willing to accept its pronounced fragility, then go for it - highly recommended. On the other hand, if you opt for minimally-reasonable durability, pass and look past its cheap price.
This is amazing value for money. It's rare to need wider than 1.8, so this is perfect.It's compact, and robust canon quality. If I bought again i'd like an image stabilizer version though, just because it is a quantum improvement in useability.
This is the least expensive Canon EF lens and great value for the money if you want to take family portraits and for use as a short telephoto.  You will get much crisper shots than with the zoom lens that came with your Canon kit package.  The L-Series lenses are far beyond my budget.Okay, it is plastic and rather cheap looking but I am very pleased with the performance.It is light, the optics are very good and it is fully functional with my XSi.  A word of caution for 35mm Luddites:  this 50mm is not a "standard" lens in the new, digital age.  It is about the equivalent to a 80mm in the dark age, 35mm format.  It is a "prime", not a zoom, and with the 80mm focal length, not a particularly convenient (but not impossible) "walking-around" lens.
For the price this lens is worth every penny. Works great in low light, it's very light, and picture quality is pretty good. Obviously it's not the sharpest or fastest lens out there, but for 100 bones you can't go wrong.
This lens is a lot of fun to use for not a lot of money.  It's small and light so it ends up spending a lot of time on my camera and I like to take it with me even if it isn't always the most ideal focal length for the situations I'm in.
This lens is the cheapest EF lens that Canon makes, but it certainly does not disappoint.I purchased this lens alongside my Canon EOS 5D (original), and I have yet to take the lens off of the mount. It's an incredible little lens.This lens performs excellently in terms of sharpness, even wide open at f/1.8. Stop down to f/2.8 and the sharpness increases greatly, while still giving a nice blurry background and foreground to your subject. Stop down a bit further to f/4 or smaller, and the sharpness becomes super-sharp!Color in images captured with this lens is good. At times, colors can appear rather undersaturated, mostly in diffuse lighting situations (Cloudy days etc.). Shoot in bright, sunny weather conditions and this lens captures nicely saturated colors; but you will likely still need to edit colors in post processing, depending on what you're shooting.Bokeh with this lens is quite harsh when stopped down, and the bokeh balls are more like bokeh pentagons, thanks to the lens' 5-bladed aperture. Not all that big of a deal for me, but at times, I do wish the bokeh was smoother like the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens (7 rounded aperture blades) or the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 (8 aperture blades).Build quality wise.... It's plastic. Very cheap plastic. And a few glass elements. Like everyone else says, it feels like a cheap toy. You could casually drop this lens from about 4-5 feet or knock it on the corner of a table while it's mounted on your camera while it's hanging around your neck and it would probably bust a crack on it! It feels cheaper than a standard 18-55mm kit lens you get with a crop-sensor DSLR. But unlike a kit lens (which is practically worthless), you could get about $40-$50 or so off of this lens if you sold it.All in all, I think this lens is great. If you're on a budget and need a fast aperture lens, then this is THE lens to get!It does have a few negatives, such as harsh bokeh, occationally undersaturated colors, etc., but if you can get past all of that, then this lens will do wonders for you!
The glass in this lens is professional and produces sharp photos. Focusing is quick and accurate. The lens cap is the &#34;center pinch&#34; type, (like Nikon) and an improvement over previous Canon caps. The body of the lens is all plastic and keeps the weight and cost down. It feels high quality, despite it's all plastic body. The low weight is awesome. Every Canon owner should have this lens.
I bought this about 2 weeks after I got my Canon T1i, and I haven't taken it off since. I used to be all about the zoom, but no more. I love the wide open aperture for that shallow depth of field. This lens has forced me to learn about photography and it's awesome. Can't beat it for the money.Update November 2013: I upgraded to a canon 6d at just the moment my beloved nifty fifty died. The motor is no longer responsive and it's just not reliable on my new gear. *sad face* I am really torn about replacing it. With the current price point of 100 bucks, I could replace it 2 times before I had the same investment as the 50 1.4. And I have the hundred now.....  I stand by my original statement of adoring this little lens. I mostly use a 24-70 1.8 now and it's nice but the bokeh of the 50 is unbeatable, at least in the less than $1000 dollar range.
Canon 50mm 1.8, I've had this lens for over a year now paired to my T1i and it's a deal at roughly at 110$ I've taken the most gorgeous pictures with this lens, Now You get Great optics, the package the case of the lens is a cheap plastic but I can't knock a star for that I knew when I bought it. I plan on upgrading to the 1.4 50mm at somepoint.A+
If you are looking for an upgrade to your Canon DSLR this is it.  Get this.  Get it now!The huge aperture allows you to get those shallow depth-of-field images everyone loves (where just one thing is in focus and everything else is blurry).  It also lets you use higher shutter speeds in low light conditions to get rid of those blurry family photos.  I use it all the time for capturing photos of my kids as they run by.  This is the lens on my camera 90% of the time, and at under $100 it's a steal.
Look at how cheap this lens is... its got Canon on it, it is manufactured in Japan, and its almost a macro lens!  In fact, if i had known how good this lens was and how well it takes macro photos compared to my 100mm f/2.8, i would've bought this instead.  Also a great portrait lens, and its by far my sharpest lens.  sharper images than most lenses that cost exponentially more.
I love my 50mm lens, but it's only a f/1.8 and I'm hoping to get a 1.4 and work up to a 1.2 soon. I absolutely love this lens, but when I rented a 1.4 and a 1.2. they were just as amazing! If it's your first time getting this lens, you won't be sorry.
I'm still new to the whole photography thing, so this review is for those amateurs like me that want awesome pictures, but are not looking to become a professional....Having said that, this lens is awesome! for about a $100 I am able to get some really cool pictures with a shallow deept-of-field that I was not able to get with other more expensive lenses.I uploaded some of the pictures taken with the lens, mine are the ones with the white maltese. His name is "Euro"So I got some really nice shots of Euro using the biggest aperture (1.8)Pros:-Dirt cheap lens, the least expensive in my bag, and the smallest one, so footprint is minimal-Decent sharpness for a lens of this price, I use a Canon 60D, and this lens has nothing to envy some of the other lenses I have when it comes to image quality. And yes, I do have a couple of "L" lenses-The huge aperture is the best thing about this lens, it lets you take some cool portraits that blur the background like a pro-Light and very portable. This lens can fit in my back pocket (probably not a good idea) but it is so small and light that it really is no problem to just toss it in your bag along with your other stuff.Cons:-Construction of the lens is not sturdy, all plastic, feels like a toy, not a real Canon EF lens.-Auto-focus is loud as hell, since this is NOT a USM lens, when using the auto-focus, the lens makes a loud noise as it focuses into the subject. The focus motor of the lens is just loud, and the plastic structure does not help.-(Obviously) the 50mm only is tough to work with, having to step back or forth to get to the right crop/frame you want.All in all, it is a great lens for the value, $100 bucks and you have a lens you can use in just about any portrait situation, the pictures it produces are really nice and well worth the cash. I consider it a must for my humble camera bag, and yes, there are lens like it that can do it better, but at this price? Which is why I give it an undisputed 5 stars!!
this lens is just what i needed. i am in love with it. the photos are gorgeous. the videos taken with it are so clear it's like i could reach in & touch the subject! for the price too, it just can't be beat.
It's always usefull to have a REAL 50mm lens. The price is good very good.
I bought this lens due to the number of positive reviews.  As expected, the bang for the buck is hard to beat.  This is one of those times where you simply can not go wrong.  Even if you think the focus mechanism is noisy, so what?  If you don't want the noise, flip a switch and do it manually.  Even my granddaughter, who has very little photographic experience, recognized the value of this lens.  When I gave her my backup camera, a Canon Rebel XTi, I gave her a choice of lenses:  The 50mm plastic lens, or the standard Canon kit lens, the 18-55mm IS.  She didn't hesitate, just picked up the 50mm and put it on her "new" camera.  She had only used each of the lenses for a very short time, but immediately reckognized the difference in the quality of the resulting photos, as well as the excellent low light performance.  I know that wasn't a very good choice of lenses, but the 2 lenses I kept are not even as good as those two.  She has access to all my equipment anyway, but now she doesn't have to ask when she wants something a bit more functional than her phone camera.Obviously, I'm not a pro, but I've been a hobbyist for decades and have decided to finally 'invest' in a couple of better quality lenses.  I needed to reduce my inventory a little bit to make room for new equipment.  Since Grandbaby seems to have a better 'eye' for subject matter and composition than I, and I enjoy reading about and categorizing equipment, we are going to share our hobby while we record some very high quality time together.
This is a great lens. It has it's limitations but despite those it is great. I will keep it simple, not too many words for you all!Pros:1)HIGH Aperture-great for low light and portrait photography2)Compact- Great for making your DSLR more convenient3)Quality- Though plastic(even the connecting rails) it is well made, I have had no issues with it4)Fun- I have gotten some awesome shots with this lensCons:1)Slow auto-focus2)Can be hard to Manually focusOver all a great lens I love it, and would suggest it to a friend no problem.
The only thing here is to enfoque is not very easy to do it. But if you want to work on specific pic, with time. You can do whatever you want. I really Like the color of this lens
Good quality lens, great basic for beginnings. Definitely overdue to upgrade to something fancier but this was a great introductory lens as I learned how to use the camera. Takes pretty pictures when the subject is a few feet max from the lens and the depth of focus is shallow, I found I liked these pictures best for this lens.
When I first bought my Canon XSi it was mainly because I wanted to take quality photos of my newborn but when I started shooting I realized how exciting and wonderful photography can be.  I wanted to get more experience and I wanted more than just my kit lens but I didn't want to invest in the high end lenses just yet.  When I came across the Canon EF 50mm on Amazon, saw all the great reviews, the great price, and the wondeful photos posted I knew I had to order it.  Times have been tough in this economy, but not too tough to get this inexpensive and incredible lens (hopefully).  So far the quality of the photos are incredible!  This lens is so worth the money and it only makes you crave photography and all without breaking the bank.
This item despite the shaky build quality does exactly what it's intent it. I am still amazed by the clarity on this little lens.
I have watched and waited to get the nifty 50 and after finally getting one could not be happier!  LOVE IT!
I bought this lens in September 2010, and it hasnt left my Canon XS since. This lens is probably one of the best lens for price to quality ratio.It is small, the fixed length at 50MM is not too close, but not too narrow, the F/1.8 is amazing, autofocus works fairly quickly. My only problem is I sometimes feel like it I am going to break it while focusing. The focus ring is made of cheapish plastic and doesnt always feel secure on the lens, and has an extremely slight wobble. The lens also makes a slight noise, like if you hit 2 pieces of plastic together lightly. I dont know if it is meant to do that, or if it my focus motor trying to turn the lens more then it should. Though for the price, it doesnt bother me much.I have heard a lot of people say that they are getting this while they save up for the 50mm F/1.4, but frankly, I wont even bother with that lens until I have too much money and this F/1.8 breaks.Pros- Cheap-good glass/picture quality-small-easy to use-quick and sharp autofocusCons-construction kind of questionable sometimes-made of plasticlast note- This lens is a 52mm opening lens, and all of my filters and lens caps I have will not work, since they are all for 58mm lenses. This might mean you have to buy new filters, unless you already own some 52mm lens filters.
Received the lens last week to use for engagement shots over the weekend...it blurred the background just like I like on close-ups & of the ring. Love it!!
For indoor portrait type photos, this thing is awesome, especially for the price.  Great specs on it.  Looks great, too.
Well it is a really good prime lens for the price. You can take amazing shots with this lens even at low light.
It is great for taking portraits of my kids, it barely needs any light.  Not as sturdy as the f/1.4 by canon, but great for the price.
This lens is cheap in all aspects of the word.  It's fun to shoot with, yes, and it's fast and light and a handy FOV.  But the bokeh is not particularly pretty, the auto-focus is not particularly fast, and the build quality is a joke.  This lens fell out of my camera back and hit the ground from a height of about 3 inches and promptly split into two pieces.  I took it to a lens repair shop and they said it would be more expensive to fix than replace.  In retrospect I wish I would have applied the money on spent on this lens to the EF 50mm 1.4, which has a much better build quality.  Have fun with yours while you can.  You've been warned!
I've got this lens just to have with me in case I need to shoot available light. Other pro reviewers named it "a good lens". I've found it to take very sharp pictures and to represent color accurately.Focusing is another story. It is slow to focus (for me) and sometimes it can not focus all together. It is also noisy when it focuses. Manual focus is possible, but the focusing ring is very narrow at the front of the lens, so it's not the most comfortable thing to do.Definitely a very good buy, especially as a learning lens.I use it with Canon 5d.
My boyfriend is into photography and this was a gift for him. He loved it! This lens does exactly what he wanted it to do. The lens takes great pictures. I am glad I purchased this for him.
After reading so many rave reviews about this lens, I figured I had to pick it up (it was $79 at the time from Amazon). I am new to the digital SLR world, but it doesn't take an expert to see the results. I have this mounted on my new Canon XTi and the pictures I get from this lens are what I bought an SLR for. Amazing sharpness, beautiful colors, nice bokeh (background bluriness), and a very useful focal length (the 50mm acts like an 80mm on the XTi, making it great for portraits). With the f1.8 max aperture, the flash never goes off outdoors, and I have yet to need to use the flash indoors despite never shooting beyond 400 iso. No, it isn't built like an "L" lens, but it is also priced about 75% off the "L" series it compares to. And the plastic construction isn't nearly as cheap as many reviewers make it out to be, while it has the bonus of adding almost no weight to your camera. At a couple hundred bucks, this would be a steal... at the going rate of under $100, it is a no-brainer.
f1.8 gets great blurring or bokeh in the background. Its fast. Great pic quality. Only _ is lack of IS. But the speed of the lens kinda compensates for this. All in all, worth every dollar you spend. Highly recommend.
I'm not a great photographer, but even with my limited knowledge of photography, I am able to get great portraits with this lens!
I have had fantastic results with this little lens The pictures are crisp and match or better the quality of more expensive lenses.It is a delicate lens though and you have to be a little careful when handling it. Ive heard stories where people have broken the lens very easily hense the 4 stars instead of 5. But at this price you could just buy another one!
I am new to Digital Photography and wanted another lens other than the 18-55 kit lens. But, I also did not want to spend a lot of $$. So, I opted for the Canon 50mm 1.8 and glad I did. This lens is very very fun to use. It takes great portraits with very sharp detail!The only draw back is the small depth of field it has due to the low aperature. However, what is caught is very sharp. With a little practice you will learn to use this small, sharp DOF to your advantage. I have shot 1000s of pics with this lens already and love them. Great for children photography.It does hunt under low light conditions and the build quality is not that great. But for a good, inexpensive lens that will be a lot of fun, you cannot go wrong with this.Hope you enjoy!
This is the best lens I have in my bag.I can get super sharp photos. I mainly bought this for portraits, but have used it for landscape a few times and am impressed with the quality of the image.Since this is not a zoom lens, taking landscape photos with this lens gets really interesting and I like it!
Superb sharpness, good color depthWonderful low light performanceWeightlessGorgeous BokehAll for the lowest possible price and fast & reliable shippingExcellent product !!
Just 1 word.. Awesome.. excellent and beautiful color quality. I am not a professional. But whatever pictures where clicked turned out to be superb and appreciated by everybody too.. Thumbs up.. Highly recommended
This lens is very useful due to its 1.8 aperture, capturing lots of light.  I do find myself standing further away to capture the scene than I would with my 18-55mm.  Great value!
I found this lens with it's f 2 opening to be of great use in low light digital photography.
Great lens at a great price! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Image quality is better than I expected! It's great to finally have a lens that "sees" what I see ... and then produces that image!
If you want a very good depth of filed and no vignetting, then this is a best lens to have. for this price it is the best prime lens.
I like this lense. It takes very nice shots of people at about a 5 foot range. I recommend this lense.
I had to return this, It's not a bad lens at all, at this price, it's a bargain, but I needed something sharper. (with 3 times the price)
cheap price and great depth of field. but be careful with it. it's made from plastic and not strong. also does NOT work with follow focus. there is no ring for it.
Sounds too good to be true, but they don't call them prime (as opposed to zoom) lenses for nothing. I got this as my third lens and it really offers a lot that my other two cheap lenses do not. Right now I have this lens, the 18-55mm stock lens, and a 55-250mm lens with similar traits as the stock lens. The 50mm is cheaper than either lens and outperforms both. The images are extremely sharp and the ability to take low light shots is incredible. But really, what it came down to for me, this lens allowed to experiment and learn about aperture and focus. The aperture on this lens allows for really good depth of field. When I first got it I almost always shot at f/1.8 and soon realized this is not always a good idea. With the low aperture f-stop you can also get tons of light without long shutters. If the situation allows me to move rather than zoom, then this is my go to lens. This is not always the case though, you can't just run closer to a bear, say hi, and continue with your photography (same story for the aurora and many other situations). That being said, this is a great lens (my current favorite), but I would probably get at least 2 zoom lens (one in the wide or normal range and one in telephoto) before buying this or any prime lens.
If you are looking for a portrait lens, with reasonable price. This is the one for you.Gives decent quality pictures, for a beginner it makes the perfect choice for portraits
Sharp as a tack. Build is all plastic, thus 4 stars instead of 5. The plastic body does not affect the quality of the pictures. You can hardly miss with this price to quality ratio.
Sharp pictures.  Guess I received a good copy.  Feels very cheap as others have said.  All plastic.  On a 30D, it is longer than 50mm.  Good for portraits I suppose.
First of all, my star rating explained: 5 stars initial rating, 1 star today rating, equals 3 stars for this current review. Yes for $100 you get some great image quality. I bought this lens 5 years ago for photography classes, and for the most part I've been pleased...as a cheap f/1.8 it was the go-to lens for low light situations. That said, it is pretty terrible at autofocusing in low light. But again, it's only $100 right?The lens feels very cheap and light, but I didn't mind the build quality much, and assumed anyone who was breaking the lens was too hard on this non-pro equipment. Well, I opened my camera bag this morning to find the front element of the lens detached from the body. The rear element fell off as well. This lens was sitting in my bag, on a shelf, and I didn't notice anything wrong when I placed the lens in my bag after my last time using it.Maybe I wasn't quite gentle enough when I placed the bag on the shelf? Or maybe the lens reached its expiration date and self-destructed? Not sure, but I've been planning to upgrade to the f/1.4 anyway, so Amazon watch for my order soon.Looking back 5 years, if I were to purchase an initial 50mm again, I would skip the junk and go for the f/1.4, and I suggest the same for anyone considering these lenses. If you buy the f/1.8, you will end up paying more eventually...either for repairs and/or replacement, or for the inevitable upgrade to the f/1.4.
Good quality pictures in low light.Problems:Auto focusing - it has a weaker motor so focusing is slowe. Constantly looking for adjusting points.Good:Price is good. Good quality picture at
Considering the low price of this lens, I didn't expect too much.  I seem to have trouble getting the lens to autofocus with my Digital Rebel XT, particulary in low-light and/or low-contrast shots.
People have complained about the build quality, and indeed, its sub-par. Mine got a tiny bit of sand in the focusing mechanism one day and literally fell apart...But you know what? The thing is so inexpensive that I just can't bring myself to care. No other lens is this sharp at anywhere near this price. I only wish they made a ~30mm at this price and quality, because 50mm is a bit long for general use on a 1.6x camera. Oh well.
I purchased this lens from Amazon for $80 and got the special offer: free Tiffen 52mm UV filter. The lens performs like a pro lens. The body is more fragile than the metal-body version, but that one is $250 more. If you are careful with it and/or keep it on the camera everything will be fine. If you drop it or twist it on and off in a hurry, I'm sure it will eventually get damaged. It is wonderful in low light...gyms, churches, auditoriums, etc. Is only $80 with a free UV filter, yet it will be one of the best and most used lenses in your bag.
I don't really understand the different types of Bokeh or much about photography compared to the obvious savants in whose company I write this review.  All I know is that this lens is a cheap progression into the world of photography and allowed me to take pictures in lower light than before.  It doesn't have a zoom functionality.You will probably want to read up on lenses before purchasing this one and doing so on blogs and professional photography reviewer websites was what lead to me to believe this lens would allow me to put a few more toes in the pool of photography.Happy shooting (I mean with a camera you crazy person).
Nice, cheap, fast normal lens that takes good pics despite the plastic parts.  That said, dont buy it new, buy it used from a trusted photography forum--where you may find other options as well.  All you're paying for is an unscratched exterior which will not stay that way on this plasticy model for long--so buy it for 50 bucks and just make sure the glass is clean.Cons:  can't manually focus well, short focus distance isn't as good as other 50s, looks like a POS.Used on a 40d/5d/7d until i got the 50 1.4 which is better but costs 200 more.
For a "standard' lens at this price you can't beat it. It' a fast lens. Treat it right and it will last a long time. I have been an avid amateur photographer since 1966. Every camera that I have owned had a 50mm lens to accompany it and I saw no reason to change this pattern when I moved up to my Canon DSLR. Buy one and you will be happy that you did.
Pros:I was a little hesitant to get this because of its price (too low), but any concerns were quickly put to rest.  it takes nice, sharp photos and is perfect for portrait and general purpose photography.  I find myself using this lens much more often than the kit lens that came with my Rebel XTi.  The shallow depth of field makes for very interesting photos!Cons:Noisy focus elements. I bought this lens to take pictures of our new arrival, and have found that sometimes he is awoken by the noise of the focusing.  Plastic casing, not metal.
I love this lens. My photography instructor told me this is her favorite lens and I see why. It is easy to use and takes great pictures.
This is a great lens for the price!Use with my Canon 40D.Great indoor pictures, with or without flash.Son used lens on his Canon 60D to shoot video with fantastic results!
I just jumped ship and moved over from Nikon and picked up this lens to go with my 60D.  It is fast and sharp.  The only downfall is the noisy focus motor.  It's not a turn off but its what you get for $100.  Overall a great buy and a must for any DSLR owner.
I shoot a lot of high-school sporting events.  I needed a lower-light (lower F-stop number) lens for some situations.  Since this was going to go on a back-up camera, I also wanted a smaller lens. This one hits the mark.  I have used it quite a bit and enjoy it.  It is small, easy to use, clear (as you would expect from Canon) and works VERY well on my Canon T3i that I use for sports.  If you would like to see samples from the lens, contact me.
It doesn't auto-focus fast enough for sports, but that's my only complaint. I used this for small-town journalism and quite a few portraits before I replaced it with a Sigma 50mm f/2.8 macro lens. I passed the Canon 50mm f/1.8 on to my niece two years ago, who is still using it to this day -- it's her only lens.
The Auto-Focus feature on my EFS 18mm-55mm kit lens no longer operates. I've had 35mm SLR cameras since 1964, and I thought It would be no problem to just manual focus everything like the old days, but I guess I'm spoiled.I went out to purchase a new 18mm-55mm and really didn't like the high price.  I purchased this lens as a substitute until I save for the new 18mm-55mm.WOW!  What a pleasant surprise!  The f/1.8 aperture lets in a lot more light and make much better images.  Also the static 50mm prime lens forces me to obey the number one rule of Photography (GET CLOSE to your subject) which I seemed to have forgotten with the zoom lens.I really love this lens and even after I purchase a new 18mm-55mm (IF I purchase) this will be my &#34;prime&#34; lens.One reviewer about this lens said that it can save you the cost of purchasing an external flash unit because of the faster (f/1.8) lens and more light.  I experimented with this at a party in a dimly-lit Reception Hall, and discoveredI still need my external flash.
$100 for 50mm 1.8 is hard to beat.The auto-focus is loud and not very smooth. That being said if you want to smooth that out shell out an extra few hundred dollars and grab the 1.4. Gives great bokeh and allows you to shoot in some situations where the standard kit lenses just can't get the shot.
I have had the lens 2 days. Used it 2 nights to photo flying squirrels, at 12',  with a Canon 60d. With some back light, photos were good with the sports setting. Way too slow on auto with flash.
I don't know a whole lot about the lens but it does take good pictures. Good for portraits, like it.
An f/1.8 canon lens for less than $100.  First off it's not an "L" series lens.  Once you've gotten past that you really can't complain too much about this lens.  It is sharp and fast.  Give it the opportunity and it will get you good/great images.  I've had mine for close to two years and I'm still very happy with it and use it frequently.
What an absolute surprise! This inexpensive lens has performed extremely well and has never failed to focus fast and accurately. Excellent picture quality!
I leave this lens on my T5i all the time...The shallow DOF is great and the sharpness is also great.  It is a little slow to focus and it is a little noisy but great for the money....I would recommend this for other photographers. I'm trying to practice my craft on a budget and this meets the bill.
This lens is awesome, for the price you can not beat. It is plasticky but who cares as long as it performs and believe it performed. I used it on a Wedding and it blew me away! I would highly recommend this product. This is a lens that you must have.
This is a great, sharp lens. It is made of plastic and feels flimsy and its auto focus hunts a bit, but the images and colors are amazing. This was my first lens when I started on SLR photography nine years ago, and still use it today.A HUGE bonus for this lens that I discovered recently is how well it works as a macro lens using a cheap fifteen dollar Macro Extender Tube. I have uploaded several pictures taken with this lens and a macro extender tube. So if you are looking to take macro pictures, this lens can also serve that purpose.
So, most lenses are a pretty penny right?  This lens cost me $94.  I'm not pro photographer, so please forgive my uneducated review.  For lack of a better description, portraits are awesome.  Out of focus objects behind the main subject are soft and do not detract from the main subject.  In focus subjects are just perfect. ( to my eyes ).  Best lens for the money in my opinion.  My wife has had a EOS 10D since 2003, and I just bought her a 7D this past Christmas, I wish we had this lens 10 years ago.  It is that dramatic a difference from the stock 18-43mm lens.  The 50 is fixed so there is that limitation, but it makes up for it 10x in quality pictures.  Once again my opinion.
I put this lens on my Canon Rebel XS which has a frustratingly low ISO of 1600. Before this lens it was pretty much impossible to take low-light pictures without a flash. But now I can take indoor pictures, at night, lit with normal lights and they look fantastic. I think it's effectively bringing my ISO to 3200 or higher. I still need to hold the subjects and the camera pretty still for low-light, and because of the 50mm you have to stand back a bit, plus, you have to be a little wary of the short focal length (which mostly makes things look more awesome, but sometimes can cause you to get someone's nose in focus, but not their eyes), but all-in-all, an amazing lens!!! I can't recommend it highly enough!!
Bang for the buck, this lens is near impossible to beat. I've had mine for maybe four or five years now and it has seen regular usage with three different camera bodies. It's not the most versatile lens you'll own but when you need a fast, sharp prime lens, this one will not let you down. The 1.4 is certainly higher quality and slightly faster but it costs four times as much. This lens produces a very pleasant bokeh at wider apertures and there is no distortion or vignetting, just very sharp, beautiful images. If you have a Canon EOS, I'd recommend this as one of you're first additions to your kit!
So I have had this lens for almost a year now, and after I bought it everyone said there was a radical improvement in my photography.These are some word-for-word comments I received upon taking photos with this lens:"Yeah, you were pretty good when I first saw your stuff. Now it's INCREDIBLE. Like, it's radically improved.""Your photos are so sharp! It looks HD!""Dude, your photos look so legit!"If you are using any of the Rebel series cameras, and you actually know what you are doing and are a seasoned photographer, you could pull out some professional-looking results with this lens. If you are actually a pro and are looking for a 50mm, I would suggest saving up for the f/1.4 and I'll explain why below.PROS:-The quality you get for the price you pay is truly astounding. This isn't a "bang-for-your-buck" deal. It's more like a "nuclear-warhead-for-your-buck" deal.-It's small, so it can fit inside baggy pants and backpack pockets quite easily.-The color vibrance and sharpness are insane. My colors are richer straight out of the camera, and the sharpness at the prime apertures (8-11) could cut through steel.-The fast 1.8 aperture works incredibly well all the way into twilight hours. During golden hour portrait sessions, I can put this at 1.8 and keep my ISO at 100 and use fast shutter speeds. During twilight I can keep my ISO as low as 400.CONS:-I have had issues with autofocus. I don't know if it's my camera or the fact I've bumped this lens around a few times, but when focusing at the fast apertures (1.8-3.5), my photos have occasionally been slightly out of focus, so knowing how to use manual focus (and having LiveView) would be recommended just in case. The 50mm f/1.4 has excellent autofocus (based on my tests in a camera store).-Some people get all bent out of shape with plastic backs. It is plastic on the back, so the construction is cheaper, but for the people who would be in the market for cheap photography equipment, this should not concern you. If you are a pro and are giving this a 2 or 3 star review because of the plastic back, please don't hate on it. It's not a professional lens, so we really shouldn't judge it as if it is.BASICALLY, it's amazing, and at the very least if you're just a mom with a Rebel, your family photos will make all your friends jealous if you know how to use your camera with this lens.
I am a beginner to photography and this was my first fixed lens.  It seems to be a great range for most things I like to photograph (kids, flowers, etc.).  It's noticibly sharper than my kit lens, though perhaps a bit soft at the largest aperture settings.  I also had some focusing issues at first, so there is a bit of a learning curve to that.  I read up on focus troubleshooting online and practiced some more to fix that.  I also realized I had not adjusted my diopter since my eye doctor changed my prescription, lol.  I'm getting lots of compliments on my photos and this is on my camera most of the time now.  This is a great price.  A photographer recommended to me to buy the f1.4, but the price difference is significant and this seems to be working out fine for me.  I think this was the best lens for me to try first.  It's versatile and affordable.
Everyone told us this lens is great for clear close-ups..Not the Case, The casing is plastic.... makes it feel pretty cheap.I would rather invest in something a litle more expensive.
This is my favorite lens for those great bokeh shots! Simply put, this a great shot for portraits and close-up shots (see my sample of food!), but its not an all-use lens, since you have to walk back a bit because of the 50mm fixed range to take some shots.Overall, I would buy this again in a heartbeat cause its so cheap ! and does what its supposed to of course!
I don't understand why one reviewer called this ugly. My lens has a smooth black matte finish and the plastic casing has a sturdy feel. It's lightweight so my hands don't tire quickly when taking lots of pictures with my Canon 30D. The sharpness of my pictures is much more than I expected for such an inexpensive lens. It's not good for close-up work and I had to play with all the settings to see which would yield the best photos. Overall, it's a great bargain for hobbyists and amateurs.
I purchases this lens shortly after buying the Rebel XT. I have the kit lens which is adequate for most of the time but lacking indoors in low light situations (like candlelight, museums where flash photography is prohibited or other subdued lighting conditions) These are situations are where this lens can perform. The lack of zoom is not an issue in these circumstances.
For the Price you can't go wrong. I recently graduated from an Olympus PAS camera to the greatest photo-box ever, the Canon 40D. The camera came in a kit with the 28-135 zoom lens which is very good. However, I love to take portait pictures and the 50mm had gotten great reviews so I went for it. Let me tell you that I have not been disappointed and neither will you when you see the great pictures that you will be taking with this lens. Note that the lens may appear inexpensive, but if you take good care of it, as I know most photo lovers do their equipment, it should last you a long time. Good luck and great "clicking"
My experience is not good.I read here that people can shoot it wide and get sharp images.I have to shoot above f2.8 to get anything sharp.And the worst part is, I have to resort to using contrast detect live view all the time.Phase detect or OVF in automode renders all pictures blurry.Reply from Canon support is next to non-helpful.I'm not sure I want to invest another $400 in a better lens right now.
a great inexpensive lens you can shoot awesome pictures with that does not cost more that your car...Seriously..this little &#34;gem&#34; is worth your less than 100.00..I love it.
Good in low light it work well for a cheap lens. I would recommend it as a fair low light lens
I love using this lens. I'm not a professional photographer but using this lens and seeing the outcome of the pictures are amazing. I mainly use it to take pictures of my 17 months old. Would definitely recommend this lens.
I've been using this lens, mostly for macro food photography for 1 1/2 years now with my Canon EOS Rebel XS dSLR camera.  It was a little cheaper when I bought it, but still would be an amazing deal at the current price.  My results have been consistently clear and crisp, often beyond what I expected from the lowest end dSLR camera.  If you want to see some examples of photos, almost everything on my blog was taken with this lens: [...] If this lens ever breaks or even the choice again today, I wouldn't think twice about buying this lens over again.
This is my second &#34;nifty - fifty&#34;. This is a very cheap lens, and yes it's plastic. The second copy I have has its auto focus motor stuck after about 100 shots. But don't get me wrong, it's expected for a lens in this price range. Plus Amazon has a pretty good return policy and my replacement is on its way. As good as this lens gets I don't recommend it for serious work because it's very loud(try auto focus during a wedding ceremony ;)) and of course it's made of plastic. You don't know when it will stop working, hopefully not during a wedding. But I think this is a great lens for temporary use. 50mm is a great way to train a photographer to see an image before taking it force you to get closer to your subject. For $100 this is a great lens to have but don't expect too much from it.
very good image quality;  as one would expect the construction is cheap and flimsy and falls apart with just the slightest jostle.I was able to put it back together after dropping, and it still works fine.  I just find it not very useful very often for the major type of photography that I do (landscape).  However, comes in handy occasionally for indoor portraits.
This video should be part of every amateur photographer's kit. Very lightweight with awesome picture quality for the price. The depth of field makes for stunning portraits, and great low light pictures. Go get one.
I don't know if this just happened to me or it is a common issue - my lens had a front focusing problem. I didn't realize it until I found many of my photos taken through this lens were out of focus.In the beginning I blamed myself because I just had my first DSLR not long ago and I am still learning how to take good photos. Out of the curiosity, I set my camera with this lens on a tripod and pointed 45 degree down at a newspaper page. First I auto focused on a middle line of the paper. Once it is focused, I switched to manual focus and brought live view up with 10x magnification. Visually examining the focus point I found the focus was slightly down to the next line (closer to the camera).So I contacted Canon for a warranty repair. A week later, Canon had it fixed and returned it to me. The service paper said the lens' electronic circuit had an error and caused front focusing. They ran electronic adjustment and now it focuses right on the money.
I needed a fast lens that would be able to take pictures in low light conditions. My EF-S 17-85 was too slow without a flash and there were many times I either could not use or did not want to use a flash for a particular shot. I came across the EF 50mm f/1.8. As per many of the reviews it is cheap ($80), small, light and basically looks like a toy. Using a prime lens took a little bit of getting used to. There is no zoom. Your feet is your zoom. But the pictures it produces are very sharp. There have been many a time where I was able to take low light shots of people on the move without a flash that my 17-85 would never of been able to capture. At f/1.8 it is a little soft but bokeh is good but not great. I tend to use it more at f/2.8 - f/5.6 where it is sharper. Using ISO 800 or 1600 with f/1.8 or 2.8 you could take amazing pictures in low light conditions. It's a very fast lens. Auto focus is noisy and tends to hunt at low light. The manual focus ring is narrow, but after a while I get used to it.Value for money this is a 5 star lens. And it's a lot of fun to use, especially for those who have not experienced prime lenses. If I find that I need to replace this, I may opt for the more expensive 50mm f1.4 for it's build and superior bokeh. but for now. It's great!
This "plastic fantastic" is the best purchase that I have made early on in my photography career. For the money, you really can't beat it. I had this lens for 2 years (recently sold it for the 1.4) and if you really can't spring for the 1.4 than you won't regret ever buying this lens. The 1.8 creates wonderfully isolated portraits and beautiful bokeh. Yes its a plastic mount but it holds up just fine. This was my main lens until I bought the 1.4 BUY IT stop reading reviews!!!!
I JUS LOVE IT THIS 50MM CANON LENS, IS PERFECT FOR VIDEO AT NIGHT AND THE FOCUS IS AMAZING I RECOMMEND THIS LENS...!!!
I got this without reading any reviews. I wanted something with a stop of under 2.0I had the box in hand and thought it was very light to be a lens. I knew it was going to be a plastic one but i was worried about the plastic base being plastic also.I've been using this for almost a year now and have had no problems at all. Nice and fast lens and a great price.
I just love that lens. I use it for about everything with my Canon 20D - portrait, landscape, you name it. The sharpness is great, and for given price nothing can beat that lens.
It's not a terrible lens, but it's just not a 5-star wonder lens that people seem to make this out to be... Maybe I got a bad lens?  I've taken many photos with this & other lenses that I own, and the quality just isn't there... Primarily I use a Sigma 18-250mm DC OS Macro HSM f3.5 - 6.3, and even taking indoor photos under low light conditions, the Sigma runs away with it.. The photos from the Canon lens 50mm f/1.8 II look ok from a distance, but if you start looking at the details, the coloring doesn't look at accurate, and the details look washed out, whereas the Sigma seems to portray the objects more accurately and with better definition... I will say I think this lens is better than the default Canon 18-55mm lens that came with the T4I I purchased..
I use this with a Canon XTi. This lens while limiting as a fixed, has a wonderful aperture for the price and I have been able to get wonderful portraits with it. The photos are all very crisp with a nice depth of field. If you are still using the kit lens, the photos with this lens will blow you away.
I'm a type (as many others I'm sure) who look through pages and pages of reviews, photo examples, comparisons, price-checks, alternative-checks, and then finally make a decision seemingly months later after exhausting all options and feeling good about a decision.This lens piece is of a similar nature - why sub $100 and why not get to one that lets in more light (1.4) at 5x the price?  What about the bokeh "quality"?  What about that "investment for the future" thing?Seems like there are several camps of personalities in play here.  Are these discriminating minds who take every pixel seriously and need such justifications?  Is it the mere "knowing that you have the best available" that produces the best photo?  Basically, is pride that's producing the best composition or your photographic ability and need?  I see plenty of wedding-advertisements that are ho-hum pictures taken with $1000s worth of equipment and visa-versa (my wife took the most amazing picture of our daughter with the cell phone a month back).So to me, this purchase is part psychology and part necessity.  It's a great lens for the price - no doubt about it!  I can't say I could shoot THAT much better with the 1.4 to justify the price difference.  So what if you get a few more "rays" in the bokeh of a candle.  Honestly, zooming in, I cannot perceive the "irregularness" of the fuzz - kind of like most people can't tell the difference between 1080p and 720p on an HDTV set at 15 feet away from the couch.If you're having fun with photography like I am, will print only the very occasional large-format, will only be in a situation extremely rarely where a 1.4 MAY provide a somewhat better quality, and more importantly value a thing called money, then this is a wonderful lens for your arsenal of fun - highly recommend!  Now I'm going to go take the money I saved and buy another lens!Enjoy!
I wanted to extend my camera bag and try something new other than my kit lens. So I decided to buy this prime lens as it was well in my range. I was very nervous when I was buying when I read the reviews that it is a cheap lens but for me it doesn't look that cheap that people have exaggerated. Yes it is made of plastic but it is light and its so easy to carry and the result is awesome. believe me it is Awesome. Specially for being my first prime lens , it was great. It is always stays on my Camera.Yes I will definitely recommend this lens to the first time prime lens buyer especially if their budget is tight.
The item arrived very quickly. The lense was in very good condition-brand new. The whole process was as hoped and we are enjoying the item.. My son son says it is a fantastic lense and wants one also since the price is so nice. I am very satisfied.
Pros:Great in low light with a f1.8 apertureVery sharp in the f4-f8 range all the way across the field of view.Almost no chromatic aberrationExtremely inexpensive for the level of image quality you getLightweightCons:Lacking in the latest tech features like IS and USM or STMBuild quality is just okay, all plasticManual focus ring is at the front and smallThere really isn't anything bad to say about this lens. The lack of IS isn't a big issue at this focal length. AF might be a bit noisy if you are doing video, but most people won't use a prime lens for video anyway.It makes a great portrait lens for APS-C sensor cameras, just know it is so sharp, especially at about f5.6, that it will show every imperfection. Without spending a lot of money you can take images that will rival much more expensive lenses.
Fun lens, tiny, light, and 1.8!Can't go wrong for the price!
No photographer should be without this lens! The price is amazing and the quality superb.Pros: Great for low light shooting. Small and lightweight. Price. Very practical for shooting faces indoors and outdoors. The bokeh is really neat (not everyone thinks so, though).Cons: It's all plastic (but it is sturdy enough for its size). slow focus in low light. the focus ring is very small and not too precise- it is usually better to leave it on autofocus (and just focus with the middle focus point in the camera).Overall, this is a superb lens and it should belong in the camera bags of all photographers that are at least somewhat interested in photography!
I have just started using DSLR and I am satisfied with the image quality. By the way, I have to say that the first time I ordered two lenses, but one of them has particles inside the lens which can be seen from the viewfinder. And Amazon accepted my return and sent me another brand new one. It's great to shop at Amazon.
This is a beautiful 1.8mm lens, the only issue that i had was that when i use it with my T3i it acts like an 80mm Lens due to the sensor in the camera. The amount of light that this beast hold is incredible.
The fact that this lens was only $100, coupled with the fact that it generally receives high marks from reviewers here and on other websites, keeps me from giving it 2 stars.  Perhaps I got a poor copy of the lens, because at 1.8 the lens is simply not sharp.  Yes, I know how to take photos, I made sure shutter speed was high enough to be a non-issue.  I did many comparisons of shots with the lens at apertures 1.8-5.6.  At 5.6, this lens IS quite sharp, and even by f4, it is performing well.  But what's the point really of having 1.8 if it's basically unusable?  I'm sure others will disagree (and have, for that matter), and perhaps I'll get a ton of responses blasting me for my poor review, but as I said perhaps my copy was simply poor.  Regardless, it's going back.  It's too bad, as I was hoping for a cheap, good lens.  The hunt continues.(Update)So after trying a few other lenses, and deciding I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a lens until I get my taxes back, and until I rent a few and decide what I want, I made the decision to order another copy of this lens.  It has turned out to be the right move, and has invariably justified my thinking that the first one I got was a bad copy.  This new lens focuses quick, usually accurately, and is very sharp, without any front/back focusing issues.  Yes, it's still soft at 1.8, but NOTHING compared to the previous copy, and is pretty darn tack sharp by f4.  Even at 2.8 it's looking really good, and photos at 1.8 are completely usable.  So I originally had given the lens 3 stars, but I have upped it to 4.  The only reason it doesn't get 5 is that it's very cheaply made (which of course makes the price easy to swallow, however, I would pay $50 more for a more solidly constructed lens).  All in all, a very good lens for the money.
Purchased from camera_world for $49.These were authentic Canon batteries in original packaging. They work great and I have put them through many cycles. They hold up terrificly.
I finally do not have to worry about my battery running out while I'm shooting with my XL2, only negative is the battery is a bit heavy and bulky but I don't see why that would be a problem.
This is a great battery if you are shooting for long periods of time and dont want to have to worry about filling your pockets with extra batteries.
At first I could not believe that the 3 hour time limit was true because the smaller batteries didn't even last 45 minutes using the eye viewer. To my surprise, this battery lasted over the 3 hour limit and I used the TV viewer to film. I do sports videography and I need something that  wouldn't have to run and charge every hour because in tournament action every game is back to back.This was beyond what I wanted and I ordered two when i really only needed one! I must say that this is a new battery and I am not sure how long it takes for the charge to start to degenerate, etc. this was a good buy at a good price.Well, it's been almost a year since I wrote this review and this battery is still going strong! The only problem is the older it gets, the longer it takes to charge, but if you pop it on before you go to bed the day before filming, you should be good to go!Great buy!
Great long lasting battery. Worth the extra price for longer run times. Lasts for over three hours on one charge.
I use the BP-945 in my Canon XH-A1. It provides much better life than the stock battery, and charges on the same charger.Not much more to say - it's a great buy, and it will get you from point A to point B without having to worry about running out of battery life. A great buy!
I've had experience with this type of battery before, but never owned one until now. I bought used on Amazon to save a little money. The battery charges and works just like I would expect it to
This battery has allowed me to do some filming without the need to plug the camcorder in all the time.  I can go for hours between charges.
Clipped onto a Canon Rebel EOS Digital just fine, and served as a good replacement for the original cap my wife lost :)!
I foolishly assumed this cap would be OEM based on the Canon label and packaging photo. It seems a decent quality replacement but not identical to the Canon cap I lost. Frustrated because the Canon website offers an authentic cap for same price but I purchased here because the shipping seemed more fair. The cap fits my lens but seems just a bit 'off' compared to original. I wouldn't return because it suits it's purpose but I do feel duped.On a plus, the transaction was smooth and the vendor shipped very quickly!
I ordered this lens and it is not universal.  Does not fit my Canon SX10, so I returned this item for a refund.  Thanks, anyway.
This fit my canon eos rebel T1i perfectly, I lost the original one in a restaurant and bought this one to replace it.
not much to say about the product only that it does the job to do.i recommend it to evryone that has a camara vand lost the cover
Great to have for a back up.  I have a feeling I will be losing or misplacing mine regularly.Need to order more.
It is a perfect replacement lens cap and it fit no problem.I lost my original cap and bought this one, if you need a replacement or an extra, buy this one! :)
this product works on all my lenses, I am forever losing lens caps, this product was as described and works well
This cap is great, its the exact same one that came with my T2i, I have had no issues with it at all.
Much better quality that the factory original lens cover I lost.  Fits perfectly and the latching mechanism is very solid.  I wish I'd lost my original sooner and plan to order one of these for all of my lenses.
This product is exactly as advertised. A replacement Canon lens cap. Shipping was prompt. The cap arrived in a Canon brand package. Works the same as the original lens I lost.
I was a bit skeptical about how this replacement cover would be compared to the original (which I lost at a party). I was glad to see it is exactly like the original. Fits perfectly, looks authentic Canon (even though the packaging it came in did not look like it was packed by Canon).But on the whole, does the job and works great and reasonably priced. So 5 stars!
I keep losing my lens caps and bought 2 of these - they are exactly the same as my original lens cap that came with my Canon Rebel. I'm very happy with this purchase and I'm sure I will be buying more of these.
Just like the original. get it. However mine said Ultrasonic, which is not shown in the picture. Lame but oh well.
It's a camera lens cap. Works exactly as you would think it works. Not much you can say here as it is just a replacement for what you already have and lost like I did. It was basically the exact same cap.
Simply, it works and looks like the original. I ordered two - one for backup. I certainly would order this item again.
well i have it on my canon rebel camera worked well glad i have made the purchase so i can keep my lenes like new condition...
Not much to say. Cap fits on my 58mm filter threaded lenses and on the filters themselves. Including Hoya HD filter and B+W UV filters.
Fits perfectly on the EF-S 18-55mm lens that came with my Canon Rebel xsi. Looks exactly like picture. No complaints.
Just as pictured. Works perfectly on my 58mm lens that seemed to be missing a cap after my father sold the camera to me.
It is just what I needed and arrived in a timely fashion and the cost was very reasonable.  What more do you need?
This purchase was just a Canon 58mm lens cap. It works fine and as usual, Amazon has been easy to deal with.
I picked up two of these because I had lost my original cover while shooting.  Of course right after they showed up the original re-appeared.  :-)  These are original Canon and are exactly like the ones that came with the camera.  Not much else you can say about them.
Like everyone else, I lost my lens cap, but it was for a 18-55mm, not a 58mm.  I searched Amazon for a replacement cap for the 18-55mm lens and couldn't find a suitable one.  Then I read the reviews here and found one reference to this one fitting my lens, so I ordered it, figuring there wouldn't be much lost if it didn't fit.NOTE: the lens DOES fit, no problem, and is as advertised with "Canon" on the front.
Fits tight, No slop, exactly like the original cap for my 18-55 mm kit lens which, as I'm sure you have too, I lost.
If you lost your lens while running around somewhere. This is an inexpensive replacement that still has all those nice canon logos on it.
My camera had not had a cover for a long time, lost it a couple years ago.  This was ordered using just the specifics on the camera and it fits beautifully!
Bought it from deepdiscounts ! It was delivered two weeks after the supposed date of arrival .. Not as described. I was fooled and thought it was the original but it is not. And it doesn't have the brand name Canon on it as the photo showed. Its quality is disappointing .. Will return it!
I was expecting some generic cap, but when it arrived in factory canon packaging I was pleasantly surprised! It works perfectly, same one that came with my canon rebel.
This product works so much better than trying to use an off brand which doesn't stay on.  This ended up being cheaper than trying the off brand replacement.
Get as a back up or if you've lost yours. I bought two because I lost the one the camera came with all to fast.
Lens cap came in new condition as stated fit perfectly on my kit lens. Hoping that I won't lose this one too!
Fit my Canon Rebel Xsi stock lens  (18-55mm) as a replacement when I lost the original.  Would buy it again if needed.
It seems to made like the original cap that was on the camera. I am very happy with it and would purhase another in the future.
So many choices, not sure what to pick.  If I kept dropping my lens cap I'd look like a dick. But for Canon EFS 18-55mm lens, the cap likes to stick. (Only one problem, it doesn't look like the pic.)
Not too much you can you say about a lens cap except it works and looks like the original.  Yes, I would recommend this product. As usual, Amazon was prompt.
This cap will fit on the standard 18-55mm lens that came with my Canon SLR.  There's really not much else to say. I have no complaints.
We have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i and bought it with the default lens that comes with it. We also bought another lens for basic zooming capability.  We lost one of the caps.  Came on here and decided to buy two of these caps.  It was great because these caps were exactly the same as the one we lost.  We still had one cap to compare with and it really cool to have a spare now.
This is great when you need a replacement because you dropped your original in a stream..."Fits like a glove."AND it arrived a week early!
Fits perfectly on the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit Lens that comes with the T3i. same quality as other caps that come with lenses from Canon. No complaints.
After receiving it in the mail I instantly thought i'm keeping this because it was way better quality then the one that came with my Canon EOS! I was very satisfied with this product and highly recommend it! You will not be disappointed.
Not much to say its a lens cap. But shipped quick. Price was ok. If you want a canon cap and not a generic one this is the one.
I ordered this replacement cap for my Canon SX40HS because the stock one would no longer fit once I added a 58mm filter adapter and 58mm UV filter. This one fits perfectly.The only problem (minor irritation) is that this cap does not a strap to keep it attached to the camera when not in use. Portable Guy shipped it exactly on time and in good condition.
Somewhere I lost the lens cap for my Canon Rebel XSi standard camera lens. I saw several knock off versions, bought this one as the real thing. It is a bit different from the original cover, but I like the changes better than the original. Opened it and it snapped right on the lens as advertised.
Great buy!
I lost my lens cap, and ordered this as a replacement. Its not oem, but is pretty much the same. Its also overpriced for a piece of plastic, especially since its not oem. Otherwise it works great.
I received this lens cap as a replacement for a T2i cap that was lost.  I mainly wanted to write this review to let potential customers it fits the T2i perfectly.  The cap is an Original Canon Product and fits great.  The price took the sting off of the original loss.
Lens caps were not OEM,although Amazon display implies that they were. Although they do fit the lens, they are even more easily dislodged than the already substandard OEM E85 lens caps, which is a low hurdle indeed! Only positive comment is that the replacement price better matches the poor quality of the replacement compared to the(Canon's) very over-priced originals (by a factor of 2.5X) Even with care bordering on the paranoid , I have managed to have 3 caps lost with only weekend usage over an 8 month period.(And, that refers to the original poorly designed Canon caps. Don't expect much protection from these replacements either)FOLLOW-UP: I was immediately contacted by the vendor( fivestarexperience) after this negative review with an offered postage-paid refund for the items if returned , or simple credit for order minus S/H. This is a very inexpensive product, not worth the trouble to do either.  But the offer did change my opinion/estimation of the vendor! Thank You.! I'd recommend the vendor and would use again. My review of all E58 lens caps and pricing is rather "glum", however.This is a complex evaluation that mixes both product quality as advertised and vendor...so draw your own conclusion: Product - , Vendor ++ .
I am glad that I got the name brand cap.  Perfect fit with no worries and no problems.  Appreciative of this being available!
I bought this for my canon 50mm f/1.8. I know the 50mm actually has a 52mm lens cap...but I goofed once and bought a 58mm filter. instead of returning the filter, i bought a step-up ring so I could use it. However, now the 52mm cap wouldn't fit...so I bought this 58mm cap, and everything works great.
this lens cap is almost like my original cap. At first, i could not tell the difference. Fits perfectly on both my 18-55mm and my 70-300mm.This cap also fits well even with the filters on.bottom line, it is way cheaper than what canon sells. so why buy a $20 cap when you can have this which is almost identical as the original cap?I would not hesitate recommending this to anyone who needs a replacement lens cap for the canon 58mm lenses.
Exact duplicate and works just as original.  I'm sure I'll lose this one too, since I tend to set them down, but this works just as designed. I'd sure like these to be half the price of what they are . . .
Tengo la Canon Powershot Pro 1 de 8mp, buscando en Amazon un Lens Cap, me dio este modelo, lo mando a buscar y NO LE SIRVE a la PRO 1. Fue dinero Perdido, poco pero perdido.
The lens cap fits perfectly, was priced right and the best part was that I did not have to go searching forit.  It was delivered free to my home with Amazon Prime!Ruth Ward
Lost it upon lending to a friend :-) but this looked a value for money purchase. THanks canon and Amazon for listing OEM products priced competitively.
Great value! Fit right on my rebel t2i. Came as described. I would buy again and recommend to anyone with the t2i
Canon lens cap came just as described. Fit well and seems like OEM. Might be hard to mess up lens cap but glad it fits!
It does exactly what it should it replaced the lens cape I lost for my Canon it fits well and stays on with no problem.
I was sad when I lost the cover. I was apprehensive about the finish and the fit. But, when I got this, I knew this was the original (or 99.99%).
I have a Canon Digital Rebel EOS. The XSi one. I have the standard kit lense - EFS 18-55mm, ).25m/0.8ft, 58mm. I lost the lens cap on a hike and so purchased this as a replacement. It fits perfect, no problem.
works great, just like the factory caps.  cheapest original canon lens for 58 mm on amazon.  arrived in about 3 days.  Only gave it four stars because..  "its a cap" not that exiting.
I actually ordered the item that is pictured which is the same as my original lens cap.  Instead (and this is the first time for me with Amazon) they shipped me a Canon cap with center levers.  This is actually a better design than the original cap which had the catches on the circumference of the cap so I was not disappointed, just surprised.  It is a good versatile cap and has Canon printed on the cover, so it is manufactured by Canon.  I guess they don't make the cap that I received only a year ago with my camera.
It is a Canon but comes off a little cheap and lacks the string. I lost my original cap and this one will be even harder to maintain without the ability to attached a string.
Yep, it's a Canon lens cap all right.  Not much to review really, except that it came quickly and was packed well and was exactly what I wanted.  And of course, that I found the original "lost" lens cap in a matter of days after getting this one.  That's okay - now I have a spare.
This lens cap works, protects my lens.  What else can I say?  Simple..  That is about all there is to this product.The product came as described, fit the lens size as described, and is the direct replacement for the one I lost.
This product met my expectations. Was a good replacement for our lost Lens cap. It is a perfect fit. Worth the money spent.
this is the actual lens cap for the standard lens that comes with the T2i, T3i and T4i. Buy this one.
This product ( Canon E58 Snap-on Lens Cap) is very good, so Iwill buy another item at here and tell my another friend buy it.
Real product not fake copy. I personally recommend that you always buy Canon accessories for your Canon DSLR. Especially for things like lens caps and body caps. They work, help resale value, and just look great.
The item i received wasn't even in the original packaging as showed in the picture. What i received instead was a CHEAP Chines Knock Off. Disappointed.
I ordered this because I couldn't find the body cap that came with my new Canon. Of course, as soon as this arrived I found my original. However, it is good to have a spare- and much better to spend a few bucks on this rather than leaving your sensor exposed if you are lens-less for a while. This is identical to the one that came on my 7D and 1DX. Very minimally packaged in Canon packaging.
...because I bought a used Rebel XT and it did not have a body cap. It seems like so much dust got on to the sensor, therefore I bought....
What can I really say about this body cap? It does its job in protecting my camera's sensor, which is all I need :)
Original part that fits with no problem because it is a canon piece.  Product and shipping i think were almost the same.
I just bought a Canon EOS Rebel Ti 35mm SLR camera here on Amazon because in my opinion film captures subtle colors that digital doesn't because of compression (if you do not believe me listen to a song on a 331/3 LP and then the same song that has been digitized huge difference the LP sounds better). When I bought the camera it came with a 28-80mm lens but had no body cap so I bought this cap which fit perfectly to protect the mirror from dust and other things.No complaints at all.......................
This is the same body cap that comes on a Canon DSLR body. I prefer to use original parts and bought this to go with a used camera I purchased that did not come with one. This works great for a replacement for a lost or broken body cap.
bc i lost mine and it fits great, you can go wrong on this one,  for the price just but it
Lost one of these on a trip. I'm always weary about buying non-OEM products due to fit (and also weary about buying OEM ones due to knock offs). The one I received was a proper OEM body cap, says CANON (not CANIAM or anything), and fits my Rebel T4i like a glove (or I guess...the T4i fits it like a glove? I don't know). It's a bit expensive for a piece of plastic, but definitely gives you peace of mind (and matches the rest of your gear).
Mine had broken after a couple of years of on and off use.  This one is the exact replacement from the OEM.
When I think &#34;injection molded body cap&#34;, I think Canon. For decades Canon has been known for high quality products, and the Canon RF-3 Body Cap is no exception. Whether you're a clumsy photographer like me who left his body cap at a party in Buenos Aires, or an epic Nat Geo photographer who needs to seal important gear from the hazards of the Himalayas, the RF-3 will rock your world with excellent dust protection.So go ahead. Take the plunge. It's the best $6 you will have ever spent...well, except for that $6 Taco Bell value meal, but that's another story for another time...
I have lost a few caps and this extra one is cheap and secure.  Works with all of the EOS camera bodies that I have tried with.  It is either an official version of the Canon cap or a very good copy of it, either way it works.
It is exactly what it says it is.  Fits my camera body perfectly!I can tell no different between this one and the one that came with the camera.
Fits just like the OEM part, as expected.  Overpriced, but hey, it works.  Not much more to say than that.
I lost my original cap for my Canon 40D digital camera and this replacement works just as good as the original.Great product and fast shipping.
Fits as snugly as the original.  You can never be to sure when purchasing something that is not from the manufacturer.  But the version I received fit fine and am happy with the purchase.
I'm not shy about buying 3rd-party products, but at this price (and in Canon packaging) you should get the real thing.
This is the standard body cap for Canon EOS 58mm cameras. Necessary to keep your camera clean and definitely worth having a few extra on hand incase one gets misplaced.
The description was incorrect and did not fit my camera. It wasn't worth sending back so maybe I can give it away to someone.
Bought these for a camera I purchased at a Pawn Shop.  Worked great and fit perfectly.  Am very happy with my purchase.  The camera didn't come with this and don't like leaving lenses on a camera body when not in use.
Perfectly fits the standard EF/EF-S lens mount on any Canon camera body, in my case the 5D Mk II.  Fits perfectly, just the same as the body cap that was provided in the original retail package. My only complaint is the usual gripe about being nickel and dimed by Canon, asked to pay several dollars for this cap when it probably costs pennies to make and dollars to separately distribute. Why they don't at least include one spare cap in the camera body's retail box is beyond me.
Like others, I lost the cap which came with my camera, and bought this as a replacement. Does exactly the job it describes, which is protect and cover the camera body when a lens is not being used.
This is a true Canon OEM product.  No complaints or issues.  I would not use anything else with my 7D.  I bought it as a spare...
Item was delivered on time and in good condition. I was pleased with the item and it's craftsmanship. It fit my T2i without problems and is working well.
Like others, I lost the cap which came with my camera, and bought this as a replacement.  Does exactly the job it describes, which is protect and cover the camera body when a lens is not being used.  Very happy that this matches the one that comes with the camera!
I lost the one I had and this one fits perfectly in my canon 60D, nothing fancy just the need
The Canon body cap is included with the purchase of your Canon SLR camera.  If you happen to lose the cap, you need a new one.  Don't risk damage to your camera body that will end up costing more than a replacement cap.  The cap protects the camera's interior from stray dust particles and damage while your lens is off the camera.  To save some money, look for anoff brand versionat a local camera shop.  There are no special parts to this cap.PROS:Protects the interior of your cameraCONS:Expensive for a piece of plastic (but you gotta have protection.)
Very cheap and works well. I was concerned if it was going to work for my 60D. Yes, it works!!!
I'm pretty sure it's not an officially licensed body cap, it has different mass to the one that came with my T2i. However, I'm also pretty sure that it was less than two dollars and does the job just as well, so don't take that as a complaint.
Not much else to say here other than this is a genuine Canon Part and fits my T2i/550D perfectly (as it should for an of Canon's EOS cameras).
This is a pretty basic item, and one that anyone who owns a Canon EOS DSLR already has (or had!)Purpose: protect the cameras insides (sensor, mirror) while no lens is attached.  If dust/debris get inside, they just cause all sorts of trouble.This is a pretty basic piece, but an essential one. It's much more important then lens caps, but can easily be misplaced -- if you're like most, your camera almost always has a lens attached to it. Because of that, you can easily misplace the body cap - that's where this comes in. There really aren't many "do it yourself" remedies to the problem, and fortunately canon chose to keep the price very affordable (I paid 5 bucks for mine on Amazon).There are many alternatives available, and I'm sure they work just as good.. but if you're trying to protect your 700..900...1200..1500...5000 dollar DSLR, spend the extra buck on a CANON cap over a generic one.Quality is very sturdy/strong - very little chances of breaking it (chances are higher that you'll misplace it).I still have all my bodycaps but bought this as a "backup" to throw in my bag in case I ever need it.You can also attach it to the lens' rear-cap for safe keeping.
Good fit, same exact design and fit as an OEM cap. Buy this and save yourself a few bucks. No reason to buy anything else.
People tend to lose these, so they'll keep a lens attached at all times, but what if you sell your body for a new one?  Always keep one handy if you do.  I've sold several Canon bodies thorough the years and it's an easy investment to ensure it arrives safely.
It came in a plastic small bag in perfect condition having the logo of Canon on it. Its exactly as the original one! It fits perfectly to the camera body. No need to worry about anything else.-
This works, it feels a bit tighter than the original cap that I lost giving it 4 stars instead of 5 for a bit of a tight squeeze.
Not much to say other than it works like it is supposed to.  Pleased with the quality of this item.
I purchases this cap after losing the one that came with my camera. It arrived in a timely manner, was reasonably priced and fit securely. I am very pleased with this purchase.
Ordered extra to have around since these are easy to lose.  I keep an extra in my bag.  It fits T5i rebel.
A must have if your e-bay find came without one. Keep the camera stored correctly and it will hold up for decades. Don't be cheap get one if you need it.
It is a Canon EOS body cap.  Direct replacement for original.  xx  xx  xx  xx  xx  xx  xx Enough said.
I lost my canon's body cap on a trip and needed a replacement. This one is the same that originally came with the camera. Very strong and a must have to protect your camera.
Can't complain as it does what it is intended to do.  Fits securely and is not loose.  Works very well.
Needed to replace my body cap because I had lost mine and this was the exact match. Fit perfectly.
Lost the original body cap, and bam, this is an exact fit for what is lost, now of course I will find the missing one soon since I got another.  When you lose yours, come here and get one.
The caption says it all&#8230;  Handy to have this for when you have a lens off for cleaning or sending it in for repairs and want the body protected from dust and damage.  I'd say five stars and all but hey, how excited can one get over a camera body cap?
Not much that I can say about this.  It is a cap that does what a cap should do: it covers the thing in which it was designed to cover.  I am happy with my purchase.  ;)
Just what it claims to be. Fits fine and was economical replacement to a lost one. If you need to sell a body and lost your cap, get this one and not a generic.
Lost my original body cap so had to get a new one. Can't say much other than it fits perfect and does what its suppose to. It's exactly like the one I had before.
I'm sorry to give it one star but only because I felt that the description didn't clearly identify the lens cap as excluding the canon rebel.  I have a t1i rebel and it does not fit on to my camera. Sorry if its just my ignorance in cameras but I thought this lens cap would fit.
I don't know what to say about a lens cap except it fit my lens and that's all I needed.
i've been on the search for a new tiny home for my canon 6di liked this because it's simple and the perfect sizeit fits the camera well but basically nothing else other than extra sd cards and if you're lucky and can squeeze it in, another batterythe grip on the strap is really unreliable and slippery, so i might just change the strapbesides that i still use it, but still on the hunt for something better.
This thing worked great for six months.Then the power jack started going bad.  I've just set up an appointement for the THIRD repair on the power jack in ONE YEAR!!!As if that wasn't bad enough. . . .  Yesterday the thing starts randomly shutting down, apparently it's OVERHEATING!!!Well, on the bright side, at least I havn't had the static electricity problem that many other A75 owners are complaining about.Toshiba should recall this P.O.S.
This pack is awesome. I fit my 650D with 18-55mm attached and i still can fit my 75-300mm on top. very well made and durable. I've been through the desert and snow with this pack.
The depth allows for longer zooms than others I tried and the velcro'd piece that you can put in the bottom either keeps a camera with a shorter lens from falling in too deeply of adds an extra layer of padding at the bottom.FYI I am using a Canon 20D with a Tamron 18-270 (our &#34;vacation lens&#34;).  Overall length is 7 1/4&#34; (eyepiece to lens cap).  Width is 5 5/8&#34; and height is 4 1/4&#34;.  I am able to fit it with that extra divider at the bottom with no extra room.  Without the divider it fits a little deeper giving more room for the camera strap to fit.The waist strap folds nicely into the bag - can hardly tell there is one when it is tucked away - nice.The shoulder strap is padded in the section that hits the shoulder.The front pouch is a little 'thin' for my liking.  I can fit my CF-USB reader and 2 spare batteries, but not also the battery charger.  If I mount a spare battery in the battery charger, that fits.  In practice, this should not be an issue, because even when travelling I would tend to leave the charger in the hotel room and just have the camera and spare battery (or two) with  me.I like that the top closes with both zippers and velcro.  My last holster bag (a Tamrac that took almost 20 years to wear out) only closed with zippers, which meant more fuss taking it in and out in more active shooting situations.  The velcro is a better solution for that situation, but it is still nice to be able to zip it up tight when you are done using the camera.
This bag easily fits Canon Rebel XTi with L series lens 24-70mmm without the hood. I still have to figure a way to carry the hood separately. Also I had bought theTargus TG-BGXTI Battery Grip for Canon Rebel XT/XTiwhich withCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasmakes the camera a little too big for this bag. I loved the part that the bag comes with the hip belt that can be securely hidden away when using the shoulder straps or the handle.In summary, I love this bag for its primary purpose of carrying my camera + lens setup with comfort around my hip. I would have loved even more if it had been slightly bigger to fit my full setup with hood & battery grip. For this price I would still give it a thumbs up.
Just bought this for the canon rebel t3i with 18-135 lens.  The camera with the lens attached is a bit of a tight fit, but it definitely works and has extra pockets for the lens cap or additional memory cards.  Great bag.
This camera carrying case is definitely worth owning.  I'm sure it will save my camera and lens finishes over the years.  There are no drawbacks.  It's worth the little cost.  Would like to have larger pockets to take a 72mm filter like a polaroid filter that isn't used all the time; but, you won't find that functionality in a camera case.  Something to live with.
The waist belt stowed in the rear pushes the case inwards, so the camera body has to be forced in. If the waist belt is out, it would work fine, even with an 18-135 lens. Very little room for anything else other than the camera and the front pocket only just has space for a spare battery.
This pack is just the right size to fit my Canon T3i with the Canon 55-250mm zoom lens mounted. The pack has a couple small zip pockets good for an extra battery and some filters and lens cleaner.  It has both a waist strap and a neck strap. I think it's a good value for the price.
This is a functional (and compact) holster that I'll be using instead of the full camera bag from now on.  One thing I don't care for is that two-tone coloring.  Why not just keep it nice and black?
The Canon Zoom Pack 1000 is a great quality waterproof holster bag for $22.  It's nicely padded  with room for a tele lens.  It has a zipper to entirely close the bag or you can use the velcro for quick access to your SLR.  The shoulder strap is well padded with non-slip material.  It also comes with a built-in waist snap-on strap that can be hidden when using the shoulder strap.The con side to this bag is that it is a bit bulky as compared to the OP/TECH neoprene DSLR case.  And this bag will not fit in a camera bag without taking out most of the padded dividers.
This case is wonderful. It fits my camera like a glove, has just the right amount of extra zipper storage (for a lens cap, charging cable, etc.), and it is easily portable. This changed the way I store and travel with my camera - I no longer have to worry about injuring it!
pack feels bullet-proof. tight fit but it,ll  break-iin.zippers are very heavy-duty and pull smoothly. pack has built-up corners in case you drop it.
I brought this after I had already brought a high priced large case for my Canon EOS 60D. I did not like the idea of carrying a large case around, I am a casual photographer. I also brought a Canon zoom lens (24-105mm) that I wanted to carry around in a compact case. I was shocked to find that this case was so cheap and so functional. I took the case to India and to the Taj Mahal through countless plane rides, bus and car rides. It slings across your chest or on your shoulder nicely. It allows you to keep your camera and 1 zoom lens safe and it looks very sturdy. It also is stylish and non-frumpy. Highly recommended.
I have used this for over 6 months now with my rebel XS and have taken it on several trips. Quality is great for the price, couldnt ask for better. Looks good too, light weight and rugged enough. I just use the standard lens and so there is some room at the top of the case which I could use for something. But I've found its a pain everytime you need to take the camera out. Maybe they could have made the pocket on the underside of the top flap a little deeper to be able to hold something bigger.
Canon Quality is great a nice fit on my EOS40D.Price is good and Amazon's backing is second to none in my book!
This bag is perfect for me! It is a comfortable fit for my Canon Rebel XTi and large zoom lens, plus four filters, extra battery, media cards, and lens cleaner supplies. I use the Velcro divider when I travel to create an extra "hidden" space for valuables . The bag is packed full at this point but just right. The cushioned shoulder strap is nicely designed to keep the bag in place. The waist belt which is integral seems useful too. I've used this bag for a year and like it so much I just bought another to give as a gift.
This is a perfect fit for our Canon Rebel with the super zoom lens.Just right and much easier to tote than the Canon bag if you are on the go and are happy with just camera and lens.Very nice quality cordura type material.  Well enough padded to protect your investment.Front pouch is perfect size for little extras such as memory cards and extra battery.Highly recommended!
Awesome, I'm a farmer and take my camera with me on the tractors, this case protects it perfectly.
The Canon Zoom Pack 1000 Holster Case is a nice solution when you want to carry only your camera and a small to mid-sized lens. For myCanon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD and 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lensit's a perfect fit. There's room for a few more things such as batteries, memory cards and a filter, but not much more than that. If you have one of the bigger lenses or the battery grip installed, they won't fit in the case. Overall, it is sturdy and well-built. I don't really care for the funky two-tone color scheme; I think a monochromatic case would look better. I purchased theCanon Zoom Pack 1000 Holster Case + Tripod for EOS 5D, 7D, 40D, 30D, 50D, T1i, XS, XSi, Digital Rebel, Rebel XT & Rebel XTi Digital SLR Cameras. This kit includes a tripod for an additional ten bucks or so on top of what you pay for the case alone. The tripod is a bit flimsy, but for the price, it's not a bad deal. It's very light and easy to carry around, unlike my regular tripod...
Works well and is very rugged. Fits the camera and a normal lens. In the pouch it hold a couple of spare batteries and inside there is a zipper pocket that holds extra memory chips. It is light weight and easy to carry with its large strap.
This is a fabulous camera bag. I've been uncomfortable carrying my heavy DSLR and large lens. So many times, if I was out for a whole day, I would just take a small point-and-shoot instead. This bag has a waist belt AND a shoulder strap so you can even out the weight. It fits my Canon Rebel T4i with a telephoto lens. I can walk around all day with my DSLR and not feel the weight dragging me down.
It was very handy on my hike in Arches Natl Park.  It did fall out of the bag as talked about in another review, but I had the lens cover on, and the filter was spared.  I made sure that I had packed it correctly thereafter, and there were no problems.
This is a great bag.  It looks good, seems to offer great protection, inexpensive, and is easy to carry around and far less bulky than a gadget bag.This is close to a 5 star bag, but I CAN offer one warning/complaint:  It ~just~ fits my Rebel T3i with an attached 70-300mm zoom lens.  There is absolutely no room for anything else in the main compartment.  Not even my camera strap will fit in there...I have to let it hang out of the bag (which prevents me from using the zipper closure, but luckily, the velcro closure works well).  If my strap fit, I'd have given it 5 stars.If you plan accordingly this beats hauling around a gadget bag, but if you want to be flexible and carry around an extra lens or two, a hood, a flash, whatever, then this just isn't going to work for you.
Excellant product for either my Canon Rebel XSi wi 55 - 250 mm lens (or smaller lens) or my Olympus SP 590UZ. The belt (waste) strap is very comfortable to where for extended periods of time. Very well made product. I highly recommend.Please note that this case will not work with a camera and lens much longer than the one noted above.
The Canon Zoom Pack 1000 came with two straps, and was in plastic wrap with the tag still attached. It shows no signs of ever being used, and even smells new! I did get the package a week and a half later than I anticipated, but the address I had it shipped to was my previous one and it was forwarded to me. This is the first item I have purchased from this seller, but I would be more than confident to buy from them again.
Fits my Canon EOS T1i with an attached Tamron 18-270 lens and strap.  Zips closed with hood on in reverse mode or just velcros closed with hood on in shooting mode (eyepeice about 1" above zipper).  This is with padded divider velcroed in place at the very bottom of case to provide extra cushion for lens in the event of a drop.  Placing the divider there should address any padding issues and make this one of the best padded cases where it counts.  Also holds extra batteries in side pocket and cards in top pocket. Belt, contrary to what I've read, slips back into pocket in about 10 seconds (unclasped). Little room for much else, but that's ok.  My only concern is that I'd like some verification that it is manufactured under humane working conditions -- but I've seen no such verification for any competing products either.
Very high quality camera bag.  I currently use it for my Canon XS; I usually have the 18-55mm kit lens on it for now, but have had Canon's 28-135mm on it and both fit fine.  I carry the wall charger in the front pocket and the USB cable in the top inside pocket.  The shoulder strap is fine; there is a waist belt that collapses down when not in use.  Overall, very happy with it for a walk-around bag with one lens.
I find the waist band in its little compartment takes up too much room from the inner camera department. WHen you keep the thick long waist band folded up in its compartment, it bulges over into the inner compartment meant for the camera and takes room and even presents an obstruction. Who but large tourists even use this belt/band? The belt band is NOT removable but permanently an integral part of the bag, unlike the more useful yet removable and adjustable shoulder band which will get slung back and forth in use and relies on cheap plastic hooks.the bottom of the inner camera compartment is also marked with a small piece of fabric attached to the sides with VElcro, but is hard to set in correctly and flat. and what can you hide under that flat bottom?an extra pocket shaped for lens filters and caps, apparently.
This case is perfect for my EOS 60D camera with an EFS 18-200mm zoom lens attached. The case is rugged and has 3 very nice methods of carrying it. It has a nice sturdy shoulder strap, short hand strap and a Holster strap. I also like the option of being able to close the back of the case with a sturdy zipper or only velcro for quick release for fast access to the camera.I strongly recommend this case.
I got it just in time to take my Canon Tsi 3 to playa del carmen on vacation and as many people did...i cut the belt off of it (didn't see myself using it that way) and it was perfect for over the shoulder.  I had a medium lens on and then a small lens underneath the divider.  Had just enough storage for what you need for a day trip at a very reasonable price.  i will definitely suggest this to friends.
Very sturdy and well built. I can put my camera in this case with a short lens or the 300mm telephoto lens.
Plenty of padding.  Larger than picture.  Camera fits well with plenty ofroom for longer lens and extra discs, cleaners.  Belt strap on back adds bulk. Would be better if designed for using the camera's own neck strap instead of adding another neck strap to deal with. Also, there is no way to attach this case to your own camera'sstrap.
This is my first camera bag for my new Canon EOS t3i.  The camera fits perfectly and there's room for extra SD cards and another battery.  It's convenient that the bag velcros, so you have quick access to your camera.
This will only hold my camera with the telephoto lens attached; it is too small to hold a second, smaller lens.  I have not found it as useful as I had hoped.
The bag is larger than I expected. By removing the Waist Strap, I was be able to fit my Rebel XT with battery Grip (with 28-135mm lense) perfectly. Still have room for Battery Charger and Memory Card.Great buy!
Main complaint is that although it is bulky it has little customization potential.  Unless you have a small camera or say a pancake lens attached, there is little to no room left for anything in this.  Also the outside zipper pocket is only useable for either a lens cloth or a single filter.  Nor is there a place to put your contact information.  Pretty much a very basic bag with limited flexibility.
I've had a nice Canon DSLR camera for a while.  Can't say I used it much because it was such a pain in the butt to lug around.  The carrying case I purchased with it was not the least bit functional for hiking, and the shoulder/neck strap wasn't particularly long.  I can honestly say I've used it more with the Canon Zoom pack, than ever before.  I also got rid of the neck strap for the camera and purchased a hand strap for quick grab and shoot.I recently took the pack on a 2-week trek through new Zealand and took over 2,000 pictures.  This pack made it all possible, since I was able to wear it as a belt.  Truth be told, this this looks like a ridiculously large fanny pack.  I found that the most comfortable way to hike with it, was to position it directly in front of you.  That means it hangs directly over your crotch so it looks like a big cod package.  I found it to be pretty amusing, as did a lot of other hikers I passed on trail.  With the camera, I was also able to carry two add-on lenses at the bottom (albeit a tight squeeze), and spare memory cards and a usb cable in the front pocket.  It would have been nice to be able to fit the mini tripod in there somehow as well, but I really can't complain about it, as I just threw in a pocket on my backpack or cargo shorts.I can attest that it is at least rain-resistant, after getting caught in one sprinkle and a moderate rain storm.  The top zips closed nicely.  When it's unzipped, the Velcro on the top does a great job of keeping things secure, while allowing quick and easy access.I did some research online about different hiking packs for cameras and they were all really expensive, and had mixed reviews.  this was super cheap, well-made and WELL worth the money.  One thing I am considering is buying a pair of suspenders to convert the belt strap into a chest harness for the more aggressive hikes.  Happy to answer any questions!
I am completely delighted with Canon's case for my T3.  There is space for the T3 with the Canon 75-300 lens attached.  There is a Velcro adjustable shelf in the camera storage area that will let you set the level of support and padding for your camera.  The front, external pocket is large enough for a close-up filter set.  Built into the underside of the cover is a zippered pocket for storage of extra batteries and memory cards.  The case cover has both a Velcro and zipper fasteners.  The material seems very strong and it is well sewn - no tags, - no threads.  The zippers are of a good quality.  There is a variety of carrying options depending on your circumstances.  It can be belt mounted, worn like a fanny-pack, on slung around the neck.  It is entirely padded to help protect your camera from bangs and bumps.  For the money this is a very good product.
I just got this bag so I will hopefully update this review as I have more experience with the bag.My first impression is the size of the bag. This isn't your average on-the-go bag, it's HUGE! It does seem to be extremely well padded (so it's not as if there is plenty of space inside, it's just a ton of padding). It has a belt mount, but you will need to be an equally huge person to have this mounted on your belt. I will use it now as I have no other choice. However, I will definitely buy a skinnier bag (and a full gadget bag). If you are looking at this bag, you might as well buy a proper bag with enough space for the charger, HDMI/component cable, etc. This bag has no extra space, period.
The issue I have with this bag is that if you have a battery grip on your camera, it a very very tight fit.  It's a well but together bag, but it's not setup for a camera with a battery grip on it.
I love this camera bag. I bought it in 2007 and I have taken it everywhere. Just now it is starting to show some signs of wear, and believe me when I tell you that it has been fully tested.It is ideal for travel, speacially if you don't use several lenses because it will only fit the one attached to your camera. In my case, it fits the Sigma 18 - 250 mm zoom lens that I have on my canon dsrl with little extra space for the battery charger.
Bought this to carry around my Canon T4i. Fits perfectly, very comfortable strap, handy pocket in front for spare batteries and SD cards.Pretty light. Not too bulky, though not what I'd call &#34;sleek&#34; either.Top flap uses a zipper and/or a velcro tab, so you can seal your camera securely or have it available for quick draw.
Everything you need for a trip. You can take your camera, 1 zoom or 1 lens, charger, cables, memory cards. What more?
Along with the SLR1 I have the  18-55 and the 55-250 lens. This good looking case that holds the camera with either leans attached, and enough room to tightly fit the other lens on top.  I needed something compact that I could carry on day hikes or boating that offered rain and bump protection. It is a bit big for just the SLR1 and one lens.  I like being able to carry 2 lenses without having to wear a backpack.
The only thing I don't like is that there's plenty of room on the sides to add additional storage, but I love this case and the optional ways to carry it.
I just got this today, and like others said, its HUGE. I used it in the holster style and its comfortale.While it is huge, it fits really tight with the canon grip on the T2i. Height wise, it could fit a 300mm o 350 easily (the latter with no hood).Great and good looking either way.
This is an excellent buy. This original Canon holster style case can be worn on you waist, carried over the shoulder or simply carried by the hand strap. It holds my Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 18-135mm zoom lens + lens hood attached. I can carry my USB & AV cables inside the bag. It also has a small zippered accessory pouch on top that will hold a lens cover, filters and additional SD memory cards. This is a very versatile camera bag/case.
Nice carry bag, small, sleek. It fits my camera, one extra lens, two  batteries and few SD cards. so far it very great product if you do not like big bags to carry your SLR camera..
Provides secure light weight storage with easy access to camera, including a 250 lens plus some small accessoriesWaist Belt has attached storage, very strong good for hiking sight seeingCanon Zoom Pack 1000 for Elan and Rebel Series Cameras (Holster Style)
Fits my Canon EOS digital Rebel Xti nicely in there with 18-55mm or 75-300mm telephoto lens. The shoulder strap worked okay but I quickly found the holster-fanny pack style worked much better. Fits a lens cap a filter or two, and an extra battery and memory card either in the front pocket or the inner mesh pocket.only think is the inside gets cut-up by the hotshoe on my camera. But really I don't care as it doesn't break the camera and the bag still works. It just frays a little.You cannot fit two lenses in here at once. Impossible.
i bought this for my daughters new Rebel. she loves it. for a small case it works awesome. highly recommended.
The &#34;false bottom&#34; inside this case is great for traveling with a 50mm lens attached to the camera body.  Just remove the velcro bottom and the zoom lens fit fine when attached to the camera body.  An extra bit of zip close storage on the outside of the case comes in handy too.  Exactly as advertised.
I wasn't sure it would fit but it does perfectly even with the larger lens. I sometimes need a bigger bag bu this is what I use the most for trips and just carrying around. I carry 2 extra batteries and a sun reflector and that's about all that will fit. Maybe a few SD cards but I have one 64BG Extreme Pro that is really all I need.I got the Canon t5i with the 135mm that a friend suggested since I was starting out. Beautiful pictures btw. I was worried it would be too big for this bag but it fits perfectly and protects it well. It's also easy to get it out fast.Hope this helps!
I bought this as soon as I bought my 40D with the 28-135mm kit lens.My first impression was that it was made of tough material that was at least water resistant.With my setup, this pack was a perfect fit for my needs.Quick access, discreet, very light, extremely accessible, and cheap.One thing I did right away was cut off the waist straps that are tucked away in the rear of the pack.  I decided I would never need it and was just taking up space.Then I upgraded to the kit lens to the 24-70L lens.  This pack was no longer a comfortable fit.  Although it would go in, the fit was extremely tight and impossible to zipper (only zelcro shut).Last week, with this pack slung around one shoulder, I got out of my car.  The strap slipped off my right shoulder and caught on my elbow.  Unfortunately, the front element made contact with the pavement from about 6" of the ground.  At that time, I didn't think there would be any damage.  I found out later that it was enough to crack my $80 B+W UV filter on my 24-70L. I recognize that it was due to my negligence, but it would have been more safe for me to sling my 40D with the standard camera strap (which is shorter and has more grip), than to store it in this pack with a more slippery nylon strap.I would NOT suggest getting this bag because:1)  NOT ENOUGH PADDING!2)  DO NOT buy a camera bag that only lets you store your camera lens down! (Too much risk)3)  Doesn't protect camera from minor drops. (Actually may increase risk of damage to lens because it can only be stored facing down)4)  Minimal to no extra storage space.If you spent $$$$ on your camera set up, don't go cheap with this bag. Invest in something that will sufficiently protect your camera!(I have since ordered the Crumpler 5 MDH and store the camera sideways, so that the lens is no longer facing down)
I bought this for my Canon Rebel XSI after reading mixed reviews. I returned it however because it is way to bulky and the color is really ugly. I decided to buy the Tamrac 5501 Explorer 1 Camera Bag instead which is the SAME SIZE and fits way more stuff inside because of it's design and many, many pockets!
good quality and compact size... good for travellingbut it's too small, it can only store my T4i with 18-135mm lens... no space for my flash
Build quality and design are not great.The zipper head inside the top cover may leave scratch on the back of the camera - could have been just a velcro.  It looks huge from outside for a holster style but not enough useful space inside for Rebel XSi - a lot of 1/2" thick dead space around the camera and lens not very useful for storing accessories.  Could have had more storage pockets outside and shrunk the bag a little bit.  A buckle-strap might be used to the top cover instead of velcro.Some of above issues my be solved by putting camera strap first then the camera body and lens.  However, the design, color, texture and size all remind me of military equipment not camera - even with a canon logo.I am returning it and will pick one at a local camera store after carefully evaluating the design inside and out.
I have a EOS Rebel T3i and I was looking for a carrying case that would hold the camera with a EFS 55-250 telephoto lens.  Fits perfectly.  I can carry extra batteries in the pouch on the front and extra SD cards in the zipper compartment inside to top cover.  I have only used it with the shoulder strap so far but it does have a waist strap so you can carry it on your hip.  That strap stores neatly in the back of the case.  I like the quick access.  I have not used it in the rain yet so I can't vouch for water &#34;proofness&#34;.  Does have adequate padding to protect camera against normal bumping around.
I have a Canon EOS 50D with the 28-135mm zoom lens. While I do have a large camera bag that holds it, additional lenses, and other accessories nicely, I always wanted a "go" case that would add some simple cover, drizzle protection, and scratch-n-bump protection to my camera when I was walking around with it, but not using it.This holster serves that need perfectly and the camera/lens (with lens hood mounted backwards for storage) just fits. With the camera neck strap attached to the camera, and an accessory eye cup attached, it's an even tighter fit, but still does the job. Would another inch or so of depth be better? Yes, absolutely. But anything significantly larger and your camera would bounce around too much inside.The case comes with one velcro pad that can be installed with infinite variance to cushion shorter lens combo's. I stuffed this pad in to the nose of the holster to add additional padding to the nose of the lens.I've read reviews that state the EOS 50D will fit in this case with the battery grip, but I think that would be an extremely tight fit, and probably not practical.The case comes with a belt strap (which I will use a lot to keep my hands free, and to keep the camera from beating me to death while walking/hiking). This belt strap can be tucked inside a compartment on the back of the holster and hidden, if you don't want to use it. It also comes with a detachable neck strap with a padded shoulder feature. I probably won't use this much as shoulder straps tend to slide off my shoulders unexpectedly, and this holster won't afford a lot of protection if it hits the ground with its heavy contents. One other NICE feature - a small sewn-in hand strap on the top of the holster, so you can carry it this way, or hold the holster securely while you're fumbling to fasten the belt strap on. You can also slide this holster over a regular trouser belt as well.Worn with the belt strap, the holster top can be left unzippered, with the cover held down by a simple velcro strip. This makes it quick-ready for a "draw" from the holster (hand slides right in to the wrist strap), for very quick photography, without having it beating against your chest on a neck strap as you walk.The holster cover (top) is nicely zippered, with a pull down rain/moisture flap, and velcro fastener. There is a small zippered storage compartment inside the top cover 8"x4", and another on the outside front of the holster 5"x4"x1", suitable for CF cards, extra batteries, small cables, etc.With this holster, I will now be able to remove the neckstrap from the camera and use only a hand strap, which will be wonderful (I hate neck straps, but won't touch the camera without a strap of some kind in place for protection).Fast shipping, good packaging, nice looking (it's a Canon case and matches the camera well), and does its job well. Great transaction!!!
After trying and returning another holster-style case from a local store because my camera would not fit, I took a chance on ordering this item. I am pleased to report that the camera (Canon 7D with 18-200-mm lens) fits perfectly, but ONLY if I pull the belt strap partly out of its storage pocket. When the belt strap is fully tucked into its pocket, it bulges into the case so much that the camera does not fit. I see that some other reviewers have cut off the belt strap, and now I understand why. I have not done that yet, but am tempted to do so because I tried using the belt strap and it felt extremely uncomfortable and unstable. I will not be using it. But, when using the well-designed shoulder strap that also comes with this case, I have no problems at all. The Velcro closure on the case lid holds well and opens quickly to give access to the camera, the presence of a zipper to seal it against bad weather is welcome, and the small hand strap works well when not using the shoulder strap. The front accessory pouch is perfect for extra memory cards, etc. Overall, a winner. But what were they thinking when they included that awful belt strap?
This is very compact and versatile bag. I used it for carrying a canon T4i with 18-135 STM lens with just enough space to fit the camera strap. The shoulder and belt are equally practical. Though I think one will have to decide which one to use on a long term basis as it can be cumbersome having both out at the same time.
I read reviews that almost made me change my mind about ordering this bag.  But it fits great and has enough storage to keep it light, which was the reason we ordered it.  We have a EOS Rebel T1i and the fit is perfect.  The shoulder strap seems nice, nothing amazing but works good.  I will admit what other reviewers noted, the green color on the bottom is pretty ugly, but I'm a guy, I don't need it to be pretty!
This is a good quality case that fits the Canon cameras well.  However, I returned this item and choose the Opteka Neoprene case instead.  We are extremely happy with our decision.  I highly recommend the neoprene case for the reasons discussed in my other review.  Please consider reading what I have to say about the other case.
Canon Zoom Pack 1000 for Elan and Rebel Series Cameras (Holster Style)I found this camera case to be very usefull. First the different ways to carry it. Wast,Shoulder or Hand. Room for my extra Flash cards inside and outside a pocket to carry extra batterys and a small pen light.my Canon RebelXTi fit real nice inside. The best feature of this case is the Rain flap, that protects camera and contents from geting wet (and it did rain some in Alaska). Outside pocket could use a second zipper. If you dont close zipper all the way contents can fall out. But I'll still rate it a 5 Star.
This is a great case that does not take up as much room as standard cases for a camera with a lense.
This is one rather large bag for carrying one camera and a few filters. A bit bulky  when traveling. Should have considered a regular camera bag so a regular lens and zoom lens would fit. The product is well constructed and should last a lifetime.
I bought this holster for the two week bird watching in the rain forest of Belize.  I wore it on my hip and it worked perfectly.  I installed a UV filter on my new T2i and left the lens cover off.  The velcro tab held the top flap and allowed quick removal and return.  In the light rain the holster protected the camera.  There is room in the pockets for lens wipes, a spare battery and card.It is rare that a product meets and exceeds all expectations.  Since my return, I installed a hand strap on my camera which makes quick camera removal a bit more difficult but with less chance of dropping the camera.  A fair trade off in my book.A great product at a very resonable price.
This is a nice quality holster that fits my T3i perfectly!  My larger lens 18-133mm sits perfectly in this holster, and if I want to use my smaller lens, all I do is attatch the included velcro sling.  Super for the boat and for walking around compared to my big bag.I do agree with another reviewer...don't see why the greenish/gold tip was needed in the design but not a showstopper and it doesn't look too weird...just more curious as to why it was done that way!
This is a great bag.  It holds my Canon 30D with the 28-135 lens attached.  It also holds the spare battery and USB cable.  It comes with a removable shoulder strap and a small carrying handle if the strap is removed.The strange thing is that it also has another strap so that it can be worn around the waist but that strap can not be removed.  I may end up cutting it off later since I will never wear this around my waist.
This thing fits my Rebel XT fine, but it leaves plenty of space in the main pouch. I'm not sure that I like that. It's not very snug in there, but it does allow for extra batteries, chargers, filters, etc. It's very secure and sturdy. Just get it, it's a good case for a good price.
This bag is perfect for my Canon Rebel T1i! Plenty of space but not huge and clunky like most camera bags. It's sleek but has enough room and pockets for your camera, memory cards, and maybe a small lens. The strap is very comfortable and adjusts to any size. I loev this bag and am so happy I found it!
This camera holster's velcro patch makes it very easy to take the camera out quickly and to put it back in, while keeping it protected.
This bag can hold my Canon Rebel T1i with 15-85mm lens + lens hood (rectracted) easily! And still have space for a larger lens! Also I use the pockets to carry a spare battery, a second memory card, a remote control, a cleaning brush and a cleaning cloth! Nice ergonomic strap, I found it very practical for the adventurer photo enthusiast that doesn't want to carry large cases. Highly recommended!
My old Canon EOS Rebel 2000 with 28-200 zoom lens was smaller and fit nicely into a Lowepro TLZ Mini case.  So I was disappointed when my new Canon T1i with 18-200 OS lens was much bigger (and heavier), unable to fit in the Lowepro.I had looked in the stores, but found nothing suitable, so I was quite happy to find this Canon case that is the perfect size.  The external zip pocket holds my polarizer lens and extra battery.I've found that the velcro closure keeps the lid in place even if I don't firmly attach it--handy if you accidentally lean over and your camera wants to slide out.  I rarely use the zipper, as I normally want quick access while hiking, etc.I did discover, however, that the wide padded portion of the carrying strap rubs against the back of my wide-brimmed Crocidile Dundee hat!  Sigh.One problem:  the zipper broke on the external pouch (no idea how).  That is, the piece that holds the zipper pull broke, so the pull cannot be reattached, nor can I use a paperclip.  I can use my fingernails to scoot the zipper open and shut.  It's not very convenient but so far I haven't figured out a solution.  I think I can open one end of the zipper and attach a new pull.
Very good product, well made.  Can only fit the camera with one lens, however, and until I can invest in a zoom lens that captures 18-200, I prefer the Canon Gadget Bag 100EG because it fits both of my lenses (18-55 and 55-250) and it is small enough to carry everywhere.
El tejido del estuche est&aacute; muy bien fabricado y puede resistir al menos una lluvia ligera. No ofrece un gran acolchado contra los golpes fuertes pero la c&aacute;mara est&aacute; suficientemente protegida para condiciones de transporte normal y no muy agresivo. Posee una correa desmontable con almohadilla para cargar al hombro y una correa  fija (escondida en un bolsillo especial) para sujetar a la cintura.Puedes transportar una c&aacute;mara de proporciones similares a la canon eos xsi con un lente EF-S 55-250 IS, con correa, una bater&iacute;a de recambio, memorias, un par de filtros sin estuches voluminosos, tapas de lentes y cuerpo.Si se utiliza un lente menos largo se puede guardar, adem&aacute;s de lo ya mencionado, el recargador de la bater&iacute;a que no necesita de cable.Actualizaci&oacute;n:Lo &uacute;nico malo es que despu&eacute;s de un tiempo de uso, el cierre del bolsillo peque&ntilde;o comez&oacute; a abrirse solo. Esto no solo es fastidioso sino que puede llegar a ser peligroso. Ahora se abre hasta 3 cent&iacute;metros con solo el movimiento del cuerpo al caminar. Por ello he bajado la calificaci&oacute;n.The bag is not that bad, but the little pocket zipper would un-hook itself when you are walking (1" aprox.). This is annoying and risky, of course.This thing apart, the bag have a good size for an Canon Rebel or Nikon Dxxxx camera with an up to 55-250 zoom lens, with some extras like 1 battery, memories, a filter or body cap (watch out for the self commanded zipper).The fabric tissue is tight enough, so it can handle small amount of water and dust but the pad is barely sufficientto keep the equip knock safe. It have a removable shoulder belt and a fix (hidden in a special pocket) waist belt.
This is great for traveling. It even fits assembled with an extended lens. Small compartments are great, too. A great product at a reasonable price.
Form follows function with this Canon camera pack.  Carrying a large, heavy SLR securely while still being able to access it quickly has been a challenge my whole life.  This well-made, padded pack is a perfect, if a bit snug, fit for my new Canon D7 with an 18-200mm Sigma zoom lens attached. The combined straps make it possible to stabilize the load at waist level. Open the top panel and you can have the camera out and in shooting position in a few seconds.  Or you can carry it at your side with the comfortable strap over your shoulder.There is barely room in the pack for the camera's own strap when using a large zoom lens.  A small "nose pocket" on the top of the pointy end will hold a couple of lens caps, a backup camera battery, or extra cf memory cards, but probably not all three at once.  But none of my gun holsters hold anything other than the gun so a "nose pocket" is icing on the cake.  And the entire nose of the pack is covered with an extra layer of olive-colored ballistic nylon for wear protection.For some reason I have not found this type of pack at my local photo stores, but Amazon carries it and it went on sale while I was still thinking about trying one.  That, my friends, is always a sign that a way has opened before you.
Love it! Fits my canon 60D with a 18-135mm perfectly . It also has a side pocket for xtra batteries and misc.
When I just want to take my camera and a lens, this holster works perfectly. It provides great protection, and it carries well. Very recommended.
This case provides excellent protection for the Canon Xsi with the new Sigma 18-250 mm zoom lens.  We took this on a cruise recently and it traveled well.  We left the big camera case at home with the flash and all the other lenses.  Great product!
This camera case is perfect for all the reasons I wanted it.  It provides adequate protection for the camera, it looks cool, and it even has little pockets to store a couple of filters, cleaning pads, etc.
WHO: Bought this for myselfPROS:I love that it feels secure and I feel that it's really protecting my expensive cameraLove that the small pocket in the front holds the wall charger perfectlyCONS:feels bulky around the waste but around the shoulder it's perfect.
Better than I expected for the price I paid.  Well made with decent padding and big enough to hold my 75-300mm zoom lense while on the camera body.
It was perfect size for my Canon Rebel XSi, and it's very comfortable. It has a strap tu put around your waste and another strap to put around your shoulder if you want to. There's a compartment for the extra batery and memory. No space for an extra lens though...
This is a great looking pack for a camera but it's not as large as it seems.  The product description says "made to hold a Canon full-size DSLR camera with an attached lens", but in fact it was a very tight fit for my 7D with an 28-135mm lens.  I returned the pack and order the Canon 2400 bag.
Don't have a Canon but works very well! I was going to the Zoo and didn't want to lung around my camera bag. I put it on my side with top open like a gun holster and pulled out my camera and took the pictures I wanted to take a quickly put my camera back down and enjoyed the zoo with my wife and 3 year old... It was so worth it!
I use this for my canon rebel eos. Fits great and holds a few things. the belt comes in useful.
This is well made and practical.  I have recently returned from a trip to Europe with my Canon 60D.  I found the shoulder strap AND the waist strap (unlike some other reviewers) to be useful.  If the camera strap is extended, the case on the waist strap can be worn in front and used as a place to park and protect the camera when not in use. The mesh pocket in the top cover will hold the lens cap and the front zipper pocket holds a spare battery and SD card.
This camera holster is a perfect fit for the Canon T1i with either the 18-55 or 55-250 zoom lens. There is no room for an external flash. There is plenty of padding. I like the fact that it has a shoulder strap and a waist belt. However, due to the weight of the camera and case I think the waist strap is uncomfortable for an all day event.I bought the holster for days when I want to carry just the camera with an attached lens and a few small items like an extra battery and meemory card. It works well for that purpose.
with Canon 50D, the camera fits snug and there's no room for the strap that's on the camera itself to also fit inside the case.  makes this a pain to deal with.
Works great for a single lens.  but dont recommend for multiple lenses.  I don't have no bad reviews.  All is good.
This bag is perfect for a Canon t3i with 18-135 lens and some accessories like extra battery, remote, memory card and an extra filter in the pockets provided. The holster fits well and is very convenient. The top cover goes over the zipper so the camera is safe even if it starts raining.
This bag was just what I wanted. I was looking for a bag that I can carry my camera and most of its essential accessories in and at the same time be able to put it in my back pack when I was travelling, and I tried everywhere but I couldn't find any bag like that until I found this one.I carry my camera with its kit's lensCanon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, 2 filters, a remote switchCanon Remote Switch RS60 E3, 1 extra battery, and 1 extra SD card and I still have a some space for other small accessories.The bag quality is good, and it can be carried in different positions.In general I love it and I highly recommend it
This is a great way to carry the Canon without it sticking out.  Will carry Canon with regular and 85-250 zoom.  Very sturdy.
Good Camera bag for one lens. I would recommend this and this is very nice bag. The quality is very good
I really like this case.  I have a Rebel T4i and a 18-135mm lens.  I fits snugly.  In fact It was tricky finding space for the camera strap inside the bag with the camera already in there.  But for quick work I don't put the camera strap in the bag because it has a nifty feature.  With the camera in the bag the bag can be zipped closed or you can use the velcro feature or both.  If you use just the velcro the camera strap can hang out and if the camera is needed quickly pulling the velcro and pulling out the camera takes 2 secs.  The bag is sturdy plus the lens end of the bag is really well padded.
YOU CAN EVEN WEAR IT AS A KOALA BAG, T FEETS MY CANON 60D CAMERA WITH A LENSE AND BATTERIES! I LOVE THIS BAG! ITS BEAUTIFUL! THANKS!!!
It fits for my SX1IS with many rooms left. It has a front pocket with a divider inside. There is an internal zip too for flash and more.The main compartment comes with zip, and stickey patches.You can have it over shoulder, or there is an embedded string to pull out and wear as a pouch.A Water prove bag indeed!
I purchased this item (Canon Zoom Pack 1000 Holster) about six years ago for my old Canon Elan 7e film camera. It provided a perfect fit for this full-size camera, with the EF 28-135mm USM IS lens and its lens hood mounted. After I switched over to the Canon digital Rebel XT, the new camera body is a lot smaller, and so is the equivalent EF-S lens. What I found is that with the extra space available, I can actually fit my external flash unit inside the holster. It is a rather tight fit, but the good thing is they won't knock against each others inside.Here is what I can store inside this holster: Canon Rebel XT, EF-S 17-85mm USM IS lens (with EW-73B lens hood fitted in reverse), Canon 420EX Speedlite, LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer, polarizer filter, video cable, spare battery pack, CF cards, plus a few more small items. When necessary, I can also use it to carry my Rebel XT with theCanon BG-E3 Battery Gripmounted. But of course, the flash unit won't fit in this case.The exterior of this holster pack is made of ballistic nylon, which is far more durable than the faux-leather used in cheap imitations (such as theOpteka DSLR Holster Case). I've been carrying this holster to and back from work almost daily, plus several oversea trips during the past 5-6 years. It is still in excellent condition. To me, the quality of its construction fully justifies its higher price.[Update on Oct 20, 2013]I purchased my second Canon holster case. After 11 years of faithful service, my old holster is getting an 'honorable discharge'. Its waist belt started to tear alone the sew line, and I don't want my camera to fall off the cliff during my next hiking trip. By the way, this holster out-lasted three camera bodies (Elan, Rebel XT, and T1i), so I certainly got my money's worth.The new Canon holster case is made in China while the old one is made in Korea. However, they are exactly the same in terms of material used, construction quality, and dimensions.
Excellent quality and great for anybody wanting a holster style.  I am using it to carry a Lumix FZ70.  I do wish the bottom was flatter.  Other than that nit, it is a good buy.
I have used my Canon Zoom Pack multiple times over the past 2 years for recreational use.  I ordered 2 of them, one for me and one for my wife, while hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana.  These packs were easy to attach to our waists and hike while keeping the camera ready for action.  Highly recommended!
I bought this case based on positive reviews, and I'm glad I did. This is the best case of its kind I have seen anywhere. It is sturdy, weatherproof, large enough for my Rebel XT with 28-105mm lens, with room to spare. It has an adjustable divider for the deep end, which helps cushion the camera. It has a carrying handle, a padded shoulder strap, and a waist strap that tucks inside when not in use. It has a pocket in front large enough for a battery charger with battery, and an extra CF card or two. And it has a zippered pocket inside the lid. I have not seen one that has all these features, especially not for this price! Best of all, it is deep enough for a longer lens; you don't have to stuff your camera in with force. I could hardly be more pleased!
This is a well made camera case. Two straps, neck or waist (or both).Unfortunately, my camera does not fit in it.  I have a canon rebel, with 55mm-300mm lens.There is lots of padding, and that is probably why my camera doesn't fit, since the outer dimensionswould imply that my camera and lens would fit.
My holster style camera case works great. Just what I was looking for when riding my bike. I'm very happy with is product. it's made well.
This bag is the perfect size for my Rebel XT with a Canon 18X200 zoom lens.There is a belt system that allows one to wear it as a holster to have available in a few seconds.The closure is a zipper and a Velcro fastener. Just use the Velcro when you want quick access.There is a little extra storage pouch on the outside for batteries, filters, etc.
Great Product exactly what I was looking for! Fits an additional lens but not a huge telephoto lens. I like how you can shoulder or belt carry the product. Looks & feels very durable for what you pay for.
Got this bag for a very good deal. I paid only 10 bucks. Very happy with the purchase. Fits my Canon T3 with lens and charger perfectly.
Originally I ordered a camera bag that fit all my lenses and other accessories which is also really needed but it is too big to easily carry around when you are walking and taking pictures.  So, I ordered this holster style bag and found it to be just what I needed - it is bigger than the point and shoot on my belt but it is not very heavy. You can either carry it over your shoulder or around your waist with the included strap.  You must have this bag If you walk or hike and take pictures.It has quality construction and was a very good purchase.
Really appreciate the velcro top opening closure so I don't have to keep zipping and unzipping it get the camera in and out.  Kind of big and bulky for a regular camera without a zoom lens which I don't have (but plan to), but the velcro closure is what won me over to this purchase.
I bought this small holster bag to replace the huge carry all camera bag, just for those times when space is a concern.Brought it camping and it worked great. The V-shaped style works great for placing your small lens into.Make no mistake, this won't work for additional lens or a external flash, but for the camera and immediate needs, it works great.Craftmanship seems decent but too early to tell.  I'm expecting a chinese made zipper to break anytime now. ;-P
The Canon Zoom Pack 1000 is very useful and sturdy bag - and, although compact, it's big! Any Canon EOS Rebel/xxxD/xxD with a medium-sized zoom lens will fit perfectly. For example, a Rebel XT/350D with a Sigma 18-200mm (OS or non-OS) lens fits perfectly inside it (even with the camera's big strap folded behind the camera and with a polarizer filter + Sigma's big lens hood attached in front of the lens) - and there's still some space left inside for some small accessories...Some cameras with their battery grips attached will eventually fully fit in this bag, but often tightly (stretching it out fully at the upper side). This is the case for the Rebel XTx/XSx/3xxD/4xxD cameras.It comes with a velcro "divider" to be put besides or over the camera (or behind it, as a matter of fact, on the top portion of the bag, just below its top cover), so you can partition the inner space and create a second compartment to keep a small point-and-shoot camera and/or any small accessories, as a battery charger (plus two or three extra batteries and memory cards). If you put the divider behind the camera (over its back), you can put anything on the upper side of the bag without taking the risk to scratch the camera's LCD screen.The top cover closes by velcro so it's very easy and fast to open or close it (just pull it up or down, without the need to push buttons, press hooks, untie laces or whatever).Inside the bag, just below the top cover, there's a very convenient zipper-style, "net-type" compartment (very useful for storing documents, cables, cleaning pens, portable table tripods, memory cards, lens filters without their original cases etc.).The front accessory compartment is small, but there's enough space for some memory cards, one or two lens caps, and extra battery, any thin cable and maybe more (all these items together), if you arrange everything well. It has a small fixed divider, specially useful for keeping CompactFlash memory cards.It features a comfortable, ergonomic shoulder/neck strap and a belt that allows us to carry it on our waist. You'll look like as if you're carrying a big gun!If you don't have too much photographic gear and stuff, this bag may be the only bag you will ever need. In my experience, here's a list of what it can hold altogether:- Any Canon EOS Rebel/xxxD/xxD with a medium-sized zoom lens (e.g., the Sigma 18-200mm OS/non-OS lens, with a polarizer filter and a big hood attached)- A Canon CB-2LT battery charger- A Hoya polarizer filter case- A flexible, mini table tripod- The camera's USB cable- The camera's video cable- The front lens cap (when it is off the camera)- The rear lens cap- The camera's cover body cap- An RC-1 wireless remote controller (attached to the camera's neck strap)- A small, manual air blower with medium-sized rubber bulb (like theGiottos AA1900 Large Rocket BlasterorCanon EF Lense BlowerorVisible Dust Hurricane Blower)Of course it would be more comfortable if I'd put all this stuff in a bigger, horizontal-style gear backpack, but the Canon Zoom Pack 1000 gives me the convenience of wearing it around my neck and leave it hanging just in front of me (as I would do with the camera alone) or around my waist (holster style). You can even use both the belt and the neck strap in order to hang it in front of you in a stabilized way.And, last but not least, it is beautiful, stylish and have a nice silver "Canon" logo in front of it. Recommended!
Love this holster!  Sturdy enough to protect the camera and lens well but still very light.  I only use the velcro closure which makes access easy and quick.  It has a sling which can be removed for a longer zoom. I originally bought it for a gift and liked it so much I bought myself one.
It was nice and cheap but it emits a squeaking sound when I walk.  Didn't think it would be a big deal, but when you are walking around in nature the squeaking kind of ruins the scene.
This is very good bag for Canon T3i + EF-S 18-135 Lens (with lens hood reversed)....very nicely fits....Canon Zoom Pack 1000 for Elan and Rebel Series Cameras (Holster Style)
I purchased this as a simple protective bag for my camera. I was surprised by the quality of the bag. The material is pretty strong , decent colors and the zipper works great. It fits my camera fine and a few accessories that I added to the camera. The bag is bigger than I thought.
Quite happy with this bag !  Has quite a few small pockets for those little items, such as batteries, lens filters, adapters, etc ! ! !
it is good for the regular lens, but you can't use it with the telephoto lenses, I wish it is a bit longer then it is a perfect case, I wish it has attachment holder for the telephoto lens or the regular lens on the side of the case, design problem.
Perfect for camera and 18-55mm lens, with some depth to spare!! Extra storage for batteries, cleaning cloth, etc.. Great for minimalist carrying!! Wish you could unbuckle the waist belt, be chopping it off with a blade soon.
This is a top loader type camera bag from Canon.  The quality is great, but the applications are limited.  If you have an entry level DSLR, its great.  Try a 7D or 5D and there are problems with any lens besides a 50 mm.
This bag is well made and is big enough to hold spare CF cards, my Rebel 300D with 28-105 Zoom lens attached, the camera strap, an additional standard lens, and a additional battery pack.  Nothing more.  It replaces an older camera bag that is still in good condition but more bulky.
I like this product a lot, but it does have limitations.  Because it is so bulky, it is hard to use when you are on the move.  Given that it is so large, I'm surprised there isn't enough room for an additional lens.  Go figure.
This bag is much bigger than I expected but just isn't quite roomy enough to comfortably hold a 35mm Canon EOS Rebel Ti with a battery grip, hand strap and small lens attached. It just doesn't seem to be designed with the optional standard Canon battery grips and hand straps in mind. The bag is attractive, however, and appears sturdy and well-padded but its bulk (some of which is from the rear pouch storing the belt strap when not in use) can also make it a bit awkward. Its not a bad camera bag for the price but you may want to consider something else if you plan on using a battery grip.Post Script - This bag turns out to be a pretty good fit for the Canon Rebel XT with the caveat that you'll only be able to fit the one zoom lens and no other lenses or a flash unit. Even with the XT's smaller size, however, the bag is still a too tight of a fit for an XT with a battery grip attached.
I purchased this bag after checking the Canon website and seeing that it was listed as compatible with theCanon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens. I use it in conjunction with theCanon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent). The two bags are color matched. The Zoom Pack has a shoulder strap, and a waist strap. The waist strap stores in a pocket when not in use. This is the bag to use on outdoor activities. It's well padded the and the 50d fits snuggly. The waist strap keeps it from swinging out and getting in the way.  You can carry a spare battery and a spare CF card in the outside pocket, but, don't expect to carry much else with the 50d and the EF 28-135 IS USM lens. I definitely would buy this bag again, and highly recommend it. It's a great bargain here on Amazon.I did buy this bag again! I ordered a refurbished Canon Rebel XTi for my teenage daughter, at the same time I ordered the Zoom Pack to go with it. The camera arrived first and when I saw how small the XTi was compared to my 50d I was concerned that the Zoom Pack would be way too big. But, when the Zoom Pack arrived the XTi with 18-55 IS lens and lens hood fit perfect. My daughters only complaint is that it's the `same ugly' color as mine.
I ordered this Holster style bag for my Canon T4i w/18-135mm Lens and the camera fits perfect. The small little pockets in the case hold my spare battery and memory card. It's great for travel and so far performing as hoped. Highly recommended for the same camera.
Used this or almost 5 years now.  held up very well.  over long travels, and multiple climates, very good product!
I bought this because I needed a smaller bag than my LowePro 250 to carry around at times. The Canon Zoom Pack 1000 takes my T3i with a 55-250 lens pretty easily. But a bigger camera like a 60D might fit better. There is an smaller compartment to keep and extra battery or the lens cap. The bag slings very comfortably around the body and sits comfortably at the waist. But it is definitely not made to be carried as a holster. It is simply too big and awkward for that. One of the things that I did not like is the main cover flap that has a vecro strip and folds over the zipper when you close it. It definitely takes getting used to. I would say the flap might be a bit over kill and the zipper by itself would have been much better.Pros:Nice light weight designCarries a DSLR with a zoom lens fitted onExtra pocket to carry batteries / store lens capsSlings very nicely around the body to sit at waistCons:May or may not have room for an extra lens depending upon what camera you are carryingAccessing the camera can take getting used toDefinitely not a comfortable holster pack
Perfectly fit my Canon 60D, and I throw in bands, lens caps and some small stuff. You can wear it around your waist, or carry it by the normal bands. It's solid and I'm totally enjoy having it. Recommended.
FITS and is super great and sturdy. Love the extra pouches. Just like it says, I can fit the battery charger in, the who camera with strap and a few small items, but it is a very tight fit. If they had allowed just a tad bit more space...I have the latest Canon camera (purchased Dec 2012). Also color is very boring.
The fanny pack strap that comes with it was so bulky in the pocket it was hard to get the camera in and out of the case - I cut it off and now I like it much better.  I wanted something compact instead of my huge gear bag and this is a good size to protect my camera when I go on short outings.  Doesn't hold much gear, but good for an extra battery and extra memory card.
Excellent product, could have used a couple more pockets. But overall, I'm very pleased with the case. William/Oregon
This item was purchased to carry my Rebel xsi in a Canon 200DG Camera gadget bag with a lens installed so I could carry the zoom pack 1000 when I didn't need the big bag. It will fit tightly with the xsi and Tamron 70-300 lens installed and the hood reversed. The zoom pack 1000 is well built and is going to function well for the use I needed.
Holds my Canon T3i with a 135 lend attached with a little room to move yet.  You won't pack for a week long shoot but you'll be able to pack what you need for the day.
I purchased this case for my 500D... But when I upgraded my camera to 5D this case was not quite appropriate. So it is not universal enough...
Its been wonderful to be able to throw my camera in and out of this bag very quickly to protect it from the elements while I shoot. Its a tiny drop bulkier than I had hoped, but it feels solid and even protects against a light drizzle (though I am not recommending that you test it).
I got this for charging both AA and AAA batteries for my digital camera and Mp3 player. It has lived up to my expectations. The batteries charge relatively quickly and the lights inform me of when it is done. The only complaints I have are that the charger gets really hot while charging, which concerns me somewhat, and that the unit itself looks cheap. I also wish that the plug in had fold down progs like most portable devices have these days. That would be a big plus for travel.
Rapid Charger is a little big to be travel portable in an age where carry on space is at a premium.  However, the biggest problem is the batteries themselves started leaking within 6 months of purchase. This doesn't create confidence in the product.  i wouldn't buy it again.
The charger comes with four 2500mAh "Digipower" NiMH AA batteries, an AC adapter (120V AC input, 12V 500mA DC output), and a car cigarette lighter cord to provide 12V.  The charger has 2 LED's, a red and a green, to indicating charging and ready.  There's also a switch to select 2 or 4 batteries.It can also apparently charge AAA batteries.  The label on the back of the charger indicates output (charge) current for each combination: 4xAA: 700mA, 2xAA: 1000mA, and 2xAAA: 350mA given 12V input.The manufacture date is 4 months ago.Update: clarification on the rating.  It can only charge 2 or 4 batteries at a time.  This suggests that it is not capable of providing each battery with the amount of charge required for the battery, but that it groups the batteries and charges until the average charge level of the group reaches a certain level.  This may mean that some of the batteries aren't fully charged and other batteries are overcharged, resulting in shorter life. If it could charge any number of batteries individually (like my other AA battery charger), I would have given it 5 stars.
It's been years since I've bought rechargable batteries, but needed it for my digital camera.  These aren't your fathers Nicads!!  Technology really has advanced in rechargable batteries.
Works great.  I am so glad we bought this.  Great price, great value.
It wouldn't charge the batteries that came with it so I had to go out and by the right kind.
I bought it, charged them, etc.  But they never worked.  Not sure if it was the charger or the batteries, just returned them for a refund.
I purchased these to use in a digital camera.  Great battery life, no problems thus far.
I've converted back to regular batteries - the rechargeables never seemed to keep a long charge and just became too frustrating never knowing if I was going to have my camera die in the middle of a tour.
Our old recharger had to recharge overnight, but this works very quickly.  The car adapter makes it very handy if you're on the road.
Wit all the battery hungry cameras this item is a must have. A lot less expensive in the long run than buying alkaline batteries every time you turn around. Come with car charger also.
Bought these for an RC car, after about 4 days 2 of them started leaking, Through all 4 out. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
This battery charger is poorly constructed and (mine) does not work as advertised. It has a switch that will supposedly allow you to charge two or four batteries at a time but mine will only charge four. The two battery function does not work. The only reason I am keeping this is because of the car charging function which is why I am giving it two stars and not one.
That's what I thought when I read the review about the batteries not charging, where the charge light came on for about 15 minutes before turning off again and the batteries never charged.  That's almost exactly what happened to me, though.  I say 'almost', because after the first time, the lights never came on again...not the red light nor the green.To be honest, I expect it could have had something to do with using a voltage converter while in another country, but one would hope that the manufacturer had allowed for such bizarre occurences as one leaving the United States and wanting to charge batteries while abroad for more than a week.One upside of this is that I can still use the batteries themselves so long as I get them charged in another charger.  In fact, these batteries have lasted longer on their first charge than the batteries that came with my camera.  If I could give a separate review of the batteries, I'd give them 5 stars, but the charger will remain the subject of any new invective I can dream up for the next few weeks.  Buyer beware!
I ordered this item Nov 16, 2007. On Nov 22 this item now shows on my ordering tracking page as not being delivered until after Dec 25. No notice from Amazon.
This inexpensive charger and AA batteries has been great.  Battery life is very good before they need charging.  Had a 15 minute charger prior to this, but I cannot find any batteries for that particular charger.
I bought this product to charge camera batteries.  It works well.  The led is useful and the ability to charge AAA and AA batteries is great.  It is sturdy and well-designed.  I lost the power cord somewhere in my travels but another (don't we all have a box of these?) I had worked okay.
Product was shipped propmply. It is too soon to judge how well the batteries will take repeated charges; otherwise, very good.
I too shared many of the apparent problems with this charger/battery combo!  I was about to return both sets I purchased; however, was able to resurrect the product and it works GREAT!  The batteries now work super in my digital camera, cordless mouse, cordless keyboard, and even flashlights.What I did:1.  I fully discharged the batteries in a flashlight - left it on overnight.2.  I fully charged the batteries in the charger overnight (ignore the steady green light indicating a full charge).3.  I repeated steps 1 and 2.The batteries now operate great.  They hold a charge and operate items I only operated previously with DuraCell Alkalines.  The green fully-charged indicator on the charging unit also appears to be operating correctly now.Other problems noted such as overheating and unit not staying plugged in have not been an issue for me.  The unit is secure in a wall socket, the batteries are secure in the unit, and the operating temperature (even after 12 hrs) is just a little above room temp.I hope this review may save you some grief and a potential needless return of the product!
I bought one of those kits bundled with my new Flip camcorder and the batteries don't last more than 15 minutes (fully charged). I don't understand why Amazon recommends the bundle. My final opinion: stay away from this product!
Exactly as described. Read description and you have it. Already used it several times on both aaa and aa batteries, best buy in quite a while.
It's a piece of garbage.  Right out of the package it didn't work.  I left it plugged into a wall socket overnight and the red light indicator was still on.  I charged them through the day, about 24 hours total, and it didn't work. The batteries are fine.  Don't waste your money on the Battery kit.
the old batteries i tried to charge must simply have been too old. Bought the eneloop charger instead and Amazon is being very good in quickly delivering it.the eneloop charger couldn't/wouldn't  charge my old batteries either. so I guess I'll just begin using the new batteries instead.Thank you Amazon!!
I charged the batteries and put them into my camera-- they lasted for about eight pictures. Took them out and went back to regular batteries.
After 48hrs no charging, cells all cold. Printed out return and receivedrefund in about 10 days. Since then, I've learned that you want a LOWdischarge rate for digital cameras. Get a 2100 mAh or thereabouts.
Took the plunge to get these because I was ordering $370 camera and Amazon pitched this as a half price item if purchased in combination.  Obviously I should have checked the reviews anyway.  Put the batteries in the charger, they won't charge.  Remove them, replace them, charger lights right up and eventually registers a full charge.  Put them in the camera, it won't power up.  Remove them and replace them and it powers on fine.  Check them with a battery tester, 3 of 4 check fine, one shows no charge.  Check it again a few seconds later, and it shows a full charge.  THESE ARE UNRELIABLE JUNK.Pitching a bad product (and from the quantity of poor reviews this has been a poor product for some time) is a disappointment, from a retailer I WANT to be able to trust!
I've seen several poor reviews, saying the charge light comes on for 20 minutes and then goes off, without indicating a full-charge.  This is true, if you're using it in another country.  Amazon's description is somewhat misleading, as it says "travel," but doesn't specify that the travel must be in the US.  You have to go to the manufacturers website, where they clearly inform the public this charger is only intended for use in the USA!!!If you use it as intended, it's a great product, with very innovate features (car charger, etc.).
Wonderful!  Fast recharge and long term usage.  I use it in my Cannon digital camera and the life of the batteries is twice as long as my old brand (energizer).  I also loved the auto adapter.
Wish I had listened to the bad reviews of this product. The batteries charge for about 15 minutes every time and didn't last long before I had to charge them again.
After a couple bad experiences with DigiPower and their battery chargers they sent me the DPS-3000+ as a replacement for my older DPS-1000 unit. This item came with four (4) 2300 mAh AA NiMH  batteries. A nice break from their older chargers this one comes with an adapter and a nice long power cable so you no longer need to find a free wall outlet to completely cover with your charger. The unit will charge either AA or AAA batteries and either two (2) or four (4) at a time. It also features an automatic trickle charge feature so batteries remain 'topped off' with no danger of over charging. It's relatively speedy at charging batteries. It is compact enough to fit on the corner of your desk or anywhere convenient. And it doesn't get all that hot like their older chargers used to. I keep two batteries 'fresh' in the charger and two batteries in my camera at all times and it seems to work well for me. All in all it's a good charger for the money. Although DigiPower's customer support leaves something to be desired (long contact delays, misread emails, etc.) they're willing to back their products fully.
This NiMh charger actually does charge four completely dead batteries in less than three hours.  It gave an error when trying to charge some older Energizers that work fine in a slow charger.  It charged Duracells, DigiPower, and Amazon pre-charged batteries with no errors.  This is a good compromise over the 1Hr, 30Min, and 15Min chargers that tend to damage batteries in my experience.  I also own a DigiPower 30Min charger that, while fast, can damage batteries with too much heat from the quick charging.  I would buy this again as the DigiPower chargers and batteries have proven to be quite durable/reliable. Two of the included four-year old DigiPower batteries do still work in the 30Min charger.  The other two still work in my slow charger.
great for your portable camera.
The battery charger works very well.  It didn't take long to charge the first two batteries I used.  Including another set of two AA batteries with the charger will make it very convenient when it's time to replace the former set of 2 batteries.  Great price for this product, too. Thanks!
Easy to use.  Tends to take a while to charge but seems to hold charge well.  Good value.
Good product, batteries seem to last a long time. Haven't had an opportunity to use the car charger, but it's a nice option.
This battery charger works quickly and doesn't seem to use a lot of electricity.  I also love the car charging feature, which allows me to charge while driving to take more pictures.
I had never been a big fan of rechargeable batterys, since they discharge so quickly after a full charge. I had also never been familiar with this type of rechargeable battery. Trust me, these are immensely superior to regular rechargeables and the price was fantastic when purchased with my Canon Powershot. Anyone who buys a camera and can get special savings on this battery pack is really missing the boat if they don't take advantage of the offer. The batterys charge up faster and last so much longer. Definitely worth the cost.
This Charger and batteries worked wonderful for my camera.  The 3 hour was such a plus.  Didn't have to wait overnight for the batteries to recharge.  I recommend this product.  I've been using it for a long time. Keeps the cost down of buying batteries as well.
The batteries are no good and the charger itself is crappy. Zero stars and I would recommend that you get a charger and rechargeable batteries but just not this one.
The product was delivered quickly, and is working very well.  The car charger adapter was the reason this item was ordered, and we are pleased with the quality.
I am planning on buying another one. I need 8 batteries for gps and frs raidios. I keep this in my truck and ready to go.
This charger is very simple. You just put in the battery, select either 2 battery or 4 battery, it starts to work. You can tell whether the charging is completed by looking at the led light.
This charger works great, very quick charge.  Great deal.  It's small and comes with us camping.  Gives a full charge quickly.
I like this item as it does charge the batteries quickly and can be carried in the car for a quick charge when traveling.
I have been charging AA 2700  to 3100 mAh  and AAA 1000 mAh camera batteries with no issues at all and as advertised. Seems to charge all batteries in the 2.5 to 3.5hr range depending on brand and mAh. Indicator lights work properly and the charger never seems to get hot or over heat as some other products I have used in the past. Also use them on wireless pc devices. And they seem to hold a charge for a month or more before needing to be recharged. And I would say my computer usage is quite frequent to extreme.  Another plus is the ability charge batteries in your vehicle as well.Only small issue I have is that you can not charge AAA and AA simultaneously causing you to do have to prioritize charging. Which if it is a big issue for you to have access to both charging methods simultaneously.. My suggestion would be to buy two.
I  am very pleased with this product.  it is more than I expected.  I received faster than I expected.I would definitely recommend it to everyone who needs one.
great charger and batteries, fast charger and batteries hold a charge for a long time..i use mine in my wii remotes...cheap too i would recommend these.
This may be a good charger but the deceptive representation of the product overshadowed everything else about it for me. There is a customer image that shows the charger with both a cover and an AC adapter. That is not a picture of this product . In fact, the exact same picture is used to represent the Digipower DPS-5000 1 Hour AA/AAA Rechargeable Battery Kit. How can the same exact picture be used to describe two different products? Amazon should correct the obvious problem created when someone either knowingly or unknowingly uploads a photo that misrepresents a product. It would save the trouble of customers' having to return the product and the cost of Amazon's dealing with returned open packages (I couldn't be sure of the lack of the above two items without opening the package). I guess, if you know about the false photo and like the charger, it could get a higher rating. This review mainly is about the false "packaging" by Amazon. The features that the product was misrepresented as possessing (through the photo) were exactly those that I was looking for.
Many chargers on the market - but not many are made as well as this one . very pleased with this product
I use a lot of AA rechargeables and this unit works fine. Just remember to set the switch to 2 or 4 batteries.  The car adapter will be great when camping.
doesn't charge the batteries. I find not many I buy are and i have the correct batteries.
Looking over the reviews for this product makes one believe that two different products were reviewed, one that worked fine and another that was terrible.  I am having none of the problems from the negative reviews.  My batteries are charging fine and there is no overheating.  My guess is the problems came from an earlier version of the product.4-12-2010 - Still working fine.  I bought two more sets.6-14-2010 - About the life of the batteries.  I found that the batteries are lasting only about 3 hours of use in a point and shoot camera (with the camera set to use this type of battery).  Initially they lasted long enough that I didn't notice the life of the charge, but with a fresh charge I get an afternoon of shots before I get a low battery warning.  These batteries are about six months old.
DigiPower DPS-3000+ 3-Hour AA/AAA Rechargeable Battery Kit with 4 AA 2700 mAh Batteries and Car ChargerI have found this unit to be fast, reliable; and easy to use.  It takes up a minimal amount of space.  It has made recharging a breeze.
So far charges great and for the price you can't beat it.Currently mine has an issue is after it finishes charging.  There are two lights on the charger. One for power (red) one for status (green). The green light is supposed to stop flashing when they are done charging but mine the green light just turns off.I have contacted the manuf and waiting their response. In all fairness I just emailed them minutes prior to writing this review.So we'll just have to see what happens.Rick K.
These batteries only charged one time after that they would not hold a charge(we found out at my sons graduation,I wish I had brought extra batteries.)
The batteries did exactly what they were expected to do.  That is a compliment in that, the batteries that came with the camera were dead within a very short time(non-rechargeables) These have a longer use time and then simply plug them in and use the other two in the four pack.
The charger is very quick to charge the battery, but the battery does not last game I expected in a year and stopped working. Buy a Sony Cycle Energy batteries with which I'm using the charger and it works great.
Sorry, these comments are for the DPS 9000....Even though the manufacture info does not list my HP photosmart 425, I took a chance. Works perfectly, and have not had to recharge once after 3 weeks. Only relatively small drawback is that with it attached, my camera will not fit properly into its case.
I like this product.I bought the DigiPower DPS-3000+ back in early 2005 when my kids bought me a Canon A95 point and shoot camera. The A95 eats AA, 4 at a time.  I have 7 sets of 4 each to feed the A95 and the mess of things I have that love my 20+ AA and a dozen or so of AAA rechargeables.  The DPS-3000 worked the first time and every time I have asked it.  I have had some batteries die during this time, but the DPS-3000 made finding the bad one easily by the behavior of the LEDs.  The included DigiPower batteries were joined early on by three more sets of 4 and all have performed well.  I also have several sets of higher rated Duracell 2650mAh batteries which work better in high demand photo flash units.  Most of the AAA batteries are Duracell 1000 mAh rated units.  There are other batteries with different ratings in my battery bags, and they all seem happy in this charger.  [In case you don't know, mAh is a rating of how much electricity can be stored in the battery when fully charged and available to power stuff.  The bigger the number, the more power the battery can deliver.]This brings me to the answer of one of the big questions I had when I bought this DPS-3000:  Can you use batteries other than the included ones??  YES!  As I have noted, several brands, several ratings can be used with this charger.  Now, I think you must always use batteries of the same brand and rating together at all the time.  You have seen a thousand warnings about keeping alkaline batteries together.  The first thing I do when i buy some batteries is label them with a letter for the set, and then number each of the batteries.  This lets me keep the sets together when I use them and when I charge them.  I think this is a part of my success.  And it helps to spot a weak battery or set of batteries.Comments on other reviews--This product has been around a long time and over 50 reviews.  The reviews tend to be love or hate, and the ratings show this clumping about high rating or poor ratings.  It is hard to say if this is because of the owners use habits with the unit, or with the units themselves (obviously some were dead on arrival and never worked...)  But note the positive words about customer support (I have had no need to contact DigiPower's customer service) indicates it is good or even great.  Its hard to figure out the splitting of ratings.  I certainly do not have doubts about DigiPower product quality, even with the failure of some units.  It seems they are dead on arrival or excellent.Some nice features I liked: both house (115v) and automobile (12v) power adapters with long plug wires are provided as are four powerful batteries- not the highest rated, but better than most and very serviceable.  The unit is small, just larger than 4 AA's side by side.  It is simple to operate:  First disconnect power by unplugging the power wire into the unit.  Set the switch for either 2 or 4 cells.  It will do 2 AA or 2 AAA when the selector is on "2" and 4 AA when the selector is on 4.  It will not charge 4 AAA at once.  The batteries go in just by laying them in the tray that has clearly marked holders.  Check that number of cells switch again, and plug in the power.  A red LED comes on if all is right.  After a while, the green LED comes on, and the batteries are ready to go make music, photos, lights, or whatever. Unplug the power, and pop the batteries out.  Very intuitive, and obvious.  From my experience the unit gets warm, the batteries get warm, but neither get hot.  Small size puts it in the end zipper compartment on my camera bag.I like it, it works every time.  Convenient.  Versatile. What more could I ask for?  A way to charge 3 batteries at the same time.  Since 3 cells produce current at a voltage that is  nice to electronic stuff, I seem to be forever using 3 battery at a time,  Otherwise, its as good as it can be.I'll buy another when needed.
I boughter these because my kid's games were eating through regular batteries.  But when charging, the battery charge would indicate that batteries were fully charged, but wouldn't last very long, and sometimes they would last for a couple of days.  Good price though.
the batteries are an off brand, so I didn't expect much from these.  My interest was more so in the portable charger for the car.  We have had no problems with the charger as of yet.
It's faster than my former charger.  Works perfectly.  I now have two of these kits.  Best price anywhere.
If you want something that has a 50-50 chance of working when it arrives, and at best, a life of 3-4 months, then yes, you may buy this. The batteries can't be charged in any other charger either, so it's a lose-lose situation. I learnt my lesson after buying it and then having it replaced once. I would not recommend wasting money on it.
I uses these batteries and chargers for 18 months. they were very good batteries, long charges, easy recharges.  Can be charged in the car.  Nice touch.Unfortunately they don't outlast eveready, they're still going strong.  But 18 months isn't bad for about 16 bucks.
I have had this for more than a year and am still using the batteries that came with it and using it to charge other brand batteries also. The only problem is that it never would charge 4 batteries. The 2 battery slots on the right side did not work since new, so I can only charge 2 batteries at one time. You can charge AA or AAA bateries. The charging indicator is good and lets you know when the batteries are charging and have charged.
The batteries it shipped with lost their ability to charge in about two charges. The charger itself is OK, but nothing special
Charges battries ok
Well I ordered this combo in december 2009 because they were on a promotion with the Canon SX20 IS, and in those time I did not know anything about chargers & batteries so I finished with 2 DPS3000 chargers including 4 batteries each plus 4 aditional 2700 mAh batteries. Let me talk apart about the charger and batteries. The DPS3000 charger, after 3 years of use is yet OK (review edited 3 years later on december 29-2012), the charging time is as advertised some 3 1/2 hours for a set of 4 batteries; it worked well with their own batteries brand as with the 8 Sanyo Eneloop, 8 Ray O Vac Hybrid and 6 Duracell (all 2000 mAh) I should buy later. A good point is you can use it in the house or the car. The Digipower batteries quality is another story, of the 12 batteries I get, the 4 that come alone, lost the charge within 5-8 days just on the begining, so I should throw them away, asking by mail to Digipower, I never had an answer. The second set, that come with a charger, lost the charge in 2-4 days after 18 months of use, and of course I throw away them too. The third set that also come with a charger are the "best" and kept the charge for about a full month just after 24 month of use and I throw away this set too. I use them in a Digital Concepts 952AFC flash and give the longest 9" recovery time expected at full power with recent charged batteries. The Sanyo Eneloop, and another Rayovac Hybrid work totally different, they kept the charge between 3 and 6 month depend the use and work just fine with my camera or flash. In the flash they give 4-5 seconds recovery time and that is a full 50% faster. My conclusion is that the charger is of acceptable quality for the price, but the batteries are almost of very very low quality.
Batteries really do charge quickly and keep a charge for a long period of time.  Originally purchased as "emergency" batteries for my camera, I found that the batteries lasted as long or longer than the non-rechargables I used, giving a lot of flexibility in my battery options.
I am so happy with this purchase. It was such a pain to keep digging out my camera from my purse or pockets. With this strap it is handy when I need it. I like that you can quickly detach the camera if necessary.
When I was in Rome in 2012, we stopped at a basilica so I can purchase rosaries for my family.  In my haste to get to the bus on time, i left my new camera at the gift shop.  I will never own a camera without having the Hakuba neck strap attached to it.
I have an Casio EX-P505. Hangs around my neck comfortably. Also comes with a release, so you don't have to take off the neck strap to have someone else take a picture of you. Very, very handy.
Used this strap on a recent trip to Africa to carry a Canon SX280. The strap was comfortable and I kept the camera handy for the quick shots. The quick detach (QD) was very helpful for handing the camera to others for a group shot or to show someone a photo without having the take off hat and sunglasses to remove the strap over my head.
This was probably the best thing I purchased to prepare for my trip abroad. If you're going to take a lot of touristy pictures, this is a great thing. My boyfriend wished he'd had one for his camera. The detachable part came in very handy. I used it with my Samsung WB250FB00CFPET00
After trying many, this is the best neck stap for compact digital cameras in my opinion. Hard to find, but worth it.
I am so happy with this neck strap. It makes carrying around my camera so much easier. I highly recommend!!!
awesome. works just like it should. gets the job done and is not super irritating to my neck while wearing it. only things that sucks is the lettering on the strap wears off, either on your neck or shirt. would definitely recommend it.
Bought this for my europe trip in September 2012.  This was the perfect length (camera hit my belly button) and I'm 5'5".  It never bothered my neck and was comfortable.  At times, I even wrapped the long cord arround my wrist instead.  It was very convenient to be able to detach the camera and not have to take this off my neck or wrist.
Very nice bag. Has plenty of room and seems to be made of good quality. Just getting ready to go on vacation and I'll see how it holds up. After my vacation I'll post had it held up.
I got this to carry both my tripod (Manfrotto Pro 055XPROB Tripod 808RC4 HD Pan Tilt Head) and monopod (Manfrotto MM294A4 with DMKFoto Heavy Duty Ball Head) with the heads still attached. Works exactly as I had hoped. There is a smaller 27&#34; version (PSTC 100) of this case, as well as two larger versions (37&#34; PSTC 300 and 46&#34; PSTC 400). The PSTC 200 33&#34; version fits everything for me just perfectly.The zippers and shoulder strap attachments are metal to give it extra strength. The velcro strap for the carry handle is solid, although it is only single-stitched, so we'll see how well it holds up. The shoulder strap that accompanies this bag is of decent quality, with metal spring clips and a rubber shoulder pad. The pad leaves a little to be desired, but you can easily get another strap or pad, or source one from a retired bag (as I have).Inside the main compartment is a slim velcro-enclousre that I use to keep the quick release plates for my tripod and monopod. On the outside, there's a large zippered-pouch that measures 11&#34; x 5.5&#34; x 2&#34;. As you can imagine, this can hold quite a bit of stuff.Overall, I'm very happy with choice.
This tripod case is a perfect match for heavy and bulky tripods with any kind of head attached to them. Saw the same type of case at Sammy's for twice the price.
I own a Bogen 3011 and hand carried it throughout Tuscany.  It is a very fine tripod, but certainly gets heavy when traveling.  When getting my gear ready, I would find myself wondering if it was worth the hassle--not good.  This case has changed that equation in favor of the 3011 now.  It is well balanced on my shoulder and has ample padding to both prevent dings and avoid knocking people out in crowded areas.  The side compartment is a nice touch and holds my filter folio and other small items.  It arrived before the estimated ship date.  Nice product--recommended.
When I first got this bag, I was so excited to use it. It has a good amount of padding on the inside and the bag itself feels durable.I purchased this on 8/13 and my zipper liners already broke. I can no longer use the zippers and they fell off track. I may have gotten a defective one but I would expect a bag at this price wouldn't fall apart in just a month. I hope customer service is good about this.
I have long struggled with how to maneuver my Manfrotto tripod, two heavy/bulky extensions (one with a large video head attached), as well as mike stand extensions (I attach them to the tripod extensions) when going to a shoot.  But this bag handles all of them with aplomb.  I am, to say the least, quite happy with the bag, especially given its quite reasonable price.
Hakuba makes a great case. Durable, padded, extra pockets on the outside and on some models on the inside too. Shoulder strap. Strong handles and zipper. They are tapered as if assuming tripods are larger at the head. This is usually true, but video tripods with floor spreaders attached can make the feet of a tripod much larger than a simple set of sticks.One of the nicest features is that these cases come in four different sizes to fit a variety of equipment. This model 200 holds a 100mm bowl alumInum tripod sans head. I have another larger model that holds two brolly umbrellas, two extension cords, two large 85watt fluorescent bulbs, two light stands and two bulb socket adapters. A whole lightweight soft lighting kit in one case.
I have to say the bag is well made and well padded. That said it seems a tad smaller than I thought it would be. It will handle the basic Manfrotto tripod, but not the head I am using (a quick release model, that is admittedly a little bigger than the pan and scan model). It also has lots of additional storage pockets which may proved useful when in the field, which owing to the season here in upstate NY I haven't had the experience of using it in.
I bought this to protect my Velbon DV-7000 video tripod, and it does the job quite well. The whole bag is padded, and it's got a nice exterior pocket for storing additional accessories. There could be one minor improvement -- the shoulder strap doesn't have a padded "slider" (the part that rests on your shoulder); it's a rather inflexible rubber. It'll probably last a long time, but padding would be more comfortable for long hauls. All in all, a very good bag at a nice price.
The first impression - it is really great. Later, after I spent some time playing with it, I realized, that the shoulder strap is attached to a wrong location  on one end of this bag and it makes the whole case unreasonably crumpled on one end - very bad impression and there is no way to avoid it. If I were the case designer I'd move it much higher like the one on another end and it would make this bag perfect. Other than that there are no problems so far. I like it in general. It is reasonably padded, well protects my tripod and has couple pockets for some secondary stuff like removable plates, etc.
I can fit a tripod and 2 light stands in this bag, seems to be built very well and durable.  No complaints, does what it's meant to do.
I needed a tripod bag for my Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro, this bag is perfect for the tripod which I also bought from Amazon along with a Manfrotto ball head. This is my first tripod and bag, so I can't compare it to other bags. However; the price is reasonable and as I said the bag accommodates all my needs with plenty of room.
I love this bag!!!! Works well with my big Manfrotto tripod and head. Much less than the Manfrotto bag too.
It ripped within two weeks of using it.  Frustrating.  My advice is to spend a bit more money and get something that actually works.
Bought this hoping that it would accommodate the safe transport of both a Manfrotto 680B Monopod with a 234 Manfrotto tilt head with quick disconnet and an o55probx tripod with a Vanguard 200 mid size ball head with quick disconnect.  There is plenty of room for both pieces of gear and the zippered front pouch offers additional space for the storage/carry of spare plates, filters, whatever.  There is a velcro protected interior pocket to provide storage for still other photographic accessories.  My major concern was buying something that would not accommodate the transport of both the mono and the tripod.  No problem here.Now, the only thing I need to arrange for is the "protected carry" of both pieces so they are not banged around to the detriment of either while in transport.  To date, have not yet located a "sleeve" that would encapsulate the monopod to cushion it from the other gear in the case.  But, I will come up with something, even if I have to get a local seamstress to accommodate protection of the monopod by way of a stiched terricloth "sock" for the mono.But the bag is for real and complements the Lowepro Slingshot bag I bought for transport of the camera, lens, filters & accessory gear.Bottom line is that you can't beat this bag for the price.  $80-$100 is rediculous for the price of a tripod or mono bag.  This one provides significant, comfortable, spacious and protected carry for both tripod & monopod at half the price of what I saw available for buying "brand name" gear.I am happy with the purchase......appreciate the delivery, which arrived ahead of schedule and the accurate depiction of the product on Amazon.  I would not hesitate to recommend this product.  I also would not hesitate to recommend Amazon as a primary source for the acquisition of photographic gear and mindful reference to Ace Photo Supply as the ultinmate provider of this piece of gear.
Not that I'd stuff a bunch of things in this case, but it's huge.  Length wise it fits my tripod perfectly, but there is still plenty of free room.  I might pad it a bit to keep my tripod for bouncing around, but when traveling, I might even be be able to put my glider (in it's own case) in this larger case with the tripod.
I wanted a padded case for my tripod, liked the price on this.  When I got it I was pleasantly surprised at quality of construction.  I would recommend.
Like others here, I'd have preferred if there was just a bit more padding, but my tripod and head fit comfortably and there is a secure, zipped pocket for tools/accessories.  It's my second bag from Hakuba and they make a good product.
Seems very good for the price.  I needed a larger bag to take two stands,a  Manfretto tripod and a Glidecam and this fits them all, which is awesome.  It comes with a strap too and a little side pocket which I can keep the Glidecam weights in ina  little fishing box I bought, so very good, it'sa very nice black bag and that's all I can say about that.
Fits a Manfrotto 055XPROB with 405 geared head.  Padding and strap make for much easier carrying, but the strap could use a padded shoulder pad (I added one).  Zipper goes down almost the entire length plus across the bottom for easy access.
Very well made, easy to handle, easy in and out with the tripod throudh side zipper much better than those top loading cases.  The pouch in front holds the camera safely.  Very happy with our purchase.
I purchased this bag to hold my Manfrotto MT057C3 giant carbor fiber tripod with 502 fluid head. The tripod and head just fit into this case. You'd thnk that when you spend $750. on a tripod, Manfrotto would kick in a nice bag but that was not the case - cheapskates! But back to the bag, it is extremely well made and liberally padded, an essential for carrying a big tripod. Plis, I can also fit my Vangard horizontal arm with its own bag side-by-side with the tripod in this case. In addition to the generously sized side zipper pocket, there is a small Velcro closed internal side pocket and a buisness card side pocket.
I have theManfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)and theManfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N)and this works better than theHAKUBA USA INC PSTC100 Tripod Casewhich I reviewed earlier.  Plenty of room for both my tripod and the monopod that I plan to buy later.  High quality and great storage.
Great for carrying, storing away from dust. Must have for tripods. I have used it for carrying to some events, and it definitely protects the tripod and heads.
I got this for aSlik Professional Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Panoramic Photo Guide; could have got the smaller model but didn't want to risk it. This looks really slick, all walls  are heavily padded, there's a small compartment inside secured with velcro, a good sized external compartment with a zipper for random accessories and a small "window" to put your card or tag in. There's  double stitching throughout and a few rivets - very professional. All that is lacking is for the tripod to go "mmmh -cozy!".There's still plenty of room for other random photography paraphernalia besides the tripod, such as aCanon Monopod 100 for SLR Cameras & Lenses, and aFM Photography McClamp, 26" Long Flexible Articulated Arm with Micro Clamp and 2" Clamp #3302.
Adequate padding.Light weight.Ease of carry.Options for hand carry by the short handles  or should carry with the detachable sling.Roomy interior.Home for my Silk Pro 700 DX tripod.Extra side pocket storage for the pan/tilt head of the tripod which I am not using or any accessories I may wish to carry.Made of durable material.Decenlty priced.Highly recommended.
Bought a new Manfrotto tripod (190 series), Manfrotto geared head, and Monfrotto micro-positioning slide.  Needed a bag to carry it all.  This bags is perfect.  Sturdy paddeded bag.  Can put the tripod in there, with the micro-positioning slide on, which is nice.  When off,the slide fits in the side pocket.  This is much better, than just putting it in the main compartment, where it could scratch the tripod.  I considered the Manfrotto bag, but not only was that one crazy priced, it didn't have the pocket, which I wanted for the slide, when not doing marco work. Very happy with this bag.
I love this tripod carrying case. Makes it very easy to carry my new tripod which  is a tad heavy and awkward to carry without the case. I highly recommend it to anyone having a large tripod.
One of the best bags one can purchase for tripods and  light stands. It's adequately padded and the side storage compartment is a plus to carry filters or other camera attachments.I recommend it to all serious photographers.
Fits Manfrotto 504HD,546BK tripod / fluid head combo perfect.  Length wise it fits both the tripod with the fluid head still attached with only a couple of  inches to spare.  Usually remove the fluid head handle and it fits nicely in the case.  Girth wise there is plenty of room for more items.  Padding seems very sufficient.  Handles don't balance well with fluid head attached.  Next size smaller is a no-go for this combo...I tried it and had to return.  Great case.Update:Still really like this case.  Just flew with it recently.  However the narrow end just does fit the legs of the Manfrotto 546BK...snugly enough that I must slide them in and exert some small pressure to pull them out...if you pull straight...if you are in a hurry and don't straighten the bag it is problematic.  The top side of the case has more than enough room.  Still 5 stars but a slight inconvenience.
These are good quality bags that are triangular in shape so they fit tripods with video heads attached.  The other nice thing is that they have an outside pocket for tools and extra plates.  I have bought 2 of these so far and would buy more if I had need.
No, I don't think so. As a professional photographer it seem superfluous. I bought it to carry my four Manfrotto 3373 five section light stands and four small 50-watt strobes. They didn't fit. Alas, I now use it for my tripod :) Nice bag and well constructed.
I purchased this bag to hold lighting equipment: umbrellas, light stands, etc.  I use it when I go on location and have checked it as baggage on airlines.  It's very durable and holds up well to abuse.
I used it for a little more than a year before the zipper broke and the fabric started tearing. Was a little disappointed with it falling apart so soon but given the stresses of real production use and the low price tag I guess it should be expected. When I shopped for a new one I ended up buying the same one because I could not find anything that seemed better for the money. I guess I'll have to try and take better care of it this time and not put too much stress on the zipper. I have a Vinten LF5 and it barely fits inside this bag. It gets the job done though.
Bought this case to protect my Bogen Manfrotto Carbon Fiber tripod.  That big tripod fits easily inside the PSTC300 with room to spare.  And, that is with the Markins M10 ball head mounted on the Bogen.
This bag is well padded, has : 12" long outside padded pocket with a movable velcro divider , a 10" inside velcro-close pocket , and the bag is also equipped with straps on the inside on both ends so you can strap in your tripod - and then fill in with other things if you're an equipment junky like myself.  It is well sized, very well made and has plenty of options for carrying with the well placed handles.  There's plenty of room inside to stuff in a rain coat or other clothing or other equipment wrapped in that clothing.  Overall it's well made, well proportioned, does what it's supposed to with grace and efficiency.  I should probably mention that there are two other smaller sizes which might suit your particular needs better.  I have a tripod&head which are 32" closed up, so needed the extra room in this larger size.  The next size down is 33" overall which I felt would have been too tight on the inside.  I wanted to be able to pad the top on the inside and with the larger size, that is very doable.
Another reviewer asked if you need a bag for your tripod - it sure depends on who you are and what you are up to. In my case, I haul a video setup (Manfrotto 535 Carbon Fiber 2-Stage Video Tripod with 75mm Bowl (Black)along with aBogen Imaging Manfrotto 519 Pro Video Head for Cameras up to 22 poundsand theManfrotto MVR901EPLA Pan Bar Remote for LANC (Black)) to the top of stadiums. This bag fits everything (assembled) with just a touch to spare. Having my setup protected from bumps along the way and being able to comfortably carry it over the shoulder are huge benefits. Also makes general handling (in and out of car, carrying through crowds, storing in the closet, etc.) a breeze. For my setup the internal straps are superfluous as my rig takes up the entire insides, but having the outside pocket with divider comes in handy for allen wrenches, misc cables/cords, etc. All in all I think this is a great product and cannot be beat for the price. So impressed I may look at the smaller size for my "grab and go" setup.
I used this case to travel to Ontario with my other equipment as checked baggage. I did purchase luggage tags also so it could be identified. Due to the shape of the bag, the airlines didn't put it on the carousel but hand delivered it to the end of the carousel. On my way back home the airlines did place it on the carousel. TSA did X-ray it along with everything else and didn't say anything about it. It kept my Bogen tripod safe and did an outstanding job. It has a side pocket that held the camera plate perfectly. I'm very happy that Amazon offered this case. It solved a very serious concern for me and made an international trip less stressful. Thank you Amazon!
Based on the review of another buyer, I purchased this bag. You really have to work the tripod both in and out of the bag. I really wish it did fit though: nice build & extra pocketes. For a serious shooter, I'd say just spend the extra $35 and get the MBAG100PN from Manfrotto. Anytime you can avoid delays and frustration in the field will only help your shooting.
This is a medium weight canvas bag with a roomy pocket in front and a tight zippered pocket inside that's about good for nothing. The bag is larger at one end than the other and doesn't quite zip all the way to the narrow end forming a small &#34;pocket&#34; in which to insert the tripod legs. It then zips nicely over the head of the tripod. The front pocket holds my power adapter cords or hand control well. It fits my AVX perfectly.
I use this bag for my Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens and SB400 Flash attached, some cleaning stuff, passport on the outer pocket, cell phone and mp3 player on the side pockets.Overall, this is a good bag for traveling as i can put lots of stuff in it. However, my back gets pretty hot and sweaty after 20-30 min of urban walking during the summer time, shoulder straps should be more padded as my shoulders will get tired after about an hour or so.Should you get this bag, yes if you not carrying lots of camera gear and you are not intend to walk with it on your back all day. This is the reason i'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5.
Just got it a few days ago for a terrific price. Holds a lot, including my DLSR, 2 lenses, charger, wires, My Camcorder, Camcorder charger, manuals and still has spacce. Dont think will need anything more
This backpack is amazing. I bought it because I knew I would need something. This bag is better than I ever expected.Currently in my bag: SB-400 Flash, 3x Filters, 55-200mm VR lens, 18-55 VR lens, camera body, lens hood, 2x battery chargers, 8x AA batteries, 3x EN-EL9 Batteries, lens bag, PnS camera, 8x SD Cards in cases (5x 8GB cards, 2x 4GB Cards, 1x 2GB Card)... I still have room for more items!This bag is awesome. It is really small but holds a ton of stuff. It is so light. I take it everywhere with me. It is incredibly comfortable! I love this bag!
The degree of comfort is directly proportionate to the gear you carry; it's just that simple. A body, two lenses, flash, filter battery and card = 8 lbs.
This seems like a good backpack - very nicely padded, lots of room, well made. However, it's too small for me. I'm not really tall (5'10") and this bag makes you look ridiculous.
I bought this bag for my Nikon D50 and 3 lenses. It is the perfect size for what I need. It easily holds everything I want without getting too heavy. If you want a bag that carries a laptop this isn't the one for you, but for a day trip with your camera it is perfect. I love that it holds a water bottle, and there is tons of extra storage. I carry my camera, three lenses, charger, extra memory cards, a water bottle and usually a book or two.
Nice product. I have my small-mid sized SLR body with 17-55 f/2.8 without the hood in there. I can also put my Nikkor 105 Micro with the hood, Sigma 30 f/1.4 with the hood, Sigma 10-20 wide angle with the hood, Nikon 55-200 VRII with the hood, and my sb400 flash. It would be a tighter fit, but you can put an sb600 with all that in there. I also have two filters in the original plastic cases, several AA batteries, cards, extra battery, portable charger all in there. My only concern is the lack of one of those security straps from the sides of the bag that goes over the opening flap, that would prevent my bag from opening should the zipper fail or not be secured correctly. The bag is comfortable enough and fits easily  under the seat on an airplane. I'd give 4 stars 4.5 if it had either that security strap or more weather proofing. 5 if all that.
Soy Venezolano, compre este Item ya que soy Fotografo, y poseo una Nikon D80, proteje de verdad la camara y los lentes, muy comodo, altamente recomendado.... I'm from Venezuela, Bought this Item Because I'm a Fotographer, I own a Nikon D80, Really Protect the camera and the lenses, Very confortable, Highly Recomended...
I use it for my Nikon D70, all accessories, the kit lens and the 70-300G lens.  I still have room to fit in my Sony V1 and its charger.  The backpack does not look very big.  But it really holds a lot.
I bought this backpack with the idea of getting "everything" in one small, compact design.  Actually, the interior design is quite good and accomodated my Canon 5D with telephoto quite well.  Lowepro makes good packs, there is no doubt.  However, if you happen to be a medium to larger size person, the micro trekker 200 may be a bit small.  I did feel it immediately acrosss my chest, even after adjusting straps, etc.  I just could not imagine taking this backpack on a hiking trip.  Lowepro makes also a mini version, but compared the size chart and was not convinced it would be much different.  I have ordered a Tamrac Adventure 7 Model 5547 (not yet received), which is probably more what I need, and priced very similar to these smaller-size Lowepro's.
I bought this as a present for my parents.  They are amateur photographers, and love hiking and taking pictures of landscapes.  This backpack was perfect for them.  They've used it for 6 months now without any complaints.  It fits in everything and is very durable.  It is comfortable and they have said that they would recommend this product.
I bought this to replace a Tamrac Velocity sling bag I had, which I was not happy with for a variety of reasons.  (note: This Velocity model was replaced by a new design, and although I have not tried it, it appears that have made several improvement to it).This photography backpack is a nice compromise between huge, "bring everything" models, and small,  "take only the basics" bags.Typically I carry:* Nikon DSLR D80 or D90* Nikon 18-200 VR Zoom* SIGMA 10-20 Ultrawide  Zoom* UltraPod II compact tripod* Nikon  SB flash and diffuser* In addition to these items, there is plenty of room and pockets to carry all of your small items such as batteries, cell phone, filters, walkie-talkie, etc.Pros:* The bag is well padded on all sides.* I use this in the Arizona desert where triple digits temperatures are the norm a good part of the year. The part of the bag that rest against your back has ventilated padding and this really helps.  The back of my shirt is not soaked in sweat when I take this off.* It is very well designed.  For the most part the pocket locations are just what I'd want and there are a variety of different sizes of pockets. Many have velcro or zipper closures. There a lot of place to put stuff both inside and out. I can't say the same for other bags I've looked at.* It has adjustable chest and waist straps. This not only makes the bag more comfortable when fully loaded but it's a must if you are hiking on rugged terrain.* The tripod straps are removable.* It's a comfortable bag.* The workmanship seems top-notch.  I've only had mine for about a year but it has held up very well.Cons* Because of all the padding, this bag is very stiff.  When empty it is going to take up as much space as when full.  It's not a bag you can collapse easily and place in a suitcase for travel.* You have to fully remove it to take your camera out.  This is not a bag you want if you need to whip your camera out in a hurry. This is true of most backpack style bags - although manufacturers are starting to come up with clever ways around this. (see Lowepro Fastpacks).* Although this bag should protect your gear from a light rain, it's not an all-weather pack.* Thera is no large separate compartment for non-camera gear (lunch, jacket etc.)  There is an outside pocket on the back which expands and can hold some items, but not a lot. I've been able to stuff a non-insulated windbreaker in it, but anything heavier will not fit. In the bag's defense, it would be impossible to do this without : 1) making the bag bigger, or 2) make the camera storage area smaller.  As such, this not really a "con," but it is something to consider.Overall this is a great mid-size bag for photographers.  It works great on hikes into the back woods, or a day's excursion at Disneyland.
This is an excellent small day-bag for urban and mountain photographers.  I've started to use backpacks instead of shoulder bags and this is my favorite day-bag. It's compact enough to easily fit under the seat of airplanes and doesn't tempt to you to carry everything and the kitchen sink.That being said, it can carry a *lot*.  With my EOS 10D, it carries:1. EOS 10D body with 16-35mm L attached2.  24-70mm L lens3.  550 EX flash (this could be used to carry another lens)4.  ST-E2 transmitter5. 2 spare batteries6. All my CF cards and CF card reader7. Still lots of room for personal items (wallet, cell phone, maps, keys, sandwich) in outer pocketWith my Hasselblad system, it carries:1. Hassie 203 FE  with 80mm CFE attached and A12 back2. 50mm CFE Distagon3. 2 spare A-12 backs4. Digital point and shoot as a proof camera (on site polaroid)5. Small flash for fill flash6. Personal items as aboveIn addition, you can strap a small tripod horizontally on the bottom of the pack. This is much better than the vertical strap system on my LowePro Rover AW. The vertical straps get in the way of getting into the pack (you have to remove the tripod to access the innards).  The Micro Trekker's  horizontal system lets you only use the tripod when you want to, and still gives full access to the pack.The pack is small and inconspicuous. Just the thing for street photography. But some bigger men have found it too small for them. It's perfect for women and men under 5'10 or so.  I found the waist strap a bit flimsy (it's more for stabilization than for carrying weight) but otherwise this pack is perfect for my needs.
This camera backpack has all that is needed to shoot casual moments, small parties, etc.The pockets are well-designed and well-padded to fit an protect a camera with a long telephoto lens, two additional lenses, a portable flash unit, and small pockets outside for the frequently used items, such as tissues, batteries, memory cards, a flashlight, etc.The material is sturdy, the backpack is light and rugged, with straps for your shoulders, and a couple of short straps at the bottom, to carry a small-medium tripod.
I LOVE THIS BAG!! I have put my nikon d80 (with 50mm 1.8 lens attached), 18-200mm lens, 60mm micro lens, sb600 flash, pouch of 5 filters, battery recharger, expodisc in the pouch, and more! I even attached the tripod to the bottom to see how comfortable it would be to walk around with, and it was amazing! The bag is padded in all the right places, and is so comfortable. Even with all my gear in there, its comfortable to wear, and I'm only 5 feet tall (and a girl- not that that matters!). This bag is great, buy it!
I bought this after looking at countless photo bags online. I went with lowepro, because from what I read, they are a very reputible company, who has been making quality bags for years. When buying a bag to protect thousands of dollars of camera equipment, you shouldn't have to buy anything less!For the price, this bag is incredible. It fits everything, and even has room to spare. So far I've loaded it with my Nikon D80 with an 85mm f/1.8 lens attatched. I fit into it my nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens, nikon 60mm f/2.8 micro, and sigma 18-200mm lenses. There was plenty of room for all of my filters, battery charger and all the other accessories I have. I'm planning on buying an SB-600 flash soon, and there is still plenty of room left to put that in there as well.As far as the size concerns, I'm 5'6" (a girl) and this bag is perfect for me. The chest and waist straps are right where they should be. I can see however, that this bag might be a little on the small end for someone much taller than me. I do know that lowepro makes larger backpacks, and some aren't much more expensive, maybe even cheaper than this one. Just something to think about.Over all, I am very satisfied with this purchase, and would reccommend it to others! THanks!
I have used this bag for years now & travelled all over the world using it. As someone who does not want to carry tons of camera gear (I have 2 fav cameras & 3 fav lenses), this has worked out very well for me. It fits all my other accessories (foldable bounce, batteries, chargers, chords, WB cards etc) Easy to clean as well. I leave it out 2 feet away from the heater to get it to dry (for a whole 2 days) after I wash it (every 6 months or so).
Purchased this for my wife to carry her D80 with two lenses.  It's a smaller pack, but more than enough for this equipment with room to spare for the sensor duster, a towel, and a flash.  Ideal for ladies with a DSLR camera and up to three lenses.  Light, sturdy, and good interior padding for the equipment.
I bought this camera backpack along with my Nikon D60 camera which came with 2 kit lenses. Since then, I have added another prime lens and a medium size SB600 flash light. I must say this backpack has been perfect size for this combination. You can easily resize the compartments so that each gear fits nicely and securely. Oh yeah, there are enough small pockets to keep your memory cards and the battery charger.While my camera is probably now old and replaced by new models, I think this is the most appropriate backpack if you are starting with a typical entry level DSLR with 2 kit lenses and add one more small lens and a flash light in the future. There is still more space left after keeping these gears. But may be not enough to keep another lens.
While I own the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Camera Backpack, I was inclined to purchase this backpack when I realized that the Nature Trekker was a lot for me to carry everywhere I go.All-in-all, I'm very pleased with this bag and have found a good assortment of lens to store in it. Specifically, I can store a 300mm f/4, a 70-200mm f/4, and the 180mm macro (all from Canon) with their lens hoods attached (in the inverse position), and still have a little bit of room left on the inside for filter cases and an air blower. The inside of the bag can be fully customized as everything is attached using Velcro, so you can move the dividers around or remove them altogether. Finally, the inside contains three zippered pouches, with one "larger" one (10 inches long x 5 inches wide) and two very small ones. These would be used well for storing cords, flash cards, etc.The outside of the bag has two primary pockets, with a small zipper pouch near the top and a larger zipper pouch in the middle. The larger pouch can be further secured with a clasp/strap combination that is adjustable. In addition, there are two small velcro pockets on each side of the bag that provide more storage. Finally, there is one "loop" on each side of the bag near the top that allow for "SlipLock" add-ons. While I have personally not found a use for these yet, I'm sure that you could easily attach a water bottle or something else.While I have not tested the bag in overly harsh weather, it can probably stand up to some moisture, although I would not suggest letting it get drenched by rain. It seems durable as Lowepro bags in general tend to be of high quality for outdoor use.Like I said, I personally selected this bag specifically for lens storage, while I carry my DSLR on a shoulder strap. I'm sure that the bag could hold up to three DSLRs alone if necessary, or some combination of DSLRs and lenses, but I have not tried this combination.While some people might select this as a secondary bag, others could consider it for primary use as well, as long as you don't have too much to carry. Others might consider selecting something like the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Backpack or perhaps the Lowepro Mini Trekker Classic.
The backpack is excellent, exactly what I expected. It has enough place for my accessories and camera, also the compartment for keeping small stuffs is enough for my needs, inside I can have a small notebook, mobile phone, pens, pencils and my cosmetics.I think this backpack is ideal for beginners, women and for people not too tall.Furthermore, the quality of material is very good.
I am very happy with this backpack for my new DSLR camera.  There are plenty of compartments inside to store other lenses and I especially love a small zipper compartment on the outside that was just the right size for a lipstick and mirror, which otherwise you would have to go digging for.A friend advised me to pick off the Lowepro tag, which I did, so that nobody would know I have an expensive camera inside, and now it just looks like a regular backpack.  Perfect all round.
Still searching for the perfect camera bag I purchased this pack for an extended day hike. I think I'm beginning to value the advice of the person who told me that you will take better photos in the field if you don't take more than one lens. But in trying them all I got this pack. It hold an enormous amount of gear. SLR body, 17-55mm Nikon f2.8 (a monster chunk of glass), 70-180mm Macro Zoom (another heavy weight) and a 300mm f4 with the body attached. Plus SB 600 flash, a macro ring flash, cleaning stuff, compact flash cards and batterys in a Tamrac case that mounts on the side.  Plus there is a great outside storage area that can take lots of personal gear. It swallowed the compass, first aid kit, trail mix, matches, survival blanket and even a water bladder from a camelback pack. No problem holding the weight. I just ccould not get comfortable with the load.  The side pockets also hold your cell phone or radio, a nice touch. It is also not really waterproofed, which could be a problem. Look to the AW line of Lowepro.  I have an Omni Trekker that started to hurt after a few hours of hiking and I thought this pack would have more comfort. No it doesn't. The straps need a lot more padding and you can't adjust thier length. It 's not a bad pack but for me in extended hiking it started to dig into my shoulder. Also the zippers do let in a lot of crud and are not as protected as I would like them to be. I'm looking at the Tamrac and Kata bags and have sold this one on eBay after 3 hikes. I went back to my Omni Trekker as a backpack.
Got this to accommodate using oversized filters with a step-up ring on my new lens. It is the genuine NIKON lens cap, in original packaging.
Nikon makes the best lens cap, by far.  I bought this to replace the cheap Sigma cap that came with an ultra wide angle lens.  The Sigma was a similar design but felt cheap, was a little tricky to attach to the lens, didn't always stay on well and had loose parts that rattled when not attached to the lens.  In contrast, the Nikon is easy to get on and off and fits securely.  And since the part you pinch is so near the middle of the cap, getting it on and off isn't a problem when using a hood.
I got a size medium, and it was way too big for even the 70-200mm 2.8. I decided not to fool around with getting another one.
I lost mine lens cover on a photo shoot this fall.  This was perfect - arrived fast and made by Nikon.  Great price too.  Now I feel like my gear is protected again!
I purchased the Nikon 77MM Snap-on Lens when I lost my original cap after taking pictures at my grandson's baseball game.  The price was more reasonable than the one I found at a major electronic store and it fits perfectly.
I always carry a spare because I can't seem to keep track of my lens caps.The nikon is a great fit.
Hey it's a dust cap it keeps dust and crud out. It does all that I ask it to including fit. What more can you say about it?
I bought this to replace my 77mm Tokina lens cap, which just isn't as good. Why? Nikon's lens caps are easy to handle (grasp the part that pinches), hold, and they stay on more tightly than off brands, meaning that it takes quite an impact to come off. Lens caps are important, and I'm glad I've made an upgrade.
I'm a Canon shooter but I think Canon has the worst front lens caps. I like the center pinch cap design and Nikon seems to make the best of these caps. Olympus is almost as good and costs a bit less than Nikon's. Even when I get new lenses, I will buy Nikon or Olympus center pinch lens caps.
Ordered this to use with my 24-105mm Canon lens. I prefer the Nikon 'pinch-type' cap to the Canon type cap. Item was delivered on-time and as advertised.
What can I say, it's a Nikon lens cap. Good quality as expected. I love these caps with the spring action releases.
Bought it for use in Tokina 11-16 mm lens as I'd read the Tokina cap was weak, the Nikon is a perfect fit
O.K.What can be said for a lens cap!? Well, Nikon makes the best caps around and I put this style on all my lens collection, even if it is a lens by another manufacturer. (I am sure (Nikon) digs that too!). They work better, are well made and stay on when the going gets tough!! :-) What make this style really great is you can use it while the lens hood is on because it has a center finger release system. Others styles and types have an edge release or outer edge friction system and you must remove the hood to put it on or take it off or you can't use a lens cover at all :-( The price is always a bit high ("Just because it is a Nikon") but the lowest price I find is usually at Adorama or J&R...;V/RKent M. Whitney
Why I buy new Nikon lens caps:Saw something in my own yard that I had to photograph -- Put the lens cap on the hood of the car -- Went inside -- Husband got in car and drove away with lens cap -- End of lens cap. There is only one thing to do in such a case, and that is buy another identical Nikon lens cap because there simply is no other that compares in quality.
Compared my new Nikon cap which happened to be made in Thailand to its Japan made counterpart.  No discernible difference in fit or finish.  The price was so good I order another one as a spare.  I would guess the caps where made at the Nikon factory in Kantanaburi near the bridge on the river Kwai.
Nikon makes the best center pinch lens caps on the market, period! If you have a lens, any brand , that has a 77mm attachment size, try this cap!
You'll find cheaper lens caps for sure! But you'll never find a better one! The Nikon caps just fit better, and the pinch release makes it a breeze to remove them, even when you have a light-shield on the front of the lens. As the other review says, get one now, before you need it.
After dropping a lens cap over a waterfall, I needed the perfect replacement cap.  This was it.  I've read reviews of other lens caps being a fake on Amazon, but this is the real deal.  5 stars.
I ordered this product on 12/15/05. I got a knock off brand. The box not only says video camera battery (then it also states its "for Nikon EN-EL3"), it isn't what is pictured above. The battery has no label for it being of the Nikon brand, and no writing on the front of the battery. It only has "for Nikon" printed on the back along with its origin (cell from Japan, made in China). It is a 7.4v but you are getting a 1500mah and not a 1400mah (I don't know if that part is a big concern, just falsely advertised). I have contacted the seller for a refund. Is it reliable although it has a 12month warranty. Any comments on this, please??  I don't know what this brand is called, it just says "Video Camera Battery, Lithium Ion High Energy" and that's it?!?! I would beware, what you see is not what you get! Although, the knock off could be as reliable, who knows? If someone else has had this problem, but kept the battery, did it work fine for you???ThanksUPDATE 12/27/05: Seller contacted me and said it was a mistake, that "After looking at your order i noticed are battery was on a nikon page. It was never suppose to be on that page and i am sorry, that is are fault. But i can guarantee you that the battery you have will work just as good as Nikon brand"  I appriciated the honesty and I believe they are working to correct the issue. Therefore I am going to keep it for the price and I hope all goes well.UPDATE 12/27/08: Three years later and still kicking. I'm glad I kept it. I would like update the stars to 4 since it's lasted so long.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (Dec. 2005): Do NOT buy the official Nikon EN-EL3 battery!  It has been recalled by Nikon due to short circuit hazard.  Details can be found at nikonusa dot com (click the "EN-EL3 battery recall" link).  Repeat: this model has been recalled by Nikon, so do not buy.  The EN-EL3a or EN-EL3b are compatible replacement models for the EN-EL3.  Neither is subject to recall.My original review from Jan. 2005 follows:This "genuine" Nikon EN-EL3 battery works in the D70 and D100 digital SLR cameras.  The origin can be either Japan or China; apparently Nikon outsources the manufacturing to other companies.  (I was able to verify this countries of origin information on Nikon's website.)  For $15 cheaper you can get a compatible battery made by a company that licenses Energizer's brand; just search for "EN-EL3" here on Amazon and pick the one that says "by Energizer."  That one is also good and although it's a generic, it does have the Energizer name (even if not actually made by Energizer).  You might want to check that out.  Of course, if you are super-concerned about safety -- personal and equipment -- you should stick with the official Nikon-licensed battery, which is this one.
Even though it was my mistake and I ordered the wrong battery, the seller offered excellent service. He was quick to send the item (it wasn't until afterward I realized my mistake), he was helpful to try to find the correct battery and refunded immediately the one I ordered incorrectly. I couldn't ask for a better seller. He was helpful, understood the nature of MY problem and tried to help me fix it quickly.
It's all be said before no matter what reviews you read on this original Nikon EN-EL3, this battery has LASTING power!  I bought a spare when I got my D70 nearly a year ago, only because I don't like to ever be without juice.  Last week I shot nearly an entire wedding 8+ hours of constant use with my D70 and SB-800 and didn't have to change batteries until nearly the end of the night.  The prices have come down quite a bit so, invest and get yourself a spare.
Always have to make sure you have Genuine Nikon products...they tend to last longer than the third party off brands.
For the 3rd time just a slight jarring has killed my D50. Never even got to run a full discharge of this battery. The D50 is one weak camera killed by a bump against a hand-rail. Will never buy Nikon digital again!
I got my Lithium lon Battery Pack in almost two week as they told me. Some how the address on envelope had my zip code blacken out as was my lab address. The picture on Amazon showed a Nikon Battery with the name on it.But the one I received do not have Nikon any were on it, and upon turning it over it said make in China.  Japan is not in China to my knowledge China doesn't make Nikon product. This is not my first Nikon product!I will have to test this to see if it really works, if you are not selling Nikon just say it's a copy.  Yes, the price should have told me something but they showed a Nikon product,yet they sold me something make in China  not to honest in my book.!
Don't buy. Over priced and am not sure it is genuine Nikon. It certainly doesn't last nearly as long as the one comes with the camera or the ones I bought from NWV Direct at half the the price.
I have the battery pack for the CP 8800 and it feels just right.  However, the much larger pack on the D100 feels just too big.  It's very well made and gives you some  options that would greatly increase your shooting capacity.I sold it cause it just wasn't right for me. If someone didn't mind increasing the size of their D100 by that much, it might be fine.
Great piece of additional equipment for Nikon D100.  Item functions as expected.  Now I have to buy a new camera bag.
This Nikon D100 Battery Grip has completed the feel of an excellent camera, which has been my daughter's main professional equipment for a year and a half. She wanted it since she purchased the camera but the price at the time was almost a quarter of the camera price, so she thought she would leave it for later. She's had several photo shoots since she got it and she is very happy because it helps her complete her projects with more ease and comfort. The price was excellent too! It was a fraction of what we would have paid in Europe where we live, and the seller did an excellent job of packaging and delivering in plenty of time (the lower end of 4-10 days).So Nikon, Cameta Camera and Amazon, thanks very much - a job well done!
Have used this product for years on a few different models of Nikons.  Being on the road for extended periods of time without a real good access to power, aa batteries do save the day!
I have just recieved my battery grip and must say that it was well over my expectations. The build and quality is no less than the D100 itself. Unlike some contrasting reviews available on the net it fits perfectly on the camera and there is no gap or whatsoever between the body and the grip.It gives a more professional look to the camera for sure but more importantly it makes the D100 feel as it should. The camera becomes more easy to handle and it just feels right.The vertical shutter is definately a positive and makes vertical shots easier. The AE/AF lock button helps you use those functions easily while shooting in vertical mode. The ability to use the same button as a focus area selector is also another advantage.Obviously having 2 batteries or being able to use 6 AA's is great. The mic recorder on the grip works better than expected too. The sound quality is above average and playback is more clear than to be expected. I was afraid that it would sound fuzzy and too low, but it is clearly audiable.I haven't tested the 11 pin remote yet but having one is definately better than none.Just go and get one before they run out if you still intend to use your D100.
The length of the strap is questionable once you apply it to your camera. It is also uncomfortable on the back of your neck. I thought the strap would have had more length to it. Mine served a brief time and was promptly replaced.
I needed a strap for my used 35mm camera. This strap is just perfect, it looks and feel strong. I would say that it is better than I expected. Thank you.
You really can't beat this for how much it costs. I love the colors, and the stitched Nikon logo definitely takes the printed on one on a lot of straps. The suede inside is comfortable.
I use this strap on my Canon camera since this one is more comfortable and doesn't pull on my neck so painfully (it has a softer strap) and performs well when I'm out on the job with it.
It is a Canon, even big Nikon letter on it. I think black and yellow is Nikon's color and Grey/red is Canon. I bet you can find the exact same product with Canon on it, after all, Canon sales more camera than Nikon.
Soft, comfortable, discreet, inexpensive I like it very much! Too bad it has been discontinued, I don't like the flashy black and yellow new models.
I was helping my brother get a standard Nikon strap for his older Nikon. This appeared to be the one - a strap with a Nikon logo but without any model number. I assumed it would be like the Canon straps that came with my Canon 20D and 5D2. But no, this strap is lighter weight - not unusable, but less substantial than straps provided by Canon. It's OK for the money.
This strap is just average for comfort, it has no real stretch or shock absorbing qualities, and the suede back becomes very slippery when sweat-soaked.  The finished edges are still a little rough, but for the price it's still a fairly good deal, if you want to pay money to be a walking billboard.The problem with camera-branded straps is that the name on the strap is a giant advertisement of your equipment, which for all real intents and purposes screams "steal me!" since that's what grab-and-go camera thieves look for. It's better to buy a good quality aftermarket sling without a big bright logo on it, and cover over the name on your camera with a small peice of gaffer's tape. Most non-camera branded straps are built with more comfort in mind as well.
A nice little strap and an extra if you need it.  Not quite as wide as the Nikon stock straps, so not quite as comfortable for me as I thought.
When I started photography I was using used 100% manual SLR's or cheap point and shoot cameras. My first  AF SLR was a Nikon!! with this same strap! 14 years later...thousands of pictures, travel across South America, Central America and North America. Nikon camera serviced by Nikon twice, strap replaced ONCE when I gave the camera away! The strap was on its last legs and did not want the new owner to have the strap snap while shooting. All things considered it held up extremely well. I have 7 of these straps and leave the original straps that came with my cameras in the camera boxes. You can not beat the $, durability and acceptable comfort level (not bad for a low cost strap that is also durable).
I was very disappointed by this product. First off, the photo shows "Nikon" in yellow stitching. The product I received had "Nikon" in white in what looked like a fuzzy sticker. The strap is too short to be usable. I do not know why it is listed as a "wide strap" because it is no wider than the strap that comes with most Nikon DSLR's. In fact the default strap that comes with Nikon Cameras, is much better quality than this one. SAD. I bought this to be an upgrade, not a downgrade. Being so cheap I'm not too upset, but it is still a waste. Don't buy this.
This is a wonderful alternative to the usual camera strap supplied by manufactures. As another review mention, the strap that comes with the camera is meant to advertise the brand. This strap makes the camera+lens weight seem a lot less b/c of the foam and the distribution of weight.Pros:-Very comfortable-Seems durable-Reduces weight strain on neckCons:-Can't think of any
camera strap I have before. It' s strech, have quick release and the quatily is the best. I love it alot.
This was recommended on a photography website and it is amazing. I use it with my t3i, and even when i have the 70-300mm lens on it still feels great on my neck. The strap that came with my camera was very painful but this one does an excellent job of minimizing the stress on my neck
Awesome comfortable strap! I use it with the Sling Strap and it is amazing! Underneath the shoulder pad are a series of rubber &#34;bumps&#34; that effectively hold the strap securely and you can adjust it so your fingers hold the camera grip even as you walk. Best strap I've ever used!
I have several of these, which I use for large binoculars, or for SLRs with large lenses.  The strap spreads out the weight, reducing neck strain.
I like the strap because it is more comfortable than the original strap from Nikon. Does what it is supposed to do.
I recently bought my first DSLR, theCanon Digital Rebel XSi/450D, and I knew that I needed a new strap for it.  I researched the available straps and decided on this one.  I also dug out my old Minolta SR-T 202 35mm SLR camera.  I used this camera extensively for a couple of decades but haven't used it in at least 15 years.  I discovered that I had the same strap on that camera!  It worked great and was very comfortable on that much heavier all-metal body.  I could have used that strap, but the neoprene was a little deformed from sitting in my old camera bag all that time, so I just ordered a new one.The basic design of this strap hasn't changed except that the newer Pro Loop Strap connectors are much better and more convenient that the original OP/TECH patented plastic connectors, particularly if the camera has the 3/8" strap lugs instead of rings.  The Pro Loop Strap connectors also allow me to connect both sides of the strap to the left strap lug on the camera which makes it much easier to use theCanon BG-E5 Battery Gripwithout the strap getting in the way.I'm confident that this strap will last for at least the next 20 years!P.S.  In the two decades that I used this strap on the heavier Minolta SR-T 202, many times with the Vivitar 283 flash, the plastic buckles *never* came undone accidentally.
Got this to replace the strap that came with my Nikon D60.  It was easy to connect the loop straps to the D60's metal connectors (instructions on the packaging).  It's more substantial yet feels more comfortable around my neck than original strap.  Since the bulk of the neck part is made of neoprene it's easy to fold up and squeeze into my camera bags (a Kata DC-411 and Kata DR-467).The great thing about this is that you can unsnap the thick middle portion and clip the short ends together to make a wrist strap (which I find useful when I'm indoors for family dinners and parties).Got it on Amazon from Ace Photo Digital for $14.12 w/ free shipping (in Apr2009). Came earlier than the estimated shipping date they gave me (probably arrived 3-4 days after ordering it).The only thing people might be concerned with is that the strap's not quite long enough to wear (sling) across your body and easily pull the camera up to take a photo.  (I'm a 5' 10" male). I can wear it like that and take photos, but I'm end up scrunching my neck alot.  I don't normally carry my D60 like this, but I tend to when I'm traveling in less desirable areas and worried it might get yanked off my neck.  (But it's not something I expected from the strap so I didn't knock down my rating for it.)
I have a medium sized camera body with a pretty large 18-200mm lens that can really kill your neck after a while.I used to call my camera &#34;The Albatross&#34; because that's what it felt like around my neck. But no more!With this neck strap, it's so much more comfortable.Highly recommended!!!
The Op/Tech pro loop strap works great for me as I like to use it with the X-long connector.  It allows me to carry my lens across my shoulders with out any issue.  It is light and I can carry my everyday Canon 20D with my Sigma 18-250 lens very comfortably.  I have my camera positioned just above my hip and can bring it up to shooting very quickly and easily.  Highly recommended.
Bought this to replace the strap that came with my Canon 40D. Fits real nice and gives good balance around my neck. Less discomfort especially when I have a heavier telephoto lens or flash. The strap is a little wider by the neck and therefore doesn't cut into your neck or shoulders when you are carrying your camera around all day.Great value and I would recommend that you replace your OEM strap with one like this!
I read the reviews and someone was talking about how it's not long enough but I'm 5'9" and I can swing it around my side or hang it in front just fine without it feeling awkward. It's also VERY comfortable! My friend has a Canon strap and his is no where near as comfortable as this one. I'd recommend this bad boy 10 times over!
I did want the standard Canon neck strap so I looked high and low for a adjustable non neck strap rig and find that with OP/TECH strap they're convertible to a holster sling with the System Connector Sling Strap Adaptor and didn't break the bank either
I first bought this strap for my Nikon D300 some years ago. As the years have gone on, I've sold my D300, then my D700, and now I have a D3S. I still have the same strap. It's still perfect. Ditch the manufacturers strap and get this one. It's comfortable on the shoulder or neck, it's very strong without getting in the way, and the strap releases make it easy to remove when using a tripod or needing to 'untwist' the strap. I've gone for several hours with seven pounds of camera and lens around my neck and I really feel that this strap distributes the load effectively. You won't be sorry!
I have several items from OpTec and I use them interchangeably everyday.  For the price I have not found anything that competes with these items
I'm pleased with the strap. It's well made and comfortable, even around my neck with a camera and big glass. I also like that the padded part of the strap can be unclipped to make it less intrusive on a tripod.
There are two versions of the excellent camera strap.  There's this one and then there's theOp/Tech Pro Camera Strap 3/8" - Black.There are two differences (besides cost).This strap is considerably shorter.  To my mind you can always make the longer strap shorter but once you've let this one out all the way that's all there is.  I'm 6'3" and with this strap let out all the way I can sort of comfortably carry a camera over my shoulder.  If I want to put the strap over my head it is very uncomfortable.The shorter strap uses a loop through attachment while with the longer strap you need to thread the strap through your camera eyelet and then the strap buckle.  I purchased the shorter strap (not realizing how short it was) for the convenience of the loop attachment.  After buying the longer strap I've found that threading the strap isn't that much less convenient.My suggestion would be to buy the other, longer strap unless you are certain the additional length will not come in handy.  Either way, these are extremely comfortable straps.Additional details about the length difference:One strap has a max length of 46" and the other a bit over 56".  The difference is the length of the two attachment pieces that connect either end of your camera to the center strap.  The shorter strap comes with these:Op/Tech System Connector #9 Uni Adapter Loop, 10.5" - 13.5" (26,7 CM - 34,3 CM) each sideand the longer one with these:OP/TECH USA System Connectors 3/8" (9,525mm) - Carrying strap connector - black (pack of 2 ).  You can see that by going to any of the larger camera store sites and reviewing the details listed there about the two straps.  Just google: "Op/Tech 1501372" and then "Op/Tech 1501012" to do searches on the two different straps mentioned in this review.I found this out the hard way, by ordering the shorter strap without knowing the difference.  I "fixed" it by ordering both the longer version of the strap and an extra set of extensions.BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can.  I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.
Has the job done better than the original Pentax 2000 or K-x straps but I don't feel a real weight redistribution with Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 and other heavy lenses. Guess depends on your body type:-) Ended up unstrapping the neoprene upper part and using only the shorter narrow nylon part. Fits perfectly under the armpit, the camera stays put and quite surprisingly this leftover mini-strap doesn't cut into the shoulder.For the long strap I prefer 1" Domke GRIPPER - very simple construction, non-slip, breathable, lightweight and  compact. Can be adjusted as a "pap-strap" for candids. Using with Canon 7D and 70-200mm F4 IS lens  and every time I take it out, I can't stop wondering how they made this little gem. Compare both in a store and decide which one works better for you.
had no problems with this.  it was very comfortable, which was what i was looking for.  the nikon strap that came with my D5100 was thin and had little padding.this thing did its job and for the price, worth it.
My wife liked the look of the WINE strap.  The dang thing is RED... sooo ugly.  What else can I say, is that twenty words yet?
I bought this and some other op/tech products to make a camera sling system and it is working perfectly !!!!
I bring my camera everywhere! This strap is so easy to attach to any camera with the way it's made and stays on my shoulder when I walk. To top it off it's super comfortable. I'd highly recommend this to anyone.
Product worked as advertised.  Much easier on the neck than the NIKON strap which, I am convinced, is designed to advertise NIKON while cutting your neck in half.
Very well made . Only reason for not giving five stars is that the overall strap length is a little too short to comfortably allow me to sling camera over my neck and shoulder. I have ordered the extensions to compensate. I am 6'1" and 220 pounds.
Really like this strap over the original tht came with my Canon. My only concern is if it will look as good in a year or two? Seems like it might fray along the edges of the neoprean??? It is very comfortable and the price is worth it...OP/TECH 37012 Pro Loop Strap for Camera Equipment (Black)
I've owned this strap for about 2 weeks and I couldn't be happier.  As the description says it makes the camera feel 50% lighter.  My "everyday" body and lens comes in around 5 pounds, and this was a remarkable improvement. I used the same body and lens for a trip to Yosemite using the strap that came with the camera and my neck was sore for a day or two afterwords.  After a recent trip to the Grand Canyon with this strap I have no soreness to speak of.  I would order this strap again and I would recommend it to someone who was looking for a new or different one.
I would like to say, this is a 'functional' loop strap for my Canon 7D.  However, if you are searching for a Canon Professional Services loop strap...keep moving.  While the Canon strap is nicely stitched with neoprene and a nice rubber grip on the neck side....this is most certainly not.  It's a functional foam rubber strap with some gel grips around the neck.Fortunately the clasps are interchangeable with the CPS strap, so I swapped that off my 7D and put it on my 5DIII that I just purchased.Is it a functional neck strap?  Yes.  Is it impressive or expected to last more than a season of shooting.  No.  But for $20, I can't declare it a total loss.
I bought a fancier strap that attaches to the bottom of my camera and slides the camera along the strap. But I also bought a slim neoprene sleeve for my camera and it wouldn't let me keep a bottom-attached strap on it while in the sleeve. Also, the fancier strap was more than my wife wanted to deal with when she was using the camera. So I looked for a simpler strap that would handle both of these issues and bought this optech strap. It fit the bill and I am happy with it so far. I didn't give it five stars because I don't "LOVE" it, but I would buy it again.FYI, I'm about 5'11" and this strap holds the camera a little above my hip when I have it across my chest. I actually like it there. If you want it lower, you'd probably have to buy the loop strap extension. I was considering it, but I don't think that I need it after all.
I suppose I should have done more research, but this strap turned out to be a tad short.Other than that (which bumps one star and produces the 4 of 5 stars,) the curved strap feels good and stays put on my back behind my shoulder blade. The length is not an issue while shooting but only when the camera is hanging as it will only go down to just on my hip bone. I would prefer if it would hang below my hip.Other than that, the strap is a good value. (I have to admit that I am looking to either add some extensions or replace it with a black rapid.  The Black Rapid is considerably more money, but hangs where I want it to.)
Comfortable and holds my canon 40d with my 70-200 lens and 580 ex 2 flash nicely.  I also purchased the extenders from Adorama.  I'm a bigger person so the strap was a little shorter then I wanted.  With the extenders on it works nicly across my chest, but its too long for around the neck.  The extenders are easy to take on and off in the field.  But its just a bit shorter then I like without the extenders so I usually wear it across my chest.  over a very nice purchase.  If your a small person you won't have this problem.  I love that I feel like the camera is safer then with the stock strap.  The loops work great.
I now own 3 of these awesome straps. After doing some research a few months back I gave one of these a try. Here are my findings:Pros:Build/sewing quality is excellent.Strong materials and comfortable padding.The gripy dots are not so grippy that they move your clothes around but hold itself in place well. Some solid rubber straps stick so well they end up pulling clothes off.MAIN REASON- Pro Loop Strap. instead of the standard loop and buckle like the standard straps that come with cameras, this is a loop made of something close to 450 paracord. It's difficult to get through the camera hanger but worth the patients. With the non-loop/paracord version the plastic buckles get in the way, make lots of clicking noises when raising the camera up to take a shot and get jammed in weird places. These Pro Loop Straps are quiet, soft, and move out of the way easily. If you are out trying to take shots of wildlife, a plastic clicking noise will scare off any possible prize winning shot.Cons:Plastic buckles. I have tested these straps at 50lbs/3 foot drop. With no issues.(I should put this in the "Pros")  Buckles hold fine but my fear is if they get step on or get jammed in a tree or something while on a shoot they may break. Many unforeseeable things can happen while climbing rocks or a tree lugging two cameras and a lunch around. I'll be shooting in winter and I'll report back as to how brittle they get. I'm sure they would replace it for me if broken but I don't want to carry the camera by hand miles back to the truck. I haven't had an issue yet but am extra careful. It's only an issue cause my crystal ball says so.Of course I would purchase another. I have the extended straps and a sling strap that I really like for walk around shooting. I can wear it with my hiking pack on. Rough terrain becomes problematic but when is it not! Take off the strap and click the two buckles together that are hanging off the camera. Now you have a small handle!Buy one! Test it! You'll be back for more!
AFTER MUCH RESEARCHING I DECIDED TO PURCHASE THIS STRAP BASED ON THE GREAT REVIEWS.  I RECEIVED IT YESTERDAY AND IMMEDIATELY ATTACHED IT TO MY CAMERA WITH NO PROBLEMS. SEVERAL REVIEWERS CLAIMED IT WAS TOO SHORT BUT I FOUND IT TO BE PERFECT.  I AM 5'7".  EVEN IF YOU ARE TALLER THIS WOULD STILL BE THE PERFECT LENGTH.  THE COMFORT FACTOR IS AMAZING.  IT ALMOST FEELS THERAPUTIC ON YOUR NECK.  SO GLAD I FOUND THIS NECK STRAP.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ITEM ALONG WITH THE SELLER.  THE SERVICE WAS LIGHTENING FAST. ALSO THE PRICE IS RIGHT.  WISH I HAD FOUND THIS YEARS AGO. LAST BUT NOT LEAST OP-TECH  USA MAKES GREAT PRODUCTS.
This strap helps a lot when you'll be carrying a heavy camera for longer periods of time.  It definitely is a better choice than the stock strap that came with my camera.I don't do much tripod shooting, but I can see that it would not be a great choice for those who do--the part of the strap that remains attached to the camera when you take off the neck strap is long enough to be a bother on a tripod.I am hoping the strap will get more comfortable with use because the padded area that falls along my neck is quite stiff and doesn't conform to my neck as well as I'd hoped.  I do think it'll break in over time, though obviously I can't be certain of that yet.
I've had this on my camera for about an hour total since I bought it a year ago. Admittedly this is mostly because I just don't like straps, but that's part of what I hoped this would help with; the detachability. And that part is actually well done...its' the pad that killed it for me.The good:+ unclipping a buckle lets you take the camera off you more easily while seated+ the buckles are inverted between the left and right side, meaning you can buckle the short ends together so they're not flopping about+ the loops are small enough to get in and out of the camera much easier than the webbing-type strap attachments.The bad:- No piping; just raw cut neoprene edges. These will fray and separate, though I haven't used mine enough to cause this yet. Not the most comfortable against your neck, either- buckles are within scratching distance of most DSLR screens...guess that's the problem with having detachable buckles- there are grip "nubs" on the pad. WHY?! I will NEVER rely on grip to keep my camera from sliding off a shoulder; it will always be across my body (so the camera rests on the hip opposite the shoulder the strap is over). So the only thing these nubs accomplish is nearly removing my shirt as I pull the camera around to use it, or put it away. Since I dislike the extra limitation of a strap in the first place, this particular trick sealed it's fate.
Very comfortable.  I replaced the strap that came with my Kodak Z series camera with this one and there's a world of difference.  This one is so comfortable that you hardly notice it.
Bought this for my Olympus OM-D and it works out perfectly. It's very comfortable and well made.  I am 6'2, and the length is great for me, although I can see how some might like the strap a bit longer.
I LOVE THIS STRAP! THOUGH IT IS A LITTLE SHORT IT DOES KEEP YOUR CAMERA OFF THE GROUND. I LIKE THE "STICKTION"QUALITY OF IT.  I ALSO LIKE THE FACT IT DOES NOT "ADVERTISE" YOUR CAMERA.  NOTHING GETS A THIEF'S ATTENTION LIKE "NIKON" OR "CANON"...
Op/tech camera straps are an inexpensive upgrade over the straps that come with your DSL camera.  Bought one for each camera.
Product is easy to install, has a good solid fit with the camera and very comfortable to carry (camera is a Nikon D200).
This is my second one.  I have one for each camera I own.  They are better than the cheap junk you usually get with your camera
I returned mine today. I was looking for a much softer neck padding with rounder edges but instead got a stiff one with straight edges. Perhaps the padding will get more flexible with use but I just can't wait for that to happen. I will try to look for something with a softer, &#34;foamy-feel&#34; neck padding. I also agree with the other comments about the length. An additional 4 to 6 inches would have been ideal.
I had forgotten how nice the Op/Tech camera straps were. My Nikons keep getting heavier and the straps have gotten of such a quality that I had concerns with my cameras. While researching straps I happened to open my Hasseblad case and wow.. there  were my Hassies with their 20+ year old OP/Tech straps. I had become so comfortable with the straps I had forgotten the manufacturer. That pretty much made my decision. Since receiving the OP/Tech straps and using them on the Nikons what a difference. Now I not only believed the cameras are much more protected but I am sure my old shoulders are much more comfortable.
This works great and is safe.  Don't go near swivel hook option, as it is prone to catastrophic failure, endangering your equipment.
I bought a strap like this for myself a few years ago because I liked that you could take out the middle and use the remaining parts as a hand strap.  The middle part was also very comfortable on the neck.  I bought this one for a friend and it seems like the connectors are a little more firm than mine, which is great.  I gave this along with the extenders since at the maximum length this strap can be a little short on a taller person.
Its a great system for your camera needs. Great quality and great prices. So much stuff to choose from, guaranteed it'll fit your needs. The strap is very comfortable too!
This strap is very nice, was very easy to attach to my camera a d7000 and it gives me piece of mind that it's not going to fall of my neck. I'm about 5'8" the bottom of the camera sits right above the belly button.  I would definitely buy again but it so well made don't think I'll have to get another one unless I add a new camera to the collection.
I'll just add a few comments since most of the others have given the good points.  First, I'm 6'2" and have no problem with the length - the camera could hang down to my waist.  The only reason it could be too short is if you put the strap over your head to hang it from your shoulder.  But the strap has such good cling that just hanging it off your shoulder is quite safe and much more comfortable.I also like that the big strap is detachable.  But more importantly I like that the male and female ends on the clips will mate on the camera attachments straps.  Other brands miss this trick.  This make a small carry handle which is useful and doesn't get in the way when I work on a tripod or if I'm just going to keep the camera in the bag.  You can then keep the big strap out of your camera bag when you're not going to use it.
This strap is an excellent purchase. The non slip shoulder pad is great if you carry your camera on one shoulder or around your neck. Far more comfortable than the generic strap that came with my D40.
This camera strap is dramatically sturdier and more comfortable than  the standard strap that came with my Nikon.  The width and padding of the strap where it hangs on your neck is  very comfortable without being bulky.  It easily supports the weight of my camera, battery pack and 300mm lens during long outings without the discomfort and chafing I experienced with the standard strap.  The rubberized inside of the strap that makes it so comfortable also allows the camera to hang very securely with no slippage when carried on one shoulder.  The strap has sufficient adjustability for me (5'-10").  The quick release snaps are very secure and make it simple and quick to remove the majority of the strap.  This works great for me when I use a monopod at football games and track meets.This strap doesn't advertise your brand allegiance in the camera wars for all to see, but for me, its comfort far outweighs brand advertising.
I'm not sure what it is about after-market straps, but they all seem to have padded areas that are too short to effectively carry a camera slung over one's back.  The strap that came with my 5DMKII is perfectly suitable in this regard, albeit lacking some padding.  When I sling my camera over my back using the OP/TECH strap, the buckle ends up right over my shoulder.  Not good.  It's a sturdy strap, but it could use some improvement.
Purchased this strap and was happy from the moment I installed it. Very comfortable and glad I bought it!
Love this strap! It is very comfortable and durable.  only complaint would be that it makes my neck sweaty when its real hot out, because the fabric is not breathable.
I replaced the original strap for my D800 with this new strap, immediately feel the different, may be due to weight redistribution, feel lighter to carry my heavy camera around.
I used to use a Nikon OEM strap, which hurt my skin only after two days of walking outside. This strap is way better than the OEM one. Its design keeps your skin from scrubbing and sweating, and is also very light.
This is the best camera straps I've ever owned. I bought this to replace the OEM camera strap that came with my camera, and it certainly outperforms the original by a long shot. The length is adjustable and what I like best about it is the neoprene pad which stretches and really fits my shoulder regardless of which side I wear it on. I highly recommend this strap. I even bought a similar one made for tripods.
This strap is an absolutely great buy! I'm amazed at the difference in the way it feels after extended periods. I'd buying a second one for my daughter and would recommend it to anyone looking for a more comfortable camera strap!
Love it. I have two for my Nikno D-70 and D300. Easy to install, very flexible light weight and the wide strap spreads the load on the shoulder better. The dot ridges on the underside provide extra grip to minimize sliding on the shoulder. I have stord my original Nikon straps as the OP/TECH Pro Loops are much better. OP/TECH makes a lot of functional and fun accessories that are reasonably priced.
I carry a camera with me alot (a Canon Rebel with a 24-105 lens attached) and it was a pain in the shoulder or the neck.  I met a photographer on a recent trip who was using the Op-Tech USA system.  She had me hold her camera to judge the weight and then put it around my neck.  It didn't feel heavy.  My order was placed as soon as my husband and I arrived home. I have been using my camera strap now for nearly a month.  I hope I don't ever have to go back to the strap shipped with the camera.
this strap is about all that was needed. It works well and supports the camera perfectly. Nice color too. the loops work great, even on a heavy lens and body
The wide strap and pad make wearing my Nikon D90 much more comfortable.  The rubber dots also keep the strap from sliding when on my shoulder.  I'm 6 foot tall so the extra length also helps considerably.Well worth the money!
This is my second Pro Loop Strap.  Its neck padding works well with heavier DSLRs, spreading out the weight and sparing my neck. I liked it enough to buy it again.
I needed to replace my stock camera strap that came with my T2i because it was horribly uncomfortable.  Also, this is my first DSLR and I didn't want to break the bank.  This Op/tech became the perfect solution.Besides comfort, what made me decide on this strap was the quick release system.  While on vacation, I want to be in pictures with my wife and family, not just behind the camera, so I purchased a Gorillapod with a ball head mount.  This enables me to mount the camera to a tree, a railing, light pole, or whatever else so that I can jump in the picture too.  Although the gorillapod is rock solid, if I make a mistake in mounting it the camera can fall and break, or even not be retrievable at all if it is on a cruise ship balcony or ledge!  This is where the quick release on this strap comes in for me- every time I mount my camera to an object where the camera is in a dangerous position, the quick release allows me to strap it in for an extra layer of protection. Now the gorillapod can give way, but my investment has been protected.
A very good upgrade for my Nikon D5000.  With the stock strap, the camera is always falling off my shoulder when I bend over.  Not with this baby.  The only negative is that when you put your camera in a camera bag (I prefer Lowepro), this strap takes up a lot more room than Nikon strap.  Definitely recommend.
I've been using this for a while now and with the extra battery grip and the telephoto I have on my camera, I can honestly say this Op/Tech Strap is saving my neck. I seriously shoot longer with this on and I know it. Go get one.
I bought this after reading other recommendations as a replacement for my stock Nikon neck strap that just plain HURT to wear!!VERY comfortable and worth the Amazon price. I like the quick release clips on the strap if you don't want to have to take it over your head all the time. I recommend it for anybody tired of a painful camera strap! The little extra width and padding of this product also helps cushion my D-60 in my camera bag!
I bought this for a couple reasons.  I don't want to advertise my expensive camera & also for the comfort of the neck strap.  After carrying a camera with a large lens it is nice not to have the neck strap digging in your neck.I would highly recommend this.
I bought this strap to pair with my commonly used R-Strap, a shoulder sling strap that attaches to the tripod mount.  I needed a strap with quick-release strips so I didn't have to spend 10 minutes just to change between the two.  Unfortunately, the remaining cords left on either side of the camera when you remove the padded portion of the strap are so long that they just get in the way.Having six inch cords hanging from your camera when you're walking around with it at your side is just plain irritating.  Even worse, when use the camera on the tripod in any sort of wind, the wind catches them and can add a small amount of movement to your shot, a real issue during a night shoot when a small amount of movement over 30 seconds results in a blurred subject.As to the comfort of the strap itself, it is nicely padded and stayed on my neck without any issues, but I found the claims of some of the reviewers here that the strap halved the weight of your camera to be overblown.  If you don't plan on making use of the quick-release, then I'd recommend it to you.  I, however, am returning it and looking for another strap that won't leave half of itself behind when removed.
Very good quality strap and comfortable, but never got to experience it. The attachment loops are too thick to wangle through the shallow recessed camera bracket. Even the gorilla I hired couldn't get it! Tech support with OP/TECH was kind and sent &#34;split rings&#34; to adapt the strap, but they were impossible to install (bracket too recessed), and their suggested adapters cost almost $7.00 more. I ordered down to their binoc strap which has a fastener of 3/8&#34;, the same width as the very flimsy Canon strap provided with my camera.
I replaced the stock Nikon D300 strap with this one and have been happy with the decision.I did not like the feel and the big lettering of the stock Nikon strap.I love the materials of this one:Softer against the neckDoes not absorb sweat, or lotions and oilsWhen I use the shoulder strap, I use this one.  Sometimes I use the wrist wrap (Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras)Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Camerasinstead of any shoulder strap.
I lasted one day with my factory strap and my big Sigma 70-300 before I ordered this.  The strap is big, soft and feels good all day.  One of the best features for me are the quick releases.  I have no idea how camera straps seem to be able to twist by themselves but with the quick releases, just unsnap, unwind and reattach.  Done.  I will Never have a camera without one of these again.One more great thing about this strap - I was shooting some long exposure shots in the wind.  Even on a tripod, the strap was acting as a sail and moving the camera.  Quick solution was to unclip the quick release - no more sail.  5 second fix!
This strap has been wonderful.  It's comfortable, and the side loops move nicely against the camera.  It is a shorter strap, but I am 5'2" and it's perfect for me.
I have had one of these straps on all my Canon cameras, a 40D, 5D II and a 1D IV.  I use them to shoot weddings, college and pro sports, and some other events.  The largest lens I'll tote is the 300 2.8, and that is usually on a monopod, rarely do I use it handheld.  Largest handheld is a 70-200 2.8.  I don't shoot nature, birds, family snaps, or things of that ilk.That's my frame of reference.  I got these straps before the newer strap systems became available; the quick-draw styles, the sling attachment styles, etc etc.  Some of these newer systems are slick and great to use, but they are very expensive for a bundle of nylon strap and D-rings.I'm not going to review the strap in detail, others have done that and in general it's a quality strap that is a huge upgrade from the factory strap on even the best DSLRs.  For the person looking to make a step up either to improve comfort or handle a heavier rig, it'll do the trick.  For the working professional, I have found that the best options (for value and performance) are available from the firearms community, one- and two-point rifle slings are comparable in price and allow for more modification to fit an individual's body.  Sometimes they require a modification to work with the camera but that's a cinch.  Hope it helps.
This strap is exactly what I needed for my digital SLR. I am a casual photographer who takes photos only for my own personal use, so I do not need to pay a lot of money for a comfortable carrying strap. I am very satisfied with this product. I meets my expectations entirely. You really do not need to pay a lot of money for photography equipment like this -- unless you want to.
This is a well designed strap and it is one of the first things I order for a new camera.  The neoprene shoulder pad &#34;gives&#34; and provides relief from heavy equipment.  I can also disconnect the shoulder pad portion for tripod use so I don't have the thing flapping around in the wind.
This is a great strap. I find the padding to be very, very comfortable and far better the strap that came with my Canon DSLR. Another viewer mentioned it was too short, but I actually had to adjust it quite a bit to make it shorter (I'm 5'5"), so I don't think anyone under 6" would have any problems with it. Realize too that this is part of the Op/Tech system, which means that you can unhook the connectors which grasp the camera, and replace with other Op/Tech connectors (such as the Super Pro A). Why would you want to do this? Well if you use a Canon  and certain film cameras (such as Hasselblad or Bronica), the cameras have different hardware for connecting with straps. For example, the connector on this strap will not connect with a Hasselblad or Bronica (but they will connect with most other cameras, including Canon so don't worry). So instead of having different straps that fit different cameras, you can just buy the connectors and click them on and interchange on this one strap.
I bought this for my Canon G6, which is almost the size and weight of a full-fledged SLR. This is a great strap. It is well made, the design of the loops allows use on cameras with small eyelets, the strap easily falls away from the camera body while shooting so it's not in your way, and the strap itself distributes the weight over a large area so your shooting fatigue-free for hours. Highly recommended. Wish I bought it about 10 years ago!
I have used this on a NIKON D3100 with a heavy lens and it has worked great. At first the numerous plastic buckles had me concerned but so far I haven't had any issues.
Item I got was the OP/TECH USA 1511372 Pro Loop Strap - neoprene (Steel).First all this strap is to light weight for any real Pro camera and lens combo.It does not with stand the weight of a Pro DSLR like the Canon 1D X.Not sure why OP/TECH is charging $20.00 xx for this crap, I mean strap?Cost should be around $8.00 or $9.00...OP/TECH makes the Canon CPS Pro strap that I have and that strap is 900x better in every way.It is a complete Pro Grade Strap, so you would think that OP/TECH would make a strap like thatto sell in their own line up.. ???I would not recommend this strap to any Pro Camera Owner. Look somewhere other than this strap.
I use a telephoto lens for birding that weighs in over 3 pounds. This well constructed strap incorporates a curved foam pad that fits my neck and is exponentially more comfortable than a simple neck strap. It's quick connect buckles and available add on strap ends allow quick, secure switching of cameras and/or lenses. As any strap around the neck will become uncomfortable hanging in front after long use, I prefer to use this strap across my shoulder with my camera by the opposite hip. It is very quick to swing the camera up into position and I find I can carry the heavy lens much longer.
Much better than the supplied Sony strap that came with my Alpha, but not what I would call perfect. I wish it had more cushion for my neck.
These straps are of the highest quality. I have one on each of my 4 professional DSLR bodies and they have proven their worth under some pretty harsh conditions. Very comfortable, too. Highly recommended.
I like this strap.  It's comfortable, and does a great job distributing weight and bounce.  The only thing it lacks is a little bit of length.  If it were a little longer, it could be easily slung over your shoulder.  That's the only reason I gave it 4 stars.
I bought this items upon recommendations from a friend, and I'm very grateful for the advise:)I carry a 18-200, 10-20mm, and a BIG 100-400 IS lens, and my neck feels a lot better now.
I never liked the default neck strap that Canon ships with their cameras; It's made of a rough nylon that irritates the back of the neck, especially if your camera has a heavy lens attached to it.Tired of the original straps, I set out to find a good alternative. Initially, I found the OP/TECH connectors, which allowed me to strap the camera to the backpack straps. They're an awesome solution to the problem. With them, the camera weight becomes a complete non-issue. However, for those short trips where a backpack is not warranted, this product is the solution.Unlike the Canon neck strap, this product is made of a much softer material that won't hurt your neck. I honestly think they could be a tad more comfortable, but they're ok the way they are. They come with the traditional OP/TECH connectors that you can plug straight to the camera loops. Now, I have an easy and practical way to use the camera with the neck strap or connected to my backpack for longer trips.
Super comfortable. Great color selection!
Lightweight, strong, comfortable, great strap unless you are over 6 foot tall, then you will need some extensions as it is pretty short.
I bought this for my canon G7 after killing my neck on vacation with the included strap.The problem with the G7 is the opening for any camera strap is only 1/4 " vs. most straps, including this, are 3/8".I solved this by finding some slip rings at the local hard ware and slipping it through that.  I wish they would ship this product with some rings.Otherwise my neck is very happy and I like the length. It is not too long , so lessing bumping of camera around.
I have been using this strap for over a year and love it. Instead of attaching the strap ends to the camera hoops, I attached them to a clipping swivel from the hardware store that I can clip the the tripod plate on the bottom of my Canon SLR cameras. The system has worked great and cost a fraction of the fancy Black Rapid straps.
This thing is amazing.  I was surprised how it practically eliminates any felt weight.  Just be careful, you might forget you're carrying a camera.
The strap is padded well, and can be used with other OP/TECH accessories, like the swivel hook connectors. Outstanding product by OP/TECH, as expected.
I like this strap and use one for each of my cameras.However there are a few things you may want to know before deciding to purchase it:(+) It is very comfortable: wide and soft and slightly elastic which makes a big difference when carrying a heavy camera + grip + lens + flash.(+) It features an array of anti-slip rubber balls in the center, which I find not just efficient but even comfortable(~) Its shape is not symmetrical, being curved to match the neck. This means it is much less comfortable to hang my cameras around my neck upside down as I used to do so that the long lenses hang against my body instead of protruding. I considered attaching another female uni-loop to the battery grip to connect the strap between the top right and bottom right anchors but then the camera grips are not easily accessible.(-) It IS quite short. I am 6' and it is just a little tight for me wearing it around my neck. This would be a no-no if I had not replaced the attachment straps.(-) If you use the provided attachment straps, as soon as you disconnect the neck strap itself the camera has these two long straps dangling on either side. Some people like that you can attach one to the other and it provides sort of a handle. I for one find these long straps silly, especially since I like using theOP/TECH USA SLR Wrist Strap (Black). More on that below.(-) It has a very prominent OP/TECH USA logo in white on black. It might not bother you but I usually avoid doing advertizement unless I am paid for it - I even have tape over the brand and model of my cameras so as not to attract undesired attention.As mentioned above, I replaced the straps that attach to the camera.I procured a pair ofOP/TECH USA System Connector Uni Adaptor Loop - Regularwhich provide me with the following benefits:* Slightly longer - still I can pass both a shoulder and my neck through when carrying a small camera, and it is long enough to comfortably hang my main body around my neck (with long lens and flash as needed).* Can be disconnected very close to the camera body for transportation - no need to have the strap in the Pelican case, it is already full.* The wrist strap already mentioned attaches to the same uni-loop on the right of the camera* I attached the removed male attachment straps to the D rings of my camera harness (Opteka MCH-25 Multi Camera Carrier Harness Holster System for DSLR Cameras) to use as safety straps, attached to the left side of the camera.So here it is: each camera has two very short, unobtrusive connectors one on each side, which can be used to connect the neck strap this is all about or a wrist strap or the safety line when using a harness.This neck strap + uni-loops is also compatible with a shoulder strap extension (OP/TECH USA System Connector Sling Strap Adaptor) however I can't get myself to entrust the weight of but the lightest of my cameras to its plastic sliders.
I've been using Lowepro voyager C straps for years and have always liked them for their comfort but they attach to the camera with metal rings and wear the finish off of the camera body. One of my bodies is dug down to bare metal with a deep groove from the metal rings, not OK on a 5K camera.I needed a new strap for my new SLR but was not willing to have this body damaged like all my others. I had a strap that came with my binoculars that I love and after looking for the brand name Op Tech was what was on it. I looked on Amazon and found this nice wide strap by the same company. I use it on my camera with a 300 2.8L heavy lens and it stays in place very well and is comfortable, actually even more so then the Lowepro. The padding is cushiony and nonslip on the underside. The best part is the way it fastens to the camera body though. No rings no metal just loops which are very secure and will never wear away the camera finish. I will be using these on all my camera's from now on. I have the thinner Super Classic too but this one is my favorite.
This strap is really high-quality.  My camera feels lighter, and this results in less neck/shoulder strain and skin irritation.
This OP/TECH strap is a great alternative the the straps normally included with cameras.  It distributes the weight evenly and is very comfortable.  More than worth the price.
Excellent strap for the money, distributes the weight more evenly so  it feels lighter and its way more comfortable than the 5D strap for [...] its so worth it.
Lost original and bought replacement loop strap. Allows you carry heavy camera and lens combo with little neck strain. Canon 7D with battery grip and Canon 70-300L lens.
This is the second OP/Tech strap I purchased, the first one was stolen with my D300. As soon as I replaced the camera I bought another strap. Because it is wider at the neck than the Nikon strap it makes the camera feel lighter. I would buy it again.
Unusual attaching system is just what I need to have for the small attachement area on my binocular/camera combination.  A perfect strap with excellent balance.  Highly recommend.
Was looking for a new strap to replace the generic one that comes with Nikon for long trips. This does the job. I love the little nubs on the back and I bought the grey because I knew that it would reflect sunlight more than the black which will absorb sunlight and get hot. I was right, spent the day hiking and it was super comfortable and yes, after awhile I did sweat a bit where the band is, but not a lot and seem to wick away. However, the strap never actually got hot itself. Took a bit to get use to the thickness of the strap around my neck, but love how it kept weight evenly distributed, perfection! I felt that my camera was safe at all times and yes, like some reviewers said, it is short, but I'm 5'5&#34; and with the strap all the way out it hung at the perfect level for me. If you are taller, you might want to buy the extensions for this or if you simply like your camera to hang lower than your navel, buy the extensions.
If you carry your camera for an extended period of time, this is the strap for you.  I shoot weddings and I did not realize how badly my OEM strap was hurting me until I replaced it with this strap.  My neck and back stopped cramping up on me once I started using it and my neck no longer hurts the day after shooting a wedding.This strap is well worth the money!
I decided to replace the factory Nikon strap and based on the reviews I chose this Op/Tech strap.  It was definitely the right decision!  Makes carrying my D50 with heavy lenses a breeze.  Good quality, no-slip, nicely padded = comfort.  Highly recommended.
I got this strap because I thought the flashy Nikon strap I had looked a little gaudy. This one has the added cushion and comfort. It is a tad short, but no big deal. I am 6 feet tall, so I am fine. Good strap.
I used this for the first time today for the Worldwide Photo Walk. Two and one half hours with the camera around my neck and it worked great. I would recommend this item for anyone who uses a dslr.
If you're looking for a quality replacement to the stock strap on your new camera or binoculars the OP/TECH is a good product to check out.  My biggest complaint is that it is to short to sling diagonal across my chest.  Based on the measurements I thought it was about the same length as my Nikon D80's included strap but its actually 3-4" shorter which does make a difference.Some reviewers have noted concerns about the clips potential for coming un-done.  I've used this strap for about a month and a half and haven't had the problem.50% lighter claim - I disagree, it is more comfortable than the stock Nikon strap I was using because it is broader and thicker.  I find that while more comfortable I also 'know its there' more due to the width of the strap.All told, a good strap. I'd prefer it to be 4-6" longer for across body use but it gets the job done.
I had a Canon T2i and now a Canon 7D, and I have used this strap for both of those cameras.The factory Canon straps irritated my neck. Within a few minutes my neck would feel sweaty, itchy, and painful and it would be red with a rash. The first couple times I thought it was sunburn but I finally figured out it was the strap. I had a two week trip to Europe coming up and I didn't want to get stuck with an uncomfortable strap so I looked around on the photo forum I'm on and this seemed to get the consensus, so I bough it.Let me say I could not be more pleased. The strap is extremely comfortable. It does not irritate my neck no matter how long I have it on and it makes the camera feel lighter than it did with the Canon strap so I don't get tired out as easily as a result.I also am very partial to how the black helps you blend in. Nothing is worse that having a red lined strap with big white letters advertising what camera you have, especially when you are on vacation - it just makes you a target for possible scammers/thieves since they know you have an expensive camera from far away.From now on, this is the strap I will use. It is an amazing strap. I recommend it to anyone.
I like the way the strap attaches to the camera. I also like the quick disconnects. It is a very comfortable strap. With this strap I think a person looks like a more serious phtotographer than with the Canon branded strap.
This camera strap is very comfortable, and doesn't come loose like the Nikon strap that came with camera. Nikon strap had come loose and my Nikon D80 fell to hard floor. Lucky no damage, but I wanted a strap that was more reliable. It is a good length for me at 6'1", though I've seen reviews that would like to see more length. To each his own...
Great camera strap. Very comfortable and easy to disconnect and connect. I like the fact that the shoulder strap portion of the strap can be removed and it can then be used as a wrist strap. Excellent workmanship!
A good price and I think a good product for that price. I would buy this again and recommend. I am using it and am pleased.It is comfortable.
Permits over the shoulder carry and immediate access to cameras for both sides of body. Number of accessories to permit customization for personal needs. Distributes camera weight very well.
Forget about any other strap. Op/tech is by far the best for pros and amateurs a like. I've had 2 of these straps one for my d5100 and now for my d600. They make it feel like you are not wearing a camera around your neck.  Don't worry about sweat because you won't have any under that strap the neoprene whisks it away.
I bought it to replace my NIKON D90 original strap, I can feel the difference immediately, since i got 18--200mm lens, still heavy for if wear long time. but it helps release lots.
This is a comfortable and well-thought out strap.  The quick-clips are really handy, as I usually leave the padded part of the strap off when I put my D300 in my Lowepro bag, to minimize bulk.  The nylon loops are strong yet gentle on the camera's fixed steel loops, and more importantly on the body.  I got this strap concurrently with my D300.  Needless to say, my factory strap is still in the plastic.....
My boyfriend bought me this OP/TECH strap last Christmas for my second camera body, and I immediately fell in love with it.  My other camera's strap attached via small metal rings (like a key ring), and over time, the rings had worn scrapes into the paint on my Nikon D200, which upset me a bit.  Additionally, the other strap had no means of securing the flappy bits once I had the strap length set where I wanted it - they were always getting in the way.  When I upgraded my main body to a D300, I bought another OP/TECH strap, because it solves both problems.  It attaches to the camera body by means of a small fabric loop, which is sturdy, but will not scratch the camera over time.  Also, there are no loose strap ends to flop around  - everything is stitched together, and very neat and tidy - it doesn't get in my way.  And the strap has quick-release buckles so that you can remove the bulky part of the strap if you're shooting on a tripod.  All in all, a perfect camera strap.
I got this to replace my OEM Canon strap because the Canon made my neck itch and sweat all the time. This OP/Tech is super comfortable, doesn't scratch or itch and has cut making my neck sweat by about 90%. The strap has raised gel dots that helps keep the neoprene strap off your neck to let airflow through. Its light weight and just the right length for me needing no adjustments at all. I hope it lasts a long time!!!
I have been using Op/Tech loop connectors on all of my cameras for many years. The connectors are very sturdy and I have never had one come loose. They give a positive click when plugged in so you know it is secure. I sometimes even connect two straps so I can carry my camera as you would a messenger bag. I purchased this strap, as others did without realizing it came with the shorter connectors. It wasn't a huge issue for me since I had loops on the old camera I was selling, and just switched them. The cammo pattern on the strap I received almost looked like it wasn't fully printed on the strap, there were big black areas with no pattern... which is why I only gave it 4 stars. My guess is they are printed in large sheets and cut out, and I just got stuck with a bad part of the pattern.
This is a light weight very secure  strap! It will keep your camera, binoculars or whatever firm and safe.I have owned and used this brand for over 12 years, and never had a problem with any of them.The broad center section fits around your neck with out chaffing, and keeps gear secure. Hung over a  shoulder, it holds on as well. Since some of the time I'm in a party or wedding crowd, the additional wrist strap is a decided plus.Do I recommend them, yes indeed. They are well made, and durable of quality materials!  I have never had one fail on me, nor have I ever heard of one failing!  I have tried other brands, but OP/TECH is still my first choice, and the one I show and tell my friends about.  For the money it can't be beaten in my opinion.
I like the Black Rapid straps, but they are pricey.  This OP/TECH strap is an excellent alternative for holding a camera securely yet comfortably.  The loop could be a couple inches longer.
I was looking for a strap to replace my OEM EOS 7D strap.  This strap is very comfortable and forgiving when wearing with the 7D and heavier lenses.  I have used this with my Tamron 24-70 2.8 DI VC, Canon 70-200 f4L w/ 1.4 teleconverter, Tokina 10-16mm pro 2.8, Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS, and Sigma 180mm f3.5 Macro.  I have also used it many times with my 580EX Flash in those combinations.  I can carry around a weighty combo with little or no issues.I would have liked to seen an optional tripod spinner mount included but I am fine with using the regular strap mounts.  Also, I saw someone with an all black model and might have gone with that as opposed to the green, I would like liked the hunter green to be a little darker.For the price, you can't beat this upgrade strap.
After having used one of these straps extensively for well over a year, it had gotten pretty gross, so for such a great price, I just bought two more! It was a no-brainer!
This is not just a camera strap, but a complete system. Purchase the 11" wrist strap and you can hand carry your dSLR. You can have the neck strap around your neck in case your hand gets tired.The neck strap will not slip and weights nothing, great value also.
This is much better than the stock strap. The quick release is great when you want to get the strap out of the way. The curve and the thickness of the strap make it much more comfortable to carry the camera for long periods.
This strap is comfortable and seems to be of very good quality, especially considering the price.  It is somewhat short for a 6' guy, so I ordered the adjustable extensions afterward, which will be helpful.  I'm glad I didn't spend $80-150 on a different strap.
I bought this to use with a Canon HFS10 camcorder.  It's very comfortable with a wide neoprene strap.  I think I'll buy one for all of my cameras.
I love this strap.  Very comfortable around the neck and it sits securely when I put it over my shoulder. The loop connectors seem very tough and secure.  My next strap will be another like it.
The video shows that you can use the camera a side, but you need an adapter to do this. Thanks.
I've been using an OP/Tech strap as my primary camera strap now for the better part of a decade. My trusty old blue one is sun-bleached and worn from shooting in strange places all over the world. I recently gave one of my cameras to a friend and decided to buy her a new OP/Tech strap to go with it rather than give her my old battle-worn strap. I was so impressed with the new one I ordered another for myself immediately. I'm still so attached to the original that I haven't been able to throw it away yet, but the new one now adorns my D700.The original OP/Tech Pro strap used flexible plastic connectors at the camera. I'd been sure they'd break but they held up for a decade with little sign of wear. The new "Pro Loop" design is much smarter and likely will last a lifetime.  This strap makes carrying heavy camera bodies like my old Nikon F4's or D3 a pleasure, even on day-long shoots in the wilderness. The padded portion of the strap can be removed and the free ends snapped together as a short handle, which is very convenient when working on a tripod.  And keep in mind this is part of a system. Extensions are available if you want to sling a camera over your back. A very smart design that should last you for a very long time.
OP/TECH straps are reasonably priced and are an excellent upgrade to your camera. I like the loop system and the fact that you can detach the strap from the camera easily. They also offer many different styles of straps for various types of cameras and applications.
if you are short and don't mind a flimsy strap....go for itother wise  stay away  from it.  wont trust my camera with it.
I own a Nikon D90 camera...and I never used the camera strap which came with the camera..I just never liked it...it is too thin and not very wide...and not very well made...and it has the name Nikonin bold yellow letters...I bought a camera strap at a camera store and used that for about a year...(quantary brand)it was adequate, but still not a winner....so I started to do research on the internet in order to purchaseanother camera strap...I came across this OP/TECH 1501372 camera strap...and after reading many reviews, I decidedto make the purchase....I bought it through Amazon....received it on 11/05/2010...and put it on the camera...this strap is very well made....nice and wide...nice and thick...and feels like it "grabs" you when worn around your neck....it is so comfortable...and I love the loop system used to attach the strap to the camera...all in all this is a camera  strap that all serious photogs will like....if you are thinking of replacing your camera strap...you can't go wrong by getting this one....I strongly recommend it...and the price is right...and Amazon is the place to purchase it...Willie....
The afternoon was dim and stormy as I entered the soundless hall. There before me was a scene of such horror that I was unable to stifle a scream. Dim recesses and hollows which had never seen the day, (and perhaps never should) presented themselves before me. There were blinding lights which could only have been summoned from the depths of hell.I staggered backwards as the piteous inhabitants looked upon me with fear and disdain, knowing full well what I had come to do. My anguished cry had alerted them to the abomination before them and they had now begun to whimper and cry out for help. They staggered into a corner, fearful and cowering, as my shrill voice declared "Fear not pathetic creatures of the night, I shall redeem you!" I reached into my breast pocket, and in my hand I held a device of gleaming silver. Some of the inhabitants tried to run. "Do not test my patience, you will remain still!" They looked upon the device with uncontrollable dread, ignorant of its power in the hands of a master. I plunged forward and held it to their wretched faces.I gazed in wonder at its secrets, once hidden, now emblazoned across its visage. I held the device high above my fetid brow, and declared to the heavens "f/5.6 at a 60th of a second! Begone you devils of darkness and light! YOU... STAND... STILL!!" Alas, the truth was too much for my cowering subjects, as they crept into my waiting monolight. Thanks to my Sekonic L-358, I was able to get some perfectly exposed shots.
If you're a serious or trying to become a serious photographer, you must have one of these bad boys.  I know that some photographers think that they don't need a light meter, but there's a reason why most pros own one, especially if you're a studio photographer or if you do most of your shooting using flash.  I bought mine used here on amazon for $240 and it came in excellent conditions with its original protective case.
I've had it for years and it always works when you need it to. It's great for tricky ambient/flash mixes.
I purchased the Sekonic L-358 because of all the great reviews and because I wanted reproducible results. I was using it the first day without the manual. I am now getting into the manual. Great product.
Very accurate and easy to use.  Just select the light source type and press the button.  Simple.  It's especially useful for night photography besides the obvious flash photography.
What can I say that hasn't been said it's nice to have an incidental light meter. This is a full featured Light Meter and works wonderfully!
I sent an inquiry to Sekonic regarding compatibility of their wireless transmitters with non-Sekonic radio flash systems and got this detailed response.  Hope others find the information useful:"Thank you for your inquiry and using our L-358.I am Minoru Oda(Mr) from Sales Operation Sec.of light meter in Sekonic Corporation in Japan.All of our light meter have only Flash Synchro terminal (PC), and we have only one type of Synchro cord (PC) as our option.Synchro cord (PC) for triggering is general in this industry.Our products have to compatible with almost camera or flash/strobe generally,so, it means that it is needed the adaptor which translated PC to other connector, if camera or flash/strobe have theconnector of the product-specific.In addition, as you already might know, unfortunately our Radio system is compatible with only PocketWizard receiver.It means that our light meter is not compatible with any strobe/flash without PocketWizard. As per radio triggering system,PocketWizard always is necessary to use Radio system.So, we do not have any transmitter module for other radio system like Nikon's Commander Mode.We have considered our radio system should be compatible with other company Radio system but it will not come true todayor tomorrow..."
A very handy little meter to use in photography and cinematography. So far it has done its job well and I haven't had any problems with it. Easy to learn and you can be using it in no time if you have never used a light meter before. Well worth it for the price.
Very Accurate! I was surprised after my quick experiment. I put my D5100 in spot metering and the exposure values were identical with the ones on the meter. Very easy to use and operate. Worked right out of the box. I didn't even read the manual, very intuitive UI. Battery life seems to be very good.The only concern is that it only connects wirelessly to Pocket Wizards and not the other triggers that are on the market. Its possible to use it with other triggers just need to fire them manually which is a bit inconvenient. But I knew that before I bought it. Nice feature - LCD lights up when sensor sensing low light so its easy to read display in the dark.
Not as good as its big brother, the Sekonic L-758DR. I used the 758DR at school and man I shoulda just splurged on that. The biggest complaint I have between the two is that the 358 doesn't display 1/10 f-stop readings while in 1/3-stop flash mode. You have to have the dip switches a certain way to get an either/or effect. You can get the shutter speed to read 1/2-stops and the meter will show you 1/10 f-stop number readings but if you switch to 1/3-stop shutter flash mode, you get whole f-stop numbers. Yeah, yeah, shutter doesn't affect flash blah blah blah but I like to meter as close to what I'm shooting at. something else is that the little bro to this one, the 305(?) displays 1/10th stops beautifully. It looks like you're just paying a little more for a prettier display and PocketWizard expandability. Even then, the stupid PW chip costs even more $$$.Anyway, other than those minor annoyances, the meter works like a charm. I do also like how much smaller the meter is vs the 758. Also, the dome is retractable unlike the 305.
Sekonic really went all out on this unit--i like using the various ways it can be utilized--shutter speed or aperature--various averaging techniques and easy to use--a quality soft case and i'd say the hard part was just getting the cord into the slot  which wasn't much problem. bright and so flexible in it's many ways to use it. i've owned several other meters by different co's and this takes the cake--great job Sekonic !
I bought this meter because I bought a manual focus lens for my Nikon D50. This camera body does not meter with the old manual lenses. After a week of using it, I can say it performs well. It offers incident and reflected measurements. However, to switch from incident to reflected, you have to take off the lumisphere and mount the lumigrid. It offers shutter and aperture priority modes. I prefer aperture priority-choose an aperture, and the meter selects a shutter speed. You can choose 2 ISO settings. The meter will stay on ISO 1 until you push ISO 2 for a brief reading. When you let go of the ISO 2 button, it goes back to ISO 1.The Sekonic L-358 also does flash metering(reflected and incident). This is helpful to me because my D50 will not do TTL flash with my older flash units-Nikon SB-80DX. It has flash corded mode-connect flash and meter with sync cord. It also has cordless flash mode. When you press the measurement button, you will have up to 90 seconds to fire the flash. It will even measure multiple flash bursts. However, it will not read them all if the bursts are too quick. I'd recommend leaving at least 1/2 second between bursts to take a reading. There's also flash to ambient light ratio readings.Another reason I chose this model is you can buy optional spot meter attachments for it-1, 5, and 10 degree heads.It also has many features I've never used and probably never will, so I can't comment on those. Such as wireless radio flash triggering(I think optional accessories are required), memories, averaging of multiple readings, and more.Something that you should consider-not all lenses transmit the EXACT same amount of light. In theory they should, but that's not always the case. Some will disagree with this, but Google "lens T stops" and you can read about it. For example, one of my lenses needs about 1/3-1/2 stop more light than the meter suggests. Another needs about 2/3-1 stop more. And another lens just about agrees with the Sekonic. I think older zooms are more prone to needing more light. If you're getting underexposed images, run tests and take notes with each lens you plan on using with the meter.And another thing-it uses a CR123A battery. Those can be hard to find, so carry an extra.
This is truly a fantastic product with top quality features. I have had mine for over 10 years now and not a single complaint. I have used it in many situations to measure light and perfect my shots. I can't imagine going anywhere to do a shoot without it.
Not always compatible in the US! I didn't read all of the reviews carefully and bought the high rated Sekonic L-358 from Amazon.  The meter itself works great. The problem came when I wanted to use it with my Pocket Wizards via the optional radio unit. The meter I received from Amazon was the CE model with frequencies to be used in Europe. So, my FCC pocket wizards will not receive when I try to use the light meter to fire and measure flash & lights.  If you want your light meter to be used with a studio light or field flash set-up (and you eventually will), get the FCC model (it's on the sticker in the middle of the back of the unit)if you live in the US or Canada.  If you live in Europe, get the CE model. Nowhere in the product description did it indicate that this was the European (CE)model. In fact, it said that it was only available for shipping to the United States! Just be careful.  Check out the following[...]I gave it one star so that potential buyers would read it and not make my mistake.
Great results.  Never a problem.  Bought the PocketWizard module, which also works great.
Great product, if you are in advertisement (photo and digital video) this is it !, even the most advanced cameras can't go to the fisical point an measure the exact light caracteristics of that spot, it has change so much the way my pictures look, it gives a very accurate meassurement and you can push it up or down in terms of apperture, to get a very precise look to it, i love it is great. i used for my canon 5d.
Although the included documentation could be written a little better, it's pretty darn good and if you are reading it without any distractions, it'll probably be pretty easy to understand.  Reasonably easy to open the package and have the device up and running within 10 minutes.  Extracting more advanced performance will take a little longer.  If purchasing this with the RT32N Radio Module, please see my review of the module itself as the documentation provided with the radio module is not accurate.  If you are using this for studio work and you already have/use Pocket Wizard products, the radio module is a serious time saver!My only real complaint - and I know why it's done - is that the labels for the button is invisible when looking at the device!  You have to tilt it down slightly to see the labels.  Beyond that, this is a very nice device and a great tool to have when you need it.
This meter is easy to use and very reliable.  Well designed.  It's small enough to fit in my shirt pocket and be out of the way but handy for when I need it.  I use it all the time.
This is a great product, however I'm returning mine to get the L-758. I decided to trade up because I want the spot metering for when I decide to take my manual Nikon FM2n out rather than the D700. If taking a picture of a subject you can't get to that's partly in shadow and you're standing in daylight it's easier to spot meter it with the 758.I'm also getting more into studio flash and like the calibration features of the 758. The 758 might have poor reviews here by people not understanding its complexity, but you can find rave reviews of it on other sites.If you just need basic intuitive incident and flash metering, get the 358. You can buy a spot meter for it, but I like that the 758 has it built in with a digital reading in the viewfinder plus the price difference gets really small when you start buying those attachments for the 358 anyway.The one thing I would change is to have options for other radios like the skyports rather than just the pocket wizards. I use skyports because they let me control my elinchrom lights wirelessly, otherwise I'd have gone PW.
Using primarily as a studio flash meter and for church formals.Unit meters as expected for a $240 unit, so no applause for that.I like:- The retractable lumpishere (from dome, to flat).  VERY useful.- Ability to show ambient/flash as a percentage.  Useful.I HATE:That the unit requires two hands to operate.  For every operation, youneed to hold down one of the functions buttons then scroll the wheelto change the value.  This really stinks, since I'm usually holdingsomething else in my other hand.  Another 'dip' switch, as Sekoniccalls them, should be added that allows the unit to be operated withone-hand (ie., automatically 'holds' certain function button while youtoggle).
This meter is great - I've knocked one star off just because it can't use AA or AAA batteries - the ones every photographer carries in bulk! Nothing else I own uses the CR123A battery, so now its one extra thing I need to make sure to keep stocked in each of my camera bags.This unit is a bit bulkier than the L-308, and I was torn between the two, I liked the small size and smaller price tag of L-308, but what sold me on the 358 was the output for percentage of the light that comes from flash - for most of the work I do, the subject and background are in the same natural lighting, then I add flash to fill in the subject but it won't reach the background. I just meter the subject and twist the dial until I get the % of flash I want - 50% and I know my background is 1 stop underexposed, which is where I usually shoot. Also, I use the second ISO setting as a way to quickly get a reading when I want to underexpose something. I usually shoot ISO200, if I want 1 stop underexposure I set ISO2 on the meter for ISO400 and then meter, keep camera at ISO200 and then I'll be one stop underexposed, I don't bother with the built-in exposure control, it's just one more thing I'll end up forgetting and ruin a shot eventually.This is my first flash meter and I have no regrets.Since I use Cybersyncs and not Pocketwizards, for the same price as the internal PW wireless chip I just velcro'd an extra cybersync transmitter to the back and connected it with a short sync cable. Simple wireless and same price as the chip, though admittedly less elegant...
There are certain names in photography that are industry standards - Canon, Nikon, Pocket Wizards, Profotos, etc. and Sekonic is on that list.  I use this particular model in studio with the Pocket Wizard module and it has never let me down.  Even when I had never used a light meter and picked this up, it was pretty intuitive.  If you can afford this, get it and it will be the last light meter you'll need.  If you're on a budget, the model below this also very good but you'll eventually get this one.
I am very impressed with this light meter.  It does everything except make me breakfast.  It is only a few dollars more then your cheapest flash meter yet it gives you tons of features.
WOW makes my lighting issues so much easier, no wondering if it is hot or not with a white background. Nice  and easy to use. You do need to do some self calcuations that this model does not do for you. But wasn't a big deal for me or deal breaker.I work with strobes alot and this meter makes it so easy
I find this light meter very handy and helpful. It gives us instant idea on aperture opening and other settings which would have taken longer to determine without it. Mind you this meter gives you a ballpark figure on the most appropriate setting making it fast to capture the correct exposure.
I use this meter in digital photography to get a better light reading. I use the Canon 40d and Olympus E-1 both camera has a real good light meter.The Sekonic L-358 gives me the correct reading. Easy to use and with a small lerning curve. I don't know how I lived without it. When I take light reading in a dim area then I know if need the tripod or just change the ISO setting to a higher setting. Read the manual and start shooting better pictures
to already very well regarded light meter ,it is used by professionals and and amateurs photographers all over the world,i guess it could be cheaper.
I'm still learning all the bells and whistles and WISH I had gotten the radio transmitter at the same time...but nevertheless.  I take photography classes, and it has really helped.  It's a great tool and anyone serious about photography, amateur or pro.. will REALLY ENJOY having this light meter as part of their equipment.
Absolutely love my light meter.  It makes shooting a million times easier.  Every photographer should have one.
This Sekonic L-358 light meter is an excellent meter. I have fallen in love with it. Lots of Today's 35mm SLR camera meters are TTL Meters (reflected light measurement meters). Sekonic L-358 is such a high precision instrument which measures incident, reflected, flash (cord & cordless). I got great digital photos after I have used the reading on 2 different cameras under normal & Flash lights.The pictures are great out of your camera and do not require any editing if used properly according to the instructions. I like the built in Memory function to store readings, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, 2 ISO functions, Weather proof Seal, Can include optional radio transmitter + receiver modules to wirelessly trigger flash units, So far Battery Life has been Good. This meter does not use "AA" it uses CR-123A so you will have to always carry one spare with you.
I am a somewhat advanced amateur and not a profesional, so take my comments with a slight grain of salt.I got this meter as a Jesus-day present, so I haven't yet had a lot of time to play with it (I'm writing it the same day). But, so far, I'm very impressed with it. I've abused it and my camera for a couple of hours so far.Basic operation is pretty straightforward, and without even reading instructions it's pretty obvious how it works. The controls are intuitive and well marked, and the display is easy to read.I've never worked with an incident light meter before, nor has anyone instructed me in how to use one. So, there are a few features that are beyond my understanding at the present time, but that will change with some quality time with the manual. By the way, I was worried that the manual might be difficult to understand, but I think it's actually pretty well written.All the above being said, this is probably not a tool for the complete novice to photography. I would strongly encourage you to have a fairly good grasp of the fundamentals of photography, most importantly those concerning the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO speed. This product assumes that you know how to work your camera in either aperture or shutter priority modes; if you don't know how to do this, buy the field guide for your camera, experiment a bit, and come back to this item in a few months.Also, construction is nice. The manual states that it is splash and rain proof (though not "wash" proof), but I'm probably not going to test it. :)One of the features that I really like about this meter is the option to plug a radio transmitter (like a Pocket Wizard) directly into the unit (in the battery compartment). Makes for a nice easy exposure setup.Finally, about the f-stop settings. If you're in a controlled environment such that you can stop to use a light meter, my guess is that you're probably shooting in an aperture priority or fully manual mode. Shutter speed is probably not an issue. Out of the box, this meter displays aperture priority settings in full stop increments. Even basic cameras like the Canon Rebel often display stops in 1/3 increments. This setting is changed via DIP switches in the battery compartment. My recommendation is to set the stop increments to 1/3 straight away. On my model, that means moving DIP switches 3 and 4 to "on".Have fun!
This is awesome and should be a photographers best friend.  If you use pocket wizards get the special trigger flash card that allows you to trigger your flashes to get a reading.
Once I was taught the accuracy and purpose of a hand held meter vs the in camera meter, this has become an essential part of my gear.  Simple to operate.  I keep it with me all of the time and use it every time I shoot.
It's been one month now since I received the Sekonic L-358 and I love it.  I would recommend this product to anyone.
Thats right a light meter. The one on your camera blows.I can say that without looking at your camera. And if you are going total manual then yes of course you need a light meter. sekonics are highly recommended. easy to use and yes for setting up shots this helps a lot. Takes some work making the jump from auto to manual and using strobes and flashes but the difference in your shots are worlds apart. worth the time and investment. buy the best one you can afford
The L-358 is a fantastic add-on to my photography kit.  My exposures are now dead on, every time.  This is money very well spent.  There are some very useful instructional videos on YouTube, which really help in using this product as well.
When researching which light meter to pick up all of the feedback was this offered the best bang for the buck on the market and they were right.  I use it in its simplest forms, mostly just in the studio.  The reading isn't perfect, but it is consistent, and that is more important.  And it not being perfect is more likely something to do with your camera than this meter.  Most cameras set to a specific exposure are not really giving you that exact exposure.With my 5D2 I always knew that I have to adjust the exposure about 1/2 stop over than what the meter was telling me.  With my 5D 3 is about a quarter stop.  So know your cameras and make the adjustments.  If you shoot with one body you can calibrate the meter to adjust for the difference in this.
I love artificial lighting in photographs and for quite some time I just used continous lighting source. All was fine, till I decided to use flash lights, inspired by the Strobist blog. All though this was fun, there was no definite way to measure/meter the incident light before taking a picture. So to get a good shot, I had to have 4-5 test shots. Also I couldn't set the power difference between key light, background light, hair light etc. So I knew I needed a light meter which measured incident as well as reflective light. I chose L-358 based on feedback on the internet and amazon.The main advantages:1. Measures Incident/Reflective light very accurately.2. Different source selection. Natural, Flash remote and Flash chord.3. Optional PW support (I don't have Pocket wizards, but use Cactus through chord mode)4. Fantastic averaging function. This feature is usually present in digital light meters. But L-358 is very accurate and a delight to use (the subject should be static)5. Two ISO modes. This feature helps a lot as I generally use two different camera bodies and usually am on different ISOs on them.6. Easy to use indoors as well as on location shoots.Improvements:1. The ability to set the aperture value in Flash modes and force the meter to show the shutter speed,  would be a good advantage. This feature is available in natural light mode however. I usually like to use shallow aperture and I'd like to be in control of the aperture rather than meter telling me what to set it at. But this is no disadvantage, as some values can be tweaked by turning the control wheel.
I have owned this product for about a month. I have found it very easy to use and right on the money for getting the best exposure. My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner!
Timely delivery at a competitive price. Advantage over Brick and Mortar stores with regard to sales tax and convenience.
This unite is a great addition to anyone's photography equipment. It works great for standard portrait photography. I would give it 5 stars if I could set the unite for A/P in the flash measuring mode. I often use a set aputure and wish to know the  shutter speed.
I purchased this item from a well known camera company based out of New York. I hear many people say they are happy with the built in camera exposure metering... or that they use their digital display screens on the camera to review a picture and make adjustments... using those "reasons" to justify why they don't go spending hundreds of dollars on a light meter such as this. Frankly, the price is a little painful. I'll give you that. But... the camera's built in metering won't meter flash, and the review screens are tiny and not always as trusty as you would think they should be! Recommendation and solution? Get a light meter. Better yet... get this light meter. Here's a couple of lists!What's hot:* Learning curve seems daunting when you pick it up, but is surprisingly easy to grasp within minutes.* Weather sealed. (Us it when the weather is less than ideal... it's okay!)* Excellent price for the what you get.* Flash metering, EV readings (Exposure value), and ambient light readings. (useful inside, outside, flash, % flash fill, and more)* Comes with a lumisphere AND lumigrid.* Comes with a carrying case and cord that can be used while in the case, or not.* Back-lit LCD is easy to read in the dark and turns on when it automatically detects the light level being low.* Has optional accessories to add later, including Spot attachments, a "mini" lumisphere (12mm), and a wireless transmitter for pocket-wizard integration.What's not:* Battery is not "standard" (IE: AA, AAA, etc). You'll have to hunt one down if it runs out. (I've heard they're easy to find, however, but I've not had to look for one yet personally)* Pocket wizard accessory isn't standard.* Great value, but $300ish bucks is still spendy to me.* No "real" pocket for the lumigrid when not in use (though while being stored, I can put it in the carrying case without too much worry).Overall... I was daunted by the task of learning to use the meter when I first opened the manual but it was literally only about 5-10 minutes later that, thanks to the ingenious way everything is laid out and you can see how your changes effect everything else in real time, I felt very comfortable taking readings and understanding what the meter was telling me. My wife gave me some funny looks as I took readings by her, then in the kitchen, then by a window, then outside, then back inside by a ceiling light... I couldn't help it! I was intrigued and facinated!If you're struggling with proper exposure using studio lights... wanting to check exposure for manual shots in any conditions (especially low light)... this unit is just too darn handy! I recommend this product.
You can go wrong Sekonic. This a good meter that should cover 95% of your needs, and should last a long time. The only question is to get it with or without the card for your pocket-wizard (or equivalent). I dind't get the card but I know I can if I get into studio shoot. Highly recommended.
This light meter arrived the same day as my Alien Bees B800s. This was my first experience with indoor flash lighting, so after setting up the two units with a backdrop, I attempted to figure out the correct exposure by trial and error because I thought I wouldn't have time to learn the light meter that night. After several attempts and trying to figure out why my exposure was so wrong, I finally got it down to 125, f/5.6 ISO 100 and it looked fine. I then decided to try out the flash meter, I plugged in the battery, connected the cord from meter to the flash and then set the meter to flash w/cord. It took me about 1 minute to figure out how to change the modes. I set off the flash using the light meter itself, and the reading came out to be 125, f/5.6 ISO 100!!!!!! WOW!!!! Was it really that simple??! The neat thing is, once you've captured the reading, you can spin the wheel and figure out equivalent exposures if you want to change any of the three values. You would think it's a little pricey but I say it's worth every penny. I can't wait to take it outdoors!
If you are thinking of buying this there is no need to hesitate, it works just as advertised which is great.I use it when using my strobes in studio or on location.
I'm using for a month in studio and outdoor and it's a great product. Consistent readings, well built, easy to use although has many advanced features... Indispensable tool for studio and hard lightning conditions.
This has been a very good light meter with great results. It is very simple to use. The construction is all plastic but does not feel cheap. When I saw Carlos Baez using the same meter at a seminar it was very reassuring. If it's good enough for one of the best fashion photogs in the world it's good enough for me.
Although on the basic end regarding light meter. This little wonder does the job. What I like best it that it fits in my pocket with ease. I used it on every photo shoot. If you are planing to get this light meter remember to also by the wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter allow great metering for flash when used with pocket wizard.
Works greatTook a little tweaking to get it to work with our pocket wizards but it does work great
I cannot stop taking pictures after purchasing this product.Features I loved:-  No more chimping.(no more histogram and inconsistent exposures)(no more white towels checking blown-out highlights while your model wondering what you're doing the towel!!)-  Now I can set the ratios of multiple flashes correctly and repeat different setups consistently.-  Amazing feature that shows the ratio of ambient light to your flash, I loved it.-  when shooting long exposures like running water (river, fall, fountain), the meter is capable to determine the required shutter speed up to 30 minutes. No camera meter can provide this !Pay attention:- if you are using the (wait for flash) feature, it is going to fail if the lights are florescent.- if you want to use the wireless feature then you have to know that it only works with pocket wizardsAND you have to make sure that your lightmeter is COMPATIBLE with your country's pocketwizards.BUY it don't wait.
Great meter, beats 'chimping'. Easy to use. Only one negative, the manual was obviously written by a technician and is not that easy to follow.
Would recommend this flash meter to anyone that shoot with studio strobes.Also a great meter to have to meter flash with ambient light.
I have worked as professional photographer since 1971 using a Nikon F and a Gossen luna pro meter which  required a battery. As my camera did not require a battery, I skipped the TN finder. As I used the camera in the outdoors in the winter when the temperatures were -20F or lower and the battery would fail. Also the Gossen was difficult to use as a incident meter in that the hemisphere was tiny. I purchased a Sekonic Studiomaster which did not have a battery and had a large hemisphere. I had very good results. Now a use the Sekonic L-358 which is a very good meter indeed and because I live in Peoria Arizona battery operation is not an issue. I use my 2 Canon T2Is in manual and optain excellent results. I never knew how easy photography could be, no darkroom finally. Thank you photography gods.Sekonic L-358 Flash Master Light Meter
This is my first light meter, so take this with a grain of salt, but so far it has been excellent. It does everything I need (especially flash metering) and even some things that I don't need.I spent quite a while looking at meters in the $100-$300 range that at least did flash metering, and I came to the conclusion that it makes much more sense to buy this all-in-one meter with extra features for $300 than buy a flash-only meter for less and then have to buy an incident light meter later especially when both together for a total cost of $300 or less would probably do less than this one meter does for the same cost. This was the best value in light meters that I could find, and I looked at quite a few. It seems that all of the research paid off and I made a good decision.My only wishes are that: 1) I wish I could set the shutter speed and aperture and have it tell me what ISO sensitivity is needed for the given lighting conditions; 2) it "only" goes up to f/90. Issue #1 is easy to work around (just hold down an iso button and turn it up from 100 until the aperture and shutter speed you need are displayed). Issue #2 really only matters because I have a f/177 pinhole camera "lens" that the meter is very useful for calculating the exposure time for... I just have to multiply whatever exposure time it gives me for f/90 by 4 (which would technically be the time for f/180 but that's close enough given my unwillingness to do the math to adjust it for exactly f/177).Given that there's an easy workaround for both, and the latter only comes in to play rarely, neither of these are a big deal. After all, the designers can't possibly imagine every possible thing that someone might want, and the meter already has a bunch of other features (like memory, averaging, EV delta v, multi-flash metering, etc.) that have either already come in handy for me or probably will rather soon.I also wish it used standard AA batteries (since I have a bunch of rechargables) but I don't consider the lack of commonly available battery support to be that big of a deal.If you need a light meter that does ambient/incident light, reflected light, and flash (with or without synchronization) then this has to be one of the best, if not the best, that you can get for the price.
Excellent meter. Should be for a professional photographer and not recommended for the person that is not a dedicated 24/7 shooter
I read a light meter review recently where the reviewer said; "even if you don't think you need a light meter, you do." This is good advice.Three huge advantages come to mind after using this meter once.First, it is a tremendous time saver during the shoot and afterwards in post processing, take a light reading, set your camera to what the meter reads and shoot.Second, repeatability - even if you are shooting low/high key or going for artistic effects; you can reproduce lighting ratios/scenarios you like easily in the future. When you don't have a light meter you can spend countless hours tweaking the power settings on your strobes or multiple shoe mount flash units to get a few shots right.......and when you're done and have packed it all up......the next day, week, month....you have no way to get back to those settings again.Third, better pictures.Having an LCD/preview and histograms are useful but DSLRs, even the most advanced cameras in the world, can not do what a light meter can. In camera metering has no way of measuring or calculating the light output from studio strobes. TTL, iTTL & all these intelligent flash systems (for shoe mount flash units) still have a place when you are shooting events and there is no time to take light readings. But after using this light meter I can honestly say that if there is time and the shots are important I will never rely on iTTL systems ever again. iTTL flash results are all over the place, when you meter the light and shoot in manual the results will be 100% predictable 100% of the time. My speedlights are going to live in manual mode when there is time to use a light meter from now on.I doubt you can beat the Sekonic L-358 at this price point. I've only had this meter a few hours but like so many others have said, I wish I had purchased this a long time ago. This is a 5 star product, it works great and is reasonably priced.
I must admit I was a little disappointed when I opened the box and saw the meter. The case is made of plastic that looks and feels cheap - hardly worthy for an item costing more than $300. I have wondered for some time whether it was worthwhile buying a light meter considering how advanced in-camera meters have become. However, in my first use of the meter I realized that it was worth every cent. The exposures in my photographs have never been more accurate. I have recently faced some pretty tricky lighting situations but getting the right exposure was a breeze using the Sekonic L358. Two lessons learnt: 1. You can't judge a book by its cover. 2. Light/flash meters are still a necessity for the serious photographer no matter how advanced your in-camera meter.
it's the only light meter I've owned so I can't honestly compare it to other meters.I know, I know - our DSLRs have sophisticated built-in light meters. But those are REFLECTIVE meters, and this unit measures INCIDENT light on your subject. More accurate.99% of time, you don't need it outside (unless you're a pro shooting a model for a cover shot). We know that already, and those people aren't reading this anyway.For indoor studio work, other hobbyists / semipros are saying &#34;CF / SD cards are so inexpensive I'll just take a few practice shots and set the aperture and shutter that way.&#34; Fair enough.The challenge comes when multiple off-camera flashes are introduced - you will need to take many more than a few test shots and adjust flash power in between, and then aperture and shutter - you may wind up looking slightly unprofessional with clients saying &#34;does this photog really know what he / she's doing?&#34;This is an item to consider if you want to get it right the first time, every time, for studio work. Can you still use your in-camera meter - of course. But sometimes you need the stuff to look the part if that's the image you hope to portray.Bottom line - if you want to get paid for your studio shots, this unit will prove invaluable. If this is not you, you'll be JUST FINE with trial and error.  :-)
One of the basic toool for any begining or prof, give you the perfect info on the spot, no more guess, just shoot...
It does the work, its easy to use and if you use PocketWizards (or you plan to do so) don't forget buying the extra RF Module for less than $50. It's really cool to use the remote features with this Sekonic plus the PW. I only wish the instructions manual where a little more extended, cause it's kind of brief.
I recieved the light meter in a prompt manner and it was functioning as it should, I found that it was easy to use with the instruction manual provided.  I still have to learn the ev mode and it's proper usage since it tends to overexpose compared to the light meter built into my camera. Over all the product met my expectations.
I used to think that guessing at time/aperture was fine enough and I am pretty good at it. In the studio it would take me five or six shots and then I figured I could fix anything else in photoshop. I was amazed at how much time this baby has saved me. I didn't realize how much time I was spending shooting and in post production trying to fix low light shots etc.All you do is pull this off your belt, put it under your subject's chin, fire your strobes, set your camera to what the readout says, and your light is perfect.The learning curve on this was short and easy. I pulled up their Youtube tutorials and followed along, easy as pie.I carry this with me outdoors too because now and again you get into a situation where the camera sensor, as good as they are now, can't read the difficult light condition correctly.
I finally broke down and bought the this light meter.  It was never a money issue but I am not sure why I waited so long.  All I can say is get it and learn to use it.  The end results are definitely impressive and obvious.  It is better late than never.
So far, this meter is holding up to it's reputation. Would not do studio work without it.
It gets you close but not right on the money.
When I first bought this light meter, the L-358, I wasn't sure if I should buy this one or theSekonic L-758DR.  The L-758DR is obviously slicker, but it costs much more.  Since I wasn't convinced that I would even use a light meter, I decided on the L-358.  It didn't take me long to realize I wanted the radio triggering module (Sekonic Radio Triggering Module RT-32).  That's another $50.  Recently, I bought an old Canon rangefinder camera made in 1961, a Canon P.  It doesn't have a built-in light meter.  So, I bought a spot meter attachment for my L-358; I bought theSekonic NP Finder 1 Degree.  That cost me another $160, plus the cost of shipping.  My total cost is still less than the L-758DR, but I'm getting close.There are features to the L-758DR that I can't add to the L-358.  So I'll never piece together the same meter.  If I had bought the L-758DR, I would have all that I have now and more and have handed over the money all at once a year or so ago.There are advantages piecing together your light meter needs with the L-358 as your base:  for one thing, you can get a 1-degree (NP Finder 1 Degree), a 5-degree (NP Finder 5-Degree), and a 10-degree spot meter attachment for it.  With the L-758DR you're stuck with the 1-degree it came with.  But if you only want a 1-degree spot meter like me, then that flexibility isn't important.  Besides, more spot meter finders means another $140 or more for each.  Then your cost will be much higher than the L-758DR.In summary, I wish I had bought the L-758DR instead.  However, I'm fine with the L-358:  it does all that I need and I was able to expand its functionality and defer some of the cost over time.  So, it worked out alright.  I just wish I could add a color metering attachment to it.  I guess that means that soon I will be regretting I didn't buy the Sekonic PRODIGI Color C-500R instead.
This has saved me a lot of time. I used to have to guess by what my camera's LCD was showing, and I never got a correctly exposed picture. Since I have started using this, I'm able to get the correct exposure the first time, every time. I wish that it used more standard batteries, but that's a small price to pay for the product.
Product arrived super fast. I have Prime and ordered on a Friday night. Original delivery was not expected until Monday but arrived Saturday early noon.So far so good. Meter is lightweight. Feels ok. No as solidly built as you would expect for $300. Seems to work great so far. Will need to play around with it for a while.The jog wheel turns (increases/decreases) opposite to how I would like it/how you would intuitively think it would  increase the values you want to set so that is a slight negative for me. I dont think there is a way to change this in the settings either.Will update review after working with it for more time.This should last me a LONG time and take my pix to the next level, at least exposure-wise.Bought for us with my Canon 60D and 430ex ii flash for ambient and flash modes
Does all that it needs to do. I am surprised how much better pictures come out with this meter. I use a d300 which is fairly new tech as far as metering goes and it just can't compare. Works great with studio strobes except I wish they would have given the pc connection plug a little piece of sting to connect it to the meter. Im scared I will loose it and then it wont be weather resistant anymore.
You want a meter for everyday use, that can do almost all the things you need done with out much fuss, this is the one. Helped me in doing some of the things i do, see more at [...]
This is my first light meter, so I can't make comparisons to other models, but this L-358 is easy to use and understand provided you have an intermediate knowledge of camera exposure settings and lighting.  This model can also support an optional module that will fire strobes/flashes connected to PocketWizards.
I did a lot of research before buying this meter.  Virtually everyone says this is the one to get.  The excellent design and construction of this meter become obvious when you look at the careful attention paid to even the smallest details.  It is simple to use, and yet very sophisticated, providing for any need you might have.  The designers and engineers must be photographers, because everything about the meter is designed to cater to the photographer, and make photographic life as easy as possible.  They clearly care about making an excellent product.
I purchased this light meter to assist me in setting up photo shoots on location.  Most digital cameras have light meters included in the construction however this light meter helps me to set up photo shoots quickly by giving me a good idea of f-stop and shutter speed for a good picture.  This light meter is easy to operate and has been a wonderful edition to my photography equipment
I wasted a lot of time tried to figured out the exposures for years by listen to someone who claimed "Professional" on photography. However, this was the best thing I have ever purchased for my camera. I love it so much.
Got this pretty quick and used it instantly. Required slight calibrating for me, but after watching a youtube video on it the night before it arrived.. I was a pro with it already. A must have for strobe lighting if your new at it, wanting to learn more, don't like snapping random pics trying to guesstimate the appropriate exposure (beat up the light meter and save those accuations for when its time to sell the camera), or just want to add a handy dandy little tool to your bag, this is it. I Purchased the 308 first, and reading all of the bias reviews, I checked this one out and never looked back. The 308 did everything I needed it for but I like options for the future and this one was more prepared. Good product and fast shipping. Thanks Amazon or who ever the guy was that came up with the PRIME idea.
Easy to use.  All the functions most people would want right out of the box.  You can add pocket wizard triggering ability and buy a spot metering addon.  It give the correct exposure quickly and takes the hassle out of calculating flash ratios.  It is a worth while investment for digital photography.  Even beginners will benefit from this product.
I purchased this meter in conjunction with a transmitter unit so I could set off my Pocket Wizards.  Both came in a timely manner, I installed the transmitter module, and it didn't work.  The Pocket Wizards would not fire.  I exchanged the transmitter through Amazon, and got the same results.  The unit would not fire my Pocket Wizards.  I called the Mack Group (Sekonic) and asked them what I was doing wrong.  Apparently, the unit I received from Auction Shipper, Inc (fulfilled by Amazon) was a model intended for the European market - it was a gray market model here in the U.S.  The frequency is embedded in the light meter itself, not in the transmitter.  If you live in the U.S. and you use Pocket Wizards purchased in the U.S., you will need to be sure the unit you receive does not have a CE on the back of it and it is FCC compliance.  The transmitter module can be of CE designation when used in an FCC compliance light meter.It's for this reason that I gave 3 stars instead of 5 stars.I returned both to Amazon and purchased the same meter from a different retailer and it works terrific.  Used it on a photo shoot on Saturday and it's great to set off your flash without juggling anything else in your hands.  I recommend this to anyone that is serious about photography.
This is my first flash meter. It was simple to use. It makes setting my camera a snap with my strobes.
There are flash meters that are more expensive and meters that are less expensive but overall this meter has the most bang for the buck.  The meter is very easy to use and versatile in its applications of ambient and flash light sources.The only caveat that I can think of is if you do not get the internal remote transmitter at time of purchase, then make sure if you do order a one that it is the proper type for the meter you have.  There are a couple of different models for use in various countries.  Make sure you get the version meter and transmitter required in your country.I would recommend this meter to any serious photographer whether amateur or pro.  Camera internal exposure meters are good and getting better but can still be fooled by the environment they are in.  An incident meter such as the Sekonic L-358 takes a much more accurate reading of the light falling on the subject.
I'm liking it so far.  Glad I can take the guesswork out of my exposures.Only thing I want to warn (and I haven't spent time to see if there's a work around):  there's no shutter between 60 and 30 to choose.  I shoot at a 50 shutter speed pretty much all the time (video), and it's not a huge deal to compensate for it, but I wish I had the choice.  Didn't see any mention of it (wouldn't matter much to a photographer) so I figured I'd point it out.Otherwise it's cool.  Definitely feels plastic and not built like a tank, but I mean...  it's a light meter.  It's fine.
if your not using a light meter you are wrong.this meter makes work simple and fast, knowingwhat your light is saves on all of those dreadedsample pictures while figuring out the propernumbers for your camera. when you show upfor a shoot it should only take 30 secondsand you should be shotting pro shots.
This like my graycard lives in my camera bag. You can't go anywhere without a light meter if you shoot photography. Light meters help you gauge your exposure. It helps you in choosing the correct lens that is for the job. Getting a light meter did nothing more than help me become a better photographer. It's a tool. But it's a tool that photographers truly need.
I've been thinking to get a light meter for few years, and this came into my list after seeing few videos introducing it. The light meter function itself is accurate, did the job very well, and now I don't have to guess the exposure on my old film cameras that doesn't support metering.Another great feature is the flash metering, I used to do off camera flash via test shots, and that always gave me inconsistent results and often took me 15-30 minutes to settle. Now, once the flash is setup, within 2 minutes I get my metering set.If you use pocket wizard, don't forget to buy the optional radio module, it does save your time on doing flash metering.
This is an excellent meter, but, as with all other light meters, it's a bit pricey. However, compared with some other good meters, it's a bargain.
This is just a well made meter and very easy to use. I read the instructions once long ago and no issue after that. It is fairly intuitive. Most of my flash use is strobist off camera multi-flash using Nikon CLS to control exposure and portable modifiers. I carry the meter when I need to switch to manual control. I like that I can remember how to use this meter regardless of how long it has been since I last needed it. This meter shines for use with studio strobes. During the few occasions I shoot sharing strobes, I have noted my and other shooters' Sekonic meters have always been consistent. I have added the optional radio module. It is convenient to be able to test flash for meter readings without having to use the camera or the radio trigger on the camera. On the downside this meter uses the more costly CR123 battery ($5+) which is not available at your local grocery store. This is mitigated in that battery life is very good. The meter also works well with CR123 3 Volt (NOT 3.6 Volt!) rechargeables. I have not attempted to use the 3.6 Volt rechargeable batteries and would caution anyone thinking of doing so to verify with Sekonic the overvoltage will not be detrimental.Update: Since writing this review I have moved on to a Sekonic L-478DR meter in order to have the remote control capability of Pocketwizard Flex units. However I still retain the L-358 as a spare/backup/loaner. I still recommend it as a Pro level meter at an entry level price, especially with used units at lower prices being available.
I purchased this light meter when I got a chance to use a film medium format camera for awhile.  It has every feature that I could like and was so good at exposure measurements that I started using it on my Canon 30D digital when the time for the shot permitted.At first when I purchased it I thought it was so 'old school' to have a lightmeter, but I knew I was going to have it to use the medium format film camera I had and I wanted to go with strobes eventually so I was going to need it as well for the best results.  I was quite surprised to find out how much of a difference it makes on digital and it pointed out how even a good digital camera can only do so good of an exposure prediction because of color and reflection assumptions it has to make.If you've got to get exposure right on, then get a good light meter.  The L-358 is a great light meter for the money.
the sekonic is the best thing that I bought in my lifeI will use it all the timeNow its time to buy the Sekonic 401-621 Transmitter Module
Purchased to work with my Canon S3 is, which has no external flash shoe, and a slave handle from Sunpak.  It works well in combination.
I have been pleased with this flash.  The lighting is very even and the exposure is accurate in the majority of situations.  I would give it 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that the switches for selecting mode and ISO are very stiff and hard to slide.
I have been using this flash with 3 different cameras (Canon, Sony, Panasonic) for about 5 years now. Always worked great. Batteries last long enough.The main advantage for me is 2-way rotating head that allows me to direct the light towards the seiling when making both portrait and landscape oriented pictures.Highly recommended
I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ50 digital camera and, when I use the wide angle extension on my lens, I can't use the intrnal flash (the lens casts a shadow). So, I began shopping for a flash. I was shocked when I saw the prices of the Panasonic flashes for this camera ($300 and $500). After searching the Internet, I found the Sunpack 383 flash. I was a little nervous buying it. I worried it might not sync well or have some defect since the price was so much lower. Well, I received the flash, slipped it onto my camera's hot shoe, and it works beautifully. No glitches and the results are great. I particularily like the 3 automatic settings -- maximum distance, intermediate distance and maximum depth of field. It also has a great bounce flash head that can be pointed in any direction. Reference marks give the exact angle of the bounce. I'm very happy with this purchased and thrilled that I saved quite a bit of money.
I purchased this flash for my Rebel XT as an alternative to the much higher priced Canon alternatives. This flash unit obviously lacks features of today's flash units (such as ETTL, autofocus assist, rear curtain sync, high speed sync, etc), but what it does do is more than worth the small price tag.This is a great low cost solution for people on a budget. If you're interested in going the strobist route, four of these units can be had for less than one 580EX. If you went the same route with the 580EX, you'd be spending over $1500 just in flashes (not to mention everything else you would need to buy).
I just started a real estate photography business and this is my first external flash.  I've used it for just over a month and it does it's job very well.The price was great compared to one of the proprietary TTL flashes also.The flash head swivels on two axes so there's no way you can't find the best position.So far I've used it with an Olympus C-5060 with no problems.Update: Feb 2nd 2009.  My Sunpak Super 383 is still working great.  Seems to be bullet proof.
I bought this flash for myPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30and it's a great little flash.  You have extensive control over the amount of flash that it provides.  You can ramp up for a large room or tone it down for a closer shot.It can swivel both vertically and horizontally.  Bouncing the flash off the ceiling gives you a more natural fill, without the hard shadows and "red eye" effects.  You need the horizontally swivel if you want to rotate your camera to the portrait orientation and want to bounce the flash off the ceiling.It takes 4 AA batteries and I get about 80 shots from a set of rechargables.  I use theSanyo Eneloop NiMH batteries, which comes as an 8 pack.  That way I always have a set ready to go, while the other 4 are charging.I would recommend getting theSto-Fen Omni-Bounce for the Sunpak 383, it does a great job of diffusing the flash when you have to aim the flash head on.  You'll get a much nicer picture when the light has been diffused a bit.
I've had my sunpak 383 super for something like 12 years now, ever since a photo teacher recommended one.  I've gone through five or six cameras in that time, but the 383 just soldiers on, a perfect manual strobe.
I have a Canon S5IS and the on board flash produces red eye. All point and shoot cameras do this. I would have preferred the Canon 430EX flash for through the lens metering. That flash was too expensive for my wallet. I saw the reviews for this flash and bought it. In my house with average size rooms I set the flash to yellow (middle) auto mode and the camera to F4 1/60 shutter speed and 100 ISO. Point the flash to 45 and shoot away. No red eye, very few shadows. The flash is very powerful. The build quality seems good to me. I recommend this flash and don't be intimidated because it is manual. It is very easy to use.
I found the SunPak 383 easy to use and very effective. It's a great flash at the price. I recently purchased a Fuji FinePics S9100 camera - and it just eats batteries when using the integrated flash. The SunPak is an elegant solution and works very well.
I am a great proponent of the older flash technology that the SunPak 383 represents.  It's inexpensive, powerful, versatile, provides reliable service and makes excellent, well exposed photos.What a lot of people don't realize is that these Thyristor based units are semi-automatic flash units.  How it works is as follows.1) you set your camera to manual exposure, and set your ISO on camera.2) You set the ISO on the flash unit and it will give you a choice of 3 or 4 f/stop settings(the aperture) and the distances that the flash will be effective at that f/stop.3) You set the aperture (f/stop) on the camera and then set the camera's shutter to the fastest stutter speed that will synchronize with flash units. (In your camera manual).4) Start taking pictures.  The thyristor acts as a light meter and when it calculates that adequate light has hit the subject, it shuts the flash down. (calculations based on f/stop, distance and ISO settings).Even bounce flash is well exposed because the Thyristor window always points forward. So if you point the flash head to the ceiling for a more natural light, the thyristor window is still aimed at the subject.True, they are not foolproof, but very little in this life IS foolproof Including the FULL Auto Flash units).  So you do need to practice a bit before shooting something important.These things work great and the 383 is one of the best.  Many wedding and commercial photographers use them because they are reliable, powerful, cheap, and they work with ANY camera that can manually set the f/stop and shutter speed.I use my 383 with my Olympus E500 DSLR camera and the pictures are great.  Hope this helps.
This Sunpak flash is a very nice flash for the price. It is very cheap compared to other 3rd party flash manufactures. The Auto mode for this flash works really well. I say the exposure calculated by the flash is accurate 90% of the time given under normal lighting. There might be some tricky lighting conditions that could fool the the flash in Auto mode... but then again, nothing is perfect. I use this flash with my Fujifilm S9100 digital camera and it's very simple to use. Even though it might take some pratice, but it shouldn't scare you from using a manual flash. Plus, you should feel like a "real" photographer if you are able to use a manual flash. Just tell the flash what ISO  you are using and the how far the subject is from the camera, the flash will do the rest. In return, the camera will tell you what aperature to use. For the shutter speed, just set it to the highest speed that your camera could synchronize with an external flash and everything should be ok. Also, if you feel that the exposure is a little too dark or too bright, just adjust the shutter speed on step at a time to compensate it. For the battery life, I get about 100 shots out of 4 rechargeable batteries (NiMH at 2500 mAH). Anyway, this is a really reliable flash for the money. You don't really have to spend big bucks on original manufacture flash such as Nikon or Canon. Just get Sunpak flash and it should work the same, if not better. Thanks for reading.
It's not the latest and greatest in technology, but it's powerful, inexpensive and it does the job very well.
It worked as stated, it was used, but works when needed! First and last time using Sunpack! Stick with the brand of the camera you are using!
I got the Sunpak Super 383 flash as a slave flash for my Olympus E-500 and FL-50 flash, along with the Sunpak slave unit.  They work perfectly together for a small strobe setup with or without umbrellas.  The paper label on the rear of the flash unit initially looked to be average in fit and finish (the way it is trimmed around the edges) which made me leary at first as to the quality of the flash.  But once I used it I never looked back.  It is a substantial flash and appears to have a very good quality build and very good operation.  It works great as my slave flash with the Sunpak hot shoe flash trigger that mounts onto a light stand.  Highly recommend this flash!  Also, some digital cameras will get fried with flashes that use more that 6 volts, so this is one of the safer flashes for a digital camera if you would use it on a hot shoe of your camera.
This was my first external flash, mainly used with my Canon 350D (About 1/250 max sync speed).  After reading around the photography forums, I was between this and the Vivitar 285.  The Canon line of flashes were way beyond what my budget was set for, and quite honestly, I was looking to learn and use the flash manually, which meant I would not be taking advantage of the TTL technology as often.  The 383 offered light output comperable to the 580EX at a fraction of the price, and offered 3 automatic modes if I chose to be lazy about metering and test shooting.  As others have mentioned, the automatic exposure modes are typically accurate, and perform exactly as you'd like whether you use it as direct flash, bounce, or for fill (Although using it as fill flash when your subject is backlit may be tricky for the sensor).I chose this flash over the Vivitar, as I found the swivel head would be much more useful than the zoom, which is still very true today.  Like other have mentioned, the battery consumption is about or above "average" (a set of batteries will last you an evening out with friends, but will not last a serious photo shoot), I shoot with the flash occasionally, and seldom need to recharge the batteries.  The recycle time, although highly dependant on battery type, is realistically very usable, but occasionally slows me down, which is honestly helpful in promoting me to carefully frame the shot first before pressing the button as a side benefit (a quality over quantity thing).After becoming familiar with using the external flash and becoming familiar with the controls and exposure, I ordered a set of wireless triggers off ebay.  Use of the strobe (a flash not mounted to the camera body) has opened up new horizons for me, and has become a whole other tool.  The Sunpak 383 is a great budget flash with high output that has been able to fill my needs for the past year.  I will be picking up another Sunpak 383 soon to compose more complex lighting setups.  It is incredible to be able to do all of this with less money than I would have spent on a single 480ex Speedlite (which has lower light output).  Of course different users will have different needs, but as an amatuer, this will be able to fit the bill for the next couple of years to say the least.However, I do have 2 small complaints about the Sunpak 383:1)  The back label with the settings/instructions on the flash has delaminated, and started to look like it is "bubbling up", this is such an insignificant thing considering the price and functionality.  You wont get "space age" anything with this, just so you know what to expect.2)  The external trigger port is a miniplug jack that I've heard is proprietary to Sunpak, it is just slightly different enough from the universal size for it not to work with radio shack parts.  This became an issue when there was a short somewhere in the supplied wire, and wouldn't fire when using the wireless triggers.  I have to Mcguiver and solder something to make it work with the wireless triggers again.All in all, this was a great buy for me, and would recommend this products to others.UPDATE 12/12/2013:Several  years later I'm returning to this review.  I have since bought 2 more of these sunpak 383's and have put them through the paces.  I do not use the automatic modes at all, but use the tilt and swivel very very often.  More specifically, I swivel when I shoot portrait and bounce off the ceiling, and tilt when I want to bounce diagonally to capture targets further than 15 feet away.  However, as a result of all the tilting and swiveling, one of my Sunpak's recently stopped firing (even though the ready light is lit).  After opening the flash to investigate, I noticed that the thin wires that lead from the main body to the flash head have severed at the flex point.  After some careful soldering, the flash is back in action.Aside from some wiring woes, I had performed an upgrade to install 3.5mm minijacks into the base of each flash.  The flashes are now natively compatible with my Paul C. Buff cybersync flash triggers without the use of a hotshoe adapter.  Even after upgrading camera bodies several times and lenses several times, these are still my go-to flashes after many years (I still don't have any ETTL flashes).  These Sunpak's still get 2 thumbs up from me!
I purchased my Sunpak 383 Super a little over three years ago for my Fuji digital camera.  Not only is it easy to use, but is has great battery life and is very inexpensive for what you get.  I have used it in a number of locations including auditoriums and other large rooms with very impressive results. I would recommend this to anyone who uses digital cameras that have a hot shoe.
This flash is the perfect back-up for a studio, or Main/flash fill for an amateur studio.  I use several w/slaves and lines and the images rival set-ups that cost thousands of Dollars.  I like that they are light and easy to pack and transport.  They are reasonably priced.  They have been around for a long time and do not have bells and whistles.  The SUNPAK has auto/f-stop and manual.  If you are a real photographer, you will know how to use them.  The down side is that if your SUNPAK is plugged into a wall, it takes far too long to recharge (sometimes 3-5 seconds).  Rechargeable batteries seem to work the best with 1-3 second recharge times between flashes.
This is a great flash.  No fancy bells or whistles, but does a great job.  It was also very affordable.  Why oh why did Sunpak have to discontinue this flash?  Let's hope they bring it back.
I read all of the reviews before purchasing this product and it did perform just as described.  I am very happy using it with my S9100 and have been able to shoot a lot more clear pictures with it than without it.  The built-in flash was so limiting and now I can do so much more.  The only draw back was that I had to read the owners manual in order to set it up correctly.  I also followed some suggestions here and it worked out well too.
I have not used an external flash prior to this and I was wondering if I should go with one of the fully automatic modern flashes. But given the price differential the Sunpak was an easy choice.It can be use in its automatic mode where parameters are set using the table like knobs on the back or it can be use fully manual by just adjusting the flash output level.Use it to bounce off a ceiling or wall while on camera or get a radio trigger and get the freedom to place it where you want.
I bought this flash to use on a light pole with a flash trigger when we shoot weddings.  Rather than use one of my Canon 580's, I thought this was a better use of my $$-since I use this additional light in manual mode anyway. It does the job for under $100
Already owning the Nikon SB600 I was expecting something similar but when I got this flash it seemed much lower quality. However after using it I decided it was just what I was looking for. The controls are not digital like my SB600 and everything is manual. Since I'm using it off camera the manual controls work great. And for 1/3 the price of my SB600 you can't go wrong. I'll definitely be picking up another one. However if you want something that is fully automatic and TTL this is not your flash. In my opinion I'm glad I have my SB600 for on camera when I need it but this flash makes a perfectly powerful off camera flash. RECOMMEND!
as always sunpak quality,but a manual setup flash,not dedicated to any camera,A good product ,but not what I wanted for my system.It works automaticly after calculations for feet and apeture.good iso numbers,with plenty of range & power,I  rate it average for ease of use.
Bought this 383Super on Amazon and could not be more happy with the result, my Fujifilm S9100 built in flash was a joke, tried a Quantaray QB-350A w/c yielded some good pictures but ended up returning it due to being "underpowered"(still a much better one than the S9100's)The 383Super is just a dream flash! as long as you follow the recomended setting, you'll be amazed by the beautiful and sharp pictures it will provide. Buy it, you won't be sorry, just a note; it's a little heavy though...
I bought this flash unit for my Fuji Finepix 602.  Unfortunately, for digital camera owners, this flash will make your rig a little "top heavy".  However, if you want a decent flash unit, get used to it.Nice thing about using an external flash is it has its own batteries, so your batteries in your camera will last longer. Also, the viewfinder doesn't "black out" while the flash is recharging (which is good).I use this flash in auto mode, and as a "fill flash".For fill flash, I just use my normal exposure settings on the camera, and put the flash on manual and either 1/16 power or 1/8 power (essentially adding one or two stops of light into the scene).  The fill flash brings the subject out away from the background and gives the picture a nice contrasty look.If its fairly dark, I just use the Auto setting. Basically, you can choose three apertures depending on the ISO setting your using.  The Flash sync speed is 1/1000th of a second, so I just set my camera to manual, and set the speed to 1/1000.  Then, depending on your ISO setting, the back of the flash will recommend which F stop to use, and how far the light will throw.I usually use 1/1000th of a second, F2.8, ISO 200, which gives me about 60 feet of coverage.  I can also use the F5.6 setting for medium distance settings, and F11 setting for "intimate" flash settings where the subject is close.All in all, this is a very usable flash at a very reasonable price.  I get about 80 shots out of a set of four NimH 2300mah rechargeables before the flash starts losing power a little, however I have taken well over 130 shots out of this flash using one set and still got some juice out of it.The flash has a swiveling head which is cool for "bouncing".  You can point the flash at the ceiling, set it on manual, the work out the right power to light the room.  Bounced flash looks so cool, like a magazine picture.I'm giving you, the potential flash buyer, lots of info about how to use this flash.  Although the manual is pretty good with the product, it really doesn't do justice to the complexity of understanding light, exposure, and how flash fits into the picture (mind the pun).Probably why so many people avoid using a flash, when it is really an invaluable tool.Take your photography to the next level and get the Sunpak, its short money for the difference it will make in your photography.
I use this on my Olympus E-500, I was told buy a guy in a camera store that it wouldnt work with my camera, but I read another review on amazon by someone who was using it with their E-500. It works just fine, Im new to flash photography and I wish I hadnt waited so long to get a flash for my camera. I just set my shutter speed to the max sync speed and match the ISO and aperture from the camera to the flash. I use this on my camera, but mostly I use it on a light stand with a wireless trigger and a reflector kit. I have done two photo shoots and taken over 400 shots with it and it works great. Im not sure if this is a common problem with most flashes, but it seems to go through batteries like crazy. I can get about 20-30 shots and it starts taking like 30 seconds to charge up again. Im looking into getting the AC adapter for it.
I needed a tripod to use for photos of my daughter and I.  It's not often there is a third party around to click the shutter for us...I received the tripod and have used it several times.  I love all of the adjustments.  It makes photography easier!  I plan to bring it camping with us this weekend - group shots with others will be great!  I would recommend this for anyone wanting to take photos.
Very nice and affordable tripod, works great for what I need it for.  Camera mounts nicely and stays where i want it to.
Overall quality is probably 3 stars.Price for the product is 5 stars.One thing that is nice about it is that it comes with 2 detachable plates so you can have it ready for your camcorder or camera, or just keep the extra one in the safe.UPDATE..............After having the tripod for a couple months now...  I have realized it is alittle flimsy.  For the basic need of family, or short shoots, it is good.  However, if taking pictures in low light and want that long exposure, this tripod will be a hassel.  I think eventually i will upgrade to a real tripod in the $200+ range.  Until then, this will work.
I was looking for a mid-grade tripod for plein air painting and outdoor photography and this one tripod is an excellent answer to meet both needs.  The unit comes with TWO removable quick-release grips for cameras or other items, making this spot on for my dual interests.  The weight and quality of the unit is more than adequate for supporting still or video cameras, and it does a great job holding my upright easel arm and panel for oil painting outside.  While other models might come with a canvas bag for more than twice as much, this unit was priced right and free shipping!  No regrets here...
I bought this because I wanted to replace a small portable tripod that I carried in my backpack.  That tripod got run over by a truck - It's a long story.Well, I didn't have a ruler handy when I ordered it, so I had to guess how big it would really be.  It is much bigger than I thought it would be, so it cannot serve as a replacement for my small tripod.But who cares!  For the price, this thing is a steal.  I didn't know what "Extra Quick-Release Mounting Plate" meant.  I figured it comes off REALLY easily or something.  Well, "Extra" modifies "Mounting Plate", so you get an extra mounting plate - Cool!The base of the legs have adjustable rubber feet so that you can adjust to expose or cover metal spikes.  The spikes give extra stability on soft surfaces like grass or dirt.There are better tripods out there, but for the price, this one is really hard to beat.
I use the tripod together with my Canon Powershot S3 IS and it works great. It is light and easy to use. But I should say I haven't tried other tripod. Anyway, a cheap and good tripod. Can't really ask for more for $20.
This is a very well-built tripod for the price and exactly what I needed for my Sony NEX-7.  It's light but sturdy.  I'd have given it five stars if it had come with a carrying case but at this price that might be asking too much
I highly recommend this product as it is heavy duty and easy on the wallet.  I actually would buy another.
Item as described.  Well made, sturdy and easy to use.  Fairly light weight makes it comfortable to take on field trips.
The tripod works well. It is a bit shaky at times, and it does feel a bit cheap at times, but I still like it. I also love the quick release. I always hated having my slr being screwed onto a tripod that could tip over at any time from my being clumsy. The size is very compact and light. The only thing I wish about this product was that it came with a case. All in all, it is a good product for the price.
I do have to agree with a lot of the other customers. This is a very nice tripod. Has good weight aluminum and very solid plastic. For the legs it has rubber tips that screw in to have a central metal spike for rough ground. The legs are sturdy square tubing. Even the last little legs are sturdy. I have no problem with mine when trying to put it on uneven ground, you can lock each of the legs in any lengths. Thats awesome for when you need to have it set on a uneven ground. The Built in Clinometer (circle bubble level) will help you keep it even. It also has another built in bubble level in each of the 2 Quick-Release Mounting Plates(my camera is to big and it covers the bubble level on that but it's still nice it's there). It will hold your camera in any angle and can be locked in place (even vertical). It telescopes up and locks in place well, Fully extended and legs fully extended 58 1/2'' at the mounting plate. It's not a 100$ tripod, but this is perfect for most people. Unless you have a 1000$ camera get this Tripod it will last with a good amount of usage. I'm very happy with this product. I will Update
+Sturdy and durable+adjustible expansion to any variation of heights+folds compact and slim+extra mount allows you to have two cameras ready to go at any given time (swap a camcorder and DSLR in an instant)+parts move smoothly and easily, both for panning and packing/unpacking.+ground stabilizing pegs can be hidden behind round safety tips or rolled out if needed+it's like $22! That's a steal for the quality!-no bag included
a tripod very versatile and functional, lightweight. the quality of the materials correspond to those offered in the publication. I recommend
Not much to say other than it matches the description. I was surprised how solid and well-made it was. While there are bells and whistles that this thing doesn't have, you can't go wrong with this if you are just a looking for a basic tripod.Overall- Good size, good weight, solid construction.
It just works GREAT what else can I say. I am going to buy a 2nd one with my next iPad.
The product arrived well packaged.  Accompanied by an understandable instruction sheet.  The tripod is quite sturdy and easy to erect, use, and refold.  For an amateur photographer that has occasional use for a tripod, I think this is as good as you're going to get for the price.  What I bought here certainly negates any negative reviews I read. The ratio of the weight of the tripod to the weight capacity for the camera is excellent.  I highly recommend it.
I received the tripod late, and when I opened the box and gave it a once over, i noticed a number of disappointments.1: It looks like it was rolled down a hill. (Dirt covered)2: There are missing pieces like the actual fast-release plate that connects the camera to the tripod.3:There are broken parts everywhere.Overall, I hate it and I would say that you should buy it if you want to convince people that you use a tripod all the time. Because it looks like the previous owner was a hardcore photographer or a hobo.
I bought this for my daughter 4 years ago and she is still using it for her photography free-lancing jobs.
I got this for my spotting scope - the tripod legs are collapsible so it's compact and there are several adjustment knobs to help position the scope.  It feels very steady and seems to be good quality.  No complaints.  It comes with a second shoe you can put on a second item in case you want to quickly change devices.
For an inexpensive tripod, this works great!  My pictures are much better and clearer for having this. I've recommended it to several people.
I bought this for home use to stay in one position mostly, so I didn't require much and it definitely meets those requirements.  That said, the parts are made of plastic, and they don't seem super durable.  I get the sense that if I used this every day and knocked it around a bit, parts might start to break off.  That said, I don't use camera equipment often so maybe that's just how all equipment is.  It's very light.  For home use, it definitely does the job at a very reasonable price.  The built in bubble levels are nice too.
This is an excellent tripod.  It is study, yet is easly to manuver vertically or horziontality in any position!  It is easly to lock in any position.  The "quick release" mounting plate is a bonus.
Don't have experience with any other tripods so can't compare but I love this one. It collapses to a pretty compact size at 22 inches. Expands easily. Is easy to operate once you figure out how it works. Extra mount is nice in case you lose one or are using 2 cameras. Great price. Would buy again!
I am currently using this tripod to take pictures of various landscapes around Nevada and it seems to work well and does feel as cheap as I was expecting, it does have a lot of parts made out of plastic but if you treat it well it should last a long time.
I have only used this tripod once since purchasing it, although I plan to use it frequently in the future.  First, I had great difficulty in figuring out how to remove the removable camera baseplate; it is supposed to make it easier to change from one camera to another. Once I figured it out, though, it was simple.  (Just pulling down on one lever which is cleverly hidden.) However, on my videocamera, it obscured the charging ports, and I had to remove it anyway (an extra step which could have been avoided.)  Figuring out what the extra button wiich extends into and above the baseplate does was also difficult.  (It doesn't do anything.)  The tripod seems slightly flimsy, as if a strong wind could easily knock it over.  The bubble level is virtually useless; its glass enclosure is so dark as to render the bubble almost invisible; it only measures the level in one position only; once you've set it for one angle, moving it to another screws up the first.All the negatives being done away with now, why did I give it 3 stars?  Perhaps I'm feeling charitable.  Perhaps with the price I wasn't expecting a professional, heavy tripod.  Its controls, once you've figured them out, are relatively self-explanatory and intuitive.  Its locking mechanism to hold the settings in which you place it are simple and effective.In summary, I would buy this product again, even knowing in advance the problems I was getting into. That is, if I couldn't find anything better at its price.  (And, believe me, I tried.) Sunpak's reputation is lauditory, and the overall value is well worth the price.
This tripod is adequate. It's of a fairly sturdy construction with the vertical crank being the exception. The crank feels like it could easily break. Otherwise, it operates smoothly and it is pretty solid. By all means you can get a higher quality tripod, but you will spend 3x or more money on that unit. Good product for the price.
It's my first tripod. the standard in my opion is solid, heavy,and easy to use. I think it's worthy to buy.
Love this wonderful Tripod, especially since I do not have my very own photographer. It has 3 or 4 adjustable heights, every angle imaginable, and adapts to both my cameras perfectly. It is LIGHT and easy to carry, and I thought it was very reasonably priced. Thank you, I highly recommend it!! :)
In less than 2 months, the handle that you crank to make it taller broke off. I have no idea how it broke off. I just pulled it out from under my bed to use it, and the handle was sitting next to it. My friend had one and an unimportant part of the plastic broke off, so I thought it would be fine. The tripod still worked. But with a broken handle, it is really hard to make vertical adjustments. It feels solid, but then has random bits fall off.Several people who gave it bad ratings said you should just spend a bit more and get a better quality.  They are absolutely correct.  Go to a camera store, check out the Manfrotto or Gitzo tripods, then come to Amazon to save 10-20%.  You won't be sorry.
For the price, you can't beat it.  I have used it several times per month for a few years now and have no complaints whatsoever.
been used for 2 months then the handle was very easily broke. and the leg was not unstable balance because one side of leg holder was broke too. cheap product..
Purchased one 2 years ago.  Paid $28 via amazon, now it's being sold considerably less.The actual product is amazingly designed in quality and function.The vertical up and down 0 to 90 degree mechanism will not hold anymore.  So it still can take a portrait, but I don't expect to take this to anywhere special.Used it maybe for a total of 10 usable hours between 2 vacations in 2 years.  A warranty claim is free with their lifetime warranty, but why would I pay $10 for shipping when I can buy another off amazon, brand new for $18.Duh.
Used the tripod on a couple of occasions and it worked great. The quick release attachment is a nice feature. Tripod is lightweight but it holds up fine. The locking mechanism for the vertical rise is a good touch.
This is a very well made and fully functional tripod. I have had it for more than a year and it works perfectly. Nothing negative to say about it whatsoever!
I was amazed with the price tag and the features this tripod was offereing and immediately switched to this one when I read about it.Its been one of my best choices in terms of quality, fetures and price. The extra quick release plate gives you a lot of flexibility if you have two photo devices. The high - tilt adjustment are superb.Sunpack could have been more innovative with providing a handle to carry the tripod. Providing a carry bag would have been really great, particularly when others are offering the same. But thats too much to ask for this price.Overall this is a must buy item.
Nice little tripod. Not rock-sturdy but for the price, no complaints! It does NOT come with a carry bag! Small enough to tuck under handles my camera bag.
Actually, I haven't used it but a couple of times.Seemed adequate and sturdy enough for my needs.It's okay.....
This inexpensive tripod has all the features, and is reasonably stable. However it is not easy to make small adjustments when posititioning the camera. I bought this to use with a 12X zoom and trying to move the camera to a slightly right or left position or just a little up or down is not easy. If I loosen the swivel too much it isn't locked in place, if I don't loosen it enough it is really hard to move the camera in small increments. I'll try lubricating it with some silicon spray but a more expensive tri-pod may be the answer for me.If your looking for an inexpensive tripod this is a good value. Sometimes value isn't enough though.Update 5/20/12Well here it is six years later and I still have, and use, this tripod. It's not something I use often but it still works fine and looks new. I've upgraded cameras twice since buying this tripod. The tripod will hold my DSLR with my 3 pound zoom lens.I updated from 3 to 4 stars. In my case, with only occasional use (perhaps 10 days a year and only at home) it is my only tripod and has served me well. My original comments are still valid.For walking around I have a mono-pod which is much easier to carry and use.
I got this on sale for $18.  I really can't say enough good stuff about it at this price.  Works perfectly.
For the price, I'm not sure this tripod can be beat!I use it for a digital camera and my layout laser level, so the extra quick-release mounting plate that's included is great.
Well, I don't love it, but I like it! I just got it in the mail today took forever!! UGH, maybe one of the reasons why.. can't wait to take it out and test it soon. It's  portable, nice, and it's light weight!! YASS! Down side I had expected a bag for it. It's okay I guess. But this is great for right now! I would recommend it.
I bought this tripod for my husband who loves taking photos where the WHOLE family is in the picture.  Since we have dozens of the pics where he holds the camera out in front while we try to squish in (usually resulting in only half the family in the shot), I thought this would be the perfect gift.  The tripod is steady, sets up easily (since our one year old doesn't have a lot of patience), and does a great job of being a steady hand; we love it.
The tripod broke within minutes of taking it out of the box. The telescoping geared part of the tripod extended it but the gears got stuck and now they just grind when I try to roll it down. A poor design and it seems to be made out of cheap plastic from the sound of the grinding gears. The gear also seems to be at an awkward angle. I'm not sure how I'm even going to return this product because the extended tripod no longer fits in the box. What a pain.
The level windows are SO great! And the extra mounting plate is really handy. I think this is a great buy for your money. I've seen this same tripod in local stores for a lot more money. So thank you again Amazon!
This product is exactly what i was wanting. I bought it for my husband and he absolutely loves it. thank you for the A+ item.
I've been quite pleased with this tripod, starting with its price. It is customizable not only in the various positions, but with varying tension on some of the adjustments, you can set either a firm hold or flexibility to move on demand. It's light and portable, but I've found it to be stable with the legs at their widest, or even with a much narrower stance (in tight spots). The second mounting place is handy since I do have a second camera I sometimes use. Mine does not have a hook at the center bottom (for a weight), but I haven't needed it. Further, the adjustable feet (which can transition from rubber on hard surfaces to spikes for terrain) have also beed useful. I can't think of anything else I'd wish for on this tripod!
Fully adjustable, bubble levels, sturdy design.  I have a JVC Everio and it's more than adequate to provide a stable foundation for steady and smooth video shoots.  I'm glad I got it.
Very happy with this product.  I didn't want to splurge on the tripod, since I'm not using it that much.  I liked the price, and I liked the ease of use of it.
haven't had the chance to use it yet so can't really write much, the biggest downside to it was suppose to be a tripod monopod combo found out it wasn't and the head doesn't come off so I can't replace it with any other mount.
I like the build quality so far. I plan on taking it on vacation with me. I'll let you know how it holds up.
I'd ordered another tripod and one of the latches broke the first time I tried it. THIS one has held together and served me well. So easy to set up. So easy to break down It took a little figuring to learn to use the various ways to adjust the camera platform, but that was probably because I'd never used a tripod before. I figured that after the project I bought it for, I'd never use it again. I was wrong. I use it every week and the percentage of photos that are keepers has increased exponentially.
I read a million reviews and all pretty much said they same you pay for what you get so picking a tripod was a big deal. I didn't have a lot of money to spend but i didn't want to buy a toothpick tripod either. The one i wanted didn't ship for free so i looked for tripods that did.I took all the reviews from different tripods into consideration and i am very pleased with this tripod. it feels solid when set up. There are lighter tripods, more feeble tripods ! i like the weight of this.I don't feel like i need to worry about the fan blowing it down. The knobs to adjust camera angle need to be loosened for smoother panning etc...but i can be alittle jerky. i don't mind. i liked the handle for the plate tightened and loosened easily. The legs can adjusted to different lengths if need be. I was scared to screw the plate all the way into the camera so it was not 100% secure on the plate with alittle shake but like i said, i didn't screw it in all the way.I gave this 4 stars. took one star away because the handle to adjust height and the track thingy feel and look like they will break easily so just take your time with those parts in particular and you will be fine. If you are looking for a inexpensive but not flimsy tripod for casual use, this is definitely it. I felt like a pro just taking it out of the box. I am 5'4" so the height was even more prefect.I bought this for my Nikon Coolpix L820 camera (great camera) I don't plan to use the tripod alot but its handy to have for doing short videos anywhere i want and i will pack it safely away back in the box until it is needed again.  Great deal for the money
Can't really beat the price of this tripod. The base is sturdy and the level on the frame is a nice touch. The only think I don't like about it is my dSLR completely covers the level on the lock plate and the wing nut to turn the screw to attach the camera is a little flimsy. Not enough of a hassle to justify spending any more on a basic tripod though. Good buy on a budget.
When I received this as I was defective right out of the box.  I tried to extend the center and it was wobbly and couldn't be secured.  Overall, a not a good product.  On the bright side, returning it was extremely easy and there were no hassles so dealing with the seller was not bad.
For a Jackson it's about as good as it gets. The only major complaint I have is that the turning lever is positioned so that when it's turned, it can easily get knocked into other extensions of the tripod.
If you are looking for a simple tripod to take photographs with a small camera this is the tripod for you.  It is durable and lasts for a while.  I bought mine 3 years ago and it is still in excellent condition.  However, it only holds cameras of a light weight and is not made for rugged terrain.  Great for family get-togethers and t-ball games.  It is also a bit time-consuming to undo all of the latches for added height.  A great find for the cheap price though.
Have gotten a lot of use out of this item. Although there is some wobble I usually use my cable release for shooting with the tripod so this has worked well. Easy to use and lightweight.
I use for my kodak playtouch to just set up easy talking head videos and now to record my soccer games. Simple, easy, lightweight, cheap...everything I was looking for. Not hear to make studio quality movies and videos, just simple stuff from home but that still looks good. This accomplishes that.
This is a nicely designed snuggly built tripod. For standard use with a medium to light cameras. Nothing rattles in the mounts or pivots. Well designed. Also a good full height. Brings camera up nice and high. Light weight to cart around and very quick to use. Everything is solid. A good tripod for throwing in the car or sticking out the top of a backpack for still shot use. I'm happy with it. - Disadvantages.... The ligtweight makes it not as good for some kinds of use. Video work may be a problem and why one may want a heavier more substantial, and more expensive tripod. Although it has a threaded bolt on the bottom where one may find a hook from a hardware store and add weights when needed to increase stability. But as a lightweight easy to cart around and well designed still shoot tripod it looks better than any others I have seen in the nice and inexpensive price range.
I LOVE THIS TRIPOD.I'm impressed with the light weight but it's very stable.  It traveled very well in my big bag and I carried it up and down steep stairs with no problem.It's quick and easy to adjust.  I just can't think of anything negative about it.
Good for the price and seems to be good so far.  Would recommend.  Lightweight and I can see where the extra mount is beneficial.
Exceeded my expectations for a $20 tripod.  Heavy duty feel and the retractable feet spikes are a nice touch.  some people may not like the weight but I prefer a heavy tripod.
very affordable option for those just starting out, or have some experience.  Does what it needs to and comes with dual levels to make sure you are all balanced out.
It is a good price, easy to use, and works well with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi. No complaints here.
The center knob broke off in my hand in the middle of a shoot within the first 10 times I used it. As time passed one of the plastic supports between the center and the legs snapped. I wish I would have spent a few more dollars and gotten something that was going to last.If you care about the gear you're putting on top of this at all, don't trust it to this tripod.
The tripod is not terrible.  Good rotation on 3 axis.  Good height extension, it's lightweight and the quick release plates are very handy.  Unfortunately the locking mechanism for one of the legs gave out on me the 4th or 5th time that I used it.  Also because of it's light weight it's a little jittery (especially with a DSLR and long lens attached) and probably needs a 5lb sandbag to keep it steady in a moderate wind.
Update: 03-2010 Still working fine.  When I ruptured my achilles tendon I leaned on this like a cane to help me getup when arranging cloths in the closet.  It is very light duty (kinda cheap) but if you are gentle with it is light and works fine.Taking the unit out of the box I was excited with the features but turned off by the way each leg joint flexes and moves around.  It felt really cheap.  After using it a few weeks I got used to it.  The light weight means I can take it with me because it is so light.  My other tripod is also plastic and aluminum, weighs probably 3x as much as this unit and is such a chore that I put it into storage!PROS:Light so it is easy to carry.  Compact.  Good height - not limited to 40 inches like some tripods.  You get two heads making switching back and forth easy.The center lock: I use this tripod to hold auto shop lights when working on my motorcycle.  The tripod legs can be in the way. The lock lets you pull the legs in so the tripod is taller but the feet on the three legs is closer together.  Then with a turn of the screw they are locked in place!  Great feature.The levels - small handy extra.CONS:Very light duty and cheap construction.  The quality of the moving / sliding parts could be designed better without adding lots of weight or expense and could still use plastic.  But we live in the real world and but what is on the shelf and make the best of it.Legs shake at each joint where a tube slides out.  It feels like it needs to be tightened but there is nothing to tighten.  In all the tripods I have ever used this is a first.  Although, everything I have ever used weighs more too.I saw a similar unit (but did not take it out of the box to look it over) for four dollars more at staples.  I would have preferred to buy something in a store like that that I can touch and feel and is easy to return but many stores have outrageous prices on total junk tripds - average is around $40!!It will hold my full sized sony Hi8 camcorder / analog video recorder that practically broke the unit at circuit city.  Although, tilt & pan operations won't be very smooth.
This tripod was great for its price... and for almost two months. However, if you want a tripod that you don't want to have to replace and you use your tripod more than a handful of times a year, you need to get a higher quality tripod. I used this tripod on a trip (nearly two months after purchase and use) and one of the pan heads broak off. This caused the tripod to rock forward if any weight was on it at all making the tripod unusable.
The Sunpak 6601UT is just the product for me. As an amateur photographer using a digital camera this tripod and its features provides just the steady support for creating interesting and focused photographs. This item rates a five from me.
Spent $50 for same tripod at Ritz Camera at local mall. Online actually had an extra mounting plate and spent less than half for it. Fairly stable. Crank to raise and lower could be a little tighter as heavy cameras will tend to cause the tripod to go down if not locked. Shipping was amazing! Needed a second tripod for my daughters wedding as an afterthought an it came within 2 days with basic shipping. Outstanding buy and service!
Works great.  Used with my DSLR and held the camera steady like it was designed to do.  Would recommend to others to buy.
I really like this Tripod and use it for photography, as a shooting spotting scope mount as well as for a chronometer.  Adding a couple of extra adapters has let me just drop any of my items on it, adjust it and go to work or play, depending on your point of view.
It was bigger than I expected. It seems like an overall steady tripod. This is the first one I've bought and it certainly ranks higher than a more expensive tripod that my roommate purchased.
For a hobbyist-amateur like me, this tripod is just right. Light enough, steady/solid enough, easy enough to use, and certainly cheap enough! I don't know that I'd use this on a cliff, rough terrain, or in high winds, but for family portraits and my kids' sporting events, this will do just fine.
This was a great tripod for me. I used to use it for my 7D and 24-105 lens. It's also light weight and easily portable.
Sunpak 6601UT Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Mounting PlateI was looking for a light and easy to use tripod for nature photography with my digital camera.  The Sunpak has been great for me.I especially like the quick mount.  It saves time and wear.  The unit comes with two, so that you can quickly swap cameras around.It is light; easy to use; and fully featured!
Amazingly good quality for a bargain price tripod.  It is very, very, well designed and very light.  If you are looking for an extra-sturdy tripod, this ain't it, but for cameras, and small camcorders, it will handle them easily.Ray
I bought this for my father as a gift and he has a dog, this is always getting knocked over but is still in tact so I guess it is rugged enough. Not much you can do to dog proof somethings I guess.
I bought this tripod for its price and because I didn't need anything too special...just something to get the job done.  I have been quite satisfied with this one so far, expecially the quick-release mounting mechanism that I can use for multiple cameras (since two of these plates come in the package, you don't need to keep unscrewing it from one camera and screwing it into the other one).  It feels relatively sturdy and solidly made, although a hook at the end of the central rod would be nice to allow you to hang your gear bag or a weight from if you want extra stability.  Does the job it was designed for and is a good deal at less than $30!
As everyone else is saying, it's great for light use.. so in other words, if you aren't planing to use your tripod very often, it will do you fine. It's lightweight and easy to carry. It's a little shakey for heavy cameras though. My fiance used it for his medium format mamiya and it was a little top heavy. Use some light beanbag weights if you want to use it for a heavy camera.
Great tripod for the price. I have looked at several cheap tripods at local stores that are more expensive and of lower quality. This tripod is very solid and sturdy. I like how the feet have rubber shoes for solid ground or metal spikes for more rugged terrain. I also like how it comes with two of the quick release brackets so you can use two cameras without changing the bracket.
I bought this tripod because it was cheap. It's quality is better than I thought it would be. The legs were easy to open and the height is good for me I'm 5'3". New to using adjustable height tripods and new to photography in general but you can't beat the price for being new at it.
This is my first tripod. I took a photography class at the local college this semester.This tripod is not as sturdy as the ones that you could check out from the college, but it doesn't need to be. Its design is hands-down the best I've used. It is light and allows for a pretty good range of motion. I was mostly impressed with the leg design--very easy to extend and retract the legs (the latches are well placed and well designed). The tripod made it very easy for me to carry it and set it up around town.It also stows quickly and compactly, allowing for easy car-roaming photography.At the price, I don't think you could do better.
This tripod works well but really cant take any kind of beating. If you are a type of person that is gentle with your possessions and dont want to pay alot for a tripod, then this tripod may be for you but the first time that slightly abused it, it broke and was useless.
Gave this to my husband and he was thrilled.  No top of the line quality, but very good quality for the price.  No complaints here at all.  He really liked the fact that he can attach the connectors to both our camera and our video camera and switch them out quickly and easily without having to detach the connector from one to the other (since there were two with the tripod).
Pro's:-easy to use, light weight, sturdy, each of the panning angles locksCon's:-finish is a little cheapRecommended!!
I spent $80 on what I knew was a cheapo Manfrotto tripod. But I was shocked by how cheap it really was. The legs bent. The head was impossible to use. And, the plastic head snapped and dropped my $600 macro lens after about a month.My uncle said that he wasn't using this Sunpak tripod anymore, so he let me have it. I thought that it was, like, a $200 tripod, when I compared to my Manfrotto. It was great. Stable. Light. Easy to use. The only thing that bugged my was that the main handle is kind of awkward to screw and move around, but that's not a big deal.I decided to look it up on Amazon, to see if I could sell it for a new pan head and legs that are designed for macro photography.I was amazed by the price! Well, disappointed, really, but, I can't believe that Sunpak did this in $15. Smooth, sturdy, light. I mean, it's made of plastic and screws, but it works really well!So, if you're looking for a cheap tripod and aren't worried about the bells and whistles, get this one.
After reading the reviews for this product I decided to purchase it.  It is a very good value for the price but it isn't perfect.  One of the rubber feet that adjust to show or hide the spiked feet is stripped upon receipt but it's not something that I'd spend the time and energy to return for this reason.  I think that someone in the shipping house must have had a bone to pick with UPS because the tripod arrived in a box with an additional 5+ pounds of screws (see image gallery).
easy to use.  (I didnt read the directions).  Seems pretty sturdy.  I'm using it with a small hand held digital camera.
I'm an amateur photographer and I formerly used a decent Vanguard camcorder tripod. It worked well, was fairly priced, and light enough to carry most places.Then, I lose the mount, rendering it useless.For the cost of a replacement mount, I could purchase this Sunpak with extra mount. I looked at the mount in the photographs and figured I'd give it a shot. If it fit the Vanguard, I'd have 2 functional tripods!Luckily, it fit, albeit tightly. My old Vanguard mount didn't have a bubble level, so this was actually a step up! But, the cork surface was a step down from the rubber one on the Vanguard.The Sunpak Tripod feels cheaper than the Vanguard. The texture of the legs is rough, the aluminum sounds and feels thinner, the plastic feels cheaper and almost brittle. But the Sunpak is lighter and extends higher than the Vanguard. And it's cheap! I got what I paid for! I will continue to use the Sunpak until it breaks and then I will discard it without remorse, keeping only the mounts.And recently, I found my Vanguard shoe. So victories all around.
This is a really nice product for the price. All the clasps work very well. I am 6'2&#34; and I have no problem getting this up to face level. This is a must have if you have shaky hands.
For small, lightweight, pocket cameras, this is a decent tripod.  And pretty handy for making panorama's.I use it for that, as well as a make-shift light stand.  Be aware that it WILL move around and/or vibrate in a strong wind.
Original 2005 review:I bought this tripod because the features sounded good, there were some good reviews, and the price was right ($20).  Even so, I expected a $20 tripod.  No way.  This is comparable to some $30 and $40 ones I checked out before buying this one.  Make no mistakes...this is not professional grade.  But if you use it like I do (every now and again with my digital camera), this is a great tripod for the money.Update September 2008...The price of this tripod has increased over time.  I paid $20.  My original review was based on that.  If I was looking for one today, I would not consider this one due to the cost.Update 2013...Price has gone up and down.  Back to $20-ish now.Still very pleased with the tripod.
Sony products has always been known for their style and quality, and this tiny (and I mean tiny) camera is no exception.  Easily fit into your palm, this camera would fit into your pocket without you knowing it's there.  Form factor wise, this camera just can't be beaten.When it comes to quality of photo taken, I found after 3 months of use that outdoor pictures come out near perfect.  The only 2 pictures that I had problem with is in one Chinese Eatery where the light is dim and in weird yellowish colour, and I highly suspect that some of the bigger &quot;higher MP&quot; camera would give have given me the same result.This camera does not have zoom, and it does take a while to get used to the fact that you have to bring the camera forward physically.  A camera this small means it is very easy to have covered the lens or the flash without knowing.  But you'd get used to all these and be snapping pictures whenever people least expect it.If you have a normal camera that you find yourself leaving at home most of the time, this camera is for you.  I have it with me almost 24/7.
The three things I took into consideration when I was shopping for a digital camera was: size, price and picture quality. This camera met all 3 requirements easily.Size: almost as small as the current crop of cell phones. People couldn't believe how small it was. Personally, it's a little on the thick side so I put it in my pants instead of my shirt pocket.Price: good value for your money. More features than you'd expect from a sub camera. Comes with its own recharger and NI-MH batteries. About 13 hours to charge it fully.Picture quality: I was actually quite surprised by the picture quality. Really. It's more than just decent or average, it's good. Movie quality however is terrible. Don't bother with it unless you are outdoors with lots of light. Also, you cannot record sounds.Bottom line: you'll be glad you gave this camera a shot. Great conversation piece too. Pop in a 128 MB memory stick and you can take up to 244 pictures at 1632x1224! It's just a lot of fun!
Sony DSCU20 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Silver)+B2Well, I had two of these cameras and they're great when working ok. But the two I possessed had that SAME deffect... the pictures starts to become pink and the screen blackout and the USB does not connect to PC anymore.It used to be good.
When I first saw the DSC-U20 at the Sony Style showroom in midtown Manhattan, I was totally awed.  This is definitely the smallest digital camera on the market today, and the styling is superb, making it one of the things you want to own the moment you see it on display.Under the beautiful skin is a capable digital camera, with 1632x1224 resolution (good for prints up to 6"x4") and very good image quality.  The small flash does limit its use in dark settings, and the lack of optical zoom sticks out as a disappointment, but considering the typical use for a camera like this -- quick snapshots, party memories, candid exposures -- the overall package is still excellent and the feature compromises understandable.(For the ultra-cool and compact digital camera with optical zoom -- 3X at that! -- I heartily recommend the Minolta Dimage X and Xi, also available on Amazon.com.)The camera's lens, rated at the 35mm equivalent of 33mm (which makes it a wide-angle), is well made, as is the case with all of Sony's cameras.  The camera has center-weighted auto focus with macro capability, and also center-weighted auto exposure.  Shutter speed is rated in the 1/30 - 1/2000 range, typical for consumer-class digital cameras.  The LCD viewfinder measures 1", which is quite small but still usable to most people except those who need thick reading glasses.  You get a few digital effects (black&white;, negative, solarize, soft snap, etc.) when you do feel the creative juice flowing.  You can also take 160x112 MPEG-format video clips, but I find this feature pretty much uselessFor power the U20 uses two AAA NiMH rechargable batteries.  You can buy these batteries for cheap at Radio Shack, for example, and the camera kit comes with a recharger, although you can buy fancier ones that charge in less time and condition the batteries as well (actual benefit: unknown).  I've taken about 30 pictures, all with flash, so far, and the batteries are still good.  I definitely prefer these batteries to LiIon since 1) NiMH AAA is cheap and sold everywhere, and 2) they hold more power than LiIon and also have more rechargable cycles (i.e., they can be recharged more times).  I'll update the real-world battery life rating once I get a better picture of it.Weighing in at 4.5 ounces with batteries and sporting the "I'm just cool" styling of Sony, the U20 is a little digital camera you'll love and carry with you all the while.
During six months of ownership, I didn't handle the camera roughly but I did use it frequently (its size makes it incredibly convenient). Recently, the LCD screen began to take longer and longer before initializing for a new photo. I could immediately replay old photos on the memory chip (so I know the LCD itself was undamaged) but its now gotten to the point where the camera is useless. I tried resetting, I tried a new memory card, new batteries - no good. I went to Sony's cumbersome automated product support site to find my product is out of warrantee and its a flat rate $177 to fix the camera regardless of whats wrong with it. As this is near current retail price, I can only assume they just recycle mine and box out a replacement. For that kind of money I'm buying a replacement... but this time its not going to be a Sony. I'll take my chances with another brand. My old Kodak DC-50 is still going strong years after I bought it... perhaps I'll see what they have to offer.
Ok, wow....its so small. Just to give you an idea.  Its smaller then a Nokia 8260 phone in length and just a tad bit fatter. The LCD display isn't that big so its still hard to see how the picture turned out.  Always use red eye reduction because (everyone) will have red eyes.  No zoom and video mode is totally useless and grainy.  Taking pictures at night will sometimes give out picture distortions (litte spots on the picture). OH and the battery charger takes 13hrs to charge and I wish sony gave 16 MB memory stick instead of 8MB.  Now with all these complains...how can I give this camera 5 stars???  Well I bought the camera for one thing:the size(ITS SOOOO SMALL). The camera is also ready to take picture as soon as you open it (so you won't miss those sudden funny moments) My other digital camera (Fuji 2650) had a lag time of like 3-5 seconds when I turned it on.  The pictures are clear and distinct.  I wouldn't recommend this as your first digital camera (go with the Fuji 2650 3x optical zoom and same price or cheaper).  I had the Fuji 2650 but I never took it anywhere because its so bulky (compare to this camera).  I also tried the Sony DSC-U10 and the picture quality really stink (1.3 Mega pixels).  Get this camera if you wanna show off or a camera that can be taken everywhere.
Amazing 2MP camera, lacks optical zoom, but definately compensates in size. If you want something simple for everyday pictures, the u2o is for you.
I've had a u20 for about 3 months now and I think what sets it apart form other compact digitals is its form and shape.  I had originally bought a pentax optio S, but returned it because it always felt like it was one drop away from becoming history.  While the picture quality was not as good as you would accept from sony (no carl zeiss lens), it was good enough for an everyday camera.You will need to get a new charger.
This is an incredible little camera.  Have had it for about 5 years and it goes everywhere, takes awesome photos without a lot of useless confusing features.  Simple, it works, shoots quickly and holds about 185 images with the memory card.  Easy to pocket and take anywhere, can use regular AAA batteries in a pinch.  Too bad they dont make it anymore.  Sure the newer cameras have a big screen but aren't as easy to carry and manipulate and have too many confusing features.
After looking into other micro-digital cameras, I thought I would take a chance on the SONY because of it's 2MP and other reviews. I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED.Positives:1.The size and weight are impressive and easy to handle.2.Picture taking clear and simple.3.5x7 quality is 5 outdoors and 4 indoors.Negatives:1.No zoom (which I would sacrifice for weight and size).2.Flash limited in distance. Excellent quality indoor pictures up to 8'.Overall:HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for size, weight, quality and ease of us.
The main reason for having this stuff is its size. You can put in the pocket or just hang it with strap around your neck. If this can make you happy, this stuff is for you. I thought I'm one, but I'm not.I like to shoot without flash, since some cam flash is not hard enough to light, say a room, and it save power. But this tiny cam can not grap available light good enough to have bright pic, so if you are in low light room, that'll what you get. Do not expect it bright since it doesn't have white balance. Man, I didn't notice it.But if you like to flash, this cam will give you good enough pic when you active its fill in flash mode. It's like you shoot it with no flash. This feature may good enough to think we have what we deserve. But not for me.
I have had it for about a year. It is my constant companion. We ditched 35mm in favor of this baby. Results are not perfect, but for the size &amp; price, it's wonderful. And don't forget that it uses AAA batteries!Having said all that, I am hoping to get a DSC P92 before our next family vacation...
I received this camera about a month ago &amp; since then, take it everywhere with me.  It has become an everyday item for me - along with my cell phone, keys...  Its a great camera if you understand its capabilities.Pros:  nice, clear pics. small size. good flash. quick chargefor multiple pics.  cool features : able to take 5consecutive pics,black &amp; white, sepia.  coolness getsyou lots of attention! long battery life.  conveniencewill allow you to take pics of everything - capture themoments (discretely).  Easy to useCons:  no zoom, cover easy to slide open when fumbling thrupurse (turns on camera). view finder difficult to see ifpics clear.But if you understand what it can/cant do, you'll appreciate it &amp; use it all the time!
Okay, so it is not as good as a full sized 35mm SLR in the image quality/features department. But for the price, and most importantly the size, it is perfect.The size factor is what sold me on this. After owning an Aiptek Pencam SD for a few weeks, I decided that having a flash would be nice. That was one of the things that drew me to the U20. Being small means it travels everywhere with me. I am now never without a camera. It is so tiny you can't help but take it with you, and if you don't you are doing yourself a great injustice.The image quality is extremely good. Not perfect, mind you, but still excellent. There are a few things I wish it had such as zoom, but that would only end up making the camera big, which defeats the idea behind this dude.The camera is also very easy to use. I did have to consult the manual to figure out how to do some of the things on the menus, and I always pride myself in never reading a manual. But once I saw how to change settings I tossed the book to the side and figured out the rest in about 5 minutes.My one gripe is the 15 second time limit and extremely small image size on video. What is up with that? The Pencam SD is able to capture 640x480 video in one go as long as the batteries hold up. Limiting the user the way Sony has with this cam is pretty dumb in my book.I see no problems at all with &quot;slow shutter speed&quot;. You push the button and it instantly takes a picture. The only time there is any delay is when it is very dark and the camera is trying to focus - but that happens with all cameras. In normal lighting conditions this thing is every bit as fast at snapping a picture as my Canon A1.This camera rocks.
I just got the U10. It's a little gem that will serve as my new glove box cam. I've used it indoors and outdoors, with and without flash, and I'm very pleased with the pictures I've gotten thus far. I took an experimental movie clip (no sound) and it also looks fine. The 2 megapixel resolution (you can also select lower res for computer/Internet use) is crisp up to and including prints of 8" x 10". The camera uses 2 rechargeable AAAs (the charger is included) and the battery life is very good. The included 8 megabyte Memory Stick is too small, but I put a 128 meg (Lexar) card in there. One should get almost 200 pics at its full 2 megapixel setting. Settings and menus are simple and the instruction manual is not needed. The size and weight are of course the big pluses here. I gave it only 4 stars though because I felt the price was a bit high for the specs (obviously, the price is the premium for the size) *and* because without an eyepiece viewfinder, one is forced to frame through the tiny LCD on the camera's rear. That is a nearly impossible task in sunlight, making for a significant drawback. Nonetheless, I'm having fun with it and I'm sure you will too!
This camera is amazing.  I've only had it for 2 weeks and I love it.  I already have a 3.3 megapixel camera with zoom (Sony DSC-P1) so this was more of a &quot;pocket&quot; camera. Just something to throw in my pocket for &quot;everyday events&quot; that I want to capture.PROS:1) The size is the biggest - it will fit anywhere.2) Batteries - It takes two AAA (It came with rechargable ones) but in a bind you can get AAA's anywhere.3)  All the features are there (red-eye reduction, index for taken pics, picture effects, etc....)CONS:1)  There is no zoom - if this is going to be your &quot;first&quot; digital camera I would consider the somewhat larger but optically more advanced Sony's.2)  2 Megapixels - This is actually good and bad.  2 Megapixs is at the border of a &quot;good&quot; picture (IMHO).  On a monitor, they look fine and they can be cropped slightly; but printing large pics or magging up too much gives a pixelly result. On the other hand, my 64 MB card holds over 120 pictures.
As you can see from some of the reviews, this camera gets great marks as something you can always carry, and shoot quickly with.  (The simplicity of the camera reduces the "shutter lag" that is so frustrating on some digicams - many digicams miss the shot you want because of a delay between when you press the shutter and when it captures the image.)  With this tiny Sony, you get the benefit of the several generations of Sony design of compact digicams, and Sony's skill at miniaturizing electronics.  For some, this really can be the perfect camera.But there are some big compromises, so make sure this is what you want.  There's no optical zoom, so it's harder to make the most of the somewhat limited pixel resolution by zooming in just the part of the scene you want.  Lack of a viewfinder means you'll drain the battery quicker, and may have trouble seeing what's in the picture in bright sun (which washes out the LCD).  And the optics and flash do suffer on a camera this small.So think about what you need.  This camera will be a dream for some.  But others can get much better quality and lots of useful features - without much more size or cost - in the Sony DSC-P2 or P7.
I have a good digital SLR. But what I really needed was a quick easy to use camera that could fit in a pocket and go anywhere. I found the right camera in the DSC-U20. Sure, its limited, but that's part of its charm. Its small and easy to carry anywhere. Its quick to get it into action and the menu is so simple its ... proof. Add a larger memory stick and you'll have a great camera for everyday use. The picture quality is good enough for 4X6 and even will sqeak out a decent 8X10. Color seems good. The physical size is perfect. I carry it around in my front jeans pocket and forget that its there. The memory stick door is easy to use too. For the money your can't go wrong.
I have been using my new Cyber-shot U camera for several days now and I have to say that overall, this little camera is terrific.All I want to do is to take some pictures, have the immediate gratification of being able to see them immediately, crop them and post them on a website or email them. MAYBE sometimes print them out. I have no intentions of blowing them up to 8x10". In my entire life I have never blown up a photo that big...biggest I ever got was 4x6, so I'm a little surprised why all of the companies are thumping this 8x10 thing.I played with my friend's 3.2 megapixel Sony camera and I was seriously considering buying a more full featured camera such as that, until I saw and tried this camera.Here is my list of pros and cons:---- The good list ----EXCELLENT SOFTWARE:The software driver makes it *so* easy to transfer images to my computer. The camera comes with a USB cord that you simply plug into the camera, and a "Removeable Drive" appears in Explorer. There's one folder for still images, and one folder for MPEGS. This was one of the selling points for me for a Sony camera in general.QUICK INITIALIZATION:As soon as the camera is turned on, its ready to shoot. This is an EXCELLENT feature for those of us who want to be able to capture a real-life image that may not be there for too long. Many other cameras have agonizingly-long initialization processes that can seriously impede many photographic impulses.NON-PROPRIETARY BATTERIES:This camera (like some other Sony models) uses a pair of Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries. I like the fact that I can go to a non-Sony company and buy extra batteries if I need to. Plus, if I am in a pinch, I can buy alkaline batteries and use them (even though alkalines are not recommended because of how quickly they are drained).MANUAL LENS COVER:The cover to the lens is a manually-operated "door" that you slide sideways to reveal the lens. Plus it also turns the unit on when it is opened. I like this feature very much because it allows me to control how quickly I can open the unit, and therefore, how quickly the unit is ready to shoot. I DON'T have to wait for some motor to do it's thing and tell me when it's ready to shoot (like most other digital cameras).And by the way, all of the other cameras I looked at had so many delicate moving parts to their mechanized contraptions that I believed that over time I would have eventually lost a spring and would've had to send it to the manufacturer for repair. Most models have super-small moving parts, especially for the lens. Usually they have tiny little doors over the lens. They are very thin and have springs attached to them. I like the idea that I won't be carrying around something so delicate in my pocket.VERY GOOD PICTURE QUALITY:This is a 2 megapixel camera and takes excellent photos for what I need them for (web). I have taken hundreds of shots and am extremely satisfied with the results.SIZE AND WEIGHT:If you've seen the unit, you'll know. It's very light and very small. It fits easily in my pants pocket. You'd never know it was a camera. I don't know many other cameras that fit into pants pockets easily.GOOD DESIGN:It's very intuitive to use and the features are easy to find.--- The not-so-good list ----SMALL PREVIEW SCREEN:The window is too small to let you know if the shot you took is clear. Definitely one of the weaker aspects.BRIGHT FLASH:The flash is a bit too bright. It tends to have a "drowning out" effect for images shot close up. I contrast this to my friends Sony 3.2 megapixel camera that did not have the drowning out effect as much. I muted the flash by taping a piece of white paper over it. So far this is working great.CHARGER UNIT DOESN'T DISCHARGE THE BATTERIES:The camera comes with a charging unit to recharge the batteries, but it doesn't discharge the batteries first. The manual recommends that you should discharge the batteries before recharging, and I suppose this has to do with what I have been reading about Nickel Metal Hydride batteries' slight "memory effect" whereby battery life can be shortened depending on when they are recharged.For me, the benefit of having a compact camera is that, before I begin my expedition, I am going to grab a fresh set of batteries, drop them into the camera, and then go. I figure the battery life will last me a day at least, so I don' t need (or want) to carry extra batteries if I don't have to.So, this means that I would have 2 options if I didn't buy a new charging unit that first discharged the batteries:a) carry extra batteries and then switch them out when/if the first ones die, which I don't want to do.b) start with fresh batteries and then when I get home use the camera to discharge the partially charged batteries before recharging them. Let's not forget that the camera has a auto-off feature that turns the camera off after 3 idle minutes. So discharging the batteries can be a real chore.NO ZOOM:There is no zoom. But my non digital camera didn't have a zoom either. This doesn't bother me too much. This could arguably belong in the "good" section simply for the fact that simple is better here.BAD MPEG QUALITY:I didn't buy the camera to capture mpegs, and this is icing on the cake. However, the mpeg quality is dismally bad.Overall, I LOVE this camera. It amazes me that Sony was able to put so much into such a small unit.
While it does not regulate voltage for use with older strobes it works very well with modern strobes. It also works with any camera with a hot shoe mount. It is not brand specific.If you need to add a Sync terminal to a camera that does not have one built in, this device is money well spent.
I have 2 Sunpak 120J and this works great for them. I need a second thought....lol
I use this for my Canon rebel and it works great. It's inexpensive too. I have a small indoor studio in my basement and loved this little hot shoe.
The Nikon sync terminal works fine and is as described.  It arrived quickly from Adoramma with one suprise.  They sent me 2 instead of 1.  I guess I have a back up...
I received this product quickly, it was packaged well and it looked fine and it performs perfectly as I needed.
it works with my Sunpak 622 pro. Yes it does. ten more words required. Six more words required. 2 more.
This adapter is only for other low voltage Nikon flashes and won't allow you to use other higher voltage flashes such as Vivitar or any of the common smaller studio lights. For that buy an adapter from Wein.
I didn't need it so I never used it ,,,gave it to my cousin also, he probably put it in a drawer somewhere
I'm a professional photographer making the transition from film to digital. I work in the studio and have always used moonlight flashes to light my subjects. I was looking to trigger the lights with my digital camera. It was difficult getting information on using flash units with my Nikon camera and even the Nikon manual and other books didn't even address the issue, a enormous oversight. Finally I was led to this device but finally after buying it, I discovered you can't use it with monolights, only Nikon flash units. Usin it with monolights risks burning out the electrical system of the camera. I ended up investing in continuous Tungsten lights for use with the camera.
When I traded my N90s for a D70, I lost the flash synch connector for my studio flash packs. This little connector slides on to the hot shoe connector on top of the camera and provides the PC synch port missing on many DSLRs. It also works great with my D80. I don't use my studio equipment very often, but this is an essential piece of the kit now.
I didn't know what to expect when purchasing this product for my Nikon D3000. But it fits perfectly, locks snugly into place, and gets the job done. I definitely recommend it to other users. :)
Seem to do the job it was meant for.  I will probably be ordering a few more because I need to teach other how to use off camera flash.
This purchase was money well spent! It saved my sanity during my semester of studio lighting class. Very reasonably priced, too.
Wow, I didn't expect this product to be soooo small!  ha, guess I didn't notice it is only about 1" x 1"...that's funny.  Well, I still have a Nikon D100 and, yes, it's outdated and old but it's still such a good camera and I'd hate to spend thousands of $$$'s on another one right now. This camera is NOT for portrait photography that is for sure.  :-( But this little adapter, at least, helps get my new strobelite kit attached to it okay...BUT remember that the Nikon D100 cannot do a reading/metering with this on!  ha...this is just tooo much fun!  Still trying to figure out my Sekonic meter to help me - hopefully that'll be the trick to attempting to use the D100 for portrait photography.  We'll see... wish me luck...and good luck to anyone else out there not willing, YET, to spend tons and tons of $$ on a new camera that is actually MADE for what this little adapter is attempting to provide.  ;-)
This is required when using strobes and not wanting to use the external hot shoe flash for firing the strobes. It works extremely well. The only thing I don't like is that it has only 1 port for one strobe for cable syncing, you cannot use more than one cable at a time. Typically you can shoot and one strobe will fire giving out a signal for the other strobe to fire, this doesn't always work out wonderfully 'lighting wise' for some reason. I am a photography student so I am still learning. It is very affordable and great to have when using one strobe light, unless you're a pro at studio lighting.
I had this gizmo for almost ten years and has worked with all my canon cameras.  The only reason I give it 4 stars is due to the price
Good price and delvery from amazon.com.  I have not had an opportunity to used the terminal so I can't rate the device yet.
When I picked up my X-Pro1 it didn't have a diopter so I got that first. I figured I'd be fine with the diopter but soon found other folks who were using this eyecup. I'm glad I picked it up as it made shooting in the bright sunlight a breeze. I'm not sure that's the purpose of the eyecup but it sure helped eliminate any light leaking in from the small diopter that Fuji provides. It's a comfortable piece that can also fold over itself. The material feels solid (rubber) and unlikely to tear or deform from major wear.If youve got an x-pro1 with a diopter, you'll want this piece. It's a great addition to any X-Pro1 camera.
Works as advertised. Upgraded my eyepiece on my DSLR along with the Nikon FM eyepiece eyecup. Helps keep the light out when you are shooting outside in bright sunlight. Highly recomended.
This is a high quality Nikon product as one expects from Nikon. The fit is nice and tight on the Eyecup retaining ring E-19K
This unit does exactly what it's supposed to do but be forewarned, if you are going to get this for an older camera that may not have the screw-in eye piece with it, you'll need that part to secure this to the camera.  I have a Hoodman on my D700 and I bought this for my Nikon FE.  It helps since I've been reduced to wearing my glasses a lot more than I did and I'm still getting used to the round style cup vice the elongated Hoodman style.  Overall, it helps to reduce distractions when I'm I'm shooting.
Great News for Bessa folks!  If you purchase this Nikon DK-3 rubber eyecup, and then ALSO purchase the "Nikon 2925 Nikon Finder Eyepiece Replacement - 2925NID"...then you can unscrew the existing eyepiece from the Bessa R3A, place the round eyecup around the female threaded part on the Bessa, then screw the round eyepiece back in place...and you have a sturdy, round conical eyepiece for great viewing!
I purchased this for my D200, after reading in the Magic Latern Guide for the camera that it would work. Alas, no, it doesn't. Nothing wrong with the eyecup, though. I just wish there was one for my camera.
These used to come with cameras in the old days and really are a necessity when shooting outdoors. Do yourself a favor and get one. Installation is a bit of a chore and is permanent. But the cup does fold back to the body easily when not in use so it does not get damaged or hang up on anything in your case.
I have been using these filters form nikon on several lenses now. I cannot tell the difference between a picture with and without is, simply amazing.
The cure for my blue shots during daylight!Filter hasn't been removed, since it was installed on the day of delivery.Nikon D700 + Nikkor 28-300mm Lens
Excellent product. A name you can trust. Did'nt know a cover make a difference. I have several Big brand. This Nikon Filter is very clear and few ghosting or light flare as I do with other brand. A little expensive but, It's worth it to me.
Alwost petfect filter for genium Nikkor lenses.Very pleased with the purchase.I have that filter on my Nikon 85mm f/1.4 and 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses.Great value for money!Keep in mind this filter is not UV.
The build quality and clear (non-tinted), visibly neutral color of the Nikon NC filters remind me of the Heliopan Slim Version filters I own.The Nikon NC is *not* a UV filter, but digital sensors are not sensitive to UV light. A UV filter is not needed.  From a functional standpoint the Nikon NC performs the same as a UV filter.I am very pleased with the purchase and would not hesitate to recommend them to friends and others.
A lente funciona como foi prometido mas deveria ter comprado uma com um custo menor. No da para perceber vantagem aos produtos similares.
I have always had an issue with using UV filters since they will slightly tint your photo. These Nikon clear filters are great for lens protection and Nikon makes these with quality.  I quit using UV filters and now only use clear filters for lens protection.  The only disadvantage is the Nikon clear filters are thick so they will cause vignette on several wide angle lenses.
We spend over 1000 US$ on 2.8 lenses and why go cheap on the protection and quality of the filter that you get for your expensive lense.... like why buy a ferrari and have cheap white lettering tires to run thm on. I have many Nikon 2.8 lenses and and always bought Nikon Filters that have been an excellent buy always.
Nikon delivers.  Quality all around.  Good basic filter with excellent lens protection. Your equipment is always limited by the lowest quality accessory added on.  Why compromise a fantastic lens with a cheap filter?
It's kind of funny that this is called a filter, when the job of a filter is to somehow change the light that's entering the lens to a desired effect.  Other than reducing glare, this filter does nothing else, but protect the lens... and that's exactly what it's made for.  For over 15 years, I've put filters on every lens I've owned, and this is clearly one of the best clear filters out there.  Hold it up and look thru, and it's like you're not even looking thru glass... it's that clear.  I've heard many reviewers gripe about how filters degrade the quality of photos and what not.  I used to work in a pro photo lab for over 9 years and can say with authority that I've seen countless lens that have been filterless, and hence the elements have been cleaned.  After numerous cleaning, I've see the coatings on the front and rear elements of many lens types errode away, beyond repair.  I've been shooting with a Nikon 80-200 2.8 for over 15 years and the front element looks like the day it came out of the box.  I recently upgraded to the 70-200 2.8 VRII, and you can be assured that it has a filter.  Why pay over $2,000 (or even $1,000) and not bother to put a filter on?  Or, put on a cheap $20 one.  I actually did for my 80-200, which has been replaced, and I've seen a world of difference.  I wonder if people would be better served to buy expensive filters, even with cheaper lenses?  If you do buy a cheap filter, you may have just degraded your lens.Anyhow, all the Nikon NCs I've bought have threaded perfectly on my lenses (not so with the $20 one that kept cross threading on my lens).  The build quality is good and the frame is coated with a matte finish.  I have noticed that the green "sheen" off the filter, appears to be the same as on all my Nikon lenses.  Maybe it's the same coating, who knows.  I don't get into all the in depth details about ghosting and flare.  I use lens hoods and don't normally shoot directly into the sun.  On several sunset shots I've recently taken, I haven't noticed any problems.  I've found that most people who get all bent about about very minimal things in many reviews on the web, seem to be the people who actually don't make money at photography.  I guess it's because they spend more time counting pixels and measuring distortion, than actually taking pictures.  I've shot professionally for years and have no problems with this filter.
Yes, I'm in the camp that a) believes that a NC filter will not degrade the quality of the expensive glass you're using behind it and b)that protection should be used as it is much easier to clean and also replace if anything were to happen to it (compared to the front element of your 24-70 2.8).  I use Nikon NCs on all of my lenses and prefer them over UVs as I don't like how UVs tint the coloring a bit.
Fits perfectly on my Nikon 24-70 2.8G, and has kept the glass PERFECT for over 2 years.  I've put my kit through some of the worst imaginable conditions and circumstances, and this filter has filled its role perfectly.  Because of the size it's a little pricey, but WAY less expensive than a new lens.  Even though I've yet to break/scratch mine (there MUST be a god somewhere) buy 2 and have a spare on hand.
Expensive, but it protects your front element.  It's a lot cheaper to replace one of these than get your expensive lens repaired.  This will not affect your shots negatively in any way.
Mating the filter with a several different lenses on a Nikon D700. Fits very securely. The filter is clear. Haven't had any issues with it. Pictures turn out great. Easier to clean this than the glass on the lens.
This is an excellent value for product quality. Even all Nikon products are over priced, this one is worth it. I now have one on all my cameras.
I turned to Buying these NC filters after my UV filters cramed out on me. Not to mention finding a good 77mm filter for a prime lenses and getting the right one. Can either make or break it. But after a simple twists on the filter and placed it.. Amazingly sharper, Unlike any other filter out there.. Thank God I bought two of them. Now you maybe telling yourself why in the world would I spent the crazy amount of money on these NC filters when I can by  a Hoya or Tiffen filter.. Well lets just say you can see the difference on your hand and on the lens, and the way it  is threads so easy..Lesson here: Always Buy Nikon filters for Nikon Lenses so the threads from the lens and the filter match perfectly. Not loose after its threaded.Best Filter I have ever had.
UV Filters are usually most people buy just mainly to protect the lens, so am I.  I never picky about UV or NC filters, so I settled all my filters on Hoya (reason is I bought few of the Hoya special filters such as Circular Polarizer, and Star-8) and I used to love Hoya filters until a month ago.I got myself a 2nd hand Nikkor 105mm VR Macro F2.8, the previous owner sold it to me together with the Nikon 62mm NC Filter attached.  I was amazed by the clarity the Nikon NC Filter was.  You can test it out by simply putting the filters on top of a piece of white paper to check the clarity.  Hoya UV had a slight yellowish, else Nikon is clearly a winner.I threw my Hoya 77mm UV and got myself this Nikon 77mm NC filter.  My 17-55mm F2.8 never been so good before.
This is my third Nikon NC filter. The previous two broke in the line of duty... protecting a Nikon 24-70 and 70-200 that originally cost about $2500 each.
Not as good as I had hoped for given it is a genuine Nikon filter. Suggest you buy a superior b&w filter instead
Compared this to a Hoya Super HMC UV filter that I own and the Hoya has a yellowish tint to it. Never noticed it before I compared it to this very, very clear Nikon filter. I'll be buying Nikon filters from now on!
A definite must item for any camera lens. Don't take the chance of scratching your expensive lens. No flare ups. Pricey but I'd rather go with this than one of the cheapies out there that can have multiple issues.
This does a great job protecting the lens and its a great quality glass.  I could choose getting a MRC clear filter or this.  This works good enough and have been using this for several years.  Other than the price, I have no problems.  Great way to protect your investments.
4/11/11:  Today I received my second Nikon Neutral Filter. Again I received it in it's proper Nikon packaging, and I again placed it on a white sheet of 98% white inkjet paper I had on my desk and again pure perfection. This filter has changed my thoughts on "protective" filters.I haven't used any type of clear filter -- such as UV or skylight as "protection" for lenses in years and years.  However, after purchasing and using my Nikon 24-70, and noticing what I consider to be the bulbous front element I decided to spring for a filter.  After looking at some other brands here on Amazon, I decided to go with the Nikon neutral filter that would not add any color cast to my images.  This is that filter. I received it in it's proper, sealed Nikon packaging.  It was clean, clear, and dust and fingerprint free.  I immediately placed it on a white 99% bright sheet of paper and you could tell the filter was in fact there obviously, but it was as clear a filter as I've ever seen.  The filter did not rattle in it's frame either as some have commented here.  I placed this filter on my 24-70 F2.8.  Since my 16-35VR, and my 70-300VR (with a step-up ring) use the same filter size (77mm) I just ordered a couple more - one for each of the other lenses.I'm much more comfortable carrying the lenses without the lens shade, or lens cap on while I'm working,  when I have this filter attached.  The only drawback, albeit a minor one, is that I have to unscrew and remove  this filter, whenever I want to use any of my Singh-Ray products.  A small price to pay in convenience in order to protect a hefty investment in lenses.
I recently bought the Nikon 12-24mm wideangle zoom lens and bought this UV filter to protect it. It is very thin and it does not make any difference in your field of view which is what you look for with a wideangle like this. I strongly recommend UV filters to protect lenses. The other day my wife accidentaly (that's what she told me!!!) drop my Nikon D200 which had the Nikon 18-200 VR zoom lens. It was inside its bag but when I took it out to take a picture I heard a terrifying noise... broken glass. When I started to see what it was I saw the lens-cap inside the filter ring and it was so stucked that I had to unscrew the filter in order to check my lens. Fortunately the filter was the only thing broken. If that filter hadn't been there the broken thing would have been my precious lens and a heart attack would had come later.With your eyes closed protect your lenses with UV filters and I strongly recommend this one for any 77mm filter sized lens, even a wideangle.
I only use Nikon UV filters for my expensive, pro lenses. They have saved my butt several times, as I am a professional photographer, and the hustle and bustle of weddings makes it hard not to bang a lens once in a while, also I try my hardest not to. The quality is definitely Nikon - clear images - you can't even tell there is a filter on the lens when you look at the photo, which is how it's supposed to be.
Works as it should. I've always had good luck with these Nikon filters.  I'll keep buying them for my new lenses as long as the quality remains high.
a great pick up for the price . highly recommend to protect your expensive lens. Will not alter the color spectrum.
Ok, if you're searching for this filter, you already know that it's a worthwhile investment to protect your expensive lens.  There's something refreshing about being able to thrash around a lens (within reason) and know that the lens glass is always in perfect condition.The lens is Nikon, it's got very good quality and the Amazon price cannot be beat. I've looked around quite a bit and for a new filter this is the best you're going to find.Happy shooting!
A must to protect your 77mm lens.  Just screw it on and you wont even know its there.  I have bought Nikon filters for all my lenses.
I've been disappointed with most of the 3rd party filters for optical or mechanical reasons. Often they are thick, which can lead to vignettting especially at wider angles. They seem more prone to getting stuck on the lens. (Wrap a rubber band around the filter to help get it off.) The Nikon NC filters have excellent optical characteristics, with minimal addition to flare and seem less likely to stick.
I have been shooting for over 30 years.  During college my professors drilled the need for a UV filter to protect your lens.  I had been very faithful to that rule.My wife, a professional photographer, never used a protecting filter.I was having problems getting a shot of a purple flower.  It kept shooting blue.  I took off the UV filter and it shot the flower purple.UV filters are not just an issue with flowers.  Many dyes have UV reflecting components, that I was not able to capture.I now purchase clear filters to protect the lens.  I do not see any discoloration on the glass or my photographs.
I wanted a filter to protect my lens..but read that this Nikon Neutral Color Filter was great and would suit my needs. It does. I see no difference with the filter on or off the lens.
Wow!  This first time that I saw the price of this UV filter, I almost fell over.  However, now I get it.  I saw the price of this UV filter and immediately purchased a lesser expensive one.  I used that for awhile, but had problems with the pictures...ghosting, dullness, etc.  I finally purchased this UV filter and what a differrence.  I STILL think, for a UV filter, a little expensive, but to protect the lens that it is on and to receive the quality photo that I am looking for; I am willing to pay the price.  Don't cheap out, buy this UV filter, because if you buy an alternative less expensive one, you will be back buying this filter anyway.
I'm new to photography, so I can't speak to the horror stories of what happens if you don't get a quality filter, or the quality of other filters compared to this one.  All I can really say is, I took the advice of more experienced people to get a UV or NC filter, read some reviews that made it apparent people think it's worth the price, and now that I have one you can add me to that list.  I tried putting it over a piece of paper like some suggested, and just holding it up in front of my face in front of something like a TV etc- it seriously looks like all it is is a metal ring with nothing inside... to see it, you actually have to hold it at an angle to get some reflection off of it, it REALLY does have no detectable color or tint.Comparing pictures taken with/without it on, I cant' tell the difference at ALL.  I paid more than pocket change for my 85mm f/1.4 lens, so even though this filter is a little more expensive then some, it's more than worth it to me for the level of protection PLUS the high level of quality.  It seems weird to pay so much for something with the goal being not to be able to tell it's there at all... but if I ever drop the lens and/or scratch the filter instead of the lens, i'm sure it won't feel so weird anymore!
Stared to use on this my vacation.  Does a nice job with the blue skies and reflections from the water.  Will be using more often in July. Another vacation.
Mine came with the glass a tiny bit loose from the ring. Not sure if it happened in shipping or manufacture but sent it back for exchange. Waiting for new... The only reason I gave 4 out of 5 stars.I already own several of these for my other lenses and never had a problem before.Update: must be the new thin ring manufacture process. The new replacement seems to be a little loose and "flexible" in the frame as well. Works fine so far, but a little unsettling.If the glass starts rattling around later down the road, I'll be real ticked off. And you'll be hearing from me for sure.
This filter provides good protection to the front element of the lens and is very clear.
I was using a cheaper brand on an F2.8 70-200 Nikon lens. I was wondering if the NC filter would improve the performance. After changing to this filter there is no doubt in my mind that the quality of my shots has improved a small but visible amount. Every bit helps!
genuine nikon filter. brand new but do to damaged box got it as refurbished. The way to save money. Happy shooting
I wish Amazon had an attribute to rate Value. Almost everything about this shutter release cable is well done. The button feels solid, it's very ergonomic, and the threaded connector instills confidence that the cable won't inadvertently become unplugged. My only gripe about the cable is it's too short. Two and half feet is just shy of being long enough. A four foot cord would be perfect. The only option is to buy this release cable, then get Nikon's MC-21 extension cord. The extension and remote cable hooked together makes it too long since the extension cord is 10 feet, for a combined total of over 12 feet of cord.Last thing I am very unsatisfied with is the price. Almost $60 for a button on a cord is nothing short of ridiculous. This probably costs Nikon about $8 in parts, and that's being aggressive in my estimation. I would have given it 5 stars if it hadn't been for the insane price. This item should cost no more than $20.
Yes, it's overpriced, but it's way better than a $16 cord I bought here, which I returned and then bought this one.Issues: The cheap cord's screw-in collar would not screw into my D700 no matter how hard I tried, although it did screw into the D200. The Nikon cord screwed easily in. The cheap cord is tightly coiled, which means it won't extend to anything close to its advertised length; the Nikon cord is straight. Finally, the cheap cord has a very flimsy switch with an uncertain initial position; the Nikon has a solid switch that with a solid feel.Electrically, the cheap cord seemed to work OK. No idea if it would hold up with use.So, I strongly recommend spending the money for the Nikon MC-30. Yeah, it should be $20 instead of $70 or whatever, but if that's what you have to pay to get a cord that works, then so be it.
I needed a release that would not break.  This one has been great.  My other releases would fail after a short period of time.  This one is durable and continues to give me good service.  I recommend this to anyone wishing to have a cable release that will last a long time.
I've had the MC-30 for 2.5 years. It worked fine for a year or so, then the release stage (full press) started behaving erratically. Sometimes it would work, sometimes it wouldn't. It got worse and worse, and now it doesn't work at all. I make thousands of photos, I know my camera well, this is clearly a quality issue with the MC-30. I spent the last couple of years in a tropical country with high humidity, at the seaside. Just to make it perfectly clear - it never came close to water, let alone be in contact. I'm talking humid atmosphere here. Think Florida. Corrosion was the commonplace for low-quality products, but I would expect an expensive Nikon piece to just work. I was in the tropics, not in Hell.
I can't believe I waiting so long to add this to my bag. When shooting on a tripod this is a must have!I do wish Nikon had a better wireless remote release solution for their higher end bodies but that is not this products fault.. just had to rant :)
This is a really disappointing product.  I am waiting on hold for NIKON tech support to see why it isnt working. Either way it is very cheaply made and has a low quality feel to it. Not many other options out there unfortunately.
There are countless situations when a cable release is handy.  Nikon's most basic version, the MC-30, is a great place to start if you're looking for a simplistic release.  It works exactly as you'd expect (half press for focus, full press for shutter actuation), has a handy locking mechanism for bulb mode exposures, and is comfortable to handle (though perhaps a bit cheap feeling).My only complaints are to echo what has been said in earlier reviews; for upwards of $50, the cord should really be longer.
I frequently use an electronic cable like this with my D700.  So far, I've been through 4 or 5 of the generic ones but other than the frustration, at $5-$10 apiece it's not that big a deal.  Still, after getting caught with a broken one and not having a spare, I thought it might be worth the extra to get the genuine Nikon item.  The good news is that it's made in Japan (so Nikon isn't subcontracting this product to the same people who make the $5 ones).  The bad news is that (a) the cable is pretty stiff even at room temperature, (b) it's almost ten times more expensive than the Chinese cables and (c) believe it or not, it carries a rather stern lead warning.  How stern?  The MC-30 instructions advise you to wash your hands after each use.  Seriously.  It turns out that if you live in wacky California, you should be aware this item contains lead.  Now, I doubt there is much danger here (and if there is, what comes from China is likely to be worse).  Still, this is a bit strange, no?  A little research shows that many shielded cables contain lead; but why does this one require a trip to the restroom after using?So, in summary, it says Nikon.  But if you just need an electric cable release my advice would be to buy 2 or 3 generic ones and be sure to carry a spare.  One thing I wouldn't do is hold this cable in my mouth when I need a free hand.
I had purchased this for my father in law and he seems to be very pleased with it. He has taken thousands of photos already using it because of his shaky hands, this makes a perfect accessory.
I have had several Nikon bodies and several Nikkor lenses. I've been very pleased with all things Nikon. The MC30 is the only exception, and for several reasons:1 - Cost. Though Nikon products are expensive, they're usually worth it.2 - Connection. The MC30 is a nuisance to thread on the body (currently, my D700). This may in part be due to the location on the body, but a longer connecting piece and larger knob would be in order. It is particularly difficult in cold weather when your fingers are freezing.3 - Durability. The cord separated from the connecting portion - perhaps due to 2 above.On the positive side, the MC30 works and doesn't require batteries. I just expected it to last more than a few uses.
I use this remote on my D300.  It works as advertised.  It is just a simple shutter button. It requires no batteries (one less thing to worry about).  It has a lock for the bulb setting, which is essential for longer exposure shots.  I am generally right next to the camera when I am shooting so the 31.5 inches of cable wasn't an issue for me.I would definitely recommend this to anyone who shoots long exposures or anything where camera shake can be an issue.
I bought an alternative Chinese-made brand on a popular auction site for $9.  It does the same thing and is flawless on my D300.  I do not see the purpose of paying $50 more for a piece of plastic that triggers a shutter.  While I am willing to pay for quality products when necessary (hence, the D300), I don't see the need for a Nikon branded product in this case.
Sorry miguel but Nikon makes great stuff and their accessories are state of the art. Stop wingeing.
Unlike the two or three cheap knock-offs I've purchased, this one actually continues to work after many hundreds of exposures.  It's not flashy, but it does the job and does it extremely well.
A basic wired remote cable.  Nothing fancy.  Doesn't use any batteries.  So you never have to worry about it not working.  A little expensive.  Wish it had a coiled cord so it wouldn't shake the camera when putting it down.
I purchased the Nikon MC30 Remote Cable release a while back and it's been a great help when taking photos from a tripod.  It it a bit of a challenge to apply/remove the cable release from the camera sometimes which is why I didn't give it a full five stars.  You need to align the pins just right.  Once you get it on it stays on though.
This is an excellent cable release for the D300.  I find it to be invaluable, especially when using "Mirror Lock-up."  Macro work is improved significantly with a cable release.
Just a basic push button trigger to reduce camera shake.I bought this because all the cheap ones made in China ALWAYS break at the most un-welcome time !I expect this to last for years ........
The cable is great - fits on camera and does exactly what I needed  - but wish the cable was considerably longer.
If you are serious in any fashion in photography, you seriously need a cable release. Whether it is this one or a different one, you need a cable release. This one was simple and easy to use on the Nikon D200. Plug and play practically. No battery required, no special instruction required. The only thing is it would be nice to be a bit cheaper. But neitherless, was helpful on numerous occassion
I purchased an after market cable release for $15.00(Phottix Remote N1) which was reccomended in David Busch's "Nikon D-300" book.  It worked well for maybe the first 200 shots but then malfunctioned...the lock wouldn't work.  So I bought the Nikon MC-30 and have used it just as much with no problems.  The MC-30's cable is longer and the hand control is larger and easier to use.  I learned my lesson...buy the good stuff... it's worth it.
All serious Nikon shooters have at least one of these remote triggers. It allows you to shoot without touching the camera body.The new MC-30a version is easier to install and remove from the camera body. I recommend it over the MC-30 version.The cheap substitutes that you can buy through eBay work for a month or two and die. These Nikon triggers just keep on working even when you abuse them by stepping on them. I would not submerge it\\them under water however. I don't think they are waterproof. Carry and extra in case you dunk it as I have.
I have tried the knockoff version of this and it wasn't worth the money at all. The fake ones tend to break or really not fire when you need them to. I ordered this one and it worked like a charm. Every time I pushed the button it fires without issue.  It could be a little longer but I still love it. Don't waste your time with the fake versions of this product. If you've spent the money on a good camera then don't take the chance of missing the shot.
I've owned 2-3 of these cable releases. They work fine...but the rubber cable cover on the camera end weakens with usage, causing the cable to bend and exposing the wires. Once that happens, the cable can misfire just by moving the camera. This release needs a stronger rubber covering on the end that attaches to the camera. Other photographers have also complained about the same defect.
The cable is what it is. a release cable. It's got the Nikon name so you know it's Nikon. The quality is as expected. No loose pieces. Expensive(choke), need to do HDR.
This is, quite simply, an unvarnished Nikon rip-off. I bought an identical version of this release cable on eBay for eight bucks, shipping included! See link below. Nikon seems to think that once you have bought one of their cameras, you are forever locked in to buying their expensive accessories exclusively. A previous reviewer was quite right. It's just an expensive hunk of Nikon plastic.[...]
There's really not much to say here.  It works well.  I don't know why Nikon felt the need to have different releases for different cameras, but this one fits my D700 and it works.  Ideal for situations where you're using a tripod and a slow shutter speed.
I recently upgraded from a Nikon D100 to a D700 and was shocked to see that my fancy new camera does not accept a mechanical shutter release.  I do a lot of close-up and long exposure work, so I consider a shutter release very important.  I tried to get by on the cheap with a $10 third party substitute for the Nikon MC30, but it fell apart after only a couple of days of light shooting.  So, with gritted teeth, I parted with $60 for this model.  It is heavy duty, with a solid feel and sure action.  This baby is the way to go if you need one.  Is it actually worth the cost?  For $60 there really should be more to it, like an interval timer or LED flashlight. However, it is a simple, heavy duty mechanical swith, no batteries required, that should last a lifetime.
Dont waste your time and money on the cheap ones.  The one I bought on Ebay for cheap was just too cheap!  It worked for one shoot, and the next time part of the cable went bad.  I even opened, cut and re-connected, but the wire in the cable was so bad it broke inside a second time.This is heavy and solid and easy to use on my D300.
I was dissapointed with this product.  I own a D100 and had hoped to use this cable with the camera.  This cable does not fit into the shutter release on the camera.  It only fits on the optional battery pack you can get for the camera.  If you don't have the optional battery pack, this product is worthless.  So if you do not have the battery pack I would not purchase this product.
Bought Nikon MC30 to reduce camera shake on tripod.  Works great.  Really like the auto focus feature that comes with it.  Think I will check out what else Nikon has by way of remote controls to increase user productivity and functionality.
I bought this over one of the cheap third party cables because I thought that if anything was poorly made it could cause electrical problems and damage the camera.Well, this thing is a cable with a plunger that electrically seems to be nothing but a jumper for two wires.  One of my friends said, that you could achieve the same results using a paperclip to connect two pins on the camera.If I didn't have this, and knew how simple it is, I would buy one of the cheaper third party alternatives.
This is an extremely high quality release, just what you would expect from Nikon.  It does exactly what it is supposed to do.  Only word of caution...if your camera locks up and refuses to function at all, make sure you didn't accidentally bump the lock switch!
This is a great tool with the quality you would expect from Nikon.  This opens up a lot of photographic possibilities including macro exposures and &#34;bulb&#34; shots that I couldn't previously do.  Simple to use.  Good quality.
it is a Nikon product - it does what it should and is very well made.
I do a great deal of studio and table top work and always used a cable release to minimize camera shake. The self timer can do the job, but a cable release is better. I have a Nikon D300. The only criticism that I have is that it is a tight fit to be able to screw in the connection to the camera (it pushes in and then screws in to lock it in place). If I had arthritis or fat hands, this could be a problem. Otherwise, it works great.
I am very satisfied with the release - BUT I had to discover that switching to manual focus will give instant reaction to pressing the release button.  When I used autofocus it took forever for the process to initiate.  I take 3 images at different exposure and use blend them using HDR so being able to take pictures quickly is a must.  I walk carrying the tripod with camera attached. I wrap the cable around my neck strap (attached to camera)and that helps keep it from dangling.  I find it difficult to screw on the locking collar but I'm willing to live with that and am looking for some kind of lightweight plastic "wrench" to help.  Haven't had it long or used it much so I can't testify to longevity.  I would buy it again.
Purchased for my D700. Lifetime Nikon user. Two things I wish Nikon would address for this price: 1) either a snap-on or screw-on protector for the ten prong inserter to keep dust or other foreign matter away when it's stored in camera bag or pocket when on the move or shooting, now use a small ziplock bag; 2) a larger inserter knob for fingers to grasp when screwing or unscrewing from camera. It's a challenge now in low light when fast response needed for quick movement.
I wouldn't use any other cable release with my Nikon Camera!  This makes my macro photos much easier to make.
This remote cable I had to get for my Nikon D700. It is ok.  It is pretty short and pretty expensive. I gave it four stars and knocked one off because I don't think the functionality or length justifies the cost (over $50 US Dollars??). Come on Nikon, you couldn't give us an extra foot or two? Other than that, It works as intended when I'm taking long exposures.
I bought this particularly for astro photography. I have a Nikon D300 mounted to the back of my telescope, and the remote cable is used to activate the shutter. If you try to push the shutter button while the camera is mounted to the telescope, the whole unit will shake and vibrate, ruining the image. I am sure this remote will come in handy for wildlife, studio, and landscape photography as well.
A remote cable is an important camera accessory. When taking low-light time-exposure photos using a tripod, it's important to use mirror lockup and a remote shutter release cable. Why? Because even though you have mounted the camera on a tripod, when the shutter is open for a long time, even a tiny amount of shaking will cause blurring.Another use for the Nikon MC-30 cable is to lock the shutter open while cleaning the digital sensor.Finally, many portrait photographers use a remote cable shutter release so they can get closer to the subject, especially when taking photos of infants or small pets.The Nikon MC-30 cable release is built by Nikon to the same quality standards as their cameras. Before the MC-30, I used an "ADIDT" cable release, purchased from an internet auction site. The ADIDT release failed during an important assignment, making it appear that the camera itself was malfunctioning. After a few minutes of panic, I removed the ADIDT cable release and the problem immediately went away.The Nikon MC30 is an important accessory that is always in my camera bag.
Excellent product, works perfectly with the Nikon D5100.
Good.
I use this for my D5200 and it seems to work well. Simply, click the button and it does its job. It doesn't work at all angles but I wasn't expecting it to since I'd seen other reviewers mention it. It's simple to use as well. Simply go into your cameras menu and the option is in there. Check your camera manual if you're having trouble figuring it out.
Love the remote!
works great if camera is focused and not in sun
Great little extra for those family group photos. Has sufficient range and functions without fail. I highly recommend it for everyone.
I was surprised how great this little remote is it functions great makes family photos without a photographer amazing. we loved it it works great from 35 feet even better if you use timer and remote function together.
Defiantly worth having in your camera bag.  The IR range kinda sucks but once you get the hang of the limitations you open a world of self portrait and still life photo possibilities.Beware of cheaper knock off remotes... mine works about the same but is nearly twice as big. Spend a couple of bucks more and go with the real deal.On the other hand I also have a cheap Chinese radio wireless remote that is far more reliable.
The remote control works quite well.Very useful for panoramic photography, when you don't have enough hands to level the cam as well as press the shutter button.
The remote for the Nikon D40 is an excellent product works without any problems is very easy to use even a caveman can use it !! I take cruises in the countryside by myself as I am retired and take photos of the scenery and other sites..well now I put myself in the photos with just a simple press on the remote and the photos come out perfect !! I highly recommend this remote to everyone who wants to be in their photos more often.
A wireless remote control is very important, a photographer must always this in his camera bag. Make sure you have a spare battery for back up.
I've tried this remote with a D-90 camera and found that you really have to be close to the camera and pointing exactly to the front of the camera for it to work. So, you can not take photos while standing behind the camera. This is unfortunate, as I wanted to be able to take photos while the camera is on tripod and lens wide open to avoid shaking the camera.
Works as needed with Nikon D5100. Very convenient item for group shots or self portraits. I plan to use it frequently.
This is a handy little device that I am really starting to like. Very useful for group pictures & easy to set up.
Great remote! Works great! Distance is about 10-15 feet to camera.  You do not have to worry about camera shake and you can actually include yourself in family portraits!  I highly recommend this remote! I use it with a Nikon D5100.
This thing is fine, works great. I had some concerns about if this would work with my d5000 and it does so I am happy. Considering how Nikon products are always so expensive it is nice to get a useful accessory at a reasonable price.
I was shocked when this devices worked for our camera. We haven't been in a situation to actually use it while shooting, but it does work as I was hoping and was a great gift.
This remote was great especially for the price.  I wish that range was little longer.  In all a great product and very handy.
Works with your Nikon D40, contrary to some reports.You simply have to change the "Shooting Mode" in your camera's settings to use the remote ("2s Delayed remote" or "Quick Response Remote").Love how I can leave the shutter open as long as I want without having to hold the remote button down the entire time in custom shutter mode.  You simply press once to open the shutter, then again when you're ready to close it.One of the best inexpensive upgrades you can buy.Was purchased through Amazon.
Bought it 2 years ago. But never used it. It tells you that this is not a compelling product. Please don't waste your time and money buying this.
What else can be said about this... It works, is small enough to carny in a small bag pocket, and essential for night photography when using a tripod. I've used it for group photos as well.
This is something that even the high end Nikons could use.Easily hidden, so you can use it while you're in the picture. No setting the timer then rushing to get into the shot. And the thing I like most about it, I can set up the camera a few feet away and take pictures of that pesky rabbit that's been digging up my yard.I Highly recommend this.
I don't understand it, but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I grin and bear it and put up with it.
When I first start using the Nikon (DSLR), I faced a problem with taking shots for my self or in some situation that you need to take them from a distance. When I was looking I diid have some options, one of them was this inexpensive solution. Its small size, with small pouch to keep it safe and an extra battery. It works just fine with fair amount of distance from the camera. Love it
This remote is very small, and it does what it's supposed to do.  You will not be disappointed...especially with the price.I say, get one.  You'll always be able to find a use for it....like....remotely snapping pictures so that you don't cause camera shake through your tripod, and is also good for taking self portraits.
For less than $20 this is well worth the money. It allows me to take long exposure shots without any camera shake, and without needing to wait for the self timer. I use this with the D80 and it works great, nothing at all to complain about. I have noticed that because it uses infrared you have to point it directly at the camera. However that is not a con. Overall I am very happy with this remote, and I would recommended that if you do any long exposure photography you should get one of these. I will have to buy a new one because I lost my first one.
It is a simple one button IR remote.  It triggers the camera's shutter button.  It merely replaces the attached shutter button so you don't shake the camera when you press the shutter button.  I have used it for night shooting and timed interval shooting.My complaints are it is merely an on off switch with no other features and it feels fragile.  It is just a piece of plastic.Because of these two complaints it seems more expensive than it should be.  But for what it does it is perfect.It does come with a small sack that you can put the switcher in.  It also runs off of a small internal watch battery that keeps it small and lightweight.But for those that want the most out of their camera, this is a must buy.
This is the kind of thing that everyone needs who owns a DSLR.  Being able to take long shutter shots without shaking the camera or remotely triggering it to take a picture is a must.The remote itself is about the size of a pack of matches so there is no reason not to carry it everywhere.  Once you get your camera setup to shoot using the remote, you just need to point it in the general direction and press the button.  Assuming you have the camera on the tripod, you get a lot less shake in your pictures and the convenience of being able to stand somewhere other than right behind the camera.Highly recommended
It works really well with my Nikon D60... i just set-up the D60 with perfect camera angle and i get to be in the picture too.
comes handy if you like to be in the pictures.the only downside is that the camera sensor is on the front, if you are close to it it sometimes works form the back
It worked from the start. Arrived in a very short time. It worked from the start. Arrived in a very short time.
Ive never changed the battery in this and have had it for years! The range isnt huge, but its great for group photos, or long exposures where you need that extra stability of a tripod and dont want to bump it pushing the shutter down. Great tool, comes in a great little case that lives on my strap. Its seen -40 and +110 and keeps on truckin!
I bought this infrared control for use with my Nikon D90 and it works just as expected! Because it's infrared has some limitations in scope and location, but it is small, portable, practical and very useful when you want to avoid vibrations to activate the camera or when to expect a remote event to photograph something. It's not an indispensable accessorie but it's nice, and the price is worth having it ... sure it will be useful at some time!
It's a great value product, since you can always take a good shot with no need to run like crazy to be in the picture.You can set your camera to be with the remote sensor on and you just change your smile and press the button. Change positions, and shoot again. That's great for the family or groups pictures...
I sure wish it worked for D3100's. If D3100 users want a remote they can buy a battery grip that comes with one.
I use this for my Nikon D7000. The range is acceptable for a small infrared remote. Great for family use, when you want to be included in the picture.
I bought this one to replace the one (another brand) I previously had that didn't work so well. In the future I will stick to Nikon products.
No problems at all, I use it with my D51000 and it works like a charm. Reasonable price and good quality product, recommended.
This product is ESSENTIAL if you take lots of self-portraits.  It eliminates having to set the self-timer, and then getting into the shot, and then -- for taking multiple shots, having to repeat this process and ruining the flow of things.  With a remote you can take shot after shot with ease, and without having to completely re-position yourself.The remote doesn't come with directions, but you can easily search online or refer to your Nikon camera user's manual.  IT'S EASY, and worth it.
I love this remote.  I use it for night shots, or taking photos of stars using a tripod.  Very handy to have hanging off my camera bag.  You can easily take &#34;jumping photos&#34; with this.  It's very fast, no delay to be noticed between the time you depress and the shutter going off on the camera.
This is a very nice, slim, small, manageable remote. It is very easy to hold, and use. Come as a completely reasonable price. I use this remote on my Nikon D3200, & it is absolutely fantastic. Very easy set up, as easy as 1, 2, 3. Point and shoot.(: This remote can also auto focus unlike some reviews say. Just hold down the button and it will automatically auto focus and take the photo for you. This remote is much easier than setting the self-timer & much less hassle. If you are looking for a cheap/affordable wireless remote ready to use straight from the box, this is your absolute best option!(:
Truly great with my D40. Avoids the carry of a tripod and the family pictures are now much easier, not needing me to run back to position within 10 seconds!Really a best buy. Thank you Ken Rockwell for the recommendation:[...]
Love this remote!!! Works perfectly with my Nikon D7000! So handy and small so it can fit in your pocket.
This is a great accessory for any Nikon camera that supports it.  Taking fireworks and sunset shots are a breeze with this gadget.There seems to be varying opinion regarding the ease of use of this product and I think I've figured out that it completely depends on your camera model.  My D80 allows me to select the remote for use with just a couple button presses on the camera body and doesn't require me to root around through any menus on the LCD, so I find it very easy to use.  I suppose that cameras without this feature would make the setup less intuitive.My only gripe about the product is probably more against the camera, but it does seem to require a more head-on activation than I'd hoped.
Gr8 remote.Strongly recommended.Its simply point and shoot!!Could have been more useful.
Bought as a gift for my wife for her D90.Works perfectly.Simple to use.Can't ask for anything more.
Might as well use the camera timer and run into a shot. Apparently the remote system on the 5100 is completely proprietary in that we get only so many seconds per use and if we don't use the remote the camera switches back to whatever setting it had before. In other words, if there's a way to set this camera on a pod and wait for the shot to happen (like an animal coming to a den or nest, etc.) it's not going to work with this remote system. Instructions for the remote use in the camera manual are also very poor.
This unit may be good, it may be not. But one has to know that it does not work with the D3100. There are people posting to the Nikon USA site asking the same question or now realizing the incompatibility. Actually, I would rather fault Amazon on this, as if you scroll along the "People who bought this item also bought..." for the D3100 you will find the ML-L3. Misleading I would say, as I am not the first to suffer under the confusion. The ML-L3 also gets one star for failing to include instructions in the box. Granted the "Technical Details" doesn't list the D3100, but I ASSUMED (bad, bad!!) that the D3100 was an upgrade over the D3000 and that equipment for one would be compatible with the other. Assume nothing, I guess.
absolutely must have! I never use a timer setting any-more. I even use it just to avoid the slightest shake in camera when taking a low light condition. at the price offered I definitely recommend it.
Works great ! At first I could not get it to work. So I then got my owners manual and read it. After reading it, walla ! It worked the way it should. Guys, before you condemn a product, read the manual first. I helps a whole lot.
Excelente control remoto. Lo he usado con mi Nikon D60 y no tengo ninguna queja. Me ha servido mucho para fotografia nocturna o de larga exposici&oacute;n, pero sobretodo para aparecer en las fotos grupales de amigos y familias.Adem&aacute;s es tan peque&ntilde;o y portatil que no ocupa nada de espacio en la maleta de mi c&aacute;mara.No se porque me tard&eacute; tanto en adquirirlo, ya tenia como 2 a&ntilde;os de ocupar mi D60 y hasta ahora me he dado cuenta que debi haberlo usado desde el principio. Me perd&iacute; muchas buenas fotografias por no tener conmigo este control remoto.
It is great for getting in photos or for photos on tripod when you need long shutter speeds and want to avoid blurring. The range is decent and it's small enough you can be in the picture and the control is not noticeable in your hand.The only issue is not with the remote but the Nikon cameras with the infrared sensor in front of the camera so you cannot activate it from behind the camera. This is mildly challenging shooting birds from the deck as it means I must be seated closer than the camera and birds don't like people. If you need to shoot from behind the camera consider the cable remote too.Overall nice product to have in the bag and price is great.
Purchased it for my wife's Nikon P7100 & it works flawlessly. It's better than having to set up the self timer onyour camera for group shots & then walking fast back to the group to assure your inclusion in the picture.It's small & lightweight which is great for traveling. Highly recommend it.
Purchased this for D60, works perfect, no hesitation to recommend this product, has been using it for 3 years, not a single problem so far. Nothing to complain about it.
This is one of the best things I've ever bought for my camera. It has quick response and a long range long as there is no obstructions.
Used this remote for the first time at Christmas.  Fantastic accessory!!  Now everyone can be in the family pictures (including me!) by using this remote wireless shutter release.  Also used it to simplify taking baby pics of the new granddaughter.  "Must have" accessory.
Very handy device to have around for self-portraits and other tripod-mounted uses. Pretty much essential when you want to avoid camera shake.
Does what it is supposed to do. It is small...don't lose it in th field. ;)
Easy to use, works great. I put this in a little orange vinyl bag, it's so small I don't want to lose it.
This is a must for anyone who travels.  Simply set up the shot, walk in it and push the button.  Now you can be in all those vacation shots instead of behind the camera.  The direction remote only works from the front of camera and does have a limited range , approx. 20'.  Mine came with a nice little pouch that slid onto the camera strap, so it stay with camera at all times and is easily accessible.
This is really a great little adition to your Nikon rig. If compatible works like magic  and open a new door to your photography.You can be in your own shots and it's a must in long exposure time or macro photographyThe price is a steal. A must have
Very useful for an average D40 user. Lets you take a picture instantly or with a 2-second delay.Great for scenery pictures if you have a tripod and need to get people in the picture.
Write up suggests that it works with all of the Nikon cameras but it does not work with the D3100.
This is a must have for Macro work or long exposure work. I own the D80 and use it almost daily. The only limit to this product is the firmware in the D80 has a maximum exposure time of 30 minutes unless you use a wired trigger release.Recommend this to all Nikon owners.
Someone else here said that, though the unit comes with no directions, it's a no brainer to figure out. That other reviewer must be smarter than I am, 'cuz it took me a while to figure out how to make this work.For those in my intelligence range and working with the Nikon D40, go into your menu settings, and enter the menu with the pencil icon. Select Shooting mode then select Delayed Remote. (This may be buried under Self-time on some models)Once set, this little guy works great. It sure would have been nice for Nikon to include some basic instructions, however.
This product works great on my D40. It is really convenient for repeated long exposures. There is only one button, and it works great. Size wise this remote seems like it could be easily lost. It is super small. I lost it in my jacket once, couldn't really find it until I took my gloves off. Not a bad thing, just needs to be said.I love having this remote!
I absolutely LOVE my wireless remote!  I found it extremely easy to use (read your Nikon manual for directions).  I wanted to take some pics of my husband and I on the beach and this made it so easy instead of using the self timer, which only produces one pic at a time.  My recommendation would be to use the 2 second delay so you can click it and then hide the hand that has the remote in it!  I was even able to capture a group "jumping" shot by using this remote!  Wish I would have bought it years ago!
So far I really like the remote, it's easy to use, small and unnoticable, and helps me take great family portraits without having to spend a fortune at a studio.
I picked up this remote for taking low light manual exposure pictures.  The remote has no problems and works with my D7000 easily.  It only took me a month to get all my settings the way I wanted them in the camera. =D  But that isn't the remotes fault.  The first thing I had to change was making the shutter open immediately when pushing the remote button.  The second was the remote times out after a minute unless you change this setting.  Both issues with me understanding my camera setup.The remote has good range, about 30 feet in good conditions.  It is small enough that no one will notice it in your hands in pictures if you act natural.  The only thing is, you will always know you had the remote in your hand if taking self portraits or groups where you were in the picture.At $15 this is an absolute steal.  In the camera world that is a drop in the bucket and it will easily make those long exposure pics clear and precise.Buy one now!
Inexpensive, durable, light-weight, purposeful.This item is a must have for all DSLR owners.  Easy to use and works perfectly.This is a good accessory to have.
This remote works great. I use it with my Nikon D40x (or whatever the model # is)My suggestion, this remote is small and easy to lose. Keep an extra handy!(For all you techies... It works on IR, no direct connection needed like bluetooth, so you can use multiple remotes with the same camera without hassle).
I bought this because it was cheap and I thought I might use it every now and then. I have used it a lot more than I thought I would. It works great.
The remote works for this camera, just not as well as I'd hoped. It's not as fast as I was expecting to be. That could be more of a function of the camera, though. It does what I needed it to do. There's just a couple of things that could make it easier to use. The seller was great. Fast too.
I originally got this remote so that I could take pictures of me with my friends and family. It's come in handy in a lot of situations, some that I didn't even anticipate coming up. It's incredibly small and portable and I just throw it into my camera bag for whenever I'll need it. It can easily slide into your pant pocket as well, it's that small. All-in-all I can confidently say that this remote has served me well and lives up to its purpose. The price is also pretty decent at around $14 when I bought it. The only reason that I gave this remote a four star review instead of a five is because in order to use the remote you must first set your Nikon camera to a specific setting so that photos can only be taken by pointing the remote at the camera and pushing the remote's button. The shutter button on the actual camera is then rendered unusable once the remote mode has been activated. This has caused me to miss a few good shots since the remote has to be pointing directly at the front of the camera for the picture to take. That's another small inconvenience. The remote sometimes takes a couple of pushes to take the picture since the remote has to be pointing at the right spot on the camera and has to be in the camera's range. These are only two minor inconveniences though and they shouldn't stop you from buying this great remote. I definitely recommend the remote and I bet it'll come in handy at some point or another. This is a purchase you won't soon regret.
It beats running back forth to the camera, but it can be tricky to hit the sensor just right.  A must for anyone taking long exposures or family portraits.
Along with the tri-pod this is the best accessory for my Nikon D40 so far. Where to start? Yes this remote is tiny, I'd say about 1 inch by 2 inches, which seems daunting at first but what the description fails to note is that it includes a little pouch that you can thread through the camera strap, so it is always securely, with your camera.I set my camera to remote shoot with 2 second delay, this is so much better than timer shoot. No longer do I have to pose the entire family, press the button then run in haphazardly still unsure when its going to actually snap the picture. Now I arrange everyone, calmly walk in get comfortable, and press the button. With the delay I have time to palm the remote so it doesn't show. Not only that but I can now tell the family it will beep 3 times then snap the picture. So they are more ready when it snaps. (so much better than "Say Cheese!")It's also been very useful in snapping candid shots with me in the picture as well. Just set the camera up pointing to where most activity will occur, and press the button when I feel a shot is coming. No more seeing life through the lens of a camera, but still getting amazing shots, and now sometimes being included in the shot.I think the best thing I was able to do with this is get a picture of the 2 planets that are visible with the naked eye right now. Without having to push the actual button on the camera, there was absolutely no jitter blur.Without wanting to go on too long, some of the other reviewers mentioned they had set the camera to timer shoot, but it still doesn't work. What you need to do (At least on the d40 but I would imagine most Nikon menus are similar) is go to; Menu, Custom Setting Menu, Shooting Mode then select either 2s Delayed Remote, or Quick Response Remote. I should note is it does reset when you turn off the camera, so you will need to re-select the option the next time you want to use the remote.For the price this is definitely an accessory not to pass up.
I had one, the problem with these, they are very easy to lose because of their size. So, always keep them handy because they help a great deal at night where the camera must no be touched. At first it didn't fire, but thren once it read my Nikon, it hasn't given any problems.
This wireless remote control works as expected. It makes it easy to take pictures that you are also in :-) Normally, since you'll take the pictures from your DSLR and hesitate to hand your DSLR to others, you are always left out in important pictures. However, with this remove control, it is easy to click yourself with or without a group.Definitely what makes this remote control valuable is a good tripod. Without a good tripod, I wouldn't see much use of this remote control.Overall, a good product.
If you want to be part of any picture that you are taking, you must have this one. This works beautifully.
This little remote is quite handy. I don't use a remote very often, but for my needs, it is perfect.
I bought this to use with my D40 and it works great.  It didn't come with directions so it took me a minute before I realized to change the camera settings to remote in the shooting mode.  Highly recommended, inexpensive camera accessory.
My son-in-law was greatly surprised to see that I had gotten this for him.  Of course, I had help from my daughter as to what he would like.  He will put it to good use.  Thank you
This is a line of sight remote control, and works well as such. I would have given the product a 5 if it worked at radio frequency instead. You basically have to be in front of the camera to activate it. If you are trying to take wild life pictures remotely, this may not serve your purpose.As with other labels that may be incorrect or incomplete, please note that this product does not work with the Nikon D200, however, I suspect it does work with the D80, and the D50.
I have seen numerous comments about how much of a pain it is to have to be in front of the camera in order to use this remote.I use my camera for astrophotography doing continuous 20-second exposures for several hours at a time.The camera is on a tripod, tilted up at about a 70-degree angle, and I sit in a reclining patio chair behind it.Though the IR signal will not travel through solid objects, I have found I can trigger the shutter from behind the camera and to the side, or behind and above it. The IR light bounces off of the lens housing enough to trigger the shutter on the camera.So it is not quite as bad as many people are saying, as it is not EVEN required that you always hold this remote directly in front of the camera to use it effecively.Just wanted to put in my 2 cents. For the price, you can't beat it. How hard is it to press one button? And this cheap little remote adds a lot of functionality to my DSLR. :-)
I like it, I can see its usefulness when photographing yourself, or if you need your body in another place for whatever reason.. but I really dont like the way it feels to operate. For one thing, there isnt any half press, so you have to compose, focus, then shoot as three seperate steps. The wired remote limits your ability to move, but it feels more natural to use. I suppose this remote is cheap enough where it doesnt really matter though.
You have to be almost to the camera for this to work, and it isn't very responsive. Maybe mine came with a dead battery, because I had one before and had no issues. This one isn't very impressive though. I found myself getting very frustrated with it.
Remote arrived quickly and works as described. This product is great for long exposure shots as well self portraits.  Very small and easy to throw in your camera bag.
This remote control works most of the time, but, from what I understand, most of the Nikons require resyncing quite often.  So, taking that into account, this does as much good as it can possibly do.
Good remote control, small the price is cheap compare to canon. you should get one if you plan to take pictures at night with tripod. It work great with my D80.
Normally, I don't, and until recently, it doesn't seem that Nikon has awakened to the fact that back-side sensors make sense!If you don't have a back-side sensor, and you don't want to hassle with getting in front of the camera...also, if you care about decisive moments, get a corded electronic release.One of these came with my first Nikon DSLR, and I've used it five time in six years.  I wouldn't have paid for one.
This remote works well right out of the box (battery included).  It did take me a couple minutes to figure out I had to change the shooting mode on my D40, but since then the remote has been working great.  Very convenient and I like that it will activate the shutter from any direction (including from behind the camera).  Easily worth the money.
Got this little remote mostly for the ability to take night shots without shaking the camera from pressing the shutter release button.  I took some pictures of my Christmas tree last night and was able to change my shutter speeds and aperture settings and then just click the remote button to take the picture without having to worry about shaking the camera and getting a blurry shot or having to set a timer for each individual shot.  The remote is small, but it's just one button and it fits great in a camera bag or pocket and takes up almost zero room. You can even put the little case onto your camera strap so that it's always in reach.
I use this with my D7000. Go into remote trigger or mirror-up mode, find out the IR sensors at the back or front of the camera, and press it to shoot away.Note that if you are on bulb exposure and remote trigger, the first press of the remote opens the shutter, the second closes it. If you are in M-up mode, the first press removes the mirror, the 2nd opens the shutter, and the 3rd closes it.The only problem I have faced is that I have to put the remote very close to the sensor to actually trigger the IR. Sometimes the IR does not catch on, and multiple presses are then required.
Works perfectly with my camera. Very convenient and useful. One of the best inventions/ideas that has been made for cameras. I love it !!!
This remote works perfectly and really comes in handy.  It is worth every penny and then some.  Anyone with a D50 should have this!
Not working. Doesn't work for activating video. I tried it with taking a picture and it doesn't work. I got what I paid for. Cheap.
It's exactly what I was looking for my Nikon camera. It is easy to use and you can start using it as soon as you open it.
What a nifty little device. I use the remote with my D40x/tripod and its very easy to master. FYI, it does not come with instructions - for that, please refer to your camera's user manual. The remote itself is very thin/small in size - great addition to your camera bag.
It works OK on a short distance.  I don't see any reason why not to give this product 5 stars.
what a great buy!! Perfect for setting up the tripod and taking self pics.  Only downside is that the working distance is about 50-60 feet max, but i doubt i would need anything further than that.
works great with my Nikon D40.  Do not even have to point at the camera, held it behind my back, and it took just fine.  Of course this was indoors, so may have bounced off walls.  Have yet to push it and it not take a picture.  So, I rate this one as a great remote for my Nikon D40.
I love this thing no longer do I have to set the camera then run over and get in place before it goes off. With this I just set it go get in the shot and push the button. How great is that.
This little beauty works like a charm. I've used it for self-portraits, astrophotography, night photography, and many other situations where camera stability is a must, or situations where I can't get near the camera. The camera does indeed auto-focus with this remote as others have mentioned here, but you can't use AF-C mode. As a side note, you can't use AF-C mode with hot shoe flashes that have the red illumination focus assist light on them either. The red light simply won't come on. AF-C is best used in situations, such as sports, where the target is moving toward or away from the camera. How often do you need a remote for those situations? AF-S is the best mode to use for most photographic situations. I have not tested the remote in AF-A mode, which automatically selects the best mode based on the subject. I shoot 99% of all my photography in AF-S mode.The battery in this thing is a champ. I've shot thousands of photos with it over the last 2 years, and it is still going strong. All in all, for the price, you'll get your money's worth very quickly.
Before I bought this I noticed complaints about problems using it other than in front of the camera.  But, I was taking a class that inspite of its name and description turned out to be a self portrait class. So, I got one and have been using it very heavily for the last month with my D80.  So far I have not had any problems activating the shutter, even from behind the camera(within a realistic area), or with it facing away from the camera while I was holding it in front.  I like the several second delay that allows you to hide it before the photo is recorded.I do agree that Nikon should sell it with the camera.
This is a simple little device. It has one button.To get it to work, though, you may have to change the shooting mode on the camera. Basically, you have to tell the camera to respond to the remote control. And you have to point the rounded end at the receiver. I have a D-40; don't know if this is true of other cameras.EDIT: This is all true of the Nikon D5000 also. 07/07/2010.
This works great in group shots where I'm part of the picture, placing the camera in the corner and snapping candid shots, or placing on a tripod and triggering instant shots so there's no movement.  Has worked every time I've used it, and I carry it with me all the time.
No &eacute; de utilizao imediata, &eacute; preciso alguns ajustes mas funciona bem.&Eacute; &uacute;til em fotos que eu quero aparecer.
If i had just 4 words to write this review , i'd go with 'GO GET IT NOW' :-)This remote provides a load of convenience during your shoot. I own a D70S and i used to get a lot of camera shake especially while shooting distant subjects or night time shoots. Tripod helps but even that mild click with the hand can screw your photo ... so i bought this remote and now the photo quality has definitely improved a lot . Of course there are some camera modes that allows you to set a timer and that also can be used to eliminate shake but with this remote the camera shots can be taken in instantly once you have set it in the right remote activation mode.I got mine for around 14 $ which i thought was pretty reasonable.
Does exactly what it's supposed to do! It's really compact and light. I like it and plan on using it regularly.
I love this thing! With this thing, I don't always have to be the one stuck behind the camera. I've bought two of these. My first one broke just recently because I dropped it a lot. It's a great product that not only lets the photographer join in the picture, but it also helps you get sharp photos. When you use the remote, you don't press the shutter, so you shake the camera less and the photos are sharper. It's also cheap! Because of this, I recommend you get this if you have any of the compatible Nikon cameras.
I can't figure out how to use it. They didn't provide very good instructions with it. Maybe if I can get it to work, itll be worth it.
I am a photography student and I will need this for some assignments, but have not had the pleasure of using it just yet. I will soon and I am sure that it will do what it is suppose to do.
Although it doesn't say in the description, this remote will work with a Nikon D3000 as well, and I suspect it will work with all of the current generation Nikon DSLRs.
I'm not sure if i just don't know how to use this, but I sometimes have to point it at certain parts of the camera for it to trigger the shutter. It would have been better if it triggered from any where otherwise I may as well use a cord. Other than that it works.
I use this with both my Nikon D90 & D5000. Works great. The remote must be in front of the camera with a line of sight to the front reciever on the camera to work.  It will also trigger the autofocus function so it may be necessary to focus and then set your lens to manual so that it doesn't refocus (especially if you are using it to get the photographer in the shot).  Overall, this is a great product for the price.  The unit comes with a convenient pouch that attaches right to your camera strap so that it will be with your camera when you need it, not sitting in your camera bag in the car or on the counter at home!  I use this frequently for moonlight night photography in conjunction with bulb mode to take exposures greater than the 30 second shutter max in the camera. I've seen many blog postings with questions on how to get the shutter exposure time on the Nikon D90 and D5000 longer than the camera maximum of 30 seconds. This is the only remote I have found that will do this. I tried with a non-Nikon brand timer and couldn't make this happen.  Not saying that all non-Nikon brands won't work with bulb mode, but I am saying that this one absolutely will. I've done exposures up to 4 minutes.  I think that the camera setting to stay on with the remote timer has a maximum time of either 15 or 30 minutes, but really not sure about that maximum shutter length issue and never had a reason to go that long...
Works with most all current and previous Nikon consumer model DSLRs as well as some P&S; such as P6000 and P7000/P7100 and also with mirrorless Nikon J1/V1.Simple to use - activate the remote setting in the menu, then point and click.  Invaluable in doing long exposure shots.  Range is pretty good, up to about 20 ft.
Before posting this review I looked at the negative reviews on this inexpensive, but yet, effective little tool.  This works fine on a D5100 once you realize that the camera "Release Mode" must be changed to accept the signals from this remote.  Works great and permits the camera to focus before the shot.  Look forward to using this in a number of scenarios.
This is one great little remote. It being small is great since you can hide it in your hand while taking a picture of yourself so its not really obvious you have a remote. The range is great. It works straight out of the box - no syncing required.
I bought the Nikon P7000 recently and find that having a remote control is so much fun and wonderful that I would have considered it as one of the reasons for buying the camera.  I take a lot of photos for listing items on the internet and use a copy stand and this is invaluable.  Biggest problem is that it is small and I often misplace it on my copy stand.  However, I highly recommend this if you use a tripod or other stationery platform for using your camera.  Great product at great price.  Very useful.
Took me about three or four minutes to figure out how it worked, but once I got the hang of it, the remote worked great. Very happy with it.
Handy and best of long exposure shots and solo shot where there isn't anyone to click for you. One issue I felt it, you can stand behind and click it from your pocket. You have to place it in line with the sensor. For me it worked as long as 50 ft.
This remote is simple and effective. Don't let its' very small size fool you. I tested the remote at approximately 100 feet and it has worked perfectly. Though it is noted as a product for the D40 Nikon, I am using it with a D60 with out any problems ..
This remote hooked up seamlessly to my Nikon d5100, and it's a great tool to use to cut down on vibration from shaky hands at slow shutter speeds.
After trying out a "brandless" remote, which worked only 25% of the time, I decided to bite the bullet and get the original Nikon model instead. The difference is amazing; the Nikon remote works reliable every single time (and I'm aware of issues like using the remote from an angle where its signal gets picked up by the camera's remote sensor, etc)It's a lot of money for what is basically an infrared let, a switch and a battery, and maybe I was just unlucky, but I'll stick with the Nikon version for now.
Just tested my ML-L3 against a newly-acquired D600, which has a marked dial setting for use with this accessory.  Function was flawless -- focuses, then trips the shutter, just as it should.
you will love it. Not for only D50/D70. It works like a champ in my D40.
worked immediately for my Nikon digital SLR camera. I was highly impressed and what a great buy! It came with it's own battery
When I bought my new Nikon D90, I picked up a lot of extras to go with it - you know, the accessories (or "junk" as my wife calls it) that you just must have with your wonderful new camera.  Well let me say that while she was right about many of the silly accessories I purchased, this little tool is invaluable.  It's so simple and obvious in retrospect, I cannot believe more cameras do not have this feature.  Gone are the days when you set a timer and run from the camera to be in the picture.  Now I just set it up and press the button.  It even does a quick autofocus before snapping the picture.  It is also helpful when playing with multiple exposures and flashes in the dark (which is what my kids love to do).  For just a few bucks, you'll be so glad you have this terrific little tool.
The Nikon ML-L3 works great. The remote fits great in the hand and is reasonably light. Gets the job done and does it wonderfully. Not too much to review. If you need a remote this will do perfect. (I've got mine working with my D7000)
I bought this for myself. I had in mind for taking photos of others & found what great fun it is to get some gfreat shots of yourself!!!
This is a very handy thing to have. I have used it a couple of times, and it works exactly like it is supposed to!
This is very handy anytime, anywhere. an option to cam's own timer. you dont have to run back and forth just to take pics.
this is very handy. you can just attach it to your cam's sling. the battery lasts a long time. there's just a range and angle that it works.
I love this thing! It is compact and easy to use. I do not have to sync it like a bluetooth. I just opened the package and started to use it.
This couldn't get much simpler.  Just aim at the camera and press and the camera shoots.  Set the camera to remote with two second delay and you can press the button and hide the remote in your hand before the picture is taken.  Just don't lose it: this remote is smaller than a stick of gum!
Shipped fast, received as ordered, works great with my D70.Nice for setting camera on tripod, and then shooting away with remote.
This remote works great! I really impress people with the ability to take a picture remotely. Perfect for those family shots where you are trying to get everyone to smile and you have to get in the picture as well. I believe Nikon could sell their SLR's better if they marketed this nice feature.
An excellent accessory for those occasions when you (the photographer) want to be in the picture you are taking. Instructions are not supplied with the remote. Instructions are in the manual for the camera. This particular Nikon remote is for the D50 and D70. Use, of course, requires that the camera be mounted on a tripod. Frame the picture, get into the scene, press the remote button. Take several shots since you are not behind the camera to see what other subjects may look like.
Really small, great to carry anywhere.The signal isn't to strong, you must put it a few inches away of the sensor when the battery of the control isn't full. This may interfere with wide angle lenses.I recommend this, and simply put the firing mode to timer, so when i press the button, it takes the picture 2 seconds later.
I use this with a D60 for low-light tripod-mounted shots. I haven't tried the range for self-portraits, but it works fine from at least 10' away behind the camera. As long as I point it in the general direction of the camera, it works like a charm. What more could you ask for from a tiny, inexpensive wireless shutter release?
This is a very handy accessory for my D40, especially for tripod work when using longer exposures, full moon shots, etc. to avoid camera shake or vibrations. Although it does need to "see" the IR port on the front of the camera body, I'm able to use it by holding just below or to the side and barely in front of the body. Could probably rig a small mirror on a flexi-pod to bounce the IR from behind the camera if really necessary.Five stars because it works perfectly as advertised at a very reasonable price point.The photo shown here (as of 10 Mar 2009) is for a different product, the ML-3,  which is for the higher end cameras, as listed on [..] website:Nikon ML-3 Compact Modulite Remote Control Set.Fortunately, the user-submitted photos are for the correct product.[March 2011] It looks like Amazon has updated and corrected the photo for this product.
I was surprised to see Nikon original product for such a reasonable price. It works well and came with a comfortable pouch. I now use it on 3 different Nikon D-SLRs.
I didn't realize how tiny this thing would be. It's incredibly small. Once I got over that and started playing with it on my D90, I found that it works great! With this, I've been able to get some pictures that I wasn't able to before. Mostly because I've been able to do it without the subject (two little girls) see me behind the camera.Another great product from Nikon!
I struggle with this item and, quite frankly, have given up on it.  Perhaps it doesn't really like my D40x, or maybe it's operator error, but I've only been able to get it to work once, under very controlled conditions, in my home.
This is a good basic product. Nice, sleek and handy. But there are 2 things:1. Nikon should have supplied with this as a standard accessory with the camera at the same price.2. A cable release and timer control combination works just as good. A remote shutter release only seems to b a gimmick! Or more like a way of making money for Nikon!Wish, I dint have to pay for it out of my pocket!3. If at all, we have to pay for a remote control separately, it should have been multi-functional rather just a remote. A  simple photometer could be an idea or a socket to hold an extra compact flash... or anything else!4. I m scared that because its so tiny and not attachable to the camera/camera-bag with any clip-on or strap, I might drop it somewhere.BABS
I like to avoid camera shake. I lost my first one so got another. Taking photos? Need a remote trigger? This Does the job!
This product works fine - once you get your camera (mine is a D80) set up correctly. I sort of feel like a dunderhead, but the ML-L3 comes with absolutely NO documentation. Having never used one before, and being relatively new to the D80, I could not get the remote to trigger the camera. I looked at every menu to no avail. Finally, I tried the "Bearded Rectangle" (shutter control) button on the top-right side of the camera, just below the shutter release button and right of the top LCD. You hold this button down and turn the rear dial until you see the Remote Control icon. After this it works fine. This IS covered in the D80 manual (I found later) but it is hard to find under "Accessories." Makes sense now that I've found it.
I was really pleased with it but I've found that the remote has a "sweet spot" that you have to hit dead on.  Kinda annoying but still it gets the job done.
It was a used unit, but came looking as good as new. However, the battery was about dead and it cost me another $5 for a replacement at Walgreens.  Now i works perfectly.Very impressive remote.  It even will pop up the flash when it thinks it is necessary.
It does exactly what it's supposed to do. I am occasionally restricted by being a little too far away, but it's not much of a problem. Definitely worth the money.
This remote shutter is extremely durable, and now, 4 years after my purchase, it still works flawlessly.  One of the few products I've purchased that doesn't need an instruction manual.
Easy to set up and easy to use. Pull out the plastic tab to allow the battery to connect inside, then change camera remote settings in the menu to allow quick remote use.Works every time with a good rage of several meters. Comes with a mini velcro pouch that can be attached to the camera strap for safe keeping. Worth its weight in gold if you want to set up the shot properly avoid camera shake on those long exposures and to ensure everyone including the camera owner is in the family picture!
I use these clicker things for everything and anything. Self-portraits, family photos, product photography, ect. It allows me to be the assistant and the photographer at the same time! I've literally set up my camera on a tripod, held 4 different bounce cards to adjust the lighting, and used the clicker during a product shoot AT THE SAME TIME.Love. This. Clicker.It makes self-portraits so ridiculously easy. The small remote can be hidden virtually anywhere on the body. Just about everybody asks me, &#34;Who took that picture?&#34; and they are surprised when I say that I took the picture. They are even more surprised when I point out where the clicker is in the picture!Best couple of bucks I've spent in photography in evar.
I opted to buy this over the knock-off, even though the higher price.  Come on, sure they both work the same and is almost the same product, but at this price point, wouldn't you rather have the real thing?  If the price gap was huge, I would think about it twice, but at this price for a genuine Nikon product, no question.
I bought this for my Nikon D70 and followed the manual instructions and it works like a charm.  I am very happy with the product and plan on buying two more as gifts for friends with D70 cameras.
Not much to say - it just works.  I'm using this with a D3200 and in what has been minimal use thus far, it hasn't failed.
I bought this for my D7000 even though I have the wired cable release. This unit is small and works well. Why did I buy it even though I had the wired release? If the camera is shooting tethered to a laptop then you can still fire the camera with this remote as the camera's port is being used by the tethered cable.
This little jewel is wonderful. Every photographer should have one. It have came in handy many times, and the price was right.
I found the ML-L3 wireless remote to function as advertised.  Although I do not often need a remote trigger, the ML-L3 seems to be a near-ideal solution for when I do.  It is compact, light and extremely portable making it a non-intrusive "permanent" addition to my gadget bag.  I tested the unit and found that it operated at least up to 30 feet.  In theory it would be preferable to have an RF device rather than IR.  However, I personally do not foresee the need for taking remotely triggered shots when the sensor is not within line of sight.  I used it to shoot a group shot and was able to actually be in the picture for a change and even clown around a bit.  Everyone else in the group now wants one for their camera, but most do not own a Nikon.
I've been using this wonderful remote to shoot photos with my Nikon D70. It works like a charm everytime.Hint: to use the remote with your camera on a tripod just point the remote from directly above and pointed down toward the shutter release. Your hand will be completely out of view of the photo. The remote works flawlessly in this fashion every single time.
My second remote--lost the first one, wish there was a way to attach it to the camera, but I lose a lot of things and luckily it's not too expensive.  Using it on my Nikon D600, Don't Forget To Rotate Shooting Mode Switch To Remote, otherwise it won't work.
i got this for christmas. and it works great. its simple. turn the dial on the camera. push the button on the remote. picture taken. it gets no easier.after i opened this up on christmas, i set the camera up to give it a try. i let my girlfriend take control of the remote because she said she never gets the remote from me.  she ended up taking several shots of us that we'll probably use on our christmas cards next year.when she gave me the remote back, i took a couple of pictures of us...but those will NOT be used on our holiday cards next year.the remote works well. it doesnt cost much and its worth every cent.  buy one..
Starting to do astrophotography, I needed a remote to trigger my Nikon D80 when Piggyback to my telescope so the telescope will not vibrate when triggering the shutter button.This remote does the trick also pointing the remote toward the camera detector is not easy when it is done from behind the camera....
I originally bought this for use with my Nikon D50 years ago and have since upgraded to the Nikon D7000.  Works just as well on the D7000 as it did on the D50.  Has great range and opens up a lot of additional possibilities of picture taking!  Group shots including yourself and long exposures in bulb mode are a breeze.  Hard to pass up for such a cheap price!
This was gift to my daughter. I have seen her use it and she swears by it. I guess it is a great item!
It's amazing how easily it works. No setup, no configuration or syncing. Just allow on the camera, and it works!
This tiny remote hides good in your hand. You have to be pretty close to your camera with a clear path to the sensor (on the front of the camera), but thats not the remotes fault. It comes with a battery but I sometimes wonder if supplied batteries are as fresh and would work better if new ones were used. I do recommend it and would buy it again.
This is a great addition to you gadget bag. Even better it has a pouch that fits right on the neck strap, making it very handy.
Like the title says, this remote works exactly as it's supposed to.  I bought it for use with my D5000; in particular I wanted a remote so I could do exposure bracketing without causing any movement of the camera.  The HDR shots that I have created using this remote look fantastic, and the three images are aligned perfectly.  I haven't tested the range on this, as I am usually standing right next to the camera, but if it is poor that would be the only negative thing that I could imagine about this product.
This remote WILL NOT work with a D3100. Only the MC-DC2 Remote Release works for that camera. I made the mistake of either MISREADING or MISINTERPRETING the description. I now have a wireless remote that I will never be able to use as it is for a camera I will never own. The D3000 is a turkey compared to the D3100 and I am disapointed that Nikon chose not to support wireless release in this excellent body.  As for this remote, I wish I could rave over it, but alas I can't use it. However, Amazon DID go WAYYYYYYY out of their way to get this to me overnight and the packaging could not have been more protective and yet respectful of nature (*I didn't have a ton of stuff to recycle)...It is in perfect condition I am betting that someone with one of the other DX series camera this works with will be a happy camper with one or it...Only reason I knocked off stars for Ease of Use is because there is NO instructions with the unit on pairing it to a camera, or how to use it with a camera that supports it. Also I found it next to completely hidden in the manual for a D3000 camera (*OK I guess I could have miss that easily also - I am human)...but the bottom line is I got what I ordered when it was to be here, in great shape, and it should be a super unit...I recommend if you have the body its made for buying one!
If you want to use a remote with your Nikon D-3200 or D-5100 (or some others) Nikon camera, then this is what you need. There are also cheaper generic varieties available, which probably cost less.
This remote works with our D7000. Sometimes it doesnt register with the camera and you have to click again to get it to take a picture, however it works most of the time.
This is a fantastic little remote.  Its great for product photography and any other application where you dont want to take the risk of shaking the camera.  For the $18 this is a must have tool for your photographic arsenal.  Highly Reccomend.
I was so excited when I received my remote in the mail; I couldn't wait to try it out. First, I didn't realize how small this thing is...I'm glad it only has one button because my thumb covers the whole remote. It also came with a small case with a velcro flap so you don't lose the tiny remote; the case has holes in the back so that you can attach it to something so you don't lose the tiny case. Second, the packaging didn't come with any kind of instructions and I couldn't find any on the Nikon site after some lite searching. I know...it is just a single button remote, but something to point me in the right direction without having to track down the camera manual would have been nice. It took me a few minutes to figure out where the remote setting was on my camera to make the remote work. For the Nikon D50, you press the Timer button twice to get it in delay remote mode and a third time for the remote to be immediate.The disappointment is partly my fault for not reading the description closely. I bought this because it said it worked with my Nikon D50 and it was wireless. As some have stated you must be in front of the camera to use this remote because it relies on infrared to work and the sensor is on the front of the camera. I missed the "you must be in front of camera" part and got excited about the wireless heading. It will focus the picture when the remote button is pressed only if the shutter button hasn't partially been depressed, otherwise it just snaps the picture.All-in-all I'm happy with the purchase; a nice accessory for less than $20. I'm just bummed because I like to take macro shots and being in front of the camera isn't always an option so I guess I will still need to find a cable release.
Im not jumping up and down over this, but its a remote and it works.  If you want to take pictures of yourself for myspace, but don't have someone to take them, this is the item you need!!  Works good for taking family photos as well.
Probably my mistake but would have loved it to be radio frequency rather than IR so that it would have worked while in my mittens in the -30F weather we experienced filming the northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba recently. But it worked fine aside from that.
Based on information that I read on the Nikon website, and the price for this remote control, it's a knock-off  (not manufactured by Nikon).  It works fairly well.  I don't have the genuine Nikon remote I'm not able to make a comparison of product to product.  If I had known it wasn't a genuine Nikon product I wouldn't have purchased it and certainly don't approve of supporting the work of counterfeiters.  I made my purchase at least 9 months before discovering it's non-Nikon status, and didn't think I'd be able to return it then.
Simply put, this is a great idea with poor execution.  Once you change the settings on the camera to accept the remote trigger, you need to focus one last time.  Then you simply need to find the spot where the camera will see the remote.  I have had to press the button a half a dozen times (with a new battery) to get the camera to fire.Not sure why this is, when it works it is great.
I bought the ML-L3 for use with a Nikon D80 because, as the person taking pictures, there are very few pictures of me and I would like to be in pictures from time-to-time. There were NO INSTRUCTIONS with the ML-L3 remote and I could not find instructions anywhere in the factory user manual for it. I do not have any formal photography training, so I never could get it to work. I am not technologically challenged and can usually figure things out on my own, but I spent countless hours trying different camera setting combinations trying to get it to work. By the time I purchased an aftermarket instruction manual that included instructions for remote use, I had set it aside and lost it because it is so small (see other reviewer pictures for comparison to other objects). So, until I either find it or purchase another one, all I can say is that it is difficult for an untrained person to use without instructions and it is very small and easily misplaced.**** I finally purchased the Amazon Basics version of this remote. It was much cheaper and came with instructions. I had it working within minutes. I have since been able to make this one work too, so I am changing my review to 4 stars because it does function as advertised. Just set the camera to one of the two remote modes, point the remote at the camera sensor, and push the button. I have since upgraded to the Nikon D90 and the sensor is right below the "mode dial" on both cameras.**** I am not giving it 5 stars because: (1) There were no instructions included with it, (2) It has a very short range and has to be close to in line with the sensor to work, (2) It is very small and easy to misplace, but since I have two, I usually have one available.
Works great, but NO instructions at all. Eventually found  in the camera instructions, but a bit annoying. Other then that, a must have..
I couldn't be happier with my ML-L3....Hasn't failed me yet. Allows me to finally eliminate all blur from my slow shots...
producto llego en el tiempo dicho. . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .
Used this remote for the 1st time on vacation recently and loved it. We were able to get some amazing pictures of our family and the range went out at least 30 feet, never tried further. I was able to set the camera to remote/timer so you have a couple secs to hide your hand, this remote is small enough to slide into your pocket easily and quickly. Great product!
Got it a few days ago. Within a minute after pullin it out of the package, it was set up and ready to rock.Comaptible with my D3000. Works like a charm!
What a difference this little inexpensive device makes when taking long exposures on a tri-pod.  Everyone who owns a SLR and a tri-pod should own one. Big returns for a cheap investment.
Works well w/the D80 once you figure out how to use it. I skiped the owners manual. You have to tell the camer you are about to use a remote. Once that is done it is all thumbs up!
Took me awhile to figure out how this works, couldn't get it going at first. but works great, very handy to have.
Useful little remote. Wish it came with a wrist strap or a place to add one to decrease the chance of loss.
I took this remote with me to Peru and Machu Picchu.  This worked wonderfully at ranges up to 30+ feet.  I was able to take group photos with the camera on a tripod two tiers above my position.  Also, this works great to prevent shaking the camera when trying to take low-light pictures on a tripod.  Amazing traffic shots from freeway over-passes.  The NIKON has an instant, 2-second and 10-second delay.  The 2 second delay works best for group shots so people don't smile for 10 seconds and miss the moment.
Granted it is small, I just put the pouch on the camera strap to keep it. The autofocus does not seem to be a problem. I use it all the time. The only problem is when I try to do birds from a distance I can not be behind the camera(D70).Better than any cable release I ever had.
This cute little remote works just fine. Unfortunately, most, if not all, digital Nikons can only receive the remote's signal from the front.That is great for self-portraits and occasions where you don't want to touch the camera. I wanted to activate mine from behind, to get sneak shots of the local wildlife.It has sufficient range and sometimes you can bounce the signal off a ceiling or wall, like with a TV remote. I have even used it through windows.Nikon owners should get this remote, but I wish the camera was designed so that it would work from all directions. Guilty by association, so only three stars.
Even though it say it is for the Nikon D50 and D70, it does work great with the D40X.
Does what its suposed to do without hassles. It does takes very little room in your camera bag. Recommended if you have a compatible Nikon camera.
This little infrared remote must be used in front of the camera.  So, its most useful function is taking portraits of yourself.  Hardly worth the effort.
We have a bird feeder in the front of my house and we get alot of sparrows and doves everyday.  My office is right in the front of the house facing the tree with the bird feeder and I'm able to take all kinds of awesome shots of the birds without alerting them.  I just sit my Nikon D80 camera on the Universal Digital Tripod and click away.  I have not tried it yet, but with the wireless remote it makes it easier to take family photos with little effort.  We also use the Nikon D80 camera, lenses and wireless remote for our Wedding Preparation business.  It is a must have in my opinion.  The Nikon D80 camera is awesome, but can get heavy at times and this gives you hands free picture taking.GOD Bless!
Despite the description stating that this remote is used for Nikon DSLR cameras, this remote does NOT work with the Nikon D3100 camera model.
It is far better than using a self-timer to get self into the picture yet small and light enough to take everywhere.
This item is wonderful to use if there is no one else around and you'd like a photo of yourself.  A great product, reasonably priced, and a satisfactory transaction with the seller.
Good price on a product that is required to use the self timer, or time exposure functions effectively on my Nikon D50 . The fact that it is wireless makes  for easy use.
I needed this for a long time and now that I have it I love it, it's from Nikon so there's not much to explain, the quality it's an understatement.
Works with Nikon D40 and D40X. Just remember to set the camera to receive IR signal.  To do this, click on MENU, choose CUSTOM SETTING MENU, click on SHOOTING MODE, then choose either 2-sec. DELAY or QUICK RESPONSE REMOTE. It took a while for me to figure this out because this remote control does not come with instructions.  I hope this helps. Best wishes with your photos!
I don't know how people take pictures that require oneself to be in them without it. I hated having to set the timer and run, then having to do it all over again for a retake. Works flawlessly on my D90.
I bought this to use with my Nikon D60 Gold model D-SLR. It works fine if the battery is newly and fully charged. However, if the battery gets low, it will not work very well from behind the camera. The sensor is on the front of the camera, so it will work if I hold it close and point it directly at the sensor. I guess it was meant more for self portraiture and less for long shutter speeds.
I bought two of these over a period of time and both of them had the same problem. Worked for a few weeks. Stopped using them for a while and then it stopped working altogether. New batteries did not help at all. Same scenario on both occasions.
Remote works if held in front of the camera - will not work from behind. You also have to set-up the remote sensing in the camera's memory before you can use the remote - it will return to default setting wehen the camera is shut off. Otherwise the remote works fine.
Probably the favorite gift of all I gave this season.  Can set camera (D40) up with long shutter speeds and snap away without any shake induced by touch.  No instructions provided with device.  Probably simple enough to use since it was in service pretty quickly despite the lack of instruction...
great for my still life product shots as I never touch the camera so no shake. Minor trouble getting it to fire as distance increases but love it for the price.
This remote has no indicator to let you know if it's transmitting to the camera. I expected more from a nikon product, like a light indicator or a vibrate etc. You just have to hold still to see if the picture is going to take.  Also, it does not work well if obsticles are in the way of it. I was only a few ft away & was slightly behind a column & it would not take the picture. I don't want the wu-1 connector b/c I like to use a discrete remote when I'm taking pictures of my husband & me. I don't know what I'm going to do about a remote...
I have a Nikon D40.  It was easy to use with it.  I also have a one year old, so this remote was invaluable in allowing me to position her and quickly take the shot with me standing right next to her (but just out of the pix).  Highly recommend!
I have seen a lot of complains about this not working on some camera but I presume Nikon designed it to work with most if not all it's DSLRs.  Most of the time, you will need to modify camera setting to accept the remote.  There also have been some complains it only work on the front but not the back.  This is a Nikon camera issue as most earlier camera only have sensor on the front.  D7000 has sensor in the back so this remote works just fine front or back.  As for the focus issue, if you set it to manual focus, of course, it will not re-focus.  Especially for Pano shots, I will not want the camera to re-focus every time.  Otherwise, auto focus works fine with the remote.
It does what it suppose to do. A lot cheaper compare to buying from Nikon. I'd recommend to a friend.
I am happy with this remote, very inexpensive. My only complaint is the angels at which it works with the camera are limited.
This is a must have for self portraits or long exposures or anytime!.The configuration on my D40 is easy, you just go into the Menu/shooting mode and choose either the "delayed remote" (2 sec) or Quick-response remote" option and you are ready to go.  Not a problem with the remote because it is 100% fabulous, but a camera nag (or maybe operator error) is I wish I could save the remote setting as a default instead of losing the remote set up each time the camera shuts off and having to go into the menu to reset it.. Anyway, I love this little tiny simple gizmo. It has a little pouch which you can attach to your camera strap so its handy whenever you want it.  I recommend this for everyone!
Does not work with D3100.  Why do they advertise it as working with it?  Do not get this if you have a Nikon D3100
I never looked at the dimensions of this product prior to ordering it. When it arrived a few days ago I was surprised to find that it was no longer than 2.5" long by about an inch wide. It's just a little thing. The size makes it easy to hold and to conceal. I have found that being in front of the camera is the only way it will trigger the shutter. It's pretty much gotta be in the line of site. Over-all it's a nice little device for portraits, landscapes and when the need to keep the camera absolutely still is a must. No bells and whistles just a basic little remote that does what it says.
It makes it so much easier to set up a shot and not disturb the camera by pressing the shutter remotely.
For the cost, this is a no-brain'er. When the cameras on the tripod you can avoid moving it by using the remote, or if you're trying to be in your own photos it's easier than using the timer. I use it all the time.
Received this recently and have to say it's a great little accessory to have! It works well from both the front or the side. So much easier than setting the timer, and running to get in the photo. Very easy once you figure out how to use it. The only complaint I have is, it came with absolutely no instructions, and it took a while of searching to figure out how to use it. I'm using a D40, but it's probably the same for most nikon digital slr's. To set your camera, Go into the menu, go to custom setting menu, then to shooting mode (where you set multiple frame shooting, singe frame, etc.) And select the little remote icon, or the 2 second delay remote icon, easy as that, once you know where to look! This has to be done everytime you turn your camera on to use it. The setting will go off when the camera is turned off. Once you learn to set your camera up you will love it!
Not a lot to say other than it works, using with a D7000 and it does what it should. Seems like a good value to me.
Remember when cameras had cable release sockets? Remember cable releases? Show of hands? Well, nowadays if you need to trip a camera hands-free, you need a remote, and this one works with specified Nikon cameras. It's only about as big as the picture on this page (so it could be easy to lose), but it comes with a tiny case that conveniently slips onto your neck strap so you're less likely to lose it. I use it with a P7000, but I expect it will work equally well with any of the spec'd cameras. I tested it by, among other things, bouncing its signal off a wall in front of the camera, yet the camera fired. My P7000 has sensors front and rear; I'm sure the other cameras do, too, so it doesn't matter whether you are in front or back. I got the remote initially as an electronic "cable release" for studio-type shots with fairly long exposures--1/4 second, 1/2 second or longer. Depending on the sturdiness of your tripod, sometimes simply touching the camera to trip it will also vibrate it enough to degrade sharpness. You can use the 2 or 3 second self-timer on a camera as a "cable," but that's a nuisance, especially since on most cameras you have to reset it for each shot. This little infrared widget fires the camera when you're nowhere near it, so even a shaky tripod or makeshift camera support will suffice. A P7000 in "remote" mode stays there until canceled, so I can shoot all day with the remote and never reset it. If you're making a family picture and would like to be included, you can fire the camera from within the group. You could sneak this little gadget in behind your back, but the P7000 at least has a couple of handy timer settings that can be fired via the remote, so you can drop your arms and smile with the rest of the group; no one will ever know.
used this on my Nikon D80.  great for remote triggering while camera was on the tripod.  it served its purpose.  tiny & compact.  perfect for my needs.
I am happy to get this little device for my new Nikon D90. It's relatively small, easy to carry, and very convenient to use (read the camera manual). Battery is included. I ordered the device and got it within a few days. Very reasonal price and excellent service from Amazon.com.
It is a remote and it serves it purpose when it works.  You need to point it at the camera just right, holding the button down just long enough and be within 10 feet.
Have needed one of these for some time so finally got one. It is really much smaller than I thought, easy to stick in your pocket, and it works great.
This does what it's supposed to do.  Just be aware that the battery dies quickly.  So make sure you have spare and you'll be just fine.  I'd hate for someone to be on vacation or out for a day of shooting and find out that their battery was dead.
Works exactly as adverised, a bargain at Amazon's price, buy one even if you have no immediate need --  you'll want one sooner or later.PS:  Read the Nikon manual (p. 33 in my copy) -- camera "Shooting Mode" must be set to either "Delayed Remote" or "Quick Response Remote" to use wireless remote.
This is a great addition for ensuring long exposure tripod shots have no vibration due to manually pressing the shutter.  No need for lenghty descriptions.  It does the job!
this is on very reliable remote although it have on one function it works just got to be care full  because it is very small
The Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for our D 5100 Nikon was a great addition to our equipment.  The Control was promptly received and was in good condition.  At first, figuring out the instructions was a little difficult; but it was due to me not being totally familiar with the camera and had nothing to do with the Remote Control.After following the instructions and putting the correct information in the camera, it worked just as expected.  I have only tried it a couple of times; but it worked great.I must commend Amazon for describing the product correctly and the price was great as usual.CJJ
The Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote control is very handy when you need it for taking pictures to include yourself in. You can also use the timer on the camera but I feel like you have to run to be able to catch the timer on time! With this remote you can easily take great picture with a click but make sure you have it enabled on your camera before you use it.
Simple and effective.  A previous reviewer said the autofocus didn't work... thought that was a negative but I wanted it anyway, so I got it.  Turns out, with my D80, the autofocus works just fine.  Press the remote button, it focuses and shoots.  Don't want it to focus before shooting, turn off the autofocus.  There's even a function on the camera to use the remote with a timer so you can get in place, trigger the timer, and get your hand back down before it fires.Nice little gadget!
Bought this in 2011 and out of the box it didn't work. I assumed it was the battery. But I FINALLY bought replacement battery for it to test if it works, and still doesn't work.
I use this with my Nikon D60 and it works great. It is small enough to conceal in your hand if you're taking a self portrait or cannot press the shutter button yourself. Sometimes it has a hard time communicating with the camera but often times it is because something is in the way. I have used this for action, still, group, and portraits and it hasn't failed me yet in the 4 years I have had it.
Bought this for use in conjunction with a new Dolica tripod. Works perfect. I can finally get in the pictures now!Like anything electronics wise, the more you educate yourself on its functions, etc, the more command you have over something like this. For me, at the basics, I push a button and it takes the picture. Mission Accomplished.
This IR remote works as well as it should.  My only complaint is that it doesn't work when you click it at the back of the camera; you have to point the remote at the front of the camera.But of course, this isn't the remote's fault - most cameras just only have one IR receiver in the front.
Pros-small, long-battery life, high-qualityCons-short ranged, can only be used in front of cameraI love my remote, and wouldn't trade it for anything but a good old cable release.  The wireless is nice, but I'd like to be able to use it from behind my camera.
Bought this for my Nikon D5100 so I could take bigger group shots or have myself in the photo. I also plan on trying out the time lapse feature which I know you can only get with a trigger of some sorts.I went into the camera settings and turned on the feature to use the remote and it starts working.
the remote works well with my Nikon d5100. It comes with a battery and carrying pouch. It is a nice accessory to have for your camera.
Great little tool for shooting remotely, beats the heck out of waiting for a timer. Has pretty good range 10-15 feet I would say. I use it anytime I'm shooting with a tripod to minimize camera shake from pressing shutter button. Only cheap purchase I've made for my Nikon!!!
This little gadget is exactly what I've been needing.  It's not a timer, but for the price, you can't beat this wireless remote.  My only complaint is that it's REALLY small.  But really, what can you expect from such a simple device that has just one purpose, and one purpose only.Yet another great product from Nikon.
This product works like it should.  It's great to have when taking self portraits or when there is no one around to take a picture for you.
Remote works wonderfully, as promised. It came with a case to attach to the camera strap so the remote is always accessible! I use the remote with my Nikon D7000.
Have  not  had  a  chance  to  use  it  yet,  but  it  is  a  nice  piece  at  a  good  price.
This remote control worked fine with my nikon d5000, this accessory is perfect to take pictures and reduce the movement.
This remote is okay, but it does NOT work from 16 feet away [at least in my experience...perhaps it's the battery ;-) ]. But if you want to do time/delayed exposures with yourNikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens"D" series cameras, you'll need one...and I do so for my night photography.
Make sure your camera supports this before buying (check the manual or the Nikon site), and do yourself a favor: order spare batteries at the same time. My d-3300 works pretty well with this. NOTE BENE: use the timer button, which is the lowest on the right rear of the camera body, to avoid having to dig through three layers of menus. The range seems decent- about 10-15' in shade, about 5' in sunlight. It's great for macro, as it avoids motion caused by physically depressing the shutter switch- and the resulting loss of sharpness. Works from the front or rear of this family of cameras, which have two IR receivers.
A must for group portraits.  Fits in carrying case measuring 1-3/4" W x 2-3/4" L x 1/2" D.  Comes with battery.  Single button operation.  Allows you to join a group without running to take position after triggering the self-timer, then repeating for each additional exposure.  Compose in the viewfinder or on the LCD viewer (leave yourself plenty of room in the field of view coverage to crop using any digital editing software), join the group, then take as many shots as  you wish.  Especially useful when your subjects are fidgety and impatient to escape like children and reluctant adults you've manage to corral, since you don't have the reset interval between shots necessary with the self-timer alone.Want a self-portrait for your Facebook page?  Choose your setting/backdrop, take your position, and shoot as many frames as you want.  Rather like the old instant photo kiosks that allow you to rapidly alter your mood and expressions, but you can have more than just four shots and a plain white background to choose from.An inexpensive and indispensible accessory for the most casual and most serious photographer.
Very small, handy and useful. I`m happy with my purchase. I definitely recommend it.Works very well with my Nikon D5000.
First off, I got my first Nikon, an F, back in 1970, and have been shooting with Nikons continuously ever since. So I remain a big Nikon fan in all respects. That being said, this product was disappointing, partially I suppose due to my own faulty research. First off, it is made in China, not Japan, although a genuine Nikon product. I have one Nikon lens that was made in Vietnam, but I didn't know that Nikon was outsourcing to China until this arrived. Second, it came with absolutely no instructions. I thought the instruction sheet had been omitted from the box, but after a web search I finally figured out that the instructions for it were in the instruction manual for the Nikon D70 that I had bought it to use with. After finally getting it to work, I determined that it is useless for what I wanted to do because it works by line of sight to a sensor on the front of the camera. Thus it would be fine for self-portraits, but I had wanted something that would allow me to set up the camera near my bird feeder, which put the camera with its back to me, thus rendering it useless. At least it was cheap! (And it would be fine for self-portraits.)
When we do family portraits this is perfect so we don't need a photographer.  Just stick the camera on a tripod and change the shutter trigger setting to report control.  It's also great for distance shots so you don't jiggle the camera.
This remote is great for those moments you can't directly be behind the camera but instead in front.  Also, this is a wonderful tool to avoid camera shake while taking a photo.  Instead click the remote (when your ready) and avoid those blurry photos.  Even better, if you're in the photo you can set your timer, then click the remote and it will start the timer at the moment the button is pressed.  Nothing to setup, it's ready to go.  Great product and would recommend.
This works, but the camera must be configured for each session which is inconvenient.  It is more a camera design problem, than any problem with this accessory.
This little remote works great.  It has good range, and I was able to use it on my D70 without a hitch.  Buyers should make sure they read their manual on how to adjust the camera settings to get the remote to interface with the camera - you can't just turn it on and have it work, at least not on the D70.
This remote does an awesome job letting you get into your pictures or for preventing camera shake.  Excellent with the D7000.
It took me a while to figure this out.  I thought perhaps the battery was expired, especially since there was no red light on the remote when I clicked it.  Turns out this remote's light doesn't light up.  Here's the easy way to success ...Use the Shooting Mode menu to CHANGE THE SHOOTING MODE &lt;from either Single or Continuous or 10Second self-timer> to 2S Remote (two seconds) or immediate Remote -- there's an icon that looks like your remote. Remember to press OK to make this temporary change.  (this change holds until you turn off your camera)Go to the CUSTOM SETTING MENU and select REMOTE ON DURATION ... from there, you tell the camera how long to be responsive to the remote (indicate whether you'll be using the remote for the next 1, 5, 10, or 15 minutes). Remember to press OK.Get in front of the camera (lens cap removed already) and POINT the remote to the IR receiver on the front of the camera. SMILE and CLICK the remote button ... it will take the shot immediately or after two seconds (depending on what you specified).REMEMBER that the shooting mode goes back to the previous setting when you turn off the camera; you'll need to change the Shooting Mode again next time you want to take a photo via the remote.
Works well with my Nikon D40.  I have a few complaints about how the camera must be in remote mode and all, but that's not a problem with the remote itself.The remote seems fairly sturdy.  I wish it was more like my wired remote I used on my Panasonic Lumix FZ-20 that had a two position switch with a shutter lock option, but this will get the job done.  It is IR so you do need to be somewhat facing the camera.  You can stand just behind it without too much of a problem, but as with any IR device, you really need to point towards the receiver.  The battery slider is a bit loose on mine; not to the point of sliding out but it won't always sit flush with the bottom of the case.  More an annoyance than anything.All in all, I can't really complain.  I do quite a few low-light shots so this is a must.  Not having to deal with that annoying cable is quite a relief too.
I love remotes! This one works well and is a must-have if you'll be taking any portrait-type shots. For the price, it really should have been included in the camera.
Am happy that Nikon has an alternative to a cable release for their high end "point and shoot" cameras in this ML-L3 remote. It makes it easier to control the camera and limit vibration for long exposures.
I use this on my Nikon D-90. I've done self potraits and works well for the intension. I've had it for about a year now and have not needed to change out the battery still.
This is an essential accessory for any Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Camera owner.  Note that it also works with the Nikon D70 and D50 cameras, which aren't listed in the product description.It will NOT work with the D100, D200, D300 or the D1, D2, D3 series of professional bodies.The unit is designed to work while pointed at the front of the camera, but also works well when reflected from many surfaces, increasing the versatility of the unit greatly.  For example, I have used it successfully by bouncing it off of a wall, ceiling or even the person that I'm taking a picture of - excellent!You can go wrong with this excellent little unit.
I use this with my Nikon D70S as a trigger when mounted on a tripod and it works great every time. It is especially handy when you want to be in the picture. You can join with the others in the photo shoot and can take many shots without resetting the camara each time. I would suggest using manual focus if you want perfect pictures for group shots.Where this item is almost a necessity, I feel that this inexpensive control should have been shipped free with the original camera kit.Dana D.
Very helpfull when you need to take photo with all you friend and don't want to run to get into the picture!
I've had this little thing for a few weeks now, and it does the job. It doesn't always work from behind the camera, but seems to work well from in front (which is generally where you would be using this sort of thing, anyway).I can't really think of anything else to say about it, not having tested it very much, but it looks like a well-constructed and workable little gadget.
love it.  great for self portraits, and when you don't want camera shake.  it's tiny so easy to loose but easy to bring everywhere.
Handy little device for those of us who have difficulty keeping the camera steady or if you want to take pictures with yourself in them or from a hidden location to shoot wildlife or camera-shy people.  I use this with my D40X Nikon.
When I received this item I expected the battery that came with it to work.  It was dead.  Have no idea how to get hold of the supplier to deal with this problem.
This remote works great and from a good distance away as well. Used it with my D40 and is great for those self-portraits and shots where you need to eliminate camera shake.
This remote serves it's purpose. I agree with one of the other reviews that there should be a sensor on the back of the remote. Makes shooting from behind the camera almost pointless, (stars, cityscape, etc) and the only reason for this remote would be to shoot yourself. As well, you can't press it half way down and lock in the exposure/focus like you can on the MC-DC1. One you fire, that's it so you better make sure you have the subject focused, and no one/thing moves, other wise it will fire the shutter regardless if it's in focus or not. The advantage over the MC-DC1 is that there's no cord to get in the way, and accidentally trip over, and cause an expensive accident. Depending on what you are going to use remote shutter release, you might want to consider the MC-DC1 and weigh out the pros and cons.
Works like a charm.I agree with the other comments, should be part of the kit from Nikon when purchased.
Got what I ordered in good time and at a good price. Remote works fine.
Other than setting the camera to accept IR signals every time you want to use the remote, it works great.  I wish it came packaged with the camera.  A cool feature I would've liked would've allowed to put it on a keychain.
make sure the remote is seen by the IR on your camera, if not you will think it's broken lol. other than that it feels like it's gonna break in my manhands.
This allows you to do so much more while you are shooting! This is a must have for tripod shooting.
This is a simple well built little device. It does exactly what you would expect. It's been a tool in my camera tool box and I love it. Rugged and it works all the time. If you have a Nikon D Series Camera you need one of these...oh and a tripod in most cases.
This is a great little product and does the job well.  The little battery lasts forever.  This little remote is a must have for those want to do self portraiture and especially for those who want to do low light night photography.  This device is crucial if you want to be able to set large shutter times in low light on a tripod without having to touch the camera to trigger the shutter which can cause camera shake blur.
When you buy this product from a legitimate Nikon source, you receive ML-L3 remote, carrying pouch that attaches to your Nikon camera strap, and instructions all in a Nikon box. When I order through Amazon sent by Focus Camera, I only received the ML-L3 in a zip lock bag. To me the ML-L3 is useless without the carrying pouch to attach it to the camera strap. The ML-L3 is so tiny it will get loss, and/or I will forget to take it with me unless it is attached to the camera strap. I did not send it back because my time to return it is worth more than the money I paid for this item. Amazon is great, but Focus Camera I'm not happy with. Make sure the carrying pouch is included before you order this item.
I had purchased this same remote back in 2005 when I owned a Nikon D70s camera body.  The ML-L3 always worked flawlessly.  Later I sold the camera and included the remote in the package.  Recently, I purchased a Nikon D7000 and noticed that it used the same ML-L3! Incidentally, Amazon was professional enough to advise me that I had purchased the same item earlier.  The remote is inexpensive, works great. I am thrilled with the product!
This remote works fine, but not great. The range is somewhat limited and you have to point the remote directly at the camera for it to work. As a result, I have recently taken a lot of photos of myself trying to get the dumb thing to work.On the other hand it is very small and extremely handy, just don't misplace it or you never may see it again!
You MUST have this little gem if you have a Nikon D40, D50, D70 or D80.  I don't know why they don't come in the box.  Great trick from Ken Rockwell: the ML-L3 converts the 'BULB' mode to 'TIME' mode for long exposures.  With 'BULB', the shutter remains open as long as you hold down the shutter release.  Quite a pain for hour long star trails.  With the ML-L3 in 'BULB', the first button press opens the shutter, and the second one closes the shutter. (What Nikon in the past has called 'TIME').  Achtung: once in Remote Control mode, if you prefocus, that focus remains set for ALL subsequent remote shots. If you don't prefocus, every remote shot will refocus.  Good to know/remember.  Further, you MUST be in line-of-sight with the little IR receiver on the camera.  Find out where yours is and make sure it is not blocked by the lens and it should fire every time.
has a wide angle area of use, with tri-pod whole family can be in the same picture. good add on!
It clicks the shutter for me so I don't need that VR garbage that nikon is using on the newly Gelded lenses they call 'G' series DX formatted crap!
Set with a timer getting family is easy now---click and activate the timer so everybody has a few seconds to prepare and done.
It is a very nice product and well made. It does work well but I must admit that I rarely ever use it.
This is a great accessory for those slow shutter shots. I use it with my D70 on a tripod for bird and other wild life shots and it functions very well. Like another reviewer had commented that you do have to aim it at the camera IR receiver for it to pick up a signal, but it's not that much of a problem. I would recommend this unit if you are serious about photography, and for the price it's definitely worth having one in your bag.
This is a must have for self portraits.  I use this also to take photos of birds on a birdhouse/feeder that is several feet away from my house.  It allows me to release the shutter on my Nikon D80 and not run off the birds or squirls that come close to the camera while on a tripod.  The remote works a lot further than Nikon indicates which is very good.  I see no reason to buy a trigger release when you have this item as it does the exact same thing, but only better and further.
don't know why it did not work the first time i tried it.  But it's working great now.  Great accessories to have to take self portrait or group portrait.
Works perfectly with my D7100.  Perfect for long exposures!Saw some knock-offs at a cheaper price but still went ahead with OEM as it was smaller.
Yeah the remote is useful specially when you have set up the shot and have to move from behind the camera to fix something. However the limitation is the sensor on the camera. A cable is probably a better option. Regardless it is a good piece of equipment and I do use it. I like it fine, but I'm not crazy about it. Just another piece of equipment to use when necessary.
The remote was listed as used, like new, and it did look brand new. I liked that the vendor included an extra battery and that it arrived on time. However, I couldn't get the unit to work with either battery. I'm returning it and have gone to another retailer for a new unit.
Only works part of the time,  not sure if it is maybe the battery and it needs replaced.  but mostly happy
I purchased this Wireless Remote to use along with my Nikon D-90. This is the way electronics were ment to be! It works like a charm as long as you have a unobstructed path from the Remote to the infared window on the right side of the camera. You need one of these for sure and the cost is very affordable.
Ordered one of these, which arrived very quickly from Amazon.  But it didn't work at all....didn't trip the shutter release when aimed at the camera, and the little light/LED indicator on the front didn't light up when the button was depressed.  I figured it was a dead battery, so I returned it to Amazon, no problem, and they replaced it right away with another one.  Only problem, the same exact thing happened....it didn't work at all.  Not sure if this was just a &#34;bad batch&#34; or what....I had read some good reviews, so I felt confident the product would work well.  Bummer!  I will say that I was willing to try for another replacement (3rd time's the charm), but Amazon (unsolicited, by the way) recommended I try another seller, and said they would look into the problem so that other customers wouldn't have the same issue.  Which I thought was very good of them.
Nice little remote control for shutter release. Use when shooting night scenes and camera is on tripod; prevents shaking and vibrations. Camera has to be programmed to react to it, and directions for that are in the camera's owner manual. The remote has no directions with it.
**used with a Nikon D60PROS:convenient, good distance (~15 ft while still pointing at the camera), quick reaction, let's you take pictures without moving/touching your camera therefore reducing shake/blur.so far i've taken easily over 500 pictures back to back/continuously and the batteries have yet to show any wear.the case it comes with has a slot so you can easily attach it onto a camera strap.the price is cheaper than the shutter release that has to be wired to the camera.CONS:has to be pointing directly at the camera to work (you can't just be standing near it, you HAVE to point)the batteries are not a common standard size so if/when they die it will be harder to replace.because of it's size it is easy to lose, it would be nice if either it came with a strap or had a hole to add your own strap or attach it to something while you're using it and it's not stored in it's case.(these are more camera specific features, than the remote's fault) you have to go into the settings to tell the camera to use the remote which is fine, but you have to go to another area to make sure the remote connection doesn't turn off automatically after 10 sec of inactivity which can be inconvenient if you're setting up a scene, then changing and going back...etc.
Works great! Came very fast! Easy to use! I would suggest this to anyone who is looking for a remote.
Works well with Nikon D5100. This is perfect for taking your own picture when there is no one take your picture for you.
I have recently switched from Olympus photographic equipment to a Nikon D600.  I needed a wireless remote to round out all my gear, so I purchased the Nikon ML-L3 at a great price from Amazon.  The unit works perfectly.  Thank you.
Loved this remote. Compact, and a must for night shots, family photos (get in there!).
Works very well. I have not tested the range beyond 40 feet, but it is IR and it cant go too much further. This should have come with the camera, but it was cheap.
Got it today and tested with Nikon D7000. Tested it up to a range of 8 meters away from camera and it works fine. I didn't go beyond 8 meters distance to see if it still works. Rated 4 stars because of cheap material construction.
Works just fine with my Nikon D40.  No complaints other than I really think Nikon should give everyone one with camera in the first place.
A necessary piece for astronomic photography, as well as many other types.This unit is a "Must-Have"
This is surely the best bang for the buck fun accessory I've gotten for my D50.  As other reviewers point out, it can sometimes be frustrating to use -- it needs line-of-sight to the camera and sometimes fails to fire.  And it's much harder to use out of doors where it can't bounce of walls, it needs to be aimed *straight* at the camera.but at the same time, it's only fifteen bucks.  Even if it isn't perfect it's a must-have.
i didn't use it yet,but it seems to be ok, the package was untouched, so it's brand new. wish that the product shows what cameras can be used for it
I can take photos including me with no efforts, because the signal is prety good. You can put it inside your pocket because is really small.
I don't use it very often, but works great.  Easy to setup, good range.
This remote works great.  It is quite inexpensive and functions quite well....don't know how I got along without it!
I chose this over other non-oem brand thinking I'd get a true OEM. When I received the remote, I was deeply disappointed at the fit and finish of the product. The perceivable quality is no different from those cheaper alternatives other than the "Nikon" stamp even that didn't look like the normal Nikon logo. The print is little awkward, almost counterfeit level. So I wonder if this product is really from Nikon....Also, the range isn't so great on the remote. Maybe it came with a worn battery, I'm not sure. I'm having hard time triggering from the back of the camera.
It was cheap so I don't feel too bad.  It just doesn't fire consistently.  I have read all the reviews and I worked with it for a good while on several different occasions before coming to this conclusion.  When it works it's great.  Now I am just using the timer in the camera.
We have used this very infrequently.  It sits in my camera bag and gets pulled out 4-6 times a year.  The last time we tried using it, it did not communicate with the camera.  I gave up and ended up using the old timer method and ran back to sit in the photo.  I'm still giving it four stars as I believe it may need the battery replaced.  If it does, then I'm surprised given how little we use the remote.  I still like it as it is very lightweight, the price is low, and it works well as a remote release for long exposures.
Simple to use and works great. Up until I received the Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote control I couldn't even spell photographer, now I is one.
I bought this for my D40x. I have tried a few snaps and it works great. You just need to adjust the settings on the manual for Remote Control on your D40x camera. I recommend this if you want to take self or family photos where you will not miss anyone out.
For $13 I cannot think of a better investment to your Nikon inventory. Slim, easy, and works great. No more running into the shot and trying to compose yourself with less than 1 second to go.Uses:- Spares you from racing into a photo- Easily capture multiple frames from a distance- Avoid any camera shake during long exposures.
Super handy for the photographer for his own family pictures :)  I use it for myself a lot. It is quick and handy. I always keep it in my bag.
This is a must have for those who own a Nikon. I would have given this 5 start but sometimes it doesn't work and you have to push a few times for the shot. But overall, very handy remote.
I had a cheap Vivitar version of this that came with a camera bundle. That was a piece of junk.This Nikon brand version works perfectly. I'm able to take single pictures or even use the &#34;bulb&#34; function on the camera (Nikon D5200). In bulb mode, one click of the remote opens the shutter, another click closes it. This even came with a nylon protective cover that will attach to your camera strap. Very satisfied.
This isn't a long review, just to confirm that this remote control works with the D3000 and works well. It works very fast, which is important for certain uses, and works about ten feet away.
Recommenced to all very fast and product is great. I have nothing but enjoy relation, look forward have business.recommended
I was really excited to get this because of some events coming up with my family: Christmas parties, Christmas Morning, etc.  I was to be disappointed.I probably shouldn't blame the remote, but since it's paired up with my camera, I'll blame them both.The problem is that the camera goes back to manual mode very quickly and the remote stops working.  You have to go back to the camera and go through about 6 'clicks' to get it back to remote mode.  I was hoping that I could be sitting down in front of the camera during Christmas Morning with the kids and just click the remote when we were ready, not have to click every 5 seconds regardless of a picture being available or risk missing an opportunity of a good family shot because it had moved back to manual only mode.The remote is very small, easily palmed, so that was a plus when doing a 2 second delay giving me plenty of time to to palm the device hiding it from the shot.I just wish I could keep the remote mode on so I don't have to leave someone behind the camera still.
This remote works fine...small and does what is advertised to do. What more can you say about a remote for a  Nikon camera.
With this one and a tripod, you can improve significantly your long exposure shot (where even a gentle touch can introduce some vibration to your camera). This is also helpful when you want to take self portrait, or group photo with you in it but don't want to click and run back and forth several times ;-)Since it cost you only more than 10 bucks, it is really an excellent investment.
I bought this for a Nikon D70 and it works great.  It sould have come with the D70.  It doesn't take much room in the camera bag.  And it is yet another remote that I can play with.
I bought this device because I wanted a way to trigger the camera on the tripod and didn't want to use the timer.  It works exactly as advertised and that is deserving of the 4 star rating.  The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars has to do with the design and functionality.  It just feels like it should do more.  More than merely a trigger.  I believe that Ninkon desiners should have made it to feel and function like the shutter button then it would be a perfect little device.  Maybe then it wouldn't be the ~$20 device but I think I would have gladly paid twice as much for something that does just that.
It works well.  It has limitations as does any equipment.  You must have line of sight to the front of the camera.  Even in shooting a portrait this is not a problem to me.  I like it!
Works great! I used it for some pictures with my family. It's very light and compact so you definitely can't see it in the pictures.
Just got this remote and its a joke.  It's the size of your thumb, weighs about an ounce less than a fly and is basically just a little round battery and a button.  It's completly cheap...not worth no dang $15 that I paid even at Amazon price.  If you don't need this real bad, save your stupid money and pick one up in a couple of months when they're hopefully $5.  My D90 has a tricky way to turn this thing on also...just not worth it, I should have ignored Amazon's recommendation to buy it.
This remote works as advertised with my Nikon D5000 SLR.  It takes up little space in my camra bag so it goes everywhere.  So simple to use that no written instructions are included!
I have used this with myNikon D7000for about six months now, and question why I didn't choose to buy this sooner. My biggest surprise when purchasing this was its size. It's tiny (which is especially good if you what to use this to perform any sort of self portraiture)!While my initial reason for buying this was to avoid sprinting from my camera when taking group shots (that I wanted to be in), I've also found it to be a great addition for any long exposures I do.Overall, this is designed to perform but one function (remotely trigger your cameras shutter), and it does it very well. Simply put your camera in the remote control mode, press the remote button, and enjoy your photo!
I like the premise of this handy little gadget; however, it doesn't work with my Nikon D-50. Can you suggest a solution?
The ML-3 does release the shutter okay, at least from the front and left side of the camera. However, I want to see the image I'm about to take and a half-press of the ML-3 button does not activate autofocus. You have to half-press the shutter release on the camera then release the shutter from the remote.To be fair, it costs very little. And the delay to release seems to eliminate camera vibration completely.If you want to be able to initiate autofocus off-camera with a half-button press, you need to use one of the cable releases.
I've used it a lot. On location and while traveling in different weather conditions. Never went wrong. Good for Nikon!!
Yowza!  I pickted this remote up for my Nikon D40, and this thing was shipped fast.  I used standard shipping and it showed up in two days.As for the remote itself, it's smaller than I imagined (which is actually a good thing since it fits easily in my bag's pockets).  I'm not sure about the pouch it comes with.  It looks to be made to loop through the camera strap, which may be handy for some people.  But, with its size, it's probably just easier to stick it in a pocket.The range on the remote is decent.  I was about ten feet away, and the signal still went through to the camera.This is definitely something everyone should have in his or her camera bag.  It's cheap, tiny, easy to use, and provides some much needed alternatives to standard shooting (I set my D40 up on a tripod near a bird feeder and got some great shots until a finch landed on my lens, but a simple push of the button shook the little dude off when the shutter released).
I'm not sure if it needs a new battery or not but this does not fire the camera every time I click the button, it's quite annoying at times.  Other than that it's very easy to use and when it works it gets the job done.  No more really to say it works when it wants to at this point, but then again I can not confirm until I put a brand new battery into it.
It was a little confusing to figure out at first. But after I did I just snapped away.Worked just fine with my Nikon D40, just a tad delayed.
Well, for the cost, it is a must have.  I can't tell you how much I hate timer portraits.  You just don't know exactly how much time you have till it goes, or even if you hit the button to start the timer.  This little guy allows you to get in the picture and be relaxed and then hit the button.  The D40 allows for a 2-3 second delay in shutter release so you don't have a picture of you holding your hand out pushing the button.  I love this little guy for family portraits!  It even allows me to setup my photo and stand to the side and intereact with the subject without looking like I am taking their picture, more natural shots.
We've used this remote with our D5200 on a tripod for both indoor and outdoor family pictures.  Works perfectly and very cool to be able to take our own family portraits.
I bought this remote to use it with my D7000 and it works perfect, it's small, works exactly when you need it and it's very reliable (from my experience).Definitely A+ for me.
Love not having to dig around for a cable release. Then not having it unscrew from the camera before your finished shooting. Great add on.
Pay no attention to the troglodytes rating a IR remote based on the location of the IR sensor on their CAMERA. It's pretty simple: press the button, and the camera makes a clicking sound, unless you messed up the  settings. Like every remote before it, you have to actually point the darn thing at the sensor. Ever worked at TV remote?FYI the D80 (and others I presume) will focus, THEN take the picture if its in auto focus mode. If it can't focus, no picture. In manual focus mode it will fire every time.Now to ask the question that is on everyone's mind. Can I program my Harmony 550 remote to mimic all IR communication between my camera, remotes and flashes?UPDATE! Yes...I can teach the harmony to do it. Cool.
I love this little remote. Comes in very handy when it comes to family photos. Don't be the one holding the camera or the one running in the photo. This is so simple to use and you can take multiple pics instead of just one at a time. This is a great tool to have, you won't regret it.
Works great, as advertised.  Very compact.  Comes with fabric pouch that attaches to your camera strap.  Love it.
I have zero complaints about this remote. It works perfectly for self photos or photos with long exposure, since I have shaky hands!
The range of effective connection via infrared is short. It does work but the working distance is limiting its use! I wasn't that much impressed with this control.
This product works with the Nikon D80.In order to make the remote work, you will need to activate the IR receiver on the camera.  You can do this by pressing the "shooting mode" button on the right side of the camera.  This is the button in front of the button marked "AF", and has an icon that looks like a few frames on top of each other.Press the shooting mode button until you see what appears to be a remote control (for immediate shutter release) or a remote control with a timer in front of it (for a 2 second delay).Point the front of the remote anywhere towards the front of the camera and press the button.  You will see a white light glow on the front of the camera, but you will not see any light being emitted from the remote control.I use both the cable shutter release (MC-DC1 - Remote Cord) and the remote control (ML-L3), and I am very pleased with both.  However, the cable shutter release will activate the auto-focus; whereas, the remote only will trigger the shutter (you'll need to focus first).Nikon MC-DC1 Remote Cord for Nikon D70S Digital Cameras
I have had this before, it is an excellent product, works great, come with a small cover.no complains at all
Operates as advertised, reliable, high quality, and will make your life so much easier. This is a time tested device to make you a better photographer. Highly recommended.
I have not used my remote much, but it has worked great when I have needed it.  I agree with other reviewers that the problem with this remote is the location of the sensors on the camera rather then the remote itself.  Range has not be an issue for my type of shooting.  I have had good luck from 5 to 20 feet. I have a D70.
Worked right out of the box. I lost my first one and missed it terribly. I only wish it had a small strap or something so I wouldn't lose it.
i thought this was defective at first, or that i had a dead battery. it took me a while to realize the camera (i have a d80) needs to be set correctly to self-timer mode (same button as continuous shooting). once i did that, it was fine. i suggest using AF-A mode, which requires the camera to focus before it will shoot, as the button doesn't really depress halfway--well maybe it does, but its not a smooth action -- sometimes it just fires as soon as you press it. or shoot in manual-focus mode, unless you want out of focus pics. that's not really a design flaw, though, since this thing is under $20, but--and this might seem obvious in hindsight-- you do have to know the functions of your camera to get it to work correctly. as others have pointed out, it only works when there's a clear line of sight between the remote and the IR sensor on the front. so if you want to shoot from behind the camera, you need a cable remote. ok, no big deal. more stuff to buy. anyway, once i figured it out, it worked reasonably well most of the time. great for self-portraits and group shots with you in it. if you dont want a picture of you pointing the remote, use the self-timer. four stars because it does work and at the price, you can't really argue. sure, nikon should make one with a shutter button that depresses halfway or even better use RF to transmit its signal, but if they do it'll cost a lot more.
Excelente accesorio. Sumamente util para tomar fotos de grupos, fotos nocturnas o de macros. Es sencillo de usar y tiene un perfecto alcance.Recomendado 100%.
Once I learned how to use the remote,it has become a wonderful thing.  I sometimes have a problem keeping my camera still when taking shots and this remote has come in very handy.  I like taking pictures of my nieces and nephews and even my dog.  This enables me to interact with them and just shoot when I have them ready for the shot.
Works great on the D80 also, Price was outstanding and delivery was quick. You have to read your camera manual or do the on line tutorial to find the proper settings for it to work as instructions are not provided, but even that is a piece of cake! Also, it comes with a nice little pouch that fits right on the camera strap
I don't know what the deal is.  I got it.  About a month later, I pulled the clear battery strip out and tried it and it just didn't work.  Unfortunately I tried it too late to send it back and get a refund.
I purchased this for my son's Nikon D7000. Although he is using remote occasionally, being small and cheap, justifies this purchase of the Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control.
The Nikon manual does have some info that "dummies" does not,however both are like studying for a PHD. Great for insomnia.
I was a bit nervous purchasing this based on the reviews for it, but it works the way I thought it would.  There's nothing wrong with it, although I don't recommend using it on auto focus because it takes forever to take a shot.  It's a nice extra gadget to have.  PS I used this on a D80.
This little item is very handy and useful for taking photos when you need them to look very sharp and no hand shake. I was very happy with this but after a month of use and due to my carelessness (accidentally forgot to take out of the pocket and placed into the laundry), it failed to work. The price was cheaper when I got it here in amazon 4 months ago..trying to wait for it  to come back down. Hopefully soon cause I really need it!
WOW is all I can say worked great out of the box I set my camera to the remote mode and baamm. I was taking pictures just like that.
I really like this item.........Lets me take as many pictures as I like. No running back and forth to the camera. Well worth the money!!!
I recommend you google instructions on how to set this remote up. It took me forever to figure it out, but now that I did it works easily and great.
This is a very handy little product. It reduces shake and allows for easy self portraits (I imagine this is a must have for fashion bloggers who have to take their own picture.) My only dislike it that it needs a good line of site to the sensor in the front of the camera so it doesn't work if you are standing directly behind the camera. Also it can be a little hard to hide in those self portraits if it's too far behind your back or too deep in a pocket. It's very useful if you are doing macro photography with a tripod. You'll probably end up still wanting a standard cable release, though. It's small so don't lose it! Always put it in your camera bag right after use!
Shipping was fast! The device works as most reviews stated. Didn't have any problems contecting the device to my D5100. Of course i did read other reviews first and knew to select the remote control option in the menu before use. The device is very small, a lot smaller than expected, However works very well. The only issue i had is that stopped working the last time i used it, but it was user error. I didn't know that you could set a time limit that your remote to be sync-ed with the camera, but it was a quick fix in the menu. You might want to keep a few extra batteries on hand. The remote uses a watch battery type, so it's something you can't find at a corner store. Any Wal- Mart should have them on hand.
FYI: you have to go into the menu and enable the remote control first before it will work, otherwise it will do nothing.D40:1) Press Menu.2) Go to "custom setting menu" (icon looks like a pencil).3) Go to "shooting mode".4) Select "quick-response remote".Note: pressing the timer button on the side of the camera will reset the shooting mode to timer or single frame.When you are read to take the photo just press the button on the remote.
Doesn't always fire when I press the button, but still good enough not to annoy me. Also, this allows me to get those razor sharp pics while my camera is mounted on a tripod.I only recently started using this when I received my Nikon 105mm and it's very handy for macro.
Excellent product at a good price. Limited the distance but for the most part it will work. Will recommend to any one that likes to take group pictures ot likes to take pictures at low speeds.
I bought this remote to work with my nikon d-40. It works perfectly. You do have to be in front of the camera and point the remote at the camera to get it to work. You can set it for quick response or 2 sec delay or even more...i usually do the 2 sec delay or quick response.
this remote works exactly like it is supposed to.  it allows the person taking the pictures to be hands-off while snapping the shutter for reduced vibration.
I am very happy with this product and with the speed in which it was shipped and received.
This is a handy device to avoid camera shake while taking a picture.  I have not used it extensively but liked my first use very much.
This remote control is a handy little gadget.  And I mean little- it is tiny, it will take up no space in your kit, and is invisible in your hand when taking group portraits. The remote is 1 inch wide, 2 5/16 inches tall, and 3/8 inch thick.No more releasing the shutter and then scurrying into the picture.  With the D40 in "Quick-response remote" shooting mode, I can take multiple single shots by repeatedly pressing the remote button. It works well, is inexpensive, and a great gadget to have. It will auto-focus if you have the appropriate lens and settings. Reviewers who could not make this work properly apparently have trouble with their TV remotes, VCRs, and toasters.  There are NO directions included with this thing-- it's that simple.Other great uses include extreme close-up work (flowers, etc), extreme slow shutter speeds (recent eclipse), and studio portraits where you want the subjects to look at you and be less distracted by the camera.  This DOES work from behind, or next to, the camera, just not eight feet behind; for side and rear use you need to be somewhat close by.  It's WELL worth the $16 or so dollars.
I just went and got it from best buy. Paid 30.00 for it. Got home and was able to use it right out of the gate. Of course you have to change some setting in your camera to make it work but, works like a charm. No pairing need. Will play with it this weekend and see how it really works.Also there is a lot of questions regarding if the remote works for this camera or that camera. Here is the best answer to that question. Go to google and type in 'Remote for (enter your camera here)' and google should show and or list all the remotes that work for you type of camera. That is what I did to find a remote for my camera.
The Njkon ML-L3 wireless remote control is an inexpensive but valuable tool for improving the quality of individual photographs. It can be used with or without a tri-pod mounting for the camera.Another possibility, subject  holds the remote control,the photographer readies the camera providing no movement during the taking of a photo.The only downside is the small size of the control.
Great gadget. Very useful! Light and small, easy to get lost. Easy to use, and the battery lasts a lot.
What else could I say. It's very very useful especially when taking a self-portrait or a group picture. I've been using this remote for my Nikon D40. Great Great product!
This thing worked amazing once I figured out how to adjust for its use with the camera settings.  Works front and back with my D5100.
got the remote the other day and have tried it out a couple times. works great. very simple, only has one button. what more could you ask for?
Does what is says it will but is tiny, not what I expected but it does the job it is supposed to.
I'll keep this short. The remote only works if pointed towards the sensor on the front of the camera. I piggy backed my camera to a telescope and it would not work from the back. I just aim the remote directly in front of the sensor to get it to work. I have read it works up to 14ft, i haven't tried the distance test yet. I only really brought it to use on my telescope so i can use the bulb setting without touching the camera. Works for what i need it for, so i am pleased.
Sometimes you have to stay way from your cmera during photo sessions and with Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control  you keep control to take the fotos on the exact moment you wish.
It is not working, i've tried changing the batteries but nothing, zippo. Made in China.
Bought one of these for my D90 - if one knows what buttons to push on their camera, not hard to figure out how to activate it. Works great; so I bought one for a nephew who has a D70. He tried it immediately and it works like a charm. Don't buy 3rd party, get the real thing from Nikon.
The key here is that it does exactly what they say it does. It works great in all types of conditions and was very helpful in taking several family group shots as well as some nice fireworks display pics.
Haven't had the opportunity to use it.
it is inexpensive and useful. it is very easy to use, just one buttom (but sometimes it does not work, play around a bit it starts working again. a must for travel, not much to say.
Bought this for the wife's D5100.  She's still loving the hand held concept.  I'm just waiting for her to discover the remote aspect of photography.  I'm pretty certain she's going to really like that.My wife had forgotten she had this.  Things we learned.  It does not work in auto focus mode.  One trick we did figure out was that if you set the camera to a 2 second remote delay, 95% of the time the picture will be in focus when using full auto mode.  At least it has been for her when operating in auto-focus.
Excellent product, not a complaint about range or sensor reach, and fits perfect with d80 (in case you're wondering)Arrived in time and in perfect condition
The ML-L3 is a small plastic remote control for Nikon's SLR cameras.  There's just one button on the ML-L3; you'll set the control mode on the camera itself (e.g., immediately shutter release vs. delayed shutter release).  Just point to the IR receiver on the camera (usually on the front) and press the button.  A small, cheap-feeling pouch is included with the remote control.Reviewer "technology analyst" has it right: Nikon should just include this in their SLR and d-SLR kits, esp. the kits that cost over $500.  This remote control is made in China so it probably costs them a couple bucks to make (thanks to the unregulated sweatshops in China!), and they would have generated a lot of good will among Nikon owners and potential SLR buyers.
The title says it all. It's cheap, handy, and works! The only thing I've noticed that's a little annoying (but not a deal breaker) is that my D5000 won't recognize it unless I'm holding it in my right hand (when using it behind a tripod). The lens and/or body must be blocking the signal when I try to use this in my left hand. I don't have a left/right hand preference when using it, but it would be nice to be able to use it in either hand so that I don't have to think about it. I haven't used it for self-photos in front of the camera, only behind a tripod. I recommend this. If I lost it, I would buy it again.
I like the product only if there was instruction on how to sync the product with the camera that I have which is D3100.
One came with my Nikon. Pretty handy to have one. This review need ten more words to complete so here it is.
I have had this remote for 2 years now. It has worked flawlessly everytime. It is easy to use as there is no programming you have to do to the remote or camera for this remote to work with it. I have a Nikon D5100 and all I ever have to do is change my release mode to remote. The only downside is that there is a limited distance it can be used. I was in Ireland and tried to use it from about a 25-30 foot distance and it would not work. That was probably a little further than most would use anyways but i would definitely purchase again and recommend to others.
This wireless remote is a must,  Along with a tripod this can be very useful, you can take multiple snaps just using the remote. I love it!
Is a great product!  The only reason I have it 4 stars was that I feel like they should have a radio signal remote not a inferred remote.  But it works like a charm.
It is small and comes with a little bag that you can have hanging on your camera stripe. Works perfectly from different distances. I~m amazed on how I did not buy it before....how many photos I could be in but wasent because I was the one taking the picture. You can buy it with no doubts. Quality is also great.
Best accessory you can buy for your Nikon SLR (D40 through D90).  It works beautifully, and is small enough to always be attached to your camera strap.  I wouldn't take my camera without it.
So far so good! I have been meaning to get a remote for a while and this does the job just fine. My only complaints are to get the battery out requires either really small hands or sharp fingernails. Also I like to have instructions with my gear and while it may be an intuitive product I still like to be treated like I don't know what I am doing every once in a while.
This is so cheap you shouldn't be without it. Although listed for other Nikon models, also works great on D40. Useful for those family portraits during the holidays. I've been using mine for shooting hummingbirds off a tripod on the patio. Effective range seems to be 8-10'. Must be facing camera and line of sight to work. Uses coin style lithium battery(included). Paid less than $8 at Cameta.
The device works as advertised. The range is limited, especially if you have sunlight directly hitting the infrared sensor on the camera. Indoors I have not had any problems.Some of the other reviewers complained about the lack of a manual. The manual that came with my D70S explains how to use the remote in sufficient detail. The exact details depend on the camera you use.Note: the camera will not release the shutter if it cannot focus in AF-S mode. You can avoid this problem by prefocusing the camera, i.e. hit the camera release button before you use the remote. You can also use manual focus.A definite buy at this price.
Great remote.  Works perfectly.  I have two camera's that it works with and I am delighted.  Love it because it is wireless and how easy it attaches to my camera strap.Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
It's over priced piece of plastic and doesn't work. It doesn't come with instructions and i just doesn't work. I wish id read the negative reviews before i bought this
I didn't purchase the Remote Control when I first bought my Nikon SLR camera.  I felt I didn't need it.  However, there gets a point that it makes it handly and helps eliminate the movement of the camera when you press the shutter release for that sunset.  I am able to setup the tripod and view the shot that I want.  Then, snap the shot at the right time.  Great investment.
I love this little gadget. I have used it to fire my Nikon D90 in many trips when I don't have another person to take a picture of myself or me and my boyfriend.  I just set my camera on a tripod and point it at my camera whenever I'm ready without having to depend on the self timer, running and tripping. Unfortunately, it looks like I can't use it on my new Nikon D800e...and if I can someone please let me know how to!
If you own any type of Nikon camera you simply can't be without this item. Because Nikon chose not to include a mechanical cable release option it is difficult to shoot at slow shutter speeds, even on a tripod, without getting camera shake affecting your images. You can use the timer, but that doesn't always work for your shooting situation. With this you can quickly change the camera settlings to utilize the remote for quick release ( instant), 2 sec delay as well as a 10 second delay.  Comes with a nice carry pouch that goes on your camera strap.
It's just as simple as it looks and works just as simply. I love the little pouch that came with, so I can just attach it to my camera strap and never have to dig through the bag for it. It's a great little remote.
This little remote works great with my Nikon D5100.  I use it for family photos but it is also very handy when taking close up photos of products for my business.  Mount the camera on a tripod and use the remote to trigger the shot with no vibration from pressing the shutter button.  Nice accessory!
This inexpensive wireless remote control works great with my Nikon D70 as long as you know where to point it at the camera.  This criticism is on the camera design, not at the remote control.Since the D70 does not have mirror lock up, this remote control is almost a must to prevent camera shake.  I use it every time I photograph the moon and fireworks.  It comes with a carrying case that can be attached to the camera strap.I have had this almost since I bought the D70 in April 2004 and it's still working great!  I have taken it to cold places like Churchill, Manitoba in Northern Canada and Antarctica.  Since I've never had the need to change battery, I honestly don't know if I can replace the battery.
Every Christmas we have the whole family together and the annual group photo is taken. As I am the designated photographer with my Nikon SLR camera with the wide angle lens, I was looking for an easier way to take the photo and be in it. Yes, the self timer works but it is a hassle to run back and forth. Now, with this remote, I can snap off as many photos as I want to without leaving the group. Works great.
It is just expensive. I recommend going with the cheaper options. They all do the same thing and they are all small and compact. I cannot see any reason to buy a nikon brand.
A must have for the price.  As the family photographer I am never in any pictures.  Beats setting the timer and then running to get into the shoot.  However you need to be on the side of the camera that has the remote sensor.
Great Product, easy to use, I use it on my Nikon D-80. Nothing to plug in, receiver is already in the camera. Lost a star because at Amazon I paid twice as much as its market value because Amazon was the only place that had it in stock. Oh well.
The Nikon ML-L3 is a nifty little device for taking still-pictures, or for self-inclusion in a shot (i.e., when you don't want to dash to make the picture).I'd purchased the remote to enable me to setup my camera (Nikon D80) to take pictures of our hummingbirds through our patio-doors...  Unfortunately, the camera has to be facing you, or you need a reflective surface to bounce the signal to the cameras detector in order to release the shutter (oops...).Regardless, I'm quite happy with its performance, as it can transmit its signal over 30+ feet, and it comes equipped with a small pouch that can be attached to the camera strap (that way you never have to leave home without it) :)
Huh ! Finally I need not ask anyone to click my images.It works just like it supposed to. small and very convenient to use. With just few settings in camera this is ready for use.This is much much better than the cable release remotes.I really Enjoy using this product.
I bought this because it is so hard to get babies to laugh when they can't see you...they will just stare at the camera and that's about it. With this remote I just frame the shot and then go play with my son...when he smiles or starts laughing I just click the remote and I have the shot. Try doing that with a point and shoot digicam!
I just purchased this and it works great for what I use it for. I often take pictures of myself with my husband and our 3 parrots. Having this remote is so helpful as you never know when the birds will be 'ready'. For this price I am thrilled.
This does exactly what I wanted it to do. It was a little tricky figuring out how to get it to work, but it's actually very simple. Great product for a good price.
Works as advertised!  It's fantastic. Not sure why I didn't get one of these a long time ago.  If you have a family and you are always the one taking the photos you should get one of these so you can be in them also!Decided to buy the Nikon branded remote vs the generic, for $25 why risk it. I'm sure the other ones work too but I know the Nikon will work as advertised!
This is a great accessory for any serious photographer! If you are looking for a great remote, you cant go wrong with Nikon products! It does not come with any instructions but as long as you set it up in the camera remote menu the remote should trigger.
I don't use it often, but when I do, it never fails. Great for self-portraits (e.g., with the family). Very small and easy to lose, though.
Great little device which allows you to be in all of the photographs.  It works well from a short distance and makes the photo experience all the more better.
I bought this wireless remote for long exposures and astrophotography with my Nikon d5000.  It's easy to set up and use.  My only complaint is my remote shipped with a dead battery.  Hence the four stars.
I got one of these and it died within a few days. I contacted Nikon and never got a response.
I'm not sure why people are complaining but it was sooo easy to install and use.First it has no documentation because it can be used for the D40's, D50's ,D70's, D80's and I assume the new D90's.  The instructions is in the camera documentation.  Besides... just look through the setup and you'll see where it is.  I have a D40 and it was in the shooting mode.  There is a 2sec delay and an instant shoot.  I program my FN button to change the shooting mode.  You cannot have continuous shoots with the remote mode.Second. All infrared remotes are line of sight.  Most people don't know the difference between Infrared, RF(car remote), high end Radio (Wireless networks and Wireless phones) & Bluetooth.  All of them are wireless...  (WIRE + LESS)  Infrared can only go about 8 to 20 feet depending on the conditions and the size of the sensor.  Think of it this way...  how far can you be to change the tv channel?  10 feet?  20 feet?  Outside the house?  This is exactly the same.In conclusion.  It's a great buy.  If it costs $30 it would still be worth it.  No need to watch the blinking light and run across the room to be in the picture.  Also you can get some funny candid shots when no one knows when the picture takes place.
I did not know such a low-cost remote existed.  This works just fine, is of course very easy to use, and great for fixing a problem common to so many photographers in families - you're not in the pictures over the years.  Set the camera on a tripod or even just a solid support of some kind, frame the photo, walk over to the framed image, point and click.  You can even set up your camera to slightly delay after you click this remote so you can have your arm at your side, around someone's shoulder, etc., and look very natural.  Nothing negative about it.
It works well but I just wish we could use it farther away from the camera. The range of detection is really not great...
works for our D5100 like a charm.  These are a must have for trying to get family picutres done.  arent reliable past 15 meters though
I love this remote! It's great for self portaits, family shots (that you want to be in) and long exposures. I have had so much fun playing around with it! The only con that I can think of is getting the camera to focus on the right thing can be challenging at times. All in all I would definatly, highly recommend it to anyone!
shipped in time and works as descibed. pretty useful when u take a shot for yourself and a group of people.
I bought this remote about three months ago and have tried to use it a couple times, with little success. It looks like you have to point right into the camera lens to get it to work. I felt like a clown clicking and pointing to different directions just to make it work. There must be some kind of bluetooth or radio communication devices to make this better. The D90 has a connection for external remotes, so the other Nikons should have it, too.
This device does what it's advertised to do. 1) you set your Nikon to "remote", 2) compose your shot, 3) click and voila... you have a picture without camera shake artifacts. You must have a remote shutter control if you're planning on taking night shots without flash or long exposure shots. However... there is one very anoying detail: the device doesn't seem to work well from behind the camera. You'll have to keep pressing the buttun until you find that sweet spot where the infrared sensor on the *** front *** of the camera is aligned with the remote; i've used it for only a couple of days and I already missed a few "perfect shots". Now that I learned the trick, I can work it out... but still, very annoying. Also, the device is too small and too light; it's easy to loose, and hard to find in your packed camera bag. All in all, you still have to get one of these; I wish there were more options out there, though.
Like another reviewer's, my experience has been mixed. I use this remote with the D50.Sometimes the remote works, then it goes on strike. Then suddenly it works again. Same distance and angle from the camera.I changed the battery - same result. I hardly use it anymore because it is so unreliable.
Received this unit on time.  Was excited to use it, but I can't make it work with my Nikon 5100.  This is the device recommended by nikon to use.  There was no directions with the remote or in the camera manual on how to operate this unit.  I looked at several books and nothing about how to use the remote.  So I give it an overall rating of 2 stars.
I had this for about a year. It's great compliment to my D70s. I use for low shutter speed to reduce camera shake and group picture to to include myself. Only thing negative about this remote is that it won't do a fucusing for you. you have to press shutter lightly to focus before you use the remote.
It's perfect!  Just what I needed.If you want to take self portraits or simply hop into the photo once in a while, this is for you!It is sooo worth the money and I love it.It works great, I've been able to capture my best self portraits with this.No problems or complaints!& You simply CANNOT  beat this price!ps: i use this with my nikon d5000 :]
After attempting to take pictures of hot air balloons at dusk without this remote, it was impossible to get the right picture. My dad told me about a remote like this, but neither of us thought that one would be this cheap! I'm glad I searched for it. I was a little confused when I opened it because there weren't instructions. The manual for the D40X wasn't that helpful, but I know the camera well enough to be able to push a few buttons to test things. Sure enough, I figured it out. I read reviews that the remote doesn't work from behind the camera, but this worked perfectly fine for me from a little less than two feet behind it. I didn't test it any more than that, though, so it might even work more. The quality of the pictures is about the same as what I would take. I haven't tested it at night, but I'm excited to! Nice product, and I love that it's also Nikon.
works great- only minor minor complaint is that it didn't come with instructions, that said it took me all of 2 minutes to find the info on the internet.  Easy and works great.
When you are the one taking the photos, you're not in the picture. The remote gives me a chance to be in the picture and not be rushed and guessing &#34;when&#34; the shutter will snap as when you use the timer.
bought this accessory for my son.  it is just what you need if you want to be in a group pix including yourself.  great also to eliminate "shakes" when snapping the pix by hand..your Nikon has all the features to accomodate this control just be sure you have the correct model.  was surprised that the cost was so reasonable...a real asset to your camera...definitely recommend.
I really like this remote. If you have ever fumbled with the timer on your SLR and/or knocked over the tripod, rushing to get into the shot, then this is for you.I have found it very useful for long exposure shots; no camera jitter, just depress the remote!
Hard to fault this remote. It's small, light weight, cheap ... battery life is good. I think it would be better with a lockable off switch so the battery isn't drained when in a case and pressure is accidently applied to the switch. The little cloth case is sad for normal Nikon quality ... but again the whole thing is very low cost. The important thing is the remote is all it's promised to be and more.
Works great with my Nikon D50.  I was worried that I would have to put the remote right in front of the sensor to get it to take pictures, but the infrared beam bounces off of just about anything.  Only time that's a problem is if you have lots of "dead air" in front of the camera with nothing to bounce the the beam off of.  It is a shame Nikon didn't include this with the camera, and it's also a shame that the price keeps going up on this remote, but it turned out to be an essential item for me, so I paid the price.  Comes with a handy little pouch that attaches right to your camera's neck strap.
As an owner of a Nikon D40, I find that this product is simply a breeze to use.  It's simple to set up (Custom Setting Menu - Shooting Mode - Quick Response Remote) and works well almost every time.  The only time that I've had issues using this device is when I'm outside and behind the camera.  Otherwise, it works great indoors, from any angle.It's added so much ease of use to my camera, and I'm glad that I can finally be in my photos!  I would recommend this product to any Nikon camera owner who wants to have more control and use with their cameras.
Now it's possible that I'm using this "too much", but I've gone through 3 batteries in one year.  To me, that's a bit excessive.  It works just like it's supposed to so it gets 4 stars.
I bought this the other day haven't had much time to play with it but it works very well so far the only thing that i have to complain about is the tittle does not include the Nikon d5100 but it does work for it. The range on it is very nice i was over 5 feet away behind the camera and i was still taking picture very well
I haven't had much time to play with this...but wish it had instructions included. As a novice I am hoping to be able to use this when I have my camera on a tripod and especially for photos I wish to jump into. However, I did not find instructions so I am unsure how to sync it with my Nikon D200. I guess &#34;Google is my friend&#34; and I will have to search out the info. or contact the seller. It is very thin and small- and should be easy to conceal while taking photos.
Yes it works for Nikon D40.  But you have to point it in front of the camera.  Don't know the max range, since I am never too far from it.  This is quite expensive if you compare it other remote, like a universal TV with ton of buttons.  There is only one button and if you want to save money just use the 2second or more automatic timer setting in most Nikon.Pricey for a simple use, but most people would like to have one for convenient.
This is a nice compact device for triggering my D60 and D5000.  I prefer using this trigger over using the timer.  Nikon should make this a standard accessory with their cameras.
Remote works great. These should be available for all cameras. Too bad I can't say the same for the Nikon P7000 I got the remote for. I have had two of these and both had to be returned account retractable lens cover problems.
Easy to use, convenient and the price is nice.Bought this for my D-7 DSLR and it was so simple to use - no settings to chance besides changing it to 'remote'What more can you ask for?
The Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote is a very useful product. I purchased it to go with my Nikon D7000. I could kick myself for not buying one sooner. This is so much better than the timer on my previous cameras.
Works excellent with my Nikon D90. At first I was surprised by how small it was, since I have big hands, but it works exceptionally well and is very inconspicuous. My only complaint would be to add some kind of way to put a keychain or something else on it since it's so small. I'm scared I'll lose the thing! Otherwise, a must have!
I took this remote with my Nikon D7000 to a wedding and also on a trip to Iowa it worked flawlessly. I highly recommend it to avoid shake while shooting. I really can't speak on Batt life since it is still going.
great for taking pictures remotely. have taken group pictures, landscapes and night shots. indispensable item. i did not want to have a cable release and this is so, so, so much better!!
like this little remote a lot. really helped take great night time shots where you dont want any accidental bumps. highly recommend for longer exposure photos.
I loved this remote!  I bought those 9usd cheap ones and it worked only for awhileFinally succumbed to paying less than 20usd, and I'm glad I did.Works perfectly with a Nikon D40 and D5000It acts as a shutter release and a focus button when programmed through the camera. Great tool to prevent blurring due to movement when shutter is pressed when taking priceless shots.
This should be included with the camera in the first place. If you are serious about sharp photos, then buy a good tripod and this wireless remote.
The remote is easy to use from the front of the camera or from the back-  It is quality product.
I bought this remote control for my Nikon 80D, works well. convenient to use after setting well on camera.I love it.
I'll admit that I got this as almost a novelty item, but it turns out that it is actually fairly handy. With long exposures, I'll use it on my D50 so as to prevent camera shake (camera has to be on a tripod of course).The term remote may be a little misleading, as the only camera function you can control is the shutter release. It's kind of like those "Easy" buttons selling at Staples. You push it, and thats it. In this case, you need to set up your camera for the shot first, then walk away, and towards the front right to get the sensor in the camera to see the remote, which is a little annoying, but I can also be a fair distance away and trigger the camera. I do like having a wireless cable release, though if I ever end up in a place where more than one person is using it, there will be trouble as there is no way to change the channel the remote works on.You also need to have line of sight to the camera, if anything gets between you and the sensor on the camera, then you can push the button all you want, with no luck.In summary, it's cute, it's handy, but it's no replacement for a pocket wizard, once you get to the point where you need one.
I should have bought this remote long ago.  I'm a land-sea-sky-scape amateur who almost always uses a tripod.  I had been using my camera timers for years, with both film and digital, to allow the camera to "settle" after I place my settings.  This remote has allowed me to get my bracketed shots much quicker and it's nice to be able to get into some of the pictures myself without running away from the camera and trying to look natural after!It's a great item for the price.  It came packaged with battery and one of those handy plastic tabs that prevent contact before purchase, which also prevents corrosion.  I'm very happy with it.  I bought two at the time since they were cheap and now I have a backup.  I knew I would use it for almost all of my hobby shots.  Great product.I've heard that some newer cameras have sensors in the back to pick up the remote.  That would be ideal.  I have to reach around to the front of my camera to the right to use the remote.
Very useful when you use a tripod. The only problem is the camera design. The sensor is on the front of my camera - I use Nikon D40x. So the camera sensor is mostly designed for self-shots - very strange. When you shoot something in front of you and located behind the camera you have to move the control (in your hand) in front of the camera so it could see the sensor. It also means that at the time of shooting you have to be close to the camera.Otherwise it is 'must-to-have' item. I'm surprised it's not a part of the standard retail package.
I got this remote after reading reviews here at Amazon. It comes in a small box, and has no instructions, but instructions on how to use it are in the thick owner's manual. To use it in the D60, just turn the camera on, go to menu, then to custom setting menu and then scroll down to release mode. You may either choose the (2 second) delayed remote or quick response remote. I prefer setting it to the delayed remote, as you have a chance to 'hide' the remote if you are taking pictures that include you, or self-potraits. The quick response remote is immediate, so be careful. For the remote to work, you have to tilt it sideways towards the sensor next to the lens if taking pictures from the back of the camera, as it does not work if the remote is pointed straight at the lcd screen. You have to put the setting to remote mode each time you switch the camera on.It may also be faster to change the camera shooting mode to remote mode if you press the round 'help' button at the bottom left of the camera, and you may scroll down to the release mode. Press the OK button and change the release mode to either of the two modes for the remote.It is very small and can easily be lost. It has some soft velco-like case. Like other reviewers, I think that it should come together with the camera instead of buying it as a separate accessory. It is definitely worth the purchase.
I ordered this as a small present to myself.  This is and will be used for my Nikon D60 DSLR camera.  I should have bought this three years ago when I received my camera as a present.  It will make taking nighttime shots easier with the tripod.  Great price too!
After trying several of the cheaper off-brand wireless remotes for my D7000 (when the ML-L3 was out of stock nearly everywhere after I bought the camera), it was quickly obvious that you get what you paid for.  None of the remotes had a range greater than maybe 5-7 feet MAX without having to press the button 10 times or so to get the camera to respond.THIS little guy, on the other hand, I can use quickly and easily at distances of at LEAST 15 feet away (haven't tried more), and the camera has been extremely responsive at these distances.  Either the transmitter on those other remotes is just terrible, or they are using a low output battery; either way, BUY THIS REMOTE.This is indispensable for a tripod (especially for taking family pics without having to leave yourself out of them.  Sure, the timer will work, but good look getting a great pic with kids when you constantly have to go back and hit the shutter release.  With this one, you can just fire off a bunch of shots and pick the best one, and you don't have to worry about being tethered to the camera by a cable!Very small but easy to handle.  Very light.  Very essential.
This is a excellent piece of equipment if you like doing self portraits. I se all the time. This remote took a ride in the washer by mistake. After drying it out it was still working even though I never replaced the battery.
This remote is very user friendly and easy to use.  It takes no time to set up and is easy to switch back/forth between remote or manually shooting with the camera.  The remote has pretty good range although you do have to be on the front side of the camera.  It's been helpful for taking family pictures!  It's quite small and discreet as well so you can hide it easily in pictures.
Once you set up your camera for remote, make sure you dont go back and try to take a shot using the camera button, it takes it out of remote mode (D80).  Why cant they both work in unison?  I dont know.  Aside from that small issue, works as expected, first press is focus, second is shutter.  They could have implemented a two stage button to have some sort of consistancy, but they chose to keep the remote slim.
Althought it has some downfalls, like not being able to shoot quite as fast as your camera is able to, and not always working from behind things or facing away from the camera.  For 8 bucks (that's what I found it for, don't pay more than that), you can't go wrong.  There is no setup involved, you just activate the battery and go.  D50 and higher support it out of the box.  I also have a D40x which also supports it, it just takes some setup, which you will need your camera manual for, as this product doesn't come with a manual.An absolute MUST for any nikon user.  Cheap, simple, works pretty good.
this is a product i had to contact nikon tech support for help on using but once i learned how, it is a breeze. it is an essential part of my gear now, especially when using the telephoto function and when taking family pictures.
This is awesome to have with my DSLR. Make sure you check if it works with yours on the Nikon website. It is small enough to store in the bag with the camera, and has a little protective cover for it. Works great for setup shots.
Probably one of the best accessories for my D90!  Compose your photograph (don't pre-focus), stand with the group, press the button.  My only concern is it is so small that I might inadvertently lose it.  Otherwise a "must have" accessory.
Was kinda skeptical on some of the other remotes. This works like it should in a 360 area of the camera. Great for Bulb shots at night (Push the button once and it opens the shutter, push it again and it closes the shutter).It works best in the front 180 degrees of the camera for a good 25 ft and behind it for almost 10 if you get lucky but on average, up to 5 ftI have tried this on my D60 and my Father's D90 and it works fine
I love this remote and use it for family togethers and to take pictures of the moon so I don't rattle the camera. Its small and just hangs right on the strap.
Unfortunately, I paid more for what it's going for now, so I'm already annoyed.Firstly, It doesn't state anywhere what its limitations are, which have been thoroughly described in the other reviews. It also doesn't start the video. I know I didn't do my research to find out about these things, and I assumed that it worked by rf, not ir. My mistake, and I didn't bother to return it.It's cheaply made, and doesn't hold up to the Nikon standard. I'm completely disappointed that they still haven't figured out how to run the camera like the corded remotes do, but wirelessly.
Works perfectlyWorks with my D90 seems to be line of sight to sensor on front of camera.Vibrations are eliminated when doing long exposures.
I was dissapointed in that you can only use this remote from the front of the camera but other than that it worked great and the price was good.
A great remote and well worth the price.  I know it doesnt come with instructions but it is easy to figure out.  I use it with my D-60.  Just change the settings on the camera menu to remote.  I then just push the button a couple of times to focus and then push the button again to take the picture.  Works great for taking family pics.  I would recommend getting a nice tripod to set it on as that really helps.
This little gadget does an adequate job as long as it can see the sensor(front of camera) Useless from any other position.
I use this all the time with my camera on the tripod. helps reduce camera shake or if you have no one to help you take pics.
I read articles about the Nikon remote and decided to try it as it's inexpensive and Nikon.  I am pleased at the range and was surprised at the small size. I had a class reunion, took group photo's and had lots of fun taking candid photo's while camera was set up on tripod.  Highly recommended.
For $20, no one should be without this remote. I bought it and used it for a few days just to mess around with. Then I didn't touch it for about a week. One day I decided to shoot some sparklers and firecrackers just to experiment with. The remote made it easy to light something, get out of the frame and take the shot, without having to run to the camera to press the shutter button. I've also used it for nighttime shots of the moon, and a family portrait at a reunion. It makes for absolutely no camera shake when taking long exposure shots, and makes it easy to not be behind your camera when taking the photo.I highly recommend this. It comes with everything needed to use it, and as I said, for $20 you can't afford not to have this.
This tiny Remote Control works flawlessly with my Nikon D40 DSLR.  It is far smaller than I had expected (making it easy to misplace); I immediately installed its little fabric carrying case on my camera's neck-strap to minimize the odds of that happening.Once the D40 is set to recognize the ML-L3, it works splendidly from the front, sides, and rear of the camera, making it much more convenient and elegant than the old-style cable releases.  The range is around 20 feet or so, and yes, you can bounce the beam off a hard surface and the camera will still 'see' it and act accordingly.Truly a must-have for all D40 users and, as a side-note, Amazon delivered mine in record time.I'm thrilled with my purchase and will definitely order more goodies from Amazon!
WORK'S GREAT WOURTH THE MONEY, USED IT RIGHT OUT OF THE BOOK WITH NO PROBLEM JUST SET THE CAMREA AND GO. ONLY PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SHIPPING UPS KILLED THE BOX IN SHIPPING BUT THE REMOTE WAS FINE.
Does exactly what I expected it to do in a small, easily pocketable size. You won't regret it.
1. Open box.2. Pull the plastic tab so the battery can make contact3. Set your camera to remote shutter.
I just got this in March and I love it. I can put my camera in one spot (like for birthday parties and holidays) and be able to take pictures without being behind the camera. I cannot wait for Christmas I plan to put my camera in the corner and set it at the right height and be able to actually be *in* pictures for once :)
Great for taking group pictures or long exposures.  Very simple to use.  The only downside is that it goes through batteries very quickly; stock up on those.
Simple to use with camera remote setting. Eliminates camera shake and allows you to be in the photos with more control than a self-timer. However, duration of supplied battery very short.
I bought this to replace the Nikon 25395 MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord. It works flawless, no cord to connect,You can carry it in your pocket.
Nikon's ML-L3 wireless remote is great. It just works the way it is supposed to and keeps things simple. I love it for any kind of night photography when camera shake can be an issue, and also for doing self portraits, haha not that I do that alot... but if you are out with the fam and have a tripod, it is great to be able to be wherever you want to be and still work the shutter. It also allows for use of 'bulb' mode on your Nikons, which will allow you to manually control how long your shutter is open. (Note: I think 'bulb' is only available in full manual mode, if you are in Shutter Priority, the longest attainable shutter speed is 30 sec) For less than $20, I would say it is a must have for any Nikon user. The only complaint I would have is that the remote must be pointed at the front of the camera. It would be nice if the remote was Bluetooth or something non-directional, unlike IR which must be pointed at the receiver. Other than that, it gets the job done!
I have the D40 and although the self-timer works, this is WAY better. No need to run back and get in the shot. Set your camera to remote shooting mode (in the menu) and press the remote after you're where you want to be. This would also help with low light/slow shutter speeds where you want to minimize any camera shake. Worth every penny to me. I'm most likely going to order another as a backup in case I misplace the one I have (which is very likely ;).
Made it easier to be in the picture, works fine. It's a small item but helps when you need it.
One of the reasons I purchased the D5100 over the D3100 is the availability of the wireless remote.  The remote has met all my expectations.  With long exposure, night shots, it's great to just push the button on the remote and wait for the camera to finish the exposure.  The remote is small and fits well in your hand.It's a must for things like fireworks.  I got a bit confused, looking for BULB on my camera, but with the camera set to remote, bulb changes to TIME.  One click and the shutter opens, another click and the shutter closes.Inexpensive and it works.
When I bought this remote at my local camera shop, the sales person warned me that the remote must be in the frame of your photo in order to trigger the shutter release.  This is not necessarily true.  It will depend on the lens you are using.The remote needs to be in front of the camera, yes, so that the IR receiver on the front of the camera can pick up the remote's signal, but depending on the lens' angle of view, you may or may not have the remote within the frame.  Obviously, the wider the lens, the more likely the remote will be in the photo.Another trick to avoid the remote being visible in your photo is to use the camera's timer.  Set the camera to Remote Timer so when you press the button you have time to hide the remote before the shutter is released.The remote's IR lamp is pretty bright too, so you can try bouncing it off any surface in front of the camera.  If done right, the receiver will see the "light" but not the remote.  An example would be you standing 2ft in front of a wall, camera pointed at you and the wall.  You hold the remote in your hand behind your back with the remote pointed at the wall.  When you press the button, the remote shines it's IR lamp at the wall and the camera picks that up without the remote visible to the lens.This ML-L3 remote is really pretty nice.  Very solid build quality, compact, has a pretty good range (the range is extended in darker lighting situations), and even comes with a nice little nylon cover to protect it.  I definitely recommend it because there are times where you will wish you had such a remote and you'll regret not having such an inexpensive yet reliable piece of equipment.
It works perfectly with my D5100 and my D610.  Just need to make sure you have line of sight to the sensor on the camera.  My 5 year old even uses it to take photos of herself making funny faces.
used this for macro work on the D70s and would have been better off simply using the built in "Timed shutter release" This can be set to 2, 5, 10 seconds if I remember rightly.1, This little gadget really needs to be aimed at the front of the camera which can mean 10 - 15 presses if you're behind the camera.2, Its to small. Put it down and you'll search for ages trying to find it. I would recommend a small loop like on a USB memory stick so it could be hung around one neck.When I upgraded to the D200 I was forced to buy a cable release. Which annoyed me at first but the cable release works.I still maintain that the built in self timer is better. For one you can use "Mirror-up" mode. This will increase sharpness enormously.If i use a cable release I use a Chinese copy I bought for buttons on fleabay.Spent more time looking for ML-L3 than using it.Still given it a 4 Star as it does work OK and may be convenient for other applications.
I liked using this product for a Nikon D50 and the Nikon D80. It functioned very well and I didn't have any major problems with it. While shooting outdoors there were occasional instances of the camera not receiving the signal. It works awesome indoors where the signal can bounce off of walls (if you're in a situation where you want to trip two or more cameras).I have used this while interviewing people. I often am required to submit photos of the subject during the interview and a lot of people find it awkward to talk to you candidly while you are pointing a camera at them. I would just set a camera on a tripod and use this remote to trip the camera and got great spontaneous photos.Stay away from this if you shoot with a higher end DSLR. This doesn't work with my D300 or any cameras in its class.
I gave it an &#34;It's OK&#34; rating because I really don't know if it works as it's not compatible with my particular Nikon.It does appear to be solidly constructed and it's well packaged which, given Nikon's other products, is the norm.
Works great but the sensitivity is quite poor you have to to be in the middle in order for it to work...overall its ok.
This would get five stars if some directions would have come with it.  After pouring over other reviews I finally found some instructions and then realized how easy it is to use.
Use this item often when doing time exposures. As an amateur astronomer this product comes in very handy when doing astro photography.
I would recommend this product to anyone who needs to use a tripod for portraits, low light, starry night images.  Camera is triggered by an IR signal -- no touching the camera during exposure.  When combined with the miirror-up feature on most modern DSLR cameras, reduces camera shake to near zero.
No instructions and it took me a while to figure out that it doesn't work from behind the camera.Once I got past that, it works great!
I just bought my Nikon D50 snf this remote works great, and it is very cheap.
I've used this for several months now to trigger my Nikon D90, and have had no real problems.  You won't have the range of a "true wireless" remote (e.g., Paul C. Buff Cybersync plus wired electronic release, if such a thing exists for the D90), but this costs a fraction of that price.  I have rarely had issues with the range -- it seems to drop out around 15-20 feet (at least in bright sunlight).
This is great for family portraits. Took my family portrait a few days ago. Easy to use and dependable.
The Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control works very well. I use it with my tripod to prevent camera shake, especially in low light situations.
I only use the remote control twice a year - at Christmas to take group photos of my family and my wife's family - but this little gadget is worth every penny. I used to set the timer, then start it running while I ran around to get in the picture. It's so much easier to trigger the shutter by remote control. I've used it with a D200 and D300, and it works perfectly.
How can I praise more about this item?  It's awesome!  Get one if you don't have one, yet.
Bought this remote for self portraits in travel and family get togethers.  Works perfect for me...have to remember to set the camera to "read" it...beginner here.  I think it's well worth every penny and is a great addition to my D50 accessories collection.
One thing to be on the look out for is fake Nikon gear.  I went to the Nikon site and found that this item is known to be knocked off... so I knew what to look for (after getting my remote in hand)... and this one is the "real deal" made by Nikon.1) The price was right.2) It shipped right away.3) It works as advertised.4) Comes with it own case to protect it when not in use.5) It comes with a battery(Must remove thin plastic liner which prevents battery from wearing down)Enjoy... I do.
I boutght this as one of the Christmas present requests for  my daughter to go with her new camera.  She loves and and is able to take great pictures because now the camera can stay on the tripod and there is no hand shaking whilst holding the camera before you click.
The Nikon ML-L3 remote works as promised. The range is very usable, and it is quite compact. It comes with a case than can attach to your camera's neckstrap. This keeps it close at hand when you need it.
I've only used it a few times. Worked right away with my  Nikon P7800. works even at an angle that seems to be out of line of sight. Ive set my camera on a tripod at family gatherings and randomly pushed the remote to capture candid shots. Works to 30 feet for me.
Sent this as a gift, at first when I read posts a large number of folks were having problems using the remote, my giftee stumbled through the cameras settings and installed the wireless remote with ease; I figured look up the settings for the camera and relay the information shouldn't be too difficult???? Then within minutes recieved a response telling me she loved the addition to her camera!!!! And a mass of photos taken from inside the home while the camera was outside.A great price for a flawless working remote.A great feature for a Nikon D60 camera.(NOTE:Cameras are different so take the time to research the settings; from reading posts on other sites using Nikons alot of folks had some problems but were able to connect and utilize the remote after some inspiring photographers input.)
The Nikon ML/L3 Wireless Remote Control has proven itself to be a worthwhile tool time and time again. Pairing up to both my Nikon D90 & D300s was a breeze and on the money. The wireless feature easily makes this remote the hands down favorite when shooting products. Overall, the shots were consistent within a solid shooting range between 5 and 16 feet. Self and family portraits are a breeze.The immediate and two second delay modes are nice add ons. Overall reliability has not been an issue. With a 3 volt CR2025 battery providing the juice, its all about usage. For my needs I replace batteries every six months and keep back ups handy. Mounting a small sticker noting the date of the last battery change is helpful too. Occasional users can get away with a one year replacement. For prolonged storage, I recommend removing the battery. For heavy usage, its a good idea to carry a back up unit.In the box, (1) CR2025 battery, instructions, and a one year manufacturer's warranty. Customer support can be reached via Nikon's website or toll free phone number. Without a doubt, the Nikon ML/L3 Remote is a durable and cost effective tool. Its a welcome addition to my camera bag.
I bought this remote about 8-9 months ago, shortly after I purchased my Nikon D40x.  I used it enough at that time to figure out how to use the remote then I put it away until 2 weeks ago.  Happy to say the remote still worked with the same battery.  I used it when taking pictures at the Grand Canyon and like another reviewer, found I had to have the remote close to the camera when using it (maybe the battery needs replacing soon?).  The remote runs on a button battery; replacements can be bought at most stores which sell batteries.  The only complaint I have about the remote is its holder which has a slot to fit the (flimsy) strap that comes with the camera, otherwise one must improvise or keep good track of where they keep the remote when they're not using it.
A really good wireless remote for the price. It works great with my camara. There are a couple of faults but not with the remote, 1st you have to be sort of out in front of the camara for it to work, 2nd my camara D60 will only allow you to stay in remote mode for up to 15 min. I bought it to take pictures of humming birds and the like, with the camara set up and I at a distance, about 10 ft. Most of the time now I sort of camafloge the area of the camara (and myself) and do not use the remote for my camara times out to quickly. For anyone wanting a remote this is a good one.
This remote works really well with my D7000.It's great for group photos so you don't have to set the timer and then rush back to get into the photo.  I also use it a lot when shooting photos of my pets, they seem to have learned to look away when I am behind the camera, but if I set it up on a tripod and interact with them and use the remote to trigger the photo, I seem to get much better and more candid shots.For those of you that shoot HDR or time lapse photos, the remote shutter control is a must to eliminate the vibration created when pressing the shutter release manually.
I use this on hiking trips to get shots of my bf and me together at the summit of mountains. Way better than a self-timer b/c you can move around and don't have to keep setting up the camera. BUT if you are not using this for self-portraits be aware that it needs to be pointed at the front of the camera... that may bother some people.
I bought this remote for my Nikon D60 camera. I have found it very useful in taking pictures. Usually I don't end up in many vacation photos, but with this remote I was in quite a few. It is much easier to use than just a self timer. It is also very useful when taking pictures in low light with the manual setting (much less camera shake). Great product.
This works flawlessly with my J1. It does what it needs to do. There really isn't much else I need to say.
Rarely do you find a product so simple, yet so useful. It just works. Love it!
I was quite dumbfounded when I received this product.  It came in a Nikon box and was packaged nicely.  However, there were no instructions, or even a spec sheet.  The end of the remote that you aim towards the camera looks like a little light, like you'd see on a small keychain light.  This didn't light up for me and I thought that either the remote was broken out of the box or else the battery was dead.  Nope.  I had to come look at the reviews and discussion groups on Amazon to figure out how to work this remote.  It isn't supposed to light up, and I just needed to adjust my camera settings on my D60 in order for the remote to work.  I wish the product came with instructions, but other than that, I've been happy with the performance and ease of the remote!
It was cheap and it worked just like I had hoped. I was able to take some decent family photos with it. It also works great for taking &#34;candid&#34; shots of kids.
I love using this remote with my tripod.Quick response, good battery life, and works every time.use with my old d-40
Used with my d50 and d90 camera's-----small, easy to use and very effective. Attach it to the neck strap and you will always have it with you and it won't get lost.  My only regret is not buying one sooner.
If you do a lot of work on a tripod or slow shutter speeds, this little item is the way to go.  On my Nikon 8800 I can set either a 3 or 10 second timer, then use the remote to prevent any camera movement from pushing on the shutter release.  Also works great for self portaits.
It does what it's supposed to do.  Point and click.  Thought it might be a problem since it only reads from one side of the lens, but I can't see my hand when I'm clicking it.
My Nikon D200 can be controlled remotely to take long exposure pictures without the need for a cable.  Love this feature.
I bought this before I realized that I could just use my galaxy s4 for this. Its nice to have a dedicated piece of hardware for it though. It might get annoying to have to deal with my phone every time I want to take a remote pic (which isnt that often).
It's small, sleek, cheap, and does exactly what you bought it for. The battery has lasted me many months, and the remote has never malfunctioned. You can't beat this.
I love this little remote! Even better than how easy it is to use is how cheap it is. It auto focuses before taking a picture as well which is a nice and much needed feature in my opinion. My only downfall is that it DOES NOT come with any sort of paperwork or directions. Its in a tiny box with a sleeve and that's all you get. I had to personally look up online how to use it. Other than that, I love it!
I purchased this remote so I could snap macros without camera shake.  The remote worked right out of the box.  I simply set my camera on remote shutter release and started taking pictures.The receiver doesn't allow for much distance, but as I said, I'm shooting macros, so I'm manually focusing and am standing right next to the camera anyway - not an issue for me.  The price was right, and I'm happy with the purchase.
This product works just as it is designed to do. Note: due to the limitations of camera operations, some features are not available w/ the infrared remote. The only time you can use the infrared remote, is when you have the wireless remote turned on; this works in instant picture mode and timer modes ONLY. It is, however, great for landscape, self-portrait and other situations that you'd need remote shutter control or minimal/no camera shake. Keep this in mind with your purchase, and you'll be happy you got this added tool.
this does exactly what you would expect it to do and for a good price as well. I have since purchased a wired timer remote so I can do time lapse photos, but this is great for taking self portraits or family self portraits. I used it  for my Xmas cards this past December.
Everybody should have one!  Give them as gifts!  Put your camera anywhere (within the range) and use the remote to shoot!  Great for parties, wildlife, pets, self portraits.Read the instructions in your camera's manual on how to use this.Hours of fun!!!!
Great product. It's unfortunate that the Nikon D40 does not have any cable or other shutter release except for the ML-L3, but I'll live with it for now. Still experimenting. The Amazon.com provider of the equipment responded quickly and very well in resolving an issue. I wish I knew the name of the provider, but my hard disk just crashed and I'm still trying to recover old e-mails...
I'm using this with a D40. This is an inexpensive remote that works fine within 10 or 15 feet in front of the camera or to the side of the camera. It also works to bounce off a wall in some cases, if you need to shoot from behind. The sensor for the remote is on the front of the camera, so doesn't do so well from behind with nothing to bounce off of.Don't understand why something this simple, inexpensive, and functional wasn't included with the camera. Odd. It is very small and although I did my best to attach it securely to my camera strap, I wonder how long it will take before I misplace or lose it!
Really happy with this remote control for my D50. Makes timer shots for groups much easier. Also expect it will come in handy to help steady regular tripod shots. Delivery was quick.
Use as a remote trigger for group shots or to reduce shaking on a tripod.WORKS GREAT!!
I bought this for my Nikon D40X and it works exactly as described.  The only think I dislike about the electronic shutter release is that my camera only remains in remote release mode for about 20 seconds and then reverts back to manual shutter release.  This is not a fault of the remote so I give the product 5 stars.  The only thing I would change about the L3 is maybe make it bigger and in a bright color.  It is extremely tiny, light and easy to lose, especially with my absent mindedness. I believe those customers who are trashing this product probably don't have their camera controls set properly.  I did have to fiddle a little with my Nikon in order to learn how to use the product.  I do agree with them that the remote is overpriced.
Works great for portraits especially ones of yourself or with others, it's also good for long shutter speeds such as blurred water or night photography!
Not much to say, it does what I bought it to do and has good range for those family shots.
Wish it had a little longer range, but it's nice for self-portrait and for landscapes where a steady cam is key. I also used it for those cold nights shooting the stars from the warmth of the car.
I am very pleased with the product.  Works great with my D70s and has come in very hany dozens of times in my short time of ownership.  Probably the best accessory I have bought thus far.
This is a must for taking group shots so everyone gets in the picture.  Also great for long exposure shots to avoid moving the camera.
I use this for my D40 and it is so easy to set-up and use. I wish I had bought this sooner. It is VERY small. I would suggest storing it with your memory cards because it can easily become lost in a large camera bag.
The product works well once it is calibrated with the camera.  But it is difficult to remember how to calibrate it.  Due to that, I find myself using the camera's timer more than I use this remote.If you decide to buy, It is best to use the two second delay feature with this remote.  That means the shutter will release two seconds after you press the button.  That will prevent you from taking photos of yourself pressing the remote.
An inexpensive "must have" for tripod and delayed use.  Amazon had the best price and great shipping service.  Only works when placing the remote in front of the camera in lieu of where I prefer using it behind or off the side when holding a remote flash or shield.
Taking pictures is fun.  Being able to take pictures of me and my wife together is more fun.
This product works as advertised.  It is small enough to hide if you would like to be on the shots.  A must have for any Nikon D90 owners like me.  I used it in my sister's wedding to take pictures of the family.  I put my D90 on a tripod and the rest was history.  I didn't encounter any range issues, even behind the camera.  There is no need to setup on the D90, it syncs right off the bat.Highly recommended.
This is an excellent companion when used with the new Nikon D90; its small size and VERY easy triggering (no need to point directly at the source sensor, just in its VERY vague vicinity).  I know that operational proximity & ease of triggering are important performance characteristics to many prospective buyers, so I'll provide more specificity:  the unit's operational proximity exceeds that which has been advertised (16.4 ft.) by 10-12% (appx. 18.2 ft.) -- perhaps this is a result of my use with a new model that had not yet been released when these "specs" were written, or perhaps the newness of the battery is at play, or conservative spec writing -- I suspect it's ultimately some combination of these three factors -- I'm not sure, but the results are absolutely great!  When considering the price, acceptable fit/finish & reliable feel, this item win this a 5 star without hesitation, it comes with a black, snug-fitting tasteful case w/ Velcro seal.  One small caveat: the unit must be VERY close to the body when attempting to trigger from behind the camera. A couple of configurations required that I move it in front of the camera altogether, not a big deal at all, but others have expressed concern on this issue or as part of a future "wish list," and Nikon seems to have left this design aspect unchanged with their newest dSLR (the D90, as of 07 OCT 2008).
The remote works great.I got it for family portraits without using the timer.  This way I can take as many shots as I want from in front of the camera.  I let my young son push the button just to give him something to smile about.It's about as long as two quarters and comes with a case that mounts on the camera strap.
There are aftermarket remotes that cost less, but the Nikon remote is not that much more expensive, and for the small difference in price I would rather have genuine Nikon gear, especially when my priceless photos are on the line.Now, I might feel differently about the optional battery pack enclosure or an external flash, but this purchase is a no-brainer, IMHO. (I did buy the aftermarket battery packs w/ charger for my D7000, & am completely satisfied, BTW.)
Family portraits or long exposure shots where you cannot have any vibration, this is a must have for your Nikon!
For the price, its a no-brainer to get this, especially for those of us photogs that never get to be in the picture.Pros:* Cheap, just get it.  Do it.* No setup needed* Be in the pictureCons:* Remember to set the camera up for this function (On the D-80 its the single/continuous/timer button just next to the shutter release).  Sometimes this setting reverts, so make sure every so many shots that its still engaged.* Limited/unknown range.  It doesn't appear to work from the left of the camera, you have to move yourself to the right so the infra-red receiver/transmitter can see the signal.
I like it but I wish it worked in all release modes. I use a wired remote for single shot, continuous and bracketing.
The Nikon ML-L3 shutter remote is an indispensable tool that I'm never without.  While doing landscape photography, I often find myself using a small aperature (for maximum depth-of-field), polarizers and graduated neutral density filters; all of these block out some light.  With such low amounts of light entering the camera, my shutter speeds tend to be rather long and susceptible to being blurred simply by pressing the on-camera shutter release.  The ML-L3 remote allows me to open the shutter without introducing any camera shake and that alone is makes it worth every penny.The low price contributes to making the ML-L3 remote a no-brainer.  Get it, use it, enjoy it!  You can't go wrong with this product.(Technical notes: I've been using the ML-L3 with a Nikon D5000)
I bought this remote on a Saturday evening for a Monday photo shoot so needed to buy it at a local photo shop.  I paid almost twice the Amazon price and felt it was still a good deal.  Now I'll buy a spare from Amazon since I'm known for leaving little gadgets in my pockets for my wife to wash in the laundry!Seriously, this remote worked exactly as described and it worked perfect for my application.  I took over 100  head and shoulder shots of 30 high school students over a 45 minute time frame.  I needed to move fast.  My D80 was setup on a tripod and with multiple off camera flashes in slave mode. The remote made it extremely easy to snap off pics without touching the shutter button.The remote must be pointed at the camera but the camera seems to pick up the signal from all sides of the camera.  Very helpful.Pros:> Small and lightweight> Uses flat CR2025 batteries not AA or AAA> Works as described> Works from any angle, very handy> Because it is so small, can easily be hidden in hand for remote triggering of self portraitsVery Minor Cons:> Almost too small.......could be easy to loose (would love the ability to attach a small lanyard to put around my wrist)....it is so light that you hardly feel it in your hands so sometimes I held it backwards (I'll probably get used to the feel)Recommendation - makes tripod shooting much easier!
This is a wonderful addition to my Nikon D40, I have been using it both for "self-portrait" type shots as well as tripod exposures where I don't want camera shake.  It's much faster to set it to snap the picture on remote press than to use a 2 second timer on a tripod for every shot.To answer several questions, it can quite easily be used from the normal position "behind" the D40 when on a tripod, just reach the remote slightly around the side of the hand-grip and point the remote in the general direction of the camera, it has fired every time for me.The included case is great to slip on your camera strap so the remote is always available, and so you don't lose this little gadget!Excellent purchase, worth every penny!
This works great with my nikon d5100. Very handy when taking family photo or tripod. Eliminates any chance of shaking the camera.
A handy device for triggering the camera remotely.  More convenient than the timer option.
It's inexpensive, small, compact and works well! The remote comes with a nifty little case which can be attached to a camera strap -- which I love.I can't think of a single thing wrong with this remote, especially since it's Nikon branded.
I'm not a millionaire and cannot afford really fast glass.  I love night shots, so my only option was to get a good tripod and this remote.  It works great, but is a little confusing to use at first.  I also always forget to set my camera back from the remote setting and wonder why it won't take photos :)When I use this I put the camera on the tripod, set the tripod, compose the shot, use live view and zoom in a lot for focus then set the mode to remote and use the mirror-up mode on the remote.  I've gotten some stunning shots, even with my F4-F5.6 70-300MM consumer lens!
Great little accessory for your Nikon. The range is actually about 30 feet, plenty far for anything indoor and most outdoor shooting. The only downfall is they are pretty much made to be disposable, when the battery dies you just buy another one. Also be aware if you have more than one camera the remote will trigger both cameras, this could be a good or a bad thing.
I bought this product to work with a Nikon D5100. This remote is easy to use and very small. So far so good, you just point it at camera and click the button. Helps me get sharper images.
I purchased this for my Nikon D-50 and it works like a charm!  I especially like being able to remotely fire the camera when it is on a tripod and I am trying to limit camera  movement for distance shots.
I have had problems using this in bright sunlight.  In that case, I had to set the on camera timer and run.  I believe that this would be a limitation of all IR remotes.  Other than that, I have had no problems with it.
I love this, great for taking longer exposures on a tripod, and you can't beat the price, great value for a genuine Nikon accessory!
The remote works via InfraRed (D7000 has front & back IR sensors) to take a picture after a predetermined time.This remote is fantastic for:1.  If you want to take landscape of whatever pic without physical camera shake (no physical button press = no physical camera shake).2.  Get in the self-portrait/group-picture, with 2 second (adjustable) time to press the remote, then compose yourself.
A lot nicer than a shutter cord and smaller too.  If camera is set to auto it will auto focus the lens on the point you aim at, good for those shots where you know a small animal or bird like to do their thing.
I bought the remote I owned before from Best Buy but I gave it away with an old camera I sold knowing I could just get another on Amazon for cheaper. Upon opening the remote from Amazon, I realized the finish was a bit different from the previous one I owned. I had heard lots of rumors about counterfeit Nikon products floating around Amazon so I suspected that since the remote from Amazon (for $12) was a fake. After a quick search, I realized that the &#34;Nikon&#34; remote I had purchased from Best Buy earlier in the year was actually the counterfeit (genuine Nikon ML-L3 has 'Made in China' seal on the back of it (according to Nikon's official site), my old one didn't have that). So, I paid $30 at Best Buy for a counterfeit Nikon product, but I bought the genuine version of the same product for $12 here on Amazon a few months later..All in all, good product, makes long exposures a breeze, hasn't let me down so far.
This remote is no powerhouse, you have to be fairly close to the camera however for the cost it's well worth having. It comes with a little pouch that attaches to your camera's strap. Once attached you don't even know it's there.
Fast Shipping, Great Product, Works Great for my D7000.Bit expensive but I wanted genuine nikon remote so no complain about price.Worth it
Wonderful little accessory for my D80. Works well, is built well, has pretty good range. It's a bit small, so sometimes easy to lose if you don't keep track of it. Depending on your camera, you'll have to aim pretty accurately for the IR sensor. Long lenses can get in the way.
This IR remote will allow your Nikon camera to take pictures without having you run back and forth from camera to subjects, making multiple group photos with you among the group quite a bit more manageable. Also very helpful if you enjoy nightshots and need the shutter to stay open on the "Bulb" setting: press once to open the shutter, press again to close. Great for light painting and such where you don't want to sit at your camera holding down the shutter button. It comes with a small pouch you can attach to the camera strap to hold it while it isn't being used.Now this really doesn't only apply to Nikon, a bunch of companies do this but that still doesn't make it a good thing, and consumers suffer for it. This product is of good quality and does exactly as advertised. If you buy it you will not be disappointed. However, I can buy a multimedia remote programmable for 300 different televisions and dvd players for $10, while this remote has only one button, works for only one brand of camera. Its MSRP is $40, I paid $20 (what great savings!) and it is a quality product that will last. But it's not worth $20. It cost well under half a dollar to make and has only one purpose in mind: flash an invisible light with a specific pattern so your camera takes a picture. And if I didn't want to spend $20 on it the only other option would be to go to the Chinese market for a less than good quality knockoff.Instead of making overpriced accessories that do just one small (albeit helpful) thing, why not make something really worth buying. With less than $5 worth of parts, enthusiasts are making these same remotes at home with intervalometer features built right in. That means every x amount of seconds or minutes it sends a command so the camera takes a picture, allowing stunning time lapses to be a piece of cake. With Nikon's resources, this kind of device would be worth owning, and it would be something I would spend $40 on. In order to do this though, there must be a shift in thinking, away from the old idea of making a quality product with overpriced accessories to a quality product with quality accessories.I'm happy with my purchase, and I obviously rated it well. I just hope the future brings some smashing accessories at sensible prices.
I am an amateur (beginner) photo enthusiast and am very happy with this little remote.  I am using it with a Nikon D90.  It is the only remote I've ever used, so I can't compare it with others, but it does the job I purchased it for, and for less than $20, it was great.
At $15 or so, this remote is a no brainer purchase.  Use it for self-portraits or group portaits you want to be in.  SOOOO much easier than the self-timer in the camera.  Plus you can take repeat shots of the group image (with yourself in it) without having to run back and forth re-setting the timer.  You can also use it for low shutter speeds when the camera is on a tripod, to avoid any movement during exposure.  If you are purchasing or own a Nikon DLSR, buy this remote!
Of course it works great with my Nikon 5100 and the remote is a great size, it's small enough to hide in the palm of your hand (if you're shooting yourself) and it's so light. Great addition to my camera.
Great edition to a camera kit for a Nikon D3200.  Great for use for family pictures instead of the internal self-timer of the camera.  No running back to the group before the shutter trips.  Just set the camera for use with the remote - walk back to the family, tell everybody to look at the camera, press the button, and 2 seconds later, the shutter trips.  Love it!
Loving this remote!  I got it for my D5100 and it works great!  Took a while to figure out how exactly to use it (since it doesn't come with a manual), but it's in the manual that came with the camera.  You need to be in certain release modes.  Overall I love this product, the only thing I wish was making it easier to focus (which it DOES do in certain modes), but other than that I'm happy. :)
Great for family photos if you DON'T WANT to be excluded from the photos....I rarely use it because I'm always behind the camera....
I thought I did review this, but here goes...it's a nice device...it works just fine with the D50, or at least when I tested it.  Am pleased and would buy it again.
Amazing! A genuine Nikon product for so little cash. I haven't tested the distance the remote will work from, but taking the family picture just got a whole lot easier!
Does what it's supposed to do, but would be more useful if there was also a sensor in the back of the camera so this product would work from behind the camera as well.
I absolutely love this wireless remote.  It works perfectly with my Nikon D80 and has been a great tool for shots that I couldn't pull off before.
I bought this to go with my Nikon D90 and it works perfectly. I love being able to use a remote for slow shutter speed sensitive shots. It's also great when I want to be in a photo myself. No running to get in place before the timer goes off. You can take your time getting set up then press the remote button at your own convenience.
Many complaints state there are no directions. True. However, if you open your owners manual that came with your camera you will find how to use the remote which is as simple as changing the timer settings. If you use the bulb/time mode this along with a tripod will eliminate any blue that comes along with shaking or an unstable surface. My night time shots have been just as clear as my daytime shots. This is very small so be careful not to loose it. I have a D60 and I had the remote working within 3 minutes after I received it. Good price too and not having a cable remote actually proves to me to be more beneficial. Do not hesitate with this one.
Works well, including on "bulb" setting. With this and a tripod,you can greatly expand the type of shots you can get. I am using itwith a Nikon D-80.
At this price, who doesn't want one!? I got a whole bunch and gave it away to all my photographer friends!
This works great when it works, but I find it's often the case that I have to play around for a while to find exactly where to aim it to get my camera to register the button press. I've yet to figure out where the infrared receiver is on my Nikon D80, but I find it works most reliably when I'm behind, above, and to the left of the camera.
Just purchased this remote shutter release for my Nikon D 50 and what a wonderful addition to the accessories for this camera. The range is over 30 feet and it allows me to set up a tripod and set up photos that otherwise would be impossible to do alone.My children can play too, taking photos of them selves without touching the camera. This removes the threat of accidental handling of my camera.  I set the tripod up and they get to have their own photo shoot.For the 10 dollar price this item is outstanding and is an essential component of my camera bag.  I would recommend everyone buy one for their camera.  It will allow you to broaden your range of shooting in wildlife (if you like to take those kinds of photos), and give you freedom for self portraits and family shots without having to reset the timer function.Awesome little piece of technology I wish I had bought a long long time ago!
This works perfectly with my Nikon D40. Even survived being washed! I've purchased two of these for myself and family members, and would recommend this to anyone. The pouch that is included attaches to your camera strap so it's stored where you need it, when you need it. It allowed me to take some amazing "moving water" photos of Multnomah Falls in Oregon.
It`s good for me, just practice a while and you can get a lot of things, in bulb mode, you just need to press once to begin your exposition and once to close.
I had great hopes for this little gizmo, but because the sensor is on the front of the D40X it's difficult to use it...not to mention the distance range is pitiful. It might be OK for self portrait type shots, but is of little use to capture birds, etc as I had hoped.
This remote is VERY small and does exactly what it is supposed to do.  It works perfectly with my new D3000.  The range seems to be very long.  I have had it work as far as 100 feet away.  It is perfect for group shots.  On my camera I can set it so that the photo is taken immediately when the button is pushed, or two seconds later (so you can get the remote out of the shot).  This is also very useful for very slow shutter speeds.It comes with a battery and a small case (that could fit on the camera strap).  There is a plastic strip that needs to be removed from the battery so it can make contact.It does not have a "half-push" like the camera shutter.This thing is very small and can be easily misplaced.  It is only slightly larger than a SD card.I imagine there is no way to pair this with a specific camera, if you have several nearby all set to remote shutter.
I can't tell you how many times I've run back and forth between my camera and family to set the timer to shoot a picture only to see my son make a mean face or turn away.  With this remote, I can simply push the button when we're all ready.  I actually shoot with no timer or delay, just push and click I got it.  So helpful.  Additionally, the remote means my camera stays rock solid steady.  I can shoot stop motion with it.  Or compositing elements from one shoot to the next in photoshop is super easy to.  The registration is perfect.  The camera never moves.  I love this thing.  For what it does, the price is ridiculously cheap.  Buy it.
I've been using this remote with my D7000 for almost a year now. It does exactly what it is supposed to and at quite the range (30+ feet outdoors). Still running on the original battery, I can't complain. Solid buy if you need a wireless remote for your D7000.
Like others, i think this should be free with the camera. I finally gave in and got it and i am glad i did. I'm not quite sure what the issue is for some with set up, it is easy and if you can't work it out on your own, just look at your Camera's manual for directions. A few time's it has missed a shot but overall it is a good addition to my Camera and allows me to be in the photo!
Worked without fail, works every time great. Easy to conceal for self portraits, and fun to use. I found that when I first got it I used it even when I didn't really need to!
Convenience - I can't give 5 stars, when a second thing to bounce around and get lost or forgotten is needed.  But assuming I have it with me, it does its job extremely well!  It is so incredibly basic, and it just works.Comfort - It is small enough to fit in my smallest pocket, and it fits easily in the hand, when in use.  It is small enough that it is easy to have it virtually invisible in the photo, too.Range - I haven't tried to use it outside of its range.  For the distances involved in the group picture/self portrait environment, it works great.  The main reason I purchased it was to take low-light pictures without inducing camera shake.  It was the complete answer to what I wanted to do.  I can press the button on the remote to open the shutter, and then press it again to close it, all without camera shake, beyond whatever movement the mirror operation might cause.Ease of use - It has one button.  It can't get any easier to use.Picture quality - As I said, I got it to take "bulb" pictures without camera shake, and it makes it as good as it can get.Nice and compact - It is about half the size of a credit card, and less than a quarter inch thick.  It can fit in any pocket or pouch without a problem.I've rarely seen anywhere that I could spend so little money, and get so much value.  It just works!
This little gadget works great. I have used it over a handful of times and everytime I get gitty with excitement to finally be in a picture with my baby for once. Sometimes it gets an attitude if its blocked by too much stuff, but most of the time it snaps away with no problem at all. I highly recommend this remote control!
We got this to click pictures in low light and self mode. The remote prevents the tripod to shake on uneven grounds and low light. Does the job well.
Works just like it should..... glad it came with an extra battery, though, because the one that was in it was completely dead.
It works as advertised. I would buy it again. I give it only 4 stars because I don't find it as useful as the wired remote cable for the D80. I don't take self portaits very often, and the wireless remote is not as useful as the wired remote for bulb setting because it needs to be able to 'see' the IR.
Not sure why it's listed as Nikon 4730, but this appears to be ML-L3 in Nikon's catalog...As a D70 owner, I found this little device invaluable and would recommend it to anyone.  The range is good and works as advertised.  It's a bargain that is far more useful than you'd first imagine (camera shake, anyone?)
Pros:- Very small (2 inches approx)- Comes with a battery & cover- Camera strap can be threaded through the cover- Works from front, behind, top & bottom of camera (I checked it to verify some of the reviews here saying it doesn't work from behind)Cons:- No instructions on how to sync/connect with camera- This $15 part should come with the $600 camera.1. How to connect/sync this remote with D60?- Get to Quick Setting display (page 48 of D60 manual)- Get to the Release Mode and select Remote option. (Check D60 manual page 54 & 55)2. How to replace the battery?- See page 156 of D60 manual.
The remote works well with the D80. You have to make sure the camera is in the remote mode.  I put the D80 on a tripod and pointed to my family members sitting in a group and having fun.  They didn't realize I had the remote until the camera start flashing.  I kept snapping pictures while being part of the fun.  It was great.  It is tricky at time to make it work.  I wonder if you can stand behind the camera and use the remote?  Will find out...
Great, seeing how my hands shake off an on...mostly on wheni'm shooting a nice picture. I love the freedom it gives.
why wouldn't you get one? great to use on a trip, you don't have to have a stranger there to take group pix and also good to use as a shutter release for long exposure pictures so you don't shake the camera
I love this little remote! It makes taking pictures so much easier, especially if I'm having to constantly direct my subjects. It's awesome and I highly recommend it!
I've got two of these - one for me (D60) and one for my son (D3000).  It works great with either camera.  It's simple and the storage pouch (which goes on the camera strap) makes it very convenient to have at all times.  I love it for long exposure/low light work.
This was a Christmas gift for our daughter-in-law and when I first saw it I thought she would be disappointed because it was so small.  She said it is perfect because it can slip in a pocket or anywhere which makes it easy to bring along.  It works wonderfully.  So much better than having a delayed button and hurrying to get yourself in the picture.
I bought this early May and haven't had a chance to use it as much, but let me tell you this...it is certainly better than the amazon basics version since the battery for that remote kept on draining. Always trusted Nikon for it's quality of products. Will update once I start using this remote more often and let you all know if I run into any issues but like I stated, so far so good! :)
The Nikon ML-L3 Remote Controller is a handy little gadget, works like a charm.  I use it with a Nikon D5000 from up to 20' away.  It fires from directly in front of the camera of course, but also from the sides up to 10' and from the back at close range.  The remote does NOT come with any type of instructions, and you do need to set up the release mode from your camera's menus (I suspect that's the problem with most of the 1- and 2-star reviews - folks may not realize that this step is necessary).  You can find that information in your camera manual, or as I did, do a quick YouTube search using your camera model and remote setup "Nikon D5000 Remote Setup").  There are dozens of quick videos that will walk you through the release mode setup.
This works perfectly with my D70000. I received it very quickly after ordering it and I used it right away. i am glad i purchased this..
I finally had my 15 year old show me how it works. No instructions  included in the box. If you look in your camera manual it shows you step by step on how to use it. Turn the camera on.  On the top of the camera is the timer button (to the left and below the on-off dial)press this and watch very carefully the display and you will see the ity bity timer icon change. The first time you depress you see the timer icon, next time you will see the remote and the timer, and the third time you depress the timer button you will only see the remote icon.  This is the setting that I used. Leave the camera on of course move away keeping the camera pointed at you in the direct line of the remote (like a TV remote control)and push the button. It works great!
I purchased this to use with a D5100 and it's served me well. I'm now using it with a D600 and it just keeps on going. The only real issues I've had with this is that I frequently misplace it because it's rather small. The build quality is solid and I frequently keep it in my pocket rather than in the little strap pouch that's included.
Works like it should. I'm using it on a D40 and unfortunately it limits the remote time to 15 mins. Why limit me Nikon? why not just tell me the remote is on so I can turn it off.
Gave it the benefit of doubt until I have to use it. Being a Nikon accys,I expect that it works well?
This little guy is a must have accessory for your D7100. The only drawback is its diminutive size - easy to lose or misplace. OTher than that, an affordable and essential piece for every kit.
Bought this so I could use it when I'm shooting very long exposures.  Doesn't take up much room at all in the bag and could help you shoot better pictures.
The title says it all. Incredibly useful and well designed. Simple and effective. Great range and eliminates the need for a cable release. Best of all the price is very reasonable but be wary of imitators and stick with Nikon brands.
It's a must if you like shooting slow shutter or nighttime. Because this is infrared remote, the included case covers the infrared, so I don't understand what the hole in its case is for???
Wow!  Spectacular. Great remote.  Read the instruction manual for D80 (pg 38).  I purused the other reviewers and learned a lot about this item. Just what I wanted and needed for my close-up work,Works perfectly.
I am obsessed with this remote. I love it, and I use it 99% of the time while taking photos. My only issues is that it has to be aimed directly towards the sensor on my Nikon D90, otherwise it won't take the photo. Also, if I am farther away (to accommodate my 50mm lens), I may have to click the remote several times before the photo will be taken. Other than that, I love this remote and it is super helpful when taking portraits.
If you like to use your camera on a tripod you really should have one of these.  Using the timer gets old if you like to get in the picture yourself.  I could never get a group of people to stand for more than 2 pictures when using the timer, but with this remote it's easier to take several pictures in a row.  Easy to use with my Nikon D5000.
Honestly, this really is a DUH purchase. I don't know what took me so long to get it! The remote is inexpensive and indispensable. You set your camera to the little remote picture (same place where you can change your repeat speed or set it to timer - at least on the D90), walk away and press the button. DONE. We went on a 2500 mile road trip this Christmas and we used it with a cheap tripod to take family photos overlooking canyons, volcanoes, ski resorts and more.I have two tiny complaints. Yes, you really do have to aim towards the IR receiver on the camera which affects the location of the family members. Unless you really want your 4 year old to have control you'll want to be on the correct side of the camera. This also meant that sometimes our best photos had our hands at funny angles as I or my husband aimed the remote. The other complaint is also a bonus - it's SO tiny that we kept misplacing it. We finally stored it in our car in the sunglasses compartment on the ceiling.Really, if you have a good camera it would be remiss of you not to have this remote. Happy shooting!
I read many reviews here about this remote and felt a need to add my 2 cents.  I expected the remote to feel heavier than it is.  It's extremely light and very easy to use.  Packs away nicely in a zippered compartment of your camera bag without adding extra bulk and weight.  Comes with a battery and a small canvas pouch.On the Nikon D40x:Menu / Custom Setting Menu / Shooting Modethere are 2 options for setting the camera to use the remote.I found that the (D40x) camera senses the remote from all sides of the camera including behind it and as far away as 4 to 6 feet (from behind).  I didn't test it beyond 6.  It was important to me to know that I didn't have to point the remote at the sensor from only the front of the camera.  So with much certainty, I can tell you that I am pleased with it and sure you will be too!
Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote control is very simple and easy to use, especially with Nikon D80 SLR. It works both in the front and behind ND80. I had taken family pictures for christmas holiday, and gave them out to people for compliment of the seasons. Just keep pointing behind the camera, surely flash will come up. Incredible!
This remote is easy to use and didnt need any instructions, which is great because it didnt come with any.. After stressing for months with timers and taking pictures with awkward angles and missing heads, I was so pleased to finally have a tool that allows me to frame the photo and be in it, too...A must have for singleparent/deployed parent families.  The value for cost is phenomenal.  Thank you!
I had my remote working and ready to go within 5 minutes of opening the package. All it took for my Nikon D60 was changing the shutter release setting to remote control immediate release. Some people said that it wouldn't work from behind the camera, but mine does as long as you're close enough. In front of the camera, it works good as well.. I just wish it had a little longer range. Anything over about 5-10 feet and it will not work. Overall, I'm glad I purchased it.. a great addition to my acessories, and I'd still purchase it again knowing what I know now.
The featured review states that this remote doesn't work from behind the camera, but I did not run into this problem. It may just be the specific camera that the reviewer uses. I have a Nikon D60, and I am very happy with this product.The positive featured review has the specific information that you need to enable the features of auto focus and how to ensure that your camera is on the correct settings to use the remote.
Only bad thing. There is no sensor on the back of my camera. So you do have to reach around towards the front for it to work. Even so, its the best 20 bucks for camera accessories I've spent.I also like that the little velcro close pouch it comes with can be attached to my camera strap. How convenient is that!
Pull the tab and fire away.  Very simple, and does just what its supposed to do.
The description does not specify, but this remote control works perfectly with the Nikon D40.  It is small, lightweight, and cheap.  Highly recommended.
I use this for the following:- When I don't want the camera to shake when taking photos with slow  shutter speeds. (Also night shots when using a tripod).- When I want to take group pictures and include myself in them. (You can also set the timer using the remote).- When I am taking shots in the same place/position and don't want to hold the camera.The only con is that you have to aim the remote in FRONT of the camera. Or at a angle, you cannot be behind the camera for this to work.
For 13 bucks, this is one of my best photography purchases yet. Works as designed, no hassles.So yes it works only when pointed from the front of the camera. I have found myself taking firework pictures by standing behind my camera and holding a card in one hand to allow the beam to bounce off the card and reach the sensor. Till I spend a lot more on the cable release, I am going to continue using this remote for my D40.My only complaint is, as it is so small, it often gets lost in my camera bag!
First of all the seller got me this item for a great price and did a great job getting it here quickly. They sent me an e-mail for Nikon's technical support when I couldn't figure out how it works.I rated this item low on ease of use, because you have to pair it with the camera, much like pairing a blue tooth to a cell phone. No one would know this just by looking at it, and there are specific steps for doing this depending on your camera model.Picture quality??? What does this have to do with the picture quality? I bought an expensive camera for great picture quality.
The remote control is very handy when taking family photos and the photographer wants to be included. The only thing is that the remote fails to focus when you press the button. When you press the button it takes the picture, its not like the remote cord where you press it half way down to focus and then finish pressing it to take the picture. You're going to have to focus your camera first and then you can use the remote to take the picture. Other than that it is very handy, remember to put your camera in the mode to recieve the remote signal and remember to point it at the lens so the sensor can "see" it.
I've been working on a 365 photo project since February of 2009 and I found myself encountering difficult shooting challenges.  For those of you not familiar with 365 shots, the goal is to take a self-portrait of sorts every day for a year.  The shots can be part of your body, face, finger, shadow, etc depending on who's rules you follow.Anyhow, arm's length self portraits and perfectly synchronized self-timer shots get really old really fast.  This remote was just what I needed! I shoot with a D80 and the 18-200VR lens.  The shutter release offers me so much more freedom with my shots.  I especially like the timer delay release when I push the trigger and it goes off seconds later, not sure if that is unique to my camera).  This gives me the opportunity to point the remote at the camera and then stash the remote out of view.Shutter release time is pretty speedy when I push the remote buttom.  Sometimes I have trouble juggling the focusing process when using the remote.  I can pre-focus by depressing the shutter release halfway or adjusting the manual focus and then firing the shot with my remote.  As far as I can tell, the remote will not initiate the auto-focus mechanism on its own, too bad.  This can be troublesome with self portraits when I am the subject that I'd like my camera to focus on.  I also I wish the remote did not have to NOT have to be in a direct line of sight with the sensor.  Sometimes my long lens gets in the way.Overall, I have been extremely pleased with this product and I would recommend it to all my friend with compatible cameras.  It is small, lightweight and very easy to use.  It has vastly expanded my composition opportunities.  I even at times will hold the camera in one hand (in some precarious way that doesn't allow me to press the shutter release directly) so then I fire the shot with the remote.  It works like a dream.PROS:small, lightweight, easy to set-up and use, decent response timeCONS:needs direct line of sight to fire the shutter, focus is only possible from the camera body itself and not the remote
I have not been able to get mine to work, I have a D600. The camera's manual says this is the proper remote to use and I found the setting to change it to remote but it did not work. I also replaced the battery. It seems very limited even if you did get it to work. I will keep trying since I cannot return it but what a bummer
Slim wireless remote instantly triggers shutter without disturbing cameraIdeal for subjects that are difficult to approach or for minimizing vibrationsIncludes pouchFor use with Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR CamerasAlso used as replacement or spare for Nikon Coolpix 8400 and 8800
The Nikon ML-13 worked perfectly with my Nikon D80. Once you pull the plastic film allowing the battery to make contact, the unit did what I wanted.
It's a wireless remote control, and it does exactly what it should. As long as you know how to set  your camera to accept the command, it'll work perfectly.
Both for self-photos and for hand-shake-free shots on or off a tripod.  When using off-tripod, I had someone else click the remote.
Product works great- exactly what I was looking for.  Compact size made it easy to attach right to camera.
Very happy with this little remote, which comes WITH a battery already installed. Two advisories: First, you need to set your drive/remote settings to use the remote (press on the "multiple rectangles" just below the icon showing the remote, then turn the knurled wheel at the rear of the body). Second, make sure that this is the remote that works for your camera. It states very clearly in the description which models this works for, yet sadly there are some negative reviews from people who said, "it didn't work with my D3100, my D300, etc." And that's because it's not designed to.
I use a Nikon D5000 and this worked smoothly right out of the package and for a cheap price.  I've used it for portraits that I'm in and for shots requiring the camera to be absolutely still.  Compact, low price, easy to use.  Good purchase!
I brought this after I realized I was not in many of the pictures with my new daughter because I was behind the camera taking the pictures.  Now I can place the camera on a tripod and be in the pictures.  Fun to use with the D50.  You may have to point it directly at the camera but can probably point at a reflecting surface and bounce the signal to the camera also.  So far I am happy with this product.
Very good item, including the delivery.The range is a good point also, if you plan to shot a picture of you and your friends with a reasonable distance, it is perfect. Do not expect have a shot 1 mile away because that's note the focus.Basically it does what it intends to do.
I've tried the knock off brands of remotes, and have been disappointed.  I had hope the Nikon version would be better.  In some respects, it is, but I still find it connects for a shot with the camera only about 50% of the time, and I'm only a few feet away from the camera, sometimes even right next to it.  If you must get the shot, use a cable release vs. a wireless remote.
Ok,  I know that the title of the review would lead you to believe that I would rate this at 5 stars.  However,  I downed it only for its price to value ratio.  This is not the fault if Amazon,  but Nikon I feel.  You can purchase the amazon branded version of the remote for $8 less than this one and it works just the same (I've used both). Still,  this is a good remote that does what it says... Just know if you don't mind third party you can get it cheaper.
I bought this as a replacement for one I bought with my camera. The darn things are so little that they're too easy to lose. This is the only way to remotely trigger some of the Nikon DSLRs because they don't have a cable release mount. This sends an IR signal to the camera and triggers it. Unfortunately, the receiver window is on the front of the camera, so YOU have to be in front of the camera pointing at it, or at least off to the side, because it's line-of-sight. It's great for including yourself in the picture because you can set it to delay the shutter activation for a few seconds in order to get the remote control out of the picture.
THe down side is you have to be infront of the camera (most of the time) for it to work. It always works infront of the camera like its supposed to and I have got lucky enough to use it from the side and behind when im trying to take long exposure shots using my tripod. Its so fun and great for the price!
No instructions came with product. Very small. Could be lost easily. A lot of the photos I took using this remote were out of focus. Not as helpful as I anticipated. I've only had a couple of misses where the remote didn't activate my camera. I haven't figured out how to get my camera to stay on the 'focus' point when I use the remote from a distance. Only had my DSLR for 4 months, so I may not be using the camera/remote combination properly.
Bought this and have not had time or reason to use it yet.  When it gets warmer it will be nice!
I just recently got my DSLR camera and now my family depends on me to take all the pictures for the holidays and special events. This remote is perfect for it all. I bought this at the same time I bought my tripod (just in time for Christmas) and we got some great family photos that I was able to be in as well, rather than being stuck behind the camera the whole night. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a break from holding their big camera all day long. It works great!
I purchased this remote unsure whether it would work with my Nikon D80.  After switching the camera capture mode to the remote symbol and pressing the button it instantly took a picture.  No other setup or installation required.  I've only had it for 24 hours so I'll have to write more later when I've used it a while but it's perfect for what I wanted to use it for so far.  Works with my camera and it nicely fits on the strap so you'll always have it with your camera.  I recommend!!
Works great. You have to be right on top or in frunt of the camera for it to work.
I keep losing these little guys, but the replacement was as good as I remembered. I'd order them again. :)
Functions just as expected.  No complaints!  Definitely my favorite camera accessory!  Works great with my Nikon D70s.
I wish it worked from behind the camera a little bit better, but otherwise this is a great purchase. Highly recommended.
Had to look at my manual on how to get it to work on my Nikon D60 and D3000 but it works like a charm.
I have the D40 and this remote is great with it! I'd recommend this to everyone.
This little gizmo lets me wander around the room to get the shot setup exactly like I want it, then snap the photo immediately before anything or anyone changes.  It really freed me up and made my photography easier.
I was surprised at how small it is.  I had originally thought about buying a cable release for my Nikon D5100.  However, this was less expensive, smaller, works well, and allows greater distance from the camera.
This easy to use item will fit perfectly with our camera.  Now we are headed back outdoors with the Nikon.
It works well. However I would have liked this device to also Start and Stop movie recording but it does not.
I purchased the Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for use with a tripod when taking portraits and sunsets. The remote does just what it is advertised to do. I use it with a Nikon D50. I love the delayed settings available with my Nikon.  I wish it were possible to use the remote from the rear of my camera but I have adapted to positioning myself on the side of the camera. It is one more tool to give the user more control over the picture moment.
Works as the previous description describes it. Still using it after six months with two of my cameras. Would certainly purchase another one if I loose this one.
Great little remote.. I would recommend this item to anyone doing long exposure photography! Same with studio work! I wish it had a little light to let you know when you pressed the button but I am just very picky! A must have!
This remote is great.  Excatly what you  need for hands free operation of the camera while on a tripod.  Eliminates camera shake from pushing the shutter button.  ALso great for fmaily protraits, instead of using the timer and waiting for it.  Just wait for the perfect shot, the click the remote.
Love, love, love this gadget for macro photography!  It would be perfect if had a little hole that could be attached to a lanyard so it could be hung around my neck....it's small & light so easy to set down and misplace.
I love this little remote but it took a while to figure out how to make it work. I don't have much experience with SLR or digital cameras, so I wasn't sure if it was me or the product. My camera manual only tells how to adjust the time limit to use the remote (I have a Nikon D50), and the remote came with no instructions, other than to pull the tab to activate the battery. Once I figured out you had to set the timer and then push the remote button it worked great. Definitely worth the money in my opinion. Of course I am far from a professional and if photography is how you put meat (or vegetables as the case may be) on the table I am quite unqualified to make that call. But for the average "Jill" such as myself (or Joe) who just wants outstanding quality pictures of your family, it was a great $15 (after shipping) investment.
This remote works on line of sight, which has a couple of disadvantages. The sensor on the camera is on the front, so you can't easily use it to trigger photos by remote unless you're in the picture also (unless you're really sneaky). My camera (D40) has two remote modes, instant and 2-second delay so you can click and then hide the remote from the camera's view. Nice. Problem is if the camera sits too long and goes idle, it also drops back out to whatever shooting mode it was in previously (single shot, multi-shot, whatever) rather than remote trigger mode. Kind of annoying but you can change your sleep settings so you have more time to set up the shot before it times out.
Nikon is just right.  They know what they are doing and they do it well!  Always happy with my Nikon equipment.  I would buy it again!
Small, easy to use and worth the $13.88 I paid. Ordered it and it was delivered in 4 days, nice service.
I put off buying a remote for my Nikon D80 for a while because I wasn't sure I "needed" it.  But then whenever I would try to get a night shot, or we'd have to run back and forth to use the timer for family photos I was annoyed.  So finally I gave in and bought it.  I was nervous it would be difficult to use, but it's SO easy.  You literally just set the camera to receive the remote and push the button.  What could be easier!?!  It's so small I'm a bit nervous about losing it, but thankfully it comes with a little carrying pouch that slides onto your camera strap for safe keeping.  Especially for this price, it's a must have.
must have for long exposure, long lens. It is one of the few deals that come from Nikon that is importatnt.
The only use for this is when you have your really bad boy Nikon on a tripod and you use this to trigger the shutter so you won't shake the camera. or you want to get a group pic and you are close to the camera. Mine would not work over 10ft. That is just too short of a distance!
This inexpensive infrared remote controller is a must have because you never know what situations you want to shoot a picture of. It's so small, you better immediately attach it to your Nikon strap so that it cannot get lost! Also, it's so easy to use: make sure the camera settings are right, set the camera to fully remote, slightly press the shutter button till you hear a beep (to ignite the remote) and then you can use the remote by pressing the button on the remote to shoot. It's a marvel of technology making the life of a photographer more convenient and allowing more sharp pictures without blur.
I got good experience with this remote control, the only thing I must say is that the setting on remote control of my camera do not long enough as I wish, I need to keep shooting continously otherwise after a minute I need to set the funtion again on my camera.
I had purchased another brand of wireless remote control for my two Nikon DSLR's but I returned it and bought this Nikon version because I prefer to have Nikon accessories.What I got was a lemon. No packaging - it came in a thin plastic wrapping, with a nice little pouch for the gadget,  no instructions, which I didn't need anyway as I have used a similar one before.  the Nikon remote  worked a couple of times then it went dead. I changed the battery three times, thinking that was the problem. Still dead.Unfortunately, I didn't get to try this unit until two months after I received it - that's how trusting I am when it comes to Nikon;  the return date had expired when it conked out.  Amazon says I can still return it with 'partial refund,' (didn't say how much) and I have to pay for shipping again.This is an overpriced and cheaply made product, a disservice to the Nikon brand; it's good if it works, but don't count on it to work for any length of time. It's a piece of crap, like so many other electronic products these days.
This is the kind of item that should come packaged with the camera.  Fortunately it doesn't cost much to acquire.
Product came in as described and works very well. This will be very handy with self portraits of the family and our pets.
This has been great for self photography.  Another reviewer said that the Nikon should just include the remote and I could not agree more.  In the last 5 years I've never had to change the battery.  It gets the job done, every time.
Update: 6/2/12I saw in the product discussion some questions that I thought might be useful to have in a review.1. What camera models are compatible with this remote?Coolpix P7000, Coolpix P7100, D3000, D3200, D40, D40x, D50, D5000, D5100, D60, D70, D7000, D70s, D80, D90, Nikon 1 J1, & Nikon 1 V1.  Hope that helps clarify for anyone wondering!2.  What is the range of this remote?According to the NikonUSA website, the working range is 16 feet.  That seems about right from what I have seen.The Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote is great for taking shots while away from your camera AFTER you have your shot set up and composed. I have seen other remotes for cameras that allow you to set a time (usually about 3 seconds) after you depress the button before the shutter goes.  However, this is the remote that is recommended for the Nikon D5100, so that is the reason behind the purchase.  In any case, this little (and I do mean little) remote is handy for use with a tripod to get self-portraits or just crystal clear pictures with no camera shake.  It is a handy little tool worth the money, even if it has limited functions compared to some of the other remote releases out there.
This is a great little remote. I will say that at times it doesn't connect with the camera...maybe if you are too far away or the lens is blocking the sensor on the camera. I don't really think that is the remotes fault though...just the limitations of the technology.
Much smaller than I expected, which is a good thing.  Simple to use, small enough for any camera bag, and the price is definitely right.
I bought this to shoot portraits of my grandchildren, hands free, behind or parallel to the camera, so they would not pay attention to the camera. But because the remote must be pointed at the front of the camera, this is difficult to impossible. Spontaneity is soooo important, and this remote does not enhance my ability to get the shot!
Works great!  I haven't had to challenge the range yet.  It made taking pictures so much easier than using the timer, which is somewhat cumbersome.
It works. What can I say? You push the button and my camera goes off. Thats what its supposed do and it does it.
Remote works as described but I found it at my local specialty camera store for $18.50 + tax. I would look locally first.
I paid less than $19 for this remote. I saw some others (non-Nikon-brand) that appeared to do the same thing for less money. I decided to stick with the Nikon brand--it wasn't all that much money and I liked the idea that I wouldn't have to worry about compatibility issues. To send it back would have cost me $5 or so, so it wasn't worth losing sleep over. I'm thinking that I should have bought Nikon's wi-fi widget, which features both remote control and remote viewing of the camera. That's closer to $45 but for the extra dough it seems to be more useful. It's not a big deal for me either way: I don't use the remote all that often.
A must have item and a great price for vibration free taking of pictures from a tripod or hands free. Fast shipment was received prior to expectation and was greatly appreciated it made it in time for xmas. Thanks and would do business again.
We got this mostly for taking pics of birds while camera mounted on tripod. Since it's wireless we understand you need to point it at the front of the camera as when you might take a selfie or group photo. We read that after we ordered it and thought it might be going back based on our purposes of standing out of the way to get the bird photo. Turns out it has a pretty good range. For us, it works really well since we are taking pics thru a glass door. We can actually bounce the beam off the glass door and it goes back to the camera and Click we have some pretty good winter photos of birds. Do hope we get the same in summer. We really recommend this very little device; make sure you tie it on with the included bag when you're not using it. It could very easily be misplaced.
I had this remote for more than a year now.I used it with D90 quite a few times in this periodIt would not fail for a cloudy days / dark environments upto 20-30 feetIt failed while I was trying to trigger it from around 20 feet on a bright sunny day.But it worked same time when it was closerSo it might not work for long distance sunny daysYes it does has some direction limitation (not 180 degree in-front of camera)But we can trigger it from front of the camera...from back of the camera (for macro shooters) it worked few times in some directionSo we should test its sensitivity ranges and direction/angleThis depends on where the sensor is located in your camera body too.Overall its a good decision.
Works like a charm.  Great product.  Highly recommend if you do any long distance or other type of photography where the camera is on the tripod and you need to time your shots.
simply a remote trigger doesn't require any setup its recognize by your camera at least it was by my D7000 very quick response and it focus before taking the shot very useful
I love the design of it, it's very easy to set up with my D5000 and as longas you set your camera to receive signal for several minutes you'll be ok.The only thing that im not crazy about is the range or maybe the signal strength,because it can sometimes work at long distances like 10ft, but sometime it wontwork at short distances like 4ft, but i think it has to to with interferences.Asides from that, I think everything about it is great.
Typical of Nikon accessories: overpriced. Wish there were a "high power" version capable of reaching more than a couple feet in daylight.
Nice little remote, comes with a storage pouch.  Works fine, range seems good enough, I had no problems making it work with my Nikon D50.
Not great, for several reasons. First, you have to be standing at the proper angle so the IR signal can trip the shutter. Second, there's a very short time-out so that you have to reconnect the remote within 3-5 minutes or it de-synchs from the camera. I suspect that saves battery for both the camera and the remote, but it's not very useful.
This is a necessity for family pictures! Just set the camera up and push the button.  It's very small so we have added velcro to the back of ours and our camera bag to prevent us from loosing it.
This is an essential for my camera bag! When I am trying to get a family shot and no one is around, I can put the settings how I want them and snap my picture comes out perfectly! I would HIGHLY recommend this for anyone who is looking for a wireless remote. I have a DSLR, and this is easy to set up. I don't leave without it.
This inexpensive item has served has an indespensible accesory while doing sport and league work on a tripod, allowing us to shoot team groups and athletes without keeping my eye on the camera. Once framed I am able to concentrate on expression and the pose and release the shutter instantaneously. Assuredly it must be great for landscape tripod work and family stuff as you can also set the camera for a delay as well. Did I mention it focuses as well. Great item.
Very small, and with an exceptional design to complement the camera.  It does not work well from behind the camera, but does well from on top to infront.  The remote allows you to fire the camera without transfering motion and it does this job well.
I have used this remote on a few occassions and had not had any problems.  It works well.  However, it is small, so you will want to keep it in a secure place to avoid loss.
I have had this for about 2 weeks now. I have not used it for a family portrait, but I did use it from some night shots.  I like being able to get my shot in  focus, step away from the tripod and just push the remote button and it will take the picture  no jiggling the camera or bumping the tripod when you have to push the button on the camera!  The range is very small when firing from behind the camera, but more then acceptable.  The remote does everything it needs to in my opinion and is easy to operate.  I say for this price it is hard to beat.  Worth having in your camera bag.
I got one. It is not expensive and it is so small that will not create you a big problem taking it with you in the backpack. My D90 has a setting especially for pictures using this remote device. The fact that it activates when aiming directly in front of the camera says it all: It is great for family portraits where you want to be included---most "family photographers" will appreciate having one of this cute things. It is no good for anything else. I bought me a Nikon MC-DC2 Wired Remote for my serious work.I srongly recommend it---better with it than without it.
Now taking the family Christmas photo is simple. This remote works great. You do need a direct line to the camera but it's so small it's easy to conceal the remote in the pictures.  I bought one for myself and one for my daughter. I use it with my Nikon D5100, I don't recall her model but it's a D also. We love it, especially since I have always been the one taking the pictures, I was rarely in them.
Easiest thing to do to limit camera shake. Walk away and put yourself into your beautiful shot and aim that remote at your camera, even in front..and snap. Highly recommend it. I used the timer before, but I like this to wait until Im ready to snap off a picture. I really recommend it
Gave it 4 starts for only one reason, you really have to be DIRECTLY inline with the sensor on the camera for the remote to work. It DOES autofocus! Works exactly like pressing the shutter button with your finger. Comes with a little pouch with velcro closure that you can attach to your camera strap, so it's always there. Sometimes I forget about it being there until I need to be in a group shot then I am I think more thankful for that little pouch being on my camera strap than I am of the remote, LOL! VERY tiny, easy to hold and a no-brainer to use. Only drawback is that you need to be DIRECTLY in front of the camera with it. If you want to move around or snap a pic from anywhere with no hiccups, don't go wireless.
It does what I expected it to do.  You can beat it for the price, and it's easy to carry.
I purchased this item on Sept. 6 this year and haven't used it until a couple of days ago, then I found it didn't work at all. I thought that the battery was dead, so bought a new one and put it in. It still didn't work. I want to return or exchange, but realized that the return window has been closed on Oct. 17. What can I do?
Great little remote.  Comes in a nice pouch you can put on your neck strap and it works pretty well.  Does sometimes take a while to be recognized though (I'm using a Nikon D7000).  Not a deal breaker, but can sometimes be annoying.
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR CamerasThe remote is handy, small and it does what it is supposed to do. I definitely recommend this product! It works great!
For under $20, it was perfect for Xmas.  It's simple to use & it's wireless!  The only thing I found myself doing making sure I pointed the remote to the correct side of the camera to hit the sensor.  Sometimes it wouldn't go off then I'd have to point it more directly & it would work.  The range is good.  I had it taking shots from about 30ft away.  It's also convenient for taking those long exposures without having to set the timer (of course so you don't get any movement on the camera).  Also works great for getting in the picture with the family!  So far...so good!
Very useful little item if you have a compatible Nikon DSLR.  Along with a tripod, it should be one of your first accessory purchases. I've used it extensively with my Nikon D90.It not only allows you to remotely trigger shots (particularly handy for group shots to avoid the run-and-get-in-position problem), but is also useful for long exposures, and can be used for extremely long exposures ("Bulb" mode), such as night sky shots, creating a streaking stars effect.Make sure you read your manual and know it in order to know what settings on your camera must be changed to enable the remote, and how to use the bulb mode if you want to do so (you have to be in manual exposure settings on the D90... I'm embarrassed to admit I forgot how to do it when I planned on taking night sky shots, so I need to re-read my manual again).My one complaint is that the range is rather limited. Since it uses infrared light (like a TV remote), rather than radio signals, it has to be pointed at the sensor on the camera.  If you're too far to the side, the lens can often block the signal. There's a useful short delay mode on my D90 so I don't photograph myself pointing the remote, at least.  Still, I haven't found it troublesome enough to need to buy one of the radio signal types, which have an attachment that has to be plugged into the camera itself.Overall, a very useful item that anyone with a compatible camera should get.
I can't believe I've waited this long to get an IR remote for my SLR.  I have a D40x and this little gadget is terrific, and is worlds better than using the timer.  I wish this came standard with my camera, but it's cheap enough that it's not a big deal to pick it up separately.  All you need to do to set it up is put your camera in "remote" mode (either instant release or 2 second delay), and fire away.  You do need to point the remote at the camera, in much the same way as you would a TV remote, but it doesn't have to be exact, and the remote is easy enough to conceal in a pocket or your hand.  Great addition to my kit.
very nice and easy to use gajet for camera i raccomanded if you need something like that even is not use often is very a essential item on camera user.
Cheaply made junk.  I should have sent it back.  I still need a Nikon remote but would hesitate to order this one.
It took me a bit to figure this out as there were NO instructions included with the remote. . . but once I got that figured out... this is awesome!  I attached it to my neckstrap so it is right there ALL of the time!  Well worth the investment!
It did what I expected it to do. It came with a case that it sort of works with, but it works better when you take it out.
This remote is great. You can use it  in Mirror Up... and then when you feel that the mirror has stopped bouncing... trigger the shutter.  It really helps with those several second exposures.  The thing is though, it's infrared, and so you kinda have to try and point it in front of the camera, unlike a radio trigger.  But overall, great remote.
Overall a good accessory to have in your camera bag (VERY compact) whenever a shakefree shutter release is needed...... doesn't work from behind the camera and it comes in a box w/o instructions (drawback) but the Nikon manual and website get you on the right track.......
This really does work.  It is extremely small, but is really neat to have for big group and family pictures.
I expected I'd have to pay quite a bit more for something this slick. Works great at home, just waiting for the chance to put it to use.
Hold you hand over the top of the camera and this will work perfect.  Stand to the side and it will work.  Your hand will not be in the picture unless you are an idiot.
If you buy a Nikon D50 or D70, this is a must have accessory.  Costs about the same as a quality old style cable release but has the added feature of NO POSSIBILITY of shaking the camera while in use.Works from in front or from behind the camera and either operates the shutter directly or activates the self timer depending on camera settings.Great buy, flawless product.
Very nice product, arrived in good time.  Works better than I thought it may.
This is a wonderful tool to have, I live being able to use the remote and have the camera on the tripod. Works great!
Awesome! Inexpensive works great at close range. After a few shots you have to reset camera walk to far away and it won't work. Nice to have on hand if you don't have the money for a more expensive remote. Great starter item.
I know this product works, it worked for me part of the time.  However, the instructions are nonexistant and it does not work consistently.  I am going to have to practice with it to figure it out.  I really would prefer and old fashioned cable and plunger from back in the old film days.  This is the only remote control for the DX-40, so I recommend you practice a lot with this before going on a shoot so you don't get frustrated and angry when you have other people around or a once in a lifetime shot of fireworks.
For less than $20 you cannot go wrong.  It just works!.  As an added bonus, it comes with a pouch you can attach to your neck strap so that you always have it when you need it.
Realize this is tiny!  The longest side of it is only around 2 inches.  That's good though, you need to conceal it when you're framing that family portrait!  The device works perfectly for what you need it to do!
This is a great item, it is so easy to use and small enough to put in your pocket, I got one for my sister-n-law and nephew, they like it too, can be in more photo's with out having to run over to get in place, we use it for our 12 family memeber Christmas photo this year..love it.
I use my remote for taking pictures of my wife and I when we go on vacation.  I just put my camera on a tripod and set the camera to remote and that's it.  I also use it when I'm taking pictures with slow shutter speeds to avoid camera shake.  I use it on my D70 and my D40X.  Very nice and worth the money.
Works fine on my new D5000, no complaints whatsoever. ps. battery contrary to what is mentioned in many other reviews, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out.
Good price and does what it is suppose too. Comes with a pouch that can be attached to your camera strap so you do not need to worry about losing it. Use it with my Nikon D80 and D40x. The part I like about this remote is that I am the one usually taking pictures and very seldom see me in the photos, especially group photos etc and with wife. Guess what, I do not have to have someone else, or a stranger take pictures of me when I can do it all by myself with this little remote and a tripod. Do not have to worry about some stranger running off with my camera when he's taking my photo. Your laughing, I had a camera stolen from me like that while I was in Germany. So I love this little remote. Just set up my camera and go to the set location and press the button. Have had great results and with me in some of the photos. Yahoo, to Nikon for such a fantastic little gizmo.
I have a Nikon D40 and this little remote works well.  Setting up to use (follow camera manual instructions for remote camera use) is really easy and you basically just aim and fire for the shot.  It was worth the money for the convenience of taking shots with a remote.  It's small so make sure you keep it safe in it's little case so it doesn't get lost.  My only complaint is that I feel like I have to aim right at the camera sometimes or the remote won't work.  Of course, you don't want your arm pointing at the camera as you take the shot so there are some adjustments you have to make when you're taking a pic, like holding the remote behind your back and angling yourself in a certain way so it looks natural.
I am re-reveiwing this item because when it arrived, it didn't work and I got a replacement battery for it, that wasn't the problem.  I sent it back and Amazon sent a new one.  I had the same problem with the new on so I figured it was me who was the problem.  Low and behold, I wasn't setting my camera to remote control!  That was the problem and now there is no problem.
This little guy works as advertised and is a great little piece to stow in your camera bag.It takes up essentially no space, and it can only help you out.I've used it a bunch of times and I enjoy it.  (It's also so small, I've forgotten I have it with me and I've forgotten to use it.  Something you need to get into the habit of remembering...)Works great on my Nikon D7000 and I'm glad I bought it.It came quickly and is packaged well.  Even comes with its own little protector sleeve.
Must have this if you want to be in the picture, no more running back and forth to the camera to set the 10-second timer. I use the 2 second delay so I have time to hide the remote, just used this yesterday for our family Christmas pictures.
Worked like a champ, made long exposure shots SO much easier! I would recommend this to anyone who needed a wireless option.
Not much more that I can add that the other 700+ five star reviews did not cover.  I use this remote on my D7000 and D5000 and it works fantastic.  I like using it much more than the timer but the only downfall is that you need to have this pointed directly at the camera sensor.  It can be a little tricky for not making the remote obvious in your photos.Comes with battery and case.  These things are not very expensive and are well worth the investment if you use a tripod much.
The Nikon ML-L3 works great with the Nikon 5100. I use it when taking long exposure photographs to reduce camera shake. With a good tripod and this remote the camera stays rock steady. I am very pleased with the results.
it takes a picture nothing more. It would have cost nikon $5 more to put it in the box.
I use it on my D40.  Much more convenient for when I include myself in the portrait.  No more rushing to meet the 10 second self-timer.  I trigger the remote from a hand pointing the remote at the camera but out of frame (thanks to Ken Rockwell for this tip). I also get better low ISO night shots.  No matter how gently I push the shutter release, it still seems to affect some shots, but this is no longer a problem using this remote!
I use this wireless remote mostly for shooting long exposures.  It works great so as not to disturb the camera on long exposure/night shots.  It was also great for shooting a family picture.  I had the remote in my hand and it is so small you cannot see it in my Christmas family photos.
It's not instant shuttler release, but it works great for on tripod purposes. Very light weight and easily storable. Buy it!
Sometimes the little gadgets are just as important as the big gear.I've had mine for years and use it in many situations.  Its always in my camera bag.
A really neat gadget.  Eliminates the chance of moving the camera off of focus when depressing the shutter release.  If my camera is on a tripod, I'm most likely going to use this remote. Even though the instructions say you have to be in front of the camera to activate it, I find that standing along side and even to the rear of the camera within 10 to 15 feet works just as well.
I dont use this remote very often, but when I do it works.  I have no problems with it, but also dont find very many uses for it.  For the price though it is worth it to have it in the bag.
Purchased my my dad. He's happy with it, suites his needs. .. ... .... ..... ...... ....... ....... ........ ........
+This device is just like pressing the shutter release with your finger. If AF is in use, it focuses, then shoots. Shutter is near instant with Manual Focus.+I have a D90, so you can also set the camera to use the timer along with the shutter release. That way if you are in the picture, you can press the remote button, hide the remote, and the timer will take the picture 2 seconds later (for example). Otherwise, all the pictures would contain your hand holding the shutter release+Size is like a very large original sony memory stick or a keychain tag. The Amazon description of the product (2.4" x2.4" x1.1")is for the packaging, but the actual product is 2 3/8"L x 1 1/8"W x 1.4"H.+Replacement battery is the easy to find CR2025+I can only speak for my experience with a D90, but if you leave the camera in "remote" mode and turn off the camera, when it turns back on, it will be in Single shot mode.-If I were forced to say something negative, it requires line of sight with the front of the camera. I understand they couldn't sell a device like this using bluetooth for $15, but I guess we'll wait to get a radio frequency device with the next generation of cameras and I'll just have to save up since the new device could likely be more expensive.Overall, very useful, and quite an improvement over mechanical/electrical cables. If you think you could use one, it is probably one of the cheapest SLR accessories you will purchase.
Just got it today. It is TINY, and I was surprised there weren't any instructions, but I got out my camera manual and found the instructions. Works fine with my D60, but I wish it would work from more than just a few feet away. Worth the $15 though.
If you own a higher end Nikon DSLR, to reproduce the function of this little remote costs almost $200.  This is a cheap accessory that allows you to take a picture while not holding the camera.  So what if you don't get 360 coverage.  If you want that, go spend 10 times a much.  This is a great device that works as it should.  Others may expect their $$ to have $$$ results, not me.  Get it and enjoy the freedom it offers.
I have used this remote with my Nikon D80 for about a year. I has worked flawlessly for group photos and tripod shots. The range is decent. I have taken photos up to 12' away. It is compact and comes with a canvass sleeve/case that you can attach and store on your camera strap. I would recommend it to everyone. Who hasn't needed a wireless remote for their camera at some point? I only wish it came with the camera bodies. It should be an included accessory!
I got this to use with a D7000 and it has worked well the few times I've needed to use it.
A great, cheap, must-have item for any serious photographer.Good for portraits or other personal pictures where you can't be in the picture/video and shoot at the same time.In the words of Ron Popiel, set it and forget it.Hard to go wrong-- a single button and a button battery-- the camera body handles all the setting through the menu.
I'm using it for Nikon D3000 and it works perfectly. It's quite a bit smaller then i had imagined. It's actually a lot more convenient this way. I needed a remote for long exposure photography and this one is perfect for it.
You will not use this everyday but it is fun to have when the time comes to use it.  Really beats getting up everytime to set the delay.  Works as long as you are in front of the camera.  Just cup it in your hand and you will never see it.  The thing is tiny!!
I take a lot of trips for landscape/outdoor photography and wanted a remote shutter release for taking pictures of myself in distant locations and also for night time photography when I don't want to touch the camera.  Well I researched a couple wireless remotes and just opted to pay a little more and get the Nikon brand wireless remote since it is a reputable brand that I can trust.  Besides, my camera is a Nikon D5100 so I thought this would work perfect.  A few things one should know about this wireless remote shutter release before they purchase.  It does not do well outdoors, particularly on brighter sunny days.  I was at the Grand Canyon on a trail and wanted to snap a picture of myself with the canyon as the backdrop.  I mounted the camera on my tripod and proceeded to take the picture with the remote shutter release and it would not trigger it unless I got right up close (about 6 inches) to the camera!  I was in a shaded area too.  I finally gave up with the remote and just used the 10 second timer in the camera.  I've tested the remote indoors and it does as advertised and is good up to at least 10 feet, which is all I tested it at.  However, you must point the remote directly at the camera with no obstructions, much like your television remote.  For studio type work and anything indoors, this remote shutter release will work perfect.Another option if you need wireless for longer range or outdoor use is to go with the radio frequency type that has an antenna on the remote and a receiver that plugs into the camera.  The receiver is a bit cumbersome but it is small enough to not be that big of a deal.  With this remote, you don't need direct line of sight since it uses radio frequency.  So, hypothetically you could have your camera set up in the garage and trigger it from the couch in your living room.  The one downside though is that because it is radio frequency, it is vulnerable to radio interference which means it could trigger on its own.
I bought it because i'm never in any of the photos i take.Works pretty well although i havent used it the way i wanted to yet.  However i didnt expect to have to point it directly at the camera for it to work.  If its not pointed directly at the camera, well, its just not gonna work.  Not the biggest downfall, considering what i wanted to use it for.Other than that, small, compact and cheap.I use it with a d7000.
This remote is wonderful, we don't know what we ever did without it.
This remote works perfectly with my Nikon D5100 camera.  DO NOT buy the $5 knock off .. it doesn't work - at all.Monica.
I first purchased this remote for my D70.  It worked so well, I purchased another for my D7000.  Works well, comes with a small case which I attach to the strap of my camera so it is always available.  Use for self portraits of groups or vanity shots of yourself.  Great for eliminating camera shake for slow shutter shots or for long tele shots.
it works well and takes no setup to get it to go. i was able to fire my camera up to 35 feet away. it did need to be direct line of sight to make it work.
Couldn't wait for this to arrive and start using it.It's very small but comes with a pouch that can attach to your camera strap so you don't lose it, although when I'm out in the dark shooting, I have to be careful not to drop the remote.It works flawlessly and with no set up required. Just put your camera in remote mode.My camera also allows me to use one click to raise the mirror and a second click to take the shot. I love using this in bulb mode too for extra long exposures.An invaluable tool for anyone wanting to do long exposures.So happy it was at such a low price!
Very satisfied and it works as expected on my D60 - whether you are in front or away from the back of the camera. Easy to use, just set your D60 to use the remote instead of the shutter release button and shoot.
Don't use it much but cheaper smaller and lighter than a tripod and with one of these you can leave your camera anywhere and set it up to remotely work. Latest model D7000 has rear and front receivers so doubly useful. I also found a multi TV remote works but thats a bit bigger. In fact this is so good it should be included in Nikon kits; I bought discount for about $30 at which price its OK. Local retailers have it at $95 so buy Amazon or use a $5 multi remote!
The Nikon remote shutter release is exactly what it ought to be. It allows me to take a picture without touching the camera - very long tripod exposures. It allows me to get in a group photo It's fine. It's a small thing needing to be kept track of and it doesn't actually go with my eyes... But for this price, and considering there aren't competing brands or anything, I feel my camera kit MUST have this.
This is a great little 'tool' to add in helping the photographer that needs to 'step away' to view & not hinder the 'perfect moment'! A GOOD & inexpensive purchase.
The first one that I received did not work out of the box. Amazon replaced it very quickly and the second one worked. The remote only works as you are facing the front of the camera and only from a distance of around 15 feet. If you plan to use this as a remote shutter release from behind the camera it will not work. It needs to to point to the receiver on the camera so anything that obstructs the path from the remote to the sensor on the camera results in no shutter release. I have purchased many Nikon products over the years and this does not live up to their reputation for quality and design. If I had known more about this, I would not have purcased it.
another good reason that I'm glad I got a nikon instead of a canon. It's cheaper to buy the wireless remote. It worked and it was easy to set up. Only thing that bothers me sometimes is that if I don't use the remote rapid enough, it will basically cut off the wireless and I have to go back to the camera and set it up again. I guess that is to reserve batter life.... and speaking of which, I don't know how to change the battery if I'll ever need to. I have had this over a year now and I use it a lot... no battery changing needed thus far.
I took this on a shoot with me to the Sawtooth mountains in Idaho. It was really easy to setup the camera to work with the remote, but sometimes it was really hard to get the remote to take a picture in a timely fashion. Most of the time it worked, but at times when I went to take a shot nothing would happen and I would have to keep pressing the remote. This was inconvenient since I would sometimes miss what I was trying to shoot.I was not doing anything inherently different than the other shots when the remote refused to work. My position was the same, the angle was the same. I was pointing  directly at the camera without anything in the way. For some reason it would not fire the camera every time.This only happened 5-7% of the time in my estimation, but I could not seem to figure out why? If it wouldn't fire it seemed like the remote needed time to sit to power up. My hypothesis is that perhaps the cold was making the battery weak. Temps were in the 30's-40's. But the remote was in my hand or my pocket so the battery should have been warm and it was a new battery.
This is going to be great not having to worry about someone helping you take family portraits, now I can do it b y myself at my convience. Im going to love it.
Works just like it said. It was everything that the vendor said it would do. I highly recommend this product.
A must have...especially for long exposures (night shooting, etc..). When you're taking long exposure shots on a tripod of course. I won't say of course because I didn't know as well. But I've learned that even though on a tripod you need the wireless remote to take pictures without shaking the camera. You might think you have the steadiest hands in the world but it will NEVER work and that's a fact. I've learned form trial and error. Anyone who knows about photography will tell / educate you on the subject.  Anyway, a must have...
The wireless remote works well as designed; however, the design could be improved. Notice that there is no eyelet on which to attach a tether line to the remote. A tether line would allow you to hang the remote from a tripod, much as you would a cable release. As it stands now, I have to keep reaching into my pocket for the remote and then put it away while I set up for the next shot. That gets tiresome after several dozen landscape shots.
We bought this to use with Nikon D90.  It works okay as long as you point it at the front of the camera.  I haven't tried a new battery yet but it seems like I have to be pretty close to the camera and it won't work unless it is pointed at the front of the camera.  The sensor is by the lens on the front.  However, it would be nice if it didn't have to be pointed directly at the front of the camera.
Doesn't work 100% of the time and I can't identify the cause. It may actually be user error, but I follow all the steps to put the camera in remote, and sometimes it functions and sometimes it doesn't. When it works, it works great. Good range, consistent timing.
Best so far w/ my Nikon D40X. Before I brought this item, I purchased generic (universal w/ several buttons that you don't need) remote from e-bay. It was okay on indoor use but when used on outdoor, it didn't work well. This unit has only one button and that's all you need! Simple to use and works well inside or outside.  Always go w/ the original product. Also comes w/ small pouch that can attach to camera strap, so you'll always carry w/ your camera.
It is a good control, but be aware with the distance, I think it does not work fine at distances bigger than 10m/33ft
I just bought mine at my local camera store for $18.00, so Amazon's is a GREAT price.  I have only used it to test it so far, but it worked fine with my Nikon D40.
This remote works well with my D7000. I have used for many different circumstances like when taking family pictures. I will plan on using it to take humming bird shots on my porch. The remote is totally worth the price and beats running back to your camera all the time to do the self-timer. Stop reading the reviews and buy it already.
I own one of this remote and can't get it to work on Nikon's D3100. I tried various method to get it to work and found my effort not futile.
I'm very happy for what it does!!After using it for a few hours, I in love with it.Now i using it all time.I would said this is best for dslr camera user must have!! it.Get one and you will know what i had said.
I just got this little remote control for my D-60 and I must say, it does exactly as it is supposed to do. For $15 you now can take pictures of yourself. Everybody who owns a D-series Nikon needs to get this!
The ML-L3 remote is a very useful tool for photography.- Allowing shutter activation without shaking the camera- Allows the photographer to be in the photo- Flexibility when coupled with the timed shutter release- A must-have for self-portrait photographers- Allows you to step away from the camera and adjust the scene more quickly in studio workCons;- It appears that the IR sensor for the D60 is on the front of the hand gripAlthough the location of the sensor is in front of the camera, the remote can be used at angles to the camera and from behind when adequate surfaces exist around the camera to bounce the signal to the sensor.Very happy with my purchase. This remote brings creative photography to a new level.
this little clicker is so cute. and so light weight it almost feels fake. but it works wonders for my nikon d40. and i love it. definet must have
Functions as designed.  A must-have piece of equipment for the budding or pro photographer.  Inexpensive enough so that I didn't lose any sleep when the old one had to be replaced after several years of use.
i cant figure out how to work itbut it was delivery in a timely matter
If the battery didnt die after 2 uses.... And half the time it will trigger the camera just fine.. other times it doesnt work... Go the safe route and spend a little more for your remote control is the lesson I am learning with this purchase!
I really like this remote and it works fine for me inside.  I can set my camera on tripod on far side of living room and go through that room down our hallway and across the dining room and it works every time.  I can be on location outside on a clear day and try to use it just a few yards from the tripod and it only works one in five times.  I've tried different distances outside no luck.  Tried new battery as well.  Could be something outside interfering with it since in this area we have been having alot of drilling and such.  For that reason only I gave it 4 stars.
I wanted this control so i could take picture with my wife and daughter, but i didn't realize that in every picture you can see me pushing the button on the remote. So just keep that in mind before buying. I suppose you can just crop the picture to take it out, but it's no help for full body shots. Also, you have to be in front of the camera to use it, so if you're using it just to keep the camera still, try not to get into the frame. I still think it was worth it.
This remote works great with my Nikon D50. I was expecting a larger remote, but this is less than 3 inches in length. It comes with no instruction, so I called Nikon to see how to use it. The remote is very simple to use, once I was told how to use it. Oh, it does come with a case for it. Works as advertise.
Let me state right off the line, that this is a very good product, giving a wireless remote control solution that is both cheap and easy to use. Great for including yourself in family or scenic photos without having to outrun the self-timer. It also ensures that you will not shake the camera pressing the shutter release in longer exposures.That said, setting up your camera to receive the remote's signal is not intuitive (at least, not for me). Compounding that, no instructions are included with the product. I first thought the controller was broken.Compounding that, there are instructions buried in my D80's manual, but they are simply not found with a logical search of either the table of contents or the index. After an email to Nikon (and a strong recommendation to throw in an instruction sheet), everything is fine.With that caveat, buy this product. If a brief instruction sheet were included, this product would easily get a five-star rating from me.
Not much can be said, other than another great Nikon product.It works without any problems whatsoever!Simple device, simple to use.You may want to read some descriptions as how to use it with your Nikon.
I purchased this because I sometimes like to take a family pictures so, I have to be included, or if you want to take a picture of you and a group of friends on vacation or a little get togeather.  It is also good for just setting back and catching friends at there best. The only down side is you have to be all most in front of the camera, or just sightly to one side.  But it is fun to use and is a must for your camera bag.
Well my remote came with a dead battery, which means it didn't work out of the box of course. Once I drop the cash for a new battery it works as promised, so my rating is for the "stale" condition of the product, not its performance.
These used to be included for free with high end camera. Now they charge for it even though every consumer could use it. Either way this is a must have accessory.
Smaller that I think, and that's good. A pretty nice remote from Nikon. Allow me to take pictures without blur on low light contitions, and if you think with a tripod you're safe you are wrong, try this and you will improve a lot your photos. Also you can take pictures of your family or trips with you on it. Before I needed to look for someone to take a picture of you and sometimes pictures are not nice. Now use my tripod, do the adjusments I want and shoot!!. it comes with a small cover that could use on your strap for a quick access.
For only $14 and change why not utilize the Remote Shutter Release?  This is easy to use, just set your shutter release to either REMOTE or REMOTE+2s and push the button.  You don't even have to point the remote directly at the camera, at least not on my D60.  It comes with a small nylon pouch with loops for your camera's neckstrap, and it comes with a battery.  Again, this is a no-brainer must-have, for the price.
No user of the D80 (as well as other Nikon cameras that use this product) should be without the remote control. I just recently purchased it and have used it extensively to surreptitiously take pictures of birds and to take pictures where camera movement would occur from pressing the shutter release button or where using the timer is not possible.
If you ever use your D50 on a tripod, get the ML-L3 Wireless Remote.  Don't wonder, don't think twice, just get it!  Studio, tabletop, macro/micro, scenic, architecture, etc, get it!  Cheap, rugged, works great, get it!
Easy to change the battery even though I haven't needed to. Perfectly still snaps a press of a button away.
It's a wireless shutter remote. It does what it's supposed to do. While I see no actual flaws with it, it would be nice if it were either more solidly constructed (given the cost), or if it cost less the way it is now. Still, this is more convenient than a cable remote, and at least on my camera (D7000) the IR receivers on the front and back have a sufficient angle of "view" that I doubt the wired remote would offer much of an advantage.
Amazon is definitely the place to buy this remote. I bought this remote for my D70 because it doesn't have a pc cable inputs. There is no learning curve with this remote, simply set your camera to receive the remote and go.
Definitely worth the $$ for this easy remote.  It has made self-portraits SO much easier.
Tired of running within 5 seconds to be in a photo! Take advantages of this small gadget! Simple but it does its job!
I used this to set up a photo booth in my home with a Nikon D600 camera.  I was able to plug the camera into a monitor using an HDMI cable and then let people take a picture of themselves using this little IR gadget.  One of the things I wanted to know when I was looking for this is if this was ALL you need to make it work.  IT IS.  I figured it was too cheap to be a Nikon product.  Just this tiny little one button device takes the place of the shutter.  If  you don't expect more than that, then I think you will be very happy.The reason it doesn't get five stars is because at first it didn't seem to work.  As it turns out, I had to turn the camera off and then back on again and it would work.  I had this happen a couple of times when I was first playing with it, but then never again.  It's really not that big of a deal, I don't think.  Also, it said if you press the button half way down the camera would focus, just like the regular shutter, but I did not witness this.  The camera was in autofocus most of the time and so was probably already focused and all of the photos came out in focus, so I can't tell if it really worked that way or not.  It did not matter to me.  For my purposes, it seemed just fine.Like others said, it does seem a little less sensitive from behind than in front and if, from the front, you point the remote at the camera from the right side (the IR receiver is on the left side of the camera when viewed from behind) then the lens did seem to block the signal.  This just requires adjusting your aim a little.  Again, no biggie.I think people that were dissatisfied with this product mostly expected something more than just a remote shutter.  I was tempted to give it five stars.  It is dirt cheap after all, for what you get.
I have had great success using this remote to take night shots with a tripod.  It works exactly as promised but I did have to read the camera manual to make sure I used it correctly.
A good remote for the camera, at times I had to click a few times to get it to work but once working it works very well at a long distance.
Hello, I highly recommend this product! I originally purchased it for a trip to Ukraine and now I am using it for everything.
This remote infrared transmitter will work on almost all Nikon Point-n-Shoot, SLR and DSLR cameras with infrared! The supplied 3V coin cell will probably last at least five years under light to medium usage. It's a snap to get going - no instructions necessary. You should probably consult your camera documentation however, to determine the easiest way to control the infrared receiver (camera side).On the latest Nikon DSLR's, most have an fn button on the front of the body, next to the lens mount (left hand), that defaults to infrared enable (2 second after-focus delay). Thus, menu-playing is unnecessary - you just push fn, aim the thing at the camera from within the prescribed distance, and push the button. The flash assist light will come on for a second or two after the shutter, aperture, and focusing is done, and the shot will go. Really simple, really cool!
Bought this remote nearly a year now and just got to use it on a trip in late November.Took my wife and daughter on their first camping trip in Hollywell, Jamaica. W.I. and having this device was like having a photographer with us. We posed, ran around the camp fire and had alot of fun.My wife was particularly pleases that i was in the pictures as i was always behind the camera.Its really alot of fun especially if you have family and want to take pictures with them.I am pleased with the purchase and would recommend this product to everyone. Cheers!!
It is nice not running from camera to pose and getting a 2 year old and 10 month old's attention back to the camera before the timer runs out. I can set the camera sit down and once the girls attention are towards the camera i can get the shot. Now if there were only a remote to turn the kids attention on the camera.
For the price, it's worth purchasing even if you're unsure as to whether you'll need it or not. I use it everytime my D50 is mounted to a tripod, just to be sure I don't add any added movement to the camera and lens during exposure. Why else would this come in handy? Self-portraits and group photos where you would like to include yourself! No more hassle with a self-timer.Get it. It's small enough to put in your camera bag, or carry in your pocket. And you'll definitely end up using it more than you think you will.
OK...last Christmas I had enough.  I hate setting up the camera on a tripod, setting the timer to 10 sec, tripping the shutter and then running like a madman to get in the group photo.  Of course you get there in 2 seconds and then have to wait stupidly (along with everyone else) for the flash to fire and the photo to be taken - I hate it!  Now with Nikon's remote control you set up the camera, walk cooly to the group, ensure everyone is ready and then say, "OK, on three, ready...one, two (everyone smiles), THREE!  Much better way to do this!  You can also (at least on my Nikons) set it to remote&timer so you can trip the timer with the remote and the camera will fire two seconds later.  I love this little device and for 13 bucks it's an awesome value.  I also use the remote for low light tripod situations where I want to eliminate any camera shake at all.
This is a neat little gadget that has made many photography situations much easier - first, taking a family shot where I am included in the picture!  No more trying to run to the camera before the timer goes off!  There is also a function on the D70 to use the remote WITH the timer so you don't have a photo of yourself pushing the remote - smart.  And, for macro photography, it is wonderful to not have to jiggle the camera by pushing the shutter to get the shot.  I am sure it is wonderful in all tripod shots, for that matter.I completely agree with the previous reviewers who suggested that it should be included in the kit (this is a cheapy little part), and it really should have a lanyard.
Great and important accessory when you use tripods and long shutter speeds.  Also useful when taking ego pics of yourself.  Works fine.  This little guy is TINY!
Perfect to take pictures to yourself or with high exposure time. It only triggers the shutter, but it is very  small and easy to use. The working range could be improved.
Great add-on to My Nikon D7000.  Small pocket remote that works perfectly!  Allows you to get candid shots without being a distraction.
If you like to do a Family Picture with you on it and trying to get on the right side of the picture view - most of the time it will not work (on D90). It won't work from side or behind aether. (Infrared signal have to be directed strictly to the Infra Red sensor area.)
Item works great! Just as described on Amazon. Received in timely fashion. Will use this shutter release often.  Very handy for group shots or to do away with camera movement.
If you and your partner or friends want to take a picture of the all group together, this could be a good tool (just remember to set the camera to work with remote control AND timer, so you don't show up in every picture like you are changing the tv channel).Its range is the only real problem, since it doesn't work if you are very far from the camera (lets say something like 10ft) or if your are not exactly in front of it...In order to resume the story, I'd say that this is a good INDOORS product.
is just what I wanted to make a quality leap in my favorite hobby. The material is great and the product well cared for. careful where you put it, because it is really small. Delivered in advance.
Wish I would have bought this years ago. Great for tripod shots where I used to have to set the timer in hopes of not shaking the camera. Nikon should have included this based on how cheap the product is to buy after market.
A great little piece of electronics, and a mandatory accessory for your D50/D70.  No more racing back to beat the timer for a group shot -- and better group shots result as everyone has time to do a proper pose.  It's also great for the "bulb" shutter mode -- press once to release the shutter, another time to close it.  With this I've taken 30 minute exposures, and left to have a cup of coffee while the camera did its business.But I am totally amazed that the remote survived a trip in my pants through my washer and dryer.I don't think that two Lincolns and a Hamilton is too much for the convenience that this gadget provides, especially if you've already laid down $1000+ on a camera and lenses.
What you are paying for is the "Nikon" name on the remote. The remote simply sends the code to the camera which does all the heavy lifting and acts as a trigger.The remote uses a 3V battery and it will last awhile which is nice. Although, this limits the range of the device. From about 6 feet away you are okay.A better alternative to this remote is the Ninja Remote 2: Weaponized. Search for it on Amazon. It has a long range light trigger of over 400 feet. Which gives you the option of amazing nature and complete control of your shots.
I have tried a lot of different things and am unable to get the product to work.  There were no instructions.  Maybe there's a setting I don't know about?  I put the camera on manual or auto, with or without the rubbver protective casing, and it doesn't work at all.  I have a Tamron lens.  I don't know where the pickup is for the remote or whether you have to be in front of the camera to trigger it.  None of the reviews I saw on Amazon addresses my challenge.
I bought the ML-L3 remote for my Nikon D40 because the camera has no provision for a cable release.  I use the camera on a tripod for copy work and pressing the shutter button manually causes a slight movement that can blur the image (even on a tripod).  With the wireless remote, that issue is solved.  Initially I thought the remote could only be used while pointing it directly at the front of the camera since that is where the sensor is located.  Much to my surprise, however, the remote works from any angle around the camera including from behind.
I ordered this for my Nikon D3200 and it's compatible with it. Does its job- 5 star worthy for me.
I have recently switched over to digital after years of 35mm photography. In all those years I used Canon and Minolta as my cameras of choice. This is the first time I purchased a Nikon. I bought this for use with my new D-80 (really good camera).  The remote is a necessity if you are planning to do any closeup or low light work.  The remote is very basic and it is small enough to put in just about any nook in your gadget bag.Therein lies the problem and thus my three star review; there is no way to attach it to the camera or camera strap.  Therefore it is rather easy to loose (I have misplaced mine twice thus far) With  my Canon wireless remote, it came with a bracket that attached to the camera strap.  That way the remote was always ready to go. The other fault I found with this remote is that there is no way of knowing if the battery is working or not. One can just aim it at the camera and see if the indicator light flashes that it received the signal or not but a function LED would be nice.  It is much better than a wired remote for long distance work but you must be in front of the camera for it to work; great for getting in on the fun when at parties and other social events.Overall this functions as promised but it is very, very basic.
Works fine with my Nikon D5000. I would also recommend the "Nikon CML-L3 Case for ML-L3 Remote Control", available here at Amazon, which is not included with the remote itself.As mentioned by others, you've got to set the camera's shutter release in order to use it, and I would add that it works better if you're at the right side of the camera (due to the line of sight to the sensor).Cons: the range could be better when you're at an angle other that straight and leveled in front of the camera.Pros: it's incredibly small and lightweight (pretty easy to loose, actually &lt;:-), has a precise clicking button, is neatly built, and has proven to have a handful of uses. The obvious one is that you can appear in the picture with "the others", without having to rush to the front of the camera, but the best (unspoken) part is that you can take *multiple* pictures while you're there, assuring that everyone appears with their eyes open, you can change positions, and so on. It's also great to reduce camera shake while on a tripod, much more practical than a cable remote release, and again with the advantage over the camera's timer of being able to take multiple pictures without going back to the camera.
This is great for all kinds of photography, esp the selfie kind that any reputable photographer would take, including this one!  If you like snapping pictures from remote locations then this is the remote for you!!
this was a nice little accessory for my D90. i was able to shoot a bunch of selfies and family photos with this little wireless switch.so far, this is the only feature i found with my D90 that was superior to my D800 i bought afterwards.
Great for those self portraits or those shots that require no vibration to accomplish the perfect shot.  One problem us photographers always have is when we want to take a photo of ourselves we never have anyone to do it for us, well with this you can do it yourself.  I only wish the camera would allow me to use this for video recordings as well.
This is one of those things that until you have it you didn't know you needed it. Now I wish I had bought one when I bought the camera, I use it all the time to take close up and remote pictures. I can now be in the pictures I take!!! Could use a longer range but if it is in direct line with the camera it works great! I will buy another because it is so small that I know I will lose it at some point. But it does have a very sturdy case that can be attached to the strap of the camera so that should prevent loss. I love and use it all the time now!!!
Got this for my brother to use with his Nikon D5000 about a year ago. So far, no complaints whatsoever.
Remote works just as it should.  Small and easily hidden in hand if you are taking self portraits or in group shots.
Very nice!
After struggling with some night shots I decided to get out some manual shutter release mechanisms but there was no place to plug them in the D80.  In reading my product literature I found a remote control unit was the best option.  It appears to work well.  It is kind of cool not to have to be close to the camera when you take the picture too.
Bought this for a gift for my significant other and it worked as promised.  The item was just as described!
I bought this remote for Nikon D7000 DSLR.On D7000, this remote seems work differently comparing to other comments here for older Nikon DSLRs:1. When you press the button, the camera will focus and shoot. However, there is no way to "click once to focus and click the 2nd time to shoot".2. If the camera is in AF-S mode, when you press the button and the camera cannot achieve focus, then the shutter will not be triggered. This is good. So you can be sure that once it take photos, it is focused.3. Nikon D7000 does has a wireless control mode to let you use mirror-lock up.4. D7000 also has an IR sensor in the back. So with this remote, you can control the camera from the front and also from the back.This remote works much better than the other 3rd party remote I bought previously. And the 3rd party remote I bought is also an established brand name. But it seems has issue that the camera will miss the signal 50% of the time. It's really a pain to use. Since this unit is only $16, you will not save much buying 3rd party. Don't waste your money there.Highly recommend.
I love my little remote, it's the greatest thing. Now I can be part of the family pics. I am always behind the shoot, and now you can actually say there is proof that mom, grandma really does exist.
This remote is very useful if don't like running after setting the self-timer :P . I am using it with D90 and must say it works almost from any position even if it is hidden(somehow reflecting) though partial credit also goes to the receiver. Never the less gets the job done without getting seen!
I purchased this remote for a gift.  The remote seems to function at described and my family member was pleased.  I have a Nikon camera as well but have not tried the remote myself.  I would like to try the Amazon model this year and compare both units.  I have a plan to use a small telescopic inspection mirror (not in camera field of view)indoors and outdoors to test the use of the remote behind the camera on a tripod.  I believe bouncing the beam will work.  I will try to update the post after further testing.
I never had problems with it even in full sunlight, But I lost it! So I will be buying another one for sure!
Works just fine.  I wish it had options right on the remote though (like for immediate shot or delay shot, etc.), rather than on the camera.  Otherwise fine and works as it should.
I picked up this remote as an afterthought, and it sat, unused, in my tripod bag for most of a month.  I use a wired remote shutter release, and never gave it a second thought.  Until one day when I was asked to make a group photo at a photography workshop.  I had tossed my remote release in my suitcase that am, and it was buried deep in truck.  I thought of this gadget, and figured I would give it a try.  I may never need the wired remote again.The Nikon ML-L3 works great in bright sun, and from 30+ feet away.  It worked perfectly that day to shoot a number of exposures in the group shot, many of which were not even noticed by the group, so they are a bit candid.  I have since used it to shoot low-light shots so as not to insert any additional camera shake, lightning in 'bulb' mode, and even fireworks.No cords to tangle, small enough to fit in any pocket, and works exactly as it is supposed to, without lag time or other problems. By far this is the best accessory I have purchased for my Nikon D90.
We had fun using this remote on our latest vacation with our Nikon D60.  Worked great and had good range on it.  It did work from behind the camera and comes with the battery already installed.  There's no instruction manual included with the remote, so you'll need to know your camera's menu to get them to work together.
Does what it's supposed to do.  I haven't had a problem with line of sight.  The remote works when pointed at an angle.  Although I'm sure extreme angles would be more difficult.  It is extremely small.  Don't lose it!Works well, good price, more handy than you think.  Everyone should get one.
I would never have though to buy a remote for my camera, but I saw the suggestion on Ken Rockwell's awesome Nikon site, so I went for it. This remote is so much fun, even my five-year-old is taking pictures with it. I've had it for two weeks, and I've done self-portraits, long exposures and group shots with it (no more running before the timer goes off!).This is a must if you want to do long exposures. I was able to put my camera on a tripod and use the setting that allows you to click the remote once to open the shutter and again to close it. Because I didn't have to touch the camera to operate the shutter, I got really cool pictures of stars and meteors with no camera shake.
The remote works exactly as I expected. I'm sorry I didn't order this sooner - it was well worth the (very reasonable) price!
I was surprised at how small the remote was.  I couldn't tell the size from the pictures, and was glad to see that the remote was small.I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the remote came with a small, fabric case to protect the remote while in a bag or when in use in semi-harsh weather conditions.The case has a triangle cut-out that allows visibility and access to the release button so you don't have to take it out of the small case to use it if you don't want to.The remote works great on my Nikon D60 camera.  It works while in front, at the side or behind the camera.
I am by no means a professional photographer, but thought it would be neat to have a remote control.  It didn't work at first, but that was my fault not knowing how to set the camera mode.  I figured it out, and the remote works great!  Small and easily hidden for self-portraits too.  Great deal for the price!!
great product! but with the fact that it is made very small, it is also easy to lose. it does come with a case that fits right on the shoulder strap which is very nice! you mus be within eyesight range of the camera. if you cant see the camera from the remote, it won't work. it only works on line of sight, not like bluetooth, it's more like a old tv remote. but it works great and the battery lasts for a very long time
this is a cheap little device that makes life a little easier for photographers. i used it with my nikon d50 with no problems =)
I added this remote control to my DSLR arsenal approximately a year ago and I am very much impressed with this remote control. I have used this remote for taking pictures for potraits,objects,family group photos, with the camera on a tripod. Its very handy and very useful if you don't want to use the in built timer in the camera and run to get into the picture shot.  4 stars....? because a couple of times there were issues with the range of this remote control. But overall satisfied with this tiny/useful accessory.
This is a great item that has been tucked away on my camera strap in its little case for over 2 years now, and still works great. It does have to be in sight of the IR window on your camera, but will trigger your shutter from at least 75' away. It is perfect for group shots, and landscapes to help with shutter vibration.
it works great except i have to constantly change the settings in my camera to wireless remote each time i release the shutter wish i didn't have to do that every time
A MUST have for those of us who own the D50,70 and D80! It removes the need for a cord, and has made taking group pictures SO much easier than it used to be. No more hiding the cord, no more setting the timer and running, no more one less person in the picture, it is perfect.That being said, I hope that the next version of camera and remote will be bluetooth based, as using an IR sensor means you need to aim it each time you click. A bluetooth version would eliminate the problem.That being said, if you own one of the supported cameras, I highly suggest you guys this!!
Handy to use when you want to take a picture with everyone in it.  Add a tripod and it is easy to get the right angle.
I have a Nikon D5100 and it works for my model.  I was surprised how small it is - about 2" by 3/4". I haven't had it long enough to test the durability or battery life.  So far it's been nice a nice addition to have for those timed shots and avoiding hand shake. The only negative I've noticed is that it has to be pointed right at the sensor for the camera to pick up the signal.  Still glad I bought it.
It works great best for Pictures using Tripod or just really still shots. Must buy if your trying to get that perfect shot without the risk of shaking the camera.
I tried this in all three modes, nothing worked.Would have rated "no stars" but it wouldn't let me.
I love this little thing. I own a nikon d50 and its a great little tool. I used to have to set the timer everytime so that I wouldnt have a camera-shake blurr, but now I can simply focus and press the button. I no longer have to wait 5 seconds for the camera to count down. Its a great product and I highly recommend it.
This little remote has a lot of suprises in it. Not too long before I sat to type this review, I was testing it out. With a D90 it doesn't matter where you stand with it, it'll still activate the shutter. It's perfect for those who want to do longer exposures than what your camera allows. I do a lot of night shots so I knew I needed something to get me beyond that limitation. A friend of mine pointed me this way and I have to say, I'm glad he did.This little guy is also perfect for self portraits since you can't be behind the camera and focus on yourself. Works great with the self timer. Should you own a Nikon that can work with this, I highly reccomend you buy it.
This is a fool-proof remote.  As the title summarizes it fits into the smallest of camera cases, weighs nothing and if you remember to set the camera to recognize a remote (read the camera's instructions), it works at fairly long distances.  Keep it in the little pouch and reduce the risk of the button being depressed in the camera case.  Inexpensive, especially for what it does.  The ML-L3 works with lots of Nikon cameras.
I've only used this about ten times in the last year since I've bought my D7000, but I was so happy that I took the decision of buying one! Sometimes it won't work through clothes (I tried to shoot with the remote inside the pocket of a thick winter coat), but in normal conditions this little thing is unbeaten for this price tag. At this price, even if you use it once a year, it still deserves every penny.
Very useful small gadget to be used for remote triggering the shutter.It works perfect with my Nikon D40. And the price  was very good.
No problems at all with my D40 and D90.  Haven't really tried anything at a far distance but it works great in close.
Works as described.  It would be nice if instructions were included instead of having to find the camera manual.
Since the Nikon 1 can be controlled using a wireless remote, I decided to purchase this. It worked just like it should, every single time.
Great device especially when you don't want to shoot holding the camera and risk movement. A must for any serious photographer.
does work with 7100 as noted in literature on some sites.Must read users manual to determine how to enable as it is not intuitive.When in the remote mode only the remote will release the shutter
Really handy for those long exposure's.  It works as advertised.  Make sure you go into the Nikon menu's to activate the remote control, if you don't do this it won't work and you will get frustrated and possibly write a bad review, which would be unwarranted, as this thing works great.
I was in a dire need to be in more photos and also have the ability to capture images with less camera shake. What i needed was a wireless remote for my Nikon D60. After several online reviews and searching I found the Nikon wireless remote. It's really good and the price is just right for any budget. Right out of the box it's ready to go with battery included. There aren't any complicated set-up manuals or anything just set your camera to remote and viola! Although i've only had this remote for about a month i have not expereinced any difficulties and i would recommend this product for the concious consumer.
Price is right. I've even bounced it off walls back at the camera from behind my back to initiate the shutter release.Does allow to focus before shooting. I think there's some instructions on the web but it worked right for me shooting myself in studio.
Pros:Works great with my Nikon D5000. Fantastic range and built to last!Cons:Doesn't come with free Nikon Micro lens.  :)
I love this thing! I use it all the time with my Nikon D90! Great for family/group photos, crazy angles or long exposure photos so you don't shake the camera with a button push!
Works as advertised. I use it extensively for environmental work where I want to remain a short distance from my camera. It's great for portraits where I am near and concentrating on my subject and can shoot remotely without losing contact with model. The remote also came in handy for several self-promotions where I seated seating myself in an office atmosphere.
Another fine product from Nikon. Works great on my D60. Mostly use to photograph/catalog coins and never have to touch the camera. Nikon, #1 all the way!!
At first it seemed superfluous to have a remote in addition to all the other camera gear my father has. But then my friend tried to take a picture of us using a tripod. Everytime he wanted to change the settings he had to move the tripod and then reposition it. This handy little bugger makes it easier to set up a camera and control the settings without changing the position of the camera. I was very pleased with the price as well for what it can do.
A must have if you take night shots or shots that require minimum camera movement. It is also invalualbe for those family portraits that in the past excluded you because your were the "photographer". Now, you can include yourself in the portraits!!!  It works very reliably!!! I've taken numerous shots with it and it's never failed to fire. I'm completely satisfied and would definitely recommend it for the D70/s & D50 owners...
This is an incredible little device, and a must have if you do exposure shots. Just remember to go into the menu to change the settings or it won't work.
This item will allow you to be in the shot or stand away from the camera and still be able to capture the moment.
Response time could be a little quicker but beats running to your spot when taking self portrait of oneself or with the family.
I have used this on a D40, D60 and D90. I do extensive night shooting at long exposures and this is a necessity. This is actually better than a cable release and has better range. 25 feet is my longest distance so far. For shots with photographer included it works great, especially with the remote time delay feature on the Nikon, you can trigger the camera and have time to hide the remote from view. I would recommend this to anyone with a Nikon DSLR
This a piece every photographer must have. Avoid shaking pictures and not to be in the picture. Or you don't have to run anymore to be in the picture. Cheap, small and very usefull.
I needed a remote for my Nikon D90 camera, and ordered this one, so I can take photos while standing in front of the camera, and not having to run back and forth to reset the timer. Also deal, good investment!--:)
the product that was sent to me does not work.  I wrote the seller twice and have not had any response from.  I expect more from people who deal with Amazon.  I am very put out by this.
This remote control is a really great accessory for the Nikon digital cameras. I rarely have been in a complete family picture. With this remote control I am now recorded as a family member. It allows me to take instantaneous pictures with no camera shake. For the price this is one of the best bargains in the Nikon line.
This Nikon remote control does it work very well. I bought it after one aftermarket I bought on eBay which quit working after 3-4 clicks. This one I used a lot so far and have no complains whatsoever. Recommend.
This gadget hides well in the hand, and allows me to take pre-framed pictures easily.  It seems to work from all sides of the camera, though the range seems better if operated from the front.  I've had it for a while and have used it quite a bit, and the battery still does not show any wear or weakening.  It sure beats the wired shutter release I started with many decades ago!Shipping was fast and the cost very reasonable, and as I said, it's been a while now, and I'm still very happy with this remote.
Great for family groups, no running from tripod to group. Most effective from stage right, or left from camera/tripod point of view. Next will try nature shots, up close to birds at rest etc. Does not work with D200. Understand it works with Nikon D70, D70s, D50, D40, D40x, D80.
If you use a camera at slow shutter speeds, this is a must have. this eliminates all camera shake from manualy pressing the shutter release on the camera body, which leaves you with a nice crisp and clean picture. It also give you the option to be in your own pictures, and set off the shutter when YOU want to, not when the Timer wants to. It works great, never fails. I recommend this to any photographer
Original post: The first time I ordered this remote, when it arrived it didn't work at all.  I returned it and re-ordered it when it became available again.. and again it didn't work!  I checked the battery with a battery tester and it was fine, but when you press the button on the remote, you don't see any light being emitted from the sensor.  And of course, it doesn't operate the camera (I have a Nikon D60).UPDATE: See the response by Passante.. for the D60 you need to manually change the release settings so it will respond to the remote.  After changing this, it worked like a charm!  Unfortunately, I can't seem to change my rating, but I'd move it to 5 stars if I could.
I bought this remote for my Nikon D40 and couldn't be happier with it. It works great and is very sensitive. I can stand a good 20 feet behind my camera and it still releases the shutter. It will even work through windows. Hey, it's a very handy tool to have and is so small you can carry it in your pocket. It comes with it's own carrying case and there's two slits on the back of the case to slip your camera strap through. It's barely wider than my camera strap. This remote is a "must have" item.
Not only does it work very well, but its small size makes it easy to trigger the camera discreetly without it being obvious one is using a remote.
And of course, I waited so long to test it that it's too late to send it back.  What a waste.(FYI: I was attempting to use it with a Nikon D60.)
I recommend this device for anyone interested in the capability it offers.  It's simple and easy to use.  I'm not sure why Nikon doesn't just include it with the camera.
Useful for releasing the shutter when shooting on a tripod to avoid camera shake. The sensor location is very weird for this, but you can work with it. It also focusses in the right focus mode (in contrast to what some reviewers say) and you can use it in bulb mode - one press open, second press close. Beautiful. Attached to a camera strap it is always there when you need it, but so small and so light you that it will never bother you.Also useful for quick self portraits. 15-20 ft work fine, I haven't tried more. If you wait too long, your camera switches back into normal shutter mode and outdoors not every shot will work.Not useful for use longer than a few minutes, because the camera switches back. Unfortunately.
I don't know what most of the peeps here is biatching about, but mine works from all kinds of direction ( as long as you point it towards the camera) I used the control behind the camera and it senses it just fine. This product is cool. I bought it solely to alleviate a time consuming stop motion project.
I was concerned in purchasing this remote as other reviewers said it did not work for them but I think it was probably user error. You have to use a button on the camera to put it into remote mode andit works great. I have not tested the distance to see how far away from the camera it will work but so far I haved used it up to approximately 12 feet away and it worked great.
I bought this remote because I thought I needed it ...but never usedit.  So I give it three starts because I bought it because of the review.
The remote works as intended, though oddly Nikon didn't bother putting a sensor usable from the back of the camera.  Nonetheless, this little remote is worth the $13.  I believe Nikon should have included it with the camera, though, as small and as cheap as it is.NOTE: Get it *directly* from Amazon and *NOT* from Eek Technology, or any other vendor as their shipping is a monstrosity.  The box the remote comes in is about the size of a pocket matchbox or a Zippo lighter, and doesn't weigh a full ounce.  The remote itself is very small, smaller than most car alarm keychains.  Paying more than a couple of dollars for shipping is asinine.  DBROTH charges $8 to ship this and Eek Technologies hits you hard at $12 to ship this miniscule item.
The Nikon ML-L3 does exactly like it supposed to do. You get the case with the remote, attach it to your strap so you won't lose it.
It allows you to take shots from a tripod without touching your camera; it's practically a give away; and, it comes with a small carrying pouch.
To get those really great studio shots, the camera has to be set at a very low shutter speed. the slightest movement can blur the imagine. to achieve that great shot with my Nikon SLR for less than $20. I'm there!Remote is compact, easy to handle and works great. One of the best purchases I've ever made on Amazon.
This gadget from Nikon performs as advertised. It's tiny, comes with its own strap carrying case & is always at the ready. It's one of the best values from Nikon.
The sensor for this remote is located on the front of the Nikons.  It does not work from the side or the back but only from the front. but it was cheap.
Great remote....does the job, but you must stand in front of or beside your camera....not behind it, as the signal from the remote goes to the camera sensor in front of most cameras.
this article is original nikon, its development is very good, distance of 3 meters for click... I am satisfied, all ok..
This product is somewhat junkie in my opinion, for a Nikon product.There was no information sheet included. It would be nice to know the operational range and angle, and information on the battery.I tried it on my D90, and it didn't work. I assumed it came without batteries. Opening the battery compartment will result in broken fingernails.I finally gave up.The MC-30 works fine on my D200-by the way.
Genuine Nikon battery in a Nikon camera - total compatibility which is why I paid a premium price to get the brand name.
I liked these Items, because they allow late night shots which I can time from a distance or be in a picture I would normally not have been a part.
This Nikon remote works perfectly.  Its small and fits into the supplied carrying case so tucks away easily.  I've used it several times and it works just as the Nikon manual states.  Set the camera on remote, make a few camera settings, and push the button, works every time.  My camera fortunatelhy has a receiver on the back and front so I can fire from behind the camera as well as from the front.  Never tested the limits of the range but it works all the way across my living room which is at least 20' wide.  Good additon to my Nikon camera bag.
I lost my first remote and bought this one so I could take pics of fireworks and shooting starts.  Works like a charm.
Pros:- "syncs" instantly with the camera (you just have to put the camera on remote mode)Cons:- the range is easily disrupted. you really have to point straight at the camera for it to work properly at a close distance.
On a Nikon D5000, to get the remote to work, put the screen on information, then click on the little 'i' and then move the arrows to the 's', click on that then click on the little remote box or the remote with 2 second delay, use the remote in the front of the camera and it has a pretty long range, 8 feet at least.It took me awhile to figure this out, but with help, I'm now very happy with the remote shutter release, it works great.
It's a wireless remote for your camera.  Don't know what else to say other than it works great when your in front of your camera and it's not expensive.
Works beautifully.  Would give it 5 stars if it was not so directional.  You have to be in front of the camera for it to work.
Simple product that works as described at a reasonable price.  I use it with my Nikon D60. Amazon delivery was excellent, as always.
Used this for two years with D40x, D60 and D3000, biggest complaint is that you must be in front of and close to the camera, within 3-4 feet.  Just got the Opteka version which is twice the size which makes it easier to operate for me, has far better range and will work from behind the camera.Opteka RC-2 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, & D5000 Digital SLR Camera (Nikon ML-L3 Replacement)
This product is great for long exposure shots. I used it to take pictures of some fireworks we had a few weeks ago and the pictures came out amazing!
You have to make sure you are aiming directly at the camera, which can look silly when you're taking selfies. But it works and it's better than running after setting the timer.
This accessory should be part of the whole package when shipped to the consumer.  It works as well as advertised.  But do not forget to ready the camera for the IR signal.  Otherwise, you will push the button and nothing will happen.
I'm a Nikon fan--but I find this product sub-par. Does not work in sweet light/sunset for portrait shooting. I ended up using the timer and running back and forth for pics of my family. It does work inside if you point the remote directly at the camera and rush to get your hand down for a natural pose. Nikon can do better than this. I'd rather chip in some more cash for some extra juice on the power needed for this remote.
I have not been able to get this remote to work. So I have not used it because it does not work!
I had two remotes and the darn things disappeared.  I hestitated ordering this because I knew I would find my other ones as soon as I ordered.  I am glad I did because I still have not found them and this one seems to actually work better.  It triggers perfectly were before I would have to point it just right at the camera.  Perfect remote and if I loose this one I will be back.
got it for my new D40. Amazing product works all around the camera (360 degrees around) with no issues at all. finally i was able to take my own pictures using 2 sec delay exposure. included pouch is totally worth, just put it on the camera strap and the remote will come handy at any time.
This is so small and incredible! Works so easy and can be hidden in your hand if you want to jump in the family photos!
Useful piece of kit, cheap and functional. I love what it lets me do. Note to Nikon: this should be a part of every decent camera kit (like the D70 kit I bought this to use with).
It's a true Nikon remote! Works flawlessly. I've had it for a few months and it works every time. The shipping time was excellent; I got it in 2 days.
I recieved this remote control without any instructions. Try to use and activate the camera but without success. I've read the Nikon D40x camera manual but again there is not a word of how to set up this remote control. I've returned this item. Very disappointed!!!
This remote is very easy to use and very helpful. I use it for my Nikon D5100 and have been about to improve my photography greatly. It comes in a little felt pouch and it much smaller than you'd imagine, but it gets the job done!I would strongly recommend this to anyone looking for a easy solution to taking hands free photos!
I got it for my wife as a stocking stuffer last year.  It works great, only thing is we dont use it as often as i thought we would. Great product and fast delivery.
This is a great product.  I love using it, and while visiting people I hand it over to others while taking group pictures.  Everybody at parties and get-together love using it.I would have given it a five star, except that for the fact that it cannot be used from behind the camera.  That would be great for macro work, animal photography and so on.
This remote does what it should - remotely trigger the shutter release on your Nikon camera.  My main complaint is that the case for the remote is just a thin little envelope/pounch that would be really easy to lose.  There is no strap, only a couple of slots in the envelope for passing your neckstrap through it.  Also, you have to go back to your camera's instructions for use - there are no instructions included.
I just received the Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote. I bought it for my new Nikon D5100. I hadn't realized how small it would be. It is only 2.25" long and  1" wide, and really slim, which makes it easy to carry (and lose perhaps). Have tried it - it works great from both sides of the camera - front and back. Ideal for reducing shake as well as including self in pictures.
Got this remote for Christmas and it's been awesome.  It was so much more relaxing taking family pictures without having to beat a timer, although I definitely noticed that I had some distance issues.  When I used it again on New Years eve, we were much closer to the camera and I was able to take a bunch of group shots in fairly rapid succession.  For the cost of this remote, there's no reason not to have it!
It does what you'd expect.  For the price, definitely a must have for photographers that do extended shutter speeds.Infrared, so works best from the front side of the camera, less responsive from behind.
This wireless remote control for Nikon cameras works exactly as you would expect.  Point it at your camera, click the button, take a picture.  For as little as this cost it should be in everyone's camera bag.  So many times you want to be in that family photo yourself or you don't want every single vacation photo to only be of the other person.  Just point and click.  The device comes with no directions, so you might have to ask your son (as we did) or someone more technical how to set up your camera, but it's very simple once you know how.  Also this works through the infrared port on your camera--its not wireless--so you have to point it at the camera.  You can't just click and any direction and get the action you want.  Not a problem as long as you remember it's like your TV remote, not like a garage door opener.
This remote works great with my Nikon D90.  I got this so that I could take family pictures where I used to use the timer shutter release with the camera on a tripod.  Previouosly I would have frame and focus the picture, press the shutter release, and run to get into the picture and hope I got there in time.  With this remote (which requires that you change settings on the camera to enable the remote to control the camera), you can set the camera to take the picture immediately when you press the remote, or to have a 10 second delay.  Since this is an infra-red remote, you have to point the remote at the camera for it to work, so the 10 second delay allows me to press the remote then drop my hand and hide the remote in my palm before the picture is taken.  Works great for me and I am very happy with this purchase.
Its great for shot that you want to be in.  I like to use it on the tripod.  Takes some getting used to.
I am very pleased with this little gadget, I work for a large architecture firm and at times have to photograph some of our work, the photos have to be super sharp and a lot of times i am unable to use extra lighting, so my only option is to shoot with a very low shutter speed, and a single flash. With the remote, I have to ability to click the shutter without having to touch the camera and risk moving it while the shutter is open. The result is stunning photos that i couldn't get without using the timer. the price is very inexpensive and is worth every penny.
Opened this remote up Christmas morning and was using it minutes later thanks to the included battery and simplicity of the device.  Aim at the camera, click the button on the remote - too easy.
This tiny little remote is easy to lose, but it is amazing.  I will set up my Nikon D5000 on a tripod for family events or group photo and push the button and it takes and the photos are not blurry... I also use this remote for when I do light painting or night time shots. Set my camera at f-stop 22 and Bulb and take a beautiful 30 minute shot... Click once to take and once to stop the shot... I would and have recommended this product to fellow photographers... Professional and Amateurs
If you have D80,D60,D40 or D90 it is an essential part. I use it and I love it.
This is a must-have. First, it's cheap. If you own a $1000+ equipment, $15 is not much. Second of all, this is absolutely necessary for long poses shots. I own a D80 and the IR sensor is in front I believe therefore, I cannot trigger the shutter when I'm behind my camera. This is just a limitation of the body, not the remote. If this is critical for you, get a wired remote. this is more expensive though. Overall, happy with the purchase.
*No need to set up: I just set the release mode dial to Remote control and that's it!*I have nothing more to say.. This product is cool and excellent!
It's good to have. You can't do a lot of rapid shooting, but it does as it should.
Received in a timely manner from Amazon...The device sets up easily with the D80 and D40 that we are using it with.  Range is as described, but position is limited.  you have to be able to see the front right side of the camera from where you are standing in order to successfully use the RC.  It worked reasonably well for our group shots during our family vacation.  Best way that we found to use it was with the "remote delay" setting on the camera.  with this set, there is a confirmation light 2 seconds before the shutter clicks.
Got one to give the wife some more photo options when shooting self portraits of family as well as scenery when she's getting her photographer on. Unfortunately this thing doesnt work as advertised, but for $3 I'm not concerned with the return, as I would spend more in shipping than I would for getting a refund.
We have been anticipating the delivery of this product. It arrived on time, and works like a charm.
This is an excellent unit and a must have for any photographer shooting in low light/using a tripod or shooting waterfalls.
I am very pleased with the operation of the remote. I've used it at many angles away from the camera and have not had any issues at all. Not all reviews list this remote as being compatible with the D40, but in the D40 manual, it lists this remote and it works!Great product!!
now i can take self portraits! and remote close-ups without alerting the insects I am photographing!
It works with my D50 and D7000 I like it a lot. comes in handy. I have no problems with it.
I have never used one before and this did not come with any instructions on how to pair it to the camera.I cant give it a good or bad rating since its still in the package.
Works with my Nikon D7000. It is perfect for family pictures. If you want to be a part of the picture, then this is for you. Yes you can use the built-in timer, but for the convenience, this is perfect. I have purchased a cheap imitation from another website, and it doesn't always work. Don't try to save a buck or two. Purchase the original NIKON product. You won't regret it.
Works perfectly with Nikon D40 and makes 'group photos' a snap.  No more sprinting from camera to group, only to find you bumped the camera while hitting the shutter release.  Great range and inexpensive.  Comes with small pocket that slides onto camera strap... always there when you need it!
I can finally be included in my family photos.  This was a simple and inexpensive solution. Works well!
Ordered this remote for use with my D70 and it does exactly what it should. It's smaller than I thought, which is excellent. I can keep it in my camera bag all the time without sacrificing much space. The only downside is that there is no half-press control (common to all Nikon IR remotes), so there can be a delay if camera is in auto-focus mode. However, since the D70 has no remote port or factory battery grip, this is the best I can do.
I believe I got this remote for under $10... A great addition for self portraits with a tripod. Works perfectly for my D80.
as the original nikon products, this remote control works very good, before,  I got one generic product but did not work ever.  I am happy with this one.
I really like it and worked well with my camera.  I didn't have any problem using it with my camera.  I used it a lot now to take pictures of my products
There really isn't much to say about this. It's small, has one button, and lets you operate your Nikon DSLR camera without physically touching the hardware. It's good if you are trying to set up a delicate shot, such as long exposure or astrophotography, where touching the camera could cause costly vibrations. It also works just fine for the purpose of taking group pictures, when you don't want someone to be absent because they had to sit behind the camera.The remote is tiny (really, be careful not to lose this thing!), and as such, is easy to conceal. The closest thing to a gripe I have with it is that it costs little over $15. For what it is, I can't imagine parts and labor involved in production lead to a justification of the price tag. But since these things regularly sell out online and in stores, I guess they are doing something right!Also, because this is a question I see come up a lot...be forewarned that the ML-L3 does NOT come with a user manual or any kind of set up instructions. All you get in the tiny box is the remote and a little carrying pouch. However, the instuctions for the remote can be found in the User Manual for your camera. In fact, they are really quite in depth. And if you have lost your original manual, fear not, as they are readily available for download online.PROS:+Works well+Easily concealable+Good battery lifeCONS:-Cost for what it is-No included literature
Never again will you stay outside the family group photos or photos you will be moved. Lightweight and comfortable. Highly recommended.
I LOVE this little thing! It works extremely well and is easy to use once you learn how. My only complaint (and it's minor) is that there are no instructions included. This is easily remedied, however, by looking in your camera's manual (which can also be found online if you've misplaced yours) or just search online for instructions.This worked perfectly for my Nikon D60:1. Put camera in P mode (turn the dial to P)2. Go to Custom Settings Mode (the pencil icon)3. Choose option 04 - Release mode4. Choose one of the remote options: either the 2s Delayed Remote or the Quick Response Remote.(Be sure to adjust your settings in P mode at any time before pressing the remote shutter release button to ensure quality photos.)And that's that! Great for those times when you want to take a photo in low light without a flash (when even the slightest movement such as pressing the shutter release on the camera will shake it enough to totally destroy your photo), self portraits without the hassle of waiting for the the self-timer release, etc.
Its not an official Nikon as the picture may lead you to believe, but it worked and wasn't worth the hassle to return it.
Doing self portraits has never been so easy! It's great for single shots, long exposures and pictures of my family.
This remote really does serve its purpose. You push the button, and it takes a picture. The good points are that its small and it focuses the camera so you get a good picture.The Negative aspect of this remote are that it is delayed, so you get the picture several seconds after you hit the button. Which really isn't a big deal. Overall, I think this is a good deal!!
A little cheap feeling, I'm used to Nikon stuff beingmore solidly built. Works OK though especially onceI put in a working battery, it came with a dead battery.Not unhappy but I have had better transactions.
I have a Nikon D3000, and have been using this remote for a week or so!  The remote is much smaller than I expected and seems way to simple to work when you first open the package.  No instructions come with in the package and the Nikon manual only describes how to change the battery so here is how I have found you use it...1) Pull out the clear battery protector thing.2) Go to MENU in your camera3) Find the SHOOTING Menu4) Find RELEASE MODE5) Set it too DELAYED REMOTEAt this point you are ready for the remote...set your picture, DO NOT PRESS THE SHUTTER BUTTON HALF WAY TO FOCUS THE CAMERA!!!  Stand in front of the camera and press the remote button.  The camera WILL focus, then take the picture!You can also change the amount of time the camera is in remote mode in the SHOOTING Menu if you need to.Takes GREAT pics and is TONS of FUN!!!Have FUN!!!
Just got this last night and was confused as to how I needed to connect this to my Nikon D5000.  I did a quick research online on how to and it was a lot easier than I thought!  Simply change the mode of the snapshot to remote control, point at the infrared receiver on the front side of the camera, and click away!I was also amazed at the size of the remote.  I thought it would be a lot bigger but it fits right in the palm of your hand.
It operates by inferred.  This is not for the D200.  Sent it back.  The description said it worked with the Nikon D200.
This item is a good quality item, made of original brand and it is better than the one I had before.
Why would you pay big box store prices for the exact same thing?I have been happy with my Nikon remote control for my DSLR...just point, click, and shoot.  It's specifically handy when I'm doing HDR photos and don't want the tripod to be wobbling back and forth after releasing the shutter.
I purchased this to go with my Nikon D7000 DSLR. The remote is 1 inch by 2-1/2 inches and 1/4 inch thick. It has a single pushbutton used to activate the camera shutter via an infrared signal. This is a line-of-site device and the front or rear camera sensor must be visible to the remote. Battery and small nylon pouch included. The velcro-closure pouch has small cutouts on the back if you'd like to put the pouch on a strap. Although Nikon specifies a 16-foot range for this remote, it successfully worked (fresh new battery, of course) across a 24-foot room with both the front and rear sensors on the D7000. As the D7000 has several options for remote operation, this remote can be used to activate the shutter immediately or after several camera-configurable delays. Several third party versions of this device also exist (including an Amazon version), but for the several dollar additional cost I am pleased I went with the Nikon brand in this instance.
bought it for a present for my wife and she loves it.
It's actually a very nice remote, but not for the reason I bought it.  This will only work if you want to take a photo within 10 seconds of setting it up.  I wanted to use it for longer action; waiting out of focus range from what I want to photograph until the subject comes into view.  It won't do that.
I give this 5 stars because I have had it for about 3 years. I only recently started to notice that its power/range was not working as well as it had originally. But for 3 years of good use, this is a good product. I love Nikon products! FYI, i was using it with my Nikon D40.
The remote works well with the D80. Just wish didn't have to be in front of the camera for the signal to work. Has time delay and fast shutter release.
USING THE REMOTEYou need to change to quick response mode -Hold down the self timer button (near shutter release) and spin the command dial until the icon appears in the LCD control panel that looks like a little remote with rays coming out of it.Be within 16 ft.You can also make it delay the shutter release (icon that looks like a little remote and a clock) if you want to snap yourself and give 2 seconds to put down the remote. Choose the remote icon with a little clock.Make sure to return remote setting to OFF - no clock/remote icon in LCD after spinning self-timer button -- to go back to normal shooting.See page 22-23 in Nikon D50 manual.You can Velcro shut the case on your camera strap. If they left a hole at the end, you could probably use it without taking out of its little case.See page 100 for changing the time the camera waits for the remote. What this means is, how long the camera remains in remote mode, before it returns to normal operation.Go to settings (the pencil) and then go to 20 Remote and set to 5 minutes, whatever. (Pencil icon/20 Remote)The advantage of keeping to the default of 1 minute is, it will go back to normal operation in 1 minute and you will not have to reset it.The advantage of increasing to a higher time is, you can fiddle with the remote and not have it resetting in only one minute.The battery in the remote is a Maxell CR2025 3V coin cell.The indicator light on the front of the camera lights after the exposure.
Seflie!
If you find yourself doing serious photography this is a must. If you find yourself setting the timer function to get a good shot of the family this makes a lot of sense. If you do neither - you will probably never use this- unless you are serious about your photography (very serious) and want to avoid camera shake. If this is the case you will probably not need someone to tell you this in a review.At $20 - an easy buy.
I'm a Nikon Photographer since 1990. So I say get one with your Nikon D-5300 DSLR. That is the Best for The Buck.  [...]
Too bad this is the only option for use with my Nikon D80 camera.  I found the unit to be very directional, with a short range.  I bought it mostly for close up nature shots, so it will function as a shutter release when I'm right on top of the camera.
Nikon did great with their wireless remote control. They kept the price down (about 15 dollars) and the quality up.I use it with my D90 and it works flawlessly. It's very convenient for those shots where you would rather not use the self timer.It's also great for long exposures.Very simple to use. Just pull the plastic battery "guard" that comes with the unit to keep the battery from being discharged and you are all set to go. Just make sure your camera is set to "remote" mode. Point and press the small white button on the unit. Doesn't get any easier than that.
It works well on myNikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Monitor (Body Only), and every time I push the button. I gave nikon 4 stars instead of 5 as the remote only triggers single and not consecutive frames. It is very tiny, but its very comfortable in my hands.
i have no issues with my ML-L3 remote control, the wireless remote works geat with my nikon D80. just point and click and the camera timer will start... very easy to use, and for only $14.25 after shipping, you can't really go wrong.
Got this for my wife and she loves it. Good range and it syncd up with her D3000 and now D5100 just fine. Great for those tripod family shots. Plus our 3 year old can run it.
I use this with my Nikon D7000 and it works well. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend. It is good for long exposures.
I wish the range was better, but it certainly does what is says it does.  You have to be right in front of the camera as not too far away.  Worked great for family portraits with the D40 2 second delay on remote.
Slim wireless remote instantly triggers shutter without disturbing cameraIdeal for subjects that are difficult to approach or for minimizing vibrationsIncludes pouch
What's not to love?  This little remote is very inexpensive, but provides exactly what it needs to.  At this price, why would you not buy one?  A must for anyone doing long exposure, or self-photography.
I love this remote, I take a ton of pictures for family and friends and now I can be in them.Range is goodGreat battery life.Highly recommend
This was a good remote.  I got it to do family photos with me in it for more flexibility than the timer would give me.  Like other reviewers noted it doesn't work too well in bright light but it's doable.  Also you need to have the remote on the sensor side of the lens especially if you have a large lens.  I was having problems with it not triggering the shutter but found there was a setting on the camera to normal shutter release after a few minutes of not sensing the remote.  I changed the timer to never turn off and this saved me a lot of problems.
This remote is one of the better accessories I have bought for the camera.  It is small, very reasonably priced and does exactly what it is supposed to.  It frees up your hands to get the subject to pay attention (kids) or to include yourself in "some" of your photos.
This really helps me to be freer behind my camera. When shooting, especially in the studio, it is nice to be able to interact with the subject or to check over your set and not be tied to the viewfinder.
I'm sure this a grat product but I've not figutred out how it works with my camera - on instructions included - it is probably me - I'll continue to read my camera manual for assitance
This remote shutter is a must if you use a tripod and want to have vibration free sharp pictures.Since it is wireless there's no dangling issue of wires!
This unit is small and lightweight.  I put it's little case right on my camera neck strap.  Works well.  The best remote trigger setup I have ever used in a camera.  Thank You NIKON.
This remote works really well, but it doesn't come with any instructions on how to make it work with your camera. Thanks to google and photo-savvy friends I was able to get it to work, and it works really well, but a short instruction sheet for the non-pros would be nice too.
I thought that this would work with the D3100 since it worked on a D3000; however the 3100 doesn't have a wireless IR sensor for this to work.  I've used this on a different Nikon and it works great, very convenient size and also a very convenient case that can be attached to the strap of the camera.
I used this with my D70.  Little did I know, many of the higher end models (I now own the D300) don't even have the remote option for such a tiny price and a tiny product as this.  It IS worth having but there are challenges:1) You need to point this thing in the direction of the infrared sensor (you can't be behind the camera or have a lens between the side of the camera with the sensor on it - unless somehow my product was defective  -which sometimes I wondered).  It is often tough to get it to trigger.2) This thing is tiny.  A bit of anecdote here:  I lost 2 of these so to prevent me from losing another, I added a bright blue bit of plastic string and taped it on with black electrical tape.  I could put it around my wrist too.  Anyway, the security at te airport doesn't like to see remote controls with WIRES attached.  They though I was triggering a BOMB not a shutter.Such a big review for such a tiny product.  Anyway, this is good to have for a hobby photog. but isn't acceptable if you are working professionally because it can be frustrating to use and doesn't work from all positions.
This remote is quite handy. I have used it so much. My husband and I like to travel, but had a hard time getting pictures with both of us in them. Strangers rarely take a good picture. This remote along with a tiny bendable tripod allow us to get just about any shot. I even used the remote at my brother's wedding (with a normal tripod) to get photos of the entire wedding party - including me. I would recommend this to anyone.
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR CamerasThis product is great to use and the price was even better.The reviews I read previously really helped me to see what the capabilities of this product are.
It just works. I wish it were radio instead of IR so you didn't have to point it at the camera, but it does what it's supposed to do with my D40. Great investment.
I purchased this remote mainly for taking low light photographs from a tripod without inducing any camera shake.[+] It was more convenient for me than setting the timer, for the extended exposures where I didn't want to have to touch the camera to reset it back to timer mode.[-] But at the same time there was definitely a number of times where I pressed that little remote button and nothing happened.  It could have been a number of things, but it was frustrating none the less.[-/+] I purchased this product in a store (authorised Nikon Retailer) and it DID NOT come with any sort of instructions.  It came with a very handy little strap pouch to safely store the remote close at hand, but there were no instructions what so ever.  This has to have been a Nikon decision (a bizarre one at that) but at the same time, there is only 1 button, and your camera's instruction manual will tell you as much as you need to know about wireless/remote releases.I do still continue to use the remote but I can't definitively say that I would purchase it again, or recommend it to someone else.  For me, it's a matter of convenience for those types of shots that I purchased it for.  It would just be super helpful if the camera (D70s) and the remote didn't have communication issues.
Not much to say about this. Small and lightweight. Battery comes with it, believe it's like a watch battery type, probably wouldn't worry about it going out. You will most likely need to Google your camera to find out how to set it up with your camera. You CANNOT just take out of box and point and push, must set it to remote settings in your camera, every time you use it.
Using this is so easy. there really isn't anything else to say about it, it does what it's supposed to.
This item works exactly as described.  I've used it for more than 6 months with a Nikon D90, and never had any issues with it.  I've used it up to 15 feet away from the camera, and never had a problem.  It is simple enough for my 6 year old to use.
There is a bit of a delay, and it can sometimes be difficult getting the signal across. I have a D50. But it gets the job done.
It was most frustrating and a lot of time lost. The thing just does not work. Paid about $9.98 for a Nikon brand sold by ADGN. Came with two batteries both did not work. I just could not use it. It does not work. I was so excited but when something does not work all the wait was useless. May the product is good if it works. This ADGN was not truthful saying used like new. Nonsense and rubbish. Sorry.
Love the remote.  With not instructions it took a little time to figure setting up the camera to accept the signal but it wasn't that difficult and works great.
This works with my D5200, you have to face it though in order to take a shot. No manual in box, just the remote & the little baggy that you stuff the remote in.
This little unit works for me, but the real issue is keeping up with it.. It is super samll and is super easy to lose... I don't think there is a place to put a lanyard on it, but if there was, I would do it.. I have to carry mine in a plastic box, just so I can find it....
I don't know what I would do without this product.  This and my tripod are the two best things I ever purchased for my camera.  I have taken my family photos myself for the past 2yrs!  Do you know how much money I have saved just in doing that myself and I wouldn't have been able to do it without purchasing this remote.  No questions asked you have to buy this!!!
it isn't for long distant remote type photography but it does keep you from vibrating the camera when using a zoom or taking tripod photos that you are in.
I gave this 3 stars because I just seem to always have problems with this working exactly when and how I think it should function.  It is great if you are not trying to take instant photos at the push of the button.  I honestly tend to give up and just set my camera to continuous timed pictures and let it run.  Seems easier to delete the unwanted photos afterwards.
This makes it easy to take remote shots. There are other alternatives out there but this one is the one I got and it's been fantastic. Made by the same people that made my awesome DSLR :)
Works great right out of the box. NO instructions so read your camera manual to set up your particular camera. Throw away the &#34;carry case&#34; - its junk and they should not even include it. I use on my Nikon P7700
I'm no expert, but for my needs this is a great little remote. It is very thin so slips into small pockets in my camera bag. I figured for 10 bucks, I'd be willing to risk it, i'm satisfied. Can't compare it to anything, never had one before.
Remote is small and works very well. Easy to operate and order was received on time and packaged well. Description was point on.
I'm very happy with this remote control. It's small, hooks on to the strap, and works flawlessly.
This remote works very well with Nikon D70s and Nikon D5100. Only issue I had with it, is the length from the camera to the remote, you have to point directly at the camera at a certain 'spot' in order for it to go off and the distance between the remote and camera aren't so far, I always have to be like 2 feet away when I press the button, inconvenient when doing group shots with myself in the image. I learned to just use the 10 second timer and it works very well otherwise. Can't beat the price for what it does. Honestly, I have no complaints after setting timer to 10sec. An amazing bargain!!!
BEST purchase for someone who uses their lens for documenting family events that they want to be seen in - compatible with all of our Nikons (D60 and D5000) so we were able to set up posed pictures from a variety of angles and use just one remote. I just regret not buying this sooner! I took it out of the tiny box, pulled the battery plastic out, and it was ready to be used as soon as I set the camera to remote released shutter setting...
I bought a cheap off-brand version of this. It failed after less than a year.  I then bought this one; it hasn't let me down yet.  I have epoxied a string lanyard to it, so that I can hang it around my neck.  It is very small; quite a risk that it could be lost or misplaced.It works great,I can't forget to mention that!
A simple and easy to use device. Worth the price. Makes my D60 even easier to use. I used it for time exposures and it eliminated camera shake. My only complaint, which is really with the camera not the remote, is that you have to point it at the front of the camera to work.
The price was right, and the free shipping was the clincher. (when combined with another item)Works as advertised. The only caveat is the same as mentioned by others...... Must be in front of the camera.
I purchased this in January to use with my Nikon D80. I am just now getting around to use it and it does not work. This is not a Nikon product. This one is a KT-ML-L3 not a ML-L3. I plan on purchasing the ML-L3 that Amazon sells for $19.99. Don't waste your money on this one.
Does not come with directions and I had a hard time getting it to work. But I finally got it working. I havent had a chance to use it yet though.
Better than the timer to removes shutter shake or a chance to join a picture you compose, but if you want you can use it with the camera's timer and hide the fact you are pushing a button. Great for less than $20 and less of a hassle than a cabled shutter release.
Works great for my D40. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, as there are no instructions included with the remote, but once the shooting mode is configured for remote it works like a charm! Plus I like that I can just thread the little cover/pouch onto the neck-strap so I'll always have it on hand. Only complaint is that I did not get one of these sooner!
This wireless remote is for my D7100 and it works perfectly right out of the box. No manual to study. Just push the button.
I use my remote whenever my camera is mounted on its tripod. I set my Nikon D60's remote-on duration for 15 minutes and I choose the remote shutter release setting. Then, I hold the remote a few inches from the shutter release, and the remote works every time.When I want to take a self portrait or group photo, I aim the remote directly at the "eye" on the front of the D60 under the shutter release, and the remote works every time. 15 feet away is as far as I have tried.
I purchased this for my husband to use with his D5000 or D5500 I don't know which one sorry. I've seen him use it multiple times with his camera on the tripod. He has some amazing shots of a squirrel hanging half on my bird feeder and half on the pine tree in out back yard. He also uses it when he takes night photos with the camera on the tripod. He says something about not shaking the camera and the shutter speed being really slow on night mode. Ok... I honestly have no idea how the camera works sorry. He has never complained about it so I'm assuming it works perfectly fine.Update: It's a D5100. whatever they are all the same to me.
Genuine Nikon is the only way to go. Works perfectly. Focus and release just fine. Avoid the &#34;fakes&#34; when it comes to this wireless release...
This remote works as expected, nothing more or less. You must make sure you have it it on the remote setting in the camera for it to work. You must also aim it at the front, or side,of the camera (line of sight) within about 15 feet. This is for the infrared signal to function. Works great with my Nikon D40 and my D90. Battery lasts a looonngg time, I haven't replaced mine in my original remote for a good 3 or 4 years.
Excellent Product.  Works just as specified.  Nice and discretely small.  A very inexpensive product that anyone with a compatible Nikon camera should own.
It's no secret that people use digital media to take pictures that are adult in nature and this little remote helps with that. Anyone that has ever tried to take pictures of "Honeymoon" action knows it's not easy to constantly stop and start and with you don't have to. It's small enough that you can hide it and with a quick enough response that you get the really good shots. You could also use it to take family pictures, but why would anyone want to do that?
The remote is so handy & nicely sized--on the small size & I love it! The battery is easily changed and comes with the plastic slip piece so it's not a dead battery when you receive it. Just wonderful. It even has it's own little case so in my camera bag it's all cared for. Dandy.
Although I always carry this little device with me wherever I go I often use different wireless triggers because of the line of sight issue. If I can be either in front of the camera or directly behind it the ML-L3 works fine. Augment to this unit would be the Vello Shutter Boss wireless trigger. Very economical costing much less then any of the Nikon wireless triggers. Still it is what it is and works fine under proper circumstances. Follow instructions in your camera manual.
If you want vibration free tripod shots, this remote is a MUST.As most photographers know, tripping the shutter on a tripod mounted camera canproduce unwanted vibrations. With this remote, that is no longer a problem.Set the camera for a 10 second release, press the remote button from in frontof the camera and just walk out of the field of view.For those Blue Hour photographers with a Nikon DSLR, this will be your best friend.
Packed in a very small package, but it comes with a useful tiny case for the remote so it works very well.
Okay.. this is the best remote ever. I have tested other remotes, but this is the best! Better get two, because it is so easy to misplace.
I use this Nikon wireless remote control with a D5000 camera and it works great.  The only drawback at all is if you need to fire it from the left side of the camera it doesn't always work, so you have to make sure you are on the right hand side.  Other than that it's a must have for taking photos and reducing camera shake that can happen just by the act of pressing the shutter button.
This remote has been standard equipment for me for many years. As a 365 Alumni I use it daily with my self portraits
It works fine with Nikon D40, once you change your camera settings to remote. I will recommend to everyone who uses Nikon D40, 50, 70, 80
the nikon remote shutter control ML-3 works very well with the N65 nikon camera that I use for family activity and especially it makes it very easy for me to be in the pictures when I chose. Excellent qualty at a very attractive price.
Does as it's suppose tosmall, could be easy to lose so don't put were you wont remember, cause it wont stand out.got here quickly too
The product was delivered as described, timely and it works fantastic. Used it the first day to take some great stills and didn't need to worry about shake or anything. It was great to be able to frame the picture and then change a few things and snap a picture without having to go back to the camera.
I have always envisioned myself falling as I run to try to get into a photo when I've set up the self-timer.  Now I just have to remember to keep the remote inconspicuous to make it a good picture
TODO MUY BIEN,,EL PRODUCTO FUE TAL CUAL SE DESCRIBE..SE USO Y FUNCIONO MUY BIEN....EL PRECIO FUE BUENO
Works great for taking your own family photos, or group shots when you actually want to be in the picture.
One of the reasons I truly decided to buy the Nikon D5100 over the D3100 was to use this remote.  Sounds silly, but it's true.I photograph a lot of things, but one of the most important things I photograph is my friends and family! As the photographer, I'm rarely in the pictures, and when it did actually come time to take the family photo around the Christmas tree (or whatever), one of us would be setting the self-timer, running back to the group, watching the blinking self-timer light while waiting for the picture to be taken, and then repeating the process because somebody blinked. No more! With this handy remote, I can set up the camera on a tripod or any decent surface, and take posed or un-posed family/group shots, with no running back and forth! I can take as many in a row as I'd like, to be sure we got a decent picture. And everyone thinks it's cool that I'm using a remote!The remote itself has excellent range. I started by always pointing directly at the camera, but it was pretty obvious in the photos! Oops! So I've found that generally, I can hold it a little more discreetly in my hand and point in anywhere that the signal can bounce and still make it to the camera (like your TV remote!). It might take a couple tries, but I just like that I don't need to hold it and my hand straight out to make it work.I even programmed the self-timer/function button on my D5100 to be a shutter-release choice button, so I could more easily switch to using the remote without fiddling through menus/info screens. This $13 remote is one of the best features of my new camera!!
Very convenient when shooting pornographic art. It uses infrared so make sure you have line of sight. would buy again.
I bought this so I could be in some of the photos I took with my Nikon D50. Works great. Good range, even from front angle.This is just what I wanted. The Grandkids think it's magic.
Love this remote. Coupled with the corresponding Nikon camera body it makes group photos a snap. The only limitation is the line-of-sight IR communication link. You must have a clear shot from this transmitter to the receiver on the camera body. If the transmitter is more than about 45 degrees off-center it may not actuate. Likewise a long lens or hood can block the IR beam. Can't beat it for the price though. I recommend it.
I needed it so bad .. it helps you take pics with yourself in the shot or placing a camera and getting rid of any shakes .. comes very handy.
I might finally get in some pictures!  With this remote and a pocket tripod I can get into vacation pictures with my wife...without asking strangers to take a photo (which is never composed well).  We are leaving for the Grand Canyon next month and I will take this very small accessory with me.  Highly recommend for the reasonable cost.
Didn't really used it much, but for what I know it works great. Always nice to measure the white point and it's small enough to fit into any camera bad small pocket.
Only used it once so far but it worked so I'm happy... No issues it does what it's suppose to.
This item works as described.  I got it thrown in when it was offered in a bundle with my purchase.  I'm glad to have it to do the once in a while timed shoot of myself.  Item works and it's a good value.
Hi.. I am using this remote for last 6 - 7 months. Its really compact ( comes with a nice small black cover also). Handy easy to use . Helped a lot for long exposure and self portrait pics....I am using thi remote along with my NIKON D60 camera.Just buy it when u get a nice deal... :-)
This Nikon Remote Control lets you take pictures of yourself, or a group you are in with the press of it's little button......it works great although it didn't come with any instructions and my husband had to look up how to get it to work with his Nikon Digital Camera online.  That's the only drawback I had with this remote.  Wish it would have come with instructions.  If you are looking for some way to take pictures remotely....this remote does the job well....you don't have to touch the camera!  I would have given it a 5 star rating if it would have come with instructions.
Convenient and easy to use, however I was a bit disappointed that it doesn't autofocus, otherwise it's a perfect gadget to have for self-portrait artists.
I own two of these. I love them for self portraits and  for those family portraits which used to included all except me. No more.Problem I have with this product is that when shooting within 20 feet of camera and with no side walls nearby, I have to be slightly to the right of the center of the photo for the camera to pick signal... a limitation which I think Nikon should remedy by increasing product power or by increasing the bounce off the wall range of this thing.Other wise: great battery life (3 years with not more than 5 times per month shooting), very slim design and instinctive front different from back design so you can figure out which side fires without lookingNikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Select Nikon D-SLR and CoolPix Cameras
Hello,Nikon's ML-L3 is poorly built and does not preform consistently.  You would think one would only have to push the button and the camera would take a picture, but it does not happen that way.  With the camera set properly for remote control, the unit makes the camera fire only 50% of the time.  It will not work behind the camera (for macro work) that is why Nikon added a cable release on the new D70s.  I am told the following remotes will work on the D70.  You can find them here at: [...].  I have not tried them myself but have it on reliable information that they preform better than the ML-L3.A person does not have much of a choice when it comes to buying a remote for the D70 and for the life of me I cannot understand why Nikon would sell such a cheap and disappointing piece of junk.  When consumers accept such poor quality in workmanship and function it lowers the quality bar one more notch.Thanks,Bill
Note: I have used this product in clear weather (no precipitation) with a Nikon D40x in moderate sunlight and at night, but not in bright sunlight.Pros:- Response is very quick- Operating distance (from remote to camera) is at least 2 meters- Operating area (around camera) anywhere within the 180 degrees in the front of the camera, and even somewhat behind when the remote is closer to the camera- The device itself is very light and smallI've encountered no major problems to speak of, though it'd be nice if the remote could be used from directly behind the camera, though I suppose that's a function of sensor placement on the camera.It's not a big plus, but it comes with its own carrying case.  I cannot comment on battery life yet, as my first battery has not worn out yet (after several months of occasional use).* * * * *Update (Sep-22-2011): After 3 years of occasional use, I have still not needed to replace the battery.
This is a very handy item to use with a DSLR camera. It allows you to take self portraits while your camera is on a tripod. It also allows you to take slow shutter speed photo's from a tripod since DSLR camera's are not compatible with a cable release.
This little device provides great hands-free operation of my D50 and D80 cameras.  There is no need to use timer and run from the camera to be in the picture.  I also use it for taking portraits so that I could have more interactions with the subjects.  When I used it indoors, the distance and the direction the remote is pointing to was great.Sometimes, the shutter of the camera did not release upon pushing the remote.  The camera did not provide any error information when that happened.  It was very frustrating when you pushed the remote and nothing happened and while you walked back to the camera, the shutter released.  The same problem occurred to the shutter release on the camera occasionally, so I can't completely blame on the remote.  But being feet away from the camera and could not get the camera to work is aggravating.
Now I can take AND be in the picture.  Good for family portraits and night scenes from the tripod.  Pocketsize also a plus
I bought the ML-L3 to shoot my Nikon D80 when I am not close enough to use the Nikon cord MC-DC1, and after using it, I have mixed feelings about it. This little remote is not quite an extension of the shutter.Pros.1.On my D80 I have shoot pictures 13m (40ft)away from the camera which can be very useful -IF you are on the IR receiver side of the camera (right or left of the lens)Cons.1.If you are not in front of the camera it does not work, no matter if you are a foot behind it.2.The receiver in the Nikon D80 is on the left side of the lens, SOOO if you stand on the right side and the lens is in between, it does not work.3.You cannot prefocus as you do with the cable -hey but is not quite necessary.One thing I cannot review is the life of the battery, maybe in an update.Anyway, in few words it works if NOTHING is in between you and the IR receiver of the body, no matter if it is a twig, which gives you very little versatility, little room to work. I remmember the remote control of a sony tv from 20 yrs ago and you could point on a wall and the bounced signal would command the tv. This is a toy version of a good IR remote.
Purchased this remote for a Nikon D60.  It works well from at least 10ft, although it must have a clear sight line to the label side of the camera.
I have this remote for my Nikon D80.  It's handy and very quick.  To put your camera in infrared mode, press and hold the Continuous Mode button on your camera, and then slowly turn the thumb wheel on the back of the camera.  As you do this, the icon for your shooting mode will flip through single, multi, timer, etc. When the icon looks like this remote, let off the Continuous Mode button and now you're ready to shoot.You can take pictures up to 16 feet away, but there are some considerations:- If you're using a large, bulky zoom lens, the infrared remote will need to be held at the right angle to still reach the sensor.- The sensor on my D80 (and probably most Nikon cameras) is on the upper left-hand side of the camera (if you're facing the lens, this is your right-hand side).  You will need to have the remote on that side and pointed in the direction of the sensor, just like you would for a television remote control.This remote is easy to use, and thankfully if you aren't manually setting your focus, it really does focus the lens for you before you shoot.  Very useful.
This little gadget has been awesome. especially around the holidays when you want pics with the whole family or just want to take a hubby and wife session. Battery last awhile and has descent range.
The remote operates as well as expected and I like the fact that I can program the amount of time between pressing the button and triggering the shutter (via the camera)- this way self-portraits won't show you pressing the remote.
A must have. Use with my D40 when shooting low light from a tripod. Works great from sides and back of camera as long as the distance is not too great. Wish that this item was included in the D40 package, however, guess that's expecting too much.
The remote works fine as long as it's close enough to the camera. In some lighting conditions it takes more than one button press to activate the shutter. I would reccomend buying the remote, as it does do a pretty good job, even with it's limitations.
I have enjoyed the remote.  It does have a limited operating angle but it has still improved low light and macro shots by eliminating me touching the camera
Straight forward to use, however it has to point to the sensor area on the camera body, not very wide range as I had thought. Still, it is something good to have.
I bought this remote to use with my camera, i use a Nikon D3000. its diffidently a great piece to have. less expensive at the time, then at a retail store. havent had to replace the battery yet, works well. easy to use and i didn't need major instructions. i sometimes set my camera on a tripod or just prop it on something sturdy and use the remote, definitely see the difference in stability verses holding the camera in my hand and trying to use the remote or take the shot with out it when it comes to action shots. especially when you're limited on lens position.
Have to point the ML-L3 to the infra red receptor (1 meter away is fine) before making post...otherwise it just won't work. Overall, I think it is worthy buying it for 14 bucks.
Recently purchased this for my D70s as I am upgrading soon and I needed a shutter release but didn't want to spend too much money and could use with other Nikons. The button, the only moving part, works perfectly. The remote also has incredible range. The battery tray is a little tricky to remove but the battery lasts a long time so it's nothing to worry about. It's extremely small, a little too small you might say as it seems like the kind of thing that would be very easy to lose. A small wrist strap would have been nice. Other than that it's perfect, if a little expensive. How Nikon can justify charging over $38 (list price) for something so basic is beyond me. A cheaper knock off would probably work just as well.Also, yes, it only works if you're in front of the camera. Except for me. It's strange but on my D70s, if you aim at the command dial or just above CF card hatch at the back it will release the shutter. There's no way the IR is reaching that little sensor in the front, not that I can think of, but it still works somehow. It'll still go off even if I cover the sensor with my fingers. I think the IR sensor on the D70s might just be hyper sensitive and it's getting triggered by the reflection or something. I can't find another sensor anywhere else on the camera body.Bottom line, if you need a simple shutter release you can't go wrong but it's no replacement for a proper programmable cable release.
This remote does exactly what you expect. It's small, it's light, it's solid, and it's also cheap. The price finally came down to a level where I would buy it, even though I don't use it very often. All in all, it's a great product. I use it with my D40, and it works like a charm. Just set the camera to remote mode, focus it, and this thing takes the pictures. It's simple. While the sensor is on the front of the camera, you can use the remote at almost any angle, at least while indoors. Outdoors, the remote can still be used at or just past 90 degrees from the front of the camera.Highly recommended, even if I don't use it all the time, it will definitely come in handy for group tripod shots, so I can control the camera without a timer.
The remote works very well with my D80.  Indoors or if the camera has nearby objects, the IR beam seems to bounce off and reach from any angle, even directly behind and from at least 10ft away (I didn't have more room).  Outside without surrounding objects, I was able to fire it from a side.  I think its a great product. Match it with a Joby Gorilla tripod an you get easy to setup and trigger shots at night or in low lights.
I needed a remote, and this is a remote.  Inexpensive and works well!  Only complaint is that it is almost to small so it's easy to lose.
out of the box and you know what? wasn't working. i may reordering another one but for a first impression i can say i wasn't impressed.returned for a full refund.
This is a great remote for everyday situations. You do have to have it in range of the infrared sensor on the front of the camera (ie. you can't be behind the camera), but you can reach around if needed. I use it for family/group portraits with me in it, and it is small enough that you can be discreet where you are holding it so it is not visible. It auto-focuses before it takes the shot, so it works perfect with the automatic focus on your camera. Would definitely buy it again, and especially for the great price!
Inexpensive, small, convenient.  Indispensable.  Does what its suppposed to and does it well.
MOre boring stuff to write about a very, simple, practical product that works as it was described in the advertisement.
I bought my camera used and it didnot come with the cable. Have been using it for about 3 months no problems yet
I use this to download pictures from my older Nikon Coolpix camera.  It's worked perfectly every time and the price is very reasonable.
I bought this item for my Coolpix 775 camera and it worked as advertised.  I recommend this to anyone who owns a Coolpix 775 camera.
It performs  just as it is supposed to, and was accurately described online. I am very happy with my purchase.
I can't say if this product works or not. Did not come with any software. In other words no way to tell if it even works...
It is a very compact flash with outstanding built quality.Some people complain about lack of horizontal movement.I do not have any problem with this, as I can always use it off-camera with my K10D in wireless mode.I have also the Pentax AF540FGZ flashgun, so I can compare both units.Unless I really need the power of the AF540FGZ, I prefer the 360 over the 540 for the reasons below:- design and built quality is superior to the ones of 540 (changing batteries in the AF540FGZ is a nightmare due to poor design of the battery compartment cover - difficult to open and especially to close it)- it is compact and fits in my smaller bag
I have had about 5 Pentax cameras in my life and this is the first time I purchased a flash made by Pentax. Seems like money well spent as this flash does do all it is billed to do.  My problem is that my istD doesn't have all the features to match up with this flash as the new cameras do. Like my istD it isn't Pentax's Top of the Line but it will perform for most of my photographic needs.  I hope to buy another Pentax flash to take advantage of the wireless functions for fill light applications and it will most likely be another 360.  If you have a Pentax DSLR, I recommend you get a Pentax flash and this would be a great first choice.  For the dollar, this is a good choice.
It is a terrific flash! Before I converted to Pentax, which is in my view is the only brand at a moment that is driven by photography and not by marketing department; I was HUGE fan of Minolta before it ended in Sony's hands. And at a time Minolta had really cool (even by today's means) flashes. But even that Minolta is far, far from of what this Pentax's baby can do!First of all for all K10D owners, this flash will work as intelligent remote flash controlled by your camera's flash or in combination with it. It does it simply AWESOME! You have now two flashes and possibilities are endless. For the money I ordered two of the flashed instead of one of their more expensive model and I have complete professional three point lighting solution for about $360!!! In wireless mode it supports advanced functions, allows all adjustments etc. This flash supports superb Hi Speed Sync and I mean it is superb! The flash is so precise it capable of preserving the most delicate shadows if you need it. The wide angle adapter along with white board is so nice to have handy!One more thing to mention, this flash is very frugal too! It is for a first time in my life that pro level flash with all these belt and whistles was keep going all the day long on four cheapest AAs from Walgreens! My previous Sony's flash simply refused then instantly! This thing was firing and firing and firing and the recharge times were just tip top.Absolutely awesome flash as I said, really photography tool!
The built in flash on my Pentax \digital SLR camera was not very good and resulting in dar pictures taken at night. This flash worked great
If you've got a Pentax dSLR, this is the flash you're looking for. I really agonized whether to go with a cheaper flash to use off camera with an optical slave triggered by the on camera flash, or go ahead and get the 360, which would provide me with more options, especially when used on camera. I'm very glad I went with the Pentax. So glad I ended up buying a second one. It's a good all around flash, easy to use, and obviously great to use in conjunction with your Pentax dSLR. When you have two, you can use one on camera to trigger the other off camera. Or use both off camera triggered by the on camera flash (put the 360s in Slave 2 mode if you have the K100D). They have a built in optical slave so you don't need to buy anything extra. Used on camera, you also have the option of very high speed sync. Cool! My only nitpick is the battery door doesn't close as firmly as I'd like, so you have to check it from time to time to make sure it's shut all the way. A battery meter would have been nice too. Other than that, no real complaints. It's a good flash for the money. If you plan on using it off camera a lot ("Strobist" style) you might want to get a cheap off camera radio sync system, like the Cactus triggers. But you don't need that right off the bat. Play around with triggering it optically and see if that works for you.Good luck, and happy shooting.
This flash is easy to use, does a great job, and I use it both on and off my camera.  It is very easy to slave and I will eventually buy another one to use with some studio work.
P-TTL and wireless capability in a rugged flash perfectly matched to any Pentax DSLR--I have two of them and the do all I expect.
Perfect product to carry with you! Low weigh and very compact, ideal for parties and other uses that you don't want to carry a big accessory bag!Plus: Very economic for the batteries!
Easy to use. Fast enough recharge. Affordable. Able to go wireless.2 things. While I haven't used the 540, I'd probably buy it over this one due to the lack of swivel alone. If you don't find yourself taking portrait oriented photos in low light, its not an issue at all though.also, i find turning the autozoom off in most low light situations. set to around 50mm, and keep the pttl on, makes a huge difference.
This is a very nice flash. Works as it should with plenty of available adjustments, several power settings in manual. You can set it to manual-TTL (P-TTL)- or Auto, first curtain-rear curtain-hyper flash. It is usable with the new Pentax DSLR's or previous film models. Or even on single post cameras of old -Spotmatics, or other brand equilvants. If the other contacts are a problem, a little tape can cover. It offers a built in diffuser, and a white bounce card is built in. Use either, or both.It has remote capabilities (I have not done this).The only real shortcoming is there is no swivel. There is bounce, but no swivel. This is a draw back to some creative shots, but really isn't a minus to the average shooter. With a cord, or remote use this problem evaporates. Useage is quite easy, and the light up dial is a big plus.All in all I am very pleased with it. I also use a Sigma 500 dg st and like that too. That has swivel, but little in the area of manual control.I have read complaints of quality, but I have seen the competition and feel it is as good as any, and better than most. Plus, I have Pentaxes, and this says Pentax on it, so I am in fashion. Dan
The AF 360 FGZ flash is a hard-working, no-nonsense flash for Pentax DSLR P-TTL enabled cameras.  It will work as a Master or Controller on camera to control other P-TTL flashes off camera (for K110D, K100D, K200D users).  I use it with others in P-TTL mode wirelessly and cabled with a PentaxPentax F5P 9.5-Foot Extension Cord for Pentax Flash Unitscable and Pentax F adaptor.  I also use it extensively in manual mode, both on and off camera (as an optical slave).The flash is well designed.  For the most part it is pretty solid.  I've dropped it several times and it still works!  I have an issue with the battery door - it looks good but is somewhat flimsy and can dislodge with rough handling, which turns the flash off.  The door latches but I wish the latch were a little more robust.I have found that in general, P-TTL mode issues are that of camera operator and not the flash.  A lot of people report under exposures in P-TTL.  Care must be taken as to what is selected for exposure or, yes the area may be under exposed.  If care is taken, exposures are pretty much spot on, even for two and three flash set-ups in P-TTL.The flash is very consistent in Manual mode. Light output doesn't vary cycle to cycle.  In optical slave mode, the flash goes off even at very low initiating flash power - works like a charm.I wish that the flash swiveled.  I wish the battery door was a little more robust.  Other than that, I am a very happy photographer!
Not too powerful, not too cheap. It's the perfect balance of functionality, size and price. Charges quickly and does a great job of following the lens settings. Works great in wireless mode as well. Was very easy to setup, though I did have to refer to the camera's manual at least once.
If I could, I RATE THIS PRODUCT 3.5 Stars.I agree with an earlier review in that this Pentax flash unit is mechanically very disappointing and certainly not worthy of the Pentax name. In no way does this product represent the Japanese Quality and Solid Designs of the 80's that we have all become sentimental about. With this flash unit, Pentax has taken the low road to profit in place of working towards brand loyalty by producing a quality product, and making sure their dealers stand behind the product without sniveling.The Pentax flash I received was assembled in the Philippines and judging from the rough mold quality of the battery door and surround plastics used to secure the battery door are reminiscent of parts that come from a place with little QA. With the unit I have, when all four AA batteries are out, the battery door is difficult to open. With all four batteries in place, the battery door is easily knocked ajar, leaving a 1.5-2 mm gap at the top of the battery door (see photo). From this slight open position, the battery door can and does with little force, pop open letting the batteries to spill out.  I had the flash in my hands for just 3-4 minutes before that event happened and when I need my flash the last thing I want happening is for the batteries to fall out into my camera bag or on to the floor.If you are right handed like myself, because of the natural area where a person tends to grab the flash, to release the flash head position lock button, by default causes the battery cover on my flash unit to pop partially open. Only once in 3 attempts was I able to till the flash head without disturbing the placement of the battery compartment cover and knocking the cover partially open. I have been using flashes of this similar design and nature since the old Vivatar 283 days of the mid 70's and never have I seen a case where the act of tilling a flash head could cause a battery compartment to open.The second area of concern is the flash shoe. Like another review stated the shoe uses a small metal pin to help keep the locking mechanism align while the user moves the compression collar. The compression collar on my shoe is not well registered mechanically. I can see this device failing and perhaps cracking in the field.Also the flash unit, with hot shoe locking collar released, fits much too tightly in the camera hot shoe. For this reason, the flash unit is difficult to remove from the K20D hot shoe and always requires close attention during the process as I need to hunch over and use both hands, one placed near the flash hot shoe, and one placed near the camera hot shoe. Then I have to wiggle the flash unit back and forth till I unseat the flash.If not, I get the impression that over torquing during this process could lead to serious mechanical damage to both the flash unit and camera body. I'm use to using just one hand to perform this task, of seating and unseating a flash unit atop a prism housing, and this is the most difficult flash unit I have ever mounted.In fairness, I thought I should make sure that the mounting issue was with this Pentax flash, so I tried to see how a backup Vivatar 2000 flash unit would sit on the K20D camera hot shoe, and I was able to seat and unseat the Vivatar flash on the camera hot shoe with a single hand. Hence the fitting (mechanical tolerance) issue rest with the Pentax flash itself. From feel, I estimate the Pentax flash hot shoe pad to be about 0.005" of an inch too think.In terms of illumination control, the flash works well under most situations. I have at times have had some difficulty getting the flash to expose properly when used with a K20D camera in AF mode for object further than 20 feet away in very dark situations. This seems to be a function of the K20D camera as the camera tends not to be able to properly determine the correct distance to the object as the K20D is without an AF assist illuminator.For objects at close distance, it is possible to get very precise illumination control in most situations and especially helpful, the wireless function when capturing macro images. Note in the posted image of the moth that the working distance to the object was ~2 inches from the lens.Today, all of my photo shooting is done for fun, but that does not preclude my desire to still use and operate equipment that is reliable and robust enough that I can operate in the field and not be overly concerned about the state of my equipment or if the equipment will even survive little more than casual use. From what I have seen of the Pentax 360 Flash, makes me wonder if an investment in other Pentax gear is such a wise move. If Pentax is incapable of doing the very basic mechanical functions well like keeping a simple battery cover closed tight, then how can they be trusted to be any better with the more complex tasks?From this product if not already, Pentax needs to initiate a Technical Lessons Learned (TTL) database, so this sort of fiasco in elementary mechanical design does not surface in a future product.This sight unseen purchase, should I return the item will costing me $35 dollars for a 180 dollar sale. Beach Camera wants to charge a 10% restocking fee to take what I see as an inherent design and manufacturing flaw plus cost to return ship. Maybe, Beach Camera should not sell what they are not willing to stand behind, or they would take a defective product return without conditions. Also, why would you need to restock a defective item? Because of their return policy towards Amazon customers and the fact that they are not open on Saturday, I give a neutral recommendation for Beach Camera.Minus 0.25 for battery door design & quality of parts used.Minus 0.25 for battery door function.Minus 0.25 for hot shoe design.Minus 0.25 for hot shoe function.Minus 0.25 for hot shoe material selection.Minus 0.25 for casual use & field reliability.
I've had this flash now for a couple years.  It fits my needs very well.  Some complain that it doesn't have the swivel head.  I just hand hold the flash or use a small tripod for it if I want to aim it on a different axis.  The wireless works great with my K200d.  I love that it also has high speed sync.  It is well built and versatile.  If you want more power and a swivel head, you need to pay more for a flash that has those.  This flash has always given me great exposures.  I have no complaints.
Had this for over a month now. The flash does its job well but i still had that underexposing i experienced with the built in flash. This is not the fault of the 360 but i think the overrated P-TTL. Underexposure seems to be a big problem with the K series using P-TTl, but I found a way around this underexposing. Pentax could have also included a horizontal swivel I think.
I have had mine for a year and a half, and once you get it dialed in, it is great. but, until then, a giant pain in the butt. you have to set the flash compensation on +1 on the flash, and have your pics set to +0.7 on the camera, then use program mode, auto iso and auto WB (at least on my K10D). and the kit lens tends to work the best. the computer seems to choke on the FA 50mm f/1.4 lens, and over or under exposes (given the same settings for the kit 18-55 lens!). but, i have done a wedding, disney in the dark (my pics were better than the pros there!) and family gatherings and such and it rocks. but, not for the faint of heart, and needs constant attention. then, the bounce system works ok, but don't bother if the ceiling is >10 feet. no use. but, consider it as no lens will let you take pictures at night and get the consistent results that this will.
I've owned this since 2007 and I am happy to say that I am generally satisfied with this purchase.  It does its job commendably well.  My flash pictures are way better than the ones taken using my camera's built-in flash.  Although I must admit that I still have a lot to learn in mastering flash photography, I noticed that the instructions on how to use this flash takes a little more time to learn before one can force it to perform according to their preferences.  And for photographers like me, a lot of trial-and-error sessions are in order.  I really don't mind since I'm dealing with digital pictures anyway and its power comes from the widely available 4xAA batteries.The major disadvantage that this flash has compared to other similarly priced competitors (or even to its higher-spec siblingPentax AF540FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Includes Case)is its lack of swivel feature, only tilt.  If it's attached to my camera's hot shoe and I want to take portrait shots with diffused lighting, forget it because it's not possible.  Now, fortunately it has that saving feature:  wireless flash.  It can serve as the slave to the on-board flash so it can be placed anywhere at any kind of tilt angle.  For me, I bought thePentax Off-Camera Flash Standand the issue is practically solved.Solid performer, proven durability and priced affordably, this is a very good tool.  I would recommend it.
This Pentax flash offers all stuff you'd expect from a basic AF flash (power zoom, bounce, AF illuminator), plus a bit more.Like most of the camera companies, Pentax offers a basic and more advanced (or powerful) flash.  As basic flashes go, this one only lacks "swivel" (side-to-side adjustment) from ranking 5-stars.  In terms of exposure accuracy, this flash ranks equal to the best.Useful features included that aren't typically found in cheaper flashes are:1) Built-in wide angle diffuser.  Need a bit more width in the coverage?  A pull out panel is located in the top of the flash;2) Built-in "catch light".  This small, white card is in the same space as the diffuser.  If using bounce, this will help elimate shadows caused by the bounce, and puts a little gleam in the eye;3) High-Flash synch.  Most useful for outdoor portrait photography, this allows you to set the shutter speed to faster than normal, allowing you to control the depth-of-field;4) "Spot Beam" function.  In low light situations, the AF illuminator in the flash fires to help the AF system of the camera.  The SB features allows the illuminator to work even when the flash is not used for exposure (such as in a museum);5) Command functions.  Unlike the Nikon SB-600 or Canon 430EX, this flash can be used to control and trigger multi-flash operations.A very good basic flash, only a swivel away from 5-star perfection!
Perfect addition to my K100DIt uses less battery life than the camera when in a pinch, I've been able to switch out the batteries to increase my camera's life while still being able to use the flash.
Great flash unit.  It installed easily, is very "smart" and is more than adequate for my modest demands and skills.  I have not begun to use many of the features.  Its first use was at a party where I was "drafted" at the last minute to take pictures.  The room was poorly lighted but the resulting photographs were very well exposed.  Highly recommended.
I love this flash, pictures look amazing.  I have found the ability to use the built in white card to diffuse a bounced flash amazingly useful.  The white card also creates some really nice looking catch lights when shooting portraits.  My only gripe is that the plastic is so flimsy and cheap.  Pretty much the opposite of the rugged construction on Pentax's current DSLRs.  The battery door is very poorly designed and if you bump it even slightly with your hand it will eject your 4 AA batteries across the floor, which looks very unprofessional.  I put a rubber band around mine, but of course this looks chintzy and unprofessional, so I'm going to have to find a better solution.  Loses one star for the cheap plastic, other than that, lovely flash.
To expand your creative needs this is a great flash that does everything well.
It have done all was it have promise, is well built and perform very good also it have a reachable price. I recommended a lot for any Pentax camera it also give great results with my Lumix LX3 of camera flash, tough it took a wile to make it work.Update October 07 2011:The closed position for the battery compartment cover is located by sliding up. With  this orientation, gravity works against the cover latching mechanism, a poor design approach. Also, is partially open (~2mm) position of the battery cover after the flash has been bumped or handled so as to tilt the flash head. There for the battery cover can and does on occasions open up making impossible to keep the flash working. Make sure teh flash doesn't get hit to prevent this. I did gve me two great yeears of performance and it does performs good, when it' on.
Though not as powerful as it's big brother the 540 this is still a great flash.  Pictures on my K30 taken in my basement without lighting come out much better.
I use this unit on K100D , Great value for day to day use. I use it with 18-250 Tamron lens.I have found 2 things can"can be improve"  1. The on/off the hot shoe can be easier 2. The LCD display screen does not have DSLR translation of the lens zoom setting.
I have been an amateur SLR shooter for a while now. This past summer I picked up the AF360 after taking many disappointing shots at a wedding and crushing my K100D's batteries using the pop-up flash.My initial impression was shock - the manual for the flash is about as big as that of my camera!! There is an astounding number of settings in this little package, but fortunately the camera and flash work together perfectly in 'auto', so immediate reading is not necessary.My photography has changed drastically since I started using this flash. It is terrific both indoors and outdoors - for bouncing and direct light. The range is pretty decent, and the built in wide angle diffuser and white card are both very useful.Battery life is fantastic, and obviously saves your camera's batteries as well.The only real complaint I have is the plastic foot for the hotshoe.. no real issues with it but it does not look like the sturdiest choice for materials.Beware, too, the added weight!! One-handed shooting is much more difficult, but the flash is phenomenal.I debated getting the 540, and really there have only been a few instances where I really wanted to bounce the flash sideways. For an amatuer, this flash does it all.
Flash photography had become a frustrating thing. I had been using a third-party flash that required a specific control module for the Pentax K10/20.  It had both up and down and left and right head swivel which was great for portrait orientation and bouncing the flash off the ceiling.  However, the flash would randomly under-fire and even stop working altogether ..."I'm sorry, can I take that picture again??"  Not acceptable.  I decided to try the AF 360 FGZ rather than the 540 based on the posted reviews.  The 360 has been a 100% reliable flash that does what I need for most shooting and has never let me down.  It's far more compact than the other third-party flash which is a plus. I like the built-in diffuser and reflector, but an additional add-on diffuser is still needed for a softer, more natural lighting effect. I do miss a left-right swivel option of the head which is a must for certain framing/lighting needs.  But for the money, I am very happy with this little unit.
This flash is far better than the on-camera flash, in that it does extend the range a little, and adds an enormous amount of versatility and control over lighting the subjects.  My problem is it's range - although it is a basic flash, I tried shooting subjects no more than 16ft away and it had problems lighting them up properly.At first I thought it was my camera or my partial inexperience in using flash photography, but then I allowed a friend to try it out on his, and he being one who has more experience than I, he found its range capability to be unexciting and disappointing.  I have put mine up on EBay for sale, with the hopes to recoupe enough out of the sale to upgrade to the larger model, with the hopes it will do better for me.
I got it for Christmas.It has no swivel and is useless to me as I found out.I use flash mostly bounced off the ceiling. Without swivel I cannot bounce when shooting vertically (portrait orientation).P-TTL didn't work wonders; I get practically the same results with non-dedicated Auto-flash. I get more blinkers with P-TTL, because of the pre-flash.Giving it 3 stars because of the high build quality.I think I'll stick to Sunpak 383 - swivels, more power, reliable auto-flash, twice as cheap.
This flash has lived up to my expectations very well.  I was aware of the vertical orientation/flash tilt issues, but feel the flexibility and features of the unit far outweigh the disadvantages.
The flash that came "on board" with my Pentax K100D was so brutal-everyone complained of the instant flash and seeing spots for so long after I'd use it. I had to do something. This flash reaches a much farther distance and responds in a much softer way. I've been very impressed. I'm a novice-so I'm sure there's functions on this flash that I haven't explored yet. But it does a great job of illuminating a large area and improving the quality of indoor pictures.
The AF 360 FGZ pretty much delivers as advertised.Pros:1. Good battery life2. Seems to be well made3. Easy to understand menus & buttons4. Consistent exposure in Auto and Manual Modes5. Excellent Value6. Wireless works wellCons:1. Dial is tight and hard to use one handed2. Bounce lock is also tight and requires two hands3. P-TTL can be finicky.
I have bought this flash and own it more than one year. It is nice but it's horse shoe adpater its is plastic and edges have chirp away. Further battery door is clumsy. Pentax should concentrate on longetivity of product.
Excellent hobby level accessory.  Should last many years with proper care and handling.  Enables single or rapid fire shooting without touching the camera, hence reducing camera shake on those shots demanding maximum sharpness.
I am very pleased with this remote.  Its very easy to use and does what it supposed to.  If I had to nit pick, I would have loved for the cord to be longer.  Other than that, its perfect for starting out!
I have used this remote for the last month, I have yet to have any issues with it. The only problem with it is that the cord is really short it would be better if it was atleast one foot longer right out the box without having to buy an extension cord for it.
Perfect to reduce camera shake. Simple to use. Just like pressing the sutter release with zero possibility of induceing inadvertant camera movement. All camera functions work as normal. (note): Will NOT work correctly with extension cable I bought even though the connections are all the same/correct.
A much needed accessory for my Canon XTi when doing product shots with a tripod!!! Thank You very much!!!
I recently picked up the S45 in Japan. I own a Nikon Coolpix 2500, which I love for its compact size and rotating lens/flash unit, but wanted a camera with resolution to match my photo printer, a Sony DPP-SV77.My requirements for the new camera were: 4 megapixel, optical finder along with an LCD, 3x optical zoom, and a very compact size (roughly equivalent to the Coolpix).After reviewing the available options, the S45 seemed to be the best fit. Now that I've owned it for a week, I can say definitively that is an outstanding camera, with more features than most users will ever take advantage of.The software in the camera is extremely well thought out. The viewfinder display is clear and comprehensive (but with an option to reduce the complexity by eliminating unnecessary icons), and the various exposure modes are so complete that the S45 easily rivals the new generation of 35mm SLRs in terms of metering and exposure options. This includes aperture- and shutter-priority, the ability to change exposure values instantly even in Program mode, a range of ISO equivalents, EV compensation, and of course a fully manual option.Of course, the digital-only goodies are here as well, including a 15 fps video mode (with sound and *in-camera editing*), a panorama stitching feature that is extremely cool, and voice tagging of the still images.Image quality is excellent, with only a hint of that traditional digital low contrast that seems to be prevalent in all but the ultra high end (6mp) cameras. (Intriguingly however, you can store pictures in RAW [rather than JPEG] mode and change the contrast and brightness in PC software after the fact without quality loss.)My only complaints are minimal: first, I love the fact that my Coolpix shows up as a removable drive directly in Windows Explorer; with the S45 you have to use Canon's included software (which is excellent) to transfer images from the camera. Second, the lens cover (also an on/off switch), while it feels solid, doesn't always close firmly, which makes me worry a bit about its durability. Finally, the camera is somewhat thicker and heavier (denser-feeling) than the Coolpix, which is the trade-off you make for far far more features (at an admittedly higher price).I limited my brand choices to Nikon, Canon, and Sony, and I think that in this form factor there is no camera that even comes close to the S45 (except perhaps the older S40). If you are a sophisticated amateur (or even a pro looking for a backup digicam), you won't be disappointed.
I'd been waiting for the five megapixel version of the digital Elph, but when the first reviews of that camera came out, I was a little disappointed.  It seems that Canon is having a bit of a problem cramming so many pixels on such a small sensor, resulting in noisy images.What does this mean?  It means that the four megapixel cameras are taking better looking photographs with smaller file sizes.I decided to get the S45 over the S400 after a little research.  The S400 will probably suit most users fine, but if you want to have manual control while still retaining a reasonable camera size, the S45 is great.  The S45 also has the capability to shoot in RAW mode and the S400 does not.  This allows you to store images in an uncompressed state, with all the data from the sensor intact.  I wanted a camera that I could grow into, not a camera that I would completely master in an afternoon.  Right now I'm using it in auto mode and experimenting with the many manual capabilities.Downsides?  While the camera is small, it doesn't fit comfortably in your pocket.  If this is really important, buy the S400.  After all, you won't get a shot if the camera isn't with you.  I don't mind carrying a camera, so it's no big deal.I bought this a few weeks ago when Amazon was closing them out at less than 300 bucks.  They're gone, but still can be found elsewhere.
Built like a tank! Actually dropped it while camping, fell 8' onto STONE and still works great! Rare, since most electronics equipment will DIE instantly with a fall onto a hard surface like that!  Clear fast shooting, &#34;only&#34; 4 megapixels, but really, do you ever blowup many of your shots to poster size?
Jan 2003: My second digital. Had the S45 for 2 months. It is really excellent. Indoor flash doesn't seem to be a problem. Only problem so far is low light focussing in the telephoto mode. It should default to infinity if it can't really see anything. However it doesn't seem to do this. Now I have read the manual - I believe I've sorted this out - MF manual focus needs to be invoked. Will report later.Is wonderful in all other conditions so far. However, none of these compact digitals can rival an SLR - yet!Mar 2003: The focussing problem I discussed above has now been corrected by Canon. See:PowerShot S45 Firmware Update Corrects the incompatibility with certain computers that caused occasional errors in transmitting data from the computer to the camera- Corrects the occasional AF errors when using Active Frame Control / FlexiZone AF.I have tested the upgraded camera and the focussing problem really is fixed! With  v1.0.2.0, this camera is now just about perfect. The "set" button is the only remaining problem.  However, you can learn to use that button.
I recently purchased this camera after having previously owned a Fuji Finepix 2600. After owning the 2600 for just over a year the lens mechanism got stuck and the camera completely broke. It had a 1 year warranty which had just expired, and there's no use paying to fix it. I figured it was time to upgrade, so I spent hours and hours searching CNET and other review sites for 4MP digital cameras and I finally found this one. I would have gone with the Nikon Coolpix 4300, except Canon had their Digic chip which was supposed to allow the camera to go from shot-to-shot faster. Also I own an old Canon SLR camera, and I trusted the brand. This camera is a very good transition from my SLR, much better than my old Fuji. I wanted something with image quality close to that of my film SLR, without the bulkiness or price of a digital SLR. So far this camera has done that, producing some wonderful shots. It has plenty of features ranging from customizable shutter speeds and lens aperture to exposure compensation and 12 scene modes, making it great for shooting in any condition. One of the great features is the AF lamp, a brief light that goes off before the picture is taken that helps focus the image. It works great for low light shots. Another astounding feature is the ability to set ISO speed, just like you would on a film camera. My last camera was almost the same price as this one and has none of these features. I guess that shows how much prices have come down in the past year. There are not many cons about this camera. It's smaller than most cameras with the same amount of megapixels, but it's still not as lightweight as some of the Casio models or Canon's digital Elph. The pictures on ISO 200+ have significant noise, even with noise reduction, and the optical zoom could be larger, and the macro is sub-par, but that's really all that is bad about this camera. Battery life is great, although it uses a proprietary lithium battery. Here is a list of pros and cons:Pros:- Digic image processor.- Large array of features.- Great quality photos.- Panorama stitch mode.- Great battery life.- Movie mode with sound.Cons:- ISO 200+ has significant noise.- Poor macro mode.- Lithium battery instead of AA.- Optical zoom could be larger.Overall this is a great camera and many other reviewers agree with me. It's not too expensive but has features of cameras almost twice as expensive. If you're a beginner photographer you might want to stick to something simpler, as the features are more than you need you, but if you're looking to move up from an old digital camera I guarantee this is the best deal you're going to find.
For the price of this bulky camera, you could get a much smaller 5 megapixel Sony camera. Not only is it bulky, but it is heavy, and far too awkward to fit into a pocket. As far as the image quality goes, the outdoor pictures are beautiful as I had high expectations for this camera, BUT the indoor pictures were mediocre and somewhat unsatisfactory. The pictures I took in decently well-lit conditions didn't even match my 4 year old Kodak DC240. I used the Canon S45 at a birthday party and the faces of the people were often dark, slightly fuzzy, and not clear. With the old kodak the faces of the people were still bright even outdoors at night. That is why I am so disappointed with the Canon, because under low level light conditions, it doesn't even perform better than a 4 year old Kodak digital camera. Also, I found the controls less intuitive than on Sony and Kodak cameras. Overall, a big disappointment when indoors.
The adamfblock (from SF) review above was just about perfect.  Everybody likes this camera.  But nobody thinks any camera is perfect, a rating should be given relative to peers, meaning in this case 5 stars.  If you research this camera you will find no strong argument that any camera in its class exceeds the S-45 in quality/features.  The G3 is a better camera, but too big for my purposes.  I would miss all those spontaneous surprise shots if I ony had a G3, because I would not have it with me.  And while size of aternative really tiny cameras is nice, everyone agrees that the loss of features/quality in those is rather significant (at this point). The S-45 is small enough to carry around most everywhere, I got the little leather container that can be worn on your belt like a pocket knife, that is nice.  If you only have one camera, and want to avoid any driving desire to replace it in the next 5 years, this is a good bet.
I spent weeks looking for the right digital camera to replace my old Canon digital camera. I finally settled on the Canon S45 due to it's features, quality and the deal I was able to get.So far I am very pleased with the camera and the quality of the photos. I recently took the camera with me out of state to visit family and upon returning I plugged the usb cable into my Apple powerbook and loaded the pictures into iphoto. All the pictures came out very well, only needed to enhance the image on a few photos. All the photos I took were through the automatic setting. I'm sure once I'm comfortable with the manual controls the picture quality will be even better.I was worried about my choice after reading some of the reviews online about the lens cover that is also used to turn the camera on/off. To my relief this turned out to not be a issue at all. Some reviewers stated that the cover was cheap and came off easily. Not sure what they mean as my S45 lens cover seems very sturdy at this point.I almost went with the S400 due to it's size and features but after seeing one in person it just felt too small to me. Although heavier, the S45 size does feel nice and doesn't seem to be an issue as far as carrying around in a small case.
The Canon S45 is basically a revision of the S40 with some newer software included. The S40 is itself a version of the Powershot G3 without the gimmicks like remote control, flash mounting, and a few other tricks. The sensor and optics are the same for all three cameras, the difference is in the software on the camera, the editing software for the PC that comes with it, and the gimmicks.The S45 is a nice camera. The user interface is much better than on the S40, and it still has the excellent color quality and image resolution of a 4MP camera. It is ruggedly designed, has high quality optics and CCD, and numerous buttons that are out of the way for normal use. It has full auto and full manual modes, so it's appropriate for beginners and experienced users.The downside of the camera is the slow startup time. The flash is also in a spot where your finger might cover it if you're not careful. There is some noise at low light levels, but this is true of all CCD cameras, and the S45 is about average in this respect. The images are excellent at high resolution/large file size, but the included 32MB flash card is a joke. Canon should know better, and ship all cameras with at least 256MB cards.The major downside of the package is the photo editing/printing software that comes bundled with the camera. It's user interface is an atrocity, buttons have icons rather than labels, there is no menu tab, etc. The camera is quickly recognized by USB port, and the downloads are quick. Just be sure to get Photoshop or another quality editing software package, rather than relying on the [stuff] that comes bundled with this camera.
After 6 months of pretty heavy use, I'm very pleased with this camera. The image quality is superb for a consumer digicam. Many think the S45's image quality surpasses that of the (5-megapixel) S50, and I agree. The S50 suffers from higher image noise, and the extra megapixel doesn't really make a big difference in resolution (2592x1944 versus the S45's 2272x1704).Don't expect DSLR quality, however. Be realistic. All consumer point & shoot digicams utilize very small sensors, so image noise will always be an issue at higher sensitivities (above ISO 100).
All my life, I've used cameras that require film. Two weeks ago, my wife and I acquired our first digital, the POWERSHOT S45, and last week gave it an initial workout at Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon national parks. This review is by no means exhaustive as I've yet to master all of the camera's features; it's a summary of relatively superficial first impressions.The bottom line is that this 4 megapixel device takes impressively good pictures of such high detail resolution that my wife, a graphic designer, expects to use its output in PhotoShop for her professional work. It's small enough to be easily held in one hand, and is so light as to be barely  noticeable when carried in a small padded bag hung around the neck. (The old 35 mm was a millstone in comparison.) The silvery finish is smudge resistant, as when handled with fingers made greasy with french fries.You may wish to purchase an extra rechargeable lithium battery. After neglecting to re-energize it overnight after taking some ten snaps, the battery pooped out the next day (in the middle of our Bryce exploration) after taking an additional fifty-eight shots. Of course, being new to the digital experience, we were using up a lot of power constantly reviewing our photo masterpieces on the LCD screen. In any case, the power cell recharges surprisingly quickly. Also, we thought it prudent to purchase the larger 256 MB CompactFlash card (for in-camera image storage) to replace the 32 MB card provided.Speaking of the screen, it's fairly small at1.5 x 1.12 inches, and its display is very difficult to see in bright sunlight. And, if you need glasses to read small print, keep them handy to decipher the system's on-screen icons.While the 3x optical zoom lens is swell as far as it goes, the inability to attach a polarizer filter can be immensely aggravating under certain conditions.The shutter button's surface is smooth and entirely flush with the camera body; I was insecure enough to have to constantly check that my finger was on the button.One of the camera's greatest strong points is its wealth of features. For the digital novice, this versatility is perhaps an initial disadvantage since it'll take effort and time to become knowledgeable and well-practiced in all of them. Indeed, the 181-page user guide is a prodigious read. But, it is, to the extent that I've so far digested it, commendably comprehensive and easy to understand (with a plethora of illustrations).The provided software and transfer cable made uploading of each day's output to our PC laptop completely effortless. (My wife would subsequently transfer the image files to a CD for future manipulation in PhotoShop on her Mac.)My wife takes a lot of pictures that leave me rolling my eyes and shaking my head. Unfortunately, the digital nature of the POWERSHOT S45 leaves me unarmed with the old argument, &quot;You're wasting film!&quot; Isn't technology wonderful?
This camera is highly rated across the board everywhere I look.  It's got almost all the features and capabilities of it's larger sibling, the G3, but in a smaller, more compact, and easier to use package.The output is really good with excellent color and good definition unless you zoom in way too far.  The feature set is quite complete and there are plenty of choices between expert and novice modes.  It's a well made device.  It's also cheaper than the S50 (5 megapixel) which is fine as the 4 megapixel count is adequate for 90% of the population who would buy this camera.My only complaints are that the low light focus capability is poor.  While better than the S40/30 it's still not able to quite focus on its own in a darkened room even WITH the focus assist light.  Some manual focusing is necessary which is also imprecise and a chore.  Also the aperture is a bit slow at telephoto settings which also worsens the focus and severely affects the blurriness of the captured image if you move too much when snapping the picture.Other than these problems, it would have received five stars.
pros: The pictures are very sharp and operation of the camera is cool. Software is also good, especially the PhotoStich utility, works without any problems on my Win 98.Cons: Need to handle the lens cover with care, looks sturdy though. The multicontroller is a bit of a pain sometimes, mine has a slight problem when erasing images.
We are a clutzy family and this camera has been dropped multiple times onto concrete or asphalt pavement.  The camera is covered in dents and scratches.  The shutter cover barely slides closed because it's so bent, but THE CAMERA STILL WORKS PERFECTLY.  We've had it for about 2 years.  Of course I wouldn't guarantee the same luck to others.  Best wishes!
The Canon PowerShot S45 was a terrific small digital camera when it was introduced, but the digital camera market advances quickly and this model has been surpassed by Canon's own S50 (5 megapixel in the same body only in high-tech black).  Serious photographers seekng a digital would turn to Canon's EOS Digital Rebel.  This is a good camera if you want lots of features in a small package without paying a lot of money.Features begin with the generous maximum 4 megapixel image size (you can make them smaller to conserve space on the CompactFlash card).  Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc. You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both. There's even a Movie mode, complete with sound (although the product info above suggests this is new to the S45, this was available on its precursors the S30 and S40).  These video clips are 320 x 200 pixels.This small camera fits in a purse or shirt pocket easily and won't get in the way if you're shouldering it in a case (not included).  But you pay a price for the small size: the optical zoom is limited to 3x. And unfortuately, the S50, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out at a focal length of 11mm, which is a very wide-angle view. Even at 3X optical zoom you will only come in to 55mm, often not as close as you'd need. There is a digital zoom, but so what? Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature. But getting back to the range, I found it insufficient for shooting across a large room. If you work closer in this won't be a problem, but 55mm is not a good focal length for shooting children, who stop what they're doing when they notice you right next to them.The sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy and can cause problems. My 3YO niece got ahold of my S40's (exact same body as the S45) and ripped the door off. I was able to reattach it but now it's a loose tooth, waiting to fall off again. Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it. I couldn't live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all. I've just learned not to lend it to people who can't baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again.One of the S45's limitations is a slow shutter response. I can't tell you how many shots I've missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score. The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks. If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue. Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap. I don't know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if I'm not using it then I want my hands free. I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasn't a great fit. At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory.I still give this camera 4 stars for putting so many features in such a small package. The pictures are reasonably good, and at this size you can crop plenty out and still print good 4x6 inch images. The PowerShot S45 comes with software, but you'll probably want to buy your own image editing package, such as Photoshop Elements. The one provided is fairly limited. Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots. The included 32 MB CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card.  Also plan on buying a second battery.
This is an excellent point and shoot camera with many many features.  Shooting is smooth and quick, and review and erase are very easy.  Changing feature are also very simple.  love this camera  If there is a &quot;con&quot; is that it is slightly heavy and thick, but it has lots of features.
This was my first digital camera, I've had it for a little over five years now and it's still going strong, even after I dropped and dented it the first week that I got it; this thing is build to last! After researching so many different cameras, I decided on this one based on the many stellar reviews it had. The picture quality is great even while comparing it to my newer (higher mega pixel) camera for regular, medium to small prints. The only problem I have with this camera is, while it's not as bulky as a SLR, it's still not as compact as I would like my everyday camera to be, and hence why I recently picked up a Canon sd1000.If you could find this camera at a low price I would recommend it, otherwise I'd look into one of canon's newer smaller cameras, though I don't know if they are as durable as this thing.
The Canon S45 is an excellent digital camera with a few drawbacks.  As far as 4MP cameras go, it is a bit pricey but the quality of the camera build and the features on the camera make it well worth the price.  While the camera isn't exactly shirt pocketable, it is still fairly easy to carry around with you and not overly bulky.On the plus side, the S45 has:1) 9 point AutoFocus2) DIGIC processor which speeds up capture of photos and their quality3) 3x Optical Zoom (who cares about the digital zoom)4) 4 MP picture quality5) Easy to use interface with quick access to manual settings via FUNC button6) close to centered tripod attachment for easier stitch photo taking7) A ton of manual settings (exposure settings, aperture settings, shutter settings, white balance, photo effects, and more!)  Almost all the settings available on Canon's high end G3 camera!8) A pretty tough metal body9) Ability of the camera to take RAW shots for photoediting.On the minus side:1) Decent to weak flash that is better than the S400 but still weak for low light and night photos at greater than 10 feet away.2) Decent to below average battery life... 200 shots on a full charge with LCD on in my experience3) Slide door that protects lens and doubles as power switch worries me in quality a bit.4) Red eye problems with straight flash use but much less so when the red eye reduction is used.5) I wish it had a hot shoe or some other way to add an external flash unit.The camera takes fantastic shots even when in manual mode although its strengths will be found when you learn the manual settings of the camera.  I think this is a better buy than the Canon S400 since they are the same price.  If you're willing to sacrifice a little size... this Canon won't disappoint!
After extensive research, I decided on this camera as a replacement for my older 2 megapixel Olympus 2040.  I have been very impressed with it so far - it seems very well built (sturdy), is small enough to fit in my coat pocket, and takes great pictures.  The telescoping lens extends and retracts very quickly making it easy to take a picture on a moment's notice - this was a problem with my old camera - it was too slow.When researching the camera, I was trying to find one that took "AA" batteries since they are much cheaper (NiMH).  However, the Canon NB-2L battery isn't too expensive if purchased from a third party retailer (I got a generic one for [$$]).  Also, the included charger is very small and portable with built in retractable AC plug - it's lightweight and easy to throw in a bag and take with you.The camera records the orientation that each photo is shot with in the EXIF header, and if you use the bundled Canon software to download the photos, it auto-rotates them for you.  This is very handy.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work if you use other software such as iPhoto or Image Capture.The mode dial is very handy - it has enough settings on it (ie, automatic, manual, shutter priority, aperture priority, night shot, portrait, movie mode, etc.) that you can quickly flip to the one you want.  My old camera required the use of menu systems to set most of these modes - the dial is much faster.The camera features a stitch mode which allows you to stitch together multiple pictures to form a panorama.  When in this mode, the camera shows you the last picture you took (offset to the side) allowing you to roughly overlap 1/3 of the next picture with the previous one.  Using the included stitch software, I was able to easily make a Quicktime VR movie - pretty cool.  You can also make panoramas with this mode, and unlike some manufacturers (Olympus), this works with any brand of CF card, it doesn't have to be the manufacturer supplied one.The only drawback I've found for this camera is the lack of a USB auto-mounter feature ("Mass Storage Device") which many other cameras have.  This feature allows you to just plug in the USB cable to your computer and have the camera auto-mount on your desktop like any other removable disk.  I wish Canon would include this feature since it enables you to completely bypass software for the import process.  This is something I can live without though - the other features make up for it.Overall, a great camera which I would highly recommend!
I had decided to buy the S40 but when this things came out, I just decided to go with this as it is definetely better than S40. More to say much better than sony equivalent. Why pay more for sony when u can get much better &amp; great  camera as this one.
This camera does not disappoint -- well, unless you were hoping the features were easy to figure out and use.  The camera is awesome and takes excellent quality shots just using the &quot;automatic&quot; setting.  (2 months later I am still stuck on the automatic setting!)  The manual, however, is the size of Madagascar, and requires an afternoon (or weekend?) of committment to get through it.  I am sure this camera has many excellent features and their discovery should provide months of entertainment!!
Got this about a week ago and I couldn't be happier! Has more features than I will ever use, but it's nice that they are there. Starting up is a snap.  Haven't printed at all yet, but image quality is great.  Downloading pictures to the computer is also super easy. Highly recommend it to who can afford it.Also bought the Wp-Dc300 waterproof case, that this is great. Can't wait to take it scuba diving (good to 100ft!).  It will also be great for the beach, keeps that sand out. it is expensive but when it arrives you'll see why, the quality is fantastic.I had some trouble find a case that would work with this camera.  Saw lots of complaints in the reviews so I went to Best Buy to fit a couple. I found that the Samsonite 801bk fits really well.  The camera has little room to move, it fits a spare battery, spare CF card easily and the video wire (this makes it kinda tight but still works). The case is rather small so its still easy to carry around.Hope all this helps, Good Luck!
This is a very nice camera that takes very nice photos. the only reservation i have about it is that the &quot;set&quot; button can sometimes be hard to use (the set button is used in menues). The sed button is part of a 5 way button that is hard to operate with gloves on (or for people with poor motor skiils). I would maybe not recomend this to you arctic grandmother, but everyone else should love it.
When my Nikon CoolPix died after two years, I decided to go back to the brand that I have had all my life, Canons.  I must say that I am not disappointed.  The choice was between the S45 and the G3, I decided to go with the S45 bacause of its size and I figured I could do without the ND filter on the G3.  The S45 is amazing.  Incredible focusing speed and image capture.  My Nikon would take so long to capture the image that the subject would move, ruining the composition, not so with the S45.  It is truly one of the best digicams on the market.  The images are crisp and true to life and the colors are just brilliant.  What can I say, I am back on the Canon train.
I've had this camera for over a year now. I bought it intending to keep it as my #1 active camera for several years, and I'm very happy with it. I paid a lot of it, as I got it as soon as it was available, but I have no regrets going the extra mile. Very very nice image quality, good manual controls, and very sturdy. I have dropped this thing on paved bricks and it survived (albeit with a couple of dents). I have fallen into love with digital photography thanks to this camera.The only minor gripes of mine are: It's a little heavy. Does not have a few features such as flash hotshoe... (look into the G3 or G5 for that). The included Canon ZoomBrowser software is bulky and fairly crappy and you only get USB 1.1 transfer speeds (I'd prefer using a plain CF card reader). Optical zoom is modest (but then what do you expect from this lens.) Video mode is limited to 3 mins regardless of how big your CompactFlash card is.As for Canon themselves - my manager at work got himself a S50 after my recommendation, and my brother also got a S50 afterwards. Two of my friends also own IXUS400s... from what I've seen, Canon are definitely one of the best digital cameras makers.
Many cameras now use SD cards, and that's great.  But some of us still have perfectly fine miniDV video cameras that we still use.These tapes are nice and they are relatively inexpensive in a multipak.Recommended.  I've not had any problems with them.  Still have cherished memories on these tapes.
Used four out of the five so far and no problems or issues to report.  Hopefully they'll hold up over the years.
I got exactly what I expected - tapes.  They work as expected, so they get 5 stars.
The Brand name/Price ratio was right.  I used a few of these tapes and only one had some errors - the video breaks into little squares and audio is missing for about 20 seconds..
The forums say stay with one brand and quality of tape, for the health of the camcorder heads.  So I continue to buy these, here and elsewhere when I see a tempting sale price.  I do not find these tapes great, as something clearly lacking in the quality - I have seen better.  Yet these Panasonic DVC tapes provide reasonably good color for the price.  I question their stability as when I reuse them on the second go round, I do notice dropouts and catches and drags.  I have high def camera and monitor, so maybe I notice more than someone else.  Price on Amazon, good when on sale - yet watch expiry date, source (yes low quality versions or fakes exist), and avoid buying from extreme temperature locations (tape sensitivity).  Would not recommend using these for once in a lifetime memories (go better) such as world cruise, graduation, birthing, rare orchids, diva performances, etc.  For daily and unimportant shooting of the swimming hole, job, traffic, your house and yard, new car, etc., these do fine.
I have been looking to buy the Panasonic MiniDv tapes (the sames ones I had gotten some years back) and the prices online were just not right, till I found this 5-pack deal on Amazon! I still use my so-called older digital camcorder and value wise this is a great buy.
For the cost this is great value for money. Amazon shipping was also very good . all in all Recommended!!!
Do not get challanged with other products like sony. Just go for it.
These are exactly as they were advertised.  Good value for the price.  It is getting hard to find these locally any longer.
This tape is working as advertise, so far so good no drop frame . Price is excellent
wrong tape, kept it because it cost more to send back. I thought this was the tape for my camera
I KNOW PANASONIC/QUASAR VERY WELL. THEY MAKE FINE PRODUCTS. I HAVE OWNED THE PRODUCTS THEY MAKE SINCE THE 1960'S. I JUST PURCHASED A MINI DV CAMERA FROM PANASONIC. IT CAME WITH A TDK TAPE. TDK, SEEMS TO ME HAS A VERY LONG HISTORY OF GOOD QUALITY VHS BLANK TAPES. I HAVE SOME THAT ARE OVER 10 YEARS OLD AND PLAY FINE. FOR SOME REASON I AM NOT CRAZY ABOUT THESE MINI DV CASSETTES FROM PANASONIC. I BOUGHT 5, AND OUT OF THOSE 5, ONE TAPE THAT I RECORDED, WHEN PLAYBACK WAS DONE, NO SOUND ON PLAYBACK. TDK, SEEMS TO RECORD BETTER THEN PANASONIC. I TRIED RECORDING IT OVER AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. MIGHT BE A FLUKE WITH THE CASSETTE, BUT I WILL TRY SOME OTHER BRAND NEXT TIME. MAYBE TDK, OR SONY. THANK YOU
I have used 100's of these and reused some once or twice and never had an issue. I usually buy them in 50 pack boxes and on occasion had to purchase a single, three or five pack at a local store when the need arises. Never had an issue in my Canon GL1, GL2 or XL2.
I remember when I first bought a MiniDV camcorder way back in 2001, the MiniDV tapes were pretty expensive(over six bucks a tape).This is a great deal at just under ten bucks for a pack of 5 tapes. Panasonic makes good quality MiniDV tapes(I have some going over ten years and picture quality is still fine).These tapes can be used either in SP(60mins) or LP(90mins) mode. Overall good quality and great deal for this pack.
Still one of the best quality tapes for a dying breed of cameras.  I use them for my Panasonic Cam Corder and the quality is unbeatable.
If your video is for family and fun, this is all the tape you need. Why spend a lot of money on expensive tapes? On the other hand, if you are shooting something that your reputation and livelihood depends on, the higher quality tapes might just be your best bet. I have had occasional, though rare, problems on playback using these tapes. I can't claim definitively that it is the tape, but I do know I have never had the same problem with the higher quality tapes.
The tapes are good quality and the price was right.  I found one tape at a local store that cost almost as much as the pack of five.
Using them in my Canon HV30. Cheap and quality tapes.4 stars are because on one tape had skipped frames.
I have used Panasonic mini-DV tapes exclusively for the past 10 years.  I can't remember when I had a problem with one.  They always work.  I use the 63 minute and 83 minute ones, as they are, in my opinion a bit better and the extra few minutes are always nice during a dance recital or Wedding.  The important thing is, whichever brand of tape you use, stick with the same one, as switching around could cause clogged heads, etc., because of different tape formulations.
These are the best tapes for the money.  Never once had any problems with them.
I have had trouble using these tapes. They do not record so great and I'm wondering if they are old or just not very good quality.
good tapes for the money. i have used these tapes for many years and they do the job for basic shoots.
Excellent product at a very good price.  I would recomend it to anyone needing Mini DV tapes.
Got it on time and as described.I am pleased with it.  Just what I wanted.Will buy it again if I need it.
These tapes work great. We trust them with our family's memories. I have had no problems with them, and they are a great price on Amazon!
While on LP they seem to have a little lag, the 60 min recording SP times had no issues with these tapes.
great value-beats paying double or more at staples, best buy. I have to write 10 more words in order to submit this review.
For the price I paid ($25 for 10 tapes), this is definitely one of the best priced high-quality mini-DV tape on the market.  I have used 3 tapes so far and everything seems to be fine (picture quality looks the same as others - I have a Sony HDR-HC3).  I think the premium tapes are not worth it if you are going to import video on to a computer HDD.  There may be a few drop bits here and there (according to manufacturer's claim anyway), but I don't think (most) people will notice them in the edited video.
This was a gift for my daughter and her husband to go with the camcorder we bought them.  They said they were happy with it.
I ordered these MiniDV tapes to use on my next vacation. I am depending on the brand name to insure that I will not be disappointed.
They're Compact Digital Video tapes and do live up to the Panasonic name, going into a camcorder of the same name.  No complaints on this end!
I have never had an issue with panasonic products.Highly recommend this product to be used with consumer,prosumer and professional video cameras.
The Panasoninc Mini DV perform as you would expect from a manufacturer like Panasonic.  The quality is very good and very consistant.  I use hundreds of these every year and I depend on them performing flawlessly everytime. The last shipment took longer that expected and I forgot I ordered them and ended up buying more while they were en route.
I have a HD video camera that I transfer edited videos to using a firewire to the camera and get great looking scenes and the Panasonic tapes are always dependable.
These tapes work very well, especially considering the price.I had a few dropped frames one two of the tapes, but this happens on almost all tapes, and doesn't mean the tape itself was to blame. Many reviewers have complained about dropped frames on one or two of the tapes out of the pack, and I must iterate that an isolated one is to be expected every so often, especially when using consumer grade equipment.That said, if you're shooting videos of your kids or some other "home" use, these tapes will undoubtedly meet your expectations. If you are a professional, you may want to consider something else, but more importantly, you should probably also upgrade to a format that doesn't use magnetic tapes-- the mechanical nature of them leads to errors, no matter how good the tapes and equipment you have are. There is no avoiding that, in any capacity.
The price went up a little from when I first bought these, but for the price you get the most MiniDV tapes out of any other offer from what I've seen.
I read somewhere that you should try to stick with the same DV tapes because the film is different between the brands and it will help your DV recorder last longer.  I searched for the same brand and make of DV tapes and found it here.  I have used my Panasonic DV recorder for over 5 years now!The best price and a good shipping time too.
not much to say about these tapes...they're good, and that's about it.  Pretty much what you expect from them.
Good quality, cheap, fast delivery. You get 5 tapes for the price of 3 at the regular store.
I purchased two of these; the tapes arrived quickly and worked very well.With manufactures no longer producing tape style camcorders it may soon become a challenge to find these tapes, let alone at such a good price.Have a Magical Day
I've pretty much always used Panasonic brand MiniDV tapes and have never noticed any problems with them. There's no going wrong em'
About the only place to get Mini-DV tapes anymore is online -- even electronics stores have stopped carrying them. So I'm glad there's Amazon. I have over 100 tapes, and one brand's about the same as another. The only reason I started buying Panasonics is because they're the same make as my camcorder. They fit fine, they work fine. As with any Mini-DV camcorder, an essential purchase is a head cleaner tape and use it regularly, or you will eventually run into problems with garbled images and sound, with any brand of tape.
These tapes used to work OK for me.Not now.  Almost every one of them I used this summer had one or more timecode breaks / dropouts when using in my Canon XH-A1 camera.  (All the tapes were brand-new and not being re-used.)I film lots of live events and can't have even one frame missing from my footage!  I'll be switching to a higher-end tape today.
I've been having fun making tapes of weddings, parties, etc. I'll be ordering more tapes soon! I was thrilled at the price, delivery time, and quality of the product!
I've used these miniDV tapes before and find them quite good for my home use.
I bought the product for my camera and it worked out pretty well. I am not overly snooty about it and am not concerned with max quality or anything, it records well and does the job.
I have been using these tapes for years (one time use though) and have never had any problems yet.
This means I have tapes for a long time now and this will let me take movies of this christmas and put it on a DVD
Hey they are tapes, what can be so complicated. But pretty decent quality and value, amazon has decent deals on this one
Excellent price and excellent product. I will fallow buying to you for the good price. In Costa Rica, it cost about $10.00 each one. Panasonic is a very good product.
As expected
I'm a video professional . . . my normal brand was unavailable and Panasonic has a good name in the industry.  Not anymore when it comes to media, in my opinion.I've had nothing but problems with my batch of 25 tapes.I'm experiencing a strange lack of recognition of the timecode, like i've never seen . . . not just dropped frames.  It's Bad!Ya know . . . if you have an anomalous batch in your production, if it doesn't meet your quality specs . . . don't sell them to a discounter or something like that . . . just throw them out, will ya please!I don't have time for this crap.  Guess i shouldn't be buying one of the cheapest tapes out there, but i've had great success with TDK cheap tapes.
I use it on my Canon HV30 and it the picture came out really nice, buying as a packet really save my money.
My years of relying of Panasonic tapes in my Panasonic handy-cams have been good. No failures. I am old-fashioned in that I like being able to archive the tapes after I download to PC instead of having everything in a RAM format from the start. The quality has been consistent. I'm sure I'll one day upgrade to all-digital hardware but for the time being I will still be using these things for normal use in my two Mini-DV units (Gs-29 and a 150 model too I also like the way they both use the same tapes.)
Bought these for our old camcorder that my daughter is now using. these tapes are great for the price! will definitely buy more of these when we run out.  Shipping was fast.
I've gone through a few dozen of the Panasonic branded miniDV tapes and I have yet to have a single issue.
It is old technology, but I didn't really want to buy a new camera and they worked fine for my project.
This recording video tapes are good. After reading some reviews about other brads I decided to buy this specific brand. We have no problems with this tapes. They work well. I will buy again.
Perfect!  Got a free upgrade to pro tapes, due to consumer tapes out of stockl!!  Thanks!  I love them alot!
I bought these for use on three different camcorders - an older Panasonic SD camcorder, a newer consumer model Sony HD, and a professional model JVC GY-HD100.  I shot in standard definition and HDV, and the footage I uploaded looked great on all of them.  I also used a more expensive "Master" model of Panasonic miniDVPanasonic Mini DV tapesfor some of the footage, and I can't tell the difference in quality.  Unfortunately, I'm not really an expert in the field, and probably someone who was could give a good reason why to pay about four or five times as much for the more expensive tapes -- and it may have to do with durability over the long haul -- but for my purposes this one seemed to do quite well.
For ~$14 this is a great buy. Use it to get your cart to $25 for free shipping. You will always keep using the tapes if you have a mini-DV camcorder.
These tapes for my old camera were hard to find in local stores.  These worked perfectly in the camera and were reasonably priced.
We've been using these for years and they've never let us down (some other brands have not worked as well).
A few years ago I recieved a Panasonic PV-GS150 camcorder as a gift but never really used it much. In fact all the original stickers are still on the camcorder.I was in Best Buy and noticed they had a 5 pack of Sony 60 minute DV tapes for $31.99, when I asked why they were so much more expensive than I had remembered, the sales associate told me DV was being phased out.This may or may not be the case, if it was I would tend to think the price would drop rather than rise as is the case for most any product that's being sent out to pasture. Thinking I might get a better deal on Amazon (99% of the time I do and I average about 20 purchases a month)So that said I was shocked to find the Panasonic 5 pack of DV tapes for a mere $10.38!I didn't hesitate a moment, click - add to cart.The tapes are the real McCoy and the savings is incredible.I also found a head Cleaning tape for $8.00 (every place else is at least twice that) Click add to cart. Plus I found an extended battery which I priced everywhere I could think of online and found they ran about $60 - on Amazon $15.99. Click add to cart.I added everything to my cart and all products combined costing less than a single 5 pack of tapes at a Big Box Electronic store.Everything arrived well packaged and with lightening fast speed.When it comes to deep discounts, from luxury items to the most basic household products -  Amazon offers pricing that's usually impossible to beat.And as a Prime member the two day shipping is free on items that qualify - and that's an enormous selection.I have no idea how they manage it - I'm just sure glad they do.
Needed some more tapes and these do the trick. Have a decent amount of space on them and playback great.
Haven't used it as yet, bought is to videotape daughter's engagement party but did not have time to load it in the camera.The price was very good on line compared to the local stores.
These are becoming a little hard to find. These are in perfect brand new packaging and condition and worked perfect in my daughter's old video camera.
shopped around and this was the best price i found on these mini dv tapes,  arrived as promised, no problems
Works perfectly.  Great for being able to save the raw footage for years down the road, when you need to dig it up for the 5 year, 10 year, graduation or wedding video you want yo put together.  It's permanent and won't fill up your hard drive space!
Great price for name brand product....Panasonic. I had to search for this size mini tape and found this sale for a 5 pack to be to good to pass.  Sam
Have bought this product some time back. Not sure if its the camcorder(panasonic PV-GS320 MiniDV ) that records well or the tape it stores and retrieves well.But am happy with this product.
We always but these for our camcorder and find that they are very reasonably priced. They always arrive very soon after we order them
You can NOT beat the price of these Panasonic Mini DV Tapes.  I have always used Panasonic tapes in my Canon Elura 100 video recorder.  This dealer has great prices and free delivery. These tapes always provide a great picture.
This is the brand I have used for many years.  I only record on them once, and then I lock the tape so it cannot be recorded over.  I trust this tape for all the special events and occasions in my family. These tapes have never failed me so I will continue to purchase these mini-DVs. I find the price to be very reasonable as well.
I searched all over trying to find Mini-DV tapes at a reasonable (cheap) price.  Basically for the same cost of three tapes at most places I was able to get five.  They're the Panasonic brand name and all the tapes have worked fine.
I got the tapes in good condition and on time but I have not used any of them yet and I cannot rest in peace since I find the 'write your review' email in my inbox every alternate day !
I got this item after a snag with the USPS because they messed up.lol Everything was packed nice and safe. I am looking forward to use these tapes. Thank you :D I'll buy again.
I trust these tapes only in my DV camcorder,never had one mishap or hiccup!I don't buy other brands cuz had too many fails!!!!
Wow!  I got 5 for the price of 2.  They arrived quickly in time for my vacation.  Would definately recomment this product.  SHipped carefully and on time!!
This is way cheaper than a $14 5 pack at Walmart. So yes, it's worth it. Performed the same as the other brand I used. I need to upgrade to HD 1080p digital. But until then, this is a good product for those of use who still use miniDV cameras.
Great Price so I snatched it up.  Mini DV's can be expensive so to get 10 for 25.00 was well worth it.  I have used these tapes before and got good picture quality so I have no complaints at all.
I only use it once. I think it is very good . I would recomend it to anyone needing Mini DV tapes.
We got these tapes because the price of this 5 pack is cheaper than any in-store 3 pack price in our area.  The tapes worked perfectly with our Panasonic video camera, and they have been great quality to watch and record onto our computer.
This item was a wonder price and the product was more than I expected. I am very pleased in this purchase.
They came in perfect condition new as advertised. Great deal also. Went to the store and they wanted $5 for just one tape. Crazy i know that's why this here is a great deal.
What else can you say about tapes? lol they came on time and they came in one piece. they record just fine.
I have not use the tapes as of yet, but I'm sure that they are alright. I'm planing to use them soon.
I love these tapes, great for my Panasonic DVX. and very cheap for how many you get. I defiantly recommend them
It's getting more and more difficult to find affordable MiniDV tapes. Product arrived quickly, well packaged, and are just as trustworthy as always. For the price listed here, they cannot be beat.
like the tittle says not much to it it is what it is old school take it or leave it
It's supposed to be a little easier on the record heads.  Always reliable.  Have use this tape for many years
Video quality is great. I'm very satisfied with the tapes. There's not much else you can say about a MDV tape.  I would buy again for $11.
I hadn't had any issues with these in the past and the price was OK, so I re-bought.  It's treasured family memories, you know, so I felt better with a name brand.  If it were batteries, OTOH...not so much.
First a plug for Amazon where I typically buy almost all of my gear. Great prices, excellent, courteous and fast customer service and if you have Amazon PRIME shipping, you get it either in 2 days with FREE shipping or overnight if you really need it fast at only $3.99 shipping (often near end of the week, that goes down to only $1.99 for one-day shipping!). PRIME is the way to go, it's paid for itself several times over in our household and we'll renew it every year. I purchased my 100-400 from Amazon and added it to my other L lenses purchased there, the Canon 24-105 L IS and the Canon 17-40mm L. I recently gave it a workout shooting handheld shots (on my Canon 5D) of a practice session of a 20 crew rowing team. Many shots were while the boat was moving and rocking and quickly changing direction. I was firing off many shots consecutively using the IS #1 position (IS in both vertical and horizontal). Bottom line is that the images I brought home blew me away with high contrast, deep saturated colors and very sharp detail in images. Even at 300% mag on screen, the images still retain detail.  Out of over 350 shots, only one was out of focus and that shot was my error. Focus is precise and fast and having seen every shot in focus, I know I can trust the AF on this lens. The moment you see your first results from this lens, the investment price becomes no concern at all and worth every penny. The first prints made yielded a lot of "WOW" from viewers as the prints are tack sharp and needed little level or other adjustments in Photoshop. if you are shooting to get the best results you can possibly achieve, then premium optics are the only way to assure you have that opportunity to get those results.. The push-pull zoom is not a problem to get used to as I had thought it might be. You quickly feel comfortable using this lens even due to it's greater size and weight. The weigh in fact seems to help steady it in your hands (along with IS assisting of course). I never really felt it was too heavy. If your fully engrossed in your shooting, you'll not be distracted by the way this lens works in your hands, not at all. In a world of "you get what you pay for", the Canon 100-400 will not disappoint you at all. A superb piece of glass. I love it!!  It is going to get a lot of use.
Received this order within 7 days, so I was very pleased with the shipping time. When I opened the lens box however it looked as if it had already been used, or at the very least been a return item. The inside packaging was all crumpled and shoved in the box - not like new/unopened condition.I have taken the lens out once for some birding pictures, and for the maximum 400mm (which I normally use for this type of photography) I am pretty happy with the lens. It is a little noisy, and you may have to get used to the pull-push system, but I found that not difficult to master.I am still up in the air regarding the newness of this lens however, and may have to take to a local photo professional to see if the noise level and other aspects are normal for the lens. So, until that time - I am giving this a 4 star - and hope to update more later.
I have waited for a couple of years before I finally had read, compared, and saved for this lens. It did not disappoint. I shoot Fashion and I need speed and clarity. Weight is not an issue because most work is tripod based. The wow factor keeps the ladies looking at my camera so I always get the great shots. My only complaint would is there should be a 2.8 version in the works. I would jump on it.
This is a lens that in order for you to appreciate it- the more you need to take it out and use it. This lens takes good landscapes at 100 MM. It does shoot pretty good at hockey games but you need to boost the ISO and do a little post production to lighten it up.It works at its best in sunny and blue sky days. Great for wildlife at 400 MM. This lens creates greak Bokeh for awesome portraits (Yes this can be a good portrait lens). I do not take too many bad pictures with this lens. My keeper rate is about 95% with this lens.  You would think the weight of this lens would hurt your neck? Not so! I find that my left hand used to hold the lens gets a little stiff after a while but nothing to be alarmed about. (As long as your not a 120 pound weakling). I find that I can keep this lens in my camera bag as long as its attached to the camera body. So I can carry the Canon 30D camera body with this lens plus 2 other lens's in my camera bag so it dont really take up as much space as most people would think. I also find the autofocus very well at 400 mm as long as your not shooting in the dark.I find the only downside to this lens is the cost. You can buy a 200-500 MM lens from another manufacturer for around $400 less. (But once you get to the 500 MM lens's- thats where the weight and size really add up).  But still- I would never part with this lens.Its perfect for any practical use.
I gave up a first-generation 70-200 2.8L IS for the extra reach on this lens, and I couldn't be happier. Since I don't shoot weddings any more, meaning I don't need to worry about being able to get crucial shots in a dark church using available light, I really don't have a serious need for a fast, long lens. Anyway, enough about me. This lens has proven to be tack-sharp, even zoomed all the way to the long end. The IS does an adequate job stabilizing throughout the range, allowing hand-held shots at shutter speeds about two stops slower than with a lens of similar weight and focal length. Focus is fast and quiet. Bokeh is pretty decent. It took a little getting used to the push-pull zoom, but I don't find it to be difficult or inconvenient to use, and the zoom lock feature is great and really does prevent the lens from creeping when I have the camera hanging vertically from my Cotton Carrier vest. I highly recommend this lens.
I've stayed away from bird photography for many, many years because my lenses hadn't had the reach this 100-400 does. But besides that, the quality of my lenses didn't match that of this baby. It truly stands by itself as a wildlife lens. There are longer ones, priced close to a king's ransom, but for portability and razor sharp exposures, it stands alone. It focuses fast and sure. Coupled with my 20D -- my friend has one on his 30D -- it is a surefire combo.
The Pros:Wide ranging zoomFast, fast, fast focusingSHARPISL Build QualityThe Cons:I sold mine!!! NOooooo.WeightNo doubt, this is a heavy lens. It's also quite long when at 400mm. These two items are more than likely what combine to give some users soft shots, particularly at the long end of the zoom. Using a lens of 400mm is a skill. You need the same basic techniques as a good rifle shooter: controlled breathing, squeezing the shutter as opposed to mashing it down and a good, steady stance. You also need, even with IS, to keep shutter speeds up. Remember, at 400mm on a 1.6x camera, you're shooting with a 640mm equivalent lens. With the fl/shutter ratio of 1:1, you should keep shutter speeds up to 1/640. Even with IS on, you need to maintain a decent shutter speed if you want sharp shots. Use a gimbel head on your tripod and you'll really see this big guy shine.There's talk of copy-to-copy IQ issues, and as I mentioned above, I think they are linked to technique instead of variations of the lens - though I won't rule that out. There's also talk of the push-pull mechanism sucking dust. While air has to go in and out, it's a sealed lens and I think this is another widely circulated myth. Some dust is going to be present, but I don't think it's a "dust trombone" as some have suggested.Don't let this be your only source of info on this fine lens. Look to POTN and FM for other reviews. Learn how to use this big, bad boy. And don't ever do what I did! NEVER SELL IT!
I bought this lens about a week ago.  I've taken about 1000 pictures with it since, including a trip to the Dallas zoo.  I've been pouring over the pictures, and I'm impressed with how well this lens works.I also have the Sigma 150-500 f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM lens, so much of what I mention here will be as a direct result of comparing the two lenses.First, the thing that I like most about the Canon 100-400L is that you can use it wide open.  Sure, it sharpens a little bit if you stop it down, as do all zooms.  But it doesn't change that much!  My Sigma, for instance, at 500mm, f/6.3, is too soft by far!  If you stop down to f/9, it's usually acceptable, but I wouldn't say it's "sharp" until f/11.  At shorter focal lengths, it isn't this bad...at 400mm, you can get some pretty decent shots at f/8, but even then, it continues to improve until f/11, f/13....  My new Canon, on the other hand, is 100% acceptable at 400mm/f5.6.  It gets a bit sharper by f/7, but it's not a big difference.  And the differences are small enough past that aperture that it's hard to say there's an improvement at all.  The bottom line for me is that there's much less chance of me missing a shot because I forgot to step down two stops...or because I couldn't open wide enough to get enough exposure!It's also almost 2" shorter, and almost an inch smaller in diameter, than the Sigma.  Lengthwise, it's about the same as a 70-200 f2.8, and weighs just a tad more.  So, if you can fit a 70-200 f/2.8 in your bag, you can probably fit this.  I carry this lens mounted on the camera using a Black Rapid strap attached to the tripod collar.  Carried this way, you forget you have a 400mm zoom lens attached...or maybe I'm just used to the Sigma (which is longer, and weighs a pound more).  At any rate, it's not a small lens, but it's not unmanageable.The auto focus is noticeably faster than my Sigma, and worked well.  Out of 500 pictures taken at the zoo, there were maybe 20 that I'd say weren't in focus, and some of them were due to me not having a fast enough shutter speed, in spite of the Image Stabilization.And speaking of IS, it works pretty good on this lens, even thought it's only good for about 2 f-stops.  Remember, this lens design is over 10 years old...and back then, 2 stops was state of the art in IS!  This is one area where the Sigma beats the Canon..the sigma has a better IS (though Sigma calls it OS).  But really, if you're spending this kind of money on a 100-400mm zoom, you probably have already realized that IS isn't going to save you from bad technique, or stop your moving subject!I have used it with a Kenko Pro300 1.4x Teleplus teleconverter.  I can't say there's no loss in sharpness, because of course there is.  But it's still usable...here, it DOES pay to stop down a bit.  The autofocus still works with the TC on my 5Dm3, though it's a bit slower.Some folks hate the push-pull zoom mechanism, but not me!  I love it!  It's fast, and easier for me to adjust to a moving target.  The only downside is that there's no lock!  If you carry it without tightening the tension ring, the lens will extend on its own.  You can tighten the tension ring so that this doesn't happen, of course, but working the tension ring is a two handed job.  In fact, that's my only real gripe about the lens...I can't go from locked (or more accurately, tight) to loose one-handed.  But, I'll live with this because I like the lens so much in other ways.It comes with a case, a hood, and a tripod collar.  It should...it cost enough.  The case is pretty nice, and the tripod collar is first rate!  The hood is OK...but for some reason seems kinda 'plastic-y', although in typical Canon fashion, it does have the non-reflective suede on the inside.In this focal length range, you really only have two choices, for a zoom lens...this lens and the Sigma.  You can get good results with the Sigma, certainly!  But better results, and with less effort, are the norm for this lens.
I shoot with a Canon 40D. The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM is a fantastic lens and I am proud to own one. This is a serious lens meant for serious photographers. Being an L lens, it is a professional lens manufactured with better materials and tighter specifications. This is such an awesome lens, producing images with vibrant colors, clarity and incredible sharpness. The auto-focus is quiet and quick. I spent weeks researching this and other lenses, before I decided on this lens. If you want the best, this lens is for you. It is a bit heavy and you will probably want a GOOD tripod. It can work without a tripod in situations such as photo-ops and sporting events which may not require 400mm. The dual IS system has two modes. Mode 1 is for stationary subjects while mode two is for moving subjects. I did purchase the 2X II extender. The 2X II works great and provides additional flexibility. Zooming with this lens takes a little time to get used to if you have never used it before. Once it is gotten used to, it seems to be much faster than the typical twist zooming. A resistance ring is used to tighten or loosen the resistance to zooming. This allows for practically locking the zoom in place or providing no resistance at all. Zooming is as simple as pulling or pushing the lens. Included with this lens are the tripod mount, lens hood, and storage case. The tripod mount is the best option to use when mounting to a tripod. This helps to balance the load. I take mostly outdoor nature shots, so, I spend a lot of time trying to get the perfect shot. I purchase a Bogen Manfrotto 190XV Aluminum Tripod with Manfrotto 701RC2 Mini Fluid Video Head to use with the zoom lens.
I tried saving money with non mfg. long lenses, 150 -500mm and 200-500mm before and was near able to get sharp shots with a lot of cropping. Using this lens changed that, I crop for ducks and birds with excellent sharpness. Image stabilization is a must.
I love this lens!  I first rented one for a trip to Alaska, and it took wonderful pictures under less than ideal situations - on moving buses, boats, and even from an ocean kayak in light swell.  I finally broke down and bought one recently.Image stabilization is superb.  Prior to focusing one can see the image shaking through the camera's (T4i in my case) viewfinder, but the image stabilizes almost instantly with a half-depress of the shutter button.  This is not to say one will not ever get blurry shots, but this lens does an amazing job even at 400mm without a tripod/monopod.  Images are very crisp in the 100-300 mm range, but can be a little &#34;soft&#34; at 400mm.  Still, I regularly look at my photos on a 27&#34; monitor, and I am very pleased with the image quality, even (especially!) at full lens extension.  I have not tried to print any of my photos, so I can not address print quality.This is not the fastest lens in the world, but it does not suck either.  Putting a circular polarizer on it almost guarantees an ISO bump unless you are shooting in very sunny conditions.  With just a UV filter on the lens last weekend, I was able to shoot 1/640, f/4.5, ISO 100, 400mm under completely overcast conditions and got many very clean pictures, including moving seals and birds in flight.The zoom function is a little unusual - it is a push/pull system that takes a little getting used to.  It's quick and easy to change focal lengths if one leaves the locking ring a little loose. Within half an hour of my first using the lens I was changing focal lengths quickly and with little thought.The lens is a little heavy, but this is to be expected given what the lens does.  I would not recommend hanging it around your neck for extended periods of time.Overall I have been very happy with the overall performance of this lens.  That being said, I highly recommend renting this lens and trying it out before buying it.  There are a number of very good online-companies (not sure if Amazon will let me post URLs) that rent this lens for relatively cheap (~$60 for a week, plus ~$25 shipping).
When I bought my Canon 5D, I could afford only one lens, so I started with the 24-105 L series IS unit. Last December, I treated myself to the 100-400 L IS unit. Naturally, the shorter focal length is handier for most things I shoot (people, scenics, architecture and so forth), but I really wanted to try a longer lens.For a long while, I waffled between the 70-200 F2.8 IS and the 100-400. Speed, obviously, is a major drawback of the 100-400 at 4.5-5.6, but the 5D is so noiseless at EI 400, that shooting outdoors with the longer lens is never a problem. I am satisfied that I would not be as happy with the shorter lens married to a 2X extender.Telephoto photography, it turns out, is much different than working with shorter lenses, I've found. Since December, I've shot animals and birds, GP motorcycles at Indianapolis and recently, an air show. In general, I've found it much more difficult than other kinds of photography because the subjects (often moving) are much harder to find and keep framed up than closer, non-moving subjects. Also, the atmospheric effects, like fog or haze are amplified making some images look like they were shot in an opium den.The IS feature definitely helps handheld shots, but when subjects move as fast as stunt planes and 150 MPH motorcycles, it is very easy to end up with blurred images (unless you want to stop the props on the planes and the spokes on the bikes). I tried mounting the rig on a monopod, but it caused more problems than it solved.Anyway, back to the lens. It is a brick, and weighs nearly as much. I can't complain about image quality, especially with the full frame sensor of the 5D. I have discovered that, if I'm going to do sports photography, I'd prefer an even longer lens, though. I plan to try the 2X extender, but on this lens, the extra glass may make it unacceptably slow. Of course, with smaller(Canon)sensors, this lens would enjoy 1.6 magnification.Another finge benefit is that, even at Indy, the "white" lens commands respect from the majority of the rest of the pack (unless they're endowed with even larger white lenses), even if it's not deserved. Evidently, this lens can make you look like you know what you're doing whether you do or not.At the airshow, I found it challenging to adjust the focal length with this lens (push-pull) as the airplanes would be alternately very close (50 yards) and then a 1/2 mile or more away in a matter of moments. Trying to keep the aircraft in sight and zoom at the same time actually requires more grasping apendages than I was born with. I was alternating shooting with a Sony EX1 XDCAM with a power zoom. Even with that feature, it was still hard to find, frame and follow the stunt planes.Similarly, if you are trying to fill the frame with a 150 MPH bike as it blows by, some advance planning is required, especially if you want it to be in focus at the time you pull the trigger.Other than size and weight, I have no real beefs with the lens, although I could react to moving objects better with a conventional zoom ring. Also, I would really like it to reach a little further, say - 600mm. Then, I would have a better reach for wildlife that is often just too small to render a really good image for enlargement. It would still have to be a zoom, however, as I truly appreciate the flexibility of a variable focal length lens. Well, and of course, it could cost less!Overall, I feel like this is a seriously professional piece of gear that will serve certain aspects of my photographic needs for a long time.
Having been on an Alaskan cruise twice before and being quiet happy with the pictures I took with my 20D and the regular Canon lenses, I decided it was time to splurge and upgrade to a professional level lens.  After reading the reviews for this lens, I knew this would be the one.As a test run, I took it to Mount St. Helens to just take as many pictures as I could at all distances and zooms.I have to say, I had no idea my camera could take pictures like I ended up with!  The lens is incredible!Showing people the pictures, their jaws dropped.  The clarity in the close-ups of flowers is stunning, and a photo I took of an insect less than an inch long from over 10 feet away could be enlarged enough to count the ridges on its mandibles!  A bee from 20 feet could have its hair brushed it's so clear.  Just amazing!The image stabilization worked amazingly.  It was VERY windy on the mountain area, and even with the extra interference, my pictures came out clear and focused even at ISO 100.Yes, it is heavy.  But for this quality, it's a minor thing.Simply amazing.  There is NO comparison to the regular lenses.  They're good, but this is fantastic!
I've had this lens for nearly a year and it has been fantastic. It is the ideal outdoor lens and you can take some great hand-held shots at relatively low shutter speeds.  Earlier, there were some complaints of this lens not being sharp, but recent production runs from 2007 and newer have been superb.  Its slightly lighter than the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS.If you do wildlife and sports photography, this is the best lens you can buy for under $5000.
I have very little experience with photography, but am learning for work. I needed to be able to take shots from the back of an auditorium, and from the sidelines of games. This does the job despite my lack of knowledge of camera settings and technology. I have gotten some really good pictures.As a bonus, I took it to my son's graduation. I was way up in the stands, he was down in the field, but I have plenty of close-up shots of him and his friends. Took some really great pictures with this and my Canon T31.The one drawback is how heavy it is. I have to use a tripod or monopod with it at all times because it is too heavy to hold steady. Likewise, it is hadrd to aim quickly during a game because of its weight.Overall I am getting great results for what I need with this lens. It is making me look like a much more experienced photographer than I actually am.
This is my first professional-quality lens, and using it has been an amazing experience.  I was concerned about my ability to hand-hold shots at 400mm.  In early tests, I chose a distant water tower on a clear bright day, braced against a car, relaxed, exhaled, & pressed the button half way.  The autofocus and image stabilization made me feel like Luke Skywalker locking on to a target with The Force!  A little later I got sharp images while tracking a moving train, with motion blur in the background.  The lens has its own tripod mount (it's heavier than my camera), which will be handy eventually, but I haven't needed it yet.I bought the lens for a trip to Alaska, and have been really pleased by the results.  Crisp tight images of bear, elk, caribou, in the rain; breaching orcas, basking sea lions, flying eagles, taken from a moving boat--all on grey rainy days.  A little pika on a rock at 30 yards, with no time to get closer.  Complex rock outcrops, distant mountain peaks & valley floors.  2000 exposures in a week with lots of zooming & some pretty cold weather, only had to switch to the spare battery once.Shooting almost everything at f/6.3 or f/7.1 allowed short exposures for sharp images.  Also provided obvious foreground/background depth-of-field separation that works well for both wildlife and landscapes, even at 100 yards. Really distant subjects were in focus throughout, of course.  Maybe in future, with less active subjects, I'll experiment with stopping down for deep depth of field on nearby scenes.With a little practice, it was not hard to swap the 100-400mm EF quickly with my 18-135mm EF-S lens, which is better suited to macro and panoramic work.  I soon got used to switching between twist-zoom and push-pull.  The EF lens worked on my cropped-sensor T3i body with no problems, no adjustments.  Just insert the EF lens aligning the red dots, & use the white squares for the EF-S lens instead.  Each lens has only one marker, no confusion.The 100-400mm EF L lens by itself cost more than the combined T3i + 18-135mm EF-S kit, but hey--you get what you pay for!  Really glad I had the right equipment for this rare opportunity, and planning to get a lot of use out of this lens for years to come.
Bought this lens to take on safari and to use with sports.  Works great for both.  I especially appreciate it's ability to cover the complete range of 100 to 400 without a lens change.I'm sure primes may be sharper at a given focal length, but we weren't in a position to buy or carry that many prime lenses.But this lens.
I recently used this lens (handheld) to shoot a high school golf match.  The shots were incredible! This lens is fantastic.  The shots turned out great, superb colors, great clarity, great sharpness.  It did get a bit tiring after lugging it around nine holes without using a tripod.  The IS worked great and the length was amazing.  I would recommend this lens to any photographer wanting a great zoom.  Once I get the money I will spend it on this bad boy (as the one I used was loaned to me by my uncle).  Chapeau Canon!
This lens with a 2X matching extender is what I have always wanted.It is a little heavy but worth every ounce. If my arms get tired I use a monopod.
This is another great lens from Canon. I own 3 L lens. The 24-70mm 2.8L, 70-200mm 2.8L IS and this one. The added expense of the L lens is worth it by far. Looking to add the 16-35mm 2.8L II and the 180mm 3.5L Macro Lens in the very near future.
No product is immune to lemons... Even this lens. After happily using it for 4 months, i got the Err 1 message, which after googling it, it meant faulty IS, i shipped it to Canon and they fixed it for free, i had to wait for 2 weeks though to get it back.Now it feels like the lens is not focusing 30% of the time, not sure if this is a result of canon repair, or  my mistake.. I am too scared to send it again..
If you use this lens on a 1.6X camera body such as the XT, 20D, or 30D you end up with a 160-640mm equivalent which is an impressive range by any standard.  You can also add the 1.4X TC for a 896mm upper limit or the 2X TC for an amazing 1280mm.  Of course this comes at a price, and I'm not just talking money.  You will have to use a tripod, cable release, and mirror lockup a lot of the time when using such long focal lengths.  Plus this thing is very heavy and very large and people will take notice.  So if stealth photography is your goal, go with something like the 70-300 DO.That being said, this is an amazing lens, admittedly a little slow near the long end, but to get down to f/4 would have most likely doubled or tripled the price and weight, so it seems like an acceptable trade-off.If you want sharp pictures, an amazing zoom range, and a good workout, but don't mind being the center of attention, this is the lens for you.
Just Awsome, first eagle pictures well worth it! No byers remorse. Would strongly recommend to anyone who needs a lens like this. I did laugh when it arrived because of the size and weight but I soon got used to it.
I love this lens! 400mm makes so many more shots possible. The image quality is absolutely amazing with my 5d mark II. It isn't shy - whip this out and people notice (it's big), but it makes you feel like a pro. It's going with me everywhere.
Got this lens last week and just came back from a shoot with it in Salton Sea and Joshua Tree Park areas.  Results are superb!Only negative (besides obvious weight -- will build your muscles!) is the push-pull focus.  Maybe I am just not used to it, but I really prefer the ring focus of every other lens I have.  That is the only reason for a loss of a star here.
This lens is amazing. Nothing escapes it. It's like a black hole. Clearly the best lens I have ever owned. It's like the lidless Eye of Sauron from the Lord of the Rings. It is heavy and requires rethinking how you hold the camera. It comes with a beautiful case, a hood, and a tripod mount on the lens. Believe me you will need it. I took a few photos of my son from 250 feet away and they look great. I will now get to work reading the small manual. It has 2 focal settings and 2 stabilizing settings. Wow!
This great lens is a joy own and use....100-400 on body with a grip & double batteries will get your attention during a days shooting with it.  Does build muscle though, and gets easier to handle.It would be nice if you could see lens switch settings like focus range preset and IS mode 1 or 2 in view finder. Now and then if you do some closer shots and change the focus range setting, you can forget to set it back and wonder why your AF isn't doing well. But that's not a lens fault, just something Canon could do in camera.I posted some action/panning shots for this lens as there didn't seem to be any others.Update;  June 26,2007Lens is still working just fine and results are what I wanted.  No problems.Update;  Sept 25, 2008Still cranking off the great shots, notice only one change... now and then AF does not want to focus at full zoom and I need to pull back to about 200mm to get AF to work and then can zoom back out and it will AF at 400mm.  Only now and then and not a big concern for me.Update Nov 2010Even though it seems most don't like my reivew for some reason I'll add that this is still a workhorse without problems, I have so many shots that I would NOT have without this lens.It's been bumped around some but other than a couple of small scratches in the paint it's holding up well.Plastic lens hood fits a bit looser these days because of mounting and unmounting, but is staying on the lens so far, not sure if it's the hood or the lens that is wearing more. Maybe both the same...
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI am a photo enthusiast and I have really been enjoying this new lens.  I've been taking a lot of photos of birds in and around where I live and so for it has lived up to all my expectations.And I don't mind the manual focus at all, I'm used to the manual lenses, as that is what I had on my old Canon AE1 camera.  I get good sharp pictures, even when I use the 1.4 extender and tripod of course.I would recommend this lens to friends, and anyone who would ask about it.
I bought this lens before going on vacation.  Alas, when it arrived, there was a problem.  I was leaving in four days so Amazon shipped me a new one at the same time that I shipped back the bad one.  The new lens arrived 90 minutes before I left for vacation!  I had a fun time in Jamaica with my new lens.  Both the lens and Amazon are great!
If you haven't shot with Canon "L" series glass, you will (quite literally) gasp when you look at the quality of your images for the first time.  This lens is that good.I bought this lens to photograph birds primarily.  To say I've been extremely happy would be an understatement.  The IS component of this lens will astound you.  I've also used this lens handheld at air shows as well and quite frankly, when I get home to look at my photos I'm nothing short of astonished at how well image stabilization works.  Note, however, that most of my work is done on a tripod to photograph our beautiful feathered friends.  If you'd like to see  what I'm talking about you can visit my site in my profile or just Google "Christopher Tippins" and see for yourself how the lens performs.  All of my recent bird photography and air show photography has been shot exclusively with this lens (see "New Photos").Also note that you will further be impressed to the nines when you are shooting at the short end of the focal length of this lens (about 6 or 7 feet, give or take).  I've shot dragon flies, flowers and various other subjects and the detail is nothing less than spectacular.  You will literally be able to count hairs on the back of insects/dragon flies, etc.I've used it on two bodies - the Canon 60d and a recently acquired Canon 7d.  It performs superbly on both as is to be expected.Recently I was doing some shooting at a zoo and pushed the ISO to 1000 on the 7d to get some shots in low light at  1/15 of a second and got some tack sharp images (yes, I've had to run those shots through some noise reduction filters, however).  I couldn't believe it.Note that Canon (and many people) recommend shooting with IS turned OFF on a tripod.  While your mileage may vary, I find wind at the 400mm end of this lens to be a factor and leaving IS turned on helps considerably.Image quality with this lens wide open is also impressive.Also take note of this:  I have a bud who shoots with this lens as well as a Canon 400 prime and I'll be damned if I (we) can see any difference in the quality of the shots.  I also recently purchased the Canon 1.4 telephoto extender (older type II) and I'm equally impressed with how well they work together as well, but that's another review.Note that I am of the type of person who is a very harsh (but fair) critic of products in general.If you're the same, you will NOT be disappointed in this lens.
I picked up this lens from my local camera shop last week, and wish I would have picked it up sooner.  I just love being able to zoom in on wildlife without scaring them off.  The pictures are sharp and clear.A few things that you should know about this lens.  First, it's heavy.  I've used the neck strap a few times, however I end up carrying the camera in my hands.  I've taken to putting the lens and camera on a monopod and throwing that over my shoulder.  Much easier to carry, and the monopod helps get those sharp photos.Second, you need good light, especially at the longer focal lengths.  On a sunny day this isn't a problem, but when the clouds come out, you either need to raise the ISO or dial down the shutter speed.  It's not a problem with the lens, just something to be aware of.  Put the camera on a tripod and it's a non issue.Last, do your homework before you buy this lens.  I spend months reading reviews about this lens, the Sigma 150-500, and the Canon 70-200 with a 2x converter, and looking at photos taken with these lenses.  After going back and forth for a couple of months, I stepped back to determine what was important to me.  I knew that I would not be happy with anything other than the sharpest image that I could find.In the end, I'm extremely happy with the purchase, and my only regret is not getting this sooner.
I was going on a trip and decided to use this telescopic zoom lens.  And I'm so glad I did.  What an awesome lens.  It performed so well, I'm sure glad I bought it.
This lens is beyond expecations for sports photography.  The pictures are clear, the focus and stabilization workes amazing.  It is heavy but can reach the action on a full sized field for any sport.
I did much research before committing to this particular lens.  I considered the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, the EF 70-200 f/2.8L II IS USM, and the 1.4 and 2x Extenders for use with either of those listed lenses.  After much reading, I decided to spend my money on this for the following reasons:-I want the most versatility while carrying the least amount of lenses.-I am not concerned about carrying large and heavy lens/camera combinations.  Thanks USMC.-I take photos of aircraft at airports and in overhead flight.-I wanted to avoid using Extenders (see next comment).-I would use an Extender on the EF 70-200 f/2.8L (and the II) IS USM but that's much more expensive.Pros:-I actually love the telescoping characteristic of the zoom function of this lens.  I got used to it quickly and have learned to appreciate how quickly I can capture aircraft traveling at me, past me, or away from me.  Keep track of the tension ring to ensure you don't upset stability of hold while on burst settings.  I have used this lens many times and have yet to experience the &#34;dust pump&#34; phenomenon that many have written about.  I think this urban legend may be anecdotal nonsense.-Lens comes complete with hood, lens cap, rear cap, and quality storage case (don't purchase those separately).-Tripod ring included and it can be loosened and rotated to 12 o'clock for when in the hand-held mode for ease of carry.-I've found that WITH GOOD LIGHTING, I obtain excellent photos on f/8, ISO 100, ~+.25-.5 Exp. Comp., and with a shutter speed appropriate for the speed of aircraft.-Autofocus is pretty fast...not as fast as my EF 70-200 f/4L USM, but fast enough.  Hunts every once in a while, but this hasn't been a problem.  Out of thousands of shots, I've only lost a couple due to AF hunting (in the sets of rapid fire shots).-Doesn't cost as much as an EF 70-200 f/2.8L II IS USM; especially when one adds the cost of an Extender (and then deals with the associated loss of aperture stops, albeit minimal with the aforementioned world class lens).-Makes me look like I know what I'm doing.  For those who [really] know what they're doing, after reading this, you know that I'm a newbie.  Oh, and airport security can see that I am just a harmless plane spotter from a long ways off since the lens is off-white and HUGE and they leave me alone.Cons:-Expensive no matter how one slices that.  (Not really a con, per se, for me).-Needs well planned and continuously worked lighting to support crisp shots.-Not as precise at 400mm than say, at 350mm (but that's probably just the way it goes).-Can be tricky when using an Extender in the mix.  Frankly, though, I haven't yet found a situation with the lens, as it is, that really finds me needing an Extender anyway.  That's why I bought the 400mm in the first place.-In tight plane spotting situations (i.e. Gravelly Point Park at Reagan National...where the airplanes are literally feet above you) 100mm is just too much zoom and one looses shot opportunities on close aircraft.  So that's why I kept my trusty EF 70-200 f/4L USM and carry it with me in the bag.  Again, I'm not worried about the weight.Would I recommend this lens to someone else?  Absolutely.  If you want 300-400mm capability (on top of ~100-300), then you're pretty much stuck with this choice.  Great glass (it's an &#34;L&#34;) and solid build.  Don't be frightened away by the myth of the &#34;dust pump&#34;.  Perhaps that might be a problem if you live in Afghanistan, but it's not been a problem whatsoever for me.  I've grown to love the sliding zoom feature and have figured out the tension ring to ensure I don't have to pull too hard to get adjustment while I have the shutter release depressed for a series of shots.If you're a plane spotter and find yourself in situations with pesky air traffic controllers who like to play tricks on you, then you better get this lens.  It is the only one I've found that can do the relatively close shots well and gives you that 300-400mm for those shots you wouldn't otherwise attempt.  LOVE THIS LENS.I have also purchased a B&W; 77mm UV haze filter (that works great) and a 77mm circular polarizer to enhance aircraft/sky contrast since many aircraft are painted white/gray/or light blue.Now fork over the cash and get some great photos with this lens (and be sure to learn all those crazy functions on your Manual setting and forget about automatic modes).
This lens was way to heavy for me to carry around and operate so I had to return it. Pictures was looking great, sharp and colorful.
My only previous lens was the 35L prime so this is my first experience with a telephoto lens. I bought it with the expectation of shooting animals, airshows and kids at play. So far I've had a chance to try it out on the kids and pets out in the backyard and it's exactly what I hoped for!! With the prime lens I'm accustomed to my feet being the zoom so it's nice to be able to extend the reach with the lens.I guess I'm so use to the range of the 35mm lens and it's minimum focus distance it took me a while (and I might not be comfortable yet) to account for how far away you need to stand from your subject to get the lens to focus. This is not an intimate lens, you need to put some serious distance between you and your subject. I have a 40D body so the crop factor adds to the distance you need. I'm not complaining since I'm planning on using this for long range shots but a few times I found myself wanting to switch to action closer to me (&lt;15') and the lens didn't work for that, much to close.The only issue for me to tackle is transporting this lens/body together or separate. The lens is actually shorter than I anticipated given it goes out to 400mm but the push/pull zoom really keeps the overall length down. With that being said it still is too big for any of my previous camera bags. I'm going to have to transport the body/lens detached and possibly in separate bags. Not a big issue, it'll just require a bigger camera bag.
Its a case of you get what you pay for and this lens delivers! I'm still adjusting to the push pull and will know more when the amateur football season begins but I don't expect it to be an issue at all. Buy It!!!
I just got my Canon 100-400mm IS L lens last week.  I took it out and gave it a workout yesterday at the Zoo with what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: shooting baby lions that are rarely seen by the public.  Prior to this, I was using aCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswith theCanon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto Accessorywhen I needed more than 200mm.  A website reviewer's photos demonstrating how much blur the extender adds convinced me to sink the necessary funds into the 100-400mm lens. And boy, was it worth it! I had struggled with how soft images came out with the extender, even when I used a tripod and a shutter release.  But I did all handheld work yesterday with tumbling, rambunctious baby lions in cloudy conditions, and got fantastically sharp, close photographs, even at 400mm.There are a couple of things people seem to complain about with this lens.  First, that it's heavy, and second, the push-pull zoom.  I want to address both.Weight:  Yes, after shooting for 3 hours with this 3-pound baby, my arm was tired, but it wasn't a hardship by any means, and I wasn't sore the next day.  The lens also has a tripod ring on it so when you use a tripod you can mount the lens directly onto the tripod, if the weight really bothers you. The nice thing is that it's a solid, well-made lens.Push-pull zoom:  I expected to find it frustrating, at least until I got used to it, but I got used to it in minutes and found it was actually beneficial -- I could shift from 100 to 400mm (or anywhere in between) much faster than I could have if I'd been twisting to zoom. I also quickly got into the habit of twisting the resistance ring that changes how easily the push-pull mechanism works.  As soon as I changed the focal length, I'd twist to keep it there, but not so tightly that I couldn't change again if I wanted to.  I had no problems with the lens slipping out to its full extension when I didn't want it to, even when I quickly lowered the camera. (Had to do that several times given that Mama Lion didn't like big camera and lunged the fence more than once. It was a nice, sturdy fence, so I was safe, but I didn't want to upset her, nor did I want a big lunging lion looming between me and the babies and blocking the view.)Auto-focus is quiet and quick, and though once in a while I had a bit of trouble focusing through fairly close-set bars, I got so many amazing shots that I can forgive the very few I missed while the focusing was struggling.  I also used the lens with a pacing tiger, and the lens and camera (EOS 40D) were able to work quickly enough to get far more sharp pictures than blurry, even when the tiger was close and moving fast.The Image Stabilization is amazing. Neither of my other two lenses has it, but I'd never buy another lens without it!You can focus in on subjects as close as 1.8m, which is great with animals who are constantly doing the unexpected.  When the tiger came right up to the glass, I could take a few steps back and get photos that were as sharp as the ones I took of the animal farther away.Finally, I noticed that at 200mm, the fence was still in the picture. At 400mm, the fence vanished completely, even when I (and the cubs) were fairly close to it (though not on the same side! :)  If I'd been relying on my regular lens and the extender, I know the final shots wouldn't have looked like they were taken in the wild -- which is always the goal!Bottom line: fantastic investment for a fantastic lens
Anyone that says this lens isn't sharp doesn't know how to use autofocus.I have never been disappointed with an L series lens. I have been using Canon equipment since the early 90's and have never had a failure. I have covered to many high school sporting events to count, many in the rain. I shoot in whatever conditions exist when I'm out, there's no such thing as packing it in because the weather isn't good. Canon has always delivered and this lens is no exception. Some have noted that it's heavy. Take into consideration that this lens and the 24-105L are the only lenses I need to carry. The push-pull zoom takes a little getting used to. It used to be much more common than it is today. You need to learn any new piece of equipment, after a day using the controls on this lens became automatic.On overcast days or late evening you may need a monopod but that's true of any long lens. Some people prefer prime lenses. All I can say is try hauling a 100, 150, 300, and 400mm lens around out in the field all day along with your shorter focal lengths. I don't hesitate to recommend this lens and suggest that you save your pennies, sell your guitar, and buy L series lens. They make a huge difference.
I've read quite a few articles online about people having back-focus issues with the 100-400mm lens.  I've owned this lens for about 3 days now and can confidently say, after a very quick AFMA (auto-focus micro adjustment) in the camera body, it is razor sharp.Search Dottune method if you don't own a lens calibration software package, or a lensalign.  I did the dottune (following the 50xfocal length for target distance) and it made this lens MUCH better than just out of the package.  I'm using it on a 6D.Just a note.. this  (like most L lenses, and most long tele lenses) is heavy.  Get a good monopod or tripod (or both) for it for stability.  Consider spending a bit more on your tripod than you might want to... you just spend a couple thousand dollars on a camera body and lens... do you really want to trust a $20 tripod?
you really do need this serious lens.Get's her done right, clear, sharp. Doesn't get any better than this. I got this for a particular sports arena (bullfight) and it makes even my technique look fantastic. get one.you can use it and it has a great range and good aperture for shadow and light
okay, this hobby is and expensive one.  but the results that you get from the gear is amazing.  I was humming and hawing if i should buy this great glass.  I paused at the purchase button several times and finally bit the bullet and not looking back.  it's an amazing glass for any canon dslr.  the only thing that takes a bit of practice is the pull/push zoom.  so glad that i bought this.
I already own a few Canon L lenses. My favourite among them is the mythical 70-200 f/2.8. But as up-to-date as that lens is, it isn't suitable for wildlife or long-distance shots, because native focal length is limited to 200 mm. That's where this product steps in. I began to wonder about the Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6 when I learnt that it's been around for quite a while (about 15 years). There's a reason why Canon still produces a lens with a 15 year old technology. That reason is because, I guess, it's still very good and does what is designed to do. Therefore, I purchased this lens. I've got to say that IQ is awesome. Images are beautiful and very sharp. To be honest, I compared the IQ from this lens and the combo 70-200 f/2.8+2x iii extender (which I also own) and, in my opinion, they're both pretty much the same. Autofocus, however, seems to me to be slightly faster on the Canon 100-400.Concluding, I can say that the Canon 100-400 is a great lens. It's a superb piece of equipment, as is to be expected from a Canon L series lens.
I'm a fairly new photographer that was looking to build a basic collection of professional grade lenses on a budget.  I wanted to be able to produce high quality photographs, but since my budget was limited I opted to go with the Canon 7D first, since that was the body I wanted to (eventually) use as a secondary.  Next, I needed lenses.  I was willing to spend a little bigger on lenses because they tend to have a much greater staying power when it comes to their useful lifespan, and they tend to hold their value quite well over time (when compared to camera bodies).  I decided my basic kit should include a fast 50mm prime lens (I went with the EF 50mm f/1.4), a mid-range (lens range, not quality range) lens (EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM), a lens to do wide angle work with (EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM) and a Zoom lens.  I selected the EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM for the zoom lens.  As a bonus, 3 of these lenses take filters at 77mm, which lets me carry (and buy) fewer filters.With an eye to the long term I planned to use this lens, I wanted to buy in the "L" class of lenses.  The only real choices here are the EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, both of which are "push/pull" zoom lenses.  I didn't understand what that meant until the lens arrived - you literally push the end of the lens out to zoom in, and pull it back to zoom out.  It was both odd and cool at first, and after I got used to it, I find it to be very efficient.  I opted for the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM.  Both lenses have excellent reputations, but the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM offers extra zoom range, and since zoom is the reason I'm buying this lens, that makes the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM stand out.  This lens is just a little softer than the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II  USM, but that isn't unexpected.  It still produces sharp, beautifully colored images, has a fast, accurate auto focus, and enough zoom to get in nice and close for casual wildlife photography.  The IS works well - you'll appreciate it for those high-zoom-panning-bird-in-flight shots.This lens also comes with the hood.  It doesn't snap into place the way the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM hood does, but that was new for that lens, so not having it here is forgivable.  My advice is that you keep the hood inverted on the lens when the lens is not in use, and that you always use the hood when you are using the lens.  The hood reduces and in cases prevents lens flare and provides a bit of protection for the lens itself.Build quality is what I've come to expect of the Canon "L" class - fantastic.A word about the large, white, heavy Canon "L" class lenses.  First, they're big and heavy.  They're also magnificent.  If you have one or more of these lenses you need to accept that the average camera bag is no longer going to be enough.  There are good solutions available out there, or you can put something together out of bits and pieces.  I also found that the standard camera strap was no longer acceptable.  The big lenses also make people curious - you're going to attract attention.
Canon makes a great product and this lens is one of them.A great addition to my arsenal!
Outstanding performance.  Much, much much better than low end lens of the same strength.  Still new to me but the only drawback I have found is the weight.  That is a small price for such good performance.
I've wanted a lens like this for decades.  Shame on me for being so cost conscious. Wildlife photography is so easy and fun now.  I consider the weight of the lens as just an easy way to exercise my upper arm muscles! Delivery from Amazon was well packed and came on time.  I love this lens and recommend it to anyone who wants to take fabulous pictures.
Very happy with the sots, but it got mold inside just a few days after I arrived in a trip to centralamerica cause the humidity.
This is my first L lens I acquired a couple years ago and to this day, it 's still my favorite lens for any outdoor photography. The picture quality out of this lens carries a wow factor. It 's sharp, crisp, and contrasty. There is a slight degradation at 400mm. However, sometimes it could be caused by the haze in the distance. I do think that the fluorite element of this lens produces a very subtle distinction in terms of clarity and contrast. It stands out from my other L lens without such glass element. The push pull zoom mechanism has some mixed blessings. I like the fact that you can zoom in and out very quickly. On the other hand, I am also concern about the wearing on the tiny ball bearings inside the barrel. I have heard that they are easy to come out if you are not careful with the tension ring. The IS feature of this lens is useful but outdated. Most new lenses today have 3 or 4-stop IS already. For such focal length, I think Canon needs to update the IS to push the envelop of the minimum safety shutter speed. And perhaps replace that push-pull zoom mechanism with a regular twisting zoom ring just like everybody else.
I have owned this lens for several years...it is indispensable for shooting wildlife...especially in Africa that I visit every year. Attached to my Canon 40D (I'm now using 7D) it gives me comparable 160-640mm focal length and I only use it on camera that has 1.6 sensor 'conversion'. Pictures are excellent...Image Stabilization is essential. Yes, it's heavy, but I could not be without it. I do a lot of hand held shooting and also use a monopod when beanbags not available. I use Canon 28-300mm IS lens on Canon 5D Mark II when long lens not needed. 1:1 on 5D II is great, and 28-300 covers most situations. Yes, the 28-300mm lens is also heavy, but this senior lady is used to carrying it, and the versatility of 28-300 range is fabulous, so I never need more than 2 lenses to tote in a rolling camera bag. When not toting long 100-400, I put a 17-35 on one body as a backup.
This lens is everything I hoped it would be and more. It is so easy to use, when held properly - easy to use hand held. Even with the 2x extender the ease of focusing manually is dead on (and I have bad eyesight). The clarity is perfect - perfect photos of hawks at 800ft, and the smaller birds at the minimum have very interesting effects in the clarity of subject mixed with out of focus soft leaves.I love the push pull on the zoom - can create some very interesting effects and very smooth to move.I am thrilled - will probably never remove the lens from the camera.I highly recommend this lens - I have been shooting for 55 years - first really good camera at the age of 5. This is the most fun I have had with my camera in ages.It is a bit heavy - I am happy I can sling it around and hand hold it to focus as I hate using a tripod.
Hi everybody,I've been using this lens for a period of 3 years and really loved it. I'm now using a CANON 500mm f/4 IS and a 70-200 f/4 IS, mainly because I needed a longer focal and the extra image quality.Here is my take on this lens.Pros:+ Versatility. With this lens on your body, you can do pretty much everything (well, except wide shot..): landscape, wildlife, portrait and even some kind of macro.+ Being able to go from 100mm to 400mm on the same lens allow you to get some really unusual shots, like you can work on a typical portrait, and then get a dramatic close-up, thing that you would maybe haven't done if you had to change the lens.+ IS. I've never used this lens with a tripod. Even if it's not the best IS ever seen, it is clearly enough considering the amazing ISO performance of our body nowadays.+ 77mm, just take the filters from your 10-22 or 17-40 and you're good to go.+ With a X1.4 converter and a piece of tape, you can keep the AF working, you'll find more on that on the web.Cons:- Some say that the push/pull zoom system is gathering dust...I've never experienced the problem myself.- Weight. I would have maybe kept this lens if it was half the weight it is. I just can't hike with the 500mm AND the 100-400L.- Image quality is perfectible.This lens is a must have for those who can't afford/don't want a 500mm. It is incredibly versatile and can be used in an amazing number of situations (perfect zoo lens, kayak lens...etc..).Need real world examples ? just check my blog and gallery:[...]Thanks,Emmanuel.
I only got this glass recently and wow, I'm impressed.  Little things are awesome and everything else is incredible!  I can't wait to get out into the mountains and play with it more. Spring is here and so are the photo ops!Yes it is heavy but I love the versatility.  I've got the 28-105 L series glass and this is the perfect compliment.Next? Maybe the 2.8 70-200... gotta save up for that one though.A must have for anyone interested in great pictures!
The 100-400 covers a lot of ground, so to speak, in focal length.  It goes without saying that the optics and image quality are great as this is an L-series lens.  Mine is a *little* soft wide open (F5.6 at 400mm) but certainly not to the point where it detracts significantly from the image quality.  I hesitate to even mention that because I don't want to imply that the lens has faults at that aperture - but I want to give as accurate a depiction of my lens as possible.  Sharpness is phenomenal overall.This lens is ideal for someone who likes to shoot a lot of wildlife as long as you can handle the weight over long periods of time.  Handheld shots at 400mm are a breeze as long as you are shooting at a reasonable shutter speed.  I have no trouble dropping to 1/100th of a second at 400mm with IS on.  If you are thinking you will be at 400mm most of the time you might consider the 400mm F5.6 prime as it is significantly less expensive and lighter (lacking IS though).  It's a very popular lens for nature watching as well.I've found this lens to be sharp enough that I can use it for portraits as well and have found other professionals doing the same thing (I recently was looking through a photography magazine and there was an entire model shoot done with the 100-400.)  If I am shooting a soccer game, for example, I can easily transition between 400mm for shooting the action at a distance or zooming in on player's faces to capture their expressions during the game and then easily move down to 100-200mm and shoot some quick impromptu portraits of families, kids, etc. If you are just getting into photography and looking for a lens specifically for indoor events like basketball remember that at 400mm you are limited to F5.6 for your max aperture.  That being the case, if the lighting is not very good (like most gym lighting) you will need to bump your ISO up quite a bit to keep the shutter speed high enough for crisp action shots.  If you are using an older camera you will start to run into the limitations created by your camera's high ISO capability.  This isn't a flaw of the lens, just a fact of life and the physics of how aperture works.  The alternative is to get the 400mm F2.8 L lens, but a quick look at the price of that will likely change your mind.There are competitors to this lens from Sigma and Tamron - for example the Sigma 50-500mm lens (nicknamed "Bigma" for its size).  I can say from experience that the image quality of the Sigma is not in the same league as the Canon.  I'd much rather spend the extra $500 and get the Canon.  Haven't used the Tamron zooms, so I can't speak to their comparison to the Canon, but I have heard they were getting some good reviews.The last thing I'd say is that if you aren't certain you need the zoom range up to 400mm, I'd strongly consider thinking about getting the 70-200 F2.8 instead.  For a mid-range zoom, this lens cannot be beat and having a max aperture of F2.8 throughout the zoom range is great.  If I was going to be shooting basketball indoors, for example, I would choose the 70-200 F2.8 over the 100-400 even with the extra reach it provides.  Again, this only really applies if you have some reservations about needing that much reach.All in all this lens provides excellent image quality at a very reasonable price when you consider the focal lengths it covers.  Some don't care for the zoom mechanism (pull/push) but I find that this allows me to zoom in and out faster and more precisely.
Its been a great experience and I am carrying it around since I bought it. But its heavy and is a really bulky carry on package.
I'm not going to write 80 lines like some techy guys do.  I'll just shoot from the hip.  This is a great zoom lens.  It zooms quickly, ready when you are, and tack sharp photos.  I'll post a couple of my shots that I recently shot at the Atlanta Zoo.  It was a big investment.....but worth it!
This lens was the first L series lens I had purchased; I did not know what to expect from it.  It is a ten year old technology and tolerances required of L lenses were likely not so exacting when it was designed as now.  It was better by far than my Canon kit lens - but never convincingly better than, say, my Tamron 70-300mm VC (an exceptionally able but significantly less expensive lens).  It was nonetheless the longest lens I owned, and I used it when I wanted the reach.However, after my purchase and experience with two later L series lenses I became convinced that the 100-400L lens was not delivering on its reputation - and I sent it to Canon for recalibration.  While such servicing is not cheap (out of warranty), the Canon service group examined the lens and indicated that there was a fault in the focusing mechanism; they repaired it.  The lens that was returned to me was like a different lens.  While it does not compare favorably in sharpness, speed of focus or stabilization with the L mark II series of lenses, the 100-400L is very capable of delivering exceptional sharpness and will stand up to some real pixel peeping. I use it for professional work.  If and when I can afford to spend 5 or 6 times as much on a long L prime, I may spring for it, but until then I will get good service from this lens and won't hesitate to rely on it.  Having said that, be aware that shooting technique will affect your results; you must minimize camera shake, especially at the long end and with distant subjects.If upon purchase you find the lens less than impressive, send it to Canon for recalibration under warranty, preferably with your camera body, and you will be pleased with the result. Given the current prices for Canon's fast L tele lenses, this lens offers good value.Further, if you will generally be using the lens' full length, you might consider the 400mm f5.6; the prime lens is sharper - although lacking stabilization.  But the flexibility of the zoom works for me.  For the record, I did not purchase my copy of this lens from Amazon.
I've only had this lens for a few days and I will say it has impressed me. It does have drawbacks, needs lots of light and is somewhat heavy. I would not like to carry all day,but for my need it isn't a problem.I have a couple of photos on display taken the first day I purchased the lens . It was a very overcast day and I think they turned out reasonable for the weather. My test at home when the sun popped out were outstanding. As for the push and pull adjustment I see no problem with it.I think with a little more experience it will be a very good purchase for my budget. I know there are higher quality lens but price becomes an issue,when you are a amature hobbiest like I am.I would recommend for any one who likes to take wildlife photos. The 5 star rating is for the money and quality it is a very good lens!
Canon lens the best, got good close ups and when game was far away.  auto focus and close ups too.  Best choice for our trip.
Hace tres semanas que tengo este lente, antes tuve un Sigma 50-500mm OS, pero el Canon 100-400 IS L tiene una calidad de imagen, nitidez de colores, definici&oacute;n de las fotograf&iacute;as muy superior. El rango de alcance es el adecuado para uso semiprofesional, como ser paisajes, safaris, deportes, actividades en movimeinto e incluso macros. Su peso no lo es tanto dada su conformaci&oacute;n y materiales usados, que dan una sensaci&oacute;n de tener un producto realmente bien fabricado y resiste. El sistema push - pull del zoom es f&aacute;cil de acostumbraste a su uso. Lo m&aacute;s "dif&iacute;cil" es el uso del anillo que asegura que el zoom no se desplace cuando se tiene el lente en posici&oacute;n vertical, pero tambi&eacute;n en cosa de tiempo usarlo bien. En s&iacute;ntesis, un lente zoom de excelente calidad en su fabricaci&oacute;n y en la calidad de sus fotos.
The is a bread and butter lens for wildlife and birds. Easy to pack around and great zoom range. Image quality seems to vary sometimes between shots so take lots and pick the best ones. I use this lens all the time. Will be nice when they come out with an update that has more stops of IS and more consistent image quality.
Great photos, fast focus, a little heavy...  I use the lens for action photography, and I love it.  I get the long shots I want with fast focus and sharp results.  I use a mono-pod, so the weight is only a minor issue.
Verdict:If you need 100-400mm on a Canon EOS camera, buy it!  This is your best bet!!If you need 300mm or 400mm and are on a budget, buy it!If you need a Zoo or air show lens this is it, buy it!You won't be disappointed!!4-27-2009 I just got back from photographing the World Premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and once again the 100-400 IS L lens was awesome.  I ended up mainly using two lenses the Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L zoom and Canon 100-400 IS L zoom lens with most photos taken with the 100-400.  When you have only one chance to get Hugh Jackman  riding by on his Harley you want to make sure you have reliable quick focusing equipment.  Plus a lot of times you just can't get any closer to the action like at a World Movie Premiere, it's times like that when you absolutly need a zoom and the 100-400 IS L is one of the best!  [...]01-03-09 Canon 5D Mark II Update:Canon 100-400 F/4.5 - F/5.6 IS L lens. This is the second most used lens in my 5D Mark II arsenal. This lens was my biggest surprise and is not only tied for second place with the Canon 135mm F/2 for sharpness but is amazingly sharp wide open. It's a monster of clarity at F/7.1 like it never was on my Canon 40D. It also becomes useable on the 5D Mark II in wider shot situations where on the 40D it was only usable as a longer lens. Sporting the longest zoom range of any Canon zoom this lens has to be without doubt the finest Zoo lens ever made. You can frame almost any animal in almost any exhibit perfectly. This is also my lens of choice for taking photos of people at events and aircraft at air shows with the 5D Mark II and is the King of versatility on a full-framed sensor camera. This is my sharpest and clearest zoom lens by a long shot (no pun intended. It's as close to the you are there feeling of the 85mm F/1.2 lI lens as any zoom lens I have.After an extensive battery of tests both hand held and tripod mounted I have come to the following shocking conclusions.The Canon 100-400 L zoom is almost as sharp at F/8 as my Canon 85mm  F/1.2 at F4 and that's saying something!!!Slightly sharper at F/8 as my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 and that's saying something to!!!I may have a very sharp copy and I hear there are soft copies out there.  Make sure and buy yours here at Amazon.com where you can return the lens if its not as sharp as you thought.Pros:Super Sharp!Very versatile!Great ContrastGood bang for the buck100-400mm SWEET!This is the perfect Zoo lensThis is the perfect Air Show Zoo lensThis is the perfect Renaissance Festival lensAttracts a lot of attention, you will be asked if you are a proImage stabilizer lets you get away with crazy like shutter speedsSweet Bokeh at subject filling close range and at all ranges on full frame sensor cameraRaw photos respond well to sharpening and contrast / colors in Canon Digital Photo professionalCons:Can be heavy for the uninitiated!Does draw dust into your camera when zoomed!Old style image stabilizer must turn off on tripodZoom locking ring is attached to the manual focus ring.No weather proofing, a strange thing for an out door lensAttracts a lot of attention, you will be asked if you are a proPulls dust into lens around the zoom ring when zooming in and outSlow auto focus compared to other L lens, slower then all of them except my Canon 85mm F/1.2 L IIStrange black hole if you take a photo when jerking the lens to track a birdLens sometimes seems to slow cameras response when taking a photoOn cropped sensor cameras only strange variable looking Bokeh at some distances especially when stopped down and in sunlight with contrasting lines like branches.  Wonder bokeh no full frame camera (5D Mark II)I gave it only 4 Stars because of the crazy way the zoom friction and manual focus rings are together and lack of weather sealing and variable Bokeh.  It takes a dedicated photographer familiar with the lens to get consistent because of the variable Bokeh. Separate the manual focus and zoom friction rings, give it weather sealing, updated IS and great Bokeh at all settings and ranges and I would have given it 5 stars!Introduction:Longer range and versatility that's what I needed for my Canon 40D.  What good is a prime if you don't get the shot at all?  I mean I love my Canon 135mm F/2 it has the best Bokeh in the world along with my 85mm F/1.2 but it's a little short for birding even on a 40D and after renting a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS you know what the meaning of heavy (8.5 pounds) and specialized mean.Plus there's nothing like having a zoom, take time to change out that lens during a renaissance festival and you just may miss a once in a lifetime shot.My 70-200 F/2.8 L is a great lens but the zoom range is way too short at times like these.  I want something with much more zoom capability.I wanted something I could take to the zoo and gets shots both near and far and the same at air shows and the renaissance festival and maybe even a football or soccer game or rodeo and all without a time consuming dust introducing lens change.  At the festival you can go from a knight and damsel group portrait shot to a close up of a bird of prey flying by in a second and without changing lens.  At an air show you can be shooting the crowd waiting in line to board a C5 Galaxy cargo plane and in the same minute swing up and get an F-16 cockpit shot as it roars by.  On a cropped camera you are at 640mm and into serious birding territory on a full framed hey you still have 100-400.First shots:OK, I must have gotten a really good sample because after sharpening  the Raw files in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) this lens is sharp at all zooms and very sharp indeed stopped down to 7.1 between 300 and 375mm.  No complaints there that's for sure!! It's very close to my Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 in it's sweet spot.Zoos:WOW!!!  I visited the Phoenix Zoo this last Saturday with my Canon 40D and this new Canon 100-400 IS L zoom and all I can think of is wow!!  Where have you been all of my life?  With a zoom range of 160 to 640mm when mounted on my Canon 40D you can't go wrong.  And with the image stabilizer IS you can literaly stick this camera in auto ISO and walk through the entire zoo with just one lens and get great closeup shots of everything.  Need a portrait of that Tiger while he's walking the back wall as far away as he can get?  No problem, zoom out to 400mm which equals 640mm, here kitty kitty kitty.  And how about the Flamingo's right up next to the fence and you want the whole group, just zoom back to 100mm and bingo!I wonder why I hadn't purchased this lens from the start.  No dust educing, time eating lens changes required, just go through every exhibit with the one lens picking off animals one by one or in groups.  It's like shooting fish in a barrel, yeee haaaa!!!Notes:Seems sharpest at 375mm and F/7.1 and F/8Variable Bokeh, can be the best or worst depending on use (see Bokeh below)Air (and dust) seems to enter and exit around zoom ring as you zoom (NOT into and out of the camera sensor as some would have you believe).Review:This lens takes some getting used to, it's different: longer, more complicated, push pull zoom and IS make it a little more complicated then the other lenses I have.The first few shots I took with it were rather disappointing but then I started finding the groove for this long-range photographic weapon and when used in that scope you can score some really fantastic jaw dropping photos.Overall my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 seems to make a slightly more pleasing photo at times and at other times the 100-400 does.  The 70-200 as more consistently pleasing Bokeh.  But the 100-400 200mm longer.  The physical size when the 100-400 is at 100mm is very close indeed and the weight feels close to the same in the hand with the 70-200 feeling slightly lighter.The strange thing I find too is the zoom locking ring and manual focus ring are attached to each other and change position as you zoom in and out.  This makes for a little confusion when reaching for it at first as you never know where it is when quickly reaching for it while keeping your eyes in the viewfinder.  That and if it's tight at all you have to take both hands to release the tension and move the zoom where you want.The Groove:Make sure you have the IS in the ON positionShoot with plenty of light and hold her steadyShoot between 300mm and 375mm at F/7.1 or F/8Make sure focus limiter switch is in the correct positionShoot in Raw and process in Digital Photo Professional (DPP)Don't be afraid to push the sharpness and color way up in DPP as neededPractice Practice Practice  if you are shooting digital then you can practice plenty.Image Stabilizer (IS):I have taken HAND HELD SHOTS at 1/10s and 1/6s even zoomed out to 400mm of the neighbors house and car down the street and they came out so well you can read the license plate!  I set my 40D to 3200 ISO and wide open aperture then simply propped my elbows on top of the trash can and took some night shots to see what this lens could do. I couldn't do it every shot only about 1 out of 5 to get my breathing and the timing of the shot right but the fact that I could pull these shots off at all is incredible!!!To get consistent shots I in better lighting conditions I have found with my elbows propped I can consistently pull off 1/30 second at 400mm which works out to 640mm on a 40D!  With un-propped arms I could pull of 1/60 second at 400mm.  This alone should be a good reason to buy this lens.Bokeh:On full frame cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II the Bokeh is great.  At close range it's almost as good as any lens I have.  Well except for maybe the Canon 85mm F/1.2 II L.  But over all it's great.But, if you are using this lens on a cropped sensor then be sure to read the next paragraph.How could one lens have such fantastic Bokeh in one shot and such strange horrible Bokeh in the next?  Up close with frame filling subjects near wide open aperture the Bokeh is a dream, but shoot at further distances with a cropped sensor camera like a Rebel or Canon 40D/50D etc with branches as a background stopped down so you can see some detail there are weird lines around each item.  Shooting aircraft or birds in flight this is no problem as the background is just sky, but distant birds in trees with some leaves and limbs out of focus and the photos can look very strange.Lens Vignetting (Light Fall-off)Light fall off in the corner of your photos or vignetting is no longer a problem for any Canon lens on the newer Canon Digital Cameras like the Canon Rebel XTi, XSi, 40D/50D, 5D Mark II as the Vignetting can be corrected automatically in-camera and with Raw photos in Digital Photo Professional (DPP).  You can even adjust the amount of correction to your photos as needed with Raw photos in DPP, sweet!!!In flight tips:Shooting in-flight birds and planes with this lens then follow these tips.Shoot in bright lightSet minimum focus switch to 6.5 metersTurn Off IS if you have enough light, the auto focus seems a little faster without itSet Auto Focus Mode to AI Servo and Drive mode to maximum frames per secondSet exposure compensation to +2/3 stop especially for darker birds or bird will be underexposedMake sure shutter speed will be at least 1/500s or faster set aperture and or ISO as needed I usually end up on Auto ISO on my 40DPre-focus on something similar to the distance of the target bird or planePull zoom back to 100mm to ease acquirement of target bird then zoom as needed towards 400mm while trackingStart shooting as soon as a decent focus and composition of the bird is acquired (DON'T wait for the perfect composition)If needed try looking over the top of the camera and down the top of the lens barrel and try to acquire the bird first then look through the lens.Once acquired hold down the shutter and keep firing off photos as you never know which shot will be a keeper.Push / Pull ZoomThis is a love / hate affair because I love the way I can quickly zoom from 100  - 400mm very rapidly, but...The friction ring to adjust the tension of zooming is attached to the manual focus ring.  This means you can't simply reach forward and grasp the friction ring and adjust it with one hand.  No you must hold the lens with two hands one holding the focus ring and the other the friction ring and then adjust.The friction ring and manual focus rings both move back and forth with the front part of the lens when you zoom.  What this means is when you are in the heat of battle you can't always reach forward by feel and do a manual focus as the distance out on the zoom where the focus ring is located is highly variable.I don't know if it's possible but if it were I would have Canon redesign the zoom ring and the focus ring separate.  This would allow me to reach up and adjust the friction ring by touch without having to hold the manual focus ring to keep both from just turning.  And to adjust the manual focus without tightening up or loosing the friction ring.Anyway the whole process takes a little while to get used to especially for those of use coming from say a 70-200 F/2.8 zoom where I can always just adjust the zoom of the lens a little with no thought and without taking my eyes off the subject from the viewfinder.Uses:Any outdoor photography where you need a wide focal range in a really short amount of time and can't always get really close to your subject but need a close up of it.  Zoo's, Air Shows, Renaissance Festivals, Rodeos, Football, Baseball, Soccer I can think of lot's of tests in the coming weeks for this lens and I intend to hit every one of them.Verdict:If you need a zoom with more reach then your 70-200 then this is your best option.  Try it and you just might like it.Updates:As usual I will be coming back to this post and giving updates on my use of this lens.  I have Canon a 5D Mark II on order and will update with how this lens works on a full frame body.  Should be a whole another world.11-04-2008 Update:I have found that by taking the tripod mount off the lens is much more comfortable to hold and you can get to the zoom friction lock ring and the manual focus ring much easier.  The IS on this lens makes a tripod an option not mandatory and when out photographing wild life hand holding is much easier.11-05-2008 Update:I put all my longer lenses up against the Canon 100-400 in a battery of tests both hand held and tripod mounted and was amazed at the results.  At F/8 where it's sharpest Zoomed to 135mm and 200mm it's as sharp as my Canon 135mm F/2 prime and my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 zoom.  And it has better contrast then the 135mm F/2.  Both the 135mm and 70-200 have better Bokeh though but I was surprised how useful the 100-400 with IS can be in low light as long as the subject is motionless.  I have found with practice and bracing I can consistently get good sharp photos at 400mm at 1/30 second and have scored a few shots as slow as 1/6 second by bracing both elbows putting the camera on high speed and shooting 6 shot bursts.  One or two of the middle shots are always sharp.  Simply amazing!!  So if anyone is telling you this lens is worthless on a darker day or at sunrise or sunset they just don't know this lens.  I have found even getting pretty sloppy you can get consistent shots at 400mm at 1/200 second.  Next earl morning shoot at the bird sanctuary this 100-400 is the lens I am bringing.11-07-2008 Update:I have found that you can actually rotate the tripod mount up 180 degrees so that it is facing upward and out of your way but still have it on the lens.  Could be handy if you want to have the mount with you but not in the way when using the lens.11-12-2008 Update:The more I use this lens and get used to it the more I love it.  I can't see myself without it now.  I am totally used to the push / pull zoom and now actually like it better.12-2-2008 Update:Found this interesting information and thought I would pass along.The Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 L IS also has fluorite and Super UD-glass.  Fluorite has very low dispersion so the 100-400 exhibits less chromatic aberration than if it were made of ordinary glass.  The fluorite lens element  aligns the points of focus of the three primary spectral colors of red, green and blue to meet at one point for ideal correction of chromatic aberration. Also included is UD-glass, which is a special type of optical glass whose properties nearly match those of Fluorite.Bottom line on the fluorite and Super UD-glass, you get the best possible image even though you get a huge 100-400mm zoom range!1-30-2009 Update:I just bought a new Zoo membership and took my daughter with me on my second visit to the zoo.  She brought another lens along and quickly wanted to borrow the 100-400.  There was no going back she didn't want to give it back and clicked off one perfect photo after another including the Male Baboon photo I posted with the photos here.  I am so sold.  Can hardly wait to try this lens at the Renaissance festival next weekend.5-26-2009 100-400 update:  So I came back from the Riparian Bird Preserve yesterday where it was rather dusty and I noticed that my sensor and mirror box were full of dust.  I decided to do a test on my 100-400 lens and sure enough it does pump dust into the camera body.If you turn the zoom friction ring all the way loose and zoom in and out with the bottom end cap off there is no resistance.  If you put the bottom end cap on tightly and zoom you can feel resistance.  Then if you loosen the end cap just a little you can actually feel air being sucked in and out around the end cap as you zoom in and out.Thank God for my FIrefly digital sensor cleaning system!  Be forewarned if you own this lens you will need to take care in dusty environments.6-27-2009Still very in love with this lens.  You can see a lot the photos I have taken with it at a web site called flickr.  They won't allow me to put a link here anymore but you can go to flickr and search for my name Grant Brummett then look through the photos.  I used this lens for the majority of the photos in my Wolverine X-Men movie premiere set.Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit lens Muddy, slow, pile of junkCanon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy, repair prone!Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy!  My favorite zoom lens!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L great IS, super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach, will pump dust into your camera body.My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: _Canon EF 300mm F/2.8 IS L the finest lens ever
We've rented this lens before from lensrentals.com to ensure it would be a good fit.  I'm happy with the copy that we received; we have no issues to report.  The lens does ship with its own Canon beige double-zipper carrying case and strap (and lens hood).
i like but its very heavy  , its a big difference between the regular 100-300mm , more light and sharper . nice peace .
Good lens and fast ship. We use this lens when we travel for Yellowstone National Park, it did very good work! You will love it.
quick focus and like the stabilization features.  Haven't really had a chance at taking some moving pics yet.  Tried some filters with it and they didnt seem to work but didnt have the time to just play with them.
I have been a dedicated amateur for over 40 years and recently bought a Canon 40D with the 28-135 mm IS lens.  My next lens was the 17-40 mm L, a terrific lens in every way.  When it came time to look for a telephoto, I naturally leaned toward the L series and the 100-400 IS L made sense.  I wish I had read the reviews more clearly and saved myself and Amazon some trouble!  This is a wonderful lens!  The clarity is amazing and the IS a joy to use.  If you are a pro and don't mind lugging this "tank" around, it will do what you need.  If you are like me and need a travel zoom, this is way over-kill.  I sent it back and got the 70-300 IS non L and I love it.  It's light weight and does a good job.  I know it's not as good as the L, but head to head, taking the same shots with the 40D at the same time and viewing on an Apple 23 display, I can't tell any difference.  Bottom line, if you need this quality and don't mind the weight, size and price, go for it.  It's one of the best!
I have had this lens a couple of weeks.  I have nothing to compare it to;however so far I am very pleased with the Canon EF 100 - 400 lens.  It seems to be easy to use.  I have experimented with taking a photo on my tripod set at 400 mm and a photo hand held set at 400 mm.  I am pleased as to how well the Stabilizer works. Both photos came out clear.  Even being hand held.  It works well to get those bird shots on the wing.
Perfect for fast, outdoor (or well lit indoor) action photography. Push/Pull zoom is far more practical with fast moving subjects.I read somewhere that IS auto-disables when mounted on a tripod(?), but I can still hear IS functioning while mounted on my monopod.
hi im a surfing photographer and this len has changed my life! amazing quality the crystal will provide u with some of the best pics u ever taken... incredible fast, smooth and exc AF... its heavy of course it is but u can handle it... and the results are only amazing!!!! u can check my pics at carlos palacios photography at facebook and see it for yourself this is my everyday len and its the best!!!! money well spent! exc!!!!
This lense has high quality and takes great picture's,it is a little heavy but you can adjust to the weightwith a good support strap. I have no problem's withthe push -pull telephoto ajustment, you get used to itquickly. The IQ is worth the effort.Highly recomend.
We will be shooting birds this weekend. We will use the Canon 70d on P advanced mode, with the iso set at 100, and possibly the exposure compensation manipulated a little. I will get back with exact settings and lighting conditions to update our experience. This will include the setting the camera chose as aperture, shutter speed, size of file ect.. We will also shoot exclusively in raw format. Possibly Adobe rgb, with auto focus. Drive mode, low speed continuous; metering mode, set to spot metering; The area mode will be set at, single point af..O.K. just shot for about 20 minutes with great lighting conditions. Also carrying camera. Results are extremely promising. Not every shot is focused perfect, but remember the camera tries to focus on whatever is closest. Got some great shots where I am able to see wings stacked at a distance of at least 75 feet, handheld. This lens presents a new challenge in wildlife photography. The better that I become with this lens, will give great lens performance. Will check back in when I become more familiar with lens characteristics at certain shutter speeds and f-stops.
This lens gives outstanding action images from distances as much as 130 yards.  While the lens is somewhat heavy, within a short period of time I found I could take excellent action photos of plays during a San Diego Charger game...without use of a monopod.
a little hefty to carry around but i really enjoy being able to go from 100 to 400mm just like that, no changing lenses, a little soft at 400mm but i increase the iso and bump up the fstop for betteer depth of field
This is an excellent lens.  We bought it because my husband enjoys action photography and I enjoy wildlife photography.  The lens quality is excellent and the zoom is very handy, however there are some disadvantages.  This lens  is very large and requires a sturdy tripod, hence the tripod mount built into the lens.  The bellows function that allows the zoom tends to blow dust into the sensor, increasing the maintenance required on any camera used with this lens.  When used with a doubler, this lens can only be focused manually.  Also, this is an f4.5-5.6 lens, which is adequate for bright light, but frustrating in many situations when you're used to f2.8 or better.
This is my 3rd Canon L series lens, after the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS.  While those lenses are faster and better for general work, I would not trade this lens for any other when it comes to sports and wildlife photography.  For the price you just cannot beat this lens.  I may drool over a 600mm f/4 or a 400mm f/2.8, those lenses cost 4 to 6 times as much money and are not at all portable.  This lens is hand-holdable (though I strongly suggest a monopod), and has the benefit of being a zoom lens, so you dont have to switch cameras to go between moderatly close and far away shots.  I use it for football, soccer, and baseball and softball, and it is more than adequate for my needs.  Maybe someday when I land that Sports Illustrated gig I will want to go bigger, but for now this is perfect.
This is a super lens, sharp and contrasty.  It's only problem comes into play when you walk around with it on your camera.  I was anything but anonymous walking in Red Square with this one. Hard to take those candids of everyday folks! I used it to take some photos of quail in Cali with the 1.4x converter and here, the lens holds up well also.  On my 20d I lose auto-focus with a converter in place.  Nice sharp Pics, super fast autofocus, overall a great performer.
I plan to mount this on my tripod.  Very durable.Exactly what I ordered and needed and delivery was right on time .  Looks durable and easy to manage well.
Lens works great for me but then I have limited experience with the 400mm lens. Heavy and requires a sturdy tripod or very steady hands. Low light a problem to adjust for.
I like the lens.  I like the results it helps produce.  I read &#34;heavy&#34; in all the reviews - and that is so true! Three pounds has never felt so heavy.  It is not an easy lens to handhold, and, for that matter, it's not the easiest lens to put on a tripod, but the results are worth it.  I hadn't used a push-pull method to extend the lens, instead of rotating it, but as the reviews confirmed, it quickly becomes a very natural motion.  It has a great range, and can be extended more with a 1.4X or 2x extender, which makes it even more useful.  It is a strange feeling to put the lens on the tripod and have the camera hanging out over the back of the tripod, but that is important to protect the camera.
This is an excellent long zoom lens. However, its weight makes me think twice before taking it on long hikes. I will move to the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS lens, which is one third the weight. I will use the 1.4X extender when I need more reach.
I have used this lens almost exclusively on safari in seven different locations.  I see people recommending fixed focal length lenses for safaris but you would need at least two if not three fixed lenses to equal this lens, who can afford that?  And how would you get them to your destination?  Most unsharp photo problems can be blamed on camera shake and while IS does a great job the photographer has a job too.  Using a fast shutter speed not only takes care of the sharpness problem but stops animals in their tracks.  How do you alway have a fast shutter speed?  Digital cameras let you set the ISO so you just have to keep on top of the available light situation.  Old film users like me like 100 ISO but we have to let go of that and move on to 400, 600, even 1000 ISO when the light demands it.  Modern digital cameras can still give you great photographs at those speeds if you will let them.  I have a photo from a Canon 20d on my wall that is 32 X 24 inches taken with this lens at 500 ISO that is tack sharp.  And I will remind you that this lens on a 20d equals a 160-640mm lens.  Many of my animal photographs have been taken at the maximum length with great hand held results.  I try to keep the shutter speed at least at 1/320 or faster unless I am looking for a special effect.  Too many people blame lenses for soft focus when it is shutter speed that is to blame.  I am currently using a 40d with this lens and for wild animal photography I would say that it is close to the best combination available today as it extends this lens to 640mm. Yes, fixed focal length lenses are great but how many can you carry and what if you have your 400mm lens on your camera when an elephant walks up to within 30 feet of you?  I always take two cameras with one mounted with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens but most photos are taken with the 100-400mm, I love this lens!
I purchased this lens used.  It arrived in perfect, new condition.  All physical aspects of this lens function flawlessly.  Very sharp at all but the extreme ends if used with a tripod.  Highly recommend this lens and Amazon as it's source.
I read 100's of reviews on the Canon EF 100-400mm IS USM zoom lens before taking the plunge. Most reviews were glowing, and from reviewers who advised "just do it". But there were also some from people who had a "less than expected" experience. I really needed the variable reach and at least 400mm of it at times, and also really needed fast and accurate AF for sports, so this seemed like the one to try. I've now logged over 3000 shots, and only wound up with about 20 that weren't properly focused (most of these were my fault since I was using ONE SHOT focusing mode on my camera).I now have to say - absolutely amazing results.When I got the lens, I played around with the Canon 50D lens micro focusing adjustment for an entire evening in low light, and with the LCD moire test pattern approach, and couldn't find a better setting than the default "+/- 0" for BOTH 100mm & 400mm zoom points. Then, on the soccer field, this lens blew me away with its clarity. And while I know that several people have complained about its bokeh, I couldn't disagree more - what I got was beautiful. Background spectators, coaches, tree's, and sky were all very nicely blurred - no artifacts and nothing strange at all, and this made each image subject stand out brilliantly.I shot sunshine one day, and pouring rain the next. Both gave me excellent results. I shot ISO400, F8 (bright day) and ISO500, F7.1 (overcast) on a monopod with the focus range limited on the lens to 6.5m and IS mode 2 (allows for panning). Based on all of the reviews, and my own experimenting between F5.6 and F8 indoors, I opted to shoot at F8 or F7.1 to extend the DOF a bit, and get the crispest images possible.I used ONE SHOT AF with center focus set on the camera. The results were fast, accurate, and as I said - left me with amazing images that were tack sharp. The Canon 50D also does a great job outdoors with ISO400 & 500, so no real sacrifice there to shoot stopped down a bit.Push-pull zoom? I wondered about this too from all the negative press in some of the reviews. I found the push-pull action (with adjustable friction) to be PERFECT for shooting on a pod. One other advantage point not made by others, that I discovered in the pouring rain - when you're outfitted with a rain bonnet over the lens and camera, it's trivial to push-pull the zoom in and out with your wet "free" hand with the camera and lens completely protected. This would NEVER have worked with a rotating zoom ring on the lens, as I was constantly going from 100mm to 400mm and all points in between as the action moved around quickly on the field.I would like to try the 1.4 extender with this lens and birds/wildlife, but think it would be a waste of time for sports, with baseball being the possible exception, since you lose AF capability with this lens. That would never have worked for me shooting soccer. As an experiment, I was also able to shoot about half a soccer game hand held, without the monopod, using IS mode 1 in bright sun, and got VERY good results as well, but did notice the camera/lens weight after a while. Fatigued arms tend to shake more, and controlled breathing won't help this, so I'd recommend a monopod or tripod for extended shooting. The lens mount for this leaves a very nicely balanced set-up that isn't always trying to fall forwards or backwards on your mount.In closing, I have to second everyone else who's written "just do it, you won't be sorry" on this lens. And if you are sorry, you've probably gotten a bad copy and I'd recommend returning it or sending it in to Canon for a tune-up. This lens CAN really deliver - I now have lots of proof. One other thing - I have been watching the rumor mill for Canon to release its F4 update version of this lens. Like others, I figured as soon as I bought the F4.5-5.6, they'd announce the new one a day later. Couple of points on that - (1) you might still be sitting, waiting, this time next year, and have missed some great shots, (2) if Canon rolls out a fixed F4, you KNOW it's going to cost a lot more, and (3) I believe Canon has steadily and quietly been making improvements to their 100mm-400mm all along; you can see a lot more "recent buyers" really, really happy with the copy they got, and older versions (especially those bought used) as the ones people complain most about. Now I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can go hunting some birds...Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
This has proved to be my standard wildlife lens, great for distances and really small birds.When you can't afford to put 10-12K in a lens, this is the perfect replacement.
I was also looking at the Canon 400mm f/5.6L telephoto lens (non-zoom) when I purchased this Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L zoom lens. Now that I have the 100-400mm zoom and have taken photos with it, I'm very glad I purchased it. The versatility of the 100-400mm zoom range combined with Image Stabilization are the main reasons I&#8217;m happy with this lens. The 400mm f/5.6 does not have Image Stabilization, nor is it a zoom lens. And the difference in price is only a $200 or so, between both lenses. Highly recommended.
This lens is awesome. I have had mine for 4 years without any problem with the focusing but this is what i do. Because the lens is heavy it comes with a lens bracket to mount the lens to a tripod or monopod instead of the camera body. I use a mono pod mostly. Yes this makes a lot of difference and the pod acts like a third hand and lets you keep the camera much more steady. You are not going to get really sharp pictures unless you use one especially extended at 400 mm. second is it is an outdoors lens. you can use it inside but your pics are not going to be as good as they could be with daylight even on a cloudy day. 3rd the more manual you can get with this lens the better. the I.S. is fast smooth and quiet but relying on the af when shooting is not ideal because when you push the firing button half way down on the camera the af feature is always adjusting so if you move so will the point of reference with the I.S. and the main focus point will change on you. I like it. It is not for everyone. Large zoom telephoto lenses take a little practice, it is worth the time and effort. The large telephoto non zoom lenses are much easier to use when trying to get a really sharp image.just in case you were thinking about going that way.
Yes, it is a very nice lens for the price.  The IS helps, but is no replacement for a lot of light.If you main focus is doing bird photography, this lens isn't ideal, as it isn't ideal wide open (5.6) at 400mm.If you are looking for something that only breaks your small piggy bank and not the vault, and you want the reach and flexibility of a tele zoom, this will work nicely.Consider the Canon 500mm f4 is you have the dough and want a really nice, almost hand-holdable wildlife lens.
For the past 7 years I've salivated over a few friends' EF 100-400 L IS USMs.  I couldn't afford to drop $1600+ on a lens and made do with my 10D and the EF 28-200 USM.  A month ago the 10D finally gave up the ghost.  I made the decision to get new glass along with a 60D.  Originally I purchased the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM.  I thought I would be satisfied "settling" for that lens especially since I'd test driven one a few years ago and it was ok. Needless to say it just couldn't compare to the L series 100-400s I'd used.  Everything was coming out too dark and the lens was slow to focus... So after a withdraw from my credit union I ordered the 100-400 L through Amazon(seller was Quality Photo) and received it the following day via UPS.Combined with the 60D it has completely changed the quality of my images.  I know its limitations in low light, it is a f4.5-5.6 lens after all.  But I bought this lens for outdoor action photography.  Namely aviation photography.  I work in airfield operations and carry my camera every day at work.  You just never know when an interesting or unique aircraft will pop in.  The 70-300 was not giving me much more than my 8 year old, 28-200mm USM was, except it had IS.  The 100-400 takes everything to a whole new level!  Perhaps it's greatest attributes are the tight, fast focus on the primary subject while allowing the background to pleasingly blur out at wider apertures.  My other lenses just couldn't stay focused enough on the subject while getting the undesirable background clutter of hangars, construction equipment or ground vehicles to blur out.  This lens gets on focus quickly and silently and holds it tight.The biggest "controversial" issue regarding this lens is the push/pull zoom.  For me it's more a "re-learning" experience.  Having used manual focus, push-pull zooms on my 35mm SLRs for the 30 years prior to getting my first DSLR with auto-focus I had to get used to the twist zoom.  It's nothing that an hour of practice won't fix.  The added feature of the .locking ring which adjusts the resistance of the zoom is very helpful.  If you know you will be zooming out as you pan a shot, set it loose and you can smoothly pull back as your subject gets closer.  If your subject is fixed or you wont be changing focal length you can lock it down.Perhaps my favorite feature is the full time focus ring.  You don't need to switch AF off to adjust manually if you want to focus on something different in the same frame without changing auto focus points in the camera.This is a great lens for shooting airshows, sporting events, wildlife... Remember that on an APS-C sensor camera like the 60D you are magnifying the focal length by 1.6 so it is effectively a 160-640mm lens.  All the better for distant subjects but you're going to lose more field of view up close.  Just don't think this is going to be your "all purpose" lens.  It's a telephoto zoom, not a Swiss Army knife lens.
One of the best lenses I've ever had the pleasure to use.  I can read the house numbers off the house at the end of the street! (approx 120 yards).
This lens is amazing.  I've had it for about 5 or 6 months now and have hauled it all over the place with me.  I use it mainly for bird and wildlife photography.  The lens is fast, quiet, built like a tank and very sharp.  I haven't had to touch Photoshop's unsharp mask or smart sharpen tool for images taken with this lens.  There are only two things I don't like about this lens.  1. It weighs a freakin ton!  Get a monopod and carry it over your shoulder unless you want sore arms!  2. It is an ugly white color.  The only up side to this is that most non-photographers think you are a pro when you walk around with this bad boy.  However, you can buy a lens coat in a variety of colors and patterns to help your lens blend into the environment a little better.
Truly a work of art.  If you do any airshow or wildlife photography a must have.  I received the lens the day before I went to the Red Bull Air Races and had no trouble adjusting to the feel and settings.  With the Image Stabilization and that extra 100mm of zoom I was floored when I viewed the pictures later that day.
Great lens, on a Canon 20D it's a 160-640 mm for good nature shots and when you can't get close.
If you are looking for a light-weight or small zoom lens, stop reading here -this lens is fairly large & moderately heavy. On the other hand, the build quality is superb and the image quality is also very high. Without getting into all of the specifics, the lens works well through the majority of the range, but does get a little soft at the end of the zoom range (above approximately 350mm) when using the largest apertures.The lens hood works well, the Image stabilizer is superb and the 77mm lens size makes finding filters easy.
I photograph dog sports & needed the extra reach that the 70-200mm didn't give me.  I can get nice action shots of the dogs doing agility or lure coursing as they move through the course.  Its about the same size & weight as the 70-200mm.
I do like this lens but it is at times tough to get 'great' pictures out of it. Under the right conditions and good light (fast enough shutter speed) it will take some very nice pictures. I use it on my 5D Mark II and I am pretty happy with it.  Part of the reason is because the 5D II is so good at higher ISO!  I originally used this on an XSi and in good light it would take good pics but was tough in lower light.  It offers great reach and with the 5D II I can use higher ISO's to keep the shutter speeds up. I am happy with the size of this lens for reach that it offers but it sure will get some attention when it is extended out to 400mm with a hood on it! IS works good and so does the focus tracking.Some examples taken with this lens and a 5D II including some birds in flight while focus tracking. Click on 'all sizes' above pic to view large:[...]
I agree with all the others comments about this lens.  It works great but it is big, heavy and attracts attention.  When I say it attracts attention, I am not kidding.  I was at an airshow taking pictures along with a lot of other amature photographers.  My 100-400mm lens, however, attracted the attention of a local newpaper reporter who interviewed me.  However, I bought it to use with my 20D at airshows and I can honestly say I am not disapointed.  It was well worth the money.I also bought a cheap Kenko 1.5x teleconverter for kicks.  While the converter isn't "L" grade, I am pleased with the results and the autofocus still works which I understand is not the case with the Canon TCs.For those looking for a big zoom lens and you want IS, you are ulitimately going to wind up buying this lens.
This lens is outstanding. Likes light and f stops greater than 5.6. I've only owned it for a month but have taken photos in various settings and really like the results. The images are sharp and after some outings becomes easier to handle. I bought this one because I was unhappy with the results of the canon 75mm-300mm. Once you start shooting with lenses of better caliber, you will understand the need to just suck it up, dig deep and put out that 1,500 dollars.  It only hurts for minute.
I tried it out at a local camera shop, and they were nice enough to mount it onto a 5D3 which is what I have.  I have and absolutely love theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras-- Have the old oneCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich I love and still use on my 20D and 7D, but the 5D is not as forgiving on the focal plane and I ruined a lot of shots with the 5D3 vs the 7D, somehow my af points were always off and I would get the nose instead of the eyes etc which is frustrating.  The new one talks to my 5d3 better, but I digress.  I decided to go with this plus the 2x extender to get to the equivalent. f5.6 and 400 zoom which is what this offers.  I might have still picked it up, but when I tried it, the push pull mechanism feels just plain weird.  I am a woman with small hands, and when I extend out to 400 which is where I would use it to get my backyard birds etc.  the whole set up is completely unbalanced and I could not dream of hand holding all day at the zoo like I can with my 70-200 2.8L -- Wide open, and max zoomed my combo was as quick to focus as the 100 - 400 and I did not look further than the extender kit.Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender for Canon Super Telephoto LensesThe 70-200 IMO is a must have basic lens, and far superior to the 24-105L for your everyday kid shots with dreamy bokeh etc.  So, while you are spending a little more than double you get an amazing lens, plus a reasonable workaround.  The store owner also told me to be on the lookout for a 200 - 400 F4L lens with the built in extender coming later this year from canon to round out the 70-200.  I also have theCanon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich is great for parties and wide angle enough for me since I am just fitting in the aunts and grandmoms into the picture.  Not photographing architecture or anything at this point.  did not feel the need to go for the super expensive 16 - 35.
I love this lens!  It's at a dead tie between this one and my 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM lens.  I'll have them both forever I believe!!Believe all the positive hype!  This lens is master of it's range!  It's fast, and captures the true colors you see on every shot!  I use this lens primarily for wildlife, birds in flight and sports.  It's always in my bag or on my camera!  It's one of the best deals out there right now for the price!  If you love taking action images or birds in flight, wildlife and can't afford $12,000 for one of the big boy Tele's, grab one of these asap, there at bargin basement pricing right now!  July 2013.If I have time to choose which lens is on for wildlife or sports or BIF, I always pick this one first!  Always!  I may switch it out after awhile and throw the 70-200mm on but I always go for this one first in any of those situations!Also, I've never had any dust issues with the lens like some others have mentioned.  Never, none!  The lens is as perfect inside now as it was when I bought it 3 years ago!  As far as I can tell anyway!It's had a B&W; haze filter on it since day one and it never comes off... The push/pull barrel is easy to get used to and I find it especially a joy to use for birds in flight.  Being able to slowly draw the barrel back in as the bird gets close, seems very natural and smooth.  Did I mention that I love this lens?
Looks like Canon has done it again, a quality lens you'll be proud to own and excited to use. I was originally concerned with the weight of this lens, I figured I'd have to haul a monopod around to help hold this monster up for extended periods of time. Though to my delight, it's so well balanced that I didnt have any trouble taking it to the zoo for several hours on a shoot. You definately get your moneys worth on this one. I highly recommend this lens!
I am just an entry level photographer but this lens allows me to take excellent pictures of wildlife even on automatic settings.  I am looking forward to seeing more of what it is capable of as my skills improve.  I use it free hand just resting it on the car window and the shots are clear.
I've had this lens for about half a year now, and really appreciate having a good quality lens for this focal range. I use it mainly for birds.I'm not going to go into the features - you can read that in the product description - but concentrate on my experience using it.The locking ring is a little irritating. You need to hold on to the focusing ring before twisting the locking ring.Push / pull takes a little getting used to, but not too bad. And it is actually very nice when shooting birds in flight. Zoom out, find bird, then zoom in.If you're looking at this lens, you're probably also considering the 300mm f/4L and 400mm f/5.6L. I chose a zoom, sacrificing some IQ (according to some reviews) for convenience. The 400mm f/5.6 is tempting, but costs only $200 less and lacks IS. The 300mm f/4L with a 1.4x TC may make more sense for some, but I found that the ability to zoom makes acquiring the subject much easier. Sharpness is still very good even with 1.4x TC, though you will lose the ability to auto focus without a 1 series body.If you're hand holding the lens, rotate the tripod foot to the top (or remove it altogether). It makes supporting the lens much easier.It appears to be more susceptible to flare when shooting bright light sources (e.g. sunset, the moon) than some of my other lenses.Anyway, if you want an L lens in this focal range, you just need to choose between this and the other 2 I mentioned above. If you want something less expensive, but with a shorter focal range, take a look at the 70-300mm IS (NOT the 75-300mm).
I have a pretty good sized collection of Canon lenses, mostly primes which I use for shooting birds. I started with the 400mm f/5.6 which is very sharp, but recently got the 100-400 zoom because of its versatility. People argue endlessly about which lens is "better", but really it comes down to what you need for a given situation. If you expect to be in a situation where there are a number of possibilities for subject, distance, and/or size, the zoom really comes in handy. For example, I recently attended an owl festival where we had the opportunity to photograph several species of captive owls. These ranged in size from a saw-whet owl (about the size of a cardinal) to a Eurasian eagle owl (about the size of an eagle). We only had a few minutes with each owl, so I needed portability and speed. Also the weather conditions were overcast so IS was a definite advantage. This was an ideal occasion for the zoom. I was able to easily handhold and quickly adjust the focal length as needed for a variety of shots. I found the resulting image quality and sharpness to be great. I certainly could have used theCanon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, but that would have been slower as I would have had to "zoom with the feet" and would not have had the advantage of IS. If instead I had been out shooting eagles in flight on a sunny day, then I'd opt for the prime due to its quick auto focus and light weight. I love my prime lenses, but the zoom is definitely a great addition to my arsenal and I can see it getting a lot of use. Personally I don't find the size and weight of the 100-400 to be large or intimidating, but that's likely because I normally shoot birds with aCanon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich weighs almost 9 pounds.
I am an enthusiast shooting on Canon 40D and 5D.Pro:1. Surprisingly hand-heldable, considering the weight. IS helps a GREAT DEAL.2. Zoom is extremely smooth, way better than the twist and zoom on my Sigma 170-500. And it doesn't creek! (amazing engineering. In comparison, my old Tamron 18-250 and Sigma 170-500 immediately extend to the full length with a loud thunk when pointing downwards, while my new 18-270 is so tight it's hard to zoom in and out). This is my first push-pull zoom and there is no learning curve at all. I love it!3. No issue with so called dust pump problem - actually the Sigma and the much smaller Tamron 18-250 suck in more air than this one - you can easily tell by put you hand at the back of the lens and zoom back the lens and feel the air flow for yourself.4. The lens balances extremely well on 40D and 5D without grip. The Sigma feels significally top heavy in comparison.5. The color and contrast is L lens at its best, thanks to its quality glasses.6. The length is quite managable actually, but a very thick lens nevertheless. The Sigma 170-500 is quite slim in comparison.7. The AF is very responsible and assuring, even in modest indoor light (blinders partially closed). There is no comparison between the Canon L ring type USM and the regular Sigma AF.8. IS works SEAMLESSLY. No noise, no ify in-between states. It works its magic without my awareness. Tamron and cheaper Canon like 70-300 announce their IS effects in distinctive and sometimes unnerving noises.9. Background blur is milky smooth if you give enough distance between your subject and the background. My 70-200/F4L has a much more nervous blur in comparison.10. Very LOW CA (color fringe, purple ring etc) at the long end. This is another nice surprise to me since I've heard many saying otherwise about this lens.11. Everything about this lens is top quality, hood, collar, fit and finish.Neutral:1. Not the sharpest lens when pixel peeks, especially wide open. But the wide open shots are way more than 'acceptable' to me as an enthusiast. Here I am talking about hand held shots. I am sure the sharpness will improve on a tripod.2. This is a very fat lens, white, not light weight, not fast, not cheap, no surprise. Putting this in perspective, this is a rather "cheap" and light weight tele comparing to the other fast tele primes/zooms. I tried out the Bigma in a Tokyo store several years ago and I didn't like the feel of it, the zoom, balance, IQ - didn't use it on tripod at the time.Con:None so far.Bottom line:A very hand-heldable tele zoom with great overall IQ. This is perhaps in the same vein as the Canon 70-200/F4L, 24-105L and 17-40L, relatively affordable with all the L lens advantages with great convenience and assured consistent IQ (AF speed and accuracy, weight balance in hand, mechanical quality all contributes to the end results of course) But they are certainly not the fastest or the sharpest lens on the market. But add convenience to the equation, these are certainly at the top of the game.
the reviews before have been quite detailed, and really say it all. I have been shooting, professionally and otherwise, for over 40 years, and I have to say that the Canon L Lenses are the first 35 mm lenses that remind me of the days of shooting with Hasselblads. Incredible sharpness, and wonderful craftmanship of construction.
It can take good and sharp image but the lens is heavy.However, I still give this lens 5 stars!
So much has been written about this lens (and note 98% rate it 5 stars) that there isn't much left to say.  I own the 70-200 f2.8 and because of that this lens does not seem especially heavy to me. The 100-400 is the only zoom lens I use on a regular basis, and it always goes on outings with me.  The lens focuses quickly and accurately and produces immensely satisfying colors.  I use a monopod when I will be using it close to the 400 range to avoid sway; at that point I do feel the weight. This works very well for me. I use primes 90% of the time and this lens the vast majority of the rest of the time.  Great lens for motorsports, horse races, zoo shots, etc.  The push-pull takes a little time to adjust to, then is easy and automatic.  Love this lens.
This was the first Canon product (camera,lens,extender, etc.) that I was truly disappointed in having. First of all, the "sliding" design of the zoom is a minus. The one I received, when angled down at all, caused it to zoom,(but it slid smoothly!). The quality wasn't there for me, compared to the Sigma 120-400 at $600 less. I tried both lenses at the same time, and ended up sending the Canon back.
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI love this lens.  The images are so clear and it is great to get close-up photos.
I was using my new Canon lens during the 4th of july Rodeo in Redlodge Montana. Although I was pretty far from of the bull and horse riders gate,  all my photos were sharp and no blur at all
I was first worried about the reviews I had read about the weight of this lens vs the 70-200 L, so I went to a store and checked it out.  There is no problem with it in my opinion.  It's not that heavy to me, and therange is fantastic.  I love it.  It's really sharp as well, and with my 5D2 low light capability , the F4-5.6 is no problem, and the image stabilization works great as well.  Great product.
I have this lens now for about 2 weeks and can say it is on par with the other L glass I own. I took this on a cruise and took some great shots at 100mm and all the way out to 400mm as well and my pics were razor sharp just using the I.S.alone,(no tripod), yes this lens is big and heavy but the pictures this thing takes are worth the work out.
Good points about this lens:1)  It is the cheapest long lens with image stabilization you can get.2)  It is flexible (100-400mm zoom range)3)  Image quality of a good copy is superb on a cropped frame digital camera such as the Digital Rebel series.  A good copy is decent on a full-frame camera.4)  It is light enough to carry, and you CAN use it handheld in reasonably bright light. Image quality from a tripod is better, of course.Bad points about the lens:1)  It seems to have variable image quality between different copies.  Some copies aren't as good as mine is (believe me, I don't say that about all my lenses!).  My suspicion is that newer copies are on average better than old ones.  Check out whichever copy you get while you can still return it.2)  Image quality drops a bit on a full-frame camera if you don't stop down at least one stop (to f/8 or f/11) and preferably back off slightly from 400mm to 370 or so.  Image quality from 100mm to 250mm is as good as my prime lenses in that range.3)  It's a reasonably portable lens for it's focal length, but the size and white color will still draw unwanted attention from civilians, who will all ask if you work for National Geographic.4)  The "trombone" style of changing focal length is a bit gawky, and more important it does draw dust inside the lens.  My copy (4 years old) has speckles of dust all over the INSIDE of the front element, unlike any other lens I own.5)  The image stabilization doesn't function reliably on a tripod.  Canon recommends you turn of stabilization in that situation (and you'll get a better-quality image off a tripod for sure).
I purchased this lens in June 2010.  Since then, I have taken almost a thousand photos with it. I think the lens is excellent and would not hesitate to buy it again.  If you are considering this lens, understand what you're getting into.  This is a relatively slow lens (f4.5 on the 100mm end) and it's heavy.  If you're carrying/shooting with it all day, it wears you out.  The zoom mechanism is push/pull.  It's not bad once you get used to it.I currently use this lens on a Rebel XT (1.6x FOVC) which makes it a 160-640mm full-frame equivalent.Also consider the new Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS L if you want more than 200mm but don't need 400mm (and still want L-Glass).
I purchased this lens for use with my Canon 7D.  In my initial use I'm very pleased with images this lens produces.  I really like both the range of the lens and the auto focus feature.  I was shooting some ospreys on the wing and was very pleased with the clear images.  I am an amateur who likes to capture wildlife and candid people images.  I think this will be an ideal lens for my needs.  I know that many reviews complain about the weight of the lens.  I did an outing this week to a local zoo and didn't find the weight an issue.  I did not carry any other lens with me (which would have been handy) due to the weight issue.  The reason I didn't rate higher is that I had a problem with my camera while using this lens.  I have shot thousand of images with no camera problems up to this point.  The problem was a "freeze" of the camera.  Only be removing the battery could I again use the camera.  This happened twice now with this lens.  It could be the lens is not the fault, but it is the only thing that is different.
I bought this lens with the intended use of birding. The image quality is excellent. Very crisp thru out images. Image stabilization is a hugh plus for me in particular. I am a novice when it comes to photography and I have a very shaky hand. In my case I find that a tripod is an absolute must at the far end of the lens zoom range. I attribute this to my unsteadiness not the lens. With budget always being an issue, I carefully picked this lens. The lens seems to be very well constructed "there is nothing cheesy about it". It came with a lens hood, and storage case included. It is well worth the price of admission. I want to say that this lens is an excellent purchase. For any other undecided folks out there do the research, then buy this lens. I am happy to report that you definitely get what you paid for with this lens.
I purchased this lens for our trip, but we only used it a few times.  It is VERY heavy and hard to carrying around.  The pictures we did take were great . . . .but given the size and weight, there were too many times we chose not to bring it along due to this.  So not so great for hiking trips . . . . but GREAT if you can just change the lens for pictures from your car.
I have several Canon "L" lenses, but this one beats them all in sharpness.  I've taken this lens to the zoo (could be the perfect zoo lens) and even 70-100 ft. away images are tack sharp and bokeh is beautiful.  It's true that is not a fast lens with its max aperture of 4.5-5.6 but in sunny conditions you can safely hand-hold and still get great sharpness thanks to the really good IS.  In close-ups of the animals even at quite some distance, you can clearly see every strand of hair.It was between this lens and theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerassince I had budgeted a set amount.  I sacrificed in speed and gained in range.  The 400mm range is great, especially on a full-frame camera like my 5D.The push-pull zoom design was new to me, but now I actually like it better than zoom rings.  It's a lot faster & operates very smoothly, I wish all my zooms were like this.  I have not experienced the dust issues some people say you get with push-pull design.  It is a touch softer at 400mm than it is at 380mm as another reviewer pointed out, so I just zoom all the way and pull back a notch for perfect sharpness.This lens is money well spent and if it had a faster aperture, I'd keep it on the camera all the time.UPDATE 5/14/10:  I have had this lens over a year now and still think it's a fantastic investment.  Even a year later I have not experienced the "dust pump" problem some others have stated, and regularly use it outdoors.  Looking inside the camera end of the lens, you can see it's solid there, so I don't know how this is happening.  Also, I've recently upgraded to theCanon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)which still has high IQ even at ISO 1000, so the slow aperture of this lens is less of an issue.  It's still not the greatest low-light lens, but it seems camera manufacturers are addressing that problem from another angle.I will say the bokeh is excellent, but not as smooth as theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, so when I'm really going for a buttery out-of-focus background, I turn to that lens.  I initially bought the 100-400mm primarily for wildlife, but find myself using it for landscapes/sunrises/sunsets more and more.  The color, clarity and contrast are brilliant.  One of the best photo gear purchases I've made.
Reviews of this lens on the web are mixed with some showing soft results, particularly at 400mm.  This is likely due to wide variations in sample lenses.  I decided to take a chance and seem to have gotten lucky.  My copy, just received from Amazon (Build date of Oct 2005) produces fantastically crisp and contrasty images on my 20D at ALL focal lengths from 100 to 400.  It's almost magical.  The images are much sharper using the same f-stops than those from a 70-200 f2.8IS lens at 100-150mm and virtually the same at 200mm.  Even wide-open at 400mm this lens is quite sharp.  At 400mm, I've compared to a very nice Canon 400mm f5.6L prime lens, with and without 1.4X teleconverter.  The images have virtually the same extreme sharpness and contrast if the zoom is stopped down just one one-third stop (e.g. zoom at 6.3, prime at 5.6).  With the 1.4X TC both lenses had to be manually focused but produced outstanding clarity with NO perceivable loss in quality.  The focus is swift and true and the IS on this lens really works (and does not hum like that on the 70-200 f2.8IS) allowing handheld shots at 1/100 sec at 400mm.  It may be that Canon has quietly improved this lens since recent reviews seem to be much more positive than those from a few years ago.  Some folks don't like the push-pull zoom but it works great for me and allows very fast composition of scenes.  The lens is about the same size as the 70-200 f2.8 IS but seems lighter and better balanced.  Given the razor sharpness of its images and 100-400mm range, this seems like the perfect single lens solution for nature and bird photography.  However, it is big and white so it may not be the best for candid people photography.
This is a Canlon "white glass" lens so you know it is good quality.  I've found it does everygthing I want and gives really good image quality. The light gathering is good enough to stop the action and fill the screen of surfacing whales in Alaska with the lens full out to 400mm. And it gets close in shots as well.  No fuzzy, out-of-focus at the edges either. Only drawback is the adjustment for how "stiff" the changing mechanism is (when going from 100mm to 400mm) is a bit awkward.  But I've learned to live with it as it's not too bad.  Overall, it's a great variable telephoto with a good range for the everyday photographer.  I recommend it.
Bought this lens a year ago for the Rebel XSi and have taken thousands (yes, thousands) of pictures with it.  I use it hand-held, to take nature pictures and of "events" such as parades, baseball games and historical re-enactments.  The lens is fast enough to freeze action on the sports field, catch flames shooting from a cannon's mouth and gives me enough detail to crop a picture of a bird at the top of a tree to allow me to easily identify and print a good picture of the bird. A potential buyer should be aware of the 1.6 crop factor with some of the Canons such as the Rebel 450d (XSi).  The 100-400mm lens becomes a 160-640mm lens as far as field of view in concerned - the magnification is still 100-400mm. I recommend this lens without hesitation for any type of long range photography needs.
I bought this when my youngest son started junior football. My 70-200 just ran out of zoom too soon, 300mm didn't seem like enough, and fast 400mm primes were a little too rich for my blood. Despite all the warnings about speed and sharpness I decided to give it a try since the conditions were not difficult.All the games are during the day so I can set the shutter to 1/1000th, the ISO to auto, and not miss any shots with a 5D Mark III. Now that I've shot it a month I have no regrets. The pictures are sharp and the zoom range is ideal for football since players can be six or sixty yards away. As for the push-pull zoom. I find it very intuitive for football. More than a few times I've been able to smoothly follow a play coming towards me while quickly pulling in the zoom to keep the player in the frame. Baseball has been similar although I have to be careful shooting through the fence. The autofocus is plenty fast if I do my job. It's certainly heavier than my shorter lenses but not that bad and I've grown addicted to the extra reach for other kids sports and wildlife.Certainly worth the money for sports photography amateur like myself.6 month update:I've now got half a season of baseball finished and can highly recommend this lens for that too. The extra reach allows me to shoot in from behind left and right field as well as from behind the outfield fence. The shots are crisp and the focus is fast enough if I do my job. Probably my favorite sports lens now because it works from behind home plate as well as from the farthest reach of the outfield.
I think the first thing that must be said is that this lens takes great pictures. The IS works really well and allows hand-held use, even in relatively dim light, if you are willing to crank up the ISO enough. I have taken some pictures I was very pleased with at about 7pm in the evening by using ISO 800 and, upon occasion, ISO 1600. Otherwise this lens needs either a monopod or, preferably, a tripod.The barrel slides in and out smoothly making it easy to frame your picture and the auto-focus works well. Fast and quiet. I have not had a problem with the AF hunting except in very low light. Except at 400mm the pictures are sharp and clear and, when the lens is fully open, the DOF is nice and slim allowing the subjects of the photo to really stand out. Even at 400mm this lens is much better than my Tamron 200-400 in terms of clarify and, what softness I did find at 400mm, was easily corrected in Photoshop. All in all a very nice lens except that  ...1) This lens is heavy. I know other people have said the same thing, but it did not become clear to me until I tried to use this lens as a "walk-around" lens. After about 30 minutes it started to become a real problem. And, because I was using this lens on an entry level DSLR (the Canon T1i) it felt as though the lens was not secure in the camera mount. The lens is so much heavier than the camera.2) This lens is long and there is no lens lock switch as on some other zoom lenses. There is a barrel tension adjustment which, I suppose, is supposed to help keep the lens from "creeping", but it did not prevent the lens from extending to its full length when I used it. Since the lens, including the lens hood, is 14" long when extended, I found the lens handing down to my knees if I did not hold the lens when walking.3) Canon provides a very nice padded lens case, but no case strap. The vendor I bought this from (Canoga Camera) provided a lens strap, but it was thin and without padding so using it became painful after a bit. It might be worth purchasing a padded lens case strap.4) Obviously, because of the length of this length even when closed, you cannot expect to use the built-in flash without creating unsightly shadows in your picture, but I had no problems using even my small (270EX) Canon SpeedLite.5) A comment. Some reviewers have warned against using cheap UV filters. I bought a UV filter which I believed to be just fine, but it caused really unsightly blurring in the pictures I took when I viewed them at 40% or more. I initially thought the problem was the lens and could not believe such an expensive lens would take such bad pictures. But after I removed the filter and re-took the pictures I realized that the problem was the filter, not the lens. Be careful if you buy a UV filter to make sure it does not adversely affect your pictures.I use my camera and lenses mostly away from home. I like to hike through the National Parks in the West and that generally means climbing up and down on a regular basis. Given that usually I also carry either a monopod or a tripod, it makes it difficult to use this lens as a "walk-around" lens. I need one hand to hold the lens, another to hold the monopod and a third to help me get up or down some of the hills. So to use this lens I would have to leave it in the case (swinging back and forth as I climb) so that I have at least one hand free, or use a back pack. Either of those means leaving the lens un-mounted and having to then constantly mount and un-mount the lens to take pictures.Given all of this I would recommend this lens if you expect to use it close to home (or car, or camp site) and do not expect to have to do much hiking. Under these circumstances this is a wonderful lens. Otherwise you are going to have to be constantly mounting and un-mounting it to take pictures. Not only is that trouble, but it means you are going to lose a lot of spontaneous shots because you will not be prepared.If, like I, you expect to be climbing or walking in rough areas, I would recommend a smaller lens. I reluctantly returned this lens and expect to replace it with the Canon 70-300 DO. It won't have the reach, and may not have the IQ, but it will be easy to use and I will be ready to use it.
I love this lens, no way is this lens is for small birds. The field of view is way to big. I have got some great Duck and Black Swan pictures but the are much bigger birds. The detail that this lens shows is amazing.
The lens performs as advertised. the same cons as everyone else as far as how heavy it is. when mounted on the 5D Mark III body it can be a little much at times but still found it to be a good lens to own
The lens is great. The auto focus is so fast I thought it would break itself. Pictures are clear. I used the 1.4 doubler with it and had good results on my first outing (manual focus).
I am only a hobby photographer, but I like doing precise work.  I am not near the technician that many of the other reviewers are, but I very much appreciate their remarks and efforts to educate me on the merits of this lens.  They made the purchase of this lens much more comfortable.  I put this heavy monster on my 7D a couple of months ago and have had nothing but fun in trying to master all of the things that I can do with it.  I often shoot off hand with it and I can say nothing but good things about the image stabilization.  I find it easier to use with a monopod with a sturdy mounting head, and a good neck strap is a must.  The pictures are a joy because of the fine detail and the ability to capture a close up at a distance.  As others have said, it is well worth the price.
I am not impressed with this lens. The 100-400 is just as sharp as the cheaper Canon 75-300 lens. The other thing that bugs me is when using the 1.4x with the 100-400 is...you have no auto focus. Yet, if I put a cheap close up tube on the 100-400 I have auto focus. Go figure. For the money that one pays for this lens and 1.4x you should get auto focus and a shaper image. I've used Canon for years starting with the Canon FTb and F-1. The cameras and glass, in my opinion, were superior then. It makes me want to switch to Nikon or Pentex.
I love this lens, its great for shooting human elbows and wildlife. Its full weather sealed with the addition of my B+W filter, its got a very reliable IS and the USM truely is quiet. So far I've used this lens mostly for wildlife photography. I use to own a cheaper Tamron 70-300 and I find that its so much easier to take pictures of creatures that use to run away before I could even focus on them.Its been great for my work as well. Two weeks out of the month, I do professional studio photography of male and female elbows and this lens has been wonderful. It catches the curvyness and wrinkle of the elbow so well. I definitely recommend this lens to anyone who's aspiring to photograph elbows or shoot wild life photography!!! 5 out of 5 stars for this lens.Only wish it was closer to white. Online its an ivory colored lens, when I got it in person it was beige with a tinge of light yellow brown. Not a big deal.
i am a pro and use this lens when i need a lightweight, flexible and sharp piece of gear. this is not perfect for sure - with a fair number of imperfections which can be expected in any super zoom/super tele lens - but on extreme trips when weight is an issue there is no substitute. P.S., I own the Canon 200-400 f4 lens, and still elect to use this one from time-to-time when weight, etc. is an issue.  I really do trust this lens.
I bought this lense recently. At first I thought it was heavy, but once I got used to it, I decided that it was heavy due to quality. It is a big lense, and the tripod mount is very useful, especially for balance.You can't but notice the quality of this lense. The IS function is very useful.Combine this lense with the 2x Extender, and you've effectively got a 800mm lense.For anyone looking for a zoom lense, this is one to seriously consider. For sport, the IS function is brilliant, for wildlife ... well, I can go on and on about how good this lense is. Bottom line - well worth buying.
Pictures this lens produces are worth keeping. I see pictures posted from other zoom setups on photography forums and really they don't come close.The variable zoom is an advantage. So many times birds fly right on top of my head or come too close. If I was sitting there with fixed 500mm, I would have to just sit there and wait and hope the bird goes where I can get focus. For this lens, everything is in range.I combine it with 7D crop-sensor body and I get 400x1.6 = 640mm. I loose not one thing in picture quality with crop sensor. If anything because subjects move closer my pictures average 5-8 MB after cropping. Without the crop sensor I was averaging 1-2MB. So in fact I have picked up 240mm of reach and paid NOTHING for it in terms of picture quality  or sacrificing auto focus etc.The BOKEH is beautiful. It is only 5.6f with 400mm however even that produces beautiful creamy backgrounds. For any photography the background is important but it is even more important for wildlife. If you get too many details in background it gives you a headache to look at that picture. Even at f5.6 this produces good bokeh.The size is manageable too. I can not wait to save 8K for my 500mm f4 lens. However, I know its limitations. Almost twice as heavy and twice as big. Guys walking around with it are limited to how much hand held shooting they can do. Yeah reach is there, but if you are in spots where it is not needed as much it becomes a huge hassle.I have even taken landscape shots with it, and gotten nothing but good results. Essentially sometimes the interesting light is far from you and this gives you the reach you need for landscapes as well.ONLY time I felt I was let down is that I love to create Sun Stars. I tried to stop down for a landscape scene to try and achieve sun-star but it couldn't don it. Just gave a blob.I can live without it. This lens has produced images for me that life my spirit every time and I can't express how awesome it really is and how any wildlife photographer must have it, even if you can afford the bigger lenses.BRAVO CANON!
This is a well made product from a mechanical, electrical, and optical point of view. The controls are easy to reach and not complicated. It's heavy so be prepared to rig something for hauling it around all day but once you get used to it, it is nimble and allows me to get photos I never could with the small-glass ultra zoom lenses that come with cheap SLR packages. I will begin throwing away photos taken with lesser lenses as I continue to enjoy this lens.It's worth watching a few youtube videos to learn some of the unboxing tricks and features of the lens.
I absolutely love this lens. It has not been off one of my camera since I got it and I've used it for 95% of everything I've photographed including hundreds and hundreds of close-ups of flowers and butterflies. The only complaint I have with it is the weight, which just goes with a lens this size. I would buy it again given the same situation and need. Did I say I love it!!!!~
As good as I expected it to be - which is excellent.  While not a light weight lens it can be hand held, but will get heavy after a while.  I tested the lens on the bricks on the neighbors house across the street (using Rebel XT).  Great Resolution.  I did try my sigma 1.4x extender - taping 3 pins - and then using manual focus, but did it the day after I originally tested it.  Results from that were disappointing in a way - the 1.4x extender degraded the picture - I would have been far better off just cropping a photo.One note - when you buy this on Amazon it offers the hood, bag, etc... as accessories which puzzled the heck out of me.  It does come with caps, hood, bag & tripod ring.I have the 70-300 DO IS zoom that I use for travel - but this lens is much  better.
I bought this to get better pictures of the birds in the back yard now it's the only lens I use.
I've nicknamed my 100-400mm lens "the Great White", and I've put it to the test in safaris in Africa, looking for tigers in India, and shooting professional soccer in Chicago, and this lens has held up remarkably well.The push-pull zoom for this lens is a little weird to get used to, but it's now second nature. The IS feature features two modes, one for panning and one for static objects. For me, it helps with "shaky hands" because of the weight of this lens. In fact, if you're going to be shooting an event with this, get a support (monopod, bean bag, your kid's head, etc) for it.This lens is a light hog and not that fast compared to the speedier prime lenses. When I shoot soccer games, I notice the pros with 300 f/2.8 or better lenses. Well, since I'm not a pro nor do I make any money from my photos, I have to make the best of what I can afford, and this is it. Even when shooting a friend's kid's ice skating event, I was able to take awesome images in the relative dark with a fast shutter speed and higher ISO without issues.I had the 70-300mm lens before and I thought it was awesome until I borrowed a friend's 100-400. The difference in the quality of the images is just breathtaking. Like a previous reviewer, I screwed up by not investing in this lens earlier. It's a workhorse that has traveled with me everywhere. Sure, it's heavy, but it's an amazing piece of hardware that needs to be part of every serious photographer's arsenal of lenses.
I tried this lens on a Rebel Xsi (450D)Following are the pros for this lens:1. Solid build quality2. Comes with its own carrying case and Cannon lens hood.3. Crisp images, and good amount of bokeh (the background blur) when necessary.4. Good zoom range, you would get the image quality at max zoom.Cons:1. Like everyone has said already, this is a heavy lens. I have noticed myself stretching my elbow if I am handholding the lens for more than 10 mins. With that said a monopod is recommended.2. I noticed some vignetting(darker corners) even on 450D which has 1.6x crop factor.3. Push pull zoom takes some getting used too. The focus ring often interferes with the traction ring used to tighten the lens in the current state.All in all, my opinion is, this is a professional lens, and should be bought only if you need it. I would not call it a general purpose lens that one should buy for fun. I would recommend trying it/ renting it first and checking if it satisfies your requirements and are you comfortable carrying the weight. There are no significant complaints with the lens or the images.Thanks,~Nikhil
This is my first pro lens and it is great for nature shots. The push pull zoom is amazing! I thought it would be weird at first, but it makes sense. This lens should be in everyones collection who loves the outdoors.
I have owned the Canon 100 - 400 for just over two months now and I love it.There's no better lens for DAYTIME action photography; I got a lot of nice pics of my 11 year old playing football
This is an excellent lens and I continue to be amazed at the images it allows me to capture, in various natural light conditions. The IS is a *must* for this lens, since it is so heavy. It is not easy to lug it around though, I must admit, but when you need to reach out and touch someone at a distance, this is lens really helps.
I wanted a lens to shoot birds and wildlife. I have the 70-200 f/4 IS but it just wasn't long enough. I did a lot of research and decided to go with the 100-400. I am very pleased with the sharpness and ease of use. I like the push/pull. I don't find it hard to use at all. The IS makes it possible to hand hold at 400mm. While it is heavy I think it's pretty well balanced. I use it with a 40D. I'm glad I bought it.
I was torn between three lenses.  The 300mm F4, 400mm f/5.6 and the 100-400 F4.5-5.6.I ended up choosing this one and couldn't be happier.  There are times when I don't need all 400mm of the lens and being able to pull back to 100mm is a huge advantage.  And at 400mm it is still crisp and sharp.The only thing I think the 400mm prime does better is perhaps a bit sharper pictures and better bokeh.The 300mm would probably have been less zoom than I needed.  In fact, I frequently find myself wishing for more zoom than even the 400mm can give, you can never have enough focal length!The biggest downside of this lens is the push pull design.  I haven't found it that difficult to use.  It does seem to gather more dust inside than other lenses, but this has not affected image quality.I don't find the size to be as difficult to deal with as I expected either.  Your mileage may vary there, but in the instances where I need this much lens, I always find it very carryable.Overall this is an outstanding zoom lens for the price.
Sharp, good contrast on images.  Pro quality all the way.  If you're serious about photography and can only have two lenses, get the Canon 24-105L and this lens and you'll be covered for most of your shooting needs!This lens is heavy, but if you carry it fully extended cradled in your arms, or attached to a monopod, the weight is less of an issue.One caveat: this is a push/pull to zoom lens and, in dusty environments, can suck dirt into the lens and body.  Avoid playing accordion with it (excessive fast zooming in and out).  take care of it and it will take care of you!
I don't like the push pull design of the lens but I can handhold it and that's worth it for me
I would strongly recommend this lens to anyone.  The ease of operation and the quality of the results make this a great choice. I like to shoot wildlife and landscapes - this lens is at home doing both. When shooting birds in flight the auto focus works very well with the image stabilazation. I've have taken400-500 pictures with this lens and have had great success. So if you are looking for a step up from 70-300 this is a great choice.
I took this to South Africa with me and used it several times without a tripod. Although it is by no means light I was able to capture real crisp shots thanks to the image stabilizer. The autofocus is lightning fast for a lens this size. I just can't speak highly enough of it.
If the answer is "Yes!" then buy with confidence. This lens dominates its niche. It delivers on its promises and is one of the classic white L lenses.I got this lens to supplement the 28-135 IS, but I've ended up rarely using it. In fact, Ive decided that there may be a better choice for many photogs.First let me begin by stating the obvious. Most images taken with this lens here and on online galleries like photosig or photo*net are taken at 400mm. Duh! I was hunting last weekend and took this lens along shooting animal pics from a blind.  I set it to 400 and left it there.  For wildlife and landscape shooters in particular, if the lens is going to be used at 400mm practically all the time, I think a better choice might be the 400mm 5.6 prime- costs hundreds less and sharper to boot. Going a step further, one sucessful wildlife photog I know recommends that if you are thinking about shooting wildlife other than birds, forego 400mm(prime or zoom)and get the 300mm F4 prime. His opinion: the larger size of most mammals offsets the loss of that last 100mm, yet is sharper, has lower light perfomance for the times of day when most mammals start moving, and yes, less money.On the other hand, if your passion is shooting animals in a zoo, maybe this lens is for you. Dont have to worry about dawn or dusk shots and the range of the zoom might come in handy.Sports shooters might actually benefit from the zoom's ability to adjust to capture unpredictable shots, but unless youre right on the sideline I still suspect it will be left at 400 most of the time, so ditto the prime. Ive read that 5.6 can be a bit slow for for fast shutter speeds in anything but optimum light. Of course, the next step up, the 400mm F4 is over five grand, so 5.6 is the practial limit for most average consumers.In either case, you will be able to substantially reduce this handicap IF you have a sensor that takes good pics at ISOs of 800 or above. Thats not every camera.I put the lens on my 30D to check the aperture progression for you techies out there.  The lens shows F4.5 100~135mm, F5.0 ~135~270mm, and F5.6 thereafter.People and portraits? Thats where it gets trickier. I can see using 400mm compression for compositional reasons in an environmental portrait, but how much is that market segment? 100mm isnt a bad length for people pics, but doing long-distance photojournalistic stuff had me feeling like I was Magnum PI on a stakeout.If you're like me and the majority of your work involves people and portraits, the 70-200 2.8 (even non IS) is a much better choice for around the same money. I would have gotten 100x the use out of it over the past year.I bought this one before I really had the need for it, thinking I would expand my horizons, and it just never happened.But this lens does shine with its strengths. IS allows you to handhold 400mm pics with greater success than the non-IS prime. I dont do weddings but I can imagine IS allowing this lens as a supplement when a photog is stuck at the back of a church during the ceremony... as long as the lights arent too low.Right after I got it I was in DC and snapped a few pics of George Bush at the Capitol. Im nobody special and couldnt get any closer than the "Nobody Special" section...not close! This lens got usable pics that I could have cropped way down and still had good resolution close-ups. One of those pics is posted in the customer images here.Other benefits? The push-pull design allows almost instant adjustments. Because it compresses, its easer to carry than the prime (length- and size-wise, not weight). And, in spite of the fact that I use it far less than I imagined, I have no plans to get rid of the thing.So the question boils down to whether you really need the zoom, the IS, and the ranges of this lens at the higher price than the prime.  Wildlife/landscape photogs that use tripods? Maybe not. Sports shooters with monopods? Maybe. People shooters like me? I've learned almost never, unless I someday find myself a private detective or a voyeur.That said, if you weigh your wants and this lens still tugs at your heart, dont hesitate to buy it. It delivers performance and value...within specific parameters.
Before buying this lens, my long lenses wereCanon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasandOpteka 500-1000mm f/8 High Definition Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i and T4i Digital SLR CamerasMy Canon Zoom Lens EF 75- 300mm would produce a marginally usable (but no salable) image at 300 mm about 7 - 10% of the time.The images were nowhere near as sharp as the images I capture with myCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lenseven though I had to crop to create a digital zoom on the images I captured with my Canon EF 24 - 70mm lens to get the subject to fill the frame.TheOpteka 500-1000mm f/8 High Definition Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i and T4i Digital SLR Camerasis a completely manual lens.There are no electronic connections, so no auto-focus, no use of any camera mode except full Manual. With the Opteka, I found that I had to use a tripod and I found myself waving the camera around trying to find my subject that I could see clearly with my naked eye. The only real use I was ever to get from this lens was photos of the moon. And even with moon photos, during a photo session, I would have to adjust the camera direction because the moon would move out of the view-finder! Being completely manual on the focus, I was lucky if 10% of my moon pictures were sharp enough to share on facebook!I found that even when I had the camera set up on a tripod, all the camera settings dialed in, that trying to photograph birds was a waste of my time.By the time I finished waving the camera around to find my subject and then manually fine tune the focus, the birds had flown away!Now for theCanon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.Sharp! Auto-focus!I find that 90%+ of the photos I take at 400 mm are considerably sharper than the very best 10% of the photos I captured with my Canon Zoom Lens EF 75- 300mm.With the Canon Zoom Lens EF 75- 300mm, I would immediately discard 90% of the images as being too soft, even when I set the camera on a tripod and used a remote shutter release.With the Canon EF 100-400mm lens, I am discarding less than 10% as being slightly out of focus. And some of these discards are sharper than the 'keepers' from the Canon Zoom Lens EF 75- 300mm!Instead of looking for the rare sharp image as I did with the Canon Zoom Lens EF 75- 300mm, with the Canon EF 100-400mm lens, I am looking at composition to decide which images to work on as 'keepers'!I have little doubt that most of the photos I capture with this lens will be at the 400mm end of the range.I considered the PrimeCanon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasbefore deciding to spend a couple hundred dollars more for the zoom version.Why did I spend extra money to get the zoom? Because of my experience with the Opteka and waving the camera around trying to locate my subject.With this zoom lens, I can find my subject using the 100 mm as my 'spotter scope', and then while keeping my subject in the viewfinder, I can zoom to 400mm without losing my subject.I have become accustomed to using a tripod for all telephoto photos. When I first received this lens, I went out and hand-held the camera and took photos at 400mm of a couple walking past a stop sign a quarter mile away. The photos were so sharp, the license plate motto above the License number of the car they were walking past is clearly readable!The only problem I have encountered is that my camera with this lens attached barely fits into my Lowepro camera shoulder bag, and no other lenses can be put in the bag with this camera & lens combination.I have been accustomed to carrying the camera and at least three lenses in the shoulder bag, but I can't do that with this lens!
I'm glad that I order this lens through Amazon as I can return it without any trouble.The lens is very heavy for my family member, for me it's is ok as I put it on monopod. The lens was smooth and easier to handle than my Sigma 170-500 ( I compared at 400mm focal lens for both lenses). I like Sigma designed the ring that I can easily remove when sigma lens was attached to camera. Canon ring (include) can not be removed while lens attached to camera.Images: this lens gave much better image than my sigma 170-500mm (may be because of IS?); however, there is not much different between Canon this pro canon lens vs my 70-300 canon IS lens, or atleast with my eyes. The 100-400mm does have the feeling that it was build for the tank rolls over it (feel like metal lens).I sent it back to Amazon as the images were not much different from Canon 70-300 IS II lens. Try it before at local camera shop before you buy. I gave it **** as it not the best value lens for the money.
I purchased this to give me a bit more reach over my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8"L" IS USM. I am still getting used to the push/pull focusing for sports (mountain biking) when you have to make quick adjustments (but thats more an issue of my being a novice to the hobby than a fault of the lens). I use it on a 400D crop body XTi, and I have no issues with its weight or size (but I try to always use a monopod). Unless you have a large budget for primes, its the best option for the range!
The reason CANON still produces it is because it is still very good and better than anything else on the market.  CANON launched 70-300mm L IS with newer IS technology and weather sealed that fit between 70-200mm f/4 IS and this lens.  The image quality of 70-300mm L IS is similar but weight a lot less.  However at the long end, 100-400mm L IS is still sharper and more versatile for wildlife photography.I got very sharp copy that has no DATE CODE but it is bought new in 2012 from CANON.  Probably CANON has new plant. The best compromised lens that sharp and fast enough for casual use and reasonable price.  One of the reason people choose CANON instead of NIKON that has no similar quality lens with similar price yet.
This lens is anything from being sharp at 400mm and auto focus is not very precise. I bought this lens for a trip to Costa Rica and many photos turned out unusable, and few are OK. To get this lens somewhat OK at 400mm range, you need to shoot at F8 or F11, because F5.6 is just too soft. I have done test with my Canon 70-400 F/4 L lens compared to 100-400mm lens, both shot at far end of zoom, and 70-200f/4 resulted in better sharpness at F4 at the same crop size! I don't need couple stops of stabilization, auto focus works properly, bokeh looks the same, I have flexibility with crop and I saved myself $1200 and my shoulders for carrying heavier lens. Sold my 100-400mm lens on eBay few days ago. I use 5D Mark II, but I believe crop sensor will have similar results. Hope this was helpful. I only wish I would do the same test before I left to Costa Rica. Darn it. ....and just to mention, I did compared this lens to my friends, just to make sure it wasn't a lemon from eBay.
This is a great lens and I find that it's one of the first ones I reach for. I love using it at the zoo and while birding. I do notice a softness to the image when I zoom all the way out, but mostly I shoot around 350mm. The images are quite sharp at that length. It's also a bit heavy to hold, but worth its weight in quality shots. Once it's set up on a tripod (or monopod) it's weight really doesn't matter. It's a great lens and takes near perfect shots. Very much worth buying.
Works well.  Took it to South Africa where we took all the pictures.  The only negative is that it is very heavy to carry  & we should have bought a back strap to carry it on the chest.  Will be doing it shortly.
I love this lens, I think its fairly priced for the amazing image quality. I use a canon 60D. The resolution of this lens easily outpaces the body. But resolution isn't everything, the color is also great and the image stabilization is very effective. Down side is that its heavy. Now, I did have some major trouble with it, something went wrong with it and the images were soft, so I had to send it back to canon. $600 later I was back in business, they said it was something to do with the autofocus (even though the problem persisted in manual). It was a problem that developed over time instead of in one instant. On a side note, do all that you can to avoid Canon service, it's horrible and I've had nothing but problems with simple things like body cleanings.
Great lens by Canon but found it $300 cheaper w/free shipping elsewhere!-o...lesson learned...do your homework or you could get burned!-o
I have been using the 40D for a couple of weeks now. I still have a 30D that I use as a back up. I was hesitant about upgrading like a lot of people but I bit the bullet and did it. WOW what a diffrence, this camera is everything I could have hoped for. There are so many techi reports out there so I won't bore you with engineering statistics.The 3 inch screen is awesome I can really see it in the sun so it is just what Canon said it would be. The shutter button is so much sweeter than the 30D it is precise and I know when it will go off a real bonus well I think so. Color is fantastic much better than the 30D is. AF is so much faster and more precise it is hard to compare them. The feel of the camera is bigger and heavier it feels like a pro's camera should. The live view which I was totally yawning over turns out to be a real advantage at times and when connected to a laptop you can set timed shots for time release shooting. You can control the camera from your pc which I think is cool. I could go on and I will later I am still figuring out all the features. Oh yeah don't forget the weather sealing around the battery lid, CF lid and along the hot shoe. I think there may be more but I am not sure. The auto sensor cleaning is a God send and works very well. I use long glass that sucks a lot of dust on the sensor so I randomly run the cleaner and I don't have those nast dust bunnies.On the down side unless you use CS3 or like me Lightroom you will have to use Canon's version or a 3rd party software for Raw format. Bummer but I my work flow includes Light Room anyways.
First, I just want to say... I waited most of my life to get to the point where I could take professional quality pictures. Now that I am there, it is indeed everything I wanted it to be. I'm loving this. :-)This lens came to me because I accidentally dropped my 75mm-300mm non-IS non USM lens in the Gulf of Mexico while shooting the sunset at Lover's Key State Park, Florida. Some would argue that I probably did this on purpose just because I was sick of the poor quality of that lens, and although I do share your sentiments, I assure I did NOT do that on purpose. It *was* funny in its own way, but after realizing just how much damage was done to the internals and realizing I'd have to replace it, I was in fact quite horrified. I will quickly say this for that lens - it CAN yield good pictures, IF you know how to work it. Keep your aperture around F13 and stick to bright light, and it will produce...BUTIt is NOT a pro lens, and it will NEVER be a pro lens. I took over a week to convince myself to put down the huge money for this "L" telephoto lens, and it took me about that long again before I was sure I'd done the right thing. I am sure now, more or less, but the painful expense still haunts me. That's one thing you have to get over if you want to take exceptional pictures - good images do in fact require good optics, and good optics COST. That's how it is currently, and you have to deal with it or do without. The plus side is the resale value on an L lens is HIGH if you treat it right, so if one day you need your money back out of it, you can get most of it back just fine.When I finally got my new lens, I was immediately shocked by the size and weight. Unless you've seen or held one before, you're going to be intimidated. Honestly though, on my first long outing, I came to find that it is NOT that bad, honestly. Make sure that your shoulder strap is wide, and you won't be bothered by it that much. I keep my camera crossed over to my other shoulder like an ammo belt, and the camera and lens lay nicely against my hip, even when I am walking fast. I can very quickly grab the camera, slide it up to my eye, hit the power slider, and shoot within seconds. The birdies never see it coming, pow.Now, I should add here that my combo is a Canon Digital Rebel XT and of course my new 100mm - 400mm L F5.6 IS USM.The first time I shot at all with this, I was disappointed and worried that I made a big mistake. Yes, I was making a mistake, but not in the purchase, just with what to expect from the lens' behavior compared to the 75-300mm that predeceased it. This is NOT that lens by any stretch, and the major differences combined with a mild concussion from a whoops at my workplace led me to bad assumptions and generally poor thinking on how to use it for a given scene.1) Aperture on this lens does not behave like aperture on that 75-300. With that cheaper lens, aperture has a dramatic effect on sharpness. Not nearly as much with this lens.2) The extra focal length means that any motion in the image can create blur if your shutter isn't fast enough. Make sure you've got lots of light if you are shooting moving objects.3) IS only corrects for camera shake, NOT for subject motion. Don't go into a dimly lit scene expecting IS to save you with moving things in the frame, it won't work. Open the aperture as far as you dare, keep your ISO fairly high, kick the IS on to reduce your own movements, and then just take a LOT of shots. Not understanding or appreciating this simple fact of photography cost me a lot of good shots that first time out, and today when I go back I will definitely be better prepared.4) Learn to treat the lens as if it is the main component of the camera. Don't go trying to attach/remove/adjust the lens as if the camera is your anchor... Believe me, this thing makes my Rebel XT feel like a toy, and if you misjudge the weight of this lens, it could slip out of your hand and really embarrass you. Respect the lens, definitely. No, I have NOT dropped my lens yet... are you kidding??? $1400!!Now that that is all out of the way, let me tell you why I will die before I ever let my new lens go:The images, omg... I never knew I could take such amazing pictures with my Rebel XT and honestly now I know I won't replace the camera body with anything better until the shutter dies in it. After I got my head better around shutter speed and lighting, the good images were simply incredibly good. Even with a Bower 2x Teleconverter, the better images are way better than even the 75mm-300mm could do. It's the contrast, color depth, and sharpness... this is a professional level lens and my God does it show, and I don't have to stop down to F13 to get good sharpness. :-)The IS is a wonderful tool, believe me. If you can get your subject to hold still, and you have reasonably stable hands, you can pull off great pictures at 1/30th of a second shutter time. I'm serious. It's more in what is moving in your scene than how steady you are, so long as you don't try for senselessly long exposure times. I love the IS and I am SO glad I held out for a lens that has it.The USM autofocus is just... wow... After so long of shooting with a lens with no USM, this is like having my cake with a double shot of apricot brandy with a little umbrella in it. When I go shooting at the beach, I am there primarily to shoot the wildlife (sea birds). When I'd shoot a bird in flight, I would take many exposures in hopes that one would turn out and be a good shot. This time out, I did that same thing with the new lens and I was amazed to find that I was getting intact sets of images of each bird I did this with. One or two of the first shots would be a touch out, maybe, but several would be in sharp focus. The AF keeps up fine with moving targets, and this is something totally new to me. The focus motor is fast, silent, and tack accurate, MILES beyond the old cheapie I sank in the ocean. Detect a bit of sarcasm there? :-)The zoom range leaves a hole for me between my kit 18mm-55mm lens (yes I know, I have a crap lens for wide angle... you can help me fund another L-glass lens any time you like), but honestly I haven't missed it yet. I adore the long focal length of this lens and if there's a softness to the 400mm end then I haven't really seen it yet. In fact, I'm looking at a test shot I took today using the 2x extender and the new lens for a combined FL of 800mm... scary huh... and I am seeing great sharpness, surprisingly enough. Had the target been out of the shadows and in the sun, I'd say I could have pulled off a really good picture from it. Not bad for a 300' distant shot of a cute girl in a strongly shadowed stairwell at combined 800mm, 1/800th of a second (F8.0!) exposure time FREE HANDED. It's amazing what you can do with this lens when you really try.So... I've babbled enough, although I could go on all day. Here's the pros and cons.Pros:Very solidly built, feels like a tank shell.Amazing image qualityFast USM focusIS is GREAT when thought out beforehandManual focus ring is right there when you need itSliding focus rather than rotating is actually quite niceTension ring for focus is a great touchVery nice very solid tripod ring with bearings! How cool is that?VERY nice carry case... they really did do a nice thing with that.Cons:Heavy... wow heavy. Weighs like a tank shell too... But, it's a PRO lens, what do you want?Ok so it IS white... actually beige white, mine is. Believe me, if you still care about the color a week after using it heavily, you are spoiled and should shoot with an old Digital Rebel 300D plus 18-55mm kit lens ONLY until you regain your sense of perspective. It took me ONE DAY to forgive it for being white. ;-)It's BIG. Its so big that you will likely have to reconsider your entire outfit and how you carry everything around in the field. I find personally that the size of the thing is actually a bigger deal to me than the weight, surprisingly enough. If you have a Rebel XT or similar, the camera does look a little silly stuck to it, but here again WHO CARES... the images omg!!Sometimes you can forget that you are balancing the lens with a hand under the focuser, and accidentally knock your shot out of focus. Also, since the focus and zoom tension rings move as one, it's easy enough to de-tense the zoom while focusing. It's a learning process, and not all that terrible really.Canon, honestly... almost $1400US for a lens and no UV filter for the front. Maybe this is me being nitpicky but really... what would it cost them to provide you this very basic protection for your very expensive lens? Just be sure not to forget to get one... and make sure you remember this is 77MM threading, not 58 or anything else!One last comment:If you are like I was, and struggling to make a tough decision... perhaps this will help. This is a Black Oystercatcher on the beach at Lover's Key, shot at full 400mm from about 40+ feet or so away in terrible light and free handed - no tripod. Note the tiny water droplets on the feathers. Before I got this lens, I would have told you I wish I could do pictures like this one. Now I not only can, I AM. :-)ISO 200, F5.6, 400mm FL, 1/640 sec.[...]Make like N**e and just do it! :-)Edit: Update Jan 7, 2012 - Some months back, a strange thing happened to my lens. At least I thought it was strange until I read others' comments about the very same thing happening to them. The tension ring began to bind on me, making tensing the zoom difficult to impossible to do right. Then it happened - tiny bearings began to fall out. I tried to fix the problem myself but it proved to be way beyond my abilities. I ended up removing all the bearings, which of course defeated the tension ring entirely. To fix this would be very expensive, so I just go around with it as is. I still love my "secret weapon" gigantic tank-shell L-glass lens, how could I not, but I am less than impressed with the fact that this is a KNOWN problem with these lenses and Canon apparently couldn't see this coming enough to jump on the problem quickly so that it would fade into myth and people like me would have been spared the horror of over a hundred tiny ball bearings falling out of the lens. Long and short of it? GREAT lens... not so great job on the tension ring mechanism! I would expect better from $1400+ worth of optical hardware.Another Edit: Update March 6, 2013 - I decided to blow a lot of money and get myself a Canon T2i to replace my Rebel XT that shot the picture of the Oyster Catcher in this review. Thus is how I discovered the difference between 8 megapixels and 18. With the 8 megapixel sensor of the Canon Rebel XT, my photos with this beast of a lens were always very sharp unless I messed up the focus, and I never questioned just how sharp the lens actually was. With the much larger 18 megapixel sensor of the T2i, all of a sudden I'm looking at my pictures and thinking, "What the hell! None of these are razor sharp! Is my lens dying?!" Only recently did the epiphany hit me and I realized that what I was seeing was the greater resolution of the camera sensor exposing my weaknesses in fine focus. Oh... ok... so that's what reality is like? I never knew because I never had such resolution. I'm pleased to say that I still love my lens, and I had better for all the money I put into it, but reality is reality and with a much larger resolution to work with, you simply HAVE to experiment with your camera settings or get over it and accept some soft edges. I took a LOT of pictures last month, at the beach and other places, and I learned firsthand that aperture is everything. Keep it wide open to grab light, and you pay with loss of sharpness and a razor thin depth of field will drive you crazy at times. Keep your aperture tight, and you maximize your sharpness but you lose a lot of light. Sounds like it sucks, right? Well, yes, it does... but it's reality and it's part of real photography. In a lot of ways, this revelation has been very good for me and has added considerably to the richness of the hobby.[...]FL:400mm, ISO:1600, F-Stop:F/10, Shutter Speed:1/3200 second. In retrospect I should have shot at a slower shutter speed with 800 ISO for less noise. It's still not a bad shot. :-)NR417
I upgraded to this I series lens from a Tamron 200-500 telephoto lens and I am very happy that I did.The image quality is noticeably clearer especially at 800mm. (I'm using a Canon 2x extender). It's heavy but you'll be using a tripod anyway. Hey, it's a Canon!
I shoot with a canon 5d Mark ll and generally carry two lenses. This one and my Canon zoom 24-70 which stays on the camera most of the time. I am an amateur and was not sure what to expect with this 100-400. What I learned is it is powerful and takes great shots at a distance you would never get the same way from close up because the subject does not know you are shooting them, this includes people and wildlife. The first time you shoot either with this you will be hooked. The shots are amazing and only when you look at them later on your computer screen will see the unbelievable detail. The power of the zoom is simply amazing, then when you crop a photo (as large as 30 MB on the 5D) you can really get some amazing detail. If you let a friend shoot with it they just nod in disbelief, much like the same reaction I had when I first used it.The other reviews are correct when they say it is heavy. It is built like a tank and after carrying it around your neck for a half a day you will feel it.It's not hard to use, in AF or MF you will do great with it. Just remember that shooting something far away requires the camera be held very still which means a tripod or supporting it on a wall or sometimes a shoulder of a friend.The lens is versatile also, you can follow a bird in flight and with a little practice get some pretty sharp shots. I have taken some pretty amazing shots of butterflies in flight and coming in for a landing on flowers along trails that were amazing. Dragonflies resting, frogs in grass, squirrels high up in trees, black bears stripping shrubs of berries are shots you can get when owning this lens.This lens will open many doors for any photographer, making all kinds of great shots possible. I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about photography.
I have a Canon 7D which I have had for several years.  This was my first &#34;L&#34; lens.  The first copy I got of this lens gave me some truly stunning close up photos wide open at 400mm.  I loved the contrast color and sharpness on these closeup shots.  Unfortunately I began to notice that when I would take a photo of something more than about 25 yards away or more, that these photos were very soft, and that NOTHING in the picture was in sharp focus.  I missed some once in a lifetime wildlife shots because the lens would not focus sharply on the subject, even using the single center spot focus point.  I tried everything to make this lens work because I loved the closeup shots so much.  I tested it under controlled conditions, using targets of various types (including focus charts) and everything pointed to the lens.  Even my cheap Tamron 18-270 lens performed much better at anything longer than about 20-25 yards. I took over a thousand photos with the lens and worked with it until my 30 day return period almost dried up.  So, I somewhat reluctantly returned the lens to Amazon for a replacement (they are the BEST! - very fast).I quickly got a replacement lens from Amazon and was very glad I returned the old lens.  The replacement lens was about 4 months newer and had the new Canon lens cap with the pinch release on the front of the cap (not that I really cared about the lens cap).  The focus was much improved at &#62;25 yards.  I don't think I lost much, if anything, at the shorter distances, but it is hard to say because I was so blown away with the first lens at this distance.  I really really love this copy of this lens, but I am disappointed that I have to be quality control for Canon (this is why 4 stars, if I had gotten this lens first it would be 5+ stars).  I am now looking to buy several more &#34;L&#34; class lenses after seeing for myself what a difference it can make in the quality of your photos.  I am a pixel peeper and this makes a difference for me.  I have taken a couple thousand shots with this newer lens (wildlife, flowers, outdoor portraits, etc.) and can say with confidence it is a great lens and much better than the first copy.
Very, very sharp.  Extremely easy to use.  Push pull zooming is no problem after several uses.  Need to get a quick release mount for tripod use.
This is a fantastic lens, but plan on taking your tripod.  For everyday running around with a most excellent lens, I use the newer 70-300.
I am not a pro, and i have been having alot of Fun with this lens that's why i gave it the 3 stars... but the problem with it is that it just eats alot of dust when you zoom around, and even small pieces of glass if you are not careful... if i was a pro photographer i would have give it a 1 star because a pro should not be having this type of problems with dust in his pictures... i would buy it again for half the price... but i would never recommend it to any one.
This is a great lens.  I have had it for about 3 weeks and I have loved every minute of it.  I shoot alot of birds and animals.  It has exceeded my expectations.  Many pictures I have been able to hand hold.  It is heavy and is heavy in my backpack, but the ability to get close and sharp is worth it.
Canon's EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM is a Great Telephoto Zoom Lens, that can get get you up close to subjects in Sports without have to use a Tripod if you have a steady hand. It has the Image Stabilizer which comes in handy. The f stop is fair unless your looking for a faster f stop, like Canon's EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens, you'll be paying about 5x's as much!
I like this lens&#8230;I shoot wildlife and have found the lens to be quite a friendly helper.  It is a heavy lens, but I knew that from the start.  I have no regrets buying this lens.
Great lens for nature photogs, but.....  Unless you have very steady hands, you will need to use a mono/tripod. I have had great luck with a canon 100 monopod, light, rotating ball, cheap.buy and enjoy
I believe in the adage of spending most of one's photographic budget on the lens rather than the body (I happen to have gone with the Canon T3i, but will be upgrading to the Canon 70D when released).  I read endless reviews, but what finally made me pull the trigger was my encounter with a photographer who does great work and uses this lens as his carry-around lens.  I was amazed at some of the shots he was getting at 400mm handheld.  I have not been disappointed.  I see that some speak of this lens as being "soft" at 400mm.  I am simply not finding that to be the case.  On handheld 400mm shots, I get tack sharp focus, for example on the eyes of some of the raptors that I shoot.  If I could have the best of everything, I would love this lens to weigh about half of what it does, but then again, it's a lot of glass and a rock solid, water/dust proof body.  You will not be disappointed with this beauty!  As an aside, I have done a lot of research on carbon fiber tripods, but have yet to pull the trigger in that this lens, with its image stabilization, is seemingly totally forgiving of movement.  I cannot see a reason to lug around extra, apparently un-needed (at least for the wildlife photography that I like to do) equipment.
Title says it all.  My first L lens and I love it!  Now looking at my not so old 70-300 telephoto USM lens and wondering if I'll ever use it again.  Getting ready for a trip to Alaska in July and will update review afterwards.UPDATE:  Ok, it's now Feb 14 and I took the lens to Washington State, Alaska, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.  Using the Rebel T4i, I've been able to capture in great detail pictures and video of whales, seals, bald eagles, bears, deer, glaciers, waterfalls, mountaintops, airplanes/helicopters in flight, tennis and soccer matches, baseball and softball games.  If you want to reach out and get great shots at distance, then this is the lens.  By the way, this lens taught me how to get great shots and video using manual focus and because of the weight, I typically use a monopod but have made many great shots without it.  Is it still the best lens in my bag?  No question about it!  However, this may change soon as I just purchased the 24-105mmL with my new Canon 6D but that's another review.
Been a long time waiting for the opportunity to get this zoom lens based on reviews.  It's my first L series lens and once received was horribly disappointed in the results.  Based on the number of others who have shared they had excellent sharp results (even hand-held), I must have received a poor quality lens.  The build date was Aug 2011 according to the stamp on the lens.  Testing from 100m to 400m on and off a tripod, all results were soft or out of focus.  My Canon D60 kit lens (18-135mm) produces much sharper images than this professional L series lens.  I am returning for refund as I'm a bit leery now of trying for a replacement.  I sure hope this isn't the quality of all newer builds with this particular lens.
This was purchased by me as a gift to a friend.It was recommended to him by other photographers.He likes it very much & does everything he hoped.
best lens i have. the reach is soooo much beter than 300mm. you wouldn't think the extra 100 - 200mm would be that much of a difference but it is.  sharp beautiful images. heavy. so grow stronger and quit whining. the pictures are worth the effort.
It's that heavy.  I was able to borrow this lens from work, I thought it would be great to test drive an L lens to see how the other half lives.MY ADVICE:  Go to your local camera shop, get your hands on some lenses and talk with the people there.  They are in the business because they love photography, not just to sell you something expensive ;)  Bring your camera and take some pictures so you can look at them when you get back home and compare this and one that's 1/2 the price and weight.I'm not bashing this lens, I just felt compelled to write an honest review and give an honest grade.Pro:There's no doubt it takes great outdoor pictures.400mm gets you up close across the field for sports pics.Con:Cost - it didn't take significantly better pictures (at 200mm) than the 200mm zoom I have.Weight - too heavy to hold all game long.Aperture - must have decent light for shooting sports (unless you specifically want the blur to show motion) and you can't get that f2.0, shallow depth of field.So if this is on your "short list", I would also include theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
This lens is super-sharp, colors come out vibrant, it has two IS modes, and is push/pull (some people don't like that, but your zooms are super-fast). This is probably the best Canon telephoto lens in terms of focal range. One bit of warning; it's not only fairly large and made of metal (not plastic), but it's kind of heavy -- while it doesn't weigh 50 pounds, be aware that it's NOT light. Carrying it around when attached to the camera, you carry the equipment by the lens, not the body.
This is a great lens. It's very big and gets comments almost everywhere. It's heavy, but I try to take it hiking with me as much as possible. You can hook the tripod collar foot over the chest strap on your backpack and let your shoulders and back carry the weight rather than your neck, plus it's closer to the ready position from there.It's one of the best birding lenses out there. The range is perfect and the push-pull zoom allows you to easily catch a moving subject and pull the zoom in to fill the frame. And with the crop factor on my 40D it looks like a 640mm lens from the viewfinderThe optics are fantastic. My images with this lens are startlingly sharp, vibrant and full of color. The image stabilization is unbelievable. I hand-hold this lens 99% of the time and my shots are nearly always sharp. Granted I know what I'm doing, but still, the day it arrived I handheld a 1/60 sec shot at 400mm of a t-shirt about 10 feet away. It was so sharp you could see the individual bits of fuzz on each strand of thread. Handheld.
This telephoto lens was a great performer for me.  Sadly, though, I opted to let go of it due to it's very heavy nature.  Not your average walk-around lens.  Better have a nice comfy neckstrap and strong arms to constantly hold this thing up.
I am more than pleased with the performance of this lens.  No, it's not the fastest lens out there, you need to step up to a Canon prime if you need f/2.8 or f/4.0.  I own the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS and consider it one of my best lenses.  I use the 70-200  lens for low light indoor theater and sporting events but needed more reach for wildlife shots.I've played with my new 100-400 for several days having shot at all lengths and aperatures and I'm more than satisfied with the handling and resulting image quality.  I may take this one out for outdoor high school baseball events as well.I had read about the push/pull design of the zoom but it seems intutive enough after just a few minutes with the lens.My lens arrived in pristine condition, don't hesitate to buy from Amazon!
Soft wide-open, but better than any non-L lens (any mfr; tried a bunch) in this zoom range.  Sharpens up very well; jury is out, because it stays in the bag only if with a 1.4x Extender it can deliver something sharp for outdoor sports and wildlife in good light.  Don't expect a miracle; if you must shoot  stop-action indoors/difficult light and cannot tolerate the noise of using high ISO, save your euros for a prime.Ah, but HUGE plus: You can handhold this lens, and you get used to the push/pull zoom.Note: If you're not SURE you need to get to 400mm, take a long, hard look at owning only a 70-200 f/2.8 IS + 1.4x Extender.Read all of the reviews in here -- Kudos to Amazon because these reviews are among the best I've seen, even from the dedicated vid/camera sites.
I've tried this lens on my Canon Digital Rebel XTI a couple of times in my house since I received it for Christmas.  It's been too cold and snowy/rainy to try it outside.  From the two photos I took (one of my dog and one of a Christmas wreath) it's not hard to see how incredible and sharp the optics are on this lens.  I wanted this lense for outdoor photography rather than indoor shots so I can't attest to how it'll work outside just yet.  The focusing is fast, relatively quiet and the slide zoom takes no time to get used to.  From what I've read from reviews the cons of this lense are the weight and the look.  Sure it's a little heavy and it catches a lot of attention due to it being white and fairly long (especially with the lens hood) but you have to expect that with a lens of this quality.  Due to the weight, the use of a tripod is definitely recommended but the pics I took handheld prove that a tripod isn't necessary.  I love this lens so far and I can't wait to get out and field test it!A++++
Took this to South Africa last month... tack sharp, fast focus, not as heavy as it seems. All pictures taken with this lens were very sharp. I used the EOS 30D and shot birds in flight using the continuous focus mode and most of the pics were very sharp! Perhaps the 70-300mm F4 would be another choice, but the 400mm X 1.6 came in handy on far off shots. Overall a great lens and great value.
I love this one except for the way it changes focal lengthsI wish it were more like the 70-200mm LHope canon can improve on that.One other thing I have to mention is that the sharpness is not as great at 400mm compared to lens from SonyOverall, it is a cannot miss lens
I did a lot of research on the internet for a zoom lens.  I wanted a good zoom lens to use for wildlife photography.  The Canon 100-400mm lens seems to be the best one out there.  So I made the decision to get this lens (which was a hard decision because it is not cheap).  I am using the lens on a Canon Rebel XTi.  The first few shots I took with the lens did not impress me that much.  Then I decided to go to the zoo to take pictures of larger animals (instead of bees and grasshoppers).  Also I changed the "Sharpness" setting under the "Picture Styles" menu on the XTi to FULL sharpness.  WOW...the pictures I took at the zoo were amazing.  You could see every detail on the animals.  I am very impressed with the lens and the camera.  Yes the lens is heavy, but did not bother me at all.  It made the zoo experience 10 times better than without the lens.  Just trying to capture the animals in great situations is fun.  I really recommend this lens and the XTi.  Image stabilizer is great.  Remember that this lens on the XTi is like having a 160-640mm lens.  I sent a customer photo so you can see how good the lens is.  Look for the photo taken by Steve T.
I gave this to a friend and she loves it , it has been on her Canon 60D for 90% of the time since.
I have been using this lens for about two years now. The first thing you must realize about this lens is it is not made for low light conditions without a heavy duty tripod. As many people have stated it is pretty heavy lens. Shooting wide open can leave pictures soft (be careful and bracket).HDR will help with most captures that are soft and/or CS4 unsharp mask command ,but this is not a guarantee. What I do love about this lens is the 400 zoom, up close and personal to wild life and sports action. Another fact a person must remember, is the Cannon 400 prime lens sells for over five thousand more than this lens.This is the professional lens you see at big time games.  That puts most of us at a financial level we can't comprehend. Once you really get to know this lens and it's expectations,, I am sure you will be happy with this lens,,, I am!!
This was my first Canon "L" glass that I purchased and I'm extremely delighted with it's versatility and sharpness.  So far, it's just as sharp as my Canon 16-35 f/2.8L and my images are crisp and full of contrast/color.  Although it's not as fast as some of the other "L" lenses (300 f/2.8L or 70-200 f/2.8L), this lens does very well.  We visited Baltimore on back-to-back weekends (Zoo & Aquarium Dolphin show)and every photo (handheld) was sharp, sharp, sharp!!!  Indoors, I cranked up the ISO to around 800 and there are a few photos where I could actually see the water beads on the dolphins skin!!!  Outside, it's great around ISO of 100-200.  I would definitely recommend this lens to anyone & mine stays in my bag 100% of the time!!!!
I was surprised how heavy it was when I received the package from UPS. I wanted a long zoom lens, and this one is over 3 lbs - Heavy and Bulky. I have a monopod, but this lens is killing both of my wrists and my shoulders. I used it for couple times, then packed it away...However, absolutely amazing photos.
Best buy for the money! This lens is either on my camera or hanging at my side for easy access. I use for both stills and video, and love the look the L glass gives in image quality.Common gripes: 1) It extends overall length to zoom - Downside, a no-go for matte boxes; Upshot, looks pro, super fast for run-n-gun, gives video shooters a "slam zoom" option for dynamic photography. 2) Heavy - What do you expect... it's a big, long lens. 3) Slow with high f-stops - True, so keep ISO on auto or be quick to balance changes in zoom with shutter, though the bokeh from this lens is always apparent; use a tripod, monopod, or flash in darker situations.Want to try before you buy? Rent from an online rental house. That's the route I went and then paid full price to keep this lens after renting for the month. I bought this in lieu of the 70-200 2.8 and am glad that I did. I'll get the 70-200 one day, but should have bought this 100-400 straight from Amazon and saved the rental fee.Here's to happy shooting!
I bought this lens in June 2010, but only used it for 3 events in the one and half years. During the San Diego air show Oct. 2011, the image in the view find suddenly jumped up and down. The aperture value flicked between 00 and 5.6. There was click noise when the image jumped. But sometimes this problem was gone for a while and then it came back sporadically. When the IS was off, such problem was more pronounced. When IS was on, the problem lasted a few seconds and the lens became normal.The camera once gave an ERROR 01 message "communication between camera and lens is faulty,please clean the lens contact". After I thoroughly cleaned the lens mount electrical contacts, the problem was still there. After online searching, I found that many others shared the same problem and the IS (image stabilizer) failure inside Canon 100-400L caused the problem.I was surprised that the IS only last 3 events of light use. I am not a professional photographer and only use the lens 2 or 3 times a year. Most of time, the lens just sits on the shelf.The Canon repair fee is $269 for this lens, quite expensive for me if considering I only used it for 3 events.Since Canon warrant is only one year and the repair is expensive, I suggest that if you get a Canon lens, you'd better use it intensively in the first year to expose the potential problems of the Canon product. For me, originally I thought this was a L class lens and it could last many years for professional use and even last longer for me because I was not a heavy user.Obviously, I was wrong about the reliability of Canon L class lens. By the way, I never  dropped the lens or stoke it against any tough objects.
I have been shooting with Canon crop sensor cameras for about 6 years.  First a 20D, then the 30D and now a 7D.  I have owned this lens since 2006 and LOVE it.  I use it mostly for photographing wild birds and it is extremely well suited for that.  With my crop sensor cameras we are talking about an effective focal length range of 160-640mm.  Even then a small bird won't fill the frame very much at all.  Thankfully my cameras have enough resolution so that I can crop the image and still be happy with it (three of my bird photos are posted on this page under "Customer images.")I have to be honest and say that I would really love to have theCanon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM IIor theCanon 400mm f/2.8Lbut I just can't justify the cost of one right now.  Now, if you think that this lens is too big, just compare it to one of those behemoths and you will be happy to lug the 100-400 around all day long.  I would love for it be faster but it is a fair trade off for it be slower yet smaller, lighter and much less expensive than it's 2.8 brethren.I do experience some lens creep with this lens.  I almost always use it on a tripod and if I point it down the focal local length ring will slide down a little.  The other thing to mention is that this lens draws a lot of attention.  Both from photographers with "lens envy" and from authorities who will usually identify you as a professional photographer, even if you are not, which can be both good and bad.  Even when I pick up one of the faster fixed focal length Canon lenses in the future this will probably be my go to lens for field work.  It is extremely sharp when stopped down a stop or two.  I am very glad that I own it.
I went to a local camera store to buy a Canon lens and was talked into purchasing another brand by the salesman.  What a waste of $600.  Literally 50% of the shots with that lens were not in focus.  I hated that lens.  So I finally bought this on on Amazon.  You can't go wrong with this lens.  It focuses quickly and accurately, even in low light.  I have been able to get great shots of BATS on a hummingbird feeder (It's an Arizona thing) using a flash and this lens.  I LOVE this lens.  I would recommend it to any serious photographer.  Delivery was prompt, and it came well packed and safe.  It also comes with a lens hood, so you don't need to buy that.  It also comes with a nice sturdy case.
Super Lens, use it with a T2i and get great shots. I do wish it was 500mm...600mm or maybe 800mm but you get what you pay for. Pretty sharp images which you would expect from a lens like this.
Very fast lens with amazing clarity and results.Using with a 60D and liking every picture taken with this.Great zoom and ease of use.IS (img stabalization) could have been a bit better, but may be its not easy with such focal length.
After reading all the reviews online I decided to take the plunge and try out this lens.  I had just rented the Canon 400mm f/5.6 prime lens, but wanted the flexiblility of a zoom and IS. I found the push pull design not to be a problem at all as is mentioned in forums often. This is a heavy lens, and found my arms getting a little tired after couple hours.  The image quality was ok, at 400mm is certianly was not up to the 400 prime lens I had rented.  The build date showed this lens to be a 2010 mfg. date, as often mentioned there are good and bad versions.  After a short time I decided to return the lens due to the softness at 400mm.  I'm sure with time I would have gotten better shots.  I give this 3 stars because pictures were good, not great, it was easy to use for short time frames, handheld anyway.  Interesting is that on my kit lens and another lens I have purchased crop pictures were much sharper than compared to crops of pictures using this lens, and was big part in my decision to return this lens.
It took me a long time to decide if I wanted to spend the money on this Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens but since I decided to go for it I have been having so much fun with this lens.  It's great for taking photos of birds, one of my favorite subjects.  I've been able to ID birds from photos that were too far away to identify with just our eyes.  It's a heavy lens and I have little hands and they are kind of wimpy and weak...but I can handle this lens with just a little mind-over-matter thinking.  The weight of it doesn't bother me at all when I'm focused on some elusive bird, or some other wonder of nature, even when I'm not using my monopod or tripod!  I still have a lot to learn about this lens but I get some great photos, anyway.
You cannot beat the range of this lens, or the features. It goes up to 400mm, and it is STILL SHARP at the 400mm end of the focal range, and it has image stabilizer! Now how cool is that? It's hard to fault this lens. Sure, the push pull is a little strange at first, but it works much better than a regular ring zoom. The price for this type of lens is also amazing. Not quite an all-purpose (that would be the 28-300mm, but it still isn't long enough for shooting birds) but close enough.
Up to now all of my lenses have been 100mm and below, since I take a lot of photos of scenery, macros and portraits.  More recently I've wanted a bit of reach and this lense really does the job well.  I read many reviews describing how it takes a bit to get used to the zooming mechanism and they were right it does take a bit of work, however once you get it adjusted to a comfortable tightness it works really well and makes it easy (especially on a tripod) to take pictures of any action.  The pictures I took of my daughter's soccer game were crisp and had great contrast.  I'm very happy that I finally took the plunge.  I would recommend that this lens be used on either a tripod or monopod if it is going to be used for an extended period, though hand held shots came out nicely as well with the IS.-- UPDATE 12/28/2009 --I just came back from a trip to Costa Rica and although it was a heavy lens to carry around, it was just what I needed for a trip like this. I used it on a 5D II hand-held for most of the trip and it performed very well. I was able to capture photos/videos of sloths, monkeys and more.  The focus speed was sufficient for what I was doing and the IS definitely helped capture the shot when I couldn't use a tripod (most of the time).  I did find as was mentioned previously that the Canon 1.4x extender does not work to auto-focus the camera with this lens.I can still say after this trip that this lens was: Just what I needed!
I have been shooting with my 100-400 L for about 3 years at Motorcycle track days.  Look at [...]  (also like us on FB) for sample images.I personally love this lens.  It does exactly what it's designed to do.  It gives you a huge range to work with in 100-400, and if you are shooting in daylight you get plenty of shutter speed even at F/5.6.  Compared to Canon's cheaper non-L lenses this lens is very sharp, but here's the catch, compared to Canon's other L lenses it's mediocre sharp.  Please don't let this dissuade you.  For most purposes and all but the highest level photographers it's sharp enough.  Add in the 2-stop IS with 2 modes and this lens is one of the most useful telephoto's you could own and 400mm @ 5.6 will give a unique effect compared to consumer lenses.  It's in that funny price range where it's very expensive for an amateur but relatively cheap for a full time pro.  Well, same goes for it's quality, it's very high quality compared to the typical soccer mom kit, but probably just "good enough" for a magazine photographer.  For my purposes I think it delivers my customers what they are looking for.  The sharpness and hit rate on my 70-200 f/4 is better but obviously the 70-200 f/4 doesn't go to 11.... errr 400mm.So, I'd love to have a 300mm F/2.8 or 400mm F/2.8 or the new 200-400 f/4 but these lenses are in a different class.  They cost between $5k and $12k and pretty much require a monopod.  If you compare this lens to those you will be disappointed, however,  At $1500 on amazon and still being hand hold-able (I'm 6'3" and 260lbs so YMMV) this lens does exactly what it's intended for and has served me very well and will continue to until I can justify owning the 200-400 (which I lust after).  For my purposes, Motorsports photography, combined with my 7D (640mm equivalent) this lens is great,  you get tons of reach but aren't stuck at 400mm.  I am giving a 5 star review knowing that this lens is a compromise.  It's a compromise in price, I paid $1700 and it is still very cheap compared to any of the L series alternatives (this price allowed me to get in the game as the alternatives are cost prohibitive for me), it's a compromise in quality, it's mediocre compared to the primes and astronomically expensive zooms, but it delivers hand hold-ability, a large range and great image quality for the money and focal length, it is still an L lens.  I think I've hit this point but basically what I'm saying is.  Don't expect 400 F/2.8 images, but for the money you can't beat this lens for it's intended use.  outdoor Daylight photography when you need professional grade sharpness and color and fast enough AF for sports.  Even not considering the money, maybe you have a 400 F/2.8, this lens is still way more practical, it fits in a camera bag, gives a huge range and can be hand held.  Is there an echo in here, poi?The AF is fast, but not "keep up with the 8fps on my 7D" fast, close though.  There is a noticeable difference in AF speed between my 70-200f/4, but I am by no means saying this lens is slow.  After all it's F/5.6.  It is what it is.  The other thing some may consider a negative is the push pull zoom.  I actually like it and have gotten quite used to it.  Generally I just pick a focal length and lock it in with the tightening ring.  If you don't do this you may get a little creep while shooting, but the tightening ring works as designed.  I probably do 90% of my shooting with this lens at 400mm @ f/5.6 and switch to my 70-200 for the closer stuff.I did have an AF issue early on with the lens that caused my 7D to go into an error mode.  CPS fixed this under warranty and had it back to me in under a week, since then it's been fine.Here is an example image, like I said in the beginning,  look up electriceyeimages.com on FB (public albums no account needed) or go to the website to see examples.  The shots at 400mm should be easy to pick out.[...]
Nice lens. Pretty sharp.Sorta fast auto focus although not super fast. Image stabilization is OK at best. My 70-300mm (non L) has better IS. This is worth the money but just barely.
Aside from it being heavy, I use this lens a great deal of time. The pictures come out crisp and clear.
This lens is great for cropped sensor cameras but is useless on the full frame 5DMark II based on the out of focus results. Sending back to canon did nothing to resolve this problem. I've spoken to other photographers while taking pictures at Bristkecone Pine Forest and they also had the exact same results as I including attempts to have canon fix this problemOn the 50D camera body I'm extremely pleased with the results.
My camera is the Canon EOS Rebel t5i, so images taken at the extreme telephoto are equivalent to 640mm. My hobby is raptor photography. In particular, the American Bald Eagle. If I could insert a picture here, I would. If zoomed in further than what this lens is capable of on my camera, I would miss the full wingspread on my favorite action - landings. And comparing quality with that of the SX50 hs, almost no comparison. I know, comparing apples to oranges. I chose this over the ef 400mm f/2.8L primary, due to cost. However; I love the ability to zoom in and out. Sometimes I do not want to full frame my subject and frame it with the landscape.Push pull zoom is not an issue.  Autofocus is fast, clarity at 400mm excellent, and image stabilization OMG. Although people complain about the weight, the IS takes all the shake out and for that, I do not have to hand hold in focus for very long.From where I set up, there are MANY photographers (professional and otherwise). Most with fixed primaries with better f/stop for the focal length. But hey, I spent $9000 less than if I bought the EF 400mm f/2.8L. If I had bought the EF 400mm 5.6L, it would have been ~$200 cheaper but getting full frame in some instances, would not be possible.Since purchasing this lens, I have been invited to travel to Alaska 2x and to kayak into little known areas by professional photographers. Is this respect for my ability or for the lens? *shrugs* Who cares? I am very happy with my purchase.
It was an expensive purchase and I thought Canon optics should be superior.  Wrong.  I have had a mediocre experience with it thus far.  Maybe some of the problems are operator error, but not that often.  Even when I use a tripod the pictures are less than stellar.  The autofocus and IS combination may be part of the problem... not sure. Seems when everything seems in focus through the view finder, the internal stabilization activates with pressure on the shutter button and the resulting picture is out of focus. If I use the IS and manual focus I get a 'little better' results but only when I partially depress the shutter button to activate the IS and then refocus.  This is all coupled with the Canon XTi camera.  With this camera and the EFS 18-55mm kit lens, the pictures are always well within my standards for sharpness and clarity.  The 'out of focus' issue is a perplexing problem.  It happens at all focal distances, day and night.  Other than that the lens seems to be built to the highest of standards, it is very heavy and one needs to use a mono-pod or tripod.  Hand held pictures return sporadic results, at best.  Low light conditions are tough but doable with persistence.
Three years ago this lens was my first "L" acquisition; it was what I felt would be, on my budget,  the very best choice for taking pictures of birds.  I'm a beginner, but it was an astute choice.  From the start, the results from this lens have flattered me into sometimes feeling like a pro.  This lens is pricey, heavy, and not terribly fast, but it produces an amazingly sharp image.  If you're looking for birds, you should take this lens along with you. I'm also told this is a great lens for airshows, but airshows are hard to find right now. I'd give this lens an extra star just for the joy it's brought into my life.
Always happy with Canon Lenses.. I am more a detailed photographer, I purchased this mainly for my husband. He enjoys taking more landscape photography. Overall, very happy!
I got the lens because I wanted to get wider than my standard zoom would let me. I shoot full frame, and it was a choice between the $1600 16-35mm f/2.8 and this $470 20mm f/2.8. At less than a third price, I went with this lens.I want to give this lens five stars -- it's well built, focuses quickly, isn't too heavy or large, and feels solid on the camera. However, it has significant amount of vignetting, chromatic aberration, and flaring, which affect how useful shots from this lens are. Now that I know how this lens behaves, I know to take all those issues into account when composing my shots, but at the end of the day, it's a hassle I'd rather not deal with. Canon doesn't offer too many other options at 20mm, but I'm tempted to save up for options in the L glass to make my wide shooting easier.Now, with all that griping out of the way, why did I still give this lens 4 stars? Well, because it does shoot sharp, quickly focused, bright and colorful 20mm shots, all in a compact, lightweight body. The full-time focus works excellently, and when all is said and done, I do get some beautiful shots off this lens, and it has become one of my three "travel kit" lenses, even if it is the buck-toothed step-sister of the bunch.
I picked this up for a trip and love it.  It's a great focal length for the digital Rebels with the smaller sensors (works like a 32mm on my Canon t1i).  It is a little prone to flaring, so I highly recommend getting the Canon brand bayonet-mount lens hood (or even an off-brand, if you live dangerously).  I bought a generic hood that screws on to the filter threads and this does not work very well.  I thought that I would end up reselling this when I upgrade to a 17-40 f/4L in the future, but I think I may keep it around for the extra stop anyway!
That is the question with this lens. I was looking for a cheap and light wide angle for my gear bag that wouldn't make me cry if it was broken. I'm a wedding photographer, and so it is a little different for me when I go out shooting. I am not just taking photography gear with me, I am taking my livelihood . Cheap was the name of the game, but I knew I wanted a prime lens due to their quality, wide aperture and lack of bulk. I decided to rent this lens and give it a whirl, spending $40 for the week instead of $500 flat out. I am rather conflicted about this lens, as I will outline below. If you don't like reading long reviews, please skip to the conclusion!TEST GEAR:Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)(Full frame camera)Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)(Cropped Sensor)Canon A2E 35mm Camera Body(35mm Film)PROS- Can produce extremely sharp images from F/4+- Build is decent, more solid than the 50mm 1.8- Focus is fast and relatively quiet compared to zoom lenses- Distortion (barrel primarily) is kept in check, better than most super-widesNEUTRAL- Color and contrast needs adjustment on most imagesCONS- As others have mentioned, images are soft around the edges- Vignetting is VERY noticeable on full frame/film- Seems to underexpose images (as also documented on The Digital Picture)Here's the thing, this isn't an L series lens. I have been spoiled in having the pleasure of primarily shooting with L glass, and so it is easy to become hyper-critical of the normal EF series. This is why I didn't give the lens 3 stars. Compared to a kit lens for example, this lens is a HUGE improvement. The images are sharper, there is less distortion, and you will see an overall improvement in general image quality. That said, there are some serious pitfalls with this lens. The images are sharp in the center but soft around the edges. This is fine with 80% of portraits (as you normally center the face), but as soon as you use this for landscape/photojournalism you are going to notice. Even more noticeable however, is the vignetting. Now, I edit around 95% of my images before they are saved as final copies so a little vignette removal is not a huge deal for me, but if you are shooting and uploading all of your files and you don't want to have to edit hundreds of files this may not be the lens for you. I put the color and contrast issue in the neutral area because I have experienced these issues even with L glass, so I'm not counting it against the lens.CONCLUSIONOverall I am glad that I only rented this lens. If I had spent the money on it I think I would have been disappointed. On the 1Ds, the cons were HIGHLY noticeable. This was also the case on the Canon A2E film camera which is also (obviously) full frame. The 40D fared a little better, as some of the heavy vignetting and softness is cropped out.If you are a beginner/novice or you are on a cropped sensor, I would highly recommend picking up theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensand this lens to cover the two end focal lengths normally found on a kit lens - it will GREATLY improve the quality of your pictures and will teach you to move yourself before twisting the barrel of a lens. If however you are a "prosumer" looking for a great wide angle, or you shoot full frame, I would definitely suggest going for theCanon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasor even saving up for theCanon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras. You're paying two of three times the price of this lens, but the quality is absolutely worth paying for.As far as sub-$800 wide angles go, this is really the only prime in the category. It could be a whole lot worse, and if you're working on a budget this is a decent option. In that respect, I give this lens a 4/5 with a strong recommendation to upgrade if your budget allows!
Great lens for landscape photos. Only had it a few days, but very happy with the results. Much better than the wide angle zoom it replaced. Also works well indoors for family gatherings. Too wide for my Canon 580 flash, but my 6D has great low-light capability. No problems so far.
I like this lens. I purchased this as my Rebel did not come with a wide angle lens.  The only con I can see is that you can't zoom in and out only focus at one distance (Only reason it is a 4 star rating). It would be nice to be able to zoom in closer and still get a wide angle shot. The pictures are very clear and amazing how much you can get in the picture.
ok, so i got this lens because i wanted a compact wide angle lens that i could easily throw in my bag to cover events. however , i was greatly disappointed with the lens. it vignettes like there is no tomorrow, even using profile corrections on photoshop wont get rid of all the vignetting. PLUS this vignetting is not a pleasing vignette. its dark, ugly, and what it does is under expose images by more than a stop. another major issue is image quality. the image quality takes a beating with this lens. im assuming its because of poor optics. i own a couple of L lenses and the comparison is night and day when it comes to image quality. also im comparing it to my non L lenses like my 50mm 1.4 and my 85mm 1.8. pictures just look grainy with this lens and the color contrast is pretty bad too. I wouldn't recommend this lens to anybody really.Pros:-small- solid build- fast focusingCons:-massive vignetting-poor image quality-horrible lens flares- bad color contrast-poor optics- more cons than pros.
I purchased this lens after shopping and trying several ultra-wide lens options.  I should have tried this one first to save me a lot of time and returns.The lens is well built, has great image quality and is just a well rounded ultra wide angle lens.  I bought this to use on a Canon 6D to shoot landscapes and night scenes.  Absolutely no regrets.
This lens has become my primary lens. I brought it on vacation to Mexico and was able to capture awesome pictures. It's definitely worth the $$... It's not expensive like the l-series, but I can't complain for the $$ I paid for it... It also is nice for video capture... Love it!
I was a bit concerned at first with the fixed focal length, but it has proven to be very versatile.  It takes very sharp pictures, even when fully opened in low light.  I have not noticed any of the vignetting that other users have mentioned.Bottom line: great wide angle lens for the price.  Useful for landscapes and tight space, low light situations.
I recently upgraded to a full frame camera and needed to replace mySigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras(That lens is designed for APS-C sensors, and was useless on the 5D).  I figured that with a 1.6x crop factor, my old 10-20 should be equivalent to this 20mm.I am a real estate photographer and videographer.  When I'm doing outdoor pictures, this lens can get the job done.  It lets me fit a whole building in the frame without trying to take the picture from 10 miles away, and in good light, there is ZERO vignetting and minimal loss of sharpness in the corners.  Be aware that this lens is nothing like a tilt shift, and your horizontal lines are going to bow out like crazy.  If you're doing more artsy photography this might be fine.  For me, I try to avoid it with the old tricks, and correct it in Photoshop if needed.Indoor shooting is another story.  I try to avoid flash most of the time because it either falls off, adding to the vignetting or ruins the contrast of the image (Shadows help the human brain understand the depth of a scene) so I'm normally shooting wide open at 400ISO with my shutter speed as slow as I dare.  Here I run into MASSIVE vignetting.  While this IS correctable in Adobe Camera RAW, the process is like boosting your ISO, it also boosts the noise.In addition, 20mm still isn't quite as wide as I probably need for indoor shooting.  If your subject is anything but the room its self, you'll be fine, but in my case it just isn't quite cutting it.If you are shooting artistically, or shooting small subjects, I would rate this lens 4.5 stars.  For my uses, I give it three.Pros:It is quite wideIn good light, the center of the frame is sharpThe weight is manageableCaptures great colorPrice isn't too badCons:Heavy vignetting in low light / indoorsHigh vertical distortionNo lens hood included! (And the one you can buy here isn't great)At 21MP, a best case photo at 100% isn't very sharp (If you're scaling images down, you'll be fine here)
The 20mm works great for those tite spaces in parties or rooms. I like it!
If you want a wide-angle lens for a Rebel that doesn't have lots of distortion, this is great.  I have taken some very nice shots with this hand-held indoors and outside.  The first time I took a stopped-down shot indoors on a tripod, I was really impressed.  Because of the crop factor and depth of field, it's eye-popping sharp all over with great color saturation. It costs a good amount, but it's one of the most useful lenses I have.Drawbacks - A chunk of that price is for the 20mm optics of which we only see the central portion with a cropped sensor.  The lens hood is extra.  The lens diameter is 72mm so buying a polarizer lens will set you back.Bottom line: I would give up my 85mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4 - and maybe even my 35mm f2 - before I would part with this lens.  Great for landscapes on cropped sensor cameras.  People who have complained about this lens must have gotten a bad build.
If there is one thing in this universe that is more rare than gold, it is a positive review of this particular lens. Now I don't know if I just got lucky and got a good sample. But this has been a GREAT lens for me. Sharpness is actually REALLY good. Now one of the BIG complaints of this lens is poor edge sharpness. But I have not found this to be a severe problem - especially when stopped down somewhat. And, since a lens of this focal length is more likely to be used for scenics or arcitectural use than action shots, this isn't the end of the world.But there is more going for this lens than sharpness. Distortions are VERY low for a lens of this focal length. You are NOT going to get anything nearly as good from a zoom. Also, color saturation and contrast are EXCELLENT - FAR better than, say, an EF-S 17-85mm lens. Colors REALLY come alive with this lens compared to most zooms. And chromatic aberrations are all but non-existant.Construction also seems to be solid on my lens. The materials seem to be of good quality. The focus ring doesn't wobble much. And nothing external actually extends during focusing. This last fact is a REAL plus in outdoor environments, since an extending element creates low pressure in the lens (which can suck in dusty air).I really have only two complaints about this lens. One it the price, which is somewhat on the high side. I personally got mine used for less. But $400+ is kind of alot to pay for a consumer grade lens. On the other hand, price is maybe not too bad, given the good overall quality of this lens. My other complaint is vignetting at large apertures. Simply put, vignetting is VERY noticeable at f/2.8 - even on an APS-C camera. I can only imagine how it might look on a full-frame camera. In fact, the vignetting makes this lens virtually unusable at f/2.8 in many situations. Of course, this gets better when you stop the lens down. At f/4, vignetting is no longer a problem. But the fact that f/2.8 is not nearly as usable as it could be is somewhat of a downer.Of course, much like the edge sharpness issue, this is not the end of the world. And at the end of the day, you can still take some REALLY good pictures with this lens.
The lens is okay on a 1.6 crop factor digital camera, but it isn't particularly wide-angle then (32mm field of view).  I hear that it is okay on a film camera, but I have no experience.  On a full-frame digital camera, it stinks....Digital cameras can be affected by the angle a lens causes light to hit the sensor, and it seems to make a difference here.  The lens produces smudged, blurry images on my full-frame camera.  It is okay on my Rebel XTi, but not wide enough to be impressive.  It stinks on my 1Ds.Build quality is okay, but nothing special.  If you buy this despite my recommendation, spend a bit of money to get the lens hood (which doesn't come with the lens).  It will help keep glare off the front element.If you can afford it, buy one of the wide-angle L zooms instead of this lens.  If you can't afford those, get a Sigma zoom (preferably the 12-24, but alternately the 15-30) instead of this lens.
I used it to shoot from an elevated angle.  The result were disappointing.....I paid $[...] but I don't think it is even worth more than $[...] to tell you the truth.The colors are lifeless, "burnt-out".  There are no details on the images.  You can see the samples on my site:  [...] Look for the huge house with the red roof. You will see what I am talking about.  Normally, I use the 17-40 L on my elevated system.  I thoguht the 20mm would be a good replacement even if it not as good as the 17 40.  I think even the 18-55 Canon kit lens produces better images. Add a few hundred bucks and buy a decent lens.
This is one of the first two lenses I bought when I switched to a Canon SLR about five years ago. I've had plenty of opportunity to use it since then, both with film and (full frame) digital.The idea behind this lens is a good one -- 20mm is wide enough to allow for landscape and architectural photos, and it focuses close enough for entertaining photos of people's faces, taken about a foot away from their noses (note that you'll need either a ring light or lucky ambient light to pull off the latter). There is some pincushion distortion, but nobody would accuse the results of looking like a funhouse mirror, as would be the case with a fisheye lens, for example.f2.8 is fast enough; I've no complaints there. Unfortunately, this camera consistently vignettes -- the corners of every image are dim. This is true even with a bare lens, and filters make it worse. You can correct the problem in image editing software, or just crop the image, but what's the point of buying a 20mm lens if you're going to have to crop every photo you take with it?If this had been a cheap zoom lens, I'd have expected the problem and not been bothered by it. With a fixed lens, however, I think there isn't much excuse.Canon still charges about the same ($400) that I paid for this lens years ago. By now, they ought to have upgraded this thing, or dropped the price. It is the worst EF lens I own.-- addendum: I've recently been using a Canon EOS IX, which takes APS film. This lens is much more useful with that camera, though using even APS-H, you get something akin to the image you would get from a 35mm lens on a 35mm negative.
I use this on my 40D, was not impressed with the previous reviews but needed a 20mm so went ahead and pushed the button. Picture quality was stunning at the amazingly low lights and the lens was super fast. excellent built quality. A great buy for an ultra wide angle.
I use a T3i crop sensor camera and wanted a 35mm equivalent mainly for video work. I use this lens about 50/50 for photo and video. This one since it functions like a 32mm I find it is a very versatile focal length. I find it to be great in low light, vivid color, and sharp at 2.8.  There is barely perceptible barrel distortion on the crop sensor camera. Overall I love this lens and would suggest it for both photography and video for a crop sensor camera.
I wanted a 20mm prime to use for night shooting, so I thought I'd give this one a try.  I chose poorly.  Returned it the same day.  Still on the hunt for a good prime night long exposure performer.This lens was really soft around the edges (even on my 40D with a 1.6x FOVCF).  Although I don't need a fast focusing lens for night use, this lens still focused slowly during its day use.It's grossly overpriced.  Should be only $299 at most.
i have to be close to my subject to get a good shoot. but the quality of the video and picture are super. great wide angle but remember you will have to be close to you subject to get the fully of it or them.
I've used this lens both on 1.6x crop (Digital Rebel XT) and full frame (5D and EOS 3) cameras.On the 1.6x crop, the 20mm focal length looks like 32mm.  I personally find that to be a wonderful focal length for general purpose use, and the f2.8 is acceptably fast for some indoor / low-light situations.On full-frame, the lens is amazingly wide, and can be challenging to frame an interesting picture.  Nevertheless, sometimes you need the lens to be that wide, so it's great to have.  On the downside, the lens loses sharpness toward the edges, and is more evident on full-frame cameras than on 1.6 crop cameras.This lack of sharpness is not always a big deal, as the edges of a photo are usually not the focal point.I'm overall happy with it, and when I want wide, I usually grab my 20mm over my 17-40mm zoom.
I got this lens a few weeks ago,and have been thrilled with it! It's definately not "L" build quality, but it's great optically. Color saturation is very rich, and I haven't seen any color fringing. And boy is it sharp! It's my favorite go to lens for portraits,as the bokeh is nice and smooth and the perspective is very flattering. It's usable wide open, and by f/2or 2.8 it's sharper than any of my 6 other lenses. Get the hood, because no other hood will attach to it .
The answer is most likely yes; since its price make it the best value for a fast canon prime lens. But before you make the $350 plunge here are few useful things to know about how it can be used. Keep in mind that I use this lens on the Rebel XT (1.6 factor), which means it provides me with an angel of view similar to 135mm on film cameras.SHARPNESS: Yes that's one feature you can count on when buying this lens. This lens produces very sharp pictures. So much so that it will blow away your 18-55 kit lens (if you have one) and all other zoom lenses.  Exception to that are the L-series zooms. The sharpness difference will be obvious even in the smallest of prints (4 by 6). If you can't envision such difference then consider this. Sharpness can be viewed as contrast between the edges of different color objects. Hence, the sharper an image the greater the contrast in the edges between such groups of color. This lens captures the contrast in such setting better than most other lenses.SPEED: This lens is blazingly fast. As such you will have the opportunity to shoot at higher shutter speeds wide open (remember the inverse relation between aperture and shutter speed). More importantly you gain the ability to shoot in low light situations (concert for example) and still maintain a decent shutter speed for handholding. Here's the best part, if you're like most new people to photography, you probably plan to take self portraits. This lens will give you that ability, as you will be able to buy few clamp on lights coupled with 100-150W bulbs and start shooting at medium ISO speeds wide open.ANGEL OF VIEW: Assuming you will be using this lens on a 1.6 digital format consider that you will be having a tight crop, more like that of a 135mm lens on a film camera (1.6*85=136). What does that translate to in practical terms? You will have to stand 6-8 feet away from your subject to be able to cover their head and shoulders at landscape orientation.SPECIAL EFFECTS: Here are two special effects you will find useful in this lens depth of field and compression. To some degree or another every lens offers depth of field, which can be summarize as having only the subject of interest in focus and the rest of the picture blurred. This lens is unique in that it creates a very shallow depth of field in which the subject is truly isolated from the whole scene. Set the aperture to 1.8 and focus correctly and you can achieve such results. More importantly the lens quality of such blur (known as bokeh) is outstanding as there are eight diaphragm blades that control the aperture opening vs. 5 or 6 in many other lenses.As for compression, since the camera is a telephoto it will compress everything in its sight closer together to fit in its sight. For example, if you are photographing a person, their face will look wider and their nose will look smaller or flatter. Keep in mind that unlike some of the longer telephoto lenses (300mm for example) the effect with this lens is subtle and pleasantSIZE AND BUILD: Its size and weight are perfect! It balances my XT very nicely. So much so, that I can take pictures at very low shutter speeds with this combination (though I don't find my self doing that that often with this fast lens). All this translates to comfort and confidence when I am shooting with this lens. The build quality is excellent, I find no inherit weakness in the design.If you plan to photograph friends and family then this is the lens. You will take sharp pictures with the right kind of effects for portraits like compression and beautiful bokeh. The lens is fast and designed excellently for maximum control and comfort. You won't miss a shot because of shake with slow shutter speeds and even if you do (that's a big if) you can put its speed to use by dialing a higher aperture. It's only draw back is that it has a pretty tight angel of view on 1.6 factor SLRs. I can't think of any other prime in the non-L canon line up that matches this lens (other than possibly the 50mm 1.4). Truly an incredible value, buy it with confidence!Ps. By no means does this review cover all the merits of this lens. To name a couple, the lens offers precise auto focus and low chromatic aberration. Rather, I covered the features that were most useful for its intended purpose; taking pictures of people.
Compares favorably to $1000 lenses! I impress my friends who have Canon L lenses with this.I can't get enough of this lens... I use it on everything.Example shots :[...][...]
This is a great and fast portrait lens.  I wasn't sure if I would need it, as I already have the 24-105 f4L IS USM and 70-200 f4L IS USM, but after reading the reviews and reasonable price I thought it would be worth the shot.I found this lens generally produces my best portrait shots, and is fast under lower light conditions.  Most of my portraits are under window light, so even f4 sometimes is too slow at 1/20 of a second or more.  This lens lets me get faster and the 1.8 ap performs great background blurring.  I did post a picture here as well so you can see a shot example with the lens.  My only caveat is with the rebel Xti you get that multiplication factor and sometimes i need to back up further than I actually can, so you may want to consider the 50mm if you have an Xti.Here's my take on what I use each of my lenses for:1. 24-105 is my everyday walking around lens.  Good flexibility, but not as sharp at f4, f5.6 seems to be the sweet spot.2. 85 for serious portrait work and when light is low3. 70-200, great general telephoto and great for kids portraits outside as it lets you keep your distance (so they aren't so aware of you) but still filling the frame.Overall, the 85mm (or 50mm) probably belongs in your kit if you do portraits, especially given the price.  It provides L quality shots without the L series price.The reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 5 is because the lens stopped autofocusing after 2 months, and I've realized it is near impossible (at least for me) to manually focus at f1.8.  I dropped it off at a service center, so hopefully it will return soon.
I am new to photography.  I recently bought a Canon Rebel T2i with the 18-55 kit lens.  That lens is nice and it has a versatile range.  It's great for group shots.This 85mm is my second lens and it continuously amazed me with the incredible pictures it takes!  The pictures are CLEARLY different/better than those taken with the 18-55 kit lens.  It didn't take me very long to get used to the fixed focal length (no zooming in or out).  I think 85mm is a great lens and I can't wait to use it more and MORE!Obviously, 85mm is more zoomed than the most zoomed-in end of the 18-55 so keep in mind you will need to be at least 6 feet away from people to take their picture and get their head and shoulders.I HIGHLY recommend this lens as a next lens for people that bought an SLR and are looking for something more than the kit lens.  I LOVE IT!!!  Stop reading reviews and BUY THIS LENS! ...or keep reading, it's good to be thorough :)
As most of the others have said, this lens is awesome. I got it and with in the first 10 minutes I was taking some of the best portrait shots I have taken to date. If you have the $ even if you need to borrow it, get this lens
i own a 35L, a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, and a 16-35mm f/2.8L..and this lens is by far my most used lens.super sharp wide open, beautiful background blur, in my opinion the best bang for the buck other than maybe the 50mm f/1.8...which i've never owned.the only downside is the purple fringing, it produces some serious fringe wide open with extreme contrasty situations.  not really a big deal though.
I have owned other canon lens. this one is a absolute stunner. I had a shoot couple of weeks back and i was stunned to see the results.....
Hello everyone. I bought this lens earlier in 2009 and had it for a couple of months. I bought this lens solely because I tend to shoot a lot of portrait for my friends on my cropped-sensor Canon 30D . I was usingTamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasas an all-around lens and it was a great lens for portraits.However, I have heard and read a lot of great reviews about this lens and it was reasonably priced so I bought it when I had the money. I was blown away by the quality of the photo it took. It is good for low light shoots and for portrait in general. The focusing is smooth and silent but I wish it had better build quality (I still use film camera and old lenses from the 70's-80's so you will understand why).The camera also gives a great bokeh (background blur).Now, I thought I'd write this review after I lent the lens to a friend for use with his 450D. He called me after a week and said that all his friends liked the quality of the pictures. One of the guys took the camera and shot random shots and said this lens always takes good shots, it just can't take any bad ones! Coming from someone who is not very enthusiastic about photography, I think for us Amateurs/Enthusiast/Professionals would find it even more convenient.You can read a lot of professional reviews for this lens and also view sample of pictures taken by the lens. Go read websites like Ken Rockwell's and browse through pbase ([...]) and you wouldn't be able to wait to get this masterpiece.I recommend this lens for anyone who wants to take quality portrait for family and friends and even on a professional level. You will not be disappointed.If I had extra money, I would consider 135mm f/2.0L or 70-200mm f/2.8L.
This lens has a beautiful image quality! the bokeh is really impressive! I use it on my  t3i for portraits.  The pictures and video are just beautiful! I think I dont need the 85-L len
It's hard to argue that this isn't a really solid lens for what you pay for it. I bought it at the tail end of my professional photography career and wish I would have done this at least half way through instead. It's the one lens I won't sell now that I am done because it really is that solid.
It is one of the best lenses I have ever get. I am really surprised of how it is doing. it is very nice for portait photos.
Great lens; don't really know why but the pictures taken with this one are always seem to be my favourites in a set.
This lens changed it all for me. I was happy with my Tamrons and Tokinas - I thought. Then I bought this lens. The colors and contrast simply POPPED out from the pics. It is amazing! While there's no red ring around it, it deserves one.The difference in the shots was incredible. It's very well built, focuses (like all Canon USM lenses) fast and quiet and provides the photog with truly beautiful bokeh. For low light, it's awesome. Using an extension tube for macro, it's great. And for portraits, it's nearly unbeatable.So what's the downside? For sure there is one: you'll be sold on Canon lenses. Since this one, I've bought five more, including two "L" series. If that's a downside, so be it!Just buy the lens - you'll love it!
I had high expectations for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, but it disappoints. I love the distance for portraits and that it's a prime. It's fast and sharp, but it leaves chromatic aberration in almost every photo. I've used it on two camera bodies and always with a hood. Requires too much post production for my taste.
A great lense to add to your collection of Canon lenses.  Made well and it shows in the quality of photos it takes.
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 II USM lens is a moderate weight (15 oz), very well built lens. It does not come with the appropriate hood, the Canon ET-65 III. You get both a lens cap and a mount cap, all packed inside tight conformal foam to protect the lens during shipping. There's also a very brief manual and the usual warranty paperwork.The lens offers AF and manual focus, and allows manual focus even when AF is set to on, a very useful feature for low-light and other challenging focus situations. This is a USM lens, and as a direct consequence focus is fast and precise, just as you'd expect.The AF/Manual switch is in a reasonable location, close to the camera body. There is a range indication on the barrel of the lens behind a transparent window which serves to keep dust and debris out of the workings of the lens. Manual focus is controlled with a broad, easy to manage textured ring about mid-body on the lens. During focus, nothing external on the lens body moves or rotates, so there are no complications for using polarizing filters, and no concerns about the lens "pumping" air and so causing dust contamination in either the lens or camera with use.The lens lacks any form of image stabilization. IS is showing up in more and more lenses, though for the price... perhaps this is one of the justifications for building IS into the camera body. I'm sure that this design wouldn't be anywhere near its current price point with IS added to the build. One last point is that since the lens is a fairly fast design, perhaps there is less overall need for IS (though that argument falls completely apart the first time you *do* need it!)It takes a 58mm filter, though I highly recommend the use of the ET-65 III hood rather than a filter; filter use should be limited to polarizers, neutral density filters and so on, rather than keeping a filter on the lens with the idea of protecting it. Here's why: filters create a flat surface over the end of the lens that can (and often does) create low-level reflections. These are most apparent in low-light shots, but they are almost always there. In the case of a UV filter, no other benefit is gained (UV can't get through the lens system anyway) other than physical protection. The hood, however, keeps the lens out of harms way quite effectively, and it increases contrast and reduces flare at the same time by preventing light from entering the lens at high angles of attack. I have shot with both hoods and filters, and after decades of experience, I have to come down firmly on the side of hood technique. It only takes one shot ruined by a filter reflection to wake up to this reality; and hoods never, ever compromise an image. They're simply the best way to go. Finally, the hood for this lens is inexpensive, well worth the extra few dollars it costs.Aperture is controlled by an 8-blade system. The available f-stops range from f/1.8 wide open to f/22.0 fully stopped down. MTF (sharpness) peaks at f/5.6, and vignetting is almost gone by that setting.On my camera, an EOS 50D, resolution loss from diffraction effects begin at f/7.6, so in many ways, the "sweet spot" for this lens for me lands naturally at f/5.6. On a camera with a lesser sensel density such as the 40D, diffraction doesn't set in until higher f-stops, but you're beginning to lose sharpness from other effects, so I'd still call the sweet spot as f/5.6 (which also provides a fairly extensive depth of field) for shots where detail is the primary consideration.For portraits, you'll want to go right for f/1.8 if lighting conditions allow in order to take advantage of the shallow and pleasing DOF isolation this lens is famous for; background blur is very soft yet very strong, while the in focus region remains deep enough to keep the important features of the face in focus from ear to nose. The loss of MTF at f/1.8 is noticeable, especially once you get a feel for how the lens performs at f/5.6, but in my opinion, the compromise is perfectly acceptable in a portrait context. There's another benefit as well; at 85mm, and especially on a crop body like the 40D or 50D, this lens allows you to get some distance from your subject which tends to make them more comfortable, while giving you the modest compression that is the hallmark of any telephoto lens. Portraits "pop" and backgrounds blur away with commendable speed. Head-and-shoulders work will put you at about eight feet, and as the lens can focus down to just under three feet, this gives you considerable control over framing without ever running into a limit imposed by the lens design.This is also a truly excellent lens for not-very-wide field astrophotography, although at critical focus and maximum aperture, chromatic aberration will make itself felt on the brightest stars, which you will then have to compensate for. I have successfully used this lens to capture the the Orion nebula, Andromeda galaxy, Triangulum galaxy, and a number of other astro objects that range from the easy to the difficult, all using no more than a standard (non-tracking) tripod, this lens, and the EOS 50D. On a crop body, 85mm (136mm effective FOV) is definitely the place to be to compromise between star trailing and magnification, and the f/1.8 aperture allows fast enough exposures to eliminate trailing at ISO 1600 and above.I carry this lens nested in a large camera bag (a Tamrac 5612 Pro 12, *highly* recommended); I rarely put the lens on the camera until I am ready to use it, and when I am done, I take it right back off, cap it, and bag it without wasting any time or motion. I do both the assembly and disassembly "blind" in the bag, using the bag top to shield the camera and lens from the wind and environment as best I can manage. The lens has a raised alignment dot that makes blind assembly practical. It's the size of the overall investment that drives this behavior, of course; both the camera and a lens like this deserves -- demands -- good care and that is just what I try to provide.Physically speaking, this lens isn't as large as you might think. Canon did a great job of packing a lot of glass (nine elements in seven groups) into a decent form factor of 3" diameter by 2.8" long; even with the hood mounted, this lens provides a fraction of the intimidation factor of, for instance, the 70-200mm f/2.8L. But at 85mm, it can still "get in there" and catch a lot of action without forcing you to crop to extremes. It's light enough that you can shoot for quite a while before fatigue sets in, an issue that will rear its head in any situation that goes on a while, like a wedding or a play (and that low-light capability is great for stage work, where a flash annoys literally everyone.) Plus it is black, and so looks more like it is designed as part of the same camera system, unlike the L's with the white bodies. That's also less distracting in a dark theater.I can honestly say that this is definitely one of my favorite lenses. I have a fair collection of primes to compare it to, some of which are L glass, and I've got some great L zooms as well; yet for portraits, I inevitably turn to this specific lens as it outperforms everything else I own in the successful shooting methodologies I find myself returning to over and over. Frankly, at the price, I think it is perfectly fair to characterize this lens as a "must-have"; if you're ever going to shoot a portrait, trust me, this is the lens you want (even over the 85mm f/1.2L, which has far too narrow a depth of field for most reasonable portraiture, though you can't beat it for light-gathering.) Like Canon's 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, the 85mm f/1.8 is one of those where you're left scratching your head as to why it doesn't have an "L" designation. It is an outstanding performer.If Canon were to re-do this lens, I'd like to see them add image stabilization, and perhaps some modern anti-CA elements, as this is the one area where this lens occasionally bites the photographer in high-contrast situations. Until that day, though, this lens is unmatched by anything else in Canon's line for price/performance, and I can't imagine anyone ever regretting its purchase.
Sharp, fast to focus, great bokeh - one of the essentials in any portrait photographer's kit!
This lens is great on my Mark ii. It's my preferred lens for outdoor photography or indoor close ups. Sturdy and a great companion to the 50mm
I chose this rating because I am so happy with my purchase. It arrived as stated it would, and the packaging was perfect to make sure it wouldn't get damaged in shipping. I stuck this on my camera and LOVE it instantly. the picture quality is great with my 7d and 60D canon camera's. I love that I can take nice pictures in low lighting and see such clarity. Definitely worth the purchase!
One of the best lens values I have found for my Canon 7D. I love the image quality I get when taking posed portraits. I also often use this lens, hand-held, to capture available light shots of my younger grandchildren. They tend to move fast and seldom rest. I have even used it with a 1.4 teleconverter to capture a few excellent night football shots.  The focusing is quick and accurate inside or out. The "bokeh" is very creamy and smooth at the wider f-stops.  One of the best values around for a Canon EOS user.Note- it lacks image stablization (IS), but is fast enough to seldom need it.
I actually prefer this lens over the 1.2L! It's lighter, just as sharp, and the perfect focal length for portraits. The copy I own has no issues with softness, and is sharp throughout the full range. Very impressed with this lens for the money!
This lens is extremely sharp and has nice bokeh.  The USM is extremely fast and quiet. The color saturation is beautiful. The 1.8 aperature is extremely helpful in low light. The lens construction is solid. This is a little tight on a crop body like the 7D.  You can take gorgeous portraits of head and shoulders from a reasonable distance but for a full body shot you have to step back considerably. Its the equivalent of 135mm on a full frame camera. As long as you realize this upon puchase you will not be disappointed with this lens.
I had an opportunity to borrow the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens by Canon and I loved it, I wanted it; but, alas, I could not really afford it as it was always priced around $1,900.00.  Then I found this lens.  The reviews in Amazon convinced me to try it.  I needed a lens with an f/1.8 aperture to improve my portraiture work so that I could get tight focus on my subject while making the background into fuzzy focus.  This lens does that, plus makes the focus softer at the 1.8 aperture.  It is not too large, nor too heavy.  I hope that, some day, I will be able to get the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, even with its price, but this lens is providing excellent performance for me and I could afford it as well as justify my expense to my wife.  The customer reviews and photographs of this lens helped me decide but I had a mental reservation that I could return it, if it did not meet my goals.  Just try to wrench this lens away from me now.  I leave it on the camera and then switch to my other lenses if I need to, but I try to be portrait ready and often that turns into interesting photographs for other things.  I'm really pleased with my purchase of this lens.
This lens not being an "L" series lens doesn't get the attention it deserves and is an excellent value for the price.  I've had it for over a year now with regular use and not had any problems.Using the EF 85 f/1.8 on a full frame camera, like 5D and 5DMkII, for portraits or photos of children, you get excellent results using ambient light.  It is exceptionally sharp and comes very close to the 85 f/1.2L lens in image quality from f/1.8 and above, but is lighter and at less than 1/4th the price.  If you can't decide between this and the 85 f/1.2, then get this lens first as it will quench your thirst and then see if you can utilize your skills for a very thin DoF from f/1.2-f/1.8.The auto-focus is one the fastest in the Canon EF lens lineup and is quiet for not being an L.  The manual-focus ring is also quite smooth.  It is well built and is very easy to travel with on any camera body.  I would rank its performance over the Nikkor 85 f/1.4 in terms of auto-focus speed.  Since this lens isn't an "L", it doesn't come with a lens hood or case, but is made in Japan.Some people have complained about the chromatic aberration (purple fringing), but in-camera or auto correction in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture can easily fix this.  Even without it, its really not severe.  Don't pass up on this lens if you're looking for top notch primes!
quite and great for portraits ONLY as it zooms in very close and you can see pores as well so keep a little distance
I regularly use this lens for my photography business.  It is excellent for outdoor portrait photography, and does well in low light indoors also if you have enough space to get far back from your subject.  This is my favorite lens for kid portraits.  Clients are always in love with the photos I capture with it! The bokeh is perfect. It does take some practice to get people perfectly in focus, but once you get it figured out you'll be thrilled with the results.
Others have already written reviews that reflect my opinion. If you can't get top shelf pro quality images in the studio and in the field with this lens, the blame falls on the photographer not the lens.
I wanted to upgrade my nifty fifty, and was choosing between 50mm 1.4, this lens (85mm 1.8) and 100mm 2.8 macro (non-L) or 100m 2.While I've yet to try 50mm 1.4, I've read enough reservations about it to decide to pass (especially since at the time I still had 50mm 1.8 in case I needed that focal length), so in the end it came down to 85 or 100.  The macro in 100mm was tempting, even though I'm not a big fan, but it's a fun feature.  85, on the other hand, was faster, and as someone who prefers to shoot with available light, it was a big plus.I ended up deciding that either lens was going to be great, and went with the cheapest, which was 85mm.  It's fantastic.  If you're thinking about upgrading from 50mm 1.8 - you'll be blown away.  It's silent, it's sharper, focuses much better, better color and contrast, beautiful bokeh, a pleasure to handle.I have since tried the 100mm, my friend and I swapped our lenses for a little while, and I must say, I still prefer my 85, and friend now wants one too.I love this lens so much, I've learned to work around certain focal length limitations (I have to move a lot more than with a zoom, and stay further back than with 50mm), so I just sold my 50mm 1.8 because I just could never bring myself to put it on my camera: I figured, I'd rather miss a shot or two due to focal length, but nail 90% of the shots I do take, than get more shots taken, only to throw half of them away because of focus problems.
I just got this lens about a month ago and let me say it is probably the best lens you can get for under 400. That is not to say that the under 400 dollar price tag makes it fall into a category with other lens of the same price, because this lens is leagues above most lens at this price. It feels easily as solid as the L glass that ive used, and is small and compact. The AF is super fast (ring type USM, I hate non ring type lens'), and with a 1.8 aperture, you can shoot in really low light. I just used this lens for a college hockey game (notoriously bad lighting) and was able to get some amazing captures. Just to put it in perspective, even a 70-200 f/2.8 would be almost unusable in that light. I was able to shoot as fast as 1/1000 at ISO 800 f/1.8. To be able to shoot with that fast of a shutter speed indoors is amazing. Plus, the 85 is built like a rock, it feels so solid. The first time you pick it up, I promise you will be surprised at how good it feels to hold, especially if you arent used to L glass.Be warned though, this is not a portrait lens! On a 1.6 crop body like the xti it is approx. equal to a 135mm on a full frame. that means you have to stand roughly 13 yards back from a subject to get their whole body into the picture. In a room this lens is very very tight. Shooting from the corner of a rink its perfect for net shots, shooting from the corner of a room doesnt work so well, and thats where you WILL find yourself trying to take people pictures. If you want a portrait go for the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, or even a 35 f/2. But if you are looking for a fast low light sports or concert lens this is it! Some head and shoulder shots are doable, dont get me wrong, but if your main intent is portraits you will be disappointed (as an outdoor lens its fine since you always have enough room but for group shots you will have to stand far away). Otherwise I highly highly recommend this lens...for the price its a must have i feel. Also it has great bokeh!
Although I haven't used this a huge amount since buying it, I am already really impressed. The DoF is incredible and the bokeh which results from the 85mm/f1.8 combo is smooth and deep.The lens itself is really well built and balances well on my 30D (with battery grip attached). 85mm gives a pretty narrow viewing area, even compared to the 50mm a lot of us use, so be advised you won't be snapping many pictures with this in confined spaces. But get a bit of room going where you can step back and create some depth and this thing is pure gold.I have uploaded 3 picture to the gallery.EDIT: I forgot that I had reviewed this, and feel I owe anybody who reads this an update. I ended up trading this lens in after about six months due to serious front focusing issues.
Excellent Lens. Very small and lightweight.Fixed focal length makes for a much shorter, narrower, lighter lens (as compared to a zoom telephoto lens).  Perfect for shooting people.For a crop sensor camera (all Rebels, Canon 7D, etc) the Canon 85mm lens has an effective angle of view as 136mm lens on a 35mm film camera or full sensor camera.PROS:Technically, very sharp lens, excellent value for the quality.Perfect for taking candid pictures.  Zoom lens in a crowd is intrusive if you are taking pictures of strangers. People are more accepting of this small sized lens.  Very stealthy!Excellent portrait lens, blurs the background very easily. Most professionals would choose a 70-200mm lens for portraits, but the 70-200 is a beast of a lens.  If you are shooting family, and do not want to carry all the weight, you can not beat this lens.You will probable shoot more pictures with this lens than you would with a longer zoom lens. Very comfortable to walk around with.  Yes a long zoom is fun, but after a while the long lens is a pain in the a...  You will end up not taking the zoom with you.Very fast lens (i.e. opens to f1.8) excellent in low light. Good for indoor sports like basketball or volleyball.  No need for a flash.Great gift lens, for an amature who needs a telephoto, but does not want the bulk and weight.Perfect fit and weight to add to your camera bag.CONS:You will need to zoom with your feet(move closer or farther away from your subject).###For a technical review and test of this lens just google "slrgear Lens Tests and Reviews".
Love this lens, images are so sharp and clear. My expectation were satisfied 100% with this lens.  I highly recommended.
I bought this lens after borrowing it from BorrowLenses.com for 10 days. I used it for a senior portrait session and loved the outcome for the photos. The fixed focus at 85mm made it perfect for portraits. Having the wide aperture at 1.8 makes it ideal for portraits and nature photography. I not only use this as another portrait lens (in addition to the nifty fifty 50mm 1.8), it also made a great walk around lens when I was on vacation.The only con I would say is that it's not super sharp. I noticed at certain times, the photos looked very soft. There is also no IS so it was easy to make some photos blurry.However, as a starting photographer, this is a great, decent portrait lens that is a step up from the 50mm.
This takes the absolute best pictures of all the lenses I have.  I have bought consumer grade primes and "L" zooms.  I wish canon's other consumer grade primes were as good as this since 85mm focal length on crop factor DSLR is good for only limited situations.
If i had written this review 1 year before, i could have rated it 5 stars. During the last year, my skill for photography as well as standards have increased specially since i am using Canon 135mm F/2 L which serves as a benchmark for quality.I got many amazing pictures from this 85mm, some of them jaw dropping - Beautiful colors, contrast and something magical. The quality of bokeh is really nice - beats 50mm 1.4 any day.USM motor in this lens is amazing - Silent and very fast focus beating ever some L lenses.Finally, 85mm is a nice focal range for portraits (i am using it on full frame, so 85mm stays 85mm).My copy of lens needed little micro adjustment and now it is focusing perfectly as it should.Why 3 stars?1) Can't use at F/1.8, not even at F/2. Need to stop it down to F/2.8 for sharper pics. That gives away the advantage of keeping a fast prime specially when you have multiple lenses and need to prioritize which one to carry.2) Color fringes - Yes, this is the biggest issue with this lens and i waste precious time in lightroom / photoshop.  Compare it with 135mm F/2 L which shoot sharp at F/2 without any color fringing. 85mm color fringing is so bad that i can see them almost in every picture specially in out-of-focus parts and many times in focused parts too when there is a lot of contrast.Honestly, i was not good enough around 1 year back to notice these but now when i look back at those wonderful pics, i can see bad color fringes. My Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 fares better and hardly show any color fringing when shooting at same apertures and exposure settings. So, i feel no regret in leaving 85mm prime at home in favor of Tamron 28-75 zoom specially when 75mm still is good focal length for portraits and i mostly have 135mm F/2 L in my bag.So, inability to take sharp pics wide open and CA kills an otherwise amazing lens. I know it is little unfair to compare this budget lens with costlier L lens but all these rave reviews force me to do this unfair comparison. And, its not only my 135 L but also my cheap Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 which kills this lens.Recommendation:1) If you already own 85mm F/1.8 and love it, don't purchase 135mm F/2 L, you will lose your love for 85mm F/1.82) 85mm is not really 85mm on crop sensor body (multiply it by 1.6 for canon crop sensors)  and also crop sensors can't really take full advantage of its optics. 50mm F/.4 is really the lens i recommend for a crop body - crop factor makes it equivalent to 80mm which is nice portrait focal length. I have used 50mm 1.4 as well as 85mm 1.8 on crop body as well as full frame. I have sold my crop now and use only full frame.3) If you have a good quality F/2.8 zoom lens covering 85mm or anything near (example: 24-70 F/2.8 or 28-70 F2.8 or  28-75 F/2.8 or 70-200mm F/2.8 IS), spend your money wisely. Get 85mm 1.8 only if you have very specific need for this focal length else i can tell you that it is not really usable at 1.8
So it has been a few months since I ordered this lens. I fell in love immediately. The sharpness and contrast is amazing, but the creamy bokeh is what keeps me going back to this lens.
Great lens! Take awesome pictures and has nice bokeh. If you are on a crop sensor camera, please understand that when they say this is a &#34;long&#34; lens for this camera, it really is. You need a lot of room to be able to move away and around your subject. Most rooms inside would be too small and you couldn't back away far enough. I have the 50 1.8 and it does much better inside on a crop.
October 2006 Update:I thought I owed this Lens review an update after shooting with it for almost a couple of years and having the pleasure of shooting with a variety of L Lenses:  70-200L, 16-35L, Fisheye, 50mm and the Kit lens.  This is what I've found:1) Bar none, the best "portrait" lens I own.  There's just something about this 85mm focal length + f/1.8 that brings out detail....faces have so much dimension with this lens, they look 3 dimensional.  When I want to get shots of my daughter that amaze, I use this lens.  When I look at my picture archive on my computer, I can easily spot the ones taken with this 85mm.  My friends, some of which who don't know much about photography, pick pictures taken with this lens as their favorites - they ask wow how did you get that picture?  I have a few blown up pictures to 16x20 and 11x14 of my daughter for my parents from this lens which are magnificent.2) I thought that when I bought my 70-200L I would never use my 85mm again, I was wrong.  I routinely find myself putting on the 85mm and shooting pictures with it.  Also, Its much lighter and less imposing than my 70-200L so when I just want amazing portraits, don't need the higher 200mm and don't want the weight, and want a real shallow depth of feel and out of focus backgrounds, I go for the 85mm.3) I also have a 16-35mm L which I use quite a bit for inside shots and panoramas which stays on my camera most of the time but there's just a special look to the longer mm rating that you get which makes portraits just work better with the 85mm - so when I take off the 16-35, I usually mount this 85mm.4) I really thought that between the 16-35mm L and the 70-200L, I'd never ever use the 85mm, I was wrong.  There are wonderful advantages to this lens which make it a keeper for me....the construction on this lens has held up very well, after years it looks brand new.  I do have a UV/Haze filter that I use as a protector I got from Amazon (about $25) - great value.There's allot to be said for a non "L" lens which consistently winds up on my camera when I own several "L"s which cover the mm of this lens.  To me, its an L: built like an L, color and saturation comparable to an L  It's my "L" lens that doesn't have a red stripe.Original Review:I bought a 20D recently with the 18-55mm kit lens and to start out I bought a 50mm f/1.8 lens which really got me interested in the faster f/stops to blur backgrounds and take pictures in lower light.  My kit lens was not fast enough (hard to blur background and hard to take pictures in low light) and both the kit lens and 50mm lens did not have Ultrasonic which made me miss focus more often with moving targets.I looked quite a bit and found the 85mm f/1.8 lens.  Although Amazon only had a few reviews, the photography forums I found were buzzing about how this lens should've been labeled an L lens.  Pros might know why but 90% of the reviews I read said it was comparable to an L lens in quality and that it was very affordable.I bought this lens and I have to tell you, I was very impressed with it right from the start.  On construction, its heavier than the kit lens and the plastic 50mm II lens.  It has a metal mount and very solid construction.  If you look through it you can see allot of glass which tells you it has a wide aperture and consequently its much heavier than the kit lens or 50mm lens.  But...its heavy in a good way.  It balances the camera and makes it look like a real camera.So what's good about this lens?  For one, you can take great pictures in low light with the f/1.8.  I photographed a stage play handheld with this lens and no flash (non allowed) and I got tremendous results.  Ultrasonic helped with every picture in focus and all very sharp with vibrant colors, very nice saturation, and I used ISO 400 and I could even freeze the action on stage.As a portrait lens, it really can blow the backgrounds into a very nice buttery blokeh and with the Ultrasonic - I haven't missed focus once.  Its also wonderful for inside pictures with no flash.  The F/1.8 is really versatile.A few notes.  If you're going to get a 70-200 L zoom lens, you might wind up not using this lens as much but for parties, its allot less intimidating than a big white lens.  I hear this lens was designed a long time ago and not really designed for digital and that some strange effects can be seen with it on digitals.  I have not gone looking nor experienced any of these.  Its just a tremendous value at $350.  I was not able to use this lens as a macro as it was not designed as such but I have thought of putting an extension tube on it to see what I get but haven't done so yet.Constructed Solid.  Solid feel, smooth focusing ring, distance window, autofocus with a real Ring USM.  Five Stars!  Amazon shipped fast on this for me - Great store.
I recently bought a Canon 5DmkI and was looking for a medium telephoto lens to take portraits with.  I cannot afford an L series lens yet because I am just starting up my photography business.  From the advice of Zach Arias I purchased this lens.  Before I was just using the 50mm 1.8, but after getting this lens I cannot go back.  It focuses much faster than the 50mm 1.8 and because of the USM it is super quiet.  But picking it up the lens feels substantial, not light and cheap like most EF-S lenses.If you are in the market for a great cheap non L series lens, I would pick this over the 50mm 1.8.
I won draw this out... I LOVE THIS LENS!!!! I have several L series lenses and this one puts up some pretty good competition for them. Between my 7D and this 85mm I've gotten some awesome shots
Simply put, you cannot beat the 85mm f/1.8 without some very deep pockets. Wide open the lens performs as well as many L zooms with apertures 1-2 stops slower. And at all comparable apertures, it beats my 24-105mm f/4.0L hands down.
This is such an awesome lens, especially if you are on full frame. It is really sharp and the composition of pictures with it is awesome. I would advise people that are looking for 85mm on a APS-C camera to look at buying a 50mm f1.4 because this lens will have a really high focal length on cameras such as the Rebel series and so on.Other then that it is an awesome lens and I have owned two or three in my photography career.
I use this lens on a Canon t4i.To say I love this lens would be an understatement. Autofocus is fast and accurate. Colors are rich and vibrant. Subjects are sharp, and the f/1.8 aperture produces rich and beautiful bokeh. I barely even have to touch the photos in Lightroom because they just look that accurate. If the quality of all my other lenses matched the quality of this lens, I would be a happy man.My one complaint? 85mm is sort of an awkward focal length for a lot of things. You have to be a good deal away from your subject, which may prevent you from using it in the house, but it's not enough of a telephoto lens to zoom in to distant objects. I use this for portraits, where I can easily control how far I am from the subject, but as much as I love this lens, I usually take my 55-250mm lens if I'm out and about. And then I die a little inside because this baby is left at home.Would I buy it again? Yes. Absolutely yes. If you want to see a grown man cry, wait until the day this lens gets damaged or stolen. Then I will cry. I will cry buckets over the loss of my poor 85mm lens.
Not much to add on top of the other reviews. The only thing you should be aware of is that the depth of field at f/1.8 is paper thin, which is excellent for portraits, but requires perfect focussing.The bokeh (the structure of the background blur) is nothing short of great, easily competing with much more expensive lenses. Yes, it has "L" quality.
I just got this lens and couldnt be happier with my purchase. With the super fast shipping and I was so excited to put it to use as soon as I got. My images are super sharp and make beautiful portrait shots. I am so happy I decided to go with this.
A great value! Perfect mid-range. Excellent for portraits. Great bokeh. I'm really happy with this lens.
Super affordable and perfectly sharp in performance.  I love shooting portraits with it but the shallow dept of field takes practice at mastering.
This is a very nice lens for the price. I have taken about two dozen images with it and they were sharp and the colors were well saturated. I received it in shorter time than I thought I would. I am very satisfied with this purchase. I use it both on my Canon XT Rebel and my EOS Elan. It worked flawlessly on both.
Canon lenses that are made in Japan are just better. For the price, this is a great value. It renders sharp, good quality images. I'm very happy with this purchase.
This lens fills an essential space in my prime lens lineup. Between 50mm and 135mm Canon offers two lenses at this price point: a 100mm f/2 and this 85mm f/1.8. For me, the wider aperture and what I can only describe as a more "natural" feel of 85mm were the deciding factors.Evaluating this as a USM prime Canon lens, though, the performance is wonderful. Snappy focus, brilliant colors, sharp, bokeh, etc etc etc ... all those words that positive lens reviews usually use. But if you're at the point where you're buying primes, you expect all that, anything less is a waste of your time, so I'll instead focus on why an 85mm f/1.8 lens is useful.Now, while f/1.8 is awesome for low-light shooting, that is not the focus of this lens. Landscapes, architecture, abstracts, detail... yes you can shoot those with this (or any) lens, but this lens really excels at portraits. No, that's an understatement. Portraits are this lens's raison d'tre. This lens is a portrait taking machine, and while good portraiture also requires loads of skill and experience, this is the tool you will rely on throughout.
Has problems with chromatic aberration :[ (Purple hues on edges in bright light)Other than that I love it!
I use this lens on a Canon 7d, which is a crop sensor camera. The focal length is longer than I expected on crop, but I'm getting used to it. All the other aspects of the lens are great. USM autofocus is fast, silent, and accurate. No AFMA needed on my copy. Bokeh is very nice, and colors have great pop. Great sharpness through APS-C corners- can't speak for full-frame. the-digital-picture.com has a great review of this (and every other canon lens made in the past 15 years) if you want more details. My only quibble- not even worth deducting a star for- is that the hood is snap-on and not bayonet, which IMO doesn't give quite as secure a fit. It hasn't caused me any problems, but I'm not quite as confident of my hood on this lens.
This lens is a steal for $350.00 when it was on sale.  The large aperture allows you to create great bokeh effects, not to mention it is tack sharp.
This lens is amazingly sharp; L quality sharp. It lacks the lens coatings of L lenses so the colors and contrast aren't as good, but sharpness leaves nothing to be desired. I found it to be easily sharper than my 24-70 f2.8L. I used it on a Canon 5d MkII and took some of my sharpest and best city/skyline shots with it.
I recently purchased this lens along with the 24-105mm as a part of the fall cash in with cannon rebate program.  So, originally, my main reason to get this lens was because it would save me another $50 off of the other lens via doubling the rebates and make it pretty cheap.  But now that I have used it for awhile, I am really happy that I got it.  The 1.8 maximum aperture does two things really well, lets you take low-light handheld shots and isolates the subject.  See my example photos for examples of both of these features.  I use this on the Canon Rebel XT and Rebel XTi which have a 1.6X crop factor and make this lens more like a 135mm which is good and bad depending on your usage.  This lens produces very sharp results and doesn't weigh much, so it is easy to carry around.  If you already have a good range of zoom lenses and are looking for something that will just take really nice, sharp, handheld shots, consider this lens.
I bought this lens over 6 years ago. It has continued to perform and I beat my gear up pretty good. I am a professional photographer and specialize in headshots. This lens hands down is on my camera 100 percent of the time I am shooting headshots. I prefer it over the pricier 1.2. It's super fast, it's light but it's made so very well. I feel that this is one of those lenses in the Canon line that they priced so fairly it's almost a steal!My sports Pro-Photog friends love this because of it's speed. On a cropped sensor camera you will even get a little more length out of it. I shoot a Canon Mark II5 stars all the way aroundI own Canon Mark II, 40D, 50 1.2, 24-70 2.8 and 85 1.8
one of my sharpest lens, i've used the 85L and it doesn't even compare to the quality of this one. I know some may shutter and bash that, but seriously this lens is my quickest and sharpest out of my whole collection.
I absolutely love this camera lens! It's perfect for portrait photography and I use it majority of the time I'm photographing.
Shooting predominately with a 50mm 1.4, I quickly realized I that I was in need of a portrait lens.  The 85mm was suggested to me and wasn't too expensive.  After a day of using it I was happy with the results, but decided I would just save up for the 70-200mm which is considerably more expensive.
I am an amateur having a Canon 5D Mark 2. I had been using F/4L 70-200 the most followed by F/4L 24-105 and the 50mm. All these lenses were having terrible motion blur in photos taken indoor without flashes or performances. I got this lens (Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras) and took it for a test run for an indoor function without flash and got excellent pictures. This is definitely superb for portraits and really fast avoiding motion blur.
i gave it a 3 star becouse im using it on a canon t3i, which is a crop sensor camera, and it dont have image stableization. other than that a beautiful lens, excellent quality. my problem is i have to be about 15 feet away from the subject to get them in the frame
It's not for every circumstance, and it is not an &#34;L&#34; series lens, but if you need a little distance between you and your subject and want great pictures, this is a wonderful prime lens for that. On a crop sensor camera, it comes out to 135mm equivalence.In very low light situations, I have learned that it takes a few minutes to dial it in during a session. But once you find that sweet spot, this lens really takes pro-quality shots. Lots of fine details, rich colors and plenty of bookeah if you want it, and it's relatively small. Some of the shots I've taken have really been outstanding.Autofocus works fine, Low light work is amazing. This starts out at 1.8, and you'll start finding perfection at around 2.4 to 3.2. That's when other &#34;low light&#34; telephoto zooms are just starting out and usually have to go a stop or two higher to get a good image.If you can't afford the &#34;L&#34; and don't want to take a chance on the Sigma 85, then this is your only cholce for 85 mm.
This the best lens I own, bar none.  It rocks at indoor, daytime and night time sports with a fast lock, good focus and clear shots.
One of my all time favorite lenses, especially for portrait work. Fast, sharp optics deliver consistent and predicable results. No lens distortion nor chromatic aberration. The 85mm f/1.8 lens is a good or better than many of my Canon L-series professional lenses. One of the most valuable lenses in my line up and THE greatest value for the money. Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
Sharp, fast, compact, and affordable. What more can you ask for from a lens? 85mm is great on full frame. This focal length is equivalent to about 135mm on APS-C &#34;crop&#34; bodies. If you need a fast prime in this focal length, this is a great option.
this lens let's you make a nice shoots, I just used in a movie shooting and did excellent job, delivering clear images with very nice boke&iexcl;
The clarity of this lens is fantastic!  Love it!!!!  When taking portraits, the individual really stands out! I would recommend this to any person who enjoys taking portraits.
Love this lens! I get excellent photos with it. I think all photographers should have it in their bag. I do recommend it to others often.
I am an amateur photographer, but I recently purchased the pricey 135mm F2.8 Canon L lens for my Rebel XTI.  As much as I like that lens, I find very limited use for it.  Too long in most situations and not long enough for the times I need a telephoto.  The quality of the EF 85mm f1.8 is just as good only it's much more versatile and much less expensive.  I leave it on my camera all the time and I use it under most conditions.  I've created some beautiful family and individual portraits, as well as sports action shots.  I'm in the food business and with proper lighting, I've been able to take some amazing food shots as well.  You won't be sorry you bought this lens.
I had a tiny bit of buyer's remorse after purchasing, but not because the lens is faulty.  The lens works great... I can only complain that, although it goes without saying given that it's a lens, it has to be handled quite carefully.  I always handle my lenses carefully and don't recall ever dropping it or hitting it on anything, yet I found a discolored scratched up area near the actual lens the other day after only having it for a couple of weeks.  My only other comment to add is that the 85mm range is a very interesting range.  It's difficult for me to work with because it puts you too close up for anything large unless it's a good distance away, and it's too small for anything small that's a good distance away. I thought this lens would be a good one for using during my daughter's dance recitals and competitions because of the low light in theaters and seats often being set back a little ways, but am quickly finding (fairly recently getting into photography) it's not a good situation for a primary focus lens. If you like to have a variety of lenses, then this would be a great addition, but if you can't afford to buy a lot of lenses or carry a lot of lenses around, you may want something a little more practical. I do think the price is a little high though... I think 275 would have been a more fair price.
This medium telephoto lens is great in all senses, specially for portraits photos.  The blurried backround is just fantastic and the colors vivid and sharp razon images.  It is a high quality lens without the red band of the luxury L series lens.  I would recomment it to everybody for its quality and price.  It is a little heavy compared to the new light weight pancake of Canon 40 mm f/2.8 and is also a very good lens.  You can see some of the photos I took with this great lens.
This is now one of my most used lens.  I have a T2i and take pictures my peers with high end full frame cameras commend me on...
This lens is great, I use it mostly for Portraits but it can do well many other things. As for it's value well, it's a bit expensive but for what it is the cost is not to bad. The build quality is what I would expect and the image quality was much better than I was expecting. I'ts not an L lens but it's also several times cheaper.
A lens like this is a must-have type lens in my opinion. If you're new to digital photography with digital SLR's you're going to want a lens with a low f-stop a.k.a. a faster lens and this is a perfect lens to leave on your camera at all times. Most people like to have a zoom lens on their camera but I'm of the opinion you can always walk closer or further from your subject but a zoom lens will never have this good of an f-stop. And while this lens is expensive ($400 at the time of this review) I'm sure it will become your default lens after only a month of shooting with it.You should always buy a UV filter to protect the glass on any lens you have. This in my opinion is the one thing everybody who purchases an expensive lens should do. UV filters don't affect the photographs you take but it's a layer of plastic between the scratchable glass and the world around you. It's a MUST BUY.Here I'll explain how the f-stop or aperture priority works on digital SLR cameras. Basically the aperture is a circle inside the lens that as you go up in your f-stop from 1.8 to 2.2 to 3.0 and beyond it shrinks the size of this circle in the lens. The shrinking of the circle from a higher f-stop allows less light to pass through to the sensor. The lower the f-stop i.e. 1.8 allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds in low light situations because the circle in the lens allows more light to pass through because of the lower aperture. Here's an example say are in a well lit room and you're shooting your child (yes that sounds very weird but it's a funny joke anyway). Generally indoors you need to shoot at 1/60 of a second with most lenses they'll instantly autofocus at their lowest f-stop which would be about 4.0. But with this lens since it can go down to 1.8 on the f-stop you could shoot the same picture at 1/125 shutter speed. Resulting in about the same light but avoiding any motion blur that plagues low light photography. Now needs to be noted that as you drop your f-stop you lose depth of field. I.e. how much of your photo will be in focus and how much will be blurred. It's the effect you see on portraits where the person is in focus but the background is blurry.Now I know many people will probably shoot holes in the foregoing explanation of f-stop but I'm not a really advanced photographer but I get how shutter speed and aperture priority work with each other. Buying a lens like this can only help somebody understand how both are related and work together.Here's what I recommend that you do:1. Enable manual mode on your camera this mode allows you to set both the aperture for the lens a.k.a. the f-stop and the shutter speed a.k.a. how long the shutter is opened while taking a photograph.2. Drop the aperture or f-stop to 1.8 on this lens3. Set your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second4. take a picture5. Look at your photograph notice how much is dark and light about it how sharp it is etc.6. Go up to the next shutter speed 1/90th of the second or 1/125 and take another photograph.7. now compare both of the photographs you took8. to change the shutter speed again going up another step taken other photograph now compare all three photographsIf you continue to do this adjust shutter speed while knowing what your aperture is you're going to notice how shutter speed affects the lighting of your photographs all you need to do then is start changing your aperture and repeat the process of stepping through your shutter speeds eventually you'll understand how the aperture works in correlation with shutter speed. I became a proficient photographer using manual controls in less than a month just by doing this simple practice. I would recommend starting outdoors on a well lit day because then you will see how you can adjust your aperture and your shutter speeds to really make good photographs.That's the reason I recommend this lens so highly as it helps you as a beginning photographer to create photographs because the lower f-stop helps you experiment and instantly see your results.Thanks for reading it this was helpful please click the button so others can see it.If you have any questions leave a comment on this review and I'll get back to you if I can help.
I am primarily a wedding photographer, but I do shoot portraiture now and then (especially engagement shoots), and so I have divided my review accordingly into those two categories. If possible, I would have given this a 4.5 star review as for my specific needs this lens is not ideal. In it's own right however, it is a great lens as I will explain below.GENERALIn general, this is a great lens. The optical quality is fantastic, it is built like a tank, and any photographer will tell you that the 85mm focal length is definitely the sweet spot for portraits. The bokeh is creamy wide open, and definitely higher quality that the 50mm 1.8 or even the 50mm 1.4. When stopped down a little, the images it produces are quite sharp, have very decent color (if a TINY bit dull in some situations) and I like that it produces such powerful results in a relatively small package.FOR PORTRAITUREThis is probably the best non-L glass around for portraits, and I would venture to say that in the right hands it can produce L-quality results. As I mentioned, the bokeh alone makes this an incredible choice for your portraits, whether with just one subject or a couple. What I like especially about the 85mm range, is that you have to be pretty far back from your subject for a traditional head-and-shoulders portrait, which I have found makes people feel quite relaxed especially those uncomfortable around a camera. I always use a manual focus point for portraits, focusing in on my subject's eye before snapping the shot. In a relaxed environment such as this, the lens works perfectly and turns out great results...FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHYYou might not think it, but Wedding Photography is one of the fastest paced photography categories, barring sports. The need to capture THAT moment in fact defines this profession, and therefore we wedding photographers need our gear to act right, and at the right time. Whether memory cards, DSLR cache or in this case lens focusing systems, it really irks me when I don't get the shot that I wanted. I have found when shooting weddings that this lens is less than ideal. I like to shoot without flash 95% of the time (venue allowing) and so all of my lenses are wide aperture such as this. The problem is, the focusing system on the 85mm is a little slow, so that I frequently noticed images coming out soft to the point of being blurry, as I don't have the time to wait for it to catch up. Initially thinking this might be a calibration problem, both my 1Ds MkII and my 85mm 1.8 went in for testing/calibration at Canon, both coming back with the okay. I tried a friend's copy of the lens, and came back with similar results. There are several forums that discuss this topic, and I found that many photographers found this same caveat with their lenses. When it does focus, it is spot on every time, but when the couple is having their first kiss, often you don't have more than a second or two to get it right.OVERALLIf you are looking for a good portrait lens, are a beginner or novice user, you are absolutely going to love this lens. Even some pros will enjoy it in many situations. If you are specifically a wedding photographer, or someone who shoots faster-paced scenes, you might want to look at a different lens. On paper, this lens should work for these uses, but in real life, I have found it to be less than ideal. This lens has earned a permanent spot in my gear bag, and I use it often and with pleasure, it does not however make appearances at weddings unless the bride and groom set aside a couple of hours for bridals, which doesn't happen all that often!4.5/5
This lens is great and can't believe I waited this long to get it.  It fits perfectly on my 5D Mk II and I don't feel the extra weight.  I took some photos of my son inside our home at f/1.8-f/2.0 and it's insanely sharp.  The autofocus is quick, spot on, and quiet.  Compared to my 50mm f/1.8 II, it's a dream lens (the 85) to have on my camera.  The only time I'll end up taking it off is when in a tight space and have to use the 50mm f/1.8 II.If you've been thinking about getting this lens, stop thinking and just get it.  I assure you that you won't be disappointed.  I plan on going back to just using primes, as I love the DOF that they give.  My next focal length is either going to be 135mm or 200mm, haven't decided yet.Thank you for reading this review and I hope it helps you in your decision.
This lens has great low light capability. I've used it at events without a flash and was amazed at the quality of the pictures. The only thing you have to watch out for is the depth of field when using the f 1.8 setting.
I've had this lens for a couple of years now and love it.  I use it more than my &#34;L&#34;'s.  It has a very shallow depth of field which makes beautifully out of focus backgrounds.  The clarity is amazing.  I have shots where you can literally zoom in and count the veins in the whites of the subjects eyes.  Awesome product!
This lens is a perfect addition to my collection. At the moment I am rocking a Canon t1i (crop camera), and needed another decent lens for portraits. At the moment, I have the stock 18-55 and the 50mm prime lens. I debated on getting another prime lens vs a better walkaround lens such as the Canon 24-70 f/2.8, but the $800 price difference swayed my decision.While this is a great lens, since it is a prime lens you'll still want to have a zoom lens on hand. I would recommend this for anyone who is doing portraits at an amateur to semi-professional level.Great buy.
Excellent lens for portraits and performs at the level of an L lens, but without the cost of an L.  You get a really attractive bokeh on the wide end of the aperature, and images have good color and contrast. This lens is a great value for the money, you won't be disappointed.
I bought this lens right before an overseas vacation to supplement the kit zoom lensCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasthat came with my Canon D50.  I thought the zoom lens would be my primary lens, but I ended up leaving the zoom lens in the bag more often than I had thought and used this one the most. I bought this primarily as a portrait lens but it performed so well at a variety of tasks and turned out to be much more versatile than I had expected.Our trip was for a month.  I did have to shoot a wedding, but the rest of the time was purely personal. Don't get me wrong - the 28-135 did good, but after a few hundred shots I noticed a pattern of overall better color under natural light conditions AND better auto-focus on the subjects with the EF 85.  Of course, fixed focal length lenses such as the EF 85 typically have fewer elements in fewer groups than zoom lenses, which as a rule of thumb should produce better images.While reviewing the wedding photos, I noticed that the EF 85 was more likely to focus on the subject's face than the 28-135, which tended to focus on who knows what - the clothing maybe?  I was using auto-focus with both lenses, but was sometimes getting slightly blurry shots when using the zoom lens.  I discarded more photos taken with the 28-135 zoom, and had I know this prior to the wedding I would have used the EF 85 more often.Once the wedding was over and I was just shooting for fun, there were a couple of times that I noticed a "busy" message on my camera that temporarily prevented me from shooting.  I was both perplexed and upset.  It said my battery still had plenty of power, I wasn't using the flash, and my memory card is fast and was far from full, so I couldn't determine what the problem was.  The second time this happened I realized I had been using the zoom lens both times, so I switched over to the EF 85, and the problem went away.  After a lot of research I learned that the IS system on certain IS lenses can cause temporary delays while compensating for low light or motion, but since the EF 85 does not have IS, there are no IS-compensaton delays.  That being said, this lens performs just fine even without a tripod (unlike longer teles).Towards the end of our trip I was visiting the United Nations' Joint Security Area in the middle of the DMZ between North and South Korea, and they have a strict lens length limit of 90mm, no exceptions.  A couple of people only had longer zoom lenses or teles, and they ended up having to leave their cameras behind - what a disappointment!  By this time I was quite comfortable with the EF 85, and once again it exceeded my expectations.  I always shoot in the highest quality mode (full "L" + RAW), and I was getting crystal-clear photos even when shooting from a slow-moving vehicle, and I was able to shoot at a rate of several photos per second.  Again, great clarity, color, and the auto-focus was always spot-on.Keep in mind that in the days of film cameras, the best portrait lens length was somewhere above 80mm.  For Canon APS-C cameras (non full-frame) like the EOS 50D, 7D, and Rebel models, this 85mm lens length would be the equivalent of a 136mm lens if it were on a film camera.  For full-frame models such as the EOS 1D and 5D, this lens is the equivalent of 111mm.  This translates into perfect portrait depth-of-field and produces awesome boke in the f/1.8 - f/2.0 range, and even a decent amount of boke up to f/4.5.  But this lens can do so much more than just portraits - the fast f/1.8 aperture is much wider than most zoom lenses, yet the cost, weight, and length are relatively small.  In short, an indispensable, very convenient lens.I couldn't be happier with this lens.  The Ultra-Sonic motor works silently and flawlessly.  As with all lenses, I would recommend using a lens hood and/or a QUALITY filter (think B+W UV MRC seriesB+W 58mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010) to protect the lens and limit unwanted light.  L-series lenses come with their own hood, but for this lens you must purchase it separatelyCanon ET65III Lens Hood for Canon SLR Lens.*** UPDATE ***  I recently added theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasAND theCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasto my lineup.  I mothballed the 28-135 kit lens (planning on selling it) and am using the 24-70mm f/2.8 L in its place.  Still using the EF 85mm as my primary portrait lens with no regrets.  I can't say it's exactly the same level as L-series glass, but it's pretty damn close.
Others have said this better than I, but I just had to add my praise to this lens. I was not aware that you couldn't zoom in when I first got it, but that was absolutely my error and does not detract at all from the wonderful qualities of this lens. Sturdily built but not heavy and bulky, wonderful bokeh, great f/stop control, clarity of image - my only problem with it, really, is that it isn't as sharp as I'd like, but that's all-too-easily fixed in Photoshop.
wish I might have afforded the larger aperture 85mm but this really gets the job down right as well. Cuts in a bit closer than your 50mm of course and that can be a good thing. REally clear and sharp, worth the investment.
Even though most people label this lens as a headshots lens, it can be use for a lot more than that. The image quality is excellent and the background blur is fantastic. Focusing is very fast and quiet and it doesn't take much room or weight. I'm very happy with this lens.
One of the best prime lens for the price!!Sharp, fast  and light !!BUY IT, you won't regret it
The pros and cons of this lens have been thoroughly debated already, but one significant weakness that I wasn't expecting was purple fringing on the boarders of high contrast areas. I planned on using this for wedding photography, but at f 2.2 and below I would get thick purple fringing around candles (or pretty much any light), around the brides dress, and basically any other high contrast transition. It wasn't every shot, two shots of the same subject, and same lighting would produce different fringing from different angles.The fringing was so bad that on a 22mp 5dmii image processed in ACR CS5 with "defringe all edges" set to ON, I have 3/4 length shots of a bride where there is still a visible purple ring around most of her dress when viewed at an 8x10 size (not pixle peeping).... but 2 seconds later I took a similar shot from a different angle and got no fringe.I may have had an unusually bad copy of this lens, but I would recommend to either rent this lens or buy it from a place like amazon where there is a good return policy, and try it under all the conditions you hope to use it. You may be very happy... or you may realize that you need to upgrade to the 1.2L
I think I found my new favorite lens...in good light, it instantly focuses...and the pics are sharp...the bokeh is beautiful too...It makes me feel like a pro...
Many people are deciding between this lens and the 50mm 1.4 lens. If you like bokeh and portrait, I would highly recommend this lens. It is as sharp if not better than 50mm 1.4. But it definitely has better bokeh. Many people get zoom lens like me when they start shooting. Eventually, we will figure out 85mm f/1.8 prime lens is a mush-have because you will notice the huge difference in terms of both sharpness and bokeh.
One of my favorite lenses i have. its a good range to capture candid portraits at parties or on the street. its very sharp from f2 and on. it has a quick usm motor to help its AF and the 1.8 aperture allows you to use it indoors without much ambient light. its definitely one of the better primes in canons line up.
I'm shooting with a 5D. I'm shooting video. Using this for a side angle in a 2-camera set up, but frankly, the shots from this lens are so beautiful, I am thinking of changing the set up to use my 50mm 1.4 prime as the side angle, and the 85 1.8 as the front angle. I'm going to test it out tomorrow. This lens takes beautiful photos and was pretty affordable, especially considering the quality.
This lens is a must have lens if you are shooting portraits. The focal length at 85mm is just right to flatter people. It's ideal for full frame shooters like myself on the 5D3. You get sharp results with beautiful bokeh wide open at f1.8 and it's sharp as nails by f2.5 to f2.8 and above. All the great reviews here are true both for it's positive and negative traits.My first copy of this lens had issues. It had awful CA/purple fringing on high contrast subjects at f1.8 to f2.8 and the left side was soft. The lens had a de-centered element for sure. The replacement from Amazon was amazing. It had very little CA and was equally sharp at all 4 corners. Focus was actually accurate vs the 1st copy which was front focusing a bit.In conclusion, I have no regrets buying this lens. It fills the void I have between my excellent 135L and my terrific 50mm1.4 primes. It's fine for interior shorts and even outdoor candids, which I normally use my 135L for. Just make sure you test your lens properly. Amazon came through with a quick and painless swap and I will be back for more in the future.
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is an excellent lens for portrait work even if use with full frame or on crop body camera. It's much better than you expect, so if you're reading this because you think you want one, then just go get one. You'll love it!
Absolutely love this lens. Great for studio portrait work.  The picture quality is stunning. I even had my three year old son take a picture of his Nana with my camera and it turned out amazing.  Everyone was floored by the results of the picture that he took.  By far, one of my best purchases.
This lens is a great addition to my lens collection. Can't believe the low light capability. I can easily adjust the focus and amount of blur (bokeh) I want on the picture. Very happy. Excellent substitute for the more expensive &#34;L&#34; series lens. On a 6D the pictures are just amazing.
This is, in my opinion (and many other people's) one of the all-time-best prime lenses. Super sharp, and a useful focal length. If thinking about it for a camera with a &#34;crop factor&#34; (a non-full-frame camera) be aware that it presents a somewhat narrow angle of view. You may have to step back to get your entire subject in the picture. Or consider spending 3x as much, and getting a zoom lens. All depends on what you'll be shooting...
I like this lens a lot but I have to say that for my video shoot I had to use the 50mm more often due to tighter spaces, you need to have more space to use this lens. I'm on a crop camera, a T4i so the lens is a bit different then it would be on a non crop camera, I think my next lens will need to be a 35mm so I can get those wide shots, you really can't go wide with this one at all but the photos are awesome, couldn't really tell the diff between the 50mm and the 85mm but the cheap 50mm is nowhere near as nice to shoot with as the 85mm usm lens.
My first telephoto prime, this lens focuses quickly and silently.  Great bang for the buck, you'll get amazing headshots and low-light event shots.  The (not included) lens hood is the non-bayonet style, which is flimsy and can get knocked off without much effort.  I've noticed a little bit of ghosting if there are bright lights in the frame (i.e. christmas lights in one corner, ghosted reflections of these lights in the opposite corner).  But, I think that's typical of non-L len$es.
I'm by far not a professional photographer but this lens makes me feel like one. My images are so clear and the colors vivid. I purchased this lens with my 60D and have no regrets.
This lens is required if you want to shoot portraits on Full Frame Canon camera and 1) can't afford the 1.2 85mm and 2) want auto focus.I considered the Rokinon 85mm 1.4, but I am very happy with the shallow DOF of this lens. In fact, at 1.8, it's almost too shallow on FF camera - when head is turned slightly, the eye away from camera will be soft.If you have a crop sensor camera (the rebels, 7D and 70D), then get the 50mm 1.8 which would be your 85mm equivalent portrait lens (actually 80mm).The 85mm will be 136mm on crop sensor, which is great for portrait too.  FF cameras would have to get the much more expensive 135 F2 L lens to do the same job.Bottom line: buy this lens.
This lens is legendary. If you are after tack-sharp portraits with beautiful saturation and color, beautiful bokeh, and are on a limited budget, get this lens. It's fast, sharp, and relatively inexpensive.Definitely invest in the ET-65III hood, too. Consider it a required accessory of you don't like flare.I am using the lens on a crop body (Xti) so the effective focal length is about 135mm. This is a little long for much beside portraits, and too short for nature or outdoor sports. It might serve well in indoor sports, however.Another "portrait" lens you might consider if on a budget and using a crop body is the 50mm/f.18. It doesn't look sexy on the camera, but at $70 you can't go wrong and the IQ is really astonishing for the price.
I just purchased this lens 2 weeks ago. I can not stop shooting with it! It is more than I thought it would be! I read all the reviews and had an easy choice selecting it. It really is true that a good lens makes you a better photographer! The overall feel of the images quality screams professional! Really!I have been using stock lenses for 2 years and finally made a choice to ditch them both and upgrade. I sure am glad I chose this lens. It is heavier than the plastic stock lens, Naturally. The glass is thick and much larger , also.It is quality all the way. The lens is quick on focus and doesnt make mistakes like my stock lens.I have also noticed that I am not playing around in photoshop as much as with my old lenses.It has a better contrast and saturation ratio. The bokeh is superb! I do not limit this lens to portraits! I also picked up a Sigma 10 -20mm lens for my Canon and that is a joy to shoot with too!Go ahead and get this lens if you have been pondering it. You wont be sorry! I only gave it a 4 because I really wanted a Pro Lens but couldn't afford the price tag. But all in all. I think I did get one! There should be a red ring around this lens!
I've become a fan of prime lenses.  I own a 30mm Sigma 1.4 and now this 85 prime.  I can only compare it to other Canon lenses and the two Sigma lenes I own (the others are zooms), and I must say that this is the best in terms of quality.  I would not characterize this lens as a "walk around" or primary lens.  I use the 30mm for that.  It is however wonderful for sports photography and portraits.  It's pleanty sharp at 1.8 and the bokeh is wonderful.  The 85mm works out to somewhere near 135 with the aps-c sensor and it is just enough telephoto to give your subject some personal space.  I use it indoors and out.5 stars are well deserved.
I have used this on a Canon 60D and a 5D Mk 2. I have had the best results with the 5D Mk 2, though it was also good on the 60D. The crop factor of the APS C size sensor in the 60D means that the telephoto effect is effectively increased (to the equivalent of 136 mm). I've had better results with the full frame 5D Mk 2 where 85 mm is just that...Anyway..the lens really is light and fast, good autofocus and when I use it for portrait shots I do get a pleasing background blur. It has been useful for landscape shots where I do not want a wide angle but rather a portion of the view (such as in a Japanese garden).
This is the best dollar value in Canon lenses I think. I have several of L series lenses and love them dearly but this lens is a better dollar for dollar value. Unless you really need the 1.2 for ultra low light the money is hard to justify.The lens isn't at it's sharpest at 1.8 but by the time you get to 2.0 or 2.2 it is unbelievable.  This lens will take you leaps ahead in portraits. If you need this size lens try it before you plunk down the big bucks for the L lens.Of course that is just my opinion.
I needed a low light, short telephoto but the price of the 85 F:1.2 was just too high. My friend, a Canon rep, said that his testing showed that the 85MM f:1.8 was just as sharp as the pricier lens, much lighter and, more important, really sharp wide open. I took his advice and got one but immediately did a careful test - tripod mounted - taking pictures of subjects I would normally shoot with this focal length lens. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. I was, quite frankly, blown away. The lens is sharp at all of the useful apertures - from F:11 all the way to f:1.8. It has wonderful color and it provides a bright viewfinder so AF and framing is quick and easy. The images are clearly professional quality and the lens's construction is rugged enough for the kind of work that I do.I have discovered that there are affordable sleepers like this in Canon's line (e.g., my 17-40 f:4 is amazing, despite the low price and the 70-200 f:4 non-IS is a real standout) and with careful selection, I can get a bargain priced lens that performs like a pro lens.Need a short, fast tele for your Canon" Then you could not do much better than the 85MM f:1.8.Recommended
I don't use this lens as much as I have my others, but it does a fine job.  It gathers enough light to allow indoor shooting and still produce sharp images.
If you think you have this length adequately covered with one of your zoom lenses, you may be mistaken.  It is a great portrait lens, and even better for action shots.  Focusing is fast, and it operates wonderfully in low light situations.
I find that 85mm is just the *perfect* focal length for people's faces. I'm sure there is some sort of formula or theorem behind it, but for whatever reason, people tend to look good at 85mm. It's a good lens to work with, too, since you can capture flattering headshots without needing to be too far away, or so close that you start to get fisheye-ish exaggeration. I know people rave about the Nifty Fifties, but I really don't like using them for portraiture unless the surrounding environment is really going to play into the look of the desired final product.85mm on a full frame camera is just a joy to shoot with. If you fancy yourself as a portrait photographer, THIS is the lens you need to grab those breathtaking shots where the subject just jumps out at you from the background.So why this lens over the Sigma f/1.4 or the Canon f/1.2? Well, I tried all three. It was an expensive experiment, but a worthwhile one. The Canon f/1.2 is ungodly. It's a beast. A bokeh machine. I loved what I got out of it, but I didn't feel like the performance justified the price for me personally. If I were shooting full-time, and needed my shots to publish in order to survive, it wouldn't even be a question, but as an enthusiastic hobbyist, I couldn't justify the price. It's amazing, but not magical.I really liked the Sigma f/1.4, and found almost everything about it to be top-quality. The feel, the focusing speed, the colors... all great. The reason I couldn't go with it, however, was the color fringing. I'd read about the problem before, and was anticipating it, but didn't realize how present it would be in everyday shots. While Lightroom has a tool specifically for dealing with this problem, it's a solution that can add softness to high-contrast areas. Picket fences, eyelashes, jewelry... I just can't consider a lens to be sharp if the colors aren't aligned, and I just couldn't get past that fault. Maybe they'll do an ART version of it soon that addresses this?The EF 85mm f/1.8 has a nice feel to it, though certainly nowhere as smooth as the other two competitors. Focusing is really quick, and while you'll notice vignetting up to about f/2.2, it's not something I've ever really felt compelled to correct in post. There is CA and fringing in very high-contrast situations, but nowhere as bad as what I saw on the Sigma. Considering the price, it's somewhat of a no-brainer for portraiture and outdoor/landscape photography.
I use my 85mm f1.8 canon lens for my daughters volleyball games.  It performs really well in low lighted school gyms with no flash.  I do shoot in RAW format so I can lighten some of the pictures if needed. I see other parents give up shooting in the dim light of a school gym because they are still trying to use the kit lens with f3.5 to f4.5.  You need a shutter speed of at least 1/200 to stop the action.  I have no trouble getting this at f1.8 or f2.0.  You do have a very shallow depth of field at f1.8.  This would also be very good for indoor basketball games as well.
In a side by side comparison with an L series 85mm 1.2 the differences are not worth an extra $2000.  This lens is a solid performer which I use as a standard go to lens for portraits and low light conditions where a bit of distance is necessary like dance events or nighttime street scenes.  The background blur (bokeh) is simply superb as are the crispness of clarity and rich colors. I own only two L lenses; a 24-105 and 70-200 2.8 non IS. Otherwise for the conditions in which I normally shoot I do not see the need to spend thousands on L glass when I can shoot pro quality with lenses like the 85 1.8.  It's really all I need and my clients don't suffer for it. It has fast, quiet AF and a nice compact size that makes it much easier to carry than  my 70-200 tank lens.  I am very satisfied with the solid build and the excellent quality shots it can produce.  Look to this before taking out a second mortgage for the red stripe.
I have two other lenses (17-85 EF-S IS and 70-300 EFS IS) which cover the 85mm focal length, but they are f4.5 at the fastest.  I wanted less depth of field and the bokeh for which this lens is known.I'm extremely happy with this lens. It's just gorgeous, closest thing to my 90mm Leica Summicron I've used.  I use it primarily for portraits. It focuses quickly and is very sharp when used with my crop camera.  Amazon is also terrific, I make all my major camera purchases here.
I have purchased this lens as recommended by a friend. This is a good product but I have seen better in terms of portrait lenses.
I am in love with this lens!  I don't think it's work the extra $700 for the 1.3 L series - this lens does the trick!  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Sure the 85mm f/1.2L is a legendary lens, but it is what? 3, 4 X the price of this f/1.8. No this isn't an L, but you won't know it from its image quality. I have now shot literally 1,000s of images across a winter of volleyball and boys and girls high school basketball. The gym lighting in this league is so bad that my f/2.8Ls can't stop action. This lens (along with the 50mm f/1.4 and the incredible 135mm f/2.0L) made my living. If you have the money and ONLY do portrait work, then get the f/1.2. For any kind of action or if you just don't have the cash you will not be disappointed with Canon's 85mm f/1.8 even if it doesn't have a red ring.
This lens is super sharp, even at f1.8 on mi 5dmkIII.i love the DOF that it makes wide open.fast focusing.light weight.excellent for portraits, by now one of my favorite lens... until i get the 85 f1.2... ;D
I recently bought this lens amid trepidation that the 85mm focal length would overwhelm the x1.6 crop factor of my Digital Rebel XL. My worries were needless: just a step or two back from the subject plus some getting used to the telephoto perspective were enough to turn this lens into the most effective portrait lens that I have.  When attached to my EOS Elan 7n film camera, however, the lens really truly comes into its own, as the full frame 35mm SLR delivers the entire focal range of this lens.  The focused image is incredibly crisp compared to any other non-L grade lens.  And I agree that this lens deserves the red ring of courage around it, like the L lenses have.  This glass is absolutely essential in a very short list of affordable lenses, and should give many of the non-affordable ones a run for their money. Solidly built too, with an old-fashioned no-nonsense look to it.  I highly recommend it.
I bought this lens for portraits and general walk-around photography. It complements my 24-70mm f/2.8L and 135mm f/2L very nicely.On a crop sensor camera (Rebel series, 40D, 50D, etc.) you will get a full frame field of view equivalent of 136mm, which may be a little long for some pictures. I have a 450D (Rebel XSi), and it works very well on it.Pros:- Lightning fast auto focus- Excellent sharpness, even at f/1.8. It's performance is similar to my 135mm f/2L, which is says a lot.- The price. You're getting a "sleeper L lens" without spending a fortune. The L version of this lens is roughly $2000. You're getting a lot of bang for the buck.- Excellent bokeh. Backgrounds are very smooth.- Well built. It feels solid when I hold it, unlike the plastic kit lens.- Small size and lightweight. It's very inconspicuous and doesn't stand out.Cons:- There's some visible CA when wide open at f/1.8, but not really a problem for most situations. Stopping down to f/2 or f/2.5 will generally fix it.Considerations when buying this lens:- This lens has a 3 foot minimum focusing distance. You can't get too close to your subjects.- The full frame equivalent FOV (136mm) may be too long for those on a crop sensor camera, depending on what pictures you're takingOverall, I love this lens. I've been very happy with its performance, and the pictures that I get are simply incredible. If you're interested in a good portrait/short telephoto lens, this is the one to get.
This is a wonderful lens and a great addition to my other photography supplies.  It gives a clear, crisp image that is beautiful.  I love it.
I crossed my fingers and bought this lens used because I wanted a longer focal length portrait lens. I didn't like the reviews on theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras(I didn't have the cake for theCanon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasor theCanon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameraslens). I liked the reviews for the 85mm 1.8 and I couldn't stand the blurry images coming from theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lenson my 5D Mark II. I also have the kit lens Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras WHITE RETAIL BOX they're not too bad!! I took it out to the park and shot quite a bit of photos through it... the lens seems to focus very well, the images appeared to be sharp and bright through the viewfinder. Ok.... still not sold on it... but when I got home and uploaded the images to my PC.... I liked what I saw.....AMAZINGLY SHARP IMAGES!!! I think it should have an "L" on it but who I am..... I'm just a new kid on the block in photography so I can't gave you all the technical jargon... All I can say is SHE'S A GREAT PIECE OF GLASS!! Try it for yourselves the chances are that you too will agree!!! A great bang for the buck!!!Update 5-8-12Still loving this great piece of glass as it continues to turn out sharp images in low light!! When I grow up and put on my big boy pants I will step up and purchase the grandaddy of Canon glass:Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens for Canon DSLR CamerasI hope this helps!!! Happy shooting!!!
I've been loving getting to know this lens for about a year now. I got it for the low price (relatively) and large aperture. I heeded the warnings about being very careful about focusing when using it wide open. That did take a while. I found that when possible Live View zoomed in was the best way to focus. Hand-held it's not easy, but it's possible if you're steady or have a way to brace yourself. If you're shooting in daylight, the shutter speed will be really fast at f/1.8, so that compensates some, but not completely. I had to relearn careful focusing before I made the best use of this lens, which I think it shooting with a small area of sharp focus with quick and soft drop-off. It does all that. I was surprised that the low-cost model was so sharp at its widest, but it is. It may fall off toward the outer edges; if it does, it hasn't affected my images. Since the closest it can focus is about 3 ft, it feels limited in its range, especially if you're used to something like the 100mm macro. It was a great experience for me to get comfortable and get some very nice results with a lens type that I had no experience with. I love just walking around with this lens or with the 50mm 1.8 (even cheaper). They're small, light, and perform beautifully.
If you like portrait photography and own a Canon, I don't know of any other lens as good as this for the price. I highly recommend this lens.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasis probably the best value Canon lens. The quality of the image is very good, big aperture allow low light hand held shot and create a shallow depth of field. The auto focus is quiet and very fast.Build quality of this lens is very good, feels very solid and definitely a step up from kit lens. It is relatively short and light weight compared to general purpose lens (3.0" x 2.8", 15.0 oz. / 75.0 x 71.5mm, 425g).Application of this lens will be portrait, indoor sport (basketball, volleyball), art performance and candid photography.Using this lens for soft and sharp images* Wide open at f/1.8, this lens is soft but create a very nice 'bokeh' great for girls portraits.* at f/2.8, the center of the image is very sharp, my favorite setting for general portraits and sports.* at f/4 and above, the image is very sharp edge to edge, especially f/8 where you get the maximum sharpness.There is nothing that I can complain about this lens at this price point because it has very good built quality, excellent in low light especially freezing motion, and awesome for portraits. It worth every penny. I recommend this lens in addition to your general purpose kit lens.Image Quality : Excellent 4/5Build Quality : Very Good 4/5Price value: 5/5[...].
I can't decide if I like this one or the Canon 50mm/f1.4 better.  They both take beautiful shots for an amateur photographer ;)Highly recommend.
Simply the best lens I have ever used.  Make sure you understand it does not zoom, but the pictures it takes are very impressive!
I tried this lens on a Canon Digital Rebel XT.  I'm amazed at all of the positive reviews.  My results were very disappointing. Maybe I had a defective lens, but I don't think so.  Great Bokeh. Fast Lens. However, this lens had a VERY DIFFICULT time focusing on a subject. Auto focus was way off. Even in manual mode, getting a sharp focus was a real challenge at F1.8 or 2.8.  I switched my Canon Digital XT camera to spot center focusing and still had a difficult time getting a sharp image after taking many pictures. I would recommend testing this lens out before purchasing.
Before I get into the review, let me give a quick primer on Canon lenses for those of you who may be looking at this lens for your first Canon and are not really familiar with the "L-series..." comment in my review title.  Canon lenses can be grouped into 3 basic categories - EF and EF-S non USM, EF and EF-S with USM, and L.  The EF-S lenses are specifically designed for Canon cameras using the APS-C sensor (the Rebels, the 7D, the 10/20/30/40/50D).  The non-USM versions of these lenses are traditionally considered 'kit lenses' (ones that are packaged with cameras - for example the 18-55 EF-S or the 55-250 EF-S that often come with the Rebel series) and are traditionally considered 'beginner' lenses.  They lack the ultrasonic motor driven autofocus (USM) and they aren't manufactured to the same optical standards as Canon's better lenses - this isn't a knock on the lenses, because the fact is that Canon needs a series of lenses that fit the specific price range these lenses occupy. For the casual photographer these lenses perform great.  From these you move into the EF or EF-S USM lenses that use the ultrasonic motor driven autofocus - they are quieter, faster focusing, and also a bit more solidly constructed.  Consider these the 'mid-range' lenses in terms of price and performance, with some lenses in this category excelling to the point where they could be used without any reservation in professional settings.  Finally you have the L-series - these are Canon's top of the line lenses (when you watch a sporting event and notice the sea of white/cream colored lenses on the photographer's cameras you are seeing L-series glass in action).  I own several L-series lenses, with my favorite being the 24-70 F2.8 (read my review on it if you are interested in this lens).  These lenses are expensive - prohibitively expensive to many - but if you can save up for one, you won't regret the purchase.  Note that this little primer didn't mention image stabilization - this feature can be found in each category of lens - I tend to think that people put too much emphasis on it, but it can certainly be useful.Now, on to this lens.  The 85mm F1.8 would fit into that 'mid-range' category in regards to its price. Performance-wise, however, this lens is professional grade without question.  It's L-series counterpart, the 85mm F1.2 is about $1300 more expensive - and while the jump to a max aperture of 1.2 is nice, many people just don't see it as being worth the additional cost when compared to this lens.The 85 F1.8 is pin sharp across its entire aperture range, producing beautifully blurred backgrounds and extremely shallow depth of field at F1.8 on both full frame cameras like the 5D and 1Ds series and on crop factor bodies as well.  It is a hugely popular portrait lens - I'd go so far as to say it is a "must own" for a portrait photographer. At F1.8 it produces crisp eyes in portraits with silky smooth backgrounds - turning something as simple as the front yard into a perfect backdrop for a portrait. For beginners - the number after the "F" is the aperture - the lower the number, the wider the hole the light goes through and thus the more of the lens that is used.  Many lenses tend to be a bit softer when they are set to the max aperture for that lens because it requires more of the lens to be used in focusing the image, letting imperfections at the edges of the lens come into play and impact sharpness.  I've been extremely pleased with the sharpness of this lens its max aperture.Additionally - on a crop factor body like the Rebel series (or the 50D or 7D), this lens has an effective focal range of 136mm (85 x 1.6 = 136 - contact me personally if you need help understanding why I did this calculation - you can get my email address by going to my website - [...]).  This makes it a decent mid range telephoto lens with - being able to shoot at 136mm at F1.8 is great for indoor sports photography such as basketball.  Again, for beginners, the more light your lens can let in (the lower the max aperture number) the faster your shutter speed can be indoors.All in all, this lens is extremely versatile.  This lens and the 100mm F2.8 macro (the older version) are the two non-L series lenses that I have no reservations using in ANY professional situation.  I cannot recommend it enough and if you plan on doing any portrait photography you owe it to yourself to pick this lens up.  For the price, its performance simply cannot be beat.I'm happy to answer any and all questions (that I can) about this lens or cameras and lenses in general.  Again, my email address can be found at my website.
I am a hobby photographer, taking mainly action photos of dogs and other nature things.  I have found that I am happiest using prime lenses over zoom since the photos come out clearer and sharper in all ranges, and it's certainly easy enough to switch out a lens.This lens is GREAT!  It is just the right focal length for an area I frequent with the dogs and my photos are coming out fantastic.Overall, this lens is one of the most versatile lenses I own.  The f/1.8 is great for pretty much any lighting conditions I run into, and stops even the fastest jumping or running dog.  I have some great snow shots taken with this lens...you almost feel like reaching out and brushing the snow off the dogs faces.  Photos almost look three dimensional and there is a sparkle in each dogs eyes!Buy this lens, you won't regret it!!!
THIS LENSE IS ONE OF MY BEST WEPONS IN MY ARSENOL IT'S GREAT FOR PORTRAITS THE CLARITY IS UNBELIVABLE
I needed a lens to take photos under the following conditions:1 - Artificial lighting.2 - Subject located less than 20 meters from the camera.3 - Camera with a 1.6 crop factor (APS-C sized sensor).4 - No flash.5 - Shutter speed of 1/100 (or faster) to freeze action.6 - ISO not over 800 to minimize noise.7 - Indoor sport (Judo).Before choosing the Canon 85mm 1.8, I had read several lens reviews.Most reviews recommended this lens for portraits and indoor events.I choose this lens because of:1 - Good reviews.2 - Fair price.3 - Maximum aperture of 1.8.After several photos with this lens, I have the following observations:1 - This lens is solidly built and deserves good recommendations.2 - Most photos were sharp and required almost no post-processing.3 - Post-processing usually consisted of minor adjustments and cropping.4 - Considering the above settings, the aperture ranged from 1.8 to 2.5.5 - Since this lens is a prime, you get better results moving around.6 - The focus mechanism is fast and silent.Considering my application, I am satisfied with the Canon 85mm 1.8.Please note that I am an amateur, not a professional photographer.
I have both the 50mm f/1.4 ($340) and the 28mm f/1.8 ($450), which isn't much popular but does it's job as a &#34;normal lens&#34; in a crop-sensor body. They are both pretty good lenses, and I use them a lot for their specific qualities. But this 85mm is by far the best piece of glass out of the three. There's still a bit of Chromatic Aberrration at f/1.8, but those guys at Canon had to let you know somehow it isn't an L lens, right?Pros:- Very, very sharp, even at f/1.8. For the price, is the sharpest lens you can buy.- A bargain! For what it can do, I would pay twice it's price and still be happy about it.- Compact size. It doesn't take much space in the bag. I would say it's 30% taller and wider than the 50mm f/1.4.- Focuses really fast... almost every time.- All time manual focus it's a great feature on this lens. You'll need it when the camera fails to focus because of the extremely thin focus plane. It happens when you go from a near object (3 ft or so) to a distant one or viceversa.- The bokeh is delicious, and you can definately isolete subjects!Cons:- A bit of Chromatic Aberration at f/1.8, but it's ok. We all know that's reserved for L glass.- Kind of plasticky. It kinds of worries me to se all that beatifull glass cased in thin plastic. But that's what meakes it light and cheap, so...- No Image Stabilization, so you'll need to work on your pulse. But again, all fast primes lack IS, and I think that's great about them.It's great for studio or street portraits, as it gives great perspective and proportions, and lets you keep your distance from the subject. Paired up with a camera that can manage low light, it's great for wedding photography, as it lets you shoot practically without a flash. I've used for theater plays and corporate events as well.
This is a lens that should be in every camera bag.  On a 1.6 crop body like the Rebel series or 30D/40D it really excels for portrait work or indoor sports. It's a little long for general indoor use and you can get some purple fringing when shooting high contrast scenes if it is wide open but generally not a problem.  You have to spend a heck of a lot more in order to beat this lens.
Faster focusing than the f1.2, and still has stunning image quality.  Don't hestiate.  Most of my best portraits come with this lens.
I really like this lens. Sometimes, on weekend trips, I will take only this lens, and it has proved to be a very nice choice.I would not recommend it if you have landscapes in mind. But for portraits, I like it better than my 50mm f/1.8, and that's saying a lot.
I bought the Canon EF 85 f/1.8 a few weeks ago and it's been practically welded onto my camera ever since. Fast primes, I'm finding, are addictive.Don't be scared by the effective ~135mm focal length if you're shooting on a crop sensor. I shoot with an XSi and haven't found the length to be limiting in the least. It's a great head-and-shoulders portrait lens from about 7 feet out, but has also surprised me with its versatility as a walking-around lens.I own Canon zooms covering from 10-250mm and they're spending much more time languishing in my bag since I got the 85 (and also the EF 35 f/2 but that'd be a different review).Autofocus is fast and accurate, colors are rich, and it's sharp wide open at 1.8. Bokeh is smooth and lovely.Construction feels solid, particularly for a lens in this price range. The full-time manual focus is very handy.I love the photos I've been getting with this lens and really can't recommend it highly enough. Given the low price and the stellar results, you can't go wrong.
One of the sharpest lens I own, I use it along 28mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 for low light dance photography.
Not much to add to the other great reviews, except to say that I've had this lens for over a year, and it never fails to produce razor sharp photos. I've used it for photographing cars, mounted on a tripod and stopped down to 5.6, and the results are just stunning. There are some excellent comparisons to the 85 f1.2/L out there, and while the L lens is just the slightest bit sharper it's hard for a non-professional such as myself to justify the additional $1300.00. If this focal length suits your needs, don't hesitate. It really is one of the best lenses out there, and the price makes it a bargain.
This is a great lens for portraits and head shots and it is really sharp until you hit F/2.8 mark, then you can get fringing and chromatic aberration, and it is really soft at F/1/8It's not  as sharp as the f/1.2  and the bokeh is not  as buttery, but it's still pretty good for the money. Also it has the advantages of being much lighter weight then 1.2.For the price you get professional quality images without spending a lot of money.
This is an excellent lens for shooting portraits.  Very sharp even in the corners.  Reasonably fast focus.  I think f1.8 provides all the versatility most photographers would need.  If anything, I find the depth of field at f1.8 so shallow that it is useful only rarely.  I don't see the point of f1.2.  Usually I need more depth of field to get someone's head in focus unless I am some distance away.  For just 20% of the cost of the f1.2 L series 85mm, this lens is a great value.
I do think I am going to be pleased with this lens. I quickly shot off a couple of shots and was pleased with the sharpness and the results.  I can't wait to put this lens to use for real!I will write more as I work with the lens more.
If you want to make your first step up from a kite lens and don't want to spend L money I would recommend buying this lens, I use it at wedding all the time and it gives you nice crisp shots with great bokeh don't get me wrong it is no 85 1.2II that lens is just magic, but this lens is my go to for sure!
My husband is very pleased with this purchase. Cannon is a great brand and all he uses. Will definitely keep purchasing.
I purchased this lens for my 7D to go along with my sigma 30mm. The build of this lens is pretty solid, and I love the look of the large glass even though it is only 58mm. The focusing speed is very good and the bokeh you get at 1.8 is awesome. I haven't shot enough yet to see any problems with the purple fringing I read about. The lens is a bit long for indoor use, but it is an excellent potrait lens. I have shot couples using this lens, but I probably wouldn't try to fit anymore people than that. Together with my 30mm I feel I cover a good range. Overall, the 85 1.8 is a really great lens that is reliable and produces awesome photos.
A very nice lens. Sharp and fast af. In a small gym or interior area you may need the 50mm 1.4 due to the crop factor. On a Canon 40D it is the equiv. of a 80mm lens in 35mm film terms.Still a great lens for a lot of applications.
This is an awesome portrait lens on a 1.6x crop factor camera, and pretty cheap too. The 8-blade aperture gives very nice-looking bokeh. An aperture of f/1.8 is very fast, so this lens performs well in low light. Build quality is good, too.
I love the quality of this lens, especially for the price. Fantastic portraits in the low f/numbers, and a nice crisp image.
this lens is my best one. sharp, good quality. love it overall. it is heavy but worth it. great lens
Switched from a crop sensor (t3i) to a full frame (5D mk II) and this is about the same as a 50 on a crop sensor. Great for portraits, or anytime you need a really shallow depth of field. For the price, you can't beat this lens in this length. If you plan on being a professional portrait photographer, you should probably look at the 85mm or 105mm L series primes since they're optically superior, but for someone looking for a medium-long fast prime, this is perfect.
I feel bad giving this lens 5 starts but the only reason I did that because there is no option to give it 7 or even 10 startsfirst of all this lens is made in Japan you will be able to tell as soon as you see it and hold it in your handamazing solid construction , stunning pictures , I was trying to get a better lens sharper than my kit lens 28-135and I was between the 85mm f1.8 and the 135 f2 prime lensI'm so glad I got the 85mm I feel like a winner , I got a lot for my moneyI wouldn't be unrealistic if I said that this lens competes with L lenses and it's much better than lots of themjust make sure you get it from authorized dealer otherwise you don't know what you are getting
This is another one of my favorite lenses. Great for capturing a good bokeh. Also, solid for portraits. You'll get great photos with these. It's built well too.
This was a great price for a great lens. This is a solid lens to add to your collection. Or in my case I sold my kit lenses and a few others, and just bought this one. It is great.
this lens is great for taking pictures of cats, or dogs, really any animal. its really fast at a 1.8 and can reach across a room no problem. great for shooting  candid portraits of family members that act weird when they know a camera is on them too.
Hi, I got 85mm today hoping was gonna be something different than other lenses, and........... nothing new really happend, It takes similar pics than 100mm macro, but with No macro feature,,, i was debating between 85mm and 70-200 2.8 non IS and i guess i went wrong, pics may be the same quallity but some times you need some extra Zoom wich is missing on 85mm , i guess i will keep trying till i find the lens of my dreams..
I'm really happy that I went for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens. The bokeh I get on images is simply first rate. It has a sturdy feel to it and in low light situations, I'm okay with manually focusing instead of having it seek. When I post photos taken with this lens online I get more "likes" and comments than any other lens I've used.
I needed a lens for low light and fast moving subjects. This lens works like a charm.  I tried it at a basketball game and it really out-performed me slower lenses by a mile!  Great addition to my photo equipment!
Used this lens for formal and informal poitraits.  Have great control over background blurr, and isolating the subject from the background.  Very sharp.  Great performer.
Recommend this for all who like taking portraits shots.. its a step up from the 50mm, but I enjoy it what I cam do with it creatively.  Bought it because I heard great things about it.
I relly love this lens! It's fast, light, sharp and a whole lot cheeper than many other lenses out there. What more could a photographer ask for?!!
I did not expect to like this lens as much as I do. There are no weak spots at all. it is pin sharp on my 5D right from f1.8I did notice that it exposes about 1/3 stop too bright from f 2.8-16 but at 1.8 it is perfect. I prefer this lens overthe big and clunky 85mm f1.2L which I rented. The 1.2 focuses too slow and does not focus accurately until f 1.8 anyway.This 1.8 is every bit as sharp.  great portrait and general purpose lens with fast,accurate and sharp autofocus..Well built too.
This lens has got to be one of the best values in the EF lens lineup. This little guy has incredible resolving power and very good sharpness from f/2 onward. Optimal sharpness is around f/4 or f/5.6 by my eyes.Sharpness talk aside, I love it because it's so compact and lightweight. It's not a large intimidating lens, like the 70-200/2.8 and so when shooting portraits or candids, people don't freak out. I recently used it to shoot several young children/babies and they felt comfortable around me. I probably wouldn't have been able to get right up to them had I brought along a big long piece of glass. The creamy bokeh is quite good, though it doesn't have that etheral quality that the 85L produces. Then again, this lens costs about 1/6th the price of the 85L!The only thing I wish this lens would do is focus closer. 3 feet is a bit too far when using the lens for existing light shooting indoors. Other than that, no complaints at all.
I don't get to techky my thing is does it do what you want it to? And the answer is yes, it takes nice, crisp clear images end of story.
I am very pleased with this lens as it allows me to take sharp photos in very low light or cloudy conditions.  It produces crisp photos, even at f/1.8 and I feel that it matches the quality of Canon's more expensive L-series lenses.I currently use it on my EOS Rebel T2i (APS-C sensor) and it works as a zoom lens to some degree.  I am looking forward to testing it on a full-frame DSLR to see how it works when shooting portraits.
When shooting models, I most often use the Canon EF 24-70mm L lens. But the model will give me a "certain look", and I always say ... STOP!, stay just like that. Then I grab my other rig which has the 85 milly attached, and I just start to walk all  around and shoot. It seems to accentuate facial expressions, add emotion, and the isolation from the background is butta. When I get on my computer and start giving stars to my images, usually a large number of the shots taken with the 85mm stand out. I would never shoot a wedding (too much work), but this would be a primary lens. And I could't take a wedding/event photographer too serious without the 85mm or 50mm in there arsenal.If you do street photography this is a great length, especially for APS-C sensors. You can photograph people without being too close or intimadating. And close-up shots of any old mundane thing, with the right focus and angle becomes a masterpiece. It's also excellent in dimly lit rooms, you can keep the ISO's low with a high aperture. Very quiet focus and very good auto focus. However, to really expose this lens strengths (BOKEH and DOF) shooting in  manual focus is preferred.Price, Image Quality, and its specializations all considered. This is a five star lens. Go get it.
I got this lens just before heading to a wedding and then vacation and it's been stuck to my camera ever since... this lens is amazing!With the 85mm you can stay far enough away that you aren't super obtrusive, but it's so flattering on people it's amazing!The AF is super fast and the build quality feels much more sturdy than the 50mm 1.8.  Every "portrait" I've taken with this lens has made for beautiful colors and lines.  The speed of the lens allowed me to capture wedding details, handheld, with no flash, in near-darkness... I was so impressed!I love my 50mm 1.8, but this lens just makes people look so amazing!P.S.  The bokeh looks fantastic, my wedding details came out better than the official photographer's thanks to me shooting wide open with christmas lights in the background!
First off, I will say I am not a professional photographer by any stretch of the imagination so the 3 star rating is not for the technical qualities of this lens but more for the practical applications of this lens for the average mom. The lens that I primarily use is the Canon EF-S 18-135 f3.5-5.6, which I find very versatile and which allows me to get many great shots, but sometimes I find that it is too big and heavy to bring with me everywhere I'd like to bring my camera. I've become &#34;spoiled&#34; with the great pictures of the DSLR so I am no longer satisfied with the quality of pictures from my phone or a point and shoot so I was really hoping this 85 mm lens would allow me to take great quality pictures, including great close-ups of the action, while also being a bit more portable for impromptu outings. The lens IS a much more &#34;mom friendly size&#34; but, after trying it out several times on various outings and playdates, I ultimately decided that the focal length was just a bit too long for the &#34;average&#34; visit to the park (and way too long for standard indoor playdate venues) and I more often than not found myself missing shots because by the time I backed up enough to fit everything in the frame, the moment had passed. If I had the money to spare, I would have kept this lens because it takes beautiful pictures and I am sure it does have a place in the more serious photographer's bag but for a mom on the budget, I just didn't think it would get used enough to justify keeping it.
I use this lens on a T1i/500D and the images are just phenomenal.  Very impressed with the bokeh quality and sharpness.  Though I'm no pro, I'd have to say this lens is a must have for portrait photography.  Always get compliments on images I take with this lens, even if they are technically nothing special.And yes you will get some chromatic aberration/purple fringing at wider apertures in high contrast situations (very easily eliminated in Photoshop), but it's not a big deal.  Again, you can deal with that in post processing, shoot b&w;, or you can just live with it and enjoy the images you get with this amazing lens.  I usually just do the latter and unless I am pixel peeping I hardly even notice it in most situations.It's probably worth mentioning that I also have 70-200 f/4 IS, and even though there is some overlap with this lens and the 70-200, I find I still go to the 85mm 1.8 in a lot of situations, especially for portraits.  That's saying a lot because the 70-200 is a pretty amazing lens as well.Like I said, I'm no pro, but I would highly recommend the 85 1.8 to anyone looking for a good portrait photography lens.  So what are you waiting for, just get it!
I think this has become my new favorite lens! I love it, it takes amazing photos, the clarity is well beyond expected and for the price vs the 85mm f/1.4 lens it is WELL worth it!
this lens is amazing- creates seriously magical pictures.  this was my first prime lens, so it took some time to get adjusted to focusing a prime lens, and not being able to zoom, but i love it.  i am so glad i invested in this lens!
This is by far my favorite lens ever. It makes the background look so dreamy. Love love love it. So glad I bought it.
PROS:* Very little "hunting" when shooting in low light...in comparison to the popular 50mm f/1.8* Comparable image quality to the f/1.2 for a fraction of the size and price.* The f/1.2 feels like an anvil is attached to the camera.  The f/1.8 is a beast also.  Very strong and dense...yet practical and manageable for every day use.* Crisp focus.  Great DOF.  Silky Bokeh.  Outstanding portrait lens.CONS:* I wish I could get a little closer to my subjects.
I've had this lens a little over a year and have really enjoyed it.  I doesn't see a lot of action, but when it shines, it SHINES!  On a crop frame body, it is really only well suited for head shots, which I consider a good thing.  In my opinion, 50mm is too wide, even on a crop body, for serious portraits.With some close-up filters, it makes a decent macro lens. Most of the images taken outside have been mediocre, but under ambient artificial light inside, I've never been let down.  Certainly one of the best buys out there.
This lens is amazing! Why would anyone but the &#34;L&#34; lens and tolerate the extra weight? Images are sharp and color rendition is superior.
I purchase this to take photos of my baby grandson in lower light without having to use a flash.  I am extremely satisfied with some of the shots I have taken.
I've owned this lens twice before an I'm actually in the market to buy it a 3rd time... I first owned it on a crop sensor camera when I was still in school and while I loved the image quality it produced I didn't really like the perspective it gave me on the crop camera. I picked it up a second time once I was using full frame and fell in love.Everyone has their personal opinion on what the perfect focal length is for a head shot (some like 100, 105 or 135) but for me, 85mm is perfect. The 85/1.8 is really fast, AF is quick, it melts away pesky backgrounds, and the color and contrast are superb. I've noticed that the CA/fringing can creep in if you're shooting into the sun but buy a $10 hood and it's fine.I ended up re-arranging my lens lineup a bit just before the wedding season this year and thought I could live without an 85mm for a while and found I really missed it. I've thought about getting the 85L or Sigma 85/1.4 but the 85/1.8 will do just as good a job for me at a fraction of the cost, and at least compared to the 85L, I find this 1.8 version to be much faster and even more accurate than it's $2,000 counterpart.
This lense needs to be mounted on a tripod to obtain sharp (Non Blurry) images! Canon needs to add IS to this lense!
This lens is fantastic.  It's not labeled as "L", but sure gives sharp pictures.  The bokeh is great too.  One word of caution I would give would be to know why you are buying the lens.  I bought it for portraits, and it's great for that.  If you want to take pictures indoors, you need to remember it's a long lens (more so if you don't have a full-frame body).  Also, if you're not used to apertures this big, you need to be prepared for the shallow depth of field - it's easy to get pictures where an object is in focus, but an adjacent object isn't, even though it's just barely further back or in front.
Have been debating on getting the 85mm for some time. So I finally got to rent the two lens (1.8 and 1.2L) for 1.5 hours. My test scenario was in a park in really frigidtemperatures. My subject was a kid that hardly stood in one place for a minute. I purposely chose the subject to test the speed of the lens.Here are my observations1) SharpnessBoth the lens is very very sharp. I couldn't believe that 85mm 1.8 can be sharp wide openSo if you are looking for sharpness wide open they both are the same. And the sharpness is the same tooIf you open a 85mm 1.2L shot at 1.2 and 85mm 1.8 at 1.8 and crop it, the sharpness is the same.Both the lens at some point got shots that made me say "holy crap thats super duper sharp"2) Bokeh.Now there are two scenarios (again 85mm 1.2L shot at 1.2 and 85mm 1.8 at 1.8)1) The subject is close. A very tight headshot.verdict: The bokeh is close. Very close. Unless you keep them side by side you wont know whichlens took which photo2) If you are taking a wider shot. So subject in the middle (full body) and surroundings.verdict: There is a difference here. Here you will see the bokeh to be better in the 1.2LThat is a great look. 1.8 is good but the 1.2 is great. I thinkits possible to get that enhanced blur with Photoshop blur.3) Speed.The reason why I chose a child was to test the focal speed. And trust me I had quite a challengechasing the kid1) 85mm 1.2 L.Speed is good. I got the child in focus most of the time. I think it is fast enough for most shootsexcept scenarios of very different distances in-between shots. For example to shoot the child on aswing. Not possible. But if the child moves or even jogs a bit you can get it.So unless you are shooting a subject that moves few feet in few secs you are really good.2) 85mm 1.8.Speed is great. Its fast, really fast. I could nail shots on a swing. You can do the predictive shooting.4) Low lightDue to the cold we kept moving back to the car to warm up. It was dark inside and I got the opportunityto test the low light focusing ability.1) 85mm 1.2 L.This lens is a killer in low light. In low light this has no problem in focusing.2) 85mm 1.8.This one struggled a bit but got the shots.So here are my observationsSharpness - Both are the same wide openBokeh - Same when the subject is close but when far away and wider shots 85L wins by 30%. Must add the bokeh at 1.2L is 35% better than the 1.8 wide openSpeed - 85mm 1.8 wins (But 85mm 1.2L was no slouch. I got 95% of a fast moving child in focus.)Low Light - 85mm 1.2L wins hands down (But 85mm 1.8 also focused it struggled a bit. Say 20%. I did not try really dark light)Other observations. 85mm 1.2L Lens feels like a metal canon ball and feels awesome in hand and as you have read the construction feels great.I loved the bokeh in 1.8L when I shot wider Can I get it via Photoshop, I think I can.So if you have the time to do it in Photoshop, the 1.8 will give you more than a starting point. For people who lovesthe shot right out of the camera and have less time to do post processing the 85L lens is awesome. Again nothing beatsthe looks taken right out of the camera and you dont have to second guess to get the great blur effect.
Debated getting an 85mm for a year+.  Finally had a reason to pick one up.  Read tons of reviews here as well as other sites and there seemed to be no real issues.This lens focuses fast and the images are amazing!  I have been working with it taking images of my two yellow labs as they are patient and will stay in a position for a bit.  (Normal Lab position is sleeping, so it is easy)Will move to portraits of family and grandchildren shortly after I spend some time experimenting with the lens.Shot some images of flowers and fauna and am really pleased.I have a feeling this may be a carry lens for sometime and my others may be waiting for use.Build quality is excellent.  Some have complained about a plastic feel, but I have several heavy lenses and like having something that is lighter.  I feel it is well built.Bought the Canon lens hood.  I overpaid and could have gotten a knockoff, but have had some experiences with cheap and decided to pay for the brand.
This is an excellent portrait lens.  I recently purchased a Rebel XTi and started out with the included 17-55mm lens (would recommend buying XTi body only for future purchases).  I wanted to get a good portrait lens and opted for this v/s the 85mm L series that is almost 4 times the price.  The picture quality and focus is tremendous - you really get some awesome pictures.  I have since purchased the 24-70mm L series and even that does not render the quality of this 85mm (however the zoom is very useful when you need it).  If you have kids this lens is a must have - you will get some astonishing portraits you will cherish forever!
great in low light or any light for that matter. the pictures are crisp and clear. one of my favorite lenses.
I just finished downloading my first set of pictures from this lens.  I had been using a 50mm f/1.8 before for indoor pictures.  This is the perfect lens to add to my collection.  It is light, works great indoors with no flash, and pictures came out great with my T3i. Be careful to watch the depth of field when shooting in low light, but I'm already loving the lens.
Fast focus, light weight, cheap, very sharp by f2.5, sharp enough for me at f1.8!One of the best budget lenses for full frame canon. The canon 85L f1.2 is super expensive, and very slow to focus. The Sigma 85 f1.4 is faster than the 85L, but some people report focus inaccuracy. The 85 f1.8 is just too cheap, focuses lightning fast and works too well not to own. I wouldn't trade it for the 85L or the sigma 85.
Having had prime lenses in the past this was my first foray in to primes for the DSLR. I am very happy with it. The fast (1.8) lens works really well indoors.Thanks,J
This lens makes me consider to get  prime lenses instead of heavy and bulky zooms nice color and bokeh absolutely recommended
This is one of the best performing lenses in the entire EF line for the price.  Good ambient light usage at f1.8, good color rendition, and well controlled aberrations.
Once I got used to having a prime lens (I've always had kit lens) I absolutely love it!  The bokeh is beautiful!  I have basically been using it to shoot everything from weddings, to portraits, to everyday encounters!  It lets in a good deal of light, so it's nice to use it inside, even without a flash.  It's got some weight to it... but not as much as some lenses.  I am glad I bought it!
Love this lens. Not too heavy and the pictures are very clear and beautiful. Great as a starter lens for any photographer.
The quality of the images I'm producing with this lens is great. I am having a little difficulty with transferring from a zoom lens to a Prime lens though, since you can't zoom in at all, you have to just walk closer and further from the subject to get certain crops. I'm shooting with a Canon Rebel Ti1, and the cropped body isn't exactly helping, since it makes it look like I am waaaaayyyy closer to the subject than I actually am. I absolutely cannot shoot with this lens indoors, because there simply isn't enough space for me to get far enough away to get my subject inside the frame of the camera. However, it is pretty good for taking outdoor pics of my daughter running around, because I can do it from further away. Can't wait to save up the money to buy a nice zoom lens though, because I love the large aperture, I just want to have more flexibility with my shots than a prime lens will allow.
this lens , is so sharp its amazing , i use it on my 5d mark II as a portrait lens in my studio , i cant say enough good things about it , buy one  you will love it too
I LOVE THIS LENS! Very sharp and detailed images. It gives the bokeh effect. Perfect for portraits! I have had it since couple of months and I'm loving every bit of it.
I'd been waiting to get this lens for months....I am so happy that I finally found it at a decent price.....it's a very welcome addition to my photography bag....I use this and only this lens for portraits...the images are beautifully crisp and clear with a lovely bokeh in the background when shooting at a wide aperture....great lens as are all the canon lenses!
I first bought the 50mm 1.8 and was disappointed to say the least. There is so much hype about it and it wasn't taking tack sharp images. I ordered this lens a couple months later just to make sure it wasn't user error and the day this came in the mail I was in love! This takes tack sharp images, it is amazing! Don't even hesitate it will please you. I can't say enough good things about this lens. I am not a professional; I just like to do this as a hobby. I do shoot in manual and have read up on how to shoot images, I am still learning but this lens brought me hope again! I was getting discouraged thinking there was something wrong in the way I was taking the photos only to find out it was the lens I had prior.Here are some links to some photos I have taken with the 85mm 1.8[...][...][...][...]
This is a great lens. One thing I really like about this lens is the fact that I can focus only focusing the lens instead of having to deal with zoom as well. The weight isn't bad, it is a bit heavy, but it feels better than the cheaper lenses. I think the look is very professional and the photos I get are great.
I've only had this lens for a few days but I can tell why it's so popular.  Sharp as a tack, especially stepped down a bit, good low-light capability, perfectly controllable bokeh thanks to the 8-blade aperture, fast autofocus, and a solid and high quality look and feel to it.  It costs about a quarter of an equivalent &#34;L&#34; lens, but it is much more than a quarter as good.  I'll follow with updates as I use this lens over the coming months, but right now I can unequivocally vouch for this lens as a must-have in almost any photographer's gadget bag.
I purchased a Canon T5i & a couple of manuals to help get up to speed on its capabilities.  I already had a 28-135 mm and 70-200mm telephoto stabilzer lens, the midrange lens .  The books all recommended a set lens to take one adjustment out of the equation. The 85 mm was perfect, again the mid-price lens, can't quite step up to an L series lens.  Every picture that is enfocus is crystal clear!
No better way to make a subject pop and have your background completely out of focus than to shoot this lens with its incredibly large aperture. Sharpness is great and bokeh is nice and creamy.
I needed this lens a long time ago but was shying away from fixed-length lenses.  What a mistake!  I would give up most of my zoom lenses to keep this one for the quality and ease of use.
Bought this for indoor basketball the 1.8 apperature is awesome and a big help with low light. BUT dont kid yourself if you like zoom lens you'll miss not being able to pull back. And at 85mm your too close if your on or near the court. It is an awesome lens though. Too bad the 24-70 prime is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
What can I say about this that hasn't already been said? I'll try. The is one of my favorite lenses in my kit.  The combination of focal length and fast aperture make this perfect for portraits, small-venue events and I imagine indoor school sports. The image quality of this lens is what you would expect from a prime -- sharp. I even find it sharp wide-open with good color and contrast. The bokeh is silky smooth as is should be with it's 8 blade aperture.Quite possibly one of the best non-L lenses Canon manufactures. The build is fairly solid. Not too heavy of a lens, but balances well on my 20D so hand holding at lower shutter speeds isn't to bad (as long as the subjects don't move).  At this price there is no reason the EF 85mm f/1.8 should be absent from every Canon owner's bag -- unless of course you have the cashflow to fund the 85mm f/1.2L.Buy this lens now. You will not regret it.
i have no thing to add to others reviews.i just want to say if you are interesting for one, then get it.
All I can say, is HOLY-COW!  This lens is outstanding!  I use it for portraits, shoot basketball games, and pretty much anything decently close to me.  I have a few other lenses if I need to bring in a shot further, or I need a more wide angle.  By and far, though, this lens stays on my camera more than most of my other lenses combined.
I recently got to shoot an evening with the Canon 85mm F1.2L and was simply blown away by the quality of the pictures. After seriously considering the $1300 premium for the Canon 85mm F1.2L, I decided to get the 85mm F1.8. I was pleasantly surprised.The sharpness and color is just stunning. The lens focuses very quickly. The bokeh on portraits is more than acceptable. The build quality appears to be sturdy. I didn't see any serious chromatic aberration or vignetting in my images.I shot some comparable portraits with the Tamron 17-50 and the Canon 70-200 F.4L (non-IS) and I felt that the 85mm F1.8 gave me the best pictures, though I love the versatility and the quality of those two lenses.This one is certainly a keeper. Even after I save up enough to get the F1.2L, this lens will continue to be in my bag and probably be actively used in many indoor events.
I like very much of this lens. Not only very good for portrait also very good for take nature & landscape pictures especially when I can't take in far range, this lens can do it perfectly!I have tried taking landscape pictures and the results were really stunning, and my friends like them very much! This lens fortunately as a "cheap" version from the L seri that really pricey, something that I can't afford buying it but Thanks to Canon have created the non series lens that works beautifuly.
Great for portraits. A bit heavier than I expected but very happy with the results. Terrific lens for the money.
I have this lens for about 1 month now on my EOS 20D. I am just an amateur enthusiast but I am very pleased with it's performance.  This lens is really sharp.  I use it mostly for taking head shot photos and get great professional looking pictures.  The background blur is awesome.  When friends and family view the pictures taken with this lens they are amazed at how they look like they were taken professionally.  The only minor gripe I have would be when used on a DSLR with a 1.6x crop factor is you have to stand far from the subject to fit the subject into the frame. Like I said minor.  But, I'm taking care of that by purchasing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens.  What the heck for only $70.00 why not?
This is a very good lens, it could use an update though. It's an extremely nice focal length especially on a full frame camera. I sold my old one to upgrade, i considered the Sigma 85 1.4 and Canon 85L . The Sigma didn't quite seem to offer me what i desired in a $900 lens, the Canon is very expensive but the image quality is superb. After a hard debate with myself i decided to buy the 85 1.8 again simply because i didn't hate it and it's price came down ($319).
I've seen some impressive photos from this lens so I had to have one. Since using it I find it produces a nicely sharp image with good color, decent contrast, and has reasonably quick and accurate focussing. There is a good bit of chromatic aborration on high contrast and backlit edgelines, but this can be corrected in processing. I think the build is quite good for a mid level lens and the focus ring works well but is not L quality smooth. It seems like this lens could use an update to reduce CA and increase clarity just a bit with the new coating canon is now using on the glass, but I strongly recommend this lens for portrait work in available light.
Nice lens,works well on my camera
I am a novice photographer, only taking pictures of my dog and my son.  After reading no-fail reviews on this lens, I realized I must have it.  The lens really makes all the difference, a huge difference from the kit lens'.  A bit pricey for a novice, but totally worth every single cent.  I know I'll be using this lens for years to come even when I upgrade my camera.
I think this is the cheapest lens I own, but I fell in love with it after the first shot.  To be clear I consider myself a prosumer, not a professional -- I own a Canon 7D and I mainly shoot scenery or family portraits.I initially thought an 85mm prime was too long for my kind of work, and in many ways I still do as far as scenery is concenred.  However, I was proven completely wrong with respect to portraiture...85mm is amazing for conveying a more intimate feel since it brings you up close and personal with the subject.  The big f/1.8 apperture only enhances that feeling of intimacy as it helps you single out the subject from the background.  Combine that with the incredible sharpness and superb bokeh this lens gives you, and you will be blown away.One thing I love about prime lenses in general (aside from the quality to price ratio) is that they force you to be more creative with your composition. That's particularly true with this lens since it is so long, but that only makes it more fun.In summary: build and image quality are great, the lens is fun to use, and the AF is fast and quiet. Why haven't you bought it yet? :)
I am currently using this lens on a Canon T3i, and it is MARVELOUS!  It rarely leaves my camera.  HIGHLY recommend it!
great lens, super sharp, good price! I use it outdoors for portrait photography it gets the job done and well!
Love the lens.  Love Norman Camera.  I couldn't believe that I got a shipping notice the same day I ordered.  Got what I paid for; it's what I expected (from reviews).  No more need be said.
I am absolutely in love with this lens! After not having the best experience with my 50mm 1.8, I splurged and bought this 85mm and I can't be any happier with it's performance. I was nervous at first because I had heard so much about the color fringing that occurs when using it in contrast-y situations however, I found the the 50mm has more fringing than this lens.Overall, it's VERY sharp when your focus is right, the bokeh is lovely, and the images are great SOOC (of course I add some editing still, though.) I have no regrets over buying this lens and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. It's perfect for portraits, doesn't feel cheap, and I really have nothing but positives to say.Buy it! You'll love it!
This is an example of where the hype meets expectation.It is SOOOO sharp and the colors are fabulous! And don't even get me started on the beautiful bokeh!Since I purchased this lens in July it has been on my camera 90% of the time outdoors. I'm a portrait photographer and it's SUCH a great lens...I can shoot wide open at 1.8 and it's still TACK sharp. LOVE IT!
It is one of my fav lenses. Easy to use, versatile, sweet DOF. NO complaints from me. :)
I took a chance and bought this lens in hopes that it would improve my pictures.  It sure did!!  I LOVE the quality at f/1.8-f/4.  I couldn't do that range with my old lens and I love the results!  I feel like a pro now!  My ONLY complaint is that now I have to buy a new camera because it's a pain to change lenses when I want my zoom lens.  The lens is great and I would buy it again in a heartbeat!
This lens is a fraction of the 85mm f/1.2, but performs beautifully.  It's kind of a long range lens, so if you want more than just a face in your photos, you're gonna have to stand somewhat far away.  Other than that, the image quality is superb.
This was my first upgrade lens and I am still using it constantly. It became a challenge at first because it was my first prime lens but you learn quickly that the lens doesn't have to do all the work.  I had to focus more on my positioning relative to the subject but I like to think I became a better photographer because of it.The quality of this lens is so great and the bokeh of the photos is pretty amazing!  As an indoor lens, the f/1.8 delivers pretty good and as an outdoor lens it's outstanding!  I have used it on a crop sensor camera and now that I'm getting the Mark 5D II, I will see how much nicer this lens can perform.  It was definitely the perfect lens to upgrade to.
After several weeks of holding off on buying this lens I missed deal after deal so I just decided to order it now new and hopefully a better deal don't come around soon. Reason I was holding off was because it's getting cold here in the Midwest and wouldn't be doing a lot of outdoor shoots and basketball season for the kids don't start until December so I had plenty of time to wait. This will be my first 'expensive' lens purchased and hopefully my last until I upgrade my camera. Probably the second best beginner lens must purchase. Think I'm spoil on primes.I got a outdoor test shot this weekend and will try it out. Being able to give the client room is a must, my last shoot I felt like I was all in the kid face to get a close up with a 40mm. This will give me plenty of room to shoot far back on a cropped body and full the frame with more of the face than the background. Hopefully this lens live up to the hype. Ordered today and get it tomorrow with less than $4 for next day shipping. Gotta love amazon prime.
If you're a portrait photographer.. you need this lens!! In so many words, this lens is amazing in low-light situations, it's fast and images are extremely sharp. The price is incredible for such a great lens; go for it, you won't regret it.
Great lens for professional photography.  Works to compliment my Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM for studio and outdoor shoots.  Went with a fixed lens after having to return a used Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM because it was sent to me defective (wouldn't focus) from an amazon seller and while troubleshooting with Canon found out that the zoom lenses would typically have to be sent in every year or two for tuning while the fixed lens would be significantly less often because their simplicity makes them more durable.  Plus if you go fixed you don't really need to get the expensive L-glass because there is less glass to cause distortion and aberrations.
This is a great lens. I love the the way it does close ups and the clarify of the pictures are breath taking. I am also very happy with the purchase. It was shipped to me in a timely manner and I had no problems. I would recommend this lens to anyone who is new to photography as I am for excellent close up shots.
I have been doing research if I want to buy this lens or not. I heard a lot great things about this lens and I bought it, finally!I don't regret buying it. It is an awesome lens. I love the bokeh! It's fast, small, light and decent price for great glass.
Extremely sharp, excellent colors and a fast aperture. The focal length is a little long for a cropped body (mine is a T3i/600D), but for outdoor shooting, is excellent. Really well built and the USM auto-focus is extremely fast and accurate, and with full-time manual, allows you to correct it if needed. I can't see a better buy for this price.
First off I'm a keen amateur. Evolutionary speaking have gone through (i) film SLR (ii) digital compact and now (iii) digital SLR. Boy, I must have been trapped in a time warp during my digital compact days, this baby blew me away. The autofocus is so fast, its like going from a blunderbuss to a semi-automatic.I'm an ex-pat in Sweden. Whilst we we have wonderful summers, the winters are definitely F2.8 situations. For this reason I was willing to sacrifice zoom for a few F stops. This means that instead of letting the zoom do the work, I have to shuffle across the floor like Cossack Dancer trying to find the correct frame. On the plus side, the lense is compact enough and doesn't require the use of flash. I wouldn't hold myself out to be an expert but I would recommend others forgo zoom for quality and buy this lens.
As a photo enthusiast who owns five Canon lenses (two zooms, three primes), and who uses a Rebel T3i, I hesitated to buy this lens at first. What would I use it for? I already had a Canon 50mm f/1.8 that took great portraits (and still does). Yet I wanted something more "serious" and more telephoto for intimate portraits, nature close-ups, and goofing around. So I bought it and have no regrets whatsoever. I use this lens mainly for outdoor nature photography, close-cropped pics of foliage, sunsets, rivers, bridges, wild flowers, trails, even old farm equipment.I call this lens "The Mystical 85" because it slows me down, forces me to compose a more thoughtful picture and really think about what I'm doing. I almost always use my tripod with this lens, and the photos are incredibly tack sharp. The color saturation will knock your socks off. I almost never do any post-processing with pictures taken on this lens. When people see the pictures I take with this lens they almost always say, "These are professional pictures! What kind of camera do you use?" So I tell them I work for National Geographic. (Just kidding).Anyway, if all you want to do is take high quality photos in a point-and-shoot type of way, don't buy this lens. You don't need it. Canon makes a great all-purpose lens (the EF-S 18-135mm) that will meet your walkaround needs for general shooting. I love that lens, too, but if you want to step it up a notch and get a more serious lens for indoor and outdoor, telephoto, portrait, and creative nature shots, get this lens (and a tripod), and have fun exploring all your mystical instincts!
update: (after one day of using this lens)I ordered my lens thursday and delivered the next day through Amazon.I started taking photos that very same day (sept. 30) it was delivered (8:57 am--- that was a fast delivery!) ,posted it immediately on my flickr website and was explored that very same day, found out today which is saturday!So I guess, I found my perfect lens and I have quite a few.' MACKIEBU'Been taking photos for years now and I did some research for the best lens out there for portrait photography.I ordered this through amazon yesterday just after 6pm and I just got it. It was 8:57am when it was delivered. Awesome awesome!!!Walked around my neighborhood and did some test shots and here's the verdict after a few hours of playing with it---tack sharp even without ISless motion blurfast autofocusI 'love' it!Get it now and don't wait. ;-)
I have an assortment of lenses, but hadn't bought one of these. For this price, I couldn't believe how sharp and fast focusing it was! Quiet AF. This is my new favorite lens. Every portrait photographer needs one of these!
i'm a wedding photographer, and purchased this lens mainly for it's low price and f/1.8 aperture.  i noticed that the clarity and crispness is hit or miss.  sometimes it focuses perfectly, other times, even at 1/125 it seems a bit blurred.  i used it on my canon 350D, so the issue could have been caused by the camera just as much as the lens itself, (although i haven't had this issue with any of my other lenses.)  if you've got the money i would probably recommend the other canon 85mm f/1.2 lens, but this lens can serve it's purpose in low/dim lighting.
I haven't really had the chance to use it with proper subjects, but my dog looks amazing through this lens
Okay, I didn't buy it on Amazon, but I paid exactly the same price. The price is pretty consistent no matter where you look, except maybe at Dell where everything seems to cost more. This is a portrait lens. On my camera, although it appears to be a longer lens -- 136 on my Canon T3 which has the 1.6 optical factor due to the smaller sensor. However, the optical qualities are the same regardless of the field of view you get and these optical qualities are FANtastic.Does everyone look better shot with this lens? Maybe. The portraits I've taken with it are delicious. Color is beautiful and the bokeh? Wow. For flowers and other close up nature pictures, it may produce the most artistic images for the least amount of effort of any lens I have ever used on any camera and THAT is saying a lot because I've been taking pictures as a serious amateur and occasionally professional level for more than 40 years.It has a VERY strong focusing preference for sharp foreground with blurred backgrounds. If you try to convince it to work the other way (soft foreground, sharp subject back) it tends to argue with you and you have to either switch to manual focus (the simpler choice) or keep playing around with the autofocus until it finally takes the hint, after which you get a great picture.It is also surprisingly good for landscapes if you use higher apertures -- f8 and up. Sharp. Gorgeous texture. Great color. Since I'm fond of shooting from dark into light (e.g., in the woods on a dark path in deep shade out to a brightly lit lake using trees as silhouettes to frame the shot) and for this purpose, it works superbly and focuses without complaint. It helps to use center weighted or spot metering, or at least that's what works best for me.The lens is moderately heavy, especially for a prime, but not overwhelming. I have bad wrists and have no trouble using it. I haven't used it on a tripod yet. I haven't needed one because the lens is fast and with the IS working, remarkably forgiving.I was feeling guilty about spending the money, but I'm SO happy with the lens, I have forgiven myself. As really great lenses go, the price tag is pretty modest. It may be about as good a value for performance as you are ever going to get.Use it for things it is good at and you will be thrilled with the results. Use it on higher apertures for some remarkable landscapes. No broad vistas, obviously, but still some pretty cool stuff you can do with it.All in all, I am delighted with this lens. If you shoot a lot of people, it may be the best lens available regardless of price. If there is a better lens for portraits, I haven't heard about it.I should emphasize that taking shots of flowers twined with fences and other close focus nature pictures where a great bokeh can be the make/break for the picture, well ... I've taken pictures on the fly that I barely bothered to look at before snapping and they came out looking like art. Gorgeous.I can't find anything wrong with it ... assuming you have a grip on what it can do and what are its inherent strong suits.
All the positive reviews you've read are true. This lens indeed delivers for its price!Pros:* Excellent IQ. Subject's skin are brilliant and pleasing. It's not too sharp, and not too soft. Perfect for portraits.* Fast AF, responsive. It's faster than my Canon 100mm f2.8 L macro lens for portraits. As fast as my 24-105 L lens.* Focusing distance is ideal for portraits. It won't allow you close-ups.* f1.8 allows dreamy bokeh. f2.0 is sharp.* Focusing ring is responsive (unlike the Canon 50mm 1.4)* Relatively cheap* Lightweight, for someone who is used to L lenses.Cons:* I'm not sure if this is a con, but the 85mm needs some working distance though (which is quite obvious! Well my 100mm f2.8 L macro doesn't have that limitation).* No hood.Notes:* This is not a recommended for street photography. The working distance is too tight (unless that's what you want).* It has a special niche. It's not something you would use everytime (unless everytime means taking portraits).
This lens is great for taking portraits outdoors - one, two, three people.  The 1.8 here is awesome and this lens has beautiful bokeh.Also for low-light at performances, I prefer taking medium distance shots with this versus a zoom with IS.  The lens is crystal clear. If you crop the shot, you still have a lot of information.  Couple that with some nice noise reduction software and you can get great shots of indoor performances.Many of my best shots have come from this lens.Because it is small for an 85mm (approx 135mm on cropped sensor cameras), it doesn't freak people out when you are using it and pointing it in their direction so it can be very nice for candid or, at least, "comfortable" shots.  They don't realize how close you are.Frequently I take a Tamron 17-50mm and this lens with me as a two-lens combination.You will not be able to use it for everything because it is a narrow field of view - especially on a cropped sensor.  But what it does do, it does like magic.
I am very impressed right away with how much more light this lens in and how much brighter the pictures are in dim situations than my 17-55. The picture quality is pro notch on this thing. As far as the focal length goes, I find myself using 1: indoors and 2: at the edge of a room or in the next room to capture intimately close pictures of people. This lens gives me the feel it was designed for exactly that purpose. There is no IS because people move and IS is powerless to help with that. The lens is very light and unobtrusive which enhances its purpose as a portrait lens in this fashion because you don't alarm people with a large, bright white, somewhat in your face and obvious lens.In your final decision on whether to buy this lens ask yourself this. Do you want it because you know it will take nice pictures; or do you want it to take pictures particularly inside at room or next room range. If you want a people or wildlife lens for outdoors or sports than the 70-200 would be a better choice for that where IS come much more into play for longer focal ranges and a large aperture is not as important. I personally wouldn't want anything below 1.8 for people shots because you actually will have too little range of focus, unless maybe you are doing specialized fashion modeling of lips or eyes or something.
I recently upgraded from an old Canon G2 to the Digital Rebel XTi (with the kit lens).  I thought I would see an instant improvement in my pictures, but they remained unimpressive.  I wasn't able to get my subjects into sharp focus, or hold the camera steady enough for lower-light indoor shots.After a lot of research I decided to invest in this lens... everyone just gushed about it.  Right out of the box I found what I had been missing.  The attributes of this lens really opened up a whole new world of photography for me.  I was able to take some really special pictures within a few minutes of switching lenses.  I'm not talking 'nice' pictures... I'm talking 'life-moments' pictures, where you capture your kids' faces with such clarity and sharpness that you can't stop looking at them.  The fast 1.8 aperature is perfect for lower-light conditions, and gives me the shallow depth of field that I was looking for.  The USM autofocus is very quick and quiet, and the build feels solid and professional.The 85mm on a 1.6 factor camera makes every shot a portrait shot, which is the only reason that I ever take it off and switch to a wider lens.  For a family shot I have to scoot waaaaay back, or switch to another lens like the 50mm.  I could never go back to the kit lens now.  It makes me feel like I'm using a disposable camera.  I've learned the reason why professional photographers have such a collection of nice lenses... they are more important than the camera is!  In 4-5 years my Digital Rebel will be obsolete, but my lens collecion will still be worth most of its original value.  And this 85mm is my favorite one of them all.
Not tack sharp like my 50mm but definitely my tool of choice for shooting volleyball and basketball. Great for a non-L lens. You  might also try the EF 100mm f/2.0 which is superior optically.
Bought this lens a few months back and shot volleyball with it, occasionally used it for football when it got dark.What can I say or add to other reviews?? F/1.8 is great, although the lens is sharper at f/2 or 2.2. I use it near the wide open edge all the time - indoor gyms simply do not have much light.The USM autofocus is great - demoing it in the store, it seemed to nearly anticipate my actions. No rotating front filter, and it doesn't protrude, either. It's got a full time manual focus ring, so I don't have to worry about killing my autofocus  motor. In combination with c.Fn 4-1, this is killer.Why the four stars? Chromatic aberration at lower apertures. I do not know where it starts to go away, because I almost never shoot in good light. This was most apparent in a shot of a recent football game. Granted, the team's jerseys were white, and the background was the pitch black of an unlit parking lot, and I had to perform a 100% crop. Nevertheless, an alien-like purple halo surrounded the huddled offensive team. Oh well, you can't have it all!As for volleyball pics, this is the lens. I regularly shoot at f/2.2, ISO 1600, and 1/500, but I might change that soon because that is pushing it. The photos are pretty sharp and the USM definitely helps here. I bought this lens because my 50mm 1.8 just wasn't cutting it - I'd get shots with a tack sharp background and a beautifully bokeh'd subject - just the opposite of what it should be. Using the 85mm removed about 85% of those shots. There are still extreme instances when I swing my camera around and instantly shoot when the USM can't keep up, but there are other instances when I am amazed that it got the shot in focus. From the sidelines, 85mm is too long to get the outside hitter nearest to you, but that's why you move around! Shooting volleyball requires a strategy.The focal length is also good on my 350d for shooting events and staying a bit back from the subject.I'm overall pretty pleased with the lens. I can see what many people call this a "hidden L lens."
A wonderful lens!  It is fast, sharp, and has a wonderful bokeh effect!  I bought this lens awhile back and for me, it has been a good investment.
This lens rocks.  The pictures it makes are sharp as a tack and is great for low light and event photography.  This is a no brainer. I wish it had IS but thats what you get for the low price tag.
This is my first prime lens, and my second lens purchase, and it was exactly what I was looking for.  If you're just starting out in photography and haven't shot with a prime before, it's an experience I'd recommend (removing the zoom forces you to think about where you're standing and makes me more inclined to fiddle with other features which have a larger impact in the resulting photos).  The low f-stop is absolutely fantastic for shooting photos in real world indoor lighting situations.  The only negative thing I have to say about this lens is that it has no IS, but that seems to be the norm for &lt; 300 mm prime lenses... the lack of IS causes me a bit of a headache when I'm trying to shoot in low light without a tripod and want to ensure I've got my subject in sharp focus.
Simply put, this is an incredible lens for the money. Sharp, beautiful color, extremely well made (heavy), and very bright. One of the best purchases I've ever made.
I purchased this lens for use doing portraits and head shots. Since I have had it this lens has never disappointed! The bokeh is amazing and the construction is very nice. The lens has had no issues with aberration as mentioned in a very few reviews. I am using a Canon T2i camera and so far I am very happy with the overall performance of this lens.
This was my upgrade from the 50mm 1.8.  The colors are so juicy and the autofocus is so slick.  I am super happy with the images I've been able to create with this lens...just wish I had a full frame body to go with it! :)
I just bought two high quality lenses for my Digital Rebel and what a difference this makes over the kit lens which I wish I hadn't bought.  I bought this one mostly for indoor and outdoor portraits of my kids and dogs.  It is just amazing!  I was surprised by how much difference a good lens can make.  I've been playing around and I took tons of shots of my kids today and the portraits are amazingly clear with GREAT background blur -- I feel like a pro.  If you use the aperature priority setting and play around, you'll see that you too can make professional level background blur even if you barely know what you are doing (this would be me).  In short, invest in a good lens.  Don't forget to multiply the focal length by 1.6 if you have a digital canon camera -- 85 mm is really 135mm or so, really a telephoto type lens. Great for portraits!
Between this and my 70-200 2.8 doing portraits? Give me the 85 all day. The 70-200 folks may call me crazy, to them I say, try it. This lens deserves the red ring!
Chalk up another 5 star rating for this lens. I shoot portraits at charity fund raising events and this lens just BLOWS AWAY anything else I've worked with. The images are razor sharp on either my new 30D and my older 300d (dRebel) to the point of popping off the screen or paper. The images are visably superior to the kit lens that came with my 300d (easy to do) and even the 28-135mm f/3.5 IS zoom I purchased with my 30D (harder to do).Shooting with a COATED U/V filter to avoid green tint coming off the anti-glare coating on the lens front element - and with a lens hood - be it rubber or the snap-on Canon - the colors are true-and the medium telephoto slightly compresses noses and blurs backgrounds perfectly.My 300D and 30D both have hand straps and battery grips (BG-E1 for the 300D and BG-E2 for the 30D). The BGs give great balance for this big expanse of lens and the hand strap helps guide a slightly bulky camera package to precision. The weight WILL tell during long photo shoots - the hand strap helping as your arm tires...The price from Amazon was competitive - the free shipping when I purchased made my choice (Amazon) easy.Working through two days later ...- I find it hard to fault the lens...- slightly softer images from f/1.8 to 2.8 and then tack sharp all the way up the scale.- U/V protection with a front filter is a must - as this is a large expanse of glass you do not want to expose to the elements. Coated U/V avoids any possible green tint refracted off the front element of the lens which has been a problem for other users.- Canon lens hood is going to be somewhat of a problem - as it's "snap-on" attachment method also allows easy snap off as it encounters any side pressure - accidental or otherwise.While not an ideal lens for macro work because of a large minimal focus distance - I found the blurred background ideal for some outdoor object work - edited and magnified in photoshop - gave very passable results...I vote with the majority. 5 stars for less than $350. Buy this with no regrets
This was the first high quality lens I've bought since my days using an AE-1 Program.All I have to say is Wow.Sharp, fast, clear and easy to use. I've taken nothing BUT great photos since I bought it.I have it on an EOS Rebel, and it is now my go-to lens.With the cropping factor of the Rebel's smaller chip, I'm glad I got the 85mm, as a higher power would have been harder to work with.I use it to take pictures of live theater shows I have worked on, and I needed a fast lens to deal with the sometimes dark scenes, and the ability to get good shots from the center of the auditorium instead of the front row.It also does excellent head shots and portraits.
I recently purchased this lens and found it to be an outstanding value for the buy.  Everything you hear about it's sharpness is absolutely accurate.  It's primary utilization based on focal lenght is portraits. It focuses extremely fast, and while it is a tad prone to bluring due to camera shake more than other lenses I have used, it's a fantastic piece of glass for the price.That being said, my personal taste has found that the 50mm focal length is more up my alley.  On a cropped sensor such as my 7D, the 85mm functions as a 135mm which makes it very difficult to get any sort of photojournalistic style shots.I truly believe this is quite possibly the best value for your dollar of any Canon lens and would recommend it to anyone with a full frame camera.  It's one of the only non-L Canon lens's that will fully take advantage of the positive effects of a 5D or even 1Ds.I can't state this enough, if you are concerned about the financial implications of purchasing L series glass, you can NOT lose by picking this lens up.  It retains it's resale value very well.All in all, it's a fantastic piece of glass.
One of my favorite portrait lenses. Great crisp images and clean DOF. Nice and shallow. I opted to go with the 1.8 because I couldn't really afford the 1.2 just yet but I am incredibly happy with this amazing piece of glass
dont let the price fool you, this lens it's awesome, feels solid, it's smooth and fast to focus, and whats best, BOKEH! AMAZING... i love this lens, i am a prime kind of guy, and i love this one
You can't beat this lens, particularly at around $400.  The images are so nice and the bokeh is smooth.  I always wanted to hold out for the 85mm 1.2L, but after purchasing this lens there is no way paying 5x for the 1.2L is worth it.  I've rented the 1.2L and it is amazing but unless you are always going to shoot at f1.2, then there is no need to spend that much for the L lens.  I will use this lens as my portrait lens primarily, but may also use it for my daughters indoor volleyball games.
If you shoot portraits, there is no reason to hesitate in buying this lens. I shoot with a crop 7D (so 136mm lens on a full-frame) and get amazing shots with nice bokeh. For the price, you can't beat it. The only warning I give is be careful with your aperture (like any other fast lens) because shots can easily get soft on the edges if you aren't careful.
I use Canon 7D and they match perfectly. The image quality is so very good compare with the lens price.It will always my most preferable lens for portrait.
This is my second oldest lens.  I have had periods of time where I didn't use it much and actually listed it for sale twice.  Both times just listing it for sale made me put it on the camera and within a day I realized I can't sell it.  I have mistaken shots with this lens for shots from my 135L, which costs twice as much and is hands down my best lens.  The only bad thing to say about this lens is the CA (or purple/green fringing) in high contrast areas wide open.  I have felt the effects of this less frequently than I thought I would.  I still long for the 85L II, but whenever I start thinking seriously about it I scratch my head and wonder why I'd spend 4 times as much.  Then I remember the added stop and depth of field control that comes with it.  Still, this little 85mm is sure to please.  I've owned 3 of the 4 EF USM primes; 28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8.  I haven't had the 100 f/2.  This one is the best of the 3 I've had, though they are all solid performers and great values for the money.  I don't hesitate for a moment to recommend this camera, no matter if you are shooting a crop body or a full frame camera.
Great lens, excellent picture quality, really good build. I love this lens, even has USM. You just have to know what you're doing. There's no Image Stabilization, so if you're going hand-held, shutter speeds have to be pretty high. I still manage to get some sharp pics at 1/30 second. Also, this is not the best lens for walking around Disney, taking snaps. Take it along in your bag for the more distant shots, especially if you have a crop sensor camera, but don't dump your kit lens just yet, wait till you can get a better one with an equivalent focal length. I'm looking at the Canon ef-s 17-55 as the better everyday lens.That said, this lens has given me some of the sharpest pictures I've taken to date. Bokeh is beautiful, and at f1.8, shutter speeds can be pretty high. If you're a camera buff, you'll want one. Just get it already. Grinning. And save up for the 17-55, you'll need that one too.
very good, durable construction. Images are nice, but have a yellow color cast. Would prefer a wider angle for tight spaces.
This is such a great piece of glass! It is a great portrait lens- Always great bocco, very sharp nothing bad to say about this 85mm lens- except.. I wish it had a small zoom-
This prime lens is a must for photographers. and at f1.8 you get great bokeh.Your next step up from this lens is the 85mm L lens.
If you are looking for great picture or video at an affordable price, this is your lens. Its great for night time with lights or inside doors.
read the reviews  about how good this lens is !! and there right just as we say in  Wales bloody brilliant !!!
This is an unbelievable lens.  This is the WOW factor when you see your image on PC, even in low light situation the image is just so freaking good.  My 60D with 1.6x crop sensor turn this lens into 136mm and its take very good portrait photos and the bokeh is unbeliveable.  The focus ring is super smooth and over all well built.  This lens will stay with me forever.
I have a bunch of Canon lenses, including L's.  This lens is my favorite because of the bokeh, sharpness and depth of the images shot using it.  I love it.  You will, too!
This is a great lens.  The image quality is very very good!  I am having a little difficulty with the autofocus, but at this point it may just be my camera, so I don't want to fault the lens just yet.  The focus speed is great.The only problem I have with this lens is purple and green fringing on areas of high contrast.  Stopping down the lens helps, but even at F4, I am still getting some of this.  With photo's this can be fixed, but with video there is no easy way to get rid of it.  It is worse than any of my other lenses.  If not for this, I would give this lens 5 stars.  In every other way the image quality is really great.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 is my most favorite lens, I own the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L series but I rarely use it, I am used to this lens better, it's affordable and great for portraits! I use it for all of my works. A MUST BUY LENS!
Awesome Lens...Bought it 4 months ago and I've only used it occasionally. In the past few days I shot a tricky people-heavy job with a 35mm L on one 5d mk ii and this 85 on another. In post I frequently assumed an especially sharp shot was from a 35mm L file only to find it was from the 85...This is saying a LOT as the 35mm L is likely one of Canon's sharpest lenses. Bang-for-the-buck talk aside...this is simply a very very good lens.
Although it is not an &#34;L&#34; lens, this lens is well worth your consideration.  If you shoot Canon and are in need of an excellent medium telephoto lens, and if you can't afford &#34;L&#34; glass,  look no further.  This is the lens for you. You won't regret it.
I am just a beginner but, taking portrait pictures with this lens makes me feel I have crossed a milestone in photography. I use this lens to take pictures of my little ones and they come out amazing. The only con of this, is that, it does not have the zoom in/out function. In jargon, you have to maintain distance from the object to take quality images.
There are lots of rave reviews about this lens already, but just wanted to add that my 2 cents. EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is extremely sharp & value for your money, this is the best portrait lens on the market. If you've been waiting to get this lens, don't wait any longer. Just pull the trigger & get it. You will be glad you did.Highly recommended & deserves 5 stars in my book.
For the money this is a great buy. A great portrait lens that produces sharp images and a lovely bokeh!
I'm a professional photographer and wanted an 85 mm lens. the 1.2 wasnt worth the money for the few times I would use it and the 1.8 got pretty good reviews. However, I'm not so sure about it. It seems to focus fast enough, But I find I get consistently sharper shots with my 70-200 f2.8L. (I know I'm comparing an L to a non L). Shooting at 1.8 is not nearly as sharp or consistent as shooting at 5.6, but then what did I get a fast prime lens for? But still. I've used the lens more as a candid shooter on the second cam slung over my shoulder, and will update as I use it more.
I use this lens for a tripod fixed studio setting . good clarityYes and a good priceA nice build to you lens wardrobe
The best portrait lens I've used, hands down.  LOVE this lens.  Sharp, fast focus, and lovely bokeh. I highly recommend.
I am an amateur photographer, turning professional.I use this lens for portraits (although I have used it for landscape too), and it is fantastic! The images are crystal clear and sharp, focus is exactly where you want it to be. Color, image quality, contrast, etc. are all great!This lens is one of the best portrait lens that money can buy!My only con is the minimum focusing distance of almost 3 feet. If you're in tight spaces you'll need something with a closer focusing distance, but if you do portrait work and want to let your clients feel more relaxed (without you in their face) this lens will help!UPDATE: After using this lens for close to 6 months, I still absolutely love this lens. It is THE lens I pick if I want to get great pics and don't need a wide-angle. This lens will always stay in my camera bag. Every Canon owner should keep one of these with them, it's the best lens you can buy for Canon for the money IMO.
I had been wanting this lens for quite sometime and after reading several reviews myself in how great it is, I am incredibly happy I made the decision to purchase! An excellent lens it is, perfect focal lenth for portraits.
I shoot a lot of low-light shows, and not only do my images still come out quite sharp with this lens, but it focuses fast!! I mean, wow. I'm really frikkin' impressed. Snap it on my Canon 60D and go for it [gotta have that crop since I'm farther back...]I also use this lens in a lot of natural light portraits on my 5D Mk III and I can't get enough of this thing. I can't wait to use this on one of my upcoming weddings.I almost purchased the 100mm f/2.8 over this one, but I'm glad I went for the 85mm. Not that it's a bad lens, but for what I was able to afford at the time I feel that this lens was a great investment over the 100mm. I also have the 50mm f/1.8, but I rarely use it nowadays.
An amazingly sharp lens, this 85mm f/1.8 produces crisp, nicely saturated images.The outstanding glass and the wide aperture make for lovely portraits and handle my nightlife/low-light shooting needs very well. Build quality is solid, with a smooth/quick AF.  Images are sharp even at f/2, requiring stopping down to a smaller aperture only when the aesthetics require it.Apart from technical merits, the practical measure of a lens really boils down to: does it take many keepers?  The 85mm f/1.8 takes more than its share of keepers, especially considering it's a pretty cheap lens. The only major caveat I found: on an APS-C body, the effective 136mm focal length is a bit long for indoors usage.  That combined with the minimum focus distance of nearly 3ft doesn't allow for close shots.  "Let me take your snapshot...from across the room".This is the only non-L lens that has really impressed me.  For my low-light/hand-held purposes I could wish it had IS, but for the price relative to L glass, I have no complaints.  The 85's images easily stand up to the same focal length on my favorite 24-105L.Highly recommended.Update May 2013: After owning this lens a few years, I find it's not one I often load into my kit. I have developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with it.  In bright light / high shutter speeds and carefully handled, this lens turns out some amazingly sharp portrait-style shots which led to my original raving. But in casual handheld or low-light usage, even at a large aperture, I have trouble getting any "keepers"-- lots of less-sharp shots. Thus, I'm marking this lens down to 4 stars. It's still a great portrait lens for the price, but non-optimal for low-light usage.
I debated between 85mm F/1.8 (~$450) and 135mm F/2.0 (~$1100).  Both comely highly recommended for portrait photography and so I rented both of them before making my final decision.  As an amateur photographer who does mostly hand held photography on a 60D, this is what I discovered.The 135 is an amazing lens, but not very easy to use.  It&#8217;s bigger and heavier.  The extra weight combined with the longer focal length requires higher shutter speeds, more ISO and longer distances from your subject.  Shooting wide open on either one gives very shallow depths of field and so getting dead on focus of your subject is very important on both, but quite a bit harder to do on the 135 since you are farther from your subject.  For indoor areas, it completely rules out using the 135 in small and even medium size rooms.  You need space to work with the 135 &#8211; either outdoor or at wedding venues.  With that said though, when you do hit the focus dead on your subject, the 135 image quality is amazing.  The background bokeh creates awe inspiring portraits.The 85mm on the other hand is easier to use, lighter to carry around, more versatile in a wider range of scenarios from the shorter focal length and therefore generates a much higher yield of usable pictures than the 135.  Its bokeh isn&#8217;t bad at all, but it&#8217;s just not as good as the 135.  After taking all these factors into consideration along with the huge price difference between the two, I decided to get the 85.  Somewhere down the road I hope to be able to add the 135 to my gear, but it&#8217;s very specialized use doesn&#8217;t make it as practical of a purchase as the 85.The 85mm complements my 28mm F1.8 prime perfectly when I go on vacation.  With the two of them, I cover 95% of what I want to take while on vacation.  The other 5% is when I wish I had something wider than the 28 or some object in the far distance that I wish I had a bit longer focal length.
If you are shooting low light, need lots of bokeh, or want incredible portraits, this is the lens to use.  I won't repeat what others have already said here about how good this lens really is.  For the cost, you really can't beat it.I also use the nifty fifty (50mm 1.8 II).  The major difference between the 50mm and 85mm, besides the obvious focal length difference, is that the 85mm has the ring type ultrasonic focus.  This makes the 85mm faster to focus.  I also think (subjective) that my 85mm image quality is just a bit better when wide open than the 50mm.
I so wanted to love this lens. All the reviews I had read about it were positive. Most all agree that if you are going to do any portrait work, you NEED this lens. So I bought it. And like most everything I buy from Amazon it arrived in just a few day's. Soon as I opened it, I could see light damage (ruffled edges) to the Canon lens original box. So yeah... it had been opened before. My first thoughs were uh oh, this probably isn't going to work well. Someone must have returned it, and it got reshipped to me. Hmmmm put it on the camera, and sure enough the pic's were not sharp and clear. No where near as good as the kit lens that came with the Rebel (T2i). So I shipped it back the next day. I have sense bought the 50mm 1.8 (Amazon) and couldn't be more happy with it. It takes awesome pics. I still want the 85mm, just a little fearfull to order another right now.
I really like this lens.  It's made a huge improvement to my images.  I even added a Speedlite 430EX II which is a great combination.  This focuses much better than some of the cheaper lenses I have.  I find it easier to get a sharper image, but I think more of that has to do with my body.
I chose this lens because I needed a good medium telephoto.  When searching the web for one I wasn't happy with how much overlap to the focal lengths I already have and thought purchasing some varible zoom, like the 24-105 for example, would be a waste of money since I already have a very good 17-50mm f2.8.I did some simple test shots both indoors, indoors with flash, outdoors in sun, and outdoors in shade.  I'm very pleased with how clear this lens is and the color reproduction is very canon, a sort of neutral blue.  I took off a star from the review because at f1.8 you can tell it's not nearly as sharp as it is stopped down just a little.  At f3.5 this lens is very sharp, every bit as sharp as my 100-400L lens @ 100mm and f4.5.  I'm also a little disapointed that for a f1.8 lens it's not simularly priced to the 50mm f1.8 instead of the 50mm f1.4 which is a superior lens IMO.  Lastly I took another star for the minimum focusing distance.  I knew in advance it wasn't great on paper but in reality confronted with how limiting it is, even with a 13mm extension tube, I would really recomend another lens if price isn't an issue to you.With all that said however, I'm keeping the lens.  I still think it's the best solution for me since I don't want to duplicate coverage of various focal lengths and considering the cost of this lens.I plan to borrow a Canon 85mm f1.2L from a friend and compare results.  While I'm sure the L lens will be sharper I'm not sure if that's worth the extra 400% to me...Last thing to note, nothing related to the lens, just the seller.  Shipping was free but it took well over a week to receive my item.  I also didn't recieve the normal automated e-mails through Amazon as to the shipping status - I was however able to pull the tracking info manually by logging into my account.
Never bought it the co that sold it to me didn't know what they were doing so I figured if they didn't know about a 499 lens maybe I should leave it alone.
The quality of thisproduct is SUPERB! The only drawback is since I don't have a full PRO DSRL, but a Canon Rebel 2, it makes it hard to take portraits since it's a bit TOO CLOSE to the subject!
My three kids play a lot of indoor sports in the winter.  Primarily basketball and soccer.  This camera lens with the large aperture allows very fast shots in poor lighting conditions, with ISO set around 800.  I use the (Rebel) camera in full manual mode, set custom white balance and the autofocus of the lens does the rest.  No more out of focus basketballs being dribbled, or elongated soccer balls being kicked.  This lens is the best value for the $$ if you want professional looking pics of fast moving indoor action at a reasonably near distance.
I purchased this lens a few years ago, it has amazing image quality on "L" level. best lens for the money bar none. do not hesitant on purchasing this lens... it even has a lot of advantages over the 1.2 L thats 2000.
Really nice sharp tight crop lens that compresses and blurs the background nicely.  I can't say enough about it, it makes everyone I shoot look amazing!.  =)
So far my best lense...im totally in love with this lense...al pics turn out really sharp, color fidelity is awesome, the ability to take pics even in low light is just priceless, now i find myself taking more pics with natural light...i own a canon xs but paired with this lens is fenomenal. I wish i could find more lenses of this quality on this price range...my portraits now look professional...now my friends cant say anything about their stupid iphones taking better pictures...actually they want me to take portraits for them(paid) and that is what i want it! i just have it for 2 weeks but im sold on this lense...i will be posting some pics soon...if you are a amateur or advanced photographer you need to have this lense...sooner rather than later you will need it!
Awesome lens, takes some getting used to as I shoot moving objects a lot.....one  cannot move the camera!!!  xlent to use for portrait or close ups....
The bokeh when shooting wide open at 1.8 is absolutely amazing! The images are so crisp and sharp! This lens is a must have!!!
I don't know where to start. It's sharp, fast, silent, beautiful. It takes amazing pictures especially in the dark. this was one of my favorite lenses and I really wish I could have kept It but I needed a 70-200 f4L. Highly recommended this lens, on a crop sensor it's equivalent to a 135mm and is great for shows, and such where it tends to be dark. Amazing for portraits as well.
The EF 85 1.8 USM is Canon's shortest telephoto. The fast aperture and natural perspective of this focal length make it a wonderful lens for indoor portraits and candids. This is the shortest focal length for flattering head and shoulder portraits on full frame cameras. Wider lenses distort and enlarge objects slightly nearer to the lens, e.g., noses and hands. When shot wide open, the shallow depth of field creates beautiful background blur and really makes the subject pop. However, because the depth of field is shallow, be sure to focus on the most important features (eyes for humans and animals).It's relatively small and light for a fast lens, slightly larger than a 50 mm 1.4. Although not a macro lens, it focuses close enough for nice head shots (.85 m/2.8') and is well corrected for distortion. I've found it to be extremely sharp, contrasty and flare resistant. Because it employs internal focusing (IF), the front element does not rotate nor does the barrel change in length. The 58 mm filter size makes filters inexpensive and easy to share with other Canon lenses.The ring-type USM is silent and shockingly fast. Like all ring-type USM lenses, it has FT-M and a distance window. FT-M (Full-Time Manual) allows you to manually focus without flipping the AF/M switch, even after locking exposure and AF (keep the shutter half depressed while adjusting focus). The manual focusing ring is fairly wide and turns almost as smoothly as a manual lens.The EF 85 1.8 USM uses the massive ET-65 III (or ET-65 II) lens hood, a clip-on design. It shades well but is a bit loose and pops off easily.The EF 85 1.8 USM has been in production since 1992 and such longevity is a testament to the effectiveness of this design. High optical quality never goes out of fashion. If you shoot a lot of portraits, especially in small studios, this is a must-have lens. For the price of a consumer zoom, you can have image quality that rivals the finest L series lenses.
Not a professional quality lens but a decent and relatively fast lens for the amateur photographer. Works well with the Canon Rebel.
This is my second prime after the nifty 50. It is much better constructed and is a joy to use. Indoors with a APS-C camera, it is not always usable. It shines in low light and is perfect for kids and sports. So far I have only used it to take pictures of my kids and everytime it has delivered. I am very happy with the purchase and look forward to using it for many more years.
I use it to shoot stationery subjects, and definitely use a tripod.Remember, this lens has no IS, so hand holding is an issue with shutter speeds of 1/80 and lower.The images are clear throughout the aperture range, with the absolute sharpest showing up between f/2.2 and f/2.5
I honestly don't know how much better the 85 1.2 glass might have been, but I do not regret for one minute to settle for the 1.8, especailly considering the price difference between the two.  I am not going to let the absence of a red line bother me. The picture is sharp, sharp, sharp and the color is great, great, great.  I can tell which pictures were taken with the 1.8 and which ones aren't.  My lens is coupled to a 6D and I am taking full advantage of the higher ISO numbers offered.  The new problem I encountered is that because the lens is so sharp whe it's properly focused, and because the depth of field is so narrow at 1.8, I have to be very aware of where my focus is.  I've learnt to not depend  on the camera's AI focus if I could help it, especially when taking portraits. There is a learning curve in appreciating  the nuance of this lens.  Take your time and you'll be rewarded.  I did not notice or find vignette a problem.  I take pictures of artworks and perhaps the presence of vignette actually helps to hightlight the center of the painting.  My favorite stops are 1.8 and 4 on this lens.
You cannot get anything better than this lens. FAST, SHARP, Quick focus, and reliable. It has some chromatic abberation wide open but still very sharp and stop it down, it is as sharp as $2000 70-200mm II L IS f/2.8.
Fast lens in a compact package, especially given the reach on an APS-C body.  Sharpness is good across the field and even impressive wide-open.  Out-of-focus area look mostly nice, maybe a little bit of green fringing on blur circles.  A negative, everyone who wants to buy this lens is likely very much aware of this, is the heavy purple fringing on high contrast transitions.  This is not unheard of with other Canon telephoto lenses (my 200mm L lens does i too), but a bit more pronounced than in others.  This does improve a little stopping down, but still very much visible at F/2.8.  So far I therefore agree with most other positive reviews.  However, one reason I got this lens was for indoor sports.  After taking it to the park on a sunny day (shooting at least at 1/2500 sec) to try it out on running dogs and some pick-up basketball, that bubble burst:  Zero keepers out of 60 shots due to missed focus (using AI Focus and Servo).  In direct comparison, I used my 100mm F/2.8 Macro (non IS, same camera, same settings) and got about 40% keepers.  Even when I was not tracking moving subjects, I found the auto-focus a little inconsistent with a tendency to front focus. Maybe it's the specific sample that has some problems here, but I can only review the one I got.
I was really on the fence between this lens and the 1.2L. However, after reading all the reviews and watching a bunch of video reviews, it basically came down to this... I'm not a full-time photographer that makes a living from his photography. So I couldn't justify spending the money for the 1.2L. However, I am very satisfied with this purchase. The images are really sharp, and focusing is rather good. Would I have been happier with the 1.2L? Probably, it is an L lens with the signature red-ring. However, I wouldn't have been able to purchase the 50mm 1.4 at the same time, as well as a new flash. If on a budget, this is definitely a great option and more budget friendly than the 1.2L. And you will be happy with the images it will allow you to produce.
I ordered this product used and it took forever to get here... However, it was worth it! AMAZING LENS! I can not tell you enough how great this lens is especially if you shoot in AV mode!
This lens is great for portraits and also works well for activities like car shows.  The focus is quick and accurate.
So I use a Canon T1i (500D) for the last 3 years and believe this lens has made a huge difference in the way I look at the pics I take. A leap from the nifty fifty and I thought I was in love with that. Well I still am. But ever since I bought this lens 2 years ago, it is only when I am taking a vacation, when I need to use my wide angle that this comes off my camera. Agreed, 85mm converts to 138mm, but then I shoot street and candids at weddings and events - it works absolutely fine for me and for my work. I love the sharpness, the bokehs, the beautiful compositions that I have gotten.P.S. I took this beauty out for a little vacation to South America and yes, she just loved the market scenes.
I have used this lens to shoot a couple of high school football games and so far I love it.  The optics are crisp and clear and the auto focus works like a charm.
Everything you've read is true. Beautiful sharpness and clarity, great bokeh, superb low-light capabilities.NOT the lens for group shots in smaller rooms on 1.6 crop. Otherwise, BEAUTIFUL for portraits.Virtually silent and almost instant AF.I love the control over DOF by choosing the aperture you want. Easily isolate your subject in foreground, mid-distance or background for impressive effects. Or open it wide to 1.8 and isolate just one EYE in a portrait, if you prefer. Stop it down and add whole new dimensions for landscapes.For even more control, I'm a big fan of back button focusing on my 40D. (Visit the forum of your DSLR brand and &lt;SEARCH> "back button focus" to customize and learn to use this invaluable feature.) Separates focus from metering (often combined in half-pressing the shutter) to give ABSOLUTE control over focus point without risk of AF shift -- except when you want it, as in continuous focus. Virtually eliminates out-of-focus (OOF) rejects.Always-on MF on this lens is also convenient for tweaking AF, though I rarely use it.Not a true macro lens, but captures GREAT closeups and can be used with extension tubes, as others note.I like this focal length A LOT on a 1.6 crop. It's effectively 135mm, so you can stand well back from subjects and not intimidate them at all. (Though the lens hood makes it look formidable.) Terrific reach for candid street shooting, indoor sports, club and stage performances.Sharpness and quality, especially in RAW, as magnified for post-processing in Photoshop, is stunning.Always with me in my walkaround bag and usually on camera. My first thought in ANY situation is, "Can I use the 85?"By far my favorite lens.Great price with Amazon, as always, and really fast shipping.
I just started photography and I love this lens. It makes me want to buy more, better lenses. &#34;If I can take photos this nice, imagine what I could do with even nicer lenses...' me thinks.
This lens is, in a word, wonderful.  The price-to-quality-of-image ratio for this lens is phenomenal when you consider what you pay for it.  This is my go-to portrait lens.  I honestly do not think there is a justifiable benefit to the substantially increased price in the big brother L version.  You get very sufficient creamy bokeh at 1.8 and it is tack sharp (especially on tighter cropped images).  I shoot with a Canon 5dmkiii and the results are fantastic.  The USM motor is quick and silent.  If mine dies for any reason, I will definitely replace it again.I recommend getting a cheap knock-off lens hood- they are simple little pieces of plastic and a very cheap 3rd party hood has done me wonders and saved me about thirty dollars.  (The fact that all lenses do not include them, and further still, that canon tries to charge an arm and a leg for them is hogwash IMHO.)
This isn't my favorite lens in my collection. I like to be close to my clients and that's why it isn't my favorite. Other than that it is great.
Probably the best lens for the money from Canon. Good build quality, very fast and quiet AF thanks to ring USM, good bokeh (background blurring), good color and contrast. Sure it is not as good as 135/2L or 200/1.8L, but at this price range you cannot find a 2nd lens come close in picture quality and overall performance. I have several Canon lenses and this one provide the best price/performance ratio. This should be on top of your lens list if you are considering EOS system.Pros:Sharp even at f/1.8, very sharp @f/2.8Very fast (f/1.8) for the money.Very fast and quiet AF thanks to Ring USM.Good build quality.Good picture quality.Cons:No bag come with lens.No lens hood.135/2L is still a better choice for portrait if you have the space for it.Canon should have put a red ring, L aka, on it to let let us feel even better.
I shoot a lot of indoor sports and have found this lens to be VERY fast focusing with sharp colors.  Great portrait lens.  This is well worth the money.
Yes, you want this lens, (or the "L"-glass version, if your wallet can afford the $1700 plus cost-this "non-L" version is around $350) even if you have something that covers this range. This is some finely crafted glass, and a best buy in terms of cost-to-benefit ratio. You get speed, DOF control, beautiful bokeh, and it's darn cheap to get into the whole world of protraiture, if you think about it.You want this for portraits. Everybody and everything from your dog to the Queen of E looks silkier, more soulful and more loveable with this lens. It's perfect on a Canon 5D.People say that it's not the equipment-it's the photographer. But, in this case, it really is the equipment. You can do natural-light photography under difficult and trying conditions, and you've got plenty of room to spare in the ISO, aperture and shutter speeds, because this lens is so fast and responsive. The lens is light and portable so you can take it everywhere. Once you "get" the feel of the fixed focal distance you just intuitively snap pics of the sweetest sweetness. Seriously, my friends think I'm a good photographer. Between you and I it's just that this lens rocks!
That was what I noticed after my first picture with it of my newborn son. Or rather the first thing my family said as they reviewed the pictures. I love this on my 60D! Background blurs amazingly well for portraits. The autofocus is very fast. I was testing it as my wife was driving and I focused on distant stationary objects and as we passed the autofocus kept it nice and sharp. I started to realize the advantage of my cropped sensor when, no joke, I opened my back door and 15 feet directly in front of me was a young buck grazing in our backyard. I had my camera in hand and turned on already because I saw a bird I wanted to snap but got a bigger prize instead! It just stood there for a solid 10 seconds letting me snap it until it leisurely walked away.Anyway, for now this is a huge upgrade from my 50mm 1.8 II.
Granted I am not a portrait photographer, but I love the color and clarity of this lens. I thought that I would use it more than my 50mm 1.4 as a walk around lens but found out that I much prefer my 50mm for that. Still, this is a fantastic detail fixed lens and have shot lots of photos and video with amazing results. Its a great addition to my bag of canon lenses and have no regrets.
I've been using this lens to shoot basketball games on dim courts for several years. It's next to my 135mm f2, 300mm f2.8, and 70-200mm f2.8. It is not an L lens but what does that mean? Well, the 85mm f1.8 will get you chromatic aberration (also known as purple fringing) in certain conditions. These conditions fortunately are limited to the f1.8-f2.8 range when you have a bright light source behind a darker subject. Once you get to f2.8, the fringe is almost gone and even at f1.8 it's not likely to ruin your shot. Luckily almost every point and shoot digital camera suffers from much worse purple fringing so there are lots of actions in Photoshop to clear it up if you must remove it.Besides that, it's just as good as any of my expensive L lenses. Wide open is just a little soft but f2.0 is just as sharp as the much more expensive 135mm at f2.0. Autofocus is as fast as any of these lenses except for the 300mm f2.8 which has a huge USM motor and the extra two stops of light are a big help in dim arenas. If you're shooting on a small court, shooting at f2.0 will do a great job of blurring the background making your players look like they were playing on a much larger court.Some photographers are gobsmacked that I would dare to shoot sports with a lens that doesn't have Canon's elegant red ring (denoting an expensive L lens) when I have "superior" lenses like the 70-200mm f2.8. I guess that's because they can't deal with a lens that has some color fringing. I can tell you that the 85mm f1.8 will focus faster than any f2.8 lens I have in dim conditions (including the 300mm f2.8).
Amazing lens, and for APS-C sensor cameras is actually better, used it for photography and video, really a beauty lens
I love this lens! It takes gorgeous portraits. I love the softness I get with it. Taking portraits with this lens is almost like cheating.
A great way to own a fast 85mm lens for portrait photography if your using APS-C you will have to stand a little farther back due to croping.
This Canon Lens is wonderful. It's super fast and focusing quickly even on moving targets. The shipping was extremely fast and was able to use it on the weekend for a game my grandsons playing in. Thank you.
Bought this lens to take better quality pictures and loved it! This lens is perfect for basic photo-shoots. It  will give you quality pictures with a great bokeh background - perfect for portraits! You do have to stand very far away from the subject since the lens is super zoomed in so it's definitely not the ideal lens for full landscape shots, but again great for portraits and full body pics!
I recently switched from the 50mm f1.4 wanting a little bit of extra reach as I felt the 50mm was a tad bit short and "in your face" for headshots.  I currently have this on my Canon 60D.Just comparing with the 50mm f1.4 there's a bit more durability due to the size and at least to me the USM is quieter and focuses very quickly.  Like the 50mm f1.4 though in low light situations I've found the same focus hunting issues but not a big deal as a hobbyist.  For weddings and shoots that require low light setting this could pose a problem of course.While this lens is one stop more than the 50mm f1.4 lens, I've rarely shot them wide open unless I'm looking for a very shallow depth of field which to me is more of an artistic thing with VERY still subject.  It can be done but shooting a subject with f1.4 and even f1.8 you have to be very careful where you focus or it easily made not-so-sharp images more often than one I actually kept.  Most headshots I do around f2.2 and get a creamy bokeh and still have the face in focus.With that said there's some color fringing visible wide open up until f2.2 or so.  It does go away after for the most part at f2.8 and stopped down.  With the longer focal length the bokeh at f2.8 is still gorgeous compared to shorter/wider lens.  I'm a big bokeh fan so seeing some shots of 135mm f/2L at f5.6 is still a jaw dropping beauty; the 85mm f1.8 may not be as good as 135mm with the shorter reach but it's still very pleasing to your eyes.  Especially if you never owned a 50mm f1.4 or quality prime lens you'll instantly fall in love with either lens.Since it's not overly big it's a good walk around and provides tact sharp focus.  Even wide open it's sharp enough while stopping down it gets even sharper.  Sharp is all relative but it seems to be more accurate in focus than other lens I've owned.Definitely worth the price; I've bought mine used but you won't regret the purchase.
I am really impressed with the results I get from this lens.This is my first USM lens and 85mm is new to me. It serves me really well taking people pictures outside - fantastic background blur and fast enough for low light indoor close ups.Full time manual focus is handy too at times. With my tamron 17-50, this lens is great combo for me.
I am very new to photography... it is something that I have always been interested in... and I'm finaly in the position to start enjoying it... I got the rebel XTi with kit lense... the camera was nice, but the lense... well it left me underwelmed... what could you expect for a little kit lense... so I hit the internet and began researching lenses... this one came back time and again as a lense that would deliver... I just got it today... it arrived early... I slapped it on my rebel and went out for a few qick shots around my home... wow wow wow it is amazing! it is sharp, fantastic blur, and it blows the kit lense out of the water!! I have a few other lenses that I have picked up, mostly used, but this one lives on my camera... cannot wait to go and test out the low light ability! I'm shooting a friends concert next week... I am betting that this puppy will pull through with flying colors! get one, you will not be disapointed!
I love the crisp and sharp images that this lens allows my to make. The bokeh is beautiful as well.
I was used to zoom lens earlier and not since purchasing canon 5DMarkII, I have only bought Primes. I am absolutely amazed with the quality of photos I get from this lens. I have 5Dmark II and to capture low light photographs this I find a perfect lens for it. Nice Bokeh, low light, in house pictures are amazing with this lens. My friends are amazed when they see low light photos captured by this lens. I used to get background clutter with other lenses and sometimes not desired but since this lens, all background clutter is gone and pictures are sharp and enhanced.1. Its fast2. Its very sharp3. Nice bokeh4. No flash needed.Its now in my superb collection of other primes I have:Canon 135mm 2.8Lcanon 50mm 1.4Don't miss this one. Absolute buy. Enjoy
I recently purchased the Canon 20D.  I researched various websites to determine the different lenses that I would need.  I am an amateur photographer, but desire excellent quality when it comes to pictures.  With the 20D you have to consider the crop factor and the 85 mm was just right.  To me the 135mm L lens was a little too long for me.  I tried it out at a local camera store to see if it was too long, which I highly recommend for others to do before purchasing a lens blind.This lens fit my budget in the $300's and it is relatively light with excellent build quality.  I try to use this lens whenever I can because the pictures come out vivid with color and sharpness.  I highly recommend this product if you are lookin for a fixed focal range.
It's 20 years old. It's still superbly-excellent glass. And it's about 85% cheaper (at its current price of $350) than its new $2200 L - Series big brother.[...]Watch the Digital Rev piece comparing the 2 lenses and I seriously doubt you'll feel the extra $1900 is really worth it unless you have tons of money to burn or REALLY need an extremely razor thin shallow DOF... and even if you do, you may hesitate.UPDATE:Let me add to this regarding the "Purple Fringing" complaint which folks make about this lens particularly when compared to the 1.2 L.  You can spend $1900 more and lose the fringing (most but not all) or spend $100 and buy Adobe Lightroom (which you need anyway) and slide the fader marked "Fringe" to the right about 5 notches. GONE.
I bought this lens to use for portraits on my Canon 6D. I am very pleased with it. The pictures are sharp and good looking.
Fast, sharp and small. This lens is great when you are taking portraits. It can also do quite a bit of macro. The depth of field is awesome. This lens is a must have.
I've had the 100 f/2.0 for awhile but wanted something a bit shorter to use in closer quarters. I may sell the 100 f/2 shortly since they are so close.The images are great, especially on my 6D with the built in corrections for falloff and lateral color fringes (a common complaint with this lens so I understand).For the price you can't go wrong with this lens, especially on a 6D or a 5D3, both of which have built in corrections for it. You can spend a lot more on an &#34;L&#34; lens like the 85 f/1.2 L II - I borrowed one from CPS - but unless you're making a great deal of money from it, it isn't worth it.
i couldn't wait for it to arive, but when it did - there was a problem. it was defective - the autofocus was way off. i'm retrning or replacing it. i know may of you would think "probably he's doing something wrong" - i'm not. i tried with many diferent settings, and the focus was always way off the desired spot.oh, and do NOT select the "Free Shipping" option - it won't ship for 2 weeks.
I like the lens a lot.Fast AF, great image quality.Absolutely no complaints.Price is also very good.Recommended!
I bought this lens after hours of research and fretting about possibly making a wrong choice.  I needed a lens to shoot low light sports with no flash - this fit the bill perfectly.  I shoot using a canon 40D and the indoor basketball photos this season are the best ever!  The bonus is the versatility of this lens - my portrait photos are perfect and outdoor soccer looks very good!  By far my favorite lens... my other 4 rarely get any use!
Love this 85mm fixed lense. It has a fast focus and takes exceptionally clear pictures.
I just got this lens and have only used it for a short time, but already I can tell it will be a favorite.  The details when you print pictures taken with this lens are awesome!  Very sweet lens for the price.  I was a little skeptical of the fixed focus at 85mm, but so far it's not been a problem.  Low light shooting is a snap with this lens!  I would recommend it to anyone shooting indoors, or in low light.  It's great!
It's just plain awesome. I'd been wanting this lens for a long time, but just didn't have the money. When I got the money this past tax season, I was having it. And it was a great decision. And Amazon had the best price too.
I purchased this lens for my 6D for portrait photography. I am not disappointed. I generally prefer &#34;L&#34; glass, however the quality on this lens rivals the quality of any of my &#34;L&#34; lenses. The Bokeh is smooth, and the focus is sharp even wide open. I highly encourage you to check this out.
I had my first headshot session with it today... WOW! It's SO fast, quiet and love the bokeh.I shot wide open and in 738 pics, I didn't see any trouble. I shot with a UV filter and the cannon hood.I was a little worried that with the crop factor of my XTi (x1.6. 1.6x85=136) it would be too close. Not at all. Perfect.After only one 738 picture outdoor headshot shoot, I would highly recommend this little guy...
I love, love, love this lens.  Beautiful lens.  Beautiful shots. I have a 50mm 1.4.  I'm going to sell it and move up to the 1.2, and with this lens, I will have my portrait lens needs wrapped up.  Great lens.  I absolutely love the shots I am getting with this lens, it focucses fast and the DOF is great.  I am enjoying learning what I can capture with it.  Was recommended by JD, Jasmine Star's husband, and he was so right.  It is hard not to just stick to it -- but oh, by 50mm is hard to not feel like I am cheating on with this baby.
I am not as impressed with the optical quality of the EF 85mm f1.8 lens. The images often appears soft even with f @ 2.8. I find the EF 50mm f/1.4  much more versatile and have better optical quality.
but be careful, 85mm is kind of long for everyday shots and is kind of short for a telephoto. this is good for very specific purposes. I ended up getting one longer lens (200mm) and one shorter lens (50mm)
If you're looking at doing portraits, this is a great bargain as compared to its f/1.2 brother. For a fraction of the price of the L lens, you get just slightly less picture &#34;oomph&#34; than the L lens. But that's only slightly. Photos taken with creamy bokeh wide open. Acceptably sharp. However this lens needed re-calibration at my local Canon service center. Perhaps it's just a different regional &#34;standard&#34; for calibration. I don't know. But it works. And AF is fast. Really fast.
The Canon 85mm 1.8 is one heck of a lens for the money. It's razor sharp, including when it's wide open, and costs a fraction of the price of the 1.4 Canon or Sigma lenses with little loss of speed. The ultrasonic motor is silent and focuses fast and this lens is surprisingly light for a 1.8. On top of that it produces beautiful creamy bokeh. Buy it fast before Canon updates this older model and dramatically raises the price. Other than adding adding IS, which is not all that critical for a 1.8 lens, there is little Canon can do to improve this incredible performer.
This is absolutely my favorite portrait lens!  The things this lens does with bokeh just makes me melt!  As a portrait and wedding photographer, this lens is definitely a must have for my arsenal.  I would never do a shoot without it!!!
Another product that is obviously great.I shoot headshots. It worked great for my 7D, even better for my 5Dmk2.
I am currently shooting with a Canon 7D and several L lenses.  I wanted a medium long, fast portrait lens and I have always liked this focal length for close-up head shots.  Back in the days of full frame film cameras I used an 85mm on a 35mm camera and an 150mm on a 6x6cm camera for most of my portrait work.  However, for tight head shots I would go to the 135mm for 35mm work and a 210mm for 6x6cm shots.  This lens, on my 7D, gives me similar results as an 135mm on a full frame camera.I used to own aZeiss 85mm f/1.4for my Contax RTS camera (boy, that was a long time ago) and I loved it.  It was very sharp and had great contrast and color.  I had Zeiss lenses on my Hassleblad medium format cameras and they were considered the gold standard.  I thought about getting that lens for my Canon and the fact that it is manual focus appealed to me.  When shooting at wide apertures I prefer to do the focusing myself.  However, I rented one and was not as impressed with it as I used to be.  For some reason the Zeiss' image quality didn't translate into the digital world as much as I had hoped for.  Also, I have to admit that I was disappointed to learn that they were being made in Japan now.  Don't get me wrong, a lot (I mean a LOT) of great lenses are made there.  As a matter of fact, I used to work for a Japanese large format camera manufacturer so I have tons of respect for them.  But for me, Zeiss is, and should be, a German lens.I then looked at theCanon 85mm f1.2Land really liked it.  I borrowed one and planned on buying one for myself in the near future.  Then, a project came up were I needed this focal length right away.  I didn't want to part with the money for the 1.2 just yet so I bought this lens, theCanon 85mm f/1.8, and I am so glad that I did.  The image quality is so close to that of the 1.2 that only an expert could tell the difference.  I like the bright viewing image of the 1.8 but I seldom shoot it wide open, preferring the sharpness and DOF that I get at f/4.0 and 5.6.  This lens is very easy to focus manually (unlike some of Canon's newer lenses) and a dream to  work with.  I may upgrade to the 1.2 in the future, but I am in no hurry.
This lens is like winning the lottery. You don't pay much to get in the game, but then you win big.It must be one of the best bargains in Canon's lens offerings.If you have been looking at the other reviews of the EF 85 you have read what a gem this lens is. Not much I can add to all the good news other than it is all true.I'm sure if Canon put a red ring around this lens and doubled the price they would sell just as many of them, maybe more.Crisp, clear images. Silent focusing. Easy handling. Light. Background can be as you like it, blurred or sharp.A joy to work with.Only one word of caution. You can focus from eyelash to eyelash, so compose and focus carefully.
This product arrived 1 day before scheduled.  I have a Canon T2i camera and this lens is outstanding.  i noticed quite a difference right away from the Kit 18-55mm lens.  the potrait pictures are fantastic.  it is not however, good for landscapce shots.I recommend this lens.  I am aticipating the arrival of the hummingbirds so I can capure them feeding with the 85mm lens.
I have not had this lens long and will update this again after I use it more.Having said that with only 2 days under my belt in using this lens I am totally impressed.  The feel is so solid and sturdy.  I did my own experiment using this lens and my 28-135 USM I put it at 85mm  and shot a series of test pictures.  I shot them in my kitchen at night time in low light.  The difference was night and day.  This lens focused faster on every occasion.  The Sharpness was fantastic!!  upon uploading the shots to my computer and zooming into it 100% the clarity was awesome to say the least.  I had no purple fringe as others have expressed.  I am so excited to use this for my next portrait session.  I will post some pictures when I do and update this review.I was hesitant about spending the $400  to get this lens at first.  If you are mulling it over I would tell you to grab it !!!  After a series of many demanding low light test photos that I put all of my lens through I could not believe the performance this 85mm gave.  Awesome productUPDATE 11/05/2012I am still in love with this lens .. After much use and even using it on a wedding shoot I love it more.  The only negative thing I have seen is a small purple edge on some of the brightareas (like a catch light in the eyes) which is easy to remove via Lightroom or Photoshop.Takes wonderful portraits with a creamy bokeh
This lens is so beautiful you'll cry when you first handle it. It has a very reassuring weight and takes absolutely pristine photographs. I've been using it on a Canon T3 primarily for Street Photography. :-)&#34;It's all about perspective baby!&#34;:-p
It looks great.  Obviously an L series would be nice, but I don't have that sort of money right now. This one does the trick for me right now. I can get some really nice shots on my 60D. Looking forward to using it on a 5D hopefully soon.  I use this less than my 50mm 1.4, but when I need more bokeh this is perfect.Only potential downside is that the minimum distance for focus is pretty long (I sadly don't have an actual measurement), so you'll need a more telephoto lens for some shots.  A couple times I grabbed this lens to get a close-up of text on a phone for a short and couldn't get anywhere near close enough. But that's a pretty selective use.I like it.
Fantastic image quality lens. Mine is mated with the Rebel XTi, and produces great results. Light, fast and tack sharp.
Not only was my item shipped promptly, but the 85mm is my go to lens. I love it and it's a great portrait lens.
I had read a review by Ken Rockwell that this lens was as good as the f/1.2 and I think I agree. It does not have IS (image stabilization) so this can be a problem when shooting subject's handheld. But this just means that you need to be aware and check the shots. Also, if doing portraits a tripod might make sense! Otherwise...this is a great, great lens. I have used the 1.2 and it is a good lens too but this f/1.8 is so much less in price and weight comparatively speaking that it makes sense to save money and buy other gear you need more.
This was my second prime lens, the first being the "I-am-prime-too-50/1.8" lens and I specifically bought this to shoot a badminton tournament (and more for the future).  FYI, badminton tournaments are definitely 1.8 situations at ISO 1600 and no flash permitted.  And what a lens!The focus is absolutely sharp, crisp with gorgeous bokeh to make the subjects stand out.  I took photos of professional badminton players (USA rank 1-5) and emailed it to them.  Even though I am a serious amateur, they replied back saying the photos were gorgeous and amazing, and loved it.  I shot the complete tournament at 1.8 ISO 800/1600 and have absolutely pleasing results.On just one or two occasions, the focus was hunting, but I would put that down as a one off occasion as there was aboslutely very challenging situations - moving subjects in low light.  The focus is quick and absolutely smooth, no noise at all.The lens is compact, not at all heavy and is perfect portrait lens.  My only disappointment is that it comes without a hood, and even if I buy a Canon hood, it does not have the same look as other (say, Tamron 28-75 2.8 hood is a really good looking hood) hoods.The relationship between the background and the foreground is something that impressed me with this lens, especially for an 85mm focal length.  The lens makes the subjects stand out and you dont need to stop down for sharpness.  I know I am going to keep this baby at 1.8 at all times in future.This in concert with my 50 1.8 for wider angle situations like awards and group snaps, the photos are absolutely stunning.  The reviews I received for my photos are pretty good, thanks to this lens with my 20D.I am sold on primes now and will probably end up buying more primes than zoom lenses.  Go on Canon, put a red ring around it!Definitely 5 stars.Other lenses considered before this purchase - 85/1.8, 100/2, 135/2L and to a small extent, 200/2.8L.  Finally chose the 85/1.8 due to the 1.8 and the effective focal length on 20D with 85mm. No buyer's regret, I am very pleased with my purchase now.--------------------------------------------------------------------------11 Mar 2009This is a comparison of 85/1.8 and 135mm/2L.Ive had this lens for 3 yrs now and have taken so many portraits with this, simply put, amazing results every single time.  Never been able to find fault with this lens or the images.  Image quality has been consistently awesome, consistently 5 stars.  The only lens that bests the images from this lens is my 135/2L, but that is of an entirely different league and shouldn't even be compared to this lens.  Merely stating that for academic interest.  Even then, the three places that the 135mm beats the 85 mm are1. Sharpness - 85mm is very sharp, 135mm/2L is simply a notch above.2. Saturation - 85mm is good, 135mm/2L is much better, image has a pop.  But then again, 85mm has half a pop too!3. Bokeh - Again, 85mm has a lovely bokeh, esp @1.8 and 2.  However, the 135mm is in an entirely different league, one simply cannot, should not compare.Now, the $350mm lens compared to the much more expensive, much higher quality lens worth $925 is completely unfair.  However, I would give the 85/1.8 4 stars assuming the 135mm is the gold standard with 5 stars.If this review second rates the 85mm, that is certainly not my intention.  I have consistently enjoyed shooting with this lens and will continue to have a lot of fun.
Yes, I confess it here publicly, I am in love with a camera lens. After the 18-55mm kit lens my T4i came with, this lens is a dream! The 18-55mm might work in general situations, with lots of light and no need for DOF, but not the ones I seem to prefer to shoot. The difference is night and day! I feel like a real photographer now! I should have purchased the body and gotten this lens instead of the kit. I don't think I'll ever use the 18-55mm lens again.
I love prime lenses.  This lens is a prime example of why I love prime lenses.  85mm @ f/1.8 is fast.  Way faster than any zoom lens.  Fast aperture means your camera's autofocus system is going to work better, your going to be able to get higher shutter speeds for stopping motion and for portraits and things like that, you get bokeh!!!!.  85mm wide open, or even at through F/4 is gonna give you decent back ground separation.  This unique quality, especially wide open at f/1.8, is what will make your photos pop and stand apart from the one's shot with the kit lens.  This lens has been around forever but it's a great lens,  internal focusing, small size, big aperture and small price.  It may not be the first lens you want to own but it should be up there.  you'll love the way it makes things look if you  haven't played with any fast telephoto primes yet.The other thing that is nice about primes, and this one is no exception,  they are generally sharper, and less distorted then their zoom lens counterparts.  This means image quality can be as good or better than a much more expensive zoom lens.  The only expense to you is having to change lenses to get new focal lengths.
I love this lens it gives me clear sharp cinematic image with great depth of field and HD videos. thanks
Love this lens! Well built, decent price. I haven't used my 50mm since I got this one. The 50 was more one dimensional, this one adds more "character" to an image. Great for portraits, nature shots, still life. I would highly recommend adding this lens to your carrying case. Different bokeh than the 50, for that, I like them both.
I sure preferred the lenses Canon made out of metal.  The plastic they're using these days just doesn't feel the same.
Pros:Build quality is good, not L level, but not bad.Take portraits at f/1.8 or f/2, and you'll get great bokeh.Cons:Watch out when taking portraits of two or more people at f/2, it's a bit to narrow DoF to get tack sharp on all subjects. Not really a con, more of a suggestion.
The title says it all. It was the most consistent lens I ever owned and I regret to this day selling it. I wish I had the money to buy another one. If I couldn't find another 85 in stock, I'd definately buy the 100mm f/2 instead. Both are phenominal lenses for the price.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
The 85 f/1.8 may be the best portrait lens Canon offers in this price range. I think it is the best value lens in the Canon system. It is not limited to portraits however, this is a great lens for stopping action. The 85 f/1.2 has better bokeh, but that costs $1900. I would pay twice the price for the 85 f/1.8, you get a lot of glass! Peer into the bottom of this baby and you will know what I'm talking about. Great low-light lens, super-fast auto focus. The 135 f/2 is a great portrait lens, one of the best, but the 85 f/1.8 is just as good optically (or very close) and costs considerably less. You could almost buy 3 of these for the price of the 135! The only difference I can see is the weather sealing, focal distance, red ring, and cost. The 135 is built like a tank, but the 85 is well built and solid! I love the 135, but It is very hard to tell the difference when I compare the images (maybe a very slight advantage to the 135 in color and contrast).The 85 is very sharp when stopped down to f/2.8, crazy sharp at f/4, and extremely sharp at f/8, its the one of the sharpest lens I own, a virtual tie with the 135. Maybe too sharp at f/4, it will show every skin blemish in 100% crops. Images are a little soft at f/1.8 (most fast primes are a little soft wide open), but very flattering for portraits. At f/2.8 they are perfect. Colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is great, skin tones are excellent! Bokeh is awesome, comparable to the 135, very smooth.  Very shallow depth of field at f/1.8, so make sure you focus very carefully.  If you think you may need a lens like this one, just buy it, you will not be disappointed. This lens has L quality optics and I highly recommend it.
I use this primarily at indoor basketball games where the light is low. The pictures are sharp and I'm very happy with it. It would also be good for portraits, although I haven't used it for that very much yet.
Wonderful Bokeh...Not all pictures are sharp at F1.8But stop down is ok..Bokeh is creamy and nice..Expect long working distance from subject.
I have a T1i and i love this lens on it, its great for taking portrait shots.  Photos always come out nice and crisp, focus is fast and quiet, and the background is nice and creamy awesome lens for the price
I have to say, I read the reviews and I fired on this thing.  Oh man, I have been so incredibly happy with its performance.  Through my test shots (I have not done a proper shoot yet) I have to say this lens is phenomenal with only one caveat and that might be the camera body I am using so I will go over that later.The pros: Its quiet. It is fast in both aperture rating and the fact that it is prime and focuses quickly.  It is a solid metal piece.  Color saturation is exquisite.  Hi-lites are great.  Your images almost appear 3 dimensional and you get tack sharp images.The con: I cannot call this a con simply because I am 95% sure it is because I am using this on a Canon T2i and I simply do no believe this lens is built for the cheap body (hey you gotta start somewhere) so I will describe the problem.  Oftentimes while shooting with this lens especially if you have shifted from a low to high aperture or high to low etc you oftentimes can not get an accurate depiction of bokeh and any focusing area outside of your focus point.  For example, if you set the aperture to say 2.2 and you focus in you will see in the viewfinder that your focus point is the only thing that is in focus, then you switch the aperture to say f 11, you will notice very little sharpness change on the object that is outside of your focus point, meaning it will look the same in the viewfinder as it does at f 2.2, you snap the photo and viola the image actually was focused as the f 11 aperture changed the focus range and got more of the background / foreground in focus.  I played with this lens at a store on a Canon Mark II years ago and I did not notice this effect so it leads me to believe it is the Rebel T2i that is causing this &#34;False focus&#34;It is corrected for me by turning the camera off and restarting it in the aperture I am shooting or by switching the shooting mode then switching back which leads me to believe that this is strictly a limitation in the Rebel T2i innards.So do not freak out if that happens!
the 85 was on one body and my 70-200mm f/4L was on my second camera body during a shoot. if i hadn't been using both lenses on the same shoot it may not have been that apparent so quickly, but it was obvious, the canon ef 85mm f/1.8 didn't come close to matching the iq of the 70-200mm f/4L on any of the many shots i took that day. since then i purchased a 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS so i plan on trading my 81 f/1.8 and my 70-200mm f/4L towards the purchase of a 24-70 f/2.8L II. the 85mm f/1.8 is a good lens until you compare it to a better lens with superior IQ.
Being an (a slightly advanced) amateur I found this lens to be excellent. Use it with a Canon Rebel primarily for portraits and the results are great. I am not sure one can get better quality for the price.
i shot some photos and videos with this on FF camera. it's a great lens for a very reasonable price.
This lens is perfect for taking portraits and is very fast f-1.8, so it works well in low light situations as well. (Much better than the zoom lenses with 3.5-5.6 apertures) The lens produces very sharp images and separates (blurs) background perfectly. We use this on a Canon T2i, Canon SL1 and with a Canon Mount adapter (EF-EOS-M) on an EOS-M, where the smaller camera sensor makes an image equivalent to a 136mm lens on a 35mm format or full sensor camera. This is my favorite lens for taking photos of the family. Highly recommend without reservation.
I recently tested this lens out during some light sports activities event in the park. I wanted something small and light but fast and tele. On my 7D it gave a good focal length, equivalent of about 135mm on a full frame. That was actually a bit too long and I had to back up a bit but no big issue. I wanted to freeze the action and so was using f/2 - 2.8 mostly. I already know f/1.8 isn't great so I avoided it. Here's how I got on -The lens focused really fast, no issues there. In fact its fast enough that I could use one shot AF and shoot before the subject moved a significant distance. Truly impressive.Bokeh was lovely too. The distracting background just melted away. Loved it.At f/2 the dof is super shallow, just a few cm in most cases. I had a lot of blurry shots and out of focus shots. Chalk that down to user error. I shoulda used f/3.5 or more for the close ups.But I wanted to really push this lens at the wide end so I just kept it there. I had enough decent shots thanks to the 7Ds AF so I wasn't too bothered.Now, it wasn't until I looked at the images on my laptop that I noticed a lot of purple fringing. Visible even without zooming 100%! There was also some green and red CA too. Now, I know I can fix this BUT I don't want to HAVE TO fix it. even 20 pics that need correcting is time consumig let alone 200! Not ideal if you're a heavy shooter.Skin on bright background was the worst culprit next to metal and reflective sharp lines. No other lens I have used gives this much purple fringing. It's ridiculous!That said, as a f/2.8 prime lens for portraits it is a phenomenal lens for the price.  But as a f1.8 its not that great. Seems like a waste. Though it is very sharp and the color reproduction is good too. Maybe not as good as the 50mm f/1.8 II which is freakishly good for a cheap lens!There aren't many other options for an alternative. I think there is a Zeiss but it's MF only. So that leaves the very expensive L option.If I was a pro and did a lot of stuff at wide apertures maybe I'd get the L instead. As it is I don't make money from photography so a bit of purple fringing for cheapness sake is acceptable, for now. I will use this lens to practice my technique more. When I feel it is no longer meeting my needs I'll think about the L!
If you're going to buy a lens this is a must have.  I've owned it for awhile and it is always the lens I come back to when shooting outdoor photo's and even macro.  It's also great for shooting sports and gives a wonderful blur to the background.
I have had good luck with off-brand camera batteries in the past so I was confident when I purchased this one as a second battery for my Canon G9.  Unfortunately, I have just returned it.  When placed in the charger, the charge light would illuminate but, instead of turning green when the charge is complete, the light would just go out.  When I tried the battery in the camera - nothing.  Would not power up at all.  The camera and charger work fine with my original battery, so it's definitely this off-brand battery that's the problem.  I won't order another Digital Concepts battery.
Great replacement for a Canon EOS Rebel XS. Holds a good charge, and a great value. I keep 2 of these as spares in my camera bag.
Was sent a 1300 Mah battery.  Complained to Amazon but they said that since they aren't doing business with that company anymore they can only offer a full refund if I send it back.  Decided it wasn't worth the effort to get the refund.
I purchased this as an additional battery backup for my Canon G9. After fully charging it, it will not work AT ALL in my Camera.I didn't notice the problem til it was too late to get my money back. Manufacturer says they will replace it, but I highly doubt another will be any better. I noticed the 3 contacts were more recessed than the Canon battery and wonder if that is the problem (in other words, it may not be making contactt.  Sakar, the manufacturer, didn't seem interested in my observation. I'm back to buying a Canon battery.
Purchased this battery for my camcorder as a backup to the original battery that came with the camera in January, 2006. It is now September, 2006 and The battery will no longer hold the charge. Will try and contact the manufacturer and get a replacement
Hello folks,I guess most of the good reviews  are written with in a month of purchase.This battery was okay (Not good) for few initial charges . Now when I put it for charging, the charge complte light will come on in 5 minutes. Then i could take few pics. My original canon battery (5 yrs)hold more charge than this one. I could not locate the warranty form in the original packagng. Tried their website and the only thing I found was a pdf to send the produt back to them (No RMA etc).I do not under stand how they rate the battery to 1500mah(may be just sticker).Bottom line : IMO do not BUY this product.
I have owned one of these Sakar batteries for over two years and it is still going strong.  It truly takes more pictures per charge than the Canon 570 mAh battery that came with my Powershot S50.  I paid $39 at a different e-tailer two years ago and that is still what they charge.  This is a bargain!  I just bought three here at Amazon and they all work fine.
The battery is great. Works well with reasonable charge capacity. Both my camera and myself satisfy with it.But the order came in with a wrong one at first. This one is 1500 MAh, but they have another one of 1000MAh. They looks very close except the label of capacity on the paper and on battery label. Guess what, these two models have the same UPC number on their barcodes. Be careful when you receive it. Look on the print first before opening the package.I do hope Amazon inform the manufactor of such error and avoid the wrong shipments in future. This costs Amazon too.
I read the reviews and was a little skeptical but thought for the cost I had to try it.  I paid $3.73 + $4.98 s/h.  It has now been 3 months and the battery is working flawless.  I have to admit it has only been cycled (charged/discharged) approx 5 or 6 times.  But I feel I have gotten my money's worth if were to die today (I hope it doesn't).  It seems to last just a long as the Canon battery. Just a general note I received a 1700mAh battery not the 1500mAh listed.
You have to be a little suspicious about this battery. First, in big letters, the info page says "5 year warranty". But then, in the finer print, it turns out it's a one-year warranty.Also, the page describes it as a 1000 ma-H (milliampere-hour) battery, an indication of it's total capacity, hence usable time between recharges. But if you examine the photo of the product closely, the packaging says it's NOT 1000 ma-H, but 800 ma-H. And in smaller type on the description, it also says 800 ma-H.Is this Amazon's mistake, or is the company trying to put one (or two) over on us?
I bought this battery to save money. It doesn't hold a charge, not at all. The charger keeps blinking red and green. Had to return it. Don't waste your time thinking you are saving money with this one.
The battery works fine, the only thing I don't like about it is that it's silver color and does not match with my Canon Optura 30. I saw cheaper compatible, bigger mah batteries on ebay and other places but not sure if they are any good. I've heard cheap battery may explode due to cheap chemical. I've seen cheap batteries labled "product from Japan, assembled in China". It does not say which part from japan and which from china.
I just bought the battery, works fine, but want to say that "5 year limited warranty" is a lie.  If you look up the warranty on the web site, it simply is a "one year warranty."
This battery is 1500 Mah (at least, the one that I received.)After a two-hour charge, I put it into my Rebel XTi and started shooting:After 800 shots, the Rebel's battery indicator still shows FULL. Wow. I had to stop shooting because I filled up my 4GB memory card!So kudos to Digital Concepts for building a battery that lasts well over twice as long as Canon's standard (720Mah) battery, yet costs 75% less.I'll be ordering another one, just as soon as Amazon restocks them. This is a crazy good price for a battery of this quality.
Ordered from EforcityBattery was not brand advertised nor 1300MAH  cheap knock-off
This battery lasts much longer than the original battery that came with the camera ever did.  It did state a 1500 MAH but it is actually 1300 MAH as stated on the side of the battery.They charge fairly quickly and as stated above they last much longer.  As usual cold affects them somewhat, they don't last as long in cold weather but with two of them charged I don't worry about charging for a week and that is taking a lot of pictures each day in that week.
I use a Rebel XT and this battery, while 1/3 the price of the Canon NB-2LH, only lasts 1/3 as long. I purchased this thinking I would only use it when the battery that came with my camera was recharging, but I found that in many cases it couldn't even even last through the whole day of shooting on a vacation. I ended up buying a second Canon NB-2LH and now only keep this around as an emergency backup.
I bought a few, They didn't hold charge. Buy genuine batteries. Or risk getting a good one and a bad one.
I bought the battery from Amazon one year ago, and the battery already dead.
The ad states these batteries are 1500mAh, but if you look at the close-up of the package, it indicates the battery is 800mAh.  mAh indicates battery capacity, so the advertised capacity is a lot less than the package indicates.  Buyer Beware!
I bought this as a second battery for my Canon EOS Rebel, so that I could go longer between charges. I can't argue with the price, but I can argue with the 1500mAh rating printed on the side. In using it for high-speed sports photography, it lasted for almost exactly half as many shots as the original Canon 800mAh battery. It was worth the $13 I paid for it, but still...
I received this battery (the 1000 mAh version) as part of a bundle when I purchased my Powershot S60 a couple years ago. This battery has never worked with the charger that came with my camera. No matter how long I leave it in the charger, it simply will not charge.I've never been able to find any information about Digital Concepts online so that I might contact them directly.Be very careful with any generic aftermarket battery. The extra mAh in these batteries will make your camera shoot longer but they produce quite a bit of extra heat that could seriously damage your camera's electronics over time. The cheaper the battery, the hotter they tend to get with use.
Well I bought one of these last week for my Canon EOS 350D. The one I recieved is 1300 MAH, not the 1000 MAH that amazon is advertising or the 800MAH in the photo.Anyways, the battery came completely dead. I tossed it into my canon charger for a good 2 hours and I've taken atleast 800 photos this week with it and it's still going strong. I love this battery. I'll be buying a few more before I need to go out of town with my camera.
I got two of these about a month ago and followed the instructions regarding charging for 10 hours the first time, even though the green light on my charger came on after about two. Several charge/discharge cycles later, I shot 2600+ images yesterday at a marching band competition before changing the battery when the indicator on my Canon Rebel XTi dropped to one bar. (Most were shot in burst mode. None with flash. I started about 4:30 pm and ended after 10:00 pm so about half were daylight/dusk and half were stadium lights only. The only time my display is on is when I am setting, changing or checking settings, otherwise it is turned off.) This exceeds the performance I have been getting out of the OEM battery supplied with the camera and at less than 1/4 the price is a great value. We'll see how they compare to the Canon battery in terms of total charge/recharge cycles.A year later and of the two I bought together one is still going just as strong as the OEM battery that came with my camera, the other will only charge up to about 1/4 strength before the charger thinks it is full. Even leaving it attached to the charger several more hours makes no difference. Off the charger the camera battery indicator only shows one bar. It is still usable as a last resort if I drain the other two, but doesn't last very long.
You get what you pay for - it costs about 1/5th the price of the Canon battery, and lasts about 1/5th as long before it has to be recharged.
Honestly, I didn't expect much from this battery but thought I would give it a try since it only cost $4.00 at the time I purchased it.  I have used it to take over 400 shot with my rebel XT and I still show a full charge.  Maybe I got lucky but I have only had success so far with this budget battery.
I haven't had the battery for long but so far it works great. It actually surpasses my original battery that came with the camera so far. I'm so glad I looked around and found this one before ordering a much more expensive one from Canon. Definately is as advertised and working great!
I purchased this about 2 months ago and so far have been very happy. It definitely last longer (significantly) than the original Canon battery and has given absolutely no trouble so far. It charges in the Canon charger that came with my G7. On a trip I just completed to Rome the camera was in constant use, with the :CD screen on. I also reviewed many photos on the screen in the evening. The camera lasted for days without a charge or any indication that the  battery was in need of charging. Overall, very good.
Probably used it 5 times in 4 months. Now it doesn't hold a charge. Waste of money. (Original Canon battery works great still.)
I've only had this item a few weeks, but so far, it is holding a charge well.  The one thing I noticed is that the first time I charged it, the green light in the charger came on.  I put the battery in the camera, but it was not fully charged.  Back in the charger for a while and it was fully charged.  It seems to hold a charge well.
Purchased this battery as spare battery for my Canon G7. Mainly used original battery during all my trips / shots, and used this one just 4-5 times during last year (charged it about 10-15 time just to make sure there is emought power just in case OEM baterry is depleted). Noticed also that Digital Concepts BP-2LHCL-C 1500 mAh bettery can't hold power as the original Canon battery does even this one is "1500 mAh" as opposite to OEMs 800mAh.So, just a week after first year I checked this Digital Concepts BP-2LHCL-C battery and found that it is completely dead! No power, you can't charge it, nothing. And it is no longer in warranty.I need second battery because, you know, every moment is unique, If I can, I would like to capture this moment before its gone. That's why I will never purchase cheap "replacement" battery for my cameras and camcorders. I'm going to buy original Japan-made Canon battery at Amazon. Yes, I know, it cost 3 times more, but I know it will work for years and I can rely on it.Do yourself a favour and purchase OEM battery.
Amazing...I got 4 photos out of this battery in my XTi and it would not recharge.  I should have known from the price that these were worthless.  You live and learn.  The original Canon keeps going and going and going..!!!!!  The tag says 1500 mah but it's more like 10 mah.Stay away from these batteries.
they are spray painted silver over the original dark gray. 8.3V and actually 720mA. i have used them for a month. they tend to last about as along as the original canon battery.
Use these with my Canon Xti in a battery grip. They provide a long lived charge and have slightly improved my internal flash recycle time. Highly recommend this battery.
Nice protector for any small LCD screen.  I use this on a Canon Rebel XT camera and a Canon sd630.  After 5 months with pretty frequent camera use, the corners are starting to peel a little bit.  I'll probably replace the protector in a few months.  Does not impair view of the lcd.
I liked the idea of the presized cutouts on the back of the sheet however since it didn't match the size of my screen (Canon SD 1000 screen) I had to measure it out myself. Not a big deal, really. I'm really glad for the extra sheets, though, because after a few days of heavy usage, the screen protector somehow got peeled off, probably when I stuffed my camera into my back jean pocket.All in all, the protector does the job but be careful of edges sticking up as they'll get caught on stuff and get pulled off. Save those extra sheets; you'll need them.
The protectors pretty much try do the job in the same way the original cover that came with the camera did.  You have to cut to fit, make sure the screen is clean and lay it on.  If you don't have it on right the 1st time, it's easy to pull off & reset, but doesn't adhere for as long as if left alone & bubbles occur after the fact.  Can be difficult to separate from the paper, but not insurmountedly. There are several in the kit, but a little less than what I expected for some reason and seems to be thinner than the original but figure better than nothing.
I cut it easily enough for my 2.5" Cybershot W50 screen, and at first I was happy with it (I will use the extra for my ipod). But in just a few hours one edge started coming off, and three days later my husband was putting the camera in its case and the whole thing came off. It does come with 2 extra sheets, but I think I will do without.
This kit had 3 large sheets of screen protectors. There was  enough to cover the screens of my 3 Canon digital cameras and there is still one and a half sheets left over. You do need to cut the sheet to the right size - some screen sizes are marked at the back upto 2.2 inches. For a larger screen you will have to measure and cut which I did for my 2.5 inch screen.The only annoyance was teeny tiny bubbles were still left on the screen even after using the squeezee card to take out bubbles. They were only visible when you look at the dark screen though, as soon as the screen is lit they disappear, which was fine by me. I double coated my SD450 as it has supposedly a pretty delicate screen and I feel much more confident carrying it around.
I got an Ipod for Christmas and vowed not to be one of the poor saps that pays as much for accessories as the Ipod itself cost.  The new screens are amazing, but scratch easily.  After searching elsewhere and realizing $10 was way too much for a tiny screen protector, I saw this product and decided I could cover 10 Ipods with the amount of film they give.  The protection is great and there is no quality lost.  The applicator card is hard to use when you apply the first section of the plastic, so you have to have steady hands or a helper.  The guide on the back is great for screen sizes up to about 2", so I had to measure my own lines for the Ipod.  But I highly recommend the product to anyone looking to protect any device.  I'm going to use it on my digital camera as well.
After trying this product and being completly unsatisfied with it after finding all the faults listed in past reviews I decided to try a little experiment.First I measured the LCD screen on my Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a ruler and mapped them out on a piece of paper.  Then (on the same piece of paper) I drew the dimensions of the LCD screen so I had a drawn out square the exact size of my screen.Next I took a piece of Glad Cling Wrap and laid it down over the square on the piece of paper.  After taping it down so it couldn't move, I used a picture (rotary) trimmer to cut out the saran wrap laid over the paper square.I then had a perfectly sized protective sheet for my LCD.  I simply laid the saran wrap over the screen and had a better protector then the Digital Concepts product. And it was free.
Measure screen size twice before cutting it. Follow directions to remove air bubbles... don't spend too much time with squeegee... leave it overnight and use squeegee again next day for a great finish.
Let me tell ya what this thing exactly is. At first I was a bit confused about how this thing works. I bought one and here goes the description. The LCD protector is a self-adhesive thin plastic sheet. There are three of these stickers in the pack. Each sticker can be cut into four pieces (max size of each piece is suitable for 2.2 inch LCD). This way you could get 4x3=12 stickers altogether. If you have a camera that has say a 2.5 inch LCD (e.g. a Sony digicam) you can only get 2 pieces from each sticker - that's a total of 2x3=6 stickers.You cut out a piece according to the size of your camera LCD and stick that on it. Then as it becomes dirty or comes off over time you replace it with another one.It is pretty simple and a good value for this price.
Easy to apply, easy to remove, protects well.  Does everything it's supposed to.  Wish i'd bought these years ago.  Used on my new cell phone and has protected it from scratches and fingerprints
You get enough of the stuff to do whatever screen you have and it is so easy to cut to the right size and apply that i have put it on my iPod screen, my Canon camera screen and everything else that scratches so easily. Great bargain.
As other reviewers have written the first thing I noticed is that there are only 3 sheets, not 12 as the title implies. The way you achieve 12 sheets is by cutting them in fourths which makes them too small for my camera. I can get 6 sheets effectively. Furthermore, the kit comes with a wet cloth to clean the screen before applying. The drawback is that the kit comes with only wet cloth, so unless all 12 (or 6 or 3) protectors are applied at once, the single will only be moist for the first application. Finally, I agree that it is very difficult to apply these cleanly.This product works great for a single use if you have the patience to apply them.
I bought this for a Sony H1 camera.  This camera has a LCD size of 2.5 inches so none of the presized lines on the back could help me.  Where others could get 12 films out of it I can only get three.  My first one got a piece of dirt on it and it ruined my field of sight.  The second is not sticking to the bottom.  I have a very snug camera bag and everytime I pull the camera out or place it in it rubs the film.  I've only had it on a couple of hours and the bottom is already curling off.  I've taped it for now but needless to say I'm still in the market for some type of protection for the LCD screen.  It's inexpensive but you get what you pay for.
I have had the product on my digital camera screen and it is awesome. I would suggest some way to precisely measure the screen and to cut it accurately, but besides that I will buy more if needed and would suggest this product to friends and family. It comes in a nice little kit that has everything you need.
I can't say this is the easiest product to use but if you take your time and follow all the directions, it's the cheapest and best way to protect your camera LCD. My best advice is plan on giving this project your full attention and use razor-sharp scissors to cut the film. I don't believe this film is made to last indefinitely so I just plan on keeping a supply to replace as needed. To make it easier for next time, I kept the little cardboard backing from the film that I'd cut to use as a template for measuring and shaping. I shaved off the edges by micro-millimeters until it precisely fit before lifting off the backing and applying. Be sure to clean and dry the screen as directed and 'squeegie' the backing, working out air bubbles as you go. If you get bubbles in the middle of the film, just gently lift off and squeegie again. Then again, if you have specks and dust, you might as well start over with a cleaner screen.All in all, this item is essential to protect your camera's LCD.
I bought this for use on my a new Nikon S4 my daughter uses. We were both woried about the large LCD getting scratched. I bought this after reading mostly positive reviews here.The S4 has an LCD that sticks up above the rest of the camera and is really close to the right edge. As a result your fingers catch on the edge of the protector when you use the camera. After less than a week we were already installing a second piece as the edge had started to peel away.The other Problem is no matter how hard I try I always end up with several small bubbles that will not go away.I would not recomend this product for anyone whose LCD sticks up above the surface. If it was like many others we own where the LCD is below the surface than this product would work well.I bought a case to protect the camera instead after the second application of the protector.
I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix FX01 after a long camera search.  I planned to keep it in my pocket most of the time, so I thought that I'd better guard the screen by getting some of these protectors.  They would have been relatively easy to cut and put on except they aren't premeasured to fit 2.5" screens.  That's a bummer--every camera I looked at had  a screen at least this big.  So I had to measure it myself.  (Also, I had to waste the rest of the sheet, which should have had enough room left to make 3 more covers.)  Once I put it on the camera I was kind of disappointed.  The Lumix has a beautiful display, but with a plastic protector stuck on it it just looked a lot less amazing.  It wasn't harder to see or anything, just less appealing.Anyway, after a few weeks of use I had to remove the protector.  The corner started peeling up and of course couldn't be stuck down again.  I'm not willing to hand measure and cut one of these things every month, so I guess I won't be using them anymore.
I used films on two different types of Palm PDA before.  Those were custom fit type.  This one needs to be cut to size and very difficult to apply.  The film is thinner than the ones I use for Palm.  It is easier to tear and difficult to get rid of air bubbles.  I use this on the LCD screen of a digital camera.
The plastic is easy to cut and stick onto my camera screen. But there are always numerous bubbles that are impossible to get rid of, even after using the included tool; they're so ugly!!
You don't want scratches on your digi camera's screen. This covers and protects. They give you wipes to clean and dry your screen first so there are no trapped smudges, and then you just cut to size and apply. Be sure to measure first and use a paper cutter or staight edge. I have used this on both my video camera and my digital. I haven't noticed any distortion with the color like one of the other reviews mentioned. You can't beat this product for the cost.
I got this for my cell phone. My cell phone needs to have the screen protected as I tend to be a little hard on electronics. I cut up the protector to fit the phone. It has lasted a good time. I also put it on my neices DS.
First, you won't get 12 screen protectors.  You will get three lousy screen protectors, that, if your screen is REALLY small (about 2"), will be cut into small pieces that may give 12 screen protectors.  They come off really easy, they are exactly as the screen protectors that came attached to your cell phone screen, or your wrist watch, or whatever needs some protection, but no, they are definitely not permanent.  For the price I can give'em two starts, but I would strongly recommend Fellowes screen protectors over these.
I bought a pack of these based on the high-ish review of them.  When I received them, I realized that a lot of people don't have an idea of what a really GOOD screen protector should be like.  Yes, these are adequate for minor abrasions and scuffs, however, they are much too thin and rigid to be good for a long period of time.  As other reviewers have said, these scratch easily (more easily than your LCD would without them).  While I was pressing out small bubbles with the edge of a coin, I noticed that it was leaving scratches on the protector.  The screen protector from another company on my other camera is significantly thicker and feels more fluid than these ones.  This made it easier to remove bubbles and while you could create a "scratch" in it by pressing your fingernail hard into it, the "scratch" would heal itself and be invisible about 30 seconds later.  I have had this protector on the camera for almost two years now and it still looks as clear as the day I put it on even through moderate use.  I have NO expectation that these screen protectors will last even 1/4th that long as look as good as they do at application.
The only thing good about this is its price.  You better have a lot of patience and real good with a pair of scissor because it is not easy to cut the exact piece of film for your digital camera screen.  Be reall careful when you put the film on, it can be scratched very easy and the bubble on it is very difficult to get rid of.  It is almost like putting a tint film on your car window.  It is also no way the box can provide up to 12 films unless you have a tiny little bit digital camera.  You may be better off to buy precut film made for your camera.
After investing in a new camera, I wanted to protect it. I bought this product and now I feel more confident in breaking out the camera more often - that it won't get scratched.I'm happy with the purchase.You just need to be very meticulous when cutting the protectors to fit.
I purchased these for the lcd of my Canon SD550.Cheap insurance for your camera.
I use this to protect the screen on my new Kodak digitial camera (V550) with it's large 2-1/2" screen.  It was very easy to cut to size and looks great on the screen.  A small investment to protect a great screen!
...as reflected by the three stars. It's thin sheets of film that you cut for your camera's LCD screen. While it protects from scratching, that's about all it does. If you own any of the SD series by Canon, you're better off getting a 'da Protector screen...uh..protector. It's a hard, very clear 1/16th of an inch thick acrylic that, when applied to your camera, "floats" over your LCD (it sits on the edge around the screen). When I received the 'da Protector, I peeled this one off and tossed it out. I also agree with the reviewer who said the colors were a little changed.
I like the idea of the covers for the LCD on my camera it is a pain cutting out the cover to fit the screen. Other than that it is a very good product.
This product is cheap insurance for the glass that covers the LCD display on a digital camera. I am using it for my Canon Rebel XT. I feel that the material/film is thick enough to add a certain amount of protection to the glass, yet thin enough as not to reduce visibility of the display. One use that I find helpful is that I tend to get finger prints on the glass, but with this material, I don't have to worry about wiping them off with nothing more than a shirt corner instead of having to dig out a lens cleaner. I had no problem measuring and cutting it to fit including rounding the corners to match the display. After applying it, I tried to work the bubbles out. The large bubbles were easy but the small bubbles were not so easy. However, the next day the small bubbles were somehow gone. I definitely recommend this product for your camera.
I bought these after witnessing a gouge in my friend's unprotected LCD screen on his Brand New $500 digital camera ! I have several cameras with varying LCD sizes. This product is perfect as it allows me to cut out the different sizes that I need without spending a small fortune. Btw, it comes with cut-out templates on the back of each card which is extremely helpful ! A Must-Buy !!!
This is one of the smart buys that any digital camera owner can get. It's not a glamorous product, but it's practical: it protects your LCD screen on your digital camera with a thin, clear plastic polymer. You get three generous sheets that are 3 1/8" by 3 7/8". It comes with a double-edged squeegee, and a tiny packet of screen cleaner and equally teeny dry cloth. The price is right, and much cheaper than an ugly gouge or a nasty scratch on your LCD screen.
I found that because I keep my digital camera in a leather case when I'm not using it, it only took about a week of using the camera for the screen protector to peel back.  An easier system of application would be nicer, and a stickier protector would also be helpful.  Luckily, these are inexpensive and it is easy to apply a new one.  My MP3 player also got a screen protector which is still on it, because it does not get pulled in and out of a case very often.
After application, the plastic is not as clear as I would expect, but certainly does the job.  More importantly perhaps though - after you turn on the camera's LCD - you can hardly tell it is there.
I was frustrated that it was difficult to get all the small bubbles out after I applied the film.  I placed the film on a little at a time as instructed, and used the enclosed squeegee thing as I went, but still had bubbles that I could not get rid of.However, I think it is very wise to use this on the screens on my digital cameras and plan to put one my nephew's iPod the next time I visit him given all the publicity about how easily the screens on iPods scratch.
I bought these for a Canon digital camera.  Seller offered to cut these to the size of my camera's LCD, but I was unable to find the exact dimensions, so I was sent a few uncut protective films, and did the cutting myself.  Worked like a charm--I put one of these puppies on my camera, and now it feels protected, and doesn't materially change the clarity of the LCD.  No glue or anything needed to make it stick, it just does, and well.All in all, I'm glad I made the purchase to protect my investment.
After shopping locally for LCD screen protectors for all of my small gadgets (Pocket PC phone, two digital cameras, video camera, etc.) I realized that I couldn't stomach spending $15-$20 for three sheets of clear plastic.  After checking out Amazon I found these for around $10 shipped.  There is no difference between these and what you'll find at the big box electronic stores, besides the price.  As an added bonus they come with two cleaning products and a small plastic aplicator to eliminate air bubbles.  There were enough sheets to more than cover all of my small electronics screens, and plenty for future purchases.  I'm very happy with this product.
I had a package of these come with a camera almost 10 years ago ,and they worked better on my cell phones than the fancy schmancy phone protector films that cost more than 10 times as much and come off in a couple days. Alas, the ones in this package have been "improved" and come precut in sizes smaller than any device screen I still own. If they were really the old style, which you had to cut yourself, I would give them 5 stars.
They are handy for the protection of my camera screen and other screens for my phone and game boy.  It prevents scratching and thats very important.
I wasn't really expecting the screen protectors to be of great quality considering the price. But I needed something to at least get by. They do the job I suppose, but could be much clearer and sturdy.
They work. That's about all that matters. If you have a PDA and a couple of screen protectors laying around, I'm sure those work just as well, but for only $5, these guys work and they're much cheaper than PDA screen protectors.
This product is inexpensive and easy to use.  It is a film that clings to the LCD monitor to prevent scratches.  I put one on right after I got the camera for Christmas and it is still doing fine.
So you know, these are not permanent. Not even semi-permanent. There is no adhesive, you have to wash the screen with windex, etc then stick the 'protector' on. This may be quasi-ok for glass screens, but matte screens like on my camcorder it is a miserable failure. I put one on my Canon a710, put it in my camera bag and 20 minutes later when I went to get it out the protector was halfway off. Don't bother with this product. And to be clear you don't get 13 protectors, you get 3 large sheets, a wet towelette to moisten a dry one to clean with and a squeegee to get air bubbles out. Too bad they didn't include a product that worked.
This worked fine on the back of my digital camera (had to be trimmed per manufacturer's instructions), but wouldn't stick to the surface of my GPS.
I ueed these screen protectors on both my digital camera screens and on my 2 GPS units and my cell phones. The problem is they all have air bubbles under them. I tryed to work them out with the supplied squegie and by re-installing them but a few air pockets remain. It makes the screen look bad.
I purchased this thinking I was getting 12 full size sheets!  When it arrived I found that, because they plan on having you cut down the sheets, they feel the 3 sheets you get are the same as 12 protectors.  NOWHERE in the description do they tell you that there are only 3.  I think this is a very misleading description of the product.  I guess I should have realized the price was just to good to be true!  I would recommend this product instead:Fellowes Universal Screen Protectors 9000201
I bought these because of the price and supposedly you get "12" for such a low price. Three things you should know about them.1) You don't get 12, you only get 3. On the back of each sheet, is a template that helps you cut each sheet into 4 smaller sheets, hence the "12". But no camera made today could use such a tiny size sheet if you cut it. You can probably get 6 sheets though if you cut them in half. The actual dimension of each sheet is 3 1/8" x 3 7/8".2) These use a glue of some kind to stick them to your screen. It looks fine when you put it on, but I hope I can remove this glue at a later date when I need to replace the protector. And I hope it doesn't damage the screen. I will look for a "static" kind or protector next time.3) These protectors are fairly reflective. I put one on a GPS in my car and I can hardly see the screen anymore on a sunny day. I would definitely recommend an anti-glare protector.Hope this helps someone...
I am glad that I bought this screen protectors to protect my new Canon SD600, which has 2.5' LCD screen. I have to cut the sheet to the size that I want and carefully cover it on top of the LCD screen. The process is pretty smooth and if you don't pay attention, you will not notice that it is there.
The words "12 pack" are a little misleading.  There are only 3 or 4 screen protectors - if you cut them up into smaller ones, you can get 12, but there aren't 12 full-size protectors.  Still, they work well.
I got these for my new digital camera, cell phone and whatever else i could find that had a screen. They're great, with two notable exceptions: first, the application system is a pain in the @$$. With the nimblest of fingers, it will probably take you at least 2 tries to apply everything. Second, unless you are able to push the edges under the edge of the screen, they tend to peel off items that go in-and-out of pockets frequently -- my camera protector is rendered useless within a week of application. After a point, it's almost more cost-effective to buy another camera.
This product is poorly made. The actual laminate is hard to see through. It does not adhere to the glass without having bubbles. I do not reccomend.
A pack of these came with my Sony years ago... still have the original protector on that camera, works great, no peeling, doesn't hinder quality of view.Just got a new Canon and first thing I did was put a lcd protector on which I had from the pack that came with my Sony!  Would't be without these things, work great.
I expected too much because of the review from "R. Baker (Atlanta, GA)". This product is not up to speed -- the sheets will be partially wasted if your camera has a 2.5" screen like the SD450 and SD550. You'll have to do the measuring and cutting by hand, because the dotted lines on the back aren't made for 2.5" cameras. The three sheets can be cut into three 2.5" pieces each (and four or more if your screen is 2.2" or less).Mine also wasn't packed well -- one of the sheets had a folded corner, rendering that corner useless.Other than that the product is fine.
Weak and won't hold much weight.  Not for a DSLR, even with the smallest of lenses.
...otherwise, stay away. The vertical swivel lock does not lock tight and there is no detent for horizontal. Your camera can, at best, point slightly up or slightly down. Monumental design flaw.Useless.
I bought this tripod elsewhere for $8, and I still consider it the best eight dollars I've ever spent.  I can tuck this tripod into my digital camera case and take it with me everywhere.  No more propping my camera on top of my car or a rock, and living with the picture being at a slight angle.  I've used it for two years, and some of the paint has scraped off but it still works as well as the day I bought it.
Horrible. I bought this two years ago for my old Sony camcorder which I admit is bulky and heavy - fell right to the ground. I recently tried to give it another shot with my superlight, supersmall digital camera - the camera might as well have been a cement block - the tripod would not support it for a millisecond. DO NOT BUY.
Product was absolutely horrible, broke right out of the plastic and I never even got the chance to use it.
Two pebbles do better??? They'll have to do. Fell apart the first time I used it. Buy a monopod instead (like the Slik model I rated).
My camera is a Panasonic DMC-FZ10; this tripod doesn't begin to support.  About only use is lying flat/wedging under the camera  to level on uneven or angled surfaces.  Even if it were more sturdy, the slick leg-bottoms preclude use on car hood etc.
very cheap construction, doesn't hold camera unless you screw it in really tightly, which causes the tripod to fall apart.  If that's fine with you, then this tripod is great!
When I bought this tripod I knew it was for small pocket cameras. Anyone trying to load this tripod with one pound cameras has no sense of physics. Big and sturdy tripods move when pressing the camera shutter. Why wouldn't a smaller one?. It works great with my Coolpix L14 and L20 (5 oz weight). I use it mainly with the camera self timer, and sometimes as a mini monopod, with its legs extended I hold them together, I turn the Image stabilization on. I have gone DSLR now and found this tripods very useful for not heavy  flashes or led lighting (10 oz max) on hard locations or on the floor if you are the creative kind.I cant believe someone is asking over 40.00 for these on e bay. I cant remember how much I paid for mine but 5.00 seems fair.I came to Amazon to write a complaint on mini tripods sold at dollar stores for a dollar. I have seen them on e bay and Amazon for 4 dollars or more. I got two thinking they were the same as the Digital Concepts TR-036CL... boy was I wrong.
This little mini tripod arrived quickly, in excellent condition and attaches to my cameravery easily.  It is a very good purchase; for the quality and cost. Would easily buy againfrom this seller.
I want to say up front that I did not buy this from Amazon, I got it for free through another source. Even for free it's not worth the 3 cents worth of parts to put it together. Even the Chinese should be embarrassed over this piece of work! Absolutely awful product, stay clear.
I wanted a small pocket tripod for my Sony Cybershot DSC H5 and purchased this one. It has trouble keeping my camera up. The parts are all plastic except for the metal legs. On a small, light, point and shoot camera, it might work decently, but if your camera weighs more than half a pound then you're better off buying ones with ball and socket construction.
The head will not lock sufficiently to keep the camera from flopping over even for a light weight compact camera. I returned it.
This camera is a lot of fun. The one thing is you do need the 800 ASA, otherwise pictures are too dark.This camera is all about being suprised at what you get, just point it arround, move it and shake it.By the way, mine was soak in water, and I lost the current film, but then it dried and it's working perfectly. So it's ok to take it sailing : )
If you want to see what kind of photos this takes just check out flikr, there are whole groups dedicated to the supersampler.  When you get your first roll of film back - you'll know why too.  I adore this little camera - just be sure to tell the person at your local developer that the photos are supposed to look that way!  :)  (Oh- the camera company who makes these is also very nice.  My first one arrived and the pull cord didn't work, they exchanged it for me for just the cost of the shipping with no trouble at all.)
the ripcord on mine broke after about 3 rolls of film.  i was able to modify the camera to incorporate a film advance wheel.  after modifying it, it worked great, and continues to work great almost 10 years later.i find the lenses on this camera to be superior to the ActionSampler.  i'd recommend the SuperSampler over the ActionSampler even with the ripcord issues.
Yo pienso que esta c&aacute;mara es genial. Quiz&aacute;s puedas hacer unas fotos parecidas usando alg&uacute;n software en la computadora nunca te sentir&aacute;s igual.Primero esta c&aacute;mara es tan diferente a las dem&aacute;s que ya de por si es muy divertida. La forma en que enrolla la pel&iacute;cula y como dispara es algo totalmente loco. Al final ver el resultado de algo tan simple como una c&aacute;mara de rollo que no tiene ni siquiera un visor es algo comiquisimo.Yo la compre por probar algo diferente pero en bien revele mi primer rollo le monte otro nuevo.
This camera was really fun to play with for about two weeks. I managed to shoot two and a half rolls of film before the pulley mechanism broke. I love the concept of four shutters firing off sequentially. I just wish this camera was built with a little more quality.
I love the Supersampler.  I definitely prefer its panoramic format and much sharper image rendition to the original four-lensed Actionsampler.  It's really fun to play and experiment with.  Be sure to try the extreme close-up effect!The rip-cord advance is a cool feature, but does require some care.  If you use it normally, it should last without a problem.  My Supersampler is going on 10 rolls without a hitch.However, if you yank the thing, it will definitely come out.  Be sure not to hand this camera to any young children that don't know any better.Oh, and use 400 ASA film.  The shots are bright and colorful, with almost no blurring.  It's really best for sunny days.
It was the correct battery for my Olympus camera and it is the authentic Olympus brand.  Some sites try to fool consumers by stating they are selling an Olympus battery, but it is really their own brand.  I found that the authentic Olympus battery lasts longer than a different brand that I tried.  The reason why I needed to purchase this battery.
I got JUST what I ordered and am very happy with price, time it took to receive, and the item!  SUPER, my camera is getting older and I was so happy to find a NEW battery for it! Works GREAT!! thanks
This battery had a good price for a genuine Olympus model.  Do not waste your time with the knock off batteries for your Olympus camera.  They are junk.  They will wear out in short order---as the one I bought with my camera did.  The Olympus brand battery I bought with my camera 5 years ago is still going strong.  That's why I bought another one as a spare.
At first these batteries hold a charge well. After a few recharges they are worthless. I own 8 of them and they are constantly being recharged. I take an average of 50 pictures daily and the batteries go dead after only 5 or 6 pictures. I won't buy another camera that uses this battery. Very very expensive, too. I paid about $30 or more for each battery. The retail price is $66 which is a joke. No battery should cost so much and be worthless after just a few months of recharging. I have had several begin to bulge at the center, too.One 6 second movie and it's dead.Thumbs down on this one.By the way, I do take very beautiful pics with my Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom when I can get the battery to not go dead so soon.So disappointed.Wouldn't you know!! Made in China.
I really can't review the battery since the camera died a few days after installing it.  Nothing to do with the battery.
We have an old Olympus C-5000z, one of the first 5 megapixel cameras. It takes very good pictures if you don't mind the delay between pressing the shutter release and the picture actually being taken. The original battery has long since failed to hold a charge, so it is great to get a new one. I would give it a 5-star if I had had time to test its ability to hold a charge more thoroughly. But it charged fine and is working fine in the camera so far.
Ontime. As advertised. Works great. No issues at all. Works just like the original or better. I would recommend it.
This is much more expensive that other replacement batteries, but I haven't found anything that comes close to it in performance yet. So, I just bought one for replacement and a few substitute ones that are inferior but good enough to use while this one is being recharged.
A reliable battery but would suggest two as they tend to run out of juice at the worst time.
I had previously purchased 2 of these batteries about 5 or 6 years ago and have continously recharged them and they have held up very well.  I have gotten more than my money's worth out of them.  I would highly recommend them!!
This is a genuine Olympus battery. People sell in EBAY says genuine, but they are all fake China made battery.I recommend to buy this battery. But it is pricey I would say. Atleast 10 doller is high.
Great product, long lasting is rechargeable. I take lots of pictures with my digital camera and I just needed to have a second battery for a back up.
My problem is not specifically with this particular product but that the item ordered was not what was in the package.  Someone placed the wrong battery in the packing.  I had to send it back because I could not use it.  Amazon was very prompt at refunding my money.
I have owned several digital cameras, including numerous Olympi.I do Kite and Balloon Aerial Photography. The camera is usually several 100 feet above the ground and a pain to bring down to change out the batteries. So, I'm very concerned with battery life.Three of the Olympi have used the LI-12B. I still have three of these batteries (one is an aftermarket clone from Thomas Distributing) and two chargers. With my Stylus 410, I was able take about 300 pictures without flash and LCD display on one charger. The jury is still out on my new Stylus 800. I can't seem to turn off the LCD display on the 800. This sucks because the LCD is big (2.5") and probably draws alot of juice.All in all, it seems to last comparbly to the C123/dual-AAs in my Pentax Optio S55 but not as long as the four 2500mAh rechargeable AAs in the Canons.
I purchased extra batteries to use on my trip with the Olympus Stylus 800 digital camera.  The batteries worked very well.  I changed the battery in the camera after 200 shots, but hadn't seen the low battery warning yet.  I probably could have gotten 400 shots out of each one.  Take a few extra along for those remote trips, but you probably will need fewer than anticipated.
The camera still works great so was bummed when the batteries came to their end of life, but I was tickled to find replacements were still available. These batteries last at least two times longer than the originals did when they were new.
Olympus LI-12B Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery for Select Stylus and C Series Digital CamerasMy husband and I went on a cruise to Europe.  We wanted to make sure our camera's battery didn't go out on us while we were there.  This battery lasted through the whole trip, which was two weeks.  We took about 900 pictures.  We were very happy with this product and the price too.
This rechargeable battery came with my Olympus C-50 5MP digital camera, and I'm quite satisfied with it and don't feel the need to buy a spare battery. I am not a photographer that goes out taking shots for hours on end, but I do occasionally go on picture-taking sprees on pretty days or party weekends. I haven't run into problems with the battery dying on me so far, and I've had this battery for almost 2 years now. If you know you're going to be taking a lot of pictures, leave home with a full battery and you should be fine.
I've only had this one a couple of months; it replaced a generic battery I bought when I got my Olympus camera.  The generic died, although the original Olympus LI-12B is still working fine.  I like to have a backup battery, always charged, for travel.  Also, the generic didn't fit well into the camera case; I had to shave off some of the plastic on the sides, and it was still hard to get in and out.  This one not only works fine, but fits properly.  It's well worth the few dollars extra for the Olympus brand battery.
I got this battery when I bought my Olympus point and shoot.  I also bought an off-brand battery at the same time to save a few bucks.Big mistake.After two years the off-brand battery doesn't hold half the charge of the Olympus battery.  It also started to curve so that it is very difficult to remove from the camera when it's time to re-charge.  Forget the off-brands and buy one or two Olympus batteries.  It will save you money and frustration.
I recently purchased this product to replace my LI-10B battery that was in my Olympus Camedia camera.  It seems to hold a charge better than the original battery ever did and works well in the camera.  I've only been using it for several weeks so only time will tell how well it lasts.
It wasn't obvious to me which battery to purchase for the Olympus Stylus 710.  This is not it.  I had to send it back and get the Li-40B.
This battery replaced the LI-11B and what a replacement!The life is quite longer than the older one.Very good product!I suggest you only get the Olympus Brand for this item though...
These Olympus batteries are well worth the little extra over a generic brand.  They stay charged more than twice as long as a couple of generics that I have tried over the years.  Good product.
I have discovered the advantage of a camera that uses rechargeable Li-Ion battery and in particular this extended battery. Recommendable for those people that needs their cameras always ready
This unit has worked as expected and gives me freedom to have a replacement spare battery for my camera. Shop with confidence.
I would give 2.5 stars if I could, but that's not possible on Amazon. I bought the name-brand battery for my older Olympus camera, thinking it would hold power unlike the knockoffs I had been buying (the knockoffs had been lasting for all of 1.5 hours).After paying full price for this battery ($37), it doesn't hold more than 1.5 hours worth of charge (by 1.5 hours worth of charge, I mean, when I have been walking around museums, like the Met or the Cloisters, after 1.5 hours, constantly snapping pictures, the battery died). It is frustrating, when travelling, to have to carry around the charger and wait for the battery to charge back up, wasting at least 30 minutes of precious time.I was hoping that the point of Olympus forcing their battery onto customers is that it would last longer than the 4 batteries that used to be required for models like the C-750 Ultrazoom. The benefit of these models was that when my batteries died, and I was traveling, I could walk into a drugstore and buy new ones, and the rechargeable batteries I used lasted for at least 4 to 5 hours (granted, they had not been damaged; damaged batteries will not hold charge well or will seem to be charged, but really aren't).Next time, I would buy a knockoff.
Our original battery lasted a year and a half and suddenly just died, no warning.  The new battery appears to work absolutely fine. The original one, the one that came with the camera, always seemed very powerful and long lasting it just died unexpectantly.
I loove my Olympus camera and have had great success with the original rechargeable battery that came with it.  On a recent trip to London and Paris I decided that I didn't want to miss a photo because my battery was low.  I bought a second battery to have a back up.
Perfect for my FE-200.  I was reluctant to choose anything but this Olympus LI-12B. It was the most expensive of possibilities, but was well worth it.  I'm very satisfied.
This battery states Olympus so I expected it to be better than cheaper brand knockoffs - not!  I should have stuck to the cheaper brands as this one we paid more and ran out quickly.
We had not been able to use our old camera, but know we can! happy to have been able to buy to product.
It's been charging a battery or two or three a day for about 4 years. So far so good. I am very happy with it. I just wish the batteries would hold the charge longer. I date them when I open a new one and the older ones hold the charge longer than the new ones. There you go, backwards progress!!I take many photos a day.Annie
Purchased this after we lost our battery charger for our camera.  This was just like the one we lost and came quickly and well packaged so we didn't have to go too long without our camera.  Works great.
It was the correct charger that I needed for the battery of my camera.  It was a good buy for the price.
works just like it was designed for and I really appreciated the price and speed at which I received it.
Works great!  No problems with it and charges my batteries well. Handy to have an extra one. I have 3 batteries for my cameras and can charge two while one is in the camera.  I do a lot of camping and can plug this into the vehicle lighter with an adapter. Having two chargers is so handy!
Works as expected, very reliable and durable and a must have for those all so popular proprietary Lithium ION batteries that we all have in digital cameras.
Being an OEM part, this charger's quality is much superior to the non-OEM alternatives available out there. Plus, who knows what voltage levels the non-OEM chargers supply?However, the first charger I had, gave off smoke and stopped working after 2.5 years of use. It was disappointing that an Olympus product should do that.
Priced right and works great. Lost charger and battery but was able to find replacements on Amazon. Sent to Denver while on vacation and used them there. Worked out great.
The charger really did what it was supposed to do. I have an LI-10B, so I was still some what worried that it wasn't going to do the job, but it did. I also liked that it was small so you can travel with it anywhere.
This is an exact replacement charger for our digital camera.  Works exactly as described.
Excelente cargador,  lo recomiendo 100 % a todos (a b c d e f g h i j k j)
Thanks so much for getting this charger to me. It worked great.No damage at all to the package  which mean alot to me.  Show you care!
I went to charge my battery when our twins were born, and my original charger, after 3 years, was DEAD. I ordered a new one and started digging, it turns out these things overheat like mad and burn out if you leave them plugged in all the time. That explained things because I had never left it plugged in for an extended period until just before it stopped working.Needless to say, this one I will be plugging in ONLY when charging a battery.
I bought this item to replace the original charger that came with my Olympus C-765 camera.  I always left an extra battery charging in the charger 24 hours a day, so that's probably why it quit working after about three years.  This new item is an exact duplicate of the original.  This time, I only leave the charger on long enough to charge the battery and then I turn it off.  The charger is small, light-weight, durable, and there are three features about it that I really like.  First, I can use it here in the USA or with a wall plug adapter, I can use it in Europe.  Secondly, the AC cord can be unplugged from the unit itself.  That means you can plug the cord in the wall, have it come up through a desk or from behind a table, leave the cord plugged in and then just plug the cord into the charger.  Finally, a small light on the front of the charger comes on red to indicate that the battery is charging and changes to green when the charge is complete.  It never seems to take more than about an hour to charge a completely used up battery.Olympus LI-10C/12C Battery Charger (Charges LI-10B & LI-12B Battery) for Select Stylus and C series Digital Cameras
three years after buying it here at amazon, we're still using it for our olympus camera. we have 2 olympus cameras so it's being used more than expected but we haven't encountered any problem with it. definitely a good buy!
The charger works good and fast. When my  camera's battery stopped charging I bought a new battery but it also did not charged then I bought this charger and my problem was solved.
It works. It fits both my canon 50 1.8 II, and my 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 old kit lens. Nothing special... if you have a lens with 52mm filter threads, this should work just fine.
What can I say?  It's a lens cap that does what it's supposed to do.  I lost the lens cap for one of my Canon lens' (feel overboard on a boat) and I ordered a replacement from Amazon.  It fit perfectly as I expected it would...
I can't help but give the lens cap 5 stars, what can I say, it fits, it covers the lens and keeps the dust out. The bad part about purchasing from this place was paying as much in postage as for the cap itself but it was hard to find elsewhere. I also could not have it delivered here on Fort Wainwright Alaska because I'm only allowed a PO Box so I had to have it shipped to my home in New York and then had them send it on to me-go figger.
Back in either the late eighties or early nineties my parents bought a 35mm Canon SLR.  Amazingly, the 50mm 1.8 prime lens they bought with that camera works on myCanon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens.  The autofocus is a little loud, but it works great.  The only problem is that the lens cap was lost long ago.  I purchased this one as a replacement, and it has worked really well.  The only problem is that $10 for a piece of plastic is a little on the expensive side.
The ultrasonic part must refer to the part where it so silently at some time when least expected, slips quietly quietly away.Photographers know that no matter what we do, we can only rent a lens cap. It is never a lifetime commitment. They come and go, unknown, like the geese.Good to have a back up. DO not feel you are disloyal to your lens cap in keeping a back up. IN fact it is the lens cap which is first disloyal unto you.Ultrasonic? Disappears quietlyas far as disks go, I would prefer a singingPro Classic Frisbee-w/U-Flexor a hummingDiscraft 175g Glow Psycho Ultra-Star Ultimate Disc, which at least I can hear as they fly off, and tell me where they go.This ultrasonic stuff I cannot follow, but like Leatherstockings in the night, creeps away silently on cat's paws.Who needs a lens cap anyway, all the clumsy fumbling to remove it for that quick and instant and unrepeatable image, and then the fumbling to replace it, only to find it mysteriously gone . . .lens caps, fly by nighters, we only rent them, we do not keep them forever . . .better get two
This cap is a exact replacement to the cap I lost. It fits the same, looks the same, and feels the same. Not sure how I could rate this below a 5star lol. Even shipment was fast!
I bought this hoping it will replace my canon cap for my 18-55mm Canon Lens kit. But, the cap is so small so i am returning it.
I could have gotten a knockoff no name cap but I wanted the sure fir without the slip on Canon.  They aren't expensive at all.
I lost my lens cap for my &#34;nifty fifty&#34; 50mm 1.8 Canon lens, this is the perfect replacement for it.  Yes, I spent a couple extra bucks to have it say &#34;canon&#34; rather than buying a third party lens cap, but it made me feel better.
The Canon replacement cap work well on my lenses. For Canon Lenses I highly suggest that you purchase Canon snap caps!
A bit on the expensive side, but it is a genuine Canon cap. I lost my original cap a decade ago, while at Yosemite Park, and bought a generic replacement. It was the right size but kept falling off at all times, especially with my camera in a bag, so it was not really protecting the lens.I finally lost the replacement a week ago, so I bought two of these, to be safe rather than sorry, but it is clear I really only needed one. It snaps on and it holds its position. If I lose this one, it will be because I will have misplaced it, not because I will have accidentally knocked it off the lens (or actually the UV filter screwed on the lens).Some would say all caps were created equal, but if so, this one is much more equal than the others. A perfect cap, well worth the extra cost!
Canon 52mm lens cap fit perfectly adn securely on lens with 52mm filter size.  It attaches much more securely to the lens ring than my old third-party lens cap.  Beautiful Canon logo too.  Price is quite affordable as well.  Hightly recommended.
The lens came quickly and suited my needs. Haven't lost it yet so it has fulfilled its duty of protecting my lens.
I lost my original cover on a trek and ordered this as a replacement.  I wouldn't have known it's a replacement.
This lens cap fits perfect on my Canon 50mm 1.8 and the price was fantastic. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to replace a lens cap on their Canon 50mm.
Perfect fit for the one I lost. Not sure if the price was average or great since I haven't lost these before but Amazon hasn't let me down much before and I shop around a lot .
Not much to say here accept this is an OEM replacement lens cap that is exactly what you would expect to receive. Solid Canon quality, good Amazon price.
This is a perfect replacement cap for the one that I had misplaced... and found 2 months after I got the replacement.
Does what it is advertised to do, nothing more nothing less. It snaps on easy, even with a uv filter in place, and comes off easy. It's a bit easy to misplace though.
My lens cap I was using on my old Canon AE-1 broke, picked this one up and it works perfectly! A little misleading considering the lens on my AE-1 is definitely NOT USM, but still good :)
BEWARE! I bought this after reading the reviews thinking it would fit my 50mm f/1.4 but that lens actually requires the 58mm lens cap so make sure to get the right one if that's the lens you're looking to replace the cap for. It looks like a pretty solid lens cap though, as far as lens caps go, so I'm giving it 5 stars anyway.
I always take an extra Cap in my bag for my lenses. Just in case you lose the one on the lens, it's not really worth damaging your lens, or probably even your filter. Some caps that come with filter sets are 'usable' on the canon lenses / protective filters, but often they just fit better when used with the filter they came with, so i tend to shy away from this approach experimentally. I would like to see a 3 or 4 way cap with that many tabs, so when you brush it, it doesn't just come off, but of course this might make it harder to take off than is desirable.Summary:+ Fits properly.- Cost (should be at most $4 MSRP).- No 'cap keeper' included.
I am the proud owner of a Canon Powershot S1 IS, and it comes with the pop-off tethered grey lens cap. That thing annoys me to no end. First, it pops off. Lame. Second, it has a tether, which is forever getting in my way, no matter what I attach it to. It was time for a change: enter the E-52U Snap On Lens Cap.Now, this doesn't fit the S1 IS lens all by itself, which initially made my stomach feel like I had left it on top of the refrigerator and I had jumped down. However, you can remove the lens ring, attach the 52mm extension tube, and then snap this puppy right on the end. It stays in place, and there's no annoying tether to get in my way.This was just what I needed.
I have used this adapter on my Canon G3 and am satisfied with it. It allows me to attach any 58mm filter, lens or lens cap. My particular habit is to attach the Canon 250D close-up lens, then a high quality UV filter, and then on top of that a lens cap (when not in use). The G3's main lens stays protected throughout. I recommend this adapter!
As it was described, and even the box was in better shape than I imagined! Tanks for a great product!
If you want to use Canon's telephoto or wide-angle converter lenses with your G3 or G5 camera, you will have to purchase this adapter, which converts the threads on the lenses to fit the camera.The drawbacks: it's the wrong color for the G5; it blocks the manual viewfinder (who uses that on these cameras, anyway?); and it can interfere with the in-camera flash (and thus a separate flash mounted on the camera's boot is a good idea).  It also doesn't come with any carry case, unlike the actual lenses, but it should fit in your camera bag without a problem--and can be "stored" on the lenses themselves if you like.Make sure that you're using this adapter ONLY on the G3 or G5; unfortunately, it doesn't work with the G1, G2, or G6.  You'll need a different adapter for those cameras.If you're going to use the adapter with more than one of the lenses, I suggest purchasing more than one.  That way, you can leave the LADC58B screwed onto the lenses and make switching lenses much quicker and easier.  The lens' cap will snap onto the adapter's open end without difficulty, and at least in the case of the tele converter, you can put the "assembled" combination of lens and adapter back into the lens' storage bag as a single unit.
There isn't enough info for this item and it's really my fault that I didn't do enough research on this item, but recommendation information for this lens adapter might suggest that it can be used with the G3. It's absolutely wrong -- the right lens adapter is LA-DC58B. The appended &quot;B&quot; is important! Be sure that if you're buying the G3 or G5 and need the adapter that you get that one instead.As such, I'm sure this lens adapter works fine on the G1 and G2, but I can't be totally sure of this, having not used it.
I am the proud owner of a Canon Powershot G5, and I bought this Adapter to be able to use my 58mm Circular Polarizing filter. It works well for that purpose.Now for some facts about the adapter:* It is made to enable you to use 58mm filters, Macro-, Tele- or Wide-angle converter on your G3 or G5 (and it is also required for these).* It will not work with your G1 or G2.* People seem to be getting this wrong all the time: The LA-DC58 is only for the G1, G2, and this adapter (LA-DC58B) is only for the G3 and G5.Pros:* Quite durable - Hard plastic that has so far taken quite a pounding, and basically not a single chip or scratch.* Works fine with any 58mm filter* It is lightweight, so it will not weight your camera down. Of course, anything you put on the adapter is likely to be quite heavy.Cons:* The color - It is silver, something that matches the G3 in color, but since the G5 is black - it really doesn't look that nice on the G5.* The shape - It is in the way of the flash on wide-angle view on the G3/G5. You can still use the flash unobstructed when you zoom a bit - probably to around 2x zoom.Conclusion: It does what it is supposed to do, but Canon really should have taken the time to give you the choice between a G3 colored and a G5 colored. There is also the issue of the converter partly blocking the flash. It is still a necessary piece of equipment if you want to use a Tele or Wide-angle converter, or a 58mm filter on your Canon Powershot G3 or G5. It's a good piece of equipment, but due to its obvious drawbacks, I can only give it 3 stars!!!
I looked at this case for my new Canon SD400. Three major problems with the three Canon cases I looked at (Coach, PSC50, PSC90):1) They attach to your belt with the camera vertical. A horizontal mount is much less intrusive.2) No room for an extra battery. With no battery life indication on this Canon model I want an extra battery with the camera always.3) They either are very expensive looking (Coach) or have a metal Canon logo on the front. This is a big sign that says steal me! The metal logo tag is also prone to scratch things.My previous camera and case was the Canon S330 and the soft case made for it. It had a perfect size pouch for a spare battery and I removed the metal Canon logo. Alas it is no longer available.I bought the Pentax PTX-L40 for my new Canon SD400. It is a perfect fit in all ways. The embossed Pentax logo is subtle.
This is a nice looking case and it does not add too muchbulk to the camera.  Velcro closure still works fine for me,and it's a good value.
The case is a bit big for the SD100 but protects it adequately. Keep in mind that it's more of a cover than a case since there are no pockets for batteries or media cards; just a belt loop on the back. Tossed in a backpack, threaded through a belt and just hung on the wrist, it's worked pretty well. The large velcro area keeps the flap shut.Conclusion: It's a very stylish, minimalist-type case, albeit lacking in functionality. Pretty much an unbeatable price
If you're looking for something to protect your camera from getting scratched and THAT'S ALL, then this is a great product. I throw my camera in my purse, so I wanted something to keep it from getting banged up. There's an old review on here from 2004 that says it's like a leather glove. It's true, the leather is very soft, but it's not completely soft-sided. There isn't any padding and it's light weight, but it's slightly reinforced and holds it's shape when it's empty. If you drop your camera from a high level, no, this will probably not protect it from breaking. But if you accidentally knock it of the table, this should keep it safe.There is not storage, FYI. It has one hole on top for the wrist band to stick through and it has a leather loop on the back so you can wear it on your belt if you like.I think for the price and if your purpose is simple everyday wear and tear protection, then this is a good product. If you're rough on your camera, don't get this; find something that is padded.
This case is perfect for what it was designed for: preventing camera scratches from pocket/backpack/purse/bag storage.  It fits any of the Digital Elph series cameras perfectly.  If this is what you're looking for, you will not regret this case for a second.  It's also sharp looking and perfectly compliments the ultracompact style of the camera.If you are looking for a case that will protect against severe impact and dropping, you may want to look elsewhere: while it has thusfar prevented any damage from the two or three times I've dropped my camera, I don't like hearing the sound it makes as the leather is still thin and the case is obviously not designed with this sort of protection in mind.  The PSC-50 is first about light protection, and second about aesthetics.If you are looking for a case that has storage room for extra media, extra batteries and other extra nonsense, what were you doing buying the ultracompact Digital Elph in the first place?  You could have gotten a better camera for the same amount of money (think Canon S45/S50 or A75/A80: almost identical price, much better features, but bigger size).
Digicams are delicate instruments.  This case is sturdy and fits like a glove.  Good protection for little cost.
Good quality for the price, slim fit.Only negative is the badge.  I will try removing it - if anyone has any advice (do's or dont's), please post them.Does it peel off or is it stitched?
This is a tight little jacket that I bought for my Canon s500.  It provides light cushioning for the camera, and prvents the camera from getting scratched up, since it has a soft cloth interior.  Visually, it is stunning; black leather and a silver steel square in front.  Of note, the stock photo they have of the item is slightly skewed--it's not that wide, it exactly contours to the camera.I wish, though, that they had made the case zippered along the side instead of having an overhanging velcro pull-over tab in the front.  It adds quite a few significant centimeters to the overal bulk of the camera, and less convenient to carry in the pocket.  I can still do it, but it's not at small as I would like.  However, this will not be a problem at all if you use the belt loop in the back of this case, and attach the camera to your belt.You won't have ANY room for accessories in this case; that is no exaggeration.  It's more of a leather jacket than a case.  Understand that before you buy it, that if you want to carry cargo, you will need a larger bag with pouches and additional pockets.The hole on top allows the metal protrusion of the camera to stick out, but necessitates rethreading of the lanyard every time you want to take the camera out and putting it back in.  This has not proven to be a severe problem yet, but it can get annoying.  I don't see though, how else it could be done; I'd suggest just removing the lanyard.  It's not really necessary anyways, and I think the camera looks more stylish without it.So overall, this is a great little jacket for my Elph s500.  It provides light cushion and scratch coverage while being quite handsome in it's own right.  I wish they could have cut down on z-axis bulk, but it's by no means too bulky to still carry in a pocket.  The design seems durable enough--good stiching and quality leather, and a large velcro patch, so it's secure, and it won't wear out too fast--smaller velcro patches seem to be less reliable.
Snug fitting case for my S400. Has a slot for the leash. Perfect if you need to carry just the camera.
After 18 months of wearing this all the time, well whenever I'm wearing trousers which is about 16 hours a day 365 days a year, it has finally started to show some signs of failure. So after about 9000 hours of use the stitching has started to come loose on the belt loop. But I know why, the high sides on my friends BMW M Roadster seats catch the camera when I dump my 270 pound frame into them and the case takes the strain. I heard the first stich go about six months ago and now the rest have started to come loose. I'll actually stitch the current one and use it as a spare when the new one arrives.This case is actually one of the primary reasons I bought the S500. The similar case for my old Ixus was a surprise and a huge bonus.The case fits like a glove and allows you to capitalize on one of the primary features of the Elph/Ixus line, size. My decision to buy the Ixus many, many years ago, was based largely on the fact that I never had my SLR with me when I saw a photo opportunity. For years the Ixus lived on my belt, it went to work and on vacations. It has been on most rides in Florida including the biggest and fastest coasters and I've never had a problem, it's always right there when you wnat it. It's been on horses, bikes and in planes and it was never in the way.If you want a manly purse then buy an SLR and you can feel like a pro as you hump all your gear around. If you buy a mid sized case for this then you might as well buy a bigger camera because you just lost most of the advantage.If you want to always have a camera handy without it ever getting in the way then buy a new S410 or S500 and one of these cases then get yourself a Sandisk 512Mb ultra II here on Amazon and you are all set.
I bought this case for SD450. It fits very well. I love it.
After a year of use, I tossed it out as the velcro on it could not stick anymore and I got tired of its basic function. It tightly fits the camera and thats it. Good for a night out, not for travel. I guess I would recommend for the look of it if you are not on travel...but definitely not recommended for your next trip abroad.
It is a nice protective case that I can wear on my belt for carrying the Canon S410.  Now I have carry anywhere camera with a protective case.  The price was good.
excellent leather pouch for Canon Elf, easy to carry and the price is very reasonable for the its high quality.
This cover is absolutly the best for my S410, perfectly fits my s410 and protects from scratches (Leather is pretty thick - better than i expected), people may complain about no additional pockets, but i dont see the necessacity for additional pockets for s410 or s500 cameras, i have 512 MB CF card which can hold over 300 pictures. and battery lasts practically forever, i still had charge left in the battery after 2 days of continues use and after taking about 200 pictures (more than 100 with flash). for the people looking for case with some additional pockets, they can look at some generic cases but the bulkiness of the case defeats the whole purpose of compact camera.
the case is a too big for sd400, but fits the sd500 well
High quality leather with a belt loop keeps the camera safe and convenient.  No room for accessories, but if what you need is a &quot;holster&quot; for your S200/230 - this is a nice case. Recommended.
This leather case is designed to fit like a glove, thus, there is no room for ANY accessories.  It looks great and provides protection against minor bunps and scrapes.  For $9 it's a steal!
This case could best be called a "camera glove" because it has no extra pockets, zippers or straps.  It simply holds one of the best small digital cameras made.  The more you use it, the older it gets; the softer the case becomes.  On a recent cruise I kept the camera on my belt and found it handy for quick shots.  Its metal/velcro fastener keeps the camera secure. Canon should make it standard equipment with all their SD camera kits.
I don't normally right reviews for products but I just received my new psc-50 soft leather case for my new canon sd400 elph.I have been looking around for a cool and stylish but compact case. Leather is always good right? Most leather cases I found were hard cases and often more expensive.I was hesitant to purchase this product because of the extremly low price but upon reading other reviews I took a chance and ordered it off Amazon.I am extremely impressed with the quality leather and overall product. Although it is soft leather it has a firm support reinforcement to protect front and back of the camera from damage in moderate situations.It has a large velcro front, which for me was better than any snaps or magnet closures.  It has a really nice canon Logo on the front and overall a nice tight camera fit without being "too snug" to pop in and out for quick pictures.It is comfortable to wear on my hip with the belt support and still small enough to throw into my cargo shorts pockets.Great Case for a Great Camera.  I would recommend this case to anyone.  Good luck.David
I bought this case for my Canon SD100 knowing that I would use it just for the camera and not for extras like memory cards or batteries.(Although I find that an extra battery does fit nicely in the belt loop in the back of the case).Keeping this in mind, I think this is an excellent case for the canon elph SD100. It would also work well for the s410 and SD110 since they are roughly the same size.  I'm not sure about the other model canon elphs. Be sure you check the dimensions of your elph and make sure it's close to the dimensions of the elphs I mentioned. Off-hand I think the newer SDXXX models may be too slim for this case and wouldn't fit correctly.Pros: Nice leather that isn't too soft, not too cheap looking, and protects camera from scratches. Velcro close flap design. Extra battery fits in the belt loop(only if you don't actually use the loop for your belt). Nice affordable price.Cons: It adds quite a bit of thickness to your camera.
designed to match your compact powershot camera, very stylish.  do not purchase this case if you are expecting room for an extra battery or CF card.
I don't own this case, but I got to play with one in the store.  It's slim and has no padding to speak of, other than the thin leather.  It would be fairly convenient as a backup &quot;sheath,&quot; given the belt clip and easy-open, but the issue with the wrist-strap hole on the lid, combined with the fact that it has no extra storage space makes it less desireable.I purchased a different, generic case about twice the size of this one, which included a shoulder-strap, belt-loop and extra pocket for memory/batteries.  It also has enough interior room to store both my Canon S400 and the battery charger together--and it cost about half as much from the store as this case does from Amazon--and it still fits in the palm of my hand.There are better cases out there for less money.
In spite of reports to the contrary, this case is very well padded due to the very thick, well-crafted leather. I dropped my camera in it and had no problems afterwards! As for the "black speckles" this is the 2nd S410 I've had in this case and I have never had any such problem.The strap fits through an eyelet - very convenient. The belt loop is great as well. Memory cards and extra batteries should be carried seperately, as this case is designed for on-the-go portability and not as a carry-all.
It fits well with the Sxxx camera but simply too loose for the SDx00 series.  Don't be misled by Canon's words.
This case came with the S400 I got a couple of years ago. I had the case until it got stolen in St. Louis, and until then I was pretty happy with it. However, I did have three complaints about it. My first complaint was that carrying the camera using this case meant either putting the strap on my wrist and letting the camera swing freely with my arm as I walked (not safe for the camera), or putting the whole thing in my pocket (not comfortable), or using the belt loop on the back of the case (not convenient; sort of dorky). I'm not completely sure about the presence of the belt loop, though, because it's been a while since I had this case. Anyway, I found myself wishing that I had some way to sling it over my shoulder, Rambo-style.My second complaint was that each time the camera needed to be put away, I had to thread the strap through a hole in the top of the case. If you're going to put it in your pocket, it's not necessary, but if you're going to carry it by the strap, it's necessary (otherwise you'd stretch the case). Not difficult or horrible, but sort of annoying.My third complaint was that the case had to be separated from the camera when you're taking a picture, which means that you have to take the time to put the case somewhere. I found that jamming the case into my pocket each time I wanted to take a picture was slow and became annoying. This led directly to my case being stolen - at the top of the St. Louis Arch, I set the case down on a protrusion for a moment to take a picture, moved to another position to take a picture, and when I remembered it and went back, it was gone. I looked all over for it, but to no avail.After it was stolen, I bought a cheap generic case which had a very long strap attached to the case, which I liked because I could wear it Rambo-style, which made for much easier access when I wanted to take a picture. However, that case has its drawbacks as well - in short, the drawbacks of that case are the advantages of this one.I noticed that one of the other reviews mentioned that this case doesn't hold any accessories, like a battery or memory card. I had never thought of that, and I suppose it's because that never was an issue for me. Even with a 256 MB card, I usually run out of battery power before I run out of space on the card, and the extra batteries are really expensive. So, at least for me, it hasn't been an issue.By now you may think that this is a pretty negative review, not fitting with a 4-star rating. But the reason I gave it 4 stars is this: I think that the case is very nice IF you use it in the ways it works best. I think this case works well for A) the times you intend to have it in a pocket and only take a picture every once in a while, and B) the times when you're going to take it out and take a lot of pictures at once. If you're willing to use the belt loop (which, keep in mind, I'm not absolutely sure exists), you could also use it in situations where you're going to be taking it in and out of the case frequently. But do keep in mind that the position of the camera on your belt is rather restricted because of the belt loops on your pants - unless you're willing to take off your belt and re-thread the case to a different position. In public.If your usage patterns are different from the ones I just described, I would recommend getting a different case. This is not the sort of case to use if you're going to Disneyland (unless you're wearing something with big, comfortable pockets, and aren't concerned about running out of battery charge or storage space). But for the situations where it works well, I think it's a good case. And given the price ($9 as of this writing), I'm willing to (and probably will) buy it again.
I bought it to use with my sd400. I have the hard case for my wife's sd200, but I like this case better because you can get the camera out quicker for those fleeting-moment shots.Best would be a case you don't have to take off the camera and would protect it during use - like the old 35mm SLR's cases - except with a belt clip.
All I can say is that this is SUPER!!! Looks way better than anything out there.  Its DESIGNED for canon cameras by canon, so you really can't go wrong. Good quality leather. Perfect fit. Looks great. What else do you want from a $10 case ?? Get real. If you own any of the cameras that fits this case & you need one, then go ahead, buy this case. I love it & wouldn't take my camera anywhere without it.
I got this case for my new digital SD400.  It's lined, so I'm not worried about the inside scratching any part of my camera.  Also, the case doesn't add a lot of size to the already small camera so it fits perfectly in my purse!!
Absolutely perfect.  The case does exactly what it is suppose to do, which is protect the camera.  Its not bulky and fits my S230 like a glove!For those reviewers complaining that they can't carry any accessories in this case -- buy a purse!!  Or a bulky off the camera case that has lots of pockets . . . . .
I did my research looking for the perfect case for my Canon S230 and this one is it.Pros:1. Classic look - best looking case by far!2. Durable leather3. Perfect fitCons:1. Velcro quality so-so2. Fits only camera - definitely not the case if you want room for accessories.  But remember, the Canon S230 was made for portability and spur-of-the-moment pictures...leave the accessories at home.There isn't a better case out there for the Canon S230.  And believe me, I looked at a lot of cases.
This case is compact, protective and a perfect fit. Highly recommend it to protect the Sd500 especially since the screens are so fragile.Love it!
If you want a light-weight, simple, protective case for your Canon camera, I would recommend this one. It doesn't have any storage capacity, but considering you don't need more these days than an extra battery, which can fit in a pocket or purse, that may not be a downside.The case has a hole in the top where the strap can be pulled through if you want to hold the camera with the case on. The flap stays secure with velcro, which can be a problem if you need to open the case quietly, but otherwise it works great. The best thing about it for me is that it's not bulky.
I stored my Canon SD110 in this case and over the period of several months noticed black "speckles" on the camera's surface.  These "speckles" left the finish permanently marred. My camera was still under warranty, and to their credit (based upon others' experience), Canon repaired the camera's body. Very strange.
As another reviewer said, this does not have room for other accessories.  But then again, why would you be buying a camera this size if you wanted to carry around accessories.The leather is good quality.  I've used it for a few months, and it still looks the same.Velcro is perfect for my camera with this case because a magnetic latch like other camera cases would probably do damage to my lcd screen.  The velcro still has not worn out.I use this case for my Casio Z750, and it fits perfectly.  Probably too big for the Canon SD400/450 series, but good for the SD500/550 series.
This is a great cover for the camera to protect the camera casing.  It is not a camera bag or storage case for disks, instructions, lenses, or cleaning kit.  It should be included with the camera as it really just covers the metal casing.  For the price it Canon should add it to the set.
IVE HAD GOOD SEVICE FROM AMAZON.COM TILL NOW JAN.7 7:53PM CST.I WAS PROMISED I WOULD HAVE MY PSC-50 BY TODAY STILL NO PRODUCT.WHEN I FIND OUT WHOM IT WAS COMING FROM I WILL UPDATE THIS REVIEW TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM SO YOU CAN BE CAUTIOUS OF THEM.SAD TO BE WRITING THIS REVIEW.ORDER WAS PLACED ON DEC. 25.I KNOW TIME IS ALLOWED FOR THE HOLIDAYS BUT GIVE ME A BREAK. NOW I WAS TOLD TO WAIT TILL JAN.11.BULL HOCKEY.I FINALLY GOT MY CASE OM JAN.10.THREE DAYS AFTER MY ESTAMATED DELIVERY.ITS WHAT I EXPECTED FROM A GLOVE FIT CASE WITH NO PADDING.MY CANON S500 FIT PERFECTLY. I LIKE THE BELT LOOP INSTEAD OF A CLIP LIKE A PAGER BECAUSE IVE HAD PAGERS FALL OFF & BREAK.I SEE AMAZON DESNT CARRY THIS PRODUCT ANYMORE.YOU HAVE TO GET SOME WHERE ELSE.
Simple yet effective case. I bought one for a Canon SD100 and used it for 2 years without any complaints, then I bought a Canon SD500 and bought anouther case, which is just as good as the first. It fits on a belt and carries the camera, but nothing else so any accessories will have to go elsewhere. The upside is it gives a small profile and you are unlikely to get the case caught if you are in a confined space. The other point is what is the point of having a tiny camera and haveing a huge case.
The SC550 is my 2nd camera, go every place camera.  My Nikon 5700 is great but big to take around.  I want a case that protects the camera and a case to not add bulk.  This serves the purpose very well.  True, part of the camera is exposed, (not a problem for me).  Also true, a bit of a pain to put the wrist string through the camera each time the camera is put back, but I expect concessions to a case that makes the camera easy to tote around.  I think a small external pouch could be added to hold a battery and extra card.  Those items are very small, I may get some black leather and modify the case or another option is to get a slightly larger case, and put my camera in  the PSC-50 case in another case for traveling for instance to my kids games.  I would then shed the 2nd case, but if I need a battery or card, it would be nearby.  Another option is to use a pocket in my wife podketbook for the battery and card, of course whe won't like that, she isn't always with me, so that suggestion is a poor suggestion.  Really, I find this a great case for simplicity, fits great and I think protects fine for normal use.
I am using this case with SD200. There's no pockets, but I didn't expect them. So I would say it's good enough to me, considering the price. I gave 4 stars here just because there's nothing to compare.
I got this case when I ordered my Canon SD110 (excellent camera).  The camera fits inside and for the money I get the case gets the job done.  I was a little disappointed there wasn't an extra pocket for memory cards or anything.  My major issue with it though is that it seems to have worn off a good deal of the finish on my camera body....well, either that or it's leaving something ON my camera.  I wouldn't recommend this unless you absolutely need a case and don't care how good it is.
You can forget the ultra hard Coach leather case for the SD Canons!  They are way too bulky and stiff.  This little gem is perfect!  The leather is smooth, pliable, and the camera fits in it like a glove.  No, it does not have a place for another memory card, but if you get a 1 GB card who needs another?  The bottom line is ... the camera is meant to be compact and portable, and the case should be also!  Highest Recommendation.
I wanted a case for my new S400 that was like the form-fitting leather case that came with my ELPH 2 APS camera.  This was the best I could find.  The leather is stiffer than the ELPH case, which means it's more bulky in your pocket.  However, I think it will probably provide better protection for the LCD than the softer case would.  The construction seems to be good and the case is a very good fit for the S400.  The velcro closure on my ELPH case worked fine and I anticipate that this will, too.  I experimented with using my ELPH case with the S400, and it fits, but I didn't like the overall feel in the softer case since the S400 is quite a bit heavier than the ELPH.Canon markets this case in a package along with a battery pack and a larger carry-all case.  The cost is about the same price as the battery and the small case alone, so if you want both the case and the battery, get the package and you'll get an extra case.  The carry-all is big enough for extra batteries, cards, and a lot more, but it's not too huge to be impractical.Having said that, I still agree with the reviewers who believe that Canon should include a case as part of the equipment that comes standard with the camera.
The case fits my SD500 very well. The slot at the top of the case/flap is a great feature because it allows the camera strap to go through it letting you carry the camera using the strap rather than just using the belt loop.  The camera is not 100% enclosed though.  At the top there is a gap on the sides where the camera is slightly exposed.  Its fantastic for regular useage in fair and not extreme conditions.
Here is the secret to having a very fine, soft but still protective camera case.You crush it.Yes, you take the case and place it in the middle of your palm and crush it with as much force as you can muster.  You squeeze it tightly maybe a dozen times (or more) and it is then very soft and pliable.It fits the camera perfectly and does not feel like a big rock in your pocket.Very simple.
This is exactly what I was looking for in a case: something form-fitting but not so tight that I have to pry my camera out of it.  It protects my camera, but it's still small enough to pocket.  There's a very large patch of Velcro inside the flap, so flipping the case closed is not a precision act; just close it and the flap sticks.  The Velcro is enough to offer a nice tight closure and still allow quick removal of the camera.  There are gaps at the top corners, but the flap is wide enough that the camera itself remains substantially protected.The case provides fine protection from scuffs and scratches, and probably offers a reasonable amount of drop protection as well.  No, there's no extra room for batteries or flash cards in there; this is a small protective case for a small camera.  Put it in a big case, and you've lost much of the benefit of the camera's diminutive size.  For me, it's a case like this or nothing.Some people don't like the way you're supposed to thread the strap through the hole in the lid.  Simple; I don't bother.  I have no problem with the strap sticking out the side of the top flap, and it doesn't interfere with use of the case (frankly, it makes it easier).  One thing: the camera only fits properly with its lens facing the front of the case.  Put it in backwards, and every time you pull it out, the little switch that toggles between taking pictures and displaying them will be pushed to the 'display' side.I'm very fussy about camera cases, but I was quite pleased to find that this one does exactly what I need without any features that make the camera unpleasant to carry or difficult to get out for a quick shot.
This case is compact and to the point--no bells and whistles, just a solidly-constructed, slim case for the digital Elph series cameras.  This model generally isn't overpriced like many other camera cases I've seen.  Well worth the $10 to protect your investment.
I got this case for my S410 & it is exactly what I wanted, it fits the camera like a glove.It would've been nice if there was a small pocket for the memory stick, but with memory cards available upto 1GB who would want to carry extra memory anyway!.
I have purchased at least ten of these cases as I have helped friends get these fine Canon S500 and SD550 cameras.  The only thing I wish Canon would do is put a pocket on the side for an extra camera battery which you should absolutely have at all times.This case is my favorite as it protects this fine little camera and is not intended to carry half of your belongings like ladies sometimes do with their pocketbooks!This is still the best choice to give your camera protection and can be worn on your belt very comfortably.
This case is soft to the touch, yet sturdy and fits my S230 like a glove.  It's easy to get the camera in and out, and it doesn't take up too much extra space in my purse.  It is excellent quality and very reasonably priced.  I only wish I'd bought it sooner.  No complaints, I just love it!
This design is minimalist.  If all you want to be carrying around is the camera and the case with the least amount of space taken up, this is the case for you.  It fits my Canon 550 perfectly.  If you want to be carrying around anything extra, this won't do.The case has a stiff front and back to it so it gives it a sturdy feel.  I would feel comfortable that if I dropped it or if it were rolling around in a purse, the case would protect the camera well.
my boyfriend bought this for me not realizing that my camera came with a case (i have the SD200).  this case isn't a good fit for the camera and i've never used it because of that.
This is a good Camera Case for Canon Cameras. Just fits the camera. No room for any other camera related stuff. I would have been very happy if they provided some space to carry a canon battery and SD card.
I use this to hold my SD550 in my purse.  The SD550 fits great. Yes there is very little space for anything else, but I just want to protect my camera.  I can easily pull out the camera, and use it.  My camera and the cover still look great. For it's price, this is awesome.  And I love the slimness of this.  It makes a tiny camera look tiny still!
For the price, this is fantastic. It allows me to keep the camera in my purse even.  True there's no slots for extra gadgets, but if you're going out for the night then you won't need all of that...Some people mentioned the hole for the strap to go through...this is SO not a big deal.  It takes maybe two seconds to loop it in and out, and if you don't want to use it then just shove the camera in and don't loop the strap through the hole. It's not rocket science people! It's just an affordable ($10 for leather!) case that fits perfect in your jacket or purse.
I bought this case for my new SD500 camera and am quite happy with it.  The camera fits in the case quite well.  The interior is lined with a soft fabric.  The leather is thick and provides adequate protection.  I would recommend crushing the leather before you use it, as another reviewer suggested -- it helps to eliminate the stiffness of the leather.Those reviewers expecting a complete carry-all should reference the price -- it's $8.99, people!  This is not a camera BAG, it is a camera CASE, therefore, don't expect much padding or interior pockets.  I would recommend a smaller accessory bag or purse if you need to carry an extra battery or SD card.  Although, I couldn't imagine needing those extras on day trips with the excellent battery life and a larger (512MB - 1GB) SD card on the SD500.
This case is a good price and pretty nice.Sleek and fits the camera perfect.
From reading all the reviews, i expected a lot. It fits my SD110 alright, though i was hoping it would be slightly more snug. i thought the belt loop was a clip you could attach to your belt, kinda like a pager, but it is only a loop that you actually have to put your belt through. not very convenient for those who don't wear belts. i also expected a strap so you could put it around your shoulder if you wanted, but there is NO STRAP. i suppose it serves its function, though it would be nice to have a belt CLIP and strap. i recommend spending a little more on another case if these extras are important to you.
When I first received the case, I was excited.  It was small, compact and fit the camera like a glove.  I thought this would be helpful to carry in a purse when you didn't need extra batteries or memory cards.  After having my camera in the case for awhile (for storage), I took out the camera to charge the battery.  I was very disappointed because there were black marks all over the camera and they would not come off.  I read this from another review and should have listened.  I just threw the case away.  It was cheap and past my return time.  I would not recommend this case unless you don't care about the appearance of your camera.
I am very happy with the case. It fits the camera very well and is not bulky at all.
I bought the S200 last year, and finally decided I needed a carry case to protect the camera. This case is made of pure leather and shouts quality throughout. The camera fits absolutely perfectly inside protecting it from scratches and dents. There is a belt hole on the back for easy carrying. I would recommend this over any other universal carry case available. The only small downfall is that it has no space to carry any extras, such as a spare memory card or battery. These extra items are small enough that they fit in your pocket. This is a must buy for anyone with a Canon digital camera.
I recently got a Canon SD500 Elph (wonderful camera) and this case for it.  The case fits just right, goes on your belt or in your pocket, opens and closes quickly with a Velcro flap, gives you quick access and portability, and good protection for ordinary use.  I'm delighted with it, it's perfect for the camera and for nearly every situation.I nearly didn't get this case after reading some of the negative reviews here on Amazon.  Don't believe them!  I gambled, because how much could I lose?  Nothing, as it turns out.  I'm delighted with this case -- and I'm very particular about my camera cases.  A camera is a substantial investment, and I want quality and function to protect my baby.  Some people here have said that the leather is so thin that the case is only cosmetic and doesn't offer protection.  NOT TRUE!  The leather is NOT paper thin but fairly substantial, a good feel to it, and with the stiff protruding stiched edges on the side and the bulk of the Velcro flap in front there indeed IS cushioning to protect your precious camera.  And as I said, I very much care about this.  If you whack your camera onto tabletops or drop it from 6 feet to a concrete floor you'll probably break it.  So don't do that.  Unless you slap your precious high-precision baby around like a drunken gorilla, you do not need a bulky mattress of a case.  This one does in fact give the protection you need for nearly every situation.Another complaint aired here is that it's a nuisance to thread the camera's cord through the slot in the case's flap each time.  Well, that's true for every small camera case.  I've had several compact cameras, and I NEVER thread the carrying cord through the case flap.  Why would you?  Just give it a couple quick folds on top of the camera and flip down the Velcro flap and bingo!  Fits perfectly.  All tucked away -- and ready for a quick draw when a picture beckons.Another gripe heard here is that you can't put a spare battery or memory card in the case.  Folks, this is an ultracompact snapshooter, not a safari rig.  You want it with you and ready on a moment's notice, so that you don't miss those precious memories as they're happening.  Because of its compact size, you're much more likely to carry a small case than a bulky one, so you'll have it with you instead of leaving it at home.  There's really no hesitation to strap this case on your belt or toss it in your pocket, because it's small.  That way you'll have the camera with you, instead of sitting in the drawer.  And how many times will you actually need that spare card?  The SD500 with a 1 GB card (which I got -- you should too, you'll love the extra memory) will take nearly 150 pictures.  Other Elphs will also hold a lot of shots.  How many snaps will you take before uploading?  If it's 200 or more, put another SD card in your pocket.  Some of you probably haven't seen one of these amazing things, so I'll tell you that an SD memory card is TINY.  And the spare battery is very small.  On those heavy snapshooting days when you'll take hundreds of shots (how often is that?) you will not bulk up any of your pockets with with these amazing, tiny gizmos.The inside of the case is soft and velvety and will not scratch the camera at all, another gripe I saw here.  I suppose if you slam the little camera in and out and grind away at it, it might be possible to inflict wounds, but for those who are less than gorillas with their gear it's a nice, soft environment inside.If you plan to do serious trekking in hazardous environments, buy a second case with all sorts of bulk and pockets.  Then you're covered for those serious vacation events, but that's likely to be an occasional need, if at all.  For everything else, this case is what the doctor ordered.  It's functional, high quality, compact, protective and on top of that it's attractive.  My only suggestion is that Canon should include it with the camera, because it's like a natural part of the kit.Once you have this case you'll be delighted, and, like me, you'll wonder how anyone could make any sort of fuss over it.  It's just right.  And -- you'll use it all the time.
My wife has an SD400 and wanted a case to protect it when in her purse or coat pocket.  We didn't get this one, but I bought a case for a Casio Exlim that fits the Canon well.  It's well padded, fits snugly, works with the wrist strap attached, has pockets for SD cards (but not for a battery) and has a belt loop.  It was more expensive than this case.Many of the reviews mention the lack of storage for spare batteries and things.  Remember these are Camera Cases not Camera Bags.  The same issue existed back in the 35mm days.  You could get something small and easy to carry or something that was larger but had more storage.
it fits and it will protect like it should. what else can you ask for? does not look like one of those cheap looking made in china crap.
I purchased this for my CanonS500. I have it for over a year now and it is still as good as new. Good quality construction and a great look & feel.
I wanted the camera case to be SOFT Leather, but it is NOT. It is hard. I wanted to it to feel like a nice pair of leather gloves, this leather case is bulky, does not fit in my jeans pocket. I wanted something to protect my camera from scatching that's all , I wanted a super thin soft leather pouch.
good battery for the price.Have just started using it so can't say how long it will live
camera guickly and fit correctly in camera.  Charged up as desired and is holding charge.  Would order from here again.
The Digital Concepts CB-511-R 1200 mAh Replacement Battery for Canon BP-511 (Purchased on 02/04/2009) seems to perform as well as the factory Canon batteries. The price is right.
I was skeptical at first because of the price, but, so far, these batteries work just as good as the original Canon.  They are a great value and work very well.
I have purchased non-Canon batteries in the past and they've worked well. Not so with these. From day one, they have not held a charge. Incredibly, I noticed as I was packing for a trip that they weigh a fraction of what the Canon batteries weigh. You can squeeze them and compress them with your fingers, which of course is impossible with a proper battery. Clearly they are skimping on the substrate. They will leave you angry and ripped off. They are completely useless.
I ordered three of these. The first disappointment was that they are advertised as 1900 mAh batteries, but when they arrived the batteries are clearly labeled 1500 mAh. Now 1500 is more than sufficient considering the price and considering this is still more than the original Canon batteries, but I don't appreciate the poor quality control on the ad copy. And one of the three batteries will not accept a charge and I'm going to have to deal with a return/exchange. That's always frustrating.That was then, this is now. Response from the seller was very fast, offering to refund the entire order purchase price! I said that was not necessary, just for the one defective battery would be fair, and the cost has already been refunded. The seller also indicated they would sell no more of this item until the information regarding capacity was corrected by Amazon. Stuff happens, and all you can do is gauge the reaction. This seller's response would be hard to beat. A big thumbs up.I know there have been a love them or hate them reviews with regard to battery life, but that will take some time to determine.
These very inexpensive batteries work just fine...just like the ones that came with my Canon camera. They charge quickly and so far last for a long time before needing recharged. Have only had for a month or so and have not really tested them under heavy photo use but they will be great to have.
It does not last nearly as long as the rated Ah implies.  I guess you get what you pay for.
The battery was fully charged and worked fine in the battery grip purchased at the same time..
Well obviously since I just bought battery I can't comment on lifetime or quality yet.However I have a cautionary story. When I ordered my Cannon EOS 40D from some website in NY or NJ I asked for a second battery. I was charged $[...] for a second battery but it was THIS one not a real Cannon battery, so the guy screwed me by sending me a $[...] battery and charging me full Cannon price.The Cannon battery is still going strong after 2+ years the "non-Cannon" battery lasted about a year. For less than $[...] bucks that's OK. Just DON'T let it sit discharged for long periods of time.
I need replacement battery for my camrecorder and the price is great and it was just what I need. I thought that I would have to pay a lot more for them.
I bought 2 of these for my Canon Digital Rebel for a weekend camping trip. I didn't have very high hopes because they were so cheap, but I only ended up using one of the batteries for the whole trip, and I took appx 500 photos. They are a great buy!
I bought an 8 pack of these batteries to use with my Monster brand battery charger.  I thought there was an incompatability issue until I started researching this brand of batteries.  They would "charge", appear to have a full charge.  Within a day or two of just sitting on my workbench they were dead.  If I used them right after charging they worked for a few minutes then die.  These batteries SUCK.
I have had this charger for about 6 years.This is a fast charger. It has charged my batteries in 15-20 minutes. At least thats how long the charge would last until it said it was done.This is what this charger is intended to do, BUT...Charging batteries this fast is NOT good for the batteries.I was only getting about 7-10 photos with my camera before it was saying that the batteries were dead. I was blaming the camera for this, thinking there was a short or something.Turns out that it is NOT the camera but the charger. These batteries need longer charge times to cycle properly. They will eventually burn out the batteries.This charger is only good if you absolutly need somewhat charged batteries in a hurry.Otherwise get a longer charging system.
I can not talk why other people has such a bad experience with this product but I own my charger over 8 years and had no issues. Yes batteries gets hot but it stops charging them when they have charged fully. Take them out and wait until they cool off. I think that is common sense. Yes the batteries that comes with are not so good. Mine lasted about six months but you can buy some quality batteries and those last longer. Everybody knows Rechargeable batteries has certain life time. You can only charge them so much. Not all batteries are equal. Check your Digital camera specifications before use any type of battery with them.
*This is a 1000ma charger, which will cook 2 or 4 batteries at a time.  It simply chargers them too fast, with too high amperage, with too much heat generated.*If you only want a fast charge, it's fine.  If you want long lasting batteries, try the MAHA 401. 201, or RipVan 4000N.  I own all three, plus a Collett.*I use AAA and AA NiMH batteries in motorcycle communicators, MP3 players, digital camera, Garmin GPS.  I got this Digital Concepts charger for Xmas.  It is the worst of the four I own for prolonging battery life, but does charge fast for quick tops offs.
Digital Concepts AC/DC Rapid Charger with 4 AA Rechargeable 1800 MAH NIMH Batteriesi was satisfied with the shipping,but what i got did not look like the picture at all but it did have the same components in it,when i opened it one of the batterys had leaked battery acid on the contacts which i had to clean then test with a meter to make sure it was still good, while charging if you move some of the batterys the light will turn green giving a false readingedit: correct replacement charger was sent, great shipping time!
I recommend you NOT purchase this product. I charged 6 sets of batteries before a trip and discovered that the amount of charge I got from this charger gave me only enough juice for 2 photographs - without flash! Thankfully, I had a set of batteries I charged with a different charger, that had been sitting in my flash attachment for 2 weeks. I took those batteries out, put them in my camera, and they lasted the rest of the day. Can't even give this one star because the company leads you to believe that your battery is charged when the fact is, it's only charged enough for 2 or three photos. This is based on the usage in RAW mode in my 5 mpx camera.
Bought one for each of us so the girls can have them at college.  The best thing is it has a cover so you can store the batteries in it until you are ready.
While the model I bought is similar to this one (CK1005) it is doing the same exact thing everyone else reports.  I tried charging all my rechargable batteries a couple of times with this charger and NONE of them work in my digital camera!  At first I thought it was my camera until I put two ordinary AA batteries in it and it worked fine!  What a waste of money.  I'm buying a better more reliable brand.  Thanks everyone for your reviews, otherwise I wouldn't have known what was going on!
This unit charges batteries very fast (Hence the name Rapid Charger), It does make the batteries very hot during charging, I believe that it might damage the batteries in the long run, But so far it seems to work correctly, The provided 4 batteries are only 2000mAh (*New Updated*) which are worthless, My 4 year old Creative 1800mAh Batteries are better even after all these years of use.(You get the point?) The A/C adapter is good for only 120V AC, wish it had dual A/C selection switch for use in other countries, Car Charger adapter is added bonus, But that is rarely used. There are better products out there, But for the Price I think it does it's job okay.
I bought my first charger 5 months ago and still works perfect. No problems with the batteries or the charging process. It gets hot but you won't burn. I decided to get my second charger because for $ 10-$14 you can normally get only the 4 2000mah batteries. The charger works perfect at home and in my car. Works for me.
very fast shipping,batteries were actually 2000mah so better deal than advertised at 1800mah styleI own a charger of this same style still working even 5 years latervery well made and charges batteries from house or car power sourcesbatteries themselves still work even now toofast charge feature is nice usually charged in less than 4 hoursLKP
I bought these with my digital camera a little less than 2 years ago and looking back, these are absolutely horrible.  The worst being last week when one of the batteries exploded while in the camera.This being my first set of rechargable batteries I didn't know what to expect.  Like everyone else has said, these things get very warm during charging and they do not last very long.  At least not in my digital camera, which is an Olympus C-4000.  They have absolutely zero shelf life.  Don't expect to use them a day or 2 after you charge them.  If I could have given them 0 stars, I would have.
This was my first charger and I liked a lot of its features.  It has the attachments to become a car charger or a home charger, it has a door that can close to prevent dust/damage when it's in transit.  It also has the absolute best system I've seen to date of changing from AA to AAA battery charging.  It uses a flip-down tab thing that's hard to describe, but suffice it to say that the batteries are extremely easy to get in and out.  My major gripe was that like with most chargers, you must charge in pairs, either two or four at a time.On the flip side, the thing is not very durable.  I used mine lightly for maybe a year and now it refuses to charge batteries.  I put in a dead pair of Energizers and the charger light turned green, meaning fully charged, in less than ten minutes.  Testing them, of course showed they were still dead.  I think something's wrong with the sensor.  It may have been screwed up from the beginning, as the batteries never did give me much run time in my camera.  I threw away some batteries thinking they were bad, but those two I mention testing?  I tried 'em in another charger and they worked perfectly after that.  Whoops.While this didn't happen to me, I feel I should also mention my parent's experience.  They left some batteries in the charger, possibly to long knowing them, but regardless they blew up.  It was just described to me as a loud pop and one side of the charger being blackened and not working, though the other side was still charging.Spend a few bucks on a better charger, stay away from Digital Concepts.
Having that wide of a zoom range is certainly awesome, but the optics on this camera are very dissapointing. I frequently would have to bump up my aperature and sharpen in my computer to try to get more focus, becuase this lens has major problems with fuzziness and crispness in all situations. My basic canon lens 28-90 has much clearer pictures and even those need sharpening.Overall, I love how light and compact the lens is and the range I can cover with it, but I think I am sacrificing a lot for a lower price and smaller size.
I have the older version of this lens.  It is not the world's best piece of glass, but it goes everywhere with me. It's relatively light-weight and does what it is supposed to do. Not spectacularly.  But when I travel, I don't want anything heavy or fussy.  I take this lens and a wide angle (to get complete buildings or monuments in the picture) and that's it. You don't look conspicuous carrying a big photographer's bag.You can pay a lot more and get a much better lens. But if you spend the money and get a great Canon L lens, you're going to end up leaving it at home since it's so heavy and intimidates people (forget about getting casual shots).My rule of thumb is: when the tripod mounts onto the lens, not the camera body, the lens isn't portable.I also shouldn't say this---but the lens is relatively indestructible.  I had the Tamon 28-200 before this, and I've fallen off things with it, and the lens still worked. Plus it's cheap enough (for a lens) that you don't worry about it.
I've used this lens for the last 8 months on my Pentax K100D and find it to be a great value.  Is it soft?  Slightly, when viewed at full size (NOT full screen, but 100% resolution), or when printed at poster size.  Does it have purple fringing?  Maybe slightly on high contrast shots, but then so do some of my other supposedly better lenses.  The colors and contrast are fine and the bokeh is pretty good.  All the negatives of my copy of this lens just don't show up in the way I use the shots (viewed full screen, or printed 8x10).  The only photo contest I've ever won was with a print taken by this lens, so it's certainly a capable lens.I'll say that I paid well less than what's advertised here, so that has certainly biased my judgement.  If I paid close to $400, I may choose other lenses, such as the 18-250 version, but the range is very convenient.
I have been using this lens for a couple of weeks now and over all have been very pleased with the results. I have shot over 500 photos (I love digital photography!) and for the price you cannot beat the wide range and over all function of this lens. Sure there are better and faster lens out there but they will not cover the zoom range and you will pay out the nose for a brand name lens. I have to admit I use PhotoShop to tweak all my photos but for me, that is part of the fun. This is the only lens you need to carry in the old camera bag!
This is a great lens and unless you have the $4,000 Canon you will be quite pleased.  However, for the digital Canon get the Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical Macro Ultra Zoom Digital Lens for Canon SLR Cameras instead.  The Di is designed specifically for the Digital Canon and is the same money.
All the positive reviews convinced me to buy this lens even though it was used and no longer being manufactured.  The seller provided documentation that the lens had just been serviced by Nikon but I found the images to be soft.....not extremely sharp as noted in other reviews.  I'm sure there are very good copies of this lens, I just didn't get one of them.  Luckily, the seller was willing to take it back....the advantage of doing business with Amazon.
This was my very first AF-S zoom... and it got me addicted to the line.  Don't be fooled by the plastic look of this lens: the optics are great, but would be even greater if the distortion at the wide end were a bit less noticeable.  However, at a maximum aperture of f3.5, this lens (especially, like in my case, with fast film) performs in most environments and conditions.  Besides, it's small (compared to other zooms), has a fast and quiet AF with any Nikon body, and does deliver good colors and sharp outlines.  There may be other types of lens with additional features, but this one, with its closest focusing distance of just a few inches, works in all environments and for almost any purpose.
I, like the the previous reviewer, also read Ken Rockwell's comments, and they led me to this lens.No disappointments here. I'm a 30-year veteran who was just seeking a basic lens to keep on my Nikon D70. I also use the Tokina 12-24 f/4.0 (fantastic) and the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (don't sell this little guy short!), and now seek a longer tele-zoom to complement these other lenses.The Nikon 24-85mm is sharp, fast and light. Not the most sturdily-built lens in the world, but the key for me was that I knew what I was getting when I purchased it - and therefore, no disappointment.Looking for an all-purpose lens to keep on your camera body at all times? You've found it here.
I use this lens on my D80 and its a great lens and has great color. This and my 18-200vr are my walk around lens. When photographing not needing the longer distance this is my choice over the 18-200vr.Its a full frame lens that is a perfect fit on a DX camera. Very sharp!
This is a great little lens if you have a full frame Nikon DSLR, it is lightweight and small enough to fit in a small gadget bag. This particular model does not have the VR function, so I would spend the extra few dollars and go for the VR version if you are mostly shooting under low light conditions. But for outdoors this lens is sufficient.
Great lens and works well on the D90, why on there when it is a full frame lens? Because soon I'm saving up for a D600 but until then I wanted a sharp lens to tie me over. I'm so happy I did, I trust doing my wedding shoots, senior shoots and concert shots with this lens. I would not recommend it if you're a hobby photographer. You can get an affordable prime (50mm) lens that's quicker and more sharper, for about $100 less. I would highly recommend this over the 18-105 mm, only because I have both and the 18-105 is not as sharp and not as fast, plus depending who you find to buy from, it's also $10 up to $60 more. You might say that's because of the VR, but if you are shooting with a tripod, and shooting with high ISO's to get fast shutter speeds, you don't need the VR. You'll might want it for video, but a long story short ( sorry if this was long already ) you'll be happy with this lens. Have a great day everyone.
I purchased this lens because I wanted the best performing glass I could get within my budget; I also needed a bit more range and IQ than the 18-55mm kit lens I got with my Nikon D80.After reading many favorable reviews of theNikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AutoFocus Zoom Nikkor Lens, I decided to give it a try and could not be happier with it's performance, indeed I am pleasantly surprised with it's image quality every time I use it.It has been called "pro-quality glass that Nikon mistakenly put in a plastic body" but I find it feels as solid as most kit lenses today.It is just the right size for a walk-about lens not big yet balances well on cameras like the D80; the auto-focus is fast and silent. Between the focal lengths of 35-60mm its as sharp as many prime lenses.The only issue I have notice with this lens is some purple fringing on very high contrast subjects areas, but considering the otherwise excellent performance/cost ratio I can work around that minor problem.I would recommend a good quality uv/hase filter such as theB & W 67mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Multi Coated (2C) Glass Filter #010or Hoya 67mm DMC PRO1 Digital Multi-Coated UV (Ultra Violet) Filter. to protect the front element, as it is quite large and close to the front end of the lens even with the supplied hood attached.BTW, if you are thinking of upgrading to a full frame (FX) format digital camera in the future this lens will also work on that body or with most newer Nikon 35mm slr's for that matter.
Happy and lucky to get a great used copy of this lens. If you find one, like others have said, grab it before they disappear. This one is VERY sharp, great contrast, and too quiet and quick auto focus. I use it on my D90 and D7000. Make sure if you find one that it has no dust inside as this lens has been out there in the wild for some time and is not well sealed like the more current Nikon lenses. Thanks to Artpics at Amazon Marketplace for a GREAT buy!
This how Nikon use to make lenses: strong, heavy and reliable.The only con is AF does not work with some cameras.
I just wanted to add that this lens is not at all cheesey as compared to some of the latest lens on the market today IMO.  The build quality can be compared to the more expensive Prosumer lenses that run close to the $600.00 mark then to the Nikon 18-55mm, 55-200mm and 70-300mm for example. "Now those are "cheesey." I also want to mention that this lens is Quiet. So quiet that you can't tell it's actually focusing. The last point is that these lenses are discontinued now and only available thru the Used Lens market and the demand is growing every day. Do yourself a favor and get one soon before they are impossible to find. There is no better consumer lens you could put on your Nikon Digital Camera. Even the D40-D60 & D5000. You'll be glad you did. Simple operation, looks great & the pictures it can produce are fantastic.....period.
This was my workhorse lens for nearly two years.  It's good points are as follows:Very sharpFast and silent AF-S autofocusApertures of 3.5-4.5 do make a difference, and I took many shots I couldn't with a slower lens.Nice color rendition, really no complaints about qualityOf course there area  few negatives:24-85MM isn't much of a zoom range, and is more like 36-125 on an APS sized sensor(D200, D70, etc.)  Full frame (D700) is it what it is.A fair amount of distortion, so you wouldn't use is for architectural photos, but for landscapes it's great.
The lens has performed perfectly so far, just what I was looking for. I will be using it for a charity photo event this weekend, so I'll give it a big test then.
product works great for the purpose it is intended for, I am happy with this item, flaring is reduced & colors are intensified
This hood was not made for my lens but it works ok with my 35-70 Nikor. Keeps the flare out...
Perfect lens hood for my Nikkor 70-300mm. I never got one when I originally got the lens, very happy to have one now!
I bought this lens hood for a Nikon Nikkor 35-70mm F 2.8 lens.  I like the style of this lens food better than the OEM lens hood for the Nikon Nikkor 35-70mm F 2.8.  The build is great and fits the lens relatively good.  Just remember this is not the OEM lens hood so there will be a little play on the lens but the play will not affect the lens itself.
The hood works great for use with its intended lens.  As a bonus, I tried fitting it to my Nikon 35-70 AF-D lens.  It fits fine, but does not snuggly secure, so it rotates a little bit on this lens.
I received this 6 days BEFORE the estimated delivery date. Thank you Adorama. It seems this is a little loose on my 35-70mm lens, which I had read on various photo sites that the HB-26 fits fine for tihs lens. I like it because it's 2&#34; rather than 1&#34; on the HN-1.
Good size for the camera I placed in it.  I like using the little net pocket for storing my mini tripod.
Compact. Complementary to my Targus big digital camera case.
This site recommended this case for Olympus cameras implying that it will suit all Olympus cameras. That was a mis-information. I have an Olympus C-750 digital camera and there is no way I can push the camera in to this case. A waste of my money!
This camera case is fine if you want to use it only for a compact camera.  However, if you would like to have a pocket for your film, or for your camera's memory card, and possibly a pocket for your batteries, this case will be insufficient.  The small mesh pocket seems nearly worthless, with barely enough room for two AA batteries.
The case perfectly fits my Olympus D-550. I can sqeeze two SmartMedia cards and their cases in the side mesh pocket. It's a vinyl case and doesn't really offer too much protection. And anything in the mesh pocket is completely exposed. Given the option again, I would have gone for a thicker, sturdier case, but this is still an adequate case for now, and worth the price.
I asked several co-workers if they would like to have the camera for free.  Unfortunately, they have already heard about the problems of the camera and no one wants it.  The biggest problem is that you need it to be perfectly still when taking a picture, or it will be blurry.  I am unfortunately unable to keep that still.  I ended up buying a new Minolta Dimage XI which takes much better picutres in all kinds of situations.I would avoid this camera at all costs.
I love this camera.  I took a picture of my new italian tires and they turned out great!
ok I was buying one of these for a friend and decided to get one for myself. I am glad I did! The camera normally ships with a driver cd. I didn't get the disc so I had to hunt for one O\L. Well I couldn't find the driver on the Sipix website. That site is basically no help. Except when I did get the driver it didn't work right. Then I went back to the Sipix site and got a driver update. Now everything is peachy! This camera has 8 mb internal memory. You are going to need all of it. Because you are going to take this thing with you everywhere! It takes up less space then the change in you're pocket. Seriously take four quarters put them in a square that is how big this camera is. Now it has two resolution settings don't bother with the low res unless you want the grain effect for artistic reasons. On the hi res setting the pics will be about 250 kilobytes so you burn up that 8 megs fast. That still gives you 32 pics of so about what a film camera would give you. Low res will get you about 40kb per image. So that is where the "300 pics" statement come from. Some people have problems with battery life. Well it only takes 1 AAA battery, so that doesn't last long. Also I noticed if I had it in my pocket I frequently turn the camera when I leaned against something. It does beep when it turns on so you might want to listen to make sure you haven't turned it on. There is also indoor/outdoor settings always use indoor or the images will be dark. I gave this 5 stars because it is small,cheap, and images are decent considering. This camera replaces the Blink 1 due to the battery problems the blink had where it would delete pics if the battery went dead. They fixed that on this cam. This also can be used as a web cam through AOL instant messenger and Windows messenger. Comes with a stand for web camming. Again awesome cam!
When I got this Digital Camera it was amezing, when I took the first picture it was kinda blurry but the other pictures it was so clear I took my perents digital camera worth nearly $300 and I compered the pictures it was the same. The size is small, fits in your pocket, can take a beating I droped it houndereds of time and it still hasn't broke yet [I'm 14 I play around with electronics], great memory for a small and cheap camera.If you thinking of buying a camera buy this one, You won't refret it I promise you.
It should be stated that you absolutely have to have Windows 98 or above for this camera. It will not work with Windows 95 even if you have the USB extensions of the later releases.The camera is teeny, tiny if you can't tell. If I had a later windows to work it, it might be a good deal for the money considering how convenient the size is.
For the low cost, and small size, it's a cute little toy.  The pictures are somewhat decent, but all images are web cam quality.I wouldn't replace my other digital camera with it since the quality isn't that great, and the resolution isn't even 1MP.  But to play with and just carry around for random snapshots of junk I see on the street, it's a great little thing to keep in my pocket.As much as I like it, I have to admit that the worst feature is the annoying beep which simply cannot be disabled. What the hell were they thinking when they added this was a &quot;feature?&quot;
I bought a new computer recently. A primary reason for doing so was because I learned that I could transfer VHS to DVD with current technology. I purchased an ADS USB Instant DVD, which had all sorts of issues and never captured a second of video. I did my homework, and read all the positive reviews here and on dvdrhelp, and decided to fork over an extra $100 for something that works. And work it does! Minutes after setting the device up, I was capturing video onto my computer. The capture quality is excellent, and usually there are no dropped frames.I'm giving this device 5 stars for doing what it says it does, which is not a guarantee when trying out these devices. But there are some drawbacks:1) As someone previously stated, this device captures in DV format. This is probably best if you want to edit your videos, but if you want to only transfer straight to DVD, try to find something that captures straight to MPEG. The conversion process to MPEG is very slow (usually takes longer than the running time of the movie).2) This device advertises a video-audio lock that keeps the video and audio synched during long playbacks. Having this in the ON position with my VCR caused a distortion of the audio. The manual says when that happens, to turn this feature off. So I'm unable to make use of one of the device's selling points. But so far, the video and audio have stayed in sync anyways.3) This item does not come with any software.If you can live with these drawbacks, then this is the video capture device for you.
I use this for live streaming for our church and have been using a Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge. The DV Bridge would not sync the audio with the video but this unit does. Also much more stable. Great product.
I did some research into external video capture devices, and everything seemed to point to the Canopus.  I wasn't disappointed - it does an excellent job of capturing video, even on a 2-year old laptop.I have used it to capture about 4 hours of video tapes for transfer to DVDs.  The video and audio quality was true to the originals, and I never had audio/video sync problems that apparently are common with non-Canopus equipment.  I captured video in MPEG-2 format using the capture feature of Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 / Video Wave.  (Software side-bar: FYI, I found all Roxio's other video editing tools to be overly simplistic and not suited to my needs.  But the video capture was great - it's the only capture I found that directly encodes video in real-time to the space-saving MPEG-2 format.  After capturing the video, Sony Vegas and Sony DVD Architect were the best tools for my needs of editing video/audio, and burning to DVD).All the more impressive is that the Canopus worked on my relatively old laptop system.  I don't remember the recommended specs exactly, but I think I was borderline: 1.5 mhz Pentium 4 laptop with 512 mb of RAM running on Windows XP.While the Canopus performed its core video capture function perfectly, it does have some minor issues with user-friendliness - but really, these aren't very important in the big picture.  Stickers warn you to shut the Canopus and your computer down before connecting to or disconnecting it from your computer.  Changing the device's settings, which I did once at set-up, involves small switches on the hardware itself.  And the device is recognized by my computer as a digital video camera.  But if it's the only external hardware that consistently does a great job of video capture - who cares about minor issues like these?The wrap-up: Amazon should do us all a favor: get rid of all the other, less reliable external video capture devices and only sell the Canopus.  It's tempting to get less expensive equipment, but there seems to be only a small chance it'll actually do the job.  The Canopus is really the only option to consider if you are looking for an external video capture device that works reliably.
I purchased this little box, the size of a medium sized book, recently and have had a very smooth experience with it. I wanted to import a TV show (Jeopardy!) on which I appeared, so I researched various hardware solutions (almost bought the Formac offering) and decided that this box was the best regarded. I connected my TiVo to the box using the s-Video and RCA audio connectors, and I connected the Canopus to my Powerbook G4 12&quot; via the Firewire connection. iMovie 4 saw the connection immediately and I was importing video seconds later; making clips for each of the 4 sections of the show.Then it was a simple matter to edit my clips together, add some still frames and titles and export to iDVD 4.0.1 with which I burnt a very nice DVD. People actually complimented the quality of the video, which of course was limited by it's NTSC original source, but at least it was a accurate replica of the original with no dropped frames or loss of audio sync.
Following my order of the ADVC-100 I found many disturbing things on the internet.  Most users had difficulties capturing analog to MPEG2 for burning onto DVD.  Don't let yourself be scared off.  Fear mongers stating that the converter captures DV files which then have to be converted to MPEG2 aren't using the right interface software.  The ADVC-100 is a stand alone external unit without a software suite of its own and relies on whatever captures software you choose.  I could just be lucky but both My WinProducer and my Nero Burning software detect the device instantly and allow choices of AVI, DV or MPEG2 format for file capture.Granted, having an external device may not be as convenient as a VIVO internal card, but compared to other external capture boxes the ADVC-100 is tiny and unobtrusive.  Better yet, it's IEEE Firewire compliant as opposed to the 1.0 and 2.0 USB connections that for the most part fall short with frame droppings and miss-synced audio during capture.If you're looking for a straight forward plug and play unit this is it.  Just make sure that you have a capture card with Firewire input capabilities such as the Sound Blaster Audigy series before purchasing this product.
I think this is an exceptional solution to the problem many of us have with analog video tapes to convert. I originally bought this to use with my older, slower PC -- but I replaced my PC with a screamer (and USB 2.0 and Firewire) before I really got a chance to use this. So I can't tell you how well this box does in compensating for older, slower hard drives and a slower CPU.However, with the new system, this box appears to my video editing software (Ulead VideoStudio 7) as a DV camera, so it's simple to edit.The bad news is that all of my video cpature software ASSUMES this is a DV camera, so you get all sorts of spurious information onscreen -- like DV controls, or DV timecodes, etc.If you are aware of the fact that those controls won't work, or that the timecode is meaningless, this unit works like a charm to capture your analog video, package it as DV and deliver it to your PC with little or no dropped frames and generally rock solid video/audio synch (BTW -- if the audio gets unsynched, the only guaranteed solution I've had is to restart the capture from a clean spot on the videotape -- no snow, no tracking errors).
I must say this product is exactly as it says.  I simply took it out of the package(Which I recieved in less than 24 hours with free shipping from Amazon.com) and plugged in the cables and went with it.  It connected to Movie Maker 2 and I was off.I definitely recomend this to ayone looking to put old vhs movies onto DVD's for safe storage.
good, filter very basic. does a great job. it is probably best used as a lens protector that doubles as a uv filter.
This isn't a real nice filter, but it protects the lens from scratches.  That's all I need it for.
I just wanted a filter that protects the lenses and doesn't add any distortion. This filter does that at a reasonable price.
I had bought a cheaper 62MM filter but I instantly regretted it because the filter's lens element was loose causing rattles. So I plunked down some $$$ on a more expensive HOYA filter. Unlike the noname filter I had before - this filter is solid and very well constructed. Highly recommended for the Tamron 18-250mm lens (which I have it on now).
Regrettable error was wrongly acquired. Therefore this unused. But I know the brand for years and have in my possession and use, several filtors of the same brand.
The imaging quality is fine , but the build quality is really bad , for my case , when i received it , the steel ring inside is broken and tip out . I need to push it back my self , really worry that it will scratch my lens
How can you refuse an idea like this?Any outdoor or sports loving person will be enchanted by the concept.The binoculars are excellent quality.  I'm not disappointed in them at all.However, the poor quality of the camera makes this product more of a toy than a tool.If a better quality calendar were placed in this product it would be worth the additional cost.
Excellent idea but Bushnell really fell down on the job with this one. My fiance bought this used for $10.00 and now I'm glad she didn't pay anymore for them.It's my job to figure out any new gadgets she gets so I went to Bushnell's site first and after some browsing, I found the binoculars and there was a manual available in PDF (it shows the camera functions only) but no drivers to be found. Luckily the disc she got with the purchase worked!!She has Photoshop already so all I installed were the drivers from the CD onto her XP Pro computer. There is absolutely NO DOCUMENTATION on how to get the pictures off the camera so I opened Photoshop and used import and sure enough Bushnell was there. I clicked on it and the Bushnell software came up but it's a "by guess and by gosh" process to figure out how to transfer the pictures from the camera into Photoshop.Once transferred, I checked image size and it was 640x480 at 1mp per inch, so scenery is visible but I have my doubts as to small animals etc.Another thing that irritated me was that I couldn't get the 2 sides of the binoculars close enough together to get a good view, in other words I had to look through 1 lens at a time. I've never had that problem with a pair of binoculars before.Bushnell has always been a good name but they sure couldn't prove it with this product.Buyer BEWARE!!!!!!!
I have a Dell computer with a 600 meg processor runnung Windows98 SE. After loading the Bushnell software, it tells me to insert my Windows98 SE disk for a needed driver but when I do this, it says that it cannot find the required file. I contacted Bushnell tech support and they took about a month to e-mail me with advise, which unfortunately did not work. I cannot comment on the quality of the photos, but can say that if you have WIndows98 SE, I recommend that you avoid this product.
These binoculars are good, but they do have their limitations.1. The camera DOES NOT adjust focus with the binoculars! It has a set focus range of 30 feet, which means that unless you are at least that distance away, your target will not be in focus in the photograph. I found this a particular problem as I wanted to use them for backyard bird spotting/photographing, but a lot of the time the birds were just too close. If they were further away, they were still out of focus because the camera would focus on leaves and trees that were at the 30 feet marker.2. With the extra equipment between the two eye pieces, I couldn't look through both lenses at the same time... the binoculars wouldn't close in narrow enough for my skinny nose!3. I felt that they also drained the batteries quite heavily.The binoculars themselves are good enough. They focus like normal binoculars and I didn't have a problem with them (other than not being able to see through both lenses at the same time!)The extra buttons and the on-screen menu for the camera were easy to understand. The little preview screen was very useful - I would search for my target through the binoculars, then center it on the screen before I took my picture.I'm not sure why other people are having trouble previewing their pictures.  I was able to do this.  I was also able to turn off the beeps that some have mentioned.  The on-screen menu also allows you to go through your pictures to preview and delete if you wish.  I wonder if this is because I was using an SD card?  Perhaps the people having trouble with this were just using the camera memory...Overall, I would say think very carefully about what you need them for before you go ahead and buy this particular set. I imagine they will suit some purposes well - like racing tracks where your target is over 30 feet away and there is nothing between you and the target for them to focus on - but the fact that you can't adjust the focus on the camera was a huge problem for me.I'll be happy to answer any questions in the comments.
This will not be a long review, as it really isn't needed.  The optics for the binoculars are fine - one can get to reasonable, mid-distance views through the viewers.  However, this is an expensive price for binoculars that are merely okay.  Those can be had at one-half to one-third the cost.  Also, the housing for the camera and the battery is awkwardly placed; I have difficulty bringing the binoculars fully to my eyes as the middle-piece battery/camera bumps my nose.The camera is not very good.  The hope of course is to get reasonable quality images from a distance, and the pictures here are sub-par.  I'm not convinced that the focus control for the viewing element of the binoculars does anything to the camera's focus, but rather that it is set at a one-size fits-all focus ability that really has difficulty with anything close or really far away.The software is clunky and unhelpful.  The ability of the this binocular/camera set is supposed to allow it be useful for video feed and internet streaming video, but the focus is poor, and it is not very practical to sit 40 feet or further away from the computer.Not up to the expectations, I'm afraid.
The driver disk that I have will not work anymore, so I figured that I could download it online. However, it is not available anywhere for download. Now I am stuck with a product that is useless to me. Do not waste your money on this or any other Bushnell product, customer support is non-existent!
I love this idea. Take a picture of what you see thru a binocular. However, this camera has it's limits.  Not only could I not review the pix (til I got to my PC), the image was NOT what I saw. The yellow bird in the tree, became the tree with a yellow leaf, maybe.The binocular is Great: small, powerful, easy to focus. The tech support thru Bushnell was terrific. Making the PC recognize the camera took one phone call. The op manual needs HELP, or maybe I'm too much of an novice in this field.
Complete crap. The installation as mentioned in many other reviews was next to impossible. I bought my mother this before she went on a trip to Alaska, thinking she could bring some nice close up shots to complement her other digital camera shots. But that was not the case, after spending hours trying to get it installed on XP the files were not even the right format. The picture quality was horrible. This product is a joke, I wish I could get my money back, the only good thing about it is that the binoculars work. Better off just buying a pair of those, skip this product and save yourself a headache.
I would give this 3 and half stars.  I received one of these as a free gift, so free is good.  I wouldn't advise paying full retail price else you may be disappointed.  After reading the horrible reviews, I debated opening the box when it arrived.  What I found best for all software which comes in the box, never open the CD!  If you have any other OS, other than Win98, then just plug it in to a USB port and the camera memory will appear as a disk drive.  You do NOT need and do not want the software which comes in the box.  This is true for any digital camera.As binoculars go, this pair isn't bad.  It's small, rubberized, has a focus and rubber eye cups.  Chromatic distortion is slight, good sharpness and detail, although there is some fogginess around the outside of the field of view.  The built-in camera is a toy by all accounts.  Bird watching?  I think not.  My suggested use is to collect evidence of the neighbor's dog going through your garbage or of a suspicious car parked across the street.  It's good for what I use it for.
Bushnell has never let me down.  I've loved all products that I have purchased by Bushnell.  This binocular and camera is no exception.  It is clear and does exactly what it advertises.  It is not the most powerful but I chose this size and it works great for my purpose!
Does your digicam give you 10x optical magnification? Do your binoculars store the images you are viewing?  Likely the answer is no to both questions.  Along comes the Bushnell 10 x 25 VGA Digital Camera Binocular.  Now it is quite possible to buy a high-power spotting scope and put your camera lens right on the viewfinder and snap the image. I first saw a demo in Costa Rica by a nature guide pointing out a huge iguana sunning on a log 50-60 ft from us.  But the spotting scope isn't nearly as portable. This binocu-camera combo does a reasonable job. The original software installed readily in my PC with Win XP Pro and those original software drivers work just fine. When it asks about the editing program, I simply asked it to use my Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0. and import the images after doing the transfer with no difficulty. Detailed editing proceeds normally.  Are these National Geographic images suitable for framing?  No way! Even with manual adjustments, you simply cannot correct them like a normal digicam shot. Colors are not true unfortunately. It's just a great little device for carrying in your backpack or pocket.  For the price, it's just fine. Don't expect mind-blowing images folks.  And don't forget to use a monopod to steady the device. It does NOT come with VR (vibration reduction). Telephoto shots are notoriously fuzzy because you simply can't hold the camera & lens that steady without VR built-in or something like a stump, tree, or monopod to make it rock-steady.  My Nikon VR telephoto lens does an outstanding job even hand-held so I know that it is feasible with the right equipment. Maybe Bushnell will come up with a VR feature in the future. 3.5-4.0 stars (good to very-good)
When I saw a similar binocular/digital camera combo I knew I had to have one. When I got out to my local Best Buy, this was pretty much the only one they had in stock, so I bought it. It cost me about $..., a great deal I thought.When I got home I took some 'pictures' of some potted plants in my backyard. When I loaded the software onto my computer, the problems began. There are basically no instructions on which piece of software included is the one you need to load. Having Windows XP I just tried to load the driver. This did not allow me to access the built in memory, however, as you can with most devices. So I loaded up the other 2 SW modules and went about trying to find the bushnell's pictures. Again, there are zero instructions on actually using the software to offload pictures from the binoculars. Even once you learn how it is easy to see that the software seems like it's from the 80's, and would be more at home in windows 3.11. Not to mention that when you get to preview the thumbnails the dang camera is streaming video into the software while you try to copy them over to your computer. I can't imagine a situation where you would need to stream binocular-image video while tethered to a computer via a USB cable. Oh, and all the pics are stored as BMP files. I mean, who uses BMP files for Pete's sake? Every digital camera I know of saves JPG or TIF images.It was daylight when I took this first set of pics, but all the pictures that I took came out very fuzzy. I had taken several where the binoculars were sitting on a table top when I carefully pressed the `snap' button. Even though I could see the plants clear as day, these pictures too came out too fuzzy to recognize anything.Ok, so I just figured I needed to adjust the focus a little because the camera was more sensitive than my eyes in terms of focus. In general, just get used to using the thing. No harm, no foul. I took it to a concert that night and took all 134 pictures I could on the higher quality setting. The 3-in-a-row picture feature was nice, and because you can be a little shaky pressing the button, it makes you feel like at least 2 out of 3 will be fairly stable pictures. I couldn't wait to get home and review the pictures. Was I in for a shock, I didn't believe my eyes when the thumbnails loaded up, so I copied all the pics on over to my PC and went about opening them in batches of about 20. Out of 134 I got 6 that were even recognizable, but they were again way to fuzzy to justify saving them. Now, although the performers on stage were well lit with bright spotlights, 98% of the pictures taken came out as solid black frames with a smattering of colored pixels smeared across them. It's as if I tried to use the thing in outer space or something. I was completely horrified that none of the pictures from that once in a lifetime event were anywhere near worth saving. What a bummer!So, in summation, the binoculars are decent and compact. And they produce a nice image when looking into them. But don't even think of trying to take a picture. And again, I cannot iterate enough how out-dated the software is. I also cannot think of how these even made it to the market `working' like they do. After all, if you knew you couldn't take a picture with them, you would just purchase binoculars right?Needless to say, I promptly returned mine for a cash refund the next day. I hope my tragedy of an experience saves a few of you from buying this product. Maybe there's another one out there which works better. We shall see....
I saw this at the local swap meet.  Out of curiosity, I checked it out and was surprised at the magnification and halfway decent sharpness of the binoculars--although contrast was on the low side.  The owner explained to me that it had a camera feature that could be downloaded unto a computer, etc. (he must have suffered the same image quality/software problems as other one-star reviewers because he happily sold it to me for $3.)  Anyway, thanks to Amazon reviewers, I saved myself a whole lot of trouble by just removing the camera unit rather than trying to make it work. It's very easy to do.  All is needed is a small phillips screwdriver to remove 4 micro screws and a little dexterity to pry the two plastic halves from the binoculars.  You will notice that the camera unit consists of a small 1/8&#34; CCD, a circuit board and a super-cheap plastic lens--no wonder the photos taken with this camera were so awful! With the camera portion removed, the binocular folds into a nice compact unit.  10x25 is not too shabby when you have to get up-close and personal in a pinch!
Got this for my hubby for Christmas.  Someday maybe he'll decide to use it...he is technophobic!  I think it's a great idea for the things we love to do...eagle watching, canyon trips, Hawaii...etc.  If he doesn't use it I will!  To be able to look through binoculers and then snap the picture seems like an excellent mating of old and new technololgy.
I wanted a cheap pair of binoculars with nice magnification and got these because the image capture seemed like a bonus. The binocular quality is fine but the digital camera is another story. I was first skeptical when the instructions mentioned that the camera is infinite focus fixed beyond 49 yards. Therefore, you are not shooting exactly what you are viewing since you can go up to 10x with the lenses. In any case this is irrelevant because after taking some test shots I tried connecting to my PC. I've done troubleshooting for a lot of devices in my day, I know what I'm doing, and I like the relative ease of the USB standard. No such luck with this. The included driver didn't work, the updated driver from bushnell's website didn't work (btw, I'm using XP). I always got an 'unable to connect to device' error. After an hour of trying all the tricks to get it to work I decided to return it. I would strongly advise ignoring the digital camera aspect of this pair of binoculars and either get regular binoculars or a better pair that doesn't require additional drivers in XP to dump images. I am returning these things today!!
I use this on my Canon Vixia HF S100 and it works fine.  There is vignetting through slightly less than the first half of the zoom range, and depending on lighting conditions, I have noticed some chromatic aberration.  These are qualities I would expect from any screw on lens adapter though.  It does not prevent the camera from autofocusing and is much cheaper and more powerful than the adapter recommended by canon for the HF S100(1.75x as opposed to 1.5x)  It has been very helpful for getting just a little bit closer in on wildlife.
Not much that could go wrong with this - but it is well built, and attaches easily.  I use this on a PowerShot A620 which only has a 4x optical zoom.  This helps to get those far shots without using the digital zoom and losing image quality.  The included bag is nice for keeping it dust free when not in use.
let me explain what this really does because i had to buy it to understand.  MAybe that is me :)  ok what this does is basically "pull" you back into the camera more.  so that when you are taking a picture you can actually see the outlining of the lens, making it a circle picture.  not what i was expecting but its interesting i am new to "real" photography so i am not sure if this is usefull or a really good thing but i just wanted to make it clear what it really does so you do not have to spend the money to buy it :)
I never thought I would brag about a point and shoot camera, but the Canon G6 is remarkable. And, the add-on lens is equally suprising. Granted, this is not an interchangeable SLR lens, but it's great for use with all the subjects one would shoot with this camera. I am glad I chose the Canon brand lens. Note: I use the Lensmate adapter.
This lens is well worth the money if, like me, you bought the A710 IS in part for its 6x zoom, recording wildlife encounters is important to you, and you don't want to carry around an extra camera for such occasions.The main shortcoming of this converter is that it increases the minimum focus distance (at camera's longest zoom) to a whopping 6 ft.  At this distance, the field of view is about 7.6 inches wide.  Without the converter, at longest zoom, you can get down to a view about 4.1 inches wide, at about 22 inches from the subject.  So, regrettably this means that if you want to capture miscellaneous subjects in nature that may be approachable (butterflies, lizards, whatever), you can probably get a much better closeup without the converter.  I suspect it will mostly sit in my bag just in case I see a large animal standing around (but not too far away), in which case it can really improve the shot (almost doubling the subject's size).You will probably not use it unless the subject is really special and worth digging the converter out.  But it is helpful that a large leatherette bag is included with this lens so you can leave the adapter attached to the lens and just pop the whole thing on and off.In an effort to get closer to the subject, I have experimented with reducing the zoom while the converter is attached.  This seems pretty useless.  For example, at 1x the view was ca. 4 inches across, 2 inches from the subject.  At around 2x, at closest focus, you get ca. 3.5 inches across at 2.5 inches away.  At around 3-4x, the closest distance goes up to 6 ft.Vignetting seems a minor issue because you will mostly use this converter when zoomed all the way out.  However, I could imagine situations where you are mostly shooting distant elk or something and you want to take a quick landscape shot without removing the converter.  FYI, slight vignetting starts to appear when you drop a little below the halfway zoom (maybe ca. 3x), but even at 1x (35 mm equiv.) where you have almost a completely circular vignette, you still have plenty of real estate left in your image so it is not a big deal if you know how to crop out the blackened edges; but it is easy enough to pop the whole thing off, so that is what you would do instead.In the end, the best thing (for me anyway) would be a highly compact camera with a built-in 10 or 12x zoom with good optics.  This doesn't exist yet, so I bought the next-best thing, the A710 IS with about half the zoom I'd like (but much more than the competition among good compact cameras).  But once that commitment is made, it's definitely worth having the 1.75 teleconverter as well.  I may even buy an extra adapter ($20) so I can quickly pop on/off either this or the closeup lens without having to screw things together.
This TC lens created huge bands of greenish halo (AKA CA) around all objects in contrast areas.  Trees had green halos.  Buildings had green halos.  I'm not talking about a narrow line, but a broad halo.  The image quality was also degraded.  This does not happen with my Ricoh 1.5x or my Oly TCON17.
I made the mistake of selecting the bundle without reading the requirements closely. The lens is for a variety of Canon cameras but the adapter only works with the A6XX series. My adapter arrived and it doesn't work with my camera. Kinda misleading and now I have to spend more to buy the correct adapter separately. Bummer.Also, Captain Jack is correct about the vignetting. This lens is sort of like a magnifying class that sits in front of the built-in zoom lens. If you zoom wide angle, you see the horrible vignetting he mentioned. If you stay zoomed in, it works ok. Disappointing.
I am not a camera buff, but I wanted some extra zoom capability.  It doesn't increase the zoom as much as I had hoped, but it does the job for me.
I bought this lens for my Canon PowerShot G5, and because it requires the use of a long adapter, not only does it cause terrible vignetting (that circle the other poster thought was cool, but which is actually a design flaw) unless you zoom most of the way, it blocks the built-in flash. I have owned four Canon cameras over the past 15 years, and the G5 and everything related to it has been a huge disappointment. (I would have bought the digital Rebel when it first came out so I could use my EOS lenses, but it didn't allow flash exposure compensation (insane for a $1000 camera body).)I do not recommend this lens or any of the G-series digital cameras from Canon. When I've got the money I'll be buying the latest digital Rebel and upgrading some of my old EOS lenses, and selling my entire PowerShot kit. If you are an experienced photographer, you will not like this system at all.
Got the filter as part of a lens kit. I took it out in the cool air (about 45 degrees) for some pictures of the National Christmas in DC. After taking a few pictures I noticed that the filter had a crack across it! I didn't bang it or anything so it must have had a defect that was exaggerated by the cold air.I bought this from a well known NY store (begins with an A) and I contacted their support twice by email and several times by phone over the past few weeks with no response. I was hoping for an exchange but haven't heard anything from them so I am really disappointed in them at this time especially being a customer for about 5 years.The company, Tiffen told me to contact the store where I purchased it since it was under 30 days.Suggestion is to stay away and go with a better brand like B&W...;Dec 31, 2012 update:The NY retailer finally contacted me with a return label so I can exchange the filter. It is also interesting to note that with the 10 year warranty I contacted the manufacturer  and they asked who I purchased from, then told me that the NY store is an excellent retailer and can more quickly handle the exchange! I think they were just busy due to the holidays! Once I get the replacement, I will try it again in the cold January air for another 30 minute shoot and see what happens! Updated rating, though it should be a 3.5. Performance is decent, was able to take low light pictures with little focus problems.
The lense cover arrived promptly and on time. It was easy to find on Amazon.com. It was exactly what I ordered.
The price was right, the condition new, and the delivery was speedy!Thanks,Charles in Ohio
It's so thin, that the cap of the lens doesn't have any chance to get hold on.  All right it can fit, but at the little touch of everything it goes lose.  For the price, I bought other brands and work better.  Remember, the cheap you buy, the problems you get, but if you know about it, use it until you can afford to get the right one.  For me, this lesson cost a lot.
whats to say about a UV filter you purchase to reduce UV and protect the lense.it's clear/ clean and more affordable that replacing a lens
Purchased from Amazon in conjunction with new 16-35mm nikon lens. Works fine. Experts perhaps could distill differences between current Nikon, Hoya and Tiffen coated, UV filters, but I haven't seen anything in print that says so. All  my other filters are nikons.
Its a canon product that works, Ive tried to use other brands and they just dont last. Canon also services their products when present at professional events
I have just bought this new canon NP-E3, at the first glance I was so disappointed, it's made in CHINA, unlike the original one supplied with camera was made in Japan. I have not been trying to shoot to see how long does it last yet but if you think there is no different between the products made in Japan and China then you were totally wrong. I call Canon sale support and ask for this information, they've told me as what they see it supposed to be made in Japan. To be confirmed more information about this battery, I called Canon dealer BHphotovideo and Sammy's camera and ask for this. Guess what! They said made in CHINA. What a shame on Canon new generation. I hat off to you.
As the saying goes, &#34;buy once cry once.&#34;  Perfect fit in the camera body, charges fast and deep.I tried aftermarket Japanese and Chinese batteries and they just don't compare.  It's like putting $50 tires on a Corvette.
Don't be disappointed because this isn't a lithium ion battery. This battery kicks butt!! It lasted me 3 days of non stop shooting. I started to think that the battery was never going to die! Of course reality set in and had to eventually charge it, but it lasted forever!! The only drawback is that it takes about 2 hours to charge:( Other than that, it will lasts you all day and night.
I bought the generic brands and was very dissappointed trying to save money, this batterys last more then twice as long and are weathered sealed. Have shot over 500 photos and still had power, no flash. When you are doing an event you have to have dependable batteries. They do cost a lot but they last a long time.
I have read so many reviews from those that have bought the cheap generic [I use that phrase kindly] that I would not consider buying anything other than the genuine article. Why? well Guarentee exclusion springs to mind!!!
There were other options available but I like the quality and reliability I always get from my Canon parts. Great battery.
Aside from the price, it's a good product. I have tried the off-brand batteries in the past for other Canons, but always go back to the Canon batteries. They last and hold their charge. When shooting mission critical projects or just for fun, you want to make sure you have a reliable power source.
It's good to own an original canon battery for they outlast the third party batteries in terms of battery and shelf life.
There are knock-offs of the NPE3 but there are no guarantees (and a person can forfeit their warranty if they put anything but a Canon battery in their camera) that they are getting a quality, dependable battery. The battery, the seller and Amazon are all top-notch!
I ordered this camera as a playback device for Hi 8 film I already have, the one they sent me did not work. I called the company and got a very quick return call and they traded out the camera with another one that works just like new.
I have owneds my CCDTRV318 for about 18 months and I think the camera has performed very well.  Or, I did until I tried to use it at the first high school game this fall.  It didn't work.  The picture on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder was all blurry and distorted.  I tried changing every setting and every adjustment I could think of.  I couldn't fix it.So, I took it to the local Geek Squad and they sent it out for analysis.  The result? Sony would have to replace the CCD and other gizmos for a total of $196!  After 18 months.No, I did not buy warranties or anything - c'mon be serious.So my question: do I spend $200 for repairs? Do I buy a new camera for $300-$400? Should I buy a Sony ever again?I'm off to try to wrangle Sony customer support and perhaps will post the results of that wrangling here.EDIT UPDATE: Sony ended up fixing this for NO charge and now it works like a champ.  If I could I'd change my review to 4 stars now.
Buying a camcorder can be difficult.  Do you want VHC?  8mm?  Hi-8?  Digital 8?  Mini-DV?  Then there's whether or not you want to be able to take stills, have firewire output to a computer, image stabilization, etc.One can easily find themselves saying, &quot;All I wan't is a basic camcorder to record random things.&quot;  If that's you, this is your camcorder.Though the picture is not digital, Hi-8 offers a nice clean picture that gets the job done.  And since you can plug right into your TV or VCR, transfer to video is simple without having to store all your old tapes like you did in the VHC and VHS days.  Being a Sony, you can expect a great zoom that let's you get nice detail from a good distance away.  Add Steadyshot, probably the best image stabilizer out there, the ability to manually adjust your lighting, nightshot, and you have the ability to record in any situation.Having sold Sony's for over a year, I can tell you the number returned due to dissatisfaction was minimal.  Same for broken or damaged camcorders.Bottom line is this.  In the TRV-318, Sony makes a great camcorder that's not only easy to use, but able to take a nice clean video.  And as long as you don't care about capturing the light flicker off a snowflake, you'll love it too.
Personally I think you should get a MiniDV digital camcorder.  Namebrands like Sharp and JVC now have very inexpensive MiniDV models, so it's time to move to that format.If you really need an 8mm/Hi8 camcorder -- for example, in my case I needed one to play back my large library of 8mm tapes -- then this Sony is simply the best.  It costs a bit more than a couple other Sony models as well as some offerings from lesser companies, but you get what you pay for.  This Sony is not only high quality but has tons of features, such as image stabilization, NightShot, and 20x optical zoom.  You can hook it up to your PC as well.  You should also know that its CCD sensor is 460k pixels, more than any other model in this price range.  The result is vibrant images.
There is not much I can say about this. It works just exactly as expected. No, it is not the fanciest model on the market but weighing cost/benefit I chose this model and it performs exactly as expected. Good picture. Easy to use. Commonly available tapes and accessories.
The choice was pretty difficult. Either an entry level digital, or this higher-end Hi8 unit. I picked this one because I like the zoom, the night vision, and all the other great features I could not get in a digital at the same price. I also own an analog to digital box for my PC, so I can plug this Sony into my Firewire port anyway.The digital would have been nice, but I know I would have lusted after the bells and whistles after a while. This buys me a few years until the digitals improve and come down in price.
We are using this camera to take home movies, view/transfer our library of Hi8 movies, and capture digital stills for transer to our computer.  This camera has exceeded our expectations in all these areas.While my husband was anxious to get a digital video camera, I was reluctant to spend the money, even though our analog videocam is three years old -- a dinosaur by today's standards -- heavy and clunky with few features.  But now I'm the one who is always grabbing the camera to film and to take pictures.  I love it.  Using a memory stick that can be purchased in several capacities, you can take still pictures even as you're filming; the memory stick we got holds approximately 400 pictures.  You can find your shot using the viewfinder (in b&w;) or the LCD screen (in color).  We had no trouble at all, using the included cable and software, transferring images and movies to our Macintosh computer; it will work for an Intel machine too.  A recharge takes us about 80 minutes and is then good for 90 minutes of recording time using the LCD screen or 110 minutes using the viewfinder.Problematic are the LCD screen which, even when adjusted, is difficult to view in high light conditions, and the steep learning curve on the many functions and buttons.  On the other hand, there are so many buttons and functions because this camera DOES so many things.  There are lots of special effects too.  The buttons are very small but that also helps keep the size of the camera down.  Some frequently used functions, like backlight and fade, need only a single button to activate.Bottom line:  It will take you a while to learn everythng that this Sony can do -- the manual is nearly 270 pages!! --  but your effort will be greatly rewarded.  Also, this camera is terrific if you have tapes in the older Hi8 format.  Great camera.
I would like to start of by stating its great film quality. Also with its perfect resolution and zooming, it makes this a bullzie for sony.  On top of its great control, it has simple and easy to use and fun features.  I was very suprisied when my parents bought this also and learned how to use this withen two days [a new world record ;)]THese features include fade, freeze frame (great for an intro) and many others.  While the playback on the camera is OK, the sound isnt very good, but then again, you werent ment to watch the movie on the camera, watching it on the TV is what your supposed to do.  Which brings me to uploading, The loading it onto the computer takes a longggggggggg time using a USB cable, but using the FireWire(which i am disappointed to say does not come with the package but is supplied at a low price on Ebay) takes a matter of a few minutes.  Watching it on the TV is what it all comes down to, because, thats just what you want.  To watch your Steven Speilberg movie on the big screen ;).  Anyways...My friends and i have a blast fooling around with the features while making suprisingly excellent movies.Overall: 4.5 STARS  Great product
This is a great camera but it can be noisy - I had to return the first one because it was really really noisy.  The one that replaced it was better, but still way noisier than my old Sony Hi8 which was downright silent.  I guess the tape moves twice as fast and the heads probably spin faster too.  Anyway, considering that the Hi8 was $1400 in 1992, this is a good deal as it has a bunch of things I wanted then like a built in light and the LCD display.There's a fine line between &quot;noticeable&quot; and &quot;annoying&quot; noise levels and this one is right up against it.  As I understand it lots of the new digital cameras, including the DV format cameras are noisier than the older analog models, I guess unless you start spending more than a grand or so.  Oh well. 4/5 stars.
I love this camera, we have had it for years, replacing an older JVC model.  It is very user friendly, other family members have it too. We have hours of video of our children.  I was not able to transfer any video to my new computer with VISTA on it.  We finally discovered that if you get a 4 pin/6 pin firewire it will work.  I successfully downloaded 4 hrs last night.  I was thrilled.  We did get an adapter for my Express Card slot because I do not have a firewire port on my labtop.
II EARNED LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS USING THIS CAMERA IN MY PROFESSiION...TRAINING PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH THE MEDIA, NEWSPAPER JOURNALISTS AND TOUGH MAJOR TV NETWORK  REPORTERS...LIKE ME.  tO DO THIS, i  MOVED FROM 30 rOCK....TO MADISON AVENUE AS A SENIOR vp OF THE WORLD''S LARGEST PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY. LATER I established my own company to further improve and expand the process...making the most money ever in my life...This was part of my &#34;Studio in a Bag&#34; as I traveled to train CEO's, of S&P; 500 corporations, movies stars, famous, sports figures,members of  royaly, Prime Ministersi and Presidents of  nations....and even Royalty.Handy little device for making the &#34;BIG BUCKS!&#34;
I wanted to make movies and I had heard that using my mac, this was possible.  I didn't want to dither over what camera to use, so I called my sister and she suggested this model.  She teaches photography and video production to adults and she's used just about every camera known to man.  She said that the JVC was cheaper, but wasn't as steady as the TRV350.  I said, &quot;OK&quot;, went to Amazon and put my money down.  Two days later, it was resting on my doorstep when I came home from work.  I have had a blast making movies of all sorts.It's true that you have to buy a firewire cord, but it doesn't have to be a &quot;Sony&quot; firewire cord, just firewire!  As a Mac user, the hookup to imovie is seamless.  Just plug it in and away you go!!!The camera came with a one-hour battery which was fine for awhile, but then I went on Ebay and bought a huge battery for a fine price.Imagine my happiness when my sister gave me a memory stick for Christmas... I was in hog heaven.  Now I don't have to carry my digital camera around or take &quot;freeze frames&quot; from my movies.I give the TRV 350 my unconditional love and approval.  If it doesn't do what you want it to, then you probably haven't read the mannual.  Hey, I don't blame you, it's massive!  I read it when I have a question or just get to wondering, &quot;I wonder if I can do that?&quot;I've run about 25 cassettes through the camera and am still finding ways to use it in my work (I'm a speech therapist).Well, that's my two cents worth!  If you buy one, I hope you enjoy it!
I wanted a camcorder to replace my old Sony Hi8 TR81 which I loved. Stuck with Digital8 for compatibility. The TRV350 has a lot of great features for the price but I thought the motor noise was too loud. The TR81 didn't make much noise at all. When viewing tapes you can hear the motor. Just didn't think it was acceptable so I returned it. Went to the JVC GRD70 and MiniDV. Returned as well. Read review.
I was trying to find a way of digitizing my old Hi8 videos of my kids. This camera was exactly what I needed. In pefect condition, with extra cords and a remote, and it arrived much faster than anticipated. Plugged it into a VHS to CD maching with the included cords and push go. I have spent hours easily digitizing the old films and am looking forward to taking new ones. I had a question about the digital aspects of the camera and the seller was back to me in hours. I am a completely happy customer.
I purchased this camera upon the recommendation of a salesman at Circuit City.  The next day we left on a family vacation &quot;trip of a lifetime.&quot;  This camera was terrible!  It NEVER got the lighting correct.  All of our faces are washed out.  We all extensively read the manual to try to correct it and there was nothing we could do.  Also it seems if you go from outside into air condition you need to do this an hour in advance because this camera has a feature that won't let you video tape if the temperature change is significant.  In other words - if it's summertime - forget about using the camera.  You'll have to wait for it to &quot;dry out&quot; in the a/c.  Sony seems to be more interested in all kinds of &quot;wiz bang&quot; editing features than a quality picture.Thanks to Sony our &quot;trip of a lifetime&quot; will not be &quot;picture perfect.&quot;  I took the camera back and upgraded to an Hitachi and have been extremely pleased.  This was after looking at every other camera they had, including the higher priced Sonys.  Every Sony has a problem adjusting the lighting.  While I was picking out another camera, another customer told me a cameraman from a local TV station told her to NEVER buy a Sony camera because they are not good quality (that's not the exact words used, but I don't want this to be edited).Don't buy this camera or any other Sony.  I would also recommend not purchasing a camera immediately before a trip.  Buy it in advance so you can test it out and get used to the equipment.Buy an Hitachi - you'll be much happier.
Used this product professionally with extension opticals. The ability to capture motion and extract specific frames was the function that made this unit extremely useful. The work was investigative with 90% surveillance. Add in Night Shot and this was the unit. I used it with the auto adapter. The unit I purchased from YANA performs similarly. It doesn't have the extended optics but every other function is available. Since I'm retired, I don't use it for the same work. It does, however, perform well for the Still Capture from video and other Hi8 " slide show " transfers I accomplished. A Great Unit for the beginner or the advanced. A good value for a used item I might add. I'll probably go back to YANA.
Well, this is the model one level higher than 250, and more expensive.  Is it worth?  My answer is, definitely YES.  I don't want to repeat what the manufacturer review and others said.  Here is the usage summary from my experience (I used both camcoders and returned 250).Pros compared to 250:1) Analog to digital conversion feature.  You can record directly from your VCR and convert the analog signal into digital one.  Either with USB or Firewire, you can make your own VCD or DVD.  With XP, windows movie maker can be the capture software and it does a better job than the ImageMixer came with the camcoder.2) Super Night Vision.  16 times brighter than Night shot (250 has).  You can record Save Private Lynch in complete darkness with this camcoder (either in color or green).3) Downward compatability.  This camera can play hi8, 8mm tapes while 250 can not play hi8 tapes.Cons:1) You need to buy a Firewire cable (6 pin to 4 pin if you connect to your PC), maybe a PCMCIA or PC adaptor for Firewire as well.  It's OK even you don't have them but the USB is 1.0 version so it won't be as fast as firewire (depending on how big you want the video to be).2) Memory stick.  Considering the cost of purchasing a separate memory stick this camera can be more expensive than a Canon or JVC mini-DV one.3) Extra battery.  Same thing.  Japs are smart.  SO you need to spend more on accessories.For all the 3 cons, you can get around without purchasing anything.  E.g., use USB intead of Firewire; do not take still images (therefore not using memory stick) or use Start/Stop to record picture and use software to capture later on; use direct power instead of battery if possible.  Accessories are 50%cheaper on ebay.All in all, from big 20x optical zoom to super night shot, A/D conversion to downward compatibility with hi8, 8mm, USB steaming as a web camera, you name it.  The features of this camcoder are very complete.  But nothing is perfect and everything is tradeoff, don't you agree?
It was pretty hard to find a battery for a camera I bought over seven years ago, but this one is the perfect match! The old battery had stopped holding a charge and with this replacement, it started working like new again. The other reviews were making me a little nervous, but I was lucky enough to receive one that was an original fujifilm battery and I haven't had any problems with it.
I have a really oldFujifilm Finepix V10 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3.4x Optical Zoom (Orange)that wouldn't hold a charge. I love the camera and the photos it took so I'm glad I was able to just replace the battery and it works good as new!
My Fuji camera will "only" take Fuji brand batteries - it will not take anything else comparable so I rate this as excellent.
I ordered one Fuji NP40 Battery.I wanted the original...no knock offs.Two non-Fuji batteries and one camera case for who knows what camera showed up. The staff answered my email in 3 business days. They sent me a free call tag. A full credit was received shortly thereafter. I found the original NP40 battery at Best Buy for $39.99 and tax. More than I wanted to pay but it is the real thing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I ordered this battery for my granddaughters Fuji camera. She said it has worked just great and would order another if she needs one.Good product.Thanks,Gordon Johnson
My FujiFilm F700 takes great photos, but runs low on battery before you even get to fill up the card. I bought a 650mAh generic equivalent from an Amazon seller and it works great. It is light enough to carry around just like a memory card and it's really easy to change batteries when I need. Product is a little pricey at $40, so buy from an Amazon seller. If you find one cheap this is a must-have for your camera!
The Fujifilm NP40 battery is a powerful little lithium-ion rechargeable battery. It's identical in size and shape to the the excellent Canon NB-4L battery (uncannily similar, really). A couple of one-star reviews on this page are actually referring to a different item, which is a generic Fuji battery with case. They are unfortunately reviewing a completely different product, which can give the wrong impression about this particular Fujifilm battery. (Always be sure to check the product listing carefully, Amazon carries both name-brand and generic versions of camera batteries and chargers. If the price seems "too low", that's probably why! Just READ CLOSELY before ordering). This product, the genuine Fujifilm-brand NP-40 battery, is a good, solid, long-lasting rechargeable battery.
I have a Z1 and the battery life become unbearable.  Basically just a couple of pictures and it would say low battery.  Don't even try using flash either.  So I had to get a replacement.Try not to get a 3rd party battery.  I tried and it was DOA.  I know the price would tempt you but just go with the official brand.Sadly though, if you think about it.  Camera prices aren't that expensive so you might as well just buy a new camera instead of replacing the battery.
The battery life on my Fuji Z3 was getting to were it wouldn't even stay on long enough to take a picture so I knew I needed a new battery but figured they were super expensive so instead my husband just bought me a whole new camera.  Then my grandmother wanted to purchase my old camera from me and I thought since it was always dying I'd get on here to see about getting a new battery for the Z3 and just let her have it.  So I shipped her the battery and she said it works perfectly and I love how it was an original Fuji battery and not some junky off brand version.  It makes the old camera take pictures like it was brand new and is better quality than my newer camera.  :)
I tried the no-name batteries before.  They didn't last past 3 charge cycles before they were dead. I like the fact that Amazon.com has the choices!
I tested a DCS-2000 out as a security camera for my small retail store.  I  upgraded the firmware to 1.07 and IP surveillance to 2.12.  At 320x240 i can't really make out a face more than 15 ft away, but a person moving at 10 ft alway causes the video to become choppy.  I guess this system is good for areas where there are not much movement and where there is no need to have a clear image to ID a unknown person.  The software and idea of this system is good, but that is about all that is good about this system.
I tested this camera, and if you don't need the built-in audio support, the AXIS 2100 Network Camera is the industry standard and a better choice. Considerable better image quality, especially at lower light conditions, and at the same price. If you want even better functionality and performance Axis also has a professional series of surveillance network cameras, (but are at least twice as expensive).
I have both the wired and the wireless versions of the 2000 series in my house and I've been pretty pleased with them.  It's very easy to setup and get the basics working - I had a little trouble figuring out how to get my Linksys router to forward requests from outside the firewall to the correct camera but that has more to do with me being a bonehead than anything else.I like the video survalence software quite a bit, the motion detection stuff is slick, easy to use and works well.  Similiar feature sets on other cameras (i.e. Apex) will cost you quite a bit more.Couple knocks that kept me from giving it 5 stars - the email notification stuff (Which works with just the logic built into the camera itself) doesn't fire off reliably.  About 1 in 4 events did not result in email - however those same events always recorded with the video survalence software.  Their on line knowledge base/support pages are kinda weak (no searching capability!).  The picture could be better for outdoors - I'm looking into alternative CS lenses to see if I can improve it.Over all those are minor knocks on what is really a great product over all.
I've tried two of these units now, and neither of them work.  The first wouldn't even get to where it's webserver was running and their tech support was useless.  The second one will at least show a picture, but sometimes it likes to ignore web requests.  Plus they seem to try to make it hard for you.  It's very non-intuitive and has alot of things hard coded that shouldn't be.I guess this is an alright BASIC camera, but don't expect it to be able to do anything cool at all.
Well, I chose to ignore the blatant Axis commercial someone put here as a review. I own the D-link 2000 and the Axis. The Axis is more expensive, has poorer software and is a royal pain to set up and configure.The D-Link, while suffering some low light issues, is a snap to configure and update, simple to set up as a live web-cam or security cam. It's included security software is great!  I actually now have 6 D-link cameras set up as door monitors, security, and to watch the dog (seems to be a popular use - what do we expect them to do, dance?)Bottom line - not a better bang for the buck!
I was given this unit as a gift and find it an extremely easy to use and fun device.  I can display my digital pictures almost instantaneously in a slide show format directly from my camera, or by downloading from my laptop.  The clarity is crisp and the ease of use makes this a joy to have sitting on my desk!
My Father in law got this for my birthday... while I was flattered, I have not been too impressed.  It basically functions as a screen saver that you can put in your living room.  I find it a bit tacky and wish I didn't need to put it out whenever my in-laws visit.  A great alternative could be going to the store and getting your digital photos developed and finidng a nice frame for all of the important ones--- there are photo albums for the rest... thanks for nothing Pacific Digital USB Digital Photo Frame.
Ours was returned because the resolution was too low. With 4mp cameras the standard and 6 to 8mp becoming available to the average consumer, this lcd does not provide value for its price.
We love this, and have it in our living room. We have gotten very creative with it. When we have certain people over to our house, we will rotate their photo in so that they think that we have them on our minds all the time. I know that sounds bad, but I know that some of my husband's friends shouldn't be showcased all the time.But we love it. I would love for them to create 11x14 in size. Cant' wait this would be amazing over a fireplace.
A great idea poorly executed.  The construction is cheap.  The screen is marginal at best.  But worst of all, it refuses to recognize any of the 3 digital cameras I have on hand or a USB card reader.A piece of junk that I am now returning
This is totally wow!  First off, I never bought into thefirst gen of digital photo frames since really I thoughtthe displays were too small, and unwieldy to download to.I'd seen Sony's and the Ceiva pic frame in action, and this is so much more universal for our use.  Honestly, just the size was an instant sell. I guess the Ceiva lets you load up pix remotely once its set up, but I hated the thought of a subscription service etc.Pro #1 The 10&quot; active matrix TFT is super bright, has great resolution and the pix just pop out at you. Definitely, the view angle is not as good as my flat panel monitor, but its absolutely as good as any laptop.Pro #2 is super easy to use with my 3 yr old ME desktop.  got about 40 pix loaded on and the software set up in about 15 min.Con#1 is also a pro -- they provide a pretty basic, and not too fantastic frame, but you can snap it into many of your own styles of picture frame, to suit your decor.  Can also be wall mounted.( great idea with a toddler around the house)
I strongly discourage anyone from buying this photo frame.The screen is too dark, and raising the brightness makes the whole screen whiter, washing out the picture.  You will also not be able to see the image unless your are standing to the right of the frame and looking down.  The viewing angle is sooo small that you will almost never be able to see the picture as you are walking past it.  You have to stop and make sure the viewing angle is right to be able to see the picture as it would look on a computer screen.In addition, the screen started flickering horribly after about 5 months, needing warranty repair.  It would stop flickering if the photo frame was left turned off for a few hours, but would come back after a few hours of being turned on.New photo frames are comming that are cheaper, have better viewing angles and higher resolution.  I strongly suggest you wait for those.
This review is for the 8x10 frame.  First it should be noted that the Frame is 8x10 not the screen.  The screen is actually 6.5 x 8.5.  The product is solid and feels sturdy.  It has the ability to be used as either a stand alone frame or hung on a wall.  Pictures are entered into the frame via a USB port that connects to either a computer or a card reader.  The display is nice but you need to stand back a few feet to appreciate it as it looks washed out up close.  The image definitely leans towards the darker side but nothing that would be considered distracting.  It also has a nice side angle viewpoint.  The product ships with a program called Digital Pixmaster which is where you can create slideshows with text, WAV files and transitions.  Pictures can be displayed for various time lengths from 5 seconds to 8 hours.  You can also rotate the image orientation picture by pictrue.  The real disappointment is in the way the program handles text and .WAV files.  First, there is no control over font, size or position of text.  It appears as a black bar with white text at the bottom of the picture.  Secondly, the WAV files attach to the individual picture and not to the slideshow thus making it impractical to play background music throughout a slideshow.  Furthermore, the program only works with available internal memory.  This pretty much rules out the ability to load a music track saved in WAV format becasue its just too big to fit in memory.  You are relagated to playing sound bytes which do work quite well. Overall the software is easy to use and accomplishes the task of creating slideshows quite nicely.  The manual is short, sweet and to the point.  You really will be up and running in minutes.  Connecting to a PC was easy and painless.  So why only three stars?  Because it promises things it really can't deliver.  The screen is smaller then advertised, the software is very basic and the much hyped stero sound is wasted on small sound byte files because the memory in the frame cannot hold even a 2 minute song.  There is promise of the ability to run a slideshow from a USB attached device but no word yet. These are all acceptable items if you do not pay anwhere near the asking price of $499.  Overall, if you have the cash to burn and want the best picture frame in this size then this is the unit for you.
This frame is great. Very good product. It was easy to load and unload pictures.The only draw back is that sometimes the pictures are displayed to dark.
Pacific Digital has gone out of business and no longer provides support for these.  They have a high failure rate on the LCD backlight, and probably should be avoided.
At the beginning this camcorder seemed perfect, great video, easy to use, and the price made it an excellent value.  I bought this camcorder because I figured it would be reliable.  Unfortunately, after using the camera for about 18 months, the CCD failed.  The camera now just records dark fuzzy ghostly video.  The repair shop claims that almost all Sony digital camcorder CCDs are defective in design which eventually causes a capicitor in the CCD board to die.  The CCD can be replaced for around $250, but the replacement designs are also defective and aren't guaranteed to last any longer than the originals.  So, in summary, you will love this camera for the few days or months that it lasts but then you'll swear that you'll never buy Sony again after the camcorder fails and you find out how unhelpful the Sony service department is.  Before buying this camera do a google search for "Sony black screen failure" and you'll find hundreds of cases of people experiencing the same problem I did.  If you talk to Sony, they'll tell you that they have never had another customer with the same problem.
If you own a new Macbook and dont have firewire, forget it!None of the USB features work on a  Mac. Sony never created any drivers for Mac (past OS9) and thesupplied software only works with a system long abandoned. Oh butyou can pay 99 dollars for a newer version! http://www.pixela.co.jp/en/products/authoring/imagemixer3_mac_retail/I doubt that will even work USB. Sony is now one of the most lazy, worthless manufacturers ever.Nice job on the quality Sony.
I researched this product before I bought and it has had a lot of great reviews.  Basically, for the price, it's a great camera for first time buyers who want a decent digital camera.Sony makes good products - I looked at other cameras of the same type and others looked cheaper.Biggest mistake when using:  I used nightshot to try and capture some Vegas lights (at night of course) and everything was green!  Don't use nightshot unless your in an unlit area - you'll be able to tell through the viewfinder if your getting a picture or not -That was my only problem and that is why I gave it four stars - they don't mention the color problem in the manual.  Otherwise great first camera at a great price.
The main reason I bought this camera is so that I could (finally) digitize the 8mm tapes we had recorded of our first son. We were given a Sony anolog camcorder as a gift about 4 years ago. We could not trade it in for a digital and so we decided that one day we would either get a video bridge or update to DV. Our hand was forced when our old camera died. Although I really wanted a miniDV camcorder I thought that it would be more practical to stay with a camera that used 8mm tapes. Well, this camera can use those tapes...but it can't play them back if they were recorded with an analog camcorder. Looks like I will have to return this unit in favor of the Sony 350 which DOES appear to be backwards compatible.
I used to own SONY TRV 340. I bought the TRV 250 for less and found that it is much better than TRV 340. TRV 340 costs around two times as the TRV 250. But it is an old model so don't buy it if I were you. You can connect to computer easily with USB port for the TRV 250. For TRV 340, you have to buy separate firewire card and software.It is a bad idea to take still pictures into memory stick for a digital camcorder. The quality of the picture won't be good. Get a digital camera instead.
I basically have been torturing my kitty learning this.  But it's easy to use.  I have sworn I cannot get good pictures of kitty because she does not slow down.  Now I came have a kitty cam!! hehehe.  Seriously, the pictures were sharp.  I had now trouble loading there.  It's small, compact and basically great fun for a cheap price.  Hard to believe Sony that reasonable.I only give it four stars because it I am still learning, so don't know enough about to give it really high rating as compared to others.
EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE FEATURES OF THE SONY DIGITAL8 CAMCORDER!PLAYS THRU YOUR COMPUTER AND RECORDS TO A DVD...THIS IS A NICE UNIT, EASY TO USE..!The Sony DCR-TRV250 camcorder delivers all the benefits of Digital8 recording quality in a smaller chassis.The TRV250 features a 2.5-inch color LCD display and you can make your own digital-quality movies!In addition to its crisp, clear digital video and stereo audio, the Sony TRV250 can also stream live and recorded moving video to a PC via USB.Transfer video to your PC via iLink interface (also known as FireWire) to edit your masterpiece with the included software.Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors--a more accurate system than those used by many other camcorders on the market.Now you can capture video even in total darkness.Sony's NightShot system uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye.You can shoot subjects such as a sleeping baby up to 10 feet away in total darkness.Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV250 incredible operating time.To keep tabs on battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining--right in the viewfinder!The Sony TRV250 measures 3.63 by 4.00 by 7.88 inches.FEATURES INCLUDE:**) 20X Optical/700X Digital Zoom**) 2.5" SwivelScreen LCD Display**) SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System**) NightShot Infrared 0 Lux System**) Photo Mode**) Digital8 System**) 1/6" CCD 460K Pixels**) USB Streaming Feature**) i.LINK DV Interface**) Built-In Light (3 Watt)**) On screen Battery Information**) InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System**) Digital Program Editing**) Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes**) Picture Effects ModeThis package includes the TRV250 camcorder, power adaptor/in-camera charger InfoLithium rechargeable battery, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and CD-ROM with PIXELA ImageMixer Version 1.5 software and USB driver software.Model No: DCR-TRV250 (R)Weight: 5.5 Lbs.
Almost a best MiniDV camera quality for this price.Little bulky compared to a MiniDV camera, but you haveto pay at least twice the price. You can use cheap 8mmcassette too(use Hi8, LP mode to get 90min).USB video transfer is best for VCD creation, use Firewireif you want DVD quality.
Other than a few really dumb design flaws, this camera is perfect.  I didn't want to spend a fortune on an all-digital camcorder, and I wanted better quality than a regular 8mm.  This digital-8 format is perfect!  The price of the camera can't be beat, especially considering the high quality.  The video is crystal clear and the still photo feature is really wonderful.  The camera is easy to use and very lightweight.  The still photos I took came out really well, even when people were moving around.  The night vision feature is amazing and I've been having alot of fun with it.The only things I don't like about this camera are:1.  The battery only lasts for about an hour, and getting a 2nd battery with a charger & accessories costs almost as much as the camera itself.2.  The Hi-8 tapes only last one hour so you constantly have to change them.  They also take FOREVER to rewind.3.  When you have a tripod screwed into the bottom of the camera, you cannot change the tape without removing the camera from the tripod!  If they had moved that over about 1/2 inch it would be fine.4.  The included software is horrible and doesn't work very well at all.  It was written in Japanese and most of the English translation makes no sense.  I would not recommend even installing it.  Instead, get something like Vegas Video or even Ulead Video Studio (which came with the Firewire card I purchased) to get the videos into your computer.These are just simple little inconveniences that anybody can live with to get such a high quality camera at a great price!I would recommend installing a Firewire card into the computer if you plan on using that for video editing.  If you aren't going to connect the camera to a computer, the included video cable makes it really easy to hook up to a VCR.  The remote control is great for controlling the camera when watching your videos.  As stupid as it sounds, I never realized how much easier it is with the remote.All in all, this is a great camera at a great price and I would highly recommend it to anyone.  No, it's not professional grade, but it's perfect for the average Joe that wants to capture everyday stuff.
i bought the sony dcr trv 250 based on sony's name. i was overall satisfied with the quality of the video and the ease of use of hte camera. needless to say sony delivers.however, it can't play back my old hi-8 tapes so that sucks. i would really have loved that functionality as well.
Before you purchase this camcorder, do a web search for DCRTRV250 Black screen. You will find a problem that some owners of this camcorder have had. It appears after about 1 year. The viewfinder and LCD screen go black. This is not something you did and it is not something you can fix yourself. In my opinion it is caused by a defective part.The standard cost of repairing the camcorder is $269.00 not including shipping or additional parts and labor. I do not know if the part they replace is equally defective and I don't know if the repair is under warrenty.It is my opinion that, regardless of the warranty, a camcorder should last longer than a year. Needless to say this is frustrating. Unfortunately, I will be shopping for a new camera.I have learned a lesson here. In the future, when I buy a high tech product, I'll get one with a good warranty from a company which stands behind it's products.If you know how to repair this sort of equipment on your own the cost of the part is about $120.00.It was a great camcorder when it worked. It had a really nice feel in the hand. It was easy to use and slick. I liked that I could mport all my tapes into my Mac using Imovie.
This camera is great.  It does the job and fits into my budget.  I was debating between this and the Canon ZR65 but found that this Sony has better quality.  I checked at Best Buy to see the image quality and it helped a lot.  The only benefit I saw in getting the canon was to take still pictures and it has a slot for memory card.  But the still pictures are poor quality and meant for a digi-cam which I recently purchased too. =)  This Sony trv250 camcorder gave me everything I wanted: best picture quality for lowest price, digital and capability to transfer to pc.  When you watch the videos, the picture looks perfect.  But once you record it onto vhs, you lose picture quality but that's due to the VHS technology.  One of the main reasons I got this is to transfer the videos to my pc.  The software it came with sucks.  It saves it as .mpg which is great, but I couldn't even save a 20 mins video.  It crashed several times.  So I ended up using windows movie maker and it made my video fine but as an .avi format.  I need to find a program that converts the .avi to .mpg so I can burn into vcd.  One big flaw though is when you transfer the video using usb (it's 1.0, not 2.0), it becomes choppy, unbelievably choppy.  I was scared I couldn't transfer videos anymore as it can get very annoying watching my home videos choppy.  So I went out and got a firewire card and tried again and it worked smoothly.  I was getting nervous about my purchase but it worked out.  The night version is awesome.  In a pitch dark room, I can see everything, in green.  Its infrared vision makes me feel like a G.I. Joe.  I took this camcorder out to the dessert and videotaped my trip and it came out well.  My friends thought the quality was pretty good too.  The accessories that I bought were a stand, NPFM70 battery that lasts 4+ hrs, camera protective lens for the dusty times (avoid scratches on the actual lens), digital8 tapes (it should've at least came with one, cheap-a*s Sony), and a camcorder backpack to keep everything. All in all, for the price of the camera, I think it was a great purchase.
We decided to go with the digital8 format for our upcoming first baby as the quality is similar to miniDV but the camcorders are about [$$$] less right now.  Plus the Hi-8 tapes that digital8 uses are cheaper too.I am very pleased with the results so far and it seems like an excellent camcorder.  The low-light is good enough and the daylight is spectacular.  I have already shot a clip of our dog, transferred via firewire to our PC, converted it to a smaller size and emailed it.  The quality is great.  I look forward to getting a DVD writer and archiving our baby videos.If you like the Sony name and don't want to spend the [$$$] for a Sony miniDV camcorder, this is the one to get.
Great Sony Video Camera for the price. I can use this camera and convert my video to CD-Videos and DVD using the USB and Firewire connections.
"There is no picture or a black screen appears in the viewfinder or LCD when attempting to record."Knowledge Article  C116445====================================Well, this happened to my camera after 15 months after very light use.Minimium repair charge is $269.
My first experience with a video camera was an old full sized VHS camera with about 10 minutes of battery life and a profile that made me look like someone from News at 11.  After being out of the video scene for 10+ years, I did the research and decided that the Sony line was best.  Well, today I went out to the local Wal-Mart and saw this model and played with it for about 10 minutes.  I really was able to figure out the basic controls very quickly and was blown away when I could zoom in quickly across the store to the mole on a clerk's face.  The checkbook was doomed when I realized the camera was steady enough to count the hairs growing from the mole!!For me and most first time camcorder buyers, this model has more than enough features, which are listed in the review.  I especially like that it hooked up to my Windows XP Home Edition system without an error.  I was playing with my first streaming USB movie in 10 minutes.  I took the camera outside at dusk and was able to record close up objects with amazing clarity.  The Remote Commander works great -- I even have the added &quot;feature&quot; of being able to turn my stereo on and off with it!!The only &quot;drawbacks&quot; would be the short battery life (you really need to get a longer life battery which is readily available and at a good price.)  The other problem for me is the bottom loading of the tape cartridge which means removing the camera from the tripod to change tapes.
I bought this camcorder for my wife to save her using my Sony PDX-10. I also did not want one that was tiny. My main beef with it and with my PDX-10 is the software to connect it to a PC stinks. This company could learn a lot from Apple. It was not my incompetence I discovered a whole message board of others making the same complaint. Fot the gentleman wo lost his CD don't bother replacing it buy some third party software.One advantage of the D8 format is you can use cheap tapes (my daughter records her theater practise sessions) and you can use it for old Hi-8 tapes.
I wanted a small camcorder, and I love my Canon Powershot and Canon printer, so I decided to stick with Canon and bought the new Canon Elura 50...great camcorder, so small and so cool, a perfect match for my Powershot!  But then I had to go ruin it by taking video with it!  Outside was ok..but as soon as you took any inside footage, the grain was just awful, and the audio only picked someone talking from within 5 feet...any further than that forget it.  Also, the auto focus tends to fade in and out.  I took it back for the TRV22 and now I can see why this camcorder gets such rave reviews...it just works, and works well.  Video, both outside and indoors, was perfect, the touch screen is cool and works great, the auto focus is always right on, the sound is great (no motor noise) and the size,not the smallest available, but it's still acceptable.  So in short, until Canon improves the video and audio quality of their camcorders, save yourself the trouble and get a Sony.
Bought my TRV22 online after lots of research, got a great deal from butterfly.com.  Low shipping cost and 2-day FedEx, was delivered on 7/9/03. Bought a Tamrac 5201 bag from canogacamera.com that fits my Digital Camera as well as the TRV22 with room to spare.  Also, a spare battery, and 10 DV tapes from ecost.com.The TRV22 performs as advertised: great picture, very effective steady shot, great low-light performance.  With video this great you should seriously consider buying a DVD burner and some entry-level software.  I picked up a Plextor 504A DVD+R burner, and use Pinnacle Studio 8 for video capture.  Don't even bother with the software that comes with the TRV22, Pinnacle makes it foolproof.  One more thing: buy a IEEE1394 Firewire cable for transferring the video to the PC, but try sfcable.com for a price that is roughly 1/8 of what Sony wants for the iLink cable.  Get the 6-pin to 4-pin model for a PC.Also, I was using my video capture card to convert VHS tapes to digital, but the TRV22 has the same capability.  I tried making two DVDs, one with the video capture card, and one passing it through the TRV22.  The TRV22 version was far superior, much better final product.Bottom line: you can't beat these features for the price.
While updating  the historical files for our church, we found a presentation that was recorded with this older model camcorder.  No one had the equipment to transfer the tapes to a disc so we found this item at a great price.  It solved the problem and is still being used.  Thanks for helping to preserve history.
I just picked up this thing over the weekend.  My fiance and I decided to buy it to record our wedding and reception.  We might buy the additional light (it's not too expensive) because we're not sure how bright things will be at the reception.  And probably a larger battery too.  The one [battery] that comes with the DCR-TRV22 can do about 70 min.  That's not too shabby, but for what we're using it for... we need more.Here are some pros and cons as I see it now:PROS:Tiny!  This thing literally fits in the palm of your hand.Touch-screen menu on the LCD screen.  Very cool and easy to use.Digital image.  Transfer from the camera to your computer without any loss of quality!The button to start/stop recording is easily and quickly accessible.  So there's no fumbling around.The Steadyshot works really well.  No loss of quality as far as I could tell.Nightshot works very well.  I tested it out in almost pitch black conditions and still got a decent shot.  It all has a green tint, but at least you can see!Adjustable viewfinder, which is key when you're outside and the sun is keeping you from seeing the LCD screen.Performs very well in low light situations.  The optional back light feature can add some brightness if needed.USB, Firewire, and RCA output... something for every occasion.CONS:Low picture resolution when using it as a simple digital camera.  I don't plan to use it for that purpose, so I really don't care about this.10x optical zoom.  Other makes and models totally blow this camera out of the water in this department.Conclusion:I think it was worth the price.  The higher-priced model (the DCR-TRV33, I think) was almost exactly similar except that it could take slightly higher resolution photos.  So upgrading wasn't worth the price in our opinion.I'm *very* happy with this camcorder.  It's tiny and easy to use.  The tapes are affordable and you can't argue with digital quality.  I'd recommend this camcorder to my friends and I recommend it to you!
Mine lasted 2-1/2 years. Then suddenly one day the screen went black while recording. Then it would work for a while but the colors were distorted, then it would just black out again.It turns out this is a very common "Black Screen of Death" that is reported all over the internet and affects this model as well as other Sony camcorders. There is a class-action lawsuit regarding the affected Sony models.Sony of course deny's that there's a problem and wants $289 to fix it. Some who have had it repaired report that the same problem occurs anywhere from 90 days to 1-year after the repair.Stay away from the Sony camcorders until they fix these problems
Factors important to us in selecting this product, in roughly this order, were:* it uses MiniDV tapes, which I preferred to DVDs and CDs and other media because of resolution, cost, and ease of use* it uses the same memory sticks as our still camera* it includes an A&gt;D coverter - that is, it has an input so I can connect our VCR and transfer old VHS tapes (like our honeymoon) to DVD; to do that otherwise would have meant a 100-200 dollar device added to the camera or our PC* it includes 3 forms of digital output (S, USB, and firewire) so that I can transfer the memory stick and miniDV to a PC, for storage and backup and uploading and DVDs* it had a good lens (Carl Zeiss) and 8x optical zoom (digital zoom isn't the same; it just stretches the pixels) * it got great reviews, including from Marco* it has decent still resolution, but we didn't expect to rely on it for stills; paying for still resolution is expensive (about 100 bucks per megapixel in a still camera, more in a video camera)* it was on sale at Circuit City, with a free extra battery, camera bag, and light lens (although that was last fall)Things not to be fooled by, if you look at other products:* digital zoom* some models with a higher resolution (e.g. the TRV33) actually do poorer in low light *and* dont handle motion as well* an included light (built-in lights are apparently a heat problem, and a better attachment is under 20 bucks)* a bigger viewfinder (ours is 2.5&quot;; smaller would have been okay; bigger would have been silly)* paying too much for still resolution (1 to 2 megapixels is more than enough for email, websites, and small prints; 5 megapixels is a waste unless you're printing portraits)
I love this camera, because I use it for paranormal research. The only thing I don't like is that you can't do camera -to-PC transfer of files if you have Windows 7, you have to purchase the extra DV chord.The night-vision on the camera is great though. It shoots really clear for being a cassette-carrying camera.Overall 4/5, because I got the extra DV Chord for only 3 bucks.
I got this as a replacement for my previous VHS-C camcorder, since video quality wasn't good anymore. I researched technology websites and at retail stores I tested as many DV camcorders as I could and I really liked this one over the others. Sony is a reliable brand, in video stuff you can say they are the best in the business.Now that I own it I really like it and I think it was a great investment. Although, I would suggest you get video editing software should you want to create VCD's or DVD's I won't recommend any in particular because how software works depends on the computer and personal preferences, but I use My Dvd 5.2. And I like the VCD's and DVD's I have created even with 5.1 surround sound. I also use movie maker included in Windows XP to send video files to my relatives overseas.The video quality is great and you can back up on VHS tapes too, in case you're no interested in creating digital discs. I have read reviews against the sound, but for me it's OK, the only thing it lacks is a flash in order to take better still pictures, which you can take even as you are shooting video.I'm really pleased with its performance and I don't regret getting this camera. It was a great deal and worth every cent.
Sony camcorders are by far the best investment for what us regular people want from them. We want to be able to:1. Shoot video in a variety of lighting situations, especially in the house and even at night.2. Shoot nice quality video.3. Operate the camcorder easily and comfortably.The TRV-22 does all of this very well. I used to have the PC5, until I left it in a park somewhere. I couldn't afford another tiny camera so I did my research on this one. I am very pleased. It does everything the PC5 did and more.First of all the operating system of the TRV19,22 and 33 is the old style, without all of the graphics the new system uses. Personally I like the old way better. In nearly all lighting situations the LCD, which is used to access nearly all of the cameras manual functions, is very simple to use. On most other cameras you have to push buttons underneath the LCD, or use a jog dial, but with Sony's, you get to keep your eyes on all of the action on the screen while choosing a fader, or using the spot focus.I don't care what anyone says about low light capabilities when it comes to other cameras. I'm here to tell you that Sony's low light is fantastic. I recently compared the new JVC GRDX77 at home to my Sony. And the difference was incredible. With just one lamp on The JVC was very dark, and the Sony was bright and clear. Sure you can adjust the JVC but the quality drops quickly. And when you turn the lights off, the JVC is useless. Dont' believe the professional tests they do. They are only filming a stationary test pattern so there is no blur, which is what all the other cameras will give you in low light when you use their &quot;low light features&quot;. I can't tell you how many times I have used the infrared nightvision. Camping, watching my daughter sleep, looking into dark holes or into any place the eyes can't see. If the world was plunged into darkness I would definitely want to have my Sony camcorder.I've heard some things said about these camcorders are just plain false.1. The cameras manual functions cannot be utilized while using the viewfinder. Wrong. Flip the LCD out and recess it with the screen outward, and by pushing the screen you can see the commands appear in the viewfinder.2. When using the VCR function you can't get the on screen buttons off, which clutters it up. Wrong. Hit the display button on the camera body and the screen clears showing only the picture.3. The infrared is a ghostly unpleasant green. Wrong. You can go into the menu and change the color to sepia, black and white or negative. I like to use sepia.I love this TRV22. It has a hot shoe, if I ever need to use it. It has a mic plug in. It has every kind of plug and plug out you could need actually. Plus it has time lapse photography, something my older Sony was missing. The form of the body makes holding this camera wonderful. It fits perfectly in my large hands, but is still small emough that I will take it everywhere I go.Please believe me, you will not regret spending a little extra mullah on Sony, or if your smart you'll just pick up an older model like this one for under $400.Thank you for reading my review.
I use this camcorder mainly for making short video's and it is awsome.  I really like the touchscreen becuase it gets rid of all of the buttons on the camcorder and is so much easier.  Also something I haven't heard anyone say in the reviews is the record button on the side of the LCD screen as well as the normal buton by your right thumb.  The button beside the LCD is really nice for if you are trying to get an angled up view of someone, or are holding the camcoder in an awkard position.  The video has great quality under almost all circumstances, even if the still pictures aren't that great a camcorder is for video not pictures.The only things I don't like are; the 10x optical zoom which is small but the digital zoom does seem to be better than other camcorders I have had, the battery doesn't last as long as many other sony camcorders but is still above averge, and it has a slightly smaller viewing angle than most camcorders, but I have a wide angle lens that can be used to compensate for that if needed.  There is the quiet humming noise that others have talked about, but you can't hear it unless you have the volume turned up really loud so it shouldn't really affect your choice.The V22 camcorder is a great buy and is perfect for if you are taking home video's, or are editing short movies.  I am very happy with my purchase and recommend it to everyone.
the trv22 is the in the middle of the trv19/22/33 family.  it has a nice camcorder feature set but it's sitting on the fence as far as still capability is concerned.pros:- compact design, light weight.- larger size CCD should provides better low-light performance.- miniDV media is widely supported.- ability to take vga resolution pics to memory stick.- ability to record mpeg videos to memory stick (choppy).- analog-to-digital conversion with pass-through.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens.- color viewfinder.- intelligent accessory shoe.- steady shot and night shot.- progressive shutter system.- supports exif 2.2.cons:- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5&quot; LCD.- you could do better on the still photo department. unless all you want to do with your digital pics is to send over email or post to a website, you will be disappointed with the maximum 640x480 resolution this camcorder supports.- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.this is a nice camcorder but in my opinion, it is in no-camcorder's land with regard to still capability.  the supported maximum resolution is really only good for posting on the web or email.  if you don't care about still capability, save a few bucks and go for the trv19.  if you want better still resolution, go for the trv33 or pc-105 or panasonic's gs-70.  good luck.
I orginally bought the DCR-HC40, which is the 2004 version from Sony.  The HC40 has much better specs and is 25% smaller, which is significant.I actually loved the size of the HC40, although it was a little difficult to get a firm grip on as the middle fingers have no where to lock onto.  The HC40 does a good job during the day and I didn't notice and problems.  The touch screen was washed out but still usable for the menu during the day in sunlight.The major problem I had with the HC40 was in low light.  By low light I mean a typical living room lit by normal lighting at night.  I tried to take video in the living room at night lit by a florescent tube about 16 inches long torchere.  The light is comparable to a 100 watt light pointed at the ceiling.  The vide it recorded was extremly grainy and had many blue &quot;sparkles&quot; of grain.  You could see the picture but it was not pleasing or good at all.  Changing to night shot or color slow shutter would brighten it but still not make it pleasing.  Slow shutter blurred movement too much.  Night shot turned colors greenish.  I do not recomend this camera for filming indoor at night.  Yes, you can use a video light, but most people find a bright light in thier face anoying, and you can't get candid moments.  Seriously teh HC40 is good for daytime, but bad for nighttime even indoor with normal lighting.I then tried the TRV22 in the same low light.  It did much much better.  The video was still grainy, but you had to look for it.  My fiance didn't see the grain, but she sure did with the HC40.  She said the TRV22 looked professional.  The TRV22 produces good results at night in normal indoor lighting.  It is a much better choice then the HC40 for nighttime.  During the day, they both are good.The TRV22 also has edge you can grip better with your middle fingers, so it is easier to hold and more comfortable to use.  The grip on the HC40 makes it difficult to use.The HC40 and the new Sonys have a Easy mode.  All that does is make the on screen buttons bigger and doesn't let you do most things.  So to do the same thing on the TRV22, just don't press any buttons and leave it in automatic mode, which does great.As for photo capability, both make very very grainy pictures at night or indoors at night with normal lighting.  Both will take a OK picture outside during good sunlight.  The HC has better resolution.  But you are better getting a cheap small digital camera then either of these.You may wonder about the TRV33, well it is higher resolution, but does worse in low light then the TRV22.Also as of May 2004 you can find the TRV22 for four hundred thirty at BH photo video.Price aside I think the TRV22 is better as sooner or later most people will film at night indoors.  The features are almost the same, but the video at night is much much better on the TRV22.Both myeself and my fiance are happier with the TRV22.
I recently broke my Sony miniDV camcorder, so I decided to purchase another one.  I tried the malls, but found the prices to be very high.  So I decided to purchase a used one here on Amazon, and found my same exact camera model on sale here.  I didn't waste a minute in ordering it.  Although it didn't specify, it came with alot of extra stuff such as an extended battery, extra cables, camera bag, and even came with the original receipt of the items purchased years ago.  I recommend purchasing this camcorder.  I don't know how to thank the seller, but if you are reading this, thank you very much for giving me back hope and for giving me back my camera that I thought I had lost forever.
Strengths: Great low light performance, good image quality, low price, touchscreen LCD.  I love this camera. My two biggest criteria were low light performance and size. I think the TRV22 is a good compromise between the two. The low light performance is great, much better than the Canon's and better than the new smaller vertical Sony cameras. There is a very slight motor noise picked up by the microphone but it's not that noticable. It does pick up wind noise really bad but I think all camcorders do. Overall a great buy, if you want to shoot indoors this is one of the best.  I wasn't sure if I'd like the touchscreen LCD but it is simply awesome.  No more fooling around looking for buttons on the side, you can easily access everything from the menu while filming!
I have had my Sony DCR-TRV22 for four years now.  I have used it at least monthly and in December weekly.  For the last three years I have created DVD's with Final Cut Pro/Apple to distribute to family.  I use the Firewire feature with my apple to log and capture video.  I have a JVC SRDVM600 (Pro MiniDV HDD Deck $1200) but I like capturing video via firewire to my computer directly from the TRV22.  It has worked perfectly.  The only problem I have ever had is when I took the camera on a cruise in high humidity (only when on deck) it gave a beeping error and would not allow me to record. That was it.  The camera still works like new.  5 Stars.
Ive only had this camera for a week, but i'd like to find out of anyone has converted video on tape to vcd.thanks
To be honest, I love this camcorder. It is light and easy to use. I thought that the LCD screen menus would be a real hassle, and just a gimmick, but the menu is easy to use and it is better than trying to find a million tiny buttons behind more doors than &quot;Let's Make a Deal&quot; used to have. The picture quality is very good and image stabilization works fine. The only negatives are that it has a relatively weak zoom (optical 10X) compared to the competition, and that the tape is bottom loading meaning that you cannot switch out the tape if you have the machine on a tripod.Copying movies and pictures (don't use this as a snapshot camera, not great pictures and too big for that purpose), is a snap. Sony includes some basic software. You do not need a firewire connector (extra cost) as it includes a USB cable, which any computer has these days.
I purchased the DCR-TRV22 as an additional camcorder to go along with my DCR-HC38 for paranormal research.This camcorder is just a little larger than my DCR-HC38 but also has a few more options on it including the memory stick slot for still photos.NightShot works well but as with all my camcorders I also add an additionalSima SL-20IR Night vision Video Light (Black)to increase the brightness and range of the infrared light.If you have no need to clearly see further than 5-10' in zero light conditions the built-in NightShot will do fine. If you need to see an entire room or further, I recommend the additional SIMA light or if you are going to use it on a tripod I would suggest something like this:Clover Electronics IR010 Night Vision IR Lights with 30-Feet Range - Small (Black)The camcorder I ordered came with a base charger that holds 2 batteries as well as an RCA cable and a new Mini DV tape. As with most all camcorders I highly recommend getting at least 1 additional battery as a spare especially if you will be using it for long periods of time. I was fortunate enough to get the charger mentioned so during an investigation I can have 2 more batteries charging at all times.I transfer all my video to a computer for editing using a fire-wire cable and card in the PC. This camcorder supports fire-wire but did not come with a cable (I don't think any of the Sony Mini DV camcorders ship with the cable). It also supports USB but I'm not sure why since Windows will not recognize the device when using a USB cable. Plug in the fire-wire and it sees it instantly. Of the two DCR camcorders I have, neither will work with USB to transfer video. If you are getting this product to transfer video to your PC, it will need a fire-wire card in order to work. Mac's generally all come with fire-wire.So far I am very happy with both of these camcorders. My only complaint is with the short amount of recording time with Mini DV tapes but that's another story.
This camcorder beats my Dad's more expensive camcorders from Sharp & panasonic.  Low light condition is not a problem for this TRV22.  no to little noise.  sound is very clear.  zoom resistance is on the money.  tons of manual controls.  spot focus is just WOW, no other camcorder has this tech.  very well built.  compact and feels just right.  stylist. cool to look at.  overall excellent video captures.  Got to have this one.
Pros: Compact and lightweight; spot metering with selectable spot area; flexible low-light features.Cons: Hard to see LCD in daylight; fairly narrow-angle lens; bottom-loading tapes; no wind filter.Summary: I purchased this camera immediately after returning a Canon ZR65MC. The problems I had with that camera were very poor quality video under normal indoor lighting conditions. With that experience fresh in mind, I tested the TRV-22 under the same conditions and found the results that I would expect from any decent digital camcorder: crisp, low-noise images far superior to those of the Canon. So to compare the two, I think the extra $90 I paid for the Sony is well worth it. I then took the camera on a mini-vacation, which is a more realistic test. I found the camera extremely easy to use - every family member was able to pick it up and start recording with no explanation. I took some video under poor lighting conditions, such as indoors on a cloudy day with a bay window as a backlight, and was very surprised later when I reviewed the footage and found that it was pretty good despite that. The final test was to capture the video to my PC using the IEEE-1394 interface. The video was captured flawlessly andthe resultant AVI is as sharp as any I've seen. To sum it up, I think I got my money's worth and then some with this camera. A digital camcorder should provide a high quality image, and this camera is the best I've ever owned. Add to that the abundance of cool features and you can't go wrong. The ONLY thing negative I can say is that the still image resolution is too low to replace a dedicated DSC. But unless you want to cough up a few more bucks for the TRV-33, you'll just have to carry two cameras like I do.
I must say that I am quite impressed with this little camera, and though its stature is quite compact, it skims not on features. From what I've captured thus far, the quality seems to be far superior when compared to other camcorders in the same class. The majority of the work that I've done with this camera revolves around DV-editing using the IEEE1394 interface, and the imported AVI is as clear as current technologies would allow it. The sound, too, is audibly vibrant and crisp. Moving on to physical features, then, I must comment on the touchscreen using one word: ingenious. No longer will one have to push awkward triggers and/or buttons in order to rewind and et cetera; the function keys you require are right there below what is being viewed/recorded. Next, this little powerhouse offers a plethora of connectivity options, ranging from the standard analog composite cables to the sharper S-Video port, and then to the digital USB and Firewire ports. Finally, the TRV22 offers the user a MS slot (included is an 8MB MS), which can be used to capture MPEG-1 A/V and still images (although it is still possible to save images onto the MiniDV per se). My, my... the TRV22 is another triumph among Sony's consumer legacy.One thing to note, though, is that when transferring DV to and from the camera, one must pay attention to the type of IEEE1394 card that is being employed. I HIGHLY recommend the usage of a card that is based on the TI OHCI chipset, as cheaper cards will most likely garble the image and sound when printing to tape.
Overall great comcorder.  In All areas this camera is great,  only thing that could have been better is the still pictures quality.  This camcorder matches us against others that cost hundreds of dolars more and does well in compition against it higher priced betters.  Its size and fact that it uses standard sony batteries (that we have already) was a great bonus.
I previously gave this camcorder a bad review because the picture went haywire on it, with bad recordings and gray bands across the screen, for no reason. I bought sony for it's reliability, well come to find out even though I kept it very clean and used it very little.....  the tape heads had become dirty and it just needed to be cleaned... Sorry sony I am now leaving a great review of your camcorder. ThanksP.S. I'm glad amazon let's you go back and edit bad reviews...
We purchased our Sony DCR-TRV 22 about a year ago and we have used it indoors, outdoors, night time, windy mountain tops, dark caves, poolside...you name it, we've tried it.  And, we've been very pleased with this camcorder.  It has a fantastic zoom on it, the night shot works great, the microphone worked well even in windy conditions.  No, the still shots don't have a high enough pixel to print out into pictures but, we bought this to be a camcorder, not a camera!  And for e-mailing, it works just fine.We have found that every Sony product that we've ever purchased has performed wonderfully and we've been very pleased them.  I do recommend this camcorder, and I know that when it comes time to replace this one...we'll be buying another Sony!
First, the good stuff. Some people feel like the touchscreen lcd viewfinder is nothing more than a gimmick. Not me. With all menu buttons illuminated on the lcd screen you never have to worry about finding the right button in low light situations. The manual focus option combined with the touchscreen makes for a great setup- you just touch the part of the screen that shows the subject you want in focus and that's what it focuses on. Pretty handy. Manual exposure is set up the same way. If you don't like the touchscreen method I just described, you can focus and set the exposure in the more tradtional way- changing it gradually untill it gets to where you want it, or you can use auto-focus/ exposure too.The Carl Zeis lense provides excellent picture quality. Maybe not professional quality, but I'm not a professional, so I wouldn't know.Like some other folks I forked over the extra hundred bucks for the trv22 rather than the trv19 because I wanted to be able to transfer old analog home videos to digital, then to DVD. The trv22 does this like a champ. Just make sure there's no tape in the camera or it won't do it. The added still shot capability I would say is a gimmick. Who wants half-megapixel stills? Not me. The sales guy at Best Buy tried to get me to spring for a bigger memory stick- yeah right. All I wanted was the analog to digital capability. Make sure you have a fire-wire cable or you won't be able to send the digitized image to your computer.I only have one complaint. The camera's microphone picks up the noise the camera makes while it's running. So most of my tapes have a faint buzzing noise in the background. When I first got the camera I exchanged it for another one (same model)because of this problem. But the new one did the same thing. I guess it's not a big problem, some people don't notice it, and if the subject you're recording has an average amount of noise you probably won't hear it at all. But it does happen. That's my only complaint. Otherwise this camera has been great.
I am glad I made that choice, exellent quality! easy to use basic functions.  Easy PS connectivity with 1394 or USB.Highly reccomended.
This camera is extremely easy to use.  The touch screen menu feature is great for gadget freaks and newbies alike.  The autofocus is very fast and the LCD screen is crystal clear.I managed to get 10 photos on the 8mb memory stick that comes with the camera which is fine if you plan to use this camera primarily as a video camera.It's small design means it can be tucked out of the way on outings and whipped out at a moments notice.My battery lasts around 74 minutes and the Infolitium system ,which tells you exactly how much power is left in minutes rather than the usual 3 bars, is really helpful.It can be a little noisy when rewinding a tape or changing modes but you dont hear anything while taping or reviewing.It's small, sleek and really fun to use.  I got this as a gift but if I were buying one for myself, this would be the one I would choose.
I loved this camera for many years - until mine broke. I wish camera makers would WAKE UP bcuz, if you film outside you NEED a  VIEWFINDER!!So I bought another one to watch my old tapes of my kids and maybe one day get things transferred to dvd. The product came earlier than posted and the seller notified me in a timely manner and everything came in perfect working condition!
I really havent seen this low light problem everyone speaks about. One thing That I TRIED to find an answer to(even read the maual on line and coudlent figgure it out) Is if you really want to download your videos to your pc you HAVE TO HAVE FIREWIRE!You can download small mpeg files with the usb. But if you really want to do the full editing you have to have firewire on your pc. It's not that big a thing. About 50 bucks for a pci card for your machine. Just wish I could have found out that information a little easier.The camera itself is Outstanding. The still shots are pretty bad. But the effects on this camera are amazeing. And when I hook it up to my WEGA TV svideo it looks like i'm watching a dvd. The size is great. And I think the touch screen works wonderfully, but be sure not to be eating anyting messy while your useing it.I'm an amature with Digital video but this thing works so well I look like an expert. Down side is the software it comes with is extreamly lacking. So make the plunge and buy something like adobe video editor for your movie makeing needs.All in all a great camera.
I bought this camcorder from JR.com last year for 600 bucks. I was very impressed by the performance of this piece. I have a hobby for video shooting and have my own 'mini studio' setup at home to edit the video (which means, i haven't given the camcorder to anyone till now!). I have captured dozens of events with this camcorder and have recommended this camcorder to many people also. That's all good things about it..Now coming to the troubled part of it. Recently, I opened the camcorder to capture some event and found that it won't record!! There was no reason for it to 'die'. I had used it just 15 days before it collapsed. All I can do now is, I can play the recorded cassettes in the camcorder. But when I try to record, there is nothing but few scrambled lines! Since it is just over an year since i have bought this piece, I doubt Sony will support this under warranty (I didn't buy an additional warranty on this). Can someone tell me if there is any way to get it repaired?I would have given 5 stars for this camcoder, but after I faced the problem I'm forced to deduct 2 stars :(
If you are reading this review and are shopping for a MiniDV camcorder you are in the learning mode for shopping.  Isn't Amazon.com a great place to learn about electronics such as this.  I will be happy to share my experience with this camcorder so far.  This review is all about money and how I decided finally that with consumer level electronics you do usually get what you pay for.  The camcorder that we origionally purchases when we were ready to buy a MiniDv camcorder was by Sharp.  It was about half the cost of the Canon and Sony models that were being sold by its side.  I took notice that there were often large rebates for Sharp camcorders that hammered the price down to a very low price that was just too good to pass up.  Due to numerous unfortunate issues with this camera our memories that were recorded were trashed due to what I can say was just poor build quality.  So the rule is don't buy a KIA and expect it to provide you with the memorable experience of a Honda/Toyota etc.  Right???Here is the good stuff.  This camera is worth every dime that Sony is asking for it.  After reading some reviews the only negative thing that you may read is that you can hear the motor working when recording or playing back a tape.  I say that but you really would have to be listening for this to hear it.  My DVD player makes more noise than this unit.  So some folks really need to get a grip.  More sound insulation in the area that houses the motor for the camcorder would cure this but there is really no room for anything else to be stuffed in there.  This in NO WAY means that this noise is at all recorded on your tape.  Anything that Sony makes in Japan seems to keep with the origional high standards that this company is known for.  This camera is made in Japan and everything from the quality of construction to the quality of the images that you will see on the TV screen will just amaze you.  The colors are just perfect and the sound is more than what I expected from a compact recorder.  Enjoy the TRV33 if it is the final choice that you make in this search for a good camcorder.  If it is a bit high for your budget then check out the TRV19 and the TRV22.  The TRV19 may be the best buy that I have seen in the MiniDV world yet.All in all this camera is compact, efficient and it is ergonimically perfect when it is held in your hand.  After you purchase the Camcorder register it with Sony online.  After you have done so they will most likely send you a 20% off coupon in your email to buy upgrades for the new product that you have purchased.  WIth this cupon go ahead and upgrade the battery for the camcorder to at least the FM50.  The FM30 that is included is just not sufficient to be the main battery.  It will be a nice backup for you in a pinch but should not be relied on.  The FM50 should have been standard issue IMO.  Happy shopping!
I like the Sony DCR-TRV33 Camcorder Very much.  One thing that I like about this camcorder is that I can put video clips on my computer files two different ways. I can input video files to my computer with the AV cable any files that I put on my memory stick. I also can input video files to the computer using my Firewire cable. Some Camcorders do not have the firewire connecter and some do not have a memory stick that allows you to do a video file over one minute in length. The Sony DCR-TRV33 can do both and does a very fine job doing it. I highly recommend this Camcorder and feel it is quality plus.
Unfortunately I was unable to download film onto my Mac. I had to have it done professionally.  I was only able to download stills.
nice feature set on this camcorder.pros:- compact design, light weight.- 1 megapixel still capability- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens.- steady shot and night shot.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.- progressive shutter system.- supports exif 2.2.cons:- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5" LCD.- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- you could do better on the still photo department.  for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 have 2 megapixel capability but those camcorders are bigger and heavier.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- the included 8MB memory stick is unacceptable.  be prepared to shell out more money for a 32MB or bigger memory stick.a nice package, but i would recommend the pc105 (lighter, smaller, and has a pop-up flash) for a few buck more.
This camcorder has plenty of features like mpeg (my most desired feature) also I was glad with a feature that enables you to convert mini DV to mpeg either on computer or if you don't have computer at the moment you can just transfer to memory stick.Quality of video is good .. just make sure you have enough light.Just to keep it short.. This camcorder is full of features it's a nice one, but has a humming noise. That's not at all bothersome if you are shooting outdoor ... I promise you won't even notice it but when shooting indoor in a quite place ... you will notice ... it's not a big issue like few have described. Honestly ... I know few peoples at work they have this camcorder for over 1 year and they didn't notice until I asked them to check if it's my camcorder or just all.Night shot is great only you have to remember to turn on night shot mode. Honestly it's better than other ones.Once thing is sure.... no matter how much you spend on a camcorder... it won't let you make a movie. But for home personal video it's a decent camcorder ... price around 599 is a good price.
I've owned a number of Sony digicams (most recently the PC110) and decided to upgrade for some new features like analog pass-through (hook a VCR up to the camcorder to capture directly to your computer). I first tried the TRV70, but returned it and got this one instead. The 70 is a very different camera...considerably larger and with much better stills, but more expensive. I decided to go with the 33 because I wanted something smaller. The digital stills from most camcorders aren't going to be anywhere as good as from a halfway decent digital camera, so not a reason to pay a lot more. I got the same size LCD touch screen (a nice new feature!) and one thing I like about this model over the 70 is that the zoom is not so fast! The 70 has the same kind of zoom control, but it's very touchy and it's very hard to do a gradual zoom. The 33 allows much better control. Well, unless you have a need to do really fast zooms. I prefer to have one that does not. I find this is particularly important if you want other people to use the camera...anytime I gave someone the 110 to use, they had problems with that touchy zoom! This is an issue on a lot of Sony camcorders, I really wish they would correct it across the board.Image quality is good and I personally don't have problems with motor noise, it's pretty typical for camcorders this size. The 10x zoom is decent, I looked at the Canons that were 20X zooms, but their image quality was not as good. The touch screen is great for features like spot focus and metering. I find it a lot easier to use than the myriad of buttons all over the camera that most models use.Another new feature is the ability to quickly check the battery life on the camera without powering it up. I've sometimes thought it was charged when it was not and missed being able to film as a result, so this will be a lifesaver! The Sonys are great about telling you how much time is left on the battery and the tape.Overall, an excellent camera I would highly recommend.
One of the major considerations for me in buying a camcorder was the size.  My family has owned several camcorders and they've been bulky enough that after a few months when the "new electronics" glow has worn off, nobody wants to lug it around on vacations, to amusement parks, camping, etc.  It's just too much of a hassle.I've purchased a DCRTRV33 and LOVE this thing!  The PC interface through firewire (IEEE 1394) is flawless--I just plugged it in and it worked beautifully with Pinnacle Studio 8.  It's packed with features, has a great picture and sound.I've read other comments about the noisy motor and it's true that the motor is a little louder than I thought it would be.  However, after indoor recording in quiet rooms for testing, I haven't been able to hear the motor during playback on my computer or TV.  I think it's a negligible problem that wouldn't deter me from a purchase of this otherwise amazing piece of technology.
After months of research we chose the TRV27 but it had been replaced by the TRV33. We bought the TRV33 sight unseen Sears great price and return policy made the decision easier. This thing is great. It is as small as my Canon G2 and a third the size of my old Sony Hi-8. It's very easy to use, and very intuitive. While my brother can just point and shoot, it still allows me to do spot focusing and spot metering which if you've never used these features on a camera, you will now--it's that easy. Low light features are great--while the infrared feature is a little creepy, the slow-shutter feature lets you take cool MTV-style videos in low light with great color quality.GOOD: features, compact size, outdoor image quality, ease of use. Little flip-cover is cool too.BAD: lack of windscreen, LCD is very difficult to see in bright light, and the software isn't great. I didn't bother with the still photo feature, same reason why I don't make movies with my G2. Overall, this is a terrific camera and a good value, esp, if the price drops below $650 or so. Only caveat: the wind noise is really awful when filming outdoors. I have to go find a microphone to attach now.
8 months after I bought this camera it lost the ability record video. In fact the screen is black. I can still use the menus and watch old videos but somehow I am looking for a camera than can take pictures. Most camera should be expected to break the 8 month mark with out breaking especially with out outside help.
I got EXACTLY the same problem as many of other victims had experienced. All of sudden, after very scarce and gentle use, the camera only showed verticle lines and went completely blind.What is the good of a camcord if it can't even last more than 1.5 years with less than 10 hours of recording?I would say that SONY is KNOWINGLY selling defective products to consumers and all of us who had problems should file class-action law suit against SONY for damages.Any lawyers who are reading this should seriously consider this. You may reap big dollars while helping us to vent some anger.
I have been video taping since 1982, so here are my observations after a week with the TRV38.LOW LIGHT: much better than expected after reading negative reviews on it everywhere.STILL PICTURE QUALITY: better than expected for a quick and easy shot.MPEG VIDEO QUALITY: mediocre as expectedDIGITAL ZOOM: worse than expected after reading very positive comments on it.SOUND QUALITY: better than expected; virtually zero motor noiseDESIGN & CONSTRUCTION: excellent as expected; a bit heavier than expectedLCD: excellent as expected; 3.5" is wonderful, and this one is beautifulLCD TOUCH SCREEN: excellent and a great idea; works beautifully even with a protective plastic sheet on it.BATTERY LIFE: too brief, as expectedEASE OF USE: complex but well designed as expected; easy if you just want to shoot video without fussing with settings; much for advanced photographer.ZOOM CONTROL: very sensitive as expected, takes getting used toPICTURE QUALITY: excellent, but not amazingly better than 3 year-old cheap Sharp hi-8. I was expecting it to be worlds better.SIZE: smaller than expected which is good; excellent even for big hands like mine.INPUTS/OUTPUTS: All work great and allow for virtually everycomgination of input and output.CONTROLS: control for off, VCR, camera is much too small and awkward to use. Others are great, except for zoom sensitivity as noted above.REMOTE CONTROL: better control than expected.OWNERS BOOK: well done for the most part, but with omissions and errors; obviously written by non-native speaker.Reviews do not mention that this is an excellent TV, digital VCR, video editing studio, still camera (no competition to good 2 mp still digital camera), and advanced camcorder. The bottom tape loading is horrible but it is really the only big negative.Comparing the footage to a friend's 3 chip Sony shows little difference on a TV or LCD monitor. Colors are very true and the tiny speaker sound quality is surprisingly good. This is a well-designed camcorder that does a great job at everything it is supposed to do. The LP setting is a great feature for recording TV shows from the satellite, and movies directly from DVD or VCR. The software is worthless; Sony should have included Pinnacle software, considering the price of the camcorder. I would not hesitate to recommend this camcorder, TV, VCR, digital camera.
The DCR-TRV38 is in the mid-range Sony's 2003 line of consumer camcorders. It is similar to the DCR-TRV33 but has a larger LCD screen, which is a nice plus. The DCR-TRV70 and 80 have higher resolution, but at significantly higher cost. The reviews I've read state that the DCR-TRV38 hits the sweet spot in terms of video quality and price. My impressions are as follows:PROS:-Build quality and performance are excellent. The video is very clear and sound is pretty good. Low light resolution is much better than competing camcorders in the same price range.-Compact size-The SteadyShot function works exactly as delivered. The motion sensor method that Sony utilizes is superior to the digital method used in competing products (such as the Panasonic GS-70).-The Carl Zeiss with 10x optical zoon is great.CONS:-The main negatives of the DCR-TRV38 really deal with the overall cost of ownership. In addition to purchasing the camcorder, I ended up buying the following:-A larger battery (the included one is woefully underpowered)-A protective lens filter to shield that great Carl Zeiss lens-A charger to quick-charge the larger battery-A firewire cable to connect the camcorder to my PC-A camera case (Sony only includes a strap)-A tripod, which some people might not needAs you can see, this made the camcorder really much more expensive than I initially expected. (Reminds me of buying a car.)-Having the MiniDV tapes load through the bottom means that you can't keep the camcorder on a tripod and change tapes. Not a major inconvenience.-As with most camcorders, the still picture function is a joke. You'll get better pictures from a disposable Kodak digital camera.-You have to use the touch screen on the LCD to navigate through many of the camera's functions. This can get the screen dirty or can actually damage the screen if you are too forceful.Overall, I think the camcorder is a very good product. Just plan on spending $100-200 extra to make it worthwhile. At least Sony gave a 20% discount coupon for accessories when I received the camcorder. The other camcorders I considered seemed to have one or two areas superior to the DCR-TRV38, but the overall package fell short. For instance, the Panasonic GS-70 has the highly touted 3 CCDs for better color representation, but resolution suffers due to the smaller CCD sizes. (The digital motion stabilization was another negative). The Canon camcorders in general are tidy and inexpensive but seem to suffer from poor low light capabilities. I'm happy with my purchase.
This camera is great for a few reasons. First of all, it can deliver some pretty good images for the casual point-and-shoot consumer who wants to shoot some high-quality home videos.It is also very good for someone who likes to have a little more control over the image. The manual focus ring and manual exposure features allow for a more customized picture. Being able to turn off the automatic white balance is also a huge plus here.The higher-end features are where this camera struts its stuff. For instance, this camera offers true 16:9 widescreen mode. It doesn't merely put black bars on the top and bottom of the image, you actually get more real estate on the sides of the picture without losing resolution (a feature not available on much more expensive cameras such as the Sony VX-2100 and the PD-170).I use this camera for producing short films and other video production. When lit properly, you'll be amazed by the quality of video you can get out of this baby.
the sony trv38 is one of sony's mid-range miniDV camcorders.  it's a solid camcorder but i believe you can do better in this price range.pros:- very good video quality - colors are reproduced accurately.- 1 megapixel still capability.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens with 10X optical zoom.- steady shot and night shot.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.- progressive shutter system.- supports exif 2.2.- the 3.5&quot; LCD screen is great.- very clean design (controls are accessed via the touchscreen lcd).- low motor noise.- intelligent accessory shoe.- allows some degree of manual control.cons:- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 have 2 megapixel capability but those camcorders are more expensive.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- navigating menus on touch-screen LCD isn't terribly intuitive.- don't expect miracles from 1 megapixel stills.- short battery life with included battery (you'll want a spare battery anyway).- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod- not as compact as i would like.  dimensions are 3-5/8&quot;H x 2-7/8&quot;W x 6-3/8&quot;D, and it weighs 1 lb 7 oz without tape and battery.- the included 8MB memory stick is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for at least a 32MB or bigger memory stick.this is a solid camcorder but i would recommend three sonys (trv33 or pc105 or trv70) and the panasonic gs70 over this camcorder.
I, too, am very, very disappointed in my Sony experience. I have always treated my cameras with care and respect. (I still use my 30 year old Canon A-1.)My DCR TRV38 was excellent until 2 months ago (and 7 months out of the 2 year warranty that I purchased...). I now cannot view anything recorded. I get a blue screen with icons. It acts like it is recording, and maybe it is, but I cannot view anything in playback. A Sony tech told me that this is different that the class action/ recall that Sony is offering on these units. But c'mon! 2 years on a $700 camera is just horrible.I also own a Sony W-1 digital camera. Lens mechanism stuck at 1+ years. Lots and lots of others reporting the same problem. Still under warranty, thank goodness, but I cannot trust it for a photo shoot, so I bought a Canon A540.My daughter owns a Sony P-41, not even 2 years. Guess what? Bad LCD once again. She cannot view or play back at all.I love digital photography, but to have a thousand dollars worth of equipment fail in four months is a crime. When I would read the postings and ranting of others, I never thought I would be one to have problems. I just thought that those with problems complain alot. But it's WAY too many, on every message board, everywhere. I am so sad and I feel like the victim of a crime.SO DON"T BUY ANY MORE SONY PRODUCTS!!!
The picture quality on the Sony DCRTRV38 is the best out of any of the 10 comparable cameras we tested...  We bought one of them several years ago, and like it enough to buy a second.  It's ability to capture sound is also superior to any other camera in its class (we film a lot of live theatre, and we have perfect sound even from the last row in a non-mic'd show).  The only cons are that we've had to have 2 repairs over the last 5 years, and the bottom-loading is inconvenient when using a tripod.
As a newbie video enthusiast, I'm really pleased with the TRV38. For under $1000, you get a great camera with a bunch of features. I just bought mine, so I'm still playing around with it to see what it can do. From what I can tell, the image quality is pretty good indoors, but when you get into lower light levels (like a dim room) the image seems to turn a little on the gray side. Out of the box, the camera feels good in the hand with most of the essentials at your fingertips. There are two features I'm not too fond of with the TRV38. One is the bottom-loading tape. If you're using a tripod, changing tapes can be annoying. The other item is the touch screen. It seems durable enough right now, but how will it stand up over time? it would be nice if there was a stylist (like a PDA) to help reduce the wear grubby fingers can have on the screen. Other than those two things, I'm really happy with the camera
I am not totally satisfied with this item.  At first it seemed to be just what I had wanted.  But then when I attempted to record a Disk with the camera, the results were less than appealing.  There is too much flicker and jumping as if the tape transport assembly is not functioning properly while recording.  During playback of my previously recorded items, it worked just fine.  Still testing it as time becomes available.  The item seems to be worth the investment if for nothing else than to play my previously recorded tapes and transfer them onto DVD.31 July 2012.  Yesterday I received a Sony Cleaner Tape for the MiniDV camcorder.  Today I used the tape on this camera and recorded for the first time with the camera expecting good results.  I was not disappointed.  I believe I may have contaminated the heads by transferring some of my older recorded tapes to DVD.  The Cleaner worked perfectly and therefore I changed my rating on this transaction to a 5 from a 3.
This is an amazing camera for it's price.  It has a carl zeiss lens which is a must-have if you want your video to end up looking profesional.  Personally, i like it even better than the model above this one.  This one not only has a 3.5 inch LCD compared to a 2.5 inch LCD on the more expensive model, but it also has a better feel.  In the model above this one, the only thing &quot;better&quot; is it's smaller size.  But i don't like that smaller size.  It makes it feel too delicate.  I may be only 17, but i've been into videography for quite awhile, and i would say, this is my favorite camera, for it's price.  It's obviously not as good as say... the VX - 2000 which... i think costs something over 2000.  But for my purposes, and the majority of the public's, i'm sure it's the best choice.
As most people on the web do, I did a lot of reading, and comparison shopping, before settling on the Sony TRV38.  This camera has more features than you will get to use, but I was looking for video quality, ease of use(point and shoot), and price.  TRV has all this and more.  True to the other reports, you need to buy a larger memory card, and a back-up battery...at least the NP50, or NP70.  Once you have everything, you are ready for some neat features, and quality video.My favorite one is the VCR feature, through which you can rewind the tape, use the LCD touch screen, and view the footage you just shot.  Many people talk about low-light footage, and rightfully so, but unless you are shooting in very dim situations, this camcorder does a great job in low light.  This is actually one of the reasons I chose the TRV38, over Canon, Panasonic, and JVC.If you are buying on the web, all the vendors include extra &quot;packages&quot;. Be carefull... a $600 camera can wind up costing you $900.  I only bought the AC/DC charger, 30mmm UV filter, and a nice bag. The other items you need you can find cheaper elsewhere. Sony batteries are expensive, but there are generic, cheaper batteries that will work just as wellThere is a sea of good camcorders out there, but this Sony is at the top of my list.
I, too, experienced the dreaded blank screen on my TRV38 after only a year and a half of moderate use.  I did some internet searching on the issue and discovered a site that mentioned Sony has acknowledged problems with the CCD chip in certain models built before 2004, the TRV38 being one of them and are offering to fix them for free, including shipping to and from a location of your choice.  I then went made use of their excellent sony.com online chat support service and asked the moderator about the free repair deal.  After a few troubleshooting questions, he acknowleded I appeared to qualify for the free repair service and provided me with the following site, [...]  They appear to be making good on a known defect in their product and are to be commmended.  Now, if only the local service centers would inform customers of this deal when they bring their cameras in for repair of this malady...naw, that's asking waaaaay too much!!  By the way, aside from this problem, we've been very happy with this camera and actually bought a second one as a back up in case we had problems with the first one.  With 2 kids, ages 2 1/2 and 4, to record precious moments of, it sure paid off in this case.
I've recently learned some interesting detail that came from a talented amateur photographer.  A friend of mine from work, had done a number of spectacular scenic shots.  He thought to enter some of the better ones into a professional competition. While he had a good Cannon digital, (I believe it was a 7 or 8 mp) requirements for digital are 11 mp minimums.  While expanding the lower resolution is allowed, it would still fall a bit short (since it only allows a certain percentage).  It seems that professional film use cameras, typically deliver the equivalent of 20 mp. The proper film is expensive, and getting it developed is not as easy as taking it to the local Photomat.I know computers and software.  My programming exploits placed me for a time at Polaroid ID systems. Polaroid ID, (prior to its sale by the parent company in 2001) produced drivers licenses, and ID card solutions, for more than half the United States, plus several countries. I have a background in video games programming by training.  What I can tell you from this is that you need a fast processor to create, and store an image 11 mp in size.  Cannon's custom processor seems to be up to the task.  My friend told me his current camera used the same processor, and produced the highest resolution shots in about 1/5th of a second. This model does about three continuous shots per second.  While not quite film or motion capture speed, it's still good enough not to inhibit your creativity.If photography is a serious hobby, or you are a budding professional, this might just be your camera.  Existing professionals will probably make up their own minds on when to jump to digital, and what equipment best meets their needs.  Cannons entry here seems reasonable for a quality digital camera.  You may see many other cameras pump up their numbers in a race to get the higher resolutions. They seem to be bristling with bells and whistles.  There's a not so subtle difference with a professional model like this.  That being it has features for professional imaging and the speed of getting to that next high quality shot.The other cameras will raise the bar one day, but for now they are best used by non-professionals.  If you compare the camera's specifications, you'll find speed, and feature limitations on those cheaper models.  This is not the camera to take on that vacation to the mountains.  A good four-mega pixel model will keep all your family photo albums up to date.  If however, your vision for looking at the world through the camera's eye extends beyond that, this may be the camera for you.  BTW, remember this is a body only, you buy your optics separately, and it's not advisable to go cheap either.
Great product. Great seller. Enjoyed the product. I want to sell it because I bought a 5d mii and it has the same features.
Our rep brought an EOS-1Ds into the lab for us to look at last week.  I'm still pouring over the test bench and outdoor images with my jaw on the floor.  I'll never be able to afford this beauty, but if we see the technology of the 1Ds make it into the prosumer market, I'll make the jump.  Many of the so-called limitations of digital photography have been directly addressed in the design of the 1Ds.For example, the small physical dimensions of consumer camera CCDs have limited the performance of many cameras.  It's nearly impossible to collect and focus light onto a small CCD with inexpensive optics.  Canon uses a larger size CCD in the 1Ds. That upgrade, plus having the CCD house 11 megapixels makes this camera instantly competitive with 35 mm film.  Note, I'm not yet ready to say it's the equivalent, but it's so close now that the few advantages of film have much less leverage now.  The future is here and it is now.  If only I had 8 grand in my pocket...I didn't have enough time with the 1Ds to get to know all of the bells and whistles, but did find it easy enough to use by just trusting my intuition.  I'm looking at the nice collection of Canon 35 mm lenses I already own (which will fit the 1Ds) and my palms are sweating.  Maybe I could sell a few of the toys I don't use much and eat macaroni and cheese for a few years?
After years of being a very faithful Sony user (I still like Sony and their products) I finally did the big leap, as in my mind the technology is finally there ... I bought a Canon EOS-1Ds 11.1 Megapixel camera body. Out of necessity I had to buy a set of EF lenses as well. I spent this years toy budget on just one purchase, but then THIS IS NOT TOY!My last Sony was a F828 and before that a P10. The F828 is a great consumer product for the price, but it actually made me do the leap as good as it is, as it brought back my spirit for creating a REALLY good picture. I started to spend so much time to get to the right photo spot at the right time, that I did not want to have a lack of functionality then. I used to do a lot of photography 20 years ago on film, but returned as a point and shoot fotographer when digital came about. To say it with fellow countryman 'Arnie' - &quot;I'm back.&quot;First I need to say that all Amazon partnershops performed and delivered flawlessly, my special mention goes to Adorama Camera. I would usually be worried to spend so much money on the web, but Amazon takes that away.Now to the 'beast' itself the EOS-1Ds body. I will not go into all the functional details, as to my mind they are all correct as stated. The camera is great to hold and work with total confidence. But at first - big disappointment. I was unable to concentrate on working with a professional camera. I was too used to point and shoot and expected the camera to do it all for me. Well, it does not. You need to know or learn photography for this one. It is now four weeks and 2500 pictures later and finally there is only one reason for a photo not to be perfect - ME!Biggest difference to other products is the film-size 24x36 CCD and the ability to set the ASA film sensitivity up to 1250 on the fly rather than having to change film. Not always is a tripod at hand or the photo subject would wait until you set it up and then hold still for a 2 second exposure. I could not ask the helicopter pilot to stop the vibration during a dawn flight over the Las Vegas Strip. Setting to ASA1250 shortened exposure time to s/50. The picture noise that you get as a consequence is dramatically reduced by the noise reduction feature and much less than the grain of a high-sensitivity film.Cautions and recommendations: Learning how to clean the sensor from dust and dirt without damaging it is essential. This camera is VERY heavy you will need a strong tripod to hold it. Buy a second battery, even so the charging is quick and it usually lasts for two normal days of use. Using a CF card reader is easier than buying a Firwire attachment for your PC. Use 2GB high-speed Compactflash for convenience, it will give you 400 pictures in JPG. Feel free to send me questions, which I will answer as much as I can.
This is an incredible peice of digital equipment and has more features than the space shuttle. It is most definitely a camera for a younger man however because it's HEAVY, especially with the 70-200 f/28 mounted. I can't imagine lugging around the really LONG lenses. I wore it around my neck for an entire day during a recent shoot and conlcuded that it would be best used in a studio environment on a tripod, or at least a monopod. I have owned several 35mm film cameras and at least seven different digital cameras including Kyocera, Epson, Olympus (2 different models, C2500L & E-10) and finally  three Canons: the EOS 1Ds 11.1mp, the Powershot G7 10.1mp, and now the 5D 12.1mp. So far the last two have been the best for my purposes. The quality of course is in the glass, but the artistry is up to the photographer and so far Canon has delivered the very best I could hope for. EOS is an awesome system and the 1DS, aside from the weight is one of the very best.
NOW, I can finally use the numerous EOS lens as well as using an adapter my collection of fine-quality (some Canon) of FD lens.The unit is HEAVY and will probably require either a mono- or tripod for comfortable use.  A smaller all-in-one Canon is better used as a main camera and save this camera for 'special events' or super-wide, very close macro, and long telephoto photos.It's almost like a Rolls-Royce with a precision machine shop packed in the trunk!I WILL be making an adapter to use an auxiliary 12 Volt battery to relieve some of the 'hand weight.'The price was SUPER GREAT, and I have been doing business with KEH for several decades and NO PROBLEMS OR DISSATISFACTON!
I hadn't planned on buying a used 1-Ds, but the low price for a &#34;like-new&#34; body with low shutter count was too tempting to pass up. It's a fantastic camera, and once I learned how to use it (required reading the manual), I understand why the 1D series bodies are so expensive new. I have a 5D Mark II, but I have hardly used it since I got the 1Ds. Here are what I think are the pros and cons of the 1Ds given it's 8 to 10 year old technology:Prossolid buildmirror and shutter very quiet compared to the 5D Mark IIvery low vibration from mirror and shuttersuper-fast auto-focus with L-series lensessuper-accurate auto-focusfast, accurate auto-focus in shadows and on dark surfacesvery accurate metering moderesulting raw(TIFF) files need little adjustment even in our harsh southwestern sunsurprisingly low noise at high ISOwhen viewing results on screen with histogram, the focus points show on the image. I find this to be super valuable, because I can quickly check the exposure and focus without looking at the image in the full size of the screen.well balance and easy to handle given its size and weightConssmall, old-style screen that isn't sharp like the 5D Mark IImany functions, like changing ISO, require holding down 2 buttons at once while turning a dial, which is slow and cumbersomedoesn't auto focus well on whites and bright lights (searches)doesn't have automatic sensor cleaning (sensor cleaning is a manual process)definitely need a manual to learn how to use a 1Ds if you haven't used one beforeI you find a 1Ds in good condition with a low shutter count for under $800 it's definitely worth it.
A long-time Nikon SLR owner, this was my first foray into digital cameras ... the choices were overwhelming. Since this was a gift for my sister and her family, I opted to invest $$ in size rather than pixels. So far ... an incredible choice. The 13- and 11-year olds were taking/mailing pictures in 10 minutes, mastered it in  day. With them as (impatient) teachers, I found it "mostly" intuitive without a glance at the instruction booklet (which wasn't to be found anyway). I may NOW get one for myself ... waiting a bit on the planned iPOD!
This camera is the most sleek I've ever seen, and is also very reliable.  3.2 Mega Pixels makes even 5"-7" prints look crisp.  The only problems I've experienced with it is that the auto-focus is useless at night, and bright pictures can be taken out of focus at times.  This is an exelent camera for someone who is interested in photography, bacause it's easy and really fun to use.  You can take video up to 30 seconds with audio as well!  The camera also doubles as a tape recorder for audio use, and an audio clip can be attached to any picture.  It's hard not to become excited when it comes to this camera.
I liked the Exilim much better than the Optio S. I am a current Pentax Optio S owner but had the Exilim previously. I found the Exilim to be much more user friendly and better designed ergonomically.The 2 advantages of the Optio S is that it performs better under dim lighting and is slightly smaller. My primary gripe with the Optio is with its super slow shutter speed. My goal was a simple point and shoot camera to conveniently 'capture the moment' after I have my baby. Adults can't even sustain a genuine smile/pose long enough for me to take a good candid shot let alone expect an infant to. I feel like I keep missing the moment vs capturing it. The downside outweights any potential advantage to me.. unless your primary targets are still lifes in dim settings.I used the Exilim extensively for my honeymoon and loved it! The only 2 cons I experienced with the Exilim is 1)the flash is not powerful so not ideal for taking pictures in dim light and 2) the docking station broke after the first month. If Dell, the reseller, wouldn't have hassled me about replacing the docking station I would not have returned it.Though in most respects both cameras are very comparable, I still think the Exilim is a superior camera overall. In retrospect, I would've reordered another Exilim.
I've had my little Optio S for over a year now, and I still love it.  So far I haven't had any problems with it- I was worried by some of the reviews that mention problems with the plastic hinges, the lens jamming up or the customer service problems.  So far I haven't dropped it, the plastic is holding up well and I haven't had a need for customer service.I wouldn't say I take pictures every day, but my Optio S has been used a fair amount.  On average I take about 30 pictures a week up to 200+ pictures a day while on vacation.It does fit in an altoids tin, but not when you put the wrist strap on it.  I've found the "wrist strap" is actually long enough so you can wear the camera as a pendant.Picture quality is great for the average photo taker.  Battery life I'd rate as average.  So I spent the money for an extra battery.  With two batteries fully charged, I've never had a problem running out of juice.I do wish it had a better optical zoom, but for such a small package I guess there had to be some trade off.It does have a high "Wow!" factor.All in all, I've been very happy with this little camera.
I was really upset to find that no memory card was included with this camera. I was misled. Nice camera however...buttons hard to manuver if you arent agile.
I bought this camera from an Army PX right before I shipped out to Iraq. I've been back for three years now, and it is still my one and only camera. It has survived every thing I could dish out; I even ran over it with a golf cart (don't ask me how that happened). The one catch? I keep it in the Altoids tin that it was designed to fit into. That is hands down the best thing about this camera.Why hasn't other manufacturers done this? Who knows. Keeping it in that bulletproof (not literally) little case has made up for the flimsy battery cover, and the sensitive gear that extends the lens. You should see all the scratches on the outside of the mint tin.It takes great pictures, and having a camera so small that you carry it around everywhere you go means you never miss a picture.
Pentax Optio S 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom, the pictures quality is not up to par compared to my older Olympus Camedia 2.1MP C-2020 Z, but if small is what your after this might be the smallest camera, I would suggest taking it hiking, biking or skiing were light weight is important and fix the photo's in Photoshop if you can.
So I've owned this little camera for about a week now (updated 29 Apr 03 - see below) and it is as good as everyone else has been spewing out. Currently I use a 3 MP Sony Cybershot P-5 as a reference, but I have owned another Cybershot and Fuji, too.THE GOOD:1) What they said.2) SIZE MATTERS. Although 18 mths ago my camera was tiny, this one takes the cake. I was considering the Sony Cybershot U20 until I saw this camera. Although the Sony is smaller, it actually felt heavier when I compared the two.3) LOTS OF FEATURES. For its size, it has way too many features that other ones tend not to have. Manual focus override, panorama mode, 3-D mode, super macro (Focal length &lt;2 inches), alarm clock, time-lapse mode, and on and on.4) BATTERY LIFE. My sony battery always gives me about 50 min of continuous use. From other reports this one lasts about twice as long. Although I haven't tested this myself, it seems to hold up quite well so far. Officially, 100+ shots with 50% flash use and LCD on.THE BAD:1) This is the deal breaker for me. First think about how many electronics you own with no battery cover -- all those TV remotes, portable CD players, and camera doors (hint). Before you buy, check out that battery door. The case is beautifully built, except for the second class battery door with two tiny, little prongs that are sure to break off with any little bump. I just don't get why they decided to save a couple bucks with this little stunt. If you can live with it, best of luck to you with your sticky, gooey tape residue holding such a wonderful camera together. Check it out.2) The auto focus takes a little more time to focus than I'm used to, but seems more accurate with the multipoint focus.2) Sorry, that's the best I could do. To nit pick, the optics or CCD sensor are not as sharp as my Sony, although very close. Writing to the SD card takes a little more time than the MS system on the Sony. And, the jog dial is sort of small.Don't get me wrong, I will probably keep this camera over my Sony, but if that little battery door breaks I will curse the day I bought this thing.UPDATE:  It's week three now and I just came back from a trip in which I brought both my Sony and the new Pentax.  I have to say the Optio S continues to impress me with its overall value, and I have not yet had any problems with the battery door, although I still cringe everytime I have to take the battery out.THE GOOD--SIZE:  Definitely as tiny as you could reasonable want a camera.  The selector button on the back is too tiny for those with large hands, fortunately I am not one of them.BATTERY LIFE:  As above, I am still holding firm.  During my week of vacation, I never had to charge the camera battery -- LCD always on, flashes in most pictures, and plenty of reviewing pictures on my hotel TV for a total of about 50 pix - and only one bar is missing from the battery meter.  Definitely feels a little stronger than my Sony in this area.FLASH:  I continue to like the power of this flash in such a small camera, although it does give an electronic feel to some indoor pix as I have noticed in all digicams -- not washed out like my Sony though.AUTOFOCUS and SENSOR:  AF seems a little faster than I felt earlier.  And, it seems to do just fine in low light with focusing even though the camera doesn't verify that it is locked on the picture subject.  As for the camera sensor, it seems to pick up low light better than my Sony.  In low light, my Sony only sees black at times when the Optio has no problemsTHE BAD:OPTICS:  Although the optics seem pretty good, because of the small lenses used, it tends to have a curving effect on objects in the periphery -- similar to a fish-eye lens, but less obvious.  It is really only noticeable when a straight edge (like a building or pole) is on the side of the picture.SPEED:  Fast to start up and take a photo, but definitely too slow to store to memory compared to my Sony.  I think this is attributed to the slower transfer speed using SD cards vs. Mem sticks.  This is only an issue when you want someone to take a second photo in a hurry, just in case, and they have to wait for the camera to finish recording.
I bought this camera for the Wow Factor - yes it does fit snugly into a can of Altoids. The camera is def in it's own class and nothing out their compares to it (in my opinion). The camera has all of the full size camera features packed in a little box.Although this camera is technically fab - it just wasn't for me.  Here are some of the drawbacks to this little guy:-The camera is easily losable because it's so small.-It's so small it's difficult to see the picture on the little LCD screen; to me that is the purpose of getting a digital camera, so that you can see the picture you took; and if it's not good enough-take the picture again!  With the LCD screen it's hard to tell the quality of what you really captured.-The camera doesn't feel right in the hands; it fumbles around my hands several times because it's so small.-Battery life is not that impressive.-The camera is slow to 'reload' for the next shot.Unless you really need a &quot;small&quot; camera, which by the way is still too bulky to put in your jeans pocket -- I'd go for the regular size camera.  This camera had nothing on my Kodak digital camera (sorry).Mine was returned back to the store before 30 days for a full refund - it just wasn't for me.Good Luck.
The Optio S, the smallest digital camera that's not a toy, makes a perfect gift this holiday season.  Words cannot describe how small and compact it is -- especially if you don't even know what a mint tin looks like!  Chances are, you've seen people carry this small wonder, perhaps at the World Trade Center memorial site or Central Park or David Letterman show.  It's one of the things that prompt you to ask, "Wow, what is *that*!"  Well, it packs 3 megapixels and 3X optical zoom, and come with all the amenities you find in a modern digital camera, such as a real-time LCD viewfinder and a bunch of settings that, alas, require frequent trips to the user's guide.  But, you'll take comfort in the fact that Optio S's basic functions are really easy to master.  It's what the Asians affectionately refer to as a "moron's camera", so easy to use anyone can pick up and shoot right away.There's some controversy regarding the picture quality out of Optio S.  I recommend you experiment with it and find the best combination of settings for you.  (This suggestion applies to all cameras anyway.)  And be sure to get an extra memory card and set the picture resolution and image quality settings to maximum.... I highly recommend the dimunitive yet powerful Optio S.  Another model I also love is the Minolta Dimage Xt, which is a little more expensive but has the advantage of a periscope zoom lens.  Now how cool is *that*?
I sell and train people on how to use digital cameras and software. So I have had the luxury of using a variety of cameras. I myself own an Olympus z-3000 along with my new Pentax Optio S.The Bad:Software. The included ACDSee software is fairly limited; even more so that the Canon's included software. Even more limiting is the fact you cannot use the built-in Windows XP drivers to automate the download and erasure process.Photo quality. I notice that the photos are a little "soft". When you look closely, you can see fuzzy edges around an object when compared to most quality digital cameras.Time to shoot. Since this is an on-the-go camera, it is frustrating to wait for the camera lens to extend. Many shots will be lost in this start up phase. With many cameras, you can leave the power off but still have the lens extended. This is not the case with the Pentax. If you try to leave the lens extended, it will automatically power off after a pre-set number of minutes, retracting the lens.Movie mode. Most cameras have an external button for movie mode. This is because when your taking photos and the opportunity for a movie presents itself, you don't usually have a lot of time. The movie mode on the Pentax is somewhat buried in the user interface.Battery charging. Unfortunately you must take the battery out of the case to recharge it. Too bad Pentax could not figure a way to just plug in the recharger directly to the camera.The Good:Size, size, size. I'd rather take a medium quality photo than no photo because the camera was too bulky to take along.Weight. While the Elph is almost as small, Canon's tend to weigh much more. The Pentax is light enough to wear around your neck like punk jewelry!Intuitive interface. Most actions only take three to four button clicks.Manual mode. It's there when you need it.Photo quality. Yes, it's not great, but it is not poor either.Battery life. Better than expected! Over a 100 shots in mixed flash mode between charges.Overall: A GREAT camera. I know I found negatives, but hey, that is technology. Would I buy it again? In a dot com lifecycle.
I traded a Minolta Dimage Xt for the Optio S yesterday.Everything the other reviews say seems to be true.I like the size, picture quality, etc, dislike the small 4-way-controller, flimsy battery-cover.The software for the Macintosh is horrible,fortunately with OS X you don't need it: iPhoto 4 or the Gimp works fine with it, and Quicktime plays the movies.On WindozeXP the camera was not recognized and it took a few reboots to get the driver to work.But for me  the biggest NEGATIVE is that it is not recognized by the usb-storage module in Linux (kernel 2.4.20-18.9).The Sandisk disk is recognized (in a Cruzer USB connector), andso was the Dimage Xt, but the Optio is listed as an unknown device and can't be mounted.So if Pentax does not come up with a firmware upgrade to make USB conform to modern standards, I will return it and get the Minolta Dimage Xt back.
The optio s is great!!! This tiny digicam fits in your shirt pocket and takes amazing high quality photos. Buy Now
pros:- yes, it fits in an altoid tin!  the main selling point of this camera is its small size: 3.3 x 2.0 x 0.8 in, weighing in at 4.1oz.- relatively high "wow" factor.- average three megapixel resolution.- good reliable metering.- low image noise at low ISO settings.- very good macro performance for an ultra-compact.- wide range of focus options including manual focus!- histogram display in live view and play modes.- allows decent manual control for what is billed as a point-and-shoot ultra-compact.- no color cast from flash.- fast startup time.- solid build quality.- bright LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.- shooting priority during play mode.- doubles as a voice recorder.- decent battery life for a tiny camera.cons:- some chromatic aberrations.- some vignetting visible.- average photo quality with soft edges.- images noisier than competition.- no buffering means a longer wait before you can take your next shot.- the right most button at the top of the camera is the power button.  right beside it to the left is the shutter release button.  for me, the more logical button placement would be to have the shutter release button on the far right.- no AF assist light.- high redeye occurrence.- metal body scratches easily.- only JPEG format is supported.- below average auto focus speed.- the four way controller is hard to get used to.- longest shutter setting is 1 second.- only 10MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.- you need to remove external memory in order to access images saved in internal memory.the optio S is an amazing camera, providing a wide feature set in an ultra-compact package.  it is very similar to the slightly bigger casio ex-z3.  two major complaints: soft images at the corners and the lack of buffering.  a camera with better photo quality (but bigger and only has 2x zoom) is canon's sd100.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
First off, I have long been eyeing this camera, as well as the soon to be released Casio EX-Z3, and the mystery-release-date Minolta Dimage XT.  I do not own this Optio S but my coworker just purchased it.  Let me just say this: 5 minutes after he brought the camera into the office, our boss began drooling over the little puppy.  He immediately fled to the B & H Photo store and purchased it!  I'm not kidding.  5 minutes folks, 5 minutes is all it took--and without reading any reviews on amazon[.com]!Anywhooo, this camera is truly amazing size wise.  My coworker went out to buy an Altoids tin just to be sure that Pentax wasn't lying about the "fits into an Altoids Tin" marketing ploy.  Pants pocket size?  How about the little coin pocket within the pants pocket!?!  My Sony Cybershot which is but a year old looks and feels like a brick compared to this camera.The entire body is a nice solid aluminum shell with minimalism written all over it.  The lcd screen seems to be the typical 1.5" or so.  The zoom lens extends amazingly far from the body, making one wonder where the heck it disappears to back inside.  The only problem I forsee with this model is the miniscule sized jog button on the back.  The button is way too small to nagivate the menu screens efficiently.  I have a similar problem with my Sony P-71 camera.  Basically, when the left-right-up-down controls are merged into one button along with the center push, motion control becomes extremely tricky.  Not suprisingly, Sony's newer model P-72 separates all 5 directions.  I'm sure that was as a result of numerous complaints from users.Aside from that little nuisance, there seem to be a plethora of functions packed into this little beast.  I really didn't have time to go through them all, but the fact that you can take video clips with sound is a nice addition.  The battery is a propriety one so I would definitely get a second spare.  The memory is Secure Digital which, at least from my perspective, is a hell of a lot better than Sony's memory shtick.  One lesson I've learned is NEVER buy something that uses proprietary memory cards that no other manufacturer will embrace.  SD capacity is on the rise, unlike Sony's memory stick which has topped out at 256mb for models pre-2003.Well, enough of my rant on Sony.  I would recommend you handle this camera in person prior to purchasing it.  Overall, it seems like a marvelous contender in the super slim sized 3 megapixel digital family.
I love my new optio S! After owning 2 small APS cameras, this is an even better replacement. I will say that it helps to have small fingers (as a woman) to operate the camera, but it really only takes a little while to get used to!The features that it allows (such as taking self-portraits, sunset pictures, etc.) makes it very versitile, and I've been able to use and abuse the features in only a few weeks!Essentially, this is the perfect small digital camera to buy. I will take my giant SLR camera everywhere I go that I PLAN on taking pictures. However, my Optio S will go with me EVERYWHERE. It's what a digital camera was truly designed for -- to take fun pictures!!!BTW... if you are considering the CANON 4.0 MP ELPH, this camera has advantages in coolness and in size, not in quality. However, unless you plan on blowing up a bunch of pictures to 8x10, there is no need to purchase a bulkier camera!
I bought this camera to take to Guatemala (didn't want to take my expensive Nikon).  This is a great little travel camera or for just carrying in your pocket or purse.
I've had this camera for nearly a month now, and I really enjoy it.  I take it with me everywhere, and I just keep it in a cinnamon Altoids tin in my little teeny purse.  It takes good clear pictures, it's perfect for what I want it for - to take everywhere and snap photos whenever I want.  My only complaint is that due to its small size, the lens seems to create &quot;bowed&quot; pictures if I am an extreme end of the zoom scale.  For example, if I am not zoomed at all and take a picture with a straight line across the image, the image will turn out curved.  This is apparently a tradeoff you get with super small cameras.  My solution is just to zoom a little bit for as many pictures as I can.  Other than this, it's great.  Oh yeah, some of my male friends have had trouble with the control button, but I have had no trouble due to small hands and fingers.
Upon seeing it in person for the first time, I'm immediately pleased with the body styling. It has a contemporary classic look to it, and I can see this camera in a museum one hundred years from now, inside a glass case. Its small size would make it ideal for candid photographs, but its bright finish easily catches light and attracts attention to itself. Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea for Pentax to produce it in black or gunmetal grey for added stealth.The ergonomics of this camera is quite good for its size. The face is aluminum with arching ridges cut into it. The back of the camera where you would place your right thumb has a one inch long rectangular-oval depression; which is about 1/16th of an inch deep for an excellent hold. At the top right is the shutter button and the power switch. The shutter button is to the left of the power switch, which to some should be the other way around. It's a minor inconvenience, because the shutter button is twice the size of the power switch, and the power switch is recessed into the body of the camera. Just by feel, you can easily distinguish the two.The battery door is made of rigid plastic. It is hinged with a 1/8th inch wide piece of flexible plastic. Pentax' use of such a flimsy-looking hinge must be due to the material's special durable properties. Only time will tell.As I quickly pored over the operating manual, I was pleasantly surprised that the only language inside it was English. This makes the manual less visually confusing and thus easier to read.I happen to find the picture quality to be a grade B+ at the highest quality setting. Its competition has an edge over it, but not by much. 8x10" prints made from this camera is excellent (use the highest quality setting). A photographer with artistic and professional-caliber abilities would certainly make the B+ into an A grade. For some examples, go to Photosig.com, and go to Photos, then Categories, then Cameras. Scroll to the Pentax brand, and model: Pentax Optio S.... you certainly get what you pay for in this camera. It is well worth the price.
Just got the Pentax Optio S. with a leather carrying case. 256MB SD and extra battery on their way.I like cameras that are small and light enough that it's not a hassle to carry everywhere, yet still have sufficient bells and whistles that I can take great pictures under any circumstance. Overall, very pleased with this camera.Pros:1. Great Macro settings - There are Macro and Super Macro settings. The regular macro setting can take good photos upto about a foot away. But the super macro can get as close as 2.5 inches and when shot at the highest resolution and best image setting, the details are amazing (note: flash unavailable in the S-Macro mode).2. Size - I also have a Canon S200 and the Optio is much smaller and lighter in comparison. The Canon feels bulky now. I have a Pentax leather case for the Optio S and the whole thing fits inside the Canon leather case (PSC-100 - discontinued). When worn on my belt, I don't notice that it's there.3. Manual Focus - great for low light situations where the camera sensors have difficulty getting a focus lock.4. Audio functions - You can add sound recording (voice memo) to annotate each picture. And you can listen to the playback on the built in speaker. You can also turn on just the audio recording (lens remains retracted) so that you can use it for short voice recordings.5. Battery meter - Finally, someone added this feature to a camera in this category!!6. Pentax leather belt case (PTLX-40) - very snug fit, zippered main compartment and a vecro closed, accordion style, outer pocket (very nice and expandable, unlike my Canon case) for extra battery, SD cards, Altoids, etc.7. Flexible battery cover - someone dropped my Canon S200 and the CF cover latch broke off (easily replaced but still a pain). The battery cover is attached (somewhat loosely) via an elastic polymer so that in case of an accident, the cover is less likely to break off. While some people might think this is flimsy design, I believe it will actually keep the battery/SD card cover from breaking off on impact (you may have other worries in that case anyway).8. Long neck strap - you can hang the camera from your neck and you will hardly notice that it's there because it's so light.9. Loaded with features - Ability to save configurations so that the camera returns to previous settings (such as zoom, flash, EV, resolution, etc.) when turned back on, ability to assign a custom function to the controller button. Ability to edit image size. Panorama stitching. 3D pictures with included 3D viewer. Instant review setting variable in 1 second increments (my S200 has only 2 or 10 second presets). User adjustable focusing area. Just too many to list that I have not had a chance to try yet.Cons:1. If you have large hands, even fat fingers, the controller can be difficult to use. I have a medium sized thumb and I had to practice a while to keep from accidentally rocking the 4-way controller in the wrong direction.2. Battery life seems somewhat short but that may have been due to my taking a lot of indoor flash pictures. Definitely need a second battery (as with most other digital cameras in this category).3. PC/AV (USB) connector port is a bit difficult to plug into because there is a rubber cover/cap that gets in the way.4. Small size - one of its best features but handing such a small object also takes a little getting used to.5. Focusing option is somewhat limited (spot or multi metering) compared to newer Canons. Movable focusing center is an interesting feature but not very practical to use in the field.Update:1.5 months later... Still very happy with the little camera. While shopping for an engagement ring, I took many super macro shots of rings on my fiance's finger and it really helped to be able to review the close-up appearances, styles and details of each ring. (FYI, every jeweler I asked said it was okay to take the photos of the jewelry we were interested in.)The 256MB SD card can hold about 124 pictures in the best quality highest resolution mode. Battery life was similar to my Canon depending on usage, about an hour of continuous shooting (I have a second battery and a second 256MB SD card that fit inside the pouch on the camera case).I have used the audio recorder only mode (lens stays retracted) a few times to record memos to myself and it proved to be quite useful.I really like being able to wear the camera strap on my neck because it provides ready access during a hike and is very light (you barely feel the weight of the camera hanging from your neck).If you can find/get the Pentax soft leather case, it's the perfect case to hold this camera, a spare battery plus a few SD cards. You can wear it on your belt or in your front jean pocket (comfortable if you have loose/baggy pants).I still have not explored the multitude of other special features but most of those (3D stereo, panorama, special filters, etc.) are not something I would use on a regular basis. They may be useful for some creative projects later on.Update 10/10/2003:I used the audio memo function of the Optio S while looking for rental housing. I took pictures of the places, of rooms and neighborhoods. It was very handy to make a voice memo for each picture of the rental units to remind myself later of any special features of each place, including rent+deposit, number of rooms, pets, floor style, utilities, impressions, etc.This is the only camera I use for all my digital imaging needs.
Pros:  Super fast performance... almost instantly ready after power-on and the fastest camera i've ever seen as far as being ready for consecutive pictures.  very good quality pics, even in low light.  I am shocked by its size... it really does fit into a altoids (R) tin.  Pentax has been making quality cameras for years, this definitely adds to their name.Cons:  The "power" button is right next to the shutter button.  When you try to take a pic you sometimes hit the wrong one and turn it off.  Incandescent lighting can cause a "yellowy" tone to appear, but can be corrected by using a flash or using the "white balance" feature.  Battery charger doesn't plug into camera, only charges battery.  Fine if you have more than one battery, but inconvenient otherwise.Overall: not the cheapest camera on the market, but increadibly small with wonderful features.  If you can afford it, there is no better.  You will find yourself using this more than you would a larger camera.  worth the [money].
I love this camera HOWEVER... be prepared to wait 8 seconds between shots!! I know that doesn't sound like much, but when you are trying to capture a babies smile or something, it is truly an eternity and it difficult to get the "right" shot.  Other than that, this camera takes amazing pictures, the size is awesome, I never go anywhere without it and the battery lasts and lasts.  I only need to charge it every few weeks and I use it every day (I have 5 kids so you can imagine... then again, maybe you can't, LOL).
I keep mine in my pants pocket at all times.  Every other digital camera I've bought or even contemplated buying is enormous, because I always want a certain amount of control.  But as a result, I never have a camera with me for spontaneous shooting.  Yes, the Optio S has a lag between pressing the button and the shutter release; yes, there are plastic and rubber parts that you need to be careful with; but for crying out loud, folks, it fits in a 'Toid can!  You can determine which settings are stored when you power down (my favorite feature); it has two macro settings; the battery lasts longer than any digital camera battery I've ever seen; and I love the images.  This is definitely a watershed device for me in terms of taking more pictures and having more fun doing it.
I have only one complain about this camera.  The menu joystick on the back is very sensitive and takes a little getting use to. With that said, everything else about it is absolutely great!!! I sold my Canon S230 to purchase this camera and I am very satisfied with it. It has a lot of features than the S230, its way smaller, better picture quality (IMO), and it has a 3X optical zoom.  The red eye reduction flash actually works, unlike the S230 plus it has a great fill flash program.  The macro mode is excellent.  I think I will be keeping this camera around for long while.  And if that's not all it has a voice recorder built-in too.  Oh...you can also adjust the sharpness, contrast, and saturation of the images and crop them in the camera. Damn, when Pentax went after Canon did they it vengence.
First off, this camera rocks.  The number of options on it boggle the mind.  I have gone through them and they do make a difference.  The other nice thing is that the interface is very intuitive.  I've read through the manual once and now all of the icons make perfect sense.  The camera takes high quality pictures.  I simply love the fact that it fits in an Altoids tin.  I keep it in my pocket and I don't even notice it.  :-)Now, the reasons for not a perfect 5.1 - The battery life is short. I have a 256 MB card, and I can't get through it without recharing.2 - The software isn't exactly great.  ACD starts up every time that the camera is attached.  Then it promptly crashes.  Thankfully, it works once the pics are copied to the hard drive.
Have had the Optio S for two weeks, shooting both indoors and outdoors with a variety of settings. Picture quality at best resolution is stunning. Controls and menus easy to use, with the possible exception of the multi-function toggle switch - easy to get wrong function...takes some getting used to. Compared before purchase with Minolta Dimage Xi - Optio S has more features, is smaller and lighter, and about the same price. Best feature is a manual focus for low-light situations - Dimage Xi does not have this. Buy an extra battery for travel - hard to find now. But battery life is good. Packed with features and options - as many as larger digital cameras, and then some...check the technical specs. No case available as of 4/3/03, but I use an Altoids tin as advertised. Would highly recommend even to advanced amateurs. Delivers as advertised.Update:  took on a Vegas trip and took many pics enlarged to 11x14 from the highest resolution settings.  No grain in most - in fact, sold some of these matted at an arts festival!  Did not buy camera to take "professional" pictures with, but it is working well!
I still love this camera, though I too had some picture quality complaints the first time I used it in bright sunshine. The reason, it seems, is that the factory setting for contrast is too hot (it was set at +3). I dialed it down to zero and the pictures are perfect. I've appended my original review.  This is my 1st Pentax digicam, and I am absolutely thrilled with it thus far. The primary allure is its size: when compared to my old stand-by Canon digital Elph, this camera is less than half the bulk of the older one. The difference is immediately noticeable, as the Optio easily slips into my pants pocket without feeling too intrusive. It also looks positively 007!Secondly, it is well built. The steel case has an aircraft aluminum-type finish, which means it is easy to grip and it resists fingerprints. It is also well shaped for holding steady. Also of great value is the automatically retracting lens with automatically deployed lens cover; no more lens caps or scratched optics!The features list hits what I think is the &quot;sweet spot&quot; in today's digicams, namely a 3.2 megapixel resolution (allowing for nice 11&quot; x 14&quot; enlargements) plus a 3X true optical zoom. There are numerous other less vital features, my favorite of which is the camera's ability to remember *all* your favorite or your last settings when you power it up again.Battery life seems great, especially when the crystal clear LCD screen is off (you can still use it to review a pic you just took [for a period of time you have pre-selected from the menu] just by pressing the 'play button' on the back of the camera).My complaints are trivial: the battery charger I'm not too crazy about (long cord, not convenient for travel) and the rocker switch for accessing the menu is bedevillingly small for my big fingers. Also, as seems to be the style with all of these companies, the memory card is either too small (11 megs built-in) or not included (I bought a SD 256 card and get 356  shots at 2 megapixels of resolution).All in all though, this is the best digicam I have yet owned.
There's really only ONE reason to get this camera: It's tiny. It's so miniature that it can fit completely inside a closed Altoids mint tin.  And that's really cool.  However, the picture quality is awful, even on the highest settings.  Despite the fact that this is a 3.2 MP camera, the pictures come out very soft (blurry), with all the fine details & colors lost in the photographs.  I bought this camera after using a Nikon Coolpix 995 for years, and taking the exact same pictures side-by-side, you would not believe the difference.  The Coolpix 995 gave me sharp, color-rich, crystal-clear photographs... whereas the Pentax Optio S made those same images blurry and washed out.  However, the Coolpix 995 is a monster to carry around (it's about 8 times the size of the Optio S), so use your best judgement when determining what your needs are.
This camera is simply the smallest 3 megapixel camera you can get at this moment.  To give you an idea of my perceptions with this new camera, I upgraded from a Canon S100 which I've had for over 2 years.  The Canon S100 was a great little camera but was never small enough to fit in my pockets comfortably.  The Optio S, on the other hand, is so small, it can fit inside my fifth pocket on most 5-pocket jeans. It truly is a camera I carry with me at all times.  Also, it is about half as light as the Canon PowerShot Digital Elph series.I've been using this camera for about 2 weeks now.  It performed very well (as well as my Digital Elph, but in many respects, much better).  I did have trouble with taking steady shots in low light conditions without flash, I don't think there is any digital camera that is an exception to that problem, including my Canon.  But other than that, everything worked wonderfully.  I took very close-up pictures of flowers out doors, and they turned out super sharp (I could even see the little dust on each petal!).  The camera's macro and super macro modes are superb. The 3 megapixel CCD's quality is about the same as the Canon's (very good).  There is no simulated film graininess that you sometimes see in other digicams, such as Fujifilm's FinePix cameras.Particulary useful and fun features that I find myself using constantly are the 3D mode and the camera mode.  The 3D mode lets you create a stereogram image of a subject, as long as you can take two pictures of them back to back without them moving. You must move the camera over a to the right very slightly on the second image taken, to get the correct 3D effect.  You can view it like any other stereogram, or use a little plastic stand/viewer that comes with the camera. The action camera mode is similar to other cameras.  It records video image and sound for up to 30 seconds each shot..  Each 30-second video takes up 3 megabytes of memory, which uses around twice as much space as a regular high-quality still.  The camera doesn't come with much memory (11 megabytes), so getting 256MB card is highly recommended.  That should provide enough space for about 160 high-quality stills. Just to let you know, the microphone on the front is very sensitive and will pick up the sound just fine, but the speaker on the back is very weak.The battery performed excellently. I took about 100 pictures using the screen, 50/50 with and without flash. There was plenty of juice still (about half). The camera ran out of juice after the 2nd day carrying it with me everywhere.If you plan to get this camera and carry it mostly in your pocket, versus using a case, make sure you get a PDA screen-protector pack and cut out some squares to protect the screen, glass viewfinder, and other areas where your oily fingers and dust interact with the camera alot..  I didn't do this with my Canon, and I regret it, because after about 2 years, it looks very very used (most of the text is worn off, dust inside viewfinder, and there are little scratches all over, including the screen).My only complaint is that the camera doesn't come with a short leash like the Canon. It comes with big lanyard looking one, where you can wear it around your neck.. I hate anything on my neck!  So I used my Canon's instead ;)Anyway I highly recommend this camera.  It truly is an all-purpose camera! It has lots of  great features and performs excellently.  Picture quality is great. The auto/manual focus and exposure control works brilliantly.  The macro, camera and 3d modes are way cool. And lastly, the screen is beautiful (far clearer than the Digital Elph Powershots are).  I found the little controls were not hard to use at all. The up-down-left-right-centerOK control pad was actually very responsive, easy to use.  Much easier than on the Canon S45's, which alot of users complained that they accidently hit the wrong direction.  Also the battery cover appears as if it might open too easily, but it hasn't come off once, so don't worry.  Some people have complained about it being flimsy, but I honestly think the door design is MUCH better than on the canon's, which can snap off if pushed beyond the hinge.  This door is cleverly connected with a rubber hinge that prevents that altogether.You will love this camera for its portability and ease-of-use.There is so much more to this camera than what I've talked about, so please look into it in further detail before buying.You'll see why I think this will be a top seller for 2003.
We got this for a wedding gift ready for our honeymoon next month and we are so excited to use it. Theres loads of features on it, but after a quick run through the manual its easy to find things and remember how to use the functions.We have oly taken sample shots with this so far - but they have all been great. Onboard memory is small, but memory seems reasonable these days and we have ordered a 256 SD card to use with it. Battery life IS short, but it appears that it is possible to track down a second battery now on Amazon.Looks amazing - easy to use and just wonderful!
I recently purchased this camera, took it out for a few detailed 'spins', and -- discouraged -- am sending it back.  While I'm aware that I could have taken advantage of the bevy of manual controls to improve the look of my photographs, I was disheartened to see average-to-poor results from shooting in the default "Auto" mode, particularly when shooting at 5MP in dimly lit situations.  Admittedly, these sort of circumstances are pushing the limits for any compact-or-smaller digicams, but I still expected better from the F300.  For more details, reviews, and sample galleries, I encourage you to check out Epinions, MinoltaF300, and other dotcom sites that offer rich perspectives on the F300.  I just wish I had bought this camera direct from Amazon -- then I wouldn't be having so many problems in trying to send it back :-(
Although not currently available, this is a very attractive and capable camera.  I owned one previously and have been able to get glorious 16"x20" prints which are some of the clearest of any cameras I've owned (2 1/4 square film, and 10MP digital).Focus and zoom are a bit slow, and by current standards the LCD is small, but adequate.  The direct viewfinder is a big plus.The shape makes handling and pocketing very easy, and the use of standard AA batteries is very convenient.
After weeks of research, online and in stores, I picked up the F300.  What drew my money in the end were 5 megapixels (5.3 on CCD but 5 efective), fast and bright LCD viewfinder, highly rated picture quality, 3x optical and 4x digital zoom, and finally, the ability to use AA batteries.  On this last point, the F300 only needs 2 AA batteries, but you must use the NIMH type, which can last a long time and are real cheap at Walmart, etc.  Minolta throws in a lithium battery, which cannot be charged, but lasts forever.  And they give you 4 AA NIMH so you get two sets to rotate through, very thoughtful of them indeed. So power shouldn't be a problem. Picture taking is as easy as turning the knob to &quot;automatic&quot;, point and shoot.  There are tons of controls if you are so inclined, but the automatics do a great job for me. The elongated shape makes the camera easy to take out of the free case and to hold, another browny point for Minolta.  Zoom lens is a bit slow, that's my only gripe.  Overall the VERY BEST value for a 5MP digital camera that does not compromise quality and convenience at all.  A total winner.
Compact size. great quality picts. Can't fit many at hi-res setting on the 32 MB card so I suggest getting an additional memory card with at least 128 or 256MB. But over all i've been very happy with this cameral and it's fun and easy to use. Two thumbs up!
This is my first digital camera after years of using old school film cameras. I purchased it when it first came out, having ready solid review of the F100 which was its predecessor. The F300 is stylish reasonably compact, and it can take regular AA batteries which is very convenient (though I recommend purchasing Powerex rechargeable 2200mAH AA batteries; this camera will drain regular AA batteries with alarming speed). Its feature set is solid--5MP, 3X optical zoom, solid macro performance--and my photos have turned out fairly neutral in color balance.However, the one thing which frustrates me to no end is how sluggish the camera can feel. Turning the camera on and off leads to a several second wait for the lens to emerge or retract. The lag time when trying to get the lens to go wide or to zoom causes me to overshoot, so framing the subject properly can be an ordeal. The time to get an autofocus lock renders this camera unusable for all but stationery or very slow-moving subjects. And shooting at the highest resolution leads to long waits while the image is written to the memory card. I'm not expecting Nikon or Canon 35mm camera body responsiveness, but the F300's sluggishness removes some of photography's capture-the-moment joy.I have become addicted to the convenience of previewing and sharing photos with a digital camera, but if I had to do it all over again I'd buy a nimbler 5 megapixel digital camera.
I've been testing the F300 for a client and am happy to report this is one excellent digital camera. First of all it's an *affordable* 5+ megapixel digital camera that doesn't exhaust your retirement savings. Second, it sports top-notch picture quality, with well-saturated colors and well-defined clarity. (Fuji's cameras still have the "best" color richness.) Then there are tons of features for the geeky type to play with. 3X optical zoom works smoothly, and as you can see from the product photo it's the traditional telescoping type, not the periscoping kind on the X series. Battery life is about average, which is to say "not bad" for a 5+ megapixel camera.The most amaing thing is the number of manual controls Minolta pakcs in with the F-series, which will make every SLR enthusiast at heart leap in joy.  I didn't play with the manual controls much except the aperture mode, but I think if you want a digital camera with every imaginable manual adjustment you can think of, Minolta's F-series is the only product line that gives you this power.If you want a dependable digital camera, the F300 deserves a very serious look, and perhaps your next paycheck.  (Update: since I first wrote this brief review the F-series has been getting rave editorial reviews from "professional" reviewers.  Hence I'm getting one myself when my next paycheck arrives.)Update (9/10/03): The original review was written in May, not long after the F300 came out as successor to the highly acclaimed Dimage F100 3MP camera.  Now I'm a proud of owner of an F300, I want to add some additional comments.Starting last month Minolta added four NiMH AA batteries with a 16-hour compact charger, a case, and a bonus CD-ROM to the original camera kit, and also upgraded the included SD memory to 32MB (from 16MB).  This move boosted the F300's value and competitiveness against other cameras in this class.  Amazon now also has a great price, which makes the F300 cheaper than its competitors from Canon and Sony.  The camera itself is made in Japan and exhibits the highest level of build quality.Minolta's user's guide is the best I've seen in a long time.  Printed on nice paper and written clearly, it comes in only English, so you don't have to pay for a user's guide in Spanish or French.  Lots of high-quality illustrations, and they use a big font.  I wish every manufacturer would print their manuals like this.  A+!The best features of the F300 are (1) 5.3 megapixels for a great price, (2) lots of manual controls -- great for prosumers, (3) easy control - unlike Canon, Minolta makes it easy for you to adjust resolution and compression level, (4) uses 1 CR-V3 lithium non-rechargeable battery, or 2 AA NiMH batteries, to achieve good battery life -- and NiMH batteries are dirt cheap nowadays.  In short, this is a powerful camera with lots of likable features, plus excellent image quality, in a compact, carry-anywhere package.My wish list for Minolta: increase the optical zoom power!  3X is standard, but you guys can win over even more buyers if you go to 5X or 6X.  It can't be hard for you guys, can it?  :)
After having the F100 and loving it I just HAD to upgrade.  This camera builds on the many great features of the F100 and adds a few new ones.  I find picture quality to be truly outstanding.  I will admit that almost all small digicams have tiny, underpowered flashes and the F300 is no exception.  I use an auxiliary flash when taking pictures inside a large room.  Full auto and fully manual and everything in between.  There are so many features you can do almost anything with this camera.  Bottom line - nothing compares with the F300 at the price you can buy it for.
I own the mighty Dimage 7i, which for my money is still the best 5MP camera out there. But the 7i requires a lot of support and accessories to lug around. I needed a little camera for those unexpected opportunities or places where I really don't want to advertise I have a camera with me.My first solution was the very good Canon Powershot A200 which I have reviewed favorably. The biggest problem is that once you get used to the bigger formats that higher MP brings, 2 MP gets real old, real fast. So when Minolta came out with this 5MP point and shoot with a reasonable price, I sold the Canon and bought the F300.First this camera has a lot of features and controls. But it is not a Dimage 7. The F300's controls are less intuitive and clunkier owing to its small size. Secondly, the lens cannot compete with the 7. But again this is basically a souped-up point and shoot. It is designed for the automatic modes.My advice is to forget the contols and rely on photo-editing software. At the larger image sizes you have plenty of opportunity to edit without picture degradation.This is a wonderful addition to my camera bag.
the minolta dimage f300 is a solid camera but there are a few complaints that lead to this 4 star rating: no AF assist light, noisier images than competition, a slow moving lens, and all but useless TIFF mode (takes too long to save).pros:- 5MP resolution and 3X optical zoom.- good photo quality, very sharp images.- LCD on top of camera displays essential info (very rare in this camera class) - to be truly useful though, this should have included shutter speed and aperture.- subject tracking autofocus performs well.- good color balance.- full set of manual controls - aperture/shutter priority, manual exposure, manual focus.- intuitive user interface plus simple menu system.- wide ISO sensitivity range for a compact (ISO 100 - 800).- good macro performance.- solid build quality, aluminium body.- good shot to shot times.- selectable AF points, reasonable AF speed.- tracking AF workings for slow moving high contrast subjects.- USB connectivity.- non-proprietary AA batteries used.- automatic lens cover.- small and light: 4.4&quot;W x 2.1&quot;H x 1.3&quot;D, weighing 7.8oz.cons:- more noise in images than competition.- no auto focus assist light - makes focusing in low light difficult, if not impossible.- slow moving lens - over 3 seconds to go from wide to telephoto!- slow moving lens leads to slow startup time.- shutter lag is noticeably worse than competition.- noticeable barrel distortion from lens at wide angle.- default tonal balance leads to lost shadow detail, clipped highlights.- no flash power control.- only TIFF format is supported, if you prefer RAW format, look elsewhere.- saving a TIFF file means a virtual camera shutdown for about 30 seconds!  this is a deal breaker for me.- metal case scratches easily.- doors for memory and battery feel flimsy.- the included 32MB memory card is inadequate; be ready to shell out additional $$ for more memory.as already mentioned, the f300 is a competent camera that is compact and quite stylish.  if you don't plan to use the TIFF mode, the long save time is a non-issue.  the shutter lag is troublesome though and the lack of an AF assist light is annoying.  nevertheless, this camera has a lot going for it and is worthy of consideration.  in the end, i would recommend the canon s50 over this.i hope this helps your purchasing decision.  peace.
As the first time digital camera buyer, I loved the price and size. Photos are as good as it ought to be (IMHO, this is a given - Olympus is a name to reckon with in the world of imaging). Photos taken by Canon and Olympus looked the same.Pros - It is sexy and beautiful (the metal case is really cool), very attractive size (fits in my shirt pocket), great battery life (have charged only once so far - I have clicked over 50-60 photos so far), rugged (I do not carry it in a camera pouch), easy interface (very intuitive - on the contrary, found Canon to be a bit complicated), media is xD Card (great size compared to the bulky CompactFlash); xD Card is also is superfast.Cons - The only one I can think of - xD Card is expensive - I had to pay about $40 for an Olympus 256 MB xD Card on eBay.
This worked as expected for the first few days, then stopped turning on after one week of extremely light usage.
I am so disappointed in this camera. I loved the feel and ease of it. The battery life was great and all the pictures looked so good on the screen but when I downloaded them they were terrible. A few pictures were taken from a close distance in perfect lighting and they were great but any pictures that used the zoom or had lower lighting were extremenly grainy and poor. If I had gotten a cheap deal on this camera I would not be so dissappointed but I paid a little more thinking I was getting a better camera. Don't waste your money
Loved the camera... until it broke!  This was my first digital camera purchase and I bought Olympus because I've had good experiences with the brand previously.  The camera takes good pictures, is lightweight, looks good and I enjoyed it for about 18 months when the slider broke. I am not hard on equipment so  believed this to be a manufacturers defect and called Olympus who stated they will fix it... for $150.  Great... I'll get it fixed and then have it break again 18 months later? Not a real good deal.  What I've got now is an expensive paperweight. I'll put my money where it'll do the most good... in another camera and probably not an Olympus!  It doesn't matter how good something is if it doesn't work.  Anyone want a real pretty paperweight?
This is a fantastic little camera.1. It takes great pictures and has some specieal features like the night shot.2. The book could be a better written for clairity to explain some of the special features like how to get the digital zoom to stay on and not require an extra step to turn it on every time the camera is turned on. The viewfinder works great but would be nice if it was larger and includid the number of pictures remaining and battery condition. Outside in full sun the monitor screen washes out and is hard to view so the viewfinder is very handy when the screen washes out.3. I bought and extra lithium 3.7 v 1000 ma battery (...) and it has been handy a few times. Very good company and very fast.5.The delay from turn-on to actural taking a photo is more that a 35 mm camera but I am getting used to it. I plan to sell off some of my 35 mm cameras on ebay since the digital works so well.6.Some have said the included software is lacking. Well I have not used it. I just uploaded images to the computer and then to the free Sony web site. It works great and allows some editing. Did I mention it is for free. They have some nice options for printing, and mugs with your prints that are worth checking out. Yahoo also has a good free site for free online storage of your images. Each image takes about thirty seconds to up load with a  fast DSL connection.7. Have taken the camera to Sam's club do  prints using their computer to do the photo editing for 17 cents a print... they are printed in about 25 minutes am I am on my way... Works great and they can enlarge images up to 10 by 14 for about 2 dollars. Wow... try it you'll love it.
I love the security of knowing the camera is water resistant, and the battery life is so good I have hardly ever used the second battery I purchased.But... it has a big flaw, one in common with other Olympus products.  If you hand the camera to someone to take a picture... 99 times out of 100... they will accidentially turn the camera off.  The slide switch is annoying, overly sensitive, and very very fragile.  If (or when) it breaks the repair charge is a minimum $125.Flash pictures are another issue... they always come out with wierd yellowish colors.  Overall I'm just barely satisfied with this model, and very unhappy when compared to my prior (stolen) Canon PowerShot.
The Olympus Stylus series of cameras are very unique in their functions; they are weather resistant. There are two models of the Stylus series; a 3.2 (Stylus 300) and a 4.0 (Stylus 400) mega pixel unit. Today we will examine the 3.2 mega pixel Stylus 300 unit which is very similar to the 4.0. This compact camera fits into any shirt pocket with ease, it weighs a bit more than most cameras (5.8oz. or 165g), which is probably due to the additional materials needed to weather-proof the camera. The 3.2 megapixel camera packs a punch, but has a hefty price tag. Is it worth its price tag, or is there a better alternative? Read on and find out what we think. (check out the full review @ bytesector.com)
We have had this camera for almost two years, possibly longer.  This little camera was a good for our workplace to take photos of people for reference.  Overall, the quality of the photos can go up to 3.2mpg, good enough for a 11x14 photo, but all we need is 3x5-4x6 maximum, so excellent for this.  Also it features a 3x optical (still low end standard zoom today) and a 4 x digital zoom (which relies on megapixels).  total zoom 12x, not bad for this little design.  The price on this right now is excellent for the features, the software still very similar to the newer stylus models (710,740,750,760,810,and 1000).  This does not have a digital image or optical image stabilization, which was not available from olympus at this price range back in 2003.  It does featrue the panoramic feature available with type m and type h olympus brand xD cards (a code that comes with the branded card unlocks the code in the master software on your computer).  What this feature does is allow you to stitch up to 10 photos together seamlessly for a 360 degree view if wanted. Neat.  Check this out as an everyday use, on the go camera.  It is weather resistant (sealed to prevent splashes ect, good in rain).  Good entry level camera for kids today.
did not get a chance to use this, as it was a gift for someone else,but i think, it is a good one and might consider in the future mainly due to its all weather protection feature
For a basic digital camera,the 300 delivers good results in general use. Do not expect it to produce what a $2000 Lica will. the camera was built for, point-and-shoot,and it delivers good color with generally great results. It is compact,small,well protected,and a treat to use. A great general camera.
I bought the camera a couple weeks ago and I've been very impressed by it.  It is very easy to use.  The menus are very organized and the manual does a great job explaining all the features.  Landscape pictures and portraits are incredible.  The camera does a good job reducing red eye, and skin tone is captured very accurately.  The zoom isn't great, but I was willing to sacrifice the zoom for the size.  The 16 mb XD card that it comes with is very small. I would recommend getting atleast a 128 mb card.  If you get a new XD card and you're planning on taking panorama's, make sure that you get an Olympus brand card (other brands don't support panorama shots).  Battery life is great.  I was able to take a little over 250 pictures with a fully charged battery (about 200 of them were in the lowest resolution and the other 50 were in the highest resolution).  It can be difficult getting clear pictures if you don't have a steady hand.  It is also difficult to determine if the pictures are clear from looking at the LCD screen.  Sometimes they'll look clear on the screen, but when I download it onto the computer they'll be slightly blurry.  The one negative thing about this camera is the slow shutter speed.  Don't even try getting action shots.  All you'll see is a blur.  Also, night shots or lowlight shots within the flash range (with the flash on) come out very nicely, but anything beyond that comes out blurry.  Overall, it was well worth the price and I am very satisfied with it.
I've had mine for years. I take it everywhere with me. I've even dropped it a few times. It still works wonderfully. The only problem I have with this camera is that you have to hold it still so it doesn't take blurry photos. (I think it takes a while for the aperture to close.)
I gave my Nikon digital to my daughter when I purchased the Olympus because I wanted a camera that was more 'weatherproof'.  We spend quite a bit of time at the beach and involve ourselves in some watersports (kayaking).  I did not feel comfortable with having the Nikon even near anything wet.  Upon examining the Olympus, I suspected that its 'weatherproofness' was pretty weak.  The hatch covers for the battery and usb port are quite flimsy and way too easy to open accidentally.  Although the covers do have 'o' ring type seals, it was obvious these will not hold back nominal splashing water.  Also, the lens slide is very vulnerable to sand -- so taking the slide off and cleaning the slide grooves has become routine. Mechanically, the camera just seems cheap --unlike the less expensive Nikon that feels solid.Using the camera is much more involved than the Nikon.  I didn't appreciate Nikon's menu setup/controls until I used the Olympus.  It drove me nuts  -- and still does.On the plus side, the pics seem fine.  And unlike other reviewers, I find the battery life is pretty good.  I do have a couple of back up batteries that are always charged, so no problem. The chip holds lots of pics.I have had many regular Olympus cameras in the past (all 35mm) and have always thought highly of Olympus quality.  Olympus just did not meet the standards I expected when it came to this camera.
The picture quality on this camera is impressive. Even after three years and many bounces on concrete. I must have dropped this camera at least 10 times and the thing is solid as a rock. The picture quality is unbeleivable as well as many people look at the 3x5's and say, "this isn't a digital" The only reason I gave it less starts is because it doesn't have a built in date feature, or a built in microphone. The date feature is super convenient when you want to capture certain events.
this is a great camera... took me a while (and i am young so i know technology) to figure some of the buttons out--- but once i did it was fine...takes great pics...program is kind of confusing on the computer but you can get around it...costco has the best deal.. and best return policy if you decide you dont like it :)
This saler is not serious after sending me a wrong product he told me to send it back for a new one but since more than six weeks I have not heard anything and his contact info was nowhere to be found.  Total disappointed and will never recommend this saler because he is not honest.
After searching for several months for a good digital camera, I found that the Stylus provided the most "bang for the buck".  It's compact size and user friendly interface makes it a breeze to use, even for first time digital camera owners.  The software provided makes downloading and emailing pictures easier than ever and it even allows you to do simple touch-ups to your pictures (resizing, cropping, changing quality, red-eye, etc.) before sending them out.  Kudos to Amazon.com for offering a US warranty product at competitive prices, not to mention free shipping, free picture cards and no tax!The only reservation that I had about this camera is the fact that it uses the new xD picture cards.  This is definitely not a knock on the camera itself, but rather a concern that this media type may cease to exist.  Hopefully this media will be supported as much if not more than the others and won't die a tragic death in the same way that BETA did with the VCR.
First, the bad: indoor, no flash pictures are poor.  We took about 60 pictures this weekend for my brother's graduation, about half inside with no flash, and only 4 of them came out okay.  Even the "good" ones weren't particularly sharp when I reduced them to 800x600.  We mostly took pictures of people; any movement on the part of the subject or the camera made the picture very blurry.  Guess it's using a slow shutter speed to compensate for the low light, though I'm surprised that it's as bad as it is!  Though, this is the only digital camera that I've used, so it might just be that I had high expectationsBesides indoor no flash shots, this camera is great.  It's pretty.  It has some weight to it which makes it feel more solid.  It's small---it easily slips into a jeans or shirt pocket.  The lithium battery that comes with the battery is great---it lasts forever.  The camera comes with a charger.  I used the camera off and on over the weekend (~60 pictures) and didn't run out of battery.  Outdoor shots are sharp and the colors are good.  The memory is pretty speedy.  I transferred over 100 meg worth of pictures in just a few minutes.  Oh, and since the battery is so good, you don't need to worry about buying one of those special download hookups.  Just plug the USB cable into the camera and start downloading!One thing that I particularly love (being the computer geek that I am) is that I can mount the camera as a USB drive under linux, no special software needed.  I just "mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/usb" and copy the files over.  No hassling with Windows!In summary, if you don't mind using the flash for indoor pictures, this is a great little camera, well worth the money.
I am so mad I purchased this camera.  The design is really bad. The slider is a pain, and from reading these reviews...I am just on egg shells every time I slide it open to take a picture. It is not a very simple camera to use. Sometimes it takes good pics but usually you have to hold it perfectly still to get them perfect. I definatley prefer my mother-in-law's PowerShot by Cannon.  I wish I would have spent a bit more and purchased that model!  Hind sight is 20/20...  Take my advice and tons of others...Skip this one.
For the snapshot photographer, you'll get great results with this little guy.  It's almost hard to take a bad picture with it.  And, with a little care, you can take really great pictures.The cards are easy to use, and the camera can take some serious abuse and shrug it off.  I'm very happy with it.  I wish it was less expensive, though.
This is the first digital camera I myself have owned, but I have experiance with many of them.  I've had mine about 3 monthes.  This camera is very small and light - which is important for me, because I take it almost everywhere I go.  It is also durable, and weatherproof.  I've taken it out in the pouring rain, and taken pictures, and it's held up great.  The 'night mode' setting is my favorite feature, and I wouldn't buy a camera without something like this.  It keeps the shutter open until the camera feels it's gathered enough light (and it's almost always right) - meaning you can take pictures in near total darkness.  This allows for some great shots that you wouldn't otherwise be able to get...of course, you have to hold the camera perfectly still while it's taking the shot (I ussually prop it up on a railing or something).  Yeah, in conclusion - i's a great camera.
We had three of these - my brother and I got them and liked them so much my mom wanted one. I shoot otherwise with a Pentax K10 SLR (and SLR film cameras, or a square-format when I have spare time to play). I have gotten prize-winning photographs from this little camera and am rarely unsatisfied with the images it produces. It is easy to use, small enough to fit in my pocket or glove compartment or clip on my purse when I don't want to take along one of my 'big boys.' I like metal-body cameras for durability - especially at low temperatures. I've had this outside shooting in below freezing conditions and haven't had to worry that if I drop it the body would smash in a million pieces at impact. I've taken it traveling in Europe and the Middle East, and road tripping across the United States. It's an absolute gem! In addition my original 300 ended up (after 2 or so years of use) dropped behind a car and partly backed over. The LCD cracked and there was some bent metal involved, but the amazing thing kept working for another 5 weeks - including a quick trip to England with friends - and shot great pictures until it died (i didn't feel it owed me a thing at that point!). I replaced it with a 410, and have now been loving that for about 5 years. The 410 is a little slower to be ready to take the next shot - i think maybe they used the same processors that the 300 has and the extra information in the higher megapixels means it takes a touch longer to record. Also, I would say with either model if I have a 1 or 2 GB card in there and it gets full the camera does take longer to get fully powered up when i switch it on.LOVE LOVE LOVE the REAL viewfinder. None of this shooting only with the screen business. You can shut off the screen to save battery power if you are using it on a long hike or rafting trip or whatever and won't be able to charge it for a long time. Hard to find in the newer point&shoots.;I would get a used or refirb of this camera in a heartbeat before most of the newer 10mp cameras i've handled for friends. The 3mp shoots quick, clear, photos that can be blown up to 8x10 easily. i think it's pretty rare that you would need more if you're not a national geographic pro.More is surely not always better when it comes to a higher # of megapixels. This little beauty is a lovely example of that!
This is a snap response after recieving this camera today and playing with it for about an hour or so.First, THE GOOD:The first thing you're gonna notice about this camera is it's apearance. It's simply GORGEOUS! It's called the STYLUS for a reason! It's STYLISH! It's hands down the most attractive looking camera I've seen, it just looks cool. You're bound to get compliments any time you whip it out among company. The shiny aluminum case is no just very classy looking, but also makes for a durable and sturdy frame.The Stylus 300 Digital by Olympus is very well made, and feels firm and durable in the hand. It does'nt feel flimsy at all. You get the feeling that if you dropped it on a sidewalk a few times it would probably survive with little more than a dent (Although I wouldnt try that!). Also, it's supposedly made for all-weather use, so you should be able to take pictures in driving rain if you wanted to. You'l notice that all the ports and connectors are protected by rubber covers and all the little compartments with plastic doors (for example the little cover that you flip up to put in a memory card) covering them are sealed with rubber rims to keep out water. This is a great camera for anyone who tends to be a bit clumbsy or who wants to be able to have take pictures in bad weather.The camera is also pretty small. It may not be the smallest camera out (when compared to other super-tiny models) but it's pretty damn small! It's about the size of a pack of cigarretts! It's actually smaller than my wallet!The camera is also very well designed. There is no lens cap to loose or have to remember to put on. Instead a door slides over the lens and protects it. This same door/sleave is used to turn the camera on/off. Turning it on is as simple as flipping the door over. Start up is very quick! I was able to turn the camera on, take a picture, and turn the camera back off and in my pocket in about 10 seconds! It's pretty responsive. It's pretty quick taking pictures too, the wait time between pictures is very short (shorter than my 35mm), not quite as fast as would be wished for though.Olympus also through in a remote control! This is great for self portraits or when you want to actually be IN the pictures you're taking. The battery life apears to be pretty good, and a lithium Ion battery is included as well as a charger. Also included is a 16 MB memory card. I wish there was a little built in memory or a larger card had been included for the money. The card technology is either a new one I am not familiar with or a proprietary one - it's called &quot;XD picture card&quot;. The 'card' is a TINY (about the size of thumbnail).USB is supported (as expected) and you can ussually plug the camera right in and windows (XP and ME) will automatically recognize it as a removeable drive. This is great as you can even use you're camera's memory to carry around or transfer other types of files as well which might be useful in a pinch. It also supports video out so you can view pictures on your TV.Finally there is also a movie mode that lets you take 16 second video clips. The down side is that this is in quicktime format (I would much prefer MPEG or AVI). Another thing is that the length is ALWAYS limited to 16 seconds - even if you have a 128 MB card in there, you can only take 16 second clips... that's just dumb. If I have enough memory why cant I take longer clips? Come on Olympus, release a firmware patch to allow us to take longer clips or use a different video format. There is also no sound, which is a feature that IS present in models made by cannon and Kodak (who provde both built in mics, built in speakers, and the time of your movie clips is only limited to memory restraints). This is a significant drawback if this featureset interests you, but isn't enough to weigh down the rest of the quality present.The interface is also pretty easy to use and supports plenty of features. It's not QUITE as easy as the Kodak DX4330, but most people will find it pretty simple with a minimal learning curve.All in all, this is a GREAT camera. While you're probably going to want to buy a bigger memory card, you'll probably be VERY happy with this as a choice. The only cons are the lack of support for video features - the lack of sound and the time restraints are both unexcusable considering the price.Still I give it a 5 star rating for the quality of construction and the over-all design. Im very happy with this camera, they just need to add sound to the next version. Heck, if they would just release a patch t allow video clips to use MPEG or even just allow us to take longer clips, then I would call this the ONLY CHOICE in digital cameras for the price range.
After falling in a river with my last digital camera (don't ask) I wanted a durable camera that I wouldn't kill myself over if I lost or broke. This was my concluded answer and thus far I've been pretty happy. I will say this though; as far as I can tell you can't view pictures in a gallery format without closing the lense and shutting the camera off. You can see the picture you just took and leave it on, but not all of your photos. I didn't think this was a big deal but I find it annoying. Also, the buttons on the camera are very small and built low to the frame of the camera. This makes it good for durability because they won't snap off or crack from getting bumped or such, but, they are kind of hard to push. Also, the screen is smaller than I realized and the zoom is practially NOTHING. It didn't really seem like it on the pictures I viewed, but it's pretty tiny. I was surprised at the memory capacity of the camera though, being a smaller megapixel it of course requires less memory space, but a 256 mb memory card holds around 325 pictures. I think this is a good camera and is very functional for someone who just candidly takes photos. NOT for a photographer buff.
If you use a digital camera, you need to get off those 4 AA from your drug store. They are just not practical, the battery on this camera last for a whole 250 MB card at max resolution. Additional battery is cheap (cheaper than buying those 4 AA batteries over time). Just like you would charge a digital video camera, you plug the charger in the wall, place the battery eaily on top and leave it. In less than the time it takes you to drive to that drig store, you got a full charge!The media card is the one you would use for this camera, why would you want CF for example? Average user would have one digital camera with one card, that easily download into your PC.I bought the Canon powershot and this by far has a better color especially for Macro shots. Go ahead and get it, it can be used everywhere, it wont run out of battery even if you store ity for a month as long as it is charged and it wont die as soon as as a little increase in humidity hits it. I have been useing it for 2 years and no problems, highly recommended.
This camera has a great concept of a weather proof, compact go anywhere body BUT...  Beware that if you buy this, the software that comes with it to download your photos onto your computer will only let you edit and print those photos.  In other words, you CANNOT e-mail or even save them to disk without purchasing the upgrade to the software from Olympus.Also, the camera takes okay photos, but I noticed that 1 out of every 5 or 6 photos is blurred for no apparent reason.  I am not a professional photographer, but this is my third Olympus digital camera and it is the most expensive and poorest performer overall.  That's not to say that it's a bad camera, but I would have expected better for the price.Having said that, it does have some useful settings, and I love the compactness and portability of this camera.  I'm just very annoyed that they're expecting everyone to pay for the upgrade to the software to make the photos taken with this camera share-able digitally.
The camera was average in my opinion. Did what you would expect from a camera in this range, but never liked the low lighting pictures. I was always concerned about the sliding door, as it seemed like a bad design from the get go. Well the door broke yesterday and now I see these reviews of the problems others have had. It confirmed my suspicions. Since it's an older camera now, continue to use it, but sooner or later the sliding door will get you. Now I'm trying to figure out a way to take the door off and rig it, so i can still take pics.
This was my wife's christmas present.  I love the camera and learn to love Olympus products. I like the idea of an all weather camera.  This must be a standard for every digital camera.  Like the airbag for the cars.  I took this camera everywhere, USA, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico City, Cancun, in te mountains of Colombia in south america, and back to the USA. Excellent!!! No problem at all.I recommend the Fujifilm memory cards, Lowepro camera bag and Lexar Media Multi-Card reader.
Incredibly small and asthetically pleasing, this is a major upgrade from my 1 megapixel Olympus.  Being able to keep this in my back pocket is great (it's actually so small that my major worry is leaving it on the table in a restaurant somewhere).  The battery life is excellent (and the battery, like the XD card, is tiny).  The major drawback--even on a very bright, sunny day, it cannot take pictures indoors without a flash; without the flash, pictures are dark yellow and severely blurred--surprisingly, they were yellowed and blurred sometimes WITH the flash.  Given the weather-proof design, this is clearly meant as an outdoor camera.  Overall, though, a keeper.
I was given one of these cameras as a gift as a replacement for my beloved Sony 3MP camera. It started out well enough, this took some alright photos until I had it for a week. The camera would not focus correctly, if you zoomed in with it the picture would come out extraordinarily blurry. Some photos I took of friends had a strange hue over them and were blurry to say the least.Another problem I ran into was that the battery life in the camera wore down extraordinarily quickly. If you use this camera with flash the battery will wear out after about 10 photos.In addition when taking a picture the camera would pause for about 5 seconds, the screen would turn black, show the picture I just took for less than a second, turn black again for a few seconds and would then show what I was aiming at.Let's just say I went back to using that old Sony camera I had...I still can't belive how disappointed I was by a camera that was made by one of the best companies in the buisiness.This camera is not one for anyone who wants a reliable camera for everyday use. This is nothing more then a cheap attempt at making a halfway good digital camera. For about the same price you can pick up a Sony 3.2MP Cybershot, which from personal experience is excellent, or for about $10-$20 more a nice Canon 3.2MP Powershot.
This is a great camera, with an excellent price value.  It is better than a 'point and click' camera because it has some additional features and adjustments if you want to use them.It is compact, stylish, well designed, and relatively easy to use.  If you are completely inexperienced with cameras, and don't understand how to use a flash indoors, or can't figure out how to save a picture on a computer and then email it, perhaps something from Kodak would be more appropriate.I wanted to have at least 3.2 megapixels of quality, and Consumer Reports shows Olympus with one of the better track records on camera durability (less repairs).  I didn't want to pay some serious bucks for a camera, and then be worried about letting my 11 year old son use it.By the way, I gave him the manual, and he figured out how to use this camera in one hour and then showed me how to use it. Still, this is not a good camera for a 'beginner.'
I own another camera just like it. The seller sent me a damaged camera and has refused to refund the cost. I would never buy anything form her again.
A friend showed me the next model down, and liked it.  I decided to get this model with lithium batteries.  I take close-ups of flowers, and it does a great job, and viewing them through the display allows centering of the bloom every time.  My only problem is that the pictures make huge files, which take time to attach and send on the internet.  Perhaps there is a way around this, but a friend compresses the files and that serves. I agree with the comments on the button sizes on the rear, but it isn't a big problem.  I'm happy with my new toy
I have now owned this camera for about four years.  I purchased it to take kayak fishing.  I have taken over 10,000 photos with this camera. I use this came about 90% of the time taking construction job site photos. The camera is great.  After four years the only problem is that the movable cover has gotten real loose and closes way to easy to the point of frustration.  It costs about $90.00 to send it back to Olympus for repair so I just purchased a new Olympus Stylus 850 SW.  This camera is a real step up from the 300.  You can not go wrong with any Olympus point and shoot cameras.  If you are a Sams Club member the 850 comes in kit for about $159.00.  This is a real killer price. Better than what I paid for my 850 via Amazon.
Pros: Weatherproof with excellent photo quality, Small design, easy to use, excellent resolution, great features, Stylish(cute), metal housing.Cons: Shutter lag is a little slow, No manual controls, Movie mode doesn't have sound, short video length.Summary:  have to admit that this is the only digital camera I've ever owned, so consider all of this novice information. I just went into Best Buy and Curcuit City and asked, &quot;What is your best compact model?&quot;. Both recomended the same. I purchased this one from CC, along with a 3-year replacement warranty. I figured I would just return it if not completely satisfied. They offer a 30-day no questions deal. I think I'll keep it, though.Picture quality is amazing, both on my television screen or printed via PC. I will never own another 35mm again. I have 2 Olympus SLR's(OM 2000) and 3 lenses. You'll probably see them on Ebay soon. Great cameras, but I just got tired of carrying the units around, which later led me to not using them at all. I was going to purchase a high quality compact 35mm to replace them--glad I waited.Construction seems to be very durable. The entire housing is made of metal and almost has a jewelry-like look to it. It's hard to see in advertisments but the &quot;OLYMPUS&quot; logo on the front of the camera is holographic, and changes colors at different angles to the person viewing it.It is sold with a 16MB memory card that stores anywhere from 99 images in the lowest pixel mode, to 6 in the super high quality mode. I noticed they had larger capacity cards at the store, but I wanted to see what I needed before I started purchasing extras.The zoom feature is very nice. The manual says the maximum is &quot;a maximum of approximately 15X&quot;. This is when optical and digital are combined, however that works.
I purchased this camera from Amazon in June 2003, when it had just come on the market. I decided to buy this as my first digital camera because I had been impressed with the Olympus Stylus 80 film camera I have had for several years (and still do). The stylus digital takes reasonable pictures compared with other digital cameras my friends own, and the battery life is excellent. I invested in the 256MB memory card and still haven't found out how many pictures you can cram on it at normal quality, but it's a lot.I had complaints from the beginning however, about the space of time between my pressing the button and the actual taking of the shot. When you are trying to take pictures of children, the 1 or 1 1/2 second gap makes it nearly impossible to get the shot you were trying to get, and the good pictures I have gotten of my kids have been almost accidental. I was also disappointed to discover the limitations of the included software, which does not allow you to e-mail pictures unless you give Olympus another $20 for the privilege. Frankly, I thought this was a simple gouge, and I resented it.My worst disappointment however, came recently. The camera shut off because the battery was exhausted. However, when I put in the fresh battery I had (and later, the recharged battery I had been using) the camera appeared to have frozen up. The lens will not extend and the little orange and green lights next to the viewfinder flash simultaneously and the camera beeps, a signal which, according to the manual, means that the battery is dead. Well, it 'aint! I cannot get the camera to work and the warranty will not be honoured where I live. This is the only digital camera I have ever owned, and so I cannot make a comparison with any others as to durability, but for cripe's sake, I paid top dollar for this about eight months ago and have treated it with kid gloves. I expected better from Olympus.
Believe the reviews that the slider will break after time.  The camera worked ok for about 2 years, but now the slider won't activate the lens.  Very poor design.  The camera also is horrible at night or with low light.  The battery life is realy bad.  Will only last for about an hour.  Now I'm stuck with all the extra memory cards and batteries for an Olympus.  Even so, I still won't purchase another Olympus!
Nice design and good looking. (Although not yet stylish as Canon Elph's.) Good battery life but the extra battery costs a lot. You can't put in AA batteries in this one.Average image quality indoors. Good outdoors. Slow to focus and has annoying shutter lag. No manual features and many photos need to be tweaked in photoshop. Video mode is junk.Uses propreitary xD cards, just another way for Fuji/Oly to rip off consumers. What was wrong with standard SD or CF cards? Imagine the chaos if every manufacturer used different memory cards.Back to the camera, its a good attempt by Olympus but still way behind Canon, Sony, Pentax, Nikon and Minolta. This camera has nothing special warrant this high price tag.
I really liked this camera for the first year that I owned it, and then the slider (which reveals the lense) broke and now I have a really hard time taking pictures. If you barely bump the slider when the lense is open, it will think you're trying to close the camera and it will turn off. Also, the lense will slide open when the camera is in my purse and turn the camera on and off. This really kills the battery.Otherwise, I really liked the camera. The battery life is great and it is really lightweight. I love the fact that it is weatherproof, and have tested this characteristic many times. It's a pretty tough camera (other than the slider breaking). I have taken it all over the world and back again, and it's still taking great pictures.Since the slider is broken, I'm planning on getting a new camera... another Olympus, but one with a different lense-protection system.
I was very pleased with this Olympus camera.  I can't believe I found a camera that small and feature packed for so little!  The camera was bought as a birthday present, and I am starting to wish I had got one for myself!  I like how you can download pictures to any computer without the use of a software program.  Great Product!
Looking for a great, compact, high quality digital camera?  Look no further, the Olympus 400 is tough to beat.I'm no photography pro but if you are looking for a great camera to take pictures for the web or to use while on vacation, this is a great selection.  It's been to the slopes in Colorado, Utah &amp; South America in (kept in a jacket pocket) snow, sleet &amp; rain.  It's taken phenomenal pictures and produced beautiful printouts.The 16 meg memory card it comes with is a joke; it just doesn't hold anything.  If you plan to buy this camera, plan on an extra $150.00 or so for a larger membery card or two.  I got a 512 mb card which holds nearly 600 photos that print at high quality as 8x10's.  It holds more than enough pictures for an extended vaction but with the 512 mb card it takes a while for the camera to ready itself to take a picture.  A 256 mb card is probably the ideal balance of storage space and speed.The camera is easy to use, looks nice and is comparable to the 35mm stylus series from Olympus that was fantastic as far as 35mm cameras go for the casual photographer.Bottm line, give this camera serious consideration when shoping for a digital camera and plan on picking up at least 1 256 or 512 meg memory chip if you buy it.
This is a great Camera! We bought this camera for a family wedding noy knowing if we would be happy since it was our first Digital.  It is so easy to use and the quality of the pictures is fantastic!  We haven't looked back and only regret not getting a digital sooner.  The battery life is fantastic!  We bought a second battery just in case but have had to use it only once when we were assigned to be photographers at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.  We took pictures all night long and also took posed pictures of everyone with my parents.  The 256 MB XD Card will hold approximately 250+ high resolution photos!The Camera is durable, well made, and weather resistant.  Every opening has ruberized gaskets to keep water out!  The display is a good size, easy to view even outdoors, and the buttons are easy to access. It is easy to use, and you can learn how to use this camera in about 5 minutes just by fiddling with it!It has a great panoraramic mode!  The XD memory card is about the size of a stamp, and its small size helps conserve battery life. You can get an adapter for the card to make it compatable with other formats.My wife was interested in buying a cannon SLR but after using this she is no longer interested.  She uses it to take pictures of nature and Extreme Close-Ups of flowers, for example.  The Quality, Detail and Bright Colors are absolutely Awesome!You won't be disappointed!
The Olympus Stylus 400 is a nice camera for outside, well lit shots. What is missing is the Olympus milestone 1.8 Super Bright lense. That lense is on the Olympus C-5050 that they are discontinuing, and replacing it with the C-5060. Unlike the 5050, the 5060 has a darker lense. The Stylus 400 has one of the darkest, with a 3.1 to 5 aperture range. That is why their is so many complaints about the inside shots.What the 1.8 super bright lense means is that it lets in more light, with a larger opening. More light means faster shutter speeds, which means non blurry shots. It is even more important for indoor shots with low light.I have an Olympus C-2040 which has the super bright 1.8 lense, and was Consumer Reports number one rated camera a couple of years back. It actually outperformed even the 5 megapixel cameras in printed picture results, and in the follow up review, it rivaled the 5's.When I am indoors, I purposely turn off the flash, and take pictures with just the normal existing light in the room. That way you get warm natural skin tones. With a darker lense, you are totally dependent on a flash, which eats up your battery life, and gives you washed out bright area shots.Right now with the C-5050 going for less money as a clearance to make way for the 5060, which is also 5 megapixels, but with the darker lense, makes me want to suggest the 5050 is the one to have.Myself personally, I am keeping my 2040 because of the great results I am getting. I can print out an 8 1/2&quot; x 11&quot; on photo glossy paper, and you can't tell it from a 35mm photograph.I like the entire Olympus line, but their caveat is that super bright lense. Normally you have to sacrifice some of that to get an increased zoom beyond the normal 3x. In the Stylus 400 you don't even get the additional zoom, while sporting the darkest lense. If you are outside, in sunlit conditions, that is fine. I don't know about you, but I take most of my pictures indoors. That is where the super bright lense shines.I'm sure the 400 is a great little camera, but I thought the aperture range should be brought to the forefront. A lot of years ago, I bought a 35mm Nikon with a 1.4 50mm lense. It was more money than the smaller ones, and they also had a 1.2 that was all glass in the front, and very expensive. The same rule applies here. Get the 1.8 instead of a 3 plus if you are doing some indoor shots. Nobody knows what is best for everybody, but I hope this helps.
I've had my Olympus Stylus 400 since Christmas of 2003 and take it everywhere I go. It's compact size allows me to stick it in my pocket if I want to. It has been a rugged little camera. I do a lot of camping and hiking and have dropped it on rocks before and it keeps on taking great pictures. I originally bought it for the fact that you could buy an optional waterproof case. I wanted that feature so I could use it while participating in water sports, it worked great in those situations too. The outdoor picture quality is exceptional for a point and shoot camera. I use another camera for serious photography but this camera takes extremely good photos for someone looking for a simple to use camera. The XD memory cards were expensive at first but they have gone up in capacity and down in price.The battery life is very good between charges. I always have at least two batteries for my cameras. I've found that the battery will last through a three day weekend with a lot of picture taking without a need for the back up battery.One very cool feature that no one here has mentioned is that this camera came with a remote control. This is great for setting the camera up on a tripod and having the ability to get in the shot without having to set the timer and run in front of the camera to get in the picture. You can take as many pictures with the remote and never have to reset the camera. I don't know of another camera that has a remote like this.Drawbacks: The first drawback I noticed was it's small size and flat shape. I know I'm getting a little contrary here but the same small size that allows you to put it in you pocket also makes this a camera that is hard to grip with your hand. I have dropped mine several times and learned early on to always use the wrist strap that comes with it. It would be nice if this camera had a little shape to it that allowed you to grip it.I've had some problems with the sliding on/off door that also acts as a lens guard. This can be annoying at times and you'll be getting ready to snap a shot and it will suddenly shut off because the door has slid just a little toward the off position. This can be avoided with a little pressure on the door while using the camera. I think some of the problems with the door has been due to my rough treatment of this otherwise durable camera.A good buy for the money.
I got this camera a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that it is a very good quality product. I had other digital cameras before and the main reasons I selected this one was to reuse my existing xD-Picture cards from my Fujifilm camera and the great form factor and overall style of this one.One thing got in my way from the get-go: the battery compartment cover is positioned exactly where most people place their right thumbs when using the camera. This causes it to slide open way too frequently for my taste, sometimes causing the camera to shut down. Another problem I see is the tiny buttons that are intended to be pressed using your right thumb but prove to be too small for the thicker thumbs I have.The flash also seems to be a little too weak for outdoor night shots and to focus on not-so-close objects indoors.
I bought this camera to repalce a film camera. I am trying to wean my wife from film and on to digital andI needed a camera that was as easy as the film cameras to operate. Basically just point and click. This iswhat this was designed to do and it does it well. No complicated controls and no messy confusingmenus. I have been taking photographs for over 25 years, I have had one other digital camera in the past.It was also a pHD. I did not need to go thru the manual to get this Olympus working. I have nothing to compare itwith but the start up from the off status is decent. Focusing and shutter lag is about what one wouldexpect. Like most things out there it is rather slow compared to a film SLR that I am used to. It gets worse underlow light since there is no focus assist. Prefocus helps reduce the lagenormously. Photographs are excellent in terms of color.  Tend to have a little barrel distortion in thewide angle.  Use in telephoto for head shots to correct the distortion. Flash is adequate. Size is perfectsince it is easy to carry around. Battery life is decent. I can take about 250+ high quality shots withmixed use of the flash before I need to recharge. One warning, take care when closing the clamshellsince being abrupt with it can disrupt the lens mechanism. DO NOT MAKE THE CLAMSHELL HIT THE LENS WHEN CLOSING/SHUTTING OFF THE CAMERA. This is the best way to damage this camera. I did it once and knew right away that this was an achilles heel. When closing, there is a click that is encountered, hold the clamshell in that first click and allow the lens to retract before fully closing the clamshell. Otherwise, it works like a charm. I own a Macintosh and it synchs flawlessly with iphoto. All metal case seems indestructable and is very attractive. Haven't really dropped it in water yet but the weather seals are reassuring. Wish it had picture bridge so that it could work with the new p-10 dye-sub printer also from olympus or some other printer with this technology. Best of all, my wife is starting to use it a lot more. She just wants to have hard copies of certain photographs and I insist on a decent small dyesub printer to go with it.  A real smart pHD digital camera.
One feature that this Model has that you rarely see on the lower priced cameras is it has a view finder which takes the guess work out when taking pic's in a dark environment.The Olympus quality is there and the pictures turn out great.If your OS is newer than XP I recommend using the Olympus View 3 software (downloadable on the Olympus site) rather than the older Olympus Master software.
My Husband and I found this camera to be great. It is also great for transferring into computer. I have been able to make a photostory with the pictures and download it to a CD, for the purposes of entertaining our family. The pictures are great and it is easy to understand how to operate. I'm not too good in understanding electronic gadgets, but I certainly picked this one up pretty fast. Sometimes, my husband will ask me how to operate the camera. Now, that's a switch :). He usually is the expert in cameras. I bought it for him for Father's day, in 2004, and it's been a fantastic camera. People have asked us where did we get it from. I let them know, we ordered it through amazon.com.  I would recommmend this to all who are looking for a great digital camera.
In our quest for the perfect digicam, we bought the Stylus 400 in February of 2004.  The camera had a lot going for it: small, lightweight, quick start up time, short shot-to-shot lag time.  The "weatherproof" feature was also big for us, we're tough on our stuff.  We liked the all-metal body for durability, too.After 10 months of using the camera, these features all lived up as advertised.  It survived being dropped and wet or sandy conditions very well.We purchased a spare battery and charger, and swapped them out every day so we always had a full charge on the camera.  We NEVER ran out of charge on a battery.The driverless USB connection allowed us to unload pictures FAST and very very easily.Having a camera that could survive the abuse we heaped on it was important, but when it comes right down to it, if the pictures are NO GOOD, then what's the point?  And on this the Stylus 400 REALLY disappointed us.  Pictures taken without the flash were blurry, (unless under bright bright outdoor light).  Pictures taken with the flash were blown out and the colors completely unnatural.  And the flash is no good at all beyond about 6 feet.Olympus is on the right track.  Maybe someday they'll combine their quality optics with this sexy, sturdy camera body and they will have the PERFECT camera.  But for what we paid (nearly $400 for camera, extra battery, charger, and 64M xD memory chip) it would have been nice to actually get decent pictures.I don't buy the "if you want good pictures, spend more."  I've had cheaper digital cameras that took MUCH better pictures.  But they would break the first time I dropped them, then I'd have to duct tape the battery compartment closed or whatever.  Or the shot lag was intolerable.  Or they'd burn through AA batteries like candy.  Good image quality does NOT have to be expensive.  It is a darn shame that we can't get it all in one package.
The design of the camera, the metal case, size, weather-proofing are excellent.  It's still my favorite.  However the quality of pictures both indoors and outside are horrible.  The camera over compensates for dark or light situations.  A beautiful day with a nice blue sky is captured by either making the sky very white, or the subject (trees, house, etc) very dark.  The camera is being returned because of the poor quality.  It's a real bummer because I like everything else about the camera.Updated 10/21/03 -- Purchased the Canon Powershot S400 to replace.  What a great camera!!!!  The Canon takes excellent pictures right out of the box.  About the same size, but no weatherproofing.  Much better camera for the money!!
Good Point's:1.)Weather resistance (note- it is not waterproof, but does have a nice rubber seal under the access port for it's I/O and card slot).2.)Small Size - easily fits in front pants pocket3.)Metal,relatively tough outer body - also more scratch "resistant" owing to anodized or matt texture to the metal surface making scratches less apparrent.4.)integral, tough lens cap - you'll never loose it.5.)XD memory cards - expensive but very fast, hence compensating somewhat for the minimal integral frame buffer to improve shooting speed.6.)Rechargable Lithium battery - bucks up front (get a spare), saves big in the long term.Bad Point's:1.)Cost - cheaper cameras for the price - though none that are weather resistant.2.)XD memory cards - Costly and "yet another USB dongle" to buy for your PC if you transfer your px by removing the card and plugging it into a card reader. At least Windows XP will recognize the camera (when connected by USB cable to PC) as a simple card reader without the installation of any additional drivers on WinXP3.)Images - 4 megapixels are nice, but the lens is clearly a little "soft" compared to more serious cameras like the Olympus E20, Nikon 7000 etc. Abberation less apparent beyond short focus distance to my eye, consistant with others reports of better outdoor pictures. The Camera appears to try to add contrast and unsharp mask internally before saving the images.4.)Lack of manual controls, plus the fact that everytime you turn it on it defaults to a relatively lower quality JPEG save mode, which wastes a few seconds while you change it to save in Best quality (Which I would recomend- get the 256MB XD card if you can)Summary: If you like the outdoors (camping, boating, other water sports), then this really is the camera to buy while waiting for the Digital Nikonos (which will likely cost big bucks). Otherwise, look seriously at the new Cannon Elph for a small form factor.
This may be OK for taking snapshots of your friends or kids around a birthday cake, but it does not perform well in most situations.1) The cameras sensor is not very sensitive to light, so photographing indoors out of the flash's range is impossible (blurry images).2) The video mode has no sound AND does not allow you to zoom in at all. Even if you zoom-in all the way, as soon as you put the camera in video mode it zooms back out.3) Even if you are unconcerned with shutter speeds, apertures, and ISO levels, you should still look for a camera that has a way to have a bit of control over these things. For instance, many consumer cameras have a "sports" mode for fast moving subjects. This mode sets the shutter speed to be fast, and therefore eliminates motion blur. THIS CAMERA made blurry pictures of Moneen onstage at the Warped Tour even though they were in full sunlight. With a setting like the one described above, I could have had some great visual memories of the show.
The Olympus Stylus 400 is a very good camera. It is one of the tiniest I have seen, and the body design feels sturdy. It is the ONLY camera that is all weather, and the menu system is fairly easy. The picture quality is just OK, and I would not recommend this camera for anyone who is a serious photographer. It is a very good point-and-shoot camera for a novice to intermediate photographer.
This camera takes good pictues in well-lit, close-up situations--a good point &amp; shoot camera.I have a major complaint with Olympus' failure to honor the 1-year warranty on this product.  A plastic component of the USB port broke, rendering the USB port useless.  Olympus refused to honor the warranty for this repair, despite repeated requests from both me and the camera shop where I purchased the camera.Also, the &quot;metal body&quot; description of this camera does not apply to the media door--it is plastic, and prone to breakage.I own about 15 cameras.  This was my first Olympus, and based on their failure to honor the warranty, it will be my last.
I bought this camera about 3.5 years ago and took thousands of pictures with it.  It was my first digital camera and I loved the convenience of digital photography and the small size of this camera.  We got a lot of great shots on hikes, some pretty good pictures while diving (using underwater case), and treasured family photos including our new baby.  I did eventually learn how to work around some of the idiosyncrasies - for instance, pre-focusing at the halfway-down shutter detent position really helps to get clear pictures.  The low light performance is marginal, and the flash is next to useless.  Over the past couple of months it started to flake out - started recording pictures with bad timestamps and the sliding front panel switch became so sensitive that the camera kept turning itself off while I tried to take pictures.  I took the front panel off to clean out some lint and when I put it back together it didn't work any more.  (So don't do that!)  I am replacing this camera with the Canon PowerShot SD900 because I really liked my friend's SD550 and my Mom's SD800.
I own an olympus e-20, an amazing camera.  I bought this one as the accessory to the larger brother and for my wife.well it's a piece of junk.outdoor pictures were great!  indoor lower than reg. lighting pictures were awful!  if I wasn't within 5 feet of the subject, then the picture came out far too dim!!! couldn't even fix on my ibook.it's going back within a day or so, when I have time.sorry, will try the new nikons for point and shoot and see how those rate.
Nice design and good looking. (Although not yet stylish as Canon Elph's.) Good battery life but the extra battery costs a lot. You can't put in AA batteries in this one.Average image quality indoors. Good outdoors. Slow to focus and has annoying shutter lag. No manual features and many photos need to be tweaked in photoshop. Video mode is junk.Uses propreitary xD cards...Back to the camera, its a good attempt by Olympus but still way behind Canon, Sony, Pentax, Nikon and Minolta...
I bought this camera based on the quality of Olympus.  I really love the size. I usually don't us the 4meg setting since it uses alot of the memory, but it is good for snapshots.  I personally think that a 35mm point and shoot gives better pics, but if the person blinks you don't know until 2wks later.  The Digital Camera give you an instant view.  The computer jpegs look better than my prints off the printer, but it maybe my printer.  The focus on the stylus is alittle slow, but good camera.  Update 1.5 years later it broke had to buy new camera since motor went out until then was working good and printing the pics at photo center came out great.  xd card kinda expensive, too
there may be a way to recharge the battery on this camera w/o using the docking station but I have yet to determine it  - due to this limitation I give this camera three stars as it takes much of the flexibilty away - which is exactly why you'd buy a camera this small...other than that, the interface is solid, the optics great and the size and weight make it fun to play with.
I liked the Exilim much better than the Optio S.  I am a current Pentax Optio S owner but had the Exilim previously.  I used the Exilim extensively for my honeymoon and loved it!  The only 2 cons I experienced with the Exilim is 1)the flash is not powerful so not ideal for taking pictures in dim light and 2) the docking station broke after the first month.  If Dell, the reseller, wouldn't have hassled me about replacing the docking station I would not have returned it.I found the Exilim to be much more user friendly and better designed ergonomically.  The 2 advantages of the Optio S is that it performs better under dim lighting and is slightly smaller.  My primary gripe with the Optio is with its super slow shutter speed.  My goal was a simple point and shoot camera to conveniently 'capture the moment' after I have my baby.  Adults can't even sustain a genuine smile/pose long enough for me to take a good candid shot let alone expect an infant to.  I feel like I keep missing the moment vs capturing it.  The downside outweights any potential advantage to me, unless your primary targets are still lifes in dim settings.Though in most respects both cameras are very comparable, I still think the Exilim is a superior camera overall.  In retrospect, I would've reordered another Exilim.
It is just so simple but so powerful camera, with easy handling, and small size and mass.
pros:- the main selling point of this camera is its small size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.9 in, weighing in at 5.1oz.- 3MP resolution, 3x zoom in a very compact package.- average three megapixel resolution.- low image noise at low ISO settings.- allows manual white balance.- has 21 scene modes!- good reliable metering.- low image noise at low ISO settings.- wide range of focus options including manual focus!- histogram display in live view and play modes.- solid build quality.- fast startup time.- cool feature: while in its cradle, pushing the dock's photo button turns the EX-Z3 into a small digital frame: the display shows the images it currently holds, displaying each for several seconds.cons:- no video out capability at all.- some chromatic aberrations.- some vignetting visible.- average photo quality with soft edges.- images noisier than competition.- no buffering means a longer wait before you can take your next shot.- no AF assist light.- high redeye occurrence.- no image parameter adjustment.- blue cast when using flash.- the LCD is a full 2", but is low resolution.- metal body scratches easily.- only JPEG format is supported.- below average auto focus speed.- longest shutter setting is 1 second.- only 10MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.- you need to remove external memory in order to access images saved in internal memory.the casio ex-z3 is very similar to the pentax optio S with the optio being even more compact than the casio.  as such, they share most of the same strengths as well as issues.  my biggest complaints are the soft images at the corners and the lack of buffering. a camera with better photo quality (but bigger and only has 2x zoom) is canon's sd100.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
I'm not really a very good reviewer, so instead here are links to the two best digital camera review sites around.[...][...]If you are comparing this camera to the Pentax OptioS, you probably already know the cameras are very similar, but in the end both reviewers above gave the Casio Exilim Z3 a slightly higher rating.
This is my second Kodak Easy Share - my first one lasted about 3 years and had some kind of electronic meltdown.  Ah, it had served me well, and nothing electronic lasts forever.  I bought this one because I had liked the Kodak menuing, easy to use and intuitive.  This one was not a disappointment.  I've taken some absolutely gorgeous shots, especially in macro mode.Some people complained about the EasyShare software - I tried it out and thought it was just awful, so I deleted it and use another program for my photo management.  I'm reviewing the camera, not the free software the manufacturer includes in the box.
I bought this particular camera, along with the printer dock, about  a month ago. It is my first digital camera purchase. We are on a tight budget and only allowed ourselves a small amount, considering the price of digital cameras with 3+ MP and any kind of optical zoom. I found this one, new, at a great deal that couldn't be passed up, and after reading some very positive reviews, I grabbed it! And I'm so glad I did!The camera is extremely user friendly. It's really hard to make a mistake or take bad pictures. The manual and software are very simple to use. The manual explains things in short steps so you can remember how to put each feature to use. No wondering if you're doing it right. And the software is pretty much self explainatory. I love that I only have to push one button to download my pictures. Pictures themselves are gorgeous and colors come through so clearly! I think the video quality is great considering it's coming from a little digital camera. And I'm very glad I went with a camera with audio. I have 2 very active subjects (my 2 young daughters) and I have loved sharing pictures and video with family (including 1 grandmother) out of state. We were actually suprised at how many pictures we could take with only the 16 MB of internal memory. We did buy a memory card, but it's nice to know we have a good bit of extra if needed. And we have yet to run low on battery life because we use the printer dock to recharge. We use the LCD screen often, and still, the battery life has been good.The printer dock itself makes impressive prints. I was really worried about poor quality, but I haven't been disappointed with it yet. It's small and doesn't take up a lot of space. Very portable if we needed it to be. And, again, a very user friendly machine.I am so very glad we found and purchased this camera. It's a great starter and I'm extremely pleased with it so far.
I was quite happy with this camera for about a year. Then, had similar problems as others-- battery door broke so the camera constantly shuts itself off (I've been trying to keep it shut with tape) and the shutter doesn't completely open or close, sometimes staying shut even when turned on.  Basically, it's useless after a year, so not worth the money at all.
This is my second Kodak digital camera. I loved the first so much I recommended it to everyone.  This one I have to give mixed reviews for. First off, the photo quality and features are excellent. It takes great pics, the videos are a great feature, and I love the dial. Night-time pics never seem to turn out, eve with the Night option though. Just on photo issues I would give it a 4.5 stars.But, a small drop on carpet when it was still brand-new resulted in it no longer working.  I sent it to Kodak, they couldnt fix it and it wasnt covered under warranty (of course) so I had to pay $150 for a refurbished one.  What was wrong with it? The thin plastic lenscap was jarred.  I've had the replacement camera a few months now and have babied it, it's never seen a drop or jar and the lenscap has started to not retract completely.  Either its a standard problem or they fixed my original and sent it back. (the refurbished has the same serial number, they said they switched it but now I'm starting to wonder).So, in summary, this camera is great but if you aren't going to baby it completely, get something else.  The camera can't seem to handle real-life use.
I personally have had several digital cameras over the years and my perents wanted to start to go digital.  So I decided that in order to make my life easier (a.k.a. less phone calls), I would buy the most simple camera without a bunch of bells and whistles.  Well it was reading and playing around with different cameras and found this little gem.This camera is EASY TO USE.It has a small wheel on the back to select special photo modes.It has the sound of a shudder so you don't take pictures of feet (there is a delay from pushing the button and picture with all digital cameras).It docks on the optional Printer Dock (I bought as well) which prints incredible dye sublimated photos (Translation.. Won't run in the rain).  The optional dock comes with a rechargable battery.It can connect right up to a laptop or desktop with ease throught the USB port.It compresses prictures well so you can take as many as you want at highest resolution (but pruchase a 128 MB or 256 MB SD Memory chip for lots and lots of photos).The photo quality challanges some of the real film cameras in the marketplace.It has a real photo lense not cheap plastic.It feels good in a large or small hand.  It feels like a camera (not a plastic lightweight toy).It has movie capabilities.I am actually looking at the next step up from this camera DX6440 with is 4 megapixel.  But This camera is awesome.Oh yeah.  Did I say it was EASY TO USE.Enjoy
I bought this camera May of 2003 and up until yesterday (Nov 7 2005) I have taken over 7,000 pictures with this camera!  What can I say, it's fantastic.  HOWEVER, last night somehow it went through a complete wash cycle at out local laundry mat and did not survive.  It turns on and everything works except the iris.Oh Well, SO - we just placed an order for another DX6340 instead of getting the newest model.To think if it wasn't distroyed from a washing machine it would STILL be taking pictures - Kodak cameras a great!
I previously had an Epson 850Z digital camera, but was constantly missing those key photo moments on our 2 yr old daugter.  I read the reviews and narrowed my selection to this Kodak and the Canon 300.  I tested them at Best Buy and found this camera to be quicker--quicker from the time you pressed the buttom till the photo snapped--key with a 2 yr old that won't sit still.  I have been 100% satisfied with this camera in all settings and environments.  The movie function is a nice addition, thought beware, the file size gets large quickly.  Highly recommend this camera for both beginners and intermediate users--can't beat the features for the price.  I've had the camera for 3 months now and don't regret my decision one bit.  Great camera.
I haven't used this camera much yet but the image quality is quite good and I have yet to get a bad result. I've noticed the pictures come out fairly dark, but I need to mess with the settings a bit before I make any judgements on that.As far as software problems and problems with XP that I've heard people talk about, I've never experienced them. For one I don't use the software that came with it and second I have no issues getting it set up in XP. just plug it in and it sets up fine with no external help. XP does it all in a few minutes. As for transfering files, I just go to My Computer and to the camera listing and I can copy and paste just like any other folder. Either that or plug the SD card into the port on my Epson R300. The software is totally unnecessary.
I bought this camera a month ago and I _love_ it.  It is very easy to use, with well-designed buttons and menu.  Its 4x Schneider len is impressive considering the price of the camera.  Its 1.8 inch LCD not only is larger than many other cameras, but also has higher resolution.  The camera does not have an option to change image compression level.  But Kodak probably has chosen the optimal level for general use and you probably will choose the same level if you are given the option.  The EasyShare software is easy to use.  And the trasfer of photos/videos from camera to PC is extremely easy.  But without care, the software can make duplicate entries.  The camera came with a scratch on the body, which is the reason I remove a star.
The DX6340 does take excellent pictures. As with most digital cameras there is an annoying delay between pressing the shutter release and the actual picture "event", but unless you spend a lot more money, it's something you live with when you go digital.  Plenty of options for the price.  Again, no qualms with the photo quality.The body of the camera, however, is not reliable.  The automatic lens "door" that opens when you turn on the camera frequently gets stuck and the battery door broke after a year and a half.  To replace that part you'd have to replace the entire body of the camera.  This also happened to a family member who has a Kodak.  If this happens, buy silver duct tape...at least it matches the camera color.The software is very touchy and locks up frequently and will sometimes require an entire PC reboot.I would not buy Kodak Easyshare again unless those three problems are resolved.
Overall I liked the camera, except that it took exceptionally dark pictures in medium-to-low light conditions, and the night mode is useless.The zoom is great, given how rare it is to find a 4x zoom even in newer cameras.Picture preview and deletion is handy, except that the joystick in a little touchy, sometimes hard to handle without clicking down while navigating.Now it is broken - it immediately turns off after it turns on, even with new batteries.  Apparently this happens to a lot of Kodak cameras - I'll never buy another Kodak after this one.
This was my very first purchase of a digital camera. After weeks of driving to store after store, checking out several digital cameras, Kodak was my first and last choice. The software is easy to load and with the docking station and printer dock I was in business quickly. Our older daughter came home for Thanksgiving which gave the camera its first test. Easy, easy, easy (share) is the only words that come to mind. We then took off to Savannah, GA for a week visiting her and took over 150 pictures storing them onto the 256 MB card I bought. We also used the video option numerous times. The pictures, videos and memories will last a lifetime. Amazon is the best place to buy this camera as I bought it on-line on Saturday and it arrived on Wednesday using the "free shipping" option. (I did buy another desktop printer for the 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 pictures).I highly recommend this camera and love Amazon. com.
I've loved using this camera for about 1 1/2 years now.  It's so easy to use and I haven't experience any major set backs.  My two complaints:  1.  the battery compartment "door" isn't strong enough to hold the batteries and started cracking almost immediately.  It lasted for 1.5 years and has just completely broken in half.  I'm going to try to take it back to Target to see what they say.  2.  I find I have to edit just about every picture I take, mostly brightening and then adjusting the contrast.  I use another software program to do this since the Kodak software doesn't quite measure up in the editing department.  I use ofoto to share my prints with family and the software makes it easy to upload my photos to their site.  I've never had any problems with short battery life; I've changed the battery twice in 1.5 years of heavy use.  I only use the LCD display for quickly reviewing pictures.
I have purchased 2 of these cameras from kodak and The battery door cover cracked on both in the same exact spot.It is very difficult to use now.I duct tape it shut but it usually does not work. I would NEVER EVER buy from Kodak again.
After a month of research and reading a lot of customer reviews, I narrowed my choices to Nikon Coolpix 3100, Fujifilm A210, Canon A70, and the Kodak DX6340.  I ruled out the fujifilm A210 because of it's limited features, and the fact that it requires Fuji xD memory cards...xD cards are expensive, and are not as common as compact flash or secure digital cards!  The Nikon 3100 had plenty of features, however it was too small for my hands and lightweight.  I felt I hard to curl my fingers to avoid covering the lens hence I could not get a comfortable grip on the camera.  The Nikon is made of 100% plastic and I wasn't about to spend $245 on a toy-like camera!The choice was tough between this kodak camera and the Canon A70, but I finally decided on the kodak.  Both cameras have similar features, both take and process shots at similar speed.  The Canon has an AF assist lamp, the Kodak has a similar low-light AF mechanism.  Unlike the canon A70, the kodak DX6340 does not include a memory card, however, it's 16MB internal memory allows you to practice and familiarize yourself with the camera right out of the box.  Both cameras have a solid, heavy feel to them and are made of metal and plastic.In comparing pictures taken with both the canon A70 and the kodak DX6340, the kodak produced sharper images, and the color in the kodak prints was right-on!  Indoor shots with the kodak are great!  The sport mode on the kodak Dx6340 does a good job in capturing objects in motion without any blurriness.  The kodak also has an image orientation sensor that's really cool!  The Easy Share software that comes with the DX6340 is easy to use, and the pictures transfer quickly with no problems to the computer.  By default, the software runs automatically when starting windows which can slow down start up, but you can turn this feature off through Windows.I would recommend a larger capacity memory card, and rechargable batteries with this camera.Some things to keep in mind when shopping for a digital camera:1.) Size matters!  Those small, lightweight, mint box cameras are nice, but if you have shaky hands be prepared for blurry images!2.) If you plan on printing pictures at home, make sure your printer supports a higher resolution...you can spend $1,000 on a camera, but it won't do you much good if you'll be printing low res images.3.) Don't fall into the 'Mega Pixel Trap.'  I have enlarged my pictures up to 11&quot; x 14&quot; and still get high quality print outs with this camera!You can't go wrong with the kodak DX6340!  Easy to use, great pictures both indoors and outdoors, and user-friendly software.
This Kodak Digital Camera is Awesome !  The only problem with this camera is that it can't take a bad picture.  Do you remember Glamour Shots in the mall?  They could take a picture of a plain jane and make her look like a million dollar princess -- this camera does the same thing !  I swear I took a picture of a pile of trash and after Kodak adds it's little Color Science - it was the most prettiest trash pile I've seen in my life !This camera just ads a little sunshine to every picture through it's Color Science technology - no other camera on the market has that.  I bought a 2nd Digital Camera .. a Pentax Optio S and returned it back to the store because the pictures didn't even compare to Kodak's.I don't think I will ever find a Digital Camera that can take pictures like the Kodak. Oh and one more thing, this camera is smart enough to automatically adjust itself to achieve perfect lighting, balance, etc.Why somebody would want to &quot;fiddle&quot; with settings is beyond me.  By the time you did all that wouldn't you miss your Kodak moment?  Good Luck with your purchase - but you won't go wrong if you pick this one.
I bought this camera for my wife last Christmas.  She'd been wanting a digital camera but had no desire to get one if it meant ever touching the computer.  This camera combined with the printer dock was perfect for her.  She basically uses it like a fancy point-and-shoot, then prints out pictures as she goes.  I haven't even had to upgrade her memory card since she just deletes the pics when her card gets full.  Better quality pictures may be available with other cameras but nothing beats the ease of use for her.
Here are my observations with this camera after using it for over 4 months now.1)  It is easy to use. Almost anyone could use this camera instinctively.2)  The pictures it takes are sharp enough but don't expect to get Hasselblad clarity and depth with this camera. Like most digital cameras, you will enjoy the point and shoot convenience that filmless photography offers. Remember, if you don't like a photo just delete it and take another shot if you want to.3)  The DX6340 will suck the life out of ordinary Duracells or Energizers after about 6 shots (with flash). Maybe Kodak can design an high capacity external battery pack which can be slung on one's shoulder and wired to the camera with a simple cable. This battery pack would then make this a good choice to carry for weddings or parties (or other photo-demanding occasions) where one can take 60 to 80 pictures without losing battery juice.4)  If Kodak decides to redesign this camera as a smaller unit, that would be good, too!Overall, you can't go wrong buying this digital tool. Good work, Kodak!
My first digital camera and it suits my needs for family photos, vacations, etc. I purchased both the Kodak LS440 with 4mp and DX6340 and instantly knew I liked the DX6340 better. But I was concerned about the quality of prints of the 4mp over the newer features of the 6340. While I was at Best Buy I was able to talk to a Kodak rep. For features the DX6340 has much more and the flash is good to 19ft compared to 10ft. for the LS440. A major selling point for me. Overall quality of print was minor, he showed me 8 x 10's from the DX and LS. Battery life for the LS is better but I haven't had any issues with the DX. You could wait until the fall when kodak releases the upgrade to the 6340 with 4mp then you'd really have a good camera.
I have to say that I love this camera. It has the easiest and most intuitive controls of any digital I've used. The image quality is very good in all modes and with all quality settings (there are four of them), with the auto mode usually doing a great job for normal point-and-shoot stuff. The PAS mode gives you more or less manual controls -- nothing like what you'll find on a real SLR, but very handy nonetheless. If there's one problem with the picture quality, it's that the auto mode tends to darken the foreground or subject ground of a picture based on small amounts of backlight -- the flash against a white wall alone is enough to skew the brightness. Overall, though, it's a rather minor complaint for a camera that works so well -- two seconds in Photoshop or any other editing program will correct any problems.As I said before, the controls are extremely easy. Anyone can use this camera within minutes of picking it up, even the uninitiated or technologically disinclined. It's too bad that this ease and simplicity of use didn't extend to the software, however. Don't get me wrong -- it's certainly easy to use. The problem is that it turns your computer into a Kodak digicam station. I had to remove three Kodak entries from my startup menu, and the next time I rebooted my computer, I still got a Flash tutorial for the software. It would have been very useful if I had been expecting it. Needless to say, the software isn't exactly my sort of thing, though it does make it very quick and easy to transfer and share pictures from your camera.Overall, the DX6340 is a great piece of work. Its high point is its ease of use -- it really cannot be overstated how smooth this camera is to use. Once I get my 256 MB memory card, I'll be in heaven -- imagine, 263 &quot;Best&quot; quality photos or 23 minutes of video, with sound. Oh, I didn't mention it had a full video mode? Great stuff.
I've had this camera for 3 years and wouldn't trade it for anything. It takes excellent pictures, has every feature you could imagine, and the batteries last a very long time.  The best part is that this thing is virtually indestructable!  My camera has been dropped, thrown, banged around, submerged in water, and beaten up so bad over the years, yet it still performs like the day I bought it.
We bought this camera because we wanted a nice small digital to complement our large Sony Mavica with a 10x optical zoom.  The camera takes okay pictures - I cannot really complain or boast - but there are two things that make this a camera to stay away from:FIRST, the Secure Digital memory never worked.  We bought a 64 Mb card when we purchased the camera, and the camera never recognized it.  Retruned it to Amazon and got another - also didn't work.  Returned it and bought a third brand at the local Staples - also didn't work.  Kodak tech support said we needed to download new firmware for the camera (which was a big pain in the 'dupa' to do, but we did it), tried the SD card - same results.  Basically, unless we ship it back we are stuck with a camera that can only take 15 pictures.SECOND problem - the engineer who developed the battery door should be shot.  It is extremely hard to close, and within a month ours had already broken after changing the battery only twice.  We were patient and gentle with the battery changes - the design of this should never have gotten through their beta tests with this product.Overall, we are pretty disappointed.
My husband and I have been heckled by our respective families for not supplying nearly enough photos of our 2-year-old daughter.  We're actually pretty good about taking pictures of her.  It's taking the film to the store to get it developed that we have a problem with.  For example, we still have somewhere around the house a roll of film from our honeymoon 5-1/2 years ago that still hasn't been developed.  So for us the convenience of a digital camera was a must.  We put off purchasing a digital camera for a long time, waiting for the price to come down and the features to improve.  When we discovered this little beauty and its companion, the printer dock, we knew we had our latest purchase in sight.  The quality of the photos that this camera takes is more than sufficient for our purposes, and the convenience of being able to use the supplementary printer dock and instantly print photos from the camera is wonderful.The first main event we used this camera for was our daughter's second birthday a few months back.  We took pictures of the celebrations at the restaurant, and of the cake and the present opening at our house.  Then, after we put our daughter to bed for the night, we hooked the camera and printer dock to the TV with the included wires, and did a high-tech slide show for my parents.  As they chose the photos they wanted, we selected them, and then printed them right off.Even without the printer dock this is an excellent camera.  I have a Mac, so my computer instructions may be different than those for PC users, but I just hook the camera up to the computer with the included USB cable, and iPhoto automatically loads up.  For PC users, as well as for Mac users without iPhoto, the 6340 comes with a CD with EasyShare software.  Hook the camera up to the computer, and the EasyShare software automatically loads.  Then import the photos, view and/or edit them, and then save them, email them, or print them on a computer printer using either standard or photo paper.Also, in this price range, the 3.1 megapixels that the EasyShare is capable of is  great as well.  Most of the other cameras I looked at in this price range either did not have such a high megapixel capability, or did not have as many features.  And at the time that we bought this camera there were no other cameras on the market that had such a well-integrated printing system like the EasyShare printer dock.  Perhaps that situation has changed in the past few months, but I haven't shopped around lately.Another feature that I like about the EasyShare is the fact that you can choose different resolutions, affecting how many photos can be stored on the memory card at one time.  On the highest resolution, a 256MB card (not included) would store around 256 photos; on the lowest, it will store upwards of 700 photos.  This is great for day-to-day photos, or vacation photos where you don't want to cart around (and risk losing because they're so dang tiny) several memory cards.Also, this camera has a video mode.  Although many other still digital cameras include a video mode, this is the only one in this price range that includes a microphone, so you can record sound as well as motion.  This is especially helpful during those moments (as we often have with our two-year-old) when there is a fleeting moment to capture and a regular digital camera is far easier to operate than a DV camcorder.  Then simply plug in the camera to the computer, and (on a Mac) iMovie loads up and imports the film.  Emailing the video as an mpeg file is as simple as emailing a still photo.About the only gripe I have with this camera is the high price of the memory cards.  Of course, once the photos have been stored in our computer, we can erase the contents of the memory card, but I'd like to be able to export the photos from iPhoto back to the camera and I haven't quite figured out how to do that.  Since our computer's printer doesn't seem to have photo-printing capabilities, I don't want to delete the memory cards' contents until I have either figured out this issue or printed off the photos I really wanted to print.But all in all, this is a wonderful camera for the price, and would still be a value at an even higher price.  Kudos to Kodak for offering such a well-loaded camera at a fair price.
I did my homework and researched this camera before I bought it, and I am so glad I did! What I found is that this camera can work wonders! I took about 50 pictures today in varying light of the Atlanta scene.  I printed one out on my printer just to see what it looks like, and I was just amazed at the quality of the pictures! There is absolutely no need to get anything higher than a 3.1 MP.  I took a picture of my grandmother close up on the Portrait mode and I can see every little pore and hair! (Perhaps it's a bit too good?)This camera is for my 63yo grandmother who has trouble operating a mouse.  She already, after only one day, knows how to use this camera.  It's extremely easy to use.  Neither my grandmother nor I needed to touch the manual to work it.The sole reason I remove a star from its rating is due to the software.  Mine was corrupt, so I had to Download it from Kodak.com  The software is also a very poor tool for editing your pictures.  If you plan on editing them much, I suggest getting a program like Adobe photoshop or Microsoft Photo Editor.  The software does make it slightly easier to Download pictures from the camera, but if you have a program like Adobe or Ulead Photo Explorer, the software is not necessary at all.Ofoto, the website Kodak recommends to upload your pictures to, is great!  I like the way they show the pictures online in not only clickable thumbs but also slide shows.So far, the battery life of the camera is fine! I used it all day today, on and off constantly and there is still no flashing battery light.Just a word of advise: I would definately invest in at least a 128MB memory card for this camera.  16 is simply not enough, especially once you realize how much you love this camera, and trust me, you will! I'd also recommend rechargeable batteries as Kodak gives you a pair that are not rechargeable.Oh, and the Dock is a waste of money and a collector of dust.  Don't bother with it. First of all it's useless, unless you got the one with the printer attatched, but even if you did get the dock with its own printer, you'd still be spending more on the dock than professional photo developing.I hope this helps.  Enjoy your camera, whichever one you choose.
I bought this last Christmas for my teenaged daughter.  We both loved it, it took great pictures, was easy to operate, though pretty bulky/heavy compared some other point & shoot digital cameras.  The battery life was good, all in all, we were pleased.Until it just stopped working 3 weeks ago.  We bought a new battery, thinking that was the problem, but that didn't help.  So I started looking online and found this is a very common problem with this camera, after about 1 year, it just stops working (just as the warranty ended) and the repairs are very expensive.  So we basically bought an expensive disposable camera.  Very disappointed.  Her replacement camera is a Nikon Coolpix.
We bought our Kodak DX6340 in December 2003 after much research.  You never truly know the value until time has passed - and over 4 years have passed and I can tell you we still use it all the time and it is our only digital camera - we haven't purchased another camera since we bought it!  Reliable - solid - easy - all the things one wants in a point and shoot.  Never a problem with and doors or openings or anything.Be sure to get the rechargeable batteries and get an extra memory card and that's all you need!This is a great value camera!
I've had this camera for two or three years now and its still working like new, except that the shutter sticks sometimes. I don't know how so many people say theirs has broken, I've dropped mine once or twice (it was my cats fault, actually) and its still fine. The battery door isn't a problem for me, I'm only on my second set of rechargeable batteries, and I take a lot of pictures. It does pretty good for close up stuff, flowers, bugs, that sort of thing, I don't use it too much for larger views but it does pretty good. I have a hard time capturing the exact colors that I'm seeing sometimes but mostly its good. I haven't been able to get any use out of it after the sun goes below the hill, even though it is still very light out it just doesn't do at all well. It also hasn't been too good with yellows for me, the white balance doesn't..balance. Overall, this is a great camera for beginners, or amateurs that aren't looking for something too complicated. I would recommend it, I've gotten a lot of great pictures from this camera.
I received this camera as a graduation present and have been completely pleased with it! It has a multitude of features and setting options, and yet it is incredibly easy to use. I was able to figure most of the camera operation out on my own, but also found the instruction manual very explicit and easy to understand on the few occasions where I needed to reference it. Special picture settings allow you to take motion, portrait, nighttime, landscape, and closeup shots.The picture quality is WONDERFUL! One of the first places I used this camera was at the zoo, and I came away with some of the best animal pictures I have ever taken - you could literally count the hairs and feather fibers, the images were so clear! It even takes great pictures through glass. I have also been extremely pleased with the closeup setting. One of my hobbies is re-painting tiny horse figurines, approximately three inches in height, and this camera allows me to take very nice, clear closeups of my work. There are also several flash settings, that allow you to turn the flash on and off, use red-eye correction, etc. One feature that came as a pleasant surprise to me was the video function. This camera allows you to take short video clips, WITH sound!I would highly suggest that anyone purchasing this camera also buy an additional memory card with 128 MB (or higher) storage capacity. This will allow you to store well over 100 pictures at a time.The only disappointment I found with this camera was that the software would not install properly on my computer. However, that may be a problem with the computer itself, as mine is more than a little temperamental. I was easily able to circumvent this problem, as Windows XP has a built in function for downloading data from digital cameras, so I just use this method instead. I would HIGHLY recommend this model to anyone looking for a quality digital camera!
Great camera, merely OK software. Easy to use and pictures are fantastic (and that's what important after all) but a couple things make it less than perfect.I like the fact I can use standard AA batteries but am disappointed that the camera in cradle will not recharge standard NiMH cells, only the Kodak custom NiMH battery pack.I like the fact I could buy additional telephoto and wide angle lenses (on top of the built in 4x optical zoom) but am very displeased the wide angle lens blocks the flash, making the additional lenses compatible with natural light only. This is probably my biggest gripe, but hey - most other cameras do not even offer the additional lenses. Still, Kodak should warn you about this in their product information.The software lacks a panorama stitching capability, and it can't output my photo album to HTML pages and linked images to upload to my ISP's web site. It can send to Kodak's Ofoto service, however. Thumbnailer (shareware) fills the gap of generating HTML indexes and pages for me. The HP software that accompanies HP cameras and scanners is stronger (tho I did not like the HP camera as much).Here's what says it all - would I buy another Kodak? Yep.
What an incredible camera this is.  My first digicam was a 1.2mp Olympus, which i loved and still use sometimes.  Then last summer i "upgraded" to a nikon coolpix 3100.  I hated that camera.  Took great outdoor shots, but my indoor ones were dark and blue-tinted.  I just bought this Kodak yesterday as a replacement..and i am amazed.  I have a kodak film camera that takes the most incredible pictures, and so i was looking to kodak for the digital camera in the hopes that it would have the same vivid colors of my film camera, and it most certainly does.What I love about this camera:SOOOO easy to use! The menu items have descriptions so you immediately know what is what without looking it up.The joystick is an incredible toolThe dial is tough to turn, but that's a plus because it won't be turning on accidentally in your bag, which was a problem with my previous cameras.The EasyShare software is awesome, and so versatile and easy to use.the picture quality!  true color, vivid, crisp. Plus, the write speed is really minimal so you can take pictures quickly one after the other.I think the software is my favorite thing about this camera.  You can email pictures straight from the software, and send copies to yourself...you can edit the pictures quickly and easily, and the images are the size of the screen so you dont' have to zoom in to get a good look.My indoor pictures were initially dark, but I've been playing around with the flash and some of the manual options, and it's been taking great pictures.  Quick fix; i set the flash to "fill flash" and even though the flash was still going off with the "auto" setting, the fill flash pictures were ten times brighter and more true color.The shutter speed is great.  That was my second biggest gripe about the nikon; i have a baby and a toddler, and capturing the moment was impossible with the Nikon.  The best buy rep said it would be a little slower with the Kodak, but i have not found that to be the case at all; I've yet to lose a smile and i've taken more than fifty pictures in the last 24 hours.Also, the zoom is very effective on this camera, whereas on others i've tried, you don't really see a difference and if you do it's usually sacrificing quality.I only gave the camera four stars because i agree that you should always leave some room for improvement.  In the case of the DX6340, it's heavy!  Heavier than my Nikon, at least.  Also, you really need two hands to turn it on.  That was one nice thing about both my Olympus and my Nikon; onehanded turn-on.  But really it's a small thing, and at least this way it's not turning on accidentally and wasting battery power.I would really recommend this camera to anyone, novice or not.  I thought i'd be "offended" by the ease of the software, but it's so great.  Most of the time, you pay for features that you'll probably never use.  This is such an efficient little package.  There are a few extras that you will definitely toy with, and the software is useful without being overwhelming.  Everything you need is very easy to find, and the picture quality and shutter speed are amazing.  Also, I like that it has internal memory so you don't even need a card if you're just going to take a few pictures at a time.
This camera is my first digital, but the feature set is all you need and the 4x zoom lets you take some fanastic shots with less sacrifice on quality then using an digital zoom. The various settings including a setting where exposure and f-stop can be set make this camera as versitile as you will ever need.With the 256 MB chip, you can take high quality pictures all day and still have storage to burn.The software is easy to use. The picture quality is fantastic.Overall, the only thing that would make this camera better would be to make it waterproof so you could take it anywhere anytime.
I had a Kodak DX6340 that I purchased new many years ago, and kept it in my work truck and used it frequently.  Then, in March 2011, thieves (pig fornicators of Sodom!!)  broke into my work truck and stole tools, test gear, and the Kodak DX6340.I thought that it was an "opportunity" to upgrade to a more modern, "better" digital camera, so went shopping and bought a new Kodak 12 MP camera.  It has quirks from day 1, and Best Buy wouldn't exchange (they don't replace defective merchandise, they make you send to manufacturer for warranty service).  So, with the new camera off for service, I was still left without a digital camera for work, so bought yet another new digital camera online.  It arrived in a couple of days, and I found almost immediately it also had quirks.  Dumb things like refusal to come on once in a while, locked up now and then, just dumb things.  Oh, how I missed the reliable old Kodak DX6340!!So, Amazon to the rescue!  Searched and found a Kodak DX6340 and eagerly bought it.  Camera came from Robert VandeBrake and arrived in great shape!  He even included a letter with instructions and tips not mentioned in the instructions.  But, I already knew about the Kodak DX6340 and what makes it "tick".  And, I absolutely LOVE it!Here's a few things I learned about the camera that might help you-The camera WILL run on a couple of alkaline AA batteries in a  pinch.  However, it will eat them quickly.  You need to buy the Energizer lithium AA batteries, sometimes referred to as "digital camera batteries" and the Kodak DX6340 will run off of them for a really long time.  This is actually an advantage over cameras with a rechargeable battery in them because you can carry a couple spare AA cells and be right back in business if you run the camera for days on end.  No need to stop your sight-seeing trip because the camera's battery is dead.The Kodak DX6340 has a rotary dial on the back to switch it on and change operating modes.  This is actually a great feature because the camera isn't a "vampire appliance".  When it's off, it's really off.  No trickle battery drain.They say the Kodak DX6340 is only 3.1 MP, and compared to all the new cameras touting 12 MP and more, you would think the Kodak DX6340 takes inferior pictures.  Not so!!!  The M550 (one of the crummy cameras I bought trying to replace the Kodak DX6340) takes pictures about half as nice as the Kodak DX6340.The size and feel of the Kodak DX6340 just screams quality.  And, indeed it is a quality product.  My old one had been dropped, wet, hot, cold, and exposed to very high RF fields and never complained.  My new one is operating in hot environments and very high RF fields without a problem.  The M550 crashes as soon as you turn it on!  The trusty old Kodak DX6340 just works.I'm not a fan of goofy "features" and garbage.  I just like stuff that works.  The Kodak DX6340 just works.  No "drama", no farting around.  Exactly what  wanted.
I dont know what ALL you people DO with your cameras! Battery Door falling off, doesnt take good night pics.... and so on. I have had this camera since 2004 (january) and have taken a TON of pics ever since. My battery door stays shut, has NEVER had a problem, I have NO problem loading the pics onto the computer either. its soooo easy! My lens shutter does stick once in a while, but VERY easy to fix. Doesnt do it very often. You want a good but Affordable camera, this is the one to get! This is my first one, and probably my last. If something ever DOES happen, I will spend the money to get another one. Kodak Easy Share Cameras Really ARE easy. I have take pics even in the dark of it snowing and they come out GREAT.
I never thought I would ever part with my SLR camera outfit, but I am hooked on digital photography already.I enjoy the crisp and bright digital images on my computer the same day I take them.  Having family in another state, this camera allows me to e-mail pictures and share the moments.I use a 256 MB scan disk, so I can take pictures without abandon and just delete what I don't like.  Love to be able to view what I've taken immediately on the screen.  The scan disk is also compatible with my MP3 player and my palm pilot, which makes this convenient to share between all my toys.Shutter is not as fast as I had hoped and I would probably revert back to my SLR for more control on fast action photos.Alkaline batteries don't cut it!  The camera shows a low battery almost immediately upon putting in new ones.  I now have the printer dock with the built in charger, which works well for me.My family enjoys the TV plug-in feature that allows me to show the pictures right on the TV like a slide show.The EasyShare printer dock allows you to print 4X6's at home.  I purchased this accessory very quickly after getting the camera.  This is a fun accessory for the standard &quot;snap shots.&quot;  I took the dock to my parents house and printed pictures that I had just taken.  It reminded them of the old polaroid convenience and the pictures are waterproof, so sticky kids' hands are no problem.  See my review on the print dock.I wasn't interested in capturing movies initially, but have now tried a few short film shots.  It too is fun for quick captures when just a photo won't do.  It captures sound well!  Movies will have to be just a minute or two and you would definitely need an extra scandisk for more room.  These &quot;movies&quot; can also be e-mailed in a quicktime format.I only give 4 stars as sometimes I feel I am waiting for the camera to catch up with me, but this is a minimal trade off for the fun I am having.
I did a lot of research on cameras and spent a large amount of time at Best Buy and Circuit City looking at this model up close and personal.I have to say that this camera is fantastic!  It works well in a variety of light settings and is easy to switch from one setting to another by a simple turn of a knob.  I've uploaded all my photos to ofoto.com and have loved the resulsts so much that I've ordered well over 75 pritns including some blown up to 11 x 17, WITH NO PIXELATION!  My wife can't believe the framed work was taken with a digital camera.They also print out great on my printer and I only have an hp 880c to work with on a day to day basis.  You don't even need to go through the camera manual to be up and running with this little jewel.  I started right out of the box and have been working with it ever since for all types of shots.I have no problem with the software and the pictures can be downloaded with ofoto.com free software as well.  In fact I use that more so than the Kodak software included.So far, the battery life of the camera is excellent! I use flash and no flash with the screen on quite a bit, and I did ivest in some newere NiMh batteries from kodak.  They hold a large charge and work well with this camera.  I invested in a 128MB memory card for this camera for only $40.00 bucks from Circuit City.  It's well worth it and much better than the any of the smaller cards.I did not buy the Dock due to the ease of downloading with the card reader that came with the 128 mg card.To sum things up, I realy like its ease, and clarity of detail in my pictures.  Also, it bounced off the concrete from three feet when I tried to catch my 13 month old son, completely forgeting about my camera.  It is still working fine with only a few minor scratches.Enjoy!
I have this camera, as well as the CX7300 model.  As the other reviews have stated, it's a great camera...until the battery door breaks.  I had this camera for just about year when the door cracked.  It worked for a little while after that with duct tape, but that doesn't even work anymore.  Then shortly after it happened to the other model.  I think it is a shame that Kodak made these wrong and will not repair them for free.  May I recommend the Canon A550 or A560. Don't waste your money on this one or any other Kodak camera.
Very nice camera. Easy to use. Takes great pictures and the Kodak software is MUCH better than the HP software I'm using now. BUT if you need non warranty service, like drop the camera or get it wet, your in deep do-do. I spilled something on the front of the camera, barely got it wet. United Camera and Binocular Repair, Kodak's nonwarranty repair center, wanted $193 to repair it.. Of coarse I'm not going to pay that much since the camera didnt cost much more than that anyway. I'm using an HP now and even though I dont like it as much as I did the Kodak, I'll never buy a camera from Kodak again.
This camera exceeded my expectations in relation to ease of use. The joystick is a great idea and works well. The display looks great and the interface easy to move around in. Zooming is a breeze with this camera and it is the smallest available with a 4x zoom. It has no problems reading/writing my SD cards from Sandisk, a 32 MB and a 256 MB. My NiMH AA rechargables work great with it. Just be sure to turn off the LCD to save your batteries.One thing I disliked was the software. On my WindowsXP and Windows2k computers it would not recognize the camera. So I just used my memory card reader which I would prefer anyway.I only gave this a 4 because it doesn't quite match the detail that a 35 mm would give you. Digital has come far but still needs to become cheaper in relation to a 35 mm camera. At the time I ordered, Amazon shipped it for free :-)  Arrived on time and in perfect shape.I definitely recommend this camera. I hope they make a smaller version as a previous reviewer suggested.
I've had this camera since 2002 and still love it. I found it to be extremely user friendly and it takes great pics. This is the fourth digital camera I have owned and the best so far. If you purchase the dock you can do a one touch transfer which saves the battery life. It also recharges the battery. If you purchase a lithium battery it lasts a really long time.The only problem I've had is the outdoor "scenic" night pictures could be a bit clearer. I was able to get decent ones by using the pas mode at 400 iso and stabilizing the camera with a large fixed object (I don't have a tripod). Overall I would recommend this camera to anyone looking to take decent pics without a lot of fuss.
The greatest gift that a person can have. I thank you very much, Tan. My heart and thought goes out to you. Love you like a bro also.
I bought this for my 14 year old daughter for her birthday. She had been asking for a camera for a while, and when I saw this in the store I could not resist it. She takes this camera everywhere. It fits in her very small hand bag and takes great pictures. The lack of a zoom is the only drawback. We recently took a vacation in Florida, and although I had packed my larger Sony Mavica, this is the camera we took everywhere, and we got some really wonderful pictures with it. I recommend this camera, if you want a handy, small camera, that produces quality pictures.
I bought this camera to fill in as the super portable, moment capture tool that my Digital SLR with it's big body and lenses can't fill in as. I've had this camera for a few days now and it does it's intended job well.PROS:- TINY! It looks more like one of my Wife's little make-up items than a digicam- 1.99 MEGAPIX: Actual image size is 1632x1224, with a 128mb Memory Stick (which is getting cheaper and cheaper) it can hold 246 images.- Uses Standard AAA NiMH batteries: Rechargable AAA batteries are easy to find and fairly inexpensive, no need to deal with proprietory batteries and expensive spares.- Neckstrap included: This thing is actually small enough to be worn around the neck.- Fast power on: From sliding the cover to composing the shot and snapping the first pic is only about 4 seconds.- Simplistic camera options: Being mostly automatic, there's not much to have to adjust or set to get the camera going...Which is also a CON (see the CONS below)- Cuteness Factor: Well, maybe not a big buying factor, but plenty of people comment on how cute it is.- Built-in Flash: Not really much to offer as a flash, but it's better than NOT having one. And it even has a red-eye reduction option too.- Included Image Transfer Software: Nice little utility that automatically copies images from the camera to the PC as soon as it detects the camera is connected. Pretty convenient.CONS:- It's a point and shoot: Being a P&S; it's to be expected that you don't get many manual controls, which can be frustrating at times when you get not so great shots because of lighting conditions or action that could've been compensated for with more manual controls...Again, to be expected from a P&S.;- Indoor shots aren't great: Even with the flash I've gotten quite a few blurry or grainy shots. This is a pretty generic limitation of a LOT of cameras, not just this one.THE BOTTOM LINE: Great little camera for take anywhere, spare of the moment, point and shoot circumstances.
This is a great little package that Sony has created.  While it does lack a zoom and the LCD is hard to read in direct sunlight; it is the first quality camera that I have seen that you can use on a daily basis since it is so easy to carry.  I have a case that I clip to a beltloop and I take it with me everywhere.I have 3 Sony digital cameras and this is my favorite and while it isn't as good as my DSC-S85 (4 Mega Pixels), it's size makes it stand out.
I just got the U10. It's a little gem that will serve as my new glove box cam. I've used it indoors and outdoors, with and without flash, and I'm very pleased with the pictures I've gotten thus far. I took an experimental movie clip (no sound) and it also looks fine. The 2 megapixel resolution (you can also select lower res for computer/Internet use) is crisp up to and including prints of 8&quot; x 10&quot;. The camera uses 2 rechargeable AAAs (the charger is included) and the battery life is very good. The included 8 megabyte Memory Stick is too small, but I put a 128 meg (Lexar) card in there. One should get almost 200 pics at its full 2 megapixel setting. Settings and menus are simple and the instruction manual is not needed. The size and weight are of course the big pluses here. I gave it only 4 stars though because I felt the price was a bit high for the specs (obviously, the price is the premium for the size) *and* because without an eyepiece viewfinder, one is forced to frame through the tiny LCD on the camera's rear. That is a nearly impossible task in sunlight, making for a significant drawback. Nonetheless, I'm having fun with it and I'm sure you will too!
Good video &amp; easy to transfer to VCD or DVD. The Pictures was great. With small camcorder you will have a great shoot. I have old Sony CCD before. The result not so good because still have a distortion in the below frame event after service condition by Sony company. With this small camcorder I have greater pictures &amp; can transfer to VCD or DVD with additional i Link Card &amp; cable. You can also use the USB cable that include on the package but not have maximum result if you want to transfer to your computer. Another thing is many features from night shoot to customize focus with touching LCD screen. The bad thing is bad still pictures because Sony DCR-TRV 19 not using memory sticks. The resolution it's very small to be print. In generally this is the recommended compact camcorder with $ 590.  Enjoy your great moment with this thing.
I initially bought the canon zr-70 but returned it after a few days because of its dismal and grainy indoor footage.  Next went with the trv-19, and i love it.  It takes great footage outdoors and indoors, with no notice of any grain in the low light footage.  I cant find anything to say bad about this camera!!
I have been using this camera for four years now and had been very happy until my camera fell victim to the "CCD issue" in which the screen goes blank when trying to record.  Some history...this CCD problem happens in almost all of these models and has resulted in a class action suit against Sony.  They now have to repair all TRV-19 cameras free of charge, including shipping to and from your home. (If you need more info on this please visit the Sony website.)  I went forward with the repairs and when I received my camera back it was working correctly and the repairs appear to have been made but a small cover piece is missing.  I phoned the customer service number on my invoice and the supervisor states this piece was not on their inventory taken when they received my camera and there is nothing else they could do.  So I have a functional camera now but not in the same condition that I sent to them and they really could care less--it's my word against theirs.  So much for customer service.  If you need to send your camera in please take lots of pictures of the condition before shipping and remove all removable parts because there is a good chance you won't get them back. I was really wanting to purchase a Sony big screen TV but this experience has ruined that plan for me.  I WILL NEVER BUY FROM SONY AGAIN.  I know most (if not all) electronic corporations have customer service issues but this one takes the cake.  They did not want to do the right thing in the first place my fixing a problem that has been confirmed as a manufacturing defect.  It's disheartening that it took a lawsuit to get Sony to do what they just should have done in the first place!  And...I missed getting my baby daughter's first crawl on video because of this defect--wouldn't you know the camera broke down right then...ugh!  Yes...I am frustrated.  I hope some of my vent has helped you...thanks for your time.
I'm not an aspiring director.  I don't want to edit my films, or make stunning documentaries, and I have a digital camera so I don't care if my camcorder takes still pictures.  All I want to do is take it with me on vacation and get some good video to rememeber my trips by.  This Sony is great for this type of thing.  There aren't many bells and whistles, but it takes good pictures indoors and out (unlike the Cannon that I returned which shot grainy pictures indoors.)  Its really small so you don't have to leave it behind.  It fits easily in a fanny pack with your map and guide book.  If you are looking to be the next big Hollywood director, go shell out some more cash for a different camera, but if you just want good home movies, this is your best bet.
This was a great little camcorder until the CCD issue.  Yes, they repaired it for free and quite quickly.  However, I just today watched the video we've taken since getting it back, and there is a VERY LOUD mechanical noise buzzing rhythmically off and on in the background.  It sounds like its internal to the camera (can't be outside the camera since the footage is taken over a couple of months in a variety of locations).  So now I can pay $211 for Sony to repair it.  Great!
I absolutely LOVE this camcorder and the NightVision Feature is Ultra Cool. The unique hi-tech touch screen is also an added plus. I had a problem with the LCD but it was fixed for free by SONY and I've had NO PROBLEMS since. Can't say enough great things about this gem. All kinds of features, "LIKE BACKLIGHT" and excellent DV Quality! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=Calvin
Can I use the USB port save the movies to my computer? I wanna make Youtube movies,Can I & how well dose it work???????????...?elliot2698 (at) yahoo com ,I wanna buy one ,elliotEureka Northern Califoria
we decided to buy this product instead of the more expensive trv22 or trv33 as we weren't particularly impressed with any of their digital camera capabilities. Initially, my wife and I were looking for the ideal digital camera-camcorder combo and came to the realization that such a product is impractical, expensive and technically limiting (still capability in camcorders is limited to 2 megapixels). So, we decided to spend our money wisely and opted for a camcorder that has great camcorder features (light, compact, records in near darkness, great lens, good battery life, miniDV format etc.)By saving $100-$150 on this model (vs. the trv 33), we were left with extra cash to buy a decent digital camera.The one complaint I have with this camera is that the LCD screen is a bit small. However, I've seen the 3.5'' LCD screens and they aren't all that better either. In the end, this wasn't a big factor for us and the features for the price was compelling enough for us to choose this model over the other Sony/JVC models.
Factors important to us in selecting the TRV22 product, rather than the TRV19, in roughly this order, were:* it uses MiniDV tapes, which I preferred to DVDs and CDs and other media because of resolution, cost, and ease of use* it uses the same memory sticks as our still camera* it includes an A&gt;D coverter - that is, it has an input so I can connect our VCR and transfer old VHS tapes (like our honeymoon) to DVD; to do that otherwise would have meant a 100-200 dollar device added to the camera or our PC* it includes 3 forms of digital output (S, USB, and firewire) so that I can transfer the memory stick and miniDV to a PC, for storage and backup and uploading and DVDs* it had a good lens (Carl Zeiss) and 8x optical zoom (digital zoom isn't the same; it just stretches the pixels)* it got great reviews, including from Marco* it has decent still resolution, but we didn't expect to rely on it for stills; paying for still resolution is expensive (about 100 bucks per megapixel in a still camera, more in a video camera)* it was on sale at Circuit City, with a free extra battery, camera bag, and light lens (although that was last fall)Things not to be fooled by, if you look at other products:* digital zoom* some models with a higher resolution (e.g. the TRV33) actually do poorer in low light AND dont handle motion as well* an included light (built-in lights are apparently a heat problem, and a better attachment is under 20 bucks)* a bigger viewfinder (ours is 2.5&quot;; smaller would have been okay; bigger would have been silly)* paying too much for still resolution (1 to 2 megapixels is more than enough for email, websites, and small prints; 5 megapixels is a waste unless you're printing portraits)
the trv19 is the lowest priced camcorder in the trv19/22/33 family.  still, this is a camcorder that has a very nice feature set.pros:- compact design, light weight.- larger size CCD should provides better low-light performance.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens.- intelligent accessory shoe.- steady shot and night shot.- progressive shutter system.- supports exif 2.2.cons:- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5&quot; LCD.- you can only record stills at 640 x 480 on tape; memory stick not supported!- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- black and white viewfinder.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.if you're looking for a camcorder and still capability is not important, this camcorder should be on your short list.  if you want still capability, skip this camcorder and consider the trv33, pc-105, or the panasonic gs70 (top pick for me).i myself have a dedicated digital camera to complement my camcorder but i still want still capability of at least 1 megapixel.  you just never know when you might need to take a still picture and you've left your digital camera back in the car/hotel room/house.  capturing still pics on DV tape just does not cut it unless all you want to do is post it on the web.  if you want to print out your picture, you'll be disappointed.all in all, the trv19 is a nice camcorder.  just don't expect it to do what it wasn't designed to.  cheers.
This camera is a waste of money!!! Do not buy it! We bought it new and we've only used it for a month and the tape got stuck!!! Warranty pays for parts only and not labor and Sony is charging us about $220 plus shipping and handling! This is awful! Save yourself grief!!!
Just like another reviewer, my DCR-TRV19 I purchased almost exactly 18 months ago stopped "seeing".  Like another reviewers state, all other functions are retained. When recording it will record the audio w/o video. I have owned several Sony camcorders and I guess quality at Sony is going down.
Extremely well done - top to bottom.NOTE for Macintosh Users: Cannot interface via USB.  But no worries, a FireWire cable makes the camcorder totally Mac-compatible.  Must get a "4-to-6-pin Thin FireWire cable" and use the iLink DV interface on camcorder.  After you have this $8 cable, everything is pretty easy.  An hour later we were editing video clips in iMovie.  (The included USB cable is useless for Macintosh.)
I have had this camera for just over a year. 8/14/03 is the purchase date. I used it a total of 12 times for maybe 20 minutes max, kept it locked up when not in use, and now it doesn't work.  I paid extra for Sony "quality".  There were other cameras I would have rather had (cheaper, more compact with more features) but bought the sony because of Consumer Reports listing Sony's as having low occurances of repairs.  One thing I did like better when this camera was working was the nightshot feature.  It was much better than the night shot feature on the Panasonic GS-15 I just bought to replace the Sony.I called Sony and they offered my a flat fee of 269.00.  Not willing to throw good money after bad because I have already spent over 600.00 dollars on a camera that only lasted a year with only a few uses.
The first thing I moticed when taking this camcorder out of the box was it's size. It's soooooo small!! And light weight too...which means for those of us who tire of wighty hand-held video cameras....no problem here. You barely even know it is in your hand. Picture quality is good for a single chip, entry level MiniDV....audio is standard built in stereo mic quality. For a while it was a toss up between this camcorder and the JVC line. But I have always liked what Sony produces...and they always come out ahead in low light tests.The one thing I am still not 100% comfortable with is the fact the menu is a touch screen on the LCD. I still prefer to have actual buttons...but it does save space on the unit. I have always been one to never touch the LCD screen if I don't have to. Now I have too!! Maybe I will use a dull object to do so. Don't want oils from my skin marring the image on the LCD.Speaking of the LCD...it is great indoors but outdoors difficult to see the image as well...hoping to be able to compensate with the brightness control.All the opearting controls are right where they need to be when the camcorder is in your hand. It is comfortable and easy to use...right out of the box...thanks to factory defaults settings. Cost is a bit more than others at this level, but I think in the end it is a good choice.
Although i use this device sparingly, i take great pleasure in capturing videos of the kids and special events.  The camera is a breeze to use with well thought out features.  You can even use the camera to play back videos on your tv by using some of the many video outputs on the camera.  It becomes, in effect a vcr of your homemade movies.I've had this camera since spring of '04, and have not had any issues, problems, or even had to replace the (rechargeable) batteries.
Pros: Excellent value, very good picture and sound, features, connections, touch-panel screenCons: No memory card, average still picture quality, no analog inputsThis is my first mini dv camcorder and I am satisfied with it. Many reviews talked about the graininess of low light, but I can say it's really good. The nightshot is abit awkward coz the color goes unnatural, but generally the video quality is good. It's not really a good advice to take those internet footage as means to judge the camcorder because the quality deterioates when it gets to computer. But it'd be fine on tv. Overall, it's value for a camcorder under a grand. Touhscreen display completely ends this one to the head of the class! Just a solid little digital cam with dedicated features in a noce package. Clearly the best of the bunch. A must try.
I have had the EXACT same problem with this camcorder that others described.  Timed perfectly with the warranty running out, the screen is now black, and it won't record any images, just sound.  The repair cost is more than the cost of the camera.  I will never buy Sony again.
I was looking for a MiniDV camcorder that was small, easy to hold, with the best image and sound quality I could afford.  I didn't want still picture recording, MPEG recording, a memory stick, or any of that other stuff that a digital still camera does better, and which just jacks up the camcorder's price.After trying low-end JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, and Sony models, I settled on the Sony TRV19:  it has the best image quality by far of all the low-end MiniDV cameras, and meets my other criteria as well.  Only thing that's less than stellar is the sound:  the stereo separation is good, but I hear camera motor noise occasionally on playback.  This is endemic to low-end cameras, and no worse in the Sony than others I've tried, so I'm OK with it.  This model has a hotshoe for an external mic, so I have an out if I need it.I've shot about 6 hours so far, all handheld, and I'm very happy with this model.
I just received it yesterday and I already love it.  The touchscreen makes it awesome.  I think that they did it that way so they could minimize the size and shape of it to the smallest possible form... It worked.  I have huge hands, so it looks even smaller in mine than my wife's but that another story.  It is so easy to use, I love it.The only thing I have to say negative about what I purchased was the software that they TRY to give you in purchasing this camera.  It absoutly blows.  I have Win XP and it came with MS Movie Maker.  I found the software that they give you with the camera way too complicating to use. I opened it, poked around, close it and uninstalled it right away.  The Quality of this camera is great for its size.
I managed to record all of 2 hours worth of video.  Now, it will not load a cassette anymore.  It comes up with a C:31:40 error and grinds to a halt.  Sony's web site and support are horrible when it comes to fixing this.I used to be a Sony fan.  I bought this thing because of the Sony label.  No more.  The Sony brand has lost it.I returned the camera for service, costing $250.  I got it back and tested immediately.  Same problem occurred after 1 hour of recording.I returned it again, Sony willingly paid shipping.  Camera eventually came back and has been reliable.  Fine as an indoor and fair weather camera.
I searched and searched for the best quality camcorder for the best price.  If you find a good deal on it, this is it.  Great quality, easy to use, great manual controls, as well as an easy to use touch screen (I was unsure about the touch screen for a while until I bought it, and it's really not too bad if you don't mind having to deal with using the stylus instead of just pushing a button).  It is bigger than the newer camcorders, but that can be a good thing - more stability, less shaking. One thing about it that I searched for but rarely found in other camcorders is that you can input from a tv or vcr (with the proper outputs) to record tv and old vhs onto dv tape, then you can use a firewire (or usb) to put it onto your computer and burn it onto dvd.  It is kind of a hassle to do, and it takes forever if you use the highest quality on your computer, but it's worth it to preserve your old tapes.  So here's all the good things this camera has:intelligent shoemanual focus ringmanual exposure (touch screen)widescreen recording12 and 16 bit sound recording (sounds great,  but may need an external mic for more professional audio)AV in (one mini input, need to find a cord like that)mic in (mini)headphones out(mini)touch sensitive zoom (great for slow zooming)lots of settings for different lightingbacklight controlnighttime shooting (green, but great distance and detail)cool effectsgreat quality video
Spend a lot, get a lot more.  Although it was a tough choice to spend the money when I purchased my TRV70, I have no regrets.  My camera is DA BEST!.  After I figured out the Still Picture recording is best taken when not recording video simultaneously, I never looked back.  There are so many features to mention but I don't use.  The key things to consider:- Bigger lens, means better image- Good size CCD is a treasure; otherwise 3 CCD is next option- Manual focus override; in photography, this is VERY important- Backlight control; it's a great override in low light conditions like opening up your camera aperature- Manual disable of on-board flash; continue taking pictures when flash is not allowed- Touch screen LCD is sweet, don't listen to button fanatics- Steady Shot works.... when camera is light, more chances of jarring movements, so here its really important.- Memory stick convenience ... buy larger capacity, more over time.- Battery Status; Info-lithium means no guessing game.  By several small batteries, charge them, and carry them a-l-a Rambo.- Don't install Imagemixer software.  Instead, use Sony's Screenblast Movie Studio 3.0.  You'll be happier.- Don't skimp on footage.  Take lots of footage.  It's easier to edit, than to say... I don't have enough!It's unfortunate, Sony is discontinuing the product in 2004.  It's a great product!  I'm ready to buy a second one so I can get the same footage from another vantage point.  Silly, two people using different cameras. :-)
I purchased this camcorder for interviews and life's fun quirky moments. I am not a camera and film guy, but this camcorder was easy to learn and it has great picture quality. After using it for a few hours I had most of it figured out.Some Tips:-you will need a better battery if you plan on using this camera for longer periods of time. The sony web site has plenty of batteries and has the camera accessory compatibility guide so you don't buy the wrong things.-the software bundled with this camera is a throw away. If you want to edit and create great family video you will want to go with better software. There are so many software titles. You may want to research a few, to tailor to you editing needs.-many people complain about the included memory stick. They are right it's crap you will need at least 32mb and above to take advantage of the still camera capability of this camera.-this camera as with any camera functions best with a clean lens. Be sure to cover your lens at all times when not in use. And clean it with the recommended lens cloth.-the camera dose not come with a protective bag you will need to get one. The bag you get should reflect what you will use this camera for. If your just going to shoot vacation and family video you will need a lighter bag. If you take it hiking and mountain climbing you will need a more heavy duty bag. Make sure to take note of the camera's width, height, and depth to make sure you get the right sized bag.-always use the included neck strap when ever possible. It will prevent the camera from falling on the ground and breaking should you happen to slip.-as with all electronics keep this away from liquids they don't mix well.some features:-this camcorder has a 2.5inch lcd screen. for some bigger is better, if you want bigger go with the TRV-80 which has a 3.5inch lcd screen.-this camera comes with video out ports, a headphone jack for private listening. It also features an s-video port for connecting to newer TV's and VCR/DVD players (s-video provides  better viewing quality) You will have to buy an s-video cable.It comes with the standard USB port and wire. It also has a firewire port (you will have to buy the firewire separate).It has a 10x zoom, touch screen display (which I think is neat).It has a 2mp digital still camera function as well. So you can take digital still pictures.I'm sure i'm missing some features. Read some other reviews to get some more professional views.4 StarsHope you enjoy your new camcorder.
this is a power packed camcorder!pros:- other than the sony trv80, this is the only sony miniDV camcorder that has a 2 megapixel still camera built in.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, bluetooth, mic input, etc.- has a built in pop-up flash for taking stills.- carl zeiss lens.- steady shot and night shot.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.- progressive shutter system.cons:- this camcorder is bigger than i would like. you can get smaller camcorders like the trv33 or the pc105. granted, those have less features, mainly still camera capability (2.0 megapixel vs 1.0 megapixel).- bright 2.5&quot; LCD screen: but i definitely prefer the 3.5&quot; in the trv80.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- the included 8MB memory stick (for a 2 megapixel still camera!) is unacceptable. you'll need at least a 64MB memory stick with if you want to take full advantage of the higher resolution pics you'll be taking.- although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to carry one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.- as an alternate to this bundling strategy, you can get a trv33 or pc105 and get a 3 megapixel still camera for about the same price.- no built in video light but you can get one less than a hundred bucks.all in all, a very nice camcorder.  nice work sony.
I have had this Camera for over a year now and found it to be reliable and its pictures of high quality. The Steady shot is rock solid and only jitters when you attempt &gt;20 Zoom. The 120 zoom is grainy so I hardly use it. The memory stick for mpeg and still photos is very handy. The 2 megapixel resolution on the still photos is sufficient for computer display and small photo prints. It makes it convenient not to have to carry a second digital photo camera. I have not tried the Firewire link yet but the USB for memory stick operations works well.Overall I am happy with the camera and recommend it for purchase.
I received everything in the condition in which it was promised. The delivery time was also well within the stated delivery time. I have previously owned this product and wanted to replace the damaged device. I was able to locate the exact device I previously owned and at a very reasonable price. I would order from this vendor again.
Just picked up yesterday and took out last night for a run. Have been evaluating against Panasonic DV953. Comparison so far, 1) Sony TRV70 excellant in low light with very little grain in night setting, Panasonic 953 cannot be used unless highly lit object like a sign on bldg. 2) video capture is almost equal to the three chipper. 3) 2.5" lcd is smallish but i did like the touch screen which is very easy to manuver thru setting menus. Panasonic 953 has wheel but still have to use lcd or really cant make options out. however the 3.5" is nice to read and clear. 4) Panasonic 953 has more color saturation and more manual control. Althought with the manual exposure I was able to saturate also on the Sony TRV70. At this point I have not tried still function on either yet, but if you want to shoot indoor footage the Panasonic will need lots of light to avoid grainy picture where the Sony TRV 70 is at home indoors or out in auto settings. With the panasonic hard to find and the sony trv70 available @ $1,000.00 at this point you either have to leap to the over 2k price thresholdfor GL2,VX2000 or better. The sony trv70 or trv80 if you want to pop for the larger lcd may be your choice.
Recorded 3 out of 24 tapes. All 3 drag at some point. You have to record completly before you know if they are bad.Seller offered to replace ANY that were bad. I will NOT record 24 sixty minute tapes and then listen to see if each one drags. I do not blame the seller, but I won't purchase any more 8 pack MAXELL 60 MINUTE TAPES.
Package arrived on time. Nicely plastic wrapped. Not yet used - but looks good. Had used before so ordered to keep in spare and can use it immediately if required. Would recommend to others.
Love it!!  However, now need to convince mom that digital recording will be much better. Great price for the pack.
We always buy Maxwell Tapes over any other brand.  We have found them to have the best sound when recording on them.
What's to say? This is a good product because the price is excellent and the cassettes are working fine. Have a great day!
I was glad to find these at such a good price because I use them in my classes and it's getting harder to find them in stores.
I use the cassettes to record interviews, which I then listen to several times while transcribing and editing the interview, and the sound is crystal clear. (Of course, I also mike the interviewees to help get that clear sound.) I've never had a problem with the tapes.
Normally I use TDK tape products, these were fine, but I'll stay with TDK in the future; I find their audio dynamics to be somewhat richer!
I recently purchased a portable cassette tape player/recorder.  You made it easy to do and enjoy;  recording  and listening to your creation.
I love these tapes because I can use them to make copies of tapes I cannot tell from the originals.  The individual cases also are fine with plenty of materials for making notes and labels along with extras to cover labeling mistakes.
Maxell tape captures sound, voice, and resonance with the highest clarity and fidelity. It is reasonably priced and the longest lasting on the market.
Because they are good tapes and met my requirements quite well. Thanks for a good product at a very good price.
My husband uses these to record church music for Sunday mornings as he doesn't have an organist.  We have not been able to find these anywhere else!
THE TAPES ARE VERY GOOD, THEY PICK UP EVERY SMALL SOUND IN THE ROOM, I RECOMMEND THSES TAPES FOR OFFICE OR PLEASURE.THANK YOU
just what we needed
Good sound and good product would recommend to friends and family.Great price that's for sure ! Just a really good product.
This is a quality brand of audio tapes.  Buy the best and you will have quality sound tapes.  I know I can depend on this brand delivering the quality I want.
This eight pack of blank 60-minute Maxell cassettes is a great buy. They are strong and work well. I have already used two cassettes. They came wrapped as an eight pack with each cassette having its own individual wrapping.
Wife is a songwriter and needed some tapes for her portable machine for putting down thoughts and melodies as they come to her. Had trouble finding tapes in stores so Amazon to the rescue. We bought enough to last until she's 100 or so, so shouldn't run out.Good tapes, would recommend.
My car is old enough not to have a CD player in it but it does have a decent cassette player. I decided to make some music tapes for it but none of the local stores carried any blank cassette tapes. So I ordered them from Amazon. When I made the tapes they played back great, I haven't heard any hiss or noise and the frequency response is great. I was pleasantly surprised.
What can you say about cassette tapes that hasn't already been said.  They do the job they're made for and that is all I can say about them.  These are one of the better brands of cassette tapes.
I run through these tapes like an elephant through peanuts.  We are both instructors and like to review our classes many times to help us with future lesson plans and to give to the students for their review.  Can't get enough of them.
Office supplies. Maxell's the only brand we buy. Good quality and the price is always right for the 8-pack. Recommended.
I record a lot of old time radio programs and these tapes are just the right size to do this.
These blank tapes are a very good quality. The recordings on the tapes were clear and free of noise. You get your moneys worth and you won't be disappointed with the quality of your recordings.
Been looking for them for a while. There are out dated so hard to find. These will last me a while for what I need them for.
He is 11 and likes to tape record music.  Still into cassette recorders!We will probably order this again and again.
The quality of this product is awesome, there was very little background noise! I used it for voice recording and was very happy!
I know that everyone now records with their telephones or ipods or whatever, but I'm from the old school of recording and it works just fine for me.  Thank you for offering cassette tapes and cassette recorders just for people like me.  People have laughed at me, but I don't care...my cassette tape recorder and the cassette tapes get the job done!!!!
These audio tapes are getting more difficult to find as we progress into more digital forms of media. Unfortunately, what do we do with all the electronics that are still in use that we can no longer get parts for. These are good tapes and I try to keep some on hand through buying them from Amazon.
Just what we had hoped.  We're using these to communicate with our Missionary in England and they work well are clear and do the job just right. Plus we'll do anything not to buy at the big mart place and these stomped their price.  Thanks Amazon!!
Normally I like Maxell products but recent purchase of these tapes has proven that they are not at all Maxell quality.  Two of the tapes I've used (out of 2) have gotton twisted and tangled and one broke and music from choir rehersal had to be thrown out.  Very disappointed in these tapes. Will be throwing out the other 5.
- These are the only blank tapes I've recorded on so I can't offer comparisons between brandsPros:Good Audio Quality-Affordable-Comes with Cases + Labels-Cons:Tape length not consistent between tapes. They vary from 2-3 minutes sometimes, which is noticeable, but you can't count on them all being that way, some are straight 30mins each side, so you never know-
good value, good tapes, what more can I say?  if by now you don't know about cassette tapes im not sure that I can help you much :)
This purchase was made because my youngest son wanted to record a demo using a Tascam 4-Track cassette recorder. We used this tape, and it certainly did the job, but I somehow had the impression that I was buying a higher bias tape. I wonder if anyone even still manufactures this stuff, or if I'm merely buying up old inventory, but, like I said, it did the job.
This was a great package to have due to a family member requested a copy of my family history from the civil war.  It took several tapes to copy and I was glad to have them shipped quickly.
Got these to work with the small recorder below and they are great.  Do just what I wanted and needed.
I have a Tandy Color Computer 2 that I needed to buy some blank cassette tapes for. These work just fine and I've been able to record and record over them multiple times without any data loss. Unfortunately, one tape kept returning an IO error once it got to so much on the tape counter, a part which I hadn't recorded on yet. Not really an option as the cassette had a program I wrote that went through the tape and loaded other games or programs, and any errors in the tape would make this program pretty useless. However, this would likely not affect general recording, so that's fine. I'll use the tape for something else.The tapes came packaged nicely and arrived on time. I'm quite satisfied.
Time passed them by.  No use for audio cassettes any more.one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen to fulfill required number of words.
These tapes are no longer available in most stores.  I still find these tapes a great way to keep your invaluable kid recordings.
I  have used maxell products before and am impressed with the quality. I will continue to use them because they are very reliable.
I highly recommend Maxell.  They were always a favorite, and one I could always depend on.  Definitely recommend to everyone.
I am very pleased with my purchase of these cassette tapes.  It is nice to have extra tapes on handed when I need them.
I have recorded and rerecorded on these and they still sound great!  It's so much fun to use something from my past with my kids!
bought these for extra recording I am now secretary of my organization and hope to keep up with the notes
Only type tapes recordable in my Sony CFDS05 cd radio cassette recorder $41.95, from amazon(see my review)-etc., are type 1-normal bias. As I test these UR60, for drag in my Sony and portable cheap player, I will decide if they can handle UR90 or UR120. As I noted other reviews of UR60, they say dragging occurs. Will check that as most dragging or tape speed changing is caused by inexpensive cassette player drives. Tapes as described and reproduce like the original--frequency response very good with NO tape dropouts due to improper coating of oxide on tape. Maxell has excellent tapes of all sorts, when I had a couple Professional recorder that had bias adjustments and much higher quality type tapes could be used, such as recording in Dolby stereo. These seem to also be low-noise tapes. I'm just retired and rather Retro in my music, rather than liking a lot of today's material....kind of a 50's-60's Rock guy. Not into mp3's, for example, so need do make tape cassettes, and/or go mobile with them. Great that Amazon carries cassette tapes.
Arrived well packaged and undamaged.  It was a Christmas gift along with a recorder for my daughter who is in nursing school.
However, these did take quite a lot of use from my 8 year old.  She enjoyed taping her singing with these.
I ordered this product and it could of just been this exact one that I received but something odd happened. First of all the tapes arrived quickly, as seen and work well no complaints there. The tapes come shrink wrapped by themselves and then shrink wrapped  together to form the multi-pack. Seven of the eight tapes were like that, the eighth tape is the tape in question. I took the outer shrink wrap off the tapes and the eighth tape stood out like a sore thumb. It was not shrink wrapped and the protective/storage case that houses the tape was cracked like someone stepped on it and a part of the case chipped off when I opened it. I don't know what if anything is going on I'm not blaming anyone really it's just weird.
It is getting harder to find cassette tapes - and these work well, but you must remember to tighten them before recording or the sound quality diminishes
couldn't find them in the stores, standard size cassettes & i need those for my work transcriber.  Maxell is always good quality.
Cassett tapes are becoming hard to find.  Many of us find tape recorders the easiest way to record, listen and search.  Thank goodness we can still get them...on line...and they're Maxwell!
These are prefect for mix tapes.  I loved them.  I had no problems with recording onto them with a dual tape deck.  High speed transfer worked fine and I tried playing them back in a walkman with no issues.
i bought this for my mom and she went crazy when she saw them! they work very good and i had no problems with them, they arent too big but hold a lot, very happy with this order, would buy again.
I am well pleased with my Maxell UR-60 blank Audio Cassette tapes. They record real well, and play back also.
Good tapes. Not much you can ruin with tapes. They play well, have clear crisp sound and that's what l want in a tape. My 5 yr old grandson like them because they sound great in his recorder.
I have an autistic son who takes a blank tape and then does a nine inning play by play of an entire baseball game that he thinks up..................takes the tape  out and neatly stacks it in its proper pile and starts another one.....the only gift he ever wants &#34;blank tapes&#34;...............we buy them by the cartons and maxell tapes are the best.............
My Maxell UR-60 Blank Audio Cassette Tape - 8 Pack arrived on time and in good condition.  I needed to buy some cassettes but didn't need 90 minutes, luckily for me I was able to find the 60 minute cassettes here on this website.  For under 13 bucks this makes it a great deal.  I recommend buying cassettes here.  I rate this a 5 star, because of the price and that they are delivered to your home.
I used these tapes to archive some older tapes that I had laying around and I love this brand. I will order these again very soon.
Tapes are great, my mother loved them - they were a gift.  She could not find any in the stores
These Maxell tapes did what I needed them to do, and I used them at school and was able to record a few final exam and midterm reviews because of these.
Have had good results with thesse tapes for ordinary taping. I can reuse the tapes a number of times. Good buy.
I can use many of these for saving photos, music and documents. I made a mistake in thinking that I can also backup data from my computer on them.  I have turned to using &#34;the Cloud&#34; instead for that duty.
I got tired of trying to locate these cassettes now that most ppl have gone digital. They were excellant quality and I received them promptly!!
I have had excellent luck with MAXELL tapes. I am a DJ and have hundreds of Maxell cassettes. To the customer that had a problem with 'dragging' tapes. When tapes have been stored for a long time, the constant pull of gravity can cause the tape to misalign. This tends to cause the tape to be wound very tightly. There are ways to solve this problem. You can GENTLY tap the tape on a tabletop or your hand and this will cause tape to loosen. Something else you should do before using a tape the first time is to give it a wind and rewind in your machine. This is known as 'exercising' the tape. If there are any problems with the tape, this usually solves them. Another thing that many people overlook is DIRTY TAPEHEADS. If the tapeheads are dirty, they can cause damage to the tape. You will also have poor sound because of the built up residue from the tapes themselves. It also greatly increases the chances of your tape being 'eaten' by the machine. This can cause damage to your tapeheads and possibly ruin a recording you may not be able to replace. Dirty tapeheads can also gradually reduce the sound quality of the tape because it can become partially erased. There are tapehead cleaning products available. Check out the numerous choices here on AMAZON first because many stores have totally stopped carrying cassette-related products.
Happy with product.  It is nice to have the extra tapes when I need them to record events and have back-up tapes.
Everything I wanted Old Technoligy that works every time.Price was good results were even better, will recommend this product.
These were bought to record radio classics shows on our dock and play station for our bedroom. we love it.
These are good quality.  I have recorded on them fromcheap recorders to expensive stereos.  Always with positiveresults.  They are durable, and you can re-reord overand over again without negative impact.  I have used thisbrand for years.
product was exactly as expected and though it arrived with UPS on time, UPS in this town is horrible and it took forever to be able to physically get this package. They may want to consider using USPS or FedEx.
I bought these for my mom & they worked well for her.
If you have a high end casstte recorder get the best cassette tape from Maxell. I think the model is UD-XLII. I have a Tascan 122Mark III recorder and you really cant tell the difference between a CD and a cassette.These tapes are good quality but for standard use.
Simply put: if you are someone who is still in the market for ye old cassette tape... this is a good package of a good product.
I love these guys - like old friends (and sadly they are all gone now - Frank Thornton just this past March).  But this movie had no real plot. The acting was fine - it was the writers who need a good whack.  They had a great cast just waiting to be set in a good story; too bad they didn't come up with one.  I'll watch it again, but there was a stereotyping that didn't work for me.  Interestingly, the follow-on to the series (Grace and Favor - in US, Are You Being Served Again) wasn't all that bad.  It put the characters once again in a setting where they could play off each other pretty well.
can't find these in any store around. Glad Amazon still has them.  My Dad uses them to send recorded letters to my sister who lives on the other side of the country.
These are a good price, great product.  They are being used for voice recordings but I have used these in the past for music(oops! guess that tells my age! LOL!)  Great delivery.
Exactly as described, 8 pack of cassettes for a decent price.Work great, came in undamaged, no complaints!Now time to make some awesome cassette tapes.
I am so glad to see this product still around and easily available. Thank you for keeping the good old tecnology available.
Very happy with these-they are no longer to be found in stores around here. I'm from the cassette era and just refuse to throw out all my old tapes, or record over them. Been buying Maxell since the 80's and almost never had a bad one. Have some I recorded in 1982 that still sound great!
Usual good service;  thanks again!one more wordditto, ditto, ditto9 more words; 9 more words, 9 more words!
Surprised that they still make these but I guess I'm not the only dinosaur who prefers analog to digital.  Use them for the car and my old walkman.
These tapes will hold a large amount of data and can be labeled to identify what's on them.  Sound reproduction is good.
To a large degree cassettes are cassettes.  I use these  to record my DJ mixes with a tape deck, and they serve that purpose well.  They sound good and they hold up to many recording and rerecordings.  For the price, they're a great value.  At least for the small segment of people that still use cassettes.
We recorded cd's to cassette tapes since the cd player is broken.  Product works great.  Would recommend this product to everyone.
I need these for the work I do and I'm very thankful you have these. Thank you. That way i don't have to get in my car and search for stores that might carry them.
They do the job and are cheap.  I needed tapes and they filled the void.  I would recommend them if you need audio cassettes.
I might be the only one who misses the warmer sound of cassette tapes. The only issue I had with this product was a small crack in one of the cases for one of the blank cassettes. It did not affect the function of the tape. And the piece of these things is now very reasonable. I love cassette tape sound!
It takes a little getting used to before you can use this properly, but once you figure it out it really helps when transferring your photos from the camera and into your computer. I'm still forever trying to put the camera onto the base backwards --- but that's not the camera docks fault, it's this 67 year old retiree's fault! This is one &#34;accessory&#34; that I'm glad I bought.
Don't buy one.  Kodak does not support it's software anymore so it you have to reinstall on a computer will not set up.  It will work to charge but that is it.
Product does work but it was used and still having a problem with theelectrical adapter.
The battery does not charge.  After contacting Kodak and given a rather laborious process of re-charging the battery (their claim was that it lost it's charge), the battery holds a charge for 2 days.  Not really worth the $60-70.  Who cares if it takes 3 hours to charge if it only holds its life for 2 days.  Buy the disposables and save yourself a lot of aggravation.
The Kodak Easy Share Camera Dock 6000 is very easy to use,saves time and keeps your camera charged.Just set the camera in the dock and it charges,also you can download pictures from your camera dock to your computer.This is a must for all camera users
It was timely delivery and service.  I bought this for myself, without a battery charger and a card reader it makes a necessary accessory.
the Kodak EasyShare 6000 dock is (almost) a one-stop shop for all CX/DX 6000 and LS 600 series cameras. it is small, lightweight, and very portable. it charges the camera's NiMH battery pack, connects via USB to your computer for downloading files, and connects to a TV for slideshows. if you want to print as well, look for the Printer Dock 6000.so is this a good buy? the bundle includes a rechargeable battery so that accounts for half of the price. the other half is for the convenience of being able to connect to your PC without having to remove your flash memory. if you look at it that way, this dock is a good value. but if you already have a flash memory reader, i would buy the rechargeable battery separately. if you want to go full-bore, check out the Printer Dock 6000. it's everything the Dock 6000 is plus an excellent 4x6&quot; printer.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
Digital cameras eat batteries.  With the charger, the camera is always ready to use.  I wish the dock itself were a little sturdier but it works fine.
I received the item in a reasonable amount of time, however there was a piece missing.  The docking station should include a plastic cover over the top of it which assists in allowing the camera to hold a tight dock in order to recharge properly.  This piece was missing and the station does not charge the camera.  I contacted the seller who told me that this piece should not make a difference, but it is on my original docking station and I was not able to take it off of the old one to replace it on the one I received.I am very dissastisfied with the product and the excuse the seller gave me for the defect.  I will make a note NOT to purchase from this seller again and advise anyone else not to purchase from this seller... Niediam!  This camera docking station did not work due to a piece missing and the seller says the piece does not come with the station but with the camera.  That is a falsehood that the seller should be ashamed of spreading.  My original camera dock came with the plastic covering and it will not come off to make the exchange with the used dock I purchased.  No reasonable minded person would expect to have to take an item apart to make it work, it is expected to come that way unless otherwise noted!After thoughtful communication from this seller, I admit that I jumped the gun so to speak on my review.  I discovered that his explanation was valid and even though the docking station cover was changed,bathe dock still did not work. Seller has agreed to allow me to return or exchange and I appreciate his courtesy for that.Thank you, Niediam for your patience.
Works fine. Manufacturer supplied P/S didnt fit but I think it was a jack issue and I was able to repair. No fault of seller.
If you have an older Kodak digital camera system, this is the weak link. Seller was fabulous. Manufacturer sucks as it builds obsolence into their products and has NO assistance or concerns about clients.
It was exactly what I needed and since Kodak is in trouble or out of business or whatever ... My Camera is back and charged up again ... THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!
I LIKE THIS DOCKING STATION THE BEST. I HAVE OWNED OTHERS. KODAK HIT A HOME RUN WITH THIS ONE.
I purchased this printer dock very quickly after I purchased the EasyShare DX6340.  Set-up was simple, though, the print dock was not happy sharing a USB hub with my palm pilot.  I can pack the dock and take it with me on family occassions and then print the pictures for everyone the same day I took the pictures.  The recharging feature with the dock is a must as I find I use my camera every day and just let it live on the dock to maintain a charge.  It's fun to buy postcard backing and mail the waterproof pictures the same day I take the photos.  I get lots of happy comments about that.I give only 4 stars as occassionally I am disappointed with the clarity of the picture.  I think that has more to do with the digital image on the computer being so crisp and bright, and that is lost in the transfer to the photo.  People who have not seen the digital image don't notice or make comment.  And letting the local photo lab print from my digital images isn't any better.  I would also love the ability to print a variety of picture sizes beyond just the 4X6.  I would enjoy a 5X7 cartridge to play with too.I never thought I would part with my old SLR camera outfit, but being able to print my own 4X6's at home is convenient.
Watch out for these units.  I got one with my new camera DX6490.It quit working after about 6 months.  I bought another one and it worked for another 3 months of light use.  One minute they work, the next minute you are throwing them away.  A waste of money.  The camera on the other hand works fine if you read the manual and follow it.  I'm still having trouble with getting out of focus pictures one in a while.
Sweet piece of electronic equipment, it gets the pictures off my camera onto my computer just great.  Very easy to use (only one button to push and the camera dock does all the work.  I suppose one could bypass this and just hook up the camera directly to the computer to transfer pictures, but It also recharges the batteries (if you have rechargeable batteries),
I've owned this camcorder for several years with zero problems. Excellent for amateurs; easy to use with few drawbacks. Compact, light and user friendly for the most part. Canon always delivers for me.
Okay, I have been going back and forth for 6 months. So, should I get Sony, Canon, one of the other manufactures... Some people say Sony's are terrible, other say Canon's are good but terrible in low light. All say things about both manufacturers and loud noise heard over the mic... So, what is a guy like me, adicted to reading reviews before making purchases to do?Well, I was to wait and tonight I found that Canon announced 3 new XR models; ZR80, ZR85 &amp; ZR90. All basically the same price as these and it appears they fixed the low-light problems. Of course I will wait until they are availible next month and I get to read more reviews; and so should you. I never buy any electronics in January since most new electronics come out by March. I just wanted to give all you nutty review-adicts (like myself) a heads-up.
This has got to be the (...) product I have ever bought.  Purchased July 2003, I have seldom used it as it was a gift for my mom.  I used it last week and now suddenly it won't display anything in Camera mode!  (...)Please don't even think about buying this, chances are that it will die on you as well.  It is a shame as I have always used Canon digital cameras, but it seems they suck at making camcorders.
I bought this camcorder when my daughter was born after I saw a short video my brother made.  I had been thinking about getting one, but wasn't sure what I would be able to do with it.  Six months after getting it, and recording hours of tape, I sat down to  author my first DVD.  After two days of working in the basement, I came up and showed my wife 5 short (3 - 5 min) videos (complete with transitions and music).  She was crying.  It was worth it.  I burned several copies and sent them to family members who were equally impressed.  All that was made possible by using this camcorder.O.K.  Now to the camcorder review.This is a great camcorder.  It is small (palm sized) and light.  The controls are all easy to use/understand.  I opted for this model instead of the ZR65 and up because of price, and I didn't need the ability to take stills (I have a Canon G2).The picture quality is fine.  I have used it primarily indoors and in low light.  Admittedly there is some grain, but it is totally acceptable when you look at the benefits of going digital.  In better lighting conditions, the grain is not noticeable.I have opted for the next size up battery (Canon BP512) because the one supplied only last about 30 minutes.  For $45 I can get close to 1 1/2 hours of recording time. Plus I have the original as a backup.The fully functional remote is also a nice feature.  It does everything for the camera.This camcorder feels like it is a quality piece of equipment.  It never feels flimsy, or weak.  It has a solid feel to it.Canon makes great digital optical equipment.  I have the G2 digital camera, and a flat-bed scanner, and I have no problems with quality (image quality or build quality).  I highly recommend this.
This camera worked great for the price that it sells for. I was able to creat DVDs that the family loves. I would say that the image quality during low light conditions is not the best, but with regular light it is fine. The MIC is omnidirectional which means it picks up anything from any direction, and it is not of the best quality. An external MIC would be a good idea. Overall I would recommend this camera to anyone on a budget.
First, let me thank all of the previous reviewers of this product.  It is because of the quality information (including the night time settings) from these folks, that I bought this camera here at amazon.com.  Look, I'm a complete novice to video recording/editing and had some apprehension of buying one because I thought it would be too difficult to master, let alone begin to understand.I wanted a simple, yet quality DVC.  The Canon ZR60 is just that.  I have had no issues with the camera and was able to plug it (using an optional 4 pin to 6 pin firewire cable) right into my Apple G5 and begin editing video.  The quality of the footage has been great.  I am so impressed with the little camera, that I have even begun transfering our wedding videos to it, in an effort to preserve them to DVD.  Thank goodness for simplicity!
I bought this camcorder to replace my old Hi-8 Sony TRV65. I was a little hesitatant about buying it despite the very attractive price because of the complains here on Amazon about (a) poor low light sensitivity and high noise level, and (b) audible motor sound. Ultimately, other factors (about them later) convinced me to buy this camcorder. Let me first address the noise issues first.I videotaped a test footage by both Canon ZR60 and my old analog Sony TRV65 (which used to be a relatively high end consumer-grade camcorder back in 1998), and burned them side by side to a DVD. I found the following: (1) The video noise level of the Canon in poor light condition is exactly the same as that of the analog Sony; (2) the Sony measures the light intensity differently - it tends to bring up the details in the shadows while overexposing the bright spots, whereas the Canon adjusts the exposure for the bright spots, while the shadow come out quite dark in the picture - hence the wrong impression that the Sony has a better light sensitivity (3) Canon has a  selection of several color temperatures through the menus (such as artificial light and sunlight), which makes the overall results better - Sony tends to make outside colors bluish and the insight shots reddish (4) the analog Sony has a better microphone with a better sensitivity - the voice of a person who speaks in a quite room 6-8 feet from the cameras comes out louder in the Sony's footage  (5) The motor noise in the Canon is indeed somewhat louder than in the Sony, and it sounds like a high-pitch tone whereas the sony's motor sounds as quite hummering in the background. This noise is audible when you videotape in a quite room with little or no background sounds and is a little annoying, but it is not untolerably bad. Hence, I can say that the Canon, while is much smaller, is overall not any worse than the 6-year old high-end Hi-8 analog camcorder. Of course the technology has developed in 6 years, but for this rockbottom price the Canon shows a very decent performance.Now for the features. A great advantage of ZR60 is that it has a built-in analog-to-digital converter which allows one to connect any analog video source (a VCR or an analog camcorder) and use the Canon as a capture device to convert analog video into digital. This feature was a primary reason why I decided to buy this camcorder as I have some 25+ analog videotapes and want to convert all of them to DVD. Converting and editing home videos is a slow process, but I already converted 8 hours of home videos to DVDs with the excellent image quality, and none of the problems which video capture boards (which are typically priced over hundred dollars) are known for (such as poor audio/video synchronization). Sony also includes this feature in some of its digital camcorders, but those are usually priced over eight hundered dollars.Additionally, for those for whom the motor noise is a serious issue, there is a microphone jack on the camcorder (a feature usually found only in high-end camcorders). Plug in any stereo microphone, and all motor-related noices in the video will be gone.A compact size and relatively easy operation is also a great plus.I have only a few minor complaints. There is no &quot;record while the button is pressed&quot; mode which I got used to in the past - you always have to press the button once to start the recording, and press it again to stop the recording. Image stabilizer is not very efficient. There is no built-in title generator to add the date or location to the video (this can be done later on a computer, but you have to remember the dates and the names of the places). Finally, the only software enclosed with the camcorder is a totally useless program for videoconferencing - nothing at all for image editing (fortunately, there are free Windows Movie Maker in WinXP and iMovie on the Mac which are good enough for the first experiments with digital video editing).Overall, while this camcorder is not the most advanced piece of video technology, it is a very decent camera which gives you a lot for the money and helps a lot in a transition from analog to digital video. If you are shopping for a camcorder in this price range and cannot afford or do not want to go for a $800+ camera, this Canon is a great deal.There are a couple of other modifications of Canon, ZR65 and ZR70, which cost more, but differ mostly in features which in my opinion are not very valuable or practical.
Came very quickly, boxed well and in mint condition, what a steal  Thanks so muchWould be hard pressed to know it was not sold new, but used.. = )
I've had my camera for a few days now and spent the weekend really putting it to the test. First thing is you need to change the default settings to accommodate for the low light problem. Here are the settings you should use (I read this on digital camcorder forum):* Program AE: Auto* AE Shift: &lt;= -1.0* Shutter: 1/60* White Balance: Indoor.With these settings indoor filming is quite good, still not perfect, but according to everything I read, these type of cameras (mini-DV) are never going to be great low light performers. When I filmed outside or in my workshop (which has ALOT of light) the quality was amazing.I love the 18x zoom on this camera. There are many different  fading options as well as other effects (Black&White; is cool). It also comes with a remote control that comes in handy. The LCD screen is a good size as well as very functional. Manual is good as well.I have not downloaded it to my computer yet, but from what I read it comes with good software which makes it easy.Bottom line, I do not feel you can get a better camera in this price range  with all of the options as long as you do not use the default settings for indoor filming. Supposedly the Sony's are better indoor performers but they only come with 10x zoom (I really like the 18x) and they do not have any manual control buttons and the LCD screens are suppose to be pretty bad, plus they are more. Also, the battery that comes with this one only last approximately one hour.
pros:- powerful 18x zoom.  while less powerful than its siblings (20x for zr65 and 22x for zr70), 18x zoom is still better than most (sonys typically have 10x zoom).- generally good video quality.- pass-through analog-digital conversion.- many optional accessories using the accessory shoe.- low price, okay value.cons:- the deal breaker for me is poor low light performance - expect very grainy video unless the room is well lit.- the accessory shoe is not a hot shoe; this means that while you can get a third party video light, the camcorder will have absolutely zero interaction with the light. contrast this with sony, which has some video lights that will even adjust light intensity automatically depending on inputs from the camcorder.- does not support flash memory for stills but given the poor still quality of the zr65 and zr70, this isn't a terrible loss.- colors a bit washed out in videos.- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod.- motor noise can be heard when recording a quiet room.- while easy to hold, this camcorder is a little bigger than its competition: 2.3"W x 5.8"D x 4.1"H, weighing 18.3 oz.it's hard to beat the price of the zr60, but you get what you pay for.  if you shoot mainly in well lit situations and don't need still photo capability, this may work for you.  for low light situations, you can also use a video light.  but for outdoor shoots with low light, video lights won't help much either.  although a bit more expensive, i would recommend the trv19 over the zr60.  i hope this helps your buying decision.  peace.
Tried this camcorder for a day, was amazed by the style, features and ease of use for the price. if somebody is cash crunched but wants to buy one, they could go in for this. The low light problem some people complained was not an issue for me. It performed decently ok. But the reason why I returned it back was because of the low noise (internal) which you could hear when recording and most importantly appears in the recording very prominently. I think Canon is a good company but this product is not upto the mark.
Maybe I am just picky, because this was my first video camera and I am spoiled by good quality 35mm SLR cameras.  If used in the daytime with good sunlight, this camera takes fantastic video.  If you try it indoors or low light, the quality degrades significantly.Moving the video from the camera to the PC or DVD is extremely easy.  It comes with a cable to connect to your DVD player or TV.  Just plug it in and used the remote (also included).  There are several software programs available (Movie Maker, Sonic) that make creating your own DVD's a snap.I would suggest you also purchase a zoom lens for close-ups and a wide angle lens so you don't have to stand in the next room to get a video of the next birthday party.The best feature on this camera is it's ability to record VCR tapes directly to digital format.  This allows you to easily transfer all of your old home movies on VHS to mini-DV or even DVD.Overall it's a good video camera for the price.  As with any technology, there will always be something better coming out next week.
As beautiful as a moonlit sky and a pile of leaves on a warm fall morning. This is the camera to catch those very moments. Crisp, stylish and comfortable, the Canon MiniDV Digital is ideal for all trips and adventures. Perfect for parties, especially the ones where Uncle Fred ends up head first in the John; anniversaries even if the hubby's hiding at work pretending to be too busy; those holidays when the kids are kicking at your posterior for buying them socks and not "Sponge Bob" and last but not least your days of adolesence as your being stuffed in lockers, fed a healthy blend of hamburger and crud and drooling on the essential works of William Shakespeare.This is a camera not to be given for a gift but a gift kept for oneself instead.
I bought this unit about 5 years ago and used it quite extensively, but then for 3 years it sat in a drawer unused.  Now, planning a trip,I resurrected it, but found that I couldn't see images through the view finder. I took it to Best Buy, and they thought that the shutter was defective.  I then went to Circuit City and they recommeded trying a head cleaner.  I ran the head cleaner, and it started to work at firstbut then the same thing happened again - no viewer image.  I'm not sure what to do, maybe  send it to Canon and see what they say.
I got this camcorder last week and it has a good optical zoom, pretty cool digital effects and the analog to digital converter feature is a plus. I've only owned the camera for a couple days and I am very impressed with what I have seen so far. The low light quality leaves a bit to be desired but overall a very good camera. The manual focus can be a bit of a struggle because of the location of the buttons. For the average user this is a great point and shoot camera DV camcorder. However, I was very dissapointed by the indoor performance. Like all the digital effects, this indoor video is very, very grainy. Since we will be using the camera mostly inside, it is worth spending a little more to get better indoor quality. We had the Sony TRV27 and returned it to buy this camera just because of the price difference. Big Mistake! The Sony took way better indoor video. Outside, they are about the same. But despite that, this camera is to take short videos and import old VHS tapes to DV and download to the computer to edit. A must try!!
Great value for the money (at the time, and now).  Very high quality images in good lighting, especially outdoors; average to lower quality in low lighting (but hard to blame this on Canon; my old Sony was worse).  No motor noise or any other problems.  No problems with buttons, functions, etc.  Just thinking about a new one now since the 2.2M pixel CCDs are the norm now, and this one has less.
I don't understand all the universal negative feedback from customers about this camera revolving around the two issues:(a)  Abysmal low-light performance: video comes up pixelated/grained.(b)  In low ambient noise situations, a high-pitched sound in the background.I have used this unit for over 3 months now, in many situations, and have never had either of the above problems.If you care to head over to some serious websites such as camcorderinfo.com or such, you'll notice that this camera is being used by professionals with good success in a variety of lighting conditions. If you insist on being a point and shoot person, and don't want to spend the 10-15 minutes it takes to breeze through the manuals, well you have to live with the default factory settings -- which are NEVER ideal, for ANY brand.If on the other hand you don't mind fiddling and experimenting a little with your device -- which is almost a necessity for good stills or videos -- then the ZR60 is a very charming, almost an addictive, gadget.Below I offer some of my comments about this camera, and some suggestions on how you can get the best out of this brilliant device:NOTEWORTHIES &amp; HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF IT:(1) The accessory shoe allows for an extra boom-light or boom-mic. All of the cam's supposed lighting &quot;issues&quot; can be handled with these simple accessories. (P.S. A good boom light can be had off eBay for under $40.)(2) Aside from that, the camera's indoor/outdoor/auto white balance is right on and the in-camera mic is of decent quality (although serious videographers may wish to consider a wireless lapel/boom set.)(3)  For indoor shooting, you can try tweaking the Auto Exposure (AE) of the lens: lower it to about -1.0 for low light footage.(4) The camera's steadying function is awesome -- ideal for handheld situations.(5) Installs for PC and a Mac with equal lack of difficulty.(6) Long battery life with the big battery.(7) An often unnoticed fact: this recorder comes with an 18x *optical* zoom (as opposed to a digital zoom.)(8) With Windows XP, you can use this piece as a webcam.(9) Quite miniscule compared to other cameras, notably Sony's DCRs or the entry-level JVCs.(10) The colors are so much more vivid than almost any other brands I have seen. Especially scenes of nature show up with the same beauty that you get from Canon's lens in their digicams!QUIBBLES &amp; IMPROVEMENT POSSIBILITIES:(1) Bottom loading tape. This sucks when you have the cam mounted on a tripod for instance.(2) Digital effects buttons could have and should have been located on the outside of the camera body so you don't have to open the swivel viewfinder if you don't want to.(3) Flimsy connector cover for s-video out/ firewire out.(4) The buttons do not light up in the dark (minor quibble.)(5) No timelapse function (although I may still have to RTFM.)SUMMARY:In short, for a sub-400 camcorder I get Canon's topnotch lens technology without punching a hole in my wallet, and I have a DV camera with superb results that has me thinking very strategically about video -- being aware of lighting, noise, steadiness, etc.  Planning your shots and editing afterwards will go farther to improve your videos than shelling out the extra hundreds dollars for competing cameras. This is quite easily my no.1 recommendation to friends just starting out with video.
I had a Sony Hi-8 that was great. I love my Canon digital cameras so I thought I'd get a Canon MiniDV. Well, it works fine and has good features. The video is great, the audio and low light is probably not up to the Sony camcorders. Still, for the money I liked it and was happy. Just out of warranty it goes black and won't record. The shutter or CCD is dead. Reading online this seems to be a common problem with Canon camcorders. So, my new Sony MiniDV is rocking. If you are looking at a Camera, get a Canon, if you are looking at camcorders, get a Sony.
Well, I am a filmmaker. I have done many true no-budget films. I have always shot on MiniDV. I used to work with excusively Panasonic, but after my last Pana died an awful death of being smashed after falling, I decided to get myself a Canon ZR60. This camera has an extremely good viewfinder and LCD. I did find that the CCD doesn't let much light in, but I always put a wide angle on all of my cameras, and this helped greatly. I also found this camera to be too light and small for me to achieve the kind of steady shot I got on my Panasonics. I have since solved this problem with a shoulder brace, but beware of thinking that the image stabilizer will fix all shaky shots. It truly cannot. The audio is a plus on this camera for me. The mic input is well situated, and the accessory shoe makes for a perfect mic mounting spot. I also love the AV inputs. These are a great option instead of an expensive Analog to Firewire converter.All in all, this camera is highly recommended, but the light weight and smallness make it a complete pain for keeping steady.
The ZR60 has a mic port and a remote, both of which are missing on newer models such as the ZR80.  The motor noise through the built-in mic is audible much of the time so I ordered an external Sony mic.  The newer models supposedly are 18% smaller, but the ZR60 is small and light to begin with.  Image stabilization is good but not great.  Video quality is great with adequate light.  If shooting in low light, experiment with the AE +/- settings.  By using AE minus settings you are just telling the camera not to crank up the gain.  You might have to read the manual (horrors!) to learn how to adjust AE.  18x zoom is plenty long; if anything I would like to have some more room at the wide end.  Digital zoom, as on every video and still camera I've ever seen, is a useless marketing gimmick.I picked up this unit as a refurb for $247, and considering I can also use it as an analog to digital pass-through to hook my VCR to my computer, I think it was a great deal.  The Firewire cable you need to hook the camera to your computer is not included.  You can have a local retailer gouge you for $30, or you can find one online for about $11.
I have use the ZR45 and ZR65. I like the ZR45 that I bought. The only problem was within the 24hours that I had it. It want you to eject the tape and would not do nothing else. It was return to the store the next day. Their were no more in stock and they were not going to be back in stock. So I bought the ZR65 the replacement to the ZR45. Their was some added bells that are fun like tide, ball, and cube)but I found that the night and low light features are just not very good at all. I tried taking pictures of my kids at the Oregon Museum of science center. The shots that were taking there had a fair amount of light because of the windows and gave good pictures. When we more to a floor that did not have the windows to help out on the lighting the pictures looked under exposed and dull. I tried using the AE shift and MF bottons on the shot around the house. Our house has large living room windows that bring alot of glare to our TV because sun coming in the the room is not dark but not bright either. The pictures turn out at points a bit fuzzy and alway dull. I was so disapointed. If you thing you will get great shots of your kids birthday cake with the candles and light low forget it. I have taking the ZR65 back to the store and and waiting for the out of stock ZR70. The ZR70 has super night mode will see how good super really is. On the up side I love the size and all the neat features. It comes with the USB cable to download stills. The ZR60 does not have the stills pitures taking option.  The ZR45 I fell in love with because I was playing with the camera durring a planeturium show and it recorded it wonderfully. We were suprise to see that. I wish I would have flim the whole thing. not less that five mintunes. My husband loves the color viewer as that is the only was he will flim. I like the opion to use the LDC screen. The ZR65 is great it you have good lighting other wize for get it. It is a very quite motor to problem there.
the zr65 is in the middle of canon's zr series.  upgrades over the zr60 include a more powerful optical zoom (20x vs 18x) and still photo capability of 1 megapixel, USB port, and direct printing capability.pros:- powerful 20x zoom. while less powerful than its sibling (22x for zr70), 20x zoom is still better than most (sonys typically have 10x zoom).- miniDV media is widely supported.- generally good video quality in well lit situations.- pass-through analog-digital conversion.- many optional accessories using the accessory shoe.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- 1 megapixel still photo capability.- direct printing capability.- low price, okay value.cons:- the deal breaker for me is poor low light performance - expect very grainy video unless the room is well lit.- the accessory shoe is not a hot shoe; this means that while you can get a third party video light, the camcorder will have absolutely zero interaction with the light. contrast this with sony, which has some video lights that will even adjust light intensity automatically depending on inputs from the camcorder.- colors a bit washed out in videos.- included battery life could be better.- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod.- motor noise can be heard when recording a quiet room.- the supplied 8MB SD card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- while easy to hold, this camcorder is a little bigger than its competition: 2.3"W x 5.8"D x 4.1"H, weighing 18.5 oz.for its feature set, it is hard to beat the price of the zr65, but you get what you pay for. if you shoot mainly in well lit situations, this may work for you. for low light situations, you can also use a video light. but for outdoor shoots with low light, video lights won't help much either. check out the panasonic gs70 and sony trv33 as alternatives (more expensive though). i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
I got this as a wedding present, and opened it right away.  It takes great low light pictures and the image and sound have no hiss or noise.  The playback mode is great.  It takes good pictures on the move.  The microphone is omni-directional, so it does not pick up conversation in noisy situations well, such as at a reception.
I have owned a number of analog video camcorders over the years and have been very impressed by the Sonys I have used however thanks to the excellent canon digial camera I have I decided to try a Cannon for my second MiniDV camera.My first venture into MiniDV was a disaster with a faulty JVC that managed to lose an entire vacation by corrupting the data to a point even JVC could not recover! After this I was far more careful with my second attempt some 12 months later.Initially I was impressed by the ZR65MC, it feels good in the hand and has a load of features for the price. The zoom is fantastic and the software it comes with is solid and worked well to connect to the PC.The video quality was good and the photos to SD card worked okay (about the standard of a 4 year old digital camera, okay for family snap shots)Where things went wrong was over the next week testing the camera on vacation, the startup time for the unit is far too slow (approaching 6 seconds!). The first time you miss a "magic" moment waiting for the camera to startup you are very likely to reconsider your choice. Couple this with the annoying "binging" it goes through when you leave it on (to avoid the startup time) and you have a serious niggle that will make you wish you had looked elsewhere. I have returned the camera and am trying out the Panasonic DV203D as I really can't afford the Sony TRV33 that offers similar features. If the Panasonic works out, great, if not I will have to return to Hi8 and save up some more money before venturing back into the world of MiniDV :-(HTH
Pros: Easy to operate; generally good video quality; strong home-video feature set.Cons: Constant low-level noise; middling low-light performance; no control over auto power-off.Summary: As noted many times before, the indoor lighting is not very good..but I expected this much from reading other reviews. But what has really bummed me out is that 3 months after purchasing the camera (with little use in that time) the camera eject refused to open. So now my cassette is stuck inside the camera. We have provided the maximum power to the camera by using the power from the wall outlet and still no tape eject. My wife contacted Canon support. They told her there are only 2 places in the country that fix Video Cameras..(yeah, ok)..and that we would have to ship back to them. According to their tech support, it sounds like an alignment problem. Sounds like I'm taking my car to the mechanic. They said they would have to get it back to the factory to re-align it. Give me a break. If you do not plan on using this camera for alot of indoor footage..and if you are lucky enough to avoid getting a CANON LEMON, such as mine..you may be okay. But my Canon experience has been horrible .regardless of whether or not the problem is covered under warranty (which it better be) I'm disappointed with my decision to choose this product.
I shot a feature film on this little baby. Works best under low light. For those who had problems with the camera, maybe you're just too dumb to make it work. Maybe you should go to film school like I did. No problemo. Great camera for the price. Only, i paid full price for it and now see Amazon.com had a much better deal! Ahhhh!
This is my first camcorder. I also have a Canon S30 (3.0 mp). I bought the ZR70 based on my experience with Canon and the feature set. I'll start with my positive impressions:-The 22x optical zoom is great. I feel confident inknowing that I'll probably never need a longer zoom. Idon't even need to use the digital zoom with the ZR70.-The feature set for this camera is impressive. It hasmany digital effects and scene transitions. However, withmost video editing software, any effect not included withthe camcorder can be added in with a computer.-The battery life is pretty good. It will outlast an 80minute tape. The battery charges in the camera, but anexternal charger is offered by Canon.-The ZR70 is compact and fits easily into my hand. It isalmost as small (and light) as my S-30.-Most importantly, the image quality (video) is impressiveoutdoors and in a well lit roomThe negative:-If the room is not well lit, expect a lot of grain. Also,the 'super night mode' has little to offer. The light onthe front of the ZR70 is blinding and doesn't help theimage quality. However, while the grain is very noticeableon my computer, once burned to a DVD and played on my largescreen TV, the grain is much less noticeable.-The camera does pick up motor noise. It isn't that loud,but keep in mind that it will be in all of the movies youtake. You can buy an external microphone, but as I've notused one, I can't comment on any improvement it may offer.-The digital camera mode is a joke. 1024x768 is a decentresolution, but the camera picks up so much noise (grain)in the images that they are almost unuseable. This is tobe expected in most camcorders however, and I have my S-30,which takes great shots. (Don't expect great stills froma camcorder OR great video from a digital camera)-The image stabilization isn't that great.  Thats to be expected though, with the long zoom.In conclusion:I don't know if I would recommend the ZR70. I was close to returning it myself, but didn't want to go through the hassel. I mainly compared the ZR70 to the current offerings by Sony (TRV33, etc.). The reviews for the Sonys are good, but I can't get past the touch screen LCD. In my opinion, that is a very impractical way to control the camcorder. If you won't be using the camcorder in darkness frequently and don't mind the soft motor noise, the ZR70 is a good buy. Hopefully Canon will address the low light grain and the motor noise in their future products.**Update**A few days ago my camcorder's CCD failed, resulting in the camera recording a black screen in any of the recording modes.  HOWEVER, after calling Canon, they've agreed to repair it at no charge to me (even picked up the shipping costs).  This greatly impressed me (the camcorder is 2 years old).  For those of you who have had this happen, call Canon technical support.  They did not say this directly, but it seems to be a well known issue and will be repaired out of warranty for free.
Our camera is just over two years old, well maintained, not heavily used, and is now useless.  As is my mother's which is right at a year old.  Same problem, which other reviewers have described:  the CCD (video capture) fails. The camera can perform every other function except for taking video which is a little important in a video recorder.  We are sick at the idea of having to attempt an iffy and expensive repair or basically throw away a video camera that we purchased based on Canon's reputation for high quality.  While I can't recommend an alternative brand at this point, I would not recommend Canon.
This is a great little camera (fits in your hand nicely) for the beginer as well as the more advanced video buff that does not want to carry a heavier equipment.Very easy to use, it has a number of effects (usual fade-in and out, sepia, black and white and various fun digital effects) that will make your movies fun to watch.Menus are easy to follow and make sense. Documentation is good.The 22X optical zoom is realy nice and beats out the competion. Most camcorders optical zooms don't even get close to 20X.The wide angle attachment is a very nice addition as it realy makes a difference when shooting indoors to get more of the room.Mine came with a free Pinacle Studio 8 editing software which is a good entry level software.(You will need a serious PC, though,  if you are going to do any large editing work as digital movies require a lot of space and memory).The only serious con is the image quality in low light situations. The resulting image is grainy and cold and the camera's "spot" light is useless.Some reviewers have complained about the motor noise that is picked-up by the built-in microphone, it is noticable when filming in a church (!) but for most applications,you will not notice it.
I am a digital media graduate, have worked as a videographer for over a year, and I'm actually really embarassed to say I own this camera. However, it is used for the basic consumer who wants to capture their child's birthday party or send off some funny video to AFV. First off, this is a Single CCD camera, meaning the video quality is not going to be great - good at best. Adding a light to this camera will help with the graininess, as it is not intended to be used in low light situations. All of those extra "lighting" settings are "crap" and only make the resolution worse.I recently experienced the loss of recording capability, what I found is that the tape heads were dirty. This may or may not work. But, if you've had your camcorder for a while, even if you haven't used it, there's a good chance the tape heads are just in need of a little cleaning. You get any MiniDV tape head cleaner and follow the instructions. Most of you will probably fix your problem. I even did that old school nintendo trick - blowing into the cassette slot.Hopefully this trick will help - otherwise, hopefully you invested in the extended warranty.
i used this camcorder indoors for a recital and the picture quality was just so poorly, that the tape was useless. Luckily i used a 4 year old Sony DV as backup, where the picture quality was superb, compared to Canon.  I think Canon ZR70 is ok for outdoor usage and greatly priced. On the positive side, i like the great zoom and the ease of use. I think its a good Camcorder for starters or for creative Kids. The Remote is poorly as well, the buttons are so small and not good aranged and hard to find.
I bought this as an upgrade for a Sony Hi-8 camcorder. This upgrade was a big leap considering their diffrence in size. Once I got hold of this, I was smitten right away. It fits in my hand like it was custom-made. The controls were easy to reach and the menu functions were not hard to get used to. What really blew me away with this camcorder was the 22x optical zoom. During the time I bought this (2004), no other Mini-DV camcorder brand in the same category possessed Canon's far ranging 22x optical zoom. A lot of the major big name brands had less than 15x optical although their digital zoom would go as far as 900x. The ZR70's digital zoom only goes to 440x max. But digital zoom didnt really  bother me that much because as a lot of people know, digital zooms degrade the picture quality. Once you get past the maximum optical zoom, noise starts to appear on your image or video. This is true with this camcorder but with the far reaching optical zoom, I have little need to activate the digital zoom. You can use this with a regular Mini-DV tape or an SD card, although the resolution with the SD is not that great, only less than 1MP resoultion. That fact didnt also bother me because this is a camcorder--meant to capture images in motion. If I wanted to take sharp pictures, a digital camera can handle that. The 2.5" color LCD is sharp although not as sharp as today's standard. The color EVF is comfortable. Another attraction that drew me is the Image Stabilization, it functioned perfectly especially for those close focusing, totally reduced or eliminated the jitter. The main camcorder play/record/function buttons are illuminated in different colors that you can customize in your own preference. It also has a wide angle attachment lens to capture those breath-taking panoramic scenes. It connects to you PC via Firewire port so you can transfer motion images to your pc. I am still using it until now. Except for the product advisory from Canon which they fixed for free, I have not encountered any problems with this camcorder. It suits my particular need very well, in fact, it exceeded my expectations.
the zr70 sits on top of canon's zr series. upgrades over the zr65 include a more powerful optical zoom (22x vs 20x), an advanced accessory shoe, super night mode, an included wide-angle conversion lens, and a higher capacity battery.pros:- powerful 22x zoom. this is better than most camcorders out there (sonys typically have 10x zoom).- miniDV media is widely supported.- generally good video quality in well lit situations.- pass-through analog-digital conversion.- many optional accessories using the intelligent accessory shoe.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- 1 megapixel still photo capability.- super night mode.- decent battery life.- direct printing capability.- low price, okay value.cons:- the deal breaker for me is poor low light performance - expect very grainy video unless the room is well lit.- colors a bit washed out in videos.- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod.- motor noise can be heard when recording a quiet room.- the supplied 8MB SD card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- while easy to hold, this camcorder is a little bigger than its competition: 2.3&quot;W x 5.8&quot;D x 4.1&quot;H, weighing 18.5 oz.for its feature set, it is hard to beat the price of the zr70, but you get what you pay for.  i'm just not very impressed with the whole canon zr line of camcorders. if you shoot mainly in well lit situations, this may work for you. for low light situations, you can also use a video light. but for outdoor shoots with low light, video lights won't help much either. check out the panasonic gs70 and sony trv33 as alternatives (more expensive though). i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
As many others have reported, mine too has lost the ability to record.  Its been used for maybe 50 hours of recording in the past 1 1/2 years and is now completely worthless.  Don't buy it!  It'll work great for a bit, then fail on you when you most want it to work :(
This was the 3rd camcorder I tried. I wanted something that was quiet and had a decent LUX.  It shot fairly well in low light situations but the motor noise was too loud. Very high pitch. When playing back, low noise scenes were dominated by eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee at a high note. Too bad. I liked everything else. Circuit City was great about returning it, as usual.I finally went with the Sony TRV22 (4th one I tested).
This camera quit just 2 years after put into service. It has not been used excessively. Camera shop advises it will have to returned to manufacturer and will cost about $250 to repair. Two years is not long enough life span it it is not worth spending that much to fix.
I presume people had problems with this product (ZR70MC).I guess most of them are CCD related.I owned ZR70MC since 2004 and I noticied CCD problem recently (Camcorder LCD went blank even when lens cap is removed) and one year warranty on product had already expired.Canon customer service was efficient and they repaired it free of cost (they even provided shipping label).When I received camcorder I noticied that record button is not working. Canon customer service or repair center again came to my rescue and they repaired it free of cost (they even provided shipping label).I rate their customer service as best.But as some one noted earleir this camcorder doesn't perform well in low light conditions.
I've had this camcorder for about 2 years now and have used it for everything from backyard footage to filming corporate events.  My kit included the wide angle lens attachment, a standard life battery, software CD and an 8 MB SD card.  It performs great.  It has great sound through the regular microphone.  I even recorded a fireworks display and the fireworks did not overdrive the sound.  You could still hear nearby voices even while the fireworks were going off.  It has a hot shoe for connecting accessories.  Although I always intended to add a microphone to the hot shoe, I never did get around to it.  I think the standard mic is sifficient for my needs.When I recorded for corporate events, I ran the soundboard right into the A/V on the camera using a standard RCA to Headphone jack.  This was a handy feature since we were in a warehouse environment and the sound system mixed all the audio.  I could film from a long distance and still patch in the audio to make it sound great.  The recorded video turned out really superb and my customers were quite pleased.  I used the included Studio 8 to edit the video and record onto the DVD.The still camera is around a megapixel.  Not great as far as quality unless you're shooting in good outdoor light.  Dark lighting definitely looks grainy on the stills, even with the night shot mode enabled.The camera model, along with some other Canon DV cameras are affected by a recall.  It will freak you out when you don't see any video on your viewfinder or LCD.  It just goes black.  In short, the cable that connects the CCD (which digitizes the video) gets disconnected.  Canon will repair the defect (they will also pay shipping both ways) regardless of warranty status.  The process was easy and did not take very long.
Things sometimes get better - Canon improved this camcorder-series, and we should be happy about it! This is what I can say about a close model to this one (the ZR50MZ), the earlier top-model:I work with camcorders since 1988 - S-VHSC, Hi8, etc. No question, no matter what kind of digital camcorder you compare with an analog one, it is superior. However, I found this camcorder particularly interesting and bought it since I left the 'semi-professional' field (and being now an electrical engineer in software development). Here are my findings:Pro:1) Awesome workmanship: The high-grade plastic case pieces precisely fit and give the camcorder a valuable finish, the buttons have a well defined 'ignition' point and the connectors for FireWire, USB, Analog Video etc. are 'cemented' into the case.2) Excellent cost / feature ratio: Although following the hype of marrying video with stills, this camcorder emphasizes on video (please, do buy a digital camera if you need digital stills). The outstanding optical unit with a real 22x zoom and one of the most effective image stabilizer in the market, combined with a friendly user-interface including illuminated buttons and a clean menu, this camcorder is a bargain.The picture quality is excellent. One note here: please remember that the miniDV standard builds on 5.7 Mhz video bandwidth. In other words, no matter what the (multi) colored CCD ship is capable of a resolution, it comes down to a maximum of 370,000 effective pixels needed for NTSC video. The 460,000 pixels of this camcorder seem more than enough.3) Accessories: Just in case you really care about the somewhat whining recorder server motors, please do buy the optional microphone - it's an awesome addition if you do semi-professional sound-recordings. Also, Canon offers wide and tele-converters specialized for the ZR series. Not a novelty in camcording in general, but a serious affordable consumer expansion if needed.4) Internationality: Yes, there are other electrical power systems out there: the Canon switching power supply is not only very light, it also connects to almost every wall-outlet in the world with the right (optional) plug-adapter.5) Ergonomics: Oh yes, I thought about a palm-ready camcorder, too. But think about it: the optical unit including the lenses and the CCD has to fit into half the length of a regular camcorder like the ZR 50 (Palm recorders do not have more than 10x zoom, the ZR 50 has 22x). The camcorder fits right into my hand, the zoom button can be accessed naturally without shifting the camcorder in your hand (try Sony!) and the zoom button is depth sensitive - the deeper you zoom, the less sensitive is the camcorder zoom-button. Additionally, beside so many other brands out there, the digital zoom is even useable to a certain degree. It becomes affective once the optical zoom is exhausted to a 22x. However, if you want quality video, turn it off.6) Video Modes: Select one of the predefined video modes. One of the most impressive mode is the night-mode - if the moon strikes you, your ZR 50 will catch it. However, don't expect wonders, every serious video-grapher recommends at least 100 lux (a unit of measuring light-intensity).Con:I couldn't find a con so far - maybe the sound-quality the integrated microphone produces? Hm, given the size of the case, it seems reasonable...Yeah, I am enjoying this camcorder. Canon showed once again that a camcorder design can meet almost all of a consumer-customer's needs:Rich functionality, lightweight design, extensible through optional accessories including lenses, robust workmanship.Recommended!
As others have mentioned, this camera, along with a slew of others from Canon have a CCD problem relating to heat.  I just experienced this problem and called Canon per their website.I made the mistake of referring to the "product recall" to which I was endlessly chastised by the customer service rep because it is really a "product advisory."  (I originally bought the camera for over $700, now I'm being treated like trash because I used the wrong words... nice.)In returning the camera for service, I was told not to use the original packaging and that I should bubble wrap it and place nothing around it in a large box.  (so it can fly around inside)  They pay for UPS shipping, which she said takes 7-10 days.Once they receive it, they will determine if heat caused the problem or if the CCD is broken.  If it's broken, then I have to pay.  Considering that they want it to be flung around inside a large box during shipping, I can see where this is going.I would not recommend this camera for this problem alone and would not recommend Canon products at all due to their customer service anymore.
I bought this camera 2 years ago--used it minimally, babied it --never took it anywhere but home--used to tape my puppy when she was small. After almost no use it stopped rcording --just when i wanted it for the birth of my baby! Screen just records black. Sent it all the way to canada to fix--payed alot--and still 9 months after the birth of my baby it's not recording again!!! i do not live in a country with a canon center and to get it to canada (where it was bought) was a haasle. please so not buy this or any other canon camcorder. My cousin has one that is a slightly older model and has sent it for repairs twice. i dont know if what the reviewer for manila said will work but I will try it if i ever get this camera back to canada again!
Like the others, this camera just up and died on me one day.  I hope to get Canon to repair it, as it was pretty decent while it worked!
I bought this camcorder for my teen daughter for Christmas in 2003.  Per the product description, it is loaded with features and appeared to be a great value.  However, after about six months of light usage, the circuit board went bad (according to an authorized repair center) and the camera will no longer charge the battery. We took it for repairs after the warranty period and the cost to fix it is about the same price as buying a new one. We can still use the camera, but I had to buy a charger and extra batts. Considering the problems with this model noted on this and other websites, it would be nice if JVC would offer an exchange program for a less problematic model.
This is a standard-issue MiniDV digital camcorder in a very stylish body.  While not one of the small pocket-size types -- incidentally those are often awkward to operate and susceptible to hand shakes -- the GRD30 is still small enough to be highly portable.  All the standard features of a digital camcorder, from digital tape to fold-out LCD screen to IEEE 1394 "Firewire" connections, are there, and JVC also claims superb video image quality.  The 16x optical zoom is higher than many other camcorders.  (When choosing a camcorder or digital camera, pay ZERO attention to digital zoom claims, since digital zoom is entirely useless.  Only optical zoom power counts.)An attractive price, especially here on Amazon.com, makes this a top buy.
I purchased this camcorder strictly for two reasons.  One, the price was exceptional.  At first, I thought quality might suffer, but what the {heck}, buy it anyway.  The second reason was to get a camera that I could carry around with me all day.  And if it got banged up, or run over by an eighteen wheeler, no great loss. Upon receiving the camera, I opened the package, loaded a cassette and started shooting.  This is one great little unit.  The picture quality and sound were amazing.  People complimented me on such colorful and crisp footage. I now view this camcorder right up there with the more expensive Panasonics.  In the creation of this camcorder, JVC performed a really wise concept. They left all those features that you and I never use OFF this camera.  We're talkin' bare bones here, and that's just fine with me.  Buy this one, make your movies, and let it bang around a bit.  For this great price, you cannot lose.
I have owned this JVC camcorder for 3 months. It's stylish and small enough for easy carrying. It's light in weight. Low light video capturing is not too bad. Easy to operate. For this price range, this is a very good buy. This is especially ture for the 1st time digital camcorder buyer. I have already recommended this camcorder to my friends.
I was happy with the camera up until last week. I've had the camera for two months now, and I've been editing on my Mac the whole time with no problems. Then last week my Mac no longer detected my camera, thinking it was the computer, i reinstalled everything, and the comp still didn't detect the camera. I even used a different Firewire cable to see if it was a short int he cable, still no luck. I took it to a friend of mine with another computer and it didn't work there either. There seems to be a short in the camera itself that just won't let the computer read it anymore. Everything else works fine except for that now.
I purchased this camera 4 months ago. Only used it 3 times. The last time I tried to use the camera, I got an e04 error code. The camera told me to eject and reinstall the tape. The camera won't eject the tape. I did some looking around the internet and found a lot of customers unhappy with JVC camcorders in general. Labor part of warrenty is up. It will cost me $75.00 just to have the camera looked at.
I've not owned a camcorder for about 12yrs.  I'm glad I waited until now to buy a MiniDV. I'm a Windows user and was not sure how XP Pro would like this JVC.  It's was easier than I thought!  No PC video software included unless you loaded the Demo software and buy it. I connected the FireWire to my PC. I already had an IEEE 1394 port on my SB Audigy2 sound card.  Powered it on. XP Pro surprised me! It knew the device and the model. Then Windows Movie Maker app loaded with all the basic controls as the camcorder on screen for my enjoyment. Coolness + some basic tools to make .wmv's from clips I recorded of the video footage taken or insert .jpegs from our Digital Camera into the movie I was putting together.JVC MiniDV GR-D30, got its first work out at the Indy 2003 USGP F1 race. Took some video &amp; Digital Photo's of the race. We set up the GR-D30 with the Sport mode &amp; Clouds. Race was overcast and at times did rain. Video came out very nice and the long life battery (5hrs)was a good decision for this 2hr event. I put together a highlight movie 4:23 min. 320x240 16bit @ 705kbps total file size 20.5mb.I've always liked JVC it's been my choice in TV's &amp; Home Theater Audio. I like the JVC MiniDV and ease of use with PC's.
I bought this model JVC mini DV camcorder one year ago when it was first released. The price then was $375 after a $25 rebate, great price I add. At around November of that year the camera locked up into "Condensation, Operation Paused" mode. I didn't know what to do, and the Authorized JVC location wanted a lot of money to just look at the camera, not fix it. I read online that putting a blow dryer on it and leaving it plugged in and on for one hour will allow the camera to clear up the condensation. It worked, but the camera started to go into that mode over and over, until it was in a perpetual locked mode. After leaving it plugged in a week, it suddenly became fine, and here I am a day later it appears to be fine now. This camera shoots great video except in low-light situations which is fine but I find it unreliable. I went on a trip and it never worked, but it works now, weird.
I just got my GRD30 yesterday and spent a good amount of time with it last night.  Overall, I think it is a very good camera for the price.It wasn't made overly clear to me (until I read through the manual) what the real differences were between this model and the GRD70/90 models.  The only differences I saw were that this model has no remote control (not a big deal for me) and doesn't have on-board memory chip for storing still images (again, not a big deal).  What I do think is important to know, though, is that the GRD70/90 models accept DV INPUT and can record the DV input onto the MiniDV tape.  Had I known that, I might have stepped up, but I'm not sure it's worth a hundred dollars.Overal Pros:The picture quality is excellent.The CCD resolution is outstanding at this price point -- 50% higher resolution than most other entry-level models (what sold me on this camera).The price (and, therefore the value) is excellent.Battery life is better than average (&gt;1 hr) and it fully charges in less than 1.5 hrs....and So-So's:The zoom is adequate, but not spectacular.There is some on-tape noise when zooming in and out, but it's not overwhelming.  We didn't even notice it until we taped our dog running in the yard (with no conversation).The image stabilization is merely okay.  But, it is a worthwhile feature....and Cons:There is NO on-board light, and the low-light functionality is not spectacular.  I'm not sure how much that will come in to play down the road.There is no auxiliary audio input, so the front-facing microphone is all you get.If you're looking for an entry-level DV camcorder, you could do a lot worse.
I bought this camcorder some time ago, so far, it's great, lot of options and bargain price. For connectivity to the PC, you need a firewire card and a cable which costs around 30 $. The only problem &quot;I HAD&quot; was that the date/time has to be set up each time i take out the battery. I guess the internal battery it comes with was dead, and I can't replace it since i live outside the US. Night shot is average, and don't expect other Camcorders to perform better... In daylight, it is PERFECT.
too hard to find film for this and when you find them cost is outrageous.  I had to return it.  Unless you dont mind spending a great deal for the film I don't recommend this
This camera is not worth a penny. I cant think of anything else to describe it. The color, image and lighting came out blurry and unclear. I would not recommend this item at all. Spend a little extra money on another good quality of polaroid camera. If there were negative ratings, this camera definitely belonged to that range.
This camera is worth the price and the pics come out pretty good for an instant camera.  The only drawback is as the pics age, the resolution fades.  But what do you want for an instant pic?  Not a professional pic, but it comes in handy when you only want one pic instead of taking 20 or so and having to pay the developer sometimes an awesome rate to produce the one pic that you want.
I've used Polaroid cameras off and on since the Swinger came out in the 60's.  I've had the SX-70 and the One Step.  The Polaroid One is by far the easiest to use.  The LCD film counter on the back is easy to read and the pictures are clear.  The camera takes type 660 film or even takes type 779 professional film for better colors and better clarity.  The camera is solidly built, fits into your hand comfortably and is easy to carry thanks to a two position hand strap.  Polaroids have always been fun cameras.  This one is no exception.
Nothing like a Polaroid - hold it up, focus, click, and out pops photo. Downside, no negatives and absolutely not compatible with computers and printers.  It's a old-fashioned reminder of our leaps and bound in photography-world.  It's a usable camera which takes a 1-time photo; still a novelty which should never be taken away from us.
Well when I first bought this camera I was a bit skeptical.  I've never owned any thing similar to this.  I must admit, the commercial caught my attention so much I just HAD TO GET IT!!!  And I'm happy I did.  I bit heavy, but I guess all of the similar ones are too.  Very easy to use, although I didn't know it came without film which I purchased seperately at the store.  It uses polaroid 600 film.  The film is very easy to load.  The picture quality is amazing.  Extremely clear and good pictures.  The cool thing about this camera is that it automatically turns on with flash, which you can take it off, it has a self timer so you can also be in any picture.  It has a handy carrying strap.  Although, if the camera case is available, I think you're better off.  Hope this helps!  Take care.
The camera, by itself, deserved five stars but a camera without film is worth one star of less. This review is intended to notify those who consider this camera that the film for this camera was discontinued over one year ago. You can probably find some vastly outdated film at exorbitant prices and you can even contact a small startup company that is trying to recreate this film at a cost that is so high it is foolhardy. I loved Polaroid cameras but when a product becomes outdated by digital photography and no longer has the customers to support it's continuation, it is time to let it rest in peace This applies to all Polaroid instant cameras.Polaroid One600 Classic Instant Camera
I bought this camera for the novelty of putting videos of my kids into the computer. this camera wont do that! I also wanted a webcam, this camera wont do that either! I thought at least i wouldnt have to lug around two cameras on outings, one video, and one still. well, its ok if you dont mind dark, extremely grainy photos. even once you take the time to lighten them up in your pc, they are still terribly grainy. compared to my $200 cannon hi-8 (ES-75) this camera is garbage. the video is grainy when you record indoors, which is bad unless you are homeless and do most of your recording of the kids outside anyways. but we live in a house like most people so the quality of video sucks. NO FLASH for the digital still camera, NO LIGHT for the video camera. &quot;night-alive&quot; is horrible. its like turning on a strobe light, the frame rate is like 3 per second, so you get blurry smeared people flashing on the screen 3 times a second.whats the point of having a digital video camera, if you cant do anything digital with it? DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!
The JVC GRD90 is, overall, a pretty good MiniDV camcorder. If you already know a lot about camcorders, skip to paragraph 2. If you are new to this area, continue reading below.1--If you're looking for a video camera that you can use to edit video on your PC or MAC, then you need a digital camcorder that is IEEE-1394 compliant. You don't have to worry about remembering that, though...an easy name to remember is FireWire. This peticular camcorder meets those standards. Another thing you want to look for is Pixels...in this case, the higher the number, the higher the quality of the camera. This camera has decent video quality. However, especially when indoors, this camera's video image can get a bit grainy. If you are looking for a camera that has really good quality, I'd recommend something like the JVC GR-DV500. If you are simply looking for a digital video camera that will record Sally's band concert, then this is the camera for you. (Proceed to Paragraph 3)2--this camera is IEEE-1394 compliant, making it suitable for video editing. However, it only has 680,000 pixels (0.68 megapixels), so if you are looking for a high-quality camcorder, I'd recommend shopping around for a camera with a least 1.0 megapixels. The DV port accepts both input and output, which will probably come in handy at some point in time. This is not a professional camcorder, so I do not recommend buying this is you are a professional videographer. If your budget is limited, however, this will do for your basic fliming and editing needs. (Proceed to Paragraph 3)3--Another great feature that pros and amatures alike will enjoy is the big 3.5 inch screen. You might be thinking, '3.5 inches? That's tiny!'...however, you'll come to find that 3.5 inches is quite large for a camcorder LCD screen. Overall, this is a pretty good digital video camera, it's only major flaw being that some indoor shots may look incredibly bad. This camcorder is almost perfect...for the price.
WELL I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA FOR MY FIANCE AND IT WORKS GREAT AT THE BEGINING I TOD QUALITY SUCK BUT WHEN YOU LEARN ACTUALLYTO USE THE ACM IT BECOMES EASY YOU CAN CHANGE THE LIGHT AFTER YOU RECORD OR TAKE PICTURES TO HOOK IT UP ON THE PC IS MAD EASY IS NOT  AS BAD AS PEOPLE THINK WORKS THE SAME A STHE SONY MY DAD HAS AND THE CANNON MY FATHER IN LAW HAS SO SOME PEOPLE ARE  LIKE PREMITIVES THAT DONT KNOW HOW TO USE THE CAM AND THEY BLAME THE PRODUCT TO BE A FEALURE SO IF YUO WANT A NICE CAM THAT TAKE STILL PICTURES GET IT WONT RETURN THE CAM TRUST ME
This thing won't hold a charge, and JVC won't ship a new battery.  Same as other reviews - it's your problem not theirs.  Never even got to a point where I could experience the condensation problem.  I can tape with it plugged in to the wall, but that's it.  Otherwise, it's an expensive door jamb.  I'm getting a Sony next, since my little Sony digital camera is working great, even after being put through some tough situations (dropped on concrete multiple times etc).
I wanted a camcorder that had quiet motor noise and could shoot well indoors.  The noise was acceptable but indoor shots were very grainy. You had to crank up the lamps in order to get an acceptable shot. Loved the 3.5" display though.  Returned to CC and got the Canon ZR70. Returned that as well. Read review.
Pros: Small with many feathers and good price.Cons: Bad quality of color and auto focus, Objects may have low visiblilty under low light sutiation, The Night-shot is not pratical with very slow shutter speed.I'll be the first to admit this camcorder is very stylish and the 3.5 LCD were some of the major factors why I purchased it. But when it came to crunch time, this is nothing more than a pretty package with not much substance. A typical camcorder functions,(manual, auto, night live etc) but the digital still camera is why I rated this product so low. A majority of my stills came out with a yellow tint. YELLOW!! I know not to expect much from a camcorder/digital camera but I certaintly don't want any of my pictures yellow when it shouldn't be. I know you are probably thinking it was the lighting. But it wasn't. I took pictures in all different lighting environments. And my pictures still came back with a yellowish tint. Bottom line, I had a very bad experience with this cam
I used this camera for a few months, took great care of it... til it simply stopped working. I have never had good fortune with JVC and now I'm through with them. It costs more to fix it then it's worth. Go with Sony!
I've had the camera a bit over two months now. I have never been happy with the indoor lighting and never knew others felt the same way until I just read the other comments here. Last week I even wrote to JVC website support asking what setting I could change to fix it. Never heard back (ie: Poor customer service!).So anyway, just buy a new computer with Firewire ports, and a DVD burner so I can use this camera to its max. But guess what? The firewire port does work right! I was able to transfer one hour of video after fighting a good 2 hours trying to get the PC to recognize the camcorder (all you should have to do is plug it in and turn it on!). But then today I wanted to transfer more video...can't figure out how to get it to respond again. It won't hook up. I've tried everything. Don't know if I can return it this late for my money back, and now will have to try JVC support again for help, which sounds like I won't get any. Don't buy!
I am now on my second GRD90.  The first one got dunked in saltwater duringa parasail at Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.  Managed to salvagethe tape in it and had some spectacular shots.  But, I digress, on withthe review.The main problem is the condensation problem that locks up the camcorder.Apparently the condensation sensor is a very weak point in this camera'scircuitry.  There is a work-around: [...].  IF you're really handy,The "Take your camcorder apart" fix is the best, but be VERY carefulabout those very small screws.Apparently JVC just leaves you hanging if you encounter this problem andit will cost dearly to put it in the shop.  Mine encountered it when Iwas in Singapore, very HOT outside and about 450% (at least) humidity,the hotel room's A/C was set on "Ice Age", and when I took the cameraoutside it was all over.On the plus side, I got this unit because of it's A/V input, analoginput from a VCR, 8MM, TV, etc.  BUT, some relatively inexpensive units,the Canon ZR700, for instance, have this feature.  At the time I boughtJVC it was the only one I found with analog input and I have used itextensively to put my 8MM tapes on DVD.It isn't too bad, and you might never encounter any problems.  I wouldnot recommend this camcorder, nor would I recommend against it, just doyour research and make your buying decision based on good knowledge,lots of info available on the web.  Overall, I like it and now that Ihave the condensation problem fixed I will resume using it a lot.
This camcorder is not the greatest I am just not thrilled with it as I though I would be, I paid a pretty good price for what I got.  Some things that really annoy me about it is the time it takes to focus when you are zooming - sometimes I done missed what image I was trying to capture, pictures with the camcorder are never consistant - some a blurry, so a crisp, you just never know, the built in microphone is very poor - there are times when I cannot hear a darn thing, and when you don't want to hear anything you do, battery life sucks the big one - two hours and I was loading my second battery - thank god I though I might need another one or I would of missed half the zoo!  This camera is probably best for a teenager and not for recording those special moments!
this camcorder is pretty long in the tooth & I doubt many are still buying it, but in case you are thinking about becoming a new owner -- add my experience to the last few who posted reviews prior to mine.  This machine was great on paper, and worked pretty well the first year or so (during which I wasn't using it that often -- maybe once or twice a month).  But after a year it got to the point where it wouldn't load a new cassette right away, then only after trying repeatedly, and then, finally ... it wouldn't load a cassette at all.Great product on paper that I thought I got for a good price here at amazon, but ended up costing me a lot when you figure how little use I got out of it.
* This camcorder is one of the better buys for a cheap DV camcorder that'll give you solid performance and decent quality for the price.  Don't expect it to blow away $800+ 3CCD high-end camcorders, but do expect about 350 lines of resolution under EIA 1956 test pattern tests.* While video quality isn't the very best when viewed on a PC monitor (vs. high-end camcorders), watching the end results on most non-HDTV TV sets give you very good video quality and nice results.* Menuing system and layout works well for me, and no manual needed.  Overall, it's simple enough that my 3 year old niece took it from my hands and filmed her own birthday by herself.  That easy to learn and use!* A few manual controls such as manual iris, gain, white balance make this a nice beginner level videographer's camcorder as well -- ie. good for learning, students.* Stabilization isn't as good as on the more expensive, so tripod or simply hold it steady on wide angle. You can get nice results with the latter.* Still pictures only 640x480 and grainy, but decent just to get a still image idea of what's going on for reference.  Bring a digital camera if you really want good stills.  Otherwise, works well and no real problems.* Build is nice for the price. Solid and nice feel in hands. Comes with everything except a blank tape and perhaps a bag if you want to carry it in something.* Battery lasts 1 1/2 hours or so -- one battery, one tape.  Just buy and carry one battery for every tape you expect to use - easy to remember. Charges in about 2 hrs.* Can't find a single big reason to return it for the price -- just a nicely priced, beginner's DV camcorder that does quite a lot.  A happy little toy!* Sony DCR-HC40 is a big step up in build, image quality, stabilization, etc., but that's comparing a $600 to a sub-$300 camcorder now. Thus, 5 stars for the features & price.  When compared to the very best camcorders costing $$$, it's only average but that's comparing the gold standard to something far cheaper.  But if budget isn't a problem, the Sony is the better choice of the two.* More accessories on Sharp Japan's website, but you'll have to find an importer for those items.  Limited mostly to filters, extra battery, remote control (~$45), etc.  Remote control is hardly ever used - unless you're the type to plug the camcorder up to the TV far away from you because you don't have long enough cables to plop the camcorder in your lap for control.* DV transfer to XP PC works flawlessly and w/o problems.* Nice manual - explains every feature in depth.* Light and comfortably small! Almost like those smallest vertical camcorders. Can film for hours w/o weighing down the arms.* A little bit of tape motor noise if the scene is quiet - not like the Sony, which is silent - but nothing noticed nor obnoxious when used in normal noise level scenes.  Still, if you're filming something important, may get the Sony or an external mic & tape setup for the audio.* Low-light performance is good.  Grain level is decent and not glaring or bad although noticable, and you still can get a watchable image indoors at night.  (again, not the best vs. $$$ camcorders, but decent for a consumer's level camcorder at this price)* Overall, you can't go wrong with this low-priced, beginner's DV camcorder.  Really nothing wrong with it, and if handled properly, it'll give years of solid use and fun w/o a problem.  Don't expect the world from this camcorder, just a good average performance, and you'll be fine.  (if you're picky, want the best/better, etc. get the Sony noted earlier, or any high-end 3CCD camcorder)* Solid buy for beginner's, low-budget parents and kids, students gettting started, explorer's, teens, etc.
Like many other owners, I got the DEW error message. Tried the fix, but no success. I threw this camcorder in the trash. [BTW, I have the AC cord if anyone wants it.]
I just returned from a trip to Nepal and India and found the VLZ3U to be just the ticket. It takes great video of a quality that enabled me to extract pictures of Everest and a tiger in the wild equal to most digital still cameras. The still pictures taken with the camera to the card were great for snapshots but are of too low a quality to alow much of a blow up. I did, however, take over 1500 picture that are just fine if I don't try to make them much bigger than 5x6. The  "DEW" problem has cropped up 3 times in two months with no cause that I could determine as the humidity was not high at any point. I did find that I could remove the "DEW" hangup by removing the battery and immediately replacing. When I did this the "DEW" disappeared and I was able to take both still and video.
I actually really loved this little cam when I first got my hands on it.  The thing I really liked was the ability to swivel the lens around separate from the tape transport where you actually hold the camera which made it much more comfortable to hold for long periods of time.  Problem isnot long after I had been using the camera and loving it I started to get the dreaded DEW message and the camera would shut right down.  Only way to get it going again was to remove the battery pack and the lithium backup battery as well.  Then you would have to reset the time and date.  This little tricked worked as a fix for a while and then eventually that no longer worked so I needed to find another fix.  Thankfully you can find just about anything on the internet and someone posted that the problem was with a defective solder joint on the DEW sensor and a fix could be achieved by hitting the cold solder joints with a soldering iron quickly just to re-melt them.  This also worked for a while and then it did not and I eventually shelved the camera.
I have had this camera for almost two years now...just after the one-year mark (when warranty expired!) it started having problems.  Before then it was great.  Small, nice LCD, strong zoom, easy to use, nice video.  I never tried it for digital snapshots, though.Problems started at the worst possible time...trip to Brazil half for vacation and half to document my wife philanthropic work that she is doing (and starting a nonprofit org).  For no apparent reason, as we were in a drought, the "DEW" warning kept going off and not allowing any use of camera.  After days of frustration, we just gave up on it.Back in the states, weeks later the DEW problem seemed to have gone away but then the camera started eating the video-tape!!So, I bought a new tape....and, guess, what?  The "DEW" indicator goes off again -- at my kids TaeKwonDo testing for Black Belt!Ironic how you save a couple bucks shopping around for a value product and then realize you have lost priceless memories due to poor engineering/manufacturing....I am now using our 10-year old Sony videotape camcorder...big but RELIABLE.I'm going to try soldering the DEW problem per other review...pathetic that consumers are soldering Japanese camcorders!update:  GUESS WHAT?  I called Sharp USA and complained to Tech Support and they transferred me to Customer Service who knew immediately about this issue and they told me to send it in to the repair facility and they would issue a special approval for a free repair even though i have owned it beyond the 1-year warrany period...they said they'd pay for labor & materials,..i only have to pay for shipping.  I am satisfied.
After a year and a half the dew indicator has stopped the camera from working completely. When this first started happening I had to let the camera sit open for 2 hours, I missed some pretty important events for that reason. Now--even though it has been indoors in low humidity for a month the dew light is on and the camera won't work at all. I am very dissapointed as I shouldn't have to buy another camera in such a short time. I won't buy a sharp product again.
I have had this camera for more than 18 months now, i bought it coz of the positive reviews it had on the web and the prize was really a bargain.I've never have had any problems with this camera and its been very reliable so far. Video quality is very good outdoors and a bit grainy in less light. Best thing i like abt this camera is the unique swivel feature, i dont have  to sit down or bend down to shot from low angles and it is more important when u r as tall as i am, just swevel the camera the way u want, lower your arm and u r ready to shoot--nice innovative design by sharp and its small too.dont expect this camera to take great still shots but again they r not that bad either.Overall, get this camera if u want a low price video camera with basic features and good video quality(outdoors).
I have only owned this camcorder for two days, however there's so few reviews, I thought I'd post one.  I used to have my own video production company many years ago (wedding videos and such), so I'm somewhat experienced with videocams.First of all, I bought this as a small and cheap cam.  It fits the bill.  I decided to go for the vlz3u over the vlz1u because I wanted the 16 bit sound, and the ability to digitize old vhs footage straight in.I didn't get the 5zu because it was more money, and i heard that black and white viewfinders are more accurate than color. All told, I think it would have been better to go for the color viewfinder of the 5zu, and to get the remote control as well.At first I found the camera and manual a little on the complicated side.  However, after a little while, the camera modes and menus became more and more intuitive.  This camera has a lot of features.A few things to remember is you have to pull out the viewfinder or else you can't see anything through it (thought my viewfinder was broken).  Also, when you play back tapes, the lcd monitor has to be pulled out in order to hear sound.  ie if you only view the tape through the viewfinder, no audio.  The Sharp customer service rep I called at their tech support line had less of a clue of how the camera worked than me.  I think he only had the manual in front of him, and no camera.One feature that is totally useless is the digital stabilization which is automatically turned on in automatic mode.  At first I thought the camera had a really bad picture until I turned off the stabilization.The video is average to good, depending on the amount of light. This is definately not a low light camera. Bright outdoors, or well lit indoors.The LCD monitor is gorgeous, really high quality like a top quality laptop screen.Ergonomically, the camera feels like it should fit a smaller hand than mine.  It kinda sits in my hand like a firm lump of hamburger.  The little switch used to change the camera to various modes is hard to use.  The rest of the camera, including installing the battery, installing the tape, etc is very intuitive.Another feature is the timecode. This camera allows you to record the timecode out, which is great if you want to give somebody a copy of their tape, and then they pick out the frames they want included in and out of their edits.  I plan to do a little video editing of other people's work, and "striping" output is key.  This camera does it.All in all, a very capable little bucket.  Loses some points on the low light performance, ergonimic handholding, and the mode button.But gains points in that it packs a lot of features that you will really appreciate should you choose to explore the manual and try things out.Definitely a budget camcorder for the tech afficionado!
I bought this camera for the trip to Europe. The whole idea was trying to find something small for under...By holdding it, this camera feel perfectly small. All control buttons seems logical and user friendly. The monitor is bright and clear. The camera egonomic is exellent ( fit perfectly in my palm). The camera use the Digital Video recording system, so I just assume that the picture quality is exellent. That all the good things, but here the downfall. This camera has the worst picture quality I of all the camcorders I have ever own, the image stablelizer is useless, download to the computer was the nightmare . The kits came with the USB cable but you can use it to download still photos only (no memory card is supplied). To download video to the computer you have to use the firewire cable and Video capture software (not suplying with the kits). Not a lot of choice, I use the old fashion way to dubb to my VHS tape using the VCR. The result is...my old Sony analog camcorder has better picture quality than that thing. I sold my Sony TRV720 to get this thing , well bad mistake!!! It would be a great deal if this camera had the Sony brain and picture quality. Well make your wise decision...
Just bought this and used it for a trip to Asia; fit perfectly inside a fanny pack.  I chose this for its small size, the light weight, low price and the LCD screen.  I didn't want anything fancy, but rather something easy to use since I'm not a techie.  Video picture quality is very good, photo quality is OK but remember that this is a digital video camcorder and not a digital camera.  However, I liked that it could take both video and stills - it made it easy to carry on vacation.  LCD screen is terrific - very clear and bright.  Controls are easy to use.  The battery is inside the camera so it doesn't add extra bulk to the camera.  Also, if it's hooked up to a tripod you don't have to take it off the tripod to change the battery or the tape.  Bought the camcorder right here at Amazon - best price + $50 rebate, best service - got it delivered for free within 5 days and didn't have to pay any sales tax.  Pros - small size, price, LCD screen, easy to use.  Best feature for me is its small size and light weight; simply put, if it's easy to carry then I'm more likely to take videos.  Cons - image stabilization, especially when zooming in, is almost non-existent.  Also, it makes strange, cheap sounding noises when ejecting and re-installing the tape but that's just nitpicking.  Overall, if you're looking for a good basic camcorder to shoot family videos it can't be beat.  Good features at a good price = good value.  Highly recommended!
When I unpacked my Sharp VLZ3U MiniDV Camcorder, I was pleasantly surprised on how small the camera was.  Sharp did a great job in designing the swiveling handgrip that allows you to shot ergonomically in almost any hand positions.  The LCD is very bright and has a function that allow the user to turn off the backlight much like a Pocket PC to conserve battery when operating in well lit areas.  The attractive feature of the camera that may be appealing to those that want simplicity, is the fact that the overall unit does not have an overwhelming number of button and switches and other thing that most laypeople will never use.  Most of those settings can be found in the "Menu" that is tricky at first, but logical in design.  Manual functions allow users to manipulate white balance, iris and gain, but to have to do this though non-designated function keys may deter people that prefer manual operation.  The "Auto" setting does a very good job in evaluating white balance especially in indoor to outdoor transition shots and with incandescent lighting.The most noticeable drawback to this camera is battery life, although it handles pretty good with the supplied 1000mAh Li-ion, the lack of the ability to use an oversized battery for extend shooting time is not possible since the battery compartment is enclosed within the fold-out LCD screen. This makes the LCD backlight override option even more attractive when trying to conserve battery.  Most of my heavy use comes from my coaching position that requires me to recompose my shots almost every time I turn on my camera to take a shot.  Even with the heavy use, the battery gives me about 1 to 2 hours of standby and shooting time with the LCD on, a little less (about  hour) if I leave the LCD backlight on.  I've bought 2 extra batteries which is more than enough, but highly suggested to avoid the dreaded "low battery" indication on those times that you wish you had a fully charged battery.Over all I think this camera was a great purchase for the price that I paid.  I have used more superior cameras before, and like most people, did not intend to spend over $400 even for a digital based camcorder.  I and enjoy what sharp has put into this unit, especially the unique design for user-friendly operation.*******************************************Update 6/7/05After hundreads of hours of use, in all imaginable environments and places. This camera is still running strong and solid.  Being that the CCD is so small, I didn't care all too much for the still images that it captures onto an SD card.  But after using it to capture many enjoyable candid shots, espcially at 10X away, I have found a new love for this camera.Using the with the free Movie Maker 2 by Microsoft, I am able to make some great highlight films of my athletes in action.  The shutter speed is good enough on sport mode to accurately examine thier techniqe on film night.I also want to again rave about the size of this thing.  It is never a concern for space when I carry this thing along with me to my track meets or to my vacations since it is about the same dimensions as my digital still camera.
Now it has started giving me E007 error.  Google does not give any answers to this error code.In the past it had also given me intermittant dew error.I had it with Sharp Electronics.  My first TV broke.  Sharp VCR, broke.  Now Sharp Camdorder, broke.Amazon also stiffed me with the $100 promised rebate on this camcorder.All in all, a very expensive $350 mistake :-(I am not going to buy any more tape based camcorders.- Vikas
I had a sharp viewcam before, the vlnz100 and it was the worst piece of electronics I have ever owned. After a year I couldnt take it anymore and called sharp corporate who helped me by sending me this new camera the VLZ5u. So far this camera has been great. Super small design which I love, takes good video, decent still pics. I use it along with my Apple iMac computer and the iMovie program to create great professional style movies. As one of the other reviews says, the camera is not on the official Apple list of supported cameras, but I have had no problem yet with it. All and all, a good buy!
I've had this camera for a couple of years now-- it's zoom function leaves something to be desired, and I'd recommend NOT zooming during a shot. In fact, for adequate depth of field you're better off not zooming at all.Otherwise, it is easy to use, and I haven't had the dew indicator problems that others have had.So, all in all, I'd say if you can get it for a modest enough price and just want a basic camcorder, it's not a bad deal.
This camcorder seems to work fairly well doing its main task (recording video), but mine seems to have a few bugs.  I'm not sure if something is wrong with it or that's just the way it is.  When trying to set options in the menu, the menu will sometimes disappear without warning.  I've checked to make sure I'm not accidently hitting any button to make it disappear and so far it looks like it does it on its own.  I've also had the unit say the memory card is full when trying to take a still image and the card has maybe 1MB of 8MB used when I plug it into the computer to download (also it says on the screen I have about 48 or so images worth of space left).One thing that really annoys me right now is trying to get the DV (IEEE1394) port to work with my PC.  When I plug the unit into my PC it doesn't detect the device in any way (doesn't show up under connected hardware).  It also does the same thing on my Powerbook G4.I called Sharp's tech support and the person I talked to said they don't support that port and wouldn't offer any other advice on it.  I don't understand how you put a port on a device and don't support it.  I later find out that this camcorder isn't on the list of supported camcorders for iMovies (the Mac software) right now and I can't find any support under Ulead's software either.  So is there support for this port on this camcorder anywhere?
I purchased a new Sharp VLZ-5U in January.  The camera is very ergonomically designed and relatively easy to use.  Auto-focus is consistent, playback and record controls are well layed out, and overall image quality is reasonable.  Low light image quality is very grainy, but this is common in many comparably cameras.  Camera fades to white instead of black, which I can't stand, and you can't turn off.My biggest gripe is that the camera developed a mechanical ticking sound during playback and record after about 4 months that is loud enough to record on the tape at an annoyingly high level.  The sound depends strongly on what position the camera is held, but is unfortunately worst when held in the normal video shooting position.  I tried different tapes, retensioning the tapes, and checked online for solutions, all to no avail.I finally sent the camera to one of Sharp's recommended warranty centers (Sharp does not accept the cameras back directly, so you MUST use one of thier 3rd-party providers for warranty service) including a detailed description of the problem, only to find that Sharp's warranty is one year on parts but only 90 days on labor.  They wanted $172.50 flat rate before even looking at the camera (even if the repair took only 5 minutes!), and they only warranty the repair for 90 days.I also have reservations about servicing these cameras in non-factory conditions; I have this nagging feeling that once a camera like this needs major work it will never be the same...Given the problem that this camera developed early on, the high and inflexible service costs, and unacceptably short warranty perion on both the original camera and rework, I am going to junk the VLZ-5U, give a vote of no confidence to Sharp camcorders, and buy a Canon or Sony.
I bought this camcorder late last year and travelled a lot over Christmas break - this camera satisfied my needs perfectly! Its charger is multi-voltage capable, the battery charges quickly and lasts forever (I still purchased a large additional battery for those situations when I didn't have access to a power plug for days!)I agree with the reviewers saying the low-light mode is kind of strobe-like. However, it is in &lt;b&gt;True Color,/b&gt;! If you move your hand gently (use a tripod for low light!), or focus on a scene and don't move the camera much, you will like the results. I, for one, hate the fake, green tint (infraRed-based) that Sony and some other manufacturers incorporate into their night mode. Yes, it increases overall light sensitivity by absorbing more rays from outside the usual visible spectrum, but the video looks (green!) unreal and ugly. NOT an option!The remote has a few nice features as well, and the photograph mode is quite impressive for a digital camcorder. I took over 300 pictures at the native resolution of 1.33 MegaPixels 1280x1024 (2 Megapixel photos at 1600x1200 are produced through interpolation, don't bother with it!). I got some beautiful low-light, dawn and dusk shots, including sunsets and sea shots.The lack of a flash forcues you to use good photography principles like keeping the subject's face well lit, but the BackLight mode is a nice semi-fix for video or pictures taken with a bright backlight (eg sun behind subject).&lt;b&gt;BE AWARE&lt;/b&gt; that most versions of this camera do not like LARGE SecureDigital (SD) cards. You will be able to use cards over 128 MB, but can't preview the photos or the amount of space left because the camera doesn't fully support that card size (256 and above). &lt;b&gt;Stick with a 128MB card&lt;/b&gt;, which can hold well over 250-300 photos at the highest native resolution, and you should be satisfied!It would have been nice to have a lens with &lt;b&gt;more optical zoom&lt;/b&gt;, because digital zoom is an absolute joke, just like any other camcorder - the graininess introduced into the video makes it quite worthless. 10X isn't bad, though, and the clarity of video and images shot with this camera rival anything I've had a chance to compare it to (mostly similar priced and similar featured cameras from other manufacturers, owned by friends). I've made a few DVDs and amny VCDs of video captured with this camcorder, and the quality is great.The software included isn't too bad for quick and dirty image and video capture using the USB port and included cable (half resolution video) or Firewire (you need to buy a cable, but can capture full resolution video only with Firewire). However, I strongly recommend using something nicer like at least ULead Video Studio or Sonic MyDVD or Pinnacle's Studio products, or perhaps even Adobe Premiere to make truly 'prosumer' video! Its a pity a Firewire cable isn't included, but make sure you get one.The video (composite) output cables are excellent, and dubbing video from the DV tapes to VHS or DVD/VCD recorders couldn't get easier. I haven't played with the scene transitions on the camera, because I edit in software, but I'm sure they'll be satisfactory if you want to make VHS tapes or DVD/VCDs directly using the (cable included) RCA composite AV output.&lt;b&gt; A note on DV tapes&lt;/b&gt; - stick to one manufacturer, because others (like Sony) use a different technique to make their tapes and camcorder heads apparently don't like frequent switching. I have had great luck with JVC tapes (duh!) which are re-labelled Fuji tapes. I bought well over a dozen.The camera's &lt;b&gt;pass through&lt;/b&gt; function for analog video lets you convert it to DV which you can capture on the fly (using pass-through) on a computer to convert your old VHS tapes into flawless (as good as the original VHS at least) VCDs or DVDs. I've used this a lot as well.The &lt;b&gt;large flippable LCD screen&lt;/b&gt; is good for those videos when you want to be in the shot but still occasionally monitor what the camera is capturing, from a distance. It doesn't get grimy or dirty and is easy to clean anyway.
The JVC GR-DV800U is a lot of camera for a modest amount of money, but, as other reviewers have pointed out, it suffers in poor lighting conditions as do many other camcorders. I'm giving it two stars because 1) JVC tech support personnel are a bit numb and less than helpful; and 2) although the product is advertised as being compatible with OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 (Firewire) inputs, it will only work with Pinnacle, Belkin and Orange Micro Firewire PCI boards. Otherwise you can't transfer it to your computer. So you may have to cough up a PCI slot and another $45 to make it work. (I have an onboard Asus IEEE 1394 and a separate PCI Texas Instruments OHCI compliant board and neither would accept and install the camera connection. My wife's computer wouldn't take it, either, getting us only a big yellow question mark in Device Manager in Windows XP.JVC is a bit dishonest in its claims to be compatible with OHCI-compliant connections, but the camera's good and (best part) it has a MIC IN jack, which is the main reason I bought it.
Compared to all the new, old-fashioned looking MiniDV and 3rd generation camcorders out there, I love the look and feel of the JVC GR-DV800.  It's silver with blue trimmings and has  that old-school elongated look versus the vertically built ones coming out of late.Right out of the box it felt substantial.  I thumbed through the manual while charging up the battery (can't do it off the camera) and was a little dismayed at the large amount of instructions.  However, as I found out later, it's all pretty simple once you get the hang of it.The LCD is nice and big. Others have complained that the clarity isn't great, but compared to the Sony and Cannon, I don't have a problem with it.The controls are pretty well-oriented, although I did get a little bit of a hand cramp from using the one-finger menu dial. But that's probably just because it's new and I'm trying everything.The 300x zoom is pretty useless above 100x.  Anything that close is just too grainy. Whether that's from the lens itself or simply because things weren't intended to be viewed at 300x their normal size, I don't know.  Right now, I can't imagine ever zooming that far unless I'm looking at the moon or distant landscapes.One problem I've had is using the camera in low light using AGP or JVC's NIGHTVISION.  Basically, like any camera, light collection takes time. Meaning, if you want to move the camera and you are using AGP (Automatic Gain) or the highly-vaunted NIGHTVISION, you have to move the camera very slowly to keep a focused picture.  In fact, I have to use a tripod to take snapshots to prevent my pressing the button from making fuzzy pics.I installed the included USB software on my XP system and hooked the cables up and I was able to e-mail out a picture in about 2 minutes, start to finish (including cable installation).However, I've since tried to copy over video using the USB port and it doesn't work.  I've installed the software that comes with it, but it still doesn't work.  JVC website is basically no help with anything, but I've been told by some camcorder forum experts that you HAVE to (HAVE TO) use the Firewire port to txfer video instead of the USB. JVC doesn't include a FireWire cable so I've yet to try that fix out.All in all I'm glad I bought this particular camera. It looks good, it feels good, and so far it takes good pics and video.
I purchased this camera for $800 about a year ago and it should of been worth $400-500.This camera is horrible at focusing and is pathetic in low light.There area plenty more cameras that are better.Dont get this camera.
Before getting this camera I've done an extensive research and tryed differnt digital camcorders. I found that the main advantage of this unit is 1.3 meg. resolution still pictures, 3.5 inches LCD, good filming at low light conditions and stereo microphone. I also liked the way this camera looks -- "professional look".Do not expect that you will get quality snapshots printouts -- none of the camcorderds (with exeption above [money amount]in price)produce enough resolution for printed pictures, but if you want snapshots to be watched on your TV or Computor Monitor, this cammera gives you more then enough resolution for the snapshots.Controls are easy and self-explanatory. Has its own speaker,I did not like that it is pretty weak, not much louder then my cell phone. Good thing you can plug in your headphones and get a good STEREO sound. Also there is a socket for an external microphone.  Highly recommended unit.
I put this on my camera.  Loved it at first...now it is having trouble focusing.  I want it to be able to shoot for me through out a 2 hour session and it will give me 1 out of every 5 pictures that aren't blurry.I'm upset cause it was a &#34;good buy&#34; but now its not performing the best. :(
Once again, you get what you pay for.  I use this with a Rebel XTi.  This lens works great, quiet enough focus and covers a good range at a great price.  However, I hope you like your pictures a little soft.  All my pictures are a little soft with this lens.  It is worth a little more money to get a better lens.  If you are just a student or taking a photography class and don't really need super sharp pictures this may be great for you.
I bought EOS 20D and took this lens as well as my camera was without a lens. Most of the pictures shot with this lens are pretty blury. Even some of them when the flash was enabled were strange. Other times I managed to get a good picture or two. All in all, I am quite unhappy with this lens. Avoid it at all cost.
Even on a tight budget, these lens are not worth getting. Poor contrast, poor light, and especially has lack of sharpness in photos. At first I thought something was wrong with my technique, but then realized it was the lens. It also takes forever to focus in low light.  Go with the other reviewer...spend an extra $50.00 and get the 3.5 version of 28-105
For $100 more, buy the 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 version.  results are far better.  This lens (4-5.6) is not quite there. don't even buy it.
I have to agree with other reviewers. However to show a couple GOOD points- it's compact, and has a nice quiet zoom. However it's price range is really not worth it.
this is my new default lens, i have it on my t3i currently and the photos come out great! i would suggest this as a good basic lens for any beginning and ameteur photographer.
There's not much to say that hasn't been covered by the other reviews; this is a bad lens.  If it were considerably cheaper it would be attractive for really low-budget amateurs. At the $150 price point, the performance shortcomings do not justify the cost.I bought this lens because bottom dollar was my #1 priority, and this was a mistake.  Canon's faster/stronger/more robust sister lens is (at most) $100 more expensive and the results are vastly superior.One particularly disturbing aspect of this cheap-feeling plastic lens is the fact that the forward tube, when extended at 105mm, wiggles back and forth noticeably - the mechanical tolerances on this device are horrible.  I also found that it is very easy to get dust and dirt into this lens (probably also due to the bad tolerances), so don't try to use it in a dirty environment.
This lens is just great.  Lighter that the previous on I had but just as great.  Now it needs &#34;4 more words&#34; to submit this recommendation???  This ridicules rule does not detract from the lens.  There that was more than &#34;4 more words needed&#34;!!!
Let's say you usually have a lot of light and don't need much help with DOF.  This would be a good lens to have in the drawer, even if you don't put it in the bag all that often.
My Dad took picutres at my wedding with one of these cameras, and got back the digital photos with his prints.  Both were of equal quality as far as that goes.  The camera focuses well.However, we found that even with its built in flash, the pictures that he took inside, during the wedding, were dim and relatively worthless.  The exterior pictures were lit fine, but  the &quot;mood lighting&quot; was dim, and the flash wasn't able to compensate for that.*****Final Thoughts*****The camera is a great one to grab on your way to the zoo or the ball game, but if you're going to your high-school graduation or with some friends to a dinner, you probably want to pass.This is a brightly-lit-area camera.
This is NOT a digital single-use camera as its name may lead you to believe.  This is a regular disposable camera using regular film - you simply get a CD with it when you have it processed.  Do not be misled.
Really not a digital camera...it only allows you to get a free CD with processing.  Misleading and any standard disposable camera will do instead on paying high $$$ for these.
I don't know what everyone is complaining about. There is no false advertising on it. I wish people would know what they were talking about before writing reviews. I see this all the time and it's annoying. I've seen reviews on TVs whereas the reviewer said that the company lied, it's not 1080p! When in fact, almost all cable operators operate at 1080i because the 1080p stream is way too big. If they got rid of standard definition, yes, it'd all be 1080p. Seriously people, know what you're talking about before reviewing it.I've used this before long ago. Not a big camera person so I don't take pictures much. It does take good shots. But as the name implies, Kodak PLUS Digital. I don't know when Kodak's name switched to Kodak Plus but it wasn't in THIS lifetime. This means you can get your pictures in digital format. Wow. How hard is that? (Note the sarcasm.) Do you believe a print is digital? Digital means a lot and that is basically a bunch of 0's and 1's (such as 00111001100111110101110). Your CD? That IS digital. That is NOT a print.Now, if you take a high-end photo with a digital camera and then get it printed (not by these weird printers they have now that uses printer ink and don't last), you lose the "digital" aspect. Print is very different.And for those of you that's saying that they lied and that all it is is real film in it, how do you think movies are made? ON FILM!We've come into an age where we expect too much. This is about a $10 disposable camera. Somehow, you reviewers think that you're going to get magic from them and have the highest definition there is. If you want that, spend $2,000 on a high-end camera. This isn't meant to replace one of those. Does it give a megapixel range? No? READ THE BOX! There is NO megapixel range. Why the heck do people just buy things without reading about them and then expect the world to bow on their command when they didn't get high-def at $10? Seriously? How can you seriously write a bad review when you didn't read anything about it? You saw "Digital" and the cheap price and you're like, "OooOOooO, AhhHHhhHH!" PLUS! Do you do math like, "5 plus 2 = Mountain Dew"? NO! It equals 7!Now, the pictures are alright. I like Kodak for that. Also depends where you get your pictures processed as some processers suck and the colors aren't that great. But find the right processor and the pictures are great. Yes, it's print once you get that done. But you can only jack up the print quality so much. Why don't you think we have desktop ink printers that can make holograms? (Again, people expect way too much. Did they forget what print is like?) Print last longer. I mean, you can have digital prints through your desktop printer, but it won't last. I think the last time I checked, it was 30 years maximum. You can keep the digital files forever in theory but, who knows 100 years from now? Are they still going to have the .jpg or RAW formats? Prints, if you take care of them, can basically last forever. But why does everyone think you can print holograms? I know it's far-fetched to say that BUT the reviewers on here know NOTHING and expect too much.The flash is alright. I never got a chance to really use it at night. But there was one reviewer that actually took it seriously and said the flash isn't that great so I'll take his word on that. Still, it's $10. What can you expect?This camera is great if you want some quality when you get it on CD.Nothing will ever replace film at this point in time.Good luck!
This makes me angry - there are actual disposable digital cameras out there such as the Dakota Digital Disposable cameras (that I sadly can't find available on Amazon right now).  Calling this a disposable DIGITAL camera when it's just a regular disposable camera that you will receive digitalized copies of the images on CD is just misleading and attempts to take advantage of people.  For shame, Kodak!At the same time, you can find small non-disposable cameras that are actually and really digital out there (with things like LCD screens built in, no less!) for less than the $20 price tag currently on this Kodak "digital" disposable camera.  Look atPolaroid DVF-130BC Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and 2.0-Inch LCD Screen, BlackorVivitar ViviCam V25 Digital Camerafor example - both are $17 at the time of this review.  Now, I haven't tried those, and people who have don't seem to be absolutely in love with them, but I would tend to imagine that you get what you pay for.  If you're willing to go for used, you can get fantastic previous-generation digital cameras for $20 plus or minus a few - just do a search on Amazon for "digital camera", and then use the left-side bar to restrict to Under $25 for price, and 4 star and up average review rating - you'll surely be much happier with what you get than you would with this despicable lie of a product.
Kodak makes a fairly good disposable camera with their "Kodak Plus Digital One-Time-Use Camera." If only the camera itself was digital!!! What Kodak doesn't clarify is that the only thing "digital" about this is that you get a free CD of your pictures developed when you pay for the camera. OUCH--false advertising as many others have noted. Yes, the camera takes some pretty good photos considering it's a single use camera. Indeed, many of the pictures I've taken using this camera come out almost as well as they would have if I had used a more expensive, conventional 35mm camera instead. However, the camera itself is still NOT digital!Don't open the box and unwrap the camera from its foil paper wrapping until you're ready to use it; and make sure you use this camera before the expiration date printed on the cardboard box. The 800 film helps make this camera very useful for both outdoor and indoor photos; and it's easy to carry this camera because it's so light and compact. It can fit into a woman's pocketbook, a man's briefcase, backpack or just about any overnight travel bag. You also get 27 exposures per camera; this makes the camera useful for vacations or extensive photo taking days like weddings and other ceremonies.Unfortunately, the pictures I got back are not as clear and crisp as they would be from a real digital camera or a conventional 35mm camera using the individual rolls of film you put in and then take out when you're ready to have the film developed. I hope that Kodak remedies this problem quickly.Overall, this single use camera is convenient and budget priced. However, the camera itself is NOT digital, which is a awful trick Kodak uses to fool consumers into thinking they're buying a digital single use camera. The word "digital" refers to the fact that the cost of the camera includes a "free" Kodak CD of your pictures. It just doesn't have the technology to take the very best quality pictures so I hope Kodak works on this in the near future. A single use camera is your best choice if you're on a budget and want a Kodak quality single use camera; but let the buyer--and Kodak--beware about putting any trust in this particular camera!Two stars, mostly because of the terrible way this is marketed. Let's stop misleading consumers with this one, Kodak!
Buyer beware!Yes, I believe the product name is very misleading. They are using a play on words to make people think it is a digital camera.  It is NOT!  It uses regular film.The "Plus Digital" is the part that they get away with... It's regular film, plus digital scanning to get a CD of your photos.So, technically, they are accurate.But morally, the name is MISLEADING. They are taking advantage of people. I will NEVER buy from them again.There are true digital "one-use" cameras out there. You must look hard to find them, but they are out there!
As has been pointed out, this is not truly a digital camera and the hype on it is rather misleading.  This is merely a regular throw-a-way camera with PLUS a digital scanning to get a CD made of your photos if you desire.  That is okay with me, as I pretty well knew this when I bought the thing.This camera does give acceptable photographs of the normal fixed lens variety...nothing fancy here.  These cameras are okay to take while floating the river and you half way expect to take a dunking.  I personally am not going to drag one of my thousand dollar plus cameras around in those conditions.  Yet, these cameras take the general type photo you might want to record a particular incident, etc.I can understand people being upset over the advertisement of this camera to a certain extent.  On the other hand, if you read the box, you pretty well should be able to figure out what you are getting.  I am not the sharpest crayon in the box, and good grief, I figured this out pretty quick.  Most of you folks are a bit brighter than I am so it should not take much of a leap for you.  Now my sister...well that is another story.  I am sure Kodak could paint a picture of a small red car on the box and she would be convinced she was getting a new MG.All in all, you pretty well get what  you pay for here...nothing to run around and shout about, but a serviceable camera that you can get a CD from if the dealer to go to honors it.I will give this one two stars because at least it works which is more than I can say for a few of the disposables I have purchased over the past few years.
The main thing I liked about this grip is that it uses AA batteries. I haven't done a real test but my Duracell DX1500 NiMH 1.2V rechargeable batteries seem to work fine. But like I said, I haven't used it out on the field yet so they may be a total failure. I like how cheap and available AA batteries are but if you aren't shooting film enough to constitute the $30 price tag (what I got it off Amazon for), then it may be a better choice to stick w/ the CR2 lithiums.I wanted to give this a 3.5 star rating and round up to a 4 but decided to keep it at 3 because it doesn't have the exposure buttons/wheel on it which is kind of annoying. I mean, that's the whole point of a grip is to be able to shoot portrait more comfortably. So you have to set the exposure where you want it and then just be happy that you have a button there. God forbid you accidentally leave it on and bump it on something...oh no, wasted frame!
This is a great accessory for my Canon EOS Rebel 35mm camera.  It allows the camera to be run on standard AA cells, instead of the 3V lithium batteries it usually takes.  That translates into about $5 worth of alkaline cells, as compared to about $16 worth of lithium cells.In addition, this provides an extra grip for the camera, especially useful when taking portrait-oriented shots.  An extra shutter-release button on the unit places that function in a more convenient location when the camera is held on-end, and there is a switch to turn off the second shutter-release to prevent accidental activation in other positions.  All in all, the unit is well thought out, and functions in every way as intended.The only thing I wish is that the construction were metal, rather than plastic.  With careful handling the unit is durable enough, but the &#34;stalk&#34; that inserts into the camera's battery compartment is a vulnerable point, and if the unit is dropped, I expect that's the part that would likely break.  That would be a sorry event, because I have found this to be a very useful accessory, and it's always on one or another of my cameras.
Ordered this for my Rebel Ti and i love it.  Much better deal long term than spending $12 for a set of batteries all the time.
I am very happy with the product. I still use film and I needed something to help my shutter stay open for those night shots. In various weather, I used about 20 or more rolls out of this. Many of the pictures were night shots, with "bulb" or 30 second shutter settings. I also used....rechargeable batteries that should have been fully charged before putting them in. So, I highly recommend this battery pack if you use 35mm.It works well with my tripod, no complaints. It may appear bulky but I don't really care about that. I think it is easier to hold now anyways. My only advice is that you should use alkaline batteries. If you want to save money, use some rechargeable's (they're back on the market again!).It is worth every penny.
This product is great, not only is it a Canon, but it is built very robustly and replaces those horrendously expensive cr-2 batteries that last less then a few shoots with 4x AA batteries that just keep on shooting with no power drainage. This also adds some nice weight to my K2. Only draw back is that there is no exposure dial on the vertical grips shutter release.
Battery grips have become a widely used accessory for those who use their SLR regularly.  They typically add a grip to make vertical shooting easier and a expanded battery department to allow for longer sessions without battery changes.  This grip in particular takes inexpensive and widely available AA batteries (4), which will save money quickly over the $12 or so a pair of the batteries that these cameras take on their own.  Rechargable batteries work fine in the grip.  Also included is an additional shutter release to go with the new vertical grip.  I'd love to have seen a tripod socket in line with the lens and perhaps a sensor for Canon's remote shutter release, which isn't built into many bodies (if it has a shutter release button, all that would be needed is a cheap IR sensor).  All in all, it's an inexpensive way to add value to your camera, save money on batteries, and simply look cooler.
I always thought my Canon fit well in my hands but this battery grip made it feel like a PART of my hand. The extra 'portrait' shutter release is pretty useful and includes an ON-OFF switch in case you forget the second button is there. The grip allows you to use rechargables or cheap common alkaline AA batteries which will last something like 50% longer than the small lithium cells the camera takes (except in the freezing cold). Note that Canon recommends that you NEVER use lithium AA cells in the battery pack due to the sensitivity of the camera's electronics. All in all, this is a great accessory I can't imagine living without.
I bought this bag for my DCR-HC36 Sony Mini-DV Camcorder.  It holds the camcorder with all it's accessories, 6-7 tapes, spare batteries and a full set of lens cleaning supplies.  I have not had a problem with the latch opening, either when using the shoulder strap or top handle.  This is one of the best made bags I have seen.  It is designed for small camcorders, so don't complain that it won't hold your DSLR and lenses.
This may not be a large bag or even a fancy bag but it sure works well for the Sony Handicam. Nice secure and heavy seams, ensure a long lasting relationship. Lots of compartments for about anything you would need for this camera then some. I like it and its "emblem" identifying its a Sony works for me as well. Worth twice the price!
Great bag. Plenty of room, durable and it's easy to modify the velcro seperators.  A must have for any modern, Sony camcorder owner.
This case is wonderful.  It fits all the cords, digital camera, and Digital Video camera and almost anything else I want to put in there a cell phone, id, etc.  This bag is sturdy with loads of room.  At first I was a little weary for the fact that I could not see the inside  but now that I have it there is more than enough room for all the things I would need it for.  I highly recommend this bag it is worth every penny.
I have used this case on two back to back vacations traveling  via plane around the world and then spending time on a boat. In the 45 days of vacation carring the bag almost constantly it has opened on me over a dozen time nearly spilling my expensive HC1 out over water or hard pavement (not good).  After a bit of time I learned to anticipate that it would come open and avoided using the handle on top.Addionally the bag is simply too big to fit in a carry on and take on a long trip.  I was forced to abandone my F828 case and combine the two cameras in this case together to fit everything in the carry on.  This was a poor arrangement since one of the cameras ended up below the bottom that your fit into the case forcing me to remove everything on the top layer to access the second camera. Not great when you are trying to catch that picture perfect moment which you end up missing since the camera you needed is under the other one!The case is robust and held up well, but its size and the constant concern over this poorly designed latch comming open are enough to make one star too high a rating for this case.Anyway as soon as I got to somewhere with a decent selection of cases I replaced this case and was much happier thereafter.
This bag holds my Sony handcam and a lot of acessories easly!!!The size of it is great also.
It is very nice bag. Just storage area cannot be accessed conveniently. Sony could make some more improvement in the storage capacity of the bag.
I found this bag to have plenty of room and very sturdy. I have in it the following:1. Sony DCR-DVD108 Camcorder2. Sony DVD Adaptor/Charger3. Sony DVD Travel Charger4. 2 Sony DVD H Series Batteries (1 of NP-FH100 & 1 of NP-FH70)5. 1 Sony DVD Wide Angle Lens in pouch6. 1 Sony DVD Telephoto Lens in pouch7. 1 Sony DVD Polarizing Filter Kit8. Sony DVD High Grade AV Cables9. 4 Blank Mini-DVD-RW Discs10. Lens cleaning kit11. Memory Stick Media Pro Adaptor12. Olympus Camedia 8 MP Digital Camera with remote13. Instruction manuals.I have not used one of the outside pockets-everything has it's place and fits nicely. I don't have any problems with the front latch either. You just need to take a moment when you close it to make sure the clasp is engaged. It hasn't come open on me yet.It fits my needs nicely for my digital equipment. My 35mm SLR has it's own seperate monster bag. I wouldn't dream of putting it all together in one bag.
Not only is stylish it also lets you store all extra accesories you purchase. Great purchase
This is just the camera bag I was looking for, there is enough space for everything, but not cumbersome to carry. I like the way you can adjust the space for the camera so that it fits snug and has room on the sides for tapes, or whatever you need to carry with you.  It is lightweight enough to carry on my shoulder without being a burden. It can also carry my digital camera so I do not have to deal with two separate items to carry.
This is a very nice bag.  Lots of great places to put stuff.  It even has mesh pockets on the insides of all the places that will fit MiniDV tapes perfectly.The problem I run in to is that there's not enough room.  For normal camcorders I'm sure there would be.  But I have an HDR-HC1.  By itself, it fits fine.  But I like to use the conversion lenses, and usually leave the wide-angle lens on the camera.  But when I do that, the camera is too long to fit in the bag.  So I have to take it off, which wouldn't be much of a deal, but now there is absolutely no room in the bag to keep the lens.So be ware of that.  If you use the conversion lenses, you'll have to carry them separate.
This bag has enough room to accomodate a compact camcoder and a digital camera and the related accessories. This is very sturdy too. Good buy for money.
Keep everything in one place.  This case is compact and easy to carry (extremely well padded shoulder strap) with a false bottom for protection and extra storage.  Plenty of room for a camera (please note, the bag does say "Handycam" on it) and all the accessories, even a holder for the indispensable manual.  Black ballistic nylon material and metal fittings is durable, yet very nice looking.
I bought this to store my Sony DCR-TRV310 camcordrer. I received it and noticed right away how it looked stylish (as almost all Sony products do), and also well built.However, I'm a bit disappointed in how much it holds, or the lack thereof.To be fair, I suppose I AM carrying quite a bit in it, more than most home users would probably be putting in there.I have the following in the case, though it's quite a tight fit:1) Camcorder (DCR-TRV310)2) 0.6X wide-angle lens converter3) Nightvision adapater (shoehorn)4) ND filter5) Cleaning tape6) Pocket tripod7) Tripod mount for larger tripod8) Lens cap9) Battery10) One blank tapeAgain, this all fits, and most of you reading this now are probably going, "What the hell is he talking about, that sounds monstorous!" and for most people yes, it is. However, many of those items don't take much space, and I had to struggle quite a bit to fit all of that inside.In summary, for almost everybody, this is a great bag. Stylish, well built, and will fit your camcorder well. However, if you wish to include a bunch of accessories like I did above, it does get tight.
The bag constantly opens up when the latch comes in contact with almost anything. It's very annoying to realize that the bag is wide open and you have to go thru it to make sure you didn't lose anything. It opened up about two dozen times in my 6-day trip. I had to use a strip of velcro to secure my camcorder inside the bag. I agree with other reviews here that the case is robust and does protect your investment ***if it can stay closed**** otherwise even 1 star is too high for this product.
This bag is built very well. The quality is top notch. There is sufficient padding to protect whatever one puts into this thing. It is, however, a bit on the small side. It can fit a small camcorder, power adapter and a few accessories no problem. But that is about it. The latch mechanism is a bit odd though. It may look cool, but it can be a pain to close and it does not really seem that secure.  As a testament to its reliability I have had it fail on me once. That is why from now on I use the shoulder strap whenever I carry the bag around. But for what little I gotta carry around in this bag it is near perfect.
This is a great tripod.  It's light enough that you'll actually carry with you and have it when you need it.
This tripod is about as stable as a pop star with too much time on their hands. I bought it for the price, and considered it disposable when I bought it. I just didn't know how disposable it is. I plan on disposing of it after my next trip.
In short, this is an excellent travel tripod.  I have been beating on one of these for approximately three years and it finally died.  I am an archaeologist and this thing has seen almost a year in the field, most of which was spent in caves.  It has been dropped, propped in pools of bat guano, and punished as it was dragged, rappelled, and lifted through tight spaces.  It has hiked the Inca Trail, been below zero, above 110 degrees, has been jammed with mud, dust, and mold.  Yet, it still kept going through it all.  Ironically, it finally gave up in a calm domestic setting back home in New Hampshire.Here are some observations through its extensive life:Pros:Very lightweight and compact.Extremely durable.Inexpensive.Quick to set up.Cons:Only a two-way head.A heavier camera and lens (e.g. Canon 60D with 2.8 17-55 IS) will cause the positioning to move down a tiny bit after it is set.  You need to account for this when you mount the camera to frame your photo.  Not hard to do.Durability did have its price - it needed to be maintained.  See next paragraph.The head of the tripod is partially affixed with a hex screw.  It became loose and wobbly over time, so plan to tighten it from time to time with an allen wrench.  The rubber feet came loose over time.  One of mine disappeared and I fabricated a replacement with epoxy cement.  Another came loose the other day and led to its demise.  If the foot falls off and the tripod is tipped upside down (such as when I was trying to fix it), the lowest part of the leg will disappear into the large parts of the leg and it cannot be retrieved.
This is a good, well-finished light, easily portable tripod that comes in handy for use with a smaller camera.  I also own a Sunpak Mini-PRO plus tabletop tripod and a large Sunpak 8001UT tripod.  I use all three but if I had to settle for one for general use it would be this one. TheSunpak Compact Tripod Case (14" Long x 3.25" wide)is the case needed for this tripod.
I purchased this tripod because of its lightweight. I use it for backpacking and dayhikes. It is perfect for that use. I use a D50 with a standard lens and have dragged this thing all over Yosemite, the desert across creeks etc and have never had problem. It is a lightweight tripod and needs to be handled carfully but I didnt buy it expecting it to be bulletproof, I bought it to support my camera in the field and not wear me out from the weight. For me it was the perfect tripod for my purposes and the bonus is it was inexpensive.
By way of full disclosure, I must advise that this tripod was not to be used for a camera, but rather a parabolic sound-trapping dish device in the rugged Badlands of West Texas in a qusi-military setting near the Mexican border. There were other requirements: It had to be black (night operations), light (it was packed in), small (the pack was crowded) and hopefully, inexpensive. In a word, it was all or these things.On the downside, the Sunpak's 43 1/2" max height could well be a little short for the standing user. But for a static, sitting operator or for use as a mini table stand, the divice is perfect.
Tripod is light weight and small, very easy to fit in luggage and on the motorcycle. This was one of the things I was looking for in a tripod. It holds the weight of my Canon 40D with an attached lens just fine. The problem I incurred was a vibration when shooting! It was just to light for the camera. After switching the camera to the timer mode all the vibration disappeared. But, if it where a windy day I wouldn't think this would work to well in those conditions.
This tripod does not have have any defects as such but unfortunately does not prove useful for most photography requirements. It can only be extended to around 43 inches or so. From, my experience one needs at least 60 inch tripods to take pictures of people or interesting sceneries. Moreover, it can pan only in two directions, so this tripod does not help while taking vertical photographs.While purchasing a tripod look for these two main features- 3-dimensional panning, you'll need to turn the camera around both in x, y and z axis.- Also one that can be extended to atleast 60 inches.Trust me, you really need these features, if you are looking forward to serious photography.On the brighter side, this tripod is extremely light-weight and easy to carry around. But then the purpose of the tripod is to help in taking pictures, which this one is unable to.
Although this tripod is limited in its functionality, it is extremely lightweight (1.6 lbs) and folds down to about 14 inches which is what I was looking for. It also holds up to 3.3 lbs and seems to be built relative well for its size. I originally looked at the ultra compact tripods which have the telescoping legs (like an antenna). Although they are smaller and lighter, they don't hold has much weight and the legs look like they will eventually break after limited usage. As someone stated earlier, this Sunpak would not be your main tripod but a second tripod you could take on hikes, tours, etc where carrying a heavier tripod would be cumbersome.
For the price at Amazon it's a great buy!  The build and design is extremely good considering it's under $20.  This is a COMPACT tripod as another reviewer has noted, and is for light weight cameras/spotting scopes only.  For most of us a 2-way pan head is fine - I wouldn't buy this as my one-and-only tripod, it's for when you want a tripod that's light weight and doesn't take up space yet is still reasonably steady if you don't overload it.  I've bought a lot worse tripods for more than double the price!I'm planning to put a bit of silicone grease on the two axes to make it pan a bit more smoothly.  Other than that, this tripod is a great value for the price, I'm glad I bought it.
I bought the Alpen mini-scope for target shooting and found the tripod was lousey at best. I use the scope for shooting and need it to be steady. Having a background in photography I looked for one that had a triangle base leg lock that would keep the legs in place when open and found the Sunpak. It is just what I need, sturdy, small enough to fit in my shooting bag, well constructed and lite weight. In my opinion a good match for the Alpen.
Got it and used for a while.  This is a nice-made backpack for outdoor/indoor video or photography.  The material is light weighted and strong; wide shoulder strap very comfortable; thick foam stuffing to protect anything inside from shock.However, be aware that it does NOT fit most SLR cameras with lens on, because the adjustable interior dividers are designed to be placed like a cross there, which give four rooms with roughly sqare shapes.  I have to either move one divider up and tilt the camera a little bit to set it in, or take off the long focal lens.  The total capacity is large though.  I can add my digital camera, charger, flash, camcorder, lots of accessories.And one more, it is inexpensive.
I have mixed feeling on this photo-backback. It's not bad but it is small......smaller than it looks in the photos. I'm barely able to squeeze my Canon Digital Rebel (300D) + 300/4 IS + 1.4X teleconverter. Length-wise it is a VERY tight fit. Of course that combination is 13" long. There is room left width-wise for one more body and a small lens or flash.The dividers act as padding but the built-in padding of the pack is minimal. The zippers look a bit flimsy too but no problems yet. There are a couple of other exterior pockets, (one on the straps for a cell phone) that might be handy. I would not pay anymore than $12 or so + shipping from an alternate Amazon seller for this pack.
I love this backpack for my camera.  I'm small at 5'0''.  Most other camera backpacks are too big for me.  This one fits like a glove.
The backpack is made from rip stop nylon and does a good job forming a solid feeling box around your camera thanks to plastic tubes and stays sown into the backpack which help the backpack to keep its shape.  There is a mesh pocket on the front of the pack and a larger, mesh pocket on the inside of the pack.  There are also strips of material on the shoulder straps to hold canisters of film.The pack offers four compartments for stowing your camera gear.  The size of the compartments can be varied thanks to Velcro fasteners to allow for larger or smaller equipment.  The back of the pack is stiff and padded which is nice when you have awkward shaped gear in the pack so that it does not jab into your back.The only downside to the pack is that I was hoping for a bit more padding on the inside.  Granted, I can adjust the height of the compartments, but the width and depth are not adjustable.  I would have liked to see a bit more padding or foam to keep my camera and lenses from bouncing around in the backpack.If the backpack came with more padding, I would give it 5 stars.  However, I will probably buy another bag in the future or add foam to this pack to better protect my equipment.
I am one of those people with several high tech small equipments who is always on the go.This bag is great. I'm using it for my VAIO V505EC Sony laptop. It works wonders. hey, I dont normally write reviews bec. it takes most of my time, but I have to recommend this bag.I am advising people to buy this if they want a backpack for their small equipment. Dont think about those bulky SLR cameras or 15-17 inches of laptop. Think portability. If you want to glide around the city withouth an aching back then I want you to buy this camera/laptop/ipod backpack.Hey, you may be wondering how in the world am I going to fit my sony vaio laptop,eh? well, the dividers you see in the photo is quite deceiving. its just velcro divider- that means you can manipulate the end and stuff. Anyway, to hold my laptop, I use two velcro divider to strap ot. Truthfully, I end up using a longer velcro from another bag. It works well! my expensive laptop is held togther by the strap bec of the velcro.No more descriptiopn of the velcor. its boring me.Bottom line---this bag is cheap and on SALE. You cant go wrong bec it is made from good material and it has pockets for batteries and films. Targus struck my heart with such ingenuity.Im taking my time writing this review bec. i love this bag. backpacks and cases from sony will cost me 80 dollars (not including the hideous tax and repulsive shipping fee). Well, i got a free gigantic laptop bag from Sony..huhuhu.. I'm petite size 5'3 so I look pathetic with the gigantic bag over me. But with this bag, no body knows that I have a laptop in it. Its a humble bag. I am not scared to walk around New York with it.There--i poured my heart. Just give me a call if you want to chat. :) Mwaa!
Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack.  I can put both of my digital cameras in, all my lenses, flashes, and my mp3 player.  Padded sections keep everything from getting scratched on everything else.  It also keeps everything nice and neat.  The pack looks small but it held all my stuff with ease.  The padded dividers also keep it very quit which is great cause i take a lot of wildlife photos.  The pack isn't small but it's compact and it stays high on my back when i'm walking through tall brush.  Also it's smooth so i'm not snagging it all the time on things. :)It has a convenient cell phone pocket that you can situate a bunch of places on the straps.The only thing i found it lacking was a spot for my tripod in or on the bag.
As usual from Targus, this is a great bag: well thought out and excellent sturdy construction. But, in spite of the Pro Series in the name, it is definitely not a Pro bag. The bag is not appropriate for SLR cameras or even Prosumer level video. It is great for consumer level products, with enough room for a point and shoot and handheld camcorder and accessories, and some other gadgets, like a separate pouch that attaches to the front strap for your cell phone.
I have had mine for 3 years and not a one problem with it.  Would recommend Panasonic to anyone.
I purchased this DV Camcorder 13 months ago. Naturally 3 weeks after the warranty expired it shorted out. I will not eject the tape, not record, not play, nothing.  I contacted Panasonic who told me, "Your camera needs to be repaired. $249.00 to start the process."  Let me be the first to say I'm staying away from Panasonic forever.  Terrible camera.  Please save your money.PS: Shame on you Panasonic.
I purchased this camera and returned it after a few days. Itis a general overall good camera with nice features. Outsiderecording and indoor recording with ample light were great.Indoor recording without a lot of lights on produced a grainypicture. Not a bad one , but not as good as my old sony analog8mm. I was disappointed, but for the price it was an ok camera.
Panasonic makes a great DV.  I'm on my second one.  The video quality is solid.  The import to the PC works well.  They have been reliable.  Nice and light.  Everything you'd want.The only downside in my experience on my prior Panasonic was it broke after about a year of fairly frequent use.  Their service policy is a flat $250 charge to fix it, regardless of the problem.  That was about half the price of the unit new, which seems out of line.Otherwise, if it doesn't break, great unit.
When shopping for a camcorder the first thing to pick is format.  I dismissed analog because of the lower resolution and poorer picture/sound quality.  I considered miniDVD, but this is a relatively new format and is therefore significantly more expensive at the moment.  I chose miniDV because it seems to be the most popular digital format right now.  I also decided that I did not want to use the camcorder for taking still shots that are stored on removable memory.  Even the very expensive models have low resolution that will yield poor pictures.  My advice is to stick with a separate digital camera and save some money on the camcorder.  I have had good luck with Panasonic tvs, dvd players, projectors, and cordless phones so I naturally considered them when shopping for a camcorder.  Consumer Reports also rates Panasonic camcorders highly in terms of reliability and picture quality.  I chose this particular model because it had all the features I needed, is very compact compared to other brands, and is reasonably priced.  I think this model will please and adequately serve any home movie makers.
The optics on this camcorder don't make the rich colors I'm used to on my Sony Hi-8 8mm camcorder, but the camera is nice, lightweight and very easy to use.  And the battery seems to last forever.  DO NOT bother with the still photograph to SD card feature.  There is *no* excuse for how bad the picture quality is.  Get any cheap digital camera, if you want still pictures.You can find these for far less than the original US$600 MSRP now, which makes them a good deal...
Took this on trip of a lifetime to Japan. PV-DV203 didn't make it back alive. The miniDVs started popping out while recording and finally stopped recording altogether. Upon return, replaced PV-DV203 with the PV-GS15 and tried to run the miniDVs from the trip. Picture and sound quality terrible with a lot of skipping and poor auto-focus. Hoping PV-GS15 is an upgrade.
Okay, I bought this camera back in June and I only played with it a couple times. In August I went to Austria and visited a couple of landmarks and by the end of the day is was buggy. We were down in some mines and I guess it got moist because it said Dew Damage. Luckly for me I have a Panasonic dealer who sent it in for repair and I just got it back and now it eats tapes, you have to pry open the mini dv tape holder, and the record but is sticky.
I was shocked to see that so many consumers of Panasonic camcorders had the same problem I did!  The infamous "Dew Detected" error message will not go away on my camera after owning it for just little over a year. My camera is useless now and I can't even play my old tapes!!  I have to buy a new camcorder just to play my old Mini DV tapes....You can bet I'll buy a Sony, Samsung, or JVC camcorder from now on!!
The picture quality looks really good at 12 noon outside with no clouds but when you get it in a room with 60 watt light bulbs the picture gets really grainy... I ended up exchanging it for the sony TRV19. The TRV19 seems to have a cleaner and brighter picture.
I purchased this digital camcorder on May 4th to be used primarily for family events.  After an exhausting two hours or so reading all the reviews on the Sony, JVC and Panasonic MiniDV camcorders I decided on this one.I am not a photographer or videographer, just a father of a two month old baby boy who wants to record special events.  So far, I am very happy with this camcorder.  I can't compare this camera's performance to the Sony or JVC in real world experience, but I can't see how they could be any better.  Interior recording, even in low light, plays back very nicely - even on a 52" projection TV which highlights imperfections.  The recording was comparable to a DVD movie!The MagicPix low-light recording feature is not very useful in my opinion.  The framerate is slowed down so much and there is a LOT of motion blur.  My friend has a Sony Digital8 camera with Nightshot and that is a far superior low light recording capability.  However, I don't plan on shooting many scenes in complete darkness so this is a moot point.After two weeks of ownership, the only thing that annoys me about this product is that the battery must be remvoed from the camera to use the AC adapter.  If you plug the camera into the battery charger while the battery is charging, it will stop charging the battery until the camera is unplugged.In a nutshell, as a family man wanting to record special events, this camera is awesome.  The Electronic Image Stabilization feature will let you record anything without all the wibble-wobble and is HIGHLY effective compared to the other brands.  The images are sharp and colors crisp.  I'm extremely pleased!
This digital camcorder has some nice features for its price range, including the non-glare LED lighting. Stills are 1.2 megapixel interpolation on SD media. Overall great product, easy to use, compact and loaded with features. Panasonic has great products. It's a great product that has good features and terrific quality of video and sound. A must have and must worth of checking out.
I am furious.A year and a half ago I got the dew detection error after a winter weekend ski trip and figured that perhaps some snow had gotten into the camera when I was changing tapes.I called Panasonic's customer service and since it was still under warranty, I shipped the camera to someplace in Indiana and after about 5 weeks it was returned and I thought okay. All is hunky dory now. So I had to pay $25 out of pocket to ship this defective DV camera to be repaired. But now it seem to work just fine.Then a few months later, out of curiousity I logged onto Amazon to read the reviews of my camera. That was when I found out that this 'dew detection error' appears to be a common problem with this particular model (and perhaps even other Panasonic models as well.If this is indeed the case, why then hasn't Panasonic issued a recall on this model?Flash forward to ....THIS MORNING just about 3 hours ago...I get the old 'dew detection error' again when I was trying to film my twin boys in our backyard. Family friendly camera? Huh? Dew detection in the middle of a draught? It hasn't rained here in WEEKS!!! The camera is as DRY as a BONE. And the error message won't stop! I could probably aim a hairdryer at this camera for several hours and still get this error message. And there is nothing you can do. It shuts the camera off after 10 seconds and tells you to eject the tape.I am so angry right now and I KNOW that by now my warranty has run out so now i am stuck with--as another customer wrote--a very expensive paperweight. UNBELIEVABLE. I plan to phone Panasonic today and find out if there's any recourse. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA PEOPLE. I usually trust the Panasonic brand, but in this case I would advise going with another brand at least for a digital camera.--Bill
I cannot begin to tell you how impressed everyone was with the pictures I took with this camera. Many have seen digital... but this is something else. And for under [money]? 4MP images, 4X OPTICAL Zoom -- you won't find that in a Canon for under [money]. Even better -- standard AA batteries so you'll never have to worry about your battery pack being depleted with no options or having your batteries become irreplaceable after a few years. IT takes video too and the 320 x 240 videos are usable, cute, and a nice additional feature. The ease of use is excellent. And best of all the vivid quality of the images combined with the sharpness left me impressed. I didn't need to refer to the manual during first use to get started. Very simple. Need to read to understand all the features.UPDATE:Most of the few bad reviews that drag down the rating of this camera are due to the common misperception that using regular AA batteries is the norm. READ THE MANUAL PEOPLE! ALL cameras are the same in this regard and everyone will tell you to BUY RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. Yes, they make a HUGE difference. I have a set of 1850mAh which will easily last me 125+ shots with the LCD on, reviewing the photos, etc. What is great is that this camera CAN use standard AAs if you are in a jam, one of its greatest assets. The picture quality is superb for the most part. Like all other cameras, autofocus is not perfect but it is very good and many of the pictures have just overwhelmed people who see my work. There are numerous other features that this camera offers and for 4 megapixels, the options and the price, this camera is a total steal. It feels good to grip in the hand. For some this camera might be a tad large and slightly heavier but you get quality photos which is the bottom line. Get a tiny camera you'll get much lower battery life and picture quality. Make your decision regarding the trade off. Having seen the pictures from this camera I would easily have paid more.
Because of its location and design, the on/off dial will turn when inserting camera into case or pocket - resulting in camera remaining powered with lens extended.Poor design of memory-card door allows it to spring open during use if you touch the release button.First camera I got became hot to the touch when used.  I called Minolta and was told that I need to send it to them (and pay shipping) and they will check and decide what to do (even though the technician seemed familiar with the problem).  Called Dell instead and they immediately sent me a replacement (great support).  Unfortuanately, the new camera had all the same problems, except for the heat.  I am sending both back.
I just bought this camera (Sept 04), and was I surprised to see a pack of 1400 NiMh batteries and a charger included in the same package.  Yeah, they might not be as good as better ones, but at least they were included to get you started in the right direction...So if you were like me and ordered the camera and then also bought a charger and batteries, you might wait to see if you get the goodies in the same package, first!I haven't had much time to play with the camera yet, but so far so good.
This is one of the best deal that you can ever find as of today, [...] I owned the earlier version S304, and when I came to upgrade it, nothing else came to my mind but the S414. After shopping around, I am convince this is the best 4MP camera you can get for less than [$$$]! The image quality is superb, the metallic casing is solid and looks professional. Very suitable for many scenarios!
Researched a long time for this camera.  I had it for about a month, took lots of pictures and the only frustration was how quickly it drained batteries.  Then, one day, it turned off and never turned back on again.  Seeing I'm not the richest person in the world I attempted to contact J&R Computer who I purchased this camera from (thru Amazon) and was ignored.  Now I have a worthless device on my hands.
I received a  Minolta digital camera for Christmas, 2004, I mailed in my warranty card,Five months later, I go to use the camera and it says that it cannot read my card, I then remove the card, and see that the pin inside the camera has broken off into the memory card. It is useless.  I am relieved to know I have a one year warranty.  Much to my dismay, after paying $10 to ship my camera to Konica/Minolta, I am told that they will not cover the warranty due to 'mishandling'.  There is but one way to insert the card, and I have handled it with great care.  I spoke with a 'senior technician, who tells me everything he can to try and make me at fault.First he says that my Viking brand memory card is generic, then he says that the model camera I have is no longer made, then he says that I must have bought it refurbished.  None of this is accurate.  I INCLUDED THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT WITH THE RETURN OF THE CAMERA.It was purchased new, and Viking is a common well known brand.I feel Konica/Minolta is doing everything they can to NOT stand behind their warranty!  They want to charge me as much to fix a five month old camera as it took to purchase it. I did love the pictures this camera took, I am so disappointed they would not stand behind their warranty.
Positives:1.  It is 4MP and only $350- So a great price for a 4MP digital camera!2.  Great quailty picturesNegatives:1.  The on/off dial easily turns to 'on' when you put it in a camera bag, which means that when you need it most you take it out to find out the batteries are dead!2.  You need to buy good quality rechargable batteries like the monster powerpack because this drains normal batteries only after several photos.3.  The place on the camera where you put the batteries is often difficult to shut properly.Overall it is a good digital camera for the price but because the drawbacks really got to me I returned it.
I won't repeat what dozens of other reviewers have said. I'm a professional photographer of fifteen years, and I look at things as they are..not as what people thought they should be.1. This is a point and shoot. You will not get professional results from a point and shoot, whether it's 1 megapixel or 10 megapixels. The CCD sensor does not make the photo, the LENS makes the photo.2. Autofucus on a point and shoot digital will always be substandard to an SLR. Smaller lens, less light, more "hunt and peck" for focusing. You can always cheat and use "landscape" mode.3. Battery life is great; just get a set of 2500mAh rechargeables, and you are good for days!4. 8x10's from this camera are decent; good enough to please your grandma, anyway. If you want fabulous 8x10's, you need to either stick with film, or get a digital SLR.5. Of course there are deviations in color cast and noise at higher resolutions. If you want to see even MORE of this, get a 6  or 8 megapixel point and shoot camera!6. Finally, if you are a consumer who wants a great little digital camera to take family photos on vacations, picnics, and visits to relatives, you can't go wrong with this camera. If you want professional results, why are you looking at a point and shoot, anyway?Think about it. ;)
Unless you own a rechargeable battery factory, you must have a supply of freshly-charged batteries on hand to use this camera. If you charged the batteries last week, have not used them, the charge may have decayed enough for the camera to not work. I have tried several brands of premium batteries with the same results. Many times I have switched the camera ON only to receive the "low battery" warning and watch the camera switch itself OFF. As a result, I have missed several photo opportunities.In addition, the display is slow to respond if the camera is moved to better frame a subject.
I bought this camera about a year ago (and am now looking to replace it).  I purchased it because it has a very nice lens for a camera in this price range (I paid $159 last year).  It also has a metal body (most in this range are plastic).BUT, (and this is the reason I'm writing this review at all)- the tripod mount makes it utterly useless!  I had seen comments about the poorly placed tripod mount- and must say that's something of an understatement.  The mount is way off to the side, so if you try to  use a small tripod, it falls over!!!  The focal distance on macro is also pretty unsatisfactory.  Now, if this was a compact camera (hence something I'd use for travel, or just to have an on-hand camera) these shortcomings could be overlooked...but why bother with the bulk if it doesn't give you a large zoom, or compatable lenses, or the ability to use a tripod?All that said, I'm not sure what the audience is for this camera.  The features which would recommend it are in my review title: sold build, nice lens, low price point.the engineering leaves something to be desired.
This was my 1st digital camera, purchased in 2004. I've been happy with it.Pros:The picture quality I've gotten is astounding. Very clear and colorful. Easy to use.Cons:1. Battery life, even with rechargables, is dismal. I often turn off the viewer to save energy. Always carry spares.2. The camera is bulky and heavy compared to the many lighter cameras you can buy. The 4 batteries add a lot of weight.3. The software it comes with is pretty useless.4. I've gotten a "card error" on the camera several times.  The instructions don't tell you what it is or how to fix it. I bought another memory card thinking I had somehow ruined the one I had. After a lot of time trying to figure it out, and wasted money on a second card, it turned out to be a memory issue that needed to be rectified by using the camera hooked up to the computer.  The lack of help from the manual was frustrating.Overall:If you don't mind the size and weight (including carrying extra batteries - you'll need 'em!), it's worth it for the picture quality.
I am NOT HAPPY with this camera. Here's why...:1. This camera is very bulky compared with almost any camera (for the same resolution) out there in the market. Since this camera is not available for display in popular electronic stores, you really cannot hold it in your hand and get a feel for it BEFORE you buy it. I like my camera to be slim and small. Else I don't feel like carrying it with me when I ought to. What then is the point of buying a camera?2. This camera is power hungry!. It sucks the juice out of the batteries in no time. I find myself changing batteries all the time. And yes, I do use NiMH batteries as the manufacturer reccomends. Talking of replacing batteries, the battery compartment door looks pretty flimsy and doesn't lock very well. I have a premonition that this door is going to dictate the life of this camera.3. I use a 256 MB compact flash card and it takes forever to save an image after clicking.IMHO, there are smaller/slimmer cameras (that use just 2 AA batteries) available for the same or lesser price.
I had this camera for about a year before I decided to sell it. It's fairly simple to use but even after figuring it out there just seems to be too many submenus to go through just to change one setting. So if you need to change the setting to capture the picture you want at the right moment, you better have fast hands/fingers. Battery life is pretty typical.. not very good. For me, the camera is pretty large for being considered a point-and-shoot (I believe it is, but not sure) and not an SLR, but it really depends on what you consider small/large. It comes with a neck strap that connects to both ends of the camera, so that may say something about the size. It's not very portable and it can feel quite heavy after it's been hanging from your neck for awhile. Also, having a pop-off/-on lens cover can cause you to become a bit clumsy when you're in a rush to take a picture or to re-cover it. Again, it depends on what you plan to use the camera for. In my case, it wasn't quite what I wanted in the end. However, I can't say that I had any complaints about the quality of the pictures.
This camera takes beautiful photos.  The wide lense gives a nice straight picture.However...A set of AA alkalines lasts for only 5-10 flash photos.Using expensive lithium batteries allows the camera to consume all it wants and thus overheats to the point that touching the memory card burns you.  Laughably, the manual warns against touching the hot memory card after long continuous use!The battery door is plastic and becomes chewed up by the metal case.  Also, the zoom is easily damaged by switching on the camera accidentally when it's in a bag.I bought the Canon S50.  It was a couple hundred dollars more and photo quality is a tad poorer than the S414, but it has a rechargeable battery which lasts for a whole day of photos and the memory card hardly even gets warm.
After reading all the wonderful reviews from various websites and here, I bought the S414 and how disappointing...1. Terrible focusing.  In autofocus mode, about 30% of the photos come out to be somewhat fuzzy.  I did everything according to the manual, even using the focus rectangles but the pictures still come out unfocused.  This happens both indoor and outdoor.  Maual focusing is even worse.  You need to view the image on the LCD screen for manual focusing.  Since the screen is small, it is very difficult to determine if the image is focused.  Under the sun, you can hardly see images on the LCD screen, so manual focusing is nearly impossible.2. Picture quality is not acceptable.  The pictures are often flat and unlively.  Colors are not as vivid as I would hope.  The date stamp makes the picture looks very unprofessional, since it looks like a large white label instead of having just numeric values.  The numbers show up as blocks instead of having smooth edges.3. Bulky and heavy.  The size and weight of this camera makes it really difficult to carry around.  In order to carry this, I have the wrap it around my neck, making it really difficult to do anything else without it pounding against my chest.4. Boot up time is long.  I had missed a few good pictures simply because it takes longer for this camera to boot up than it takes others.5. Definitely not a point-and-shoot.  This camera is not meant to used as a point-and-shoot camera.  It takes way to long to boot and focus.  By the time you're ready to take a picture, you would've missed the shot.  Not really suitable for people who want to capture spontaneous shots.6. Overdone flash.  The flash cannot seem to readjust for different objects.  It's too bright even for subjects that are upto 2 feet from the lens.  Many of my pictues end up being too bright and unfixable even using the bundled software.  At times, the flash doesn't even come on when there is backlight.  I guess most cameras have flash that don't, but my Canon S230 and Kodak DX4900 does adjust to accomodate so I get great pictures even when there is backlight.7. Odd size lens.  The len's diameter is at an odd 35.5mm.  It is very difficult to find anyone carrying filters of this size cheap.  You may want to consider this if you intend to use any filters for this camera.In my opinion, this camera is over-rated.  Although the price is quite affordable for a 4MP and 4X zoom camera, I would rather pay a bit extra to own a 3.2MP/2X zoom Canon.  The picture quality of the Canon S230 I own, which has 3.2MP, is way better than this camera.  The fact that I can focus 90% of the time with my S230 makes it much better than the S414, not to mention the size difference.  If you're not looking to print pictures greater than 11&quot;x14&quot;, a 3.2MP is more than sufficient.  One important factor is that my S230 is Made in Japan.  The S414 is Made in China.  From my previous experiences with numerous electronic, gadgets that are Made in Japan are far far better in quality than those made in China.  Hope this will help you make a more informed decision.
I researched digital cameras for several months to find THE one for me, a digicamaphobe.  THE camera is - the does it all AND at a reasonbable price - Minolta s414.I considered Canons, the G2, the Elph s230, various Olympus cams, and the easy,cheesy Sony.  The elph was easy to use, but small, awkward, and distance shots were blurry and pixilated. I tried a friend's Olympus, but it was kind of complicated for me, downloading seemed a pain...My sis emailed me Sony pics she took, but the quality wasn't there...In April, while shopping, a friend pointed out the Minolta s414, 4 megapixels and 4 times zoom with movie and sound. So, I researched it...From reviews and info about the s414 I learned it was truly awesome with options galore.  Additionally it was considered "user friendly"... I showed my boyfriend the info I'd found...An amateur photographer, he'd had never thought digicams could produce the quality of his NIKON, but he was impressed with the research I showed him; so he bought one.  He was immediately blown away with the quality from the moment he started using it.  His first macro shot of flowers with the s414 convinced him to set aside his Nikon.  Then he had me try he camera...and had trouble wresting it away from me, because the Minolta s414 REALLY IS USER FRIENDLY.I had to have the s414, and we went to buy mine...In addition to "user friendly",  we found "sold out" at three stores... At the fourth stop, we bought the demo... along with rechargeable batteries, a 256 picture card and card reader...Sunday, June 8, armed with our s414s, my boyfriend and I went to a dance recital and took some stupendous pictures in sepia and black and white as well as color ...EASY. ..After downloading the pics, we were amazed as we zoomed in on an eye to see the outline of my daughter taking the picture  was reflected in the pupil!!! I took 100 pictures and made three quick films, plus reviewed and downloaded the pics before needing to recharge the batteries...Now how awesome is that?  This camera RULES...
GOOD CAMERA COMPARED TO OTHERS ON THE MARKET AT THE TIME I BOUGHT IT. TAKES GREAT PIC'S, MY SISTER BOUGHT THE HP AND MINE TAKES BETTER QUALITY PICTURES. ALTHOUGH MY NEXT CAMERA WILL BE ALOT SMALLER. I LOVE THIS ONE!
I bought this camera from amazon for $210 after 1 week drops it's price to $199, I have e-mailed to amazon.com,woww!! they have refunded $10 to my account,Amazon.com is the best customer service,GREAT AMAZON.Regarding camera, woww!!! this is the wonderfull camera for this price I won a 3.2 Fugi digital camera, the picture quality of this far superior, defintely i would recommend for any one.In my opinion all digital camera's are battery eaters,so get a energizer NIMH battery(8 batteries) with charger from sam's and it works great and will save $$$.The manual features are great and flash is very decent for night photo's, you must use VIVID color feature of this camera in sunlight for uniform color saturation.The lens and zoom of this camera is top class for this price and picture quality is awesome.pros1.Picture Quality2.Great price3.CF storage4.Regid body(bit bulky but solid)cons1.slow shutter release2.plastic battery and CF door, carefull while handling3.awkeward tripoid position4.lens cap not a part of camera
I received this Minolta camera as a graduation present and it's absolutely WONDERFUL!! I was always skeptical about digital cameras, but this one sure is great! I use it for ALL occasions : parties, casual photos, and even concerts and it works great! The pictures are clear and crisp, not overly grainy or distorted like other digitals. It's a good buy for your money! You won't be dissatisfied! My only recommendation is to buy a bigger memory card as well. The one provided (16MB) will only hold about 10 high-quality pictures. I bought a 256MB card and it can hold HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of pictures and videos, so I recommended getting a better memory card in addition to the camera.
I purchased this camera wishing to move with digital age. I am a film camera user for the last 5 years and this one is my first digital camera in last two years.As usual Amazon did a great job in shipping my order in a timely manner, before the expeted delivery date. Thanks amazon.The camera itself was the surprise. I bought it after spending hours reading and searching for the best value/performance data in several forums and decided to go for it. So I am going to tell you what I liked most,Pros:- Good construction, made of alluminium. Picture quality is quite good (not that great as lot of reviewers mentioned here). My old Olympus C-211 2.1mpx took much better photos at ISO 100 than this one.4x zoom with 4 megapixel sensor, video recording with sound, manual focussing and lots of controls (most of them are useless at the end, I will talk about them later) and use of cheap CF card makes it a very attractive camera for film converts. Additionally I purchased a nice leather (fake) case for the camera as a lot users reported that the camera gets "Turned On" by itself while seating inside a pocket. The camera is relatively big, so I feel much easier to handhold it, always good for film converts. I never expected some of the surprising features like spot metering, live histogram and tiff file shooting in such an inexpensive camera.CONS:- Everything aside what I mentioned above. Picture quality, I don't know how good it is compared to others, but to me simply acceptable when comapre photos from my 3 year old C-211. Noise is much better controlled than my old camera though, but ISO 400 is equally unusable. I took most of my test shots at ISO 64 and 100.the real drawback of this camera is focussing. Even in normal daylight it miss autofocus like a moron. You will have no clue as you shoot. It will beep indicating autotofocus, looking at the LCD is a pure pain...all blurred image. Remember I am not a newbie and I know how to handhold a camera and mionimize shaking.Low light autofocus is even more pathetic....it's more like tossing a coin in the air.there is an option of manual focussing, but hey..I better use a 10 year old film camera if I have to use manual focussing for 50% of my shots.LCD screen is although quite big fo rthe price, is again not useful as it does not have any antiglare coating, so in outdoors you are pretty much stuck upon your luck.Video quality is nothing great..choppy at the best. Sound quality is also at best choppy.Another starange problem is heat build up. After 15 minutes of continuous use it becomes quite hot (not wram) around the battery compartment area. Should be good in midwest cold, huh!S414 is quite slow when it comes to write tiff files to the CF card and a better (I used a 80X lexar pro card) wont improve this fact. So DO NOT waste money on a faster card if you ever buy this camera (hope you will not do that). At the end I must mention the poor quality of power consumption. My 1800MAh batteries last for two card ( 128x2MB) loads of photos and I believe this is not at par with most of the recent cameras in the market.Supplied software is also just avarage..dont expect a lot out of it.So my conclusion:- Stay away if you can. Buy it if you have to go digital and you absolutely need a 4 MPX camera with 4x optical zoom.
I bought this camera a few months back. I am big on 35mm (Nikon) and had an old Sony. Never convinced to go digital, I settled for this camera because of the average definition and price. Also, one of the few with 4x optical zoom.I used my camera mostly for work but on a recent trip to Europe I brought it with me. The results are stunning. I am now a complete believer on digital photography.I think the color and saturation of the pics are perfect and the camera is easy to use. I can correct exposure very easily (for night shots). Posted the results, but in lower definition, at the following link:[...]Definetively worth the money, this camera will give you plenty of satisfaction.
I bought this camera because it saved in TIFF format, had 4x optical zoom and uses Compact Flash and the price was reasonable at $200. It came with NiMH batteries and charger which was a surprise. Overall I am very satisfied with this camera and recommend it to all but the very discerning. You get a lot for the buck. There are some drawbacks that are livable to me.Pros:1.Saves in TIFF format (I keep the size down, so I get 1 picture per 4MB of card)2.4x optical zoom (I disabled the digital zoom)3.Uses inexpensive compact flash4.Takes quality images in AF and Macro mode.5.OK batteries useage(I bought 2200mAh which take 80 pictures per charge, more at lower resolution).Cons:1.Heavy and bulky.2.Tripod mount off center.3.Focus OK indoors, diificult outdoors, resulting in some blurry images in the sun. Shade is not a problemNeeds a focus shade.4.Overall color OK. could be better.I use Photoshop to crop and color correct almost every image. I usually don't have to color correct images taken with this camera, like I did with my Kodak 280 so I am very please with that. The Outdoor shots in full sun can be a problem. I bought my daughter a SONY Cyber-shot, 2MP and no zoom. It is a basic camera that is wonderful. Light weight &amp; easy to use, fits in shirt pocket and takes excellent images. It makes a great companion to the Minolta S414.
This camera is extremely well-built and takes excellent photos. People who post otherwise aren't using the camera with optimal settings.  The only flaw in the camera is that it very occasionally has an out of focus shot.  Here are tips to use this camera correctly.1) Turn off all sounds on the custom1 menu of the setup mode and while your at it set the LCDbrightness setting to 3 under the basic menu.  A set of 2300mAh rechargable batteries will last approx. 200 shots (say 100 with flash) if all sounds (shutter, warning etc.) are turned off.  Otherwise you'll only get 50 or so.2)  Only use manual mode.  Automatic mode tries to guess what object you are focusing on and sometimes guesses wrong.  I use spot metering.  In manual mode you set the focus to be the object in the center of the frame, lock the focus by holding the button down half-way, move the camera to frame the shot as you wish and then press the button down the remaining bit to take a shot --- just like every other camera I've used in the last 20 years.  It's unlikely that you would ever want auto mode anyway.  Manual mode uses reasonable default settings and you can change them if you wish, unlike auto mode.3) If lighting is a bit strange, use the manual white-balance feature.  It works even if you are using flash.I have taken several thousand pictures with this camera over the past year and am very impressed with the quality of the lens and the sensor.  If you go to steves-digicams.com and imaging-resource.com and compare the photos taken by this camera with other 4mp cameras you'll see what I mean.  It beats up on some 5mp and 6mp cameras as well.
Now I have this camera for about 6 month. It was a gift for my wife since I preferred camcorders. But lately my camcorder stays at home while I'm looking around with this camera for the perfect motive. After about 5.000 shots I rate this product as follows:Pro* uses AA: You get `em everywhere and the rechargeable NiMH are inexpensive. ( No hidden cost in sometimes very spendy special batteries other manufactures use).* the same about the Compact Flash Card. Here you get the best bang (MB)for the buck among all Flash Memory. (Go and compare XD or Sony Memory stick...).* 4x optical is no standard in this price class* solid metal body* fast internal memory enables this camera to take 5-7 consecutive shots - very fast. After that it takes about 20 sec. until the camera is ready to shoot again.* has Aperture priority, Shutter prior., and Manual. Manual conrols Shutter, Aperture, ISO, and you can focus if you want. Maybe I should mention this under Cons, but I mainly use the Manual mode since I feel that the Automatic mode often doesn't get the right setting.* good Macro, gets you up to about 6inches from the object. I came to realize that getting close the autofocus is often inaccurate and so I swithc to manual focusing.* with 4 Mb you can magnify and still keep impressiv detail.* I love the LCD not only for "what you see is what you get" but also for it very helpfull impression how the exposure of the picture will look like.* I used to have a SLR and couldn't shoot slower than 1/60 in my hand. With this one I was able to get very nice 1/15 out of my hand.* produces clear and lively colors - I prefer the Vivid color mode.Cons:* The camera turns itself on when you push it into the bag. I learned to avoid this problem by pushing it into the bag with the wider side of the camera (battery compartment) first. That way the mode wheel will be turned towards the OFF position, and ON when you pull it out of the bag which isn't really a problem.Unless you don't use this trick you will turn the camera accidently ON while it is in the bag. The camera tries to extract the lenses and it hangs up. To get it running again you have to open the battery compartment which will reset the camera.* when I download the pictures on my PC (XP) I'm using the standard picture watching tool in the explorer. This tool gives you the option to turn pictures vertically. This will erase the information about how the picture was taken in the software that came with this camera, the DimageViewer. Very often the Dimage Viewer hangs up when I try to open a folder, with pictures turned vertically. This problem occured on all 3 of my PCs. Migth as well be a problem of XP, but just that you know what might affect your Dimager Viewer.* The focusing in dim light condition is horrible. The LCD doesn't let you know that the picture is blurry, until you find out later on the PC monitor. Manual focusing helps it.* battery drains in about 1 h, with LCD and permanent autofocus on.* a little bit more clumsy compared to other models.* no possibility to adjust flash / no chance to use flash in closeups, beyond 8 feet it becomes useless. I`m using my fingers in front of the flash light to adjust intensity.* the door from the battery compartment looks somewhat shaky to me but the overall impression is that you have a piece of quality in your hand.A nice Point and Shoot camera. Exceptional value for the money. You will be glad you made this decision.
This is a great camera for a good price.  It does just about anything I could ask of it.  If I had 2 point out flaws they would only be the odd lense thread side and the microphone mounted on top of the camera where you tend to put your finger over it.  I have no problem with battery life when using high Ma rechargables and I let an photographer friend of mine loose with it and the picture were great.  I didn't see any issues with color or exposure.
I am using it for photos and for some video capturing instead of my camcorder. Great pictures.I had a problem with ordinary batteries life. But I read the recommendation to use rechargeable batteries and since then I am using rechargeable batteries which last very long time.
I remain very happy with the S414. In fact, I have sold or given away almost all my other digicams. The one problem area with this Minolta had been its heavy battery use, but since I switched to 2,000 mAmp Monster batteries, this has become much less of an issue. I append my original review below:**************************************************************** This is about my 12th digital camera, and in general each one gets better in several ways as the technology expands. This one takes the place of a Sony P72 which I bought for about the same amount of money 8 months ago. However, the Minolta brings several higher end features to the table, including a 4 megapixel resolution (great clarity in poster-sized enlargements possible) and a true, 4X optical zoom, which was my main reason for upgrading. However, the icing on the cake, it turns out, is the 414's faster CPU, allowing it to wake up quickly and to write and recover faster btwn shots. In fact, it is so quick that it allows for continuous shooting of digital stills at 0.8 second intervals until either the battery is exhausted or the memory card is full. Likewise, it takes fairly good quality video *with* sound, as well as allowing for voice over of still images. The controls are logical, intuitive and clearly marked, the thru-the-lens framing is bright and easy to use, and playback on the 1.8&quot; LCD is clear even in bright haze. Even the synthesized camera-like sound effects are good; they are a pleasing means of non-visual feedback to the user. Of course, it's a camera, so the quality of the photographs is what really counts, and here I can say the Minolta optics are superb, easily trouncing the Sony &amp; Olympus cams I've been using of late. Battery life has not been an issue for me, weight and balance are okay, and even the non-integral (but tethered) lens cap hasn't bothered me. It does, of course, need a much larger memory card right away; with a 256MB CF card I'm getting about 120 shots at the highest resolution.In short, this is an amazing camera at a very good price.
Pay 199, new. cheapest 4MB and 4x optical I found, so what you get.I own a Olympus D-380 too (for 2 years). Focus free and 2 MB. Sometimes I prefer the 380, it doesn't eat so fast the batteries.(but 380 gets sometimes wear little white rounds spots with pictures taken with flash at night, sometime too many).The Minolta is clean in that way. Heavy camera, good features at menus.Pictures with flash are fine at night. Pictures at day too blue, not good auto white. Sometimes better do it manual.CONS:- eats a  lot of baterry- color quality is not I aspect. much better is Olympus. Color quality is similar to HP products (2002-03) kind of dark.- most of cons of previews reviewers are true.PROS-Price and 4x optical
I bought the S414 a week ago.  Overall, I am happy with the camera.  I like the &quot;no shutter lag&quot; the best.  I also have a F-100 and I find the two hard to compare.  While the F-100 takes crisper and more life like pictures, the shutter lag (about 2 secs) is a damper.I am quite disappointed with the S414's picture quality.  The &quot;auto&quot; white balance feature in S414 is severely lacking.  Under indoor lighting, the camera takes pics that have a slight, but discernable yellowish tinge.  I have to tweek the white balance (manual mode) to the right light conditions to get comparable quality pics with the F100 (doesn't work all the time).The video quality in S414 definitely gets more points than the F100.  Overall, I think it's a decent value for the money.  But if you do have a choice between buying either the F100 or the S414, close thy eyes and grab the F100.
I have owned two other digital cameras, this was to be a replacement for a dead 3.2MP Casio QV300EX. I am a point-and-shooter primarily, but like to have the controls when I feel creative. If all you want is an auto setting camera, you can do much worse. However, if you are at all interested in manual control, look elsewhere!The bad:1. Only two aperature settings2. Lens does NOT zoom when in Macro mode3. In manual mode, the LCD does NOT display the focus. The user is expected to view the focus as a number displayed on the LCD, i.e. 0.6m, etc. This makes it impossible to get the correct focus in manual mode.4. Has problems in low light getting a good focus. My test photos were blury in evening light, the kind of light that makes for some of the best photos. This is probably due to the relatively slow lens.5. Lacks shutter priority mode. Come on!6. Battery door seems fragile and is hard to close. The tabs that lock it into place seem to be stuck when sliding the door, I'm afraid over time they would break.7. Too easily turned-on while in the pocket/bag.The good:1. Solid metal case2. Turns on quickly3. Good battery life4. Good feel in the hands
excellent pictures but uses up batteries like crazy.Nimh batteries a must.Odd size difficult to find suitable case.  Otherwise I love it!
This camera's sweet!  The menu display is easy to figure out, although I wish it was illuminated.  It's both a manual and automatic camera, so those folks who are into photography will be happy with its versatlility.  The only real downside is that it's very hard to open and close the battery compartment, and it eats traditional AA batteries for lunch.  Go with NIHI batteries instead.  It's small enough to fit in a purse or bag, but large enough that it's easy to handle.  I feel some of the digital cameras out there are way too small for comfort.
This is a great little camera if you can tolerate regular battery changing. Takes great pictures and fits nicely in a small bag. I suggest to all interested in getting good rechargeable batteries and a car charger if taken on trips. I have now bought 5 of these cameras. Guess you might say I am a camera freak. I like the macro ability and the clean images even at 4 meg. I also have a wall charger for use at home. This is the camera I use at work to document parts. Tripod mount is not in a good location but can be overcome using a flash bar attachment. Careful when putting away - comes on easily because of power-on dial. Software that comes with it can be loaded on newer (Windows 7)computers (Dimage Viewer).
I bought this camera just a month ago and I didn't have any major problems with it apart from it's huge size and weight. But in this little time, it's LCD has stopped working!!The camera would start but the LCD wont. Just imagine you buy a new camera and in just a month's time,it stops working.Now I need to ship it to Minolta's Service Center and will have to bear a lot of Shipping charges. And I have a lot of precious occasions upcoming and will be missing them without my camera.Also it drains the batteries like hell.With 4 batteries, actually the camera should be able to work for longer duration but it's the other way.Moreover it's too slow in focusing. After such a bad experience, I would not recommend anybody to buy this camera.
My husband and I purchased this camera and used it at a science-fiction convention recently. The multiple modes were difficult to figure out on the fly. We also had many pictures that were blurry. We figured out that the blurs were caused by pressing the button to take the picture. So, we purchased a monopod, and set the camera to take three pictures at once. After that, the pictures turned out FANTASTIC! From our seats toward the back, we were able to zoom in on the action up front. My advice would be to take several practice photos before you use it for "real".
I've had this camera for a few months now and I think it's a good one.  At the time I purchased it, it was the only 3.2 Mega Pixel camera with a 10X optical zoom in the price range and the only one that was really portable in size.The C-740 has plenty of versatility in its features.  It allows a wide range of control and it can be a little intimidating trying to figure it all out.  The optical zoom is absolutely amazing and having a glass lens rather than plastic is a real plus.The one area where I am a bit dissapointed with the Olympus C-740 is in low light sensitivity.  I've used an old Sony Mavica at work and with that camera I am able to take clear, crisp pictures without a flash - even in extremely low light conditions.  Unfortunately, this is not true of the Olympus C-740.  Even when there is relatively good lighting levels the C-740 requires a very steady hand or tripod to get a clear picture without a flash.Overall, I think it's a good camera, especially if you are looking for high optical zoom in a compact size.
The bad news first.  It is discontinued.  The good news It is discontinued and you can pick this marvel up at a more than reasonable price.  I bought mine for under 200.00 brand new and with waranty.I won't bore you with photophile lingo and tech stuff there are others far more capable of such information who have already given their astute observations.  I will tell you the the clarity of this lens beats the Panasonic Lumix by a mile and I know that because I have one.I just got back from a week of shooting at Cape Cod through all kinds of weather conditions from bright sun reflected off of calm waters to dim foggy lit terrain and I am ecstatic with my portfolio.I have had the c-765 and it was just too small and then the 725 and it was too big with only an 8x zoom.  This camera size weight and layout were perfect.I am so pleased with the distance shots and the clarity of all the shots as well as the capability to capture visual nuance and light I am selling my lumix and buying another one of these while I can.Yes I know it only has 3 something image mp but 3. 2 or 9 with a razor sharp lense is worth all the other mega pixel cameras in the world. NO there is no photo stabilization but I know how to use a tripod and to steady a camera so I don't see it as a loss.  Stabilization is for the film maker in my mind and I am tired of people whining about not having it in every still camera.To me photograhy is about the light and the lens and now that I have hundreds of beautiful poetic or razor sharp images I know the brand and kind of digital camera I want ot use.I strongly suggest this camera and some basic photography lessons for those who can't get the shot right because then you will see what a gem this little beauty really is.From animal to seascape to haunted fields with fantastic depth of field or moody expressionism this camera gave me its all.Great lens, easy layout, uses rechargable aa batteries, full function for manual and cheap. My God what a bargain.
I bought a C-740 3 weeks ago. Very nice camera, got the controls figured out, took about 100 photos. Really like the long optical zoom. At some magnification, the 740 has the impaoct of a >6Mpixel CCD because of the excellent lens.One HUGE problem just discovered though. The Camedia Master (and Pro option) software stinks! It looks like poorly done software from an asian source. Worst of all, the Olypus softrware cannot print to any networked printer. Every one of my other Windows applciations work just fine over the net. Olympus says, "Gee, were sorry" and that they have no plans to fix this major error.If you need to use this camera at the office or home with a printer that is not directly connected to your PC, pass on Olympus and look for another manufacturer! The problem is endemic to all Olympus cameras!
I've had this camera since they release it a couple of years ago. I will say the zoom is great in bright sun.  Otherwise most of the pictures don't come out unless you have a trypod.  I'm also dissapointed with the shuttle lag time. 2 to 5 sec. depending on light.  Try getting a kid to hold a pose and smile for 5 sec.  I also feel the manual setting at too hard to get to and understand.  This camera almost ended up in the lake last summer when I was trying to take a picture of a full moon rise over the lake at dusk.  If you are looking for a point and shoot camera to take landscaping pictures can do the job.  I have taken a lot of good pictures with this one. I would not recommend taking it to sporting advance or using it on kids.  I'm going to up grade to a better camera with less lag time and larger mp.  You can't crop and enlarge a 3 mp and have it not look grainny.
Once upon a time, I worked as a photographer and shot with everything from Hasselblads to view cameras (the cameras where you see someone hiding underneath a black cloth). I've used various cheap digital cameras for point and shoot purposes, but I never really made the plunge into buying a "real" digital camera. The gripes I had, had to do with the total automation of the cameras  available. You basically couldn't change any of the settings to be creative. I wanted to buy a camera that would allow me freedom to choose between manual and automatic settings, give clear/sharp pictures, offer lots of features, and wouldn't send me to the poor house. I shopped around for a few weeks and finally came upon the Olympus C740 digital camera. Here are my impressions.First of all, I was surprised at how small digital cameras have become. The C740 is a nice compact size with all the buttons and controls logically placed on the top and back of the body. As is usual with me, I tried operating the camera without going to deeply into the manual to assess how user friendly the camera was. After a scant ten minutes in reading the quick start-up guide, I was off and running and taking my very first quality digital pictures. The menu/feature system of this camera are well laid out and very comprehensive. You can go on automatic and choose preselected parameters for shooting, or you can change the settings to suit your needs. For instance, compensation for exposure is as easy as pressing the cursor buttons on the back. You can adjust the function of the flash at the touch of a button. A great feature is the 'fill in flash'. The flash will go off whenever you press the shoot button. This is very useful when taking pictures of people outdoors as the flash fills in the harsh shadows with soft light. Great.One reason I choose the Olympus C740 is because of the 10x zoom lens. The range is approximately 38mm to 380mm. Quite a range and very useful. The images came out nice and sharp at all zoom settings. Of couse, when using the long setting, you will experience some camera shake. This was not a big problem since you can manually up the shutter speed and ISO to freeze the jitters. You can always resort to using a tripod or just leaning against a solid object for stabibility. On the flip side, the camera sports a macro mode, which allows you to get very good close-ups. I was able to take some very nice pictures of flowers in the backyard and even some very fine spider webs glistening in the sun. Sharpness was outstanding.If there is one weak point to this camera, and this seems to be a common problem with most digital cameras, is its performance in low light situations. What this means is that the camera will not be able to automatically focus in places like school auditoriums, darkly lit restaurants, or dimly lit rooms. The only way around this is to use the manual focus and to preset the distance and go on from there. If you need to take quick and dirty shots of graduations, etc, you'd be better off with a cheap little point and shoot camera.The view finder is crammed full of information that can be changed at will.(You can also view the picture scene and info on the LCD on the back of the camera.)A very nice feature of this camera is the ability to see your shots immediately after you take them. If you don't like your exposure, composition, etc, you can delete them right away. I tried shooting in macro mode, telephoto and wide angle, and all the images were sharp and saturated. The camera gives you the option to choose what resolution (sharpness) the camera shoots in. The camera can shoot in quick sequences, bracketed exposure settings, and panarama mode (only if you use genuine Olympus xd cards.)The C740 is not a current model and has been replaced by newer versions. However, the technology found in this camera can still hold its own. Its versatility in doubling as a good 'point and shoot' and being totally configurable gets high marks. The camera is 3.2 megapixles and is more than sufficient for prints to 8x10 or 11x14. Since this is an older model, this camera can usually be found at a good discount. The editing software that comes with this camera is good, albeit, spartan, but it edits and performs well. My only complaint is not with the camera but with the documentation. While succent and to the point, it is almost on the verge of being uninformative. This camera is packed full of features but the printed documentation barely scratches the surface of what it can do. With this said, a detailed manual is on the installation CD which can be viewed on your computer. Gee, what ever happened to 'printed' manuals? Sigh...Great pictures, super auto mode, sharp lens, user friendly, complete manual over-ride, light, compact, and fun to use. This puts the C740 in some very good, if not more expensive company. This is my first digital camera and I am very pleased with it.
This popped up in my "to review" list and I bought this camera many years ago.  It is durable and takes amazing pictures for a 3MP camera.  The digital zoom is awesome.  I also had the underwater housing for it and took great shots while snorkeling with dolphin.  I've moved on to newer hardware, but it's a great camera if you can find one.
I would have to say this is prob'ly, overall, the best camera I've ever owned. I got this back when it was new and over $400. I wanted a great prosumer level camera with good zoom capability and excellent picture quality. This totally fit the bill.I've always been amazed at the picture clarity and color saturation with Olympus cameras and this model beat all. Plus, with 10x optical zoom (digital zoom is worthless), you get get really close up from a distance.There are many other reviews here that point out many of the fine features of this camera, but the thing that impressed me the most was it's Macro mode. Taking a lot of finely detailed shots of flowers and insects this camera's ability to zoom it really really close is just amazing. I was easily able to get shots of the insides of flowers showing stamen and pollon fibers as well as shots of insects so close you can see ever hair follicle and minute pattern of wing detail - and do it all hand-held without a tripod!!Overall, this is prob'ly the best camera I've ever owned (besides my dSLR).
I just bought this for a camera for the kids to use. We have a Canon Rebel (which I wont' let them use) and they use their ipods for photos and I was so tired of the low quality photos on the ipods, I decided we needed a second camera.  I was tempted to get something with higher megapixels that was cute and pink and compact and I am SO glad I did my research and chose this one instead. The pictures have a great quality. The 10 zoom is fun to use. I will update as the kids have had more time to use it. The fact that the camera is now 10 years old and it still works so well really says something about the quality. Many of the reviews I have been reading about the newer compact , higher mp cameras are having issues where they stop working after a few months. I have also been comparing the pictures taken by the reviewers and the ones for this camera were really impressive. So if you are contemplating trying this camera , I say take a chance! I found mine on CL for only $30. What a steal.
I purchased this camera about 3 weeks ago before a 10 day trip to Germany.  I was looking for something with a lot of optical zoom, and 10x was plenty.  Shooting a lot of sites like castles and such, the zoom really came through.  However, a 10x zoom is pretty powerful and no matter the camera you will need a lot of light and a very steady hand to take advantage of the full zoom.  I usually shot around 5x - 8x to avoid blurry, shakey pictures.  The zoom was awesome on a couple of occasions when a smaller zoom would have made worthless pictures.On one day I was trying to shoot the Neuschwanstein Castle (Disney's model castle in Bavaria) and it was very foggy.  My 2x Canon just could not get close enough to get any detail through the fog.  The Olympus took some spectacular pictures.  Some were very cool with the fog, and I was excited at how well they turned out when I got them up on my computer monitor.This camera is easy to use with the "Auto" mode, but you can also customize a lot of stuff if you are a really photo pro.  3.2 megapixels is plenty enough for me.  In fact, I would rather have this camera with the huge zoom than another camera with more pixels.
I went to a 4th of July celebration where I took 319 pictures.  Only 5 of them were bad pictures (probably user mistake).  I have taken some awesome fireworks picture.  The 10X optical zoom really helps get in close on subjects.  The only MINOR complaints that I have are:1) It's not a fast click between pictures with AutoFocus.2) Camera settings are reset each time by default.3) When changing the quality to Super High Quality, the picture gets darker.All in all, I am very happy with this purchase.
the ultra-zoom c-740 camera is a virtual twin of the c-750 with some notable differences. the biggest differences are a lower resolution (3MP vs 4MP), no hot shoe, no sound recording support, and no remote control support. finally, the c-740 has a body constructed from a mix of metal and plastic while the c-750 has an all metal body.pros:- 10x optical zoom - this is the main selling point of this camera (make sure you get a tripod or monopod to hold the camera steady at 10x, though).- 3MP resolution.- good image quality.- allows a great deal of manual control, including the ability to fine-tune white balance.- support for add-on lenses.- customizable buttons and menus.- ability to store four sets of individual settings.- bright 1.5&quot; LCD display (smaller size than competition, though).- has an electronic view finder allows you to see what the CCD sees.- adjustable AF area, plus manual and automatic focus modes.- auto bracketing, sequence, AF sequence, and hi-sequence capture modes.- allows contrast, saturation, and sharpness image adjustments.- ability to save low resolution movies directly to the xD card.- supports TIFF format.- non-proprietary AA batteries used. this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).- compact for a 10x zoom camera: 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.8&quot;, 10.4oz.cons:- purple fringing noticeable.- noise levels higher than expected.- some barrel distortion at wide-angle.- hair-trigger power button.- electronic viewfinder difficult to view in low light.- slowest shutter speeds only available in full manual mode.- does not support RAW format.- so-so battery life.- no AF assist lamp, making autofocus difficult in low ambient light.- no accessory shoe.- no sound on video.- the supplied 16MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- add even more to buy more rechargeable batteries; you may also want to invest in a faster charger, the included charger is SLOW.the c-740, like the c-750, is very easy to use and can be used as a point and shoot or as a full manual camera. the noisier than expected images at higher ISO settings, the lack of an AF assist light, and the lack of an accessory shoe are areas for improvement. all in all, a solid camera at a good price. if you have the $$ to spend, i would recommend trading up to the c-750 and get the extra 1MP resolution and hot shoe.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
I have had my camera for almost two years and I absolutly love it.  The zoom feature is absolutly amazing.  I have used it for photographing animals, scenery and even Seattle Mariners games and the shots are very impressive.  Especially when they are loaded into my computer and I can bring them up full screen.  I have only ordered 4x6 prints, but I'm sure larger prints would be beautiful as well.  This camera has a lot of features including a timer, which is nice.  The only real drawback is how digital cameras eat batteries.  I would highly recommend buying rechargable batteries for your camera as it gets expensive buying 4 AA batteries all the time.  It does take a steady hand to take pictures on some of the settings, but you can preview your pictures to make sure your good!
I've not taken a bad picture with this camera yet that wasn't a user error.  I love the crisp, clear pictures I get with both macro settings and in shooting long distances.  I've uploaded a couple of macro shots to show what an amateur can do with this camera.  For the price, you can't go wrong.  (I actually traded *down* from a 6 MP Sony to this and like this one MUCH better.)
I owned a c-2020 which did a great job, but wanted a better zoom.  The 740 is a fine camera for a wide range of users.  I recommend this camera to anyone looking for a versitle camera with a great zoom.
No ax to grind other than this case history. Bought an Olympus digi last year; one month past warranty it died; olympus service via web utterly unrepsonsive; many phone calls later they are saying things like &quot;try leaving it overnight and installing new batteries&quot; which i did many many months ago. Upshot: yours may not fold, of course, but mine sure did and the company is miserable with help, and after much pursuit on my part now is sending very high minimal repair fees they charge before even looking to see what's wrong. This is how a company convinces a consumer never ever to buy one of its products again.
I've never been happier with a camera in my life. I've had this camera for 4 (or so) years and am looking to replace it with a smaller one. (That's the only complaint I have about this camera is its size.) Every camera I've looked at can't even begin to compare to this one. The Olympus takes such great quality pictures and you can't beat the 10x zoom. I highly recommend this camera!
CON:Not small, a little heavy.Needs to build a stand to take pictures of documents.Or change the shutter speed.xd card sucks.Bad on dark room or night time.Pro:-No one wants to steal this, I think.-Great, almost perfect pictures.-Great price: $55 on ebay.-Unless it is a dark room, the pictures turn out brighter than I thought.-AA batteries.I wanted one when I saw the civil engineer with this when he inspected my home.
However, it does address some of the 730's sluggish autofocus mechanism issues for fewer blurred images.That notwithstanding, the 700 was my favorite digital camera for a long time, that is, until the 720 came along. Then along came the 730, which maintained the 3+ megapixel resolution of the 720, while reinserting the 10X (true optical) zoom (the 720 has an 8X). Think of the 740 as a refreshing of the line while Olympus was waiting for the truly improved 750 to hit the streets.In point of fact, zooming on any of the 700 series at 8X or at 10X without a tripod or image stabilization (not present on either the 700 thru the 740) is extremely challenging. Anyway, this camera is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The aspherical all glass lens system is excellent and the resulting 3 megapixel images are crystal clear at 8" x 10" and quite acceptable at 11" x 14". The zoom of course remains the trump card on the 740, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 10x limit is awesome. Another nice feature is its ability to take QuickTime movies, which really adds to its versatility. However, these have no sound, a drawback the 750 will address.The 740 (a feature that began with the 730) is the second Olympus to utilize the new xD memory card format, the "xD-Picture Card". This is a new type of ultra-compact memory media developed jointly by Fuji and Olympus. The main features of the xD-Picture Card are its ultra-compact size (20.0 x 25.0 x 1.7mm), its lower power consumption (the xD Picture-Card users will benefit from the convenience and savings of longer battery life on a single charge) and its faster read/write speeds. Of course, a new card means a new card-reader will be needed, but these are inexpensive and aren't immediately needed, as the camera can be linked by the included USB cable to your PC without too much fuss. Overall, I think the 740 is a camera I'd take a pass on. If money is an issue, go with the 730 or even an earlier model (I still love my 700); if features are what you long for, pop for the 750.
I printed my first set of pictures from a recent vacation, and WOW, these are some of the sharpest pictures I have EVER seen, easily better than anything my manual, 35mm Minolta and Pentax SLRs ever produced.  I was a little concerned about the bulkiness and was considering upgrading to something smaller, but after talking to one of the camera experts at Penn Camera, I'm convinced this is probably the best choice out there for a smallish 10x.  In simple terms, he explained that the smaller cameras have less glass and therefore are just incapable of the sharpness this little baby can produce. He lost a sale, but gained a customer.  Megapixels are irrelevant if the image coming through is not sharp, so the 3MP this camera has is fine for prints up to 11x14.  This thing has a myriad of features, alot more than anyone would ever need.  The software is not bad either.  I wish it was a bit smaller, which tempts me to drop the rating to 4, but I just can't get over how sharp these images are, so a 5 it gets!
I bought the c-740 and decided to add the wide angle lens WCON-07. So after it arrives, I learn I cannot use it because it also requires an adapter ring. Great!So the adapter ring arrives and I connect the two to the camera. Well, the lens is so big it blocks the flash. I got the wide angle in the first place for indoor/portrait type photos, which often require a flash. It is just absolutely unbelievable that a major camera manufacturer is putting out garbage like this.
Like most people, I've been researching months for a digital camera, trying to find the best one. I was mainly looking for a nice compact one that most people liked. I saw this one in a store, and had a hard time trying to decide between this one and the Nikon CoolPix 4300. The one thing that finally made up my mind (with the help of the salesperson's personal recommendation) is the 10x optical zoom. I read the one-star review someone else posted on this camera. I just got this camera 2 days ago, and I haven't had any problems with it yet. For me, everything works fine and even better. The high quality pictures come out remarkably clear. The only thing I haven't used yet is the manual modes, and I probably won't use those because I just simply don't know what all of it means. The only thing missing that would be nice to have is a remote control for the self-timer, but you can manage without it. I must say that the zoom on this camera is just a few steps beyond incredible. I love being able to get as close to subjects and not having the picture be blurry at all. Of course though, you have to be careful and hold the camera as steady as possible so that it won't come out blurry. All in all, a flaw is just not at all possible with this camera. Basically, everything works just as expected, even better. To me, it's well worth the money to have that 10x optical zoom.
Camera works great!  Had mine 6 months & highly recommend it.  You need to be very still when using the 10X to it's limit, but that is expected.
I received this camera 1 year ago for my birthday.It by far has not only saved me $$ on film, and developing but actually takes clear photographs.  With amazing ZOOMcapabilities.  Easy to use. Easy downloading.Only negative feedback I would have to say is having to purchase new batteries after evey 1000 pictures or so.  I travel alot and take many many photos and would have preferred a rechargable battery.But all & all whether you are a beginner or a pro this is a very nice camera to have.
yes it's older and yeah it's low rez compated to call cameras now but it was just a damn good design at the time.... still take it with me for those what if moments and don't have time to break out the 'big gun' cameras... ie 300mm+ lenses on Canon T3i etc.
This is my first digital camera and I am very pleased with the quality of the camera and the pictures.  I reviewed several digital cameras and finally decided on the C750 because of Olympus' reputation for quality lens and clear pictures.  The results did not disappoint.  The 10x zoom is a nice &quot;bonus&quot; feature not commonly found on digital cameras.This camera comes ready to shoot straight out of the box in auto mode and yet has many manual features for those who prefer greater control.  As an amateur photographer, the manual feature is a great way for me to learn without having to wait to see how the pictures will come out.There are several negatives, but mostly minor ones.  The C750 is a bit heavy for its size.  The camera does not come with a carrying bag and because of its size, the bags that Amazon recommends are too small.  The lens cover is not automatic, it has to be manually removed prior to taking pictures.  The view screen freezes briefly when a picture is taken, which makes it difficult to follow the subject in an action shot.  Olympus uses the xD picture card which is more expensive than other memory cards.  Finally, the C750 does not have image stablization so a tripod is needed for clear zoom shots.Overall, the Olympus C750 is a very well built camera that takes great pictures and is one of the best value/quality digital camera in the 4MP class.
I had this since 2003, I agree with jemaerca's detail assessment. Owing to its size, I was looking for a smaller replacement camera and failed miserably. I purchased several Olympus and Canon for the size (w/bigger LCD) but all have terrible/noisy image quality. Currently still searching.I decided to write this because the C-750 produces pictures easily comparable to my wife's 2 other 8M+ digital SLRs with expansive add-on lens. She was amazed at C-750's image quality when she was testing/comparing her Canon EOS 30D + $1K+ lens. Although our family owns several digital cameras, the C-750 remains the one that takes the most pictures (indoor/outdoor, vacation,...) in our family today.It's too bad that Olympus does not extend this product line, its SP-550uz is bigger/heavier and we don't need another digital SLR. It would be ideal if the C-750 is half its size with a bigger LCD.
I've had this camera for about a week now.  I love it.  My first digital camera was Kodak dx4330.  I was glad that I had the kodak one as my first digital camera because it was very user-friendly and easy to use.  But I wanted to have more advanced features, such as A/S/M control, white balance, macro mode, exposure compensation. This Olympus camera offers lots of features I was looking for.I must say that if you're a beginner photographer or new to the digital camera, this camera might be too complicated and not user-friendly.  However, for those looking for cameras with advanced features, such as various manual setups and ultra zoom, this is a great camera for a reasonable price range.When I tried to use the Movie mode with Sound (this model has an option of having Sound on or off with Movie mode), there was a constant mechanical grinding noise by the microphone and whenever I recorded the movie, it would record that annoying noise too.  I called the technical support at Olympus.  The person I talked to told me that that was "normal" for their digital cameras.  He could not offer any solutions to get rid of that noise.  I was so disappointed about this fault.  However, yesterday when I was trying different modes and options on this camera, I discovered that turning off "FULLTIME AF" option from Movie Mode Menu gets rid of that noise.  "FULLTIME AF" mode is offered in both Still Camera mode as well as in Movie mode.  In order not to have the grining noise recorded in your movie, you need to turn off "FULLTIME AF" from the Movie Mode menu option.
Olympus came out with the Super Bright 1.8 lense. Simply put, it is a larger opening, which lets in more light. When you increase the zoom, you restrict the aperture size, and let in less light. Consequently, you get slower shutter speeds, which requires a steady hand, and in the case of 10x zoom, a tripod. This Olympus C-750 comes with a 2.8 to 8.0, depending on the zoom level.What we are missing here is that a significant portion of what most people use their digital cameras for, is interior shots. Conditions that would need a flash. Flash shots tend to be washed out with artificial light, let alone the battery drain.I bought an Olympus C-2040 a couple of years ago, and it had the 1.8 lense. It is unbelievable. In an indoor shot, this thing sees light unavailable to the naked eye. (At least it seems that way) You can check the shot in the LCD, then take the picture, and what shows up as the final shot in the LCD is way brighter than the room, and the original viewfinder. So consequently, I turn off the flash, take interior shots using only the normal light of the room, and get shots that are nicely lit, warm natural skin tones, great battery life, and non blurry shots.I remember years ago in my Nikon 35mm days. I had a 1.4 lense, which was a lot more glass than the standard lenses. The 1.2 had even more glass, it looked like an all glass lense, and was very expensive.So what does all of this mean? Right now, Olympus is selling their C-5050, with the 1.8 lense as a clearance item. They replaced it with the C-5060, which once again, has a darker lense. I guess they figure people go for obvious numbers, like 4x or 10x in the zoom, instead of 3x like my C2040 or the C5050. Consumer reports rated my C-2040, and it's predecessor the C-2020 as their number one rated camera. They reported that the printed picture results were superior to even the 5 megapixels cameras, and the following year, to being equivalent in printed results to the 5's.If you are doing outside, in brilliant sunlight action shots, then the 10x zoom is beneficial. But if you plan on taking the family photographs indoors, or interior room shots, then this is not the number one pick.I am not an expert on the C-750, and it looks like a very nice camera. Nor am I into yeah this and boo that, they are both great cameras. Olympus makes nice gear. Personally I find the 3x zoom to be all I need. To think of giving up my super bright lense, for some additional zoom gives me the shivers.I just thought I would shed some light on this model, in addition to the well deserved, 5 star reviews. Hope this helps.
Tons of features for a great price.  Benefits include tons of settings, great zoom capbility, software is easy to use.  Drawbacks - lag time before the image is taken.  Buy a back up set of rechargeable batteries as they are expended fairly quickly.  Also, the 256K xD card is a necessity since once you start using this camera it is very hard to stop!
This is my second Olympus camera. First one was a C2500L. I still use that camera. I got the C750 because I didn't wait long enough for Olympus to come out with the C2100 with the 10x zoom when I bought the C2500L. So I've wanted a 10x zoom camera for 4 years. The other reasons I went with the C750 is because the hot shoe for the camera is identical to that of the C2500L and it has movie mode with audio.While I haven't used the camera for more than a day, it is very small compared to the C2500L. The camera comes with a tether for the lens cap that I found convenient. It takes amazing pictures with vivid color reproduction. The flash does not wash out the picture like my C2500L does. Illumination is more consistent throughout the shot than the C2500L. I would have liked the view finder to be optical instead of digital. But I am not going to complain since it automatically adjusts the focus and contrast fairly well for framing the shot. You can use the LCD to frame the shot and for recording movies. Very convenient.Movie mode is pretty cool and can be done with or without audio. Pictures can also be taken with or without audio, though the wav file is separate from the picture file when you copy it to the computer. The camera will look like a regular drive to the computer. I use Windows XP. No software needed. Just plug and go. I don't use the Camedia software so I can't comment on that. You can record movies and take pictures all on the xD picture card.Unlike my C2500L, it only takes xD picture cards. Contrary to my initial impression, it can delete all the images from the card all at once, without formating the card. The xD picture cards are so small, I don't mind having three types of cards for two cameras. My C2500L takes SmartMedia and Compact Flash. And the xD card is less than half the size of the SmartMedia at about the same thickness.The charger that comes with the camera is slow. Said to take 9 hours to charge the batteries. It recommends unplugging the charger after the 9 hours even if the batteries are not fully charged. I haven't looked into that very much but I just unplugged it after ten non-continuous hours of charging and the batteries got very warm but the light didn't shut off. Olympus included 1700 mAH batteries. I'm using 2000 mAH batteries in this camera. I've purposely taken over 100 stills at night with the flash, over 100 stills during the day and four 181 second movies and viewed it many many times with audio and I'm still on the same 2000 mAh batteries on its first charge. Incredible.I haven't been able to figure out how to get the camera to do fill flash photography. Don't know if it can.The quick start guide is handy for those in a rush. The basic manual is useless. The reference manual is what most will need and it's on the CD or can be had from the Olympus website, which is where I got it. Unless you shut off All Reset, the camera will keep dumping some of your personal settings every time you power cycle it. That annoyed me because it kept setting the quality to HQ after I had set it to SHQ.This camera is awesome. It's got lots of features that I've not had a chance to explore. More modes than I am used to with my C2500L. I recommend getting the fitted case for it. It should have been included with the camera but this is America where you get nickel and dimed. And plan on getting a larger capacity xD card. 16 MB just won't cut it.Update: Fill flash can be done. It was quite easy with the flash mode button. There are two annoying things about this camera. First off, wherever the camera is pointed, it will try to focus so that you can see what you're pointing the camera at through the viewfinder or LCD. The camera does NOT allow you to change the zoom while it's trying to focus. It's a pain in low light conditions and you're trying to quickly change the zoom to take a picture of the moment. You'll miss it by miles.The other annoying thing is that if you have a dark subject against a plain background, the camera will refuse to focus for the shot. I'll take a black pistol and put it on my bed with light blue covers to take a picture of it. The camera would focus so that the pistol will show up in the viewfinder. But when I tried to take the shot, it won't focus. My C2500L focused no problem. If I put a printed black and white document under the pistol, the camera focused no problem. I ended up taking the pictures with my old digital camera with the external FL-40 flash. I find this camera has inferior focusing capabilities to my C2500L. The C750 has a hard time focusing on a brass door knob on a brown door. No such problem with my C2500L. I took a star from the rating.
This camera gives great clear pictures it also has a hotshoe for adding external flash attachments and add on lenses.
If you EVER want to shoot indoors- GET ANOTHER CAMERA!ALSO, I had the exact same experience as another reviewer: the tiny little FLIMSY clips that hold the battery door closed have broken and Olympus expects me to pay $150 to get it fixed. I find it outrageous to pay the maximum repair fee for what is clearly a design flaw. I knew the day that we got the camera that those flimsy clips would break and I have tried to be careful. Oh, well, I'm going back to using a SOny where the batteries recharge in the camera (and hence, is powered while you upload the photos to your computer.)Outdoors or in VERY bright indoor lighting, this camera is WONDERFUL. (Well, it does have the "purple fringing" that others have mentioned, but otherwise its great.)BUT you must remember two facts: The viewfinder is NOT an optical device. (It is an electronic display.) And it has a ten power optical Zoom. Think of it as a mid range telephoto lens.So the result:  You cannot get this camera to focus indoors. I could post a million examples. The auto focus DOESN'T work in indoor light (or any "less than sunshine" setting.)And then because of the aforementioned electronic viewfinder display, manual focus is extremely difficult.But even if you manage to get the focal distance right,  that doesn't mean that you're out of the woods- because with this "long" lens- the depth of field is miniscule.I just tried to take pictures at a concert (good range, bright stage lights) and I got a very sharp photo of a microphone.Sadly, the singer is totally fuzzy...Please, please, please don't make the mistake that I made. If you shoot indoors, AT ALL get the same camera WITHOUT the 10x optical telephoto, or better yet, something completely different.I have other complaints but ONLY buy this camera for OUTDOORS work (and in good lighting at that.)
I bought the C-750 right before going on a trip at Thanksgiving time.  It has totally awed me!  I have pictures from half time performances at the Yale-Harvard game (taken from high up in the stadium with probably 7-8 power zoom) that I've easily blown up to 20&quot; x 30&quot;!  I've shot pics for many years with a Nikon 35mm SLR and I can't get close to the flexibility I get with this small digital.  The C-750 has an incredible number of features, which will take some time to master, though you can get excellent pictures right out of the box with intuitive controls.  I certainly would prefer a hard-copy complete manual, but if that's the only negative, I'm sold.  I had had an earlier digital, also from Olympus, and was not nearly as satisfied.  However, with the C-750, it was like Olympus read my mind, and added every feature that I wanted in a camera and made it an outstanding bargain!  It's an amazing camera, tiny, with built-in settings for nearly all picture taking needs, but still allows creative expression if you want that too.  Olympus has always been known for giving the customer what they want in a product, and this is no exception.  You'll have lots of fun with this one!  I am taking far more pictures than I've ever taken before and getting much better results!  This camera brings the digital world to life.  p.s. My camera came with rechargeable batteries and a charger so you won't need but a spare set of rechargeable batteries.  And, do buy a bigger xP memory card - I got the 256 meg one - you'll take so many pictures with this camera that you'll need one.
I had this camera for a few days before I switched to the c5050. The zoom is amazing on this camera. And Oly gave this (and the c740) their new ED lens, which cuts down on purple fringing a great deal. I could definitely see the benefits of the ED lens.The picture quality is a little lacking compared to the c5050, but it makes up for this with the 10x zoom and the great battery life. The 10x zoom is awesome. I took some pics at a concert sitting way back zoomed all the way in, hand held..and the pics came out great. It also takes amazing macro shots.I also like the fact that it uses AA batteries and not proprietary ones like some other brands. But you want to make sure to get a nice charger. I use a charger that charges in 3 hours and is smart enough to condition the batteries and doesn't overcharge the batteries. The charger is called maha or something close to that. The charger that comes with the unit will take a whole day and you probably won't want to leave your batteries in there for too long if it's fully charged.This camera will be great for simply pointing and shooting, and it'll allow you room to grow when you can finally utilize the plethora of manual options.Here is why it gets 4 stars and not 5:1. It uses the XD card, which, at the time of this review, is more expensive than the commonly used CF and SM cards.2. If you want to take panorama shots, you HAVE to buy an Olympus XD card.3. It doesn't function too well in low light conditions (in-doors)But the 10x zoom really makes up for all this. I got the c5050 and I really miss the zoom of the c750 :) Very compact too.
the ultra-zoom c-750 camera is an upgrade to the c-740.  the most notable improvements include higher resolution (4MP vs 3MP), hot shoe, sound recording support, and remote control support.  finally the c-750 has an all metal body while the c-740 has a mix of metal and plastic.pros:- 10x optical zoom - this is the main selling point of this camera (make sure you get a tripod or monopod to hold the camera steady at 10x, though).- 4MP resolution.- good image quality.- allows a great deal of manual control, including the ability to fine-tune white balance.- external flash hot shoe.- support for add-on lenses.- customizable buttons and menus.- ability to store four sets of individual settings.- bright 1.5&quot; LCD display (smaller size than competition, though).- has an electronic view finder allows you to see what the CCD sees.- adjustable AF area, plus manual and automatic focus modes.- auto bracketing, sequence, AF sequence, and hi-sequence capture modes.- allows contrast, saturation, and sharpness image adjustments.- ability to save low resolution movies directly to the xD card.- supports TIFF format.- included remote control.- non-proprietary AA batteries used. this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).- compact for a 10x zoom camera: 4.2 x 2.6 x 2.8&quot;, 10.4oz.cons:- purple fringing noticeable.- noise levels higher than expected.- some barrel distortion at wide-angle.- hair-trigger power button.- electronic viewfinder difficult to view in low light.- slowest shutter speeds only available in full manual mode.- does not support RAW format.- so-so battery life.- no AF assist lamp, making autofocus difficult in low ambient light.- the supplied 16MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- add even more to buy more rechargeable batteries; you may also want to invest in a faster charger, the included charger is SLOW.the c-750 is very easy to use and can be used as a point and shoot or as a full manual camera.  the noisier than expected images at higher ISO settings and the lack of an AF assist light are areas for improvement. all in all, a solid camera at a good price.  if you want to save some money and can live with 1MP less resolution and no hot shoe, you can also go with the c-740.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
I bought this camera about 10 months ago and have been using it since then. This is a great camera, especially with the 10X optical zoom. All my friends have been surprised with the brilliant pictures that can be taken with its full optical zoom. It's got a solid feel to it and is very well constructed - quite unlike the many plastic cameras in the market today. I had even dropped the camera once from my pocket onto a concrete floor while sitting on a bench - a 2 feet drop. There was just a scratch on the mode dial but no other issues - I don't think too many electronic devices can live after a fall like that.The one problem with the camera is low light focus (By low light I mean a standard size room with just one 60W bulb). It often fails to focus in such conditions especially in high zoom. The solution in low light could be:a) Take photos in full wide angleb) If that fails try switching to manual focus. Here you could first try keeping the focus fixed at infinity.But this is a problem with most 10X zoom cameras out there. I guess it's because of the large number of individual elements within the lens that reduce the light reaching the sensors. Due to this you may want to rethink buying this camera if you have to do a lot of photography in low light or you want a simple and uncomplicated point and shoot camera.I have read some people complaining about the shutter delay and how it's impossible to take pictures of moving subjects. The solution is quite simple - just hold the shutter button half pressed and then and shoot exactly when you want to. The only problem could be if the subject's distance from you is rapidly changing. Personally, I have never found problems taking action shots though.Pros:- Excellent array of features. More than most amateurs would want or even experiment with.- Excellent 10X optical zoom.- Outstanding image quality.- Good battery life - about 150 photos with LCD on.- Comes with a set of 4 good rechargeable batteries with charger.- No software needed to connect the camera to a computer.Cons:- Low light focusing.- Will loose all settings every time you remove the batteries for more that 2 mins.- Kind of large - I could have done with a smaller camera that I can pocket.
After 11 months of use, I like the camera better today than when I first purchased it. This thing takes great pictures. (especially after you learn how to use all the settings) At first I was disappointed with the low light focusing, but after doing some research it seems that most digital cameras suffer from the same problem. The solution with the C-750's low light focusing problem is LEARNING HOW TO USE THE MANUAL FOCUS feature, which is very easy to use.PROS:Great picsBattery life is ok (always have charged spares)10X zoom (be sure to use your tripod)very easy to useGreat macro featuresCONS:I spend to much time taking pictuesCost of accesoriesLack of image stabilization1/1000 max shutter speedThis is a great all around camera. I use it daily. I would buy it again or atleast the newer versions.
I bought this camera before winter vacation and have used it too much since then. This is the best camera available in the market, no doubt about that. Its 10X optical zoom helps to take very clear pictures of people or places far off. Photographs are cyrstal clear and the prints are excellent without any haziness or dots or anything.It comes with a remote and thus there you dont need to run after clicking the timer button...just set the remote option..make the pose comfortbaly..and then take the picture whenever u want to.The video qulaity is good and sound recorded alongwith is also very clear. Its menu options are very easy to learn and you need not to read the manual. Though there are various options, but best pics are always in auto mode.The only thing is that it takes a while to take the picture once you click it and thus you can miss a monemt like in any sporting event. But once you start using it, you will get an idea to click it timely using "fast pictures" mode. Also it does not have some pre-set options like beach mode etc which does nt matter as u can use Blue filter option provided in it.One important thing is : To get best qulaity at higher zooms, wait for soemtime for enough light to enter the camera before taking the pciture.Over all its a very good deal.
Can't ask for anything else! 4MP, 10x Optical ability to add-on lens. PIM ability and the new XD Picture card. What more can one ask for! Great Photos and User Friendly Camera.
I do realize this camera is a few years old, but it was pretty expensive when we got it, so I expected it to last longer. I was happy with the quality of pictures though DH thought the colors weren't completely true. I just know I've gotten a lot of compliments on my photos. The zoom is great outside or for making something close up even more closeup, but zooming far indoors such as in an auditorium, school gym, it won't help you, the pictures will be blurry. Shutter lag has always been annoying. But my main gripe is now when you turn the camera on, it says the battery is full, but if you take a couple of photos, it will tell you the battery is low and will turn off. Changed batteries numerous times, different kinds, etc. Spoke w/Olympus, who says it sounds like an internal electrical problem but since the model was discontinued in 2004 they can't repair it. She said, "Look in the yellow pages" for camera repair. That lack of service (I would have paid for repair, but they won't do it) makes me mad enough I won't replace this unit with another Olympus.
I have had a camera like this one for years, and the pictures are excellent in quality!  Sadly I dropped it and the battery cover cracked, and no one, not even Olympus, will repair it.  I've been putting rubber bands to hold the batteries in, but then, I found another on Amazon for a great price!  When it arrived, I was thrilled to find that it looked brand new!  I have such confidence in Amazon!  Thank you!
I have had this camera for years and I am buying a back-up because I also put this camera in an underwater housing.  This camera takes great pictures.  I have been selling pictures taken with this camera and the first response is, "you must have a really good camera".Cons, it is a bit big and you can't just put it in your pocket and go.
At $600 retail, this is a bargain and if you shop around, you'll be able to get someone to toss in a big memory chip for free if you pay retail.  Olympus has been a leader in consumer digital optics and the 750 is a giant step ahead compared to earlier Olympus cameras.  Not everyone will have a use for the huge optical zoom range (it goes out to 380mm) but if you have a tripod handy and need the range, you will simply get higher quality images than you could with most all other consumer digital cameras, even those with larger image size.On the test bench, the 750 fared very well compared to cameras by Kodak, Sony and Minolta, even models costing a few hundred bucks more.  For its size, this is perhaps the highest performance digital camera I've yet tested.  The customizable operating modes can help you get set up quickly when shooting in specific conditions.  This is a solid class A performer at a price no other camera currently in the class can compare with.
Very impressed with the camera, not impressed at having to buy an extra software licence to be able to email the pictures. The email method is an irritant, too (have to email from within its own program, rather than attaching images to emails written on existing email setup).
I love this camera, my second digital. I own several film cameras which are now collecting dust on a shelf. I really love the 10x zoom which allows me, a mom of four, to sit anywhere in the audience, no matter what lousy seat I get, and get great photos of MY kid in the recital. I also like that I can get the architectural details, and other things that are too far away to get close to. I usually leave it on Auto. It's just easier. I've played around with the settings, but haven't taken the time to truly learn everything. My pictures are great. I do very limited computer editing when I get a dark picture once in a while. It's a very versatile solid camera. I did have a problem with it however. The delete key stopped working. I sent it into Olympus for repairs and it took two tries and $160 repair bill to fix it. It's working fine now. Another reviewer mentioned the so-so battery life. This is an issue. I have two sets of batteries. When one runs out, I have a backup set in my bag. Also, I found that you should use the Olympus brand XD cards with it. The Fugi brand have a few quirks and if you edit on the card (deleting, cropping etc.) you can corrupt your files. This is what I was told anyway. I also bought a card reader, so I don't have to drain my camera batteries to download my pictures. This camera has a lot of features I still haven't explored and learned to use. I would have given it a five, but for the issues I mentioned above. I hope this helps your buying decision.
After months of research I finally settled on Olympus as the manufacturer. It took me another few weeks to settle on the 750UZ. I think the October issue of PC Magazine kind of settled things for me. It was the Best digital camera $500 or more and was even better than the 5 Megapixels compared to it. Easy to use and even better- terrific pictures. Set the mode to Auto and take your pictures its as easy as that or for the more adventurous there are manual settings to muck with. The one insignificant problem that I had was with the manual. It comes on CD and you need Adobe Acrobat to read it. Other than that it was a wise choice. I am extremely happy with this camera, it ROCKS! Advice - get either a 128mb or 256mb xDcard. They hold tons of pictures. Also when using the 10X zoom its easier to hold it steady with a Tri or Mono - pod.
This camera has been my best friend for a long time. :) I use it all the time. It has a billion features that I never use, but the ones that I use are amazing. I love the photo quality (I get compliments all the time!). The flash and zoom are out of this world. I definitely recommend purchasing this camera.
This camera has an amazing lens, and keeps the great Olympus picture quality I have grown used to from my previous 2 olympus digital cameras.
The long awaited Olympus 750 is the latest in a line of excellent relatively compact, long lens models. The last model, the 740, was a stop-gap measure that allowed the company to position a new model in the line while they worked out the kinks in the 750's updated autofocus system. The result was worth waiting for, as a much faster system now exists that allows the camera to take better advantage of low light and fast action scenes.In addition, the 750 addresses another of the 740's drawbacks, the lack of sound on the occasionally very useful movie feature has been fixed. Many users will also be pleased to note that finally they have upped the maximum resolution from 3 to 4 megs.Still troublesome however is the lack of stabilization, making long range zoom shots very tricky. In point of fact, zooming on any camera at 10X without a tripod or image stabilization is extremely challenging.Anyway, this camera is beautifully made and ergonomically engineered. The aspherical all glass lens system is excellent and the resulting 4 megapixel images are crystal clear at 11&quot; x 14&quot; and beyond. The zoom of course remains the trump card on the 750, and the smoothness (just the right damping) with which it reaches its 10x limit is awesome.The 750 (a feature that began with the 730) is the third Olympus to utilize the new xD memory card format, the &quot;xD-Picture Card&quot;. This is a new type of ultra-compact memory media developed jointly by Fuji and Olympus. The main features of the xD-Picture Card are its ultra-compact size (20.0 x 25.0 x 1.7mm), its lower power consumption (the xD Picture-Card users will benefit from the convenience and savings of longer battery life on a single charge) and its faster read/write speeds. Of course, a new card means a new card-reader will be needed, but these are inexpensive and aren't immediately needed, as the camera can be linked by the included USB cable to your PC without too much fuss.Overall, I think the 750 is the Olympus most users have been waiting for, sans stabilization. Whether that system (present on my Olympus 2100 &amp; far from perfect) is in the works on a 760 model I cannot say, but if you're in the market for a relatively compact digicam with a very long zoom, you can hardly go wrong with any of the 700 series by Olympus.
I own the 750 and I own a 730 and a 700.  All of  them are excellent cameras and offer great optics.  The 700 is still  one of  the only digital  cameras out there allowing an  ISO  of  800 with an optical 10x zoom.  The 730 accepts both the XD and the Smartmedia  cards  and the  750  offers  a 4 MP capacity.  I print 8x10  enlargements from all three  cameras and they look great.  With  regard to some issues  raised  by other reviewers:  the complete manual  is  included  on  the  Camedia software disk  in  PDF format--it is worth the effort to print it out  and read  it.  I have  shut off  all beeps and other noises on  all of  these  cameras  since I  cannot stand any noise--instructions  on how to  do  this  are in the  manual.  With regard  to  shutter  lag, I shoot a lot of hockey games  and I almost  always pre-focus  by holding  the  shutter halfway  down (using flash you see a  green dot in  the viewfinder) and then  finish depressing the shutter when the  picture  is  composed.  If  you  are  taking indoor  sporting events, I  heartily  recommend external flash (get  permission  first).  I use Olympus  FL-40s but with the correct cable you  can use  cheaper  flashes such  as the Vivitar  283.  Note: not all UZ models  allow external  flash--I  do not recommend  buying a  digital camera without the ability to  use external flash. Olympus pioneered the 10x optical zoom  on  a consumer  digital camera and they are great lenses.
An awesome camera for the money.Flash isn't very powerful but as long as you're not taking pictures in the dark, you'll be very satisfied.  I've owned this camera for well over a year now and it's been nothing but reliable.Definitely a solid buy.
My first digital camera came after weeks of excrutiating research -- and so far I love it.  I was moving from a very good 35mm Nikon SLR and so had a solid set of expectations.  My criteria for a camera were- compactness (a major gripe against my SLR)- ample zoom to campture kids' candid moments without intruding- unlimited movie capability - with sound- support for "normal" (read: AA) batteries- Support for external flash- accurate color reproduction- Cost ($300 - $400)On all these counts, the C-750 is a winner.  I did not really need the 4MPixel capability and was actually leaning toward the Fuji S5000.  However, picture quality and manual configurability tipped the scales towards this slightly more expensive camera.Although the factory presets will work fine in most situations, I would recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with its features (on the extensive manual).  Even without the gadgetry of a professional photographer you can easily compensate for unwanted artifacts (such as shadows) or poor color reproduction due to lighting.There is a perceptible shutter-lag: The time between pressing the shutter trigger and the actual picture being taken; you can however, minimize this by pressing the trigger down half-way to compose you picture.  Where I can see this being a problem would be if you are trying to capture those fleeting "Kodak momemnts".The charger that ships with the camera takes a good 8-9 hours to charge 4 batteries.  I would recommend that you purchase a smart-charging NiMH battery charger -- these are faster to charge and have auto shut-off features.In comparing cameras based on movie capability make sure that the only limit is the memory capacity -- there are some (not the C-750) that impose a time limit.Finally, if you are like me and this is your first foray into the digital world your expenses don't end with the camera: as I mentioned you need a good charger, a spare set of NiMH batteries,  a good carrying case, maybe an upgrade from the photographic software that ships with the camera....
This camera has great zoom!  I never even have to use digital zoom.  For batteries, I find that it works best to have 2 sets of rechargable Energizer AA's instead of normal AA's.  Don't buy this camera if you want something compact!!  The camera is somewhat heavy and bulky mostly because of the 10x optical zoom.  It has a variety of modes and settings.  4 mp is perfect for a user who wants clear photos at a pretty low cost.  This camera would be even more handy with a 2 or 3x telephoto lens (adapter tube required).  I use a 128 mb memory card holding:TIFF: 11 pics.SHQ: 46 pics.HQ: 130 pics.SQ1: 399 pics.SQ2: 1330 pics.
As per the July 11 review that states: &quot;it can't delete all the images from the card all at once unless you format the card&quot;There is an &quot;All ERASE&quot; option in the menu system on the very same screen that has the format option.  It is not necessary to re-format the card as stated.  See P.136 of the big owner's manual.I've only used the camera for a few days but thus far I am blown away by the features and quality of the photos.  Awesome camera!
I am trying to find a smaller and lighter camera to replace my C-750uz because my wife says it weighs too much.  And, as she likes to carry it everywhere we go, I decided to take a look on the new models.  But there are features in the c-750 that I can't find in any other camera of its category.No other camera, even the newest from Olympus, has a remote control like the c-750.And there's no other in its category that has that awesome 10x optical zoom.The only two reasons I have to replace it are its big size and its small display.  And, of course, the complaint of my beloved wife.I would also like something with SD instead of XD, but that is not a big issue.I think I will end up buying another camera without selling my C-750.
Only if I had a portable current bush where I go.  Converters (12v to 120ac) works great on the road again.
This battery looked like original, but would not take a charge. Returning for replacement or refund. Hope I can get one that works.
This Sony NP-QM71D Rechargeable M Series battery works great and last over 5 hours steady recording with my Sony DCR-PC330 camcorder. The meter on the battery helps when checking power time left on the battery, the battery is large and sticks out when mounted to the camera but that is no problem when you take into account of the amount of time the battery last for recording.
Sony apparently stopped manufacturing the original battery types for my Sony camcorder I purchased about 6 years ago.  I now have three of these NP-QM71D batteries which I keep with my for shooting 1440x1080 of weddings and receptions.  NOTE: The battery I'm seeing pictured while I write this review shows the battery power level when you push the button on the batter.  The new version of this battery which I received does not have these LEDs which glow showing the batter power level.  Now I just hope my camcorder will last at least another year since I shoot 10 weddings a year with it.
Infolithium alone makes the extra cost worth it.  The old way of viewing a battery with 4 segments just never really cut it, but seeing the number of minutes available is a must needed improvement.  Plus over 4 hours for a battery, is a bonus.
I have to say that coming from a JVC VHS-C camera to this is a large jump.  WOW.  What awesome video quality and color.  It's not all yellowish anymore when I record in the living room.I bought a SanDisk 128mb Memory Stick and it works fine.  Not sure what the issues are with the other people.  Also the camera is recognizable in Windows XP.  I plugged it into my firewire card and in about 10sec it said Found New Hardware - Samsung SCD23 Camera.  Then I was able to capture the video off the tape in Vegas Video 4.0 and burn it to DVD using DVD Architect.  So if you're looking for a feature rich low cost camera this is the one for you.
I bought one of these new and enjoyed all the features on it and I found the shutter speed going down to 1/30, 1/15/ and 1/8 to be really nice. At any rate a few months and I was not able to playback or record, took it in and was told the ccd was bad. I bought another off ebay, right out of the box, it did not work at all, so I sent it back and got another one off Ebay. Guess what? Another Lemon!!! Could have been a great camcorder is the story of this model. I think they tried to put too much punch into this camcorder and without the right budget. Save your money, these are LEMONS! Buying 3 makes me an idiot!!
I love this camcorder because it is what I need for home videos inside and outside of the house. I chose this one over Sony and Canon because I specifically wanted a memory card slot to store pics opposed to having them recorded on the tape. To get this feature in Sony or Canon I would have to have bought a $700-800 model. It's very durable little camcorder and the size! It's really small. Another good feature for me, a person with small hands. Overall, if your looking for a camcorder to tape your kids' games, gift opening on x-mas morning or for wildlife viewing with the great option of taking still digital pictures this is the camera for you!Although, now that I've had this camera for half a year it's started doing strange things like telling me I don't have any tape left when I do.  The problem is fixable I just open the tape deck and re-close it so it adjusts to the correct time left on the tape.  This is the only problem I've had with it and since it is a problem that is easy to work around I do not regret buying this camera and would still encourage people to buy it because of the great quality it gives for such a low, affordable price.
I just got this camera for Christmas. I'm very happy with it.Great features and a perfect mini size.Amazing nightvision, and light!Perfect for anyone!
After making 15 tapes, the CCD quit working. It just shows a blank screen or snowflicks. After reviewing another review, pointing the camcorder to a bright light make it works again. However, I do not like this unit anymore. If I really need it, I do not know if this will work or not.  No more samsung for me.
This camcorder worked great the first 10 times i used it. Then it BROKE just like my 3 samsung cell phones and my samsung DVD player. Thank god i got the extended warranty on this camera. The manufactured supposedly repaired it..... took them 3 months to get it back to me. It worked fine one more time, then it broke again. Back to geek squad repair. Got it back i tested it, seemed ok. Went to use it later, broke again! Sent it back to geek squad..... got it back.... STILL BROKEN! After breaking 4 times I am getting a new camcorder under my extended warrany... NOT A SAMSUNG!
I purchased this camera after weeks of serious comparisons. After a few months and maybe 2 tapes (just a few hours), the ccd went out. I sent it to samsung and got it back aout 6 weeks later fixed. The CCD went out again about 6 months later and Samsung fixed it again. The CCD went out about 6 months later and Samsung told me to take a hike becuase it wasnt under warranty any longer. Samsung's service was TERRIBLE, and this Camera is TERRIBLE. I will not purchase any samsung product ever again based on their serivce alone. Do Not Purchase This CAmera!
Among Asian countries they don't rely too much in co-Asian manufactured goods because of poor quality ( except Japanese made) Sony, Canon & Panasonic still has the best quality among electronics.I don't know why samsung,hyundai, Daewoo etc. made it in the US Market that while in fact in Asia, these products are all a piece of Junk.
I got this samsung video camera not knowing what to expect after reading all these reviews. Well I'm happy to say it works great. The NightShot is way fun and it takes great quality video for the money. Now the camera part of it I would say is crappy. It looks as good as my webcam but I didn't buy it for the camera. I got a 2 MegaPixel Fuji FinePic for that. I bought a 32MB memory stick knowing that the camera peobable wouldn't be that good. I bought a $4.00 FireWire cable to hook up to my Audigy FireWire port. And the video's that I can download with it to my computer look awesome. I'm going to buy a DVD burner next and have even more fun. I also bought a wideangle and a 2X telephoto lens for it and the wideangle really helps indoors where u really need to see more area at once. I bought premium sony tapes for it and they work great. I think some of the people having problems with video probable bought lower quality tapes. I think if your buying this for yourself and not profesional video you will be extremely happy with this Digital Samsung Camcorder.
If you plan to buy this camcorder then please know before hand that you are taking a risk. You might get a broken one or not. That is the risk you are taking. When I first purchased this camcorder 3 years ago, I only used it for 1 week and already it broke. The screen was all distorted and was making weird noises. I took it back to bestbuy and they exchanged it for a new one. I have now had this one for 3 years and have had no problems. I love this camcorder. At this point I would not buy a new camcorder because I love this one too much. I have read all of the buyers comments on amazon and yes it is true that this camcorder is cheaply made and is does break but like I said, you are taking a risk if you buy it. It might be broken or it might work fine for 3 years or more like mine. But remember, mine broke too after using it for 1 week but my exchange one has worked for 3 years and counting. So, I guess I wouldnt recommend this camcorder because who wants to buy a camcorder and have to take a risk and wonder if it will be broken when they receive it.
A really nice unit functionally, easy to use, lots of features, large battery, inexpensive, but..  Video quality leaves something to be desired.  There seems to be a cross hatching, especially at low light levels.  Color is relatively drab.  I compared it to a Panasonic PV-DV102 pretty closely, with the same scenes, location, lighting.  The Panasonic colors are much more vibrant and realistic-it was easy to see(wife, daughter readily agreed).  Also, the SCD23 field of view is pretty small, so you can't take good movies in a small room.  Its too bad, because it beats the Panasonic otherwise.
Very nice camcorder, good value!Couple of complaints. The controller for changing modes is somewhat annoying. You have to press on the green button and hold on while moving up or down with no grip... Not that quick of a change...Plus the zoom is located at the top which will give you a sore finger from holding on to so long. And another complaint is that, you must leave the lcd on while uploading the movies to your computer which wastes battery really quick.Everything else is nice....features are great. Works average in darkness, but I don't mind. Only firewire connection, the usb is for pictures. Video and sound quality are great during normal use. Wind cut is really useful... Video effects are useless, but nice.Very nice camcorder for that price...
Purchased the camera after Christmas, after looking for a digital camera that would allow me to upload video to my home computer. This camera does just that. The quality of the video is fine for home use, vacations, etc. And that's just what I intend on doing with it. I'm not a professional, and don't expect this camera to do what a professional camera would. Bought a Belkin Firewire card and cable, installed it, and had video uploading onto my WinXP system in no time. Very easy to do. Used WinXP's &quot;Movie Maker&quot; software (freebie) to play around with the video, and had my first DVD made within sight of a few hours.PROS: Small, compact and feature-packed. I like the sound quality. Video quality is good --- not stellar --- but good. Battery charges quickly.CONS: All indications (web searching and the salesperson at Best Buy) told me video could be uploaded via the USB port. NOT SO!!! Must have the Firewire card and cable (expect to pay about $75 for these two items collectively).If you want further information on my experience with this camera, please don't hesitate to ask.
For the price that you're being asked to pay for a digital video camera, this is a great buy!  The camera itself works great and I'm very happy with it.  There are however, a few details you really need to know before making a purchase.1.  The included battery's life, I found, is really short.  If I got two hours out of it, I was doing hand-springs.  I ordered an extended-life battery and have been more then OK since.  It was very easy to find and didn't cost too much.2.  If you REALLY want to take full-advantage of having a camera that uses DV, you HAVE TO HAVE a computer that has a 1394 Fire-wire connection and the horsepower to operate it properly.  I didn't have that at the time and spent about another hundred dollars in extra RAM and a fire-wire card.  Just a word of caution too, transferring DV is a BEAST on system resources; make ABSOLUTELY SURE to check your system specs to make sure you can cover the workload.2a. ... there really is no reason Samsung couldn't have included a fire-wire cable.3.  The camera's quality in low-light (ex. - a candle-lit wedding dinner ... grrrr) is really suspect.  It's astoundingly good when the lighting is good, but the video quality is really grainy when it isn't.  The built-in light certainly helps, but only to a degree.4.  The camera won't recognize more then a 16 Mg memory stick for pictures.  I went out and bought a 64 mg card and had to return it.All that said though, this REALLY IS a great machine.  Just realize before you purchase it that there are DEFINETLY extras that you're going to need to pick up to go with it.  I didn't do my homework and had to do a ton of running around I could have saved mself.  I'd hate to see someone make the same mistake.
I got this camera because it was comparable in features and price to the Canon ZR-60, which was out of stock.  This camera looks great on paper, but fails to deliver out of the box.  Every scene I shot the video was broken and full of digital artifacts.  I tried adding light and moving the camera slowly, but the artifacting still occured.  I'll be taking this back and hopefully be getting the Canon.
This is a great little digital camera for the money and I haven't had any problems since putting in the Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, though I didn't like that the original batteries died within like a month.Everything else about this digital camera is up to par for me, including easy set-up and use.  Basically, you should have a nice set of good rechargeable batteries for something like this ANYWAYS, as you're going to always want batteries that work in a camera, so why not splurge a bit initially so you don't have to pay a fortune down the line?
I've owned this product for 3 years.  The title of this review is my first complaint.  Date stamps are very important when capturing an event and when on vacation.  And I forget easily.  My second complaint is no customizable default resolution setting.  It reverts to the factory default resolution setting every time you close the cover.  Irritating.  Otherwise, I have had no problem in light or dark environments.  Good clarity.  Works well with iPhoto on my Mac.  Definitely not a "pocket cam".
This camera is one of the most disappointng products I have ever purchased. I now have 3 of them all with the same problem.1. They drain the batteries after a few pictures and then malfunction.2. The lens does not retract without at least an 8 second delay. Thus, you can't view the pictures you've just taken without waiting this 8 secondsThe only reason I used this product is I liked the smaller picture file size which newer cameras do not have.
It's a lovely gadget till the batteries run down. I can get superbly detailed photos with it. I have a 16-MB memory card in my camera. The camera will exhaust two sets of batteries filling the 16-MB card.
This is a neat little camera. You can zoom, take different resolution pictures, take pics of yourself, and even make short movies. The LCD screen is not bad, but it contributes to the main fault of this camera which is the battery life. Regular alkaline batteries last for 10 - 20 pictures tops...less if you use the flash or use the LCD for a long time.
After four or more years old reliable is gone.  I must replace her.  Olympus FE-250 I think will be my new camera.  That old 3.2 MP took great pictures for emails and stuff. Yes you can expect two AA batteries per 20-30 pictures, but if you use it on the go, and infrequently it's perfect.  5 stars for reliability, ready when I am and ease of finding batteries.  But for $59 she's too cheap to replace and I can afford better.10-10-11 I ended up buy same camera off ebay and love it.  You just cant beat common AA batteries.  My wife bought a camera with rechargable batteries and she cant find the charger anymore.
First thing is I want to say was this was supposed to be my first digital camera.  I'm a college guy and I bought this for a cancun trip after seeing great reviews for its predecessor D-550.  But after a week, I got rid of it.  Don't get me wrong, this was a great camera.....but only outdoors in FULL and I mean FULL sunlight.  When it came indoors I was very disappointed.  Yeah I did my research and I know this camera is only 4 second shutter for night mode.  The thing is I took pictures indoors with real bright lights, and 7 out of 10 came out blurry.  Moreover, when I mean blurry, I mean unrecognizable like everything was moving, not noisy where if you zoom in the picture it becomes less sharp.  I tried different modes but almost all came out blurred.  It might be my camera, but why would it take outstanding outdoor pictures yet take blurred out indoor images of still objects with flash???  I thought it was maybe because it needed to be steady, and it got a little better when I placed it on a tripod.  But who would carry a tripod in cancun in the clubs and beach at less than full light?  Maybe someone who wasn't there to have fun, that's who.My opinion is get a Canon A70 for around the same price.  I did, and even though the picture quality wasn't as sharp outdoors as the D-560, the indoor shots far outweigh the outdoor images.
I've had my camera for a bit over 4 years now, and it still works great. I know the problem that the previous person has had, but I figured out how to fix it somehow (probably something with the batteries). This camera takes 2 double A batteries and I use the rechargable ones. However, the batteries don't have much life in them after a year and run out of juice pretty fast so I always have to bring lots of spares (think like 3 replacement sets for an event where you take lots of pics).It does take video, but the quality isn't worth it for the 60 seconds you get. There is no sound recorded for the video.The best thing I can say about this camera is that if you know how to use it well, it takes really good quality pictures. Get familiar with the different settings and learn how to control what the camera does, and with that I'd argue it is almost as good as my friend's $300 camera for sheer beauty of pictures. The only glitch is I hate the flash. I just don't tend to like pictures with flash anyways, I like the more yellowy natural light look. I also tend to have a problem with red-eye with regular flash so I always have to use the red-eye reduction setting to take pics of people. This camera also comes with a panorama setting which works well with the program that comes with it (with some practice).I really like how you don't need a card reader to download your pics onto your computer - the USB cable (which is a pretty common cable among electronics) plugs right into the camera port.Overall a great camera for its current price, great camera overall in my opinion, and a wonderful camera for learning how to take and edit digital photographs!
I just bought this Olympus D-560 camera.It is great!Being from the old school of 35 MM cameras I was hesitant at first but this camera is so easy to set up and use.All you have to do is read the directions!I bought it to basically keep in the glove box of my car.I intend to purchase another Olympus soon,Possibly the C-750.I reccommend getting an ac adapter and a 256 MB card.
This camera is great, and also horrible.  I've had it for about a year now.Great-----o Lightweighto Very small and portableo Cheapo Cool "macro" mode for close-upso Nice 3x optical zoomo Takes great outdoor pictures in full suno Takes great indoor close shotso Hold a LOT of pictures in a 256MB xD card.Horrible--------o Eats batteries - of all types - forget Alkalines - takes maybe 20 photos, with Lithium, takes maybe 50.  With NiMH, it will do about 100, but like another reviewer said, it quits long before the battery is discharged.  And when it quits, it usually "hangs", making you remove the batteries and put in fresh ones just to close the door (and losing the last shot you took).o The flash is a real joke.  If you use the zoom at all, then the photos are very dark and unusable.o Once you take a photo (especially with the flash), there is a considerable time before you can take the next one - not as bad as on my FIRST digital camera (also an Olympus), but bad enough so that you miss half of the wedding party when they are walking SLOWLY down the isle.  Also when you want to take that second shot of a group, they get impatient with you as you stand there and keep pushing the button and nothing happens.o The "macro" mode still gives blurry pictures sometimes.o The (optional) underwater housing is cute, albet bulky, but the photos you take with it are not clear (because of the bad flash).
I've owned the D560Zoom since May, 2003, when I bought it just in time for my oldest daughter's graduation from college.  From the start, I was amazed at the incredible detail and picture quality available from a 3.2MP camera.  I'm not a professional photographer, but I've had some education, and I do know perhaps a little more about photography, lighting and composition than most novices.I've owned a Nikon SLR and shot on little else but Kodachrome 64 since the mid 80's.  I'd figured that this digital camera would serve as a backup to my Nikon, and get very little actual use.  In fact, just the opposite has occured.  The Nikon sits in its bag with its array of lenses, flashes and filters, and I reach for the Olympus when I go on vacation or attend a family function.  It's just so easy to use, and while the white balance and exposure may not be perfect all the time, they're very, very close.  I have shot some really incredible photos with this little camera, including some of my younger daughter's wedding which actually turned out better than the hired photog's pictures.My biggest complaint with this camera is its tendency to cause red-eye, which is due to the fact that the flash is so close on axis to the lens.  This is just the way it is in a camera of this size and price, and is not a fault unique to Olympus.I also had some problems getting the camera to power up so that I could download photos from it to my computer when it was new.  Since then, I've discovered that this was a bug related to the firmware in the camera when used with a computer that runs an AMD based chipset, like my Compaq 6430NX Presario.  I solved the problem by buying an externally powered USB hub, and plugging the camera into that.  No more troubles.  I've since learned that Olympus has a firmware upgrade for the camera, but it requires that the camera be returned to them.As another reviewer stated, one needs to understand the workings and limitations of alkaline batteries, and why they're not a good choice for this or any other digital camera.  They're fine for penlights and garage door openers, but not cameras.  I used the set that came with mine only to power up the camera long enough to become familiar with the menus, then I threw them out and bought some NiMH.  In the end, I think the problems that most people have experienced with this camera are due to a lack of understanding of how the camera works, and what its limitations are.Since I've had the camera for almost 3 years, I was thinking of upgrading to a Canon A620, but I still like the picture quality of the D560 so much, that I can't as yet really justify spending $350 or more on a new one that will likely just duplicate what I've already got.
I bought this for my mother's lst digital camera.  I have had several Olympus cameras and this one is just right for her.  She is very pleased with it - relatively easy to use, great photos and small enough to carry in her purse.  I got a very good price and for the money this is a very good value.Because of the reviews regarding battery problems, I got her the NiMH rechargeable batteries, with charger, and she has had no problems at all.
The Olympus D-560 is a great Digital Camera bargain.  You will get awesome quality pictures, enough megapixels to satisfy the average consumer and a decent OPTICAL zoom.  Don't be misled by the many cheap alternatives that only have digital zooms.  As far as batteries, get yourself a decent set of rechargeables NiMH batteries and you will be fine.At this price, you will not find a better option.  Also, the camera is very compact, but not too small.  Some digital cameras are too small and become cumbersome when trying to handle them.  This one is just right.  Additionally, you can pretty much take it out of the box, insert the memory chip, load the batteries and start taking pictures in a matter of minutes.  It is that simple to use.If you are looking for professional-level pictures, look elsewhere.  If you need a good, solid performer for everyday use, this is the one.
First of all, yes it is a glutton for batteries.  I habitually use rechargables anyway and recomend others do the same.  You might also want to get an adapter to run it off house current so you don't run down the batteries while it's hooked up to your PC.As for image clarity, remember that this is a digital camera.  It takes a moment after the button is pushed for the camera to take the picture and it must be held steady until it's finished (the higher the resolution the longer it takes).  This can be difficult especially when trying to use the panorama funtion.  I recomend buying a folding mini tripod to keep it steady.  Also there many presets on the camera that will effect the quality of the picture.  Everthing from flash to exposure time to day or night pictures.  It's a good idea to take a test picture or two to make sure conditions are right.In short, this is not the kind of camera you can whip out at a moments notice and take a quick snapshot with.  If that's what you're looking for them stick to a 35mm.Oh, and it was mentioned in an earlier review that this camera does not save it's settings and funtions such as flash, resolution, and various picture modes must be reset manually each time the camera is turned on.  Not true.  There is a selection in the setup menu which lets you choose wether or not settings will be saved when the camera is off.  Though if it looses power for too long it will return to factory presets.In conclusion, it's a good camera as long as you bear it's limitations in mind while using it.  I've printed out some pictures on glossy photo paper that are indistinguishable from regular photographs.
This is my first digital camera.  I love the large LCD and the ability to delete any pix I don't want.  I took some pix inside and the camera illuminated the pix nicely even with the flash disabled.  To those who say it took poor quality pix: Didja actually read the manual and use the camera the way the manusl said?Outside the camera captures sharp images with good color saturation.  If you take a picture of a moving object it will be blurry, but that's true of any non-SLR camera.The only thing I don't like and which keeps me from giving the camera 5 stars is the short battery life.  I only bought this camera last Thursday and yesterday the battery indicator went red while I was taking pix (yes I was using the LCD to look at them).  It's advisable to carry extra batteries with you.  But overall I think it's a great camera and I'm willing to put up with the battery consumption.
My husband and I absolutely love this camera.  We purchased it for many reasons - but one of them is because we have a baby on the way and wanted digital pictures because it is easier to share via the internet with family members.  We are CONSTANTLY commenting on what a great buy this way.... We love our camera!  The photos are wonderful quality, and the 3.2MP is perfect for our needs.  With a 64MB card, you can take 81 of the largest size pictures, and we haven't needed more than that at one time.  It is SO VERY user friendly, and useful in all indoor and outdoor situations.  I highly recommend this camera to everyone looking for a great buy!!!
I've been using this camera to send digital photos to my freinds and relatives since April of 2003.  I love it and would not use anything else.  In my opinion a good digital camera is all about three things: image quality, ease of use, and size.  The Olympus D-560 scores big in all three areas.The image quality is great.  This particular camera seems to do an exceptional job of adjusting to whatever lighting conditions I'm shooting in.  I often compare photos I've taken with those taken by freinds or relatives using other digital cameras during vacations or special events and mine come out better.The camera is insanely easy to use.  Just point and shoot, no need to select modes or make any adjustments, it makes most of the adjustments for you.  However, if you want more control the camera does allow you to fiddle around with various specialized modes.  So far I have found such modes unnecessary.The physical size of the camera unit itself is just about perfect for me.  Slightly larger than the palm of my hand, it's small enough to tuck into a pocket or bag with ease, but it's not so small as to make it awkward to hold and aim.After using this camera for 8 months I have discovered some drawbacks.  First, my camera did NOT operate well on standard AA alkaline batteries.  It was constantly locking up, beeping, and generally malfunctioning.  I thought I would have to replace the camera.  Then, on a tip from a freind, I switched to the higher powered CRV-3 Lithium battery, (available on Amazon) and my camera woes were solved.  It's worked like a dream ever since.Second, turning off the camera is kind of clunky and time consuming.  You turn the camera on and off by sliding the front lense cover open or shut.  This is nice and simple, but closing the camera takes some time, as you have to start to close the cover, then wait for the lense to retract back into the case before you can finish sliding the cover shut.  This adds an extra 5 seconds to the end of any photo session before you can stick it in your pocket and move on.  To some this may be annoying, but I've gotten used to it.And lastly, of course, the 16mb memory card that comes with it is too small to be very useful.  (I remember only getting around 17 high quality pictures on a card.)  Invest some money into a high capacity memory card (128 or 256 MB) and you can take hundreds of shots without having to download them or switch cards.So, in summary, great camera.  For better results use a CRV-3 Lithium battery instead of alkaline, and get a big memory card.
I have had this camera for 2 years now. It has its pros and cons.Like everyone else, the battery life is terrible. Others say that you need a lithium battery which I have not tried. Regular AA batterys only lets me take about 25 pictures.Also, it is slow and has long delay when shooting picture. You definatly miss the moment you are trying to capture.Pros: It is pretty user friendly. I love how it hooks up to my computer and downloads VERY easy. Anyone can do it. You dont need to be a rocket scientist on this one.
MY FAVORATE CAMERA  ......IT STILL WORKING FINE  ....LIKE IT  ....THNAKS
I admit I am a strong devote of Olympus cameras, going all the way back to my OM2 and tiny XA 35mm cameras. Oly has always figured out how to do good things in small spaces, and this camera is no exception. This is my fourth Oly digicam over the years (D-340L, 460, 2020z), purchased for situations where pocketability is important.First, the much discussed battery issue. NEVER use alkalines. They do all kinds of things to a camera that just isn't built for them in terms of voltage. Use NiMH's, standard CR-V3's or the new rechargeable CR-V3's. With NiMH's and occasional use of the flash, LCD in rec mode, I was able to get 200+ photos easily. With a rechargeable CR-V3 (the DigiPower, sold through Amazon), I got over 180 super high res shots before stopping with LCD always on and flash with every shot. Judging by recharge time I think I had at least another 50-60 shots minimum.  Had I gone easier on the flash and LCD I'm guessing that 450 photos would have been a breeze with them. That's a lot of photography.Color rendition and sharpness are excellent, with colors just a little bit 'harder' than on my other Oly's. I noticed that in very high contrast or backlit situations at infinity the camera tended to opt for a smaller aperture (to gain depth of field?), which in a very few situations caused some blurring of high speed objects. That's fixed very easily by using the spot meter or manually opening the lens a bit.Otherwise, this camera's features are easy to access, the clamshell design is sturdier than it looks and at current prices it's a steal. I'm tempted sorely to leave my heavier 2020z and aux lenses home on my next foreign trip.Here's an update from my original Feb. 20 posting:Just returned from a 12 day trip to the UK. Brought the 560 rather than my larger 2020z and its aux lenses because I was traveling very light -- on and off many trains, hikes to hotels, lots of hoofing around big cities. Took over 600 photos, virtually all in basic point and shoot mode at a mix of resolutions using both spot and standard metering. The good news is that virtually every one of them came out just as I would have wanted, the exceptions being a couple of very high speed trains that would have taxed almost any camera given the angles at which they were shot and light conditions. But most exposures almost perfect, with great sharpness and resolution. My only problem was that when I tested my rechargeable CR-V3s after they sat in my bag for about a week (I had been relying on NiMH's because I brought a charger to charge them for camera, radio, MPs player) both seemed to run down pretty quickly, and, I must say in terms of previous experience, mysteriously. Using NiMH's with lcd on for composition and review over extensive periods I was able to get in 50-60 shots easily.Oddly, since coming home I have used the R-CR-V3s constantly and, oddly, I've had one in the camera working perfectly for over a week -- 70-80 photos with lcd, several downloads to computer.This camera has passed my 'usability' and 'quality' tests with flying colors. I'll continue testing it with the CR-V3s and repost if I learn anything new.
Pros: Great software, panaromia mode, nice clear lcd, and quick download of pics to pc.Cons: Some blurryness if you take pictures in motion, Battery life, and the way the lens expands.This camera was easy to use. Tested this camera side by side with other cameras in the same price range and this one took better pictures. The included software is really easy to use. The camera has two issues. The first downfall with this camera is the batteries. BE SURE TO CARRY AN EXTRA SET OF BATTERIES AT ALL TIMES. We were changing batteries about every 40 pictures or so....which is very easy to do in a short amount of time with the "rapid fire' mode. The other downfall of this product is the media card. The media card is not compatable with our printer's (HP 2210) smart card reader ports. Even with these little issues it still is a great camera to own.
I have had a digital camera for several years now.  I bought one of those Sony Mavica and though it's an excellent camera it's heavy and somewhat unhandy with constantly changing disks.  When I got into ghost hunting it proved to be even more unhandy and bulky so I started looking for a light weight easy to use camera.  After looking at several types and makers I decided on this camera though with further  reading after I purchased it I was disappointed with the write up regarding the battery situation.  I'm still using the basic AA batteries but plan to look into the recommended batteries in the near future.  Though being able to use standard batteries was one of the reasons I had purchased it only to find out otherwise.  I found having the viewfinder a plus especially with bifocals and I only use the LCD screen when viewing.  The zoom feature on play back is also a plus when viewing photos closer.  It's light weight and so easy to grab and shoot I'm finding I'm taking more photos than I ever did.  Another plus was the ease in downloading onto the computer using the USB cable and the program which was provided with the camera.  It has the capability of printing a thumbnail sheet with the basic size thumbnail photos to one larger photo.  I'm still experimenting with the many features and each time I use it I'm amazed with what it is capable of.  Other than the battery issue this is an exceptional camera and I highly recommend it.
There no other word to describe this camera. Don't go for its 3MP/3x tag, there are many others things which need to be good. For example picture quality, battery life, features, indoor pics, build quality are all bad.Anyways the camera isn't worth your money. Just 3MP doesn't mean good pics...
This is a great camera, it takes beautiful pictures. As with any camera you have to know its limitations. For this one of course if you use the alkaline bateries, you will be very disapointed; I always use the CRV3. It cost a little more but for over 200 pictures at the SHQ mode and LCD on most off the times ( I found those bateries on Ebay for about $5.00 a piece) for 2 weeks in Europe taken about 2000 photos I used 8 CRV3. I sugest using the auto mode for all around shooting with flash turn off and take the photo in the shade. avoid bright back ground. Use the AE locked when shooting people ( point the camera 4&quot; at the face of the person the press AE lock move back compose then shoot). For downloading to the computer, I just use the flash card reader. And for photo editing camedia sofware is great. Fix them up then burn to CD then print them at Sams club for 15 cents each. Finally, for every new camera if you want the have the best photos, you will have to spend alot of times playing with it. For me, it took me 5 month and shoot about over 4000 pictures to get know all its strong point and limitations. I am highly recomended this camera.(I also own the C4000 great camera, a step up from the D560)
This is amazing. I took this out to a dark sky area (which I can't do with my other giant scope, since i own a tiny car) and the results were breathtaking. You can get some nice wide views with this, and the variable motor control is so good. It is rather startling how good the optics are in this-when peering in, it looks like the quality of a slightly larger average (5 or 6 inch) scope.The downside is the Go-To is persnikkety at best. I have not got it to work, and others I know have had issues with this model. But, for grab and go and optical quality alone, its totally worth it.Bonus: I highly recommend getting a solar filter, Telrad, and focus motor for this as essential add-ons.
I would agree with you i once purchased a lx 8 telescope and i had flaws in the so called worm gear. The company does not care once they sell you a scope thats it, next sucker please.They remind me of a car dealership once sold thats your problem. This is what happens when you buy scopes that are cranked out on a assembly line. They say theres quality control, yeah right depends on who is doing the quality control that day. I sold my scope and now use a pair of celestron binoculars. My dream scope may never happen but i want a 4 inch refractor with a beefy mount a takahashi fs 102 would be awesome oh well keep dreaming geoff
the reason for one star is not the telescope it self or any part of it .... i like it its an excellent choice for a bigennerbut the offer represented above is only the etx90 with the autostar controller(497)  with out the Tripod(884)beware if you pay 499$ for this offer dont think you will get the whole set, no.even if you complain they will replace with the same orderbuy them separate , it would be betterpoor amazon
A nice telescope that will disappoint.  Polar alignment is almost impossible because of the location of the finder scope.  Without polar alignment capabilities you can forget about photography.  If you insist on buying this model then go ahead and order an angled finder scope for another $60.  The straight through finder scope that comes with the ETX-90 is useless since you can't see through it while aligning on Polaris.The optics are excellent with no noticeable color fringes.The AutoStar locator/tracker leaves much to be desired.  After spending many minutes performing a polar alignment, the AutoStar reset itself and "Initialized".  Did the alignment again, moved to Mars for some photography and the AutoStar "Initialized" again.  I found that a light tap on the side of the scope caused it to initialize - losing all alignment setting.  Apparently there is a loose connector/cable inside it!!!I suggest buying a Celestron.
First Rate myself as a casual observor, wanted maximum portability, and the ETX90EC certainly does !! First night aligned the finder and used manual control, only using 47X Jupiter was beautiful and moons snapped into view nicely. Over all image(s) look Good to Very Good, nice and compact stars as they should be ! 2nd night (using Autostar) able to align on the 3rd attempt, viewed more in 1 hour, infact lost count ! Was locating many from horizon to horizon, simply amazing feat ! Noisy in operation and dislike the small finder and needs more info on use, otherwise would give 5 stars !! Was Pure Fun, LOVE IT !! Update, now just over a year viwed nearly all the Messier Deep Sky Objects 107 ! This is in a nice open area but not a true dark sky, infact Little Dipper stars usually not visible, except for the North Star. For a grab and go, this is it ! Great!
think about what you are going to be using this camera for...is it to make gigantic murals that are as big as a wall this is not the camera for you, but if you are just taking normal pictures to show on your computer and want up to 11 X 14 printed pictures  this is the best thing going for the money.  you don't need a big expensive camera for everyday pictures.  be ready to buy a bigger memory card the 16mb will only hold about 30 pictures and you will need batteries too, the ones that come with it are not really meant for a digital camera, rechargable batteries are best especially if you can find nickel metal hydride at 1800 milliamps.  radio shack has them for about [...].  the software that comes with it is fantastic...get this camera.  no one hould be without an Olympus Digital camera espically the d-390!
We still use it with no problems.  So much has changed since then in digital cameras.  But extremely reliable.
I recently went on vacation and used this camera (my Mother's) since mine was in the shop.  I didn't have my rechargable batteries with me and boy did I pay - and pay and pay for new batteries over and over.  (Four day trip!)  Although the pictures turned out fairly good, the shutter speed was very disappointing to me.  There was a good 2 or 3 seconds after pressing the button before the picture actually took.  When you are trying to take a picture of someone snowboarding or skiing, in 2 - 3 seconds, that sucker is down the hill and you've got a nice picture of snow.  I came home with too many pictures of snow!
This camera is absolutely great. It takes very sharp and non-grainy pictures.The batteries last very long on this camera (around 4 hours with the screen at low brightness), especially considering it only uses 2 AA batteries.The 16mb xd card won't be enough for most users, so I recommend the Olympus 128mb xd memory chip to go along with this camera. (Other brand cards will not support the panaromic feature)The camera uses USB mass storage, making it very compatible with every OS. This means that when you plug the camera in on windows, it creates a virtual drive and you can simply drag the pictures out of the camera. (Avoiding the horrid software all together). You can also store non-image files on the camera if you want to.The Olympus D-390 also saves very complete EXIF image information, which includes things like shutter speed, light source, date/time, flash on/off embedded into the .jpg. Many image viewers support EXIF tags and you can see these details.The manual is very complete, the only thing I found missing was tips for creating panoramas. The software included assembled the panoramas adequetly, but further cropping is needed in an image editing program.Disadvantages:- doesn't rotate images automatically, even though it detects  orientation- underexposes images slightly, requiring a photoshop 'levels' change- no AC adapter- no optical zoom- flash sometimes fires in bright outdoor conditions- sometimes requires going through long menus to access a basic option (for example, macro mode)- movie mode is low quality and without soundI'd greatly recommend this camera to anyone that's looking for a cheap digital camera that takes sharp pictures.
If you are a beginner (as in a teenager who has only used a cell phone camera before) this could be for you. It is straightforward enough: slide open the cover and it turns on. Aim, zoom if needed, and shoot. But it can't be quite that simple. No, half the time it "spazzes" out mid-click, leaving you in the dark (literally: the screen goes black for around seven seconds before getting back on track). And I hope you don't want it to take one shot right after another: it takes three to five seconds to write the picture to the memory card.If you are headed anywhere that you intend to take a large quantity of pictures be sure and take an eight-pack of double-A's. This camera eats batteries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.If you use the movie option you will need even more. But there's a bit of a disadvantage to movie mode: there's no sound.The camera does have a nice wide angle when zoomed out, but it doesn't zoom in very far. It does have a macro option, but it takes a dig through the menu to switch it on and off. Same goes for changing the size of the image. I dug through the menu and figured out how to change the dimensions. Once I bumped it up I had a fairly decent quality picture, as long as I had good light. Once it got to where a flash was necessary, the image became noisy. I have had this camera for almost three years and it finally died ("finally" meaning that it went through a year of spazzing, accelerated battery-eating, and increasingly slow response).Essentials:Pros: cheap; decent enough picture when you set the image size to a larger setting; simple, easy to use at any age or experience level; lasted a long time; simple upload from camera to computer.Cons: noisy in low light; slow response; slow to write information to memory; camera mechanics noisy when taking the picture; stunted zoom; difficult to change modes (normal, macro, movie); often uncooperative (spastic).So, final verdict:If you haven't used a camera before, great! Go with it.If you have used a camera before, don't.If you're looking for a camera to give a child (tween and under) this is cheap, simple to use, etc., sure. Go with it.
I like my Olympus D-390, but here are some faults I find with it:- doesn't use power from USB when transferring photos to computer -- drains batteries instead!- no optical zoom- can't turn on menus when lens barrier is closed- no dock- no battery charger- must wade through menus to get to scene selector (portrait, macro, landscape etc.) -- wish this was on a physical dial like on CanonsStuff I really like- price ($... Cdn at ...)- self-portrait mode, where you can point the camera at yourself (is this mode unique to Olympus?)- lens barrier, which doubles as power switch (lower-end cameras like Kodak's often don't even have a lens cap)- quality: 2 megapixels are adequate for 5x7'sTips- by default, all the settings reset when you turn the camera off. Set it so that it doesn't do this (see manual for details)- set the flash to be always off! On one shot it made my mom look like a ghost. Besides, with it off, pictures will appear as in their natural light.=====Update 2004-11-29My mom just got a Canon A-75, and I am sooo jealous! It just pampers you. And macro mode is a physical control - no wading through menus to get to it! Be good to yourself and buy a Canon A-75 (or the A400, which is almost as good and costs a hundred bucks less).=====Update 2005-04-01Figured out a way to avoid wading through menus to get to macro mode -- simply leave macro mode on all the time! It only kicks in when the camera is pointed at something close anyway. Problem solved!Like I said though, if I were to get another camera I would get one of the Canon ones I mentioned. The D-390 easily blurs if your hand shakes ever so much.
I bought this camera about a year and a half ago. For the first few months it was great, some pictures had some color/grainy issues, but the camera did it's job. After it hit the one year mark, i noticed a decrease in the quality of the photos it was taking. more and more were coming out looking overexposed or 'whited-out'. I just took a trip, and 5 out of 18 pictures came out viewable. Not sure how log these are supposed to last for, but this one is heading for the scrap heap.
I was given this camera as a gift and loved it at first.  Easy to use, took nice pictures.  However, I agree with other reviewers--the batteries drain in days and the lag between shots was very long.  Now (1 1/2 years later), even with brand new batteries, I cannot get the camera to stay on to take one picture.
I bought a Stylus Zoom regular 35mm several years back and was really impressed.  That purchase was the result of a lot of research about the quality of various cameras in that price range (low range of quality merchandise).  After reading some great comments about this camera, my wife and I decided to upgrade our camera from a cheapy to something nice.  WOW, we were not dissapointed.  It's a fabulous picture for the money.  The flash uses a lot of battery power so as many people comment, we simply bought an ac adapter (which has a very long cord).  We love it.
I am somewhat of a photography buff, and really wanted a digital camera, so my husband bought this camera for me for my birthday. At first, I was thrilled-a digital camera, emailing pictures, yay. And it took some pretty good pictures. But, the zoom is pointless. Skip that option-it created very grainy pictures. The batteries, as other reviewers have pointed out, do not last. I live in a very picturesque area, and took a number or scenery shots--if you are too far away, like, from a mountain in the distance, the focus is miserable. The focus is also unreliable-it doesn't always focus on what is centered or forefront in the viewfinder. The pictures look great when you first download them, but then enlarge them--major disappointment-totally grainy and unfocused. The red-eye reduction doesn't work-90% of my people shots have red eyes. It is too slow-like others have said-AT LEAST 10 seconds between shot and next shot, and NO ACTION photos-if I take a picture of my dog, by the time the shutter snaps, the dog is out of the frame. And then every once in a while it surprises me and I get a really great picture, where everything works out. It is pretty user friendly, and is kind of fun-at first.After a while, it just gets frustrating.  I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun camera just to play around with, maybe to email photos with. Beyond that, look for something a little more sophisticated.
This is my 3rd olympus camera, the previous ones are 35mm, so this is my first digital.  I have always liked this brand cause  for the price you pay you get a great camera.  My sister has the D-380 and I was very impressed with it.  I decided to upgrade and buy the D-390.  Kind of dissapointed to find out that halfway the fun the two AA batteries run dead (you wont survive a party without an extra set), the time lapse between one shot and when the camera is ready for another shot is too long, almost 10 seconds.  Is hard to catch good images with kids because once you push the button it doesnt take the picture for another 2 seconds, and the timer is harder to program than in other cameras.  My recomedation is to purchase de D-380, the previous model, is more user friendly, it holds 4 AA batteries and cheaper.  Good Luck
Bought this camera for the family last summer, it is a breeze to use.  My technology averse wife has really taken to it.  There is a mode where it remembers your last settings and always starts up as you left it.  Just read the instruction manual, page 84 tells you how to do this.  (The manual is posted on the Amazon page for this camera.)The picture quality is very good.  I actually like the fact that it no zoom lens, only digital zoom, it is a very sturdy design.
I was looking for a decent but inexpensive digital camera and I gave this Olympus a try. I am very happy with this unit with one exception; it has a delay after you press the shutter button which means you have to be ready for action pictures. Once you get used to that, it will give you very good pictures and ease of use in a compact size. This is a camera for beginners or intermediate users. The memory cards seem to be a bit more expensive that competitors but in this price range, you probably won't buy many. In this price range this camera will be hard to beat.
First I'll tell you what I use this camera for, and then let you decide if this review is even relevant for you.  I am a freshmen in college.  I carry the camera with me wherever I go, and just take pictures of anything I find interesting.  I am not a professional photographer or anything of the sort.  I use it for fun and so I can remember things down the line.  That said, here is what I find are the positives of this camera:1.  It's small.  I can fit it in my pockets easily.  Also, the switch is designed so that it doesn't easily go on or take pictures in my pocket.2.  It's easy to use.  The automatic mode takes great pictures most of the time, and it's easy enough to turn the flash on/off or change the exposure if I need to.3.  It has optical zoom.  Don't be led in my digital zoom, it's pointless.  Digital zoom just enlarges pixels.  Optical zoom will actually zoom in on the subject and give you the high res zoom in you want.  Optical zoom is a must.4.  It has video.  True, no sound, but it is a nice feature to have.5.  LCD screen/menu system.  It's always nice to be able to review pictures.  Don't try and save money on a camera without a screen.  You can use it to see what your pictures are like, if they are blurry or not (you can zoom in on your previews to check out the sharpness of them), etc.  Also, screens provide a better idea of the picture you are taking than the optical viewfinder.6.  The upper wheel makes it very easy to change modes on the camera.7.  The USB cable makes transferring pictures fast and easy.8.  It runs on double-A's.  I use rechargeable NiMh batteries.  They last a good week or so before I need to recharge them.  I take at least 10 pictures a day on them with flash and screen on, if not more (it's a digital camera so you will probably end up taking 4 pictures for every 1 you keep).9.  You can take rapid pictures easily, hold the shutter button slightly to focus, press down to take, repeat.Now, here are the negatives, most of which are only minor:1.  The only flaw I would say I really care about is the exposure time for night shots.  I can't really say it's any better with other cameras, but if the object is out of range of the flash or you can't use the flash for some reason, it will come out a little grainy or blurry.2.  The resolution is 2 megapixels.  More than enough for most computer desktops, but if you want to cut out and enlarge portions of it, you're going to be limited because once you start cropping there isn't much left to crop.  Think about spending a little more on the 3100, same menu system and case but more resolution.3.  It takes a couple seconds to turn on.  I've missed a few pictures because of this, but it's nothing much.4.  Sports/action shots sometimes come out blurry, but this is expected with entry level digitals.5.  Somehow from being in my pocket all the time without a case it got dust inside the viewfinder.  If you use the viewfinder a lot and plan to keep it in your pocket, I recommend a case.  I don't use the viewfinder however, so it doesn't really matter to me.That's about it.  Overall I am very happy with my purchase.  Some other smaller cameras are coming out now, but for the price this can't be beat.
The camera is small and takes good, sharp pictures.  I was most impressed with the nighttime shots.  Using the nighttime portrait setting, (holding the camera especially still) everything in the picture came out brilliantly--especially the background. Very easy to use, light &amp; small.  I think the Canons have a better user interface, but you can get used to this camera pretty quickly.  It eats up battery life a little more quickly than the Canon, but when you use rechargeables &amp; have spares handy, it's all good.
My husband is about to travel overseas for an extended time and needed a small camera which would be easy to carry and especially easy to use, as he's never used a digital camera before.  I'm the techie in the family, so I have to teach a TOTAL non-techie to take and then transfer pictures to his laptop so he can burn them to CDs. Included with this camera is a video on CD that explains how to use the camera and its various modes and settings.  That was extremely helpful to my husband and he was taking pictures immediately after watching the video.  VERY HELPFUL!The next step was installing the software so we could transfer his pictures to the computer.  Using Windows XP the software installation went smoothly, but when we plugged the camera into the USB port it was listed as an &quot;unknown USB device&quot; and was not recognized properly.  Some quick research on the internet identified this as a problem with motherboards using the VIA chipset (as ours does) and suggested a Microsoft patch to fix the problem.  After downloading and installing the patch and restarting the computer, the camera was correctly identified and works perfectly now.  If you need the patch, go to Microsoft'ssite at [...] and enter &quot;KB822603&quot; in the search box.  It's only 342KB and you'll need to restart after installing.We are totally pleased with the picture quality and color!  The pictures he's taken using auto mode have been crisp and clear, and now we're experimenting with some of the scene selection modes.  I took a macro closeup of our African Grey parrot from 5 inches and it's crystal clear, with every feather perfectly defined.  We took some zoom pictures of deer in the snow in our backyard at approximately 75 yards right before dark using the dusk/dawn mode, and all that was needed was to lighten the shot a bit using the included software. Our regular 35mm camera can't even do that. Both outdoor and indoor shots are consistently good and the flash works nicely.  Red eye is easily fixed using the software, which also allows changing the brightness and contrast, adjusting the color RGB balance, and resizing the picture. There is also an &quot;autofix&quot; option that works well.  My husband learned the software in about an hour (which is a major miracle!) and can now take photos, transfer them to the computer and tweak them to his heart's content, all without further assistance from me! :)I've set the resolution to &quot;PC&quot; so the pictures display at 1024x768, and with a 64MB flash card I get 278 pictures.  The included 16MB card gets 69 at that resolution.  Since we don't need prints larger than 4x6 that resolution works for us -- we prefer the shots to be full-screen on our computer monitor and burn them to CDs to use for slideshows on TV using our DVD player. There are higher resolutions available if desired, like 1600x1200 high resolution for larger photo prints.  Also, there are a variety of compression options available when saving pictures, which is helpful when emailing from a dialup connection so you're not sending huge files that take forever to download.The included CRV3 battery is still going strong after several hundred shots with the LCD monitor on continuously.  I bought rechargeable batteries but haven't needed to use them yet.  My old 1MP digital camera with no zoom and no preview screen was much harder on batteries, and if I didn't remove the battery when the camera was turned off if was dead the next day.  The battery door on the Nikon 2100 feels flimsy, so I'd recommend pressing the battery into place and holding down with your finger until you can slide the battery door closed.  I wouldn't pressure the batteries into place using the door.I like not having a separate lens cap to fool with, as the built-in lens cover automatically opens when the camera is powered on and closes when it's powered off. The camera is light and fits comfortably in your hand.  The LCD screen is bright and easy to see, especially when scrolling through menus.  We didn't have any problem seeing the screen outdoors in full sun, even with the sun's reflection on icy snow from a recent storm.  The camera goes into standby mode and the LCD screen turns off automatically after 30 seconds of non-use and then takes about 4 seconds to wake up, but that's the default setting which can be changed to longer intervals if desired.Holding the shutter button down halfway focuses the shot and when the button is pressed fully down, there is a quiet but definite  click so you know the picture has been taken.  It takes only a couple of seconds for the camera to refocus so you can shoot again.Good price, ease of use, excellent pictures, and Nikon quality -- what more could I ask for?  I recommend this camera without reservation and am completely happy with it in every way!  In fact, I like it so much I ordered one for my brother last night!Might not be the best choice for a professional photographer, but for everyday use at a reasonable price, it's awesome!!!
For $200, this is a great camera.  Minutes after unwrapping it, I had it all figured out.  It's packed with features but still very easy to use.  The scene modes are very helpful in taking sunset shots and close ups.  The software that comes with it is also very easy to use and I had no problems connecting the camera to my computer.  The pictures turn out very well, although they sometimes turn out a little dark--but the software does a good job fixing any color problems.  Also, the battery life is decent in comparison to other digital cameras, so no gripes about that.  Just make sure to buy some rechargeable batteries as this camera doesn't come with those.  I highly reccommend this camera.
I got this 2 or 3 years ago, when I was in year 7. I begged and begged my parents for one and they agreed on getting me this - although I was hoping for something more funky looking. But after I had it, I just absolutly loved it! :) It's great!It's very durable. Let me tell you about how I've trashed this so far..-I had my camera in my school bag (without the cover) and somehow the batterie flap broke and couldn't close properly anymore. I had to send it in to get it fixed (1st time)-I slid my camera into my back pocket and I didn't realize that while doing that, the camera had switched itself on. So out the lense came. Then stupidly, (I don't know why I did this.. ) but I sat down. And oops.. I took my camera out of my back pocket. The lense was crooked. And it couldn't close properly. So in it went for service again. And btw, that did not come cheap. (2nd time)Since then I have been handling my camera very carefully. I'm such a klutz!There are some cons though...-reacts a bit slowly now-turn button, which means camera turns on, when sliding into pocket...but I think that it's that way, because of my misshandling.All in all: It's a great camera. And perfect for klutzes. Look what it's been through with me! :)
I did a lot of research when looking for a basic digital camera, and was still surprised at how small this thing is!  I was used to digitals being roughly equal in size to regular point 'n' shoots, but this is about 1/2 the size.  No complaints - its easy to hold and does wonderful things.  Amazing!The Coolpix 2100 does everything I wanted a digital camera for:  Instant pictures, archiving capability, the ability to throw out pictures I don't want, etc.  It is definitely easy to carry around, making picture-taking much more possible.  I only rated it a "4" because:1) If I really wanted great pictures, I would have wanted more megapixels (my choice).2) I was disappointed that it only came with a non-rechargeable lithium battery.  While researching, I saw somewhere a spec that claimed that this camera came with a rechargeable battery and a recharger.  This must have been from some other country, because the camera in the US seems to require new power sources when the supplied battery runs out.3) The supplied photo-management software may be good, but it is not intuitive, and I have not yet totally figured it out.Having said this, the Coolpix 2100 is a sweet little camera, and is easy enough to use that you will be taking pictures right away.  Good Nikon quality in a small package.
I just bought the camera today and I'm really happy with it.Few weeks earlier, I bought the Sony DSCP52, played around with it, and then decided to return it.  Sony does have a lot of features (and SOUND with the movie), but there are 3 important factors: the cost of the memory card, the size, and weight.PROS for Nikon 2100:===================1) Supports compact flash memory cards.-This makes a HUGE difference as it will save you a lot of money.2) Small compact camera.-Unlike the Sony DSCP52 that makes your hand feel tired after holding it for too long with one hand.3) Weight.-Very light4) Doesn't use a proprietary battery like other small cameras.-Mine came with the nikon coolpix rechargeable Ni-Mh70 batteries (these ones are really good ).5) So many modes to choose from depending on your situation.-I don't know which other camera in this class comes with this many modes (like ones for fireworks, sunset/sunrise, beaches, etc.)6) Image transfer.-This was pretty quick and easy. Installing the software doesn't take too long either.CONS:====1) The manual is just way too confusing.  It's kind of hard to follow, and I'm eager to discover all the wonderful things and features that I can use with the camera.  I guess it takes a lot of time.2) No sound with the movie.3) Gets scratched easily + not very solid built (I'm always scared of damaging the battery door).4) When turning LCD mon on, it takes a few secs (though this is tolerable).Overall:=======Note: I'm a beginner at taking digital pictures; this will be my first digital camera!  But as a beginner, I find this camera to satisfy more than enough for my basic demands.  I have yet to try out the sunrise mode, but so far the ones I've taken in my room look really good.  I compared the pictures to the ones my friend took (Sony DSCP72) and they do look relatively the same.  So unless you really need to print out huge pictures, 2.0MP is adequate.
This was my first digital camera and I have to say that when I first got it I loved it. However it has it's share of problems. It is almost impossible for one to shoot anything without a flash using this camera--when you try it is usually blurred. The focus is also a bit dodgy--the background of many of my photographs are very  smudged looking. My recommendation is to invest a little bit more money and look into a camera with higher mp.
I just bought this camera on Christmas Eve. I was in a hurry as I'm going to Ireland tomorrow, needing scenary shots and good color I picked this one. I had an HP 2.1 megapixel camera, that zoomed 4X and had also movie option with no sound. I wanted movie WITH sound as I've not had sound ever with my old one. I went down in Megapixels with this camera, but it was a good price like everyone is saying. I'm still learning it, there are a LOT of options, which I still need to get down.My only complaint which I feel is huge, is the candid shots. I was trying to take a pic of my neighbor's cat for her, and everytime he would move his head, that's when it would snap the picture. So the delay is actually longer than my older camera. But other than that, its good so far.The display on the LCD does go off after a short amount of time. Kind of annoying. The battery I had no problem with, I think lids of batteries are probably all flimsy, but this one is just like all the rest. I ended up buying Energizer 2 double A's to replace the battery that came with it because the Target guy said the manufactuer's battery wouldn't last as long as 2 double A's. I also threw in more $$$ for a 128 MB card for the space alone. I had a 64MB card before and it goes fast if you are not careful.So far so good. I don't like the LCD going off on me, and I REALLY don't like how long the camera takes to take a picture for candid shots, but the pictures that I did get, are well worth the money. Also, another reviewer said that the flash is good, it's almost too good, sheesh. It's very bright. Some shots were too white, I'm sure there is an option for this somewhere and it only happened a few times. My old camera didnt' have a good flash on it, so on this one I noticed the flash RIGHT AWAY. I'm pleased with it for the price, I'm going to keep it.
I bought the Nikon Coolpix about six months ago.  It takes nice outdoor pictures, but it is so slow that you have to warn your subjects to hold still and wait for it to flash.  I frequently get blurry pictures indoors or in low light.  Forget candid photos because by the time the camera goes off, the moment has been missed.  Also, the camera goes to sleep after a few seconds and then it takes about another 30 seconds to come back on. By the time you get the family posed, the camera has shut off, and by the time the camera comes back on Aunt Ida has already disappeared.Also, AA batteries (even the high-power-camera ones) do not work well in the Coolpix.
I had the same problem with Nikon 2500. It went completely dead (out of power) without warning. I never dropped it. I am very disappointed with Nikon quality. My next camera will not be a Nikon!
Reviews of this camera, as late as the Fall of 2004, seem to place the Coolpix 2100 above all its competitors (2 Mpxl, non-SLR).My two complaints: there is no manual focus (but you can use the focus lock, half-depressing the shutter switch, to "lock in" a focus range - except in macro mode), and a wimpy flash (really only good to 6-8' (2-2.5 m). A separate flash is the answer here.The battery issue mentioned by others below is troublesome, but not really a big problem. In short, rechargeable batteries are a must, but they tend to carry a lower voltage, which the camera battery meter reads as being "nearly empty". So, like a car with a bad fuel gauge, you eventually learn to disregard the "low battery" warning, and always carry a backup pair of charged batteries.I've shot - ready for this? - over a hundred flash photos in a row from a single pair of rechargeable AA's. Pretty good lifetime! But the meter claimed they were low after the first 5-10...
I have been using a Nikon Coolpix 950 (2MP) camera for several years and decided to buy the 2100 as a gift for my wife around 12/2003 from Amazon. I had been satisfied with the quality of photographs for the 950 and am now also satisfied with the 2100. For about 1/6th of the price and less than 1/2 of the size, the quality of the 2100 is nearly identical. As an all-around point-and-shoot for a very good price, the 2100 is a winner. However, my suggestion is to use only disposable or rechargeable Lithium-based batteries and not NiMH.I hesitated writing a review until I could figure out a problem with rechargeable batteries. The disposable CR-V3 lithium battery is excellent and can easily last a few months and a few hundred pictures. Flash recharge time is acceptable (although when you have infants or toddlers who don't sit still it might not be!). But when I used high-capacity (2000 mAh) 1.2V rechargeable NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries, the flash recharge time was poor and it would take many seconds to be able to take the next picture. A low-battery indicator would be displayed too soon even if the batteries had enough of a charge, suggesting that the lower voltage (2.4 V for NiMH versus 3.0 V for the disposable) made it difficult for the camera to sense the true strength of the charge that was left. Even worse, the short shelf life of even fully charged NiMH batteries rendered them almost empty, at least as the 2100 saw them, after two or three weeks of no use so we would have to keep swapping in fully charged batteries. The 2100 did get a firmware upgrade that mentions addressing problems with NiMH batteries, but our camera was shipped with the latest. So after numerous attempts at using various brands of rechargeable NiMH batteries, which is the kind that is popular for digital cameras, I was discouraged.Then I found the "RCR-V3" battery on the web, a replacement for the CR-V3 disposable. Thomas Distributing sells a couple brands that will cost upwards to $40 including the charger and shipping. But now I can say it was worth it. With the RCR-V3, the low-battery indicator does not show up prematurely, the flash recharge time is as short as the disposable CR-V3, and the shelf life of the rechargeable is excellent for more than a month. We have the NEXcell brand, but I think any of the brands would work well. Now I highly recommend this camera, as long as it is using lithium based batteries.
I had an old hand me down Kodak digital camera, and I mean old...the high res on it is like 150 pixels.  It is fine for on-line pics, but I have been waiting til digitals came down in price to purchase one I thought would last me a long time.After reading a lot, I decided on this camera.  My only reservation was whether or not to spend the extra money for a 3.2 megapixel.  It seemed for the money, this was a better choice than a low end 3.2 camera.I have been very pleased with it.  The menus are very intuitive, the delete is quick and easy to discard a shot.There are enough settings on this to satisfy an amateur photographer.  I am a gardener, and the macro did a great closeup on my roses.Print wise, you will see no discernable difference on this camera on pics up to a 5X7 than off a traditional camera.  I didn't find an 8 X 10 to be of a quality that I would want, but, then again, I didn't expect it to be.  How often do you print 8 X 10's anyway?  If that is what you need, you probably need to move to a 3.2 camera, but for snapshops and 5 X7's you will be thrilled with this one.Some reviews (and the Nikon manual) say you should only use Lexar and Scandisk memory.  I purchased a Viking 128 mg card Amazon had on special to go with this, and it is working perfectly fine for me.
I purchased this camera for my daughter who is currently serving in Bahgdad and she was thrilled with it.  It has held up better that other brands that are in those tough conditions and she loves the way the pictures come out.  She says that it is very easy to use and that alot of the other soldiers she works with plan on getting the same camera after seeing how well hers works. I am getting one for my other son in Bahgdad and for my son in school.
I have had this camera for over 2 weeks now and I find this perfect. I had tried the A60 earlier but that one was giving a green hue even in bright light and lotsa pictures weren't giving true colors. (PL. don't buy the A60).So i returned that and got this one instead. It has been a splendid journey so far. the picture quality even in low light is good. the scene modes are very useful.Pros- Good quality and sharp pictures- various scene modes help compose pictures in different lighting situations.- Low light (indoor) and night pictures pretty good- easy to use menus- Can use multiple batteries, 1 CRV-3 battery or 2 AA batteries- Very compact and light- Uses an inexpensive memory cardCons- Battery consumptionYou may wanna invest in re-chargeable batteries and a higher capacity memory card. JUST BUY THIS CAMERA !!!
Back when I first purchased one of these cameras (the first year it hit the market) the 2100 was downright nifty. I did an inordinate amount of research before buying (a latent Asperger's kicks in whenever I shop for technogizmos) and spoke to a number of serious photogeeks. There was a consensus: A good lens is of paramount importance.That advice continues, I believe, to hold true, even several technological generations later: all cameras, digital or not, capture the image using a lens. No matter how nifty the digital guts of the camera, the lens is what hands the image to the CCD.Pro:Nikon makes really good lenses. And this camera takes very, very good pictures. 2.1 MP is plenty big enough for any digital photo displayed on a webpage. The images are sharp, clean, nice color saturation, and all of the digital "mode" doodads give you lots of versatility and entertainment until you become bored with 99% of them and recognize them as a waste of time (just like 2007 technology cameras.) It's very easy to use, and the thumb controls are basically identical to 2007 technology. It's very lightweight. I never dropped mine once, not even from a few inches, so I can't attest to any mil-spec durability, but in years of use, it always worked just fine, cold weather or hot. It's small but thick: you can put it in a shirt pocket, but you probably won't.Con:OK, so it's only 2.1 MP. And it's a slow as cold molasses: push the shutter button and at least a full second elapses before the picture is captured. The screen then goes black, and you wait for another second or so before the camera recovers for another shot. If you happened to shoot in conditions that trigger the flash, then you get to wait for a good eight seconds before you can shoot again. Battery life is a joke, and batteries go dead sitting in the camera even when it's turned off.  The LCD screen in the back is tiny.Why you might want one:If you can get one for really cheap, go for it. It's very easy to use, small and light enough to take everywhere, takes very good pictures with a resolution adequate for web use, and even a kid can figure out how to use it.Me, I just gave mine away. Technology marches on, and the Coolpix 2100 got left far, far behind. But that advice still holds about lenses, so the replacement will be a Panasonic -- with a Leica lens. I'll post a review after I've had time to try out my new camera -- when I finally decide. Still doing research...
There is nothing wrong with the 2100 except for the very noticeable delay between pics. The camera's digital processor takes about 5 seconds after a photo is snapped to ready itself for the next one.Otherwise, the optics, the 3X optical zoom and the 2 megapixel resolution are fine for anything from Internet apps to 8" x 10" print enlarging.It is competent, not spectacular, but it gets the job done at an agreeable price point.
Pros: Very compact design, great picture quality, compact size, comfortable in the hand, customizeable scene modes, 2-megapixel resolution for prints up to 8 x 10 inchesCons: Problems when using with LCD monitor off, scene modes can be a bit too customizeable, and distract you from the shotSummary: I had an option at the camera store between the Nikon 2100 and an Olympus model that was 3.0 megapixels. They were both priced the same and basically had the same specs. It boiled down to "ease of operation". To delete a shot with the Nikon 2100, you touch one button. On the Olympus model, you have to navigate through the menu and it's quite aggravating. That's just one of the many features that Nikon has added to the 2100. The menu is quite user friendly and the camera is very easy to use. A part of me was worried getting a 2.0 megapixel camera, but there really isn't that much of a difference between a 3.0/2.0 on a 4X6 picture. One other note, and this may seem elementary: the camera looks great! Very sleek and compact.There are some downsides: the flash seems a bit hot and the shutter is quite slow - you can't snap the shutter like you can on an SLR, causing you to miss some of those moments that happen in the "blink of an eye". BUT, for the price and the great quality, you can't beat it. And the biggest PLUS? NIKON! It's all about the NIKON quality - far and away the best brand!
The LCD screen QUICKLY turns off using the "LCD SCREEN OFF" button right under the screen... this same button will also disable/enable the helpful on-screen information (how many pictures you have, what size, etc.).The battery is NOT hard to install, not sure what you are talking about, I had it in and running immediately.If you would learn how to use the camera, a light press of the shutter button focuses the camera on the object, you can hold it here all day, then, when you decide to take the picture, a full press of the button takes the picture INSTANTLY.It's a shame people give negative reviews about such a great product.If you are looking for a wonderful camera at a budget, this IS the camera you need, does EXCELLENT video and picture quality.TONS of features, nighttime pictures, etc.. but also a simple setting for normal use... you can even EASILY edit pictures right on the camera.I got the case and rechargeable battery set which works great, never need to worry about batteries.I did a print of 8x10 with the 2 megapixels and the picture looked just fine, unless you are directly comparing the SAME picture side by side with a higher megapixel camera, you won't notice ANY difference, it looks awesome, this will do 4x6 and 5x7 prints nice and clearly.The camera is small and is a blast, I LOVE it and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a digital camera who isn't looking for "super awesome professional sharp clear pictures".This will do prints wonderfully.
Pro's1. Has all the desirable features like video out, only 2 AA batteries etc.2. Nice looking and very small in size with good grip. Light weight too.3. Uses inexpensive CF cards, not expensive sticks!4. Easy menus and scene modes to use.5. Competitively priced.6. Superb macro pictures and good low light/night shots. It could focus in pretty low light without any AF assist light, because of a bright lens.7. Good battery life on just 2 AA's. (unlike 4 on some models from Canon, HP and others)8. Inexpensive accessory kit is available right here on Amazon! It has a very fast world charger, 2 NiMH AA's and a custom case.Con's1. Reliability is doubtful and battery door is very flimsy.2. Movie mode is bad, no sound and movie sizes very small.3. A bit on thick, making it slightly tougher to pocket.4. No rechargeable batteries or charger in the box.5. Need to read & remember manual for proper use of so many scene modes like "museum"!6. Weak flash and redeye.7. Worst of all it doesn't work reliably with anything other than Sandisk and Lexar CF cards. Weren't these cards made to a standard?Its not the best but for its price its definitely worth considering. Esp if you like its its picture quality.
This was my very first digital camera and I loved it. I was $500 at the time and had 2mp and 3x optical zoom which was very impressive. Amazing how far camera's have come and where prices have gone. Great little camera and it held up for years. The only issue I have had with this camera and another Nikon Coolpix was the battery cover. There is a small piece of plastic that broke and I couldn't keep the bottom closed so the camera was then useless. If I wanted to fix it, it would cost a fortune so I bought another camera.Great camera for the amateur 8 years ago but it goes to show you that Nikon has been a great camera company for years.
For a 2 megapixel camera the Coolpix 2100 is about the best you can get for the money.  It doesn't have all the features of some cameras in this price range, mind you, but it does what it does quite well.I've been taking photos, I suppose you could say "semi-professionally," for more than 20 years.  I still prefer my mid-end 35mm Nikon SLR, but I had a need for a moderately fast digital camera to use for posting to web sites and to email friends.  Generally speaking, you don't need too many megapixels for this kind of use.  And for this purpose, the 2100 is just about perfect.  It takes very good close ups (perfect for auctions) and the exposures are generally pretty good.What it does not do well: Very limited manual controls (is that even needed in this price/megapixel range?), not too good at red eye reduction, and its movie mode is a total waste given that there's no sound.I looked at several other cameras in this price range and I decided on the Nikon because of how it felt, how it functioned, and the quality behind the product.  The Canon A60 is functionally a far better camera with a great movie mode with sound.  However, having tested it personally, I found it to be far more complicated than it needed to be.  It also just didn't feel right in my hands.  You put these two cameras hand in hand and you'll see the difference.  The Nikon is just made to be held.  I don't know what the Canon folks were thinking: It feels like a block with a raised hand grip.  Also, the Canon just didn't feel well made.  The limited research I did with the sales clerk and a search on the Internet indicated that Canon has some quality issues with the A60.If you can spend more money on a camera and/or you're looking for something you can use for enlargements then you'll want to look elsewhere.  Nikon, Olympus, Sony and others have better cameras for less than one hundred dollars more.  But if you're looking for a relatively inexpensive camera to use on the Internet this will do you just fine.
My first digital camera.  The ONLY downside is the delay between the time you press the shutter release (w/flash) and the actual opening of the shutter, but even that can be handled as you get used to it.The picture quality is magnificent.  Using cropping, I've made some 8x10 blow-ups of some pretty small croppings, with great results - very fine detail, NOT grainy, great color, etc.The camera body shape allows you to hang on to the camera easily, while still offering the advantages of a very small camera - even pocket-sized (with moderate to large pockets).With a 256Mb flash card, I get 315 highest pixel pictures.  You just keep on clicking.  It's great.
I've had this camera a year and a half.  I got it right after it came on the market and at that time the reviews were all good. I was really pleased with it except for the way it eats batteries.  In cold weather I can only get two photos on recharged batteries, and where I live it is cold much of the year. I liked the small size and The picture quality was really great. Everyone admired the photos I took with this camera.  But the on-off control has broken and fallen off.  And no wonder; the fault was with a very cheesy thin plastic part that broke because it couldn't take the wear and tear of being turned on and off.  For what it cost, I should have had much more use from it.  The other downsides to this camera were that I had to buy as extras all the cords, transformer, case, memory cards  and other accessories needed to make it functional.  Nothing came with it except a small 8mb memory card.  Now I'm stuck with a couple hundred dollars worth of accessories that are all useless with another camera.  If I had it to do over again, I would not buy this camera.
I purchased this camera after I accidently killed my Nikon 775. I have to admit to a bit of disappointment. There wasn't much progress made in the camera form factor. It is a relatively large camera. I assumed that there is some sort of trade-off...that this larger camera took better quality pictures than other, smaller, 3.2mpix devices.I've had a terrible time trying to get decent shots. With the 775 I consistently got very nice snapshots. I've owned this camera for about 8 weeks and I'm still struggling to get decent photos. Night shots are almost impossible. Maybe my memory card is too slow, but it takes forever to get setup for the next picture.The redeye feature doesn't work and the shutter lag is too long.I sprung for rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and I'm pretty satisfied with their life, but it took about two weeks before they would really keep a charge.
You get a lot of bang for the buck with this one. Firstly, the camera is *tiny*, but still has that wonderful Nikkor lens. Being a fan of the swivel lens design, I do miss that, but the picture quality so far has been superlative.As with small cameras, the flash can be problematic in that it's just not all that powerful. However, you can compensate some by monkeying around with the settings manually or use one of the scene settings. I took a nice picture of a sunrise to experiment with the scenes, and I have a nice mixture of deep indigo with red on the horizon. It'll go absolutely anywhere you need it to go, and unlike the reported problem with the coolpix 3500, shutter speed is much improved.My only criticisms right now are the weak flash (but what do you want from something so small) and the load time between pictures. The second problem may be fixed with a better CF card, but this camera is nice for snapshots, though some people will complain about the startup time. I'm enjoying this camera immensely right now!
We have two Nikon Coolpixs 3100's in the family - both with serious problems. On the plus side, the camera takes good pictures when it works.One has the lens mechanism failure (System Error shows, lens won't retract) and is unusable. The second was dropped, and the catch on the battery door broke. Unfortunately, the catch is part of the body, and so it's uneconomic to service. It's still usable on a tripd! I still use a 40 year old Nikkormat, but these cameras are built to a poor standard.
I love my camera, it is perfect for taking pictures at parties and other social gatherings.  One thing about this camera that I don't like a whole lot is that it takes a pretty long time for it to focus up and get ready to take a picture, but from my experience this is the case with almost all digital cameras.  I like the &quot;continuous&quot; setting, which lets you take lots of pictures right after one another, but the pictures come out with a blue tint and are not fun to look at.I also wish it had more zoom, which I should have thought of earlier, because I use this little fella to take pictures of airplanes which you usually can't get really close to.  3x is enough zoom for the average joe taking pictures of his friends, but if you are going to be taking pics of nature etc where more zoom is needed, there are a few cameras out there with 12x zoom that you should look into.  This camera does have digital zoom, but the quality becomes very poor when used to it's max.Scene modes are pretty neat, in my experience they take about the same quality picture as the automatic mode.  The landscape feature has proved useful for ground shots because it gives you reference lines across the screen so you can level your picture right there.Great camera, high quality pictures, easy to use, buy the rechargeable batteries and you will be all set.
I am amazed at the clarity of the photos. This is not the first digital camera I have had, but it is the best!I love the short movies that I can film, I love the scene assistant.. It is cool all around.Took it camping this past weekend, got some excellant shots of the Mtns, made them look pretty close and clear even though they were far away...  Sure I might be able to get a better camera.. but not at this price!
I actually bought my Niko in Japan and it came with the NiMH batteries, which I'll get too later.  I had intended on buying one of the newer Sony camera's, but after shopping around a little I found that Nikon had all the same features as the Sony equivelant and took better pictures.  Sony pics look a little grainy, especially at large sizes.  This is my first digital camera although I've had a digital video camera for almst 4 years.Picture quality: first and foremost, the picture quality is very good and is easily of the best camras in the 3.2 meg range.  I've worked to blow the pictures up, use them as screensavers, etc and they look immaculate on my 19" screen.Scenes: I haven't had much call to use the scene function, but I have worked on the indoor/ outdoor settings, portrait and even took some pictures with the "snow" setting in a room that looked way too white.  The scenes also utilize flash contol. Overall these are easy to use, although as Amazon notes, you probably won't have use for many of them.Performance:  Autofocus could be a little quicker and a little more responsive in my book.  I've had problems with the camera not focusing during portraits and coming out all blurry.  With the time it takes to autofocus, the time it takes to record and the time it takes to setup for the next pic, the shutter speed is moot.  Usually though, the camera works very well, indoors and outdoors.  Outdoor pics look amazing on a nice sunny day.  The Flash is a pain and requires some tooling.  Get too close and everything comes out white, portrait takes a little too long.  Everything else is fine.Batteries: My biggest complaint.  Anyone out there expecting to get any kind of use out of regular batteries can dream on.  Even the NiMH batteries die way too fast and require constant recharging.  When the batteries get low, which is usually after 10 or so pics, the camera will auto shut down while the flash recharges.  Very irritating when combined with the autofocus and the time it takes to record pics to the memory.  Takes forever to get another shot off.  I'm tempted to bring the review down to three stars over this one feature, but I haven't experimented with other batteries yet so I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt.Conveience: The size, features and computer to camera setup is top notch.  I have windows XP and I didn't need to install any software to copy the pics to my hard drive.  It was plug and play.  I like that the camera uses compact flash cards while other companies are going to more expensive formats.  I have an Epson printer that can copy pics of the CF cards and they lok amazing.Value: about average for a camera in this class, and I think the pros outweight the cons.  Lets face it, this is just above entry level and not the best camera on the market, but easily one of the best in it's price range.  Having owned this one for a little over a month, I may decide not to skimp when I upgrade.  Most of my complaints could be easily resolved if I were willing to shell out the extra dough.  Great camera for vacations, parties and portability.
I love this camera! The smallest case I could find for it was too big!Here are the highlights and lowlights:Hits:Size--it's smaller than it looks; you just want to hold it!!!Quality--Nikon. That should tell you it's quality.Macros--Nikon is legendary for awesome close-ups!Format--uses AA's and CF media. SO cheap and easy!BSS--best shot selector. Handy!Lots of features!Missses:Some shutter lag, but there always is in this price range.Not the fastest focus--same as above, though.Harder to find now. 3200 model not nearly as format-friendly!3 megapixels can only be enlarged so far. Enough for most.For the price, this one is impossible to beat. 'Adorable' is the most heard description. The fact that it takes good photos is a bonus!
I had a Kodak Easy Share camera before I bought a used Nikon Cool Pics 3100.The only attribute that Kodak had over this camera was ease of use. It was definitely easier to use.As much as I like this camera I can't give it a 5 in that category.As a used camera it didn't come with a manual that may have helped.This camera is versatile. There are more photo settings than I will probably ever use!It's strong points are portability and picture quality.Portability: This camera is small enough to fit into your shirt or pants pocket. Although I wouldn't recommend that.It is light and small. My wife carries it in her purse regularly.Picture Quality: I see a noticeable difference in photo quality over cameras I have owned previously. Comparing pictures in a photo album you can see an improvement with the Cool Pics.Battery Life: I have come to the conclusion that battery life is a problem with virtually every digital camera. You have three options on the battery issue;1)Buy longer life batteries. My experience is that the extra life is not long enough to justify the added cost.2)Use re-chargeable batteries. This camera came with rechargeable batteries and a charger.They don't work and another set we used for different gadgets didn't work well either.3)Buy batteries in bulk and conserve them as much as possible. We went this route.For example,don't leave the camera on for extended periods unless you're shooting photos. We buy 8 or 12 packs of Duracells or Rayovacs on sale and they last long enough for what we need.The viewer window is big enough to be effective when pointing the camera for a shot. It's accurate, no top or bottom of the photo missing the target like some cameras do.Another cool feature is the power button.It slides and is spring loaded. Push it to the right to turn on or off. It's convenient and I prefer it over a push-button.This should prevent accidentally bumping the button and draining the batteries.I almost forgot to mention another strong point; the port for downloading photos to a computer and the memory card slot are conveniently located(on the sides) and easy to access. We bought an additional memory card because of the cheap price. Downloading photos either way is really easy with the Cool Pics whether you use a $3 memory card reader or directly from the camera using a USB port cable.The Cool Pics 3100 has served us well and I wouldn't hesitate to buy this camera again.I plan on looking for another one when this current camera needs to be replaced in the future.
I got this very quickly from Amazon.com, even with saver shipping.  It's my first digital camera, and so far, I'm impressed.  I've used plenty of Nikon 35mm and SLR cameras, but I needed a portable, high quality, yet affordable, digital camera.  This is it.  It is the smallest 3+ megapixel digital camera I've seen, even smaller than its big brother the Coolpix 4300.  I would have bought the 4300 but then this camera came out and is pretty close in quality and quite a bit cheaper than the 4300.  As for quality, this camera impresses me greatly...especially because of its small, yet very comfortable size.  Sure, there are smaller cameras, but they fall out of your hands, whereas this one does not (I always use the wrist strap anyway).  The scene modes are a bit of overkill, but the full auto mode works well, and I have yet to really get into the "manual" mode, but it seems to be quite useful for taking several pictures at the same time/selecting the best shot (using the camera's automatic best shot selector feature).  Overall, the camera is great.  The tried and true 3x optical zoom nikkor lense, combined with an excellent CCD and extremely small, yet grippable body make this the perfect camera for someone who wants portability, quality, and a great price too.
This is absolutely the best camera I've ever had.  It's just plain fun to use and easy.  i would recommend it to anyone
Note: As of December 2005, there is a Service Advisory out of the 3100.  Please see:[...]My camera began showing problems a little after a year after purchase.  The pictures had horizontal lines across them.  I sent the camera in for the service advisory, in which they fix the camera free of charge.I got the camera back a few weeks later, but there were even more problems!  All pictures taken were unnaturally blue and no amount of ajusting of color fixed this.  The horizontal lines also returned a day after they returned the camera.  And lastly, the camera began showing a blank monitor when turned on.  I called Nikon Tech Support, they told me to send it back in again.That was three weeks ago.  They have not responded to any of my emails for a status inquiry.  I have no idea what is going on with my camera.This has been a huge pain.  Not only did we miss my daughter's second Christmas photos, but Nikon has not been in contact with us.Also:  Listen to the other reviews about the battery life.  This Camera just eats them up, you have to constantly change the batteries, and the recharable ones last for just a few shots.For the first year we were pretty happy.  Now that the warrenty expired, it's a different story.Good luck!  I'll chose another camera the next time around.
We purchased this camera specifically for taking pictures at our wedding last year, and the pictures came out dark and grainy. Minus one star.Agreeing with another reviewer, the batteries could last a little longer. Minus another star.Also, if you want to be at all spontaneous, this may not be the right camera for you. It takes forever to turn on and to switch from camera to preview mode and back again. Also, it defaults to the triple flash for red-eye reduction, which I would rather not use all the time. That's three stars downIt is small, though. And easy to use. For that I will give 2 stars. But if I had to do it over again, I would have purchased a different camera.
I really do not reccommend this camera. Frst of all, the battery life is extremely low. I can usualy go no more than 1/2 hour before I need to put in fresh batteries.The print quality is terrible: all my mictures come out with muddy colors, no matter where I get them printed.and the time it takes the shutter to open after I press the button is about 1.5 seconds: way too long if you are trying to capture a picture of a moving subject (like my two year old daughter).I do not reccommend this camera at all.
I recently received this camera as a birthday present from my grandmother and I absolutly love it. I've had the camera about a month, and I use it ALL the time. I went to Boston on vacation and used the camera everyday for 3 weeks and the battery never died. The quality of the pictures is absolutly excellent. The night mode is a little bit hard to get used to as the shutter has to stay open longer, but once you get the hang of it the pictures come out looking fantastic.I would definitly recommend buying a larger memory card, I bought a 256mb one, and I never have to change it.Even with extreme close-ups, the quality of the pictures is excellent. Never grainy or pixelized.I havnt quite figured out how to use the photo software it came with, I use Olympus Camedia Master for photo editing ( i used to own an Olympus Camedia.)Overall this is a great camera. Its compact, affordable, and produces great pictures.
This camera is a great choice for a first digital camera.  The picture quality is great, and with the museum mode, will allow great indoor pictures using existing light.  You can take great shots, day and night, as long as you utilize the proper scene modes that are built into the camera.The problems others seem to have are likely due to wrong battery choice.  Make sure you purchase the correct nimh rechargeables as recommended by the manufacturer.  With mine, I can take 150+ pictures on a single charge; turning the camera off when not in use.The low price makes this camera a great deal; it's a good first camera or makes a great gift.  I've had mine for over a year and have taken roughly 1800 pictures.  Definitely recommended!
I ordered this camera from Amazon and received it last week. What a great piece of equipment. At the same time I ordered a 256meg Viking CF card.  I can take over 300 pictures using that card with this camera, and the quality is fantastic. The Nikon software loaded perfectly (WindowsXP) and is easy to use.  I couldn't be more pleased. Oh, and the optical zoom is great. That is one of the big reasons I bought this camera over some of the competitors. I zoom in alot with this one before having to go into the digital zoom and the loss of quality that inevitably brings.
I've taken 1000's of shots with this tiny little camera and love them. I've bought the 2100 as gifts for everyone in my wedding party. The camera is awesome.(...) Nikon issued a firmware update that fixes the battery life issue. I called Nikon and they recommended using the Nikon NIMH batteries or a disposable CRV3 battery, not the ones he was having trouble with.This camera is so easy and so much fun. The scene assist is a blast.I wouldn't trade it for any other camera out there. I've been a Nikon person before, I looked at all the print samples and this one is better than many of the 5 Megapixel cameras out there...
arrrgh!!! i'm so jealous of you people who get to buy this great little camera for this price. i bought this for about $100 more when it 1st came out (maybe 2 or 2 1/2 years ago). but i think it's still worth it. i only know how to work 2 of the knob settings, yet i still love it.the life of a "stored recharged battery is short and unpredictable, but after reading "mermaid 2663's" reveiw, i'll take her advise and charge them the day before use.the pictures come out great. i've taken pictures of pictures and the outcome is pretty good.i got the perfect little nikon case on e-bay for $7.sometimes i wonder if it's now obsolete, buti still get compliments on my camera and pictures.
This camera is great looking, compact, and easy to use.  The daytime pictures that I have taken with it have turned out excellent.  They are sharp and the colors look great.  However, the nightime pictures I have taken with it have turned out blurry.The battery life isn't the best either.  I recommend using rechargeable batteries with it, because it will eat up regular batteries quickly.All in all, it's a nice camera for daytime photos.  I think it's also a good camera for the first time digital photographer.
Ok, here is the truth.  I bought this camara because I had a business trip to Japan.  Wanted something small.  Wanted something light.  This camara delivers this.  Before I bought it I read all the reviews...Now here is the truth.  The pictures are great but a couple of points.  1) this is a small camara.  That means you need a steadier hand than with a larger camara.  2) it has a dozen different picture settings, and they do make a difference especially in low light so you have to be fairly active with your settings  3) software is outdated, you must update from the Nikon website and it isn't the easiest process for the novice  4) No rechargable battery or case included 5) stupid 16 meg card included, you must upgrade 6)It does take up to six seconds to write the picture to the card, that is slow by digital standardsWhile this may sound like a lot of drawbacks here are the strengths 1) picture quality better than others 2)size, only the elph is smaller but this is much more comfortable3) nikon software is so simple both for picture modifications and red eye one touch 4) uploading to your computer or the nikon website is one touch and you get 50 megs online.In my mind the pros outweigh the cons but you have to make the decision for yourself.  I for one am happy with my choice.
I have had my Nikon 3100 for almost two years now, and I take it wherever I go. I am a real photo and video enthusiast and I have owned cameras since my father gave me my first Kodak Brownie (I wish I still had it) when I was a kid. Although I own quite a collection of SLR cameras and camcorders, this is by far the camera I use the most because of it's versatility and superb picture quality. It's size is definitely a plus and it is really cute. Anywhere I have ever showed it off people compliment it's good looks and small size, even if there are other cameras around, such as sonys, minoltas or canons.I agree with most of the pros that other users state in their reviews, but I have to be honest and say that there are a few of the flaws that most of the reviewers mention that I agree with also, such as poor picture quality in low light or indoors. A lot of the pictures taken when the flash goes off are definitely over-lighted. But I have gotten used to that and I still recommend the little camera overall. More expensive cameras with advanced features do not have this problems.There is however one more con which I want to mention which is a major one for me and I am very surprised that I have never seen anybody say it before in any of the hundreds of reviews I've read: the LCD display on this camera scratches easily, no matter how much you take care of it. And I know what I am talking about! I take care of my cameras how you would'nt believe. Both my son and daughter own different digital cameras, a Fuji and a Canon, and their LCD screens are'nt a bit scratched no matter how much they throw them around. I carry my Nikon in a case and I have been really careful about the LCD screen since I noticed the first little scratch appear, but it is more scratched every day. This, I know, is a cosmetic detail, but it does affect the looks of the camera, and everyone notices it.I would like to know if anybody else has noticed this. I've been thinking about buying another Nikon, maybe a Coolpix 4600 or 5600 just to upgrade to 4MP or 5MP, but I want to know if this happens to all of this little Nikons.Nikon please take note.
I purchased this camera at least 3 years ago, so I have quite a bit of experience with it.  I use it mainly now for eBay pics.  When I do use it recreationally I find it aggreviating.  When you take a pic you have to wait for the camera, at least 5 seconds to come back and sometimes mine actually goes to sleep!  When you press the shutter button, the camera takes at least 2 seconds before the flash flashes and the pic is taken.  I spent a lot, when I purchased this camera, a lot more than it is priced today.  I bought it respecting the Nikon name.  I wouldn't recommend this camera to anyone.
I have had a Nikon Coolpix 3100 3MP digital camera and it's been acting up.  I was not looking forward to adjusting to a new camera. So I was thrilled to find this one on Amazon.  The camera arrived fast and it works great.  So I look forward to many more years with this Coolpix.  The seller was excellent too.  So it's been an excellent transaction.
Pros:1.) Ease of operation. The camera is very user friendly. Just by messing around with it for 20 to 30 minutes I figured out how to operate most of the functions.2.) Great price. I was looking at sony p7 and canon. Both of these cameras were nice and had a few more options than the Nikon but I like the Nikon's style and functionability better.3.) LCD screen. I liked Nikon's screen better than Sony's just because it was recessed. With Sony's if you set it down on a flat surface then the screen would have come into contact with the surfaceCons:1.) My friends have reported little white spots of light on their pictures. I have noticed a few little spots on pictures that I've taken but they aren't bad. I have also noticed that these spots will occur on other cameras, even disposable.2.) Battery life is about average. My batteries usually last 45 minutes to an hour. I have rechargable nickle batteries.3.) The 16mb memory disc is standard but I got a 128mb one as well so that I would be able to hold plenty of pictures.This is my first digital camera.. It takes great pictures but like everything it is not perfect&#65533;It is easy to figure out how to use and the controls are well placed for its small size. But it really is small and sometimes it is awkward to handle but the small size is great for travel and is small enough to fit in a loose pocket comfortably. I would have liked a bigger memory card. I bought a 128mb card when I bought the camera. I took about 150 pics on vacation and had room for about 150 more. 64mb would be plenty. You really should buy rechargeable batteries. This camera goes through batteries rather quickly. I bought regular alkaline batteries &#65533; they lasted about 5 minutes I then bought Lithium batteries :). The rechargeable batteries die after taking about 50-60 pictures. The movie quality was pretty good and you can edit the movies on the camera. Shutter response time is slow. In low light without the flash pictures become very blurry. I would guess the shutter automatically stays open longer to compensate for low light. I have not found a way to prevent this. On high quality the write time to the card seems long, about 7-8 seconds. I would like more features that you would find on a higher priced bigger camera but I wanted this to travel with and it worked great for that. It gave me good prints and it was pretty easy to use. Overall it is a great camera that anyone could use.
I've been able to get some awesome closeup pictures of flowers, insects, and other things in my gardens with this camera (visit my website and you'll see what I mean).  The color quality is excellent--the pictures are clear and sharp--and I've literally taken thousands of pictures with it in the last couple of years. I also use it on a daily basis in my classroom, photographing student artwork, and it's been great for that, too.  I use rechargeable NiMH batteries and don't have any complaints about battery life.Its low-light capabilities leave something to desired, however, and the 3x zoom is now inadequate for my personal and professional photographic needs.  Still, it's a camera I'd definitely recommend to someone who wants to enter the world of digital photography and doesn't have a lot of money to spend.  It's a good, affordable, entry-level, take everywhere camera.
I received this camera as a gift. Right off the bat, I was mad that it does not come with anything but the camera. I have an inexpensive Polaroid digital camera that I have used for years. When I bought it, it came with a case, power supply, cables and memory. THIS CAMERA DOES NOT. You have to buy all that separately. So my gift camera cost me several dollars before I could use it. The picture quality is awesome. It has special settings for indoor and outdoor and sunsets etc. The menus are easy to use also. Power usage is a big problem with this camera. The design was very poorly planned to save on size and weight this camera sacrifices battery power. It has space for two AA size batteries. Regular Alkaline AA batteries are worthless. Disposable Lithium AA batteries work a little better. The accessory rechargeable batteries that Nikon recommends work pretty well. You can take about 15-20 pictures with continuous use. Or if you take a picture here and there they will last about two weeks. I have found the special C-something disposable lithium batteries (look like two AA batteries molded together) work the best but they are the most expensive battery option for this camera.
Pro's1. Has many desirable features like 3MP, video out, only 2 AA batteries etc.2. Nice looking and very small in size with good grip. Light weight too.3. Uses [inexpensive] CF cards.4. Easy menus and scene modes to use. Modes give you some control over what camera does.5. Great macro pictures.6. Night shots are very nice if used with tripod or some supporting surface.7. Good manual, explains differences between the modes.8. Has a very affordable accessory kit with case, batteries and fast charger here on Amazon.Con's1. Reliability is doubtful. Battery compartment door is very flimsy.2. Movie mode is junk, no sound and movie sizes very small.3. A bit thick, making it tougher to pocket.4. No rechargeable batteries or charger in the box. And still costs more than it competition.5. No AF assist light or manual mode.6. One of the most expensive 3MP cameras. Esp since it has poor features and nothing bundled with it.7. Slow to read/write to CF cards, manual recommends only Lexar/Sandisk cards. Aren't CF cards made to a standard?8. Lens comes out even while downloading pics or reviewing them and never retracts while the camera's on. (Only way to keep it folded is to start in setup mode and then go to review pics.)9. Low battery indicator not good, need to do a firmware update to fix it. to make it worse lens was stuck out even when it ran out of battery!Canon A70 or Sony P72 are much better for less cost, although this has the smallest size/weight and good lens.Update: the flash on the camera is also very weak, the worst I have seen in compact digicams so far.
I absolutely love this camera.  After a few years of using a cheaper (different brand name) model, it's such a relief to have a high-quality digital camera!  Image quality is great, I use it mostly for Website images and I couldn't ask for more.I am an extreme beginner in photography, so I don't know all the terminology and such, but the only complaint I have is that it's a little difficult to get action shots because the camera has a delay when you hold down the button.  I haven't run into a digital camera in my price range yet though that doesn't have this issue.  I know there is a name for all that (shutter speed?) but like I said I'm a beginner.  Perhaps there is even something I can do to alleviate the problem, I'm not sure.  But if you're a beginner, this camera will take great pics for you (I imagine even if you're not a beginner you'll be satisfied), and the price is right.  It's a snap to use too, and the software included is pretty cool even though I usually use Photoshop and bypass it.Highly recommended!
Use cameraworks great and used my large CF memory.i like smaller photo size . don't need the 10-12 mb take up to much space . also this has a view finder. great when sun shineperfect.warren
I ordered the EXT 90 AT on New Years day 2010 directly from Meade.  I also ordered the tripod, AC and DC power adapters, the aluminum case and a set of extra lenses and filters.  When it arrived about a week later, out of the box, the hand-held controller did not work at all.  Because Meade can only be contacted by phone during weekday business hours, it took over a week to actually speak to a live body during the time I was not working.  Eventually they did send me a controller and cord that worked. I had to return the bad one to them at my expense.  As I work full time and also travel, I was not able to get outside to try it out until early March.  I had watched the video several times as well as read the manual cover to cover to be sure I knew how to set it up so it could find the various objects.  No matter how careful I was to follow the directions to set up and align it, it has never been able to find anything.  When it starts skewing to find the first star in the menu, it just keeps going until it reaches the stops and the motor just keeps trying to skew but without moving the tube. I have called Meade for help and all they could/would say is to calibrate the drive motors.  They gave me a specific page number in the manual that was supposed to describe this function.  However, since I had to call them while I was at work, I did not have the manual with me.  Sure enough, it was not in the manual where they said it was.  I eventually found a reference to calibrating the motors, but there is no such option in the menu of the controller.  While trying once again to align it, the gears in the the motor apparently stripped because it now makes a grinding noise while the motor runs but does not move the tube.  My next step will be to try out Meade's one year warranty.  To be continued.
The Meade ETX90EC lives up to its billing.  It's a high-quality piece of gear that exudes craft and workmanship.  The bundled package w/Autostar and Tripod gives you most of what you need.  If you have any intent of doing terrestrial viewing, you should consider the 45 degree erecting prism.  Also, the package does not come with any power adapters.  If you plan to be out for a long evening of star gazing, you will probably want the adapter that lets you plug into a cigarette lighter.  I wish Amazon had the UHTC version available, but no luck.  Finally, I haven't been able to find the correct T-mount adapter for this scope on Amazon.  I do want to use it for photography eventually.  The main thing I would say is that this is not a toy, but it is ideal for beginners to intermediate enthusiasts.  I've had more fun in just a couple sessions than I've ever had before.
Okay, I know nothing about telescopes. But my husband and I bought this last summer because he thought it'd be fun to star gaze. When we did, it was truly one of the most wonderful experience ever! It allows you to observe celestial objects in brilliant resolution. It wasn't complicated and simple to use. But you do have to read the manual.I will recommend it for beginners.
I was excited to get this telescope with the tripod and controller at a really good price brand new....but it's been a rocky experience and I would never recommend it to anyone else. I personally would not buy another Meade telescope no matter how good a deal I got. I've treated this thing very careful, it's never been moved from my home or mishandled, I've used it maybe a total of a dozen times or so, and yet hardly anything on it works properly at this point. The autostar doesn't work (seems to be some kind of hardware failure), the scope itself won't focus sharply (I assume it needs calibration but my attempts to do this haven't had much success), when I did have a working Autostar I found it near impossible to get it properly aligned and tracking correctly. There's virtually nothing about this scope that I have found easy or reliable, and I wish I'd saved up until I could afford something better. Trying to get support from Meade is next to impossible and repair costs are most likely going to be too large a percentage of the cost of the scope as to be worth paying. I'm hoping to maybe find an astronomy buff near me that might have more knowledge to get the thing working enough that I can actually use it.
This was my husband's big present for Christmas, something he has always wanted.  While unwrapping and unpacking, he heard a rattle in the spotting scope.  Upon investigation, he fished out a broken set screw and discovered that it had sheared off the outside of the spotting scope.  Another screw was badly damaged.  The eyepiece covers had all been left off when shipping.  Also, all the settings were loose and had to be reset.  Meade does not have an 800 number and you are put on hold interminably when you try to contact them.  All in all, he likes the scope BUT was very disappointed in the quality of the manufacturer and lack of customer service.  What a disappointment for Christams day!
Well, what can i say. It's really a fantastic camera. i took only 50 pics in these 5 days, and the camera works great. Fast fast and fast. You can see the pictures really fast on the LCD, and just plug it in to the 8886 Digital Camera Dock and click the button. That's it, it dowloads the pictures and store them into  dated files so you can remember when you took them. You have the option to delete the downloaded pictures or leave them in the camera.The menu is easy to use and i didn't even open the manual. I bought the SD256M-P card and now I will store 97 pictures @ 5.3MP.  I am waiting tomorrow to see how the new card will do and then will let you know if i have problems. i know there was the same card for less in amazon, but i spent more and bought the new one, with the -P in the end.I bought also a Tamrac 5692 - Digital 2 Bag for the camera and I am set.
I have been using this camera for a week and like it very much. I was looking for a good quality point-and-shoot camera that I could carry around more easily than by bulky Sony camera. The HP 935 is intuitive and easy to use, takes nice photos, and is quite compact. I like the LCD screen, which is brighter than others I have seen, although, as others have noted, it sucks up a lot of battery juice. The viewfinder works great too though, so you don't need the screen unless you want to review what you've shot.Mine came with the dock, which I haven't used, except for charging the batteries, and viewing photos on a TV (the dock has composite video output). I pull the card out of the camera, and plug it into a card reader on my Mac - so I have no knowledge of the software that came with the HP.Good value, compact, great photos!
While HP did a pretty good job with this camera, someone forgot to figure out how much power it takes to run it.  If you have this camera, buy stock in a battery company just so that you can get some of your money back over the next few years.  I have gotten as little as a dozen pictures out of a fresh set of batteries, to as many as 25 pictures using high end batteries 2800 mAh batteries.Rechargeable batteries are a mixed blessing.  The hp photosmart 8886 docking station will recharge your rechargeable batteries when you put the camera in, but there is no trickle charger feature built into the docking station.  This means that your batteries will charge up, but then sit without any maintenance cycle to keep them topped off for you.  So, your batteries may well be dead in a week or two even though the camera was on the docking station.Not very well thought out at all.Optical zoom provides good pictures.Digital zoom starts going down hill very quickly to the point of not usable.The video clip feature is very choppy, so not that great compared with other cameras in this price range.All in all, I'd pass on this camera if I were to buy another one.  The battery eating power needs are just too great to make this a user friendly battery.
this camera is worth every bit of the money.it was up and running in less than 5 minutes.it had no software problems whatsoever..the software installed in about 4 minutes or less.on an hp 9995 with windows xp.it takes awesome pictures and they are real easy to unload into the computer.and with the easy share option its easy to share the pics online in a matter of seconds.this is a really easy camera to operate.you cannot find a better deal for the money for a 5.3 mp camera. i highly recomend this camera.  ps. my camera came with the 2.0 software.so you dont have to worry about the problem described in the other reviews.hp already took care of it.
HP's new 5MP, 3x zoom digicam offers point-and-shoot ease to value buyers.  this camera will provide pictures for large prints or cropping.  uses HP's instant share system, making printing and sharing photos very simple.  however, performance lags the competition.pros:- accurate color reproduction- very good auto white balance- consistent contrast and wide dynamic range- low noise at ISO 100 and 200- good flash performance (limited range though), good exposure, good contrast, no color cast- uses HP's instant share system makes it very easy to print and share photos- easy to use interface- clear full text message display- has excellent in-camera manual that provides help each setting- control over image parameters (tone, color, sharpness)- audio clip recording- optional dock provides additional functionality- excellent battery life- uses non-proprietary AA battery - just make sure to buy rechargeables- includes a remote (for viewing images only)- USB connectivity- compact 3.8 x 1.8 x 2.6 in and light 9.9 ozcons:- extremely slow processing and file write times - this is a deal-breaker for me- artifacts show up when you enlarge photos- no AF assist lamp so you'll need some light for this camera to focus- unimpressive macro performance- no manual exposure mode and limited preset exposure modes - only 3 built in (sports, landscape, and portrait)- aperture-priority mode only allows two apertures- slow start-up: almost 5 seconds- slow auto-focus with shutter lag in the 1.5 second range- shot-to-shot time runs 2 to 3 seconds with no continuous-shooting mode- dark and slow frame rate 1.5-inch LCD is difficult to see outdoors; what you see is jerky- limited flash range of 8.2 feet- only two image size options- the supplied 32MB SD card is inadequate; be prepared to shell out more $$ for more memoryas indicated, this camera is very easy to use but the processing and file write times are glacial.  for the same price, a canon s50 will provide more flexibility and manual control yet still be a perfectly good point and shoot camera.
I got the 935 at Staples, who claimed that it came withrechargable batteries. It didn't. They were 1.5v lithiums,not rechargeable.It's a nice camera, but 2 1800 mah cells last about 20minutes, no matter what you do. These are good cells, butthis thing eats electricity like General Motors.Hard to believe that HP would produce such a thing. I'msticking with my 1-2 megapixels cameras.Then again, it might be defective. Of course, for $50, you can buy an AC pack that you can take with you on a long expeditionin the veldt, with a long extension cord.Good lord, how could a company drop the ball so wonderfully????And Hewlett Packard.Jerry O'Dell
I have owned this camera for approximately 2 1/2 years, and my experience has been very frustrating.  Rarely do I get a good picture when using the zoom (very noisy).  I have also experienced many problems with taking pictures indoors, and in low light.  The most frustrating problem is that I can take multiple photos of the same scene with the same settings and get different results (some light, some dark, contrast inconsistencies, color inconsistencies).  I have also experienced the battery drain problems that other reviewers have reported, but have had great results using Lithium batteries.  About have the time, the camera gods smile, and the camera takes a great picture, but I've lossed two many precious moments to take another chance.  Time to get a new camera.
Being very careful about my investments, I researched digital cameras in my price range ($200-$300) for a long time before committing to the HP 935. I went to several on-line review sites that had side-by-side comparisons, and one even offered image tests against the comparable Canon. I like color. Real life vibrant color. In all the tests, the HP beat the Canon. I bought it and haven't regretted it yet.My entire online gallery is filled with examples and I have won awards at a national web site (33 times) against thousands and thousands of other images. Some people complain about the HP 935 image quality in low light settings. ANY camera in low light will have it's difficulties without the use of a tripod or manual settings if you wish to avoid flash. By using a tripod, and manually setting the HP 935 to aperature priority, 100 iso, turning off the flash and triggering it with the built in timer, the camera then automatically determines the length of exposure and is usually VERY accurate. I wish I could provide a link to some subground level images I took - the colors are vibrant, true and virtually noisefree.If you follow the instruction manual, this camera will do everything PLUS....EXCEPT for produce speed shots. Sorry. That is where it falls down. It can not compete with the rapid shots of the cameras out there that cost 3 to 4 times as much. It is just SLOW in comparison. And I mean SLOOOOW. If I could change ANY thing about this camera, it would be to speed it up. But I like to think that the reason it is slow is that it has to take it's time to give me those great shots. Quality over quantity. ;)Battery issues? Well - okay. But remember it takes a lot of power to make those great shots. lol Also, when the camera shows the batteries are drained, power down. Count to ten. Power back up. Instant battery life. BOTH of my HP's do this and reading other's feedback, I see this is common. You can do this sometimes for an entire day in the field but you still need to keep spares on hand. Eventually the batteries really are drained. (My Olympus drained batteries far worse)Macro - once you learn the tricks of using this function, it is very handy!!! Until then, it might drive you batty. My Nikon and Pentax film cameras do the same thing this does, so I was prepared.Telephoto - I rarely use it. less noise that way. This camera takes such large sharp images, I just normally shoot and crop what I need.Not a perfect camera - just perfect for it's price range. That is why I bought a second one. Buy a tripod, rechargeable batteries and you will be set.
I bought this camera after seeing it on the Oprah show as one of her Favorite Things for Spring and now I know why.  It is a great camera!!  This is my first digital camera and when I was shopping around this was definitely the easier camera to use.  The LCD screen is great and when you choose an item or change a selection the camera explains in a sentence or two about the new selection and hints of when to use the setting.This camera is not the smallest on the market but it is small and it is actually lighter than my friends Canon PowerShot 400.I just got back from a trip from Colorado and my pictures were beautiful.  Very clean and crisp.  It was excellent during the day and in the evenings with low light.  It is a very quiet camera which was great when I hiking so I didn't disturb any wildlife.  I couldn't be happier.I would definitely recommend and the price on Amazon is the best around!
The HP 935 is one of the less expensive 5 MB cameras on the market and overall is a very good value.  But for another hundred or so bucks, you can choose between a few cameras with better image quality, larger zoom range and better exposure flexibility.  For example, I'd pony up the extra bucks for an Olympus C-50 or the HP 945 if I was going to bother buying a 5 MB camera.  Those two measured similarly on the test bench and both had better image quality than the 935.  Our C-50 has had constant use since its purchase and is doing a great job.
I was initially wowed by how great the photos were, but the camera has a faulty battery reader - it was intermittantly shutting down when the batteries still had charge, and the battery reading varied wildly.  I coudn't get HP's tech support to believe me - they had me do elaborate testing and because the problem was intermittant, I didn't get the right results.  I got tired of waiting for them to call back & thought heck, I'll just make sure to carry extra batteries, I can live with this.  The warranty expired last month, and weeks later something failed in the zoom lense - it will no longer focus and makes an awful whirring noise when turned on an off.  HP is not a camera company - I'm getting a Cannon this time, but this was an extraordinary expense for a year's worth of use.  HP is not the quality company it once was!
Have had this camera for about 7 years. Works well for me but eats batteries like a hungry dog!  Would not have purchased it if I had known about this problem.
... Personally, I think some of the HP Cameras are ugly...but I dont sleep with it,and who can beat a 5.3MP DigiCam with a MSRP of [the price] ? I have mine on Windows XP>> NO PROBLEM. With a 128MB SD Card I get 48 High Res(5.3MP) Pix(I only take High Res)(1.0/5.3MP switchable) Recommend a 256MB or highercard. Batteries? ,about the same as my Kodak, just use 1800MAH or higher,(2200MAH now available from MahaEnergy) have spares and limit viewscreen use as with all cams. Features... lots. Dock is great... [the price] EXTRA(MSRP). My Excellent deal... Provantage (ohio) Camera & Dock Bundle BOTH(look-up thier p/n  Q2218A)... smooth transaction. About the Cam Bag not included..so whatI spent [price] on a nice bag that fits in my Briefcase. OVERALL>>>Ugly...Performs...Unbeatable Value as of this writing. OH ,BuyDigoffers this cam for less than provantage BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DOCK even though ad says so.(JERKS) KODAK...I still love ya, I just needed a 5MP NOW, for under five bills... and you didnt have it. My MLS Photos are now better than 95% of the others.SWEET.
I have had this camara for a total of 15 minutes and I have already filled up 2 32MB SD cards (one comes with it) and I must say the picture quality is beyond superb.  I spend a lot of time around high-end digital photography and this little camara is the best bang for the buck.  Warning, the only downside is the thirst this camara has for battery power.  I am considering buying the dock and rechargeable battery pack for this reason alone.  If you are in the market for an amazing, fully loaded digital that is 5+ megapixels for under $$$ this is for you!  I can't say much about the software that comes with it because the camara plugs in and operates seamlessly with Windows XP - no software needed.  The on-board camara interface is extremely easy to use, however beware because this is where the battery vampire reigns supreme.  The good thing is that the LCD is not on by default unlike most digitals I have worked with; when you take a picture the LCD will briefly light up to show you the high quality picture you took.  Highly recommended!
Back at the start of November 2003, I wrote a review of another HP digital camera, the HP Photosmart 435, a 3MP model. That review was hard to write, as I have had good experiences with HP products for a number of years, and the 435 was simply the worse HP product I had ever used. To give a fair review, I had to score that camera very low, and a part of me just could not reconcile the fact that HP had made a bad product.With the HP Photosmart 935, I feel that HP has vindicated the trust I have always felt for their products. While not perfect, and in fact flawed in a very few places, the HP Photosmart 935 is a great camera, one I would happy replace my aging Kodak with.The HP Photosmart 935 is a 36-bit 5.3 -megapixel digital camera sporting 3x optical zoom lens, using a 7.6MM - 22.8MM Pentax Zoom lens. It also has 7x Digital zoom, which for any serious picture taker or photographer knows to avoid like the plague. (Digital zoom is worthless if you want quality pictures.)The 1.5 inch backlit LED (521x218 pixel) digital viewfinder is remarkable in its clarity, but suffers from the same ailment most viewfinders on digital cameras does, which is blurry and hard to view from any angle except right behind the unit. Not a criticism of the 935, but simply pointing out the need for better LCD's in all digital cameras.The controls are easy to use, in both settings and operation. Too many cameras try to pack as much controls as they can on the top and back on their digital cameras, and while there are quite a few on the 935, all buttons and controls are easy to use and in appropriate spots, rather than a hodgepodge of tiny buttons clustered together. Kudos to HP for understanding that a degree in engineering should not be needed to simply change shutter speed, or even turn on/off the viewfinder to save battery life.Speaking of battery life, I found that the HP Photosmart 935 goes through them like there is no tomorrow. A brand-new set of Duracell batteries (the 935 uses two AA for power) only lasted for fifty pictures before running too low to allow the viewfinder to work. While battery life can be prolonged simply by not using the viewfinder, getting close to 250 pictures before needing a battery change, I found that the 935 still used up batteries faster than any of the previous digital cameras I have used. I do applaud HP for using standard AA batteries rather than the more expensive, and harder to find, CR-V3 variety, power consumption may be an issue. Look for rechargeable batteries for this unit.
I loved all the Megapixels and I happened to pick it up new with camera case and 128MB memory card for 180.00. The pictures are great and it includes alot of extra features. I like the way the LCD doesn't turn on at start up because it really saves batterys. I found using Photo Cell Batteries will last way longer. Also I like how after you take the picture it pops up and lets you preview and/or delete if you don't like it without having to press extra bottons. The optical zoom is pretty helpful but the digital zoom ruins the picture. It has many extra features like Macro and many other things. It is so easy to use and they software is phenominal.IT is the easiest and most productive of all the others that I have expirienced. I would defiently recommend this camera
Kodak had this cable listed for more than twice what I paid through Amazon. It was delivered quickly and works perfectly.
We moved the camera to a different computer and found out that Kodak no longer supports the software to use this docking station, so we could not install it.
I bought the one from the cable4less.  If you need the cable, buy the original Kodak one.  I really don't think the one I got is a genuine Kodak.  It only would import some of the pics off my digital camera and then said the info could not transfer.  I am now going to have to go to the Kodak website and buy an original Kodak USB cable.  I had no problems with the seller, they sent it immediately but the cable itself is way below standards.
IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR VERY USEFUL IN DOWNLOADING PICTURES TO MY COMPUTOR.
I bought this cable for my wife to use with her Kodak camera to transfer pic's to her computer it has been working well for some time now
Perfect length and quality. Standard transfer rate speed for a usb connection. It might serve other cameras with same plug shape - I did not test it. I have it since 08/2010. My kodak gave up on life and I still have the cable...
I have purchased many of these cables. This one is tops. Delivered in a few days. I'm happy
works as advertised...
I brought this cable for my camera, I thought the USB cables for cameras are the same, since my Nikon, Canon, Sony cameras all have the same connector. When I received this cable, I found it cannot connect to my camera. I conacted seller, seller's service is good, response quick. He told me this is new type USB for newer camera, so I cannot use it. since I didn't spend that much, so I'll keep it. But I suggest seller should give the enlarged picture on the small end.
This product served its purpose; it is the same cord for hooking up the camera to a PC as the one that came with my camera.
Not much to say about it.  Cable works as promised.
Since Kodak does not make cameras any longer, I was glad to find the cable to use with a camera I already have. It is just like the one that came with the camera.
FAST DELIVERY, GREAT PRICE. I WOULD BUY FROM THEM AGAIN, THANKS =)
Great item works well with my system and was able to download my pictures from my camera.
I was very happy to fine this produce. This was a great price and I got it fast.I would recomend this to anyone.
I was able to find this on Amazon to replace one that I had lost.  It does what it was designed to do.
We've bought so many of these... they always work fine and the cost isn't too bad. If you have house rabbits and a lazy husband do yourself a favor and buy two.
please be aware that this camcorder has at max 20 minutes of record time at a session,after 20 miutes it will stop recording automatically.
The Samsung HMX-W300 is a very easy camcorder/camera to use.  Fits perfectly in my pocket and the battery has lasted a long time between charges. You just plug it in to your usb port and you can download the files to your computer in seconds.  I like not having to worry about it getting wet.  I have not tried it underwater but having not to worry about a rain storm or other mishaps makes it a winner for me.  On screen controls are easy to navigate.  I carry it with me wherever I go, so I don't miss a thing from my grandkids.
So far, I am really impressed with this. My daughter was looking for a durable camera for taking videos of her friends doing ridiculous things at the park. She is having a lot of fun with it and it seems to take really good photos as well. She is looking forward to taking underwater photos with it this summer.
I bought this camera because I previously fell in some water and destroyed my old camera, so I was excited for its waterproof capabilities. I took some videos and photos around the house, and it worked great. So I decided to take it with me to the beach for the first warm day of the summer. I took it out in the water, and took a few short videos and photos and it seemed to work fine, even under water. It says it can go up to 2 meters deep for up to one hour. I wasn't in the water above my head, with the camera no more than two feet underwater, and I only had it in the water for 20 minutes at most. Everything seemed to work fine. Then I got out, laid on the beach for a while, and let the camera sit by my bag. The next time I tried to turn it on, it just wouldn't work. I thought the battery might have died, but I brought it home and it won't charge. I took out the memory card to look at my photos, and it seems to be fried. I will be returning this product. I've had it less than a month and this was the first time I took it in the water.
This product is water proof. It takes pictures & videos. It's easy to use. It has met all my expectations. For some reason we did not get any instructions with the product. We thought that was going to be a problem because we are 68 years old and aren't familiar with new technology, but it wasn't a problem with this product.
Purchased this camera as a Christmas gift and found it missing the HDMI cable and they the memory card they sell with it isn't a micro card.Can't send it back because it is a present so I have to go out an purchase the missing pieces from Best Buy. I will not be doing business with this vendor ever again.
This is a good pocket camcorder, not by any means perfect or the best in every possible way, but good all-around and a great value. First off, let's set some expectations:It is a lightweight hand-held model, with micro-SD storage.This is a point-n-shoot. It is not a $5000 studio-quality recorder.It's designed to take a few licks and not die, which makes it a decent sports camera. However, it's not what you'd call extremely rugged.It never ceases to amaze me how some people spend $50-100 on a camcorder and expect it to produce theater-quality video. Get real; that's just not going to happen on that kind of a budget. What you can expect is something that will produce decent home video and (maybe) take some 'ok-quality' still photos. I've used a lot of point-n shoots from Kodak, Panasonic, and Canon and this Samsung model compares favorably with anything in its price range. It doesn't have the best sound and picture quality in its class, isn't the most rugged either, but it's a solid combination of quality, durability, and ease of use.In video mode, which is what you should primarily be using this for, it shoots 1080P 30 FPS video in MP4 format (a bit over 2 hrs on a 16 GB SD card, which should be class 6+) or 720P (roughly 4 hrs on the same card). The video quality is quite good- not stellar, but a step up from a lot of other point-n-shoots which film at most 720P and comparable to many larger handheld camcorders in the lower-end price range. This camera is mainly for daylight recording in bright conditions- in the dark the picture quality is pretty bad, but this is typical of all such products. There is also no LED light, which some other point-n-shoot camcorders have. The camera is optimized for relatively close-range recording, both in terms of focus and zoom. Don't expect to take telescopic photographs of the stars with this thing. The camcorder has 3x digital zoom, which is meh. I wasn't surprised by this as it's typical of the breed- if you care about long-range shots you should be getting a larger handheld camcorder with optical zoom, not a pocket model like this. The W300 uses a rechargeable battery that can't be swapped out, and charges via USB. Output is via USB (full size) or micro-HDMI. The built-in USB plug is a bit on the rickety side; I'd be careful about letting it dangle out with the full weight of the camera on it. Battery lasts about 2 hours on a full charge, so a 16 GB card is pretty ideal. HDMI out displays the UI on the monitor/TV you're using, not on the device. As far as I know this camcorder has no remote capability, so it's probably not the best choice for direct device viewing.For using this in the great outdoors, it only comes with a wrist strap. I would be careful taking this underwater, because by itself the camera doesn't float and it also has some door issues. While it looks like it can withstand up to 5m depth as the specs claim, and it certainly is watertight, the doors over the access ports and SD slot are very easy to pop open. Furthermore, they're spring loaded so if you happen to nudge the lock... game over. I'd at the least tape over the doors/lock sliders with electrical tape before swimming with this, and a float attachment might be a good idea too. The camera has a 'water' mode for shooting underwater, which adjusts the autofocus a bit. The autofocus in general is all right, but bear in mind it's not user-adjustable so it might take a bit of moving around to get a good picture. Image stabilization is also automatic and is decent- enough that you can use this without a tripod if you have reasonably steady hands. If you decide to go the tripod route, it has a screw mount.Sound was a bit weak on this unit- both the mic and playback. Playback I don't care about... mic, yeah I kind of do, and I found it has a pretty low pickup range. It's fine if you're recording close range though, which you'll probably be doing anyway due to the weak zoom. There's no port for a plug-in mic either, probably because it would further compromise water-tightness. As far as secondary photo capability goes, it's okay but not outstanding, definitely not what you'd get from a good digital camera. The sensor is a 5.5MP, but it's not optimized for stills and takes quite a while to focus. There is no flash of any sort, which makes it pretty useless in the dark. I didn't really care about this since I usually use my phone to take stills, but just in case anyone was expecting to use this primarily as a camera for some reason... well, there you go. You can take pictures while recording, and recording can be paused- useful features that are rare in a model like this. It also does have face detection.The camera comes with Samsung's intelli-studio software on the internal memory, which is a simple Windows software suite for doing simple edits and uploads. It isn't Mac compatible, but Mac users should have iMovie anyway.The button placement/design, user interface, and warm up time all deserve high marks. The camera comes on very quickly and is very easy to use- I didn't have to refer to the manual, though admittedly I'm used to these things. The buttons are raised despite being waterproof, so you can navigate by feel. The rear screen is large and bright, and the UI in general is very well done and responsive.Overall, this is a great product for the cost. It's rugged enough to go outdoors, though it's definitely no GoPro Hero 3. Then again, it doesn't cost anywhere near that, so go figure. The quality of video recording is comparable to the Panasonic HM-TA2 (which is also similarly priced), sound and still picture quality is a bit weaker and there's no LED light, but this model is also a lot more rugged.Pro:InexpensiveVery fast warm-up/shutdownPause, picture while recording functionGreat quality video recording at close rangeFeatures easy to useUI well designed and responsiveRelatively rugged designCon:No light, bad in the darkMic a bit weakBattery not removable/replaceableDoesn't do long-distance shots (of any sort) wellDoors can open really easily and are spring-loaded, beware around water
I bought this for my wife, I own the 707 model. Takes very good pix, 3 megapixels and a 3x optical lens ( stay away from the digital zoom cameras ), you'll need 128 card (lexar brand is good).  The only negative thing is the plastic housing that the camera is encased in.
I bought this camerata yesterday on the strength of the other customer reviews here, but today it went back to the store. My picture files had lots of pixels, but mediocre contrast and only so-so sharpness. I have owned both a Fuji Finepix 2400 and 2800, and both of these cameras took much sharper pictures than this Sony. My guess is that the culprit in the Sony camera is the lens -- all the electronics seemed to work OK.Update,  May 17Since writing the above I have purchased a Canon A70,  which is comparable in size and price to this Sony...with the same number of megapixels.The Canon gives the photographer a lot more potential control,  including,  if one wishes,  the ability to set f stops and shutter speeds manually.  Most important,  the lens is much better than the Sony's,  and my pictures are much sharper,  with excellent definition and contrast.  So in my opinion the Canon A70 is a much better value.
The Sony DSCP72 is my first digital camera after getting a lot of use out of my old Canon Elph APS camera. I was looking for something with the features of the higher-end cameras but the form (and price!) of the middle-range models. The P72 delivers in this sense. It has enough features to satisfy the Ansel Adams in all of us, while still being extremely simple and intuitive to use.I'll elaborate on some pros and consPROS:- good size and weight- includes rechargeable batteries and charger that give the camera great battery life- movie mode is one of the best I've seen (and unlike other cameras, you can record a movie until your memory card runs out or your battery dies, which ever comes first! On my 256 MB card, this means about 10 minutes of large video and 2 hours 40 minutes of e-mail-size video)- gives you good control over what you want to be automatic, and what you want to control- excellent picture quality- good zoom- crisp LCD display- fully compatible with Mac OS X and iPhoto (fast transfers, too)CONS:- dismal battery life with standard AAs; bad if you're away from your charger and those are all you can get your hands on- only 2 picture quality settings; Fine and Standard- slow to load after taking a picture with the flash- slow to turn on/offOverall the P72 is an excellent choice, as someone's first foray into digital photography or as a step-up from an entry-level model.
Sony is good. I bought this camera before Christmas and for the last 6 months, its been working very good.The pictures shot in daylight are flawless, I havent compared it with any other camera, but they look very good.In the night, putting the camera on Night mode makes it work good. However the night is not as good as the day ones(obviously).The zoom is good, the camera came with 4 rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. Had to buy a memory card and a camera case.Worked good.Pros:1) Nice screen.2) Very Nice camera in good light.3) Zoom is good enough for most photographs.4) Sturdy, Dropped twice, nothing happened(luckily).5) Also lets you capture video(video quality not very bad).Cons:1) Not so good during low light.2) Battery Consumption is very high. Cannot go without the charger and the extra pair of batteries.3) Stabilizer not effective on full ZOOM.
I have been recommending this camera up until three weeks ago, precisely the week the warranty expired, when my camera malfunctioned.  Sony wants a flat rate $150 to repair.  Goodguys.com did not offer an extended warranty on the item, which should have been a tip-off for me.  If you are considering purchasing this product (aside from the malfuntions worked wonderfully for me), ensure that you have some sort of extended warranty.
I lost or it was stolen my orginal camera  Had several in between, but none that compare to that one.So when I realized I could order one I did. (at Amazon)Am very happy.  Did have a hard time finding a memory card, but finally got one at Amazon.
Got this a few months ago.  It is a fun camera to have.  Taking and deleting pix is a breeze.  You quickly learn, however, that you must hold fairly still when taking some of the pictures (depending on mode you are in)as action shots can be blurry.  I am sure I need to learn more about it to improve on that tho.  Camera has an auto mode as well that works good.  The memory stick that comes w/ it is poor-- buy one that has 128 MB and you are set.  Took this camera on vacation (9 days) and stored over 120 pictures and two small movies without having to download for more space or change batteries....  Software is not great, better stuff out there.  Takes wonderful pictures of flowers, colorful things.  I have yet to learn all that it does, but it is a great buy for me and my family.
I love my Sony P72 Digital Camera.  I love that I can take pictures and not have to worry about how many I take because I can delete the bad ones and I have a memory stick that holds more than 24 pictures (a normal roll of film).  It's also easy to get prints nowadays even without buying a photo printer.  The only complaint that I have about this camera is that it takes a couple of seconds to &quot;come back&quot; after taking a picture that uses the flash.  Really though, this is a small complaint and its something you get used to.
I have always put off getting a digital camera because I did not have much faith in the current &quot;at home&quot; printing technology.  But I changed my mind when I discovered I can have digital pictures printed profesionally.  I bought the Sony DSC-P72 in August this year and have not regretted my decision.  This is my first digital camera.  I like that it takes clear and crisp pictures.  It's flash and AF illuminator are powerful.  Allows some manual control over the settings to give help me get better pictures.  Menus are very user-friendly.  It took me only less than 2 hours to figure them out.  I also like the rechargeable batteries that came with it.  But if you're planning to go on trips better have an extra pair or two ready.  It also takes normal AA batteries.  Only two things I didn't like, the measly 16MB memory stick and the &quot;slow&quot; battery charger.  Get a 256MB memory stick and you're on your way to taking tons of pictures and a (fast) travel charger.  For those who are complaining that the camera cannot take multiple shots in quick succession, read the camera's instruction manual again.  You can either shoot in clip motion, multi-burst mode, or burst mode.  However, the picture quality will suffer if you use one of these modes.  Better shoot with a film camera since we all know that as of now, film cameras are still faster than digital.  Overall, I like this camera and I'm glad that I got this one as my first.
I have the predecessor P71 version of this camera.  I thought hard about buying the FUJI with the 6X zoom but am very glad to have bought the Sony instead.  In comparison to my buddy's FUJI, it takes TERRIFIC PICTURES IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS.  This is key- the picture doesn't black out at parties/indoor graduations/weddings, etc.  As an experiment, I took several pictures of my girlfriend's dog in near-complete darkness.  They turn out beautifully- the illumination feature for this camera's autofocus/rangefinder is very powerful.  Very few cameras in this price range have this capability (I checked).  Also- this camera has a TERRIFIC BUNDLE, making it a great value.  I figure the charger itself is worth $.., and it uses standard-sized AA batteries.  They are interchangeable with the rechargeables on your walkman, meaning that you're not stuck with buying $.. "battery paks" that don't fit anything else in your house.  Only two minor quibbles:  the camera automatically defaults to a "no flash"/energy saver mode every time it is turned on and off.  This feature is irritating and you will probably miss some good shots because of it.  Also, the shutter speed is slow.  But this is true of all digital cameras.  If you want a quality digital point and shoot for a great price, this is the camera.  No doubt!
Four months after I purchased it, this wouldn't turn on one day. Sony refuses to stand by its products, and it sticks to a $150 flat rate labor fee since the warranty is only three months. I greatly enjoyed this camera for a few months and recommended it often, but when I called Sony, its own technician referred to it as "fragile."
I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA ABOUT 6 MOS AGO LOVED IT! TAKES GREAT PICS CRISP AND CLEAR. I PUT ADDED ACCESSORY OF SNAP ON ZOOM LENS BECAUSE I TAKE PICS OF MY KIDS AT THEIR CONCERTS AND THE REG ZOOM WASNT STRONG ENOUGH. VERY EASY TO USE. MY ONLY PROBLEM NOW IS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT -WHEN I CLICKED A PIC -TOOK THE PICTURE RIGHT AWAY. NOW HOWEVER I DONT KNOW IF I MESSED UP THE SETTINGS (I KEEP READING BOOK AND CANT FIND OUT HOW TO FIX IT) WHEN I TAKE A PIC AND PRESS THE BUTTON IT TAKES LIKE 5 SECS FOR PIC TO SNAP??? BY THEN WHAT I WAS TAKING A PIC OF MOVED. ITS VERY ANNOYING AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX SO I CAN JUST SNAP A PIC?? OTHER THEN THAT I LIKE THE CAMERA. WILL HAVE TO CALL SONY AND SEE IF THEY CAN HELP ME BECAUSE ITS VERY ANNOYING AND WHEN U WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER PIC REAL QUICK AFTER ONE U JUST TOOK U CANT TAKES FOREVER.....
This was my first digital camera purchased in Jan. 2004.I've had it over a year and have taken hundreds of pictures with it. The camera has functioned well and is very easy to use. The main problem with it is blurred pictures. Very annoying. Out of the last 20 or so pictures we took with it almost half have been blurred. The LCD is too small to tell, so get ready for some disappointment when it comes time to review and print your pictures. At first I thought it was user error and that they weren't waiting for the AF to finish, but it happens to me, too. The default shutter speed indoors is 1/30th /sec. which meant a tripod in my old SLR days. After looking at the last batch of blurry shots on the Memory Stick I hung it up and bought a DSC-W1.The DSC-P72 is also very slow between shots, frustrating when trying to capture an unwilling subject, such as a small child.
Lost the camera I used at the plant, needed one to take its place and this one filled the bill and was like the one we lost.
I've always found these customer reviews very helpful when trying to make a purchase decision so, here goes.Bottom Line: I highly recommend this camera.  If however, you can afford the 5MP Optical (Sony P92 Cybershot) purchase that instead.  That is not to say, in any way, that the 3.2MP Optical is not a good purchase.  It is.  The difference is a slightly better image quality and higher price.  The P92 will allow you to zoom in a little closer and provide more detailed images.  Specifically, the P92 provides 3X optical with 4X digital for a total of 12X or quality prints up 20 x 30", while the P72 provides 3X optical with 3.2X digital for a total of 9.6X for quality prints up to 11 x 14".  Currently (January 2004) the price difference is about $70.00.  The extra money might be worth it if you're the type to say, "I wish I could have gotten in just a *little* closer ..."Specifics: The P72 has all the standard bells and whistles that come with higher priced cameras such as auto focus, auto exposure, night mode, etc. (click on the PDF link for the manual if you have specifics you're wondering about).  At the time of my purchase (September 2003) I had three main requirements for a digital camera: at least 3.0X optical, a movie mode and it had to be around $300.00 or less.  There were many good, even excellent, quality digital cameras that offered all three including this one.  However, the movie mode for this camera is the bomb!!  It was the final thing that sold me on it.  Again, at the time of my purchase, most digital cameras only allowed for about a 30 second movie mode without sound.  The P72's movie mode is only limited by the size of the memory stick used *and* it records with sound!  Really good sound!  (The sound quality actually surprised me a little.)  A 128MB memory stick can record up to 5+ minutes (10+ with a double sided 128MB) and a MSX-1G memory stick (if you can afford one) can record up to 44+ minutes!  Unless you need long uninterrupted recording time (say for an entire wedding or graduation) who needs a camcorder?!  This is smaller and lighter to carry and the image quality is just as good.  In addition, Sony includes a cable that allows you to plug the camera directly into your VCR or DVD recorder's audio and visual jacks allowing you to record/copy your movies directly to VHS or DVD with full screen image quality.  Or, you can plug the camera directly into your computer via USB connection on the back of the camera (again Sony includes a cable) to burn images to a CD or DVD.  How cool is that?!  But wait there's more.  Sony has a 1.7X telephoto lens and adapter (Item numbers VCL-DH1730 and VAD-PEA respectively) that work on both the P72 and P92 (as well as the P8 and P10) that takes the total zoom times even higher!  I highly recommend these additional accessories especially since with the purchase of the camera Sony will probably provide at least one discount coupon you can use towards their purchase.In general: The camera is easy to use - especially if you read the directions and manual *before* you use it like you should with anything.  (Often people gripping about problems haven't read their manuals.  You know who you are.)  :)  It's compact and lightweight.  It's great for trips or just to have at the ready.  I didn't want to go over my budget but I wanted a really good quality camera.  So, I researched many different digital cameras before making a decision.  Almost every overall review for this camera received a very high mark whether it was from an expert or a customer.  I love it and I feel certain it was worth every penny I paid for it.
Did alot of research before buying - had the camera 2+ years and it takes awesome and vivid outdoor pics but indoor tends to be a little "warm" (read orange/reddish) in auto mode.  No dial to change settings - you have go into a menu system.  Has good flash and takes good 640X480 movies (with sound) limited in time only by memory space.  Only complaint is recharge time between flash shots - 3 to 4 seconds.  I was surprised to see that it is still avaialable.
I bought this camera back in the summer of 2003, primarily for my trip to Europe. The camera didn't dissapoint.My only gripe is that some of my pictures from the beaches of france are a little grainy...may have been the humidity(as it was really hot in all of europe that summer) that messed things up...and I was on the beach with my camera... all day.While those photos aren't bad...the quality isn't up to par with the rest of my photos from the trip and back at home.One other gripe I have about the camera is the "zoom" sound the thing makes...it gets annoying and only draws attention to you in quiet areas(like the beach or a museum).Sometimes the color wasn't what I had hoped it to be either...maybe I didn't have on the right settings but I didn't think it caught the colors of the sky too well. Eh.Enough with my whining...this camera is pretty darn good. The ability to zoom in with the optical...and zoom in with the digital is great...you can never take a bad picture. If you're taking shots from any distance...it is good to zoom in all the way with the optical...just so you can zoom in again closer with the digital and take another high quality photo from that.This camera is also very strong. I got sand in it...and the shutter eye was kinda [messed up] for a bit(which may have to do with why some pictures didn't turn out so well)...but after awhile it kinda just fixed itself. The shutter protecting the lens began to open all the way again and works great.I also dropped my camera once and my memory card went flying...thankfully the camera still worked great...and I was able to find my memory card(in the dark no less)...and the camera doesn't even have a scratch on it from the instance. The camera is very strong.What seperates this camera out from the less sony series...the p52 and p7 is it's ability to take movies with audio. The quality is pretty darn good for a digital camera. Playing movies I've taken on my computer...they are in excellent quality from like 4 by 6 inches or so...distorted quality when you put it on full screen...but hey...if I want full screen I'll save my pennies for an actual camcorder, right? The audio is pretty good too from my experience...not as crystal clear as if you were actually there...but decent enough where you can understand clearly what is being said.Overall, I'm pretty darn happy with the camera. Are there better camera out on the market? yeah...maybe...Canon's are supposed to be pretty good and some people I met travelling had those and they were cool...but the P72 is pretty good from my experience.This camera is cheaper from when I bought it...and it's bigger brothers are fairly cheap too. So if you're set on getting a camera, and this one in particular, ask yourself what kind of money you're willing to spend...(this is fairly affordable now) and do you want 2 more megapixels(this camera's original price for 2 more megapixels).This technology just keeps getting cheaper and cheaper though too. So that is something else you wanna figure into your purchase...do you need a digital camera now? I felt I did for my vacation(how many times does one get to go to europe?).So I'll finish my review saying that this is a good starting digital camera...a few bad photos here and there(could be blamed on the weather) and some trouble with colors in the sky but some great things about it too such as the video with audio and durability of the thing not to break by the forces of gravity or sand.I'll give this camera a solid 4 stars. There's better out there...do you want to pay for it though?
I purchased this as an upgrade from a 2 mega pixel fixed lens DSC-P31.  It fits in a shirt pocket with room to spare.  It does short video snippets with sound well.  And the corner vignetting is an improvement over the P31.  But the light metering sometimes saturates (burns out) parts of pictures, it does not focus for macro imaging (the P31 does a great job with this) and waiting for the lens to move is slow.  Also, you need to carry extra batteries because this eats power, but, fortunately, rechargeable AAs are cheap.  Having a real physical zoom is an improvement, but this camera doesn't zoom in that close.  And 3 megapixels really aren't that much better than 2.  In summary, go for a lightweight snapshot camera like the P31 (with which I've shot more than 18,000 pictures!) or go all the way to the top to a 5 megapixel high resolution system.
takes great video and pictures and produces great quality pictures and video on computers as welli've seen my friend with the same camera print out pictures from this camera and they came out perfect
My wife bought this camera for me. Within a year it has broken, i.e. it only takes pictures that are an undecipherable blur. Obviously something has gone wrong with the lens. Minimun cost of repair is $139-00 through sony.Even when it worked it was useless in low light conditions. Slow shutter speeds made pictures fuzzy even with the steadiest of hands. Don't even try taking a moving image.Very slow between pictures.I think I will try the Canon next.
I use both a Canon A70 and this camera. There seems to be a lot of debate about which is best. After many hundreds of photos on both I can't tell any difference in photo quality. Pick whichever camera looks best. I lean away from this camera purely because memory sticks are more expensive.
I purchased one of these cameras a few years ago and still use it today for all sorts of photography. Eventhough the camera is a 3.2MP it takes very clear pictures, I remember when I took a picture of a friend, he commented that it looked like a picture taken out of an 5 or 6MP camera.I have been nothing but happy with this camera. It takes 2 double A batteries and has been everywhere with me, from FL to CO, to the deserts in Israel, or the dams in Amsterdam. This is a really great camera.
After searching for months and reading many reports I purchased the Sony DSC-P72. The camera was a snap to use for this first time digital owner. Menu is excellent, focus does a terrific job, and the download to my computer was instint. Picture quality after I enlarged to 12 by 14 was superb. Sony supplies you with ni-mh batteries and charger, plus can use regular AA batteries.With Optical zoom, 3.2 megapixels, charger the $329.00 was normal but with sony quality. Memory stick media is getting cheap too, I purchased 128 m for $40.00 and 256 is available. I don't need more functions or 4 or 5 meg after using this camera!I also compared with our Canon A-70 to her Sony P-72 and I still love my A-70 though. Her P-72 was the same price and takes great shots as well. It just lacks manual aperature control and shutter control against the A70's ability to do so. However, the P-72 takes sweet shots too for the person who just wants the camera to do all of the work. Sony is top quality as well. But hey, this is a camera, not a camcorder! What are you waiting for? Get it now!
I've researched digital cameras until bleary-eyed and finally decided on this one. I have a Sony camcorder so the memory stick is interchangable with both camcorder and camera.  The battery was charged only once (initial charge) and so far I've gone through a 125mb stick (using the highest clarity mode) and more.  3.2 megapix is sufficient for my use, although I would like to eventually upgrade to a 5.0 when their prices fall.  I read somewhere that if you do a lot of cropping, a 3 megapix will start to lose its clarity.  Nonetheless, this is a remarkable point and shoot camera, easy to operate and the rechargable AA batteries are the best.  In a pinch, if your rechargable batteries die, you just need to pop in fresh AA's from energizer or duracell, without having to worry about recharging the batteries.
I got my camera in December of 2003 and I've been using it almost every day since. I am a graphic design student with not much cash, so I wanted something around the 300 dollar range that was at least 3 megapixels and could do video. I got my P-72 for 270 bucks, and it was definitely worth it.Cons:-Some low light shots take a while to snap and pics sometimes come out slightly blurred when flash is not used.-Bundled memory stick is only 16mb. I recommend getting a 128mb or 256mb.Pros:-Geat quality images in ample light or when using flash-The software bundled with the camera is useful, and the camera has very high connectivity for easy and quick transfers.-Video mode is very handy and movies transfer easily into computer.-Has many shooting options including macro and multiple shots and frame by frame.-Batteries last for quite a while, I use it every day and only have to recharge once every 2 weeks.-It's VERY durable. I recently fell while skateboarding and had the camera in my hand. When I fell my hand hit the the cement and it basically pounded the camera into the ground. Any other camera would have definitely been smashed to pieces, but the only damage done was one of the hinges on the battery lid broke. The battery compartment still shuts fine even with the broken hinge, and the camera still functions perfectly.All in all the DSCP72 is a solid camera for a decent price.
Pro's1. Has all the desirable features like video out, only 2 AA batteries, decent movies w/sound etc.2. Nice build quality, the battery compartment door is the best I have seen so far.3. Bundled rechargeable batteries and 4hr world charger are excellent.4. Smart Zoom is useful feature and works much better than digital zoom on other cameras.5. Fast shooting time (with option to take a burst of 2 pics), if you turn flash off.6. The lens retracts itself when you are in view mode for a while, very sensible feature to protect the lens.7. Very good battery life inspite of bright LCD.Con's1. Not really pocketable, thick/bulky/long. Included errata says the correct thickness is 37mm. Sony P8 or Nikon 2100/3100 or Canon S200 are smaller in size.2. Only a superfine 1.5MB size available in auto mode for 3MP images.3. Proprietary MS/MS Pro is 2 to 5 times cost of CF cards. And still can't be used even in many Sony devices which need MS MagicGate or MS Duo version.4. White balance and colors for indoor/flash pics are bad.5. Very less control over what camera will shoot. No action mode for fast shutter. Most flash or low light pics are blurry because camera chooses 1/40 sec or slower shutter speed.6. Lens is noisy and a bit slow to startup/zoom/shutdown.7. Colors are very saturated and many pictures are not crisp.If lens was brighter and took low light/flash pictures better it would have been a superb camera. Every digital camera has its limitations, choose the one you like the best and enjoy!
I have been shopping for a digicam for a year now. I have been waiting for the right marraige of price, features, size, etc. When the Canon S30 got discontinued, I had to start looking all over again. Other cameras were either $$$ for similar features, and/or had proprietary batteries - a feature I don't care for. (If I'm away on vacation and my batteries die in the middle of a tour, I want to be able to throw some throwaway AA's into the camera as an emergency.)The DCS-P72 has a relatively low price, rechargable AA's, a nice compact size, and some nice point-and-shoot features.I hate when people put a camera like this down because it doesn't have enough manual modes. I take pictures of family & vacations. I'm not doing weddings. I need a camera with basic features (this camera has some really nice settings) that takes nice pictures. This camera meets all my needs. Only word of caution:  don't trust the automatic ISO setting on indoor low-light shots. Set the ISO to 400 manually and your pics will be perfect.
Prior to purchasing the Sony DSCP72, I was using a 5.0 megapixel camera from a not-so-good manufacturer, a camera with confusing and complicated settings and a camera that got dropping by an enterprising young nephew. Still working, but somewhat battered and still hard to use, I replaced it with this Sony.If you want to buy a digital camera for fun use, for amateur picture-taking, for ease and for a good value, this is a great camera for you. The camera body is neither too small nor too big, and can fit in your purse or small bag for everyday use (I keep mine with me all the time). The menu is simple, the settings easy to master, and there's still quite a variety to work with. I found the shutter lag to be minimal, though slightly longer when using a flash. Zoom isn't exceptional, but it's standard to this class of digital camera. Last but not least, the video function is nothing short of phenomenal for a digital still camera: you get 640x480 video with sound, with clips as long as your memory card allows. Let's put it this way: the quality is just as good as an old home movie's. Perfect for someone who wants to play around with digital video a little.Of course the camera only comes with a 16 MB Sony memory stick; it's pointless to mention this as a detraction so *no* digital camera comes with much more. You have to buy memory for cameras; it's the price you pay for not having to buy film, and that's all there is to it. Memory sticks are certainly readily available, and the new Sony Memory Stick Pro series holds a lot of pics.But now for the only negative comment I'll make in this review: I mentioned at the beginning that I was using a 5.0 megapixel camera before this. As I needed to replace that, I went for a better brand and lower MP, thinking it wouldn't be that noticeable. Sadly... it was. I miss the higher resolution. The pictures were so crisp and clear, and bumping down even to 3.2 has been a disappointment for me. My advice, then: stick with the Sony Cybershot line, but go for the higher resolution.
I own this particular model in addition to a DSC-P32. I also own other Sony products including two more digital cameras, a Wega TV, and a Viao computer. I purchased the DSC-P32 for my children at Christmas. After one week it failed to turn on. The reapir estimate to repair it was $ 725.50! That ammount was confirmed by Sony over the phone. Don't buy any Sony products and expect to get repair service. The DSC-P32 is worth $199.95!
The pictures looked very good on the LCD, but after you uploaded them to the computer, their quality is just so-so. Even those taken in good light out-door conditions and using super fine are very blurry, after you zoom them to 100%. The camera is so.. slow in low light environment, and needs at least 5 seconds time to take one single picture.Overall, this camera's OK if you just want to print it out to 4x6. If you want a really good camera, turn to Canon powershot serial.
I rarely used regular cameras before I went digital--first with my camera phone and then with the Sony DSC-P32. My mother has one of the more expensive Canon digital cameras, whose interface I found a bit confusing, but within minutes I had figured out how to use all the features on the Sony without even looking at the manual. The picture quality is nicer than I had expected and I was very pleasantly surprised when I realized that the movie mode recorded with sound. I don't mind the no zoom part since I never really have the need for it, and I love the memory stick format--I bought the Lexar double sided 256mb which holds about 100 pictures in the highest quality format on each side.My only real complaint would have to be the disappointing software that came packaged with the camera. It is rather annoying to use and doesn't give you very many options, although all I usually need is the "quick fix" option provided when I upload my photos on imagestation.com. Oh well..better imaging software would have been nice
Admittedly, I am a novice with higher end cameras, but the lack of a zoom feature makes this camera worthless in my view.  I was unable to take any quality photos at the zoo except for closeups.  Software is hideous.  There is no reason to purchase this camera.
How often can you say that a digital camera has lasted 7 years?  Not only did my Sony last that long, it survived drops, sticky fingers, use by young children and took a pretty good beating over the years.  Did I mention the drops?Compared to what's available today, this camera isn't much.  3.2 megapixels doesn't do much anymore, though I had no problem getting really nice pictures printed in all sizes (from wallets to 11x14) from the camera.  There were plenty of features and color options that made taking pictures fun.  Video quality was horrific!  If you weren't outside in full sunlight you couldn't take decent footage.  But I didn't need the video camera anyway, so that was fine with me.  There is a thing on the front that allows you to rest a finger on the camera while you are shooting, allowing for one-handed shots easily (which was great when I was holding a child while taking pictures).  Navigation was simple- I'm not knowledgeable about cameras but I made my way around it just fine.My Sony met its death when my stupid water bottle leaked (Deer Park has started making shoddy lids on their sport bottles- I can't tell you how many times my water has spilled in the past few months).  It wasn't able to recover from a semi-submersion (it was only wet for a few seconds and I dried it off immediately, removing and drying the batteries and memory stick and letting it sit out to dry for days) and now when I turn it on I just get a blue screen that I cannot navigate away from. I'm so sad :(When I bought this camera I paid $200.  It met and exceeded my expectations and because of the long life and reliability this camera has given me, I am looking forward to finding my next Sony...right away!  I'm looking at other cameras because of my price limitations but I WANT another Sony!
I am one more happy owner of Sony DSC P32. The camera has been with me for almost a month now and it's been used a lot. Let me update my review. My purpose for this camera is an all-around sort of thing: It must be pocketable so I can carry it to school, to work, to my family's garden, to my friends' outing, to the mall... well, you get the idea.Henceforth, here are the features I found most useful:Amazing picture quality, clear and vibrant.Easy to use and small enough to fit in my pocket.Real time shutter and aperture info.Rechargeable AA NiMH batteries.Finger grip on body front.Instant detection and download with WinXP.Separate power ON button. Because it does, the lens cover remains closed when you only want to preview your pictures or change setup settings! Just turn dial to "play" or "setup" position before turning ON the camera.No optical zoom. The less moving parts, the better.And last but not least, it's beautiful.Wish list:LCD could be made larger.An ISO 50 would be a nice addition.More accurate white balance in auto mode.For me the Sony DSC-P32 is a good-looking, functional design. I have no hesitation recommending this to anyone who wants a highly portable and reliable digital camera that can be carried on your pocket ready to shoot at a moment's notice. I can only smile in reaction to contrary recommendations by professionals. As far as this actual user is concerned, the Sony DSC-P32 is beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use!Good luck hunting for your own camera!
This camera provides an affordable entry into digital photography.  Nothing to fancy.  Very easy to use, takes high enough qaulity pictures to get great 5x7 prints.  Battery life is decent enough to use regular batteries.  But it would be worth it to get some extra rechargables.  And it takes Mem Stick Pro media, up to 2GB!My only gripe is the lack of an optical zoom.
I've passed through other 2 digital cameras before I bought this one, and I have to say that I'm very pleased with it. Despite the lack of optical zoom (which I do not need), this cam takes very nice pictures even in the dark with low light conditions. It is very fast, feature that I appreciate, no matter if a 16 or 256MB memorystick is inserted in.The price is fair.
This is my second Sony camera.  I love it for 2 reasons:  ITs so SMALL and because the pictures are clear and crisp.  However, I miss having a zoom.  If I could I would buy the same camera but with the zoom.I use this camera with Windows XP.  When I connect it pops up a Window and I can print directly to my HP printer.  The pics are unbelieveable nice.
This is actually quite resonable product and very easy to use. It's not groundbreaking or anything, but it offers some quality pictures and is adjustable in various ways. The pricing is resonable and the you pretty much get what you buy.
I've been in the market for a new digital camera for a couple of months, and was trying to narrow down my choices. I've been using my trusty Fuji Finepix 2400 Zoom for the past 2 years, and have been very satisfied with the images it's made. But at 2 MP I've outgrown it a little. Now I've always been a fan of Sony products, but in their digital camera arena, their prices are a bit high. Then along came the Cybershot DSCP32. It had great reviews from all the major sites, ie pcphotoreview.com, steves-digicams.com, Amazon.com etc and everyone seemed to like it. However the dealbreaker is you can get it for under $200.I won't review all the specs, I think everyone here has already covered it, but lets just say that if your giving this as a gift to a first time digital user, they will love you, because everythng you need is included. No one else can say that. Camera, &quot;film&quot;, batteries, and a charger!Being a lifelong sceptic, I try to see how good things are right out of the box. Judging such things as ease of use, features, and can I even just take a darn photo just by raising it up and snapping the shutter.  Yes you can.... I did just that, after setting the date and time, put the memorystick in my card reader and opening the image in Photoshop. My goodness..the colors were rich, no obvious pixilation,  and I could even 'clearly' see what was on the television that the camera was partially aimed at.The only reason I rated it as 4 stars vice, 5 is to be honest I've only had it for 4 hours and something could go wrong. But so far trust me that this is another winner from Sony, and a great buy!
i dunno why so many people gripe about there not being an optical zoom on the camera. you can still take pictures from far away, and, even though you cant zoom in while you're taking them, after you take the picture you can zoom on in. its not that hard. i for one have never had to use an optical camera, and i never felt the need to. if you're gonna take pictures from that far away, get closer. anyway, this camera i bought a month ago and i love it. i take it with me everywhere and take candid shots. the recharcheable battery pack that comes with this is a major plus. usb connection is easy. only bad thing is that it comes with a measly 16mb card, i bought a 128mb for cheap, so its not that big a deal.
I am absolutely THRILLED with this camera!  I would have easily paid 5 times the price for all of the wonderful (and easy to use) features.  Don't believe me?  I already shelled out [money] for a Coolpix 990 2 years ago with the birth of our daughter, then [more money] for a digital camcorder 6 months later.  Why did I need another camera you ask?  While there is no denying that the coolpix takes incredible pictures, it's too bulky and complicated.  It has TOO many options and worst of all, you can only shoot 30 seconds of video WITHOUT SOUND! What's the point?!?  (My husband got me this camera!).  The digital camcorder obviously would do the trick but it's so bulky and it's never around when I want to capture those adorable moments of a 2 year old.  Being a parent of a toddler, I wanted a camera that I could carry with me EVERYWHERE and be able to take great pictures and VIDEO CLIPS with AUDIO!  I love the fact that you can take minutes, not mere seconds of video.  And best of all, it is the easiest camera to operate in the world!  I didn't even have to read the manual.  Just shoot, and plug it into your computer (I do have XP). Finally, a product that I have been looking for!  Do not hesitate in getting buying this camera.  It's worth its weight in gold!
I just love this digital camera, and i can't believe How much i Paid for it, It is a great camera with cool options, and great quality, this is the camera you are looking for, buy it NOW!!!
I just bought this camera for my husband and we both love it. We took over a hundred pictures this weekend at a family event and cannot believe the quality of the pictures. They are so crisp and clear, almost better than in person. We have been searching for a great camera at a good price and we found it with this one. We highly recommed this camera and know you will be happy with your purchase. We do recommend a larger memory stick maybe 64mb or 128mb. The one it comes with can only handle about 8-15 photos. :)
I have DSC-F717, which is an excellent &quot;heavy&quot; camera. I got a DSC-P32 for everyday use. It has excellent price/quality ratio.However it lacks some important features that you can find in more expensive models like a zoom. The camera is very durable and an excellent choice for party pictures... It is also an excellent present ...
This is the second DSCP32 I have ever bought.  (I lost the first one... don't ask).  And by the way, it's the second digital camera of any kind I've bought.  I hope that this indicates what I'm trying to convey: I was very happy with my first camera.  Had I known I was going to spend over $400 for (2) digital cameras in the course of 6 months, I would have bought a more feature-laden model, no doubt.  But this model was functional enough to get me to shell out another $200 for the same model.It is compact (small...) and easy to carry around in a pocket if you are going to a party or some event where you don't want a big ol' thing dragging you down, this may be the camera for you.  The zoom is not excellent, but it is usually quite adequate.  My problems before were when I was trying to get pictures of friends across the street.  I used the digital zoom, and the pictures did not turn out that well, because I was using a less than &quot;high&quot; image size.  In a room, or fairly &quot;close up&quot;, the zoom works great.The price has fallen since my first purchase of one of these cameras.  My guess is that this model is close to being discontinued (see Consumer Reports, November 2003, p 15, &quot;Shop Smart&quot;--&quot;Cameras typically remian on the market about a year.  If you see the price on a particular model being to plummet, it's usually a sign tht the camera will soon be discontinued.&quot;)  I paid $199 today, October 4, 2003, (at a local Best Buy) but I paid $239 about 5 months ago for the one I lost.  Discontinued shouldn't scare you; Sony's gonna be around, and there are deals to be had.If you're looking for a feature-filled camera, there are better cameras than this.  If you're looking for an excellent, simple, well-thought-out camera, the DSCP32 is one you should at least consider.  The price is definitely right at $199.It comes with rechargable AA batteries, the charger, a USB cable, and a cable you can hook up to your TV to watch a &quot;slide show&quot; of the pictures you've taken.  My one complaint, it *doesn't* come with a DC adapter, so you're relying on those rechargable batteries all the time.  The Sony Software is not that great, but it comes with the camera.  If you have one of the finer imaging software programs, you should do fine, and the Sony software is ok.  It may be the worst part of the package with this great little camera.If you should buy this model, my advice:  DON'T LOSE IT!
Sluggish performance after 9 months use so if you are buying this camera for a limited time use then its a good buy but its not worth the price if you intend to use it for a long time. Warranty included is 90 days which means you dont have anywhere to go after 4-5 months of use. Simply the pic quality starts to degrade after some time. I bought it in April 2003 from Amazon for $228 and it started annoying me by July/ August 2003. The video mode is the worst ever, in the beginning it used to give much better results but I am not fond of this now anymore. Better use a camcord to capture video images.The image quality at night is rated &quot;0&quot; by me, but again it all started after a few months had passed, I had no problems with this little thing in the begining. 95% of the pics that I take now come out to be blurry and gloomy.Overall I dont recommend this camera cause it wont last long.
This is a great camera for the size. I originally purchased this camera about two years ago for Stormfront Productions (...). We have used it on several photo shoots and the quality has really livened up some of our web sites. Why purchase stock photography when you can go shoot exactly what you need with this camera? I would recommend it to small businesses looking to provide photos for web sites.
The Sony DSCP32 Cybershot 3.2MP is a surrisingly good camera for it's cheap price. It takes high quality photos, is easy to handle and very hard to break (after accidentally dropping it a few times, I should know). It also comes with it's own battaries and charger.If you're a beginner, looking for a good, reliable digital camera than this is the one for you. It's pretty easy to figure out, even without the instruction manual, and the computer software is straight forward too -especially for Windows XP users.It has a video mode which is fun to play around with (the picture isnt terribly good, but the sound is)and it comes with a Video Out so that you can hook it straight up to your tv 9this drains the batteries quicker though). If you plan on taking lots of videos with this camera, you may want to consider buying a larger memory card, as this camera only comes with a 16MB one.I think the only real problem I had with this camera was it's zoom. It's unable to zoom in on objects while in it's 3.2mp mode (which is the highest quality you can get on this camera), so I was unable to take detailed close up pictures.Perhaps the LCD screen would be better a bit bigger and it could do with having a more accurate white balance, but for simple, around-the-house photos, you cant get much better than this (at least, not for this low price range).
I bought this camera the other day at officemax for 50.00 off. I expected it to be a basic point and shoot...But I was wrong. It took way better pictures then my HP Photosmart 435 also a 3.2MP and it took pictures like my Concord Eye-Q 4060 a 4MP camera. I love the on camera editing and the ease of use. It has some advanced photography settings that are defiently useful. Also I liked how it included a memory card and recharagable Stanima Batteries (takes 2 hours or less to charge unlike most that take 6) I have one thing against the zoom. It has to be at 2.8MP or under to use zoom. But that is fine..I don't use zoom vey often. I love this camera...And I am sure you will too.
I upgraded from a run-of-the-mill 35mm camera.  I love this camera!!  It's easy to use, lightweight, and a very nice design.  My purchase (from dell.com) came with the charger, batteries a memory stick and the computer/TV hookup cable.  This camera is very, very easy to use.  Recommended for first time digital camera users.
I have many Sony products. Including three digital cameras, a Wega TV, and a Viao computer. I bought this particular camera for my children at Christmas. After one week it would not power on. I sent it for reapirs and the repair estimate was $725.50!! I of course confirmed this with a phone call and that was the correct price.It would cost me $25.00 plus shipping just to have the camera returned to seek out a local service technician. Apparently Sony products are disposable. If they break just toss them away and buy a new one.At first I thought it was a joke. Who could even be serious about that ridiculous price? I know I will not be buying any Sony products in the future!!
I wasn't sure which digital camera to choose and since this being my first purchase, I decided to go with the Sony DSCP8. I have no regrets ! I love it. Its excellent !
I was looking for a digital camera and ran into this one. I wasn't sure about getting it because there were a lot of good cameras out there I heard. But when I looked at this camera, and used it, then compared it to the others, I couldn't go back. For this price, it is perfect. It's considered a high-end camera, it looks so stylish, and it has all the features necessary (and more) for anything.One of the things I also love about this camera is that you can take it anywhere with you, and its so portable! You'll have pictures on the fly. And it looks good and impresses your friends :) But anyway, you really should look into this camera at the least. I am so glad I choose this one!! I can't express it enough in words.Sony DSC P8, Remember that name!!!
We've had our Cyber-shot for several years now.  We originally got it because it used the same Sony memory sticks as our camcorder did.What I like about it:Easy to useEasy to download photosDurable, have dropped it a few times with no ill effectsLike the timer delay featureLike the ability to take short moviesWhat I don't like about it:takes a long time for it to take the picture when flash in use (but this may be a factor in other cameras - not sure)All in all a great little camera.
Took this camera on a vacation and it works fine just like my old one did .
This is just a great camera, especially for night-time and low-light pictures.  The shutter speed is super fast, and the variety of shooting options is pretty impressive for such a small (and older) camera model.  It was a reliable digital camera for about 4 years.Unfortunately, I was out one night and it literally fell out of my pocket 5 times before it finally broke.. Every Sony Cybershot that I have had since has been a disappointment.  The night time shots are full of noise and the extra megapixels do nothing for the quality of the photos.  Don't be fooled by the newer cameras,this is the one you should get!
I've had this Sony Cybershot camera for 8 years now and it still takes great quality photos. It has been on many family vacations and taken thousands of photos and it still works great. For the size and price it has lots of features and takes excellent photos. I would recommend to anyone who wants a great little camera but doesn't want to spend a lot of money.
This camera is a good buy as long as one use it correctlyand properly. Almost of the pictures I've taken are goodexcept the one that I've taken under a bright fluorescentlight. But overall, I'm satisfied with its performance and I didn't regret buying this camera.
Sony really got everything right on this little camera.  My wife and I already own the higher end DSC-717 5 megapixel Sony.  That camera is unbelievable in its own right, but I do home inspections and wanted something I could slip into a shirt pocket.  This little Sony does that well, but it does so much more.  I still can't believe all of the features they packed into something this small.  It's 3.2 megapixels which is more than fine for 95% of the shots you'll take; that will print up to almost 8x10 with no noticeable loss of detail.  Flash works very well, offering red-eye reduction if you want to use it.  Zoom is very good, offering both digital and optical zoom modes.  I personally don't mind the digital zoom, although some people prefer the optical only.  In the >3x zoom mode, the digital only kicks in for the last tiny bit of the zoom, so I don't see it as a pro nor con.  Battery life is amazing, as it has been for the past two years with all Sony digital cameras.  The new Lithium batteries just last forever; well over 100 shots, easily.  As we already have one Sony digital camera, I didn't have to install a thing; everything from the software to the transfer cable to the PC worked from the older Sony.  Thankfully, Memory Stick prices are coming down; a good 128mb stick will likely be all you'll need.  I'm using 64mb sticks and with the resolution set at 2mb, that's over 30 pictures per stick.  And since it's digital, you can instantly delete what you don't like, so, literally, all of your shots, in the end, are keepers.  Has an incredible movie mode; even better than the over $1,000 DSC-717; it eats up a ton of memory sticks to do it, but I'm thinking about tossing the videocam; it's really that good.  Menu options allow filters for sepia (so nice to see interiors in sepia; makes them look turn-of-the-century), solarize, black and white, negative, etc.  Plus it offers seven 'scene' modes, such as the beach (which corrects the balance to show the ocean in its correct shade of blue), fireworks, distance shots, etc.  Also has a very good macro capability if you like shooting flowers in close detail. All in all, I spent some two hours with the camera when I first got it homeand was truly taken back by how many features it offers.  And don't forget the biggest feature:  IT IS SO SMALL!!!!  Not so small like the new cell phones that are TOO tiny; just the right small so that you can put it in your shirt pocket.  It doesn't weigh a thing either (it's in the ounces category).  Just a real tour-de-force of what can be packed into a small package, still remain user-friendly, and put a true grin on your face when you use it.  There are a ton of under 5 megapixel cameras out today; Sony, Canon, Olympia, Kodak, HP, Panasonic, Leica, Epson, etc.  all make cameras that compete with this Sony.  Yet I don't see any of them offering all of the features this camera has.  I don't give out many 5 stars on products, but this one earns it in every way.  If you're just starting out in digital photography, you'll appreciate getting this many features in such a small package and one that doesn't need a PhD in Engineering to operate.  If you're a seasoned pro in the digital world, you'll love having this little guy in your pocket, just so you don't have to lug around the bigger equipment.  Highly recommended in every way.
This is by far the best camera I have ever owned.  The camera is jam-packed with features and can take great pictures in almost any conditions.  I recently took it with me on a trip to Disneyland with a 128 mb. memory stick which was plenty of room (about 80 pictures, or 5 min. of video on highest quality settings). The detail in the pictures was amazing and the color was impecible. I highly recomend this camera to anyone looking for a digital camera, it's quality and functionality seem to be well above most cameras in the price range.  I also find the video mode to be a very nice plus, as it is very high quality as well.
Before buying this camera I tried digital cameras from other brands but could not get satisfactory result. Finally I chose DSCP8 and so far it has given me the performace I expected. It has an excellant result in its category and it's easy to use switches let my 9 years old son use this camera comfortably. He also used this during his recent field trip and results are just excellant.I recommend this camera to everyone who trust this brand. It won't let you down
First of all the image quality from P8 is very good in day light. The battery life is about average. The infolithium also shows mins remaining, this makes up for shorter battery life. The zoom lens is very good and so is the smart zoom feature. The movie are good but still very grainy & take up lots of space on the stick.The problem with the camera is its expensive and proprietary battery. The extra battery from Sony is priced very high. The expensive memory sticks make it worse. Just check out the price of sticks versus the CF card and you will realize the premium Sony charges on each of these sticks. Most other accessories are also priced very high. All these things add to cost of the camera substantially, so keep them in mind.Finally the camera isn't as small as Canon Elph's and neither does it offer any good shots at night or indoors. All in all its a good camera if you want to pay for its Sony label, otherwise there are many better compact cameras. Infact Sony P72 has same features with AA batteries and a slightly bigger size, check it out!
This is a great camera. I took 2 weeks deciding between Canon A70, S400, Nikon Coolpix 3100, Kodak 6340 and this P8 and finally decided to buy it. It is very similar to the A70 but has a Lithium battery rather than AA and is about 100 grams lighter (and also 100 Euro cheaper in Turkey). The picture quality is very good and even an amateur like me can figure out how the use the camera in 10 minutes without even looking at the manual and start shooting great photos. The USB connection and the software included in the package is very convenient although it is not the fastest available. Highly recommended.
After 5 plus years of use, the camera is still taking pictures and pretty good ones at that!!! You can't say that about a lot of cameras!!
I'm so glad I purchased this item.  My digital camera eats up batteries so I invested in the rechargeable kind and use this to charge my camera.  Best investment I could've made.
I am happy with my digital camera, and bought the camera dock so I could use the rechargeable batteries that are supposed to last longer. The dock arrived in great shape, but the batteries were so low that the dock would not charge them. I got out my trusty owners manual, and the solution is 1) Go out and buy new batteries, or 2) go out and buy a battery charger. The DOCK was supposed to BE my BATTERY CHARGER! HP has no warranty card included, and no phone number to call to ask them to send new batteries. They hung up on me when I finally found the number on the Internet and called. They were not helpful at all, and the people I spoke to were complete jerks.
don't know how well it worked. however I havn't recieved any complaints from the recipient so it must be O.K.
Worthless. I'm mad. I can take one picture after sitting in the charger for a week. Then I have to recharge again.
I really did not want to buy a camera dock, as I felt they were 'extravagant', but I quickly learned how handy they are.  First, I always know where my camera is - and believe me, I tend to lose things.  Digital cameras use a lot of batteries and I used to have a special double nickel battery on another camera that lasted a while, but was nearly $16.00 per battery.  The NiMH batteries (Nickel)are rechargeable overnight, so all I ever need is an extra set to alternate.  The dock is also always attached to my PC, so I can easily download my pictures by simply placing the camera in the dock.  There is also an extra line to connect your dock to your TV to view you pictures, but this is extraneous, as I just watch them on my computer monitor.  You can also send your photos to email, a folder, PhotoShop or any other destination you want.  I like the fact that all I need to do is install it once and just take my camera from it when needed.  The only feature I feel is really unnecessary is the remote control.  However, if you do use your TV, this could be handy for couch lovers.  For the price, it is a handy tool to have around.  This camera dock is very easy to use and a space saver.  It looks cool too.
This HP docking station does not charge batteries. It will give you error message "Batteries cannot be charged" when batteries run low. After spending weeks e-mailing and calling HP "support" I am about to give up. This an $80.00 plastic holder for your camera. Very dissappointing. HP sells to the US, they should have customer support in the US.
I bought my HP Photosmart 735 at UBid.com and bought my HP Photosmart 8886 Camera Dock and separate Carrying Case with NiHM Battery Charger here at Amazon. The 8886 "DRAINS" the batteries within the camera. They won't charge while in the camera as advertised. I can charge them in the separate charger that came with the case, but, in the camera while in the 8886 Dock.......NO WAY! I read other reviews here, and I'm surprised that the 8886 hasn't been recalled or that an admission of problems with the battery charging capability hasn't been posted by HP. Since I can download from my Camera directly to my PC or Printer, and I have the battery charger that works GREAT! I'm going to send back my 8886 Dock. There's just no reason to keep it, and I too had a problem with HP's online Live Tech Support. The Tech told me to try a different outlet for my dock although I was getting good A/C power from the current outlet to the dock. In other words; the Tech had not a logical answer for my Batteries not charging within my 735 Camera. Maybe the dock charges batteries in other Camera Models besides the HP 735......I don't know. I thought the Dock would be a great and practical accessory, but, turns out my carrying case that came with 4 AA or 4 AAA NiMH capacity battery charger is the way to go. I don't need to have a dock to watch on TV when I can use my computer or printer. I'm very disappointed in the HP 8886 Dock and the HP Tech Support.
This was our first purchase of a digital camera, and we have been very pleased with it.  We bought the camera because of the wide range of features, the competitive price, and the Sony name (to which I'm admittedly partial).  A big selling point was the fact that with the expanded memory stick (a separate purchase) you can shoot up to 90 minutes of video - nothing else on the market in this price range even compares to that!We have found this camera to be easy to use, and it takes great pictures.  I would recommend definitely recommend this to others looking for a good value when buying a digital camera.
Having lived with the DSC-P52 for almost 2 years now, I feel that it's time to throw in my 2 cents!  I'd previously used a Minolta Dynax SLR, but this Sony was my first digital camera and I've never looked back since.I've divided this review into segments:EASE OF USE:Using the camera is child's play.  I only read the manual briefly, but I quickly became accustomed to the controls.  The large LCD display makes taking decent photos a piece of cake.  It's very easy to navigate your way through the functions.ERGONOMICS:The camera fits nicely in the hand and feels quite sturdy.  It may seem a little brick-like by today's standards, but it means that camera shake is kept to a minimum.QUALITY OF PHOTOS:The quality of the photos is superb.  I've taken hundreds of photos - holidays, weddings, portraits of family and friends.  There are limitations, however. The shutter speed isn't particularly fast, so don't expect spectacular results if your subject moves quickly.  I intend to invest in a digital SLR in the future to address this problem.PIXELS:Even though this camera is capable of taking 3.2M photos, I rarely using this setting.  For one, it uses an enormous amount of memory stick space.  For enlargements up to A4, 2M pixels is more than adequateVALUE:Overall, the camera is good value for money.  I would invest in either a 64mb or, better still, a 128mb memory stick as the 16mb specimen provided is fairly useless.WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?I most certainly would, but it depends what you intend to use if for. As mentioned earlier, this camera is ideal for snapping friends, family members, and special events such as weddings and holidays.  Just remember the shutter speed limitations for your Brands Hatch days!
This camera takes really fantastic pictures....if you just look in the pictures that people have taken with it you'll see a few of mine.  They always turn out really well, I like all the features it has too.  The only thing I wish is that it would've had at least 3x optical zoom.  Other than that I don't have any complaints.  This has been a great camera for me & I think most people would like it!
I Have to agree. I have used this camera many times for Wakeboarding photography and all i wished for was for abigger zoom range. But i lived with it and the picturesthis camera takes in well-lit invoirments is great!The quality is mostly well enough to be edited.The only thing i don't like about this camera is whenyou take pictures in places with low-light activity, andon the pictures you can see some red graininess, especiallyon skin surfaces. Second is the memory. Unfortunately hereit's impossible to buy memory (128 Mb = $255), soi had to stick with the 16 MB. It doesn't hurt, and it'snot really a downside, because of the fact that anyone couldspend a few more $$$ on some extra memory, that isn'tvery expencive.What i enjoy of using this camera is the rechargeables. Enough said. Thank you Sony!I think light photographers would make good use of this camera,but alot of light is needed for perfect shots. That's my lessonwell learned.A few months ago, the LCD started melting, then the whole screen whent poofy.So now i'm planning it's funeral, because it spent a good 1 1/2 year taking great pictures.I don't expect more than that.And you people shouldn't complain about it breaking and stuff cos probably you let it fall off yourtable and it suddenly  broke infront of your eyes. It's your fault. deal with it.
I bought this camera for my daughter as she likes to takes pictures but it's only 8 years old. So to buy a new no brand camera for around 40 dollars I may as well opted to purchase this sony used camera for around the nsame price. The camera came with all original accesories is looks a litle used but works fine. Sincerely I amnot too entusiastic with the Sony brand I rather go with a Cannon (which is what I own) but for the price and the usage that is going to be used for is a good deal besides the carls zeisslenses are something worth as that is one of the best advantages that Sony has put into this camera. Function wise it has all the normal function any entry level camera has and it works very fine, the lcd screen is a bit too small for my liking but apart from that i definitely would recomended for a kid as a first camera.
I bought two of these cameras as gifts.  The first one broke after less than a weeks use and took the repair department 3 months to return the camera.  The second one broke just after the warranty expired and Sony informed me that it is $150 plus shipping and handling just to look at it.  I will never buy a Sony digital camera again and advise anyone looking to buy a digital camera in general to reconsider.  I also have a Canon and their service is even more expensive.
If only this camera had a larger zoom range! This is what I keep asking myself time after time. I love the picture quality of the camera, and the fact that you can switch the mega-pixel range from under 1 mega-pixel to 3.2 mega-pixels comes in very handy indeed. I purchased this camera because of the size, just small enough to carry around wherever I go and yet, large enough so that my fat fingers have space to get to all the buttons.I highly recommend this little gem! So, why only four stars, well, I would have liked a larger zoom and IMO EVERYONE has room for improvement.Ciao!
This was my first digital camera and worked quite well.  It takes a good picture and will also take video without sound.  It focuses very well even with extreme close up shot.  It is simple to operate and uses a memory stick to save your media to.
It depends what one is used to, I suppose. Myself, I am no kind of expert in either cameras or photography, and not even much of an enthusiast. I got this camera in a fit of exasperation at a series of mishaps with my 35mm effort, and I can only say that as an unadventurous amateur I have been absolutely delighted with it and I don't grudge one penny of what I paid for it.I chose it at random, and the only comparisons I'm able to make with other digital cameras are with those I've seen my friends use. This one is certainly on the big side - it doesn't fit comfortably into a coat pocket, for instance, but it can still be carried there. When taking photos there has occasionally been more restriction than I might have liked as regards width, but that could well be because I have not troubled to find out all the options it gives me. In fact I have left everything at the default settings, as I have seen no reason to change these. Now and again the occasional photo comes out a little darker than I wanted, but that is easily edited with good p/c software - I use PSP8.  Otherwise I have to record complete customer satisfaction. Battery life is excellent (I prefer to use disposables), and the camera switches itself off after a short idle period. The memory stick no longer has to be a proprietary Sony one, as it seems that this technology has been standardised. Above all, the photographs have pleased not just me but everyone else with an interest in them, and that I can assure you is not because I am any great photographer. Others who have used the camera include complete strangers and very un-technical friends. Their photos have turned out as well as my own have, and no elaborate instructions have been needed for anyone. No special software is required if you have a Sony p/c, and the delayed-action when used with the Sony tripod works a dream too.Obviously more ambitious users than I am will set more exacting standards. For a humble amateur like myself who wants only simplicity, reliability and good-quality output this little machine leaves little or nothing to be desired. There must be plenty like me.
Arrived in a timely manner and works great, would do more busy in future if possible. Will recommend to friends if they ever need this as a good place to buy from.
The shutter will not open. Broken. I tried 3 sets of batteries - and used the memory stick from my old camera - nothing helped. So I am returning it this week for a full refund. Selling broken merchandise.
EASILY ONE OF THE BEST 3.2 MP EVER PRODUCED-NOT MUCH CAN GO WRONG WITH THESE CAMERAS UNLIKE THE NEWER MODELS, WHERE ONECE DROPPED THEY DON'T FUNCTION ANYMORE. I TOOK THIS AND A NEWER SONY 6.00 MP WITH ME TO EURPOE LAST YEAR, "GUESS WHAT?" THE 6.00 MP BROKEDOWN, SO I USED THE OLD DSC-P52 AS BACKUP. THE PICS I CAME BACK WITH ARE EASILY AS GOOD AS THE NEWER  MODEL TOOK, BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. A TRUE WORKHORSE.
I purchased my DSC P-52  two years ago for $425 CDN, and it has never failed me, after 4,600 pictures.I do not understand why people seem to have problems with this camera. However, read my other reviews, and you'll see that I am no stranger to bad luck. I suspect there are always a couple of lemons out ther, or perhaps these people are extremely careless with it, or possibly use it in locations which are sandy. A few grains of sand will destroy a camera.I also do not understand why people do not use their Warranty. This camera comes with a ONE YEAR warranty, so there are no excuses for saying "Sony sucks, my camera broke after 6 months and they won't fix it!" All Sony products come with a minimum 1 year warranty in Canada. Can someone please let me know if the warranties are less in the U.S.?I have dropped my Sony on numerous occasions. I might even go so far as to say I've "abused" it, and have three (3) half-inch dents in the metal piece surrounding the lens to prove that. Despite the rough-handling, this camera has never given me a single problem.I find this camera to be extremely solid and well-constructed for an essentially plastic unit - My only complaint being the cheap paint that rubs off the buttons on the backside. Tsk Tsk Sony.
I have owned this camera for less than a year.  I have actually really enjoyed owning it.  Very easy to use, nice features.  I have always been impressed with the pictures.  About 5 days ago my wife turned it on and it started making a loud clicking noise and flashing an error code.  I did a little google search and it turns out that quite a few people have had mechanical failures with this model and it has to be sent back for repair.  Well, if you are outside the 90 day warranty period you are responsible for labor, and Sony charges at a flat rate of $140 for anything...hmm.  Almost the cost of a new camera.  This is simply outrageous.  Highway robbery.  I am having serious thoughts about just ditching the camera and going non-Sony because of this experience.Read around at some of the problems people have had with this camera before buying - and Sony's unwillingness to take responsibility for it.  That is my advise.
Worked great for two years, for vacation and fun photos, and for my web page and printed business pieces.Broke yesterday while in the middle of shooting. Same problem other reviewers are having with the lens buzzing...seems to  be stuck.Sony quoted repairs ($185.11 on 3/14/05) are more than the cost of the camera. I may be able to get it fixed locally for $48.60 evaluation fee, plus the cost of the actual repair, or they may have to send it to Sony too!Well, at least I had it 2 years! Can anyone recommend a more reliable brand?
As you would expect from a Sony camera, it has good picture quality in daylight. The night shots are not so good since it has only a 2 sec twilight mode. And the lens isn't very bright either. (P72/P32 have brighter F2.8 lens)Battery life is excellent and LCD screen is good. World charger and NiMH batteries are included.Check out the specs of this model carefully, its different from P72/P32. This one is 2in thick, has old & slow 2x zoom lens and is bulky.Its a shame Sony tries to sell 3MP/2x instead of popular combination of 2MP/3x. Not to mention the extra cost of propreitary memory sticks compared to CF/SD cards. There are so many better camera's in market than this for a lower cost, I don't see any reason for this to sell.
This little camera takes wonderful quality pics. It's also got a video feature with sound which is really nice. So if you are in the market for still photography great. If however you want action shots (like trying to catch the perfect pic of a 2 year old) you are out of luck. It just outthinks itself. By the time it's done analyzing to make sure you get the best possible pic for that shot you've missed the shot. The so called burst feature doesn't make it any faster, neither does eliminating some of the auto features. About the only way you are going to get the shot is to record a movie and then capture the individual screens later.**************UPDATED 12/26/06**************************************I've hated this camera nearly from day one.  About the only thing I do like about it is that you can take stills and video.  At least when it was new it did take great photographs, however you had to wait forever to be able to actually snap the picture as it's auto-focusing is very slow.  Now it won't even take good pics.  It's often blurry or dark.  The video feature has always been dark unless you have a lot of natural light.If you are trying to take pictures of a non-moving object and have plenty of time to capture the photo then it's fine.  If you want a shot of something moving forget it.The zoom function is nearly non-existent.  The sound on video is wonderful.  Must have an upgraded memory card if you want to take any videos or you will run out of memory very quickly.
I"m surprised at some of the one and two star ratings that I've read here about this camera.Even though I've got a great SLR Canon Rebel XT, plus four other fine point and shoot digital cameras, the Fuji 700 is my preferred camera when I find that the Canon XT a bit bulky for certain times.One of the reasons I love it is that I prefer not to use the flash when I'm shooting indoors, and the F700 has an ISO 1600 which has allowed me to get some super great indoor shots.I also love the "meter" which is quite easy to see before I take the shot, thus, giving me GO to take a properly exposed shot.Now, I haven't read ALL the reviews here, and I'm sure most of the bad reviews are legitimate.  The only problem I've ever had was that it kept "shutting down" on me, so I sent it back, and I now have not longer that problem.And, I forgot to mention that it does not suffer from the dreaded "Shutter lag" syndrome that so many point and shoot cameras do....So, the great indoor with no flash shots, the high ISO, and the "fast shot to shot"was enough to make this beauty my favorite.And, just recently I purchased the Fuji F10, which I kept for a few days, and then returned because it was not even close to the F700.That purchase-return only endeared me closer to the F700.And, if the F700 ever dies on me, my only problem would be trying to purchase another one, and they've been "discontinued"....And, I do love my Canon Rebel XT, but I've found that since the F700 allows me to accomplish all I really want with it, that I'm having second thoughts about wether I really need the Canon XT.No, I won't sell the Canon, but the F700 has surpassed everything that I had anticipated....
At first I loved my new camera, but one day it started letting in too much light, so I took it to the authorized retailer and though it was only a few months after purchase, they claimed there was a small ding on the cover so the warranty was voided (which I'm certain there was not, but it was shipped out for repairs so there was no way of proving it) They charged me over $100 in repairs including charging me for the dock that I brought in which never worked.  They wouldn't understand that I hadn't bothered to bring just the dock in for repair previously since the closest place on their site was almost an hour for me and I don't have enough need for a dock to warrant the trip.  Regardless, they insited on charging me for a new one now aswell as for the repairs I originially brought it in for even though I told them that if they were going to charge for it I didn't want it.I took it home and it was always a bit too sensitive to light...a few months ago the camera also started givign me a hard time with charging and now won't charge at all!  I'm going to buy a new battery, but I'd rather just chuck it than pay for repairs again.I won't be buying another fuji.
this price for this camera is a super bargain. my  nikon 5000 is going on ebay.this camera is amazingly fast, well laid out controls, excellent low light focus, excellent exposure. I couldnt be more pleased.the best bet if your subjects are active (cats, dogs, children)and the movie mode is incredible (large card).This camera is the first digicam to exceed my expectations.
Just like other Amazon reviewers, we really enjoyed this camera for the first ten months of ownership at which time it broke.  I contacted Fuji and they responded with artificial surprise at my complaint and stated that they'd never heard of such a malfuction with the F700.  At that time, I began doing some simple online research and found HUNDREDS of consumers who had identical experiences.  The camera still functions but the images are completely distorted by a pattern of purple, black, and white bars.  Several reviewers exclaimed that they were told by some independent repair shops that the problem is very common to Fuji and 'not worth fixing'.  I will be very unlikely to buy another Fuji product, EVER.
After owning a Sony DSC s70 for 3 years i was waiting for a camera that would 1)quicker on start up and shots 2) more compact(could fit in front pants pocket) and 3) run unlimited timed movies(limited to only size of memory) and closer to video camera quality.  Well the F700 hit all of these.  I have had the camera a month now and am 100% satisfied.
I feel that a great number of compact digicam ratings are too low, as the reviewer is comparing them to a digital SLR. My rating of 5 stars is based on the fact that the FinePix F700 is a  small pocketable COMPACT digital camera. I've made around 800 images,thus far and am very pleased with the image quality(even producing some fine 11"X 14" prints.I use the Fujifilm S2 Pro SLR digital with Nikon lens most of the time,but wanted a digital camera that would fit in my pocket and therefore be available at all times.I find for it's size the F700 to be a GEM in every sense. The Fujinon lens is very sharp,the dynamic range is outstanding,start up time and frame to frame speed is the best for any compact that I know of.Shutter lag that plagues compact digital cameras,has been greatly improved in the FinePix F700.IF YOUR STILL IN DOUBT as to whether the F700 is the digicam for you...check out George Schaub's glowing review of the F700 in the Feb.2004 issue of SHUTTERBUG magazine.
I have currently a Nikon CoolPix 775 2MP.A Sony DSC P92 5MP.A Sony DSC P72 3MP an HP C500 2MP.a Canon Powershot S230 3 mp... and this Fuji F700 and have owned a Sony DSC S75 3.2 MP and a Canon S410 4MP...and others. The controversy is that this is really an 3.2 mega-pixel camera and not a 6mp. I agree with the 3.2 camp. Compared to all the cameras mentioned this Fuji F700 takes just as good or better than any in Auto mode, inside or out.(I use auto mode as a test because with proper adjustments all cameras can be made to take improved pictures but this takes experience and testing that many of us dont want to do, though some simple setting adjustments will help for 98 percent of your pictures). Test pictures were taken of the same subject matter from a stationary camera using the timer to avoid any camera movement as well as freehand shots with and without flash. I find that my best pictures are taken in the 3MP setting. Even taking them in 6MP setting doesn't make a noticeable difference.... indeed... sometimes it is less detailed. In "RAW", because you have to make your own sharpening as well as other adjustments yourself. You should see improvement in enlarged or cropped pictures using RAW or 6 MP settings though I havent experimented much in printing 8x10 or larger.(Ink and gloss paper prices make me cry). I wanted to move to a shirtpocket size camera because I was missing a lot of shots by not wanting to tote my bigger cameras. By the time they are in a case its like carrying a purse. This F700 I carry everywhere except to bed. The plusses for me... Size... great movies,but only 7.5 minutes on a 512MB picture card, The continuous shooting mode which lets you take continuous pics but only at 1 MP.... the 5 shot pic mode,add sound clips to pics, 1.8 inch viewfinder, focus assist lamp, RAW mode, speed, very easy to navigate settings, easy to remember and change. The 2 main drawbacks and reason I may still try another camera is I really want a larger than 3 power zoom and this camera wont accept any additional lenses. I knew this going in but thought I could live without this feature... You either miss lots of photo ops because you dont have your cam with you because its too big or you miss them because of the lack of a large zoom. Thats my quandry. This Fuji F700 has as many or more features and as good as picture quality than ALL the cameras I have owned. If you get this cam get the FUJIFILM xD-Picture Card over the SanDisk... the transfer rates are way faster. microwavedave@sbcglobal.net
I have bought one Finepix F700 and it broke down after about 3 months. The pictures it takes are completely blurred, out of focus and yellowish. After making some researches I discovered that a few other buyers have had the same problem. You can make your deductions by yourself, I won't buy another one for sure.
the f700 uses fuji's superCCD system, basically using two 3.1MP sensors to capture your images.  it's a fine camera, but i'm not sure this new system justifies the price premium.pros:- 6-megapixel interpolated still mode.- vivid colors.- 3x optical zoom.- flexible: point and shooters have automatic selections and scene modes while creative shooters have plenty of control with manual and priority exposure modes.- continuous shooting mode.- RAW file output.- bright LCD works well even in low light.- xD card features short write times, less battery usage.- minimal shutter lag.- fast shot to shot times.- good macro performance.- very good movie mode plus unlimited 30 fps 320x240 video.- low redeye occurrence.- built-in AF illuminator.- solidly built with a metal body.- cradle for charging and video transfer supplied.- compact size: dimensions are 4.3&quot;W x 2.1&quot;H x 1.1&quot;D, weighing 6.7 oz. (excluding batteries and media).cons:- price - a hefty premium has been added due to fuji's new superCCD system but i'm not sure the performance justifies this high price.- image quality not as good as competition - too noisy and over-compressed.- visible purple fringing.- noticeable vignetting.- no gain in resolution using the 6MP image size setting.- no direct adjustment for tone or color saturation.- flash exposures slightly underexposed.- ISO 1600 limited to one megapixel image size (1280 x 960).- no control over JPEG compression levels.- you're on your own when using manual focus - it doesn't show focus distance.- no exposure info for photos in playback mode.- no slow shutter noise reduction.- slowest shutter speed available is 3 seconds.- the supplied 16MB xD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory (at least 128MB).- the batteries supplied are proprietary so add a few bucks to your budget for a spare.the f700 is a great looking camera, light, and compact.  more importantly, it cranks out decent looking pictures.  but the superCCD system that fuji uses doesn't give as much detail as promised.  is this a 6MP or 3MP camera?  i'm on the 3MP camp; the 6MP interpolated mode just doesn't seem to make that big of a difference.  if this camera delivered 6MP performance, its high price would be justified.  if you come to the same conclusion i did that this is closer to a 3MP camera, then this is definitely over-priced.  for this price, you can get a very nice &quot;regular&quot; 5MP canon s50.i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
I wanted this camera because I happened to get it at a good price. I got it for half of the asking price, and I personally still think that is too high. The camera shoots good quality, but not for that kind of money. The 6 MP is misleading. Mine also came with a 16MB memory card, and so I had to go spend another bunch of money to buy a new one. The pictures it takes are pretty good, but often times, it will take pictures like the subject is moving, even if it's not. I would not use this camera to take a picture of something that was once-in-a-lifetime that was happening quickly, because likely as not, the setting you are using will decide to not take a good picture, and then sometimes none of the settings really work well for some setups. It is a great camera for me because I just like to take pictures at family events and around school, but I would not recommend this for someone who does a whole lot of photography above the hobby level.
The Super CCD SR sensor really does provide amazing dynamic range for digital photography.  With multiple methods for selecting focus points and sesitivity in addition to the fully automatic functionality, makes this camera lots of fun!  I have taken pictures on a tripod at night with the 2 second delay option and have been amazed at what this sensor can pick up.  Grainy is not a term that I have found with any of the pictures I have taken so far.The buttons and menu layout are very intuitive and confortable.  The retracting lens makes this an easy camera to carry around with you.Macro mode lets you get within centimeters of your subject and take terrific pictures.  Did I mention the colors and range of brightness are amazing!I have waited a long time to commit to a digital camera and am very happy with the F700
I bought this camera not because of the claimed 6MP quality because it looked like it had a number of features I liked: quick setup, a balance between auto and programmable features, a docking station, rechargeable battery.  But I really fell for the high-quality movie mode for as long as the card holds out.  However, I have to say that this is a problem, as the movie mode is so high quality that the card is instantly full - I bought a separate 128 MB card, which stores about 2.5 minutes of video at the LOW resolution mode before it's full - not enough for anything! I haven't even bothered with high resolution. And the sound quality is very bad, a lot of noise.  Other than that, the camera is solidly built, feels good, looks great and is easy to use.
I have been using this model for over 16 months now, and I find it to be extremely well-made and it takes fantastic photos that print well at 8"x10".I HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS MODEL TO A NUMBER OF FRIENDS, AND THOSE WHO OPTED FOR IT HAVE BEEN VERY SATISFIED.SOLUTION TO SHORT BATTERY LIFE------------------------------A number of other reviews reference short battery life.  I found a rechargeable solution that fits hand-in-glove with this camera.  Rayovac markets a 15-minute rechargeable system (the Rayovac I-C3 system) that charges the batteries in 15 minutes (really!) and I have used them with this camera exclusively since the first few sets of typical batteries drained after a few photos.  Depending on the flash settings, I can get anywhere from a few hours to a full day of use.  The most photos I took on a single charge (without the flash) was 279 (using an SD card for storage)!  I keep two sets, but because they charge so fast, I can throw them in the charger before a party and need not worry about missing those picture-perfect moments!THIS CAMERA'S MAJOR FLAW------------------------The one real pain in the butt with this camera is how it loses its date and time information every time you open the battery cover (to change batteries or insert/remove SD cards).  After a few dozen times, setting the date becomes almost automatic, but it simply is a nuissance.  It would have been relatively simple and inexpensive to add an internal battery and chip to maintain the time settings while the battery cover is open, and I would have paid a $10-$15 premium for that feature. DON'T LET THIS KEEP YOU FROM BUYING THIS CAMERA--I WOULD HAVE WANTED TO KNOW THIS BEFORE I MADE THE DECISION TO BUY, BUT I AM EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH THE CAMERA OVERALL.
The camera takes very good pictures but you will use up a lot of batteries in taking those pictures. It takes 2 double A's and I thought that they would last you at least a day of regular use but not so. You take a few pictures and before you know it you need 2 new batteries. Alright enough about the one bad thing & on to the pros about this camera. The pictures you take turn out very clear and good looking. It will also take movies without sound. Without a card and no pictures the camera will hold a 50 second video. With pictures on the camera the movie time will be cut down to 30 seconds or so depending on how many pictures you taken. It says on the Amazon review that it will work as a web cam, that is untrue. It does not do web cam. I bought it to take pictures at family gatherings, at work and on vacations and other then the use of batteries it serves it purpose just fine.
Yes, this camera eats batteries quickly.  However, rechargables help remedy this issue dramatically.  The best feature of this camera is the price; you def get a lot for what you pay for.  The worst feature of this camera is either the flash taking 15 - 45 seconds to recharge (due to batteries and poor design) or having to reset the time/date AND personal camera settings every time you open the battery compartment (including to swap SD cards).The video function is far better than other point & shoot cameras in that it does not have a time limit on the recording length.  However, the film is email-quality at best and there is no recorded audio, which you will find in some cases is annoying.  I have never been able to use this camera as a webcam as stated by Amazon.com.  Also, the camera only has a digital zoom, which is completely worthless in my opinion.  Optical zoom is the way to go.  Digital zooming can be done with ANY photo editing software later at home.  Yes, optical zoom lenses protrude from the camera as stated in earlier reviews, however, in most cameras the lens retracts once the camera is shut down.Lastly, there are two versions of this camera, A & B (Check Vivitar website for more info).  From my experience, the A version does not offer the digital zoom feature.  There may be other limitations as well.  The only way to tell which version you have is to check the serial number on the bottom of the camera.  If it begins with A than it's an A-version, with B, it's a B-version.Overall, I highly recommend this camera to anyone on a budget and those only interested in a simple point & shoot.  Serious photographers should invest in a better-designed camera with optical zoom and an internal battery that saves the camera's settings.
Firstly, let me just say that I LOVE this camera. It is relatively inexpensive for a brand name digital camera... plan on paying $150-$175 depending on where you get it, it has a lot of different features  such as a timer so you can take pics of yourself, redeye reduction so you can take pics of your dog at night, a decent zoom even if it is only digital, etc... It is super easy to use (I had mine out of the box and took my first pic before I even opened the manual)... It is small enough to fit in a decent sized pocket but not so small that it feels like a toy when you use it... And best of all it takes great pictures. Now comes that bad part... battery use. I sincerely hope that every other camera out there takes more than mine does on a set of batteries. On the smallest resolution with a minimum of flashes, I am still getting less than half a dozen pictures per battery change. I am still planning on experimenting with turning off the LCD monitor and simply sighting to save energy but the flashy screen is half of what makes a digital camera so fun.
hmm...where should i start....the adjustment for macro/portrait/landscape is on the front of the camera and easy to forget about.  the shutter isen't to fast, if your moving even the slightist amount the picture will come out blurry, so its not good for people without a very steady hand.as others have said, anytime you open the battery cover to change the batteries (it does go threw em like crazy) or the SD card, you have to reset the tiem and date.  this isen't to big a deal since unless you really want to use them you can leave them with there default incorrect times.  however, something that truely IS a pain, and very obnoxious, is that the picture settings revert to default EVERY time you turn the camera off.  the default being medium quality and large size.  which really sucks if your trying to max out the number of pics you can take.overall, its a horrible camera.the old bulky digital camera i had before getting this one was even better at taking pics.
This camera was a gift, and seems to be a great little thing.  It's as simple as a point and shoot, but has a good range of capabilities.  It's light and small and gives good quality photos.  The price seems to be quite good...while mine was a gift, I think it cost about 100$ on sale at Target.  As for the power consumption, I've found that it uses a pair of rechargeable batteries every 15-30 photos.  It probably lasts longer if you don't use the screen (I've been experimenting with this), but the screen must be manually turned off every time you turn the camera on, and you might as well just take the photo and turn the camera off if you're only shooting one photo at a time.  Each time you put in new batteries, the camera puts you through a startup mode in which the screen is on and you have to set the date (or just click through it); it would be convenient if the date was somehow recorded in memory with a backup internal battery (maybe a watch battery?).  The camera can take up to 5 seconds to record a photo to memory, but usually takes photos easily.  Indoor/evening photos often come out poorly without using fill flash.
I've had this camera for 2 years now and I love it. Unfortunately, I loaned it to someone who dropped it. It still works but now it won't hold the SD card. I use this camera for business and I have to be able to take a lot of pictures at once, so I'm looking to buy another just like it.The pictures turn out great. I have a photo printer and I have used it to print photos taken with this camera that range in size from wallets to 8 x 10's. Everyone who sees the work is extremely pleased. You do have to reset the date and time every time you open the battery compartment, but I don't care to have this information printed on my pictures, so I just skip it. The only problem that I've had with it is battery life. I had used rechargeable batteries for a while, but they have to be recharged too soon. I recently started using a camera battery, CRV3. I purchase them at a drug store for about $8, but the battery lasts so much longer than regular AA or rechargeables. I highly recommend this camera!
First, I have to say that I love this little camera. I got it for my birthday. The pictures are awesome and I can even print them out from my computer and they look decent. I prefer to take my memory card, which was also given to me for my birthday, to our local CVS Pharmacy and print the pictures out. Unfortunately, just like everyone else has said, it certainly drains the batteries. I even got rechargable batteries as part of my birthday gifts and they just get drained in a matter of about 10 - 15 pictures with the lcd screen on. I, too, am experimenting with different settings.Hope this helps. God Bless!
I think capitalism is a fine thing. Everyone deserves their fair profit.I read the PC World &quot;Editor's Choice&quot; review and bought the camera for less than $500...and still got $50 back on the rebate. That's a net of $450. I also did a lot of other homework. Many side-by-side comparisons. I read the Consumer Reports Digital Camera issue which didn't rate this camera because it was too new.Today you will be hard pressed to find the camera for less than $599. Although it is still worth every penny.I am surprised at the speed with which online retailers responded to the demand. Maybe the camera is in short supply. It should be!Pentax has developed a great product. Even if the price has gone up 25% in two weeks, you will still get a wonderful camera (others have outlined its features so I do not have to) and after your $50 rebate (Hurry)you will have many chances to share the love ;-)Get a 256MB SD card right away. The little 16MB that comes with it is good for about 16 high quality (or 50 lower quality) stills. I took about 300 photos in two days. There was still battery power left and the color was as good as my 35mm SLR.Just outstanding!
the optio 550 is a solid camera with one big advantage over the competition: 5x zoom in a compact package.pros:- 5MP resolution with good image quality.- beats competition with a 5x optical zoom in a compact package (dimensions are 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.6 in, weighing 8.7 oz.).- accurate color reproduction.- low image noise at low ISO setting.- allows a great deal of manual control.- live histogram in shooting and play modes.- very good macro capability.- spot metering.- long movie clips - up to 10 minutes each!- convenient shooting priority play mode - a half-press of the shutter brings you back to shooting mode.- decent night exposures with automatic noise reduction.- no color cast when using flash.- camera feels solidly built.- bright, high resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.- passive AF sensor helps with focusing.- impressive battery life.- price (compared to competition).cons:- noise noticeable at ISO 100 and above.- some purple fringing/chromatic aberration visible.- some lens distortion from half-zoom to telephoto.- autofocus speed could be better.- shot to shot times not as fast as competition.- no slow-sync flash setting.- RAW format not supported.- metal body scratches easily.- high redeye occurrence.- vignetting visible from half-zoom and wider.- slow startup: &gt;5 seconds.- fastest continuous shooting speed is only 1 fps.- slowest shutter speed available is 3 seconds.- cannot physically access the battery or memory card while mounted on a tripod.- plastic tripod mount.- 16MB SD card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out more $$ for more memory.- the batteries supplied are proprietary so add a few bucks to your budget for a spare.the optio 550 has a very impressive feature set, better than competition 5x zoom, and 5MP of resolution.  there's not one glaring omission but there are enough minor ones that it got a 4 star rating.i hope this helps you in your buying decision.  peace.
As someone who strted taking photographs 40 years ago with a Box Brownie, worked his way up through various SLRs, and basically lives &amp; dies in public presentations on the basis of slides, I confess that I was VERY sceptical about going digital. The Pentax Optio has changed all that. I have been using this camera for about a month now, and my poor Canon F1 has stayed in its case.  I am simply STUNNED with the quality of the image, the ease &amp; accuracy of the &quot;point and shoot&quot; features, and the impressive array of options that Pentax offers me.  Battery life seems excellent, the camera has survived a tough month in the field in high humidity/salt air being jostled and banged (and dropped at least once) in transfers from boats to dories to shore, and the 5x optical zoom lets me get reasonably close to my birds (it still isn't a &quot;real&quot; telephoto, don't be confused, but it beats the heck out of other digital cameras that I have played with).  Downsides are that the enclosed 16mb card is a joke, I didn't even bother with it, get at least a 64mb &amp; start shooting. The lens DOES take a while to extend, and there is a slight-but-noticeable delay between pressing shutter release &amp; the actual image. This is annoying in an &quot;action&quot; setting. In addition, the viewscreen, while brighter than I expected, is invisible in bright sunlight.  The biggest problem with this (the optical viewfnder is just fine for actually taking photos) is that messages like &quot;memory card full&quot; may not be conveyed to you unless you look really closely -I lost half a dozen pictures from not paying attention. Overall I am VERY impressed with this camera, it is light, portable, versatile, gives me very high quality pictures, and seems tough enough to stand up to a demanding life on off-shore seabird colonies. Go for it.
This was my first digital camera.  Pentax is awesome, lots of bang for your buck!  5x optical zoom was the best at the time.  5 megapixels was super awesome at the time.  Nowadays 5 megapixels and 5x optical zoom can easily be topped for a lot less money, but back when this camera came out (at least 5 years ago I think) it was so great.  I took it everywhere, played with it all the time.  Like, constantly.  I finally got a DSLR but even then it was nice to have a little point and shoot for the times I didn't want to lug my DSLR around (also a Pentax, love love love Pentax).Well after years of abuse, my Pentax Optio 550 finally stopped focusing properly.  Battery life and picture quality were still just fine.  I was sad to replace this one.  But today I wouldn't recommend buying this exact model camera because it is old and outdated.  You want a newer model with more megapixels and even more optical zoom.  But when it came out it was pretty freakin' sweet.  These days I would still recommend a Pentax Optio, just get a newer model.  That's what I'm doing!I used to work in a nice camera store, taught photo classes there, printed photos there, became the store manager after a while.  I sold Pentax all the time.  I sold so many Pentax cameras, I won a cruise!  That's how many I sold.  And in all the years I worked there and sold lots and lots of Pentax cameras, only one customer ever brought hers back unhappy, and that's because she dropped it ALL THE TIME.  She was mad that it broke everytime she dropped it on the tile, with the lens out, from a standing position.  I'm sorry but they just aren't meant to be dropped lens-first on tile.  After the first time we fixed it for her (free of charge by the way) she let her little kids run around with it and they broke it too.  That lady didn't need a digital camera, in my opinion she needed one of those Fisher-Price rugged cameras made for toddlers.  Everyone else who bought a Pentax from me came in to print their pictures all the time, and every time they came in they just talked forever about how much they loved it and they would ask me to show them more neat features on it.  (The Pentax Optios usually have lots of cool features and modes).  If you like all the fun modes and features, and the compact size, and the compact price, you will &lt;3 Pentax like I do.  =)Also good to know: Pentax accessories usually don't change with every model like some brands do.  For example, the little remote control I got for my Optio 550 also works on my DSLR and every other Pentax camera (film and digital) that uses a wireless remote.  So now that I have to buy a new Pentax Optio, I don't have to buy a new remote, I can keep using my old one.  =)
Pros: Very compact for its specs; comprehensive feature set; high-quality images; long battery life.Cons: Autofocus speed average at best; continuous-shooting mode only 1fps; no slow-sync flash setting; no RAW mode.I recently brought the Pentax Optio 550 and this camera has a wide range of possibilities. THe colors are vibrant, the 5x optical is awesome, the 5.03 mexapixels are nice, and the wide range of options is awesome. The microphone records at 64 kpbs and can record somewhat decent clips. I have only taken 100 or so pictures, but most of them have turned out very nice. Only two possible down sides, though they are easily compensated for. First of all the noise levels at 400, and even 200 can be hideous. Just go to user mode and set the ISO to 64 or 100. Then set the Exposure Compensation to +1 or +1.3. Secondly, the movie mode is not of high quality, as it only records 320 * 240, however, given that this is a digital Camera, and not a video camera that is acceptable I have two 256 MB lexar card and those are definitely useful.
Took this little baby hunting at the Ohio State Penitentiary and it lasted pretty much all night during the hunt.It's better than the stock battery that came with my Sony TRV-460 because it includes a built-in battery monitor.  Just hit the button and a graph of 5 LEDs lights up to tell you how much juice is left. (Just like most laptop batteries do.)It held a decent charge through the entire night of filming and was definitely worth the money.  A good buy for those long nights alone in a haunted prison...
The good news is that I got what I wanted from this battery.  I can go on all-day outings to the zoo, an amusement park, or any place far from an AC outlet, and just keep my camcorder turned on without worrying about running out of juice.  Or, I can use my camcorder on battery power for several days running without having to recharge the battery.  Furthermore, that battery level indicator on the back is a neat extra added attraction that lets me see how much juice I have left without having to use any in the process.However, this extra security comes at a price -- and I don't just mean in dollars and cents.  Granted, none of the drawbacks I'm about to discuss are actual show-stoppers (and come to think of it, a dead battery literally would be a show-stopper, wouldn't it?), but they're worth thinking about if you want to buy yourself some additional battery time and you're trying to decide whether to buy it in the form of this high-capacity battery or several lower-capacity batteries.The first problem is admittedly the least important because you can get around it simply by either planning ahead or buying one of those separate battery chargers that does the job faster than the camera itself.  But if you do rely on the camera to recharge your battery, this baby takes a LONG time to go from fully drained to fully charged.  No big deal if you remember to start it charging the night before the day you need it, but if you forget, you can't start it before breakfast and expect to have a full charge by the time you've finished your eggsBut there's one other reason why this is a lesser worry.  Unlike some other rechargeable batteries*,  the NP-QM91D**  can be recharged before it's fully drained with no resulting loss in capacity.  My understanding is that if you try to do this with some batteries, the amount of charge they can hold at that point becomes the maximum amount they can EVER hold again.  For example, if said battery originally had a capacity of six hours and you recharged it after using up only four, the battery could then take only four hours worth of charge, and so would would only hold a four-hour charge from that point on.  Because the NP-QM91D**  can be recharged at any time, you never have to let it fully drain once you've charged it, and thus never have the LONG wait for it to fully charge after you've done it once..The more significant drawbacks for me come from this battery's increased weight and size ...The NP-QM91D's increased weight doesn't make the camcorder uncomfortably heavy by any means, but it does shift its center of gravity significantly, which took some getting used to.But the larger SIZE of the NP-QM91D, and its resultant shape, is what's really been causing me trouble.  The lower capacity batteries, such as the NP-FM50 I'd been using, slide nicely down into a recessed area on the back of the camera, and are held snugly in place until you release them because their back surface is flush with the back of the camcorder.  This higher capacity battery fits into that same recessed area, but protrudes beyond the back of the camcorder.  Yes, the viewfinder can be extended to accommodate this, and I usually use that LCD screen on the side of the camera anyway -- which I can now much more readily afford to do because I don't need to worry so much about the extra drain on the battery.  But the protruding battery it makes much harder to connect the AC power adaptor.More importantly, the battery isn't held in place nearly as securely, because it's a long, heavy rectangle that's being gripped only at one end.  I've actually had it come loose and fall off the back of the camera several times.  On one of these occasions, that meant  I missed a shot I wanted to get because I was reattaching the battery.  However, I admit this probably wouldn't have happened if the camera had been mounted on a tripod.So maybe the real problem is that this battery was intended for professional videographers, and I definitely ain't one.  If you definitely ain't one either, you might want to hesitate before buying this battery -- although, as I said at the start, it has been helpful, despite the problems.* Such as the one in my cell phone or my cordless razor.** Along with all Sony camcorder batteries, and most other camcorder batteries nowadays, as I understand it.
Just bought this for my Sony HDR-HC1, The battery is big, but it balances the camera better than the standard battery. I think that sony designed the camera a little heavy in the front to make this battery balance the camera so well. The price seems steep but it is less than buying three standard batteries, that it replaces.A great buy in my book! Buy two so you can always have one charged and ready to go. You will run out of tape before ypu run out of battery!
for a battery of this size, the price was great.  i applied for an amazon credit card and got $30.00 off which made the price even better.  battery works great so far.
La bateria dura alrededor de 45 minutos con una lampara Sony de dos focos, usando un solo foco.  Es bastante pesada e influye en usos prolongados de la filmadora.
I was amazed on how well this battery has performed. I did make sure when I got it I did a complete charge and complete discharge and it has not let me down since. I can shoot well over two hours without needing to change to the very meek battery that came with my camcorder (Sony HDR-HC1). It is thicker and sticks off the back a little bit more so you can not get your eye up to the eyepiece but I use the LCD when shooting anyway, and almost always on tripod.
It's a battery - don't expect anything more or less from it.  Seems to hold a charge and works as expected.
My mom bought this camera for me as a graduation gift and I desperately needed a good camera before my trip to England. While camera shoppping, I was looking for a camera that was in the $70-$80 price range and that had zoom. The zoom feature on some of the cameras wasn't very impressive, so soon has I saw this camera I wanted it. I liked the size, it could easily fit into a small purse, and the zoom feature was great, for (a little) more I got a great camera. I got back my pictures, they turned  out fantastic. I would definitly recommend this camera for anyone that's on a budget and needs a camera with a good zoom feature.
I had a Canon Sure Shot in the past and loved it.  Replaced with this one and love it too.  I don't always want digital pictures and this camera takes great photographs and has a really good zoom lens.  Automatic focus, other good qualities.  Would highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants to (at least sometimes) take 35mm photos rather than digital.
The 90u is a decent camera. It is very light, but with that being said, it also feels very cheap. The buttons and controls also feel cheap. The camera does what it is supposed to do - just like what any other point and shoot camera would do. However, at this price, I feel there are cameras out there with higher build quality, lens quality, and feel. No major flaws, but not recommended.
Bought this camera in August /September(for a gift). Didn't use it for a month and a half.I  couldn't get camera to work. Called Canon, wouldn't replace it, kept getting a flashing "H" Got no warranty, Canon said it was a "diaognostic malfunction"  No satification at all.  Very unhappy about this purchase
Camera takes GREAT PICTURES - It was listed as New, but the box it came in was Openso I did not know what to expect - But I am real Happy With This Product.  :0)
I researched about film camera's before I bought this. I always read great reviews and I've always been a strong proponent of Canon products. Canon sureshot 90u did not disappoint me. It has an amazing zoom and picture clarity is great. It also has Auto/manual mode with Auto/always on flash.The camera body is stylish and sleek. The pictures came out great both in matte and shiny finish. I also tried taking pictures in day/night/dusk outdoor and indoor. All the pictures were good, though I have to say that outdoor pictures came out better. Overall, it is a very good camera. If you thinking about buying any other cheap film camera, dont do that. Buy this camera and I'm sure you wont be disappointed.
Arrived in a timely way.  Condition was as advertised.  If the battery had not been spent it would have earned another star.
I got this camera two weeks ago as a gift. Almost exactly what I wanted: lightweight and small enough to fit my pocket. The plusses are:1. Superb picture quality for both indoor and outdoor photos.2. Advanced features that are only available on SLRs. These are ACTION mode (keeps moving subjects in focus), REAL-TIME modes (shutter releases immediately when the button is pressed) and manual exposure correction +/- 1.5 f-stops.3. Three AF modes: 3-point AF, center point AF, and servo AF.The Sure Shot 90u, as far as photo quality and camera features go, is effectively a pocket-sized SLR. So why not award 5 stars? My reasons are:1. No weatherproofing. I also take photos at pool parties and the beach. Sure, a waterproof disposable would do, but I want high-quality photos!2. The instruction manual is way too brief! Although it does an excellent job in showing how to operate the camera, it does not give any technical information. Also, there are no illustrative photos, e.g., photos to illustrate the effect of the red-eye reduction lamp.3. A max shutter speed of (1/1000)s would be great!4. The battery cover seems easily breakable.5. The lens is slow: f/4.7. It is better than the f/5.6 on most cameras of this type, but not good enough. Why not f/2.8 like on the PowerShot A95?6. A night light (like INDIGLO on Timex watches) for the LCD display would come in handy for night use.This camera is superb and is a must-have for anyone who wants high-quality SLR-like photos without the bulk of an SLR and the skill of a professional or an advanced amateur. (The only serious gripe is the lack of weatherproofing.) Get this camera. Enough said!!!
I'm probably the only person on the planet that does not have a digital camera, so I was thrilled to find this sure shot.  I continue to use it and I will continue to do so until it just stops working.
This camera is a very well built.  I've had it over 3 years now ( When i go it, i paid about $200 for it, so it's dropped quite a bit in 3 years).  If your worried about the fact it had only 2MP, don't.  2MP is perfect for 4x7(typical size of 35mm pics), and it will show a full picture on the computer screen(which looks very nice).  Well if u got the money i'd def go with the Z700 by kodak, but this is still a very effective, and at that price, how can you beat it?
We bought a similar Kodak camera (CX7220) 18 months ago.  It takes OK pictures and is easy to use, but the body is a thin plastic.  The battery hatch door on the bottom is very vulnerable to breakage.  Drop the camera once and you will easily crack the door.  You might think a big company like Kodak would make it easy to call in and get a new hatch door mailed to you.  The part is worth maybe 2 cents. I tried and was told no, you have to send it in for repair - for which there is a $50 flat fee!Also - don't bother installing the Easy Share software on your PC.  The Windows Picture It software is free and much simpler and faster.
I bought the Kodak Easy Share CX 6230 new at a big-box retail store eight years ago.As part of the purchase I bought a Kodak 64 MB SD memory card which was a great investment!I bought a cheap, generic digital camera new before purchasing this camera. The Kodak was definitely an upgrade and for slightly less money! So the price was reasonable.This camera has worked well for me throughout the years and it is a dependable camera for what it is.What it is- it's a simple point-and-shoot camera. There are not a lot of fine-tune adjustments.Never tried the video feature but the other settings on the control knob work well-Automatic,Landscape,and Close-up worked well enough to suit me.This camera would be great for teens. It's a no-fuss unit.Pictures in a dark setting are not a strength for this camera. Photos using the zoom on maximum can look a bit blurry,especially around the edges.Another minor annoyance is that the ok button to the left of the viewing window on the back is way too "touchy".By that, I mean that if you don't push the button exactly in the center it will not confirm what you are doing whether deleting pictures,setting the date ec...It eats batteries like any digital camera. We tried lithium batteries and found that they lasted longer, but I'm not sure that they last long enough to justify the added expense. Rechargeable batteries would be a better solution in my opinion.For durability: This camera has lasted a long time with no problems. It's never been dropped or abused(batteries left in,exposed to weather etc..) either though.For everyday snapshots and durability this camera is a solid choice. Not a bad choice for a beginner.It has proven to be an excellent investment for what I needed at the time!
This is a great little camera for people who are just wanting to mess around with digital photography, but don't want to do anything serious.  It's ideal for quick snapshots on a family vacation or the kids in the backyard.  It's also a perfect gift to give a kid who really wants a digital camera, but you don't want to spend $300.Other positives:  It's lightweight, doesn't require a lot of thought, and the small screen really guides you through what all the buttons are for.  Everything is well labeled, and sharing photos is simple.  Other people have said that they didn't like the software, but I didn't have a problem with it.Because it's designed to be simple, it has some flaws when it comes to more complicated operations.  It takes really crummy night shots.  Don't even bother trying to use the nightime setting unless you have a tripod.  Also, the screen on the back is deceptive, especially when it comes to nightshots.  You think you have a good picture until you load it onto your computer and you realize it's totally blurry.But, for a 2 megapixel camera, it's great.  It's a good gift for kids and a good starter camera for just about anyone.
I had this camera for over 6 years and it is a working horse.  yes, it eats lots of batteries, but I ended up having two sets of rechargeables and only rely on regular AA during travel.  And this winter, as the title says, it survived 48 hours left outdoor under snow.  I was terrified - we couldn't find it until the snow melted, so I started "shopping" for a new camera, but never purchased one, and then we found it and it still works, takes great pictures, no evidence of any damage to the quality.  maybe one day it will brake, but for now, it remains my pride possession. need I say more?
I bought this camera because I wanted a good camera with video recording abilities at an affordable price. After using it for a year, I know the good and bad.The Good:-The price was the lowest for a good quality 2.0 MP-Good pictures-It records video (See bad)The Bad:-It does not come with rechargable batteries.  You either purchase their Kodak dock ($50-$70 more) or you buy a AA recharger kit ($30-$40 more). This is a hassle if you travel and just want to recharge your camera over night. The sony digital cameras come with a rechargable batteries and a simple cable to plug into the AC outlet.-The video recorded is limited to 30 seconds and the video only plays on Apple movie player. They give you Apple movie maker to view your video. I can't edit the videos unless I buy a Apple editing software.-It only records 30 second videos.Conclusion,This is an OK 2.0 MP starter camera.  Knowing what I know now, I would have spent the extra ($75 more) and bought the Sony digital Camera since it comes with a travel friendly rechargable battery and cable and allows you to record video to the extent of your memory card. The Sony digital camera records video in a microsoft friendly format (.avi) which you can edit with Microsoft Movie editor (which is free, downloaded for their site).  In the end, you get what you pay for.
I bought this camera for my daughter for xmas 2004, so it is a little over 1 year old.  At the time I thought it was a good value and purchased it instead of an olympus or sony which cost slightly more.  Now a little over a year later, the display does no longer works and it will not take any pictures.  Of course it is off warrenty, so I went to the Kodak website to see what it would cost to fix it.  Their quote was $110....more than the advertised cost on Amazon to buy a new one.  If this is any indication of how they are going to compete in the digital market, they will never survive.  I am going to replace this camera, but not with a Kodak.
I've had the camera for about 2-1/2 years.  In all that time, it's always worked, always taken decent pictures.  The controls are easy to use.  Hooking it to a Mac with OS9 or OS/X was trivial.Why only 2 stars?  The camera locks up too much.  If you activate a menu or control, and push something else while that function is completing, the camera always locks up and restarts.  This is extremely annoying on its face, but it also puts many menu setting, like the custome light exposure choices (i.e. +1, -1) back to their default state, so you have to start over setting them up.It also exhibits this lockup behavior when you DON'T activate controls in rapid succession.  Many times I'll turn it on and just try to focus on something.  The camera lens won't move, and the red focus-lock indicator in the viewfinder will never come on.  Next thing I know, it's rebooted and I have to try again.I also have a CX6330 (the 3MP version), and it behaves in exactly the same way.  This is clearly something that's a serious bug in the camera's firmware, but I see no firmware updates ever posted for this camera.It's also a battery hog, but that's pretty common for digital cameras.  With rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, you can take about 40-50 pictures on a set of batteries, so definitely get rechargeables.Too bad.  Other than the lock-up, it's been a nice camera.
I have owned a Kodak EasyShare CX6230 for a couple years and it eats batteries for dinner.If you don't mind feeding your Kodak Camera batteries all the time, then go ahead and get one.  My Kodak hardly ever had enough power to take some pictures and then download them off the camera without putting in new batteries.I have upgraded to Canon PowerShot SD600 which is powered by a lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included)which is a HUGE plus.
I have owned this camera for a year now. This is a good basic camera. It has a lot of nice little options like zoom and a close-ups setting. A lot these days is made of the megapixels in a camera and although this one seems to be on the low side it takes great pictures.Some things to think about:This camera eats up batteries fast. you can't leave the batteries in overnight or they will die. If you do take the battteries out there is an internal memory that saves all your pictures so you don't lose anything. Nice feature.Also: USB connects right to any USB port on your computer which is nice. But you have to load the software to your pc and if you do this I recommend you go with the absolute minimum installation. There is way too much stuff on the disc and it will take over your computer as far as claiming itself to be your default program for all types of images and graphics.If you don't have any graphics/image software on your PC already then go ahead and load everything. But if you are like me and already manipulate images with other software go for the minimum installl. This will avoid yet another icon in your systray and another application checking in online for updates etc.all in all its a good first camera at a reasonable price.
Before you buy DSC-V1, here are some tips about it:The camera is excellent, considering image quality and features. You can manually set the functions or set the automatic mode (helps beginners but provide features for more advanced photographers - get the manual in Sony Website). The image is better than P92, for V1 has bigger Carl Zeiss lens. P92 is very very easy to use, but V1 has a range of features not available in P92.1) it requires extra memory stick (which, as you might now is more expensive than compact flash). 256Mb is recommended. 128Mb provides 80 photos full-quality. (any 5.0 Camera, whatever the brand, needs extra memory though.)2) Spare battery would be useful. The NP-FC11 lasts about 80 minutes and take 2hrs to recharge.3) Unlike old Sony cameras, you can take pictures faster (whether P32, P92 or V1), but when using V1 with flash, you need to wait few seconds to energy recharge (a bad thing if you need the flash and don't want to miss a thing) - but it's like 3 seconds.4) A very nice feature is the nightframing and nightshots - it has infrared visor for very dark places.Comparing to P92, the improvements are amazing. I used them both and found P92 easy to use, but V1 has many useful features, better for those who want to make creative or art photos.
I bought a Konica KD500Z in 2-02 for $500, used it for a year, lost it in the car for several months, bought a Sony DSC-V1 for $500 to replace it, found the Konica and let my niece use the Konica for her very active summer.The KD500Z is small and easy to carry. It takes a memory stick and an SD card. It can't take action shots and it can't take good photos in low light. The infrequently used options are not very easy to use. With that said, we took a lot of great photos with it (and a few short movies) and loved having it at hand. I use a card reader to download the photos to the computer. We don't miss the hassle of getting film developed, but sometimes we miss the crisp glossies.The Sony is a better at action shots and in low light, its controls are easier to understand and it takes better movies. But the Sony is a little bigger and takes only one memory stick. (With a 256 memory stick, the battery becomes the limiting factor. I have not run out of memory or battery in either camera. You do need to learn to pace your use. It helps to bring on vacation a laptop with a memory stick slot. During a vacation it would not be a bad idea to archive the downloaded photos to the web or to a CD or DVD. I had to reformat a hard drive after a recent vacation with my laptop.) The Sony battery does not seem to last as long as the Konica, but that is purely subjective. I like the Sony much better.I have not used all the capabilities of either camera. I got another 5MP camera only because I like being able to crop out a lot of the original photo and still have good resolution. (I do not otherwise need poster-size photos). I use Photoshop Elements to touch up every photo and am happy with it. We keep the photos in the "My Pictures" folder, a subfolder for every day, and set the screensaver in XP to "My Pictures Slideshow" at full screen and let it randomly select and display digital photos.After spending the summer with my niece in her tiny purse, the Konica would not start when the lens cover slid open and needed repairs (outsourced by a good local camera store) costing $172, which I am told is a flat rate for repairing digital cameras!
Alright, I'm not a camera wiz, but I do appreciate a good point and shoot camera which makes pictures look like I am. I'm sure most of the cameras on the market will suit 99% of the people out there... at least in terms of picture quality. Here's my "real-world" perspective on why I bought the camera:1) Rechargable (externally) batteries (don't overlook this feature, this is why I dind't choose Olympus--convenience!)2) Full size video!! (The quality is great... it's a _BIT_ choppy, but how many of us take really long video's of something really important? Few. But this is nice to have if you need some interesting clips!3) 5-megapixel -- this is more for marketing these days unless you plan on printing 8x10's or larger photo's. The bpp doesnt change it's only the resolution (or in english terms, dimensional size of the print) that changes as you add megapixels. I personally shoot 1.2mp all the time. It's nice though, having the option to take something in 5mp in case I ever want a high-quality print!4) Compact w/4x (analog) zoom. We've all seen 100,000x digital zoom... WHO CARES? You can just "zoom digitally" once the print is on your machine, quality isn't going to be greater--I'm pretty sure this is true, don't quote me on it though.So those are pretty much the biggest reasons... which mattered to me, living in the "point-and-shoot-and-forget-about-it" world. If you're a "photo-phile"(?) then there are plenty of reviews on the web for you!Hope this helps someone... I, personally, love the camera! :)
This camera is perfect for taking pictures in nightclubs or at night.  The main reason for this is the "Night framing" ability that allows you to see an IR picture of what you are framing, then when you take the picture it shoots a normal flash (this is not the same as a night shot where the picture itself is a IR image, this just lets you aim.)  In addition, when you don't have the ability to see the LCD, you can use the AF laser emitter to target your images.  Either way, if you get a camera that does not have these features, its always guess work if you have the subject in frame if its dark.I will never buy another camera that does not have these features.  I cannot believe they are not standard on all digital cameras.As for red eye, I would not use the anti red eye feature on the camera.  It makes people squint in the follow flash.  Use either editing software or better yet, get the off camera flash and bracket accesory for natural red eye reduction and shadows.If you are thinking about this camera, accessories I would almost say MUST be budgeted are:  The leather flip case with strap (not the stupid pouch case), extra battery, 512mb memory stick and if you intend to use the 5mp that you are paying for and want to send your pix, you should ABSOLUTELY purchase a copy of Sharegear file sharing software (not a Sony product).  It is hands down the pest way to share video and pix.  It's also the cheapest ($20.00, one time), but that is just a bonus.  (you need dsl/cable to use it effectively).An almost must have accessory is the HVL-F32X smart flash and bracket.  It makes the camera a bit bulky, but dang those images look good.  An external flash off camera will always beat a built in flash for taking people pix.  I don't care how nice the camera is.Another word about the MP's. 5MP is enough.  Higher than that is great if you need to count the hairs on a fly, but the price in storage cost (MB per image) is probably not worth it.  If you don't even use the full MP, then why upgrade your camera?  That's just me.Hope this helps.  FYI I have had this camera for over a year and still think its better than all my friends newer ones.Brian
Most people don't realize it is not about pixel size!  It's about the quality of the Lens that give you that sharp clear picture.  The stop of this Zeiss lens goes down all the way to 2.8!  This is an indication of how good this Zeiss lens is.  In summary, this is an "oldie but a goodie" digital camera.  Yes the view finder is a little small but it does have an eye piece for focus which is a plus.  This 5MP is way under rated compared to days newer models.  The camera body is a rugged metal compared to the cheap plastic models today.  It's a little larger than the newer models, but again it's the picture it takes that counts.  This is a diamond in the rough.
This is one of the first cameras I have ever owned, I found that it is a little too advanced for the beginner photographer, but is a great bridge from beginner to a little more advanced.First off, just let me say how pleased I was with the photos this camera takes.  Great, great quality.  I was even more pleased when I took the photos onto the computer and I blew it up several sizes--the pictures stayed nice and clear.Using full automatic mode, I have read some customers complain about color saturation problems...it's almost as if they are talking about a different camera, because I am experienced no problems like that.  This camera makes very close to real life colors...and, if by some chance, you do happen to experience some sort of color saturation problems, there is a manual override that will work just nicely.The camera is very easy to handle all of the features.  It's not confusing at all, even for the more of a beginner photographer.There is only one thing that I am going to have to complain about concerning the camera functions...The shutter speed, I thought, was way too slow.  This camera seems so advanced that you would think that the shutter speed would be fairly fast...but it's not.  You have to hold down the shutter for a few moments before the picture finally takes.  And when it does take, it takes several seconds for the picture to save...I found one flaw in the camera design--the location of the flash.  It's on the top on the very left hand side (left hand side when the lens is point away from you).  It's a weird place because in order to hold the camera properly, you have to lay your finger right on top of the flash.  Which is just fine, when you are not using the flash, but when you do want to use the flash you will want to put your finger right on top of it, because it feels comfortable to do that.  However, you can't use the flash if you do that!  So, then you will probably result to putting your finger on top of the silver band around the lens, but that won't work either because your finger will be in way of the flash.The location of the flash is the only camera design defect that I have come across, though.  Otherwise, this is a nice camera that takes really splendid pictures.  I'd recommend this camera to the beginner photographer passing over to an intermediate photographer.  If you are looking for a compact camera, this is a pretty good compact camera.  It gets great pictures, and is pretty much compact.  Although, it is not completely portable, it's a little bigger than a lot of the compact cameras out there...but, you have to keep in mind the megapixels that you are getting.  5.0 megapixels, and lots of features.  A very nice camera, I am quite pleased with it.  Although, the flash defect has led me to looking for a new camera, because I just find that defect a little too hard to over-come.  Other than that, I enjoyed this camera.
it okay but you need way more for range when ghost hunting but not a bad starter IR camera I hate these ratings
I bought this camera back in February 2004, when it first came out and have been using it ever since. Even though it's just 5 mpxl, it's got a Carl Zeiss lens and my photos look really good blown-up even to 12x18.  Yep!I paid $422. online for it back then, and since I'm not happy with the current pocket models, I've purchased this model again,[at greatly reduced price here] because I wore my original out.It's a little bulky, but it's got a HOT-SHOE [which No Current pocket-Model has] Manual settings (also no current pocket model has these), multi-Mpxl settings, Burst mode, AE Lock, mini-video mode, etc., etc...** HIGHY RECOMMEND
Excellent camera with great quality in a compact package.  Good ergo.  Clear view screen.  Excellent in-doors with organic flash and even better with added external flash (hot shoe).  Great color outside under sunny through overcast conditions.  Only weakness is a limited optical zoom.  But, on balance, exceptional set of capabilities for the size and weight.  Overall high resolution, great options, external flash, multi-ISO, many white balance settings, nice preset and manual  functions, good AF, small size, infrared for night shooting, MPEG mode ... with Sony quality.  Very pleased overall.
I love this camera.  I'm not going to get into a bunch of details, but I've taken photos aboard an aircraft carrier, inside museums, out in the swamps, at sunrise on the beach... never less than outstanding quality photographs - any bad photos were my fault entirely.  easy to use, fun to play with, small, lightweight... I love this camera.
Never mind the picture quality, this little camera works !  I toothed on an Olympus D4040 and i was never able to penetrate its menu system, so i used it at only the most rudimentary level.The sony and i hit it off immediately. Not to say i understand them all, but after two days i can waltz through every feature. What i particularly like about the Sony is:1. the shutter button is always where i expect it -no more frantic groping2. sony has reached a nice balance between burying a feature in a menu and providing it a button on the back.3.The electronic lens cap...love this...no more fumbling with a lens cap that, at altitude and cold, sometimes requires more than the available dexterity. I can fully  operate this camera with gloves.4.the LCD is so sharp that i can photograph a topo map [@1.2 M ] before a hike, and, on the mountain,  zoom and move around on the map better than the original. Very cool !!5. the 40 second audio recording feature is handy to record details of a shot.6. the 10 minutes of video [on a 256 M card] is useful.What i dislike about the camera is the pathetically small battery...the lithium provided weighs less than half an AA ...my Olympus would run for months on 4.  Understandably, the Sony is lucky to make it through a day on one.The flash is another minor problem...it wants to come up under your left finger, but since i rarely use a flash...i don't care.
I bought this camera to replace a 4-year old 1.6MP Sony MAVICA after spending the last two months doing research and reading a lot of reviews.  Every camera I looked at had its Pros and Cons.  I just had to decide which ones were going to have an affect on my final decision.  I ultimately went with this camera, because it was small, easy to configure and most importantly met my needs.  Don't expect to find a camera that doesn't have any cons.  I fell in love with it as soon as I took it out of the box.  I spent the first couple days reading and re-reading the 130-page manual to make sure I understood the different capabilities.  You have to do this if you expect to get the max benefits of this camera.  Even now I find myself having to regularly refer to the manual for help, because I'm not a professional photographer.  This is by no means an easy camera to master in one hour.  Yes, you can point and shoot, but you still have to read the manual and make some initial setup changes. This camera is a big improvement over my old one when it comes to image quality (no suprize here) and overall capabilities. The first thing I did was change the image resolution from 5 to 3.1 MP, because the 32mb memory stick that comes with the camera only allows to you shoot about 12 images (using fine print) and 23 images (using standard print).  You can always set the image size to VGA and can take up to 196 pictures.  I say if you're spending this kind of money, don't set it to VGA, because you pictures will be ok (as with other cameras) at best.  The higher resolution will allow you to print some great pictures on photo paper if you have a good hi-res printer.  I used an Epson Stylus Photo 825 ($100) and the results were great--much better than those you get in the mall. I went ahead and bought two 128mb memory sticks to cover me. The other thing I did was disable some of the camera's sound features (shutter and power-on sound) so I could save on battery power.  I would recommend buying a second battery through the internet since it's cheaper than getting them through Sony.  I also bought a separate battery charger so I wouldn't have to use the camera as a regular battery charger.  The last thing I would want to do is bake the components in the camera just to charge one battery or for that matter a backup. Excessive heat wears down electronic components over time. After I setup the camera, I took several pictures (using the flash) to see how if performed against my 1.6 MP.  The first thing I noticed is that the camera did a great job of regulating the intensity of the flash to make sure it wasn't too bright.  The camera allows you to manually set (3 levels) the intensity of the flash for any occasion if you decide you want to go manual. I connected the camera to my TV to view the pictures and they had extremely rich colors.  I tried doing some limited image editing like changing picture size, rotate pictures, etc.  You can view multiple pictures on the camera's small LCD screen which is very nice. Everything worked well.  I haven't tried the other features yet. A lot of technology went into this little camera so you'll have to be patient.  I just scratched the surface.  It makes no sense paying a lot of money for this camera if you don't intend to fully utilize its capabilities (read the manual). This camera is small in size so you'll have to get used to it and handle it with care.  You can purchase optional wide angle/zoom conversion lenses, but using them disables certain features of this camera camera.  I guess it's because the camera lense expands and retracts and it would bump up against the conversion lense.  The conversion lense also blocks some of the light intensity of your built-in flash.  Sony recommends using an external flash when using a conversion lense.  That means a lot of extra $$$.  Don't waste your money on the optional starter kit for this camera. The camera case is ok for the camera, but the memory stick case and spare battery will not fit well.  It's too tight for my taste. That last thing you want to do is damage the camera's protective lense cover.  I bought a samsonite camera case that is a little bigger it stores my camera memory stick case and spare battery.  You can go bigger if you choose to bring along your AV connecting cable, AC adapter and USB cable.  Overall, this is a great camera. I looking forward learning its many capabilites and taking it with me on my trips.
After much research, I decided on the Sony DSC v-1. I am extrememly pleased with my purchase. I considered the Canon G5, but did not like the larger size and the longer shutter lag. ... I'll admit the zoom is a little annoying (zoom control is up and down, rather than left and right), but all in all the camera is up to par with what I have come to expect from Sony. The pictures are crisp and clear with excellent color. The camera is fast from startup to picture capture. Highly recommended.
the sony dsc-v1 is a top-notch camera that is more portable than its competition.  it offers full manual control, 5MP resolution, and 4x optical zoom.  i do have a few nits though...pros:- 5MP, 4x optical zoom.- great image quality.- above average resolution, good tonal balance, good color response.- full manual control.- images exhibit very low noise, even at higher ISO.- image processing parameter control (contrast, saturation and sharpening).- very fast auto focus!- quick startup, fast shot-to-shot times (except when shooting TIFF).- fast write times to memory stick.- has NightFraming which allows you to focus and compose your scene in total darkness with the aid of the infrared emitter, then shoot a full-color shot using the built-in flash. very cool.- better than average movie mode.- compared to the competition (canon g5 and nikon 5400), the dsc-v1 is more compact: dimensions are 4.0&quot;W x 2.6&quot;H x 2.3&quot;D weighing 10.9 oz.- solid build quality.- bright, high resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating that works.- battery charges in-camera, charger doubles as AC adapter.- hot shoe for external flash (limited to specific sony flashes, though).- many optional accessory lenses (telephoto, wide angle, filter lenses) available.- histogram in Live view, Record review and Playback modes- USB 2.0 means faster downloads.cons:- colors a bit washed out.- noise levels higher than expected- some purple fringing.- mild chromatic aberrations visible.- higher redeye occurrence.- RAW format not supported.- saving a TIFF file locks up the camera.- continuous shooting capability limited to 3 frames.- minimum ISO setting at 100.- zoom control is oriented differently so it will take a few tries to get used to it.- ergonomic issues: tiny menu and resolution keys, very easy to block the flash and optical viewfinder with fingers, left index finger falls right on top of the pop-up flash, suppressing it.- lots of key functions are buried in menus.- below average battery performance.- no separate user settings.- like most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- expensive memory stick pro cards.- uses a proprietary battery so add a few bucks to buy a spare (or maybe two given the battery performance).- the supplied 32MB memory stick is inadequate - again, more $$ for more memory.- you'll need to remove from tripod to get to the battery or memory stick.sony has succeeded in delivering a camera that has virtually the same feature set as canon's g5 and nikon's 5400 but in a more compact package.  it's not perfect though.  RAW format is not supported and writing a TIFF file still takes way too much time.  and there are some ergonomic nits that is uncharacteristic of sony.  still, this is a great package and worthy of consideration.i hope this helps your buying decision.  peace.
I owned this camera for about 3 days. I returned it 2 reasons:1) The pop-up flash is located on the upper left-hand side of the camera where your index finger would normally go to hold the camera. This prevents the flash from popping up; to accomdate you end up holding the camera awkwardly.2) I couldn't find the "Erase all images" function. I think sony forget to add it. I couldn't find it in the manual either.I could have lived without the Erase all feature, but I just didn't like the way I had to hold the camera. It always felt like I was getting ready to drop it.
if you are a casual photo enthusiast, this is the camera you want! I bought this camera in Dec 2003 after much research, and after buying (and returning) the Sony DSC-P10.  This V1 model has everything you want- fully manual exposure control (which the P10 does NOT have), compact size, a great Carl Zeiss lens, and 5MP resolution.  I had been an Olympus digital camera user for the past 3 years, and loved the image quality... I had some concerns about the lens quality of the Sony cams, but after some tests and comparisons, I am more than pleased with the V1.  And at half the size and more than twice the resolution, this is a killer camera at a great price!
I had my older sonyFD88 stolen, and was devastated. After a few weeks of undecided confusion, I made a list of all that was important to me in a small camera. I think I made the right choice. The Sony V1 won out, hands down.The clarity in the photos were stunning, and also one of the first thing I noticed was its indoor low light situations looking so great with little &quot;noise&quot; or blur.I also love the ability to add lenses with the thread availability of the sony 4x lens. I have had so much fun with macro lenses and filters, and also with a threaded adaptor a tele lens, that doubles the 4x. That surpasses all the small 5 megapixel cameras.This camera has allowed me to enhance my creative juices and rivals with some of the more expensive models, and yet I just throw it in my purse. People are really surprised when I tell them what camera I use, as the normal everyday photographer has no idea what potential they have in their hands when they buy this beauty. It has all the bells and whistles of cameras in the $1000 range, and I compare my photos every day with that scenerio. its a great camera with admirable learning curve as the more you use it. Great buys on it right now too...
I have owned Sony DSC-V1 for 3 years, and have overall been quite satisfied.  You just need to be aware of the limitations of this camera and try not to push it beyond of what it was designed to do.  Hey, it is a point and shooter, not an SLR.  Outside, in good lighting, DSC-V1 knows few rivals.  The pictures uniformly come out sharp and clean, with realistic colors.  F2.8 stop should theoretically blur some of the background, but I have never been able to achieve this effect.  Inside photography with DSC-V1 is possible provided:1) you do not come too close to the subject (the flash is somewhat overpowered) and2) you know how to utilize manual controls to your advantage.The quality of manufacturing is impeccable, as could be expected from Sony with a Zeiss lens.In 2006, there are better options on the market, but this one remains a solid choice, if you get a bargain price.
This camera really had all of the potential in the world, but sadly, it hasn't lived up to my expectationsYes, when done under daylight, the pictures are beautiful ---- but the indoor and nighttime performance is what disappoints meThe flash is WAY TOO STRONG, thus overblowing many of the nighttime shotsIn addition, I often set my own aperatures with this camera, but in having a mind of its own, the camera will re-adjust the aperture, right as I take the shotughI love Sony products - but I recommend staying away from this one
This camera:Good, overall. Functions are good, quite good quality. In daylight, the pictures turn out beautifully. (at night, its a nightmare.)Bad: bulky, Color difficulties, small LCD screen, "Nightshot" is a joke (weird black and whitish color texture that looks like youre seeing through night vision googles), too strong a flash.
I need to edit my first review of this camera.  After owning a Sony DSC-S75 (which I love!), a Canon SD1200, a Sony DSC-H20, and a Canon E-1, I think this Sony V1 model is one of the best older digital cameras.  It has 5 megapixels, which is actually just the right size for most people who will be getting prints made.After testing and using some of the new models of digicams with high megapixels, I used to think that more megapixels meant better quality, but that's not true.  I have learned that higher MP on a smaller camera with a smaller sensor means more noise and graininess, there's just no way to get around it.The DSC-V1 does not have this problem.  I have taken photos with this camera that turned out crystal clear with little to no noise whatsoever, when viewed at 100% in Photoshop.  This camera does the best at photo quality that would make great prints.The only downside is that the videos are a little jerky, and the small batteries it comes with do not have LONG battery life.  Sometimes it does have a problem focusing on dark settings, sometimes darker photos might turn out a little blurry, but that could probably be fixed with tinkering with the manual settings like f-stop, etc. if I knew more about that kind of thing.  But for photos in any other setting, like daylight, people, indoors, etc. this camera can't be beat for sharp images and accurate color.
This camera is a high performer. Handles low light and night time situations very well with low noise and moderate to nice sharpness. The flash is adjustable, bright to low, so it doesn't look harsh. If you want to get serious there is a hot shoe so you can add your own flash, a rarity on automatics. I also appreciate the SLR functions which along with a tripod have taken my still life pictures to the next level. I can't emphasis enough how professional the photos look. I'm an art director and some of my pro photographers have started to comment. Take a look at some of my food photography: [...]My cons include: low battery life, really 30-40 minutes per battery. You will need to buy 3-4 batteries to carry with you, which may mean carrying a charger too, often weighing down otherwise light trips. Don't expect to travel where there is no electricity with this camera unless you have tons of batteries. A small display screen, and relatively bulky size compared to today's standards. The focus function on manual modes is hard to use because the screen is too small, but practice makes perfect. The resolution could be better, but works nonetheless. Regardless this camera is a great deal.
I owned quite few Digital Cameras, but the Camera's I used most before this are Sony DSC-S85 and Canon A80. I damaged my S85 during rafting(still works with Power Supply, but not with battery) and gave Canon A80 to my brother. I bought DSC-V1 because of rave reviews on sites like dpreview, stevesdigicam. Especially for faster focus, so that I can catch my kid in action.So, I will try to compare against S85 and A80.Compared to S85 and A80:1. Smaller than S85 but S85 has better grip, though I hate manual lens cover on S85. Bulkier than A80 and A80 has better grip.2. V1 focusses much faster than S85( 1.25 sec vs 0.6 sec) and still few outof focus because catching kids on camera is not that easy. A80 is faster than S85 but still slower than V1. But Autofocus is more accurate and far superior on A80 out of all three. It covers much area with 9 point AiAF. I tested all three at once, A80 locked focus when S85 and V1 failed. (esp plain background with little contrast). V1 With all that hitech Laser pattern only checks for the contrast in only little center area(though 5 point , but all around/near the center). It fails to focus even when there are object in sides of the frame(not in center). V1 Continous Auto Focus option helps little bit in catching those little kids though.3. Battery life is not even half of that S85, just one hour of typical usage, so extra battery with a charger is must. So extra money/luggage too. In the case of A80, You drop a set of Hi-Capacity Ni-MH AAs and forget it for few weeks.4. Main problem, Flash recoup is really slow, anywhere between 7 -10 seconds. if you choose power save mode, it is around 20 seconds by the time camera is ready for another shot, (as another review has mentioned it). So, any indoor flash photography is a problem especially with kids. It won't let you take photo until the flash it completely charged. If you press shutter button before it charges completely, you have to release, and do it again. With S85 it is less obvious, and A80 hardly noticable.5. Any indoor snaps without flash is ruledout, tried using higher  ISO400, max aperture, exposure compensation etc.  I think both S85 and A80 is little better, but not by much.6. picture quality is on par with S85 I think. I did not feel quality is any better than S85. I felt A80 is little better than these two, especially the JPEG compression.7. Though Canon A80 had rotating LCD, resolution and quality is not as good as S85 and V1.(this has been addressed in A95 with 1.8" hi-res LCD).I have been experimenting since last 2 weeks, and above were the few things I observed.I considered Canon A95, Sony DSC-W1 and this one(Canon G5 is little bulky and slow autofocus). I was getting all these around the same price, but I though V1 has 4x optical and Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lense( I think Vario-Sonnar is better than W1's Vario-Tessar) and W1 had many complaints about JPEG compression artifacts and not somany manual controls.So, Now, I am thinking should I go for Canon A95? or should  think of Casio EXILIM PRO EX-P600 which is veryfast and comes with Canon lense(this is $50 more).???I hope this one helps atleast some people to decide if this camera fits the bill for them.
This is BY FAR the best camera I've ever owned. I currently have a 5D and an S90, but I still use the DSC-V1. It just takes unique, outstanding pictures, with "only" 5 million pixels.The new high end point and shoots are scams. 12 million pixels? Their pictures look like crap.5 years ago I carried this camera around India for 2 months, and it withstood the nastiest conditions. Humidity, heat, shocks. And really, the pictures are, in my opinion, much better than most point and shoots nowadays.If anything it's a little slow and bulky, but it was way ahead of its time and in many respects still is ahead of today's point and shoots. For what it's worth used, it will beat any recent camera in the same price range -hands down.And the infrared pictures function is beyond words. Why don't they still do it now?!Buy with no, no hesitation.
Reci&egrave;n he cambiado mi Sony dsc-p10 por la Sony dsc-v1. Que buena decisi&oacute;n!!. La Sony dsc-p10 es una muy buena c&aacute;mara e incluso mas peque&ntilde;a y delgada que la dsc-v1, pero que en situaciones de poca luz se comporta muy mal. La dsc-v1 tiene varias caracter&iacute;stica que aventajan a la dsc-p10. Una de ellas es que la dsc-v1 posee las funciones Nightshot y Nightframing. Nightshot te permite disparar a objetos en lugares oscuros como escenas al aire libre por la noche o a animales o plantas en situaciones nocturnos e inclusive en total obscuridad. La funci&oacute;n Nightframing te permite enfocar un objeto en la noche y grabarla con sus colores naturales usando el flash. La calidad de las im&aacute;genes es superior a la dsc-p10, &egrave;sto gracias a su lente Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar. Otra cualidad que hace de la dsc-v1 muy superior a la dsc-p10 es que tu puedes elegir el m&egrave;todo de disparo entre: 1)modo autom&aacute;tico (el enfoque, la exposici&oacute;n y el balance de blancos son autom&aacute;ticamente ajustados lo que te permite una facilidad de disparo...&egrave;sta es la &uacute;nica funci&oacute;n que posee la dsc-p10) 2) disparo autom&aacute;tico programado (tu puedes cambiar la combinaci&oacute;n del valor F y la velocidad de disparo) 3)prioridad de velocidad de disparo (esta funci&oacute;n te permite disparar un objeto en movimiento r&aacute;pido congel&aacute;ndolo) 4) modo de prioridad de apertura (&egrave;sta funci&oacute;n te permite cambiar la profundidad del enfoque brind&aacute;ndote ambos, el objeto y el fondo dentro del enfoque o disparar a un objeto con un fondo borroso. y 4) modo de exposici&oacute;n manual (tu puedes manualmente ajustar la velocidad del disparador y los valores de apertura lo que te permite disparar en situaciones de acuerdo a tus prop&oacute;sitos). Lo que yo podr&iacute;a decir en contra de &egrave;sta extraordinaria c&aacute;mara es una falla de dise&ntilde;o al colocar el flash (que salta) en el lado donde normalmente tu colocas tu dedo izquierdo para disparar pero creo que nada es perfecto y con el tiempo aprendes a agarrarla correctamente. Otras cualidades en contra y que muchos ya han mencionado (propias de todas las c&aacute;maras Sony) son: 1)la poca duraci&oacute;n de la bater&iacute;a (que se compensa adquiriendo una de repuesto) y los 32MB del memory stick que es una broma y que tambi&egrave;n se compensa adquiriendo uno de 128MB &oacute; de 256MB. Espero sea de ayuda. (En espa&ntilde;ol es mejor!!).
Going from 35mm Nikons to digital cameras is a real culture shock, some change can be good. We wanted a compact digital that could perform like a 35mm Nikon, we compared all the 5 mega pixel cameras and the DSC-V1 won hands down. The Zeiss lens system (zero plastic elements), "night shot" and the overall size all are major advantages but the suberb picture quality andthe myriad of print options make this camera a true joy to use. The focusing system on the camera is the most sensitive available and the manual modes give you total control of any shooting environment.Add a DDP-5EX printer and you have camera to print in less than 2 minutes and you don't need a computer! One down note buy an extra battery, they last about 80 minutes in the DSC-V1.This is one investment with great returns, enjoy!
A couple of years ago this camera was a very good option given its 5MP, Carl Zeiss optics and nice zoom; however, nowadays it is just below most of the similar priced or similar featured cameras.  The 5MP are no longer a big differentiator and you can probably find better overall packages from Canon and Nikon today.Pros:- Carl Zeiss optics.- Night Shot capabilities.- Convienient size.- Infolithium battery tells you how much shooting time you have left.Cons:- Memory Stick Memory.  Expensive and slow.  You can sometimes pay a $40-$50 premium over similar sized Compact Flash or SD memories.- Slow shooter.  This is specially annoying if you are shooting kids.  By the time the shot is taken, your kid's smile or special gesture is likely to be gone.- Flash is too bright.  Causes flash-lighted shots to be too bright and in many cases to get red eyes.- Colors do not come as natural, especially in challenging light situations, such as late afternoons and some indoors situations.For similarly priced cameras and a good combination of manual/automatic features, I strongly prefer Canon's mid range and prosumer cameras ($400-800 price range).
Esta es una excelente c&aacute;mara digital autom&aacute;tica.1 La &oacute;ptica de Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens es excelente, inigualable, felicitaciones a Sony por la alianza.2 La resoluci&oacute;n de 5 MP es m&aacute;s que suficiente para las fotos familiares.3 El tama&ntilde;o es muy conveniente, ya que cabe en cualquier parte3 Los videos con sonido son espectaculares4 La funci&oacute;n de visi&oacute;n nocturna y el holograma l&aacute;ser son sorprendentes para una c&aacute;mara tan peque&ntilde;a y de gran utilidad.5 Las bater&iacute;as son muy duraderas6 Algunas cr&iacute;ticas que no le quitan m&eacute;ritos: el encuadre a trav&eacute;s del visor es ligeramente m&aacute;s peque&ntilde;o que el real visto por la pantalla de la c&aacute;mara; las fotograf&iacute;as son numeradas en orden sucesivo y no incluyen la fecha en la numeraci&oacute;n.En pocas palabras: Excelente
When I started looking for a new camera to replace my DSC-S75, the first place I looked was Sony and I'm not sorry that I did.  I've owned Sony digital cameras for 5 years now and have never had any problems with any of the ones I've purchased (for me or my family).The V1 is a nice package... much more compact than the S75 and definitely the 707 or 717... but is much nicer to handle than any of their smaller Cybershot models.  It seems to have about as many features as the 717 .. except at a fraction of the cost.Now I'm not a professional photographer, and I fumble around with the controls .. not quite sure what everything does.... So the manual is an important feature for me. This one is well written and answers questions quickly.Picture quality is superb!  Instead of having the sizes set to 640x480 .. 1280x960 .. or any other combination.. the V1 uses the  megapixel ratings to let you know the size.. ie:  VGA, 1.2M, 3.1M, 5M, etc .. It really lets you know the size your images are going to be when you download them onto your computer.The nightframing &amp; nightshot features are very cool!  You can take a picture .. in pitch black.. and it come out with excellent .. true to life color.The *only* thing that I have a problem with, is the power saving feature.  Once the flash fires, the LDC screen turns off and it 'powers down' for about 30 seconds while the flash recoups.  It comes back on, but that's precious picture taking time that you can't capture!  The S75 has a much better recovery time after the flash fires.  Sony needs to work on that one!  I would usually leave the red eye reduction on, and be able to shoot anytime w/ my flash as a fill... but now that's not such a great idea.  Guess I'll have to buy a flash for the hotshoe and hope that's not an issue there.Ok, so there's two issues.. Where the popup flash is located.  It really is not ideally situated .. as it's right where your finger would be on holding the camera. It's no biggie to retrain yourself to hold the camera different.. it's just gonna take a bit getting use to.All in all, I would recommend this camera.  The pictures are great!  The zoom is fantastic!  The color is true to life!  And the price is reasonable.
I invested 3 months of researching and reading reviews on the internet about digital cameras. The Sony DSC-V1 rocks. I have used it for 3 days and I am very impressed with the photos and the ease of use. Sony was the 1'st company to make digital cameras but Canon had been doing a better job until now. The Sony model is clearly a winner over the Canon G5, S45, S50 models. I personally compared the G5 and the DSC-V1 in low light conditions and inside the house and the Sony is clearly a superior camera. It is true that Canon G5 can sometimes produce better pictures in good light conditions but if I can not shoot good pictures in all light conditions then the camera is not a good choice!, the Sony V1 is highly recommended
I have owned my DSC-V1 for at least 5 years and remembered paying over $500 for it new.So why am I writing this review in 2008?  Well the camera has survived many world trips, drops and still works great but I convinced my wife that it was time for a new one.  So we started our research and bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K since the reviews were awesome.Then we took our first picture - we looked at each other and thought - our Sony takes better pictures.  But I really wanted to love and keep this Lumix with HD video and all, so I took a slew of pictures with both cameras and asked my wife to tell me which ones she preferred - 90% of the time the Sony photo was preferred.  So we visited her friend that owned the same Lumix (maybe we got a defective one) and compared more photos (even swapped memory cards) and again the photo quality from the Sony was better.So how can all those reviewers get it wrong?  Because in most cases they never do a photo comparison but if you did, boy would you be confused - I think it is easier to just be happier in your bliss.We also tried a Canon SD850 and go the same results.So I still have my DSC-V1 because I feel like I would have to go with a DSLR to find better photo quality.  You can read all the reviews and specs until you eyes and head spin but in the end the proof is in the picture.I rated the camera 4 stars but I agree with the reviewers about the speed and flash placement but if you want a camera that takes great quality photos, is durable and very affordable then look no further.
I bought this camera from Dell based on all the reviews here and dpreview.com and was excited to get a hold of it. Took a couple of pictures and immediately noticed that the zoom button and response were very poor. If you look through the optical viewfinder you immediately smudge the LCD with you nose.I took some pictures and noticed a blue pixel in all pictures taken (viewed at full resolution on screen). AAah! can be easily fixed but you expect perfection out of the box. I exchanged it. The replacement had a white pixel bang in the middle of all pictures. Called Sony heard some crap about it being a high precision system and this was acceptable. Promptly returned the camera. None of the Olympus and Minolta 5 MP cameras friends have exhibit dead/stuck pixels when new. Maybe I was just unlucky... But what is worse is that Sony thinks imperfection out of the box is OK! Must add that the pictures were good though...
I was looking for a compact camera with some manual features. I was considering Kodak LS753 / Sony P100 / Canon S410I found this Sony DSC-V1 open box and bought both DSC-V1 and Canon Powershot S410 from BESTBUY to compare the quality. (S400 seem to give better picture quality than S500 because the compactness for S500 5mp size)Sony MemoryStick write speed is quite impressive and time between pictures is really small. However flash takes a while to get ready. In case of S410, the time to write to compactflash is too long and flash takes a while to get ready between pictures.DSC-V1 pictures in low light are just amazing. Nightshot is just perfect. MPEG recording is really impressive. Carl Zeiss lens performs equally good as a Canon or Nikkor lense.Manual features are great and LCD screen is reasonable size. Close focus pictures really come out well as compared to Canon. Battery life indicator is a plus over S410Negative aspects are -- the cost of the camera and cost of the accessories being a Sony product.- the battery needs to be recharged pretty soon.
I purchased this camera to eliminate the use of my film camera.  It was worth it.  The picture quality is just as good if not better than my Canon Elph APS camera.  If you are a point and shot photographer use the Auto mode.  If you like more control over your shots, you can do that also.  My only complaint is the 32 MB card that comes with it.  Get a larger memory stick.
WAY overrated - Amazon reviews have certainly sold out.  Nightshot is a joke - it's a black and white image - better off just using a flash.  The aperture only goes down to F2.8, so forget about serious low light color photography with this camera (Cannon C3040 - a four year old camera goes down to F1.8).  Like the other reviewer I had dead cells right out of the box (white and purple spots on the image).  Day time photos look really great but in any light other then bright sun light the photos will blur.  I wish the Carl Zeiss lens was on my old Cannon.  Bottom line is this is another Camera crated by marketers and not photographers.Two because in perfect daylight conditions the Carl Zeiss lens really can produce a nice image.
As an owner of the 2 megapixel Sony DSC-S50 I was a little disappointed with the DSC-P10.  First of all it's missing the ability to shoot B&W; photos.  Although you can edit your photos with basic photo software later, you no longer have the ability to view and shoot B&W; photos.  Another feature greatly missed is the 2" swivel LCD display.  This allowed you to hold your camera over your head, out over a ledge or lower than eye level without you having to get in those positions to take a picture.  Most disappointing, though is the slow response time.  Being new to the 5 megapixel realm, this may be common.  But taking one picture to the next, especially when using a flash, can take up to 7 seconds.  A cool new feature is Burst mode, which allows you to take 3 photos in a little over a second.  But again going from one set of three to the next takes a whopping 9 seconds.Now for the good stuff.  Being an "advanced" point-and-shoot user, I like the ease of use along with the more advanced controls the DSC-P10 gives you in taking photos.  I'm learning how to use the histogram to get desired lighting effects.  The menus are fairly easy to learn and navigate and the compact size makes it easy to carry.  The Burst mode, mentioned earlier, is a cool feature.  And, as was with the case of the DSC-S50, I'm very satisfied with the sharp picture quality.  A great improvement in the Movie mode is the 640 x 480 resolution and no longer being limited to 15 seconds worth of video.  Now your only limitation is the size of your memory stick.One recommendation if you decide on this camera, get a spare battery or the starter kit that includes the spare battery.  The battery life on this camera is about an hour and fifteen minutes.  Not long enough for an event or a day out on vacation.  Also get at least a 128 MB memory stick.  The 32 MB stick that comes with the camera only gives you 24 pictures in the 5 megapixel mode.  Again not enough for a day out.
This was my first digital camera.  At first I was so impressed with the whole digital camera thing and all the camera's cool features, BUT, after about 200-300 pictures, I realized that I could practice until blue in the face and I will still get a lot of blurry pictures.  I realize you will get some of that but I have 2 friends that have much less expensive cameras that take much clearer pictures.  I wouldn't care so much if this camera was $150-200 but I paid over $400.  Even when a picture is not blurry, they are somewhat grainy. Pictures look like they came from a disposable camera. I'm so irritated when someone sends me a picture that is far superior in quality than the ones my camera takes,and I know their camera iwas like $200 cheaper. I've adjusted the settings, read the manual a couple of times, I just think this is as good as it gets.
We bought the P10, 5 megapixel camera for Christmas, and we've now used it for about 3 months.  I've experienced the problems with the blurriness, caused by a delay between flash and shutter, that have been mentioned by others, but I'm getting better.  There is some skill involved with using the camera well, but it's not all that heard.  I have benefitted from putting the camera on a tripod to minimize the impact of my shaky hands.  Very small tripods that you can fit in your camera case are available.The biggest aid for me is to remember is that I'm not wasting film if I take multiple pictures of the same scene.  At least one of the pictures is sure to turn out great!Other positives on the camera:o Great, small sizeo Lightweighto Seems to charge quicklyo Holds scads of pictures with larger memory sticko Very easy to start using.  I read through the manual once and was ready to start.o The fuzziness can be overcome with practice.  And since you can delete your mistakes on the spot, you can practice all you want!!!Negatives:o The memory card that comes standard is just too small.  If you plan to take lots of pictures on a vacation, the small card is probably a waste.o The fuzziness may cause you to lose some shots.
Good one but I have to agree with what disappointed_user has to say. I agree with James Arvo esp the negatives. Overall Im happy with the camera esp for the price i paidI also found sample shots of many digital camera at Steve's digicam site very helpful. You can judge yourself whether you need to purchase a different one. I was wondering whether I should go for dscv1 but it was out of my budget.
Great little camera...I was looking for something that I can carry around and take reasonably good pictures with by just pushing down the shutter...I am very happy with this puppy. Picture quality is great - certainly good enough for 13x19 prints...Camera is responsive - quick shutter during daylight and fast save to memory stick - allowing multiple pictures in a short time.The built in scene-selections are sufficient for me...The only gripe I have is that the camera does not auto-rotate pictures taken in portrait orientation (my 5 year old Kodak had no problem doing that)...
I just bought the S400 from Dell for $xxx a little while back and was considering the Sony DSC-P10 at the time as well.  I figured I'd write up a review on amazon to help other people out that are in the decision making process.**I posted a similar writeup for the Canon S400 about 10 mins ago, and also provide recommendations in that review of what accessories to buy for that camera if you decide to go with it.**Price:-----The Sony DSC-P10 is 5 MP vs. 4 MP for the S400.  The difference in resolution may immediately sway your decision to teh DSC-P10, but I would think very carefully. While the extra 1 MP sounds like a lot, my old 2.0 MP Canon S00 was fine for priting pictures all the way up to 8x10 (w/o any cropping). 4 MP resolution should allow you to price 11x14 with no cropping, and 8x10 with a lot of cropping.  5 MP is just excessive IMO. These days, it's just a race among manufacturers to see who can advertise the highest MP number.Shooting modes and menus---------------------------------P10 also has some convenient shooting modes which make it more user friendly.  It also has great features like cropping, resizing and rotating right on the camera which helps when you are not by a computer and want to free up room on your media storage.  P10 Also has a smartzoom feature which is neat in theory, but as all users of digicams know, you should never use digital zoom of any kind. Turn it off and stick to optical zoom. You can always do the equivalent of &quot;digital zoom&quot; on your computer later with any photo editing software, even MS Paint!The flash on the P10 is more offset from the lens than the S400, which will cause shadows to be cast on subjects when you take pictures. Imagine someone shining a flashlight on someone's face from an angle you you taking a picture. You'll see shadows on one side of the person's head. While it is not severe, it is worth noting that this effect is not as noticeable on the S400 (the flash is closer to the lens).S400 has 9 point autofocus system, while P10 has 3 point.  It means that the S400 can choose from 9 points to autofocus from in the current settings you are taking a picture of.  In the end, this means that the canon has better of of chosing the right thing to focus in on which will mean better pictures.  Imagine having 3 oranges and 1 is rotten. You have a 1/3 chance of picking the rotten one. Now imagine you have 9 oranges with 1 rotten one -- you only have a 1/9 chance.  This analogy isn't perfect, but you get my point :)The Canon S400 has a far superior menu system and is much easier to use.Size:-----Canon S400 is smaller, making it a more pocketable camera IMO. The specs shown them being only very slightly different in dimensions, but the total volume of the cameras makes the S400 ideal.  Those with bigger hands may prefer the layout and slightly larger size of the P10 though.Memory storage:---------------The P10 uses Memory cards, which are limited to 128 MB, unless you use the double sided ones (Sony Memory Duo), where you can flip them over to get another 128 MB. Far too much hassle for me.. sounds easy in theory, but in real life, you will hate it. My friend who bought the P10 surely does.  You can get larger memory sticks, which comes in the form of the &quot;Sony Memory Pro&quot;, which are 256 MB and 512 MB.  Keep in mind though, that these cards have problems acting as regular storage for files, and things like Mp3s for sony mp3 players. They have some type of digital rights management (DRM) on them that have causes lots of problems for people (so i've read on many reviews).  Also, these PRO cards only work in 2003 (or newer) sony devices.  Lastly, the memory pro cards have some type of management files on the cards themselves, taking up about 20MB of space. So a 256 MB card, really only has about 230 MB.  Maybe not a big deal, but com'on, at advertise the size correctly!Battery Life:-------------Battery life on P10 is better than the S400. It will last about 20% longer.  However, the batteries are cheaper for the S400 AFAIK and they also charge in about 1/2 the time vs. the sony batteries.Conclusion:-----------All in all, i think the S400 is a better choice. Sure, CF maybe outdated in a few years in favor of smaller, superior storage media like SD, MMC or xD cards (which are going up to 1 GB btw), but until then you can get a great digicam with dirt cheap media. I picked up a 512 MB Kingston card for very cheap from eBay.  Memory sticks are IMO, completely limited in storage and future expandability. The fact that sony has shunned all pe-2003 devices from using larger than 128 memory duo cards, indicates that users of the P10 can expect similar treatment going forward.  Be warned!
Note: the Sony DSCP92 and this camera are VERY close in features, with the only major one being the price. In fact, they are so close I had to print out both feature lists to find the three small details that are different.One difference is the battery: the P10 has an InfoLithium NP-FC11, and the P92 has NiMH AA batteries.  The InfoLithium is square, sealed and compact compared to the AA batteries in the P92. Both are rechargeable and the charger comes in the box, but the AA batteries in the P92 must come out of the camera to be recharged, whereas the P10 just plugs into the wall (a nice feature.)The P92 is (a hardly-noticeable) two-ounces heavier than the 7.5-ounce P10.  This probably comes from heavier batteries and larger case.  The case on the P92 is slightly larger, and to my judgment, a bit more bulky feeling than the P10. I REALLY like the way the P10 feels in my hand.  I had a Fuji digital camera that took GREAT pictures and had a quick shutter speed, but it was bulky and felt cheap.  The P10 feels solid.  Even when the lens is fully extracted, it too feels solid.The other difference is in the available Scene Modes: P10 has seven (Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Fast Shutter) and the P92 has five (Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow)The buttons feel like they will last the life of the camera and are labeled and quite easy to use.  Just from the labels/icons next to the buttons I was able to fool around with the camera for awhile before I had to consult the owner's manual.Speaking of the owner's manual... this camera has a deep list of features, and when you break down the how-to of each feature it can make the manual a bit lengthy.  But, it's worth it in the end.  You will be taking better pictures because you will be using more of the features that are designed to make your picture taking easier and better.  So far, my favorite feature is the Snow Scene Mode. I took some pictures in the snow at the normal setting and later took some in the Snow Mode.  After downloading them I noticed a big difference; the pictures (in Snow Mode) looked exactly the way it did to my naked eye.Cons:- My Fuji digital took better low-light pictures than this one.  The flash on the P10 has three settings (Low, Normal and High), but it still seems to overpower some settings where you would like to catch the ambient lighting. I think this is simply an operator error and me not reading even deeper into the manual. But the Fuji low-light pix looked better with less button pushing and feature fumbling.- The shutter is a bit slower than other digital cameras, but that is due to the 5 megapixels it is trying to gather.  I bought a SanDisk 256MB MagicGate MemoryStick Pro because I was told that it took faster pictures and shortened your downloading time versus a regular issue MemoryStick. You can also use the Fast Shutter Scene Mode (better used outdoors) to help you out with the slow shutter.Favorite features:- Display is bright and can even be seen outside.- Your most often used features are just a button away.- Size and feel. Just slightly longer than a deck of cards.- You can alter (i.e. Solarize, Sepia, Negative Art) and edit pictures right on the camera.-  You can take movies with sound!  Awesome feature.I highly recommend this camera to anyone that is looking to buy one. It can be your first digital camera or your tenth, whatever your level of picture taking this camera can accomodate you.
Reviewing it so long after I bought it, give me the right to say that this camera is great at its time. I wouldn't buy it now, since it does not take very good photos in dark/low light environments, but I use it now for diving (marine pack).
A great camera, and I love it a lot.  But, the mpeg movie feature will require external light and there is no flash plug in feature.  so if you are shooting movies inside at night, make sure the room is well lit.
I've had my sony camera for over a year. I first bought it because with a 256MB chip I could get an 11 Minute movie that I could transfer to VHS. For the price I paid at the time $499, I should have bought a video camera. In my opinion the camera it's self really isn't anything to write home about. The lens is junk, my pictures always are pixelated. Compare a Sony picture with an Olympus, Minolta, or Canon, even with a lower amount of Megapixels the quality will beat sony at the highest setting. And if you reduce the Megapixels with Sony the images just degrades and the shutter speed is horrible. If a person moves slitely there is a blur. My choice after seeing and talking to friends is 1) Minolta 2) Olympus 3)Canon ... though the Canon is getting better and better with their newer rechargable battery. Anything else other than these is pretty much a gamble I wouldn't take...
We got an open box special from a circuit city in Mass. It was 450$. It normally goes for 499, which is still cheaper than most 4MP cameras. I am in between being an amateur photo and pro. I gave in to the digi revolution because my 35mm broke. We took this camera on our trip and used it very often. The battery on this camera lasts up to and over 2 hours per battery, which is about 1.5 hours longer than the DSC-P09. The movie mode is incredible, slightly better than a web cam, and the microphone is suprisingly good. good enough for a concert! We bought a sony computer around the same time and we were very happy (and mindful) of the media stick input in our computer. The full size pictures import very quickly (2.6 ghz computer). The crispness of the photos is unlike anything I have ever seen. The only time when you start to see any distortion is when you view the photos at 200X magnification. The pictures, unless you plan on printing over 25 X 25, are better than you'll ever need. The ease of use is far above average. The lens is good enough (as good as all the others, except the one with the Zeiss lens) the LCD screen is big enough, the shooting modes are easy, etc. The biggest feature and selling point of this camera over any other is the 90 minute movie mode.The negatives are you can't choose to shoot in black and white, only sepia, which is very close, and that indoor pictures come out poorly. Unless there is a lot of natural light, the picture will come out either fuzzy or the color won't be right (I hear that's the same with all digis).
I had the SOny DSC 1 with 3,2 megapixel before. THat one i loved, I tohught to change it cause the dsc10 is smaller and 5 is supposed to be much better quality. THe compact sire and the easy menu and the videorecording pic and voice quality is excellent.But I might not know it well how to use or dunno but half of my pic are blurry , not sharp , too dark. I try to fix the settings well but i am not an Xpert in it . WIth DSC ' everything was automatic. Maybe this is too clever for me but i dont think it seems to be worse pic quality . Farer objects with oom not bright enough and not sharp. I cannot decided wich flash to use. SOmehow i love the cam but could t learn how to make good pics with it . I bought it 31th of December.
I have been a digital camera user for over 5 years now and I have been fortunate enough to experience a variety of cameras including the Kodak DC 240, Canon A400, Canon S30/S45, Nikon Coolpix 3100, Kodak DX6340, and finally Sony P10. Let me just say that the P10 takes by far the best pictures and it's compact size can easily fit into your pocket. Of all the digital cameras I have used they all have varying degrees of lightning problems, but the Sony P10 has the best looking night pictures of the group. The P10 comes with a lithium ion battery that lasts way longer than the conventional Nickel metal-hydride batteries other cameras use. I believe it is most useful to compare this camera to the competition.Almost all Kodak cameras include a one time use battery that cannot be recharged. In fact, you cannot even put in a lithium ion battery into any Kodak except for the very top model. A lithium ion battery is almost essential for digital cameras since they use so much power. If anything other than Lithium ion is used, you will be changing batteries every 10 minutes. I ended up returning the Kodak to amazon.com for this reason alone.Canon digital cameras include a lithium ion battery but my biggest gripe about Canon's are poor quality pictures indoor or night conditions. Many pictures were taken in a cave with one of those compact Canon cameras and they looked awful when compared to the Sony. The Canon S45 is far too big and heavy and the indoor pictures are only mediocre.My friend has a Nikon coolpix 3100 and for a brand that professionals use, this camera has the worst lighting problems of any digital camera I have ever seen. In fact, the lighting issues were so terrible that even my five year old Kodak DC 240 looked way better.Olympus cameras are okay only that they do not come with Lithium ion batteries, but you can buy those separately at least, unlike Kodak.The reason I do not mention the many types of shooting modes each camera has is because they are relatively the same. The Sony comes with a lot of features including Night Shot, night shot with a person in the foreground, multi-burst shooting which is useful for sports (you can take up to 16 consecutive images of things like a baseball swing), it even has special modes for taking pictures of water and a separage mode for snow.The great thing about this camera is, it's perfect for amateurs and people a little more advanced. All the pictures I've taken so far look great in point and shoot mode, but it also allows you to adjust the shutter speed, white balance, and much more for people who are into that sort of thing.I found the controls for the Sony P10 very intuitive. For all the basic controls I didn't have to consult the manual. The controls are not as intuitive on the Canon S45, it's a little weird, and the Nikon coolpix doesn't record sound in the movies. Most Kodak's play back movies and pictures with the lens open and out, which I think is stupid because then you risk damaging the lens when you don't have to.Also, if you subscribe to consumer reports, you will notice that Sony has the lowest number of repairs followed by Canon in a close second. I have experienced repairs myself as my Kodak DC240 lens got stuck one day and I had to send it in to Eastman Kodak for repair.Also the Sony doesn't have a great big delay when taking each picture, a lot of cameras have this problem. Another thing that bothered me about the other cameras is the time it takes for the camera to be ready to take pictures after you turn it on. Sony cameras tend to be ready fast right after you turn it on, which has helped me capture so many more moments, believe me when I say you'll miss lots of great moments before other cameras turn on.The sony also has a really wonderful movie mode, where the audio is crisp and the movies are clear. My only complaint about the movies are, they don't have image stabilization, so they turn out a little more jiggly than I would like, and for some reason the zoom is disabled when you're in the middle of recording movies. All minor things, but they should be noted.The great thing about 5 megapixels is, you can get your photos blown up to 20X30, and believe me when I say that is really cool. Also, if you were ever to make these pictures your desktop wallpaper, they look good even at 1280 X 1024, which is the highest resolution on a 17" monitor.Also, I don't know why everyone complains about the included 32MB memory stick. Yes I do understand it is too small to truely use and you have to buy another one, but most digital cameras such as the Canon don't come with any memory at all! The small card that comes with Sony's is to just get you started, and by giving you that they already outdo other manufacturers.Overall, the Sony P10's compact size, wonderful quality pictures, intuitive interface, good price, variety of features and durability make it the perfect choice of digital camera for almost everyone. I cannot recommend this awesome camera enough!
I'd like to mention some very interesting and hard to find out information about the p10 that I hope will be helpful.Smart zoom allows addional zoom power if you are shooting below maximum camera pixel capability. This can only be seen on the screen and not in the view finder.The video compression works well but fast motion may seem a little jerky. Almost 6 minutes of VGA fits on a 128 meg card. A 256 meg card goes for as little as [money amount]plus shipping on the net. Camera allows dividing video and deleting unwanted side for reducing memory use. Zoom function does not work during video probably bewcause of noise or focus issues. There is also an email quality video mode which will give  90 minutes of recording with adequate sound.This allows recording a lecture or interview in video with sound! The included software seems to only allow saving editing to MPEG1 which is computer only. I don't understand this. Maybe they want to sell something else. Don't get stuck with a lot of work you can't put on a video disk and look into other software.On the web you can download Projector Station 4.1 which is for putting  jpeg images into xga format and into a file on a memory stick card for projectors. This allows about 500 images onto a 128 meg card in a file that can be accessed from your camera. When you are visiting the relatives you can bring all of your family photos in the camera for playing on the tv with the video output cable supplied. If they have windows xp the camera will allow you to hook up with only the cable w/o any software and and have camera memory show as a drive. You can copy any pictures you want to other computer. Very 2K!The battery really lasts quite well and the camera will tell you how much time is left on it. You can also purchase extended life batteries. The long cords on the charger are awkward and it must plug into the camera to charge battery. An external charger would be convenient.Camera will stay contiuously in focus allowing a much quicker shutter response than other cameras. Using the manual distance setting speeds things up also. You can edit still pictures by zooming in during preview and then cropping what isn't in the screen. You can also make lower resolution copies of pictures for emails.The camera takes surprising quality shots in low light without the flash. I am guessing that it somehow processes the images to avoid some of the low shutter blur. The camera is amazing and it fits in my pocket.
I am one of those persons who is sometimes uncomfortable with high-tech things, so it takes time until I get enthusiastic about them. But this camera really captured my attention very quickly. I also had a traditional camera with me when I had this Sony, but I barely used it.I have to say that this is very easy to use and understand. I use a lot of high-tech devices in my activitites, but it is for the first time when I feel compelled to review something electronic. That will tell you how much I enjoy this camera.It is a small device, so that it fits into a pocket, easy to be used, and the quality of the pictures is very high. I managed to make very nice photos and capture certain details that a traditional camera would not have managed to do. I even know someone who published some photos taken with this camera. You can also make short movies: even if the quality is limited, it is fun.
If you are considering the Sony P10, you are probably looking for your first digital camera.  If so, you are considering a very worthwhile purchase, both in the abstract (acquiring a digital camera) and in the concrete (the Sony P10). I've had a P9--the previous model--for about six months, and I am extremely pleased with it.  I often comment that it has "changed my life."  (More on that below.)  First, here are the features I really like about the P9:__ 1) Very small (fits in your pocket).__ 2) Great resolution (5.0 megapixels is very nice).__ 3) Delay after pressing shutter button is quite short.__ 4) Good selection of features, which are easy to access.__ 5) Very easy to download images to your computer.__ 6) Memory sticks are very compact and have multiple uses.If you are new to digital photography, #3 will come as a surprise to you. Be sure to check this on any digital camera you consider!  Some have a delay of close to a second, and it will drive you crazy if you intend to photograph anything but static objects (i.e. NO people).  With regard to memory sticks, I'm a big fan.  They are very small and can be used in other devices such as camcorders, computers, and voice recorders.There are a few things that could be improved in the P9, although these things do not seem to be appreciably better in other models that I've considered, and are often significantly worse. Here are the things that could be better:__ 1) Built-in flash is terrible (as are all built-in flashes).__ 2) No connector for an external flash.  (Argh!)__ 3) Annoying delay after pressing the on/off button.__ 4) High capacity memory sticks (over 128 MB) are expensive.With respect to the flash, I think it is best to think of the P9 as having no flash at all.  If you don't mind having everything look flat, with stark shadows, go ahead and use the flash.  Otherwise, you are much better off using natural light--the brighter the better.  (Note: low light images are grainer, and consume more memory as the compression algorithms are less effective on grainy images.) I would really ding the P9 for this, if it were not that every point-and-click camera I've ever seen, digital or otherwise, has a similarly pathetic flash.  (Why can no manufacturer get this right?  Simply being able to bounce the light off the ceiling would help immeasurably!) Finally, when you hit the on/off button, there is a delay of several seconds before you get any indication that the camera is going to turn on/off.  This can be very confusing, especially since the button provides no tactile feedback!Now, a few comments to newbie digital photographers (as I was six months ago). I'm sure you can already list some of the obvious advantages of digital photography: 1) You can preview them on-the-spot, 2) You need only keep the ones you like, 3) You can store them on your computer, email them, and post them on the web very easily (i.e. no scanning).  But, is this all hype, or does it really make a difference?  My answer is this: It makes a FAR GREATER difference than you can begin to anticipate!  To me the difference is so significant that I can scarcely compare digital and conventional photography.  They are distinct activities. As proof of this, I now take (conservatively) ten times more photos than I used to, and I continually view them, compose them, and share them using my computer.  All of these things are possible with conventional photography, just like it's possible to walk ten miles to work rather than drive.  You could do those things; you just won't.  Admit it, you're human.Whether you buy the P10 or not, do yourself a huge favor and purchase a digital camera (especially if you have kids).  You'll wonder why you waited so long to take the plunge.
Since everyone is telling you all the good stuff, I thought I would focus on what I found wrong with the camera (I would actually rate it a 3-3.5.  I just rated it a 1 for the article because I am focusing on what I didn't like).One of the most annoying features (and technically embarrassing for Sony) is that the internal viewfinder and LED do NOT crop the photo the same way.  As an example, take a picture of a horizontal line on a wall, and position the camera so that the line is at the top edge of the photo.  If you use the LED on the back of the camera, the line in the photo will appear about where it should be.  However if you take the same picture using the internal viewfinder, the photo will show the line about 15-20% of the way below the top edge of the photo.  Therefore, on bright days when you have to use the internal viewfinder, whatever you shoot photos of appear much lower in the photo than how you actually cropped it.  It is very annoying as you try to compensate by guessing.  This is very sloppy engineering.Other annoying features include:The wide angle/telephoto control makes exaggerated adjustments that make fine adjustment difficult.  This is very annoying when trying to make fine cropping adjustments.You cannot delete photos off the stick using Windows Explorer.  If you want to delete all the photos off the stick, you have to drill down several levels into the camera menu.To turn on &quot;Red Eye Reduction&quot;, you have to turn off the camera mode, and go several levels into the menu mode.  This is very annoying when you have people waiting to take their picture.  There should be a direct access button to this common feature.There is little photo quality consistency.  While some outdoor photos look fantastic, seemingly similar conditions produce washed out photos.Why am I keeping it?  You still have to love all the features that they DO pack into something this small. You gotta love the size!!!
I recently purchased the Sony DSC-P10 as a second digital camera. My first digital camera was a Sony DSC-P30 (1.3 mpx). This camera is the smallest camera out there that offers 5 mpx. I like it because it easily fits into your pocket so you're more prone to take it with you randomly. Sometimes, there are moments you just have to capture on film! There are a lot of accessories that you can purchase (against what someone else said, there is an additional flash add-on, and filters and other things).This camera offers basic features for those &quot;point and shoot&quot; people out there. If you have no idea with what to do with ISO settings, exposure, etc... this camera is perfect for you! It has so many preset modes (most of them work well... some have to be retuned). The image quality is about the same with other cameras in the compact range (this camera is sub compact) if you consider the size. Yes, the Canon 5 mpx cameras have better image quality, but they are much bulkier.If you prefer a camera w/ more manual control options, then I'd go with a Canon or Nikon. They seem to have the most features that make the digicam rival high end SLR cameras. If you'd prefer Sony, I would go with the new V1 5 mpx. It's like the P10, but with a lot of advanced features for those advanced photographers out there.
i feel that this camera is geared towards novice users who are looking for an ultracompact, high resolution, point and shoot.  in that regard, the dsc-p10 succeeds but i kept thinking that it would be nice if the camera had more features that users could grow into.pros:- 5MP resolution and 3X optical zoom- very compact (smaller and lighter than the competition) with a stylish body- excellent build quality - no squeaks or rattles here- easy to use- convenient e-mail features- good battery life- good neutral colour balance- automatic white balance worked well under both daylight and incandescent lighting- infrared AF assist lamp - i definitely prefer this to white light assist lamps- MPEG recording only limited by the size of your memory stick- selectable ISO sensitivities- has a multi-burst continuous shooting mode- good on-screen information- quick acting auto focus - typically locks within a second- relatively quick startup- automatic lens cover- battery charges while in the camera - you don't have to remove the battery to recharge- usb 2.0 connectivity means faster downloads of picscons:- occasional image noise- operational times could be faster- the included 32MB memory stick is inadequate; be ready to shell out additional $$ for more memory- you pay a premium for the sony brand- softer images than the competition- occasional ghosting- very limited manual controls (no aperture- and shutter-priority modes!)- autofocus points are not selectable- no control over colour saturation or tone- no manual white balance- no RAW file capturethis is a very nice camera.  for someone looking for an ultracompact point and shoot, this would be perfect.  however, if you think that you'll want more manual control in the future, i would recommend getting a camera such as the canon s50.  about the same price, a little bigger, but you'll have a camera you can grow into.  good shooting!
Wow, my DSC-P10 just died yesterday.  The screen went all fuzzy and so did the pictures.  Based on the other messages here, it seems like this camera just wasn't meant to last longer than a few years.  Too bad, for me.  This wasn't a cheap camera at the time. I'm buying a Canon next.
bought this camera Dec of 2003.  This is a great camera with outstanding image quality, perfect for point-and-shoot use, though I did return it shortly after purchase in exchange for the Sony DSC-V1.  For only a hundred bucks more, the V1 has full aperture, ISO, and f-stop adjustment, which this camera does NOT have.  The lens on the V1 is a bit better in my opinion as well. BUT, make no mistake, if this is in your price range, and you don't mind giving up total exposure control, this camera is an outstanding, best-in-class choice.  I would have kept it if the Sony DSC-V1 were considerably more expensive, but since it wasn't, I went with the full manual control which that model provides.  Either way, you should be happy with one of these two great Sony cams, and at 5MP, you should be happy for a long time!
For what it offers, this camera is a great deal (both, price and mail-in rebate considered). After shopping around, this was one of the best options we found in the 5MP range. Things we've loved about it:1) Portability (fits in almost any pocket).2) Default picture quality is great (even indoors or by night), plus the max. resolution (2592 x 1944 pixels) allows you to obtain huge enlargements, though the 32MB Memory Stick that comes with it will not fit too many of them.3) It captures video with sound, an upgrade from our previous camera which only shot "silent" movies.4) Built-in display has great contrast and picture quality.5) Pictures can be downloaded to PCs or Macs using the traditional USB mode or the faster, more recent USB 2.0 mode which spits them into your computer in a snapshot!The biggest drawbacks I see with the camera are:1) Dependability on propietary technology for storage (Memory Stick) and power (lithium-ion battery).2) Long time it takes to shoot the picture after you press the shutter. This has caused me to loose a few "Kodak" moments that just passed "too fast" in front of the lens for the camera to react in time to them.All in all, I can live with the cons and highly recommend the camera. For its price, for now I think you'll have a hard time finding something as good.
I had a dsc-9 that was stolen so I purchased the newer model.  Both cameras are great.  READ THE MANUAL AND LEARN HOW TO USE THE CAMERA.The camera lets you know if there is not enough light to take the picture, and it automatically defaults to "NO FLASH" MODE. If the lighting is dark the shutter will slow and still take the picture.  This is true with any camera.  Slow shutter speeds cause BLURRY pictures.  If you want to take pictures in very low light you have to use a tripod, AS WITH ANY CAMERA.This camera packs so many features in a small package it is incredible.  These features are worthless if you fail to learn how to use them.  I bet every person that gave this camera a poor review still has a vcr that has the clock blinking 12:00am.If you want a high resolution camera that is fairly easy to use, strongly consider this camera.  Also consider purchasing Jasc Paintshop Pro for an inexpensive way to improve any photo you take.  Unfortunately, you have to learn how to use the program as well.
I think this model of sony is out of comparison to any other brand. In fact, it yield superior quality of pictures, very handy and excellant features.I cant imagine buying another one.I had previous model P72 but got this new one to have facility of using the under water hausing.great camera , great price
This is a great little camera, but is not a newer model.PROS: The photos from this camera are fantastic! It's like you can't takea bad picture! Very easy to upload pics and swap memory sticks.CONS: The menu is a little difficult to figure out. I used the flash even duringthe day. Subjects (people) shouldn't move until the second flash flashes.Pics still turned out great with the daylight flash. ONE MORE THING - Thiscamera's software is not compatable with the newer Apple OSX (operatingsystems). You can still upload pics but can't use other editing features.
Compre la Sony DSC-P10 hace unos 6 meses y creo que es una buena camara digital. Al aire libre capta muy buenas imagenes y su capacidad de grabar pelicula con sonido por medio del memory stick la hace una muy buena eleccion, sin mencionar las innumerables otras caracteristicas que esta camara posee sobre las otras cybershot. (Es mucho mas peque&ntilde;a que las otras DSC-P y 5 MP). El problema viene cuando quieres captar imagenes en interiores o con poca luz.....es un desastre. Ni siquiera se pueden identificar las imagenes un su pantalla de cristal liquido y al &quot;revelarlas&quot; las fotos pierden toda su riqueza de colores como las captadas al aire libre. Siendo un fanatico de Sony me duele aceptar ese hecho. Espero sea de ayuda. (En espa&ntilde;ol es mejor!!)
Let me begin by saying that I have bought into Sony's proprietary technology for quite a while now.  As an owner of a Vaio desktop, a Clie handheld and a Sony Digital HandyCam, it was obvious that when it came time to upgrade to a quality digital still camera, I was going to buy a Sony Cybershot.  So after reviewing the options, which at the time consisted only of the P10, the V1 and the then-new U series of super compacts, I chose this model in the spring of 2004.  Initially, my experience was good.  I was upgrading from the 1MP camera that was part of my Sony Digital HandyCam so the image quality to me was astounding.Other advantages were:- Easy point & shoot right out of the box...it did not require my wife to read the manual in order to begin taking stills.- Unlike my previous digital still experiences, this camera performs well in low-light situations.  The integrated flash is capable of lighting small rooms.- Battery capacity is ample and the features, although some difficult to use, are comprehensive.Disadvantages:- STARTUP TIME...don't expect this camera to be able to power-up and take a candid shot within 8-10 seconds.  By the time you get this puppy ready to fire, the moment is gone.- The menu tree is cumbersome and not altogether intuitive.  Changing advanced settings is difficult unless all you want to do is switch modes (Program AE, etc.)- As with most still cameras (Sony & the like), the included MemoryStick is way too small.  So the purchase of an additional MS is obligatory.My biggest beef with this camera, and the reason it earns only two stars is that it seems FRAGILE.  After only 5-6 months of use, it began to occasionally have startup/shutdown problems.  By the end of 2004 (~9 months of use) the auto focus was beginning to fail on a regular basis.  Now, outside the 6-month warranty window, I am forced to pay $200 to $300 for LABOR ALONE to have the camera fixed, parts still covered under the original warranty.  But still, this is a cost prohibitive solution.So now I am at the crossroads with my Sony products.  My PDA is approaching the end of its useful life and I find myself without a digital still camera that is capable of taking any pictures in focus -- remember the cyber-shots do not provide for manual focus.  Perhaps it is time to consider a Canon product or other comparible vendor?
I just took my new DSC-P10 on a two-week trip through the Canadian Rockies, where I took over 300 pictures of the scenery, people, indoor and outdoor points of interest, etc.  The camera performed flawlessly, and the pictures are incredible - especially for a camera that fits easily in your shirt pocket!  There are tradeoffs in a camera this compact, of course, like the size of the LCD display - but those are expected.  I took two 256-MB memory sticks and two batteries, and did the whole vacation without having to download pictures to a PC (didn't bring one), or running out of battery power over the course of any day.  I took most pictures at 3.1 Megapixels, which is all that's needed for any normal print, but I used the full 5 Megapixel resolution for those special scenic shots.  The camera seems to do an outstanding job with its automatic exposure mode, but I used the spot metering for particularly difficult situations and was also happy with those results.  Rendition of colors was excellent.  Most of the menus are reasonably easy to figure out, but some of the symbols displayed on the LCD are hard to identify, and sometimes a little small to try and read.  Overall, a GREAT camera that I'd recommend to anyone.
I just purchased this camera, September 1, 2003 and absolutely love it! I like good pictures without all the fuss and this does it!  It's basically very easy to use and well worth the money spent. I'm VERY happy with my choice, no regrets!
I brought this camera in Oct 2003 (so its almost 5 yrs old). This is the most amazing camera i've owned. It takes amazing pictures. These days there are so many new cameras in market that I also wanted to have one so I took this camera to its last trip on labor day weekend. Yeah you heard it correct "its last trip"... to Niagara Falls. I soaked this camera in water for couple of hours. At cave of the mist it took a whole 1 hour shower with me (Although i was protected with plastic, it was not). I never imagined in my wildest dream if any electronic equipment can survive that abuse. But i failed and this camera did not. It worked like a charm the whole time and even when water went into the camera compartments it worked. i just took out the battery and memory stick and drained the water out. Its still working and is amazing me more and more.
With 256 MB and larger memory sticks, this doubles as a camcorder. The only issue is that the zoom does not work during video capture. Video is high quality. Much better than analog camcorder to digital conversion. Small size means it fits in a pocket.
This camera worked amazingly since I got it in May.  It has been all over the US and Europe with me.  I do like the P-10 because it is smaller, but this is definitely a great value for the price.  The unlimited mpgs are wonderful and really allow you to bring the experience home with you.
This camera is good for point and shoot.  Low zoom power, but makes up for it by being compact enough to carry around.More importantly,  for those interested in infrared photography or IR + visible photography, this camera is a 10 minute project to disassemble and modify.  10 screws, swap out the ir filter and you're set.
it came to me fast .. it works great .. and I use it in one of my cars if I ever need to photograph an event.. the price was great . compared to buying a new one
My Sony DSCP92 takes great pictures in full light and fair pictures in low light situations.  The only problem I have encountered is a sticky lens cover that does not alwys close or open properly.  The camera is 2 years old.
I been working with cybershot since a couple years ago. First I got the DSC-71 and then the U-30.  Now I'm using the P-92 with great results in my pictures.  The 5mp and the zoom works fine and it's easy to use..
I actually have not bought this camera, I borrowed it from my aunt for a few days and I must say that I was only some-what impressed with the camera.  The main reason I wanted to try this camera out is because it is a very compact, high pixel resolution, point-and-shoot camera.  I mean, five mega-pixels?  That's amazing for the size, I currently own a Minolta Dimage Z2 and it has 4.0MP resolution and it is a much bigger camera.  I am quite impressed with the pictures this camera takes, I can blow up the pictures quite a few sizes larger on my computer and it does not pixelate.This camera uses two AA batteries which is something that I prefer over lithium batteries. (lithium batteries cannot be found everywhere, and you must take care of them because they are not as easy to replace)  However, the battery life seems to be a little short.  Fully charged batteries may last you one full day, so I would recommend buying another set of batteries.If you are not looking for professional photography, then this is probably a pretty good choice of camera for you.  I didn't find so much satisfaction with it because I was looking to play around with the manual functions, but there are so very few, and you cannot even change the shutter speed which is something that I really want in a camera.The 3x optical zoon works nicely.  It's fairly silent, not as noisy as the start-up (which is not too bad itself, but is definitely noisy). However, once you go beyond 3x you switch into the digital zooming...which is not so good because you dramatically lose picture quality.  For that reason, I never zoom in beyond 3x, and 3x hardly seems like anything when you know that there are other camera out there that zoom in more.I found trouble taking pictures indoors...you either have to have a tripod to set it on or have very bright lighting.  Most people who buy this point-and-shoot camera probably are not looking for proffessional cameras, therefore many may not use tripods, meaning that if you take pictures indoors you must be sure that there is plenty of light, or else it will result in blurry pictures.It comes with a 16mb card...this, I found, to be quite humorous.  I mean, how many pictures can you fit on that thing?  Five to ten, about.  I was laughing a bit, luckily I also had handy the 128mb card, which I found worked out fine.Overall, under the right conditions it is a fairly nice camera.  It is not something that I would recommend to everyone, though.  Are you looking for a simple, point-and-shoot camera?  Then this is not a bad choice at all, 5MP, and under the company name Sony...that's pretty good, I think.Like I said before, I borrowed this camera from my aunt, and after trying it out I have decided not to buy it.  Mainly because it is point-and-shoot and that is not what I am looking for.  My aunt who only uses point-and-shoot loves this camera, though.  So ponder a little on that before buying this camera.
I've had this camera for 4 years, and it is still taking great pictures. The quality of the pictures is great, even better than two newer cameras that I have.
Great value.. I bought this in Feb, 2011: It is working very well and is better than expected. I would by another
Replaced the exact same camera I had enjoyed for years, but which later failed.  Thgis marked down twin meant that I could still make great photos with a cameral that was second nature to me..
This camera is laughably bad. i had an Olympus and literally wore it out. I was then reluctantly talked into this piece of garbage. The pictures are dark and blurry. As a digital camera enthusiast i truly hate this camera and am out $300 on it.
I got this camera less than a week ago and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The photos that it takes are amazing. It is wonderful to get the 5MP quality at such a price and with such features. Also, its acceptance of the Memory Stick Pros just makes me giddy. 1GB o' photos at 5MP? Yes please. It is so light and compact. I can carry it easily in my pocket (which already has my cell phone in it). Being able to choose the quality of the movies that one makes is truly a bonus as well, as one does not need to waste quality on MPGs that are simply going to be e-mailed. Very well thought out design. I'd expect nothing less from Sony.(Still, it does not begin to compare to my Nikon SLR, but at a tiny fraction of the cost of the body and lenses, it seems like quite a nice trade-off. Plus, I don't have to fumble with lenses, filters, and the like in order to catch a shot. This will be a great hanging-out-with-the-friends camera for sure!)
The screen on this camera commonly goes black. And thus unable to take any pictures.  My son had read reviews on this very site  over a year ago about this very issue. I cannot now find any mention of this issue on here now. What happened to all the posts about this? Anyhow, I just typed in google the term "black screen Sony DSC" and came upon a post on another website where someone blogged about this black screen thing. A response to this was to take the camera and smash/whack it on a hard surface a few times, and the screen will come back on. Well, I did exactly that. Before tossing this out into the wastebasket, I took the camera and whacked it as hard as I could on a piece of wood, and the screen came back!! I tried taking some photos, and they came out perfect. Still, I will start my search for a different brand camera now, as this, while it works now, is not reliable. I still don't know what happened to all the Amazon posts from last year about this very thing
I've had this product for 4 months now, so I feel I'm ready to write my review.When I bought this camera, there were two things that compelled me to select this camera over others. the 5-mega-pixels, and the fact that it was made by Sony, a company that I've come to trust.I'm sure you've probably already heard what's good about this camera, so I'm just going to skip all that and cover what I think the buyer should be aware of, namely... what they can expect to go wrong.The point-and-shoot architecture is very intuitive, but not for professionals. One thing I was looking forward to with this camera was playing around with the manual camera settings. I quickly lost interest in this because you can't change the shutter speed, which is what I really wanted to play with.The size of the camera is nice. It's a little smaller than the 1-time use film cameras, although much heavier. maybe about the weight of a small coffee cup.The 3x optical zoom is great, but going beyond 3x the camera starts to use digital zoom. You can get up to 12x, but the picture quality really, really drops off beyond about 6x.The camera takes pictures in standard computer screen proportions (although it has one wide-screen option). This is great for computers, but can pose a problem for people wanting to actually develop their pictures, as standard picture sizes are proportionally wider than computer screens. The top and/or bottom of your pictures may get cut off.For indoor pictures, there is a problem. To function as a hand-held camera, you either have to have ROCK steady hands, or extremely bright lighting. Anything other than this will give you some problems with blurry pictures. After about a month of finding shelves and countertops or books to set my camera on for picture-taking, I bought a 5 dollar tripod that has expanded my options for using the camera and also just made it less troublesome on the whole. Taking pictures in the pre-set &quot;landscape&quot; mode can also result in blurry pictures, even if the lighting is magnificent.The battery life can be troublesome, but a fully-charged set of batteries can last you an entire, fairly rigorous day of picture taking. I suggest buying an extra set of batteries, but if you can tolerate the thought of needing to take a picture, but having your batteries be in the charger, then it's not necessary.When you turn on the camera, the lens twists and moves out of the body. This very cool to watch, I think... but compared to other cameras it is a little noisy; perhaps about the decibel level of a person next to you listening to loud music on poor-quality headphones. It's not annoying, because the sound only happens when you turn the camera on or off, or use the zoom feature.There is a strange sound I discovered that is always going with this camera when it is on though. It's inaudible for the most part, but if you hold your ear directly against the display screen, you hear all sorts of cool mechanical beeps and stuff. it's probably not too healthy to do this... but it can't be worse than talking on a cell-phone all day :-PThe 16mb memory stick has got to be some sort of cosmic joke. You can fit at most 5 high quality pictures on it. I suggest, nay, DEMAND that you get AT LEAST a 128mb memory stick. But, keep the 16mb around as backup (you never know when you will run out of space and need to take one quick picture).The screen was great, no pixels on mine were burnt out (check for burnt out pixels on your camera if you are buying from a retail store where you actually get to test the camera before buying it). But the screen is missing something. Most Japanese cameras and cell-phones put a clear, hard-plastic cover on these screens, which is very useful for those people who always feel they need to touch and point (those wierd colors that you see when you touch the screen are BAD).The movie mode is nice for catching moments like kissing your lover, friend's falling off their skateboards, and so on. But don't plan on becoming the next Steven Spielberg with this. The camera will record directly to .mpg format, which is nice because you can play this format on almost any computer without needing to install anything. I say 'almost' only because I'm sure there are some linux distros that don't include a video player.The cord that hooks your camera up to an AV-in port is great. you can watch your movies in decent quality on the TV screen, and do a slideshow type thing of your pictures. I like to use this in conjunction with my VCR to record movies, this gets MUCH better quality than the built-in video mode and records to a VHS, which can be handy. But the cord is rather short, so I can't record anything outside or in another room.The USB hook-up to your computer is very handy. And transferring a full load (128mb) of data to my computer never takes more than 2 minutes, which I think is very reasonable considering how easy it is to set up. The camera will pop up in your computer and you can browse it just as you would any regular folder. Your pictures are stored as JPG pictures (of course) and in windows xp, you can switch to 'thumbnail' view and find the picture you are looking for right away. I have had some problems getting my computer to detect the USB connection, but I've always been able to fix this by rebooting.This is a great camera. Under the right conditions and with a fair amount of awareness, you can take magnificent pictures. But it's not the magical camera that is going to work perfectly all the time and under every possible circumstance. I don't think such a camera exists. If you want 5 megapixels of power and a name like Sony, this is the camera for you.
Overall I like the the camera very much. There are a few things that I wished were better, e.g. focusing, battery life, but you get what you pay for. If your looking of a good 5.0 MP camera and don't want spend big bucks, you probably can't go wrong with this camera.
I did a lot of shopping and searching before I discovered this model.  Then I had to wait about 2 months before it came out, but I am thrilled with it.  The menus are easy to use.  The AUTO mode takes great pictures, but you have the flexibility to make adjustments if you want.  The files are big, but that is what you get for 5 megapixels.  Memory sticks are a convienient media, and prices will continue to fall.  I am amazed how much you can zoom into a picture that you've taken and it still looks clear. . .even on the camera's LCD.  I was resistent to digital photography because I love great 35mm pictures, but this camera makes it easy to switch.
I was having 2 options when buying digi cam fujifilm finepix 3800(now 3000) or Sony dscp 92I bought dscp92 becs of high pixel range 5mp against fuji's 3.2mp and small size but after comparing its result with Fuji I m really disappointed. I think Fuji's finepix technology is best for better color quality and sharpness. (6X zoom and 4 battery power is bonus!!) I was lucky I bought it form C'city so I can go back within a month and gat it change or return it!! ;)for those who are high pixel rage maniac(like me)- high pixel doesn't affect ur picture quality if u wanna take normal postcard size prints it will help u to just take big copy and 3.2 range is good enough for around 10X12 inch picture.never buy HP digi cam i bough 1 from Amazon and return it in 2 days becs of poooooooor picture quality(Sony is not so bad)-----UPDATE: actually i returned this and bought another one see all my reviews--------
I had such high hopes for this camera. I have been using an Olympus 3030Z (3.3 megapixels) for a couple of years, and I'm sorry to report that my old Olympus does a better job. I bought this partly on the basis that we already have Sony computers and I am sick of fighting with card readers, and most reviews of this camera on the web that I saw were positive. But I think for many this was their first digital camera, and if you have nothing else to compare it to, it probably seems fine. However, it does have serious issues with blurriness and less-than-perfect lighting. I took comparison shots with my Olympus--same object, same lighting, same everything--and the Sony blew it every time. I saw graininess in most of the low-lit Sony shots, and none with my old Olympus (and no blurring, either). Low-light shots without a flash are no problem for my Olympus. But you could never get away with no flash with this camera. Bottom line: the price of this camera was great, but even so, I can't look at the pictures without wincing. The picture quality is barely above disposable camera-level. It's too bad, but I'm afraid this one is getting returned.
I tried out a number of 5 mp digital cameras and this was the worst by far. I couldn't get a decent picture whether it was scenery, portrait or whatever, every picture was blurry. I really thought Sony would have better quality control than this.
Update! We have had the camera for several month now and it is probably one of the best products I've ever owned. We've been in several trips now since we bought it and I can not imagine leaving on vacation without it. Stop thinking about. It is well worth it, a very reliable product, and the picture quality is outstanding. You will get your money back along the years by saving in development, and you will be able to share your memories with your family and friends through email.---I bought this camera the day it was released. The day after receiving it we left, along with the new camera, for our summer vacations in Las Vegas. I'm glad I bought this camera, otherwise my wife would have used 5 or 6 24 exposure films. The camera is very easy to use, very compact, and it comes at a good price. The quality of the pictures was beyond my expectation. I was surprise to see how well the camera automatically adjusted at different light conditions. I was able to take good pictures with just a click of the shutter. I need to mention that this camera is replacing my 35mm Canon EOS 650 from which I took excellent pictures, but it was just too dificult to carry around. The battery life of the included NiMH is very good as well. I was able to run  the camera the whole day without recharging, taking about 25 pictures per day, and of course watching the results right after.  Make sure you buy additional memory sticks, because you are going to need them. At 5 megapixels and fine resolution you only get 51 pictures in a 128MByte memory stick. Fortunately, the price of the memory stick has dramatically dropped in the last couple of weeks. This camera also supports the new Memory Stick Pro, which comes in 256,512, and 1024 MByte configuration. I also recommend buying the LCS-CP2 Soft Carrying Case, and a Sony 128 MB Memory Stick Media MSA128A along with the camera. The only cons with the camera are that the included memory stick of 16Mb is only good for 6 pictures at 5 Mega Pixels, and that is very difficult to adjust new lenses/filters as you need the Sony adapter.
I had a previous 92 that started acting up so I purchased a used one. The seller notified me (in a cover letter with the item) that they often act up when a battery acts up. They are very sensitive in that regard. Sure enough a new battery fixed my original camera. Works well now and I have a spare should my 1st camera ever finally really crap out. Money well spent as I really like this camera!!!!!
Many reviews are written shortly after purchase which does not give a reliability indication.  I purchased this camera new in October of 2003.  As of May of 2010, my Sony MVC-CD350 has died.  The big issue with this camera is the mechanical CD drive.  The door to the CD developed some slack (I rarely opened this door) and it cannot find its place on the disc.  It gives an error that the door is not completely shut.  Before that for the past year or two, it was slow to access the disc and got slower.  Now it rarely will access the disc.  Other than that, it took great pictures.  Always slow write time and slow download time to PC.  One thing I did not like about this camera is, at times I wanted to use a flash-triggered slave flash.  This camera would never flash less than twice (normal) and three times (red eye reduction).  When set to flash twice, it captured picture from the second flash.  The slave flash fired on the first flash making it useless.  The Lithium Ion battery has lasted and still works great.  Lens is very good.  Has always had focusing issues.  Over all, many of the point-and-shoot cameras you can buy now outperform this camera except perhaps for the lens.
I absolutely love this camera...very easy for an "old gal" to understand and use, and reasonably priced.  I'm enjoying my family's pictures as a slideshow on my desktop, and I learned how to do it myself!!!  Not bad for someone who's "older than dirt."
I love this camera.  I don't have to develop film anymore or find a computer to remove the pictures from my camera when I am on a trip.  I just need to pop in a new cd and keep on snapping!  This camera takes great pictures in all kinds of light--we have beautiful pictures of sunsets and the ocean on a bright sunny day and clear pictures of us around a campfire.  I don't have the problem of waiting for the camera between pictures like I had with previous digital cameras.  You can also film close to an hour of mpeg movies on one disc.  The battery runs practically all day, too.  The only drawback I found was it was a little heavy to lug around Disneyland all day.  We solved this problem by rotating it among our family members, though (everyone got to take their own pictures then, too).  If you are a novice at photography like I am, this camera is for you.  It is easy to learn how to use features like the zoom and flash (even without the manual) and takes nearly foolproof pictures, although you still have to remember to keep your thumb out of the way!  The cds are great for storage of pictures--no more boxes of pictures that can get ruined over time or big, bulky photo albums.  To anyone considering this camera, I say throw away those old rolls of film and buy this camera!
This purchase from AMAZON was just as good as the new purchase made through National Geographic because I wanted to do something as an act of philanthropy for the best known global magazine of science and photography.  So, with Jacque Cousteau as one of my top five hero types in life, it is with exceptional hard work with 4 solid years of two children in marching band competition did this particular model of SONY get the most use and I got the best reproduction of photographic data possible from a disc.  Thank you very much.  Kevin M. Callihan, Sr.
After a couple of years of using a Mavica 73 for web shots and a Canon 35mm for vacation photos (the serious stuff), I decided to upgrade digitally for a much higher resolution with the 350.After taking some test shots, I realized I could trust this camera with the vacation and family photos that required superior reproduction for prints.  The resolution is terrific!  This is coming from someone who made money with theatrical, model, and advertising photograpy and even had a photo published in the World Book article on theater.This is actually a computer that takes pictures and movies, and is easy to operate if you limit your technical requirements.  There is very little intuitive about using the buttons &amp; controls through series of menus, so I brought copies of the most important instruction book pages along on our cruise, and did refer to them two or three times.Just like with the 73, the results appear much better on the LCD screen than on the monitor, so most shots needed photoshop enhancing to increase bot brightness and contrast.  Of course, the corner drug store photo processors will also increase brightness, but they ordinarily do not touch contrast.Also, several shots needed -cyan for better color balance -- just like the early 73 Mavica.Two of my Sony disks failed in the camera, and my friend, who bought a 350 because she like mine, also lost all her photos when her Sony disk failed in the camera.  The Sony tech support guy said &quot;It happens,&quot; and sent me a replacement for the first one.  But after 30 days, no more replacements.  I did buy three costly re-writeable disks at $6 each from Sony on line, one failed with only 12 photos taken, but it was too late to get a replacement from Sony.  &quot;Sorry.&quot;Luckily, I came across some software that lets users miraculously recover otherwise &quot;lost&quot; files on CDs and DVDs, and I was able to save nearly all the shots from disks that, when examined with Windows Explorer, showed NO FILES!  I recommend non-Sony disks that are five for six dollar at retail, and the first five that I used not only worked flawlessly, but held about 30 more photos than the Sony disks.  It's because of the latent possibility of such devastating disk errors that I took one star off the rating.Also, the file transfer software supplied with the camera does not display any text, so I have to rely on using a magnifying glass to read the tiny screen captures in the instruction manual.Neither Sony nor the software publisher's tech support could help with this stupidity, and each referred me to the other.
I had no intention of getting this item since I already had a digital camera, but I was immediately drawn to buying one by the ability to use cheap CD-R and CD-RW media, and the unlimited movie mode (limited by media only). As of this writing, no other camera matches this series at the comparable price. Unless Sony releases a DVD-RW capable camera at similar cost, I expect that this camera will last me for some time!Pros:- CHEAP media - great for trips when you don't have a computer to offload pics, and you don't want to spend almost the price of your camera to get extra storage space. Since it's just normal CD's, you'll be able see the pics on pretty much any computer (make sure to do the &quot;finalize&quot; on the camera beforehand though).- Video mode - get a cheap digital video device. It can store about 8 min per CD on high quality (640x460) mode and 1.5 hours on low-quality (160x160). (see related CON)- Picture quality - blows my old Olympus digital camera away. Lots of options to configure and learn to make you feel like a wanna-be pro photographer.- Pretty good reaction time - People worry about extra lag in burning each pic onto the CD, but I don't really notice it.- Consistent battery - I had doubts about the proprietary battery, but it is BY FAR better than my old camera that used normal rechargeables. Each charge lasts about 2 hours and the indicator is pretty accurate down to the minute pretty much.Cons:- Larger physical size - This is probably THE biggest deterrent to getting this camera. You can't exactly keep it in your pocket to point and shoot at parties, or sneak shots without people noticing. So think about how you're going to use a digital camera, and if having a camera that fits in your palm is more important than the advantages of this camera, look elsewhere. To be fair, it's not that much bigger than my parent's non-digital camera.- Resolution - 3.2 is not the highest resolution available at this price these days. however, it's DEFINITELY sufficient for my needs, and each pic takes up less storage space. heck, I'm not trying to print posters here!- Video mode - Although it suffices to capture lots of things with accompanying sound, the camera has no lighting in video mode -- making night-time movies not so great. The captured videos also seems to come out darker than other digital cameras without lighting, though that may be helped by some post-processing. This camera is also awkward for capturing lengthy events at high quality (changing discs every 8 min isn't exactly ideal). Again, think about what's important to you. At similar prices, devices that advertise themselves as multifunction video and photo probably take better video, but much worse photos.Warnings:I bought 200 mb discs for this camera ignoring warnings that 156 mb ones work best. Well, I found sometimes I did have some issues with reading completely-full discs in the computer, but just used the handy USB cord to transfer instead. Out of about 10-15 discs of pictures and videos I've taken, I also had one occasion where the disc got corrupted. However, that happened when I was at critically low battery trying to take video on an almost-completed 200 mb disc.Bottom Line:After I got this camera, I found that I didn't want to let go of my old (smaller) digital camera because I still liked the small size for some things. That's probably the only reason I wouldn't recommend this camera to anyone and everyone. It's funny to me that even with digital cameras, people still find themselves having to think about whether to take a picture or not since they don't have so much storage space, or haven't unloaded old pictures, or are not sure how much battery they have left. This camera solves these problems. I wouldn't want to go on a vacation with any other camera.
We bought this camera in Mid-January.  And Both my husband and I love it.  This camera has EVERYTHING we could want.  And is SO much better than my cheap Kodak DC3200.  We are expecting our 4th and final baby in June.  And this is another reason why we purchased it.  Although we didn't pay 399. for it.  We paid 379.00.  The clarity of these pictures are just AWESOME!  We have even printed them out and they are SO clear!  I would purchase this camera again in a heartbeat!
When this camera works, it takes sweet pictures. It probably takes sweet pictures when it ISN'T working, but I'll never know. It has a habit -- I say "habit" because this has happened to more than 80% of the photos (around 500) that I have shot in the first two weeks I've had the thing -- of something happening so that the photos are unrecoverable from a disc. This level of unreliability is something I simply cannot fathom.In looking around help forums and other user reviews on the Web, I find that the problem is far from unusual. The problem seems worse when one uses generic (i.e., non-Sony) mini-discs. And just try finding Sony mini-discs at any of your local big-boxes. It seems to me (we are in the Denver area, not exactly miles from nowhere) that the only place these things can be purchased is on the Web.This camera was to be a replacement for my Mavica 88, a great little camera that never burped or blurbled on floppies in four years of pretty heavy use. That camera took about any floppy tossed into it, which made things very simple. By contrast, the MVC-350 is beyond persnickety about its discs and its discs are apparently impossible to procure, except on the Web.I tried to work with Sony's service department, which seems to be offshore. It was clear that the person with whom I was speaking understood only about half of what I was saying: maybe less. There seemed to be a number of scripts available, none of which fit the problem I described. At this point, because I bought this as a new camera through an eBay vendor, I am becoming resigned to the idea of having lost over $300. If you have to try this camera, the odds appear to be relatively good because this problem appears to affect only 15% of users. So go ahead; if it works for you, you'll be very pleased. But for heaven's sake, buy from Amazon, where you will be able to return it if it does not work for you.In five years or so of writing Amazon reviews, I have given one star on exactly one other occasion, for a very silly book. Even with kitchen equipment I have not liked, there has usually been at least one redeeming feature. In this case, the camera's unreliability is so antithetical to the very purpose of a camera that there is simply nothing good for me to say. This camera has, in effect, stolen my work and I am not very happy about that.A camera's job is not only to take, but most importantly to facilitate making pictures. When it is impossible to process the picture taken, it is impossible to make the picture. For this reason, I can only recommend looking at this camera with great caution and, if possible, finding an acceptable alternative.
I bought the Sony Mavica MVC-350 camera to compliment my Nikon film cameras.  I wanted a camera to build a website and to take photos of things that did not necessarily need to be printed out on photo paper.  Most of the digital cameras I found were small and the controls tiny.  Or they needed a memory stick with very limited photo storage space an then these memory sticks were expensive.  Some cameras are so small you can barely hold them without fear of dropping them and this is not the case for the Sony.  Also battery life was also a concern as my first digital camera ate AA batteries for breakfast, lunch and dinner!Floppy disks were ok, but again, photo capacity was not very large in the higher resolution modes.  That's when I found the Sony MVC-CD350.  It is a 3.2 megapixel camera with a 3x lens and built-in flash.  It has a CD-R/RW drive in it for high capacity storage onto a 8 cm CD-R or 8 cm CD-RW disc.  The MVC-CD350 uses a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and it's life is about 130 minutes.  It was exactly what I was looking for!  The picture quality and the speed of the drive is very good.After charging the battery (it comes with one and a charger) I dropped in a CD-RW and turned on the camera.  No, I did not read the manual....  I was asked to initialize the CD-RW and after a few seconds I was snapping pictures.  I also discovered, on my own and not by reading the manual, that it can take MPEG movies.  I will never use this mode but I know it would be a handy feature for some folks.After filling the disk with a few dozen pictures I finalized the disk (had to read the well laid out manual) and put then it into my computer.  It was very simple.  The MVC-CD350 also comes with a USB cable (version 2.0 compatible) and, after installing the software on my PC, I downloaded the pictures from the camera.  There were about 50 MB (or so) of photos and the transfer process went rather quickly; I'll guess 3 minutes or less.The controls for the camera are nice size, even for my fat fingers and the layout is fairly logical.  The only thing I do not care for is the location of the power button.  I think it's too close to the shutter release.  A friend owns the same camera and she doesn't think it's a problem, so it has to be me.The built-in flash does a pretty good job and it has the red-eye reduction mode. You can vary the light output from the flash to from "Low/Normal/High".  I call it a "party flash."  You can buy a better flash from Sony but, like any powerful flash, it's big.  For a party or casual use, the built-in flash seems to work fine.The display/viewfinder on the back is bright and quite large. It measures 2" wide and 1-1/2" high. The display is of high enough resolution so you can review all pictures you have taken.Overall I like this camera.  The CD drive and rechargeable battery are big selling factors for me.  Also, since it is made by Sony I know parts and service are easy enough to find.What would I improve?  The lens.  I wish you could change the lens out, like an SLR type camera.  The lens is ok, but I would love it if Sony had a interchangeable lens system.  Otherwise, no complaints from me!
I bought this camera in mid-2004, and I have enjoyed it quite a bit.  It was my first digital camera, and the purchase was based on my company's success with the FD Mavica.  Having had the CD350 for 4 years and taken over 1,000 pictures with it in over 6 different states... it's still holding up well, and I have managed some really good pictures (in spite of being an amateur photographer).  I have never had to replace the battery (though I did just buy one spare, as it's old now - but the original still holds a charge very well!), and I am still using the original Sony CD-RW that came with it (just bought a 3-pack so I'd have extras for LONG trips).  I am hoping to pass it along to my daughter before too long - she's almost ready to graduate to a better camera, and this would be a great one for her.PROs: Easy to use, very forgiving autofocus, and well-made.  In spite of newer cameras out there, I'm still not QUITE ready to replace it, since it still takes great pictures and it has been COMPLETELY trouble-free (only problems have been due to Human Error).CONs: "Shutter lag" is a bit long by today's standards.  Just bought a Canon S5iS for my wife, and it is SO much newer (and as is the case with electronics, SO much nicer).  Time to write to CD is a bit slow.  I tried Memorex mini CDs, and the menu system warned me to not use non-Sony media; it worked, but VERY unreliably, so I've since stuck with Sony CDs and it's been solid. I wish there were an SD Card or other electronic storage drive like there was with the FD Mavica.  Oh, since some folks will want to know... video file sizes are HUGE, yet resolution is quite dreadful (as is the case with all digital cameras I've seen, digital cameras take horrible video, digital video cameras take horrible stills - the strange paradox of digital photography).  Newer cameras aren't quite as bad.VERDICT:  If I were shopping today, I'd probably go with a newer camera, as this one is simply old... meaning it's slow, light on modern features such as SD Card slot, doesn't have a LOT of zoom capability, and has lower resolution than newer cameras.  But as far as a camera of its era, it's been great, and it just keeps on ticking!  Definitely a good "first" digital camera, as there's not a lot of complicated features to mystify the novice.
I am a professional radiographer and photographer (25 years now) and I used both the Sony CD500, CD400, CD350, CD300, as well as a Nikon Coolpix for field research x-raying mummies in Peru. This means the cameras were pushed hard.....blowing sand, huge contrast ranges, high resolution radiographs needed, fast manual control of radical light conditions, etc.....essentially most of the tough conditions and imaging requirements you can imagine. Here's what I found:The Sony Mavica CD500 & 300 beat them all. It's not the most expensive or the best resolution but we all thought it did the best job.Mavica CD500: best of all....resolution, reasonable recording time, great image control for exposure, close-ups, better controls, pretty much everythingMavica CD400: best resolution but extremely slow recording time made it impossible to work with most of the time....the CD300 often got 3-4 shots while the 400 was recording one.Mavica CD350: not enough manual control for us, but usually got great images on automatic....some problems with exposure range for close-ups thoughMavica CD300: not the best resolution, but now that I've done some prints for publication from it's highest res setting I will not be buying any more 400s....just not a significant enough difference,plus it's not as heavy or bulky.Nikon Coolpix: not in the running by comparison with the Sonys....although it is more lightweight....we are buying mini CDs for 33 cents each in bulk... and getting 140-180 high resimages per CD.....they are so easy to format, initialize, and copy on any CD burner that I can't believe we even considered using memory stiks, or USB downloads.The best features are common to both the Sony Mavica CD300 and 400 series though.....manual control of the images, excellent close up abilities, decent wide angle (which can be enhanced with add-on lenses if necessary), and both rapid video and automatic functions with night focusing for flash, etc., etc.Finally! There is a great digital camera!
I bought this Camera two years ago from Newegg. I do not have any problem with this camera. I love his camera. Easy to use.
A truly magnificent product.  The mini-CD format is robust and so convenient - no longer any need to download pictures to the computer en masse - just view and select them one by one to e-mail, print or modify - they are safely stored on the CD, which fits in the DVD or CD-Rom drive of any computer that I have yet met.The camera is easy to use and captures superb images either singly or in bursts and it will even take sound movies!There was no problem with using SONY 200Mb Mavica miniCD's a available for mere pence.  Easy to use and store away as one fills them up - there is a noticable tendency for one to take many more pictures with so much storage available.The camera is robust and light and easy to use both outdoors and inside it gives superd quality images.  The battery seems to last, on average for about 240 images but one can always carry a spare.  It has performed well in subzero and warm sunlight outdoors with never a glitch.This is a camera which embodies everything that I need, I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone as a valuable general purpose camera for both work and pleasure.
First i want to dispell any misconceptions: just because this is a CD-based digicam does not mean it's big, slow, loud, and a battery hog. It's not exactly tiny, but it's not huge either. It's about the same size as a 35mm SLR with a small normal lens. It's as fast, if not faster, than digicams without moving parts. You can't hear the disc spinning unless you're in a quiet room and you actually put your ear up to the camera and listen carefully. The rechargeable battery that comes with it lasts over 2 hours easy (or well over 200 shots). Not bad for a cam with a CD burner and a huge LCD.The pros:Carl Zeiss lens. Name brand lens known among professionals for its high quality.Big fat beautiful LCD. Its impressive. Several people can gather around and watch movies or images taken with the camera.It can record movies. I know a lot of digicams can do this as a bonus feature, but lets face it no one uses this feature because most digicams [are bad] at taking movies. NOT THIS ONE. it takes very good movies. so you'll actually use the movie feature. about 6 min of video (640x480) with audio on a 156MB CD. There is a good mic and good speaker (for playback).The MENUS ARE GREAT. A lot of people overlook this detail. What do i mean? well, digicams use menus for changing settings. with most of them, the menus are confusing and stupid. like you have to dig through 2 submenus and hit ok 5 times before you can change the image size/resolution. not this camera! the menus are clear and simple and there are no submenus! even a novice can pick this up and figure it out without studying an instruction manual. for example: to change image size/resolution you simply hit the image size button push up or down (theres 5 different sizes) then thats it. also there buttons for commonly used things like changing flash mode and switching to macro (close up) mode. i also love the jog dial. this is for manual focus as well as for changing the shutter speed and aperture on the fly WITHOUT ANY... MENUS! you have to actually use the camera to appreciate how important this is.the infolithium battery that comes with it is nice. it tells you EXACTLY how much time you have left (like 113min instead of a stupid little meaningless battery icon). if you want another battery, (strongly recommended) its expensive though. it's nice to be able to use the camera without constantly worrying about how much battery life is remaining.CD-RW discs cost next to nothing. its very cool to be able to take a disc out and pop it into any computer to view images. it comes with usb cable and a/v cable for tv viewing. no remote control though :-(the built-in flash is very good. range is little over 16feet. not bad at all for built-in. there's a hot shoe if youre hardcore and want to get a bigger flash.The cons:expensive proprietary rechargeable batteries and no streaming USB. whats streaming USB? with it you can hook up a digicam to your computer and use it as a webcam on steroids. not many digicams have this feature though. WHY?????????you will not be disappointed with this camera. now click yes this review was helpful! >:O
The Mavica CD500 was a replacement for a Mavica FD-75. I am very happy I made this purchase. The picture quality is much better. The camera is easy to use, although it has a ton of features my previous Mavica didn't have and its giong to take a little while to figure out how to use them all in different settings. The 3 inch CDs are easy to find, I paid 21 bucks for a 50 pack.The USB cable supplied is excellent, couldnt have been easier to transfer pictures to windows XP. The reviewer that said they couldn't load a driver for windows XP, well if they would read the manual, windows XP doesnt need a driver, just plug it in and go.Also included is a cable to plug into your TV, and you can view your pictures on a TV. I wish I had this camera a few months ago at a wedding, would have been nice to put all the pictures on TV later at a relatives home for everyone to see.overall this camera is excellent, the mini-CDs are easy to find, and inexpensive. And after searching the internet, I decided Amazon had one of the best prices for this camera, and free shipping. I ordered on a thursday and had it the next wednesday. I was taking pictures about 10 minutes after opening the box. You can't go wrong with this camera, especially if you have previous Mavica experience.
It was great, while it lasted. Although it's too heavy to take on every trip and take those impulsive candid shots. It fits in my diaper bag, but not my purse. About 6 months ago (after 18 months of ownership) we started having trouble getting it to turn on. My husband figured out a "trick" to turn it on (push down on the button while pushing the lever), which worked for a month or so. Then suddenly, the problem disappeared. Yippee! Now, with Christmas less than a month away, it WON'T TURN ON AT ALL!!! I cannot explain how furious I am. It's not like I can send it for repair and have it back by the holidays. My other complaint is with the batteries. Over time, they last less and less..... and take longer and longer to charge up. You will definitely need more than 2 batteries after a while. My next camera will NOT be a Sony. IT's not like we were rough with it; we treated that thing with more care than the baby... and it still busted. grrrr.....
the picture quality is excellent.  Focus and view finder options are excellent.The only thing that is limiting, is a slow  recording and  disk access time.  This is not an action camera and not for shooting pictures  of something in a sequence.  Great for brochures and gives you the ability to take a picture, crop it on your computer and still  have enough quality to blow it up again.
I went looking for a camera to use so I didn't have to pay huge amounts of money for photocopies doing archival research. This is by far absolutely the best camera I could find, and I've been using it for everything lately, not just the research. Combined with a photo printer (fairly cheap anymore) you can't go wrong.Pros:I thought it would be bigger, but it's actually very comfortable to hold and not that heavy.The battery lasts forever (actually about 3 hours).With the cd-burning piece, you don't need to download your pictures to a computer. mini cd-rs are very cheap and hold about 200 MB (depending on the size of the pictures between 50-400 pictures).The 5 MP resolution allows you to zoom in on a document so you can damn near analyze the ink content.The menus are easy to figure out, even for slow kids like me.Cons:None yet, except for maybe the zoom - it's only a 3-power, but I don't need much more than that.I haven't used the USB connection at all, because I DON'T HAVE TO! (CD-Rs are awesome).
My late husband loved digital photography. When he passed away, I looked at this Sony camera sitting on the shelf and decided I was going to learn to use it. I'm not a technical person so I can't go into all the technicalities of the cells, apertures, etc. that so many other people speak about.But what I CAN tell you is that I started an online website, Atlanta Vintage Jewelry dot com, and all the pictures there (over 1400 so far) have been taken with this camera. I found it relatively easy to learn (with the help of the instruction book). It has great features, close-up capabilities, various white balances, spot metering, timer, and such that I use regularly.My graphics program is Photoshop. After taking the pics, the camera simply connects to my PC, and after reading the CD source in the camera I can import them right into the program for editing. It also has a threaded lens so it accepts filters and additional lenses, if needed.I love this camera. My husband also had some other camera brands (i.e. Olympus) and after working with them, I chose this Sony as my favorite. Bulky? A little. But it's immaterial.The only negative I can say is that you have to keep the camera steady once you've snapped the picture until the red light goes out (writing info to the interior disc). Otherwise the data may not show up. To virtually eliminate this problem, I now use a tabletop tripod and the camera's timer.I've taken self portraits successfully. It takes great distance shots. I've only changed the little CD once, and they're relatively inexpensive compared to memory sticks. The camera has a built in flash but also a hot shoe to accept bounce flashes or whatever.I like it and I think you will, too.Gail Gupton, Author: 'The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment', and 'Seekers of Truth'.
I've had this camera for over a year now, have used it under varing conditions (cold, rain, dust) and it works perfectly.  One of the best features of this camera is that you can save the small CDs in your library, and never have to worry about your computer crashing and losing all your valuable photos!  I buy the read-only CDs (which are cheaper) and don't delete any photographs that I take.Granted, the camera is a bit heavier than the little ones that seem to be so popular, but not as heavy as you'd think.I use the camera to take photographs for various web sites that I host, and the quality of the photographs are amazingly good.  Another plus is that no matter where you travel with it, if you can find a computer with a CD-ROM drive you can see the photographs.  No need to travel with your camera's software and plugs... This way I can leave an electronic version of photographs with those I'm visiting, and still take them home.Simply a five star camera.  I wouldn't trade it in for any other type.
I agree with all the positive statements from other reviewers. Sony CD cameras are really good. Only downside you should be aware of is the relatively long write time to transfer image to cd at high resolution. During this time the camera isn't usable. I found myself frustrated at times wanting to take the next picture and waiting for the write to finish, which is frustrating when you really want the next shot.If you can afford it, step up the the entry SLR's (such as the new Canon EOS Rebel) and you get all the benefits of this sony, plus more, and very fast picture taking -- closer to film cameras.
I owned a CD300, a CD400, and a CD500.  Why is it that they had a perfectly wonderful menu system on the 300 and 400 but felt the urge to mess that up on the CD500?  Everything is difficult to find now!  Don't get me wrong, it is a great camera, but the ease of use is part of it too.  And what in the world happened to the Black and White photos?  I can't find any setting for taking those pictures!  Another person mentioned that on the review.  I don't think it does Black and White.  I miss that feature so much!The 3x optical zoom is very mediocre...  and their &quot;smart system&quot; of zooming is a bit of a joke...  you can only really use the zoom properly if you are taking lower resolution pictures, or you can't take advantage of it.It is reasonably priced for a 5 megapixel.  The CD recording is absolutely fantastic and the media price is just right (provided you don't waste your money on Mavica disks).  Just purchase the less expensive ones.  I have yet to see a bad disk that is not a Mavica one.Love the camera, but could use some improvement.  I would wait for an eventual CD600 though...  they might fix the shortcomings I mentioned above.
I had a Sony Mavica 400 and it worked beautifully for 4 years. I never, ever had a problem with it, and it went everywhere with me. I took around 8,000 photos with it and it was wonderful. But then it was stolen from around my neck by a gang of thugs in St Petersburg, Russia in 2005.The insurance company replaced the 400 with this model, the MVCCD500, which I was very excited about getting - the next-generation model, with improved picture quality and more megapixels. How wrong I was to be excited.This piece of junk lasted a total of 6 months before it suddenly stopped doing what it was meant to do. It suddenly and without warning wasn't able to access a disc that hadn't been finalised, and after changing batteries it wasn't able to access the disc. To top this off, it also now can't write any photo taken on 5 megapixels - all I get is a 'Disc Error' everytime I take a 5 megapixel photo. I now have to finalise the disc when the battery gets low, and I have to be very, very careful the back door (where the CD-R goes in) and the battery door don't open .I relocated to the UK soon after getting this camera, and Sony UK refused to honour the 'Worldwide Warranty', even though I had the receipt and the warranty with me. As the camera came from Australia, Sony refused to even deal with me - they told me I had to talk to Sony Australia ... on the other side of the planet, and then asked me to leave their premises!I am now struggling to take ANY photos with this thing. It is now out of warranty, only takes 1 in 3 photos properly (none in 5 megapixels), and to top it all off, the 8cm CD-R's are next to impossible to buy outside the USA. And you can't even mail-order them from the US - no shop will sell them overseas. Sony couldn't even help me to locate a supplier of the CD-R's in the UK, even when they featured the Sony CD-R's on the Sony UK web site. In response to my enquiry regarding the discs, I was told they couldn't help me and suggested I do a search on an internet search engine for them. (Gee Sony, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the help.) I eventually found one shop in central London that sells them. When this shop stops selling them, the camera will be a useless paperweight.If you are stupid enough to buy this camera, expect it to stop working within a year of buying it, and expect zero support from Sony. In fact, just expect abuse from Sony when it stops working.I have just bought a Nikon D80, and am thrilled with the brilliance of this camera. Buy a digital camera from a manufacturer of real cameras, not a company that produces junk. Obviously Sony have given up on this technology, and tough luck if you were fooled into buying it. My assumption is they are no longer supporting the Mavica technology and refuse to have anything to do with any customer that owns one.
I have been using this camera for about a few months now and I love it.  The picture quality, with 5 mega pixels is amazing.  The detail and colors that come through are great, much more than what I would expect for a digital camera.  There is so much you can do with the camera and still have not learned everything.I was concerned when I purchased this camera that it would take long before you could take one picture to the next- due to the CD burner.  I read in someone's review that this was a problem with them.  I have not have had any such problem and I am able to take a picture right after another.  It appears it stores the photo within an internal memory if it is still recoding the prior on the CD.  I also love the fact you can store so many photos on single CD which I can buy for less than 50 cents a cd.I also enjoy using the movie mode to capture videos. Although it is not the quality of a camcorder, the quality is pretty decent and you can record about 6 minutes on a 210mb 3 inch cd-r.  I would be careful not to have the lens zoomed when recording because it seems to lessen the video quality.  You also can not zoom in or out while in the video mode.I would also be careful when buying accessories for this camera.  I bought two filter and the adapter that attaches to the camera and I think they are great because I can protect the lens.  I also bought the starter accesory kit which includes the carrying bag, an extra battery and 3 CD-RW.  I believe I purchased this for 60 dollars.  If you factor in the price for the battery and the CDs, it is a little over 60 dollars so I thought this was a deal because I was getting a camera case as well.  Unfotunately the case just fits the camera (and it is a VERY SOFT case- so do not expect it to protect it if you tend to be rough) but now it no longers fits in with the adapter/filter attchment.  That is something to be careful about.One other point is the LCD screen.  It is very large and I think it goes great with the camera.  There is no viewfinder though and it can be a little difficult to see if there is bright sunshine on the screen, although it does work well outside.  There is also an atchment sold for this where you can use a view finder.  I plan on purchasing that as well in the future.The zoom on the lens is only 3x.  Although I would prefer more it still is great.As my last note, between the camera itself and the attachments I have, it is large.  Some people have complained about the size of the camera.  It is about the size of a small SLR camera.  If you are looking for something small, don't purchase this one, go with a simple point and shoot.  Yet, if size is not an issue and you want a great camera than this is the way to go.  I bought this camera for 450- on sale.  I would definitely wait and look around before shelling out 600 which most places have this priced for.  Overall though- it is worth it.
I have owned this camera for about 6 months now and I am glad I bought it.Pros: 1) Brand name Carl Zeiss lens, known for its excellent quality. The colors are true and sharp in pictures from broad daylight through flash and still captures very good details under low light conditions without flash. Closeup photography is outstanding and I have taken some excellent pictures from a distance of about 10 cms.2) Very easy menu selections - One other reviewer also mentioned this as a point that many users tend to overlook and I second his opinion. You don't have to dig 2-3 levels deep to change camera setting, especially if you are using manual setup.3) Big fat LCD screen allows easy viewing.4) Though its not meant to operate as a camcorder, it does make an excellent movie. The sound capture is very sensitive and the in-built speaker is very good.5) Easy transfer to you computer thought USB cable (provided). I use Win XP and it is a breeze for me to transfer the pictures from camera to the computer using XP's camera wizard. Can also be connected directly for viewing on a TV screen.6) For permanent storage, you can also finalize the CD and just pop it in the computer whenever you want to view. Mini CDs are dirt cheap (compare them to flash media of equivalent capacity). SONY recommends using MAVICA CDs (of course), which are a little costly. I have been using Maxell mini CDRs without hitch (available at Wal-Mart for about $6.00 for a 10 pk). Camera keeps giving annoying reminder to use mavica CDs, just ignore it.7) Hot shoe pod to attach external flash for enthusiasts, though the built-in flash has a very good range (about 14 feet under auto exposure conditions).8) Like the weight and feel of it.9) Very Good battery life between charges.Cons:1) 3x zoom is a minor disappointment especially as the digital zoom is worthless.2) There is no temporary storage for picture, where one can review a picture before deciding to burn it on the CD. The camera does have option to "delete" which is a misnomer. All the camera does is not show the file if you choose delete, even though the picture will be on your CD. If its a CDR, you are stuck with it as soon as you have clicked the picture, at least you can reformat if using a CDRW.3) The bundled software from SONY is C-R-A-P. As I mentioned before, I use WinXP (home and professional) camera wizard to transfer the pictures by USB. (Cons # 1-3 are my primary reasons for giving this camera 4 stars).4) The lag time between two pictures can be as great as 6-10 seconds, especially as the CD gets full, so it may not be the best for taking a series of single pictures rapidly. You can however take upto 16 exposures at a time in multiburst mode (and I am guessing here, the lag time might be greater before you can take another multiple series with a single click).5) The laser lens for burning the CDs might be sensitive if the camera experiences more than the usual rough and tumble. I have taken this camera on many vacations, through all sorts of weather without any trouble,  still I take care not to bang it against something hard. (Rock climbers, members of the press - this may not be the camera for you to take along on one of your excursions).
The Sony Mavica CD500 is a fine digital camera. I've enjoyed using it very much. Once you learn the controls, you can almost effortlessly take great photos. On many occasions people have remarked how clear the photos are. The high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar glass lens and 5.0 megapixel resolution see to that!The camera is smart enough to adjust itself for most lighting situations. If you must, you can manually set the camera to get the effect you want. The large, bright, clear color LCD screen on the back of the camera works very well - it seems to be &quot;what you see is what you get&quot;. There is no problem viewing the image in bright daylight.Besides the high resolution and fine lens, the BIG selling point for me was the built in 3-inch CD drive. Being able to store approximately 50 snaphots at the highest resolution setting is just fantastic. No more film to buy or have processed. I bought a 5-pack of 210MB CD-RW disks for $10. Compare that to the expensive, low capacity memory sticks that other digital cameras require and it's a no brainer.Once the CD is full, I connect the Mavica to my Macintosh with the USB cable, download the pictures into iPhoto and that's all there is to it. Then I use the format function of the camera to erase the CD-RW and I'm ready to use the same CD thousands of times!I love the feel of the camera as it simply oozes quality. It doesn't fit in your shirt pocket, but since it's packed with so many features that's okay by me. I bought it here at Amazon and got it at a great price.I would like the Mavica CD500 even better if it had a 10X optical zoom rather than just a 3X. But even with a 3X zoom I can get outstanding results. I've had the camera for over a month now and I'm still pleased with this purchase.
Given that digital camera prices keep falling, and steeply for the higher end models, this camera is almost a steal. At under $200 for a 3.2 megapixels this camera is an excellent buy (at least in 2003!).I have had this camera for less than a month and first impressions:- Photo quality is excellent. Best results if you are shooting with lots of light, either daylight or indoors.- ISO 50 mode gives you the best results.- Consumes lots and lots of battery power. Trying to learn the camera controls used up a two AA pack in less than 90 mts. Go for the NiMH rechargeables. Will save $$$- Most of the controls can be understood without reading the manual. The manual itself can be quite intimidating, so try to understand the controls by tinkering around with the camera itself.- Best photo quality is to be had under the Superfine and Large settings. File sizes at this setting can be as large as 2MB.- Get a 256 MB or larger flash card.- File transfer with the usb connection seems a bit slow, especially when transfering a full 256 MB flash card worth of contents.- Flash is quite difficult to use. At close distances it tends to whiten everything in its wake, and at moderate distances it seems too weak to do anything useful!- Noise is considerable at ISO 400 setting. Therefore, shoot at 50 or 100.- Videos are reasonably sharp. the 640x480 mode creates large files (approx 25MB) of ok sharpness.- the images tend to be a bit on the softer side.For the price this camera is an absolute steal. Of course you do not get an optical zoom, nor can you control the depth of field, or the shutter speed with this model, but this model is meant to be a starter model...
I purchased this camera for my mom for mother's day.  We played with if for about 5 minutes before the batteries that came with the camera were dead.  We changed batteries and have exchanged the camera the bateries still only last for a few shots.  I would either purchase a set of rechargable batteries or try another camera.The pictures that we have taken do turn out very well.
I have found this camera to be surprisingly resilient to the repeated abuse I have given it.  It's not been left completely untarnished, but it still KIND OF works.When I left it outside in the sand during a thunderstorm in the fair town of Dirt, Louisiana, it woke up in the morning QUITE gritty and the buttons were a little stubborn, but it still worked perfectly.  Photos are of beautiful quality.I've banged it around the Caribbean without a care in the world, and while it was always a bit too slow to take successive photos of Puerto Rican farmers getting into a bar fight, it held up quite well.Real problems came after I dropped the poor thing into a hot spring in the Andes of Venezuela.  Luckily, I was able to retrieve it, but it would never be the same again.  The LCD is completely trashed and unusable and the flash is now nonexistent, but the durn thing still takes pictures!!  I can't believe it, either.  As long as I'm outside in the sun, photos and video turn out great and transfer effortlessly to my computer.In short, this camera will take a lot of wear.  It's a great camera to take on adventures (especially to places that don't have lithium batteries!), but go easy on the hot springs.
I bougth this camera on January 2004 and I already sold it. Quality pictures was pretty good, but time between shots is really long. When you ask somebody to take a picture for you it is very very embarasing because many times the shutting button just doesn't work. I think this is not a good election to buy please check other trademarks since I have read this problem also occurs with other CANON cameras.
This camera is extremely cheap.  Although it is a bargain and not a bad camera, I found it too frustrating for regular use.  I took the camera on an extended trip and discovered the following foibles:1, It eats through a set of 2 AA batteries in 20 - 40 pictures, depending on how much the flash is used (using LCD screen for every shot but for minimum possible time).2, If you close the cover before the yellow light has stopped flashing, the camera thinks the batteries are finished and needs to be re-set four times before it will behave properly.  Note to Canon: why not just take pictures until there's no more juice?3, It takes an age to take the picture.  Whenever I pressed the button, it always took several seconds.  Occasionally, the camera would just click and whir for 10 seconds without doing anything.  I missed several great pictures because of this.  If I asked anyone else to take a picture with the camera, I had to specifically warn them because this camera is UNUSUALLY slow.4, There is no obvious "fill-in" flash and the regular flash was too aggressive.  Under indoor daylight conditions, the performance was fine but indoor dark conditions were difficult.On the plus side, the pictures turned out nice and sharp, pretty well exposed, except for the flash problems I've already noted.  I guess that's all I could really ask for.  My next camera will probably cost four times as much but at least I won't spend my whole vacation foaming at the mouth.
I am not a novice when it comes to digital cameras; but after following the instructions to the letter, I never got one picture from this camera. And, it devoured the batteries that came with it, plus the special Ni-MH Canon batteries that I purchased separately.
I had it for few years and worked great for what I paied for it. I bought the new Canon SD700 and very happy form Canon stuff.Don't expect $100.00 camera to do a $1000.00 camera's Job!!!!
An exceptional camera ..., takes excellent images and surprisingly clear and smooth video with sound!.Uses the same DiGiC image processor as Canon's high-end EOS 10D. Color balance is excellent, skin tones look great. Easy to use with many features and options. The low light focus assist lamp is neat and photo-stitch feature for panoramic shots is really cool!Does use batteries quickly but it is to be expected since it only uses 2AA's while most use 4 or proprietary. NiMh batteries perform much better. AA size batteries are a plus since they can be found virtually anywhere and probably even that nearby electronic gadget if needed.Originally bought this camera to take photos of my two young children and discovered that the video works great to record those special moments, like my daughter's first bike ride without training wheels! The kids love to watch the clips over and over again. It will shoot up to 3min of video, the number of clips depends on the CF card size.The only drawbacks I found are the fixed focal length, long recharge times after flash, and no TV hook up.I definitely recommend this camera. After researching other digital cameras nothing else currently can compare to the Canon for the price.
Installing the software for this camera was a nightmare.  It turns out there were conflicts with the Install Shield feature built into Windows.  Contacting Canon thorugh e-mail and phone turned out to be an exercise in futility.  I did a web search on the error message (1607), and found there are many others using Canon products having this problem.  I ended up having to reinstall Windows.  When I contacted Canon, I simply asked them if they knew of a downloadable patch to facilitate downloading their software.  They told me to contact Install Shield.  Install Shield's website refers you back to the manufacturer (Canon).  Had I known about the level of hassle I would experience in advance, I would have purchased an Olympus.
This is my first Digital Camera!I got this camera for my 15th birthday from my dad, he is VERY picky about how well it works, how fast and if it works at all.I read through the manual, which is kinda long, but you don't have to read all of it to figure it out. After finishing the manual, I took about 8 pictures, and 4 movies, the batteries seemed fine, but when it came time to cut the cake and sing happy birthday, I couldn't take pictures because the batteries were dead!I just flipped them (took the batteries out, reversed them so the batteries were switched) and the camera worked fine again, I still have to figure out how to get the best quality.Speaking of quality, the reviewers are lying! When I use the digial zoom to the fullest, it is not fuzzy, choppy or anything! The images are still great, and the quality on this camera is EXCELLENT!When I loaded the images to my computer, the set up disks were very easy to follow, and very fast. and Loading was a piece of cake! It took less than 10 seconds to bring everything to my files.This camera is so much fun, but to enjoy it to the fullest, I suggest these purchases:1. A Camera Case (to keep this baby safe)2. A 4 pack of rechargeable batteries (you'll need 4, two to use, and two to charge, then between times, you never have to wait. You'll always have one pair ready to go)3. A battery Charger (Unfortunately these can be pricey but they are worth it)4. An AC adapter (the thingie that plugs into the wall, they're useful while you charge batteries or to save you $$$)5. A larger flash card (I find the 16MB just fine)6. A Warrenty in case something goes wrong (the camera comes with a one year warrenty through canon already, but I suggest one through the store you buy the camera too)I'm very lucky to have had all these things from my CD player, so I my dad only paid for the camera and warrenty, which was an excellent price for 3.2 MegaPixels. With other cameras, you are bound to pay more on flash cards, batteries, equipment etc...Remember to enjoy this Camera :) It's loads of fun!
The other reviewers have covered this beginner's digital camera extensivesly. I just want to give you my two cents regarding two issues.1. Lack of optical zoom. For my primary digital camera I demand optical zoom, and no less than 3x of optical zoom. If you travel a lot like I do, optical zoom is a must. If, on the other hand, you shoot a lot of party pictures, it's not as important. The A300 lacks optical zoom, so it's better used as a secondary camera, which is how I use it, kinda like a pocket camera. Two advantages of no optical zoom: 1) the camera operates more quickly, and 2) the lens mechanism won't break as fast.2. Three megapixels. Nowadays even 5MP models have become immensely affordable. A lot of people overlook the facts that 1) most digital pictures never get printed, and 2) you can get great 6x4&quot; prints from 2MP, not to mention 3MP. In fact, you can get great 5x7&quot; or even larger prints from 3MP. On most photo printers, too many megapixels are wasted anyway. What's more important is the overall image quality. There are 5MP cameras that take underexposed and ugly pictures. The A300 continues Canon's tradition of superior image quality.For this price, the A300 is a must-have for gadget lovers and people looking for an easy-to-use starter digicam.
Worked well for nearly four years till it died (bought refurbished). This was during the time when digicams first started becoming more common. Took great pics for only being 3.2mp.
This is our first experience with a digital camera. It is a camera easy to use for the novice and has the bells and whistles the experienced or serious digital camera user demands. Super easy to connect to the computer with the USB cable supplied. We think this gives more bang for the buck than any we have looked at. Love it.
this camera is geared towards the casual photographer who is looking for good resolution (3MP) in a compact and lightweight package and doesn't want to spend a lot of money on a digicam.pros:- great resolution for the price - 3MP!- uses the same DIGIC processor as Canon's high-end G3 and EOS 10D - great pictures!- you can use this as a point and shoot but it still allows a degree of manual control when you want to be more creative with your shots- focus assist light for low-light situations- has exposure compensation- two autofocus modes- ISO 50-400 range- the interface makes plenty of useful features quickly accessible - once you get the hang of it- voice annotation available- VGA movie mode with sound (limited to 30 seconds)- uses non-proprietary AA batteries; i recommend buying rechargeables though- reasonable shot to shot time for this class of camera- USB connectivity- and you can get all this for less than a couple of c-notes!cons:- no optical zoom; but if that's what you want, you should look at the next class up on cameras (there's a digital zoom, but it's better to take the picture un-zoomed and zoom in later in your computer)- noticeable barrel distortion at the edges of the frame- the camera is light but it's bulky, so it doesn't feel very solid- no RAW or TIFF uncompressed format- short flash range- the included 16MB CF card is not enough; be prepared to shell out more $$ for more memory- no composite video connection so you can't view on a TVfor the price and for its target audience, this is a very nice camera.  just don't expect the higher end features you would find in the canon s50 or g5.  enjoy!
The Powershot A300 was my first digital camera.  In that sense, it's like your first car.  You knew you weren't going to win any points for style or speed, but it got you from point A to point B and introduced you to what you knew you wanted in future cars.The picture quality is, in a word, superb.  I took a picture of my daughter at the 2 megapixel equivalent setting (1600 x 1200), and I was stunned.  I had that photo blown up to 8 x 10 and you cannot tell it was taken with a digital camera (no pixellation).  The colors are rich, and the only down side to that shot was that it made me realize that my little girl is becoming a young woman.  My wife, who does not give out compliments easily, said that the picture rivaled what you'd pay for in a studio shoot.I have not had the battery life problems others have mentioned.  In fact, AA usage is pretty good, all things considered.  This is the ideal point and shoot camera for travel, but as battery life erodes, writing the picture to the compact flash card becomes noticeably slower.This camera now goes with me everywhere.  It is much more convenient to use than my EOS Rebel 2000, but I miss the creative zone controls on the Rebel.  These same controls are on such Canon Powershot models as the A60, A70, S45, S50, G3 and G5.The manual is comprehensive, and from what I've seen, most of the complaints addressed in this board can be solved or addressed by reading the manual.All in all, this camera yields dynamite pictures and you cannot beat the price.  If you're thinking about trying out digital, or you want a durable camera you can take with you on your travels and have a ready access to power (AA batteries are almost worldwide universal), get the A300.  You will not be disappointed.  It won't make you Ansel Adams, but if you've done even 30 seconds of homework before you make your purchase, you'll know this going in.
Here it is in a nutshell. I bought this camera for photos of my students' activities at school, and trusted the Canon name to give me more than my money's worth in a [$...] camera.The positives are:1. It's [relatively inexpensive], 3.2 megapixels, and it IS a Canon!2. It has a focus assist light, which helps in low light.3. It's simple to use, though with many advanced features such as white balance adjustments, manual exposure, sound effects, etc.4. It takes really good photos (excellent color saturation).5. It takes two AA batteries with pretty good battery life.6. It's small enough to slip in a pocket!7. It uses inexpensive compact flash memory.8. It's easy to transfer to your computer via USB cable and Canon software.The negatives:1. Onlydigital zoom--very handy, but degrades quality.2. Flash is only average.3. If you do any cropping or enlarging, quality degrades quickly.4. Not attractive, but is sturdy (I've dropped it a few times!)I like this camera--there's not much NOT to like. It does not have the enduring 'draw' of the Nikon 2500/3500 (see my review), but it has many more features, and the pedigree of the legendary G3, and S-50 Canon cameras.If you want just a basic, compact, point & shoot digital camera that's  [relatively inexpensive] for a 3 megapixel unit, this one is THE one. As a bonus, you find it offers a whole lot more under that generic, unspectacular appearance!
Have owned this camera for a few years. Never happy with image quality. Battery life is sucked dry very rapidly.  Much better cameras out there I'm sure, even back then...
The Canon PowerShot A300 takes some really awesome pictures.  It has a lot of features that are easy to figure out and is user-friendly to those new to the digital cam world.A couple pros:-Takes great pictures, even when set to low quality (1 megapixel)-ISO-Great quality for price-Many featuresA couple cons:-Eats through batteries in minutes.  A suggestion would be to turn off the LCD when using the camera.  The LCD isnt very necessary for taking pictures, anyways.  Also, buy some Canon NIMH rechargable batteries.  I found some at Circuit City for $35.  If you dont get NIMH batteries, you'll go through a 12 pack of regular batteries in an hour.-Flash doesnt reach far enough.  Sometimes I find that using the camera in low-light situations is pointless because the flash wont even reach the object I'm taking a picture of.-Sometimes &quot;automatic&quot; features (ISO, flash, etc) make the picture come out blurry or fuzzy.  Try experimenting with the features to find something that suits you.For the money, its a great camera, but dont expect miracles out of it.
Camera feels [sub-standard], has a flimsy mechanics, eats batteries all day long. I put in the original batteries and the camera lasted for exactly two (2!!) pictures. Replaced the batteries and upon using the LCD screen the camera IMMEDIATELY told me the batteries were low. (Hadn't so much as TRIED to take a picture!) Subsequent batteries lasted a bit longer, but buy this camera WITH a MONSTER pack of NiMH batts. Photos are fine, features are NOT easy to figure, there's nothing intuitive about the menu. In short, buy an Olympus, this camera was intended to replace the same and except for it's ability to shoot movies, it doesn't.
Takes absolutely forever to 'record' a picture.  You click the 'shutter' button and then the thing just sits there for an interminably long period of time.  Add to that the pitiful battery life managed out of the 2 AA's that will fit into this camera and you've got a product that really has reached the end of its useful life.A couple years ago it would have been a fine camera,  in 2004 its a dinosaur.  I, stupidly, bought it last year thinking it would be comparable to some of the other higher-end Canon cameras on the market.  I was sorely mistaken and deeply regret the purchase.  Don't make my mistake,  this isn't a significant improvement over a 98 Sony Mavica in anything except being able to use a flash card in lieu of a floppy disk.
I got this camera a couple of months ago and I'm not real please with it.  Althought it takes good pictures it eats up batteries even when your not using it.  If I let it sit for a week the first thing I need to do is change batteries to get it working.  I also have a problem importing pictures directly from the camera to my graphics program, it will only allow for one picture at a time to be imported, this is the first camera that has done this to me.  So I'm pretty disappointed with the camera, expecially since it was a Canon.
The jury is still out on this one.  I purchased this with high expectations of Canon's experience and reputation for digital cameras.  I grew up in a family of professional photographers so I am fussy.PROS:1)  You can't beat the price considering this is 3.2 megapixel camera.2)  Picture quality is excellent.3)  This can take short movies, with sound.  Again, excellent quality.CONS:1)  No optical zoom.  The 5.1x digital zoom is fine if that's what you want.  However, there is a huge difference.  If zooming is not important to you, then this is fine.2)  The button choosing between still pictures and the movie setting is a hair trigger and can be easily shifted by accident.  Both my father and I inadvertently took movies when we wanted to take stills.  We didn't know it until we downloaded the images.3)  Buy stock in a battery company.  At least you'll get some of your money back in dividends when you become the company's best customer.  Digitals consume batteries like water, but this one devours batteries like Niagara Falls.  In fact, this is probably the single biggest limitation of this camera.  Getting a rechargeable package is the way to go, and you'll be using it a lot.  Also, be careful of battery consumption when connected to the computer -- it's a killer.4)  The instructions in the manual, and the controls on the camera itself, are very complicated.  Plan to spend a lot of time reading the manual over and over again, and practicing with the camera to get the hang of things.  This is far from a "take it out of the box and start taking pictures" kind of camera.  The function and display controls on the camera are, in my opinion, very frustrating.  If you have patience and can spend some time concentrating and practicing, you can master it.All in all, while you may never use half of the cameras capabilities (either because you don't need them, or will never understand how to use them), you can take great pictures.  The primary decision making factor here is price.  Why spend $500 when you can get this camera for less than half?
This Canon PowerShot A300 3.2MP digital camera is great!  For about $109 it is a bargain with 64MB of CF card.  There may be no optical zoom lens but the digital zoom of 5.1x does a pretty good job.  It may look de-pixilated at the zoom of 5.1x but when the pictures come out it is better looking with a bit blurry.  There is a micro feature too that allow you to take picture of small stuff as close as 2 inch away.Overall, I have it for about two weeks and I am pretty happy with it.
I won't spend a lot on a camera that I use for Ebay, Email,classroom, and web photos. The A300 is a lot better than what I need. The video mode is handy for power point presentations. Don't use the zoom and flash together if you can help it and you'll get great shots that you won't need to sharpen. For [this price range] there is no other choice. I love it!
This is my first digital camera and while I was camera searching there are two very important things that you have to take into consideration. One is the type of media storage (CF or SD memory), and the other is the type of battery it uses. When I was deciding which one to buy it was between an Olympus and a Canon.What I noticed about the Olympus camera that I didn't like was that it uses XD memory cards which is only made for Fuji, Olympus, and Toshiba cameras making it extremely expensive to purchase memory. The Canon uses CF memory which is the cheapest out there and can also be used in your PDA and MP3 player making it's versatility a plus.Now with ALL digi cams that use AA batteries it will drain quickly if you use the LCD viewfinder and flash. If you use NiMH rechargable batteries then expect those batteries to drain a whole lot quicker. This is true for Nikon, Fugi, Kodak and ALL other cameras too.Now even though the A300 doesn't have optical zoom it's digital zoom doesn't skimp on the quality. Made for XP users plug and play via USB cable. And the software that comes with it is okay but, if you use Windows XP then you might want to things simple and use the picture viewer to edit pics. And when your done with that head over to Snapfish to develope your edited pictures.
This was a great first camera for me and I feel like I got WAY more than I paid for.  3.2MP and high resolution allowed me to touch up in Photoshop and still allowed fantastic print quality.  Video recorder has audio.  There is no Optical Zoom, which is why I decided to get another camera after I felt like I've "graduated" from this one.  Buy, Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.  They last WAY longer and this way, you won't have to own your own battery company to like this camera.Oh, and since Canon cameras all have digic chip processor and pretty much the same operating format, after you're done with this camera, you won't have any trouble when you upgrade to any of the fancier Canon models.
admittedly, this camera is very inexpensive for the feature set you get. but we needed to change batteries far too often to make this a worthwhile investment. Also the lack of optical zoom means you are essentially buying a 35 mm point and shoot, so great if that's what you want (and u r willing to spend $10/week on batteries for regular "vacation" usage). IF you want greater flexibility, and something u won't grow out of or tired of real fast, u should keep looking for something that may involve extra initially, but you will get more use of.In short, great price, but serious shortfalls w. respect to battery life and camera capabilities. Also, the cycle time between shots (especially when using flash) is painfully sloooooooow.
I bought this camera for 200 bucks and can say that I am quite satisfied, and somewhat surprised at the quality. The pictures are great - the camera is 3.2 megapixels and it really does make a difference! The pictures come out so clear and bright! The camera has a good zoom on it, and is very easy to use. After a couple of hours of fidgeting around with it, I pretty much had all the basics and then some down. It was easy to set up the software in my computer - took about ten minutes. The only problems that I have with this camera are: 1. the battery life is short - but battery life is short on all digital cameras, so I guess compared to others this one isn't bad. 2.) If the lighting is not great, there will be a long delay before the picture takes. doesn't seem like that big of a deal but it can get annoying. 3.) I can only download the pics from my camera onto my computer once at a time. If I want to empty out som e more onto my computer later, I have to shut down the whole computer and start it back up again in order to download more pictures.But, that's the only qualms I have. So, considering that I only paid 200 bucks, I am very, very happy with this camera.
Digital zoom is not worth anything -- any computer graphics program can give the same (or better, thanks to sophisticated algorithms which can't run on a camera) effect by cutting out a picture from a non-zoomed digital image.Optical zooms are expensive (a few bucks!), so we see even expensive digital cams only have digita zoom, where in the past even el cheapo analog cams had optical zooms up to 30x.  Nowadays you have to be grateful for a 3x optical zoom on a $700 videocam or digicam....
The Powershot A300 is a good beginner's digital camera and the price is fairly decent. The actual picture quality is great in my opinion for a 3.2 mp camera. The build quality is also solid. I've owned this for three years and it still works like new. I would not claim to be a photographer or even a photo enthusiast, but I am definitely a gadget type of person. There are some decent features such as red eye reduction, landscape setting, ability to record short videos and 5.1 digital zoom.The most substantial downside to the camera is the lack of physical zoom (i.e. telescoping lens). Because of this really any picture taken while in digital zoom is going to be pixelated. Secondly, pictures are difficult to recall. In order to get back to the taken picture you must cover the lens and then turn the camera off and then on again. Another problem is there are not many features to speak. However, considering the age of this camera I can't really say it is a problem. For the average person this is a perfect camera. It is easy to use, has great picture quality and is fairly cheap.
I sold digital cameras for a living.  Take my word for it.  This is a great camera!  It is very simple to operate and it has some cool features.  The camera does not have optical zoom, but I was willing to give up the optical zoom to get the 3.2MP resolution.  Most 3.2MP cameras are in the $300 plus price range.  I will be taking most of  my photos of people and I do not need the optical zoom.  No camera in the $200-$250 comes close to this camera.  Even the Sony needs improvement to compete.
This is the second digital camera that I've owned. I had a Fujidigital for the previous 5 years and it served me well for basicphotos, just a bit weak on the megapixs (1.3), and after the first couple of years; the controls became less dependable.The Canon A300 has easy-to-use controls, takes digital movies with sound, stitches several pictures together to make a panoramic print, takes gorgeous closeups within a few inches of subject and transfers the pictures to a pc or other device in a snap with a excellent photo program that allows cropping, editing, etc...There are drawbacks to this model - the digital telephoto isn't too good past 2.5X (goes up to 7.5x), no optical telephoto, uses AA alkaline batteries as if they were candy, the battery and compactflash card door isn't located right as I keep unlocking it when I turn the camera on with the protective lenscap that slides towards it. I would strongly suggest rechargable NIMH batteries and a recharger.There are better digital cameras out there, but for the low price and features, I would recommend it to anyone who wants tostart digital photography with an inexpensive investment.
If I had realized that this camera's zoom was digital-only, I might not have bought it. Other than that, it's great for the money.
It might take ok pictures, it might be an entry level camera, but..IT'S CUMBERSOME TO USE AND THE BATTERIES DON'T LAST MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. PLEASE, DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT....AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!
I bought the Canon A300 knowing full well that it doesn't have optical zoom. To me, a typical 3X optical zoom simply doesn't do much. Further, the added moving lens of a zoom camera is prone to mechanical problems. It is simply NOT worth the [money amount]or more for this feature. What the Canon A300 offers is a compact camera that takes shockingly detailed pictures, especially in outdoor light. In macro mode, the fine detail that I see in the pics is astounding! They are better than my Nikon SLR film camera. Indoor shots with flash do not turn out as sharp as outdoor shots, but still very good nevertheless. Sure there are negatives. Do not use this camera for action shots or sports photography. The auto-focus and light-metering will be too slow for that. However, for general use, such as scenic shots, this camera is more than adequate. Don't let the complaints about excessive battery drainage scare you away! It is simply not true! The original alkaline batteries did NOT last very long, but the NiMH batteries I got seems to last longer each time I recharge them! I can get at least 60 shots using these batteries with the camera in full function. One negative is the very tiny icons. They are hard to see and they are not very intuitive. Navigating the menus is also confusing at first. But once you get it, it is quite easy. Suggestion: go through the very long owner's manual first to see WHAT the camera can do, then go through it again to see HOW to do it! The software that comes with the camera is also very nice and easy to use. I did not have to read the manual for the software before using it. But I did later because I did not want to miss anything. In summary, this is a very competent camera and a great value. At [money amount], there is simply nothing close to it in terms of features, quality, and value.
If you need small cameras, you have to typically settle for picture quality that LOOKS like it came from a tourist gadget.Not this one! Despite its budget price (and what a steal it is) the colors are vivid and the pics sharp as crystal. Occasionally you could get overexposed results, but that's easily sorted out with white-balance settings.The only potential negative is the legend of barrel distortion on small Canon cams, but I still have to see what that looks like (and I take several architecture pics).A great steal of a small camera, it sure doesn't behave like one!
First, let me say that the camera features and quality of images are the best I have seen for a camera of this price. ....and then the batteries died.The battery life is the worse that I have ever seen in any electronics device.....ever.Supplied AA alkalines supplied with the camera got me about 5 photos and about 15 minutes of menu playing time. The manual states I should get 75 images with the supplied alkalines.I installed Quest 1300mah NIMH rechargables, like everyone suggests, and got about 9 images and one movie before the batteries died. The manual states I should get 200 images with rechargables.I'm thinking of buying the new 2200mah rechargables, but I'm already disappointed with the camera's use of power and I'm not sure the 2200s will even get me 20+ images.I'm seriously thinking of returning this item....UPDATE:(2/3/04)I did buy some 2200 mAh batteries and with the LCD defaulting to off and using the eyepiece, I can say that the camera is usable, but only for occational use. I can't see using this camera on any long trips/vacations. I still wouldn't recommend the A300 to anyone without warning them of the extra cost of a good ($50) rechargeable battery kit.Keep this in mind if you are evaluating Total Cost.Hope I helped.David
I bought this camera as a spare for taking pictures while on vacation.  It is nothing like my 10D or Pro 1, but I only paid $150 for the A300. The pictures are very decent, and much better then most, if not all cameras in this price range and class.  Simple to use, readily availble AA batteries, and it shares the same Compact Flash cards with my other cameras.
I purchased this camera a while ago, and while I was generally pleased with the picture quality and other functionality, the camera has an intolerable flaw: the slow shutter time.  It takes an eternity between the time you press and hold down the button and the time the picture actually takes.  This gets pretty embarrassing and frustrating when you're asking other people to take pictures of you and your friends.  I got sick of saying "You have to hold it down for a long time...even longer...there we go"  I gave up in the end, and bought a different camera.
I upgraded to this model from a polaroid pdc640, so its lightyears better than what I'm used to.  I'm a bargain hunter so I got a good deal on this and a 256meg CF card.  As mentioned by most all previous reviews, this thing EATS regular alkalines.  Buy some decent NI-MH AAs and a charger...and save some benjamins, seriously.  Here's a list of what I like about this camera:-easy to switch to movie mode and back-15fps movies are excellent quality and have SOUND!-easy to change picture quality (hit FUNC&gt;left or right&gt;FUNC)-no drivers needed with Windows XP (just plug it in and POOF!)-excellent quality pictures even at low-res-changable startup image/theme and sounds-powerful flash lights up a pitch black room-lens protector keeps the lens cleen/unscratched-auto focus works well in good-light conditions and easy to useThings that aren't as good-auto focusing takes a while in low light, I turn AF off most times-EATS batteries, buy rechargables. do it.-digital zoom...what do you expect for the money (compare a 3.2mp sony)-no TV-out (no complaint here)-16mb card will last you about 20 pictures at the highest resolution (fortunately CF is cheaper than memory stick, SD, MMC...)This camera is great for close-ups, short videos, any generally any type of picture that zoom is not a priority.  Personally I love it, but if you want to be able to zoom in on your subjects, definitely pony up the cash and move up to a more expensive camera.
The camera offers a lot of features for the price. It is also compact, and the case is sturdy, and appears to be good quality. From the get-go I had problems with the memory card. It got stuck at first (needed pliars to remove) then it would not even read the card. According to Canon.com, my problem was due to a defect in the camera, which I recently sent back. (needless to say, Amazon returns/customer service is awesome!). Aside from the card problem, I found the camera not particularly user friendly. I read the long user manual, but had to continually consult it to operate the cameara, and do simple point and shoot shots. I began to forsee myself in the future on a vacation needing to bring the manual with me everywhere I went, in case I pressed one wrong button and was unable to figure out where to go next with it. In additon, I was unable to access one menu option even after reading and re-reading the particular section to address it. Since I had to return the camera since it was defective, I chose not to purchase a canon again, primarily because of the lack of "user friendly" buttons and method of accessing and changing the menus. Lastly it takes a pause before recording the image you are trying to capture, because of the auto focus. So if trying to photograph a moving child (like I was) I continually got blurry pictures, and often missed the shot I wanted because the auto focus caused such a delay (in other words you press the button to take the picture, and about a second or so later, it actually takes the picture). Hope this information helps. Except for the issues I mentioned, the picture clarity, resolution, and ease of uploading to computer etc were excellent. Using rechargable bateries also was fine, they did not drain very fast.
I had this camera for a little over two years and it ate batteries like candy, had a confusing screen interface that malfunctioned frequently, then it just died, and was too expensive to fix. It wasn't misused, and I have a bunch of other cameras, mostly 35mm, that I've used for 25 years or more without breakage, my first was a Canon AT1. But this camera was nothing short than disposable and disappointing. Too bad, I never would've expected that from Canon previously.
originally had older model which I dropped and it was under warrantee so it was replaced as part needed was not available. really happy with service. I still use the camera on my travels and takes great stills. also use it for movies. as is the advance of technology even basic cell phones now have great cameras that capture movement better and higher zoom capability. but I am attached to this camera.
I agree that the camera comes at a very attractive price, but on closer inspection, I don't think it is really worth the money.Cons:- Looks cheap and feels cheap- LCD is not that clear compared to other dig. cameras under the same category- Poor LCD light contrast- Very limited features in general, especially in the manual modePros:- Rather light and small- CheapBuy this if you want a camera that is portable enough to take with you to social events and parties. But definitely not recommended for taking panoramic or travel pictures. Even if you're a beginner in photography, consider spending an extra $100 for a way better camera with more features and flexibilities. You will grow out of this camera in a matter of weeks! A60 is cheap and easy to use, but it doesn't allow your creativity and imagination to go very far.
Same exact thing happened to me as the reviewer Joe; got the E18 error and lens won't move after only 18 months! Canon, you should be ashamed; such JUNK!
I bought this camera back when they were about $200.I used it for photographing details of books to sell on Ebay.Book after Book, Page after page, over 6000 auctions later, It finally died.I might of fried in the AC outlet, not paying attention,Actually I think the kids got a hold of it and fried it.That was 2 years ago. Now I ready for another cameraand I grew to trust this product and hope to be buying another,asap.
I got this camera for christmas and it has been great for me. Let me tell you, my dad got a $900 Nikon digital that has been crapping out on him lately, and my Canon takes just as good pictures. It has plenty of good settings of which you can experiment and do fun things. Let me list out what I like about this camera...-Cheap!-Capable of shooting video (which is very fun)-Quick and easy for snap shots-Takes quality pictures-batteries keep going...and going... and going...-pictures aren't HUGE files on computer-small and convenient-the list goes on...The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is because there is always something better in the technology realm. But trust me, this camera is great for just a fun little camera, I have had absolutely no problems. And best of all, it's a great deal!!! Check it out!
This is an excellent camera.  I have the Powershot A60 and have worked a bit with the A70.  The only difference on these cameras is that the A70 has more megapixels, other than that they are THE SAME.  The cameras offer various features, each with several different ways to manipulate the camera, including shutter speed and aperture.  For the beginner, it offers a few preset options that allow a quick switch to the desired need of the user.  The manual is very clear and easy to apply.  I would recommend this camera to someone wanting a point and click camera, as well as a more advanced person desiring some control of the camera.This camera has optional shutter speeds of up to 15 seconds, which I like to use with streams and other pictures involving water.  The speed has its highest shutter speed at 1/2000 of a second, which I haven't yet had success with, but will have fun playing with (it needs to be really bright for this).  I haven't yet played with the aperture, but it seems like it will be fun to play with as well.If you are wondering if you need 3 MP (A70), consider what you want to do with the pictures.  I would recommend a 3 MP if you want to do some cropping or want to blow up pictures greater than 5x7.  I simply use my A60 just for 4x6 and looking at pictures on my computer, which it does an excellent job of.I would recommend getting either a 128 or a 256 Mb compactflash card (cards used in these cameras) in addition to this camera (runs between $40 and $70), because the camera only comes with a 16 Mb card, which holds about 15-20 pictures.  I personally prefer Lexar's 12x or higher cards.  Get rechargable batteries!!!  Amazon's prices seems to be the cheapest for both cameras and compactflash cards (or within a couple bucks of other places).I would highly recommend either the Powershot A60 or A70 to anyone that wants a digital camera because of the versatility offered.-------------------------------Update:I have now had my Powershot A60 for over two years, and it is still functioning despite the serious abuse I have dealt to it. The camera has been dropped numerous times and has also taken a tumble down a 20 foot rocky steep hill (I thought it was a goner after that one). It has endured backpacking, rock climbing, and general outdoor adventures with me, and although its casing shows many scraps, dents, and scratches, the camera's functionality is beyond all of my expectations. The only problems that have developed is that the LCD seems to be dying slowly and about 20% of in-door poorly lit shots turn out grainy and have horizontal lines (all of which occurred after that major tumble, so I expect that is the cause); that is, 80% of in-door shots still look great. At the prices you can find this camera at around the internet, it is an awesome intro and general use digital camera, and with the low price, you can even pick one up for your kid (since it is now so cheap -- look elsewhere than Amazon). Anyways, I am looking to pick up a second one of these for the inevitable event that I completely destroy this sturdy camera.Also, in its 2 years of use, I can honestly say that I have not found a single time where I truly needed more than my 2 MP to get a great shot. I have taken this camera to the Canadian Rockies, to the Western Caribean, and all over the western US, and of all of the pictures I have, I don't see a true need for a higher megapixel than 3 MP (mine is 2 MP) or zoom (3x), unless you need a camera for your profession.---------------------------Second update (July 17th, 2006)Still going strong. It's been dropped again onto asphalt and still works. There are occasional pictures that have lines across them, but I think this is due to the number of times its been dropped (and most pictures are still perfectly clear).----------------------------Last Update (Dec 14th, 2006)Well, I dropped it one too many times. I've gotten another camera. I definitely was happy to purchase another Canon (A530).
This is my first digital camera. I did a lot of research and found this to have the best combination of features and control.This I bought in order to supplement my 35mm for quick travel photos and online auction product photos as well as giving my wife something she doesn't have to think about using.This is a tiny camera that you can take anywhere and get pictures instantly.It feels substantial in hand. It's stout and seems solid unlike cheap point and shoots.All the controls seem well positioned.It's simple to use just as a point and shoot, you can even overide its automatic exposure controls. It can display settings to overide like aperrature and shutter speed etc.It doesn't require film that has to be developed so it saves money (providing you have a computer). My wife wastes more pictures with film cameras so I REALLY save money. If you take pictures you don't like you simple delete them from memory.Speaking of memory you can get film cards that hold 100s of images. My 128mb card holds around 170ish. The card supplied with the camera holds around 40 or 50.I prefer composing my shots on the LCD screen. They say the batteries will wear out faster if you use that but I don't care, it's easier to see what I'm composing.Transfering images from camera to computer is very easy. The Included software makes it virtually automatic.One of the big issues that I wrestled with was how much digital resolution would be enough and what is too little.I also thought that cameras at this size where just glorified point-and-shoots. To some extent it's true but there's more use potential with these little digitals.I'm not a big fan of the telephoto lenses on these little cameras. They're ment to give versatility but there's a tradeoff in image quality. How much? Maybe it's negligible but  I'd rather have a better quality lense that doesn't move than one that's more of a gimick.  Telephoto images from low quality lenses magnify the limits of the camera.I actually like the focal lengths of this camera. Suits me better for general photography. I usually keep it set on one focal length anyways which is just 105mm.Too my surprize 2 megapixels is fine! It's actually recommended but it does depend on what exactly you're looking for in term of print output size, if you're going to print. If not then you don't even need 2 megapixels just get 1 megapixel. If you limit yourself to online email, ebay and 5x7 prints it's perfect. You could go as much as 8x10 with some quality eduction. I'm told at that size, 8x10 that 3 megapixels would be better. I haven't and don't intend too so in my case it's overkill.Digital photo quality printers are giving people the need to print 8x10s. So again, if you want to go that size and really want a better image you could go to the A70@ 3 megapixels or the A80 is a 4 megapixels and frankly I'm not sure why. At that size not only are you limited by pixels but by the quality of the lens. I shoot all of my photos that may or may not be enlarged with a Nikon F3 35mm. I prefer taking pictures the old fashion way. Using different film, good lenses and controlling exposures manually. If I really wanted to take really great digital images then something at the higher end is in order with finer lenses but this little A 60 is in a different category with its own strengths.2 things that stand out that I don't like but have adapted too are the shutter lag and the USB cover. The time between when you push the shutter button and when the camera fires. So don't expect to catch exactly what you see in an instant thanks to the shutter lag.The rubber cover for the USB connection cord doesn't seem like something that's designed for a lot of use without having to be replaced down the road. It just doesn't seem like something that will survive rrepeated opening and closing. But so far so good after a year of use here.Overall I'm greatly surprized at the quality of this camera. It's a much better first digital camera than I expected and I use it often!
I bought this item from Amazon.com to replace one that I had previously because the PowerShot A60 is the (camera) love of my life.  It stopped images - even moving ones - on a dime with never a blur or a blubber.  The model has been discontinued from Canon, and I have a Lumix, but in all honestly this is an incredibly functional gadget.  Prior to this, we purchased one for about$20.00 less and took it back to the store in less than a week.  This machine has mine has since died a dignified death.  I now have a Pansonic Lumix, which is pretty good in it's stead, but the Powershot A60 still has my heart.  I've been on several road trips to Ohio, Va. Maryland, and got the best moving pictures ever.  We even took it to Canada and got some really great air to ground shots, without a haze, which is the next best thing - it shoots through glass like a diamond cuts another diamond.  The Powershot, in a word, is amazing! Worth every penny.  You'll be well pleased with the service it renders.  We're also still quite pleased with Amazon.com, and never had one problem with them in the time we've been serviced by them.  In fact, they are so good that on the two occasions when we had the need to return products for exchange, they sent us the exchanged products and trusted us to return the originals within two weeks or they'll charge the credit card.  Imagine that!
This camera replaced a Kodak DC280 that I left behind on a bus. Its a good size and fits easily into my hand. The A60 uses AA batteries that are easy to obtain (both alkaline and rechargable). The quality of the photographs is excellent, sharp and with no noticable distortion. The numerous features are fun to play with.However, the controls are a bit complicated. Perhaps that is because there are so many features, but it took me a while to find my way around and it still does not seem nearly as intuititive as the Kodak was. There is also a slight delay between when the shutter is pressed and when the picture is actually taken. Finally, the optical viewfinder is not accurate, the only way to make sure of the framing is to use the LCD. These are minor gripes. Overall I am very happy with this camera.
I am very happy with this camera being my first digital camera. It's easy to use and the aperture function is very good if you can't use the flash (just keep the camera very steady!). I have one recommendation, get the rechargeable batteries that canon recommends only! I purchased the monster rechargeable batteries and when the batteries have no more juice, it just shuts off with no warning. When I use regular batteries, there is a low battery indicator that comes on but not when I use the rechargeable batteries. I have yet to purchase the canon batteries but I would think that it would be compatible.
If you're reading this review, you're probably like me, a novice user buying his first digicam. And like me, after having read and re-read reviews of several dozen cameras, this camera keeps showing up your short list.  Still, there's so many options out there you keep obsessing about making the right choice. I finally decided to take the plunge and order this camera, and I'm amazed how correct my choice was.Here were my main areas of concern while I was trying to decide on whether to buy this camera (they'll probably sound familiar) and how my actual experience stacked up against my concerns:1. "Low" resolution of 2 Megapixels:Unless you plan to blow your shots up to poster-size, 2MP is ideal. Don't get caught up in the "my MP is bigger than yours" race, as another reviewer said 2MP is the sweet spot for photos. Just leave the camera at its max settings and it's perfect, the file size is reasonable yet you'll still get every amazing detail. For example, I took a shot of my cat and you can see every hair and every whisker, even a little bit of "sleepy stuff" in the corner of her eye since she had just woken up from her nap.  And this was just the third shot I took after removing it from the box. Yes, it's that good.2. "Not enough zoom":I'll admit, this was a huge issue for me. I was bound and determined that i wanted a camera with a higher zoom capability, like one of the Olympus 10x models. But actually having gotten a chance to use it, i've found the zoom capability, while nice, isn't the holy grail I thought it would be. Certainly not enough to spend a couple hundred dollars more to get.3. Size -The photos make the camera look tiny. I thought it might be better to get a bigger camera with big Tonka-toy buttons and that it would be easier to handle. Don't worry, the camera feels great in my hands, and i'm over six feet with big stubby fingers. I'm sure it will fit your hands just fine as well.4. Other competing models in the Canon line:This was another problem area. The A-series and G-series cameras all seem so good, that i wanted badly to get one of the more fully-featured (and expensive) models like the A80 or G5 to make sure i wasn't missing out on anything. And looking back now, most of the features I thought would make a huge difference don't seem to matter now. What seems important to you now when you're trying to make a buying decision probably won't be when you're actually out there using the camera. Out in the field, you'll want something which is relatively straight-forward and not tediously complex, but flexible enough to change a setting if absolutely necessary.  This camera offers exactly that.Trust me, when you're out in a picture taking environment, you're not going to be telling yourself (or wanting to tell your photo subjects), "hold on for a couple minutes while I put on the wide-angle lens."5. Controls and the learning curve:For a novice, the controls look a bit intimidating.  And they can be, if you don't read the manual at all or spend any time going through the settings.  But thankfully, the camera controls are well set-up, intuitive, and easy to learn.  Yes, you can start shooting straight out of the box, but if you spend as little as 15-30 minutes reading how to operate the controls before you begin, it'll be well-worth your time.  That won't be enough to learn everything the camera can do, but is enough to get you started on the right foot, and will put you weeks or months ahead of the game.  I spent about 20 minutes learning about my camera after I got it, and my first pictures already looked better than the ones my father takes with his Canon G5 that he's owned nearly a year but never bothered to read the manual for.THE BAD:Shutter lag is perhaps my biggest gripe.  Depressing the shutter fire button half-way focuses the camera, then depressing it the rest of the way fires the shutter.  There's a brief but noticeable lag between depressing the button and the photo being taken, perhaps a half-second or so.  Not a huge issue, but sometimes annoying, and can definitely get frustrating if you're trying to get just the right shot of a non-cooperative subject.  Like with my cat, I'd wait for the exact moment when she was looking at me, I'd press the button, and the lag meant that she was no longer looking at the camera when the photo actually gets captured.  I'm sure it would be more of the same if you were trying to take photos of an infant or child.  Not a deal-breaker, but it can make for some frustration.Inserting batteries in the dark can be a pain, unless you have memorized the pattern for which batteries go in which direction.  Again, not a huge issue, but can be frustrating.CONCLUSION:If you're trying to decide between the A60 and either another manufacturer's offering or another Canon A-series,  get this camera.  This is a better camera than the competing Nikon, etc. and if you're thinking you'll need the additional features or MP of a more expensive model, you likely won't. If you did, you'd know that already and wouldn't be looking at this camera. So save your money and get this instead, it will MORE than meet and surpass your needs.  You'll be very happy you did.  I already have my Dad thinking she should switch cameras with me, and considering his costs about triple what mine did, that tells you that this little gem is a winner.
We bought our Canon A60 in March 2004 two days before we left on a 38 day tour of Europe. We have a heavy-duty Canon digital and bought the A60 point and shoot camera because we could use the same memory cards in it and it is light weight and inexpensive for travel. However, this camera has major problems and we sent it back for repairs immediately after the trip. It was returned to us as "repaired" but the problems were never fixed.Problems:(1) The camera often comes on with blurs of colored stripes across the screen. It will not take a picture except of the colored stripes. There is no rhyme or reason to when or why this happens. I've missed many great shots because of this problem.(2) At least 1/4 of my pictures in Europe were ruined because the A60 didn't adjust properly for backlighting. I didn't realize there was a problem until I had some pictures printed after I got home. Diagonally the pictures were completely whited out. Sometimes the camera worked fine using the same angles. Photography is my hobby. I've never had this problem with any camera before.One of the features we hate is that it often hesitates before taking a picture causing us to miss many shots.I would love this camera if it was reliable. Ours isn't. It broke within the first three weeks.
this was my first digital camera, and i've since graduated to a canon 10d.  the range of features really made it attractive to someone who takes the majority of shots at night or in low-light conditions.  while there are automatic settings to handle those conidition, it's a great way to learn how to get the best shot possible.  while start-up time is somewhat slow and consequitive shots can be slow, that's something you'll deal with on all digitals.  overall, i'm happy with the range of features and the versatility of the camera and would recommend it for any entry-level user.
I bought my A60 to replace my A40 after it was stolen.  I figured if I had to replace a camera that I absolutely loved, I'd go with the next model up.  Now I wish I would have just gone with the same camera.  Besides a smaller, lighter build and more interesting sounds when operating, there are NO differences between the two.  The biggest difference I've noticed with my A60 is the interference/colored lines that are often on the LCD when I turn it on to take a picture.  It's like trying to watch TV with a bad signal.  My A40 may have been less glamorous, but at least it was reliable.  I'm keeping the A60 for now because I'm grateful to have a digital camera at all, but as soon as I have the extra money I'm going online and buying another A40.
You can take this camera right from the box, set it on auto, and take great pictures. Like to experiment... Set it up for partial, or FULL manual control.  You even get decent video with sound!  For 90% of folks, 2 MP is plenty, especially when they are QUALITY MP's like this camera has.Picture processing is quick, and pictures look great, with little noise.  Nice plus is it takes cheap AA batteries (get a charger) and uses Compact Flash cards... Easy to get and cheap!  This camera is so feature rich, you will learn something new every time you use it.Yes, the shutter lag at times is very long (especially in low light even with AF assist), and the flash indoors is at times  weak, but the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.  You have so much control, you can manually make many of these issues, non-issues.  I took 1600+ shots the first week I owned it because of all the options you have to play with. For the price here at Amazon, w/free shipping, Buy 2!
I've had this camera for a year and it's still a wonderful, sturdy point-and-shoot that's small enough to keep with me at all times. Key features:2.0 MEGAPIXELSThis camera was a gift and had I bought one myself, I probably would have upgraded to at least 4 MP. Turns out 2 is just fine. I've printed photos as large as 8 x 10 with no pixelating. Resolution is wonderful. Color is accurate and resolution is quite impressive for this price range.MACROThe macro feature works amazingly well. For anyone needing sharp close-up photos, this camera delivers (perfect for Ebay sellers!!)USER-FRIENDLYThe interface is fairly intuitive, which makes this a good choice for those who would otherwise be uncomfortable with a digital camera. The viewfinder is bright and large enough to see what you're aiming at. Canon kept buttons to a minimum and its menu is easy enough to figure out without even reading the directions. I have family and friends who've spent twice the amount on a fancier camera, but they use it less because it's so confusing.LAG-TIMEThis is one of the A60's biggest drawbacks. The lagtime on my camera can be as long as two seconds, which makes it hard to capture "the moment." Within that time, the subject can close his/her eyes, move out of the frame, etc.VIDEO FEATUREShoots decent video, but of course, video's a memory hog, so be sure to have a bigger card (256MB minimum) or you'll be out of space quickly. Sound from 10 feet away is surprisingly good.SOFTWAREThe software is okay. I'm a Mac user and when I first got this, I used the Canon softare to view photos. Now that I'm using OSX, I exclusively use iPhoto, which is a profound improvement. Excellent organizational options, easy uploading for prints, and, true to Apple's nature, very user friendly.RECHARGEABLE BATTERIESDigital cameras eat batteries. Though rechargeables are expensive, they are money savers in the end and they give the environment a break to boot. Well worth the added expense. Be sure to buy eight rechargeables. The camera takes four, and you'll always have four charging.
I paid retail for this camera, over $300 for a very important trip. Two days into my trip, the memory card would no longer record images. I put in a new Canon card and the review pictures button stopped working so, I never knew if someone had their eyes closed or if the picture was in full focus. When I returned from my trip, I returned the camera for a new one......News flash..Went on my anual trip AGAIN and had the same problem. Now the retail store I bought it from will not refund nor exchange because it has been a year.Needless to say I normally buy NIKONs and I will go back to my faithfull friend because the shutterbug that I am, I need a camera that works rather than a $350 paper weight!DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!! One more thing, the pictures look great when they are in the camera but, Canon has a tendency to give a pink hue to people. Not good for everyone to look as if they are blushing or have roseacea.
I have had this camera for about two weeks now. It is my first digital camera and I really like it. First, but not foremostly, it is a sharp looking camera. It records great photos. It has plenty of options for the lay cameraperson. And the only drawback to that is learning how to work those options. Like the previous reviewer stated, you can use it right out of the box.I used a Canon digital camera for work this past winter and took good pictures in -25F temperatures. It was the first time I had used the camera and I got it going without the manual. This was a factor in choosing this new camera from Canon.I haven't really used the software included with the camera as my computer had its own. But with the little of it I have used, it was very friendly.I give it only 4 stars because I am sure with more use it will reveal some faults. Must remember that some faults are just operator error!
Canon has caught all of the competition off guard by introducing the A60 with a virtually identical feature set as its high line G-series cameras but at a fraction of the cost.  Use the A60 for 10-minutes and any other camera in its price range will simply appear ordinary.  Here is a guarantee:  Nikon, Olympus, and others will shortly scramble to introduce low-cost cameras with the same fully-manual feature set as the A60.How well does it work?  I've owned mine for over a month and have nothing but excellent results.  My previous digicam (a Canon S10) was very good, but the A60 produces richer color photos and allows me to gain control over the critical features of the camera for special shooting conditions.  Most folks don't realize that 2-megapixel is a sweet-spot in digital camera performance:  it's the perfect resolution for printing up to 8x10 and the file sizes are small enough to allow rapid shooting without waiting for images to write to the Compactflash card.  And the Canon lens is superb.  Never underestimate the quality of the lens to make your photos great.  There are plenty of higher megapixel cameras with so-so lenses that produce poor photos in comparison to a lower megapixel model with quality optics.Try the A60 and you'll keep it.  Of course, you can wait a few months for all the other manufacturers to introduce their full-featured low-cost cameras, but why reward them for napping?  Choose the A60 as a way of thanking Canon for being the first to give us pro-sumer features at an entry-level price.
I purchased this camera for my dad for Father's Day.  I did a lot of background research before settling on this model.  This camera received rave reviews from pros and casual users alike.  I needed a camera that would be very simple to use, yet had enough features that one can grow into them once they became more familiar with digital photography.  Also the price on this camera was very reasonable (around $150 dollars) so you couldn't really go wrong.  In addition, this camera uses compactflash memory card (the most widely used with the highest storage capacity of all the cards out there) and uses common AA batteries rather than a proprietary one, which could be a headache to replace.My dad is relatively averse to new technology, so I knew I needed to get a camera that does not need loads of adjustments to use.  When I took this camera out of its box, I was surprised at how nice it felt in my hand. It has overall sturdy construction with pleasing silver finish.  Also the zoom is easy to use and layout of the controls is very intuitive.  Let me say it took me only about 15-20 minutes to give my dad a crash lesson on how to use this equipment and that's saying a lot.  I did not teach him the advanced controls of course, but he was happy with the user-friendly controls.  I did not have to read the entire manual (quite thick by the way) to learn the general controls, which is a big plus.Now the reason for the 4 stars.  First of all, if you are new to digital photography, make sure you buy a set of rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries (over 2000mA would be preferable; higher rating means it will last longer, the range is from around 1500mA to 2400mA for AA batteries).  This camera comes with regular AAs which won't last more than 50 shots.  Also the battery door was flimsy and somewhat tricky to operate.  The accessories panel on the left side of the camera is rubber and also looks flimsy.  Lastly, I had to purchase the camera case from Canon separately, and I strongly believe you need this to protect the camera.  So two flimsy doors and missing case gives this camera 4 stars, but those are minor details to many.If you are looking for good entry-level camera out there don't hesitate and settle on the Canon A60.  It has crisp pics, great controls, and bargain price.  Don't get carried away by all those 5-megapixel jargon..... it doesn't always reflect the overall quality of the camera.
HiJust a little tip. There was a recall on this product about 3 years ago because the lcd screen would stop working. If you google it you will find it. So just to see what would happen without calling in I sent in a non working a60 after 2 month check in on it they said they lost it in processing and issued me a credit on there website for $65.00. Thought I'd share :-)
I bought this camera to take on my vacation.  Initially I was going to buy the 3MP A70 but when that one wasn't going to arrive in time I went with the 2MP A60.The A60 is a great little camera with better than expected results.  I use it at it's maximum resolution and it's worked fabulous.  Images come out sharp, better than my friend's SLR photos.  Color quality and contrast seem to depend on where you have the prints 'developed'.  I have two sets of the same images that were done by different places and they look almost like different photos.  The camera works great in most lights (from bright sunlight to restaurant dim) and when I enlarged them the images did not get grainy at all.  Plus there's that added bonus of deleting anything you don't like.  I think my developer nearly had a heart attack when I told him I wanted all 135 images b/c I had already deleted the garbage. The camera also will not take an out of focus image... it either requires you to zoom out or to move a few steps.  This can be a pain but it keeps you from getting blurry images.  Even action shots come out sharp.The LCD screen is too small and in bright light (I was on a beach) it's totally useless.  Plus it deceptively makes your image seem farther away than it really is...a nice surprise when you get your prints back and they're MUCH closer. The only problem that -really- bothered me (which is why I give it 4 of 5 stars) was that there is a delay (enough for someone to walk in your frame or your subject to move) between when you press the shutter and when the camera actually captures the image.  Not a problem if you're taking photos of still things but can be a really issue when you're taking active shots.One recommendation is to buy a larger compact flash than what's included with the camera, especially if you're like me and use the highest resolution.  I bought two 128MB Viking cards (1 was a back up) and have had no problems and LOTS of storage space (I think 1 card would give around 200 images).  It's well worth the extra money.
Those of us who do what we think of as &quot;serious&quot; photography often find ourselves caught up in the quest for more and more megapixels. Is 4 enough? 5? 12? Certainly if you're trying to produce exhibition-quality 8x10s and 11x14s you need as many pixels as you can stuff into a camera. But 90% of what I photograph never makes it to print; most of it goes on the web. And for the 72 dpi images that your web browser likes to display, 2MP is more than enough.There are a lot of 2MP cameras out there, as it's a perfect size for web, email and the 4x6 prints that are a standard for familay snapshots. It's a very competitive area pricewise, too. The A60 caught my for a number of reasons, not the least of which was my previous good expreience with my Canon G2:1. It takes AA batteries. Dedicated rechargeables are expensive, and there's no assurance you'll be able to get replacements a few years down the line. But rechargeable AAs are common and inexpensive.2. Manual controls. The A60 has nearly the same range of manual controls as my G2 or the newer G5. About the only thing it doesn't have is provision for off-camera flash.3. Video. It'll take video clips in a choice of resolutions4. Availability of underwater housing. You can get an underwater housing for almost all the Canons (the exception being, oddly enough, the semi-pro G series). I'm not a diver, but I do like to take cameras out kayaking and hiking in all sorts of weather. Until now I've used a Nikonos or *very* carefull taken my digital camera out of its protective case to take a few quick shots.5. Image quality. Canon has consistently been one of the top names for digital image quality, along with Nikon, Fuji and (to a lesser extent) Minolta.6. Ergonomics: It fits the hand nicely, with all the controls right where you need them. The viewfinder is sharp and clear.6. Price. All this comes at a price that is amazingly low when compared to the competition.In summary: An excellent value with excellent image quality and excellent ergonomics that will handle all the imaging needs of most people. You really can't go wrong buying one.
I'm writing this review maybe 20 minutes into owning and operating my A60, to provide some very out-of-box feedback for anyone looking for a &quot;first impression&quot; of the camera. And yes, this review is definately for casual photographers and starters.-2 megapixels? Not a problem. I've already snapped quite a few pictures, and I'm pretty pleased with the quality. As stated, our family's other digital is 3megs, and there's not much difference. I'm keeping it in highest resolution (1600x1200 Superfine), and at this resolution a 64 meg card will hold 61 pictures- which is more than I'm going to need at one time. Not to mention the camera itself comes with a spare 16meg card if you haven't gotten one for it. On our refridgerator we have word magnets (not much larger print than the text you're reading). I took a picture from across my kitchen and was able to read them off the image (note that this was in max quality). Unless you want to blow up portions of images or print off wall-size posters... this camera seems to have enough quality for most applications. If you're comparing cameras and the difference between numbers can save you some money, go with this one.-Software: With a few exceptions, it can be said that digital imaging devices tend to come with horrible software. For someone like me who has a little knowledge of photo editing, most all image programs perform the one necessary task- getting images off the camera and onto the computer. I personally probably won't even try the onboard software since I already have a means to edit and share my photos. If you really haven't ever edited photos before, then using the prepackaged software might be your only choice. And if you're a very casual user, the onboard software is probably going to do everything you need it to do. But if you have any software at all that you enjoy using for editing photos, it probably has an Import feature to get your pictures for you. Stick to that.-Overall saisfaction: All I was looking for was a replacement for the countless instant cameras I've gone through with my fiancee. What I got was a smart little camera that's more than worth what you pay. The assortment of features also makes it obvious that there's plenty of room to grow if you ever want to learn the finer arts of adjusting your pictures. With the excellent price, relatively simple startup, and overall quality, this camera is definately perfect for a beginner- while still having a little room for the more advanced photographer.
upgraded to a higher resolution after a few years, but never had any problems with this powershot.  takes great pictures and easy enough for a low techie like me to figure out the many options and settings.
I bought this on August 2004 and had been using it a few times a month up until 2 months ago when it was stolen. It had been an extremely reliable camera and I was fortunate to not have encountered the problems some of the reviewers here have with the zoom lens retraction.Of course, the resolution of 2 Mega Pixels is pathetic by today's standards. In all other respects, this is an outstanding camera. The pictures taken with this camera are sharp and the colors are vibrant and natural.I am thinking of replacing this one with a very compactCanon PowerShot SD770IS 10 Mega Pixel Camera, which as of today can be had for about the same price. It has very favorable reviews, so you might want to look into that too.
I had an Olympus 520z, the images where never sharp.  At low light, the background were all too dark.  I Tried shooting at our tennis game and it was horrible when taking pictures with action.  Before, I had a 1MP Olympus 460 that produces sharper and better pictures.  I used to think Olympus as the best of the point-and-shoots, but the 520z changed all this.Next I got the Nikon 2100.  A lot better than the Oly520z.  Smaller and looks like really techie.  It is nice because of the size, really pocketsize although a little chunky. But still, I was not impressed on action photos. I do not know whether the size of the lenses has something to do with (Olympus has 2.8A max while Nikon has a 2.6A max) but both have very puny lenses which I suspect how much light can get in into it.These cameras both use only 2 AA which what I wanted for portability.  But my conclusion is, there is no camera around that uses only 2 batteries to have enough flash power to make a great shots.So, I settled with the 4-battery Canon A60. Although I will not  compare the images taken with my Olympus C3040 (C3040 has a fast 1.8A lens), the results are far, far superior than Oly 520z and Nikon 2100.  For the money, it is the best at this level.  The features are more than I expected for this price.  The lens is bigger, flash is more powerful, movie has audio, etc.
Keep in mind that I am a newbie photographer.  When I started out with this camera I knew nothing about aperture sizes and shutter speeds.  The best thing about this camera is that if you know absolutely ZERO about taking pictures just switch to &quot;auto&quot; mode and snap away.  If you want to take pictures at night and want full control of the cameras aperture and shutter speed switch to &quot;M&quot; and it's all you.  I compared this cam against the Nikon 2100 and Sony DPS-72.  The Nikon didn't have an AF illuminator which makes it hard to focus under dark conditions and had a horrible menu system.  The Canon has a 5 point auto focus sytem which basically makes the camera bulletproof against taking a bad picture.  The Sony, like all Sony products, overemphasizes reds and doesn't fit in your hand like the A60 does.  With the Canon all you need is one hand to hold the camera.  Another great thing about this camera is the battery consumption.  With the LCD off this thing can take pictures all day long!! Literally!!  Many will say this camera can be a bit &quot;soft&quot; in detail but I disagree.  In full manual mode pictures can be razor sharp if you adjust your aperture and shutter speed accordingly.  Did I mention this camera &quot;feels&quot; like a real machine and not a toy?  That's also something no other camera under $200 can boast.  Now for the negatives.  Red eye can be a problem but amost all cameras have problem with red eye.  It's not really a biggie considering you can easily fix red eye in software.  Also because it's a 2 Megapixel camera printed images are only sharp up til 5 x 7 inch image size.  But the 3.2 Megapixel A70 is $100 more which is what the memory card, tripod, and battery/case kit add up to.  If you're going to be printing 8 x 10's go with the A70.  The accesories I recommend are the Canon battery/charger/case kit, and extra 128MB flash card which should hold about 120 pictures at the highest quality setting, and a tripod.  This camera also has a &quot;stitch-assist&quot; mode that lets you take panorama pictures and meld them together very easily.  It's nice to have the tripod for stitch assist because you don't want the height to change between frames.  Happy shooting!!!
I got this camera after reading a lot of online reviews. But to my dismay, the picture quality was not upto the mark. Most pictures were giving a 'greenish' hue also, the skin tones and sharpness left a lot to be desired. I tried this in different lighting conditions and the only time it worked well (gave true colors) was when the subject was v.close and the lighting was bright. I also tried the higher resolution A70 and even the salesman in the store agreed that there was a 'greenish' hue with the camera. Other features are good and the camera is easy to use.  But lack of true picture colors made me return this camera. I would not advice buying this camera.
Have used digital cameras since 1992, and high-end SLRs earlier. This one a personal purchase with 512MB flash-card.Lenses-fantastic, with Nikon/Olympus close. Human/machine interface great- feels like a solid, quality camera. The boot-up computer bits good (contrast, some Nikons terrible). Great that can get optical zoom lense mount standard for A-series. Pictures- from great to average. Works with Windows and better with OSX.2MB great for photos, but more for poster- maybe and A85/90 etc.Overall, very happy, and transitioned from 35mm film to digital effortlessly. A G6 the next buy!
I think Canon are about to phase out this camera, but that makes it cheap.I am a long-time Canon SLR user, yes my SLR is 24 years old, I am still putting my foot in the water as far as digicams are concerned. I am also, unfortunately, on a very tight budget, and this is my third digital camera. I wanted to use the camera to get pics for my website, so I would reduce them to 800x600 anyway, so I figure a 2MB should be OK. The main reason for getting a 3MB camera is that you can crop the results. I was a bit worried about the long time it takes to take a picture (according to the serious reviews), but in fact I did not find this to be a problem. I am not into action photography, but for those of you who are, the A70 is faster.Pros:Full of features (P, Tv, Av, M etc, etc), even has an output to the TV. The manual does not explain these features, so I tended to stick with program mode.Not too small and the controls are nice, it does take 4 batteries, but that is OK with me.Five zone focussing system, impressed by that.AF assist meaning that you can focus in the dark, loved thatGood colour rendition, nice that. Exposure was perfect.View finder zooms, this is important for composing an image in full sun because the LCD monitor is hard to see with the sun behind you.Good battery life, I got 175 shots with alkalines, the current rechargeable NI-MH batteries will give you at least twice that.Lens is covered up when camera switch off, important to keep the dust out.Takes nice indoor flash pics, as long as the autofocus system grabs hold of the subject you get fantastic shots, if it does not be prepared for an out of focus shot. On average 4 out of five flash shots were very good.Uses compact flash memory which is cheap (you need a 64 or 128 MB card)A 64MB card will take 60 pics in superfine and 120 in fine mode at 1600x1200Can stitch pictures together to get a panorama shot.As a SLR user there was a reassuring 'click' when it takes a picture.There are wide-angle and zoom accessories, I like landscape photography.Cons:Images could not pick up the detail of difficult subjects like a leafless tree in winter or berries on a bush or tiles on a roof. This was using ISO 50 and superfine mode on a sunny winter day.Lens only goes to F8 which means that using shutter speed priority a bit difficult.Cannot focus easily on a bush (probably the same on most AF cameras).I knew the image processing software was [bad], but I use Thumbs Plus software, so I do not care.For the money, you get a lot of bang for the buck. I was pleased at the indoor shots using flash, my dad came out great and so did the books in my bookcase (these were stunning, better than my SLR). But, I was quite disappointed at the lack of detail in some difficult outdoor subjects, and this is where the rubber hits the road. Unfortunately, I cannot compare it to other digicams (Olympus C-350, Sony DSC-P72), so I do not know whether the lack of detail is due to the lens or the sensor, I suspect the former.The bottom line for me is that this cheap digicam produces better pictures for my website than my SLR, because by the time I have converted film or slides to jpg files, I lose so much quality, that I am better off with a cheap digicam.Overall, it is amazing value for money and Amazon was the cheapest, but you know that anyway.Digital cameras do not do miracles, you still need good lighting to get good results. ...
When I wanted to buy a 2 mp digital camera, everyone was telling me no 4 or 5 mp is better. My arguement was that I mainly intend to email photographs for which anycase I have to reduce the file size to about 100 kb each, then why pay extra to get a 5 mp camera? Also, expectation was that I would print 4 x 6 or a max of 8 x10 inch sizes. For this 2 mp should be just about fine. I saved nearly 100 dollars over the price of a 4 mp A80.I have now had the A60 for 9 months and have no regrets. Have mainly been emailing photos to family and friends. I did print a few 5 x 7 pictures, and the quality has been great.Initially did try various shooting modes, but, now the only modes I really use are the Auto, the Night Shot and the Fast Action ones.I particularly like the 'stitch' utility which was a part of the CD. Have been able to piece together some wonderful landscapes, and one semi-circular rainbow.Initially used standard AA batteries, but, found that too be expensive. Often needed one set of batteries for 40 to 50 photographs. Now switched to NiMh rechargeables and they have been giving good performance.Another advantage is that one can attach standard telephoto and wide lenses. Did attach a wide angle lens. It worked great outdoors. However, the photos taken indoors with the flash on had a problem as the lens obstructed the flash. With a telephoto lens attached there is no problem.The camera has been quite sturdy as well. It has usually been flung in the back-pack and taken one small fall without any problems.Then only thing I am not too happy about is the lag. It is just too difficult to get a moving object in the frame because of the delay.Overall, I am quite happy with the purchase. Probably will upgrade to one with 6 mp (I am begining to think I should print posters of some of the outdoor photos), 10x optical zoom (with image stabilization) when that becomes available for less than $350!
Easy to use, light weight, and great picture quality.I bought the Cannon CP-100 printer and a 64MB memory card and I can now print all my pictures right at home.
I read many reviews before picking up this camera, only recently (after owning it for months) have I read one that talks about the lag time between the time you press the button all the way down until the picture is captured.  It's longer than normal and it will affect your shots.  But at least I know what causes the lag, charging the flash unit.  If lighting is enough where flash is not needed, no lag.  Fresh batteries don't make a difference.Other than that, I am satisfied with the quality.  For the price, you get what you pay for:  only stores pics in compressed (not raw) format, no aperature bracketing, etc.The movie mode is much cooler than I thought it would be though, love to take mini-movies of the kids (2 and 5 yrs) and show them (over and over).So: outdoor pics and movies *yeah*indoor usage *boo* - keep shopping.  Better yet, do what I should have - get to the photo store and wrap your hands around some cameras!  Don't listen to me, make your own choice.
Excellent, it's all you need. Just add a bag with it (it scartches eaily on the back), add a 128MB or 256MB card as recommended by Amazon, and get those 1850MH rechargable Kodak AAA, and you got a set for a little over $... It's so good, I got one for work, then after a couple of months use, another set for the family. I know everybdoy wants to look cool with 3.2, 4 or 5 meg pics, but if you are like us, and watch most of your pictures on a slide show on your Windows XP, or print them 4x6, then this is great. If you like the movie mode, the mic is great and the movie fun. Not super, but for $...bucks, you can't go wrong. Now if you like it fancy and cool, get the A70, but I know I like to upgrade and who knows, I might loose or break it, so this is lots of fun, super pics and low investement. Thanks Canon! (By the way, the lens is super and its a 2.8f, which is great!)
Pro's1. Excellent features like video out, AA batteries, movie w/sound etc.2. Very competitively priced.3. Nice build quality, good looking and easy to grip.4. Lots of manual features like long shutter, aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual mode.5. Uses cheap CF cards.Con's1. Its 2 inches thick not 1.3, advertised specs exclude the protrusions like battery compartment.2. Not pocketable, very heavy with 4 AA batteries and thick.3. AF assist on Canon's is just a gimmick, it doesn't help camera focus better.4. Soft images, many of them out blurry/out of focus.5. No charger or rechargebale batteries in the box.If you want manual controls then the A60/A70 are the only ones. Otherwise there are some other good cameras like Nikon 2100/Sony P72/Olympus D-560/Fuji 310/Canon S200 etc to consider.
Well, I have had my camera now for 12 months and still have not encountered any probs yet. I am so impressed with the funtionality and picture results from this little wonder. I thought about upgrading to a newer one , but I am actually very satisfied with the resolution compared to other 3 and 4 megapixel cameras. Some camera's will have bugs just like cars and other mechanical items. The error 18 comes up (I researched this) from the zoom lens not fuctioning because it is physically broken (being dropped onto a hard surface) this camera as well as any electronic product must be handled with care (hand strap). As far as grainy or dark pics, get to know the camera, the flash range is only 8 feet like most other built in flashes. Learn to use the other features to compensate for non optimal shooting situations, practice, practice, practice. Oh, and a can of compressed air works well to remove dust from the lcd screen and the lens, use periodically as you would on any camera for best results and satisfaction.
I bought this camera from Amazon in November of 2003 as a Christmas gift for my daughter.  The camera never worked properly.  The few pictures that we did get were great quality, but the camera malfunctioned frequently.  I went through all the customer service protocols with Canon, from on-line help to sending the camera in to their service center.  The were not belligerent, but they were far less than helpful. Finally I got a call from the service center alerting me that the camera was beyond repair and not covered by the warranty, because of water damage.  After explaining to them that the camera never left the house and had malfunctioned from the start, they were totally nonplussed and simply repeated what the service technician had written down.I'm sure Canon is capable of making a good product (I bought the camera after reading all the positive reviews on Amazon), but clearly I got screwed.  I'll never buy a Canon product again and will restrict my Amazon purchases to books, just to be safe.
I bought this as a camera to keep in my car to have available when I go geocaching.  My main camera is (was) a Kodak LS443, and I wanted to leave that camera home for my wife to use for the normal kid shots.I haven't printed any pictures from the camera, but I've been very happy with the pictures it's taken.  The pictures actually look a lot better than my 4MP Kodak.I was used to the washed out images I got when using the Kodak's flash.  This isn't a problem with the Canon's.Since my Kodak recently died, I'm thinking about replacing it with the Canon A95 in this same family line.
After asking around about what essential specs to get on a camera, I came down to a list of the following:- Minimum of 2 million pixels,- At least 3 * optical zoom,- Perferably made by one of the long-time camera makers (For better lens quality).To that, I added a few requirements of my own:- Should look good, (Hey. I'm a sucker for appearance when it comes to technology)- Some settings I can play around with, (I want to be able to influence diaphragma settings, flash usage, shutter times, etc)- It should have the feel of a regular camera (I want to FEEL I'm using a camera, rather than some light-weight plastic box)- It should be afordable.After all of these, and reading some reviews and recommendations from friends, I decided I wanted a Canon. While looking at a number of cameras, I finally decided on the A60.I figured 2 million pixels would be enough, considering I don't intend on enhancing the pictures at all. Just regular size pictures would do perfectly fine for me. The camera also allows me to control the technical settings like the diaphragm, shutter time, etc. And it actually fellt like a real camera.All in all, the camera filled all the criteria I mentioned above, so it seemed like an obvious choice.The camera works like a charm. The quality of the pictures is absolutely brilliant, and the usb-cable supplied with it enables you to quickly download the pictures from the memory card onto your computer. I haven't tested the software to alter pictures yet, but I'm convinced it will do whatever it promises.The only disadvantages I could find was that the 16 MB CF card is too limited for storage. And the accessories are expensive as hell. But, that does not affect the working of the camera, so I have no reason to complain really.All in all, argueable the best camera for your money in it's price range.
I purchased this camera almost 2 years ago. 6 months ago, it displayed the first occurence of the E18 error (problem in the lens mechanism), but recovered. It did that again last week and could not recover. Both times, it happened when I was on vacation. Search the web for E18 and you'll know what I mean. So, now I have a useless paperweight not worth spending money to get repaired. Now I will go for another canon, but an older model with a digital-only zoom, for 2 reasons a) the optical zoom on the A60 has give me enough grief, b)to keep using my 2 CF cards, since the latest cameras do not accept CF cards.
I selected the A-70 because it ran on AA cells (don't have to lug a charger around - although you will probably need to anyway because of alkalines' short life in the camera) and had a good variety of features. After a couple of years with the camera and several thousand exposures, some observations:- Optical viewfinder is junk - but this seems to be common in cameras of this price range. Shows only about 70% of view, and mine is also off about 10 degrees in rotation.- Picture quality is excellent as long as the "ASA" is kept on Auto or at or below 100. "Auto ASA" will net shutter/apertures at ASA 50 equivalent. At ASA 200 and 400, there is lots of noise and the camera will overexpose pictures taken in daylight.- Picture quality as "high ASA" speeds (200,400) has deteriorated over time. Beware if you are buying used. Pictures taken in low light are filled with noise, streaks, and "sparkles".- Power management is poor. Batteries die without warning (I've never seen the "low battery" indication), and camera has gotten "stuck" a couple of times in a mode where it seems to think even fresh batteries are no good; it has recovered after a few minutes with the batteries removed. Can take about 120 no-flash pictures on a set of 2000 maH NiMhs, with LCD mostly on. Battery life on alkalines is shorter than high-capacity NiMh's.- Autofocus has failed on about 1% of pictures.
I'd been waiting to get this camera for a while and got it about a month ago when it finally went on sale for under $225.00. I love it. It doesn't eat batteries as bad as most of the other digital cameras out there. The aluminum case is super sturdy. Picture quality is great. I got the viking 512 flash card on sale and it will take around 300 pictures at highest quality and highest resolution. Pictures print out well at 8 x 10. With the standard viking card at the highest resolution and size it will shoot about one frame per second. I would suggest getting the Ultra II compact flash card with the 9mb write speed if you plan on doing a lot of action sequence shots. I'll be getting it soon. Also having all the manual features available is great. Plus the camera is nice and compact and very ergonomic. Over-all I give this camera a 5 outta 5 as a great point and shoot camera. Plus you can get the other lense attachments from Canon if you want or the waterproof case.
I spent quite a bit of time researching digital cameras in the 300 dollar or less range before purchasing this camera.  I am pleased that I picked the Canon A70 camera.  Uses AA batteries, rechargeable or alkaline.  So if the rechargeable batteries go dead on you, just slap some standard AA batteries in and continue shooting.  Uses relatively inexpensive CompactFlash cards.  Has manual overide capability if you want, so you can take total control of your shots.  The 15 fps movie mode with sound is awesome.  The camera can take a 640X480 movie clip of 3 minutes in length and produces about a 20MB file.  Of course you can take many of these 3 minute clips as long as you have space on your CompactFlash card.  320X240 movie clip lengths are only limited by the amount of free space on your memory card.  Definitely a good buy.
Basically my headline says it all.  I love this camera's ability to set f stops, shutter speeds,  ASA/ISO speeds,  under/over- exposure etc etc.  Particularly useful to me is the ISO 400 setting -- set the camera there you can take lots of pics indoors without a flash (like film cameras usibg hi speed film,  the images will be grainy,  but useable).The main problem is the lens.  It performs overall less well than my 2 previous digital cameras (Fuji 2400 and 2800,  which regularly gave me tack sharp pictures).  This lens gives you OK shots,  but often without that extra edge of definition,  despite the high number of pixels.  There is a fair amount of flare at large apertures,  and the program modes like to keep the lens wide open and aim for higher shutter speeds. One workaround to this problem is to use the aperture proiority mode and to stop the lens down to f 4.5 or so.I am keeping this camera because of all the creative control it gives me,  but I still have a Fuji 2400 in my desk drawer when I need to take a really sharp product photo for ebay.
I had the e18 error two months after purchasing this camera.  I got it fixed because I had no choice and had just spent $299 purchasing the stupid camera.  This cost me $120.  Now, 14 months after I purchased it, the camera has the black and purple lines on the LCD.  I have a four month old baby that I'd like to take pictures of but can't.  I am so mad!!  I will never ever buy another Canon product.  Let's sue them for a faulty product.  Just wanted to update this review to post the following reply from Canon about my problem:We are sorry to hear of the difficulty you have experienced with the LCD screen on your PowerShot A70.  Please note, Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites.  Itseems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites.  Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control.  We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our own testing.  Canon USA has not released any service notifications regarding an issuewith the LCD screen.  Since the camera is more than one year old, it is out of warranty.  We have two options available: you may send the camera in for repair, or you may participate in our PowerShot Upgrade program.  The standard labor cost to make the repair will range from $100 to $200. Parts may be an additional cost.  Cameras damaged by impact, liquid, or sand may have a considerably higher repair cost, depending on theresults of the Factory Service Center's evaluation.So even though this has happened to many people and on many websites there are similar complaints about this model, Canon won't take responsibility.  If you've experienced problems, I suggest you call them.  A better suggestion, don't buy Canon products.  The repair and upgrade program they refer to are both jokes.  $100-$200 to repair a camera that now costs $180?  Ha! or a $150 for a refurbished camera that will likely break again.
I received this without a CF card so I emailed the seller and they said they did not get one so that's how it comes. I must admit I assumed it would and should have asked before purchasing. Yes it was cheap but it was also used. I purchased this for an older person and thought it would be easy enough for them to use. I still can't get it to work! I downloaded the manual and went through all the steps but it still doesn't take pics or show them on the screen. Shipping will cost me more than it's worth to send back so I will find a different camera and keep working on this one.
I've long believed that the only way to become good at photography is to keep experimenting and the move to digital allowed me to indulge in my hobby without worrying about consuming film on failed photographs. I have found the A70, with its impressive list of manual controls, perfect for the job. Its pictures are sharp and clear and uploading them to the computer is a piece of cake.Its wide range of shutter speeds and apertures allows for a lot of experimentation, especially with low light and night shots. I've come up with some night shots and macros that I've been quite proud of. I also have a three year old and as anyone with kids knows, they never have the time to pose for a photograph. So for such moments when there isn't enough time to fiddle around with the settings, the preset modes like portrait, shutter priority, etc. work real well. The batteries last quite long(I've taken about 200 shots, most of them with the LCD on, with one set) and with 2 sets of rechargeables, I make sure I'm never without a fresh set.The reduction of 1 star is due to the E18 error I've gotten several times. And apparently it is quite prevalent if the forums are to be believed. Though its never affected my photographs(since it occurs only when shutting down or turning the camera on in play mode), it is quite annoying and scary.Overall, I love my A70 and never leave the house without it!
just determine your needs well. This camera satisfied our needs. It has some manual functionality like full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and it is fully automatic too. I don't use the movie capturing feature but it may be of help for some people. Image quality is great even using less resolution. another great functionality is the stitch which allows you to create panoramic pictures by shooting more than 1 pictures and then stitch them. I am thinking of getting the water proof case which will make this little camera work under water too.One thing that i did not like is it uses 4 AA batteries I know some digital cameras of this size do work with just 2. But anyway that's not a big deal after all. It still gets 5 stars.
I've had this camera for about a month now. I've been pretty impressed with the picture quality and features.One thing I notices recently is that it's making a grinding sort of noise aftering powering on/off. the noise occurs after the lens is fully extended. the same noise happens when focusing for a shot. i can't remember if it was doing this all along or not, but it's made me paranoid. wondering if anyone could shed some light on this...thanks --
I give the A70 one star because of the mental anguish it has caused me, and not because it is a bad camera.  I don't understand the people at Canon.  I had a PowerShot s30 - an excellent camera, with virtually the same features as the A70, but small enough to fit into your pocket - but my s30 was stolen and I was forced to buy the A70 because the s30 was discontinued.  The A70 takes just as good pics as the s30, and it has almost the same features, BUT it's substantially bigger and it takes four clunky, heavy AA batteries rather than a small rechargable one half the size of an average matchbox.I just don't get it.  With the S30, you had a great manual camera that was small enough to fit into your pocket and that was reasonably priced.  Now, Canon forces you to choose between a manual large camera, and a non-manual pocket-sized one.  Why can't they just revive the great features of the S30?My advice:  If you want a high quality, low-priced digital camera with manual features, and don't mind a large and heavy one, get the A70 or eqivalent new model.  If you want any other mix of features, try something else.
I would be very impressed with this camera.  If it were not now, after 13 months of ownership, simply taking up space in a box in my closet (I keep hoping some recall will take place, but doesn't look that way).  Really too bad, I thought this camera had everything.I am not a big camera user.  I would say I used this camera once or twice a month to take a few pictures of something.  The camera was always stored in a nice padded holder...never dropped, never mishandled.  And yet, six months in, the lens stuck and I received my first E18 error.  After some jiggling, I managed to get it to retract and that was that.  A month later, same problem...same resolution.  This would happen about half the time after that, and a call to Canon told me it was probably dust (every time?) and to use canned air.  I did so, and it would resolve itself.  I skipped using the camera the eleventh and twelth month of ownership (i.e. within warranty), and on the thirteenth (OUT of warranty) the camera REALLY began acting up.  It was always hit and miss as to whether the camera would work at all...eventually the lens would retract and I might get to use it.  In my naivete, I tried new batteries *roll eyes, I was desperate, ok?*  I had two good usages with no problems, then took the camera to Disney World.  First time out of the bag the camera froze, and has remained so since.  Fixing it will cost me almost the price of the camera to start with.Given A70's demand when it came out, I felt lucky to be able to get my hands on one..beware what you wish for, right?  A search for "Canon" and "e18" online absolutely ASTOUNDED me with the huge number of complaints on this issue of the lens sticking.  I wish I'd known this beforehand.  Clearly there is a problem, and while a flawed product is forgivable, Canon's lack of interest and response in taking care of it will keep me from buying a Canon product again.Before buying, I truly urge you to consider and do your research before you buy a Canon product, this is not just occuring on the A70's.  If you are absolutely determined, I highly urge you buy an extended warrenty as these errors are occuring on average within the first 18 months of ownership.
The quality of the pictures are just amazing with this camera.  I personally took a chance with the whole E18 error and have not had it happen to me yet.  However even the sales folks at the local electronics store knew about the error and were looking forward to the A80 not having the same thing happen to it.  Let's hope so...but there are other issues out there with this camera.  The main one is for those of us out there that will be using AA batteries and rechargeable batteries.  It seems as though the A70 is a bit picky when it comes to changing out the batteries.  You can put in 4 brand new cells (all from the same brand) and the camera will reject the new batteries.  The message that is presented is "change battery pack".  By playing musical chairs with the batteries it will work after some dancing.  But this should not be necessary.So that is the negative stuff.  Here is the positive stuff that you will really enjoy to read.  We purchased the camera in September from Ritz.com off of this site.  You may read some reviews stating that the camera is heavy due to the batteries.  This may be true.  4 AA batteries can be heavy.  However the batteries are situated where the palm of your hand will be gripping the camera.  This provides a great feel for the product that feels like quite a bit of thought went into it.  The pictures will be bragged about it the other hundreds of reviews for the A60, 70 and 80 models so I will just concur with them stating that they are all subjective.  The functions on the camera are as intuitive to operate as say a Sony product who is usually the leader in this area.  Not to say that the Sony line is inferior but just to say that this would be a complimentary statment to Canon.  Oh and yes I nearly forgot.  The software that comes with this camera is really top notch considering what it can do.  It is so user friendly and makes you feel like you got everything under control with how to download and then email each image.  Thanks for reading and if the A70 ends up being your choice you won't be sorry.  I hope you enjoy the camera as much as we have.Update March 22, 04 "E18 error"  The error is the end of my fond and brief relationship with this camera.
I used this camera to take images in a lab as a record of some work done on a steering mirror system. It's a cheap camera and the image quality reflects it. Matte surfaces had nasty artifacts, even at the 'upper medium' resolution and 'Superfine' quality.Although the camera is easy to handle and quite simple to use, the image quality is everything - and this is a piece of junk in that respect. Any of the Nikon Coolpix series are infinitely superior.Sorry, Canon. You should be able to do better than this.
I bought it in June 2004 and took (only) near 3800 shots. The recent photos have distorted colors. Some experts told me that the CCD is dying.It was a great camera with great pictures. I only wish it could last longer. I hate to buy a DC every 2 or 3 years though it is the trend for consumer electronics.
I bought this camera a couple of months ago despite some reviews I've read online about battery life, etc. The battery life was certainly not a problem with NimH batteries. I took dozens among dozens of pictures before I had to change the batteries. If you leave the camera on for hours and are taking pictures all day long then maybe the battery will not last for more than two days. But if you are like me and take a few pictures here, turn the camera off, then say an 30 minutes later take another few pictures here and there, etc. Then the battery should last for weeks. It did for me!It also takes great pictures in the dark. I had a digital camera years ago and in low light it was terrible. With the canon I turned off all the lights and had only the TV on and it still took great shots.It even takes short movie stills. Not bad.All in all, I cannot complain about this camera and I'm quite happy with it.
I have been long awaiting my first Digital Camera purchase.  I have been putting it off for well over a year now because I just could not find a camera that I fell in love with.  That was until I saw the Canon A70 one day at work.  I started playing around with it and immediately liked it.  As I worked more I played around with it more, and before I knew it I had decided which camera I would purchase when eventually purchased a camera.  The first thing you will notice about the A70 is how comfortable the camera feels while holding it.  The camera is extremely easy to turn on, and selecting one of the 12 different shooting modes is perfectly placed for your thumb.  The zoom is more than enough for me at 3.2 digital and 3X optical.  Taking/viewing pictures is as easy as any other camera I have ever seen, and the battery life is what is excpected from 4 alkaline AAs(I havent used Rechargable batteries yet).  There is no lens cover to worry about because there is a shutter that comes over the lens when you turn the power off.  The software that come with the camera is above expectations so far, but I have not used it incredibly extensively yet.  The Canon A70 does have a movie mode, and it works fine for short clips.  I also have the Canon ZR45 so I do not use the movie mode on the A70 that much.  Everything you need to get started come with the camera, including a strap and a 16mb Campactflash memory card.  Another nice thing about the camera is that it takes the CF card.  They are by far the easiest to find and cost far less than a number of other memory cards.  The Canon A70 is a great buy for the money at an MSRP of $$$$$.  I would definitely recomend the A70 to newcomers of the Digital Camera world and even to people looking to upgrade from their current camera.  The A70 is a SOLID 5 star camera.
I can sum the experience I've had with the A70 up in four words: I Love This Camera! I researched digital cameras for about a year, and learned a lot about them in the process. My reasons for buying this camera came down to a few: I wanted a camera that could go totally automatic for my &quot;point &amp; shoot&quot; Wife, but that could go fancy for me. I wanted a camera that actually felt like a camera in my hand, vs. some of the &quot;mini-digitals&quot; that I've seen.I've taken over 200 photos so far and am still using the AA batteries that came with the camera. I rarely use the LCD display to frame the photo, using the viewfinder instead. I purchased a SanDisk 256mb Premium Quality card. It cost $10 more than the standard 256mb card and is well worth it.I've tried the direct connect USB cable to download images from the camera to my computer. It was quick, easy, and worked very well.Of course with some flash shots you get some red eye, but that's easily edited. For outside photos, this camera takes shots with colors so vibrant the images are almost three-dimensional.I really can't find anything with this camera that isn't perfect.Even the directions are clearly written and very easy to follow. What a buy! I'd recommend this camera to anyone who wants a quality product that is easy to operate and takes great photos.
I've had this camera for about a week now, and I love it. So what that it didn't come with rechargeable batteries and a charger. I bought this separate myself using energizer rechargeable batteries and it cost less than the set offered by Canon. I've tried all the effects and settings on this camera and they all work great. It's also nice to be able to print directly to my printer and not having to plug the camera into my computer. I highly recommend this camera. It's the best for under $500. I got mine for $289. Need a camera without having to worry about film. Get this one.
This is an excellent camera.  I have the Powershot A60 and have worked a bit with the A70.  The only difference on these cameras is that the A70 has more megapixels, other than that they are THE SAME.  The cameras offer various features, each with several different ways to manipulate the camera, including shutter speed and aperture.  For the beginner, it offers a few preset options that allow a quick switch to the desired need of the user.  The manual is very clear and easy to apply.  I would recommend this camera to someone wanting a point and click camera, as well as a more advanced person desiring some control of the camera.  The only complaint about these cameras is that they are poor for low light photos.  The low-light problem I have is in the requirement of using the flash and that the camera will usually not focus in low-light, creating not-so-nice blurry memories for many indoor family events.This camera has optional shutter speeds of up to 15 seconds, which I like to use with streams and other pictures involving water.  The speed has its highest shutter speed at 1/2000 of a second, which I haven't yet had success with, but will have fun playing with (it needs to be really bright for this).  I haven't yet played with the aperture, but it seems like it will be fun to play with as well.If you are wondering if you need 3 MP (A70), consider what you want to do with the pictures.  I would recommend a 3 MP if you want to do some cropping or want to blow up pictures greater than 5x7.  I simply use my A60 just for 4x6 and looking at pictures on my computer, which it does an excellent job of.I would recommend getting either a 128 or a 256 Mb compactflash card (cards used in these cameras) in addition to this camera (runs between $40 and $70), because the camera only comes with a 16 Mb card, which holds about 15-20 pictures.  I personally prefer Lexar's 12x or higher cards.  Get rechargable batteries!!!  Amazon's prices seems to be the cheapest for both cameras and compactflash cards (or within a couple bucks of other places).I would highly recommend either the Powershot A60 or A70 to anyone that wants a digital camera because of the versatility offered.-------------------------------Update:I have now had my Powershot A60 for over two years, and it is still functioning despite the serious abuse I have dealt to it. The camera has been dropped numerous times and has also taken a tumble down a 20 foot rocky steep hill (I thought it was a goner after that one). It has endured backpacking, rock climbing, and general outdoor adventures with me, and although its casing shows many scraps, dents, and scratches, the camera's functionality is beyond all of my expectations. The only problems that have developed is that the LCD seems to be dying slowly and about 20% of in-door poorly lit shots turn out grainy and have horizontal lines (all of which occurred after that major tumble, so I expect that is the cause); that is, 80% of in-door shots still look great. At the prices you can find this camera at around the internet, it is an awesome intro and general use digital camera, and with the low price, you can even pick one up for your kid (since it is now so cheap -- look elsewhere than Amazon). Anyways, I am looking to pick up a second one of these for the inevitable event that I completely destroy this sturdy camera.Also, in its 2 years of use, I can honestly say that I have not found a single time where I truly needed more than my 2 MP to get a great shot. I have taken this camera to the Canadian Rockies, to the Western Caribean, and all over the western US, and of all of the pictures I have, I don't see a true need for a higher megapixel than 3 MP (mine is 2 MP) or zoom (3x), unless you need a camera for your profession.
This camera is amazing.  After using a sipix 2.1 and a very expensive Nikon 995 I'm glad to say this is probably the best camera you can get for the price.  The picture quality is great.  It is a very easy camera to use even if you've never used digital before.  CompactFlash memory is great and cheap.  I do wish they gave at least a 32 meg card though instead of the 16 meg card.  The software included is easy to use and has a lot of cool features to add to your pictures.  The ability to shoot short video is also great.  Although you will probably need a bigger memory card if you plan on doing this.  The LCD display is very clear and the red eye feature is very cool a lot of other digital cameras don't have.  If you are looking for a great digital camera at a reasonable price go with this one.  I looked into many other cameras before deciding on this one and can say this is probably the best thing you can get for just casual picture taking.
The camera performs very impressive in its price range, especially all the auto settings work in most conditions.The problem is the software. The bundled ZoomBrowser is very badly designed in user interface. Too troublesome to download photos. The design was somewhat against intuitive -- the tags look weird, and the &quot;selection&quot; of photos is very tricky if you are used to windows selection keys. I had to use a CF reader to download the photos to avoid the stupid interface.
Hi,I Desgin Web sites and do graphic design for a living. For the past few years, I have been using my high resolution scanner to get film images onto my computer and then upload them to my web server. But within the last month I have been using Canon's Powershot A70 to reduce work time.But I did not only purchase the Dig Camera for Web site building...(seeing as how you probably don't need anything more than 2.0 Mega Pixels for viewing images on a computer only). But since our old SLR camera broke (dropped it and never worked since), I wanted something to get good prints as well.Well, judging by the reviews, I figured I shouldn't write something without doing my homework as well. Also, I didn't want to write this after using the camera for one day. So I gave myself quite some time to play with it to give this review more detail.I would love to make a PRO vs. CON list, but to be quite honest, I haven't found any CONS.So, For the Features this camera has, the quality of the name and the lens, and the price you pay, you couldn't find a better camera anywhere.It has a great 3.0 Optical zoom, with a combined digital zoom, you can get up to 10X focus.It's the perfect point and shoot, but doesn't limit itself to beginners only as it has several (12) shooting modes...plus a manual mode where you can change the shutter speeds and aperature level.With the movie mode (which includes sound) you can choose three levels, which also includes the 640x400 AGP mode. I recommend trying out that setting and burning your videos on a CD and watching them on your DVD player. (pretty cool)The Digital zoom is hardly noticeable at all when I used the "Super Fine" setting....and that was at Max zoom.It has an easy to use panorama function where you can take 360 degree panorama shots. It also has a fairly simple stitch program in the software bundle to automatically put together your panorama shots into one using artificial intelligence...bla bla bla stuff.I agree that the 16M FC is barely sufficient if you want to take plenty of pictures. I would also recommend getting a card between 128 - 512...just as a suggestion...but that has nothing to do with the camera itself.Other than that, The camera is perfect, the quality of canon images are awesome, and battery life lasts quite a sufficient amount of time. Although I will always recommend that you get rechargables, not because the camera sucks up the juice (because it doesn't), but rechargable batteries are better for the environment. To give you an idea of how long the batteries last, I used the camera for about three straight days of constant picture shooting, movie making and lots of uploading to the computer. Overall I took about 600 shots (with a variety of different quality), and about 12 minutes messing around in moving mode...and the batteries finally started to give...so, battery life is exceptional.and that's about all I have to say
Let me get the negatives out of the way first. This camera does have a soft focus, and that can be a problem if you are a precise focuser. About 90% of the time the autofocus picks up what the center of attention should be, but for the other 10% of the time learn to use the manual focus. If you're taking family snapshots, you'll be fine, so long as they're not moving too fast. This leads to the other issue: there's a slight delay (1/2 sec at the highest photo settings) when you take a shot. Most of the time, it's not noticable, but if you're trying to take action shots with precise shutter timing, it'll take some practice. The delay is much, much better than some of the waits I've experienced on older cameras -- sometimes it was a full second or more.More to the point, if you're a photo perfectionist, then why are you buying a 3MP digital camera in the first place? You should save your money and buy a digital SLR where you don't have the limitations that come with cameras in this range.All that said... you can have my camera when you pull it from my cold, dead fingers. I've had experience with a number of digital cameras, and I've never had one that actually makes me look like a good photographer. The A70 is a great fully automatic camera, but its manual settings make it the "missing link" between the entry-level and SLR models. I've never seen a $...camera that gives you this much control over your shots -- shutter speed, aperture, focus, white balance, film speed, and exposure are all under your control in program mode. There are a number of presets (e.g. fast shutter, variable aperture and time, and a few more I can't remember right now) that allow you to take control of only the settings you want to control. You can also attach proprietary lenses (with a sold-seperately attachment ring), adding still more flexibility. And, while it does have a learning curve, you can take great shots straight out of the box -- something I couldn't say for some of the earlier digital camera models I've used. If you're looking for a camera that gives you manual control, but you're not rich enough or ready to go for the high-end digi SLRs, give a long look at the Canon A70.Two other things I should mention. One, it does take 4 AA batteries, but this is a good thing IMO, since it means longer operational time for the camera. Pick up a couple sets of NiMH batteries and a charger. I took the A70 on a four hour hike and one set of fully charged NiMH cells. Never lost operation of the camera. (I didn't keep it on the whole time, but I've used digital cameras in the past that would have petered out an hour in, even with limited operation.) Two, get at least one (preferably two) 128MB or larger Compact Flash cards. The camera will fit 76 large format, super high quality images on one 128MB card.
I ordered 5 of these digicams last year for my workplace.  We use these to create training aids and to document problems and/or unusual situations.  Since then, I've recommended this camera to 4 of my friends, and they are all quite satisfied with the A70s performance.There are better digicams out there, but for the price, the A70 cannot be beat.  The A70s are fairly user-friendly.  There are many technologically impaired people at my workplace, and I've managed to train them on the most basic features of this camera with little effort.  And for those who require more advanced features (f/stop, shutter speed, exposure compensation,...), the A70 will provide satisfaction (although some of these features are buried deep in menus).The A70s size is compact, though not quite as small as many of the super-compact digicams (Canon ELPH, Pentax Optio, Casio Exilim, Olympus Stylus,...).  But for those with larger hands, the A70 is very easy to handle.  When I am using a super-compact digicam, I often feel as if it will slip out of my fingers.  The larger grip of the A70, however, provides a wonderful sense of security.The biggest gripe I have with this camera is the lack of a RAW or TIFF mode.  Granted, most users won't use these formats, but some of the more advanced users may appreciate them.We've printed pictures up to 8x10 inches with pretty decent results.  Most point and shooters will find the A70 to more than adequately suit their needs (when was the last time you had an 8x10 made?).If you do get the A70, definitely invest in a larger CompactFlash card (consider 128MB).  And don't forget to purchase a couple sets of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries and a recharger.If you think you need higher resolution, the recently released 4MP Canon A80 may suit your needs.  The A80 also comes with a swiveling LCD, which is quite helpful in taking self-portraits or shooting from an unusual angle (it also makes an excellent real-time &quot;reverse-mirror&quot;).
i got this camera after being disappointed with the quality of my 3MP fuji finepix s5000. i did my homework and researched 3MP digital cameras for a few weeks. i noticed the A70 had the same advanced controls as the finepix s5000. it got good reviews from both professionals and casual users. so, i bought it and i have been VERY happy with this camera ever since.my advice? READ THE MANUAL if you ever plan on doing more than pointing and shooting. even if you don't, read it anyway! this camera has a great feature set and you'd be wasting your hard earned money if you don't check it out. also, as always, spring for a bigger compact flash card (at least 128MB), rechargable batteries and a case. protect your investment!PROS:* takes excellent 3MP photos (color is cool and images are sharp). isn't this what digital photography is all about?* advanced features are great! it's a great point and shoot camera, but also has tons of advanced features for those wanting more control; white balance, shutter speed, aperature, ISO, and many, many more!* movie feature is kinda cool. with sound, too!* fairly small and feels comfortable in your hand. controls are where they should be.* menu is easy to understand.* battery life seems to be pretty good (i use rechargables).CONS:* LCD on back of camera scratches very easily. don't remove the protective cover, or buy one on ebay. people actually sell these things. :)* LCD gets a pink hue to it when i am in daylight, taking photos. the LCD is hard to see in daylight. try using the viewfinder. though the optical viewfinder isn't exactly what you'll see when you transfer to your 'puter, but it's close enough.* time between photos could be better.overall, a SUPER camera! i just hope i don't get the dreaded &quot;E18&quot; error!7.12.04well, it's off to the factory already for repairs. it's been a little over a month since i bought the A70 and it's already got problems. pink streaking on the LCD and although it doesn't show up in the pictures, it does show up on the video. i am so scared of sending this thing to the canon factory to be worked on 'cause i have heard so many stories about their horrible customer service. oh well, here goes...
I've had this camera for a least 3-4 years, and love it. I take alt of photo's for my business, and just every day things. Great camera to get.
I bought this camera in the summer of 2004 and have really enjoyed it.  It was my first digital camera.  I have used it on a number of trips and it has made some fantastic photos.  It is small, convenient, and easy to use...just point and shoot.I did buy myself a 256k memory card, which is plenty for my purposes.  Downloading pics to your computer is a snap and is very easy to use.On the downside, it is only a 3.2 megapixel camera.  This was great for downloading photos to my computer, using them in slide shows as screensavers, etc. until.........I made the photo of all photos.  Yup, I got lucky and made the best photo I had ever made in my life.  Unfortunately, due to the 3.2 limitation, I am unable to have this shot blown up to a large size.  For this reason alone, it won't happen with my next digital purchase.Also, this camera will do tons more than I am able to make it do.  I consider a downside to be that it is a little complex to use unless you are doing the simple point and shoot kind of thing.  Anything more advanced is......well, advanced.  I always have to stop and look at the manual which is just not convenient when taking a shot on vacation.  So, I'm left with just "pointing and shooting".  Seriously, this is not one of those cameras you can just pick up and "figure out" as you go.  It is a little more complicated than that when you want to try some of its bells and whistles.All in all though, it is a good camera for the average homeowner who is not a camera enthusiast.
After much research I decided to buy the A70 as a gift for my &quot;technology impaired&quot; dad, and I wasn't disapointed. The camera is easy to use and the software is simple, yet effective. Most of the pictures come out great, the only drawback is that if you want to take shots of fast moving objects the A70 does not do the job too well. If you are looking for a camera to take on vacation this is a great one, easy to use and not too bulky or heavy. All an all, a highly functional machine.
Let me start out with this that no camera will ever be the perfect camera for every single person. With that said, I have to say this very loud and clear... the Canon Powershot A70 and the lower model A60 as well are the best cameras available in their price range. The only difference between these two models is the megapixel size A70 = 3.2MP and the A60 = 2.1MP size. The A70 a great camera for a photography novice like myself, but it also has tons of powerful features for camera buffs.As others have stated this camera uses standard consumables such as AA batteries (always easy to find) and Compact Flash memory (easily the most common memory card format, I've even seen CF cards available at the grocery store). This camera is definitely designed for the masses and it shows because it sells out as soon as it hits a store shelf. I was lucky enough to get after searching for over a week. Several other stores were sold out and had no idea when they&Acirc;&#146;d get one in stock. It&Acirc;&#146;s h
I bought this camera around Thanksgiving from Amazom and got an excellent price. This camera is easy to use and takes great pictures. I read one review complaining about battery life and a suggestion to turn the display off. I have taken around 250 pictures with the viewfinder and still am using the original batteries. Excellent camera
I have owned this camera for more than 2 years. It is one of 4 digital cameras I have owned. It has been trouble free, and I have used it a lot. It is one of the best all around cameras you can buy. You can even make very good (VGA) movies with this camera. It is easy on the rechargeable batteries. Professional grade.
This camera has features that are absolutely unheard of in its price range.  It has full auto controls, full manual controls (i.e. Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, and manual focus), as well as a dozen or so photo effects.  They use the same DIGIC processor and AiAF system (5-point) as higher end models, so pictures come out very crisp and clear.  Night shots are great as well, thanks to the AF-assist lamp, which is not a standard in other brands.  One minor problem with night pictures is the red-eye effect, even with the red-eye reduction mode.  This is somewhat expected, seeing how close together the lens and the flash is.  However, this can be easily corrected with the included software package.Another deciding factor for me is their use of standard AA batteries instead of a proprietary battery pack, which can be fairly expensive.  In a cram, I can just run to the store and grab batteries off a shelf, or have another set of NiMH rechargeables handy.  I also love the body size.  I was considering buying a Canon S230, which is one of the smallest digicams out there.  However, the ELPH series do not have any manual controls, the flash is weak, has a lower power zoom (2x as oppose to 3x), and they use a proprietary battery pack.  The A70 is only slightly large than the ELPH.  I actually like the size and the right hand grip on the A70, which gives you better control and balance of the camera.The A70 is a very quick camera.  It takes about 2.5 seconds for the camera to power up and be ready to go.  Focus takes about a second, and you only have to wait about 1.5 seconds in between pictures.  In playback mode, it takes a little bit over a second to go between pictures in high res mode.  There is a lot of information displayed for each picture, with the exception of a histogram.  However, once the pictures are downloaded to the computer, you will have access to the histogram.Other bonuses that I like about the A70 is the Stitch Assistant mode, which helps you make great panoramic shots.  It also has a video capture mode (up to 3 min) as well as audio memos that you can add to each picture taken.  This camera also supports some direct printing to some printers.All in all, this is a great camera for a great price!  The pictures turn out great, even for a novice.  And for the adventurous, there are plenty of manual controls to play with.  There is no other camera in this price range that has all these features, combined with the great optics known for in Canon cameras.
PLEASE CONSIDER CAREFULLY BEFORE BUYING A CANON 'A' SERIES CAMERA. Slightly more than a year ago I bought a Canon PowerShot A70, having read many excellent reviews of it and having compared it with other 3MP cameras then on the market. Until a few days ago (when its warranty had lapsed by several weeks) the camera was a joy; all the good things said about it in its many reviews had proven true. But then, one afternoon, out of the blue, an 'E18!' error: the camera's optical unit failed, the lens would not retract, and the camera became completely nonfunctional. To no avail I tried the few remedies suggested by Canon tech support on line, by e-mail, and over the phone (where responses were quick, courteous, but completely ineffectual). The telephone tech rep then informed me that I could send the camera, at my expense, to Canon, who would repair it for anywhere from $100 to $200. I asked him if lens-unit failure was a common problem with the camera (already, from the dozens of reports I'd read on the web, I knew it was), and, quite candidly, he replied that it was. He added that this was true with ALL PowerShot 'A' series cameras, so that I could not buy a subsequent model (e.g., A75 or A80) with any confidence that the 'E18' problem would not occur with it. Please read the negative reviews of this camera and consider that the problems described may affect your camera (and those of the rave review writers) several weeks or months into ownership. For over 40 years I had been a highly satisfied user of Canon products (most of them, unlike the new digital cameras, made in Japan). No longer, alas, since I shall not buy another Canon camera.
I bought this camera new and its still working.  I use it primary for scuba diving now with its case.Compared to many low cost cameras today, even those with higher megapixels, it still takes better pictures because it has a good lens.  It doesn't do HD though.This camera still uses AA batteries, which I prefer as I use AA for many other items than just the camera.  It will take about 100 flash photos per set or 500+ without flash.  I use these rechargeablesTenergy Centura AA Low Self-Discharge LSD NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, 1 Card 4xAA.  For diving use, one set works per dive.
This camera takes excellent pictures and movies.  When I was reviewing cameras to pick one to buy, I read that this camera was nearly perfect in design and manufacturing but had &quot;soft focus&quot; and &quot;purple fringing&quot; problems.  I have seen no soft focus problem at all.  As for purple fringing, it has appeared in only three of the 600 pictures I've taken so far.  In those pictures, it was because the subject in the foreground was dark, the background was very bright, and I had the flash turned off.  When I turned on the flash, there purple fringing disappeared.  I highly recommend this camera!
I won't belabor points other have made. I just want to say in my expirience this is a great camera.  Takes outstanding point and shoot photo's with no adjustment, however if you want to control aperture/shutter speed, etc you have the option.As someone knew to photography it gave me many options.Consider buying a tripod and rechargable batterys as well
My experience with this camera:I have owned this camera for two years and have taken thousands of photos with it.This camera has never broken on me. No software has ever screwed up. My belief is that cameras are NOT toys and should be treated with care - then they will not malfunction.The available shooting options on this camera are far beyond what any other similarly priced digital camera offers. The large variety of auto/manual shooting modes and other background manual settings are really what sold this camera to me. I wanted a digital camera I could toy with and learn the ins and outs of photography with...before spending money on developing costs associated with traditional cameras. This camera is perfect for me. However, if you want a camera only to take pictures of 'haha he's rolling around drunk on the floor, quick take a picture' or 'cute little fluffykins' - this may not be the best camera for you.As with all things electronic, it is well worth your time reading the manual. This is how you learn to save batteries/etc. I remember finding out the way to turn off the LCD display so that I could batteries, simply by reading the manual. Many complaints about power use or complicated features can be sorted out by reading the manual. I cannot stress this enough (I would be saying this about any other electronic prodcut as well, so don't take this as a point against this camera).
The Canon A70 Powershot is my first digital camera. Before this one, I owned a Canon EOS 35mm and spent hundreds of dollars a year on printing photos. However, I wanted to save on photo printing fees, share photos with friends and family over the web, and still enjoy the features that used for years on my EOS. I wanted to take photos in night and dim light situations as well as daytime and wide scenery, and enjoy the creative expression I had with the EOS. Going digital with the Canon Powershot was the most sensible move I could have made.Things I like about this camera:- the 3 megapixel resolution allows printing of very clean, clear photos on glossy paper;- colors are natural-looking, vivid and realistic- the ISO setting of up to 400 makes it easy to take photos without flash- CompactFlash cards are cheaper than the other alternatives on the market- the software included allows easy transfer of photos via USB- power-up time is minimal- the camera is a comfortable weight, and feels like a more expensive camera to the touch- battery life (when using standard rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries) is more than satisfactory for the casual photographer (I take maybe 50 photos a week, most without flash but with the LCD on, and only have to recharge once a month or so)- photos taken using digital zoom, while looking grainy on the LCD, end up with surprisingly crisp clarity overallThings I dislike:- no 800x600 resolution setting (sometimes 640x480 seems too small and 1024x768 too large for photos shared over the web or used in PowerPoint slide shows)- inept redeye settings (it never seemed to work too well for me - is there something I'm missing?);- photos taken in sepia seem a tad yellowish for my taste (possibly a problem that could be adjusted in printing)- the meager selection of LCD display background and sounds- camera cannot read or display photos from a CF card that have been edited and resaved in a separate PC application (the LCD just shows a question mark)- slightly flimsy focus knob/level (I would have preferred a bit more solid feel)- removing the CF card requires a bit of a trick to get the lid off (it's fine once you get used to it, however)- focus cannot be adjusted while recording video, and the sound quality of the built-in speaker is comparable to a cheap child's toy- some purple stripes appear on the LCD in certain lighting conditions during shooting (these do not appear in the final photo, however)All this said, for the main reasons why I bought this camera, I haven't regretted the purchase. (But for sharing photos over the web, the single most aggravating point is the lack of a 800x600 photo resolution setting! Alas, that is what Photoshop is for...) The camera is simple enough to use, feels sturdy, takes photos that are of excellent quality, and the benefits of this camera far outweigh the disadvantages IMO. Although I'm no expert photographer, I feel like I have purchased a product that will satisfy my basic needs and my creative needs for years to come.
My first A70 did a very nice job for a few weeks until it failed without warning.  The camera simply died completely after writing two black &quot;photos&quot; to the memory card.  Perhaps the replacement camera will work flawlessly for years to come.  Canon can ill afford hundreds (or even dozens) of customers writing personal accounts of catastrophic failures of their products.  In my opinion, this model can only maintain its classification as a good value if at least 99.9% of the units shipped remain failure-free for at least two years in the field.
this camera is perfect for people who are starting off their digital camera career.  it will work as a point and shoot but this is a camera you can hone your creativity on.  when you're ready to experiment, the A70 provides a high degree of manual control for a camera at this price point.pros:- very nice resolution- 3x optical zoom lens- amazing manual control for the price: manual focus, selectable ISO sensitivity, and exposure (aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual)- good metering and good tonal balance - maintains shadow detail- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours- AF assist lamp helps auto-focus for low light situations- nice layout of controls and easy to understand- very nice build quality - feels more expensive than what its price would suggest- bright, detailed LCD monitor- good shot-to-shot times, quick start-up time too- movie clip mode up to 3 minutes- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)- impressive battery life plus it uses non-proprietary AAs (but i'd recommend buying rechargeables)- excellent value - no one else offers this feature set at this price levelcons:- slight chromatic aberrations visible- AF Assist lamp doesn't have enough power at telephoto zoom- moderately underexposed flash shots- RAW format not supported- no histogram available - useful to see if photos have correct exposure- distracting mirror finish frame surrounds the LCD monitor- competition is lighter and smaller, but also does not give the same amount of manual control- the supplied 16MB CF card is not adequate - be ready to shell out more $$ for more memoryi was surprised by this camera.  at its price point, it has the most features among cameras available today.  this camera will work well with beginners (but who'll want to spread their "creative" wings later) but will not disappoint more advanced photographers on a budget.  definitely a camera to add to your short list.
This camera is the perfect compromise for my needs. It is compact yet easy to handle and the controls are in a logical layout and similar enough to my film camera that I don't fumble when switching.It has full PHD Modes (push here dummey), yet gives me full manual control when I need it.The resolution is adequate and the images I get don't make me wish that I had used film to record the image.I now have a camera that goes with me all the time so I don't miss that shot of a lifetime.
I have been using my A70 almost nonstop since i bought it, and have had no problems, I take it snowboarding, hiking, climbing, etc and I am not gentle with it. The aluminum case is very strong. I have dropped it from ~5' onto concrete and the only thing that broke was the CF card cover, which is no big deal since the camera still works.Recently the CCD failed on one of the cameras (not the one I abuse), I saw the post about the recall (thanks!) so I called their tech support, I hope to hear back from them soon.... They were very nice on the phone and it sounds to them like a CCD issue, they will send me a UPS label via email for RMA. w00t!
First of all, I want to say that I am not a technical minded person at all.  I love my 35mm camera and was really hesitant about going digital.  The ONLY reason I even considered buying a digital camera is that I was traveling to Scotland on my honeymoon and wanted to be able to see the pictures as I was taking them because these were shots that I would never have the opportunity to retake, should they come out badly.  So, I did a lot of research and tried to get the most user friendly camera I could find.This camera has really been great.  There are of course a lot of features that I have never used, and a few that I have finally learned. The owners manual was a little intimidating - it was so thick!  But with a little practice, I've become a pretty good photographer.  The Zoom works really well.  Batteries last pretty well - we have a recharger for when they run out.  The editing software that comes with the camera is very easy to use.  The panorma feature (or photo stitch I think it's called) gave us some great scenery shots and the "auto pilot" feature allowed us to both be in the picture at the same time.  The picture quality is generally good.  At first it was no match to my trusty 35mm, but then I switched the setting to capture the highest quality pictures, and have had no complaints since then.In the beginning it was hard to get used to the delay in shutter speed - I was used to "snap and click", but with the powershot I had to hold down the button for maybe a second or so before the picture would take.  I was missing a lot of action shots. But now, I've learned to set the speed to action and that is no longer a problem.I would definitely recomend this camera to any novices like me.  As a matter of fact, now that I have the hang of digital cameras, I am moving up to a camcorder - Canon ZR85 here I come!
I thought I would be the exception from experiencing the Black Screen problem.  However, I wasn't.  13 months after I bought it my camera occasionally had blurry purple come up on the LCD screen and that's exactly how the picture looked.  I literally bang it against my hand and then the screen comes up clear.  However, since I'm past the warranty, I don't feel like getting it repaired.  I'm tempted to look into other Canons like the SD400, but I'm reading how that has a LCD cracking problem.  If someone has a good suggestion for a $300 digital, I'm all ears.
I really loved this camera--for 13 months.Then, like some other people who have reviewed this camera, the lens stuck open.Fortunately, thanks to another reviewer, I discovered that American Express doubled the 1 year warranty, and issued me a credit. (Took about a month of back and forth faxing, returning the camera, etc).I love the camera so much that I'm tempted to buy the same one all over again---as long as it breaks within 2 years, I'll be fine :)Most likely I'll upgrade to a newer Canon model---again, as I said, while it worked it was a wonderful camera, easy to use, easy to upload photos via the USB port of my PC, and with my Viking expansion memory card, stored a bunch of photos.
This camera is worth every penny you will pay for it. I could not expect anything more out of a low-mid price range digital camera. Canon has thought of everything when it comes to making their products user-friendly. I have messed around with a lot of digital cameras recently and most of the non-Canons have not yet mastered camera ergonomics. Many manufacturers are trying to make their camera super small, which I admit, can be nice sometimes. But in doing so, they've thrown ergonomics out the window, so using the more advanced features is very frustrating. You have to have sharp fingernails to press some of the buttons on other cameras. But with the Canon A70, fingertips work fine. The camera is shaped so that your right hand fits perfectly around the body without obstructing the lens or mashing unwanted buttons. I don't need to list all the features here, as they are listed in several other reviews. But one neat feature(some people think it's a negative) is that it takes four AA batteries instead of a battery pack. The real trick is to buy two four-packs of either the Rayovac or Energizer rechargeable NiMh batteries and a charger. Instead of spending 80 bucks on an extra battery pack, you spend 15 bucks on a charger and 12 bucks per 4-pack of AAs. Plus, when your friends are scrambling for a wall-outlet to charge their camera battery packs, you just drop in the other set of AAs and shoot away. It has been an invaluable asset when I'm shooting in the field away from AC power. The software that is bundled with the camera is almost limitless. The "Photo-stitch assist" mode of the camera is really cool. It helps you line up subsequent pictures for a panoramic, so when you bring the pics into the computer software, it does an amazing job at making a panoramic image! I'd recommend a 256 MB CF memory card for this camera for more than enough storage. (...)Way to go Canon!
Very versatile little camera. Compact, light, nice looking. Feels sturdy and is sturdy. My little daughter knocked it out of the car when I first got it. The body split apart a little, but I snapped it back together and it hasn't missed a beat.3.2 megapixels is plenty to take nice pictures. Couple this camera with a Canon i860 printer and Photoshop Essentials (plus a Photoshop Essentials tutorial book - I recommend Photoshop Essentials for the Digital Photographer by Scott Kelby) to correct and touch up your pictures and you've got a nice photo studio right in your house.Don't be afraid to buy this camera.
I ordered my Canon A70 from Amazon less than a month ago and I'm truly happy with my choice! It arrived on time and in perfect condition!I did a lot of research prior to buying this, my first digital camera! My original first choice was the new P8 from Sony, a nice camera indeed, but the more I learned about the Canon A70 the more I liked it.There were a couple of things that really influenced my decission. The first one was the fact that Compact Flash cards are far cheaper and more popular than Sony's Memory Stick. I bought a 128mp card for $24.99, a fraction of the price I would have paid for a similar card for any Sony camera! The second thing was the fact that this Canon uses simple and easy to find AA batteries, which means that if my camera ever runs out of power (and I'm caught without a spare set of rechargeables) I can easily find batteries for it at any place!I love the many features of this little camera, and believe me, it has lots of them! One other thing that I really like about it is that you can use it both as a completely automatic point and shoot camera or as a completely manual one! I've already taken several photographs, and I'm amazed with their quality!It is not as small as other cameras, but it is small enough to be quite comfortable and easy to carry around! And it's quite stylish too!!!I truly believe that nowadays this camera is the best deal in its class! The only problem with this camera is finding one...It's selling like hot-cakes!!!
We were looking at a slightly less [costly] 3 megapixel digital camera when the sales guy told us about the Canon.  We are SO glad we got the Canon.  This camera takes terrific photographs, is easy to use and is rich with features. I haven't seen in any other digital camera at this price range with these features and we've been researching for months.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the manual modes and seeing the results in our photographs.My mother has a Samsung 3 megapixel camera which is much slower and I think our picture quality is much better.  We're just THRILLED with the results.I also love the short movie clips and was able to put together a short movie clip with stills and the video.  I think we'll be looking to upgrade the included software but it worked well for starters.
I love this camera. I did a lot of searching for a camera under $300 that had all the features I thought I needed like manual settings and focus. Turns out, the auto settings work just fine and I don't really want to stop what I'm doing and fool around with settings anyway.Pros: (1) It just feels nice in my hand. Sure, it's a little bulkier than other cameras, but it's not so large that you can't carry it in your pocket. (2) The battery life is amazing compared to my last camera. I filled a 256k card on one set of AAs. (3) The video setting is better than I could have imagined. I thought the quality would be grainy and the sound bad, but happily, I was wrong. (4) It has a power button rather than a knob that is easily bumped or is flimsy and can break.Cons: (1) I have a lens cover problem. It sticks a lot and has since day 1. I can't bear to part with it though so I never sent it in for service. (2) The software that comes with it is confusing. I now use another program to capture and download and it also has a way better editing feature than what the camera came with. (3) Picture quality is pretty good, but you really need an editing program to sharpen things up.All in all, I'm really glad that I bought this camera and would recommend it to anyone, especially the budget minded person who wants a great first digital camera.
Although this camera takes wonderful pictures and it easy to use, I wouldn't buy it.  We bought it for about $300 and we've had it for less than 3 years.  We've need to repair it 2 times.  After using it for less than a year, the LCD screen stopped working and the camera took all-black pictures.  Canon fixed it because it was still under warranty.  A year later, the camera had the same problem but Canon would not fix it. They said I could pay them $150 for a "refurbished" exact same model and send them my old camera.  Humm...doesn't make much sense since this camera sells for a little over $190 now anyway.  I think it is a bit of a scam. I'd look for something different.
All PowerShot A70 owners who've seen problems with the camera sensor (CCD) failing to function or exhibiting excess noise or other image distortion should take advantage of a recall. Canon will repair this widely seen CCD defect for free even if your camera is out of warranty.See the A70 support page on Canon's website or search for "PowerShot A70 CCD failure".[...]Unfortunately, Canon isn't making this offer conspicuous on its website and is not contacting customers proactively. I only learned of it on an independent camera review website.I had contacted Canon Support about terrible noise problems in photos I'd taken (often discovered only later, when reviewing photos on the computer), and at first they failed to reply, let alone inform me of the free repair program. After discovering the recall notice, I contacted them again to request free repair, and they've agreed to repair my camera.In other respects, I've been very happy with the PowerShot A70's features and performance, but not very impressed with some design defects and this CCD problem. The only mitigating factor with the CCD defect is that several other manufacturers' cameras have been affected by the same problem, though they've dealt with their customers better in addressing it. Olympus offers to repair cameras with CCDs that may be defective, regardless of whether the camera is currently exhibiting problems.This issue, combined with a Canon camcorder that is now unreliable due to a widely-seen recorder section problem, severely undermines Canon's reputation for quality. This is especially disappointing for me because I believe Canon's products are often functionally superior, and I previously had Canon film cameras that were bulletproof.
I agree with everyone else - this camera is awesome. the only thing i have to add is that if you are clumsy like me, and drop it with the lens open, it will break. (i'm sure this is the case with any digital camera....) the lens will turn slightly enough so it doesnt open/close properly...it kinda slowly malfunctions... it wont focus etc. if you have a canon warranty they will fix it. this has happened to me, my father and another family member that had the camera. just dont be clumsy and youre all set!like i said... AWESOME camera. quality is amazing, and 3.2 megapixels is plenty.
I've had my PowerShot A70 for about a year and a half and I love love love it! I bought it because I wanted a point and click camera that I could take anywhere. The photographs it produces are so much better than I expected from a camera in this price range. Pictures taken on the automatic settings come out well most of the time, and other options that can be set manually let you take perfect photos in trickier situations. Battery life is also good, and the downloading software that comes with it is easy to use. Highly recommended.My only complaint is that the red eye flash takes really bizarre photos - it looks like the flash goes off twice, so if you're taking a picture with any action in it, you get a sort of double image. But redeye is easily corrected in an image editing program, so I just don't use that feature.
The camera took great pictures for a full year.  2 days after the warranty expired the lens cover got stuck.  Support said they 'might' replace it since it was so close to the warranty period.  They wanted me to ship it back and they'd let me know.  Instead I called American Express (the card I purchased the camera on) who doubles all warranties up to one year.  About 2 weeks later I received a check for my full purchase price and am now shopping for a new camera.
+ all the features I wanted and then some+ easy to use point and shoot mode but other features to play with+ a generation ahead of my last digital+ burst mode is great for capturing a baby on the move- I'm getting more blurry pictures than with my old Kodak- the camera can turn off with the lens open if it runs outof batteries and each time I never saw any warning that Iwas running low
This camera takes good pictures and it's easy to operate. It is well worth it's price. However, there are some problems.1. The CCD has known issues. It is highly susceptible to moisture and will develop problems. The images will have horizontal lines in them and the color balance will be wrong. Canon fixes this problem at no charge and even pays for shipping. However, in two years of owning this camera, I've had to return it twice for this repair.2. The LCD display is rather small and hard to see. It is even more difficult to see in bright light.Other than those two things, the camera works great. It's easy to operate and use the camera's functions, and the results are very good. Color balance is good for all white balance settings, especially incandescent when shooing in incandescent light. Pictures are sharp and free from image artifacts.One minor annoyance is that the zoom is electronic. It is difficult to get the exact zoom you want, especially for normal (the human eye's perspective). Another annoyance is the camera's widest aperature. It is not wide enough to make things n the background go out of focus. However, with a little skill with Photoshop, you can mask the subject and perform blurring.Connecting and downloading images to your computer is easy and painless. The supplied software is adequate but not stellar.A nice featuer is that the camera uses AA sized batteries. Get yourself rechargable 2500ma batteries and an inexpensive charger and you'll get a lot of photos out of one set of batteries.One very recommended accessory is the lens adapter, the LAH-DC20. Even f you don't attach an auxilary lens, this provides some protection for the lens in case you drop the camera while it's powered up, and it provides a means to attach 52 mm close up diopters, filters, and any lens hood.For it's price, the camera is exceptional.
This camera is awesome. There isn't a thing about it that I don't like. It's extremely versatile. I've gotten fantastic shots of everything from flowers only a few inches away to horse races. I've heard complaints about its ability to photograph fast moving objects, but I've gotten great shots of both agility dogs and racehorses moving at 35 mph. Most of the shots come out crystal-clear, and if they don't, it's usually my fault. The shutter speed is a tad bit slow at times, but 90% of the time it's quick enough for what I want to photograph. Highly recommend this camera.
This is my first digital camera and I like it alot.  It is simple to operate and takes very good pictures.  The bundled software is also vey easy to use.  The red eye levels are very high on this camera which should be expected because of how close the lens is to the flash.  The macro mode works very well and I especially enjoy the movie mode which takes some very nice avi movies.  It would be nice if you could adjust settings in the movie mode on the fly but the camera does not allow for it.  Regardless, this is a terrific camera, do yourself a favor and pick it up along with a nice big memory card to capture all those great memories.
This camera offers all the manual controls you need, plus several preset shooting modes to simplify life, at a very cheap price!.  Because it uses 4 AA batteries instead of specialty expensive lithion-ion batteries, you can shop around for the cheapest recharble nimh's.  Also because it uses the Compact Flash card, these cards are readily the cheapest out there, and availble in large sizes, plus any multi card reader usually has the compact flash, because it's the most used card in electronics.  the camera itself is a bit bigger then u'd assume, but can fit funnily in most kahki pants pockets- jean wearers beware if u wear semi fit to tight jeans.The photos this camera takes can be quite exellent, although as with all digital photos, extra sharpening is advised(around 80%-100% i'v found is adequate).  Also purple fringing is very noticible in shorts with high contrast in light levels.. such as fireworks.  Colors are perfect matches, while it may seem like those kodak cameras can take better looking photos, it is because kodak uses a special algorithm to make the colors more saturated and whatnot, in other words, kodak manipulates the colors of images so they look better then real-life, whearas canon photos are 100% exact color matches nearly all the time.  ISO 50 to 400 are available , but once again i advise not to use higher then iso100 because images become significantly noisey with extreme film grain visibility.. "iso" is the light sensitivity of the camera to take brighter pics in lower light levels, but at the cost of grain and noise(grain and noise are pixels of unnaturual colors within the photograph, that cause the photo to look very "digitally processed).The camera comes with a new digic proccessor which speeds up the focosing tremendously, and allows for faster operations in general.. for example the time it takes to turn the camera on is about 2-3 seconds, and the time the camera actually takes the picture after u press the shutter release button is unnoticeable. with about 2 seconds between single shot images, but u can also use drive mode, where u hold the shutter button and it can take about 10 pics at 2pictures per second. then u need to wait 6-10 seconds for the images to write to the memory card.The camera now has 5 focusing areas within the image, and the camera chooses the best ones to focus with, this may be quicker and easier some of the time, preferably i turn this off and just use the center box to focus so that i know what the camera will focus on myself.the ability to manually focus is very helpful, because u can set the focus to infinity for fireworks or landscapes without relying on the "landscape" preset mode, also it allows you to prefocus on a spot so u can take photos quicker for fast action events.Almost forgot a big detail-movie mode. this camera offers VGA resolutions of 640 by 480 pixels, at 15 frames per second. you can take up to 30seconds of video at a time with this resolution, or u can use lower resolutions for 3 minute video clips at a time.  personally i love this! i always use the larger resolution and end up filling my camera with more movie clips then photos at parties or special events!  the files are saved as .avi extentions  and can be played using most all movie players such as windows media player.  Also if u have windows xp, and have downloaded the windows movie maker 2, you can use this clips to make a pretty darn good short film to help you remember those special and fun events in life!This camera is a great find, and buy for the manual, preset, and auto modes it provides  along with canon's reputable brand name(canon by the way makes all the parts to their camera's themselves, in other words, canon owns all facilities used to make their cameras).  The photos this camera takes are great and may be printed without any need to enhance the images afterwords.. but it's advised to use an autoimage correction, and some sharpening and see if the picture looks beter afterwords.  And if the pictures u take look a little, dull in the colors, just use the "vivid" setting and make ur colors stick out more!***recommendations:You need to buy at least 1 or 2 4 packs of AA rechargable Nimh batteries, with a charger.You'll want to buy a case of some sort for this camera,Buy a Compact Flash card! this is very serious! i would recommend transcend 32x cards or lexmark 32x and up cards. i use a 256mb card, and still find it's not enough space for all the video clips and photos i take!Take the time to buy a compact flash card reader for your computer while your at it, this allows faster write speeds from the card to your computer, and does not drain your camera's batteries.Invest in a microfiber cloth to clean your lense, if someone touches the lense(whenever i let someone hold my camera they end up pressing on the lense without knowing it, because they are used to larger film cameras!).  DO NOT USE GLASS CLEANER ON THE LENSE, OR AN ORDINARY CLOTH, glass cleaning solvent contains chemicals that can harm and damage the lense special chemical coatings, and an ordinary cloth scratches the lense even if u cant see the scratches by looking into the lense.  personally i find just buying a microfiber cloth and using ur breath's moisture enough to clean the lense, without needing to buy a special lense cleaning solvent.u may want to look at the sony dsc-p8 or p-72, the kodak dx6340, minolta dimage s404, or olympus d-560 zoom.
We bought our Canon Powershot A70 for a small camera to take on trips, etc.  We've already sent it back to the factory twice and although Canon upgraded us to a new camera with more megapixels, this new one is broken, less than 6 months later.  Don't waste your money.  We will be shopping for a non-Canon product next time.
While [the price] still isn't "chump change" to me, it is a bargain for this camera.When you open the box and take the camera out, you're surprised at how small it is but then, you're surprised by how solid and natural it feels in your hand. Even though the body is plastic, it has a sturdy feel to it unlike some other cameras in this price range.Once it's in your hands, you pop in the 4 AA batteries, the compact flash card and, away you go. Put it in AUTO mode and you have a nice 3MP point and shoot camera that responds very well to varying light conditions and circumstances.In other modes you have control over; white balance, exposure compensation, Drive (Single shot, continuous shooting, self-timer), ISO speed, Light Metering, Image Quality and Photo Effect (Off, vivid color, neutral color, low sharpening, sepia, black & white) The other modes are:P-this mode is the same as AUTO but you have control over the above mentioned options.Av-Aperture Priority, you set the f-stop, the camera sets the shutter speed.Tv-Shutter Priority, you set the shutter speed, the camera sets the f-stopM-full manual, you have control over shutter speed, aperture, flash output, and focus.In addition to that, there's six other modes; Slow Shutter, Fast Shutter, Landscape, Night Scene and, Portrait. In these modes, the camera sets shutter and aperture to the appropriate settings for each situation. Also included is a Stitch mode which lets you take a series of photos and then combine with the software for a panoramic effect.The last mode on the camera is Movie Mode. In Movie Mode, you can record at 3 resolutions; 640 X 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120. In the largest format you can record for 30 seconds and, in the other two formats, you can record approx. 3 minutes. Movies are recorded with sound in the AVI format but unfortunately, you can not use the zoom while filming in this mode.PerformanceWhen you power the camera up, it takes about 3 seconds to warm up before it's ready to shoot. Once it's ready, you push the shutter down halfway to lock the autofocus and then depress the shutter fully. Now you have a pic! You can review it on the LCD if you want any where from 2 to 10 seconds. The LCD screen measures 1.5 inches and fairly clear and easy to see but it would have been nice to control the brightness.Next move inside to take some flash pictures. Here you'll use the autofocus illuminator to help the camera focus in low light. There's a small orange light on the front of the camera under the flash, when you focus, it comes on to make it easier for the camera to focus. This eliminates the long focus times that some other camera have in these situations if they can even focus at all. Also inside, you'll appreciate the fact that Canon put a decent flash on this little guy. It has a working distance of about 13 feet at the wide angle setting.Picture Quality is very good. Pictures come out sharp with accurate color tones. I do get red-eye sometimes in indoor shots but, not always and, not to the point that I would consider unacceptable. I have yet to have any incidences of "purple fringing"Software, etc.Canon supplies you with two software applications. One their own and the other is ArcSoft's. Both applications are good for basic image editing but, if you want something more you'll likely pick up Photoshop.Downloading photo's is pretty straight forward once the software is installed. Hook up the computer with the supplied cable to a USB port, turn it on and your computer (PC) will either open the appropriate program or, you'll have to. Once the program is open, pick the images you want and, hit File, Transfer. That's about it. You can also view images, and movies on a TV with the supplied cable.The only other things in the box (aside from the manual) are a 16MB Compact Flash card and, 4 AA batteries. In the highest resolution, you'll get 8 pictures on this card so, you'll probably want to purchase another one soon. The 4AA batteries will last about 100 pics so, consider purchasing some high capacity rechargeables also. The batteries and the CF card will set you back [some $$] but, you'll thank yourself later. I would recommend these for anyone purchasing a digital camera.
A great camera.  The quality of the shots is excellent.  My last digital camera (Fuji 2600) took nice outdoor shots, but indoor shot had funny colors and the flash was not strong at all.  The indoor pictures on this camera are really nice.  The size in comfortable to hold and I can put it in my jeans pocket.  Also, once you get used to the menu system, it's really easy to use and navigate to quickly switch between functions.For the price I highly recommend.You must buy a larger Compact Flash card.
This is my first digital so I'm no expert, but I've had nothing but trouble-free fun with this puppy since August. My wife and I took it on a cruise to Alaska and all our friends have complemented us on the pictures we took using the A70. The all-automatic setting makes pictures totally easy for the novice and the manual settings allow you to experiment. The user manual is pretty good at explaining basic operation and features and the free software helps you get your shots on your computer for editing and uploads.Only two complaints: the visual display is very hard to see in daylight (use the old fashion viewfinder) and be sure you get rechargeable batteries. That huge sucking sound you hear is the power draining out of your alkalines.
I've had my A70 for a year now and have not had a problem with it.  It takes nice pictures and short movies. There are fancier new cameras out there now (like the A75 or A95), but if you're looking for a bargain the A70 is a good choice.  I've always had good experiences with Canon products because they're affordable and user-friendly.  Some drawbacks: shutter speed is slow, camera is heavy/bulky, LCD is small.  I do not mind the drawbacks, however, and I would recommend this camera for a bargain shopper.
After One year and 3 weeks of use the dreaded E18 error.Canon Customer Support is non-exsistant.  And they act like they know nothing about this problem.  Wanting to sell me a refurbished A75 as a replacement for $99.00 or fix it for $150.00..  NOT
This camera works great and has tons of modes. In auto mode all you need to do is press the shutter and you have an instant picture. Very high quality pictures with very little noise. This camera also includes a manual mode for the advanced users and people who want to learn it.
This is my first digital camera purchase, so I did a lot of research to find the best camera for [the price].  I can say with certainty that this camera fits the bill!  It is 3.2 Megapixels, which some may not feel is enough, but unless you are going to print out photos larger than 8x10 I don't see any reason you would need a higher resolution.  In fact, most of the pictures we take aren't even at the highest resolution possible.The 16MB CompactFlash card that comes with this camera is way too small.  Look at getting at the very least a 128 MB card, or even a 256MB or 512MB card.I don't have any complaints about this camera.  In dark situations, the LCD becomes very grainy, but the pictures you take look great.  Red eye reduction works wonders as I have yet to see any red eyes from pictures I've taken.  In the sun, the LCD similarly gets sun circles, but those are not apparent in the final image when you take a picture.  The shiny chrome finish around the LCD is a little hard to deal with in the sun, but it's easy enough to get used to.I highly recommend this camera.  It's geared toward the point-and-shoot consumer, but it has settings and the ability to add attachments for the more avid photographer.
I received my Canon A70 about a week ago in the mail.  This is my second digital camera- my first being an old Olympus D360-L point and shooter.  Thus far, I love my new camera!  I can go on and on about it, but I'll try to summarize what I like and don't quite like about it.Likes1. Lots of manual controls - shutter speed, real manual focus, white balance2. Great pre-sets - these let me take great pictures for certain pre-set environments (fast action, portrait, panoramic, slow shutter, etc...)  Easily accessible on dial at the top of camera3. Nice size - not too small and light, so my twitchy hands don't mess it up too much, but not bulky like some of the other cameras with manual controls4. Battery life - I still have not run out of a charge, during a day or two's use.  (Note: I use 1600 mA LiMH batteries and charge them after every day or two)5. Sharp screen - hi-resolution screen, though not terribly bright in direct sunlight6. Great looking pictures!7. Video mode, with sound up to 640x480 for 30 secs, and lower resolutions for much longer.8. Looks great!9. Able to fit additional lenses as well as waterproof housing (Not that I'm planning on getting these yet, but its nice to know I have the choice to!)Not Likes:1. Takes a bit of time for the zoom lens to extend when turning the camera on.2. Plastic tripod mountI've printed my cropped 8x10" photos out on my Canon S600 printer on glossy paper and they look awesome!Anyways, I really like this thing a lot, so I heartily recommend this to people who are looking for a point-and-shoot, as well as those who are trying to learn to dabble a little bit more with their camera's manual controls (like myself!)
I'll keep this short, because there are lots of other reviews for the techies. In a nutshell, I'd simply say if you want a digital camera that point and shoot, the A-70 can't be beat for under $ 300 --- probably not for a lot more dollars, either.I have a huge old Sony Mavica FD-91 that has been a good, reliable workhorse.  I like Sony in general, and looked at several new models before coming across the Canon A-70.I started to buy one at Amazon.com, but then I saw it was coming from Target (no free shipping!), so I said what the heck, I'll just go there and get one.  No luck, they were out, and could not say when they would get more.  Circuit City and Best Buy had the same story.Back to the internet, and found a lot of the camera suppliers were also out. So back to good old Amazon.com.  When I did the deal, their supplier had changed to Office Depot, but they had some in stock and I got mine in just a few days, for about $ 8.00 shipping.Canon has a nice package, including the camera, USB cable, a cable for hooking the camera up to a TV, four AA batteries, a stingy 16MB compact flash card, software, and about four pounds of manuals. I found the manuals to be nicely done, better than what I'm used to from Sony by far.The camera is just jam-up.  For most of us, just leave it in "auto" and start shooting.  For shutterbugs, it has a number of features that will allow special settings. It operates on four AA batteries, no high dollar jobs like many other cameras use.  I invested in rechargeable 1800 mAh Nickel Metal Hydrides, having been forewarned by other reviewers. I also stuck in a 512 MB card so I won't have to screw around changing them, or at least not very often.I think the A-70 is a great design --- the battery box forms a natural grip for right handers.  The optical view finder is far enough left so that if you use your right eye, you nose won't get the back of the camera greasy. No lens cap, it has an automatic eyelid, sort of. Only a 3-X zoom, but c'mon, we're talking a $ 299.00 3.2 Megapixel camera here! The "feel" is good and solid. The little LCD on the back is sharp and clear, and there are a minimum of buttons to deal with --- what is there is easy to use.So, if you are a first time digital camera buyer, this would be the one I'd recommend.  It is small enough for a purse, or to slip into a trouser pocket, so it will go anywhere with minimal fuss. It's cheap, takes great pictures --- even videos if you want --- what's not to like?
I bought this earlier in 2003 since my children live in MA and I live in CA and I was tired of disposables and the trouble of the new xray machines. I love it. I wish it was smaller but at the time I purchased it it was the lowest cost for the best resolution. Canon has come out w/a smaller version that I would buy now - but this is a great camera for those looking for a real-size camera that offers FULL manual options for picture taking.  The batteries last the life of adding in a larger card to take over 100 pics. The software is very easy to use and now I print specific pictures for my children and myself.  Canon keeps coming out w/higher MP at a lower cost so now this model is not the optimum to get.  I won't buy a new digital until a 4MPx is $200 and the size of a credit card since, when this one is 'off', fits in any pocket of my clothing.  Drop me an email w/any questions - I'm an honest person who shoots straight...m_jessing@yahoo.com
I bought this camera for myself after hearing great reviews from friends and seeing it receive excellent marks in Consumer Reports. I have LOVED it. It has all the features I've ever needed, plus many manual functions that I haven't had time to play with yet. If you are averse to settings, you just need to keep it on "Auto" all the time. You'll get beautiful pictures. I don't even keep it on the highest resolution setting and I've never needed more resolution. Tip: I think using flash can make subjects too stark. When I turn it off, most pictures come out better. I have had the camera for 8 months.
I am completely satisfied with the camera.  I would recommed you read your manual before you begin taking pictures.  I was amazed by some of the features it does have.  I also like the fact I can use regular batteries in it.  Make sure you invest in a rapid charger and couple of sets of rechargable batteries.It's not perfect taking pictures in low light.  I still did receive some red eyes even with red eye reduction light on.I would recommend this camera.
I have had this camera for about 3 weeks now and am very happy with it. The image quality is very good with good color and contrast and sharp images. They are not as good as my father's Canon Digital Rebel, but then his camera also cost 3 times as much. I have printed the photos on my Epson Stylus C84 (also available at Amazon, and highly recommended) and the results have been truly great. I got the printer because of the camera, and the 2 are a perfect team!It is a nice size to hold, not too big and not too small. The features are many and it has many manual controls, including flash level, focus, and many other things you would not expect on a camera like this. The only real feature that I have found sometimes not that great is the AiAf (artificial intelligence auto focus), sometimes it is not artificially intelligent but instead genuinely stupid. It is possibly to manualy control the focus on the camera though.Pros:Good picturesLots of control when wantedLots of featuresSolid build qualityCons:AiAf can sometimes be just plain stupid
...out A70's digital pickup elements died after just a year. It would play back fine, just couldn't take pictures. We sent it back twice for fixing until it finally ran out of its warranty. I absolutely loved the features of this camera though, and was sorry to give it up. And, sorry to say, I wouldn't buy another Canon because of this experience.
I've owned this camera for 2 days, and already I've had a blast with it. I previously co-owned an Olympus D-550, but decided to buy a second one just for me.It has great battery life (well, for a digital camera at least).  The pictures come out very good, and it has very nice optics (interchangeable lenses [not included] which is a nice feature).  It also uses compact flash, which is way better than smart media.  It's very cheap and you can get up to 256MB of storage space for this camera.The only real con is that it doesnt support uncompressed images (like TIFF files).  That is really something I would've liked to have, although the jpeg superfine compression it uses is practically lossless.Another small quirk is that there is no battery meter.  It only tells you when you are about to run out (maybe 5 minutes of life left?). But it lasts so long, you really don't have to worry about it.There was one other thing that bothered me, but was not actually a problem, was how the picture on the LCD got lines through it when zooming.  The lines disappear when you stop.  At first I thought this was an issue with the LCD, as it looked suspicious. But not to worry, according to a Canon technician this is normal.It is neither annoying nor do the lines interfering with viewing your subject.  However new owners might think there is something wrong with their camera. Good quality batteries helps alleviate this problem.As with all non professional digital camera's, the autofocus/auto shooting mode doesn't always work correctly... This model works extremely well, but of course is not perfect. But one should keep in mind that for 300$ this is by far superior to almost others out there under 500$.  Autofocusing by most digital camera's are distracted by anything that emits glare or is very shiny/light reflective.  The canon can be fooled, but it generally works even under tricky conditions.  But of course Canon gives you a very complete set of manual features to adjust for these conditions. Most of the time this is not needed... I find it hard to match the "auto" mode quality with my own settings, a very big positive.The ergonomics are also wonderful, it's very comfortable to hold and unlike other cameras you don't feel like you are going to drop it.Although I have mostly listed some negative things about this camera, this is no where near a bad review. The camera is wonderful, and the best 3-4 MP camera you can buy IMO. The clarity of the pictures and their color is wonderful.  I really don't see how anyone could be disappointed with this camera.  In all likelihood every non professional user should be thrilled with it.This is the best camera I've tested yet.
After doing much research on 3MP digital cameras, I decided on Canon A70, and so far I am very pleased with this camera. This camera can take nice outdoor shots, indoor (low light) shots as well as above average night shots. This camera has a fast 35-110mm lens (f/2.8-f/4.8). Please note that many digital cameras out there have 38-39mm lens, which I find a bit limiting, when it comes to capturing scenes/landscapes. This camera has a nice movie mode and offers a variety of modes ranging from fully auto, programmed auto, shutter/aperture priority and full manual control. Also, it is quite user-friendly. In a nutshell this camera is capable of surprising you with its rich feature-set. ... The pictures that I took from this camera came out very nice and sharp. I took some indoor shots - in low light - without flash and they came out very nice and with acceptable level of noise. Minor irritation - this camera doesn't allow setting the white balance in the "full Auto" mode as sometimes I just want to change white balance and let the camera take care of rest of the parameters. However, you can fallback on the programmed auto mode, where camera picks shutter speed and aperture, and you pick the rest. Overall, I highly recommend this camera and it is an excellent choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
I based my purchase decision largely on reviews I read on this site.  Just about everone was THRILLED with their new camera - so I purchased.I, too, was thrilled - for about 1 year.  Then the camera began producing pictures with black lines through them - or red hues.  I thought perhaps I got the camera wet - as I also have the underwater housing and take it scuba diving.I surfed the web looking for a repair store in my area - and found many blogs where COUNTLESS people complained of the exact same issues with their PowerShot A70.  I contacted Canon, as given sheer number of people who complained, I concluded there must be a design defect.  Canon did not stand by their product at all.My conclusion? The camera was not built to last.  A good starter digital camera, to be sure.  But you should only expect it to work for about 1 year.
I loved the camera...great software, good fit in hand, takes great movies (something I didn't plan on using as much as I have).Then the other day (just out of warranty) I turned it on, and got a psychedelic view on the LCD instead of a proper picture. Hmmm...tooks some pictures, and the problem is not in the LCD, it's in the camera. I tried the universal repair method of tapping it on the top and sides, and lo and behold, it works again. Some more taps, and squiggly lines, and occasionally not working. Looks like there is something loose inside.Call Canon to see about a repair, thinking it will probably take them 10 seconds to fix it by re-fastening something inside, and they  tell me it will be a minimum of $100, or $150 to replace with a newly refurbished A70 with 6 month warranty. Whaaa...?Check online prices for new A75 with more features, and see that they are available for not much over $180. Easy decision.I also see that Olympus and Kodak and Nikon also have products in the same price range. Wonder how their reliability is?So my plan is to buy a new camera from somebody that is not Canon, and take my A70 apart myself and see if I can diagnose the problem. Probably a loose connector is my guess.Buy something else. This camera will break your heart, and do it out of warranty.
This was the first digital camera I bought and did so after a good amount of research and playing with a variety of other ones through my friends.  I've owned it almost two years now and it has served me pretty well.  The batteries don't drain too quickly, even when shooting video and the picture quality is good enough for almost anything you need to do.  Most of my pictures end up on-line and this camera serves that purpose well.  The features are standard, nothing too out of the ordinary now.  It's a little larger than I would have liked, but it's not a pain to fit in most places.  Overall, for the price I think it's a good deal and worth it if you are just looking for a recreational camera.
I've had the camera just about a year - and a great camera it was for the first year. Then..... Almost to the day, I started getting the E18 Error message (the lens is stuck and won't move in or out - takes 15 minutes every time I turn it on to be able to use it - then it just stops working completely!) So, I checked for reviews on line and, surprise, surprise - HUNDREDS of people are reporting this problem but Canon doesn't seem to be doing anything about it.So, no.  I won't be buying another Canon product. Not if this is what they're like.  Stay away from this one or you will regret purchasing it.
I bought this camera for my godson who is ten years old. It was excatly the proper camera for a youngster to learn about photography without scaring him. He found his enthusiasm and began using it as soon as batteries and disk were inserted. Good camera for the novice with options for some serious camera emerging capability.
Bought this camera along with the accessory pack for my daughter as a college graduation present in May 2004.It recently dropped out of her purse into a puddle, it was in its case.  It worked initially, then stopped working.The company offers nothing to replace or fix this camera other than she can spend 150.00 to get a refurbished one or she can send it in to be repaired which would cost over 200.00.That seems out of line for a camera which cost 219.00 originally and you can get now for 175.00.They didn't even offer to look at it for no fee and give options for repair or credit for purchase of another canon camera.She was very happy with the performance of this camera and is devistated that all is now lost. I will be hesitant to purchase another canon product.
I've had this camera now for a little more than 2 years and I am ready to throw it out the window. I take flower and plant closeups as a hobby and the focus zones for the lens are unpredictable and uncontrollable even in manual mode. About 60-70 percent of the closeups I take come out Completely Useless because the camera has chosen to focus on an element in the frame that I did not want to emphasize. For example, a leaf to the side will come out sharp, while the flower itself is an utter blur, even on "macro" mode, although the frame was composed with the flower at dead center. What's worse, when the image is previewed on the screen on the camera back, it appears to be fine!It does an adequate job with meta-pictures (whole scenes) but try to zoom in on an interesting insect or a tender bloom and you will soon go bald as a rock with frustration over the results. I used to take film pictures and got quite practiced at it, so this camera really annoys me because it refuses to behave like a standardized photographic instrument -- that is, when you point the lens at something and have it dead center in the frame, the lens is supposed to look for edges on that dead-center object and calculate focus accordingly.This piece of "equipment," however, has a mind of its own, so you wind up with lovely background foliage and a muddy blur of color in the middle where a sharp image of a bloom should be.In short, if your photography makes any sort of technical demands and requires a sharp instrument to assist, Buy Something Else.If all you're looking for is a good snappy camera to take pictures of groups of friends or wide vistas, this camera will probably be fine.
After reading some other reviews before me, I guess that the Quality control at Canon (Malasia) is very bad. Most of our friends who rated 1 star seem to have similar QC complaints.[For the cost], A70 clearly has best features than any other 3 MP DC in the market. Also, professional reviews have been the best for this camera.I got mine after a long wait and I started learning the operation of the camera. I even took a few snaps of my Kitchen (photo had lot of shades, they were just experimental shots though).Next day when I switched the camera on, nothing shows up in the LCD except for some default menus. This happened in both shoot as well as play modes. I spent about 4 hours reading the manual to get it right but had no luck.I just returned it and order a new one. Lets hope this one works.
After all the years and all the digicams I've owned, borrowed and/or tested, I've come to believe that the Canons are the most reliable of the lot. While the &quot;A Series&quot; may be Canon's entry level lineup, they may also be their very best value. They are well built and sturdy enough, not too large to carry easily in a purse (and in fact a bit easier to grip than are the Elph models, therefore making them easier to hold steady), and they offer enough adjustable features for 99% of the digital photo takers whom I know. Happily, the A70 will also function nicely in the automatic mode for folks who just want to point and shoot.The combination of an optical 3X zoom plus a 3 megapixel resolution is truly ideal, a place where I think most users will find their &quot;sweet spot&quot; in digicams. The 3X (true) optical zoom is powerful enough to make itself useful in many non-portrait settings (sightseeing, sports, etc.) and the 3 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for computer viewing and storage, emailing, website posting and for printing crystal clear enlargements up to 11&quot; x 14&quot;. Of course, the A70 offers all the expected niceties, such as easy connectability to your PC, good battery options (including disposables and rechargeables) and an almost infinitely expandable memory. Then there is the price; certainly the A70 is competitive with all other 3X/3Meg cams. This is a good enough digicam that hardly anyone who gets one will likely be the least bit disappointed.
I am an amateur photographer (vacations, get-togethers, etc.)  and I have owned a Canon A-10 for several years and it met all of my needs valiantly. I received the A-70 as a gift (which I researched)  and have been playing with it for a few months now,  before writing this review. All I can say is: WOW! You'd be hard pressed to find such a a great camera packed with so many features at such a great price.What I like the most:-Canon reliability and superior lens-small size (smaller! than the A10)...really fits in my pocket-no lens cover to worry about-super-sharp pictures (both for web-publishing and up to 8X10 prints...SUPER!)-fun movie function let's me take all the video that my friends could bear to watch (I've only reached up to 3 minutes so far)-VIVID color-the numerous manual feature options, which are allowing me to learn more about photography and experiment at my own paceWhat I found useless in this package:-while it's nice that it runs on AAA's, there's no use packaging with regular batteries (only useful in a pinch...you need NiMH rechargeables!)-the accompanying memory card is nigh-useless...I carry it on vacations in case I fill up, but really, if you want to have fun you need a minimum of 512MB for peace of mind and room to make lots of mistakes and throw in a few video clipsBOTTOM-LINE: after months of research and endless reading, all roads led me to this camera and it is WELL WORTH IT! This will keep me busy for the next couple of years exploring and learning. In the meantime the AUTO options produce FANTASTIC pictures, and the video clips are great. QUALITY wrapped in a FUN, EASY and TRULY COMPACT package.ALSO, as a Mac-user, this camera is completely Mac-compatible and a snap to use...plug-and-play in OS X...my dog could download pictures it's so ridiculously easy.
I owned a Kodak 3700 for some time before my brother took it, so I agonized and researched all the digital cameras I could afford before I bought this... the competition was the Fuji 3800 and maybe the Nikon Coolpix. The 6x zoom of the 3800 was the best part, but its problems reported in low-light photography pushed me to this Canon A70, and boy, am I glad!...Lemme count the ways I love it :1. [nice] Shape and size. I take it out, and it automatically attracts attention. And it weighs right, and snuggles neatly into my right hand because of the small 'bump' on the right side. ( But I wonder how comfortable lefties would be with this; it might get in their way). And the size is optimal - while I hated the elph's tiny size, the bulkier dig cameras would not fit my docker pants, like the A70 does; and if I leave out the case, it even fits my formal-suit pocket without a bulge.2.The LCD screen functions as good as gold in low light, back-light, whatever-light. I should know, I played around with a friend's 3800 and found it a challenge to shoot indoors.3.The picture quality is as good as I expected for a 3.2mp; someday I might be able to shell out [big money] and buy a 5mp, but then, maybe not : the biggest print I would want would be the occasional 8x10, while 4x6 would be regular, and for that 3.2MP is good enough.4.The time-lag from the button-press-to-shutter-snap is about half-a-second, noticeable but not irritating. I know this exists for all digital cameras, so I have grown to work around this by planning the picture. This means I cannot snap a 2 year old running across the room, but I could always capture an endearing grin while seated!5.So many modes...! This one is bewildering in the options it gives the user; it even allows you to make it 'fully manual', which would mean you set the aperture, the shutter speed and everthing else. I am not there yet, but this is where I can experiment and learn a bit...;-)6.Stich mode. This needs special mention. You put the A70 in this mode, and take a series of pics by panning the camera horizontally, and voila, you end up with a fantastic panoramic shot of your room (or a single family photo at a huge family gathering). I am no specialist (as you can tell), but the software took care of the lack of precision in my hands and 'stiched' the photos together seamlessly! I can think of dozens of situations I can use this. I need to re-visit the Grand Canyon now!7.I tried out the video mode and found it pretty nice, though unnecessary in a digital camera; what's the camcorder for...?8.The software provided is awesome. I rarely depend on bundled software with any gadget, but Canon has persuaded me that they must have a great software division. Not very bulky, and extremely useful and bugfree.9.Lastly, the optional accessories are also great : the A70 allows a lens adaptor which means you could attach other lenses you want; and there is also an 'underwater-case' which would allow you to shoot inside the swimming pool. As soon as I get some money to splurge I am getting that, just for the experience!The wish-it-was-better list :1. The 3x zoom. I wish Canon had an A80 (or whatever) with at least 6x zoom. Would have been worth the price.2. Red-eye reduction. I managed a bunch of great frontal portrait pics without red-eye, but once in a while it does fail, as reported by many others. I am told the design of the camera needs to change before it becomes fool-proof (the flash should be at a distance from the lens).3. I never bothered using the bundled AA batteries; just bought rechargeable NiMH; What was Canon thinking, non-rechargeables with a digital camera?! Maybe they should not even bother with batteries, and reduce cost by some $ ;-)4. Similarly, the 16MB Compact Flash is too small; I bought a 128MB rightaway which allows me 135 pics in Superfine, highest resolution mode.5. I am also told that the memory usable (Compact Flash Type I) is slow and outdated. It should be at least Type II, if not a totally different and faster type. For now I am fine with the small time-lag.To Summarize, go ahead and buy this. You will enjoy shooting pictures with it!!!
I purchased the A70 after some intensive reviewing of the current cameras in this low to mid-range price catagory.I had narrowed my choices down to two canidates the A70 and the Nikon 3100. With the Nikon I really liked the sample pictures I saw taken with it and its recessed LCD screen, but it lacked the plethora of features the Canon came with.Post Purchase...I could not be more happy with it! It takes super clear/sharp pictures (Just as good as the Nikon samples I saw).The non-recessed LCD screen is not that serious a problem with normal/thoughtful handling.The extra features and the complete manual control the canon offers really makes for a fun camera someone can grow with.Its size is perfect-fits right in the palm of your hand.And the images download easily via the USB port into the computer.Oh, did mention it takes great pictures?I had debated a long time on which camera to purchase, and need not have worried. The Canon A70 is a bargain.
While the features and ease of use may be good on the A70, the overall quality and durabilty is VERY POOR.  My camera developed a fuzzy spot (presumed inside the sealed lens) that appears at the top corner of every photo.  A panel on the body also has begun to loosen, even though the camera has always been cased, and never mishandled.In reading other complaints and problems in this forum, it seems that Canon sees users of its consumer cameras as idiots, who will gleefully send these cameras back to the factory and pay a further $150 (plus shipping) for a refurbished replacement.I suggest you purchase a higher-quality brand (Nikon, Leica), and leave Canon to sort out its obvious Quality Control problems on other, less-informed consumers.
Pros: Broad feature set for the money; speedy and efficient performance; accepts accessory lenses.Cons: Flimsy-feeling CompactFlash compartment cover; distracting reflective frame around LCD.I bought this camera because I needed a digital camera that had a good set of features without breaking the bank. This one fit the bill perfectly. Not only is Canon known for its reliable cameras, and this camera is no exception. While there are cameras out there with more features, nothing comes close to the features/value combo that this camera delivers. The pictures take so far have been great. There has been a bit of purple friging when taking high contrast photos, but I read many other types of review and knew about that. This is no big deal, however, becasue comparable camera in this feature range also suffer this problem. If this is an issue for you then don't buy this camera. Pony up and spend some more money in order to eliminate that problem. The software suite included with this camera is also decent. All in all I would say to those of you that are considering this camera to go out and buy it without hesitation. Good quality, good price, and good pictures will make you a happy photographer.
I consider myself a knowledgeable amateur and I wanted a digital camera that would let me manipulate shutter speed, aperture, etc.  The A70 has these features and will accept other lenses (wide angle, telephoto, macro) if you decide to expand later on.  It's also suitable for novices who think they might want to experiment later.The menu structure is easy to navigate through.  I love the speed at which the camera powers up and takes shots.  As with any digital, there is a lag, but it's minimal.  The thick instruction manual is a little daunting at first, but the Quick Start guide gets you going quickly.  Do read the manual, though, because it would be a shame not to learn all the tricks this pup can do, such as stitching together panoramic shots.  The autofocus works well, and even though it sometimes reports trouble getting a fix in low light, it almost always delivers a satisfactory focus.  Manual focusing is easy to do, if you decide to resort to it.  The macro mode picks up stunning detail on the highest resolution setting.  The LCD screen is tiny, but it has high resolution and crams a wealth of status and mode information into the space it has.I got about 4 hours of shooting time out of the supplied alkaline batteries the camera came with.  You'll definitely want to get a set of NiMH rechargeables, but it's nice to know that alkalines will keep you shooting in a pinch.  The camera's structure seems pretty robust, although the plastic lens over the LCD screen is probably not scratch-proof.  Buy a case.  The bundled software is excellent, too.  I've deleted all the other photo software on my computer and now I just use Canon's.My biggest complaint is the power-saving feature, which shuts the camera down a little too soon for my taste.  It would be nice if you could set the power-off time to whatever length you want.  Also, it's a little hard to remember what the two LEDs next to the viewfinder are telling you.  There's no brightness control on the LCD screen, so it can be a little hard to see in bright sunlight, but you can always fall back on the optical viewfinder.If you just want a point-and-shoot camera, the A70's full list of capabilities may not excite you, but you'll still appreciate the high 3 megapixel resolution.  If you're an advanced amateur who occasionally likes to pretend you're a pro, to my knowledge, the A70's advanced features can't be beat at this price.
This is the third Canon (we have one Sony) in the family.  I bought Canon because the other two provided good pictures, good software, easy and user friendly operation, all at a good price.  My A70 has been a joy to operate.  This is my first digital camera to call my own.  I have two Minolta 35mm camera, and although this digital won't replace them, it can be carried a lot easier than my two film cameras, and all their lenses.  I also like the instant color-to-B&W (and other special features) rather than switching out film.  The batteries last for a long while, but even longer since I bought (free with rebate) a card reader.  The local retail store prints copies of the digital pics that you want to put in the album or in a frame.  Good camera with no problems.  The 3MP at just over $200 has served me well.
I purchased this camera back in 2004 and up until recently it worked flawlessly. That was until the CCD Started acting up and gave me a pink and white screen when I was shooting. I later found out this model and a few others have a well known manufacturing flaw which canon admits to and promises to pay for shippping and repairs. I sent mine back hoping they hold true to their word. The camera was great for the time and would recommend it for a cheap point and shoot.
I have had this camera for several months now.  I bought it in particular to take photos of the jewelry I design and sell on the internet.  As I'm not a photography pro, I needed something easy to use and that could take good quality closeups.  I also wanted something I could afford on a tight budget.  If I could compare this camera to a car, I would compare it to my Toyota Corolla... both are comfortable to use, reliable, sturdy, and fantastic quality for a reasonable price.I read the booklet to learn how to use the manual controls of the camera, and it helped tremendously to be able to adjust the amount of light I let in as I photograph my jewelry within a few inches, inside my house near a window.  I turn off the flash so as not to have a glare or washed out colors, and it's amazing with just a little adjustment on the camera, how I can get a natural looking light on my subject, as well as fine detail.  When taking closeups, you just press the closeup button so that it can focus on objects within a few inches.  A little square appears on the screen to show you exactly what it's focusing on.  (...)As for "regular" photography of people and places outdoors, for example, I have gotten amazingly beautiful shots of scenery that look like they should be in a magazine, and others that of course are ho-hum.  The great thing though, as with digital cameras, is that I can take several shots and choose the best ones to keep.Now, I have to admit that I also use Photoshop Elements with many of my photos, and the combination of the camera and the editing program makes for some pretty professional looking photos!  With Elements, I can crop, add contrast, adjust color, brightness, and sharpness, so that even not-so-great photos can come out pretty amazing.The weight and feel of the CanonA70 is just right.  It's not heavy, and rests comfortably in the hand.  I don't feel like I'm going to accidentally crush it as I would with an ultra-slim camera.  I love the self-closing lens and the fact that I don't have a detachable lens cap that could get lost.  The lens automatically closes up like a sliding door when you turn off the camera.The A70 may not be a camera for professional photographers, but I recommend it so much for casual photographers, and even people who do web photography like I do.
I am a reader and not a photographer.  I enjoy taking pictures with the next man but I would not call it my hobby as much as a necessity from my wife.  I bought this camera because frankly we needed a new camera that was digital and would allow this amature to delete pictures before running to Wal-Mart to process them.  This camera is great for me!The camera itself is lightweight and quite easy to learn.  I had some difficulty at first figuring out how to take pictures, switch to the video, and then move to cutting and deleting pictures and short films.  However, Canon sends an easy to follow book that teaches you all you need to know to run the camera.Finally, buy rechargable batteries!  This camera (as I am learning with all digital cameras) eats batteries for fun.  Spend the $50 to get a battery pack and get a nice camera case as well (Canon does not provide you with one).
The A70 is a very decent entry-level digicam with the usual benefits that come from any Canon family camera: excellent options for a point-and-shoot lightweight camera.But, if you are looking for your first digicam purchase and a smallish camera to carry around, I'd recommend you to also consider at the sleek S series line from Canon, or the smaller Nikons, or more recent versions of the Minolta Dimage.Since I am recommending AGAINST the A70, I'll focus in this review on what is NOT necessarily so cool about this camera --(1) The A70 comes with 3.2 megapixels. The S230 comes with 3 megapixels. Not that big of a difference especially if you consider the somewhat heftier price tag for A70.(2) Images are not as vivid as the S-series cams. The feel of the pics is a bit blurred (soft focus) and need sharpening in a photo-editing software. Quickly gets tiring.(3) You'll find the camera is prone to the dreaded &quot;E18 error&quot;. Google for it.(4) Uses AA batteries, which means shorter usage time than Lithium-ion.(5) When you zoom in in dark surroundings, without Flash, the pictures have a problem with horizontal lining that is a pain to get rid of.(6) Miniscule memory card included with camera forcing purchase of upgrade immediately.(7) The ON-OFF button is a pain to operate in this design.(8) Frequent purple fringing, plus red colors appear frequently as purples in the pics.(9) Speaking of which, there is red-eye galore, even with the red eye reduction setting turned on.I'm speaking of a 2003 model and while you read this review, Canon may have released a newer series of these digicams. Caveat Emptor. I evangelize Canon in general but this cam I'd recommend you to stay away from. However, do consider some of the other excellent value for money offerings from Canon, including, as mentioned above, the S230, the S400 etc.
Dread E18 appeared 2 weeks prior to warranty expiration. I joined the faulty product club. I guess I'll have to buy a new camera soon, not a Canon, that's for sure.
Pro's1. Excellent features like 3MP, Video out, AA batteries, movie w/sound etc.2. Very competitively priced.3. Manual features like long shutter and shutter/aperture priority mode.4. Superb battery life, works even on normal alkaline AA's.5.Uses standard & inexpensive CF card. (not stick or xd card).6.Good LCD screen, very good ergonomics.Con's1. Its effectively 2 inches thick not 1.3, when you consider the battery compartment size.2. Not pocketable, very heavy with 4 AA batteries and thick. (Canon didn't use just 2 AA's probably to protect their Elph line.)3. AF assist is just a gimmick, doesn't help camera focus better. The weak beam reaches only a few feet.4. Soft images and lot of time needed to auto-focus & also shutter lag.5. Build quality and reliability isn't as good as Elph's (Elph's are made in Japan in Canon factories unlike A70/A60 which are outsourced).In short, if you want manual features and can live with its weight/size then this is the best 3MP for your money. If size/pocketability/reliability is more imp than manual features then Elph series is much better.
I bought this camera in May 2004 and have been extremely happy.  It takes excellent videos and pictures ofcourse!  I bought a 256 MB card and it works great.  It is very frugal on the use of battery so my regular batteries last for a very long time. A great buy I would say.
Best digital camera I've had, good quality for the price.  Biggest problem is it's a little too slow.  I click the button, but by the time it takes the photo the action is over!  Also, for some reason the video only goes to 30 seconds now, but it used to do 3 minutes worth.  Great camera, though.
I have been using this camera for over six months now, above and below the water with the Canon housing. Don't get hung up on higher resolution camera - 3.2MP is terrific. I bought Maha 2200MaH batteries plus a couple of 256 Meg CF cards. It's all been reliable. The software is good too - I make panoramas with the Canon - some of them 9' in length.
I've had this camera for 6 years and it still works perfectly! However, I gave it to a cousin of mine who is in grade school, because I wanted something with more pixels.
I read all the wonderful reviews and bought the Canon A70.  However, when I finally received the camera yesterday, the LCD screen flickers and the viewfinder is blurry when at full zoom.  What a disappointment...I have an older Canon A20 for business and have always liked it.  The newer A70 is smaller with more features, but feels flimsy to me.  The zooming mechanism is noisy and appears cheap.  Maybe I was just unlucky and got a bad A70 that was damaged in shipping?  I've decided to get another type of camera at a local camera shop this time.
I know this camera is old. However, it is similar to the newer models. Don't buy this camera. I bought it quit after 5 years of use with great care in handling it. The reason I bought it was because it took 4, AA batteries. This seemed like a good feature at first with not having to recharge the battery all the time, but it also made the camera have a delay while taking pictures. The delay was long enough for me to miss many great shots. The batteries just aren't strong enough for a fast flash.My next camera will probably be a Pentax Optio M50. It is great for casual shots like when the family gets together. It is also only around $200 at the time of this review. Canon has good cameras, but this series is not one of them, and I give the A70, 2 stars for working 5 years. And all things considered 2 stars is generous.
I am still figuring out how to use some of it's functions and I had to get somebody to help me with the screen because the ring around the lense was not screwed on correctly but once we fixed that it has worked fine.
I bought this camera in 2003 and it worked GREAT. I have changed the batteries a total of 3 times since I've had it and have taken hundreds of pix. I have just purchased the Canon Powershot A570IS, because my A70  has just 'broken' down as of October 31, 2007 (no Halloween pix). I won't bother to repair it, since its not worth it, however it did a great job for the past 4 years, and I hope the new one does a better job, if that's possible. I would recommend Cannon to my friends. Its a great product and does what its made to do.
For those non-techies out there (myself included) who just want an inexpensive, easy to use family camera, this is it. The A70 is a nice little camera -- it's easy to slip into a pocket or backpack, takes consistently clear pictures, and can take mini-movie clips that are wicked easy to e-mail (especially if you have Windows Movie Maker or similar, and can combine the clips and shrink the files down).  I purchased a larger memory card (128MB) and rechargeable batteries, and have really enjoyed using the camera for six moths without any problems.  You can also purchase additional lenses (which is nice, because it has a limited zoom).  We have packed away our Nikon and camcorder, because this is less obstrusive, more convenient, and simpler to use.  Pictures which we've developed at WalMart have also come out clean and crisp, although we've never done a larger size than 4x6.  My only complaint is minor -- there is no battery indicator, so when the batteries go, they go with minimal warning.  (I just pack an extra set of disposible AAs as a back-up.)  This is our first digital, and we will most likely purchase a Canon again based on this one's performance.  Hope this helps!
I've found this easy to use and produces great pictures.To  augment it I've bought a 1 gig memory card for $50 dollars and rechargable batteries.This allows one to take lots of pictures and even movies without worrying about battery power overmuch.
My camera is about 3 years old.  It is my first digital camera.  About 1 year ago the LCD screen began to fade and soon I could no longer see what I was taking a photo of AND when the screen was dark, the photo did not turn out.  I would need to turn the camera off/on for it to clear.  I called Canon support and like the other person who wrote a review, I was told the the LCD screen was defective and that they would pay for me to send it back to be fixed and return to me at their cost as well.  They were very nice about it.  About 4 weeks later I had my camera.  While I am happy with the photos that it takes, I still have issues with the LCD screen.  Every once in awhile the screen will go dark and I need to hit the "display" button once or twice before it clears up again.  Very annoying.  I will need to call Canon service again but I don't know what else can be done.  I just had it "fixed this past summer.W.Kohorst, Silver Spring, MD
Once I got the hang of taking pictures with this camera, I loved it. It took great pictures with amazing quality. A few months back though the camera started blacking out or it would have purple lines. I thought it might be the LCD screen but it wasn't. My pictures were coming out black or with these lines. I would hit it a couple of times and that would do the trick and the pictures would be fine. Now the camera gets hit so hard my hand would start hurting.  I gave up and moved on to a Minolta. Apparently Canon cameras, according the negative reviews has this type of problem with their cameras. It's sad because the pictures came out awesome.
This is a very versatile camera the combines quality with fairly small size.  The auto setting does a good job for those who prefer to leave the work up to the camera.  For those who like more control, there are plenty of features that allow for that.  The quality of the photos made using the highest resolution is excellent.  It is very portable because of the size- it will easily fit in a purse or pocket.  The lens is covered when not in use, thus eliminating the need for a lens cap.  The advanced features do require reading the manual and practice, but are fairly easy to use after that.  Photos are easily transferred to computer by USB interface.
When this camera focuses accurately the resulting images are really amazing.  However, a vast majority of approximately 1000 pictures we've taken so far are out of focus.  Switching to center-point focus doesn't help.  If only one feature on a camera works it should be the auto-focus.  Do the five-star reviewers have low standards, or is my camera defective?  I noticed one other review that mentions terrible focusing ability, so I don't think it's just me.On the brighter side, the movie mode is surprisingly good and produces nice, sharp movies.  However, zooming is not possible in movie mode.  My five-year-old, 0.8 megapixel Sony Mavica allows zooming in movie mode.  C'mon Canon.  Get with the program.Battery life is good and charging time is brief.  I don't have a backup battery or the AC adapter kit and I haven't had any reason to need them yet.The flash is nice and bright and allows for pretty decent indoor photos even in relatively low-light situations.  The AF-assist light probably could have been left off the camera altoghther.  If you need it to focus in really low-light you don't have a good chance at getting a good picture.  Don't expect any red-eye reduction from it either (same AF-assist light stays on during image capture when red-eye reduction feature is on).  In fact, unless your subject is willing to incur retinal damage by looking directly into the stunningly bright light, there is no real chance of reducing red-eye at all.  Big disappointment.  Canon needs to utilize the strobe-flash technique for red-eye reduction.Bottom line:  It's easy to look at the very best images this camera can produce and believe it to be a great camera.  However, when you end up with pictures which are out of focus and when everyone in them has red-eye, you won't be thinking of the great picture the camera produced yesterday.
I use a Canon G3 as my creative camera and got this for my carry-everywhere camera.  What I like is that its modes and menus are almost identical to the G3s, and while the lens won't zoom as much as the larger camera's, the extra megapixel makes up for it in cropping.Picture quality is terrific and the ability to choose how much, or how little automation in a camera this size is refreshing.  Highly recommended.
I bought this camera for my recent trip to China. For the past four months, I've been continuously shooting pictures. I've carried the camera with me literally every moment of every day and I have probably taken about 5000 pictures with it so far. Prior to this, I was not a frequent picture taker. Additionally, this is my first digital camera.Overall, I am extremely satisfied. The camera takes beautifully detailed and rich images. On the superfine, large setting, it is possible to make large prints (12 x 12) with no noticible deterioration in picture quality. I previously shot on Fine, large but noticed some deterioration in quality on a similarly sized print, so I switched to the higher quality setting.The main weaknesses of this camera are the shutter delay, the focusing and the zoom. Between the shutter delay and the time required for auto-focusing, you can end up with a shot that is different from the one you composed.The zoom is a source of frustration for me. It just isn't sufficient to get the pictures you want (composed the way you want) when a subject is further than 10 feet or so away.I think both of these issues are endemic to this class of camera, so this doesn't detract from my appreciation of the camera.This camera has many options and really serves as a learning tool. It's simple enough to be used by a total novice as a pure point and click camera, but also offers enough control to start to learn about more sophisticated ways of taking photos. There's aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual settings.Other pluses to this camera are the fact that it is fairly small and non-descript. Many people are surprised to discover that it is a digital. That's good in my mind, because it makes it less stealable.Before I bought this camera I was a very vapid and infrequent photographer. Now I'm really into taking photos and interested in the process of taking photos. I feel like after using this camera for a few years I will be ready to move up to an SLR.I recommend this camera without reservation, however you should be aware that I am not an experienced photographer, nor do I have experience with any other digital cameras.
I'd been waiting for the five megapixel version of the elph to come out, but after a bit of research I have some advice; buy the four megapixel version instead.  Canon's been having problems putting five megapixels on such a small sensor like the ones used on the S50 and S500 (they use the same sensor).  Check out the online review at dcresource(dotcom).  Why buy a five megapixel when you get better image quality and smaller file sizes with the 4MP version of the same camera?  I ended up buying a brand spankin' new S45 on closeout from Amazon for 2/3 of what these sell for.I decided to get the S45 instead of the S400 so I could have a camera that I would grow into and one that allows shooting in RAW mode.  I haven't been disappointed, I love my camera.Let the members of the upgrade of the month club have their new 5MP toy, and be waiting to take their &quot;old&quot; camera off their hands, or buy a new one at a fire sale price.
I'm new to digital photography. This camera was fairly intuitive to master. The accompanying software is excellent and makes downloads to the computer painless.It takes stunningly good photos, and that's the important thing. The video quality, however, is yucko. Don't buy the camera thinking that you'll take great short clips as part of the package. You won't.Why didn't I give it 5 stars?1)  It is slow on the draw when you snap a pic. Just a little too long for it to capture the scene so that you can move on to another pic.2)  The sliding door on the front is, so far, sturdy but it sure feels wobbly and breakable. I don't care for it.3)  The all-in-one function button in the back is sensitive to the slightest pressure in the wrong direction, especially if you make a selection and then press straight down (the dreaded middle position). Ugh, what an awful idea.4)  Forget the memory card that comes with the camera. Canon, just put the higher-capacity card in the camera. We all know that disk space costs practically nothing, and the card you give us is pathetic (it seems all camera manufacturers do this, and I wish they would just stop the cutesy games on this matter).Bottom line to potential buyers: If I had to do it over again, I'd get the same camera. Others here have mentioned all the good points, and I agree with them.
I'm an old SLR user from way back, and always KNEW it took a big lense to get a great image on film.  This little take-along has such a teentsy lense I figured I'd be sacrificing clarity for the convenience of a snapshot camera I could carry in my jeans pocket.  No way - this little package makes 8x10's as crisp and clear as my old 5-pound Pentax K2.  The color is saturated and with the $89 Canon i560s printer I bought at the same time, I get glossy prints with perfect color balance and saturation - and so easy.  You don't even need to turn on the PC to print - the camera menu drives the printer via the included USB cable.  You can even crop and rotate!I especially love being able to show pictures and video clips on the TV.  I carry that adapter cord in my mini zipper case because a large TV screen beats 4x6 glossies any day.Warnings/issues:1) The LCD screen on the back is fragile.  It scratches very easily.  It's also too dim to see in bright sunlight, so changing to the brighter LCD output setting has to be done BEFORE you get in full sun.  Catch-22.3) Buy a LARGE and high-speed compact flash card.  I shoot everything in high resolution so I can blow up whatever shot I like the looks of.  At 2Mb per image, it's very easy to fill a card up.  I usually shoot with a 512Mb Viking which writes each shot to card in about 1.5 seconds, and can store hundreds of shots.  I just cleaned that card off, with 185 shots and assorted movies!  Also, I just ordered a much faster Sandisk Ultra-II with 256Mb of space.  It should be interesting to see how much faster it writes.  Transfer to the PC via USB 1.0 cable won't speed up though - the USB 1.0 limits you on any card regardless of the card's read speed.  Also, a spare card isn't a luxury - if your one and only card dies, you have no camera.  Amazon.com has the best price on the web for that 256 Ultra-II card, by the way.Two complaints:1) They should've put a little timer symbol by the button that opens the menu that includes the self-timer function.  It's so commonly used, it should have its own button.2) Same thing for red-eye.  To turn it on/off I have to go into the menu.  A button next time, OK Canon?Would I buy this S-50 again?  Yes.  In a New York minute!
Super Camera takes Super Pictures.  Easy to use. Second Digital camera,but it is the best.
This is a very good, almost a great camera. Actually I would give it 41/2 stars. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that, as a compact, it just can't include all of the features a larger camera can give you. (Things like screw on lenses, a diaopter, a flip viewer, a  more powerful flash, remote shutter trip etc.)Picture quality, color, sharpness, etc. is excellent under almost all conditions. Use the i950 Canon printer (so much faster and simpler than the Epson) and their Photo Paper Pro and the printing experience is simple and produces amazing pictures. Not being a pro, I use the Microsoft Digital Image Pro 9 for a photo editor, which is vastly improved over previous versions. The camera feels like a brick,really well put together. It has all the features and options you need in a compact camera. I find that the white engraving on the feature wheel on top of the camera has started to rub out, so I need to look in the viewer to see how to change settings. If you use a tripod you'll have to remove the camera to change the battery or the memory card. Be prepared to spend another $100 for a  compact flash card upgrade. The file sizes on the "fine" setting run about 2.5 megs per photo so it's not hard to fill up a 256 meg card. My previous cameras were all in the Nikon Coolpix series up to the 5000 and this little camera beats them hands down. It turns out picture after picture that you can print without a single tweek on the editor. Thats more than I can say for the Nikon.
I have not one complaint about this camera.  This was my first digital camera.  I have had it for 3 years now.  It still works like brand new.  I can take excellent quality pictures, quick download and even take great video that I have made all sorts of home videos using.  I have never once had a problem with it and I use it almost 3-4 times a week taking several pictures or video at a time.
I've been mixed on how to review the Canon S50. I bought it after much thought vs the Canon G5 or the newer Olympus cameras, and overall I'm relatively pleased, but I did have my share of problems with it. First of all, the reviews stating that the mechanical door is somewhat flimsy are absolutely correct. It's nice not to have to worry about accidentally turning on the camera, but my first S50 had a malfunctioning sliding door (it wouldn't open completely), and I had to exchange it for another one, which has worked fine.Second, the exposure settings and picture resolution out of the box are not optimal considering the 5 megapixel CCD sensor, which is one of the major selling points of the camera. My shots were consistently underexposed, and the low resolution settings seemed more designed to fit on the woefully small included compactflash card than to provide good shots. It was easy to change the settings through the extensive menu, but with a point and shoot one expects good pictures without having to tinker with the settings.On the plus side, the camera is very feature-rich, and the image quality is good once the settings are tweaked. Also, the small size makes it easy to carry around, which is the main reason I chose it over the larger G5.A major draw is the ability to save images in the RAW format, which many other manufacturers lack. The RAW format can be thought of as the name suggests - a &quot;raw&quot; image without any noticeable compression that might degrade quality. In comparison, a JPEG is considered a &quot;lossy&quot; format, in which one sacrifices some detail in order to have a smaller file size. Once I bought a 512MB compactflash, I saved all my images as RAW files and adjusted them on the computer.The included Arcsoft and Canon software are not really very good, and you'll get much better mileage from Adobe Photoshop/ Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro.To summarize,Pros:Small sizeGood picture quality once default settings are changedRAW image format capabilityFeature-richCons:Mechanical sliding door can give problemsOut-of-the-box image settings less than optimalSlow shutter speedInadequate Compactflash card includedNeed to open battery door to get at Compactflash cardSo-so included software
The S50 was my first foray into digital photography, and after reading reviews online, I bought one 2.5 years ago.What I liked:1.) Nonproprietary memory (uses CF cards).  Newer Canons use SD cards mostly (I believe).2.) Flexibility: sized slightly larger than a compact (and quite a bit heaver), but full functioned.  I was coming from a 35mm SLR and wanted to have some control over my shots without shelling out a few thousand for a digital SLR (at that time).3.) Good optics.  Don't remember which review I read that tested the optical characteristics of the camera[...] but it was among the best of the time.What I didn't like:1.) Bulk: It's a bit heavy and too bulky for a pocket.2.) Proprietary battery.  Life is decent, however.  I can usually get a full day's shooting on one battery.  I have a backup "just in case" that I have only had to use on really heavy shooting days (over 150 shots or so).It's survived a number of trips with me around the world and I love the thing.  It got me into digital photography and I'm back in the market for another (probably) Canon compact for my wife.  Eventually, I'll dive into a digital SLR....5/5 to Canon!
The S50 is a very solid camera, and its exterior styling shows.  This is not a camera you see Asian girls in shiny tight mini's and high heel flip flops would carry on their wrists.  It looks almost utilitarian, a no-nonsense type of imaging product.  The best thing about the S50 is its picture quality.  Unfortunately the flash is on the weak side, and the picture color spectrum is &quot;flat&quot; as is usual with Canon's cameras.  I think the Minolta Dimage F300, also made in Japan, is a better choice: excellent picture quality (particulary for printouts), cheaper price, 2 AA batteries, stronger flash, and better styling - especially if you are an Asian girl in high heels.
I never thought the day would arrive that I would abandon my Canon Rebel 35mm camera for a "digital....ugh..camera" but the Canon S50 has made me a true believer.  I finally got fustrated trying to scan in all my 35 mm prints in order to "preserve my memories".  Very time consumming, and I was never quit satisfied with the quality.  So, after a lot of soul searching, and a lot of on-line reseacher reading countless reviews, I finally took a leap of faith and purchased the Canon S50.  I couldn't be happier.  This is an excellent camera for the serious amature, allowing for point and shoot capability or multiple features that allow one to adjust various settings.  I've had the camera for over 5 month now and don't have any regrets.  The quailty of the pics is VERY VERY CLOSE to 35 mm and I've enlarged prints to 20 x 30 with excellet results.  I strongly recommend buying an extra battery and 512 MB Compact Flash Card.  Also, [...] offers a tremendous service which allows one to utilize your new digital camerea to the fullest.  Buy this camera and I highly doubt you'll be disappointed!
This is my first digital camera.  I had been shooting with SLRs and rangefinders.  The camera astounded me.  It is small and light yet well built.  It is easy to turn on and off using the front lens cover that is built in.  The images are exceptional.  I made 8x10s on an Epson printer with no manipulation that I think are better than images from film from a lab.  The Auto White Balance is great and the controls are intuitive to me.  The LCD is high resolution.  The wrist strap is a great way to carry the camera safely while keeping it ready to take pictures quickly.  The "Set" control can be a bit awkward but is not a major disadvantage.  No camera is perfect.  This camera gives you 5MP in a small and light package with very sharp images right out of the camera.  It's also a lot of fun.  I don't want to go back to film.  Canon is the leader in digital photography in my opinion.
this camera is awesome.  some good solid features:1)looks niiiiiiice2)feels like its built solid, and it is3)takes awesome pictures (most of the time...more on this later)4)5 mp!!!!5)uses compact flash memory as opposed to secure digital (sd costs more than cf)6)3 minute video clips!!!it does however have its problems:1)flash is too bright, be very wary when you use it2)settings could be better when the camera is set on auto (sometimes the pictures get overexposed, or the focus isnt perfect)3)short battery life and the included memory card (32 mb) is too small.  invest in a spare battery and a card thats at least 128 mb.  this'll add at least another $50 (depending on whether you get generic or brand name and how much extra memory you get)  :\4)pretty bulky for a digicam...gets annoying sometimes5)the 5 mp pictures are pretty big and a pain to send online, unless you have software that can resize the photos. (or you can choose to take pictures at a lower resolution, but i don't choose to do so)overall, as my title says, i love my camera.  the pictures it takes are incredible (much more so in manual than in auto mode).  and the details in the pictures is amazing.  however, you won't need such a high resolution unless you plan on makin some huge printouts, so don't waste your money unnecessarily just cuz you can get more detail that you don't need.  i have also found the manual features to be really simple to use, and it's been awesome for me as i have been learning about photography recently.  hmmm...i think thats all the major points for me.  the only other thing is the complaints i've heard about the sliding panel....i personally don't have any problems with it, but lots of people do, so i would beware of that too.
Canon PowerShot S50 is a nice little digital camera with 5 megapixel and 3X optical zoom. It has a load of exposure features from fully automatic to fully manual. It takes high quality pictures in JPG or RAW format with normal, fine or superfine resolutions. The only drawback is the focusing being a little slow. It is also sluggish under low light conditions. The rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery doesn't last long (never got it to go longer than 100 shots under normal shooting conditions with the LCD screen on) but can be recharged within an hour. Overall, a nice little camera to have around.
I love my Canon Rebel Digital but sometimes it's just to large to carry so I purchased the Canon S50 as my &quot;fun&quot; camera.  I wanted another camera that used the Compact Flash media and after a lot of research, I decided upon the S50.  It's a lot of value in a small package.  You cannot go wrong with this camera especially at the Amazon price.  What made the deal even better was Amazon's service.  I placed my order on Sunday using the free shipping expecting to wait a week or more to receive the camera.  Imagine my surprise when it was deliverd on Thursday...just 4 days wait.  Great job Amazon!
Finally decided to get S50.  Am I happy with the decision I made!Since, My brother owns S45, I didn't want to get the same one.  Just paid a few more dollars for 1 extra Megapixel.We did comparison tests on my bigscreen Sony Digital TV.  Crispy sharp.  They both perform just about the same except when you zoom the picture to the max, you can tell, then, what an extra megapixel means.  Otherwise, aside from the body color( which I'm trilled with since it's diff from all the other dig. cameras) and more pixels, they are about the same.It took me a good 2 months to do research before I went with this one.  I'm a 100% happy camper.  Still trying to find out all these features that come with the little one.  The best in the market!
It's simple. This is the best digital camera I've ever owned, with the best image quality that I have seen. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants 5MPs and the manual controls. As always, Canon has made another top-performing model. It was highly recommended at CNET, and has been a top product of 2003 in many magazines and camera-related websites. You can't go wrong with this camera. With the price just under 400 dollars, it's the best deal around! Make no mistake, Canon is the best at digital cameras! 10 stars if amazon had that!!
I own a 10D which I absolutely love  and was getting tired of using my old Olympus Epic (a GREAT film camera) and was looking for a good digital point and shoot.  My two major candidates were the S400 and the S50.  I was unfortunately disappointed in the S400's ability to focus reliably and produce good sharp well saturated pictures while the S50 performed like a champ.If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S400 vs the S50.  The S50 offers excellent manual controls while the S400 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation.  I LOVED the look of the S400, but unfortunately it was too small for my large hands and I either couldn't hold it steady or the darn thing wouldn't focus properly even though I set the focus mode on just the center focus square would should have given me substantially more focus control.This camera is simply beautiful, but for me it just wasn't producing the excellent results I've gotten with the S50.  The S50 offers considerably more user controls than does the S400.  I could have lived without all the manual controls since I own the 10D and since this camera was primarily for my wife.  But I couldn't live without reliable focusing.Several have pointed out that since the S400 is so small it will always be with you whereas the S50 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size.  I'm not sure that I buy this argument since I wouldn't carry either camera in my pocket.  I'm well aware of the glowing reports re the S400 and I sincerely wish it had worked out for me since I love the form and size factor, but at the end of the day picture quality was WAY more important to me than absolute smallness and the S50 just performed better for me.  ON the form and size factor alone the S400 gets the nod, but on the more important function front the S50 just worked better for me.I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, it is currently the state of the art.
Before purchasing a digital camera, sit-down and consider your needs.1. Are you just getting started out in digital photography?  This particular camera has a lot of bells and whistles but if you don't take the time to learn the features then it may be a bit of an overkill. The manual has a nice layout, but for the amateur photographer, its not going to be enough explain the functions in detail.2. How portbable do you want the camera to be?This is a medium sized camera. Not quite small and light enough where you feel comfortable slipping it into your pocket and heading on out. But at the same time, not a big contraption that is bulky and difficult to manage.Recommendations:1. Buy a bigger memory Card - With a 5 megapixel camera, I highly recommend getting at least a 256mb memory card.2. Buy a USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader - While the camera comes with a cable that connects to your computer for downloading images, the USB 2.0 Reader is lightning fast. For example, suppose that a download may take 5 minutes with the supplied cable, that same download will only take 45 seconds with USB 2.0. If you plan on taking a lot of digital pictures, then this item is recommended. Just be sure to check if you computer is USB 2.0 compatible.3. Buy an extra battery - More than likely that one supplied with the camera will not be enough if you plan on taking a lot of pictures during a trip. At least with the back-up, you can snap away without having to worry if you have enough battery power.4. Consider buying image editing software- This will give you more control over the finished product. You will be able to crop images, brighten them, sharpen them, take out the red-eye, etc...Again, if you are not familiar with such software, it may take some time to learn.Conclusion: This camera takes awesome pictures for the most part. At 5 megapixels, the images come out clear and detailed. There is a bit of a red-eye problem, and the flash is not very powerful. This camera offers a lot of features, but unless you are willing to sit there and learn what each function does, you may not need it. Portability was an important factor for me while wanting to preserve camera performance, and so I purchased this camera. If I could do it again, I probably would have bought 2 cameras instead. One really small camera like the Canon SD10, so that I can take it anywhere, and then purchase one bigger camera like the Canon G3. I figured that this camera is in between and compromised. Now I kind of regret it. So take your time and think about what kind of settings you will use the camera in and what functions you really need.
The camera takes great pictures. It helped me give up some of my "issues" with digital versus film. I have yet to print any photos, but they look GREAT on-screen and on-line (my main reason for using digital). Love the quality, love the compact size and the light weight. Good zoom capabilities. The only thing I don't like about the camera is the lens cover. I feel like it could come off each time I open or close the cover (in fact, the one we looked at in the store had it's cover broken -- almost didn't buy it because of that). I compared several different types of digital cameras before purchasing and this one was the best for the price.
i have taken this camera to czech republic, china, costa rica (humidity!) and many other places. i have screwed up and dropped it twice on concrete surfaces. it still works!! the picture quality is great for what i use it for and can make high resolution photos to be blown up to 8 by 11 prints (depending on where you get it done will determine final quality). the camera is a bit on the heavy side but it has so many options that you can control, it feels like its as close as you can get to a dslr without spending a ridiculous amount of money. i transition between this and my canon eos rebel slr when traveling and have no complaints with either one.
I was going to buy the Sony 3MP digital camera for my first digital camera purchase. My friends liked theirs. Instead, I let the Wolf (Ritz) camera store salesman talk me into the Canon S50.I'm so glad I bought the Canon! The picture quality is far superior to the Sony and even the 8X10 pictures I have printed are exquisite!I have taken pictures ranging from the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean at Cabo San Lucas to closeups of people indoors and out and the quality is excellent - better than my 35 mm film camera.The camera is light and portable and easy to use. On the Auto setting, it really is point-and-click.I have to confess, I haven't read the two inch thick instruction manual yet though I am looking forward to learning more about its features. In the meantime - I am getting great shots and enjoying the camera!I strongly recommend the 256K memory card and an extra battery.
Pros: fast; sturdy; intuitive; built-in mic for movie mode; sliding lens cover means no lens cap to loseCons: very poor macro mode; disappointing auto-focusMy first real camera was a Canon EOS Rebel.  It was supposed to be a great camera, but I found that its auto-focus never focused quite right.  Close, but never as good as I could do manually.I recently bought the Canon PowerShot S50 for my 7-year-old son, who has demonstrated a real gift for photography.  It's a great match for him because it's small (so it fits his hands well), it's easy to use, and it's very well constructed.  Unfortunately, like my old EOS Rebel, this Canon's auto-focus system is weak.  When it happens to focus just right, the pictures are great, and you really get 5MP worth of resolution.  But that's all too rare.  My Nikon Coolpix 990 (without question the best camera I've ever owned) is only 3MP, but in real-life shooting situations it gets better resolution than this 5MP Canon does.  Keep this in mind: getting the wrong focus (or shaking the camera) by just 1 pixel in each direction reduces the effective resolution by 4x.  So getting the focus perfect is *critical* for the 5MP to matter.  Even minor errors send you into sub-megapixel territory.Also, if you care about macro mode, look elsewhere.  It's really quite bad compared to other digitals.  It can't get nearly as close as the Coolpix 990, and again, it has trouble fosusing.On the positive side, the exposure is generally good, the color is accurate, and the movie mode is surprisingly good.  There's a bit of &quot;Max Headroom&quot; effect because it's only 15 fps, but it's so easy to use that we actually *take* movies now, whereas our old camcorder just gathers dust because it's too bulky to lug around, and dealing with tape is such a hassle.Overall, a nice product with much to recommend it, but check out the focusing issue yourself before you buy.  Maybe it's just me.  But my next camera will be a Nikon.
this is a full-featured 5MP compact camera that will work for a wide range of users.  i compared this with the sony DSC-P10 and the minolta DiMAGE F100 and concluded that this had the best feature set in its class.the S50 is essentially a 'shrunk' PowerShot G5.  there are some differences: the G5 has a flip-out LCD which is very cool and quite practical, a 4x zoom lens, and a flash attachment.  otherwise, the S50 provides almost the same level of manual control as the G5 in a smaller package.  if you want point and shoot capability but want the flexibility to be more creative when you want, this camera should be on your short list.pros:- excellent resolution from a small lens - 5MP power!- 3x optical zoom, 4x digital- good metering and good tonal balance - maintains shadow detail- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours- allows control over cameras internal processing algorithms - saturation, tone, sharpness- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)- compact and lightweight, considering this camera's capabilities (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.7 in, 11.1 oz)- excellent build quality - solid 'brick like' feel - no creaks or rattles and a good positive feel to external controls- nice metallic black finish - i definitely prefer this to the silver finish of other compact cameras- the LCD monitor is also big (1.8") for this class of camera - gives good live preview and review even in well lit situations- shooting priority play mode (a half-press of the shutter release always returns to shooting)- excellent range of manual controls- fast shot-to-shot times- fairly good startup time, especially for an extending lens camera- the manual focus has magnified loupe and ruler readout- flexible continuous shooting modes (buffer after processing)- RAW file format maintains 12-bits of data- ability to turn JPEG shot into RAW during record review- Compact Flash Type I/II and official Microdrive support- voice annotation feature- invervalometer (time lapse capability)- AF assist lamp works well- USB connectivitycons:- average macro performance- vignetting at wide angle and maximum aperture- nine-point AiAF not available in P, TV, AV, M or C exposure modes- average flash performance- the four-way jog dial is not easy to use - pressing "SET" takes practice- you'll need to remove from tripod to open the battery/CF compartment- lens slow at telephoto (F4.9)- AF Assist lamp doesn't have enough power at telephoto zoom- limited apertures at telephoto- zoom controller does not have enough steps / multiple zoom speed- some barrel distortion at wide anglethis is a fantastic camera - highly recommended.  enjoy!
I adore this camera for the following reasons:1. It has a DURABLE metal casing.  I have dropped this camera numerous times on the concrete (including the first time I took it out of the package) and usually carry it jammed in my purse with my keys, mechanical pencils, you name it.  I've also taken pictures in the rain, which I don't recommend, but it's held up so far!  Mine is horribly scratched and dinged but absolutely no problems yet.  I do recommend an LCD protector.2. Sharp, clear pictures.  I've submitted pictures to galleries and miscellaneous publications; they've never had problems with resolution as long as it hasn't been much over 8x10 (but it's advertised to be ok up to 10x11).3. Intuitive controls. Lots of buttons & dials, but you'll pick it up quick or you can just ignore them all, and point & shoot on "auto".  You'll still get great pictures.3. Value.  At this point in time, this almost-professional quality MSRP $500 camera can be found online (NEW) at around $220. If you're looking for a Point & shoot that has some extended capabilities and isn't a clunky EOS SLR, this is pretty portable.A few cons:1.  Weight.  It is relatively heavy compared to other point-and-shoots.  I always use the strap to keep from dropping it, which I've done more than a few times.  It's not as small as the S500s which is a bummer.2. Manual capabilities occasionally tough to find.  As an amateur photographer, I like to use "auto" a lot but when I do use the manual focus/etc. it's not always easy to figure out where the appropriate menus are.3. Tiny viewscreen.  Nothing like getting home and realizing that the pictures that initially seemed so sharp and clear on the screen are blurred and out of focus in real size.  But this happens with most (if not all) little digital cameras.4. Night resolution.  Blah.  Has a "night" mode which is servicable but not that great.I love this camera and will definitely buy another Canon after all is said and done. In 1 1/2 years, my camera has been around the US/international scene and has taken 5400+ pictures.  It has held up like a champ!  I totally recommend the S50, even for photography amateurs. My s50 pictures are all posted on the web.
only downside is slightly bigger size. takes GREAT pix. Might be overkill for a newbie to photography, but if you know what an F-stop is or when to use shutter or aperature priority and want great quality this is the compact digital for you.
I got this as a Christmas present 10 years ago and still use it for still lifes.  Battery was replaced to something higher five years ago, but original still holds a perfect charge.  The only problem is that the higher ISO's are noisy and lower ISO's by nature are slower.  So, flash photography tends to expose the foreground and leave the background black.  50 speed, f/8 yields very clear results if you can stand long exposures.  Exposures may be manually adjusted up to 15 seconds.  There is no remote accessory, but a built in 10 second self timer to avoid shaking.  This makes it more useful than a smart phone for art shots, but not as good as an SLR.
the powershot s50 will not turn on anymore sinse the siding lens cover wonnt work right and canon wants 139.00 to fix !!! Im never buying a canon camera agine!!!
This review refers to Canon digital cameras at large. My experience is with the G5 not the S50. Both are more or less the same camera only the G5 has better zoom and flash shoe.I got my G5 in August through Amazon. In December the LCD has stopped working, and a few days later the Camera completely stopped functioning.At the time I was travelling with my wife to Europe and Canon refused to service the Camera. Apparently you can only get US local service to it (they even don't allow shipping back to the States) and get this - I took this to Amazon customer service which warned me that by taking this Camera outside the United States, &quot;you void the manufacturer's warranty on this item. This could make any future servicing of the item difficult and costly.&quot;Since we are due to get back to the States only in 3 months, and I need a WORKING camera to shoot while on vacation, not when I am home, I had to pay today $350 to fix it and replace the &quot;Optical Unit&quot;.I will never buy a Canon product again.Sony gives you worldwide walk-in warranty, no matter where you are you in the world you go or call a local Sony service center and get your Camera fixed.Now, that Sony offers CF and not just MemoryStick and with the excellent reviews it gets from the user community, there is really no reason to take the risk with Canon. Their Cameras ship with defects and the service is the worst I came across so far.
I purchased this camera when it first came out.  I have enjoyed every single aspect of it.  Matter of fact, even after a year or so, I'm still exploring the different features of the camera.  I went to Egypt and used the vidoe mode on the camera.  I was very pleased because I know now that I no longer need to carry the camera and a video recorder.The pictures are beautiful.  The digital zoom images are clear and crisps, and the auto mode makes it possible for even the most untrained eye of beginners to use.  I would highly recommend this product.
I've been using this camera for about a year and half and it works great.  Picture quality is excellent.  My only complaint is the size and weight.  The screen could also be a little larger.
I spent quite a bit of time searching the internet for the perfect digitial camera.  I was unsure about making the switch to digital and was also skeptical about spending that much money on something I may or may not use.  I got the camera so that it could go with my fiance and I to New Orleans, as well as be used in our private life.  So, being a novice I needed something simple to use, with a long battery life and that came with many features.  Also, I needed something that would take crystal clear images.  This camera has truly done all of that and more.  During one week of constant photo taking (over 250 photos), I only changed the battery twice.  I was even able to shoot a short video!  The camera is versatile in that it's a sophisticated as you need it be.  If you don't know a thing about foacl length and proper light, it's a perfect point-and-shoot.  If you're a camera wiz, there are plenty of features to let you get just the right shot.  I've had the camera now for six months and I'm still discovering new features.  It's nearly impossible to take a bad shot with this camera.  I will say, however, that some of the camera's modes take a very steady hand to take, so you might need a tripod.  Considering how many features are on this camera, the price is wonderful.  Especially when compared to similar cameras on the market.  So, whether you're a novice or a camera pro looking to switch to digital, the Canon should be your first choice.  One thing, the memory that comes with the camera is no where near enough.  I bought a 256MB card that I have yet to fill.  Other than that, it's the perfect camera.
Overview:I bought this camera from Amazon about couple of months back and have taken thousands of photographs with it. I like the convenience of using a digital camera and the fun and instant gratification from viewing a slideshow on my Apple Powerbook immediate after returning from a trip!Things I liked:S50 looks cool and with the black metallic body is a piece of art. Its relatively small in size and the fit and finish is great. The camera has a LOT of features and very easy to use and learn.  The best part of the camera is that it takes GREAT macro pictures and human portraits in close-ups. It can be as good or even better than my &Eacute;lan 7 with 28-90 lenses in that area.Things I disliked:But the biggest problem is that it doesn't take great pictures! In auto mode the pictures are not very sharp and the color are not so vivid like Nikon's. The exposure compensation is terrible and rarely will it take a correct exposure in difficult lighting conditions. Pretty much I can't use the Auto mode/s to take good pictures. I have to adjust the exposure setting and the shutter speed to get good pictures.  So this camera is really the digital equivalent of a point-and-shoot zoom camera like my Canon Sure Shot 115 but costing thrice as much!!!Other minor shortcomings are:The LCD screen can't be covered, the battery doesn't last for more than 100 shots and there is no handgrip to hold the camera. So you need a mini tripod as well!Further you can't add an external flash (the built is too bright for close-ups and too faint for big areas) or external lenses and macros or telephotos.Recommendation:I will strongly recommend you get the Canon G3 for much better performance for about the same price. Trust me, unless u want to blow up or print in 8"10" you won't see any diff from 4 MP and 5 MPI don't knwo why ppl are giving great reviews about S50. Either they are not as particular as i am or maybe my model has some issues. I will soon sell my S50 in eBay to get the Nikon 5400 when the price drops !
I see I am not the only one who had a problem with the lens cover. When you slide it one way, it turns the camera on and then you slide it back to turn it off. I bought this camera about 3 years ago and several months ago, when I closed the lens cover after snapping some pictures, I felt it go past the stop point it usually did. Then I noticed the lens cover had become loose. It is even looser now and the camera is still working but I have to be very careful with it. I am afraid it is only a matter of time before it stops working thanks to the loose lens cover. Local camera shops send out digital cameras to be repaired and Canon will not even look at it for less than $150 since it is out of warranty. I will eventually buy a new digital camera and then maybe I will take the chance of looking at this thing myself by taking it apart. It could be just some little thing that could be tightened up, but taking it apart could also ruin the camera for all I know.
The Canon PowerShot S50 is a terrific small digital camera.  It packs in an amazing array of features, starting with the generous maximum 5 megapixel image size (you can make them smaller to conserve space on the CompactFlash card).  Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc.  You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both.  There's even a Movie mode, complete with sound!This small camera fits in a purse easily (okay, not a small purse), and doesn't get in the way if you're shouldering it in a case (not included).  That means the optical zoom is limited to 3x.  And unfortuately, the S50, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out at 11mm, which is a very wide-angle value.  Even at 3X you will only come in to 55mm, often not as close as you'd expect. There is a digital zoom, but so what?  Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature.  But getting back to the range, I found it insufficient for shootingacross a large (but crowded) room.  If you work closer in this won't be a problem.I agree the sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy.  That's because it can cause problems.  My 3YO niece got ahold of mine and ripped the door off.  I was able to reattach it but now it's like a loose tooth, just waiting to fall off again.  Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it.  I couldn't live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all.  I've just learned not to lend it to people who can't baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again.Then I bought a Canon Digital Rebel, which is an even better camera, but not the same type as the S50 at all.  The latter can fit into a generous shirt pocket; the Digital Rebel is a big ol' digital SLR (single-lens reflex camera, a through-the-lens viewfinder, typically with interchangeable lenses).One of the S50's limitations is a slow shutter response.  I can't tell you how many shots I've missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score.  The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks.  If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue.  Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap.  I don't know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if I'm not using it then I want my hands free.  I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasn't a great fit.  At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory.I still give this camera 4 stars for putting so many features in such a small package.  The pictures are reasonably good, and at this size you can crop plenty out and still print good 4x6 inch images.  The PowerShot S50 comes with software, but you'll probably want to buy your own image editing package.  The one provided is fairly limited.  Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots.  The included CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card.
A friend of mine recently bought an S50 and brought it over to our home when he visited.  We played around with them and our own cameras and made some comparisons.  First a few comments about F&amp;F (features and feel).  The S50 has a very solid, well made feel to it, especially considering the very reasonable price - you can get it for well under the $600 retail pricetag.  Second, this guy has many features you won't get without spending quite a bit more money.  For example, the integration of the exposure mode controls are very logical and functional, with a very usable manual exposure mode and wide exposure compensation.  The included software has an image stitching capability for assembling panoramas and it works fine.  The autofocus system works well and has some interesting options for shooting difficult subjects, such as when the object of interest is off-center.The image processor is called DiG!C and supposedly enhances the image quality beyond what you'd expect from a 5 MB CCD.  We compared images from the S50 to our Olympus C-50 and our Sony F707.  The S50 did quite well, in some cases looking slightly sharper than the C-50, but in general falling short of the F707.  Note that the F707 retailed for over $1000 and has a large Zeiss lens which I expect is a significant contributing factor.  One more thing - the C50 is easy to use - I picked up on most of the controls intuitively.
Some things that I really love about this little camera: It's very small and fairly light, but also has a solid feel. The lens is fully protected by the design, which is easy to work with. It uses compact flash cards, which are easily available and will fit in the 10D I plan on getting sometime in the next year. It's got tons of features: it can act as a point and shoot, as well as allowing an impressive amount of manual manipulation.The setting to allow B&W;, sepia, vivid, and others is particularly cool, as well as the night-shot setting. The flash has three settings, one of which is off, which is a great thing.Because it's so small and light, I take it nearly everywhere with me. You will obviously want to get a bigger flash card than the camera comes with, but once you have that you can shoot and shoot, and discard the garbage shots, and never have to worry about film again.My only issue with the camera is that I've had a lot of trouble installing the software, and canon's tech support has proven to be absolutely USELESS. Most people will likely have no problems at all. Highly recommended.
This camera has everything an amateur photographer could need. Lots of features that are similar to my Canon rebel G SLR camera, which makes it easy to use right out of the box. The pictures are very clear and stunning, and can be blown up quite large.The only complaint would be night-time shots, but most digital cameras can't handle night time shots very well.
I've used my friend's and mine now for 2 years.  They are great.  We took one backpacking in South America for 2 months and it survived and never gave us any problems.  It's great for landscape and taking pictures of friends, etc.  But with the limited zoom (applies to all compact cameras) you won't be taking any super wildlife shots from a distance.  If you want something more powerful, you're going to have to get something more bulky/heavy/fragile.This is the best thing on the market (as of 6 months ago or so when I looked at everything) for power/sturdiness in a compact camera.  I love mine.
This is a go anywhere, take nearly anything kind of camera. I have had the S50 for a year now and continue to be amazed at what great quality snaps it takes; and an added bonus with 3-minute movies with great sound too! It does have a superpower flash, but you can turn it down and you can turn it off. Outdoor, daylight shots are unbelievable with this camera!I did have to get used to its macro handling, as I like getting in there close and shooting the wordage off a dime if I need to. Macro shooting did takes some practice and extra finessing to get down, but overall this camera is a true winner.I am a Canon die hard and have used many cameras in the Canon family, from the AE1 and the Rebel, and A1s to SureShots and now this little PowerShot. This little one is by far my favorite ... the best little camera ever!
This camera is very easy to use, and has many great features. I love it and I will never go back to film.
Sometimes I travel to places where more likely than not, I will not have the opportunity to revisit.  That is why I like this camera.  The quality of the pictures are quite good (often, bracketing and having a big memory card helps this further) and the durable metal body and small size makes it ideal for traveling.My only major gripe is the battery indicator.  The camera doesn't give you a good indication of how much more battery power is left.  A second battery is almost a necessary convenience.Obviously, the pictures taken from this are not as good as the SLR's, but often those cameras do not fit so easily in your pocket.  Having easier access to a camera makes it easier for me to take spur of the moment pictures.  In addition, the s50 does have some remarkable manual features.  Some are a bit gimmicky, but the basic manual features, even a manual focus (kind of a pain to get used to at first) are available.All in all, I do love this camera for what it is.
I have been meaning to give this camera a fair review since I bought it last spring, so I spent some time trying all of the features and testing its limitations. While this and most similar digital cameras take some very clear shots, there are too many cases where digital distortion and blurred photos are the result of the current state of digital camera technology. I bought this camera over some less expensive models in hopes to take advantage of the many manual features the camera has to offer. Most highly of these, I looked forward to manual focus. As far as I'm concerned, this feature is just not worth the frustration of using. The same goes for some of the other manual settings available on the camera. It's much easier to get a great picture using the manual controls on the standard 35mm camera. While I'm very happy with this camera for it's quality in construction and ease of general use, I don't reccommend this camera for those who are interested in the manual features. If you find a comparible digital camera without the manual settings, I would choose that one instead. If you want control over your pictures, either buy a digital camera over $1000 or stick to the trusty 35mm for the time being. You could always get a cheaper digital camera on the side for quick picture taking.
I was given this camera as a gift, and the only other Canon product I owned was the horrible Canon EOS IX.  Happily, after playing around with it, I loved this camera.Pluses:1. Optics are crisp and sharp.2. Image quality is great.  5MP is more than any point and shoot casual photographer will ever need.3. Manual mode is a great addition.  You can shoot in aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual exposure modes.  Pretty nice when you want to get a long exposure for a nifty waterfall shot or to add a sense of motion to a sports/action shot.4. Nice finish that doesn't wear away easily like most point and shoot cameras in this class.5. Great auto-focusing and manual-focus controls.6. 3 minute movie mode.  Lots of cameras in this class cap it at 1 minute.Minuses:1. The little sliding door on the front to turn the camera on and off can become flimsy if this camera is used often.  I've had 2 friends that have had to get this part of their camera repaired.2. Great when it came out, but there are many smaller 5MP cameras on the market now.  This camera definitely feels bulky, but you can't hold this against the camera.  When this came out, it was the smallest 5MP out there.3. The flash is WAAAAAY TOO POWERFUL.  I hate using this camera at night because the pictures always tend to be washed out.  You can use photoshop and apply a adjust exposure filter and the images turn out looking great.  But that's an extra step.  I'm confused as to how Canon overlooked this.  I know 4 people with this camera, and this is everyone's major gripe.Overall, from my experience, my guy friends tend to like this camera.  Most of the women I know don't as it feels a bit too big to them.  If you can get this camera used, I'd definitely recommend it as it'll serve you well for a couple of years.
I have been a dedicated film camera user for several years and a skeptic of digital photography. Until now.I chose the Canon S50 after about two months of research into contemporary cameras. I relied upon a digital photography portal called "Digital Photography Review" to compare different models, and then used Amazon to compare prices. If you are making the move to digital, it is wise to factor in the price of image editing software (I use --and highly recommend--Adobe Photoshop Elements), an upgraded memory card, and an additional battery. The S50 does not come with a case, so add that to the list as well.There has been some fair criticism leveled at digital camera manufacturers for their emphasis on mega pixels. I cannot argue with this; however, having 5-mega pixels over 4 (at a slight price premium) does give you the flexibility to later crop images to your liking, yet, retain good resolution. One of the common complaints against the S50 (over the slightly less expensive 4-mega pixel S45) is the issue of purple fringing at wide angles. My own experience has been that, even at the widest angle, color distortions are virtually non-existent in this camera. The image quality is excellent and skin tones are very good even when using a flash. The flash is a tiny band at the top right (when you face the lens) but, despite its small size, it is very effective for indoor pictures. The camera is quite small for all it can do. The number of manual controls is astounding; I have a feeling this camera offers much more creative freedom than my previous one, a film SLR from the mid-eighties, which came with three detachable lenses, a separate flash unit, and a large carrying case that, when filled with all equipment, weighed about 8 pounds!Digital cameras generally have one drawback--shutter delay, and this is one area that the S50 does not perform well. I have seen shutter delay to vary between almost no delay to little more than a full second. Of course, I have not used other digital cameras, so I cannot tell how this compares. Another weakness is the flimsy lens cover: you have to be careful when closing the cover. I also managed to scratch the LCD screen within a few days of receiving the camera, although this does not affect the images in any way. A protective case would have helped (why doesn't Canon include one!). The included compact flash memory card has a capacity of only 32MB. I would recommend buying a much larger card (such as a 512MB card) that can store a very large number of images (several thousand at lower resolutions). With a large card, the battery inevitably runs out out before the card is full. Buy a spare!Overall, I enthusiastically recommend the S50, especially if you are making the move away from film cameras. The S50 has irreversibly drawn me away from film cameras, even though I did not think that was possible just a year ago. Perhaps it will also transform your perspective.
This camera does exactly what it was designed to do, and it does it well--it takes great pictures from a pretty small and rugged camera body.  The camera is built like a tank, and while not as small as the digital Elph, for example, it easily slips into a coat pocket or whatnot.The picture quality is excellent--the 3X zoom lens on the camera is quite capable of taking very good quality pictures.  Colors are well-saturated and focus is crisp.  This is a dandy little performer--great for taking snapshots and action shots in places or situations where a larger camera might simply be too much trouble.  The pictures this camera is capable of taking will not disappoint.The S50 is a bit more complicated to master than the average small point-and-shoot digital simply because it features a lot of options--unlike many small cameras, this one provides a lot of flexibility for settings.  Don't want the flexibility?  No problem--set it on automatic mode for auto-everything, or &quot;program&quot; mode for auto-most things.  I find that I do almost all my shooting in program mode.  However, it is occasionally very nice to be able to play with apature or speed settings to achive desired effects.Battery life is good, especially if you go easy on using the rear LCD.  One accessory most users will want is a spare battery--for trips this is necessary since the camera uses only a proprietary battery.  The good news--the supplied charger can fully charge a battery in about an hour.At 5 Megapixels, this camera is capable of producing good-sized blow up pictures, and you can shoot in RAW mode too; not many small cameras offer this feature.  I did a lot of research before selecting the S50 as my &quot;point and shoot&quot; pocket camera, and I've been uniformly pleased.
Pros: Compact size, 5 megapixel resolution, ease of use, lots of creative photography options, Solid all metal compact body, Quality Canon lens, quality, enlargeable images, sturdy, macro capability.Cons: No provision for add-on lenses or filters, Expensive, 5MP is probably overkill for most users, Underwater housing does not allow full control, not as sharp as most 4 MP cameras, 4-way Navigation Button & Proprietary Battery, Some photos had red eye, doesn't come with carrying case.Summary: This compact Canon digital camera really impressed me in the week I've had mine so far. I've been looking and playing with the Sony DSC-P9 for some time but took a chance with the S50 sight unseen, with a few recommendations, and my expectations have been well exceded. Excellent image quality and easy to learn interface with ample effect, memory, and capture options are not compromised by the camera's size (slightly chunkier than the Sony, but still slips into a pocket easily). Crisp and bright image replay on the rear color LCD monitor. Easy downloads to PC with USB and unimposing Canon software, and fairly quick battery recharge too. This is a really great compact digital camera for those looking for great images in different conditions without a bulky, intrusive large body reflex. The movie capture is better than on previous Canon models, though still slightly choppy at 12 frames per second (not that making movies is your first choice in features for selecting pocket cameras). Nonetheless, after looking around I believe this is the best deal for quality/function/money versus size in the compact digital camera market.A+
I recently bought a Canon S50 (5.3 Mega Pixel). It is a great camera for outdoor point-and-shoot use. However for close ups, i think a Sony DSC-F717 is much better. The close-up picture clarity with the Sony is amazing. However it is bulky to carry while I am on a hiking trail. Plus I have heard lots of Sony customers returning Cameras, due to manufacturig defects.Anyways here are some photografs using Canon S50 [...]They are from Stevens Canyon Hiking Trail in California. I would like to ask the readers to give me some feedback about the clarity/quality of photografs.[]
This is my third digital camera, my previous was a 3.2MP Casio QV3000EX. While Casio is not a well known name in the US for cameras, it's still hard to find a digital camera today that matches the QV3000EX feature/price point. The S50 does this and more!The Good:1. Made in Japan (not China as some other Japanese cameras ie Minolta).2. Metal case, and it feels like it is well made (heavy). Buttons give a solid feel.3. Turns on quick - 4 seconds.4. Small size. This will easily fit into your shirt pocket. The S50 has the features of a G3 and the compactness of the S400. The best of both worlds. No other 5MP camera comes close to this size, with the exception of the Minolta F300.5. Extreme manual control: 10 aperature settings (most digital camaras have 2), 45 shutter settings! You will not find a camera with more control at this price.6. Lens can zoom in macro mode. Others such as Minolta S414 cannot.7. Fast Canon lens - great pictures in low light and little to no blooming (purple fringe). In my opinion, Canon makes the best digital camera lens. The Casio QV3000EX has a Canon lens, and it takes great pictures. The lens makes or breaks a camera, don't compromise here.8. Will NOT turn on when in your pocket. It's just plain annoying that manufacturers continue to make knobs that turn at the slightest touch. The dial on the S50 gives a solid and metal sounding click.9. Battery charger is small an unobtrusive. Fits into the smallest of camera bags.The Bad:1. You pay a price for Canon. But you get what you pay for. You can get a cheaper digital camera, but you will not get one that has perhaps the best lens, great auto focus, and exreme manual control, and - in the end great pictures. Take a look at the sample pictures at Canon's site. Compare them to similar cameras. You will wonder why you thought of buying another brand. Also consider the S400 for a more limited point and shoot, or the G3 for professional/traditional SLR look and feel.2. Uses a proprietary battery. To be honest, I'd rather use AA Ni-MH batteries. But with the Canon system, you probably get bettery power management since they can monitor the battery state better than if it is generic rechargables. In the end it's probably a wash. Buy a second battery.
I never took the idea of digital photography seriously until I visited with a friend and saw some of his amazing photographs. Since then, I felt the need to try my hand at it. The old saying goes that it's not the camera, but the photographer that makes the pictures - but when you're starting from scratch, and especially in digital, you'll want something you can grow into.After doing a lot of homework I decided that the S50 was the camera for me. My biggest concerns when deciding on a camera were it's megapixels, features, and portability. 5MP is enough to do enlargements up to a reasonable size with cropping, and even though I haven't made prints as large as I possibly could, I like having the option for when I will eventually need it. The detail in the pictures really stands out when you have them displayed at full size on your computer. All the camera's settings and modes are top notch and as a photographic novice I found it very easy to use all the advanced features without having read the manual. And as far as portability goes, handling it at the store made me appreciate the solid construction that went into it. It fits well in pockets too, though not as well as other cameras.So, why not the flip screen on the A80? The S50 felt much more well built to me. Why not the full fledged features on the G5? The S50 is small enough that I'm willing to take it with me wherever I go, rather than &quot;when I'm in the mood.&quot; Why not a comparable Nikon or such? Again, I felt like I got everything I needed in one package with the S50.Do I have any regrets? Not really, though now that I've &quot;grown into&quot; the camera, I wish the aperture range was not so limited on full telephoto, but you won't get much out of any of the prosumer cameras in that respect. On camera flash is bad in every way. And I carry a spare battery with me when I'm out - factor that into the cost of your purchase; the battery life is decent, but not great. On the whole, I'm more than satisfied with the camera, but do your research before you settle down on any camera that you feel is right for you.
I received this camera for Christmas and used it very extensively while travelling through Asia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. for over 4 months in all kind of weather conditions. Unfortunately it didn't cope too well with the damp weather in NZ, or maybe I handled it a bit roughly, but it stopped working (and no camera shop would even look at it - sending it to Canon from abroad wasn't an option so I missed out on lots of pictures for about 1 month of travelling). Apparently the problem was with the CF chamber (one pin got bent by just slotting in the card) and Canon UK charged me &euro;200 for the repair after my return to Ireland.Anyway, in summary:Good points:- great quality pictures- easy to use- good movieclips with audio (although limited to 3 mins - why?)- CF cards are easy to find, relatively cheap (especially in Asia) and compact- the battery life, compared to other compact digicamera, is excellent (especially compared to the Canon Elph 400, which my travel companion had), but it'd be wise to get a spare battery and keep it charged when taking a lot of pictures in one session- the sofware supplied is quite good- the lens is bigger than in most compact digicamera, resulting in better focus and detailsBad points:- the camera is heavy for its size and a bit bulky- the sliding door on the front is a bit flimsy and sometimes doesn't slot in at the first attempt; also it takes a while to activate the camera- the silver-coloured buttons look very worn out (although my camera was used a lot in its first 4 months), but at least the black body stays black (the Delph silver case doesn't stay silver for long!)- the flash is a bit too strong (hence red eyes and bleached out photos in the dark or semi-darkness), even at the lowest setting- the LCD screen is ok, but it scratches easily (there seems to be a hard plastic cover over it to protect it which can be good)Overall, it's a good camera for its price, but I will probably choose a lighter version with the same size lens when upgrading
For those of you wanting to take a (giant) leap over the average point-and-shooter (and even if you do not) this camera is your final destination.  I agonizingly researched numerous digital cameras for months and results always seem to conclude that the Canon S50 is highly rated and was a consistent editor's pick.I am a die-hard Olympus fan with their lens construction, which utilized "ED" extra dispersion glass.  My old (now bulky) IS-1 point-and-shooter gave me stunning photos which actually once exceeded a professional wedding photographer's pictures at a cousin-in-law's wedding.  I can safely say that I can easily match those vivid results with the S50.  The features bundled with this camera are immense.  I have yet to get through them all and the journey can only get better.In researching other "user" reviews I discovered complaints about the flimsy lens cover/slider door and an LCD screen that scratches easily.  I appreciated that advice and I now exercise caution in the operation of the slider door with no problems so far.  The door seems durable enough to last for the years of use.  As far as the LCD screen damage, as a Pocket PC owner I wisely purchased a package of ten plastic screen protectors to eliminate stylus damage.  I cut one sheet down to size and rubbed it onto the S50's LCD screen.  It works and looks very good and they are easily removable thanks to the use of a light adhesive.  You can purchase them at any local computer products retailer.The battery life is fair and upon the cameras initial use, the built-in memory battery needed to charge off of the removable one, so your first run will drain the battery fast.  After that you should see your performance increase according to your camera's operational settings.  I will however, purchase a spare battery or two as well as the AC and DC adapters.  External card reading and writing devices are a must to conserve power and again, my Pocket PC and laptop are invaluable for this as you can view and edit CompactFlash cards with ease.That said, the world is my oyster and I continue to see the quantum leaping advantages to digital photography.  I'll miss my old IS-1, but not it's bulk and film waste.
I have now had my Canon S50 for over a year, and taken hundreds of photos. I am a serious amateur photographer, and I got it because it was the _only_ all-manual (somewhat) pocketable digital camera when I got it. The flexibility of this camera is crucial! And I love the 'intervalometer' which allows me to make time-lapse movies of things such as beautiful sunsets.The bads:The markings on the selector wheel have completely rubbed off. I have to look on-screen to guess what mode I am in.To push the selector SET button in without pushing left or right requires just the right touch. I much prefer separate select button as on some other models.The lens cover also requires a certain touch to close it properly, since it doesn't stay in its track perfectly. This is easily learned, unlike the selector button.Special-purpose battery is expensive! Why not use AAs?Only focuses up to 10cm.  Macros are not that macro.Focusing close in low light is virtually impossible, even with manual focus.To have a shutter sound a second after releasing the shutter button is worthless. It makes taking pictures from a moving vehicle very hard to time.Some more GOODS:  It is surprisingly sensitive, and takes excellent night shots of things like christmas lights, or shots from indoor lighting even without a tripod.Sound annotation and movies are very handy!The flash is very flexible, with 1st or 2nd curtain, variable brightness.The digital zoom (from 3x to 12x) is quite good.It is pretty solid.  Dropped it onto bricks from 4 feet and just a dent.Not much distortion or chromatic aberation in the lens. Photos look great at poster size.
i've had this camera about 1 month. it is intuitive, works smoothly and is a pleasure to tote around and use. sending jpegs via email is simple and being able to choose the size of the image is very handy. i can have big big images or little ones; i can reduce the big big ones and if i only plan to email them i can just take the small size and fit more on my memory card. i recommend an xtra battery and a 256 card; the 32 supplied will only take @19 large photos and believe me, when you get going, that is not enough, even for an amateur shutterbug like moi.
I bought this Canon S50 digital camera for my teenage kids, they like it for the features are easy to operate, very good graphic.
Digital point and shoot cameras should not be looked at as a replacement to film cameras, the quality just isn't good enough for anything important or for images that you need to enlarge. But, for the convenience of being able to email your snapshots or upload them to a webpage or online auction quickly and easily, nothing beats a digital cam. The image quality of this Canon is acceptable if you understand that you will not be able to match 35mm film quality. The color saturation on the images is surprisingly good however you will notice some milky haze around some of the edges and background if you look closely. This is common (and expected) for low and mid range digital cameras such as this one.My main complaint about this camera is that it is too bulky. In fact, it was so bulky and heavy that I ended up selling it to a friend and going with the Canon s400 instead.  For me, the real power in a point and shoot camera is size and convenience. The more convenient it is to lug, the more you will have it with you to capture life's precious moments.  And the s50 should most certainly be considered a point and shoot camera because it's manual controls are strange to operate and I eventually found myself not wanting to bother with them because of the way they are implemented on this camera.For instance,  being able to shoot at a wide aperture on the s50 is of limited usefulness because the zoom lens doesn't maintain the wide aperture when you zoom in even just a little. So during the times I used my s50 and wanted a shallow depth of field, ie. when i was doing portraits, the f-stop automatically changed itself from f2.8 to f4.0 or f5.0 when I zoomed in to frame the shot.  I thought to myself, I  might as well have been shooting with the smaller and more convenient s400! Also, you might be tempted to think that flash exposure compensation is a godsend, like I initially did. But in practice, dialing down the flash on this camera yields dingy looking images in lower light. I was dissappointed.Also, the image quality was cetainly acceptable and I have no complaint there, however the image processing time and shutter lag was definitely noticeable, especially indoors in mid to low light levels.The s50 is just too big to carry around everywhere and subsequently, I did miss taking certain photos because the camera was back in the car or at home. I does not fit well in a shirt pants pocket and it weighs down a jacket pocket. When I wanted to slip it into my my film camera bag, it took up too much space and was unwieldy. My recommendation if you must have manual controls in a digital camera is to either step up to the Canon G3 or equivalent, or go to a digital SLR.  Otherwise, for a carry-around-everywhere camera, the smaller Canon ELPH series would be best.I never really used the tiny viewfinder and don't recommend that you do either. Why? It's very tiny and not convenient, and it only shows a portion of the image frame. Also, it does not show any information such as shutter speed or f-stop. You are much better of using the LCD screen and doing so will give you a "what you see is what you get" image on the camera.
I think I've found the perfect digital camera. Check out the positives and negatives with the PowerShot S50.Positives: (where do I begin?)* Made of solid, sturdy metal. Feels like a real camera not a cheap plastic toy like other digital cameras.* Has features galore!!! Has standard features plus some pretty nice extras such as:-customizable flash-can change the strength of the flash, helping to prevent washed out pictures which is common with most digital cameras when you use the flash.-flips landscapes pictures that would normally appear sideways. the camera lets you flip these pictures rightside up so you won't have to do it on your computer.-can take panoramic pictures.-the camera is customizable! What does this mean? This camera lets you customize the startup screen. You have an option between clear blue water, evening skyline or a sitting bird. You can change the startup sound, your options include a default theme, science fiction and animal sounds(dog barking or bird chirping). These sounds are designed to presumably match the startup screens but they can be mix and matched. The shutter also has various sounds you can choose from. All these sounds can, of course, be turned off.-this list goes on and on. Check this camera out to see everything.* Superb true true-to-life daytime and night pictures.* Pictures come out crisp and sharp with or without the flash, in brightly lit or darky lit areas.* What you see is what you get. What you see on the LCD screen is usually how the pictures will appear on your computer monitor or when you print them out. The LCD, when you press lightly on the shutter button, will show you actually how the picture will appear once viewed on screen or on paper. So if your LCD has a bright contrast and you are in a dark room, when you press the shutter button lightly, the LCD will adjust itself to the actual lighting of the room. There will be no deception and you won't have to wonder why the pictures look lighter on the LCD than on the computer screen or in print.* Can record mini movies with sound.* Uses compact flash card.* Unbeatable price.There is much, much more that I can add on to this list but you will have get this camera and see for yourself.Negatives:* Joystick navigator takes some getting used to. Very hard to maneuver through the menus resulting in accidently going to the wrong options.* There is no power button. You have to shut the lens' lid to turn off the camera. This makes me nervous. I'm always scared that this will somehow damage the lens.* The macro setting isn't the best. Sometimes the macro pictures can appear blurry.* Uses the very expensive NB-2L rechargable battery as opposed to inexpensive, more common rechargables such as NiMHs or other types. Plus NB-2Ls can only be used with PowerShot S30, S40, S50 cameras and Elura 40mc camcorders.Get the Canon PowerShot S50 if you want superior quality in a small package.
This is my fourth digital camera. After owning two intro models (Olympus D490 and D460) I went in the pursuit of speed. Speed being defined on four dimensions: (1) bootup/startup time, (2) delay between depressing shutter button and digital capture, (3) lag between consecutive shots, (4) lens apeture (for low light conditions). Before the Powershot S50 I was (and still am) using an Olympus C3040, which is the main comparitor for this review. In this price range last year the C3040 was one of the fastest cameras out there due to a 32Mb RAM buffer built into the camera and its F1.8 lens.My sense is that the Powershot S50 and all of its competitors have excellent features - many modes, manual overrides, etc. For the most part, just reading the specs is enough for getting a sense of these features.What is purely experiential - what requires owning and experiencing - is how fast the camera is (on the above four dimensions). The S50 is pretty fast. Bootup about 3 seconds. Delay between pressing shutter button and capture about 1 second. Lag between consecutive shoots about 1 second (I took consecutive shoots using the same fixed composition, flash off, new batteries, repeatedly pressing shutter button very quickly). These speeds are all slightly slower than the C3040. Boot is almost the same, shutter delay almost identical, and S50 was a touch slower between consecutive shoots (after the 6th or 7th shot the S50 was lagging behind). Apeture the Canon has a slower lens (F2.8 vs F1.8). Overall the S50 is a fast camera.Obviously in the S50's favor is form factor (which is one reason why the lens is smaller, leading to a less fast lens (higher F-stop). It is a much smaller package than the C3040, which means that I'll be carrying it around more often.
INTRO:I've had this camera now for 2 weeks and absolutely love it. I already have a Sony F707, and was looking for a camera to take around that still had the 5 mp output, but a smaller form factor. When it came down to it, it was either this camera or the Olympus C50Z and I'm glad I decided on the S50. You just can't beat the Canon for features and design. Plus, the C50Z supposidly doesn't have a mic for video.PROS:From what the reviews have said, this is just a scaled down version of the Canon G3, but with 5 mp output vs. 4 with the G3.It's got a very solid construction and I love the brushed metallic look of the body. It's not quite pocket sized - I tried lugging it around in my pocket for a day...a little bulky for that, but i'd say it's a great compromise for those that want more features than what the digital Elph series offers.Speaking of which, it's got a great bundle of features. Images are bright and very real to life. From what I can tell, it's very similar in general shooting modes as my Sony. I leave the camera glued to Program AE, as I seem to get the best quality and still have the ability to adjust the different modes on the camera.  The continuous shooting mode is excellent and the intervalometer (time lapse photo shooting) is definitely a nice new feature. Further the stich assist and video modes with sound make it a better buy over the C50Z.Also, the camera is very fast - from taking it out of the bag to turning it on, it's a little less than 4 seconds and it's ready to shoot.Further, the camera uses non-memory lithium ion - I have yet to drain the battery fully from a days worth of shooting.  I almost never turn off the view finder and the battery's held up like a champ.  It also uses standard compact flash, which I picked up at Amazon (256mb Viking) [at a good price]after rebates. Just can't beat that...COULD IMPROVE ON:The only thing with the construction that got me a little concered was the slide door for the lens. If you moved it a certain way, it can move up and down. Still, the overall construction is very solid.The macro is pretty average. It says in the guide that you can get as close as 5 cm or thereabouts, but the closest I could get in focus was about 3 inches. I guess it's the size of the optics.Also, why only the black? I really like the brushed stainless look of the S45, but you can't get that flavor with the S50. From what I've heard, it's only available in Europe. I guess it's a marketing thing, but still... Don't get me wrong, I like the black, but it'd be nice to have the choice and black tends to show dust quite easily.And while I like that it uses standard compact flash, I've noticed it's a little slower in tranfers and reading than Sony Memory stick.Anyway, these are negligible issues and overall, Canon has really outdone themselves again.
I have owned the Powershot S50 since May 2003 and have been absolutely pleased with it.Pros:1)Great Pictures= I always use full quality and when developed they look just like 35mm2)Small form factor3)Looks cheap(thieves arent interested)4)Many features(too many for me an amateur photographer but i'm learning)Cons:1)Had to replace LCD screen after 2 months of use (for some reason it cracked while in case and no history of dropping; Fortunately Canon replaced it free of charge, I just had to pay for shipping to the factory not from)2)The little markers(stickers) on the function wheel seem to be peeling off. (I have no auto sticker and others are fading could be due to  my sweaty palms)In summary I have enjoyed using this camera every minute. I would recommend it to anybody. The LCD screen didnt bother me b/c they fixed it within a week and a half. Enjoy!!
This was my first new digital camera in the last three years. In that time, the feature set and usability of a moderately-priced digital camera have improved dramatically.Just take the issue of reviewing your photos. On my old Olympus 3040, you had to switch the camera dial to &quot;Review Mode&quot; to look at the pictures you just took. If you wanted to take a picture while reviewing, you had to switch it back quickly, hope you flipped it to the right shooting mode dial setting, and shoot. With the Canon, you enter review mode by flicking a spring-loaded switch. Review mode can always be instantly cancelled by pointing at a subject and pushing the shutter release halfway down. You're instantly back in the right shooting mode. It sounds like such a simple thing, but it makes the camera much easier to use.That's just one of the nice things about the S50. It also has orientation detection (it knows if you held the camera vertically or horizontally when shooting), multiple focus points, and quick startup and shutdown (just open or close the front panel).Since it's in a small body, there are some sacrifices. The lens is not very fast; expect to use the flash or a tripod when there's not a lot of light. The flash is also underpowered, having difficulty lighting a scene after about 12 feet. MacOS X's iPhoto doesn't seem to support the automatic image rotation or RAW files.However, the image quality, convenience, and the many little features done right make this a great camera for casual use in many situations.
This little Canon is ideal for somebody who likes to let the camera do the work most of the time, but occasionally likes to be a little more creative.It does a great job left to its own devices, with clever metering and focusing. The manual functions don't stretch to full manual control of aperture and shutter control (aperture priority would've been nice, to avoid - light permitting - the extreme differential focus effect you tend to get on close-ups,), but you do get control over metering modes, focussing modes, ISO, EV and various flash modes, as well as a `long shutter' mode that lets you det up to a 15 second exposure and invokes an excellent noise reduction system.I very much like the way you can adjust most of these directly from a button. It encourages you to be creative. Even when you do have to delve into a menu, it only takes a second. Canon's control system is one of the simplest I've seen, and I've had and used many digital cameras. This is a delight to use.It's nice to hold too, and has a big fat shutter button that you can't miss, even with big fingers. It reacts almost instantly if you pre-focus.The display is not the biggest around, but it's fast and clear, and even fairly usable in sunlight. All the indicators are clear and easy to see. The optical viewfinder is pretty good too, for such a small camera, despite the lack of parallax-correction marks.The zoom control is a little bit hit-and-miss though, and you find yourself going beyond the point you intended before it reacts properly.The pictures it takes are the most important thing though, and it's nice to see that the lens is up to the challenge of the 4.0 megapixel CCD. That high resolution is great because you can crop images quite a lot and still print them or view them at a  decent size. The images the Canon takes look at the same time crisp and natural, with little of that `processed' look I've seen from other digital cameras. If anything, the images start out a little flat, but a tweak of brightness and contrast brings them up to scratch. I'd rather this than get images that can't be tweaked in a photo editor without making them worse.Battery life seems quite good. The battery didn't last so long the first charge, but now keeps me going for a few days, even though I use the screen all the time and often review photos. There's no battery-level display until the battery gets low, which is slightly unnerving but doesn't really matter. A spare is a good idea.You can have fun with this camera too. By taking panoramas and stitching them together with the supplied software (works much better than I expected), or by setting the camera up to make different sounds for different functions. You can even record your own sounds using the camera's microphone. Once you start delving into all the things this camera can do, you wonder how on earth they pack it all inside.What don't I like? Well, to be honest, there's nothing worth mentioning other than the slightly clumsy zoom action. That's how good it is. I've changed cameras a lot over the last few years; it'll take something truly amazing to get me to swap this though.
Gosh.. Why this has to happen to me also.  I bought it in US and now i am back in India and i am stuck with a frwakinnn Memory Card Error.  Canon.. are u listening??ajay
Same problem here folks, memory card error frustration. I will be attempting the battery removal technique. For those interested, there is also a potential class action suit that may someday happen with their camcorders, see [...]  for more info. I had the cassette removal problem with my Z40 camcorder and destroyed many of my good miniDV tapes (and the valuable material on them).
This is my 3rd digital camera, and by far the best.  It is small enough to take anywhere, and powerful enough to print beautiful large 8x10 photos.Pros:Small SizeQuick and easy operationbeautiful prints/photosstitch modemanual optionscheap memory cardsCons:blurry pix on some shots (mainly my fault)cheap memory card door - feels like it would break off easily.All in all an awesome camera.
I use it almost every day and I have absolutely no regrets about buying this camera, the battery life is good, the memory card holds enough pictures I need for the day, the resolution is great, I can upload my pictures to the web or even print them and they look excellent either way. I would recommend this product to any person who wants an excellent camera for a great price.
I love my camera, didn't buy it at Amazon however, I suggest you do this is a great price.  The size is great I carry it around just because it is so small.  It slips right into a nifty little pouch in my favorite purse.  For close up photos the clarity is great.  Equally great is the zoom lens.  I can't say enough words for this little powerhouse of a camera.  If point and shoot is what you are looking for get this camera.  Good Video with sound too!
I purchased this camera after reading a number of positive reviews. I was not dissappointed. This camera takes an excellent photo and is very easy to use. The battery life is very good and it comes with a little outlet mounted charger.The video features are very good for a camera this small. This is one of the first digital cameras where I have seen the video features worth using. You can capture short motion clips and they are usually reasonable small enough the email to people. They also don't require a special codec to be viewed.
I purchased the Canon Powershot s400 on Amazon in April of 2004.  This is our third digital camera- one other Canon and one Nikon- and this was the best of the three. For the most part, I was satisfied with the images, but many required red-eye fixing or tweaking of the levels. Bright light pictures were usually very washed out.  Shot-to-shot and powering up times were good. I would give the camera a rating of 3.5 or maybe even 4 stars if it still actually worked.I started getting a message that said "Memory Card Error" after about 14 months.  The message only happened on occasion, and I could power it off and on a few times and eventually the camera would work.  It was annoying- for sure- but at least still (sort of) functional.  Two months later, there was nothing I could do to get rid of the error message and the camera became completely useless.  It made it to the ripe old age of 16 months!  I called Canon, and they said I could send the camera in to their repair shop, and they would mail me an estimate.  When I explained the problem, they said that it would most likely cost on the high end of $150 - $300.  Even the service rep. said that it would not be worth repairing.If your heart is set on buying this camera, please don't do so without buying an extended warranty.  You will most likely be VERY happy you did.  I had to use my warranty (purchased at Best Buy) on my previous Canon, and the customer service was outstanding.  There was no out-of-pocket charge for completely repairing my broken camera.  They even took the liberty of replacing the outer pieces so it looked like a new camera.  My only (minor) gripe was that I was without a camera for almost two weeks.  Because Amazon was offering the S400 at $100 below Best Buy, I decided to take a chance this time and forgo the extended warranty.  BIG MISTAKE!!To those of you who have just purchased this camera, consider selling it before this defect sets in for you and the camera is worthless!Canon- I am SO disappointed in you!  This defect happens more often than not, and you won't recall the camera or do anything to help those of us who made a substantial investment little over a year ago.  I guess you knew what you were thinking when you gave the camera a one-year warranty.If I sound bitter, it is probably because I am...I can't afford to buy a new camera every year. The sad thing is, my next camera will probably be the Canon S2 IS because it is such a fantastic camera and I would like to have the 12x zoom capabilities.  But you can bet that I won't buy it without an extended warranty!
All the reviews available really say it all. I can only say positive things about this little wonder. I have been using digital cameras only since 1994 and I can say this is the best so far. The size is great even for big hands like mine and it is very easy to use. Low light conditions require extra light, but when the light is sufficient, pictures are far better than I ever got with my Nikon film camera years ago. It is my second camera to exceed film quality. The last one was a Canon also. The investment in digital is well worth it since you have zero expense after camera, extra cards, and card reader are purchased. Bottom line: knockout quality in design, construction quality, and picture quality. This camera is a work of art that could be showcased.
I have waited a while for a digital camera with the right set of features and size - this is it.  It is so compact you can put it in a trouser pocket, takes great photos and is very easy to use.I added the Canon PSC-50 leather case and 512MB SimpleTech CF card (as sold by Canon).
I bought my S400 in May 2003 and fit it with a 1GB Lexar CF card.  This camera has been with me across 3 continents -- from -10C up to 40C climates -- and easily 17,000 photos in these 3.5 years.The camera is very solidly built, and has a reassuring heft to it.  The Celabrite finish on the front resists fingerprints and is pretty durable (except in the corners where some of it has rubbed off from roughing it in pockets/purses).  The S400 has a 1/1.8" CCD sensor, which is larger than most of the subcompact cameras out there -- they have 1/2.5" sensors -- and translates directly into better low-light performance before noise-reduction and processing can even start to help out.  Because of this, my next camera will definitely have 1/1.8", regardless of its noise-reduction capabilities.This was also one of the first cameras to sport an "orientation" sensor, meaning it "knows" which way you're holding the camera when you're taking the shot, and inserts this into the JPG's EXIF metadata.  But while normal images are named IMG_xxxx.JPG, the movie files are named MOV_xxxx.AVI, meaning in a normal listing view, they don't show up in chronological order interspliced with the images.  And I don't believe the movies have datestamps on them besides the file timestamp.  Anyway, for today's standards, the movie quality (resolution and frame rates) leaves something to be desired.The custom white balance on the S400 is quite good, and saved me from having to do a lot of postprocessing to "un-yellow" some photos.Focusing on this camera is a little slow, and is definitely audible.  But if you plan to take a lot of photos of the same subject (or at the same distance), you can lock the focus once you have it, and keep shooting without re-focusing.  This also shortens the shutter lag!  Ditto with exposure lock, which is useful if your picture has a wide range of lighting conditions and the best exposure isn't necessarily in the middle or detected by the camera.A second (and third, maybe) battery is a definite requirement if you go for day trips, because like all Canons, the S400 doesn't show how much battery power is left!  You get a flashing red battery sign, meaning you probably have 5-10 shots left; twice that if you turn off the LCD and flash.  I found that on vacation, I would go through two full batteries per day.  Sidenote: my second battery was an aftermarket with slightly higher capacity (900mAh over 840mAh), and it was 1/4 the price and lasted great until recently, when it stopped holding much of a charge.There have been, of course, many complaints about a famous "memory card error", but I haven't had it happen to me.  [...].Sadly, some 5 hours before New Year's Eve 2007, my camera refused to power up.  It didn't make it into 2007, but it gave me a great run for the money!
I just bought the S400 from Dell for $xxx a little while back and was considering the Sony DSC-P10 at the time as well.  I figured I'd write up a review on amazon to help other people out that are in the decision making process.Price:-----The Sony DSC-P10 is 5 MP vs. 4 MP for the S400.  The difference in resolution may immediately sway your decision to teh DSC-P10, but I would think very carefully. While the extra 1 MP sounds like a lot, my old 2.0 MP Canon S00 was fine for priting pictures all the way up to 8x10 (w/o any cropping). 4 MP resolution should allow you to price 11x14 with no cropping, and 8x10 with a lot of cropping.  5 MP is just excessive IMO. These days, it's just a race among manufacturers to see who can advertise the highest MP number.Shooting modes and menus---------------------------------P10 also has some convenient shooting modes which make it more user friendly.  It also has great features like cropping, resizing and rotating right on the camera which helps when you are not by a computer and want to free up room on your media storage.The Canon S400 has a far superior menu system and is much easier to use.Size:-----Canon S400 is smaller, making it a more pocketable camera IMO. Trust me on this one.  The specs shown them being only very slightly different in dimensions, but the total volume of the cameras makes the S400 ideal.  Those with bigger hands may prefer the layout and slightly larger size of the P10 though.Memory storage:---------------The P10 uses Memory cards, which are limited to 128 MB, unless you use the double sided ones (Sony Memory Duo), where you can flip them over to get another 128 MB. Far too much hassle for me.. sounds easy in theory, but in real life, you will hate it. My friend who bought the P10 surely does.  You can get larger memory sticks, which comes in the form of the "Sony Memory Pro", which are 256 MB and 512 MB.  Keep in mind though, that these cards have problems acting as regular storage for files, and things like Mp3s for sony mp3 players. They have some type of digital rights management (DRM) on them that have causes lots of problems for people (so i've read on many reviews).  Also, these PRO cards only work in 2003 (or newer) sony devices.  Lastly, the memory pro cards have some type of management files on the cards themselves, taking up about 20MB of space. So a 256 MB card, really only has about 230 MB.  Maybe not a big deal, but com'on, at advertise the size correctly!Battery Life:-------------Battery life on P10 is better than the S400. It will last about 20% longer.  However, the batteries are cheaper for the S400 AFAIK and they also charge in about 1/2 the time vs. the sony batteries.Conclusion:-----------All in all, i think the S400 is a better choice. Sure, CF maybe outdated in a few years in favor of smaller, superior storage media like SD, MMC or xD cards (which are going up to 1 GB btw), but until then you can get a great digicam with dirt cheap media. I picked up a 512 MB Kingston card for very cheap from eBay.Tips for those buying the S400:-------------------------------1. Ensure you buy good quality CF cards for the S400. CF cards have on-board processor on the cards themselves which actually regulate how fast the read+write is, unlike smartmedia which reliees on the camera.  This means that CF cards will differ greatly in speed for read+write performance.  Recommendations are Viking, RiData and Kingston. I have used about 7 or 8 different types of cards, and these are definitely the best in speed and reliability.  Viking can be found cheap on Amazon deals quite often (with rebates), and kingston and ridata can be found on eBay for cheap.2. Buy the legitimate Canon branded NB-1LH batteries. They can be had for about $30-$40 if you look hard enough. Stay away from NB-1L (notice the H is suffix is missing). The NB-1L is the lower capacity battery for these cameras.  Stay away from aftermarket batteries. Sure they sell for MUCH cheaper (often 1/3 the price), but reliability and longevity of these are just brutal. There are always exceptions to the rules -- some ppl have have great experiences, which others have dead batteries almost right away.  Why risk having a dead battery while you are on vacation and miss those Crucial shots of your wife/gf?  Spend the extra $15 and get the real-deal batteries.Recommended purchase:----------------------Canon S400-256 or 512 MB Viking, RiData or Kingston CF card-1 extra battery NB-1LH-Camera Case PSC-100 -- padded case with front storage for extra battery and storage. Very compact and nice looking.
My wife and I received this camera as a Christmas Gift last year.  It took great pictures until we got the memory card error WHILE ON OUR HONEYMOON.  That's right, we now have no pictures of our honeymoon.  Thanks a lot Canon.  This memory card error isn't a secret.  Please try to put out a product that works for more than 10 months next time.  I will never ever never ever never buy a Canon product again.  I would urge others to do the same.
I am suffering from the same memory card error mentioned dozens of times among these reviews.  We were quite happy with the S400 for the first eighteen months or so, and then started getting this persistent error that now has rendered the camera useless.The reason I am adding my two bits is to help bring down the average rating for this camera (which was still four stars as of this writing) so that the casual buyer won't just glance at the four star rating and think everyone is happy.  We're not.Canon should be ashamed.
This is a great camera from Canon.  I've always been a fan of the Digital Elphs and I've had this one for about 2 years now. Canon has since come out with smaller versions with more capabilities.  So if you're considering this camera, I would suggest looking at the SD300, SD400, and even SD500 before making your decision.
Great have it with you always camera. Terrific for all types of shots by a novice, such as myself. Comes with easy to use software and accessories. Would get larger flash card (at least 128MB) and spare battery, and soft case.Takes great photos. Distant zoomed shots beyond the range of the to optical zoom are the only weakness, as they are with all non-telephoto lens cameras.
Do a little research on this and its successor, the S410 before you buy.  My first year with my S400 was great.  A little after that, I  started to get Memory Card Error problems.  At first, I tried reformatting the CF card using the camera, which sometimes worked.  I then replaced the CF card, and that worked for about 2 weeks.  I Googled Canon S400 memory card error and found lots of other S400 owners with the same problem.  The fix I hear about most is using a USB card reader to reformat the card in FAT format.  I've tried that, but the CF card still needs reformatting every now and then.  So as it stands now, I can get the camera to work if I reformat the CF card, but I just can't tell when it's going do deal me another Memory Card Error.  Totally unreliable.
I thought I was crazy at first, but I am having the same memory card problems as all the other reviewers.  I think the problem is with the camera but not with the memory card.  I took the memory card from my s400 powershot and placed it in my canon G6 powershot and was able to download all the pictures and movies using the G6.
As a camera, my Canon S400 delivered on everything it promised: wonderful photo quality, great ease of use, and extreme portability -- the size is just right.However, as a product, the Canon S400 suffers from lackluster reliability and product integrity.  After 6 months of use, my S400 gave up the ghost in the middle of a family holiday, leaving me with the dreaded Canon &quot;E18&quot; failure warning.  So, no more picture taking, no way to get my photos out.  I've had to send my camera back to Canon for repair.  All of this for a camera that I babied, packed carefully, and always carried in a case.Now, I don't know if the S400 is any less reliable than any other brand of digital camera, but I do know that it let me down in a big way that is going to cost me big $$$.  A simple web search on the phrase &quot;Canon E18&quot; will show you that many other individuals have experienced similar problems.
This camera is simply the best in its class. If you want a camera that has incredible photo quality, small so you can take anywhere this is the one. I previously had a Sony (DSCP-92 in which I unfortunately lost, 4.0 MP as well) and it doesn't even compare to this Canon S400, the pictures come out a lot clearer and way, way less blurry pictures, as my Sony took many, many blurry pictures. Canon's battery also lasts a little longer but still should be improved. The flash is also not its best, but it does well for its size. I definitely recommend this camera if you would like to have a camera to take anywhere, and just take pictures randomly and get amazing photo quality.
My last digital camera was a Canon Powershot S100. It was the 2.11 megapixel version. My experience was so positive, that I upgraded to the S400 after 3 years of solid service from my first S100.You can't find a more useful, quality camera at any price. It's powerful, yet very small and light. The hipness factor is alse very high. People love to ogle it. Camera envy!I carry it in my jacket pocket ot attache wherever I go. That's a huge plus on my scorecard. I also have a small camera case from Wal-Mart I bought for $5, just in case I think I need a little more protection for it (like when traveling, or outside a lot). I can wear it on my belt, yet it is well padded, and can carry spare memory cards and an extra battery.The S400 takes 4 megapixel shots. Using an Epson Stylus Photo RX500 (multifunction device: printer/scanner/copier), I printed 4x6 photos and 8.5 x 11 photos. To my eye, both were photo lab quality when printed on premium glossy stock. I used Canon paper for 4 x 6, and HP paper for 8.5 x 11. I believe that the premium glossy photo paper from all the major manufacturers is excellent. Shop price, rather than feeling you are forced to go with the same brand as your printer. I print about 30 4x6 photos for every 1 full page photo.I set my S400 at the highest resolution and the next-to-highest quality. That way, I get all the pixels, yet there is adequate compression. This keeps the files manageable, and you can fit more photos on a memory card. I use a 256MB card, with a 128MB spare. At current prices, everyone can afford to have more memory handy.Not being a camera bug or serious photo hobbyist, I use all the automatic settings I can. Auto focus, auto white level, auto exposure. When it needs a flash, it flashes. The only time I make any adjustments is when I am in sunny conditions or I am close to an object I am shooting (macro).Generally, I just point and shoot, and it is a thing of beauty. Semi-pro camera gurus can probably make this thing take even better shots.Battery life is fine, with the new Lithium-ion cell. It's better than the one that came with the S100. The wall charger they give you is also tiny, and charges it quickly. Die-hards might want an extra charged battery when they are going to take a lot of shots in a short period of time, or when the flash will be used on every shot. I have  never run out of battery juice while in the middle of taking shots. But I don't take 150+ shots without a chance to charge it back up.The 3X optical zoom is better than the old 2X from past models. I disable the optical zoom, so my image stays in native full resolution.I rarely use the video mode, because I have a newer Sony mini-DV camcorder that is incredible for video.It's best to stick with the strengths of each device. Camera: photos. Camcorder: video. The video quality on the S400 is poor, and the digital photo quality on the Sony camcorder is poor. If I can only take one of these with me, the S400 almost always wins. While the Sony camcorder is small and light, it is still about 5x the size and weight of the Canon S400. Convenience often carries the day.I never use the USB connection to connect the camera directly to the computer. I have a 6-in-1 card reader for my computer, and my printer is compatible with all memory types. It's nice to know the direct connection is there if I need it, though.You can't go wrong with the S400. Prices are even starting to come down, as 5 megapixel cameras are coming out. I'm sure Canon has a 5 megapixel Elph in the works, but for high-quality photos up to 8.5x11, it's hard to improve on the S400.
This camera is a joy to use.  It is small enough to carry everywhere.  It's about the size of a pack of playing cards.  Image quality is wonderful.  The prints that come straight out of the camera on my Epson 960 inkjet printer are stunning.  The white balance adjustment works well and the metering is very accurate. It is a good idea to buy an extra battery as there is no battery meter so you really don't know when you will run out of juice.  The battery is small and carrying an extra battery is easy.  The optional case is very handy.  The camera comes with a wrist strap which is a safe and unobtrusive way to carry this little wonder when you are out and about shooting.I had been looking for a small camera to take with me everywhere with excellent image quality and now I have it.  Canon really did a beautiful job.  The camera also feels great in the hand.
I owned this camera for 4 months and my only complaint was that there is a slight delay between pushing the button and the camera taking the picture, this makes it difficult to catch kids in action. However, my opinion changed drastically when it stopped working completely. We took it camping and left it in a car overnight to protect it from the elements, it was very cool, but in the morning it wouldn't power on. We sent it in for repairs under warranty and it was deemed 'beyond economic repair', meaning the cost of repairs were more than the cost of the camera. I thought this would result in a new camera, but no, it meant you're screwed! I talked to repair department supervisors, bumping it up until I was talking to the repair service head honcho who simply said &quot;sorry&quot;. Apparently the manual warns you of this and tells you to put it in a plastic bag, yada yada yada. This was our first digital camera and we justified the cost because we would save so much on film development. Well if you have to pay $400 for a camera that only works for 4 months before you have to buy another one, I don't think it works out. By the way, I have a Canon EOS Elan SLR film camera that I've had for 8 years. I've taken it backpacking and have literally had it in waterfalls taking nature pictures, it's blown over on a tripod onto rock, it's bombproof, I swore by Canon, until now. Maybe this is a film vs. digital thing that is the same with all digital cameras, I don't know. Anyway, hope you benefit from this review.
I carried this camera in my pocket for a 3 week holday in the UK, and was thrilled with the results when I got home. Pictures are very sharp, and color is excellent (perhaps a little dark on the default setting, but this is adjustable). The camera is principally automatic point-and-shoot, with some manual controls/overrides for more advanced situations. The number of features is amazing for its size. The user interface design is excellent. The silver paint on the case scratched too easily by coins and keys in the same pocket. The macro capability make this a great ideal camera for shooting closeups of small flowers, insects, jewelry. The shooting/display switch feels/looks a little fragile, but I have had no problems so far. Overall, an outstanding little camera.
I purchased this camera for my daughter for XMAS. Looking forward to getting tons of photos, videos of our new granddaughter.  I've been using the PowerShot S300 that I purchased from Amazon a couple of years ago and I love it.One great feature is the power pak.  You do not have to mess with rechargable "AA" batteries.  Just place the battery in the charge plug it in a receptable and you are back in business in a couple of hours...Not to mention you can take about 256 pictures without charging again.
Look, a great number of people I know exclaim about how great Canon's are in general, especially the S400. I am going to talk about why the Sony DSC P10 destroys the Canon S400 and to address the gripes of other reviewers.The only advantages the Canon S400 has over the Sony P10 are as follows:1. Flash is more centered over lens of camera to avoid &quot;shadow&quot; effect2. Compactflash memory is cheaper3. Double sided memory sticks are &quot;bad&quot;4. The S400 has 9 points of autofocus, compared to the P10's 3Yes, I know the flash on the Sony is not centered over the lens, thus in theory it would cast shadows over the subject, BUT in practice, THIS HARDLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE. For the most part, I have not even noticed that this was possible, but in those small instances if I payed extremely close attention, I could notice that something small and insignificant placed in a very specific way in front of the subject was casting a slight shadow on the subject in like 1 in 100 of the night pictures I take.This is FAR outweighed by the fact that Canon's in general, and this PARTICULAR Canon, has THE WORST lighting problems I have ever seen. SKIN TONES, COMPLETELY wrong. Canon has a history of problems with underexposing color tones and this camera is no different. Using TWO different A400's, the skin tones of people in the pictures often comes out terrible. People's skin often comes out EXTRAORDINARILY yellow and fuzzy. I am not sure what causes this problem, but this ALONE renders the camera completely useless in mild light conditions. Go develop some night pictures off the A400 before you buy it and you'll see what I'm talking about. The skin tones come out all wrong and it is obvious to almost everybody. Especially if you are Asian! They're not THAT yellow! Compare the pictures side by side to the Sony P10 and I guarantee you can tell.First of all, compactflash memory is only cheaper than memory sticks if you don't know how to shop. Sure, if you buy a Viking Compactflash card then it'll be cheaper, but then again you shouldn't be doing that anyways since Viking makes dangerously terrible cards. Furthermore, if you shop on amazon.com, you can buy a 256MB SONY brand memory stick for practically the same price as a reputable maker of a CF card!I agree, that memory stick pros are not that great since they have that really odd copyright protection, but if you plan to only put pictures on this card, then that should not even be an issue. Also, people have complained about the &quot;double-sided&quot; memory sticks and how inconvenient they are. Both me and my dad have one and we actually think it's better than a conventional 256MB stick. First of all, if you have an MP3 player then it would be nice to keep MP3's on one side of the card and pictures on the other. You don't want to mix the two, and it's a great way of dividing it. Why would you not want to mix the two? Say you wanted to format the card to delete all your pictures so that you can take a whole new round of pictures. If you had a 256MB compactflash, you would delete all your MP3's as well, or you would have to delete each of your 100 pictures one by one.With the double sided stick, you can just delete one side at a time, leaving all your MP3's. The same holds true if you are just taking only pictures as well. If you want to keep some pictures or movies on your card for a presentation or demonstration on a TV, then you can keep those pictures on one side of the card, and then continue formatting and taking pictures on the other side freely. And when you do have to switch the sides, it really isn't annoying at all. You just take out the card and move one button. This is far easier than tying your shoes. So one reviewer named tmchow complained on switching sides to the memory stick that it was &quot;Far too much hassle for me.. sounds easy in theory, but in real life, you will hate it&quot;He must wear velcro shoes or something, because if you can do simple things like tie your shoes, SURELY you can press one button, really it's not hard at all.And WHY on EARTH would a non-professional photographer need NINE points of autofocus?!? That would mean you would like to focus on an object NOT in the center of the picture and leave everything else blurry. So this spectacular feature would come in handy in the following situation, you are taking a picture of two people at a restaurant but you would like to focus on the salt shaker, but leave the two people fuzzy. USELESS. So basically if you would ever like to focus on something completely outside the center of the picture but leave the remaining 90% of the picture fuzzy, buy this Canon for the wonderful autofocus flexibility.So let's look at why the Sony P10 is clearly better:1. I like people's skin to look like how it does in real life.that ALONE should be enough, but let's carry on2. Sony P10 is 5 megapixel3. 20% longer battery life, VERY important in digital photography4. Takes great pictures in the dark, and even has a solid night modeSome people get completely lost in megapixels and think that more megapixels is better and forget the rest of the camera. Not true, megapixels only matter if you are blowing up your pictures to uncommon and extravagant sizes like 20 X 30. In this case, the Sony P10 takes far better night pictures as well as having more megapixels. But if you really insist on messing up everyone's skin tones, go right ahead and buy this camera.People keep talking about how compact the A400 is. Well, in my experience, pants pockets generally are rectangular, not square. Making the Sony P10 a far better fit when it comes to a conventional pocket.Overall, Canon cameras are completely overrated by all those blind Canon lovers. Don't be biased!
an excellent point and shoot camera which produces superb images with minimal effort.  the DIGIC processor or ISAPS does seem to make a difference compared with powershot s40.  do not purchase if you are expecting a lot of manual functions.  read the manual to get the most out of this camera.
Then look no further.  The S400 is so small you can practically take it anywhere.  It will easily fit in a jacket pocket.  You'll barely notice the weight in your backpack or purse.  A friend of mine wears it on a lanyard around his neck.  I've even carried mine in the front pocket of my jeans!Yes, the S400 is a small digicam.  As a result, it leaves out many features that might be desired by more advanced photographers (manual focus, aperture/shutter priority, flash exposure compensation,...).  But for the majority of people, the S400 is an excellent point-and-shoot digicam.  If you don't need 4MP, then consider the 3MP Canon S300.Sure, there are smaller digicams out there, made by various manufacturers, but most of the smaller digicams lack an optical zoom.  If you can live without the optical zoom and you want something smaller, consider the 5MP Canon SD10 or a camera from the credit card-sized Casio Elixim series.If you do not need a small digicam, you may want to save some money and go with a Canon A70 or A80.  These cameras, which have larger grips, are especially a good choice for people with larger hands.  Where the S400 feels like it might slip out of the hands, the A70/A80 provide an excellent grip.One final note: if you like water activities, Canon makes a waterproof housing for many of their cameras (S400, A70/A80, etc.).  I don't currently own a waterproof housing, but I am considering one to use when I go fishing.  These housings are also excellent for snorkeling.
I'm very happy with this camera.  It works just as the specifications provided says it should, and the quality of my pictures is outstanding.  The unit is compact and solid in my hand, and all functions are easy to use and adjust quickly after only a small amount of practice.  There are many different shooting options and you can manually adjust many exposure settings.Most of the photos I've taken so far have a very &quot;snapshot&quot;-ish quality to them--nothing very impressive, artistically speaking.  The flash washes out colors up close (like flashes do) and shooting in low light is difficult if you don't have a steady surface to rest the camera; however, when the settings are properly adjusted to the environment, you can get some amazing pictures.  Sometimes I'll come across a shot and say, &quot;Holy cow! Did *I* take this? It's beautiful!&quot;My only real gripe with this camera is that it didn't come with any helpful extras.  One battery, charger and 32MB memory card--that's it.  It would have been nice if they at least included a little cloth bag to keep it in until you purchase a case for it--and yes, you WILL want a case for this camera.  The 32MB compactflash card is good for starters, but it will fill up very quickly, and unless you're not going to use the video capture and you're willing to constantly do on-the-fly image selection--i.e. deleting pictures directly from the camera before you download them to your computer in order to make room for more (this is not difficult, but a nusiance when you would rather take pictures)--you will definitely want an upgrade.  Not much can be said for the proprietary battery except that it lasts about as long as you would expect it to.  A second battery is a must if you're out taking pictures all day long.  The charger is conveniently cord-free and plugs directly into the wall.  You can easily grab the whole unit and stuff it in a small bag with your camera for travelling.And to the reviewer who complained that the flash mode isn't saved when you power-down: True, if you leave your camera in the normal, automatic mode, the flash will default to &quot;on&quot; every time you power-up your camera--but if you use the &quot;manual&quot; mode, it will remember the flash setting, even when you take out the battery.  I usually shoot in the manual mode, then when I need to take a really quick picture and I'm just not sure about the settings, I flip over to automatic and point and shoot.I recommend this camera, but be aware that you'll probably want to spend at least another $50 - $100 on the following accessories right away:Small case - I found one locally that fit the whole kit perfectly for less than $10Spare battery - Use the genuine Canon part--people have reported problems with 3rd party batteriesLarge CF memory card - 256MB seems to be the gold standard, but don't forget that write/access speed is almost as important as size
The size of a pack of smokes, and not much heavier, this amazing bit of technology has found a new home in my hands--and within the next few days, in the hands of my brother and a best friend as a gift.I've left behind my old SLR and decided this camera has the quality and usability to do anything anywhere, with little hassle, speed issues, or clunkyness.Although its slightly pricey, a premium is rightfully worthy.  Just like the iPod, it pays to get the BEST.
I used to have a Powershot S110, but recently upgraded to the S400. They have really worked out a lot of the irritating little quirks that I had on the S110. It's easy to get to movie mode, and the scrolling buttons when viewing photos are now 4-way instead of 2-way. Menu navigation is easier, and even deleting photos takes less steps. I was concerned about the casing not being as durable as the ones on the S110, and wasn't sure why they went differently with the S400, but the brushed finish just makes it look that way. The rounded corners actually make it nicer to sit in your pocket. The flash is more powerful, just everything. Obviously you pay more for all the upgrades....so if you don't really need 4.0 megapixels, then maybe consider the new SD100. But, the images and their new DIGIC chip are top notch. I just ordered the underwater housing for the S400, so I can't wait to try it out!
Before you buy the S400, you should know it's already over one and a half years old, so it's in the process of being discontinued -- hence the low price on Amazon and elsewhere, even though this list price is still high.  That said, this is still probably the best consumer-grade digital camera on the market today.  Let me expound.First, 4-MP is the perfect resolution for day-to-day photography.  That is, if you are a pro photographer and need the best resolution, you probably want 5+ megapixels.  But for us normal mortals, 4MP is already more than enough.  You can crop your pictures and still make great 8&quot;x10&quot; blow-up prints.  A year ago I would have recommended a 3-MP camera, but right now you can get this 4-MP camera for cheaper than a 3-MP a year ago, so go for this one.Is more pixels always better?  Not necessarily.  More pixels mean bigger files as well as slower save speed, so it's best to strike a balance between resolution and speed, and 4 MP should be good enough.Second, the picture quality on this Canon is just excellent.  Earlier models of Canon (esp. the Digital Elph line) tended to underexpose and yield cold color tones, but the S400 does a very good job of keeping a natural, slightly warmer color range.  The pictures are still a little bit softer than sharp images captured by Nikon SLR's, but overall you'll be pleased by the picture quality, both indoors and outdoors.  The flash range could be longer, but the same can be said of all built-in flash units.The camera is easy to set up and use, and transfering pictures to Windows XP is a piece of cake.  The build quality is top-notch.  I highly recommend this camera.
I bought two S400 cameras last week, and they are absolutely superb.  Image quality is wonderful, it processes shots very quickly, controls are well laid out and easy to use, form factor is brilliant (small, compact, yet full-featured), battery lasts a long time, and the exterior is very robust.  Maybe the only thing I'd want is a bit more zoom, and perhaps it could have come with a slightly larger CF card (32MB is a bit small for 4MP); I ended up buying a 128MB card to use with it, and will probably splurge for a 512MB if I take it on vacation.
I will purposefuly keep this review nice and short.  I own this camera, and after 1000's of shots I can only say this - it is simpy FANTASTIC!  Yes, FANTASTIC!  I have NEVER had a problem with this camera!  The pictures I take are amazing (not due to my own merits), and when I went to print them (at a local store), I was BLOWN away!  I have NEVER seen such good quality photos from ANY 35mm camera before.  The menus are easy to use and understand, and even the movie feature is neat (which I so didn't care about, I didn't know it had it when I bought it).  This camera has been perfectly compatible with BOTH my Mac OS X (direct plug into iPhoto) and my PC.  Also, the battery life is SUPER.  I was in Europe for several weeks, and never got the low battery light.  I got nervous towards the end, and bought a converter, so I could charge, but may have made it without it.  Of course, the charger is European current (220v) compatible, so all you need is a converter for the plug.  PLUS, I have dropped the camera several times, once in a Russian sub in Seattle, and it went far ... and it seemed to have taken it like a man.  So, it's pretty durable to boot!The only complain, is that it doesn't zoom enough.  But, I have learned to work around it.Be sure to buy an extra storage card (256 MEG +), because you will want to take the highest quality photos you can.  If you need smaller ones, doctor them up later, but take at highest quality and size first.  Don't worry the camera is just as fast to take large photos, as it is small ones.  The small photos look great, but the highest quality ones are AMAZING!I can't think of a camera being any better, other than one that is smaller ... but I am being too ungrateful now, so I will stop.  I stick this camera in my pants pocket, and it never bothers me (much).  =)
Like nearly everyone else here I love this camera! I have had mine for about a year. Quite simply, it is capable of taking "wonderful" pictures. Also, I like the look of it: compact, sleek and elegant. Limited in manual features as compared to other cameras and I wish it used non-proprietary baterries, but IT TAKES GREAT PICTURES! Buy one - new or used - if you can.
It has been a great camera for the years we have put in it. Very clear pictures and easy to use.
This is just a great camera but now outdated at 4mp.  but if you don't need the resolution, grab this.  it's unbreakable.  mine's been on every motorbike ride from lhasa to calcutta and most of the time i don't even have it in the case. its scratched, dented, and the paint is worn off, but it still performs flawlessly. canon, the only way to go.
I think this is a great camera.  I purchased a 256MB Flash Card, and w/ it set on the highest resolution &amp; quality it will fit 250 pictures!  That's enough for me.  The image is beautiful - bright, crisp, clear.  The colors are excellent!  I have the flash set to auto, and I haven't had any problems.  The camera has been perfect so far.  It's small, and excellent quality for this price.
I've had the Elph S400 for 3 years.  It took excellent photos though its movies were pretty grainy.  I also experienced the "memory card error" problem which caused it to cease functioning.  But Canon has a recall program for this camera and will send you a mailer to return it to them for repair if you call.  No mechanical product is perfect and all you can ask for is good service if it fails.  I got it.
I have owned the last two generations of the Powershot family. Not only does this one have more pixels, but it is even more precisely engineered, more compact and with a better user interface. No complaints and with 1 GB flashcard, can take 800+ shots at full resolution.
This is actually my second digital camera. My first was an Olympus C-3020 zoom. I was very excited when i recieved that camera as a gift but as i began to use it i became very unhappy with it.  It is very bulky and doenst have audio capabilities like the S400. It also used 4 AA batteries which didnt last very long and added alot of weight to the already heavy camera. Needless to say i was very happy when it was stolen because i got the money from my insurance company which allowed me to purchase the Canon PowerShot S400.I was immediatley satisfied with the PowerShot S400. I love the audio & video capabilities and the camera is very easy to use. Also, there is no comparison in the size of the S400 to that of the Olympus. I am able to take this camera everywhere because it is so small. Also the Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery is great and lasts very long, even when you use the LCD screen for playback very often. I did a lot of research before i purchased a new digital camera after my first one was stolen, and i couldnt find a smaller camera with all the options that were included in the S400.I guarantee you will not be disappointed with this camera.
I own a 10D which I absolutely love  and was getting tired of using my old Olympus Epic (a GREAT film camera) and was looking for a good digital point and shoot.  My two major candidates were the S400 and the S50.If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S400 vs the S50.  The S50 offers excellent manual controls while the S400 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation.  I just LOVE the look and feel of the S400 though if anything it could be argued that it is TOO small.  If you feel it is and you are looking for a carry everywhere camera it is well worth the effort to get used to the small size because the camera takes beautiful pictures.The S400 is simply beautiful.  I can live without all the manual controls since I own the 10D and since this camera is primarily for my wife and for me when I don't want to lug the 10D around.Several have pointed out that since this camera is so small it will always be with you whereas the S50 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size.  This is a very good argument!  The camera is SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than its bigger brother the S50.  The form and size factors are what finally won me over.One criticism of the camera.  Low light focusing is less than ideal.  You need to work with the camera to understand its limitations indoors.I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, Canon  currently represents the state of the art.
I've been using my Powershot S400 for nearly 6 months now, and have taken well over 1,000 pictures with it. I had previous owned a Minolta S404, and I have been much happier with the Powershot for the following reasons:1. The autofocus mechanism is much more reliable than the Minolta S404 in my experience. This probably has something to do with the autofocus assist lamp. Even in bright outdoor scenes, the Powershot seems to do a better job.2. Less noise in low light situation than the Minolta S404. None of the flash photos that I've taken with this camera have shown signficant color noise problems like what I saw in the Minolta.3. Very short time between frames. When you turn off the LCD preview, you can shoot images back to back in under 2 seconds. The Minolta would pause nearly 4-5 seconds in most cases.4. It is actually compact enough to be easily portable. Don't fool yourself into thinking that one of the medium sized cameras (Minolta S404, Canon G3/G4/G5) will give you all the control you loved about your old 35mm SLR camera. They don't come close. To make matters worse, they are also no more portable than a full-size SLR. So in one sense, they are the worst of both worlds: too bulky to fit in a pocket, but not geeky enough to make real photo geeks happy. The Powershot is a good compromise in that you give up some manual features and interchangeable lenses, but you have a camera that will literally fit in your pocket.
My wife and I bought this camera as a wedding present for each other for use at the Guest Book signing table at our wedding, and we took it on our honeymoon.The battery lasts a very long time.  The optical quality is outstanding.  We bought a 1GB CompactFlash card, so we shot our entire 2-week honeymoon without having to download, and we were not being stingy on the number of shots.  We even used it to shoot some video.One downside is the amount of time to shoot one photo after one was just taken, however that could be because the memory card we got was not a high-speed card, just the regular speed.  Hardly the fault of the camera.We did not experience the memory card problem we've heard some reviewers have had.After 3 years of use, our camera finally succumbed to our rough-and-tumble lifestyle when we accidently smashed the screen while on vacation.  The camera still works, though, but we're going to replace it.  We're definitely going to get another Canon PowerShot series camera as our replacement, probably the SD400 or better...  Happy hunting!
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA for your own peace of mind.  It's a great camera when it works, but Canon has no respect for it's consumers.  They ignore any problems, and furthermore, they want you to pay for their design errors.I have an S400 which was a gift from my sister back in late '03. On my suggestion, after reading rave reviews on the S400, she bought one for herself too ($400 x 2).Since Jul/Aug '05, I am getting the E50 error message and the "memory card error" which means I can't take pics. I can't reformat the card with the camera, as the reformat function withint the S400 itself doesn't work, so I bought a multimedia card reader to format the CF card, and that worked for a while, but now the camera is at best unreliable for taking pictures.I Haven't gotten the E18 (zoom lens retraction) on my S400, which is another problem plaguing this and many other Canon cameras, but after doing some research, I wouldn't be surpised if that starts to show up too.I can't believe that after all the problems people are having with Canon cameras, all what seem to be common problems, (E18, E50, E51, "memory card error", etc.),that Canon takes such a position to charge for their lack of quality control.For all of the many Amazon users who have bought this camera and/or other Canon cameras with similar problems, there is law firm out of San Francisco, Girard Gibbs & De Bartolomeo, that is investigating consumer complaints regarding Canon PowerShot digital cameras.  Sorry, can't give you phone number, mail addresses or URLs  by Amazon review writing guideliens, so just do a search on any search engine and you will find the info.I think we should all sue Canon for knowingly selling products that are faulty. We should also report Canon to the BBB.  Sue, sue, sue!!!! They only seem to listen when you hit them in the pockets, don't ya think?Put a faulty product out there, and charge for the repair? Now that's a profitable business it seems to me, even if it's not morally correct. Imagine if auto makers did that? Canon knows their cameras have problems and they choose to ignore the consumers complaints.Do not buy this Camera - you will get the MEMORY CARD ERROR eventually and Canon won't help you fix it, but they will gladly charge you for fixing it.  I won't buy Canon again because of their total lack of support for their failed products.
if you're looking for a higher resolution point and shoot camera that will give you fantastic pictures shot after shot, consider the s400!pros:- excellent resolution - best of the ultra-compact four megapixel class i've looked at- 3x optical zoom lens- good metering and good tonal balance - maintains shadow detail- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours- features &quot;cerabrite,&quot; a metal/ceramic mix that is more smudge proof than other materials- allows control over cameras internal processing algorithms - saturation, tone, sharpness- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)- the LCD monitor (1.5&quot;) is bright and has an anti-reflective coating - gives good live preview and review even in well lit situations- shooting priority play mode (a half-press of the shutter release always returns to shooting)- fast shot-to-shot times- fairly good startup time, especially for an extending lens camera- voice annotation feature- invervalometer (time lapse capability)- AF assist lamp works well- USB connectivity- good battery life, although i would recommend carrying a spare since canon's batteries are proprietary- ultracompact: 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in, weighing only 7.8ozcons:- average macro performance- nine-point AiAF not available in non-auto exposure modes- average flash performance- you'll need to remove from tripod to open the battery compartment- AF Assist lamp doesn't have enough power at telephoto zoom- very small mode dial- moderately underexposed flash shots- very few manual controls - this is okay if all you want is a point and shoot- RAW format not supported- the supplied 32MB CF card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for at least a 256MB card- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a sparehope this helps you in your purchase.  enjoy!
this camera is great. it's small enough to carry w/ me everywhere and it has the features i need.  the pictures are amazing and the colors are great. it's easy to compare the quality against other cameras when me and my friends post our pictures on ofoto. i also love the zoom and the ability to take mini-movies.
I bought the S-400 to upgrade from the S-200 that I have been using since it was made available. I love the S-200, as it is both durable and handy. It has also become a great value with recent price reductions. On the other hand, I wanted to get the most recent tech advances in the smallest package, so the S-400 was the clear choice.Here are my initial impressions, and some of the improvements / differences between the 200 and the 400. First of all, Canon has paid close attention to the nits and picks of users of the earlier cameras in the ELPH line. Aside from the addition of cutting edge developments, there have been subtle changes that greatly increase it's ease of use. This is an incredible camera built into a compressed case. Except for being ever so slightly thicker than the S-200, it is the same  cigarette pack size.It has a 4 mega pixel sensor, and it is quick and accurate. Color saturation and contrast are outstanding. The lens is very sharp from edge to edge (I tested at various light levels from macro mode (1.5") to infinity focus, and it consistantly produced remarkably fine images). 8x10 prints are outstanding. Period. At long shutter speeds (up to 15 sec), the sensor is remarkably free from "noise". In fact, it does better than many SLR style digicams in all areas of picture quality.The 3x optical zoom is a welcome addition. Now you can take a proper head an shoulders portrait without invoking the relatively lossy digital zoom, or suffering from the effects of distorted facial features caused by getting too close with a too short lens. When you need it though, the digital zoom offers up to 11x total zoom power, and returns pretty good results as digital zooms go. The 400 retains the special effects lineup of the 200, and they work very well. The tonal range of the black & white option is a real treat. The final result isn't exactly Panatomic X quality, but it is really good, and your darkroom for artistic dodging and burning is contained entirely on your hard drive.The case is still steel, but has a ceramic coating that is supposed to be even more scratch resistant. It is also much "whiter", and offers MUCH better contrast when you read the various control labels. While the contols are similar, they are also marked with larger and bolder lettering. All in all, a big improvrment. The michrophone was moved from the front to the top of the case. I think the front makes more sense, but it works very well on top. Canon also included a tiny (but effective) speaker in the 400. You can now select or create sounds for all camera functions (even a "real" shutter sound), as well as make voice notes for each photo taken if desired. Most sound functions are individualy adjustable for volume, and several sound "themes" are included. Techno-tinkerers might enjoy customizing the photo displayed upon startup. Movie preview also has sound now.On the subject of movies, the 400 makes a little tradeoff. The max resolution is no longer 640x480, it is 320x240 (which is fast becoming standard for movies from still cameras). On the other hand, it is not limited to 10 seconds anymore. You can now make clips up to 3 minutes each. Computer playback looks very good. TV playback isn't bad at all. As a pocket sized way to film Junior taking his first bike ride without training wheels, it can't be beat.The shutter button and zoom ring are a little larger, and now feel just right. The 400 has also incorporated the mode selector wheel used on other high end Canon cameras. This is long overdue, as it makes using all of the many features and modes a real joy.Red eye appears to be better than before, but I don't expect much from such a close coupled flash / lens combo, and who really cares, as it is corrected with a click of the mouse before you print a photo. A few MAJOR improvements are the 9 zone Ai AF, and new (yellow) focus assist. If you were not careful, the 200 could return slightly out of focus shots, and in low light, the focus assist sometimes didn't. That has been fixed. The 9 zone intelligent AF really does an amazing job, and the new focus assist achieves lock under a much wider range of difficulty than the old system.The built in flash has a generous range for a tiny camera, and the coverage is very even. Shooting a blank wall within the range of the flash shows no "hot spots". The metering options are still program, center weighted, or spot, but the program mode seems to have been given a big boost. The 200 does very well, but the 400 is on par with the SLR class for getting it right the first time.Exposure bracketing is +/- 2 EV, slow synchro flash is still there to boost background brightness when needed, the panoramic stitch mode is still a treat, and, in general, this is nothing less than a James Bond version of a full featured, top quality 4+ megapixel digital camera. The only tradeoff is that a full sized camera with similar features might offer a larger lens aperture. That can extend your non flash low light level by an F stop or so, but it does no good if the camera is sitting at home, rather than in your pocket. If it is in your budget, get this camera. Not only will you take more quality pictures over time, but you won't be burdened by feeling like a conspicuous tourist while doing it.One last note. Buy a high speed (24x) 256 meg memory card. The speed alows for quicker second shots (the 400 can do 2.5 FPS in continuous mode), and the 256 meg size gives you a full 128 shots at the highest resolution, many hundreds of pics at the low res setting.
I own many Canon cameras because I play 35mm camera since I was very young with Canon. In fact, I would like to say that it's a perfect camera, which I got in past three years. I want to give it 5 stars, but I gave it 4 stars based on following reason.Wonderful small size, but battery needs to imporve more. It's same with S110, S230 and S330. You need a extra Battery, and it's better to turn off the LCD. It will make you to take more pictures.Flash is still weak, but enough for outdoor with sunshine. Please turn on lights if you want to take indoor pictures.3X room = Good, but not necessary. In fact, for small lens, you can not make good picture when you take long range shoot to compare with SLR cameras. I would like to say. 2X room is enough for such style camera.Based on the price, I suggest that you can wait for some months after the price goes down... Otherwise, I suggest to buy S230 during period. Even it isn't so good like this one, but for the small camera. It is perfect with the good price and all functions!!!
I purchased my S400 about 18 months ago. Memory Card Error started showing up a month ago....lost a handful of pictures due to the error.Called Canon - they told me that it was likely that one of the pins was loose.  Not that I can tell.  When I told them that I had researched this issue on line they said that all cameras have issues with these pins.  I tried to find other complaints on other cameras - nadda.Also was told that if Canon knew something was wrong they would address it.  Sounds like they're turning a blind eye here.Nice $400 paper weight.  Not going to buy Canon again - I would if they would address the issue (camera was great before this enduring error), but to ignore it?  sorry, moving on....
Obsolete but it did made my day at that time :)
After much research, I got my girlfriend this camera for Christmas, and I can now report that I made exactly the right choice. She was one of those &quot;I like film&quot; girls...two weeks later it's like, &quot;What's film?&quot; She's loves it. I love it. In fact, I love it so much I'm thinking about buying a second one for myself. So obviously I'm recommending this camera. But I have a few suggestions for you folks who are about to hit that Buy Now button. First, this $400 to $500 camera doesn't come with a carrying case of any kind. You can get a great one right here on Amazon for $12 -- the Canon PSC-50 Soft Leather Case for Digital Cameras. Add to Cart. Second, this camera comes with a 32MB CF memory card. We've discovered this is fine for pics, but when you start taking movies (and you will, this is a great feature!) this size memory card fills up in a flash. If I was buying this camera today, I would also buy an extra CF card with at least 256MB of memory. This great camera is limited without it. Finally, while this camera takes amazing pics, it also produces amazing red-eye. Make sure your photo program has a red-eye reduction feature (and most do). Or load on the software that comes with the camera because you're gonna need to do some red-eye zapping.So take into account these few learned nuggets of wisdom and take the leap into the digital age with a Canon S400! Trust me, you'll never look back.
This Canon is very easy to use like all the canons out there.  I love the menu system, how quickly the camera starts up, its size, how it feels in my hands, even the little sound effects it makes.  Browsing the images is also easy to do, fast, and gives useful information.All the professional reviews say the camera takes fantastic pictures.  My own personal opinion is that it takes fantastic pictures some times, and other times not so great.  Often the colors are too saturated in my opinion.  Many indoor pictures and flash pictures just look wrong, the wrong colors usually.The camera has just a few manual options.  One that's missing is one that allows me to specify spot focusing.  Instead, it figures out how to focus itself (and displays one or more green boxes in the LDC where it actually focused) and if it picks the wrong place(s), you have to release the button and try again.  Sometimes you just can't convince it to focus on what you want.  And ... of course, you need to realize all this is going on and pay attention or else you might end up with a bunch of duds.I still think this camera is probably one of the best quality small cameras you can buy.  We needed something to offset the bulk of the EOS 10D that we bought.  Once we tried that camera there was no looking back: you press the button, it takes the picture, no delay.  You HOLD the button and it takes 9 shots without stopping, 3.3 fps, 6 megapixels each.  But it is too big to carry everywhere...
Dear Amazon,I never thought I'd be writing something like this, but here I am; I'm in love with a digital camera.After the 24 hours to read the instruction book, master the features, and install the software, I was finally ready to take this bad-boy out and take some real shots.Flash:  Indoor pictures with the main flash are a little overexposed and leave someone looking like they need to hit a tanning booth, stat (or just leave North Dakota...whichever).  For outside shots, however, you can get some absolutely great shots in the light or dark.  The flash is a little blinding, which should be mentioned to the people you are filming.Red eye:  I've messed around a little bit with this and haven't had too much success.  Even with the digital zoom and the red-eye eliminator, eyes still look a little iffy.  This is one of my 2 complaints about this camera.Digital Zoom: It can go up to 11X (3X on video record), but if you move at all, the picture will be absolutely horrible.  Something I discovered with the 'no-flash' feature that can be mentioned here as well is if the person you are taking a picture of moves suddenly, you have a 50-50 chance of good picture/bad picture.Mosaic:  Awesome feature, although for the life of me I can't figure out why I like the picture of my living room so much.Video:  My favorite feature BY FAR!  Great quality, only goes up to 3X zoom, but you can re-enact your favorite moments of 'The Blair Witch Project' rather seamlessly (you may wish to keep a hanky around for the snot-bubble scene).I am constantly amazed at this camera and how easy it was to hook up to my XP machine (just throw the USB cable in to the machine and the camera).  Definitely worth the money I paid and more so!
Sadly the seller sold me a slightly deffective item, in that the telscoping lense,gets stucks inside the camera,and therefore it shuts Down with code 18 ! Means the lense is not coming put ALL the Way. I managed to use vaseline and lubricate it the exterior and usedthe CRC contact cleaner to clean any dust or debris inside the delicate mechanism.I was to place a Negative feedback to the seller, But Iopted to keep my mouth SHUT ! Just keep an eye of this sellers that are Selfish and sells bad items just  to make some Dirty Profits,taking advantage of the Ignorants.
I recently got one of these cameras and I think it's wonderful!  It's incredibly tiny and easy to carry around all the time - it's about the size of a credit card (but thicker, about 1/2&quot; give or take).  It's so easy to fit it in my back pocket or a small purse.  I bring it almost everywhere!Some great features on the S400:-Powers on extremely fast!  I know with some of my other digital cameras, you have to wait awhile for it to power up.. this one does it in a matter of a few seconds!-Takes pictures equally fast!-Panoramic capability (and you can stitch together your pictures once they are on your computer)-Macro mode (take pictures of extremely small things, this feature has been incredibly useful to me as I often photograph miniature figurines for ebay!)-Easy to use menu, very user friendly!  Even a digital camera novice can operate this camera without having to read a hundred pages in a manual!-Fast battery charge and it lasts a long time!  I barely ever have to worry about the batteries on my S400.. I can use it for several hours and not even come close to running down the battery.Overall, its a fantastic camera!  I can hardly think of anything I DON'T like about it.  One thing to be concerned about is that it only comes with a 32MB card, which you will want to upgrade.  I immediately bought a 256MB card, which holds hundreds of pictures.  I highly recommend this camera - It's extremely small, sturdy, takes great pictures and is easy to use!
Gallo you are awsome.  We tried everything with this camera, even calling the manufacturer.  Extremely unhelpful - same garbage - send it in and pay them money for something they broke when building it.  And when just a little fix will do.  I was amazed that taking out the battery was so easy.  I took all the screws out just to be safe but laid them to the side in order.  Took no time to put them back.I would say that otherwise, the camera is durable and easy to use, especially for a young person.  And the quality of the pictures is good for the time it was made.  My daughter was 14 at the time and had no trouble using it.  The only drawback is that you have to use their battery, unlike my Olympus which uses AA and when you're out in the woods camping, it's not likely you'll find electricity.  So ease of use is good if you're always near an electrical source.
I have bough this camera after extensive research. A very good review site is at [...]I got this camera because it the perfect balance of quality, reliability,compactness and simplicity. These are enough to make it a &quot;winner&quot; traveller's camera. It is the perfect design. I carry it in my front pocket, not bothersome at all.If you are looking for more controls, go for bigger models like A80 in the same price range.This camera still has many essential controls you would need. One thing I wish it had is fast shutter. This can only be achieved in continous mode. It can picture a 40 mph moving car as it was still.Extremely user friendly, very good material. Not perfect battery life. May need extra battery for trips.I would strongly recommend it to every traveller who wants to take good pictures with minimum hassle %90 of the time.The conclusion is, Canon rules the digital camera world. This camera rules the ultra compact world.
I don't understand the people that say that humidity has damage the inside of their camera. I was in Puerto Rico for 3 weeks and took it everywhere, even to the beach, sat it in the sand, dropped it a couple of times and it is still works great 5 months after. I also purchased one for my sister who lives there and after 7 months still works great. Maybe they got lemons or purchased their at one of those downtown/tourist areas, which are not the real thing. I also purchase a couple of batteries at e-bay for about $6 ea. and memory cards are so cheap now a days, I have a couple extras. The batteries need to be fully charged to get the best out of them. Mine last very long, about a week when on vacation and using it often. Overall this is an excellent, compact and user friendly camera. I love it.
This little thing beats all the (ultra) compact ones out there.Don't believe me? Try it yourself!First I had a Canon A40. My second cam was a Canon S40. The S400 is my third digicam, and I won't sell it for a few years (at least Canon makes a newer and better from this series).What's the difference comparing to my previous digicams? The main: it's smaller and lighter. The second: it is faster. The third: it takes clearer pics like the other two. Also, it records 3 minute videos at 320x160. The manual settings are too few, but I don't miss them. I rarely used 'em on my S40 before. Not a big thing. I have ISO and white balance manual settings on my S400.Belive it or not, the battery of the S400 lasts longer than the one in my S40, though it's smaller and lighter.Reviewing pictures is a pleasure. VERY FAST! Compare it to Sony-P9 and you never buy a Sony after that. Compare low-light shots to any high-end ultra compact cam. You will choose Canon for that purpose also.What's wrong with it then? There is no battery indicator. Not a big thing, you can live without it.Once you tried this smart beauty, you'll never let it go!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I've tested every version of the compact Canon Elph over the years and was alway a bit disappointed compared to the competition.  This version, with a 4 MB CCD, closes the gap.  Not only is the CCD larger than on past models, but the optical design is a step up.  The main benefactor is wide angle performance.  Test images show marked improvement at the widest angle setting compared to the older 3.2 MB Elph.  If you need the convenience of a tiny digital camera but require excellent image quality, give the S400 a look.
I bought this camera last year after my beloved S100 died after two years of faithful service.  The S100 was a prime example of how more megapixels does not equal better quality photos.  I took some panoramas while skiing in Banff.  One I blew up to 11x14 and it's simply breathtaking, always commented on by people who see it in my apartment.  And that was with a 2MP camera.  The S400 is similar to its predecessors, except for the higher resolution and 9 point autofocus &amp; DIGIC processor.For well-lit situations, this camera simply can't be beat.  You can also use the photo-stitch feature to take huge panoramas.  Enough can't be said about the fact that this camera is truly portable.  It's only a little more obtrusive than a cell phone sitting in your pocket, and it's right there for you if you ever need to capture a moment, either with a still shot or video (which is surprisingly high quality).  The battery is great - easily lasts a day of shooting photos - just recharge overnight and you're good to go.  It uses CF cards, which can be had dirt cheap these days, and work with almost any adaptor.  (This comes in handy if, say, you run out of room while on vacation and need to download to a CD - most internet cafe's will have a CF-cardreader, while the same cannot be said of, say, a memory stick.)Drawbacks of this model are:(1) Slow response time between pressing the shutter button and taking the picture.  It's hard to capture those moments that require split-second response (baby smiling, etc.) unless you use continuous shooting.  To be fair, this is a drawback of nearly any consumer-level digital cam.(2) Poor performance in low light.  For some reason, pictures tend to get grainy when taken in low light.  This can often be made up for using photo editing software, and I've gotten big compliments on wedding photos I've taken in very dark settings.  However, the graininess comes out even in outdoor/cloudy situations.  A drawback.Some things I've figured out after using this camera for awhile:(1) You don't have to use the (included) TV adaptor to watch your photos on TV.  All you need is a stereo headphone jack to RCA cable adaptor, available at any Radio Shack.  Using this solution allows you to show/browse your photos on TV while sitting farther away.  Video goes to the red/right channel, audio goes to the white/left channel.(2) Battery charges very quickly.(3) Included photo software is the best of any I've seen yet at getting out red-eye.  On Macs, is OSX-native.  Pics are easily imported into iPhoto.  Use GraphicConverter for manipulating contrast/brightness/quality/etc.All in all, this is a great camera.  You won't be disappointed.
A 4 megapixel digital camera with 3 times optical zoom that is no larger than a pack of cigarettes.Be sure to buy a Tamrac camera case (on amazon.com, of course), to protect your camera because like all small electronic devices, this one is a bit fragile and easy to drop.
I liked this camera pretty well when it worked.  The user interface wasn't as easy to use as my old Sony, but it was a nice camera.Until I got the dreaded memory card error and now it's a door stop, out of warranty.  It still works, but who wants a camera that only works 95% of the time, and then 5% of the time dies with a memory card error until you can go home and clear out the memory card?  Makes it basically useless.
This camera recieved great reviews from PC magazine as well recenlty while they compared it to a bunch of other ditigal cameras.  This happens to be the worlds smallest 4Megapixel camera.  Its heavier than it looks, but its hardly noticeable in your pocket.  I purchased a little camera pouch with a shoulder strap that makes the camera vanish behind your arm.  The camera seems very delicate, so I get worried when others handle it.  The LCD screen doesnt come with any protection so you have to be carefull not to scratch it.  The s400 has plenty of features like movie mode up to 3 minutes.  It also takes great panoramic shots.  As a matter of fact, it is possible (and easy) to take 360 degrees of pictures and stitch them together with the bundled software.  There are many features for advanced users, but it is easitly figured out by the thickest consumers.  The buttons, however, are small so they may pose a difficulty for folk with large hands or clumsy fingers.  the 3x optical zoom is great.  The 11x digital zoom is harldy used but handy.  The various flash options, focusing options, and ISO speeds can confuse people.  Im still learning how to take the best pictures depending on the light source.  Of course, there is always the Automatic option if you want the camera to decide for you.  Overall, it may be a bit pricey after you purchase a decent CF card.  The 32 MB card that comes with it is harldy enough room for the size of the pictures the 2400 can take when the resolution and quality are maxed out.  Go buy a 256MB card.  The cards can be developed at a walgreens or the data can be moved to the computer and then to a CD.  The CDs can be taken to be developed as well.  Lastly, the software included is pretty good if you like to edit, print, or arrange your pics.  Always, nomatter how great the camera, it still takes a good photographer to capture a good photo.
I've loved this camera like no other gadget I've ever owned.So much that at least 4 friends bought one on my recommendation.But at 20 months the memory card errors started.A few days ago when I called Canon, the rep said he'd never heard of this behavior before.So tonight I did a web search and... WOW! I am clearly not alone.The biggest disappointment is not that the camera is failing,it is that Canon's management is failing its customers.
We have had this camera for nearly six years, and it is still going strong.  We recently passed it on to our kids who use it for filming videos for processing in iMovie and uploading to YouTube.  Even with the abuse they give it, this Canon is holding up very well.
For what it's worth, the camera is really fantastic.  It works great when it does work, and it is light-weight plus compact.  I've gotten lots of great use out of it.  However, shortly after a year of buying it, I've gotten a memory card error as others have mentioned.  I reformatted the card, lost some important images, and it worked fine for a while.Suddenly connecting it to the computer wouldn't recognize the camera.  I thought it was the cord, or my computer, but it wouldn't work on 3 other computers, and getting a new cord didn't help.  A call to Canon's support told me that I had to send it in for repairs and pay $150, or $185 to trade in for the S410 model.  That's $100 less than getting a new S400.Needless to say, I'm very disappointed because if this camera had worked reliably and didn't have these problems, it'd be a perfect 5 stars from me.  Sadly, this isn't the case, and I'm now considering getting a new camera that isn't Canon.
This is the best compact camera I can find.  Picture quality is excellent, plenty of manual adjustments for the casual user, build quality is superb.  This camera is worth the money if you really want good prints.  Much better than the Casio and Pentax compacts.
I started with the original Elph, and have upgraded on the line ever since. This camera is a WORKHORSE. It's self sealing, so no need to keep it in a case, unless you care to keep it shiny and scratch free. It's durable, takes great photos and is handy to capture some rough video. If you upgrade the card, you can take about 5000 photos & 10 video (enough for most family vacations without downloading during your trip).The only think I'd like is a heftier flash - but I'm not thinking that's possible in such a compact camera.
I have owned this camera for about a month and love it. The con's people talk about don't seem like they are real to me. The flash is more than adequate for a normal use. I had a Nikon 775 and the best thing that ever happened with that camera is I dropped in and it died. It went back to service twice and never got fixed right. The S400 has a great macro mode, focus lock, auto exposure lock, long shutter mode... I really like the auto focus mode telling me where the camera focused. The Nikon chronically focused on the background instead of the subject even in portrait mode. Very frustrating. Also, the plastic case on the Nikon was not rugged enough. The Canon has a very solid case that does not flex. The battery life is great and I did by an extra battery for about $35. The Nikon battery life was much worse. The shutter delay and startup delay on the Canon is very short compared to the Nikon. Canon starts up in about 2 seconds vs. the Nikon which is over 8. The Canon also switches very fast between shoot and review mode. Also, the slide show through the video output is much faster than the Nikon. The 775 would draw the picture painfully slow on the screen.I highly recommend this camera!
Hi,I am a reasonable consumer.  So when I paid $400-500 for a product, plus the $50/per memory card, I expected to have something that will at least work for 3 years.  Sure it might be slower than newer cameras, but it should still function.I've been getting the memory card error for the past 3 months, and I used to be able to just re-start the camera, or re-format the memory cards.  Now, the camera will not work at all anymore.This is very disappointing, as there are many other brands out there with digital cameras, and I chose to buy the Canon based on the feedback from my friends and review web sites...but now I recently found out that they have pretty much written off this camera as well.It's a shame b/c it was a great product when it worked, but now I will probably never buy another Canon product for the rest of my life...what's the point in buying a brand name if it is just as cheap as the no-name stuff?
I bought this camera new in 2004.  I still use it and love it today!  It is compact and easy to use.  And it takes beautiful, sharp, richly colored photos.Recently it started having a memory card error.  I called Canon, and they fixed it for free.  They even paid for shipping.  I was honestly blow away by the customer service.  I just sent the camera in, and it was fixed and returned within about a week.  Now its working perfectly, as before.The only thing I don't like about this camera is that is has no manual focus and light adjustment.  It has some fun and useful manual settings though.
Product arrived before the estimated arrival date, in excellent order, ready for use, as described in the Amazon ad.Very satisfied.  Did not need the accessories as we already had them from a previous camera that had become unusable.  Was purchased for high school photo class use with an underwater housing.  The price was affordable for the kids.
The zoom function on the  400 almost eliminates clarity.  I had much more success with the Powershot 200.  The higher number does not indicate a higher performance in my experience.  Some of the less used functions, like reviewing movie segments, are not intuitive.  You almost have to be a camera buff to make this thing work.  I am a recreational user only so perhaps this assessment is not quite fair.  I much preferred the 200 for my purposes.
If you want your digital camera to last you for more than 18 months, then don't buy this one! It erased all of my valuable pictures too!Thank you so much C. Gallo for telling us about the "memory card error" fix.  It worked like a charm! I had to take out all ten screws though to get it to come apart, but I was careful to mark which screw came from which place and I got it back together with only one scratch (I stupidly tried to use a knife to jar it open after I removed the first 5 screws).Good news: I am so grateful that I dont have to rush out and buy a new camera just yet.Bad news:  I lost all of my vacation pictures when this first happened.  How long can I expect my camera to go before this happens again?Thank you!Cindy
I spent dozens of hours researching before buying the S400.  I wanted something small and reasonably priced, 4 megapixels, and with excellent image quality.  I got those in my S400 -- for 14 months.The warranty expires after one year, but at the 14 month mark my camera began showing the message "Memory Card Error," no matter what card I put in it.  I couldn't take pictures, nor could I use the camera to upload the pics already on the card onto my computer.  Luckily I had another card reading device and was able to transfer the pictures I had taken before my "Memory Card Error" woes began.I contacted Canon, and they said I can either pay $150 to $300 to repair it, or upgrade to a S410 for $260.  I might consider that, but guess what?  I already got screwed on my digital videocam that way.  My Canon video camera worked for two years then started eating tapes.  There were dozens of online histories about the problem and the fact that Canon wouldn't do anything about it, and my case was no different.  Seeing as I'd paid $1200 for the camera, I decided to have it fixed.  $250 later, the videocamera is back but it's already having more techincal problems.  Thus, my lesson is learned -- don't go the repair route.  Not only that, but we have a Canon printer, which actually works, but they stopped producing drivers about 2 years after we bought it.  The only way to print was to run Win95 on our computer.  So I guess Canon may make the best products on the market -- and they consistently get top reviews -- but their products aren't meant to last any longer than the warranty period.One thing I would also like to add: if you decide to risk it and buy the S400, be aware that indoor pictures usually end up with a strong color cast.  This is fixable with Photoshop, but not very easy to compensate for with cheaper photo manipulation programs.  And of course there is lots of red eye (I suggest a free program called Shutterfly Express that does an excellent job removing red eye), but you're going to get that with any ultra compact camera.When all is said and done, I used to be a satisfied customer, but now I'm done with Canon.  Caveat emptor!
After doing my homework at CNET product reviews I decided that ELPH S 400 was a perfect fit for me. The color and detail in my opinion is just about perfect. I upload my pictures to ofoto.com (my pick for on line photo development by the way) completely unedited and they the come back true to the moment in tone and detail. Another plus is that the camera is idiot proof (I should know). There are advanced features but I find that I really just use a few of them like white balance settings and the macro and infinity modes close/distance shots. Unless you are a very serious photo hobbyist, this camera is perfect in my opinion.
Was great until it I started getting intermittent memory card error messages after about two years.  I would power on and off a bit and then it would eventually return to normal.  Sometimes I had to delete the last picture because it wouldn't take pictures beyond that picture.  Now however, the message is permanent.  I tried a new memory card since it says "memory card error" - apparently that's not the problem.  Go figure.  With all the complaints on this camera to the point where there's a memory card error "club", don't even bother with this one.  The other problem I had with this camera is the autofocus lag in taking pictures which is key when you need to get priceless moments.  I've lost many because of the lag of this camera.
I tried Ronald Jones' suggestion for fixing the memory card error problem got immediate results. So, for now, my camera is back in business. Many thanks, Ronald!
I am a casual photo enthusiast who enjoys taking pictures of my friends and family wherever I go. Both photographic quality and portability are of paramount concerns and I think I found my holy grail with Canon S400.Pros:- Extremely portable, yet very rugged- Beautiful design with excellent overall ergonomics- Typically excellent photo quality in all-auto mode with no redeye- Very fast -- startup time, image processing and acquisition, menu response- Long battery life- Uses widely popular (and inexpensive) CompactFlash Type 1 memory cards- 4 megapixel resolution (2272x1704)- 3X optical zoom/11X max with digital- Useful movie mode with audio (3 minutes at 320x240 or 160x120)Cons:- Minimal manual controls (e.g., no manual focus)- Cheap A/V/digital output cover- Movie mode limited to 3 minutes (and no 640x480 mode may irk some)- Proprietary battery- Some barrel distortion when taking wide angle shotsWhile S400 has some shortcomings, mainly lack of manual focus, exposure, and shutter speed. And some may be bothered by its use of proprietary lithium ion battery, although given its compact size, I think Canon engineers had to implement proprietary battery. On the plus side, the battery lasts a long time, capable of taking several hundred shots before running out of juice (and takes only a couple of hours to recharge).I've managed to fill entire 512MB memory card (32MB is included) on a single battery charge.Did I mention how beautiful this camera is? The photos do not do this camera a justice. At 3.4" by 2.2" by 1.1", the S400 is no larger than most compact cell phones. Inch by inch, it's only a tad larger than my tiny Sony Ericsson T68i cell phone and smaller than (although a bit thicker) my Apple iPod MP3 player.The ergonomics are consistently excellent. Although there are some learning curves (particularly given rich feature set), once mastered (comprehensive manuals make it easy), most will appreciate elegant menu layout and ideal number of buttons and layout.But beautiful design means nothing if it does not accomplish its main functions -- taking beautiful pictures. In full auto setting, which is what majority people might use, the pictures were consistently satisfying, although overriding the white balance to match the lighting condition improved the quality significantly in many shots.This is a great camera.
There are plenty of reviews written on the qualities of this camera in and of itself, so I will not go on about its small size, well designed interface, excellent optics, and so forth.I will, however, compare it to the S330, which is the older, 2MP/3X optical model that was the previous top of the line Canon elph.  Versus the S330, the S400:- Has a stepping zoom (7 steps) instead of a continual zoom- Is much more sensitive to camera jitter (shake) in no-flash low-light photography. If you plan to do that sort of photography, you WILL need a tripod.  This is the most sensitive (to shake in no-flash low-light photography) digital I've used yet.  Conversely, if you do use a tripod, those no-flash pictures come out REALLY well for the same reasons of sensitivity.- Has a less-easily scratched exterior material- Has different (better) laid out controls.- Has greatly extended battery life (improved battery and lower power consumption both).- Has a more intuitive menu for controlling features in manual mode such as ISO, whitebalance, etc -- and the menu can be manipulated on the LCD while shooting (without having to switch to the menu and then back to shooting).- And of course, the S400 is 4MP vs 2MP for the S330.What I'd love to see in a future ELPH:- Support for higher-speed flash memory, such as CF2.  Some elphs now support SD memory, but it's easy to design a camera to use both CF1 (what the S400 uses) and CF2 both.- Manual aperture control.- Better compensation for jitter during no-flash photography.Otherwise, this camera is wonderful and hard to beat without spending a lot more money for a bulkier camera.  In its size class, the S400 can't be beat.
Great camera that has traveled with me all over thge world. Easy to use and quality of the pictures are excellent.
The only reason I gave this four stars is that, even though this camera is amazing (read the other reviews) it does not have the ability to put a date stamp on the images it produces. Therefore, when you download the images to your computer, you have to devise some clever way to do it yourself. Other than that, this camera is miles ahead of any other camera I've seen.
This has been a fabulous camera -- really easy to learn to use, great pictures, and easy transfer to the computer. I'd previously had a an SR35, and this is just as comfortable and easy to use in my hands. Two of my relatives have them, too, and we all love'em. Only drawback has been accidentally leaving it on while connected to the computer and running the battery out. However, the recharger  is fabulous and efficient.
The first time I played with this great camera I was concerned about its tiny size... But once I played with it... I was so happy I decided to bought it!PROS:1. SIZE: the smallest 4mp camera you can find.2. SPEED: unbeatable start-up velocity!3. MENUS: they are really easy to navigate.4. BATTERY: last longer than AA's.5. PORTABLE: (pocketable!) you can take it anywhere!6. PRICE: going down!7. CHARGER: no cables at all!8. DESIGN: its clean. only the buttons you really need.9. LENS: retractable, well protected.10. PICTURE Q: the quality of its pictures is superb... I had a canon G2 and they are not to far from each other... I miss the tilt screen but now I can put it on my pocket.CONS:1. LCD: small, unprotected. U have to be carefull with it.2. BATTERY: can't recharge it inside of the camera.3. NOTHING ELSE!
The camera worked fine with minor complaints for about 2 years.  The zoom is not that great, up close automatic photos are ALWAYS out of focus, and the red eye feature doesn't work that well.  I lived with the shortcomings, because it was a nice, small, convenient camera, but now it doesn't work at all.  Like everyone else, I got the "Memory Card Error" problem.  I lost some great pictures of my 3 month old baby, and now it looks like I need to start shopping for a new camera.  I'm going to try the battery fix, but even if that works, I don't trust that it will keep working, and I don't want to lose any more photos.  I'll never buy another Canon.
I'm gonna make this very short. Order surely received in 7 (seven) days by UPS ground as it claimed. This is the second time I shop at Amazon.com and so far the service is 5-stars, and moreover the price+S/H are just right compared to others such as pricegrabber.com or mysimon.com. Keep the good service, Amazon!
Just received the response shown below after me second email to Canon.  It seems familiar - exact wording that I saw on another website claiming ignorance about a problem.  I have now filed a complaint with the California and New York Attorney General's Office and the New York BBB. I strongly suggest all of you with this problem to do likewise so we can build a fire under Canon.  If your camera has this problem and you haven't yet posted to this site let us hear from you.  We should also start posting to other shopping websites (dealcatcher, epinions, etc) as well as the photography sites, including their Letters to the Editor.  We need to make others aware of the way Canon has turned this problem into a profit center.------------Thank you for contacting Canon product support.  We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.Please note, Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites.  It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites.  Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on ourown testing.No service notifications have been released for the PowerShot S400.Unfortunately, we here at the Care Center do not have the opportunity or authority to extend the terms of your warranty or to offer you free repair service outside of the 1-year warranty period.  I understand your disappointment in encountering this issue with your camera, but you will need to address your concerns with the Factory Service Center.  They arethe only entity within Canon USA authorized to make warranty decisions.I suggest mailing your camera to them, along with a detailed letter explaining your situation, just as you have done in your correspondence with us here at the Care Center.The Factory Service Center personnel will assess your camera and read your letter.  If they decide to complete your repairs free of charge, the camera will be repaired and returned to you at Canon's expense.  If they determine that the repairs will not be covered, you will receive an estimate for the costs to repair your camera.  At that point, you can determine if the cost of repairing the camera is of value to you.  Ifnot, it will be returned at no cost to you.I apologize for any inconvenience this causes you.Thank you for choosing Canon.Sincerely,ChrisTechnical Support Representative
I own and have been happy with a Canon ELPH film camera.  What I loved about the ELPH was its compact size.  It really is small enough to carry in your pocket.  Even better, I got some of the best photos I'd ever taken using the ELPH, mainly because I carried it with me much more often and as a result, ended up taking pictures I would have missed had the camera been sitting at home.For me, it was out of the question to sacrifice the small size when I made the move to a digital camera.  Fortunately, the PS400 is extremely compact and produces photos that are much better than the ELPH was capable of doing.A major advantage of a digital camera is being able to immediately see the picture that you have just taken.  This allows you to re-take the shot if someone closed their eyes, or if it's poorly composed, or the flash needs to be adjusted. The PS400 is set to display the image for a few seconds after you take the picture, but you can also switch the camera into view mode and look at it more carefully if you need to.Another big advantage of a digital camera is that you can edit the image after you have downloaded it to your PC.  This makes it possible for an amateur photographer to do what can only be done in a darkroom when you use film.  The download process itself is very fast and easy to do, whether you use the USB cable provided with the camera, or a Compact Flash card reader (which is quicker and will not deplete the camera's battery).  Once the image is on your PC, you can make all sorts of adjustments, using the provided software, or image editing software of your own choice.You may be thinking that you won't want to do much image editing, and it is true that the camera takes pictures that are ready to go without any editing.  However, you will probably find that you are taking a lot more pictures than you ever did with a film camera.  Unlike a film camera, where you take a full roll of pictures and then wait to see the results, you get immediate feedback with a digital camera.  If you like it, it stays on the Compact Flash card until you download it.  If you don't like it, you can delete it and take another one.  Having the ability to shoot large numbers of pictures at no added cost, and experimenting with lighting and composition allows you to improve as a photographer.  I would never have used an entire roll of film trying to get the best possible picture of one subject, but I have found myself re-shooting the same subject from a variety of angles and with different lighting with the PS400. It's fast, it's free, and you can get immediate feedback on what works and what doesn't.The camera can be connected to a TV monitor to allow showing pictures in a slide show.  I haven't used the video mode yet, which to me is a nice extra, but not something I had to have.I have been pleasantly surprised with the camera's performance in low-light situations, always an issue with point-and-shoot cameras.  I have had far fewer pictures with red-eye than I ever had with any other small point-and-shoot cameras. Even shots that were poorly exposed have been quickly fixed using the digital imaging software.The multi-zone focus system works extremely well and I have not yet had a picture that was out of focus.  The viewfinder tends to give a smaller image than you are actually shooting, so I generally use the LCD screen instead.  This can be problematic for outdoor shots, because the LCD screen is difficult to view in direct sunlight.  However, it has not been troublesome enough to detract from my enjoyment of using this camera.Despite its tiny size, the camera is easy to use, even for someone with large hands.  The buttons are actually more substantial than the controls on my ELPH, and the menu system is reasonably well-organized.I haven't had a battery run out on me yet, though I did buy an extra as back-up. The battery charges very quickly and the charging device is small and compact, with an AC plug that folds into the charger itself when not in use.  You can fit the camera, the charger, the PC cable, and the A/V cables, in a very small camera bag, and still have plenty of room for an extra battery, extra Compact Flash cards, and even the user's manual.The camera comes with a 32MB Compact Flash card, which is more generous than what Canon provided with previous PowerShot models, but still not large enough (it will give you about 15 or 16 images at the highest resolution and largest size).  Since each image is about 2MB, you need a card that is at least 256MB. You will also want a case for the camera, since it is not included.  I have found that Canon's PSC-50 case works well with the PS400.  It provides protection but does not make the camera too bulky to fit in your pocket.I know that some users have complained about the ArcSoft software that comes with the camera, but I have found it to be more intuitive to use than comparable editing software I've used in the past (including some of ArcSoft's previous products, which were not very good at all).  I feel that it strikes a reasonable balance between ease-of-use and a more robust set of features, and is well-suited to its target audience.  The Photo Record software that allows you to create photo albums is excellent.I love this camera.  It is changing the way that I take pictures, and what I do with them after I've taken them.  I know that nothing is perfect, but this camera comes close.
As the title says, the Canon S400 is THE digital camera. I've used another type of camera, the Sony Mavica, and while it takes 3.5 floppies or CD-RW discs that make it easy to transfer the pictures, what could be easier than simply plugging in a cable into your camera? Windows XP can be set to automatically transfer the pictures you took to a folder, so it's totally automated once you plug the cable into the camera and turn it on! Wow, what a feature.This camera takes such beautiful pictures, I find myself carrying it with me all the time. It's perfect if you're a guy or a girl. It fits very easily into your purse ladies, or into your pocket men. The height and width are the size of a CREDIT CARD! It's only a little thicker than your big thumb.Some features I LOVE about this camera that you won't find on other cameras include:**Zooming in on pictures you've taken [this allows you to zoom in to see the smallest details of a picture you took without loading it on a computer at all! good for seeing if someone didn't smile well]**Ability to up to 6 of the pictures at once [makes finding a picture you took easy, no need to go through 18 pictures to find the one you want, instead see 3 screens of 6 pictures!]**Panaronamic mode [take a series of pictures then &quot;stitch&quot; them together using the software they provide. this allows you to take a 360% picture if you wanted to!]**Manual mode is loaded with options [adjust just about ANYTHING you can think of to make your pictures come out perfect. take pictures at night by adjusting the shutter speed]**Macro mode [allows you to take CYRSTAL CLEAR pictures of things as little as 2 inches away! you can see details invisible to the naked eye in this mode]**Auto-focus [this enables you to focus specifically on 1 aspect of the picture, someone's face for example. this ENSURES the selected area is perfectly crisp!].You can take this camera's memory card to any photo developer (Wal-Mart is cheapest) and get amazing prints with NO editing at all. The 4x6 prints are of FINER quality than film! I could see individual whisker's on pictures of my cat!Portability, though, remains my favorite feature of this camera. I can take it with me ALL THE TIME for those unexpected moments when having a camera is such a joy. You'll never miss the chance to capture anything!A definite awesome buy and very worth the money!
We currently own the S230 and the Olympus 4040.This morning I did a shoot-off between the Olympus 4040 (4MP w/gorgeous F2.0 lens) and my new S400 (4MP F2.8), using a tripod.  Previously I had stopped using the S230 to take my rose garden pictures as the resolution and focus just could not compare to the 4040.  But I was surprised to see the S400's pictures were slightly BETTER than the 4040.  The Olympus' famous jagged diagonals resulted in a softer image than the Canon's.Usually I would expect to give up Image Quality to get the small body size of this camera - but this tradeoff does not exist in the S400!
We are delighted with the Canon PS S400. It's light, portable, easy-to-use (we're distinctly casual photographers), and produces really excellent results. The video output has proven extremely useful on numerous occasions -- we have a Canon ZR-10 digital video camera but the S400 satisfies our needs most of the time, plus it's light and pocket-sized. The one slight issue we've noticed is that pictures seem to have more red-eye than our prior (non-digital) cameras. Still, the tools Canon provides, as well as those available on Mac and PC platforms, adequately overcome that limitation. For the price, this is an outstanding, feature-packed, and perfectly-sized buy.
This is a wonderful camera.  I am disabled and have trouble lifting anything heavy, but this camera is so light I have no trouble at all.  The picture quality is amazing and it has a nice appearance too.  The only thing I don't like about it is the case that Canon provides as an option to go with it.  It doesn't give you a place to store additional batteries, and since it doesn't allow for regular batteries, this is important.  Overall, it's the best I've ever personally used.
This latest PowerShot is really a well balanced effort. Amazingly, even as the features list has grown, the cameras themselves have gotten smaller. As always, the body is a sturdy steel structure that is durable but not too heavy.The 4 megapixel resolution is more than adequate for anything you can imagine, including shooting images for poster-sized enlargement. In fact, for anything routine, including keeping your options open for 8&quot; x 10&quot; enlargements, you'll probably want to dial the resolution down to 2 megapixels (this will make your digital files smaller and easier to transfer and will take up less space on the camera's memory card and will ultimately use less of the camera's battery capacity). There is a nice 3X optical zoom, as well as a less useful digital zoom. The movie feature has been enhanced, with 3 minutes of good quality video *with* sound now available.Of drawbacks there are a few. As with all of these digicams, the included memory card is too small to be of much use, so you are forced into an extra purchase right off the bat. The Canon battery, while offering pretty good staying power, is nonetheless a proprietary one, meaning you won't be able to get a back up from anyone but Canon. Lastly, it is a bit late in the game to still be using a USB 1.1 transfer protocol. Were the camera USB 2.0 ready, images could be transferred from the camera directly to your computer 40 times faster. As it stands, you'll want to purchase a separate card reader to handle this task.All of the above notwithstanding, this is a marvellous camera that anyone would be happy to have.
Canon's S400 is the second 4 MegaPixel compact digicam from a major manufacturer on the market (I consider Minolta's F100 the first).  Overall, the S400 is a winner for anyone looking for a basic point-and-shoot digital camera with a few added picture modes.  While the overall build quality of the S400 is slightly inferior to Canon's 3MP S230 camera... the bevy of features compensates for this.On the plus side is the 4 MegaPixel photo capture, 3x OPTICAL Zoom (which is way more important than what level of digital zoom it has), built-in speaker and microphone, 9 point AutoFocus system, improved user interface with the new FUNC button, DIGIC image processor which speeds up photo capture and improves photo quality, improved battery life over the older Canon digital ELPH even the S230 camera, up to 3 minutes of movie capture in various resolutions, and voice annotations on photos.  All of this in a camera that fits into your shirt pocket.  You also have a few manual settings if you desire with manual exposure control, white balance (with several preset values), some photo effects (sepia shots, B&W;, motion blur), and long shutter settings to name several user adjustable settings.On the minus side, battery life is somewhat short (150-170 in my use on a full charge), the flash is weak especially for low light and nighttime shots, you often will get red eye in your flash shots even with the red eye reduction (although it is greatly reduced), the off-center tripod hole makes it more difficult to have stitched photos, the limited manual controls versus other cameras in this price range, and the price of the camera.Overall, this a great compact digital camera best for vacationing and those who need an easy to carry camera with little operating hassle.  If you desire more manual features and professional level features, look at Canon's S45 4MP digital camera with is the same price as the S400.
First things first.  I LOVE this camera!  This is my third digital camera and the first one that didn't have me thinking about what I would want in my next one.  I had been researching a number of cameras including the Canon G3 and subsequently the G4 - both excellent as well.  And then a friend and an avid digital photographer (anyone who will spend entire weekends adjusting, tweaking etc their photos in Photoshop is pretty avid to me) suggested I take a good look at his S400 and read some of the reviews.  And then he said something to me that, once I thought about it, really hit home.  He said ... &quot;because this camera is so small (about the size of a deck of cards) you will take it with you everywhere.  You'll leave the house with it in situations where you would not &quot;pack up&quot; another larger camera. It's like taking your wallet.&quot;  The more I thought about this the more I remembered myself having to &quot;decide&quot; if I was going to bring my current and prior cameras with me and liking the idea of not having to &quot;decide&quot;.Well ... I've had it for more than a year and my friend was absolutely correct.  I bring it with me everywhere without a thought.  There is no &quot;packing up&quot; the camera and it is not an inconvenience to have it in my pocket.  The Canon leather case actually has a belt loop so you can carry it that way as well.  Over the past year or so I've taken great pix that I never would have taken otherwise because my camera would not have been with me otherwise.  The quality is outstanding and there are more than enough manual adjustments to suit most. Even though I have an excellent Canon Camcorder I find myself using the S400 for short 10-15 second clips of my daughter, my pets, co-workers behaving foolishly etc.  I even like the software that came with the package - something very rare for me.Bravo Canon!
This is digital camera #3 for me.  The first two were Epson's and ok (the first one wasn't even 1mp).  The second one was 3.2 mp - nice and lots of features - but somewhat bulky for travel and lots of delay not only between pressing and actual taking of picture - but between shots too.This camera is great.  Compact and solid.  Portability is great when toting it around on trips, etc. Though small, it is still extremely easy to operate.  The time between pics is fast.  The pictures themselves are very good.  The display is crisp.The best feature:  photo-stitch.  The ability to take panoramic pics w/this camera is great.  Take a pic, see where it ends, line up the next one  and patch together.  The video features seem nice, but I've rarely used them on any other camera and not sure I will here either.I probably could do w/a 3mp camera - but the price for the 4mp wasn't much more.  The price was decent for what I needed.Good purchase.
I love the size, the pictures and the features. I got it around Thanksgiving and by Christmas (in the middle of Christmas!) after 100 pictures and only 1 month of use it died -- with flash enabled (red-eye or automatic) it would not take any pictures. Left me without digital pictures for the first year since my daughter was born. My prior camera (a Kodak DC800) took 8000+ pictures over 5 years with no problems. I got the Cannon for size, speed and quality (4MP vs 2MP). I didnt expect reliability issues.Cannon was fairly quick with a turn around fix (although whats the deal with no RMA #s?) and they replaced the flash unit and sent my same camera back. Its working again, but I wonder for how long.... And while Christmas will come again, my Daughter's 5th one wont.
I have been using a Olympus C-2020 for about three years now.  I do enjoy the manual controls, but I didn't like the large size and protruding lens.  I found myself leaving the camera at home when I wanted to take it, it was too big to fit in a jacket or pants pocket.  Then came the Canon S400.  The size of this camera is great and the build quality is top notch (nice metal casing), it fits in my pants pocket and I can now take it out more often for those events.  Picture quality is fantastic and the movie feature is great (has sound and its clear).  There are no real manual controls, but I can do with out them.  Overall, I am very satisfied with this camera and would recommend it to anyone.
Pros:1) Compact Size2) 4.0 Megapixel Camera!3) 3x Optical Zoom, 3.6x Digital Zoom4) CompactFlash media with High Speed CompactFlash support.5) Improved Movie Record Mode (up to 3 minutes with High Speed CompactFlash card)6) 9 point AiAF system (Artificial Intelligence AutoFocus) (S200 has 3 point AiAF system)7) DIGIC processor (specialized processor made by Canon specifically for digital cameras... supposedly improves camera photo quality)8) iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) for improved camera focus and white balancing.9) Direct printing to DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatible printers.10) Accepts the original Lithium-Ion batteries of the S110 and S300 cameras.11) Adjustable ISO settings from 50 to 40012) Self-Timer from 2 or 10 secs13) Continuous Shooting mode14) Stainless Steel Casing.15) Built-in speaker16) FUNC button like S45/S50 PowerShots for easier navigation through camera options especially in manual mode.17) More rounded body gives a slightly sleeker look to the S400.Cons:1) Short Battery Life but seemed better than S2302) Flash is weak especially in nighttime settings with no additional lighting and at 3x zoom.3) Additional Batteries from Canon are Expensive. J&R; sells non-Canon brands for as low as $...4) Tripod mounting now on far left side of camera (you are looking at the back of the camera5) Minimal Accessories available for the cameraMy Opinion:...I brought 3 different camera with me. The S230, S45, and the S400 up to Boston while I do a bit of sightseeing between interviews. The reasons why I brought 3 of my camera was to see which camera will have the higest quality of picture.I took photos of the Cambridge area, the Northern docks, and of Fenway with all three cameras... and of close up and group photos with my friends in the area. The fastest camera to start up was the S400. In fairly close up photos and group photos in daylight or good lighting situations, there wasn't a discernable amount of difference between the three cameras especially after printing out the photos on a photo-quality inkjet printer. I noted differences in distance shooting (landscaping photos) and low light situations. Landscape shots of the Boston Harbor captured better details especially with objects in the far background with the S400 and S45. Distant shots of Fenway captured sharper details on the S400 and S45 as well. Nighttime shots were best captured on the S45... although not by a great deal over the S230 and S400. The range of manual controls were without a doubt better on the S45 and that allowed me to take better twilight landscape photos than the other two digital cameras. The surprise was that the S400 seemed the fastest to display the picture in the LCD after the shutter button is pressed and the continuous shot modes were also considerable faster to me than the S230 and S45.
I got it for Valentine's day and so far I am very happy with it.  The software is also great and easy to use (I used to have a Kodak camera and believe me, this is much better).  Also, battery life is excellent.Manual controls and difficult to use, but after a while you learn the basic logic of the menus.
As everyone seems to be, I also have experienced the famed "Memory Card Error."  The camera worked really quite well (other than one early E18 error covered by warranty) for about 26 months...but now is practically unusable due to memory card errors.  At first, they would just be intermittent...and a format or simply turning the camera off and back on would fix them.  Now, however, "memory card error" is essentially permanantly on my screen.I've tried multiple batteries, fully charged, air-dusting the CF compartment, multiple CF cards, re-formatting the card, and nothing seems to get rid of the problem.Other than the memory card error, it was a quality camera though.  When it first came out I was that guy with the really cool new camera, and I still appreciate Canon's attempt to put out a cutting-edge model with good quality in a small size.Now, however, I think that Canon needs to recognize the prevalence of the problem and propose some sort of a solution for camera owners.  Many owners of this camera would certainly have upgraded to a new Canon elph if they had not experienced the untimely death of their camera.  Canon should issue a recall, or at least provide service past the date of warranty.  If not, Canon is really risking the future of their camera sales by alienating their customer base.I've already ordered a new SD500...I'm sure I'll love it as I did the S400, but I only hope I can love it a little longer this time.
This little Canon is a dream. Enough manual features to allow your creative side to experiement and keep it interesting. Personally though, I mostly plan to use the S400 in auto mode for most pics though, as the shots are unbelievable for such a small camera in all settings. My former camera was a Fujii FinePix 6800 which is also a fine piece of electrical engineering, however, I prefer the 4.0 megapixel CCD as oppose to an interpolated system delivering 6.0 resolution derived from 3.0. The S400 is also much smaller, and feels more solid in the hand. Another plus is the unit is great at battery conservation, unlike some systems that drain the juice forcing you to not use the LCD. A real neat feature worthy of mention is the "Mini Movie" with sound feature which allows for two resolution settings and 3 minutes of capture. The only drawback with this little guy is the rubber cover for the AV and USB ports which in time will probably need to be replaced due to wear. I wish Canon designed a door type device for this purpose, but then again, rough users would probably break the door off. For this enigma, I suggest a CF card reader, especially if you do not use the AV ports like me. I just upload the files, and convert them to whatever format needed to play in whatever device I want, and burn them on optical media of choice, so I can leave the cover in place. None the less this is a camera I highly recommend for all users. The set-up is basically brainless for computer geeks, and simple for newbies. The S400 itself in usage is similar, in that newbies will take great shots in auto mode, and when they progress they will find the manual settings fun to play with. One of the useful manual features is the "Stitch Assist Mode" combined with the easy to use included software, "PhotoStitch" anyone can shoot awesome panoramic shots. Another neat feature, although fairly benign, is the "My Camera" mode which you can alter audio effects to make the camera sound like it has a mechanical shutter. You can even create your own sounds and personal pics to upload with the supplied software to replace factory effects. Lots of stuff in this "Little Guy" to keep you amused. Plus it takes superb pictures!PS Digital cameras of this size are a real pain to find proper sized camera bags, so here are two that I purchased for different uses.  The first is a Tamrac Digital Series model #5690 that has a velcro strip along with a clip fastener in front for secure carrying. It also has a small zippered pouch in front that can hold a spare battery and two CF cards in their case.  The second is Lowepro model D-Res 8S with a zippered opening. This is a more fitted case which has an acessory pouch within the bag itself that can hold one spare battery, and one CF card. You could probably squeeze another CF card in, but the fit will be a little tight.  Both bags come with shoulder straps, belt straps, and are made of ballistic nylon that is well padded.  Your Elf will not roll or shake in these cases. The Canon PSC300 cloth pouch is okay if you like the purple dinosaur color, and don't mind the lint it collects.
Just wanted to add my voice to the litany of memory card errors.  The tru measure of a good company and a good product is how the manufacturer responds to problems.  Given I have been unable to see any response from the company on this issue all I can say is stay away from all canon products!
I have had this camera for 4 or 5 years now.  It takes great photos easily.  Small enough to fit it your pocket, but not thin enough to break in your pocket when you sit down.  I've dropped it more times than I care to remember and it still takes great pictures.My only gripe about the camera is that it is FREAKIN' SLOW TO FOCUS.  I'm suprised that my finger has not gone through the body of the camera a few times in trying to get the darn thing to click.  But I say this about all digital cameras that I've used.  This probably depends on how much the battery is charged, but tell that to a 3-year-old who won't stand still or a whale that just jumped out of the water.By now, there are higher-resolution, faster cameras with bigger screens on the market, but I will stick with Canon when this one ultimately dies.  Their optics and electronics are excellent.Thank you so much schmalyn!  Every 2 or 3 years you will need to replace the internal battery to fix the "memory card error".  The battery is an Energizer 339 also known as a SR614SW 1.55 volts.  Call around to watch repair shops.  Radio Shack and Circuit City do not carry this battery.  I would recommend buying an extra one ($8 US) and keeping it with your camera stuff.  It would really ruin a vacation if you couldn't find a battery, although any photos that you had already taken should be safe on the card.Not only did changing the battery fix the "memory card error", but the function wheel (as I call it) now works too.  I had always assumed it was a physical problem.  The function wheel (with the manual overrides and movie functions) has not worked for 3 years -- maybe it never worked, but now it does.  The battery is an Energizer 339 also known as a SR614SW 1.55 volts.  Call around to watch repair shops.  Radio Shack and Circuit City do not carry this battery.A few comments, there are ELEVEN not nine screws, and I would suggest marking the body of the camera with a thin permanent marker BEFOREHAND.  The screws appear to be of different depths and thicknesses.  Have a big clear flat surface to work on.  As you take out the screws, line up the screws as you take them out.  When replacing the front casing, make sure to put the A/V Out rubber flap back in place.  Before replacing the back casing, make sure you line up the camera/play switch inside and out.I cannot be angry with Canon for the battery going dead, but I can be upset with them for not putting it in an externally accessible place.
July 13, 2006: I used this camera happily for 2 years before getting the memory card error.  Here are some more details about how to remove the internal battery: You must remove NINE screws in order to get to it.  Four screws by the loop (then the plate comes off, remember which side is up); One screw by the front of the tripod hole, plus the Two screws next to it along the front of the camera; and the Two screws on the side by the A/V Out rubber cover.  GENTLY pry the front of the camera off (I used a tiny flathead screwdriver, inserting it into the crack and gently turning it), and then lift the lower right corner of the copper flap (it might be held down by a touch of adhesive).  Gently pop out the little battery.  Reverse to assemble.  I haven't seen whether it works as a fix yet, but I know I wanted more instructions while I was doing it, so I thought I'd provide them for the next person.:)August 2, 2006: After performing the fix, I took the camera on a 2-week vacation, took tons of pics and videos, and had absolutely no trouble.  The memory card error would definitely have shown itself at least once during that time if it had not been fixed.  Hooray!!
i got this camera in june 2003, and began experiencing the "memory card error" problem intermittently from the very beginning. since powering off/on usually cleared up the problem, i didn't pay it much attention.in february 2005, the camera pretty much stopped working altogether, and i haven't used it since.  i didn't realize the problem was widespread, and now i am angry that canon is so unresponsive and won't stand behind their product.i really loved the camera while it worked; very easy to use, and it took good pictures.  too bad it is useless now. i highly recommend that everyone call canon support to register this problem: 1-800-828-4040.  make sure they take your name and information to be able to track these complaints!
This is an almost perfect little piece of equipment.  It is easy to carry with you anywhere in a pocket or a small case and that's important because a camera only counts if its with you. The outer casing is very sturdy (and attractive) and will protect your camera from bumps and falls.The biggest improvements over my previous canon S230 are the additional megapixels- 4.0 and the 3x optical zoom.  Both these improvements are important to the quality of prints- especially to enlargements.  An optical zoom takes much crisper shots than a digital one and 3x enlargement is superior to the 2x in the S230 and other small digital cameras. The 4.0 megapixels also provides a sharper picture again especially for enlargements. I do reccommend purchasing at least a 256 Megabyte card to accommodate the extra data you'll be storing. And buy an extra battery so you don't run out of power unexpectedly.This is a great camera and so easy to use that anyone can take great photos in no time. Once you buy this camera you'll use no other one.
I love this camera - I bought it after a trip to Europe where I shot 32 rolls of film and came back to the expense of developing them all only to find that half were garbage.Ever since I bought this camera I have been taking pictures like crazy and the ones that are not garbage come out beautifully!  I have played with all the color and quality settings and they really do provide fantastic results.The video is the most recent thing I have been playing with and with my 7 month old baby reaching all sorts of milestones I am happy not to have to drag my camcorder everywhere!I'm due for an upgrade but only cecause I am a new technology junkie and I am craving something new and exciting!
The Canon Powershot S400 is my second digital camera. The first was a 1.2 MP Olympus that was just way too big to carry around. I chose the Canon based on three factors: Size, Image Quality, and Ease of Use.Size-- Size was my biggest concern. It's so tiny!! :) The camera is about the same size as a deck of playing cards. Nevertheless, the LCD screen is of a usable size and the buttons aren't so tiny that you need to use a fingernail to depress them. The viewfinder is a bit small, but atypically, shows a fairly true representation of what your shot will look like. I found the LCD screen to be a much better way of taking pictures.Image Quality-- Wow! I was so pleased! None of my images have needed major color correction. The white balance is right on track. This little camera gets it right even in difficult color situations like bright sunlight. Flesh tones come out nice and natural and whatever Canon has done to eliminate red eye really works. I'd highly recommend this camera to people picky about image quality.  The camera allows you to set the resolution of your photo. I've taken most of mine on "fine", but there's also a "superfine" resolution. I find that on the superfine, I get 14 shots. I average about 27 on fine. This brings me to my only issue with this camera-- What's up with the 32 MB card?? If you're spending this amount of money on a camera, it ought to come with a bigger card. I went out and bought a 256 MB one almost instantly.Ease of Use-- Ease of use is the category that kept me from giving this camera five stars. It's very easy to learn the basic functions. Taking pictures, zooming in, zooming out, etc. The menus for the more complex functions are a bit less intuitive. They present you with useless options like changing the LCD's splash screen first and make you dig for important things like changing the resolution of the images. If you read the book, you'll get everything after a few rounds of shots, but you do need to read the book.Overall, I am VERY pleased with my camera and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.
I've owned this camera for 2 years now, back then it was $370.  After about 1 1/2yrs it started giving me a memory card error on the screen.  I thought it was my CF card and luckily I work for a computer parts manufacturer, took it into work and had tech support look at it.  They RMA'd the CF card and gave me a new one but found nothing wrong with it.  After googling the error I found many sites of many users' complaints of the same issue.I tried to make it work, found a trick where if I took out the CF card and battery and put back in it would solve the problem sometimes.  But the error got more and more frequent and now it's just sitting collecting dust.  $370 down the drain! I throught it would take me further than 2 years.  Tried to contact Canon about the issue, they don't do anything for you.Now that the prices of digcams have dropped so much I'm looking into buyin another one since I have a lemon on my hands, but I'm staying away from CANAON!
I travel a ton, and wanted a very portable camera with high resolution.  I originally bought the Konica KZ-400 (3.2 megapixels), but found the focusing to be problematic, among other things.  Swaped it out for the Canon S230 but then Canon introduced this model, so I swaped again for the S400 (didn't even use the S230).In short, I couldn't be happier.  This thing looks great, is super portable, and takes wonderful pictures, many of which I've printed on 8x10s.  I mostly use the automatic setting, which does a great job, but more serious photographers will appreciate the manual controls (white balance, ISO speed, etc.).With 4 megapixels and the features this camera offers, I doubt this model will be outdated anytime soon.  It is priced at the high end among its peer group, but I can't see anyone saving enough money to justify passing this one up.  And don't just take my word for it, look at the other reviews.
I bought this camera 10/2003.  a couple of months after that i received my first "memory card error."  since the problem went away after a power reset, i thought nothing of it.  it happened intermittently after that and now during the 7/4/2005 weekend the error won't go away!  seems after a google search it's quite a bigger problem.  the only recourse is to file a complaint with the better business bureau now and if enough of you file a complaint canon might be forced to do something.  don't just complain about it...do something about it!
Hope to help Xmas shoppers with this review.  We just got our S400.  We've had a Fujifilm Finepix 1400 for about the last 3 yrs, but it is only 1.2 mp and larger in size than the S400.  The Fujifilm camera was a good one to learn on though and has helped us to understand a number of features on the S400.  If you are techno-savvy, go with the S400.  If not get a more simple camera to learn on.  The quick start guide is easy to get you going.  We also bought a case, 256mb simpletech card, simpletech card reader, and extra battery pack.  Don't buy a charger like we did as one comes with the camera.  I followed all the instructions and have had no problems taking pics and downloading.  To use the card reader you have to download the software for it from simpletech's website if you have win98.  The manual is sort of hard to follow for me (a non-techno), but the illustrations are helpful.  Haven't used the movie feature yet.  I would highly recommend a 256mb + card as only a 32mb card comes with the camera.  We use the card reader to save the camera battery.  The reader is only $11.
In a box ready to be returned. It is broken...right out of box. Won't stay charged, makes a bad noise when the lens tries to focus on something. Bad experience.
I was able to put up with the redeye and slow speed of this camera because it was pretty small.  That all changed when the warranty ran out and the camera started giving the dreaded "memory card error" and wouldn't take pictures or let me look at existing pictures.  I tried reformatting the card using a PC but that didn't help, so I finally sent the camera back to Canon, thinking surely they would fix it for little or no charge.  Much to my dismay, I got an estimate for $155, which is Canon's fixed price repair charge.  They said I could buy a refurbished S410 for $195, which was just as outrageous, since I knew those cameras have the same problems as the S400.  I refused to give Canon any more of my money and they sent the camera back.  I am going to try one more thing to fix the problem, new batteries.  If that doesn't work, I'm going to join a class action lawsuit against Canon.  I found the following information on another website:"If you would like to join the Lawsuit against Canon for "Memory card error" OR "E18" error CALL ATTORNEY JIM SMITH AT NO COST TO YOU REGARDING THE E18 ERROR. THERE IS A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT.HIS NUMBER IS 1-877-667-9489."
Same problem as everyone else here...MEMORY CARD ERROR?  To make things worse, CANON won't do anything about it.  I bought the camera about 18 months ago, and it worked great, and now I am plagued with memory card errors, but I know that it is not the memory card, because I can use it in any other camera.  I can't believe the rating here on amazon is still 4 stars with so many dissatisfied customers.
This is a beautiful small camera that takes great pictures and has all the feautures most of us photo snappers need.  The dials are fairly intuitive to use and the 3X zoom comes in handy.  The negative is that battery life is relatively short.  I would recommend a spare battery to be able to keep shooting if the battery runs out.  Also, now that the price of the CF memory chip has decreased a great deal, I would recommend at least a 256 mB memory card.
I've had this camera for quite a while now but a few days ago it just stopped working.  I'm still able to view the pictures on the memory card but an error message (E18) comes up when I try to take a picture.  I'm not sure what is wrong but this is the second Canon (the other camera was the PowerShot S60) I've owned that just stopped working for no apparent reason. I was planning to purchase the Powershot SD870IS but am now seriously reconsidering purchasing any Canon Digital Camera.  They just don't last.
After extensive research on the web ...I chose to upgrade my Canon S20 to a Canon S400.  In someways, this was a step down.  Unfortunately, the S400 does not support verticle alignment of it's panoramic "stitch assist" mode as they do on the S40, S45, S50 and other higher priced models.  I found this feature on the S20 to be very useful in capturing more image (greater resolution and consistant panning) when stitching photos together to make a panoramic photo.  Also, the S400 does not support the higher resolution movie mode of 640 x 320, as some digital cameras support.  Hopefully, Canon will address these feature shortfalls with a firmware upgrade in the near future.  As mentioned in a number of reviews, the S400's flash is miniscule and thus is somewhat inadequate to light wide distant shots.Canon has improved the intelligence of the powershot digital line.  Specifically in the S400 the Digic processing makes for fast picture taking and viewing.  The size of the S400 is grand.  It does fit in a pocket and powers up so quickly, you may never miss another shot with this camera (keeping in mind to charge your battery and have enough flash memory for the moment!!!).The bottom line... the Canon S400 is compact, sturdy, and fast.  If you are looking for a very small 4 megapixel camera with nice even colors, low levels of distortion, a basic movie capture mode, fast memory writing and reading, the S400 is a current top pick.  However, if you are looking for lots of manual control, vertical "photo stitching," and more pixels try the S50.One note if considering the S45 or S50 cameras, play with the navigation buttons before purchasing the unit;  I have found the navigation to be somewhat clumsy in-which it is easy to hit "enter" when trying to navigate "up" or "down," or hit "up" when trying to "enter."
Like clockwork, I experienced the dreaded memory card error after 18 mo (just out of warranty). I recently bought a new battery because the generics had such short lives and were a source of frustration for me. However, even with 2 canon batteries I only seem to avoid the memory card error temporarily. I'm hesitant to buy another Canon camera based on the reports about the 1) Memory Card Error, 2) E18 Lens error, and 3) fragile LCDs on the new SDxxx series that I hear about. Here are some tips for those of you dealing with the experience:1) I used photorescue to recover some of my pictures from my CF ( [...] ).2) At some point you may find it necessary to truly WIPEOUT your card if you are not able to reformat it properly ( [...] )3) Always keep your batteries fully charged, a low battery will increase the chances of the dreaded memory card error and render it useless until you remedy the memory card error (see Tips #1 & #2).I really loved everything about this camera, the 3min movie clips, crystal clear LCD, good quality photos (although I gave to edit the images to remove the extreme red hue in some of my indoor images), and compact size/weight. However, the rampant memory card error is inexcusable, warranting only a 1 or 2 stars. If you haven't or don't experience these problems, consider yourself lucky. ;)Note: I never experienced any of these problems with the s330 model. I had the s330 previously, which I gave to my sister. I'm sad to see that the new Canon models are having a lot of problems.
This is a very nice camera that is slightly larger than the S230, but includes a higher zoom(3X compared to 2X in the S230) capability and higher still photo resolution(4MP compared to 3 MP in the S230).  I was surprised to find that Canon eliminated the hi resolution(640 X 480) video capability in the S400 though.  I found the hi-res video mode in the S230 to be very useful.  But, the highest resolution(320 X 200) offered by the S400 is too grainy to be very useful.
This camera was so great when I bought it that I got 3 of them as gifts for family and friends.  Now (18 months later) mine is unusable with Memory Card Errors, and my brother's is now unusable too (after 16 months)...just waiting for the other two gifts to go to crap.Canon's response?  Pay $150 and we'll fix it!!!! THEIR OWN DEFECT!!!Do a Google search online for Canon and "Memory Card Errors"  or Canon and E18 (another common problem)...see how awful this company is.Inexcusable.  If they have a class action lawsuit against Canon, I'm in.  I'll never buy a Canon again.  It's too bad because when it worked, it was great.But it doesn't, so it's garbage.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it does!. I bought the Canon S230 (3.2mp) in January and have already upgraded to the S400. This camera has been in stock for several weeks at online stores I probably can't mention here. I've had mine for a week now. Overall this is a great camera, it's the same size as the S230, very carryable, high quality, improved optics and zoom (3x optical instead of 2x) and the extra megapixels come in handy. There are a few minor points to pick at.1). Certain parts of the camera are now plastic instead of metal as on the S230 (from what I can tell, the zoom ring around the power button, the chrome ring around the lens, and the edges of the lens). The main body of the camera is still metal, however it's a new finish (Cerabrite) which has an odd plasticky look to it. Overall the construction quality doesn't feel quite as nice as the S230, notably the feel of the buttons when pressed, however it's nothing to be alarmed about.2). For some reason Canon removed the 640x480 movie mode option. I never used the movie mode extensively, but this might matter to some users.3). While some people might like it, (I think it's tacky) Canon has added the following useless features: Camera startup sound, shutter sound, camera display theme and startup image. There are cheesy sounds like a bird chirp, or a wolf howl, startup images like a Canon logo, picture of sunset, bird, etc. Due to the addition of these features the camera now has a tiny speaker. One benefit of the speaker/sounds is that Canon has added a self-timer sound which I think is useful.Some other nice additions/changes include the ability to edit the length of movie clips on the camera, a closer focusing distance in the macro setting, and the ablility to record a sound bye of up to 60 seconds to a picture (also useable as a simple voice recorder for recording memos, thoughts, etc) which will play back via the tiny speaker. The microphone has been moved from the front of the camera to the top, this could be good or bad depending, it may record less wind noise in windy situations (especially if facing into the wind), however it may also no longer pick up quieter sounds due to the repositioning.At a minimum I would reccommend the use of a 128mb card, preferrably 256mb or larger. At less than $$$ I would suggest an external memory card reader to be used for transfering photos instead of the Canon software which seems buggy at times. As far an extra battery goes, some people won't live without an extra. With the price of the battery, I'd pass. Canon says the camera is good for 190 photos with the LCD on (400+ with LCD off). I've never taken more than 50 pictures in a day and have always had an opportunity to recharge the battery during some down time in the evening.To sum things up, if you're looking for a high quality high megapixel camera that's easily carryable, and hardly noticed in most pockets, this is it!. The combination of size, quality and features of this camera are unmatched!. If you don't require 4 megapixels or want to save $$$ I'd highly reccommend the S230 which I have also reviewed.
I like this little digital camera. It does everything a point and shoot digital camera should do and more. For me, a point and shoot camera should be small and light so that it can conveniently go with me everywhere. That's the power of any point and shoot camera actually. It goes with you in your daily life and subsequently you get shots that you could not get with other larger cameras either because it would be too conspicous, or too inconvient to carry with you.The S400 camera is barely larger or heavier than a pak of cigarettes and even fits in a shirt pocket with relative ease.I originally had an S50 but ended up getting rid of it because it was too big and heavy and the manual controls on it were cumbersome to use. In the end, the manual controls on the S50 were not worth having to carry around such a brick-like camera.  The S50 often ended up staying at home or in the car and I missed out on shots because I did not have the camera with me.The images out of the S400 suprisingly enough, look even better to me than those out of the S50. I can't really explain why this is considering that the S50 is a full 1 megapixel higher than the S400.I don't miss having the full manual controls that the S50 has at all. When I had the S50, I found that I hardly ever used the manual controls anyway because they are a bit cumbersome. I actually longed for more ease and simpleness, which frees one up to take pictures more spontaneously.  So the small size and convenience of the S400 more than outweighs the lack of full manual controls for me.  And the S400 does have manual mode where you can dial in some settings manually, just not f-stop and shutter speed. Further, you can often achieve the same effects as if you had full manual controls just by knowing how to set the S400. For example, if I want to shoot an outdoor portrait with a shallow depth of field (so the background will be blurry), I would set the camera's ISO to 50 and then meter off of something fairly dark (like the shade) while holding down the shutter down halfway to lock the exposure and recompose to the subject to take the picture.To conclude, I am happy with this camera because it does everything a small point and shoot digital camera should do, yet it is quite small, light, feels sturdy (metal case) and has very pleasant ergonomics both with regard to the layout of the controls as well as to the on screen menu functions.
Beware the E18 message!  It happened after 2 years of use.  Don't kid yourself into thinking it won't happen.  If you don't care, then think of it as a disposable camera.  No more Cannon for me which is unfortunate, because the size of the camera is great.  IT WILL HAPPEN.  It's just a matter of time.
This is my 3rd digital camera, having owned two bulkier Olympus models previously. I was looking for a smaller camera that would be easier to carry. After much research I chose this Canon S400, and it's just about perfect. The display is clear and easy to use. The included rechargeable battery and charger are easy to use, very small, and the battery charges fairly quickly after the initial charge. I took it with on a trip to DisneyWorld, where I took about 50 pictures daily. It fit nicely into a small pocket of my waistbag. I purchased with it two 256MB Sandisk CF cards, they have worked flawlessly thus far. Hooking the camera up to my iMac was no problem, I hooked up the included USB cable and iPhoto instantly recognized the camera; the pictures were uploaded in no time. The only thing I'd really like is a decent case to protect it in my bag. The Canon case that can be purchased separately is rather chintzy. I currently keep it in a neoprene eyeglass zip case that I picked up at a sporting goods store.
Product arrived on time, looked very good for a used item. All the manuals and cables, etc. were included. It did ship in an A430 box and the documentation was for the A430 as well but it was not hard to adapt it for the S400. Only 1 complaint. The battery was n/g, it wouldn't hold a charge. I ordered a 2 pack of replacements for $8 and everything should be fine once they arrive.
I have had this camera for about a year and a half.  The first problem occurred about 6 months after purchase.  The connection on the camera was no longer in good shape.  The only way that I could download was to use a card reader.  Next, after another couple of months, a screw on the tele-photo switch broke causing difficulty in using the tele-phone switch at all.  I had to hold down the switch every time I used it.  Then, it started burning out batteries.  I ended up having to buy three additional batteries.  One burnt out the second time charging it.  Next, after about a year and a half from the time of purchase, the card error problem occurred.  It destroyed several 256 cards and it was no longer working as a camera at all.  For $500 plus another $300 in extra cards and batteries, the camera is completely dead.  Canon has not been responsive.  It is obviously a "dog" as so many customers have complained about the same problems, especially the problem with fouling the memory cards.  This is a complete failure in quality control on the part of the manufacturer (Canon)and a complete failure on Canon's part to back it up.  For as reputable a company as Canon, it is a complete breakdown of confidence.  They should be ashame of themselves for making this, for selling this and for not backing it up.  So many have lost millions of pictures.
Total waste of money.  I've called Canon and they won't do anything about it other than ask me to pay $150+ (can't remember exactly how much) or trade it in for an SD500 for $200.  DO NOT BUY!!!!!  I didn't even really use it that much!!!
I did quite a bit of research before purchasing. I wanted a camera that produces high quality images, is very compact and easy to use.I have a Sony digital camcorder. Naturally, I was initially inclined to buy a Sony. Besides, Sony cameras (of the same price range) seem to have more features and more pixels than Canon cameras. But when I went to a store to check the cameras out, the Sony cameras reminded me of the (fairly new) Sony digital camcorder I have: the menu is so clumsy and illogical that sometimes it drives me nuts!In contrast, the Canon cameras struck me as extremely user friendly. Aside from the S400's size, metal body and its pleasing exterior, I couldn't believe how easy it was to navigate the controls. Everything is logically and intuitively laid out. For every menu choice one makes, the LCD screen displays the name of that function in addition to the icon. (One does not need to memorize what icon means what--one can read it on the LCD screen.)I chose the S400 above the other Canons, because I decided that the S400 offers just enough manual controls as a point-n-shoot camera. I figured that if I wanted full control, I'd buy a Sony DSC717; if I needed a camera for extreme high image quality, I'd use my Nikon SLR's. For most everyday use, including printing up to 8x11, 4mega pixels is more than sufficient.There are several things that I am disappointed with (aside from the 32mb memory and lack of a pouch):1. Flash pictures tend to be over exposed. Or else the picture is very dark. One can use the manual control to adjust the exposure compensation, but for spontaneous shots, that seems rather cumbersome.2. The red-eye reduction function doesn't seem to work very well on my set.3. When I installed the software on my  computer (Windows Me), the computer freezes at the end of the installation process. The software seems to work fine, but the freeze bugs me. I tried re-install a couple of times but the same thing happened.I believe that if you have Windows XP, you can simply plug the camera in and the computer will just recognize it as a removable harddisk. I have NOT tried this out yet though.An alternative to installing software is the USB cf card reader (I bought one made by SimpleTech for $16) which plugs in to my Windows Me computer and is immediately recognized as an additional device. The downside to that is that one has to remove the cf card from the camera and insert it into the reader. I am always afraid I'd bend one of those little pins through which the cf card connects to the various devices.Overall, I highly recommend this camera.
After extensive research my wife and I chose the canon s400 for our digital camera investment.  We could not be happier.  Don't waste you time researching, if you want a point and shoot model get this camera!!!
I actually purchased the PDR-3330 (3.1 MP) back in January 2004.  It lasted through college and I continue to use it to this day!  I don't know how many times I've dropped it, yet it's continued to work just fine - even after quite a few hits to the lens housing!  Just got some crystal clear pictures of the aftereffects of the ice storm yesterday.  I continue to be amazed at the quality of some of the pictures I get.  The only drawback I notice besides battery life is lots of noise and shadow in low lighting - but this camera makes up for that by how well it performs in ample sunlight.  Also, if you're an avid movie-taker this camera may disappoint - frames didn't come out too clearly and it does not have audio capabilities.  But I've used the video feature perhaps twice in nearly four years, so it didn't bother me.  I would definitely purchase from this Toshiba line again - with a Canon lens, knowledge that I can depend on this camera to hold up for years and the fact that this was my first "real" digital camera, I'm too taken to want anything else for a loooong time :)
I desperately needed a new digital camera and for the price I jumped on this one.  WIth a canon glass lens and decent firmware this camera does take great shots when the lighting and settings are synched.  PROS: nice image quality, SSD cards are great, video is a nice bonus, menus are easy to use, has manual settings for experimenting, great power conservation.  CONS: no sound on video (I didn't think I'd miss this as much as I do), flimsy lens cover, autofocus can be finnicky especially when using zoom (just optical I turn off digital zoom).  All in all it is a solid buy and I have had good luck with toshiba products in general, but I still can't get the autofocus to work on closeup shots and really miss not having sound on my videos.
i just bought the camera, and for the price you won't find a better deal.  the resolution is awesome, the flash is bright enough to make low-lit rooms look like there's daylight, and it's easy to use.  the manual appears dense, but that's only because it's written in four different languages.  the only downside (if you consider it one) is the size.  but it appears sturdy, and so far it works very well.  i looked at dozens of comparable digital cameras and found this one to be the better deal (cheaper with more features).
For persons unfamiliar with digital photography who do not wish to be limited to a "point-and-shoot" camera as they learn the digital process, the Toshiba PDR-4300 is an excellent choice. The camera combines Toshiba's superior digital imaging expertise with a high imaging sensor into a camera that is easy to use. After the beginner has mastered "point-and-shoot" techniques, the PDR-4300 with a 4-megapixel resolution and a full set of professional-level manual options, they can readily progress to more advanced digital photography. The camera has a built-in flash and an all-glass quality Canon lens with a 2.8x optical zoom and with digital zoom provides 6x total zoom. The camera has several other features all of which makes for brilliant resolution and excellent photos. Finally, the installation software is "user-friendly" and excellent.The camera battery life is poor. Battery life can be improved by adhering to the camera manual's instructions to turn off the LCD screen and use the viewfinder when taking pictures. However, the buyer should purchase a battery charger and buy rechargeable batteries that have a much longer life. Also, the 16 MB SD memory card limits the camera's picture file capacity and should be replaced by a 32 or 64 MB memory card. Nevertheless, the 16 MB card is adequate during the beginner stage in digital photography.My major criticism concerns the camera manual. The manual is readable, comprehensive and well organized. Unfortunately, the manual, in four languages, is very poorly bound. I had not finished reading the introductory sections before the pages in the English section became unbound. Either the binding should be improved or each language section should be separately bound.The camera is a "best buy", and is lots of fun to use.
This Toshiba has a retro Leica look and with 4 megapixels it's also a powerful digital camera.  2.8x optical zoom gives you about 28-80mm in 35mm equivalent.  Pretty easy to use and good build quality.  Definitely use NiMH batteries -- but in any case I prefer these to LiIon because the latter are [spendier] and lose capacity after ~300 cycles.  NiMH can be charged 1000 times before they degrade!  Do carry extra sets of batteries.
this is good camera for the most part. just that at times there's a  slight lag in pressing the button and the picture being taken...also the picture comes out as if you were shaking sometimes...but the 3 sec timer and other features are excellent...also great quality of pics and ease of use
I bought this camera I believe 3 years ago and have been satisified with it.  I bought it to take on trips not wanting to hassle with 35mm cameras and film.  It takes great pictures in the daylight, nightime not so much but that is common with most digital photography.  The camera does drain the batteries quickly but using rechargable batteries is a must with most digital cameras...turning off the digital display during photography does help this.  I am overall satisfied with this camera and am not sorry I bought it!
I have owned a Canon TX and Canon 650 film cameras.  I was always very happy with my Canon film cameras.  I bought the 10d thinking that I was finally able to get a digital replacement for my old Canon film cameras.I have now owned my 10d for over a year.  The picture quality is only fair.  It often selects ISO 100 and gives me fuzzy pictures. The white balance is extremely poor compared with the film cameras.  The "full automatic" mode does a poor job of focus and white balance.  The "creative" modes are similar to the film cameras but don't seem to work so very well.  I am just having a terrible time trying to get the settings right to get good pictures!  After a year of trying I am extremely frustrated with it.Finally, the print pictures I get from it are _always_ too dark.  It seems I need to post-process EVERY PICTURE in photoshop to get the gamut correct, or brighten/enhance/correct the photos to make them look right.  Argh!It's all probably user error, but I never had these problems with my old film cameras.  If I could easily get PhotoCDs made I would go back to film immediately!UPDATE:  Okay, I bought PhotoShop CS for my Mac.  I have taken some of my old 10d photos and run this sequence:Auto LevelsAuto Brightness/ContrastSaturation +30 (variable)Unsharpen Mask (this one takes the most tweaking)This has _really_ made a huge difference in the quality of the photos.  I have done a lot more adjustment with some of the photos.  Photoshop is _really_ amazing what it can do.  The image have a _lot_ of info in them, I just have to learn to get it to pop out.
This is a fantastic digital camera - reasonably priced for the myriad of features it has. I use it professionally.The low-light shooting is excellent, with reasonable artifacts, and the speed is also great. Auto focus is excellent most of the time, and the auto focus field can be adjusted through the menu.I loved using it, and am considering getting another one despite its short life (read below).After having it for 2.5 years, it broke down. The auto-focus mirror below the main mirror is attached to the body by a tiny spring which latches to a flimsy plastic part. This part simply wears out after about 20,000 shots (according to the camera rating and the many irrate customers with a same problem, posting on the web). It's designed to fail after about 3 years of use (depending on the amount of use it gets). This is a terribly bad design that could have been fixed by using a metal part, considering that this is NOT a disposable camera...Repair takes up to 6 weeks, as the camera can only be repaired in their main repair center, and costs about $200.I've been told that most of Canon digital cameras of this line carry the same defect, regardless of price. Too bad, considering that the overall quality of this camera encourages professional use...
When I bought the camera I found the screen to be too small and it was really grainy at even it's lowest iso.
The 10D is the camera I had been waiting for; the look and feel of a 35 with all the benefits of a digital camera.  The camera feels great in your hands and produces outstanding results.  It can be used as a point and shoot with little instruction and the creative modes and manual override settings allow you the freedom to take control of any shooting situation.  The 9 shot drive mode is great for sports action.  The camera even gets good battery life (approx. 500 shots w/half flash).  I highly recommend a minimum of 128mb compact flash card for higher end photos as well as a tripod for optimal control.  B/c the 10D is compatible with all EF lenses it's easy to pickup extra lenses at good prices.  Extra batteries and other accessories are also available.  Outstanding camera but still very hard to find and a bit pricey when you can find one.
After reading the very helpful reviews on the Canon 10D (I will buy one later today) I just had to clarify the confusion regarding the sensor size.  The sensor size is 22mm so the effective focal length of each lens is multiplied by 35/22 = 1.59.  This does not change the real focal length so the F ratio remains the same.  The resolution is set by the imager and it has a full 6.3megapixels.  Bottom line is you lose wide angle coverage, you gain telephoto range and your viewfinder image is smaller.  Sounds like a good set of trades to me.
A must buy if you love DSLR's for what they were intended to be, which was a camera to take amazing pic's & not all that fancy BS that are in models such as 7, 60, & XSi.
We purchased this camera shortly after it hit the market. Today, 8 years after, the camera still performs wonderfully. We have taken pictures with the D10 in a great variety of scenery from the Equatorial line to Alaska.Our next digital SLR will again by a Canon. But not yet :) this one still has life to give.
I had just bought this camera, and it is not compatible with any other Canon lens but the eos 10d ones.So either buy a great adapter, or only buy those lenses.It is really heavy, and quite big. It has all the features of the newer models, so don't worry about that. It is quite complicated if you are thinking this to be your first digital SLR.But over all.. it is an awesome camera!!!
This is one of the four cameras, the only digital camera, I used to learn portrait photography.  The class was on how to take portraits not how to use the camera. I wanted to graduate from the point and shoot but had to consider my budget because I wanted an SLR film camera also.  I got the Canon Rebel Ti packed with two lenses. It made sense to me to purchase a Canon digital to interchange lenses. My original choice was the Canon Digital Rebel, however, in my  WEB search, I found the EOS 10D for $750 with no catch.  There were no required additional purchases scam when I called.  This allowed me to spend the extra money I would have spent on the camera on accessories.Since it's digital, I am not shy about trying out the features.  When I first got the camera, some of the photos were dark or very light. After tinkering around and learning what the sensor-indicators means I don't get that anymore.The 10D is more camera than I need that I'm sure I will have it for a long time.May 2008Earlier this year, I sold my EOS 10D and most of the accessories because I had not used it in over year.  I really love the camera but since it is a professional camera, it should be used.  I would suggest this type of camera to any body who enjoys photography. - I do miss it every now and then.
I have had the Canon 10D for about 6 months.  After getting it I sold my film cameras because I don't use them any longer.  The camera is comfortable to hold.  The controls are intuitive.  The Canon manual is clearly written and easy to understand (unusual in my experience).  You can change ISO from shot to shot and there is very little noise up to ISO 800.  You can go to 1600 or evene 3200 but there is a lot of noise.  The automatic white balance is good -- but not great.  I shoot in Canon RAW so you can adjust white balance, exposure and contrast later.  This is just wonderful.  The Canon software is slow and clunky so I use Photoshop CS.  Photoshop CS brings Canon RAW images in seamlessly and allows a myriad of useful adjustments.  The auto focus is good.  I have the camera programmed to focus where I select.  When I do this the focus accuracy is near 100%.  In fully automatic mode it is less accurate.  The body is part metal and part plastic and feels pretty rugged but it is not a full professional body.  The internal flash is modest but useful to have in a pinch.  I ended up buying the 550 EX which is excellent.  A good digital camera is more than megapixels.  Canon's firmware is second to none.  IMHO, Canon is the clear leader in digital cameras.  Buy with confidence.
The Canon 10D is an improved version of the D60. The camera has many improvments and dropped in price ... You can be a advanced user or a newbie. Take about 1 hour to read the manual, it will be worth the time. Auto focus is the best I have ever experinced with a digital camera. ...
Since there are tons of rave reviews about the features of this camera, I won't bother you with the details. Instead, I will tell you about the one HUGE letdown of this camera and the likes (Rebel, 20D): the 1.6x focal length factor. This means my dear 28-105 lens is now a sorry 45-170. To recoup the loss I'd have to spend $700 on a 17-40 4.0 lens. This is a consequence of using a small CCD. Cameras like the 1D with full-size 35mm CCD sell for over $4,000. I cannot wait for that price to go down. I also cannot help to wonder whether the focal reading of the Speedlite flashes will be correct (I own a 540EZ and discovered with dismay that it doesn't work in these cameras).I look at my A2 (still infatuated with it) and I wonder if I did the right thing. I think I will keep it around for a while, just in case...
With the exception of the lack of a full 35mm frame CMOS sensor, this camera is absolutely perfect. The images are wonderful, the camera functions quickly, and a serious photographer will be delighted in the control they have over the operation of the camera. It works very well for a quality obsessed amatuer like myself. Worth every penny. This is my first digital SLR, my film SLR is a low end Canon Rebel. This is the first digital camera that doesn't make we want to go back to film due to slow responses and poor image quality. Happy Happy Joy Joy.The smaller than full frame sensor changes the lenses you might use, if you plan on re-using lenses you should do some research to understand how it will affect them. I got a 28-105mm Canon USM and I'm very happy with it.
In the early 1990's, I found that Canon had come out with their EOS series of cameras.  Having had an AE-1 and A-1 from the mid-70's and early 80's, I had enjoyed using their products, which seemed to do as much as, or sometimes more, than a Nikon, at a lower price.  In 1992, I purchased a Canon EOS 10S, a truely versitile camera.  With the Canon EOS 10-D, Canon has done it again, and am I glad.Somewhere along the late 1990's, I got into a digital camera phase, buying a different camera every year or so, usually with more megapixels, perhaps a few more features, but I realized that I had reverted back to taking "snapshots," and not true "pictures."  "Pictures," to me, are where you experiment and your equipment allows you to experiment, and with the Canon EOS 10D, you can truly experiment.  When I think of the money I spent on the Coolpix and Photosmart cameras, and the frustrations, and limitations, I had with them, my wallet wants to cry.  However, with the 10D, I can be as creative as I want, and still have those times when I can put the camera on "automatic" and let someone else take a shot and not worry if the picture will come out (which was not always the case).But, let's get down to specifics.  I've had the 10D for several months now, and here are my recommendations:  1)  Wherever you buy it at, I bought mine here along with 512MB of memory, consider the whole price.  Some places are selling it for $$$$'s less, but you pay up to $$$ more for the memory and you have to pay for shipping (which from Amazon came in two days); 2) Your other EOS lenses work well on the 10D, but because of the 1.6 focal length difference (or whatever you want to call it), use that money you saved on it to get a terrific lense with a wider range, starting at 19mm or so; 3) The manual is a dream, considering this is one complicated camera.  Make a photocopy of the "Nomenclature" 2 pages and keep it next to the book as you read it; 4) If you are just getting into digital and have, in the past, used high-end film equipment (whether it was Canon or Nikon, etc.), don't buy something less thinking, "I'll see if I like it."  With this camera you can equate 99% of everything you did with your high-end film camera, only with faster results.  Save money by buying a better quality digital camera, like the 10D, from the start, or in other words, if you are used to quality, don't take a step back.  If you have any reservations, you may want to consider buying "A Short Course in Canon EOS 10D Photography" by Dennis Curtin (ISBN 1-928873-39-1).  It covers most of the principles of digital photography and is written around the 10D.Finally, the last great quality of this camera that I'll write about is the battery.  It lasts forever, but even when it starts petering out, it recharges in 1/10th of the time my AA high-metal batteries did for my other cameras.  Buy two, and you many never miss a shot.
I love my 10D! I purchased it from KEH camera about 6 months ago. It has never stopped working, and delivers wonderful pictures! I almost like it better than my T3I, but the screen is way too small to view pictures quickly. But at $60 I could not be happier! Thanks! :)
And that includes the digital Rebel.  I LOVE this camera.  Others have mentioned focusing issues, but I've been fortunate and have had none.  The pictures this camera takes are simply beyond belief.12 months ago I wouldn't have considered a digital camera until my father-in-law bought me a G3 for Christmas.  When I looked at my first pictures I realized I was hooked.  My only problem was shutter lag.When this camera was introduced in March I jumped on it and haven't looked back.  I can't wait for the next affordable iteration of this camera or the digital EOS 3 to be introduced which I will jump on.One of the greatest things about digital photography is the ability to build a digital dark room for next to nothing.  With the included Photoshop Elements you are well on your way to producing pictures that you could only have imagined in the pre-digital days.  I am able to recoup pictures that I never would have considered salvageable before this camera.The other thing I like about Canon is the lens system which IMO is second to none.  Also, Canon continues to innovate at a furious pace driving the price of these digital cameras relentlessly downward.So, I LOVE the camera.  LOVE Canon. And LOVE digital.  All in all I'd say I'm a pretty happy camper!
This is the first digital camera that matches the performance, warmth and detail that I get from my non-digital rigs. Nothing will replace the art of developing and printing in a lab, but the 10D repeatedly produces beautiful images with ease. I use the tungsten white balance settings quite a bit; they are the best I've seen to date. I also recommend the Canon EOS remote trigger for product photography and a Tiffen UV filter for out of doors work. Sample images can be seen here: [...] - Enjoy this camera. Regards, Jason Michaels
This was my first Pro-DSLR purchase 5 years ago. I came close to selling it when I upgraded to the 30d but couldn't part with it. Im glad I kept it. There is so little difference between the 10d, 30d,and 50d that it comes down to Canon finding a way to get your money. Sure the 30d and 50d start up faster and have more image modes and focus points, but when it comes to the image there is NO DIFFERENCE. Just set the in-camera settings to add sharpness and saturation and you can't tell them apart.The 10d is also much quieter and has smoother action than the 30d or 50d.
I borrowed this camera for 10 minutes and decided I had to have one because there was no shutter lag.  It was like the old days before going digital.  Then I rented the camera for a weekend for $100 to make sure it made sense.  It's worth doing just to see if you are willing to lug around a big camera again if all you're used to is compact cameras.  (We ended up buy a Canon s400 at the same time because this camera is too big for all occasions.)Things I like:Just being back in SLR land again.  The first thing you notice after you take a few pictures is how different they look with an SLR.  It's much easier to create pictures with a small depth of field with a big 35mm lens, and it's a dramatic difference from 95% of the pictures you take with a regular digital camera (they usally have a very large depth of field).I like the 6 megapixels.  Your cropping options increase a lot with this resolution.I love the 3.3 fps, burst up to 9 images at once.  I've captured my kids in action in ways that was never possible before.I love the AI auto focus mode where as long as the button is pressed the camera will focus on the subject in the center focus point.  I use that to track my daughter playing soccer.I love the view finder.  Just looking through it is a beautiful thing.  Fast, informative, what you see is what you get, etc.The camera's controls are pretty easy but I found I had to read the manual several times before it all sunk in.  OK, it hasn't all sunk in yet ... but there's hope.Things I don't like:The pictures often do look softer than I would like.  My olympus c4040 took amazingly sharp images in comparison.  I have not figured out if I can just adjust the sharpness in the camera's settings to fix this.  I have not made the leap to RAW image format even though I have the software to manage that.At night time the camera has a hard time focusing.  My Olympus c4040 did a lot better in that respect.The automatic (green) mode for the camera does not allow you to specify a specific focus point (e.g., the center one).  It insists on guessing and while it often does a good job it also often fails to focus on the subject in the center.  It shows you what it is focusing on but if it's wrong you just have to release and press again until it picks the right spots.  And sometimes it doesn't.  So then you need to switch to P mode where you can specify a focus point to use, but then you lose all the automatic features of the camera (like popping up the flash when necessary).  All this is OK but you then need to explain this to your spouse who may or may not care about all these details.  I wish Canon would make it possible to specify a focus point in automatic mode.  I'd have to say that is my biggest gripe.It's not entirely clear to me yet which settings are permanent and which ones are reset when you turn the camera off.  I like P mode as a substitute for automatic (green box) mode because I can specify a focus point.  But I am not sure whether that means I have to manually adjust all the other settings or whether they will be automatically adjusted for me.  I know, for example, that the flash does not pop up automatically in P mode.Summary:Oh, so don't get me wrong.  This camera ROCKS.  Also it's nice to realize that this camera has upgradeable firmware.  If there is an issue or if enough people complain about the sharpness, or if there are new features that must be implemented, it's nice to think that a lot of it is just a firmware upgrade away.  I hope that's not naive of me.I suggest you try this camera out before buying it, if you are coming from a regular digital camera, that is.Good luck!
This camera is everything I desired in a digital camera and so much more.  While other kids played baseball and football I grew up with a Pentax MX strapped around my neck.  Photography was and is my passion.  This camera allows me the expression I always dreamed of.  Combined with Adobe Photoshop, this is the best camera/darkroom setup I've ever worked with!
The controls are a little complicated to get used to, especially the all-manual settings -- which should by definition be easy to use -- but overall this camera is very rugged and very capable.  After I bought it, I took the D10 to Budapest, Hungary.  I had a great view of the Danube and set my camera up for night shots.  It did a brilliant job.  How about this:  take a digital night shot (use the largest image size possible), use a 300mm lense and blow the results up to 24x30 through Shutterfly.com. Image remained amazingly sharp. Colors were fantastic.  The camera made it easy to look like a pro. The only gripe I have with this camera is that I wish it had a black and white setting like other less expensive Canon digitals, but this can be overcome with software so it's not a huge issue.  The price is great, it has a magnesium body (vs. the Rebel's plastic body).  You get a lot of the D1/D20/D30, without the cost.
This camera is absolutely a photo heaven compared with all other SLR's in the same category. Picture quality is unparelled and ease of use is directly derived from Canon's long line of SLR's. The structure is solid and pro-like and the battery life is amazing unless you use CF of more than 1G which will add to the slowness of the processing time. I am not sure this is because of the new software or what. I would not complain about the non-full frame part. Cameras in this price range may only get this 0.625 of the full frame, but the effect on wide zoom can be fatal. Buyers who wants to shoot lots of buildings need to weigh the pros and cons as not so many wide lens are catered to DSLR after all.
I've had my 10D for about a year now.  I did all my research, and when Uncle Sam sent me my refund last year, I went out and bought this camera.  I haven't regretted it, even though the camera body, 28-200mm lens and CF card cost me well over $2000.00 (at Fry's Electronics, which was the only place in the county I could find it).I do have to say that if you like taking vertical pictures, or your grip isn't strong, or even if you're just nervous about dropping such an expensive piece of equipment, buy the handstrap while you're at it... it is a rather heavy camera.I have had no focusing problems, even on full automatic.  I haven't had problems with fuzzy pictures, either.  Most of my photography is either casual or natural.  I enjoy taking close-ups of flowers, and I can see every detail of the petals and stamens on my photos (I've even had a few photos that when I d/l them and review them, I realized that my roses had aphids because they're visible in the peripherals (un-focused area) of the photo).The only &quot;bad&quot; thing about this camera is that it screams &quot;I'M EXPENSIVE!&quot;... for this reason (among others), a good padded camera bag is highly recommended.When I was little, my mom had a Canon SLR (which I still have, and still works).  That camera was my first exposure to photography... so far, this camera is living up to the expectations of quality, consistency, value and practicality that I formed at such an early age.I look forward to seeing how it performs at my wedding this summer... I'm sure it will do beautifully.
I've had mine for 2 months now.  I upgraded from a Sony digital camera in the $500 range.  I'm not a pro photographer, just an enthusiast, taking maybe 500-1000 pictures a month.This camera kills the ones that are a step down in two very important ways:1. SPEED -- almost no shutter lag and 3 shots per second mean that I'm taking pictures of the kids doing cute things instead of pictures of what they looked like just after finishing their cute things...2. QUALITY -- by learning only a little bit about the different shooting modes, my photos are looking an order of magnitude more professional...  I'm getting shots with that professional looking background blur and my subject in perfect focus.If you're an enthusiastic ameteur looking to take the next step up, and can afford the price, it is well worth every penny.
I'd been wanting to go digital with my photography hobby for a few years, and purchased a nice Nikon Coolpix only to find it was fine for casual shots but still not what I need for my action shots and more serious work. But the digital SLRs were too new, too expensive, and have too few of the feature I felt they needed for the price. When the Canon 10D came out, and I started reading the great reviews on it, I finally knew the time had come! After a few months of using it, I can report that I am totally happy I made the switch!First, even though Canon made lots of improvements over the D60, they lowered the price considerably. This camera has pretty much everything I need. The one big negative for most people, the fact that your focal lengths are multiplied by 1.6 is actually a bonus for me since I shoot almost exclusively with telephoto. If you do ultra-wideangle stuff, this is certainly a problem.Being able to switch the ISO setting is great. Sure, I could always swap my film mid-roll if I had to, but always had to waste a few frames, and it was always a pain to do. Not a problem now, just a simple camera setting. I shot some indoor stuff at both 1600 and 3200, the 3200 was not real useable, but the 1600 was pretty decent, particularly after some clean-up in Photoshop.That's of course the biggest advantage I find with digital. There's so much that I can do in Photoshop that I couldn't easily do with film. There's some excellent books out there on using Photoshop for digital photographers, and there are some great actions and filters that will help automate your corrections. I sell all my photos online through a website that handles all the printing and shipping for me as well, and does a great job with all my shots.I love being able to immediately see the shot that I took. I don't always have time between shots, but I can often review them later, and delete directly from the camera any obviously bad ones, and show off some of the great ones! It's a great learning tool and my skills have already started to improve as a result.Another great feature with digital is the EXIF information that gets embedded in the digital files. No need to record your shooting parameters, just open the file up in Photoshop (or other program that supports it) and you have all the information on your shot: date and time taken, fstop used, maximum fstop, shutter speed, exposure and white balance settings, focal length, etc. Really great particularly if you are just learning.The camera functions and menus are pretty easy to use and fairly intuitive, particularly if you are used to Canons as I was. The quality of your photos will be greatly improved with good lenses, don't spend this much for a camera and then get cheap lenses! Good glass is really essential.I would also strongly suggest that you get a USB 2.0 or Firewire compact flash reader for your computer rather than trying to download directly from the camera using the rather slow USB 1.1. If you shoot lots of photos this is practically essential, I can easily fill a couple of 1 gig cards in a session.Most of the gripes I have with the camera are fairly minor. I would like more than 6MP, more autofocus sensors, larger buffer (to handle more than 9 shots at a time), more frames a second, etc. But for the price, I don't think you will find a better digital camera,
Been using it for a year now and it's simply awesome! ISO is usable from 100-1600, there's a 3200 option but it just pushes the 1600 exposure.Ergonomics are stellar, it's built like a tank!Focus is great if you use the middle cross type, it has the same amount of cross types as the 10 year old newer Canon 6D! imagine that.The colors are phenomenal, rarely do I have to tweak them.Put good glass in front of it and you'll get amazing pictures.You can tether it to adobe lightroom via a mini usb cable.
In short, I've been really pleased with this camera. I've now used it for almost two months in a variety of situations and it hasn't let me down yet. I upgraded my digital camera and aspirations when I purchased this camera. I've never had a real SLR before as I used my Dad's 25 years ago when I was in high school so this was a big step up. I've found the colors to be quite accurate and the pictures are reasonably sharp -- and can be adjusted in camera if you need extra sharpness. I really love the histogram display on the back and the controls are well placed to stay within reach. And, the battery life is outstanding; I'm currently at 336 pictures on one battery and only now am I getting the warning light.I bought this with two all-purpose lenses that let me cover most of the situations I expected to find myself in as I began to understand this camera: a 28-105mm zoom and a 70-300mm zoom. Both lenses work quite well with the autofocus system; although it sometimes hunts a bit with the bigger zoom, it's easy to switch to manual focus and move onwards.There are a few drawbacks but these are really tradeoffs that I consciously made when I purchased this camera. The camera is a bit heavy but that helps reduce camera shake when you take pictures. I've found the autofocusing system to be something that I need to get used to; I expected this to be part of my learning curve as I wasn't used to a sophisticated approach to this with the lesser cameras that I've been using.To get the most out of this camera, it really does take a few weeks of experimentation with the controls. It is complex enough that this isn't a good choice for a casual photographer but I suspect that the price would point them towards a more typical point-and-shoot camera anyway. But, if you're serious about your pictures, then this is a great choice.
Back in 2003 the 10D was hot stuff, only one step below the 1D and 1Ds; as of 2011 most of its value has depreciated away, and consequently it's very cheap on the used market. I bought one for 75, which feels wrong, but I'm not complaining. I actually got hold of it it so that I could have it converted into an infrared camera, and it's a popular base for conversion because it's cheap and fairly robust, with a metal body and decent shutter life. Unfortunately it was released just before Canon launched the EF-S range, and so you can't easily mount EF-S lenses unless you're prepared to modify them. This limits your choice of ultra-wide lenses, although as far as I know ultrawides from Sigma and Tamron and so forth will work fine. If you have a Canon 10-22mm you might want to look at a second-hand 350D instead. (I would avoid the 300D; it's slow, not much smaller than the 10D, the firmware is less functional, it's apparently less robust, and a lot of them were thrashed by their owners).Good stuff: In typical Canon style the interface and general operation are mostly sensible and there aren't any obvious quirks, apart from the overcomplicated custom white balance procedure. The body feels tough, and the battery grip is available fairly cheaply (it also fits the D30 and D60). ISO 100-400 are still fine by modern standards, ISO 800 is okay, ISO 1600 decent at a pinch, ISO 3200 not so much. There's nothing wrong with the colours. It takes ordinary compact flash cards - there isn't a 2gb limit - and Canon's then-standard BP-511 batteries, which are still available on eBay and so forth. Autofocus is much better than the earlier D30/D60 and is again fine by modern consumer standards, although it's not a 1D. 6mp is plenty for most purposes. It uses standard E-TTL (the top professional flash at the time was the 550EX). The grip rubber remains intact, unlike e.g. the grip rubber on the Nikon D1x.Good or bad stuff: The feature set is extremely spartan, reminiscent of the original 5D (although instead of using picture styles it has simple colour / contrast profiles). It doesn't have face-detect autofocus, an electronic spirit level, live view, a movie mode, in-camera panoramas, in-camera HDR, GPS, built-in wireless flash control, none of that. It just takes pictures.Bad stuff: It's slow. You get used to it, but compared to a modern camera it's like using an old PowerMac G3. If you're shooting a fast-moving sports event you'll learn to curse the BUSY display on the monitor, during which you can't review your images. Flicking through the images on the card is a frustrating process, and it even takes a second or so to generate the histogram. It gets worse if you plan on transferring the images from the camera to your computer with a USB cable - I did this on holiday once, trying to save space in my bag by not packing a card reader - because it takes a minute or more to transfer a single image. You can scroll around images on the tiny LCD screen, but this uses the wheel and a "left-right, up-down" toggle that's not much fun. The 20D introduced a little joystick.In fact the 20D is the better camera. A year or so ago the 20D still fetched a decent price on eBay, although recently it seems to have crashed down to 30 or so more than the 10D. Perhaps people are offloading their old camera gear in light of the economic downturn; digital SLRs were one of the big luxury boom items during the boom times, people took out loans to buy them so they could take holiday snapshots. Still, I digress. If you can afford the extra, by all means get a 20D instead.In general the 10D is still a solid, decent camera that's as good as it was back in 2003; my 5D MkII produces much larger files, but the colours, contrast aren't obviously different at lower ISOs. It suffers from the same problem as Nikon's D50, D70 etc, in that subsequent cameras added features without reducing the image quality, and so the 10D ends up the least-best choice rather than the most-worst, if you see what I mean.
Even though the EOS 10D is outdated, I used it for two years as a staff photographer for my college newspaper. The camera worked great, even though it had been used a lot and was old. The three frames per second was good enough for sporting events. The max 3200 ISO was also very good, I was able to take clear, crisp images at basketball games, despite the bad lighting.This camera helped me win some collegiate awards and I highly recommend it to any beginner. Settings are simple and the 6.3 megapixels is good enough for any beginner who just wants to take quality pictures.
I ordered this camera 3 days ago and I just received it, the delivery was flawless with FedEX, I followed the tracking and they told me when it arrived at the Fedex Hub. I went and picked it up right away. the camera was packed real nice as to arrive safely from Georgia to Puerto Rico, when I opened it I was in awe, this camera is a hell of a camera its made of Magnesium. its great I bought this camera for my wife to learn but I think I'm keeping it for myself, the camera is in great shape and I want to thank KEH Camera shop. for great rapid service and a great quality product.What a great Camera it is! I've taken A few great shots already but Im waiting until I can get a better lense in the 50mm range. and then Ill test it real nice. but I uploaded a few of my first shots here with it of a homeless cat and a Palm tree. hope you all like it. If you're trying to move to learn photography this is the camera for you, this thing is built like a tank to give you an example of her size, shes bigger than all the Canon EOS Cameras 20D.30D.40D.50D.60D and even the 7D I love it. when I go out shooting People ask me what News paper I work for, I look like a Pro and I'm just your average Joe LOL. So if you want to look like a Million bucks when you go out shooting Pick yourself a 10D in good condition and enjoy the looks people give you plus the great pictures you'll get.Thank you KEH Camera shop and Amazon ********** 10 stars
This is what I have dreamed about for so long - a decently priced SLR camera with replaceable lenses and almost film resolution. I had seriously considered getting a D60 last year when rumors of the 10D started to appear, so I waited. I am glad I did.Image resolution is perfect. Yes, it could be higher, but remember - this is the same resolution you are going to get from a frame of 35mm film you have turned into PhotoCD images.I don't reall know what more to add - I am still speachless about just how great this camera is. I guess the best thing to compare it to would be to take your favorite 35mm SLR and toss in all the capabilities of your favorite digital then add a bunch more features to it. It is that perfect.I really look forward to using this camera over the next few years. It is my goal to wear it out and then go with whatever Canon comes up with then. They have a definite hit on their hands and deserve the biggest kudos.Additional stuff: One of my other hobbies is astronomy. I love to take pictures of the night sky. After doing a lot of film based astrophotography, I figured that this camera would be great to play with as well. It is even better than I could ever hope for!Being able to do 30 second exposures at ISO 1600 with very little noise is a real treat. Started off by shooting at ISO 800 and they came out just as good as the 800 speed film I usually use. So, just for grins, I kicked it up to 1600 to see what would happen. As soon as the first image finished and popped up on the LCD, I knew I was going to be really happy with the camera! Took a bunch of 30 second pics of Sagitarius and the dust lanes and dark patches of the center of our galaxy are wonderful!By doing this I did discover a nasty with the camera - you are stuck using the focusing screen that Canon puts in. This may not be a big deal to most, but when shooting the sky it helps to have brighter screens available. Maybe this will change some day. Anyway, since the image is kind of dim, you may want to drag along a laptop so you can see right then if the camera is in focus or not. As temperature changes, so does the point of focus at infinity on a lens. Having a laptop will let you see right then and there if things are okay.
I wanted to say that this is an awesome camera. It also works great with it's firmware update. I have nothing bad to say about this purchase.
The 10D is an outstanding digital camera. I have been using both of mine for over a year now and they have done everything I needed, when I needed it, wthout a single flaw. I really use the 10D. I have taken over 30,000 pictures with it. I use the optional 2 battery Bg-Ed on the 10D which gives me an easy 400 pictures. The 17-40 Canon Zoom Lens  has worked spotlessly as well. Pictures are crisp. Easy manual focus and the auto focus works well even in low light. I like the solid feel of the 10D, especially with the 2 battery pack, and 550EX flash. I shoot exclusively on manual mode so I can't comment on the other settings. Adjusting the flash output, ISO etc are all easy and quick. I have found this to be a very intuitive camera. The viewing screen on the back of the camera is clear and gives me good feedback for adjusting my flashes or hot lights.  I use Lexar 1GB CompactFlash cards. And I carry an Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer for my back up.  The only drawback that I have found has been with a couple of my women friends who have found it a bit heavy. I have not only gotten use to its weight but have come to really appreciate the "feel" of the camera. I can tell you that I will NEVER use film again. With an Epson Photo 2200 printer, iPhoto and my own digital darkroom thanks to Photoshop CS I have everything I need right here at home. For downloading the pictures to my MacIntosh G4 or Powerbook I use a firewire SanDisk Reader. It too works perfectly. So if you don't need the increased megapixal of the 20D I would suggest you consider the 10D. One great camera.
This camera and its direct competitor, the Nikon D100, herald the death of film.  With the Canon EOS-10D you can take gorgeous pictures in digital format with all of the advantages generally associated with conventional film. You can use the full array of Canon's excellent line of autofocus lenses interchangeably with the 10D.  The exposure system on the 10D compares very favorably with the best of Canon's conventional film SLR cameras.But with a 6.3Megapixel camera like the 10D you can save the pictures to disk (CD, DVD or Hard Disk) or print them out, all without paying extra money for either film or developing.  Plus, you can delete bad shots &quot;on the fly.&quot;  With a 512MB CF card you can store hundreds of images depending on the quality you select, download them to your computer, and then re-use the card.  There just aren't many advantages to using film anymore, and in my opinion there are no significant ones for the vast majority of photographers.  In fact, it is notorious that once photogs try digital, many or most of them never go back to film.The 10D is beautifully built, with a rugged metal body and quality construction throughout.  Canon really went all-out to make this their flagship for the near-professional digital SLR line.I had the privilege of shooting the Canon 10D and Nikon D100 side-by-side.  The differences were not particularly significant in my opinion, and the two cameras are pretty similar, although there are differences, a detailed discussion of which is beyond the scope of this review.  I will say that I cannot imagine any photographer except pros with certain very specialized needs failing to be pleased with this camera or, for that matter, with its Nikon competition the D100.The other huge advantage of digital versus film is that any user owning a PC and fairly inexpensive software can post-process the D10 images very effectively.  Digital processing on one's personal computer gives the average person with a little practice more control by far over the images, in fact, than the professional developer in a conventional chemical/film darkroom can exercise.  The digital darkroom has arrived, and it is affordable to almost anyone these days!At $1,400 or so, this camera is a very decent value for what you get.  For those who really want a digital SLR with interchangeable lenses, but who cannot quite handle the pricetag of the 10D, Canon also offers the Digital Rebel, which while somewhat less capable than the 10D, is also a good camera for less money.The 10D is a camera that is a pleasure to own and use.
I purchased my Canon eos 10d seven months ago after extensive reviews of available cameras that were affordable. Recent price drops have made this camera within the reach of serious amateur phtographers. I would never go back to film because the instant review of photos is a great learning tool, plus you can experiment with settings without paying for film or waiting for developing. Reading all the camera tests was great but there is no substitute for actual experience.I have taken over 4000 photos of wildlife, mostly birds, plus quite a few landscapes. The quality of your work will depend a great deal on quality lenses, study of exposure theory and becoming familiar with the cameras features. If you just want to point and shoot, buy a less expesive camera. to get the best use you will need to use the customized features to adjust exposure. This camera will require manual focus in low light nature scenes and shots with lots of sky. It also will not function in autofocus mode when using the teleconvertor on a lens like the Canon 100-400L IS. This unit also tends to overexpose when taking landscapes with lots of light, requiring the use of built in exposure compesation or photoediting programs. Be prepared to spend time studying the manual or buyingan aftermarket book. With these reservations I highly reccomend this camera.
My first digital, after 30 years of 35mm photography was a Nikon 880. I fell in love with the digital format and picture quality but chaffed at the lack of tactile feedback and instant shutter response. I lost a lot of good pictures because the shutter was a fraction of a second too late. So, for serious stuff I stayed with my Canon SLR's and lenses. Along came the 10D. I read the reviews and overpayed for a scarce item. I have never been sorry. It behaves exactly like my Canon Elan but has a better focusing system. The shutter response is virtually instant and the feel and sound  of the mirror moving duplicates the physical experience of a 35mm. The autofocus is superb, the features are reasonably accessable and the menus are easy - even on the fly.Small criticisms: I would enlarge the LCD screen. Even another 1/2 inch would be welcome and please find a way to keep my nose away from the screen while taking the picture.Since I'm using all my canon lenses (focal length increased by 50% which is a kick) I'm doing all my work digitally now. The only other thing I bought was a Sigma 15-30 zoom (about $500 street price) to cover the low end.In short-if you're tired of worrying about film at airport security and are into immediate gratification and wonderful photo quality, this is it.
This is a great camera  for the money. It takes great pictures, even when i was using a nikon lens with an adapter. It is also very well made. I got into photography after taking a class, and we had canon 30d's. This camera actually feels more solid and well built than the newer 30d's. The only problem is that you can't use EF-S lenses, only EF. Other than that, its a great camera for a beginner.
The Canon EOS 10D is my third digital camera. I started years ago with a Nikon 900, then a Casio QV3000, and just got my Canon yesterday.Immediately the one problem that annoyed me the most about my two previous digital cameras was fixed - no more long delays between pressing the shutter and taking the picture. In fact you can take a rapid series of up to 9 shots which the camera will buffer until it can write them all to compact flash.Years ago I had a 35mm film version of the Canon EOS, sadly it was stolen. I knew before buying this camera that I was impressed with the quality and ease of use of the Canon EOS series. The autofocus on the 10D is much faster and quieter than my years ago Canon camera. The user interface on this camera is the best I have seen.One thing I'm not impressed with yet is the automatic white balance, I think my Nikon and Casio both did a better job, but there are options you can select for the EOS white balance, and this sort of thing is easy to tweak later with Irfanview or Photoshop.  I'd give the Canon EOS 10D a 10 for ease of use, a 10 for rapid response to shutter button actions, and a 9.5 on photo quality with the 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM lens I'm currently using.If you have been waiting for a top quality 35mm digital SLR at a reasonable price, I'd say the wait is over.
I've used the Canon EOS 10D for 5 months now and I'm absolutely thrilled with it. The EOS cameras are extremely comfortable to hold and handle. In auto mode, the camera produces correctly exposed, sharp photos. Unlike my Canon Powershot, the camera takes the picture with very little delay after depressing the shutter button.In the creative zones, you can set aperture priority to take, for example, selective focus shots, or use shutter speed priority and set a slow shutter speed to take some good blurring shots.The auto focus is quick and accurate, though how much of that is the camera and how much is the lens I do not know. I never use the manual focus mode. The pop-up flash works great for lighting subject that are in shadows or back lit.I now find it a bit frustrating to use my film camera; I'm addicted to viewing my shots on the spot.I have a Canon EOS A2 film camera that I purchased in 1995. Since I'm familiar with the EOS system and have Canon system lenses, I chose the 10D over the similarly priced Nikon prosumer digital camera.I like my Canon cameras so well that I bought the Canon digital Elf for my sister and the Canon Powershot A80 for my mother. Both have reportedly been excellent cameras.With the 10D, I've used a Canon 50mm/compact macro, a Tamron 28-200mm and a Canon 15mm fisheye lens. Because of the difference in the way a film camera and this digital camera operate, you multiply the focal length of the lens by 1.6 to figure the effective focal length when used with a digital camera. So, for example, the 15mm fisheye lens is effectively a 24mm lens on the 10D.I bought a 1 gig IMB microdrive storage card and that allows me to take 400 high res jpg or about 160 raw format files. If you shoot in auto mode, the camera will only capture in jpg format. If you shoot in manual mode, you can select jpg or raw format.If shooting raw format, ensure you have a software program, such as Photoshop CS, that will open raw files. And know that not all developing and printing shops will accept raw format. But many of the image libraries will ONLY accept raw files (or a high resolution tif scanned from a slide).With the raw format files, I've found that many of my shots require a bit of exposure adjustment, but this is simply a matter of moving a slider bar in Photoshop CS. When you first open a raw file, you get an adjustment window allowing you to play with exposure, tint, saturation, white balance and more. You can even simulate warmup filters and such. Very cool stuff!I bought an extra battery to take along on trips. One battery typically lasts me for 2 days of shooting, as long as I don't do much reviewing of my shots through the camera monitor.Unless you need the quality of the 1Ds immediately I would recommend getting the 10D because technology is moving so fast that the quality of the 1Ds will be available for the current price of the 10D in the near future.
I was not a fan of digital cameras, but this camera changed my mind.  I had been shooting with a Canon EOS 1V HS and EOS 3.  I have not shot film since I bought this camera.
Prior to my 10D purchase I used a Canon 10s 35mm along with the Canon 100-300 ultrasonic, Tamron 28-200, Sigma 50mm macro.  I love my Canon 10s and so far Canon's 10 designation has been my lucky number.  The 10D is a superb camera but beware when using independent lens makers.  My Sigma macro had to be sent back to Sigma for an electronics &quot;upgrade&quot; when it produced the feared error 99.  Also my Tamron 28-200 became useless with the 10D since the auto focus refused to work well.  Tamron admits that its non &quot;DI&quot; lenses may not work on some digital SLRs.  I recently purchased the Canon 35-135 IS and the Canon 17-40 &quot;L&quot; lens.  When you mate these lenses along with the upgraded Sigma 50MM macro and the Canon 100-300 with the 10D the results are absolutely astounding! If you do buy a 10D and decide to buy a new lens I would stick with Canon and skip the compatibility worries altogether.  It seems that even old Canon EF lenses work splendidly with the 10D.I own the 10D for almost a year and have used it under tough conditions and have taken many thousands of pictures and it has never failed me.  The camera is always ready to take a picture when I need it and the results are truly remarkable.  The camera has a solid professional(mostly metal body) feel and is fairly easy to learn to use.  The battery seems to last forever unless you use the built in flash.  I bought the Canon 540ez flash which works great and is quite powerful.  In the final analysis the Canon 10D rates a perfect 10!
This camera is simply perfect.  The adjustability, ease of use, and battery life are amazing.  Shot for a whole day (7a.m. to about 7p.m.) and only while finally downloading the images to my computer (the 250 of them I took) did I get the 'Low Battery' light.  It seems to compensate the white balance a lot better than my Sony, and focuses faster than my last Canon SLR (I have a Canon 28-200mm USM lens).  It has a big enough buffer to allow you to shoot one after another in single shot mode.  In 'burst' mode you may be backed up a bit waiting though.  The look of the camera is very 'classy'.  The high resolution and ability to have full manual or automatic control make it perfect for amaterus and pros.  Could have used a firewire interface for faster download speed (the USB does take a while with the larger size images), but that isn't enough to take away from a 5-Star Rating.  I'd give it a 10 if the scale went that high!
I had a similar experiences to the previous poster from two different camera stores. A Ritz Camera saleswoman in Manassas, VA told me last week that Ritz no longer carries the 10D because it's being phased out in favor of the EOS Digital Rebel. I personally can't stand the Digital Rebel; it's so light it feels like a toy. I travel to remote war-torn parts of the world and need a rugged, dependable camera. I was just about to plunk down my money for a 10D after deciding the 10D was better than the Nikon D100 (for my needs, anyway).  If anyone has more details, please post! Thanks.
I do not yet have a Digital SLR, so I gave it 4 stars based on what how I felt playing with it in the store.I'm definatly in the market for one, but I really like Wide Angle shots.  The problem is with the CMOS chip.  It's smaller than Full Frame 35 mm.  This means that you must multiply the lens focal length by 1.6 to get the effective focal length (for both the 10D and the Digital Rebel).Anybody buying this camera should first price out lenses, or check their current focal lenghts to see if they will be able to do what they want.  My 20-35 equates to a 32-56mm, not as wide as I would like, though my 35 f2 will be a great Normal and my 50 f1.4 will be great for portraits.  Amature sports photographers will love the focal magnification as they can now use reasonably priced lenses for long shots! (the 200mm becomes 320mm, with a 1.4 converter close to 450mm)The digital Rebel comes with a 18 -55 mm (aprox 29 - 88mm), unfortunatly this is stearing me to the lower quality Rebel.  Hopefully the next generation of consumer DSLRs will be full frame like the new EOS 1Ds.
I have had this camera for about 6 months.  I love digital cameras, but my early sony's  were too slow.  This camera is very very fast.  The detail is incredible.  I have taken thousands of photos and rarely have any that are under exposed.  probably one in two hundred.  This would be even less if I were more competent.The one major short coming I have had with this camera is that it locks up.  I will get the display "PA-A" and it won't go away.  This is generally only displayed when I first turn the camera on and it last only a split second.  Othertimes, however, this message pops up in the middle of shoots and locks up the camera.  The fix is a quick removal of the battery from its contacts.  I have gotten pretty fast at it, but this should never be an issue.  I have heard that this is a problem with the new 20D as well.  That is not very reassuring.
Like most of the other folks i too got the stuff half broken. Most of the plastic pieces on the top hood and on the legs were bad broken. I returned the stuff back immediately and asked for refund.I would suggest that you go to Fry's or something and get one there for 10 more bucks may be.
After reading the reviews, I took a chance and ordered the tripod, anyway, thinking that by that time the defective ones would've been replaced with good ones... I was wrong.  Mine also had cracked or broken leg locks.  I returned it for replacement, but the second one was also defective.This problem was due to manufacturer defects, not because of any poor packing on Amazon's part.  And Amazon's customer service was excellent throughout the return process.  However, noting all the negative reviews and returns, I would think they would quit offering this item for sale until Kodak does a better job on the tripod.  Continuing to offer known defective merchandise is deceptive.
No joke . . . this tripod totally fell apart the first time I used it!  An absolutely piece of junk!  Avoid!
. ...LOVE THIS TRIPOD..... it sure is a picture saver at times........wish I had bought one a long time ago.......
I received my tripod in a timely manner and thought, for a Kodak product, it was reasonably priced, especially since it included a carrying case.  I LOVE the adjustable legs; you can use it on a tabletop or extend the legs to the maximum to use on the floor or anywhere in between.  The only negative comment I have is that it didn't have instructions; however, it wasn't hard to figure out.  I had instant success using it the very first time.  While it probably would not work as well for a professional, I would recommend this tripod for other users.
I don't know if this is the standard for this tripod, or just the seller I purchased from on Amazon!  The camera attachment plate is missing, so there is NO way to attach the camera to the tripod - which kind of defeats the whole purpose.  It is flimsy, and one of the clips did not secure the leg.  Another plastic clip broke the second time I opened it!
DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM.  Like the other person mine also came broken and when I went to open it up another piece of plastic shot off.  Shame on Kodak for selling junk.  Watch out they are getting rid of their German lenses (select cameras) and going with something else.  I can not say whether or not there quality is going to be any lower but looking at their tripod you can never tell.
I'm on my second tripod, the first one broke due to a stupid mistake on my own part and the second has been just as good.  When I make another stupid mistake, I'll buy my third!
Very happy after 18 months heavy use.  I use this tripod very often.  I shoot a lot of studio work of original art work to be turned into Giclee Prints.  I have read some people had problems getting good, undamaged  product.  My purchase was routed thru Beach Camera In New York City by Amazon.  I bought a boat load of stuff from them thru Amazon, never a problem.  Great service. Highly recommend all of them, The Tri Pod, Beach Camera, and Amazon.
I tested the tripod with CANON S400 and Digital Rebel. It holds both cameras firmly. With Kodak's brand name, I gave it three stars. It is light weight and comes with a bag. This tripod can do anything that it supposes to for a twenty-dollar tripod.
I've been looking for something to replace/augment my giant three-year-old Sony, which I love but is just too big and heavy to cart all over Europe and around town. Plus the shutter lag drives me nuts. I needed something that was shirt-pocket small, fast, but with enough features to be useful for more than the most basic snapshots.Specifically, I wanted a bit of optical zoom. When I travel, I find I'm using the zoom constantly to frame up the shots a little better. Frankly, I don't care about resolution; 2 megapixels is plenty for me, and that's what I'll use my Xt for most of the time.I compared all of the leading contenders (as of July 2003) -- various Canon ELPHs, Casio Exilim, Pentax Optio S, and even the new "lipstick" Sony DSC-U30. Everybody loves to rag on Memory Sticks, but if you already have a Sony camera and a Sony laptop and a good supply of big Sticks, they're a plus, not a minus; going with SD or CF was going to cost me a lot extra. But the Sony dropped out early because of the lack of zoom. The others, well, people like to pretend that making a decision like this is science, but it's not. I read everything I could and took a stab at it. Frankly, from what I've seen I would have rated the others just as high because they are all AMAZING. But I chose the Minolta. And I love it.In short: Optio too slow, ELPH too heavy, Casio has no TV-out (and was out of stock in my local shop, or I might very well have bought it instead).One thing I noted to my great relief with all of these, and which is usually stated nowhere on any of the manufacturer's pages even, is that they all have battery chargers that are small and 110-240 volt, which means you can charge batteries in Europe without a bulky converter -- just the right-size plug adapter, which you can get anywhere for almost nothing. So the problem with the battery isn't a problem at all -- buy a second battery and keep them both charged up overnight and you can snap all day with any of these cameras in any country in the world (unless you're camping or something).What sold me on the Xt was the folded prism lens. Less mechanicals is always good with miniature things, and less fragile things poking out of the front is good too. The Minolta's not as small as the Optio (which is the clear frontrunner in the micro-coolness stakes -- that phrase "fits in an Altoids tin" is very tempting. But the Minolta STAYS small even when you're shooting, and because it doesn't have to run a motor so much, it takes faster pictures. Which was probably my #2 criteria after size.I haven't had any trouble at all with the small controls; they're extremely well-designed and you can figure out 90% of what it does just by fiddling with it -- I read the manual but I don't have to carry it with me! If anything, and this is a general complaint with all cameras in this range (and others), there's TOO MANY features, most of which can be found in PhotoShop later. "Digital zoom" is a con and could be left out, and who really uses the "sepia" setting? But the stuff I DO want is all there, within reason (no f stops, but ISO and Exposure Level controls). I do like the many presets in the Casio, but realistically I know I'll never use them. I'm pretty adept in PhotoShop/PaintShopPro. Note that I have horrible eyesight, thick specs, and big stubby fingers and have no trouble. You might want to trim those nails, though; fortunately I don't have any.Picture quality is excellent. I believe it's a little better than the contenders. The flash is very good, better than I expected; in fact it's a little TOO good if you're at the close end of the scale; I'm going to try the "square of white paper" trick on it. Is it the best camera on earth? No. But it's better than the other sub-micros.The coolness factor isn't as high as the Pentax, but then how could it be? But it's faster-shooting. And, really, if the Pentax is a "10" for coolness, the Minolta is a 9.6. It doesn't fit in a tin, but it's smaller than you can believe, and the engineering is just as amazing (just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not amazing -- quite the opposite, I'd say). And, of course, I have a friend with an Optio (and another with an ELPH), so you'll understand I had to have a different one!One unanswered question: is it "DIMM udjge" (like "image") or "dim AJZH" (like "DiMaggio")? Another one: why does Amazon "recommend" batteries that don't work in this camera?Bottom line: it does everything my big camera does and more, and when I put it in my shirt pocket it doesn't even sag. Comes on fast, shoots fast, enough for no-look street candids. Easy to use. Flat-out amazing. What else are you looking for?
I recommended this camera to several friends who went out and bought one. In one case the camera batteries went dead too soon and also the lens cover would not close. I think it is trying to close and this is what causes the battery to die early. He sent it to a dealer in Montreal who charged 110 to repair and its still the same. I have seen another on this forum with the same problem and noted one on ebay that wont close the lens cover. It's a motorized sliding door. I found another user with the same problem and have seen bad words said about Minolta customer support. I am looking for another camera and you will find mine on ebay!
I've owned a Fuji F401 for over a year and been very happy with it.  I decided to get another digital camera and picked this one due to it's even smaller size and the fact that the video length is only limited by the size of the memory card.  Also, it uses SD memory, which I prefer due to it being cheap and available in sizes up to 512MB.I've found that in spite of it's small size I have no trouble operating it.  I am very happy with it's features and quick response time when navigation menus and managing (reviewing, deleting, etc.) photos and videos.  I don't mind the small LCD and I manage not to get my finger in the way of the lens.My only major disappointment is the picture quality.  I find it very challenging to take a nice picture.  I get blurred, dark or poorly colored shots much of the time.  While the Fuji doesn't have the control over Exposure, White Balance, etc. this one has, I could just fire away with it and get pictures that were brighter with better color and in focus more of the time.  Many of the pictures I take are indoors, which seems to be a particular challenge with the Dimage Xt. The video quality is worse than the photo quality in low light situations.  Much worse than my Fuji in the same conditions.Also, althought the startup time is short, there is a long delay between when you push the button and the picture actually takes, at least when using the flash.  This has caused me numerous missed shots of my rapidly moving 2 year old.Maybe I will learn the best settings for each type of shooting I do and improve the percentage of good photos I take, but I'd prefer not to have to do this.  I will only use this 3.2MP camera as a backup to my 2MP Fuji.
Strengths:Small size, light weight, user-friendly, videos for full length of memory card, built-in speaker.Weaknesses:Memory card (secure digital) is more expensive than most others, camera mode selector not easy to move, takes longer than expected to actually take pictures (but quick start up).Comments:...Anyway, this camera is GREAT! Compared to my previous camera which I bought about 2 years ago, they have DEFINITELY come a LONG way in digital camera technology. First off, the 3.2 megapixel quality is more than sufficient for everyday photos. This camera is also great for close-ups (up to 15cm).The user menus are super easy to use as well. Love the sound that comes along with it! The camera makes sounds when turned on/off, picture taken, and when a picture is focused. You can even CUSTOM record your own sounds to some of these features! You can also preview the pictures without actually having to switch to preview mode too. That saves a lot of time!The start up time is also amazing. My old camera took forever to take picture after picture. This one is quick.The downfalls are that the memory card is pretty expensive compared to other makes and taking pictures takes a little longer than I had expected. The camera takes a while to focus the image(s). The camera also sometimes hangs when using the USB connection (I have to pull out and put in the battery).The biggest problem I have is moving the camera mode selector (from image shooting, preview, movie/audio mode, and setup).Overall, however, I would HIGHLY recommend this camera!!!
Dimage XT is a competent digital camera and takes good-quality pictures.  I'm not sure about some reviewers' negative comments.  Maybe they work for competition.  You should not take anyone's word but should try out the camera in a store to see it for yourself.  You'll be amazed at its cool-ness and fun-ness and also good picture quality.  I think this is the best ultra compact digital camera.  If your serious about photography you may want to get a Canon or Olympus SLR digitla camera as your main equipment but use this as a fun, capture-teh-moment-kind-of back-up.  Luv ya all.
I have had my Dimage for about a year now.  I used to use it often with the marine case while I was out kayaking.  The image quality, features, and responsiveness of the camera are outstanding.  However, the battery life on this camera is horrible!  I think I have spent more in batteries then I did for the camera itself.  Even with the flash suppressed and a new, charged battery, 20-30 shoots is all I can get.  As another reviewer mentioned, it seems to be getting worse with age, making me suspect it is something in the camera circuits.
Having investigated online for a while, I choose this camera and have been very happy with it.  It came with a 128 MB memory card which is more than enough for the number of pictures I'll ever take over the course of a weeklong vacation.  It also came with a spare battery that seems to be the only limiting factor in the camera's use.  I've used it to take numerous one-handed shots while riding a motorcycle - that's what I like about its size and definitive "click".It's quick to startup and downloads fairly quickly onto my computer.  I especially like the ability to crop and title pictures before printing.  And with the new stuff coming out all the time, the price of this unit - new or used - has really come down.  I even found the 128MB card on sale recently for $18!Overall, it's a nice little camera.
I am still amazed at this camera every time I take it out.  Untill I saw this one, any digital camera's remotly close to this size where VGA or would lack every feature I wanted.  But somehow, they cramed a 3.2MP camera with a 3x zoom in this tiny case.  And it actually works.  Also, unlike other micro camera's(or at least my Fuji A101) you have plenty of menu options for manual settings.Of course, some quality has to be cut for such a small camera, but the pictures are still stunning.  Low light does create some noise in the pictures, but colors are still quite good.  The flash seems to overpower the image at times, but I'm probably just getting too close to the objects...But with any camera, there are some problems.  THough the size is wonderful, it is hard to keep it steady, say if you where going to take a pic without the flash.  It's also easy to get your hands in the way/on the lens.  Another problem I had was it locking up on me once when I was going though a movie I'd recored.  I just had to pop the battery out and back in to correct this.  Speaking of which, this thing usings a special battery.  It's live isn't too great...  Never actually calculated it, but so far I've not had a problem.All in all, definetly a camera to consider.
After extensively researching the smaller family of digital cameras available on the market, I chose to purchase the Minolta Dimage Xt, and I am very pleased with it so far. About the only other camera I researched that came close was the Casio Exlim, which is somewhat smaller, but did not have optical zoom or any lense protection, both of which this camera has.The camera is small. Smaller than my wallet, and I have a small wallet. I often take it with me when I leave the office for lunch or just go out to dinner with a friend, regardless of whether I plan to take pictures, because this camera is so small, that you can take it anywhere and it won't be a burden.The automatic mode only adjusts the ISO equivalent from 50-160, so it is not useful in low-light situations with the flash off. However, you can manually set the ISO equivalent to 400. This just takes longer than automatic. The video is of fine quality for capturing memories, though with 15 fps, you aren't going to be making any feature films. I can capture 12 MINUTES of video with sound on my 256MB card. This is sufficient for capturing glimpses of your life without lugging around a huge camera.One of the features about this camera that really impressed me was the e-mail feature. With this feature, you can take your pictures at high-res, then by going through the menu system, you can select which pictures you anticipate wanting to e-mail. The camera will then make copies of those pictures in a seperate folder on your card at 640 x 480, a fine resolution for web.One thing I would change about this camera is that whatever setting you have the camera on, lets say you are in a museum so you have the flash off and consequently have the camera set to ISO 400, when you turn the camera off (or if it goes through auto shut-off) and turn it back on, it will default back to automatic ISO with the flash on automatic. This is my biggest complaint about this camera and it wastes alot of time.I also found the menu system on this camera a little difficult to work with at first. When a dialog box for something like deleting pictures comes up, lets say it says "delete the pictures: 'yes' or 'no'" the boxes for yes and no are not sufficiently differentiated to communicate which option is actually selected. One is just dark and one is light. To make matters worse, on some features, the default selection will be "yes," while on others, the default feature will be "no." I think they could graphically communicate which one is selected better and prevent alot of inadvertant picture deletion. Maybe a dotted line?If you are looking for the smallest camera with optical zoom and a flash that you can take out with your friends, and it is near now (September 4, 2003). Look no further. This is the camera for you. If you look around more you will be wasting your time. If control is your priority, you may want to look elsewhere.
First, the bad news:1) The plastic tab on the handstrap of the XT can stratch the LCD - DON'T use the strap if you are going to keep the camera in a confined space, such as a pocket - the strap will drift over the LCD and the damage will be done. This is clearly a design defect. If you must use a strap, make your own, one without the power to abrade the LCD.2) The optical viewfinder shows far less than what the camera sees - I understand about 35% of the image is not visible in the optical viewfinder. This problem, however, is much easier to deal with than a scratched LCD.3) Shutter lag - all digicams shutters seem to suffer slow response time. This makes it tough to photograph people or pets on the move - the continuous shooting option on the Xt helps, so does pre-focusing.That said, this camera has just about perfect, at least for my purposes: on-the-go nature and travel photography. There are just enough controls for unusual conditions - exposure compensation, choice of ISO, white balance, etc - but not so many that they get in the way of simply making a quick - or well thought out - photograph.True, manual control of f/stops and shutter speeds and focus is lacking - but there are other cameras out there with this option. Again, exposure compensation, continuous shooting mode, and pre-focusing help.In particular, I like the east of operation - what controls there are can easily be accessed via the few menus, and the dial and/or various buttons that adorn the camera. Recourse to the manual - printed or on-line - was, for me, not necessary.My primary purpose for the camera is to use it on bike rides - but it's also a great camera for hiking, as well as for travel where you don't want to be burdened with a lot of photo gear (and I have way too much photo gear). For use at social gatherings in large, dark rooms, this might not be the camera of choice, because the on-camera flash is not very powerful - but it does work, particularly if people are fairly close to the camera, rather than across the room.This camera cries out for one accessory - an extra battery. And perhaps two extra batteries. Maybe I like to take A LOT of pictures because I'm a part time professional, but if film is no longer an issue and I can shoot all the pictures I want (subject to the amount of memory I have), why should I be limited by a lack of battery power? And trust me, if you make a lot of photographs, you will run out of battery power! (My extra battery fits in my bike's little patch kit.)I've found that there are generic batteries that will work in the camera ...By the same token, I spent a little more money on storage - I have 256 and a 128 memory cards and, with a 3 megapixel camera, this is more than enough for a at least a few day's of normal photography. (I usually bring a laptop with me, whether or not I have a camera, so I can always download pics from my memory cards to make room for more pictures).To sum up: except for the plastic tab on the strap that can scratch the screen, and a viewfinder that shows less than what the camera sees, and the shutter lag (which occurs with all digicams) I'm completely satisfied with the camera.Oh, one more thing - cameras this small are still a novelty - it makes for a great conversation piece/ice breaker when I pull it out of my pocket....
This camera is small, about the size of a wallet. It's very easy to use, takes very clear pictures, and has many features.  One is its ability to easily take short videos, which can be edited using PC/MAC software Minolta provides.I've had the camera for two weeks and the battery life seems to be fine.This is an excellent camera for beginners.
I've been a fan of the Dimage X series since the first Dimage X was released almost 2 years ago. These are just wonderful cameras that take good pictures, sport an ingenius periscope-like optical zoom system, and are totally hip and useful. The Xt is a bit hard to find on the street as it's new. Internally it's pretty much the same specs as the previous model, the Xi, but it's slightly more compact. Is that a big deal? Well, yes, how could you have asked? The smaller, the better! At least that's the belief of these smart nerdy Japanese engineers. If you have big hands I'd recommend a larger Minolta model like the F series, or a Canon or Nikon or Kodak. But if you just want cute take-anywhere cameras, the Xt is PERFECT. The Casio Exilim may have a cooler form factor, but the Exilim doesn't come with optical zoom so is best for very casual photography like when you feel bored on a subway or bus and want to take pictures of city scenes. The Xt has more uses. For one thing, it's just great for travel photography (as long as you don't need 300mm zoom for Safari pictures). With the release of the Xt, Minolta is now a serious contender in the consumer digital camera field and I think they represent a better value than Canon, my previous favorite brand.
A terrific camera and much better than I thought it would be. It does more than my clunky Panasonic which is a great camera but such a bother to carry. The Minolta is very small and light, will fit into your purse or pocket although you want to get a case so you don't scratch it.  I haven't used all the bells and whistles yet, but I can see it's very fast, shots are good quality and the guide book is easy to understand. You will be up and running within minutes of opening the box! You will never miss a shot with this baby! Charge the battery in the camera while on the stand (quickly) or by itself out of the camera (even faster charging). Be sure to get a larger memory card - the 16MB card that comes with the unit will not be enough if you want to use all the features. I must thank the customer review section as I found the comments most helpful in deciding to buy this camera. You will not regret it - especially if you are not a techie. Believe me, no one will ever know. Kudos, Minolta.
I bought this way back in 1999; the first one arrived without some accessories, and didn't function right - Amazon & the seller took it back and sent me another one - and it still does a real nice job today - for what I want.It's small enough to fit into a pocket, which was my main concern.  I used to own a Minolta (film) camera, and loved it, so I was happy to find a small digital Minolta camera.I wouldn't buy another one, because they've come a long way in digital cameras since then, however, I'm sure I'll consider Minolta on my next camera update.
Great little camera!Manuel was pretty easy to understand.Boomers may need time to understand.Yes I'm a boomer!Get the casual case and there is a sakar battery for $18.00 that you can pre-order.Get the screen protector(for sure)Software took time for me to understand(Boomer)Oh Yes!I paid for overnight but it was sent Reg...Watch out for that!
I had high hopes for this little wonder.  After taking hundreds of pictures I finally sold it.  Reason?  Extremely slow shutter response and blurry photos.  Typically 3 seconds to infinity to take the picture.  I say infinity because about 10% of the time I would push the shutter release and nothing would happen.  Not the photographer's fault, I've been an amateur photographer for over 25 years now.  I know how to hold a camera steady, hold my breath and gently push the shutter release button.  Of the pictures it would take, most of them were blurry.  When it would take a good picture, it was VERY good.  But I want most of my pictures to be decent.  This was a backup solution for when lugging my Canon EOS 10D was impractical.  I didn't expect it to take Canon quality pictures but I did want them in focus and less than 3 seconds "thinking time" after pushing the shutter release.  It failed in those areas.  It had a major failure recently with a 512 MB SD card.  I don't know if the camera failed or the card, so I won't point fingers.  All I know is that 300 MB into the card I received a "system error" message and couldn't take any more pictures.  Again, unacceptable.  Buyer beware.
the Dimage Xt is the third generation of minolta's X-series ultracompact cameras.  the first X was a hit because it was ahead of its competition.  but that competition has not stood still and today, there are other (better) cameras at the same price point with the same capabilities.pros:- 3MP resolution, 3x optical zoom.- smaller size than the Xi (this camera's predecessor) with dimensions of 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.8 in, weighing in at 4.2oz.- colors are vivid and natural-looking.- automatic white balance performs well.- has spot metering.- AF locks rapidly and decisively in good light.- short shutter lag in good light.- fast startup.- fast shot-to-shot speeds.- ability to record in movie mode until memory card is full.- supports TIFF mode.cons:- above average noise at ISO 400.- frequent underexposures.- some purple fringing.- corners are soft.- some vignetting.- above average barrel distortion.- some redeye occurrence.- no manual controls.- RAW format not supported.- no AF illuminator - this would really help shutter lag when using this camera in low light.- so-so battery life.- 16MB SD card provided is inadequate so add $$ to your budget to buy more memory.- uses proprietary batteries so again, more $$ for a spare.the Xt is a great looking ultracompact camera but the quality of the images you take could be better.  as already mentioned, there's more competition for the dimage X-series these days.  i would recommend the optio s or casio ex-z3 over the dimage Xt.  for even better image quality (in a slightly bigger package), also consider canon's sd100.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
Not bad - this one is all about size.  Negatives - Doesn't have the great zoom, your finger can get in the way easily and a little slow on the take.  Positive - really easy to carry, has all the necessary features of a good camera and nice resolution.  Battery is pretty good, but recommend buying a bigger memory card.  Bottom line - if having a camera there is the key, the positives far outweigh the negatives
If your looking for a tiny digital for the average "point and shoot" person (and let's face it....if your a pro...stick to film and a 35mm) then the XT is your camera.  Here's the breakdown:Pros:Size.....believe what you hear....this camera fits in your shirt pocket, pants, small purse (for you ladies) without weighing or pulling on your pockets.  I carried it in my dress shirt and slacks at New Years and it didn't seem bulky or noticeable to me or my girlfriend !! The buttons are all useable by both men and women....its tiny without feeling ridiculous or too delicate....its got a durable feel to it....very solid without being heavy !!Battery....I was worried about the battery lasting throughout the night but it never let me down.....all night we snapped pix and of course had to look and show them to everyone on the viewer and it never conked out !!!Tons of features with easy to navigate menus....the ability to take movies and patch them into the tv is a really cool feature !!Cons:The 16MB memory is a joke....do yourself a favor and buy a 256 sd card right away !!!  This will allow you to approximately 6 rolls of pix (comparably speaking)...instead of 5 or 6 pix !!You will have to practice with it to become proficient....but assuming you took my advice on the memory upgrade...this won't be a problem....its your new toy so play with it !!  Practice, practice, practice and you will get good pix.  Snap pictures in all types of lighting.....it doesn't take long.  I practiced at home before going out on New Years and even after several drinks (or maybe because of them...haha) I was able to take tons of great nighttime pix !!Lastly...you'll have to train your subjects to hold their poses a little longer at night...due to the redeye reduction "spraying" effect.  Tell them to hold until the second flash !!Tips:1.Practice (can't stress this enough)2.Use the redeye nighttime setting for all night pix....inside or out !!  IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE !!3.The auto flash mode is great for all other pix4.Set the camera to the FINE setting (just below TIFF)5.Use the highest resolution for all pix6.Save the pix you want to cd or take the memory card to a professional film developer...you could develop your shots at home but the beauty of digital is that you see all the shots you have as you take them.  BE SELECTIVE !!! I've found that with old film type cameras...not every shot was a keeper....even with digital....not every shot you take is worth putting on paper...so be selective then for mere pennys on the dollar you can have a pro develop your more memorable shots !! Don't waste your money on software...put it into the memory uprade!!7. Hold the shutter button down until you hear the "click" !! Many folks used to 35mm cameras (namely my girlfriend) seem to want to press the button down half way or press it and let up before the "click"....this seems to cause the pix to blur more often !!ENJOY !!!
I bought this (my 5th or 6th) digital camera based on size as the leading criteria.  I have children and we travel a lot and I wanted something that could live in my purse and be accessible at all times.  I have it with this amazing camera!  I take hundreds of pictures, then keep the ones that I like - something you cannot do with a film camera.  I have used digital cameras exclusively for almost 6 years now, and this one has great picture quality indoors, outdoors, at the beach, in the shadows, everywhere.  I recently purchased the marine case for this camera to be able to use it underwater in the pool and at the beach.  My children (5 & 7) can both take excellent pictures with this camera, proving how easy it is to operate.  It took a little adjustment to holding the camera so that my fingers were not in the way, but after a couple of minutes, it was natural to hold the bottom corner instead.
i bought this camera as a birthday gift for my fiance in the military.  he will be deploying again soon and i figured it would be smart for me to get him a camera he could use to add to email communication between us.  i bought it at costco for a very reasonable price, and when he opened it we started playing with it right away.it takes very sharp, high quality pictures, the flash works very well, and it is fast.  it offers several ways to share your snapshots: it comes with a cable that can be connected directly to a printer, cables to connect to a TV, a memory card reader to connect to a computer, and a cable to connect the camera directly to the computer as well.  it is compatible with both mac and pc (which is important to me as i use a mac and he uses a pc), and is very practical for it's price.it will record about 30 minutes of audio which is really cool, and will also record short videos (i think we got it to do just under a minute).  it fits comfortably in a pocket and has a quick startup time, so it's pretty much ready when you are.definetly a great buy!  it leaves me jealous!  my toshiba is nice, but the minolta is so much better.the only thing i can think of that would make it better would be if it came with a protective carrying case, but those can of course be purchased extra.
The compact format is great and the optics are above average.  However, unlike virtually every other digital camera I've used, there is no self-timing mode.  Nor is there a tripod mount.  Worst of all, the shutter lag is very long.
I'd really give this 4 1/2 stars if I could--it fits all of my digicam needs and I have only a few minor quibbles with it. I bought this as a replacement for a larger, slower digital camera and I have to say that I really love it. It is incredibly light, it fits easily into my jeans pocket (the camera is a tad smaller than a deck of cards, if that helps you picture it), the controls are surprisingly user-friendly (especially considering the size), and the pictures seem to be very good. I do think the flash could be better (it doesn't really fill the picture the way I'd like it to), but that's nothing I can't fix in Photoshop. Other people here have commented on the technical stuff--I'll just say that it's a nice-looking and smoothly-operating machine (the lack of moving parts on the outside is very reassuring) and I recommend it highly if you need an on-the-go camera for snapshots and such. You should definitely buy a bigger SD card for more pictures and movies, and I went ahead and bought an extra battery just to be safe, but I haven't had any major battery-drainage issues yet. This is definitely a good buy if you're looking for a super-small but good-quality digital camera.
This is a great little camera. Not sure I can say anything that hasn't been said already about it but overall I'm pretty happy with it.I always use the LCD screen as my viewfinder. The normal one leaves out a good deal (around the edges) of what will actually be captured in the image. A larger screen would be nice, but the pan and zoom in the review feature and the ability to remove all the on-screen notifiers help make up for the small screen.The lack of a normal AC adapter is sometimes annoying.I've had problems with blurred images and the flash will sometimes wash my images in blue. I have yet to figure out how to get around these problems.As mentioned in other reviews, this camera is super portable and starts up fast. It has all the features I'd want in a quick on-the-go camera. It's definitely not for more advanced photo shooting but as a handy vacation/amateur camera, it's awesome. The webcam feature produces much better images than most of the crappy webcams out there, too.
Recently used this camera as my primary camera on a trip abroad.  I was a little hesitant to the quality of pictures, but was plesantly surprised. When I initally downloaded them to my computer I was very impressed with how the images looked.  The colors were so vibrant.  I had many compliments on the quality of my pics on the computer.When I returned home and actually printed some pictures out, I was very impressed with how well the pics looked. My husband even commented that you couldn't tell if they were from my digital or his (more expensive) film camera.
First of all, I love my XT.  I wear it in my shirt pocket everyday at work.  I can whip it out and take a picture in literally seconds.  It has been said by a reviewer that it has "no self-timing mode. Nor is there a tripod mount."Well, that isn't right because I use both features.  The tripod mount is on the bottom.  The self timer is a menu function.The XT can been recharged by using the little stand that comes with it.  The newer XG model has no such feature.  Sad that they would take away such a nice ability to recharge by simply placing it back on the stand.  That's why it was $100 cheaper, I guess.The only fault I can find is common sense... it has a little battery and a little flash.  Don't try to illuminate an entire room full of people with it.  Best used for close "fill in" flash.  Still 5 stars in every respect.
I looked at a lot of digital cameras before I bought this one. I chose the Dimage Xt because it was the only ultracompact under $300 with all the features I wanted.Pros-Ultracompact size. Take it anywhere you go.-SD card. Small, plenty of memory for the money, acts like a hard drive when you connect to a computer.-Quick startup. You won't miss many pictures with this camera.-Docking station gives you the option of charging battery in-camera (my preference) or by itself.-Auto white balance. This feature seems to work very well.-Auto ISO (50-160), ISO 400 selectable.-3X optical zoom. Amazing for a camera this size.-3.2 MP.-Night mode. Works very well as long as you keep the camera still. Almost a necessity with the inadequate flash.-Makes movies and can be used as an audio recorder.-Reasonable price given all the above features.-Controls are easy to use and understand. In minutes, I was more comfortable with this camera than with my 2 year old, 1.3 MP, Olympus D-460.Cons-Picture quality could be better for a 3.2 MP camera. I think it must be the folded lens.-Flash is underpowered and does not cover wide angles. Night mode makes a big difference, but you have to tell the subjects to be still for a couple seconds after the flash.-Autofocus could be quicker. Results in out-of-focus shots if you rush. Take time to compose your shots.-Easy to take a picture of your finger if you use your left hand to hold the camera steady.Overall, I'm quite happy with this camera. The picture quality could be better, but the small size, features, and ease-of-use make up for it. I will probably get a more advanced camera in the future to take better pictures, but I will probably keep this camera to carry around.
For me, the compact size of the camera was key.  I also liked that all of the zoom was internal, leaving less possibility of problems with focusing and external zoom damage (e.g. getting sand in the camera if you take it to the beach).I found that it stacked up nicely with others in it's price range; however, I would not recommend this camera for a 1st-time-digital-camera owner.  The features and settings are in depth.The major downfall of this camera, I think, is that with it's compact size it begs to be taken everywhere, but the camera does not come with a case.  My screen is pretty scratched now, and I've had mine for about 6 months.  I'm not rough on it, it just accumulates, and I'm noticing now that it seems to be from the positioning of the plastic part on the wrist strap.  As a precaution I'd also get a case of some sort.
90% of the complaints about this camera, are based on the fact that the people didn't take the time to read the manual from front to back
Xt is superb pocket camera with 3MP and 3x zoom, prefect for snapshots. Its got Video out port to show pics on TV and also has a very solid build quality. Xt is a good camera with one fatal flaw. It uses propreitary Li-Ion battery.A new model (Dimage X20) is now available with AA batteries and same size.Ofcourse if you want the best picture quality in a pocket sized camera Canon Elph is the way to go.
Lately I have been buying Digital Cameras, Using them for a while then selling them. I have used the HP Photosmart 435 - It was worth the 129.00 but lacked alot, Sony DSC-P32 - Took awesome pictures and had a few extra features, Concord Eye-Q 3040 - Good camera in general but horriable software included camera was really confusing but then again it was only 100.00 new. This camera was the best of all them. It took better pictures then my Concord 3040 Did and it was 4MP. It had tons of features but lacked a few manual features. The size was awesome I could take it anywhere. I just sold it and am expecting a HP Photosmart 935. Review should be up soon on that. But I loved this camera, it had tons of features and was really small. The software was really crappy though being it didn't do a thing. But the camera was awesome!
This is a great camera in that you can catty it everywhere.  However, I have been VERY disappointed in the image quality.  The review at [...] really bears this out.
After reading some of the negative reviews on this little technological gem, I felt obligated to write my own review.I've owned the EX-S3 since 2003 and still take it with me everywhere I go in 2006.  I hang in around my neck on a small chain and carry it in my hand at other times.  I've taken photos in the rain and it's been with me in 113 degree weather in the Mojave desert.  It has never missed a step!  As far as optical zoom is concerned, I don't use it.  I take the photos into Photoshop and crop them there, no problem.  By the way, that photo at the top of the page of the outdoor mall, is mine.  It was taken while I was walking.  The result is exactly the way it came out of the camera ... no Photoshop, no adjustments.  Judge for yourself!Finally, I'm always suspicious of people who write negative camera reviews and then, in the same breath, mention other cameras and brands they like better.  No, I don't work for Casio.  Yes, I own other digital camera brands.
My overall rating of this tiny digital camera has been positive so far.  When buying a digital camera, I basically wanted to focus on shutter speed since my last digital camera, Kodak LS 443's shutter speed was so slow compared to Casio Exilim.  I also wanted a lightweight digital camera.  I also had a budget in which I didn't want to spend tons of money on a gadget in which will be replaced by a newer higher-tech gadget later on. And wanted a user-friendly digital camera in which I didn't need to carry their manual with me.  Here were my reasons for buying this digital camera:First of all, I bought this camera after my x-bf got his Exilim M2 which I fell in love and had to get my own Casio Exilim.  It is such a small digital camera in which I take with me in purse and can snap a quick picture anywhere and anytime.Second of all, it has a HUGE LCD display which makes it easier to see what your picture will look like when you are trying to center the picture.Third of all, price of this digital camera was very reasonable compared to other high-end digital camera, like Sony.Fourt of all, it is such an user-friendly digital camera that I didn't need to read the manual at all.Lastly, I set my picture resolution to FINE in order to see the best picture quality and I love the fast shutter-speed.  Keep up the great work @ Casio.  I can't wait for S100 price to go down since that will be my next gadget purchase.  It's too bad that Casio is not being sold in a lot of the bigger electronics store but more available online in which case, I bought it from Amazon.com site.  I bought this camera last 5/2004 and it still takes excellent pictures.  I take a lot of events pictures.
If you even know me for just one day, you'd know that I love taking pictures. I have 2 other digicams (Olympus D450 and Canon S30, plus the Verizon vx6000 camera phone) and 7 or so film cameras. Having kids, I needed a camera that I will *always* have with me, regardless of the ocassion or what I'm wearing. I was very excited when the S3 became available and snapped up this camera about 8 months ago. 8,000 pictures later, I'm confident that I can give it a pretty much fair assessment.THE ROLE: The role for this camera for me is to be always available for group and family shots, indoors or outdoors. With it's size and speed, it fits that role perfectly. It's inexpensive enough that it's almost disposable, in a sense that if I lose it I would definately miss the pictures in it more than the camera itself.PORTABILITY: The reason I bought this camera is the convenience. As you know, It's very small. I carry it everywhere, including at home. You never know when the baby is going to do something cute! In that front the S3 is excellent. Very portable and always available.IMAGE QUALITY: Get real. With a tiny fixed focus, fixed focal-length lens, I didn't expect the S3 to have the same image quality as the $1000 Canon 300D DSLR or even my Canon S30. However, I was pleasently surprised. The image quality, especially for what I use it for, is excellent. For family, friends group shots, it's more than just okay. 8x10 enlargements is no problem. As I found it, fix focus can acually be a benefit (speed, huge depth-of-field). Having a video mode is essential for me, but read in pro/con section about the video.PRODUCT QUALITY: However, there are some serious quality problems witht this camera. First of all, over the length of 6 months, the lens got dirty internally, and small grey spots shows up in the same location of every picture. I could shake the camera and got the dust to move around, but I couldn't get rid of it. Then, the flash stops firing reliabily. Then, the case turns yellow in the front, where I rest my middle finger when holding the camera. Not wanting to part with it, I hesitantly sent it back to Casio. EIGHT LONG WEEKS and many phone calls later, I finally got the camera back. The dust is gone, the flash problem is fixed, and they even replaced the camera case. But the amount of time it took was no excuse - I missed the entire holiday season (Thanksgiving, Christmas) on this camera (I had others cameras to work with). So when I said that I've had it for 8 months, it's actually 6 months, plus 2 in the shop.Pros:- The size is great- Image quality is excellent for a fix-lens, fix-focal-length camera- Fast (start-up, shotting, navigating through pictures)- Conversation piece- The most excellent [...] site, especially the Exilim Avenue web magazine (in Japanese language)- Movie mode which Casio eliminated in ther Z4U and S20U models. But see cons.- Spare battery is cheap on eBay for about seven bucks each. I have 4 spares but rarely use it because the battery life is excellent (much better than my Canon S30)- InexpensiveCons:- My camera lens got dirty internally. Until I sent it back to Casio, it had small grey spots in each picture and was very annoying.- Over time, the camera case tarnished and turns yellow- Repair services, if you ever needed, is SLLOOW. Took them 8 weeks to fix my camera- No true thumbnail view of every picture (only calendar-view)- Casio-branded cases not widely available in the US- The video quality is quite low compare to the other digicams. The Motion JPEG artifacts is more apparent than with my Canon S30. However, once you convert it from AVI (MJPEG) to MPG (MPEG-1) with VirtualDub, the quality dramatically improves. It became VCD / NTSC quality and the JPEG artifacts actually went away. Most amazing.Overall, it's an excellent camera that I still carry with me daily. However, I would only recommend this as being your secondary, almost-disposable, take-along camera considering its shortcomings. I'm personally looking forward to the next batchs of Canon cameras in 2004 to add another one to my collection.
I bought this camera because, like a lot of people, I hate being burdened by a camera when taking a trip/vacation/outing. And, for that purpose it works great.So far, this camera has been to Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans (pre-flood), London, New York, Galveston, South Padre Island, San Francisco, Dallas, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Acapulco and on a cruise to destinations like Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Let's face it, this things been around! And through all of that, it has worked flawlessly giving me image after image of wonderful photos, some which even grace my home as photos and many of which are in photo albums.I challenge those who say their pictures aren't clear or come out terrible. With proper usage, the camera can take excellent pictures. But, if you're looking for something to take wonderful nature photos of beautiful vistas, this isn't the camera for you. This one is for quick pictures, close up, not requiring excessive zoom. This is your "I just spotted someone famous camera and need to take a quick picture".So, why only 4 stars you ask? Only because it's digital zoom sucks and is probably the single negative trait which is contributing to reviewers claiming it takes bad pictures of poor quality.
I have had this camera for six months.  I have taken thousands of pictures.  Most of these I have been very happy showing to others.  The little palm size camera is great for traveling and taking point and shoot pictures.  The digital zoom lacks resolution but is fine with natural sunlight or flash.  If you want natural lighting pictures - opt for something with a better lens and optics.  I use the camera for my youth activies I direct.  It makes great PowerPoint photos.  It does not compete with my SLR film camera or Minolta, but is great to have in the shirt pocket for its readiness.My Sony Mavica has more versatility in different light situations but is bulky.  I like the Exilim for all the things I bought it to do.  Buy with confidence.
This camera was a marvel when it came out because it was among the first to use SD memory chips and thus could be smaller and lighter than earlier cameras.  It has a 2.3 megapixel sensor which was excellent then, but today is exceeded by almost any cellphone camera.  However since it is rare to actually print a large hard copy enlargement of a photo, more than a few megapixels is just marketing hype and adds little functionality to a camera.  The sole feature this thing has that cellphones don't is an eyepiece viewer.  It can come in handy for framing pictures but is quite small and not that easy to use.
pros:- amazingly small and light - truly pocketable at 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches, weighing in at 2.5 oz!- all-metal body.- 3MP resolution.- full 2&quot; LCD.- fast startup.- virtually no shutter lag since lens has fixed focal length.- fast shot to shot times.- allows a surprising amount of control, including manual white balance- plenty of preprogrammed scene modes.- handy dock for photo transfer / battery charging.cons:- no optical zoom.- mediocre picture quality - lots of noise, plus some blurriness and vignetting.- high redeye occurrence.- no macro mode.- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.- the LCD is a full 2&quot;, but is low resolution.- no tripod mount.- longest shutter setting is 1/4 second - with no tripod mount, it didn't make sense to have longer shutter settings.- average movie mode.- 10MB of on-board memory is definitely not enough - add $$ to your budget for more memory.- so-so battery life.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.- body easily scratched.- manual is on CD.i'm very impressed with this camera because of the engineering that went into this miniaturization marvel.  but the small size forces the user to accept mediocre picture quality.  in the end, portability is only half the story.  if you end up not being happy with the pictures you take because of poor quality, then the camera has failed in its mission.  if you can find room in your pocket for a camera that will be half an inch thicker and weigh 2 to 3 ounces more, i would recommend the pentax optio S, casio's ex-z3, or canon's sd100.  these options will deliver much better pictures and have optical zoom.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
The Casio Exilim EX-S3 3MP Digital Camera is a masterpiece.Consistently awesome photographs when set on the "fine" setting (no pixelated images).Operating it is a no-brainer even though it has a lot of high-end user adjustable features.  The "best shot" feature takes any quesswork out of the picture-taking process.You will need an additional mmc card (256 Megs recommended).[...]This camera rocks!
GOOD NEWS for backpackers I didn't believe this camera would be able to capture the quality I wanted in a 4 oz package... Boy was I wrong--I carried this camera in my shorts pockets on more than 3000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail for two years and the camera did wonderfully!HITCH NUMBER ONE  You can ship spare batteries to yourself  but the INTERNAL (not the removable one) battery goes dead in about a month and the camera shuts down even with a fresh rechargeable inserted (which means you have to ship the charger to yourself every three weeks).HITCH NUMBER TWO  After two years the on-off switch went bad and Casio's repair folks wanted more than $150 to fix it.  Typical Casio-great on innovation and invention, short of marketing and long term support.  --Keith Drury
Pros:Smallest high-res camera on the marketGreat USB cradle for simple transfer of picturesTakes nice close-up photos in good lightingCrowd pleaser - sure to elicit oohs and ahhs, if that is what you are seekingVery fast power up - turn it on and start shootingPretty good battery lifeNice 2&quot; LCDVery convienentCons:Lenses could be better for the priceLack of controls (may be a plus for the beginner)Battery takes longer than average to chargeCould be easy to lose from pocketConclusion - there are many better quality 3 megapixel cameras at this price level, but you are paying for the size. If you are less concerned about absolute picture quality and want something that you might enjoy taking with you for a night on the town, this just may be your camera.
Lovely camera, great photos while it lasts.  Fits wonderfully in your pocket.  But that's exactly the problem--the camera seems to be extremely heat or moisture sensitive.  Though I was careful not to carry it with anything else that might scratch it, small "blooms" or spots gradually form on the LCD display and inside the lens, ruining both the viewfinder and the pictures.  Perhaps this is the reason they have discontinued this model.
Ladies and gentlemen:I have owned numerous digital cameras.  One brand broke after 6 months.  Another stopped being able to focus.  Another took [bad] photos.  One was too big.  One only took 15 pictures on a set of batteries...In my eternal quest to find "the" digital camera, I purchased this one. WOW!  I had been looking originally for a 4 MP camera, but settled for this 3.2 MP camera because of the features.  I was NOT disappointed!  This baby is SMALL!  Really small!  Yet, it has a large picture preview screen!  It has a flash.  It has a rechargeable battery.  It takes LOTS of pictures on a charge.  It makes AVI files!  The photos are of good quality!  It links with Windows XP without having to install any software.  It kicks ...!  Get this one!
I have several Olympus Digitals that are excellent (5050 in particilar).  But this Casio goes with me wherever I go.  Consequently, I have taken many more pictures with this camera than with all the others combined (over 2500 in a year's time).As for the case issue, I slip mine into an eyeglass case - the kind that is felt lined and has a pocket/belt clip attached. It fits nicely in my shirt pocket, dosen't fall out when I bend andcan be removed (and put back) in an instant.Also, it is somewhat wide angle so it is great in small rooms.Try it, you'll love it.
Pros:- Great design. Very sleek. Large LCD is an attention grabber.- Portability. Very light and thin. The actual size is not as small as you'd think. But the lightness of the camera and it's thinness makes this maybe the most portable camera. You can just put it in your front shirt pocket and not feel like anything's in there.- Lots of cool functions. The best shot mode is awesome. It allows you to make your own settings, and use it at ease. ISO levels are pretty decent too, considering it's such a small cam.- I thought that the quality of the pics were very good. I'm merely a beginner, so this may not mean much, but I really thought this cam took some nice pictures, and I didn't even set it at the highest resolution. Perhaps, if you are really into photography, you may notice, but if you are, you probably would want to go with the SLR's anyway.Cons:- Too small? Well, this is actualy a good thing, but because it's so portable, it's really easy to lose. I actually lost my first Ex-3 on my first week, then bought another one, only to lose it again! Luckliy, I found it the second time around, but it just shows u, how easy it is to misplace it.- Lack of a good case. First, it doesn't come with a case. You have to buy it. But even the ones that are out in the market, are not that great IMO. The cases make the camera bulkier, kind of beating the purpose of having this camera.- No Zoom. Yes, there's digital zoom, but like everyoneelse in this site has mentioned, is practically useless. You mind as well just take the picture normally, then zoom it up in photoshop. It'll give you pretty much the same effect. I found zoom to be quite a necessary feature in photography, after i played around with my friend's zoomable camera.- No burst mode. yes, it's really fast and easy to turn it on and take a picture, but you still have to hold the camera steady for like a second or two, before it actually takes the picture. For example, if you wanted to take a picture of someone who didn't want to (hehe), you would probably take a picture of them on a surprise, but by the time the camera actually takes the picture, they'll have their hands on their face. So it's not 'instant', as I thought it would be. I think for it to be instant, it needs 'burst mode'. Comparable Kyocera cam has this.- The recharger/USB port is cumbersome. It's nice when u have it at home, but if you were travelling, you'd have to carry that whole cradle with u, just so u can recharge ur batteries.Conclusion:Suffice it to say, I bought the camera again for the second time, after I lost it the first time. This should tell you how much I like the camera. It's really the most portable camera out there, outside of those 1 mega pixel spy cams, and its features and sleek look, make it a true winner. But for my next cam, I'm going to make sure that it has zoom capability and burst mode.
1) when you know it's going to be special and you have your camera with you2) when it happens on the spot and you don't!I bought this camera because my nikon coolpix 880, while it takes great pictures, is too bulky for me to carry everywhere. The ZX-S3 is smaller than my wallet and fits comfortably in the back pocket of my jeans. It is definitely "wearable", as Casio calls it.HOWEVER it takes terrible photos, and my assessment is that their 3.2M pixel  rating is a bald-faced lie. Not having optical zoom in a camera of this size is to be expected, but I figured that the high resoltion would make up for it because I could zoom and crop later. WRONG.Take a photo with the ZX-S3, open it in photoshop, and set zoom to 100% (i.e. 1 screen pixel per file pixel). It is PIXELATED (about 4:1) AT 1:1 ZOOM!! The image is not merely bad, but terrible. Even when just viewing them on-screen the quality is unacceptable.The image was SO bad using the camera's default settings that I was sure I'd done something wrong, so I spent some more time fiddling with it to see if there were any tweaks I should make. It was already at max resolution - I tried changing the quality from "normal" to "fine" but it made no difference.I'm willing to compromise on picture quality to get a smaller camera, but not this much!! I'm going to return it tomorrow and order a Canon S400 instead. A friend of mine has one of their older elph models, and while not quite as tiny as the casio, it takes great pics.
My camera went bad from a VERY COMMONLY reported manufacturing defect "camera stabilizer is not available" error message in the model I had. Since this is a common defect from the manufacture, they should have fixed my camera at their expense, but they refused to fix it without me having to pay $100 something for their manufacturing defect plus shipping charges! Don't buy Casio products! They don't stand behind the quality of their products.
I have been using the Printer Dock 6000 for several years now. I love it so much I ordered this one as a back up. It was used, however, functions perfectly. My Kodak camera went bust a while ago, buy I continue to use this as a printer for 4X6" prints. I am a photographer for a U-19 girls soccer team and make 4X6" team photos for each girl at the end of the season. I wanted prints that would last a life time and the ones made with this printer fit that need. A little pricey per print, however, you get what you pay for.
the dock was delivered on time and printed my first picture great;;easy to set up and doesn't take up a lot of room;;thanks;;
This little printer spits out borderless 4x6 photos that are completely indistinguishable from those you would get from a photo lab. However, each 4x6 print costs, according to my calculations, just over 62 cents--and that's just for consumables (paper and cartridges) and does not factor in the price of the unit itself. Think about that before you buy it. My wife can't live without this thing because of how nice it is to have great looking photos printed on demand. I'm not so sure the convenience justifies the price.
the Kodak EasyShare 6000 printer dock is a one-stop shop for all CX/DX 6000 and LS 600 series cameras. it charges the camera's NiMH battery pack, connects via USB to the computer for downloading data, connects to a TV for slideshows, plus it's a high quality 4x6-inch borderless dye transfer printer.this printer dock can be used with or without a computer and it is small, lightweight, and very portable. it is very easy to use - simply place your compatible camera on the dock, select a picture (or group of pictures) using the camera's LCD, and press the &quot;PRINT&quot; button. wait about 90 seconds and you have a borderless high quality 4x6 print! you can select to print one picture, a group of selected images, or all the pictures in your camera's memory. you can also print an index sheet.this is a dye transfer printer, not an inkjet, and according to KODAK, print quality will be lab-quality. this is just one opinion, but i cannot tell the difference between a print from the easyshare printer dock 6000 and one from a photo service like ofoto so i agree with KODAK's claim.so is this a good buy? you'll have to answer that question for yourself. image quality is good enough that it becomes a non-issue so it all boils down to cost/value. the cost of entry obviously is the cost of this printer dock. ongoing, prints made with this product will run you about sixty cents (or about twenty-five percent higher than what ofoto charges). in return for your investment and higher printing cost, you don't have to bother uploading files to photo services or bring your flash memory to your local photo shop. for this convenience (and instant gratification), i think this is a great buy.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
My father decided he needed a digital camera.  So, we needed to decide what to buy.  We picked the Kodak 6340 and this docking station.Why?  My father computer abilities are AOL and not much more, so I wanted him to buy something simple and easy to use.  I had shown him how to print pictures on his HP printer, but that hasn't really worked out.For printing:When you plug the camera into the docking station, it automatically turns on the LCD on the camera.  From the LCD, you can select using button on the docking station which photos you want to print and then you just hit the print button.  You can print individual pictures or index prints of everything loaded on the camera.  You can also print from Kodak's EasyShare software.  No configuration other than picking the pictures and printer is required.Loading the paper is just like loading a photocopier.  You pull out a tray, and place the photopaper right in.  Again very easy to use.  However, you need special paper for this printer.  It will not use non-Kodak photopaper.  The photopaper is sold with the ink.  Paper/ink for 40 photos run $25.  Very expensive!!!  You can however print your photos with no computer, so it might also make sense for those want to print the camera with them and print photos while traveling.Photo quality seems excellent.  I recently bought a Canon i950 and this little printer seems to do just as well, if not better.For syncing your pictures to the computerThe docking station with Kodak software is really easy to use.  1 button syncs your pictures/video automatically to the computer.It also charger your camera.  A rechargeable Ni-MH battery is included and fits the 6340 camera or other Kodak cameras compatible with the docking station.So, very easy to use, but very expensive.  I'd say its great novice computer/electronic users, but for others there are many cheaper and better alternatives.
It prints great picture, but is a bit touchy.  I gave as a gift any my brother did not use it very long.
Perfect way to print your own pictures for work or play!I purchased this for work, we have lots of winners and it is a nice small machine that I can use on the go or in the office.Paper is somewhat expensive but available at most electronic stores.Make sure you have the Kodak camera as I am not sure if another camera would work with the adapter set up.
My husband and I  just picked up the Kodak Easy Share 6340 camera and really enjoyed its ease of use to send photos via email.  I found this printer dock and was  really interested in it, but was leery about the quality of the photos.  We went to a store nearby where they had sample paper available with the camera.  I was really amazed at the qualiy- they are most definitely comparable to store-developed photos.  So we picked this up and brought it home.Setup is a breeze.  I only had to take a peripheral look at the setup instructions, and it was up and ready to print within 5 minutes.  I just snapped the camera into the dock and it automatically selected the first available photo and asked if I wanted to print it.  I scrolled through until I found the photo I wanted and pressed the &quot;print&quot; button.The printer feeds the first page through and prints one color on the page at a time: first yellows, then reds, and finally blues.  Once it has been fed through those three times, the paper goes back  into the printer; I assume this is to finish the surface or something.  Tear off the extra paper with the perforated edges and you have a photo-store quality photo.This is a rather expensive item, but my husband and I are HORRIBLE about getting film developed.  Having a 2-year-old daughter, we are not exactly winning any points in the family's eyes since we have very few photos available to show or give to anyone.  Now we can just print the photos we like to keep or give to friends and family.What is helpful about this printer as opposed to using the photo setting of a standard printer are two factors: it's small and easy to take on a trip if need be, and the paper comes with a cartridge.  When you have used up all the paper, the cartridge is empty too; no more printing and having the ink give out halfway through your project.All in all, an excellent product, especially if you are like me and seem to be unable to find your way to a photo developing place!
The printer dock arrived without a cable necessary for it to function. Fortunately, I had an older version whose cable fit. If I had not, I would have wasted my money.
I have the Kodak CX6330. It ROCKS.....  The dock works like a charm. This printer is so small you could fit it in your backpack!! This rocks. The prints look like they came from the photo place!! Are albums are filling up!! Overall great price and product!
Yesterday I purchased the Kodak printer dock 6000 to go along with my Kodak Cx6330 digital camera. So far I am very pleased. The first thing I noticed about this printer dock is the size. It's small enough to sit on my little desk with extra room. Secondly, it was a breeze to set up. It took, at most, 10 minutes. Make sure you have you custom insert handy in case the universal insert is not to your liking.The price for this printer dock is great. Having a &quot;printing lab&quot; in your room for under $150? That's pretty cool. Luckily, I received a 256 MB MC with this purchase free (about a $100 value). This printer comes with a sample pack of 10 4 x 6's. It has a sample printer cartridge. It's definitely a sample. It printed out about 10 photos before telling me I need to replace the cartridge. That being said, I recommend buying a set of 4 X 6's and color cartridge.Speaking of which, this printer dock only prints 4 X 6 photographs. Not a problem for me, but may be for others. The Kodak printer dock 6000 prints beautiful photographs quickly. First it prints the yellows, then reds, and finally, the blues. The photo quality is superb.Using this printer dock with my computer is a great option. I am able to print off photographs stored on my computer or edit all photographs before printing. I am not sure if this can be done without the computer, but I can also center the photographs. This way I do not lose any of the photograph while removing the perforated edges. This may not matter to some, but to me it is a very important aspect in making the images look their best.I do not see any reason to not rate the Kodak Printer Dock 6000 less than 5 stars. If there is, I will edit my review. :)
I order this printer as a replacement. I received the product before estimated time of arrival. It worked right out of the box as I had the software already loaded on my computer. I have printed about 15 pictures so far and they are all perfect. And it was a VERY fair price.Thank you.
Does what it should. Outdoor and some bright indoor shooting possible. Works best with cool tones. I prefer Kodak Tmax, but this one is a decent sub.
So our professor advised us to use this film for our first project to get used to how different types of film work.  It was for basic photography shots, but wow I'm in love with film.Our teach has been shooting for like 50 years or so and he loves this film, so if it's good for him, it's good for me haha.Anyways, got some real nice black and white photos for our first prints.  I will definitely be buying more.  Nice sharp photos, detail are alright, but very contrasty film.  Love it.
What can I say. It's the best. I find this film provides great contrast and is much finer than 400.  I hope they continue to manufacture it.
I'm a complete amateur at photography. I read a recommendation to use this film. I never got the chance to use it because of a malfunction in my own hardware. I can't give the product 5 stars because I never used it, and I can't give it zero because that simply is not fair. So I'm giving it 3 for the shipping time and overall decent quality of the box and film itself.
This is great film for working outside with a tripod, or indoors with good lighting.  It developed just fine for me.
Okay so I am not a photographer, but do you know how hard it is to find actual film? My daughter needed this for her college photography class, and this was the only place that sold what she needed. Great price and exactly what she needed. Since, I have bought four more and will continue to buy this brand as this is a much higher quality film than most.
Received shipment quickly, well packaged, no surprises! This slow speed, high resolution film is great for those who want to try their hands at "old fashioned" photography.
I loved the contrast and grain texture it has, Im really considering getting a bunch of these, and its C-41 so I didnt have too much trouble finding a place that developed it :)
After seeing that this was about $1 cheaper than Kodak BW400CN, I decided to give it a go. One of my Magic Lantern guides mentioned this film as intriguing, and that it something everyone should try once! Well, I did, and this is what I found:PROS- In the right conditions, grain is very fine compared to other 400ISO films- Produces relatively sharp images- In the right conditions, it has excellent contrastNEUTRAL- C41 process, can be developed at any place that develops filmNEGATIVE- Without great lighting, grain becomes overpowering in larger prints (no, really)- Doesn't deal with high dynamic range too well in bright sun, i.e. sometimes TOO contrastyOverall, I'll keep a small stock of this when traveling and I can't develop my own film, but I much prefer true black and white films as a rule. If you are going on a sun-filled vacation, this is one you want to leave at home - even for a 400ISO film it doesn't do well in the sun. I much prefer how Kodak's BW400CN interprets dynamic range and contrast, and while this was an advanced film in its time, I can't understand how it has managed to stick around aside from the amateur market. Fun to try, probably a good one for a day of non-essential shooting! I usually LOVE Ilford films - if you look at my fridge it probably accounts for 80% of my stock - but this one seems to be one of those "convenience over quality" decisions companies make sometimes.
I love B&W but I have to wait for my film from mail order developing. This product uses color chemicals, the same as the box  or drugs stores for quick low cost developing.
ILFORD of the United Kingdom, long known for its excellent black and white films is the company that in the early 1980s developed "chromogenic" black and white films.  Rather than use silver halide crystals which was th traditional method of manufacturing B&W; film, which then require the use of developer, stop bath and fixing chemicals, ILFORD engineered this film around the use of colored dyes, much as regular color film is manufactured.Successful in this effort, chromogenic B&W; films are then capable of being developed in color chemistry, specifically the C-41 process.  This film, like the offerings from ILFORD's competitors, KODAK and KONICA MUST NOT be developed in traditional black and white chemicals.All chromogenic black and white films currently available are rated at ISO 400.  Despite the relatively fast speed, all of those on the marketed are very fine grained and offer varying degrees of contrast.  This film is no exception.Chromogenic B&W; films offer the convenience and cost effectiveness of being able to be developed by any local 1 hour lab.  The key to that is the C-41 processing and the fact that the user will get B&W; images even when they are printed on color paper.  Some folks ho have used this film and its competition have commented on the fact that they have notice "color" shifts toward sepia, magenta or blue/gray.  Part of that is the result of the technology of the film, part is the use of color paper to develop the images and the final part is the level of time and effort expended by the lab technician when the film is processed.To completely eliminate any possibility of color shift, ask the lab to print using black and white paper.  Doing so eliminates any possibility of color shift and the user then receives fine grained, very sharp, contrasty "black & white" photos.The direct competition from KODAK includes:  Kodak Black and White + (the consumer grade film), T400CN (the professional film) and PORTRA 400 (a professional chromogenic B&W; portrait film often used at weddings).KONICA's offering is known as MONOCHROME VX.These are interesting, useful and convenient films and they also serve as a new way to "re-discover" the elegance and drama of black and white photography.I recommend ILFORD's XP-2 Super.  Try it, experiment with different color and black and white paper(s) and you'll be able to explore new roads of photographic discovery.
This is good stuff, consistent sepia tone but be aware, processing is very expensive compared to what it was last year, even at walgreens
I've used the Kodak BW400CN and XP2, and after many rolls I give the nod to XP2.  Yes, the mask is slightly purple-ish. Since it's negative film, inverting the image makes the film mask light yellow.  However, none of this matters since it's all removed when you convert your scan to B&W.; Not sure regarding the high contrast issue, my scans need a lot of levels and contrast boost adjust in PS. I get plenty of detail, a small amount of 400 speed grain, and I like it.Tip that I didn't invent: scan as a positive with all adjustments turned off in your scanner. Setting black and white points (or levels) with some headroom above and below is OK, but nothing else. Import to PS, then either invert or desaturate, or use monochrome setting in color channels, and adjust the saturation of each separately for results.  Don't know WTH I'm talking about?  Then get and readBlack and White in Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop Lightroom: A complete integrated workflow solution for creating stunning monochromatic images in Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Lightroom, and beyond
The overall quality of the film was better than I expected! It had a nice glossy finish and it surpassed my expectations. I'm really satisfied with my purchase
XP-2 is one of only a couple films that can be processed at normal color-film supermarket labs with monochrome results. This is convenient, but you definitely trade something for convenience's sake.A real black and white lab can push and pull the image to get just the right results (a kind of post-processing that you lose once the prints are made), whereas this film gives you a single output, which you can't do a tremendous amount with when you use digital scans, since you only have a monochrome image file to deal with. The good news is, it's fairly high-contrast and renders details very well. For the best effect, though, I've got the feeling you might need to use color filters on your lens. I'm not an old-timey B&W; shooter, so that's going to have to be a new discipline for me. The flipside, of course, is that this is cheap to use, whereas a black and white lab is quite expensive - unless you have the know-how to process it yourself.As another reviewer mentioned, the prints I've gotten have a very cool color cast, which I personally don't find attractive, but if you scan to digital it's easily corrected.I may use this again, but will definitely give Kodak BW400CN a try, as it can also be processed in C41 color labs. Or stick to color film, and convert digitally. Or use true black and white film. So many options!
I picked up this film because I was getting impatient (and broke) from dropping Ilford's regular B&W; film off at specialty camera stores for 48-72 hour development. I am just starting getting into rangefinder photography and love B&W; film because it's forgiving if I don't have my settings just right.I have yet to get one photo of true black and white colors with this film. That may be my camera settings, but it also may be the film (hence the 4 not 5 stars). The photo's come out a darker &#34;sepia&#34; color, which is still great. They aren't grainy, and very detailed. I plan on using this in regular rotation in my Zorki 4!
great
This isn't a true B&W film.  It's processed C41 so it should be able to be done at your local photoShop.  Many of the prints I got back had a heavy blue overcast.  Not a big deal.  I scanned them into LightRoom and returned them to the B&W I was going after to begin with.
XP2 400ASA because of it being chromogenic was the black and white film I first thought of on my return to shooting 35mm black and white film.  I have always been an Ilford fan.
I purchased the Ilford XP2 because C-41 is the only B&W film I could have processed locally. The film was adequate but left much to be desired. There were more midtones than shadows and highlights, which would be ok if you're looking for a gray image. I just placed an order for Ilford PAN F+ ... more to follow.
My photographer son loves this film that he uses for various photography projects. He always asks for this at Christmas!
I had no problems with the film, it wasn't damaged and does not appear to have been exposed to horrible temperatures.
I use this film in a Leica M6 body and I couldn't be happier. It's a fairly high contrast film compared to a lot of other b&w; films and I love the look. Presumably this film doesn't hold up long after processing, but for me it's not an issue. My workflow for this film is as follows: I have it developed at the local 1 hour place and then almost immediately scan it on a Canon 9000F Mk2 at 4800 dpi to .tif files and then the film goes in the trash. From here I clean up any obvious imperfections that the scanner software missed in Photoshop before importing to Lightroom where I treat the images as I would any other. The .tif files give some room for adjusting exposure in Lightroom, which is a big plus. Prints, if they happen at all, come from a Canon Pixma PRO-100 and I'm in no way disappointed with the results.Admittedly my workflow is a little out of the ordinary, but this film is far and away the best that I've found for the way I like to work. I love the high contrast images. I love that I can overexpose this film quite a bit with no overtly negative ramifications. I'm now at the point where I use this stuff almost exclusively and only stick something else in the camera when I run out. I'm extremely pleased.
This particular film stock really surprised me! The quality of my b&w shots were actually pretty good. It's also cheaper, & much quicker for my film developer to turn around. That in my book spells &#34;keeper&#34;! I've also tried the traditional b&w emulsions by Ilford and got better results with this film stock in my particular camera for whatever reason?.. Get it!!
I love this film.  I could go on and on about it, but this fellow does a much better job of that: theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2012/10/how-to-shoot-ilford-xp2-super.htmlBottom line is that it's a great B&W; film that you can process on a regular color film processor at CVS, Target, Costco, etc.  I highly recommend Costco who will develop a 36-exposure roll and scan at very high quality to CD for cheap.For best results, expose to the right, meaning take care not to underexpose this film.  Set your camera to ISO 200 or 250 even though the film is rated 400, and the results are really excellent.An example shot of mine with this film: farm3.staticflickr.com/2054/2204085304_bd95152a4f_b.jpgAddendum - I tried the Kodak alternative and didn't like it as much.  Seemed washed out by comparison.
Ilford might be my favorite brand for black and white film. Pictures are crisp and classy. Great brand, and I highly recommend.
I ordered this film to compare taken photos with it with digitally converted B&W photos. Main reason why I decided for the Ilford XP-2 film was to be able to have it developed in a regular film developer anywhere with the common C-41 color negative development process. This means that this film doesn't need to be developed with the normally needed emulsion process for B&W films. ASA 400 allows a good range of exposure times even in dark/night situations. The grain/noise is visible in photos, but I scanned the negatives and post-processed them digitally myself reducing noise and balancing contrast plus sharpness. The result can beat many of digitally converted B&W photos due to the high tonal range provided by this film which is simply amazing. In case you are into landscape/scenic photography, I recommend using a yellow filter on your lens(es), too. I will continue shooting B&W with my old film camera and this film for fun next to my modern DSLRs.
Best film I've used, hands down. Shot with a Nikkormat Ftn using a 55mm f/3.5 macro, 17-28 f/4 wide, 35-70 f/3.5 and 50mm f/1.8.Check out some of my photos here:[...]
This is a good film over all with good tones and fine grain but beware of one thing, x-ray. This film WILL be ruined if you go through a airport or serturity check point with x rays. I tried to take some photographs inside my local state House in with which I had to put my bag (with my loaded camera in it) through the x ray. The film came out green with poor quality over all. The photos were unsluse able. Over all good but beware of ANY x ray exposer.
This film is a favorite of mine because you get crisp black and white photos without the hassle of professional film processing.
It's Ilford, they make great film!It's C41 process, That means just about any Walgreen's can develop it in an hour.It's black and white,.. 400. Perfect ISO for everything.Google search it and look at the images, then come back and buy it.
It's great film but I couldn't use it for class because this type of film is process the same as color film so it's not idea for darkroom processing.
I love this film. I have recently decided to get back to shooting film and this particular film has not disappointed yet. It is sharp and contrasty and delivers a nice mix of smooth tones for people and sharp grain structure. I have also been really happy with the ability to push this film. Shooting much higher than 400, I've gotten decent results (not amazing, but passable). I say this with the caveat, though, that I have only used a real pro lab to process and print my film, just because I am wary about what smaller labs like walgreens (just because my results from them have been kind of crappy-looking.
I bought this camera in early 2004 and have had no problems that other users have experienced.  Maybe I just got lucky.  My main use for this camera was golf swing analysis.  I looked for 3 main features:  Manual shutter speed of at least 1/2000, manual focus, and a larger LCD screen, because at that time I didn't have a laptop and planned on doing analysis at the driving range through the screen.The Optura fills all of those criteria perfectly.  Since I bought this camera, I've also added a laptop to the mix and the firewire port works great.One other interesting feature with this camera that I didn't know when I purchased it is the analog to digital converter.  You can hook up analog A/V, change a setting in the menu, and the camera will convert it to digital and output the a/v through the firewire.  So I can record TV shows (yes, golf swings.. such as the CBS SwingVision), in real time.  Pretty cool.The ONLY con I have experienced is that it's not a very good low light camera.  I do have to crank the shutter down to about 1/250 when I'm inside in a dome.  But outside during the day whether overcast or sunny it works great.
Do not buy this camera!I believe that this is a firmware problem of some sort, though I could be wrong. Whenever I am affected by this problem, I can no longer hit the Exposure button to adjust the exposure. My current work-around is to play a video (tape or card), and go back to the record mode. Very annoying, and it might not work later on.
Count me with the Bad Iris Brigade.I've babied my Optura 20 for three years, and now it's suddenly stuck in low-light mode.  The exposure and shutter speed will not change, neither through the menu, the recording mode, nor through the exposure button.  I've searched "optura 20" "iris stuck" on a few search engines and am disheartened to read that many other Optura-ites have experienced the same problem and an expensive estimate from the folks at Canon... and then no help.While it worked, this camera was great.  It was light, easy to handle, easy to figure out, and the picture was crispy and nice.  I bought the accesory mic and was happy with that, too.Now it's just a lovely paper weight.  What a shame.
A huge warning for anyone out there looking at this camera!!  We dont use ours often and one day it started loading up and being stuck in its low light mode.  this means any amount of light in the room causes it to wash out and record as blur.  When I looked into this issue, it turned out that there were plenty of others out there that had the same problem with the Optura 20.  It will cost you $150-300 to fix.  its sad, becuse in so many other ways it was a great camcorder- but a flaw like this can ruin it all.
canon has a very nice camocorder in the optura 20.  it's a very nice value and at a street price of less than six hundred bucks, you get a lot:pros:- very good video quality.- 1.3 megapixel still capability.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- allows some degree of manual control.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to SD card.- the 3.5&quot; LCD screen is great.- as with most canon products, the printed manual is very good.- optical zoom: 16x!- autolight for supernight shooting mode (although the video is still choppy).- hot accessory shoe with a boatload of accessories available from canon.- digital image stabilization works well.cons:- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 and panasonic's PVDV953 have 2-3 megapixel capability but those camcorders are much more expensive.- don't expect miracles from 1.3 megapixel stills.- video too choppy with low light modes, even with built-in LED lamp.- viewfinder tilts but does not extend.- motor noise can be heard when recording a very quiet room.- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod- not as compact as i would like. dimensions are 3.0&quot;W x 3.6&quot;H x 7.3&quot;D and it weighs 1 lb 7 oz without tape and battery.- the included 8MB SD card is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for for more memory (at least 32MB).why only four stars?  the two most important things for me in a camcorder are video quality and size.  the optura is bigger than i would like and in my opinion, there are several camcorders out with better video quality at roughly the same price point (panasonic gs70 which has 3CCDs, and to a lesser extent, sony's trv33 and pc-105).  don't get me wrong; this is a very nice camcorder - i just have a few other models higher on my &quot;best camcorder list.&quot; i hope this helps your buying decision.  peace.
I reserched Sony, JVC, and Canon.  I previously owned a JVC DVL-300, and had good experience with that camera, but wanted to move up to the Canon for its superior features and image quality.  My decision came down between the Canon ZR70 and the Optura 20.  For the extra ... in price between these two, the Optura is definatly worth the extra money.  The image stabilization was excellent on the Optura, even when zoomed in.  The ZR70 was still shaky and was not that stable, especially on zoom.  I've read other reviews complaining about poor low light recording and motor noise (mostly with the ZR series).  I have not experienced either of these problems with the Optura.  Image quality for video indoors, even with low light, was great.  The super night mode does look like a choppy web cam movie, BUT, even though the video is slow in Super Night mode, the COLOR quality was good... even with NO light.  I prefer the color night video rather than the green Sony night video.  It makes your video look more like home video instead of making your family look like an amateur military unit.  I also like the 16x optical zoom (Sony only goes up to 10x optical, even on their best camcorder).  Digital photos with the Optura are excellent (for 4x6 prints). But I never expext my camcorder to replace my digital camera (a Canon S330 - which is fantastic).  But with the Optura, those few still photos I decide to snap with the camcorder are great (The ZR70 is not as good... another reason the Optura is worth the extra money).  Battery life is excellent with the standard battery.  My only complaint would be that the batter must be attached to the camera and plugged in to be charged.  I wish they had a seperate charger for the battery, so as not to pull out the whole camera when it needs to be charged.I've owned various Canon products and have always been impressed with their quality. The Optura is no exception.  I would definatly recommend this camera to anyone who is concerned with capturing quality video for everyday indoor/outdoor recording.  For those concerned with night or VERY low light recording, I would suggest investing in one of the optional light accessories.
Avoid this product and perhaps all Canon Camcorders at any cost!The IRIS is stuck in the low light setting like many others have posted.Search CNET and other forums as well for many other reports of this problem.Canon Customer Service has been very poor in responding to thisand say that this is an unknown problem! You will have to shell outalmost the cost of the camcorder to get this repaired or otherwiselive with a bad paper-weight.
Thanks for this site, I know realize my optura 20 is doing the same thing. It seems like it's stuck in low light mode. It goes into the is about 80% of the time when I power it on to the record mode. Sometimes I get lucky, but you can't shut it off, because if you do you may not be able to get it into the right mode again. You can't really use it because everything is slow and too white. I've had the camera for 3 years and it's been used very little. Not good build quality, now I can't wait to hear what the cost of repair will be. Is there enough people out there for a class action?
This is my first camcorder and although I am by no means a dummy, this is making me feel a little bit like one. I immediately took it from the box and started using it. Most products I can pick up on like that, not this one. I have been looking over the owners manual and am now finding it pretty easy to operate. I purchased this to film my son and family outings. It has alot of features for video editing etc.. I will probably never use but they are there. Overall I would say it was a good purchase. The image quality is great and if you want a 4x6 still it is great for that too. The night shot is unlike Sony which is what I am used to. There is some sort of delay so when you move the camera it takes a second for the image on the screen to catch up. I don't know if that is from me not using it correctly or what. There is a built in light so you can't be sneaky with it in low light conditions. I would spend the extra money for the 20 over the 10 for the color view finder and other options. I ultimately didn't go with the Sony TRV 38 because of canon quality and recent things I have heard regarding Sony service and the lack of aftermarket support products. All in all a good camera.
I bought a Canon Optura 20 back in September 2003 for two reasons.  First, my wife and I were expecting twins in a few weeks and I needed to get a camcorder to record their first few hours and days, weeks, years, etc. (like any obsessive new father).  Secondly, I teach online geology courses and I needed a good digital camcorder to record movies of mineral, rock, and fossil specimens for my students.Why did I buy this camcorder? First, I was impressed by the amazing clarity of the 3.5&quot; LCD.  I went to a warehouse electronics store to &quot;test drive&quot; various camcorder models before I ordered anything on Amazon.com.  The Optura had the best LCD of all models tested - Sony, Sharp, Canon, JVC, and Panasonic.  I assumed this would translate into high quality video (WRONG!).  The Optura also had the highest optical zoom when compared to other models and competitors.  Note that these &quot;tests&quot; occurred at a store without a tape in the camera.  So I went to Amazon.com, I saw that the Optura had good reviews, and I bought it.  I also liked how the camera felt in my hand, the buttons, and all the different inputs/outputs.As soon as I got it, I made some initial test videos in preparation for the twins and I made a bunch of mineral videos for my online geology class.  I was really, really UNIMPRESSED.  Why?1.  The video quality was abyssal.  While the LCD was super-sharp and crystal clear, actual recorded video was grainy and fuzzy under a variety of lighting conditions.2.  The camcorder had horrible motor noise.  I assume it was the miniDV tape motor that made the awful shrill squeaks and screeching noises.  These terrible noises were easily picked up when recording.  It was totally unacceptable.To recap:- disappointing video quality- terrible motor noise / audio qualityIt was not worth the ~$670 I paid for it.  In fact, I wouldn't have paid $50 for it.  So I returned the Canon Optura to Amazon.com and I bought a Sony DCR-TRV80 from an Amazon.com 3rd party merchant.  The Sony was more expensive but the video and audio quality are excellent.  The Sony's touchscreen functions take some getting used to but the Canon Optura 20 is nowhere near the league of my new Sony DCR-TRV80.
I had this camera for a week and had to return it to the store. I liked its look, controls, picture quality, colors, menu, battery life, accessory options. But when I played-back my tape on the TV, I was shocked with high-pitched metal noise. I first thought that it's the tape, so I tried another tape - same result.When you remove tape from the camcorder - there is no noise, there is also no noise when you switch to VCR mode (not playing your recorded tape), but once tape is in and you are ready to shoot, listen: it hums and whistles, quite but steadily. And when you play it back noise becomes NOISE. I have read re-views on cnet.com, but I thought it just some minor motor noise you can here on almost every camcorder - not the case!! I had Sony-hi8 before and I know the difference. I think it has something to do either with flaws in videoheads or tape mechs, or with bad placement of the mic.Of course I could buy an external mic, but do you want to carry it always with you - at home and on the trips?, and besides it makes the camcorder much bulkier.(2 stars are for picture, but sound ruins the rest)
I bought my Canon new back in 2003 or so, and just now, almost ten years later, finally donated it to a local charity.  I put in thousands of hours of recording around the world on it, and while the quality was never rock star film grade, it did a bang-up job of capturing the events I was filming.  The camera was extremely durable - outlasting another video camera I bought in 2008 - and never gave me any problems in this extremely long time of heavy use.Thanks, Canon, for making an excellent camera.
My personal background: I've owned several Point &amp; Shoot cameras, both digital and film, as well as an old SLR back when I was in high school.  I'm a decent photographer and since I bought this camera in late August (now early November) I've shot probably around 400+ frames.If you want to shoot in manual mode, this camera works wonderfully.  The only downsides I've found is a tendency to under expose by about 1/3 stop and the 1 fps maximum.  If you don't need high speed photography and can learn to compensate for the exposure (or take your film to a lab that does) there isn't a reason to buy any other Rebel.If you use the various auto modes (landscape, portrait, etc.) you'll find the camera works pretty well.  Using these modes I can hand the camera over to a family member and expect the photo to come out reasonably well.The only serious downfall to this kit is the lens.  It is about as crummy as lenses come.  The photos look fine at 4x6, but if you blow them up, you'll notice they aren't very sharp.  The good news is that when your skill develop enough that you realize this, you can go out and buy that nice 24-85mm zoom and 50mm prime and they'll work wonderfully.  Expensive bodies are for people with money burning wholes in their pocket.  This one is for you. :)
I bought this camera in the summer of 2003 which was when I started my photography endeavor.  This camera has been awesome for everything that I have done from practice portraiture, landscape, close up, and everything that I was able to thow at it.  I still constantly use this camera as it still continues to intrigue me with its abilities.Many, and I say MANY people complain online about the lense that is given in the kit.  For the work that I have done, and the work that most amature to &quot;prosumer&quot; photographers do, you will not be so extremely dissapointed about this lense.  I do have the EF 50mm f/1.8, which is awesome!The Rebel GII is also extremely light to carry around, especially when compared to older manual type SLR's. Sure, its not as light as a point and shoot but its NOT a point and shoot, its a great SLR.  As I advance more in Photography, by December 2004 I'll be buying the Elan 7Ne to meet all of my photo needs.  Due to the weight though, the Rebel will be my more rugged body for those shoots that I don't want to risk ruining the Elan.  Great camera overall, go buy it!
The camera arrived in good shape and I was able to use it for my Photography I class at the local college in my hometown. Everything worked fine and I was happy with my purchase.
I had been using digital cameras for about four years (including my current Canon Digital Rebel) before deciding to attend a photo class at a junior college to improve my skills. The class needed a film camera, so I got the least expensive film SLR that Canon makes, which is this Rebel GII. Although it's pretty simplistic, it's more than enough for both students and shutterbugs.The camera is very light and small. Most importantly, it accepts all Canon EF lenses, which is great. If you are a student and you're wondering whether to buy the camera body only or the camera with a kit lens, I would recommend you get the body only and get a different lens. For my photography classes, all you needed was a 50mm ("normal") lens, and Canon sells an extremely inexpensive but excellent lens, the 50mm f1.8 mkII, for about $75. That lens and this camera go together hand-in-hand; together they are still very inexpensive and light, so you should not have any hesitation to bring your camera everywhere you go. If you are looking for a modestly-priced but excellent zoom, you may want to consider the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 with Canon EF mount instead of Canon's own 24-85mm or 28-105mm (both of those are ok, but neither open up to f2.8, which, believe me, you will want as you progress with your studies).There are some limitations to this inexpensive camera as you would expect. The autofocus has only 3 focus points (my Digital Rebel has 7 points, and higher-end cameras have 45). The fastest shutter is 1/2000 seconds (my Digital Rebel's fastest is 1/4000), so under sunny-16 conditions, you may not be able to reach your widest apertures because the shutter will not be fast enough. There is no depth-of-field preview. Finally, in manual exposure mode, you control the shutter speed with the top dial, but to control the aperture you must simultaneously hold down a button and turn the dial (similar to my Digital Rebel, but higher-end cameras have two separate dials).Negatives aside, this is an excellent SLR camera for the price. It is perfect for students and anyone who just wants to have inexpensive fun with an SLR.
I purchased this camera based on reviews from several different scrapbooking message boards.  Scrapbookers know their cameras as their hobby is all about GREAT pictures.  I have an old Canon AE-1 Program that I purchased 18 years ago and I am a big fan of digital camera.  I have an Olympus C-50.The Canon Rebel takes awesome shots.  I took it to Disney World and did not take one bad shot.  I used Kodak High Density film.  The camera is so easy to use.  The telephoto feature worked really well. In the auto mode it works like a point and shoot, but the pictures cannot be compared to a regular point and shoot camera. I am not the best photographer in the world, but this makes me look like I am. You won't be disappointed.
It was what I have been looking for I can't waite to see the pictures  I took. and the price was great!!!
Great for high school class.  My daughter is very happy with this camera. Not expensive and works well. Gets the job done.
use this camera for my photography class, get really nice pics.  wish it would have come with a manual but was able to download one from on-line. I've come to appreciate film over digital after working with this camera.
Step daughter needed a camera (a film camera) for a photography class as hers had recently given up the ghost.  The order was delivered on time, and the camera was in excellent condition.  As a bonus, brand new batteries were installed before it was shipped to me.  Great company, great camera and I could not ask for anything more.  Completely satisfied.
the product is really like new, the only drawback is its not digital its filmed camera as most new cameras
I have had this camera for at least 2 years now. It is pretty easy to use. There is 1 little issue and that is that I don't know what the zoom i am on when I am between numbers. Other than that, I don't have any issues with it. I recommend this camera to anybody especially if it's your first SLR camera.
I started out with a Canon SLR camera from the 70's and over time saved up enough money to buy this one.  It's absolutely awesome!  I'm desperately in love with my new Canon SLR!  It's lightweight and has tons of features.If you buy this camera, you should also think about buying extra lenses because the lens that comes with it is just your standard lens.  Thankfully, Canon makes all different kinds that will work with this camera.
As always Canon delivers an awesome, very simple camera. The body is very lightweight, which is a plus when you start adding heavy lenses.Great camera!
LOOKS SO REAL THAT IT WILL KEEP PEOPLE AWAY FROM YOUR PROPERTY. EASY TO INSTALL AND BATERY LIFE IS GOOD UP TO 2 YEARS. KEEPS MY BROTHER FROM USEING OUR HOT TUB... AS HE THINKS WE HAVE SECURITY.
The item looks very authentic and easily believable as the real thing!  The cameras look like the expensive ones I have seen in my bank and outside some local homes.  A good value for the money!!
These are small cameras that do the trick!  They look real, and withthe small flashing light would fool any questionable characters around the outside of the house.  These are worth the small investment they require.
Does not look like a real one. Make sure you know the size before you order it.
This is a great little "fake" security camera. Looks real and even has a blinking LED light. The battery compartment is completely hidden so it looks like it is wired. Very easy to install.
They worked well right out of the box, LED has been blinking ever since, it really does the job for me, no problems.
I purchased the last ones for friends,our town has been having a LOT of breakins. And I told my friends to use these, that I have them and I love it!  And the batteries have already lasted 11 months and going strong. I may be buying more very soon!!!!!
This is a very NICE camera,BUT it is way too SMALL it would be nice if they were bigger so you could see it better!
This camera fits in the palm of my hand.  My fault: I didn't check the dimensions before ordering.  This camera is way too small to even be seen.  I pointed it out to my neighbor and he said "Where? Where is it? I don't see it."  I was shocked at how small it is as the photos of it make it look like it's about 12" long when it's really about 4 or 5 inches long.  Disappointed!
I bought this because of the drug dealing neighbors. They think this is real and have taken their business somewhere else. The trouble making kids also stay out of our yard. Good dummy camera
Bought this item a few years ago. Believe it was at a garage sale. Same manufacturer and model number.I use high-quality AA batteries and obtain around 10 months of effective red light blinking before the light begins to slowly fade.The unit has a professional appearance, seemingly real and of high quality.You will need additional cable to make it appear to actually be hooked up unless you can mount it where the attached short cable can be shoved into a hole drilled into a wall or something.I use my fake camera inside, sitting on a shelf where an intruder, especially at night, is likely to notice the flashing red LED light.I rigged up an indoor AM radio antennae to make it appear attached to the "camera's" cable output, thus conceivably transferred to a monitor or recording device elsewhere... well, at least conceivably so.  Just to add to the illusion an intruder is either under observation or is being recorded.In a dark room at night the blinking red light sticks out akin to the proverbial sore toe. Or is it a sore thumb? Or that pesky third eye in the middle of the forehead I have seen in those Hairy Krishna books.How effective would this faux unit be at deterring a no-good-nik intent upon larceny? Who knows. I can envision the unit making an amateur run off upon seeing what appears to be an active camera in operation.I doubt a professional criminal believing there is real wealth within the invaded area would be deterred but if you have real wealth you likely can afford a real deterrent!!!The unit does not need to be attached to a wall to convey the illusion of or reality. Sitting upon a shelf or a desk can also be effective in creating the illusion of reality.
I purchased 4 different types of fake video camera with blinking LED's.  I have to admit the blinking LED on this one is made the best by far.  The LED light is controlled by a circuit board inside the camera.  Therefore, if somebody took this fake camera apart, they might think it's real.  Somebody stated the battery life on this camera is 2 years.  I don't believe 2 years, but 1 year is believable.  The reason I think the battery life on this camera will last a whole year is because the LED is not that bright. You cannot see it in the daytime.The camera shell is made of metal, so it's very high quality.  The biggest compliant I have about this camera is the shell does NOT represent a real camera shell.  If you look around, there are other fake cameras that have a shell from a real camera.  The other complaint is it is really small.  I would recommend this camera if you are going to place it a few feet high, because if it's to high, you can't see it.  Even from 3 feet away, I think this camera looks real.  Last thing..... I'm 99% sure this camera is NOT rain proof.
Even though the description does state the size of this (fake) camera, you have no idea how tiny it is until you mount it on a 10 foot ceiling in a parking garage. Fake cameras are a deterrent only if they are seen; and the flashing light is so dim it's hardly worth the effort. Would not buy again.
Well for a long time I've been one from the domain of MF 645 and saved many good words for Pentax quality. Well this camera isn't disappointment.I've been using this camera for two weeks and can say it is cool! The image quality is very good, camera is easy to use, light, handy and steady. The overall impression is very positive. The Pentax optics is  cool! I have tried it also with Sigma's 24-70 2.8 zoom that is amazingly and surprisingly quality stuff.
Over the years I have used a variety of systems ranging from Pentax to Nikormat to Canon to Olympus and eventually back to Pentax.  Why back to Pentax?  Size and ergonomics.  All of the major brands are good and some offer truly best in class - at a price - in optics such as Nikon and Canon.However, for overall good value Pentax holds its own.  While I would be happy to use equipment from any of the major brands, I am quite satisfied with Pentax - but I had to wait until last autumn to get my hands on a decent Pentax digital camera.  The *istD, weird name and all, is such a camera.  Overall I'm a happy camper and I have been taking some of the best photographs in my 30 years experience with this camera.Other reviews here will tell you the camera's virtues and those features are real and not over stated.  This is a professional class camera - though most professionals use Nikons and Canons when it comes to digital work for a number of reasons - usually due to optics and employers' standards.  The optics from Pentax are still well respected and 99% of the folks reading this will be more than satisfied.While battery life with this camera is very, very good, I would recommend considering getting the optional additional battery attachment that screws into the bottom of the camera.  It looks like an old fashion motor drive but it provides excellent ergonomics when shooting side-wise (portrait) complete with the thumb and fore finger controls replicated for ease of use.  It adds peace of mind by providing redundant power plus if you often shoot protrait framing, you can really hold this camera much better than most other cameras.So what is the single, significant flaw of this camera?  It is undoubtedly the flash card interface that is accessed via a door that doesn't swing completely open, tempting the user to push the card in a slightly wrong angle.  Of course there are internal guides within the flash card holder assembly but even with care, over time, it is possible to break one of the tiny pins of the camera's interface to the flash card.  I know. I have done it.  The cost and speed of repair was minor, but suddenly one day out in the field I had a camera that was suddenly inoperable.So that is why I give this other wise great camera only 4 stars.  If you have a good investment in 35 mm Pentax gear, you really have no choice but this camera.  But the good news, particularly if you are shooting in RAW, the output is incredible.  Now that PhotoshopCS has upgraded its RAW import program via a free download from Adobe, the results from this camera can be absolutely stellar.  But user beware when swapping out those flash cards!
OK, if you're here, you probably have read all the online reviews. Here's my answers to some of the major criticisms I've seen about this supurbe camera on the web. (And my opinion is based on a 20 year career as a professional photographer...for what that's worth! :) )1.)Criticism: Memory card is hard to remove. OK, maybe this could use a little work on Pentax's part. Not really a big deal if you're careful. Just be careful...it's not THAT hard!2.)Criticism: Batteries are not proprietary and rechargeable!? WHAT? THANK GOD! This is in my opinion not a mistake but a MAJOR PLUS! Only Pentax would have the forsight and understanding to give the user TWO (more if you consider all the AA posibilities...)onboard options for battery power both available almost anywhere for Pete's sake! Batteries are the life blood of digital photography, more options can only be better! For my part I'm running 2300 milliamp hour rechargable AA's and am thrilled with the performance!Well that addresses the two biggies I've read about. As for the rest of it, the price is now where it should be and the camera performs fantastically. Now that Pentax has a 14mm coming out, all is wonderful in the digital world. My advice, BUY IT and you won't ever look back! The 13x19 prints are superb, I shoot weddings and fine art landscapes, and this camera gets the job done!!!
I've been shooting Pentax SLRs since the Honeywell Spotmatic of the '60s with many photographs published in newspapers and magazines. For a while, I had been jealous of my compatriots as they switched to DSLRs while I waited for one on a par with my latest Pentax - a Z-1 of 10 years outstanding service. When the *ist D came out, I wasn't ready. About a year later, Pentax introduced the *ist DS, and I compared the two with the same lenses.The D works like my Z-1 with similar functions and a hyper-mode which I could immediately jump from to automatic mode. It takes all of my old Pentax lenses and takes wonderful pictures - still better than the photographer can.It has a sturdy build (the stainless steel frame shows up in the feel) and is very small for ease of carrying and use. It balances best with the optional battery grip which adds better vertical holding capability combined with additional shutter and exposure control.I have had NO problems with the compactflash facility. Maybe this varies from camera to camera, but I use 4 different cards from 3 manufacturers and added a hand/wrist grip to the camera.The 4-way controller on the back is fiddly and takes some getting used to. I think the similar controller on the DS works much better.All-in-all, Pentax has a winner here. There is an extensive world of pre-existing lenses (including the old screw mounts) that work on the D pretty much as they did on their original target cameras, and, to offset the 1.5 magnification ratio, Pentax has come out with some super-wide angle lenses (e.g., 14mm - equivalent to 21mm on 35mm film cameras) with similar outstanding Pentax quality.
The istD is Pentax's first serious entry into the digital market.  Pentax are the people who came up with the K-1000, the no-frills manual camera which was so popular among students and artists.  When one thinks of a name brand camera, Nikon and Canon are probably the first names to come to mind.  Pentax is the underdog in 35mm, now a serious competitor in the digital world.The CCD (digital film) is identical to that used in the Nikon D100.  The istD accepts all manual focus and automatic focus Pentax lenses.  Focal lengths are a bit different - so, if you have a 50mm &quot;normal&quot; Pentax lens, now you will have a 75mm lens when connected to this body.I plugged in a CF card from my E-10 and all the photos I took showed up in the istD.  No drivers or special software required for the USB cable - just plug the camera into a Windows OS and a harddrive appears with your photos on it.If you are familiar with Pentax's Hyper-Program mode, you have it here again.  Pentax is wonderful for tweak-ability.  In &quot;green&quot; mode, you can set the program line to favor DOF or shutter speed.  Hyper-Program mode allows you to tweak either the shutter or aperture.  And, a totally manual mode is available.There are three user-customizable banks of special tweaks, such as taking a picture before the flash full charges (option) or changing the action of a few of the buttons.  In addition to a full bank of pre-set WB settings, there are three custom white balance settings which may be set using a greycard or piece of white paper.  And, the viewfinder is loaded with indicators and a bar display light meter.The best feature which made me say &quot;wow&quot; was the autofocus.  Not only will the camera autofocus, but it flashes a red dot to show you what it is focusing on.  You can manually select the focus point, or just override everything and put the focus dead center.  If you don't like the red dot overlay, even that can be tweaked off.It's fast.  I took a few frames in rapid succession and was not left wanting for something faster.  Of the most frustrating features of the Olympus E-10 was trying to fire off another frame - so many missed photos.  Not the Pentax.  When you need that little extra burst of speed, it's pretty quick.The camera is also surprisingly light and small.  The more common settings are off the program dial, such as ISO, image compression, and pixel depth.  Other settings, such as sharpness, contrast, and color saturation are quickly accessed though the menu.  The camera turns on fast and ready to fire.  Matrix metering, center weighted metering, and spot metering all available.  PC socket for external flash plus a hot shoe.  Manual, automatic, and predictive continuous autofocus.And, of course, the images are clear and crisp.  It accepts up to a 1gig CF card or microdrive.  A single connector provides USB and video out.  If you want the LCD display on while the video output is used, well - that's a tweakable setting as well.
After nearly 3 years of playing with other digital cameras I finally took the leap back into SLR-land and purchased this great Pentax camera. Though I am just beginning to explore its capabilities, so far I am delighted: there are a lot of advantages to SLR camera use that I missed from the film days.As with any of the current crop of digital SLR's, you get a ton of flexibility and shooting speed at a price that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. If you are used to using film SLR's, and have been frustrated by certain aspects of using a typical digital camera, you will be happy to be back in the land of no-shutter-lag shooting; the ability to use a ring on the lens barrel for zooming; tons of manual flexibility combined with idiot-proof program modes; and of course the flexibility of many lens choices. What has particularly driven me crazy about the current crop of high-end non-SLR digicams is the use of EVF viewfinders -- by contrast, the viewfinders on digital SLR's are great.So why this Pentax vs the other competitive models? (The others worth considering in this price range at this time are the Canon EOS 10D; the Canon Digital Rebel; the Nikon D70; the Nikon D100; or even the Sigma models). This Pentax has the same sensor as the Nikon models, and the imaging capabilities of any of these cameras is doubtless well beyond my skills in any case. So to me it came down to ease of use, size and build quality. Size in particular is important to me: if you just look at the specs of this camera on a cubic-inch basis it's 38% smaller than the Nikon D70 and 26% smaller than the Digital Rebel. The Canon 10d is even bigger, and looks like a house sitting next to the Pentax.After handling all of these cameras, I concluded that the Pentax is the one I would use most often. Too often my film SLR's sat at home when I was using film -- I would grab a point-and-shoot instead. I really wanted something I would use a lot.On the other hand, some published complaints (and my conclusions) about the Pentax have been:(1) Images are too &quot;soft&quot; (this is super-easy to adjust if you use something like Adobe Album, Elements or Photoshop, and in return the camera is not &quot;sharpening&quot; the image for you, which can introduce sharpening noise)(2) Not as many lenses as available as in the Canon or Nikon lines (There seem to be plenty for my purposes, both new and used)(3) Memory cards are hard to eject (Doesn't seem that hard to me; you need to be careful no matter what camera you use).Another issue (price) with this camera has been fixed: when it was introduced it was more expensive than the others in its class. But the price has been reduced and now is typically available at a price that slots it in as a bit more expensive than the D70 and less than the 10D.All of these current digital slr's are great, and it seems to me that if you already owned Canon or Nikon lenses you wouldn't go wrong with one of their models. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch (or like me, you own brands you can't use on any of these), the Pentax is worthy of serious consideration.
Batteries come and go...literally. So whats so great about these? Well nothing really. They have about the same life span as most any others when used for basic applications ie; remotes, flashlights, cordless phones.  So why should you buy these over another brand? Why not? if they are on sale, I say sold!
Panasonic's batteries are punched with buzz-words, like "digital power" and what not. Actual battery benchmarking is hard to find for batteries. But, to be honest, I have never been able to tell the difference between battery brands. With so many batteries being used, how can one really judge the quality of a brand every battery is different?I did some research. The initial runs of these batteries occurred three years ago with some unfavorable results. Panasonic's current batch of digital power AA alkaline batteries appear to be markedly better. I used them in a variety of devices: my beard trimmer, several remotes, and a few flashlights. No failures have occurred so far.I can't give it a 5th star as I really have no way of telling you these are the best batteries of all time. But so far they are acceptable as any other name brands and work just as well, making them a worthwhile purchase.
These Panasonic batteries seem to work just as well as other brands. Better that generic ones, certainly. And about even, in my experience, with Energizer or Duracell.They run my camera just fine. While they don't seem superior to major brands, they certainly hold their own.
As you might imagine, these batteries work as designed. I have had a chance to use them in a powered toothbrush and a battery operated train we are using as a part of our Christmas decorations. Its great knowing that I won't have to swap these batteries out on a regular basis. Would they really keep for seven years ? Can't say, as I tend to use batteries shortly after being purchased. That said, they worked out of the package and that's good enough for me !
It's not really fair to do a review without testing the batteries, side by side under the same conditions to see which lasts longer and how much longer. But I don't have the time to do that and get a review out ASAP, so I will say that I have these batteries in various electronics, from flashlights to fire alarms and they are all working well. If they last even 25% longer than standard batteries, it will mean having to change batteries less often; or in the case of my fire alarm, be able to use them in something else after I change them out at the end of each year. Panasonic is a name I trust and I've had good service with products that I have had questions or problems with; so I'm going to trust that they are longer lasting; which means less batteries disposed of and more reliability. So I'd buy them again and recommend them. If I find that they don't live up to the advertising, I'll update my review.
the only real way to compare batteries would be to place 2 different brand batteries in 2 same devices & see how long they last.  i didn't do that.  simply these are batteries & they work.  my only other way is to compare on price & at about $1. a battery here on Amazon, they're not as cheap as 50 cents a battery when on sale at CVS.  other than that, good batteries.
When I was in school in the eighties I once did a science project on batteries, pitting the standard Alkaline Energizer, Duracell, and Panasonic brands, against the a couple el-cheapo non alkalines (like Radio Shack).  I ran the batteries completely out by running electric cars up a very steep ramp.  By counting the number of times the cars made it up the ramp, I could assign a number to the strength of the battery.  I did this over the course of a very boring weekend, as I realized I had to move the cars back to the bottom of the ramp every 10 seconds or so for several hours...Anyway, to make a long story short, as expected, Energizer and Duracell came out on top (with either 9 or 10 out of 10s), while the (then unknown to me) Panasonic brand turned out to be the clear best buy, as it had 80% of the top batteries' power, but for about 40% of the cost.  This was Panasonic's "deal" -not trying to be the absolute best per battery, but by being the best overall per DOLLAR.Fast forward a couple of decades... These batteries (since they haven't run out on me yet) seem to still live up to the Panasonic quality standards that I am used to.  However, unlike in those days, the top level batteries (Energizer/Duracell) seem to have come down in price a bit, while the Panasonics seem to have crept up.For these "digital" power batteries you now seem to be paying the same price as the "Duracell Digital", but without any discernable additional benefit.  And, if you REALLY want long time power, you are probably better off buying the Engergizer Lithium batteries (at a much higher price).So, I like these batteries.  I think they are fine, and they seem to do a good job.  But, unlike in the eighties, I no longer think they are a clear "best battery for the buck".  I say troll Amazon, and buy whichever of the top three (Energizer, Duracell, or Panasonic) have the best price.Recommended, but price check first.
Batteries are very hard to review. I put this battery in my toothbrush in Dec. when I got the pack and they are still working well. I normally replace the battery in my toothbrush every 3 months. Too me a battery is a battery and I can't tell the difference. One is the same as any other. I gave it 5 stars because it works great:}
This is a good battery, no better or worse than a Duracell or Energizer. The marketing makes it seem like this will last or work better for digital devices but they're regular batteries like the rest. Not worth paying any premium over other brands but if the price is right go ahead and pick some up.
Disclaimer: I am reviewing a pack I received for free, from the Vine program.Well they're batteries :-) they're alkaline, they're size AA. They're supposedly "digital power", whatever, not sure if they actually live up to their claim of longer life than non-"digital" AA's or not yet. but they're OK so far.
The ideal sized package.  Two sets of 4 batteries which go into my camera. Many times I have to change the batteries which shooting pictures because they do not last.  I have not counted the number of shots that I have made with these, but I am still on the first set of 4!  It is nice when manufacturers listen to their customers and realize that the items they make are for high energy consuming items.  Next place I will put them will be in my remote keyboard, I will know that they will last a lot longer than others I have used in the past.
I have these batteries in my wireless mouse and in some remote controls and after four months or so of using them, they are still going strong.  I have had to replace one other battery that I put in at the same time of another brand in a similar product, but that is the closest that I can get to comparative usage.  You are not supposed to mix battery types in the same device so I didn't for the comparison.All of the items I am using them in are still acting full power and I am not seeing any problems with them so far.  It is very difficult to tell the difference between the batteries other than this.  They seem to be quite robust, and for the higher price point, they should be.  They are not like the cheap batteries you buy at the dollar store for sure.  I am not sure what the difference is technically but the performance seems to be longer and stronger so far.I would purchase again for electronic heavy usage items.
I'm a diehard Duracell user, there, I said it! But, these Panasonic's are bar none in electronic devices. I was rather amazed to see how much better my wireless components worked and, they're not sluggish, the batteries last longer, and well, life is even more faster now that it was with the Duracells. I'm going to be using these only now for our electronics -there's just entirely too much difference in using regular Duracells when compared to these. Highly, highly recommend!
I'm not exactly sure what a "digital" battery is.  Maybe it is a little different from a regular alkaline battery but I cannot really tell the difference.  These are fine as alkaline batteries go.
good product. As long as they will last till I need them.  Keeping in cold storage till needed. Don't know how a battery can be &#34;digital&#34;
These are good alkaline batteries that I will use over time. Generally we buy large packs of name brand batteries when they are on sale. These purportedly have a long shelf life which is an important feature.  I am sure that these are as good as any but can't say they are any better.
I use rechargeable batteries for 95% of my battery needs. They pay for themselves quickly, are more economically friendly, save me trips to the store and overall are better. They have one weakness - peak power. They don't supply as much power as quickly as alkaline batteries, especially after long use.That is why I keep alkaline batteries around. These Panasonics worked VERY well in my Canon Speedlite flash. Flash photography is probably the last thing I use non-rechargeable batteries for. These Panasonics allowed me to achieve a VERY impressive flash refresh rate - twice as fast as rechargeable batteries.There are all sorts of statistics the various companies advertise for their various brands. I generally don't trust marketing materials from any supplier, or I at least seriously discount them. In the case of batteries though, I don't think you have to agonize over which one will give you 3 extra minutes of run time. These are good batteries - as good as any other out there. Buy these, and take the time saved to spend on other things.
I'm very pleased with the Panasonic brand AA batteries. They are working great for our radios. I do think they seem to last longer than other top brands.
-----------------------------------------------------------------Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital PowerAA Alkaline Batteries (8 Pack)-----------------------------------------------------------------Shhhhhh...!!! I have to write this quickly, and quietly, before the batteries die and before THEY find me. It's dark out -- it's been dark for so long and I haven't seen anyone... human... for days. But my flashlight still works, and while I'm huddled under the tarp and the tinfoil I think I can get this message out before it's too late.No one knows where THEY came from, just one day THEY were there. THEY were everywhere. And the lights, the computers, the buildings -- everything just went OFF. My emergency radio caught the last transmissions before THEY destroyed the radio stations -- first I tried using the hand-crank to power it, but that was too much work, and too noisy, and for a while I was able to use the solar cells, but then night fell, and then I was too afraid to go out, and I switched to the batteries -- the Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital Power AA Alkaline batteries -- and even though I can't find any stations anymore, somehow the ceaseless hum of FM static is still comforting to me. And who knows? Maybe someone will come on the air. I can only hope. In the meantime, I've had the radio on nonstop, changing the station constantly, sweeping the spectrum. Praying. Now I'm switching to AM, to see if anyone's on there. Anyone at all.Outside, I hear THEIR clanking, vast, hideous devices patrolling the streets, so I turn down the battery-operated TV, and cover the screen with additional blankets. No stations there, either, but I keep looking, the dull snowy static acting, strangely, as a tonic, keeping me awake, hour after hour thanks to the Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital Power AA Alkaline Batteries 8 Pack I loaded in just after the first assault leveled Moscow, Paris, Rio and Berlin. I'm missing "Big Bang Theory," but at least here, huddled in the dark, I survive.What was that!? Oh, just a cat. Hmmm. I'm getting bored. Nothing to do to stop THEM now.  The TV, radio, the lights, are all still running (How long has it been? how many hours? days? a week?  how long can these things last?) Oh, who cares? I'm giving up, I'm cannibalizing the Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital Power AA Alkalines and loading them into my Playstation. Our world may have run its course, but I'm going to play Halo one last time.  Take that, you bug-eyed bast*rds!!This is my last transmission.God save us all.Hey, wait a minute... is this thing STILL working?  Wow.
We always keep extra batteries on hand and the 7 year life appealed to me.Although we have rechargeable batteries, we most often grab an alkaline battery for common household uses.Whether it's to run a wall clock or operate a small electronic device, AA batteries still seem to be the most commonly used.These batteries perform well and seem to last at least as long as other brands we've tried.We've found that bargain brands are often no bargain at all.I would purchase these in the future.
Several years ago, in an effort to economize, we decided to switch from "regular" batteries to rechargeable batteries. This meant that every couple of weeks, invariably in the middle of an important project, my mouse would suddenly balk -- and quit. Off I'd go to the recharge station, hoping that whoever'd come before me had replaced the freshly charged batteries with empties, and that said empties had been in there long enough to recharge. More than once, they hadn't. Grrr. And more than once, those in the charger had overheated, leading me to make a quick visual scan to spot the closest fire exit. I'm happy to say those days are over. These batteries work as they should ("Like gangbusters," Dad would have said), last forever (well, maybe not quite forever), and are well worth their cost. No more mid-project breakdowns, and no more worrying about burning the place down. For me, that's a bargain that's hard to beat.
I have a lot of "gadgets" and many of them run on batteries, most often on AA batteries.  Some batteries last in items a long time; other items I have, like the remote for my TV, burn up batteries about once a week.  Because of that, I was eager to try the Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital Power AA Alkaline Batteries to see if they last any longer than other batteries I've used.  So far so good.  They seem to last longer in things like my digital camera, the TV remote (three weeks and counting), and my Flip video camera.  I'm thrilled at the thought of going through less batteries.The Panasonic LR-6GA/8B Digital Power AA Alkaline Batteries do a good job.
I didn't know Panasonic made batteries!  I often shop locally for batteries and have never seen Panasonic, just the typical EveryReady, Duracell, and Rayovac.  I don't remember purchasing batteries from Amazon ever before although I make almost daily purchases from Amazon (316 so far in 2012, 324 in 2011, 193 in 2010, 206 in 2009...) and have never noticed them as customers also bought this.  The Amazon listing says they have been available on Amazon since March 16, 2003; who knew?I was very pleased to be offered these on the Amazon Vine program (lucky me!) and tested them to work wonderfully in every electronic device I tested them in.  I really like the Panasonic name and don't recall ever having a problem with anything manufactured by Panasonic; it is a brand I trust as higher quality and lower defective rate.
They are batteries.  What is there to really review.  I bought them for my fire alarm and clock and they did their job.  I can't believe how expensive gosh darn 9 volt batteries are though, really.
No complaints about these AA batteries.  Reasonably priced, good to have on hand.  Good performance, long lasting.  Not much more to say, they're batteries, afterall.  But I would definitely buy Panasonic brand again.
I have been buying Energizer or Duracel batteries for my wireless computer mouse and I seem to constantly need to be replacing them when I see that ominous light blinking at the bottom of my desktop with the unwelcome message: "Your batteries are critical". That usually gives me a day or two leeway before they go kaput.I did not know about digital batteries until recently. I am pleased so far with their performance, the price is reasonable and I am looking forward to their having a longer life than what I am used to. I like the fact that they've got strength. I am used to thinking of the ones I am used to using as weak. Very weak!So I plan to stick with these and I am very pleased to have learned of them.
Used these in place of Duracell batteries, and they lasted a similar amount of time and performed about the same. Batteries are simple beasts, either they work or they don't and these worked.  Not sure of the "Digital Power" claims, as I did not see any extra life from them.  As reasonably priced Amazon Prime Eligible batteries, these are a nice choice- especially if you are buying something else at the same time.  Why overpay for batteries at the supermarket or make a special trip to Target or Walmart?
Unless one of the reviewers here is working for Consumer Reports, I would regard any high-starred reviews for this product with a bit of suspicion.  First off, these batteries worked fine, but I didn't do a time vs. use comparison for them, then another battery type, etc.  They're batteries, people.  Near as I can tell, they seem to do a solid job in Wii controllers and TV remotes.  If the price is right, I'd say grab 'em.
This review feels a little lame to me, but the fact is the 2 things that matter with batteries are how long they last & to a lesser degree do they leak?As a Vine reviewer I'm supposed to get reviews up in a timely manner, & it could very easily be over a year before I know if these batteries are up to snuff. I certainly have a good history with Panasonic products.My only concern here is these are a bit pricey, so I really hope they have a longer than average lifespan.I will post again when a set runs out of juice & let you know how long they lasted!
I don't usually buy Panasonic AA batteries, instead using either the "copper top" or "bunny" brands, but tried these out for Vine Voice. I've been using them  in the Nintendo Wii controllers, which can really drain batteries if you're doing some heavy gaming, but so far they've lasted as well as any other batteries that I've used.
The big claim for these 'digital' batteries is that they are more carefully made than others so that they can deliver peak power over a longer period than 'regular' alkaline batteries.  I checked out the Panasonic company site and the product specifications do not make any claims for hours of use...nor could they, since temperature and drain play such a great role in battery life.  They do claim a longer shelf life and note that these batteries contain (I think 8) patent-worthy improvements over other alkaline batteries.  Panasonic is a solid brand so I am inclined to accept their word for it.  The package art suggests one use for these AA batteries is in battery powered toys or radio controlled models, applications with a high rate of drain on a stored charge.  These batteries should extend play time or allow for longer use in flashlight devices that use 1.5 v. cylindrical batteries.  My wife has a digital camera that takes these cylindrical batteries and they should increase the number of flash pictures that can be taken in comparison with 'lesser' 1.5 v. alkaline batteries.  With Christmas coming up, having an 8-pack of these seems like a sensible idea to me!
I've been using store brand batteries thinking that they're just as good as the more expensive ones on the market.  But I have to admit these batteries seem to have an added boost of power.  This is my first time using them and admittedly it's hard to judge how well a battery works until you know how long the energy in them lasts.  But I have them in my universal remote and my mouse and both devices seem to be functioning beautifully.  Especially the Microsoft mouse.  Even the little blue light on the bottom appears more brilliant.
I ordered these and after the fact, realized I didn't have any game-specific controllers that could test these to their max. So instead, I am trying these in regular but somewhat demanding applications -- outdoor temperature reader that hooks into my atomic clock, for example, and apps that you don't want to have go down, such as the house thermostat.These seem like hefty, solid batteries, so out of curiosity, I weighed them against other brands I had lying around, but I suppose this was somewhat deceptive! Results:Battery............Ounces...GramsDuracell (fresh)......0.9......25Rayovac (spent).....0.8......24Panasonic (fresh)...0.8......24So perhaps battery weight does not indicate longevity within the AA size.Anyway I may also test these on my Bluetooth keyboard to see if they hold up.
The AA batteries from Panasonic are just as good as any other brand i have used before.I am currenty using them in my flash for my camera, and so far they are holding a charge very well.I have fired over 100 flashes as of this listing and they seem very strong and still have as much power as they did when i put them in.You can't go wrong with this brand and i highly recommend them.
I don't understand the manufacturer's claim that today's digital devices make big demands on batteries. The biggest power suckers are my digital cameras with their auto focus and power zoom motors and fill flashes. My past experience of about 100 photos before switching to new batteries seems the same with these Panasonic alkaline batteries, although these Panasonics do seem to perform better than the no-name brands.
these are batteries, not much to say about them other than they work and are well constructed. Time will tell how they hold up and will post an update once they start to go bad...could be a week, month or year from now, all depends on how long they last. I have them in portable 2 way radios.
I used these in my granddaughter's Leap Pad, and after just a few hours of play, the battery indicator was sounding, meaning I had to change the batteries.  Wouldn't spend more money on these.  I'd just stock up on more of the cheaper batteries cuz these didn't seem to last much longer than those.
Bought these to put into my Multimeter, and so far it has made it for 1 month.  May update depending on how long they last.
Tough to review these, just like reviewing audio cables, video cables, HDMI cables, extension chords, etc. If they fit in the unit you want to power, and they power it, then it comes down to cost per hour/week/year. I am currently using these in a couple digital clocks. I imagine they will work at least a year and probably much longer. These currently cost ~$1 each. Not bad for a year's worth of time, though I'm sure there are cheaper ones to be had. However, I am not going to research that now... I'll be back when these die.
Panasonic is famous for well-engineered products and this one is well-suited for its purpose.  The packaging states that these batteries are made in "Thailand, Indonesia, or Japan."  We would much prefer and wish that at least some of the manufacturing be moved to the USA, since those are preferred purchases (and there are still competitors making batteries in the USA).While we are gradually shifting completely to solar-rechargeable batteries as much as possible at home, these are fully satisfactory for emergency or temporary back-up purposes, such as during holidays.
I really liked these batteries, I used them in a Wii controller, and a kid's remote control car.  Both devices performed flawlessly, and since my son got a new Wii game today, I had the chance to see how long these batteries lasted in the control after hours of play!  I noticed superior performance with the remote control car, as well.  Of course, these are not rechargeables, where you get your biggest bang for the buck, but for regular AA batteries, I was very impressed.
I have used these digital batteries in extra drain type devices like cameras and toys for a while now.  They not only outlast good brands like duracell, but are even a better value right here on Amazon.  One of the things that I use these for is in a baby monitor that forever kept draining down even good quality alkalines and such in no time.  These digital batteries by Panasonic last a good 25% longer in the device than any other we have tried.  I have taken to stocking up with big packages on Amazon that easily take me through a year or more.  They really don't come any better in my opinion.  Highly recommended for your biggest and baddest devices that take AAs... : )
Without a laboratory full of precision test equipment, how does one really properly evaluate alkaline batteries? These seem to work about as well and for about as long as other name brand Alkaline batteries I've used, but they don't seem to have any remarkable special qualities.
Best I can tell at this time is that these are quality batteries. If I find any problems with them, I will update this review. Panasonic is a trusted name in electronics, so that is good. And since they are, it would be logical that they wouldn't want to risk losing that reputation by having substandard batteries. So, I'm satisfied.
I didn't notice that these have lasted any longer than other AA batteries, but haven't really done any type of measurement for it either.  Good price.
We go through AA batteries like mad around here, and even the rechargeables have failed to hold a charge after a year or so (which includes the eneloops, which I'm EXTREMELY disappointed in).  These have been fine, so far, not really any better or worse than any other non-rechargeable AA's.  They have been in a Wii remote for about four weeks of so-so usage.
What can I say?  These are Panasonic 9 volt batteries and they work like they're supposed to, they supply power to my 9 volt battery-needing electronics :)  Arrived on time and exactly as described.
I don't really understand the marketing hype about these things being "digital power". My husband (who is an electrical engineer and knows a lot about such things) says most of the claims on the packaging to make these batteries unique are just simple hype. The fact is, they're batteries. Just batteries. No better or worse than any other batteries, no better suited to certain products than any other battery.
These are good quality batteries, that seem to last a little longer than the Duracell we typically purchase.  I didn't run any specific "tests" so I can't tell you for sure but they worked as described for over a month in my son's game system and have not died or showed any signs of low battery.  I would recommend these batteries, especially since they are cheaper than buying the more popular name brands.
Panasonic makes great batteries, and these batteries are no different. They are effective and long-lasting, and I am happy with their performance.
I used these batteries in a television remote that tends to eat batteries. They have a great lifespan - and seem to be worth the extra investment over cheaper batteries.
These alkaline batteries have been powering my digital camera, and since first installing them, I've taken about 70 photos. Panasonic products are usually reliable, which is the case here. They cost a bit more than others, especially off brands, but do seem to last longer. I'd buy these again for my camera.
I wanted to be overwhelmed with these batteries, but I didn't find anything to make them much better than what I normally use. Sure they work well, but so far, I don't find anything to say about them other than just that. "They work well."
There is not much to say about the batteries except that have lasted well in my applications of a remote control, a wireless outdoor thermometer, and an LED motion light.  Excellent quality, highly recommended!
Between flashlights, remotes, and small appliances, we use AA and AAA batteries the most and always have a ready supply in the house and in the bugout bag. Duracell is our favorite brand, and we usually buy them in bulk packs to save per battery. These Panasonics seem to last as long, but the price per battery is comparable to a much larger pack of Duracells.
Ok, I'm not an engineer, I don't know much about these things. But I do have 2 different battery testers, and I want my batteries to last (mainly, in kids toys, and in my digital camera).I tried some Rayovacs a while back - when I put them in my digital camera, I *literally* took one picture and then the camera died. The batteries weren't dead - but they just weren't strong enough for the minimum power requirements of the camera. I tried 2 different packages, same results. They worked fine in my TV remotes, but my search continued for reliable batteries for my digital camera.So after testing several brands, I have found Energizers to be the best, but also one of the most expensive. I use the digital rechargeables (Energizer E2) and also the digital disposables (Energizer Ultimate Lithium). My camera has been running off the same set of batteries for *months*. Literally, months - probably over 1,000 photos. Most batteries last a week, at best.I do have an objective, semi-scientific method for testing batteries right out of the package. I have two different battery testers (somewhat simple devices). For these Panasonic & the Energizers previously mentioned, they test at 100% out of the package. Most batteries test at 80-90% out of the package. I bought some generics a few years back (Kingston brand), and they tested at 45% out of the package!Also, contrary to some of the reviews here, digital batteries are built a little different. Again, I'm no expert, but digital devices require a more steady current (versus a TV remote, that is used a few times then set down). So the digital batteries are designed for more sustained uses, like camera, MP3 player, etc.Bottom line is I trust these Panasonics, they are working great for me, but I'll probably stick with the Energizers in the long haul (because of my consistently good experience with them). Maybe an engineer or science buff can share some objective testing, tell us all what the best value is for which types of devices.
First, I didn't know that Panasonic made batteries, so I'm glad to be able to try them out. I decided to get the best review, I should put them in my Wii remotes. So far they are working great! I will be happy to up date my review, if need be. But for the price and the quality, I'm a happy camper!
I can only say they lasted longer for me than other batteries I've used in my remote, I'd definitely use them again for devices that rechargeables might not be my first choice.
These batteries are controlling my life right now and doing a great job.  From my wireless mouse, to the remote control, my DVR, toothbrush, and camera.  So far, so good.  These are holding up well considering how much use they're getting.  Good product at a decent price from a reliable name.
Between batteries, many people have either flocked over to Energizer, or Duracell. Mainly, there have been other brands that have been heavily overlooked. Panasonic has had some electronics that have not been as strong as they could have made it. Panasonic has though made some really great batteries. Their digital alkaline batteries have been no exception. They actually work very well, and simply deliver nicely in many electronic devices from CD Players, to remote controls for the television, and smoke and fire alarms. They do work very well, and this is definitely a brand that has been heavily overlooked in no just price, but power as well. This is a great buy for anyone who needs a bit of backup power, without the expensive price to boot.Price: BPower: B 1/2-Overall: B
I cannot tell you how long these last because I have not used them up yet, but they seem to be lasting a reasonable length of time.I have not done any tests between these and other such batteries.
I powered up my Sangean DT-400 portable radio and my TV remote with these "digital" batteries. Is there a difference? And if so can I attribute it to the distinct "digital" quality? The first answer is yes there is an improvement with my remote. My TV wasn't always "reading" the channel changes with the remote's stock Philips AA batteries. Since changing to Panasonic, the TV is reading my remote. Very good, but I don't know if it's because the Panasonic is "digital."As far as the radio goes, it's hard to say anything until I get enough battery time on the Panasonic. Battery life with the Duracels is about 32 hours and I walk my toddlers every day for about 45 minutes, so time will tell.I'll update when I get this information.
I think through the years that I must have purchased Panasonic batteries at some point, but in recent years I have started purchasing both AA and AAA batteries in a larger quantity, because what doesn't use both of those kinds of batteries these days?Most things you use on a daily basis use batteries.  Why I wanted to try these Panasonic Digital Power AA Alkaline Batteries, was to see if by using these batteries, if they would last longer than other comparable AA Alkaline Batteries, because normally I would never think to purchase AA batteries in just an 8 pack.These particular batteries say they are for Digital Power items you may have, but I wanted to see how well they would work in my mobile mouse, to see if by using this battery versus using other AA alkaline batteries, if I would actually need to replace my AA battery less often.I guess you could use these batteries pretty much in anything you would need AA batteries for, because these batteries are supposed to be long lasting.How long lasting these batteries are at this point I don't know,  but to me they are worth a try.
I recieved 8 AA Panasonic Batteries.  4 of them I'm using in my Olympus SP-610UZ digital camera, they have been in the camera since before Christmas and I've taken about 80 pictures with them so far and they are still performing just as well as when I first installed them. I have been using other batteries, and they performed well but if I leave them in the camera they seem to lose power faster than these have so far.  I've never made it a practice of removing the batteries in any of the cameras that I had in the last few years.  Most of them had a designated battery for each camera and the last two digital cameras have used AA batteries, which I find much cheaper than previous ones.  They are available everywhere and since I like to carry s spair set; much less expensive to have on hand.  And since they are so widely used they never go to waste.  I had a Gateway digital camers; my first digital; and had to carry two batteries because their life span as so short I was always charging one and using the other, and they went for over $20.00 a piece.  So far I very pleased with the Panasonic battery preformance and longevity.  If I get both Christmas and New Years out of one set I will be more than happy. The other four are now powering gifts for the grand children.  Two are in a train bought for the youngest, and two are in a game we bought for 8 the year old.  So far they are still running well.  The only reason I'm keeping tabs on them is for my review for Amazon Vine.  If I can, I'll let you know just how long they last.
For a long time I've been skeptical of digital type long life batteries, but it truly does make a difference.  For your high drain electronics like Wii remotes and digital cameras, these are great.  They last much longer!  Panasonic is selling a great product but at a lower price than Duracell or Energizer.  Less high dollar advertising equals great products at a lower prices!  It's the Holiday season, so stock up!
I try to use rechargeable batteries in as many devices as possible, but some devices simply drain rechargeables so quickly that it's a bit of a nuisance to use them there.  These batteries are a performing well in my TiVo glow remote as well as my A/V processor remote, both of which get heavy use and both of which have backlights, which tend to drain batteries quickly.
My digital camera (a canon powershot) seems to be really picky with battery types; some it just won't use. Buying batteries is always a  hassle for me, trying to choose the right type and I picked right with these! Perfect!
These seem to work fine in my two TV remotes, wall clocks, and in my digital camera. I have typically used Energizer or Duracell in the clocks and remotes before but these seem just as good. As to the camera, my Sony rechargables are my first choice (already paid for!) but I'll probably still keep a couple of these in the camera bag as back up.
I have a constant need for AA batteries as do most folks. Kids' toys, innumerable remote controls, mini-flashlights, and so on.I'm compelled to say that these batteries are just as good as the Duracells or Evereadys. I do shy away from "Dollar Store" cheap batteries but these are not of that ilk. Panasonic is a company which I have come to trust and I find that this product meets my highest expectations. I also like the idea that when I buy them, I don't have to pay for all the advertising that goes along with the two major brands.And here's a little bonus for you: If you need AA batteries and all you have is AAA, you can use the latter by just inserting some aluminum foil balls behind them to make them fit in tight. I have done this with my remote controls many times. They won't last quite as long but, in a pinch, who cares? (I ran across that little trick on You Tube.)I would definitely recommend these batteries to anyone.
OK, what to say about batteries - that they fit? These do.Of course a comprehensive review of batteries would demand controlled test conditions and include many other brands of batteries to compare endurance. At least one well-known consumer magazine / organization does that finding recently that lithium batteries outlast alkaline ones. No surprise.Here I figured a decent test would be to use these batteries in an appliance where the endurance of alkaline batteries was rated in a range by the maker of the device. I used a Canon MT-24ex flash unit. The temperature varied only slightly from about 72F/22C. Canon says four of this type of battery should last from 120 to 800 flashes. I used the shutter counter to keep track of the number of flashes. I am now over 800 flashes using the first set of batteries installed so thus the five star rating from me.Note that ultimate endurance of batteries will vary from brand to brand based on temperatures and appliance. While these worked very well for me in my flash unit, they may  not work as well (comparatively speaking) in a different appliance or in a different temperature range. All I can report is what I experienced.
These are good batteries at a reasonable price.  As I write, they are powering my wireless mouse.  They also provide the power for my TV remote control, my LED flashlight, and even the remote control for my ceiling fan.It is possible to give batteries an objective rating in milliampere-hours (mAh), an indication of how much charge they store.  Unfortunately, the manufacturers rarely provide us with that information.  All that I can say is that these batteries seem to work at least as well as any others.
I usually buy the large packs of regular AA batteries but I go through them like water in my off camera macro flash. I started using these Panasonic DIGITAL batteries and they do seem to last quite a bit longer. I no longer have to constantly keep replacing batteries which is a real pain when outdoors in the field trying to shoot wildlife. Insects and animals don't stand still and wait while you change the batteries every other time you're out photographing! I can't say how much longer they last exactly, you would have to have two of the same devices with regular batteries in one and the other with these used exactly at the same rate to tell that but I have found that the DIGITAL batteries do last longer. I tried using regular batteries again recently in my flash and could tell pretty quick they were not DIGITAL AA's. I really like these Panasonic batteries, especially in things you use constantly, I won't go back to regular AA in my flash.
These are good batteries for a good price.  I can't compare to Energizer or other brands in an endurance test, but they seem to be as long-lasting.
In my opinion it's kind of hard to review batteries. I mean, you really need to put them in something that will get an awful lot of (constant)use to give an accurate review. We just bought a Wii and put them in the Motion Plus remotes. Let me tell you, between three people in our family, and the two remotes, they've been getting tons of testing! As far as I can tell, these are fabulous batteries and just might be our new battery choice!
It's really hard to give a review on something like this, unless they plain don't work. Fired my co2/smoke detector right up, but until they fail, I can only give them a 4* right now. Will update. (hopefully next year!)
Thanks to Panasonic and the Vine program for the free batteries, but I don't have much to say other than they seem to work just fine.  I've been using a pair in my XBox 360 remote controller and they've been going strong for a while now.  They seem well made and weren't leaking out of the package or anything, so the only other meaningful way to review them would be to measure their current characteristics and lifespan in controlled experiments and I'm just not up to that.The title of this review is just making fun of the "digital power" marketing hype.  It says these batteries are best for devices that draw a lot of power, but it is non-digital motorized devices like toys and CD players that use the most power, so I find "digital power" to be confusing.  The pictures on the package show non-digital devices like a toy car and a CD player.  So minus one star for confusing me about what these are best for.
I have no complaints about these batteries; I have used them in higher load devices as well as low drainage devices like a clock. No problems in either - though of course it will be a year or so before I can truly judge how well they work long term in the clock!
I do a lot of digital photography with a Canon Powershot SX160IS 16 megapixel camera, and these batteries seem to do quite well in this particular application. I get tired of changing batteries in the middle of athletic activities, so I simply load up the camera the morning of the day the camera will be used. These are good batteries.
This is a good battery at a good price. Buy the 8-pack and save money (four pack is $4.99, eight pack is $9.49) because you can never have too many AA batteries, especially during the holiday season. My only wish is that they were made in the USA instead of three other countries.
Well, they're batteries. There's only so much to say.  But they hold up well in my digital camera, and that probably demands more from a battery than anything else I use. So I'd buy them again.
We go through a ton of AA batteries at our house.  You never know how much you use them until you find yourself looking for them again.  These AA batteries have proven to be among the best that we have used and the last that we had to replace this time around.  At this price they are a real deal.
These work very well in my digital camera. I have aFujifilm FinePix S2950 14 MP Digital Camera with Fujinon 18x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LCDand these work almost as well as my usual batteryEnergizer AA Lithium Batteries 4 count, Lasts 9 Times Longer. These batteries are a great price for 8 of them, though they didn't last quite as long in my digital camera as my usual battery. I'd purchase these again if my usual was unavailable.UPDATE: 12/16/12, for Christmas I had cordless blinking Christmas lights which played music up around the house. Well, after going through 6 AA of the non-digital batteries a day I decided to try these batteries. Wow- I've had one set of these batteries in the lights for nearly 4 days now and they are just now starting to go dimmer. I will definitely buy these batteries again.
The Panasonic name is synonymous with excellent quality products.  These AA Alkaline batteries are no exception.  They last a long time in our computers' mouses, house alarms, and cordless clocks.  Nearly all of us have probably had the unfortunate experience of buying cheaper off-brands, only to find that the batteries don't last as long as the name brands.  That's why we like these.  And we'd like them even more if they were made in the USA (giving work to Americans), instead of overseas.Since this is the holiday season and you may be giving presents that require batteries, be sure to include them with your gift.  As a parent, I know how frustrated a child can be to receive a battery-powered item and not be able to immediately enjoy using it.  By adding Panasonic batteries, you know the enjoyment will last a long time.When Amazon offers these at competitive pricing, stock up on them; they're a great deal.
I like to know that the battery that I am using for my devices is a good one.  There is nothing more frustrating than putting in a new battery and than Pow....it's dead in a few days. I need and want products that are going to serve their purpose well and I really do find it in these batteries.  Like everyone else I use tons of batteries in so many things I use, but the most important to me is my Security alarm. Above everything else they have to work, without question, and before using these batteries I was having trouble with the others only lasting a few days. I replaced all of my security alarms with Panasonic, they have been in for almost two weeks and are still going strong. Yes, they have gotten some use. There are times when you just need to know you have a good product working for you and so far these have worked great.  Of course I have also used some in my many office devices and have been pleased. Great batteries that you can trust to keep going.
I use these in a security camera that runs 24/7 and they last for months. I use the BC1HU charger I got here on Amazon to charge them, which fits all size recharagable batteries including 9v. I swear by these.
We tested the battery life of these against our other batteries of a different brand name.  We tested them using our Wii remotes since we tend to go through batteries the fastest with those.These batteries lasted just as long as the other alkaline batteries of the same size.  There is nothing wrong with these batteries.  From what I can tell, alkaline batteries are all made pretty much the same, so this doesn't surprise me.
I guess i didn't realize that panasonic makes batteries.  We used these in one of those remote control helicopters that we bought.  they provide plenty of power to keep that sucker flying.  I would recommend these.
These batteries remain fresh for 7 years which makes them a good investment for any earthquake kits or storage.  They are also mercury free which is better for the environment when they are discarded.  I was getting frustrated with how often I had to change batteries in my digital camera and these batteries have lasted longer than any battery I have ever used in my camera.  They aren't rechargeable but they are lasting a lot longer than the rechargeable ones I have used in the past.  In fact I haven't replaced them yet in my cameras!  So I am very happy with them.
So far I have had no problems with these, they seem to work fine. I don't know if they work any better than any other battery, right now I am using them in my remote and will update if there is anything noteworthy.
Very happy with the product, as well as the service, which was super efficient! Will shop here again in the near future.
I am a huge fan of rechargeable batteries, especially the eneloop although I have also picked up some Amazon Basics and Duracell rechargeables. There are some products that though that really don't need the extended life of a good rechargable battery, like basic remotes, board games with electronic components like Taboo, and  other tiny things that draw such small amounts of energy. These are also quiet handy for kid's toys, you know the ones they tend to break or leave behind. And finally, for christmas, a pack of these is almost necessary hanging around so when your guests open up their presents and someone forgot the batteries, you pop these in and let them walk away. They're always cheap enough for that, and especially kids just want to use their gifts now.
As do most people, we have several things requiring AA batteries.  Unfortunately, regular AA batteries, when installed, do not last long.  However, in the case of the Panasonic, rather than die in a matter of a couple of weeks, the Panasonic Alkaline AAs live on for much longer than that, sometimes a month or more.  Well worth the extra cost, they are ideal for use with toys, automatic shower cleaners and similar uses requiring long-lasting power.
I love my few-year-old Sony DSC-H5 digital camera. It's light and compact, has excellent ergonomics, takes great pictures and is immensely capable, with manual exposure and focus capabilities that satisfy all of my creative demands when I decide to venture beyond "point-and-shoot" photography. The only thing I don't like about it is that it eats batteries. Fast! I first thought something was wrong with it, but then I found out that its short battery life is a generic problem, and that it may be in the software that calculates the battery state-of-charge rather than power-hogging in the camera itself. Regardless, batteries don't last in the DSC-H5. I gave up using the Sony Rechargeable Cybershot batteries that came with it, and Energizer rechargeables that I've tried are no better. They drain incredibly fast just sitting in the camera, and go totally dead (at least the camera thinks so) within about two days. Fortunately the camera takes standard AA batteries, so I just haul along eight or 10 regular alkaline cells when I'm on a photo outing. A set of two is only good for about 25 pictures, but that's still much better than the rechargeables.So what can I say about these Panasonic Digital Power batteries? They're standard AA alkaline cells, like all the other ones on the market, and they work about the same as the others, as best I can tell--no better, no worse. I didn't conduct rigorous life tests of these batteries compared to other ones in my camera, but based on my first impressions, I conclude they'll work fine. If they turn out to have exceptional longevity after I've used them for a while, I'll post an update. But, advertising hype aside, I think batteries today are pretty much commodities, and there is little reason other than price to choose one brand over another.Also like other batteries today, the package does not have an expiration date. I found the "Use Before" dates very handy in the past, but I guess the manufacturing companies figured that was too much valuable information for consumers, so they stopped providing it. Also, if it matters, these batteries are made in Thailand, Indonesia or Japan, according to the package, and not in China, amazingly enough.You should consider purchasing Panasonic Digital Power AA batteries if you can get them for a competitive price. I tend to buy whichever of the top two or three brands is cheapest whenever I need them, and Panasonic will be on my short list for future purchases.
These batteries have been used in various household applications and everything seems to be working strong even after a couple of months. Panasonic isn't a brand I use often but I decided to try it and I'm glad I did.
First and foremost, there IS A DIFFERENCE between the performance life of these "Digital Power" batteries versus standard alkaline batteries.  We noticed at least 50% greater life in our Wii remotes with the Panasonic Digital Power batteries versus Energizer Alkaline batteries.  As an added bonus, Panasonic is selling their Digital Power batteries at a lower retail cost than the comparable Energizer or Duracell batteries.  Based on price and performance, we consider the Panasonic Digital Power batteries a PERFORMANCE BEST BUY!
It's always great to have fresh batteries in the house, and I've been pleasantly surprised by these Panasonics. Normally I think of Duracell or Energizer as my main battery brands, but I had read some good reviews of Panasonic batteries, so when I was given the opportunity to try these, I did. They work just great. The only thing I can't comment on is their longevity since I just started using them. So check back in a few months and I will try to post an update.
I have often been curious about the claims made for the various batteries. I decided to do a test on the brands that I happened to have on hand. Most were bought on line from Woot or directed from Slickdeals to a good price. I did not happen to have the most common brands, regular alkaline Duracell or regular alkaline Rayovac. The test was done with a Mini Mag light, not the LED but an old one about 10 years old. It uses 2 AA size batteries.I put in the batteries and turned on the light and let it go until the light was too weak to be of any value. Then those batteries sat overnight and I turned the light on again. All of the  batteries had recovered enough to give "roughly" an hour of additional light. The times listed were a combination of the original time and the additional time after they sat overnight. This is my less than scientific results:REGULAR NEW BATTERYPanasonic Digital Power LR6-GGA/8B  1.5v :  7 hours and 20 min.AC Delco Super Alkaline  1.5v :  7 hours and 15 min.Maxell Alkaline LG6  1.5v  6 hours and 40 min.RECHARGEABLEEnergizer Rechargeable Nickel Hydride  1.2v :  9 hours and 40 min  ( battery was about 2 month old )Rayovac Rechargeable NiMH  1.2v :  5 hours  ( this was a battery that was 2-3 years old )Duracell Rechargeable  1.5v Mercury and Cadmium Free :  1 hour 5 min.  ( this was also 2-3 years old )There are likely many ways to check battery life, turn on and off often, let recharge themselves often, use in other devices such as joy sticks, etc. The results I found are only the results of the stay on until they were dead test.I was surprised that the rechargeables lasted almost as long as the regular batteries and that the Energizer was the best of all.  As far as the review on the Panasonic, it was the best of the regular batteries, but not enough to really matter. Price might be the prime consideration. If I ever get the regular Rayovac or Duracell, I'll try them as well.
So far these are entirely fine batteries, doing what they need to do and lasting well, hence a 5-star review for them. I do admit to being tempted to knock that down to 4-stars for the use of "Digital Power" in the product description. There's nothing distinctly "digital" about these batteries, that's just marketing terminology going in to play. And, frankly, I got these batteries over any other kind just out of curiosity to see if the "Digital Power" bit had any real meaning. Still, batteries that do the job and work fine--no complaints. We'll see sometime off in the future if they they really have lasted longer than the batteries they replaced. So far, so good.
Panasonic's digital power batteries hold their power and have a much longer life than when I attempt to use traditional alkaline batteries for my audio and visual needs, particularly with my digital camera. The 8-pack has outlasted similar packages of AA alkaline batteries I've used in the past, and at a more affordable price than similar lithium batteries.Panasonic claims that the battery uses high purity compounds to create a better battery. While I cannot speak to the makeup of the battery, I can say that I've been pleased with the performance of the batteries.
There isn't much to say about batteries aside from whether they work or they don't.I don't keep enough logs to know how often I'm using these for the purposes I put them to (XBox Controller Batteries, TV Remotes, etc) but they appear to function as intended.To be honest though these batteries seem a bit overpriced for what I'd normally pay. For $9.28 (what they're at right now) I'd think I should get a few more since other vendors ask about that for 16 batteries. Unless this dropped to around $6 I wouldn't even consider it and that still seems like a lot for what you're getting.I'd avoid this and go for a better value.
Just batteries...They worked fine and then I tossed them. What more can I say? Buy them, they are good value for money.
Well, I have cycled a couple of sets through my digital camera, and another pair I put in a halogen bulb flashlight.It's hard to accurately grade small battery performance outside of a structured test setup.  The exception would be "cheap" batteries which give it up quickly right out of the package or after very little use, or leak inside of your device (often ruining it).  These Panasonic "Digital Power" Alkalines are definitely not in that category. No leaks, and good strong performance right out of the package.However . . . I've noticed nothing remarkable here compared to other leading name brands of alkaline batteries.  The digital camera has DEFINITELY not went any extra distance with these Panasonics.  The flashlight has had a little moderate garage use, but has an LED lamp, so it typically goes a long time on whatever batteries I have in it.So maybe the "Digital Power" tag is a bit of marketing hype?  4 stars.  There is nothing wrong with this brand, but it seems to be just keeping up with the herd at best.May I add a personal speculation that, although Panasonic's specs no doubt require these to be well built, there remains the possibility of variance from package to package.  I say this because of the curious manufacturing information on the package, indicating that the batteries were manufactured in Thailand, or Indonsesia, or Japan . . . and packaged in the U.S.A. Hmmm.  Various images come to mind.I price shop batteries.  I avoid outright junk no matter how cheap, but also will not pay too much for a brand just because it runs better TV ads.  I've found the top brands of alkalines to all perform very closely (no matter which celebrity is endorsing which).  These Panasonics are certainly good batteries and if (and only if)they stand up to my value pricing criterion, I'd purchase more in the future.
They seem to work really well in our Wii remotes.  I don't any any scientific or unbiased means of testing that these actually last longer than any other batteries, but they seem to be lasting a bit longer than usual.  I'm not sure if we're just playing a little less or they really are lasting longer, but it seems I usually have to replace batteries every couple of weeks and these have been in for three weeks now..
Executive summary: I've had a sudden spat of leaky batteries.  Maybe Panasonic can do better.The leaky batteries include ones that came with a Gerber flashlight and were rebranded as Gerber.  More disturbingly, two different sets of Duracell.  One set was in a wall clock, the other in a cordless mouse.  Duracell is OK about replacing things, but also was patronizing by implying that the leakage was due to trying to recharge the ruined mouse. I've been fairly loyal to Duracell for about 20 years, but am finding myself open to try other brands.It's hard to review batteries.  These are the right size, the right voltage, and haven't leaked.  The other ones, the ones that leaked, sat around for years before they failed.  Time will tell.Five stars (for now) because the batteries are doing exactly what they are supposed to do.  One little drip from any of them though...
Based on test results using digital cameras published in Consumer Reports, Panasonic Digital Power batteries performed essentially the same as their nearest competitors, Eveready Gold and Rayovac.  That's the good news.  The problem for Panasonic, however, is that Eveready Gold AA alkaline batteries cost only half as much and Rayovac just 60% as much.  While Duracell CopperTop batteries cost the same as Panasonic, they outperformed them 223 camera shots to 195.  Based on either cost or performance, Eveready Gold, Rayovac, and Duracell CopperTop were found to be better buys than Panasonic Digital Power.
...but, are they better than say Duracell batteries? I've been using these to power an LED camera light and so far after a few weeks of use, the are going strong. So, that makes them good batteries. If they end up seeming to last longer than expected, I will update this review.
This is a very easy to use, lightweight camera.  I wish I had bought one years ago.  The pictures are very crisp and true to color.
I'm a person who needed Basic Camera Use 101 and Cameras for dummies so my sister bought me a Canon Sureshot for Christmas fifteen years ago. I liked it so much I replaced the old one with this current model - although the old one was still going. It's extremely user-friendly and near-impossible to take a bad picture with this great little camera. Forget the more expensive models - for the average tourist or family shutterbug, this is what you need. Great value for the price and it's also very forgiving. I slammed mine around a lot like the idiot I was but it's like a Timex - keeps on going. Highly recommend. Makes a great gift
This camera is great for people who perfer film over digital. I bought it for a photography class and liked it so much I use it everywhere. Its size is ideal for fitting into any pocket. It has exelent zoom. It winds your film automaticly when putting the film in, after taking each exposer and winds all the way back once you have taken the last picture. The flash and shutter can easily be ajusted. You are able to set it so the date and/or time will be printed on the negative. It includes a timer which can release the shutter 10 seconds after pushing the button. Great for vacations or any other occasion. Uses any kind of 35mm film.
I bought this camera for my mother, who is not able to do digital.  The picture quality is great.  For anyone wanting a film camera, you can't go wrong with this one.
I am not a professional photographer. However, I do like to take pictures.  I primarily purchased this camera because of its zoom feature. I've owned Canon products in the past and have been satisfied with them, but I was wanting a camera that would allow me to zoom in on objects and people if I wanted. The Sure Shot 115u allows me to do that. The camera also includes all kinds of other features including a dating feature, timer, and optional flash. The camera has a whole on the bottom that allows one to place it on a tripod if one so desires. There are also many other features on the camera, but I haven't owned it long enough to figure out what they all are. However, in the time that I have owned it, I've found this camera to be quite useful and the rather inexpensive price I paid to own it a bargin.
Wonderful camera.  Everything we wanted in a film camera and more.  Would recommend to anyone.
work good ! got these for  my camara  they are holding up so far ! I use these as a back up
this product was very reasonable compared to the same batteries at 10.00  they are just for the camera I have. great buy will buy again
I like to see the stuff`s performance that I bougt. In this case I think this batteries have a good performance and a good price.
I bought these batteries about 4 years ago, and they are still working well!What else you need no know?
I bought a pair of Nikon NiMH rechargeable batteries for my Coolpix 2100 camera in May.  The first time I used it, it was very good, but soon after it discharged quickly.  By the fifth time, after one snap shot, the camera started to show the low battery symbol and it took a while for the camera to re-charge and re-shoot again.  The result was many lost opportunities to take any good pictures.  I just junked it, and bought a pair of Panasonic NiMH rechargeables and worked perfectly since.
So you say you want to get those follow shots, trucking shots without zooming, or Hitchcock zooms but simply do not have the money for a professional dolly? This is your solution! It's cheap, fits almost any tripod (excluding tripods with really large footprints unless you don't fully open the legs), rolls easily over hard surfaces and carpet alike, and even has brakes on the wheels for steady shots. I think this is such a cool little setup, and the shot options it can give your video for such a low price really makes it worth while. I personally have one large heavy tripod for still shots and a medium lighter tripod that I leave attached to the dolly (the dolly will add stability to a less well built tripod), and I find it really gives me lots of possible options. If you are even considering dolly shots in your pictures at some point and time but wrote them off as impossible or simply decided to freehand them, buy this and you'll find a cheap option to make those shots professionally and easily!
We were looking for a cheap way to shoot some dolly shoots. The tiniest imperfection of the floor transmits to the camera and vibrates same. One of our guys is trying to adapt fat, soft, wheels to this to see if that modification will improve things.
Wish I had learned about this nifty little accessory years ago.  This is a perfect add to my photography studio.  I use it for my tripod.  I'm now able to move quickly and into different positions while still keeping my camera steady for each shot.  I also love to shoot free form as well but for those shots that require my tripod this dolly is a HUGE HUGE help!  I know longer have to pick up my tripod every time I want to move backward, forward, or side to side.  Now I can glide on the swivel wheels very quickly and easily into the position I desire.  I also love the fact that the dolly is easy to fold and open and very portable.  I recently used it at a church event and fell in love with it even more.  Very handy!  I have not attempted to use outdoors yet but I imagine that it will work great on flat surfaces.
Good but it does not move smoothly.Price is good and acceptable performance.The wheels moving and sometimes does not go in a straight line
Convenient but one of the points that secured the tripod cam loose trapping my tripod leg in.  Had to use paper and crazy glue to reattach
Its easy to use and easy to carry because it has a handle.  It's fairly sturdy too, just as long as you don't use it for a foot rest.
Well built and a good price.The stock wheels transmit every little bump to the frame and thus, your camera. Out of the box this dolly is for convenience in moving equipment, not for performance during camera-in-motion shots. I intend to change out the wheels for 6" pneumatic casters as Andrew did in his video review. Seems like an inexpensive modification which still keeps the price low compared to other packaged solutions.
This product is nice. The construction is solid, and the wheels are heavy. But don't be thinking that you're going to get jitter-free shots with this dolly on older hardwood floors or unpolished concrete. Any imperfection in the surface will be visible in the frame when the wheels roll over it. But it's cheaper and easier to set up than tracks, and for the price you pay, you can get acceptable to very good moving shots with this dolly on smooth solid surfaces and on some carpeted floors.
I ENJOY USING THIS DOLLY OVERALL.  IT'S NOT TOO HEAVY, BUT WELL MADE.  THE WHEELS DON'T ROLL AS FREE AS I WOULD LIKE ON INDOOR-OUTDOOR CARPET, BUT IT'S A KEEPER.
I have found the Tiffin W3 dolly with 3 inch wheels smooth rolling over grouted tiles,easy adjusted for different tri-pod sizes.
my experience was better than expected. the order was filled on time and the product works flawlessly.
Has a strong build, but is it sensitive. Don't get me wrong, it does the job, and long as you're not trying to move too fast with it, you should be fine. As most other reviews say, only good for smooth, even surfaces. I used it in my kitchen with linoleum flooring, ever so slightly raised simple square pattern design, and yes, you could notice how this made the video playback jump or seem bumpy. On second thought, when testing this again, same flooring and moving a little slower with it, was much less noticeable. I think the camera stability control took care of any uneven bumpiness. Using a canon vixia hf s10; not revered for it's image stability control, but at a slower pace it works.This thing is great on tiled wood flooring and carpet. For carpet, I tried two different kinds, one very smooth, short haired - worked great; and the other, little thicker and more coarse (plus the dogs tore it up so there's some scratched up fibers, rough patches, etc) - worked very well. Granted some of the thicker rough patches gave it some tiny trouble, but not much.Bottom line, you get what you pay for. Don't expect miracles to be made with this thing, but it's good for small productions and/or student work, long as it's all on smooth surfaces. If your camera has stability image control, slow down the speed of your tracking shots a little, and the stability control should take care of the rest.
You can't beat a dolly for this price and quality. It's like buying a dolly from Wally World without Wally World's quality.
It arrived on time and in brand new condition, just as advertised.  I have used it a couple of times and it has performed well.
I absolutely love this dolly.  It sets up quickly/easily, and has a sturdy hold on the tripod.  The smoothness of how it rolls and distributes to the camera is excellent for the type of wheels it uses.  I've successfully used this dolly at weddings on the dance floor and carpeted churches, and so long as you move the tripod and dolly with ease then the video looks nice and smooth.  Make sure your tripod is sturdy and has a tight head to prevent camera shake.  Naturally floors with grooves or a lot of dips are going to cause shake, so unless you want a dolly with tires and traction control, this will deliver. And you just can't beat this price for the build quality; I bought this expecting something cheap that I would eventually need to upgrade, but 2 years later and it's still going strong.Update:  2013 - 2 years later and still working great!
The wheels have lumps that cause the video camera to jump very slightly as you slide.  Not good for professional looking shots.
Itz a dolly! With that said it is pretty nice to have. This is about as simple a dolly to use as possible, light weight, breaks down really easy and has itz own carrying case! What can I say, I'm looking to put some milez on these wheels. All in all a good, solid investment.
This is terrific for holding your tripod stable, and allowing you to move it easily.  Here are my pros and cons for this product:Pros:SturdySteelEasy to lock tripod legs inFolds and easy to storeMake moving tripod around a breezeGreat for panning shots over super-smooth surfacesCons:Don't try moving shots over anything bumpier than smooth glassWish wheels had a little more give so that every bump isn't transferred to the camera; maybe something like urethaneThe price changes are all over the map!That's about it for the cons, but not being able to do panning shots is a big disappointment.  However, the portability *almost* makes up for it.In summary, get it for its construction, but be careful about the surfaces you want to roll over while shooting.  Your videos will look like you're nervous.
The dolly wheels are very good quality and the shipping was very fast!I highly recommend it!
This is a light weight, but sturdy dolly.  It is perfect for light studio use on boom stands and tripods.  It Can support 30-40 lbs with no problems.  The large soft wheels provide for smooth movement over cracks and crevices.  Be care when rolling over cables.  Most of my boom stands and all of my tripods open wider than the dolly stand, which introduces some instability for top heavy loads.  Also the foot operated wheel locks are a bit awkward, but more than serviceable and nowhere near a deal breaker.Overall, the quality of the build is consistent for the price. I do not recommend this dolly for video use although it would work well on a smooth surface.
This is an excellent unit.  It is pretty easy to install and operate although I have to confess that I haven't really used it yet!
Because of the low price I was hesitant to get it at first. After reading the reviews I decided to go ahead and get it. The quality is very good, it is simple to install on your tripod and turns same into a professional studio tripod. I have already used it in a studio session (I don't think outside would be where you want to use it)and wonder how I could do without it for so long.
It is what it is cheap, inexpensive, it has wheels it rolls, what do you want. It works. Go for it !
Quite happy with the product, very sturdy, excellent wheels, well worth the trouble for anyone who does video and is on a budget. Will it stand the test of time, only time will tell.
Hello Dolly,Where have you been all my life?This is a well made and easily set up.Makes moving your camera and tripod effortless.The wheels lock firmly into place making your tripod very stable.When the wheels are unlocked by the touch of your toe the dolly rolls really smooth...I wont set up without it.Nice Dolly / Nice Price / Way better than strapping on roller skates :)
I like the Tiffen Universal Folding Dolly with handle.  However, it doesn't come with a carrying bag which &#34;sucks&#34; because all other sellers I've researched &#34;the Ravelli&#34; offer a carrying bag to safeguard the dolly.  And, makes it some much easier to transport.  I also found a lower price for the same item.  So, I'm a little disappointed with the purchase, but more than satisfied with the quality of the tripod dolly.
This is the second one of these dolly's I've ordered, and i was very happy with the first one. Nice and sturdy.  But when this one arrived, it was a totally different brand. I didn't bother sending it back as the one I got worked just fine.
This product was far more than I expected!  It is very durable and is a very nice product.  I was shocked at how great the stand was.
I have spent a lot of time looking for a simple and easily portable dolly. Tiffen, Opteka, and Ravelli all make affordable dollies but they all lacked one option any camera operator needs for a dolly, pneumatic wheels. I was impressed by a product called the "Orbit Dolly" but the price is ridiculously high (starting at $1700). The "Orbit Dolly" is the only dolly I found that had a pneumatic wheel option, and it's an extra $300 option at that. That is way to expensive for such a cheap to manufacture part. So I set out to buy an affordable dolly and add my own pneumatic wheels.There are two main differences between this dolly and the "Orbit Dolly". First, the "Orbit Dolly" has interchangeable wheels. You can switch the wheels from a hard acyclic to a soft pneumatic rubber for use on both hard and Carpeted surfaces. Second, the "Orbit Dolly" can be calibrated to move in a circle or arc around the subject your are shooting. Those are both nice features but hardly with the $2000 proce tag.The Tiffen dolly is easily capable of mimicking the "Orbit Dolly" (minus the adjustable arc setting) with one do-it-yourself upgrade. I didn't want to or really have $2000 to spend on what to me is a very simple piece of equipment. So I ordered this dolly with the intention of adding pneumatic wheels. I began to hunt the internet for a company that sold pneumatic casters that would be compatible with this dolly. I found "Caster City" located in California. Now the casters cost $100 dollars more then the dolly for a combined price of $200. But it's worth the difference in price between this and the "Orbit Dolly".After I ordered the wheels I went to the hardware store and purchased three 1/2 chrome plated nuts, three locking washers and three regular 1/2 inch washers along with a 1/2 inch drill bit for drilling metal.I removed the original wheels, pushed the tripod leg locking brackets back about an inch and drilled out a 1/2 inch whole where the original wheels used to be mounted. Then I placed the locking washer on the new casters, ran the 1/2 by 1 and 1/2 inch threaded bolts of the new casters through the whole and placed the regular washer on threaded bolt and tightened the 1/2 inch nut onto the bolt. It works perfectly and now I can use the tripod on both hard and soft surfaces with out having to worry about the dolly bouncing or hopping on different surfaces.The dolly is light weight and made mostly of aluminum and some plastic. The legs expand and lock into place with a spring mounted pin for two of the legs, the other leg is permanently locked into place. The legs easily collapse back in to place by releasing the locking pins. The center of the unit has a handle for easy portability and storage.I highly recommend purchasing this dolly as well as adding the pneumatic wheels. I do not regret it, and I will be purchasing at least one more of these dollies which I will also upgrade.
I haven't messed with it a ton but in my preliminary shooting tests I found that this product was decent.  I say this because I do not have carpet but wood flooring and every crack seemed to cause a shake when moving.  Lucky for me I am finishing my basement and have some floor padding that I think will resove this...but I paid $20+ for that.  On Kitchen tile it seems fine.The wheels and setup before you start pulling have to be planned or it goes out of control...but that is just something you have to get used to...Once all these things were in place I did get a nice smooth roll inside.
Unfortunately, I didn't see where it said "Adjustable to fit most tripods."Doesn't work with Libec tripods, at least not mine.
I thought that this tripod dolly would be very shaky and bad but it turns out to be better than a manfrotto 127 vs which is $192. although it is very bumby when the floor has cracks in it the manfrotto is worse. And it is easy to set down cardboard or cloth on the ground to stop the bumping. I reccomend this for transport and for filming motion without a shakey camera.
I wasn't expecting cinema-quality with a $30 dolly, of course, but this thing could be a lot better.Pros:Cheaplightweight and foldaablefit's most tripodsEasy to use brakesgreat for locked-off shots in a studio setting, as it's fairly useless when moving.Cons:Due to the tiny wheels, this thing will almost definitely introduce shake on all surfaces.  Even smooth studio floors or hardwood, there will be noticeable vibration in your shot.On pavement or any rough surface, it is completely unusable and you will find yourself lifting it.Does not allow much vertical adjustment of your tripod, particular if your tripod doesn't have a center column.Easily tipped over.
I have a large commercial studio-- if it weighs a lot -- PUT IT ON WHEELS--I have purchased  6 of these for rolling video platforms and boom Speedotron heads
I bought this for my camera tripod and just completely loved it so far works great on carpet tile floor, i will soon be testing it out side to see how it does in any case I think it will do fine, but if not i will be back to tell let you know...
Bought this dolly as I was tired of constantly picking up my tripod for fine adjustments, and carrying around.  I work in a large building, and being able to just roll my equipment around is a big help when having to go across the building.  I can just mount the tripod and camera, hang my bag under the tripod, and roll it while my other hand can carry any large and bulky items.  Great price, VERY sturdy.  Highly recommended.
Bought the Olympus D7AC adapter for my new SP-600UZ digital camera; plugs straight in, no other cables needed. It is NOT a battery charger, rather a CAMERA power system. Very useful during the learning curve/familiarity period, when camera may be ON for extended op's and test shots. Also great for computer-hookup operations and downloading. Comes in two(2) pieces, easily separated for insertion into camera bag. Does everything as advertised, an essential accessory. Save those batt's for cordless! (Adorama Camera & Amazon were GREAT!)
Good quality AC adapter that is almost a must have if you use your digital camera often. Good thing to have.
I've owned this product for 5 years and it does just what I need it to, powers my various Olympus cameras while I download to my computer and while I delete photos from my camera and saves my battery from discharging during these procedures.  Cameras with rechargeable batteries require the particular charger for that battery.
I thought this would charge the camera, I made a mistake and didn't read the reviews.  I think I'll stick with E-bay now.
I bought this thinking that it would charge the battery, but it does not. It is only for powering the camera to save battery life while downloading pictures to you pc or while printing. i guess that you can also take pictures while its plugged in. Why would you need something like this? It doesn't seem like a very useful product to me.
I purchased this as an accessorry for my Sony DCR-TRV38 camcorder. It's got a long life and a neat battery check function on it. However, it is on the bulky side and extends the overall length of the camcorder when attached. One nice thing is that the viewfinder on the camcorder extends to accommodate the longer length. Sony really should have made this standard, as the included battery is woefully inadequate. It may be of interest to note that I needed to purchase a separate charger ($100) to take advantage of the quick charge function.
It has worked very good until now very good excellent quality, is what I expected for this item all very fine
In all honesty - the charge on this battery lasts FOREVER lol. I used my camcorder to record a basketball game (so say 2 hours), plus our vacation, lets add another 2 hours, I still had MORE than 4 hours left of charge!!!! Amazing capacity! Highly recommeneded!!
When fully-charged, I generally get 380 minutes out of the battery, or just under 6 1/2 hours, and that is with the LCD screen open and recording continuously.  With the AVC-Q50  AC adapter and power charger, this battery can be fully charged in less than two hours.  With this battery in my bag, I never have to worry about running out of power on the fly.  I keep the original battery that was included with my camera in my bag as emergency backup, but I have not used it yet.  In fact, generally, this long-life battery will last through 2 or 3 shooting sessions before needing to be recharged.  For some, this battery may seem expensive and cost-prohibitive, but it has also made the $50 cigarette lighter adapter/charger unneccesary.  If you can, pick this up, and avoid that horrible moment of watching your camera battery die at the worst possible moment.
This battery has more recording time than the DVD discs that I use in my camcorder.  It will outlast the disc, and that is a first for me.  In the past, I would have to stop and change out the battery in the middle of a recording session.  I no longer have to do that...
I wanted a battery that would last me all day using my camcorder, this is it.  I couldn't ask for anything more.
Impressed with the amount of battery life this has.  I also like the Juice meter.
7 hours of battery life (using DVR230), outside battery meter and lightweight design. It cannot get better than this!
Great deal for the money. I get about 4 hours of recording time using the lcd screen on my HDR-UX1. I don't even bother with the standard battery anymore.
I have been using it for the past many years and love this batter for the extra power it provides. Without this the normal battery might last may be upto 30min only. Worth buying for $50 and its the best price I was able to find online.ThanksKiran
Highly recommend this battery.  It is a excellent addition to the standard battery that Sony provides with their camcorder.  I find I get more than 250 minutes battery life every charge.  This is including using a light and flash that draw from the same battery.  When the battery is not attached to my camcorder you can touch a button and a power level display shows you the amount of juice in the battery.  Very handy when its in the bag and I'm trying to figure out which battery to use.  It is a bit larger than the standard battery, but doesn't create to much weight or bulk.Highly recommend this battery.
I can't say enought about Sony, if it has the name Sony on it its great. The battery holds up very very well, I've had one for a very long time and wouldn't change to any other name.
The battery that shipped with my Sony DCR-TRV18 just did not have enough capacity to last very long while recording. This battery gives me much more recording time. With two of these, I feel quite confident that I will never run out of power when recording without access to AC power.I feel more comfortable buying the SONY batteries, than "compatible" batteries that come from who knows where.
Not much to say here. Great batter, works well, lasts a long time. 5 stars
This was great value for the money! It solved my problem of constantly running out of power when I was in the middle of filming something important with my children!
I am new to camcoders. I recently brought Sony HDR-SR1 from amazon, I knew that battery which come with camcoder is not going to be sufficient so I ordered this along with my camcoder and I am very happy with my decision, Now I dont have to worry about running out of battery the whole day and can shoot either day. I gives above 250 mins of recording time.But do remember this looks little bit odd on camcoder as it sticks out of it due to its large size but that really doesnt bother me personally.
An additional large capacity battery is an essential purchase to replace the inadequate batteries supplied with most mini-DV camcorders. This battery is the best of the bunch, providing great battery life without being too bulky or pricey. Sony's other batteries are either too large (e.g. the QM91D) or don't last long enough to be worth the additional expense (e.g. the FM30 or FM50).Moreover, if you are willing to pay an additional $150 for the Sony AC-SQ950 Quick Charger, this battery can be charged in under an hour! Highly recommended.Notes: (1) Don't confuse this with the older QM71. The &quot;D&quot; is important (no on-battery power indication or Quick Charge without it). (2) Be sure your device takes an &quot;M Series&quot; battery. Sony has several lettered infoLithium battery &quot;series&quot; (e.g., the super small &quot;C Series&quot; for compact digital cameras) that all tend to look alike in unscaled online product photos, but batteries from different series are NOT interchangeable.
Maybe this will be of some help to the few of us that own the Sony HDR-UX1 HD camcorder.  After quite a bit of trial and error(cost me about $10) I have determined that this battery will work on the HDR-UX1.  Shortly after buying the camcorder a few years ago I looked for an extended capacity battery.  I did not have any success then, and was forced to get another standard battery to supplement the camcorder use.  This camcorder has not been a favorite to many, but I have found it to take fantastic quality recordings with equal quality sound.  The negative is its rapid consumption of disc and power.  This battery should vastly improve the power issue.
I have a Sony DCR-TRV33, it has a very short battery life with the one included.This battery is a must. Don't think that would be an event that would need more that what this battery gives.I would be good if Sony offers a battery/charger combo that is a little cheaper.
This Sony Camcorder battery lasted for 2 weeks in Europe without recharging and it still has some life left in it.  Also, it was almost half the price of Best Buy.
I bought it 6 years ago. Still works like a charm. It turned out to be very wise small investment.Helps person who forgets to charge camcorder frequently...
I have a SONY DCR-TRV730 camcorder and I have short time with the original battery FM50, around 1 hour of operation.This battery NPQM71D is it magnifies, I have gotten about 4 hours of operation.Now I am recharging the battery with the original adapter / charger of the camcorder; in the future I am considering to buy the quick charger for this battery, because it delays time in having full charge.All product SONY is very good; I recommend it
I used two Celestron Omni 6mm's and one Meade 6.4mm eyepieces for comparison using my Celestron 70mm Travel Scope.  For looking at a star, there is a slight difference;  the Meade has a little less distortion - small spikes that radiate from the star as you closely focus.  BUT, when looking at terrestrial landscape, which I do a lot, the Meade has much less distortion (almost none) between the edges and the center.  The Meade has much better field of vision and slightly better eye relief.  These differences would show up when looking at the moon or sun (with filter).  Even though they are both Plossel eyepieces, there is a definite design / quality that makes the Meade a better eyepiece.  The difference in magnification is pretty much negligible.
It works well, nice and clear. I feel it is a good value and a great addition to my modest set of eyepieces.
Good value for an eyepiece. It works well, the magnification for the price is a good deal for an entry level eyepiece.
Bought this and several others to complete my telescope set. I have an omni XLT 127.  They're very clear during day use but for star gazing they are average, but they are worth the price. But before buying any telescope equiptment I recommend doing a lots of research and get some hands on expierence and visit some observatory before buying, this is an expensive hobby,and you can discover that you wasted lots on money for nothing. ask yourself how often will you be using these things, lots of people buy things and after a few weeks they end up in the closet. Buy, theyr'e worth the bucks. That's my review.lattiketpatan
i looked every where for this eye piece and it was always expensive when i received your item i was amazed that it was better than the pricey ones thank you
THE OUTER PORTION OF THE LENS IS BLURRY SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR OBJECT IN THE EXACT MIDDLE TO SEE IT BEST (ALL SO THAT'S IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO GET IT FOCUSED). THEN ON TOP OF THAT THE PRODUCT THAT I RECEIVED HAD VERY DIRTY LENSES(FINGER PRINTS AND DUST/DIRT). I DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER CLEANING IT, JUST RETURNED THE ITEM. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY JUST SPEND A LIL MORE MONEY AND GET A BETTER QUALITY EYEPIECE.
I'm new to astronomy, but I'm satisfied with the eyepiece.  It's light years better than the &#34;SR&#34; and &#34;H&#34; eyepieces that were included with my telescope.  Definitely a good deal, and I'm happy I bought it.
I love this lens. Moon never looked more bright! I recommend it. Great price to boot. You will be happy.
I bought this eyepiece to use with my 4.5" f/8 Celestron telescope, but I also have a 10" f/4.7 Orion telescope. I have found that this eyepiece works well in the slower scope, where it gives bright, sharp images.  However, it is not up to the task in my faster f/4.7 scope.  In the faster scope the view is on the dim side and a lot less sharp.  I wish I had bought a 32mm Orion Highlight eyepiece rather than this one.
If you are upgrading your eyepiece collection DO YOUR RESEARCH! There is really nothing wrong with these eyepieces - they are well made and do the job well enough. Every astronomer has Plossl type eyepieces in their collection because they are good inexpensive EP's, but there are many kinds and differences. One thing to look for is Field of View, this is how wide of an area you will see through the EP - the wider the better. The Omni series is about 43-45 degrees but many other brands offer 50 to 55 degrees for only about $10-$15 more and it's worth the investment, otherwise you may end up spending more money in the long run trying to find the right eyepieces. You should also look for "eye-relief", that's the distance of your eye to the eyepiece required to see the whole field of view, again, the bigger the better. The more powerful the EP the less eye relief so you just have to accept that. Do internet searches for "Plossl eyepiece review" and plan ahead.
I recently purchased my 1st telescope, a 5" reflector. The widest eye piece it came with was I think 20mm and the sighting device (star pointer I believe it is called) is very hard for me to use, perhaps thanks to being far sighted.So I purchased this to get a wide view to have a better chance at finding what I'm looking for.Wow, it has a super-wide and bright view. It feels well made. I don't know much about this stuff, but at the moment this is my favorite lens.
This eyepiece arrived before estimated delivery date.  It is a nice quality eye piece with wide field of view. It has extremely long eye relief which can take a little getting use to, but in the end is an advantage. With my meade  lx50 10inch sct. 2500mm focal length when using a solar filter, and looking at the sun I can see the entire disk of the sun to give you an idea of its field of view. Nice clear view, and very inexpensive eyepiece.  Well built.
This eyepiece performs well for the money, with good contrast and sharpness. It does, however, vignette considerably  in all of my scopes and will not show deep sky objects as well as more expensive brands.
Celestron's 40mm Omni is not a bad eyepiece but its field of view is almost 10 degrees less than Celestron's Omni 32mm eyepiece, so they both give approximately the same view except for an increase in magnification with the 32mm.  I purchased both of these and I never have any need to use the 40mm.  The 32mm is also cheaper.
I wanted the widest eyepiece I could afford that I could use with my Celestron Omni XLT 120 refractor. I purchased the 40mm version first before buying this thinking I will get the widest view because of the longer focal length. The 32mm eyepiece has an apparent field of view of 50 degrees whereas the 40mm has a 43 degree view. I had overlooked this but waited for both the eyepieces to arrive so that I can test it myself and compare them both in my scope which has a 1000mm focal length.Both of them are pretty sharp but start getting slightly blurry towards the edges which is expected for eyepieces in this price range. The 32 mm has a slightly wider view than the 40mm. This might be because of the 1.25 inch format of the eyepieces which restricts wider views beyond a point. That's why it makes sense to go for 2 inch format eyepieces which have larger openings for wider field of views provided your focuser supports it. What I noticed was that the 32mm's slightly wider view was also slightly more magnified than the 40mms because shorter eyepiece focal length translates to more magnification.I tested it in clear skies last week and the Pleiades cluster still doesn't fit into the field of view with the 32mm but it still provided bright crisp views almost to the edges. The star cluster just spills outside the field of view but note that my scopes focal length is 1000mm which is not a wide scope.The finish and build of the eyepiece is very good and the rubber eye cap is excellent and very useful if you wear glasses like me. Even otherwise, it acts as a shield preventing stray light degrading your image. The eye relief is good as well.The conclusion - the 32mm is a clear winner here and I don't understand why Celestron would even offer a 40mm version in 1.25 inch format. I am going to be returning the 40mm and I hope this experience helps others in making a decision if they are confused.
Very nice eyepiece, wide field of view. This is the one to use if you are looking for a wide field of view without too much magnification, well suited for faint large objects (eg Andromeda galaxy, Orion nebula etc).Used it on both my 114mm and 127mm Celestron EQ reflectors.Works quite well also with the Celestron 2x Barlow, increasing the magnification (to an eqiuivalent 32/2=16mm eyepiece) while maintaining a nice wide field of view. Five stars.
el lente se adapto muy bien a mi telescopio celestron y asi puedo observar las constelaciones con mucha claridad y nitidez lo recomiendo
This is an excellent low magnification eyepiece for 1.25 focusers. The Exit Pupil is HUGE! The quality, heft and weight are well beyond the extremely low price for an entry level Plossl. Celestron's Omni line is an excellent choice to step up from inexpensive Huygens, Kellners and other sub-par eyepieces usually supplied with a new scope.
This is my go to eyepiece when I get my scope out. Nice wide field of view and very clear. The rubber cup keeps my eyeglasses from hitting the hard plastic. Good price, great value.
this is an excellent eyepiece for less than 40 dollars, a real bargain.  The views with my C11  of Saturn and its moons, Tethys, Dione and Rhea were wonderful.  The contrast is excellent and the aberrations off axis are quite good.Overall a real performer..
I am a new (self teaching) astronomer who made the jump from a tiny cheap beginners Dobsonian to a reflector with an equatorial mount (I got the Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope). The learning curve was steep and I still don't know how to properly polar align it but I am enjoying tinkering. I point and shoot and so far have seen Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. I compared this to the eyepieces that came stock with my telescope and this thing is leaps and bounds better! It is relatively a wide field of view which just means I can see a bigger piece of the sky to help get oriented with my target. It is heavy and well made and the images come through crisp and clear. I have fitted it with my lunar filter and my Celestron Omni 2X Barlow Lens still manages to give a better image than the cheap standard ones. If you are too poor to be a fancy astronomer but still want to have some good parts I recommend this one!
I  can't tell the  difference in performance between these Celestron Omni's and my set of Meade plossl  4000's.
This is a 1.25in barrel, 40mm, 4 element Plossl design.  It has a 43 deg. Angular Field of View and  31mm of Eye Relief.  I found this lens to be bright, with a flat field, have good contrast, and excellent sharpness.I would recommend this lens.
I picked up a Celestron 21024 3" tabletop reflector, hoping to get my feet wet in backyard astronomy. The scope actually turned out quite nice, but with its short focal length, the effective magnifications even with a 4mm eyepiece were pretty low. I tried some other barlow eyepieces, none of them would even focus.The Celestron Omni barlow worked great on that telescope, and I was actually able to make out the bands on jupiter using the barlow, a 12.5mm plossl, and the celestron 21024. I was pretty surprised. If you have the celestron 21024, you'll want this barlow.
If you are the type to spend hundreds on your eyepieces, you may or may not like this Barlow, but for my beer budget use on a Celestron 90mm refractor, it makes a nice addition to my current 25mm and 10mm Celestron eyepieces. I really like the view through the Barlow and 25mm, but it is still quite usable even with the 10mm for 180x magnification of the 900mm focal length. I don't think more magnification would be useful with my current scope and eyepieces.This obviously a fairly non-professional review, but casual stargazers are unlikely to be disappointed.
I did notice a very slight reduction in light when using this lens. Be that as it may, I used it when the stock 25mm lens my telescope came with, and pointed it at the moon. It looks as if you are flying in orbit over the moon. It also brought out Saturn rather nicely as well as the various star clusters that I found.
Bought this because the 3x barlow that came with my powerseeker 70 was a piece of crap. This is a lot better quality and much more useable than the 3x was.
I've been an amateur astronomer for over 25 years. This is a great barlow and the first time I've used one. My wife and I used this in our 6" f5 Celestron Reflector (f/l 750mm). It provided great views with a 26mm lens inserted into the barrel of the Ring Nebula (M57), Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and several other deep sky objects. Even the moon looked great! With the 5mm lens, which was probably overkill, made us feel as if we were right on the moon itself. Of course, when jacking up the magnification this high the image quality isn't as great or as sharp (this is normal when using higher power). For the price, this is an awesome item! Can't wait to get the 3x version.
I ordered this to use with a Celestron C 90 spotting scope in the same order which is non functional so far.
chose this rating because the product is very good agree with the requestingI like for qualityI recommend it to any client interested in astronomy.
I like the way I can see things wut the new lens, but it is not the greatest thing.  I'm starting with Astronomy and for this reason I wanted a vey basic telescope (which I received like a present few months ago).  The lens are helping me to see more deep, but since this is a very basic equipment, you should not expect high quality stuff.  This is why the lens are ok, not the best, because it's not possible to have the best with basic equipment.
This Barlow lens does exactly what it says, it makes things 2x closer, and it does a pretty good job. It fit perfectly on my Starblast.
I haven't been able to crack the code on getting it to focus correctly.  It's probably just me but it doesn't seem as straight-forward as it ought to be for something that is supposed to magnify the objects by two.
This is a good value for the money.  It made a very basic telescope much more useful.  I would buy it again.
this barlow is insane! I bought a Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope and shortly after bought this and it's so powerful it's unreal! ... I use my 4mm lens with this barlow and I can see into the moon to the core of the moon and some old dinosaur bones that are fossilized there it's a much purchase for any weekend astronomer
Very nice 2x Barlow, very sharp and a definite improvement over the cheaper 3x Barlow that comes with the Celestron 127 EQ and 114 EQ telescopes. No noticeable chromatic aberration compared with the cheaper Barlows.  On the Celestron Powerseeker 114EQ (no. 21045, fantastic optics btw, for the price) I use it combined with a Celestron 9mm Omni eyepice to give me a sharp 4.5mm equivalent magnification. With the $33 Celestron single axis RA motor drive installed and humming along I can see the two main bands on Jupiter very clearly, and two additional fainter bands. Five stars for the quality of the optics. Very much worth the $42 (on Amazon) investment imo.Edit: To see how well it works, see the pictures I posted on the right ...
Literally, the piece sits between the scope and the intended eyepiece. The lens arrived in fine working condition and allows a nice clear image.
This is a nice way to double the number of eyepieces you have at a decent cost. I'm only an amateur star gazer but the Celestron Omni 2X Barlow is glass, it's coated and works well for me.
I have a Celestron Astromaster 70 which I struggle with the tripod...I bought this lens thinking it would bring things much closer...the Celestron already came with a 20mm and a 10mm so its the same with de 20 x2 but much darker and with the 10mm its hard to get a clear image with the moon...I will try with saturn which I have spotted before and see if I can come closer with this lens.
Very clear and super pretty looking. Feels really good and sturdy. The optics are crisp and it is very easy to use. It totally enhanced my view of Saturn to the max.
Didn't rate this 5 stars yet as I'm yet to be that impressed. I have a Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope and bought both this and the zoom lens for clearer viewing. Unfortunately, I still cannot get a clear look at the objects I've been trying to identify (I have very clear viewing of the night sky from my northern MN country home). Once I get the sky align up and going perhaps it will tell me what this one object that keeps appearing is. Maybe not..... it definitely isn't round....
After purchasing this barlow my night viewing of the stars and planets have doubled.Good value too! Will be looking for Venus and the Full Moon soon when the weather gets better in our area.
I bought a super duper cheap Barlow lens when I first started backyard astronomy to go with my super duper cheap beginners telescope. I wanted to be sure I would be dedicated to this hobby before spending lots of money. After I knew I had caught the stargazing bug I knew I would need to upgrade some parts. This was one of the first items I upgraded and it is excellent, it doesn't seem to distort the images and is quite solidly built and easy to use.
Just a novice and from reading amazon reviews, this was recommended. It does its job, 2x zoom to any piece, and I couldn't be happier. :)
This item arrived ahead of schedule and the packaging was done nicely.  The product itself fits well and seems to be of good construction.  Haven't really had a chance to use it much due to the weather.  There may be some slight loss of light when using this but not a significant amount..  Hope to get into some gazing at the stars soon.  I do recommend this product.
promptly mailed... doubled my telescopes current lenses and very well machined components.you could even say this product and the service was... wait for it... STELLAR ;)
I think I prefer my telescope viewing WITHOUT a barlow lens. The things was literally not enough of a benefit to be lugging around with all the other stuff I have. I don't recommend this barlow, as the lens was actually not prefect and slightly distorted the image I would be looking at.
Users who don't know what they are doing, or talking about, is really getting on my wick. It could be a review on spoons or the latest electronic device, but this explains the long amble to my final remarks on the Celestron 2x Omni Barlow in this review.Observational astronomy has been my avocation for 33 years with hundreds of dusk to dawn sessions, and thousands of hours at the eyepiece.I am afraid that most people who purchase a Barlow lens have performance expectations that are naive, or are trying to correct the mistake of having purchased a telescope whose f/ratio is so low as to make any high magnification observations disappointing. An f/4 telescope is fine for observing deep sky objects in a wide field of view. An f/15 refractor is best suited for planetary, lunar and binary star observations where high magnifications and high contrast images are required.As we move through a range of eyepieces from low to high power what does the user notice most? It is the eye relief. The eye relief of a 32 mm is long enough even to use glasses. But as we drop down to 6 mm, 5 mm, and 4 mm the eye lens becomes very small. You must move in so close as to sometimes touch the eye lens with one's eye lashes. If you wear glasses, they must be removed to get close to the eyepiece. Now any malady your eyes suffer from are uncorrected. This may introduce chromatic aberrations, serious astigmatism, &etc;, to the telescopic image.Of course there is the telescope itself. The best instruments under good atmospheric conditions can, at best, employ 50x to 60x (power) per inch of aperture. Further magnification is called "empty magnification". Why? Because you have already reached the theoretical resolution limit of the telescope. More magnification reveals no more detail. The image just get bigger, darker and fuzzier.For instance, a 4" telescope will have an optical limit of 240x. An 8" telescope can theoretically achieve 480x. But there are so many variables to consider. Is the scope a Schmidt-Cassegrain, a Newtonian (is it a long or short f/ratio?), is it a refractor (long or short f/ratio)?  What are the seeing conditions? An absolutely clear sky can have horrible "seeing" (unsteady air) which causes any planetary or lunar image to go from sharp and crisp to a blob. You can throw those dictums of theory right out the window!The typical introductory scope will come with "run-of-the-mill" eyepieces of 25 mm and 10 mm that are not of high quality. A Barlow will make flaws in poor quality optics stand out like a sore thumb. If it was not a good eyepiece at 10 mm what can you expect when it is a Barlowized 5 mm?But we purchased a trusty, magical Barlow with the hopes of seeing Neil Armstrong's foot prints on the moon with our Barlowized 2 mm at 750x! Is it any surprise that novices are quickly jaded with the hobby altogether out of ignorance, or perhaps lay the blame on their new, shiny, slick Barlow?Barlows come in 2x, 2.5x, and 3x. Some are absurdities at 4x or 5x! Barlows are used to extend an instrument's focal length. But in practice their primary function is to obtain higher magnifications with low power eyepieces while still retaining the low power eyepiece's eye relief. This maintains comfortable viewing with high magnifications even while wearing glasses. Remember my earlier comments regarding eye relief and glasses wearers? Barlows are not intended to be used with the entire range of eyepieces in your kit.A Barlow's performance excels with eyepieces from 32 mm down to 12 mm. That Barlowized 12 mm is now a 6 mm, but retains the eye relief of a 12 mm. 12 mm or 10 mm eyepieces are the absolute end-of-the-line for employing a Barlow and to expect any degree of visual integrity. Beyond that range and you are just playing with your toys and abusing them at that! A Barlow is a tool of convenience not a magic wand.Yes, this is a review on the Celestron 2x Omni Barlow.My neighbor just got his in the post today. He lent it to me to test. I compared it with a 60-year-old original Goodwin Barlow, an early Parks Barlow and a Unitron Achromatic Amplifier. I compared a full range of Unitron Orthoscopics, a set of K&ouml;nig wide-field eyepieces, and a set of Vernonscope "limited edition" brass Brandons which use special glass that is hand selected. Brandons are the favorite eyepiece among professional astronomers.The telescope was a 100 mm, f/15 Unitron refractor with an objective lens manufactured by Pentax for Unitron. These Pentax objective lenses are considered to be Unitron's "jewels-in-the-crown" objectives of perfect quality.What did I conclude? That Celestron's Omni 2x barlow was spot on, with no problems or errors even at the very edge of the field. What errors did become apparent were with high power eyepieces that shouldn't be attached to a Barlow. EVER! For the most part, it was the quality of the eyepieces that was being tested more so than the Omni Barlow. The eyepieces in question being pushed beyond their operational limits.The Celestron 2x Omni Barlow is a beautifully crafted Barlow. Its only flaw being the price is too low for the quality, if that can be considered a flaw.So if you have problems with this Barlow, it ain't the Barlow's fault.
I wanted to see Mars and a good look at the rings of Saturn. I bought this hoping I could. However, the make and aperature of the telescope you have makes or breaks this lens. It is not a magical looking glass. It did magnify Mars.. so I was able to see a larger white light. I have a Celestron telescope.. but a low end.
For $35, you can't go wrong.  It fits perfectly on my Celestron Powerseeker 60AZ.  This really helps with planetary and lunar viewing.  I'll update this review after trying it on a more powerful telescope.
Bought this lens as an amplifier for my ETX-90 Meade telescope. It has worked well and i would recommend. Can't wait for the summer to get out and continue using it during my observations of the stellar sky!
The comparison to the cheap plastic one that Celestron inclused in most of their scopes below a thousand dollars is astounding.  The first thing to realize, is that a Barlow significantly limits the brightness of whatever it is you are viewing. The cheaper the quality of the barlow, the dimmmer and less detailed the object will be.  Now, if it is the Moon, or Jupiter (and that is IT!) you will be O.K. with using the 3x Barlow that came with your tube.  However, if you have the ability to compare this with the cheapo one you will understand right away the difference that glass optics in a fluted metal tube can give to plastic optics in a plastic tube.  The fine details that were missing are now visible once you fine tune your focuser.The only step up from this, is a big step.  Very big. If you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a Barlow, but still have 70-80% of the benefites then this is the one to get.
For the price of these pieces I think they work as expected. I've had other filters that were about the same price and the image quality is similar. The image shown on site is incorrect however, you'll get a neutral density filter and red/yellow/blue.I actually use the neutral filter the most, it works great for Jupiter because Jupiter is so bright right now that you need to tone down the light a bit to enjoy it completely. The neutral filter is a must have for planetary viewing if you don't already have one.
I bought this set because it was cheap and included the basics.  I couldn't have imagined how useful four filters would be.HOW TO USE: Basically, choose the filter which is the color the object you're viewing is not.  So if you're looking at Mars, use a blue filter; if you're looking at the Moon, use the gray filter; et cetera.You can also stack filters, because they not only thread into the telescope but to each other as well.  I sometimes use two filters for exceptionally bright objects.Especially very bright objects such as Jupiter look so much better if you use a filter.  You can really see the details.  And for exceptionally bright objects like the Moon, it makes viewing not only more pleasant in terms of detail but because the Moon is so intensely bright it's very difficult to see it through a telescope without a filter.It can be very hard to tell which filter is which in the dark, so I suggest you mark the case somehow that can tell you the difference when seen under a red light.
First of all, the the picture on Amazon is incorrect.  I hope they fix this soon.  This filter set actually includes these 4 filters: Orange #21, Light Blue #80A, Deep Yellow #15 and ND-25 Neutral Density .  You can verify this from the Celestron web site itself (look for part 94119-10).  Overall, these are very good filters, but after using them a few times, I'm not sure that they improve my viewing much, so I stopped using them.  The only one I still use occasionally is the 25% neutral filter which helps when viewing a full moon.  There's nothing wrong with this set in particular, but I wouldn't recommend filters in general for most users.  Most of us don't really need them, except for the neutral (gray) filter.
My son-in-law is just getting into astrology and the moon, as they just moved to a condo on the 38th floor.  He is super excited to try this out.;
What you actually get is a dark blue, red, dark yellow and grey moon filter.Dark filters dont word well for f/5 telescopes.I am returning this set.
I only had a telescope for a short period of time when I realized I really needed some filters (especially one for viewing the moon) and this has been a wonderful starter set for me.
these filters from Celestron are different colors than what is indicated in the picture, as another reviewer noted. The kit I received has a yellow, red, blue, and a grayish light limiting filter approximately 25-30%. Overall construction is solid and glass is clean and clear. I love looking at the full moon with the red filter, as it looks a beautiful orange. The blue filter brought out the bands of Jupiter well.
I purchased this set about a month ago, and must first say that the picture included does not represent the actual colors of this set, which are much more vibrant, not muted as it may appear.  Contruction is very good for the most part, I gave the product 4 stars instead of 5 because the yellow filter glass is slightly loose within its metal frame, and hence makes a bit of noise as it shakes around.  Certainly doesn't affect usage, and is completely unnoticable when inserted into an eyepiece or diagonal.  The threading on all 4 filters was smooth, and easily screws into a wide range of products, not only those made by Celestron.  On a good better best scale, I would put these in the better range.  Certainly better than some bargain filters, but also no Lumicon.I would certainly recommend this set to anybody.  It is high quality offered at an excellent price.  A similar set offered by Orion at the time of purchase was more expensive.I aimed to review the construction and quality of this product, rather than provide an actual observational review.  People buying astronomical filters already know what they are looking for.
I'm no expert, but these fit the bill for me! Helps immensely with the Neximage 5 MP imager. I also bought the complete set later, but these did the trick until I could.
DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM CELESTRON.I made a mistake thinking I got a deal, after getting problems adjusting the lens to compensate for my near sightedness, I had to spend the $$$ to buy a NIKON 8x WATERPROOF binoculars for my trip to Alaska.  The Nikon did a MUCH better than job, furthermore the return policy with Celestron pretty much tells you what they think of their product, (WORTHLESS)Any company willing to make you pay a high premium to return their defective product for service is telling you the REAL worth of the product you purchase.  If you cannot buy a NIKON, get a VIVITAR.My opinion, stick to binoculars with FIXED magnifications.  8x and a pair of 16x should be all the binoculars you will ever need.
After reading so many good reviews for these binoculars, I feel almost  like I'm trying to burst everyone's party balloon by writing my review. But, this was my experience with these binoculars, and I have a suspicion that I'm not the only person who has experienced basically the same problems as I did. I wanted to get a small set of zoom binoculars to carry in my car. But, after reading a number of articles that recommended avoiding zoom binoculars, I was a bit reluctant to spend much on a set. I saw a small set of used Nikon zoom binoculars in a pawn shop, and when I looked outside with them, I found that they worked quite well, keeping in mind that a set of binoculars with small objective lenses will have some limitations. Since I wanted to keep the cost low, I decided to buy a set of these Celestron zoom binoculars to find out how well zoom binoculars would work. I sure was disappointed when I got them! At the low magnifications (about 8 to 10 power), they worked quite well, with a clear image. But, once I started zooming in (from about 10 power), they quickly started going badly out of collimation. The collimation was so bad that the binoculars were essentially useless beyond 10x magnification. The seller (not Amazon) said that they could not warranty them (even though they were defective when I got them), and that I would have to contact Celestron. To make a long story short, trying to get warranty (even when the binoculars were defective when I received them) was going to cost me the price of shipping them back, PLUS another $25 for inspection & return shipping. At that rate, I would have spent just as much to get them repaired & returned as what I spent when I bought them (essentially doubling the price to me). Celestron doesn't seem to put customer service high on their priority list, and it took some effort to get them to agree to making good on the defective binoculars, without me having to put out more money. BUT, I then found out that this particular model has been discontinued, and that Celestron couldn't replace them since they had no more of them in stock (I guess they must not have wanted to repair them). So they sent me (after about 3-4 weeks of "haggling" with them) a set of their NEW MODEL (Celestron 72121 Electric Power Zoom 8-24x25 binoculars), as a replacement. According to what they told me, this new model has a MSLP of $200. When I finally got the new set (of what I thought was going to be a better quality set of binoculars), I found that they were defective too (right out of the box). The collimation was okay up to about 20x magnification, at which point they became like the old set's problem. But, worst of all, the new ("improved") model has the cheaper grade of prisms (Bk7, versus the BAK4 that were in the first set), and the new model was impossible to get in focus at almost every magnification! My recommendation to prospective buyers of small, zoom binoculars is this: If you really want a small set of zoom binoculars, then put out a little extra money and buy a set of Nikon or Pentax (or another high quality company) binoculars, because both this model, as well as the new Celestron 72121 Electric Power Zoom 8-24x25 binoculars are (in my opinion) absolute junk.
Best for insects viewed 8-9 to 30 or so feet away. Highest powers most likely to "shakes" in hands at longer distances. Excellent in limited ways.
I'd give it 3 stars if it cost more. You get what you pay for and with lenses that amounts to light transmission. The higher the magnification the lower the light. I used these in a developing country where nights are moonlit and daytime landscape colors are eerily similar and found distant objects very hard to make out, especially in low light. You can see it's there, you just can't always make out what it is. Still a good purchase though, its pretty rugged.
The quality of this product is very good.It has high quality optics and nice design.Also it is so easy to use.I bought 2 for my kids but I am using this binocular quite often as well.Very good choice for the price.
Received these as a gift for the times I need binoculars.  Trips and ordinary use.  Great value.  Sturdy.  Strap is thin but that is not significant to me.
I wanted to buy a pair of binoculars for sometime without spending much money because it was just for hobby..and to play around. Also i wanted a compact set with zoom function so that i can zoom in if needed. After looking at many different ones and their reviews/prices, i came across these for $15. The reviews were decent so i decided to buy them. Just received them and played for sometime. Since these are my 1st binoculars, i cant compare my thoughts with an ideal or more expensive ones available. But here is what i think about these:- at 8X zoom, Clarity and magnification is good. I could read boards far away that i couldnt even see with naked eyes.- At higher zoom, as others have mentioned, the image becomes slightly shaky, but not bad at all. I supported the binoculars on my face on one side and stabilized with hands on the other. The magnification at 24x is not too significant as compared to 8X. But it was better. Also the image becomes dull but i could still see if there was enough day light. So people complaining about shakyness is not a big issue.- The binoculars are very compact and comes with a nice carrying case.For $15, it is a nice toy to play with and see objects that would be hard to see otherwise.I am going for a short trip tomorrow and will take these. I am sure it will be fun to have them. Overall these are good. Dont know how significantly different the nikons are but these are almost 10 times cheaper than Nikon eagleview. I am happy overall.
I built my own telescope and used celestron optics. I would recommend these babies. Small, lightweight, zoom functions well.Just be careful of the knob for this.
Compact, and lightweight with good coated optics. Well made. Only 25mm, so field of view is limited at 1000 yards. Easy to focus, and the texured surface makes it very comforable to grip. One needs a steady hand to avoid shaking as power is increased above 10 power, and which decreases the field of view. Soft carry case is a plus-saves more weight. Moderately priced. Very good value for a high multi power binocular.
Small, water resistant and an 8 to 24 zoom view.  The strap is kind of thin and can get annoying after a bit but I replaced the strap with a more comfortable one that I removed from an old camera that I no longer use.  The slow-moving center focus wheel could also use a rapid thumb adjustment trigger.  As mentioned in other reviews, the view narrows quite significantly as you approach X 24 and the view does get darker but you still have a great field of view for the buck.  Overall when compared to many other pocket-sized binoculars that I have tested, I rate Celestron's pair as a definite five.
We bought these and mailed them to Boston Law School for an auction.  We have no idea how good they are but the buyer told our friend they work very well.
These binoculars are great, they look really good and are easy to grip and fairly compact.These binoculars provide a crystal clear, surprisingly wide view (for a 25mm) at 8x. You can zoom in a little and still have a good view, but zooming too far (closer to 24x), the image gets very narrow and dim. At 24x on a partly cloudy day at noon I could barely see anything at 24x, possibly in very bright light it would be better. This seems to be the case with every zoom bionculars I've ever tried - which is why I went with Celestron, I figured if anyone can do it right they can.I'd still have to give it 4 stars because at 8x the image is spectacular, but I do have to critisize Zoom in general in binoculars. If you want the option to zoom in you're probably better off carrying 2 separate pairs, one 8x and one 16x or so, and swapping them as neccessary.
Most binoculars require the user to remove their eye glasses to get anything other than tunnel vision through them. With those ordinary binoculars, I get either small clear image (just my and my glasses), or large blurry one with the binoculars only.The Celestron Outland is one of a few models that have a very long eye relief value, which means they are designed for your eyes to be farther away from the optics. The eye pieces have adjustable cups that can be expanded out to hold the optics the right distance away from most people, and the cups collapse down to accommodate eye glasses.CON: Somewhat heavy. Lens covers are a bit of an annoyance, with three separate covers to remove and put back on. One of them keeps popping off on its own.PRO: I can see things with these!
Powerful, compact, rugged and affordable.(I have not tested if they are waterproof, but I can testify that these are definitely rain proof). I like the attached front lens covers and twist-up eye cups. The rear lens cover can improve, though.There are binoculars out there with crisper lenses, but at 3x the price.I don't know how Celestron manages to produce such quality products at such low prices, but keep on doing what you're doing!
These are the binoculars I carry when I kayak, canoe, or raft. They've been in and under water in the far North Pacific, the Atlantic, the fjords of Southern Chile, Lakes Superior, Ontario, Kabetogama, Yellowstone, and a lot of smaller ones, as well as deep under the Green River and the Colorado River. They're still completely functional. Good optics, good feel in the hand. If you have any interest in bird-watching from a boat, these are what you need. And the price is decent. One word of advice, based on experience; stick to Nikon, Canon, and Celestron, and avoid Bushnell like the plague.
the optics aren't perfect, but they're acceptable for normal daytime viewing.  you'll notice some degrees of chromatic aberrations expected at this price range.  long eye relief provides comfortable viewing without removing your eye glasses.  i'm happy with these binoculars.
We have been looking for a good pair of lightweight binoculars that wouldn't put us in the poor house.  These are the ones!  They are lightweight and easy to handle.  I would recommend them to anyone!
Really good quality binocular with features found in very expensive models.  The eye caps stay attached, via hinged straps.  I wear glasses and like the fact the eye cups rotate out of position and don't just fold over.  I am very impressed with the clarity of the optics.  I also have a pair of Steiner Marine binoculars for use while we're sailing.  These fill the bill for high quality, toss in the suitcase, keep in the car, use everyday binoculars.No downsides at all.
But not as good as I had hoped it would be. Probably wouldn't buy it again.
I bought these as sort of a spontaneous purchase. I have other binoculars, but these are my go to binoculars. I like them.
I bough these to replace my older Meade and Exakta binoculars which require collimation now (image from 2 lenses don't overlap anymore so all objects appear double). Celestron Outland provides great images during day observations (landscape, birds) and when looking at night sky (nice view of moon, can see more stars and some nebulas).Pros:- impressive optics with great clarity- compact size for its 10x42 magnification and field of view- long eye relief, good field of view (315 ft at 1000 yds)- adjustable 2.25"-3.0" distance between eyes, suitable for many face sizes- eye caps are attached via straps and don't get loose- focusing wheel adjusts focus at must faster rate than on other binoculars, so only slight turn in wheel is usually enough to set focus and fine adjustment takes just couple seconds- I've seen these binoculars in a local store where they underwent months/years of wear-n-tear and abuse by testers and they still have nice overall look and lenses still stay aligned so images for both eyes overlap fine for nice 3D picture.Other:- 2 sets of straps - one for carrying case and one for binoculars- small microfiber cleaning cloth included (removes dust and fingerprint smudged)- soft neoprene carrying case is think but it's just a soft case so I'd not drop binoculars to the bottom of 10+ lbs backpack along with other stuff.
definitely big boys, these things are large. Good for the range, but you gotta keep a steady hand or use the mounting bracket which I haven't done w/ a tripod yet.
I like these binoculars and was impressed with the quality for the price. The magnification was good. I would have to agree with others about using a tripod to view with these. They are heavy and a bit cumbersome but great quality for the price.
These binos came somewhat un-collimated by my estimation.  After reading several other reviews I discovered the screws underneath the handgrips.  Only took me 2 min to adjust one screw and it made a world of difference in the image coming in so crisp, these binos will blow you away as long as you can get them leaned against something sturdy or a tripod.  When they are completely still and it is clear outside and DARK you will be amazed.At this price the 15x70s are totally worth it because of how deep you can see into space.A few drawbacks are just pure cosmetic flaws, somewhat to be expected with this price, as follows: Tripod adapter flimsy, however following another reviewers advice I filled the sides with plastic epoxy and reinforced it very well.  Other flaws include flimsy bag, but glad it even came with one.Buy these now and start watching the sky, I've even seen some things moving around up there, I guess I am to believe these are satellites of human origin, who knows.
Great optics let down by poor quality control and cheap tripod adapter.The Binoculars are very heavy with good optics. But the magnification is high and with that it is almost impossible to hold it steady. Also without any easy finder it was hard to narrow down region of sky. Maybe I could have mastered that with some practice.Anyway, I mounted it on a tripod as many reviewers recommended. Once the wobble of tripod adapter stopped I looked through the telescope and saw double stars. Collimation was slightly off. I did not want to take a chance messing with it even though on Google there are several sites that will tell you how to do that.Looking at zenith was impossible with tripod as I had to bend my neck at 90 degree. Without tripod I had to sleep on the ground but could not hold it steady. The only plus side was daylight viewing was pleasant where you do not have to raise to binoculars more than 40 deg and are looking a bigger object such as buildings or birds.I ended up returning it and now looking for rich field telescope with easy finder around 400 mm focal length.
I got these binoculars after reading great reviews about it. I have nikon 10 x 25 too, bought these for star gazing. But  I see everything double with these binoculars ( two stars, two trees besides each other when actually there is only one). I do not have any such problem with Nikon. Even after trying all adjustments on this one, it didnt work. Think unfortunately I recived a defective pair.
Good field of view and magnification.  They were a little heavy and awkward to hold for a long period of time, I ended up returning.
I bought these binoculars on a lark, and it was a very pleasant surprise. They seem to be well made, and they focus well.The weight is heavy enough that a tripod is needed, so I also bought aPolaroid 72" Photo / Video ProPod Tripod Includes Deluxe Tripod Carrying Case + Additional Quick Release Plate For Digital Cameras & Camcorders, so that I could leave the binoculars permanently attached.Looking at the stars or just at the neighborhood has proven entertaining. I'm anxious for spring when I can do some bird watching.
Clear views and a great design/manufacture. A 5 star product in this price range, but had to give 4 because of the flimsy tripod mount included. If you really want stable picture from a tripod, take a suggestion and get a metal mount. Cheap plastic &#34;extras&#34; are just that... Cheap
I've had this Sky Master 15x70 Binoculars from Celestron for about a month now since I've decided to pursue my fascination with astronomy. Before I started actually doing any backyard/amateur astronomy I have been listening to podcast i.e. astronomy cast and reading the book night watch by Terence Dickinson and they advice the use of binoculars for beginners. Although they advice to start with a 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars since it'll be eaier to handle and not much shaking I took my chance and baught this binoculars and I have no regrets. I would advice the use of a tripod for this binoculars though, I have been out at night just gazing the stars and planets whenever I have a chance since I got this binocular. I've seen faint stars that you wouldn't see with just your eye specially I'm here in the city, planets would appear much like a really bright star with this binocular the past few weeks Venus, Mars and Saturn are close to the constellation leo where I have been observing, you wont see saturns ring from this bad boy but you'll be able to tell it's saturn. This is a MUST for beginners in astronomy I'm exhausting as much as I can from this till I'm ready to buy my first telescope to go another level in amateur astronomy. Anyway, I'm learning a lot from this binocular and I'm glad I baught it and hey I can even use it when I go to the ballpark or when me and my son are at the zoo.P.S. I've seen so many satellites whozzing by the sky while observing the not so dark sky.Cheers!
These things are soo good, a little large, but work very well. I got them while in Hawaii and I can see mountain ranges and from mountains to the some very fine detail. Highly recommend these things.
These are really great binoculars for the price. We were able to see the radio tower on the mountain by our home, which is quite far away. You definitely need a tripod for distance though. At high magnification things wobble quite a bit.Very happy with this set. Large. Light. Strong. 5 stars.
I bought my brother a set for stargazing and a set for my father to bird watch.The quality is Excellent! for bird watching or star gazing.More portable than a telescope and the dual vision helps focus on objects- no backwards vision like a telescope.The 15x70 is a great magnification for a beginner stargazer. Comes with a small (6 in) tripod. but can be attached to others.Love 'em!!
Big view for small things.  Very useful for watching birds and sun bathers!  Birds don't mind but some sun bathers get upset.
The optics are truly amazing for the price. The field is wide, the image is bright, razor sharp and with fine contrast and color rendition. My complaint is with the center focusing mechanism which tends to drift and requires constant attention. This problem could have been easily fixed at the factory with a properly sized washer to take out the play in the center focusing knob. I hope Celestron gets the message and takes the last small step to make these binoculars just right.
Seriously, love these binoculars. Yes, they're a tad heavy, and you need a decent tripod for them (make sure they not the cheap ones, as these will break those), but overall I was able to see a lot more stars (I live in the Houston Area) and Jupiter shines brightly with these.
I was surprised whith very fast shipment and very good packing,What I like about this binoculars is the clear vision and easy adjustmentI recommend it definitely and worth buying...
The Lenses are good but the quality of the binoculars aren't the best or even good for that matter. The piece you look into isn't even connected properly, you can pull it out very easily.The zoom in the middle broke on me after only two uses of about 10 mins. If they didn't break right away they were good for bird watching but when I looked at the stars and moon you really can't see anything with much clarity. I'm not sure why this got such great reviews and how some people claim to see Saturn and it's rings.Overall the lenses are good and they are great for birdwatching and seeing with clarity things 1000 yds away but I don't think the quality of the binoculars are good. I was able to return them fairly easy and quickly.
Excellent product. Spectacular magnification. Worth the price. Arrived quickly, well packaged, easy to understand instructions for attaching the tripod mount.  Carrying case and cleaning cloth also included.  Neck strap could use a pad because the binocular is heavy and the strap thin.
Impressed with these. I got them to look out over the Delaware river from a mounted tripod. I do want a little more power but they are a bargain for what they offer.  I'm new to the binocular market so I can't really compare this to anything else.
When my dad gave me these...i was shocked on how big it was.  I felt i was a tank commander like Patton or Rommel....OMG!
I bought these binoculars in October 2011.While they were working, they worked fine and I was able to see fairly well at great distances.It is now July 2013. I looked through them the other day and noticed that I kept seeing double. They were NEVER dropped and always kept either at home or in the truck. These binoculars have functioned properly - for just over 1 1/2 years.I called up Celestron's customer service. On their website, they say they have a limited lifetime warranty. The customer service rep, who kept trying to talk over me and at first accused me of dropping them asked me to submit a $25 dollar money order in order to receive a replacement.A good set of binoculars should last much longer than this and you shouldn't have to pay more to receive a replacement for a defective product. This product is NOT durable nor reliable, and the warranty policy is basically worthless. Save your money for a better set of high quality optics, with a better warranty and customer service.
For the money these things are awesome. Has a nice clear image with little or no distortion or blurring. Contrast is good can see good details.  there not as good as top end binoculars but there not $1500 ether. The rubberized coating is nice to get a good grip.only drawback as others have said is there heavy, so after a few minutes of looking through them you start to sway around a bit.but it does come with a tripod adapter.
I am not an astronomer by any means.  However, these binoculars are certainly a good start.  These binoculars are huge, which is exactly what I wanted.  The amount of light they gather is amazing.  The first night I had them out, I had to put on my sunglasses to look at the full moon.  I mounted them on my cheap camera tripod. Once settled, a nice stable view appears.  The view is very sharp when focused correctly.  Out of the box, these worked great, and are definitely worth the $55.  I agree with some other posters that holding them near the end of the lenses offers a much more stable view.  The case could be better, but I didn't buy these for the case.  May get a sturdier tripod mount in the future, but the included one will certainly do for now.  What amazes me is how many more stars there are that the naked eye can't see.  I can look at what appears to be a blank spot in the sky, and see a whole star field through these binoculars.  Bangarang.
I have a pair of 7x35 Bushnell binoculars which weren't of high enough power.  I bought these based on the reviews, worried they wouldn't be high enough.  I was wrong - their optics are fantastic and the zoom excellent.
These binoculars are well made and provide good clear views for the price.  However, they do require the use of a tripod or some other means for keeping them steady while viewing astronomical targets.  Because of their size and weight, it is impossible to use them hand held without very far away, small, and often faint objects moving around too much to study them.  So, if you are going to buy these for astronomy and you do not already have a tripod, you need to consider buying one along with these binoculars.  Unfortunately, that makes them a bit less portable for spur of the moment observations.  I find them to still be easier to travel with and set up than my small Celestron telescope.  The image is clear and the light gathering capabilities are excellent.  I look forward to using them more extensively when the weather cooperates and there are clear skies in my area.  It has been suggested elsewhere (by Gary Seronik of Sky and Telescope Magazine) that the optimal configuration for binoculars that are intended for astronomy are 10 x 50.  This is supposed to be enough power and light gathering ability to see most celestial targets that are recommended for viewing with binoculars.  This also provides a large enough field of view (not to mention a smaller, lighter form factor) that the hand held steadiness problem is not as severe so as to make use without a tripod impossible.  If you are willing to use a tripod and you want to get good clear views of the night sky, these binoculars are a good, relative low cost investment.  If you want greater portability and can accept somewhat less power and light gathering capabilities, you may want to consider a 10 x 50 pair.
This is a great binocular at an unbelievable price. I enjoy sky watching using this binocular, specially in observing moon, Jupiter and its moons.
the product is everything and expected and more. can look at the moon in the night and see the craters.haven't gotten a chance to use in the day, but with the type of magnification to see the moon, i can imagine it during the day.
I have been an amateur astronomer for over 25 years. I am frequently traveling across my state to visit with my father-in-law who is also an amateur astronomer and the need for portability is a must. These binoculars not only offer great views of the sky but are easy to pack on-the-go while traveling. With the included tripod adapter, I can adapt it to a camera tripod for more stable viewing. The best thing to do is to search the Internet for plans on building a binocular tripod which I have done over Christmas 2011 with simple wood parts from Lowe's. This way I don't have to strain my neck while viewing. No, the binocs will never replace my Newtownian Reflector or my Schmidt-Cassegrain, or show me detailed views of Jupiter's cloud bands like in an 8&#34; scope, but they're too big to lug around or motivate myself to pack on long trips. These are just perfect, for me anyway!
Great for the amateur star-gazer:Works great even in "bright" conditions where they is considerable light pollution.  Pulls in stars that were at first invisible to the naked eye.Allows for uneven left/right eye vision.A tripod is a must for steadying the view as the binoculars are a bit heavier than a normal pair of binoculars.
I just got these today from Amazon, and just spent about an hour in the lawn looking at the sky! I was able to see all sorts of stuff not visible with the naked eye, including some clusters, a nice view of Saturn. I will probably be using these much more than my 6" Dobsonian!
I bought my Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars some time ago and have had a chance to get really familiar with them.  Understanding the complaints about focusing and collimation, I was fortunate to get a pair that worked well right out of the box.  Good clean anc clear images show through whether I'm doing some stargazing or terrestrial viewing.  I can use these pretty well with just my hands, even though they are heavy, so anyone wanting to do extended viewings might want to take advantage of the tripod adaptor that comes with them.  I used the adaptor on a tripod I got with my old camcorder, and it worked just fine.  The tripod itself, however, is too short for my use, so I'll continue to hold them until I get a tripod tall enough for my use.  And unlike the Zhumell 20x80 binoculars I have, I can get right on top of the lenses without the eye relief and see really well with my eyeglasses on.  Makes a big difference.For the money, this is a great pair of bionculars to have.  I've not been to many brick-and-mortar stores that carry binoculars like this - there may be some in my area, but I've yet to find them - so to be able pick some up from the web and get good use out of them has been a very fortunate thing for me.
Great value, exactly what I wanted. Don't forget to buy a tripod as it gets heavy in  your hands after a minute or two.
While these have some of the chromatic error one would expect from binoculars with a pricetag in the low three figure range, they are of unparalleled quality for the price. The light-gathering capability of these binoculars make it unwise to look at the moon when your eyes are adjusted to the dark, especially if you have sensitive eyes because you're tired.One thing I noticed for the first time (my previous binoculars were only 10x50) was that you would be well-advised to use a tripod, and the included tripod adapter is functional, thank goodness; I used it multiple times a week, and without it, my viewing experience would definitely be hampered. The magnification is high enough you definitely want to use a tripod (or lie flat on your back if you have rock-steady arms) unless you're bracing them against something. The only way around that is to buy Image Stabilization binoculars for a four-figure price tag.The quality of the lenses & coatings is superior to my previous 10x50 binoculars; they're of good quality. Really, for the price, and the quality level, there's nothing a rational, objective person has to complain about unless the delivery truck totally abused your pair. These are great, high quality, extremely useful binoculars, from a name you can trust.And while you can't see the colors of Jupiter at this magnification, you can identify the giant gas planet thanks to the moons (with a tripod or rock-steady hands). What a fun experience! Now my four and eight year old children ask me every night if Jupiter is visible, just before they go to bed. :)
I'm impressed with these binoculars. For $70 plus shipping, you get to see a lot. I could see the top of Mount Mansfield in Vermont and I live about 10 miles away from the mountain.I finally was able to see a strange item on top of a nearby mountain that have perplexed me for years. To my surprise it was a house - a gigantic house and I'm amazed someone would build one that high up considering it'll be difficult to commute up the hill there during winter.I could see stars so clear. Haven't seen the moon yet.You get pretty much everything you need in this order; binoculars, covers, a bag, a leash, a lens cleaner, instructions, and the tripod adapter. I would recommend buying a nicer binocular bag for more protection as the bag that comes with the package is quite flimsy.Overall highly recommended.
Cheaply built, Difficult for both eyes together, though I have standard Pupil Distance. Body is dirt magnet. I prefer seeing though my camera with zoom lens.
I wanted something to look out the window of my condo with. These are perfect. Tripod highly recommended. Clear and nice.
took'em for a camp ride and I was really impressed with'em you can see the world from the top of a mountain. anyway really impressed.
I did not like these binoculars and sent them back.  They were too heavy to hold physically and difficult to use.
These work great. I can see stripes on Jupiter, 4 of its moons, the Andromeda galaxy, and a lot more. And that's just been the late winter sky.They are heavy. You're going to want a tripod or at least a long stick with a binocular mount on it. But that's okay, because you're going to want a tripod with optics this powerful anyway- the image will wobble around a lot unless they are on a tripod or at least braced against a post or something, so unless you've got superhuman steady hands, spring for a cheap tripod.On nice nights you can lay on your back and use them pretty good though, but you don't want to lay down in winter.
Very disappointed with these scopes. Firstly, the rubber padding on both grips peeled off within minutes of being removed from the box. Secondly, the tri-pod attachment is substandard. Lastly, the performance was adequate at best. Maybe I just got a bad pair, but I would stay away.
This unit is awesome clear sharp images and easy to use and pull out on short notice. Can see Orion nebula, andromeda galaxy, Jupiter and moons easily even while holding unit with hands, with tripod even better. Recommended as a must have for sky watching.
This is a good pair of binos if you do occasional stargazing or birdwatching.They are bulkier but have crisp focus and produce a sharp image.In case you want to use for stargazing use it with a stable tripod.I have used it to watch the moon, jupiter, mars and the orion nebula as well as carried it on numerous mountain trips.I am giving it a 4 star as the caps used for covering the eyepieces and the tubes come off very easily. They wont stay snug and sooner or later you are bound to loose one . Besides the weight and the minor cover annoyance it is a great buy.
These are really fantastic. I was impressed most by how clear the view was. I gave four stars because they're heavy and difficult to hold still enough to see through for prolonged periods.
I already got this pair of binoculars for an early Christmas present, and I love it.  As a reborn amateur astronomer, these binoculars are easy to use and yield satisfying results.  I recommend pairing it with a tripod, however, to stabilize the images.  Good buy!
Absolutely stunning optics for the night sky. They are heavy so you'll want to use a tripod for any gazing at the sky. One warning - the tripod adapter is plastic and you'll want to get the aluminum tripod adapter from Alpen [...] The plastic adapter is likely to wobble because of the weight of the binoculars. Highly recommended.
I bought these about 4 months ago and loved them, I used them every day and every night for at least a week and then I read about a guy using panty hose as a filter to observe the sun, unfortunately I fell for this stupid trick looked at the sun for less than a second and lost vision in both of my eyes, I lost my job and its been a bit embarrassing telling people how it happened but I was able to regain the majority of my vision and just took the bandages off last week, please don't do what I did as im sure im not the only one who has tried to view the sun with these.
For the price I'm impressed with the product.  I love looking at the moon and stars, moons of Jupiter can just be made out.  The optics are decent in the middle, but about 50% of the way out from center they diverge, focus is off.  It's not terrible, but just annoying.  I mostly use them to watch animals from 1/2 to 1 mile away in the hills.  Oh yea, they are huge!  Arms get tired trying to hold them up for longer than a couple minutes!
Got these a year ago and love them! Sharp optics make the moon look so clear. I would not recommend hand holding these, and I am grateful they came with a tripod adapter. I just mount them to an old camera tripod, and out the backyard for so star gazing.
Excellent binoculars which really bring objects in close. The price is great and these binoculars are valued up top with the high grade expensive ones. You really get more than what you are paying for with these. I recommend these to everyone.
You will certainly get plenty of viewing 'bang for the buck' with these, rest assured. Powerful enough for stargazing, as well as any land-based viewing both near and far that you wish to undertake. I do recommend though, that you purchase an adequate neck/shoulder strap, as you may find the Skymasters' weight somewhat uncomfortable after awhile; Note: I obtained the OP/TECH USA Fashion Strap for this purpose (also thru Amazon) which fit perfectly, and in tandem with the binoculars is working out very nicely indeed!
I looked at the moon and it was enjoying. When I first used it I thought I was watching a 3d movie. It was good. I found that it has a bit focus problem or I do not know how to use it yet.
I got my binoculars today and tried them when the moon came up.  they are amazing . I am new to stargazing and the detail you can see on the moon is awesome  I can't hold them still enough to see some other stars etc but its worth investing the money for a tripod.  Much better than a telescope and work great for daytime use and bird watching.  I can see two blocks away as if it was two houses down.  well worth the money
Item arrived quickly and in good condition, but unfortunately I too have double images...vertically and horizontally.  That's too bad, since the binoculars look great and feel great in the hands.  The eye relief is quite nice too.  Amazon is great with the refund and return pick-up as usual, so I'm reordering to see if I will have better luck on the next draw.
Bought these as a gift for my wife to get her more involved with astronomy since I have an 8&#34; SCT myself. It has done exactly that. It's mounted on a decent tripod and she can carry it out on any clear night to play. Good quality for the price.
We bought this for a Christmas present for our son. He LOVES them!! A little pricy but well worth the money!
I was considering the 20x80's but decided on these 15x70's. These are hand holdable and provide a nice crisp image with plenty of light gathering. so far I have only used these on terrestrial objects around the back yard. I did compare them to my 12x50's and these and the 15x70's blow them away. they are big, but not entirely too heavy. holding them out towards the end of the objective seems to be the best spot for balance and comfort. only downfall so far is the close focus distance is about 30 ft.
I've owned several pairs of binoculars in my lifetime, using them for all sorts of terrestrial and celestial viewing. None impressed me as being special, and some were better than others. Just recently, I obtained the SkyMaster 15x70. Out of the box, the lens coatings looked very evenly applied, and eye relief was the best I've ever experienced. The overall feel and function was also better than what I was used to. Using them mainly for astronomy, I bagged quality views of Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and The Moon for first light. Of course, these objects look good using just about any viewing aid.During a recent star party I attended, I fixed the SkyMasters to a nice, heavy-duty tripod. When it finally got dark enough, I wheeled the tripod head around and pointed the SkyMaster toward the Milky Way... OMG! With my naked eye, I could only see a handful of stars in the direction the binos were pointing, and through a pair of 10x50s a few more, but peering through the SkyMasters there were hundreds of those shiny things! My son and I had a blast just hopping from one area of the sky to the next!The SkyMasters are not particularly heavy, but at 15x power, you will be hard pressed to hold them steady for even short periods. With that said, figure on investing in a decent tripod and a metal binocular adapter for it. The SkyMaster comes with a plastic tripod adapter, and it's nearly useless for a binocular this large. This is the only negative I can think of about this product.When shopping for a tripod, take the SkyMaster with you to ensure that the combination of the two works for you. Using these binos on a suitable tripod is the only way you will get the steady views needed for good object resolution.My total cash outlay for both the SkyMaster and tripod came to approximately $170 with tax. Another $20 will by you a suitable tripod adapter for the SkyMaster. Also, if you're thinking about purchasing a telescope for under $200, do yourself a favor and go this route. You simply will not find a descent telescope for this amount of money, and the telescope won't be nearly as versatile. So, If you're in the market for really nice, astronomy-suitable binoculars that won't dent your checkbook, give these a whirl! Also worth noting is Celestron's no-fault, lifetime warranty.
Very Nice binoculars! I Have seen Orion's Nebula,Jupiter's moons and many Star Clusters! These Binoculars are Great to test Seeing conditions before hauling out A Telescope. I would recommend a tripod if you plan on viewing for more than a couple minutes.  For the Price, these are tough to Beat! I Am Very Happy with Purchase and would buy again!
These binoculars should be used with a tripod and they are very good. You can hand hold them but any vibration will throw them off so that is why they should be used as stated. The seller performed very well and the item arrived on time and packed properly. Using a 15 X 70 range focus brings far away items up close and personal! The field of view is excellent and I would recommend this seller and product.
Kudos to Celestron! I didn't think the binoculars would be of such high quality for the price, but they most definitely were worth it. As a budding amateur astronomer, I decided to go the binocular route instead of trying futilely to get my small telescopes to work. Fortunately, I found these for a great price on Amazon and have used these constantly ever since. They're simple and straight-forward, tripod-adaptable, and aren't too heavy for just hand-held observation. And with their incredible field of view, they're perfect for the beginner--you can look easily for a landmark star or constellation and move around to find your target. In city lights, I've been able to see many of the Messier objects in Sagittarius and Leo, a very cratered, very large and very bright full moon, the Galilean moons of Jupiter, and the Orion Nebula with ease. I've even used them to start mini-star parties and have handed them off (albeit reluctantly) to passersby, who were stunned with what they could see. And once Saturn comes out from hiding behind the Sun, its moons will be next on the list. But I digress. Perfect for the beginner. Fantastic, quality job, Celestron! I love 'em, and they'll be in my pack whenever I expect to be under a starry sky.
These things are so badass for being as relatively affordable as they are. I'm really enjoying them. They don't focus on close up items, so don't expect to be getting a zoom view on the spider webs just in front of you, but anything that's, I'd say, more than 30 feet away comes into very clear view. When you're looking at things that are not too close, but still within 80 yards or so, you get this amazing 3d type effect between whats in focus and what's not. I think it's a combination of the shallow depth of field and the brightness of allllll that light coming in through the objectives that lend to this effect. It's quite something else. These are easy to use too. For objects that are not off in the far distance, It's fairly easy to hold these steady enough to get a good look at the subject. However, for objects far far away, you'll want to either brace your arms against something to add stability, or use a tripod. Either way, one of those options will make it easy enough to keep these bad boys plenty steady for viewing. For instance, if you were looking out the window of your car your could rest your elbows on the window sill and be fine. And like I said, there's a ton of light coming in through those huge objective lenses, so you're getting a wonderfully easy to make out image. The optics are not going to be on the level of swarovski, but the image is still very, very clear and wonderful to look at. I highly recommend these if you're not in desparate need of something compact. They are sizable, but not as heavy as you would think. The included case is sufficient for protected the binocular, however I do wish it had little compartments for stowing the lens cloth and tripod mount separately. But the binoculars themselves are fantastic at this price, and seemingly sturdily built.
it was a birthday gift for my husband. it is exceptionally well made and has everything included. i would definitely recommend it to anyone.
I have used the Celestron SkyMaster for celestial and terrestrial viewing and have found them quite good for both.  The large objective lenses absorb enough light to bring in deep sky objects despite the rectifying prisms needed for most ground viewing.For viewing animal life in forests and fields, the binocular is exceptionally good. For instance, for the past three years, we have had Great Horned Owls nesting in a tree in the forest which is the back of our home; with a 10x50 binocular the view was fascinating--but the 15x70 practically puts us in the nest.A tripod is an advantage with these binoculars since they tremble in one's hands at that power, and you probably don't want them for stomping through the wilderness--that's when a simple 8x35 or a small zoom scope works well.However, in the right place and for the right use, I've seen nothing better for the price.Bob SauerbreySE Indiana
Returned the first one because the optics wer not aligned. Basically it was cross-eyed.  The replacement was better but the focus adjustment (pin) sheared on the fouth time using the binoculars. Now there is no focus unless you can slide the eyepieces out just right to simulate the focus action.  This rarely works and the eyepieces generally just fall out.On the bright side, it LOOKS impressive sitting on the window sill looking out over the water. Just dont touch it, like an antique telescope.
The binoculars are very nice for the price. I was quite surprised how big and how far I could see with the binoculars
I will admit this first: I did not buy these from amazon, but from Adorama. However,  I felt compelled to write this review because I know far more people will look for bino's on amazon than Adorama. If you are looking for a pair of astronomy binoculars with enough left over to get a tripod and not break $100, look no further. The weight of the bino's make steady viewing difficult without a tripod, but thanks to the adapter that problem solves itself. The views of the moon, Jupiter's moons, Omega Centauri, M13, the Dumbbell Nebula, and even Saturn's rings (when the sky is clear and you are using a tripod) blew all my expectations out of the water. If you can afford a pair of $400 astrobinos, by all means. But if you are on a strict budget like myself, you can't do better.
I wanted to get my feet wet with Astronomy and decided to get Binoculars first since I live in the city so there's little sense in buying a big telescope.The first set of binoculars I got was Orion 7x50 Scenix. For about 100 bucks they were great. Crystal clear and everything. But in the back of my mind I kept wondering what if I had more magnification and a little more objective...so I bought these.If I had never bought the Orions I would have given the Skymasters 5 stars. Lifetime no-fault warranty. Big objective lenses. 15x magnification. Light. Tripod adapter. These would have totally made me happy. However because I got the Orions I'm able to make a comparison and yeah the build quality of the Skymasters is a little wanting. The eyepieces move when you fold the eye cups down. There's a very slight optical imperfections with some objects that show up as sharp pinpoints with the Orions.Not bad mind you. The price they can't be beat. With these on a really small cheap tripod I'm able to see Titan. Just barely but it's totally there. Can't see Saturns rings but I can tell there's something odd with its shape more than with the 7x Scenix.So yeah thumbs up. For the price I doubt they can be beat. But not the end-all binoculars for stargazing. Also You'll want a tripod for these.
I bought these binoculars because of the great reviews.  Living in Costa Rica it is very difficult to return things or I certainly would.  In addition to the knowledgeable review written by M.M. Vance regarding collimation (which make my binoculars worse than useless...they make you dizzy), I will add that the binoculars are extremely uncomfortable.  The light shields around the eye pieces are very hard and don't flex into your eye socket.  You can fold the shields out of the way, but then you can't block side light.  The binoculars are heavy and basically useless without a tripod even if they weren't out of cullimation.  The rubber protectors for both ends of the binoculars don't fit.  The small protectors to cover the eye pieces don't even closely fit and you have to push them out of shape to make them "fit". The covers that protect the objective lens fall off if you just shake the binoculars lightly in your hands.  Not a good purchase at any price!
Absolutely to big. It's good for a man, but very awkward for the average woman. Never could get to focus.
This piece of bino is quite large and not one that you can handily bring along on field trips, unless you have bag space and is willing to withstand the weight.One thing that puzzles me : When i looked to items afar, i realised that the images are horizontally inverted. Is it just me or is the item faulty?Not too sure about this.
These binoculars are big, weigh 4 pounds, have lots of magnification and a narrow field of view. They are not something to just carry with you to a football game. They are nice for astronomy, giving good light grasp for very low cost.The main problem is the tripod adaptor, which is plastic and has no lateral bracing.Binoculars with more than 10x magnification cannot be held steady by hand. You must have a tripod and attach them to it. Therefore, the adaptor is CRITICAL, and this one is all but useless. If I so much as touch my nose to the side of one of the eyepieces, these binoculars begin to oscillate from side to side, taking maybe 10 seconds to die out.I'm going to have to find an aftermarket adapter for this product.
Wonderful Binoculars, well balanced and comfortable around the eyes. They are not for closer viewing but will bring an object 100 yards out right up close and personal. Sports, stars and the moon, animals in nature.  5 stars
They were exactly what i expected very powerfull and tripod mont is nice can see better than i thought  came in perfect condition looking at the moon is like its right in front of me
I got mine for $54 and I have to say Amazon got it to me in record time. Out of the box they are not really impressive. Included with the Skymaster is a Tripod mount, rubber "slip on" lens covers, a cheesy little neck strap and a velcroed bag with a pretty good strap on it.First impressions are good. I am pleased with the sharpness although it never quite gets razor sharp like my camera lenses but still, for the money, this is an excellent pair of beater binoculars. I bought these to use for a spotting scope for range shooting. The Tripod mount is a bit wobbly and annoying for the constant jiggling while you try to use "hands free" but for the price, this is the best deal on amazon.
The value rating is 5 stars hands down.I am the type (used to be anyhow) who always wanted the best and most expensive of whatever it was I wanted. I figured this way I would have all the latest and greatest features and capabilities whether I knew what the heck I was doing or not. I seriously considered laying out some serious cash for a very expensive high-end set of binoculars (and still might), but after reading several reviews about this set, I decided to buy them to see what I was in for.For the price, it's  a steal (again for value..5 stars). I am not sure how much better a pair of bino's that are 5x more expensive will be, and what will I get for that extra money? The beauty of these is that although they are not dirt cheap, they are not so expensive that I have to be overly protective of them as to where and when I use them.I have a 10" Dobson and some of the views can be breath taking, e.g. Jupiter and its moons. The difference is I use the bino's constantly and the Dobson once a month maybe...and maybe not.I will take them everywhere I go if I think I will have a chance to use them. I have had a pair of 10 x 50 for years now and used them pretty extensively, but these Skymaster 15x certainly have more power that is immediately noticeable, and the clarity of the lenses have come a long way.Unless you are very, very steady, you will need a tripod or these wonderfil binos may end up being a burden. You may be able to hold steady for awhile, but to really enjoy them for any amount of time, go ahead and get a tripod if you don't have one. Luckily I had an old camera tripod that worked fine, although a sturdier tripod would be even nicer. I had to buy some 1/4" bolts from Walmart to mount them, but no problem.I have not found anything else even close at this price. Makes me think they are about to be discontinued and replaced with a new version, but so what if they are. Great deal and very nice set of binoculars. Very pleased.**UPDATE** May 24, 2010The price is even lower now! I also have a more powerful and more expensive spotting scope, and though it provides greater magnification, the large, bright, and clear view of these bino's still makes them superior for some applications. Even more of a no-brainer at this price. Use the savings to buy a tripod.**UPDATE** July 24, 2010The price has jumped considerably. I paid around $70 for them. Still well worth the price compared to the competition. All the above still applies.**UPDATE** November 26, 2010$49.99 - are you kidding me?! This is one of the best deals on Amazon! This is an excellent set of binos. Not as powerful as my spotting scope, but a much sharper view.
As others recommend, these should definitely be used with a tripod, otherwise it's too hard to hold them stable enough to get a view without the image dancing around like crazy. I also found these difficult to focus when looking at stars.I used these one evening and decided they would be useless for my purposes--I want something handheld that I can use for backyard astronomy as well as general terrestrial viewing. For magnification beyond 10x or 12x for astronomy, I can see that a telescope might be a good investment for me.Other than that, the binoculars themselves seem well-made. However, the strap is thin and flimsy and the case may not provide much protection. For the price, these are a good value for something this size and magnification--if you can use them. I give them 3 stars (OK) because I think they are of limited use for many people. I have returned these and I'm looking at the Nikon Action binoculars, either 10x50 or 12x50. A local camera store carries the Nikons and I will visit and try before making a decision.
I purchased these several months ago and they work great.The price is ridiculously affordable.You pay a little and get high end like optics.I use them mostly for terrestrial viewing and am very happy with them.Field of vision is great.
Binoculars seemed great but when I looked through the eye pieces, the view was not synchronized, I saw two uncorrelated views.Returned and Amazon credited me the day I sent back the package.
This is my first decent pair of binoculars, so it is difficult to compare to others. Also, since I bought this sight unseen via the reviews, etc., have no recent experience. I use these in the daytime as well as the night. Just moved to a new apartment overlooking the ocean, so always plenty of activity going on. I will say that I am very pleased with them. Yes, they are a bit heavy, so the right set up is important. The image is clear and bright. Distant objects are magnified well. At night, these pick up stars you could only imagine being there with the naked eye. Since I live on the East Coast near Boston, it isn't a prime location for stargazing. But even here, the sky gets filled with stars. Last week we had a full moon and the view was amazing. I was sure I could see Wallace and Grommit....UPDATESo it is now about six months post purchase and a problem has arisen. Both eye cups are now torn, one almost completely off. Since I typically use eyeglasses, the cups are folded down. ONCE I turned them up since I had my contacts in. That's when the right cup tore and the left one soon after. Very poor quality materials, not durable at all.I contacted customer service at Celestron. Their initial response was a link to an irrelevant problem solution. In writing back, I was told that, for $25, I could return them for a replacement or problem fix. Some deal! At this point I will be looking for a local store to purchase replacement cups and hope I can find durable ones for less than $25.
After reading the glowing reviews on this product I was very disappointed to discover that the product is of very poor quality.  In my case I did not discover this until after the return window had closed so I'm left with a set of non usable binoculars.These binoculars were bought as a christmas gift to my wife.  I used them just briefly and found that they were hard to focus, but I didn't get a chance to investigate fully at the time.  My wife complained that these binoculars were too powerful and she was having trouble with them.  I didn't listen, unfortunately.So this weekend I had 20 minutes to investigate the cause of the difficulty in focusing with these binoculars.  I started out by closing one eye and using the center wheel to focus on a distant object, I then opened my other eye and used the combiner focus to merge the two eyes (standard binocular focusing technique).  No joy.  I was perplexed, this always worked.  I then focused on a distant horizon with one eye open, then switching to the opposite eye open.  The horizon jumped up about 2 degrees.  I finally figured out why these binoculars were difficult to focus, they couldn't be focused with both eyes open!!!If you buy these check them by looking way out at the horizon and make sure you can focus out there.  If you can't return them, I wish I did.I guess I can break them into two rather small telescopes, since you can't use these as binoculars.
These binoculars are great. They are a good price for under $65 I paid.There is a slightly higher power for almost twice as much.If you get these consider getting a tripod for long term viewing or spotting. They are a little heavy considering their optics.But they are great for watching deer and other animals from a deck, or other short term spotting. Might not be practical for hunting in brushy areas or to lug around for hours.
After shopping around I decided to buy the 15X70 Binoculars,they work great any where at night or day,they are a little heaver than a set of 10X50'but the view is worth it.It's a great buy for the price.
It took 3 tries to get a complete package that was not out of collimation.  I suspsect that the great price may be a result of being refurbished or returned products, which was not stated.  As always, Amazon is hassle free about returning/replacing the items...just hate the wasted time.The first pair came in and the box looked like it definitely had been opened (the product box not the shipping box).  When I opened it, I found that the binoculars were badly out of collimation.  Upon further inspection the left tube was loose and came unscrewed very easily.  The right tube had no issue.  Part of the binoculars had a fairly decent scratch/dent as if it had fallen or something.  The neck strap was missing and the lens cleaning cloth was missing (didn't realize this until the 2nd pair came in to replace the first).The second pair came in and noticed right away that things were packaged in the box differently than the first one.  The first pair came with the carrying bag and binoculars packaged separately inside the box.  This 2nd pair came with the binoculars stored inside the bag inside the box.  Both lens covers were missing, which I might not have known if I hadn't received one pair already that had them.The third pair came in fine and are wonderful so far, but I can't help but wonder if they weren't returned by a customer and repackaged/shipped out to me with each package missing different items and being damaged in such a way that I doubt it could be from shipping.I primarily bought these along with a pair of 7x50 binoculars as a first step in satisfying my sons new found interest in astronomy.  I tested them in the daytime and they provided a fantastic magnified view 250 yards away (the max I tried in my initial testing).  I took them out at night to test on the stars and was just as impressed.  Clearly focused in on Jupiter and saw many other stars in the sky.As has been mentioned by others, they become heavy quick and are not for long use.  Due to their size and weight, you will definitely want a tripod for these.  They will work well if you are lying on your back looking at the stars and holding the binos at the end of the lens tube.The cleaning cloth that came with it was useless.  It left all kinds of lint on the lenses.  I used a cloth from my camera and it cleaned it up so much better.The tripod adapter is and el cheapo and about useless.  I ended up buying an aluminum one that is much better.The neck strap does it's job, but is not comfortable.  I don't use a neck strap much, but if you do I would recommend getting a better one.For the price, I would definitely recommend these for the binoculars alone...but be prepared to inspect them for defects and make sure you get everything that should have come with them.My package came with (which I think is complete now)1) The binoculars2) Instructions3) 2 individual lens covers4) 1 long eyepiece cover (covers both)5) 1 Carrying case with strap6) 1 neckstrap for the binoculars7) 1 cloth for cleaning the lenses8) 1 tripod adapter
We are greatly enjoying our new binoculars. We are new stargazers and were a bit  concerned that the binoculars would not be strong enough to actually be of value.  But, they are great.  We really used them on a recent camping trip to the California Redwoods.  So many stars were easily recognizable. They are not too heavy yet bring the stars &#34;up close and personal.&#34;  We used them most and enjoyed them best on a lightweight tripod.  They attach easily to the Vista Explorer 60-inch Lightweight Tripod.  Both the binoculars and tripod conveniently come in their own case.
They put out a crappy product! I wonder what quality control they have wherever they're made in China. If anyone would have tried focusing these things they would have found out right away that it was impossible. What a huge let down. I may be suspicious about Celestron in the future and advise everyone else to be the same. I sent them back thanks to Amazon for that. I went to Orion and bought their binoc's and am extremely happy.
my husband loves these..they work great but a hugh.  we took them to Cocoa Beach to watch the cruise ships and dolphins...they are very long and very heavy..but he still loves them..
Great value for the price.  Pleiades and the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn are all at your finger tips with these easy to hold binoculars.  Doubles as &#34;night vision&#34; with the light these 70 min binoculars pull in for you.  Very steady for hand holding and you won't be disappointed.
I had to return this product because it was out of collimation. I'm sure the product in itself is good, but if you can go to the store to check that the pair you're buying is good, then do so.  BTW, Amazon was great in taking the return at no cost for me and refunding the money, but why go through the process if you can get very similar prices at your local store.
Great binoculars!!!!!!!!!  People complain that they are heavy, but the quality is well worth the inconvenience.
Everything that the discription said about the binoculars was correct. I use the binoculars daily now to watch the birds.
These binoculars work great as long as you know what your doing , ie , focusing , They are a bit on the heavy side and recommend  getting a tripod
Easy to use, very good view of the Moon. Can see 4 moons of Jupiter. 1 moon of Saturn. However binoculars shake even when on a tripod,when my face nudges them or I touch them with my hands. The shake makes it difficult to get the satisfaction of observing things for some time...
I ordered these about two weeks ago and just started using them to view the moon (YOWZER--do they bring in the light!) and to view raptors, ducks, and other birds a half mile across a section of the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam.  I was floored by how well these did. I can not only see incredible detail on birds in the middle of the river on small islands, but birds completely on the other side sitting in trees.  My husband was able to identify a blue jay sitting in the shrubs on the opposite bank.  They are NOT heavy to use without a tripod.  I have arthritis in both hands and could use them easily, propping my elbows occasionally on a nearby fence, but that was just to steady myself in the brisk wind, NOT because they were too heavy.  I am very happy I did not go with my first instinct to get a spotting scope and tripod.  I was walking from spot to spot easily, picking out different winter visitors, while another fellow viewing birds had to keep folding up his spotting scope and tripod, moving, unfolding tripod, resetting scope--too annoying!This works very well at the half-mile distance I am using it, and closer distances are a delight!  Very pleased with this buy!
Unable to focus them properly, despite following directions both on package insert and various websites.  Red and blue rays of color stream out from whatever I'm attempting to focus upon.  Frustrating.  Returning them asap.
I really wanted to like these binoculars.  The value seemed excellent for the price.  However, after opening mine had a problem with collimation.  In layman's terms, this meant that they did not focus correctly.  It was as if I was seeing double.  I believe there are ways to collimating either by doing it oneself or sending them to celestron but I didnt want to hassle with these so back to Amazon they went.  An A+ to amazon as usual for the painless return.
I received these binoculars a few days after ordering.  My only viewing so far has been terrestrial.  For $50 binocs, these are outstanding.  Although it is possible to use these binocs in a hand held fashion, it is definitely helpful to mount on a tripod.  The included tripod mount works, but the plastic adapter is wimpy wambly.  I used the plastic adapter as a guide to fabricate an adapter out of aluminum billet.  Just used hand tools and a drill press which resulted in a huge improvement over the plastic adapter.Outstanding value for $50 US.  My home brew aluminum tripod adapter with a bogen tripod makes these binocs really fun. Can't wait for a clear night for star gazing.
I got these 15x glasses for a friend who just moved into a 50th floor overlooking lake Michigan. He says they are AWESOME! He can see Buckingham fountain in detail with them. Watch out nudist neighbors!
I would recommend these binoculars to anyone who enjoys searching the sky at night!!  Works great!  I recommend them for nighttime sky viewing.  I'm certain they are WONDERFUL during the day also - I just haven't used them for that yet.
I love these binoculars.  Perfect for star gazing without a bulky telescope. Doesn't replace it, but a great alternative.  Built well, not too heavy, and comfortable to hold. Travel case, dust protectors for lenses, neck strap, and tripod mounting bracket included. I'll use these binoculars for nature watching this summer and Bigfoot hunting from a safe distance. I am completely satisfied with purchase, price, and value.
We did a lot of research into various small telescopes and binoculars before deciding to buy the "Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars". We already own aMeade ETX90EC Telescope w/ UHTC, Autostar Controller (497) and Tripod (884), but find that setting it up can often become a time consuming production, especially when we just want a quick view of something in the night sky. Sure our regular telescope is better for looking at planets and provides much higher magnification, but there are times when we don't use it because of the hassle of transporting it and setting it up. With the Celestron SkyMasters and a good monopod, we are now ready to view both terrestrial events and stargazing in just a few minutes.Here are my observations:Pros:Very Clear OpticsCrisp Focusing (no "bounce" or drift at all)Built In Tripod Mount and Included Adapter (must use with binoculars this powerful)Very Inexpensive For Binoculars of This QualityCons:HUGE Size (these are BIG, you will need a tripod/monopod for extended use)Overall, the Celestron SkyMaster is a great pair of binoculars for the price, Highly Recommended! You might also want to considerGalileo 20x60 Binoculars
for the price, you can't go wrong with it.  You could use this to look at the moon.  A++++++ for this product!
These have high ratings for a reason:  The best binoculars at this price point by far.  BRIGHT image and I am comparing them to several other binoculars, monocular and zoom lenses I own.The tripod adapter is very useful but make sure you are using a sturdy tripod.  After trial and error, I settled on the Opteka OPT7000 since other tripods seemed to be designed in such a way that allowed an annoying amount of idle sway.  Any little tremor (and I mean just putting your foot on the floor next to it) would cause it to shake for about 1-2 minutes afterwards or just never really stop.
I have always been interested in astronomy, so recently I decided to take the plunge and purchase a telescope.  I spent a few days perusing reviews and researching beginner amateur astronomy telescopes and found that a good 'starter' telescope costs roughly 300 bucks.  I also found, however, that most people suggest you start out with a good pair of binoculars.  After researching binocs for a few days I finally settled on these.These binoculars come in a nice padded case, and include rubber caps for all the lenses.  They are almost hilariously large to those who are not familiar with binoculars designed for astronomy.  They have good eye relief, and eyepieces that fold down for people who wear glasses (like myself).  Focus can be adjusted for each eye independently, the middle knob controlling both eyes, and the right eyepiece turning to adjust just the right side. They also come with a tripod mount, but imho the best way to use them is to lay in a partially inflated inflatable raft, a common method when using binoculars for astronomy - the pressure of your legs allows you to adjust the level of your head, and you have something to rest your arms on, works great!The images they produce are incredible to someone with little experience in advanced optics. I have used them to observe stars, globular clusters, galaxies (which admittedly, look like nothing more than cloudy spots among the stars), satellites, the moon, as well as Jupiter and it's four moons.  The magnification is only 15x, which is high for binoculars, but low when you get in to telescope ranges.  I have not been able to make out the color bands of Jupiter, for instance.  However anything higher, and you get too much arm shaking for them to be useful without a tripod.  One final tip... hold them down near the ends and they will be a lot more steady.In short... great buy! I absolutely love mine.
I just used these last night to view the lunar eclipse and everything was really clear. It's easy to use and comes with a tripod adapter and storage case, it's perfect for beginners to get them started before making a bigger investment on a nicer telescope.
We use these binoculars to view boats and ships.  We mounted them on a tripod, they are easy to adjust and work quite well.  We would by them again.
My old 7x35s are heavier than this thing. I would not have a problem hiking with these since they are a lot more light weight than I thought they'd be. You can hand hold them for short periods but because of the high magnification its best to use a tripod anyway. We got a really clear view of comet Pan-stars the other night. These will get used a lot. My only quibble is with the tripod adapter- it is made of some flimsy plastic and it takes a few seconds for the binoculars to stabilize after locking down the tripod. I'm gonna try to reinforce it somehow and see if that helps. Solid metal would be a lot better.
A bit bigger than I expected and a bit heavy for little me, but the detail is amazing. Used this on my Alaska trip and it was fantastic! Great for any type of animal viewing really. Spotted black and brown bears, whales, otters, mountain goats, and tons of birds. Was even able to pick out a pair of puffin birds resting on the water. Amazing! Delivery was super fast. Not sure what to do about the crappy string supporting this thing. Need to go shop for separate neck strap.
I got these for a white elephant we were having and I wound up with them myself.  They are great binoculars, expecially with the tripod mount. I used them to sight in a scope on an AR-15.  Obviously not super long range but as binoculars go these work.  Be aware tho they are huge. Probably the biggest binoculars I have ever seen.
Poor quality optics but that's pretty much what I expected for the price.  The real problem is that after a few uses, the attachment from the focal adjustment to the left lens came off, tried fixing it but not successful.  Attractive price but bad value.  Stay away.
My husband has been looking for a way to see the stars and we gave our telescope to his parents (to watch boats). These do the trick nicely and are portable and comfortable in your hands. They work best if you lay on a blanket and hold your arms steady.
Awesome! More than I expected. I'd recommend! You'll be anxious for the next full Moon. Looked at Jupiter the other night.. Awesome!!
but for its size it should be.  Husband loves these binoculars to look across the harbor... at the boats, came with nice case and strap
I purchased these as a gift for myself, but I ended up returning them.  I was having problems focusing them.  They also were quite heavy to hold for more than 5 minutes, and I was looking for something that I could really stargaze with for a longer length of time.  And I also returned them because they just didn't quite give the views/magnification I was looking for, which I didn't realize until trying to use them.  That all being said, they were clearly a good product and not a waste of money.  Just not what I was looking for.
the astronomical viewing for this binocular is just as detailed as my 5 inch aperture telescope. for the price this is a steal! i've seen more DSO's on this binocular than on my telescope. i plan to make this binocular as "push-to" by attaching a celestron skyscout on top with a good sturdy tripod.clear skies!
The first time I picked them up, the eye pieces fell off, in my hand. With only a one page manual, there are no instructions on how to re-install them. Made in China, big surprise. I returned them for refund.
Great buy and for those who are serious about the night sky then this bino does the job and then some. Enjoy like I do by I warn u to buy a very good tripod or else!
great for watching the stars and moon,but,that's about it. There big and a little awkward to hold for long periods of time.
Bought these as a gift for my father who lives on the beach and he loves them because you can look at things far and near and not have to adjust the focus. Easy to use, even for an old man!
I'm really happy with these binoculars for both terrestrial and celestial viewing.  I wanted something that my family could quickly grab and easily look at the stars and constellations. To me they seem really powerful.  Orion has been my favorite constellation since 5th grade and one of the first star formations I viewed. I was in awe at the sites I saw in his belt. It looked like a door to heaven was open with light following out.  Seeing that alone was worth every penny.  The only reason I give it 4 stars is to let others know that in some cases a tripod would be beneficial.  Other than that the binoculars by itself is fantastic.
I would of gave it 5 stars if the eye piece cover would fit better. That is the only thing I have a problem with.These are an excellent pair of binoculars. I can not compare them with more expensive ones, since I have not used more expensive ones. You can see all 4 moons of Jupiter, I couldn't of been more pleased with these. I recommend a tri-pod though.
Right out of the box, the rubber strips which serve as thick grips around the binoculars were pulling away from the housing. Like a banana, the grips easily peeled away from the instrument. These were not stored in a hot environment, so I can only suppose that the gluing at the factory was poor. There was only one dot of glue visible under the worst-peeling grip.This was a gift, so the defect was very disappointing. Coupled with the recommended tripod (Vista Explorer 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag), this gift struck out twice, as the tripod is not up to the job of supporting these binocs. So I'm going to order another pair of different brand binoculars, and look for a TiltAll tripod on my local, ubiquitous for-sale bulletin board named for Craig.The lenses provided sharp images and magnified properly, and Amazon delivered promptly, so I'm leaving 3 stars.
smooth operation in and out. thing look realy 3D through them. awsome.  this window wont close til I write 8 more words. done.
I am a bird watcher and appreciate having a nice set of binoculars to check in on things in the woods out my back door.  These are very nice for the price.  Range is a little narrow - not the binoculars' fault - which takes some getting used to and the &#34;strap&#34; is not really a real strap...more an afterthought.  All that being said, they mounted easily on my tripod and are easy to adjust and focus.  A nice buy for the money.
Gives a great night view of the moon's craters or of critters playing about in the day. The left lens focuses separately from the right, and this is the first set of binoculars I have owned that do that, so it is the first set I have owned that work for my eyes. The rubber cups fold down very easily for using them with glasses, and fold back up just as easily to pass them to someone without glasses. The tripod adapter they come with works perfectly. Highly recommend the tripod for use with viewing stars and planets.
I got these binoculars because I was going on a cruise and I wanted a decent pair of binoculars to look at the night sky from the sea.  They also came in pretty handy for seeing other ships across the sea.  They worked great and were the envy of all the other people on my ship.  At home, it is fairly light polluted so I wasn't expecting to see much, but I was amazed at how many stars that I could now make out with these bad boys that I could not see with the naked eye, not even faintly.  But they started to really shine when I pointed them at Jupiter.  The first time I did this, I was absolutely amazed when I was able to see the four Galilean moons. These aren't quite powerful enough to make out the colors of Jupiter, but you can definitely see it and I now feel obligated to check out Jupiter each night to see where the moons are.As many have said, with having what basically amounts to two small telescopes in your hands, these are extremely hard to hold steady.  At first I tried to use a tripod, and that worked OK, but was awkward and inconvenient. Then one week ago, someone had suggested getting a monopod.  Man oh man that truly made a difference and I recommend to anybody that owns these to invest the money in a monopod.  The monopod is much easier to use with these and allows you to hold the binoculars steady as with a tripod but with the added bonus of them being much more convenient and versatile.  Now I just leave the binoculars connected to the monopod and carry them together.  With this combination I have the choice to sit, stand or get on my knees to check out the views.You can't really beat these for the price.  Speaking of beating these, the one thing that you don't want to do with these guys is drop them on the ground.  Sadly my friend was over last night and accidentally dropped them, this caused one of the mirrors to get out of alignment and now they just aren't working correctly anymore.  He is ordering me a replacement pair and I loved these so much that I told him to go ahead and upgrade these to the 20x80 version for just a little bit more.  Can't wait to check those out....****Edit*****When I wrote this review, I wasn't aware of the Celestron's No Fault Warranty. Basically, it is a no questions asked lifetime guarantee where they will repair or replace your binoculars for a $25 processing fee.  I sent my broken pair in about 3 weeks ago and lo and behold they sent me a brand new pair today.  This is an excellent policy!  I have been using the 20x80 version now for about a month and these are so light in comparison.
Works as well as is mentioned in these reviews. Worth every penny even though it is made in China. Hopefully I can say this an a few years. Offers great visibility.
If you are considering purchasing these binoculars, all I can say is NOW! For the price, these are the best investment you can make for amateur astronomy. I took these things outside the first chance I got, and was blown away. On my first night with them, I saw the orion nebula, the beehive star cluster, and four moons of jupiter. I took along with me my old pair of 7x35, and there is no comparison. Through the 15x70's, the beehive cluster fills the view and at least 30 stars are visable, through the 7x35's, the beehive cluster could easily be mistaken for a smudge! Also, some people might be leary of the 15x magnification, as it makes the view wobbly, but I have had no problem with shakiness, and the scopes are light enough to be comfortable for half an hour of viewing. And I'm no muscle head, just your average 90 pound science geek. These scopes are a great investment, and more than fairly priced, so don't think twice.
These are my experiences with this product.  First off, a little background.  I am not a hardcore astronomer.  I had recently been to an astronomy gathering where there were many huge telescopes and a few binoculars.  I was interested and wanted to take up the hobby.  The advice that I got was to start with some binoculars.  These seem like an amazing deal.  $60 for binoculars with 70mm optics.  Everyone told me to spend about $200 for a 7x50, but I bought these.  The binoculars came with problems.  It was not collimating properly and I was getting double vision.  I saw many reviews listing this problem, but I bought them anyway.  For this reason alone I will be returning them.  However, I will not be asking for a replacement for the following reasons.  As many before have already mentioned, 15x power needs a tripod.  Not just any tripod will do.  I used a camera tripod that I estimate weighs 10 pounds and it is just not stable enough.  You WILL need a heavy solid tripod, 30-40 pounds or so.  The mount attaches to the binoculars at the body which is far away from the very heavy tubes with 70mm glass at the end.  So if you shake or bump them they will stay shaking back and forth for a while.  A better design would have the big metal brace and mount in the middle like the larger ones.  They say long eye relief but without folding the rubber eye cups back you will constantly bump them and then you have to wait till they stop shaking again.  I do not wear glasses and this is still a problem.So what can you see with them?  Well stars turn into bright points in the sky.  Can you see the rings of Saturn? No.  Saturn is just a bright star.  Can you see the 4 Galilean moons of Jupiter?  Yes.  But what you see is little dots around the planet, and Jupiter just looks like a large white spot.  There is no detail with these.  I tell you this so you don't expect any bands of color or anything spectacular.  Looking for nebulae or galaxies?  If you had a very good tripod then i suppose it is possible.Bottom line.  If you want to see all the stars and constellations, then get a 7x50 pair and spend a little money on them.  If you want to see objects in space, get a large telescope.  I really don't see where these are valuable for astronomy.  They might have some use for viewing terrestrial objects, but again they need a good tripod.  Not for taking to a football game.  Save your money.
These binoculars are great for looking at the night sky.  I've been able to see a whole bunch more than with just the naked eye, including at least two moons of Jupiter the other night without attaching the adapter to a tripod.  The big problem with these binoculars is the weight.  It's very hard to keep the binoculars steady without a tripod.  Even with the tripod adapter, the slightest vibration shakes the binoculars quite a bit.  These binoculars are very convenient though when compared to setting up a telescope when you want a quick look at the night sky.  They are also useful for checking out views during the day.  Before sunset, I was even able to get a good view of Venus and take a picture through my digital camera.  I had to crop the image, but the picture definitely showed the crescent phase of Venus which I thought was pretty neat.  For the price, I can't complain too much about these binoculars as they are very powerful.
Nice Binos however you get double vision with them.They are a little heavy but if you hold them towards the end they are easily held in place.The strap is junk...Cheap and not wide enough as it cuts into your neck when worn.The caps on the end are easy to lose since they dont have a string or something to hold them.
We purchased these binoculars after a recent trip to Yellowstone, and in anticipation of our return to Yellowstone!  They are fantastic!  The arrived precisely when the vendor said they would, they arrived very well packed and protected from the shipper and the elements!  We love them!  They are an exceptionally well priced item, and I would recommend this product AND THE THE VENDOR to anyone contemplating such a purchase!  Thank you.
I bought these binoculars along with a Sunpak 9002DX Tripod from Amazon, and received both recently.The first night I got them, even though the temperature where I live were in single digits Fahrenheit I just had to go out into the land out back and test them out.The collimation of the binoculars I received is perfect, and the clarity of the images I can see is astounding for such a low price unit.Using the tripod I was easily able to find the Andromeda Galaxy in seconds even though our moon's glare was only 30 degrees or so away, and focusing on the moon itself was a joy to behold - these binoculars capture an incredible amount of light.There is just so much to see with these binoculars in the night sky at 15x magnification it can't fail to make you feel totally humbled looking up on a clear night.I notice some people have complained about the plastic tripod adapter not being quite up to the job when used with some tripod units, but with the tripod I bought, (see above), I have no complaints at all - it feels strong and secure when in place.Treat yourself to these binoculars now with a tripod stand and reawaken that sense of wonder we all had when we were children!
These are a good deal considering the size of the objective lenses and the amount of light they gather.  They are easy to handle and are not as heavy as they look.  I used them to observe some large birds in flight and to observe some southern sky objects and was delighted in what I saw.  I did have to tweek the collimation when I got them, but that was easily done and I look forward to using them more.
I give this product five stars because for the discounted price of $60. you just can't go wrong.  Binoculars of almost any size are a great way to get started -- or stay involved -- in astronomy, and these Celestron giant binoculars are perfect to view wide swaths of sky, about 4.5 degrees wide. Beautiful!You can start off doing binocular astronomy with an ordinary set of you probably have around the house; but when you want to have more 'light-grabbing' ability and a bit more magnification, these giant binoculars can economically fill the bill.  Also, be aware these are a bit on the heavy side, and that using the included tripod adapter on a mono-pod or tripod, or using them while you're seated to steady them are just a few ways to assist in holding the bino's steady.  There are several books available here on Amazon to guide the newbie or old-timer make the most of their nights spent under the stars, with more hints on how to hold and steady this kind of binocular, as well as point you to the night sky's greatest wonders.Clear Skies and Great Viewing!
These are very powerful glasses that perform well even in low light conditions. Their main advantage over a spotting scope is their ability to provide a way to assess the relationship between objects within the field of view. You can determine which object is close and which is further away. Definately should use the tripod adapter. A short tripod will help when you're travelling and can be set up on the roof or hood of a car to steady the image. These are difficult to hand hold due to their higher magnification. Highly recommended and of very good quality. These are not cheaply made!
It's impossible to bring items into focus without closing one eye, which defeats the purpose of these.  Everyone I've showed these to has the same problem.  Really disappointed, as the return window period has now just expired.
First off, I have 4 children, who are just as fascinated with the stars, moon & planets as I am. So, it all started with a $29.99Meade 20218 NG-70SM 70MM Altazimuth Refractor Telescope, in a 'last chance' 1/2 off sale at a 'fancy' chain gadget store. One full moon later, and the sudden realization that there aren't enough eyepieces for eyes who want to see changed everything. One beginner 'scope wasn't enough-so, I ordered another directly from Meade AZ70-A (identical optics, but even lower tech than the 'firesale' purchase). Great addition, as it 'had' everything that the original scope didn't, but- still too many frustrated viewers, and not enough views to go around fast enough!New tactics: Binoculars will work! I ordered up a variety of sizes (and quality) and now I have a pretty good idea of why these Celstron SkyMaster 15x70's are the clear winner for us. Great optics, easy to use, 'smallest' of SuperGiant binoculars (easy to hold, view & can be left around your neck for a little while without chaffing). Also, these balance almost perfectly on the included tripod mount-which means that aZeikos ZE-TR101A 72-Inch Photo / Video Tripod includes Deluxe Carrying Case for Use with Most Camcorders and Digital cameras.can easily carry the load without fear of tipping over.So, the real answer to 'what is the best?' is what gets the most use. I have a really beautiful, fully functionalMeade DS-2114AT-TC Altazimuth Reflectorthat works so nice and is a wonder to use, but, compared to the 15x70's-it's rarely used. Zhummel 20x80's- awesome optics- but, in order to 'find' anything, you really must use the tripod, because of it's small field of view and shakiness after holding them up by hand for a few minutes. (4.4LBS starts to become very noticable when you are holding your arms above your heart for a while!)Cosmos 15x60 Waterproof Binocular with Premium Carry Case come in 2nd, right behind the SkyMasters because they are slightly heavier and they don't 'look' like stargazing Binocs- blunt, fat, heavy when near the SkyMasters-although extremely great binoculars- explain that to the kids! The Celstron's 'feel' right, they 'look' right, they're smooth to focus (another reason the Barska's lose-individual EP focus is required!) can be used briefly before your arms get tired. Just long enough to know if you're going to grab a tripod, another pair & maybe the big 'dumb' telescope, theMeade 20218 NG-70SM 70MM Altazimuth Refractor Telescopewhich everyone is comfortable using, is properly sited with the red dot & has a sweetCelestron 93230 8 to 24mm 1.25 Zoom Eyepiece, a multicoated 3X Barlow & great manual slow motion controls.The SkyMasters actually reside in the kitchen-on top of the cabinets closest to the door, so, anyone can use them on really short notice! Deer in the side yard? Blue Angels over at the AFB using our shed again as a meet up point? The neighbors have a real Ferrari (or is it a kit car, based on the Pontiac Fiero 2M4) in thier driveway? All other optics live in my master bedroom closet and require permission for use (and on the nicer stuff-adult supervision). But, @ $51.00 delivered to my door-nothing comes close in price, fit & finish, optics/$$'s spent & ease of use.This sounds a little crazy, but, I'm going to put it out there. These binoculars are also beautiful to the eye, they feel properly weighted, are rock solid (yes, my 7 year old dropped them, but, 'it was an accident!') and have kept their collimation over time. My only modifications are individual eyepiece covers & a wide orange neoprene neck strap. The soft bag has held up, the lens covers are still used and kept in the bag with a lens cleaning towelette. Why Orange for the neck strap? I can yell out the window and gently 'remind' my kids to put it on when they're using the binoculars-orange is really quite visible-even in fading light. FYI, I leave the tripod mount attached to one of the quick release plates-and leave it on the tripod all of the time. It;s used so often, it gets it's own 'dedicated' $23.99 tripod and nothing gets lost-because it's always mounted.Buy them! Use them with abandon-all day & all night long! Do buy a tripod for stargazing-it's the only way my partner got interested. "Honey, check this out" all focused in, in the center of the field of view. Yes, I had to do it often to get her started, but, now, she's willing to supervise 'ours', their friends & neighborhood kids (at any given time) and doesn't even mind lugging out the variety of inexpensive telescopes & tripods as well as other pairs of binocs when the crowd swells.Update: After multiple months of constant use by adults & children-they slipped out of collimation slightly. Sadly, there is very little information contained in the owners manual (napkins would be more helpful!) however a long web search and reading a variety of sources mulpitle times, I have 'tried' to adjust the internal prisms ever so slightly-without creating cat's eye exit apetures. I have now created 'conditional alignment' instead of proper collimation, but-both my partner & I can use these without developing eyestrain. So, they continue to provide constant & reliable service-again, at a very moderate price. Also, they are still the 1st optics out the door-every time. Easy to use, easy to set up, quick to break down- 15 minutes is all that is needed for a 'viewing' session & enjoyment. Please note: these are not Fujinons or Swarowski optics- and just provide increased magnification for the majority of the field of view! Don't expect perfection, just use & enjoy your 'value priced' binoculars!
I bought these while thumbing through the Backyard Astronomer's Guide, and I love them. They are a tiny bit weighty, but what you are able to see with them is amazing. I bought these as an alternative to jumping right into buying a telescope, and they fit the bill for this beginning astronomer perfectly.
I purchased these for watching the wild game on our property.  They work excellent to give us a close and clear view of the animals.  I have not attempted star gazing with them.  The only drawback I find is that everyone complains that they are too heavy.
Excellent optics, I'm seeing things that are really fantastic.  Just wish I knew what I was looking at up in the night sky.  These binoculars really bring out the light when star gazing, and with a half to full moon it is beautifully lit up.
No long review needed here. These binoculars are a flat out steal for the price. I was amazed on what a great view of the moon and Mars I got with these even in the city! I can't wait to try them without the city glare and haze. Better than a $100 telescope! I will advise you to use a tripod though (shakes due to the wieght).  Buy them now, they will make you happy!!!!
My dad had been using the same small, old binoculars that he has owned for years.  I wanted to buy him a new pair for Christmas, but I didn't know much about them.  I recognized the Celestron name so took a chance on this inexpensive pair.First, they are huge, which is what I wanted.  The lenses are flawless as far as I can tell, and the focus is sharp and crisp.  Because of the size, you'll want to either brace them against something or use a tripod with the included adapter.A fantastic deal, in my opinion, for ~$50.
My daughter likes it.
These binocs are super powerful, but too heavy for a man to hold  for some quick viewing. My camer tripod is not equipped to hold this weight either, so this item has seldom been used.  Would have given a 2-1/2 star if it were an option. Good quality otherwise.
Great product, good quality, exceptional value, makes it easy to locate objects in the night sky, was able to find Andromeda on the first night out just by looking in the general area.
I didnt give it 5 stars just because they are not $600 pair but just as good for new inexperienced people. It did need calibration because each time I looked up at the stars and took my eyes off I would see double image. But a simple calibration fix and it works amazing.To calibrate there are small flat head screws under the covers on each side one is blank and other has Celestron on it. Those things are not covers that can NOT be removed. One of the screws on the right side under Celestron, is located under the rubber grip across the 7 on the 15x70 indication (right across where the rubber starts, pull it back slowly). its right under the cover move it slowly and carefully with a small flat head screwdriver, just push it back. Once you find it there is another for the left side, same place just different side.The direction that you turn the screw is the direction that that side of the binocular will go.  On the right side, turn the screw clockwise, moving the image down and to the left.  Turn it counter clockwise to move the image up and right.  The same for the left side.  Clockwise = down and left.  Counter Clockwise = image moved up and right.
Pros:  Great Price, Great ProductCons:  The tripod adapter could be better (does the job, but allows for some shake)
We could not believe how the moon & stars came into focus, the family loved using it.  Make sure you use a tripod.
Works great, everything I expected.  Now I need to get my eyes corrected (I've been putting it off) so that I enjoy it's full capabilities.  All of the reviews were very helpful and appreciated.  I think that I hexed myself with this purchase: it's never cloudy in Kansas City at this time of year, it's been cloudy many nights since the binoculars came in the mail.  I'm up late and up early any time that it clear, having the time of my long life.
Couldn't decide between 4 or 5 stars but really feel 4 is most deserving for the product and 5 for the price.  Quality optics on these binocs and no collimation issues at all.  Use them mainly for star gazing, when I don't want to haul out the big scope, and they resolve stars to fine points of light when they are off the edges.  The angular field of view is 4.4 degrees which is outstanding for these and the exit pupil of 4.7mm is great for those of us who wear glasses.  However, objects are blurred on the edges and really don't come into a sharp focus unless they are within about a 3.2 degree angular field, which is mainly where you're looking anyway. That's to be expected with what you pay for these and it's certainly not a show stopper at all, just an observation.  The other issue is the coatings, could be better. With Celestron putting their name on these I would have expected a tad better, but then the price wouldn't be $49 either.If you plan on looking at the moon you need to do it when it's a crescent.  Anything beyond that and optics appear to be fogged because of the amount of light the moon will spill into the optics, and it's excessive even at a half moon.  However, these optics have great resolution and show a tremendous amount of lunar detail!  Jupiter and it's moons are awesome as are the Pleiades, and Andromeda shows as a nice elongated fuzz ball.  Use averted vision when looking at Andromeda, seems to view better.  Orion's nebula also shows well but you're not going to see the detail you would in a telescope.You will need a tripod with these for star gazing and I would recommend going on youtube to see the different binoc holders people have built and make one yourself.  When you're not using a tripod, lean up against something or place them on something to steady them.  If you are just going to hold them, you will get steadier images if you hold them out on the end near the large objective.These also work great for terrestrial viewing.  Remember though the minimum focus distance is 43 feet so they won't work for bird watching in the back yard.Overall these are great binocs for the price and I hope this review helps others decide whether or not to get these.  Let me put it this way, liked them so much that I bought a second pair and sent them to my brother for Christmas.  He as crisp dark skies up in the mountains where he lives and can't wait to visit him again...when it warms up.
I bought these instead of a small telescope, and I'm very happy with them. The optics are very clear. The build quality seems very good. And the price is right. I can't really ask for much more. If I could, maybe that they be water-proof, instead of 'water-resistant'. I've been using them for some basic stargazing and sightseeing, etc. I'm steady enough to use them without a tripod, but one is recommended for any serious astronomy use. ..One tip if you're not using a tripod. Hold the binoculars at the end of the lenses, not in the middle. They'll be much more steady.
What a great price for an intro into sky watching.  I think everyone should have a pair of these and then take the time to gaze at the stars at night for some nice relaxation.  Great clear optics.  they are a little heavy. simple to operate.
We returned them.  They are very heavy, you can't hold them still for any length of time.  The word Tripod Adapter is the clue word.
I ordered these because it seemed like a great price for a quality piece. I knew there were some who received defective pieces but I gambled and ordered. The ones that arrived for me were out of collimation and I didn't want the hassle of returning them to the USA (I live in Canada). The reviews mentioned how you could lift up the rubber and discover an adjustable set screw that is not mentioned in the owner's manual. I followed the advice given and set up my binoculars on a tripod and focused on a distant roofline. I had already followed the instructions in the manual to get the best possible focus but was still seeing double images. I adjusted only one screw and VOILA everything came together in a crisp image. After this simple adjustment I now own a great pair of binoculars. My son was impressed and wants a pair for himself. I use them for astronomy and for hunting - although they are very heavy for that purpose.
I bought that product for my little nephew. He loved it. This is perfect for birds watching. We did not try it for astro watch. But I believe that it will solve the general purpose to see moon clearly.
I rated these a 5-star even though the first pair came out of the box with a slight collimation problem. (Double images when viewing a single star, for example) I initiated a return which Amazon was extremely prompt and shipped out a replacement set. In the two day interim, one of my "astro friends" said we could make a simple adjustment to collimate the first pair. He was right. We mounted the faulty binos on a tripod at dusk and quickly reset the collimation using the little set screws on each objective. It was really a very simple fix. I tried to stop the replacement shipment but Amazon was too quick. I returned the 2nd pair. Thanks Amazon!With the first pair now working perfectly I began to enjoy a new level of fun with backyard astronomy. I had built a "couch potato bino chair" (do a google search), and mounted the Skymasters on the chair. You really can't do these justice by hand-holding. I have a pair of Meade 10 x 42mm's for hand-held viewing and the Skymasters blow them away. At a recent star party experienced viewers were impressed. The double cluster in Perseus was just like the popular description; diamonds on black velvet. Beautiful... Very crisp images out to about 85% of the field of view. Just a slight fuzziness at the extreme edges.I've looked through $$$ binos that were absolutely clear that were very nice, but at 3-5 times the cost I'll stick with these Skymasters. There is so much info on the web concerning excellent Chinese optics so I guess the SM's are a good example.The only downside was the collimation issue early on. But with Amazon's return policy and great service that initial doubt became a positive.Another plus was that I opened an Amazon credit card which gave me an additional $30 off my purchase. So $55 was my net cost.Incredible value!
I completely loved it. Just started using it and so far its been brilliant. The view of the moon was stunning. Not as heavy as I expected it to be, but a tripod is recommended for extended use.
These are HUGE! If you are elderly, (I am), If your wife has small hands, (she does) If you wanted some binoculars to watch the birds at their feeder from your recliners, (we do) than these are not for you. I accidentally ordered this item yesterday and in the typical Amazon fashion they arrived today. I tried to get a return mailing label to send these back and order a smaller set. Having difficulties not typical of Amazon. Will keep all informed. Steve
The binoculars seem to be well constructed. The optics are of good quality and are well collimated. The eyecups have three different positions and feel good when put to the eyes. The binoculars have a stable focus. All the parts were in the box with no surprises. A good optical instrument for little money. I'm satisfied, thank you.
I'm not a binoculars expert, but I will say this does everything I had hoped for. I use it to look at the islands within a 25 mile radius of my home. I'm very pleased with the ease with which I use it. Note this does not come with a tripod. It comes with an adapter that hooks the binoculars into a tripod. A tripod must be purchased separately.
This should of came with a real tripod instead of some cheap tripod. But the binoculars very cool, can see jupiter and moon very impressive highly recommended for camping trips.
These are a great deal for the price. They seem durable and the view is nice and clear. I bought them for camping, hiking, bird watching, etc... I just wanted something that I could throw in my truck and didn't mind beating up and getting dirty. Definitely worth the money.
I purchased this mostly for stargazing and whatnot and haven't been disappointed. The 15x magnification is more than enough to see the moons of Jupiter and disc of the planet. The 70mm lenses gather lots of light and the cloudy surface of Jupiter is washed out because it is too bright. They come with a tripod adapter and you will need it for observations of more than a minute or so because the binoculars are fairly heavy.  You will also want a tripod to hold the binoculars steady because the 15x magnification really accentuates small movements.
I added this high powered set of binoculars to a growing toolbox of binoculars for bird and star gazing.  I've used it for birds more than stars at this point.  I pick it up when I'm looking deeper in the backyard and it's great.  Focus is clear and image is bright.Update March 2012I keep this by the back window for bird watching.  Use it often.  Very clear.  I also love taking it to sports.  They are monstrous, no doubt but you get such a great field of view at the high magnification.  I can look in the Cardinals dugout or the Blues Bench and see what's going on.  At the theatre they are amazing too.  Forget the mini binoculars.  go big!
I was extremely surprised with the size and quality of these binoculars.  I tried viewing a full moon one night and it was crystal clear.  The only problem was that it was a little shaky.  I guess that is to be expected so I'll be buying a stand to go with it.  Overall a great purchase!
Honestly, you're not going to find a better set of binoculars with these specs for under a few hundred dollars. I have both Nikons and Swarovskis and while their quality is significant so is their price. Most people will find these Celestrons adequate barring use in harsh environments or situations necessitating durability. They are surprisingly light for their size (in a cheap way) but I was really impressed with the clarity of the image especially during the day. The lenses alone are well worth the price of admission. They're perfect for low budget terrestrial use (weather permitting) and astronomy. They come with a tripod adapter (which you will need for image stabilization unless you have hands of steel), lens covers, and carry case. The eyepiece cover is a single unit that covers both eyepieces but the objective lenses have individual covers. Please note that the covers are flimsy and tend to fall off easily but again you're only paying about $60.
If you have a steady hand, then these are for you! I can't quite figure out yet how to mount them, but just being able to bring them out for a quick look at Jupiters moons made the purchase worth it.Only complaint is the bottom lens caps seem to fall off and are not a good fit.
This is well made and solid built. This is very reasonable and affordable price. It does have wide angle field, too. I can hold still just fine.
Celestron is well known as one of the top makers of astronomical telescopes and they didn't stop there.  These astronomical binoculars are terrific at pulling in light from distant sources.  Some people might complain that they are unreasonably heavy, but they really aren't that bad for their capabilities.  They practically suck in the light in the direction you're looking and the image resolution is phenomenal.  I had thought about purchasing some Nikon binoculars, but opted for these as I wanted to use them for astronomical purposes.  The value for the money was awesome, Amazon had them for $50 whereas the usual places I shop for astronomy gear wanted $75-100.  They come with a tripod adapter in case you want to set it up on a tripod.Bottom Line: Great binoculars for the value, great resolving power and terrific light-gathering ability!
This makes a great instant alternate to my 18 inch Dobsonian telescope when I am not sure if the sky is worth the 10 minute telescope setup. (and compared to the 80-pound telescope, much more portable)Great on a tripod - yes, it does oscillate interminably - but see my uploaded customser image for an easy way to stabilize it with its own neck strap. (My Vanguard tripod works great; which I bought for its smooth panning ability)Incredible value for the money. Mine came pretty well aligned, but if it hadn't been, I would have had the factory fix the alignment.
Great value for the price. Well made & adjusts nicely. Would highly recommend getting a tripod as these are quite heavy for continued use (tripod adaptor mount is included).  Saw rings of Saturn for first time.Still looking for the Millenium Falcon though..
These might be good for use with a tripod but without it's nothing but shake city...they are virtually useless. The optics are poor AND We got another pair much smaller and much better quality optics that make these huge ones look like junk. NOT recommended
I mounted these binoculars to a bogen photographic tripod and they work superbly for my Astronomy i do. I really pulled in things i couldn't with lesser binos( the plieades )for example.
I got these binoculars for christmas I was very excited to use them. When I unboxed it it had 3 dust caps 2 for the big lenses and 1 for the 2 small lenses. It had a nylon bag, a blue cloth for cleaning the lenses, an instruction manual, and a tripod adapter. So I tried it out and I got the best veiws ever it had nice contrast, sharp veiws, and a wide feild of view. It weighed about 3 pounds but my hands were not very stable so I tried out the tripod adapter it took ne about 1 min to find were it screws in. When I got it working it was almost as solid as a rock but it kind of wobbled a tiny bit. I was looking through the binoculars I saw many things around the neighborhood like a flag far away, mountains, kids sleding, some radio towers, houses, and many other things. these binoculars are huge they hve an apeture of 70mm and 15x magnification or just 15x70. These are my best and favorite binoculars I have ever had.
I bought this for my wife who enjoys watching wildlife outside our back windows. The range and power are significantly better than an old pair of binoculars we owned. We can also get an amazing look at the moon, and actually see the airline jets in front of vapor trails in the sky.
With all the good press about Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars somebody's got to get a bad set and that was me this time.  I thought I had done my homework:  Poro BAK4, Angular Field of View: 4.4, Linear Field of View (@1000 yds): 230.41 ft (70.23 m), Exit Pupil: 4.7 mm (0.19 in), Eye Relief: 18 mm (0.71 in) and seemly great reviews. Therefore I will just deduct 2 stars rather than 4.Mine were most definitely 1 star material though.  The recent discounted price of $49.99 shipped made be decide to finally own a pair.  Unfortunately for me, mine arrived with a severe collimation problem.  My first light was a look at Jupiter, and no matter what I did I would see 2 Jupiters??  Took them out the next day and looked at the electric meter on a house down the street and 2 electric meters; my brain tried its best to compensate, but was just giving me severe eye strain.  I got out my Fujinon 7x42 roof prism binoculars (which cost about 5x more) and everything looked perfect and super sharp in them.  I then did the Google thing on binocular collimationMis-collimation is quite common. I found the Celestron 15x70 Skymaster is the same Chinese-manufactured binocular sold under the Bear, Barska, Galileo, and Oberwerk brands.  If one searchs "binocular collimation" there are instructions all over the 'net on how to adjust the binoculars yourself, but I find it unexceptable QC on Celestron's part to deliver them this way.  Also, the adjustment process entails removing some of the rubber molding and is very experimental hit or miss in many cases.  Not something I was willing or desired to do.I hope that isn't why this batch was marked down.  I encourage everyone to try theirs out, and make sure you have a good set.  The Amazon return process would not let me exchange....simply a refund.  Amazon makes returns very easy by the way with a paid UPS label printed right so the return is very easy.
I looked around for a while before settling on the Celestron SkyMaster binoculars.  While I enjoy looking at the stars, my main focus (no pun intended) was finding something more powerful than my pocket binoculars for backyard bird watching.  I have several feeders set up about 60 feet from the house, and I was worried that these might be overkill.I shouldn't have been worried!  Not only do I have a great view of the birds at the feeders, but I can now see farther back into the woods to watch the non-feeder birds looking for insects in an old fence post.  I can't wait to use these to keep an eye out for the deer family that passes through every evening.  I haven't had a chance to do much stargazing, but I was able to get a great view of the moon, and I was thrilled to be able to see craters along the edge.These are HUGE binoculars (so big that friends have said they look like something out of Inspector Gadget), but surprisingly, they aren't that heavy for short-term viewing.  You will definitely want to make use of the tripod adapter if you're planning to use the binoculars for extended viewing, and I agree with the reviewer who recommended finding another case, since the one that comes with the binoculars is basically good only for carrying them, not protecting them.
Good pair of binocs, pretty heavy though, so I can't hold them up for too long.  Since they're so heavy I wish they would have come with a strap.
I like them.  they were collimated well enough and are great for both astronomy and birding.
These are great for those of us who are interested in astronomy, but don't want to drag a telescope around with us all the time.  They don't take up much space, the view is excellent, and the price is right.  I would recommend getting a stand for them though, as they can be a bit difficult to keep steady after holding them for a while.
These are very nice binoculars for the price- bright and well made. The only downside is that they do not focus very closely. I can't use them to watch birds in my feeders because the closest they focus is (guessing) probably 50-60 feet. That's not a flaw of the binocular, just how it is designed. Beyond that range they are terrific, good for star gazing as well.
For the money paid I am real happy with these, not only did I get them quickly (1 wk from the day I ordered) they came well packaged, work flawlessly out of the box, glass is real clear and boy can I see things far. I bought 10x50 Gordons from Harbor Freight for $20 on sale which were OK for what I was using them for, spotting at gun range, but when I got my AR15 and moved to the 100 yard targets I could hardly see my holes, so I gave them away and did alot of reading on reviews of different makes and models. I was thinking I'll spend $100 but after reading specs and other user storys I figured I need to stay under 15-20 as going fro 10 power to 15 was 50% increase and I still need to view things at 40-50 feet. So I narrowed it down to 15/20 power in either 60 or 70 objective lens. I was able to get these for $60.95 OTD and does the job I need them to do. With a 70 objective they are bright and now I'll use them at night to star gaze and look at full moons. I have nothing to compare them to that is better quality, they smoke my Gordon's, demoed some Barska 15x70 and some others at Big5 and they were really poor in clarity, fully zoomed were blurry for the same price range. Anyone looking for good 15x70 Binoc's at a low price will be happy with these. Some viewers say they are heavy, for they are not and handled them for 30 mins without any issues. I can see if you star gaze you either may need to lay down or put them on a tripod. They included the trip pod mount, cleaning tissue, neck strap and lens covers and carrying bag.
I will not go in to any depth and detail on the pros and cons of these binoculars, as other posters have already done this.What I will say is that I have had these for about a week now and I have used them for both nature observation and astronomy, and in both, they have performed really good.One of the cool things was that I watched a Merlin Hawk for nearly 20 minutes, that was in a tree a block and a half away from my house. It was eating it's lunch in the tree. The image was crisp and clear and it felt like I was right there with it.Personally, I am very happy with the purchase.Update: February 12, 2013I have had these binoculars for 10 months now, and so far, I am still very pleased with the purchase. I found when using them for astronomy viewing, it is much easier to lay down on the ground. So basically I get as conformable as possible. I take a blanket to lay on, and 3 pillows. One pillow for my head and the other two I put on either side of my arms, so I can rest my arms on. I find that makes it much easier to support the weight of the binoculars when using them for a long time.I have found the light gathering power of these binoculars is fantastic. A couple of weeks ago there were a rash of night time car break-ins in my neighborhood. So I grabbed my cell phone, and binoculars, turned off all the outside lights on my house and sat in a chair under a tree in my front yard and I used a TV tray as a rest for my arms and scanned the whole street for a couple of hours in the dark. Through them, at midnight, I could see a cat crossing the street a whole block away. Everything was clear and crisp through them in the dark. You would be amazed at the details you can see through them at night.Be it nature observing or astronomy, these binoculars are really worth the investment.
Great clean vision as if you're not looking in a binoculars but with Eagle eyes.Received my Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter this last Wednesday June 11, 2014. Very very good condition I received it. Alignment is perfect, no collimation is needed. Contrary to one person's review saying "...that the center focusing mechanism tends to drift and requires constant attention." I beg to differ on that, I find everything is perfectly adjusted and pretty stiff which is great.In layman's term I'll write my review:Using the binoculars at approx 40 feet distance will max out the "focus" not "zoom in" to get the clearest image. That is the closest object viewing as you can use it.Looking from the furthest point lets say at the moon will let you "focus" not "zoom" to a point where the image is clear as you can get but still do have more adjustments for further objects. So I trust I explained it a very simple way for others to understand.This binoculars has no zoom in or out, what it does have is the focusing knob to adjust for eyesight.Watching the full Moon on Friday June 13, 2014 approx 7:40 P:M I was amazed at all the stuff you can see on the moon which is not visible with the eye. I can easily see craters but not in details. The best way to see the craters especially with a full moon is to look at the right side edge of the moon, that will definitely show some craters easily.My eyesight is very good at spotting things in the distance, I'm 20-20 with my vision. So I have a pretty good eyesight. During the daytime I was scouting around the horizons around my home (I have a great view of our southern and central range and other places of interest) and noticed a place I always look at, I took the binoculars and was really surprised at seeing people that I could not see under normal circumstances, even birds flying in the distance which I could not see. I own a pair of Zenith binoculars for many years but never saw so much details like what I see with this Celestron binoculars.I have a lightweight Samsonite 1100 tripod which I use to setup my new Celestron Binoculars (its broken at the top and I did some modifications so I can use it for the binoculars). I also use my tripod like a monopod (unipod), pull up two legs and leave one leg fully extended for balancing the weight of the binoculars. The tripod adapter that came with the binoculars works great on the tripod. I do intend to purchase another heavy duty tripod in the near future just for the binoculars. Thank you Amazon, I gifted this for myself for Father's day.
I gave these as a gift, and the only thing I heard from the recipient was WOW!  I am pretty certain that he will be able to see clusters of stars and bears in the woods.  Just a great, reasonably priced all-around Giant set of Binoculars.
A low end unit with very poor edge correction and transmission but perfectly good for terrestrial use. Not recommended for astronomy. Actualy a reasonable value for the (low) price, just not a quality item.
Wonderful bino's for the price. You will spend as much if not more for a sturdy tripod. A tripod should be rated for at least 11 lbs. Higher magnification and weight makes a tripod neccessary.
I upgraded from a pair of Bushnell Instavision 7x35 WA  with 490 ft. at 1000 yds. I must say that the Giant is just great. They were good to go right out of the box. All I had to do was focus. You can really see airplanes up close. The craters on the moon look great. I also check out the stars. At night, I just just pick a random spot in the sky where I see nothing with my eyes, and with the Giant, so many stars. Very cool. Great price!
I was very impressed with these binoculars. Feel as if they were worth much more then what they cost. Used them for some star gazing and was amazed at how many more stars were visible with the light these gather. Could easily see Jupiter and four of its moons with the 15x magnification. Bought a monopod to use with the tripod holder included with binoculars. That really helps keep things steady. Can also be used reasonable well hand held for bird watching etc.
Very good quality, easy to use/handle, crisp clear optics.  We really like these.  Highly recommended.
I bought these for the extra power; took a chance on a friend's recommendation, plus, the Celestron name.  To save you further reading - these are not in the same class as Celestron telescopes I've owned in the past.Plus side - the optics are clear and the alignment of the prisms is surprisingly sharp.Negatives - only one - the lack of quality multi-coating on the lenses yields far more fringing than is found in higher priced Nikon binoculars.  It can be overlooked, but I found it annoying, distracting, and overall, objectionable in a viewing device of this caliber.
Bought them for stargazing, and so far they've been amazing.I don't use tripod and I don't think it is necessary for getting good views.
I was attracted to these binoculars by the number of encouraging reviews and by the low price. I should know by now that you get what you pay for. I took them outside the first night for a look at the moons of Jupiter expecting a spectacular view and got a double image of Jupiter that I could not resolve no matter how much focusing and rotating of the binoculars I did.Very disappointing after so much expectation.I thought Celestron would have had better quality control on products they put their name on. Amazon is tops though because the took them back with not a problem. My standard binoculars are Canon 10x30, image stabilized, that give a very clear view. The moons of Jupiter are easily resolved. Stick with quality optics.Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
Just what I wanted for use in birding.  Have to use a tripod for a steady view, but these things are powerful and crystal clear.
bought binoculars to use when huntig and to spot in my rounds on targes when dialing dialng in scopes kill too birds wih one stone cand spot game and use as spotig scope
I love these binoculars. We can see so much with them, We love looking at the sky and earth around us.
I recently took these to the cottage and mounted them to a tripod one clear and starry night.  Now I didn't see Saturn, but the moon came in bright and clear exposing detail unseen by the naked eye.  Also, the binoculars exposed thousands of distant stars in the background also.  It's difficult using your hands to view stars for more than 5 minutes, and considering these binoculars weigh about 3 pounds, even the slightest breeze or ground vibration through a tripod sometimes makes it difficult to view.  Yes, the tripod adapter seems cheaply made, but it does the job.  I would have also liked to have separate covers for the eyepieces instead of the one long cover which seems to easily slip off.  The instruction page included is thorough and to the point, and adjusting the eyepieces was simple and worked well.  There is also a carrying bag included.These binoculars work fantastic for viewing far distant objects during the daytime aswell!
What a wonderful pair of binoculars! After following the easy instructions for personal focus settings I was able quickly to spot the first two deep-sky objects I looked for. The Orion Nebula was still kinda hazy, but there was lots of ambient light where I was observing---Pleiades was as crisp and clear as the Fort Wayne night. Aldebaran glared at me and filled most of my field of view as I scanned the Milky Way for Santa and his reindeer...it was Christmas eve, after all.:)$50.00 is a paltry amount for this quality. The money saved can be used for the tripod that is needed; the one draw back is the weight, the binos are hard to keep steady.
I was hesitant to purchase these after reading several reviews mentioning bad collimation and "you get what you pay for". I finally decided to take a leap of faith due to the incredibly low price and the universally praised Celestron brand. After using them extensively for a week, I can say without a doubt I am incredibly happy I took the chance!Let me get this out of the way: My pair have absolutely no collimation problems! It was the first thing I checked for and I was very happy and relieved to see that I had non of the issues mentioned in the negative reviews.The package includes the binoculars, a carrying case, tripod adapter, strap, and a microfiber cloth. The eyepieces and lens all have respective covers. While the lens covers are fantastic, the eyepiece cover leaves much to be desired. It doesn't fit well and it consistently falls off. A minor detail perhaps, but on cold nights in humid Florida, condensation is a hassle for stargazing and it's important to have proper fitting covers to prevent dew from forming when you get back into a heated environment! Thankfully, the eyepiece cover is the only negative thing I have to say in this review and for the most part it doesn't affect the primary use of the binoculars whatsoever!The construction is amazing considering the very low price ($59.59 as of 15 January, 2012). There is nothing cheap feeling or looking about the binoculars and they feel wonderful to hold. That said, they're quite big. You can certainly use them with your hands, but after five minutes I think the layman will get tired. As such, I've been propping it on my old camcorder tripod using the included adapter.The views these binoculars give are nothing short of breathtaking. Even pointing them at a dark patch of sky reveals hundreds of beautiful stars. On my first cloudless night I was able to see Jupiter with four of its moons and a beautiful nebula near Orion's Belt. I read you can get great views of galaxies (particularly Andromeda!) with these binoculars but to be honest as an amateur stargazer I've been having too much fun just finding and memorizing all the wonderful stars and their constellations. Orion's Belt, Betelgeuse, Rigel and Sirius look incredible!Words can't begin to express how it feels to observe these stellar objects. To see with your very eyes how beautiful the universe is and to realize that no matter what happens to you or the entire planet, the universe will continue blasting through space. We are only a speck, and these binoculars confirm that!
I am an amateur astronomer, I believe it was best $50 spent on these, someone told me that sometimes 20x80 (one size up) also go for $50, it was not in my case so I stayed with this. It is not too heavy but after long some viewing time you will feel your hands getting tired, I would recommend getting a tripod, it will help with the hand shake and hands not getting tired. Being a photographer, Chromatic Aberration is one thing that bothers me and often you will see that but its not end of the world. I was able to see Orion Nebula with these which was huge. As I said I am an amateur astronomer, I will know more with time.
Work as advertised, but as others have said, these are not lightweight. May require some users to use a tri-pod stand.Great quality...best Binocs I have ever used.
Super optics great field of view..Little heavy but OK. Would recommend for both casual & experienced stargazers. Great bargain and quality.
I've just received these binoculars and I have to say that I am incredibly impressed what you get for the price (~$60).  The focus is really good and the chromatic aberration (color fringes) are minimal.  I was able to mount the binoculars on my camera tripod using the adapter.  However the adapter is an I-Beam shape for rigidity but being long and plastic actually flexes quite  bit and causes wobble on the binocular.  Ideally that adapter should be made of metal.  A another poster mentioned, they used epoxy to fill in the I-Beam gabs to make it a more solid structure.  I will probably do the same. For the price of everything I am very happy.
OK, but not as good as advertised.  More blurred vision around the outer sides than expected.
After reading many of the reviews here, these sounded like a good deal but given the negative reviews from folks who got bad copies I decided it would be best to buy them in person. I did that and tried them before I walked out with them. After getting them home and trying them out on a tripod for about 2 hours in daylight, I have to say that the quality of the optics is amazing for this price. Center sharpness is just phenomenal and doesn't really degrade much until you look towards the edges. But if you demand edge-to-edge sharpness then you need to start spending the bucks to get it. For most of the field of view these are more than sharp enough.One small negative - the included tripod mount is way too wobbly. I reinforced it by bolting two thin metal plates to it and that helped a great deal. Someone else mentioned that they filled it with epoxy (it's an i-beam type of construction). That seems like a good idea also.But for this kind of money, this is an insanely good pair of binoculars.
Celestron Skymaster 15x70I've had bad experiences with inexpensive binoculars in the past, but these seemed like a great deal with plenty of positive reviews on Amazon. After taking about 30 minutes to sit down and play with the binocular and make all the adjustments (diopter and focus as well as the IPD), I have to say these are very good. The optical clarity is exceptional. In my opinion, it is close to the Steiner binoculars we used in the military - but the Steiner had different coatings on the lenses that made a purplish/bluish hue for the images and had obviously better exterior construction.The Celestron Skymaster doesn't feel cheap, but it isn't exactly a high-end pair of binoculars. The center focusing mechanism constantly shifts especially when you lift the binoculars by the eyepiece assembly. You can see it spinning by itself! The lens caps aren't tethered and feel cheap. But they have a decent heft, yet don't feel too heavy to absolutely require a tripod.I bought the Skymaster mainly for outdoor use. After adjusting the focus ring, I was able to focus clearly on objects as close as 10 yards and as far out as 200 meters. Identifying small and fine features at 200m would require stabilization like a tripod. But I've used cheap optics in the past that had a difficult time focusing clearly at 100 yards with excessive chromatic aberration and shimmering. The Skymaster doesn't seem to exhibit this behavior, although there is slight chromatic aberration at the outer edges of the image. The large 70mm objective lenses allow for the binoculars to work even in low light conditions.I did not have any problems with collimation like many others reported. However, I noticed I'd see double until I relaxed my eyes and allowed it to collimate automatically. I wonder if these users that report collimation issues suffer from astigmatism or need their vision corrected. I hear tons of complaints about EOTech, Aimpoint, and Trijicon ACOG optics looking like a cluster of grapes and they assumed it was a defective optic, but this usually occurs when your vision isn't corrected to 20/20.Overall: 4/5 stars, overall it exceeded my expectations. It is inexpensive but works extremely well. Optical quality is great, but the exterior construction could be better. There are no tethered lens caps, and the focus adjustment has a mind of its own  if you touch the eyepiece assembly. But overall, it is actually a good pair of binoculars at this price point.
You'll love this Binocular...get a good tri-pod, and set up for Full Moon watching...nice for the price ! I would buy this item again...they work just fine!
I purchased these as a first foray into stargazing.  I really wanted a small telescope, but most of the review sites suggested a pair of 10x50 binoculars to start with.  I'm no fool, bigger is always better, so I ordered these 15x70 giants instead.Lesson one: You will never, ever, hold these steady enough to enjoy the view they give of the stars.  Try holding them near the front lenses instead of the normal grips. They're fairly heavy and the 15x means the view is very wiggly.  10x50s would be much lighter and, with less magnification, easier to hold steady.Lesson two: You're not going to use these without a tripod.  Get a good name brand tripod to go with these, the $20 model won't be steady enough.  Go ahead and order an aluminum binocular mount as well. The plastic one included with these isn't strong enough to support them and will wobble around for 5+ seconds every time you bump it.Lesson three: Once you get a nice mount and attach it to a good tripod, these binoculars are amazing!  The Orion nebula jumps out at you! Jupiter is extremely bright, and you can count the Galilean moons.  Saturn is a little oblong thing.  The moon....WOW the moon is amazing.  I've never seen a magnified view of a star cluster until I bought these.  It doesn't sound that impressive, (wow, a bunch of stars on a black background?) but you're scanning across the sky and suddenly BOOM, your vision is FULL of thousands of stars.  Amazing!  If only I could see these things a little closer!  This leads to...Lesson four: Why didn't I buy a small telescope?  I get the limitations of a small scope.  Optical quality, mount quality, difficulty of use for a beginner, all of the other things people fault them for.  I just don't see how these are much better for stargazing.  Jupiter is very bright.  Wouldn't it be nice to trade some of that brightness for 30x magnification and see some detail?  At least with a small telescope, you'd have the option.  Same for the moon and saturn.I should have listened to the sages of the internet and bought some 10x50 binoculars to learn with.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Celestron brand again.  The coatings on these are great, the build quality is good and there's plenty of eye relief for a glasses wearer.  There were a few little glue spots visible, but no big deal.  I recently compared them directly to a Nikon pair of the same size.  The build quality on the Nikons was a little better, but optically there wasn't much to choose between the two.These are actually fantastic for watching deer, elk and birds out in the woods.  Even as it gets dark (when the elk come out), the 70mm light gathering ability of these lets us see much later than our friends with 30-50mm binoculars.  The tripod adapter is actually perfect in that setting.  The wobble doesn't seem as bad when viewing wildlife as opposed to tiny specs of light.These probably aren't the best choice for a beginning astronomy enthusiast.  You'd be better off with 10x50s or the 70mm Celestron Travel Scope, which sells for about the same price and lets you add eyepieces for more magnification.  For stargazing, these are probably best for experienced astronomers looking for a particular piece of equipment.On the other hand, if you want fantastic views of wildlife and the occasional glance at the moon, these are perfect. I'm saving for a telescope, but I will probably buy a Celestron based on my experience with the build and optical quality of these binoculars.
Great bino's.  I especially like them at the ocean.  I can see fishing boats way out that aren't visible to the naked eye.  I was watching seals offshore on a reef just like I was next to them.  Haven't used them much for stargazing but I did look at the craters on the moon.  I would recommend a good tri pod as the bino's are bit heavy and difficult to hold steady in the wind.  Awesome purchase for the money and the more I use them the more fun I'm having.
These binoculars were out of collimation and the left ocular prism was mounted in such a way that it obstructed the left ocular lens view in the upper left hand corner.  For the price of $48.00 I should have not expected too much in the way of quality.
I got this binoculars because I read all the reviews.  When I got them I immediately went outside and tried them. Super view. Get them
I bought this to check out the skies, and for that it is a lot of fun (so much so that I bought a telescope to go further). As a pair of traditional binocs, I was blown away.  These are very large, so they're not great for lugging to sporting events or casual sightseeing, but other than that take them with you.  I later took these on a trip to Yellowstone, and they were quite a hit with my brother and his family.  I got him a pair for his birthday.  These will knock your socks off.  Great price for the quality you are getting from the world-class brand of optics of Celestron.
with respects to Johnny Nash!  ;)I live in the light polluted skies of Orlando and I can see the Orion Nebula with these. Incredible value for the money. In recent outreach events at Elementary Schools these have been a hit with the kids.On a VERY sturdy tripod you can see the last phases of Venus and I can just make out the edge line of Saturn's rings (they are edge on).Oh, if you have not guessed yet I have these for viewing the night sky. I will be making white light solar filters (Baader Solar Film) and anxiously await the return of solar activity.Clear Skies!
I bought this product specifically for stargazing.  By holding these in my hands I can tell that these binoculars are high quality.  Great price.The only thing I would recommend is that if you don't have the steady hands of a professional photographer, that you buy yourself a tripod because (for me) it is very difficult to hold them steady enough to actually enjoy what I'm looking at.  This isn't the products fault at all...  anything else with this level of magnification would be difficult to hold steady... unless it was some kind of automated device like an electronic telescope.
I bought these for my daughter because she likes to look at wildlife in the country. She actually uses the binoculars for a telephoto lens on her iPhone. The pictures actually come out great.
I found that the binoculars were out of collimation and returned them to Amazon and requested a replacement pair. I received the replacement and found that the collimation was even worse than I had experienced with the first pair. I requested another replacement. Amazon sent me an Email that stated that the problems they are having with these binoculars are greater than they realized and that they would be sending me a refund rather than another replacement. I am very impressed with the way Amazon has handled this. They sent me the replacement pair even before I had returned the defective pair. They even covered all of the return postage. I will definately continue to purchase from Amazon.
I've had these for about 2 weeks. The set I have came undamaged in perfect working condition. The optic barrels seem to be aligned very well. They seem to be ruggedly made. The lens coatings are multi coated but I doubt it is a broad spectrum coating that you find on high end binoculars. But keep in mind these are not high priced high end binoculars.Overall they give you a nice wide view with good brightness......precise fine adjustments are possible.You would notice a difference in image quality if you compare these to a 300 dollar binocular.But I find these are pretty good and well worth the price that Amazon is asking. Especially with Free shipping its a very good bargain.One reviewer mentioned holding these with one hand on the front of one barrel. Which helps to stabilize the 15x magnification.These are best used on a tripod. When mounted on a tripod you can get very good stable viewing. For short periods like for bird watching you can view these by hand.For celestial viewing the tripod is mandatory with the exception of moon viewing.The tripod adapter that comes with the unit is useable but some people will want to purchase a all metal adapter.I would recommend these for anyone who just wants some high power binoculars without spending hundreds of dollars.Even if you only use these for casual all purpose use you really cant go wrong on these. And you wont feel like you've spent a whopping amount of money for something you may not use that often.As usual Amazon is top notch to buy from.
We are beginnig astronomy and these binoculars are a great start. We have been able to see star clusters, galaxies, and hundreds of stars where there are just a few to the naked eye. Also was able to see Jupiter and her 4 moons. The binos are a little heavy to hold and a tripod helps but it awkward to use (could also be due to being a beginner.) This is a great product to get to get started. I would also recommend a green laser pointer.
if you are beginner or pro this is the best binocular for stargazing  and deep sky for the stargazingChosen because I live in the city and this penetrates the light pollution and makes me watch the stars , reasonably good weight  ,can be mounted on  Tripod  ,and reasonable price.
I owned a 8&#34; schmitt, and a 102mm mustav. After a time, I sold them both. Coupled with a tripod, these &#34;Giants&#34; provide easier viewing of night sky and daylight terra views. Ease of set-up, portability and other factors make binos a great alternative, you may end up using more often, and for longer periods. Living in Maui, with available dark, clear skies, offers larger vistas of the milkyway even in winter. I can get a big view of already familiar skies.One negative...just to be realistic. Binos on a camera tripod, though convenient for terra views, are difficult to view overhead objects, due to mechanical design constraints. The closer sky objects are to the horizon, the easier the head-tilt angle.It makes sense why astro teles and binos have 90-45 degree eye pieces.Nevertheless, I anticipate I'll use these not only for myself, but to show friends the sky, and the earth more than I ever did before.
Incredibly careless re-packaging.  Whoever did this just threw everything into the box and taped it up.  Fingerprints on lenses!  No concern or care for product.  So far there doesn't seem to be any damage, but I will able to tell with a few uses.  Any problems and I will return item.  Shame on Celestron!!!  This is not a criticsm of Amazon, even though I could tell that the item was re-packaged before I opened it.
I bought for general star/planet/moon gazing.  I could not be more pleased.  I also brought up to the lake this weekend.  Everyone was very impressed by the large, clear, bright image.  The tripod mount works well for longer viewing.I am so impressed, I also bought my dad a pair.
Use them often to look at critters in the fields... Work better with a tripod to stabilize them. Did return the first pair due to one side being blurry but the second pair sent work great. They are not perfectly clear but they are also not &#60;$2,000
Beautiful views of the Moon and perfect for Pleiades, Heiades and birds but you can see Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy core...I gave this one for my mom for xmas and she loved it because while I take 20min to set up my go to telescope, she is already lounging in a beach chair and asking about tea and sandwiches.But is havy, maybe you have to change the strap for a more confortable one and I recomend a good trypod. Don't buy the the 14 bucs one, is to instable.
Good for occasionally night watching.Very good build quality.But a bit too heavy for extended use without a tripod.
I purchased these binoculars for night sky viewing.  I had a pair of 10X50 Bushnell binoculars and I was impressed with what I was able to see through those so I bought these for even more in depth viewing and they have not let me down.  They are ideal as supplements to a telescope or if you don't have a telescope, these are great for your first introduction to optics that will open up the night sky to you.  They are much easier to use than a telescope and you can see all kinds of neat things.  I viewed such things as the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda galaxy, the Pleiades, and double stars such as Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major with relative ease and they looked stunning.  Focus these binoculars in on the Milky Way and you will see tons of stars you wouldn't be able to see otherwise.  I was even able to look at Saturn and with some steadying of the binoculars against my chest, could slightly make out the definition of the rings.  These binoculars also do a magnificent job of viewing the moon.I had read some reviews that they are really heavy and bulky, but I found that they were surprisingly light and easy to steady free handed.  They are quite large, which means that they will take up more space than a normal binocular, but this is to be expected.  Mine did come with a carrying case and a tripod adapter (which I haven't used yet, so I cannot comment on its quality).Overall, for the price, you can't go wrong.  I've used these binoculars in the daytime and they are great--crystal clear optics.  They also seem very durable and with some care, will probably last you many many years.  If you are new to stargazing and are considering a good pair of binoculars that will show you all kinds of wonderous things, look no further than the Celestron Skymasters--you will not be disappointed.
When we bought these, we had no idea it would take 2 weeks before they would get shipped, once shipped, we got our in just days, BUT, the left lens had dust on the inside barrel and on the inside of the lens (with some smearing taboot). There was some green fringing at all ranges of use and this horrible ability to make us go cross eyed, BUT, for 15x and 70mm lenses, they do quiet well in most lighting situations, after your eyes come to terms with them that is. I personally think the manufacture was in a hurry to build these and skimped on the usual quality control, or, the company is simply going down hill, but I rather give them the benefit of the doubt and we just got a beat up pair.
I purchased this gift in January for my grandson whose birthday is in March. There is a free floating metal piece inside. Ridiculously enough, I can't exchange it! I bought this for the blood moons and live in a cold climate so we didn't use it until recently.
Yes, you can get a high power pair of binoculars for less than $75, thanks to the wonders of Chinese manufacturing, which seems to be getting better by the day. The binoculars are an excellent value for the price paid and will enable you to see many deep sky objects, and the planets. The moon is spectacular when viewed through these.To hand-hold, you will need an extremely steady pair of hands, or a good tripod. Do not skimp in this area. Thin, spindly tripods will cause the image to shake badly.The overall quality is good, considering the price. While the fit and finish are not on par with the Nikons I own, they are not bad, all said. With some care (keeping them dry, and not subjecting to big shocks) you should expect to get decades of service.
Binoculars work fine, my only gripe is that the price dropped after my purchase.I bought them for astronomy, and they are good for that.
Great Value, Bought from Amazon at a great price.These Binoculars are Awesome.I viewed a water tank two miles away,that had faded writing on it that I never noticed when I drove by the tank. My only gripe would be that these are semi heavy (quality)and my hands shake lightly from the weight, which is a good thing.I found that if I put my elbows on my chest, and put my wraists together, with my fingers pointing up, I can support these binoculars with minimal shaking.I would recommend to a friend.
I really like these Binoculars. They have a great lens in them for the price. Very well made and really not that heavy as some has advertised. I would recommendthem to anyone who loves to view the night sky, but they work just as good in daylight as they do at night.
For the price, these glasses are fantastic. I think they're easier to hand hold than I thought they'd be at least for an adult. I may even buy the step up; which is the 20 x 80's, although these are really great.
The only draw back to these is the lens covers are crap, aside from that, these things are everything I hoped they would be. I watched a coyote the other day that was way out in a farm field and the definition was fantastic. If you can get over the lens cover thing, these are well worth the cost.
considering the price of $50.00.this is a slam dunk steal.i know several customers had collimation problems,but i think that had to do with rough handling on the shippers part.my bino's came in perfect ready to go condition. the images were very clear,right out to the edges.my guess would be that you'd have to spend at least 2 io 3x as much for a better pair.
I am a novice to binoculars.  I must say that I am very pleased with my purchase.  The quality surpassed my expectations and my family and I have already enjoyed hours of use.  Star gazing and wildlife viewing have become new hobbies in our home.  My only regret is that I didn't purchase these much sooner.
I am an experienced amateur astronomer and know optical instruments.  I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent build and optical quality of this product. I salute to Celestron for be able to deliver such a good product for so little cost in this day and age.  I had a old pair of Minolta 10X50 to compare this to, and the difference was immediately obvious.  The image focus area across the field of view was larger and clearer. The binos are easy to adjust and they surprisingly lightweight considering their size.  I highly recommend these if you don't need if your pocket book is tight.
I admit it.  I have always cheaped out on binoculars.  These may actually be an extension of that, but they are great!  I have a Celestron telescope that has served me well for 20 years, but these are so much cooler.  Even a dope like me can use them,
These are really powerful and really clear, they are the best entry level glasses I have even come across. Buy These!
After reading a number of reviews of telescopes and various articles on backyard astronomy, I took the consistent advice of the various sources and bought binoculars.  From the reviews (external reviews as well) and the price, the Celestron 15 x 70s seemed to be a good choice.As soon as I opened the box (well packed from the shipper) I was a bit surprised by the size and weight.  Believe the other reviewers, you probably won't want to hold these for an extended period.  A tripod is inexpensive and highly recommended.  I'm using a Targus model TG-6600TR (extends to 66" tall), allowing me to look at many objects while standing up.  Also, because of the magnification, it is hard to hold the binoculars steady enough for decent stargazing.The binoculars feel solid and well-built.  The coating on the outside makes them easy to hold, and the focuser is easy to adjust and doesn't have excess play.  The diopter is a bit more of a challenge, but the whole operation is simple enough (I think it just takes a bit of practice and patience).  For me the ability to adjust for wearing glasses is a big plus.  On that topic, the long eye relief is also great for anyone wearing glasses.Ok, on to the good stuff...what can you see with these?  Once I had them attached to the tripod, adjusted, and focused, I turned them up to the sky.  I'm gazing from my backyard in the city, so light pollution is an issue.  The easiest target that night was Jupiter.  With the naked eye, Jupiter was a big, bright point.  Through the binoculars, Jupiter took shape as a orange-yellow sphere (please do NOT think you will see detail like those Hubble telescope images).  What I found amazing was seeing Jupiter's four largest moons, even as points of light.  After a few minutes staring, I turned the binoculars at the constellation Orion and the famous nebula.  What appears as a faint, fuzzy patch to the naked eye is a hazy, but brilliant sight.  If I looked slightly away from the nebula, I could make out some shape to the gaseous clouds.  The Pleiades, Mars, and even the Andromeda galaxy are all easy enough targets, and even from an area with modest light pollution.I haven't been able to test these out on Saturn yet, but it should be higher in the sky in the March / April evenings.  I'm looking forward to getting away from the city lights on a clear night to really give these binoculars a test.At this price (especially with free shipping) the Celestron 15 x 70s are an excellent deal, and are an inexpensive way to begin stargazing.  While you may not see all those awe-inspiring images from the Hubble telescope, you will be looking at a live show that will never cease to satisfy.
I purchased these for star gazing and am really impressed. I am able to see many star clusters, M42/43 Orion Nebula, Jupiter's moons, just to name a few. They are heavy but not to heavy. I purchased a recommended tripod but I am sending it back as it's not stable enough for these babies (go heave duty). My astro club suggested I get these before moving into a large dob scope and I am glad I did!!! I had no idea you could see so much through a good pair of binoculars and I am having a blast learning the night sky. Get a sky atlas or download the latest skymap and get out there. I bought these on sale here for $48 and these binoculars do not disappoint! Awesome product, awesome transaction through Amazon, fast shipping.PS:Don't forget a lens pen or other cleaning kit. Celestron makes one but their brand and other knock offs can be found cheaper elsewhere on the net with minimal searching.
Great binoc's.  Very bright and clear.  Had no problems using them without a tripod.  Also got the Bushnell 20X and while they do magnify a little more, they were much darker than these Celestron's.  Definetly recommend if size if not an issue.
If your intended purpose is to sit on your deck or just off the road and look at stuff, you can&#8217;t go wrong! Heavy, we have ours on a tripod most of the time. Day and/or night great Binoculars.
I am enjoying using these binoculars. Had I not bought a pair of Nikon 7266 binos at the same time I bought these, I might have formed a more positive impression of them. As it is, I only "mostly like" them instead of "really like" them.Pluses:Wonderful combination of high magnification and a nice big field of view. Could easily see Jupiter and its 4 moons tonight, definitely more impressive in stereoscopic vision than with a single eyepiece.Basically good optics, with qualifications (see minuses).Excellent for horizontal (terrestrial) viewing.Included tripod mount is needed due to their weight.Minuses:Fit and finish is a bit funky, especially compared to the Nikons. Not a deal breaker, but noticeable.Noticeable chromatic aberrations in high-contrast areas.Vertical and near-vertical viewing is difficult due to their weight, even when mounted on a tripod. Chances are I won't be doing too much lying on the ground to view overhead objects in the sky during the cold months of the year... but that's pretty much what you'd have to do with these.And that is the main catch-22 presented by these binos. The best viewing of any object in the sky is when it is more directly overhead. Yet because of their size and weight, these binos aren't much fun when viewing vertical. Tripod or not, you still have to get UNDER them to look up, and that's clumsy and uncomfortable. They're much better when viewing things nearer to the horizon.So yes, I like them and am keeping them, but as other reviews have noted, with their size and weight comes some disadvantages.
My 7 year old has taken a great interest in space, which led me to these binoculars. I have very limited experience with star gazing and telescopes. My time with telescopes years ago did not excite me. I would spy a little dot through a narrow field of view and be rather unimpressed. I wanted something that would be very simple to use, even for my 7 year old. Keep in mind I have nothing to compare these to. According to a light pollution map I checked, the corridor between DC and NY, which I live directly in the middle of is the worst place in the world for star gazing. I tried these out last night, picking a random spot in the sky where there were about 12  visible stars. What I saw was a wide field of view containing thousands of points of light. I was amazed. I turned it on the moon and the light was a shock on my eyes at first. After adjusting the focus, I could make out details on the moon I had never seen with cheap telescopes. The difference vs the naked eye is like comparing a 13" tube TV to a 60" 3D HDTV. I am sure there are much better options for much more money, but for the price, I was blown away and I suspect my young son will be too. Also, you can use these without a tripod if you can keep a very steady hand, but I recommend having one on hand.
I am completely satisfied.  Clarity and performance is great.  A tripod is needed to hold steady.  I purchased the recommended Dolica tripod 66inch.  The combination works great.
Prue and simple - these are just great fun for about $60.  Very clear, easy to focus, fun to use.  No way an expert - just a guy who likes to watch hawks, eagles and critters without spending a lot of money.  The full moon looks really cool as well.  They are big and a little heavy but I knew that going in - well worth the bucks!
Out of collimation, messed with it quite a bit after reading many how-to's online. I've gotten it better, but can't get it right. It's fine for viewing stuff far away during the day, or when looking at most things besides stars or the moon at night.. But that's its intent and it sucks for it. Stars and the moon have red on one side, blue on the other, not super sharp. Just cheap chinese crap as expected. Everything legit is too expensive though. :(
Remarkable clarity and magnification. They are a bit hefty to hold so you might want to think about mounting on a tripod. With the magnification, any slight hand movement or tremor will be amplified. Remarkable price for a high grade optic!
i love this binoculars, only downside? too heavy. (but that can be resolved using the included adapter and buying a tripod that fits your needs.) they are excellent, i highly recommend them
I read lots of reviews on these before making the jump.  What a great product that is well worth the risk of poor collimation. I have ordered multiple pairs and only had one that was out of collimation.  Amazon's return policy made that a simple fix.These do get heavy after a few minutes, so make sure you have a tripod handy.  These were a great step between learning constellations and getting a larger telescope to start detailed observing.
These collect much more light than my more compact binoculars, but 15X is hard for me or my wife to hold stable enough for hand-held viewing. I probably should have purchased 12X with the same large 70mm inlet diameter. Still, they work well and are easy to use with a bright image. They are very light-weight, which was a pleasant surprise for me.
i have been enjoying these for months now in both day and night time.  they are very shaky without some type of support.  mine did not come with a tripod adapter
I couldn't get it to focus.  It's very heavy.  If I hadn't thrown away the box, I would have returned it.  It was very disappointing.
Tonight was the first clear night since receiving the binoculars. I was amazed at how sharp and beautiful the sky looked. I saw the Orion Nebula for the first time, which was absolutely gorgeous. I could not be more satisfied, given the ridiculously cheap price I paid.
If your looking for true astronomical binoculars, these will disappoint because the magnification is not sufficient but if you want a pair of binocs that can give great terrestrial viewing (with optical quality) over and above standard binocs and can provide good views of common large sky objects at a steal of a price, jump on these.
Great product! I was able to see a sign a mile down the road as clearly as if it were right outside my window. Great for the starting stargazer or someone who wants to see wildlife at a distance.
I went through two pairs both of which arrived out of collimation. The images couldn't merge. Finally I got a cash refund and bought a pair for $40 more at Garret optical. They are super.
They have up/down double vision, the materials are crap, the focusing wheel did not even work and the eye pieces fell out of the main body into my hand!!!
I've been using an Orion XT6 for looking at the sky, but wanted a pair of binoculars for help spotting the stars and looking at some of the objects that I didn't need a telescope for. Finally decided on these. The first pair I received were defective. A piece of the rubber that coats the binoculars got stuck inside the right eyepiece, dead center, so I had a black spot right in my view.Returned those, and got a perfect replacement. The magnification is really good, when I'm not using them for the stars, I check out the birds that come to our feeders. The detail you can see with these are great. I don't mind the size and weight, and it does come with a tripod adapter, though it feels slightly flimsy.I took a star off because of the fact that my first set came defective.
My guy loved this and he is 32! We've had picnics at night looking at the stars and on the beach. Can't wait to take it to the desert! I did tons of research before buying these and i would say they are great for a beginner. The moon is incredible and the Orion Nebula is so cool. That's pretty much it. Cant see many things for this price which is what I was hoping. But I'm just being a cheap-o.
Needed these for my Astronomy class. It's amazing how close they brought everything. I truly suggest a tripod, as they tend to get heavy after a while. Would definitely buy these again.
Love the tripod mount.  Crystal clear viewing is terrific.  Better than most telescopes with twice the power and the price is right.
I can't say enough positive tings about this fine set of binoculars which came well collimated. Its one instant where there should be no unpleasant surprises. Quality per dollar spent excels in every way.
These are THE best binoculars I've ever owed. I use mine for servilelance and they work great. Quality is above and beyond.
You know the old saying; "If it seems too good to be true..."?  Well, I should have known better.  I was fooled by the Celestron name.  After all, they're Celestron... how bad could they be?  I should have read past the five star reviews. I don't care if you get these for free, they are useless.  They are not even close to being collimated, so everything is double vision. They will not focus and the optics are poor with all kinds of aberrations.  The tripod mount is a joke.  It's a flimsy piece of plastic that flexes and twists like it's made of rubber so it is virtually impossible to use these with a tripod.  I also tried a mono-pod.  Not much better.  They say "you get what you pay for." Not true.  I paid for working binoculars.  If these were free, I wouldn't keep them because they totally ruin the viewing experience.  They pretty-much just suck, even for this low price. Shame on Celestron for putting their name on a product with such poor quality. Do yourself a favor and just spend the money for some good optics.  It isn't worth the disappointment you'll feel when these "bargain" binocs show up.
I got the Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 binocular through Amazon's Warehouse Deals. It was listed as "refurbished" and "open box," but Warehouse Deals lists a lot of items as "refurbished" that aren't. Knowing from experience that Warehouse Deals makes good on anything customers have a problem with, I wasn't concerned that I would get stuck with a bad SkyMaster, but I was concerned that I would get a binocular out of collimation (images in binoculars that are out of collimation aren't merged and aligned) as others have reported getting here.But the binocular I got was apparently not refurbished - the box was torn was the only problem (and I only paid $61.92 with free shipping) - and was collimated. Last night I saw the moon as I have never seen it before through a binocular (the only other binocular I have at present is a 7X35 Bushnell). By day the binocular is great too.I'm a big guy with hands so big that I have a hard time finding gloves that fit, and the SkyMaster does not feel heavy to me and I can get a good grip on it. My hands don't shake, but unless I'm well-braced, there is too much movement when I look through the binocular. One trick is to use my face as a brace (hold the binocular close to the face and press part of each thumb and hand against the cheeks). I am therefore glad that I own a tripod (a Velbon 7000 that I bought at WalMart several years ago) that is sturdy enough and tall enough for the SkyMaster binocular. (The SkyMaster instructions don't explain how to attach the included tripod adapter - which sells separately for $17.95 at the Celestron website. In front of the focusing wheel, on the side opposite your face when you look through the binocular, there is a cap which unscrews, and that is where the binocular is mounted to the tripod adapter.)I will look for a more comfortable strap for the SkyMaster than the one that comes with it, though I have no complaints about what is included in the package given the price and quality of the binocular.If I had gotten a SkyMaster out of collimation or with some other problem, because I bought it through Warehouse Deals I would have returned it rather than exchanged it (unless they happened to have another "refurbished" SkyMaster for the same price), and then I would have to decide if I wanted to pay more for a new SkyMaster, and take the chance that that one would also be out of collimation or have some other problem. (Some reviewers mention that the focusing wheel is loose, meaning that their binocular can drift out of focus. The binocular I purchased has a tight focusing wheel as well as a tight diopter.)I'm glad I bought the SkyMaster 15X70. I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of it, and I would say it deserves the high praise it gets from some reviewers here as well as at some other websites. Obviously, a buyer can get unlucky and get a Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 that has problems. I was lucky.
Bought these hoping they would be my first much closer look at the stars and the moon on my own.  Received them and while they were well packaged I was thoroughly disappointed in what I saw in the view. I saw two moons!  I couldn't believe my eyes. I broke out the instructions and nothing was mentioned how to converge the separate moons. I tried again the next night thinking perhaps by magic things were not the way they appeared the first night but they were identical with duplicate images. I decided to return them and Amazon will provide a refund.
If you want the absolute best Binoculars in the world here it is... WOW it's amazing the power and clarity... Great for Moon, Stars or anything else. Fun and easy to use :)
I'm not happy with mine.  They suffer from ghosting when I view planets.  Only the center 2/3ds of the field of view is relatively clear (except for the ghosting).  These are cheap binoculars, and you would be better served spending a little more and getting a lot more binocular.
We really like it, but were having a problem figuring out the tripod mount.  Thank you, thank you, F. M. Slay.
Great value if you like to watch the stars, are a bird watcher or just like to explore nature. Clear bright view and easy to use.
I'm no binocular enthusiast/critic, and I haven't owned these long enough to speak to their longevity, but I just have to say this is one rugged set of binoculars.  No little cheap plastic bits and pieces.  Also, I have used a half a dozen or so higher end binoculars on the range, and none had the clarity and field of view of this set.  Very impressed.
These Binoculars are awesome they are great for any kind viewing I was very impressed that you can actually see the Moons surface .Very Cool !!'Worth every Dollar!!!!
works well
What a wonderfull binoculars , it worth the price , can believe that such product is so cheap an very reliable
I read the reviews and when the price dropped back down to $49, I could not resist. When They arrived I finally got to see that they are rather large. My 7X50 binoculars are big compared to the typical pair but were dwarfed by this Giant. The optics looked well made as did the body that held the prisms. The eyepieces and the ends that held the objective lenses looked a bit sketchy. This was especially true of the rubber parts and rubber coatings on those areas. There was some extra flashing and the rubber on the objective lens housing was a little baggy. The focusing mechanism was a bit stiff but quite precise. It also did not move as one looked through the pair.A tripod mount is a good thing to have and this came with one. Ten power is the usual limit for hand holding and at 15 power, the user may need some help. I quickly found the tripod mount was rather flimsy and would wobble left and right. This was quickly remedied by filling all voids in the tripod mount with epoxy putty. The $5 spent was far less than buying a more substantial mount and I doubt if other mounts would now be as strong.Now that the binoculars could be put on a sturdy stand, I tried them out by looking at a street sign that was about 300 yards away. One could not only read the street name but the smaller numbers on it as well. These were about 2 - 3 inches tall. The optics, at least in the center are very good. There are some uncoated lens surfaces within the binoculars as flaring and ghosting were sometimes issues in the daytime. Contrast was good but lower than in binoculars with high quality coatings.At night, the high resolution and light gathering were great helps. Contrast was good but would be better with better coatings. However, it would no longer be in the same price range. They are a great thing to own. One can grab the pair, go outside and do some quick star gazing without the need to set up anything. One can put it on a tripod for an even better view but that is still easier than using a telescope.The optics are very good and I can live the shortfalls of the body. The cost is well worth what you get.
I recently bought the Nikon 10x50 "action" binoculars and I LOVE them. Super clear, crisp images. I read reviews saying that 10x50's were the best combination of magnification & light transmission & size. Did I listen to those reviews? No. I wanted more magnification. The Celestron 15x70 are good but the Nikon's are better/more clear & less "vibration" (because they are slightly lower magnification). These Bino's are OK but 1 pair of good 10x50's would have been sufficient for day & night (astronomy) use.
A sturdy instrument for spotting celestial objects.  The clear image they provide, and their unexpectedly low weight, makes these binoculars a fine accessory for any amateur, or even as a first "telescope" for the beginner.  Excellent value for the money.
Before ordering make sure you need the light gathering ability of a 70 mm lens which adds much weight and the 15 x magnification which makes it difficult to steady while hand holding.  Construction is good and the resolution is decent but not as good as a number of higher priced binoculars.  I bought this pair as an Amason special and an quite happy with my purchase.
A really good value for the price. Shipping was on schedule and well packaged. I give it 3 3/4 stars.Thanks to Amazon and customer reviews I had a good idea what to look out for.Several pros and cons were apparent.PROs: I ordered these primarily for astronomy viewing.  Pretty good optics for the price. Features multicoated optics and water resistant case and a nice carry bag.Eye relief is gracious- no problem even with eyeglasses. IPD, focus and diopter controls all smooth and seem to stay put. Handheld is difficult due to the bulk, and I had to use a tripod to get steady views, especially for astronomy observing (my Dolica was barely up to the challenge), but I seemed to get pretty good pinpoints for stars, at least in the central FOV. I'm sure this will serve as an excellent low-power wide-angle telescope.CONs: I need to number these. 1. Straight from the box it was Out of Collimation. Celestron's instructions make a rather stupid statement that this is normal and tolerable with 15x and above, and fail to tell you how to realign!  To the contrary- collimation is VERY important at higher magnifications, and VERY easy to correct. Rather than return the unit, I found a collimation article at Oberwerk's website and fixed this myself [The adjustment screws are under the rubber grips at about 2:00 on the (rhs) main body].2. The tripod adapter is worthless for this bino. It flexes wayyyyy too much and cannot handle the weight. I swapped it with a metal adapter from my 8x40 Barska, and now both are tripod friendly again.3. I did notice some optical degradation toward the edge of the FOV. And I think there was some minor internal reflections at night with bright stars- probably due to not 'fully' coated.  All Minor and acceptable.4. The IPD range seemed restricted at the low end: too wide for my daughter.5. Diopter indicator underneath seems like it's in a truly hidden location.  Eyepiece covers don't fit tight and fall off. Again- all minor and acceptable.Overall- A really good value for the price. Quite useful for both terrestrial and astronomy viewing, especially as a compliment to lower magnification binoculars.
These binoculars are wonderful.  I have not experienced any quality/collimation problems with mine (Bought January 2010).  Was tracking high altitude fighter jets practicing dogfighting over the city last night.  These are excellent for looking at the moon, The Pleiades, and other distant objects.  They are much more practical than my telescope for away from home use.  They get used a lot because they are cheap, mobile, and work well.  If they break or get lost I'll just buy a new pair, which I can't say about the telescope.Thought I could use these with just a pair of steady hands.  The other reviewers are right in that I did need to order a tripod.  You can steady your arms against something, like a tree, and get a stable view for a few minutes.  If you are going to be out looking for more than 5-10 minutes you will most definitely want a tripod.  It's not just the stability either.  Your forearms may go numb after about 10-15 minutes, especially if you are wearing a heavy winter coat. If you don't already have one save yourself some time, and maybe some shipping costs, and just order the tripod at the same time.
I purchased the Celestron binoculars to round out our options for my wife and I to view the night sky.  We also have four telescopes ranging from a high end 70mm Televue Pronto refractor to 12" Meade Lightbridge Dobsonian.  I also have a pair of Nikon 7X50 mm binoculars that we have used for about 10 years.There are many nights that taking out the new binoculars are my first choice for scans of the night sky due to less than perfect "seeing" conditions.  I have the binoculars mounted on a lightweight camera tripod using the adapter that came with the Celestron 15X70 binoculars and this combo makes for great views of the heavens above or just looking at the many birds that abound around my lakefront home here on the edge of the Ozarks of Missouri. If you do not own a tripod, I strongly suggest you invest in one to get the full benefit of these binoculars for steady views. On clear summer nights with low humidity I have great views of the Milky Way.  Binoculars are a great way to view the night skies and see the Andromeda Galaxy, star clusters, and views of the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula (my personal favorites).I was amazed at the quality of the Celestron binoculars and the views they provide.  The focuser is velvet smooth in operation and the individual focus adjustment for the right eye was easy to adjust.  The eyecups were very comfortable for viewing and fold down easily.  The attached cover for the eyepieces is a very nice design and is easy to attach.  The individual lens caps fit snugly and can be dropped into the binocular bag that came with the binoculars for safekeeping.  The tripod attachment bracket can be affixed to the binoculars with the single bolt by removing the cap on the front of the binoculars just in front of the center focus mechanism.Did I mention I love these binoculars!!!
Great binoculars! Great price.  We use them for viewing the ocean.  Whales, boats, etc.  focuses sharp and clear.  Easy to do both. Comes with tripod adapter and works as its suppose to, didn't have to buy separately.  We can use these with or without our glasses.  Definitely would recommend purchasing.  We are just normal, everyday people that wanted these to be able to view things sharp and clear to almost 9 miles away (that's how far the island of Molokai is from us).  Great purchase for the money.
These binoculars are really great. I thought they'd only be used with a tripod for looking at the stars. But after taking them on a road trip to Big Bend National park in Texas I think these are great for just about any use you can think of. They aren't that difficult to manage when handheld, and the optics are really good and bright. I definitely recommend these. They are large to carry, but then its the size that makes them work so well.
These are really probably the best binocs you can get for the price. I threw mine on a tripod and use them for star watching and they are incredible. For other reasons (hiking, hunting, birdwatching, neighbor-watching) they might be a little on the large side but they really are powerful.
Bought these on Astromart for 60 bucks shipped used but Like New condition. Amazon's price is SUPER for a new set, less than 10 bucks more shipped. I've looked through many high power binos over the past 20 yrs. & by far these have them all beat hands down for the price. Reviewers have said there heavy but I'll be honest I can hold them as steady as a pair of 50mm. The long barrels have that heavy look but I think their lightweight compared to Barska or Oberwerk 70mm. With great eye relief along with eyelenses being over 3/4" diameter. Center focus is great. Only way I can describe it is like the fine tuning on the old base short wave radios. If your used to fast focus binos you'll adore these. Best way to hand hold I've found is one hand all the way out on one barrel. Balance is excellent. I sold my 16x60 Pentax's & bought these because views were a heck of a lot better, Overall better bino in my opinion. If you want some long range views with great fov you gotta try 'em. You'll be thrilled for the price
I used them last night to see sky at 20:00. I saw very clear Orion and its Nebula, Pleiades star cluster, saturn, venus.Not very good to use holding them by hand. So make sure to use a heavy tripod.Next step: a reflector telescope.
unless you want to spend a few hundred+ dollars on a very high-end pair, this is the best you will get. Good quality and craftsmanship from a well-known brand that has been in the business for a long time. I would recommend getting a mono-pod or something of the like as they are very powerful and it is sometimes troublesome to view things at a long distance even with a &#34;steady hand&#34;. I would recommend these to just about anybody looking for a pair of powerful binoculars, can't beat the price.
Other good: much lighter than expected for size, but I will still need at least a monopod to use effectively but only because 15x is a bit high to freehand so NOT a negative.The retail box was packed tight against the bottom of the shipping box, perhaps it had some shocks in transit, though there was no damage to any of the packing.Overall very very pleased by quality of the optics in each ocular, but no matter how I hold or adjust the spacing I still get views that don't align. NOTE: I wear glasses and have a strong astigmatism, so maybe I'm being too quick to squawk? I'm quite the newbie here, but I've not had this problem with other (cheap terrestrial) binoculars I've used.I did not expect the binoculars to need collimation right out of the box.  I suppose if I'm going to practice collimating, it is better to begin with an inexpensive set than an expensive one, but I'm a bit disappointed, none the less. Hence the 2 stars instead of 4 or 5.
Christmas gift for my dad . He liked them but thought they were heavy . I had read the reviews and anticipated him needing a tripod . Nice wide view .
They are a tad heavy, and thus tend to wobble, especially when doing astronomical observing.  However, they are quite easy to mount on a tripod, which overcomes this.  The optics are very good, and the focusing is very good but very sensitive as one would expect with this high a magnification.  The wide field of view makes for especially good nature observing.
I purchased these for astronomy purposes and they have worked great. They are perfect for viewing objects that require a wider field of view, such as the Andromeda Galaxy and the Pleiades. I have had no trouble with these at all. The only downside is that they are a bit heavy, but I was aware of this when I purchased them. They come with an adapter and are easily placed on a tripod, so the weight really is not an issue. These are perfect for viewing the night sky, especially on those occasions where you are travelling or don't feel like setting up a telescope. These would be a perfect way to introduce someone to the hobby of Astronomy.
I took these out to some dark skies recently and they were increadible, stars looked like i could touch them, crisp pinpoint stars all around. These were easy to use will laying on my back, however, i must say while standing or sitting up a tripod is recommended to steady the view as they are heavy for hand held observing. I picked up a sturdy but inexpensive tripod with use with these binos which has made it possible to use for birding or bison watching in Yellowstone. The price is terrific i could not find them any cheaper but plenty out there way more expensive. Get these and with the saved cash pick up a tripod and you will be on your way to some great viewing.
Work as advertised, comfortable to hold. Works fine with or without my glasses on thanks to the adjustable focus.Very high quality materials, doesn't feel cheap or flimsy.Pros:Works great in low and bright light.Clear images.Easy to focus.Comes with protective caps and carrying bag.Cons:No zoom (but description does not claim it does).Heavy (recommend a tripod for long sessions).
These are much better than the cheap binoculars we had. I have used these to spy on neighbors, watch birds and other critters from a safe distance, and even check out divers and snorkelers in the water across from our place. But I can't stop my hand from shaking when holding them. It's not like I have Atkinson's disease, it's just the normal everyday shaking that we all do. This definitely needs a tripod to get a steady view but they work well enough to see detail if you can manage to keep them still long enough.
Powerful zoom, reasonable price! You'll have to get a more solid carrying case in case of travel. Lids are a bit flimsy but will do.
Love using these. Great detail - easily attach to a tripod for stability. Great view of the Moon and on a clear night, nebulae are clearly visible. Much easier to set up than a telescope.
I had purchased a pair of these for myself back in September and loved them enough to buy another pair as a gift for my father in-law.  I've used mine for sighting target practice, star gazing, and just peering across the lake I live on.  I do use a tripod when star gazing and have been able to see the moons of Jupiter (i think) which is pretty cool.  I doubt you can beat the price/quality ratio anywhere.
The Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars are great for beginners, such as myself, for astronomy. They are very easy to use, and allow you to help locate bright objects in the sky, such as planets and stars, and help you learn the constellations of the night sky. Observations through the Moon look amazing. Although they are only 15x magnification, the SkyMaster binoculars allow you to see objects with a lot more clarity, in particular the Moon. You will not be able to see any Deep Sky Objects like a Galaxy or Nebula, however, you will be able to see a lot more stars than you can with the naked eye, and you will be able to see planets a little bit clearer. Planets will appear as just brighter objects, so don't plan on seeing Saturn's rings or any detail on Mars, such as a polar cap, or anything on Jupiter.Despite what the binoculars can not do, what they can do is get you started in finding constellations much easier, and recognizing some of the most well known stars in the sky a lot faster and easier. In addition to astronomy, the SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars are excellent for day time observations, such as spotting wild life. These binoculars are an all around great pair of binoculars and give stunning clarity of what you are looking at due to the eye lens focus and the focus in the middle of the binoculars.Day time observations when you do this, focusing the eye lens than the middle wheel, allow for some stunning visuals of land marks and wild life. In the night sky this is also enhanced. Viewing Arcturus, for example, is much better than the naked eye as the clarity you get allows you to see more color.I would strongly recommend this product to anyone who wants to do day time observation, such as hunting, or anyone who wants to start astronomy, or just wants a pair of binoculars for an easy pick-up-and-go observation. Compared to the military grade binoculars I used, these are much much better in comparison. For the price tag, $60 when I purchased them, it can't be beat. Highly recommended.
Great prize and easy to use, a little heavy but I am so happy that i bought them, Its a great product to start getting to know what is  up in the sky. I was amazed when i first saw the moon with this binoculars.
great binoculars,  very good quality!! great details and material, wonderful lense meets my every need! i love iti had to send it back thought because my boyfriend happened to have bought another one, but im recommending everyone else to buy it!
These are great and have opened up a whole new world.  The distance and clarity are amazing.  As can be seen in the listing, they are large and are probably too heavy to look through for long periods of time without a tripod. I haven't tried that yet.  I can hold them steady up to my eyes without a problem, or rest my elbow on a chair arm for longer looks.  If you want a crystal clear view of what's going on really far away, these will do the job.
This isn't the pair of binoculars you want for star gazing. Yes, the optics are great considering the price but they are so cheaply constructed that the smallest bump will knock them out of collimation. They arrived in perfect condition, but after a couple of months they started giving double images when star gazing (and yes, I know how to adjust them).I can't really recommed these because I have a pair of 10x50's that are the same price, a lot more compact, lighter, and they give way better views.Except for a spotting scope everything else I bought from Celestron has been substandard.
Unless you want to pay much more for the same thing, these binoculars are worth every penny.  I have no regrets.
works great, too heavy
These are very powerful binoculars.  Just one word of warning, they are heavy.  If you are going to use them for a long period , use a tripod or rest them on something.
These binoculars are heavy, but not too heavy to hold steadily. The optics are clean and collimated, and provide a good view of many larger deep-sky objects from my backyard. Eye relief is adequate for my daughter to use them while wearing her eyeglasses.I would not want to take these binoculars backpacking (due to the weight) but they have been ideal at sporting events, on a road trip, and for wide field astronomy.
Looking for Binoculars for star gazing. Problem that most were simply too expensive.These were both inexpensive and had good reviews.Purchased them.Able to clearly see the moons of Jupiter, the nebula with Orion's belt, and the Andromeda galaxy.Have used them for boating as well.
For the price as 15x70 it beats everybody else, Great quality firm but a little heavy.I doubted it's 15x70 but It did its job, Great if you love to stare at the moon or trips to the mountains.The adapter is useful.
At this price point and my lack of experience with telescopes/star-gazing binoculars I couldn't say no to this pair. Despite some bad reviews with complaints about collimation issues, I've never noticed any problem with the image. If anyone is considering purchasing a cheap telescope or these binoculars, I'd go with the binoculars so you can get used to finding celestial objects and seeing if you're really interested in the night sky. The binos are easy to take with you, require little adjustment, and can be set up in a hurry (just open your eyes and bring your arms up).If you're planning to use these for more than 10 minutes, a tripod is a must. There is good reason for including the Tripod Adapter. These binoculars are heavy, and, with their magnification, it is hard to keep the image still if just holding them. I've found thatZeikos ZE-TR101A 72-Inch Photo / Video Tripod includes Deluxe Carrying Case for Use with Camcorders and Digital Camerashas decent results if you're on a budget.
These are great but it took me 3 orders to get a pair that worked.  I think the problem is simply the packaging does not protect these well enough and causes them to arrive in semi broken condition.  Over all tho, i'd say these are a HUGE value.  The product is excellent, Amazon's customer service is top notch, but the packaging needs work for shipping protection.
Great quality binoculars. They have great power! We can see tons of stars and people in their downtown apartments several blocks away. They get a little heavy after a while so it is nice to use a tripod.
These are very nice binoculars but difficult to use without a tripod or other form of stabilization.  If you don't have a tripod, propping your elbows against a solid surface while using them helps.  However, they're not a great choice for free viewing because of their length and weight.
I bought a pair of the SkyMasters for stargazing use based on the relatively low price and the volume of positive reviews here. I have been extremely happy with this purchase. As a novice in stargazing, I wanted a pair of binoculars that were not too expensive, but would work well for celestial observation and keep me engaged. These goggles are really amazing.  We just used it on a camping trip with no ambient light pollution, and I could make out the outline of the rings of saturn, comet-like star clusters, and tons of double stars. And just pointing these suckers up anywhere in the sky brought brought so many stars into the field of vision that it looked like hundreds of grains of sugar spilled across the background. In light-polluted Southern California, these binocs bring out amazing detail of the moon's peaks and craters, as well as stars invisible to the naked eye....Now the caveat: If serious about stargazing with these binoculars, you will absolutely need a very sturdy tripod, as well as a heavier adapter than the plastic one included. I recommend the Ravelli APGL Professional tripod. I originally purchased the Vista 60'' lightweight tripod Amazon suggested as an accompanying purchase with these bincoculars, but that tripod was a joke in trying to support a large binocular such as the Sky Masters. The Ravelli gets the job done, however. I also upgraded to an aluminum adapter, which helped. It's a bit of a challenge to eliminate all shaking, but this tripod-aluminum adapter set up has made using these binoculars a real pleasure, and got a lot of oohs and ahs from fellow campers who had a look through them.
These binoculars were better than I would have guessed, even after reading a number of the reviews here.On my first clear night without a moon (and also my first time using binoculars for astronomy) I had no problem finding the four Galilean moons around Jupiter.  The Orion Nebula wasn't as clear as I'd hoped, but does show up brightly.For quick background:  I live in an area with enough light pollution that I can't make out the next arm in the Milky Way at all with just the naked eye.  With these binoculars, I can make out a lot of indistinct dots, which shows me what other people see in darker areas.My pair did not have the problems mentioned by others of objects showing up as doubles.  Hopefully that will continue to be true after a few years of normal use.They are heavy, but I was able to view for a good while without a tripod.  Yes, the image bounces around, but I'm used to that.  I'll connect it to my Manfrotto 055XPROB the next time I go out -- great way to multipurpose my camera equipment!These binoculars are cheaper than even the junky telescopes, and yet I had a much better experience using them than any telescope that didn't cost at least 8 times as much.  Before you blow a bunch of money on a scope, buy a pair of these and see if you're into astronomy enough to justify the cost of a much larger investment.
High Level:These are large binoculars.  From front to back they are nearly 11 inches long. These allow you to really scope out far off animals, landscape features, the moon and stars.  We also own some 10x25 folding binoculars and these clearly blow them out of the water.  If you aren't aware the &#34;15&#34; means it brings things 15 times closer to you, and the 70 means how man mm the end lenses are (they let in a lot of light and have a wide field of view). They have a nice rubber finish, and although some consider them &#34;heavy&#34; they are far lighter than I expected this large of binoculars to have.What you get:In the package we received the binoculars, a tripod mount, lense covers for all 4 lenses, a neck strap, and a carry bag that velcro closes the binoculars inside the bag, a small cleaning cloth and basic instructions.Our uses:If you plan on looking for stars (which we do with our kids) you'll want a tripod, only because it is hard to hold them perfectly steady.  We resort to resting our arms on the side of the car to steady the &#34;dots&#34; of distant stars.  If you look at the moon through these, you'll see crater detail almost as good as an entry level telescope.  We've seen Venus, Mercury, and other planets.  We keep them in our camper for adventures outside the city (Looking around our campsite to the distant hills/mountains), or while around the campfire looking up at the stars.If you have expectations of hiking with them, you will want to note the overall size.  I could imagine bird watchers enjoying the details, but they are too large for long hikes unless seeing distant objects is your core mission.Summary:Many people say they aren't the &#34;Best&#34;.  Well; the better ones cost almost 8x more.  For the money, this is a high value product and one we are pleased with.
I can see Jupiter and 3 of its moons clearly! I would recommend either having a tripod or investing in one if stargazing is your reason for wanting these. They're not too heavy for bird watching but when you look up at the stars it is much nicer to have these resting on something.
It is really a great, inexpensive fixed lenses binoculars and I will find it useful; however, it was late and I was very tired when I ordered it and I did not read all of the details. I thought it was going to be an adjustable 15-40 lenses. However, I have it set up in my den for viewing my back yard and will use it often. I have a 10-24 power binoculars that is great, but not the best after 15 power. The skymaster is very clear and &#34;heavy&#34; and my 76 year old neck is tender.
I am interested in astronomy and I also work as a night time security guard. I wanted something that could handle both. The Skymaster is great for viewing the moon or spotting distant objects in the sky. It does require a tripod (the tripod adapter is included) for sky viewing, but they are easy to set up. On the job, I work at a interstate rest stop, and I can be on one side of the interstate and watch the other side as well. The light gathering qualities allow good low light viewing. At nighttime, and even in darker areas, I can easily see what's going on.
Great value--true--the outer edges are a tiny bit blurred when compared to the center focus--but so what--move thebinocs over and bingo...Using as spotter scope for target practice---see standard target at 50 yds fine.
Good eye relief even with glasses, but I found nicer viewing without my glasses. Focus range large enough for both.Mounting on a tripod may distort the focus mechanism. I could not bring back from max focus travel while on tripod or off.Amazon sent replacement quickly. It is fine. I will just use hand held.
Have had the binoculars for several weeks and loving them. No problems so far. They are wonderful for moon/star gazing and wildlife watching. Great deal for the money.
For the price, these are a great set of binoculars, though as reviews and recommendations state, you do need a tripod--they are heavy.  And not only is it easy to quickly fatigue holding them, it's hard to hold them steady for long.  But with a tripod, they're awesome.  My husband and I have been able to see wildlife, stars, and planets with them and have greatly enjoyed using them.  I recommend these to anyone who wants an affordable but sturdy and quality set of binoculars!
This is a great binocular for the price you're paying. Vision is clear, focus is perfect and the binoculars look pretty solid.For this price, I can't complaint about a  small stain on the inner side of one of the optics, which doesn't affect vision at all, or about the awful tripod adapter, which is unstable as one made from chewing gum.Overall, an excellent product for amateurs not willing to spend a lot of money.
It is NOT waterproof so the usage will be limited. At least you don't want to use it on lake or sea.
I researched these binoculars prior to purchasing, and nearly everyone raved about them.  I remained cautions, mainly due to the price, but ordered anyway, as I didn't have much to lose.  Holy cow!!  These binocs are TACK SHARP and I cannot believe they are selling at this price.  I have used them only for astronomical viewing, no terrestrial use.  My only complaint is that the plastic tripod mount is worthless, as it is too flexible and takes too long for vibrations to damp.  I use another, 1/4" thick angle aluminum tripod mount on a very heavy Boden tripod and they are rock solid.  I'm a believer, and highly recommend these.
Great for viewing stars and comets at night. The view is very clear but just a little touchy on focusing in on objects, not as smooth as I would like but other than that I love them.
Very heavy and I guess it was designed to be used only with a tripod in mind. Bought this to explore some things around the neighborhood ;L) and it serves well. Great for the price! get it only on a sale,
For the price they can't be beat. Using them for eagle watching and stargazing. Gotten great close ups of eagles and have seen 4 of Jupiters moons. The only thing I'm not too crazy about is the plastic tripod adapter. I mount these on a professional Bogen tripod but the included plastic mount that comes with these binoculars is a bit wobbly. But for the price can't complain too much.
These are too powerful for my use.  I only need to see my bird feeders that are less than 20 feet from my window.  These were better for long distances.
I was seeing double looking through these binos.  That gave me a headache.  I had to close one eye in order to see anything clearly.  They are not what I expected.  I returned them as a damaged item.
These were a gift for my mother-in-law, and she *loves* them. They are a little cartoonishly big, and I find it difficult to focus them because any tiny movement is so magnified. But, my mother-in-law thinks they are the best binoculars ever, so I rated it a four.
I gave these to my daughter for Christmas. We will go outside at night and lay in the yard on a blanket and look up at the sky. She and I love to share this time together. The binoculars have made this time even more interesting. We get to explore lots of things we can't see with the naked eye.
The description of these say that there is a tripod mount adapter.  Well they must have forgot to include in my package.  Did not plan on using the tripod mount, but if it does not exist, they should correct their description.
Just got these and I couldn't be happier :-DEasy to handle, came with a carry case, lense caps and leanse cleaner. I took them out while in my diningroom. Took off the lense caps and looked out the window, oh and buy the way, very easy to focus and the images were CRYSAL CLEAR,  I saw birds flying like I was right next to them. When I put the binoculars down I couldn't see the birds with the naked eye! I know this sound lame to those of you more versed at using binoculars and telescopes but for a lay person like me that was awesome! We're going star gazing at the beach tonight. I LOVE these binoculars!!!!
I bought these to help ease me into the world of amateur astronomy after using my star chart and some books for a few months.  First let me recommend getting a tripod to use these for any kind of long term observations of celestial objects.  These binoculars are great for observing the moon, some of the planets and binocular deep sky objects.  With these I can get great detail on the moon and have been able to use these in conjunction with my tripod to make sketches and begin to identify craters and seas on the moon.  I have been able to locate a few binary star systems with the binoculars as well as the galaxy Andromeda (M31), appears as hazy oval with a distinct galactic core appearing.  Jupiter though is my favorite target. It appears as bigger pale yellow ball.  Once focused properly the binoculars are able to pick up Galilean moons(Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto).I would high recommend this pair of binoculars to any amateur astronomer.  For those new to the hobby just remember that regardless of if you are using a telescope or binoculars you will not be getting Hubble telescope quality views.  And remember that aperture is the true judge of a good telescope not magnification.
I THINK IF I HAD DONE MORE RESEARCH, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING STRONGER.  AND I WEAR GLASSES SO VISION IS NOT MY STORG POINT - SO I CAN'T REALLY BLAME IT ON THE BINOCULARS.  IN DEFENSE OF THE PRODUCT, THEY DO HAVE A VERY SOFT EYE LENS PAD, THAT FOLDS BACK TO ALLOW FOR MY GLASSES TO BE WORN WHILE USING THE BINOCULARS.  PRODUCT IS FINE, IT'S MY EYES THAT ARE NOT SO GOOD, CANT RETURN MY EYES, THEY CAME WITH ME TO THIS PLANET.
I chose this for star watching. It works great for the price paid. I usually mount it on a monopod with a ball swivel head.I now toss it in the car or suitcase when I travel.
Based on other reveiws of this item I wasn't sure what to expect in the way of the workmanship of the binoculars.  But, within a minute of opening the box, I was enjoying the use of them!  Based on price alone, the lenses provide a bright, clear view of objects . . . much better in fact than what I expected.  The only thing that is worth mentioning is that the strap that comes with the binoculars is a joke.  I threw mine away, bought two 5/8" split rings, which I hooked onto the strap anchors on the binoculars and use one of my Op Tech padded camera straps.  Also, the rubber eyepiece cover is a little strange in that it really doesn't fit the eyepieces.  All-in-all, one of the best bargains out there.  Only time will tell if the binoculars continue to perform to standard.
These are a great pair of glasses. I trust the Celestron name. I have used their products for over 3 decades.  The built-in tripod mount is great and a must when viewing the distant planets and galaxies.  I recommend them to anyone wanting to star gaze and save lots of money at the same time.
Wife has trouble holding it steady but we both love it.  Use it mainly to see stuff on the ground or in the surrounding mountains, haven't used it for star gazing.  Optics are very clear.
These are probably a best starting point for a beginning astronomer before buying a telescope. If you find these hanging on the wall - don't buy a scope...There are plenty of deep sky objects you can see with those and the image quality is perfect.The main weak point is the tripod mount which is not sturdy and with a good tripod these binoculars are still wiggly... A bit heavy for hand use as well...
Great binocular. Only downside is low field of view. Im an amateur and having very little shaky hands makes the viewing a little difficult sometimes.
Awesome. They are better than I expected. They are big-just keep that in mind. But these are excellent binocs. .
at first i couldn't believe binoculars at a price so low would deliver the performance of these celestron's... even after reading all the other positive reviews... i remained skeptical.. but then i got my own pair... stepped outside on a starry moonlit night and discovered for myself the pure pleasure of viewing the heavens with them.sure they're a little heavy... but not that heavy... yeah they're a little bulky... but not that bulky... and when i took that first look at the moon it was so bright and so clear i thought it was right up the street. but the real treat came when i turned my gaze onto a darker part of the sky and saw stars and galaxies that were previously invisible. the giant 70mm lenses bring in more light than i could ever imagine. living in a city like los angeles used to mean i couldn't enjoy the stars... but no more.
These binoculars are big.  Big and heavy.  at 15x magnification, holding them steady can be a challenge, so the tripod mount will I am sure come in handy (not yet tried).The build quality of the binoculars is distinctly average.  I had to tighten up one lens barrel, as it was loose.  A glued on piece already seems to be coming off, after only having tested them out, so please be aware you are not buying a high end pair of binoculars here, but something which has a reasonably high magnification, with 70mm aperture and a relatively modest cost.Image quality is so-so.  Brightness and contrast (during day viewing) seems okay for whatever is at the centre of the image, however towards the edges focus softens.
I was reluctant to take a chance on these binoculars because of all of the reviews here on Amazon regarding the collimation issues that people have encountered, but mine came out of the box perfectly collimated.  We've had frigid weather and cloudy skies every day since getting them, but last night, we had a temporary reprieve so I took them out for a test ride.  I found a dim, hesitant star in the sky that can only be described as looking like a tiny spec of dust.  When I held the binoculars up to the star, it seemed to come to life, but what was even more amazing was the discovery of all of the stars that surrounded it that were imperceptible to the naked eye.  The heavens are full of stars and you can see quite a few of them with these binoculars - even in light polluted suburban areas like the one I live in. I also pointed the binoculars at the full moon and the light that they captured from it was too bright for my eyes, so I had to pull away.  I look forward to mounting them on a tripod for steadier views.  I would say these were worth the 54 dollars I paid for them.  Enjoy the constellations!
Celestron 15x70. I don't own them, but I've looked through them at a star party. The eye cups are hard plastic and not comfortable. The 18 mm eye relief is good for people with glasses but too much for me. If you hold them by the base of the barrels, you can hand hold them very steady. I could control the aim, and I nailed some deep sky objects I could barely see and easily miss in my 10x50. Andromeda looked much bigger. They are not a huge improvement over 10x50, but they definitely make it easier to see some objects. I read many people say they can see the rings of Saturn in these things.I'm buying the Nikon Aculon 16x50 for $106 because I want the smaller size for daytime use. I looked at the Pleiades through several scopes of different sizes, and I think the 10x50 gave the best view.
it does not deserve 5 stars for sure. It is cheap and it is what you get. Yes, the tripod adapter is crap but the trick with epoxy works well. The image is big but defintely not sharp. I can see more detail with quality 8x42 binocs with ED glass than these binocs. They also suffer from chromatic aberration a lot. But if you decided to but they give you lot of fun watching the stars. IMHO the best thing to do is to save some money, work harder and buy Fuji instead.
Wanting for some time to get a better view of the stars, and motivated by the excellent reviews posted here at amazon, I purchased these binoculars two weeks ago. I cannot pretend to write about their performance from a seasoned veteran's perspective; rather, I just wish to point out to other newbies like me who are interested in making this purchase that they will definitely have to invest in a tripod. You simply will not be able to remain focused on any celestial objects using these with your hands and arms alone: the images will zigzag around within your field of view at the speed of light. Unfortunately, I have not yet purchased a tripod, because the compatible Celestron tripod here at amazon has been horribly reviewed, and because no information is included on what sort of tripod is compatible, and I don't know what my other options are. This means that I haven't really been able to enjoy the binoculars. I also wish to warn potential buyers that these binoculars, unlike Celestron's famed telescopes, are MADE IN CHINA! You will not be supporting U.S. technological labor by making this purchase.
Was looking for a quality pair of binoculars at a reasonable price and found them.I use these for viewing the night sky and they do a very nice job. They give me very nice views of double stars, star clusters and some nebulae. When getting them under a truly dark sky they had a feast of picking out Messier objects and scanning the Milky Way was spectacular. I even found the elusive M101 with the first quarter moon out!Gushing aside, they are made solidly and give me the impression that they will last for a long time, a rare thing these days. The included stand for attachment to a tripod is nice too because they are a little heavy and I find myself having to take frequent breaks from viewing to let my arms rest. But the optical quality is worth the pain and if you mount them then you won't even have that problem. The case is padded and includes a lens wipe. Given the quality versus other more expensive similar items I don't know why you would choose anything else.
If you are considering this purchase, I'm going to tell you to just do it. There is no way anybody should be dissappointed by the quaility of these babies. I own 2 telescopes and yet I prefer my view of the heavens through these. It is a bit tricky to hold them still but you can still see so much more than with your naked eye and after using them a few times I had got the hang of it. I even spotted a few star clusters so far and I have only used them three times. I was in the market for a tripod but once you realise that all you need to do is sit and relax and hold them with one hand around the wide lense side and one hand at the smaller eyepiece side they become much more stable. Great view. Great product. Everybody should own a set.
For the price the unit is ok. It is hard for members of my family and myself, to get the lenses to align and focus together. They give us double vision like viewing. You can see the moon pretty good. The tripod adaptor works good. They are big. They did a nice job of viewing on the mountains of Colorado. The case is standard nylon. No real protection. Would I recommend this? For the price, it is worth a try.
I'm a newcomer to backyard astronomy.I have a crummy little telescope that really made me dislike my new hobby.Then I found out about these babies.I haven't used them at night yet, but for daytime terrestrial viewing, these are AMAZING.Crisp, clear optics. No collimation required ( at least for my set, but being a binocular guy, i always have a jewelers screwdriver nearby...)I was instantly able to spot lear-jets at various altitudes, and by spot, I mean count the windows.Tonight we are king to have flawless skies, and I intend to get the fire pit roaring, and stare off into space with the best set of binoculars i've ever owned....Update: One week later....HOT DAMN. I had one good night this week. And I was all over it.Jupiter is resolved as a bright disc. Fine details don't make it through, but a few Jovian moons are Visible.Saturn is seen as an 'Eared' disc, but you can def. tell it's Saturn. No moons are visible now, but Saturn is pretty far away at the moment.M31 eludes me still. But I am confident that under dark enough skies, I'll get her.The Pleiades are explosive.I live at sea level in Central Long Island, so light pollution and sub par skies are the norm.These binoculars are a must for any Astrology or Optics enthusiast. Sturdy, handy and overall one of the most impressive buys I've ever made on Amazon.I intend to get the largest pair of Celestron Skymasters within the next 6 months.
okay , Got into binos a few years ago have since collected nikon 8x42&10x42 monarchs pentax wp 10x50 nikon 12x50ex and the stardard 7x50 nikon  the monster heavy 25x100 skymaster ( too heavy for my orion heavy duty paralellagram mount) and these that i thought would never let me down until this evening.. the celestron skymaster 15x70s have been my favorite star binos of all these ( close second are my extreme nikon 12x50s.Let me remind first i take care of all my binos. But just minutes ago, out of their soft case looking to jupiter, I could not seem to get them focused on the left side..so after bringing them inside from the nightsky in my backyard for a closer inspection, i noticed the left arm cast somehow broke off the center pin. What a bummer! anyway, I remembered the no fault warranty but after only a year these things cracked where you could imagine they would have under normal operation of this instrument.I guess they priced this so cheaply in comparison to other name brands such as the oberwerks or other high end binos 15x70s? I might even suspect the $25.00 fee needed for their no fault warranty was enigeered inside the price? I should hope not, but that is why i felt the need to write this review. Celestron should maybe consider hardshell cases instead of soft packs knowing the defect in engineering for these binos.. the aluminum arm casting connection the left diopter snapped off the center focuser and you would imagine on such a crucial area of the mechanics could have been better built(engineered) pair of binoculars. I will call them in the morning 1-800 asp!
On a clear night, in the city I live in, I was actually able to see the dust of Orion's Nebula! And they're small enough to take almost anywhere--I just kept them in my car while I still have it. You definitely need a tripod, but these are fantastic.
these were decently priced and are so much better for viewing than my previous binoculars, but they are quite heavy, which results in too much hand shaking and trouble maintaining the view. i guess i'll have to use them with a tripod.
GRRREEEEAAATTT!!!! i know some people who have $500 and up binoculars and these are just as clear and good if not better!Very good buy :D
I like these binoculars but most of my research implied that these celestial binoculars would be powerful enough for most basic star gazing.  15X70 really isn't powerful enough for anything other than the moon or birdwatching.  But still enjoy them and they are built well.
when i opened the box i was surprised . I thought it is not my package because it is too big .but it is efficient with great zoom .sometimes there is difficulties in image stabilization but still amazing regarding it's pricedo more , spend lessthanks
I bought these prior tot the 2006 baseball season - the package arrived an hour before I left for the stadium. Night game, overcast. From a seat thirty feet above the field and six rows behind the centerfield warning track, I was able to read the pitcher's lips in a conversation with the manager on the mound.For years I have tried many pairs of binoculars from the "cheap seats" After one game I just had to write this review - these will transform the sporting experience - you'll see the players up close as if on television, but in crisper detail than any scren would capture. While it is tough to follow lightning quick action over a large playing field, it is with any pair of binoculars - these are for focusing on players up close. I watched the Angels laugh and horse around in the dugout before the game, in between innings, et cetera. I even zoomed in on the team owner in his luxury box!These binoculars make the cheap seats seem like the best Season Seats.
I really like the binoculars. I think it was well worth the money that I paid for them. I am very satisfied and would buy them again if the need arouse. Thank You
These are really great binoculars for the price. We were able to see the radio tower on the mountain by our home, which is quite far away. You definitely need a tripod for distance though. At high magnification things wobble quite a bit.
The two side seemed to be out of alignment. Could not adjust the optics for a clear focus.Seemed to have a problem with parallax.
I returned these a few days after receiving them.  Can't explain it but the lenses were &#34;off&#34; and regardless of how it was focused there was a double image.  Disappointed.
Like many other reviewers, it took multiple attempts to get a decent pair from Amazon. The first pair I received was clearly used with multiple issues, but the collimation was perfect. The second pair, was brand new, but horrible double vision. The third pair, also brand new had acceptable collimation. For what you pay, this is a great pair of binoculars.View of the moon are outstanding, and even the moons of Jupiter are visible. My favorite so far, is terrestrial viewing. I really enjoy the 15x zoom.
These binoculars adjust easily.  They are the first pair I've had that allow you to adjust for the left eye, then fine tune for the right eye so both see well.  THey are a bit heavy, so I enjoy using a tripod for bird watching with them.
I ordered these because of the strong overall reviews.  The first pair I received had a serious optical flaw.  They were basically useless.  Why the 5 stars?  I believe the packaging was sufficient for nearly all shipping issues, but decided to account the flaw to possible extreme rough handling during the Christmas shipping frenzy.  I wanted a replacement pair and feared even the return of the same pair.  This was not the case.  The 2nd pair I received turned out to have the best optical alignment of any pair of binoculars I have looked through.  I have always seen some type of distortion, but these are perfect.  &#34;It is possible that I received the lucky pair, but those pair are now mine.  I don't want sales to be impacted by me stating that anyone else ordering these can not get as lucky as me, but I can not overstate enough that I found the golden ticket.  So perfect is the alignment that the value of them is in the multitudes more than the cost I paid.
Arrived quickly/packed well. Very light for size, and the views are incredible. A tripod is better for longer viewing, but easy to hold for short periods. Showed my neighbor - he liked them so well he immediately ordered a pair. Nice on terrestrial viewing, but unbelievable when used for astronomy. You'll see things you never imagined, especially when scanning between items you already know are there. Nice wide field of view, and mine were clear almost to the edge. Amazing how much these see that smaller binocs miss. Definitely recommend. If you do get a bad pair (mine and my neighbor's were optically and mechanically fine), Amazon's return policy is quick and efficient. Easy to swap for a new item if necessary. Just don't keep a bad pair and blame Amazon. Overall outstanding set of binoculars. Outstanding bargain, especially for $49 with free shipping.
I'm not an expert with binoculars.  I do like these.  I can't seem to hold them still long enough to view Venus.  I just got a tripod yesterday.  I was going to check it out last night, but it was raining...maybe tonight...:-&#62;
These are some big binoculars.  You really need a tripod with these as they are hard to hold still.  Good view.
A great buy for the price.  The binoculars are unbelieveabley good for what they cost.  I have used better binoculars, but they cost several time the price of these.  It is really nice to find something this reasonably priced that is worth having and using.  I have used them several times to observe the current comet and they view was better than I expected.
This is a wonderful scope.  This is almost as good as my telescope but easier to use.  Only downfall was the tripod adapter snapped the first time I used it.  Hopefully I can replace the adapter.
These are big, heavy binocs. Get a tripod (any sturdy tripod will do). Awesome views that rival 5" telescopes costing a lot more.
I purchased these binoculars after reading the reviews and because I just wanted a stronger pair of binoculars, without having to spend 300 - 400 dollars or more.  After receiving them I compared them to my Nikon 16x50's that had cost me 349.00 several years ago. Both the Celestron that I ordered and my Nikons have the BaK4 prisms, which you should have in any pair of binoculars.All I can say is &#34; I am extremly happy and very impressed with these binoculars &#34;  They are just an unbelievable value!  The vision is as very sharp and as clear as my Nikon's.  You will never find a better pair of these size binoculars, at this unbelievable price.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? These are terrific binos. They don't feel cheap, I can tell you that much.
A decent long distance viewing binocular at a great price. The brightness and clarity, for a $60 pair of binoculars, is satisfactory. These are a little heavier than you'd like but I have no problem with using them for short viewing. But I'm glad I did buy a tripod for extended/sky viewing.
The ability to see long distance, including the night sky, was why I purchased these.  They failed.  Difficult to focus and not that powerful, I went back to the old, cheap binoculars I already had and which do a better job.  Sorry, these don't work.
Bought these for my husband for a gift (after we moved to the country) for watching wildlife and night sky watching.  He loves them!
****FIRST IMPRESSIONS****I just got this item today. Previously, I had to return Barska 20x80 (bad collimation, could not focus the right scope, somewhat blurry and dim images) and Oberwerk 20x80 LW (was not collimated properly and right lens broke off during cleaning with cloth, I don't think it was properly glued, otherwise the optics were good, sharp, bright). These binoculars are the whole different story. They are crisp, bright, great magnification (not big difference from 20x). Easy to focus, view is not too shaky (of course lifting 40 lb every day helps....:). I haven't tried them at night yet. However, I think they are slightly off in terms of collimation, but I have to double check on this one. Nothing bothers me when I look through them but the right image is a little bit lower when I look at the eyepieces from a distance.****UPDTE #1****So far, so good. I am pleased with daylight views as they appear sharp and pretty bright. Pushing eyebrows against eyepieces does not break the focus of the right scope. At night I was able to observe the full Moon, which appeared really bright and crisp with lots of details. Also, I was enjoying looking at Jupiter and 4 of it's moons. The planet appeared as a small disk of yellowish color. I think I was able to see one of the cloud belts of darker orange color when I moved my eyes farther from eyepieces. However, I observed some spiked lights on the right upper side and the edges were not sharp. I suspect that some discollimation might be a problem (I am getting my tripod today and will try to fix this problem). I saw Andromeda (large oval fuzz ball). It was clearly visible even with the full Moon not far from it. Can't wait to see it in the dark skies. Overall these binos show good performance in the light polluted skies (city lights + full Moon). I will update again after going to a pitch black spot during new Moon nights.
very good product, very good vision, minor power than I expect, but however I'm very glad, whit my third Binoculars.
My dad got these for me like two Christmases ago because I'm a huge nature fan. These have really gotten me into astronomy and stargazing. Even though I probably don't even qualify as an amateur astronomer yet (lol), I've used enough binoculars for animal watching to know a really good pair when I see them. Some of the reviews say that the focuser is lame and that it toggles on its own, but mine works wonderfully. Even in the city I've already become able to identify tons of constellations (I've used the SkyGuide app by Fifth Star Labs LLC to help learn them and I highly recommend it). You can plainly see all the little pock marks on the moon as if it were on a big HD movie screen, and even Saturn's little rings if you hold still long enough. My only complaint is that the tripod hookup is pretty crappy, especially since the binos are heavy. The cover that's supposed to protect the eyepieces will not stay on no matter what I do either. All in all though, these are the best, most beautiful binoculars I've ever owned and I consider them one of my most prized possessions. I can't wait until my next camping trip so I can try them out on a real, star-filled sky. Highly, highly, highly recommend (thanks dad)! (Also: Can anyone recommend a good tripod to use with these things?)
Excellent Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars!  They show more detail than I ever could imagine for this price.  My 5 year old grand-daughter said; wow grandma this is cool!!!  We also bought a star dial to complement that shows where and when certain stars can be found.  No regrets here!I forgot to mention these are too heavy for my grand-daughter age 5, so I bought a tripod to mount them to and that makes it easier for my grand-daughter; I find and focus on the moon then she can step up to the binoculars and see the amazing moon...  We are still loving the view!  our next step is a telescope now that I know she loves hanging with grandma and just starring into God's amazing beauty for us to see.
My girlfriend gave me a pair of these for my birthday. They arrived with detailed but easy to follow instructions for the beginner, particularly as regards adjusting the focus for the first time. They looked and felt magnificent, like all finely constructed tools and instruments. I headed out to a nearby wide open space and used my new Celestron Skymaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars to look out across the prairie, immediately appreciating the workout these hefty glasses were gonna give my biceps and I recall mentally congratulating myself on having had the good sense to wear a muscle revealing tank top that day...far off in the distance, beyond the limits of mere human eyesight, I beheld the lone figure of another man, coincidentally also looking at stuff through a pair of binoculars that were as impressively huge as my own and, get this--we were wearing the same hat!...then I realized I was actually looking at the back of my own head. Buy these now, quick, before God or Mother Nature finds out we puny humans now have eyes as powerful as hawks or Superman and uninvents them. If these things were any stronger, I do believe they could actually see into the future. Thanks, Celestron...these babies are pure magic.
These things are awesome. Been using them for years. Now I live where I can bird watch. Really happy I bought these.Great product ata  good price.
Many parents run out and spend hundreds of dollars on a Telescope for their kids only to find out that either the youngster isn't interested or expectations are not met by the product or they were not prepared for the learning curve associated with telescope equipment.  I love the hobby and is the reason I have invested over $4000 in telescope equipment.However, in early December 2004 Amazon had a great deal on this pair of binoculars and I purchased a pair.  I have had an absolute great time with these binoculars and the quality of the optics have been excellent. I took them out of the box and walked out onto my deck and swung them up on Orion and the Orion nebula jumped right out at me.  I have to say I wasn't prepared for that and it illustrates just how far astronomy binocular technology has come in recent years. For the person wanting to get into backyard astronomy this pair of binoculars would be a very affordable way to get started. It should be noted that these types of binoculars are categorized as Giant Astro binoculars and they are large which also means they are heavier than normal binoculars.  These binoculars are great for terestial viewing as well and I have gotten equal satisfaction observing wildlife during the day.  I noticed that some other reviewers appear to have had some bad experiences with these but I would almost have to believe that something severe happened in shipping. My experience with Celestron equipment has been nothing but positive and these binoculars fall right inline with all of my other purchases.  These are a great buy from Amazon.
I paid a little more than the current $54.99 by purchasing a day earlier, but even at that - c'mon, how can you beef 15x70 glass that works at that price??  The case is not so much, and the lens caps exist.  I put these on a Gitzo monopod with the included (!!) tripod adapter and the view is CLEAR and sharp.  Collimation is good.  I can use these for hours without eyestrain.  I wouldn't toss these around, but with care, they should make you smile every time you use them.
I wanted binoculars that would allow viewing of the night sky, as well as long distancescenery viewing. These binoculars are perfect.
I do not care what product you purchase from them, if it has any sort of problem and you try to contact Celestron YOU WILL BE SORRY! They have put me on hold each time I have called to find out why they have had my C65 spotting scope for over two months and since they do not have an 800 number I gave up after waiting over an hour and had to pay that phone bill myself. Forget about email, because when you try to send them one you type all of your information in and try to submit it and you are told that your email was not submitted and you are transfered to their knowledge base to try to find out an answer to your problem, even though the company is the problem. I have tried to requeste that I have my scope returned so that I can send the piece of junk back to the comany I purchased it from for a refund but it is like trying to talk to CD player, I can't get it back and they won't talk to me so it looks like I through away $70.00 + dollars on nothing.  Take my advice, stay as far away form their merchandise as possible.
Just received them today and we've tested how they'll work.  They're as great as expected and we'll be pleased with this decision.
These binoculars were shipped quickly and arrived in perfect shape. They are wonderful for viewing moon craters, distant planets, and constellations. I don't find them to be unreasonably heavy either. I have small hands, and so I do find that I hold my hands a bit farther from the eyepiece than my old ones. I also sometimes use my camera tripod, but I prefer laying back in a lounge chair and viewing that way. It's a lot easier on the neck. I would recommend these binoculars to anyone who loves skywatching! They are also great for long distance nature watching!
These binoculars are everything they are advertised to be.  Very strong.  Very powerful.  Unfortunately also very big.  Too heavy to use for any period of time without a tripod and certainly not the kind of binoculars to carry around all day.  But, since they come with a tripod adapter and are advertised as sky gazing binoculars I shouldn't be surprised.  We are very happy with the product.  Our expectations were just for a smaller piece of hardware.
This is an excellent product but I bout it for 69 USD however now the price is only $53.13 within a month.This is not fair to charge extra just because I bought early
I would never have believed how incredible these binoculars are if I had not looked through them.  My brother had gotten a pair.  He paid too much since he bought them at a retail store instead of Amazon.  The first time I looked through his I focused on a small airplane that was flying by.  When I could clearly see the pilot's face I knew I had to have a pair.  Some people will find they are a bit heavy to use for long periods without a tripod.  However, I have no problem using them.  They are much better than the spotting scope I used to carry for birding.  I now bird with a pair of binoculars for close view and these incredible Celestrons for everything else.
Great price on these binocs. Almost too big to use by hand, but I haven't had to buy a tripod yet. Think my girlfriend would like to try a tripod as her hands aren't quite as steady, but no complaints yet. She's uses these to whale watch, and you can see pretty far with them. Biggest size you should probably go without a tripod.
These binoculars work very well!  Great for looking at the details of the moon and the stars in the sky!  Amazing!
The tripod adapter was not a part of the package as promised and I find that very amusing!! Since the adapter is part of the standard binoculars it seems like it has been deliberately separated for whatever reasons!!
These are a great pair of powerful binoculars. I would suggest getting a tripod to go along with them, because the large magnification doesn't make for a steady image. The image is perfectly bright and sharp.Buy these for star gazing or bird watching. Don't take these to the ballgame as the shake will make them unusable.This is a case where you get more than what you pay for !
Great binoculars. Great price. Only one thing I was and still confused about is in the manual it shows some zoom lever and my binoculars don't have that.
They work very well. I had no issues with them at all. The Optics are far better than I expected for the price
Awesome binoculars. Feels like I can see almost as close as a telescope but even better because the image isn't inverted.
I have a place in upstate NY...  a dark sky and a lounge chair, and the star gazing is awesome.  I've even been able to see the Moons of Jupiter with these.
Having never had any kind of binoculars in my life, I made a mistake of assuming that any kind of optical device has a zoom (hey, my $10 digital camera has it!), it didn't even come to my mind it's possible for binoculars not to have a zoom. It's like assuming a car won't have a steering wheel or something. Oooops. These don't. Apparently 300+ reviewers that gave it 5 stars don't care about this completely insignificant and unnecessary function. I do, so I will have to return these and buy a zoom model. These binoculars are fine, I looked through them for about 2-3 minutes, but the 15X zoom is surprisingly very weak and unsatisfying. I have a condo with a 180 degree city view, and downtown with all the skyscrapers is less than a mile away, but these don't really provide satisfactory level of closeness even for objects this close. I mean, the skyscrapers appear to be close-ER, but nowhere close enough to get interesting enough to discern any fine detail or peek into offices. You can't really see people on the street close enough to see faces either. I couldn't get them to focus right, and I did get a little headache (still feel somewhat nauseous typing this), but I didn't spend too much time with them so I don't know if it would get better. So these will go back to Amazon, and I will probably be shopping for much stronger binoculars and a tripod. I also found the binoculars barely fitting my interpupilary distance, I don't have a big head or wide-set eyes, but I had to spread the eyepieces to the max and even then they were fitting me barely, I still could use 3-5mm more of width. They're heavy as a boulder, but I guess that's to be expected. As I said, these are my fist binoculars, so I won't comment on quality aspect, but as a terrestrial viewing device I found these to be disappointing and weak even for someone with NO expectations like me. Ok for the price, I guess but definitely NOT ok as an entertainment device even for something basic as city gazing.
If you want to see the moon and globulars, this is your choice.I watch the sky for several years and love this one.Only remember that it is a bit heavy.
You can't go wrong for how clear these things bring in things.  Like many have said before...you get a lot of quality for 70 bucks.  From whale watching from the shoreline, spotting animals on land,  or star gazing at night....these things works wonderfully well.
This item is one of the most powerful and well made Binoculars at this range of price. Its clarity is absolutely satisfying for its value. You probably need a Tripod for it though, because its kind of heavy for holding steady while watching far objects (your image shakes), with regard to its magnification.I got a used one at first. But it was out of collimation and I ordered a new one to compare it with. The new one worked pretty good, so I kept it and returned the used one. It's been months that I'm using this Binoculars and I'm very happy with it. It is hard to carry it around on the shoulder because of its weight. But its magnification strength compensates its bulky body and heavy weight for me.
This posting begins with a discussion of some core information about binoculars for astronomical viewing that may help potential purchasers make a more informed purchase decision.If you have other viewing objectives than astronomical objects, or are already familiar with binocular specifications, you may want to stop here or just read the latter part of this review before going on to other postings; otherwise, read-on.There are two models often used in astronomy, roof prisms or Porro prisms binoculars. Roof prisms are more modern and have a straight through appearance, i.e., the binocular cylinders form straight tubes. Porro prism binoculars (named after Ignazio Porro) have a tell-tale right angle bend. These usually are manufactured with two prism on each side of the binoculars, i.e., double Porro prisms. Although considerably larger in size, because of their improved optical qualities Porro prism binoculars, such as the model reviewed here, are usually preferred over roof prism binoculars for astronomical viewing.Another important aspect of binoculars is the size of their exit pupil. Younger folks have pupils that can open, dilate, to a maximum size of slightly over 7mm. However, as one gets older the size of this window into the eye reduces. Over the age of thirty most folks have a reduction in their dark adapted pupil size of approximately 1mm every 20 years. The exit pupils for a pair of binoculars should ideally approximate the entry pupil of the observer's eye. Some suggest an even smaller exit pupil size, see below. The size of a binoculars' exit pupil is found by dividing aperture by magnification. For example, common 7 x 50 binoculars (7 power by 50mm) have an exit pupil of approximately 7.14mm. In practice, this exit pupil size is larger than many adult's dark-adapted pupil size, particularly when some extraneous light is also present. In most viewing environments such as in or near a city such extraneous "light pollution" is almost always present. In addition, the periphery of the eye's lens exhibits some inherent optical degradation. Thus, an exit pupil size around 5mm may be preferred, although some experimental evidence suggests an exit pupil even less than 4mm may be most appropriate. These 15 x 70mm binoculars have an exit pupil of approximately 4.7mm resulting in more of the light exiting the lenses entering the eye than might occur with e.g., 7 x 50mm binoculars.Possibly the most important consideration when choosing binoculars is their light gathering ability. Binoculars are essentially "light buckets". As noted the human eye at its widest has about a 7mm entry window. A 70mm objective lenses, as here, has over 50 times the light gathering area of the human eye. Another factor affecting the light transmitted through binoculars are the materials used in their lenses and prisms, and their lens coatings. The least expensive binoculars have uncoated lenses or single coated lenses, or may even use plastic lenses. Multi-coated binocular lenses, and BaK-4 barium crown glass prisms, as in these Celestrons, are typically more expensive but improve light transmission resulting in sharper and  brighter images.The best eye relief, i.e., the eyes' distance behind the exit pupil to see the full exit image is probably between 15mm and 20mm. These binoculars provide 18mm and additionally come with rubber eye-cups. Thus, I've been able to use these both with and without glasses. I use lightly tinted sunglasses when viewing the moon to see more detail.  In that case I leave the eyecups down.  When viewing without glasses I leave the eye-cups up.In use, I've found these binoculars' images sharp and with adequate contrast to enjoy star clusters such as the Hyades and Pleiades, along with the moon and planetary observations.  Its primary negatives are its size and  weight. This pair is large, although slightly smaller at 11 x 9 inches than the 12 x 10 inches described in the listing.Owing both to their size and weight, as well as their relatively high magnification they are not comfortable to use hand-held for any but the shortest period of time. For many the best binoculars are ones that can be strung over the neck and easily hand-held.  These are definitely not such a pair. Because of their magnification, the slightest shake moves the astronomical object out of the field of view. Fortunately, they come with a tripod adapter. However,  for many the need to use a tripod runs counter to the desire to have a "portable" pair of hand-held binoculars.  For these observer's a smaller 50mm pair of binoculars is probably more appropriate.However, even recognizing these binoculars cannot be hand-held for any extended period, they are probably one of the best choices for astronomical observers who need relative portability compared to a probably more cumbersome and expensive telescope. Perhaps surprisingly, they are also quite a useful adjunct even when using a telescope.In summary, these binoculars allow for considerable additional exploration of astronomical objects compared to the naked eye. However, a tripod or, support for the arms, is required for extended observations. Highly recommended.
Everyone seems to be raving about these binoculars.  For working binoculars at the price charged you cant go wrong.  Unfortunately the pair i got had a loose ocular.  So loose, i was able to unscrew it by finger touch. It was in the original packaging and did not appear to be a return.  The binoculars looked like it came straight from the factory in the condition received, and was not caused in shipment from amazon.Needless to say it was way out of collimation, when i tightened it up.  I looked through one ocular at a time and liked the quality of the optics for the price.  So i just need to get a pair that are functional, i.e. in proper collimation and properly tightened.  Amazon is sending a replacement.  I give the product two stars for now.  One hopeful star that i will get a working  pair next time, and one star on the quality of the service of amazon.  If the replacement binoculars are as good as everyone says, i will update and upgrade my review.  I am in manufacturing myself, so i know some defective items will get through quality control no matter what, in a mass production setting.  So i will be patiently waiting for my replacement binoculars.This review is just to give a heads up that there are some defective units floating around so dont be surprised if you have to return it.Update 22 Nov 2011.  Got the replacement binocs within 2 days of notifying amazon.  Tonite i observed jupiter and could make out the galilean satellites on either side of the big planet.  The pleiades were spectacular.  The collimation was acceptable.  Incredible buy and now it is even less expensive than when i bought it a month ago!!!  Amazing when you consider that i bought a similar pair of binocs 10 years or so ago for 300 dollars.
I just got into amateur astronomy about 6 weeks ago, and based on the many positive reviews I read here, I decided to give these a whirl since they are reasonably priced.  Just got them today.It is overcast right now, so, I only got to view the moon in between darks clouds and saw Venus.  I will make it my business to either update or post again, but the few comments I want to make:  They are MUCH lighter than I thought.  Yes, I had the shakes, but not much different than my 10x50s.  My hands did not get tired after 15 minutes.  I was more annoyed that the clouds were in the way of my view than I was with the so called awkwardness of the binos.  My only complaint about Celestron (I have two other sets of binos by them) is that their straps and bag are FLIMSY!  I see that I have to purchase them elsewhere for optimal protection.  I am not as in a rush as I thought I would be to purchase a tripod.  They may not even been necessary with a bit of patience and positioning.I plan to look at Jupiter Saturday morning and review the planets I have previously saw and will definitely post back.  For now, I say get them.  Celestron is the company that seems to deal with enthusiasts with limited funds, but seem to come through with decent optics.***Update 11/12/10*** I have even more appreciation of these binoculars as I gain more experience.  Pleiades is phenomenal to see. Ditto for the Orion Nebula!  If you hold the binos at the front, that may decrease the shakes a bit-or I lean on my gate or a car to steady them.  I have purchased a tripod since my last posting, which is even better, but I don't carry it around.  You can see Jupiter's 4 moons, more details on the moon, clusters, and just for the heck of looking and identifying it later is equally as fun!  You don't have to spend a great deal of money to view celestial treats!
I haven't bought binoculars for quite a while so I guess I wasn't really how big these are.  We wanted them for auditorium events and traveling.  They are pretty heavy but I guess that is because they are powerful. We like them, just didn't know how heavy they would be. They are good for star-gazing also. Haven't tried it for that but the instructions say this.
Clear and really really good.These feel like a much more expensive product. You can see the surface of the moon with extremely good detail.
I love my Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars. It's a 1st rate product and  I am looking forward to using it for many many years to come viewing the sky. Amazon did a very good job in processing the order which arrived earlier than the scheduled date.
The local Lifelong Learning Institute recently hosted an Introduction to Astronomy course and recommended that, for most amateurs, a good set of binoculars was a better option than investing in an expensive telescope.  These are great and have finally given me a way to enjoy our rural night sky.
I am not an astronomer.  I live on a family farm and thought we needed a good pair of binoculars.  I am so impressed.  We can see everything so crystal clear now.  We like to look at wildlife and just check out things on our 300 acre farm.  These come in so handy.  Not to mention how impressed I am with looking at the moon and stars at night.  I can see craters on the moon you can't see with the naked eye.  These are perfect binoculars for those hard to buy for.  Just think how happy Dad would be to these for Fathers Day, Birthday or Christmas.  Don't forget to get the Vista Exlporer Tripod.  Both of these are less then $90 with prime shipping.  Great gift and every day use.
These things blew me away. For around $50 I didn't expect much and they were MUCH better than we expected. Used them to see the moons on Jupiter...seriously.A tripod is useful, but not required.. Do need a steady hand.We're going to buy a pair as a gift.
Wonderful and a great deal.  But they MUST be on a stable tripod.  Make your own holder DIY.These are almost as good as my 8" DOB.
We bought these for this spring when Yellowstone opens for the season. Just got back from Yellowstone and loved them, it made the experience so much better for distant viewing. We bought two pair and had no problems either of them. Got many comments when we let other folks use them. Were very open on where we got them. Thanks
After reading many of the reviews here, these sounded like a good deal but given the negative reviews from folks who got bad copies I decided it would be best to buy them in person. I did that and tried them before I walked out with them. After getting them home and trying them out on a tripod for about 2 hours in daylight, I have to say that the quality of the optics is amazing for this price. Center sharpness is just phenomenal and doesn't really degrade much until you look towards the edges. But if you demand edge-to-edge sharpness then you need to start spending the bucks to get it. For most of the field of view these are more than sharp enough.One small negative - the included tripod mount is way too wobbly. I reinforced it by bolting two thin metal plates to it and that helped a great deal. Someone else mentioned that they filled it with epoxy (it's an i-beam type of construction). That seems like a good idea also.But for this kind of money, this is an insanely good pair of binoculars.
The binoculars were suprisingly lightweight for their size and power.The 70mm lens were great at light gathering, and the 4.75 mm exit pupilprovide more light than most adults can use.  (The avg. is 3-4 mm)With a good strap is easy to wear for long periods and excellent for long distance terrestrial viewing or general astromical use.  You really need a tripod to use the full power effectively, but for short periods those with steady hands can enjoy the binocs on the fly!
I'm currently deployed and run the scout truck while on convoy.  My gunner needs all visual advantages he can get and so far these binos have saved our butts several times.
These binoculars are just plain amazing for the price. The crisp images of the star fields in Saggitarius is worth the price alone, not to mention the beautiful views of the Lagoon nebula, Orion nebula, and Andromeda galaxy.Past reviews have pretty much summed it all up, but I wanted to offer some helpful advice to those who are having difficulties with the tripod adapter. First of all the outlet to screw in the adapter to the binoculars s under the screw off cap in front on the binoculars. When using the binoculars and tripod adapter on a tripod out of box, you may find that the adapter bends, making the binocular view swing left to right. To remedy this, buy some epoxy for plastic at your local hardware store, the good kind is the kind with two siringes in one, and put the glue into the open space on both sides of the adapter. Glue one side at a time, mix the glue in the space, and let it dry solid. This should make the adapter more solid, and your viewing more stable! =)
These are good for the price.  However I wish that I had saved a little more and gotten a better quality set.Like many others here I have problems with collimation.  It drifts out over time.  It is easy enough to adjust back to the correct alignment but it is still a pain to have to do this.  Also there is some color smearing which is especially noticeable while looking at stars.We bought this because we were not sure whether or not we were in to astronomy enough to justify a more expensive model.  If I was rating it on this alone then it might get a higher rating from me, as the price is pretty reasonable.  However because of the drawbacks this unit is pretty much only good for viewing the moon.  To be fair the view of the moon through these binoculars is truly breathtaking.As a side note these things are pretty big.  They are uncomfortable to hold up for more than a minute or two and it is very hard to keep them steady enough to view through.  I did not lower the rating because of this, but I would strongly suggest getting a tripod.  We did and are very happy with that decision.
really great value and great long range view. only things i didn't like were how big the binoculars are and it takes a minute to adjust your eyes to see through the lens.
I have received as gifts or purchased binoculars in the past, some have been okay while others fell far short of my expectations.  While at the lake I like to use binoculars for watching wildlife such as eagles who nest not to far away from our cabin.  I purchased these because of the low price and the technical details.  They have performed much better than expected.  Using a Tripod with them has been very nice.
I am having a good time using these binoculars.
Had trouble finding channel markers even when the chart plotter was indicating they were close by. Problem solved with these high power binoculars. They do the job. Now I can spot them a mile away and be able to relax.Have not tried looking at the moon yet!
Excellent viewing with these big suckers. They are a bit heavy for steady hand-held viewing, but that's why it comes with the tripod adapter.
Oh my, these are fantastic binoculars! We mainly use them for watching wildlife and they are the best binoculars we've ever had. They are heavy but no matter. Thinking of buying another pair for our daughters!
We just wanted a nice pair of binoculars to use at our cabin and watch boats go by.These are great for the price and do a fine job.They really are quite large and so for us are good for sitting on the table on the deck and using for boat or bird spotting in the immediate area but I would not suggest you would want o walk around with them for too long as could become quite heavy.
Off to college and my kid mentioned to me that the Dean of Physics/Astronomy saw these and provided a compliment on the wise choice of optics.
I'm no professional astronomer, by any means.  I got these because they were cheap, and well regarded. Between these binoculars, the StarWalk app on my iPhone, and a camera tri-pod, I've had a ton of fun.Last night I could see faintly four of the moons of Jupiter (from a rooftop in Brooklyn, no less).As a beginner, I'm very happy with these.
I wasn't lucky with this binoculars and sent them back for a return.  Left side remains soft and can't come in focus (yes, I tried to focus both sides with the same eye).  It also has a highly pronounced color fringe around objects (a.k.a. chromatic aberration).  The right side is fine. Perhaps this item was meant as a monocular :-)Since the price is very attractive (as most reviews point out) I will order another one and hope for better luck.
has an scratch on the inside of lens.  bought it end of December  and just now am getting a chance to use it and notice this inside scratch
this is not a high quality item as it seems to bei bought it to look at starsand it is not good at that at allnothing is sharp focusthere may be a way to make it better as some say they havei will try thoes ideas laterall in all at full price it was a big bust\but at the sale priceyes i can look at birds somebut i can not see the holes in a target at 100 yds as i hopedno i do not recomend buying thisand i would not again
These binoculars are exactly what I was looking for. I needed them for a class I am taking. They work great.
These are great for birding.  I use them every time I go out.  My kids originally laughed when they saw them, because they are very large binoculars.  You will not be a secret agent with these around your neck.  The first weekend I had them we went skiing and I was able to see the skiers faces at the top of the lift from the lodge at the base.  I honestly cannot rave enough about these.  They carry a lifetime warranty and are well under a hundred dollars.  I don't know how you can go wrong with these.  When we use them to watch the stars, comets, satellites, and the moon we use a tripod which helps them to remain very steady.  These do come with the arm to attach to a tripod which is nice that I did not have to purchase anything else.
They had a flaw in the lens. Somebody left a smudge on the inside of one of the lens. Sent it back and Amazon only helped a little on the return shipping. Other than that they were fine and for the price they were great but I sent them back because it would have always had the smudge!
Bought the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, with free shipping off Amazon on Monday, and it arrived in prefect working order 1 day later on Tuesday.  No culmination needed, unlike the new in box Tasco pair of binoculars that were unculminated, right image was out of aliment from left side image, and Tasco would not fix it under its warranty.Amazon had the best deal out there for this excellent pair of binoculars.  Large apertures, the 70mm glass ends, allows more light capture for your day and night time viewing pleasures.  I highly recommend this Celestron product.
First pair of astronomy binoculars I have owned and the views were way better than I expected.  Great for open clusters, double clusters and really big nebula. Could not view the Andromeda Galaxy because it is not in season, but I know it would look great because you can see Andromeda without any optical aides. (visible with the naked eye)  Viewing in the Southern sky in the constellation Sagittarius and Scorpius was simply amazing.  Actually viewed the Lagoon nebula and Trifid nebula in Sagittarius in the same field of view, now that was bad ass.  The only thing is that the 15x70's are border line for needing a tripod.  The high magnification makes them hard to hold steady.  I did figure out that if you hold them at the very end of the body (the long, cone looking tubes opposite of where you put your eyes)  you can hold them a lot more steady cause it kinda balances out the weight.  I would recommend these binoculars to anyone interested in astronomy and also for veteran night sky enthusiast.  I work 3rds and do not get to take my scope (10&#34; Dobsonian) out very much except on weekends and the binoculars allow me to get some quick views without having to setup my scope.  Just an easier way to get my fix lol
I have been to a couple of stargazing parties with these and, its funny how many people with their big scopes come over wanting to look through the binoculars.  Quality seems to be excellent but thats from a newbie to astronomy.  I love looking thru them but havent quite mastered the best way to use them yet as i wear glasses.  I have just got a tripod and hope that helps because the biggest problem is holding them steady enough.  but based on all the comments at the stargazing party these are an amazing value and great for those just getting into astronomy and trying to learn the night sky before making a big investment in a telescope .  I enjoy looking through the scopes but actually like looking thru the binoculars more so far.  But as i said im still learning and do want to eventually get a nice scope.  For those just starting out though I think this is a very good binocular and am looking forward to some clear skies and using them.
I bought these for fire spotting and they are very good for that.  Probably wouldwork well for hazmat recon too. The field of view and image brightness are quite good. They pull in a lot more light than the mini-binocs I had been using, and at this price I am not too worried about them bouncing around in the back of the car or under the seat in the fire engine. They are about as powerful as you could hand-hold, and I actually added a monopod for easier viewing. They seem well made and sturdy and the action is smooth. The depth of field is somewhat shallow, so they might not be optimal for following a moving object, but for anyting static they are plenty sharp.-Rat
Amazing to see the stars close up.  But after a night of using it, I found I liked the Bushnell 12x50 better.  I could handhold the Bushnell and it gives a broader view of the sky.  These are very high quality for the price.  I picked up a used Bogen tripod with pan head at a thrift shop to use with the Celestron and it did the job, holding them steady.  The tripod adapter with the Celestron is plastic but does the job well enough.
These are excellent quality binoculars and a darn good price too! They were recommended to me by my astronomy professor so they gotta be good haha! Tho they are technically stargazing binocs they can be used for sporting events, bird watching or various other daytime events. I will say tho a pair this size can be very difficult to wield so you may need a tripod or at least something to prop them against if you plan to look at objects far off.
A little heavy, that's why it comes with a tripod mount. View of the moon is great haven't had a clear night yet to lay on ground and view stars?
I bought these while Amazon had them in stock, awesome value for the price. Being prudent I first looked at the negative reviews. Almost all the negative reviews from someone who knew a little about binoculars were from receiving bins out of collimation, and one or 2 with just bad luck in manufacturing defects. It is important to read the reviews and not just take the stars. The few other negative reviews not about collimation were either for the wrong product or just clueless. So I figured for the price if they were off I'd adjust them myself, but got lucky, they were spot on.There is some blurring in the outer field of view. That is the difference between a $50 pair and a $400 pair. I'll keep the $350 and deal with it.Terrestrial viewing is awesome, pulls things right in. Night time terrestrial viewing these really shine. I about jumped scanning a field and finding a deer illuminated only by a streetlamp 1/4 mile away. Only had a chance to view Jupiter through a hole in the clouds. Sharp and bright with good contrast.My only complaint is the minimum interpupillary distance is just barely passable for my eyes. Keep this in mind if considering for children, they may not be able to use these.
I wish I had this Binocular sooner, it works well, for star watching or bird watching etc.Easy to mount on a tripod.
These binoculars provide a good tool for night timesky viewing.  Easier to carry than a telescope withthe advantage of using both eyes.  The tripod mountcan be used with most any tripod with a standard screw mount.The 15 power makes hand holding a challenge but with practicethey work great.
These arrived bent, so the two focal points don't line up. Yeah, they're high-powered, but unless you have crazy eyes that line up perfectly with how these are disaligned, they're pretty much useless. I threw mine away.
These are good quality product.  The lenses are strong and the view is spectacular when using them.  Would recommend this product.
These binoculars are by far the best value if you want to observe the sky at night. The views are awesome. The price, excellent
These binoculars are great for the price. I can put them in my back pack and go. I share them with people and they oooh and aahhhh. I do need to lean against something to hold them still or rest them on something to hold them up for awhile. At home I use a tripod. I keep the lenses cleaned frequently and I use an anti-fog cloth at night. I wear them around my neck when I walk the dog even though they're a bit heavy. I just lift them and see so much more than the naked eye can see really clear. It's an instant feeling of relaxation.
Using these for astronomy primarily.  Work very good for this price! Handholding is a bit shaky, but thats expected for 15x. A good tripod is needed to hold them steady. Most cheaper tripods aren't enough, especially if you have to crank up the height. But, this is expected, considering these are 15x70's!  These are not opera glasses!  :-)
Loved these but foolishly wanted more power and sent these back for the 20x80s which were out of alignment right out of the box....
I have had the opportunity to use some very high end binoculars and have first hand experience of how bright and clear good optics can be.  These do not meet that standard, but then again they cost about 10 percent as much and are still very usable.  The images are clear and sharp and at this magnification they are very comfortable to use.  I would recommend them to anyone except possibly people that would use them for hours a day.  Those folks may want to spend the extra cash.  They can be used handheld although I wouldn't try it with any higher magnification, but they do get heavy and that is when the tripod mount comes in handy.
Nice binoculars with wide field of view. Very crisp and clear images. Definitely need tripod for distant objects very difficult to hold steady. Good view of Jupiter and it's major moons.
These binoculars are great and the price was very reasonable. I will get many years of enjoyment out of this item.
I bought these for a trip to Alaska where I skippered a 42' Nordic Tug for 12 days in the large waters west of Juneau. The binoculars proved to be much more useful than I had anticipated.  I used them multiple times a day for ship siting, animal viewing, etc.  They were an important tool for the success of the cruise.
Was reluctant to purchase based on some of the negative reviews...but glad I purchased anyway.  Took them to the beach today and was able to watch dolphins and a pod of whales that I never would have been able to see with my old binos.  Whales must have been close to a mile out and was able to pick up the spout while watching a pod of dolphins thanks to wide field of view.  The downside was that we only had the one pair and had to share with the family...will be buying another pair today.
No issues with the optics! Awesome!But the included tripod adapter ( which a binocular this powerful demands) is useless, not rigid enough at all.Made my own from a bent bracket bar...you will need to as wellas the power of the optics negates being effectively handheld
So, this are a bit heavy and a tripod would likely improve the overall viewing experience. I bought these for night sky viewing.  Looking at the moon is amazing, but anything else - planets, galaxies - can't see a thing - just a bigger bright spot in the sky.  I was really hoping to see more detail, but not with this set.  I'm using them now for nature viewing and they are perfect for that.
Very happy with my combined purchase of the NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe , Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas and the Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars. Just waiting for some clear skys to really enjoy them...
beats my telescope in clarity its realy an amazing astronomical device, i would recommend this -- with use on a tripod for more stable viewing...
I could never expect to see what I did the first clear night I took these out. Having little to no experience viewing the night sky the result is inspiring. My first object was the Pleiades cluster. After some other views of stars and the moon (which is amazing) I turned to find the Orion Nebula. A faint glow of pale green can be seen emitting from the center but make sure to try and stay steady. Being that the magnification is so high steadiness becomes a problem. Its ok for clusters, stars, etc. but if you want to focus on any faint objects or even catch a good look at the moon and planets a tripod is essential. Trying to view Jupiter using only my hands produced a small dot of light shaking around violently in my view. As soon as I put them on a tripod not only could I see a steady ball of light (no bands or anything like that) but to my surprise I was able to make out at least 3 of the moons. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone looking for a good way to enter the hobby.
These are the largest Binoculars I own, I have a few, I live near some mountains and fist thing I did was peer at the closest one to me and I thought at first that these were not as powerful or any better than my old pair, my bad, I thought I was looking at the closest mountain until I realized I was focused on the farthest mountain 10 miles away and I could see people hiking up there!! when I looked at the same mountain I couldn't even see the trails let alone people, so yea these are as described, powerful, nicely built, heavy duty, these are large no doubt, I ordered a tripod same day as I realized they are so powerful it needs a base to sit on so it will be a steady view, cuz at long distances any slight movement is noticeable of course. I like my purchase and for the money I don't know how you could go wrong. AAAAA+++
I have purchased five pairs of these binoculars for myself and family members.  A couple have been replacements due to my brother's kid having a habit of tossing them in the swimming pool.Only one pair had to be sent back due to poor collimation, but Amazon replaced them without question.They are the most stable 15X binoculars I have ever found...more stable, in fact, than some 10X or 12X models I have used.  I never though I would be able to use these without a tripod, but was pleasantly surprised at how steady they can be just by holding them with elbows braced against my chest.These actually get more use than my ETX-125 telescope for casual astronomy, since they can be taken anywhere, and no setup is required.
First purchase was faulty.  Amazon has easy & quick return policy.  Great service from amazon.  Bought these for my wife to use on lake we live on that is 50,000 acres.  Soon discovered that these are too hi quality to have banging around on the boat looking at other boats.  So now they are mounted on tripod.  Check the weight, however.
I received them yesterday tried them at once and was stunned by their build quality as well as clarity of vision.However by their nature they are heavy and need a tripod, even on a tripod they shake a little. In my experience with them and the price paid ($57) they are unbeatable. For terrestrial viewing they beat my Meade 200LX telescope which I use with an Orion Q70  eyepiece in clarity and detail.My advice is to buy them and  mount it on an unused photo tripod permanently.  I am still trying to  understand how  such an incredible piece of technology can be as inexpensive as a family lunch at McDonalds.
Sure it's not a telescope, but my 5 & 7 year old love using these binoculars. Not just for the stars, but for everything else. Trips, hikes or just laying back in our yard, this is a fun toy to have. The quality impressed me also, super sharp and clear images and even brightens up things in the shade/shadows during daylight use. We now even enjoy seeing all the jets cruising at 40,000 feet with the white streams in the background. I highly recommend this item to get kids interested in astronomy. In a couple of years if the interest is there, then we can invest into a telescope.
I thought I could get into astronomy but I was wrong. These binoculars definitely didnt help because they frustrated me constantly. The adjustment knob kept moving and more importantly it's heavy as hell. definitely not something i would want hanging around my neck. It seems pretty great when it actually does work but the cons have drawn away my interest. The bino's have been sitting in my closet since December and that's probably where they'll stay until i get married, have kids, they have kids who come to visit and go through my old things.
I  first purchased  20X80s.  This was  overkill;  too much  detail. For a beginner,  15x70 is  easier  to use.
These are worthless for Astronomical use as the manufacture used a CHEAP tripod mount that renders the binoculars useless for sky viewing.There is no way to steady them. Their next model up 20x80 has a great mount that is used by several other companies. I return these & purchased a 20x80mm one made by Berska which has the better mount. I got them at a great price. $99. from amazon and they work great! I recommend Barska ones instead & save some money.
I was trying to decide between the Nikon Action 10x50 Binoculars and the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70. I already own a smaller 9x25 compact set of binoculars and was looking for a set for stargazing. Based on the reviews of others, it was clear shoppers were quite impressed with the SkyMaster.After I received the fast shipment from Amazon, I was astonished by the clarity of the optics in these binoculars. The image is bright and crystal clear especially in the center of the image. Perhaps there is a little degradation in quality towards the edges, but nothing that would distract from the sparkling view dead center. I can't imagine the Nikon set capturing as many high magnitude stars.The housing is well made and the focus knob is smooth. There appears to be a plastic layer covering around the long binocular chambers - the covering feels a bit loosely fitted.  Still, I like the texture of the material.Also, as you can imagine, these binoculars will be difficult to hold steady for extended periods. Luckily a tripod adapter is included. While the adapter could be of higher quality, I'm glad Celestron added this, because at least I can quickly enjoy star gazing right away - I can always upgrade the adapter later. The strap is also fairly thin, but seems sturdy.Overall, the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 is an outstanding value. I give it 5 stars for image quality, overall construction, and low price. Read no further reviews - buy them and see for yourself!
My pair of binoculars came and was very excited after reading prior reviews and expecting a great night of viewing a little disappointed. I viewed Jupiter but couldn't get the resolution some reviewers claimed they got. The center focus makes it difficult to get the sharpness I was looking for may need to play around with it more. I don't think this product deserves 5 stars
My husband and I are always taking turns using my binoculars so I bought him his own for Christmas. These were a little more higher in the magnification than mine so thought that was a plus. However, had I known they were so very heavy, I would not have bought them.
This is an excellent binocular for hand-held viewing of the moon and comets and of animals, birds and other wildlife. It doesn't have enough magnification for viewing stars. It is not a night glass but works very well in twilight and, of course, full sun. I keep it mounted on tripod and focused on the bird feeder. The birds appear to be right in the room but without the mess. It's good to carry in a car or boat but is a bit heavy for bird hikes.
I wanted a powerful set of binoculars this is just what I needed great for viewing landscapes or birds would recommend them
I bought these because I wanted a little more light gathering power than my Oberwerk 11x56's. The Celestrons checked out beautifully on a terrestrial view right out of the box, I thought WOW! Night cometh, and I set them up on a tripod along with the Oberwerks for comparison. It was immediately obvious that the Celestrons need to be collimated, not unexpected, what with shipping and banging around and all. And the 100+ degree heat they were subjected to. After waiting for them to cool down, I managed to get them collimated without much trouble. Now, to the views. Or lack of. I live in an extremely light polluted area. The only star I could see (without breaking my neck looking straight up) was Polaris. Not a bad choice for bino evaluation, since I had these mounted on regular photo tripods, and Polaris doesn't move appreciably. Let's get to the point: I could not get a tight, sharp point on Polaris with the Celestrons like I could with the Oberwerks. On the other hand, the dimmer stars that I could see were points, and I could see more of them thru the Celestrons than with the Oberwerks. No surprise here, 70mm objectives vs 56 mm. And that's the thing: I didn't buy these in order to evaluate the Airy disk on bright stars; I bought them to get wide-field views of relatively dim objects. So they apparently will do this job. The final decision was made by my 8-year old daughter, who wants to be an astronomer. She looked through each in turn, and without prompting said, "Ooh, I like this view the best", and that was through the Celestrons. I tend to have a super-critical eye, and speaking of eyes, I'm doing my eval thru multi-focal eyeglasses. I might not be the best judge of a pure 20/20 unclouded view. I'll take my kid's word for it.
If you want max binocular for the buck then this is it. They are big and super well made. Perfect focus. Yes, a bit hard to hold for an extended period up at the stars without getting a little shaky but that's what the tripod adapter is for. Great for daytime use as well. Arrived promptly, were well packaged and in perfect condition. Highly recommended.
These are my first pair of binoculars.  I wanted binoculars that I could use for both terrestrial and astronomy veiwing.  This particular model was said to be a nice mid-way option, and I would agree.  I like the simplicity of grab-and-go.  I have a telescope and it takes some work to transport and setup.  Of course, these binoculars are not nearly as powerful as a telescope; however, for general stargazing they work fine.  The view of the moon is good but don't expect too much when looking at the planets.I would have given them a 5 star rating except that my left 70mm lens came with 2 scratches.  Luckily, the worst one is near the edge of the lens.  Also, there is one rather large spec of dust on the inside of that same lens.  I can't tell that the view is affected in any way from either of the imperfections.  All the lenses were dirty but when I cleaned them I was impressed at just how well the binoculars could be focused to produce a crystal-clear view with almost no loss of focus around the edges.  I guess I was fortunate to get a well collimated pair.  It was for this reason I did not return the binoculars because of the scratches.  I was afraid to trade one flaw for others which could be worse.  For the price, I am content with what I got.Most people will probably find these binoculars to be a little heavy to hold for an extended period of time but with a tripod I find they handle well.  My tripod pick was the Targus Digital TG-6660TR.
I gave these as a gift last year. Just got some for myself. These are really nice.
gf bought me these and everyone loves it. You can see reeeeeeally far with these, i use em to look at the city from my balcony.
My granddaughter and I are getting into star gazing. Got her a starter Celestron telescope, and wanted to get a fairly powerful binoculars--but not pay for a top-of-the line model. So I knew I was buying a lesser-quality pair.PROS: Price, trusted manufacturer. Rubber eye cups collapse out of the way if you wear glasses. 15x power is great; angle of view is about four fingers at arm's length. It comes with an attachment that allows you to mount it on a tripod--which is what I recommend. I've never looked through an expensive high-power pair, so I can't tell you how good the image quality is; but it's okay for my amateur eyes.CONS: Its heavy weight made it difficult to hold it steady while focusing--first through the left eye with center knob, then the right eye with the right eyepiece, THEN with both eyes and the center knob again. It says minimum focus up to 45 feet, but I didn't find this to be the case. The case is a thin, flimsy nylon pouch, and there's no dedicated pouch for the tripod accessory--they should have made a pouch on the outside to eliminate it scratching the lens while stored. (They come with rubber lens covers, though.)BOTTOM LINE: As long as you know you're buying a cheaper instrument, you'll be fine with this. 3 1/2 stars if I could.
We all wanted to be the one to use these on our camping trip through Yosemite! At night we placed it on the Polaroid 72&#34; Photo / Video ProPod Tripod to view the sky. The tripod handled its weight with ease. During the day, we kept them handy for sightseeing. The magnification allowed us to view wildlife from great distances. The only catch is that the binoculars are quite heavy and the magnification so great that you need to rest them (or your elbows) on something to avoid the movement and compromise your viewing.
This is the 2nd time I've ordered these - the first time, I returned them due to poor collimation.  Looking at stars gave me a double image.  Other than that, I loved them, so I took a chance and ordered them again, hoping that the first set was a fluke.  Bummer!  Same deal - not as bad, but still not aligned correctly.  I would try to collimate them myself if I could, but there is no help with that, either in Celestron's website, their &#34;manual&#34; that came with the binoculars, or anywhere on the web or on YouTube that could help.  What I have seen on the web is not applicable with these binocs.  I could not &#34;peel back&#34; the rubber handgrips, as one person suggested in order to get to set screws.  DO NOT DO THIS!  They are glued on!  I will try to call Celestron to see what they want me to do, but I would be happy to adjust the collimation myself, if only the process was clear-cut as it has been on other binocs.  For terrestrial viewing, these binoculars are great!  I really love them.  But seeing double when looking up is not okay!!
I bought a Celestron telescope several months ago and have been happy with it so I wanted to give the binoculars a shot and am just as pleased with these as the telescope! I wanted them for a duel reasons; for simple prepper reasons but also for the gun range and have been so impressed with just using it on the gun range. Attached to my tripod easily and can see 150-200 yards clearly down range. Highly recommend!
Got mine yesterday. Nice multicoatings on the objective oenses, but the eye lenses were just single-coating mfg2. No idea about the prisms. I immediately took them outside to check and found the left ocular to be excellent - but the right ocular would not come to focus. Checking from the objective side, I could see that it was not collimated (in this case, the prism were not correctly oriented) and I could see the cutoff when looking directly into the lens at the center. UPS is picking them up today for a return (refund only, no exchange allowed). Too bad, as they are pretty lightweight and hand-holdable, especially if you are sitting or leaning against something.
I want to know that can I use this for bird watching too ,iam a casual lover of watching birds and sometimes sky during the night , so do you think this product will help me for both purposes, I am not expecting too much,  If I find more interest than I will go for some more expensive products. Please.
These are much longer and heavier than we expected.  They do have good resolution, but are not convenient to carry anywhere.
It is easier to see the heavenly bodies with two eye pieces.  My 10 year old grandson looked through it to see the moon and declared &#34;I can see the American Flag&#34;!!  Of course, he was kidding but we will enjoy it a lot when the weather turns nice, and be able to see some amazing sites.
They work very well even for field glasses on my lake. They are heavy and not to be packed around. Looking at the moon they are as good as less expensive telescopes. You do need to stableize them with tri pod or pole. Work very well for what I wanted just viewing from my deck.
Many new amateur astronomers are anxious to buy their first telescope prior to learning the skies.  These Celestron binoculars are a great medium for that task and an incredible value.  Beware, however, they are quite heavy and for any kind of sustained use require a tripod for effective utilization.  They come with a soft carrying case and a tripod attachment device.  If you do not have a tripod or don't want to use one, I would highly recommend a smaller pair of binoculars.
This is too heavy for everyday use. It's perhaps good for long observation using a tripod. Not for a casual use.
I love these-  we use them not only for the stars but wildlife as well! They really are amazing!  I never knew the moon or stars could appear like this!
This thing is much bigger than I thought from the picture and got some weight to it.  They should put this next to pop can so you can see.
With these binoculars I've seen the Andromeda galaxy, Jupiter and it's four Galilean moons, the Orion nebula, etc.  They're great for bird watching too. For 60 bucks you can't go wrong with these-- as long as you get a tripod. Stabilizing them by hand is very difficult.
This was my first binocular purchase. I bought it for astronomy.  Pros:  good value--it works great and was cheap.  I did not have any alignment issues that some others have had.  Excellent for use in looking at birds in backyard with kids. Gives excellent views of the night sky, even with the narrow field of vision.  Cons: the 15x is both a pro and a con--it makes things closer but the field of view is quite narrow, and you need a very stable platform for night viewing.  The included tripod attachment is not good--the plastic twists too easily and the view wobbles way too much; I am buying a metal adapter to replace it.  Although I bought it for night use, I think a 10x Nikon might have been better for that use; however, for backyard fun with the kids (birdwatching etc), I do like the extra mag.
Haven't even received this purchase yet but was hesitant to buy due to some buyers commenting that their units were "out of collimation" although most reviewers didn't have that problem. After googling for an answer to this anticipated problem I found the below hyperlink which has put my mind at ease. If mine turns out to have the problem the below link will work for me. If you are a "tweaker" - problem solved.[...]
Great pair of binoculars. The magnification is awesome. Not a cheap pair of binoculars. They are pretty heavy, and a tripod would be a very good idea. I use them too look out my high-rise windows, so I lean the binoculars against the window. This steadies them pretty well.For the price, these cannot be beat. Have had no problems with them. I would definitely recommend.They come with a cheap case, so you may want to invest in more solid protection for them.
For the price this is exactly what I was looking for. Inexpensive large powered star gazers. Save your money and get these.
Outstanding quality of optics, and when you figure in the price these deserve 7 stars.I personally compared these to several other binos, and these were among the highest quality but no where near the high prices of the others. Highly recommended.
this binacolar is very nice but is to heavy to keep steady i purchased a tripod but the part the problem is with the part that came wit binacolars to tripod is bad it vibrate even on tripod if you touch it
We live in Alaska and needed a new pair of binoculars badly. After reading all the reviews this is what I decided to go with. Delighted with the detail.
I just received the binoculars. I had to play around with them for a while to get things into focus.  I just followed the instructions included and eventually got them right.  I have never used them before and was amazed at the sharpness of the moon!!! I could see the craters and geographic details and the rugged outline of the moon in the sky.  I also watched the birds and squirrels from quite a distance.  This was all during the daylight hours.  Can't wait for the sun to go down.  Very happy with this purchase..
The other reviews have captured everything so I won't waste your time. Here's a newbie amateur astronomer perspective:* They arrived in perfect condition and have provided me hours of fantastic views of the moon, planets, stars, clusters, nebulae and galaxies.* Thanks to excellent light-gathering, you don't need pitch-black skies.* The weight (5 pounds) and high magnification (15x) restricts the field of view (4.4 degrees) and makes the view shaky so you need a really good tripod.* Excellent eye relief ensures that you can use them with spectacles.* I don't know how good/bad the tripod adapter is because mine was missing.* No, you won't see what the Hubble telescope sees.* Yes, I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I had to!
So clear and comfortable to use.  Light weight yet sturdy.  My only problem was receiving the first pair of these.  I ordered 2nd day air and never received them but true to Amazon, they sent out another pair overnight delivery so that I had something for my husband to open on Father's Day.  Amazon is a class act and that is why I continue to purchase almost everything through them!
... a decent pair of 15x70 binoculars is EXPENSIVE. These were about $65, including a case and an adapter for a camera tripod. Not the greatest optics, but I've got them sitting in my office window, where they're just excellent for looking at the boats outside. (I really want a pair of US Navy "big eyes" but those are just outrageous.)The tripod adapter should be metal - the thing is plastic, and a bit flimsy given the mass of the binoculars. If I tweak it hard, it will probably snap. In installation instructions are a bit hazy; you have to be brave and pop that cap off the outer end of the shaft to mount the adapter.
Amateur star gazer. Its nice to take on trips, keep in the car. Some nights I don't want to set up the bigger scope. The mag is right. Any more and you'd have to always use the tripod. Its nice to help spot as well.
So far, so good. I love the light carrying case and the clear, broad optics. I can sit outside and see details on the birds. They have also really opened up the night sky to me. The moon is spectacular, and I have discovered some strange star clusters that I don't even see in the astronomical charts. On a moonless night, you can slightly resolve Jupiter's moons. The only drawback is that they do not resolve Saturn's rings, I have to use my telescope for that (hence not 5 stars). But definitely worth your 80 dollars, mine arrived in perfect condition in 2 days on free shipping. They would also make a great gift.Update: I would change my review to 5 stars if I could. My binos got too loose so I ordered another pair. I took this second pair to Sedona, Arizona. Wow, unbelievable views in Sagittarius, the center of the galaxy!Open clusters, nebulosity, globular clusters! Realistically, most astronomical eq. is made to be used under very dark skies. Get a pair of these and take them to a nighttime desert sky, and look at Sagittarius.
I was looking for a pair of astronomical binoculars that were going to do the folling for me.  I wanted to be able to quickly located and see, the actual nebulae, clusters and other faint objects, that are really hard to locate with a larger telescope, unless you want to pay a big bundle for one that auto-locates.  Everyone talks about either the optics suck or they are great or this problem or that.  I knew I wasn't buying a pair of image stabalized binoculars with incredibly expensive ground glass and coatings.  They may produce a better image, but it is just as faint and certainly the same size, assuming you have the same magnification.  Besides that, you are not using binoculars for photography but to just see with you own eyes what you read about.  These binculars do focus well, the optics are absolutely fine.  The first clear night I looked a bit below Orion's belt (difficult in the summer in the northern hemsphere), and within 30 - 40 seconds I was looking at the nebula I had only wanted to see before, wow!  I used my camera tripod (heavy duty) and the adopter so I could locate the great nebule in Andromeda, very cool.  The bottom line is if you want something for astronomy that is easy, well made and delivers huge bang for the buck, buy a pair of these Celestron SkyMasters.
A bit heavy to tote around but great to have a home.  I would get these because the price is great compared to the quality.
I bought two pairs of these binoculars with rather low expectations considering what other people had to say.  Some good, some bad but it certainly caused me to question whether or not i should buy these.  I'm a rebel and said you know what, I'm not going to buy a pair...I'll buy TWO.  I have a friend who decided he wanted a pair also so I added them to my cart and it was done.  When they arrived I unpacked the first pair which I immediately saw double vision, which I was prepared for so I though well so much for that.  Next pair AMAZING, no double vision, excellent magnification, a tad heavy but well a well rounded inexpensive way to soak in the amazing night sky.  Would I buy these again?  Absolutely!  Was I happy?  Yes sir, great price, ease of use and the tripod adapter that some people squawk about...it's fine, just need a tripod now.  Remember these binoculars are under $45, so am I going to get $300 quality? No.  Did I expect it?  No.  Just buy yourself a pair and enjoy the sights!!
Got these for my husband to look at the stars and we absolutely love them! The clarity is incredible. Great buy for the price.
These are an amazing value.  I had high hopes but these exceeded them.  The optics are clear and bright(this is based on their price point, yes there are better but not at this price point) and far outperform the price.  They are large and a little heavy for small or elderly.  Also, you need fairly steady hands or a tripod(mount included yay!).  You can also lay down on your back and use them that way which helps steady them.  I am now hooked and looking for my next fix.  20x80 here I come!
We ordered these binocs after reading the reviews and hoped the optics would be good.  However, the allignment is off--we see double of everything.  Returning for another pair....
These where lighter then I expected so they're not hard to hold for star gazing or keeping and eye out for predatory big cats, coyotes or other wild life
Very clear and easy to use binoculars. I haven't been able to use them much yet believe they will do just fine.
Pros: Cheap, they look cool, they work if you have duct tape.Cons: the quality is laughable, I was waiting in anticipation for these to arrive in the mail only to be let down by the poor craftmenship of these binos. Picture this, you open the box in anticipation of playing with your new toy only to have it fall to peices right out of the box.really.
This binocular for astro-viewing is an excellent piece of equipment priced very low. The weight of the binocular is not very high and if you are star-gazing continuously for a long time, you may take short breaks after 10 or 15 minutes to rest your hands.This binocular is easy to use that small kids can take a peep into the celestial spectacles and get interested in astronomy. For those in the 7th decade of their lives--seniors like me--this giant bino is a good alternative for telescopes which are tedious and tiring for long gazing, though, of course, no bino can replace a telescope fully for serious study of deep-sky objects.
I bought these on sale from Amazon last year and I think they are great for the price and you can read details about the binoculars in other reviews. I would say that because of their weight and size a tripod is a necessity if you intend to use them more than once in a blue moon and for that you need an adapter to link the binoculars to the tripod. But Celestron shouldn't bother including their adapter because it's totally inadequate for this model. It's plastic and allows way too much torsion that will drive you nuts.So, take into consideration the need for a tripod and buying a different adapter. Oberwerk heavy duty is a metal one and big improvement. Subtracted a star for the crummy adapter.
These were a replacement for some less powerful computer-linked binoculars that were a Christmas gift.  These binoculars were twice the price (but still a GREAT deal) and 100x more fun to use!  They are clear and powerful.  A bit heavy but can easily be used with a tripod for stability.
I purchased the 15x70 Celestron Skymaster Binoculars primarily for casual astronomical viewing. Most of my remarks and observations center around using them for deep sky scans.First, the basic stats:Magnification: 15 power (50% greater than 10x50's)Objective size: 70mm (equivalent light gathering power twice that of a 50mm binocular)Field of view is 4.4 degrees or 230 ft. at 1000 yardsA surprising near focus of a mere 43 ft.--exceptional for this type of binocular.Eye Relief: 18mm so one can wear eyeglasses--providing the rubber eyecups are folded downExit pupil is 4.67mm (only .33mm less than 10x50's at 5mm)Other stats: Center focused; BAK-4 prisms, Porro design; Multi coated (but not fully multicoated) optics; Tripod adapter included an extra value (3  inch vertical clearance).  Case with strap--the latter the weakest part of the whole package.During daytime, we used it for scanning distant wildlife and mountain ridges. Excellent performance. Tripod adapter best used when viewing level or slightly above level angles. I found it too tedious and straining to attempt oblique views with a conventional photographic tripod. A tip on holding it steadier by hand: rather than grasping it the normal way, try holding each 70mm objective end with your hands.For amateur astronomers and novices wondering what you can see and its limitations, here are some notes in viewing familiar objects: Jupiter is readily resolved as a disc but seems too bright to see its bands. Its four moons can be easily seen (when in view); Saturn was near the sun but I think one may be able to resolve or infer its ring shape; Compared with a traditional 7x50 or 10x50 binocular, The Pleiades (M45), the Lagoon Nebula (M8), M35 in Gemini and the Orion Nebula (M42) are all breathtaking. So are the Scorpius open clusters M6 and M7. M13--the great Hercules Globular Cluster--was tantalizingly larger than the fuzzy spot I saw in my 10x50's. If you have a favorable southern horizon, the globular cluster M22 in Sagittarius also exhibits size. You can resolve some of the Wild Duck Cluster, M11. The shape of the Beehive open cluster (M44) in Cancer can be traced. Given a dark night, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) almost sprawls across the entire field of view with the companion galaxy M32 glimpsed as a fuzzy smudge. Even under urban and suburban skies, M31 does show expansive width. Both the North American and Pelican Nebulae near the star Deneb at the top of Cygnus the Swan--the Northern Cross--can be detected on a dark night's viewing--with patience. The colorful double star Albireo (at the opposite end of Cygnus) can just be resolved if you can manage a steady view. Mizar & Alcor in the Big Dipper's handle are easy to separate. I found it difficult to keep the stars in the Pleiades from dancing across the view unless I used a flat surface to lean on or a tripod.In terms of field of view (4.4 degrees): You can see the entire belt of Orion in one field; you can capture the entire sword--including M42--in one field of view; The near parallelogram head of Delphinius the Dolphin fills a field; So do the Coat Hanger and Kemble Cascade asterisms, respectively; In Lyra, Vega and the stars epsilon and zeta fill a field. The latter two are revealed as double stars. So also is Castor in Gemini. The Perseus Double Cluster and nearby open cluster Stock 2 can fit in one field, but in urban or moonlit settings this is more of a challenge. The three delightful open clusters sprawling across Auriga can be seen two at a time: Either M36 and M38 or M37 and M38, respectively. One of the four keystone stars in Hercules, eta, can be positioned with the globular cluster M13 also in the same scene. As the field of view is less than five degrees, one cannot place the pointer stars in the Big Dipper in the same field nor contain the entire of the Hyades in Taurus. The central four stars in Cancer the Crab are just barely outside the field.I also own a pair of Celestron OptiView 10x50's and have found the increased magnification and light gathering power of the Skymaster 15x70 worth the price to upgrade. In a quick comparison, the increase in apparent size of Jupiter's disc in the latter is quite noticeable as is that of M13 and M31. There is a pair of stars several degrees west of M13 that appears white in the 10x50's (at least to my eyes) yet are a stunning red with the 15x70 Skymaster. The moon, of course, can be seen with greater clarity in the Skymaster yet it does not fill the entire field of view. The down sides--and no surprise here--are that I can hold the former much steadier and see more of the sky with the smaller binos. There is also some chromatic aberration with the brighter objects like Jupiter but then again, for the price point (about $60), that's part of the game.All in all, I find the Skymaster 15x70 an excellent investment for the price. I've already relegated my trusty 10x50's to backup and use the Skymaster to quickly and effectively tour the heavens on nights when I don't want to take the time to set up my 8" SCT. I'd especially recommend it as a portable alternative for those considering purchasing the typical 60mm/2.4 inch department store telescope. The caveat is that one will have greater satisfaction with the use of a tripod or other means of steadying for sustained observing of stellar objects. I suggest acquiring a different tripod adapter such as the all metal Celestron Binocular Tripod Adaptor (#93512-A or equivalent) to alleviate some of the strain of viewing because it extends the height and clearance from the tripod an additional 1 1/8 inch vertical dimension beyond that of the supplied Bakelite tripod adapter.
Really nice astronomy binoculars for a very low price.  Best when used with a tripod due to weight and magnification as with any 70mm x 15x binoculars.
Got this for grandpa to help him go hunting. The zoom is great but so strong that any slight movement will get you to drift 100 feet from the target.
This is a great product for the price.  Very clear viewing.  I was a bit concerned about weight.  But that really is not much of a problem as it is well balanced.
I use these binocs for bird watching in my fields. Wonderful clarity. Easy to focus and the tripod adapter is perfect!
Great pair of binoculars. Fast focus, tight quality. You may need a tripod for extended viewing.  I have an older pair of binocs from Celestron, they do a great job. Enjoy.
I bought a Meade ETX-90EC telescope several years ago so that I would have something lightweight to haul out onto my back deck for quick high-power observations of ISS passing overhead,  Jupiter's moons,  airplanes way out on the horizon, etc.  I now keep the Celestron 15x70's on a tripod near my back door and will probably use them instead most of the time now, unless I'm doing some actual stargazing and need to change eyepieces.  The clarity and power that you get with these binoculars is really remarkable for the price, as we keep hearing over and over in the reviews.And as we also hear in the reviews, for some reason many of these arrive with collimation problems, so it was no surprise when I got my first pair and found that it was way, way off.  Have you ever seen two Southwest Airlines 737's flying in close formation?  It's quite a sight!  And I never realized that Jupiter is actually a binary planet system!  Seriously it was that bad and my eyes could not pull the two images together no matter how hard I tried.  I found the screws that were mentioned in other reviews and attempted to adjust it, but when it's that far off I don't think it's possible.  A few clicks on Amazon and it seems like by the time I signed off on my computer the new pair had already arrived, it was that fast.  The new pair is great,  collimation is perfect as far as I can tell, maybe a real expert would say differently but at this power and price and for what I intend to use it for I am quite happy with them.
I've been using them for general star viewing. i love them. i'm probably going to have them for the rest of my life as long as I don't drop them or anything. I can barely make out Saturn's rings. I can see Jupiter and its moons fairly well. The moon looks amazing, nearly blinding also. They have a very sharp crisp image, and are great quality. I'm not dissapointed at all. The tripod mount is also very very handy! I'll set these up with my Celestron Astromaster 130eq and the difference is almost uncanny. If I could hook up my camera to these, they would easily replace my full size telescope.
Bought these to use over the water, and I love them (especially for the price) now that I have them fixed, but here's the catch: Unless you have freaky steady hands you need to use these on a tripod, and the plastic tripod adapter is very poorly designed. It seems to work fine, but there is way too much flex in it. Every time you looked though them the field of view was bouncing back and forth so much you couldn't see anything. Eventually things would settle down, but if you so much as took a breath it would start shaking again. I blamed my cheap tripod at first, but finally realized the fault was in the tripod adapter twisting back and forth.The fix was cheap and easy, though it took awhile for me to think of it: I bought some epoxy putty ("JB Weld" by brand) and packed it in the hollows on both sides of the adapter. Everything is rock steady now, but if I hadn't figured this out the binoculars would be essentially useless.
This product has a good solid feel to it, and the focus adjustment is smooth and easy to operate while viewing. I was actually hoping to use this item for birding, but it turns out that the minimum focus distance is too far. On distant objects, the binoculars do focus easily, and provide a good sharp image. But the distance is so great, a bird is just too small at that range to pick out much detail. My less-powerful binoculars work better for bird watching. I had the opportunity to watch an air show with the Celestron SkyMaster binoculars, and it was excellent. Very good views of the planes, excellent detail. I have not used them for night-sky viewing, so can't comment on them in that regard. I would recomment this product for anybody who wants binoculars capable of delivering a good clear image at considerable distance, provided the subject is not too small.
I was wondering what was good for stargazing. I thought this must be great so we bought it.It is Great for stargazing! But it is frigile even on soft pillows! This thing works well with a tripod! If you like stargazing this is the one you must buy!
What a great pair of binoculars these are.  I can read a license plate 1/2 mile away.  They are substantial in size, which is nice for holding up.  The price was awesome for this product.  And shipping was the best.  I received less than 48 hours after placing the order.  If you need a great &#34;home&#34; pair, these are the ones I recommend.
The lenses needed adjustment and there were ghosts/double images. My 8x walmart binoculors were better than this expensive piece of equipment
What can I say that 283 people haven't already said?  These binoculars are a very good product.  My wife found them for $59 on Amazon.  I thought, "I'm not sure I'd spend as little as $59 on a pair of 7x35's let alone a big pair of 15x70's....they're probably crap".  Well, I was wrong.  Once in a while I can be surprised and this was one of those times...and I'm a discerning amateur astronomer.It's true that they are NOT "edge to edge" pin point tack sharp at the edges as some higher end binos, BUT they are darn good.  Contrast is good, and the center 80% is razor sharp.  Color correction is good also.  There is a quality feel and a secure feel in your hands because of the rubberized outer coating.  Honestly, I'd think they were a good deal at $189 let alone $59--they're that good.  The case and end caps are high quality too. Buy with absolute confidence as to the quality.  Just think, if you're one of the 5% who could not be happy with these binoculars, then they'll make a darn nice $59 gift for one of your less snobby friends :)Hand holding is still possible and enjoyable...but takes practice to be steady. ENJOY!
I recently became interested in astronomy and bought these binoculars to acclimate myself prior to buying a telescope.  These are perfect for the casual person who likes to look at the night sky.  They are not limited to night time use.  If the conditions are right you can see brilliant detail of the craters on the moon.  I use them every night and love them.
I purchased these to stargaze. It was recommended that amateurs get a good set of binoculars at first since telescopes are expensive and sometimes difficult. I was glad I bought these instead of a telescope. Saturn was able to be seen with the naked eye shortly after my purchase. I got these focused and could actually make out the rings. They were blurry of course and I had to be very, very still. I ended up buying a cheap tripod which helped some. These are best for getting a closer look at constellations, seeing stars that can't be seen with the naked eye, seeing some details of the moon, and getting a closer look at nature. Great for birdwatching!
I'm leaving tomorrow on a three day schooner trip and I thought these would be a great addition.  Out of the box they are handsome and the optics look well coated and clear.  I smiled at the heft 'cause they have a good manly look and feel.  However, the collimation is so poor that I can't merge the two images.  Perfect if you are blind in one eye or wish to use at the same time with a friend, but unusable in the typical fashion.
I am not a pro in looking thru glass, even though I shoot great pictures.  These binos are a great tool, and I am very happy with them.I am surrounded by wildlife and stars, and these binos are bringing everything much closer to me.
Received my order today, (1 day earlier than expected), of the Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 binoculars. They were nicely packed in their box and could hardly wait to see how well they worked compared to my older Bushnell 10X42 pair.  They really are heavier but that's understandable since they are considerably larger in length and seem to be well built for the price. I paid $69 and FREE 2-day shipping and it was worth it!  They definitely bring in objects closer and require a steady hold because of the higher magnification. I do have a camera tripod I might try and use in the next few days to see how that helps. Of course it comes with the tripod adapter as they mentioned and also a manual explaining some basic info.  Also a strap and case. (The strap for the binoculars is a little cheap and holding that weight around your neck needs a wider, padded one but can't really complain since the binoculars work great out of the box)  Happy I never had issues with the focus and the other issues people mention sometimes with a cheaper end binocular. I purchased these for two reasons. One is to see if I can spot aircraft flying at 40,000 ft because I currently am enjoying a app that is also on the Internet called PlaneFinder.  It's interesting to say the least. The other reason is for looking at stars, etc.  I suggest working out with some arm weights if you plan on holding these for long periods of time.  It seems like it gets easier the more you use them.  I recommend these to anyone with a tight budget. I'm sure there are better quality brands out there but why spend hundreds of dollars unless you plan on using them everyday?  These will do just fine for the average person and even a professional.  Buy them at this price and you won't be sorry. If you can find them cheaper then even better!  Just make sure what you are buying.
The optics were fuzzy and objects had a ghost shadow (I don't know what else to call it) around them. I suppose they could have been knocked out of adjustment by UPS as it was drop kicked may times I'm sure.
I have been using spotting scopes and various small cheap binoculars for bird-watching, etc.  These Celestron binoculars are a vast improvement.  I am sure I will never feel the need to purchase any more expensive binos
Very clear at a certain distance but I could not adjust for equal clarity at maximum range for both eyes.
I got the first one and sent back; wasn't in calibration. Got second one quickly.  Now can see Jupiter and moons and Mars and moons. Terrestrial objects so close that if they move, you'll jump back.
Optically, it seems to have decent quality for the price.I have noticed that many other reviewers giving good ratings on optics.However, regarding the tripod adaptor there seems to be some problem.First of all, female thread(1/4-20)location on the binocular was not balanced; front objective lens side is way too heavy compare to eyepiece side; the location of the female thread should be moved to more balancing point.2nd, the material for both male & female thread is aluminum; it should be made of steel considering the rather heavy(3-5 pound)one for binocular. It already showed wear on alum thread just after a few usage.I find the tripod adaptor was flimsy and inadequate; it does not provide solid, sturdy or secure holding on binocular. It need to be improved.But overall, with relatively good optics, it's not too bad for the price.Isaac
Purchase two of these for work. Had the supervisor try one out first. He likes it for working out of the airport tower. I myself have  a set of binocular that I really enjoy. It has a zoom lever. Just wish these had that set up. No matter how I look or type on Amazon. I could not find anything like mine.
Product met my every expectation for the price point and I did not experience any of the quality issues previously mentioned by other reviewers. Product worked perfectly straight out of the box. The size and weight takes getting used to and a tripod fixes the stability issue when viewing the moon or wildlife. Planets are much harder to view but, then again, it's binoculars we talking about. Would definitely recommend this product for the novice user - the price for entry to higher power binoculars is a win/win situation.
This is a great set of binoculars. I use them for target spotting when shooting. Works well at 100 yes. Have not tried it at a longer distance.
Beware of these binoculars, I have had the same experience that G. Roche had on page 2. The first pair came and were out of collimation so I filled out an RMA request form and sent them back. They sent me a second pair and it was worse than the first. You would think they would at least inspect them for that problem before they send the second pair out...right?  Not to mention the cost of freight. So here I sit with a second pair of binoculars that don't work and if I do send them back and pay the freight again, I will  for sure get back another pair with the same problem. I could have spent the same amount of money once you include the freight twice and gotten a better pair of binoculars. I will tell you this, I am NOT buying another pair over the internet.  I will go to the store and try them out before I purchase again.
We recently purchased and used these binoculars on a trip to Colorado--Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  Amazing resolution and great for star gazing as well.  Our only complaints are that they seem to be a bit heavy, plus the product does not come with a hard case, which would be a wise investment.  But for less than $70, these are very minor issues.
These are pretty big binoculars with a little weight.  Everything is working fine.  I don't know what other reviewers problems were in the attachment to a tripod.  The tread to screw the mount on has a cap over it that you need to remove. It's on the outer part of the middle swivel.  Mine mounts nice and steady.  It's a nice tripod mount. I left it on my tripod. The SkyMaster focuses sharp..The outer perimeter is fuzzy but you still have plenty of viewing area.  Objects are easy to spot.  I've just received them so I haven't had a chance to use them in the field. I wanted them to view birds.  To help secure the eye lense cover, it's all one unit, Push it on all the way then twist open the binoculars and that will help hold the cover in place  The outer covers fit pretty well.. The plastic case and binocular strap are a wee bit cheesy but they will do their job.  I gave it 4 stars because of the size and weight.
I really like these and especially for kids.  I'm a bit shaky so the tripod adapter comes in handy.  Even better when you use an app for the night sky.  Lots of fun and worth the price to look at the moon alone.
These were a big hit with my astronomy buff daughter.  A good quality product. They're big but portable enough for casual stargazing without a lot of hassle.
I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG BY THE PRICE. BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD TAQKE NA CHANCEAND ORDER,CELESTRON IS AN EXCELLANT BINOCULAR. SO IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SCAM. AMAZON SHOULD GET RID OF THEM, THEY WILL NOT RETURN ANYTHING. AND THEY HAVE ALL OUR CARD NUMBERS. MOST LIKELY PEOPLE WERE ATTRACTED BY THE PRICE,WHICH CAUGHT MY EYE, ITS TO BAD THEY R CROOKS, SO IF THEY SELL ANYTHING ELSE I WILL GIVE A WARNING NOT TO BUY. THE CELESTRONS ARE EXEPTIOAL  GLASSES FOR T WILL SE.E
The binoculars are fantastic.  The site is clear and distance is good.  The weight can be an issue if you do not have a steady hand or holding it for a long streatch of time.  I would recomend the SkyMaster.
If you are involved with target shooting out to 100yds or farther this is an excellent buy.....already have a spotting scope but this well exceeds this. Might be somewhat more inconvenient but the ability to see small target imprints from small bullets at long ranges well reflects it abilities....an excellent price and VALUE.
This is my first binocular, didn't know what i was buying into, but am pleasantly surprised with the quality of these optics. Luckily mine came in good collimation condition.
After reading the great reviews on these bino's I decided to buy them based on so many 5 star ratings. After getting them I didn't like them at first, because I had to close the width adjustment to almost maximum to get a  clear view. Having gotten used to the tight adjustment, I wanted to send them back for the 25x100 bino's, but you would need a tripod, but changed my mind. The views are sharp clean and it's easy to hold. I use my wall outside to rest them for long views. You can hold the Celestron SkyMaster for short periods of time, but you will get tired. Looking at the full moon was just awesome. You could see mountains and ejecta from many impacts. I live very close to Luke Airbase, I get to see F-16's F-22's and the great C-5 Galaxy, I can actually see the pilots. Buy them and keep em for life.
These binoculars are awesome for checking out the Moon, the planets and their moons, Messier objects and more.  They can't be beat for the money, period.The accessories that come with them aren't so good.  The case is 80's-vintage pleather and is pretty floppy and insecure.  The tripod adapter looks like it came out of a children's cereal box.  Why would you put awesome binoculars of this quality on an astronomy-level tripod with a floppy-bendy adapter?I recommend purchasing the BARSKA adapter and Dolica 73-Inch Proline tripod along with this.  You'll look and feel like a pro while you surf the skies in steady comfort.Five out of five - you get every penny worth out of your binoculars with this deal.  Accessories are forgivable.
I've read a lot of positive reviews about these. And I agree they are a great value. I won't try to change anyone's mind. They work well. I have have just a few low cost binoculars with really impressive optics. Most all binoculars I've ever bought were 100.00 or less, sometimes way less, and many had really bad optics to me at least the non pro. But with enough searches I've actually found some with awesome optics. While the ones I found that had awesome optics were not for astronomy. They were $40, 8x42 my point is this... It is possible to make low cost binoculars with great optics. I wish these optics could be considered great, but I think they are just good.
This is ver big and heavy and its not worth to buy, it will take lot of time to adjust and you will need tripod for sure, its better we buy auto focus with same range its easy to carry and use.
She is always whale watching along the Pacific Coast, so I got her these babies. She had a few 7x50 Binocs sets in her car, but those have gone the way of the Dodo since she got these.Very Nice!
You can usually tell when SOME things are quality by the weight of them. In the case of these binoculars...weight here means just that. :)I don't own a scale, but, I can tell that these scopes weigh about a good 20 lbs. They advertise that these can be used with a tripod...They should be, unless you're just taking brief glimpses of the scenery. :) With that said, these things are quite powerful...The zoom is really quite good. I can easily spot details on things that are a good two blocks away. I've not had the chance to do any night viewing of the stars, planets, and moons....Which these are also designed for...And I have no doubt about my amazement when I do. :)Best quality binoculars for the price.....Get them now, while they're available!! :)
Terrific binocs for the price!I have a pair of Bushnell Sportsmen 10x42 for a quick look at things. But when I want to "get serious" I pull out the SkyMaster 15x70!You will look like Bugs Bunny getting out cartoon binocs due to the size, but they work AND HOW!As others have said, a bit on the heavy side, but I don't have any problem holding them for 5-10 minutes. Longer than that, you will learn to adapt. Sit down, prop your elbows on your knees. Lie on your back and look at the stars. Get a tripod, whatever works for you.Celestron "No Fault Limited Warranty" means no questions asked repair or replace, a good thing for klutzy people!Only accessory I would add is a Pelican case for storage and hauling around in the car. The cheap included carry case does nothing to protect the binoculars from rough handling, and binocs this big are more sensitive and need the protection.
Husband loves anything Celestron - has one of their larger telescopes - so got these for him for Christmas.  He was over the moon, so to speak!  Loves them; says he can see features on the moon never before possible with binoculars.  A real hit..
It's certainly not the best, but for the price, it could be very well be as good as it gets. Just keep in mind, this is a powerful zoom binoculars, you will need steady hands or a tripod.
I was surprised that I was able to hold these binoculars still enough to be able to view celestial objects. On the first night I saw Venus in crescent shape, looking like a smile, and three moons of Jupiter. Awesome!
A little expensive and somewhat heavy.  works well when on a tripod  would recommend this item for easy viewing and nice case for storing
I bought a pair of these last year from Amazon and they have done a great job.  They are a little heavy as you would expect with something this large.They have been in the back seat of my car for six months with my 6 year old climbing on them and they still are just as good as new. I suggest buying a hard plastic pistol case to keep them in, the bag they come in isn't the best at protecting them, but what do you want for this price?If you are just starting out in astronomy and want some good binoculars for birding, and looking up at the night sky, then these are what you want. Remember anybody can shell out $800 on a pair of binoculars and pretend that all else is inferior, if you are so inclined then  these are not for you. However the rest of us can buy these binos and use the cash we saved to travel to some dark sky areas of the country.
Hi,Not sure what planet you have to be on to think that these are good for night time start sighting...  That starts are a shaky mess that don't really look very much brighter than without them.  I tried a couple of planets (I think they were planets) and same thing.  The moon looked pretty good but not worth it.I have a pair of antique binoculars that I bought at a garage sale for $2 dollars that did a better job.I'm pretty sure they were broken but I could not really tell.  They were definitely not working right so I returned them.  Good return policy though, got my refund back super quick!If you see my other feedback I don't often give bad feedback so it's not that I am one of those hard to please people.  Save your money,
I have not had a chance to use them yet but it will be a lot easier to use then hauling out my telescope. I also will use it when I go fishing to view wildlife from my boat.
I bought these for my husband for Christmas.  I have to say wow.  You get a lot of bang for your buck.  We live on the Indian river in FL and like to be able to look at the dolphins, manatee, birds, boats on the river and these really bring things up close.  We love them. I researched a lot and even bought a more expensive pair that, I sent back, you really need the higher power to see better and these give you all that and more.  For the price these are Great.  These are a bit heavy and I need to lean against something (i.e,  door jam) to hold them steady for a long period of time. The bigger downside is that they are made in China. As an American that lives in a country that has such high unemployment it gripes me to buy things from China.  Neither of these downsides take away from the fact that they work great.
We purchased these binocs to locate and identify the various birds/wildlife in our adjacent woods and local wetland areas. They are excellent for that purpose.  They are relatively light in weight and easy to use/focus. I would agree with other reviewers that a good Metal tripod & adapter would be necessary for extensive astronomical viewing.  However, for general over-all viewing, these Celestron binocs are an excellent value for the price.  I would highly recommend these binoculars.
feels great in the hands and i could see from so far away i was surprised, worth getting and price was reasonable. must get if you don't want to spend much but want something that zooms in a lot then this is great for you
I bought these binoculars for their 15X power. They work OK, but I'm a little disappointed with the sharpness of the image. I couldn't find these anywhere to try before buying, but more expensive binoculars I did try definitely provided a sharper image - better optics, I guess.The tripod adapter works well, but, contrary to some warnings, holding these in your hands for use presents no real problems - they are not excessively heavy.
One lens is off from the other, making this very hard to use, Need to close one eye or the other for viewing.
Very accurate & clear. Great clarity for bird watching at a distance!
These are excellent binoculars.  Very easy to use.  Only negative is the weight.  I knew when I bought them that they weighed 3#'s.  Hard to keep still while using.  Strongly recommend a tri-pod.  Sorry I didn't shop more and pay a little extra for a smaller binocular.
I bought it from Amazon for kids. The price is very tempting given the spec and those positive reviews.Pros:(1). Optics quality is high. Very sharp and clean view of field;(2). It's very easy to use it for star watching at night... much much more easier than using a telescope;(3). The soft rubber protection around the eyepieces is very considerate;Cons:It is too heavy for kids. So we always use a tripod.
I use it to look beyond and to see the stars better at night, hoping to see something else which I have already, excited to go to the mountains at night and stargaze at the sky.high quality product, thanks
Just be aware the maginfication is such that it takes very steady hands, especially for distance viewing.  Sure, you can bring it to a ball game and count the players' nose hairs, but the field of vision is better suited for fixed sky objects, long-distance spotting, or (fairly motionless) birds.  A tripod is strongly recommended.
my son really enjoys his binoculars.  he is having a great time with this product.these were really worth the price.great purchase!
I was surprised at the quality of this binoculars for the price I paid.First, it was the largest binoculars i have seen.After taking it out of it's well boxed inclosure, i took it to my back porch and started spying way into the distant forest. The view was clear and clean. It works better with a tripod and the tripod attachment that came with the unit. I could see the wild geese in the pond up clearly and the hawk that always fly around the forest.The moon seems so close through these binoculars. I am planning to have fun with these exploring the night sky in the country side.
I am a crane operator and periodically like to inspect pins and safetys that are &#34;up in the air&#34;.I was looking for some relatively cheap but high magnifying binoculars and came across these.Was a little hesitant due to the size (they are big and a little heavy) as I was not intending to use these for Astronomy.However, once they arrived, how could i not?They are fun to use at night.The clarity in these binoculars was extremely satisfying, day and night.Would definitely buy again.
I decided to finally write a praising review for these because I've been out for four nights running showing 20 neighbors the comet PANSTARRS 2012/etc in these and everyone else is impressed too, including guys who have hunted for many years and have strong opinions about optics.Really cool stuff you can see with these:Open clusters like The Pleiades"Star nursery" nebulas like The Orion NebulaGalaxies like Andromeda, Triangulum, and othersGlobular clustersdouble starsthe color of starsThe bigger moons of Jupiter and Saturn. (though it's not quite enough magnification to see rings--looks more like Saturn has ears than rings in these)comets like Holmes and PANSTARRS and the upcoming (as I write) ISONI have an 8-inch dob telescope, too, but the longer I sky-gaze, the more I use these, because there's not set-up required at all. Grab them, plant myself in my lounge chair with a beverage, and I'm happy for 90 minutes out there. Even with perfect transparency, darkness, and a filter, I can't see the Veil nebula in my scope but can with these binocs (though to be sure, it's a dim and subtle thing).I'm a middle-aged woman and I can use them without tripod--either brace elbows into my waist for short viewing sessions or, for longer sessions, wrap my wrists with strips of cotton material (I use my old boxing hand wraps for this, but any old sheet torn into strips will do).At highest price, they are incredibly inexpensive for the value; on sale, you'd be a nut to pass them by!
A great value. These binoculars were great for terrestrial viewing as well as astronomical. The view was very clear, edge to edge. My only gripe is the individual eyepiece focus. With several people looking through these during the day, the focusing got to be a painBe very sure to have a stout tripod for these as they weigh a good 10 lbs.These also carry Celestron's no fault warranty which is a great feature of these binoculars.
I received these well-packaged binoculars in record time from Amazon. In time for the March 3 lunar eclipse in fact, which was "first light" for them.Upon unpacking them I noticed that the internal part of the binoculars (as viewed from the objective end) was less black than I'd hoped and believe necessary for good performance. I could clearly see threading that seems to extend all the way down to the eyepiece end. Areas within the threading are almost shiny, metallic black - other parts are grayish. Rather than suppressing internal reflections, this lack of consistency promotes it.I have a sturdy tripod that I use for large-format photography that I knew would be more than enough support, however the tripod attach point on the binoculars is itself affixed to a round bar running the length of the binos. No matter how tightly I torqued down on the bolt to secure the tripod attach point to the round bar, there was still rotation of the binos about the bar as I made such simple adjustments to the binos as focus adjustments, etc. This renders the size and sturdiness of any tripod (necessary for binos of this size and magnification) as meaningless since the bino's mount is inherently flexible and "untightenable" due to its design.I could not disagree more with another reviewer who says "I suggested that everyone who wanted a $500 pair of binoculars for $250 needed to go to Amazon and purchase one before the price went up". I paid $219 for these binos and that is about what they are worth *if* you are willing to tolerate substandard optical performance due to internal reflections and a tripod attach point that is not (and will not be) sturdy without substantial mechanical modification.I am returning these binos to Amazon for a refund and will purchase a better pair from them soon and will consider it money well-spent.
I had a pair of Celestron 20x80's earlier, and gave them to a friend, upgrading to these.These were collimated on arrival and focus well.  Once you set the focus for night astronomy viewing, you are pretty much done focusing. They can be a little frustrating focusing each eye individually for terrain viewing.I picked up a parallelogram mount and set it with a chair on a revolving base, and this makes a remarkably relaxing and enjoyable way to do low level astronomy viewing.I can make out M51, and am looking forward to seeing M42 next fall. Andromeda is impressive as well.  I do but spend a lot of time searching, as I don't have a finder set up.  However, the searches can be as enjoyable as finding the Messier object!I did bot go to five stars due to the dissapointing case.
As always shipped on time and fast.  I'm using these binoculars for watching yachts and other vessels go by the office, they are about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile away, the amount of light they let in excellent, the field of vision is excellent.  Negative of course is weight, but they are 100mm lenses, I'm ordering my tripod today.
The Celestron Skymaster 25x100 binoculars are exceptional with two faults...These faults are not per say a problem with the binoculars...They were not packed very well...Being a precision optical instrument one would think that they would have been packed with utmost care...Due to the lack of the packageing I had to go through the trouble of sending them in and having them collimated...Another experience I did not like dealing with...Celestron was not very easy to deal with and I had to make some well placed threats to get any service...My suggestion would be to please, please, if it is a precision instrument, pack it properly so as to avoid any damage to the optics during transit...Thank you...Jesse
I live up on a hill, with a nice view of city lights from about three to fifteen miles away.  These binoculars are excellent for this range, although you have to know what you're looking at in order to fully appreciate what you see 15 miles away.  And as others have said, A TRIPOD IS MANDATORY, as is a firm surface with which to place it.  There is no ZOOM, but anything further than about 25 feet comes into focus well.And at 25X, you are not going to be tempted to spy on your neighbors unless they live right next door.  These binoculars give you good terrestrial viewing, but if you want to make out fine details from about a mile or so, you won't get it with this.  You'll need 50X or more, but be prepared to pay dearly for that in a pair of binoculars.  25X, at least at this price, is a very good combination, especially considering the wide field of view this provides.
While these look like nice binoculars, mine arrived with a screw floating around inside one of the oculars. Not surprisingly, it also had loose parts wiggling around inside.  What happened to quality control?
BACKGROUND:I am an amateur astronomer and Vice President of the local Astronomy club.  I ownseveral pairs of large binoculars and have looked through many more.  My needs werebeautiful images of deep sky objects at a price I could justify.  The Celestron 25x100Skymaster Binoculars meet those needs.GENERAL COMMENTS:The binoculars arrived July 2004 and had a collimation error of about 1 degree (verybad collimation). Celestron support was contacted at the request of Amazon supportand confirmed what I already knew, factory repair was required.  I lacked the skillsand equipment to collimate and refill with nitrogen. Amazon promptly picked up thebroken pair and delivered a new pair in just a few days. What a difference a few daysmade. The new pair was packaged inside a secondary box and arrived in pristinecondition. Daytime collimation was excellent. We tested the binoculars afterastronomy club on a distant lighted sign and found them to be essentially flat to theedge of the field of view with a minor vignetting at the edge. Everyone was impressedand several members wanted a pair. During the club meeting I suggested thateveryone who wanted a $500 pair of binoculars for $250 needed to go to Amazon andpurchase one before the price went up.I sky tested the binoculars a few nights later and they performed very well. I had onlyabout 20 minutes till the clouds took over. Due to the high humidity and generallypoor observing conditions we were unable to use the binoculars for an extended timeand get a really good test.A tripod is pretty much required for astronomical observing although you can lay onyour back and observe the zenith. You have to hold your breath and squeeze up tightto get a steady image.  I was able to hand hold the binoculars during daylight andlook at distant trees, etc.  It was very difficult to hold the binoculars with one hindwhile adjusting the focus with the other.  Leaning the binoculars on a steady objectsuch as a fence would probably work.  Note that not just any tripod will work (readbelow), so if you used these in the field you will be packing a lot of weight.  Irecommend that they be used pretty close to home or car.CONCLUSION:But, based on what I have already seen, this is the best buy for the money I havemade for astronomical equipment.CAVEATSI highly recommend purchasing these if:1. you can handle the weight (these puppies are heavy)2. you want to see bright images of distant objects3. you can deal with lack of center focus (not good for moving objects)4. you are very careful not to jar them out of collimation (big binoculars are easilyknocked out of collimation5. you want excellence, and also a bargain (better binoculars are availablefor an order of magnitude more money. 6. you have a sturdy tripod(I have a Bogen which cost over $100 25 years ago and it seems barely adequate).IRRITANTS:1.  First pair arrived in only the product box and I suspect that may have contributedto the collimation problem.  You should be ready to send a pair back if they do notdeliver a good image.2.  the "built in" 1/4-20 threaded adapter which attaches to the tripod head isundersized and has movement. There is a single screw which was not tight on bothpairs which when tightened would slow the play of the center shaft. There is a plasticsleeve between the adapter and the shaft which had play and this could not beremoved (again, same problem with both pairs). When the know was tightened to themax the binoculars were still not very snug. The result is that if there is anyunbalance in the weight on the tripod then the adapter is unable to hold the weight ofthe binoculars and the binoculars will swing to a more balanced position. I believe thatthe solution to this problem is to build one of the "binocular holders" seen in "Sky &Telescope" or "Astronomy" magazines which will hold the binoculars steady whileproviding a counter balance. Otherwise, you will have to be extra careful. Also, thetightening know should be larger for people like me who do not have the strength ofsuperman.3.  there is an old adage that the mount is half the price of the telescope. A mountwhich fully supports the binocular tubes at both ends would perform better than theinadequate mount provided. For those mechanically inclined, the solution is straightforward and inexpensive.  It could take 10-15 hours of time (at least for me).
Don't even think about using these hefty binoculars without a really solid tripod. Properly mounted, they will show you 25x daytime and night sky views. For this price you won't get the razor sharp, high contrast views you can get with high end, very expensive binoculars - the best views come at a steep price. These big Celestrons can deliver that satisfy some folks, but not others. My main issue was contrast. Even when viewing earthbound objects in the late afternoon, because contrast was low, colors were not saturated. Direct sunlight made many reflections on optical surfaces - the lens coatings were not the best. After sunset, again I found contrast was not very good on the crescent Moon. Because I had many fine optical instruments to look through that night, I did not bother to check the views these binoculars delivered on planets, or deep sky objects. After an informal survey of amateur astronomers who looked through them, I found they satisfied some, but others were disappointed. I suppose that is why I often see them for sale used. Personally, for the price of these binoculars, I would prefer a more versatile and better quality pair of 7x50, 8x42 or 10x50 binoculars, which can be hand held. If you want higher magnification binoculars, you might also consider the Celestron 15x70 Skymaster binoculars, which I expect would be of similar quality, but lower weight, magnification and price.
It is a good binocular for the money. I have a 4 inch telescope also, but this bino has wider angle and is easier to stargaze. When both eyepieces are set on a wider view, I am getting double vision. Maybe my eyes, or out of collimation. When eyepieces are closed where you only see one circle with both eyes, then there is no problem. However, the most important thing to know is that you must have a heavy duty tripod. If I had researched in advance that a heavy duty tripod is a real must for this bino, I wouldn't buy it. Because those tripods can cost more than the binocular.  After researching and testing the tripods at the photo shops, I finally bought "Slik Pro 700 DX" tripod on the net for $140.  It was indeed a good decision.
I love these binocs but they are heavy for me - i am older with a bum hand.. I bought the heavy duty tripod that pops up with these on amazon and omg.. the screw to attach these binocs to the tripod is frickin microscopic.  I cant get them on to save my life. It is ridiculous and I don't want to spend all day trying to hook the binocs to the tripod.  Please help me. it is impossible to search the internet to find the right tripod.  I found some gigantic celestron binocs with a tripod on pictures but I can't find the right tripod. Please help. have any of you bought a good tripod to go with these? Thanks.
These 25x100 SkyMaster beauties are amazing.  Once these are mounted on a sturdy tripod (good luck finding one) you are in for a treat!  Nicely portable I brought these out to get great views of the most recent lunar eclipse and the Ooohhh's and Aaahhh's I heard from the students, parents and faculty during an elementary school star party, I was very pleased.I had compared these to more expensive binoculars and these blew them away in clarity, colimation and view.  Comparing the SkyMasters to several other binoculars at another star party...there is no comparison.  General consensus - Celestron SkyMasters are superior!  And the Amazon price can't be beat!
highly recommended. Clear Bright View !!!! Make sure you buy a sturdy tripod along with this..
Well I can't say I was really impressed by these. I knew they would be big, but holding them is very hard since they weigh ALOT and are so huge. And to buy a tripod for them was way to costly to do. So I didn't get much use out of them. Also the eye socket pieces you look through were very loose and readjust a bit when they would move around when using the binoculars. Someone said if they were made in Japan and not China then this particular brand was the cheaper version and not worth buying. I have no idea which version these were but I wouldn't buy them again, even despite the fact I did get a good view with them.
I read the reviews here and learned a lot. Thanks. So far so good. These are heavy as warned. You need to brace yourself against something to hold still and, or support the heavy base on something like a post or rock. I don't care though. I can see so much more now and I can identify so much more. I'm having a ball. I use the no-fog cloths on the lenses (sold separately). I do think this helps cut down the moisture on the lenses at the coast and the frequent cleaning of the lenses keeps the picture sharper. I hold the binoculars up and I can see birds where there was nothing with the naked eye. I don't try to chase the birds, I just hold the binoculars steady and the birds fly through the viewing field. The light shines off the ocean waves at sunset and I still don't have a problem with glare. I have to say, this is a blast so far! I feel like I'm right out there flying with the birds, free. It's an amazing 3D feeling! It immediatley relieves my stress from the face pace at work. I come home a new person.
These binoculars are impressive looking but they lack the finesse of smaller units.The weight is more than the small single mounting post (or most camera tripods for that matter) can handle.When you try to focus the eyepieces, the binoculars shake wildly - there is just no way to hold them steady.The inter-pupillary adjustment is EXTREMELY hard to change but it probably has to be that way due to the extreme weight.In the daylight, these binoculars offered less to see than a good pair of 10 x 50's. The field of view is sort of an annoying tunnel vision - about like looking through two sections of pipe. With the Focus adjustment mounted on the individual eyepieces, focusing is difficult at best.The night sky did offer up some interesting galaxies and the image quality was pretty good -but you can forget about using the tripod - you will likely be lying on your back - hand holding these HEAVY binoculars looking straight up.Are these binoculars worth the money? Optically - probably yes. Function - probably not.I returned mine and will be looking for an actual telescope with a right-angle eyepiece..... Why?Think about this: When your binoculars are pointed upward at the sky at a 45 degree angle - your head has to be tilted back at the same angle.A telescope with a right-angle eyepiece will offer much more comfortable viewing.
The other comments on the mounting screw having a lot of play are very true.  Tighten all you want, duct tape might work better. The magnification is strong enough that, after 6 months, I found a tripod to be mandatory.  The Celestron recommended tripod added to my frustration.  I never thought that something as basic as going to a point in the sky and having a steady view would be such a chore. The biggest gripe I have with these binocs is the chromatic aberration.  With daytime use this isn't noticeable but a few stars or a planet against a dark sky and it is a significant problem.  I expected some aberration at the edges, after all these aren't $3,000 binocs, but what I found was I had it dead center. Recently I had a great view of Jupiter with 3 moons visible.  I was hoping to spend several minutes taking in the sight and seeing if I can make out features on the planet.  Instead it was a collection of roundish rainbows that had me back in the house after a few seconds.
I'm an amateur astronomer of over 40 years. I bought these binoculars to use as a backup for my 20 inch Obsession scope. The 7 sisters Pleiades and similar objects look great in this wide field binoculars.Some objects look better in binoculars. Of course for deep sky viewing that require lots of magnification the binoculars can't compete with the scope.Some downers. These binoculars are huge, heavy and bulky. The stars are all over the place hand holding the binoculars. I get the shakes in a few minutes using them. For astronomy these binoculars were NEVER meant for that. DO NOT BUY these binoculars unless you are willing to buy a good quality heavy duty tripod. A cheap light tripod won't cut it...these binoculars are heavy.I knew this and bought an Orion Paragon Plus XHD Field Tripod. Binoculars and this tripod worked great. My two teenage daughters get impatient with me setting up and getting objects with the 20 inch Obsession scope with the Argo Navis and Servo Cat. Now they can use the binoculars to view astronomy objects while I get an object for them to see in the Obsession scope. An easier family outing.The optics in these binoculars are good. The deluxe carrying case is nice and secure. The strap they give to go around your neck to hold the binoculars is laughable. I feel my whole head is going to fall off from the weight of the binoculars...get a quality HD tripod.  To get much better binoculars be prepared to spend almost $1,000. These binoculars INMO offer good value for the money.I'm also into rifle 100 yd, 200yd, 300yd target shooting. I already had an average spotting scope and a range finder. With this Celestron 25X100 binoculars for me its easier and quicker to find the bullet holes on the targets. I'm almost 58 and when you get older your eyes are not so good. I use trifocal eye glasses and the eye relief on these binoculars was great. No problems using my eyeglasses and using the binoculars.These binoculars are great if you know before you buy them their limitations ( huge, bulky and too heavy for hand holding).You MUST use a heavy duty tripod for long time Astronomy use. Try them on the 7 sisters Pleiades... you wont be disappointed. 5 stars with limitations.
NOt perfect optically, BUT, since I bought these two years ago, I've had a blast with them.  I take these to all star parties now instead of my 10 inch telescope which is gathering dust, believe it or not.  Other people love them as much as I do.  I use them on a nice sturdy tripod and certain wide-field objects are unbelievable in them.  I can find about anything with them, a love amazing people with what I can find with them (yep, I know where all the good stuff is up above, and that is really key to getting the most out of any binocular or telescope).Large diffuse objects like the Pleiades , Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, Perseus Double Cluster and Comet PAN STARRS and more are drop-dead higher contrast show-stoppers with these.
I have been using these Binocs for about 6 months now and find them a genuine joy everytime I bring them out. On a recent autumn evening  from a hotel balcony overlooking a golf course I was able to take in a marvelous variety of deep space objects. The sky was fairly dark- but by no means out in the country- and I saw the beauty of M4, M8, M20, M26, M16, M13,M31, M27,... and more. These are definitely Astro binoculars. They do need a tripod. You focus each eye individually. And there is some fade out in sharp focus as the eye reaches the outer edges of the field of view. This is not something I get worried about for $250. Maybe $1250. I have a Sunpack heavy duty photo tripod that goes for about $80 at Best Buy, and  I use the Sunpak adapter to attach the Celestron. It is NOT the sturdiest set-up, but I found that I put the tripod into some very warped positions (one leg sometimes) and walk it around for better views. I can fit the entire Plaeides into the FOV and  the view of the Orion Nebula shows nearly the entire swrd. Glorious!! And one more thing- because the eyepieces focus individually, you don't have to worry about collimation issues. I had ordered a Skymaster 15x70mm that were so out they gave me a headache to look through them. I did get another pair, however, and they were fine.I don't know why Amazon has this listed within Toys- it's one heavy toy. Educational and fun, but not for a child. Just wanted to note that as a safety issue.
This cheap little plastic camera is a great toy. Tired of worrying about what f-stop. what lens, that you just need that 80-210 zoom, how many mega pixels or frames per second? Just pick up this camera.It really makes you think about the shot, not about the gear. Get back to the fun side of photography and be creative.This kit is worth it, includes film, batteries, a book to give you ideas and a manual.
This is a great camera for those wanting to experiment with "artsy" shots, or even advanced photographers wanting to return to their roots. Nothing about these shots are adjustable - f-stop, exposure, ISO are always constant.The camera is great, but the kit seems a bit overpriced. It includes a Holga book with excellent pictures, but the internet is also an excellent resource for high-quality Holga images. It includes no instructions - because that would take away from the experimentation. It does include one roll of film and a roll of electrical tape (a must-have with all the light leaks on this camera), but purchasing all of the elements in this starter kit seperately would be much less expensive.This camera is meant for modifications, and there are countless websites that list detailed instructions. My main complaint is a lack of a tripod mount on the camera - although the best pictures are taken in direct, outdoor light when a tripod isn't as necessary. Experimenting with it in the dark since the exposure is constant is nearly impossible.Overall, I am very happy with the camera. As a primarily digital photographer, it's a great learning experience to return to film in such a non-controllable environment. I would suggest buying the elements seperately from this specific kit, but I give the camera five stars.
I've taught photography for a while, and although the Holga is fun, there are better and CHEAPER cameras out there. First off, if you want to buy this as your main camera, look for something else. Holgas are NOT for photographers who demand consistency. Many students buy these to get "cool" effects that look artsy. Although I think it's noble to look for a low tech camera in this age of digital perfection, you can do better and be more creative with other cameras. For the cult photographer seeking good old fashioned Dark Room Magic you should try the following before plunking down real money for something as sketchy as a Holga:Get  Eric Renner's excellent book on pinhole photography.Build a simple pinhole camera out of something you have around the house. Chances are it will make images better and cooler than the Holga.Seek out a local Photo Swap meet and buy an old roll film camera in working condition. Get one with a German lens, if possible.Not only will you learn about "Retro" photography from the old timers, you'll get a real camera. I've gotten roll film folders with german lenses for 5 bucks!Hit a local resale shop and see what kind of cheap cameras they have.Ask a family member if they have any old cameras lying around.For what you pay for a Holga, which will probably break in 6 months, you can buy 3 real cameras that give equally artisitc effects. Oh, and shoot in black & white!
First off, the Holga is awesome.  Its shots are really in a class of its own.  I've done both personal and editorial work with this camera - and its images are fantastic.  They have real character, great color, and a romantic feel.  It is, hands-down, my favorite 120 camera.The package has really great content.  The "Mes Vacances Avec Holga" photo book is loaded with beautifully printed shots.  The instructions are indispensable, and the tape, film, and batteries are certainly useful.  If you're new to Holga, or buying this as a gift, it's a wonderful package.Things like taping the sides, shoving cardboard under the film roll, and mod'ing the camera are all part of the charm.  Ultimately, the Holga is a dead-simple piece of machinery.  Play with it and experiment.  If you want a serious and complicated 120 camera, there are plenty of used and new choices out there.If you want a simple one that takes amazing photos like nothing else, get the Holga.
really expensive to develop the film though.  i mean REALLY expensive.  dag.
Has a total of 4 pockets.  I like the quality, but have to return it cuz it's too small for my camcorder with charger, extra batteries, tapes, wide-angle lense, & video light.
Using it for 4 years now and it gives good protection to my handycam. Material is very good. Spacious bag.I am happy using it.
I have been looking for a travel bag for my psp, and this is it!!!!All of the psp travel bags that I looked at were too small. I have 2 spare batteries, 3-4 UMDS, 5 memory sticks, grip, charger, wall charger and a usb cable, well, and psp itself.This bag is perfect for it. It is small enough to make it very convenient, and everything fits perfect in it, and is well organized with a lot of compartments. The quality of the bag is top notch considering the price. If I did not already have a carrying case for my camcorder, I would definitely buy another one of these.Great quality item for the price. You will not be dissapointed!Thank you for reading my review, I hope it was helpful.
I received my bags, which were packed as new, and on time. One, however, was missing the accessory shoulder straps and accessories packed inside for shipping. To me, the package was not tampered with, and the issue was likely a mistake on Samsonite's packing line. In an e mail, 47 Street simply replaced the shipment on a rush basis, no delay or request for return. The old rule is true. Everyone can make a mistake. it's how we handle the mistake that we distinguish ourselves. Yes, this is a review about the bag, and it is an excellent piece, and a great value. But it took 47 Street to get it right, and that they did. Boy did they. Five stars for each!
As many of the other reviewers have said this bag is roomy without being bulky. It is made of quality material and should hold up quite well to all kinds of use and travel. I have room now in one bag for my digital camera and my little video camera, plus a host of accessories. The movable separators makes it nice so that you can vary the amount of space necessary for any item. All in all a great bag!!
I bought this for the great price and was very pleasantly surprised to find a nice, quality made bag for such a bargain.  The materal and craftmanship are good enough for the Samsonite name and I'm amazed I found it so affordable as well.
This is an excellent little camera bag.  I have a Nikon D40 and it fits perfect in this bag. The sides and interior walls are nicely padded and there are pockets for everything.  I have taken it on planes or backed it in a suitcase (for a long trip where I didn't want to worry about forgetting it on the plane) and it has worked great.  It is a convenient size, sturdy and generally a good camera bag - especially at this price.
This bag is great. Fits my Canon EOS Rebel XT, 70-300mm lens, 18-55mm lens, filters, and there's even room for more. This bag has far exceeded my expectations, and for only $9.99, you can't lose.
This bag fits my Panasonic Camcorder sdr-h18 and all peripherals perfectly. Plus, room for a separate digital camera.  Very high quality.
I bought this bag to use with my Panasonic PV-GS320 Mini-DV camera. It's a good quality bag with lots of pockets. I also like the three adjustable padded Velcro-dividers in the main center section which can move to expand or contract to divide up the center pocket as needed. Or you can move the dividers out of the way and use the whole pocket. Unfortunately, it is quite a bit bigger than I expected. I could almost fit two of these PV-GS320 cameras in the main pocket if I squeezed hard. In fact, the bag is actually bigger than an old bag I was using for my old Panasonic VHS-C camcorder.Here are the internal dimensions (not stretched):Main pocket: 8.5"w x 3.75"d x 5.5"t (without dividers)Large front pocket: 5.0"t x 8.25"w x 1"dTwo side pockets: 4.5"w x 4.5"t x 1"dIf I were to do it over, I'd go smaller.
Great bag, lots of pockets to store everything you may need. Durable design at a great price.
I've had this for over a year and it has been serving it's purpose pretty well.  It obviously isn't the same quality as most SLR bags which start at over $50, but it's hard to beat for the price.  The strap on mine started ripping a few months after I got it, but it's still hanging on and can be replaced cheaply.  It's a great bag for amateurs like myself who just want something to hold a DSLR and don't need anything fancy.
Since my digital camera and dv cam are both canon, I can carry one power cord and the 2 bricks. This small bag fits my G1 and my optura 30, 2 bricks, 1 powercord, usb cable and 6 tapes. It all fits perfectly.
fits canon camcorder and acssesories nicely, appears to be well made. so far happy with purchase
I purchased this camera bag for my new Canon Powershot S5 IS and couldn't be happier with it. It is made very durable and has plenty of space for anything that you will need. There are many compartments to keep your extras separated. The camera fits in it with plenty of room, yet is well protected. The strap is very nice and padded, too. I have small shoulders, but it works for me. I am sure that this bag will last for a long time. I would highly recommend it to anyone!Samsonite 708BK Microfiber Compact Video Bag
I have a Sony 15 times zoom digital camera I bought this bag for.  This bag has adjustable sections for my compact digital camera to fit in right next to my sony Camera.  It seems to be well built, has extra pockets, has a zipper closure as well as velcro.  It suits my needs perfectly.  I'm very happy with this purchase, especially for the price.  I did shop around and this was the best deal for the best price.
It's a good bag for the money. But just a little to small for what I would like it to be. I would have liked to have been able to carry my cables, chager and acessaries, not with this one
I had another bag (generic) that works well for my other camera. I thought "Samsonite" was synonymous with quality. WRONG! The main zippers are very weak and had a plastic gripper which immediately fell off one of them. Then there is a stiff flap, covering the zipper track and which makes it almost impossible to open.The Amazon vendor also charges around $8 S&H; so it costs almost $30 total. AWFUL!
This bag has plenty of room for our camcorder, both our digital cameras and all the goodies we need to operate and charge them both.  Very nice looking bag and good quality.
Bought this for my Nikon D40 and used it for 2 years. The build quality is Samsonite worthy, no question there. There are plenty of modular pockets with Velcro attachments that you can move as you see fit, to accommodate objects of different sizes.I could fit in my Nikon D40 with a 200mm lens, the charger, the cables, another 55mm lens, wipes, SD cards, and a cleaning spray.The only reason I gave it 4 stars, is because after a couple of years of use, I would have preferred a more longitudinal shape for the bag rather than a rectangular one that keeps bumping into people and corners when you walk.For a regular, non intensive use, this bag works just fine.  However, if you will be doing some hiking, walking, traveling around with your camera, a backpack or vertically shaped bag would work best.
This bag demonstrates great quality at a great price.  However, I just bought a Canon XTi, and I find it far too tight.  It fits with my small 50mm lens, but once I get another lens (and believe me you'll have more than 1 eventually), I feel I will have to get another bag.  Just keep in mind its more miniature than it looks in the pics!
This bag is very high quality.  I have a Canon S2 IS and it 2 of them could fit in this bag.  If you have a larger digital camera or if you have a SLR with extra lenses and accessories this is the bag for your.  It is bigger than I am looking for but it is great quality and you can't beat the price.  This would also fit a compact camcorder and it's accessories.  There are several zip compartments.  The main compart has 2 padded dividers that you can move around and velcro into the places you want them.  The lid has a mesh lining and a zipper so you can store extra stuff in there.  There are 2 side pockets and a front pocket.  The front pocket has additional pockets on the inside to help keep you organized.
The bag itself looks good, price is unbeatable, but if you're just going to buy this because of the price, then you might consider other bags in the market.  If you buy this online and have it shipped, shipping will cost almost the same amount as the bag itself.You could try to buy another bag and have Amazon ship it for free!!
This bag I bought it for Nikon D80 camera. Nikon D80 and all its accessories fits it. Worth for the amount.
I like this product,but I think the zippers across the top are a little weak.
I was looking for a bag for my slr camera for awhile. I was comparing this to canon and lowepro, and this bag quality is excellent for this price. (I had this for over 1 year and the stitching are still good and everything is still like new.) It's really sturdy and protects my camera and my lens really well. I can fit about two lens + camera and a bunch of tiny accessories. This is excellent if you plan to use it on a day that you know you want to carry only a few things for your photo shoot.
I purchased this cable to use with my iPod, after learning that Apple had simply switched the leads when they manufactured their own "iPod AV cable." They did that to trick people into purchasing their own AV cables. At any rate, this AV cable by Sony is higher quality than iPod's, has good length, and works with iPods (and various other video products I'm sure). For the iPod, simply plug the red plug into the video port on your TV and the yellow plug in the red port on your TV.Update: I've used this cable for several years, and it still works great. I just wanted to make sure people knew this cable will not work for video with newer iPods...and it won't work with any iPhones. The newer Apple products require that the A/V cable have an authentication chip before it will open the TV Out option. Bummer.
A good solid cable that don't feel cheap. I have been using it for a couple of mouths now without a problem.
Sold by Amazon, but actually shipped by Adorama Camera... Sony retail packaging, this is slightly longer (2m) than the OEM cable (1.5m?) and is gold tip. The cable is otherwise identical in every other regard. If your looking for a replacement and want a Sony cable this is it, at least for the one I received (Amazon purchase). Beware of other resellers as it may not be an original Sony cable if thats what your specificaly after (recommending checking with sellers if it is Sony retail packaging.
This wires set RCA cables help me to move video and sound out of my Cam recorder to my taper recorder / player and save dome family memories out of a VHS II tape using the appropriated converter .
I have an older video camera and have children on the tapes and would be lost without them if it was not for me finding this cord and it saves in buying a new camera too.
Received and tested the Sony VMC20FR cable. It is indeed identical to the manufacturers original equipment. Works great.
This works great.  No complaints at all, it does just what it should.  We bought it as a replacement when ours was lost. Very happy with the purchase, it was a very low price and is as good as the first.
Came in very quickly, and allows me to archive from my old Sony Hi 8 Handycam to save my videos to a Replay dvr, works like it should. I was glad to find this cable was still available.
Sony VMC20FR AV Cable works perfect with my camcorder I would recommend others to give it a try they would not be disappointed
didn;t need these but kept anyway u never no so good thing to have in a tight and a good price too
It's just an inexpensive Sony AV cable used on a Sony VAIO Laptop. It works very well and the shipping time was very quick!
The cable works well for a Sony DCR - TRV 130 digital video recorder.  It is the cable that plugs into the camera and lets you play to a TV or other device with RCA type inputs.  I used it to transfer family movies from the camera to a DVD recorder.  The quality seems to be very good.I highly recommend being careful who you buy from as there are apparently a lot of knock offs out there.  I highly recommend buying directly from Amazon or go to the reviews of the sellers to see if they are shipping quality cables.
For the price it is an easy choice. These work just fine :)I purchased two of these and a female/female adapter to create an AV cable for my dual screen DVD player in our minivan. worked like a charm!-Shay
i bought this item because i needed to connect my wd tv live to a regular tv that doesn't have a hdmi connection, when i tried it the first time it didn't work. there was no signal on my tv, so you don't have plug the cable in the same order of the colors.  it goes like this:3 RCA  /  tvwhite  /  yellowred  /  redyellow  /  white
I received the item very fast. I was able to trace the package because I received the tracking number in an email as soon as I made my purchase. It was wrapped properly also.
got this really fast and got it in time for what i had to use it for and love it works really well and the picture is great thanks and would recommend this item !!!
The cable works just as the OEM unit cable, which I lost. You will not be disappointed particularly if you have Sony camcorder.
Just what i wanted,, works fine, VERY fast shipping.. right price.Use for taking video off cam to dvd recorder and or just watching on TV.
I lost the original one that was provided with the camera. Sony wanted too much for a replacement. This is much more affordable here and it works like the original. Now I can create digital copies of all those years of Hi-8 tapes.
I needed this cable to connect my Elgato Video Capture to my old Sony Handycam in order to import family Hi-88 mm tapes to my iMac for editing in iMovie. My findings: this cable connects my Elgato Video Capture to my old Sony Handycam in order to import family Hi-88 mm tapes to my iMac for editing in iMovie. I love when stuff does what it's supposed to do.
Unsure how to rate this other then functionallity... it works as described and seems to be of good quality...I would purchase this again if I needed to.
Wow is all I can say. I lost my cord to my older version camcorder and thought about Amazon. And to my amazement, found one within a very short search and it was shipped out to me immediately and I received it within days...Just in time for my son and his family to come over and watch home movies. .Just what I needed...Thanks Amazon for carrying anything anyone could possibly need....
works great! now i can view my home videos again!! ( 8 mml tapes ) wish the cord was a bit longer but other than that PERFECTION!
When I lost mine on a trip I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to transfer to DVD again.  This unit fits better than the original that came with the camera.
Was glad to find this because my camcorder is getting a wee bit old.  Hard to find these cables when the original goes missing.  It it's not OEM, I can't tell the difference.  Works flawlessly!
This cheap cable is OK (does the work it supposed to do), but I found out it's not a good idea to use Sony laptop's video output to your TV, the video quality is simply bad, I switched to VGA and got much better result.
Canon seems to enjoy charging ungodly amounts of money for simple remotes.  The $30 remotes you'll find disappointing as well with their loud clicking and poor build quality.  This model feels right, works well and has small lights on the rockers which you'll appreciate at night.  My ONLY gripe is that the rockers are almost too good, they have 2 speeds and you have to get used to them or your zooms will shift between slow and fast ruining the shot.
Using this to operate my Sony video camera remotely. I use this for tennis to record my son's matches. I mounted the camera to s pole I hang over the top of the fence. Once mounted and set up, I can operate the camera with this little remote form my easy chair with a cool drink in  my hand. I did get a 20' ft extension cord to fit also. This little device is pretty cool. Recommended if you need remote control.
Does what it's supposed to.  I use it with a Sony DSC-V1, no problems.
Sony's remote is very helpful to control the camera remotely. It's slow and fast zoom makes a nice transition from wide to closeup.I went to Amazon to order this device because of there on going ease of use.
This little, inexpensive gadget is exactly what's needed to rid your videos of the shakes. I have a Sony tripod with the zoom feature built into the handle, and it's impossible to zoom without causing the shakes, even slight ones.This remote is the perfect solution.
I bought three of these remotes for the three cameras that my group uses to film theatre events and weddings. The theatre events sometimes requires us to be positioned in weird positions (sitting in chairs) which means we may not be able to reach the zoom ring. The RMVD1 was able to fill in the gap by allowing us to stop/start recording and zoom in and out during shows. The zoom is not as smooth as the zoom ring or the expensive rocker type zoom controls, but you get what you pay for.The cameras that I have used this remote include PD170s and a VX2100.
This is really meant for camcorders or cameras with electric zoom, etc.  All it will do on the DSC-R1 is turn the camera on and off and press the shutter (including a half-press for focus).  On the other hand, that's enough to make it very useful for tripod shots.What would be better?  A way to control more aspects of the camera (ISO, image size, etc.) remotely would be very nice--hello Sony!--maybe in the near future?
Simply works. I wish, however, it were a wireless unit because the length of the wire restricts the photographer's mobility.
This unit is very compact, easy to mount on a small tripod or mono-pod handle, and of excellent quality.  If you only want to zoom to a fixed level then start capture with a fixed zoom, this is a great bargain.  If you want to zoom while shooting, be aware that it only supports two speeds so your zooms will be very jumpy if you initiate or stop zooming during the capture.  There isn't a way to support smooth variable zoom.  If you want crash zooms, this is fine.  If you want precise control, this isn't the control for you.Good news is that most cinematic fare is captured without active zoom, so this control is adequate for many uses.
I use it on three sony cameras I own with no problems at all. The Sony DSC-R!, HDR-HC1, and the F828.Allows better photos in low light settings, no more shaky fingers on the shutter button for me.
I have a Sony NX 70u.  The zoom control is touchy to say the least.  This remote added a smooth zoom rate to make up for the touchy controls of the NX70U.  A must have piece.
I've used a Sony remote tripod for years.  Recently, our school's football boosters upgraded the video equipment, and the guy recording the games had to really struggle to record and zoom.  I bought this remote for him, and he loves it.  Has a strong clip to attach to the tripod.  Variable speed zoom.  Made his job much easier.
Works well with canon VIXIA HF G10 it clips everywhere that I need it to for the several different jobs I have done. Would suggest to anyone.
The major draw back (other than the price) is the clip on the remote.  It would have been nice if the remote itself was not on the clip.  Other than that it is easy to use.  This item coupled with a tri-pod, produce clear crisp pictures.  The remote also allows the user to zoom in and out.I have been very happy with the picture quality of my DSC F717.  This remote helps to improve picture quality and allows me to utilize longer shutter speeds without distortion due to camera movement.  I like the fact that even with the remote plugged in I can still use the controls on the camera.
Works with CANON cams as well not just with SONY cams.This is a STANDARD control for all LANC cameras... unless the mfg changed something inside the camera just to be different and sell their own LANC control.It happens.Plugged in to a CANON XA-10 and other FX-100, 105, ETC.  models and well and it works perfectly.It may even work with Canon G10 almost the same a the XA-10 ... if they have the input. Look for it and make sure it's a REMOTE control receptacle. They don't say LANC for some reason, go figure, maybe because they want to sell their own and charge you more? Draw your own conclusions.The unit functions very well and I love the SLOW/FAST zoom on one button. As you may have read by others, you have to develop a 'feel' for it. There is two button in one and half way pressing it SLOW zoom and all the way down FAST zoom. It's really well designed and within a minute I was controlling it well. Suggestion, if you use your thumb, you won't be able to control it well, use your index finger.Am actually SHOCKED for Sony to offer a product that works well and it's CHEAP !!!I bought a bunch of LANC controls and 90% is JUNK !The only one is good from Manfrotto and this one from Sony.
works great on my Sony FS-100-- of course the zoom part doesn't work but the record button works great.  I use this when I fly a camera on a jib with an extension cord...
I had previously owned a Sony tripod with built in controls, however, it recently received some damage and I was unable to fix it.  So I began searching for a replacement tripod when I came across this very affordable remote for my Sony camcorder that attaches to any tripod.  Since I already had a tripod for my digital picture camera, I figured this was worth a try.It does everything my old tripod did as far as controlling my video.If you want a more professional video experience, you must use a remote.  It helps by keeping your camcorder steady, but most of all, the zoom in and out gives you a much more fluid response.I highly recommend this remote to any Sony owners that have the LANC connection on their camcorder.
At first glance this appeared to be almost too small to use, cheaply made and the clamp too tiny.  Wrong on all impressions.  It is well made, small, but easy to use, and the clamp opens very wide!  The cable is long - you can mount the camera several feet away or on a tripod.  I use it with my Bogen video head - the clamp opens more than enough to accommodate the handle - plus it has rubber pads on both sides, so it grips firmly.  The only negative point - the remote only has two zoom speeds. Slow and fast. My camera has a variable zoom, and I really like it.It took a little getting used to the zoom speeds, but it was not that big a deal.The biggest advantage is that I can geep my hands off the camera and on the tripod.  This keeps the shots steadier!
This works fine on my Canon ZR10 camcorder--they want more than $200 for their remote, but their remote is also a LANC, so this is a much cheaper alternative.  Note that the newer Canon camcorders do not have a LANC connector, it looks similar to a small stereo connector but smaller.The power, zoom, record, and picture buttons all work while in camcorder mode.  The only button that works while in VCR mode is the power (a limitation I suspect that would be present regardless of the remote.)
This Sony RMVD1 Remote for DCR-HC, DCR-DVD, DCRVX2100 & HDRFX1 Camcorders  worked beautifully with my Sony HXR-MC2000N Shoulder Mount AVCHD Camcorder.  I just plugged it in the remote jack and I was up and running no muss no fuss and worked perfectly no complaints whatsoever.  This is a cheap but awesome alternative to those expensive remotes.  Shipping was fast packaging was good.  This exceeded my expectations.  I would buy another in a heartbeat but won't have to because this is well constructed too.
This remote was just what I needed.  I've been struggling with the sluggish switches on my Sony Handycam DCR-DVD92.  By the way, I hate the Sony Cam (because of its non-intuitive functionality and its limitations) but can't afford to upgrade, which is why I've been hesitant to invest in more equipment for that POS.  Regardless, after searching through various sites and carefully reading descriptions that didn't always specify whether or not the device would work on my specific video cam, I decided to take a chance on this one.  It worked immediately and better than expected.I haven't had the opportunity to use the extra features/buttons but the on/off and shutter release works great and saves me a lot of headaches (even though it doesn't fix the inherent problems with this camera).  A few may be concerned about the length of the cord and whether or not it is obstructive but I haven't found it to be the case.  Frankly, I don't know why one needs to be farther from the set up camera than the cord allows you to be.So, if you have had the misfortune of purchasing (or being gifted) a Sony Handycam and are in need of a remote, this is the one to buy.  It won't take away all your headaches caused by that video cam but it will reduce them!Sony RMVD1 Remote for DCR-HC, DCR-DVD, DCRVX2100 & HDRFX1 Camcorders
I don't know why people complain about the clip, its not that big to be a distraction. I'm glad that the thing is available so I can use my still camera on a heavier tripod when outdoors.
I've used this for a couple of years on a Canon Optura 20 camcorder with good results.  I agree that you have to remember to turn it on and off but so what?  That's not a big deal to me, I just always carry extra batteries.About remembering to turn it on in the first place: when using an external mic you should also be monitoring your recording.  It's actually critical to do this so you know what's being recorded on your audio track.  You do this by plugging in headphones or ear pods into the audio out jack on your camcorder, then setting the camcorder appropriately (on my Canon it's menu/vcr setting/av/headphone).  You will then hear everything that's being recorded and so will know if your mic is on or not.My main quibble is that when the mic is fastened to the body of the camcorder, it picks up some hum from the camera body, although it's much better than the internal mic... probably 85% better.  But still...So I took a big artist's eraser and an Exacto knife and carved it so the eraser fits into the camcorder shoe and the mic slides into the top of the eraser.  This isolates 99%+ of the sound.  Took about 15 minutes to make it and worth every second.  Cost about $1.00 and I've been using it for years.
Pros: This mic is easy to install and easy to use. Simply slide it onto accessory shoe and plug it in. This is a stereo mic that can be switched from a 90 to 120 degree cone of focus. Nice features included are a foam wind buffer and a cloth storage bag.Con: Although plugged into the camcorder, you must turn it on/off manually. Not so bad once you have trained yourself to remember to turn it on before shooting, but before that, expect to capture some video without capturing the audio (once plugged in, the mic is the sole source of audio).Overall: greatly improved audio. I am spoiled now and will always use aux mic for camcording.
I thought the mic will have significant improvement on sound clarity and quality, but obviously not.  Also, it is not very easy to use that it is not easy to clip on and be stable, and needing to use on/off buttons to turn the mic on is really not a good feature (it should be just automatic).  I taped a birthday scene for my daughter but later found out that I didn't have the birthday sound because I didn't turn on the mic, what a bummer!
Okay.... I left it on. The next time I went to use it... dead battery. Would an indicator light take THAT much power to let the user know the thing is on and working?The cap DOES come off very easily. I'm always looking for it. I think the guy who used the silver duct tape has a good idea.The mic pics up the camera motor sound. Fortunately I can edit that out for the most part.I have a DCR-HC1000. The camera has a smart shoe... why doesn't Sony make a mic (other than the shotgun mic which I do own) that takes advantage of that shoe?I'm looking for another mic and will probably throw this in a drawer.
Bought this item and returned it the next day.  I was hoping to reduce or eliminate the mechanical noise picked up on my Sony DCR-TRV 103 by using this microphone.  Well, even in the 90 degree setting, the mechanical noise that my camcorder emits is still picked up.  In fact it sounded as though I was hearing two sets of mechanical noise instead of one.  This mic should cut out the on board mic (a stereo version already), but apparently did not.  Went into my settings and tried channel 1 only, then channel 2 only, then 1 and 2.  Did not make a difference.  Only good thing I can say is it fit in the Sony shoe.  Of course it is not made to work with the intelligent shoe and is powered by battery and plugs into the mic-in jack.  Don't bother with this model.
I ordered this mic after having to return the ECMHS1 (because it was, in reality, totally non-directional).  Well, this one actually IS directional, but it is such a pain to use I wish I never bought it.1st of all, you should know this mic does not work with the "smart shoe" available on most Sony camcorders - this means it will not receive any power from or transfer sound data to the camcorder through the shoe.  Therefore it is battery powered.  This may seem like a minor problem, but it means you need to remember to turn it on and off each time you video, otherwise you will have either a soundless video or a dead battery.  Believe me, at some point you WILL forget this.Not being smart shoe compatible also means you have to plug the mic into a jack on the camcorder - this can be a real hassle if you have a small device and are trying to loop the cord around so it isn't in the way.  (In my case the jack is under a rather cheap plastic cover that threatens to break off with repeated use.)(As you might expect, I highly recommend you check whether a mic is smart shoe compatible.  Of course, that means the mic doesn't need a battery or audio plug - not that it will simply fit into the shoe.  It's a great feature.)Finally, while the engineers at Sony have done some amazing things over the years, they weren't able to do even a half-decent job designing the cap that covers this mic's battery.  This cap will fall off with even the slightest touch.  This can be INCREDIBLY annoying.  Mine fell off several times - fortunately I always managed to find it.  I finally put a piece of duct tape on to secure it (doesn't look great, but at least the color matches).Considering the high cost, this mic is a really bad investment.  While the non-directional mics in most camcorders are pretty pathetic, this is a VERY poor substitute.
This is a great mic for the price. However I talked to Sony Customer Care center before I purchased this mic for my HDR-SR1 camcorder. I was told it would fit the accessory shoe on my camcorder. It doesn't even come close. I'm using velcro to hold it in position.That being said... The mic is great. It picks up better sound than the on-board mic, and is directional. You can switch from Off to 90 degree, to 120 Degree pick up. All in all I love it.
It's decent enough, but it's not quite the mike I expected.The foot isn't very well insulated, so when the mike is mounted on the camera it picks up a fair bit of electronic hum.  I was under the impression that the mike had an automatic zoom feature-  it zooms, but it's manual.  Plus it isn't powered off the camera- extra batteries are required.
The size is perfect and it works as advertised. A 'must have' item.
After traveling a good amount with my Alpha cameras (previously A100, now A700), I was tired of lugging around the battery charger with the long cords it requires.  I bit the bullet and bought this charger.SO GLAD I DID!!!  Seriously, it is extremely compact, and the prongs fold flat into the unit making it that much smaller and safer to store with other gear.  No cords = no snags or knots or jumbles.  I can leave this charger in even my smallest camera bags without compromising space for other equipment like filters or cleaning supplies.Bottomline:  If you travel with your camera, particularly when space is a premium, this charger should be on your very short list.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I needed a replacement charger for my Sony camera and this one worked perfectly.  I also like that it plugs directly into the outlet, since it's smaller and there isn't any cord to deal with, it fits perfectly in my camera case
Forget the "brick" and the AC cord!  Just get one of these compact chargers and an extra battery and your DSC-R1 will never be out of power.  I carry a charged battery in my gear bag attached to the little charger and swap and recharge as needed.
I'll leave this short and sweet - it charges my batteries fast and gives them a good charge. I haven't had to charge my battery since its May the charge lasts so long. Not a huge fan of Sony because they are such a monopoly (notorious for only being compatable with sony products), but this is a good charger.
Had a off brand that never really charged right, so bought the Sony charger and what a difference, always buy the name brand even if it's more money, in the long run you come out agead
I lost the original Sony battery charger, so was glad to be able to get another one to replace it.  It works well and is a little smaller than the original one.
This unit is perfect for charging the spare battery for my Alpha 200 DSLR while on the go. The OEM unit that comes in the box is more than twice as big, and has a long power cord too. This unit charges the battery just as fast and takes up minimal room in the camera bag. Fold away prongs are a plus, although this unit will only charge the battery, it will not power the camera body remotely. For the space savings alone it is worth the money to me, and I think it should have been what shipped in the box to begin with.
This charger takes up minimal space.  The prongs for plugging into the wall fold in preventing snags.  Excellent design.  It also charges your spare battery in minimal time.Highly recommend.
This item is a must have. The only way to charge the battery otherwise is through the camera. If you have more than one battery then how do you charge one battery when you are using the camera to video tape? Exactly, you can't. Thats why this is so important to have. Also, after spending $2000 for a video camera i want it out of the case as least as possible when not in use. So by using this charger i can charge the batteries and not bother the camera. I don't have to worry about the kids knocking it over or trying to play with it. There are no cords since it plugs directly into the wall. Its well worth the money and pretty much a necessity. You wont regret the purchase.
This is a well-designed Sony charger for Sony's "M Series InfoLITHIUM" batteries. If you own a Sony camcorder or digital camera with one of these batteries, you know that one of the advantages of the design is the ability for the device to read the charge level of the battery and provide a fairly accurate display on the device's LCD monitor of how much energy (in minutes) remains on the battery. As with all things Sony (but, to be fair, for most major digital camera/camcorder manufacturers), you will pay far more for each battery than you should, and secondary battery chargers are also overpriced. The benefit, however, is that you generally receive good, reliable performance. Both are true of this Sony device when used with Sony batteries.This charger is not much larger than an NP-FP50 battery itself, and because the charger only weights 70 grams, it is almost transparent in the travel bag. Compare this with theSony ACSQ950D AC/DC AC Adapter/Quick Charger for MiniDV Camcordershigh speed charger, which easily weighs seven or eight times as much and has a form factor that is six times as large. But make your choice carefully: this charger (the BC-TRM) is NOT a high speed charger like the AC-SQ950, and may take as long as four hours to fully charge a NP-FP50 battery (the AC-SQ950 can do it in far less than half the time, and will do two in sequence).What this charger offers is very small form factor in an extremely light package, and with universal voltage (you can plug this unit into most any European power outlet with a simple plug adapter without any type of transformer.  A bonus is the folding plug design which tucks the protruding electrical plug back into the unit when not in use (all chargers should have this feature). If you require frequent, multi-charging on a daily basis, you might consider stepping up to the AC-SQ950, but it it much larger and heavier, which is the price you pay for its outstanding performance.Both of these units should operate well if they are not abused, and any can be made to work on vacations where luggage space/weight is at an increasing premium. Everyone has their own preferences, but for me, when it comes to digital cameras, I prefer to use the manufacturer's own equipment (batteries and chargers). If you carefully shop around, you should be able to find a generally reasonable price. I downgrade this unit to a four-star only because of the length of time to fully charge a battery. The quality, size, weight and design are excellent. Happy shooting!
I like this charger, very small and portable. Sony shoud sell a extra battery / charger combo. I sure recommend it for taking vacations.
Would have liked a double charger unit of similar style and would like car adapter. This unit is small and compact fitting the need.
Small, Light and Quick..Had to buy this when I lost my charger in Continental Airline at Chicago (Always take care of your belonging when you rush for a flight)Well worth the price.Trushar Mistry
I like this product for several reasons: 1) The separate cord gives me options for plug in locations & make for easy storage. Chargers with the built-in prongs take up too much space on a power strip & it looks/feels awkward on a wall outlet. I can plug in the CB-5L anywhere I want & even use a different length cord. 2) Compact & simple design. I'm glad it's just brick shaped & doesn't look like a flower vase or something. 3) The LED charge indicator is easy to understand. Nevermind trying to figure it out by reading the instructions. Just plug in a battery & watch it for a while. Then you'll understand.I read on different websites that this product comes with plugs for different countries. Mine came with a non-polarized US/Japan/Taiwan prong cord. I don't feel I need cords from other countries anyways because the prongs are bulky & look weird. If I do need to plug in at another country I'll just use an adapter.
The long and bulky cord makes this very inconvenient for travel.  A distinct downgrade from the compact rebel xt charger with its fold-out prongs.  Hope they manufacturer a cordless charger for the 3ti in the future.
This is a great replacement carger for the one that I lost that came with the camera infact it the esact one that came with the camera
I bought a third party charger to save money instead of buying this one. The third party charger died after about 3 months for no obvious reason. Then I bought this one. It works perfectly, I expect it will for the foreseeable future, I've never had a problem with official Canon merchandise. AND, it came with power cords compatible with just about every type of wall socket in existence (very convenient if you travel like I do). Don't waste your time and money on a third party piece of junk. Buy this charger instead.
I bought this battery charger in addition to an extra battery for my Canon G3 Digital Camera. The reason being that Canon was really short-sighted in not shipping the camera with at least an external charger. With the price I paid, they could have at least done that!It's a really good camera with 1 or 2 quirks that you get used to. Excellent quality photos.But you can't use the camera while it is charging the battery.After 2 years I finally gave in and bought this charger. Someone must have been suffering from a guilty conscience at Canon, cause it came with 5 different power cables, so I can plug into almost any power outlet in the World.Just be careful to note the difference between the cables for the USA and Japan, because they are almost identical.
Ordered this product from Adorama to replace my misplaced battery charger. Got it in a couple of days. I was blown away by the service from this company. The charger is the exact one that came with my camera and was so much cheaper than purchasing it from the manufacturer. The charger works perfectly.
I bought the Canon CB-5L after the cheap knockoff I got on ebay died a week after I got it.  There's not much to say about the CB-5L.  I started by putting a totally discharged Canon BP511 battery (with no so-called "memory" build-up) in it.  A "red" indicator light came on which immediately turned steadily green.  I removed and reseated the battery several times.  Was the battery fully charged?  Who knows!  I left the battery to charge several hours just in case.  Does the charger do its job?  Well, yes.  My problem is with the charge level indicator.  There are three valued printed on the charger housing: 0, 50, 100.  The indicator is supposed to be a nlinking light indicator that functions as time indicator of how much charging time is left.  Doesn't work for me.  Maybe my charger is defective.The charging unit feels light and flimsy.  Not comfortable calling it "high quality".  That's my 2 cents on it.
Thought I had a problem and the seller was right there to help.  Got it strightened out and I would definitely buy from them again.  Thanks for your help
won't charge half of my batteries and it feels like pure junk.On this item i would say avoid it.The one i got does not look like the one in the picture and does not say canon on it.
I PURCHSED THIS AS A USED ITEM. IT WAS DELIVERED PROMPTLY AND WORKS GREAT! I RECOMMEND BOTH AMAZON AND TECH DEAL!
Only used it a couple of times.  Far superior to the brand x charger I had previously.  LED readout handy in determining when batter is fully charged.
I bought it as a gift for a digital camera/video I'd gotten a few years ago, so that I could send it to a couple who had a new baby boy. They are pleased with it and thanked me for such a great gift not only of the camera but also the charger and a battery that would last 8 hrs to shoot their Christmas 2006.
Purchased the Canon CB-5L Battery Charger for my Canon EOS 10D, and when it came, it was defective - my battery did not fit into the slot.  I wrote an email to Amazon, and they, in turn, passed it on to the vendor (MZ Photo in NY).  Joe from MZ Photo answered immmediately and sent me a new charger after he heard what my problem was.  Impressive....usually one has to prove beyond a doubt that they received something already damaged before a vendor sends a replacement.  I would certainly buy from MZ Photo and/or Amazon again.
Worked great, charges completely and quickly, Batteries have been working fine after use. Great condition and No problems. Thank you!
This charger is great and in a pinch I ordered because I couldn't locate my primary charger.  I didn't realize that this was being shipped from out of the country.  It arrived well late, and when I wanted to return it, it took 2 weeks for me to get a RMA response from the seller.  Overall this was what I needed, but I needed it a lot sooner.
It is exactly as the original that I got with my camera AND I got an adaptor for the car, for a 220 plug and the "Y" socket type. COOL!
...even though I also have a D60.  The N75 (AKA F75) has amazing features, especially considering the price and weight.It's like having an FX camera without having to pay for an FX camera.Pros:-It works with all Nikon autofocus lenses.  This includes AF, AFS, D, G.  VR works.  DX lenses work, but at their widest zooms you lose the corners.  This means I only need one set of lenses for the N75 and the D60.-The N75 with the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AF lens is an excellent, classic combination for very little money.  Many of the best photographers have done most of their work with a 35mm SLR and a 50mm lens.-The metering is excellent.  Not need to worry about exposure.  Override settings only needed in unusual situations.-Same shooting "modes" as on a new DSLR.  A Nikon digital user who runs out of battery can switch to this and hardly notice a difference.-In many shooting situations, film still gives better results than digital.  Try it with Fuji Superia or shoot architecture or nature with Fuji Velvia and a tripod.  You can't get that kind of color with digital, at any price.-It weighs nothing.  Put that 50mm lens on it and it weighs half what an FX camera without lens weighs.-Film is cool.Cons:-Pre-AF lenses (AI/AIS) work but only in manual mode without metering.-Vignette when misusing DX lenses on film cameras.-You'll need the film.-When I shoot film I get it processed and scanned to CD with no prints.  Some photo labs won't give me high resolution on these scans.-Won't let me use the lens's aperture ring.  Aperture ring must be locked except in full-manual mode without metering.  (This is true with most Nikons.)One more thing.  A lot of people seem to think that which film SLR you have makes a big difference in your image quality.  This isn't true.  All an SLR does is hold the film and operate the lens - the shutter gets out of the way and the lens focuses light on the film.  The shutter and meter in this cheap camera are as good as the shutter and meter in many much more expensive cameras, and those are the only parts of the camera body that affect imag quality.
It is essentially a facelift job on Nikon N65 (marketed outside US as F65), and all the good things that can be said about N65 apply to this product, too: it's reliable, it's capable of fully-manual operation (although this can be a little fiddly and N75 will feel more natural in automatic or semi-automatic mode).Quality of pictures, for the price, is stunning, and in the line-up of entry-to-medium level SLRs this is definitely the one to choose (for example, auto-focus speed beats Canon equivalent hands down; Canon Rebel 300 - marketed outside US as Canon EOS 300 - also looks decidedly like a cheap compact camera with a big lens on top).For many, many users (including myself) it will provide all the advanced functions that they will ever want. Pricier &quot;professional&quot; cameras like N80 are of course more robust and may have a few extra features or even faster AF, but the difference in price will be so significant that you will have to be a heavy user to make a more expensive camera pay for itself.The only reservation about N75 is the size: Nikon tried to make this camera as small as possible, which makes it more agreeable for delicate hands (or so they think). For someone like me, a person with bigger paws, it does not feel right - it is just not chunky enough to provide a good grip: a lightweight camera it might be, but still it is no compact thing which you could put in your shirt pocket. This is an important consideration: all the good features will bring you no joy if you feel awkward holding the camera in your hands.
i have had this camera for over 3 years and it ahsnt failed me once. It is light and easy to use, and its "--" speed feature allows me to shoot star trails-thing which I love to do.
I bought the N75 as a move back to SLRs from my Olympus digital point-n-shoot.  I have some older Olympus SLRs but wanted auto focus and program to make it easier for my wife.  I looked at both the N75 and Rebel Ti as springboards for buying some good lenses and moving up to digital SLRs when the price came down.I'm very happy with mine and haven't had (or heard of) any problems with this camera other than the other reviewers.  I've taken pictures in a variety of settings - Summer, snow (incl. snowing), indoors ,etc and they've all turned out great.  I upgraded to the XR series of lenses and am Extremely happy with them.  Now I'm just waiting to see what happens with D100 (and it's promised &quot;little brother&quot;) and am seriously checking out the Fuji S2 Pro.
So here's where I'm coming from: I'm big on photography enthusiasm (I would rate myself as a semi-serious to serious amateur), and very low on budget. I've owned a Pentax SLR camera before, as well as a few point-and-shoots.I bought this camera last August after doing a lot of research both online and in magazines like Popular Photography. All the reviews raved about it, and boy, were they true! It's a wonderful camera for both the starting amateur (you can just set it on the Auto mode, and all you need to do then is point and shoot!) and the more serious amateur (you can make the camera all-manual by selecting the corresponding mode, or do speed-priority and aperture-priority). Still life and close-up enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the depth-of-field preview button, and everyone will benefit from Nikon's great series of lenses. One note there: this camera works with the Nikon &quot;G&quot; series lenses, which have no aperture ring -- aperture is set electronically from within the camera.While I have exposed only a very few rolls of film with this camera yet, I have a friend who took hers to Norway, shooting in low-light conditions, from speeding boats, buses and what not, entirely in the point-and-shoot AUTO mode -- and the snaps look absolutely brilliant! Hats off to the light-metering system, which is better than on similar Canon Rebels etc.There is one point to note however: while this SLR kit comes with the 28-80mm G nikkor lens, I bought a different kit, which had the 28-100mm G lens. I find the extra zoom of that lens makes it even better if you want to survive on a one-lens-only basis. The other lens I want to buy soon (since I'm somewhat interested in bird photography) is the 70-300mm nikkor G lens.If you are considering digital cameras as well -- I decided to go for a manual SLR because there is no way you can get this quality of photos and this range of optical fiddling options at this low a budget in a digital camera. I would say that's easily two years away right now. I just get my photo lab guys to make me a Photo CD, so I can easily send the pictures I really like to all my friends to admire! ;)In summary, I would say look no further -- Nikon's N75 is the best non-totally-professional SLR film camera out there for a price that fits everyone's pocket!
Hello?!!! Why would anyone bother to buy a film camera, in these days of raging digital slr fever? In fact, why bother with an auto-focus film SLR at all, when you can buy manual focus Nikon SLRs and go fully retro if you're really nostalgic for those "good-ole" noisy, fiddly, bulky SLR days?Let me tell you why. It makes sense. At least from a serious hobby photographer like myself. I have a digital slr and a couple of manual focus Nikon cameras. My dslr is my main camera. But I still love to shoot film. I still love to make a fuss just to create one picture, wait for it to be developed and printed. I like shopping for various film ISOs, load film, hear the whir of the film advance mechanism. I am one of those nuts who love to unroll a developed negative and still be fascinated with the organic, almost magical nature of it all!Now I choose the Nikon F75/N75 because I wanted the convenience of automation while still shooting film. F100s, even F80s are still very expensive for me, not to mention F5s and F6s. The other choices were N55, N60, N65 but going through their individual reviews, I know I wont be satisfied with them. I therefore got myself an N75 with databack and MB-18 battery grip. This is a fantastic combination! Reviews about it correctly state that this is a beginner's camera with option for more advanced photographers. When you know nothing of photography principles but savvy enough to know that an SLR is superior to a point and shoot, this is for you. Once you gain some skills in photography, this camera will open up options that will test your knowledge.Here are the things I like about the N75:1. CenterWeighted (CW) metering in Manual Mode. Some reviews mention this as a disadvantage, prefering CW metering as an option available in any mode. What is CW metering anyway? Does the intended target of this camera care? If you dont know what the heck it is, you'll thank Nikon for putting CW in Manual Mode only! Because you will only use Manual mode anyway when you want to be creative about your exposure- overriding the meter, using off-camera flash, etc-which means you know your photography. In all other modes the camera uses the reliable Matrix meter. With a little insight you can even override that using the easy-to-use exposure compensation!2. Spot meter available only in AutoExposure lock button and must be customized. Again, there are reviews that diss this method, preferring to have spotmeter freely available in all modes. Let me ask you. Do you know what is spot meter? Do you know how to use it? Do you know the zone system? If you don't and chances are you are one of the intended target of this camera, you will also thank Nikon for putting spot meter this way. You cannot accidentally switch it. You must intentionally and deliberately customize it to use it which means you must know how to use it. If it were freely available in all options and you dont know what it does, you may very well be in for the shock of your life to see severely overblown and under-exposed photos come from your negatives when you shot using spot meter under very common lighting situations. And then you will blame Nikon for making such a crappy camera!3. Film prewind. People have mixed reaction to this facility. It takes getting used to. Personally I like it. When you use the battery pack and grip MB-18 like I do, it only takes 10 seconds flat to prewind a 36 exposure film. That's plenty fast enough for me. What's more, if you accidentally opened the back midroll you would have saved your previous shots since they are already inside the film canister.4. The camera has a dedicated optional MB-18 battery grip which has its own vertical shutter release and power on switch! I guess there will be no argument here. The convenience of using AA batteries over exhorbitantly priced, one-use lithiums is obvious. You will be pleased with the ease with which to take pictures when holding the camera vertically.5. It has 12 custom functions. For that time when you know a bit more than a beginner and want a taste of a little adventure in your photography. Go to spot meter, CW meter, multiple exposures. Heck go and bracket your exposures! You already know these stuff, right? When you feel you need instant access to these advanced options then perhaps you can invest in more expensive cameras.6. It comes with a model which have data back. Here is another much maligned facility. Some folks say those tiny date imprints are unprofessional and distract from the subject. I dont know about you. But I am not shooting for museum galleries or for national geographic magazine or any news agency. I am shooting pictures for much more special clients: my family and friends. I am really pleased to be able to imprint dates in pictures since for me they add points of interest when we later look at them in our favorite chair or pillow.7. The sound of shutter release is subdued. Motor whir which advances film is also quiet. I just love it.Now some of the things I consider areas for improvement- bearing in mind this is just a beginner-to-serious amateur camera:1. A brighter viewfinder screen.2. Option to switch on grid lines (like that in the N80.)3. Ability to meter with manual focus lenses. then again, what beginner has them?A little faster continuous mode would be really nice like 2-3 frames per second instead of 1.5 fps and a slightly stronger builtin flash would be good.Although this is a plastic camera, it is very well built and beautiful to look at. I heartilly recommend the N75/F75 to all amateurs and beginners who are on a tight budget for an AF film SLR yet want the option of more advanced features when knowledge grows. I also recommend getting the MB-18 battery grip. It is not much of an added weight or price. But the convenience and economy it provides is big.There is unique joy in shooting film that digital has not yet replaced and probably never will. The F75/N75 delivers the goods!If you are already adept in photography, have a formidable collection of manual focus lenses and wanted a film AF SLR, go for the F100 and higher.As for me, I am very happy with my N75.
i have taken over 40 rolls of film with my Nikon N75, and i have had no problems at all with it.  it is very user-friendly and lightweight.  i've taken the camera to many places in the US, and to Rome.  it has never failed me. and, it takes amazing quality pictures.For anyone that has had problems with the camera, i'd suggest sending it back to Nikon.  they have great customer care, and they stand behind their product.  mine has a 3-5 year warranty, so i dont know how anyone could be out of the warranty period already as  it came out in 2003.
THE CAMERA CAME VERY FAST AND WELL PACKED AND THE FREIGHT WAS MORE FOR THE SHIPPER THEN I PAID,AND I AM PLEASED WITH ITEM AS IT IS LIKE NEW.EVERYTHING I HAVE ORDERED FROM AMAZON SO FAR HAS BEEN EXCELENT.
I love my Nikon N75 - it's by far the best camera I've ever owned.  I've had it for several months now, and have taken the best pictures of my life with it.  A great first SLR, due to the ability to leave it in fully automatic mode at first, and then start using the expanded features as you learn.I mainly wanted to write this review to debunk the 'error' a previous reviewer was complaining about.  They really should read the owner's manual...  The 'film not loaded error icon' that they are talking about is used in two ways on this camera.  If when you first load the film, something goes wrong, this will blink to indicate the film was not loaded correctly.  The second use is as a 'low-film' indicator.  When you're looking through the viewfinder, this light will blink when you hit 5 exposures left.  It's obviously meant to let you know you're getting close to the end of your film, so you don't miss that 'perfect shot' due to running our of film.  The fact that the reviewer went through several of these cameras, and never figured this out astounds me.  I've never had to contact Nikon support, but I would hope that the support person I got would be a little more knowledgeable than the people she talked too...Overall, if you're looking to get started with an SLR, you can't go wrong with this camera.  I would, however, suggest that you visit your local Ritz (or equivilent camera shop) to hold onto the camera, and compare it to a few others.  I was all set to buy a Canon Rebel Ti, based soley on reviews - until I went to the shop.  It just felt wrong in my hands, where the Nikon felt perfect.  It's all a matter of personal preferrence, so you'll want to make sure you're getting the right one.I've also been pretty hard on this camera since I got it (Ritz has an optional replacement warranty, so I've not been too worried) - including getting it soaked on a boat trip.  It's kept on going through everything I've thrown at it - very durable.Pros:-Can be used as a point-and-shoot when needed (or while learning)-Has the ability to control every aspect of the picture taking process.-Great built in flash-Amazing 25 point 3D metering system-Controls are all easily accesible while holding the camera-In my opinion, it just feels sturdier and more comfortable in your hand than the Canon Rebel Ti - Canon's equivilant cameraCons:-Being an SLR, it's a little on the big side.  It is, however, lighter than you might expect.  Basically, you have to be making the commitment to carrying it around with you.  For this, I'd highly recommend one of the lowepro bags - they're about the smallest you can get for this type of camera.
I bought this camera for a several reasons, as a backup to my aging Nikon 8008s (still going strong after 10 years!) and for a film body to use Nikon "G" lenses, and because of the Nikon USA Fall rebate.Upon first opening the box I thought I'd made a real mistake. It's the lightest 35mm SLR I've ever used. The viewfinder is rather small and none too bright. Compared to the 8008s the N75 feels like a disposable camera!Upon inserting the batteries and mounting a 50mm Nikon lens, things began looking up. I bought the body only, and strongly recommend you do the same, and get a Nikon AF 50mm 1.8 lens. This camera balances beautifully with this prime lens! My hands are small, so the N75 felt just right. Autofocus is quick, and I like the red confirmation light in the finder (same as on my D 70 digital SLR).When it comes to focus speed and silence, the N75 blows my old 8008s out of the water. It's focus rarely hunts and the shutter is fairly quiet, as is the drive motor. Switching to Manual Exposure mode is quick and easy. This camera even has a depth of field preview button.Overall this has become a favorite film camera because it is so light and easy to carry. It's fast and the meter is accurate. I wish the spot meter were easier to access, but that is my only real complaint. It does 90% of what the N80 does at less than half the price. This is a great camera for a new photographer or advanced user looking for a backup film body. The nice thing is all those wide angle lenses stay wide, and shooting a roll of slide film through this little gem will convince you film is not yet dead!
Put me down as another consumer that has had to send back his N75/F75.  I received this camera new the other day.  But, right out of the box it was broken.  Seems on many of these models, when you try to load the film, it just backs it right in to the canister.  The 75 is supposed to unwind the film to the end of the roll and then as you shoot, it winds it back up to the canister so that when you are done, the roll is completely in the canister.  But, on mine, and many others, there must be a firmware bug.  I'm waiting on a replacement now.
I've only used one other 35mm SLR before this, which was the Pentax ZX-M.They're both great; No complaints. Love that this camera can use the G lenses I already own for my DSLRs.That's it.
I bought this for my dad. The features are standard for it's class with a major disappointment being a flash sync speed of just 90. The results have been okay to dull. The body has a rugged feel which I liked. The auto light-reading underexposes a bit(that's true with all auto-SLRs of it's class), so I would suggest compensating it +1.5 .I also own a Minolta Maxxum5 which is in the same league but comes with better features and lower price, it produces excellent results consistently. My impression is Nikon is riding more on it's brandname nowadays, rather than leading the field with innovation.My 2c advice for anyone who has decided to go for a Nikon SLR, but has a dilemma in deciding between N80 and N75 - go for N75. You only sacrifice flash sync speed to 90 instead of 125. But the N75 is from more recent technology(incldg light meter) and is much much lighter(which is REALLY IMPORTANT). Out of the Nikon prosumer SLR stable, N75 is the most value for money.If you ask me for a prosumer SLR suggestion between Nikon N75 and Minolta Maxxum5 - hands down Minolta.1/28/09 - The 28-105mm lense is unsharp. N75 as a body may be fine.
I don't have a lot of experience with cameras but this one was so easy and simple to use and produced a bunch of great pictures with little effort. I have to give it a 5 star rating because it is just impossible to mess anything up. If you want a camera that knows what you want and is soo easy to learn to use, get this one. It's worth it.
This is an excellent addition for a Sony Handycam with NightShot feature. However, since Sony stopped making them, the price went sky high. I have two, one cost about $50, the other was around $70. I have had no problems with the functionality of the device, but I doubt you can find one for under $200, since they stopped manufacturing them. The description will tell you it will expand infrared light up to 30 feet, but unless you have it focused on something, anything past about 15-20 ft is a blur. If you can afford the $200 mark-up, get one before there are none left, but if you are on a budget, would be wise to look at other light extensions, but the Sigma ones aren't worth a flip, as some of my group members have learned the hard way. Hope this helps.
this infrared light works amazingly good for the price! tried it out as soon as i got it on my SONY HDR-XR500V and wow this old tech with the new tech works flawlessly. you can easily see 100ft with no problems and even farther is theres a full moon! so all in all great IR light this little guy will not let you down! only thing i suggest get a couple of those lithuim ion batteries because it is a little bit of a battery hog. just go with the lithiums and youll be good for i dont know how many months i still have the same lithium batteries from when i bought it and its been 8 months. so that says alot for this old tech from 1993 haha.
I bought this item for night parades of a group of kids that my granddaughter is in. I got it and decided to put it to the test. I took it to my basement where there is no light at all once the lights are turned off. Well, I was surprised when I looked through my view finder and it looked likeI had a flashlight on. It sure made 100% difference. It turned night into day. That was with 2 "AA" batteries and it stayed on 60 minutes with no change. I ordered the regular battery for this as I know it will be even better. if anyone says this does not work, they got a bad unit or did not use it as it is suppose to be. Also the manual is in many languages which helps. I sure would reccomend this.
This is a SONY product and I would recommend to anyone who is a paranormal investigator. Or anyone who likes to film in the dark!!! I love the fact you can use AA batteries or a rechargeable battery (typically it won't be the same battery as your camcorder). I love the fact I can change the amount of IR light coming out of it, there's a dial on the side. Its small enough to carry easily and it produces enough light, when using a camcorder w/night shot, to film anything w/in a 20 foot radius. Its made the difference b/t seeing & not seeing (with only using night shot) what I filmed during an investigation.
As a paranormal/UFO investigator I'm constantly shooting at night. I use older Sony Night Shots which work better than the new ones. You can find them at pawn shops and buy them for around $75. Look for pre 2000 models. The problem is their built in IR lights. Some cameras use two LEDs some use one. I purchased this item specifically for my March 13th 2010 ghost investigation  at the Hand Hotel in Fairplay Colorado. It worked really well. I gave it 5 stars because it really put out the light and uses standard batteries or a Sony battery. I prefer to stay with the standard batteries because I've noticed with rechargeable batteries, their life span decreases faster during paranormal investigations. (go figure) It's quicker to go back to base camp and replace a couple of AA's and not worry about re-charging. I did notice a couple of things you'll have to deal with. First, the IR light is not a scattered light and more like a light from a flash light. There is an adjustment for the intensity, but it's still a direct beam. Second, the light pivots on this little barrel mount which during operation will cause your light to turn. If you stay aware of these two items, then you'll enjoy this product. For more on my investigations, goto my ufonut website.
I use this IR Light for my Sony HDR-CX7.  Its great!  I think its another one of my great buys.  It adds a large amount more IR light than what would normally be provided by the camera itself.  Its very noticeable in the camera side viewer and in the recorded video.  Video cameras need a lot of light to create "low noise, less grainy" videos.  The HVLIRM allows the camera to create clearer, sharper images from the extra amount of light.  A definite buy if you want more IR for night shots or shooting in low light situations.  An added plus is that it can operate on 2-AA batteries.The recording distance (conservatively) for using this IR light and the HDR-CX7 is around 5 to 10 feet for very clear video.  At around 15 feet it tapers off to be about the same illumination as it would be with the camera alone at around 5 feet.
This IR light is not powerful enough and needs a lot of batteries. I tried it in an effort to supplement the IR light on my Bell+Howell IR video camera.
I got these lights when I started working in the paranormal field. I purchased 2 of them for either side of my HD-Sony Handicam. So my confuguraion is like this L___C___L this get rid of the Flash light effect that other reviewers have spoken about because I focus the lights further apart to cover the entire frame. It also increased my distance of view from 15 feet with the camera's light to about 100 with just one lamp and to about 150-175 feet with my camera and increased my 3rd Gen NV goggles and scope to about 300 ft. The mount on the lights to the top of the camera (flash/spot holder) doesn't fit so I have to have the lights hang from the tripod screw. Not a problem however because the tripods will screw into the light bars without issue.The dimability of these lights is also a very nice feature since if you don't need all the light you can turn it down.I don't use the Sony Lithium battery I just use the AA batteries and have continuous usage times of between 8 and 18+ hours depending on the quality of the batteries I'm using.The only thing I could wish was better on these lights was the feel of the construction. I think they feel a little cheap but hey they work so be kind and they will survive.
I was not happy with this product at all.  It has a range of about 12 inches and you'd better be right on top of what your filming if you want to see anything in a dark setting.  I would not buy another one, nor would I advise anyone else to buy it.  It's just not worth the money.
Ordered this light for myself for Christmas. I have a Sony DCR-HC30 camcorder, and the built-in IR light source (one LED) is woefully inadequate for anything that's more than about 3 feet away.The HVL-IRM light mounts on the (non-hot) shoe on top of my camcorder just fine, and the screw-clamp on the light locks it in place. It also comes with a black aluminium mounting bracket to allow the light to be attached to a camera that has no accessory shoe.I tried the light with both NiMH and Alkaline batteries (I don't have the Sony battery pack) and it appears to work equally well with either type. The unit appears to have a step-up converter inside, to run the 8 LEDs from such a low voltage. There is a rotary brightness control on the front, which is quite effective. The locking on/off switch is also cool. Build quality is nice, like you'd expect from Sony. The light is quite small and lightweight.The claim is that it works up to 100 feet. I found that the light has quite a narrow beam pattern, which is about the same width as having the zoom on my camcorder at 50%. Shooting at less than this focal length and you see a distinct, lighted square in the centre of the picture. The 100' maximum is wishful thinking, unless you're happy with a faintly lighted, grainy picture. I could barely make out the features on the house behind mine, ~60' away.I haven't tested the light extensively yet, but initial tests in the back yard indicate that it would be best for shooting specific objects or subjects about 10-30 feet away, rather than a wide-angle scene that's happening directly in front of the camera; which is what I was hoping for. (I almost always use my camera with a x0.6 wide angle adapter fitted.)I will try to update this review when I've used the light some more...
I purchased this IR light to use my camcorder in darkness.  It works pretty well.  It emits a "spot" type light - similar to a flashlight - and will illuminate objects 20 - 25 feet away using my JVC GZ-MS100 in night mode or with the shutter set to 1/15 sec or slower.  Much farther than 25 feet and the illumination falls off sharply.  I like the two battery system of the Sony - it uses 2 AA batteries which install internally, and uses an optional external Sony battery pack that clips to ther rear of the unit.  I filmed using the Sony IR light for 8 hours continuously and used only 20% of the optional external Sony battery power.In comparrison, I also purchased a SIMA SL 20IR, and an SL 10IR.  The 10IR was useless - it had 9 LEDs arranged in a 3X3 matrix, but only the center LED illuminated.  Maybe the unit was deffective; I returned it.  In contrast, the 20IR worked well.  It has 12 LEDs in a 6X6 matrix, and they all illuminated.  It produces a "flood" type pattern of light that also illuminates out to about 20 - 25 feet.  In one case, I used both the Sony (as an IR spotlight) and the SIMA (as an IR floodlight) simultaneously and got great results - sort of like having your car's high and low beams on at the same time.The Sony HVLIRM IR light is a good external light source that gives you a spotlight type IR light source.  It is well built and has two battery power options - both of which can be used using the switch on the unit - slide to the "A" position to use the AA batteries, and slide to the "B" position to use the optional external Sony battery pack (that you can purchase separately).  The external battery and its optional charger are not cheap, but the battery pack fits other Sony camcorders, and it provides many hours hours of run time (estimated 36+ hours) for the IR unit before it needs a charge.
I purchased this light to use with my Sony DCR-HC28 MiniDV camcorder. It is attached using the provided accessory shoe bar. It can also be attached to an accessory shoe on any camera because it's universal and not the Sony proprietary hot shoe design. It's mounted or un-mounted quickly.The light will run on either a Sony Li-Ion battery or AA batteries making this truly versatile. A Li-Ion battery is not included but can be purchased separately at Amazon.com or eBay. What's great about this is you can load 2 AA batteries and the Li-Ion batteries at the same time. Then, when either dies you just flip a switch and begin using the other power source. This is important when your in a place with allot of activity and don't want to loose a minute of usable video.The illumination is fine for indoor use. It can be adjusted from low to high depending on how reflective the surfaces are at the place being investigated. The light is projected in more of a flashlight style beam. This is different from the SIMA light which projects in a floodlight style.Overall, this is a great IR light and a critical addition to my equipment lineup.
I originally ordered this light from amazon.com 3rd party seller but received cleaning fluid instead so had to purchase elsewhere. However, the light itself works very well up to 5ft and lights up to 10ft. It has a clever wide/narrow dial and conveniently uses AA batteries.
I use this with my Sony HDR XR-520 when I go "ghost hunting". Nice IR light with an adjuster dial to control the amount of light you want to use. I use rechargeable AA batteries with this light. Nice purchase!
It doesn't go very far but it has a good spread out pattern. It has 2 brightness levels but I always use the brightest. I like that it can work off AA batteries or a battery pack. It works for what I need it for.
I bought this light for my sony hdr xr500 to be short it work great it has around 25ft range it has an option for two AA batteries which the sima unfortunately doesnt it has a intensity control...the problem with this light is the light itself the light isnt wide enough it is like the cheap flash lights which makes those ring sort of things its not a consistent illumination so the video quality suffers a bit....otherwise the features are really good i wish sony will upgrade this IR with a wider and a more bright IR light with the same features...
The Sony HVLIRM Battery IR is superior to The Sima SL-20 & 10IR mostly  because of the battery life/recharge time.  The Sima (both 10&20) have a constant usage time of 40-45 min.each, and that's pushing it.  They also require over 2 hours to recharge!!!  The Sony has the GREAT advantage of having a unique power set-up.  You can use any of the long-life Sony InfoLithium M series recharable batteries (the NP-FM50 delivers over FIVE HOURS, the NP-QM71 cranks out over 10 hours of uninterupted IR Light).  Plus, you can use 2AA alkaline as backup, facilitated by switch on the side.  When the pack dies, you simply flip the switch to engage the Alkaline (which last up to an hour).  Or you can use just Alkaline if you don't want to buy the pack.Althouhg the Sony light sheds more of a "flashlight"-type dispersal, as compared to the Sima which acts more like a floodlight, the dimmer wheel on the lower left side can be used for a more "flood-type" type affect.  The only disqppointment was that there is no way to recharge the Battery Pack on the IR Light itself.  You have to buy a (fairly inexpensive) charger.Overall, In my line of work as a full-time Paranormal Investigator, I am definately going for this IR Light with Battery Pack, etc . . . .  I do own two Sima IRs, two 10s & two 20s.  These I will retain for emergency backup!!!!!
Purchased this for paranormal investigations.  Unit works as described.  I got about 4 hours out of 2 AA Alkaline batteries in it.  It maybe more ackward with a heavy battery pack on it and I haven't even tried one yet.
The Sony HVLIRM Battery IR Light is a great tool to use for a camcorder with a poor night vision. What this tool does, is attaches to a camcorders accessory shoe, or attaches using the supplied accessory shoe if your camcorder does not have one, and extends night vision up to a claimed 100 feet. Indoors, the light can reach 100 feet, but the farther away the object is it will become less defined. Outdoors at night it's a different story.The way that night vision works, is that the lights are made of infrared light. The light extends in front of the camera, bounces off of objects, returns to the sensor, and the camcorder creates the picture on the screen in grayscale. When you are indoors, there are plenty of objects for the sensors to bounce the light off of, so it can reach 100 feet easily. When your outside, often times the light extends into the area in front of you, only able to hit trees, or anything else within the 100 feet. This is something to keep in mind.This IR light has two ways of being powered. The first is to use 2 AA batteries. The second is to buy a rechargeable Sony info lithium M series battery. This type of battery can easily be found online. The two available models are the NP-QM71D or NP-QM91D battery pack. However, many stores specializing in batteries have cheaper versions of the same batteries that last just as long, if not longer. On the side of the light, there is a switch with 3 commands. An off switch, and a switch to change between using the AA batteries power, and a switch to use power from a battery pack.A good practice to use if you have a battery pack is to put both AA batteries, and the battery pack in. This way, if the pack runs out of power, you can simply change the switch to the battery setting, and continue filming. Another great feature is you can adjust how far the IR light reaches. Not only does this prevent extremely close objects become washed out by the brightness, but it also saves the battery life. Overall I give the Sony HVLIRM Battery IR Light 5 out of 5 stars. One tip I will give if you decide to buy this. Buy it on either Amazon or EBay. If you buy it from [...], you may be paying more than twice what you may pay elsewhere.
This is an amazing IR light. It is so good, that it can light up a room for 2 video cameras to operate. My brother used it with another person's camera set up next to his & both cameras were able to video record in nearly total darkness. If you use the AA batteries to power it, they will drain fairly quickly, but his worked for at least 3 hours of continuous operation. Invest in the better battery (we'll be doing that) or in rechargeable ones. Otherwise, this is the perfect battery to use with a Sony nightshot video camcorder.
Everything one would expect from top-end Nikon glass, the 12-24 is excellent at f4 and stunning at f8. I seriously considered the Tokina 11-16 as an alternative, but ended up opting for the 12-24 because of its wider focal length range.After revamping my mid-range lens lineup in favor of primes, my working bag now includes the 12-24, the 35 f2, the 50 1.4 and the 85 1.8, with the 70-200 2.8 VR zoom covering the long end. On a 1.5 crop DSLR that equates to a focal length range of 18-36, 52, 75, 127 and 105-300, with no compromises anywhere in image quality and spectacular low-light ability. Bought new, the 35-50-85 combination comes in at just under $1000, compared to $1500 for Nikon's excellent 24-70 2.8 zoom.The Tokina 11-16 was attractive because of its 2.8 aperture, but with the 12-24 sharp hand-held at 1/15 to 1/25, the f4 maximum aperture is less of a drawback than I had anticipated.
Main purpose for this lens was for shooting real estate and it most certainly works for that purpose.  I was able to rent this type of lens before purchasing, so I knew what I was getting when purchasing.  For the price, buying this lens used was a good deal in my opinion.
i wanted this for quite awhile.  saved my pennies and as luck would have it, my cousin decided to get rid of all his dslr stuff to buy that new fancy dancy fuji camera.  i snatched this one up quick and got a pretty good deal on it as well.ive always liked the 'wide angle' shots. i like to get in close and fill up the frame with whatever im shooting.  i was using an 18-105 (kit) lens on my D90 and that worked well, but this lens takes it to another level.  its nearly the same size as the kit lens so it still fits in the bag i use.  it focuses quick and ive got no complaints at all about it.i did alot of research about this lens and the comparable lenses (sigma, tamron etc.).  i had decided that the nikon one was what i was going to buy regardless of price.  its a damn good lens but being a nikon i wouldnt expect any less.if your in the market for a wide angle zoom this one wont disappoint.  buy it and get all up in the shot.later.
Mannnnnnnnn, you should see all the returns on this lens. Don't get my wrong. This is a good len but the 10-24mm is far better investment.
The lens is sharp enough, but for this price it should have been f/2.8. I use it frequently and have had no problems with it.
This lens was highly rated by all the reviews I read. The focal range is great for interior shots as well as landscape photography. This lens is a must take for any travel or vacation trips; one lense does the job of two or more primes. Cost more than it's competition, well built, great performer, if you can afford it, it is worth the money.
Other reviewers have said it all, so I'll just trow in my two cents.This is an awe-inspiring lens, hands down. You will not be sorry that you spent the money. Also, for anyone considering a non-Nikon equivalent: the reason people buy Nikon cameras is so they can use lenses like this. Don't skimp and you wont be sorry.
I just took my new lens on a trip to San Francisco.  I was very happy with the results.  To judge the photos yourself, search for me on Flickr (Amazon doesn't allow URLs in reviews... :-p).
I bought this lens used from Calumet. It is amazing. Go to other reviews for the details I need not repeat; but this is without question worth every penny. This and the macro will keep me happy for a long time in my outdoor and garden photography business. For example:[...]
I use this lens all the time!!! Love it. Works well with taking pictures of my work. I'm a re-modeler and do lots of bathrooms and kitchens. So in bathrooms mostly, the wide angle is a HUGE plus! Sharp and fast enough for what I use it for. Is also lots of fun in taking all sorts of other pictures including landscapes.
The 12-24 focal range is ideal for the kind of photography I like to do, and I've had the Tokina 12-24 for over two years and was very pleased with it, but I love Nikkor optics.  So when the opportunity came to trade in some old lenses for a new copy of the Nikkor 12-24mm f/4, I took it.  I'm glad I did.  I've been running this glass through some long, intense photo shoots and - what can I say? - it has met my high expectations.  It focuses quickly and flawlessly, the zoom ring is smooth, and the overall feel is solid.  It also balances well on my D300.  It is slightly smaller and lighter than the Tokina, which helps.  I love it.  Get it.
I think the pricing on this lens is just obscene.  Nikon has a good reason to charge us this much: given the 1.5x crop factor on digital SLRs which effectively has a 1.5x zoom effect on lens focal length, if you need a true wideangle lens, you just have to buy something like this.  This lens' 12-24mm is equivalent to a 35mm film camera's 18-36mm focal length, which covers the usual wideangle range.The lens has all the bells & whistles of a modern Nikon official lens, save for VR (vibration reduction), which isn't necessary on a wideangle anyway.  You get internal focusing via a silent ultrasonic motor, extra-low dispersion (ED), and solid construction and excellent optics.But, for the high price you pay for this, you don't get a macro mode.  Nor do you get a fast lens: the maximum aperture is only f4.  I thought they should do at least f2.8.Also, because this lens is designed for the smaller-than-35mm frame size of a d-SLR, whatever goes through the lens ends up in the image frame (i.e., the sensor).  Whereas with regular non-DX lenses you get the extra benefit of keeping *only* the center 67% of the scene as seen by the lens and hence getting a sharp picture from corner to corner, the DX lens does not have maximum sharpness at the edges and you may see chromatic abberations as well.In short, if you want wideangle on a d-SLR that's subject to the 1.5x crop factor, you don't have a choice.  Cough up and get this lens.  For those of us who didn't get rich by trading Google shares, we can only dream ... and play with this in a camera store.  Life's just unfair.  (I'm waiting for Tamron or Sigma to come out with a cheaper version of this super-wideangle.)
Very good wide angle lens for landscape and interior shots. A little fuzzy around the edges, but no vignetting. About what you should expect for a lens in this price range. Very sturdy workmanship and feels like it'll last a long time if you take care of it.
It was really difficult to decide if It was really worth the 1 grand tag price for this lens, since there are viable options at half the price.Well, I couraged up, and made the order.. my only comment is WOW WOW WOW!!!!!This is an incredible lens!! I own a 18-200VR, a 35mm f.2, and a 18-70 ( All are DX) on a D70 (a D300 on the way, ordered in adorama since amazon isn't accepting more orders at the moment) , and this 12-24, quality wise, just blows out any of my previous lenses!! Color accuracy, saturation, clarity, sharpness and build construction are in the WOW category!!! real masterpieceI've had the 12-24 for a month now, and it remais glued to my camera!!! The 18-200 has been sitting on a lowepro bag waiting for action, but, quite simply, the 12-24 is such such a piece, that it won't be coming off the D70 for quite a while..I have not had the chance to try the Tokina, sigma and tamron equivalents, so I can't make a sustained comparison, however, I can tell you this: If you got the money and have ample use for an ultra wide, then go for the Nikon with eyes wide shut!! If not, then I'd go for the Tokina (Check out Ken Rockwell's comparison on this lenses, very helpfull)Is it worth it???? ABSOLUTELLY!!!
This is an excellent lens. Well-built and sharp. HOWEVER, so is the Tokina version at half the price. I tested both and couldn't tell the difference in the images. Used the other $500 for something else.
My actual star rating for this is 3 stars, but Amazon only allows full-star increments.I take a lot of landscape shots, and so naturally the wide-angle is my favourite lens.  Like most of us who switched to a DX format camera, I was a bit stunned when faced with the prospect of shelling out close to a thousand dollars for a Nikon lens that would be anywhere near as wide as my old 20mm wide angle on a 35mm film camera. So, I bought a used 12-24 Nikkor a few years ago for about $700 on e-bay, and have given it quite a bit of use since on my D90.I can only speak for the particular lens I bought, so here goes: At 24mm--the long focal length of the zoom--this lens is amazingly sharp. And the closer you get to the short, wide end of the scale, the less and less amazing it becomes. By the time you get to 12mm, it's, well. . . acceptable.And as others here have mentioned, at F4, it's not exactly fast. It's, again, acceptable.And it flares very easily. I don't have a shade for mine, and I really have to try to find one and pick it up.Other than that, it's always functioned perfectly and seems well made. I hump mine around in a backpack and this lens is on the heavy side. There's a lot of glass in that little barrel.So, in conclusion: Overpriced, astonishingly sharp at the long end, just okay at the short. Flare is something of a problem. What else are you going to buy, though?
Required review.It is a good product. if it was not a good product I would not have chosen it. It delivers the needed service or value I expected it to.
I recently got this super-wide zoom and contrary to some critics, it is quite sharp. There is essentially no distortion from 14mm up. Compared to the best I could do with the Nikon 18-70, there is no comparison, there is no distortion at 18mm and it is should I say it again, "super sharp". This lens is so wide, that you have to pay careful attention to what it includes in the image. It "sees" so much more than the human eye that you have to pan back and forth before framing in the viewfinder. It seems to bend light in the way that it transforms the relationship of objects that appear to be close together as they are simultaneously pulled closer but your vantage point is as if you had taken several steps back. I will need to spend some time getting used to the perspective.It is hard to compose an image wider than 14mm that does not include something that I would crop out later (I have shot the same scene at 12 and 14 and usually prefer the 14), so I am not sure that I am missing anything compared to the wider Sigma.
I bought this lens after much research and procrastination, it was expensive. I used it with my D80 and took several shots at with it over a weekend. The exposures were perfectly exposed,contrasty and saturated but simply NOT SHARP. Maybe it was the particular copy of the lens I got. I was disappointed and returned it. If you think you want this lens, carefully examine the return policy of the company you purchase it from, if it's not from Amazon. Some of the Amazon retail sellers have a restocking fee of 15%. At approximately $900, the restocking fee will cost you a hefty $135 plus shipping if you change your mind.
As is always the case with Nikon lenses, with this lens, you get what you pay for. It is a masterwork of high end Nikon tech. Silent wave motor for superfast, supersilent autofocus. Lightweight, but strong construction. Super clean, bright glass. This lens is brilliant. Its expensive. It beats the crap out of the budget versions from Tokina and Sigma. Buy it. I bought it 6 months ago, and have no regrets.
Everything it was advertised to be.  An excellent second lens to the Nikon 18 -200mm VR lens when you want to get "The Big Picture".
Solid performer on the D300s.  Excellent image quality: clarity & sharpeness (FYI I am a pixel peeper!!).  Slight barrel distortion at 12 mm which I believe is normal for ultra wides and easily correctible in post processing.  The SWM motor makes for fast and silent focusing. Overall, I am very pleased with the performance. Pricey though...which is the reason for 4 stars vs. 5.  Fantastic service by Amazon!!
Until I finally ponied up the $1k for this lens, the widest glass I had was my Nikkor 20mm f/2.8. With the 1.5 focal length multiplier that is a fact of life with Nikon SLRs, that's the equivalent of a 35mm lens.I'm old enough to remember when 35mm was considered adequate for a wide angle lens, but no more.The multiplier takes this lens up to 18mm, which is pretty good. Stick it on my F5 and I can practically see behind myself.I shoot a lot of editorial stuff for newspapers and this is an excellent up-close storytelling lens. It's sharp and delivers spectacular scenic results when matched with a polarizing filter.In actual use, my only complaint is that f/4 isn't as fast as I'd like. A minor annoyance and certainly not a deal-breaker.I'm glad I bought it. It's paid for itself many times over.
In this era when DSLR's become obsolete the day you unpack them from the box it almost seems as if manufacturers have caught on to the idea that perhaps they can generate the same excitement (translate: sales) over lenses as well.  It's as if they hope to convince us that the days of shooting for decades with the SLRs and lenses we bought sometime in the 80's are over.  Hopefully, if you are reading this review, you have not yet totally bought into this and realize that lenses do not make images - photographers do.Having said that however, there is no question that if your particular way of "seeing" photographically tends to a wider angle of view the arrival of the digital DX sensor was a serious problem.  All of a sudden your cherished full frame "extreme" wides from your film days became rather uninspired digitally due to the crop factor of the DX sensor. Consequently, you HAD to consider adding new lenses to your stable if you wanted to continue to make the same type of images you did on film.Before the arrival of Nikon's 10-24 mm Dx Zoom and the advent of third party offerings from Tamron and Tokina starting at 10 or 11mm, this was THE wide angle Zoom for digital photographers using Nikon DSLR's.  Anticipating it's use by pros as well as serious amateurs, Nikon built the lens to a mechanical standard not currently reflected in it's widest offering and designed it as a constant aperture zoom. Unfortunately for those of us who do not make a living with our cameras, it also had a "professional" price tag as well which put it beyond practical consideration for many of us.  While admittedly not as robust as such full frame professional lenses as the 80-200mm f2.8 series, the 12-24mm is still clearly beyond the plastic kit lenses and current 10-24mm DX in build quality.  This translates as a certain degree of "survivability" which is an important consideration because "used" is how this lens comes within reach of the rest of us financially.Optically, as other reviewers have already remarked, this lens gives outstanding images.  Light fall off (dark corners) is reasonably well controlled at maximum apertures and negligable at all focal lengths one stop down.  Like many zooms in this range, there is distortion at the wide end which you can see if you look for it (translation: if you like taking pictures of brick walls) but for anybody but the architectural photographer (who probably shouldn't be using this format anyway) it will not be an issue in actual use.  The lack of image stabilization (Nikon's VR) is also not an issue since wide angles are easier to hand hold than teles and the images are less sensitive to camera shake (unless you are one of those who like to look at them on the monitor at 300% magnification).Nowadays regularly seen for sale at half it's original MSRP, for Nikon photographers looking to fill in the wide end of their image making options this lens is still very much a viable contender and great performer.
I was hesitating between the sigma 10-24mm and this lens. There is a big difference in price but after reading all the Amazon reviews and some more I decided to go for the Nikon. I own a Nikon D200 and have the 18-200mm VR lens, the 80-400mm Nikon VR lens and the Sigma 105mm macro lens. Talking about optics I can not complain about the sigma macro lens but talking about look and performans I really prefer Nikon lenses. This wideangle zoom lens I consider was the lens I was missing to have a complete set of shooting options. It feels good, looks good and most important of all it performs outstanding.
I bought this lens for my D70 in 2004.  At the time this was the only wide-angle lens for Nikon's DSLR, so I could not evaluate it against the offerings from Tokina, Sigma, or Tamron.  However, just because it is more expensive than other brands does not mean it is undeserving of a high rating.  The photographic quality is excellent and the build quality is good (even though it's all plastic save the mount).  While some feel that F/4 is a bit slow, it's really not an issue with DSLRs at all with high ISO availabilities.  Amazingly, this has become my "everyday" lens.  You just can't fake wide angle views.Given that there are other choices of lens in this focal length now, you should definitely compare before deciding.  However if focus override (a feature of "AF-s") is critical to you, this is your lens.
My favorite lens. This lens received great reviews from [...] and I certainly agree. Well worth the money.
This is a good zoom to round out the wide angle end for a DX camera. It has some distortion at the widest focal lengths, but that is not unexpected. It is magnificently sharp. I've used it extensively in documentary photography where detail mattered; it works very well. If you're looking for a wide zoom, this is worth the money.
Maybe I landed on a dud but mine had trouble focusing on one side, so I took to Nikon and they repaired it and told me they added a ring inside (!!!). It still isn't that sharp especially on the sides. This is rather disappointing given the money I spend on it.It feels quite lightweight and plasticky.On the positive side it is very low on flare.
A friend suggested I get this wide angle lens for my D40.  At first I was reluctant because of the price.  I'm glad I took his advice however.  I've taken about 600 shots on this lens so far, and every one of them is clean.  Zero blurry or fuzzy or vignetted shots.The color is excellent, and 12mm is wide enough to have some serious wide angle fun.  The lens has not gotten in the way of taking crazy shots.
I've always wanted this lens and finally broke down and bought it. It is now my favorite lens for my D300. Sharp pictures, excellent contrast and colors. Wish I had bought this sooner. Fantastic for indoor pics with an SB400 bounce flash.
Get the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 for half the price. It's rated sharper than the Nikon and built like a tank! The Nikon lens is plastic.
I've had a 12-24 on a D200 for the past 2 years and I use it as my main lens. The range is good for travel, landscapes and wide portraits. Performance isn't totally even throughout the zoom range, however, and I note one or two points.(i) Sharpness is excellent at 20-24mm wide open but gets softer in the corners towards 12mm even when stopped down to f/11. (ii) The max f/4 is  limiting in low light but keeps the lens relatively compact. (iii) Resistance to flare is extremely good; shooting into the light, into open windows and almost into the sun has never been a problem. (iv) The rings are located where they should be - the focus ring nearer the camera and the hefty zoom ring further down towards the lens hood. (v) 12mm isn't all that wide, particularly for tight interiors; it should translate into 18mm on full frame but some reviews say it's more like 20mm in reality.So, very good but not spectacular due to edge softness at 12mm. Handling is superb; this is a major issue if the lens is used constantly rather than occasionally. And it's reasonably compact. All in all, my favourite lens.
I do not know about anyone else but I love this lens. I love landscape photography and this lens is one of the best tools to assist you with taking breath-taking shots that are sharp and beautiful with magnificent distance and depth. This is one of the best tools available to get real wide angle and depth if you are using an DSLR camera.I performed several days of research before purchasing this lens by surfing the net for reviews and reading articles written by professional photographers. 99% of them gave this lens a very high rating... and after using it myself I can see why. The results of my pictures are worth every hard-earned dollar I spent to buy this lens. I purchased the Nikon D-70 camera and set the intent after spending that much for a camera I deserved great lenses to produce pictures that are inspirational and joyful to view. I am not a professional photographer; I am a serious student of photography who appreciates the art form.Not everyone will have a need for this lens; however, for those of you who want to expand your tools and you want the best and can afford it, "go for it!'If you want to read some professional reviews visit Nikonlinks.com and kenrockwell.comNikonlinks.com has many professional reviews for lenses in all sizes, it is a great site. Kenrockwell.com has great reviews and much "how-to" guidance for both film and digital photography. Both sites are very, very helpful.Thanks Amazon.com for another great purchase!
Yes this lens is expensive!The good news is that  the quality makes this a good value indeed.I do have some experience with other more cost effective lenses andthe differences make this lens the better buy.This lens is sharp. Not only in the final processed or printed image butalso when focusing and composing the picture. In particular I noticed that  when capturing architectural shots at night time, I was able to  see the details of the subject clearly. Nice contrasty colors and sharp detail in the dark areas.Ok,  you might be thinking is it worth the grand in comparison to theother wide angle zooms that cost less.I can tell you that I  would not even consider the S brand 15-30mm after using it with a 20D.  I found that it  presented a somewhat diffusedimage in the viewfinder and  the size was ....was obtrusive in my opinion.The  nikkor 12-24 is built solid. The color rendition, as captured with a D200, is as close to as seen  as any equipment I have used.  Less lineal distortion than I have seen with other lenses of similiar range as well.All of this in a surpriseingly compact design.This is a DX nikkor and therefore a  conversion factor of  1.5. changes the actual zoom ratio to an 18-36mm in comparison to a 35mm camera.  Mine came with a velvet lens pouch, lense shade, front and rear caps plus a 5 year extended service warranty card.Nikon service has been first rate as far as I am concerned with a site that is easy to navigate and informative.Overall  my experience  with lens is excellent.  Like a lot of people,  I struggled with that thousand dollor plus purchase price . I mean that just doesn't sound like a purchase that  is gonna feel  good for the price.  Subsequently I looked at it up down and sideways trying to figure out a way to cover these focal lengths.  Overall my criteria were performance, quality,  price and re-sale value.Even the day I got it I can't say I felt great spending that kind of money.It's more like a general feeling of satisfaction comes over you as you use it more and appreciate the size and build quality.  Kinda like paying your registration every year, expensive but  feels good  knowing your good till next year. Besides what choice do you really have?Now,  in retrospect,  it  was a great buy because the resale value is high and the performance is what you expect from Nikon and the great amount of thought and expertise that went into it's development.Don't forget that Nikon often builds extra features into products in anticipation of equipment being developed  but not yet available for sale!  That is a quote from Ken Rockwell who has been a big help in  providing information to us all.Good luck!
...I went for this. I know, I know - Nikon gear is really expensive. But I think it's still one of the few things in life where you get what you pay for. As my uncle once told me, "Kid, if you want the best things in life, you've got to be prepared to get ripped off to get them." Truer words were never spoken.And why would I plunk down the money on a great D70 and then cheap out on the lenses? Seems a bit silly. If you want to take great photos with a Nikon, why not go all the way (if you can), I say. Would I like to pay a little less (or maybe even a lot less) for this great lens? Of course I would. But this lens is magnificent and delivers the performance I want. It feels good in my hand and greatly expands my creative options. Plus, it's very well made and I expect it will serve me well for many years to come. Perhaps not for everyone, but it's my extravagance for myself and my hobby (since I can't afford the Maserati).
I paired this lens up with the Nikon D200 with a Nikon L37c filter and pictures produced are good with balanced color and without any significant distortion. I thought that I would not be able to get used to using a G type lens but I have been able to adapt quite well. Overall, I would recommend this lens although I will miss my old, reliable Nikon 20mm f2.8 prime lens when attached to the N90s body.
This lens is the same as 20mm on a 35mm camera. It works great with my D200 camera. I shoot at sporting events where close is all I have.
Since the folks above have pretty much said it all, I'll add that if you are serious about wide-angle photography, this is your lens.  I support the assertion that this is a good replacement for the 20mm 2.0 manual lens (as I still use mine with my F3 sometimes).I'll offer that if you are averse to spending the money, the other options are there but I have been disappointed every time since my manual SLR days when I have been talked into buying another make of lens for the Nikon and will not ever do it again.  The DX lenses are specifically designed to integrate with the Nikon bodies (yes, I know that others say that they integrate as well but they simply don't).If you can't afford it right now, save up.  You won't be sorry.
For those who enjoy, or need, Ultra Wide Angle, such as for landscapes and architecture, or even for the real estate profession, there is a question that may pop up: is this lens really worth the money? And there is a quick one-word response: Yes!The 12-24mm is a DX format, not full frame. I shoot with DX, so this review is written from that perspective. The lens a very compact, yet a solidly built piece of glass. Yes it is primarily plastic with a metal mount, but it feels very good in your hands. And it performs! As many have said before me, cameras and lenses do not make a photographer, but, just as importantly, the right gear certainly assists the photographer do his/her job better.The focus on the 12-24mm is quite smooth throughout the short zoom range that it offers. And, even more important, it is tack sharp and provides excellent color contrast, even in many low-light situations. Architectural shots captured during moonlight are particularly nice. I have not experienced any hunting issues during focusing except on those rare occasions where there is virtually no contrast in the subjects in my vuiewfinder and there is very low light (which happens with virtually every lens).For wide-angle landscape images, the 12-24mm really delivers exceptional detail and clarity providing great depth. And after all, capturing shots that take your breath away (along with those others who view your work) is what it is all about.For real estate listings, this lens is an absolute winner. Being able to take in a whole room provides your prospective buyers with a much better idea of what you are offering them. In other words, it is light years ahead of a point-and-shoot or iPhone/Smartphone camera shot.At 12mm there are times of slight distortion or soft edges but not always, so some of that, particularly the distortion, may be my fault. I can live with that as I can improve my skills.As this lens uses 77mm filters I was lucky, in that my 18-300mm is also that size so I did not have to shell out more cash for those little critters.The fact that it is an f/4 fixed-aperture when one might want f/2.8 or f/3.5 might be a deal breaker for some. Not for me. I have no complaints with this feature. Yes, I toyed with the idea of the 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 but, in the end I choose this baby and have no regrets.A word of caution...you probably cannot use your camera body's built-in flash or the dreaded dark shadow will appear in your image. Make sure you attach your Speedlight (or equivalent) during those times you need extra light.For landscape, architecture, and tight interior shots, this is the lens to get. I have used it on both a D90 and D5100 with outstanding results. Highly recommenmded.
I love Nikon lens but this one is a crack in Nikons armour! This is a poorly built plastic lens!, I would only buy this lens if I were a professional and it could be used as a write off on my taxes, I have compared the pic from this lens with the Tokina 12-24 and only blown up to 100 percent can you notice a difference and it is very small! Buy the Tokina it is a well built lens with great optics!
If you want to shoot extreme wide angles on your Nikon digital SLR, you can choose this Nikkor lens, or a similar Sigma lens for 2/3rds the price.  Spend the extra money.The Sigma lens costs you a half an f-stop in speed, about double the weight, and a complete inability to use standard filters.  Plus, Sigma's optics just aren't up to Nikon standards.  All said and done, the Sigma lens isn't worth the money.Which brings us to the Nikon lens:  Is it worth a grand?Oh my yes.First, the cons.  If you haven't already standardized on 77mm filters, then you'll have to buy all-new ones to fit this lens.  That's an extra expense to keep in mind before you buy.  The hood that comes with this lens doesn't snap into place as snug as it should.  Getting the lens in and out of your bag, you may find the hood jiggling loose.  The dinky built-in flash on Nikon's popular D70 body isn't a good fit with this lens.  From about 12-18mm, the flash/lens combination will leave a dark shadow at the bottom of the frame.  If you plan on shooting indoors with a flash, plan on using the Nikon SB-600 or -800.Optically, however, this lens is a dream.  Typical wide-angle distortion at the extreme 12mm, but less than you might expect.  You might find softness around the edges at 12mm wide-open, but otherwise this is one sharp lens.  I recently took it to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (shooting on a 6.1mpix D70 body), and was shocked at the detail even on not-so-close objects.  This lens delivers.And that's the whole point:  It delivers what you can't get anywhere else for DSLR work.  For that, most any price is cheap.
I went ahead and spent the extra $500 bucks based on the Nikon reputation for a reliable quality product which could be used in the field for years to come.  After a little over 6 months of pampered use, the autofocus on this lens just stopped working altogether for no apparent reason.  Being the first Nikon product I have owned, I was not impressed.  The image quality however was quite nice and very wide at 12mm.  I never experienced any vignetting, but lots of flare when pointed anywhere near the sun.  I got the auto focus fixed under warranty and ended up trading it in for a little over $500 dollars considered in EX+ condition.  So I'm learning.  I'm done wasting my money on overpriced equipment.  Unless you are independently wealthy or get free gear from Nikon I would get a Tokina or Sigma instead.  If anything good comes out of this, it is that I used this lens in trade toward a Mamiya RB67 body and back, which looks like is going to be a lot of fun :) enjoy.
Had actually bought a Tokina 10-24, but returned it after one shoot.  Not a great lens.  Bought this at a good price, after intense research.  Could not afford this at list, but bought from a professional photographer, and the lens was well taken care of,  I hate buying used, but saved about $600.Fantastic lens that cannot be replaced by anything else in landscape situations were it is required. I am having a great time with this lens, and appreciate the quality and ease of use.
I am building a lens collection for my Nikon D90. This lens is terrific. The sharpness and detail are very fine. It is well constructed, feels good, and is a pleasure to use. A fine piece of equipment for about the kind of money I expected. Good investment.
The product info does not indicate how tall this monopod will extend and I think that's an important piece of information. It reaches an impressive 68&#34; and is very stable at that height. I require a cane and will use this on an upcoming trip to the Galapagos Islands. It's sturdy and quite supportive. Although thicker than most other walking sticks it is still lightweight. I was a little upset that the camera mount has an exposed screw on the top of the stick but I have used it as a cane and my hand does not rest on the screw so I guess that's not a problem--just would have thought they would have provided a cover for the screw.
The Vista Trailblazer Monopod is made by Tiffen. This monopod, when fully extended, is 68" long. When retracted, it is 21". Three quick-release leg locks keep the four pod sections in place and the entire monopod is very steady; there is never any play or wobbling in any section or the whole unit. It is vevy light and compact, so carrying it is much easier than taking along a tripod. Although not a well-known brand, this monopod offers excellent functionality and is a great value!
Bought this a few years ago (2010) and I thought I reviewed it once, but apparently not. I love this monopod. It's compact and lets me take better pictures with my digital cameras, especially when using the zoom, because the older I get the more I &#34;shake&#34; and take blurry pictures. I took this to Hawaii and it collapses to 21&#34;. Lightweight and has its own pouch to carry it over your shoulder with the strap. I also bought the Professional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount by Giottos so I can tilt the camera. Great items!!!
I am 6'3" and, fully extended, this monopod puts my camera viewfinder right about at eye level for me.  And at full extension this monopod is still very sturdy.  Leg adjustment mechanism is simple to use.  Rubber tip at monopod base is easily converted to a metal tip for outdoor use.  Black finish complements my Olympus DSLR.  Includes carrying case but I'm not sure that I would ever use it.  One quibble:  Fully compacted the monopod is still about 21" long.  Overall, a great monopod for the price.
Purchased 3 Monopods to compare them to pick the best one.  This one came in third place.  It and the Monopole 500 were longer when closed (21.5 in) than the Manfrotto (20in).  It was plenty tall, and the sections locked well.  One test I did was after full extension was to tap the pole on the carpeted floor sharply a few times to se if the locks slipped.  Two of them did as it came from the box, but that was easy to predict as the locks had little tension on them when closed. The fact that it had no ball attachment on it like the one I DID pick, the Manfrotto 680B, made the choice easy.  I went with the Manfrotto because even though it was 10 oz heavier, it was definitely sturdier.  The bottom section on is about 3/8 to 1/2 in in diameter.  The Manfrotto was 5/8 inch and heavier guage.  The Manfrotto supported 22 lb. versus 7 lb. for the this one.  Ask the wife her opinion between the two and after hefting them and looking them over she liked the larger hand grip on the Manfrotto and the sturdiness of it.
I got mine for $4.99 so I have no complaints about that. This is the first monopod I've ever owned but it leaves me with more to be desired. I do have a lot experience with tripods. Here are my opinions.It's lightweight and solid.It comes with a carrying caseWhen fully extended, it is taller than an average person's heightThe foot is a knob which can be turned to a spike or a rubber shoe.The leg material is some sort of metal (possibly aluminum?)The camera mount plate is metal and does not have a rubber pad. It scuffed the bottom of my camera and chipped off the paint (EOS M). -1 star for that alone.The quick-release latches are made of really cheap plastic and seems like it may loosen over time.The foam grip is there but it can slip off. It reveals 4 screws which mounts the top plate. Although the screws are hidden, the assembly of this part looks very cheap.The wrist band is attached by a very thin keyring. I have no expectation of that part to last.The rubber foot at the base has a very strong odor. It smells just like the rubber on a bathroom plunger. The smell is bad and it stays for quite a while (I hope it's not harmful).Overall, it was a great deal and it's definitely going to improve my photos. Next time I'm going to try out something fancier though.
I assumed (perhaps mistakenly, because there really isn't much description) that it's both a walking stick AND a monopod (for resting a camera on).It's NOT A WALKING STICK* Foam "handle" slides up and down the walking stick* strap at the top doesn't really work for supporting yourself: it's short and attached via a small metal clip to a small piece of plastic. Wouldn't depend on that walking on a trial.* The sections do not lock down securely.BUT, I'm not marking it down for the above, since it's not realize advertised that way (although "Trailblazer" makes it *sound* like that.As  Mononpod, one problem I had is that you can't easily snap a camera on and off it. You have to screw it on. Other tripod/monopods have a detachable piece that you screw the camera onto then snap the piece on/off quickly.So I give it 4/5 stars for missing that feature.
Tired of holding your video camera (or even a still camera) well this a a must. I have seen people at my kids school concerts using this unit and I had to have one. I found it here and I works so good I would never be without it....
Excellent Monopod for the price. I'm 6'3" and this monopod fits me incredibly well. I was a bit skeptical of a monopod at this price point but the the return policy of Amazon what did I have to loose. Well, it is a solid piece of matte black equipment that extends tall enough for me to use without stooping at all. The retractable spike with rubber foot is another plus as is the enclosed bag. Overall, easy to extend and set up, light weight, solid enough for my K-x with 55-300 attached, and did not break the bank. Very happy with this one.
This is easy to set up and lock, easy to use and was a great price.
Camera fell of it after a few uses. the screw is glued down, so it is not safe for an expensive DSLR.
There is a 1 star review which I think may be for a wrong product.  This one is durable, not wobbly at all.  The screw for the camera/corder is quite sturdy.  The retractable metal tip is great.  The clasp for each section is also very tight (they won't retract back in when you push it or have a heavy camera on it).The included case also fits snuggly.  I got it here at Amazon in the Today's Deals for a good price.I know for sure in the stores something compatible, aluminum, would cost about $30.With Amazon Prime, and no sales tax, it's a great bargain.I only wish it had somekind of base-mount for camera so I can adjust the angles for camcorders.  I have a small Sanyo Xacti camcorder.  It fits so nicely on this monopod.  Even in a crowd, I can raise this high and shoot over people's heads.It doesn't have extra features, but for what it's made to do, it is great.Thumbs up buy!
Davis and Sanford monopod is a great product if you are in a market for one. Product is lightweight and well constructed and come with a 10 year warranty on the package.The grip is made we a great foam and a wrist strap. The monopod comes with a retractable needle at bottom to help anchor it in a variety of terrain. The locking snap are tight and strong; no worry of it slipping or retracting on it's own. It also come with an awesome carrying case that simply zip everything up!!!Owning a Canon DSLR, this product is great when shooting video. If you are trying to get those great panning video shot, this monopod come in handy. Whether you're shooting a concert or trying to get a video shot of a crowd a monopod gets the job done.However if you're looking to get a stable clear shot, this may not be so helpful. I took this to the state fair to get night shot and it was horrible. Every time you click you unknowing move the camera on this balancing stick. All images came out blurry. I would recommend getting tripod if you want a stable shot.To sum up. Get this monopod if you want to shot video and need a stable stand to shot and extend. Skip it if you are looking to take landscape or night photography. I would just use a small f-stop and increase iso, rather than try to use a monopod.
The mono pod that I picked up for my digital camera works great.  It comes in hand for those slow speed shoots and the telephoto shots that need to be steadied.  It is not a replacement for a tripod but works well in the range it was designed for.
I never write product reviews but after getting this, I was too stunned not too.  Now in all honesty, the thing isn't anything magical.  It's a stick that you put your camera on.  But I was not expecting what I got for my money.  I was expecting for $17, it would be hardly better than buying some PVC at Home Depot, only the PVC would be sturdier because it's one solid piece.  I was grossly mistaken!  This thing is great.  I took a couple of pictures in low light (with slow shutter speed), both hand-held and with the monopod and it was awesome.  It is super sturdy and collapsed it doubles as a handy baton in case you find yourself in a bad situation (yes, it's that sturdy).  Expanded it is slightly less sturdy, but can easily support cameras and/or people using it as a walking stick (especially without the last section (thinnest) extended.  It is pretty light for it's sturdiness.  The case it comes with is fairly good too.The bad review on here must be referring to another item.  They could not be talking about this monopod.  Trust me, it's sturdy and you'll love it.And to anyone who says, "It's ok, but it doesn't have a ball head"... I say, "It's $17!!!!"
--When planted, the monopod is firm, even when at its greatest height (which is higher than I would need).  It is lightweight and easy to put or carry the camera upon.  I have several cameras, and anticipated that it would be easier to use the monopod with the cameras that have optical viewfinders where the viewfinders can be pressed close to my eye.  The ones with only a display screen, for which I prefer a tripod, I have to hold a bit away from my face to see the screens, and this introduces a little shake on my part.
I wasn't sure about this, but decided to buy it anyway.  Couldn't be happier.  Obviously, you can't use this to set up your camera and walk away, or take long time exposure shots.  However, this is a well made product and fairly sturdy and *will* allow you to use a much slower shutter speed than you could achieve without blurring a handheld shot, especially with a telephoto or zoom lens.  Plus, you can get away with a fraction of the bulk of a tripod and you can use it places where a tripod just isn't practical.
I've used this as both a walking stick and as a camera monopod.  As a walking stick, it is ok, as long as you don't load it too heavily.  The telescoping locks are not strong enough for me to put my full 200+ pounds of weight on, as they will start collapsing with too much weight.  But it is useful as a stabilizer when hiking the trails, and with my bad knees, I find it useful in spite of that shortcoming.  Otherwise, it seems well-made and in all other aspects is sturdier than I expected at this price.As a monopod, it works great.  The bottom has a pointed metal tip, with a retractable "rubber bumper" surround that telescopes out past the metal tip when you screw out its threaded attachment.  For outdoor use, I screw the rubber bumper in, exposing the metal tip.  For indoor use, I screw the rubber bumper out, and it protects floor surfaces while providing a stable grip on the floor.It is tall enough for most situations, although, with a fully-extended length of 5' 7", it's a bit short for use in a standing crowd.  Collapses to 22", and comes with a carrying case.
Very nice monopod! Doubt you can beat it for the price! The height is pretty impressive too! It's light and sturdy. Would buy it all over again!
This is the perfect budget monopod. It has an acceptable height, good feel and weight and is fairly sturdy for my needs.
I confess that I was a tad wary of a $20 monopod, but I've been pleasantly pleased with this item.It's nice and simple visually: matte black, with a nice looking black foam handle.It extends very well (I'm 6'4" and in it's full extension it's above my eye level). There are three knobs to unlock/lock. The fit and finish is not at all "high end" - it feels a little cheap - but it does not feel as if it's going to break any minute. I'm sure that if one is rough with this item, it may bend or become damaged. But if you're mellow/normal and treat it with care, it feels as if it will be fine.The foot spike is handy - there's a threaded ring which enables one to retract the pointed spike for interior use. Nice and simple - it does the job.Attaching a camera (I'm using digital SLRs) is quick and easy, and the relatively heavy cameras with long lenses (Nikon D50 & Nikon D80) feel well locked and secure.This monopod is very light weight, which is a plus for portability, although a heavier monopod will reduce shake and vibration more effectively, and add durability as well.For $20, this monopod is a no-brainer; you can't go wrong - you get more than what you pay for. Yes, the craftsmanhip is just "descent" and nothing special, but it's certainly not junk either.It comes with a very handy black zippered bag - which I did not expect and is a very helpful. Thumbs up.
I had read the reviews on this product and was expecting to receive a nice product.  Well, it also surprised me how good of a product this monopod turned out to be.  It feels very durable.  I would also like to mention that the item arrived sooner than I ever imagined. You won't be dissapointed with this purchase.
I use this monopod with a higher-end superzoom point & shoot camera. The monopod helps to steady the camera for longer exposures and/or longer zoom. The monopod has 3 fully-adjustable expansion sections made of sturdy metal, and there's a wrist strap attached at the top near the foam grip. At the bottom, there's a sharp metal point that may be used outdoors  to help secure the monopod. An attached protective plastic shield screws down to surround the metal point when not in use. The product comes with a nice fabric bag just large enough for the monopod. The bag includes an adjustable but short carry strap.When I'm out taking photos, I'll screw the camera directly to the top of the monopod, leaving the case behind. The foam handle makes an excellent grip when carrying the camera attached to the monopod. You can add a tilt/pan head to this monopod, as with most...but it would not fit within the provided case.The monopod also makes for a passable walking stick but obviously must be gripped from the side...and (while very sturdy) I certainly wouldn't use it as a supportive device with my camera atop.All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase. It does its job at a very reasonable price.
I don't know what you could get for less except maybe a stick. For the money this monopod is remarkable!Thing is less than $20!Retractable to a size that can be attached to a backback or slung over the shoulder.So lightweight you hardly notice it.Retractable spike in the foot.Camera mounting screw with wide grip to easily attach to your camera.Soft foam handle with wrist strap.A comes with a bag!All for less then $20!This thing is sturdy. The only thing wobbly about it would be the user - it is a monopod.I can not believe the quality of this thing for under $20.
I was connecting up a ball head camera mount and thank goodness not my camera. the part were the tripod screws onto the camera base just turned around and around. I had to take the head off to find out that there was no adjustment on the bottom of the tripod screw, like there was nothing to hold to tighten or loosen. so after wrestling with it for a while I finally got it to let the ball head go and I got it off. I don't know what I did but you better check it before you put an expensive camera because if not you will go thru life with this monopod stuck to your camera. the unit is sturdy enough I just do not like the head design. I will fix it some way. hate to spend good money and end up fixing a new product. Beware!!
The first thing i said after i tried this out in the field was, "why didn't i buy a monopod 10 years ago!". I chose this monopod for my dslr video experimenting. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a monopod and not use it. So i chose the cheap route. For the money this monopod is really nice. Its light, it comes with a carrying case.  The build quality isn't bad. The leg locks are plastic which isn't great but as long as your now beating it up it should last for a while. The only other thing i realized was that you need a quick release mount to make it a little more efficient to use. All in all a great buy for such little money! What would we do without cheap chinese stuff!!
I bought this for two reasons.1.  as a walking stick2.  as a monopodSometimes you need a walking stick while hiking on uneven paths.  The handle on this unit does not have a covered top that some multi-use monopods have.  We saw some at REI but they were very expensive.  Have not seen multi-use monopods at camera stores so this fits the bill.Sometimes you need a monopod long enough to lift a video recorder over the heads of people in front of you.  This fits the bill.
Too bad one reviewer got such a bad product. Mine arrived in good conditon. It was more sturdy than I expected for the price. The hand grip around the top is made of foam which is nice, and the bottom has a plastic piece you can screw down to protect hardwood floors from the pointed tip. It also gives a little more stability on other surfaces. You can carry it using the hand strap or the carrying case. Highly recommended if you want a good product without paying too much.
Much like the prior comment, I ordered this battery and did NOT get a 1300mah battery... I was sent a 1200mah battery.  When I complained, I was told that there was a comment somewhere on this page that informed us that it was a 1200 battery.  Do you see anything?Delivery was snappy, email were good at keeping me informed on the order... but don't buy unless you want a 1200mah battery.
This is okay for regular pictures, but as soon as the flash is involved, the charge goes down so fast you can only take 2 or 3 pictures with the flash before you're out. Also, it doesn't hold charge well when it's not being used.I'm using this with an Olympus C-765UZ.I would not recommend this battery. Go with the OEM Olympus/Sanyo battery instead.
Used in Lumix digital camera. These worked OK for a while and provided almost as many pictures as the Panasonic battery that came with the camera. Longevity is far inferior to the name brand battery, however. After about a year of use,they wouldn't keep much of a charge and I needed to replace them. I'm still using the Panasonic battery.
I bought this as a backup for the original battery that came with the camera and the original one is still going strong while this battery won't hold a charge any longer.  I wouldn't buy this brand again.
Like all products from this company, this is a poor quality knockoff of a fine product that simply does not work. This battery would simply not hold a charge under any circumstance. I'd give it a full charge, slap it in my C-765 Oly and just an hour later... with the camera off, there'd be no charge on the brand new battery.Buy anything else, from any one else.
My husband's eyesight is not good, so the Brunton Elerna Monocular 6X30 has been a great help for him.  He can see the numbers on the buses before they get to the bus stop so he gets on the correct bus, he can check out plants from a distance that before he was unable to see.  It has worked well for him.
This monocular is the perfect size and magnification, but I broke mine the second time I took it out on my kayak.  It handled getting splashed for a little while, but when it got slightly submerged it fogged up, (meaning water got inside).  The fogging seemed confined to the eyepiece, and when I gently pried up the rubber around the eyepiece to find the source of the leak the entire eyepiece snapped off in my hand, and the lense dropped out!  It looks like it was superglued on, and obviously that's where the water got in.  I realize kayaks are a rough environment, and these weren't meant to be submerged, BUT anything advertised as water resistant should be able to handle a dunk or two in my opinion.In summation, this will work great for you.....  if you don't ever drop it or get it wet.Edited to add:  It appears Brunton will repair or replace this monocular for me!  Excellent customer service!
As soon as I took it out of the box, the eye piece separated from the rest of the device. The lens quality seems fine but it is useless if it falls apart so easily. Stay away from this product.
I've had my Eterna for over two years now and it has handled everything from working on military ranges to treading through wetlands and climbing (backpacking) through Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Mississippi, and Alabama.  I haven't taken it rafting or anything like that, so could not attest to how it would hold up in that environment.  I do know that it can handle pretty much anything a Marine or Geologist could throw at it since I've been both.What I like best about this product is that it is compact and it doesn't fog up.  I've used it to site in and safety ranges to deployment of wetland crossings and outcrop recon when gathering geologic data.
This is a handy little monocular.  They are not nightvision monoculars.  The 6x30 yields a good value for the exit pupil, five in this case, which is about what is needed to have any kind of performance at dusk. I've compared them to 8x10 models and these let more light into the eye at night making it easier to resolve the image.  The smaller magnification means the image is less bouncy as well. Its good for watching games or carrying while on the neighborhood watch.
It's ok if a regular binocular is not available or you have little space to carry a standard set. Much harder to focus on any moving object so birding is out. Nice idea though.
I have carried this scope in my pack and car for a little over a year now,in environments from Alaskan rain forests to the Adarondacks.I have a tendency to be hard on my gear and this scope has been both rugged and reliable.Its performance has been excellent especially for the price.I would say its image is about 85% as good as a pair of $1000 binoculars I also own.Its low light performance has been surprising,we were able to glass ridges In the Chugach forest at 800 to 1000 Yrds for bear and goats at dusk without any problem at all.The Externa has proven to be an excellent buy
This 6 x 30 monocular is an excellent scope for watching wildlife. Good light gathering ability in a moderate size package. Easy to use and seems to take the knocks of hiking well. I can't comment on waterproof ability, as I do all my hiking in the high desert. Pros- nice field of view, well-made, easy to use with glasses and fits your hand nicely. Cons- a big heavy, neck cord needs some softer cloth around it when hiking, only 6x power and the little plastic cap does not fit tightly on the eyepiece when rolled back for use with glasses. Overall very good optic for the price.
I have been wanting a monocular because I didn't want to spend a lot of money and I wanted something small; and although this isn't really small, it's small enough. This monocular hangs comfortably around my neck, although the band is thin and I might want a thicker one in the summer against my skin; I've been using it often. I feel I can see quite far and very clearly. I have not owned any other binocular or monocular to compare to, I have used friends' and this seems comparable and I am happy with my purchase.
This is my second pair; I gave the first to a friend.  The first pair, now a few years old, is still fine.  The focus and clarity are fine.  Durability is fine.  Light gathering ability exceeds the human eye at dusk.  Ease of use is fine, as is the field of view.  Focus is easy to achieve; if they are not focused on the subject, it is probably operator error, as far as I can tell.  The objective lens covers are attached to the frame by a flexible strap; these covers are not difficult to remove, yet they stay in place when put in place.  Those objective lens covers do not tend to get in the field of view, despite being attached.  One lens has an ocular adjustment; it locks and unlocks very nicely.  Eyepieces are permanently fitted with adjustable tops that take care of those with and without eyeglasses.  It is particularly nice to be able to focus as close as one can with these binoculars; a tall person may well be able to focus on their own feet (I would not know if this is the case).  The newer pair seems identical to the old pair in all these features.  I'd buy them again; in fact, I did.  I use them mostly for bird watching and similar pursuits; I will continue to do so.  Objective reviews (with numbers), are available on the internet.Another very good but less expensive pair of binoculars is the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42.  I had those before I got the Pentax.  Search &#34;eagle optics&#34;.
I am by no means an expert regarding binoculars, but everything claimed in the description is true. The field of vision is in focus across the entire view. They are light, easily focused, and allow me to wear my glasses when I use them. For my purposes, they are perfect.
I bought these for a trip to Costa Rico and found them to be excellent for birding as well as general use.  Since then I have used them in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.  They are not bothered by rain/humidity or fog, are easy to focus and use. I have a small face and found other high quality binoculars were too wide.  My native guide  thought they were excellent. Recommend.  Only complaint-the bag they come in is pitiful.
Most decent binocs are so big and heavy you leave them behind, even though you paid a fortune for them.  These Pentax are not small, but not so big that you'll leave them behind on routine excursions.  Nice clarity, delicate focus but you get used to it.  Worth the money.
I heard about these particular binoculars from my paddle guide in Thailand.  I could see Great Horned Bills better out of these than through my cajillion dollar camera lens.  They brighten everything up so you can easily find birds etc..  Great pair, esp. for the price.
Almost didn't buy this due to the negative reviews.  However, I 'somewhat' didn't have a choice in that my video camera can nolonger rewind.Overall, I'm happy I did buy.I've had it for about a week now and have used it extensively.  Before playing any tape (I'm ripping them all with my iMac) I fast forward to the end, then rewind to the beginning.  Although there's been some issues, overall it has delivered on what it is supposed to AND MOST IMPORTANTLY has not 'chewed' any of my tapes.However, the issues are serious and should be noted:1) The mechanism to open the front cover of the cassettes is not as precise as it could be.  I've had 2 or 3 occassions where extracting the cassette after FF & RW has shown that the bottom part of the cover is now misalligned.  Nothing that can't easily be fixed with a mini-screwdriver, but left as is could have serious consequences to the tape.  This may be part of the cause for the failures some people mention as I don't really see how it could chew a tape otherwise!2) When FF'ing, you frequently need to apply gentle pressure to the lid to keep the tape engaged.  This is a bit inconvenient, but doesn't damage anything.Overall, at its price this is a useful item which clearly preserves the mechanism of these rapidly aging cameras/players.  Without this, I wouldn't have progressed at the rate I have with 'ripping my MiniDV's' and probably would have spent 40 to 60 tims more for a replacement camera or player.Recommend it, but use it with caution to ensure your tapes are preserved, paying particular attention to the inside moving flap.
Then noticed it was the first thing that came up....Im not going to waste my time going through a long list of"why nots" when it comes to this winder.Lets just go with this, INSANELY slow!and occasionally eats tape!Those are the 2 things I want LEAST in a rewinder.If there was a zero star option, I would of taken it!
Bought this miniDV rewinder from GoShot Camera Amazon Marketplace seller for about $19.86. The packaging of this miniDV rewinder didn't look like it was the same model or as shown in the original Amazon listing, but seems to function in a similar fashion.Dear Sellers, please make sure you list your product with a comment outlining the difference(s), so Customers don't get disappointed or unpleasantly surprised. Taking one star off for the missing Product description, assuming Marketplace Seller's fault.This unit comes as a blister pack.Package contents: 1 x 'impact' brand REW-DV Rewinder, model is not shown anywhere, Made in China.1 x external Power Supply block AC-DC Adaptor, Class 2. Input: 120V ~60Hz Output: 6V, 300mA.1 x leaflet with instructions (very basic).1 x warranty card with the following Information:Sakar Warranty CardSakar WarrantyThis warranty covers the original consumer purchaser and is not transferable.This warranty covers products that fail to function properly UNDER NORMAL USAGE, due to defects in material or workmanship. Your product will be repaired or replaced at no charge for parts or labor for a period of one year.What Is Not Covered by WarrantyDamages and malfunctions not resulting from defects in material or workmanship and damages or malfunctions from other than normal use, including but not limited to, repair by unauthorized parties, tampering, modification or accident.What To Do When Service Is RequiedWhen returning your defective product (postage pre-paid) for service, your package should include:1. Copy of the original bill of sale2. A detailed written description of the problem3. Your return address and telephone number (Daytime).MAIL TO ADDRESS BELOW:In the U.S.Sakar InternationalAttention: Service Department195 Carter DriveEdison, NJ 08817In the U.K.Sakar U.K.2D Siskin Parkway EastCV3 4PE, UKYou may also visit sakar comat 1877 397 8200 in the U.S., or 0-800-917-4831 in the UKBy the looks of it, the entire units is made of plastic. The top part is lifted up manually. This frosted clear plastic top lid has the black plastic undercarriage which you'd insert your miniDV tapes into and then close the lid. On top of the unit it has one electrical switch with two positions: REW and FF, one 'START' button in the front and one smaller plastic button 'STOP' above it. On the bottom of the unit comes with an empty battery compartment for 4xAAA 1.5V.There are no model nor brand name shown anywhere on the unit, except the following tiny round sticker: QC MID#0010912 Made in China.Usage: I've was able to rewind two Panasonic MiniDV tapes and it seemed to have worked fine but then inserted 3rd tape made by Sony (DVM60[ME]Premium) and although it rewound the tape but upon removal I found tape got stock inside the lid loader. I could lift the lid but can not remove the tape from it. Weird. In order to retrieve the tape I had to remove the carriage from under the lid and find the tape had it's film cover misplaced and stuck in an unusual way.At this time its hard to tell if the problem was with the tape (never noticed this problem with this particular tape before) or with this nameless rewinder machine. Upon closer cassette examination one of the hinges of the cassette's film cover was found to have been bent. It looked like a fresh damage - plastic looked white at the location of the bend.It's probably worth observing this behavior for the similar problem and if identified an issue, return the device to where it came from.I must say the packaging has a mentioning of 1 year limited warranty on it, but due to its namelessness, that might be an empty statement.To be continued...
It just works. For those who cannot make [START] button locked, please hold the cover down a little bit while pushing the [START] button.
I got this so I wouldn't have to wear out my camera motor doing rewinds. It can do fast forward, as well. The cassette is a tight fit and sometimes the rewinder is a bit sluggish, but the price was right when I bought it and I am happy to have it. It isn't the speediest thing in the world but you get used to it. It has an AC adaptor, but also runs on batteries for portable use. If you have a mini-dv camcorder, this is a valuable accessory.
This was a really bad, cheap product, it was eating my mini dv tapes every time, even the construction of the product is really cheap.  I had to return it.
I was a bit disappointed in this item. The rewind button will not stay locked when rewinding. You have to hold it in place in order to rewind it. Cheaply made. :(
I purchased this item to rewind my miniDV TAPES from the CANON XL1S I purchased because the camera has issues trying to rewind tapes without eating themI must say though that pound for pound this item will pay for itself in less than a weeks use....Well worth the heartbreak of getting burned on a USED VIDEO CAMERA from AMAZON
This worked perfectly for about 8 rewinds.  But once it eats one of your precious tapes you'll probably be as dissapointed as I was.  Buyer beware... these rewinders are mostly the same look; but marketed by different companies.  They all eat tape.
It is cheap, and cheaply made, but it works, i can imagine if you were rough with it, then it would break like a stick, but as long as you treat it well i imagine it will do the same.For the price you dont expect anything special, and this is as good a quality as what you would get from a certain local Mart that everyone has in there town, and its half the price to boot.
Not for the professional video technician, but for home use works well enough, and better than propping your camera on a shelf.
This is a basic, but very good tripod.  It should meet the needs of most any family looking for a good product at a very affordable price.
Compact and Light Weight, with it owin carrying case and shoulder strap. You don't have to unscrew the camera from the tripod, the tripod comes with a quick release mount that can stay attached to the camera. The soft rubber feet on the tripod make it stable on smooth or sloped surfaces. It's not the most rugged tripod in the world but just right for most point and shoot users. If you are older and find your pictures are not as clear as they should be, this will make your shots considerabley better.
I bought this for the occasional family photos. I'm happy with what I got specially for the price! Its reasonably well constructed and for the point and shoot digital camera that I have, its fairly stable and sturdy. Its very light and easy to lug around. Fits nicely in an average sized backpack. I would recommend this to all occasional photographers.&lt;Update>The screw holding one of the tripod legs recently came off. I never noticed it being lose and one day when we tried to set it up, the leg simply fell apart. I guess thats to be expected for this price. I found a similar screw on a cheap Chinese umbrella (the kind you can buy for 3 bucks at any gas station) and used that to fix the leg.
First off, let me say that I'm only using this with a half pound camcorder.With that being said, this tripod is great for what it is. I bought this knowing it was a $16 dollar tripod and read/watched reviews, so I knew what to expect. I've been using it since September of 2012 and it's been great as long as I use it within its limitations. Gives me great height as well, and 2 bubble levels that work perfectly fine. It has a handle so you can pick it up on the go and use it as an impromptu stabilizer as well. It even has a hook at the bottom for weights if you wish. Good product for what it is. A $16 tripod.If you have a heavier camera/camcorder, or will be using this in rugged situations, or planning to put more weight on it than a normal 3lb. setup, then you may run into problems. You may think it's a little flimsy but for amateur stuff it works fine. Especially if you're doing interviews or just recording yourself. Just know that this is a light inexpensive tripod, and you get what you pay for.
A little weak at the swivel point, but good for the money.  Would have liked to seen a wider stance, since the trypod is so light wieght, i hang my camera bag on it for more stability
get what you paid on this one .. great for indoor but would be real careful if used outside .. a little flimsy so be careful with it .. it will come apart in your hand if handled to rough .. not for comercial use but great for amatuers
This product is good for what it costs. It is good if you are a casual photographer and need to use a tripod once in a while. If you are going to be serious about photography and then this one is not for you. Invest in a better, stronger one. I use it on a Nikon d60 with 18-55 or 55-200 lenses, If you are going to use a heavy gear, then dont buy this one.
Very easy to use and nice bag and handle. Quick release is a good feature.
I did not know that a tripod could be made as weak and flimsy as this. I can not complain too much as the price was too low to expect anything better. I should have researched this item further, but at the time I was flying through buying gifts. Anyway, the item is not strong enough to hold the Canon Rebel Xs I purchased for my daughter without using a hand for support..
I used this tripod quite a bit when I went for my vacation. Its not as robust as I want it to be but it does its job well. If you want to start with something cheap this is it.
Let me start by saying that I know nothing about tripods in general. That being said I ordered this because I needed it for a class. My initial response upon receiving it today is to tell you that I am very impressed!For 13 dollars and change it is a much better tripod then I expected. It is light and quite compact when collapsed and in its carrying case. It seems sturdy enough for anything that your average amurture photographer or videographer would need from it. I am very happy that I choose this tripod model.
I'm loving this tripod. So far, I've only used it for indoor shots of food for my blog, but my pictures are so much clearer. Of course, any tripod would accomplish that but I really like the size and the infinite number of positions I can put my camera into.
I have had this tripod for years, and in my opinion it's nearly as good as $100 tripods. The only differences in more expensive ones is weight and a ball orientation. Just buy this thing for cheap and be glad you did.
It seems to not be of highest quality.  I feel that it is going to break very easiliy.  One of hte small screws already came off somewhere
i only pay around $15 dollars. but i dont recommend this item if you want to shoot a professional home-movie. is too light that with nothing moves too much.
If you are serious about photography, this tripod will be a real waste. This may be good for video shooting, but for serious photography spend some more money and buy a good one. You will never regret this advice.
This is not a suitable tripod for anything else more than amateur digital and analog photography and video cameras. The head is not fluid or anything and when you do move it, it gets sticky in the movement.BUT: IT IS VERY LOW COST. IT is quite functional for still pictures. It has two bubble levels, and the base where you attach your camera is detachable, so you can fix you camera into it, and THEN place it in the tripod. Then you can take your camera off the tripod on a hurry if you want to photograph or film something else. That is: you do not have to screw/unscrew the camera into the tripod every time.I use it with my S2 IS canon camera, for normal and infrared still pictures. It provides !
Great Product, came with accessory hook just like it showedpro's:low cost!!!casequick detach tripod mountstable foot pegscon's:only one camera mount, making the quick detach pretty superfluous
This tripod is fine for taking outdoor photos of landscapes but not great for indoor where a level photo may be preferred.
The old saying &#34;you get what you pay for&#34; comes true with this one.  I paid a small amount of money and I got a small amount of tripod.  When I placed my camera on it, the center pole that you crank up for height is wobbly, the camera tilts to one side so you have to lower the legs on that side to accommodate it.If you place it on a stable surface and play with the legs you can get a fairly level photo but I shouldn't have to go through all that.  I just chunked it in the trash.
This tripod works great. I just got my second one. The first one has been a pleasure to use. It's a steal at this price!
I don't do a lot of photography, but occasionally I need a tripod for photographing some projects. This tripod has all the right adjustments, it's very light and easy to adjust, it's small and comes in a convenient carrying bag. And it's a bargain too! Now, if I was out all day taking pictures, throwing the tripod in the back of a van, and using heavy expensive cameras, I would opt for something a lot more robust. But this thing is by no means flimsy, it's not like I'm worried the handle will break off when I tighten it.
This is a tripod that I got for one of my strobes.  Because it is small and I can adjust the legs almost closed so that I can get it in back of a table, etc.  It works perfectly for me.  I have a number of them for my real estate photography.
This little Tri-Pod was exactly what I was looking for to use with my spotting scope.  It is light weight, reasonably well constructed for a low priced item.  Delivery was very quick, set up was a no brainer and my first use on the firing range was just what I expected.  If you are looking for an inexpensive tri-pod that isn't going to last forever but is lightweight, easily transported and set up, you will not go wrong with this item.  Mine does precisely what I needed it to do.
I bought this about two years ago and it was a great deal...or so I thought. I used it with a Canon XSi. It is very light (flimsy) but has great features for a cheap tripod. The main problem is that the metal screws on the adjustment pegs tear this thing to peices. If you slightly turn one too far it will split the plastic in half. Mine actually cracked (the first time)sometime during a move and setting it up. The next one I was responsible for. Just very cheaply made and thats what I expected for the money. If you can afford it step up to something that will last. Hope this helps!
I bought this tripod for a upcoming trip.  The price was just want I wanted to spend just in case I had to abandon the tripod along the way.  I was quite surprised that this tripod had all the same adjustments as one of my more expensive tripods, not nearly as well made but functional.  It would make a great starter tripod for the budding photog or a inexpensive back up.
The tripod is very light, which is good and bad.  Make sure you are using a consumer camera, not a professional one, because if it is too heavy, it will fall over and the nobs you use to tighten it arent that strong.  The legs are made of a light weight metal  and become small enough to fit in a little back pack.  the head doesnt glide like a professional one, but i bet most people that buy this are just looking to shoot things with friends, not make multi-million dollar movies haha.  But in general it lasted me a long time, but i just with it had a little more stability, cause again, if its a heavier camera, watch it closely and always keep a hand on it, cause it may go down.  if you can afford to spend a little more? do it, do it, do it.
This is on of those cases where you get what you pay for. First, the tripod was missing a screw that holds one of the legs on, pretty easy to fond a replacement and fix it but annoying that I have to. Secondly, it's not a horrible product considering the price, but it does make me wish I had spent more to get a nicer one. My two main complaints are that the level on the leg is far from accurate and overall its fairly flimsy. The flimsy part bothers me the most because I feel like it is not going to provide a steady shot like a tripod should.
I have been looking at tripods for about 3 months and I really did not like the fact the most are 50.00 and up for a lot of nothing.  Most dont have the hook on the bottom for a weight that I was looking at for the price.  I saw this one and figured I would give it a shot for 20 bux and I am glad I did.  After comparing mine against my buddies $56.00 tripod, I really see that it was worth the money, They are both almost identical but his is more plasticy and doest have the weight hook on it.  The hook is a great feature, once you hook one up to it the tripod feels like its part of the floor.  definately a key feature. love it all around.  My only gripe is that I wish it was a little taller..Im 6 foot and a 59-62 would be a great size for me but thats the only gripe and I really could care less..
If I were to do this over.I would probably spring the extra $$ for a better quality tripod.But this is cheap enough and serves it purpose for now.Def. not for someone doing something professionally.But serves it purpose for the few times you need a tripod.
For this price, this was well worth it.  You can pay twice as much for a better tripod, but if you need a cheap tripod - this will work.
This tripod is barely adequate for holding a small digicam,provided there is no breeze, e.g. so you can be in self-timer shots.Legs are so wobbly that, unlike most tripods,it is more stable with the center post cranked upand bottom leg sections retracted.The pan-tilt is anything but fluid, andthe quick-release is not clamped securely.A Targus or similar available at Walmart is better at this price.
This is a well built tripod. I love the carrying case, sand hook and ease of use. It was well worth the price!
Well i got this thing opened the box and broke pieces fell out on the floor the crank for raising and lowering was broken the box was not damaged so i guess the factory did it when packing it.this thing is made cheap looks cheap and so was the price atleast the shipping was free ,you get what you pay for Its not worth sending back so a little african enginuity will fix it..
TR-60N has all the features you need at the low cost.  I would highly recommend it to value buyers.
I love this product.  It took only 4 days from order placement to the time that the product arrived at my door via UPS.  I plan to use the tripod for in-home YouTube videos but it could definitely be used outside.  This is well worth the small investment.PROS:- lightweight- expands to 57 inches and folds easily to 22 inches- free carrying case with drawstring and shoulder strap- adjustable rubber feet prevent slipping on wood flooringCONS:At this time, there are none.
Convenient bag for storage and easy to use. Holds camera welland I have no complaints thus far. It works for what my intended use is
This tripod is great for the price. It feels kinda cheap but is really lite, which is nice. For the $20 that I paid for it I think it is perfect. It is easy to use and works brilliantly. You just need to be a little gentle when handling it since its construction isn't industrial grade, but I am not complaining at all.
this is my first tri-pod and i am as amateur as they come when it comes to photography and video recording, but this tripod has done the jobs i have needed. great bargain for your basic tripod.
The tripod does its job and holds my camera still but materials seem to be a little chintzy.  Slightly flimsy and makes me a little nervous using this with a brand new camera...but its does the job.Its great to start out with and the price is excellent for its quality.
I've been using this product ever since I purchased it and it's great.  I've used it mostly to video my Grandsons' football games and my granddaughter's basketball and volley ball games and I couldn't be more pleased at how easy it is to use!  I used it to take several family portraits as well as photos at family gatherings.  It's so easy to transport anywhere in the carrying case and it's so light, I expected it to be much heavier.  Overall, it's a great product at a great price.
It is not being used in the standard way. This is being used by a clown to carry magic.  It is working out well.
This thing is affordable and functional. It is a tad bit flimsy, but it gets the job done. It would work better on a flat, indoor surface than it does outside.
Great product for its price, Works well with both my Canon DSLR & Handycam. Not very sturdy built, hence handle with care.
This product does what is supposed to do but will not last forever.  For the price is perfect, though.
Good price, but get what you pay for.  A bi too plasticy and wimpy feeling for me.  Spend the extra money and get a better one.
It's a good tripod, light weight and easy to handle. However, is not very stable when I put my DSLR camera with 300mm lens on it.
This extends to a good length, and yet folds down small enough for easy carrying.  This works well with my new camera and now I can take even better photos without worrying about holding on to the camera at the same time.  This makes for much better photos of scenery, as well as taking videos.  Thank you for a good product at a reasonable price.
The "Digital Concepts TR-60N" is an inexpensive, lightweight tripod. This tripod is not professional grade and I would not trust my high end equipment on it, but it is a great value for day to day use.We have used this tripod in our shop for over a year now with fairly good results. We take product pictures using a mid-priced digital camera amd make instructional videos using several camcorders, using this tripod for the smaller cameras. Knowing the tripod's limitations has kept us happy with this purchase.Pros:* Inexpensive* Fairly Sturdy* Includes bubble level* Sets up quickly* Includes carry bagCons:* Not steady at max extensionOverall and for the very low price, recommended!
I purchased this stand to assist me in photographing crime scenes. The first one I ordered broke when I got it out of the box and was testing it. I got a refund and stupidly ordered another one . Then on the second crime scene i was photographing , I was adjusting the legs and one of them came out. No problem right? A halfway decent device would allow you to put it back in with no problem right? Wrong.  I put it back in but now it won't &#34;catch&#34; and thus collapses when any weight is put on it.Pathetic. You get what you pay for.Just avoid this piece of junk and shell out the $40-50 for a decent stand that won't break on you.
This was a gift for my daughter, she especially liked how light weight, easy to use, and the ability to weight it down.
This will break on you- just a question of when. For me it was less then 2 weeks. I used it twice.
Before I talk about how AMAZING this is (which it is), I should say that for $15 bucks (with FREE shipping), within two days, I got a box ALMOST 4 feet tall at my house. This thing was VERY well packaged, and Amazon must be losing money with the cheap prices and AMAZING shipping.Regardless, this tripod is MORE than amazing. VERY sturdy build quality, a great pouch to carry it in, and it has SO many features I like. Below are just a FEW of the awesome features...- Two Bubble Levels- Quick Release Mount- Gear Elevating Handles- A sturdy-ing and carrying handle- Accessory Hook- Adjustable Rubber FeetThis is solid, and amazing. EASY to use, very tall, sturdy, and the best tripod I have EVER dealt with. Don't listen to the garbage other people say. This is AWESOME.
I bought this tripod for myself a couple years ago and it is still going! I really like it for just some moderate casual use. I just bought one for my brother this Christmas and it is great! I have had no quality issues or concerns, I am happy with this purchase!
This is a great little tripod for travel and amateur shooting. It is sturdy and well built enough that it feels like a real bargain for less than $15. It also comes with a great little travel case that definitely comes in handy for transport. Also, another reviewer complained about it missing the weigh-down. Mine did come with the center weight-hook. If yours doesn't, perhaps you should exchange it. Mine looks exactly like the one in the picture.I am only giving it 4 stars because I am extremely fussy and would have liked a smoother action on the friction head, but for the money I definitely won't complain.
It was actually better than I expected in some ways, but the downside to me is that it is so light, which means being very steady when pushing camera buttons.  I get around this by using the self-timer on the camera.  Good value for the price though.
This is a full-featured tripod at a great price.  It is very lightweight, but seems relatively sturdy.  I've been using it only for indoor photography, so I'm not sure how it might fare in the outdoors.  The relatively narrow span of the tripod legs made me wonder about the overall stability of it, but I tested it and this does not seem to be a problem--in fact it seems to be an advantage as the legs are less likely to interfere with photographer or subject.  It comes with its own soft carrying case with shoulder strap (basic, but does the job), and also has a carrying handle permanently mounted on the tripod itself.  Levelling is easy (and this is something I'm usually not so good at).  This is probably not something for a professional photographer, but great for an amateur like me.  I am such an amateur that I would have appreciated some kind of instructions for the use of the tripod.  It came with nothing except the promotional pictures and text on the box, and it took me a while to figure out how to manage some of its features.
Inexpensive tripod, but cheaply made. The quick release button immediately snapped off, rendering the tripod useless for vertical shots. Caveat Emptor.
Inexpensive, sturdy, light weight tripod.  The quick release of the camera hold-down permits easy removal of the camera for hand held pictures, and quick restoration to tripod photography.  The leveling bubble is also useful.
I have had my DSLR for a few years now and always wanted to get a tripod so that I wouldn't have to precariously place my investment on a stack of books in order to take a steady picture.  Since I don't take photos all that often, I didn't want to spend too much on something I wasn't sure I'd need so the price point on this item was absolutely perfect.  The travel case makes it ideal for travel and it's super easy to set up.  Just pull the trigger, you won't regret it!
Great tripod for the money.Pros --Extremely light, I am going to use if for travel and it is compact and light.-Cheap price.-Gets the job done, holds up my Canon Rebel XSi perfect.Cons --Not the strongest thing in the world, but if you are a professional..you probably aren't looking at this anyways
I'm a novice photographer, and I didn't need much in the way of a tripod, so I opted to get a cheaper one. I should have dropped a little more money on it though because I am not totally happy with this one. There are a few good qualities. It seems fairly sturdy, it has leveling tools and is fairly light weight. However, I tossed out the carrying case the moment I opened the package. It was made with a flimsy material and wouldn't have lasted more than a few weeks. Also, some of the parts are almost impossible to level.For anyone thinking about getting a basic, cheap tripod, I guess you could do worse. But for anyone who depends on their camera work professionally, or even wants to have good level pictures, get something a little more expensive.
I bought this tripod to use with a chronograph used to measure bullet and other projectile speeds.  I extend only the the upper and most robust legs and use the telescoping neck to get the chrono to height.  The chrono weighs about 2 lbs and is not well balanced.  Even with this balance issue this tripod holds it great.  It may be a bit gracile if one wants to use it with a manual shutter release but with care it should work well.  At $18.80 in March 2012 this is a a pretty low cost so it probably is best suited to the casual photographer.  If you have a $5,000 camera a $20 tripod may not be your best choice.  Its carrying case, light weight and handle are a plus.Hey, give it a shot.
I bought this together with my Nikon D60. I can tell you right off the bat it is a piece of junk and a waste of money. At first I was somewhat impressed and the sturdiness of the body and its build quality seemed decent, but the head is such junk that it does not screw to my DSLR properly and the camera is left slumped and wobbly. Because of this you can not take a simple, straight photo, and feared constantly for my camera. It doesn't even let you adjust the tilt vertically up or down. This is complete junk, worth spending the $20 toward a better tripod.
This is my first camera tripod and I use it for video as well as still amateur photography.  Does what it was advertised to do well.  I like the lightweight construction and multiple leveling bubbles.  Can see the hook may come in handy to make the tripod more stable when needed.  The carrying case works well too.  To the designers, the only changes I'd make would be to add a small zippered pocket to the base of the carrying case to house a small weight and line for when needed.  Come to think of it, a weighted yo-yo with line would be nice.  Especially if it included an additional stake to anchor in soft ground or between rocks when needed.  The other change would be a motorized mount for automatic panning of 180 degrees minimum from side to side.
nice price
Great value! Unless you are a professional photographer I doubt you'll need any other tripod.
This tripod is small, light, and inexpensive.  It didn't have instructions but didn't need them; my inquisitive 6 year old (mostly) put it together while I wasn't looking.  It has a quick release; the hardest part is attaching the quick release plate to the camera.  I've gotten good results taking long-exposure photos of the night sky.  When it folds up, it is very light and compact and comes with a convenient case. But when extended, it is quite a nice useful height. If you just want a nice, small, cheap, effective tripod, this is the one to get.
I purchased this as a gift.  My son is very pleased with it.  It has more features than the one he owned previously.
Great tripod for the price. Feels a little flimsy at first but it works great, is easy to set up, and the price is right.
This was a present that I didn't even see. It was sent directly to my friend.  She loves it and thanks me everytime she sees me.  So, I would say that it's great.
I didnt pay but about $15 for it so I cant expect something its not. I do not need a tripod everyday and do not do professional photography or videos. If I did I would have gotten something more expensive and sturdier. I just use my Vado HD pocket camcorder on it and my older Fuji digital SLR for occasional videos and photos. If you have really expensive equipment and use it consistantly get something more sturdy.  For a $15 tripod, its sturdy enough for my needs. I recomend it to those who just need a tripod occasionally.
I have a camcorder with a very powerful zoom and it shakes like crazy when your just holding it. So I got this tripod. It works perfectly. Its light weight and easy to use. Ive never even used a tripod before and I had it set up in about ten seconds. And not just because I am awesome either, the tripod was just made very smartly. The legs have a snap thing you pull and they slide out easily to whatever height you want then you just push the snap back in place and the legs wont budge. It even has a bubble level on the side of it which I just thought was cool. Anyway. There you go. Review DONE.
I like this very simple tripod and I could not beat the price I got it for!
Light, portable, not costly, has built in leveling and amazing stability.  Not sure what else you could possibly want. Paying more is usually not "better", just paying more. This tripod will do it all.
If far exceeded my expectation.....well designed...pretty good quality...can't beat it for the price even if it was twice as much.
This tripod is super cheap price-wise. Which basically means you shouldn't be expecting THAT much out of it. I am pleased with how well it works, it gets the job done. The weight is super light which is good for carrying, but bad for construction stability. JUST GET IT, ITS ONLY 10 BUCKS!
This is a very inexpensive tripod.  Nonetheless, it has everything you would need at this price point and works great for stationary photos, etc.  Though I have no complaints, I'm an amateur photographer so I may not be the first one to ask about extreme details.  In short, I realize it may not be made of the best materials, but it's far more than I would expect at this price.
not so professional but very useful and versatile for begginers must handle with care to ensure life time use the price is good
tripod looks professional, handy and comes with a carrying bag. Not the durable, but it's a good tripod.
Bought this in 2006 and used it with SLRs, DSLRs, Video cameras and it's still going strong.  Great value for the money paid.
This made-in-china thing is a junk. When I first opened the box I saw 2 things: 1) The tripod bag has huge scratch looked like it's a used goods or what, 2) Few fractions dropped down of which I found out later they ware parts of a turning knob. I uploaded pictures of both damages. I know I paid not expensive for this thing but as I buy something, I do expect some quality in return. This product is a pure piece of junk!
I was excited to receive this tripod, it has some cool features and seemed like a great bargain.  When we screwed our camera to the top, we found out that the top piece, that adjusts the camera's up and down angle, couldn't handle the weight of our camera(nikon d60). The adjustment handle/screw piece would bend when we attached the camera and cause it to be out of alignment with its corresponding nut; and not fully tighten. I even tried replacing the nut, but it didn't solve the problem.  I believe this is a design flaw and not an issue with the unit we received.  This will likely work for a small digital camera, but not for a SLR or camcorder.In this case, I'd recommend paying more to get better quality.
This tripod works just great with today's small digital cameras. I used them with a large pair of 15x70 binoculars and it does struggle a bit but that is expected with 4-5 pounds of optics. If you're looking for a cheap tripod that has some great features you are not going dissapointed.
This tripod is made of very cheap materials. Feels like its going to break any minute. Plastic is super cheap. Everything moves, even when "locked" in place.
It is light and I sure would not trust it with a heavy camera or use outside on a windy day. But I use it with a very small digital camcorder to film students making presentations in class and it is perfect for that.  It is fast and easy to set up and use. The built in levels make it easy to adjust. The main advantage (also the only real disadvantage) is that it is very light weight and so easy to transport.  I save my costlier and heavier tripod for outside filming and photography and use this one for inside work.
I bought this tripod to use with my video camera, I'm going to have to be really delicate with this thing.The tripod is really for good for basic photos with a point and shoot and my video camera wich is not big.This tripod is user friendly and sturdy! and Everything is working just fine and as expected.
it's not a professional tripod, although is a good beginning for amateur photographers. its lightweight affects the accuracy of the shots, but that is not a big deal in comparison for the price and the good quality.
I am delighted with my purchase (actually I used my Amazon Rewards to pay for it). It is easy to use & makes picture taking so much easier for someone who can't hold the camera still! It was a little awkward for me to set up until I got the hang of it, but now I have no problem.
This has a ton of features and at the price it has a ton of features. the level isn't the best mainly the location affects this. the handle and hook on the bottom are nice. it is incredibly light and i can throw it on a strap on my backpack and its like its not even there. its hard to dial in some of the tilt but that is totally okay. you have to set up your shots ahead of time and if you want to be quick then splurge 90 bucks and get some fancy photography gadget to fix the problem. well worth the buy don't waste ur money on more expensive stuff unless you are already bringing in money just from photography.
This tripod is inexpensive because it is cheap. 1 latch failed after a week, 2 weeks later a leg fell out and another latch failed. It wobbles/shakes and generally just plain sucks. On a positive note, my camera has never fallen off of it and the tripod itself had never exploded or tried to assault me in any way. It's inexpensive and worked reasonably well for a week, now I keep it to remind me of my own mortality.
I wanted a tripod to shoot topshots for my business, but was a little shocked by the prices.  That is, until I saw this baby.  It was less than $20 bucks, and I thought I'd take a chance on it, since it also came with it's own case!  I was not disappointed when it arrived, and I set about trying all the gizmos.  I am spectacularly pleased!
My tripod came today. I am not happy with it. But then again, you get what you pay for.Pros:- Nice handle on main stem for easy movability- Lightweight- Pivet-ball feetCons:- On the flimsy side- Panning not smooth- I don't feel comfortable placing my camera on it!Overall a waste of my money :(
This is a solid basic tripod for under $20. That means it's not meant for big heavy camcorders, windy outdoor shoots or any other activity that would require a durable tripod. It works fine for what I need. It holds my camcorder steady, pans and tilts right and it's very lightweight. It's light plastic so be careful with putting anything heavy on it. This is an ideal tripod for people who want nothing fancy for a low price.
The handle thread is gone with in one use. I am wondering if there is any warranty on this item.
for 12 bucks this is a total steal.the tripod extends to my eye level (i'm 5'10") when fully opened, which is plenty high. its light, but probably not very durable. the tripod does have a hook at the bottom of it (my unit anyway) so you can tie something more substantial to it for more stablization, but as long as your camera isn't an ultra heavy SLR, it should be just fine. i'm using a sony DSC-H2 with it, and so far, i haven't had any problems.the head of the tripod is basically metal/pvc construction, it doesn't pan/tilt very smoothly, so this shouldn't be your camcorder tripod. for still photography tho, this is more than enough.the holder/bag that came with the tripod is very flimsy, it works, but i have a feeling that it'll break after a few more trips to the woods.
This is an ideal tripod for home & light outdoor use. It is NOT a cheap tripod, it's a very good inexpensive tripod. This product was designed beautifully with features other far more expensive tripods don't have. It appears to me that if handled gently it will serve my needs for many years. The construction is not that of a $150. unit, but neither is its price. The legs are sturdy aluminum, but the joints are plastic & deserve careful handling. This allows for its exceptionally light weight.The two less than positive points I've found are:#1 - The fact that there is only one quick release mount included with it. This won't be an issue if you only use one camera. Actually for a single camera, that is a positive feature, since you can go from handheld to tripod very quickly. When using two cameras you'll have to move the quick release from one camera to the other, in order to engage it to the tripod.#2 - The crank that elevates the camera up or down is not held in place. A simple set screw would have been good here to prevent it from sliding out.All-in-all I definitely feel this product deserves a 5 star rating.
Althought i wish i could afford a very sturdy tripod this one does just fine. I do feel like these things should be made of stronger material but then itd just be too heavy. Overall its light weight and affordable. Just dont get wreckless with it and you should be fine.
I bought this item because I needed to stand for my canon rebel camera to take my son's pictures. My first impression was wow, this has all three knobs to control three height options. Three bubble levelers for levelling the camera. Great item. Good buy for the price if you get free shipping.
This tripod has served us well on several adventures and has taken great family shots even on rough, uneven terrain.
I bought this knowing all to well that given the low price it may not last long but within a month one of the locking screws fell off and seemed to have lost thread. I used the tripod less than 5 times before it fell. Last week another part fell off. Even as a beginner tripod I would not recommend it, look elsewhere.
Its very sturdy. Not as tall as i thought it would be, but still is very nice. And heavy so it does not seem cheap-even comes with a little bag
I don't know what I was expecting, but this tripod was very weak. the legs were flimsy, the mount for the camera always made me worry that my Sony Alpha-100 would fall off, and the telescoping mid-section couldn't bear the weight and would drop down suddenly. Get something slightly more expensive and thank yourself later.
Others have said that your degree of satisfaction with this tripod will depends on how you intend to use it.  I bought it to support anRCA EZ205 Small Wonder Digital Camcorder with 2 Hour Recording and 1GB Included Memoryto record music rehearsals with my duet partner. We've got instruments, music stands, instrument stands, and other things to deal with, so I put weight at a premium.  I was amazed to find a unit not only so light but also so inexpensive. The tripod performed splendidly, so I'm back for another for our mp3 recorder.
GREAT PRICE AND I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THE PRICE AND IT WAS NOT JUNK THANKS
I really thought this would be the tripod that would last but it just recently went the way of all my past tripods. They should put "Caution: Handle With Care" stickers on these cause eventually the mechanism inside one of the legs will break and you will be left with a two-legged tripod that you have to throw away. Solution: It only looks sturdy. Caution: Handle With Care.
It has all the features that I would expect for an inexpensive tripod and functions well.  Would definitely recommend for those who need a tripod on the go and don't need to worry if something happens to it.
Yeah it looks cheap, but look at the price. It is extremely light-weight and easy to use. The fact that it comes with a carrying case is a good bonus.
I bought this tripod as a mount for my "Galileoscope" ([...]).  Works great!  Just the right balance of good stability and low weight.  Also has enough height extension range to allow both 6'1" dad and 5' daughter to comfortably use the Galileoscope.  I highly recommend this tripod.
Look, if you just want something to hold up your camera this will probably do it.  If you want to do anything else, like actually angle the camera up and down, this tripod is a POS.  It is also made of a cheap plastic and one of mine broke as it was shipped to me.
I ordered 2 of these tripods for my son and grandson for Christmas; within 1/2 hr of my grandson attempting to use his, one of the adjustment knobs came off.  Also the panhead screw proved too short for his little camcorder, which my son was going to try to fix
Love this tripod, although I do know that if you're a very frequent tripod user you might want to spend some more money ....I use my tripod not too often and it's doing the trick for me.Legs are not flimsy, nice bag included, legs lock well.
This tripod has all the bells and whistles you need for an amature. ANd you can't beat the price. Give it a shot very nice
I got this tripod and have been using it and abusing it, it can take a beating! only wish it had aluminum snaps for the legs versus plastic ones, definately worth the money for this tripod.
I needed a stable base for my digital camera so as to produce some videos for my web site. This product surpassed my expectations. It's very sturdy and the quick release is a great feature. I highly recommend.
I have not gotten to really use this as of yet, but I am pretty impressed with what I got for the price.  Some say its cheap and flimsy, but really - for under $20, seems like a wonderful deal.
I received this package about 1 day ago and found out it is really easy to use. Comes as advertised and so will the uses for it. Plastic quality could be better but this is no professional tripod - you get what you pay for a decent tripod.
if you want a high quality tripod, this isn't itbut with that in mind, i really like iti am going to use it sporatically for basic stuffit's nice because the legs have two extensions, so you can make it really talland there's also a hand-crank part that extends the center portion higherit also has the pivoting handle, and it's all direction adjustable-
I am new to the life of photography and wanted a tri-pod for my Canon Rebel EOS XS SLR camera.  I looked thru dozens of reviews on Amazon.  When I came across this one, it looked like all the rest.  Then I watched the Video Review posted by a user.  It was the next best thing to seeing it up close and personal.  I tried it out this weekend and it was great.  It does not come with a users manual, but watching the video review showed me all the tips I needed ans was able to use it like a pro.  It is very light weight and easy to carry.  I definitely recommend!!!
Good: For the cost, the tripod has a lot of different features that come handy.  One I liked that my previous tripod did not have was the camera base has click-on mechanism, which allows you to perform one hand operation of placing the camera on the tripod.Bad:  The plastic molded parts were clearly not finished.  There was plastic sticking out at various places.  The screw that fixes the camera to the base which is typically metal has a plastic top that looks like it is going to break off.Ugly: 3 days in my use of the tripod, a tiny screw fell of from the tripod and one of the legs completely detached from the tripod. Because of the way the screw was positioned, I could not even use a regular screw driver to put it back in.  I had to fashion a small "L" shaped screw driver just to screw it back on.  I would not recommend this product.
Lightweight, comes with a carrying bag, is stable, all for the low price?  This is my second one of these (we lost the camera mount for the first) and they are fantastic.  This is a perfect tripod to keep in a car or carry with you on a hike.You really cannot go wrong with this, especially for the price.
Junk, Junk, JUNK.  I'm sorry I wasted my money on this tripod. Most of the plastic continues to break of every time I use it. All the adjustment knobs broke the first week of use. Trust me... buy something else!
I really loved. Simple, lightweight and large !! And the price is the best !!!
I think above all else, when one is buying a tripod in this price range, they should more or less expect to get what they're paying for.  I will say this particular tripod is sufficient for the most basic still photography, but is really not appropriate for any kind of video.  Even with regular, inexpensive point and shoots, the build quality of the unit is quite low, to the point where I can easily see the tripod or head failing, resulting in a broken camera.It does seem to bring together all the best features of a lightweight tripod:  ball-joint feet, carry handle, dual levels, quick release, three way pan/tilt, etc.  However, from day one I found the levels almost useless (don't think they're seated properly).  The "fluid" panning action is more like "gravel" panning action.  And the legs are finicky when extending/retracting (tend to get stuck).Speaking of which, on day two, the second time I setup the tripod, one of the legs popped out of its head joint without any provocation or manhandling.  This leg now has a tendency to pop out whenever deploying the tripod.  A definite annoyance, and really makes me question how safe it is to put a camera on top.Granted, the fix is fairly easy (pop back into joint), but this indicates how flimsy the build quality is.  And if that leg popped out with a camera mounted, the whole thing would come crashing down.Overall, I don't feel comfortable putting even a semi-decent digi on this tripod.  It's shoddy in general, and even more so fully extended.  I can easily see it collapsing randomly.  I'm going to keep it around as a stand for jerry-rigged lighting (which it works reasonably well for), but I doubt this thing will ever see a camera again.In short, I absolutely cannot recommend this tripod for supporting any kind of serious photographic equipment.  As mentioned, it serves reasonably well as a stand for accessories, and may be good to have around if your primary tripod fails and you really need a backup in a pinch.  This is why I gave it three stars as opposed to one (ie: it's worth about what you pay for it, and has some basic utility).  But again, there's no way I can endorse this as a support for even the most rudimentary camera.Do yourself a big favor and spend only five more dollars on a Velbon CX-300 tripod, which has some standard of quality, and won't result in catastrophic failure.  If you want to step up to something decent, yet still inexpensive, go with a Cullmann Nanomax 220, or a Slik U9000 (in that order) both available here on Amazon.  It's not worth putting your $70, $150, $250+++ camera on a two bit tripod that's bound to fail.  Spend a few more dollars and get something reliable.
Unit is a good tripod, you do need to lube the legs so they slide easier. Works as advertised.
After using this tripod the other day, I wondered exactly how long I've owned it.  Well, I bought this tripod in March of 2006, and I am equally pleased and astonished that this piece of equipment has held up extremely well over the last 6 years.When I bought this tripod, my only need of it was that it was adjustable and it could lock into place.  This tripod fit the bill well because everything locks, from the tilt and pitch settings to the telescoping legs and center brace.  The thing that surprises me is that all of these locks have held up without incident for six years.This tripod has held everything from lightweight point-and-shoot cameras to heavy DSLR's, and the locks have all held up great.  The only disadvantage this unit has is lack of weight, but this can easily be offset by the weight hook in the center.  The camera mount detaches from the tripod itself, making it easy to attach a camera.  Also, there are several linear levels and a circular level to help get your tripod nice and level.As I've mentioned, the fact that such an inexpensive tripod has held up this long is stunning to me.  I figured I would just keep this tripod until it broke and then upgrade, but I'm still waiting for that moment.  I highly recommend this tripod, and the truth is, when mine does end up dying, I'll just buy another one of these, as I've been perfectly satisfied for years with this one.
I've had two of these and they've both broken on their first trips.  The first time the leg bent but I figured it was due to it being thrown around by porters while climbing Kilimanjaro.  The top piece broke off on my second tripod, which I was extremely cautious with, given the first one's demise.  Of course, this happened on the one night I needed it to photograph the Northern Lights, which were out in full force.
I used this tripod only a handful of times and then it fell apart. Save yourself some money and buy a higher quality tripod that will last longer.
The only thing that kept this from getting 5 stars was the fact that the plastic peice on the bag that attached the strap broke the first time out.  It was easily fixed and my husband loves it.
At prices like these even below Wal-Mart's how can I go wrong?  I bought two as stands for external flash (strobe) lights controlled wirelessly from a Nikon D70 digital SLR.  Works great.  A bit light to put the Nikon on (top heavy) but for a flash unit it's no a problem.  Not flimsy or too light for me.
This is a well made, lightweight, easy to use product that I highly recommend.  It is relatively inexpensive; it does have plastic parts, but they are somwhat heavy duty (for plastic) with some aluminum.  My only caveat is some of the screw holders  can be a little hard to release or adjust, but I still give it a high five.  If you need one of these, buy this one for the price and quality.
this  item I always wanted but never liked the price. so I put it in my wish list and forgot about it.then about 3 months later i get email saying price drop on it so I reviewed it again and it was 12$.I didn't really know what I was getting but this is way better than expected. solid with great functions that work flawlessly.  It is feature rich,every thing you could ask for in a tripod. Super light.very satisfied with this. was not concerned about delivery speed but it came quick.Great Job Amazon.
Like others have said, this tripod isn't built like a tank. It isn't designed for your trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro. It isn't designed to replace a Steadicam harness. It isn't designed to be thrown around. Period.However it *is* designed for you to set up in the back of a room for a school play. It's designed for you to put on a sidewalk for a parade. This tripod is designed for a casual user who wants their video or pictures to be less shaky. And when you keep that in mind, this tripod is great.If you've ever used a tripod before, there's nothing at all mysterious about this one. It sets up in under a minute, and the locks keep everything in place. There is a quick release plate, and the quality is... well... about what you should expect to get from a tripod that costs about the same as a decent UV filter. I probably wouldn't trust it with a heavy pro-grade camcorder, but it's fine for any current generation consumer camcorder.The tripod itself is very light and breaks down smaller than just about any tripod I've used. As long as your needs are reasonable, this tripod is a great value.
we get great usse of the tripod and as usual we have had great service from amazon.
It was a little confusing as to which knobs and handles did what, but it's a great tripod for any camera! I love that it allows you to turn the camera vertical and lock it in place. It also comes with a built in level to assure you have your camera as straight as can be.
You can't beat this tripod for the money. I honestly expected a cheap flimsy tripod for the $17 i paid... however i'm happy to say i was wrong! This tripod is user friendly and sturdy! The only issue with with the crank that raises the camera, sometimes you have to place it a special way so it doesn't fall back down. But hey.. for the price, its well worth it!
Does what we need it to do. WE usually don't do anything fancy except family photos for personal use. It does what we expect. For the money it is a great buy.
It works good. It has all the angles and pivots of your standard tripod. Its not as light as you might think though for being so small when folded up. (not ideal for backpacking)It does the job for a lot less money than other tripods. Its good for someone who does not consider themselves a photographer.
It's your basic tripod.  It has all the standard features & is sturdy.  I am very pleased with it's performance & it's a great deal for the price.
it is not your expensive type of tripods but it is strong and holds my t2i canon with the 300 mm zoom lens without problems. I tend to be a little nervous at first leaving it to stand free on its own, it feels like it will collapse but doesn't. Easy to use and easy to store in bag. Enjoy the detachable bracket that is connected to the tripod and camera, easy to switch from tripod to holding camera and returning to tripod in seconds.
I read the reviews before purchase, and i don't agree with them. This tripod is awesome and holds a SLR with a HUGE lens. Make sure you lock it into place...next purchase will be a wireless trigger.
I give this item 4 and a half stars because it is a cheap tripod, it's not a heavy weight and isn't meant for professional use, but it is really cheap and I've used it quite a few times, especially when I was on my camping trip. It got a litte bit dirty but it works and it did get blown down once by heavy wind, to my surprise it didnt break! Thanks Amazon.Update: It's been almost a year of heavy use now and still nothing has broken off. It's safe to say that it was well worth of price! Thanks Amazon.
This is a pretty great buy--a fully adjustable tripod with built-in levels and a quick-release mount.  Easy to use.  Very lightweight--I wouldn't put too much weight on this thing, but it's fine for my Canon sx120is and my son's pocket camcorder.  Panead isn't the smoothest, but for the money spent it's a great buy.  The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because a screw keeps coming out, but it is not integral to the tripod's adjustments.
If you just need a tripod to hold your camera still, take this one.It is better than I thought. Very satisfied.
I had this tripod for only a couple of months before it broke. The entire thing is flimsy, and it's not very stable. The panning was sticky and it was hard to get it to aim upwards.
I own a Nikon D90 and was looking for an inexpensive lightweight tripod to use on occasion.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it since I really didn't "need" one, it was just another toy.  Well this tripod is PERFECT. My husband didn't believe me when I told him the price until he looked at the invoice.  What do I love about it?1) Highly adjustable - can range in height from just a foot or two to over 5 feet high.2) Levels - there are TWO levels to make sure you're getting the perfect shot3) Quick Release - once your camera is screwed in, there's a quick release tab so you can get your camera off the tripod without unscrewing it.4) Weighting hook - small hook underneath so you can weight the tripod to make it more sturdy5) Fully adjustable - go up and down, tilt the camera, adjust one leg but not the others...you can capture pretty much any height or angle.6) Well made - for this low price you'd expect some shoddy construction, but this tripod feels incredibly well made and secure.All in all, if you're looking for an inexpensive alternative, this is most definitely the tripod for you!
This tripod broke within a year. The legs fell out.......I see that it's priced now half of what it originally was, no surprise.
This product was not intended for the larger SLR or Digital cameras. The head is plastic and not stable enough to hold the weight of your high dollar cameras. The concept and the Production are correct. This tripod needs to be upgraded to a light weight aluminum to hold the larger SLR and Digital cameras. It works fine on the smaller three through eight mega pixel cameras that are light weight cameras used with the timer and on automatic.
It is definitely lightweight--both a blessing and a curse. Easy to tote, very functional. Without a weighted bag of rocks (hook for same is included), I don't know how suitable it would be with a heavy-lensed SLR or a video cam, but for most consumer digital cameras like mine, it's great.
The price is cheap, it kinda feels cheap, but it works great. It's pretty much aluminum and plastic, very light, has a handle on the side that can be useful, comes with a handy carrying bag, and has a hook underneath in case you need to add some weight to it. I use it for my dslr until I can buy a really nice one, and it does it's job just fine. The picture shows a metal and plastic handle, but the handle is all plastic so you know. If you're looking for a cheap one, this'd be the cheap one to get.
A lot of my images were kind of shakey no matter what I tried.So I decided to buy an inexpensive tripod at first to see if the images were better,but discovered this was all I needed!My photos are much improved!
I like the basic features of this Tripod. They are more than I had anticipated for the price.  The tripod is very lightweight--and that's a good news/bad news scenario.  It's easy to carry and perfect for those occasions when weight is the issue, but it's clearly not heavy enough for occasions when you want to be sure your camera won't be easily shaken.  In fairness, I must point out that the tripod includes a "hook" located at the bottom of the center shaft of the tripod on which you can hang something of weight that would help stablize the tripod.The first one delivered developed a problem with the leg locking mechanism on the day after christmas.  The replacement solved that problem, but the leveling bubble on the leg was incorrectly mounted and thus is useless to me.It's a nice light-weight tripod for simple projects or traveling, but probably not what you'd want for more serious work.
The balance/level bubbles would be awesome if they were plumb with tripod. Needs a book under one leg to get it level. Forget using the telescoping feature, it just throws the lean even farther off. The 2nd week using, one leg broke (pulled out when extending it) I was definitely pampering this poor thing, not yanking legs out with any excessive force. I was trying to milk its use out as long as I could.Bought the heavy duty Gorilla tripod and found it much more flexible and reliable.
FAST FREE SHIPPING!  Got it 3 days after ordering.  I am a semi-pro photographer looking for something not to expensive I can bring to on site - outdoor conditions and not worry about it.  Everything is working just fine and as expected.  Love the levelers!  Nice foam padding at the top of the pods for easy grip and movement.  Great for the price.  I recommend this product!
I've bought this as a first tripod, not really knowing if I would use a tripod often.It very obviously is a cheaply made product, but since I do not use the tripod that often, it is holding up well for me. I like the quick release plate. Overall a nice tripod for occasional use on a non-full-frame camera.
Let's face it, it's cheap. You get what you pay for. Most of it has a plasticy feel, and when at full height with my Sony DSLR atop, it wobbles. The panning is not smooth and the knobs feel like they would break if you turned them too much. If 20 bucks is all you have and you need a tripod, then buy it. If you can spend 20-30 more bucks, then buy a better one.
Esta gente mando un tripode que parece haber sido usado por mil personas antes de llegar hasta tus manos! hasta sucio! olvida este pedazo de basura!
about the tripod: pretty good fot the money. i bought it to use with a nice set of binoculars i purchased a while back and they didnt work to well for that... however i think the tripod would be perfectly fine with a camera as long as it wasnt too heavy.about Big Value Inc. - they are a great seller!!! when i purchased item it was bought through them and i cant say enough about this seller. GREAT! :)
Pros:* Cheap* Light* Folds and doesn't take much space* Comes with a bag for storing and carrying* Does the jobCons:* Mine came without an instruction manual!  I never used a tripod before, so I wasn't sure how to put it together and attach my digital camera to it.  But after about 30 minutes of fumbling with it, I figured it out.
This tripod is just what I was looking for. It's easy to use and it's build pretty well. It's very light and the quality is fine for such an inexpensive tripod; I have a very light Canon point and shoot camera and I will admit that I'm sometimes nervous about a swift wind gust toppling it over. On the other hand, my camera screws in easily and photo quality is much improved, particularly in low light and/or when I'm using a slow shutter. The panning sticks and to be honest isn't that great, but that's not a huge deal breaker for me. I also really like the built in levelers and the fact that it goes all the way up to 4.75 feet. If I'm being honest, despite any mild fears I may have, it hasn't fallen over--yet. It's a great tripod for the money. However, if you are looking for something to hold your $6,000 Nikon, you're going to need to spend more than $14.
I was suprised at the quality and stability of this tripod considering it's inexpensive price tag.  It works just fine for what I need it for.. family photos where I'm included in the picture!  It's great for those tricky zoomed in shots and evening shots where you have to keep the camera perfectly still.  I have no complaints... it's a great little tripod!
I got this tripod when it was on sale just to have something in the back of my car for those occasions you need one. The tripod is cheap, the carrying case is cheap. First impressions when boxing it was the heavy wave of plastic and/or glue smell. Definitely cheaply constructed as well. The tripod is really only good for basic photos with a point a shoot. Definitely wouldn't trust any camera over 1.25lb on this tripod (e.g. DSLRs). It'll stick when panning or tilting so don't expect to take much video on it. That said, it's still usable and it has nice foam grips and a handle in the center and a bubble level as well. Considering it was half the price I'd pay for a similar tripod at Walmart, it's pretty good.
The head on this tripod is somewhat weak and does hold a heavy DSLR, I.E. Nikon D200, very steady.  The camera would wobble for 2 to 4 secs after pressing the shutter release, making it unusable for slow shutter speed work.This would be OK for a light compact or small DLSR.
Box came to me pressed and wrinkled. There is no physical damaged on the product but there is a psychological effect specially when I am unfolding it. You need to push or pull little bit those legs out or in and the locks are not folding fully.
I used this for my 8mm camcorder during my Daughter's recent school play.It worked perfectly.What's this? A freaking carrying case included too??!!!The setup was easy, and the entire unit worked like a charm.For $13, it's like ya stole something.If you're looking for a tripod for occasional use, here it is!
This tripod is good enough for entry level camera user like me. It gets most of the features as an expensive one. Light with a carrying bag, you can go far without it as a burden. Good stuff at a good price. Fast delivery too.
It repeatedly broke on me guess you get what you pay for, this one I wouldn't get again, not even for an amateur.
My first review on Amazon----I bought this product last year, Sometime in Jan(2010), Used it only a couple of times before the plastic inside broke sometime in March 2010. There is absolutely no way to fix it. Cause there is a plastic ring inside one of the legs and it got cut into two. I checked the quality of the plastic,It was pretty brittle. Contacted the seller twice, they refused to reply to my emails.I have been using it since then with certain modifications, I put on some Tap, and instead of using 3 levels of Heights, I just use two.It is a little too light, Hence if you use this in a Windy place during night, You get bad shots.For a beginner, I would recommend this cause this is more like an experimental one before you buy a better one.
I couldn't be more pleased. All the features of more expensive tripods, but well-built nonetheless.
The tripod arrived properly packaged but was missing the camera connecting plate.  Also,  no instructions were included as to the use and care and when I tried to set up the tripod, one leg did not extend properly---I could hear a lose part rattleing around inside the tube---probably the part that controlled the leg---the leg was useless, would not lock, so I returned the whole thing for refund. Lose screw or something, who knows.
I was hestitated when reading bad review about this Tripod. But decided to go with good review posted by others. I made a good decision. The adjustable legs are really helpful when I place Tripod on ROCK to get a nice picture view. The material might look cheap but not fragile as some people reviewed. It is strong enough to hold my Canon Digital Rebel XSi with Zoom. Light enought to carry ( with carrying bag include ) and ez to extend and close.Only issue I had was the center rod holding three legs together, which go loose at times and with cautious mind,it is OK.
Even if I had paid three times as much for this tripod, I would have still considered it a good deal. The build quality is great and the price is even better. I anticipate using this for many years of 35mm photography.
I made the mistake of going for the cheapest tripod I could find and I got exactly what I paid for. After two uses, the extention adjustment on one of the legs broke and that was the end of that
I had a tripod before this one, and it was hard to carry, hard to open and hard to shut.  This one is easy to open and shut and comes with it's own carry case.  The one thing I love about it that is the same as my old one is that it has a universal connection.  I can hook up any of my cameras!  Good Buy at a Good price.
This product feels extremely cheap and as if its going to break in my hands.  I was worried the entire time my T2i was on it.  The plastic pieces feel like their going to snap and the locks for the tripod legs bend in weird ways.  I have only used this tripod once and I must admit it stood just fine one a level surface for still shots.  However, i do quite a bit of filming with my T2i and I'm worried that the panning on this tripod will be choppy.  Its not extremely fluid it its movements and doesn't handle the way i would imagine.  On the flip-side, this tripod is under $20 so i assume this fits into the category of you get what you pay for.  In which case i give this tripod a 3 out of 5.
Overall for the price this thing costs its great. I would probably give it 5 stars even though its not the best quality.I'm only giving it one star because mine doesn't sit perfectly strait. It doesn't matter how sturdy or how many features or whatever this thing has if all my pictures are tilted to the left by a few degrees....  Yes I know how to adjust it, but the adjustment is already at its maximum.
LOVE THIS TRIPOD. FITS ALL MY CAMERA'S (NIKON D40, P80, AND AN OLD VIVITAR 35MM)THE LEVALER HELPS. AND THE TRIPOD IS SO LIGHT WEIGHT YOU CANT BELIVE THAT ITS THAT AMAZING FOR THE PRICE IT IS. I SAW THE SAME TRIPOD AT CIRCUT CITY FOR $60.
great tripodeasy removal of camera, no need to unscrew the camerathere are two built in levels. the tripod is capaple of tilting, panning, and tipping 90 degrees.
turned out to be pretty good, lightweight n look at the price ! Ain't it cheap ??
I anxiously awaited the arrival of this tripod. My grandchildren were coming for a visit, and I was looking forward to taking many photos while they were here. Imagine my disapointment when I took it out of the carry bag, and it was in 9 pieces! The cheap plastic on the pan head was just shattered! It had been stored in a corner of the closet, and I had not touched it since the day it arrived. I opened the bag, and little pieces of broken plastic fell out. I don't have a clue why it would fall apart like that, but don't waste your money on this one.
I bought this because of the low price.  I wasn't disappointed by the product at all.  The only problems I had were with the tilt joint.  It had some plastic mold left overs that got in the way, keeping it from laying perfectly level.  I took a piece of sand paper to it, and it works perfectly now.  Also, the feet on the legs are not connected very well.  I put some super glue on them to ensure they never come out of the aluminum legs.I think it's worth the price.  I am pretty good with repairs, construction, etc. so I am OK with a few modifications.  If you need something to work straight out of the box, you might want a higher quality.
It is worth to buy. more than you pay for. easy to use and works great. I gave 4 stars because the camera holder is a little inconvenient to attach to camera. Otherwise, everything is great
Great tripod for the price. It is light and easy to carry. Has a satisfactory hight and range of motion. Not super stable because of the weight - but the trade-off is well worth it. I definitely recommend this product.
Well it is not great, but lets face it this item was not exactly expensive. It is going to do fine for me and what I need it for. If you are looking for something to get allot of life out of I would look elsewhere. If you are a photo snob you would not even consider this piece of equipment anyway. I am going to put a pair of binoculars on it and do some sight seeing while bird-watching ect.
Pros: Lite, has good stance, easy to deploy, the snaps hold wellCons: The head is made from cheap hardened PVC plastic. Only good for light cameras. If you use heavy SLR lense, you will have problems shooting different angles. Really NOT ment for frequent adjusting.I owned one of these for 2+ years (bought mine in bhphotovideo.com for $40) A month ago the head knob broke. If you are serious about photography, look for better tripod with quality head.
We have used this to record two weddings this year, along with the normal christmas/birthday functions.  It works great, is fast to setup , comes with a nice case to keep it together, and is very lightweight.  The adjustments on this are crazy, it can go from very small to very tall with just a few adjustments.  This has proved very useful and was well worth the money spent.
Yes, do not put your expensive SLR on this 'pod. It's only for little digital cameras. Otherwise, it does a great job, and, may I stress, it was EIGHT bucks!
I love this tripod. I bought a $50 monfrotto tripod and this one kicks its butt. It has more features and is WAY lighter. Its also cheap enough that I would buy another one if the one I have ever breaks. I use this with a full-size DSLR and I never have any problems what-so-ever.
Xoxo  nice equipment super light seems to be thoughtfully engineered have no idea where or who manufactured it completes my first set for astro view or target accuracy / photos etc. should be able to mount digi tele for it namesake
I just got this yesterday and I just love it. It is really a stabilized tripod than my last one Easy to setup too.Great footing for more support from falling over.
I bought this as a back up for storm chasing & photography and am glad I did. This is one tough, well built unit! A great deal for under $14...
This is a great sturdy tripod for holding my camcorder. It is also very portable to take on trips or to a local party. I highly recommend this tripod.
Item arrived after other items I ordered much later than this one but did meet the shipping deadline by about a day.I run a paranormal investigation team and needed one for setting up infrared lights.The product itself is better than I expected for the price. Quality construction and not only has a built in carry handle but also foam padding at the top, comes with a bag to protect the item while not in use, a level, and hook at the bottom of the tripod that can be used to attach a weight to offer even better support.Tripod when fully extended is pretty tall and easy to set up. If I order a 2nd tripod in the future I will probably get this one again.*Update - I now have two of these because they are very good and the price is outstanding. The 2nd one was ordered from a different company and took awhile to receive but cost even less. I use the 2nd one for a digital infrared camera along with a remote shutter release due to long exposure times in zero light to avoid blurry photos. Works perfectly.
For someone who needs a tri-pod occasionally, like me, this product is a great deal.Although a little plastic feeling, it gets the job done and feels like it'll last a long time if I take care of it. It has the level indicators, which are nice, and the easy slip off attachment for the camera.It meets my needs at a the price of a disposable camera.
This tripod offers everything that you can imagine. You can't get a better tripod in this price.
This tripod came in a nice black bag with a sling over the shoulder handle. It held up nicely for about a month and a half, but then one of the legs broke. The legs all extend in two different spots, and one leg extender broke, leaving me with a lopsided tripod. I was able to use some duct tape to fix it though. Tripod fit nicely together with my Fuji Film digital camera. Tripod has a built in level, which was neat. It also has a crank that allows the stand on top of the legs to go up and down. U just wish it were built tougher.
Am not sure if everyone has the same view, but the one that I got from the market place seller - could be moved only in two directions, and the third direction is almost not movable at all.The plastic is cheap material, but thats what we get for the price. However, its unacceptable that the tripod doesnt enable us to move in the direction that it has to.Easy to carry, but only a limited 2-way movement possible.
Bought it as a gift, had it less than year and rarely used it and it broke. Camera doesn't stay upright.
I ordered this tripod for a set of binoculars. This unit is very flimsy and one of the tripod legs would slowly retract, tipping the whole unit over. Spend the extra $$ and get a unit that you can rely on for years to come. Unit was returned for refund!!
Bought this tripod spur of the moment because I needed one and it was cheap. The previous reviews already looked good so I went for it. I love this tripod, it does everything I need it to.
For a beginning astronomer with a lightweight Galileoscope, it is a perfect and economical solution.  For fifteen bucks, I am more than happy with it.  I wouldn't put a heavier scope or any cameras on the thing, though.
The build quality is super cheap but so was the price, so it's worth it right?  Only if you are VERY careful pulling the legs out...  This is a very delicate tripod and one that breaks very easily.  Also the panning is not very fluid, but rather jerky.  Yes I know this is a $10 tripod, what do you expect?  I didn't expect the leg to come off, and then the buckle, and then another leg!  So ask yourself, do you really want to trust the safety of your $1000 DSLR to a flimsy tripod?
This resembles a number of tripods in the price range. It has nice added feature such as the handle, a hook for center-weighting and swivel feet.  However the plastic-on-plastic head does not allow for smooth pans and tilts. It is very jerky, no matter what level of tension you put on it.  The worst feature is the quick release mount...the plastic screw head is hard to access and will not tighten down enough to hold the camera steadily in place.  Bummer. Oh, and "carrying case" is overstated.
This is a great value for the occaisional user.  For the person looking to take a family photo a few times a year this is the tripod to have.  It isn't the sturdiest one out there, but with a little delicate handling you will receive a lot of value for your few dollars.
If you have to use your button on the camera to take photos - this is not the tripod for you.  It's so flimsy that the weight from my lens causes the whole thing to wobble.  When I press the shutter button there is 10x more movement that if I had been holding the camera myself.  I had to use my remote.  Which was fine for this event, but shouldn't be a requirement.  It's cheap and not worth saving an extra 10$ :)  get a decent one and enjoy your tripod.
best deal on a tripod period dont wait, buy it, use it, love it.i got tired of saying can you take our picture. never geting the shot i wanted not anymore.i know it sounds stupid to say but think about it a total stranger a great place for a pic, bad angle, blurry, left of the top of your head. all things that will happen if you dont buy it. take charge take the time to take in the view not time to find a helping hand.
Came On The Day Thay Said Nice A Very Sweet Tripod The Price Is Right .I See Nothing Wrong With It. It Even Better That The Other Tripod's I Have. Lighter And Yes It Did Have A Carrying Case . And A Hook On The End. No The Box Was Not Crush Like I Was Reading In Other Post . And Not A Cheep Tripod . Yes It Has A Handle And Two Bubble Level That Come In Handy Were My Other Tripod Just Has One. Has A Turn Lock To Keep The Legs In Place When Open.Or Close. Everything The Seller Said Is Very True . Has Alot Of Great featureDigital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod with Carrying CaseFor The Price You Can Not Go Wrong With This . The Bad Reviews I Was Reading Were Wrong About This . I Think Any One Who Buy's This Tripod Will Very Happy With This. The Quick-Release Plate That Makes It Easy TO Change Camera. Everything About This Tripod Is Sweet . I Will Use My Much Heavy One For My Other Camera. The TR-60N  When I Am Out Shooting In The Wood's It Is Much Better And lighter Stable I Could Go On About This . But Do Not Let My Post About This Tripod Get You To Buy One That Up To You  On The Box Feature Lightweight and collapsible to 22 inches Suitable for most digital and film cameras, as well as camcorders Quick release mount for easy transition to handheld shooting Professional grip for fluid 3-way panning and tilt Comes with carrying case. Heavy Duty Construction PRO Hand Grip Quick Release Mount Hook: helps Carry Accessories Center Column Bubble Level 3 Section Channel Legs Locks 3 way Fluid Pan Head with Bubble Level Center Column Brace and Lock Adjustable Rubber Feet This Be A Sweet Tripod For Someone Starting Out Or Anybody . (Well That My 20Cents Words Long )Yes I Give It A 5 Star And That No Bull I Like It Got My Money Worth. Sweet .
Loved this when I received it. I was using it for a relatively small point and shoot camera. My main goal was to take photos of the moon. It worked out pretty nice for a while.Things started to go down hill when i got my SLR ( a NIKON D100 ) The weight of the camera and my new frequency of use stared to where down the tripod. The legs started to lose their strength. They would slowly slip into each other, shrinking while i was using it. Obviously a big pain in butt.I eventually went out and grabbed a larger and much more sturdy tripod.If your looking for a light use and and very convenient tripod then definitely pick this up. If your plans are leaning toward lots of shots then go bigger and make the investment.
It has everything i would expect from a tripod.  Works good and is not flimsy like some of the cheaper ones i found at Target and Walmart.  For the price, its pretty sturdy and has leveling bubbles that make it easier to get a level picture.  I am satisfied with this purchase.  I am not a professional photographer, i am just starting so take my advise with that in mind.UPDATE:  Terribly unstable when panning for panoramic shots.  The mount does not stay level and the pictures are off significantly when trying to splice them together.  If using this for panoramic or scenic shots, keep this in mind.
What much do you need to write other than it does what it's supposed to and comes at a great price. Great and easy to use. Interchanges so many cameras
This is a good tripod for the price we paid.  This is not for anything professional but does fine for our holiday recordings.  It is definitely cheaply made but as long as you are not rough on your things then it is just fine.  We have owned for over a year and a half with no problems.
It was a surprise but well appreciated in my business I would recommend this item to anyone who wants to take still photography.
A nice tripod, with easy-to-use controls, once you've found and/or figured them all out.  Snap-locks on the legs are easy to use, and the legs are fairly sturdy.  Tilt-and-pan head may not have a stability control, but for this price you want diamonds maybe?  It's fairly smooth, and just get a good video camera with stability control built it.  The center "lift" post and crank worked nicely; once again, not hand-tooled brass or steel, but once again, not $100-$200 either.It will be used alongside of a pre-war (WW II) brass and steel tripod, of the kind "they don't make anymore" quality; a bit lighter, but good enough for almost-professional work, and a lot less valuable if anything did happen to it.All in all, it is nice.
Went with budget free shipping. I'm going to have to be really delicate with this thing. It is indeed cheap so I wasn't expecting much out of it. I only want use to use it as a stand for one of my satellite speakers in a 5.1 surround sound system. The thing fell apart just trying to adjust it for height. I would NEVER trust this thing with any camera. The old saw remains. If it's too good to be true it usually is.
This tripod is stable enough to hold my Rebel XT, but not tremendously stable.  The movement of the legs is semi-fluid and the quick release latch gets stuck sometimes.  But hey, it was $20.This will be a good starter tripod to let me know whether or not I want a more expensive unit.
This is not a professional tripod. It's sturdy enough for casual use, and the price is good for what you get. It's lightweight, easy to use, and the legs extend and lock easily and quickly. I am 5'4", and the height is sufficient for me. If you're much taller than that, you would have to stoop to see through your viewfinder, but if you're using a shutter cable, it wouldn't be a problem. If I were taking it into rough terrain or using it every day, I'd want something stronger.
This is a great buy, very sturdy and as usual very fast shipping from Amazon.  Has more features than you can imagine for the money!!
This tripod has many of the desired features associated with more expensive tripods at a fraction of the cost.  This is not a heavy duty product but for the money it provides everything you need if you have a camera under 2 lbs.  This covers a lot of new digital cameras.I've used this tripod with Canon SD 1200, Canon G 10, Canon G 5 and a Canon Rebel.  I found that the G-5 and the Rebel may have exceeded the capacity of this tripod to provide a stable platform.  However the other camera models, the SD 1200 & G10, when tested in macro and telephoto formats were greatly enhanced by this tripod.I plan on purchasing another tripod to always have one in the car.
for the price. more stable than a tripod i bought previously and the price was the same.
it's really an almost perfect tripod, the only thing is that the plastic adjusters seems a little cheap material, so be really carefull not to break it, otherwise, and as said, it's an awesome tripod. I would recommend it to friends
I bought this because of it's cheap cost and I wasn't quite sure how interested I'd be in photography. I've become quite interested, and have found that I definitely need to move on from this.The best thing about this tripod is it's light weight and it's cost. It's also got a lot more adjustability that I expected in something with this price. But I hate it when I'm using it for anything other than portraits. If you extend it vertically, your camera will bounce around like a tennis ball on a car antenna, so you can forget about long exposures. There is no such thing as a minor adjustment on here, no matter how delicately you try to move things, which makes macro photography virtually impossible.I haven't used it for taking panoramic shots, but I expect that it would be decent enough. I've found myself shooting those handheld anyway, but you'd need a tripod for night-time panoramics. That said, this is going on Craigslist, as I'm ready to graduate.
Great value! I bought a more expensive one from Walmart and it didn't come with half the options this came with.
I bought this for my kids to use for the digital cameras and video cameras. I figured it was cheap enough that it wouldn't matter if the busted it up as kids do with things. It's stood up their abuse and has worked well for all their needs.
I didnt expect much from this tripod despite the reviews at the 17 dollar price tag . I tend find that peoples five star reviews are on this site are mostly nonsense misleading when it comes to technical gear . Be forewarned this tripod is some what wobbly and has cheap construction.You will have to use it were wind isnt blowing too hard or dont extend the center when it is as it tends be the part that wants to move. the extending column in the apex of the tripod is metal with a run of plastic teeth to do the extending work also which is kinda cheap.  For 17 bucks you cant really complain .I would have bought it again for the price tag.
I got this tripod with doubt, whether it was worth for $20.00 . And to my amazement it was. Not extremely sturdy, but works good enuf for me as a beginner. Excellent resource for starters. Definitely, recommed it.
This is the perfect tripod for the casual family photographer! It is light weight yet strong and sturdy, easily adjustable, and collapses down to a convenient size. The carrying case makes it easy to tote along on vacations, kids recitals, anywhere.
I lost the quick release slide for my GREAT tripod and could not find the replacement item on Amazon, so I ordered this cheapo tripod because I need a working one for my 10 year high school reunion this Saturday. The tripod is flimsy, shakes like a leaf in the smallest breeze, and I am afraid to leave my camera on it while not holding the camera. It will suffice for an indoor event such as my reunion, but I will not be using it outside again.
This tripod is amazing!It's small when you fold it up, and you can adjust almost everywhere.I believe it will be really useful in the future.And it comes with a bag :)
It looks and feels cheap, but it is light, and less-expensive. Good value for money. It bears the weight of the camera well. After 2 years of purchase, it is still in-tact. Recommended.
Honestly, this is one of the better tripods I've ever purchased even though it's mostly plastic. It has lasted me four years, FOUR YEARS. It's cheap enough that I don't feel guilty bringing it to the beach where it can get dirty or sandy. It's also very light so it's not a problem to carry around.Heavier / sturdier tripods are important for freelance work or more heavy duty outdoor photography - if you do that, this tripod is not for you. I'm a professional fine art photographer and I love this for the single shots I do. It even supports my heavier 4&#34; x 5&#34; camera. The thing locks sturdily into place and if it's not too windy it will always stay where it's placed. Fantastic!
The product is excellent. This is my first tripod, and I am completely satisfied... an instruction manual would have saved me about 10-20 minutes (considering that I have had no experience with tripods), but other than that I have nothing but praise for this product.
We wanted a tripod to be able to take our family's picture for Christmas cards, and didn't want to go to a photography studio to have them taken.  We ventured into a park, and took about 30 photos, and the tripod was sturdy and steady, and very user friendly to set up.  Overall, you can't beat the price for what you get....It's so easy to carry, as it comes with it's own carrying case, which is a bonus.
As many others indicated in their reviews, this tripod uses very lightweight materials - aluminum and plastic. That makes for a very unsteady tripod. There are some convenience features, (the level which isn't accurate, the easy release) but none that make up for the fact that you will not get sturdiness from this tripod. I have a Sony DSLR that displays an icon when the shot will not be steady; when I use the camera with this tripod, I almost never get a Steady Shot indicator. I've had the tripod for a year and don't use it very often - when I do, it's mostly for setting up the camera waiting for wildlife to come along. This tripod does most of the job it's designed to do, except for the most important -- keeping the camera steady. Not recommended.
This is my first tripod and I used it for a Canon Powershot A540. A very small and light camera and looks really tiny sitting on a tripod. I had written a good review for this product a couple of weeks back but then one of the extendable legs broke one fine day with less than 3 months of use. We didnt even drop it. Couldnt put it back on. The 4 stars shows my earlier rating.
Digital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod is a perfect tripod for me, a first time user. We are fond of taking lot of outdoor pictures & videos during our trips to various trials (Moderate, Difficult), Mountains, Beaches, State Parks & crowded tourist places. To take the pictures & videos more steady and also to take our own pictures, we needed a tripod that is easy to carry and also something that can be set up fast. TR-60N proved to match the exact tripod that we were looking to own.Pros#1. Tripod is easy to set in less than a minute which makes taking photos/videos turnaround time faster#2. It stands perfectly on any terrain and adjusts itself well#3. Its carry bag is a plus and is very easy to carry.#4. Has two bubbles giving more flexibility to adjust#5. Light but strong enough for a Cannon point n shoot camera and Song DVD Camcorder
I'm just starting out in photography and this little tripod fits all my needs. It is very light and the components are plastic in many places, but the price should indicate that to the savvy buyer.I think it is a pretty good deal for those starting out.
While this product is labeled as a digital tripod it is certainly not for use with a DSLR.  The quick release mechanism, while it sounds like a good idea, is not (unless you want to keep it attached to your camera at all  times).  The product is poorly made but the design concept is good.  On the positive side, it is light and portable.  The leveling bubbles are a nice touch.  On the negative side is the instability of the quick release mechanism.  If you put a DSLR on it, it will wobble.  The wing nut controlling the horizontal rotation did not function and returning the product for this is not worth the grief.  Do your self a favor and spend a little more money for a more substantial product.  You'll be happier in the long run.
Overall, this is a decent bargain tripod. The legs appear to be aluminum, and most of the rest of the unit is plastic or PVC. It has a quick-release head for attaching your camera but it only comes with one quick-release attachment, which sort of reduces the utility of it, although I'm sure you can buy more somewhere.The BAD news is that this unit is cheap, light and flimsy. The GOOD news is that it is that it is cheap and light! For the price, I would call it an excellent value, especially for someone who needs to carry it around with them since it is so light weight.Many ultra-light tripods feature a hook on the bottom of the centerpost that allows you to tie a bag of rocks or dirt or whatever to weigh down the tripod for steadier shooting. Although the picture of this item shows such a hook, my unit did not come with one. Fortunately you can always tie a weight on with string if you need to.If you have a slightly higher budget I would recommend looking at the various tripods by Sunpak first. And if you can afford them I would also look at Slik brand tripods as well.
Although it's a cheaper tripod, I did expect more out of it. The first day we used it, the leg pulled out too far and came out. It was not fun trying to squeeze the leg spacers back into the housing to make it functional again. The screws weren't tight either.
This is perfect for a quick setup and small camera. The legs adjusted easily to the height I needed when I used it.
I am petite woman, and was looking for some light weight tripod. I can carry this in my backpack and ride bike. Very easy to pull the legs to set as well. overall, I am very satisfied, and would recommend this to anybody who are looking for easy to carry around tripod.
This is a great tri-pod for the price.  It is not for the professional photographer, but for the amateur photographer like myself using a digital point and shoot camera, it is perfect and at a great price.  Highly recommended.
This is a cheap tripod, and it's well worth the price. Photography is neither my profession nor passion. I wanted something to hold my camera still when I took pics and videos of my newborn. This has served my purpose. I have taken it outdoors too on trips and I think it is a handy thing to have while taking pictures.About the product, it is made of aluminium and plastic, so it's very very light, weighs about a pound and a half. It's height range varies from a few inches to 6 feet. It's delicate, if not handled with care, there is the risk of breaking its plastic head - as mentioned by some other reviewers here. It's easy to fix the camera on it and the quick release thing works well for me. Mine came with the hook for hanging stuff, but i don't feel comfortable hanging anything there considering the delicacy of the tripod. The adjustment levers work ok, but again gentle handlng required as they too are plastic. There are two levelness indicators, which are not very perfect, the camera may not be level to ground when the bubble is at the center. But I have figured the bubble position when the camera is most level and use it as reference. The carry case is ok - rexin, 1.5 feet long with zipper and single full length strap.I had been using this for over two months now without any complaints. The only problem I had after I recieved it was that I had to figure out myself how to use it, as it came with no user guide (I have never used a tripod before - may be the functioning is generic for all tripods, I don't know). It did not take too long to understand, though.
It was a pretty good deal, a lot better than my old tripod. Worth the money. It's also came in a carrying case which helps a lot. Best for photographers or for people who make videos.
I chose this tripod on the advice of others and I am glad I did.  Happy with my purchase.
This tripod is an excellent value for the money. It is easy to setup, easy to carry and easy to store. We bought it for a Flip camera and even just using halfway up and sitting it on my lap at an event, it significantly improved my ability to control the camera, pan and focus. It doesn't feel flimsy, but it wouldn't hold up to a pro schedule.I only need a tripod once or twice a month, so it should hold up just fine for that. The level is helpful and the adjustments are relatively easy.Bottom line: it's a very good entry-level Tripod for a casual user. It's very lightweight, easy to carry and has a lot of features for not too much money. I'd buy it again and recommend it to friends.
Good quality for the price. Did not come with a carrying case. One of the levers broke off, but it still works. Lightweight.
Device is shaky. You can not just point and shoot with it. You need to set timer of camera for at least 2 seconds to avoid vibrations coming through pressing the shutter.Very light. You can carry it to anywhere and you won't fell the weight of it.Very cheap. Construction material very cheap so you have to be careful not to bend it or break it.Very cheap. It is cheap, few bugs.For non-professional, just for nice night shots, I would suggest this product.
I was not expecting much for $15, but this is a great tripod for the price. As others have noted, it does indeed have a weight hook (I don't need that). It comes with a relatively cheap carry bag, but the built in carry handle is really nice, and that is what I will be using. I'm using this for a spotting scope (another review) and it has been working just fine.
Ordered the Tripod as an extra to hold flash. Very nice for the money and fast delivery. Happy with my purchase
I found it to be rather flimsy and the fluid pan head is anyting but. It binds if you want to do anything but move from side to side. But for the price it's not too bad. Just don't expect too much if you order it. The two levels are a nice touch though.
As other reviewers have stated this tripod is definitely cheaply-made, and not very "solid" feeling.  Nonetheless -  it works, and should be adequate for those who only require use of a tripod every once in a while.I'm definitely happy with my purchase (it can be found cheaper elsewhere, i.e. online auction sites), and would only move on to something more expensive if I found myself actually using a tripod more than a few times a year.
You can definitely tell that this tripod was not meant for professional use.  Other tripods I have used we're easier to adjust and didn't move after tightening.  This tripod feels a little cheap, yes, I only spent $20 on it, so I guess I couldn't expect more.  This tripod did great for my wife's photo class, however I think we'll be needing a better one if she continues pursuing photography.
When I first took this tripod out of the box, I said... wow, this does look kind of cheezy.  It wasn't the best build, plastic was real cheap quality etc.  Then I put it in perspective.  For around 15 bucks, this thing isn't so bad.  And honestly, once you get to using it, you forget it's a cheapy.  It does what it's supposed to do.  It will support your lightweight digicam or camcorder.  If you want a tank of a tripod, look elsewhere.I only have two real concerns about this tripod.One is the crank to raise the middle shaft.  This is the low quality plastic I speak of, and I know I could easily break it if I wanted to.  So you need to crank gently when you do to avoid breaking the crank and/or stripping the threads.  Other than that, it's great for a bargain tripod.  I'm satisfied.The other is the clamps on the extendable legs.  They don't clamp down quite tight enough and can slip.  Granted, they only really slipped when I pushed down on it to see how tight the grip was, but it may become looser with time and use.  We shall see.For now it's a good buy for the price.  If you are a point and clicker who's interested in maybe getting some pictures of things you may need a tripod for, this one should do fine.
This is a fine tripod for still photos but I cannot recommend it as a tripod for a camcorder.There is misleading information in the product description. As of 9/28/09 the item is described as having "fluid panning". This is incorrect. The panning is "jerky" and is not suitable anything other than amateur videos.
I did not want to spend a lot of money to get a tripod for just ocationally use for my Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-18 digital camera, which I also bought thru Amazon. For only $20, this tripod has everything I can ask for, and is well made for the price. It is light weight and easy to setup. I am very pleased with the purchase!
Just what you need if you move a lot when taking pictures.Great for those goup shots when you want get in the last second.
I got the tripod as a gift and haven't seen it but the recipient said it was great.
This was the cheapest tripod on amazon when I bought it, but it has been incredible.  It is worth every penny.  The construction is sturdy and yet light-weight.  I recommend this tripod to any amateur who is looking for an affordable, but reliable piece of equipment.  It comes with a convenient carrying case and there are several tighteners to make it hold your camera as steady or allow you to pan as smooth as you like.  I don't normally review products, but I know there are other amateur photographers out there like me who need something good but don't have the hundreds to spend on professional equipment.
I loved the price and the tripod is great for all my projects. I say take your time and learn to work all the different positions and this tri-pod will pay for itself over n over again Top Notch!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I first got the box for this tripod. The box was not handled with care. It was all broken up and part of it was mashed in. I thought some one had gotten the tripod and played soccer with it. It was horrible. When I open the tripod everything was stiffed. The legs were hard and sticky to get out. The top part of the tripod (where you put your camera on) was very loose (even when it was tightening). The worst part about this tripod is that the single stick that's suppose to come up from the middle will NOT come up at all. I had a $5 tripod at Wal-mart and it worked perfectly fine. Everything was top notched. But this tripod was horrible and it will not work properly. It also had a weird mercury smell to it. I highly recommend getting a different tripod. I might end up going to Wal-Mart and get myself a different tripod. This was not worth the money.
I find it very convenient and easy to use. No problems in adjusting height and securing it tight. No screws to tighten. Our earlier tripod, though worked good for some time, the screw tightening turned out to troublesome.
Bought this for a documentary we've been working on, so far - so good.It holds a DVX100B with the mic and a million add-ons on it, panning is not as smooth, but maybe it's because I don't know how to work it. I think there are a few bolts that I need to unscrew to make it appear smoother. but regardless - for my purposes, it works fine!
bought the tripod for a digital for long exposures. it has worked well so far, the pod its self feels cheep but hasnt broke on me yet, also adjusting it can be a bit tedious but once again hasnt been so much of a hassle. i do love alot of its bells and whistles. i would definately recommend
I had a really fine tripod in excess of $100 that belonged to my roommate which we both used on weekend trips. After moveing out he let me take some towels but the tripod stayed behind. I found this one for $10 ($17 after shipping) and I dare to say they are comparable.The overall build of this one is consistent with the price range but it's performance considering is excellent. I'll warn you a leg came out after pulling a little too hard a few too many times but again, it's $10. All I had to do is stick it back in and remember to warn my friends witch one is the gimp.The movement can be rough, if you want to get that last 2cm's in frame you may come out of it frustrated. However it is very sturdy, easy to use and lightweight. The center twist to keep the legs spread out is a little flimsy but it's own weight has held it down without a problem. I have no fear of leaving my $600 Oylmpus mounted while I walk away and set up the scene (except for cougars and punks).At a measly $10 this is the tripod you need to get those self portraits for your 365 project, running in on self timer, or the long exposure shots that keep coming out blurry. Overall a great find.
Ok this is not a very great Tripod but it surely satisfies our basic needs for night photography. I bought 1 more tripod after buying this 1 ( as I got a good targues deal) ..When I compared both only difference was the ease with which u can attach and detach ur camera...as the size is really small it comes in my carry on bag while traveling via plane...so most of the time i use this only rather my targues tripod...Beginners must buy this 1 as it is really very cheap and good...
This is a good budget tripod for the money. Don't expect super quality at this price but this thing will do the job. Upgrade to something better later when you have the cash.
This product is an all around excellent product.  It's lightweight, easy to use and has many features and functions to be able to get a variety of camera angles.  It was intended for our video camera but fits for our digital still camera as well.  I highly recommend this product!
Hands down there isn't a better value in tripods.  This has more adjustments and features that you would imagine you could get for the price.
This is by far the worst tripod I've ever seen!  Upon opening it and taking it out of the box, you can clearly see it's made by the cheapest lightest plastic, I extended one of the legs and the pieces broke right off instantly.  I immediately returned it, it reminded me of plastic found in a Happy Meal toy, but crappier.  Yes it's cheap but it's not worth paying this price for trash when a few more bucks can get you a better one.  Hated this thing so much!  Every part was skimped on quality, not even the screw for the camera mount was metal, it was plastic.
this flimsy thing broke when i tried to pull out one of its legs the first night it arrived. I swear to god I didn't use much strength - I was very careful. The head panning  and the vertical leverage is not smooth at all. I don't wanna bother to return this cheap thing. You'd better look for a stronger one for just 20$ more!
tripod is constructed mostly of plastic and is flexible where you wish it wasn't, but it is a usable and well designed ultralight accessory. If used cautiously it could last for some time. Not for the professional of course, wouldn't stand up to the rigors of daily use.
Overall it does a good job, but the legs are not very robust. For this price we probably should not complain too much...
Well i bought this tripod a while ago, and it was awesome having such gadget for a cool price like this one not needing to buy a very expensive one. used it many times, lots of options to set the tripod to match your own needs.But problems is on Windy Wheather and with an SLR camera that got a larger LENSE and with the LIFT up to it's TOP, the Tripod really shake a lot which could ruine some of your Photos in a Darker Light ..This is the only problem i found with this Tripod, but otherwise it's Awesome to use..
I just received my Digital Concept TR-60N tripod. It is actually 57-inches tall instead of the 55 listed. I was very skeptical about buying this tripod for my Nikon D90 at first because I had read all the reviews and saw many people saying that it isn't suited to support a larger digital slr, but this is just not the case. I just went out and shot for 5 hours with this, my 18-105mm lens attached to my Nikon D90 and I got some nice shots with it. The main reason I needed a tripod in the first place is to be able to shot in bulb mode with my wireless remote and this tripod was just that and you can't beat the price. I would also recommend getting the AmazonBasics wireless remote, it works exactly the same as the Nikon brand one. I will also attach a photo I took with this tripod to let you see how well it works. The tripod does look quite cheap in construction, but it doesn't feel so cheap that it will break. I would totally recommend this tripod for a budgeted consumer needing a tripod for a digital slr.
This is simply not worth the money.  It is almost impossible to get my camera properly aimed at my subject on this thing.  The head sags so badly that I have to aim above my subject, tighten the handle and hope the camera sags to the right position.  The slightest breeze makes hand holding the camera a better option.  I have since given up on this tripod and bought a real one.
This tripod claims to be 60", but the tallest it will go with the legs out for stability is 49.5". I got this tripod because I am simply giving photography a try, and it was inexpensive. I thought I was getting a tripod that would at least be sturdy. I have yet to take a picture with the camera on this where it is not blurry (due to shake). I do not have a remote for my camera, but with the camera mounted to the tripod, I always use the delayed timer, so I am not touching the camera or tripod to take a picture. Even with this technique, the tripod is still shaking after 2 seconds from hitting the button to take a picture. In summary, this tripod is a $20 paperweight.
Am not a pro, but it works for a person that likes to have all the family members on the digital pictures or who gets tired of holding the video camera for long period of time. Great level of quality from this product; I had this for more than 4 years and still works like new!Very Happy customer
Pros: Inexpensive, lightweight, good features for the priceCons: Not durable, one specific design flaw (see below)I ordered the Digital Concepts TR-62N tripod for my daughter for Christmas, and the Amazon order went through Cameta Camera.  The tripod arrived promptly and in good condition.  It comes with a handy carrying bag that fits well.Overall, this is an inexpensive and lightweight tripod that performs its basic functions as it should.  The controls are reasonably smooth, things lock down the way they are supposed to, and it is reasonably stable.  It is perfectly good for occasional use if it is handled with care.The tradeoff for the low price and light weight is that the tripod is not particularly robust.  The metal center tube and legs are made from soft and thin aluminum, and most of the rest of the tripod is plastic.  It won't take any rough treatment.There is one design flaw that you should be aware of.  The crank to raise and lower the center tube folds away conveniently for storage ... a little too conveniently.  It can go in so far that the end of the crank can become pinched between a leg and the center tube.  This happened to my daughter, and the result was a seriously dented leg that prevented the leg from being retracted all the way.  I was able to fix the problem (including making a modification to prevent it from reoccurring), but the experience caused me to rate the tripod lower.Given my experience, I would probably look to purchase a Slik or other higher quality brand if I had a second chance.  However, at this point we will stay with this tripod for as long as it holds out.
This Tripod is an replacement for one that I  already had, this is a little taller which I like. the one that it is replacing got run overand all the legs where broken.  Hopefully I will not run over this one again..The TR-62N is made heavier which is good...very sturdy...
I was not expecting the level of quality I received from this product. I am not a pro, but this will do nicely for most people. I have no complaints.Digital Concepts TR-62N 60" 3-section Deluxe Tripod with Carrying Case (Folds to 23")
I bought one of these to be used with my Nikon D90. I love it. Very well made and light enough to actually take afield.Easy to use and adjust.You won't be disappointed.
I had purchased another brand for $30.00, but due to its poor construction I had to return it.  This one is both relatively light weight and highly functional for most applications.
Great addition to my video camera. Perfect! I love being more speady with the camera and be handsfree.
I have to say that for $25.00, this really isn't a bad tripod.  I bought mine to hold a 4-lb chronograph as well as a digital camera and it does really well for both.PROS: Lightweight, relatively durable, surprisingly solid feel, structurally.CONS: Some of the plastic is just a little scary.  Two parts that come to mind are the camera tilt lever and the weight hook.  The tilt lever feels spongy...enough so, that I am extra-careful handling it, and the plastic hook on the bottom for weights?  It would hold a lot more weight if it were metal, allowing the tripod to work in windier conditions, which quite frankly it needs.  Mine blew over in 25MPH gusting winds the first time I used it before I added weight.  About 10lbs of weight later, it was fine.One piece of advice to anyone using this thing: There is a pipe that runs down the center of this thing that the leg support braces anchor to.  It is threaded into a plastic housing with very fine threads and will "rip out" at the drop of a hat.  Put a couple of drops of Loc-Tite on the threads before this becomes a bigger problem.In closing, I would say this: If this is going to be mostly stationary or get light usage, it is an ideal stand for someone not wanting to pay big bucks for a professional rig.  If, however, you plan to travel a lot with it and set it up/break it down a lot, then you may want to go to a more expensive model.  As for me, I'll have this out maybe five times a year, and I think it will be more than enough to suit my needs for several years to come.
I would not put my camera on this tripod. It is very flimsily constructed, the center pole regularly comes disconnected, the handle for raising the top bar appears like it will fall off any day. I would not recommend this product. The only use I could have for this would be using this as a table tripod, and not risk damaging my camera or speedlite.
This is a great tripod for the money.  It holds a small camcorder and also has several bells and whistles for the price: built in carry handle, comes with a carry bag, has a hook so you can hang weights to also keep the tripod steady, pretty solid on adjusting legs and also panning and tilting.
I ordered this tripod for a birthday gift for my wife. I read the favorable reviews and decided to give it a shot. I was very pleased when I took it out of the box. It is a sturdy package yet lightweight enough to make it a pleasure to set up and use. The tripod contains all the bells and whisles that the casual photographer would want and need in a tripod. The locks are positive and you can use any type of camera, from my 35mm film camera with zoom lens to the small digital. The digital video camera works on it as well. They even added a hook to the underside, between the legs to attach a weight for extra steadiness when photographing in wind or at slower shutter speeds. Nice touch. Another nice addition is the convenient carrying handle. My only qualm, Amazon.com, is that since I only needed to order this single item, and it was $[...], I missed the free Super Saver shipping by 1 penny. That cost me about [...] bucks in shipping costs. I won't take a star away from this nice tripod for that, but just be aware if you order one from here. Combine it with something else for free shipping. That aside, I highly recommend this tripod.
It's made with cheap materials and it can't hold big cameras with big lenses.  If you have a SLR with cameras up to 70-300mm (5.6/6.3) I would say to buy it. For bigger lenses it`s not the ideal.It`s really high and have some interesting features...
Great tripod for the price! I have no idea how I managed for so long without one. The crank mechanism for raising the camera does feel rather cheap, but so far (a month, and quite a bit of use) it's fine. I've been careful with it. It's light and very easy to set up, so I'm very happy with it.
I received this item quickly, which always puts me in a good mood. The tripod is perfect for what I do with my camera and camcorder- but I am no means a professional. Either way, for $25 this thing does it's job and I'm very pleased with my purchase. It has all kinds of handy little additions that I didn't expect (it's my first tripod)- like the level, different adjustments and a quick-release for the camera. Very cool.
I checked out this tripod locally.  While pulling the tripod out of the box, the center stabilizer pole fell off. I managed to screw it back in place and then I proceeded to fully extend the tripod to its full height. No miss representation there.  It extends to a full total height of 67 inches. That is where I found how shaky the stand is. Keep in mind that I have not mounted a camera onto it. The shakiness was less pronounced after lowering the head to its lowest position. The tripod is constructed with light-weight buffed aluminum rectangular poles that are attached together with low-quality plastic braces and thin hollow pop rivet pins.  I did like the carrying handle and the padding on the top of the three poles which would make it easier to handle during very cold days. The quick release camera mount is always a plus but again, made of low quality plastic. I think that it would be fair to predict that the plastic t-nut that is used to screw into the base of the camera would probably break after a few uses. The tripod that I looked at also had what appeared to be a film of glue covering the bubble level on the tripod head which made the bubble level almost unreadable. The nylon carrying bag is fine for storage but I do not see me using it to carry the tripod around.Overall, I would use this tripod if I was starting out in photography with an inexpensive camera or if I was going to use it to take insignificant photos; but when is a photo that anyone takes insignificant?
My son uses it in his photo class at college and says it is a good unit.
Es manejable de buena altura dificil de encontrar en M&eacute;xico, m&aacute;s bien aqu&iacute; no hay, es muy lijero, facil de transportar,
Why I bought a new tripod:  I already own an old garage-sale tripod of some unspecified brand that I've used with my video camera for several years.  In retrospect, I took its stability for granted, but it lacked a few of the conviences typically found on current tripods.  It folds up nicely, but is heavier to carry than current models, and the camera must be unscrewed from the base plate to remove it from the tripod.  Having bought my first high quality digital still camera, I wanted a lighter-to-carry tripod and one that allowed quick removal and replacement of the camera.Why I chose this one:  This unit offered good height, light weight, a "fluid head" for smooth pans with the video camera, a snap-in base plate, and a carry bag - all at a great price.Why I'm returning this one:Least reason:  The base plate attaches to the camera using a built in plastic tab attached to the screw.  While this is a convenient idea, the tab must be folded down flat to get the base to lock onto the tripod.  Not so bad until you want to remove the plate - you may need a screwdriver to pry up the tab or risk losing a fingernail.  The screw itself does not have slots for a screwdriver.Most reason:  The stability I took for granted in my old tripod is lacking in the new one.  Specifically:1. The legs flex.  On a vinyl floor, it was difficult to get a stable stance because the extended legs woud, one-by-one, flex and "dance" across the floor.  On less-slick surfaces the feet stayed in place, but there was still movement in the unit.2. The top pole (that raises with the crank) is shaky when extended.  The idea of the "fluid head" for smooth pans seems lost when touching the camera causes considerable wobble in the bar itself.  The top pole is better left down.  (Yes, I tightend the connections.)3. The bars of the center brace are attached by loose-fitting rivets.  The brace may prevent the unit from collapsing should you need to set the  legs at a narrower stance, but it does little to "solidify" the tripod.Summary:  At full height, it was difficult to take even still pictures without movement in the tripod.  The setup may look stable, but then you have to touch the camera (unless you have a remote).  It`s worse with the video camera - I was unable to get a smooth pan in spite of the "fluid head".  Stability is better at half-height.
The height is very nice but why does it woble so much even when it is not fully extended?  I also did not like the way the leg clips are made.  They are plastic and one has already broke off.
This tripod seemed to be very nice...  Until we tried to extend the legs all of the way.  Two and a half of the legs worked well, the third had a section that would not stay extended.  The locking devices are pretty poor.  They are made of a cheap plastic and I believe that even the ones that do work well now, will not last very long with even moderate use.  Next time I will try to find a tripod with a set screw type of leg extension lock.
Too light, unsteady, difficult to level, not worth the money. Too light weight to use on windy days. Don't recommend it.
This tripod is nice and sturdy, and has a great feel to it.  I have another tripod that I have had for a long time that is a little shorter than this one, and the camera quick release fits both.
This is my first tripod. I don't use a tripod very often. So I didn't want to spend a lot of money for a very good one. I just wanted a mediocre one, and it is just that.When fully extended, the stability of the tripod is so-so. On hardwood floor, it tends to move a little. But it is pretty stable when I hang a bag carrying 5-6 pounds of weight from the provided hook. I do not extend the neck to get the full height, because I am only 5'7" tall -- the three legs when fully extended give me sufficient height. I read in some reviews that the neck is wobbly. I checked that fact with both my light-weight camcorder and a tiny digital still camera. After extending the neck I tightened the screw that holds the neck in place, and I did not think that the neck was wobbly. I do not know if it'll wobble with heavy cameras though.The features I like in this tripod are its light weight, good height, quick-release camera mounting plate, two spirit levels to check leveling, the handle on the tripod to carry it, and the handy carry-case that comes with it. Some reviewers apparently could not figure out how to mount the camera on the tripod correctly. The correct way of doing that is to take out the mounting plate using the quick release hook, align the camera on it, then tighten the screw from the BOTTOM of the plate holding the plastic thingy that is attached to the screw. Then put back this assembly on the tripod.Now let me highlight the negative points. THE PANNING AND TILTING IS NOT VERY SMOOTH. I tried loosening everything. At best panning and tilting is so-so. The "fluid head" is not very fluid.The other negative point is the tripod does not come with any written or illustrated instruction sheet. That is annoying. I went to the manufacturer's website to look for instructions. No instructions there either. I found a link to write to the company asking for help. My message was sent successfully, but no reply came. That is a shame.In conclusion, if you want a tripod for occasional use and don't want to spend much for it, then you can buy it keeping in mind what to expect. But if you want a very good quality tripod that you want to use regularly and you expect it to last long, then increase your budget and buy a professional quality tripod. Expect to pay at least $200-$300 for such tripods.I give this tripod a 3-star rating
Most tripods in this price range are much shorter. Most tripods that are this tall are significantly more expensive. However this tripod isn't a great value. It's just cheap.This tripod is very light for its size, and while that might be an advantage if you plan on carrying it great distances, it's the result of the relatively thin-guaged legs. The sharp inner edges of the legs will painfully pinch your fingers if you try to use the carrying handle without somehow securing the legs in a folded position.The height adjustment crank includes a plastic gear. Within weeks of purchasing this tripod, the gear jammed, and then stripped. With the top section unable to raise and lower, the advantage of the higher than normal height of this tripod was gone.I really can't recommend this tripod to anyone. If this is in your price range, buy a shorter tripod instead. You can find some very good shorter models for this price. If you need a taller tripod, bite the bullet, and look at ones that are about twice the price of this one.To sum it up, this tripod isn't a great value. It's just cheap.
Haven't tried it in windy conditions yet but I like that it's lightweight, easy to transport and extends to 70 inches.  The extra height extension prevents you from stooping over when shooting videos.  Good value, and free shipping (delivered in 5 days to Hawaii - not bad!) from Amazon only makes it better!  Highly recommended.
Well, I purchased this camera about a year ago for $600 on ebay and it does everything I want it to do. Great resolution, except with digital zoom, and ok stills. I took the pics displayed here with a sony dscw5 but the still quality you'll get with this camera on memory card are also displayed here.. As far as video quality, its still great for a 2-3 yrs old camera. I usually attach this camera via firewire to my pc and edit videos there. When i dont use a digital zoom thing look great! W/digital zoom not so well. I like the form factor and for the next 2-3 years I have no inclination to buy a new camcorder. Enjoy!
Ignoring the fact that this is overkill, the DCRPC105's Video-in capabilities works very well and allows conversion of analog to digital video. You can connect an analog source via the included RCA connectors, which also support S-Video.Transferring video to a computer is straightforward, but a FireWire cable is not supplied, only a USB cable for the USB streaming feature.
The camera takes great video quality during day and in low dark situations.  Even better when you put the night vision on.  Camera is small and has a sturdy feel to it.  I was a bit intimidated on learning how to use the camera but the instruction manual is very helpful and explanations are clear.  Also once you learn how to use one function with the menus, it becomes intuitive and translates to the process of how you would use other functions.  The display screen seems sufficient and the touch screen works pretty good, however if you have really thick fingers it may be a bit awkward to use.Speaking of awkward, that is where this camera loses some points.  Because the camera is meant to be compact, you can expect some buttons to be placed in unfavorable areas but I know they could have set the zoom feature in a better place.  The zoom switch is very small and therefore difficult to control the speed at which you zoom in.  On top of that, it is place out of reach of where your finger normally rests while you are recording.  What ends up happening is while recording, if you need to zoom in, you need to look away from your screen or viewfinder just to zoom and when you do, you end up moving the whole camera while it's recording.  A lot of times I just try not to zoom unless it's necessary.  That was my biggest gripe about this camera.I definitely agree, the provided software is not nearly as intuitive or clear as the instructions for camera operations.  In a way it is simplistic but yet confusing because there are so few options, you expect more and go searching through the help files only to realize this program doesn't have such options.  Definitely consider third party software if you are serious about video editing.  The software can take what you recorded on MiniDV and turn it into a VCD but the quality is really poor even on the highest setting that I don't recommend saving your recordings that way, use as a backup only.The features I did like about this camera (besides those mentioned in the first paragraph) are the ability to not only record on your miniDV cassette but also on a memory stick, although the quality isn't as good, it works out perfectly if you want to record little clips and send to family members via email and best of all you cans use the functions such as zooming in and night vision.  Being able to take still pictures is another plus, although don't expect high quality pics, they are nonetheless still decent and there is a flash built in.  You can even take pictures in the middle of recording although the resolution isn't as good as when you have it in still camera mode.The included remote is pretty useful when you're watching your movies and all the connections to plug it up to a TV are provided so that's another plus.  The camera has a lot of upgradeability options such as longer lasting batteries or tripod, external light hookup.  Camera also has a built in speaker to review your video or you can use the headphone jack.  The display shows how much battery life you have left and camera recording time.  Another great thing is if you leave your cassette in there and record stop and record, the transition from stopping your previous recording and starting your new is super smooth.  The bad thing is that if you take the tape out, you have to do that process manually unless you have the special Sony miniDV's with memory.Overall though, a good camera, minus those few flaws, it's solid and quiet when recording.  I strongly recommend you get some type of lens protector (they are pretty easy to screw on), an extra rechargeable battery (the one provided doesn't last very long), more memory (they give you a useless 8mb memory stick) and a case because the last thing you want to do is drop this camera.  As solid as it feels, the camera is also not light so a fall would not be too good.I didn't touch upon the recording features such as adding text, background music or special effects because I haven't really tried them yet, but know that they are there.  The instructions in the manual are clear with walking you through how to do that.  When I get more time I will experiment with those.
great feature set on this camcorder in a very compact form factor. this would be my perfect camcorder if it had a 3.5" lcd and 2 megapixel still capability.  but that's the tradeoff if you want a miniDV camcorder that is this small and light.pros:- ultra compact design, very light weight.- 1 megapixel still capability- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens.- steady shot and night shot.- built in pop-up flash for taking photos.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.- progressive shutter system.- supports exif 2.2.cons:- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5" LCD.- no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- you could do better on the still photo department.  for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 have 2 megapixel capability but those camcorders are bigger and heavier.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- the included 8MB memory stick is a joke.  be prepared to shell out more money for at least a 32MB memory stick if you want to take more than 10 one megapixel photos.as already mentioned, in my opinion, this is the best camcorder package around today.  peace.
The technical reviews here are great, and very helpful.  But maybe you're like me -- not a videographer, but just a parent who wants a compact, easy to use, high-quality camera.  And this Sony is an excellent choice.  Small enough that you don't mind lugging it along to school performances, or tucking it away -- because you never know when a memory will beg for capture.  I love the touch screen menus.  And it's typical Sony quality.Our family will record something silly, plug the USB cable right into the TV, and watch our instant movies.  Fun times.
Mine was stolen last November 2008, but up until that point I had used it alot since 2003 on 7+ international vacations and it never failed me or gave me any problems. Having it so easy to connect to my PC via the USB I could download the movie straights to my video capture software. It also doubles as a webcam if you need it to;)Im just SHOCKED at how expensive it still is after all these years, I was gonna re-buy it as a lot of my tapes are mini DV so its definitely one I might get again but since the price is still high Im gonna search alternatives. But yea this has got some nice features and was extremely reliable for my 5 years of usage. Just thought I'd share.
After a long research of compact camcorders, I bought a PC105 last September to replace a bulkier Digital 8, also Sony, that in turn replaced a Sony Hi8, and I am quite happy with it. I got it for about $750 on IBuyDigital. The camera is really compact, though you need to get used to the PC format (vertical), as opposed to the TRV one. The image quality is superb, and with good illumination you get up to 500 lines horizontal resolution (I measured it, the D8 only went up to 380 and the Hi8 to 420). The image quality is much better than my old D8. The 1Mpix still images are reasonable but don't replace a dedicated still digicam, though for special cases when you need the 10x zoom, it is a good thing to have. The MPEG1 video clips that you can store on the Memory Stick look similar to what you get from video clips out of still digicams. I guess those are mostly gadgets, I mainly use it for DV video and I capture it to my PC for later transfer to DVD.The zoom lever is not particularly easy to use, but once you get used to it is not that bad. The focus ring is easy to use, though the autofocus is so good that I hardly use the manual focus (as compared to my old Hi8). Also, the image stabilization is way superior to the old D8 one, and does not seem to introduce extra noise as was the typical case. This is especially important on a small and light weight camcorder since it is harder to keep it still than with a heavier one.But, the main advantage of this camera, besides its compact size, is the hybrid LCD touchpanel. Forget about those bright days when you had to stick to the viewfinder because you could hardly see the LCD screen under the sunlight. With this one, you can see it perfectly, whether under the direct sun or on a dark place... You can even save some battery power by switching off the backlight when using it outdoors. The 2.5" is a bit small, but I don't believe you can put a bigger one without making the camcorder bigger too. The LCD is high resolution and looks very sharp. The color viewfinder is not tiltable and resolution is not as good as the LCD, but helps extending battery life, which BTW is accurately measured and displayed.I would have placed at least a scroll/select wheel for the menu system, though the touch panel is really easy to use. But the scroll wheel is faster to use for selecting things on a typical Sony menu. However, the most used functions have direct access from the LCD touch panel buttons, and the spot focus and spot metering, where you select the area of interest by touching it on the LCD, is a cool addition that you don't have in many cameras.Overall, I am happy with it, I can put it on the same bag together with my 5Mpix digicam and I just hope it works fine for many, many years.
If you are purchasing this product for use with the Kodak DX 4530 then the Kodak Lens Adaptor for EasyShare DX4330 is required to fit them together.
I was very hesitant when I bought this lens for my dx7440 camera. I didn't think it would work. However when I tested it I was amazed! It definitely does what it is suppose to do, and doubled my zoom.4 stars because it is not to god at pictures indoors without natural light. Made them very dark, but this is the type of thing you really use in an outdoor setting anyway.Even came with a lens bag.
1. Zoom telephoto completely.2. Use LCD screen for framing, not viewfinder.3. Snap picture.It is that easy.  Excellent results.
I just received this lens a few days ago and have only taken a half dozen pictures with it since but I'm very impressed with the increased clarity that this lens provides over relying on the digital enhancements of the DX7440.  This lens provides me with up to 8x optical zoom on top of the 4x built in to the camera.  For the DX7440 you do need the lens adapter and you will have 'tunnel vision' if you leave the camera zoomed out, but the whole point on this lens it to increase the zoom already on the camera.  Why put a 2x lens on a camera and not use the 4x built in?  The instructions state that you need to use the LCD display on your camera to frame your shot but that is true with any digital, the viewfinder isn't like an SLR camera that reflects from the viewfinder down through the lens.  If you own a DX7440 this is an excellent addition to an already outstanding device.
This is a great device for my kodak camera. I can't believe how great the shots look with this additional device.
I agree with the other reviews.  I am an architect who takes many architectural photos, both interior and exterior.  While I cannot say a digital camera can replace a traditional SLR camera and the wide angle lens is as versatile as the ones I have used for SLR, it works surprising good.  With some photoshop tweaking, this lens can take some beautiful pictures, it is crisp and added great value to my digital camera.  It is true that the pictures are very dim even with flash but by changing the speed and the exposure time on the the digital camera, the problem is easily solved.  If you don't have additional light and the scene is dark, you probably need to increase the exposure time so much that you need a tripod.  Most of the time, using night scene on your digital camera would suffice.  General speaking, it adds a lot of value to my digital camera for $50.  I recommend it!
Hesitated to buy because (a) it's relatively low cost and (b) I generally don't buy accessories from mega-companies. The bottom line is that this wide angle converter with the Kodak point-and-shoot DX7630 produces pictures that are sharp to the corners, with only a little softening at the far edges.For most wide angle shots -- landscapes, cityscapes, crowd scenes -- you wouldn't notice the very slight defocusing in the last 50-80 corner pixels (across the 2,856 x 2,142 pixel area of a DX7630 photo).At its 0.6x wide angle factor, the lens gives me the 35mm equivalent of a 23.4mm lens with the DX7630's widest zoom. Any conversion lens that's wider (0.5x or lower) and you're getting into fish-eye country.You do get barrel distortion, typical of wide angle lenses, which can be removed with software. And, as the other reviewer points out, the combination of lens + adapter blocks the light output of the on-camera flash.The lens comes with instructions (basically, "keep it clean"; and "screw it into the adapter and/or threads on the lens, but not too tight"... in 4 languages). There's also a fine, calfskin... oh, wait, it may be plastic... lens pouch.If you're shooting broad expanses of countryside or regularly need to wedge 20 people into a well-lighted interior shot (or have the means to use an external flash for darksome places) this lens makes a good addition.With software correction of barrel distortion and perspective, it makes surprisingly good architectural shots. They look for all the world like those tasty, mannered view-camera studies that grace the slick architectural magazines (but without the razor sharpness... this is point-and-shoot, remember).The marketeers and engineers who were part of this Kodak project should feel proud of themselves. The combination of this adapter with the Schneider Kreuznach lens that Kodak's putting on its cameras makes for a good optical match, and the pricing is more than equable relative to competing adapters.
I was very hesitant when I bought this lens for my dx7440 camera. I didn't think it would work. However when I tested it I was amazed! It definitely does what it is suppose to do, and made the picture a wide angle picture. It evens bows at the top and bottom like a traditional slr wide angle lens would do.4 stars because it is not to god at pictures indoors without natural light. Made them very dark, but this is the type of thing you really use in an outdoor setting anyway for landscapes and other stuff.Even came with a lens bag.
Excellent price and value for this authentic Kodak product.  Performs exactly as advertised & as critiqued by other Amazon reviewers.  CAUTION: The only problem I had was in finding the *absolutely required* adapter ring for my camera (adapts the lens to the camera).  30mm - 37mm lens adapter: Item # 1652064. Kodak shows it in their accessories, but no longer offers it, nor do any of the secondary suppliers.  It's a very inexpensive item-- but nearly impossible to find.  I finally contacted Kodak corporate management offices and their customer-service/quality engineering folks found one for me.  The adapter is not equivalent to generic 30-37mm adapter rings.  'Someone' should offer the adapter.
Now here's a Kodak Lens WORTH having! I use it for work mainly and it does what its suppose to do. Capture more of what you want! But remember, you NEED the Kodak Attachment so you can use this bad boy here. Worth every Dollar!
Trying to upgrade the way to use my camera and this addition let's me use my camera for many different types of shots.
Purchased the 37mm lens for my kodak DX7630 digital camera with this accessory it takes great wide angle pictures. Must have the lens adapter or this lens willn't work. Puts a little weight on the front of the camera, but this is something that you have to live with.
This battery performed just as well as the battery that was included with my camera.  Same speedy charge and same long life, I always like to have at least two batteries fully charged and ready to go all the time and this one works to my standards.  I have purchased knock off brands of batteries for cameras in the past and they never perform as well as the name brand.
I've used the the generic brand battery for my Pentax and the Pentax battery outlasts it by far both in performance and overall battery life.  It's worth the extra money.
I purchased my Pentax Optio digital when visiting the Carribean several years ago, and only just now had to replace the original battery!  Am glad that I decided to replace with original equipment.  Battery holds a charge FOREVER!  Too risky to purchase generic, which would not have been as costly....but could never outshine the quality of the orignal equipment.  Plus, it is great that Amazon offers free shipping on so many of their items. That is really a tremendous incentive to continue buying from them!
They did not work in my charger so I ordered a charger. They now charge correctly. Neither the one from Japan or China worked in the orriginal charger that came with the camera. I now have two new batteries that I hope will last al long as I need the camera.
We go on long trips and having a back up battery with us was necessary.  Because we live in Germany, we've been able to take trips into neighboring countries (via bus) and have taken so many photos that we truly wear out the battery, now we can just pop the second one in and just keep snapping away.  It's disappointing to not be able to take photos of things you see along the way when your camera is just tired, not anymore!  We are happy with our purchase and the item was delivered quickly.
A friend suggested that I get a spare, but I was skeptical about how much I would need it.  Sure enough, the battery that came with the camera has proven to take more than enough photos in a single charge for my daily needs.  However, when on vacation it was invaluable having a spare when we were away from the hotel for extended periods and didn't want to miss a single photo opportunity.Considering the increasing capacity of memory cards it is getting easier and easier to get carried away and taking tons of photos.  With a digital camera I no longer wait for the "best" shot and instead just take photos at will, knowing I can edit and delete anything I don't like at no cost.  Also, the constant viewing of photos on the camera by different people really took a toll on the battery too.A spare is a must and I have had this OEM battery as well as the one that came with the camera for about 4 years now and I'm not seeing in reduction in their capacity.
We purchased a generic battery as a backup for our Pentax Optio W20 and it never did hold a charge. The original Pentax DL18 battery that came with the camera is holding up fine and keeps a long lasting charge. So, we are getting another one. No more aftermarket batteries for us.
This battery is fine. It lasts much more than the alternative (non original) ones.
Product Made in China, a Made in Japan version came with my camera... can't tell the difference. Works fine, but is pricey. Go for a reputable generic Lithium Ion with same voltage and higher mAh at a lower price...
When I bought my Pentax camera it only came with one battery so I bought a charger and a generic battery to swap out when I ran out of juice.  Since this is a proprietary battery and I often find myself off the beaten path in Alaska this is a good idea.  Alas the generic one has already died but the original is still working fine.  I bought two more genuine Pentax.  Costs about double the generic but apparently YGWYPF.  BTW, my Pentax Optio W20 is still GREAT, waterproof and tough!
The battery works great!  I shopped at several online stores and Amazon had a fair price and with the free and quick shipping - it was the best deal.  The camera now works with the new battery.
I like to have 2 batteries so I can have a charged one at all times.  The Pentax battery is much superior to a generic brand I purchased when I could not find another Pentax brand battery.  The generic one bloated up and quit after a few months.  The original one that came with the camera is still working great.  I am glad to finally find a source for the Pentax brand.
This is a well-constructed generic equivalent (made by PowerSmart in Japan) to the Pentax DL18 Lithium Ion battery for the Pentax Optio S camera. Depending on which vendor you choose, the generic brand may vary. One of the reviewers for this battery is correct about the illustration above; it is not the battery. The battery you will get is gray. It measures 40.5mm x 35.4mm x 6mm. The three terminals are at the edge of the battery, recessed and offset to one side. It is also interesting to note that this DL18 is equivalent to the Fujifilm NP-40 battery. The battery fits snug but not tight inside the camera, so that if you accidentally undo the spring latch, it won't fall out. Functionally, it works great and lasts just as long as the original battery.
It performs as I expected it.  The charge lasts long enough for my camera so I don't have to carry several batteries.  I have the battery for several years now and it still hold a charge as when it was new.
I was really suprised when the battery arrived. It was tiny, but the camera works great with it installed. It is good to have a spare battery.
came on time, seems to work fine, looking to try it in the cold in a couple weeks or so
I have 2 of these, the one that came with the Optio and this one as a spare. I find when traveling it pays to have 2 fully charged batteries before starting the day, especially when the camera requires a proprietary battery such as this one. I get about 100 high res shots out of the battery with the LCD on, maybe 150 with the LCD off. I feel the price is reasonable.
It holds a charge for quite a long time and it's easy to recharge, too.  Easy to insert and take out of my camera, too!
I bought this battery as a backup.  Works great.
Have only had it a month or so, so can not comment on longevity, but it is exactly what it says it is and at a great price.
I have had this camra for a long time and didnt use it much because of the battery.  Thank heaven for Amazon, I received the correct battery and I was taking pictures again.
Don't get this battery for the Pentax W30, it doesn't fit.  The LI-40 for Olympus does.  I got one from Adorama that works well, costs less, and claims to have slightly more capacity (1000 mAh)
When I bought my camera I also purchased a generic battery. The Pentax battery has far outlasted the generic.
It is expensive but it will last. 7 years after and still holding a good charge. I recommend this more than the replacements if you use your camera often.
So far so good.  It worked great on my trip to Italy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! the battery life for these cameras is VERY good, but once the indicator shows less than 3 full bars of power the battery doesnt have long to go. If you are on a trip and dont have quick access to charge your battery it is VERY usefull to have one of these as a backup. It fits nicely into the leather case that you can buy for these cameras, and it is not that expensive. The headache and aggrivation of NOT being able to use the camera when the battery dies at an innappropriate time makes this a worthwhile purchase, though i have had no complaints about the battery life. They do charge VERY quickly in the wall charger (usually about 20-30 minutes gets me a full charge)
Purchased this directly from Amazon, received a new genuine Pentax battery as advertised.  It was a very welcome replacement for the original battery that came with my Pentax Optio WPi 6MP Waterproof Digital Camera which is still serving me well after 4+ years.  A replacement battery is cheaper than a new camera!
This microphone was an excellent purchase.  I am using this on my Canon HV20 HDV camera.  The sound quality is great and it reduces the noise from the camera motor to almost 0.  It was a snap to install and fits nicely on top.  The provided shoe mount worked great.Great product.
Works great with my Sony DCR-TRV17. The built-in mic captures the noise of the motor from the tape transport, so every video has this whine. I tried an Audio-Technica shotgun mic for camcorders, but it produced a low hum on every recording. The Sony ECM-MS908C works great, captures good sound. Finally, noise free recordings!
Doesn't work on my HDR-HC7 shoe.  You might think Sony would be smart enough to include a $1.50 adapter for their own intelligent shoe, but no deal.  Overall, it's a great mike.  Looks sharp, sounds crisp and clear, and seems to be acoustically accurate.  Low noise.  It probably works best within 10-12 ft.  It just arrived today so I can't report field results, but in a quiet environment it didn't pick up any camcorder noises and it seems to have adequate stereo imaging and directionality.  Thinking optimistically, the mic offers us the 1,002nd use for duct tape.  Performance: 5 stars.  Sony Intelligence: 1 star.
I should start out by saying that my primary uses for this mic have been for instrumental recording.  I generally record directly to a Sony MD player if I am recording a practice session with it, but I have recorded a few concerts as well and have run it through a mixer with great results.  Individual voices come through very well.  The only disadvantage to it is that you can only use 3.5mm cable with it, which works great for recording to MD but means you need adapters to work with any other type of recording equipment.  If this is a major concern, you may wish to look at the more pro-sumer like equivalent, the MS-957, which will allow you to use either 3.5mm or XLR cable.  However, I find these mics more than acceptable for most of my uses, and have been pleasantly surprised by these two mics that I picked up.
I used this mic on my Panasonic GS-200 video camera, its good. No camera mounted mic is very good, they all pickup motor vibrations. This is NOT a shotgun mic, buts it is stereo, so ambient room sounds, just sound true and live. I also use this through a mixer with an iMic for voiceovers. It's very good.  The nice thing about having a camcorder mic and VO mic, is its easier to match the sound for voice over videos.There are only a few stereo condensor mics in this price range.CONS: Hardly any, its easy to forget and leave it on too long, the led only flashes at powerup time, and notwhile on. Would be nice to flash once every few seconds as a reminder. But they are battery conservative, my battery has lasted over 2 years.From what I heard, on the net and microphone reviews, it sounds very close to the $150 microphones for a lot less. If you don't want the stereo pickup, you can always use one channel and Y-cable or flip a mixer switch, on a camcorder, you are stuck with stereo and have to mix down to mono in post.
All in all, I am pleased with this mic.  It works well with my Sony MiniDV Camcorder and is easy to install.  The one thing I don't like is that the light indicating the battery life of the mic is covered by the foam windscreen.
I shoot documentaries in HD.  For the past 5 years I've shot in surround-sound.  My rig has two of these mics isolation-mounted on the top of my camera, one facing forward and one aft.  The four audio channels are independently recorded, mixed, and delivered on a DVD.  When played on a home theater setup, you get all 4 channels back.  Wonderful sound.That said, the frequency response is not perfectly flat, but I've measured the response and I put in a complimentary curve to compensate.All in all, a great mic.  The foam windscreens help reduce wind noise only slightly;  for best results, combine the foam with furry "windjammers" (they look like a very fuzzy mouse) to really cut the noise outdoors.
I bought this mike 3 years ago. Much of my videos are interviews. I bought a six-foot extension cord at Radio Shack and use this mike handheld. Viewers remark that in my videos you can hear what the people say, with full, clear sound. If I have to cut in an interview someone else did using a camera-mounted mike, the sound is suddenly tinny, distant, and weak. I also own a camera-mounted Canon shotgun mike. I use that if a handheld mike isn't possible, but it's substantially worse sound. I also own two Sony wireless laveliers. I rarely use those, they're too much trouble to deal with. As for built-in mikes, some camcorders have acceptable mikes and others are horrendous. This Sony mike is my first choice mike in nearly every video. Simple to use, pro sound. I never use this microphone mounted to the camcorder. Thus I should have bought the Sony ECMMS907, which is the same microphone but with a small stand instead of the camcorder mount. But the subject is almost always holding this mike so I usually don't need a stand.
I've had this camera for years. So long, in fact, that I can't be certain. I think I paid around $275 for it new, back when 3MP was competitive. Bought for ease of use, AA battery factor (see below and extrapolate why that's a big deal) and Leica lens. Since purchase this camera has gone EVERYWHERE with me. By current standards, it's kinda big, the zoom is lame, and it chews through batteries. HOWEVER, it's done all I ever really wanted it to, been abused beyond belief, and continued to perform as desired until very recently. Pictures are acceptable for a happy snap; prety darn good in fact. I am familiar with the finer points of photography, film and digital... c'mon, I'm not going into detail about that with an old P&S. User interface (shooting and menu navigation) is relatively intuitive and friendly. Pic quality good, settings clear enough to manipulate on the fly. Video quality is, ahem, not great, but better than nothing. Here's the important part: this camera has consistently delivered usable, good pics over the years in (drumroll please)... Most of the US; the UK; far northern Canada, the Arctic, SE Asia, the desert, naughty jungles, alpine zones, indoors, outdoors, Blackhawks, Pave Hawks, police helicopters, C-12s, C-23s, many flavors of C-130s, C-17s, boats, trucks, cars, HMMWVs, LMTVs, Deuce-and-a-halfs, family pictures, accident scenes, random Kodak moments and nearly any environment you can name, including capturing some amazing moments through NVGs (this takes a pretty specific technique). This camera was rocksolid, and finally started to fail after being dropped in talcum-powder sand...off a motorcycle at high speed... in 115 degree weather east of Barstow (you get the point) last summer. Totally my fault. Only issue now: lens cover sometimes doesn't open all the way, maybe 80%, giving a "shadow framed" effect if I don't flick it. I love this camera; it's been totally good to me. Time moves on, and I'm upgrading to some 21st Century technology now, but I really will miss this little guy. If you want to spend a little money for a reliable brick in your pocket that takes serviceable pics and doesn't need a charger (AA's are available worldwide for cheap, trust me... just plan on buying them frequently), consider this camera. You may not be printing 11x17s with it, you you could capture some great memories.
I doubt there are going to be any more people doing some serious shopping for a mere 3MP camera when you can get ones that offer double or triple, but I just felt compelled to comment on mine.I bought mine at the Balad PX in Iraq in 2004 and this camera is *still* working like new!In fact, this camera also doubled as my memory stick while I was in Iraq since I didn't have the money to buy a real one.I've taken this camera to all my vacations, hot and cold temperature environments, etc.At first the picture quality was ok, but I soon figured out how to increase the image resolution in the menus and ever since I've been happy with all the pictures I've gotten out of it. Sure, the picture quality could always be better--but do I really need to see every pore and zit when I zoom in on someone's face? No.Three other advantages I see to this camera:1) Has a manual viewing aperture. I've noticed that many of the newer cameras don't. Granted, I've only had to use the manual viewer a few times, but it's still handy to have, especially when the environment is too bright to see the image in the digital window.2) Relatively light and compact. On my vacations I carry this camera in my cargo pocket and it's not too heavy as to be dragging my pants down.3) Uses 2x AA batteries. I see this as an advantage. My wife had an Olympus camera and was constantly having to charge it. So much easier to buy a pack of AA's (that fit nicely in a little camera carrying case), instead of those lithium-ion batteries where you need to pack a charger and possibly an adapter if you're going to go overseas. Why wait for your batteries to charge in your hotel room when you can buy some AAs on the streets of Turkey?When I think of all the electronic devices I've owned over the years, this Panasonic Camera has outlived quite a bit. It's nice to see that a company can still make a product that you don't "use for one year and throw away". For that, Panasonic gets a huge thumbs up and can expect me to check out their newer cameras when this one bites the dust . . . if it ever does.
This camerae is fabulous.  The photos are clear and crisp.  The settings enable you to tweak almost anything you want.  There are special photo modes.  Including a 'heart' mode which is basically point and shoot friendly.  The quality is outstanding and the price is comparably less than the cannon A60, but without sacrificing quality standards.  Plus this camera takes 2 AA NiMH at a time and not four like other cameras, a huge plus.  This way you can carry extra batteries much easier.  A battery charger is a must so plan to buy one.  With usb 2.0 you'll have your pics on the computer in a flash.  Don't be discouraged by all the special settings.  Just make sure you have the photo on enlarge quality and not internet, so that it looks good.  All resolutions come out nicely.  The movie mode is in quicktime format and the movies come out surprisingly clear and the audio is great esp for such a small mic, it picks up everything.  I can't say anything bad about this camera but...The only cons are, make sure you hold the camera on your subject(s) for at least 2 seconds or the pic will come out blurred.  Bad lighting makes for some digital noise (grainy).  And make sure you purchase at least a 128mb SD card.  This camera has been discontinued due to it's lighter remake, LC50. Go buy one and take awesome photos :-)
I researched for my 1st Dig cam for a month now.  I have tried Minolta F300 (grainy, too complicated with manual options), Sony P72(noisy at night, pics on LCD look awesome but not on computer), Fuji 3800 (good, but awkward to hold etc). So returned all 3.Bought this Panasonic 33, very nice !!!!!!!!! Good pics, very accurate colors( see sony's is not natural, I will prove it to you !), Very smooth operation, no noise at all, no lags, cheaper, easy to hold, light - fits in pocket, fully auto - no manual operations, very easy for novices.Problems:Plasticky body (buy pana DCM F1S with metal etc), Not great in Low light conditions (how many times we will take pics in low light ? let us face it).......it still takes good pics in normal night light conditions, night scenary etc...., will have to buy AA NIMh battery, charger( get that Kodak at amazon.com - it has 5* rating), no sound in playback mode for video but it does record sound...
Panasonic digital cameras are not anywhere near as ubiquitous as Elphs, and it's unfortunate.  I think these Lumix cameras, which are slightly larger than the Elphs, compare more favorably in many ways.I recently upgraded from my Panasonic DMC-LC20 to this camera and have not been disappointed.  The LC-33 is slightly smaller, is 3.2MP versus 2.1MP.  It still delivers many of the functionalities I was looking for in a DC.The most important features on this camera are:- Leica lens:  Perhaps one of the most important features of a camera is its lens.  With a good lens, you can take good pictures.  With an excellent one like a Leica...- AA batteries:  Proprietary batteries suck.  They're expensive and they sometimes inexplicably just die or lose their charge.  It's much better to rely a few sets of AAs.  And if you're ever out on vacation and run out of power, just run out and buy more batteries instead of having to wait to look for an outlet and charge up for a few hours.- Burst mode:  Allows you to take as many as 3 (manual says 5, but I've only gotten 3) pictures within a second.  This only works in ideal light conditions, but if you've ever tried to take sports/action shots with a DC, you know how frustrating it can be with the lag between clicking the button and the camera takig the picture, and the lag between pictures.- Short Lag time:  Speaking of lag times, the Panasonic seems to have a shorter lag than Elphs.- Picture Review:  Some cameras require you to switch from camera mode to picture mode to view the last picture you took.  This is a foreign concept to me.  With the LC33, press a button, and it's back on the screen for 5 seconds.- Movie mode:  Although movies don't come out all that great (10 fps compared to 15 on some other cameras), the camera does allow you to record for as long as you have memory.- Audio annotation is a fun feature to have.  This allows you to automatically store a few seconds of audio with your picture.- They fixed the battery storage fip-door thing.  The LC20 had a horrible design that just felt like it was going to break anytime.Cons:- Weak Flash- The body of the LC33 doesn't feel quite as sturdy as the Elphs, but I haven't had any problems with the LC33, and my LC20 is still going strong despite some short falls.The camera I was comparing it to was the Canon A70, which I've heard and read is supposedly the best in this class.  The Elphs are nice, but more pricey.  And since I wasn't as concerned about size, I opted to look at the LC33 and A70.I eventually settled on this camera for the following reasons:- It takes 2 AAs rather than the A70's 4 AAs.  If a camera takes 4 batteries, you'll need a minimum of 8 rechargable batteries at all times.  With the LC33, I get away with having 6 AAs.  Each pair gives me a good 100+ shots.- Panasonic takes SD memory instead of the A70's Compact Flash.  CF is a dying technology.  Even Canon's moving away from it.  (Note their newest Elph, the SD100 takes SD.)  SD, is here it stay.  It's being used in PDAs, phones, and other mobile devices.- A70 fit poorly in my hand.  The battery storage area for the A70 is in the handle.  Before you buy any digital camera, go to a store and see how it fits in your hand first!!!- Last, my previous positive experience with the Panasonic swayed me towards the LC33.I'll conclude with the end to my review of the LC20:  The key to buying a DC will be to ask yourself what you will be using the camera for most. Is it something you want to bring with you EVERYWHERE? If so, you'll probably want something ultra-small, smaller than this camera (and thus probably twice the price of this camera). I just wanted something to replace my Point-and-Shoot, something that allows me to take a lot of pictures without worrying about the cost of film, development, etc. IMHO, this is a great starter DC. It's relatively cheap, has a lot of great features, and it's compact enough to carry in a jacket pocket. Overall, it has exceeded my expectations and continues to please.
I've had this camera for more than 5 years and it still works like new. I just love it and the p9icture quality is great!
Can't give a complete rating yet, just received it from Amazon and the thing died within a half hour.  New batteries didn't help, so its going back.  I've got another one on its way here (Amazon's shipping is very fast- and FREE).Also, Amazon is giving out $50 for purchases above $250 and if you go to Panasonic's web site, you can still get a free 128 meg SD card until the end of Oct.Pros[] Burst mode works great (neat for golf swings). You can get full res pictures at 2 or 4 frames/sec, but the total frames are limited to 8 (very impressive)[] It also has another burst type mode called "Auto Exposure Bracket" that will take 3 photos in rapid succession with 3 different exposure settings.  (not sure this is working right, 2 of the 3 pics look identical)[] Not sure about the comment above concerning "no manual controls except for white balance"You can manually control:ISO (50, 100, 200, 400)EXPOSURE (-2 to +2 in 1/3 steps)CONTRAST (Natural, Standard, Vivid)COLOR EFFECT (Off, Cool, Warm, B/W)WHITE BALANCE (Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, White set)[] Self timer and Flash options are easily settable without having to go into the main menuFor the complete manual, goto[...]and type in "DMCLC33"Biggest disappointments[] Pictures do not show the date (computer file only)
I bought this camera at least six or seven years ago.  I paid $214 for it and I bought it because it has the Leica lens. This camera is not recommended for the following reasons:1.  System Error.  Google this and you will see other people having this issue.  You will not be able to use the camera.2.  It takes only average pictures.  Google pictures taken by this camera and see for yourself.  The green color is especially off.  Yes, you can fix it but why bother?  Don't bother to flame me for this because I use professional monitors.3.  Weak flash with very limited range.  Indoor photos?  Forget it (unless you buy the Sony HVLFSL1B external flash).4.  It is a battery hog.  It drains batteries very quickly when you take multiple pictures.5.  No firmware update for this camera.The system error is the killer.  There are many cameras out there.  Don't waste your money on this.  This camera is going to be donated.
The DMC-LC33 is my first digital camera; I've been using Leica &quot;M&quot; rangefinders for 20 years, and, candidly, the Leica lens was a major draw.  I just returned from my first real outing with the camera and I love it!* I shoot every image at maximum resolution and print using Picture Window and an Epson 2200 -- 5&quot;x7&quot; prints are glorious; 8 1/2&quot; x 11 &quot; (~A4) are really good if viewed from a foot or more away.* There are enough controls to put the photographer in charge if need be (I use the +/- EV control a lot), but on pure auto-pilot the exposures are always at least decent, usually better.* I've had good experiences in &quot;Leica mode&quot; -- turn off the flash and display, compose through the optical viewfinder.  The exposure lag is the only downside I've found with this camera.Highly recommended to any traditional photographer wanting to get their feet wet in the digital realm.
Its very hard to select a digital camera for purchase with dozens of models out there. Reviews will help but its you who has to make the final decision.LC33 is one of the rare non-Canon's worth considering. Its got a lot of features, fast performace, sharp images and reasonable price.Pro's,1. The image quality is very good, sharp & clean.2. Fast performance, quick to do everything.3. Got a unique mega burst mode to capture 5-8 images per sec, extremely handy for sports pics.4. Build quality is very good and camera feels perfect in hand.5. Runs on standard NiMH AA batteries, has video out and uses standard SD/MMC cards.6. Panasonic is running a promotion currently for free 128MB SD card and 4 NiMH batteries after a rebate.7. Uses only 2 batteries unlike 4 for A70, making it light weight.Con's,1. Bigger than Canon Elph's (about the same size as Canon A70).2. Plastic tripod mount.3. No manual controls except white balance.4. Some noise in photos.Overall LC33 is better than elcheapo Fuji's, Olympus D560 and Nikon 3100. (Cameras like those from Gateway, Samsung, Vivitar, Argus etc are just pathetic in comparison, don't waste money on them.) My recommendation is to get either Panasonic LC33, Sony P72 or Canon A70.
Very easy to operate.Takes excellent pics. Pics are very clear and have great color.I am very happy with this product.
Just to try this thing out when I got it, I took a picture of some print across the room (20ft away) that I can't read with my eyes.  I could read it in the blowup of the image.  If I can see things in the photo that I can't see with my eyes, the resolution is 110% fine for snapshots.  The color balance and exposure isn't perfect, but it's close enough that you can fix it with Photoshop without too much work (autolevels does the job usualy).Battery life with the included rechargeable AAs is sufficient for my needs.  You'll need a better memory card, though, as the included 16mb job only holds ~13 pictures.  It is good that it uses SD, which is a standard, rather than the proprietary MemoryStick that most of the Sony cameras use, so you can find a 256mb card for under $60 if you look around.
I've only had this camera for about a month, so I can't speak to the long term maintainence issues discussed in a couple of other reviews (all digital cameras in this price range appear to have similar problems).  Nevertheless, the picture quality is fantastic, particularly once you learn to adjust the settings for your lighting conditions.
I was hesitant to buy a digital camera because I am know very little about film camera and nothing about digital.  The amazon reviews for this camera were an enormous help in comparing with other brands.  Ordered this camera from amazon reseller for &amp;260 plus $5 handling.  The reseller shipped in 2 days and I had the camera in 5 standard shpping days. It was advertized excellent condition, used.  It arrived in pristine condition, not a mark on it with all in original unopened packaging.  Used the quick quide to take some photos and learned how to review pics on the lcd in about 1 hour.  The manual is sparse on instructon and does tell you everything you need to know if you follow step by step in using the features and in downloading the pics to your pc via usb cable (supplied with camera).  The photos are clear and crisp with excellent colors and detail.  I was delighted at how easy it is to take motion film with audio.  Camera is compatible with my pc programs:  lexmark printer/software; photoshop and paintshop pro software; generic microsoft photo software.  I have 20 photos with 4 10sec. motion clips on the 16mb card that came with the camera.  Will order a 128mb card for a trip upstate which will store lots more photos.  The AA batteries drained after shooting pics for 1 afternoon and then downloading photos to the pc that night. Am buying the dc adapter for downloading.  Will be using the supplied rechargeable batteries for the trip (with couple AA batts just in case)  For the money, am very happy the camera performance and ease of use.  Read the prior reviews, they are on target. Camera light enough to put in your pocket, but subtantial enough in design to feel good in your hand when taking photos.  Would give 5 stars if panasonic had supplied the dc adapter (I would not mind paying the cost if it came with the camera, am annoyed at having to take time to buy it extra.  It does not make sense to waste battery life in downloads to the pc).
If you're looking for a quick, easy to use digital camera with excellent resolution, this is it. It doesn't offer much in the way of manual operation, but it makes up for it in convenience. I got the DMC-LC43PP because it is small, fast, and has the 4 megapixel spec. Press the shutter half way to focus and determine the exposure, then fully to take the picture - it works faster than other models I compared it to. I wish the LCD screen could be pivoted to see easier, but look at the price - other cameras with the same specs are twice the price! Don't bother to buy a card reader for your computer either - the USB cable that comes with the camera will allow your computer to see the camera as another drive. Very fast. I do wish the flash had a bit more power, but like everything else, it's a trade-off. I'll use this camera more often simply because I'll carry it with me more often. Clear and sharp pictures, especially outside where there is good lighting.
Cameras like this one are the reason that film will be nearly extinct within the next 18 months.  This camera will reliably take well-focused, perfectly exposed, brilliantly colored pictures over and over again with little hassle or fuss.  After evaluating several 4 megapixel pocket cameras, I selected this one for my 11 year old daughter for her Christmas present, and she now routinely takes darned good pictures with it.Important feature: the camera has an optical viewfinder.  This is very important in my opinion.  I am of the opinion that it is very impractical and difficult to take pictures using just the LCD on the back of the camera as many small pocket cameras require.  Not to mention the fact that this will dramatically decrease battery life.  Optical viewfinders are the way to go.Quibbles are minor.  The pre-flash of this camera is somewhat intrusive, but the flash does work if you don't expect too much of it in terms of distance.  The camera, in common with most pocket cameras, takes its best pictures outdoors in natural lighting, but the built-in flash can help via "fill flash" to illuminate shadows under these conditions.This camera and others like it are why there is simply no reason for anyone to stick with film.  You can produce excellent digital pictures at less cost, with immeasurably less hassle, and you can see what your pictures are like ahead of time (further reducing your cost, since you can cull the losers before printing them).Other comments: this camera is well-made, with a nice sturdy metal body.  The lens is an excellent Leica lens.  One of the things I really like about the camera is that it uses the ubiquitous AA batteries, so for trips you are always going to be able to have batteries handy--many cameras of this type use proprietary batteries, requiring you to lug a dedicated charger along on trips.Panasonic has done a good job putting it all together in this excellent camera.
Piece of crap!!!! Worse video camera, and Canon knows it
I bought this camera on 2002 and today is still working good, I never had a problem!
I am a big fan of Canon products, Canon printer, Canon Powershot, and I am real happy with both. When I first set my eyes on the Elura 50, I fell in love. A perfect companion to my Powershot! I must say in opening the box, the 50 is well built and has a beatiful faux metallic finish. The size is nothing short of amazing. But then I had to ruin it by taking video! I took my first test video in my kitchen during the day, which I would consider pretty well lit. The video was so grainy I could hardly bare to watch it. I moved to other areas inside the house..a family room with a patio door open and all the lights on...still grainy. I must say when I did move outside the video was great. The audio was also not too great...the motor noise I thought was acceptable, but with the mic on top of the camcorder, it didn't pick up the audio from someone talking directly in front very well. Any more than 5 feet away and you would need to turn the TV volume way up. Also the auto focus, though not too bad, did seem to "wonder" while finding its focus...I ended up trading it in for a TRV-22.  Great video both inside and out, great sound and focus.  When Canon can make an Elura to match the video and sound quality of the 22, I'll buy it!
I got the "Eject Cassette" error last year and Canon repaired it for free. Lucky me.Recently, I downloaded ALL DV tape to my computer after I install a 400G external HD but after that, there is no image in the camera mode. It's like the lens cap is on. I called Canon after checking on their website, they think it is a bad CCD (lose connectin) and they are willing to fix it for me. They even send me the free UPS label so I can sent it to them for free.I think Canon must be under a lot of criticism with all the problems their late model digital Camcorder is having. Their service and support for their product is very good. At least they didn't tell me to buy a new camcorder instead! They probably knows their customers have paid a lot of $$$ for their Elura50, and their camcorder lasted a few months or only 10 hours of recordings (a few tapes).
Many owners of the Elura 50 have eperienced the dreaded "Eject Cassette" error.  It seems that MANY of these cameras are failing within the first two years of ownership with said error message.  Canon has acknolwedged the problem and is apparently repairing these cameras at no cost (see Canon USA's web site for details).  But my problem is different and it seems that a number of others have seen my problem as well.I've used the camera a total of 1 to 2 hours over the 19 months I have owned it and it has worked reliably with a good quality image and decent low light sensitivity.  It's a little awkward to operate because it's so small but when you get used to it, you can get some nice shots.  I used it last around a month ago, when my baby daughter was born and it worked fine.Today I turned it on and while it powered up fine, I get no image on the LCD screen or on the viewfinder.  The menus show up fine, but there is no image from the lens/CCD.  It's as if the lens cover were on (but it's not).  Ths unit has not been dropped or abused in any way.Checking on camcorderinfo.com, I have found that many others are experiencing this exact same problem and it seems to occur 12 to 24 months into ownership and particularly on units that are infrequently used.  I did purchase an extended warranty so I guess the repair will be covered but if it is a design defect (as it may be, considering the frequency of its occurence) then I'd like to get Canon to repair it directly.Anyone considering purchasing this camcorder today new, used or refurbished, should probably consider a different unit.  If I hear more from Canon about this problem, I will update this review accordingly. Consumer Reports 'Best Buy' indeed!Update: I sent the unit into Canon for repair and they did cover the repair under their current service bulletins at no cost to me and without the hassle of using my extended warranty (even though it was out of warranty).
if you are going to shoot videos with plenty of light and you want a very compact camera, the elura 50 could be for you.  however, if you plan on shooting low-light scenes, you'll be disappointed.  there's not even an accessory shoe so you can use an external light source.pros:- very small and lightweight: 1.9&quot;W x 3.4&quot;D x 4.2&quot;H, 13.4 oz.- very good video performance when you have enough light.- uncluttered, easy to use menus.- 10x optical zoom.- 1 megapixel still capability.- progressive photo mode.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- allows some degree of manual control.- ability to record mpeg videos directly to SD card.- as with most canon products, the printed manual is very good.- digital image stabilization works well.cons:- a couple of deal breakers for me: poor low light performance, and,- no accessory shoe (to think that you would really need an accessory shoe for an external light given this camcorder's low-light performance).- mic placement is on top of camcorder (most vertical camcorders do) which means it picks up the videographer's voice more readily.- a greater capacity battery protrudes sideways from this camcorder's body, making holding this unit a bit awkward.- the lcd is real small, only 2&quot;.- you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 and panasonic's PVDV953 have 2-3 megapixel capability but those camcorders are much more expensive.- don't expect miracles from 1 megapixel stills.- video too choppy with low light modes.- motor noise can be heard when recording a very quiet room.- the included 8MB SD card is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for for more memory (at least 32MB).at this price point, i would recommend panasonic's gs70 or sony's trv33 or pc-105.  although slightly bigger, i believe these camcorders offer a better package than the elura 50.  peace.
I would take a look at Cnet reviews before purchasing this camcorder. I ignored the low light performance issue and found out the difficult way. I discovered low light means general indoor lighting.This is a well built camera, easy to handle with it's compact design, lovely to behold and most likely the travelers ideal. But, if your going to take home movies in an indoor setting you may find your recordings riddled with grain and with little improvement when placing additional lighting. I also noticed a whirring motor noise picked up in recordings. As frustration set in while fiddling with the settings in an attempt to remedy the grainy video it just became magnified and quite annoying. Although, I will say this is a minor complaint in contrast to it's poor video in low light and would have been easily forgiven. Nevertheless, soon after, back in it's box it went.Btw, if you plan on purchasing this camcorder make sure you check the video quality through the camera video out to your television. Most folks not privy would never discern the low light issue through the Elura's 2" Lcd until it's too late when they decide to play back through the big screen.note: Don't let my negative review scare you off. This was suppose to be a gift for a family member and I just wasn't happy with it's indoor performance. Attributing to it's compact design, it's possible I may have kept it for myself for vacation trips and outdoor use only.good luck,
This line of cameras have a structural design flaw. After approximately one year of use, your camera refuses to accept any tape, and the tape compartment does not close. This happens regardless of how often you use your camera or how gently you treat it. Canon refuses to acknowledge that their Elura line is flawed, but just do an online search of the reviews about the Eluras 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70. You will see that there is a bunch of people out there with the same problems. Some are even  considering a collective lawsuit against Canon. I read the bad reviews and decided to spend $500 on a Canon. Lost my money and my camera (one week after the expiration of the warranty the camera broke). I took my chances. Will you take yours?
I replaced a 7 year old analog Sharp camcorder with this unit last month.  I had seen it in a retail shop in the spring, and watched the price come down to a very reasonable $$$$ at an online discounter.  My goal was simply to get to the digital age.  Boy, was it easy!  I had this camera about 10 minutes before I was shooting still photos and within half an hour I had downloaded sharp looking pictures to my PC.  The software that accompanies the Elura is very easy to install and use.I have been shooting the kids' soccer games, apple-picking here in New England, etc., and it seems to work with ease.  If I had to nit pick I might say that the record button for video should be up at the forefinger position where the still photo button is, but this is a minor nuance.  Dads will appreciate the smallness of the Elura especially as we usually have to tote so much other stuff on almost anything involving the family.  The Elura fits in a large pocket.Battery life at 45 mins to 1 hour is fine!  Who the heck wants to go home and watch 2 hours of little Susie's ballet anyway?  I don't have a PC that will support the Firewire or IEEE1495 (or whatever) connection for downloading video to edit on a PC, but this is my goal, and it looks to be very easy from the above average (keep in this mind, the bar is low) user manual.  I find the camera's balancing features take my "shakes" out of play, and record a steady picture.  I think the low light critics must be filming in dark strip joints, because in my exciting "Dad" life I get fine pictures of birthday candle blowouts, etc.  Yes, the motor does make a lot of noise, so if Susie is a concert pianist, you might have a concern.  For the average soccer Mom or Dad, I recommend this camera with no reservations.
I originally gave this machine a moderately favorable review.  But after very light usage (about 4 weeks of total vacation time) I started getting the "EJECT CASSETTE" error.  From what I see here and on cnet, it's clear that Canon tape transport mechanisms have serious engineering issues.  I would not buy another Canon machine.
This worked perfect for my camera, I liked it very much and would recommend purchasing this to anyone with the Coolpix Camera.
works good ! so far they work good we will have to see how long they last ! thank you !
Bought this with my Coolpix 2100. Battery life is awful. Regular AA's take more pics. Save your money on this garbage.
Try buying a Delkin RCR-V3 lithium-ion charger and battery. So far, I've taken about 40 pictures with my Coolpix 3200, many with flash, and I see no sign of low battery. Lithium-ion batteries do not have a &quot;memory&quot; and also keep a charge and will take more pictures. And, right now, it costs less than the Nikon battery and charger kit. One warning: Technically, if Nikon decides that the battery causes a problem with your camera, it would invalidate the warranty.
This is my second. I gave the first one to my Dad. It is much easier to charge the batteries every couple of weeks than to search for the right batteries. This product has made my camera a lot easier to use!
Unlike all other bad reviews, mine works perfectly.when i bought the coolpix 3200 cam, it came with the charger and batteries.I took more than 100 pictures with flash and didn't have to replace batteries.
Nice,but second time lose in quality a bit...So I think not for multiple rec,though + is that its metal tape so its going to last 10 years
Maxell 298022 60 Minute Digital Mini Video Camcorder Tape - 4 Pack. Great deal for the price. Prompt delivery! Compatible with Canon cameras.
I have used many of Maxell products in the past.  From reel to reel, cassette, 1/2&#34; video tapes, 3/4&#34; video tapes.  A great sound capturing experience!
I needed this for my production class and worked fine. Does what it's meant to do, doesn't get any clearer than that.
Unfortunately these did not work in our camera (even though the model is listed on the tapes), but the tapes were in great condition, in original packaging and shipped super fast.  We should have checked further but was in a hurry!
DV tapes are ok if you need them.  They are becoming obsolete.  I bought a camcorder that records in AVCHD which is great.  No moving parts.
I have a Canon Gl2 and Most tapes I buy just tangle and I loose my film, buy these tapes you won't regret it!
Good price for good quality tapes. They are just what I need for recording those family events as good memories.
I have been buying these tapes for years because of their higher reliability compared to cheaper mini DV cassettes, such as some JVCs that I tried before. I do a lot of HDV recording, but the price of Sony "HDV cassettes" is way too high to be efficient. My archive library consists of over 300 mini DV tapes because they hold so little footage, and I trust these Maxells to store my HD footage. They record for about 01:02:30, that being about 2.5 extra minutes you get out of them which I have used on occasion! They work well with my Sony HVR-M15AU mini DV/HDV deck and dropout rate is very low. I used these as a backup for a critical show production requiring pristine quality video where computers would otherwise fail. Because HDV is a digital format, the tape quality does NOT affect picture quality, but it DOES affect reliability (i.e dropouts and errors). If you need cheaper tape stock for HDV recording and playback, I highly recommend these as a cheaper alternative to the "HDV" labeled cassettes.Say NO! to the HDSLR revolution!!!
Since I have an obsolete but still working DV camcorder, I needed tapes.  These Maxell's work fine and the price was good.
good tapes
I have used these with my camcorder since purchasing it several years ago and have always been impressed. They work reliably and there are no dropped frames on playback.  I use these to record HD video (1080i from a Sony). Now that cost for hard drives are coming down (well, was coming down until the 2011 floods in Thailand and soon will again) - tape is not as desirable as it was as a storage medium but it is still quite convenient. I was happy to find these on Amazon as our local bricks and mortar store where I used to buy them no longer carries them.All in all, these are well made reliable media and I would highly recommend them.
This product came as expected without delay and the quality was awesome.  Price was very good, too.  Can recommend it to anyone.
We have a functional video recorder that requires these tapes. They are dificult to find. This 4 pack was an excellent price compared to what I used to pay for 2 tapes. Fast delivery. Great deal.
Have not used all the tapes.  The first tape I used seems to work fine.  Hard to tell how long it will retain the info.
The tapes worked fine. The quality of the tapes was good.  The items arrived on time, I do not have to replace my camcorder because I could not fine the tapes.
I just bought this for Christmas because our 8 month old has such bad red eye, even with the red eye prevention feature in my digital camera.  So many previous shots have had to be edited to get rid his red eye it was getting frustrating and was becoming a chore.  It is great.Since I don't like to edit photos, except for the occassional overall color saturation, I knew from my 35mm photography that the best way to get rid of red-eye was an external flash / one not mounted on the camera.  I'm more of a digital photographer than a digital imager, and I'd rather spend time doing other things if I can by taking a better photo rather than using an photo editor(not that there's anything wrong with that, that's just my priority)I shot 73 pictures on Christmas with my Olympus C4000 zoom(great camera), and didn't get any red eye.  Now his eyes look blue, like they're supposed to.  I can now print the photos right away and not be disappointed with red eye.The only downside is that with the flash and bracket, you can't just pop the camera in a pocket, and it looks more like a pro's 35mm camera.  But I will only attach it when I know I will need it so that won't bother me.Even when it's attached, you don't need to turn it on for every shot.  There are several flash options, that include TTL metering, and you can have it work with or without your camera's flash.  The flash adds longer range to your camera for flash pics as well.
This is the perfect first upgrade flash for an Olympus EVOLT E-500 DSLR camera. It is relatively inexpensive and allows the user more flexibility for indoor photography than the built in flash allows, without the cost of the more expensive flashes available from Olympus. Eventually I may buy a more expensive flash with more features, but for my current purposes this one is great.
I bought this flash originally to use with my Olympus C-700 UZ camera because I had found that when using the Olympus wide-angle converter lens on my camera, the diameter of the wide-angle lens was so large that it blocked off the beam from the cameras built in flash. Because of this every shot I took had a big black half circle shadow across the bottom of the frame.To eliminate this problem and mount the light source as far away as possible from the lens I decided to buy the Olympus FL-20 Flash unit, the FL-BK01 right angle flash bracket, and the FLCB01 TTL sync cable to electrically connect the flash to the camera.Once I started using this set up I immediately started getting the results I needed right away. The FL-20 flash had greater output and greater coverage than the built in flash. Exposures were perfect because the flash worked with the cameras TTL metering system via the FLCB01 cable. You can even stand a little further back from the subject when shooting because the higher light output of this unit gives you greater reach. Red eye was also eliminated because by using the flash grip I offset the axis of the flash beam away from the axis of the camera lens. The FL-20 even comes with a little snap on diffuser lens you can use to widen the area of coverage of the flash beam. It runs on 2 AA batteries. I used the flash with the rechargeable type AA batteries.I was very happy I bought this unit and on my indoor picture taking sessions it became the standard fare for me as far as equipment was concerned. Down the road I did up grade to the more powerful FL-50 flash, but for most over your average family and friends type picture taking sessions the Olympus FL-20 is all the flash you will ever need.
This flash is great; it's added so much to my photos so they're not so dark.  It's easy to use and uses it's own batteries so it doesn't drain my camera.  I highly recommend this flash.
Short and sweet review.  This flash works great with your Olympus E-P1 or E-P2.  It costs less than the FL-14 flash, is smaller, sits higher above the lens for less red-eye, and if you have the silver E-P1 or black E-P2 it looks better too.Although not advertised, if you check out the Olympus support web page, you will see that this flash is fully compatible with the E-P1 and E-P2.
Works great on my Olympus Camedia 8080 wide.  It is nice and small and so much better than the pop up flash on the camera. It charges fastn and has good battery life and has a detachable diffuser on the flash in package.
I just bought this flash to match with my Olympus C5050. This flash works flawlessly. Don't be fool by its small size; this one is exceed my expectation for versatility for power, portability, and very cute too. You will save lots of battery power from your camera . This thing sure beat my Promaster 5000 series with Olympus module. If you own the Olympus C or E model this is must have thing. Highly recommended !!!!!
This is a light weight flash unit for Olympus cameras.  It works as advertised to add more shooting distance over the camera's build-in flash.  I bought this one because my Olympus digital camera is also light weight.  It would be ridiculous to drag along a large flash unit that's bigger than the camera itself!
The price is excellent and I could not see any difference compared to any other tape. It works great with my Canon Optura30.
Cheap and working fine. The tapes did their job. If you need this kind of tapes I wouldnt hesitate in recomending them.
At $20 for 10, it's the best deal I can find. It works fine with my panasonic camcorder.
I go through this type of tape like it is oxygen, and I command the best quality for my projects! These are top notch!
After purchasing my Canon ZR-90 this summer, and using the four pack of TDK tapes ABC Warehouse gave me with the camcorder, I went online and found these tapes and bought two ten packs due to the great price and the JVC name.They have only done one thing, clogged up my video head on the camcorder.  I videotape my sons basketball games for their coaches and it was only after the first couple of games and bad recordings that I got onto Canon's website and realized my video head was clogged.  I purchased a head cleaner and the first tape after the cleaning taped great, but the next tape clogged my head up, so to use these tapes, I highly recommend you clean your video head after EACH use, which is not good for your video head on your camcorder.
This is the third time I've ordered a ten pack of JVC MiniDV tapes, and they've always worked great for me. The packaging is always a bit unique, as once I actually got a 10 pack, once 10 individually wrapped tapes, and this time I got three 3 packs and a single, but it still works! This is also a great deal versus buying them individually at retail.
They are excellent recording media.  The price at Amazon was about half of what I could get them for from anywhere else.  I use them on the LP mode and still get great quality.
These mini DV tapes are the best and cheapest I could find. I use them with my HD Canon camcorder and the quality is stunning! I get about 1 hour of HD footage per tape.
I have been very pleased with this product. I placed my order on Monday and I got it Friday via usps. I have made 2 separate orders for this product and plan on placing more orders. The quality of the tapes have been great and I never had a problem with my order getting lost. What would excite me more about this product would be faster delivery, but I cannot complain too much for this nice price. I save a good deal of money getting these tapes.
I've now ordered the JVC multi-pack three times, and I've been pleased each time.  The image quality holds up well when reviewing in the camera, and when I transfer it to iMovie.  We film our kid a lot and rewind the tape many times to review the shots, and there's been no evidence of tape damage, etc.  These are durable, reliable tapes.  As long as I have my HandyCam DV recorder, I plan to use these tapes.
I bought these tapes to record a play my daughter was in.  I recorded all 3 nights, 2 tapes each. I then put the best performance on a DVD. Excellent picture and sound quality.I have mixed different brand tapes including, Sony, Panasonic, and the JVC, without clogging the camcorder heads.  I am very pleased with the price and performance of these tapes.
This is a great product for your digital camcorder and also at a great price.
Great deal on these tapes and I received them a couple of days after ordering.
My product arrived a little less timely than expected for my upcoming shoot, however, it appeared to be in great condition and exactly what I ordered. You can't beat the price per tape, for those of us still using tapes. My only advice is order well in advance of need. IT takes approximatley two weeks or more to arrive.
This digital tape will play back your recordings in very sharp detail, vivid and accurate color. Excellent sound too.Highly recommend JVC over other brands.
I got a 10Pack of these tapes and it's quality is really good, I have used TDK and MAXWELL, but for the price this is having excellent quality and in par with TDKHighly recommended
The JVC MiniDV 10 pack of tapes were a great value.  Each tape is about 60 minutes and we have used several taping our children and home.  I would definitely recommend this product.
Clogged heads are caused by mixing TDK or Sony tapes with any other brand. Their formulation is different. Don't do it.  Use only TDKs or Sonys in your machine or you can mix Panasonic, Maxell, JVC, Fuji, or Canon brands together.  Those brands are all the same formulation.These JVC (I bought Japan labeled "Victor" brand) are made by Fuji and work great.
I was stretching these new tapes (fast-forwarding to the end and then rewinding to the beginning - always recommended for video or DAT tapes). The first one went fine. The next three got chewed up. I thought my camcorder was the culprit, so I pulled out some old tapes to see if that was the case. The old tapes worked fine. I had to throw out the whole ten-pack (too risky to use in my camcorder) and go buy another brand. At this steep discount, I wonder if they're even legitimate JVC tapes.
I used this miniDV for a traffic study, with several cameras across the city. They performed great. My team of personnel was very happy with the miniDV's. The video quality was very good and the tapes were easy to use.
The product received was exactly as expected. Timely delivery and in good condition. Thank you.
I have had no trouble with these tapes in my JVC camcorder and I'll order more in the future.
Basically, all Mini DV tapes are the same.  Unfortunately, on this item, when you factor in the shipping, it's not a great buy.  Indeed, you can find them on sale in brick and motar stores for the same or a better price, so there's no need to buy this 10 pack.
Very, very small tripod which is great for a small camera.  The legs have two friction extensions and rubber feet.  It comes with a little pouch and a lens cloth.  I've used this tripod for an Olympus Stylus 600 (small pocket camera) and Olympus C3020 (point&shoot; at 14 ounces).  Perfect companion for your small camera, well made and looks good too!I give this tripod 5 stars even though it has only one drawback:The tripod is just not sturdy enough for a mega-zoom crossover or DSLR.  I now use an "Ultra-Pod II" for a Canon SX1-IS (at 1.1 pounds).
I got this mini tripod direct from the retail sony style store.  I was worried it would not support a Canon G10, but it does so perfectly.  The ballhead locks in many angles without worry of movement or the tripod tipping over, except on its side.  Taking vertical pics with the G10 is impossible without your hand to support the tripod standing up.  The weight of the G10 is just too much when sideways on the tripod.Carrying pouch and cleaning cloth are an excellent bonus.  Tripod feels sturdy and of good quality.
I own a Sony Cybershot DSC-H3. I was worried that this tripod wasn't going to be able to hold the weight. It definitely does the job. The description doesn't say that it works with my camera, but it works great. I am doing family portraits with it primarily. I saw a person at the St. Louis Arch last summer with the exact same tripod taking pictures of his family, without having to ask some stranger to take a picture of them. Just set up your shot, find a shelf or table or whatever, to set it on, and away you go. You could probably put it on the ground pointing up if you don't mind that POV, but I haven't tried that yet. Great tripod, great price!!
This product works great as long as you keep in mind it's a tiny tri pod. But that help's in some respects because I use this as a perch in most respects. It allows you to put your cam corder in tight spaces and leave it. For nature shots, for "What Really Happened at the Party last night" shot's it's Ideal. They don't stress it enough but I will in door use only and that's about it.
This is not a very convenient tripod, there are much better options out there that will attach more easily to unstable surfaces. This tripod actually is difficult to use, you have to unscrew to move around the camera's direction and then screw back on. Works better with really small & light cameras as opposed to mid-size Point & Shoots like mine. The screw become really difficult to use after continuous use, and then eventually failed.
An excellent purchase that lives up to the Sony name. My main concern before buying it was that it would swivel enough that I could point my mini-camera straight down to take macro photos of documents. It does this easily, and the legs don't get in the way. It's small enough to chuck in my backpack and take it all the time in case I need it, and it has its own little sturdy fabric carrying bag so that it doesn't get tangled up in anything else. Overall, I would rate it as excellent.
Size was very important to me when I shopped for this item.  This one fit the bill to a tee. Price right too.
You will be amazed to see the difference in clarity between a photo shot without a tripod and with a tripod.  A tripod is a must.  This cute little tripod from Sony makes the job easier to carry it around along with your camera.  I gave it a 4 star because sometimes the tripod is not able to hold the weight of the camera and tends to fall.  I have a Sony DSC-P200 camera which is very light-weight.  This tripod is not able to hold the weight of such a light camera.  You can't use it for your heavier cameras or camcorders...
great addition to my sony V1.  very sturdy.  well built.  looks great.  it comes with a carrying case and a soft towel to wipe it down with. overall good.
This small tripod has proved to be quite useful.  First, because of its size, it is absolutely portable, fitting into the side pocket of camera bag.  It has allowed me to setup stable shots even when visiting places where carrying a full-size tripod is not possible or at least not convenient.I also use my digital video camera to shoot still photography of small electronic components.  This mini-tripod has been wonderful for these shots, as it allows the camera to still be very close up to the subject and yet still mounted on a stable surface.  And, trust me, when shooting such a small subject, any hand jitters show up every time.  I definitely recommend this to anyone using digital cameras, whether video or still photography.  It's a very handy piece of aluminum to have with you.
Mine is working with my SR1 camcorder to my indoor shots! loving it!
Although I only used it once.. I couldn't find problem with this tripod.. Its small and can be folded which makes it easy to carry and use... I guess somehow it may not hold the bigger camcorders.. This tripod worked for me though.
Great for travels when you need a tripod and carrying a full sized one is not an option
This is the best tripod I ever used. Is compact and it's help me a lot with pictures when there's no one to shut us a picture.... I recommend this Item very much... you're going to love...
This tripod is tiny ... smaller than most table-top tripods but it's better built and sturdier than my previous tripods of this type. Surprisingly it can hold even a mid-size DSLR with a mid-size lens (for example my 40D with 17-55mm F2.8 lens). The included bag seems a nice and useful addition.
I bought this item on a whim before a trip to Europe in case we wanted to take some pictures of us on the trip.  It turned out to be one of the best ideas I had for the trip.  It is small, so it can easily be carried around in a bag or even your pocket and is light so you don't even notice it.When it proved immensely valuable was taking picture in low light situations.  I have a tendency to shake a bit, so I get blurry pictures quite often.  Long exposure times in low light situations compound the problem even further.In many of the old churches and in a few museums they allow pictures, but with no flash (as the flash ruins the art).  I was able to get some great pictures because I was able to set up the tiny tripod and allow the camera to sit perfectly still for the 2 to 4 seconds for the exposure to finish.It also took some great pictures at night of dimly lit monuments as again the ability to aim and hold perfectly still for those couple of seconds is key to great pictures.
Had to wait foever for this product, but in the end it was worth it. Keeps the camera rock steady!
I was sent batteries that only lasted about a year and were probably only charged up and used 5 or 6 times.  After that, they barely charged and would barely hold any power.  Couldn't barely use them after 10 charges as they wouldn't have enough power hold for even a few pictures.
I used several Sony batteries for my cammera, and only after some recharges, their capacity is notably reduced. Also, despite the fact I discharged all the battery before the next re-charge.Of the 10 sony batteries that i have, i throwed away 7 because they do not re-charge anymore, and the other three last only for a few photos after they are recharged.I purchased cheeper generic re-chargeable batteries with better duration.
I'm still not sure if the batteries are counterfeit or real by SONY, it drains much faster than the one I bought in Best Buy. and dies faster, so worthless now.
these batteries come packed superbly with a small case to leave the bateries in and they have after the first charge lasted way over other batteries and they are easy to get in my city with a local dealer.would certainly buy more of these highly recomended.look like they are made by sanyo under OEM for sony
Love it.  Use it as a spare set.  Hold the charge for extended period of time.
These batteries seem to last quite a long time while they're in the camera. They hold their charge well, and will last for many pictures between charges. I've charged mine many times, and haven't seen a decrease in capacity yet. If you're looking for a set of rechargeable batteries, you can't go wrong with these.
Again, the Sony brand is highly recommended for cameras of any band name.  These have been tried and tested for years with my cameras.
I've had a pack for 2 years and use it for a digital camera. Recently I needed another two rechargeable NiMH, so went to Radioshack and bought theirs -- big mistake, cost me $13, and somehow those batteries run out really quickly. In comparison each charge of the sony batteries seem to last much longer.
These are the OEM batteries for the Sony Cybershot series. I own a set of the originals that came with the camera. These are not very easy to get at retail stores so you should definitively take advantage to the fact that Amazon.com carries them. I own a DSC-P92 and I can take from 40 to 50 pictures on the same set of batteries (you may be able to get more if you are not using flash, or less if you use the flash for every single picture). The convenience of buying and extra set of OEM is that you can charge them with the same charger included with your camera (only one charger to carry on the trips). There are a lot of rechargeable batteries out there, and the great majority of them are less quality than the Sony. For the price at which these are offered you should definitely treat your camera (and yourself) and buy an extra original Sony set. No reason to risk your camera with the other brands and carry two chargers around.
I got my camera (Sony V-1) about 3 years ago.  I have two of these batteries, one that came with the camera and one I bought later.  They both still work fine for me.  I dont use this camera daily, but when I go on trips I take enough pictures that I usually drain at least one of the batteries totally each day.My complaint is that they are too expensive.  I tried a cheaper no-name replacement battery, but something was wrong with the contacts and I had to send it back.  I have used batteries from that company for my camcorder and they worked fine.I think the whole "info-lithum" thing is stupid.  The camera is supposed to show how many minutes the battery has left.  It is totally inaccurate and pointless.  But that is just as much the cameras fault as it is the battery.  It is just one of Sonys gimmicks.
This product worked well and was sent quickly went into my grandmothers camera like a glove and she is still taking pictures to this day. Love it.
A spare battery is not a strong must for the P10 since the battery live is pretty decent but better save than sorry.Works just like the one included with the camera.
It is a nice battery, but I recommend the "3.7V 1000mAh" ones, since they charge my flash faster and stay charged longer.
I also had the same problem where I got a brand new one, and it doesn't hold a charge well. Unfortunately, I don't see a clearly better alternative. I ordered another and I'll return the first one...
The Sony brand battery (this one) holds a charge as it was designed to.  The off brands do not nearly as well, plain and simple.  By this one and you will be happy.
Obviously, the DSCP10 camera (which I own) requires the Sony NPFC11 battery.  After reading other reviews (regarding the battery), I became very skeptical of if my camera would ever properly perform again.  I had no choice but to purchase this battery in order for my camera to ever function again.  I browsed through many web-sites claiming to sell the battery at a very low price (some as low as $20); however, I choose to "bite the bullet" and pay the higher price ($40 through Amazon) and be assured that the new battery was genuine.  After the new battery was recieved (package contained the Sony tamper-proof seal), installed, and charged, the camera immediately performed like new.  (Throughout this entire ordeal, I constantly had to consider the purchase of a new camera).  What a relief.  Very satisfied.
Sony should be sued for making such a tiny LiPoly battery (yes polymer) at a magnitude poorer in capacity than their M batteries.  Such a small size demands using NiMH batteries which hold up better to abuse and cheaper to replace/have extras.Why? Batts need to be used between 40% and 80% charge to keep from killing them (your celphone and laptops too), but the C's small capacity leaves not enough headroom nor floor for usable time before you're automatically in the area of killing the battery.Sony needs to take an page from Fuji's F10,20,30 series cameras which are fabulous in sensor quality and can take 500+ pictures a charge!  That translates to at least a couple DAYS of usage before the charge even drops 1/3.This C lasts at best 60 minutes of "idle" usage (and I've been babying it) which is basically unusable plus at originally $50 a pop, a very expensive battery.I ended up getting a external laptop-type battery with a power-connector that I could connect to my V1.  For 3x the cost of one C, I got DAYS (~5x) the power.  A much less expensive and more useful, if bulkier, proposition.
The life on these batteries is pathetic.  If you don't charge the batteries full right before you use the camera, they last for about 30-50 shots.  If you use the flash, drop that in half of worse.  I am constantly charging the batteries in this camera because if you let the battery sit for a week or more it will drain down to about 25%.  If the camera hadn't cost so much, I would have gotten a new one long ago.  I'll never buy another Sony camera after this.Jason
My wife and I have used several of these batteries and have found all to be lacking in battery life.  Two of the three we own run out of juice after only 15 minutes of shooting time. 15!
In this case, the name-brand is better than any of the off-brands.  The battery life is great: many years.  And, NO, as lithium batteries go, the NP-FC11 format it is very under-powered, and future generations ought to be much better.  It is way too expensive, so if you don't mind going through a lot of cheap batteries, you will save money with the off-brands.  Personally, I like to carry 2 or 3 batteries with me, use a hot-shoe bounce flash, have plenty of power, and not have to worry about whether they'll be dying on me.
Sony NPFC11 Info lithium battery is the only battery that will actually hold the charge and perform exactly how your camera performed the day you purchased it.  For example, if you charge your battery today, you can use it with all the confidence next week or even next month.  Other batteries, despite being fully charged, will lose charge in a day or two.  So, buy the battery made by SONY only and you will not regret.
I use these batteries for my Sony DSC-V1 digital camera.  I've purchased four Sony brand NP-FC11 batteries and two generic versions over the past year.  ALL have consistently failed within six months.  For $60.00 a hit, Sony should be ashamed and sued in a class action lawsuit for marketing knowingly defective batteries.  They do NOT hold their charge after 3-4 shots.  Do NOT buy a Sony camera.  Find a camera that accepts standard batteries, it will save you heartaches of missing pictures at opportune moments.
It works. It is my second battery -- the first one came with the camera and lasted 2.5 years before it won't hold a charge properly.
This made a great replacement battery for my Sony Cybershot.  Very pleased with it and it's performance!
Perfect, it is the answer to having to constantly recharge the batteries or buy new batteries. Very satisfied. I recommend this product.
The price was was good and they had fast service. Product is as described, Will use again if and when I need the product.
I received the item and it was exactly what I wanted to order.My husband found the old charger so I sent it back to ANS Digital.  After a couple of weeks I received a refund.
I bought this thinking it was able to charge the battery without taking it out of camera (DSC-W70).  Not the case for most Sony digital cameras. The purpose of the adapter is to power the camera while using it and not to charge the battery.So if you are looking to use the camera while attached to a cord for a long period to save your battery this adapter is great.
New Power charger for a older digial camera I found that will be donated to a non-profit group for use.
i bot this item.. it did not charge my battery and it is very hard to plug into the camera..
My grand daughter lost or miss placed the original cables for the camera. So, had to buy her a replacement.Now every one is happy again, every thing works again for the camera
Had to return this item - it did not fit my CyberShot Camera as the keyed plug would not fit my camera's port. The description did not make me realize there could be differing keyed adapters, since it just said it was for Cyber Shot Cameras.  Now I know there must be differences, so I would not order this if your camera model is like mine.
The AC adapter is for Sony brand Digital cameras requiring electric to the supplied Media Bridge.  When finding one that is affordable, this comes in handy for many of the Sony TX series Ultra Compact Digital HD Cameras.
Sony AC-LS5 AC adapter for Cyber Shot Cameras.  It outputs 4.2 VDC.  That's all it does.  Works fine when used with the docking station for the Sony DSC-TX7.  This supply does not connect directly to the camera.  The camera battery does not charge in the dock even when the power supply is connected to the dock.  This supply allows you to use the camera to play back and even record movies without using the camera battery.  Without this supply, the camera has to rely on its internal battery for long movies.  My camera can record AVCHD movie segments up to 29 minutes long, but a fresh battery lasts an hour (at most).I've seen some reviews that fault the supply for not connecting directly to the camera.  The supply connector mates with a connector on the dock that came with the Sony Camera.I've seen some reviews that fault the supply for not charging the battery in the camera.  It's true that the battery does not charge, but the lack of charging is a feature (or lack of) of the camera and its dock.  Sony could have a done a better job of explaining the dock limitations.
Excellent and fast service.  Device exactly as specified.  What a saver for a camera that has always been a high battery usage device.
The Sony ACLS5 Power Supply can be used with Sony digital camera models -DSCP8, P10, P32, P52, P72, P92, V1, F88, W1, L1 , and V3. This device will allow you to save money on batteries as reviewing pictures or video on you digital camera tends to suck the life out of your alkaline and rechargeable size "AA" batteries.I would definitely recommend the Sony ACLS5 AC power supply if you have any of the above Sony digital camera models.
Very disappointed.  This shows as being an adaptor for Cybershot cameras.  Well,  there is NO port for it on my DSC-W570.  Am I missing something?  Anyone know if there's a way to connect this before I try to send it back and hopefully get a refund?
We were given the camera for free but there was no charging cord.  This one is just like the original.  Works well.  No issues and the price listed here is unbeatable.
I bought this earlier this year when I thought I had lost my original charger to my cybershot camera. The shipper got it out to me within 5 days brand new and in time for my trip. Thanks!!!
Nice cord in all but the problem wasnt the cord here it was with my camera so i really dont use the camera much
the item  did not fit my cyber shot  as claimed.. simple...2.1  dsc p50i got got cheated....now the rest or you know  your model number dont work here
The lens takes nice wide angle pictures.  However, it requires an adaptor on my DSC-W5 Sony Camera in order to fit.  This puts the wide angle lens sufficiently away from the original lens that you see a shadow on the picture when using the build in flash.  It appears that the build in flash is blocked a bit by the set up.  The slave flash corrects this, but even at low setting it's sometimes too bright for the picture.
I have this Wide angle lens and I am happy to have it. The photo camera doesn't have very wide lens without this lens.
This wide angle lens works wonders with any camera that it's compatible with. I manage to take very good pictures that would not be possible without the lens. The difference with and without the lens is very noticeable specially when you're taking pictures of far away objects. I manage to take a picture of the entire length of a spotlight from the ground up to the clouds using this lens.As other reviewers have said, it comes with a tradeoff. When using a flash, the shadow of the camera shows off in the picture. When used outside..some trails are visible against the background (like a ghosting effect). But overall, it's great!
I purchased one of these for my Sony DSC-W5.  It is a well made, weighty piece, which matches the finish fo the VAD-WA adapter well.  My wide angle photos came out pretty well, with good detail and a tolerably small amount of barrel distortion.
The Sony VCL-DH0730 30mm Wide Angle lens is a fine product as far as I can tell. It provides a much larger shot (as it claims) and I haven't yet noticed any of the distortion effects sometimes associated with wide angles lens. The only downside is the adapter I had to use on my camera (Sony DSC-W1) blocks the flash from a small portion of the bottom/center of the picture. (About 15% ?) On the upside, this sometimes forces me to turn off the flash and use a tripod, which usually provides a much nicer picture anyway.I've said this before, but it's worth repeating: Amazon makes if VERY difficult to ship to P.O. Boxes, and they still don't seem to understand why this is a problem! You guys need to work on it. I can't be the only person in the US that orders stuff off the Internet to a P.O. Box.
I disagree with the previous review. I bought, tried and shipped back two other wide-angle lenses for a Sony P150, both with smaller ratio (0.6x and 0.45x). The problem was that they distorted the image way too much, and had unacceptable vignetting and chromatic aberrations. The Sony 0.7x lens might not be as wide as we would wish sometimes (is there a lens in the world that's wide enough to capture it all anyhow?!) but at least it gives decent results.
I especially like the one that makes the stars.  Very easy to use.
Filter Kit did what my mom had expected it to do as it was a gift until her Sony Digital camera got replaced with a Canon DSLR due to some water damage from a cruise.
This is definetley something you need if you have a 30mm compatible camera or adaptor. The 4 point cross filter is great for shooting photos at night especially out around town or touring a city you've never been to. Any place where there are alot of lights at night; you will then be pretty thankful for this. You can even achieve amazing results by zooming into a bright moon at night and get a fantastic image.The soft filter works great also. Especially for those picture savy people who like to look good in their pictures hah. That's pretty much the only use for that.It also comes in a great protective case that is sleek and small and can fit into your pocket. Another bonus!One more thing. Both of these can be screwed onto each other if you want thanks to the generous amount of thread left on the top! Or you can mix them up with other brand lenses as long as there is enough threading on the top... You can also screw them onto the bottom of any wide angle or telephoto lens to achieve MAXIMUM results! haha. Have fun with these! You wont regret buying them unless they don't fit on your camera/adaptor or something.
I use this for Sony DSC-P73. The night filter works fine.
Just was I looking for, with this filter I got excel pics witn my cybershot.
This external flash has plenty of high end features to keep you entertained. I appreciated it's intuitive design and easy to figure interface. Keep in mind that this sucker runs on AA batteries so buy a set of rechargeable because it blows through them.
I love this flash!  For those of you with battery issues, try energizer e2 lithium.  I just when through a set of "high end" duracels in 3 days of shooting.  My last e2 Lithium batteries lasted 6 months!  The flash requires more of a kick to talk to the camera then regular batteries can give.
This flash was on my wish list for quite while. I received it as it was scheduled - thanks Amazon! - and had just a few hours to get used to it before shooting a very important event: a wedding.I am very pleased with the outcome. Red eyes were always a problem, but not with this wonderful device.I tried all modes and all of them yielded very good results. The battery life is a bit short, but taking into account the number of photos I had taken it was quite good.My overall experience with this product is very positive and I would say that for any serious amateur photographer using Sony F828 (which I like very much too) this flash is highly recommended
Why is this store advertising a product they do not carry or have?  I have been trying several times to order this item but it keeps telling me a problem has occured and no longer in stock.  Why not simply remove it off display if you do not have it?  Its very annoying I have been looking for this flash and I cannot get it because you do not have it in stock.
Nothng technical.  This unit is designed for Sony cameras and works best with them.  It eats batteries, but with rechargeable AA's that's not a big problem.  I have found the results to be very uniform and close to Sony's specs.  Reasonable recycle time.I wish that Sony had designed the unit to sit a little higher off the camera to eliminate more of the red eye effect.Have to wait and see about the long-term durability.  Maybe it's the next Vivitar 283.
This flash is one of the best to pair with the Sony digitals. . . has a tilt feature that allows users to bounce light from ceilings and calculates the distance between you and your subject for a perfect output of light. . .This one is my second one. . . the first one I got broke after a year . . . but it was so good that I replaced it. . . hence only the 4 stars. . . could have been a fluke.
The flash itself is excellent.  The auxillary IR beam on the unit helps with autofocus, but is no panacea.  So if you own a Sony DSC-R1, you will still find autofocus in dim (read: low interior light at night) light extremely slow.  So even with this flash, in dim light you must press the button 2 seconds before you expect to take your picture.  I've no experience with the new Sony SLR.
I bought it for my Sony DSC-f828 and now use it with my DSC-R1. I love this flash. If you have a Sony DSC-F828 or DSC-R1 then this flash will work with your cameras through the lens metering system. The flash will also assist with low light auto focus by using the built in LED's beneath the main flash head.The flash mounts on hot shoe on the right side of the camera body providing a nice balance feel to the camera and more importantly; by the flash being offset from the center of the lens it eliminates that dreaded red eye you can get while using the built in flash.There is also an optional diffuser that pops down over the flash for wide angle shots. This lifts up and stores in a special slot above the  flash head where it can't get lost but it's always there when you need it. The flash can be used in full "Auto" mode  or you can manually adjust the settings. the features in this flash are usually found in units costing many $$$ more, and this Flash communicates with your camera to get that perfect shot every time.My only complaint with this flash is it does not use rechargeable batteries. I wish Sony had designed it to use the same battery as the camera (like they do with some models of video  camera lights) This would be a great idea.This flash operates on four AA batteries. I have tried all brands I could find and my best results (ie: quickest recycle times) were with Energizer e2 series batteries. This is not meant to plug the batteries, just to save you time trying them all out yourself.Here's more from the Sony site:Get outstanding flash coverage of up to 32 feet with this Deluxe Sony High Grade Flash. Offers innovative built-in model light mode, manual lighting control for increased creativity and a bounce and tilt head with built-in diffuser for easy use. Advanced automatic TTL Pre-Flash exposure control is offered through the dedicated hot shoe connector.*  Equipped with advanced ACC shoe allowing communication with camera without cable*  Included cable allows compatibility with ACC terminal*  Equipped with back light LCD for improved operation*  Power: 4 AA sized alkaline batteries*  6 level manual flash selection*  Pre-flash adjustment: detects appropriate exposure before firing flash*  Allows detection when conversion lens attached*  AF assist lamp allows AF photography even when subject is too dark*  Test flash: sets the focal length of light adjustment sensor by DSC data, then fires the test flash*  Red-eye reduction, bounce flash function, equipped with wide panel, modeling flash
I've had the Sony F-828 camera for a number of years, but have been using a Vivitar flash instead of one designed for the camera.  I've been very impressed with this flash.  I am enjoying using it, primarily in manual mode.  It's well worth what I paid for it.
My friend gave me the Sony DSCF828 digital camera with the(HVL-F32X Flash and when I used it, it was powerful enough that I can take great photos from the back of the church in which it add enough light to the performers in front of the sanctuary.  I even took some photos of people in front of the glaring of the sun and it shed some light on their faces to where they can be seen naturally in the photo.  In the dark areas it fill-in and bring up the images as if they were in the light that is already there.  I won't give it a five stars, but a ten.  And also, I like that it communicate with the camera to give a right setting and not bleach-out the images out like some other electronic flash that don't communicate with the camera. and it lets me set it manually as well.
What an excellent addition to the DSC-F828! For a flash with all these features it is a bargain. The focus assist lamp works great even in low light. The bounce ability gives your indoor shots the look of soft natural light. The 40ft plus distance is great. The modeling function is an added plus. What more could you ask for in an external flash. Why only 4 stars for such a fantastic flash? The thing sucks up batteries like there's no tomorrow. Get some rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries, a charger and your set.
I have been using this item for four years now and it is great.  The bounce off feature works very well in close quarters.  Once you get use to using all of its features you will take great pictures.
While I think the programmable aspects of this of this flash are great, I have real problems with the actual use. So far it's given me variable results in similar lighting situations, making me wonder about the metering. It is very powerful and lights up a great deal of area. The manual mode is handy, but I wish there were more values.I'm VERY disappointed by the cycle time. It takes a very long time for this to cycle up to a full charge. Compared to my old Speedlites, it takes easily 3-4 times as long to cycle. I can't tell you the times I've waited and waited, pressed the shutter button, then had to wait some more!Also, because of the low-profile feature, if you use larger flash-attached diffusers, such as a LumiQuest mini-soft box, it will block the sensors forcing you into manual mode. A STO-FEN diffuser works ok and won't block the sensors.The extender arm is great, but after only a short while of using it, the shoe became very loose and swivels too easily. Also, I wish the supplied cable were a bit longer so you can hand-hold the flash. An extender cable helps out in these situations.All-in-all, it's an ok flash, as long as you don't need to shoot two flash shots together quickly.
I use this flash with my V1. I works ok on the auto mode. Mode A using the camera light meter to control the flash. Mode B the flash itself provides the light meter. Both light meter works very well for general use but tend to over expose in dark area and under expose when using as fill flash ( my favorite shots). My favorite part about this flash is the manual mode which you can manualy set the intensity of the light output from 1/1 (full power)1/2 (50% power) to 1/32 (least intensity) so you can shoot with any aperture prefered, a big improvement from the old 1000 series (always fire at 100% and no TTL control). I give this one a 5 star because it served my purposes. ( try this shot: manual mode F7.2/ Shuttle 1/80 / manual mode on the flash set at 1/8 power/ shot you favorite model with the sun on his (her) back)
This flash is dead on arrival. I could not return it so I try to contact sony for support. But they are not very helpful. I have very little confidence in Sonny products nowaday.
It is compact and competent.  TTL worked fine with my V1 and currently with a V3.  A TTL dedicated flash is a breeze to set up and use.  You can get more power at a lower price with an automatic universal unit, but they take a lot more fiddling.  You just slip this on the hot shoe of a Sony camera and use it like an internal flash.The size and sensor arrangement make it hard to put a large diffuser on it.  I have a small snap-on model that works OK, but I would prefer a larger diffuser.It isn't a super powerful flash but does a great job within its limitations.  Infinitely better than any built-in flash.
Sony HVLF32X External AutoProgrammable Flash for MVCCD500D, DSCV1/V3/R1 Camerasthis flash unit is very easy to set up and use. just make sure your camera is off when you attach the flash unit, otherwise it will not work right for a minute or two. read instructions. it comes with a built in diffuser stashed in the top of the flash body. the pictures i've taken with the HVLF32X blows the built in away, like night and day. the improvement is greater than i expected, with the diffuser and the pivoting flash head i can eliminate shadows and no more uneven light saturation on the subject or object you are shooting. this an easy way to improve your flash pictures especially if your an amature like myself. also comes with a side extension rig that mounts under the camera where the tripod goes, then the tripod mounts to the flash rig if you choose. very versetile unit. i am very happy with my purchase, the improvement in my photo's exceeds the cost of the HVLF32X.  ps. it also adapts to the lenses you use in your camera.
I am an experienced scuba diver with some experience in underwater photography. I bought this housing on a lark, because I had the camera and wanted something small to take along when I wasn't diving for photography but wanted to take some snaps.*WITH THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND CHECKS* I found this case worked and was easy to use. I definitely recommend it.The warning is:* TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS* MAKE THE PROPER PRE-DIVE CHECKS* YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN* GET FLOODING INSURANCE OR DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCESI was advised from the beginning to take a course on underwater camera maintenance and use, and to get flooding insurance. I still accept that despite my best efforts, I'll get flooding. The insurance will protect me. You *cannot* assume that a manufacturer will warranty an underwater housing against leakage. It's not possible. Even a tiny bit of sand on an O-ring can cause a leak, and at 60 feet the leak will let in water at twice atmospheric pressure.Fancy underwater housings for $1000+ cameras are *not* warranted against flooding. Don't expect that a $170 housing will be. Don't blame manufacturers for your complete lack of knowledge and experience in a very specialized photographic discipline that most divers take years to learn.Get flooding insurance. Learn how to protect your camera. Test the housing. Ask other divers.The only possible limitation is that the rated depth is only 100 feet. But considering this housing is only $170, and an Ikelite pro-level housing is $500+, this little gem is a great deal.
Bryan Jerutis -Good case for the Canon Powershot cameras. Works well in deep waters.
Being in Hawaii, I spend plenty of time in the water...so having an underwater housing for my camera is almost a necessity.  I have been very happy with the results, shooting in the water (snorkeling, etc) and above the water (surf footage-just watch out for water spots on the lens).  Some of my photos are up for view in other parts of the page for this housing.I treat things pretty roughly, and have been using this for about a year with no problems.  And I am in the water with it on an almost daily basis.  I like being able to use all the features of the camera (minus downloading images or changing the battery or CF card) while the camera is in the housing-something you cannot always say when looking at aftermarket housings that are non-Canon manufactured.  Everything mates up cleanly and works great, I am very happy with my purchase.Just remember to rinse it off/soak it in freshwater after taking it in the ocean or the pool to keep the corrosion at bay, and put a little light silicone grease on the o-ring for trouble free use.
Got this for my Cannon Powershot S500. It's wonderful. Took it on a bunch of snorkeling trips in the Caribbean and Florida Keys and it worked perfectly. It's great too if you are hiking in the rain forest or at a waterfall or at the beach, etc. Keeps the camera perfectly safe.
My Canon Powershot S400 was less than a year old and I bought the WP-DC800. It flooded on my second dive which was not greater than 75 feet. The camera was ruined. Canon wanted to charge me $300 to fix the flooded camera. I told them it was because of the leaky housing but they returned the camera to me not fixed. I have used other underwater cameras for almost 10 years and this is the first time I ever had a flooding. Great idea but poor product.
I've had the S400 and this housing for two years now and I've taken it on at least 20 dives. It's gone with me down to about 80 ft numerous times. No issues, no leaking. I am not exceptionally careful with the camera prep but I do use dessicant - which I think is a no brainer for UW photography. For $170 this is the bargain of a lifetime. I love being able to use the same camera for both land and underwater shots. I don't have to master two camera interfaces. After two years, even if it fails at this point, I got my money's worth about 18 months ago, in my opinion. I can't recommend this enough - for anyone who is nervous, just buy the insurance for your trip like the other reviewers suggested - and see how it goes. Canon has made a fan for life.
Made a very shallow dive with this case to take some pics of moorings, max depth 13 feet. The case leaked right away and canon initially told me they DO NOT WARRANTY these cases! I am still trying to get them to take care of this problem, but judging by what I have heard, they don't stand behind their products. Certainly not standing behind this one.
After using the case on about 5 dives over the course of 11 months, it leaked.  I read the instructions, followed all of the instructions carefully and it still leaked.  And now my camera is ruined.  I certainly learned my lesson and next time I will buy a specific underwater camera (but first I have to replace my digital camera that got ruined).
Not much to say about this.  It promises to keep the camera dry underwater, and has worked as advertised for me on several occassions.Note: READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!  The most important things to remember when using any underwater camera housing are1) prepare the housing in a cool, air conditioned area,2) make very sure that the rubber seal and surrounding area are free of hairs, sand, etc.,3) DO NOT repeatedly open and close the housing after it has been prepared, and before you dive (snorkel, whatever).Just be mindful of what you're doing, use some common sense, and this will work great.
I recently bought this accessory for my S400.  I didn't buy it from Amazon, but I should have since it's cheaper here.  I was so excited to test it to make sure it doesn't leak before I put my expensive camera in it.  I read the manual and filled the WP-dc800 with toilet paper for a test. I then stuck the camera housing into a sink full of water and let it soak for a while.  I pressed all the well-built little buttons and levers underwater to make sure that every seal was water tight.  When I took the item out and inspected it, everything checked out ok and the toilet paper was dry as a bone, just like I want my camera when I take this thing snorkeling later this summer.  They ask a little much for this accessory and they don't offer any type of warranty with it at all.  They warn you enough times in the manual not to let even a strand of hair interrupt the waterproof seal or it may leak on your camera, but they never tell you what to do if this item is faulty and floods your precious camera inside.  I doubt Ill have any issues with it and it stood up to my tests at home.  The WP-DC800 appears to be a solid product.  I like how the buttons perfectly align to the buttons on the S400.  Every feature is accessible while the housing is on your camera except, of course, removing the battery or CF card. The lens is double plated, anti-condensation glass.  It attracts fingerprints like a magnet though. IT also comes with some sealant goop, a wrist strap and a cool Canon neck strap that shows the world how eccentric you are with your digital camera housing.What I don't like about the WP-DC800 is the large part on the front that makes the item more huge than it has to be.  This is for the added diffuser plate feature for your flash.  It makes the WP-DC800 seems a little bulkyWhat I dont like about the WP-DC800 is the large part on the front that makes the item more huge than it has to be.  This is for the added diffuser plate feature for your flash.  It makes the WP-DC800 seems a little bulky.  The realease to open the unit is a little hard to open. There is a push button that you hold while pulling on the top. I always fear that I might break the thing, but at least there is no worry that it will open underwater.
My wife and I both got one each and took them on 4 different snorkeling excursions while on a cruise.  They worked well.  The deepest I took mine was around 12 ft.  My only complaint might be that the viewscreen can be tough to make out underwater sometimes but that is no fault of the case.  Sometimes the fish just blend in to the background so it is hard to tell if you are lined up for the shot or not on the little screen.  I just took lots of pictures to be safe. :)  Using auto color correction in a photo editor really helps bring out colors in a lot of shots when they have that blue underwater hue.
I recently used this housing in Bonaire and got some decent shots, though nothing that would come close to photos taken by a real underwater camera. The best shots can usually be had at shallower depths where the colors are more brilliant and less filtered. Also, on my last dive where my max depth was 55 feet and the temp was 79 degrees, the lense on the case fogged up when I returned to shallower depths (around 20 ft.). There was no damage to the camera, but I lost some great shots during the last 10 minutes of the dive.Lastly, be aware that although users are advised to not open and close the case more than necessary, you will need to do so to change out and recharge the battery and/or memory card. I suggest using a 512MB or even a 1GB card, since they won't fill up as quickly and you won't drain the battery by reviewing and deleting the pics you don't.
Unlike many reviewers I am not diver.  I bought this to for the peace of mind that my camera wouldn't get ruined taking pictures of my son at the water park, pool, and beach.  This equipment exceeded my expectations with always clear photo and underwater flash.This case has out lived an S400 and S500.Well worth the $170 price tag.
I recently received a similar Canon waterproof case and found after the first use the the glass lens cover was permanently fogged thus preventing any further photos.  Obviously a manufacturing defect.  The glass lens cover is composed of two layers and once fogged cannot be de-fogged or wiped.  Canon provided ZERO support for their waterproof cases and should this happen you are completely out of luck!Their email reply to my request for help:" Unfortunately the water-proof housings do not come with any kind ofwarranty expressed or implied in any way. The manual that comes withthe housing is to be followed in performing maintenance on the waterproof housing and is strictly up to the user to comply with theprocedures in the manual.I am sorry for the inconvenience, but we cannot provide you withany real assistance with this matter.Sincerely,Technical Support Representative"
I was a little scared to try this out after reading some of the horror stories posted around the 'net about it leaking. . . .Well, just to be on the safe side, we got some insurance for our new S500, then stuck it in this housing and took it on multiple dives over a week.I'm happy to report that it worked flawlessly!!!Now I just need to save up for an underwater strobe. . . . .UPDATE -- the above was posted in July 2004.  It's now Jan 2006, and we just got back from our third or fourth dive trip using this thing.  There's never been any problem with it at all, it's worked flawlessly.  I RELIGEOUSLY follow the directions regarding cleaning & lubing the o-ring, and I've replaced the o-ring once just to be on the safe side.  Never a drop of water inside!  PS -- also got the strobe I wanted, I highly recommend a strobe for any underwater photography, we've taken some great pictures with this so far!Last but not least -- the S500 is perhaps not the #1 choice of camera for underwater photography -- it's a bit TOO automatic, there are really no manual settings on it, even when in "manual" mode you cannot manually adjust shutter speed, film speed, focus, etc.  If you have an S500, then I highly recommend this housing.  If you have not yet bought the camera, there are other models better-suited to underwater photography available from Canon and others  (I think Canon even has a new S500A or some such that is very similar to the S500 but gives you the manual controls -- note that the S500A uses a DIFFERENT housing from this one!).
Nothing is foolproof however, if you read the care instructions for this case, it's pretty close to being so. I have owned the Canon Powershot S410 for three years, it has recieved HEAVY use, for the last year I have used it with this case while diving. I ended up in an intense program at college that involved more diving than some people do in years. I have only been diving a year, but I already understand that if you don't take good care of your gear it will break, even if you do, sometimes it will anyways. You need to double check things all the time to stay as safe as you can, same goes with this camera.Saying all that, I myself know you forget things sometimes or just can't pay attention to certain things when you need to. I have taken my camera on probably 55 of my dives (anywhere from 0-91 feet) as well as quite a few snorkeling and even two hiking trips. I take it on every dive I can as I tend to miss incredible picture opporunities if I don't. Many of my dives were not focused on taking pictures, and my case has been somewhat beaten up from this as well as some difficult entries and exits on dives. I clean my o-ring every dive and put a thin layer of silicone grease when it seems dry, I had to perform some alterations on it due to a broken button on my camera (Which I would advise you to get your camera repaired if any buttons are broken because I was terrified my alterations would damage the seals, superglue was involved, which I believe the fumes can corrode some materials, anyways, life is easier if your camera is in good shape too.) but despite my questionable care of my case, it has worked amazingly well, I understand that at some point it will probably leak, though I think the camera will break long before as three years in my possesion has left it making a grinding noise when the lens opens and without the use of it's original LCD screen (which if any of you out there break one and have no warranty or don't want to pay for repairs, find someone experienced with computers, buy a replacement screen, and they might be able to fix it free.). The only real issue I have ever had with it would be some fogging problems in French Polynesia, which was fixed completely by merely closing and opening the camera case in an air conditioned room. Either way, both the camera and case have paid for themselves many times over in my opinion, especially with me being the owner.Some advice would be to read instructions, take a class in underwater photography if you're serious about getting good pictures, and lastly, if you're looking for really amazing super high quality photos and a guaranteed camera housing, pay for it; buy an expensive underwater camera, and an expensive housing, flash, and all that jazz, as well as flood insurance. If you're looking for an all around show your family what you did on vacation (or in my case at school) and maybe even produce some incredible lucky shots that look prize-winning quality go ahead, buy one of these cameras, get the housing, and flood insurance if you feel you need it (I decided I didn't because the camera had already taken thousands of pictures and it was probably going to break soon anyways.) and go have some fun exploring the underwater, or rainy, world!
The case fits perfectly, as a canon product for a canon product should.  Took the camera diving several times without a hitch.  I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
This underwater case works just like a non-pro hopes it will. You get it out of the box, you put your camera in, and close the lock. You jump in the water and take perfect digital pictures. That's it! You can access all the functions while you're underwater. It's really cool looking. I can't say enough great things about this product!
These are excellent tapes, though hard to find. If you can not find these and others drop me a line!
These tapes are great for use with my four track recorder. Tape is not dead.
As Secretary of the Homeowners Association in my community I use these cassettes to tape meetings and then I write my minutes from the tapes.  Every little noise and word comes through loud and clear.  The cassettes are top quality.
I prefer Audio Cassette Tape Recording over CD recordings. I find the sound to be richer, more dynamic and much more consistent over homemade CD recordings. I always preferred 60 minute blank tapes over 90 and 100 minute Capsule tapes. I have always used Maxells. The 60-Minute High Bias Type II is the best. I have recordings I made in 1987 of THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS soundtrack and of a-ha's first album and they sound excellent to this day.  The Pack of Five is a good value all around.
I was unable to review this product because it was lost during delivery.  my money was refunded promptly and I did not reorder.
Maxell manufactures excellent 60 minute "XL2" cassette tapes for very good quality tape recordings of music as well as, of course, all purpose general recording. As long as you have the right kind of equipment, these tapes record the sounds of record albums, radio shows, CD-Rs, people talking and more. These tapes have 60 minutes worth of blank recording tapes on them so there are 30 blank minutes for recording on each side. The tape playback will work well in just about any tape deck including the one in your car.The tapes allow you hours upon hours of listening enjoyment because you can record over them many times; and they take up very little room so they're easy to carry around with you.Unfortunately, these tapes cannot produce the same quality recording reproduction as a digitalized copy would give you. This means that if, hypothetically, you were to copy a CD-R onto another CD-R instead of a Maxell "XL2" cassette tape, the quality of the sound on the CD-R copy would remain sharper and clearer with less background noise than a Maxell cassette tape or any other brand of cassette tape could give you. It's just not quite as good as a digitized CD-R recording. Moreover, cassette tapes can break if not handled with care. They can also break if used a few too many times, too. Therefore, I recommend that any important recorded material should be copied onto another blank tape and then keep that second tape in a safe place to use as a backup. These shortcomings frustrate me and therefore I will have to take off one star to make this a four star review.Overall, Maxell makes the XL2 cassette tape to give us a great choice when we want reliable cassette tapes to record music at a high level of quality for a cassette tape. This cassette tape can be used to record other things, too, including lectures at school.  I have used this brand for a while now and I cannot think of any major complaints. I highly recommend Maxell XL2 60 minute cassette tapes for you to use when you need to record something onto a tape--especially music.
Digital camera owners have a product very susceptible to obscuring dirt, dust, and grime coating not only the lenses but the picture composition veiwing area at the rear of the camera. Mavicas also have more moving parts than the stick storage ulilized by others.This product greatly reduces the cameras exposure to these environmental threats. It is thoughtfully equipped with storage areas and bungi straps. It is very well made. It's a classic example of form following function.
The problem with buying some items online is that you can't tell exactly how big it will be or whether it will have enough features for your needs. This little case was just right. It was neither too large or too small and fit my camera perfectly. I don't carry around a ton of extras so the number of compartments was just enough for flash cards, extra batteries, the User Manual, and a portable charger. The over-the-shoulder strap helps out when my arms are full of other things.Gail StrumbergerAuthor "Shock Therapy: Planaphobic"
Great prduct...arrived on time as I was going on vacation and needed the extra protection for my camera. The padding is more than expected and very accessible to use. I would easily recomend this bag.
The quality of the case is good, but actually the case seemed a bit too small to keep everything in...tight squeeze and no extra room for disks to take along.  Where to squeeze everything in was the biggest problem I encountered.  Actually I got it in Dec. and here I am still trying to figure it out!
I just purchased the Sony Mavica 5MP Digital camera from Amazon and wanted to get a nice soft case to protect my investment.This bag is specifically made just for the Mavica cameras and is featured in the accessories book that comes along with the Mavicas. The design  and color scheme of the bag is black and blue and prominently features Sony and Mavica lettering on the case.You can carry the camera upon your shoulder with the adjustable carrying strap or the bag can be attached to your belt. It has a separate front zippered compartment with bungee cord for a couple spare CD-R/RW mini discs and also a spare battery if you like.A nice soft case camera bag that is sure to fit  and protect your Sony Mavica camera!Happy Carrying and Picture Taking!
As usual, Sony equipment is pretty good, and I'll buy Sony stuff without question. BUT...The case has a main drop-in compartment for storing the camera, and a front flop-down pocket lets one store three batteries and three 3-inch CDs. Both the main compartment and the pocket are double-zippered.I bought the eye-level viewfinder and it will not fit into the case when attached to the camera. When not attached, it will fit into the compartment, but then only on top of the camera, making it subject to squishing if, say, somebody decides to sit on the case.The Mavica fits into the case back-first and lens up. That means to remove the camera one must grab it by its lens. Somehow I have a problem with that, but after four years of working with the case and camera that hasn't been a problem.I originally gave this case a 3-star review, but, as mentioned above, after actually using it for several years, it rates 5 stars as a soft case.
I am very new to the art of photography, but the importance of capturing those precious moments of my kids  - I had to buy the best lens/camera to ensure I am able to replicate/freeze that priceless momeent.....While testing the Nikon 70-200mm lens, my heart stopped when I saw the image it is capable of capturing and impressed with its focsuing speed and (lack of) noise it creates.  You can read other reviews for the physics and the detailed analysis... All I know is when I am reaching into my camera bag, I will pull this lens out everytime when I want to capture that special moment with highest possible image quality ....  Professional or not, I love this lens..The only thing I am very confuse about this lens is the price... why Canon is able to charge $1500 for the same lens/feature - while Nikon charges $1900??  the images quality/features seems to be the same.... are we paying $400 more just for the NIkon name? if that is the case (and I am not too late), I might as well switch over to NIkon... since I am sure I will buy few more high end lenses...
After a snafu with the paper's 80-200mm AFS assigned to my bag sent it packing to Nikon repair, I figured it was a good idea to have one of my own.  I happily welcomed this to my gear family.  At first I was a little skeptical.  There are tons of reviews out there about how this lens was made for DX bodies. And that may be true looking at the slim profile. The reviews ranted on some flaws in the optics.Basically when shooting a gray brick wall in bad light at 2.8 it is slightly soft in the corners with some vignetting.Look, I shoot in the most abominable conditions at times.  Crime scenes don't come with built in roof strobes and being a news photographer, I don't exactly zoom in 500x in the corner for the FX frame to see how soft something is.  It's all hogwash, this lens is a frickin champ.The 70-200mm handles like a jewel, acquires focus instantly and is sharp as a tack.  In my line of work, shooting brick walls and studio swatches with bad exposures don't come up too often but everything I've pointed this piece of glass at has been razor sharp out of my D700.  I have no interest in the VRII unit, this one is gangbusters.
This is a Fantastic lens. But before you buy, be aware that it is for professionals or serious amateurs. I say this because of the price and size of the lens. This is not a lens that you just throw into your camera bag for a casual walk. At 51.8oz, it weights more that my Nikon D300Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).Nevertheless, it is a beautiful lens. It has smooth zoom and focus rings and solid tripod mounting foot. The auto-focus is silent and accurate. There is no hunting even in relatively low light. And the VR (Vibration Reduction) really works. I can hand hold at 1/2 sec and the images are sharp.Pros:Excellent image quality (sharp as a tack),Solid construction (metal and glass),Dust and moisture sealing,VR allows hand-holding in low light,F/2.8 maximum aperture at all focal lengths,Quiet, ultrasonic, auto focus motor,Cons:Price - over $1600.00Size - 52ozIf you buy this lens, you will not regret it.
As an amateur photographer, this lens was a stretch to justify.  However, the picture quality is absolutely amazing and worth every penny - this lens will not disappoint.  The VR is also a significant feature and allows the photographer (or student) to get away with the near impossible in low light, high zoom conditions.  I am using this lens on a D80 Nikon and all functions work flawlessly.
I recently bought this lens to get some sports shots at the Beijing Olympics, and I must say that so far the hefty price has proved to be justified. I primarily use it on a D200, and it focuses really fast, silently, and accurately. Colours, bokeh, and resolution are all great. It is, in a word, great. It is a bit big, though. It's size and weight makes it less than convenient to carry around your neck, but, that said, it is easy to support it with one of your hands while walking around, and it's quite thoroughly thought through in the ergonomics department, making it easy to use.The VR is a big bonus, and does work quite well. It definitely makes a big difference when shooting indoor sports. I hear Nikon've made an updated version of their vibration reduction technology that's supposedly even better, but the one used in this lens is still good.I join the already big crowd of reviewers who say that this is one good lens and definitely worth the price. I do, however, think, that if you don't shoot handheld, the Sigma 70-200mm would probably be just as good an investment.
First, I have to say that this is an absolutely fantastic lens...anyone considering one will know that already, so I'm not saying anything new here. I had the prior-generation 80-200 (which itself was a tremendous lens) and I have to say that this one is better in every category. If you're wondering, yes, it's definitely worth the money to upgrade.My complaint was with Amazon's partner JR. I purchased this lens through them, even though it was more expensive than some other vendors, because they advertised it as "in stock, but takes an additional 2-3 days". Well, it wasn't in stock at all - and they couldn't tell me whether it was a few days, or six weeks. I ended up having to go through the hassle of canceling my order and hunting the lens down at another merchant.In fairness to JR, this lens is very popular among pros, and it was just before the 2008 Olymipcs, so apparently a worldwide backorder situation existed for this particular product. Still, advertising it as "In Stock" when it's not seems deceptive to me.
I'd been wanting this lens for a long time after reading an article on Nikon's learning app that discussed the three &#34;must have&#34; lenses for pros. I'm not a pro, but want to be in the future, so I'm willing to invest in good glass to get the shots I really want.This lens is as superior as all the reviews say. You can make do well with the VR version instead of the VR-II, which will save you some cash. Also, I purchased this from an Amazon-backed individual, making for a less-fearful buying experience. I'm now getting the shots I wanted, getting the reach I'd been missing for wildlife shots, and learning how to really use a good lens.
I've read a LOT of reviews on this lens and many of those with a full frame camera really diss this lens, however, many of those reviews can be misleading.  Here's the thing with full frame - there are trade-offs when you use a full frame camera, just as there are trade-offs when you use non-full frame.  The challenge with any full frame camera is that most, if not all, lenses have difficulty covering the full range of the FX sensor, so there is no "perfect" lens for a full frame. Instead, you have to learn how to adjust your shooting skills to use the lens to your best advantage. That's what we call photography, folks. What you have to decide is if those particular tradeoffs are worth it to you. So, in my experience (and those of many other pro photographers), here's the scoop on using this lens with a full frame.Vignetting: Yes, if you shoot wide open at 70mm, you will most likely get some vignetting. HOWEVER, this can easily be corrected by stopping down one or two clicks. Yes, this will most likely soften the picture a bit, however, it is a reasonable tradeoff. If you don't want to sacrifice the small amount of sharpness by stopping down, you have two other choices. If you have a D3, there is a firm update for this camera that will solve the vignetting issue. If you are using the D700, there's a vignetting control function on this camera that should help. I've also found that most vignetting caused by the lens can easily be taken care of in post processing. The thing to remember about ANY lens is that EVERY lens has a theoretical "sweet spot" so by changing where you position the lens and what part you look through you are able to obtain much better information. This lens works better in the middle - crystal clear and unbelievably sharp!  It does soften at the edges - that's the price using full frame - NO lens can optimally cover the full range of the FX sensor. That's just reality. The challenge for any photographer is to adjust how you take your shot - that will solve your problem - changing the lens won't.  With this lens, closer is better (yes, I know it's a zoom lens, but go with me here). Much of the vignetting (and softness) can be eliminated by moving a little closer to your subject (even for landscapes).Sharpness: If your goal is take crystal sharp shots - this is your lens. As in anything pertaining to photography, you have to work with it. This is a sophisticated piece of equipment - it's not intended to be a "take out of the box and get a perfect shot" piece of equipment. It's intended for those who are patient with their photography and take the time to get the right shot - and for those who are willing to work with the lens and learn from it and in turn, get the most out of it.So, in summary, if you are looking for a pro lens and are willing to put in the time and patience to work with this lens, it will NOT let you down. However, if you are looking to buy a lens that allows you to shoot clear and perfect no matter what f-stop, what position, what condition - then this is not your lens and you'd be better off trading in your full frame for a D300 and stick with using DX lenses all the way.
This is a big, heavy, long lens--a little too much for a walkaround--and with all those elements, you want to be careful about shooting into the light.  But once you use it, you'll want to carry it around, making little cooing noises--think waist pack or holster pack.  Nikon's non-VR 80-200 is legendary--this one is sharper yet, and the VR does indeed add 2 EV, for what would be an effective f/1.4 on a non-VR lens.  The VR makes it very hand-holdable, but to see what it can really do, shut off the VR and put it on a tripod.  You'll need your best technique to really max it out.
This lens is a bit heavy and unwieldy, but ignore that. This is a solid product that makes lesser lenses look cheap by comparison. As other reviewers have said, it is already a legend. Sharpness is unsurpassed. Distortion is minimal. The bokeh is perfect. This is the lens for isolating your subject from the background. I use mine for nature photography. It is perfect for photographing bald eagles on the beach.
Almost every full-time pro photographer who uses Nikon will own one of these lenses.  Really, it is one of a couple of standards that pro's cannot live without. The 17-35 f/2.8 is the other, and many will carry the 24-70 lens f/2.8 as well.It is a great portrait lens, especially at the long end, where f/2.8-4 offers a small enough DOF to make portraits pop. Many of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit shots are done 70-200mm lenses.It works well with the Nikon 1.4x teleconverter, making it a 98-280mm f/4 lens. I have heard (though not experienced) that it works fine with the 1.7x Nikon TC as well.However, the best thing about this lens is you can use it on a DX body. This turns the lens into a 105-300mm f/2.8 lens.  A Nikon 300mm f/2.8 lens costs over $5,000, and is a fixed focal length, not a handier zoom.Add a 1.4 TC, this becomes a 147-420mm  f/4 lens on a DX body, for about $2800 ($2300 for the lens plus $500 for the TC as of 2013). Compared to the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 lens, at more than $5.000, this combo is a bargain, smaller, lighter, and a lot more flexible.Now, the question is, is it as good as the newer 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II? Probably not quite, at the corners, at full zoom. And the VR is probably not quite as good either. If the price is similar, get the newer lens. But you will probably never see the difference, especially if you don't use a tripod.
Vignetting.  Always.We purchased these lens to use with Nikon DX and 35mm cameras.Why do the have vignetting on the D3 and D3X?What is the deal?What a freaking nightmare.Nikon knows it, too.Look, now they are selling another 70-200 that is FX format.Basically, this lens without all the vignetting.
This lens has so many uses.  Anytime I can position myself where my subject is more than five feet away, this is my lens of choice.  I have the kit 18-70mm that came with the D70 and a 50mm prime (I have the 18-200 VR is on order, and if Nikon can ever get around to catching up with demand, that lens might surpass this one, due to the smaller weight - plus it is a lot cheaper).I took every lens I own with the D70 to the British Museum in London. Shooting handheld in available light (I never used the flash) with many of the Egyptian and Greek artifacts over fifty feet away, I got outstanding results with this lens. The VR technology is amazing.  Having a constant 2.8 aperture was also a major advantage.  I'll grant you my arm felt like a rubber hose after four hours of site seeing, but it was worth it!  I have had similar satisfaction using the lens outdoors for wildlife photography. I have even used the TC-20EII teleconverter with the lens, to shoot hummingbirds at great distance. I would have no reservations about recommending the lens, until Nikon announced the 18-200 VR. This new lens has a much broader focal length on the low end, and focuses much closer (around a foot, compared to five feet for 70-200).  The 18-200 does not provide a constant 2.8 aperture across it's focal length, so the 70-200 would be better at long distances in low light.  But at less than half the price, and I think less than half the size, this new lens clearly will have a premier spot in my bag.  Will it totally replace the 70-200VR?  I'll update my review when I finally get to try the lens on the block. Until then, the 70-200mm VR is the champ!
Heavy as hell but sharp as a tack. The VR is a must because of the weight. Contrast is amazing and the build quality will blow you away. EXCEPT FOR THE HOODThis is a manly lens with a well balanced tripod mount and really a staple if you're shooting sports, kids, or wild life. Works great with the 2x adapter and doesn't lose much speed on a D3 body where high ISO is no problem.If you can find a good deal on the VR I go for it. I've used the VR II and really can't tell any difference except for the price and I don't think the build quality is as nice on the new guy.Definitively and Investment lens unlike the 3rd parties.
I use this on my D90 for any action shots.  The fast aperture allows for lightning fast shutter speeds and really lets you capture the moment in crystal clear detail.  The lens will never give you a bad looking shot - any shots that look less than perfect are a result of user error.  f/2.8 allows for a shallow depth of field, working well for isolating your subject.  This lens does well for portraits too.  This lens is a monster size wise.  You will NOT be inconspicuous when you've got this attached to your body, so you get a lot of attention when carrying it around.  That said, it's got very solid construction and once you see what it is capable of capturing, you'll be spoiled.  It also retains its value very well.  Would buy again for sure, I just wish it cost less, but I suppose sometimes you have to pay to play.
It is a big, heavy lens no doubt but it is very fast, autofocuses quickly and is tack sharp from f/8 - f/16 bit with little falloff above of below that range.  I shoot with this lens a lot on my D700.  I was able to get a bracket for it so that it would mount on my RRS BH-55 Ballhead as well.  I highly recommend this lens.
Fantastic lenes..use it with my D300. For longer reach I use a Nikon 2x extension...still running only 5.6 at 400 mm. VR really helpful at that range. Note that MSRP on this lens is $1795. Do NOT get ripped off; do not pay a penny more.
As you can expect for this amount of many Nikon will give you great product, and that is super lens. My only one little concern is the AF - I think, but maybe I'm wrong, it's to slow. I'm wondering if it's just me or other users have same problem. Other than that - truly recommended.One more think - get extra wrist exercises - it's heavy. :)
Nikon won't be pricing it this much if it doesn't work. I am new to photography and this is a MUST HAVE lens especially for ambient light photographers! I also own a Nikon 70-300mm with a minimum aperture of 3.5 and this wasn't even close to this lens at all. This is a fast lens and the VR technology could spell the diffence between making the shot or not! The only drawback is that this lens can easily catch people's attention on the outside!
This is one of my primary lens. Excellent in every way. This is truly one of Nikons flagship lenses. I just wish they had come out with the new VRII sooner, its basically the same price.
My 70-200 VR 1  is fast nice, quick focus, best lens I ever owed so far.very bulky heavy but well worth it. I will by another if i could afford it. I purchased this lens from amazon,very fast delivery. I just recently brought a filter for the lens. I practiced with the lens it is very good shape a few scratches but who care, Very nice images while!!!!!!!!!!
I purchased this lens to reach out a bit further and to complement the wide angle 12-24mm recently purchased.  The 70-200mm lens sports an f2.8 so it captures a lot of light, however I have found indoor photography near impossible with this lens with automatic settings.  The 12-24mm lens is "only" an f4, yet seems to do much better capturing light for indoor photographs.The two understatements in other reviews are this lens is big.  It is not just big, it is an unweildy appendage.  Forget about putting your camera in a bag with this lens.  However, the sharpness of this lens is trully amazing.  The 12-24mm lens also produces excellent photos, but nothing like the 70-200mm lens.  For outdoor photography the 70-200mm lens is really extraordinary.  The VR feature is also generally very helpful in capturing tack sharp photos handheld.  I took a photo of a plantation in south Louisiana from a distance inside a car handheld.  Zooming into the picture later revealed the entire field was tack sharp across the entire photo.In summary this is a trully extraordinary lens for outdoor photography.  I'm very glad I purchased it despite the gargantuan size and hefty price.  I'm using this with a Nikon D80.
You need to know what you are buying. This lens does not like direct light (glare effect). For a DX camera it is a lens of your life though a little heavy. A solid Japanese product that will last you, hopefully, a long long time. Thanks Nikon.
I've had this lens for approximately 6 months now - use it w/ my Nikon D200 primarily for kids sports (baseball and soccer).  The lens is heavy - and I've found that mounting it on a tripod gives the best results.  I also have become a lens snob.  The action shots are so much more crisp vs. the 70 -300mm telephoto of 3 yrs ago.  I'm not sure that I'll ever want something without vibration reduction again.This lens deserves all the great reviews it's been given.  While it's pricey - it's totally worth it.
So much has been written about this lens, I don't know how much I can add. All I can say is, if you're thinking about getting it, don't hesitate. I shoot it on a Nikon D300 body - I was previously using the Nikkor 18-200mm VRII to shoot swim and water polo meets outside and in daylight, but needed something for indoor venues, low light, and fast action. Man, it was hard to put down all that money, but after shooting it the first time, any thought of "should I really have done this?" went out the window. I love this lens. Exceeded all my expectations.Yeah, it is heavy, especially with a D300, but the way it's built and the way it performs, I carry it gladly. The sharpness, the color, the speed, the bokeh... just... beautiful... Happy and proud to own this piece of equipment.
This review applies specially to D300 owners, yes, maybe we will buy a full frame camera in the future, but for now and for long, this will be our work horse.I dont consider myself a "professional photographer", I rather say that I like displaying my art through photography if that makes any sense.Why is the above info important? For one, because I dont carry the lens ALL day long on my backpack or neck and I take the time to compose a good picture instead of letting the equipment do the work for me. Now, if this sounds like someone whose opinion you would value, read on.size: The lens is big (put a 12 inch school ruler on front of your camera, roughly that size), it is heavy (because of the form, it feels like a five pound dumbell, not too much for regular lifting but with minutes passing you feel it). Now, those two are not really drawbacks as I'm not an engineer and therefore I assume that is whats necessary to make it that good, so I live happy with that. A V8 is heavy for the components, that's the way I see it.Performance: I do find the VR a little noisy, the af is not unless youre changing it way too much, and still is not "noisy", its just not quiet. AF Lock-Tracking on the D300 with this lens is a dream, the lens is so fast focusing that you kind of get used to it. Metering is a little under exposed but, I blame the camera obviously.sharpness: Just another reviewer stating the obvious, sharp as hell, even shooting at 2.8 on the most abnormal conditions.grip: I keep the camera gripped, always, don't think I've ever "ungripped" it other than to change the battery, therefore, I cannot comment on the lens w/o the grip. With grip on, the lens feels big, a little front heavy, but, as I said, that IS the lens. It feels a lot better shooting vertical which in my case is 90% of the time.final conclusion: This lens does not go well on your next birthday party*, it however will do magic for your kids on a soccer game or on their bikes, or shooting at F1 cars or birds, whatever you throw, it'll take it. NOW, do not depend on the lens or the VR, use VR only when needed, too many people now rely on that and forget about the art of composing to make it work.*for general uses like that, I keep the trusty D40 w/18-200, sb-400 and a $40 grip I bought through amazon as well.
I've been using Nikon lenses for years but this is my first VR lens. It works. Hand-held at a 1/50 sec I got tack sharp shots. And that was with the 1.7 teleconverter. On the way to do those shots the camera and lens took a tumble out of my truck onto a parking lot. The lens shade got it's first beauty mark, but every thing worked perfectly. Lens, converter, and D200.
Tried the Tamron and Sigma "equivalents" and they were not up to par. But this lens is an absolute beast. Love it. Wish it was cheaper, but you get what you pay for.
This lens is simply outstanding.  It may take you a while to get used to the weight of this "hefty" lens, but it is worth the break in time.  If you purchase this lens I guarantee your other lenses will spend more time on the shelf than on your camera.This lens is well worth the money.
This is my favorite lens. I love doing outdoor portraits with this. It produces a nice soft bokeh with a sharply focused subject. The images are stunning. I use it for weddings and glamour photography. It would be great for high school sports photography too. For bird or wildlife photography you would probably need 400mm or longer. But when I am working within the 70-200mm range then this is my baby.Be aware that this lens is for DX sensors, such as with the D300, D200, D80, and so on. If you are getting a lens for the D3 or the new D700 then this is the wrong lens. I use it with the D300 and I wouldn't give up this lens for anything.
I've had this lens for about 4 months now and am amazed at the quality of the images from it.  Coupled with my D300s, it produces sharp images at f/2.8. I really have not tested it at the small end of the aperture scale. I recently shot some high school basketball games and was very impressed with the results.  As many may know, lighting in high school gymnasiums is not the best.  Yet, with this lens, I was able to get excellent images.  Focusing is fast and quiet.  The build quality is excellent--no compromises here.  It is a hefty lens, but with the D300s + grip, it balances out reasonabley well.  I recommend extended use to be with a monopod or tripod.  It is an expensive piece of glass, but each time I see the results from it, I smile!!
If you're a pro or an avid photography enthusiast, chances are you have or want this lens. Rightfully so, my friend, rightfully so.I upgraded from a Tamron 70-200 2.8. Worth the cost? Yes. Build quality of the Tamron is sub-par at best and AF speed is like night and day between the two.The Nikon is definitely professional grade and AF's fast even in low light, so if you can justify the cost, by all means... Have one of the nicest lenses in history. :)
Purchased this lens just two weeks ago. Right after purchase, i scheduled two photoshoots...as i was eager to test this lens capabilities.The weight is somewhat heavy, but compared to the Tamron 70-200 VC lens, and the Sigma..its about on par and lighter than the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 D lens. This lens focuses fast, and is able to detect the subject extremely well. So far i have used this lens for portraiture use..and it works great. The images turned out tack sharp, and produced some gorgeous Bokeh (i uploaded two images of some portraits)I read some reviews in regards to some unwanted Vignette. Depending how you process (import) your photos, this has been a non issue for me. Maybe for the unexperienced or new photographers this may be an issue. Naturally, this lens gives a warm feel to the overall image, but nothing extreme.VR works really well, was able to produce great images with shutter speeds at 1/30 sec no problems at all.If you are in the market for a 70-200 VR lens, i highly suggest at the very least, give this lens a try. I have used this lens on 2 paid shoots so far (in two weeks), and both clients were extremely happy with the results.Jesse Martinez
What the other photographers say about this lens is true, and it's my favorite everyday travel companion.  I took a photo of Manny Ramirez of the LA Dodgers at LAX with it on March 4th, 2009, and the LA Times bought it that afternoon. The next day it was run as a 8"x9" photo on the cover page of the LA Times Sports section. I couldn't have been more pleased that I decided to bring this lens, because the shot was taken from a good distance, maybe 25 feet away from Manny and I might not have gotten it with another lens.The rest of the gear I used: the camera is a Nikon D3, with a Nikon SB900 flash and 4G SanDisk Extreme Ducati edition 45ms CF card.If you are trying to make the decision on whether to buy this lens or a cheaper one, do yourself a favor and calculate the price differential between the cheaper lens and this one, then divide that number by 10 - because you'll have this beauty for at least 10 years if you take care of it.  Then give up fast food or cigarettes or make some other personal sacrifice to find the money to get the better lens...years from now you'll be glad you did.  Personally, I gave up fast food for six months and lost 10lbs :0)I hope you find this helpful, so get out there and follow your dreams - good luck and keep shooting until you hit something that either satisfies you as art or you can sell,John Edward YoungLos Angeles, CA
I love this piece of glass!  I have used this primarily for indoor events with much success.  I am currently working on shooting sports and other fast action, so I'll update this review once I get a chance to see some of the results.A bit heavy to lug around all day, but definitely worth the results you get.  Because of the weight, I put this on a monopod.  That really helps out a lot, so if you can invest in a good one that would be ideal.It will take some practice to get things right, but once you've found that sweet spot, you'll definitely see the difference in your pics.For events, I would really recommend having this and a wide-angle on a second body.  That way, you'll never miss an opportunity (either close up or wide range).If you can afford it, by all means do it!  Don't think about it too much... You'll be missing a lot of opportunities to photgraph a lot of great stuff!
Amazing lens! Sharp as a mother!No where near bad for a 5-6 year old lens. It still preforms like a champ and should be in every pros bag! Perfect for weddings and portraits!
This lens exceeds the hype.  Its fast and the f2.8 makes a huge difference in low light.Its a heavy lens, but worth it to get a great shot!.
From a Nikon D70 to a D90 to a full frame D3 with a fast lens. I bit the bullet and invested in a Nikon D3 and a Nikon 70 - 200mm f/2 AF -S VR lens. Finally got what I wanted and not a bit sorry. Taking pictures of my Granddaughter playing basketball, indoors without a flash and having the pictures look sharp is really amazing. I never used the Manual mode before on any of the other cameras because I wasn't quit sure how to. The D3 makes it so easy that's what I use most now. In a gymnasium I set the speed at 1000, the aperture at 2.8 and the ISO at around 800 and there you have it, stop action that's the right White balance and sharp. My journey has just begun. So much to learn, but with the right equipment, it's going to be a blast.
I bought this lens a few months ago and have had many chances to use it.  Overall, it is a wonderful lens that helps produce excellent shots taken with my Nikon D300.  the autofocus is super fast, accurate and quite.  The bokeh produced by the lens is also among the best I have seen! the VR works great as it does with most nikon lenses. The detail and sharpness of the lens at f7-f9 are outstanding... I mean truly perfect!  I take a lot of pictures of birds and like to show details in the beak and eyes.. this lens is perfect for that.  I also own the Sigma 150-500mm and this lens at 100% crop is much better than the Sigma at an equal magnification.  Basically, with my Sigma 150-500 the images are good but you lose some sharpness of the edges. the Nikon 70-200mm does not have this problem at a reasonable f-stop.  I mention this last point, which is also the reason I did not give it 5 stars.  I was a tad bit disappointed with the crispness of shots taken "wide open" at f2.8.  Don't get me wrong, they are still good but just aren't quite as sharp as I would have hoped.  but in low light situations this lens will allow you to get many shots otherwise not possible without jacking up the ISO.  Overall, I am very pleased and would buy it again if given the choice!  Hope this helps.
Nikon, like Canon and other manufacturers, produces their fixed aperture zoom lenses to their highest standards of quality. This lens is no exception; most reviewers, and certainly most professional photographers, will agree.Since you already know this is a good lens, before you buy, ask yourself how you're hoping to use it. This is not a casual walk-about lens; it is heavy, and will make your arm(s) tired. If you're not willing to lug it around, you're not going to use it; any camera lens, no matter how good it is, does nothing for you while sitting unused on your shelf.If you plan on using this lens exclusively at apertures smaller than f/4, you're not making the best use of your money-- you can spend half as much money, and buy a variable aperture lens that provides the same fundamental imaging capabilities. While this lens is probably sharpest at f/5.6, that's not where it truly shines.Shooting wide open at f/2.8, this lens performs beautifully. Portrait photography (especially candid photos, such as one might take as a guest at a wedding), medium-distance wildlife photography, outdoor sports photography-- these are all fabulous uses for this lens. I am always pleased to put this lens on my camera and start taking pictures, because I naturally lean towards single-subject compositions, and this lens is perfect for making high-quality images while picking out a subject against an interesting background.That's not to say it can't take fine images stopped down-- of course it can. When taking landscape photos, I regularly make several images with this lens in addition to what I capture with a wider angle lens.Buy this lens because you plan to use its unique capabilities, not because you feel you deserve the best. If you won't be pushing the boundaries of a 55-200mm, f/4-5.6 lens (which, for what it does, Nikon's version is a fine lens), you certainly won't be leveraging what the 70-200 f/2.8 has to offer, and would be better off with the smaller, lighter, and cheaper lens.
This lens went slightly down in price recently which is why i decided to make the plunge and it was worth it. One problem as many have written is its size: it is big, even bigger with the lens shade and while not too heavy it will not be easy to use unnoticed. I already had a 180 2.8 so why will you wonder. You actually need this zooming capacity. The colors and the sharpness are just as beautiful as some of the other reviewers have written. It works perfectly with my D200.
Just take the word of those who have written extensive positive reviews about this lens. They are all right. It's fast, not as heavy as others make it sound. It's lighter than the VRll version and provides the same IQ.
I bought this used at Adorama and saved $800 over a new VRII. Since the D7000 is not a full-frame sensor the vignetting that occurs on an FX sensor is not an issue. Another advantage for DX users is it's more like a 100-300mm. The bokeh is beautiful. Expensive - but worth it!
I purchased this lens new from Amazon over sixteen months ago.  It is by far my favorite lens.  Extremely versatile, I use it for a variety of assignments from portraiture to concerts to sports to event photography.  The VR function works very well.  I've made very good images handheld at speeds of 1/30th or even slower.  Excellent build quality.  It holds up to serious use, and I use it almost every day.  The AF is very snappy, even on older bodies.  I've heard people say that it loses sharpness when used with a teleconverter.  In my experience it takes a TC very well, as long as it is a good quality TC.  Highly recommended.  A must for today's working professional.
The original Vibration reduction series operates very well, fast focusing bright images with creamy bokeh and operates in low light with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the long end of the trinity and it works very well. I have been using this lens for a couple of years now and love the range at which it can be used on a full frame camera. Whether in the studio or in the field shooting car shows, horse shows or any event where precision and speed are needed this a lens for the job.
Is the new version of this lens better?  Yes.Is the old version bad on FX?  NO!Most of the people who whine about this lens don't own it and haven't shot with it.  I own this lens, and I love it.  Looks great on DX and full frame film.  Great on the D3.When can you tell a big difference between this lens and the newer version?  Wide open in the corners on a D3x.How many of you shoot a D3x?  Exactly.  Unless you own or plan to own a D3x, this lens is for you.  It has great optical quality and the difference in price between this and the new version can buy you a body or several other more useful lenses.  Heck, you could even get a TC extender for the difference in price.This lens is a weatherproof workhorse.  That fact isn't changed by a new lens or whiny babies who don't own it.
I only have 1,500 shots on this lens so far, but the sharpness, autofocus speed, and low light capability are outstanding.  I have taken portraits, grab shots of my kids riding bikes at dusk, flaura, photos in dim classrooms, and they all look good.  With no pod.  It's a bit heavy, but the zoom and focus controls are well placed, and can be moved with just one finger if need be.I especially like dawn and dusk shots with this lens, where natural lighting yields beautiful colors to otherwise more ordinary suject material.
This lens smokes on my D90! The clarity of the images is jaw-dropping. It feels like the lens was made to go with the camera. Fast, accruate, silent focus. True to life color. Stunning action shots and portraits.  Now... take the same lens and put it on my D700 (a full frame), and I grit my teeth. I shoot in mainly low light situations, so the lens is open. The vignetting is agonizing on the FX body. Such a phenomenal performer on the D90 is a loser for me on the D700. That said, I was warned. I read every review I could, professional and user, and I knew what to expect. I am content to use the D90 for my distance shots.  My advice to full frame shooters who need a telephoto is to check out the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. The Sigma was very good on the D90, but the Nikon lens stole the contest for sharpness, and that is what I need. I attribute it to a combination of the optics and the VR. I don't use tripods, since I am following the unpredictable actions of a border collie, so I have to judge based on my hand-held experience.  If I were only shooting full frame, I would buy the Sigma, for a whole lot less money, and I would live with the very good (sometimes soft) images without vignetting.  The Sigma actually performed a bit better on the D700 that the D90 when I tried them side by side. My overall 5 rating is for the out of the park performance of this awesome lens on the D90. If you shoot DX and you can afford it, what a lens!! If you use FX, there are other (arguably better) choices.*********************** Update ***********************In January 2010, I bought the lens I was really looking for from Amazon to power my FX (full frame) camera: the VRII edition of this same lens .  All the deficiencies I noted for FX bodies were taken care of.  And the image quality of the VRII is outstanding; a noticeable step up from the standard VR.  I sold my VR (reviewed here) to someone with a D300, a very good lens for that body.  My net upgrade price was $1000, and well worth it for me.  The VRII is a dream lens.
This glass here is by far the best I have to attach to my D300 and yes for a min. the price made me reel but I threw caution to the wind and said go 4 it and I have never looked back!Everything that has been said about this glass is 100% true and the only bad thing I can say about it is it will surely make you want more and more pro glass as it shows you that there is nothing better to use and you might grow biased toward your other lens now!
This lens IS NOT intended for FX sensors. It continues to be sold that way but it is not designed for it. I got rid of mine recently thank God! Vignetting is infuriatingly unacceptable for a $1900 lens. At these prices I refuse to accommodate or compensate for design flaws or shortcomings. This lens was designed back when the FX sensor was in its infancy so its dimensions were not considered properly. Nikon knows about this of course, and is apparently working on the next iteration while fighting the Vignetting/Softness fires. As for myself. I want my money's worth in performance. Some people say" "stop it down a bit" NO!! I bought this lens to shoot it WIDE open! That's why u go up to 2.8 price right?? ...besides, any crappy lens is sharp at f/5.6-f/11. This lens has fallen from grace pretty quickly among FX shooters. Some people still say they don't have any issues with vignetting on this glass.....I say see ur optometrist at your leisure.This lens still rocks any DX sensor out there though. As long as it's pulling from the sweet spot in the center u should get your money's worth. My suggestion to the FX community: save for what's coming next. Be patient. This is NOT it. Hope this helps at least a few of you.
This lens is superb.  It feels like a high quality pro lens (not surprisingly).  The shots are just stunning; fantastic color, razor sharp, beautiful bokeh etc etc.  I initially considered the 18-200(VR) until I saw comments about this lens.  Look into it, from what I can tell there is very little (real) comparison between the two.  I believe you will forget how much you paid as soon as you see the results.  Did I mention this lens is superb....??
I've had this lens for about 5 months and it has been at Nikon USA Service for most of it.Just after I bought this lens (B & H - not Amazon), the autofocus started to malfunction. Once the autofocus completely failed, it was sent in for repair. The first trip to Nikon USA took about 3 weeks and was returned un-repaired. The AF was still non-operative.Now here is where it gets a little wierd. The AF would fail 100% on my old D70s body and fail about 50 - 75% of the time on my D2Xs body. Nikon of course said it was a problem with my D70s. I used a rental 70-200 and the other lens worked perfectly with both of my bodies. My lens was sent back a second time. This time I also sent Nikon my D70s body as well for them to use.Finally after 3 round trips, Nikon sent a brand new lens.If that wasn't enough, I have now tried this lens on my new D3s. There is now vignetting. It is soft around all four edges. Just as others here have pointed out, this is a problem with all FX format cameras. Well now that I have upgraded from the D2Xs to the D3s, it looks like a lens I did not think I would have to replace, will be sold. Just a few months after Nikon USA service sent me a fixed lens.
Uploaded some of the images with title at the bottom :70-200mm VR with Nikon D200 taken at National Zoo DCI love to shoot this lens with F2.8 and mostly I shoot in aperture priority(if not shooting sports) set at 3.2F. Love the sharpness and colors that I get with this lens. Bought it from J&R; Music and Computer World when it was selling at 1700$ in Aprit end.Did nothing special to those images, just a minor cropping and minor contrast in photoscape.You will find lots of review about this lens on the net, so don't want to waste time..In short.. Just get it.. You will love it than any thing else. trust me..
This lens is one of Nikon's most popular mid range zoom with professionals and serious non-pros willing to fork over $1,700 or so.  While there are other Nikon lenses in this zoom range for considerably less money, this one fits the needs of photographers requiring outstanding optics and the speed of a fixed aperture f2.8 lens.  (Most kit lenses are variable aperture, meaning the aperture gets smaller as you zoom in.)I purchased this lens specifically for photographing night football games.  I needed the widest aperture in order to capture fast action (using faster shutter speeds) at an ISO that would not result in excessive noise (graininess).  For similar reasons, I needed the extra stabilization that the excellent Vibration Reduction (VR) provides, which is why I bought this lens over the similar 80-200 f2.8 that Nikon offers at about half the price.  The VR allows you to hand hold the camera at slower shutter speeds, providing the equivalent of 2 stops of additional effective range.This lens is professional grade - built like a tank and relatively heavy.  I use it with a monopod at games for stability.  It's features are well documented so I see no need to comment in detail.  Just know that the autofocus is very fast and precise and the image quality is superb. Of course, this is true of most of Nikon's lenses regardless of price.What you're getting by purchasing this lens is flexibility of use and better quality of build.  Don't buy it expecting your photographs to magically and suddenly start looking like those you see in Sports Illustrated or National Geographic.  Photos of your Sunday afternoon family picnic might not look any better than those taken with the $140 70-300mm f/4-5.6G.  However, rest assured that in shooting situations where you need the wider aperture, this lens will blow a kit lens out of the water.Bottom line: If you plan to take advantage of the wide aperture, this lens is an uncompromising must-have.  It is an outstanding lens for those who need its features and capabilities.  However, if all or most of your shots are outdoors in bright sunshine, or rarely go lower than f3.5 or f4, this lens is probably more than you need.  Save your money and get the excellent all purpose AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED or the less expensive AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED.
It's true, it doesn't get any better. To begin with, this is one of the most versatile lenses Nikon/Nikkor has ever come up with.  Not only does it give extraordinary sharp images, it can be used for multiple situations.  It is by no means a Macro lens, with a minimum shooting distance of 5 feet.  But, this lens makes up for it in just about any other type of shot.  With a full f/2.8, it pulls in more light than your 70-300 ED.  If you don't mind the weight of this lens, it can make you a very happy photographer, amateur or pro.  Enjoy!
I was looking for a medium range zoom for my D-70s that was reasonably fast and sharp throughout the zoom range. This lens is a first class winner in all areas. It is my first VR lens (vibration resistance) and that alone makes it worth the cost. No more tripods! It is smooth in operation and feels very solid (if not a little heavy) to use. The f/2.8 speed coupled with 8 aperture leaves gives a velvety smooth bokeh (desirable soft blurred background) that makes your subject snap right out of the shot. The len is razor sharp from 70mm to 200mm. If there is any distortion, I haven't seen it. With a lens this long, ghosting might show up if you shoot almost directly into the sun. The huge HB-29 lens hood helps a lot. Again, I have not seen any ghosting yet. This is definately a pro/pro-sumer len and its price tag alone re-enforces that fact. If you can afford it, remember the golden rule...it is the lens that makes the picture not the camera. All the pixels in the world can't make up for a poor lens. If you are ready to play with the big boys, then this belongs in your bag.
I've owned this lens for 2 1/2 years, I also own the 17-55mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4.  I can tell it's worth the money.  This by far the sharpest lens I've ever used at all focal ranges 70-200 and at all apertures f/2.8-f/22.The bokeh is absolutely perfect, it's hard to imagine that a zoom lens can outshine primes, that's how good this lens is.  Vibration Reduction is a marvel, if you have good technique it's miraculous in the images it produces.  Speed- all I can say is wow!  The Auto Focus is remarkable and it rarely hunts on my D200 even if your focusing in low light on a dark background.  I've read the 14-24mm f/2.8 is in the same league.If your thinking about buying this lens and have reservations about dropping $1650.00 on glass, just do it you will not be disappointed, it's really that good.Weight may be an issue to some folks, I'm not not going to tell you it's light, it's NOT!  Personally I like the heft of a Pro Body and this lens.  It feels rock solid and the focusing ring is smooth as silk.  This is a Professional quality lens thats built like a tank.  If you want the best images this lens will deliver!Highly recommended after 2 1/2 years of heavy use
I love this lens too much to complain about the weight. Well - Ok I will complain a little. It IS heavy for me. To compensate I purchased thisDeluxGear DGCR-CPLC Lens Cradle Combo Packneck strap for handheld shooting, works great. Handheld is unbelievably sharp. Otherwise I use my mono or tripod. 'nuf said on weight.I wanted this lens for some time, but the price has kept me from it. I found this one used "Like NEW" / MINT condition for a fraction of the cost of the new model. I was torn on getting the older version as the new VRII came out, but then read a review that said the VRII did not make a difference for DX bodies and since that is what I have, I was pleased to save all those dollars. Also remember on DX this is ~105mm - 300mm.The seller (my.bay.store) was true to his word. The lens is perfect. I think the user had taken it out of the box once or twice. It was flawless. ...and it works beautifully. Sharp clear pictures, lots of light. I also got the Nikon TC-20E III AF-S 2x Teleconverter, and tho it cuts the f-stop, there is still plenty of light outdoors. Now I can get shots from ~600mm and they are fantastic. The critters are not spooked at all so I can get them in their natural habitat doing what they do.It is very fast to find focus and takes some getting used to. At first I had trouble getting it to find my focus. It would jump around like crazy if you were looking through branches. But I have since fixed me :-) and it works fine now. As I said - loving it!
Be forewarned,this product may be a little too well made, there are rubber seals at both ends of this lens for protection. Do not tighten the filters too tight; this will cause a vacuum between the lens and filter. I also advise you to buy only NON-GREY MARKET EQUIPMENT from Adorama or B&H.; NIKON USA WONT TOUCH GREY MARKET EQUIPMENT IF IT NEEDS REPAIR!!!!!!PositivesI don't know where to start.+ Great for Action shots+ Bokeh is wonderful+ Sucks in light.+ Well made. Built like a X-wing ion engine (the fighter that killed the  Death Star)+ Works perfect with a d300. With a little effort and practice you willget quality results+ Keeps its value.NEGATIVES- Pricey (Sell a kidney or eyeball, ya need only one anyway)- Focuses 5 feet from the subject (minimum)- Heavy (not a problem for me)ConclusionThese are the lenses that matter (of course this is one of them!)14-24mm f2.8 ed afs (I plan to get)50mm 1.8 (sharp and cheap)24-70mm 2.8g ed afs (Useless range for me I dont need it)70-200mm 2.8 (both vr and its non vr sibling)85 mm 1.4 (cream machine)(I got the vivitar version and its great)That's all!!!My D300 is soo good it raised my standards.Your wife doesn't need all that jewelry.....sell it to get one, gold prices are at an all time high.To those who do not want to step their game up to the next level I suggest this. Get yourself a high end Nikon coolpix, a shot of whiskey and some prozac to stabilize your shots, and you'll be fine. Better yet get a canon sd 890IS so you can miss an AA meeting.Your life will still be pathetic without this lens.
Yes, this lens is already legend, and no, it's not just a bunch of people trying to justify spending a whole lot of cash on a lens. Make no mistake, this lens is BIG and expensive. It's not fitting into your travel bag nor is it at home at a friend's party. For that bring the 18-70mm, 28-200G or just bring a cheaper P&S; type camera in case you spill beer on it!The 70-200 VR is a pro level lens that gets almost everything right. It's size is the byproduct of an optical design that really makes few, if any compromises. This lens is SHARP...as sharp as my 50mm prime and sharper wide open that you might believe or expect. On a D70 the focus is lightening fast and quite exact. Color rendition is the best I've seen. I do much less post processing when this baby is on the D70.On the problematic side, this lens is BIG. It's heavy and in the way, though reasonably easy to grasp. I added a Harbortronics portrait grip and the handling/balance is improved. It needs a big bag and focuses down to a bit under 5 feet. While it's a fantastic portrait lens, you need room to get the most out of it. My first shots with this lens put my more experienced lenses to shame. The bokeh, or quality of out-of-focus areas were creamy and pleasing. Subjects had a 3D quality to them.The VR system is exactly what you'd expect. I sat on my couch, framed the text on my DVD player about 8 feet away and shot at F/2.8 ISO 200 for a 1/2 second exposure. At 200mm (300mm on the D70) the image was sharp. Without VR I got a big blur.The real question is: Do you need a 1700 dollar lens?Answer: Only if you want it. The quality is all there at a level that has people talking about this lens like it's magic. I have friends who shoot pro with Canon and Nikon. Even the Canon users say the 70-200VR is the best of it's kind. Sell a kidney and buy one!
I bought this lens directly from Amazon. First, it arrived in just 2 days using Amazon.com Prime. Second, from the first impression, this lens seems really what it is: a beast. I have used it alone and with the 1.7x Nikon teleconverter and I am really pleased with the perfect match they are. Third, I have now to extraordinary lenses (I have the 24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens). In conclusion, I am really pleased with my purchase (I have stronger arms, too -haha). The only thing I am worry about is that when fixed directly to my Nikon D700, it remains a litte bit loosen and I am concerned when I need to mount it in the tripod to make, for example, multiple exposure in the HDR process. Maybe they will not match perfectly. Let's see.
This lens has only two "faults."  First, it is big and heavy--quality construction often yields a heavy lens.  Second, once the photographer has seen the results that this lens can produce, there is a likelihood that he or she will be unhappy with the other lenses in the camera bag.Results first: the images are razor sharp with this zoom mounted on my Nikon D70s.  I can get shots that I never could get before because this lens is so crisp that subjects taken at a distance nevertheless can be cropped to produce an acceptable close-up image. Subjects taken at more normal distances are breathtakingly sharp--as if shot with an excellent prime lens. This is a fast lens (F/2.8 throughout its entire zoom range).  Almost more importantly, this lens has the best "Bokeh" that I have ever experienced in a lens.  "Bokeh," to the extent that I understand the concept (it is a Japanese word meaning roughly "unfocused"), is a word describing whether the out-of-focus portion of an image (i.e. a blurred background in a photo in which only the subject is in focus) has a pleasing look to it.  This lens produces wonderful, creamy Bokeh.  The sharpness and Bokeh, combined with the excellent bright color rendition of this lens, makes this one a true classic.I have occasionally experienced minor ghosting on this lens when shooting into a very bright subject, i.e. the sun reflecting off of the ocean.  This is a normal shortfall of a zoom lens comprised of a multitude of elements, and I have sometimes experienced this.  But such occasions are rare.The autofocusing action of this lens is very good.  Even birds at very long distances usually produce a quick, snappy autofocus lock on my Nikon D70s.  Very seldom does it "hunt" for an AF lock, and these occasions are likely due to operator error rather than the lens.  This lens also features Vibration Reduction (VR) which enables it to produce acceptable images below what an F/2.8 lens would otherwise be suitable for.  The VR really works, too, although it is by no means a panacea for dim lighting.This is one of Nikon's professional lenses, and the quality of construction is excellent.  The critical mount is metal, and the entire lens is built like a tank.  The lens comes with a nice squeeze-style lens cap, and a very good lens hood that can be easily reversed for storage.The reader can see that I am extremely enamored with this lens.  The reason is that, notwithstanding its bulk and weight, this lens produces the best nature shots that I have ever managed to take, by far.
I was a little nervous about buying a used lens but I have been very impressed. The lens was in excellent condition as advertised.
I have been using this on a d200 and d300.  It is the sharpest, clearest lens in my lens line-up.  It's so sharp my eyes hurt.  I have used it quite a bit, and have won a ribbon at the county fair with it.  I'm in love with this lens.  It's even sharp with the 1.4 and 1.7 X telextenders from Nikon.  If it went a bit further wide-angle, I'd marry it.  I purchased this about two years ago and I couldn't be happier.  It's rated as one of Nikon's finest lenses along with the 200-400mm which I also purchased, though that one requires a crane to put on a tripod.  If this is in the zoom range you need, it's the absolute best in my opinion.  Don't waste your time on third party brands, get the real deal, get this one.
An extraordinary lens.  I got mine as a refurb from Cameta.  Ultrasharp pictures, extraordinary Bokeh, and the added benefit of VR for handheld shots. It is one of three lenses that I use with my D800; the other being the 17-35mm (bests the 16-35mm), and the 24-120mm.  Image enlargements have been extraordinarily detailed; I suspect that the counting hairs on a lion's mane would be quite literally possible. For the added functional features lost from the newest version, this lens seems to afford a better design and lighter weight.  The reviewed lens adds heft to a D800 body, but I carried the pairing for many hours without feeling weighed down.  Vignetting has been no distraction with the aperture wide open, but even so could be auto-corrected in a snap through DxO. Nikon pro build quality is evident throughout.  I really like the practical CL-M2 web case over the old style hard leather cases.
I've used this lens for almost two years now at my job at a daily newspaper. It is far from perfect. It is, however, very good. Quality of lens build is not perfect as it has needed repair to the mount. The rubber grips around the barrel has worked itself loose, and stretched itself and is in danger of coming off. The VR is audible in quiet situations, but works excellent. I feel the lens barrel itself is too narrow, and the lens, for my tastes, is too long when capped and in my bag. Image quality is very good. I used a Tamron 70-210 2.8 LD for nearly 10 years before purchasing this Nikon. The Nikon auoto focus is not any faster or more accurate than the older Tamron. Image quality is slightly better with the Nikon over the ten year old Tamron. The Tamron is much heavier, however. Overall, for the price of the Nikon I am disapointed in what I get for a flagship 2.8 big zoom.  UPDATE - 11.21.08 lens still in use with above problems, one of the screws holding the VR control plate to the lens barrel has gone missing and now will have to be replaced. This is a ticky-tat problem for sure, but screws should not fall out of a camera lens, period. Maybe on a Sigma, a cheaper Vivitar, or some other no-name brand you may expect this, but on a top of the line big zoom from Nikon? No wonder so many of my fellow Nikonians are jumping ship to Canon. Quality control still matters, and it is a MUST for pro equipment at these prices.
I rented this lens recently, while on a family vacation. More so to evaluate for ultimately buying one. Sweet lord, the ache of returning it back and waiting to pull the trigger is too much. My first response when I loaded it onto my D200 and pressed the shutter release was a "wow". It is FAST. 2.8 aperture at 70mm gets you some amazing sharpness,vivid colors and texture that can only be experienced when you hit that sweet spot of perfect exposure. The fact that even at 200mm the lens does not lose its sharpness and is still as fast, bears testimony to its ubiquitous presence amongst professionals.Of course it's a VR, and you want to be able to shoot hand held. It will not disappoint you, there isn't a single blur in my shots as long as I and my camera were stationary. While trying to catch up with rapidly shifting views (and gorgeous ones) in a fast moving bus, I did end up losing some shots to lens blur.I only wish they had made the range 70-300, given the price and the need to go for teleconverters. I found some wildlife that I really needed that extra zoom to shoot and found myself reaching out to my 70-300G lens, something I've promised myself never to touch again :-)Did I mention already that if you intend to shoot day long with this baby, and hand held shots, you need to build some real biceps?Lord, I want this one.Addendum: Lord answered the prayer and I pulled the trigger. Amazon Prime is awesome. The package was in town within 18 hours and I received it in under two days.03/01/09: Looks like I'm going to be updating addendums some more. Had an opportunity to shoot portraits today, and I used this for head and shoulder shots. I am absolutely thrilled at the results. Didn't realize I had the VR turned off and shot for hours hand-held. My arms are sore but the lens did not fail. I am extremely satisfied with this lens.03/28/09==========MY BAD LUCK? I cannot get the focus to work properly in even moderate lights, evenings, indoor? Often freezes and hunts so bad for focus. I might end up returning this :-((
Bought before the Version II came out, but a great lens, I have had the previous 4 generations of the 80-200 2.8's and this one blows them away.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasI was just looking at some pictures that I took with this lens of my kids playing soccer.  As I zoomed in within Photo shop, I could read the writing on the ball as it was in flight.  On another I could see the ball deform as it was being kicked and I still could read the writing.  This was not some Harold Edgerton, high speed flash on an optical bench experiment, it was the Nikon 70-200mm zoomed to 200mm, with a D70 body, and hand held on a partly cloudy day.I keep it mounted and ready to go, on my D70, in a Lowepro toploader 75AW -- a very nice case.  I would not be surprised if a d700 or even a D3 would also fit.Beautiful color and bokeh, fantastic sharpness, and great build quality.  Like the pre-plastic Nikkors from years ago.The only downside is that the lens weighs a ton and is very long, so the center of gravity is further out than you may be used to.It is an expensive lens, but well worth it for an advanced amateur.
There is vignetting when lens is opened up.  There is also poor focus around the edges at all f-stops.  I was using with a D700 so I returned the lens.  Otherwise it focuses rapidly and silently.  I would give the lens two stars for FX sensor and five stars for DX sensor.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasThis is, by far, the best lense available, regardless of brand, in the 70-200 mm class, INCLUDING prime lenses. This is the best piece of glass I have every owned. Yes, it's long, it's heavy, but hey, I need the excercise. Being a slide shooter, I bought in to the argument that digital sensors take images that simply have to be sharpened. No way around it. HA! Hook this lense on the front of a D3 and forgetaboutit!Think this lense is hard to find?  If you can't find it at Amazon, do what the professionals do and "dial for dealers". Call up your local dealer, more than likely he has one on the shelf.  I did. And my dealer agreed to meet the price given by the NY mail order houses just above their message "out of stock".
I have been a film photographer for quite some time.  Finally went digital w/a Nikon D300.  I got this lens on recommendation of several other pro/semi-pro Nikonians.  I have to admit, this really is a great lens.- Fast focusing for sports events (esp. w/camera set to continuous focus mode).  I like the ability to switch on the min. focus limit.  Works great when behind netting or fencing to avoid seeking for focus on near objects.- The VR works really well in the Active mode.  The normal mode seems to work, but not nearly as well as the active mode.  maybe time for Nikon to clean/fix.- Normally don't need VR for sports outdoors since can get 1/400-1/500 shots in daylight.  But really handy for night shots esp long ones.  Though still need to turn up the ISO, but w/VR not as much.
I have used this lens for over 6 months now and have over 1k shots through it.  It is as fantastic as others note herein.  The 2.8 through the focus range is really great.  Superb.  The VR function is really a neat trick.  It is super fun to play with.The drawbacks are size and weight.  After a 1/2 hour of shooting, your arms will get tired.  Remember to be careful and hold the lens and not the camera.  This lens is definately heavy enough to bend/warp the camera body.Jan 07 updateThis lens still gets a lot of action and I am still very happy.  I have been using it for some portrait work with the VR turned off and it seems to produce some very high quality images with nice bokeh.  I used it at a large wedding and it allowed me to get a variety of shots that would have ordinarily required lens changes.  The 70 to 200 is a very nice range to get some very nice shots.  A really right stuff modified foot (lcf-10? I think) is also useful.  Have fun.
I've had this lens for several years, and yes I wish it were smaller and lighter. But recently I compared the results i get with it to my other top Nikon lenses (the 85 mm 1.4, the 14-24 2.8 zoom, etc). And as someone else said in a review, the main problem with this lens is that you won't be satisfied with the other lenses in your bag. I use it on a D700 and a D300, mostly for portraits. When you blow up small areas of a photo or make a cropped enlargement it's amazing how sharp the detail is compared to other lenses. Maybe the newer model is even better but? I've flirted with selling this one day (mostly because it's so big) but every time I look at the results I have a change of heart. Maybe I just need a good shoulder harness!
this lens is simply incredible. i am extremely pleased with it and have taken some great photos with it. i highly recommend it to those who can afford the hefty price tag. you won't be disappointed with the speed of this glass and the quickness with which it focuses.
I've had this 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens for about three years and have used it extensively on cameras with DX sensors.  My main use has been indoor volleyball in poorly lit gyms.  It has functioned with sharpness, contrast and excellent handling given its large size.Speaking of size... this lens is not small.  I know many pros that, despite the size, carry the pro 70-200 f/2.8 VR in their bags.  I, however, have often opted for the Nikon 70-300 VR when I know the lighting will be plentiful (outdoors during daylight hours).  The 70-300 VR is not as high in quality but is much smaller and lighter.Now that I am using a camera with an FX sensor (D700), I have noticed vignetting in the corners in some of my photos taken with the 70-200 f/2.8.  Case in point, last month I used the 70-200 f/2.8 to shoot some water polo at the local high school.  The pool is VERY poorly lit.  And flash is rough with the reflections off the water (not to mention it could blind the players).  I've been shooting at ISO3200 (love the D700's low light high ISO capabilities), F/2.8 and a 1/250 shutter speed.  The pics are almost useless in the corners.  The only solution is to switch the camera to DX mode OR buy an alternate lens.Bottom Line... I recommend this lens but the shooter must know it's limitations on a FX camera.
17 Mar 2013.  Update, four years later:This lens has been in the shop for repair twice; the vibration reduction motor has given out on me twice.  The second time, customer service from Nikon was horrible, so bad that a repair dept. manager called me and assured me that he would make sure, personally, that my lens was repaired correctly.  And yet?  When I got it back?  It wasn't repaired AT ALL.  It still had the same problem.So far I'm out $1200 in repair and shipping charges on this lens, not counting what I paid out for a rental lens once so I wouldn't be caught out.  And I still have a lens that doesn't work.I have bought a Sigma 70-200, f2.8, and it's working like a champ.  I'm about to head in to do battle with Nikon -- I think that given the time and money I've put in on this lens, I really ought to at least have it repaired correctly, and no, I don't have any intention of giving them any more money for it.Frankly, at this point, I think it might be of more use to me converted into a travel mug.******Okay, this is my new baby.  God, it takes spectacular photos.  I do concert photography in dark venues, and I took it out last night to shoot a show, and I got some *amazing* photographs.  Just spectacular.  Will post a few when I get them sorted out.People are correct when they say that this lens is heavy, but I'm 5'3" and I weigh 120 pounds soaking wet, and I did not notice the weight being an issue when I was shooting last night (hand-held, over a period of about four hours); I was having too much fun taking amazing pictures.  Use a proper grip, stay balanced, and it feels like the high performance machine that it is in your hands.In a couple of weeks, I'll be hitting a festival, shooting constantly from Friday afternoon until Sunday night.  Saturday will be 11 am to two or three in the morning.  I'll post again and let you know how tired I am of the weight after that.  But right now I'm delighted with this purchase.
Great lens, very sharp, immaculate bokeh, all metal, pro lens, heavy (3bs), very fast and quite aperture, perfect for indoors, outdoors, and portrait, internal zoom, VR works well... You get what you pay for (expensive lens, $1500+). I use it with Nikon D90, and get exceptional results...If you can afford it, get it...
The advertised condition of this lens, &#34;like new,&#34; is very far from the truth.  Below is the ad for this lens.Items Ordered PriceNikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras 1 of: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasSold by: Inexpensive Used Textbooks (seller profile)Condition: Used - Like NewGlass is pristine. Lens body is white, very rare. Small scuffs on tr... see more$1,275.00I have contacted the vendor and have been given the option of returning the lens for a full refund, but that would be inconvenient at this time.  The new lens is superior to the kit lens I had been using, and I'm going to need this somewhat better lens. However, there is a flaw in the mechanics of this lens that is problematic. The lens, when in M/A (manual/autofocus) abruptly unfocuses on the subject and will not automatically return, but has to be reset manually.  I've contacted Nikon to see if operator error is involved, but I expect that what I'll find is that the lens itself is quite old and on its last legs.The vendor, Inexpensive Used Textbooks, in an email, admitted that he/she had also had these focusing problems. Like New condition, not when the lens hood has deteriorating gaskets and the autofocus mechanism is not working.
I use this telephoto lens on my Olympus SP-550 camera, and I love it. The camera by itself has an 18x optical zoom. With this 1.7x addition, I am really getting up close and personal. I have had no problems with distortion using this lens. The lens does soak up some light, making it necessary to adjust the shutter speed/aperture/ISO settings accordingly in dim light. I attach it to the camera body using the Pemaraal 55mm adaptor tube from pemaraal dot com, which I also recommend as a solution for the Oly SP-550 for attaching 55mm filters and lenses. (There is no vignetting using this adaptor at wide angle, and it can stay on all the time, allowing one to keep their UV and polarizing filters permanently attached). All in all, I've found the Tcon-17 lens quite useable for those really distant shots. No disappointments. I'd buy it again.
I tested this converter on my FZ200 and found I get both sharper pictures and closer to my subject using the digital magnification on the camera. I had thought the tele-converter would give me better photo's but the FZ 200 with conversion mode on fully extends the lens barrel and limits the zoom without magnification to 48X, without the tele-converter and with magnification on I can go out to 96X, with very good results. If I hold the zoom to between 70-80X the results are just as good as with the tele-converter on and no digital magnification. So for me the added length and weight is not worth the difference, for others it might be, this converter does work well but the difference is just not enough to carry one more accessory. I do night scape astrophotography with my FZ200 and stack the resulting photo's and at 50X they come out very nice.
The Olympus 550 UZ has a built in 18x zoom which is pretty neat.  However, by adding the telephoto converter lens, that boosts it to about 30x zoom.  You get what you pay for.  The quality isn't great, but the price is reasonable for what you get.  It definately does bring the subject closer, without doing it by adding digital artifacts.  It isn't professional quality, but it's good for the hobbyist who wants something a bit better than what he/she has.  I took pictures of some vultures nesting in a tree over 1000 yds away.  The image wasn't truly sharp, but I could see the beady eyes.
Bought this as a less expensive alternative for my Panasonic FZ50.  Fits and works well.  I had a Panasonic 1.5 converter I used with my FZ20 that I liked slightly better (more light gathering) but this lens works well.
This lens about doubles the telephoto magnification of an Olympus zoom lens digital camera.  However, that isn't a lot of gain considering the cost of this item and the required adapter rings, plus the hassle of putting this lens on and taking it off.  It does provide a bit more mileage out of your Olympus zoom camera and would be a good buy at about half the price.
High quality lens that does a good job of making your camera a bit more versatile.
This teleconverter works well with a Panasonic Lumix FZ18 camera - nice to have 30+ optical zoom.
Olympus TCON-1.7x make my SP-560-UZ Camera much better, the hight quality lens work great taking pictures of Wildlife and Birds from very long distances, the zoom is great and the images are very clear.
Hi, this converter will work (as expected) near to full zoom.The images are clear, but I haven't have the time to make full tests.
As used on my Panasonic DMC-FZ35:It is said that you can get more or less than the stated magnification from a teleconverter, depending on various factors. Generally, I think you get less. On my FZ35, doing a very simple test, how much of a tape measure I can see with or without the converter, I get approximately 1.5 magnification.It is also said that the light loss depends on various factors. I lose about 1/3 of an f stop with the converter.While I haven't look overly close at the images, or done any testing, the image with the teleconverter seems to be very good.
I was expecting an Olympus Tcon-17. What I received was an Olympus B-300 instead. Granted, the B-300 is the older version of the Tcon-17, I felt slightly misinformed. It would have been nice to know this was the model being served ahead of time. However careful testing of the B-300 showed it to exhibit excellent optical properties, and it is working out quite nicely, so I am satisfied in the end.
This lens almost doubles your focal distance without making the picture come out "grainy"You want to get in close to wildlife from a distance... this is the lens for you!
I decided to try the TCON-1.7 after taking so many shots at 600-900mm using the EZ zoom of the Panasonic FZ28. Combined with the DMW-LA3 adapter the converter mounts to the FZ easily and securely. There is clearance to allow the use of the UV filter on the primary lense without interference, making mounting quick and convenient with no ill effects.Vignetting occurs to @6x or @275mm with the converter factored in. At 18x (486mm), the converter equals @826mm. At max 3EZ the total focal length is equivalent to @1500mm. The preferred 5EZ extends to @1100mm. No light loss is perceptible throughout the ranges, and image quality is excellent at every level and setting. It may even improve the images at the 3EZ setting, though hand holding or even monopod mounted, it is difficult to avoid camera shake at focal lengths over 1000mm. After some practice, I managed to get some impressive results.The lens has no provision for mounting filters, but I've not seen a necessity for them, although a lens hood could be beneficial in some lighting.The package contains plastic caps for both ends of the lense as well as a nice vinyl storage bag, although I found the assembly to fit perfectly in a Lowepro Cirrus TLZ-5 belt pouch for convenient carrying and access.The TCON-1.7 is proving to be a quite useful accessory for the FZ28. Having 800 to 1500mm at your disposal is pretty hard to beat.
I bought this to use my Panasonic FZ-30, and it works great. Just does what it says and does it well.
The product works....while I would like to have had better zoom capabilities like my manual Pentax, I am a realist. It serves it purpose and hopefully when I go to Alaska this time, I will be able to get a closer view.  Now, my original camera without the lense provide some good pictures. I hoping this will enhance.  Finally, you will need the adapter - don't forget it.  By the way - the company was fantastic - quick in shipping and receiving - they are ace.
I bought this lens to use with the SP-570UZ, primarily to take bird and other nature photos.  It has proved to be quite sharp (even more than I expected!) and to still allow me to work with reasonably fast shutter speeds.
Well made with very good optics.  Great extension to my lens for very good pictures at long distances.
I have a Panasonic DMC-FZ35 camera.  With an adapter,Panasonic Digital Still Camera/lens Adapteryou can use a 55mm telephoto converter lens with this camera.  The adapter is made of metal and is very strong.  You can use it to install thePanasonic DMW-LT55 55mm Tele Conversion Lens for Panasonic FZ7, FZ30, FZ18, and FZ50 Digital Camerasor you can save yourself a bunch of money and get theOlympus TCON-1.7x Telephoto Converter Lens. With the Olympus TCON-17, it brings your optical zoom on the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 from 18x to 30x!  If you are willing to put up with smaller pictures, it will bring your optical zoom from 35.2x to 60x! (WOW!)  The Olympus takes great clear sharp pictures and costs less than half as much as the Panasonic telephoto converter lens.
I bought this lens to work with my Panasonic dmc fz28 camera.  There is a similar lens that panasonic makes but it costs twice as much and what I read about this lens was that it worked as well.  I have the adapter and i needed a step up ring that I purchased from Ritz camera for eight dollars.  I now get the equivalent of a thirty power optical zoom and a digital zoom of 120x.  You need to be very stable with that kind of zoom but my shots have been very good.  I am a birder and like to get shots of birds in their nests and birds flying and this works for both.  I have a friend with over a thousand dollar dslr and a thousand dollar 600 mm lens and my shots of the same thing are comparable and my camera cost less than $300 and this lens was under a hundred.  Now I'm not saying that I can reproduce the same quality in all areas but even my friend admits that my shots are very good at bringing in far away objects.  I highly recommend this lens.  I had one that i bought from china that caused lots of fringing and this doesn't do that. If you don't believe me do a google search with my camera and this lens and you can see shots taken on safari using this combo.
I think this lens is well made and performed great on my Kodak DX6490.Good product. I rated it 4 stars because I haven't taken  very many pictures yet. I'll use it more in the spring when the birds and other wildlife are out and about. At 30 feet or so you can fill the viewfinder with a small birdhouse. So far i'm happy with the results.
I got the Olympus TCON-1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens for my SP510-UZ, to get better pictures of birds. As a rank amateur, both of photography and birding, it is very helpful to be able to shoot from a greater distance and have confidence that the shot will show at least some detail. I do have a little trouble getting the lens to screw onto the adapter tube, and don't know enough about photography to get great pictures, but the lens definitely brings the subjects much closer. I'd recommend it.
I bought this for my Panasonic FZ 150 after trying three other teleconverters. Before buying I decided this would be my last teleconverter. Why so many? The other three also add reach, and all add a bit of instability and difficulty taking hand held shots. All need to be used outdoors with good light available.For the FZ 150 I must use a separately purchased adapter that adds almost three more inches of length to the setup. So how does this teleconverter work? Like the others it does add reach and is difficult to use handheld with the added weight and length. Using a fence or stable surface for stability I can get some blur free shots, but not always.  With this camera I've found that I can achieve just as much reach without the teleconverter using digital zoom. Surprisingly, if I don't overdo the digital zoom, quality is comparable to pictures taken with the teleconverter. I've posted some photos so you can judge for yourself. This particular model lens is occasionally offered used on Amazon (how I got one) or on Ebay.Using the Tcon-17 and digital zoom simultaneously on the FZ 150 results in some outstanding reach and acceptable pictures. You just have to hold the camera really steady or use a tripod.Check out my illustrative mailbox photos. With the digital converter and digital zoom together I can fill the frame with the words U.S. Mail. It's not crystal clear, but more than acceptable.
You must be careful about compatibility with your particular digital camera but this teleconverter works well with nearly all Olympus digital cameras and all Panasonic cameras manufactured before the end of 2005 (many others of all brands also but these are the ones I'm sure of). Note that you need an adapter in some cases. This item has 55mm threads. The only competitor generally thought to have slightly better quality is the Nikon TC-E17ED and it costs 4 times as much.
This works as advertised.  It makes my Olympus SP 550 UZ into 27X optical zoom, and the images are clear, without any noticible color fringing.  Distortion is not a problem, either, and the image stabilization in the camera allow nice, clear shots even when hand holding the camera at 27X.  You will need a CLA-10 adapter tube to attach this to the 550 UZ, or other adapter if you have a different camera.  It has 55mm threads on the back, so will screw directly to cameras that happen to have that size filter thread.
I purchased this adapter for my Olympus 765 superzoom camera.  The adapter is bigger than I was expecting, but is reasonably light weight.  I use it to extend my telephoto from its native 380 mm to 650 mm (35mm equivalent).  I had two questions: is the adapter sharp and can it be handheld at this extreme magnification?  Much to my pleasant surprise, the answer to both questions is yes.  Hand-holding requires a shutter speed for me of at least 1/400 sec and I have steady hands, but the light weight makes it much easier to hand hold than a lot of big telephoto lenses I used in the past.  However, when photographing wildlife, there is a really big difference with the larger image sizes this lens provides.  It has really improved the quality of the images I am getting with no loss in quality as long as I am outdoors in bright light.  I am very happy with the adapter and only wish I had gotten it sooner.
Works for my T3i Lenses.
Bought it to protect my Hoya HMC UV(C) filter 58mm, which is protecting my Canon HF-S100.  Works perfectly!  (Just need one of those cap-strap things so I don't loose it.)P.S.I also have the Tiffen UF Protector filter 58mm that I was using on the camcorder before the Hoya.  This cap works on it too.  (BTW, the Tiffen filter showed signs of diamond flaring so that's why I bought the Hoya...)
I bought a Canon SX10 IS in January, which was my first big camera purchase after using a small Kodak P&S for five years. My only concern about the camera was that there was no way to protect the lens. After a lot of research and reading reviews, I found out a company called Lensmate makes an adapter. I ordered the adapter and a UV filter, to protect the lens of my camera. I forgot to order a lens cap for the filter though, and found this one on Amazon. It fits perfectly and works great! Very pleased!
I am using this on a Canon S3IS digital camera. In order to put filters, a lens hood or this lens cap on the camera you have to buy an adapter kit from Canon. The Adapter kit works fine and the cap works fine but using them both is inconvenient. The adapter kit comes with a lens hood. The lens hood does not have the threaded ring to accept attachments. So it you use the lens hood you have to remove it to use this, or any lens cap. I now rarely use the lens hood. The cap itself works fine.
I tend to lose the caps to my lenses...accidentally of course, but this is exactly what it says it is!
I was recently given an extra lens for my Canon 40D.  I was not, however given a lens cap for it.  After letting it ride around in my camera bag for about a week, I decided that I better protect this new gift. So I checked out Amazon (as I always do) and found this lens cap for roughly the same price as the cheapo ones.  When it came, it snapped right on my lens (which was originally for a regular SLR) and I have had no issues with it since.  Well done Amazon for carrying good products at a good price.
This cover has a better fit than the original one.Actually this is why we needed a new one because we lost the original.
Exactly like the original that came with the lens (but was somehow lost). No complaints. Keeps the lens protected when not in use.
This lens cap caps any 58mm lens. It works with my Canon Powershot S3 (using the adapter) with or without a filter. It clips on tight and best of all, it matches the camera, down to the the ultrasonic logo.
Perfect replacement for the cap I lost in Disney world.  Fits, stays on, dust stays out.  Price is right.  What else can I say?
I was sick over losing my lens cap, but this one fits just like the original. I bought two just in case...  Delivery was quick. I'm ver pleased.
received my 58mm canon lens cap promptly and for a good price. Now my canon G9's lensmate has a cool protective lens cap!!!
I have several 58mm lenses.  Most of those lenses came with this lens cap.  This lens cap works flawlessly and is probably exactly what you are looking for.HOWEVER, there are definitely people on here selling knock offs that are not made by Canon.  I got a lens cap from this listing that was not only a generic, but simply did not fit my 58mm lenses.If you have to buy this online, make sure it is coming from a well trusted seller.  I would recommend going to a camera shop if you have one near you.  It might be more expensive, but when you consider shipping, it will probably cost about the same.
It is an original canon cap.  It should fit perfectly and it does.  I should have purchased two not one.
These were a great Christmas present. Surprised my brother with the 'real thing' instead of a knock off lens cap. He was glad to have them.
Happy that this lens cap is exactly like the one I lost off my Canon SLRCanon E-58U 58mm Snap-On Accessory Lens Cap
This is a lens cover to replace the one I lost. Does what it should do. It fits well and easy to put on and remove.
I lost my lens cap a long time ago, and have been using a UV filter to protect my lens while I searched for a new lens cap. While that was a fine solution for a while, I kept putting off getting a replacement until I could "pick one up at the store to save on shipping time/cost." Then for a year, (non-camera specific) stores that should carry lens caps NEVER had this size! WTF? They sell Canon DSLR cameras with kit lenses that are THIS SIZE, but they "don't carry" this lens cap?Anyway, there isn't a lot to say about this lens cap except that it is exactly what came with my camera when we bought it new, it is Absolutely Necessary, and I'm really glad that I finally replaced it. Only, this time I wish I had gotten the little rope that connects it to my camera, because I have seriously almost lost the thing twice already. I don't want to keep buying these every year for the rest of my life, even though Amazon would probably appreciate the automatic yearly $9.It was shipped very quickly and arrived new and sealed and fabulous.
Camera: Canon S3 ISUsed with 58mm adapter for camera.I do admit that a cap that locks into the threads of the 58mm adapter that I have is great and all, but is it really that much to ask for them to put a ring on the side with a string so that it can be attached to the camera in some form or fashion so that it wont get lost or put through the washer because it was still in the pocket.might cost them .10 more to make it with a built in ring to attach a string but they didn't, so now I will have to fab up a hole and feed a string through. Would have been nice to just have a hard plastic ring on the side.Summary:This is just a cap (a good quality one), but is lacking a way to attach to camera so you don't lose it.
Read the fine print and it said it was compatible with my camera but it doesn't fit.  Had to pay return shipping. Nobody likes to pay  and get nothing for it.  Wouldn't trust the literature or use this supplier again.
Just what I needed
It does what it's supposed to but I bought it for the logo/name on the front of it.  I have a Canon, of course, and the lens needed a cap.  It's a lens protector, and it does just that!
Even though the cap says it is for a 58mm lens it doesn't fit my lens and falls off with the slightest touch.  Very disappointed.
While this costs significantly more than other lens caps, it fits just right and has nice, tight springs. I feel better with this than a bargain basement cap.
I recently lost my lens cap for my Cannon Rebel XTi. I was worried about buying this because so many reviewers said it didn't fit their Canon, but this cap fits my Rebel XTi perfectly. It's a perfect replacement for the lens cap that came with my camera.If you've lost your lens cap on your Rebel XTi, get this lens as a replacement! :)
Not to much to say, but it's a nice lens cap, bought it replace a lost lens cap. Would buy again if I needed another.
Does what its supposed to.  Fits nicely.  Always stays on the camera or in my pocket, don't want to have to buy another one.  Kinda pricey for a lens cap.
I lost the lens cap to my canon 28-105mm and bought this as a replacement. It is exactly what I needed, and cheaper than anywhere else I looked. Highly recommended!
I broke my boss's lens cap and ordered her this one to replace, she says it fits a little loose, but serves it's purpose
Like,I am forever losing lens caps.Yes, I try to keep a hold of them, and slip them in a pocket, and some place safe.The best thing in a way is to use aSakar LCH-R Lens Cap Keeperor theBower HQACAPKPR Bower Capkeeper With Elastic, but then you have little dangly things in front of your camera, in the way.So, near last Thanksgiving, while watching the annual parade with my son in beautiful downtown Ciudad Juarez, seated over a sewer, I watched my lens cap drop into the sewer, joining the kid's pogs playing nearby.First rule of photography!ALWAYS keep an extra lens capAnd make sure it is the right size for your lens.I have a normal lens that takes a smaller size, but this 58mm slips nicely on my longer zooms.Get one.You will be grateful next time yours falls down a sewer.
Not perfect but it works well for covering my lost lens cap where ever it maybe. it sits well on my standard 18-55mm  lens without falling off unless you bump somthing
I could not get the Canon E-58U lens cap to fit on my CanonPowershot SX20IS. I am returning it. The 58mm UV filter did not fit either.  I will probably go on line with Canon to find a UV filter and lens cap that will work.
I dropped a lens cover that came with one of my lenses and needed a replacement. This is virtually identical to the original and gets the job done.
Zeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens CapZeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens Cap Keeper KeeperZeikos ZE-LCH1 Zeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens Cap KeeperLens Cap KeeperZeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens Cap Keeper
Great Service.  I  bought the cap, it was just as pictured and it works perfectly on my camera lens.  I would buy again from this company.
There is no replacement for the right cap.  None of the &#34;fits all&#34; items works as well as the OEM Canon cap.
factory first, one of my kid lost the lense cap, when you give it to your kids, you have to replace it , now I understand. It's a good camera and I had to have the canon cap. And it's nice to have it come to your doorstep. nuf-said LOL
I got this for my Rebel. I think i lost one of these. It fits. Was cheaper online. Prime is Da Bomb. Buy with confidence. yeah.
Lost your old SLR lens cap?  This is what you are looking for.
What you expect is what you receive.I got mine for $6 now I see it at $20 ($19.99); $6 was ok, but $20 is too much for a cap. I gave it 5 stars because my price was $6 if I had to pay $20 I think it should only be 3 stars; for the price, not the quality.Don't know what else to say about a lens cap.
It completed my lenses set I have, I lost the original at a wedding. I like my lenses being protected on top of the
This thing doesn't fit very securely and is made very cheaply - it broke when I dropped it. Buy this third-party model instead - it's hard to believe but it's better: JYC 58Mm Center-Pinch Snap-On Front Lens Cap For Canon Eos
Either this cap or the filter that it fits to is unable to maintain its locking capability. This thing falls off all the time, at the slightest bump.
Just does what it does, keeping my lens covered and protected.  sturdy metal with plastic clilps.  Just wish they came with keepers.
The lens cap fits my kit lens perfectly. Minus one star because it cost ~$10 but still better than nothing.
Shipped fast. Inexpensive and fits well over 58 mm lenses and addons. What you see is what you get. Would have been better with a string or cord.
Spring clip broke within a week. Shoddy manufacturing makes the item worthless. Price was high for a .02 piece of plastic that I had to replace again--since this one broke during normal use.
This is just a lens cap. Canon branded. But it does fit the haze filter when attached to the Canon branded lens adapter.
Lost my original lens cap, so I got this one.  Fits perfect on my canon lens, no difference noted at all.
I purchased the 18-55mm lens off of a guy on craiglist for dirt cheap, and of course he did not provide the lens cap.  I was a bit skeptical after reading reviews of it not staying on.  In the end I got it, FITS PERFECT. 5/5
Perfect size for my Canon Rebel XTi (SLR).  It even seemed to fit a little better.  5/5 in my book.  Wish it were a little more inexpensive, but hey, it's not a cheap hobby is it?
I got this for my Powershot A610 because I got the 58mm lens adapter for it and needed a lens cap for protection.
lost my cap for my 70-300mm is usm 4-5.6 in the calgary zoo and ordered this one to replace it. it is thicker and offers more protection than the original! fits perfectly.
a bit expensive for a plastic cap, but much better than the one that is OEM with the S3 IS.  I'm glad I bought it. And if I lose it, I would buy it again.
I bough this item thinking it would be closer to the original cap that I lost, and the fit is perfect, but the quality is not the same, this one seems cheaper.Does its job.
Does the job and fits nicely.Better than the one that came with the lens and hopefully won't lose this one.
Works great, clips in easy and stays attached. The only reason I had to replace my old Canon lens cap was because my old one was tragically lost.
Just the right size and match for my original equipment...does the job it is supposed to do...would buy again. would buy again.
The Canon cap fits on the camera lens well! Once in a while it is a bit difficult to get the cap to always stay on!
I'd be stating the obvious and preaching to the choir if I said that care of lenses for SLR cameras required a decent lens cap.  This one snaps into 58mm threads on the end of many lenses (Canon and otherwise), so just be sure to confirm that that it's the proper size for your lens.
Canon lens caps are not as well made and do not hold as securely as Nikon lens caps.  But if you really want a lens cap that says "Canon" on it, here it is.
I gave it a 4 star rating because though it works as advertised, its missing one very important feature (the reason i lost it in the first place)...It needs a strap or a string so that you can attach it to the camera.
Used an adapter to screw in my filters from a previous camera and needed cap to fit.  (I use a UV haze filter to prevent scratching the camera lens) This is the exact cap for my camera, just in a 58mm smaller size.
Replacement canon lens cap, manufactured by Canon. Fits perfectly. Arrived quickly and packaged nicely. I only purchase Canon products for my Canon camera.
Fits really securely; lots better than the OEM camera lens cap that kept falling off.  Only problem is that with shipping, it cost around $15.  That is a lot of money for a round piece of plastic.  I'd have rated it higher if the price was more reasonable.
I bought this cap to go on a 77-300mm lens I purchased that did not have one. Now both my lenses are protected. Delivery for all my accessories was exceptional. Thank guys
I'm sure this is a great product but I never received it from the seller. I actually didn't mind the cap that comes with the camera after all because it conveniently slips off by design whenever I power the camera on (impossible to leave the lens cap on by accident).
Great product at a reasonable price.  This lens cover is an exact replacement for the lens cover that I lost.What more can I say?
I lost my lens cap on prom night and i wanted something cheap to cover up my lens so it didn't get scratched and what not. Psssh..this thing hardly ever stayed on and eventually broke :/
The Canon 58mm lens cap fits the Canon conversion lens adapter very well and stays on well on my S5is. A complaint on the S5 is that the lens cap falls off too easily, but that is a safety precaution to not damage the lens if the camera is powered up and forgetting the cap is still on. With the LAH-DC20 adapter in place the camera is extended past the lens when powered on so a much more secure cap can be put on. This is the cap for that job! Be sure to get a stick-on style lens leash to attach to this cap, because it does not come with provision for a strap.
A great binocular ( 18x50 IS). I would either have these be included with the purchase or even better, have objective and eyeiece caps that are flip open and attached to the binocular body. For the price of the binoculare they could really do this small security improvement.
It does the job.  You may be able to find cheaper ones but take it from me, that's not always the best way to go.  I bought a $3 cap previously and it was cheaply made.  The threads were messed up on it and it didn't attach to the threads on my adapter well at all.  It did not stay on to good which, unless I'm mistaken, is the entire purpose for a lens cap.  This cap is NOT a replacement for the slip on cap that comes with the S2/S3 cameras.  It is made for use with an adapter and UV/filter lens.
Only a lens cover so nothing much to rave or complain about. It snaps into place easily and stays on well on my Canon 18-55mm lens. Never had an issue with the cover popping off by itself, so in that regard it does its job.
Fast service and great price!I was very happy with the product.So cheap, I bought 2 , in-case if I lose it again.Thanks!
I purchased for 18-55mm lens on Rebel Xti. It fits snug and snaps on securely. I was skeptical after reading some of the reviews. Great fit here!
Exact duplicate for the one my daughter lost on recent Photo walk. Only difference s the extra working under the Canon Name. Could be cheeper but....
I just got a Canon filter adapter for my G12, and could now use a lens cover when I have that adapter in place (won't always).  This lens cover protects filters/polarizers I use on the adapter.
Well, the only way to not be satisfied with this purchase is to order it wrong... It's what you needed or it isn't. There's really not much to say about this...
Yes it's the real deal, yes it just sits there most of the time and when it's not its all warm and wrapped up in my pocket or bag. What a life!
We have a Canon EOS40D and the standard lens I use on it is a 50mm F 1.4. I somehow lost the original lens cap and ordered this one as a replacement. Then I found the missing lens cap. This replacement looks *exactly* like the original. Not only that, but our replacement one came with a keeper string which comes with plastic button that's glued to the front of the lens cap. So there's no &#34;hole&#34; in the lens cap that the string goes through - rather, there's a circular plastic part on the outside of the lens cap that the string is attached to.This is even better than the original lens cap. The lens cap stays on the lens quite nicely, and the string ensures the lens cap stays with the camera when you have it off.I will note that one time when I was using my tripod, the lens-cap-on-string got caught on the tripod and I ripped the plastic button off the cap. I was able to pop it back on fairly easily. Still, that's a reasonable issue. Don't try to rip the plastic button off of the lens cap :).Well recommended. I am now using the replacement cap as my normal cap, and keep the original as a backup.I purchased this cap with my own funds, because I lost the original :).
I was disappointed to find that this cap does not have an eyelet to accept a small cord to attach it to the camera body.  That means the cap is subject to falling off or otherwise getting lost.
I have no complaints. This lens cap works and fits securely and I neve rhad any problems with it. I would recommend it to others.Thanks
Dropped my lens cap so bought this for replacement. This work just like my old one.  Super easy buy! thanks
I picked three stars because you can find 58mm non-canon lense caps for less money elsewhere.  It's a pretty simplistic device, go cheep, nobody will care if it says Canon or not.I don't entirely know what else to say.  It's a lense cap.  When I put it on my camera, dust stays off the lense and the pictures are black as night.
It is a lens cap. Good enough replacement for the one that was lost. Otherwise, what else is there to say.
This product fits my Canon T2i stock lens just fine (that's the standard lens that came with the camera in the store). A friend borrowed the camera and lost the original cap. This is a very affordable replacement that is perfectly compatible with the 58mm-lens opening.The little quick-release clips (as pictured on the left and right of the lens cap) work great... just like the original cap worked.
I've seen many reviews stating it doesn't fit tightly/properly, but this is a direct replacement for my Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM lens. I'm not sure which lenses other reviewers are trying to use this on, but it does in fact fit this one perfectly.
So others don't make the same mistake I did: This does not fit the EF 50mm f/1.8 II Canon lens.
Bought this for the kit lens (18-55mm) on my Rebel XTi to replace one that I lost, and as far as I can tell, it's identical to that one.  Good price.
I bought this as an accessory to myCanon VIXIA HFS10- I know it doesn't really need a cap, since there's an automatic lens cover, but I use this as a cover for my filter.I always like to keep aTiffen 58mm UV Protection Filteron, both for the UV protection and to keep debris off the lens while I'm filming.  Believe it or not, someone spit while I was filming once and the wind blew it right onto the lens.  So now I always keep a UV filter on there, and then I like to keep this cap on the filter to protect it while it's in my bag.This is a great cap.  You couldn't ask for a better.  It snaps on easily and stays on until I snap it off.  Exactly what I wanted.
I bought this because I had lost the original one that came with my camera. This was a great buy and I suggest grabbing a few just to have in case you lose one. I prefer having one that says canon as opposed to just a blank one or another logo.
The cap is high quality and official Canon merchandise, but apparently the e-58U is slightly different than the cap that originally came on my lens. I had to file down a plastic stop which was preventing it from gripping the rim of my lens.Now it sticks to my lens better then the original!
This does not actually 'snap on' as the product name suggests. You actually have to check visually to make sure it is sitting firmly in place.
It came as shown, in a timely manner. It isn't a replica, it is a Canon replacement cover. The same as the original that came with the camera.
I got this lens so I would have a spare.  And it's perfect.  The after markets just don't clip on like the original.  This one, being Canon's own, snaps on with a gentle press.
Its a used knock off non-canon cap. They advertize that the cap is genuine Canon. Its not a biggie for me but its just false advertisement.Update: Received a call from some gentleman called Steve and his eagerness to resolve the issue was great. He told me that the caps come in different types and he would send me another one (the one that is advertised on their link)
Works just like the factory one we lost.  I think they are overpriced, but when you need one you need one.  Durable and hard plastic, just don't loose it.
I bought it recently, and found it perfect for my canon G9, as it fits properly to the conversion lens adapter(LA-DC58H) and protects my lens. Another good news, if you are using any filter it snaps perfectly on the top of  your filter without removing the filter from the adapter.
The len cap itself is in good condition; however, the packaging is simple and cheap, in a small stabled plastic bag, which made me wonder how Canon could sell its product like this..
It is a lens cap that works. Canon should include them on their binoculars but they don't.You need them.
Needed this to replace a lense I lost. Ordered this one and it fit perfect. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Thanks to all the other reviews here, I knew this was going to work for my two lenses for which I had lost two lens caps.  I ordered two.  They came quick as lightning.  And voila!  I was back in the protecting my lens when not in use business.  I have the Canon EOS Rebel T2i and the lenses in question are the EFS 18-55 mm and the EFS 55-250 mm.
This is apparently the oem cap. It fits perfectly and it arrived earlier than expected. I also purchased the little elastic straps to attach it to my lens so I won't keep losing my lens caps.
This lens cap is easy to use. It snaps on, stays in place, and is easily removed by pinching the two buttons on either side.If you have a Canon G1X and use any filters with it, you'll need this -- the lens cap that comes with the camera does not fit the 58mm filters required by that model. This works well with a filter and filter adapter attached to the camera.I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it is a little expensive considering that it's just plastic, probably because it his the Canon logo on it. Also, it does not include a tether.
Not only is this a perfect fit for my camera, but the price is right, as well. Losing my lens cap was not as painful experience as I first thought it would be. Great deal.
Well, it's Canon, so there is no doubt about the quality. The only downside -- because it doesn't have a string the cap is very easy to misplace. Always put it in your pocket everytime you remove it from the camera to shoot pictures.
It's a lens cap - what more is there to say - it fits over the lens and does its job of protecting the lens' surface.
You can't go wrong when you buy OEM accessories.  I own 3 Canon cameras(a G2, G12 and 60D) and extra lenses and all have genuine Canon caps.  Best fit and quality.
Great
Works as expected.  Nice price.  What more can be said about a simple product?
These are great caps for me and I haven't had any trouble with them staying on, albeit all my lenses are Canon. The problem is that I take them off and forget where I laid it or, in one case, I put one in my pocket and forgot it...didn't fare well in the dryer!!! The only smart thing I have done is order an extra and keep it in a zippered pocket in my case...now if I don't forget where the extra is. :)
I have a run-of-the-mill Canon EOS Rebel XSi that came with 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-250). After dropping one of the lens caps over a pier I started to look for a replacement. The cap I had lost was the E58, but the other day when I ordered the closest I could find was the E58U. You would assume it to be the same, and it almost is. It fits, but is different to the E58 (I  still have one to make the direct comparison with) in that the little finger grips on the edge that you push to release the cap are just a fraction harder to operate. They sit flush with the edge of the cap. On my E58 cap they protrude very slightly so are easier to grip and manipulate. Also the E58U cap doesn't fit quite as well...can be flicked off without using the grips. Get the E58 if you can.
I had to buy these for my 18-50 IS binoculars to protect the lens, of course they fit perfectly. They also match my Rebel camera.
This is a canon lens cap. It's 58mm. It will work if your lens needs a 58mm lens cap. This is exactly like the cap that came with my lens originally.Not much else to say about it. If you like the price, then buy it.
I take an extra Cap for either end of each of my lenses. If two lenses share the same cap size then I only take a single extra, as I don't plan on losing TWO on the road, at least not the same day...  You could always go with an off brand and pay a little less, since let's face it, by all rights, this thing should be about 4 bucks, MSRP! I still haven't tried Adorama's house brand, but will probably try one of those next time if it's half the price of Canon's. 3rd party filter caps don't tend to work on the lens sizes that the filters are for. That is, if you buy a filter set, and it comes with a lens cap, the cap often doesn't fit very well on the lens itself, but it does fit well on the filter it came with... just my experience with a couple different filters/brands. Lastly, this doesn't come with a "keeper", so it's just loose... of course you could always use the keeper that came with one of your filter sets, should you be so lucky. Finally just having to do with caps in general, I would like to see a 3 or 4 way cap with that many tabs, so when you brush it, it doesn't just come off, but of course this might make it harder to take off than is desirable with the 2 tab method.Summary:+ Fits properly.- Cost (should be at most $4 MSRP).- No 'cap keeper' included.
Good quality, and perfect attach, but no cord to avoid loose it.Incredible that Canon forget it!!!So... remember to put it inside your pocket when you use your camera.
Lost my original canon cap in the woods somewhere, bought this to replace it. It works! I found my old one in the woods a year later, cleaned it off, and now I don't know which is which. I use them both. They are the same.
The cap is a nice accessory to my Canon equipment.  However, for the price of the lens cap, I could have found something cheaper to do the job.  I also wish it had an attached string so it couldn't get lost if it came off.So....if you're like me and want all your camera equipment to advertise Canon, this lens cap is for you.  If you like pinching pennies, you can save about 6 bucks on this item.  It's all about preference.
As the cap should be. I wish I don't lose it so often as I purchase this item regularly due to my own stupidity.
I have the Canon S2 IS.  I bought this as a replacement for the orignal lens cap that falls off constantly.  This cap does not fit.  It can only be used with the optional filters.
I'm not sure how much more there is to say about this lens cap. It comes packaged in a plastic bag stapled to a cardboard card. It snaps securely in place, which is a nice change from the stock cap on my Powershot S5IS. I do miss the leash, and will probably be buying an aftermarket tether soon for it. You can probably buy one for cheaper in another brand, but I decided to get the Canon so I could be sure it would fit properly on my Canon adapter tube. For that purpose, it works perfectly.
What can I say? It's a lens cap for 58 mm Canon lenses. I lost one and I need to replace it.
Perfectly fits my Canon DSLR to replace a lens cap that I lost.  I recommend it if you need an extra or replacement.
I ordered this as the description for the Cannon S5 did not state having a lens cap, but when I received the camera, there was a lens cap provided.  Had to return the one I ordered separately.
An original lens cap, just like the one I lost. I couldn't be more pleased. If you lose a lens cap there is a simple solution.
It'll go on the end of my lens (like its supposed to fit) but just even barely touching it causes it to come off :(
I was looking for a replacement lens cap for my T2i, this cap fits perfect. I got an OEM Canon one (not the knockoff) and it fits perfect just like the original.
What can I say? It works and is far superior to the cap that came with the S5 IS. This one does't fall off every second or so. Now all I have to do is find a cord with sticky end to attach it to the camera so that I won't lose it.
The lens cap performs well. I hope to get a cap holder before I lose this one.
It has been a great replacement part for my old Cannon Rebel XT camera.  The old one started to keep falling off during each use.
Lens cap doesn't fit on standard lens, only on the adapter, but that's great when using filters.  The standard cover doesn't fit on the adapter sleeve, so if you leave the sleeve installed, it is mandatory for covering the lens.  Great price on the cap.  Would like to have some means to restrain the cap when removed, but that's a function of the Canon design, not the merchant.
I love the small size and the side opening making it easier to retrieve camera.  However, I need a outside pocket for extra storage.
The case makes the camera a lot bigger, but it sure does protect the camera from anything and everything
the last reviewer was worried about dropping the camera while getting it in/out of the case - well, i got the C60 and this case along with it, and the camera did fall out, dashed the LCD frame and damaged the lens. this happened last christmas, 2 days after i had been gifted it! the c60 is a very good camera but i would try to find a more reliable carry case for it. (one you can wear around your neck rather than have to attach to your belt, for example).
This case snuggly fits over the Olympus C50 camera and holds 2 XD Memory cards.  It looks sharp just like those cell phone cases, but just slightly thicker in size.The only "con" is that it so compact that it cannot hold an extra battery nor any cables that came with the camera.But I bought it for its compactness and highly recommend it if you prefer carrying a small camera bag on your belt.
Just wish had battery compartment, but does have room for two extra batteries on side.
According to other reviewers, this case may not be the greatest for  C60's, but it's the perfect case for my Olympus Stylus 500.Initially I worried its dimensions would fit too small, but it is actually fairly roomy for the Stylus 500 model.  It's not too snug, so taking the camera in and out of the case is very easy and I've never had a problem fumbling my camera in the process.I feel my camera is well protected in this case, and at the same time the case is not too bulky.  I'm even able to carry it around in a small purse.  I would imagine the only downside is that there is no place to put a spare battery, but overall I think it is a great buy for the Stylus 500.
Great camera case for the Oly C-50/60.  I like it because its very compact and doesn't waste any space with extra pockets, etc.  I take it everywhere with me!
My old one served 7 years. It was time to replace. The old one was less rigid, probably a different material. Over than that I am glad with the purchase.
I have had an early version of this monopod for over ten years.  I have used it with a video camera, filming soccer games in all types of Chicago weather, with my film type SLR for telephoto stability, and just about the time that my SLIK thought it was in retirement, it is back in operation with a Cannon S5 IS camera.  With minor cleaning she is ready to rock and roll again.  All leg clips, the wing nut and the main spring are in `like new' condition even after years of work.  The SLIK decal is so worn it can barely be read --- a definite sign of an excellent product.
Slik EZ Pod Monopod with Pan Head and Quick-ReleaseHave had this about 3 weeks, tried it in house and thought it was o.k.  Tonight I went to a Christmas parade in the rain, used this monopod and it was great.  One handed spring load for height worked so well, it is made so solid.  I walked all over downtown and never took camera off the monopod, it was so simple to adjust the height and I even felt the camera was securely locked into the plate that I held it over people heads to get some pic..Just viewed my pics and many of them are really good.  This is my 3rd monopod, the first 2 were unsatisfactory, this one is a keeper.  I paid more dollars for this one but I'll be using it a lot.  Tripod too much trouble when you travel.  Bye
I've actually owned this monopod for many years but it didn't see much use until this year.  Even now I wouldn't describe the use it has had as anything more than moderate. Unfortunately it has not survived.The tilt quick release head pivots with a plastic ring on each side around a metal fitting in the monopod. Obviously the metal is much stronger than the plastic as it is the plastic part that has broken with one half of one ring snapping clean away at the thinnest points.  Never really cranked down on the knob that tightens it either as I really prefer to leave it loose allowing me to pivot easily when required. No advantage gained in steadying the shot by tightening this knob anyway.The lowest extension of the monopod is too thin and flimsy compared to the rest of them.  I realize that they have to get smaller and thinner as you go down the length but the bottom section just isn't up to the strength of the rest of the monopod.  Mine is intact but I would have been happier if it was one size bigger.The height adjustment is nice - one of my favorite features about this item as I can press down on it while shooting for an instant adjustment.Also like the strap and the quick release plate - a monopod without one of those would be hard to buy now that I have had this one.I'm going to try to contact Slik to see if I can get a replacement part but I've not had any luck finding them just yet.  Good product just not quite as good as it could have been at this price point. Not exactly a cheap item while obviously not expecting a carbon fiber Manfrotto or anything!Edit: I was able to find the part required at an independent distributor. Reasonably priced and, thanks to an exploded diagram on their site, I was able to repair the monopod myself.Edit II: Just broken it again - this time totally my fault. Dropped the whole rig off my shoulder and when it hit the ground the monopod broke at the top where it holds the quick release plate. I'm again going to order the part and repair it because I like it so much. The site that has parts for all Slik tripods and monopods is kenkooutlet dot com. Shipping is more than the part but that's just life today.
I pretty much agree with all the positive reviews for the reasons they gave.Identical spare quick shoe plates (Slik #6014) costs $13-$30, so shop around!Hiking rugged rock trails does not wear out the rubber foot because right from the first I did the obvious modification:1) A heavy duty rubber crutch (walking cane) tip, available @ drugstores.2) From OSH hardware their auto parts type number 12 hose clamp. The kind with a metal strap that tightens with a screw.In 10 seconds I can tighten on or remove the tip with...3) 5/16" nutdriver kept in the backpack.While hiking, the smallest diameter bottom leg section is kept retracted. Because the next section is wider/stronger and supports trail climbing better.Which is why I have to remove the cane tip all the time. When shooting in order to extend the weak bottom section to get full height.
I bought one of these quite awhile ago. I still have it. Its design is great as has already been covered here. Very nice and compact package with an ingenious design for the final adjustment. HOWEVER, on my unit, which is all black and no red as pictured, the tapered pinch piece on the end of the tightening knob is plastic and after only a few uses cracked and popped out the back. Now it only tightens part of the way before spinning. SO BE VERY CAREFUL tightening the knob in case this happens to you. Hopefully the newer designs replaced this piece with metal.
I bought this monopod for my wife's d5000, and she likes it a lot.  I think it may be a little bit too much plastic, and the quick release plate doesn't match her slik tripod.  Otherwise, it does the trick.
I've owned three of these over 20+ years (lost two, leg lock on one broke).  They're very good within their limits.  Extremely compact, fast (QR leg locks), eliminates the need for a ball head, quick release that doesn't require a special tool.  Great with my 70-200 f2.8l/Canon 1D mark II.  Saves me from tendonitis carrying the darn thing around all the time.Sure, it's not quite as steady as my Bogen or Gitzo, but the ballhead alone costs more than the Slik EZ Pod.  I like that it uses the 1/4" thread, so I don't have to keep track of a bunch of adapters.  Doesn't work that well with the 300mm f2.8l, the lower legs and the pan head just aren't beefy enough.Over a day's shooting, the QR plate will loosen and create a bit of play, but considering that I don't have to fumble around for an allen wrench to tighten it and can switch the plate to a different lens or camera faster, it's a good tradeoff.  It's compact and light enough that it's easy to take everywhere.
The monopod is well made, reasonably light, well designed. The only problem, I found it quite useless. It might be of some help for large heavy cameras, but for the Sony NEX5N I'm using it makes no difference with any lens, even with telephoto. I tested shooting handheld and on monopod and the results were almost the same, the handheld pictures fared even a little bit better, because you would be shooting from a lower position holding the lens barrel in left hand. As such this monopod serves no purpose.
I love this little guy!  Lightweight, solid build, easy to extend or take down.  Its with me all the time.  Only drawback for me is extended height.  I'm 6'4&#34; and I could use another 4&#34; tall extended.  All in all I love this thing!  I would recommend to all.
I recently bought this monopod for my Digital Rebel XT, and large 70-200MM f2.8 lens. I spent substantial time reviewing monopods and comparing their specs prior to ordering this Slik EZ Pod. I like this monopod in that it: (1) has a quick release, (2) is very light and compact compared with many other models, (3) has a shoulder strap (which is NOT included with not other monopods - most have a cheesy wrist strap), and (4) can hold a heavier max weight (8 lbs, I think) than similar monopods. Overall, I am quite pleased. This is my first monopod and I was surprised at how light it was, and in turn, how light it made my heavy (3+ lb) lens setup feel. Because this is my first monopod, I was however, slightly surprised that it didn't allow me to hold the camera quite as still as I had hoped. When I was shooting with it, I still needed to set my shutter speed above 1/60 sec to decrease  blur. Perhaps this is an effect of my large lens setup, as I have not tried it with my smaller, lighter, lenses yet. Or, perhaps, monopods in general are not made to hold cameras as steady as tripods. I did buy a tripod as well.. still waiting for it to arrive. So, the short and sweet: in my opinion (based on this monopod's specs) this is the best monopod out there - it has many advantages over similar monopods. Just try it... you'll be pleased.
I bought this monopod long time ago, but didn't use much until now. I am into bird in the flight photography. I typically use Canon 7D + vertical grip + Canon 100-400 L USM. The total weight is around 3.2 kg. The monopod is strong and steady enough to give me very sharp photo. The pitch hing is very convient when tracking bird in flight while birds changes altitude all the time. The quick release and quick hight adjustment is a bless. For bird in flight photography, speed is everything. The quick vertical adjustment makes it easy for me when I need to raise the camera to shoot birds overhead. Don't waste your money to buy expensive monopods.
This monopod has stood up to a fair amount of abuse with little to show aside from some bends and cracked rubber foot. Needed it for rapid shots with somewhat stability and has indeed served that purpose well!Thanks for the assist with the photos, Slik.
If you looking for a monopod I feel you should look for certain features, 1. sturdy enough to hold your heavy lens and camera, 2. stay within a price range. 3. Most important having a "quick release" feature! this item met all three of my criteria, at this price worth giving a serious look.
Everything fine. Good shipping. Nice deal. This is a good mono pod. VERY strong. I was even able to use it as a walking stick while hiking.
I received this as a thoughtful gift from my family.  A worsening tremor had made my videography of the kids' events unwatchably shaky, even with image stabilization.  It was truly depressing.  But with the Slik Monopod, it is better than ever!  During sporting events, I can stand and quickly pivot with the action. Even from a theater seat I can zoom in tight on the kids' performances without a wiggle.  I brace the monopod against the seat (foot on the floor) for extra stability.  When not filming, I can use the pop-up to quickly lower the camera out of the way.  The absolute best part is that I can watch the actual performance, rather than the viewfinder, since I don't have to look at the screen in order to hold it steady. So much more enjoyable.  I recommend this to all camera-dads, even those without tremors. It is small enough for your carry-on bag.  I wish I had thought of this years ago.  Consider getting a couple of extra platforms. Just keep them mounted to your still and video cameras or field glasses for quick changeovers.
Digital cameras seem to be all-or-nothing in the flash department. Either they accept full-featured dedicated flash units, or you're stuck with the built-in flash.I recently bought the lovely Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 with the outstanding 12X f/2.8 Leica zoom lens. It's a truly wonderful camera, but it's saddled with a wimpy pop-up flash. It has a non-dedicated flash shoe, but you can't use an auxiliary flash along with the pop-up flash. This is a  pity, since the pop-up flash has as much built-in intelligence as most serious dedicated flashes - it's just not very powerful.The DF200 is an almost perfect match for the FZ20! Although it mounts using a shoe, it's really a slave flash. You attach the included flash bracket to the camera base and slip the DF200 into the shoe. You then either tell it, or let it learn by itself whether your camera uses preflash and, if so, how many pulses. Having done this, you're ready to go. As a slave, it obediently flashes for exactly the same length of time as the pop-up flash, only with significantly more power. This not only buys you greater flash range, but also increases the charge life of the camera's battery. As with most competent flashes, it adjusts in two axes, enabling easy bounce flash.Is it perfect? Of course not! It's mildly annoying, after owning a 35 mm system with a dedicated zoom flash, to have to adjust the flash angle manually. I also have to agree, it fairly screams "cheap plastic!" Still, it works as advertised at a very attractive price point (certainly a better deal than Panasonic's wimpy and overpriced companion flash!) Ignoring cosmetics, it's a uniquely useful and ingenious solution to a problem facing many digital camera owners. My rating is 5 stars minus one for the build quality.
As a previous reviewer noted the flash is definitely NOT compatible with the Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel).  The Vivitar manual claims compatibility with all digital cameras with a built-in flash.  The information in the manual is WRONG.  No setting on the flash works and it does not 'learn' the flash of the EOS camera.  The Vivitar flash will always fire before the built-in flash or an external 420EX and the result is always UNDEREXPOSURE.  There is no way to overide anything to make the DF200 usuable with the Digital Rebel.The flash does work with a Canon A85, which is what I primarily bought it for.  The quality is not great but it isn't that bad either. I wouldn't want to pay more than the $70.00 I got it for, otherwise I would feel cheated.
This flash works nicely with my Sony DSC-P72 as a slave flash.  The one limitation with all slave flashes is that they trigger off other cameras' flashes also.  You can use the standy button to partially eliminate this, but if there are lots of other flashes going off, it can be a problem.  Also, it would be nice if Vivitar had a 1/2 power setting, as the jump from full power to 1/4 power is too much for a digital camera to handle.  You can put the flash on 1/4 power and double the ISO or halve the aperture and effectively get 1/2 power, however.
I don't know what got into Vivitar, but somehow they decided to put a red decorative panel on the front of this flash.  They probably thought this would convince some buyers they were acquiring an Nikon Speedlight.  The panel performs no obvious function, and is so flimsy my unit arrived with the panel already broken off.  Turns out this panel also covers the innards of the flash unit, because I saw wires and transistors and stuff.  Fortunately, I knew well enough not to poke into the innards of a flash unit, I could have been electroshocked.  I had to glue back the panel.When compared to my Vivitar 285HV, the DF200 isn't even close.  The 285HV has only one weakness, the foot, but mine's still intact, and the rest of the flash has that tough, professional look.  In contrast, the DF200 is plasticky, and is silver painted, too.  The battery door is flimsy, as is the rest of the flash.  Why Vivitar?  Ironically, the DF200 costs as much as my 285HV when I acquired it some years ago.To be honest, the learning mode seems able to profile my Coolpix, and the flash works within its limitations, but the poor build quality just disappoints.
I purchased this flash in November.  It worked fine for the first two weeks.  Then it began to fire randomly, even without a triggering flash.  Finally by January the slave circuitry failed and it no longer detects the flash from any of three cameras that I have used it with.When it worked, it appeared to a pretty good flash but it did not last more than a couple of months of very light use (never even left the home).
The built-in flash on digital cameras leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly it is skimpy and limited in use. By adding the Vivitar DF200 digital flash, your camera takes on added capabilities. The flash is surprisingly powerful and thus gives the camera a greater range. Red-eye is greatly reduced or eliminated and the ability use bounce-flash can enhance many photographs. The flash syncronizes with several digital cameras that I have tried and should syncronize with yours as well. The flash unit is not built like a tank and thus should be handled carefully. All in all, considering its low price, it is a useful and well thought out and executed item.
I received my Amazon/Meade Binocular order the first time with an inoperative video screen.  Amazon sent out a replacement the next day.New order arrived, read manual, experimented with photo capabilities, video screen worked and looked great, excited.Then...on/off toggle button stuck, and stays stuck that same day, after only a few hours of use, another serious designer flaw from the factory.  Now I'm starting to feel cheated.  The unit becomes inoperative, looping through boot-up commands, then turning off automatically.  Item returned, I'm sitting out the next dance.My discoveries...I liked the 3MP capabilities, still shots looked great, video quality is at a lower resolution than expected, camera is separate from binoculars, this is acceptable since the camera has auto-focus.Critique:  Eye to binocular contact not as comfortable as some standard binoculars I've had, manual focus knob on binoculars placed in a strange position, unit is a little bulky.Overall, very user friendly with lots of potential, good luck.
Fast delivery and arrived in good condition! This was a gift to someone, so I can't comment on the quality or the functionality of this product and that is why I did not give it 5.
The camera is just plain cheap. Takes nothing but fuzzy, low resolution pictures. The thing weighs a ton and even for all that the binoculars are only mediocre. A great idea, maybe someday someone will actually do it right.
Gift for husband.  Uses it for work.  He carries it with him everywhere.Photos are taken for reference, not for high-end photo duplication.Video is very helpful.Pleased with quality.
I just got my meade binoculars/digital camera.  I believe the binoculars are excellent.  The camera part can use some work, but for a product in its infancy, its kind of fun.  I am still testing the camera part, but I do believe the price is a little high.  The casing is plastic, but it appears to be pretty sturdy.  It is also a bit heavier than my celestron binocular/digital camera (with no LCD).  Overall, for a little fun and something new it is okay.  DEFINITELY, NEEDS TRIPOD CAPABILITY, WHICH THIS ITEM DOES NOT HAVE.  IF YOU ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING AN ITEM SUCH AS THIS AND YOU REALLY NEED IT FOR SERIOUS PIX TAKING I WOULD NOT BUY THIS ITEM UNTIL THE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES, BUT IF YOU WANT IT FOR FUN AND THE PRICE GOES DOWN A BIT, THEN GO FOR IT.  I AM KEEPING MINE.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ADVANCEMENT IN THIS FIELD.
I have used this product for a few months now.  I like the fact that it uses SD card technology. I simply remove the card and can read the pictures from my card reader.  Used it at college football game last weekend and it worked great.  I could see close ups of the players and even take some action pictures.  It will take a little practice to keep the action shots from blurring but they appear to be working fine.  Shots of the band are nice and clear. It would be nice if you could see the actual picture you are taking but that is probably taking the technolgy to a place this price point won't allow.I also like the way they have a knob that adjusts between people shots and distance shots.  Still experimenting to see when to use which adjustment.Quality has been fine and they appear to be sturdy and waterproof which can be a help when working with them outdoors where binoculars are really designed to be used.I'll grant that the camera is probably not one that a professional photographer would like but for the price to get the binoculars and the camera together they are a good product  and a good bargain.
The binocs are really nice and sharp, but you can purchase just as good for less.The eye pieces were difficult to get used to, but for viewing I really like them.Camera is absolutely disappointing.I have not taken the first clear image. The shutter is at the top and makes taking a photo quite awkward for someone with small hands.I tried different cards, in case the write speed was blurring the image.No difference in quality. I used a prop and snapped a photo, and image was still unclear. Played around with settings and still no good results.I would not recommend this as a camera AT ALL.To help with your decision, please view submitted photo. If your needs require better clarity than the submitted photo, think again. This was taken at noon on a cloudy day. 3 Megapixels. Please identify the bird inside the airbrushed red circle.So, for example: if you're searching for an Ivory Billed Woodpecker, you'd better choose more wisely - cause there's no way anyone at Cornell is going to accept this as scientific proof.Bird in photo is a Red Bellied Woodpecker, which is approx. 9". I am about 70 - 80 feet away. 66 ft is minimum focal distance.Hope this helps.
After reading all the negative reviews on this product....I reluctantly took a gamble and guess what!! I got lucky. Everything performed just as advertised. I can only guess tons of others that purchased this binocular and were dissatisfied got lemmons..I LOVE IT !!!!!!
The binoculars focus nicely and came with a comfortable padded strap.I bought this for using in woods spotting game and birding and foroutdoor sporting events. And this is what the unit is intended for.Don't expect to get focused pictures of people at ranges that you wouldnormally take with a standard camera lens. The operation of the cameraisn't terribly difficult, however using it without looking at the buttonstook some practice (there is no tactile differentiation between the on/off/settings buttonand the capture button)I'm glad there is the LCD display to help out with composing and tracking movement.the display fades easily when in bright sunlight (however I found that a sunshade* for a digital cameracan be mounted on to it to aid in viewing and reviewing images for deletion)*the display will not close fully if you attach one of those sunshades to it however.The fold up display is nice enough but when using it make sure that you have thestrap around your neck to prevent dropping it and damaging the display.You need to hold the camera still (or rest on a stable surface)as possible in good light, otherwise images tend to be a bit misshapen and or blurry.there is no tripod/mono-pod mount hole, but I like this inexpensive device enough to mounta tripod hole onto it with a blob of "Marinetex" epoxy.there are no Lens covers for the unit included.
At least this is the real thing! I purchase the previous Capture View compact from Mead for $$$$....I was so disappointed because its picture quality was little better than a toy. It could not handle low light and the resolution was that of a Barbie Camera (Mattel)!  Still I fell in love with the concept of a marriage between the digital camera and the Binocular. I felt that I was taking a real chance here on buying this product, but I figured that with 2MP (Which ...by the way there is a setting for 3MP) it had to be better hten the first CaptureView. I was right (Thank God!) This Digital Binocular really works and with acceptable quality.I also have a Coolpix 4500, so I figured I would compare how the coolpix 4500 at full digital zoom and the Meade binoculars compared. I focused on a subject of a construction site far on the horizon (Must be a few miles away). As far as Magnification, both the CoolPix 4500 and the Binoculars are about tied. ( So maybe a camera is more versitile in most cases.) But the coolpix pictures at full digital zoom could not stand up to the clarity of the Binoculars picture.The Binoculars arrived with some smudges on the plastic body casing (Looks like grease, which I had to clean off), There was also a minor scratch on the plastic, but still not worth sending back and complaining since this is not a gift and all I care about is functionality. The body is kind of cheap in appearance but this one has a lot more functionality than the other binocular combos I have seen. One comment though....WHERE ARE THE LENS CAPS??? Geez, you make a quality lens for a binocular and don't include a $ .. lens cap for it....it just does not make sense.I am satisfied with this product, although I believe that the Digital Binocular is still in its young days, and will improve greatly in the next few years.I think ypur option to buy this product depends on what you wish to do with it....For taking pictures of objects within a 300ft range, stick with your camera.  To get fair to good quality shots at a great distance, this is the ticket. I have not tried making a 90 second AVI movie yet...I'll do that when the weather clears, but I have tried shooting in low light.  Since there is no shuttle control, you will not be able to do any astrophotography with this unit ( a bright moon appears washed out...) but it can do low light situations. I could not hold it steady enough to do Mars, although it did show up looking quiet like a bright star in the pic ( Just with a trail since my hand is unsteady..) HINT: The next version needs a tripod mounting screw....In summary this is a little expensive at $$$$ I think I would like to pay about $$$$ for it. I also feel that the casing could be stronger and a camera is more versitle (Third-party vendors make a zoom lens for the coolpix...I could have gone for that...but I love new technologies so I gave this a try.)I give this Capture View Binoculars four stars because it meets my expectations of what it should be able to do.
I had high hopes of using this instead of taking a more expensive and bulky camera out to the field in dog field trial events. Pictures are blurry. Videos are blurry. Not user friendly. I am a professional photographer, and I hope that photos that I take will result in identifiable images, so that someone that was not there can tell what it is I photographed. The camera portion does not live up to any reasonable expectations, and, while the binoculars are quite good, the overall weight with the 'camera' make the combination too heavy.
I did a lot of research before choosing the Meade CaptureView 8x42 2MP Digital Camera Binocular.  This one offers the most for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the one reason you're probably looking to buy it will be nothing at all like what you were expecting.As binoculars go, the CaptureView 8x42 works fantastic.  It's easy to tune to your own eyesight, it's got a sharp, clear field of view, and the zoom level is as good as more expensive pairs I've looked through.As a plug-and-play device, it's also really good:  any computer I've plugged it into responds quickly, and files are easily accessed.  There is software you can also use, but generally I don't have to have it in order to download images.Ah, but there's the rub:  the images.  Digital binoculars don't actually use the binocular lenses to take a picture.  I imagine there's not a way to easily do this, so the camera in the binoculars uses its own lens.  As a result, the camera is really poor.  Daytime images at a variety of ranges have come out with a milky white haze.  Photoshop doesn't really fix this problem because it permeates the image, as if you're gazing through watery eyes or seeing a corona of white.  On images that do not produce a haze, you have pictures about as good as you would see on a typical cellphone camera.  Except that in low-light conditions, cellphones take better pictures.  After taking picures in low lighting, and looking from darkness into a spotlight, I was amazed at how little light actually came through in the final image:  even at a short distance, things that I knew to be brightly lit were blurry, grainy, and sunken in murky darkness.If you are looking for a great pair of binoculars that you can also use to snap simple pictures while you are on vacation, the Meade CaptureView 8x42 is a good choice.  If you're looking for a way to grab telephoto-quality pictures of faraway scenes, this will not live up to your expectations--a decent point-and-shoot digital camera will probably do better, especially in multiple lighting conditions.
This is a great product.We had more than 250 digital photos submitted by our Harley Owners Group members to be used in a continuous-loop slide show during a recent party.We mounted the S1 in a loft and projected the slide show onto a wall 25 feet away making a huge display of the photos. The S1 was on for more than seven hours, performed flawlessly, projected sharp images, was easy to hook up to a laptop computer (the source of the images). The simple operation of the S1 made set up and adjustments quick.We later used the S1 in our living room to watch a DVD on a 70-inch movie screen. The projector was hooked into the video-out RCA jack on the DVD player. Total set up time: Less than 3 minutes. Again, flawless operation and extremely good picture.I'd recommend the S1 to anyone looking for an entry level projector with seemingly solid construction, easy-to-understand controls and great features.
Great quality projector for a $100 I cannot complain refurbish or not it is working great for the reason it was bought.
This solid Epsion Video Projector is a must buy! With all of the excellent options and the right price, you can't miss!
Great product for viewing DVDs and other video sources on a big (100&quot;+ screen). Projects the best(movie house like) picture with a component out, progressive DVD player. Buy the special component to VGA cable - it is worth it. Picture will rival plasma and projection TVs. Projects an image that will make you think you are in the movies! The unit looks very modern.Vibrant and accurate colors, bright image, low fan noise and little pixelation (none if you set the lens a touch off focus for a softer image) make this an excellent and cost effective way to start a home theater. Picture is very competitive with the Infocus X1, however the Epson has no rainbow problems(it is LCD) which contribute to eyestrain and fatigue. I've seen them run together and I prefer the Epson image overall. The Epson has color saturation that is second to none.  Bulbs cost very little too. Team it up with a home theater in a box system and start charging your friends admission!
Hard to find a projector under $300. Worked well, easy to operate. Color not perfect and a little awkward to change, but all in all, given the price, I was pleased. Was very slow on delivery, though. If you order be sure to give yourself enough time.
I saw a review about this projector about a year ago on a tv show called screen savers,which airs on tecTv.They gave it a good review so i gave it a try,AN LOVED IT.I only bought it to watch dvd's on an it works perfect for that.I have a huge wall in one room of our house an simply painted the wall white an use it as the screen.A 20 foot screen no less.It's the ultimate home  theater,just add your surround sound an boom.No reason to ever leave your house for the movies again.Yes the lights do need to be low,or in my case i like it dark.But its got a great picture an more then worth the price.We've had nothing but fun with it ever since i bought.Its the perfect projector for those on a buget or for anyone that just dos'nt like to waste a lot of money on something like watching movies..............
How many people do you know who have 100inch tv's and paid less than $1000. I'm guessing not too many. I guess a picky person could find some faults: not as bright as a tv in a well lit room, no manual lens zoom, makes more noise than a tv. Still I really do love mine. It takes up about 1/100th of the space of a large tv, I can pack it in a backpack if I want to take it to a friend's, I can move apartments without hiring 5 movers to cary it down the stairs, I can play 4 person video games (Mario Kart Double Dash!) and everyone gets their own 50 inch tv, the colors are brilliant, and the price is decent enough.Go buy one and you won't be unhappy.
This product is fantastic, it shows amazing picture and takes up the whole wall. I feel like I'm at the movies every time we turn it on. Very easy to use and it can be connectes to a TV, computer, and more. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars, is because it didn't come with a long range of hours... but it's used, so that's part of the deal. Great buy for the price.
If you carefully search (via Google) you can find a "7.4V 2A CA-PS700" for your Canon camera for $8.95 with free shipping.  It is identical to the Canon labeled product. I generally buy from Amazon, but Canon's price is simply too high for this item. I have purchased the item and it works great for 20% of the cost of the identical Canon adapter.
I want to use a series of exposures at night with an automatic shutter control.  The battery would not have power to work.  This was the perfect answer.  And it was less expensive than buying it directly from Canon or my local camera shop.
I disagree with the negative reviews below and don't understand why someone would write a bad review about a product, just because they were negligent and didn't pay attention to what they were buying. This product is exactly what it says it is: an adaptor for your camera. It allows you to play with your camera without wasting batteries, or shoot images at a set interval over an extended period of time (if your camera supports that feature), or whatever else you want to do without having to worry about losing power...I don't think it's anymore bulky/heavy than your typical camcorder adaptor. This is exactly what I expected it to be and it works great. Very convenient.
Bought this for a Canon S2 IS.  Works fine; but it's heavy and cumbersome because of the two-part cord with the transformer in the middle.  I won't be travelling with this.  A couple of years ago I bought an adapter from Digipower for another camera.  It is light, compact, and cheap.  Wish I'd tried to get a clone adapter for this camera too.
Owning the Canon PowerShot S5 IS, this power wall adapter saves on the batteries, since I'm constantly reviewing and deleting pictures off my 2 GB card. I don't use the camera's battery power anymore.
I have a Canon Rebel XSi and needed a power adapter for long shoots in my studio. I ordered the CA-PS700 expecting it to fit my camera as the description described, but the male power adapter attachment is too large for the camera's female receptor. Bottom line, don't buy if you have an XSi. I cannot attest to whether it works with the other cameras on the list, but it does not work with the XSi.
The power adapter works as advertised to save battery when reviewing pictures and transferring images to a computer.
I've usually had good luck with no-name power adapters.  I tried a few for my Canon S5IS.  The first two were from ebay.  Those were incredibly cheaply built, did not have polarized plugs.  They did power the camera, but cause horrible interference on anything else plugged into the same outlet.The second was the Eurus/HQRP power adapter for sale here for about half the price (item B000FPWRAQ).  It was DOA.  So I finally decided to bite the bullet and get an OEM adapter.This works perfectly.  It's solidly built.  No problems, got 2 and both work great.
This product was exactly what I thought it was. I download my pictures directly to my printer to print my own photos. Even though I use rechargeable batteries, with the adapter, I don't have to worry about them draining during the middle of my project.
Product worked fine.  I just ordered the wrong type for my camera.  DB Roth was very good about it.
This charger fits well and charges the camera as it should. I would buy it again. Good value for the price.
Contrary to the product title of "Canon CA-PS700 Compact Power Wall Adapter for Canon SX1IS and Digital Rebel XT/XTi & XS/XSi Cameras," the CA-PS700 Compact Power Adapter does NOT include the battery necessary to actually charge any Rebel series cameras; therefore, it is not the right product for DSLR owners. The product picture of the power adapter + plug = all you get. There is no converter battery included.Amazingly, if one were to look on Canon's website to find power adapters compatible with any DSLR in the Rebel series, one would come across the CA-PS700 Compact Power Adapter. But the CA-PS700 does not include a special converter battery that is supposed to be connected to the power cord and then inserted into the battery compartment; without the converter battery, the power cord is rendered useless. Somehow, this special converter battery is impossible to locate by itself on Canon's website as well as on Amazon. What one needs is the Canon ACK-E5 AC Adapter Kit, which comes with the power adapter cord and special converter battery. Right now it only costs ten bucks more than the CA-PS700.For the fact that it works fine for point-and-shoots is great, and for anyone who is looking at this product to use for their Powershot S series, read the positive reviews for that and don't let me dissuade you. I am giving this product a 1 star rating to caution consumers who are looking for an A/C power charge to their Rebel series.
An awesome way to save on the battery life while reviewing pictures either on the camera, computer, or TV.
Our son really needed this and it works great. it gives him a lot more time on his camera. thank you
It is a power adapter just like it says and works as such just fine.
I bought this for my new Canon S3 IS.  Fits well for my camera and saves on batteries.  Very simple to use.
I mistakenly thought this was a power charger for my camera, but it isn't. If you are trying to buy a charger for the Canon PowerShot S3/IS, they do not sell one! This is a cord to plug the camera into the wall and let the electricity power it, but it will only work while it's plugged in. The camera takes batteries, which you can get rechargeable ones to save money. Don't make the same mistake I did!
This is the exact power source/adapter needed for my camera (Canon Powershot S5 IS).  My only regret is that it was not included in the camera package I purchased.
True, it is more expensive than non-Canon caps, but after all you are using it a hundred times on a photography day and it works the best (I have a $5 non-Canon one and every time I had to use it it felt cheap and flimsy). Just another small thing to enjoy your shooting more.One star off, as it still could be 30% cheaper.
This lens cap look identical to the one that came with the camera. It works fine for me.
I found my lens cap in a pocket after ordering this one (typical), but I prefer this one to the original.
Not a lot to say about this lens cap, other than it works well.  I purchased it as a spare becaue I just know I'm going to drop the original off a mountain on accident.
I bought this cap for my Canon PowerShot SX 40HS, but being previously advised I'd be using constantly a 67 mm. UV filter attached to the Lens (you must have the FA-DC67A Lens ring adapter for this). Otherwise it will be useless.If used as indicated, you'll have a cap that holds tight to the lens and additionally, will give your camera a terrific, nice look.Also, be aware this cap has no leash to keep it attached to your camera (don't forget this, to avoid losing it!)
This cap was purchased to replace the lost lens cap that came with my 70-200 mm lens.  It fits perfectly just like it should!
I used this product in my canon sx30is , with a 67mm filter.The cover fits perfect in the filter threads and protecting the filter. I will recomend this cover to a friend.
This product has only one thing going for it. It's nice looking. Besides that, it's totally worthless. Cheaply made. Almost impossible to remove without either dropping it or having your fingers slip off of it which usually results in your fingernails scraping across the surface of your lens or lens filter. After 10 drops and 4 fingernail scrapes, I ordered the following product.Mennon Pro Center Pinch 67mm Snap-On Lens Cap with Leash. It's much better. Sturdily made, snaps off and on very easily, same price as the Canon. Only drawback - no nice Canon logo.
I ordered this lens cap after having bought a 67mm adapter and filter. The cap fit perfectly, snapped in and felt secure. My only qualm is that I wish it had come with a cord to attach to the strap. No fault of the seller as the description didn't say one was included, I just realized how inconvenient it is to remove the cap then have to stow it or hold it each time. I received it sooner than estimated date and would do business with seller again.
Unless you get this on just right it falls off.  It is tricky to use.  Once it is on right, works well
The cap fits the Canon camera perfectly. A good buy for a replacement cap for the lost original lens cap.
Fits as expected and is well made. It lacks a cord to tether it to your camera but you can easily purchase one that sticks on the front if you feel you need one.  I however prefer to just keep the cap in my pocket when the camera is in use so its not flopping around and getting in the way.
Added some filters to my camera and needed a larger lens cap than what came with camera. Completely satisfied, looks and fits perfectly.
Does what I bought it to do(Be a LENS CAP) I bought a Bowers lens cap holder for $1.25 and all is fine in the world!!!
Could not find one anywhere,after losing the original at the airport during a Warbird show.  Many thanks!
Excellent
Lost mine and this is a replacement. It's a Canon item, reasonably priced and not an aftermarket. Nothing more needs to be said. Amazon has great service.
This lens cap works great because it's made by Canon! The squeeze grips to remove it are big enough so it won't slip off your fingers, even with gloves on. I used this cap in Alaska and it performed flawlessly.
the product is of great quality, and unsurpassed even Canon, I was very happy with the product. cap quality is excellent
Made well, sturdy, fits perfectly. Really, not much more can be said about a plastic lens cap for a camera.
This was exactly as ordered and arrived on time. I just wish it had a small loop so that my wife could attach it to her camera. I expect her to lose it rather soon.
DIdn't fit the camera like it said it would now it gathers dust I have a canon xti. SO yeah didn't care for it
This does not come with a lens cap keeper so if you purchase it I would recommend you buy one to keep it attached to your camera when it is off. Something like this one only mine is smaller.Zeikos ZE-LCH1 Lens Cap Keeper
It is what it is...and does what it was intented to do. Decent price and appears to be OEM.  I like it!
What can I say?  Got it quick--it is a Canon genuine product.  Price was reasonable.  I will do business with these guys again
a replacement lens cover. true to size. fit well. looks just like my original from the factory on my camera
What can I say about a lens cap??  I bought an extra one to keep because I just know that at some time I'll lose the other one and it will probably be when I'm out of town.  Be safe....buy an extra one.
I later found the old cap between my front seat of the old Explorer and the center console. Not bad to have an extra through. I would recommend getting one of those lens-keeper elastic bands that goes around your lens body and attaches with a peel-away sticker to the lens cap.
I wish they'd sell these in tubes like Pringles since they are easy to get lost. I did use those stretchy strings but the clanking and banging of the cap gets in the way sometimes.This cap looks great as it has your brand right on the end and fits perfectly. Why risk letting some dust get in with a cap that doesn't fit & look as perfect as your pictures?
Needed this lens cap to attach to the 67mm Hoya UV filter I also purchased from Amazon.Also it is easier to remove from the lens than the lens cap that came with the camera.
It's a lens cap. It is supposed to fit on the end of a lens. It does.
I bought it for my Tamron Lens. It fits well.
This lens cap works good. It is of good quality and fits my camera lens filter with no problem. I put it on my Canon SX40 with with this size adapter and filter.
I had to replace the original cap. If I had to do it over again, I would have boughtthe updated model.
I had lost a cap while traveling, and got this one as a replacement. Fits pertect. Would recommend to anyone.
I lost the lens cap for my 70-200mm f/4 L lens, and this replaced it perfectly. It is an 'official' Canon lens cap, not a 3rd party cap.
Borrowed my gf's D60 for an off-roading trip and lost the lens somehow (I hear it is more common that one would think). So I purchased this to replace it, and looks/fits exactly as the old one!
Same cap that came with the lens originally. I bought an aftermarket first and it is nowhere near the quality as the original. This cap snugs on the lens tight with a good seal and does not have bulky release tabs like the aftermarket; Those tabs catch when you're pulling camera in/out of bag. Highly recommended over aftermarket!
5 stars for functionality.  This works perfectly on a Canon SX50 67mm Adapter ring.  The only thing I don't like is that it's hard to keep in your hand when removing, but I feel the same way about the original lens cap that came with my camera.
I like the cap and always find that OEMs fit better than aftermarket.  Problem is the 300% markup.  I enjoy the little Canon logo as well.In short, very happy with the cap, but wish it were 2-3 bucks.
Works just as it should, couldn't be happier with it just too bad I found the missing one the day after it arrived however it is always good to have a spare.
these types of caps don't stay on well, and I'm constantly retrieving or chasing after it as it rolls into puddles, mountainsides, and other equally convenient to retrieve places. I'm just going to fork out the extra six or eight bucks to get something better the next time I lose this one.
This lens cap fits my camera lens just fine and protects it just fine. But the problem is that it is a little difficult to get off of the lens. It has two taps, one on each side, for releasing the lens from the cap but I have found it hard to press the tabs, lift the lens and hold on to it at the same time. Usually, the lens comes off but falls to the floor. Maybe it's just user-error. Other than that, everything is fine with it. I wish I had spent a little more money and gotten one that was a little thicker - I think that might have solved the problem I am having with this one.
$9 isn't too bad for an OEM replacement lens cap. Needed to pick one up after mine was lost in the snow while skiing this winter. It works.
I bought this Snap On Lens Cap for my Canon T4i, and it WORKS PERFECTLY! It's great this product is available, because these caps tend to get lost a lot. Or maybe it's just me...
I bought this camera not too long ago.  Took it to New York for vacation.  I must say the auto feature works well with the flash.  If you do not use the flash, the color is off.  I did a test inside my house with incandescent lighting and it looked awful in automatic mode with no flash.  If you put it in manual mode and change the lighting to incandescent, it works but the whole point of me buying this camera was to point and shoot; not having to make it a manual type set up.  Sharpness is okay.  I guess I need to buy a bigger, better digital camera.  Maybe a 6 mega-pixel camera.  I would buy this for simple shooting but nothing else.
This is now my sixth year of using this camera. It still functions beautifully albeit the numerous external scratches from being thrown around inside my bags. The only thing I wish it had was a bigger preview screen, but I view photos on my computer anyway so that's still not a big deal. Since I'm not a professional photographer I never felt the need to upgrade to a higher megapixel camera. I just wanted to leave a review expressing my appreciation for this product for not breaking down and/or apart on me over the past six years. SIX YEARS!
If it weren't for the bad pixels I would have given a higher rating.  Probably 4 or 5 stars.  It just burns me that they can ship a camera with bad pixels in the center of the view.  You should also be aware of the waranty repair process.  In north america they have one warranty location.  Colorado. So you will have to ship the camera to them wait 2-3 weeks and then wait to get it shipped back (they pay for return).  Luckily I noticed the defect before the 1 year waranty was up.  However now I have several hundred pictures with bad pixels in them.
This camera is very nice.  I will go down on the pro's and con's.Pro's:1.  Very small.  It is with ease that you can put this camera into your pocket, or even into your glove dept of your car (and just how many things can you put in a glove dept these days?!!)  And the size really makes it easy for handling when taking pictures.2.  The digital rear view is very nice.  You get a clear vivid view of what it is that you are taking a picture of.  This is a fantastic feature, considering that many other camera's do not have a good view in the rear view... which sort of really goes against having the picture view in the rear of the camera in the first place!  Bright and easy to see.3.  For a 3.2 mpixel camrea, these pictures are pretty good quality.  I really like them, but would consider this a lower end camera... don't try to take shots of stuff far away.  This camera is for use close up.. like under 5 feet in distance for any definition.4.  Easy to use downloading from camera.  You can use the software they give you with this camera... or just skip it and use the windows XP software that automatically detects the camera, and loads the windows software that will work with your camera.  This is really nice that Canon and Bill Gates talked to each other and they shared information on drivers and software.  This does NOT alaways happen BTW.  Kudo's for Canon.Con's:1.  Battery life.  The battery is horrendous.  After six months, the battery rarely last over 15 - 20 minutes.  This is pretty bad.  I mean, this battery is easily the poorest quality of any battery in any device I have ever used.  And Canon should be ashamed for issuing the darn battery with this type of quality.  With Canon, you expect better quality.2.  Starter Camera.  This camera is really not for use for anything other than really close pictures.  Which is sorta what I said in the Pro section, and it is a pro for that reason.. but with the small zoom, I expected to get more than five feet or so for definition... perhaps I was over optimistic...3.  Outershell of camera.  After a couple of months, the color of the case of the camera sorta rubbed off.  It looks very dull, and old... I have had other cameras that are considerably older than this camera, but look a heck of a lot newer than this camera.  What did they put on the outer shell of this camera?  I do not know, but Canon should not use whatever it was again.  My camera looks like it is 50 years old.Overall:  A very good starter camera.  I would not get this again, but I would get it for someone who is just taking fun photos.  Perhaps get it for a youngster, or someone who might not really care that they can't get super good pictures.Have fun!!
I have had my Canon Powershot SD100 for over 4 years and have never been unhappy with it.  Pictures turn out high quality and professional looking.  Battery life remains fantastic even after having charged and recharged it hundreds of times.  The size is perfect to toss in a purse or bag, and the camera is durable enough that you don't have to worry about it when you do!  Working the camera is easy - it's simple to navigate and extremely user friendly.  I had some issues with the CCD a while back, but I called Canon and they fixed it for FREE (they even paid for shipping).  I don't doubt that I will continue to use this camera until it is unusable (which will no doubt be quite some time), and then I'll buy another Canon!  I am thoroughly impressed.  I would recommend purchasing a larger SD card to go this one, as the one that's included is pretty small.  My 1GB card is perfect.
Had this two days and so far LOVE it! First the size is not as small as the Pentax Optio S but it was small enough to fit in my pocket no problem. Default settings out of the box with 16MB SD card allowed me 19 clear shots in a room that only had my TV and one 25 watt flourescent light on (no adjustments whatsoever) or 16 shots and a short 20 sec video. SO GET A BIGGER SD card (I got an OEM 128MB sd card which works fine and cheaper than Canon's branded one)! Manual is easy to understand and controls are easy to manipulate, well spaced and LCD display is crisp. I was first considering the A70 since I wanted a good 3 MP below $300 but found the A70 too heavy and bulky to fit in my pocket. The 2x zoom is not great but I figure to be using this mostly for indoor shots that I can move closer to anyway. And from all the test shots I have done objects about 20-30 feet away still very clear and crisp even when zooming in from a distance and then zooming into the object itself. So far though it does what I want it to do, is small, has a solid feel and great pictures! The movie resolution in default is also fluid and clear and sound is clean too. I have yet to change any settings on this and out of the box I LOVE it!!!!Easy to use, good picture quality, small size, great looks, cheap price... what more could I want?!! Oh and the fingerprints are not an issue either cause they wipe off easily off the stainless steel body. 5 stars!!!!
Seller was not truthful about condition of camera.  I was never able to get it to focused correctly.  Finally, it used batteries so quickly that I was not able to get all the photos I wanted without changing them out.  I threw it away as useless
Most Canon digital cameras still use the CompactFlash memory card.  CompactFlash is much thicker and larger than the Secure Digital card used in the SD100 (this model).  It's cheaper per-megabyte, but is slower and draws more power.  Canon is doing a good thing by using the increasingly dominant SD format in this dimunitive digital camera.Function-wise this camera is a good point-and-shoot replacement.  You won't find many manual controls (beyond the usual exposure comp, white balance, flash control, and a few other common controls), but it's a good &quot;pick up and snap away&quot; camera.  2X optical zoom is rather inadequate for any semi-serious photographers who travel a lot, but ok if you just carry this to events and parties.Picture quality is much better than my first-generation S100 digital elph camera from a couple years ago.  I still find the exposure a bit on the underside and the color tone a bit on the cold side.  If you want top-notch picture quality, consider the 4-MP Canon S400 which has excellent image quality and color balance.In summary, this is a very capable digital camera in a great form factor.  It's light and easy to carry, and does a fine job as long as you don't do serious photogrpahy with it.
I won this camera at a Christmas office building raffle!It's a great camera; I love it. It takes great pictures for such an easy-to-use camera. I could go into depth about it, but why? I have nothing negative to say about this little package. Well, it didn't come with a case, so I had to buy that separately from Canon, but that was the only &quot;bad&quot; thing.I've been taking photos since this little PowerShot landed in my hands, and I am very impressed with the pictures. I have not needed to color-correct in Photoshop, as I would normally do with other hobbyist/consumer cameras I've used or owned. If you're looking for a semi-pro or pro camera, no, this isn't for you, but if you're a CONSUMER who likes to take pictures of family, friends, your dog, your car, your feet, or whatever...then yes, this is a very good buy for the price. I took a very nice picture of an Arizona sunset on Christmas day with this little unit, and although I'm no photographer, the picture turned out great.
My Canon SD100 has the same problem as the customer from Washington DC and the customer from Santa Margarita of California.  I have lost many precious photos because the camera would suddenly stop me from reading the previous photos on camera due to &quot;Corrupt Data&quot;.  When that happens, I can not re-format my SD memory card.  I have to borrow another SD digital camera to re-format my SD memory card before I can use the SD memory card again.The camera flash is also too strong when the target person or object is within 4 feet of the camera.  Too bad the auto flash does not correct itself with the distance of the target object.Another drawback with this camera is the battery pack.  I have to take out the battery pack out of the camera every time I want to charge it, which is every other day.  I would much prefer just stick a cord/charger into the camera and charge the battery pack indirectly that way.  This would reduce the wear and tear of the battery/memory card door.  Hopefully, the next generation will have this feature.Even though I'm not a professional photographer, I still wish there are more manual options with this camera, such as aparture and focus.  I wish I could control the focus so some photos can have more depth and better focus.Even with the above shortcomings, I still like this camera for its compact size, sleek design, hard case, good photo quality, and price ($260 as of 11/03).  If the SD memory card problem can be fixed, I would recommend this camera to most of my friends.
I have owned a Canon S100 for 2 years and liked it.  This smaller version corrects all the problems of the earlier design.  It's lighter, a touch smaller, easier to use, more features (with literally bells and whistles), takes better pictures (no blue cast).  The battery charger is smaller (easier to travel with), etc. etc.  I picked it up at Best Buy for 269.99, as they price matched their online price.  The only downside is the SD cards are more expensive than CF cards and the zoom is only 2X  instead of 3X on the S100.  A small price to pay for the size and convenience of the better camera.  Highly recommended if you like a small camera with all the features that is easy to use.
Although of its tiny size, the sd100 is promising gadget. With the proper 3.2 MP and eye catching designe, it will surely be a fascinating first digital camera. Too bad it those not follow the 3x optical trend. The only dislike I have till now is its lack of shutter speed limitations. If you are planning to buy this camera, I would highly recommend buying an extra battery pack. Another recommendation is buying a neck strap, since the camera is lightweight and small. If you are looking for the perfect point and shoot camera that is simple and easy to use, then the sd100 is the oen for you.
If you are looking for a camera to replace a traditional film camera, the SD-100 is it.  I'm an avarage user and this is what I've found:PRO:1. Small size. Easy to carry in a pocket or purse.2. Decent Zoom3. Burst mode for taking a series of quick pictures.3. Movie mode...WITH SOUND!4. Intuitive controls5. Supplied Cannon software makes transferring photo's a breeze.CON:1. Expect to buy a memory card.  The 16MB supplied with the camera is useless.2. Red-eye.  Even with the red eye reduction turned on, you still get some red eye.  It's mildly annoying, but you can fix it on the computer easily.3.  Mysterious small halo.  Must be a function of the lens.  occasionaly you will get this small halo in a picture. Doesn't happen often.4. A second battery is highly reccomended.The only people who will complain about this camera are high-end photographers.  They'll whine about everything.  &quot;Zoom is tiny&quot; &quot;Aperature control&quot; &quot;Lack of filter&quot;. Crybabies the whole lot of them.If you are a normal person, you'll love this camera.  Point, shoot, done.
the sd100 delivers a stylish, ultracompact camera but with only 2x optical zoom and very limited manual controls.pros:- very good resolution, especially for a 3MP ultra-compact.- good color response.- good reliable metering.- no color cast when using flash.- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)- 9-point AiAF.- the LCD monitor (1.5&quot;) is bright and has an anti-reflective coating - gives good live preview and review even in well lit situations.- shooting priority play mode (a half-press of the shutter release always returns to shooting).- fast shot-to-shot times.- fairly good startup time, especially for an extending lens camera.- as with most canon digicams, the sd100 feels solid.- USB connectivity.- good battery life, although i would recommend carrying a spare since canon's batteries are proprietary.- ultracompact: 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.9 in, weighing only 6.5 oz.- has continuous shooting function, which you don't normally find in ultra-compacts.- 15 second night exposure ability.- long movie clips possible at VGA mode (up to 3 minutes including audio).cons:- limited 2x optical zoom.- very few manual controls - no aperture priority, no shutter priority, no manual focus (this is okay if all you want is a point and shoot).- average macro performance.- you'll need to remove from tripod to open the battery compartment or replace the SD card.- very small mode dial.- the supplied 16MB SD card is inadequate - be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for at least a 256MB card.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.- case tends to show fingerprints.the sd100's mission in life is to take nice pics with as small and light a footprint as possible.  on the nice picture category, it delivers.  however, there are at least two other cameras that are smaller, have better optical zoom (3x vs the canon's 2x) and have a wider feature set: the pentax optio s and casio ex-z3.  as much as i like canon digicams, i would recommend these two over the sd100.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
A great pocket size travel camera. Fun to use when on vacation or out with friends. I like that the camera is metal and durable. Easy to use menu and option knob. Get a spare battery, it's common sense. Very limited zoom and annoying 2 second delay when you press the button. I wish the memory card wasn't in with the batteries under the slide plate. It isn't easy to pull out the battery or memory card (I use twissors).
After a long research, I decided to purchase the Canon IXUS II (or SD100 in some countries) as my first digital camera. As a background, I am generally a point-and-shoot person with aspirations to take up photograpgy as a more serious hobby. I've been using it extensively for about two months now, and here's what I think are the good and bad points of the camera:GOOD POINTS1. Amazing picture quality for OUTDOOR shots - Pictures are sharp and crystal clear. The photos produced are exactly like what I saw with my own eyes.2. Small, slim and solid - Can fit in my pocket easily. Now I can take it everywhere and ready to take a snapshot whenever I feel like it. It opens a whole new possibilities.3. Relatively easy to use - The buttons layout are spot on, everything important is within reach of your thumb or index finger. On-screen menus are logical and easy to use. For advance features, I still need to read the manual though.4. Movie quality is generally good. All movies I took plays well (with good sound) on the camera's LCD and and also on my 29&quot; TV. The sound playback on the camera is quite loud and can be heard even in noisy areas.5. Fast operation - fast starting up time and time between shots, you wont notice any delays. Transferring images to PC is also relatively fast.6. Battery life is okay, I managed to took 68 shots (plus a hell lot of picture playback on LCD and on TV) before the battery died.7. Great LCD display. Sharp images and good colour reproduction. Can be seen easily in bright sunlight.BAD POINTS1. Average (on the borderline of poor) INDOOR picture quality. Every photo I took that uses the flash turns out ugly. The photos have this unnatural yellow glow (from the flash) on the subject, and the background becomes very dark, even though the room was evenly lit in real life. The best that I could do is to use Manual, and set the Exposure to -1 2/3, White Balance to Tungsten, and set the Effects to Neutral, and ISO to 50. That manages to turn my indoor pictures from ugly to bearable. The other alternative is to take indoor shots with flash off, as suprisingly it produces good pictures. But you need to use a tripod to get sharp images, which isn't always convenient. I'm really dissapointed with the indoor performance of this camera. None of the glowing reviews I read in my research highlighted this problem.2. Low battery indicator only shown on screen when the battery is on the verge of dying. If you don't have a spare battery and you are outside, your camera would be useless until you get back and recharge the battery.3. Need to take out the battery to recharge.4. Only 2x optical zoom.5. Movies has a limit of 30 seconds per clip. You can fill up the whole memory card with movies, but it has to be in a series of 30s clips. You can't take one long continous movie shot.6. Once you downloaded your movie shots to PC, and you deleted the movie from your camera, you cant upload the movie back to your camera. You can upload still images back to your camera, but not movies.7. The bundled Canon software is not the best, nor is it the easiest to use.Conclusion: A great all round compact camera that is easy to use, and takes excellent outdoor shots. If you can live with average indoor shots, then buy this. Otherwise, I would recommend Sony Cybershot as it can take much much better indoor shots compared to this camera. I give this camera 2.5 stars.
This is a nifty little gadget; light in weight; fits comfortably in hand; slick in style.The 2X optical zoom is weak; but for a casual leisure photograph it does the job. The 3.2 MP gives a sharp image.On the whole I do not have any problems with it. Except the one issue I had in formatting the memory stick. Well in my experimentation I went ahead and formatted the memory with an expectation that there will be a warning to the nature of "Are you Sure you wish to format Memory".  Well to my utter despair I was served no such warning and have lost a few memorable pictures. I was told that a friend had similar issues with an earlier version. I am surprised that Cannon has not corrected this on this newer version.
Pros:- Sharp images at 3.2MP- Very fast (~1 sec) recycle speed- Aluminum casing is scratch resistant and durable- Quality optical zoom- Fast refresh on LCD (not choppy like some Olympus models)Cons:- Slow shutter speeds at low light may cause blurring, but ISO mode is selectable to help compensate- Red Eye is nearly unavoidable, even with the red eye option turned on, but since the photos are digital it is easily resolved later- 2X optical zoom is far too low, a 3X or higher would be good- Battery life is small, but a larger battery is availableOverall, I have been very pleased with the SD100 and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quality camera who doesn't want to spend more than $300.  The sharpness and recycle speed alone make this a great buy.  Honestly, the image color and quality is fantastic, and is by far the best feature of this camera (as it should be).
I have many cameras, and use a Nikon DSLR.  But for Point and Shoot, CANON RULES!This is now an older model, and I just got one new, they are still around if you look.I just love it.  I wish it used CF cards like my other cameras but it uses the SD card.  I would get a minimum of 256mb.  And get a spare battery.I have 5 digital cameras now, all for different reasons.  This little jewel is now my carry around camera.  And I just love it.Canon software for it's point and shoots is the best on the market (of software tha comes with camera).If you need "better software", get Photoshop ELements for about $100.  This is also best of breed.This thing is sooooo small and cute.  And it's easy to use.  Pictures are GREAT.  The in camera EXIF processing of image is great, and for snapshots, all I have to do is crop them sometimes...no other tweaking of image is needed.Love it!  Highly recommeded!
Ok everyone will give you the specs and the good and the bad about this camera.  They are a bunch of winnies.  I purchased this camera 1.5 years ago went to vietnam with it (it survived a rough trip).  Shipped it many times to places when I needed it.  The biggest one of all...I went fishing and fell in the lagoon with this camera soaked it to the bone.  I thought it was toast.  I would not turn on after that big spill.  Two months later I was going to toss it.  I thought I wonder if this thing would work?  I put in the battery and the darn thing works!  It works!  Im telling you when I came out of the water you could see water draining from the viewfinder.  I highly recommend this camera to anyone and any canon products since then I have bought the A 70 and could not be happier with both of them.  This is one though hombre of a camera.
The SD100 is the newest itineration of the digital Elph series, but certainly it is not the most up-to-date digicam around. The original digital Elph was the S100 (I still have that one), and quite a few Sxxx models have been issued between the time that one came out and now.This one gets the SD designation to denote its use of a Secure Data memory card, which is a very small card with a tiny lever that prevents the card's data from being accidently erased or overwritten. Frankly, I think it's much ado about nothing; I've never had a problem erasing my files by accident and I resent the fact that I needed a new card reader to accommodate this slight alteration. Of note, however, almost all SD cams will accept MultiMediaCards (MMCs) happily.Anyway, in true Canon style, the optics here are good and the body is well constructed and attractive. The controls are fairly intuitive and (proprietary) battery use is above average.The resolution is a more than adequate 3.2 megapixels.The Achilles Heel of the SD100 however is the far too short (2X) optical zoom, the same power found on the original S100 nearly 5 years ago. You are much less likely to find a use for 3.2 megapixels (versus 2 megapixels) than you would be to find many photo opps where you'd wish you had a more competent zoom.All things considered, in this price range and assuming compactness appeals to the Elph buyer, I'd say the Pentax Optio and the Minolta Dimage are both better cameras than the Canon SD100.
I usually go out at nite and like to take picture of friends and I, and this camera does the job.  In dim light it really comes through.  The battery life is pretty not 3 -4 nights for me, and the picture quality is really good.  The Optical zoom isnt all that but if your looking for high quality everyday pictures this is it.Great camera to capture those moments..
You can take truly amazing pictures with this little pocket size camera. It is my first digital Canon and I am very impressed by the quality, the durability of the battery and the handsome design. Check it out! You'll enjoy this one!
But to say that does not do it justice! This takes great shots, clear and well lit. It has a simple set up and is a compact and sexy little number. Very easy to get used to in all respects and a tough little cookie!
The camera has a lot of storage room.  I bought it for my 6 year old daughter who was constantly asking to borrow my digital camera.  She takes it everywhere.  I like the fact that I do not have to buy film or develop pictures to see how they turned out.  The pictures are a bit grainy but that is ok.  You can take pictures in color b&w or sepia.  It gives kids a chance to experiment with photography.
I bought this camera for my grandson who is 9.  With little help he was able to take many pictures of very good quality.  I helped him download the software and load his first pictures.  It was quite simple to use and appropriate for his age.  He took at least 200 pictures on Christmas day...about 130 appeared to be the capacity without downloading.  The camera was very well worth the price. The neck strap prevented dropping which is very importan for a children's camera. The only negative thing would that it should be made with a unisex exterior and packaging.  He noticed the girl looking packaging but wanted a camera so bad he did not care.  I would have bought a different one if I could have found more neutral packaging, but the camera itself could not have been better for his age group.
I purchased this item for my seven year old grandaughter for Christmas and she has already taken "38 pictures!".  My daughter in law says that the software is easy to install and work with. My grandaughter carries the camera around with her everywhere.  I am happy with this item!
I purchased this camera for my six year old neice. The description stated there was a panel on the back, it counted the number of the pictures. I thought it would have been a preview screen. The camera is good for kids. She dropped it many times and it still worked fine. The first day she took 183 pictures before downloading them to the computer. The images came out fine for a kids camera. She had a blast with it and really enjoyed being able to wear it like a necklace.
I bought it for my neice and she loves it.  She uses it all the time and has taken some very good pictures with it.  It is very easy to use.  I would recommend it.
I bought this camera for my 6 yr old daughter because she kept wanting to borrow my camera and I certainly didn't trust her not to drop it. I like the fact that this camera comes on a lanyard so she can wear it around her neck. Considering this is only a $25 camera the pictures are better than I thought they would be as long as she's actually standing still, a little grainy but not bad. She's taken pictures inside and out, both came out fine. Battery life seems very good. Overall very happy with the purchase so far.
I bought 2 of these cameras for my 5 and 6 year old daughters for Christmas and they LOVE them!! They have taken some really good pictures and they have fun snapping everything they can find!! I didn't really realize there wasn't a screen to preview the pictures or a flash and think those 2 features would be helpful, but for the price, this really is a great camera!!
Thank you so much. perfectly fine and worked great for my camera needs. Will shop here againMs. A Williams
I bought these batteries for my tv remote and they work great! I haven't had them but a couple of weeks but so far they work really well. I am very pleased with them!
Great batteries that compliment my Sony radio. I expect they will last a long time. Good value for the money.
Expiration date for these batteries is 2010, it's March 2010. Really? You can't send newer batteries? Even if I do use them right away I should sent newer batteries. I wouldn't buy from this seller again.
I dont think you can buy good batteries this cheap anywhere. I used the link off of got apex dot com and also got free shipping. I think the batteries are about 10 cents each this way. Thanks
As always Sony batteries work great. I have always used Sony Batteries when I could find them at my local stores.
It's batteries... They work, they're cheap, and they're necessary for my wonderful but non-rechargeable  oral-b electric toothbrush. What else can I say?
These batteries last the way they USED TO in America. Recently, I have been having to buy batteries CONSTANTLY and was about to throw OUT all  my battery operated electronics. Perhaps, NOW,  I don't have to.Uh..these ARE expensive. Guess I'm paying for it all but it's worth it to ME.
I needed just a couple of bucks to make the free shipping and I picked these up thinking they were just a "fill in".  They turned out to be great little batteries and lasted longer than similar products.
Best batteries I've ever used by far, not even close.  Not even energizer or duracell can compare to these batteries.
These are a little more expensive than what I've previously bought, but I'm sure that they will last much longer.  It's kind of hard to &#34;judge&#34; batteries.
Purchased from Eskimo Wholesale (I will post their response when received, as I sending them this comment too) - I should have been a bit cautious when I received 2 Two-Packs, rather than a single Four-Pack . . . I should have returned them the instant I noticed they were labeled for sale in Brazil only (I only kept them because they were well within the use by date, and, sadly, I did not notice the "Brazil only" comment before I had already opened them). These are rated as specially made for Digital use, so instead of using them, as I had intended when ordering them, in a Carbon Monoxide detector, I gave them to my wife for our Digital Camera. Each pair lasted no more than six pictures each, with an overall run-time of >maybe&lt; 10 minutes a pair or so. Truly rotten batteries, I am very sad to say.
It came in a pack of two. But was I disappointed when one of the can was completely empty and the top was cracked. GRRRRRRR!!!!!! The other can works all right I guess. Nothing amazing.
The product presented no problems.  The attachable tube is flexible to allow reach to some difficult angles without turning the can upside down (as you may know, turning it upside down would spill out liquid chemicals inside).  Overall a great product.
This a product that simply does what it is expected to do...PC owners can't be without a way to clean out troublsome dust. I would recommend this product
Perhaps canned air can be found a bit cheaper, but at around $12 these are a good buy.  Air pressure is strong, attach on straw fits tight, and shoots precise.
Note to Amazon Prime customers, this WILL ship UPS ground, even if you have two-day air selected, so if you have other items bundled with this item, they'll go ground as well. (or at least they did with my order) Order this item seperately with standard shipping.For everyone else, it's two-pack of compressed air. I've gotten some stuck on dust out of my computer fan areas, and I've noticed the computer is running a few degrees cooler now, and these two cans will probably last a year or so.The price does seem a little high though... Staples had a two-pack of their generic brand for about half the cost, but that was only during a one-week sale, which I just happened to miss.
My journey to transition from film to digital photography began in earnest in July of 2002. That is when I bought my first high-grade digital camera, which was an Olympus C-700 UZ. I found myself taking indoor shots in close quarters, but not being able to get everyone in the frame no matter how far back I stood from the subject. The answer was to have a wider-angle lens, but the lens on this camera was a built in zoom that was not interchangeable,so what other options did I have?I did some research in mid 2003 and found Olympus offered the answer in the form of the WCON-0.7X wide-angle converter lens. Using a CLA-4 adapter tube I could add this lens to my camera and increase its area of coverage at the wide end of the built in zoom. To install it you screw the CLA-4 adapter tube into the filter threads on the lens of the camera, and then you screw the converter lens into the CLA-4 adapter tube just like were screwing on a lens filter and that is it, you are done. Next turn on the camera and set the zoom back as far as you can. This is what gives you the widest angle of coverage. You can still zoom in if you wish but then you get severe vignetting at the perimeter of the frame and the focus is soft at the edges too.All in all the WCON-0.7X proved a great way to enhance the capability of my camera at a minimum of cost and give me the wider coverage I needed when shooting subjects in close quarters. One note of caution: the very large diameter of this lens will block the beam from built in flash of most cameras. The recipe to get around this problem is spelled out in my review of the Olympus FL-20 flash. Go read that review to learn what you need to do to overcome this problem. In the end the WCON-0.7X converter lens is still a great accessory to add to your camera. You will be pleased with the results.
I have a Nikon Coolpix 8700, and the 35mm max wide angle was really limiting the shots I could take.  So I bought this lens plus an adapter, and it really expands the range of my camera.  I was recently at the Statue of Liberty, and from the base I was able to get my friend, the entire base, and the entire statue all in the same shot.The lens is also quite light, and pretty durable.  However, it is quite large, and doesn't fit so well into camera bags.
Canon does not offer a wide angle adapter for its G12 but I managed to make it work by purchasing an (excellent) Lensmate Canon G12 A section mounting tube (unfortunately discontinued, I found it used) and this lens (also used) with a step-down ring between tube and lens. This setup reduces the minimum focal length of the camera from 28mm to about 20mm. I tried other combinations but nothing worked - there was always some dimensional problem -. At the beginning of my search, I talked to Lensmate who mentioned a Chinese manufacturer who makes similar tubes sold by Cowboystudio. I tried but the tubes, while very well made, are not exactly the same and don't work on the G12. In comparison with older wide angle adapters I used in the past on other cameras, this lens has much less peripheral distortion. This Olympus wide angle adapter also started at half the price of the equivalent Nikon. All in all, this setup offers a true wide angle solution with decent quality and price for the G12 especially in harsh shooting conditions when you want to be light and nimble (i.e Winter landscape photography on ice with windchill factors below 0dF). Ultimately, only you can decide through experimentation if the level of image quality suits your needs.
The extra view with this lens means I can shoot indoors and not have to worry about getting a good shot... When I don't need a flash.  The only drawback is the lens is large, large enough that the flash on top of the camera is blocked.Otherwise, I can find so little distortion that I rarely have to correct for it in PhotoShop and at least with my setup there are no additional artifacts or fringing that I've seen on screen or in 5 x 7 prints.It does not work well into the 12X telephoto range of my camera (extreme tunnel vision and visably soft edges), but the FZ-5 has a quick disconnect lens adapter, so if I need to switch it's not an issue.
While the pictures that the wide angle lens allows me to take are great the effort involved in putting it on and taking it off quickly is too much.  You need to screw both the lens and the adaptor tube on.  And then off again. Perhaps Olympic could come up with some type of snap mechanism next time.
Can't go wrong with these Sto-Fen bounce units. They create nice soft light at a reasonable price. I've gone through a number of these as they can pop off but they are inexpensive enough so that I just keep a bunch of them around.
Just doesn't fit terribly tightly in my Vivitar flash and tends to rattle around, which makes it sound cheap.
This is exactly what i need to diffuse light from my flashes. I use both a Vivitar 285 and a LumoPro LP120. This diffuser fits both comfortably.
I use this with a Vivitar 285.  The diffusion is excellent, but it is a little clumsy to get on and off the flash.  It is held by a couple of tabs that don't fit all that well.  (I also have a Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce for a Pentax flash that slips over the entire head and it goes on and off very easily.)  It kills shadows and spreads the light very well.  Since it spreads the light so much, it also drops the flash brightness quite a bit (as expected).
I GET NICE RESULTS IN MY PICTURES WITH USE OF THIS DIFFUSERS, A SOFT TONE FOR HEAD ON SHOTS.MANY OF US PROFESSIONAL USE THIS TYPE OF PRODUCTS.
If you need a diffuser this is the one to buy it fit a lot of flashes. Very Cool!!! Highly recommend!!
The Sto-Fen is a must have accessory when unit using flash units. The Sto-fen basically eliminates hot spots on your flash images and spreads the flash lighting nice and wide thereby delivering evenly lit images. I do assignment photography with only one flash. I bracket my flash images when using the Sto-Fen since the exposure latitude decreases. Take it from me, photo editors don't like hot spots and the Sto-Fen delivers.
For the price of this thing, it fits well with my Vivitar and doesn't attempt to come off.  It works great to diffuse the light and make it soft.
This diffuser softens the harsh light of an electronic flash in bounce mode.I took a few photos of my pet with the device on, and there wasn't any peteye,which is the same as redeye in people.I believe that you need to use about two f stops above what the flash table says on the flash unit.
This is a good small diffuser. You can just throw it in the bag and carry it around... you never know when a flash might come in handy...I never use a flash without a diffuser. So If you are looking at this you should also take a look at: Gary Fong C3 Cloud Lightsphere II.The only advantage this diffuser has to the C3 is that it's small and easy to carry.
This flash diffuser was a perfect fit for my Vivitar 283 shoe-mount flash.  It slips on smoothly, stays on securely, but is easy to remove.  Even with added shipping charges, Amazon's vendor offers this item at a significantly lower final cost than ordering it directly from Sto-Fen's Website.My direct shoe-mount flash is harsh, unflattering and produces hot-spots from reflective surfaces.  When shooting with my wide-angle lens using direct flash, the field-of-view is not evenly illuminated.  Installing this diffuser on my shoe-mount flash, and tilting the flash upward 45 degrees, softens and spreads the light, giving me much more attractive and uniform lighting.This diffuser does, however, reduce by more than half the distance with which I can successfully illuminate my flash subjects.  For me, it's not a problem.  I just open the lens on my camera a couple of stops to compensate.  For slower cameras or less-robust flash units this might be a problem.This is a useful, reasonably-priced addition to any serious photographer's arsenal.
I am sure the product sent  me would have worked fine but the Amazon advert did not differentiate between the different models of the Canon 420 flashgun so i got the wrong one.I found the manufacturer actually was based in my home town [why did I order from NY :-( ] and he happily swapped the item  for the correct model free of charge.The correct one works perfectly and I am surprised a simple piece of plastic can improve things so well.10 out of 10 for the product 1 out of ten for the misleading advert on amazon.
Fits well and does a good job of diffusing my camera mounted Bower flash.  Lost the original one I bought, so I bought a replacement.
I bought this Sto-Fen Omni Bounce to use with my Vivitar 283 flash units.  It fits perfectly, is tight, and provides the diffusion that I was looking for when using an on-camera flash unit.  I've done a fair amount of shooting with it and it makes my Vivitar 283 like a little mini-umbrella!
but thats kind of preferable in most camera gear. You don't want things slipping around now do you. Good buy for the money
I didn't know what to expect in getting this, but I'm glad I did. the difference it makes in my photos is amazing. I've never used a nice flash or diffuser before, so having this nice of a setup has been a great help in the learning process.
I like the fact that it doesn't need velcro to attach it to the flash head (older models had to be attached that way).
I compared this to a local Store J&R in nyc and they wanted more and Tax -I was very happy with my purchase on line and it was hassle free !!!
You attach this to a Vivitar 285HV on "the inside", and it works well, much better than direct flash.
This type of product is really a must have.  I bought it for my speedlight 430ex.  The only problem is that it is made to fit several types of flashes and as such it is held on by pressure.  This means it will fall off very easily if brushed against something.  Other than that it does exactly what it is made to do.  Makes portraits so much warmer.  No more glaring flash assisted shots especially when bouncing off of a surface.  I would have liked to have been able to try this before I bought it.  I might have looked further for one that fit a little better.  But perhaps this is as good as it gets.
Hello,Needed to get my old school Vivitar 285HV flash back in the game for on on location photography and this worked perfectly with no adjustments or alterations needed. Speedy delivery and on time.
Make sure you are buying this for the 420EX because it does not work for the 430EX!
Diffusers like this one work well when the lens barrel/hood extends well in front of the flash -- I bought this one to use with Canon G series and a 420EX, and was disappointed to discover that the combination was unusable --  the direct light from the diffuser strikes the lens and ruins every shot.
I have always used the Omni-Bouce with my flash units. The dispersion of light does a great job of balancing my photos.
This is a simple device, and can seem pricey for a one-piece shaped chunk of plastic. However, it can really make a great improvement in flash photography.  As a portable flash 'helper' it's great, and diffuses and softens the output from the flash pretty nicely.  As the distance to the subject increases, you'll rapidly get less light from the flash with this device attached, so for full-body shots at 70mm or so you may want to remove it, or at least try several flash options (which is probably good advice in general).  With the flash pointed straight up and this diffuser attached, you may get more direct light on a fairly close subject than without it.All in all, it was a worthwhile purchase that expands my options for flash photography.
Frankly, any of the cheaper knock-offs are probably better deals.  It's just a piece of translucent plastic and as long as it fits it will do about the same as any other.  Don't agonize over quality, just buy a lower-priced equivalent and tuck it away in your camera bag for the rare occasion where it will come in handy to soften the light a little.
It diffuses speedlite flash perfectly.  Perfect tool for making the flash light spread to the subject compare to a bounce card.
This seemingly simple piece of molded plastic was recommended to me by a professional photographer. Basically it's the shape of an open box that slides firmly onto the flash. It is small and sturdy enough to stash in your camera bag without worrying about damage. When used the light disperses more evenly and is less harsh on the subject being photographed.The white box is for general use. Also available are the green Omni-bounce for florescent lighting and the gold Omni-bounce for a warming effect.PROS:Inexpensive solution for better flash photography.A quality product that works.CONS:None
Fits my Speed light and seems to work okay. There really isn't much you can say about it except it fits and works!!!
This is very nice add on. It's helping to make your picture looking nicer while using flash gun. The light is diffused and picture are really gaining by using Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce.
bought it for my Canon 420EX, snug fitting on the top of the flash, and will not fit if left on the flash in the stock Canon flash bag. Other than that a definite add to your gear list, makes the flash alot less harsh especially in close range, provide a nice glow. it obviously reduces max range of flash, but makes for better composition especially on people.HTH
I bought this with my Digital Rebel package because it seemed like a wise investment.  Also, I read a couple reviews elsewhere that recommended it.However, I have found that I generally don't need it because the 420EX is so intelligent.  Given that the 420EX gauges the scene and adjusts itself accordingly, to decrease the amount of flash further may underexpose the shot.The Omni-Bounce is handy if you need a really soft light, especially close-up.  (The underexposing issue seems more significant as distance gets greater.)  So, it can be useful for portraits, shooting something reflective or for fill-flash.The other problem I have is the price; $16.95 for a simple piece of plastic is rather absurd, really.  A quarter the price would be more fitting.
I never take this off my flash. It works as a great diffuser, and still allows me to get some fill light in while shooting in outdoor settings as well.
What can I say? It's an Omni-Bounce. Not a Gary Fong product (i.e. LightSphere), but fits great on the flash, works as it's supposed to, and that's about all I can say about it.
I absolutely love my omni bounce!!! It never comes off my glad because its just that good! I now take portraits and rarely worry about soft light because its already soft :) the only way this could be better is if I had extra sb-28 units and did it all wirelessly with extra sto-fen units. My sb-28 and sb-28dx have more than enough power to make these worth the light falloff of about a stop or two when bounced. It doesn't replace studio lighting of course but for on location stuff its invaluable... Better than bounce cards by far! I highly recommend getting one or five!
This one works with the Canon 430EX. I'v got one and it has a snug fit. Highly recommended.
Coupled this with my Metz MZ 36342 36AF-4 Digital Flash. Fits well and does the job. Glad it wasn't too expensive.
This diffuser came nowhere near meeting my expectations.  First, although it fits on the Pentax 540 flash, it doesn't exactly fit well.  The flash has a rounded edge at the top and the Sto-Fen is straight edged, so it never really fully seats.  This is more a cosmetic issue than functional, so I did some testing.  The diffuser performed almost exactly as well as the internal diffuser on the flash (which we already own).  I couldn't tell the photos apart.  Bouncing the flash with the Sto-Fen diffuser created underexposed shots.  The only situation where I would get ANY benefit from this device is if I were extremely close to the subject, I didn't want to point the flash directly at the subject, and I was in a location where I could not bounce a flash off a ceiling (like outdoors or some place with cathedral ceilings).  So in other words, this product is more or less useless for me.
Cameta anticipates your needs in putting Kits together and as with others they did a great job with this one.  I didn't have rechargeable batteries for the strobe so the addition was just what I needed and the quick recharger works well.
It fits right over the flash with a friction fit just tight enough to hold it in place.  Like all broad diffusers, the flash light output is spread all over causing a major brightness fall-off straight ahead.  I used it for a wedding recently and was able to get some excellent indoor pictures by setting the camera manually to expose on the dark side without the flash.  The catch light was very nice and the skin tones and highlights looked good.  Shadows were very faint as expected.
The Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce flash diffuser is very effective as a flash diffuser, and is easily installed on the flash and easily stored on the flash in my bag to save space. It greatly improves the lighting distribution for interior shots and eliminates the "Hot Spots" and harshness of a naked flash.  It doesn't change the "white balance" of the flash by introducing unwanted color to the light.  I think this is a real solution to harsh flash lighting.
Fits well, unlike a dome diffuser this is compact. Does a good job of diffusing flash, but robs power significantly.
If you find that your external flash creates light "hot spots," here is a solution. The Omni-Bounce diffuses the flash's light so as to prevent this occurance. Sure, you can fix it with post processing, but for so little money, you can save so much time.
Wroks great at softening up the light, bought this for my Pentax 540FG and fits securley.
Bought this last November for my sb-800 and didn't try to use it until too late to send it back. It's simply garbage. I tried to put it on the flash and it didn't fit well enough to stay on. It would stay for a few minutes then pop off. Tried to push it on a little harder and it split on one of teh corner but even then still wouldn't stay on. Save yourself the trouble of a return and don't buy this. I can't believe others have rated it highly. Did they actually try to use it? Guess the word is mostly true on buying cheap stuff... you get what you pay for. In this case its a little off though in that I paid money and got nothing of value.Why does a reputable camera dealer even sell this?
I have owned Sto-Fen flash diffuser's for about ten years. They may look like the one that comes with your flash but that is where the similarities stop. If you use the Sto-fen as directed, you won't be disappointed. It is lightweight and works like a charm. No Velcro is needed. It is a snug custom fit for your flash head. If you leave your flash on TTL and tilt your flash head up to the 45 degree angle, you will be amazed how even the light source is with little or no hot spots. Whether you are taking a portrait or a small group, Sto-Fen is the way to go. I would highly recommend this product.
It works fine and you can get great colors of your photos. The photo will have a smooth definition a brilliant colors. First you can take some pictures and adjust the flash for proper illumination and there you have it.
I received the stofen diffuser in a very quick manner.Thank you! I like this product and recommend to amateur & pro shooters.
Simple, cheap, easy to use and works well. I also bought the gold tinted version, which has produced some very nice portrait shots.
The one I received was not authentic so it would not stay on correctly (and I managed to get my full refund). I later bought another one from else where and it stays on and reads sto-fen on it. That said this one that does not stay on correctly, I was still able to use it but have to really work with it to get it correctly positioned. For that this imitation sto-fen gets 2 points. the real sto-fen, I would give a 5 as it definitely does what it is supposed to do and does not give a harsh shadow.
This item had come with my SB800....but I had forgotten it at a shoot and had since tried to make due without. Needless to say, it is a necessity and I am glad to have it back!
I bought this for mySunpak Super 383 Flashand frankly, it should have been included with the flash.  It does a great job of diffusing the flash when you have to aim the the flash towards the subject. There is a slide on adapter bracket for the diffuser clip into, to attach to the flash.  It's easy to clip on and off and is pretty sturdy. I leave the adapter on the flash, there's no need to remove it when you don't have the diffuser clipped in.
I bought it for the sunpak 383 flash to go with my Panasonic DMC FZ-30 and glad I did!The above named flash is very powerful specially at close distance and where tilting it up to use it for a bounce effect is not an option. It simply allows you to get a picture where otherwise would have been very difficult with a milder more diffuse and evenly distributed light. Make sure you remember to remove it when you need that full blast. I leave the black cage/adaptor on the flash and pinch the white plastic diffuser off since sliding the adaptor each and every time is cumbersome. That's the only minor issue. In short, I think it's a must and shame the flash doesn't come with a diffuser already.
The diffuser for this Sunpak works very well but is slightly too opaque.  As stated from another user, if you need full power, you might want to take off the diffuser and bounce off a white wall.  Right now, I keep things simple and either use an index card and rubber band w/the flash facing straight up or slightly forward or I'll spend a Dollar and buy a plastic bottle of alcohol and cut off the bottom and use that as a diffuser.  It works nicely and is dirt cheap.
This diffuser does all that it is supposed to do.  It is easy to put on / take off and does even out the flash.  The retaining clip did take a couple of minutes to install, but that is something that is not going to fall off.  The diffuser clips on and off the retainer and that only takes a second.  This makes it easy when changing settings and scenes.
Glad I found this attachment for my old Sunpak 433.  First unit shipped from Adorama was missing the adapter bracket.  Adorama quickly shipped a new one without hassle--THANKS!!!
It fit to tight to my Sunpak 433D. It requires a hard push to install it in the rail of the flash, and I have to use the screw driver to take it out.
I've needed something to diffuse lighting with many flash based shots and this does a good job. The but for me is placing the item on the flash. It was a bit tight. Getting it off, on the other hand was quite a dilemna. Took almost 5 minutes to slide it off without dropping the flash itself. Don't know why it's so tight. I use the Sunpak 383. Would have given it a 5 if not for the stress in putting it on and taking it off.
This is a very cool product! If you don't have a camera such as a 7D that will control external flashes, then you'll need a sync cable. The difference is light by getting a flash higher off the camera is huge! Combine this with a mini softbox, omni bounce, "ultimate lightbox" or some other softening device and you have some serious power with this relatively inexpensive tool!
You end up with a lot of red-eye using on-camera flash to shoot night sports, especially if you're shooting from field level. This bracket lets you get a lot of separation between the lens and the flash, dramatically reducing red-eye problems. It's a bit heavy, but I use a monopod when I'm shooting so the weight doesn't matter much. The only other disadvantage of this bracket is that you can't rotate the flash from landscape to portrait alignment. If that important to you, you can solve the problem by adding a mini-ballhead to the flash mount.There's lots of flexibility in how you position the camera and the flash unit. See the user photos others have posted for more info on this. Overall, a really practical bracket at a great price.
Some have missed the point of how to use this device, stating that it can't be rotated to achieve certain angles.  By itself, that might well be true. But if a small adjustable adapter is used for the flash end of the extension, it works beautifully.  The adjustments possible then for 'near camera' flash are multiple and the device can be left or right mounted. It can also be used as a tripod head.  Some photos have been posted on the Amazon product page demonstrating how to mount it as a tripod head.  This is a nice piece of equipment.
This is a great flash bracket it works well with various light modifiers.  It's adjustable height is great.  The only issue is you don't have a rotatable base for horizontal vs.  vertical shoots.
I couldn't be happier with this. I've used several bits and pieces over the years to extend my flashes away from the camera and I can safely say that to date, this is by far the sturdiest and most practical piece of equipment I've owend for this. Literature such as the "speedliter's manual" (I own a Canon 7D with 580EXII speedlite flash) will often speak of the importance of placing your flash at an offset, not directly on the camera shoe, so that more interesting lights and shadows can be created. This is the perfect tool for that, and it is sturdy enough that even at full extension, the weight of my 580EXII will not tilt or bend the arms to any position other than where I set it. While it is not my thing, this is probably great for wedding photography (I've just done 2 of those in my life). Overall, this is the best flash bracket I know.
This is my first flash bracket.  I wanted to be able to shoot at gatherings and parties where a flash is needed but get much better pictures than a camera mounted flash.  This worked well.  The construction is very solid as you would expect from Manfrotto and the bracket folds reasonably small to squeeze into my camera bag for travel.  It is very versatile basically allowing you to position the flash arm at any angle and height.  Some may find that this comes with the annoyance of having to make sure the flash is pointed forward and such since it is all adjustable.  The other thing is that conversion from landscape to portrait orientation is not something you can do on the fly.  You need to hold the whole thing in your lap and readjust the thing.  Overall I am quite happy with it.
I searched for about two months trying to find a great flash bracket. After trying several types, sizes and shapes, I found this manfrotto and couldn't be happier.whether you have a battery grip (I do) or not, this will fit. It extends up about 17 inches and also will angle/swivel 90 degrees from top to horizontal to bottom. It also can be mounted on either side of your camera and using your camera in portrait mode isn't an issue.
Lets just say this is built like a tank, but yet small enough to leave folded and fit inside a professional camera bag.  Actually pinched my finger once closing the arm. Learned never to do that again.. Over all this is a must.. In getting a flash off the camera and away from people's eyes.. Does take alittle getting used it. But will get rid of the granny flab over 8 hrs of use..LOLLove Manfrotto products and have never been disappointed
Loving Manfrotto Products and This is a great piece of Equipment, I am Looking forward to using it very soon on a shoot. Thanks
I am very pleased with this product.  I did a lot of research before I purchased and I don't have any regrets.
Solved my dark shadow problems. Built well, but you have to get to know it.  Camera gets misaligned, mounting screw must be tight, bracket with camera and flash does get heavy and you can't just lay it down.
I added a Flash Shoe Umbrella Light Stand Holder Bracket, and use with a 680EX...you need an adjustable  flash bracket with a hot shoe for the 680 or most other small flashes.It is very sturdy with good adjusters but it all gets a bit heavy after about 3 hours, with a battery pack, Canon 5d, bracket, flash and a fast lens. I don't shoot many events but I have been satisfied with it when I have. You can loosen the adjustments on the bracket and easily go from vertical to horizontal and still not be so loose as to lose control.I would like to see a "fatter" more substantial, thicker hand grip. I will probably rig up something with pipe insulation foam. It would make shlepping the whole system much easier.  I would actually take off a half star for that if I could.
I've just received my Manfrotto 233 flash bracket from Amazon and wanted to comment definitively on what it can do.Yes, it can be used for portrait orientation, rather cleverly, but it's not a good "switch on the fly" arrangement.  This is the only design issue I can object to.  The method for swapping from landscape to portrait will also work when it is mounted on a tripod, presuming you have some sort of ball head that allows you to reorient the camera.  Shooting handheld in portrait mode is a little awkward but perfectly doable (the flash arm shifts from your left in landscape mode to your right in portrait mode, assuming you shoot with the right side of the camera up).No, there are no instructions (sigh...) but you CAN figure it out.  The telescoping end is quite adequately long.  You can tilt the flash arm on a double joint both forward & back and side-to-side (with one fastener) as well as rotate it (with a different fastener, the one that extends the telescopic arm.Yes, each of the brass screw thread inserts are double ended, so it can be used with 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch connectors at both the tripod end and the flash head end.  You will need a hex wrench in 7/32 inch.Yes, there are a lot of things to tighten down when you set it up, but they seem to stay tightened well.Yes, you can mount the whole assembly onto a Quick Release plate, and then mount that to your tripod head (in case that wasn't obvious, as it wasn't to me when I bought it).  I highly recommend that setup.Not sure, whether or not you can mount another Quick Release plate to the top of the unit for attaching the camera.  There is a bushing designed to hold a 1/4 inch insert in the right place, and you can remove the direct connection knob it comes with which would otherwise be in the way, but I could not get the 1/4 inch screw from the bottom of the Quick Release plate far enough into the bushing (which seems to have a "bottom") to hold the release plate flat against the bracket.  I am assuming that's a "no" and that you have to use the direct connection for the camera instead, but I'm not sure what that bushing is for, otherwise, so maybe I'm wrong.Yes, it can accommodate large cameras.  I'm using an ordinary Canon 50D, but there's plenty of available space and I don't see why you couldn't mount a full-size Canon with the extra battery, etc.  I don't have one so I can't say that for certain, but perhaps someone else will confirm.Yes, you can pick this up and carry it around.  It's heavy, but really not much heavier than the original camera plus flash, though the weight is distributed differently and takes some getting used to.  It's sturdy and looks good.Overall, I think it's great!  If you have to switch constantly from portrait to landscape, then it will irritate you, but otherwise highly recommended.
This is a great flash bracket.  I use this with my DSLR and flash in TTL mode usually, during weddings, and with the bracket extended pretty much all the way.  Inside, I point the flash up to the ceiling and install a Better Bounce Card, which I make myself, you can find out how on the internet, very easy, and it works well.  You don't have to worry about it being off axis with the lens if you use the card, hardly any shadows appear behind the subjects.  I have also been using a camera flip bracket from Manfrotto so I can flip the camera from horizontal to vertical and I don't have to loosen the bracket to change orientation, it is easier to leave the bracket in one place. And this bracket is light compared to others I have used in the past.
When I received this flash bracket I got the impression it was not the one I ordered because it looked different than the picture. The holder on mine is foam instead of hard plastic but I think is a better option than the original. The only concern I have is related with a protective cushion in the base where you attach the camera body that got loose after a few uses. Got it glue again and seems no problem now but should not got loose in the first place.This thing is versatile, I use it with an old tripod to use it as a stand with an Adorama Universal Swivel Holder Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Flash Mount and my SB-700 flash unit. I do mostly macro photography and the bracket worth the investment.
A bit heavy and clumsy to use but it does move the flash away from the camera which is its primary purpose.
I had originally purchased this unit to use on camera with the flash held above my lens. I was not at all happy with the results and felt that bouncing my flash provided better light. Just before returning the unit to Amazon I decided to try it as a grip for one of the light modifiers I use, a SaberStrip. The mount is exactly what I've been searching for since I can adjust the modifier with just one knob. It gives me the range of motion I need.
Very good for using a small Softbox on ur flash that would normally get in the way of the lens.
This one can be adjusted to point just wherever ya want, from out to the side or over head, but its hard to get it to point exactly straight ahead so its very hard to use with a better-beamer. Bulky and hard to pack as most of this kind of gear is.
Works to get the flash up off the camera when I am by myself and do not have an assistant to hold external flashes for me.
I've tried other brackets. Either a bit too heavy, a bit too flimsy, a bit too awkward.Manfrotto's 233B is just right for use with my 7D and Speedlite. Sturdy but not heavy. Simplicity itself to use. Extremely flexible for any kind of on-the-fly lighting requirments. Great price and fast shipping with Amazon, as always.
The Manfrotto bracket has been in use for several weddings and has proved to be a lightweight, compact bracket able to extend the flash above the camera for improved lighting effects.
Almost everything that Manfrotto makes is stable and great.  I like this camera flash bracket.  It's versatile when using it attached to a camera only:  the extendable arm allows you to place your flash higher than any other flash bracket I've seen.  Besides the arm extending up or down, the arm turns left and right, as well as forwards and backwards.  I'm not sure if that makes sense:  it's like it swivels, but without a swivel joint.  The rubber coated base of the arm is a good firm grip.The only problem I found with this flash bracket is that with a heavy DSLR and a heavy lens and a good size flash, things altogether get very heavy and awkward.  As long as you don't try to handle the combination with one hand or set it down on a table too quickly or without looking, you'll be fine. This complaint is not Manfrotto's fault, but the fault of physics:  I'm shifting the center of gravity of the combined set-up and throwing myself off. I don't use it like this often or for long, so it's not a big problem for me.  I would imagine that walking around at a party taking pictures it might get wearing and make focusing and all difficult after a while.  But that's the nature of taking pictures professionally at parties and weddings regardless of which flash bracket you use.  Still, don't resist the temptation not to wear your camera strap around your neck even though you may have a good grip on it.  Also, take breaks--or lift weights regularly.How I like to use this bracket is mounted on a tripod with a camera and a flash, or without a camera and mounted on a light stand as an extra external flash.  It makes a great small boom arm for my flash.  When you're away from home, a small boom arm like this is great to bring along.  Plus it folds up pretty, tightly.  So it doesn't take much room in a bag--not a camera bag, but a knapsack or something else.
The one I received was evidently a return. The top screw was stripped, the rubber grip was split, and the rest of the screws were loose. As I had to have it, I was able to retap the screw hole, and make it work. Since I used it for a shoot, I will keep it, but this is something to watch for.
I looked at almost all the brackets before deciding on this one. I have never used and after using it on an event, I wished I would purchased one sooner. I am able to hold the camera and carry it by holding the bracket which is much easier. The only negative is that it does not come with instructions which I had to go to Youtube.
This bracked is easy to use, has excellent quality and folds up nicely.  Great for events and/or nighttime sports.
I had not used a bracket before and wasn't sure whether I was going to find it useful or not, so I didn't want to pay a lot. I looked at some of the other brackets in this price range and they felt flimsy and unreliable. The Manfrotto 233B, on the other hand, is a very solid bracket for a very good price.On the down side, this would not be a great choice if you were going to want to shoot in vertical orientation often, or if you wanted to switch quickly from one orientation to the other. Yes, it is possible to twist the flash arm around so the flash is above the camera in vertical orientation. But it's awkward to do this. I have to sit down, hold the whole shebang very carefully, and it takes a couple of seconds. And it's very awkward to use the camera like this.But if you're content to keep the camera in normal (horizontal) orientation, this bracket is a good way to do it.
Works like a charm! Pay attention to the specs, though - I was expecting a shorter arm (which is not a problem at all). Very strong and sturdy once locked in place.
As happens with all Manfrotto products, I'm very happy with the quality of this product!It is a little bit bulky for small purposes.  It's great to be paired with the super clamp.  I would go with the non HD version if I were going to install on a spring clamp, for example.
Recently purchased a heavy duty Manfrotto Flex Arm.  I just ordered my second one after realizing how versatile this will be in placing Nikon Speedlights on a photo set.  This Flex Arm connects to a standard Manfrotto 3/8s male spigot.  The 5001B Nano stand comes with a 3/8's male spigot at the end of it.  So I have paired that super light-weight stand with this Flex Arm and now my SB-900's or SB-800's can be placed just about anywhere, and at any angle.Sweet!I also have some Manfrotto clamps that can accept a Flex Arm with a 3/8's spigot adapter.  The spigot adapter is sold separately (Grrrrrr.....).You might not need the heavy duty version of this for my application...  but I don't mind paying a few bucks more for something as sold as this.  I have not attempted to hold a camera body with this yet....  Something to go experiment with in a controlled setting.
I use this to keep 3 sb900 onto place!And does the work pretty good!!!I have 2 of this and I LUV IT!
Purchased this to use as a display mount for iPad and it's very solid yet flexible. I can move the tripod and the arm stays in position very well.
you need to purchase a separate 3/8 to 3/8 adapter Spigot, if you want to attach this to a manfroto 190XPRO tripod.
This thing is awesome. I bought it along with a SuperClamp to affix a GoPro to an ocean-going outrigger canoe so that I wouldn't have to use GoPro's adhesive mounts. I needed something that would be strong enough to hold the camera in place as the boat pounded through the surf or if the boat flipped. It certainly passed the test and never let me down on the water.I've since used it for all sorts of odd jobs outside its intended studio use, including sometimes as a makeshift tripod for my 50D DSLR. I've had it over a year, in and out of the ocean, and it is still as strong and rugged as when it was new. For those of you wondering how well it will hold up in the studio, I have no doubt that it will outlive you.It should be noted that it is big and heavy, and it is not easy to bend the flex arm. I assume this is what gives it its strength to hold up whatever it is that needs to be help up, be it lighting, a DSLR or whatever odd job you find for it.
It's ok,,, but I had hoped that the &#34;heavy dutty&#34; could at least hold a speedlight horizontal ,,, but no...  not even close....It basically is only good for small reflectors and fill cards and stuff...
Loving Manfrotto Products, I have found them to be Quality made & durable too. I just received this and seems like its going to give me some different shots. I even ordered a second one because I see this as having many uses. Thanks
This thing is impressive. Load capacity says 1.1 lbs. My softbox was close to 5 lbs and it held it with no issues. Going to get more of these. I take product photos and started to hate all the light stands taking up space. Super clamps and these HD flex arms allow me to put the lights anywhere. Manufactures are very conservative with load capacity for lawsuit reasons. This thing can do much more than 1.1 lbs.
Its a nice item, but I cannot use it with a strip light. I try and extend it out bit further but keeps collapsing on itself.For a small speedlight its fine.
I agree with another user's comments:  this is a great item, but the bolt at one end was almost immediately loose on the unit. I had only been using this for 5 minutes, attaching it to the Manfrotto super clamp and bending the item at a near-90 degree angle.  I then attached a small item (a 90-led light) and then noticed the flex arm was rotating a bit.  At first I thought it was because I hadn't tightened the super clamp properly, but I checked and that wasn't the case.  The bolt on one end of the flex arm was actually loose and rotating within the unit.  I was worried I would have to return the item, but I decided to simply tighten the bolt with a wrench.  I hand tightened it and it seems fine now.  This is worrisome though, since it makes you wonder about the quality.  Plus, I was holding my breath as I hand tightened the item, half expecting it to snap or suddenly just strip and freely rotate.  This isn't something you want to do 5 minutes after you start using a product.Since this happened to at least one other person, Manfrotto should check this issue before distributing these.I still gave the product four stars because it is quite a useful tool.  I am attaching it with a superclamp to a Manfrotto monopod and attaching a shotgun mic to it, as well as a Zoom H2.  This setup makes me look like a professional news reporter.  Pretty cool.  :-)  It will be great for recording bands, as the whole unit doesn't take up anymore room than my profile.UPDATE 3/13/12:  After using this item for a while longer in the field, I found that the hand tightening of the troublesome bolt has held.
This is a very heavy duty flex arm. Probably weights a couple pounds and is about 2' long. It can easily hold a flash and can even hold a camera body (in some positions) with a short/medium zoom on it. I wouldn't call it &#34;infinitely&#34; adjustable, because some positions hold better than others and you can only bend it about into a 'U' shape. All in all it works well.
Was a little concerned with the weight and stiffness of the unit but is no problem at all and really does the job. Makes things possible that would have been hard to do otherwise - money well spent!
I use it with Manfrotto 2909 Super Clamp. Excellent combo.The ends are &#8221; male - 3/8&#8221; female / and fits in the Manfrotto 2909 Super Clamp.enjoy-
This is a beefy arm.  I bought this and it turns out it's WAY overkill for what I needed.  Could've done with the medium duty one.  This one is at least 1/2&#34; thick and is really tough to move around.  But once something is placed, it stays there.  It's almost too heavy for the clamp I bought though, since the arm itself ways a pound or so.
THis is the second time I ordered this product. I use this to attach a PC Camera to it. Very useful product but it seems to have quality problems? The end screw that bolts into a clamp is a bit loose causing the camera to rotate.
Together with Super Clamp it gives you unlimited number of ways to mount your camera. It is kind of heavy but you can bend it anyway you want.
This extension arm is strong enough to support relatively large reflectors, light fixtures (I use it with a compact fluorescent socket + reflector bowl), or flash heads at crazy angles and without moving a bit. It is heavy and requires some strength to position (I can't move without holding the light stand it is attached to with the other hand). Think of heavy bicycle locking chain and you'll get an idea of the weight/bulk.It can be attached to the receptacle of a super clamp or screwed to a 1/4 (I think is 1/4... could be 3/4 don't remember at the moment) adapter. I have mine screwed to the end of a light stand to provide a flexible support for a light fixture. The build quality seems pretty solid and I would not doubt recommending it.I must mention that I also tested the non-HD version, which is lighter (but not a lot), but it was unable to hold my lamp in the position I set with arm bent ~90 degrees in the form of an "r". The non HD version might be good for flags or light flash units, but struggles to keep heavier stuff in place.
i have Nikon d5100 with 50mm lense mounted on this arm to do videos.I love the flexibility of the arm.picture could have been better.i am looking for quick release mount now.
You guys that said this thing is stiff weren't kidding. I am using it instead of a boom for interior architectural shots where it's easier to hide a mounted slave and keep the light stand out of view. Yes you can also use it with clamps.  I usually only need the light stand to be about a foot out of frame. It's heavy and with aCanon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameraswith a small diffuser like aGary Fong GFLSUHALF Lightsphere Universal (Half Cloud)mounted it stays in place with ease. I'm using aManfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand Replaces Manfrotto 001B (Black)and unless the stands legs are under a couch or something it will require the legs to be weighted. Of course that's to be expected with that kind of weight offset from center.
Seeing the image of this item doesn't quite do it justice - I was expecting it to be a relatively compact, flexible arm (despite the "Heavy Duty" tag on it). I was pretty impressed when it came and was as heavy, thick and tough as it was.  The arm itself is almost an inch thick throughout, almost 2 feet long, more than a pound and a half and very tough.I bought this based on the information that it can hold 1.1 LBs - figuring this would hold a speedlight and not be TOO difficult to twist around.It can definitely hold a speedlight - I'd imagine it can even hold a DSLR (But I'm not about to try it!) - the thing is, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, the thing is REALLY tough and a bit hard to bend (it needs some force - you'll need 2 hands to bend it). This is both a good thing (it won't bend on it's own!) but a negative if you need to do anything more than slight bends, or need to quickly adjust the angle.One end has a standard stud-end for a Superclamp (with a 3/8" threaded hole, so you can attach it on top of a lightstand tip). The other end has a threaded 1/4" tip (to attach something like a wireless trigger for a flash).The great thing about this is that while it's heavy, it gives some great flexibility (no pun intended). While you can always superclamp a flash to a railing, you're somewhat limited on it's angle/direction. This lets you superclamp a flash to a railing and position it EXACTLY how you need it.. angled, straight up, straight down, bend around, etc.. Sometimes the length is a bit too much (at close to 2 feet, you sometimes wish it were just a few inches). It's not the lightest thing to carry (superclamp + arm = 2 lbs), but compared to a lightstand and ballhead, it's much nicer.I've been a bit mixed on it.. I like the extra flexibility it gives me, the light-weight (in comparison to a lightstand) and small size.. but on the opposite, wish it were a bit shorter and more flexible. It's one of those things you just can't win on, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and recommend it. It's the best option out there that I've found, it's sturdy/secure and does its job.
As others have said, this is very sturdy. I was able to mount my D7000 with a 24-85mm zoom (the D600 kit lens) and hold it horizontally with only about an inch of droop. In typical Manfrotto fashion, it's built like a tank!
Comes in handy for mounting flash on top of the backdrop from the poll. I can even use it as a tripod.
I always use this with aManfrotto 037 Reversible Short Stud - Replaces 2907so both ends are tripod mount screws. I use this with on the go macro photography so I can attach it to the bottom of my camera tripod screw and the other end can hold up myCanon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flashand a small softbox. It works great for macro photography (except for the weight - 1 star off, but it isn't designed for this) on the go because it helps hold your flash in position. The product itself will definitely hold up a flash, but this also means the product is very stiff. I have to use 2 hands to bend it and again, very heavy.I still recommend this if you are interested in macro photography. Nothing better to hold up your flash than this! It works well .Pros:- Heavy Duty- Can support a lot of weight- Stiff- Great for holding a flash when doing on the go macroCons:- 1 end is not the 1/4 tripod screw- HeavyOverall, can't comment on using it for what it is suppose to do, like mounting it on a light stand, but it is great for macro if you don't mind the weight. Quiet some savings from using a real macro ring flash!
A Body Just Over 5/8 Inch Thick ! Flairs Up To Just Over 3/4 Inch On The Ends ! This Solid Hard As Nails Beauty In Black Is Gorgeous ! Useful ! Bruce Lee Might Have Had Some Fun Too ! Hefty ! Stood Up For A Week ! Exactly As Left ! This And The Super Clamp And Mini Ball head Camera Fitting Make A Perfect Combination ! Elegant ! And Beautiful ! Thank You Amazon ! Really Nice !...Later ! To Make Stiffer ? Try A Couple Laps Or More Of Electricians Tape(Scotch 33 Or 88) ! Even One Or Two Layers Or More Of Shrink Tight ! Careful With The Heat ! Amazon Has Most If Not All The Stuff ! Thanks Amazon !
See my review on the Manfrotto system.  This is a major part of it.  You can't really use the system without it.  But be prepared for some weight, the darn thing is very heavy for it's size.
I do lots of high-speed camera filming of industrial equipment and these arms are great for mounting lights.  I don't think they are rigid enough to mount cameras on machines as they don't provide the stiffness necessary for steady imaging but they work great for LED lights.
The primary reason I got this was to mount a GoPro at one end and use a Manfrotto super clamp at the other end.  With the threaded stud that came with the clamp, I was able to mount the flex arm with relatively little trouble (though it depends on the friction of the final tightening to not come loose, which is not ideal.)  The GoPro mounts easily using a GoPro tripod mount, so that's fine.  Bending and aiming isn't too difficult, but it's hard to be precise with the way this flexes.  For something like aiming a flash, where you don't need to be perfect, it's fine, but getting the camera level and having it stay that way precisely is hard.  Also, I've mounted this on a cart to get a shot of the cart being rolled across sidewalks through crowds, and when the cart went over bumps or uneven pavement, the vibration caused the setup to sag.  Nothing dramatic, but the framing of the shot was different at the end - for that, I would be better off using a &#34;magic arm&#34; type of mount.
I have used this little beauty in some unusual places - to get a night shot of my favorite sushi place in Kyiv clamped to a railing across the street. I used it on a train in Poland clamped to a buffet table and I have also clamped it to motorcycle handlebars. I would echo the caveat about be careful - it has a potentially crushing grip. The included stud has a standard tripod mount thread and there is a quasi quick release function so that you can mount and dismount a camera fairly quickly. I say quasi because you will have a stud sticking out of the bottom of the camera.It packs well in a camera bag and I usually bring along a mini ball head such as a Manfrotto 2108/3314. You will need the reversible stud (2907) to attach it. I have also used it to clamp a remote flash to a tree branch! A highly recommended accessory for the determined photographer.
This is a must have. Build quality is superb, and i don't even have words for its functionality. I use it to hold my nikon flash units and its perfect. It's so sturdy and well built that I've used it also with the camera and a 135mm lens with no problems at all.
I wanted rock-solid support for my camera in situations where space and speed were important, also for intermittent repeat shots taken from precisely the same vantage point over a period of months and for long exposures/bulb shots.Tripods and monopods came with various trade-offs.  I found this clamp and bought it on the basis of both the specifications and the reviews. It can be used for a range of things, and has a supplementary screw mount as well as the stud. But I only use the stud and for my camera equipment.Not all things have degrees of goodness.  They either completely work or they completely don't work.  This is something that works 100%.Italian made.  A simple but high quality industrial standard of build and materials. A good instruction leaflet, in case you lose your intuitive powers.It's a little chunky to fit in a pocket and, according to specs, weighs 1.2 pounds. So, if you pack it it in a camera case with lenses etc., make sure they are protected from it.The jaws open to a max capacity of 1.25 inches. Without the wedge adaptor - but with care - I managed to secure it to a 2.6 inch board and again to a 3/8 inch thick flange. And, of course, it will accommodate a pipe, or similar shape, up to at least 2 inch diameter. When you tighten them, take care that you don't crush something.The stud holds the camera about an inch above the clamp. For me, that was enough to clear any obstructions.One end of the stud has a standard quarter-inch thread for your camera etc.. The other end is hexagonal to mate with the clamp. The clamp has a quick-release press-in knob and a well-sized thumbscrew to secure the stud completely.So, you can remove the camera and stud to rotate them or stow them; that's a form of quick release, if you're happy with the length of the stud in the camera. However, I've used a ball head and quick-release plate - both Cullmann - for over 20 years, so I wanted to transfer them to this clamp. They did. The whole setup is as good as it gets.  There are other adaptors and accessories that you could use to mount camera, flash, reflector, etc. simultaneously.The thumbscrew also secures a removable wedge, which fits into one jaw of the clamp and turns it from something to use on a pipe to one on, e.g., a tabletop or plank.I had a minor quibble with the thumbscrew. It can get in the way of your fingers when securing the clamp to an object. But it's not impossible to deal with; I soon adapted to it. A little more thought at the design stage would have avoided this.You can use the clamp anywhere there's a lump of the right dimensions. I've used it on a table top, deck rail, car steering wheel, branch, chair leg, door, etc.  This clamp is as reliable and immovable as the thing you secure it to.  No duck tape required unless it gives you pleasure.I wish I'd bought one sooner, and recommend it without hesitation.
Got one and now I need lots more! This come in very handy for many applications, a real photographers friend when you work Aline and need that extra &#34;hand&#34;
I love this thing.  I can put a ball head on it, attach the clamp to my tripod leg and have both of my cameras on the same tripod.  I can attach it to a convenient railing and take steady shots at night without having to carry a tripod.  If I need more flexibility, I can attach Manfrotto's heavy duty flex arm to it and attach whatever I want to that.  This is an extremely useful, well made piece of equipment.
This is a super strong clamp that will hold most video cameras STEADY on a motorcycle. I have used it on the handle bars and the rear grab handles and both were rock steady
but not exactly what I was looking for. With this clamp you limit yourself to desks, doors, squared poles, I think I'll be using it to mount my 580ex but not my DSLR. Hard to get the DSLR in good position vertically, so I'll be purchasing a gorillapod for that. Still a good product for what it is.
After hearing about these for years, I finally picked one up a few months ago (and then about 4 more immediately afterwards). It's a great little product, and I'd say a must-have for photographers.On the good-side:Very strong/secure and tons of uses. I use one attach a portable LCD screenHaier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TVto a tripod to view photos after taking them (or on a monopod to view photos taken at odd angles). I use one on a lightstand along with a Monopod to create a Boom arm. Use 2 on lightstands (with a monopod) to create a background support. Clamp these onto railings and add a ballhead on top (much more secure than a Gorillapod). Connect them to a pole and add a speedlite to the end for an instant lightstand. There are a ton of uses for these things!On the down-side:They're expensive. They seem cheap, but then you start buying 4-5 of them and quickly see what people mean when they say they're expensive! The 3rd party knockoffs are a bit "iffy" and for expensive equipment, I say get the Bogen/Manfrotto.  It's also heavy and not so compact (they take up a lot of room!)Make sure you get one with theManfrotto 037 Reversible Short Stud - Replaces 2907-- you can buy it in a bundle or separately (the bundle is cheaper). The short stud is reversible (so 1/4" or 3/4" threading), and doesnt "stick out" like the included stud (great for mounting a ballhead or camera).
I used my manfrotto super clamp for years and loved it.  However earlier today I was using it to clamp a 60" umbrella with two 580EXii flashes and PocketWizards on a Manfrotto 23" flexible boom arm to a bridge railing (over the water) for a portrait shoot.  As I was adjusting the umbrella it seemed a bit loose and when I jiggled it the whole freaking contraption broke off at the 1/4" brass mounting stud!Luckily I had the thing in my hand when it broke so I was able to catch it, but if I was not holding it that would have been about $1,800 of gear falling in the river.  I am not sure, but I think the newer version of this clamp still comes with the same 1/4" stud, so be careful out there!I am now switching over to the super clamp stud from my cowboy studio clamp.  I don't like the cowboy studio clamp quite as much as the manfrotto one, but I like the larger stud that comes with it a whole lot better!I'm still giving the manfrotto one two stars for the years of service, but I won't be able to trust this quite the same again.
The bone-crushing power and leverage of this clamp assembly is nothing short of astonishing. Out of the box, I was clamping to everything, and each time it was secure as the next. I will have no issues mounting my rig to this and feeling secure that things will remain where I place them.I looked at other solutions that were not brand name or that were not purposely built for the task, and I decided to go with a very trusted name in cameras. I recommend you do the same.Six stars.
These things grip like they're welded in place, they're built like little tanks, and they are TOTALLY indispensable when the need arises.  Those little squeezy clamps are fine, but mount a big fat 70-200 on the front of a camera/battery grip setup and try clamping THAT to a doorway or a pipe (or, as the other reviewer stated, motorcycle handlebars...) and watch you gear hit the floor.Downside?  They grip TOO well sometimes.  Be careful - you can crush a thin door if you crank it too tight...Highly recommended.
Purchased this to mount my GoPro off of my rollbar within the car.  I couldn't stand the vibrations I was getting from other bar mounts and the 3M double sided tape stuff included with the camera were insufficient. Solved my problem perfectly!
Will make good use of it and will have to order a few more nnnnnnnnn bbbbbbb iiiiii kkkkkk mmmmmm ppppp
i need for school and it came fast and it great price i love fiber based paper over rc paper for developing my own photos
This product arrived exactly on time and exceeded my expectations. I had previously used some cheap-o Michael's calligraphy pens that set my interest in penmanship ablaze. This pen, however, has taken it to a whole other level. I find that I can't go anywhere without it- it is a part of my morning routine: Phone? Wallet? Headphones? Keys? Pen? Check check double check.As far as writing goes, it's perfect as far as I can tell. I haven't used a $1000 pen before so I can't exactly compare it to anything but if you're like me and want to explore another hobby, this pen won't break the bank.I do have one complaint. I purchased ink and the converter with the pen. The ink came at the same time as the pen but it took almost two weeks until the converter arrived. By that time, I had already run through the ink cartridge that came with the original shipment. I would recommend buying some extra cartridges with this or perhaps Amazon might consider throwing one in there???
this is perfect, and the best price you'll find without a coupon of some sort. the store that sells this locally in my city charges upwards of $130 a box. yikes. (also the &#34;glossy&#34; is not overwhelmingly glossy. it has a nice sheen, but doesn't look cheap.) this is what you need for any basic film class!
the quality was good, brand new and paper works great, the way i expected them too, makes processing time very very quick, as opposed to using fiber paper. nice glossy finish if thats what you're looking for, deep blacks.
A 25 pack of 8.5 X 11 B%W photo paper.  This is Ilford Multigrade IV fiber paper, not the RC (Resin coated)that is more commonly used.  If your buying for the first time for a class do double check what is required. I required it for my class as it's an Art photography class and we will be exhibiting final work.  I use the fiber for my final enlargements and RC for my contact sheets.As the description says, fiber  has a look all it's own and processing drying is not as easy as RC for the inexperienced.As with anything you order - take a few minutes to read exactly what your getting.
manfrotto super clamps are fine and rugged staging/grip tools.  i've owned 6 of them & they work flawlessly.  like any good tool, they work well & age beautifully.
I use this on my car's harness bar with a go pro camera.  Stays in place, no shaky videos, or any other issues.
This clamp is a nice alternative to using a tripod.  When a tripod is simply too cumbersome to carry, this clamp provides excellent versatility when combined with a nice ball head.  Just connect the tripod ball head to the clamp using the adapter, and you'll have a perfect mount for your camera.  I specifically bought this for a sailing trip, and found it very useful for mounting on a stainless steel rail or stanchion.  I've also used it on a picnic bench, railing on a staircase, a branch, the back of a chair, and even a door.  The clamp is VERY sturdy, very high quality, and can securely hold a camera or other equipment without any worries.  I use a Canon DSLR with a big Canon USM 24-70 lens and this product holds the weight just fine.  This is exactly the kind of quality you can expect from Manfrotto.  This adds lots of versatility in a small package.  Another must-have in any photographer's camera bag.Helpful hint:  I purchased an extra ball head to use exclusively with this clamp, the Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2, and it pairs up perfectly in weight and balance, and allows me to leave my regular ball head mounted on the tripod.Update:  I noticed another reviewer said their clamp didn't come with the the stud, but mine certainly did.  His seems to be unfortunately missing, but it DOES come with one.
Super clamps are great for audio, video, you name it.  Of course you can't throw these onto just any rig, they are very versatile and portable for lighter equipment.  Combined with a ball clamp, you're talking about tons of possibilities.  Manfrotto should be making dslr rigs with these things.
Just buy it there are so many uses for this product. This is definitely a must have in for your camera bag.
I gave it a 4 only because it is a little large. For photographer it is fine. I am using it on a display to hold a webcam in front of my products.Clamps to almost anything, and stays there.I use it with Manfrotto 237HD Heavy-Duty Flex Arm - excellent combo.enjoy-
It seems to be quite versatile.  However, if it will work for what I want it for still remains to be seen.  I am going on a photo safari to Africa in a few weeks.  I bought it with the idea that I might be able to clamp a camera on a Safari Vehicle cross bar with the use of a ball head tripod mount.Even if it doesn't work for that I am sure I can find several other used for it.
Using this in combination with a ballhead, you can put a full size DSLR anywhere you can imagine. Super stable. I got my first superclamp two months ago and have been a convert ever since.
Most photographers know of the awesome "superclamps" - they grip onto just about everything, hold large amounts of weight and give you the flexibility you need. One of the ways you get that flexibility is through the different "studs" (brass inserts). I've recently picked up a handful of Superclamps and studs and have had a few months to experiment with them.By far the most useful stud is theManfrotto 037 Reversible Short Stud - Replaces 2907included with this model. The "standard" stud included with other superclamps is single-sided and sticks out about 1 inch from the superclamp. This not only requires you to buy (and carry) a separate stud if you want both 1/4" and 3/8" mounts, but also that anything you stick on top will be sitting an inch off the superclamp. This is especially an issue for heavy equipment (like a ballhead & DSLR).The 2907 stud included here solves both problems by using a reversible stud (3/8" on one side, 1/4" on the other), but also being a "short stud" keeps the threading flush so you can attach a ballhead or DSLR without worrying about shaking (the standard stud, sitting an inch above the superclamp, is much more likely to move around).This item is a great way to pick up a superclamp and the reversible short stud as a 'combo' rather than buying the stud separately later on.I've attached ballheads with DSLR's on top to this thing and then flipped the stud and attached a hotshoe flash to it without any issues whatsoever. The superclamps also have a large range of uses (you can make a boom out of a tripod/lightstand and a monopod, make a background support system with 2 lightstands and a monopod, or hook a camera or flash onto railing without worrying about it).
Another rock solid clamp by Manfrotto.  I am using the Opteka TacShot Pistal Grip head.  The short stud makes this head fit flush with the grip.  This clamp is strong and I definitely have no problems having my camera attached to it.
it is Manfrotto - if you need it, you need it - and it will definitely work!
You get what you pay for. This is a pretty simple piece of kit for the price but it does the job. Tight hold on a flat or round surface. I've used this to mount a very expensive camera underneath my moving car. Just to give you an idea of the level of confidence I have in it's grip.
I have owned this clamp for two years now.  It is not something that I use everyday but when it is needed it is very handy.  It is a very heavy duty clamp.  This is not a lite weight clamp.  And it will definitely clamp on tight so you need to be careful and not over-tighten and damage what you have it attached to.  I have used it with a dslr and also with a gopro camera.  My main complaint would be the weight but it is solid.  Very minor compliant.  A good accessory to have.
I couldn't see any difference in the quality of photos or videos using the monopod. Trying to follow a moving object by turning the monopod in place resulted in shaky videos.Manfrotto 676B DIGI Aluminum Monopod (Black)For the rest of my trip I used my point and shoot Panasonic Z3 camera without the monopod.
This monopod is great. Lightweight, fairly compact, sturdy. Not much else to say. If you are a pro that will be using their monopod all the time, it might be worth getting a carbon fiber model, but for prosumer level, I'd definitely recommend this over the canon model. It is slightly more expensive when you buy the optional swivel head mount, but the quality is way superior, in my opinion.Monopods are easy to take with you, quick to set up, really help to hold the camera steady, especially with larger lenses. I don't take it everywhere, but it's definitely a great tool to have in your kit.
After taking this monopod on three short trips the plastic collar broke in a stress crack.  The crack gap is 3/16" with the cam open.  This shows that the collar was under undue stress even when not closed - certainly not a condition that would ensure long life. And a long life it did not have!  Poor design engineering.I did note that that particular segment of the monopod never slid easily - an indication that there was too much friction caused by the tightness of the collar.  Poor QC.Camera accessory makers should strive to make better products - like the camera makers whose products are very impressive.The name of this monopod in the Amazon pages is Bogen but the monopod is labeled Manfrotto.  I guess that earns both companies a black eye.  Poor customer.Three strikes and Bogan/Manfrotto is out.------------------------I have waited a looong time for Bogen to reply to my service request.  Did they reply?  We have no recollection of any reply.  This is laughable - if a trifle expensive.I weighed the monopod vs a very good tripod and found the weight difference is not major so out goes the monopod and in comes the tripod.And out goes Bogen Manfrotto - forever.
I bought this thinking I would regret it due to the low cost. I had checked in my local camera shop and to get a reasonably stable monopod would have had to spend about $70 ( think it was Quantrary?)However upon receipt I was pleasantly shocked. I like the stability foremost, since what good is a wobbly monopod. The flip type locks seem secure and it doesn't wobble at all.( my largest kit weighs about 5 lbs, I have used it with that and a 2 lb ball head with no problem),the padded hand rest is comfortable, the wrist strap is a nice thicker webbing, not a thin little strap. All in all a quality product for a very low cost...in fact nicer by far than the $70 I looked at. It is lightweight but that wasn't really the prime consideration or imo the major selling point for me, stability was so it would be nice at any weight. It does say it's made in China as previous poster said but not sure why that would matter. Not sure where other Manfrotto items are made but from what i know they are known for quality products and the name is stamped all over this one.
Have used one for several years, with the #3229 head and find it very handy. It is well built and sturdy, with 1 caveat. The locking clamps seem to be prone to cracking as I have replaced 2 of them. This seems to happen after being stored for an extended period with the clamps locked. (I now store it with the clamps unlocked.) I don't know if the newer 776 model is any better in this respect. The clamp assemblies are user replaceable if you have a little mechanical skill, and are available by calling Manfrotto and asking for the parts department. Top (large) #R714,14; middle (medium) #R714,16; bottom (small) #R714,17. If the clamps were a little more break resistant I'd have rated this a 5.
This monopod does help steady the camera, but I honestly don't use it that much.  I find it easier to just lean against something.
The monopod was ordered in antcipation of an overseas trip and arrived in a timely fashion and exactly as ordered. I took it on a couple of short hikes through wooded areas (1 to 2 miles each)and when I next looked at it the paint had worn where the monopod rubbed against my Lowpro flipside 300 pack and the underlying aluminum was showing through. While this does not effect function of the monopod and a coating of auto wax on the top section seems to have prevented further scratches it does seem to indicate a failure in the quality control system tha Manfrotto uses.
I bought this monopod for travel and walking around. It's very light weight even with the head on and will also pack easily. I am very happy with the choice that I made. I have a Canon S3IS with a variety of tele.lenses up to Raynox2020. If I later decide to upgrade to a DSLR this will be work for that too as I am not a pro with a lot of heavy stuff. This is good for the average family use.
Very sturdy construction, much easier to use than my tripod. Quick shipping, item just as described...very happy customer!
like it very much...very light. easy to use. prefer to shoot with it than without.
This tripod is ok for it's price.  It's Chinese, not Italian.It does what it's supposed to, but I'm not too happy about a NASTY pinch I got when unlocking one of the levers.I would get one that has different locking levers.
This monopod works great with my Nikon d70s.  It is light and sturdy.  I also like the rubberized grip.
Very sturdy and well made.  It is very light, and the different sections feel very smooth when you extend them.  I would buy again if need be!
Thanks for your quick delivery.  This monopod will work great taking pictures in Yellowstone.
For use in rough surroundings with lots of grit or fine sand, may jam. Foot (rubber end) came off. Don't know where. Very light. Were it cheaper, I'd forgive the limitations. When folded up, it is wider than a fishing bag by about 6". Not friendly to bag attachment. Had to rig something.
This monopod does the job it's supposed to.  Easy to carry. Easy to set up and adjust.  Very useful when you need to steady a camera or video camera, but also need to move around.
I returned a Sunpak Pro 724 carbon fiber monopod just because I could find better deals like this one.  Plus, this is shorter when retracted and is nearly as light.  So far, no problems -- this seems like a sturdy, portable monopod for a bargain price.
Compact, lightweight, easy to pack/travel with.  Only negative is 3 leg adjustments instead of 2 .
I received this monopod as a gift. It is fairly lightweight, I found it easy to carry, and fairly easy to use. Unfortunately, I only got to use it a few times before the middle locking ring cracked. Even though it was broken, I was able to just leave that section collapsed, so I continued to use it a few more times, but now the bottom locking ring has a crack, too. The locking rings are some form of plastic, and there doesn't appear to be any way I can fix them. As a gift, I doubt I can find adequate proof of purchase to get warranty coverage, and I'd probably be obliged to pay postage anyway - On a monopod that costs $30, round-trip postage is probably a significant fraction of the cost of a new one; and unless the replacement rings are made of a different material, it'll just happen again anyway. With this experience, I can't say I'll buy a Manfrotto / Bogen monopod to replace it. I was surprised that it had a 4.5 rating.
Parts are very expensive for this monopod. The plastic lock, the center one cracked on a hike and photo shoot this past weekend. It will cost 1/3 of the original cost for the part and shipping.I liked the monopod very much, but it's not strong enough to use like a trekking pole.
I have a Canon S3 IS & got this to go with the 3229 Swivel Tilt head.  Have used it numerous times & it works great - nice & sturdy.
My wife and I use this monopod to take action photos of our sons' soccer team.  We use a Nikon D70 with a Nikon ED 70 - 300 mm 1:4-5.6.  This monopod eliminates handheld vibration (even at high shutter speeds) especially when the lens is maxed out at 300mm. Don't let your kids play with it.  They can destroy anything.  On the foot of the monopod is a plastic cover which our kids managed to pull off.  It appears to be friction fitted so it can come off.  The monopod screws into the D70.  When compressed, the monopod is only about 19 inches long and weights about 12 ounces.  Perfect for light use.
Works great for trips to Disney or Washington DC!Takes up less space then traditional tripods.Took great video of fireworks show at Disneyusing the monopod.
This is the exact replacement for the Manfrotto rapid connect mounting plate. Fits perfectly and is an exact copy of the one I lost. I'm sure if I don't loose these (I bought two just in case) they will serve me well for years to come.
A much needed replacement. I lost the original somewhere so, my tripod was useless. The grip is actually much better than the original one.
Works exactly as I needed. Use on both my tripod and monopod.  Have 1 for big lenses, another for the camera.  With multiple bags I always have 1 in the wrong camera bag when I want to put it on the camera.  If I was more organized I probably would have it with me each time, but more that isn't going to happen so I will probably by one to keep in each camera bag :-)
I received my Bogen-Manfrotto mounting plate as expected and promptly.  Went to use it and found the mounting screw too large for all of my cameras.  I was not aware there are different sizes.  The 1/4" screw threads into every "consumer" and "prosumer" still and video cameras I've ever used.  Not sure what cameras use the larger 3/8" screw size that was on the first plate I purchased.I was able to return and re-order the correct plate without problems through Amazon.New plate works great.  Just like the original that came with my tripod.
I purchased this plate as an additional plate for my camera gear to use with an existing tripod.  I do prefer the older design with the cork rather than the new black synthetic anti-slip pad, but thats more for asthetic reasons.  Functionally, I'm not sure there is a difference.It works just as well as my original cork based plate in my Bogen/Manfrotto tripod head, so theres nothing more to say.
on time, quality paper, perfect for basic dark room, pearl is always my preference over glossy, came on time, easier than finding a photo store
This is exactly what you are looking for if you need paper for use with pinhole cameras and have access to a dark room for processing.  The size of the paper doesn't matter much unless it is too small.  This is 8x10 but can be cut to size depending on how big your camera is.
If your looking for a good RC paper, look no further. This is a brilliant RC paper. I used this for my Photo 2 class and enjoyed the quality so much over Arista. Ilford makes some awesome printer paper as well, and have made quality their top priority in all their products.
This paper is perfect for the dark room - exactly what I wanted for my Photography course. I wil definitely be using this paper for my senior project this fall. I purchased the 25 sheets originally for the class, but ran out of them very quickly. I would recommend purchasing the 50 pack or more if you're taking a photography class or are doing any serious photo work.
I am not a film photographer, so this is more for my daughter. She needed this paper for her photography class, and this was the brand her Professor recommended to the students. Once developed, her pictures were really nice and I could tell the difference from other cheaper papers. This one is definitely a more professional grade, and since, I purchased more for her use. Great price, because trying to find photography paper is hard to come by.
This photo paper has been excellent. no problems. quality of the developed images is rich and meet proper requirements in premium style.
Ilford is a great company that has stuck by traditional photographers for years now which is really saying something. That commitment to traditional photographers really shows in the quality of this paper. I only use Ilford papers and i can assure you, they are top of the line with consistent quality, which is one of the most important aspects for me. The worst thing is inconsistent paper because there's really no way to be in control of how your prints develop when that's the case.On a side note, I think I ruined a pack of about 100 sheets of this paper by accidentally leaving it in my car in the 110 degree summer heat here in Texas. I'm still going to try developing it and maybe get some interesting results! Could be interesting but don't make the same mistake I did! Keep your paper protected in the right temperature and humidity.
It attaches very securely to camera and prevents any twisting.  Fits my XTi perfectly.  Does appear to be identical to the 3157N as stated, other than the lip.  For bodies, get this;  for lenses, get the 3157N.The only downside is that the camera doesn't sit as nicely when off the tripod.  That seems to apply to any quick release, and I'm not sure what they'd do to fix it.
Well this fixed it! The problem I was having every time I flipped my DSLR into vertical with larger lenses it would start slowly slipping, now it doesn't. I reduced one star because the adjustable plate is made of sharp stainless steel kind of on the thin side, thus when you place the curved up portion against the bottom horizontal edge of your camera and then tighten, you will begin scratching the camera's paint, each slight shift will cut a bit more unless you first cover the silver sharp edge with a piece of gaffers or electrical tape.I love manfrotto products, I just want them to eventually make the RC2, RC3 quick release setups out of milled Alum. or Mag.,A higher end look and feel would be a big seller, Is it just me or how can every new flavor of Milled style ballheads to comedown the pipe be priced at $250, $350, $450!!!!  and not even be American, German, Italian or Japanese made?? Their Taiwan or Chinesereverse engineered ripoffs!!!  So getting back to this RC2 plate, it works well and it's $20.
I bought this plate about 10 years ago for my Nikon N8008. It fit and worked great. Have since used it on my D70 and my D200 w/grip with no problems. I did have to fip the plate around to get it to fit the D200 with grip, but it worked fine.  The best part is this plate keeps my camera strait on the tripod even when I switch to vertical w/ a heavy lens.
You know Manfrontto, right?If you do not know, just buy this. you will be proud of your choice.
Cannot be used with my shortest lens collars OR D200/300 camera bodies... I am am now OUT of the RC2 system... Too bad, really liked the hydrostatic ballhead otherwise...
I'm thinking of buying this. The specs say that it weighs 1.3 lb. I can't believe it, so many have said that its heavy! Has anyone actually weighed theirs? A kitchen scale would do the trick...
I've been using inexpensive video tripods for years. Assuming all Manfrotto products are as sturdy as this monopod, I'm now a convert. This thing is build like a tank. It's a bit on the heavy side, but not so heavy as to cause problems. I can't believe all the hours of shakey video I've shot using lesser quality tripods. This monopod yields better shots than my best tripod. I topped it with aManfrotto 128LP Micro Fluid Head. Total cost was just over one hundred dollars since I got the monopod used. I don't plan on using a tripod again until I get a Manfrotto.
My husband and I like to go birding, but we like to photograph birds as well.  We recently acquired a couple of super zoom cameras where having a steady hold is essential.  We already had one of these monopods, but a second camera for my husband made another one a necessity.  Plus, they are useful as walking sticks until you are ready to stop and photograph wildlife.  They are plenty sturdy but not super heavy.  Now both my sisters have one for their cameras as well since we all go birding together.
combine this with the quick release option and you have an excellent monopod. I use it mostly for HD video of daughter's horse riding. Works flawlessly and effortlessly.
Very well made. Have two of their heads for it, and expect it to be a real help next vacation.
I ordered these for my stylus.  They not only fit my stylus but I broke the stylus trying to get them on.
I used my 678B monopod today an it did what it was suppose to do. I attached my manfrotto 498rc2 ball head to the monopode, the combination works great for me. I was able to get some great long range action shots with me canon 7D. Out of 400 shots, got less than 8 unusable pictures. This monopod is perfect for my needs, I would suggest using a good ball head with any monopod. Using a monopod comes in handy when carrying your camera, and holding the camera while you are waiting for a better shot or resting.
Wow. This is the mercedes benz of monopods.  Very rugged for hiking. Innovative and elegant mounting system. Nice sturdy handle with wrist strap. I think this is going to be a good friend for photographic adventures for years to come. Can't believe the quality for the price. Glad I didn't go for the $20 cheapo.
A great piece of equipment. Well constructed. I use it for everywhere I can't get a tripod into. I even strap it to my bicycle frame when out for a ride.
I purchased this monopod in hopes it could replace my tripod in most situations.  I hated carrying a big, bulky tripod that was such a pain to deploy and use.  The monopod fits the bill perfectly, allowing me to take low-light pictures.  The monopod is small enough to take with you almost anywhere.  It is very fast to deploy and easy to walk with.  On the downside it's not as steady as a tripod, but that's to be expected ;)One thing that was not immediately obvious to me is that this monopod does not ship with a head.  You will need to purchase something like the 234RC head to use this monopod with your camera.  However there are many options and you can purchase exactly what you want (or rig your own if you're creative).The last point I want to make is this is a very high quality monopod.  It is a tiny bit heavy but this makes it more stable.  (Maybe heavy isn't the right word, but you feel the inertia of the monopod when you move the camera - and this helps dampen movement.)
Really, how do you mess up a monopod. It stays where you set it sooooo....love it. I need a few more words to submit and that covers it.....
Absolutely PERFECT for me.  I'm using this monopod because I have some wonderful, older style Nikkor lenses and I refuse to discard them and pay the BIG $$$$$ for new VR lenses.  I use it with the Manfrotto 494 RC2 ball head (or, better yet, Photography & Cinema Compact Tripod Ball Head - for those of you that prefer the Arca Swiss style ball head & Quick Release system.)  Both of these systems work great with the Manfrotto, 2 clamp (679B) monopod for all my digital photography.  I'm 6ft. tall and these combinations extend higher than I need. For the price this monopod and ball head combo is everything I want for still (35mm) photography. (I guess if I were into movies I might buy one of the super expensive, $400.00, Arca ball heads for the smooth pan action.)  With a digital camera and a monopod you really don't need a bunch of expensive VR lenses. To stop action, you can shoot at a high shutter speeds and the monopod provides crisp images. (Of course, with most digital cameras you can also increase your ISO sensitivity to allow faster shutter speeds.) The Ball heads are of medium size and match the monopod perfectly. Manfrotto builds them like a tank, all metal and should last a lifetime. I use a long 400mm lens on a Nikon D600 and get great shots WITHOUT VR lenses.  I bought extra plates for the ball heads.  Three plates is all I really need for my camera and two long lenses.  I would highly recommend this setup for people that want to shoot action but do not want to carry a tripod.The Manfrotto monopod is really built like a tank.  It's not as light as a carbon fiber one but I leave my camera mounted and just carry it over my shoulder (rifle style).  Much, much faster than setting up a tripod.
Good monopod for a small camcorder or point and shoot.  But I tried a heavier camera and it became a bit too much to handle.
I contemplated on several different models from Manfrotto, taking price into consideration.  I opted to get this one, the 679-B, for it's value hoping that I didn't sacrifice quality.  Much to my delight, this is an excellent product!  The only other thing Manfrotto could do to make this better is to offer a spiked foot for it.  Built like a tank (as others have stated), dual mounting screws (3/8" or 1/4") with a rubber screw-on cap to protect it when not in use, solid flip locks (composite material, not brittle plastic), firm rubber hand grip (not soft and squishy), I mean this is quality from top to bottom!  Oh and the rubber foot appears to have 5/8" solid thickness at the tip so it would take some serious wear before it would need to be replaced.I'm so happy with this product, I just referred this model to a friend who is ordering one today! Highly recommend!
This is perfect for anyone needing a medium-weight monopod that can do double duty as a walking stick.Build quality is very good, although the strap connector busted on day 4 when I dropped it onto concrete.  I wish they had used a steel connector rather than plastic.
I'm using the 679b with a Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Head Quick Release to hold a Nikon 200-400 f/4 vr lens on a D300 body. It's worked out perfectly for both my pro sports shoots (MLS) and for hummingbird photos. The only drawback is the screw adjuster that clips onto the monopod. It's easy to knock off, and right now it's someplace in one of my camera bags. I hope I can find it. Of course, the monopod's not suitable for long exposures with this lens/body setup. Compared to the other monopods twice its price, it's really a bargain. I see many other photographers using them at the games. So save your money and buy some more memory cards.
You want to take your camera to the deepest canyon's, muddiest trails, rockiest cliffs, and darkest forest. You don't want an accessory that's cheaply built, clumsy or cumbersome. You want to get intimate with your surroundings and you don't want a monopod that's going to slow you down.This affordable monopod is the best buy I've made in the last year. It's rugged, compact, light and easy to set-up. It goes whereever I go and it's made the shot for me in situations that I would've had to bypass a good photo cause the light was too low. I have more crystal clear images with good depth of field thanks to this product.And when I don't have my camera on it, it doubles as a great walking stick. I only wish I had bought one sooner!
Strap to the camera backpack and it takes care of the low-light conditions you always run into.  Nice positive closing clamps.
Just got back from Yellowstone Park and used this monopod without a pan/tilt head. I shot a 300mm lens trying to get wildlife photos, and the monopod was solid and easy to connect quickly. I found my wife a cheaper monopod in a small town near the park, but it was too light weight. After we returned I bought her this Manfrotto 679B to use with her camera because she loved using mine in the park. We just tilt the monopod most of the time, but if it is a steep angle looking up, like up at a cliff, a pan head might work better. I would say you could start off without the pan head, then take the monopod in a camera store after you use it for a while, and see if you like having the pan/tilt to use with your camera. Either way this monopod is great solid unit and worth buying and using. We plan to try and photograph some birds along the coast of Texas, and see what we get, and we will be using this monopod.
Excellent monopod. Very sturdy and well constructed; I like the included tool which can tighten the leg adjustments after a period of time. Also the length of the monopod allows to be packed in a suitcase. Pay a little extra for a made in Germany product versus the cheaper China manufactured ones!
It is a well made monopod and well priced, lightweight design and easy to extend and mount a camera, I like the fact that it has two sizes of threads and it is easy enough for me to use the smaller threads by just pushing down on the camera lightly to thread in the smaller threaded stud into the camera, it also has a plastic tool that just clamps onto the monopod to tighten or loosen the tension on the extension locks.
I needed a sturdy monopod to use with my DSLR and 300mm lens.  I have 4 grand kids and go to many concerts, graduations, etc & needed a monopod where my Induro tripod doesn't fit very well.  The Manfrotto works very well. It is stable, fairly light & collapses to a small enough size to be carried easily.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs a monopod and doesn't want to spend a fortune.  I use it with a Vanguard pistol grip which also works well.
I bought the 679B monopod and 324RC head for use with my Sony A200 and Tamron 70-200/2.8. The body/lens combo weighs about 4 pounds and the Manfrotto mono/head combo handles it very well. The monopod is very well built and quite sturdy. This monopod is well worth the price.
I purchased the Manfrotto 679B Monopod to take sports with a 80-200mm f/2.8 and a 100-300mm f/4 lens which can not only get heavy after a while, but can also be tough to hold still. The Tripod works exactly as it should and is very well made.  I had no problems with the tripod and it served its purpose well.
Just returned from a 2-week vacation to the Smoky Mountain Nat'l Park and used my monopod extensively.  I was very happy with its performance.  Would highly recommend getting a mini ballhead for it, though.
I've had a really cheap, junky tripod for years.  For my birthday a couple of months ago, I decided to get a new, decent tripod and head.  I went to a camera shop and tried out one of the tripods I was interested in.  While I was there, I played around with some of the monopods they had.  On a lark, I bought the Manfrotto 679.  I figured I wouldn't use it too much, but it would come in handy on occassion.  I went back to the camera shop a couple of days later and picked up the tripod I was eyeing.  The tripod is very nice, and I think I'm glad I have it.  But so far the monopod goes everywhere my camera goes, and my new ballhead has been on my monopod since I bought it.  I use it all the time.  I normally brace it against something, so it works even better.  The tripod I bought?  It's still sitting in the box somewhere around my house.
I have owned a few monopods and broke them using them as walking sticks.  I would be real surprised if I could break this one as it is built like a tank.  Do not buy this if you are looking for a nice light aluminum monopod that will only last you a short time.  Do buy this if you are looking for possibly the last monopod you will ever have to buy.  Fit and finish is very impressive.  It does come with the 1/4" to 3/8" adapter, nice thick rubber foot on the bottom that looks like it will last for years.  This monopod is just built very sturdy and stiff, it will not flex like some of the thinner aluminum ones I have owned.  It does weigh close to 1.5 lbs. and you can really feel it if carrying it around in your hand.  I highly recommend this monopod as a great value for the price.
This is the best monopod I've personally seen and meets or exceeds my expectations! Very well made and the leg locks are superb!
This prodeuct was as described and will definitely use this site again in the future.
A little heavy for what it is desinged for, but that's because it is built like a tank. Compared to other similar items, it may be 2x the price but it is 10x the quality.I bought this for several small cameras that I take out for family outings. It is probably overkill for my small digital camera, but it keeps the camera still which helps prevent blurry pictures.It retracts to a relatively compact size and has a padded grip area with a wrist strap.  This is definitely a quality piece of equiment and Bogen seems to have one of the best reputations of camera support manufacturers.
Substantial yet light weight, easy to use.  I bought this to take pictures at tennis matches and in the theatre (high school plays), with my Nikon D70s.  I'm very pleased with my choice.  It comes in a clear plastic sleeve, so I might consider a carrying case of some sort in the future.  I'm new to photography beyond the point-and-shoot pocket cameras, and was a bit confused in the beginning, thinking I needed an attachment to get it to fit my camera even though I had checked the specs before I ordered.  I soon realized  that if you just push on the mounting screw head, the spring-loaded outer screw gives way to an inner, smaller screw that fits my Nikon perfectly.
This monopod is great to provide greater stability when taking pictures.  It is well made, light weight and very portable.
Decent build but tends to slip.
I needed a second monopod and prefer Manfrotto products.  This is a beefy stick with the nice feature of spring loaded 3/8 mounting thread that pushed down to reveal a 1/4 inch mount screw . Genius  no more adaptors
Taking photos in low light situations such as right before dawn required I invest in this monopod.A handy item to have. Be careful though. I almost lost my camera when I was accidentally disengagedthe mechanisim that holds the camera in place!
While researching which monopod to buy, I looked at a number of products and their reviews.  Most had variable percentages of "loved it" or "hated it" comments, and differing ranges of rankings.  But the Manfrotto 679B Monopod was unique in that every review (15 of them) ranked this product with five stars.  Well add my vote to the unanimous throng!I've just returned from a vacation that provided an excellent test and the results blew me away.  The Manfrotto provides a rock solid base for my digital SLR, giving me some of the best distance photos I've ever taken; without sacrificing comfort for utility.  I could quickly extend the sections and then release the pod back into walking mode with minimal effort.  It's weight was never a problem, nor did it ever even hint at being cumbersome.After a while, I even found me using this as a walking stick, something I actually hadn't considered but in the future I'm just as likely to use it without the camera as with.With many of the alternative products, there seemed to be varying complaints of durability problems, however I didn't see any with this one.  And after a week of packing/unpacking and trekking on/off ship I have no concerns about this unit failing me.  I suspect that I'll be using the Manfrotto for many years to come.
This monopod is absolutely the best.  It's amazingly strong and so light that I would even consider using it as a walking stick.  I highly recommend getting this monopod.  The screw mount can fit standard heads, but can also screw directly into the camera. I don't know how to describe it, but the screen has an outter cover the receedes into the body if you try and put a camera on the top without using a separate head.  Highly recommended.
I have never owned a monopod before, so I had no idea what to look for in this type of product.  I turned to the helpful reviews here on Amazon.com to assist me in my selection.  It became quite clear that the Bogen-Manfrotto line was the best choice due to the rave reviews they receive.  I decided to go with the three section, black anodized model, as it seemed like the best, most cost effective model to choose from here on Amazon.  I wanted a carbon fiber model but they were out of my price range.I am very impressed with this Bogen-Manfrotto monopod.  It is fairly light weight, easy to use, quick to setup, and it straps very nicely to myCanon 100DG Bag for Canon SLR Cameras.  I can't stress enough just how solid the build is of this monopod.  It is strong and shows no sign of fatigue with my Canon 40D digital SLR camera, Canon 580EX flash and my Canon 70-300mm IS/USM lens attached.  I think it is important to note that you should mate a quality built swivel/tilt or ball head to this monopod.  I chose theBogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Systemfor mine, which I am also very impressed with.I will not go into detail about the specifications of this item, as you can easily find this information in the description here on Amazon.  All I can say is, from a users standpoint, this Bogen-Manfrotto monopod is awesome!  If you are looking for a high quality monopod for your still or digital camera, I would highly recommend that you purchase this model.  Although I have to be honest about the fact that I have no reference to compair this model to, I must insist that I am not basing my review on using lightweight equipment with this monopod.  My camera, lens and flash combination place a fair amount of weight on this device, and it has proven to be a rock solid stabilizing device for shooting pictures.  For the lost cost of this model I just can't see how you can go wrong.
Great monopod.  Sturdy and well made.  I put my D90 with 70-200 2.8 vr on it with no trouble. My one slightly negative comment is that the hand strap does not stay secured.  Not a huge deal since I don't like using them anyway.
My wife loves Manfrotto products. She says this monopod works great as designed. She had me purchase a head to go on top with a quick release, so don't forget to add that to the monopod!
I'll join the chorus and sing the praises 'o Manfrotto stick 'o 'pod. The difference is my 679B is over twenty years old yet looks like new. I bought it in 1992 from B&H; in New York and it's been going strong ever since. True, it's hard to mess one of these things up short of tossing it on the rocks and jumping in the middle of it. I replaced the rubber foot once and tightened the lock spring now and again but that's about it. Manfrotto lock levers are more fiddly than twist locks but for $60 I can't complain much.In use with my EOS 7D and 400 5.6L or 70-200 4L this stick is solid and steady. It's rated for 22LBs but my gear is perhaps 1/4 the rated capacity. Normally these ratings are overly optimistic and it is best to stay below 50% of the rated capacity for smooth operation.The reason to select the 3-section 679 over the otherwise identical 4-section 680 is you normally use it fully extended and want to be able to drop the leg sections as fast as possible. The downside to having one less leg section is the 679 is still fairly long when fully retracted: nearly 29 inches with the 234 head. Friends have mistaken my 679 for a nightstick! Even fully retracted, it might be too tall for some people if they shoot sitting on the ground or on a low chair. I stow my 679 in my car trunk, so size and weight are inconsequential, and with only two leg locks I'm good to go in mere seconds. If you're a travel shooter, something lighter and small enough to fit in a carry-on or camera bag would be a better choice, e.g., a 5 or 6 section carbon fiber monopod with belt clip. My favorite travel monopod is theSIRUI P-326 6 Section Carbon Fiber Monopod. It's every bit as strong as the 679 but almost half the weight and retracted length.I used the 679 for years with the basic Manfrotto 234 tilt head. Photogs often say only a little tilt is needed and adjustments are made by moving the monopod. However, these guys are sports photographers shooting straight out into a track or rink. I mainly use a monopod for general photography: travel, cramped buildings (tripods not allowed), for small objects on the ground and macro. That wee bit of tilt didn't cut it. I finally switched to a small Manfrotto ball head (Manfrotto 494 Ball Head) with an Arca-Swiss style quick release (SUNWAYFOTO Discal Clamp DDY-58). I regret I didn't add the ball head and QR years ago because the improvement in compositional usefulness and convenience of not having to screw/unscrew the camera is astounding.For the bucks, durability and usefulness the 679B is hard to beat. Hoping for another 20 years out of this stick!
As others have said, this is a great monopod. You may be wondering what the difference is between this, the 679, and another model a lot like it, the 680. I have both and I much prefer the 679. The 680's main feature is that its minimum length (i.e. fully collapsed) is less than the 679. However, you give up something for this increased portability - the 680 is fatter and heavier than the 679, and the extra section makes it slower to deploy. For most uses, it really doesn't matter how long the monopod is when it's collapsed, so unless you need it to fit in a travel bag or backpack, you are better off with the 679.I'd also recommend getting the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Head for use with any monopod.
I like this mono pod a lot, especially with the Manfrotto quick release head. It's reasonably light, quite sturdy, and long enough to bring the camera to my eye level even though I'm 6 feet tall. I would prefer a different type of lock on the leg extensions, but considering the price and other features, I can live with the lever-type locks on this one.
This is an very good quality monopod for the money. We all would like carbon fiber but for how often i utilize my monopod i couldn't justify the cost. It's a bit long but not unexpected. The only thing i think it's important for people to know is that you really need a head to go with this. Without the head you are stuck with straight forward shots...not always what you're looking to do.
I've never been disappointed with a Manfrotto product yet.  Except the ball head I have for one has a very loud squeak.  Not ideal for wildlife photography.  But they are built ROCK solid.
After reading several reviews before purchase, the product performs as expected.  Compact size for transport. Light weight.  Have used primarily for shooting sporting events and have seen a marked improvement in shooting action shots over a hand held camera.  Does the job for a very reasonable price.
This is the monopod everyone I know talked about.  It great to carry on photo-shoots, not too heavy (have good weight not like other plastic feeling monos).  It has 2 section instead of three (which most other have) - I personally like 2, this makes it quicker to adjust height.  It also has a large cushion grip.  This monopod so very well built and sturdy I'm using as my walking stick (yes I know I shouldn't).Great price for a monopod that will stay with you for life!  BTW I recommend getting a ball head along with this (i.e., Manfrotto 496RC2)
One of the reviews rated this as built like a tank.  Well I weigh 278 and put my whole weight on it when it was fully extended and I may have been trying to compress a concrete post.  Recently I got a 26x Zoom Digital camera and do not trust it to a walking stick monopod I have and tripods are a pain.  Well this will fit the need nicely.  Also it will double as a walking stick which is helpful when you traipsing around wooded areas.  I am looking forward to sharper photos.  I also recommend getting one of the several quick release mounts available.
I bought this monopod thinking that I'd use it occasionally for tight shooting situations with my Panasonic HDC-TM700K. I love its lightweight and great construction so much that I use it more than my tripod. It is absolutely perfect for multi-location shoots over the course of the day. Plus, it's great that is works as a walking stick and a self-defense weapon (I'm joking about that last part). I highly recommend this monopod and will buy a tripod from this company as soon as I can afford it.
I'm very happy with this monopod. It's very light but sturdy.Although I really don't need it, I will be buying the swivel that attaches to the top.
I've been using this Manfrotto 679B monopod for about three months and it is great!  It is durable,fast,and light.It also doubles as a walking stick.To increase it's utility by a considerable amount be sure to get a swival head for the top of the pod, this will  allow you to move the camera along the four axis (E,W,N,S)as well as go horizontal or vertical with the camera. I took my swival head off my tripod and use it on the mono pod works great.This is an essential product if you like sharp images, or If you use a polarizer and or a tele lens.
What more could you want from a monopod. It doesn't wobble and helps me balance my nikon d700 with a long lens for action shoots.
My first and only monopod experience so not much to compare to, I really like Manfrotto so it was a given I would get the brand, the quality I was looking for was also there with this product, safely holding any of my gear combinations including: Canon 5D Mk3 with vertical grip, mounting 70-200 USM IS 2.8 lens.It was nice in shooting weddings to allow me to be mobile getting around easier, and highly recommend a quick release plate. I bought the Manfrotto 323 RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter so I could have the same plate that my tripod uses, and I'm still not aware of a better option but this monopod's top plate is just the very slightest bit too wide so when the rapid connect adapter is tightened atop the monopod it does rub against the mechanism meant to freely swing lock into place your camera to the monopod. I simply have to do a double take to make sure I have secured the plate into place and even use the lock feature as added security so it is a mild inconvenience at worst but unfortunate when the gear was made to perform better.
I purchased this monopod as a gift. Have the very same one myself. It is a great monopod with easy adjusting height. Very well made.
I've been a high school yearbook adviser for thirty-five years. As such, I've taken lots of high school sports pictures. I used to have a Slik 200G. It was inexpensive, lightweight, and did the job. But the Manfrotto 679 is a beast! The smallest section of the Manfrotto is as big as the largest section on my old Slik. But it is still light enough, that it is very easy to use.The leg lock system is fantastic. No more turning and twisting, just open the lock, adjust to the correct length and lock it back into place.I have to admit, I freaked the first time I went to use this. I tried to attach my Canon 40D, but the screw end was too large!!! Of course, I figured out there's a retractable 3/8-inch screw end that exposes the 1/4-inch screw end.I use this at football games, as well as track and golf meets. When you're using a telephoto lens you need the stability, and this does an amazing job. If there's a downside, it's that with this model you're locked into taking only horizontal photos. A tilt head is going to run you about twenty dollars more, and what I use it for the fixed head works just great. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I bought a monopod to to attach my camera to. It does fit 3 Kodak cameras (two easy share and one Z something) it also fits my 3 Sony camcorders (my 150, my 700v, and my old DV8 Handycam)The screw is double the size of all of my cameras, tripods (7 two short ones, two 6 foot ones, one table one, one folding one, and one windshield mount)and presses down to fit the my gear (1/4 and 3/8 I think it is)Yes I did read the ONE review about this but I assumed the reviewer was an idiot since it did not make sense, I figured he was doing something wrong or had some knock off camera. It seems he did not follow instructions or the model has been updated.It seems solid enough for now. I own a production company, have my own websites as well as clips4sale stores so this is a much needed item.
I was looking for a monopod for use in the sports shooting Ido with a fairly heavy lens (Olympus 50-200 mm F2.8-3.5).Shooting handheld with this lens, while possible, gets quitetiresome during a game, or especially during an all daytournament.  I also didn't want to spend a fortune, since mybudget is somewhat limited.  After reading a number of reviews,I settled on the Manfrotto 679B and it has not disappointed. I alsohave a Manfrotto tripod, also budget priced, and have beenpleased with their products.  I now have the Manfrotto 496RC2on order from Amazon and plan to upgrade my tripod to amore substantial one to hold the telephoto lens for my naturephotography.  I will certainly look to Manfrotto first as Ibelieve their quality to price (value) to be top notch.
I had been seriously searching for a monopod for only a short while, maybe 3 or 4 weeks, but I've been casually looking over the last year or so. I knew I needed one but I wasn't completely sure what my qualifications for a decent monopod would be.It needed to be tall. I'm 6'7" (this is my wife's amazon account), I didn't want to have to be crouched over to see if my shots were in focus or not. This model is set at a good height.It needed to have the quick-locks on the extensions. Got that here... When you're trying to set up a shot quickly you don't want to have to struggle with twisting or untwisting, screwing or whatever it is other models have. You want a quick release, one that's tight, one that won't let the extensions slide once weight or pressure is added. We're all good here. I have no doubts that when I need to get in position and get the monopod height adjusted that I'll be able to do it in time.It needed to feel sturdy. The build quality of this model is solid. There have been other reviews about it being heavier, but I'm pretty certain that the small external hard drives I have sitting on my desk at the moment are slightly heavier, and how much can they weigh? It's not so heavy that I can't hold it over my head to get a "jib shot" point of view without getting a muscle cramp or fatigue, and it's not so light that I feel like doing the same shot would bend the material with my 7D attached to the end of it.Lastly, it needs to be able to fit in a carry-on bag for when I travel, which it also does.I have full confidence in the ability of this product. If there was one thing I could change, I think I'd change the wrist strap. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but I think I would've made it so that it had free rotation, or swivel, like a hanging lanyard tag would. It's just a flat woven ribbon material. I don't get the feeling that it would rip or tear very easily, I would just like a little more flexibility in the construction of it, if that makes sense.
I have been using this monopod for years. It is especially helpful when doing video work as it can be used in a crowded room, like a wedding reception, without getting under foot. I have also used it to hold the camera over 12' to look down at the center of a group. It also helps counterbalance the camera as you move about. If you need an extremely stable camera platform, without the large tripod footprint, get this monopod.
Have had no problems with it. It is easy to use, opens and closes nicely and helps tremendously when taking shots. Perfect if you like to take sports or wildlife shots and need to be mobile.
I ordered this to use with my D200 with motordrive and 70-200 2.8 lens. It does what it is suppose to support the camera and lens and reduce shaking. My soccer pictures are much better without the movement I was creating by shaking. Well worth the money.
This is definitely a large and sturdy monopod and will provide plenty of support.  The height is adequate to get a camera to eye level for a six-foot tall user, especially with a ball head attached, and the length is easy to adjust.  I definitely recommend using this with a ball head as that makes it possible to get the camera into whatever position is needed to get the shot while positioning the monopod in the best manner for maximum support and steadiness.  (I initially thought about purchasing a second, smaller ball head to use this this monopod, but for now I am just swapping my Manfrotto 496RC2 head between this and my tripod, since I seldom have a need to carry both of them at the same time.)
Solid, stable, easy to use... All around an excellent quality monopod for a very reasonable price, I highly recomend it...!
Just got back from a beach trip with this thing. In years past, I had hauled along a heavy tripod, but this year I decided to buy one of these instead. I took several long exposure shots with no problem. The unit is very sturdy, works great on dirt, sand, or concrete. I do recommend getting the optional swivel head. And you might need to buy something to clip it onto a backpack, belt clip or what not (I just bought a climbing harness at REI).As an added bonus, this makes a great impromptu walking stick!
Rugged, well made.  Easy to use and light.  Also makes a great walking stick... and billy club if on the wrong side of town.
This monopod is awesome!  Especially for the price!  It holds our Canon Eos Mark 5 and is easy to move around and snap lots of shots. Screws right onto camera and is very sturdy.  Folds up nicely and fits outside the camera case perfectly.  No complaints!
A decent value as compared to the carbon fiber units.  Well built, as expected from Manfrotto.  Clip on tool to tighten nuts is easily lost.
We got this monopod to double as a walking stick, least while we're hiking and want to shoot some photos.  In general I do like it and it appears to be quite stoutly built.  What we can't appreciate follows;  The tool it came with to adjust the leg locks and snapped around the tube, fell off duirng our 1st hike out with it. No big deal.  Its heavy, really heavy.  Again no big deal, especially if it holds up to our hiking.  It's grip is BIG, almost to big in diameter for me to comfortably use and I wear large or XL gloves.  Yet while in use, I found its size was OK for my largish hands.  I also wish it would have came with the swiveling camera mount. (yes I knew when it wouldn't, when we ordered it) and for hiking in rock like we do, I wish it had a sharp and hardened tip option. Instead of the rubber foot on the ground.  We do like it but we'd give it a 3.5 rating.
Wanted professional quality without professional price.  Found it here.  Telescopes down to 20&#34; long, fits in a standard airline carry-on bag.
This is my first monopod, and it's a pretty cool gadget. I prefer to use a tripod to steady my camera. but when it's not practical to do so, a monopod is a good alternative. This model is solid -- a little bigger in diameter than I thought it would be at the top, but it does inspire confidence. I use it with a ball head (you really need a good head of some kind).
Purchased 3 Monopods to compare them to pick the best one.  This one came in on top by far except for price.  It was plenty tall, I am 6 ft and it was tall enough for my Nikon 510 to work without adjusting to pole and the sections locked well.  Supplied plastic hex wrench allowed fine tuning the locks and clipped to the pole to be handy in the field.  One test I did was after full extension was to tap the pole on the carpeted floor sharply a few times to see if the locks slipped.  None of them did as it came from the box.  The oval cross-section adds rigidity.  The fact that it had no ball attachment on it already as compared to the second place one which did (the Monopod 500 by Canon) made the choice hard.  I went with the Manfrotto because even though it was 10 oz heavier, it was definitely sturdier.  The bottom section on the Monopod 500 by Canon was about 3/8 to 1/2 in in diameter.  The Manfrotto was 5/8 inch and heavier a guage.  This pole was the shortest tested when closed (20in versus 21.5 for the other two)  The Manfrotto supported 22 lb. versus 7 lb. for the other two.  Ask the wife her opinion between the three and after hefting them and looking them over she liked the larger hand grip on the Manfrotto and the sturdiness of it.Follow up to the above:  I have used this pole on a trip to Alaska and as a walking pole on trips all over, including on airline trips where I use it to help get me to gates far apart as I have a bad knee.  It really does function extremely well as a walking staff being very sturdy and collapsible to a very short length that fits on board as part of my carryon baggage.  TSA people have really liked it and have received many inquiries from strangers who see me using it.
I've only had this monopod for a shortperiod of time, and have subsequently only had limited opportunity to use it, but I can definitely say, that I think it's a nice piece of kit. And a reasonably priced one at that. It's very sturdy, light, not too long when collapsed, and it has clasps instead of the always infernal and never quite satisfactory twistlocks. Monopods are, in their nature, very userfriendly and easy to use with good results. Especially if you do quite a bit of sportsphotography. This one adds the comfort of knowing that you can haul it with you on a hike through some difficult terrain or up a mountain and use it as a walking stick (or a convenient place to rest a weary chin). A feature many monopods are without.It does however lack an inch or two when fully extended, in my opinion. I still need to lower my head ever so slightly when using it, which in the long run gests a little exhausting (I'm 6'2 by the by). The legs do slide a bit too fast and easily for my liking, but that's not a big problem really. It is, I suspect, not as good as its carbon fiber brothers, but it is quite a lot cheaper.Definitely recommendable.
Have a Manfrotto tripod that works quite decently. But this monopod just slides down under the weight of a Nikon D7100 and a 300mm 2.8 lens. Upper knob is quite loose so if you want an sliding experience whilee shooting your photos this is your choice. Plain cheap quality.
I some what shoot professionally for for a couple non-profit organizations around the world. My equipment consist of Nikon D300 and D40X, with two heavy lens, a 70-300mm and a wide angle 18-200mm and a video camera. I also had a knee replacement recently and need a strong monopod/walking stick. After much thorough investigating, I decided to get the 680b with a Manfrotto 234RC Head Quick Release. All I can say is WOW. This combination is so awesome and extremely strong. I highly recommend this mono pod for a person that is more than a casual photographer....thx, C
Equal in quality to my 055xprob tripod.  Comfortable grip. Bought with the sunwayfoto ddc-69x plate for quick connect.  Both are great quality.
Although I've had this for a few years, I would highly recommend this monopod along with the optional swivel head.  This is a sturdy, professional quality item and is great in those situations where a tripod is not feasible.  The monopod is especially nice with a video camera that has 20x zoom capability.  The greater the zoom, the shakier the movie. This unit is also strong enough to double as a walking stick when you are on a photography hike.
A monopod is a great support tool for light weight travel with a camera.  While not as sturdy as a tripod, it doesn't cost nearly as much ether.  You should plan to purchase the recommended Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Head to go along with this, but even with that added expense, you just at $100.Pros: Size, weight (over a tripiod), price, and flexibility.Cons: The little plastic tool doesn't stay attached and will likely get lost.  It should have a lanyard or something on it.Overall, this is a great inexpensive purchase for someone just getting into photography or the experienced pro.  It's inexpensive, as photography gear goes, and works.Remember, don't spend $3,000 on a camera and put it on a $10 support system.  The most expensive camera gear in the world will still take bad pictures if you don't support it properly.
So the "Peacemaker" arrived today.This is the first monopod i have ever bought. I was not sure what to expect.To say this is study would be an understatement. You could easily use this bad boy for home defence. Simply select the amount of "reach" you want with this snappy cugdel by extending the legs and you can wreak severe havok upon any unfortunate intruder who had the mistake of choosing your house. And after the carnage and chaos, you can use it to steady the camera to snap a few fun photo's of the aftermath.That aside, it is relativly light and straps to my flipside 200 pack with ease. The leg locks are strong and secure and you can tell this will hold some weight.
Used this monopod at an event. It was quite steady for the sturdy build. The lenght was good as it could reach above my eye level. The grip was good and natural too. My big positive was the double threaded screw heads. So that made my shots come out well. I think I would need to buy the universal folding base cos sometimes holding this pod for so long can hurt the arms.
I just got this today so I have not used it as much yet. I did put my 70-200 2.8L canon on it. I was thinking of getting a ball head for it. Everyone mentioned that you had to have it. I think I will save myself the money. I will mostly use this with my long zoom and it has the collar that spins around the lens. So if I need to shoot in portrait mode then I can just loosen the knob and spin it around. I am not that tall so this monopod is a good height. I was thinking of going carbon fiber, but this is not heavy at all. I could use some exercise so I do not mind carrying a few extra punds. After all I am usually carrying a couple of camera bodies, a few L lenses, batteries, and other stuff so a small monopod is not going to break my back. Overall good quality. I will try to post an update later once I have used it a while.
Great accessory. Very sturdy. Couldn't be easier to use.  A welcome tool if crossing streams and rivers, when it becomes a walking stick.
While attending an event at my daughters Karate School I noticed one of the other parents were using a Manfrotto Monopod, which allowed him to rest his Digital SLR and focus on the action of board breaking.Upon reviewing several pictures taken by other parents it was obvious that the parent using the monopod was able to take more pictures with better accuracy and with multiple frames per second.I have to say that I have looked at other mono pods and I am glad that I chose the Manfrotto, it's light, sturdy and allows you the stability, and flexibility that you can't achieve by hand held photography.
If you're looking for a solid, beefy, professional monopod -- look no further. I used to bring tripods with me for camera shoots -- but when in a tree-stand or at a school program I find them clunky and difficult to manage in tight spaces.  The monopod adds a surprising amount of stability to your shots and can fit between your legs in stadium or theater seating and is perfect for those times when you don't have unlimited footprint to straddle out a tripod.  I have also used this in crowded venues for video -- flip the screen on your camcorder down and then you can hoist your monopod 1-2 feet over your head and Shazam -- great footage without all the people in front of you messing up your shot!  Love this.  My first one was terminally &#34;borrowed&#34; -- so I had to buy another one to replace it!  Highly recommend this product.
I purchased this tripod after my husband told me about the monopod to be used for hiking and situations where I needed stability but didn't want to have to set up the tripod and mount the camera.  I haven't had a chance to try it out but it's in the trailer waiting for the opportunity in a couple of weeks.  I am giving it a 4 because in theory it looks great and I'm excited but haven't actually put it to use
Bought this, along with the manfrotto 484 RC2 mini ball head after seeing a photographer using the set-up at an ice skating competition. I'm using it with a Nikon D5000 and a Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD video camcorder. It's more than I was used to carrying around, but it's a great and sturdy set-up, albeit pretty pricey.
It really helps you out when you are shooting in low light conditions, say under 1/60s.It also makes for a good walking stick when not in use, if you are shooting outdoors.
Love this monopod. So much lighter than carrying a tripod! With my big lens, this is a great combination with a Gimbal head!
Item quite suitable for my needs...Only used it twice....but looking forward to using it a lot more in the future.
Sure the strap has come loose, but I've not figured out how to prevent that.  Maybe don't rely on a strap to hold your valuable equipment?  It's attached to the monopod!  Hold onto the monopod!  Great sturdy monopod and worth the money!
I got this along with my Tamron 150-600 and am very pleased with this monopod .Solid construction and I can get perfect shots with this well built monopod !
this is a amazing product!!! i would definitely recommed for all cameras.i use this with a canon 7D, a lilliput 8" monitor, a tascam dr-100, a rode ntg1 mic, a cavision rod in top of these stuff, and then i put the 680b to hold all of that. and is very sturdy, thick, and light.in the next weeks i will be using it some more, than i can tell how it is going, but for now....go for it!cheersps: delivery was fast, and the box that came with it is very nice.
I can't believe I suffered for so long using inferior tripods and monopods. The Manfrotto is well-engineered and well-crafted. I'm particularly fond of the quick release mount. Now I have a monopod that's equal in quality to my Nikon D800.
Excellant monopod. Use it a lot when I don't want to lug around my tripod (which is quite often). Could use without purchasing a monopod head, but would recommend purchasing one as well.
What a back saver!!!Pros:Small and light enough to carry anywhereMakes for a really steady shot in questionable lighting situationsTakes the weight off your back and arms while still maintaining that ready to shoot stanceCons:Could be a couple of inches tallerI wanted to  take photos at the Arizona Renaissance festival using my Canon 135mm F/2 and Canon 70-200 F2.8 L lens.  They are both so heavy especially the 70-200 lens and I had hurt my back several years ago and it has never recovered.  So I needed someway to get several thousand photos without killing myself.What a God send this monopod was.  I haver never owned one before and didn't realize how usefull it can be.  A tripod is just way too clumbersome for something as dynamic and crowded as a Renaissance festival.  You have to be able to move out of the way quickly and to move to get the shot.  A monopod fits the fill perfectly.  After shooting for over 9 hours my back and arms were almost as fresh as when I arrived.  I simply could not have stayed more then an hour or two without it killing my back.Don't forget you will probably want a ball head or some other head with a rapid connect release system.  This is essential when you suddenly find you need to take your camera and / or lens off the monopod.  I am using a Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N) and found it works perfectly.9-9-2008 Update:My back has gotten much better recently so I'm not using this monopod as much for back support anymore.  Where I am using it still is to get low light shots where I am on the edge of getting the shot if I were hand held with my image stabilized lens.  I have found that I can get away with a several second long exposure using this monopod and my Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens.  It's much easier to carry and easier to move then a full on tripod so I find the combo really useful in places where people would frown on using a tripod like inside a museum.
Sturdy, rugged, light weight and easy to use!  Love it!  I added one of the Manfrotto 494RC2 ball heads to it and that provides a little more flexibility out on the go.
Very helpful if you have a heavy lens and weak biceps!  Recommended to get the quick release if you're doing action shots.  Very easy to use and very good quality.  A bit heavy though.  Pleased!
I was a bit skeptical about monopods but after my friend recommended this one I gave it a try. I was VERY impressed and it definitely MADE the photoshoot. It was low light with my telephoto and I was able to shoot 1/80 to get some great shots. The build quality is GREAT. The only thing it might be a BIT short if you're 6&#34; tall but it's a small small gripe.
I shoot video with a Canon 7D.I'm nowhere near wildlife, so it's not in my workflow.I'm 5'10".I use a "pistol grip" quick release ball joint tripod head.This monopod is relatively lightweight, but with the head it's got significant weight: great for steady or tracking shots, not bad but not great for backpacking.  The build is solid and the finish on the metal is substantial.For the price, it's a great deal.
I've seen many being used but never owned one until now. Went with Manfrotto because of brand name and reputation. Compact size when completely collapsed, very sturdy when extended. Two thread size mounts for different equipment. The big plus is steady pictures, particularly when using a telephoto lense. If it were lighter it would be perfect but the weight is a function of its durability. Highly recommened.
I needed a good, sturdy monopod for my sports photography, and the 680B fit the bill. It's an awesome product, and the cost was very reaosnable. I would highly recommend this monopod, and purchasing it through Amazon.
I like this monopod and my old one was on its last leg. This one is very sturdy and I like 2 extensions better than the three. I find that this thicker model doesn't make as good a walking stick as my old, thinner one.
This is my first monopod. I wanted to make sure if I get one I will get the best quality and I'm glad I did so I don't have to look no more. This is not super light weight but it sure very light compare to my tripod also a Manfrotto. I like the length of this pod its shorter that most pods you'll see. The built quality is pretty good and I know they'll last long. I paired this with a Manfrotto ball head 494CR2 with universal quick release plate. It work like a charm.
At $60, this monopod fit my price range,  I have a Canon 30D and use a 100-400 L lens at airshows and other sporting events where I need more stability than hand holding but a tripod is impractical.The 680B does a perfect job.  It's relatively light and sturdy.  The monopod has quick release locks for the legs, which was a must for me.  I don't want to screw and unscrew to achieve leg adjustment.  Either with wingnuts or the barrel twist typeI use the Manfrotto 322RC2 joy stick head on it with great success, but I have also used my Manfrotto 486RC2 head..........the joy stick is more versatile.It comes with both a 1/4" and 3/8" screw depending on what your camera requires.If you are working in sand, where I sometimes do, Manfrotto makes an optional Spiked Foot for more stability.At full extension without your head attached, it measures 60 inches.  Colapsed it measures 20 inches w/o the head attached.Without a doubt I would buy this monopod again.As usual, Amazon had a great price, free shipping, and no tax.Amazon rocks!!!!
Manfrotto products are spectacularly good. This one is no exception. It is sturdy and yet not too heavy to carry around. The little spring loaded bolt is genius as it means it fits any camera. Highly recommended.
I had an older version of this monopod which I loved. The next monopod I bought was a carbon fiber monopod of a different brand with twist locks intead of flip locks. This monopod while very atractive and a bit lighter dumped me in a stream on one occasion and I barely saved my camera.The Manfrotto monopod is only a wee bit heavier than this other monopod, has fip locks, and is much sturdier.I can use it as a hiking stick and a camera support without fear of being dumped in a stream. The best of both worlds.
There is no reason to give Manfrotto items a bad review. This monopod is just fantastic. Highly recommended. I love it.
Compact, light and ready to use any time. With 494RC2 ball head on top and Manfrotto 678, as base, a perfect support companion for a budding enthusiast who's always on the go. I gave Manfrotto a 5 for its design and quality over afford ability and practical use.  I'm satisfied with my new gadget and i look forward to acquire more of Manfrotto's product.
Excellent excellent product.  We own a Manfrotto Tripod also and the addition of this monopod has greatly enhanced the video work we have been doing with sons football.  Love this product.
I like mine and it makes a crazy walking stick. i Think it is a great self defense weapon as well.With my long telephoto lens mounted to the pod i have the camera still strapped around my neck with 1 hand on the pod while hiking. usually not extended not really using it as a walking stick. It is not a tripod and will not stand there by itself. so securing your camera with the strap on your neck is good advice. All the mid to upper range pods do not come with a mount you will have to get that separate unless you buy some sort of combo deal. the stability it gives you while using a long lens or for long exposures is worth it to carry. For me,monopods make set up quicker,you need a pod with the lever locks not the twist ones.The monopod is probably not for everyone. A tripod is more useful. If you are thinking of buying a tripod and using just 1 leg to get a makeshift monopod,that is not advised.The monopod leg is much thicker and the other 2 legs on a tripod doing this will be more cumbersome than helpful trying this.(I could be speaking from experience).Weight maybe an issue so you need to go to a pro photography store and see what works for you. Bring your camera and lens and put a head mount on the pod. they will usually be separate at the store. Then see if you like using it. then come to amazon and buy it.
light. quick to open well made Manfrotto makes quality equipment, worth every penny.  So Long SLIK Hello Manfrotto!Thank you for improving Quality Photography
This product arrived as advertised.  I have used with a Nikon D700 with the 70-200 mm VR II lense.  It was very sturdy. I wish I had a ball joint head on it.  It would of made moving the camera much easier.
I just tried my new Manfrotto 3680B Monopod out at a nearby wetlands, and it sure made carrying my heavy camera much easier.  This monopod is more substantial and easier to extend to full height than the cheap,tinny monopods you see in discount stores.  It has three flip out release levers to easily extend to just the right height.  It also stabilized my camera while allowing a lot of freedom to move fast and catch quick shots of wildlife moving through the area out in the field.  Although it has reduced my blurry shots by 70%, I still have to practice with it a bit more to feel more comfortable using it for action shots.  I also got the Flashpoint Ball Head F-2 to attach my camera to the monopod, and it was a perfect combination.  Great for still shots and video.  Although I may update my camera in the next few years, this reasonably priced monopod looks like it will still be useful for many years to come.
Great for taking photos from any height.  Clips are easy to adjust and it doubles as a nice walking stick, with a comfort grip and leash!
I like the size only 20" and the product still made in Italy. I had to buy a new ball head for pan and tilt. I pick the Optka TS-1over the Slik Af-2100 $100 pistol grip for $30. I kown it may not last long, but I am not use every day.
This is a very good quality mono-pod. When the camera is attached, it's quite a bit heavier than the older Manfrotto I have.  Because I'm a lot older than I was when I purchased the fir st one, the added weight is sometimes a drawback.
I've been a manfrotto user for a long time, and this time wasn't going to be different. This product is amazing! great for social video like weddings, sports, etc. lightweight and sturdy!
I have not much else to say, really still say the quality of products is unique manfrotto, piesa is a very solid and good grip, very happy with this purchase
I really love this monopod.  It's very solidly made, and fits its purpose perfectly.  You really have to add the tilt head/quick release to it (can't remember the model, but it's about $25) and then it's really perfect.  If I were to buy again, I'd probably go for carbon fiber, but that's not this monopod's fault.
Bought this thing about 4 months ago with a Manfrotto 494RC2 ball head, you must have a ball head to get full use of this monopod. This thing is extremely well built, very sturdy and extremely versatile. It can double as a walking stick and best of all it's also a weapon if the need ever arise. I don't normally pack heat when I go shooting but I sometimes go in less desirable parts of town or out in the middle of nowhere and always feel pretty save carrying this monopod with me. It wont stop a bullet but could help you out of a jam.
If you're on the fence about which monopod to purchase, look no farther.  I read all the reviews and finally decided on the 680B with 234RC head...both awesome.  Used them for the first time at a high school football game last Friday, and they really helped me hold my D700/70-200mm rock solid.  Buy it, use it, love it.
I've been using theManfrotto 680B Monopod (4-SCTN) - Replaces 680 (Black)with theManfrotto 234RC Monopod Head Quick Release - Replaces 3229for a little over two years. When I first assembled the two pieces I had to reverse the cross bolt and top 1/2 of the 234RC head to align the leg releases on the left side of the 680B where I wanted them when the Quick Release lever for the 234RC is also on the left. The monopod provides a solid foundation for mounting aCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasandCanon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)withZeikos ZE-CBG7D Battery Power Grip for Canon 7D Camera. I attach the quick release plate to the tripod collar and even with the weight of that camera/lens, which balances fairly well, the monopod and head feel solid as a rock. In the past other monopods I've used would flex and feel less than secure with much less weight mounted on top (A Rebel XTi with EF-S 55-250mm lens, for example). At the top of the monopod is an ingenuous spring loaded 3/8" screw that retracts by simply pushing it down exposing a 1/4" screw. You can mount anything with either a 3/8" or 1/4" hole and not have to worry about losing an adapter since it stays attached while recessed inside the top of the monopod. Other than the occasional tightening of an adjuster screw here and there I've had no problems with the combination. I also added the Manfrotto 200SP1 Rubber Spiked Foot (no longer manufactured by Manfrotto) which gives a nice metal spike when on turf. (TheManfrotto 204SPK3 Retractable Rubber Spiked Feet for 055CX3/055CXPRO3 (Set of 3), which is a set of three for use with tripods with 20.4mm legs MAY fit the 20.0mm lower leg of the 680B. The adjusting screw should tighten up enough to make up the 0.4mm difference.) When the spike is not needed you can spin the hard rubber foot down to cover it.When I bought this monopod it was a toss-up between theManfrotto 679B Monopod 3-Section Replaces 679 (Black), the 680B and theManfrotto 681B Professional Aluminum Monopod (Black). I chose the 680B because it collapses to 20" compared to the 679B and 681B at 25.6" (they have three leg sections compared to the 680B which has four). The 680B extends to just over 60" and supports 22lbs. The 679B and 681B extend to a little over 63" and support 22lbs (679B) & 26.5lbs (681B) respectively. As mentioned earlier, the lower leg of the 680B is 20mm in diameter. The upper leg of the 680B is 35.4mm. The 681B has a lower leg diameter of 25mm (the same as the third of four sections on the 680B) and the same 35.4mm upper leg. The 679B has legs the same diameter as the lower three legs of the 680B, 29.4mm down to 20mm. With the lower leg the same 20mm as the 680B the rubber spiked foot 200sp1 is no longer made by Manfrotto but one of the three foot set 204spk3 should work. TheManfrotto 250SP1 Rubber/Stainless Steel Spiked Foot for Monopod 681Bis still made by Manfrotto and sold by Amazon. The 679B is cheaper at around $45 on Amazon while the more compact 680B and the heavier duty 681B both run around $69.
This is one of my best tools When shooting pics of sports or wild life.It fits all my camares and is light to carry . Stick it and click it you need it!
I was looking for a heavy-duty monopod that could easily support either a pair of large (11x70) binoculars or a DSLR with a  100-300mm Zoom. I also wanted something strong enough to use as a walking stick over difficult terrain- I'd taken a bad fall and injured a tendon while out photographing nature last year when I stepped in a gopher hole. My decision was down to this unit and the similar three-sectionManfrotto 681B Professional Aluminum Monopod (Black). The 681B costs about $10 more, and has a bottom section that's 25mm (1") in diameter. The 680B packs smaller, has a bottom section that's 20mm in diameter, and was stocked by Amazon- so no shipping charges. I was concerned that the 680B might not be strong enough for my needs, but as it turned out, there was no need for concern.The 680B is more than strong enough to do everything I asked of it. In fact, I could have easily gone to the lighter 679, or lighter still. This monopod has a massive feel about it- it's not going to collapse, even if you put your full weight on it. It can easily support a tripod head and a 300mm/2.8 lens. There's an ingenious dual-sized screw on the top that instantly accommodates either a 3/8" threaded tripod head, or a 1/4" camera socket without the need for any tools or adjustment. Very clever. If there's a downside, it's that it's not exactly light- but it's still less than a third of the weight of the tripods I'd be carrying otherwise.One hint, if you're not already a monopod user: While a monopod adds a tremendous amount of stability to a camera and lens, the assembly is still free to vibrate or rotate from side to side. Using the camera's strap to place tension on the camera, or placing a knee against the monopod does wonders to minimize this movement.
This monopod is very sturdy.  I'm 6'1" and have no issues leaning on it with it at full extension - it feels *that* strong.  It's pretty light considering it's strength and this is my new walk-around monopod.
I purchased this monopod to support my DSLR (w/ battery grip and 2nd battery) and 70-200mm lens.  The weight of this gear proved too much for a cheaper (yet still labeled 'Professional') monopod.  This has performed like a champ.  Plenty sturdy to hold the weight, no slipping on the leg extensions, and quick setup, change, of breakdown.  Overall, very pleased with this product
I purchased a Manfrotto 190XDB tripod and am very pleased with it.  So, where did I turn to find a solid monopod?  Manfrotto, of course!  You can find lighter-weight monos out there, however, solid was what I was after. Very pleased! Highly recommend!
Oh my, if ever there was a place for the expression "built like a tank," this is it. The Manfrotto 680B Monopod is incredibly well-built and ready to withstand some beastly abuse in the field. It will, more importantly, securely hold just about any camera setup (including a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L). If you're looking for a monopod for a smaller camera, this tripod is an overkill; consider getting theManfrotto MMC3-01 Compact Monopodinstead.The build also looks polished (it doesn't look cheap to be sure). It's Manfrotto quality through and through, and made in Italy (per the label on the top section of the monopod just under the hand grip.The sections retract and extend very smoothly. There is barely any friction between sections, so the monopod can be extended or retracted very quickly. The monopod will accept both 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 threads. The 3/8" screw adapter is a retractable sleeve (spring-loaded) permanently affixed over the 1/4" screw mount -- an ingenious design!If you have a heavier camera setup and need a monopod, you can't go wrong with this one.
This product is if carrying around a large tripod even the lightest on a track can be hard one because of the volume. This folds to short length and weight very little to take on a track to shoot birds and landscapes. I took it to several beach trips and mountains. It came very useful to take photographs of the landscapes during sunrise.
Good parts:  It's sturdy, it feels like it will last a long time, securely attaches to camera, quick, smooth telescoping action, good quality, easier and quicker to set up than a tripod, great for the price.Not so good parts:  I feel it's not all that useful without the separate head so you might as well figure that into the cost.  You can't shoot profile, which I do, a lot of the time, very well like it is.  Without it the tilt head, it's just a big ol' handle sticking out the side and is awkward.It's a little heavy for backpacking - might go with a carbon version instead if money isn't the deciding factor.The rubber tip on the bottom is rounded so getting a good grip on a surface like a rock, or anything that is solid, flat is difficult.  It wants to roll or slip on me.  A flat, swivel foot like I've seen on some tripods would be much more stable.  I may try to find something at the hardware store, or photo store and alter it myself.My info:  I use a Canon EOS Rebel XTI, usually with either a 100mm macro lens, or 28-135mm.  Avid hobby photographer hoping to turn pro when I retire from my current job.  Shoot a  couple hours daily.  Will probably buy the extra head and modify the foot and continue to use this monopod some of the time.
Bogen-Manfrotto always makes solid products, and this one is no exception.  I use a Nikon D200, usually with a Nikkor 17-55 lens (fairly heavy setup), so this monopod is probably overkill, considering that it can hold like 26 lbs.  I have used it on a pack trip (where weight matters), and it is light and compact enough to carry.  I'm amazed at how tightly all of the components fit together - there's no wobble at the joints, the clasps are tight - this thing is totally solid.The clasps for each section work excellently, but for speed, they aren't the best.  I haven't seen anything better out there, but it sure would be nice if they would make these clasps a mechanism that you squeeze to release each section, for speed and ease of use.  That way, you wouldn't have to activate these clasps to adjust for a photo.  Wishful thinking.So, great product - strongly recommended - especially for those with heavier gear (pro bodies + telephoto/heavy lenses).  Probably overkill for entry-level DSLR's.
This monopod has a large plate at the top into which either a camera, or a quick release can screw. Unfortunately, the top plate is too large to allow the Manfrotto 323 RC quick release to screw complete  down. Manfrotto is aware of this, but apparently don't care enough to modify the monopod top plate.Had to buy a CowboyStudio WT001H Photography Heavy Duty Camera Tripod Action Ball Head Quick Release Plate. (Design flaw there to be discussed in that review).Otherwise, the monopod is a really solid device (read: heavy).
I didn't think a monopod would be as useful until I got a carbon tripod that was way more expensive and is shaky enough to make me think twice every time I think I need a steady rig.For shooting my heavy 80-200/2.8 with my Nikon D7000, this monopod is the perfect accessory for action and more.I paired this up with a Giottos MH-1000/652 head and plate and works beautifully. I leave my Induro CT014 at home most of the times now.
This review is both for the item and Amazon.The Monopole is perfect addition for my new camera a Nikon D7000. I needed something for using the telephoto lens when we go on our cruise this fall and this is the perfect size and weight.I placed the order with Amazon and followed the item tracking. USPS showed it was delivered but never was. In checking with USPS they could not find it and said it was not dropped at my house but should have been placed in the lock box.When I contacted Amazon they immediately sent a replacement unit via UPS. Great customer service.
This thing is great. I can take it hiking/backpacking without feeling overloaded and it really takes the load off my arms, not to mention stabilising my camera. It has flip-locks so I can pull it out and have a camera on it in seconds. I use it with the Manfrotto 234RC, which gives me more flexibility in shooting things above/below me and with the quick release.The most I've had on it is a Pentax K-7 and Sigma 70-300mm macro lens and it was rock solid.
Per the other reviews, this is a fine buy for the money.The only minor caveat is that, unlike Manfrotto's tripods, there are no locking screws in the top platform. This isn't an issue if you're screwing the monopod directly into the camera/lens mount, but is if you're planning to mount a ball or tilt head on top. Without the locking screws only friction stops the head unscrewing.
This is my first Monopod but I have some tripods.  First of all this is NOT made in China, but in Italy,  a huge selling point for me anyway.  It is a really great quality item and I am happy to own.  The build quality is excellent and I was happily surprised when it arrived.  For the price it can't be beat. It has a 3/8 and 1/4 crew for almost everything and the 3/8th disappears when you want to connect a 1/4 inch device.  again, very well made.
This Manfrotto monopod is a well made useful addition to a photographer's aresenal. It's not the lightest weight monopod out there but is one of the sturdiest. I carry my photographic equipment on a motorcycle so I appreciate the ability to put this monopod in my top box instead of the need to strap a larger tripod behind me.The Manfrotto is weell designed, with firm latches on each extension the adds confidence to your ability to carry and support heavier lenses on your dslr. I like the mounting plate where I can quickly change to a variety of heads. The grip & strap are sturdy allowing a confident hold for it's precious cargo.Manfrotto is right on the mark with this tool. I gave it a 4 star instead of 5 only because of the weight. I highly reccomend this product.
This was one part of a three part purchase.  In addition to this monopod I also purchased the Manfrotto 678 Monopod Universal Folding Base and the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Head Quick Release.  Together they make a great system.  I looked at some of the systems that already had the folding base in place but they are not as compact as this system is when it is folded up and the monopod leg retracted.  I wanted something that was small in size for traveling.  I think I paid a little more for this three part system but I got what I wanted in the end; a compact monopod that will allow you to use it as a tripod in limited applications.
It's sturdy, strong and built to support the weight.  I would recommend this product to anyone interested in purchasing a new monopod.
I purchased this product and took it on a road trip to 11 national and state  parks in Utah .It worked flawlessly and also served as an adjustable walking stick on miles of trail hikes(yes it is built to take quite a  bit of abuse)!By the way I attached an old threeway swival camera mount from a broken tripod  on top of the manny and I would strongly recommend you add a ball mount or other form of swival( the manny accepts two common screw thread)to yours since it increases the utility of this product a 1000%!I was shooting down to 1/4 sec. with no noticeable jitter on my 8x10 prints however I am very steady( hold breath, squeeze trigger lightly as if your shooting a gun at a traget, use camera self timer when possable).This is no tripod so if you want rock steady shots use the tripod!! However, for pictures on the go it beats luging a tripod around on the trails and set up time is a snap compared to the tripod.
One sturdy monopod that I like very much. It is light and can be a back saver anyday. It can also act as a life saver if you are alone on a photoshoot in the hills and find your self in a unwanted situation. You know what I mean. Wink..Wink. I use this with the Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe.
Extremely well built and sturdy when extended. I am 5'9&#34; tall and use the Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head. In that configuration I must lower it some to get it to eye level. Fulling extended with the 496RC2 ball head, and a Canon T2i it measures about 68.5&#34;. Large padded grip. Positive leg locking system.
This monopod is excellent. It is sturdy and not too heavy.  Eliminates vertical camera shake and still allows mobility.  It's great for hikes, or just shooting in the park. A great accessory for amateurs and professionals alike. It doesn't come with a ballhead, so you'll need one of those too. All together you can get a great monopod and ballhead from manfrotto for about $100 USD.
This monopod was just what the photographer, who I purchased this for, needed to get crisp shots without lugging a tripod on vacation.
It does everything a monopod can. Attach a head on it and you'll have a head attached to an awesome monopod. Its great.
Once I tried to take a night shot of Niagara Falls without stabilization. The result was bad.Now I use this monopod for extra stability. It is especially useful during times when you are taking shots in the low light or when camera shake would be a problem. The monopod retracts smoothly and securely.The locks on the three legs securely snap and keep the monopod closed, or open when you are using it.  The lanyard keeps it secure so you don't drop your expensive camera.A great tool to have. Highly recommended!!
This is an excellent and well made monopod. I attached aSlik AF2100 Pistol Grip Head with Quick Releaseto it and it is absolutely a god send for my D700 and Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 D lens. My arms or back don't ache after a half day shooting sports or at the zoo! This will also double as a walking stick and a weapon ;-) . Great stuff!
I purchase the 680B for the small size when folded up (only 20 inches)and only 3 clips to lock in when extending, which makes putting it together and having it ready for use in a short amount of time.  The quality is excellent and would highly recommend this.  Also purchase the 234RC head with the quick release, the combo works great together.
I'm used to work with Manfrotto Equipment since over 10 years. I have heavy lenses and like quality.It is stable and easy to use, not to heavy.The max load capacity is certainly not at all a problem for this one. (Of course: creasy fingers should not touch the tubes ;o)The mechanic is very easy to adjust (tool is clipped on the mono-pod itself)Great value for the price.
Unless you have a non-stabilized system or a very heavy lens, a monopod is not necessary and not worth the trouble.  One problem is that a monopod does not stabilize the lens from left to right.  This is a good monopod for the price.
This monopod is coupled with a Manfrotto quick release head, a winning combination.  The monopod is light enough to not be a dead weight, but hefty enough to be a strong camera support. Doubles as a walking stick also.
This adapter plate works well and fits the tripod nicely. The price was reasonable and the product arrived when expected. Nothing more needs to be said!
I chose the Manfrotto 410PL quick release plate RC4 with my Manfrotto 468MG ball head. The RC4 and associated connect housing has a number of features that the RC0, RC2, RC3 and RC5 plates assemblies don't offer.  The RC4 has a large foot print which provides a large lens with additional support and stability. It also has locking, which prevents accidental releasing which could result in possible dropping the lens/camera. The lens is secure. No accidental release. To release, the release button must be pressed and held while the lever is moved to the unlocked position.Mounting is very ease. After securing the plate to the lens/camera, insert the right side of the plate underneath the right bracket and slowly lower the left side until it snaps into place. Whet is snaps into place, the lever will automatically move to the lock position.The plate is shipped with 3/8" and " screw for your camera/lens mount. Two bubble levels are mounted into the RC4 base plate--one on the side and the other on the top. This will indicate level regardless of whether the lens/camera is vertical or horizontal.I purchase five of the RC4 plates, one for each lens and camera. Great plate well made worth the price and Manfrotto quality built in.
What can I say, it works. If you need a replacement or extras this is what you have to do.
The plate does hold the camera correctly but if you have a Canon 180mm L Macro lens (this lens has its own ring on it) you cannot have a battery grip on the 5D Mk II camera. It will not work on any Canon camera with a grip(built in or added) with this lens. Other then that the plate attaches firmly and I don't worry about the camera shake attributed to mounting plates. I have used it on my 70-200 lens and everything works well.
Great replacement! I needed a second adapter so I could interchange my cameras without having to remove the one I already had from another camera.  This works perfectly fine and it's an authentic manfrotto replcaement part.
I first used this system when I purchased the Manfrotto 410 Jr Gear tripod head and love the security it provides.  I now have this mounting system on all of my tripods, monopods, and cameras so all can be used interchangeably and remain secured until I intend to remove them.  I highly recommend this product.
I needed an other adapter plate so I could change quickly to my lens that is lens mounted, requiring me to stop take the plate off the camera and put it on the lens. It took so much time I would just not use the bigger lens. Now I can switch easily, saving a lot of time and effort. Now if I could just get the quick release to work properly.
Cheaper to buy a new plate than a replacement stud. I do wish the rubber pads were a little better attached.
Quick release plate is very well made and machined nicely. Locks quickly and is very secure, I only wish I had purchased 2 more. The 1/4" and 3/8" connection screws make the plate very versatile.
Product works as described, solidly built, quality as expected from Manfrotto.  Nothing particularly outstanding to warrant other than tree stars.
don't waste your money on these quick releases.  purchase ones from "Really Right Stuff" (with head base plate) and you will have the best in size, weight and usability.)These are very clumsy to work with and there is better on the market.
This was purchased as an extra QR plate for my new 498 RC4 ball head.  It will allow me to have both camera bodies all set up and ready to go.One of the things I didn't like about previous QR plates I've tried was always trying to figure out which way they were supposed to face, and I wound up having to mark the back of the plate so I could get it aligned quicker.  No need for that with this plate.  It's rounded at one end, and straight on the other, and locks onto the 498 RC4 head like a dream.Can't ask that a product do more than it's supposed to, and this one fills the bill perfectly.
Excellent product just as I expected. Good idea having two photos of the product, helped confirm the item was actually the one I wanted since I wasn't positive on the product number.
Not much to say about the quick release plate.  I have two plates that I have used since 2000 and they are still working like a charm.  Easy on, Easy off.  Not much else to write; but if your head supports the 410PL, my all means waste no time and get some.
this is a sturdy plate and have more space.  I use my mb-d10 and screw this thing on. Very secured and knowing that it won't come off.  Cheap plates and recommend it
just what I needed for two camera's, I have know regards buying this product again. I hope this helps. Thanks for  a great product.
If you will be using more than one connection to certain Manfrotto tripod heads, these are the way to go. However, attached to lenses, they are bulky enough to make lens storage or holsters unusable.
I feel really bad that mislead buyers. in the picture are two and comes one in the package. I am not satisfied with the purchase
As bad as the photo is that shows this product, you can still see that the two holes on the plate are 'THREADED' which allows using standard camera mount to attach to the plate. If you need this, be aware that the plates I received did have the holes but they were NOT THREADED. This is a manufacturer error and other otherwise identical plates I have purchased from my local pro camera store have all had these holes threaded. I will still use these plates as I can substitute the plates I have that are threaded where I need them. This feature is not needed if you only plan to use the plates in the quick-release receiver. I rate this at only two stars because of the deceptive difference between the shown image for this product and what you actually receive.
Bought this to add to a second DSLR to make it easy to swap cameras when necessary. Build quality is very good. With the manfrotto tripod this cani support my largest camera and lens - a Canon 5D Mk II with the battery grip anwin 70-200mm f/2.8L lens - about 7 or 8 lbs. release mechanism is a little interesting, but workable.
I needed these adaptors for the cameras in a hurry and they showed up early. You can't beat it.
Lost the 1/4 mounting screw for the plate that I already had. I decided to just buy a new plate instead of searching the internet for replacement screws. It works great and now I have two and can keep them on different cameras.
When I purchased the Manfrotto 410PL Quick Release plates, I had pondered my choices and examined my options well. Because I do not make a living on photography ultra professional equipment that cost a king's ransom was not part of my shopping lexicon.Yet, as a serious hobbyist, I still needed solid, precise and quality components. So Manfrotto was not an absent name while I was shopping.I bought the 88RC4 Ball heads and made them uniform equipment on all my tripods. These quick release adapters now grace the bottoms of all my cameras and big lenses and are permanently affixed to them. This makes changing equipment an enjoyable task rather than aggravatingly opportunity-wasting clumsy affair.
Good quality product and works like a champ :)Buy it with comfidence. Wish the shipping cost would be less....
The picture is just showing you the top and bottom of the plate.  It is not trying to indicate that there is two top plates in a package.
This plate is well-made and functions flawlessly on the 410 geared head. The geared head is without a doubt the best tripod head I have used in decades of photography.
I bought a pair of these months ago for my 488rc4 and wanted to get some use before feedback,and have not been dissapointed. Sure they are heavy and rugged but that't what I want. I have one on my 70-200 f2.8 and one on a 40D. Makes everything quick on and off.
I bought this item before realizing that is was the Low Profile adapter and whether it work with my Manfrotto 808RC4 3-Way Standard Head with Quick Release Plate 410PL. It does. Now I have a plate for my other camera. Hooray!
I bought an extra quick release plate to be able to switch lenses and not have to switch my plate from the camera to the lens support on my sigma 150mm.  Both the new and the original work perfectly, hold my camera securely and once you get used to them are fairly easy to use.
The add states it will accomodate 3000 series tripods and it comes up about 12 inches short. Very poor quality with no labels indicating it was made by Manfrotto. Amazon sent me the MBAG90PN as a  replacement and it works great.
it is a snug fit bag for the 055x tripod, with no room to leave the head attached.  so add screwing on the head to set-up/tear-down time.  compact, and not cumbersome.  not padded, very light.  thin material.  do not abuse.
There is nothing to indicate that this bag is a Manfrotto. It is almost identical to theVidPro TC-27 Padded Tripod Bag, but three and a half times more expensive! I know because I ordered one of those as well.I sent it back within minutes of opening it.It was cheaply made, the wrong size, the wrong color, and missing anything remotely related to Manfrotto.Not sure what's up, but skip this bag till something gets cleaned up.
Very tight fitting product.  It is well made but get the next size larger.
If you just dropped $250+ for a carbon fiber tripod, you'll want to protect it.  Carbon fiber is stronger than steel but lacks the ductility (ability to bend) that steel and aluminum have.  When it reaches its yield strength things shatter, and with baggage handlers trying to cram everything onboard in under 10 minutes you don't want your big bucks tripod comming out as a bunch of shards of carbon fiber tube at the destinatation (I like to go carry on with my tripod for this exact reason - but sometimes it's hard to carryon an entire eng kit)This bag has much more padding than other, cheaper bags on the market - that's what you are paying for, not the light weight, but protection.  That means that some tripod/head combinations won't fit inside the bag.  Be prepared to remove and re-install your head.  Often the head is heavier than the tripod, so it might ship separately anyways.This is a small price to pay for insurance on expensive tripods against crushing effects on carbon fiber.  I finally went for it when the prices dropped $10 figuring it was worth the new price to protect my investment in lightweight portability.
this bag is great!! i have 3 of them and i stuff them full. i probably overstuff them!! light stands, strobe heads, tripods, umbrellas, you name it....i stuff it. i highly recommend these bags
Sent this bag back it was too small for just the tripod not counting the head.
This is a half way decent bag but an 055X with a head on it will not fit. Why would anyone make such an oversight? Why advertise a bag for a tripod that won't hold the tripod ready to use? I feel that this is poor research and bad planning on the part of the sales dept. I do not like to return items but this time I have no choice and someone besides myself should have to pay the price. I'm sure that probably will not happen but it was worth a shot!
I've used the tripod bag for a few trips now, and it works.  Not much to say about a tripod bag.  It's padded, it holds up in my suitcase to being banged around, it's convenient to carry, it opens fully (no need to pull the tripod out from an angle, the bag zips all the way open).  Just a good all around bag.
I purchased this when I purchased my tripod and 322RC2 ball head. Quite simply, the assembled tripod and head do not fit in the bag. I'll have to disassemble them if I want to use it.The bag is sturdy and well constructed.
The Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod is s professional level, well designed tripod.  It is not light at 7 pounds and is intended for studio and moderate travel.  For hiking long distances, I would recommend a carbon fiber model.Why discuss the tripod when reviewing a bag?  Because the tripod is supposed to fit in the bag.  It doesn't.  It is about 1/2" too long.  That means that in order to get the 055X into the AW 32798 bag, you have to put the ball head end into the bag first, diagonally, and then one by one force the leg tips into the other end of the bag.  In other words, it is the zipper length that isn't quite right for the tripod.No worry though, you get used to the aggravation and packing the tripod into the bag becomes a routine.  It seems that over time, the tripod is stretching the bag slightly and that maybe after a couple year's use it will fit properly.  Manfrotto, if you have fixed this problem and want to send me a replacement, please contact me.
Great Bogan/Manfrotto quality.  This does the job.  I have two of them, one for a mono pod and one for a video/DSLR.  The small pocket on the side is large enough to hold spare mounting plates or small ball head but you won't fit a fluid video head in the pouch.  Other than that it's perfect for everyday use.  Keeps my tripods in great shape while lugging them around in the car.
I am sorry - do they think that there will be no head on the tripod? The bag is well made (as mentioned, I would have liked a larger pocket), but to recommend a bag for the tripod (I have the 190X) and to have to remove or install the head each time I handle the tripod to or from the bag is not efficient I also have the Manfrotto Monopod (and yes, I must remove or install the head each time with that also) and it holds all 4 pieces, but the pain of setup is annoying.So if you do not mind the setup each time - the bag is well made, padded and does work well. Still debating if I want to keep or return and find another solution.
This is a great quality bag. I have the 190XPROB, and the tripod does indeed fit in the bag. There is a small zippered pouch on the outside that measures 6x9 inches, the zippers appear to be good quality (on the main compartment the 2 zippers have holes in the tops so you can lock them). The webbing for the handles and shoulder strap appears to be quality material and stitched well. The case is also padded throughout. The only criticism I have - and this is the first time I have purchased a tripod case - is that while the case does contain the tripod, it does not contain the tripod with the head attached. I have one of the smaller Manfrotto heads, yet it does not fit in the case while attached to the tripod. Maybe it's just semantics, but I would have thought that "tripod" means the legs plus a head. But maybe that's just me. On the other hand, the head fits in the case along with the legs once removed. As a matter of fact, there is room in the case for at least 2 heads along with the legs, detached. I don't anticipate using the case a whole lot, and probably for the times I do use it detaching the head will not be a problem, but it would have been nice if it had been designed to accomodate at least a small attached head.
I purchased this bag to carry my new tripod.  It was specified as compatible with my particular model.  And, yes, it did fit.  As long as I removed the head.  With the head on the tripod it no longer fit.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to be attaching and removing my head every time I pull out the tripod and then put it back.  In fact, I'm not going to do it.IMO, not very useful.  It's a great bag.  Has a nice storage pocket, seems to be well-made.  But the fit is too tight to be useful.  I had to return it.Measure your tripod length carefully and make sure this will suit your needs before ordering.
In contrast to what the product description suggests, this 3279 bag is NOT the correct bag for theManfrotto 055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber 3 Section Tripod with Q90 Column and Magnesium Castings (Black)when theManfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N)is attached to the tripod.  With that head attached, or perhaps with any head attached, the 3279 bag is too short.  Use theManfrotto AW 3280BLK Tripod Bag for Tripods up to 35-Inch (Black)instead.
I bought the bag to fit my tripod and the head but it bearly fit the tripod alone ( Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod )
I too have purchased the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black). It DOES NOT fit into this case. If I stretch and fight the tripod, I can get it in the case. The case itself is a great case. The tripod that is SUPPOSED to fit in case does not fit. The case opening is about 1/2 to 1" too small. Do not buy if you have the 055XPROB.I normally read reviews for products, but somehow this got by me. . . too bad for me.
This bag worked great for me - a perfect fit for theManfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Headwith theVanguard GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head. I specifically chose the PRO4 for its shorter length (vs. the other 190CX models with 3 leg sections) and I prefer the Vanguard pistol grip for the head. The combo with head attached easily fit in the bag with about an inch to spare. There's still plenty of room inside for miscellaneous accessories like my flash, filters, and tripod collars. The bag measures 25" long with a cross-section of 4.75"x4.75". My tripod is 20" long. The head extends another 4" for a total of 24". So it was a nice fit with an easy in and out. The bag is made of heavy canvas type material with some, but not much, padding. The main zipper feels heavy duty. There's a 9"x5.5" zippered pocket on the side of the bag which would be useful for keeping flat things, but I don't think I'll use it. The straps are very sturdily attached with a lot of stitching. The main thing to keep in mind when buying tripod bags is to know the size of the bag (all 3 dimensions) and compare it to your tripod+head size. I read a lot of reviews about the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 or 055CX3 not fitting in the bag with head attached. Of course not! Those tripods, by themselves without heads, are already 25" which is the length of the bag. With heads detached it'd be a snug fit, but attached, no way. So make sure your tripod+head is under 25" before buying this bag. If it fits you're going to like it. NOTE: The bag is black, not blue as pictured by Amazon.
I bought this quick release adapter and am very pleased with it. It holds the camera securely and is easy to use.
I bought this adapter to add Quick Release capability to acheap Cannon monopodwith a built-in ball head that I got on sale a while back. I recently bought aBogen Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripodwith aManfrotto 488RC2 Ball Head. So I obviously wanted RC2 so I could keep the same plate on my camera and use either the tripod or monopod. This plate works really well for those needs.The plate is identical to the one that came with the 488RC2, and features black rubber with ridges, not cork as is shown in the product image. The metal is also darker than what is shown in the product image. (See customer images.)I have attached and detached the plate several times - it secures well and the bottom of my camera shows no sign of scuffing or scratching.It fits on a 3/8" screw but comes with an adapter for 1/4" screws, so it screwed right onto the built-in head on my monopod.As is typical for Bogen Manfrotto QR systems, it includes a secondary security lock to prevent you from accidentally releasing the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully.
I wanted quick release capability on my small travel tripod and this works great!  Easily mounts to either 1/4" or 3/8" top screw of my tripod head via a "screw-in" adapter on the RC2. Comes with a 3157N quick release connect plate I  mounted on my Nikon D80. Very fast and secure. Great quality. When mounted to the tripod it only extends the compacted travel length by about 1/2" as the adapter pivots with the tripod ball head to the side for storage. Highly recommended.  I was initially looking at an entire Bogen head with this type adapter but this option saved money and allowed me to use the original ball head on my tripod. A very smart idea/option from Manfrotto BOGEN.
Excellent product from Amazon and made by Bogen-Manfrotto.  Received quickly and very satisfied.  The pricing was very reasonable.  I am an amature photographer, and Bogen makes an excellant product.
i have used this on to adapt my old cheep monopod to work with my Manfrotto Quick change adapter plate on my camera works very well
This is not the best tripod quick release plate on the market, but it is very cheap and easy to use and sturdy enough for small-to-mid sized SLR cameras.  Replacement plates (if you have more than one camera) are also very cheap and widely available.Quick release systems like this make a camera tripod much easier to use.  If your tripod doesn't come with built-in quick release, then this is a cheap upgrade.  Unless you have a super-fancy $800 tripod, this Bogen quick release should be more than adequate for you.  You would be wise to stick with a popular system like Bogen/Manfrotto so that replacement parts (like the camera plates) will be easily available in the future.
is well constructe a litle big for my taste, but i work grate! I recomend it a lot!
I use Manfrotto quick releases RC2, RC4, and RC5. RC2 being the smallest and most compact was where I started. Now I use it on my monopod and macro rail, which doesn't have a quick release by itself. It works out great. Only thing about RC2 is that the screw may not fall into the hole completely every time, especially when in a hurry. When that happens, the lock can't be securely locked. It let go on me once because of this, my own user-error. But it does show a design flaw. The RC4 and RC5 are completely pro grade, solid and secure. But more expensive, heavier and much bigger. RC2 fits my rail perfect in size and weight so I went for RC2 instead the other two. But I do use RC4 between the geared head and macro rail.
After a lengthly research on what the best rapid connect would be for my tripod and camera, I found the Manfrotto Rc2.  Upon receiving if very fast from the seller I tried it out and woo, it sure was better than the cheapee one's on the market.  I tried it out one cold morning (20 degrees) and it was very easy to use in the cold weather when fingers tend not to work so well.  I would recommend the product to other people.
This quick release system performs just the way it should.The quality of materials is excellent!The flip lock assures that your camera isn't going anywherewhen you attach to the tripod.Very quick and easy!
This is the cat's meow for quickly connecting your camera to tripod.  I recently used it while taking shots of the rising full moon.  It is so easy to connect your camera even in the dark!
Being able to quickly and easily mount and remove my Canon DSLR from a tripod is simply excellent, and this RC2 makes the process a snap. Read about the others and then buy this one.
I bought this plate and adapter many years ago to mount my video camera to my RC2 heads / convert another tripod to the RC2 system.  Once the RC2 plates are locked in they work as advertised.I have had good success using the Manfrotto 322RC2 joy stick and a couple of 3229 monopod RC2 compatible heads for years and recently purchased a 498RC2 ball head for my SLR's.  At this point I could not see using anything other than the RC2 system in the future.  You cannot beat the functionality or stability for the quality you get at this price.Also, If you don't have a video camera and need the plates (mount with the pin) but want a sturdy quick release for your SLR's get the plate with out the pin., (but this pin can easily be removed) to use with compatible heads.
I wrote a review of theplates for this releasethe other day and gave them 5 stars too. But obviously you've got to have the connector to start, so I'll write one here. You can't go wrong with this setup! I've got a bunch of the plates on my bodies and lenses, and the releases mounted on two tripods (and a monopod!) and I love them. I've got no qualms about having my Nikon gear hanging over my shoulder connected only by this release, it's a rock! If you're still screwing gear on and off your tripod get this now!
I purchased this item to add quick release capability to a Bogen tripod head that didn't have that capability.  It can be attached, but the area under the quick release lever is not flush with the rest of the plate which limits which direction the base can be mounted.  You have to have to attach it so the lever hangs off the side of the head.  Might not be an issue for a small tripod head.
These are okay meaning that if you have off camera flash, Sb's on cannon ex's they will do just fine. If you place Einsteins on them be ready to place sand bags for stabilization. They are not good for studio flash in my opinion.
As a professional photographer/videographer, this is the PERFECT all-purpose lightstand for any occasion. Light enough to carry, heavy enough to support your lightheads at 11 ft in the air! I'll be buying a few more.
The 368B does the job for me.  It is very sturdy. My only complaint is that the legs are a little troublesome to collapse or expand.
I bought these stands to round out my studio collection.  They have high-quality fittings, look good, and are easy to store and carry around. They are perfect with lighter-weight lights and modifiers. But put a large softbox on them and sandbag the legs for stability, and they start to feel a little on the overloaded side. Not overloaded enough to be tippy or break, but bending a little under the strain. Definitely not a stand you would choose to put a large boom on.In other words -- great choice for lightweight applications, but not what I would choose to hold large softboxes, booms, etc.I still haven't found anything that compares with the Matthews C-stands for rugged dependability and sturdiness. The 368B's are a great choice though, when you want something a little lighter and easy to transport.
Light Weight, Very slim, I wish the legs could be put away faster but that is a very minor gripe.
These items arrived in perfect condition and when expected. I wanted everything in my photography gear to match, so ordering Manfrotto was a given. I'm glad I held out...quality was as expected and the price was right, thanks to Amazon. Thank you!
I must admit I was kind of surprised at how small this thing is at first glance, but like they say... size doesn't matter right?I bought this level because bubble level on my tripod dried out for some reason... and so I needed a way to ensure that my horizons were perfectly levelled. There is nothing more annoying than a slanted horizon on a landscape shot or a panoramic shot!This little item easily solves that problem for you in a snap... I have to admit that when you consider how small it is and that it is made out of plastic, then I agree with reviewers when they say that it is expensive... but is worth taking shots with slanted horizons? No!I like the fact that the item can fit both horizontally and vertically into the camera's hot shoe making for easier use under different circumstances.A nice to have little gadget in your photographic bag of tricks!
The double bubble is useful for determining if you camera is really level.  Most of the time I haven't found being perfectly level to be an issue, but having a double level is particularly useful if I'm getting ready to shoot a panoramic that I'll be stitching together.  I have a single bubble level to determine if the base of the tripod head is level, but that doesn't tell me if the camera is level.  When using a bubble on the tripod head base and a double bubble on the camera, I find I can quickly reposition the camera for the next shot.The price is the main reason to dock this level.  There are others out there (such as the Flashpoint equivalent from Adorama) that function just as well and are cheaper.  You won't regret owning this, but you may regret paying the extra money for the Manfrotto name.
I was finding the horizons in some of my sea shots in particular were off by a couple of degrees, and this little item has solved the problem completely.It is very accurate, easy to read and fits the hotshoe of my Canon Powershot G11 well enough to allow completely accurate assessment in vertical and horizontal shots.It's also very light, and a lovely design.However, it is made of perspex, so the surface is quite delicate.  I handled it with insect repellent on my hands, and where I touched it, the surface has dulled.  It's still perfectly useable, but not nearly as pretty any more.There are a couple of very minor problem with my setup - neither sufficient to reduce the rating from 5 stars though.  I'd definitely buy one again.#1 It doesn't quite fit the hotshoe of my Canon Powershot G11 well enough to prevent it sliding out while I'm walking, so I have to remove it after each shot, or carry the camera with my thumb in position to hold it in place (easy enough on both counts).#2  Also, and this is a problem with my camera software, not with the level - my camera won't allow exposure bracketing with the level in place on the camera (it interprets its presence as a flash unit, I guess, and disables exposure bracketing).  The workaround is to hold the level to the side of the camera while taking a photo, works fine.
This is great for awkward shooting positions where you have a hard time eyeing things up through the viewfinder.  Also, when doing panoramic series this is nice to help make sure that your photos will actually stitch together when all is said and done.  Even for normal shooting whenever you have to bend over most people tend to lean slightly, thus skewing their view, so this little gadget helps you make sure that you are really shooting level.
It's expensive for what it is, but it works well. There's no issue with it being off like I've seen in the reviews of some of the cheaper ones.
I ordered this Manfrotto bubble level through Amazon/47th Street Photo and was shipped a cheap looking copy made by Opteka. One bubble is huge, one tiny and it does not look as nicely made as a Manfrotto levels I've seen. It is going back for a refund. I'll get a real one at B&H Photo.
To get straight to the point, one axis on my sample is significantly off level.  I expected better from the Manfrotto name and for the premium price they ask.
I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't over-priced. But it is a great tool for getting shots nice an level. It also doesn't fit very snugly into the hot shoe, so I have to be careful not to knock it off.
What can I say ... it's a Manfrotto product and everything I expected it to be. Be carefull though ... easy to loose in the field ... make sure you secure it when you are done leveling your DSLR
For the money this is a great level. It is good to use when out in the country/wilds where you don't want to carry a lot of weighty equipment. Works good.
One of the key issues when photgrahing panoramic views is making sure the horizon is level.  This is not always as easy as it sounds, so having this little gadget in your camera bag is a big help.  This is even more critical if you're plan is to take several shots and stitch them together where you'll want to ensure that the multiple photos are all at the same level and inclination.
A simple product that appears to be precisely made. Essential item for copy work. The dual axis is easier to use than the bull's eye bubble.
This does what it is supposed to do.  I can't see why it has to be so expensive though.
This is an amazingly simple to use and effective device - never again have anyone tell you, "Great picture, but it's crooked."
This is a standard 2axis level. It does the job, though the level in your tripod is also do the same thing.
Allows you to level your camera.  I like the convenience of having it on the flash shoe, so it doesn't get in the way when you're not using it, but it's there when you need it.  Fits snug into my Canon 30D.Only 4 stars (not 5) because paying this much for a piece of plastic kinda sucks, but I couldn't find one cheaper, so I had to bit the bullet, but I'm glad I did, so if you're looking for one, this works nicely.
Great to have.  Fits the hot shoe better than the cheaper model I previously had.  Works well and the quality is good.  The reason for 4 stars is that it is a little pricey.
I have the tendency to stand with more weight on one leg than the other thus some of my photographs can be "tilted". This bubble solves my doing that and offers everything needed to shoot a straight horizon.
Wanted a bubble level and the Manfrotto 337 seemed like a good one.  So far the level has worked well.  I have Canon 5d Mk2, level fits OK, but is not very tight.  It has not come off,but seems like a couple of good bumps if you were holding the camera lens up and it could fall off.  Only time will tell.  It has helped me to level the camera even when hand holding using livemode, so I'm happy.
I find this pretty useful for landscape type photos so that I can get my camera leveled on uneven ground.  It is very convenient that it fits in the hot shoe of my camera.  Unfortunately it doesn't fit snugly so it can get bumped out (which means I have to sometimes hunt for it when I am shooting late in the day or on uneven/rocky areas).  If it had the type of locking mechanism found on the bottom of flashes that would make it a better fit and make it less likely to get lost.All in all handy gadget that saves some post processing work.
I used this filter on my trip to lake Titikaka (in the border between Bolivia and Peru). It worked great and my pictures were all the better for that. It won't work miracles and you still need to manually compensate for the added 'darkness' in the picture, so it won't work if you only use your camera in Auto mode. If you know what you are doing though, this will work exactly as expected.
Bought this to go with the excellent Dp1, it fits and works great. The only problem is that in bright sunlight you are guessing at the effect. A Hoodman loupe would help. There is a marking dot on the outside of the filter that can be lined up with the sun giving you max effect
This is a really nice  filter. It's well made, works beautifully, and so is worth the steeper price.  I'm glad I bought it rather than a cheaper one.
Does everything I expected a CP to do. No distortion noted over the entire range of the 70~300mm range of the lens I use it on.
It's very small and thin, it looks a bit flimsy. But it's well-made (in Japan, supposedly) and it works perfectly.
GET A FILTER!  If not this one, a cheap one.  They typically clean easier than the camera's lens and are much cheaper to replace if they get scratched or even cracked.  I actually noticed a small crap/chip in the corner of my filter I suspect happened while I was exploring some old building.  I probably bumped the lens into something hanging low.  It's nowhere that'd show in a photo, but it goes to show how such damages could occur unnoticed.People complain these filters are difficult to clean.  Yes, they are a bit sticky with the coating and all, but if you have a brush or true microfiber cloth, they clean up quite easily.I also saw the true advantage of having multi coated filters during the lunar eclipse.  I tried using one of my other cameras with a cheap UV filter, but it had a horrible glare from the brightness of the moon.  I switched to the Nikon which had this filter and there was no glare to be seen.
This is the first polarizer I've ever owned or even used. Buy a polarizer. Don't question it, just do it. The difference is incredible.
I like Sigma stuff.  Never learned to love it but it's better than most of the no name photographic gear you can pick up.  This polarizer works fine, I still use it and it has a home in my camera bag.
Works as expected.  The grip on the outside ring makes it really nice and allows for you to turn the filter easy enough.  Another reviewer stated that their lense cap would not fit with the filter on.  I find that this is not the case.  My Nikon lense cap fits perfectly and is not loose at all when attached to this filter.  This filter is a must if you are taking pictures on sunny days.  Glares disappear and the picture you wanted is ready to be taken.  First class filter!
This is a good accessory for general photography. I like shooting landscapes so I use this a lot. The only minor irritant is the hood attachment is required to use it, and the cone like sun shade makes turning the ring a little difficult.
I've been using this on Canon lenses for some time. Over the years, I've tried the cheapest polarizers I could find and slim, expensive German models. The cheap polarizers work, but their thickness means a lighting penalty: you lose at least 2 stops of light, and they introduce vignetting (fall-off at the edge of the frame) and reduce overall image contrast. That's why it's worth paying more for this model, which performs every bit as well as my expensive German slice of glass but at a far more reasonable price.This filter cuts glare without a great penalty in exposure, and I haven't been able to spot any vignetting. It is very solidly constructed, and I like that the outer metal rim of the filter is notched: that means I can use one finger to dial in the right angle of polarization when using a lens hood.Overall, I am very impressed -- it's worth spending a little more to get far better performance.
The filter is crystal clear and works perfectly. I would put this against any of my B&W; filters any day.It's funny, I ordered this as I needed a 72MM pol filter in a rush and I couldn't find a B&W; 72MM in stock at that time. I was going to "settle" for this until I could get a B&W; to replace the sigma filter. I have since purchased three other sigma filters and love them all.Great filter at a good price.
Works as expected fits like a glove easy on and easy off very happy with my purchase and sure you will be also.
Bought this to use with my recently acquired Sigma 17-70 (2.8-4) and Pentax K-5. The filter works as expected, not much to it -- it's just a polarizer anyway. Being circular, it does not interfere with auto focus, of course. It is quite low profile, thin, so if it does give any vignetting at the widest angle of my lens (17 mm), I haven't been able to notice yet. A bit expensive, but it's good quality glass, multicoated. After all, why spend a couple grand on camera and lenses and then spoil it all with cheapo filters later?
Purchased this filter to go on my Sigma 10-20mm wide-angleSigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasand it works perfectly. This filter was designed with this lens in mind or at least it would appear that way. Vignetting is minimal. Great unit.
Used this with my Sigma 10-20mm as I read it was made for this. I found it does a lot of warming if anything else. Not necessarily bad but it isn't what I expected. I own several B+W brand filters and none show this type of warming.
Well I bought this polarizing filter just to have it for sunny exposure days.Seems to me worth the money.  No complaints.  Well built, quality glass.I don't remember if I read the review for this one stating that you could not use a lens cap with it.  If so that is false.  There is enough of a lip on the filter to clip the standard cap to it.  No need to get another cap.Worth the $
I purchased this filter for use with my Canon 24-105L, and I'm happy that I chose this one.  There are less and more expensive filters to go with; I chose the middle ground.  For the wide end of my lens's range, I figured it would be best to go with this specialized polarizer, especially since I have a full-frame sensor that is more sensitive to vignetting.  At 24mm, a small amount of added vignetting can be seen, but I don't find it to be significant.
Sigma makes great stuff anyway and this is no exception.  Well made and works like a charm.  Slightly thinner design works well on wide angle lens, but still allows for a lens cap that grips outer threads.
A solid polarizer, nicely build and includes a small hardcase to store when not in use. If you are looking for a polarizer I can certainly recommend this one. I have been using mine for almost a year now, all across the Northern American Hemisphere, without problem.Before you buy it, make yourself a favor and read on its uses. Chances are you don't need it and are better of without it. Otherwise, go for it!
It's a bit dark, unless tangential to the light source, then it only seems like it adjusts the white balance
This filter has done a fantastic job for me.  I use it on my 10-22mm and 70-200mm lenses.  Although I didn't need a slim filter on the 70-200, I liked it so much for the 10-22, I figured I wouldn't bother testing out another.  This filter has front threads so I can attach a lens cap.  I love that feature because I sometimes put other items in with my lens, so the protection is key.  It's worth the extra money to get this filter.
I haven't used polarizer filters before, this is a great value compared with more expensive B+H multi-coated filters.I have no experience with B+H ones but this one works like a charm! love it! I have ordered an 82mm one too!
Sigma makes the best quality filters for the price I've found. The multicoating on their filters does a fantastic job at reducing glare and the build quality is very good.  This circular polarizer is very thin, great for wide angle lenses, but I don't find I have trouble gripping it to turn it.
Although I haven't got to use it in very many truly practical applications yet, what I have seen appears to be a quality product.  The lens does what I wanted it to do, seems to be good optics, and nicely made.  I would recommend to other aspiring photographers!
this one feels really cheap. It doesn't have the same built quality of the hoya's with the same price range. You can feel the cheap sound when rotating it. I had a cheap $10 circular polarizer that seems to have the same built quality of this one. Unfortunately it didn't came broken or anything, so I don't feel like returning it.
Okay.  This is a nice filter, but I starting using a hood instead.  I have the filter in my pack, I just don't use it.  Maybe someday...:)
This was a great match for my Canon 17-85mm lens.  Fits easily, and still allowed use of lens hood and even the lens cap.Rotation of the polarizer was very smooth.  Did not detract from lens sharpness, either.
I bought this because I purchased the Sigma 24-105 A Series lens and it is fantastic. So it just made sense to purchase Sigmas polarizer. glad I did. again, top quality.
I don't have a clue why so many people fail to mention this filter in the same sentence as the Sigma wide angle 10-20mm lens. It was MADE FOR THIS LENS. Everyone talks about B+W and the other brands and all complain about their lens caps or their weird distortions. Well maybe because they weren't MADE for the Sigma lens. Anyway, excellent product, I can put my lens cap on it and I don't experience any vignetting, and it has a nice arrow on the rim that you direct toward sunlight to get optimal polarization.
I bought one of these cheap on ebay because I needed one quickly. When I got it, It was decently constructed, the glass was solid, and it seemed to do it's job. just a word of warning - if you drop your camera (we all do every so often), this filter will break. I was actually kind of shocked at how damaged this filter took - not only was the glass cracked (it looked like the anarchy symbol - heh) and the ring was actually bent.Granted, a dropped camera is rare, but it does happen. So if you're accident prone, well you probably should find either a cheaper, or a sturdier. It really is a decent filter in all other respects, and I may just order another one!
Great filter.  It really does reduce camera flare.  Very sturdy and solid build.  Fits my Nikon 18-55mm ED lens perfectly and securely.  You can also attach other lenses to it without any issues of bad fit.
I have this filter on my 1.8 35mm 24/7. I only take it off to clean it every now and then. This filter is awesome, it does NOT cause any impurities in my pictures. It sorta softens out certain things in a good way but it's very hard to tell. I would recommend it to anyone. Just DO NOT TIGHTEN IT TOO MUCH!!!!! Else you're gunna have fun taking it off.
I got this filter for my Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 lens. As one other reviewer stated, when I opened the package it looked as if there was no glass in the filter. You can barely tell that it is there. Now onto it's performance. It truly is multi-coated, I have not gotten any flare or ghosting in my photos. Even pointed directly at a set of Christmas lights there is no flare or ghosting. There seems to be no degradation in quality, or sharpness. Also this filter is very well built. The filter ring is made of a very nice grippy material which makes it easy to remove. The only con which I have for this is that it is difficult to get clean. However this is common of most multi coated lenses. Overall I would recommended that if you need a filter, to get this one. It is cheap for a quality multi-coated filter.
I bought this filter to go on myNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasto act as a small amount of protection should I do something stupid.The reviews said that there weren't any issues with additional flares or ghosts, and so far I have no disagreements.  It has been on the lens since the day I've gotten it and has not interfered with any pictures taken.There isn't too much to get excited about, I was basically just looking for something as clear as possible to go on the front of the lens and this fits the bill.Highly recommended
It is just a filter but (i) it is well build, (ii) works very nice, (iii) came with a sealed case, (iv) it is made in Japan, and (v) it is multicoated.
I use it on my new camera for protection it has work. It was the first time I buy a product like this, I am still learning.
Well made.  I like the rubber like coating for ease in unscrewing the filter.  Much reduced reflections compared with some cheaper name brand filters I have tried.
Did side by side comparison with Hoya's basic $7 52mm UV Filter - the difference is night and day. C'mon, you've spent hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on your DSLR / lens / tripods / accessories all for that flare- and ghosting-free image. Don't skimp out on a quality filter - it's the only thing between your subject and your glass.This filter is an incredible bargain - high quality multi-coated glass at 1/3 of the price of similarly crafted filters. Go out and get one now!
I had a cheap Targus UV filter that I was using for what UV filters are for: physically protecting the actual lens glass. That filter started to rattle, plus it wasn't coated so I would occasionally get ugly &#34;ghost&#34; flares when shooting against bright backgrounds and light sources.This filter fixes all the shortcomings of the Targus. It is solidly built and has that &#34;professional&#34; matte black finish that is grippier than it looks. The multicoating does a great job of minimizing lens flare. It also seems a little easier to keep clean than my old plain glass one, which is nice.
this actually added flares that don't appear without a filter...i am extremely dissatisfied with this purchase, and have just ordered a Hoya UV filter within a day of receiving this..don't cheap out on a filter, this is a product in which the money is necessary to ensure quality, i've learned that
This is a very good product. I bought it without a second thought for my Nikon D5100 by reading the reviews. As all other reviewers have justified, it really is a good UV filter which also protects the lens. I have a 3 year old son who most of the times decides to touch the lens when I'm taking his closeup photo. This filter has been the filter between my son and the lens :-) Threads very easily and perfectly to the lens and does not distort the picture quality in any manner. Definitely worth the money.
Like many I bought this mostly for protection. I usually buy a HOYA multi-coat but for some reason I wasn't finding many in my size 52mm at the time of this purchase. Very glad I came across this one. The filter is very thin, well-constructed, it threaded on easily. And the auto-focus locks on just as quickly and the pictures are still just as clear and sharp. Recommended.
I purchased theSigma EX DG 67mm Multi-Coated UV Filterso when it came time to get a 52mm there was never any doubt. These UV filters are simply fantastic! Sure, you can get cheaper UV filters if you just looking for basic protection of the glass on your lens. But if you want a UV filter that has great glass, effective coating and high-quality build, the Sigma is a great choice.
I'm relatively new to photography, and am just not willing to shell out a ton of money on accessories until I know that the bigger price tag is worth it for me.  I bought a few of these UV filters to stay on the end of each of my lenses for protection only.  Modern DSLR lenses compensate just fine for UV on their own, so these are not strictly &#34;necessary&#34; (and indeed, most purists will argue against using them on an everyday basis), but I don't find any degradation in picture quality apparent at all.  This lens came in a nice sealed little plastic case, which I retained for storage, and there wasn't so much as a dust mote on it when I took it out.  It's possible that as my photographer's eye becomes a bit more discerning with practice, I'll notice some difference in picture quality using this verses going filter-less, but I kinda doubt it.  This is definitely worth a buy for the average photographer who just wants the security of knowing their expensive DSLR lens is protected from scratches and dust.
My 50mm lens is protected with this and it makes me feel much better. I like it a lot. There is nothing bad about it. Worth the price.
The filter is well made and the threads are nicely machined. I use it as protection for my lens, the main feature of this over cheaper versions being it's coated, so errant reflections are reduced between the front element and filter. Recommended!
I got this to put on the nifty fifty (Canon f/1.8 50mm) and it works great.  It is better that the Tiffen filter I put on my kit lens (I did comparison shots for flare).  That being said, I bought a Hoya HMC UV filter to put on my Sigma f/1.4 30mm.  That is a much nicer lens and I didn't want to cripple it with a cheap filter.  If I'm spending less than $300 on a lens I will go with Sigma UV filters, however if I have an expensive lens it will wear an expensive filter
I've shot with B&W and Hoya filters before, and this filter seems to be as high quality as any! (and much cheaper to boot)
I have started using Sigma Mulit-Coated UV filters now for a while, and I used them on all my lenses. Yes its a little bit more expensive, but it does NOT effect my images.Buy it, you won't regret it.
Really high quality filter. Reason for 4 star rating is that you cannot use a lens hood with the filter on (at least on the Canon 50mm 1.8). Appears to have excellent quality glass. I have only had it for a little less than a week but I know this is going to last quite a while. Glad I bought it as it will provide excellent protection for my lens.
i needed a UV filter for my new lens. I decided to go a &#34;cheap&#34; route after spending a fair amount on a B&W brand filter and finding it wasn't nearly as good as my cheaper lenses. I am very satisfied with this.
Seriously was thinking they forgot the glass entirely..  Amazing quality. I want 7 of them. Just for back ups. ;)Comes in a case for it and everything. -Wonderful item :)
This filter acts as nice protection for my Nikon 3100 lens.  I am not too sure what it is supposed to do from a functionality standpoint, but like the protection.
I bought this item a while back and I am just reviewing it now.I returned the item and replaced with with a B+W UV Filter.Spend the money and buy a good UV filter. All these cheap filters all have crap on the glass that shows up in your photos.I tried for about 30mins to buff the glass with a cloth to get whatever was on the glass off.I would not recommend.
This Sigma is better at dispersing reflections than the Tiffen UV filters I've been using.  Just looking at a reflection on both filters shows the difference: the Tiffen shows a bright white reflection of a window, while the Sigma shows a dim green reflection, much like the lens of a camera.  The threads also seem to be better machined, as the filter goes on and off more smoothly than the Tiffens.Any sort of cleaning seems to remove part of the multi-coating.  There was a dust-like spot on a brand-new Sigma, and when neither a Rocket Blaster nor a Lens Pen could remove it, I tried ethanol lens cleaner with both a cleaning cloth and a Pec Pad.  Some of the multi-coating came off and smeared: I bought three of these filters, and could compare an untouched one with the cleaned one.  The untouched one has a "greener" reflection than the cleaned one.  Both are still a lot better than the Tiffen.Turns out that cleaning the second Sigma filter with just a Lens Pen also removed some of the multi-coating, so maybe it wasn't the ethanol.  I could try water or soap-and-water on the third one, but am not anxious to do so until necessary.
although this filter is mainly used as a lens protector, this also functions fully and firmly as UV protection, and is soldly built to withstand the shocks of the trade. Use one, even indoors, at all times. Keeps your lens clean and free of finger smudges, Easier to clean a filter than replace a lens.
I bought this filter for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 mainly as a protection for the Leica lens.  I did not do any before or after shots with or without the lens.  I just read that it was a good idea to use a filter to protect the lens in case you dropped the camera.  For a small amount of money, I feel that I am investing in protecting the lens and it is well worth it.
My previous filters from a cheap set I purchased off ebay.  They did the job just fine, but had obvious reflections and all at times.  When my Sigma arrived, I held it in the light beside my previous filter.  There were practically no reflections on the Sigma!Do yourself a favor, get a decent filter!  Multi-coated is the way to go.  Eventually reflections will disrupt your photos.
I purchased two of these UV filters - one each lense on my D3000.  I was concerned about glare from a 'basic' UV filter.  I live in AZ and it is VERY sunny and bright here most of the time.  These filters are doing the job for me.  I have had no problems with glare in my photos.
I use this Sigma 52mm UV Filter on myNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasand I've no issues so far. I was going to purchase a cheaper UV filter, but decided on this after reading many glowing reviews.Some thoughts+ Reduces glare significantly, does not interfere with the picture quality+ Has a nice build, metal rim, solid filter+ Provides extra cushion for your lens (I wouldn't rely on this to protect your glass)Love this filter. It's definitely a step up from cheaper filters like Tiffen and Zeikos. Treat your lens to this quality UV filter. Buy with confidence.
Great item, need to replace all my UV filter lens with multi coated lens. Shots have no aberrations or Ghosting thus far. I would recommend this item or any multi coated
I purchased this the same time I got the Canon 50mm lens. Installation was fast and easy. Very good quality ring.
I bought one, then another because it's so good. Very thin and tiny. The coating is legit. I've got a couple other non coated filters, and these definitely make a difference.
This is a great UV filter that I keep on my lens all the time. It reduces flare and ghosting pretty well. It's much better than any of the other UV filters I've used.
Line this filter up to another 'cheap' filter and you will see the difference. This is a quality multi-coated UV filter from Sigma that works great on all my 52mm Nikkor lenses. Buy it without regret.
I purchased this to protect my Canon 50mm lens from scratches. It's incredibly thin and see through, I couldn't tell that there was glass inside the ring unless I touched it, and it left absolutely no negative changes in image quality. However, I dropped the lens and this filter was completely destroyed. I know that it's probably more breakable because of the thinness of the glass, but it only lasted me for a few days before being completely destroyed.
Accidently dropped brand new megazoom camera on first trip. The Sigma filter shattered, but the camera lens was fine. So it performed its protective function perfectly. Can't comment on its optical properties, particularly compared to similar filters.
I'm the kind of person who researches a lot before buying because I simply don't like having to return stuff. When I searched for a UV filter for my new camera, I looked at a lot of brands and read a ton of reviews. I decided to get this Sigma and I am SO glad I did!I haven't had any problems with ghosting / reflections.  The only other brand filters I have is Nikon so I don't have much to compare this Sigma to; but I can tell you I'm very happy with this product.Super clear glass, thick heavy metal frame, threads smoothly onto my lens, extremely well made.  I bought another one to protect my other lens, and will purchase again each time I get a new lens.Definitely worth the money. I will never hesitate to buy Sigma lens filters again. Don't waste your time or money on other brands, this is equal to (if not better than) my Nikon filter that cost more.Highly recommend! Get it!
This filter is pretty reasonable compared to B+W, and seems to perform in a satisfactory manner. The multi-coating is evident, and seems to not contribute to lens flare when used on some of my &#34;legacy&#34; (read: OLD) lenses. In fact, I suspect it may be helping to get more life out of some vintage Minolta and Nikon glass.
Bought this to protect my Nifty 50 and it works well.  Later I bought an adapter so I could use all my 58mm filters on my 52mm lens and now this is a bit obsolete for me, but it works well and I'd purchase it again if I didn't have the adapter.
Wow! when you remove these Sigma filters from the box you almost don't believe your eyes. The glass is pristine...no dust here from sitting around on a conveyor belt. Oh, and guess what? They are made with superb materials in JAPAN! My favorite filters , bar none. That includes my several B&W filters which are also of the highest caliber materials and manufacture. Great job Sigma!
Por the price, it gives good protection t the front element, but it adds flare! I bought it for a Canon 50mm f/1.8, which has a crappy optic already. Adding more flare to it wasn't an option, so I stoped using it.
Very good protection for my purpose, leaves no dust entering, so satifecho with purchase. great product, very good and sharp images.
Placing the order for this filter was easy and received it with days, once order was posted. I feel this filter was a good buy to protect my len on the Lumix DMC FZ200 camera.
I am using this one on a prime 50mm canon lens, it works great, still produce some small flares on very strong lights or sunny days, they are not bad or strong but just singled color dot from time to time, depending of the angle.Other than that, I have not noticed any sharpness lose on the image or color change, actually the colors seems more defined and good contrast balance.Price is right, it is all metal and glass. very good product.
This UV filter is multi coated. Dont bother with non coated filters because they ruin your photos. My only complain about this filter was that it came dirty with lots of specs stuck on the glass. I cleaned it up but there is still one little dot left but since it was near the edge, I let it be. Didnt want to deal with returning it. Used it with my f1.8 35mm nikon lens.Edit: It looks like the Coating on the glass comes off very easily with cleaning. I changed my rating from 4 stars to 3 stars because of this. I use this filter with a hood to protect my protection filter!
I read all the other reviews before purchasing and I must say that I am very impressed. Noticed a big difference in my outdoor shots. Read the other reviews, you can't go wrong with this filter. I am going to buy another one for my other lens.
I was concerned about damaging the lens on my new Olympus OMD-EM5, but I did not want to lower the quality of the pictures with reflections. This multicoated filter is a relatively inexpensive solution. As far as I can tell, it has no visible impact on the pictures, but it protects the lens. I would much rather have to replace it than the lens! Enough said.
Got this to protect my new nifty 50 lens...seems to work well and was a good price for what it will do.
I bought it mostly to protect the lens on my point-and-shoot.  It works well there and seems to perform ok as a UV filter.
New to the world of DSLRs, this was my first experience with a filter. I am impressed with the multi-coating/low reflections. The filter is not flimsy or cheap "feeling." It easily screwed onto my Pentax K-x kit lens.
Just want to protect your lens? Get this. Doesn't negatively affect your picture quality at all, goes on easily. Done. No complaints.
I would give this product a five star except it gets dirty quite fast and for me personally, I have to run tap water on the filter and wipe it down with the microfiber to clean it off thoroughly.  Other than that, it works great!
This filter does the job well and doesn't interfere with my pictures. I find myself second guessing a lot as to if the glass is still in there because it is so perfectly clear. Definitely worth the extra few dollars to not have to worry about it getting in the way of my pictures.
Others have said when you first take this filter out of the box, the glass is so clear that the ring almost looks empty. I thought that was an exaggeration, but no. This glass is downright invisible. The construction quality also feels top-notch. To be honest, I haven't actually taken any photos with the filter in place, but I can't possibly imagine it will hinder them. I'll update this review if I discover otherwise.
Bought this for my D3100 and it's worked really well so far. Haven't had any issues so far with it with flares, ect.
When i received the filter i took it out of its packaging and for a second thought the glass was missing. ITS THAT GOOD, i had to tap it to notice the glass was there, absolutely no reflections whatsoever. The only time i noticed any reflections was when pointing a light straight into it, very good filter for a good price. Multi coated is the way to go.
I have been using this for quite a while and have taken pictures with and without this filter. I dont notice any distortion or any problems. It seems to do the job and act like an expensive one. Works for me.
Very good finish glass is imperceptible to the eye, comes in a quality case to protect the pictures look great. the thread entered without any problems, it is certainly a necessary accessory to protect the lens but is outstanding in good quality ...
I bought this after reading positive reviews of it over other brands to protect the integrated Leica lens on my Panasonic Lumix FZ200.  It gives an added feeling of comfort when shooting in the field knowing the lens is protected without compromising picture quality.  If it fits your lens, I highly recommend it.
looks good i have not used it yet but it seems like it works good, comes in a nice hard case. screws right on to my 53mm lens hood no problems, Cheap enough to buy another if this one gets scratched main reason i bought it is to protect my lens
You really do get what you pay for in terms of filters. For $20, this is an excellent filter to reduce haze and still obtain crisp clear images. Highly recommended.
Works good.  What else can you say.  Don't have any problems that I can see. Seems to be producing good pictures with my Nikon.
Basically this Sigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filter is rendered as garbage due to the night reflections from point light sources.
Good filter, used to protect the actual lens
Compared to the Canon UV filter included in my starter bundle, the Sigma UV filter is hands down, clearly more effective.  It was startling to see the difference side by side.  This filter is obviously multicoated.  After the comparison, I ordered Sigma filters for the rest of my lenses.I don't feel that this filter is worth $70, but $30 is about right.
This is a nicely made quality filter, great value. I notice it is made in Japan, which is unusual these days.
The lens fits my Canon Powershot SX10-is perfectly. The lens is quality made, no problems taking pictures after the installation. The lens is good value for the money. The UV lens replaced the lens cap that Canon provided with the SX10-is which is not the best quality. I would purchase this UV lens again and would recommend it.
Like a lot of folks, I went with a UV filter to protect my camera lenses front elements.  I read some reviews, and the Sigma multicoated filters were noted as being very good at not having glare, at a reasonable price.  That is exactly what I found.  Compared to a friend's cheaper filters, I notice little to no glare with the Sigma DG UV filter, whereas I did notice an issue with his.  I will be buying more of these as I get more lenses, and as they get scratched or damaged enough to affect my photos.
I bought this for my Pentax AL 18-55MM lens.  It worked perfectly.  I've noticed no optical distortions (which is an issue with cheaper filters).  It protects your lens.  Cheaper to replace a filter than a lens.UV filters should be totally innocuous.  Meaning you almost don't notice that they're there, except making photos on bright sunny days pop more.  A cheap UV filter can distort your photo, making you wonder if it's your skill or your camera.  This one works.  It's 2-3X more expensive than the cheap ones, but my recommendation is to not go with those.  You will be disappointed.  Sigma is a good brand name that makes good stuff.  You can't go wrong here.
To protect my newly purchasedNikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens, I needed to find an adequate UV filter. This was a great purchase. You can tell that it is solidly built. I thought about buying a cheaper filter, but decided not to skimp and pay $15 more. And it was sure a good choice!When buying a UV filter for your lens, this is the one to get.
When I opened the case it looked like what a filter should look like; a clear and clean piece of glass. Unlike the Tiffens that I've ordered in the past (Dirty and used looking).
I just received a Nikon D3000 as a gift from my girlfriend and I was just wondering if this filter will fit on the camera?
There's not a lot to say about something as simple as a UV filter. The quality does seem to be quite a bit higher than some of the lower-priced competitors. The packaging is excellent and there appears to be zero distortion at any zoom level. Pay a few extra buck over the cheaper alternatives. This one is worth the money. Highly recommended.
I bought the 52mm Sigma UV and Polarizer filters for my Panasonic FZ150. The UV filter stays on the lens all the time as protection and glare control. It screws on to the lens securely with 1.5 turns and has outer threads for the Polarizer when needed. While the polarizer screws on securely onto both the lens and the UV filter, It creates vignetting on 4:3 size images. I attach the polarizer on top of the UV and set the camera to capture at 16:9 resolution which has no vignetting at all. The polarizer and UV yeild exceptional results compared to other filters I've tried. The polarizer has grey glass lens and eliminates glare and reflections very well. The two filters combined were lower priced then the original Panasonic Polarizer. Highly recommend Sigma filters for FZ150 owners if you don't mind avoiding 4:3 while using Sigma Polarizer. Also note that the lens cap and the hood can be used normally with these filters. If you must shoot in 4:3 then get a step up ring and a 55 or 58mm polarizer filter to avoid vignetting images. However, you might not be able to use the lens cap and hood as the threads will be obstructed.
I use this filter on an 80 to 200 mm lens. The before and after photos of long range shots are like chalk and cheese. My original photos of some offshore islands taken under bright conditions suffered from haze and colorcast. This Sigma filter has made a huge difference in the lens' ability to reproduce colors closer to what the human eye sees, the colors reproduced are true and there is no haze or bluish tinge as previously experienced.
...far from perfect, at least the copy I got. While it looks transparent to the naked eye, I have experienced ghosting when shooting strong light sources, like the built-in flash in the mirror for example. I never screw my filters very tight, so I can unscrew them easily later and it won't damage my lens' auto focus mechanism - this filter got stuck once on one of my lenses, I had to apply lots of force to unscrew it, something that could have cost me the lens and didn't happen with cheaper filters, so it is not the lens thread. It's been paper weight since this incident. This is my first and last Sigma product I buy.
This filter is definitely worth the little extra I had to pay over the other brand!  I love it!
This is a great UV filter for my 50mm lens; it gets the job done protecting the lens (which was the primary reason I purchased it) without interfering with the quality of my photos. The only down side I found is a slight difficulty in removing fingerprints or smudges - it takes several passes with a lens cleaning cloth to fully clean - the coating on the filter seems to want to hold on to the oils from your skin or anything other than dust. Not really a big deal at all, especially for the price and the overall quality otherwise. Would definitely buy again.
Big difference in quality, it really is none glare and removes ghostly images when against the light scenes. Love it
The filter was perfect for my cannon 40 and I will probably keep it and use it on my 7d.
This is a very good glass filter. The multicoated anti glare finish is excellent in making this almost invisible when light is reflecting directly at it which is something you would want when putting this in front of a lens. The built quality is excellent the price is affordable and it can easily compare to the Hoya Pro-1 UV(0) filters which are pretty much the same as far as quality. One downside to this filter is cleaning it, can be a more laborious task since the finish on this glass can sometimes have scuff marks on it, of course there are the B+W filters which have another coating that mitigates that but a 3x the price. I always put on one of these Sigma UV filters or the Hoya Pro-1 UV(0) filters on all my lenses. It just gives you that stress free shooting experience since you can get close to your subject with out fearing it will cause damage to the lens itself. I do rarely take them off from time to time depending on the environment I am shooting in. I would say stay away from the non-multicoaded stuff it just causes to much light reflection, specially at night.Great Multicoated Glass, Virtually invisible to the camera and lens. Crucial accessory for protecting those expensive lenses.
This filter was inexpensive.  More important it is protecting my primary lens without any apparent deleterious effects.  I had no problems ordering the lens and it arrived in a timely fashion.  I have no negative comments to make.
I'm not an expert photog by any menas, but I do have enough OCD to know what looks right and what does not.  This is the absolute cheapest filter I've found for my kit 18-55mm lens that produces no visible aritifacts in any of the photos Ive taken.  I've left it on essentially full time, as it doen't do anything in low light settings (other than protect your lens glass).  While i have only taken a few hundred with it on, I've done everything from portraits to landscapes to night cityscapes and shot some HD video as well.  If this does nothing more than keep my main lens clean, and not mess up my pictures, then mission accomplished.  Also considering it is priced in the sub $20 range, it is an absolute bargain from a brand name.
Went with this rather then the cheaper ones. No complain. Great colors. easy to clean with a microfiber cloth. But it its worth it.
Its good for what its meant to do, protect the lens without coming in between the lens and the subject. Cost could be the only drawback.
Another fine product from Sigma.  Their filters have always performed very well.  I highly recommend them.  A good balance between quality and cost.
There is not much difference in having a UV filter than not having one it's real main purpose is to protect your lens just incase if it hits something then the front filter glass will break away.The quality is really nice and sturdythe glass could be better because when i clean it i can still see smugde marks.so overall this is a great filter and fits my purpose and i guess it will deflect some UV light.
This is a very good quality UV protective filter. I use it on my Nikon D5000 with the 35mm f/1.8 lens. I shoot in low light often and I notice no glare or reflection from the filter. It feels solid and well made.
This will be my 3rd Sigma filter.  The second filter was on a 55-200mm Nikor lens until this afternoon when my wife dropped her camera.  From the scratches on the lens cap, I'm guessing the camera landed lens cap first and that shattered the Sigma filter.  However, the filter did its job and protected the glass on the lens.  So instead of spending $200 to buy a new zoom lens, I'm spending $20 for a new filter.
Perfect fit and protection lens for my panasonic fz150Really reduce haze, and is cheap from my point of viewHard to clean, so buy a good lenspen.Overall is a good product...
This is a very good UV filter because it does what it is supposed to without introducing any distortion or refraction onto the images.  Some cheap UV filters do this.  The price of this one is only a little more than the cheap knock-off brands, and it is worth the money not to have a UV filter that sometimes ruins images.  RJB.
I bought a new camera recently and put a Hoya UV filter on the lens.  I noticed the pictures at high zoom looked distorted and thought I had a bad camera.  I tried everything to correct the problem, and as a last resort before sending the camera back I took off the UV filter and to my astonishment, the distorted photos were gone and the camera was producing sharp images finally.  I bought a Sigma DG 52mm UV filter and took some shots at max zoom, and the pictures looked as good at max zoom as they did without the filter.  I am a big Sigma DG Multi-Coated customer now and have replaced all of my Hoya filters with the Sigma brand and am one happy camper!
I learned my lesson on buying cheap UV filters that claims it does what it does, but doesn't. The Sigma DOES what it is made to do. It has REAL multi-coating UV. The quality is well made. I feel very confident using the Sigma DG, set it and forget it.Pentax K-7 52mm
Like and use all the time. Protects my camera lens, Except to clean I never remove it and it doesn't interfere with my lens cap.
Past weekend went to Anastasia State Park and took photograph the sunrise. I noticed photos looked smoother and clearer than a cheaper filter I was using. It was more forgiving when shooting long exp on daylight. I'm still very new at this hobby but I am happy with this purchase.
Purchased a pair each of Sigma 52mm, 58mm and 67mm, UV filters, they are made in Japan with excellent craftsmanship. These Sigma UV Filters offer superior UV coatings and light transmission. Some cheap UV filter coatings will fade over time or upon rubbing during simple dust cleaning but not these Sigma filters, assuming gental care is taken. Sigma employs black anodized metal rings to retain the clear glass UV filter in place and threaded at both ends to screw onto the lens barrel and able to use a hood, lens cap, or polarizing filter at the other threaded end.  These Sigma UV Filters meet or exceed the demands of amateur and pro photographers looking for a very high quality UV filters at a competitive price. Sigma UV filters go neck and neck in quality against B&W, Hoya, Nikon, etc. and cheaper to boot. Protect your expensive camera lenses with these Sigma UV filters, you can't go wrong with these outstanding SIGMA UV FILTERS, Thank You for reading my recommendations.
I ordered the wrong size for a new lenses I had bought off eBay, I use these to protect the lens from stractches, but I ordered the wrong size this works as expected on other lenses I have, no problems here.
Good product for its price. and no glare on the filter, fit's well. like the product and recommend for others..
Update: Amazon removed "EX" from the product. Again it is a very impressive uv filter. I will not hesitate buy same them for my other lens. - End update.It is a great filter, no complains. It is certainly better than cheap ones which are less 10 bucks. However, I don't see the 'EX' mark on this product or its package. Maybe sigma rates all its filter as EX, maybe amazon put wrong title and description, even wrong photo, or maybe they just send me the wrong one. I am not going to return it, I need it on my lens all the time.
Excellent quality and photo results. I am currently using this 52mm filter with the Samsung NX210/NX300 DSLR 50-200mm lens. It also fits the 18-55mm lens.
I sprang for the Sigma over some of the other really cheap options like the Zeikos because of previous experiences with smaller Zeikos filters - they aren't coated in the same way this one is.The cheaper options always leave unwanted ghosting in many lighting situations, but I have noticed that this filter generally doesn't exhibit this issue. Also, when you hold the filter at an angle with a light reflecting off it, you can see that there is a coating that would look somewhat similar to what a pair of coated eyeglasses has, so there is definitively something cutting down the glare. The cheap options are barely more than a piece of clear plastic. Overall, for the price, I'm happy with it.
Item arrived much earlier than anticipated. Do not have any issues with image quality. There is no flare nor light bounceback that can be noticed on the images. Using this on a 35mm 2.0
This filter works great, no flare, sharp image, perfect! The only problem is it is very difficult to clean. I received a dirty copy and I had hard time cleaning the filter. The coating is very sensitive and it is difficult to keep it scratch free.
Flat-out, the Sigma EX DG ultraviolet filter is hands-down the best UV filter I have ever used. I've had a handful from Hoya, Tiffen, and Zeikos...and always truly believed that it was just to protect the lens, and the clarity of picture was changed in such minute ways, that it was more or less unnoticeable. However, just holding this lens up next to any of my other UV lenses side-by-side, and you can genuinely see the difference. While $20+ does seem just a little on the steep side for just a UV filter when there are so many out there for less than $5, it's good knowing that unless something tragic happens to this one, I'll never need another. I fully intend to buy one in each diameter I need to cover all my lenses.PROS:+ Amazing quality UV filter+ Excellent finish on the entire product+ Reduces haze noticeably by simple sight, as well as in all picturesCONS:- $20+ may be more than some people are willing to pay for a UV filter
Pros: It does do what it suppose to do.  I've never used any UV Filters before so this is the first one I used and so far I think it does its job okay.It does look pretty nice.Cons: Its scratchable.  I used a clean standart lens wiping cloth to wipe the small dust and it was still able to create small scratches on the glass.  Thats pretty bad quality.  I even wiped it carefully and gently and yet it was able to scratch the glass.  It's not noticable unless you hold it to the light but that still means that its pretty bad quality glass.  So for the high price which I don't believe a piece of cheap glass should be at, means negative stars.-1 star for just okay UV Filtering. Its not special or anything.-1 star for bad quality overall.  Glass and frame.-1 star for price.  I would have to buy a couple just in case one gets scratch up or damage.
So I had originally ordered UV off of ebay.... after return mailing and working on billing I ordered off amazon. Quick and reliable. I got what I wanted and it came as described. No fuss, and no worries.
When shopping for a UV filter for your lenses, assuming you are shopping for a digital camera, is focused on finding one that minimizes glare from the extra lens element, one that protects your lens from scratches and one that doesn't adversely affect image quality.I purchased this filter for myCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. I couldn't be happier with the protection this filter provides, the build quality and lack of image degradation.It's much more expensive than some of the options available, but the build quality is so much higher than many of those others.Attaching this to my camera was simple and easy. Unlike the Zeikos I own for another lens, aligning the filter rings worked flawlessly and easily. I got it on the first try.No glare, no image degradation and an added level of lens protection and make this filter stand out. If I'm ever in need of another UV filter, I'm looking for Sigma and spending the extra money for easy of use and performance.
buy a cheap one to use as protection, dont waste $ on these  expensive one... they are useless and lose fit when cleaning. the ring run around
You must have some sort of protection for your expensive lens and this is the cheapest way to protect them. I have them  on all my lens and this is a great price
A nice multicoated lens for my Nikon. No distortion and a smooth fit onto the camera. I thought the price was a bit high compared with some others...thus 4 stars instead of 5.
I used it on my prime lens and it works flawless. I would definitely recommend this for use on Nikon lenses. I'm using it on my Nikon 35mm f1.8G lens and it works like a charm. I have not noticed any reflections or anything like that and it protects my lens.
Does what I wanted it to do.  Good protection for my lens and no noticeable distortion.  Would recommend it for someone looking for an  inexpensive filter.
The coating seems great.  May be overkill for my 50mm 1.8, but the metal threads help with other filters.
Got this filter for my Lumix FZ200, and I don't have to worry about scratching my lens.  It works great.
When I recieved it, there was a lot of dust on it.  I took my lens brush to it, and it was like there was some sort of oil on the filter because all I did was create a large smudge that took a lot of work to remove.  In fact I had to scrub on the filter so hard to remove the smudge that I slightly scratched the filter.  I should not have to work so hard to clean a brand new product.  Really annoying.  I got it as clean as I could, but am still not happy with how clean it is.  Still a few specs and slight clouding on it.  The more I type about it, the more frustrated I am getting, so I will stop.
Not much more to add to current reviews, a great product and well worth the price. Every lens should have one.  Have not noticed any image artifacts while using this filter.  I've never used another filter, but not sure why I would ever try another!
I've had this filter for about a week now and I haven't had the chance to use my camera very much in the past week, but when I have, there are no strange reflections or anything. It fits my nifty fifty lens snugly. I chose this filter over other brands because I saw reviews about the others ones creating a strange green reflection/light of some sort.
I've bought many UV filters for my cameras, from Hoya and B&W to Promaster and I must say that the Sigma EX MC is the best one. Although most companies claim that their UV filters cut down haze, in reality my experience has been that they really don't. However, I found the Sigma UV filter to noticeably cut down haze and produce very clean, sharp images without altering picture quality in any way. I strongly recommend this filter to protect your camera lens and reduce haze that can ruin your pictures.
I bought this to protect the lens of my Nikon D5100 while hiking near the ocean. It does a fine job keeping salty air from condensing on the lens and blocks windblown sand. There isn't much distortion, unless you zoom pretty far in. It is only really noticeable to me when zoomed all the way in on my 200 mm lens when shooting something with a fine grid pattern,  like a chain link fence. The edges will not be as sharp.  It doesn't have much ghosting unless you are shooting right into the sun, but a lens hood eliminates it. This is a fine budget filter and worjs great for everyday casual shooting.
I got this for my 14-42 mm Olympus lens and it is doing its job perfectly: protecting the lens and reducing haze without altering image quality in any way. I have owned cheaper filters in the past but have come to regret it, because of glare and reflections that were bad enough to spoil photos. If yo&uacute;'re looking for protection for a good (or dear) lens, multi-coated glass is the way to go. This filter seems to be as good as the B+W (which is on my 70-300 mm lens) and costs about half as much.
Please do yourself a favor and stop buying the cheap, non coated filters! I use sigma filters on every lens I have owned for the past few years and after trying out several brands have found these to be the best quality by far. The glass is crystal clear, doesn't scratch easily, cuts down on flair, and is a great way to protect any lens from damage. If you care about the quality of your photographs and the protection of your lens this is a perfect item.
This is an excellent filter. It's a superb piece of glass, multi-coated, and mounted securely into a properly machined and finished ring. Sigma has made a quality product, and offers it at a reasonable price.
No problems fitting it my lens so quality looks good. Just a neat product to protect my lens. Can't wait to test it.
Due to my error in assuming I found I needed a 58mm lens not the 52. Once exchanged the lens has proven to be excellent.Amazon was most helpful with the exchange.This item was in the list of "People who bought the 55-300mm Nikon lens also bought...There was nowhere on the description of the lens telling me that the 52mm lens was not the proper size for the lens I purchased.The filter size needed was 58mm not 52mm.My "bad" but I "assumed" that if folks purchased the filter with the lens that it would fit. I should have done more research.Again the product has been excellent.
This is good value and great protection for my Panasonic FZ200.  There is not a whole lot that can be said about it other than I highly recommend it.
So far I have had no complains. This filter works well to reduce UV haze. It is multi-coated and it protects my lens.
This is the best filter I've used so far. It is much better than the Tiffen filter that I got flares from. I would give it 5 stars, but my package came 3 days late with 2 day shipping.
I have theSigma EX DG 67mm Multi-Coated UV FilterandSigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filteron my lenses so when I needed a 55mm UV it was an easy choice. These Sigma UV filters are simply great! Sure, you can get cheaper UV filters if you just looking for very basic protection for your lenses. But if you want a UV filter that has great glass, effective multi-coated UV protection, and high-quality build, the Sigma is a great choice!
Great product at this price! Usually the filters at this price are not well made, but Simga made it clear and clean plus a multi-coating to reduce the flares, well packaged and fast delivery!Highly recommend!
I bought a pair of these before my vacation and immediately saw a dramatic ddifference in clarity between this and the inexpensive ones they replaced.  I'm very pleased and will look for them again wwhen I am again in need.
After pricing UV filters for my new camera, I decided this time to go for &#34;good glass.&#34; Maybe it's me but seems to give just a sharper image than the less expensive glass. (I have used both).  Colors are good also.
I bought this from Amazon. I dropped my camera and the filter broke, but nothing else was harmed. Probably a fair amount of luck, but also a little extra protection from having this on. I just bought a second one.
I bought this lens filter to attach to my Olympus digital.I searched first for the correct filter, I ordered and was sent the filter.Turns out you can't add filters to the Olympus.  Threading is wronginternal computer can't adjust to a filter.  Why then does it come upwhen you search for Olympus size filters (By model) ?This is not the fault of the supplier -
Does exactly what it needs to - reduce the blue flaring resulting from Ultraviolet light (with a small loss in crispness on some circumstances). Edging has teeth along with a texture paint to guarantee a grip on it. I have bought a few of them for various lenses and slipped right in place smooth+tight (Minolta Maxxum 75-300 + 70-210 &#34;Beercan&#34; and Canon Manual 35-75 Macro + 80-200 &#34;Beercan&#34;)
I only bought it to protect my glass..  and that is it... if it does that job them I will be happy .. Not sure it is any better than a cheaper filter..  shrug..  sorry I can't give you more than that.. I will probably buy another.. just not from the seller who sent me this one.
It's light and it fits my Canon T2i perfectly well. People were impressed by it. It's totally worth the price.
Fits perfectly onto my Sony Alpha 65 stock issue 18-55mm lens. Provides the added protection I was looking for so the main lens isn't directly exposed.
It is a known fact with photo enthusiast that Sigma is a fine maker of lenses. This also holds true for this filter. It is well built, sturdy with a high quality glass, perfect if you want to protect the lens of your camera without spending a hefty amount on filters. Plus it does UV filtering too without any degradation on your pictures. Can be kept always screwed in your lens. Overall, it is a best buy, highly recommended.
When I opened the package I had to double check to make sure I didn't get an empty threaded ring with no glass. The coating really fooled me with the reflection reduction. This seems to be a great deal for the price.
To me a UV filter is nothing more than a front element in front of your often pricey lens.  If you don't care about ruining your lens don't get a UV filter.  I regards to this one...it does it's job and does it well.
i like to over protect everything and this UV filter was just what i was looking for. i dont want to spend 1000 on a lens and end up scratching it. this really helps and puts my mind at ease well worth the buy. i will get more of these as i purchase more lenses. there is no glare that ive notice i like having it just for the protection.
At hubby's insistance I bought - fit great and helps prolong the safety and security of my camera lens.  Second digital camera and second filter.  Would recommend to anyone.
No noticeable difference to photographs with or without the filter on. The claims that "pictures gain brilliance"and "elimination of the unwanted blue cast" didn't happen. As a something to protect your expensive camera lens, fine. Also found it extremely hard to clean. Slight scratches or flubs in the coating could be seen around the edge. Could feel the glass moving about in the frame when cleaning. Returned.
This is a good filter for the money.  I would have rated higher, but the filter had a slightflaw in it.  It doesn't show up in images,  but be aware that there is a problemwith quality control.  Otherwise, it works well and the construction is above average.
Works as expected.
I got these filters for $4.95/per and I couldn't be happier.  I have used B&W filters in the past, and while these are not quite in the same league, they are awfully close.  Well-built, good multicoating, what more can you ask?  If my Sigma 50mm macro is any indication, Sigma knows a thing or two about making glass.  If you need something affordable and high quality, look no further.  I see absolutely no difference between these and the more common Hoya S-HMC filters (which I also own).
As someone who makes their income in photography I use precision clear glass filters on most of my pro lenses.  They are similar but not exactly the same as UV filters in that they are absolutely clear and have zero (well, as close to zero as can be reasonably expected) effect on the image, while a UV filter may have a very slight influence.  UV filters generally average under $30 while precision clear glass filters range more in the $60 - $100 range.  For most photographers, whether beginners or pros, there may be little-to-no difference between the two.  Other than some obscure specs the quality of the multicoating is probably the biggest difference and there is so much variance in manufacturing there is no absolute way of quantifying exactly how good or lacking one filter's multicoating may be over another.I use such filters 99% as physical protection for my lenses and like American Express says, I wouldn't leave home without them.  Frankly, digital cameras derive little visible benefit from UV filters, but in most cases they can cause no harm to image quality.  It is far, far easier to replace a screw-on piece of protective glass than to undo the physical damage a stone, or fingernail or (well, you name it) can cost to the surface of a lens.Most enthusiast cameras do not have automatic lens covers, and those are the people who most need a protective cover over a lens that can and will be exposed whenever a lens cap isn't in place.  Which can be most of the time for anywhere serious about photography as an amateur, enthusiast or pro.  The prime candidate for this type of filter is any lens with a manual lens cap and a 30mm or larger front diameter threaded lens.  Just do it ... I have been there the hard way.There are several brands of decent UV filters for such cameras.  This review can't compare them all under all conditions so it will be limited to the Sigma listed here.  This can be said about it:1. The physical construction is metal and glass and it threads smoothly on and off of the lens.2. The frame is thin enough to not cause vignetting issues with most wide-angle lenses.3. The glass seems to be of high quality optical grade materials.4. The coating seems to rank well in terms of the quality of multicoating.5. Sigma is a known and recognized brand of quality opticsI am using it one what I consider a "walkabout" or "street" camera that I do not use for professional applications (it is a Sony A7).  I feel it is a good match to the stock optics of the camera.  For general purpose applications like that a camera runs a high risk of getting knocked about and banged into something.  This Sigma filter has given me no barriers to the inherent quality of that camera and has added a measurable amount of lens protection, for a very value-oriented price.  I have no reason not to recommend it, and if you prefer a different brand other than the Sigma, at least realize the importance of putting any clear filter in front of your lens ... you won't regret it.
I am using the Sigma UV filter more as a lens protector for the Panasonic FZ70 Bridge camera. The FZ70 has a super wide angle that a typical lens hood which I usually use for lens protection will clip part of the wide angle image. I chose the Sigma because they are good enough quality just a shade behind the B&W; filter which I usually use. The Sigma filter feels like a good quality filter and i see little difference when on or off the lens. It's not the cheapest or most expensive so it's a good choice that I can recommend for inexpensive lenses or cameras..If you have a very expensive lens, it's best to use no filter or buy the best filter you can buy and that means B&W; which are usually off the charts for quality and price. Many Pros recommend  using  no filter and use a lens hood instead as your lens protector.because it is possible the filter can degrade an image. Personally, I have never tested or seen any image degradation using a good quality UV protector but know of some who have used poor quality filters which ended up seriously affected image quality. .One user returned a new camera because of poor quality images which he later found out was caused by a poorly made UV filter he purchased for lens protection.
I ordered this item as a number of Reviewers mentioned this item for both lens protection as well as the obvious benefits of UV filtering.  It fits well and works as expected.
I bought this 55mm Sigma EX DG UV filter and it works great!  Unlike the Hoya I bought recently it works great at high zooms.  The Hoya distorts the image.  It threw me a loop for a while.  I could not figure out why the camera was producing fuzzy photos at max zoom.  It turned out it was the Hoya HMC 55mm filter  was doing that.  No such problems with the Sigma.I was a little concerned as the packaging and the filter itself said Sigma 55mm DG filter made in Japan.  I was really happy to see it is made in Japan as the Hoya filters are made in the Philippines.  I ordered the Sigma EX DG UV filer and the one they sent me is the Sigma DG filter.I contacted Amazon and they gave me the address to the manufacturer, so I contacted them as well.  I got a message from Sigma today and they told me the Sigma EX DG and the Sigma DG filters are one and the same.  It is just a branding difference, but are both made of the same materials and the same process.  I am passing this on as someone else might notice the difference and be wondering like I was.
I put this filter on a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 camera and it worked well. No impairment to the image and even at full wide-angle, there was no vignetting.
i bought because of the positive reviews. yes. the quality of this UV filter looks great. i think it is great deal for this price.
I have used the UV Filter for about a week now and have no complaints.  The glass is extremely clear and comes in excellent packaging.The glass is so clear that you cannot even tell that there is glass on this filter. Highly impressed.
I wasn't looking to get a piece of this quality, simply to protect my lens, but this one is excellent. Go for it.
Bought this for my new Panasonic DMC-FZ70 on recommendation from a reviewer of that camera. This one is glass and metal, unlike cheaper ones. I leave it on all the time and it doesn't seem to negatively effect the brightness or clarity at all, which is the point. You have to take a little care not to cross thread it when mounting it, but otherwise performs as expected at a very reasonable price compared to other name brand filters.
I have bought plenty of these filters of all different sizes.  These filters really cut down on glare and unwanted lens flair.  I definitely recommend these filters.
This thing is so clear that you have to hold it at an angle to see the glass.  I did not notice any issues while using it.  My lens still worked great and images were crisp, with no fringing, or focal issues.  It protects the glass and I don't have to worry about putting on a cover (really why I got it).
I ordered this filter for a Canon 55-250 lens. It arrived in a timely manner,fit perfectly on the lens, and is everything I expected. The previous reviews on this filter are right on target. Excellent multi-coated filter at a really low price.
I bought this filter to go on myNikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLRto act as a small amount of protection should I do something stupid.The reviews said that there weren't any issues with additional flares or ghosts, and so far I have no disagreements.  It has been on the lens since the day I've gotten it and has not interfered with any pictures taken.There isn't too much to get excited about, I was basically just looking for something as clear as possible to go on the front of the lens and this fits the bill.Highly recommended
So clear, that if you hold it up it looks like a metal ring with nothing inside.
Great anti glare and Saved my lens from when I lost the cap. I lost my cap to my lens when I was at Disney Land and thank god I had this on the lens because I left it in my bag and over the next two days I was waiting for my cap form amazon and when I took this out of my camera bag the Filter was scratched all over the place. I used it for pictures and got reduced haze and it adds extra protection for my lens which I love. I bought another one to replace the one that got scratched. I would recommend this to any one who wants added protection for those expensive lens.
Pretty much invisible. Looks just like an empty ring when you take it out of the box. Keeps my 50m 1.4 nice a safe.
I previously had a set of Tiffen filters and they worked fine (at least I thought). I always had a few photos with weird light spots than I tried this filter and that is gone. If you set this filter next to the Tiffen, it looks like there is no glass in the Sigma... and that is what a multi-coated filter should look like. Spend a few more dollars for beautiful photos!
This replaced the free Tiffen filter I got with my lens order from Amazon. The multi-coating does the job. Essentially, there is no glare. Worth the money.
I am an amateur, so I don't know a whole lot about these things, but it seems fine to me!  I did get a little bit of green lens flare once when shooting toward the sun, but since I usually shoot in the shade it has only happened the one time.  I also think that a lens hood could help eliminate that problem.  I really like knowing that the glass of my lens is protected.  As for cutting out haze...I haven't compared a picture with and without the filter, so I don't really know. I haven't had any problems with getting the filter on or off of my lens, it was crystal clear when it arrived (no finger prints/smudges), and it looked like the glass wasn't even there, but it was!  I think it works great and is worth the money (which really isn't even that much!).  **I use this on my 18-55mm kit lens from my Canon T1i**
Bought two of them, one for each lens, good quality, have coating on them so no &#34;spots&#34; show up on photo's
I don't often write reviews (considering how many sundry purchases I make from Amazon), and reserve such efforts for either the very good or very poor products.This product is a "keeper".In 30+ years of amateur photography, I've bought a good many other brands of UV filters, more as lens protectors than to actually counter UV hazing.In my unscientific opinion, this Sigma UV filter stands out as superior as regards the hazing.  Worth the extra money as compared to others which I have used.It does not produce its own lens flare, as some other brands can.I have not tried the "top range" or "professional grade", but then I can't deduct my hobby related expenses from my taxes, either.  So there might be even better UV filters out there.But this item seems to help produce noticeably better/sharper images - to my eyes, at least - especially with my "prime", (although not "L" class) lenses.
This lens is so clear that I could not see the glass at all. The pictures came out nice on a sunny day. It is not flimsy and the outer part has sort of a matte finish.
I was looking for a good quality filter at a decent price.  This one fit the bill.  Very good glass quality and low glare.
I'm not a camera nerd and don't know much about these things, but I researched and this seemed to be well liked by the nerds. I've had no problems with it. Good pics, protects my lenses. Good stuff
I bought two of these 9/6/11 to go on my new lenses and I while I can't comment on performance (which I'm confident it will be excellent) the overall build quality is really really good.  Fit my Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II like a glove.  I also got free from Amazon the Tiffen UV filter and comparatively speaking the Sigma has a significantly higher fit and finish.  Highly recommend this Sigma UV filter without reservation.***Edited 9/22/11 to add I don't know who the hell the seller "Portable Guy" is and why it's listed as the current seller of this item.  I ordered it from 47th Street Photo.  AND....the price I paid was $21.95, not the obscenely expensive $51.60 it's currently listed at.  What the hell?***Edited 9/23/11 to add WTF?  Now the seller is back to 47th Street and the price back to $21.95?  Hmmm...something deceptive is afoot here on Amazon.  Caveat emptor.***Edited 9/23/11 later in the afternoon...it's being sold by Portable Guy again but this time for $19.02.***Edited 10/26/11 to add Amaazon is now the seller and it's going for $33 and change.  Caveat Emptor!!!!
It's optically clear and made of very good glass.  The multi-coat is easily visible as a greenish/purplish sheen when viewed at an angle.  I put this on my Fuji X-M1's kit lens and it is flawless.Don't cheap out on the UV filter, as poor quality glass CAN cause distortion of images.  But don't spend $400 on one, either....this is a good compromise between price and quality.
Sigma makes quality filters. I would recommend these over any of the cheaper ones. Sure it costs a little more, but the glass is ground perfectly. No glare or distortion at inopportune times. Fits wells, looks good and you can be assured that your investment in lenses is being protected properly.
After buying a new Nikkor 50mm 1.8g lens, I needed some protection before heading outside with it.  I went to the local camera shop and was offended at the UV filter prices (although I'm sure they were very good filters).  Then I went to the big electronics store in town and was happy with the prices but very disappointed after reading so many poor reviews about their UV filters.  What am I to do?  Amazon to the rescue.  This is my first Sigma UV filter, but it got great reviews, so here goes.  When it came in, I screwed it on to my new lens and away I went.  All my images seemed as if the filter wasn't even there, which is perfect for a UV filter.  I immediately ordered another for my 35mm lens.  I recommend!
This filter is of quality material and fits my lens perfectly. I feel comfortable knowing that any front damage to my lens will be covered by this filter, instead of the lens taking the full impact of it.
I read one of the reviews that said they couldn't tell if there was actually glass in the filter when they recieved it. It's true. I seriously had to do a double take. But that's not the important part. The filter not only protects your lens, but it does a very good job of getting rid of flash flares as well. Very happy I decided not to go with a really cheap filter like in the past. Thumbs up!
Seems to be of good quality, and I can't detect that it alters the photos in any way.  There are cheaper filters, but in optics, I've found that you get what you pay for.
I put a UV filter on every lens I own for protection, and this is optically perfect as far as can discern, and very well made. There are cheaper UV filters but you get what you pay for.
Once you have it, you dont want your lens to be without it. No ghost, no spots, you don't even realize the filter is there. Since I take it out of the box, I'm amazed for the super clear glass, good result in the field and keep my lens safe. And good price. Excellent.
Fit and Finish is perfect. Screws in cleanly. Metal rim. Made in Japan. Pleased with this purchase. Excellent for the price point.
This is ever-so-slightly too small for my stock 18-55mm lens for my Canon XS. If you pull on the lens cap, the filter can just pull out of the threads, still attached to the cap! After that, I usually just push it back onto the lens (as opposed to screwing it on) because the filter being too small makes it hard to screw in evenly.
I got this for my Rebel camera. I bought a larger lens (70-250 or something) and needed one of these. I previously bought one at a local photo store. This is really nice. Just make sure it fits your lens and you can't go wrong. If this ever fails, it is better to break this than your lens.
I've always used B+W filter, and didn't want to spend $60.00 for a filter for a used Canon lens, so I bought this instead. This Sigma lens is very good quality. Out of the package, the filter has good quality, threading into the lens was smooth and the optical clarity was very good. I took a couple of pictures with/without filter and there is very little noticeable difference.
As you may know many so called &#34;UV Filters&#34; at the lower end of the price range usually dont do what they are suppose to do.  And you see images posted of all kinds of ghosting and streaks caused by light.  But these have been great, I purchased 2 mostly just to protect my lenses and I have not seen any issues with my photos.  highly recommend these if you dont want to spend $100 per filter.
This was just a replacement for another filter I had that was pretty cheap.  It does it's just and serves me well.  I typically use this to protect my glass so it often takes quite a beating and still keeps on ticking.
Protection from UV rays may be debatable but protection for your lenses isn't. A filter should protect the front of your lenses from any damage and should not interfere with the picture. The Sigma filter is perfect. No extra ghosting or flares it's like it isn't even on my camera. 20 bucks for a filter isn't a lot of money. It's protecting a lens worth way more than that. There are so many accessories you can skimp on i.e. Battery Grip, extra batteries, SD cards, etc. Invest in a good filter. Buy this one.
While I got this to protect my lens I think it has also improved the quality of my shots. No distortion or aberration that I can see at all.
I am using this one on a kit canon lens 18-55mm, it works great, since my lens is very wide this filter still produce some small flares on very strong lights or sunny days, they are not bad or strong but just singled color dot from time to time, depending of the angle.Other than that, I have not noticed any sharpness lose on the image or color change, actually the colors seems more defined and good contrast balance.Price is right, it is all metal and glass. very good product.
Construction is good and quality is ok. It helps to protect the lens. How much UV it stops and how much difference it makes I have not done trials. A filter to protect the lens is my main concern.
Does exactly what it should.  I forget it's there.  I leave it on 100% of the time. i use it on s Canon SX40 HS.
It fit on my Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, and hasn't come off. I don't pay attention to it at all. It just works.
I got this mainly because I wanted a lens protector that wouldn't interfere with the picture-taking on my new DSLR. It works great as a filter and protector and I would highly recommend it. I just have two things to note about it: (1) As other reviewers noted, it's REALLY hard to clean, so try to not get your fingerprints on it or you'll be spending the next half an hour or more cleaning it. (2) I don't know if it was just the one I got, but it took me forever to finally get it on my lens correctly because the threading just wouldn't line up. My husband said that it probably just wasn't made for my camera (Canon Rebel T1i) and even suggested returning it and getting another filter, but I was persistent enough that I finally got it lined up *just right* and it went on perfectly once you get it--it's just hard to find. Otherwise, I have no real complaints about this fine product and would recommend it to anyone!
Nicely made - screws on and off easily and smoothly.  Good product and priced about right.  Offers protection to the lens in case of a disastrous drop  -- its most important function.  Always use a filter; the lens cap is a waste of money.  The two purposes of a lens cap is to (1) cause you to miss the IMPORTANT shot when you waste  time removing the filter while the subject scampers off and the decisive moment is missed, and (2) putting money for a useless piece of plastic in the manufacturer's pocket.  Always use a filter; even if it is a clear one. A Skylight filter is the minimum, coated is infinitely better and infinitely more expensive.
I recently replaced a cheap low-quality filter with one of these DG Sigmas, and there's a big difference in image quality.  My photos are noticeably sharper, so I got Sigma filters for my other 3 lenses too.  I think very few people would notice any difference in image quality whether using these ones, or the more expensive ones.  Buy these Sigmas and don't look back!
Just received three of these yesterday and have already gone out shooting photos and video with them.  They are nicely built and do not feel cheap at all. It's nice to see the side say "Made in Japan" instead of "Made in China."So far, I haven't seen any glare, reflection, or "ghosting" as some people call it. I've shot indirectly and directly into bright lights, and there appears to be no change in the image.Hopefully they stay this way and I don't have to replace them anytime soon! And if I do, I'll make sure to buy the same ones because they seem to be the best bang for your buck.Used with the Canon 50mm 1.4, Canon 55-250mm, and Canon 18-55mm.
Works well and is exactly what I needed.  The Sigma product is a much better option than the cheap filters.
To be fair, I have nothing to compare this to, but it really is super, super clear. It looks like there is no glass at all!
I received the filter within a few days after ordering it. The filter was packed in a good plastic protective case, and it screwed right on the lense without any problems.I'll buy this filter again if something happens that requires it.
This is a great filter. I compared it with my B+W filter and both are great. I only use it part time, but I haven't had any lens flare yet. I used it on several boat trips in the ocean. I had some seawater mist on it, cleaned it, and it was fine. I don't really notice any reduced haze from using the filter. I mainly use it for protection.
Excellent filter for a very good price. Multi-Coated so reflections are minimized. You can spend more but you'll not get better performance.
I've been anticipating this item to arrive at my doorstep and finally received it, but then i doubts because it reminded me of my previous experience with the tiffen uv filter. Never the less I went ahead and opened this bad boy up and boy was I happy. First off the packaging was pretty good, no filter rings but hey im not complaining. Then I put this on my lens, look through and bam! No reflections no weird artifacts, no extra glaring, nothing! I felt like I just put an adapter ring on because the glass on this filter is multi coated which blocks those weird elements you get with cheap filters that just act as a lens protector. (By the way, I don't see how using a cheap uv filter would act good for a lens protector if you have a lens cap, a cheap uv filter just seems inconvenient.) So to wrap this up I am giving this filter 5/5 because for such a cheap price you're getting premium quality!I would recommend this to anyone that owns a DSLR.
This filter is installed on a Rebel T3i, and the picture quality did not change after installing the filter.  The lens is protected well, and that was my purpose for purchasing the filter.
I have been really pleased with this filter. I have not compared it with any others other than a non-multi-coated Tiffen which broke, so I cannot say that it is amazing or junk, but it seems quite good, and it does what I want it to do--protect my lens. It is a lot cheaper to replace a 20dollar filter than even a 200dollar lens.
Great Lens - Great Price.  I see nothing wrong with the quality of this lens.  I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quality lens the fits with in their budget.
The filter installed easily and enhanced the pictures with no distortion.  It woked well in any light and at any distance.  I would recomment it to a friend.
I purchased this filter in hopes of not only protecting my lens but getting the added UV protection benefit.  I am very disappointed.  If I zoom into my photos at 100% which I always do to determine a perfectly focused image I noticed nothing by grainyness.  My photos actually looked grey-ish as compared to pictures without the filter.  I shoot with a D600 and this shouldn't be the case.
It's a 58mm UV filter, and I'm an amateur photographer who bought it so I don't scratch up my lens. So far so good.
I keep this filter on my Canon EF 28-105mm II lens 24/7.  It's much easier to clean than the lens itself and doesn't distort my pictures.  Having a filter on your lens is important, and I highly recommend this product.
I never understood why people want to skimp on filters when they're using a pricey digital camera. The best filters either help you make your photos better or, at a minimum, don't create issues that lower the quality of your photos.Cheap filters use cheap glass, no (or little coating), and use a plastic ring. The Sigma does it right. It's not as expensive as other brands (like a Hoya, which I have used), but from my experience with it on my Canon lens, it is equal in performance (for a few less dollars), but far superior than the cheap filters.This filter does what it's supposed to do, which is protect the glass on your expensive lens, filter out some of the blue color spectrum, and not degrade the quality of your photos.
I love this filter very much on my Sigma 70-300mm DG Macro. Does a great job of filtering out UV.
Keep your lens clean.Keep the UV away.Take better photos for longer, and at a relatively low cost.Fits great.
Solid filter, relatively easy to clean, and haven't noticed it causing any vignetting, flaring, or other issues. Used it on a canon 28mm f/1.8 on crop sensor body.
For the price, this is the UV filter you want for your camera.  The clarity of the glass is amazing and there is ZERO cons on this item. Sigma is a quality product!
It does exactly as advertised and protects my 100mm f2.8 macro without detracting from the brightness, color, or clarity of the photos.
Easy attachment for my Cannon Rebel T3ii.  I leave it on at all times.  It can actually help filter the light inside the house as well as take out some unecessary lines in outside photography.  I am a very basic novice, but enjoy taking pictures.  I also find that this works as a lens protector.  Great packaging and fast shipping, especially during a busy holiday time.
I put this on my Canon 50mm 1.4 the day I bought it and can barely tell it's on there. Great buy.
I've had this on my camera for about a year now and haven't had any problems.  It doesn't seem to affect the photos at all, which is what I like to (not) see.
In August 2008, I was going to buy the B + W F-Pro UV 010 Double Coated filter for my new Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens.  But, the salesperson suggested I try the new-to-his-store Sigma DG 58mm Multi-Coated UV Filter for $10 less than the B + W.  If I wasn't happy with the results, he would exchange it for the B + W.After a couple of weeks of shooting, it wasn't necessary to switch.  I have used Hoya, Tiffen, Nikon, and B + W UV glass filters of varying threaded diameters in the last 4 decades.  Surprisingly, this Sigma is the best threaded glass UV filter I have owned.
I tend to stay away from filters 30 dollars or less, but thought I would give this one a shot.  It looks and feels well built and performs well on both zooms and prime lenses.  I usually go with higher end tiffen filters (the digital ht line), but ended up being really happy with this.  It has become a semi-permanent filter on the kit lens that came with my camera.  Note that this does not come with a protective case, so have one handy.I'd recommend this for lenses in the price range of 300 to 500 dollars.  Anything above that, I'd highly recommend checking out the tiffen digital ht line.  They are a bit pricey, but nothing matches them for durability and performance.
Got for little over 20 bucks for 58mm lens for Canon EFS. I bought this mainly to protect the lens for a not so expensive lens, as I found the cheaper filters occasionally impacted on the pictures in certain conditions, and I didnt want to have to remove the filter for those shots..Better quality than most, with multi coating... Threads not as smooth as the more expensive high end BW filters, but much, much,  much better than less expensive tiffen or zeikos brands. For picture quality not as much ghosting as the cheaper non-multicoated brands.  May not be as good as the high end BW filters but as good as the midlline BW filters in my opinion.  Good balance between being a disposable protection for the lens and for filter use.For cost, features, and quality spend a little more for a multicoated filter such as this over the cheaper single coated filters.
Just received this Sigma product and I am very pleased with the quality. This Sigma filter is better than the Tiffen I have been using, though I must say the Tiffen performed well for the low cost.It arrived in perfect condition, even though it was shipped in a padded, well sealed plastice bag, not exactly how I think something as delicate as glass would be sent.  Adorama and Amazon provided 1st class service, ordered late Monday 1/16, received early Saturday 1/21, good job!!!
Very good quality lens filter. Seems to be of high quality glass, quality metal ring not plastic. Would buy another.
Very Impressed!  What a difference it makes!  You won't be disappointed with this product. Will not hesitate to buy another Sigma product after this.
Hi I use this UV Filter with my sigma 70mm-300mm and I can't tell if its on or not when I take pictures....(D5200).Am not a pro And this is just what I get from looking at my pictures after.
I bought a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G lens, and wanted to put a filter on the camera just to give me that extra level of protection... Maybe it is unnecessary paranoia, but it makes me feel good.I think it also helps with cleaning the lens, but i rarely do that. I don't notice any difference in my pictures, with or without. I have the Nikon D5000.Overall, it is a good filter, and allows me to screw on my ND filter to the front of it for sunny days.
Good protection and does not distort or darken any of my photos. The construction of the ring seems better than average.
This lens is awesome! When I took it out of the packaging I was amazed, just as another reviewer had stated you really can't see the glass. It's like it's not even there. I have a canon hf g10 and I can't imagine my canon without this. I bought it with the intention of never taking it off. I bought the hoya 0uv version of this, the hoya's packaging was cheap as hell. A testament to the product inside? The thing slides around in it's packaging? wtf!? The sigma was packaged very well and had an expensive feel to it, though I wouldn't say it's expensive at all. I think  it's woth every cent. Get this 0uv filter lens if you want the best. It's what 10 bucks more than the hoya?
I usually buy cheap UV filters as a protector, but decided to give this a go for my 100mm macro.  The coating is unbelievable, you really have to try to catch a reflection in it in order to see it.  After using this for awhile on my macro I came back and ordered one for every 58mm thread lens I own.  If you're going to use a filter, this (in my opinion) is hands down the best choice between performance and cost.Edit: After using these for a couple of months I wanted to add that I do still get some lens flare when shooting with wide-aperture primes (50mm 1.4 especially) in lower light situations with light sources in frame (I know, many are saying "duh", looking back it seems obvious, but wasn't to me at the time).  The result is small green dots (same number as light sources) showing up.  I did a comparison with the Sigma, a Tiffen UV, and Ziekos "multi-coated" filter in the identical situation.  The flare with the Sigma filter is significantly less - smaller dots, green instead of white, and lower intensity.  But they're still there, compared to none without a filter in place.  The Sigma still stands as the best filter I own, but it made me rethink my mantra of always having a filter on my lenses.
I am very impressed with the quality of this filter.  My photos come out very clear and it provides good protection for my lens.
I bought my first two Sigma UV filter after reading Amazon reviews and specs on all their filters. They are very well made and wouldn't be without them as they protect both my Canon lenses. I ended up buying 2 more for our daughters' Rebels.
I had just purchased a 105mm micro lens and needed the uv filter for it.  It has been everything I expected.  Would recommend to friends.
Doesn't get better than this! You can find cheaper ones out there but nothing comes close to the well-machined quality and wicked multi-coated glass of this one. Great Amazon experience as usual.
Works good for my lens. My 2 year old daughter accidentally drop my camera from the tripod and this thing actually saved my 18-250 mm lens. Although the glass breaks, but since the rim made of solid metal, it protects the lens from crack. Although I had a hard time to remove the rims, but it finally removed after I use a PVC pipe saw and replace it right back with the same product. The new lens filter fits right in as if never dropped.
In the future I'll probable just take off the filter before taking astro-photos to avoid reflections in the lens, but the reflections from this filter were minor compared to other brands. My friend's UV filter created such bright reflections when taking pictures of the blood moon that she thought she captured the image of a UFO crossing her view. Seriously! My Sigma produced faint reflections that night but only in a few shots so I was OK. But as a precaution, I will do as the pros do and remove the filter before astrophotography. I still recommend this filter for daytime use and lens protection.
Bought two of this filter for my two lenses.  Great protection for the lenses and no distortion.  Feels solid and great quality.  Excellent investment.
when i clean the glass moving around in the ring ... bad fitting, cheaply made....i only use it as lens protector and take them off when i take pictures.
I purchased this filter for a new Canon lens that I purchased.  We use the filters primarily as a means of protecting the lens, and this does a fine job at a more reasonable price than the Canon equivalent.Happy with the purchase.
Hate to say it but Sigma outperforms Tiffen in a crucial area for any videographer - less lens glare for a sharper image.  I'm now a believer.
Any time I order a new lens, I'm sure to order a UV filter at the same time.  I don't even open the lens until my filter has arrived.  I've purchased Sigma multi-coated UV filters a few times in the past and have never been disappointed.  Great price, though not as cheap as 'cheap' filters, but you're getting a much better filter for slightly more, and regardless of that, the filter is still WAY cheaper than having to replace a lens due to accidental breakage, scratches, etc.  A &#34;must-buy&#34; in my eyes.
Reviewer Christopher Vincelette got it right when he said that his first reaction upon opening the filter case was that they shipped him an empty ring. The multicoating on this fiter really is that good. I'd thought that he was exaggerating in his review but I had the same reaction he did. The glass reflects nearly 0 light. Holding up my cheaper Vivitar and Tiffen filters next to this Sigma the difference in reflected light is immediately noticeable.The colors of my images are accurate (or as accurate as they are without the filter) and glare and flare are eliminated in all but the worst conditions.I bought this to go on my Canon SX50 HS, and it screws onto the adapter ring much easier than my other filters. I leave this filter on at all times to protect my camera lense and have had no problem shooting in all kinds of lighting with it installed.In summary, it's not the least expensive UV filter out there, but it's an excellent value at almost any price. I only wish I'd decided to spend a few extra dollars and get this filter before wasting much more on the cheaper Tiffin and Vivitar ones that I have never been happy with.
This is a great UV filter to protect your lens investment.  I purchased one for each lens I own, and have been very happy with them.  Be sure to verify the size of your lens and order the correct lens size.
When i got this, it didnt look like there was even glass it is so clear. This is my first UV filter, and without using it i can tell it will do a fine job. I bought it mainly for protection, without loosing my great quality. If you have the spare cash, buy up, These UV filters can save your lens when you need it the most.
I bought two of these for my two smaller aperture lenses, an 18-55 and a 75-300 primarily to serve as lens protection. Before, I had had several shots damaged by dirt, dust or (yes, I admit it) fingerprints on the lens. I haven't had a real chance to test their "haze-cutting" abilities yet, but I can definitely say they're perfect for what I got them for, which is physical protection!
As someone else pointed out, its so clear that at first you don't even know that there is glass in there... have to touch to say ah, its not just empty frame. Didn't test it a lot against any reflections, but so far I don't see anything.
I was originally going to purchase one of the low price (cheap) filters but after doing some research I decided on the Sigma. It is very high quality filter at a reasonable price. I will purchase another one for our other lens. Just make sure you get the right size for your lens opening.
After reading a number of reviews on a few photography websites, I went with this filter.  Nice fit and finish.  Good protection for my lens.  Doesn't affect picture quality in any way that I can tell.
I use this on my Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime, since the day I purchased the lens. I'm amazed by the quality of this filter.At one point i purchased a cheap UV filter made by Rocketfish(Best buy brand), and had so many issues with lens not being able to focus.But with Sigma, everything is amazing, focusing works same with or without this filter on. Image quality is great. So far have not see any ghosting effect.I highly recommend this filter. I'm looking forward to purchasing another filter for my Nikkor 18 -105 mm. Hope it's just as good.
I've tried many MC UV filters with my two 12x zoom cameras, from Promaster to Hoya to B&W. The Sigma however, was the one which gave me the best results. It cut down haze more than any other UV filter I used and colors were accurate. I definitely recommend this filter and you can not beat the price.
Appears to be a well made good quality multi-coated UV filer at a reasonable price. I have it installed on my new Canon G-15 with a Bower LA-DC58L adapter tube.
I'm always concerned about glare when adding a filter to my glass but I have had no issues with this Sigma.  I know there is a raging debate over having a filter but really, would you rather have the filter break or the $1,000 lens.  With no discernible difference in the quality of the shots - I'll take the filter.
I purchased three of these several months ago, and I have been extremely pleased with their build and the quality of images taken with my various lenses with the filters installed.  They are expensive but in my opinion well worth it.
Use it on my 300mm tele and I am perfectly happy with it.Did not notice any kind of distortion and of course it does not effect the exposure.
What can I say; a lens filter is a lens filter.  It fit the lens so I guess it works.  Good price and delivery from Amazon.com.
My best test of a multi-coated filter is to hold it and see if I can see reflections in it. This one looks so clear, it usually looks like it's not even there. If I angle it toward a bright light source, I can see a little reflection, but nothing compared to other less coated filters. It screws on smoothly, and does just what it should. Definitely recommended.
This is a very simple and moderately priced UV filter.  I have tried several brands and so far this SIGMA Multi Coated has been the best performance for my Canon EF 85 f 1.8.  I love this UV filter, I really only use it to reduce glare and as protection. Good thing considering I ate it badly just this weekend while taking some beach shots... The funny part is people were more worried if I protected my camera versus my face that which was bleeding profusely.Good product! Will probably stick with these as the price was right !
It's helped bring my filterless photos to another level. I've never used other filters on my lenses (I know - shoot me), but I'm very happy with what I've gotten out of this guy
A very nice filter, which for my purposes is mounted semi-permanently on the front of my camera lens to protect the lens glass. I am firmly of the conviction that putting cheap glass in front of expensive glass is not a good choice for the photographer, and the quality in the glass and coatings on this filter leave nothing wanting.My only slight mention of a complaint would be that the front threaded area is quite shallow and thus I must be very careful snapping in my lens cap, and it just barely catches on the threads. That is my only reason for not going 5 stars.I understand the manufacturer may have been trying to keep a lower profile for the filter projection, but for my money I would have preferred to have one more turn of threaded ring material.Still, I wouldn't return it for this.
I've been testing out the lens I put this filter on and its very sharp. It seems as if there isn't any filter on it at all. I think that's want I was looking for.
THIS LENS IS FINE PROTECT YOUR CAMERA AND PERFORM VERY WELL ,YOU WIL NOT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REFLECT OF LIGHT OR GLARE ON YOUR LENS,BECAUSE IS COATED LIKE IT SAID THE MATERIAL OF THIS LENS IS VERY GOOD
Love my Canon camera but some of the accessories are pricey.  This works just fine at a better price.
Nothing exciting here. It is just a good filter to protect my camera lens. It threads on with a bit of difficulty and I fear I may cross thread it but it seems to be ok.
Great product, just what I needed.  This will protect the expensive lens from scratches and dirt.  Fits the lens well and was shipped in great packaging.
I am using it on a Sigma 18-250mm Macro Lens and it looks fine and clear, I just have to make a deep clean on it as I got it from Amazon Warehouse
This filter has excellent performance, practically no distortion in my photographs and it protects my lens very well.If you are looking for a filter, don't go with the cheap options, get one that will garantee not only to give protection, but that also has a good glass and it's multicoated.I've tried original Sony's and the cheap filter kits from Amazon.com, I would not by anything but Sigma Multicoated.
I purchased this filter as more of a protection item for my lens than a UV filter.  The fit on my Sigma 18-250mm lens is perfect.  I have taken pictures with and without this filter on and there is very little if any noticeable negative effect on getting a true picture so in that aspect I couldn't be happier.
Filter arrived on time.  It works well on the camera.  I use it all the time to protect the lens.
A necessity as it does protect the lense from dirt and scratches and it will remain attached to my lense!
Like most people, I use this primarily to protect my lens, and it works well, with good light transmission.  It seems to have a good quality coating on it.
I actually own 4 other companies that make the exact same product, next to canon and sigma and a hand full of others, this is far the better ones and for the asking price.  No Ghosting, aberrations, etc... thus far, only had this for a year.  But I have used it in nearly all aspects of lighting and shooting. Definitely get a multi coated lens, you will notice the difference, perhaps in focusing (auto) or white balance... Rarely the case. but do the little things like getting a above average lens to help your shots.
Great filter. I didn't think one was necessary but I figured I needed to protect my Sigma investment as best I could.
Filter appears to be as advertised. It fit well to the threads on the camera lens and is distortion free. External threads are sufficient to allow the lens cap to grip securely.
This multi-coated UV filter is great for a protective filter.  The multi-coated aspect makes it a little more expensive but I like them far better than the cheap glass of a single or non-coated version.  I think it's worth the extra money.
This filter actually has a coating just like your expensive camera lens. Keeps your pictures from becoming hazy.Most other brands which say "multi coated" are simply lying.
First time to use a filter on my DSLR, for an entry level photographer I found a difference in photo quality. I recommend this as protection & as an added quality to pictures
A good lens for use as protecting the lens on your camera. You should have one for every one of your cameras to prevent scratches and from dirt getting into your camera lens.
I consider a quality UV filter a must for any SLR camera lens.  I purchased this filter to protect the front lens element without degrading the image.  This filter does that well.  I have experienced reflections, off the back of some of the cheap filters, that cause obvious loss of image quality when shooting facing the Sun.  I've not seen that with Sigma filters.  I recommend the Sigma 62mm Multi-Coated UV Filter.
This was purchased to accompany the Tamron 18-200mm zoom lens I got for my wife's Pentax K series DSLR a couple christmases ago.We only buy multi-coated lenses, because UV coated lenses tend to distort a little.This one is great, Sigma does a good job. No distortion, low price... no complaints!
I've purchased Rocket-Fish ten dollar UV filters in the past. At a comparison, this Sigma Filter wins hands down. This UV filter is so clear and glare resistant that it looks as if there is no glass period! Which in my eyes is truly amazing!
Does its job, but I never use it, because of glare artifacts and the fact that the lens already has a protective cover.
I have 3 of these 52mm, 58mm, and 62mm. That should say enough about the quality of this product. The quality of glass and coating is splendid and I couldn't tell any difference between the images taken with and without the filter. I'm not a pro by any means but these filters are value for money and give your lenses an extra bit of protection. I have mine snapped on the lenses all the time.
I was looking for a protective filter for my lens and I didn't even know Sigma made filters.  I bought the filter locally and it was the same price as Amazon's.  The built quality is in par with higher priced filters.
Good protection for lens and quality multi coating filter.It costs more than some others but the quality is worth it.
I find Sigma, B+W and some Hoya filters to be the nicest in the camera market.  Since I own mostly Sigma lenses why not use their filters?  Unless I have a shot at B+W filters at a price close to Sigma's with multi coatings.  It seems that industry and science have yet again joined hands and have applied a coating to filters that either repels or just plain makes it difficult for stuff to stick to the filters surface, i.e., large dust and blown dirt and other rubbish and they clean easier but do not affect the quality of my photos.  Also the stock lens caps seem to hold on tighter.  Again I have no explanation for this other than superior made products.Down through the years I have gone from no UV filters to protect my lenses to not using a lens until I have one to screw onto the lens for protection/insurance.  Case in point, years ago driving in stop-and-go traffic, camera and 24-105mm lens on camera I was forced to do a radicle movement to miss and accident (or to contribute to one) and the whole shebang hit the floorboard on the passenger side, denting the UV filter and not the lens.  Damage was so minor I didn't even replace the now bent filter.  No damage to either lens or camera.Ever since then I buy at least UV filters for the lenses I buy.  The lenses cost like nothing in the past, are more complex and one more inexpensive insurance policy on the end of the lens helps keep dust, dirt and other rubbish (bird poo for birders) off my lens proper.  I have used everything from ultra cheep to quite expensive.  What I choose now is fairly expensive.  Why?  Your lens manufacturer used special coatings for light to pass through the lens and to help with lowering possible CA from your photos.  Why not use a multicoated UV or other filter that has a similar coating?Yes I'm aware of post in the digital age but why add time in post when a simple insurance policy is already on your lens?Your milage may vary but for me, I became a true believer with one camera/lens combo hitting the deck and only bending the filter not the lens, camera or performance of those items.Off my soapbox and on the road with the security that rain, snow, dust and dirt blown up onto my lens will stay outside and not work it's way into my lens/camera prematurely.Oh yes, a device to 'blow off' the lens, clean the lens and/or camera are also useful along with an unused soft toothbrush incase you are bombed by a bird flying overhead.  Another true story, bird do landed on my camera (dirty bird) and I simply let it dry out, wiped it off, used the blower bulb then the toothbrush to get into the crevasses and clean camera in 15 minutes in the field.That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Others may differ and that's fine with me as I get the results and my peace of mind.  That's all that really matters after all.
Little expensive than the others but I like sigma's lens technology. That's why I bought this and currently I'm very satisfying with it.
I purchased this UV filter to use one one of my new Nikon lenses.  I never use a lens without having a protectivefilter on it so that I don't harm the lens itself.
There's not a lot to say. As far as I can tell the filter doesn't affect my pictures at all. It's good to know my lens is safe having this.
Excellent filter for protecting my lens. I don't see any distortion in my images. I have had these filters get damaged or scratched in the past and it's worth every penny to protect my lenses.
Well made, good quality glass, tight, secure fit.  Sigma quality.  Recommended as a good filter to protect your valuable lens.
Inexpensive for a multicoated antireflection UV filter. Works well as a protector without degrading the image. Multi-coat funtions to reduce reflections.
Big difference in comparison to cheaper filter. Sigma realy did a good job on that, worth the price. The feel of the rim finishing is non slippery to the touch as well.  A great find.
i chose sigma since it's roughly half the price of bw filters.  sigma are highly rated among reviews, without the &#34;professional&#34; price of bw brand.  i have used their 55mm filters also, and am impressed/pleased with their quality.  i use the sigmas on my slr system.on my superzoom i have gone for cheaper brands, such as polaroid and tiffen.  they seem to work fine on smaller lens/sensor cameras, but like the quality feel and performance of sigma for my larger slr systems.
I use it to protect the lens from scratches. It works well for that purpose. I would by again. :)
I normally use B+W filters but I was trying to find something a bit cheaper for my Sigma 30mm F1.4 lens. So I bought this one.It seems to perform as well and looks nicer on the lens because of the same matte black material used for the ring. Like B+W filters it is also easier to clean than the one Hoya Pro filter that I have.
Good to use a filter. Seems to provide clearer photo with less lighting problems. Not sure if other lenses are better since I have only the one that came with my Canon
I am not going to write much, because there isnt much to say.  If you buy interchangable lenses for your SLR, you would be a fool not to have a UV filter on it.  (and of course you can buy other lenses to help take better pictures).  It is all about protecting your glass with this one.  With it being Sigma, you can guarantee to not lose quality while protecting your lens.
The Filter is fine and clear. I bought this before I did any real research and made a rookie photographer mistake. Since this filter is for a lens on a DSLR camera, which is already UV resistant This filter really is redundant and just adds an extra piece of glass to the front element. There is really no protective value for the lens and in many outdoor lighting situations you may be adding reflections or halos to your shots. If you want to protect the lens, get and properly fit a lens hood, which adds a little protection. But these filters aren't really necessary for DSLR lenses....They were originally designed for film camera lenses to begin with and turned into a marketing tool for the newer cameras.Have a look at some of my research  and decide for yourself:[...]and[...]In all the filter is fine, I just wouldn't buy any more for what I need.(Well apparently Amazon took out my links, so have a look at DPreview dot com and look for article #8049091537)
doesn't get in the way, no weird effects in my pictures...  at a reasonable price.  can't beat that. does what I expect it to do.
I use this sigma filter mainly for protecting my lense, and it doesn't affect the picture quality at all, which is great. Highly recommend it.
I bought this to match up with my new Sigma Art Series 50mm lens.  With the myriad of choices for UV filters (and the numerous attempts of counterfeit Hoya and B&W filters), I figured why not try Sigma--which is an unlikely target for counterfeiters.  Sigma makes many OEM lenses for the large camera manufacturerers, and I believe this filter to be genuine and a good performer.
Great filter! Really cuts down on lens fare and is great for general protection of the front lens element of your lens.  I leave it on at all times.  Definitely would recommend this filter.
I bought this filter to go on myNikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasto act as a small amount of protection should I do something stupid.The reviews said that there weren't any issues with additional flares or ghosts, and so far I have no disagreements.  It has been on the lens since the day I've gotten it and has not interfered with any pictures taken.There isn't too much to get excited about, I was basically just looking for something as clear as possible to go on the front of the lens and this fits the bill.Highly recommended
This filter is extremely high quality!  As with most Sigma products, you can depend on it doing what it is supposed to do.  Lens today are extremely pricey.  Keep that in mind when you accidently crack your lens.  That expensive accident could have been averted if you would have protected the lens!  If you spend $800 for a lens, why put a $3.00 filter on it.  Get a filter that is a quality filter.  You will be glad you did.  This Sigma filter is a step in the right direction!
I usually stick with more expensive filters because I am prone to getting picky. I like things that work. After reading the reviews here I decided to have a go at it. I am tickled pink with my purchase. Highly recommend this filter. It is a very good quality and a great value.
I was looking for a UV filter for my newTamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasbut didn't want to spend $50+ on a quality filter. A friend of mine had suggested that I try the Sigma EX DG series of UV filters. He had a few of them and said the multi-coating and build were top quality. The price was certainly in my range. I'm glad I listened to him! I probably saved myself about 50% on what I would have spent on a Kenko Pro or Hoya equivalent. The filter arrived absolutely dust free. These Sigma UV filters are simply great!
Finally got a UV filter after loosing the camera cap so many times. At least it will help to protect the lens if the camera cap is going to fell off again.
It is great. My old one was really scratched and was leaving lines on my photos.  Sigma makes great filters.
I bought this for one purpose, to keep my front element clean. i have no idea how well this filter performs but I do know it does the job.  It appears to work as advertised, and does double duty as a protection to the front element.Trutetoad website has sample photos in use.
Please see my review for the Sigma 52mm MC filter. The same review comments apply here. Thin mounts, pristine multi-coated optical glass. What's not to love?
The lens cover works as it is supposed to and pictures turn out very nice. I would buy this lens cover again.
It came on time, it fits and does what it is suppose to, go product at a fair price. I am happy.
I got this filter to use on my Canon 100mm 2.8L macro lens, and it works perfectly.  I've done comparisons of photos using this filter, and with no filter.  And I can't see any difference in the image quality.  So it's better to be safe than sorry, and use this fine protective filter.
Most people buy UV filters for two reasons.  It should be &#34;Coated&#34; to reduce glare and it should protect your valuable camera lens.  This filter does just that - and it is reasonably priced.
well is kinda expensive but i think is worth it if you trying to protect your lens from dusct and scratches...
crystal clear, no reflection, very high quality material. I was lookiing at more expensive filters but I'm very impressed with this one.
It fits my lens well and I do not notice any difference in picture quality. Good purchase for the price.
does not alter picture quality and protects my lens. i purchased it for that reason and it has performed to specs
I like Sigma's lens technology. I hope that this product is not going to make me disappointed. Currently, satisfied. :)
I used to always purchase Hoya HMC filters for my previous cameras, but for the price, I wasn't too happy with some of their filters made in Philippines. I decided to give this Sigma EX DG 67mm Multi-Coated UV Filter a shot and it was perfect. The quality is excellent and so was the packaging. Will definitely start buying Sigma from now on.
The UV filters that came with my Canon 70D camera bundle (for both included lenses) turned out to have some kind of defect in the glass that was very visible as concentric circles, especially evident in videos.  I thought it might be some artifact that the camera was producing.  Then, after reading many good reviews about the Sigma filters, I bought this one and was extremely pleased!  No artifacts, good lens protection, and the best thing of all is how well it works in screening out UV rays.  I have been a die-hard circular polarizer user for years with all of my lenses; some of my previous cameras' pictures have looked awful without the polarizer to cut glare and reflections.  But I started using the 70D with no polarizer - only the UV filter.  I can honestly say that for the first several weeks I didn't miss having it.  I think it's because this Sigma UV filter was doing a better job than any others I've used in the past.  It also seems to be made very well.  Kudos to the Sigma company!
Well designed. Well made. Sturdy. And doesn't not affect your picture quality. Doing the job very well. I'll recommend it.
It's a good filter at a reasonable price. It's the correct size, appears to be of excellent quality. The threads fit the front element of the lens without difficulty.
This Sigma filter is excellent quality and great value. I have a couple of other UV filters namely B+W UV 10 and Zeikos filters. The Zeikos is junk, a complete waste of money, no point putting one of these on a good lens as it will just ruin the shot with glare and reflections. The B+W was much more expensive than the Sigma and I found it was a dust magnet, incredibly difficult to clean and dust just seemed to stick to it.The Sigma filter however cleans well, hasn't scratched and provides great protection for my lens. It does exhibit some reflection in difficult conditions but much less than other filters.
This year I got myself a DSLR. I am learning how to use it and care for it properly. One of the recommendations I read is to get a UV filter to protect that expensive lens from inadvertent scratches.I almost jumped on the first filter recommended by Amazon, but some of the reviews mentioned distortion, so I decided to look around more and decided to try the Sigma filter because it was well liked by other photographers.This 67 mm filter gently screws into the front of the lens on my Canon Rebel T4i.Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 18-135mm EF-S IS STM LensThe lens hoodCanon EW-73B Lens Hood For 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS EF-S and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lensesstill goes on just as easily. So, with both a lens hood and the UV filter, I can be sure that the front lens element will be protected while taking photographs in close quarters.
My lens caps got squashed into my 18-105mm lens in the car's trunk. Luckily, I had this filter on the lens. The filter got broken completely, and I had shreds of glass all over my real lens' glass. It took me some time to get all the glass pieces out of the lens, but after I was done, it seems that my lens survived. Thank got I had this filter on my lens!
I was going over almost all the reviews to decide which filter would be the best for my lenses (which are not from the super expensive ones). Well I have theCanon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasand I wanted a filter that will do its job! This filter was getting a lot of bad reviews as far as the packaging is concerned. Mine came in a very durable and safe case that its very hard for one to brake, even by throwing it to the wall! And when I opened it, I figured that unlike many reviewers it was perfectly clean, no sense of dust on it and it came in perfect condition for immediate use. It fitted perfectly to my lens and I like it even more just because its multi-coated glass on a metal ring, that makes it even more tenacious in case you drop your camera. It also has a wider lip so the front cap grips even better than without the filter. My recommendation is that you should definitely buy this product in case you dont want to spend a fortune to buy the original one from canon. I will update you about its performance as well soon. The bad thing is that its not the "EX DG" filter that they say in the first place, its only "DG".1-year after Update:The product is still working as it suppose to. I am very pleased with its quality and price.It is made of a very sturdy crystal, hard to get scratched and it's protecting my lens at it's best.It is a bit hard to screw and unscrew it of the lens (especially when you want to use it in 2 or more lens) but I definitely suggest buy 2 of those and forget the hassle.It does not affect the photo quality at all! I took several photos with and without the filter, guess what - it's the same! I upload the photos in my computer and zoomed all the way and literally "studied" both of the pictures, no difference.I still highly recommend this product!
I decided it makes no sense to put a filter of cheap glass over a quality lens.  This Sigma is money well spent to protect the camera lens without taking anything from the image.
This is one of the best UV filters I've used. They are rather pricy in Canada going for over $60. Glass is unbeatable quality. There is indeed a slight metallic red tint to it as you see in the photo, however the photos are not reflective of this tint and the exposure does not need to be adjusted.
I have this on my Nikon lens. I have not noticed any difference in the quality of my pictures and it helps keep the lens from getting dusty and dirty. Great price here on Amazon.
This product performs as expected, used for lens protection withminimum photographic distortion or impact.  Does the job.
This is my third purchase for the Sigma UV Filters in the 52mm, 58mm, and the 67mm lens size.  These Sigma UV filters are made in Japan using high quality materials in their craftsmanship, with sturdy black anodized aluminum rings to retain the clear glass with superior UV coatings, which allow ultra clear light transmission that won't easily rub off.  These Sigma UV Filters are threaded at both ends and fit the lens barrel perfectly to allow the  use of lens hoods and/or lens cover at the other threaded end.  No doubt these Sigma UV Filters go neck and neck with other high quality filters from B&W, Hoya, and Nikon, that will sure to exceed the demands of amateur and pro photographers alike at a competetive cost savings. Every photographer has made some serious expenditure for lenses, why not protect their value with the best Sigma UV Filters, they should last a lifetime with carefull care.  THANK YOU AMAZON for the offering such high quality genuine brand products with free Super Savings Shipping, can't be beat.  THANK YOU for reading all my recommendations!
I guess it pays to splurge a little. This filter makes a huge difference in outdoor pictures, I never realized how cheaper filters were ruining the quality of my pictures. I love this filter and will order some more for my other lenses! Highly recommended.
This is just as good as Hoya filters, and really can't tell them apart; its truly a Multi-coated filter. Compared it to the Hoya Multi-coated one I have its identical.
I don't have any complain about this filter. I recommend for anyone even been difficult to evaluate the filter performance.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . does a great job protecting my lense with no reflections.
First of all, let me say that I can't imagine why someone would travel with or take a head like this out in the field.  Here's another good idea:  don't drive a Ferrari over the Rubicon Trail.My studio in which we shoot product has four of these heads used in conjunction with Manfrotto Salon 230 camera stands.  I could quite simply not live without them.  They are rock-solid, precise, and very easy to use.  They simply DO NOT DRIFT if you know what you're doing with them.  If you're trying to hang a 70-200 or longer off your body and not using a tripod ring, well...maybe you will get some deflection.So if know how to use and take care of your equipment, this head is great for studio and exacting location work.  If you're a travel photographer or a journalist,  an expensive, precision-geared four pound head is a horrible choice.  Pick something more suited to your craft.
Sturdy and precise.  Great for micro adjustments while shooting Macro Photography.  Improvement over the smaller version.  Invaluable tool when shooting.
I agree completely with the other reviewer who notes that this is a very delicate head. Be warned. It is great for fine positioning of the camera. Great for studio work. BUT I travel with my gear, have to hike to remote locations, work in poor conditions (sand, dirt, wind) and the head has two problems -- very delicate, as mentioned; and prone to drift. I do a lot of timelapse work, and over time, the head can tend to move (along the tilt or pitch axis). Very slightly and quite smoothly, but still noticeably.The main issue is that this head cannot standup to abuse. Mine failed within three months -- I suspect after manhandling by airport personnel.Finally, the gearing mechanism is not -- as far as I can tell -- thoroughly sealed against the elements. If sand or salt (as in salt water) gets in, you're doomed.
First, it's a bigger piece of gear than I though based on the picture, but that's a good thing.  If you want to be able to frame a picture exactly this will allow you to avoid the sagging that comes with just about every ball-head.  It might take a few seconds more to adjust, but once you set it, it stays there.  Great big of gear!
I have been using both the Manfrotto 405 and the 410 junior for the past five years. Short of the Arca Cube ($1649.99) this is the best and most durable gear head available.I have had no problems with either durability or drift. My 405 did loosen up a bit on the pan axis and this may lead to the drift issue others have noted. one need only to carefully pop off the big round sticker above the pan axis and tighten the bolt below. This completely solved the problem and my head has been perfect since.The other thoughts that come to mind related to drift are not properly balancing the camera and tripod instability. I use both heads with 35mm, 645, and 6x9 view camera systems and they both handle the weight well.Finally, yes this is a geared head and as such more fragile then a standard 3way but I have seen more that one Gitzo head break in half from a single waist high drop. I really don't consider this head to be fragile. Just a valuable piece of photo gear and I try not to drop any of my gear.
It's amazing how few reviews there are for such a useful accessory.  We've been using this geared head with a 3D scanner on top of it (weighing a bit over that 16 lb weight).  We have three of them, and they work perfectly.  Love the ability to fine tune the angular adjustments or go fast to the orientation needed.  Before this, the manufacturer provided a ball-head and that was comical.If I could take away half a star, it would be that the older one does seem to be getting a bit loose.  I would guess we need to remove those covers and tighten the set screws, but I don't want to ruin those printed facia pieces.  The RC4 attachment spring seems to have gotten a little soft as well, but we do put it to some rough use!Overall, Manfrotto is a great brand, and this head is perfect.  We've even adapted it for attaching to Arca Swiss connections using Hejnar Photo adapter plate.  Opens up a world of potential attachments...
I have several heads and my best two are both Manfrotto Heads. The 405 Pro Geared Head is big, very well built, heavy, and very easy to use. Great for long shots or very close in macro shots where stability and precise movement is critical. Would be best used in a studio or with non moving subjects. I am very pleased with this very fine professional head with great 3 axis controls. Not for folks with point and shoot gear, more for the Pro with heavy or large equipment. I am very satisfied with this head and all the rest of my Manfrotto gear... they are all the best for the bucks paid out!V/RKMW
Very thin, superb quality. I'm always happy with Sigma products.The quality of all the images I've taken so far is really good.
I bought four of these (different sizes, 2x52mm, 1x55m, 1x72mm) as the title says, and find the quality equal to that of ANY manufacturer. Sigma have been around for a LONG time and their products are still made in Japan and still made well. These filters are no exception.I read the negative reviews before buying these. But I found the positive reviews to be more thoughtfully written and therefore gave them a bit more credence. Still, I was just a bit wary of buying anything but the "best" filters (i.e. B+W MRC or Hoya HMC) for my expensive glass. Now wait a minute. Expensive? When did it make sense that one, single sliver of glass 72mm in diameter should cost nearly as much as a lens? $80? Really?No. Time to stop the madness. I took these filters out and USED them. Fortunately, I also have a 72mm B+W filter (MRC). I mounted it to a Canon FD 20mm f/2.8. A very sharp, very wide lens prone to ghosts and flares. I shot 8 shots with the B+W filter on a sunny day moving 1/8 turns in a circle. I was standing in a sparse wood with plenty of light and opportunity for flares and ghosts. I recorded my position for each shot. (You may think this a waste of time but I am TIRED of paying so much for *filters*. I want to save my money for *lenses* and *cameras*.I performed the same tasks with the Sigma lens mounted. How much difference would you guess? Like the question put to Arthur Dent in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy "Do you know how much damage this bulldozer would suffer if I let it just run right over you?"Answer: None at all.So go ahead. Buy that B+W. It will do an outstanding job. You will feel special, secure in the knowledge that if anyone looks at your lens they will know that YOU know what a good filter is. They won't be wrong. But some will think "There's a guy who spends more than he should".Just buy the Sigma. Made in Japan, not China. The coating is excellent, the powder-coated metal ring creates no reflections. It is properly flared to avoid vignetting. I can't think of any good reason to pay double, except to impress the fat old gentleman shooting the Leica and looking smugly and knowingly at your gear.
I decided to buy the filter produced by the manufacture for my lens.  A sigma filter for my sigma lens.  The price was reasonable and it does the job
Although it is more expensive than the regular filters, I am happy that I didn't go with a cheap one. It is protecting the lens and I haven't observed any flaring nor vignetting so far. What else can you expect from a filter?
This is a very good multi-coated UV filter that I use on my 150mm Sigma Macro Lens.  Great buy for the money..
The filter fit properly and was easy to install.  I hope it takes good care of my Sigma lens.  Right!
I decided to go with this Sigma filter to go with my Sigma Canon 18-250mm OS, HSM lens.  Does the job intended (protecting the lens) and is a tru multi-coated UV filter (can tell by the greenish reflection).  Gave it 4 stars since IMHO all filters should be cheaper, but such is life in the SLR game:)  But in terms of price, the Sigma is middle of the road (more than Tiffen, cheaper than Hoya).  Optical quality is up to snuff, the filter I received was dust-free and clean with no percievable optical blemishes.
As far as I can tell this filter works very well filtering out the harmful and distorting UV rays we are all subjected too. I think this because I spent a lot of money on it and I really wouldn't know any better unless the distortion was major and someone with a lot more experience than I were to point it out to me. So... I have the UV filter on and I certainly don't notice any negative effects because of it. No glare, ghosts, vignetting or any of the other things you read about in other reviews. I'm happy to report that it did a marvelous job of filtering out the armrest in the auditorium at the middle school in the town where I live! I was taking snapshots of the event we were attending in honor of my daughters class... My camera was over my shoulder on it's strap while I moved about in the crowd...  the next time I lifted the camera to my eye to take the shot I noticed a distortion in the viewfinder. The lens must have bumped into an armrest because the filter was cracked (Bad too.) I was at first upset that this filter was ruined but as that sunk in I was thrilled that the filter had done it's job of filtering out solid objects thus saving my lens!  I am usually so very mindful of my gear but the unexpected can happen to any of us at any time. I would recommend a UV filter to everybody who plans to actually use their expensive camera because I am a firm believer in UV filters! I would also recommend spending some extra $$$ on a good quality filter like this Sigma so you, like me, can go on ignoring the effects the cheap filters have on your special shots. This one served me very well...
Good buy for the money, colors and light are not compromised.I will recommend it to other friendas and family
I ordered this filter to primarily protect the lens on my new Nikon D300s.  It was extremely difficult to start the filter on the Nikon 18 -200 mm VR zoom lens.  It wanted to cross thread and after finally getting to start threading it would bind at and then loosen with each turn.  I thought it could be the threads on the lens but after trying another filter I was apparent the Sigma was the problem.  For the price I would expect much better quality control in manufacturer.  Essentially junk in my opinion.  Be extremely careful installing on your lens, if you purchase this Sigma, as you can easily cross thread ruining the lens in the process.  Returned to Amazon.
Great filter for price.  Prices of other manufactures have risen too high.  The Sigma does the job well.  Took pics with it on and off, with difference,
Hard to rate a UV filter. Fit my 150/2.8 like a glove. And since it's made by Sigma, hopefully there will be minimal, if any, impact on image quality.
My daughter says that this filter worked well for her. She also said not to give it five stars because it had a ding in it.
Compared to the other cheaper glass filters I have, this Sigma unit is top rate. Edge to edge sharpness is no different as the naked lens. Highly recommended.
I have theSigma EX DG 67mm Multi-Coated UV Filter,Sigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filter,Sigma EX DG 55mm Multi-Coated UV Filter, as well as aSigma 62mm Multi-Coated UV Filteron my lenses. When it was time to get a 77mm UV for my ultra-wide angle lens, my mind was already made up. These Sigma UV filters are simply great for the price! They feature great glass, effective multi-coated UV protection, and high-quality build.I am a little surprised at some of the other reviewers who have commented that they are hard to clean. Simply use a microfiber cloth or lens pen and the lenses come out nice and clean. I have 5 various-sized Sigma DG UV filters and they have never broken even after removing them and replacing them onto different lenses multiple times. I guess there's a possibility of a bad apple in any bunch, but luckily for me I have never had any problems.
This UV filter protects the lens from all manner of evil things.  Get one and save yourself the agony of a scratch!
I bought this filter for my Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX/DC/HSM lens (used with the D200).  It replaces a plain UV filter that I had purchased strictly for the sake of protecting the lens.  What I didn't know at the time I bought the filter is that the plain UV filter happens to pick up reflection from lights at night. In my case, I had been getting reflections from street lights and cars in my city shots.  Lots of Photoshop work to undo those relfections.  Bottom line:  I've come to know that the protective filter is more than a convenient alternative to the lens cap itself.  So, I began looking for coated filters - even for everyday use to protect the lens. The Sigma filter has resolved my issues with relfection.  And why Sigma as opposed to a cheaper product?  I'm a loyal guy.  I've had an incredibly positive experience with the Sigma lens I bought. Very impressive product.  And the filter has totally met my expectations. The glass is just beautiful. Asthetically, the black matt finish and gold lettering on the outer ring really round it out for me.
Reasonable optically flat glass, good to protect more expensive telephoto lens. Third one which I've gotten to protect lenses. Cracked one filter, better than cracking lens.
It looks fine and doesn't hurt image quality much but it is a pain to clean. I use a lens pen which cleans my lens and my polarizer perfectly, but this filter gets light smudge marks all over it when I try to clean it. I don't really like how the glass is fit loosely in the metal ring either, so construction does not help. I would pass.
I (like most) use this to protect a really nice lens.  That said, you need to put something well made at the end or your photo's will suffer and this has done great.  Robust, cleans easy and doesn't get in the way of the camera/lens.
One main reason to use a filter such as this is for protection of an expensive lens.  Obviously one wants excellent optical quality, so multi-coating is necessary.  I have used filters such as this on all my lenses with great success, but I am disappointed with this filter.  It scratches very easily when compared with other brands that I have used.  I would recommend a high end Hoya or Tiffen.  If you are a high end user, then go with a very expensive brand such as B+W.  (If you want to be a perfectionist, don't use a filter at all!  Just be prepared to buy replacement lenses more often.  Truthfully, I've never had any issues with image quality when using a good filter, but I'm just an amateur who has a day job to support my habit.)  Bottom line, I would suggest another brand.
It's ok but has terrible reflections from point source lights at night.Remember to remove it for any night photography.
This is the worst filter I own.  It is impossible to clean and scratches very easily just by trying to clean it.  Not surprised.  I sent back the Sigma lens I bought at the same time, too because of soft focus issues when wide open (tried on both a 50D and a 7D).
I've only had this filter about 5 months and it is already loose in the frame. It is very hard to clean this filter as a result of the looseness. I would not recommend this filter based on my experience.
The difference is the ultra low reflection multi-coating used in this filter.  It has a very deep "look" to it.  Far better than the Sunpak SUN 77 UV - ANA filter I had been using and well worth the extra cost, in my opinion.I do most of my shooting in available light.  I got it to protect the front element of my Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens.  The two of them work very very well together!
I own the newer version of the Sigma 50mm f1/4 and the sigma filter looks like it belongs on this lens. The coatings and clarity of the filter appear to be first rate providing my prized 50 with protection that doesn't affect image quality. Given that it's fairly priced, it truly is the perfect mate for my lens.
Well, you get what you pay for.  It seems like most people forget about that.  I took a chance on these because I don't think spending the big bucks for a B+W filter is worth it.  And boy was I wrong.  I got these in the mail from amazon and put it on my Nikkor 24-70mm lens.  It was a bit hard screwing it on and i was struggling to take it off and eventually I got it off and the inner metal ring snapped.  Back to amazon it went and I got myself a B+W right away.  Stay away from these, save up and get a B+W.
Simply one of the best filters I have,
Great filter!  I do a lot of nature photography and sometimes you just don't have a good angle with the light.  This lens really helps in cutting down flare.  I highly recommend this filter.
Recently picked up the Sigma 150-500 lens for a trip to Africa.  I'm a big believer in &#34;scratch the filter, not the lens&#34;...so ALL my lens get a UV filter before I put the lens on the camera.  That said, all UV filters are not created equal.  Many discolor or scratch easily...this one doesn't.  After three weeks in the bush, and six subsequent months of usage, no issues whatsoever.  If you get the above lens, get this filter with it.  You'll be glad you did.
Does what it is supposed to. Protects the expensive lens. Not the cheapest and certainly not the most expensive but a good balance in cost and quality.
I bought this filter to protect the lens of my camera. It is made a quality material and does the job.
This has great clarity.  Why use cheap glass on an expensive lens?  Top notch results!  My photos really speak for themselves, which can be seen on :  aviannovice.hubpages.com
Bought this for my new Sigma 150-500 mm Zoom lens. It has a 86 mm front element thread.Filters of this size are quite expensive. This was moderately priced and quite a bargain.I was suspicious of the multi coating.Filter arrived and it indeed seems multi coated. I attached it to the lens and it looks like a wonderful protection accessory.Glass quality and the ring seem very high. Very pleased.
Got this for my Tamron 200-500mm lens.  Fits perfectly.  Quality glass.  Great price.  Was in better condition than I thought.
My first such filter cost $20 and I couldn't get a sharp image. Apparently this isn't the way to save money.
I'm glad I made this purchase. It works just as well as other much more expensive lenses. Give it a try.
Bought this filter to use with my Sigma 150-500mm zoom lens. Good glass, tight fit, and narrow ring. I use it especially for shots of birds against the sky.
Purchased for the 500  sigma lens. Fit perfectly. No complaints so far. It is a good asset to my photography collection.
When you buy a $1200 life ns and you don't buy a protection plan and you put the lens on your car trunk for a second while you are unmounting the other lens from your camera and for no possible reason you. Lens rolls down and falls on its face...  This lens filter saves it.  Ofcourse i couldn't take out all the smal glass pieces from the sides but my lens didnt get any damages.  I miss you filter...  But you saved my bigma's life.  Thanks.
The Sigma 86mm Multicoated UV Filter is a great addition to my 150mm - 500mm Sigma lens.  I found it to be of outstanding quality.  It also is one of the cheapest prices, if not the cheapest, of all the filters I researched to use with my lens.
It's a UV filter. How can I rate it. .?  It fits on the lens and I see no visible floors  so I imagine its ok. How does one rate a UV. Filter.....???
Great item have no fear in ordering. Come in perfect condition straight out of package and fits my lense without problem. Great Bargin and Great Price.
This ball head is ok but like all Manfrotto stuff, it's nothing to write home about.  For it's size it's surprisingly heavy, not a desirable thing on a micro sized head.  Neither the tilting or the panning is particularly smooth.  The platform that screws into the camera isn't knurled so it can be hard to unscrew.  This may be fine for your needs but the only thing that sets this apart from a $10 head made in China is that the locking knob is spring loaded and re-positionable.  A small Gitzo head will cost more but be 10 times smoother and nicer.  Lighter, too.
I have a small Slik Sprint Pro tripod that came with a small ball head.  The Slik head wouldn't keep my DSLR with a medium zoom locked, so I replaced it with this head. The 482 works great and is the perfect head for this light tripod - certainly not as stable as a larger head and tripod but the combo works great when weight is a premium.
Hace mas de 2 a&ntilde;os que poseo unaCanon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom, esta es mi primera camara digital y lo que aprendi con el uso diario me llevo a la necesidad de comprarme un tr&iacute;pode practico y port&aacute;til. Eso me llevo a comprarme elJoby GP3-01EN Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras, el cual al contrario de los modelos 1 y 2 no trae la cabeza flexible para poder ajustar los ejes de vision de la camara.Buscando en la red y leyendo muchos foros, blogs y grupos de flickr, me decidi por comprarme esta cabeza de tr&iacute;pode sin muchas expectativas.La verdad es que funciona a la perfeccion con el Gorillapod3 lo cual lo convierte en casi una compra obligada si posees unos de estos tripodes.La camara se ajusta firme y el sistema de bola permite girar casi a cualquier lugar la misma.En cuanto a la construcci&oacute;n, es muy resistente no es del tipo pl&aacute;stico fr&aacute;gil, se siente muy solido y se nota que resiste el uso intenso.
I ordered this head with a manfrotto table top tripod.  The micro ball head bore (screw top) is too large for any camera I own.  It appears this ball head may be for another type of camera (video) although I cannot find anything in the listing that indicates what it is used for.  I've had to order another head to work with the Manfrotto tripod.  It is too bad because this is a solid head otherwise.
Rather than using this as a ballhead for my camera, I bought this to use as a ballhead for my (screw-mount) 580EXII flash. On top of a lightstand, this is a wonderful little item that allows you to swivel the flash in any direction (and lock it in place). It doesn't seem like the strongest ballhead, but for this price, I don't expect that. I wouldn't leave my 40D w/ 70-200 on it, but for a lighter camera/lens (or a Flash, like I used it for) it gets the job done. Would be nice if it were a little cheaper, but it's a Manfrotto and I'm actually surprised it didn't cost any more than it does.Also works great on a monopod if you have other small devices (like a "Flip" camera or need a unique angle for a flash)
This is a nice little ball head, but I don't think it will hold the claimed 4.4 lbs.  I tried to put a Lumix L1 on it (2.4 lbs) in the portrait position and it just slipped. So I really tightened it down...and it still slipped. Maybe if I cranked down the lever as hard as I possibly could it might hold, but that is not something you want to be doing each time you adjust a ball head.  But for compacts and lightweight DSLRs, this works great.  Very nicely made, easy to adjust, smooth action.  I think it is realistically good up to about 1.5 lbs.I put it on a Dolica tripod and it really lightens it, makes it easier to use, and looks better.  But for my L1, I will have to use the original, larger, ball head that came with the tripod.
This is the Bogen/Manfrotto 482 Ball Head.  I use it on a monopod with my Nikon 35mm and digital SLR cameras so I can get moderate adjustments without tilting the monopod at an awkward angle.  It works well up to a 300mm f/5.6 lens.There is only one lever to adjust both tilt and pan, but of course on a monopod, that's not really a problem.  You need to make sure you cinch the locking knob down tight, as there is no adjustable friction, so once it is loose it is very loose.  For tripod use, note also there is no separate knob to adjust pan, making it a bit tricky to create a set of shots you want to later stitch together into a single panorama.Manfrotto ball heads certainly don't have all the capability of much more expensive heads from Arca or Gitzo, but they do the job well and you can't beat the price.  If you are looking for a tripod-mounted ball head for use with a digital SLR such as the Nikon D70, I would suggest the next size up, the 484, which Amazon calls the Manfrotto Mini Ball Head.  You can get it with or without a quick release plate.
Holds my N90s with MB-10 and 70-300mm lens when I'm carrying my tripod (190XPROB) by the legs.  It doesn't tilt at all with the weight.  The quick release works flawless and the tilt lock as stated first is effortless.  I recommend it.*Know how much you want to support before you buy something like this.  I did my research and this head gives me about 1-2 pounds of leeway so its PERFECT!
If you've purchased an inexpensive or entry level tripod it is likely that the head that came with it is not the best.  Assuming that the head is removable this problem is easily remedied with an upgrade.I chose the Manfrotto 484RC2 to upgrade my Velbon travel tripod which came with a decent head that lacked a quick release.  For me a quick release makes the tripod/head much more convenient with the ability to quickly mount and remove your camera.The 484RC2 comes with a great quick release that includes a locking mechanism which prevents accidental removal of your camera.  This is an excellent safeguard.I also like the plate that comes with the 484RC2.  The mechanism used to screw the plate to your camera includes a flip out arm for easy tightening.  Other plates just have a slot that requires a coin or screwdriver to tighten.  If you don't have one of those it's difficult to get the plate tight on the camera which means it's going to slip around.I was recommended the 484RC2 head since it was relatively light, came at a reasonable price and would work well with my camera.  I'm using this with myCanon XTiand a borrowedCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens(my heaviest lens) and although the recommendation was to go with a bigger head, the 484RC2 holds steady with no slipping.I'll be putting this head through its paces shortly but initially I'm very happy with my purchase.
Bought this, along with the manfrotto 680b monopod after seeing a photographer using the set-up at an ice skating competition. I'm using it with a Nikon D5000 and a Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD video camcorder. It's more than I was used to carrying around, but it's a great and sturdy set-up, albeit pretty pricey.
I got this ball head to go on my Feisol carbon fiber monopod.  From the picture it looks small and light, but to my amazement was quite a decently sized, durable, metal head.  That put my monopod weight over 2lbs as this head is about 1.5 lbs alone, but this head is pretty sturdy.  I can easily put my Canon 30D with the heavy EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens with the tripod ring no problem on it.  I use this setup for fashion shows as it's the most convenient.Just a note, this thing only has one center column screw to screw the head into.  It does not have the 3 base screws (to prevent rotation of the head).  It's not really a big of a deal, especially on a monopod, but some might like to know that it doesn't have these screws, even though the manual has it illustrated (it doesn't even have the 3 holes to screw in)The Quick release plate is very well designed, and even comes with a saftey (good for me with using a monopod as it can catch a sleeve, strap, etc. then pop off).  The quick release also auto locks once you pop it back in.
If this is the size you want ... get it. If you want to use it for panoramas ... get the 488. Which I did too. But as a good quality general ball head ... hey it's a Manfrotto and it is good. No complaints, no issues ... I love it.
this is a great addition to the bogen manfrotto tripod that i have.you can manuever it to tilt, turn, etc, and the quick release is great when out in nature and a bird flies nearby, where you need to handhold. with the touch of a button, the quick releases lets you have your camera at hand.just be careful when you are using the lever to move the camera or tilt it..make certain to hold your camera while making the adjustment.great product!!
I got this for my Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom and it works very nicely. Very quick and easy to adjust and very solid (the Gpod itself obviously isn't as solid as a normal tripod). Head is quite heavy.btw: This holds a D80 with the 18-135 kit lens perfectly fine on a pair of normal legs (i've tested this).-jeff
Every Manfrotto piece I have purchased has been based on thoughtful reviews by Amazon customers. I wanted to return the favor....I LOVE this mini ball!!!!  I can fit it alond with the uni-pod in my day pack and still have massive amounts of room to spare.  The quality is off the charts and the ease of use is exceptional.  You will not regret this purchase.
I had a very tight budget when I bought my ball head and tripod but I still wanted something that was well made and built to last yet not real expensive.  This ball head fits that bill nicely.  It does it job and is solid and secure. I feel very comfortable with it attached to my Manfrotto 055XB tripod.I had never used a ball head before now, I had always had those cheepo all in one tripods. What a dramatic difference. The lever to tighten is very easy to use and makes it easy to adjust even when not having it completely tight.  The ball head moves easily.  Its a pleasure to use.
I've been using this on my Slik Sprint Pro (excellent tripod) and I love it.  It's very sturdy for its size and weight.  I also have the next model up, the 486rc2 which is much much bigger and heavier.  I use it on a larger bogen tripod and keep the 484rc2 for my travel tripod.There is a comment that it's not compatible with all tripods, it's not a problem, you just need a bogen adapter that is called a "bushing".  Don't worry, it's cheap.  With it, the head will fit any standard tripod.
I have purchased theInduro 470-000 AB0 Tripod Kit (Black)and decided to get a manfrotto head for it just because all my other heads were manfrotto and the head on this tripod looked cheap plastic.i received the manfrotto 484RC2 today and but it on that tripod right away. i just wanted to test the strength of the ball head. i locked it as hard as i could and tried to see how hard is it to bend it while locked. i have theManfrotto 488RC4 Midi Ball Head with RC4 Rapid Connect System (3271)and i cannot bend it at all no matter how hard i try.this bent pretty easily so i told myself that i should not compare this to the larger manfrotto i should compare it to the small plastic induro the tripod kit came with. i could not even bend the indure a little bit. even though i did not like the quick release of the induro the sturdiness is far more stronger than this manfrotto.i own many manfrotto ball heads and tripods but after this i am thinking of exchanging my manfrotto 488rc2 with an induro DM01 i just need to find the 75 dolar difference somewhere.
Bogen-Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate is a well built,quality mini ball head. I have owned many Bogen products through the years and I have never had a problem. All their products are quality and well made.If you looking for a mini ball head you can't go wrong with this one.
Besides what is covered in the Product Description above, the Manfrotto site says about this item: "Product Code: 484RC2 - Bogen code (USA only): 3262QR ... This versatile head is fitted with a 200PL-14 [Manfrotto code] quick-release camera plate with a secondary safety catch. ... [It is a] direct replacement of the 352QR Midi Ball Head....  It has a... double groove for +90-90 tilt movements. Camera plate has a 1/4-20" male thread...."The product works very well.  It's relatively light.  The ballhead moves fluidly but is relatively stable when locked.  You can easily flip a 35mm SLR from horizontal to vertical either clockwise or counterclockwise into the two grooves and be confident that your camera will stay in place.  If the locking lever is at an unwanted angle, you can pull the lever outwards and rotate it, and when you release it the lever will spring back to a new position.  The rectangular quick release plate and mechanism are secure yet convenient.  Furthermore, it's a good value; you'd have to pay a lot more for a little better performance.The only problem is that the diameter of the base plate may be too small for the placement of some tripods' set screws.  The head's base plate has a radius of about 1.7cm, but holes for the set screws in the top plate of one of my tripods are >2 cm from the center, so I can't use this head with that tripod without worrying that it'll twist unexpectedly.  If your tripod is compatible, buy this head from Amazon.com!
I got this ball head to mount on a Gitzo G1298 Basalt tripod.  I do a lot of backpacking and wanted a tripod system that was very lightweight but rugged enough for a digital SLR and occasional 4x5 field camera work.  I also wanted a ball head with the quick-release capability.  The combination works very well, weighing in at a total of 4 lbs 1 oz (of which the ball head contributes 11 oz).  The ball head moves fluidly and allows me to easily position the camera however I want.  It is definitely sturdy enough to hold either my digital SLR or my Tachihara wooden view camera and lens.There are a couple of things to be aware of.  First, a single lever controls both pan and tilt, which means it is pretty difficult to do only a pan without also ending up with tilt.  This makes it a little more difficult to stitch together a series of horizontal shots into a single panorama.  More expensive (and heavier) ball heads give you a separate lever to control pan without affecting tilt.  In my case, I didn't want the extra weight and I'm willing to live with the compromise.The second issue was a bit of a surprise.  I have used Manfrotto tripods for awhile now, and have a collection of camera mounting plates the same size as the one that comes with the ball head, so I had expected them to work with it.  The problem is that, even though they are physically the same outline, the plate for the ball head has had some machining done to it to allow it to fit into a slightly different receptacle.  So while the new plate fits on my old tripod, the old plates don't fit on the new ball head.  Half an hour on a milling machine fixed the problem (you have to mill off a little from each side of the old plate), but I was quite surprised that Manfrotto did this.  I guess they want to sell plenty of new mounting plates.These two minor inconveniences aside, if you're looking for a solidly-built ball head that's a good tradeoff between weight and features, you can't go wrong with this one.  Note it comes with a 3/8-in thread, so if your tripod only has 1/4-20 threads, you'll need an adapter.  And by the way, although Amazon doesn't yet sell the G1298 Basalt tripod (they sell smaller versions), it is a real keeper, 5 stars for sure. (Update 4/17/06: Amazon now sells the G1298 Basalt tripod.  I've entered a detailed review there.)
I have two manfrotto tripods with 501 heads.  I've yet to figure out how to remove the 501s and install the mini-ball head.  Am considering getting a third tripod, specifically for photography.
This ball head is exactly what I hoped it would be. Compact, durable and easy to use. I think there is a slight learning curve with these, but once you get the hang of it its so much easier just having the one knob to worry about.I was looking at the Manfrotto 486RC2, but from what I read the 484RC2 is just as good if not better.Im using this with the Manfrotto 190XPROB and the Canon 5d.
This head does what it's supposed to do, with good looks and solid construction. It is a good alternative to a 3-way pan head or a larger ball. It handles a full-size DSLR with tele-zoom without wobbling, and has fine friction adjustment (allowing small movements without suddenly falling over). It also allows a vertical position on either side of the groove, with an adjustable knob that never gets in the way. The only deduction (4 versus 5 stars) is for the lack of a pan adjustment. Quite often this is the only parameter that needs to be adjusted, once vertical and horizontal lines are established, but with this head it's all or nothing. In other words, I would not recommend this head if you specialize in architectural subjects. It is still a great head, though, because it's tiny yet powerful, and really lightweight, so it is a useful travel tripod and has the simplicity of a ball head for shooting sports, theater, etc. The head also does not have any locking bolts to fix it to the tripod, and this could be a problem if you inadvertently allow it to loosen over time (voila, there's your "pan" adjustment!), but if you're attentive to this, it's not a problem, especially if you expect to switch it out regularly with an alternate head and don't want to carry a screwdriver.
This is a well made and well finished ball head. It is okay to use with a small dslr with upto medium telephoto lens attached. It wasn't strong enough for using with my Canon 70-200mm f4L lens attached to Canon 10D even thought maximum capacity rated is 5.5 lbs. Also it is a good ball head for your monopod.
Before now, we always had the higher end of the cheap tripods.  This is such a HUGE step up that I wish we had done it earlier.  It is so much more supportive and sturdy and easy to use compared to our old tripod.  I tried it out with our Canon 40D and our 7 pound zoom lens fully extended and it held them in place no problem.Just as before, we probably do not use a tripod as much as we should due to the bulk, however in the few occasions I have used it (one family self portrait, one 180 degree panaromic shot and one extended length video, with a Canon HF100), I have had no complaints at all.I would definately recommend this one over the others because of the built-in levels and because of the ability to smoothly rotate 360 degrees.The attachment plate is super easy and quick to use.  I bought it with theManfrotto 190XDB 3 Section Aluminum Tripodand they fit together very well.
Might not be appropriate for really huge field artillery sized telephoto lenses and large format cameras, but it works quite well with my SLR and 70-300.  My only gripe about this setup is the screw / knob that protrudes out of the bottom of the quick release plate - it makes storage (or setting the camera on a flat surface) awkward.  The whole point, IMHO, of the QR plate is to be able to leave it on the camera, and this design makes it impractical.
I won't make this long.  It is the same quality as the 488RC2 which I reviewed as well and would recommend over this model.  My main issue is that I wanted something "compact" and the 6 sided plate just is too large for my tastes.  Nice, sturdy quality product but it just isn't for me.Canon 50d, 30d, 10-22, 17-85, 17-40L, 70-200L/F4 IS with ring, Sigma 50 1.4
The tripod head works for any camera and is totality secure. I got it for my  4x5 camera and it does not move or juggle at ALL. So you can bet it will works for any camera you own.
This is my first 'pro' ball head. I have the SLIK 700DX Pro tripod legs, and I purchased this because it was the cheapest Manfrotto ball head I could find with the following functions:1) Seperate controls for panning and tilting2) Bubble level3) Load capacity of 17.6 lbs (or 8 kg)4) Quick release plateI don't own heavy lens, so I cannot comment on how sturdy it is with those ultra zooms, but the overall build of this head is pretty damn good. The quick release mechanism takes a little while to get used to, but it is quite simple and needs no special skills. Some may find the hexagonal shaped plate a tad bit too big (especially when carrying it around), but I don't mind it. Those of you who plan to mount this on Manfrotto tripod legs would be happy to know that there is a special screw system on Manfrotto legs that help this head (and all of this variety) to 'lock on', without you having to keeping turning it to screw it tight. Screwing it too hard may damage the threading (so I have heard), so be careful when using it. All in all, I am very satisfied with the 488 w/ RC0 ball head!One complaint I have, however, is that the circular degree markings on the circumference of the base (to aid in panning) wears off after a while.
This ball-head lives up to the Manfrotto name. It holds my Nikon D60 with a 70-300mm Nikkor lens securely. The reason I give it four stars is that when using the 300mm lens, if I set the camera and tighten the ball, the lens droops just a bit. This might be me failing to tightening the ball sufficiently but it doesn't happen with lighter, shorter lenses. It's also a drag that this head doesn't have a spirit level, but I knew that when I bought it.I'd purchase it again.
This thing is a beast! It will easily support almost anything you put on it. I purchased it for use with a Super Clamp but together they weigh so much I have to be careful to attach it to something very sturdy. It is very well made and should last for years to come.
Very pleased with my purchase.  Needed to get by as inexpensively as possible so I purchased a no-name carbon tripod and this Bogen head and they seem like a good combination.  I'm a very occasional user but this holds my Canon 10D with battery grip and a Sigma 50-500mm lens with out difficulty.  I'm satisfied.
I have this on top of a Manfrotto 055cxpro3 tripod, and it's a terrific combination. The head is very steady, easy to adjust, and has a separate pan adjustment (v. useful when doing panoramas). I love the RC2 quick release head (and I have the same one on my monopod, so it's very convenient).I tried a Manfrotto 322rc2 as well, which people on Amazon really seem to love. I wasn't crazy about it. The effort to adjust it was considerable, and it was freaking huge. Much lighter than it looks, though.I use the 488rc2 with a Nikon D300 + 18-200mm Nikkor. Word to the wise: get a cable release. You can do wonderful long exposure shots with a tripod and this head, but your finger on the button will add just a little camera shake.
This ball head has really surprised me. I had wanted a 468MG with a better (RRS) quick release system, but I decided to pick one of these up given the relatively low price of admission. While I like the drag adjustment of the 468MG, I found that the adjustment of the 488 is smooth enough that I can loosen the ball to the right spot easily so I can adjust the camera, without it being too floppy. While it would still be nice to have a separate drag adjustment so I could just loosen the ball without worrying about it, the least expensive option (490) is heavy, and the 468MGRC2 is more than twice the price. The ball moves nice and smooth, as does the pan base. I can't detect any sag after tightening, when shooting with my D60 and 70-300VR lens. I would prefer if the drop notches were 90 degrees apart, rather than opposite each other- with the knobs at the sides where they are easy to use, the notches only allow you to shoot straight up or straight down. It's not a huge deal to pan 90 degrees to shoot a portrait, it would just be more convenient the other way.I hadn't heard much of anything good about the RC2 QR system, but it seems fairly solid. I can lock it nice and tight without using excessive pressure, and attaching and detaching are pretty quick once you get used to the little brass lever lock. It's not up to the same standards as a dovetail type system, but considering the $20 or so cost with a head vs. $150ish for a dovetail QR system, it does pretty good, though it would be nice if the camera plate wasn't cast pot metal. The lack of alternatives such as camera-specific plates or L-brackets is a bummer, but it's at least a good stopgap until I can afford a Really Right Stuff bracket and plate (which each cost more than this head, FWIW). The plate is also small enough that it can be left on the camera, unlike the RC4 and RC0 systems.All in all, I'm quite satisfied with it for the cost. It does most of what a stratospherically expensive ball head will do, as long as your equipment isn't horribly heavy, for a fraction of the price. If you're looking for a good, solid ball head that isn't made for and priced for a pro photographer, this deserves a look.
This ball head is great!  Its movement is smooth, especially in the pan.  There is a very small amount of settling after locking the ball, noticeable in close-up work, but it's not as bad as a plastic pan/tilt head.  Considering the price and the ease of use of the ball head, I can live with it.  It really isn't a problem and you shouldn't be dissuaded by it since you probably won't find a perfectly locking head without paying hundreds of dollars more.  The pan function is very helpful for fine-tuning your composition.  It's also a must have feature if you ever want to create panoramas from multiple exposures.  The quick-release plate attaches very firmly to the camera and locks securely onto the head.  There's even a small safety lock to keep you from accidentally releasing the plate from the head.  I've been using a Nikon D80 with 18-200mm lens with no problems.  The head holds the camera firmly in any position.  It's rated for heavy SLRs and Medium Format cameras if matched with the right tripod legs.  The knobs for the ball head and pan are smooth.  The ball knob locks the head easily without the need to over-tighten, in fact all the locking parts on this head are smooth and effortless.  There are no levels, but I've never used the levels on previous tripods anyway.  I love this ball head compared to pan/tilt heads because of its easy, unlimited movement.  I can tilt in any direction, and since there are notches on left and right, I can set it to a 90 degree vertical position on either side.  I didn't set out looking to pay this much for my tripod needs, but after a lot of research this was the only affordable head with all the features I wanted: weight capacity, quick-release, and separate pan lock.  And now after using it, I believe it was well-worth the investment.
I thought that choosing where to set the tripod head (horizontal, vertical and tilt) all at one time would be a good but it isn't for me.  Just as I would set the horizontal, then lossen it to set the vertical, I'd lose the horizonal position.  Totally exasperating.  So I sent it back to get the 3-way head so I can set one direction at a time.
As far as ball heads go this is rock solid.  it also lets you pan to the left and right which come in handy for panoramic pictures.  This is not a tripod head for video however and it would be somewhat awkward :)
I switched from a 486rc2 to the 488rc2 due to the ease of rotating without loosening the ball. Well worth the expense and it holds my canon 30d with battery pack and a 100-400mm tele without any slippage.
I have been using Manfrotto tripods and heads for nearly a decade.  This head is solid as a rock and offers panning and near unlimited manipulation.  I recommend this for anyone else like me who needs the stability this head affords for a modest price.
This is an excellent ball tripod head, very sturdy and of excellent design and construction.  I use it mounted on the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs with my Canon 40D and Canon 400mm f/5.6L and shorter lenses with no problems.  I selected it for tripod use, since it has an additional separate adjustment for panning, and I use the Manfrotto 486RC2 (no separate panning adjustment) on my Velbon monopod where panning adjustment is not needed.  Overall, I am very pleased with my Manfrotto tripod/ball head setup and give it my highest recommendation.
Product delivered on its sales promise. These heads are pricy, but they work as advertised.
Short and sweet, I did not want to spend $300 on the head alone.  I got a 190PROXB Manfrotto tripod and this ball head and am very happy with it so far.  I am 5'9" so the tripod is OK for my height and the ball head stays wherever I put it.  This is my first good tripod and head and it blows away the cheap aluminum ones I've used to date.  I went back and forth over the 486 head vs this one and am glad that I have the horizontal control to take panos without question.  I've already stitched a few and they were great.  Yeah it's not made of magnesium, but it was not worth that price to me.  I am very happy.My camera moves after locking it down too...I attribute it to my battery grip.  People might want to think about what in their camera will flex with a 3/8" attachment to a tripod.  I have a fairly heavy 17-55 f/2.8 lens and my XTi will droop just a little because of the battery grip mount.
I bought this as a gift for my wife, she wanted a ball head very badly for her camera. Overall, it's an excellent piece of hardware. I like having the two knobs for adjusting the head, and it holds the camera very solid, even with an old 500mm film lens that is about two feet long and must weight 10 pounds.There are only two issues I have with it that keep it from getting 5 stars.  The first is, with a heavy lens, it is either 'on' or 'off' when adjusting. I was unable to back of the ball adjusting knob 'just enough' to gently move the lens around.This may be due to age. We have had this mount for a few years, and it is dusty in Phoenix AZ. I've tried a few things to clean it and make it smoother, but so far nothing has worked.
You can feel the quality taking it out of the box. The size of the RC2 is perfect for the Rebel XT, and the panning option of this head is of more use than you would think of.
This tripod head is a good value for photographers with consumer-grade cameras.  My Nikon D40 SLR with 18-200 f/5.6 lens and flash attached weighs about 4.5 pounds.  The Bogen 488 head locks down smoothly and securely with no drooping.  I really hate it when cheaper heads droop a little after you've composed your scene, then you have to start all over again.  The separate panning lock lever is a great feature.The Bogen quick-release system works great, too.  I have a Bogen quick-release plate permanently mounted on my camera and a quick-release head on my monopod, too.This head is fairly large (4.5 inches tall and 2.5 inch diameter base) so make sure you have room on your tripod for it.If you have a pro camera with a pro lens that weighs 3 times as much as my setup, you should probably be looking at pro tripod heads like Kirk or Markins that cost 3 times as much as Bogen.  Most amateurs will be happy with the Bogen.
Look no further.  The 488RC2 with Rapid Connect is the pro level ball head for general photography.  I love it.  Practice the rapid connect system and pay attention to the easy guide arrows when attaching the camera mount to the camera.  Click the little lever beneath the thumb lever, drop the connector into the ball head top and click you are solidly connected.  The controlling level (for side to side rotation) and the knob for control of the ball head work smoothly and I like that they are different.  When you are first getting the process for using pro level equipment it helps to have a different shape for different functions.  Well done Manfrotto.  I store it in a small lens pouch and put it into my tripod bag.  I also own a different ball head for wildlife and sports photography.
I've been using this ballhead for more than a year now, and really like it for most uses. It is easy to control, no slipping when tightened, and the RC2 is really easy to connect and disconnect.Apart from obvious use in panning, the separate panning control also allows you to reposition the head so that the knob is at a convenient position after you've placed the tripod down - the ground may dictate where the legs need to go.It's not ideal for frame filling macros, or when you need to compose exactly what is in the frame and the camera is not very close to upright. There is a slight sag when releasing the camera after tightening the knob. This is not the same as slipping - it sags, then remain stable. You have to learn to compensate for it. I find that wriggling the camera after it has attached to the QR before positioning helps somewhat, indicating some of the fault lies with the QR.RC2 is inexpensive and quite sturdy, but it is obviously not an Arca Swiss. It's stable enough - just make sure that it is attached properly before letting go - but it is not as confidence inspiring as an Arca Swiss QR. On the other hand, plates are a lot cheaper and it is very easy to attach and remove. I do miss the camera specific normal and L plates that are available for Arca Swiss QR though.
I think the ball head is okay.  the quick release mechanism is a little sloppy and sometimes difficult to latch-into.  The swivel ball works well and locks in well.  I think there are probably better mounts in the market but this one wasn't bad for the $$$
I love this ball head! I have a D90 and a 70-200mm lens, the 488RC2 works just fine, remaining in place throughout the duration of my shots. It's a bit heavy and it might be heavier than the tripod itself. This is something you might keep in mind. However, if you remain in focus on what are the best attributes a ball head should have, this is the one to buy. Ball heads are used for sports and nature photography where the camera needs to follow the action. I use it for EVERYTHING and I am so happy with it that I find myself changing tripods but keeping my ball head.
This is my third Manfrotto head and it works well in general; it's not perfect but very solid.  I moved to a part of the world were I would need to pack less weight for shooting; jungle/mountain terrain and this is the ticket.  I like this head because it weighs less yet provides adequate support for my equipment.  I love having the quick release plates that I have mounted to several items and it makes switching a breeze.  Just be careful because the quick release lever is made from what looks like pot metal and therefore cannot survive a fall from the back of a minivan, I know b/c the lever on my 322 model broke when it fell out onto the asphalt parking lot of my local shop before I moved:(  and that is why I now have this model.I do have some wishes but they come with an additional price/weight, tension control for the ball friction and quick release are things that I miss but to be honest, where I now live a heavy tripod left at home does me no good so overall I would say this is a winner and would buy again.Also, FYI I have had the 488RC0 for a short time but sent it back because the 6 sided plate is too large for my tastes.Canon 50d, 30d, 10-22, 17-85, 17-40L, 70-200L/f4 IS with ring, Sigma 50 1.4
I'd honestly have preferred the equivalent head from Really Right Stuff, but I simply can't afford theirs.  In this price range, however, the 488RC2 is an excellent head.  The only thing I'd have liked would be if they'd included a spirit level.  Otherwise this is a great buy.
I use this ball head with the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. Together they provide a stable platform for shooting. The rapid connect system works well and the camera feels secure at all times. I highly recommend this combination.
I paired this with my Manfrotto 190XPROB, and I can't ask for a better tripod/head pair. This head held a 500mm lens without any problems, and it was smooth as silk when I wanted to pan around to quickly adjust the shot.The quick release head is also very nice, I no longer fumble to get a camera onto the tripod.I see no downsides to this product
My purchase of the Manfrotto 488RC2 came about because the Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head I was using was not up to holding the weight of a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 180mm f2.8 lens; the ball would drift after locking, especially with the camera in portrait orientation, so it was impossible to get precise framing.Off in search of a ball head that could support more weight, I started wading through generally mixed reviews of ball heads in the range of $250 to $800. However, since my maximum gear load currently tips the scale well under six pounds, I could not justify the cost and curb weight of a ball head rated for fifty pounds, like the Really Right Stuff BH-55.  So I came back to Manfrotto and settled on the 488RC2 because my experience with the 486RC2 was actually positive and I would recommend it for small DSLRs with lighter lenses.After using the 488RC2 a few times, I can say that it holds five pounds very securely.  There is a very nice range of drag on the ball controlled by the locking knob, a vast improvement over the 486RC2.  The independent pan lock is very smooth and secure.  The controls are intuitive and easy to grasp without bumping knuckles.Now for the minor dings:1) The plate stem screws into the ball, so it could come loose over time, as was the case with my 486RC2; something to monitor.2) Compared to the competition, the plate locking system is a little on the fussy side and you must remember to lock it.3) Regardless of the capacity claims, I would not recommend the 488RC2 for loads much over six pounds, especially if it is not balanced.
This is a really solid ball head. The quick change is quick and has a safety lock that prevents accidental release. Where you lock it is where is stays-- no slack-- as it should be.
I have a Bogen compact ball head - this thing is 2x the size, and built like a tank. There's a 360 degree bezel on the base (for some reason it's not in the Amazon photo) and the knobs are sturdy and well made.  I've added some photos so you see the size and bezel.
For everything but the real long-range teles, this is a great head. Sturdy, a little big but light enough to carry all day, locks down my 40D and 70-200 f/2.8 IS snug and secure.I thought I'd miss the levels some other heads offer but I don't. I thought I'd really want the tension knob that some ball heads have, but it's not necessary. [...]This is the perfect head for me. I'm not sure I'd trust this head to support the super teles (the $3000-$6000 lenses), but until then it handles the 40D (1-1/2lbs) with the 70-200mm 2.8 (3.5lbs.) easily.Right now, Bogen/Manfrotto is offering $40 off this head as a mail-in rebate. You get a $100 rebate if you buy their sticks with the head. Not all of their products qualify, but this head does, as does the 190CXPro4, which I bought together.
Got this ball head by manfrotto. It is solid. Works well. Wish it has a built-in leveler. Everything works. Ball would benefit by occasional regreasing.
This is the best tripod head I have dealt with.  I have teamed it up with theManfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)and the combo is wonderful. I am an amateur photographer who is has been shooting with a DSLR for years.  I have started taking classes to improve my photography and this was the rig my instructor recommended.  He gave great advice.  Overall the rig is a little heavy but very sturdy, and I was not willing to spend several hundred more to shed a couple of pounds with carbon fiber.The Manfrotto pieces lock together with set screws and the bottom of the head is a little wavy to make them stay.  The quick release head also has security features so that you do not accidentally release it and send your camera crashing to the ground.This is a great head for panoramic shots because you can lock the ball head and then unlock the swivel to get a consistent frame.  The swivel is also numbered in degrees so you can keep up with your angles.The Manfrotto name means a lot too, they stand behind their products.
This head combined with the 190Xpro is a solid setup. The only downside is the weight, but the build quality and feel is rock solid. The RC2 connect system is quick and easy and very secure.
Excellent value for the dollar on this head.  Having a separate pan adjustment solves the "creeping panorama" problem.  The head is lightweight and small enough to not overpower your tripod legs.  Total keeper.
I bought this ball head because my previous one had too much play in it--I'd set it and the lens would sag a little as I let go. For macro photography, that's a pain.  This head does a very good job for the price.  I did some tests with a Canon EOS 10D with a 300mm lens on a focusing rail extended all the way out.  While there was a little movement when I set it, it was not problematic.  It's a good solid choice for a serious photographer.
I use this mount on my monopod. While my monopod can be easily raised and lowered, my camera is as snug as a bug in rug when I do so. The quick release mount is ideal for use on any monopod or tripod with other compatable heads. This head has held 6 lbs (camera and lens) without any slipping. The release for the ball can be tricky. In the down position I find it a bit difficult to grip and change the lever position to up for better leverage when tightening. A release button must be pressed in and the lever pulled out and rotated. If you have big thumbs I would not recommend this for you as it would be diffiult to engage the button release and if you are all thumbs be careful when your equipment is mounted. Overall, this is an excellant ballhead for securely holding moderate weights.
Had no problem attaching this to the camera or the tripod.  The swivel is not quite as smooth as I thought and the weight is a bit too heavy for my wife to carry easily, for those reasons I'm deducting 1 star.Otherwise, this unit works great, the attachment can be left on the camera if you're switching back and forth between holding your shots and using a pod.  I don't have an comparative experience but this head seems like a great place to start if you're getting into photography like we are.
Getting out of my former cheap tripod and into the Bogen-Manfrotto system has made shooting even more enjoyable.  If you're serious about getting good results you need a good tripod system.  Bought this head along with the 3021BPRO tripod.  The operation is smooth and sturdy so far with my current camera body and lens.  Have not put any big glass on it yet.  I like the ballhead because there are so many ways to move the camera without having to deal with a lot of levers and knobs.  The pan feature is nice as is the quick release system.  I also like the heft and feel of this head, something says quality there
The set up of this ballhead and the 055XPROB tripod held up to 2 weeks of backcountry canyoneering through Utah's slot canyons, deserts etc rather well.  It is able to hold a Pentax K10D w/ telephoto lens w/o problems.Would recommend the ballhead and tripod combo to anyone.
I had this head for about 8 months.  I really liked the oversized knobs and their placement.  I had the RC0 Rapid Connect plate because I wanted the leveling bubble.The head is HEAVY and tall - it makes it hard to carry the tripod when it's so off balance.  But the biggest problem is the sag.  I'd spend a lot of time composing a shot, only to have the camera droop and have to start over.  I tried and tried to come up with a way to compensate for the sag, but every time it sagged, it sagged a slightly different amount.  I tried loosening the lock a lot, I tried keeping pressure on, and no matter what I did, the camera would sag after I "locked" it in place.  Eventually, I sold the head and bought a Really Right Stuff BH-40.  It is A LOT shorter and lighter, and there's NO SAG!  I don't think I have a piece of photo equipment that I'm happier with than the RRS head.
These ball heads are great.  I read that the feature of the two lock ball heads like this model are the way to go, where the ball lock is separate from the pan lock, and I could see right away when I got it that everyone was right.  I love being able to set up quickly and easily for wildlife shots and getting your camera vertical is a piece of cake as well.  From what I understand, the more expensive ball heads pan more smoothly, but for the price and for what I bought a ball head for, I couldn't be happier.
This is great value for money. I have a 300mm lens that it supported without any noticeable shake or instability.Great product.
The ball head and the rapid release system are great.  They are solidly built and very easy to use.  I have a heavy 5D Canon camera with a battery grip, and I use big lenses, and it seem to have no problems holding the camera in place.  One turn of the knob and it adjust very easy.  I looked for a long time and at different products and decided on the above product.  I would recommend this product to anyone.  The ball head is used with a Bogen-Manfrotto tri-pod.
The reasons I like this unit are the same reasons I don't. It's larger than expected, but it's robust. I like the ball head for use on my Manfrotto MagFiber monopod. In fact, I like it so much that I plan to by a video tripod that can use this head.I mount a Canon 5D with an L series IS 100-400mm lens on it and it locks securely without ever giving me the feeling that it might slip or break. It's easy to learn how to use it even when you're "in the heat of battle" as I was an air show last weekend.I would buy it again, even if it does double the weight of the monopod it's mounted atop.
Well built and so handy.  Hard to find anymore.  I bought a knock-off of this Manfrotto item originally and it was horrid and loose.  The real thing... this one... keeps the camera solid and is very easy for swapping off different cameras.
This is the second Manfrotto 488rc ball head I've owned. I forgot and left the first one ( tripod included ) on a small island where I had been shooting. Duuuhh !! Anyway, I liked it so much that I bought another one just like the first. I use this ball head on a new Manfrotto 055x prob tripod , just like the one left on the island. Duuhh  again.  So you can tell I like both products.I use this combination with a Nikon D300 and 80-200 f2.8 lens and it does a wonderful job. I've been photographing both professionally and as a hobbie for 35 years and would definitely recomend this product to anyone.
I purchased and have been utilizing this weekly for almost under a year.Pro -Here's what I've found - it's been sturdy enough to support my 70-200 2.8BIG CON -After some long-term use - the SECONDARY safety catch + the lever to release the plates gets stuck or becomes quite a chore to get out at times.
this thing is HUGE. it's much bigger than it looks in the picture. if you're looking for a compact b/h for hiking and travel, this ain't it. it's big, heavy, reassuringly stable, and works great. it's a little awkward to use at first, but it becomes more intuitive over time. after just a few hours, i was adjusting the ball lock by feel without looking. very easy to use, just twist the knob, reposition at desired angle, lock. the panning control lock (which has little etched degree markers you can't see in the photo) is a nice touch, and the biggest difference between this and the less expensive model. it also has a bubble spirit level, two, in fact, which allow for smooth calibration of proper angle. the QR plate is also big and solid. it easily holds a d300 with grip and tele lens. the QR mechanism takes some getting used to but once you're used to it, it's easy. used with the manfrotto 190xprob tripod, it makes for a winning combo -- tough enough for big jobs, yet still light enough to carry. biggest con is the weight, but the solidity is reassuring, especially in vertical position, which usually doesn't inspire confidence.for a ball head, it's pretty stylish. design is great, stability is great, flexibility is great. weight is not so good, but as long as your tripod has enough support, you can manage.
I like this nice, not cheap but affordable, ballhead!  It does the job, I like the quick-release plate (fits perfectly my BG-E4 battery grip) and the 2 level spirits!  However, the design of the locking knob sucks big time: it's sort of wrapped into an independent rubber ring that turns on the axis when locking it. I do not trust it's gonna be reliable on the long term.  Same story for the self-lubricating system.  Other than this, it's a great product--I recommend it.
I would have given it zero stars but that is not a choice. Here's why:1. Low load capacity. With a Canon 5D MkII and a moderately heavy lens (still below the load capacity) I experienced ball creep and have to tighten down the lock knob all the way every time.2. Non-user friendly quick release lever. You have to push the button forward while pulling the level back. Not the easiest operation in the world.3. QR plate too big. When mounted to the camera, it is always getting in the way.4. Can't go all the way vertical. The size of the QR plate combined with the QR lever would interfere with the spirit bubble on my Manfrotto tripod preventing it from going all the way vertical.5. The final straw. I was out shooting in the rain and the ball head got wet. Ever since, it started sticking even when the lock knob was loosened. This got worse to the point that I could not move the ball at all. So I tried some light lubricant (WD-40). This helped for about a day. So I tried another lubricant (BoeShield T1). Same result. Now nothing works and the ball is permanently stuck unless I tap the top of the QR plate thus releasing the metal ring below the ball that locks the ball in position. But as soon as I tighten the knob, it stays locked after loosening.Hopefully Manfrotto will replace it so I can sell it. I'm now using a Kirk BH-1 and LOVE it.
This ball head is GREAT very smooth and strong,I shot some great night shots at Cherry Grove pier in Myrtle Beach south Carolina.This head and a Manfrotto 055xpro tri pod legs everything was very sharp with a Canon 40d and a Canon 70-200 4L lens wonderful set up a little on the heavy side if you want to pack it very far but handles the weight really well.I have no compaints at all with this Ball Head!!!
Bogen/Manfrotto equipment is the poor man's solution in photographic equipment. That's fine. I got one because I was poor. But if I could afford better, I would get better. If we don't scrimp on the camera, why would we scrimp on the hardware that will keep the camera safe and steady?Moreover, the sad fact is that the parent company of Bogen/Manfrotto now owns most of the tripod business (Vinten and one of either Sachtler or Miller -- not sure which).I have had TWO Bogen/Manfrotto heads fail on me -- a geared head (which failed after minimal use and a jarring by customs/baggage handling -- a jarring in which ALL of my 7 lenses remained perfectly intact). And this head (488RC4). There is really not much to the the 488RC4 head. HOWEVER, it's quick release plate is anything but. It is a real pain to release -- a two stage procedure involving a button and lever combination.Mine is now locked on so tight that I am unable to remove it with _any_ combination of tools. Worse, the cost of repair on these heads is comparable to the original purchase cost.There is better equipment out there. And a tripod is almost as important as the camera itself (especially if you are doing video or timelapse or long exposures).Save yourself the headache and pay for something with a lifetime.
I looked for a good tripod and head for about three months before I made my purchase. I bought this ball head to go on a new Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. So far I am very happy with both. The ball head is build very well and has a good solid feel. It is easy to adjust and the built-in bubble levels are a very nice feature making it easy to confirm that your frame is straight. The quick release is very secure when in place and even has a locking mechanism to ensure it stays tight. This is my first quality tripod and head and I'm sure I will be using it for years to come. The only down side to this set-up is it is a little heavier than I had hoped but it is very stable and secure. I don't think you'll find a better combination for the money.
After researching ball heads, I landed on this over the 486RC2 (no separate panorama) and the 488RC2 (no spirit level).  It feels very sturdy while supporting my Canon Rebel XSi with the kit lens.  It's not a monster setup as compared to some of the other reviews, but it had no problem with sagging even with the knob only half-tightened.  As a corollary, it was a lot heavier than I expected and I'd agree with previous reviewers that it may not be the best item for backpacking.  Day hikes may be do-able (I'm going to try next month).  The plate is deeper than my XSi, but it doesn't look obtrusive when off the head and it's not in the way when I'm focusing or zooming.  The XSi battery compartment is not obstructed by the plate.  The quick release lever was a little stiff in the beginning, but feels solid.  I did not have any problems manipulating the safety button as other reviewers have griped.  The head is taller than I expected, so be aware that you need to add about 4.5 inches to the tripod height for the true camera height.  Luckily I'm 6 foot, so this head on top of the Manfrotto 055XPROB legs fully extended and center column down is just the right height for me.
The midi ball head works as advertised and holds my Canon 5D with Sigma 70-200 lens and 2x teleconverter with ease in either portrait or landscape shots. My only complaint is that it is difficult to find the exact release point when loosening the ball head to pivot the camera.
I am extremely happy with the 488RC4 ballhead. I use it with the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod, a Nikon D80 DSLR camera, and primarily a Tamron 18-250mm zoom lens. This ballhead has the muscle to handle it all with excellent stability, ease of use, and great adjustability. I thought about going a step down because of cost, but I urge you to get this ballhead. It is definitely worth the extra money. Although I really don't use the two bubble levels, they are there for those that do use them.
I use this head with the 055XPROB Tripod and it is worth the money by far. Shooting a CANON 30D with a 70-200 2.8 IS (a beast of a lens) with a converter, this ball head has excellent support for heavy equipment at an infinite number of positions. even 90 deg. portrait with the camera far off center i have confidence my camera is secure.I really like the separate pan and ball locking knobs allowing for panning without accidentally knocking the camera off level.Enjoy...
I researched the heck out of ballheads before settling on this one.I almost bought the 486RC2, but the more reviews I read, the more I heard about slippage problems with many DSLRS. Also, it lacks a separate panning control which SUCKS.I also looked at a lot of Slik Products, but couldn't really find what I was looking for. Either they weren't heavy duty enough or they were too much overkill. I think their round rapid connect plates are pretty cool though!I have owned the 488RC4 for a little over a month now, and have used it in all sorts of situations. I have not been disappointed. Specifically, here is why I like it so much:-I am using a Canon 40D with battery grip pretty much always attached, and a variety of lenses. NO SLIPPAGE, not even in the vertical position, and that's hugely important (especially if you do a lot of portraits, or sports shooting)-There is a separate control for panning. This is just critical--I just can't see anyone not needed to pan at some point, and if you went with the 486, you're going to mess up your whole camera position by loosening your tension knob and trying to pan. You'll never get a decent pano. Do yourselves a favor, and get one with a pan control. On this particular ballhead there are degree markings, and the action is silky smooth. Also, you can pull out and twist the lever to reposition it for extra leverage. Nice thought, Bogen!-The RC4 features two bubbles levels, one for horizontal and one for vertical. Very nice.-The Rapid Connect plate itself is super easy. You just plunk it down and it locks in place. It's very easy to take off with the lever. I leave the plate permanently attached to my camera. You may also consider purchasing additional plates if you have heavy lenses with tripod collars.This ballhead and RC combo is rated for over 17 lbs. More than enough for most equipment. It's a little on the heavy side because of this--but it's par for the course for a 17 lb duty rating.I highly recommend this product--ESPECIALLY for use with the 055ProB legs. They're made for each other!!
I equipped my photographic equipment collection well and ended up with a spare tripod without a head. I did not want to spend an arm and a leg on a head that was going to crown an extra or a spare tripod; $100.00 was more than what I wanted to spend on this enterprise....... I am glad I did! .... I spent close to $150 including tax and shipping at Amazon. .... Well Done Me! ........ That was what I had to keep saying to myself. I am so proud of me that I will remember this decision for many years to come. This is value without equals! Even if you have a flimsy tripod, crowning it with this head would be all you would need! At this price, you will have bought all the steadiness and stability anyone would need out of any tripod; low or pro!
I have been using this head for over a year. Like it so much. Easy to use, very precise control. It is pretty heavy and bigger than I expected when i first got it though.The only thing I am still puzzling (still) is how to store the extra screw on the quick release plate when i am having my camera mounted.
There is no point repeating what others already said.The only ting I can add, this is a perfect head for videography. Use this for our slider platform mount for a camcorder.Selected this unit because it already had the BEST QR plate mount that we use on all our cameras and camcorders :)A note for those who think this QR plate is difficult remove. It is NOT. You just have to get use to the SAFETY feature of this QR design. There are no 'accidents' when you remove the camera as with others that allows without a safety stop. Cameras has been dropped with other QR mounts, so we use this model for everything.Granted, it takes a bit to get use to it, but we have this QR plate assembly on nearly 50 cameras and camcorders, steadycams, shoulder rigs tripods and assorted mounts.
I purchased this ball bead to go with a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. This ball head seems very solid for the few times I've used it in the past month. It's my 1st experience with a decent tripod system so I don't have anything similar to compare it to. This head holds my Nikon D300 with 24-70/2.8 lens (about 4-5 lbs. total) rock solid with the tripod's center column vertical or horizontal, and the ball head vertical or horizontal. The 2 bubble levels are a handy addition, although the one on the edge of the plate may not be visible depending on how you flip your camera into the vertical position. The rapid connect system is very sure, and the double locking feature to prevent accidental release is nice. Beware that this plate is large, 2 1/2"W x 3 1/4"L, so be sure your camera and you can accomodate this being left on your camera all the time, if that is what you choose to do. It fits the bottom proportions of the D300 nicely, but 2 1/2" is a bit wide for my Nikon N80 film camera. You will need a coin or screwdriver to mount and unmount this plate from the bottom of your camera, as the 1/4" screw head in it is large and slotted. I carry a very short,stubby screwdriver in my bag for this purpose. I don't have one yet, but I am guessing that the wide plate will be an advantage for mounting a telephoto lens that has a tripod foot. Very satisfied so far.
I did a lot of reviews before deciding on the 488rc4. Being new to the world of quality,I wanted something solid enough to handle my new 70-200 2.8 IS with a Canon 40d. Set up on the Manfrotto 055xPROB tripod,it's solid as a rock.I think came up with the right combination.I love the rapid connect and disconnect system which I also added to my camera body,and the 488rc4 is soooooo smooth.The only reason I gave it a 4 is that when panning,there is just a very slight slack feeling when changing directions. But it's not a problem,just annoying. Buy this one,you won't regret it.
This is a great ballhead, using it with Nikon D200, very smooth, solid, responsive, the two spirit levels very handy.  Works great in vertical orientation too.  Build like a brick.The release plate seats solidly and safely, and will not let go by accident.  Minor thing: watch out for that release lever it can thwack your finger a little bit if you're not expecting it!If you're considering it and it seems to be the right size for you, don't hesitate.  Any surprises will be pleasant ones.
After searching high and low for a tripod and head I can live with, this one was it. As an amateur I wanted one I could depend on and this fits the bill! Worth every penny....
This is one of two heads that I use with my Manfrotto 190XProB tripod. Nicely manufactered and worth the money. Always try to buy equipment that is slightly over spec for the cameras you own. Don't buy two small. You will be sorry. Highly recommend for those who enjoy decent equipment in the field.
I have been using this ball head for about a year and a half.  I have no complaints.  If I could go back in time I'd buy it again and to me that is a recommendation in and of itself.  It has two bubble levels that occasionally come in handy, but it holds my camera in place nicely and is very intuitive in it's use.
I bought this ball head in conjunction with my 055XPROB tripod and they funtion flawlessly together.  Great solid construction, and easy to use.  The only thing that took a little white to get used to was shooting with my camera off tripod and having the large tripod shoe attached.  It is very thin but still feels a little funny while hand-holding the camera, it can easily be removed with a quarter.  This is also not very light, but either is the D300 I use it with, makes for a very solid set up.
It is very easy to use and providing stable support. I wish the screw to lock the camera has a self locking tool, instead of using a coin.
I did a lot of research to determine what type of fluid head I wanted for my spotting scope and 10x56 binoculars.  For sure you want to go with a fluid head.  Don't even consider the other styles.  They simply don't allow you to scan for game without having a jerky motion.  I bought the others first (ball/joint style) and ditched them after the first season.  Too annoying to scan and high maintenance (adjusting tension).  For me I was looking to go as small and light as possible, while still having a quality fluid head.  There's only 2-3 that meet this criteria.  I went with this design.  I really like the quick release plates.  This way I can have the plates mounted on both my spotting scope and binoculars.  Makes it easy to switch from one to the other when adjusting to scenarios.  Plus you can set it up and break it down quickly if on the move and time is of the essence.  My buddies bought the same setup, so we can do any combination between all our equipment...or share it if doing something in the backcountry.All fluid heads are a little bigger than you would expect.  So be aware of that.  I cut down the arm a little...say by 4-5 inches.  I didn't need a panning arm that long and it still works great.
I knew there was a difference between SLR tripod heads and Video tripod heads but I waited way too long to take advantage of the smooth operation of a fluid head.  This low prices head works very well and I highly recommend this model.  I did some research and found that this is the most recommended of the low cost fluid heads, without know how the others operate, I'm glad I bought this one.
...to the awkward head it replaced. I use this head mostly with my still camera rather than video. I can set the friction braking on all axes such that untouched it holds my camera steady, or pan and tilt smoothly to a new pointing. I find it especially useful photographing birds in flight, or horse-drawn carriages moving fast: two subjects I photograph often.
This thing is Awesome. It is very &#34;fluid&#34; and very quiet. Easy to setup, adjust and maneuver. Very affordable! I am using it on my Lonewolf Tree Arm and it has made such a difference. I had to buy the 1/4 to 3/8 in adapter, but that is an inexpensive and necessary convenience.  Buy it!! You will not be disappointed!1
Just received this yesterday - through Amazon - and got to try it today. I carry a full sized (almost 4 pound) spotting scope, sometimes for miles. Lately the wear and tear because of the combined weight of scope and tripod has been taking its toll on me and I've been trying to find a way to lighten the load. I got a reasonable tripod but the "camera" head that came with it was almost useless and totally unlike the 3130 Manfrotto head I'd been using.This head is just a little over half the weight and seems to work flawlessly with a spotting scope! In fact, weight aside, there are some things I like about it even better than the 3130. You can adjust the pan and tilt knobs to get a setting that will let you perform those functions, yet stay in place when you want it to. Can't always say that about the 3130.I can set the tilt so it doesn't "creep", yet it will still move fairly smoothly. Won't happen with the 3130. And if I center on a target and then tighten it down, it stays just about exactly where I put it. The scope would always drop slightly with the 3130. And to my surprise, this head seems to be just as rock solid as the 3130.Only thing I haven't tried yet is using it with the added weight of a digiscoping camera, but based on my trial I have high hopes that will be at least acceptable too.The only negative I've found is that I'd like to have the pan and tilt knobs wingnut style instead of the single arm lever. Makes it a bit harder to loosen and tighten. But I'll gladly put up with that minor problem for the advantage of less weight.Don Morgan
I ordered this with a tripod combination. I like the tripod (190XV) but the head is not very impressive. When tilting up and down, the panning part of the mount wobbles noticeably. I will try one of the other reviewer's suggestions.
700RC2 head is flawed.The head clamps onto a quick release plate mounted on the bottom of your camera.  The plate is nice and makes a secure connection to the camera without tools/coins.Unfortunately the head's clamping lever cannot fully rotate when your camera is on the head.  Only very thin camcorders will work with this plate/head design.  My Beachtech box impedes the lever.
I accidentally purchased this video head instead of the 701RC2.  Big boo-boo!  This video head is not built to the ordinary standards of Bogen.  It is flimsy by comparison to the 701RC2, not as smooth and does not have an adjustable sliding base plate.  Worse, the rapid connect plate is not clamped in with a lever as you would ordinarily expect but requires the screwing down of a clamp which takes longer.  Adding insult to injury, the lever screw is blocked by your camera when it is on the quick release plate interfering with the securing of the video camera.This is, to say the least, a poorly thought out video head and the ONLY benefit it offers over the MUCH superior 701RC2 is this it is slightly lighter, but achieves this by sacrificing build quality and important features.Unless you have held and operating this video head and know it is precisely what you want do not risk purchasing it.  Purchase instead the far superior 701RC2.
I was stupid buying this to use with my DSLR.  While it works..  attaching the camera to the head is a pain in the butt as it is designed primarily for narrow long camcorder form factors instead of wide DSLRs.What this means is the lever to tighten the plate to the head goes about half a turn and hits the bottom of the camera.You have to then pull the lever, rotate the the lever half a turn and start tightening it again to the plate. On a narrow camcorder..it is not an issue as the tightening lever is unobstructed.Other than that complaint, the head is nice!
Of course no product can be all things to all people.  That said, this tripod head works perfectly with a spotting scope (as these are narrower than a camera) but I can see that the locking screw could interfere with mounting a wide camera.  The quality of manufacture is evident.  I love the screw down feature for the QR plate rather than the swiveling clip-- it takes a couple of seconds more when setting up, but you know that your equipment is very well secured.  The smaller size and weight of this head is welcome when lugging your tripod and scope for any distance.  I haven't had a chance to field test it yet, but will update this review once I have.
The screw interferes with my camera if I have the battery grip on it.  There needs to be a  perfect storm in order for it to work easily.  I hate the RC2 plates, but I have several and I have to admit, they are sturdy and I feel secure with my camera on it.  For what this is (a $75 head) I really can't complain.  The handle comes off and the head stows perfectly in my luggage for travel.  The handle is adjustable and gives me a nice, smooth pan or tilt.  It offers limited movement, but it's also very small, sturdy and easily portable.  I gotta say...I'm always looking at new heads, but I always end up sticking with this one because it works.  And, like an old relationship, I may complain or get tired of it, but in the end I really do love it.  I just have to complain about something.
Great Head , But just wanted to point out that it does not have a spirit level (bubble) on it.
I've used this video head for over a year.  I got rid of the 3130 because it was just TOO HEAVY and I am thrilled with the performance and weight o the 700RC2 with my Panasonic DVX100a.  I carry camera, tripod and accessories to remote locations and the weight savings makes me a happier person.
I have three excellent Manfrotto tripods and two medium expensive panheads which I love but this one was too cheesy. When you tighten the lock screw for the vertical offset the camera tilts a few degrees to the side. This is unacceptable. Also, the handle is on the side opposite of the lock screw, and the way the forces play out, the camera tilts when you move the handle up and down when the screw isn't tight enough. And while it has an RC2 plate the plate is held in place with a single screw from the side. I don't like the design of this head one bit but unfortunately Manfrotto stopped making the heads I used to buy. Looks like I'll have to spend a lot more money henceforth.
I use a Sony Handycam on this head, and it helps me produce smooth pans in my vacation videos. The adjustable handle makes it easy to position the camera at any reasonable angle, and the head is lightweight, which is good for an old geezer like myself.
I bought this at BIC camera in Fukuoka, Japan. I used this unit to complement the 3130 video head which I use for larger cameras. It is well-made and well-finished. The design is slightly different from the 701RC2 in that the 700RC2 uses a spring-lift, screw-type lever knob for locking the Quick Release plate as opposed to the spring-loaded lever-type lock on the 701RC2. (The 701RC2 also has a spirit level but in a rather awkward location that is hard to see.)What do you get for the difference? The 700RC2 is slightly cheaper, slightly lighter and slightly more inconvenient when locking down the camera QR plate (which latches into place and is still released by a thumb lever). For my money, the lower price, lighter weight and tighter lock from the screw lever are better.When screwed down there is no shifting of the QR plate (which sometimes happens with the lever-lock system if you frequently move and handle the camera/tripod together or if you don't give it an extra nudge when locking down).  I have the lever-lock system on my larger 3130 head and it works well but I frequently check it to make sure it is secure. With the screw-type lever secured I don't worry about it shifting or loosening.Previous reviews complained of the lever lock knob interfering with the camera base on wider cameras. It is no problem really since you can pull the spring-loaded knob out 1/8th inch, rotate it freely and then release it to lock again.In actual use, you only need less than 1/2 turn of the lever to lock the QR plate down once you've set things up ahead of time.  First, tighten the knob down with the QR plate in place. Pull the spring-loaded knob outwards and spin it to make it point forwards and level with the QR plate. Then, back it off 1/2 turn.  Now you can press the release catch to remove the QR plate. When replacing the QR plate with camera, just slide it in until it latches and spin the lever the same 1/2 turn back to lock things down. No problem.In fact, I prefer this to fumbling with the little brass safety catch to release the lever lock on the 3130 head. The knob is easier to find in the dark. The biggest drawback is that the screw can be removed entirely if you spin it all the way out (don't lose it!).
Perfect video tripod head for my Manfrotto 560B. I really like the fact that it's compact, so I can easily pack it and go anywhere. It may not hold your heavy equipment, but I have a Nikon D7000 and D600 with some primes and this head works great!
I got this hoping to have a lightweight fluid head for my GH4.  People complain about the knob being so close to the camera frame, but it's not a big deal.  It works fine with the GH4.What it DOESN'T do is give you fluid head movement.  The fluid head is very stiff, making it impossible to go from a still position to a moving one.  You give it pressure to start panning, then more, then more, and when it does finally move it jerks into motion, effectively nullifying the benefit of a fluid head.  Even when you do get it going, it's so stiff it doesn't really move smoothly because of the amount of pressure you have to give it.The head is so stiff in horizontal panning that it regularly twists itself off my ball head when doing leftward pans.  There's no way to lock it down on the ball head (this is the problem with all the Manfrotto fluid heads & ball head combinations, including the bigger fluid heads).I've got the Manfrotto MVH500AH head as well, and that one always wants to return to center when doing vertical movements.  If you start at level, then pan up, it tries to level back out again, which is retarded.  This 700RC2 head doesn't do that, fortunately.  If you do a vertical pan with the 700RC2 and come to a stop, it'll stay wherever you stopped.  HUGE improvement over the 500 in that regard.  But still, I wish these guys would design a head that's less stiff so you can ease into and out of stopped positions smoothly and without the head trying to kick back to a previous position.The 700RC2 is big enough to handle a GH4 and zoom, but don't expect useful fluid motion when using the zoom, it's just too stiff and jerky when zoomed in.  It'll do a respectable job on medium and wide lenses, once you get it moving.
I bought this for a small Canon video-camera but the camera looked a bit ridiculous perched on such a big head. The panning motion was very smooth though and the quality of construction extremely good.
Have had this for several years and it mostly works very well. With my smaller cameras ( N90, F80, FM3, D80 ) and lenses up to 300mm, it would be hard to ask for more than what this head provides.The problem occurs when I mount my F4 or D700 and turn it sideways for a portrait format shot. The mechanism just doesn't have enough "grab" to hold the camera without "slipage." This can be demonstrated by holding the head and, with your hand, trying to "make it slip." It isn't hard to do. Once locked, it should be rock-solid in that position like a head with a knob is. My Slik head simply isn't.With probably most camera-lens combos, it will work like a charm. If you have heavy, "Pro" gear, test it before you buy it.
I've been using this wonderful gadget from SLIK for almost 2 decades now and I am amazed how well it has held up over the years of frequent use.  It has travelled with me over half the globe and still performs like it did when I first got it.I love how simple it is to use, just mount it to any existing tripod mount screw ( inch post), then mount the shoe to your camera and you can then attach and detach your camera from this pistol grip with ease.  Based on a gun principle, you merely squeeze the trigger and move the head to aim your camera.  Once you've composed your shot, you merely release the grip and the camera is locked into position.  This wonderful feature allowes a photographer to quickly reposition their camera, without having to deal with 2-5 locking screws like on most other styles.One nice feature, is that is has a built-in level, to level out your shot on ANY terrain.  Another is the quick-lock to allow your handle to be off to the side of your camera so it's not in your way when you're trying to look through the eye-piece.Another nice feature that I personally like, is the weight of the unit.  It helps to make the tripod that much more sturdy.  The only drawback to this is the added weight you'll have to lug around from location to location, however, if you're rather fit, you'll probably not notice it much.From my personal experience over the last couple decades, is that SLIK makes some high-quality, high-end tripods, which rival Manfrotto's collection.  :)This is a MUST HAVE for the serious amateur to the seasoned professional.
I tried this out first on a large format camera in a class, then bought it for my DSLR to replace the head on a heavy duty Bogen/Manfrotto tripod. Removing the old head requires removing the three set screws and rotating the old head counter clockwise. This head screws on in reverse. Then replace the set screws. Some people said they had problems, but it went on easily. However, there is a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter in the bottom of the head, and the instructions don't mention it. I had to remove it to screw on the head. My tripod conveniently has a spot to screw in the adapter so it doesn't get lost. The plate went on easily, and with a little trial and error you can adjust the head to shoot in portrait mode. No slipping with Canon 50D with 18-200 telephoto lens, so the weight was not a problem. Secure and easy to adjust. The size of the head makes it a little harder to find a tripod bag, I got a ProMaster 35 inch TB 5 and while it is tight, I can zip it up.
This pistol grip is so easy to use with a monopod or tripod! I love the flexibility of being able to move it in any angle. The only thing I would caution people about is the fact that attaching it to the plate is not as desirable as one would want.
I first saw this pistol-grip ball-head paired with a Slick AMT tripod at my local photographic club, of which I am a member. And they let me borrow it for 2 weeks.I enjoyed using these so much, I knew I had to get this same set-up. Very positive experience. I am not a pro photographer so I cannot speak as one, but if you are an enthusiast like me, you will not find this set-up wanting.The pistol-grip ball-head is so easy to use, it really spoils you for others which are fidgity.  Grip, squeeze and move it to any position, let go and its locked into that position.  Love it.
I have owned and used this ball head for several years. I like it. It's a good ball head as long as you can live with a couple of quirks. That's why I give it four stars instead of five. First its good points. It is solidly constructed. It has great flexibility with the ability to make rapid adjustments. When the grip is released it locks in place quickly and solidly (which surprised me considering the small size of the ball). The quick release plate mounts securely and would be unlikely to fall off the head even if the locking mechanism were inadvertently released. Since you move the head by holding the grip rather than the camera, you are less likely to accidently shift the camera's position on the quick release plate if the camera has not been screwed on the plate as solidly as it should be. Now the bad points (or quirks). In attaching the plate to the camera, it is necessary to get the plate lined up properly with the front of the camera. You can get by without doing that, but it will make it more difficult to attach the camera to the head. Even so, attaching the camera to the head is a bit more tricky than with the standard rectangular quick release plates. For some reason, which I do not understand, mine has become more difficult to attach as time goes by. It isn't bad if you have time and are not in a hurry, but if you are in a hurry or if you are wearing  gloves as on a cold, winter day, it can be frustrating. Finally, the grip. While it is great for maneuverability, if the camera is mounted so that the camera back is perpendicular to the grip (the most logical way to mount it), then the grip gets in the way of your face or visa versa as you try to look through the viewfinder of the camera. Since I use my left eye for viewing, it's more of a problem than if I were right-eyed. I have to look in the viewfinder somewhat sideways. It's inconvenient but can be done (after all, view camera photographers have to learn to look at an upside down image on their ground glass).  All in all: It's a good choice if you like its good points and can live with its quirks.
Okay, I really like the pistol grip.  It's flexible, can rotate into a vertical position easily and it's REALLY solid quality.I'd give it a 5 if it had two things:1) A lock or snap postion for horizontal (bring it to horizontal and allow it to move right or left easily).  As it stands you have to get the bubble level and then rotate the head mount.  Would be nice to have a "by feel" way of doing this with the pistol.  I'm often on a horizontal surface with fully extended (level) feet).2) A better mounting mechanism.  I find the mount cap to be somewhat clumsy to load on, although it's very solid.  Every time I break it out I have to learn which way the thing goes to take it off!
This is the best mono-pod I've used and I've gone through a lot of them living in San Francisco for 5 years. The strength of the 381 pro pod is fantastic. I even used it as a walking stick coming down super fast from upper yosemite falls. (I weigh around 160lbs and was carrying around 50lbs.) I wished it had a ball mount, but understand its best to buy a quality one overall especially if you have heavy lenses.Gear:Nikon D300/400mm
I bought this to stabalize my 300 lens and it sure didI would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lightweight, portable monopod
Tried a variety of aluminum & carbon fiber monopods before selecting this unit. Legs are extremely easy to extend and stay locked. It's light(13.5 ounces)and very sturdy.  Use with Canon Digital EOS & up to 300mm lenses.1) Needs a ball head and quick release for optimum ease of use.2) Supports up to a 11 pound camera (or movie cam).3) I'm 6'-4" tall and the camera (with ball head and quick connect) extends to eye-level; no more stooping.4) Salt air/mist doesn't bother carbon fiber, not so good for aluminum; and we live on the coast.5) Very compact; collapses to under 20.5 inches.For me, this monopod performs >80% of the functions of a tripod for stability and photo composition.Wish I'd purchased it earlier!
I did some research on monopods, and wasn't even sure I could use one. However, I bought this and took it on a 3 week trip to Playa del Carmen and Cancun. It packs nicely in the suitcase. We walked for miles one day and I noticed how nice it was to have the camera attached to the collapsed monopod which I carried in my hand, since there was no weight hanging around my neck. I think it really helped my photos, especially the early morning ones where I try to use low ISO's to capture noise-free tonalities. I did find that once the monopod gets wet, it is difficult to dry....water just seems to get trapped in the telescoping leg, and it can take days to dry it completely. This monopod is a very good value.
I won't repeat what others have said about excellent quality, ease of use and light weight and size. I concur. It is indeed very stable and when attached to a quality ballhead it has helped improve my photos. I have found that the twist collars release and tighten easily in less than one quarter turn making small height changes easy on uneven terrain. I also like the swiveling wrist strap and foam grip for one-handed worry free and comfortable transport. The rubber foot is sturdy and appears durable though only time will tell. It appears to be non replaceable and no provision is made for adding a spike, but none was expected.
Pro's:Very light; yet I am impressed with its stability and strength.  Compacts to 20 or so inches, very portable.  Collar locks take a bit of getting used to, as they grab and release with less rotation than I was used to (like with a normal metal tripod e.g.)Oh, carbon is also much less &quot;cold&quot; to the touch...a bonus in the Minnesota (cold) climate.Con:I am asking too much, but it would be nice to have a basic ball mount head INCLUDED with the $130 monopod.  Don't leave the store withou buying a head...
Excellent...  very light and strong... good 'bang for the buck'.... a perfect mate for my heavy Canon 100-400 lens.  Easy to use.  Easier to carry.  Buy this item!
I've struggled through the first few rolls in this now. No struggle because of the bag, just the first time I've used a bag. Any bag. It served it's purpose quite well as I struggled and even at one point had to introduce a pair of scissors to trim the leading edge. No light leaks, it's plenty roomy. Will use again!
Good size changing bag allows plenty of room to work.  No light leaks that I've noted.
This is a great bag, it folds down to about the size of a small book when I put it away, and in use it will easily fit a "Patterson" type tank and all the tools you need to load the film.I use this bag for process loading 35mm, and 120 film and also for re-spooling 120 to 620 and I always have plenty of room to work in it. I have used Stainless tanks, and Paterson type tanks in this bag with no problems.Don't cheep out and get a smaller bag, you will just end up buying this bag later.
This large changing bag is perfect for all users. The large size makes working with it absolute ease. The actual bag is slightly different than pictured with zipper opening in the bottom, but is well made and secure. I recommend this bag to all and would encourage buyers to choose this over smaller changing bags.
It took the third time and the inner lining began to come apart at the seam.  Cheaply made is all I can say.  It does the job well but I would never buy another one.  I'll just have to chuck a few more dollars at a better one...if I can find one.
Plenty of room for my large Paterson tank and reels.  Arm holes are a tad tight, but that is certainly better than being too loose.  I would recommend wiping out the bag with a lint-free cloth prior to use.
Bought this bag to replace one that disappeared from my luggage on a recent trip to the Cayman Islands.Bag, scissors, small digital camera...  In the bag when I left home; not in the bag when I unpacked in the Caymans...  TSA traced it into the Airline System... After that, who knows...  Contacted the airline, no response...  Life goes on...The bag is bigger than the one I lost, it is substantial; have used it for three rolls of film so far...No problem.  Would recommend to anyone who works with film cameras..
A bit thin, but it is thick enough to keep the light out on a sunny day.  Works for me and a 400' magazine and a 600' magazine.  I have not tried my 1200' magazine yet.  It works great.
Only issue is the zippers.  The light fabric sseems to get stuck much like the zipper on a cheap sleeping bag.  The light material folds over ahd gets caught in the zipper.  With some care this doesn't happen but it is a bit frustraing since many zippers found a way around this with shields and curves.  It is black, double walled and keeps the light out though which is its main purpose and it is large enough for a couple 35mm development cans each with two stainless reels inside. Finally, it isn't too expensive.  Just wish they had better zippers.
I am new to large format photography and needed a quick way to reload holders in the field. It does its job well. Great when travelling instead of darkening a bathroom. Actually, despite having a dark room, I find myself using the bag at home. I only wish I had purchased the larger size as this is a bit difficult if you have a lot of holders or a large item. Overall, I am very pleased.
This bag was a reasonable price, and a good size to spool 35mm negatives. You can fit a daylight developing tank for 2x 35mm reels, plus the reels, plus some scissors, and some other things as well in this bag. The wide end has double zippers (nested zippers for extra light sealing). The arm holes fit snugly, but are not uncomfortable. If you have forearms that are thicker than normal you might have some trouble with the fit cutting off circulation, but I have no trouble.
The Adorama large changing bag has plenty of room for loading film into processing, and I felt confident no light could get in because of the double zipper bag. I have used it to load film processors, and fitting everything one needs into the bag was quite easy.
Very well constructed and more than large enough for the job. Really makes re-winding film canisters easy and quick,absolutely no way any light can get to film. Shipped and received as stated. I highly recommend this product.
I never owned a changing bag, so I didn't know what to expect.  But I was able to remove film from a camera (mid-roll) and use the bag without any trouble.  Convenient small size.  It has an outer bag and inner bag, each with a zipper.  The arms reach into the inner bag.
A little smaller than anticipated, but was due to me overestimating the listed size. Came exactly as described. Worked great despite my mistake loading 2 rolls of film at a time easily.
What can you say about this product? It does what its supposed to it keeps out light great for changing film and bulk loading, it even has enough room for a Patterson tank, great if you develop film at home and don't have a darkroom.
This bag is a good size. I have no problem fitting my medium format cameras in here with my small metal tank and spools along with my little tools. For the pice it works just great. I do imagine if you use the big plastic tanks for developing you may have issues getting everything inside. So for that I would recommend getting a size up. But if you are like me its more than enough room for the smaller metal ones. I have used it about six times now and not had any issues.
This changing bag is really quite excellent! Up until recently, I had a very dark basement that I used for transferring film to my developing tank, but after I moved to our new apartment (with its huge bright windows) I needed a different solution.PROS- Completely light-sealed- Well constructed- Large enough for working with a Paterson tank (which is pretty sizable)CONS- Elastic holes, while necessary, feel like a cheap windbreaker...it's just a pet peeve I guess!Clearly the one con was not enough to take off a star, and is a very minor criticism. I'll take a few minutes of discomfort over ruined film any day! As a side note, I also use this with my original smena 7 camera that does not have a film rewind mechanism. The bag folds up and fits nicely in my gear bag when out and about! Large enough for working with 35mm and Medium Format film, but most large format cameras I think will be too big to fit.OVERALLI highly recommend to anyone shooting film/old cameras, and for anyone without the space to build a darkroom!
This took care of the need for darkness when i am opening the film, instead of having to build a room for the seclusion for the darkness.
This bag is a good size for rolling one roll of film on a spool, but any more then that and you'll wish you had a larger bag.  The zipper gets hung up on the material on the inner bag.
I use it to change/adjust film in a Holga. Also previously used it to load film into a spool and (a 2-spooled) developing tank. Enough room to maneuver. Would recommend a larger changing bag (or just use a dark room) for bigger changing needs (e.g. loading film into a 5-spooled developing tank, etc.)
Great if you can't/won't/don't feel like light-proofing an entire room to load your film.I'd recommend this size bag for loading smaller developing tanks... I did a 5-reel tank in this and felt a bit constricted.Keep in mind that your hands won't be able to breathe very well in the bag, so think twice before loading large tanks, as you may very well end up with sweaty palms if you stay in too long. (Gross, maybe, but had to be noted.)Overall: quite satisfied.
its ok for 1 roll inversion tanks, if you try to use a large patterson 5 roll it will never fit, also the fabric doesn't breathe at all, you gotta be quick or your hands will start to sweat quick.
Nice light tight bag to re-spool my 120 film onto a 620 spool!! Thank you for getting it to me in a timely manner.
This is my first tripod head that isn't a Wal-Mart special.  I was initially very impressed with how large and solid this ball head is.  After using it for a while I don't think I like the round camera mount.  I've had to adjust it to hold as tightly as possible to keep it from turning when I turn my camera to a verical (portrait) orientation with a long lens. It does (just barely) keep the camera from slipping with the lenses I currently have. I don't have a really big lens (ala 70-200 f2.8) but I question whether it would hold the camera mount from slipping when turned on edge.Also, when turning it to portrait oriention I have to stop and think "righty - tighty, lefty loosey" or the camera unscrews itself from the round tripod mount.I did give it 4 stars because when used in the landscape mode it is very solid and holds well.
I've had mine for several years. I put it away for a while in that I was using a different head. The thumb gear that adjust the tension on the quick release plate stuck. Been working it with a release agent for a few months. Today I said screw it and took a straight screw driver and a hammer to it, I am very good at stuff like this. Finely got it lose but my suggestion is to keep it lose and put  a very small amount of oil on it, not a lot you don't want to lube up anything else. Other wise great head for the price. Got three stars for this problem, should of never happened. They should of used  something that doesn't corrode and get welded together By the way there is a slot in the wheel that prevents it from going all the way around. If you can not see the slot you need to work it clockwise. Good luck.
I purchased this item along with the SLIK Titanium Alloy DX700 tripod. Great combo. This ball head is well built and very sturdy. There is a safety feature with the release lever that I thought was clever. You can take both portrait and landscape shots with ease. The adjuster knob is easy to use and very stable. I would recommend this ball head, especially if you have a SLIK tripod.
This is a nice mid level ball head which I use with a CF manfrotto tripod. It feels almost as heavy as the tripod itself but then the price reflects the choice of materials.All u it is a very sturdy ball head and has no problem supporting my canon 50D with sigma 150-500 lens.Farhad.
The quick release is a fantastic feature.  The ability to move my shots quickly from portrait to landscape mode is very useful.  No slippage, once you set your position it holds it.  Highly recommend this product.
It is a well made product, but takes getting used to.  My only complaint is that it is difficult to tighten the ball.  The quick release is great!
i bought this ball head to go with aBogen Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black). what is slightly deceiving is the apparent size of the ball head. it looks a lot smaller in the photo. get out your ruler for this one; it measures 4.5" tall and the quick release plate is 2.25" in diameter. this is not necessarily a bad thing as upon receiving it i felt as though i got my money's worth.this thing is stout. the machining is precise and tight. the designers put a lot of thought into longevity and there are adjustments to tighten the quick release plate as it begins to inevitably ware. the movement is smooth although i did notice a bit of slipping in the vertical position. the round quick release plate is just that, quick. disconnects fast and reconnects just as fast.there may be heavier duty ball heads on the market, but unless you have a monster of a camera, this excels in every aspect. the pro in the name isn't just a catchy phase.
The picture does not do this product justice. This is a beefy head and is well made.
Dear Slik Company,I purchased two Slik 800 Ball head attachments six months ago from Amazon.com.  I am a light duty user of this product and one of the units has already stripped the threads on the quick clamp.Please see the attached technical details explaining the failure mode.  Maybe you should take another look at your quality systems.  It appears to me that you may have performed too many cost cutting Kiazens on the nut and clamp assembly.I have no choice but to buy a competitive product.  With this type of quality, I cannot recommend Slik to any of my fellow photographers.Best Regards,
A ball head this cheap and this good isn't something you find everyday! Although I was a bit less impressed with the tripod that came with it, this head was definitely worth every penny and more. Smooth controls, great build. Quick release is flawless. Could use a level, but oh well, it still an amazing product. Couldn't recommend it enough.
Well made. Much easier to switch from horizontal to vertical shots compared to my old pan head. Knobs take a little getting used to, especially when composing with a zoom lens.
Purchased this head to attach to new Slik unit that came with pan head.  Appears to be well constructed and have quality expected from the manufacturer.  I am well satisfied with their equipment over the years and have been buying various pieces since 1971 when in the military.  Believe they make a quality product that stands up vey well against the competition.
The Slik Pro 800 Ball head is the perfect compliment to the Slik Pro 700DX Tripod. Its multiple adjusting knobs make this ball head easy to use and very versatile. Being able to support up to 15lbs, it is great for long telephoto lenses. It seems to be very well engineered and built to last. The quick release system has a safety button that keeps your equipment from falling, even if the release lever is accidentally unlatched. It comes with everything needed to mount on any tripod that accepts 3/8th or 1/4" mounting studs.
My daughter and I shoot weddings together, and we have two Manfrotto 055 series tripods with these Slik 800 heads on them. Once you understand that the small knob adjusts the tension and the big knob is the lock, you will enjoy using it. You need to adjust the tension loose enough so you can just move your camera without jerking but tight enough that it will stay where you put it. Then after composing your photo you lock it with the big knob. I especially like the "hockey puck" plates. They make it easy to mount & dismount the camera. The two step lever & button plate release system is a good safety feature. The plates are very inexpensive, too. I know there are smoother heads available for big bucks, but I'm quite happy with these and the value for your money is difficult to beat.
This was just what I needed to combine with my Slik Pro 700 tripod and Nikon D60 camera.  I've only had it a couple of weeks; so I won't know how durable it is for a while. Delivery was on time and the product arrived appropriately packaged, as described.
A great addition to my Slik 700 DX tripod. Easily moves my camera to an angle, and holds it perfectly. My only suggestion would be to have some sort of bubble levels added (not sure where they would fit...), but that is minor and things can be adjusted or fixed with Photoshop.A great product, I would buy again if I had another tripod that needed it..
I use this on my Slik Pro 614 CF tripod to hold even some very large lenses (Sigma 50-500, Canon 70-200L) and it has no issues.
The Pro Ball 800 is bigger than I expected, but after using it, I would not swap it for anything. The quick release plate is round, so it can be inserted at any rotation of the camera. It uses a latch and a release button so there is no accidental releasing your camera. The knobs are solid and tight. The large one tightens the ball, the smaller adjusts tension, making fine adjustments easier. A third knob allow the head to spin without affecting the ball setting, great for panoramic shots. I use it on a Slik Dx 700 Tripod, and while it is heavier than you would want to use while being a tourist, it is a fantastic head. I love the freedom of adjustment I have from just a single knob. If you are a pro, you might want to jump to something much more expensive, but I don't know why! For an amateur with limited funds to throw down, this is an excellent head! I highly recommend it. Well made, solid feel.
The title says it all.  The seamless backdrop paper was exactly as described and at a very good price.  It was securely packed in a corrugated box and delivered promptly.  I'd buy from this company again.
Great product and small enough that it was easy for me to handle by myself.
Its paper, not much else to say. Good buy for that seamless shot. I will be buying another from Adorama. Also I suggest many of you check out their website, they have great things on there as well. I've used them for many years.
way to clunky, and no where near rigid enough. Tore too easily etc.....wasnt terrible but would not buy again or recommend.
this is a great purchase. i can do really good single subject photography for headshots and simple poses with this.
I was wondering how a product so cheap would work. I gave it a shot and am thrilled with it. The paper is somehow thick enough not to show through. It saved me so much time trying to steam out wrinkles before my shoot and in post processing of my images. If you are hesitant, don't be!
The paper was described as "white" and the photo was white, but the one I received was off-white, not even close to looking like the photo. When I contacted the seller, they were going to allow me to return, but would not refund shipping. I do not think that was fair considering they either sent me the wrong item, or didn't describe it correctly. The $5 refund they offered does not change the color of the paper that I need for my business.I am very unhappy with my purchase, and I will never purchase from Adorama Camera again. I would suggest confirming the color before you purchase any backdrop paper from them.
The roll comes with lots of pros and a con...Pros:Very light-weight. Makes carrying it w/ all the other equipment easy.Length is small enough to fit in the trunk of any vehicle.It's thick so light/flash doesn't go thru it.Cons:It's not the color of the picture. In fact, I wouldn't even call it white. It's more of a light cream color.All in all, I really like it. Just wish I had known it wasn't white-white.
Very pleased, does exactly I want it to, it is handy to have an extra when on a photo shoot.
I lost the quick release for my Slik tripod on the first day of vacation. Since it was a road trip I couldn't get it until I got back. But once I was home and was able to order it was there in less than a week.I ordered two and tossed one unopened into the bottom of the tripod bag so I'll have a spare if (when?) I lose the first one.
The Slik tripod is a very good unit but the quick adapter is bad.  I have one of the older units and bought a couple of new Quick Shoes.  After receiving them I tried them out and could not lock the camera in the tripod head.  Had to take and machine the Quick Shoe to create the friction fit required to lock the camera to the tripod.  Switched to a Manfrotto head and adapter plates -- so much better.
I cannot believe I found this . . . at Amazon no less. I bought 2. I have a u212 which is still a great tripod but had misplaced one of my QP's for it. I ordered two on the spot - one is going in the safe . . . the other two will go on the Nikons when I use the &#34;big&#34; lenses.
This are perfect SLIK items. I now keep one with each camera and a spare with the tripod. I don't know what else to add. The item is right on. Just like the original, which after 20 years disappeared.
The SLIK 618-752 Replacement Quick Post for Tripod U-212DX works as well as the one I lost - - -
Lost the original post for my tripod.  This replacement works perfectly. Can't tell any difference between this one and the original.
An absolute if you have a deluxe tripod.Buy two and have an extra.
Worked well.  No problems and I sold the tripod with it added and boyer was well pleased.  Great job everyone!
Fits great exact fit. I can now use the tripod again. Its what it said it would be. Nice job.
Of course, this is one of the things you lose and I did so, I was extremely happy to find a replacement part so easily.
I purchased a used tripod with this quick post missing. Ordered one and it works great. Helped me in making a  180 degree landscape photo.
My tripod was useless without this little adapter. Great price and Great fit.  I was also pleased that it was made by the origional manufacturer.  I am going to order another for my camcorder.
One of these came with my Slik tripod years ago, but recently it was lost somehow.  The fact that it is screwed onto the camera body, where it is in the way if you want to set the camera down on a flat surface means it must be removed and stored until you want to use the tripod.  Being a small item, it's not too hard to imagine it being misplaced.  It was very handy to be able to purchase a new one through Amazon.
The mount does fit the tripod. Since others have commented on losing this critical piece,  I felt it was a good idea to keep a spare.
I had an old SLIK tripod and ,had lost the original mounts. Being being able to buy these let me use the tripod again.
Nice and Heavy duty but hard to keep it from spinning in the mount. Still a universal fit for all cameras.
This item is not only cheep it is easy to use. I have them on all my camera equipment. Easy on easy off
These posts were perfect replacements for the original post that I lost.  Saved me a lot of money since now I don't have to buy a new tripod.
The product did everything one could expect!Well if I must use more words to describe a tri-pod post.It is round, black and silver in color with threads on the small shiny part!
What a powerhouse post!  Works great for my tripod.  GET A FEW OF THEM THOUGH!  They are very small - and can be lost easily and if you only have one and loose it - then it's a 'single point of failure' that you dont want!
I keep and use things forever, if they keep doing the job for me. I got a Slik U112 tripod in 1982 and have used it since for cameras and camcorders. I've misplaced the quick shoe post a few times, but the other day I officially lost it on a field trip. I figured I was screwed and would be looking for a new tripod head assembly...Nope. Found this replacement part online (thankfully Slik stayed with the same post for their U212) and ordered 2 of them. Now I can leave one attached to the camera and one to the camcorder, and not lose either!This is one of those parts that there's really no substitute for, so I was very happy to see them still being sold. Great transaction, arrived on time, and would do business again!
The part I received was the manufacturers original part, not a 3rd party item, as is so many cases, for which I am very satisfied.
I lost my Slik quick release post two years ago and have been trying to find one ever since.  It came on my Slik tripod that I bought some thirty years ago.  I tried to find the post at area camera stores with no luck. (I dont think they even knew what I was talking about) Then I googled and finally found a photo of the quick release and it said it was available at Amazon.  I ordered one and it came right away; I should order two more just to have on hand.  It is just like the original one and works great.It is so good to find something I thought didnt exist any  more.  I was very pleased with the speed of the order and the post is exactly what I needed.Kay in NC
I bought this after my daughter borrowed my camera and Slik U-212 tripod and lost the adapter.  It's an exact replacement for the original, and it saved me from having to buy a new tripod.  Can't beat that.
Kept me from having to kludge something together.Rescued an otherwise unusable tripod; made it functional again.Recommended if you want to keep an old 112 or 212 in the game.
that part has been missing for 18 years, just wish I hadn't waited 18 years And very glad I never trashed my tripod
There's a 7 minute you tube video showing all the adjustments. Watch that, and you'll see how to clamp your camera securely.
My Slik tripod is model 112 and over 35 years old. Didn't think these were still available. Thank you SLIK.
I had lost this gizmo from  my tripod, and without it...that is a useless piece of equipment.  Very pleased to promptly receive this exact replica of my lost component!  Thanks!
Thank you for this product. I have my fathers tripod, very expensive and I lost this last summer. Now I can use a real tripod for my portraits. You saved me and I thank you again. Now i wish i had the reciept from the cheap tripod I had to buy last summer to take it back!! And it fits perfect!! Thank you so much!!
Ordered and received two from a seller under Amazon.  They are identical to the original one on my U212 Deluxe.  Perhaps DX = Deluxe.  Originally got my Slik tripod used from a friend back in the 80's.
Slick makes a great tripod.  This quick release mechanism is horrible, horrible, horrible.Put a Manfrotto head on the Slick tripod and you have a good combination.
I have a + 30 year old SLIK tripod that is well used but also well loved.  Lost the Quick Post a couple of years ago . . . kept the tripod in hope & wish . . . this Quick Post works on my U-112 : SWEET !
I utilized the quick release post to mount a platform on my Slik U212 tripod for my Epson Moviemate projector.  I used a 1/4 X 20 tee nut on a 1/2 inch piece of plywood and threaded the quick release post into it; making my tripod multi use.
The SLIK 618-752 is a crucial piece of equipment for the U-212DX and other SLIK tripods that use this post, for rapidly changing between cameras.By leaving the post permanently mounted to the base of a camera body, it drastically reduce setup time and alwose the removal of the body for lens changes or changing out the camera body entirely.The "Quick Shoe" makes it possible to go form on format to another in a matter of minutes, seconds once you get the hang of it.If you have a 35mm camera body whose lens can also be used on a digital body it is a since to flip flop them.It also allows the use of multiple tripod setup.
The Quick Post is just something waiting to be lost at some point, so I purchased this as an extra. My tripod is fairly old, but I really like it and without this little post, the tripod would have to become a plant stand!
I thought I lost my original... bought two to replace the lost one and have a spare... then found the original.  They seem to be an exact match.  Works good.
These look just like the original that I lost some time ago. Works just as well! If you lose yours, buy these!
these are the second set of 2 that I have ordered over 35 yrs, they are still made the same, good product, fit perfectly, and I need to quit losing them!
I bought two of these to go with the one included with my tripod so I now have one for each camera plus a spare. Cheap insurance for a necessary item.
just like the original. fits perfectly to my slik tripod.
I purchased the tripod many years ago and had not lost this quick post over the years.  The one that came with it may, one day reappear...but having a spare (or two) is a smart move.  Made the tripod functional again.
I have had this really fine tripod for years and lost the essential little post that attaches the camera to the base. I was sure that they would be impossible to find and kept asking at camera stores with no luck. One day I took a long shot and searched in Amazon and there they were... excellent price and quick shipping. This time I ordered a spare.
I bought a Slik tripod long ago...fluid head...nice...quick release...nice...but it had this kind of quick release...The way it works is you screw this round thing onto the bottom of your camera...then you stick the rounded quick release mount into the round hole on your tripod...Now, when you engage the lever on the tripod to secure your camera...know what it does?  It PULLS down on this thing, in essence, pulling down your camera onto the tripod so that it stays secure to the tripod.Imagine if you screw this on TOO tightly to your camera...it will then PULL DOWN TOO HARD on your camera, thus putting a strain on the nut that is your tripod mount of your camera...imagine how long it will be before that breaks on your camera...So you could screw this in loosely to your camera, so that when it pulls down, it does not pull down too hard on your camera...but then you can/will lose one of these eventually...or you will have to constantly adjust how far in you want to screw this into your camera...My solution was to find a washer to place where the screw was on this thing...that way it is spaced down, but I could screw in securely to my camera...and then when the quick release is engaged on the tripod, it does not pull down too hard on my camera...Bad bad design....but I'm stuck with it....Better designs are the current ones, where you have a plate secured to the camera...then when the tripod head is engaged, it engages the plate, without putting strain on your camera's tripod hole/nut.
...this quick shoe was purchased to allow a second camera to be tripod-ready and mounted on aSlik Compact Tripod.Perfect OEM fit for its Slik companion.Select with confidence.
I use several cameras and being able switch out from the tripod head is good!!  This applies to all quick shoes.
This plate, which mounts on the bottom of the camera/body, fits the Slik Pro 300DX, Pro 330DX, Pro 340DX and Pro 500DX tripods. [...]If you have only 1 camera, one of these plates comes with the previously listed tripods, ergo you need to purchase this plate only if you have multiple devices that you want to quick-mount (or if you somehow lost the plate that came with the tripod)... e.g. so you would not need to unscrew and remount the plate to switch cameras.
I got this to replace a plate on a Bushnell tripod that looked very similar, and it turns out to be the same.  Very snug hold.
I bought a used SLIK tripod and just need a quick shoe and it works great with my Fuji camera.
We received this part fast. Our tripod was useless for the past year without this quick shoe. Now it is back in service.
These quick release plates have a fixed screw mount so you simply twist it onto the camera or mount without tools or coins to tighten. It locks into the Silk tripod quickly. Having extras for mounts and additional cameras saves time and helps if you misplace a plate. This is solidly made and locks in securely.
What the heck is wrong with you people who bought this thinking it was some sort of quick release???  This product is an "accessory" to Slik's quick release (which is VERY good) on their tripods.With all due respect you should not give this thing 1 star just because you can't figure that out.I wish there was a way to review the reviewers on Amazon... you guys would get 0 stars in my book.
This is the exact same quick release plate that comes with the Slik AMT titanium tripod.  The picture doesn't show it with cork, which was a little confusing.. but rest assured, it's what you're looking for!
These quick release plates work great with my SLIK Pro 700DX tripod that I recently purchased from Amazon via 17th St. Photo. The plates pop out easily and can be used on both of the Slik tripod heads that I own: the 800 ball head and the 3-way pan head that comes with the 700DX.There are 2 sizes for my tripod: 3/8" and 1/4" .You can buy an adapter from SLIK or MANFROTTO to adapt the smaller 1/4" to the 3/8" size. I currently have 2 of the 1/4" size for my cameras and my binoculars but I want more.Highly recommended!Slik - Quick release plate
I discovered this mount when I bought the 700DX tripod. Having used many (including Slik) quick mounting systems in the past, I was shocked at the simplicity, utility, constuction, and value of this solid aluminum hockey puck looking device. It is round. It can handle over 15 pounds of mounted equipment. You can mount a camera fitted with it in the dark within seconds. It is very secure, of all aluminum construction, and allows you to position your camera on the tripod head anyway you see fit.This is the best of the quick mount class, no matter what the brand. I bought several soon after I bought the 700DX tripod. My camera bodies and long lenses each have their own quick mount plate permanetly attached. Try it, and be amazed.....
excellent product very convenient to handle the camera withuot risk ,very fast operation good design ,metalic robust construction apear to be a lasting product
Very sturdy, economical and portable. Did an excellent job on a tricky video project.Used it mostly outdours over changing situations. Easy to slip off and back on. All-around great product  for the money.
Oh yea, talk about an easy way to mount your camera to your tripod. Very sturdy and made in Thailand under a Japanese companies design and guidance, a quality product, made of metal not plastic. Yes a little more expensive, but well worth the few extra dollars. Amazon got it quick and on time, thank you UPS. And thank you Silk for making a quality product and making my life a little easier.
The product works as advertised. Be aware that the SLIK 700DX tripod comes equipped with one as part of the package. That fact was not clear in the description of the tripod. I got sucked into buying another quick release plate. A second one is fine if you have more than one camera, if not, you got yourself something you may well not need and for a rather spendy price.
I bought this along with Slik Pro 700DX. It is nice to have for my camera  if my husband and I are out shooting together and only have the one tripod with us. Works great.
Previous tripods were almost impossible to get extra camera mounts. These are inexpensive and fit and work just like they are suposed to. They only fit the Slik tripod but it that's what you have and have more than one camera it's what you need.
Always great to have another one of these if you have multiple cameras so you can get them setup and ready to go.
Really this isn't for the plate, but the whole system. I won't buy it again. It seemed like such a good idea, but it doesn't work very well in a sideways orientation. The camera and quick clamp are too prone to slippage, and I have to really muscle it down to get it to stay. The plate gripping mechanism in the head is very convenient, but not strong enough.Pros: Fast, secure (as in it locks from falling out simply by putting the plate into the quick release mechanism). Easy to spin the camera by loosening the lever and spinning.Cons: Quick release is prone to slippage, and plate needs to be cranked down hard to prevent camera from twisting off.If Slik made a good "L" bracket for this system, I think it would mitigate half of the cons. But they don't.
Slik Quick detachable plates from Focus Camera are great. I have been using this Slik "Ballhead" I bought and put on a used "professional grade" Video Camera Tripod. It is heavy but it works great and this "Slik designed" QD plate detaches or mounts so easily even in the dark that I never have doubts about the Camera being securely attached!Never!It clicks into place slightly when the plate is "seated"; it has a very distinctive sound and feel to it, just as it should be! It is all metal, solid aluminum with a cork "friction surface" adhered to the top, where the Camera Mounts the side has a deep-machined groove that locks the "Plate" by two means, not just one, until I reach up and depress the lock button, after and simultaneously cycling the "release" lever.It is a quick but distinct "one-two" action done with one hands while I grasp the camera with the other and lift. This become so natural that it gives me the utmost confidence every time. Nothing else can release the plate, except these combined motions. I love this kind of design and it simple engineering!I just bought three extra plates at $15.00 USD each, so that I can attach the same type Quick Detachable plate to each of several Cameras and a Spotting Scope I use at times. Were they cheap? No!With some things, at some times, quality and security matter more than bargains or discounts on dollars spent. My Photography equipment is an investment, its part of my bread and butter too. My Nikon D 300 "workhorse" is never going to end up "biting the rocks below" from a cheap and therefore "funky" Q D assembly coming apart or sticking open and letting a camera go down on some frosty morning when my fingers were numb as the Bighorn Rams are coming down the Mountain to water, and to pose for me. They do that you know!
if you have the tripod that works with this, you need a plate for each camera body.  i have two cameras and now 2 plates.
Shame on Slik.While this is a very well-machined disk, it arrives withno instructions and no reason why it is paired with the Slik Sprint Mini. Completely incompatible. Obviously requires an additional mount....but this fact is not brought out in the ad.Not worth my time to return it. It now lives in my useless photo gear drawer.This single star does not reflect on the Sprint Mini tripod, which is best of breed.
I purchased this paper for a cake smash photo shoot. I am happy with it. It is what I needed.
Paper arrived in good shape and on time for a very important job. I will order again when I need similar products.
I needed some background material that was easy to set up and store without taking up too much room and this fits the bill. The paper is nice and thick. It withstands people walking on it, although it will show dirt, being white and all. It rolls up nicely and I can store it in the corner of a closet. It's lightweight so it can be used on a less robust stand.
this is actually pretty ggod, some people said it wasnt white white.. its pretty white to me. bought white and black. happy with the purchase, would buy more colors when the time comes.
This is a great background to begin your home studio with, it is white and great for beauty shots or headshots for the family or co-worker. The item came in a great shape.
This is my first time using backgrounds but, the paper appears to be as advertised. I have taken a few photos against it and, they came out fine.
Love this for my smash cake sessions! Great white paper, the thickness is great and can't be seen through. Glad I bought it!
I love using the white because I can use my lighting to change my background color.  Paper is nice and durable.
As advertised. It's thick and pure white and there is plenty of it. Works good for macro and product photography.
Have been using this for over a year. Very good quality. I recommend this to others. Serves multiple purposes like projecting screen too.
This tripod is very lightweight and compact.  I took it to Europe and put it inside my backpack when I was out sightseeing.  It is easy to give the ball head a snug twist and lock it down very tight.  But what I like most about this tripod is its versatility.  The legs will lock into three different angles providing maximum height or maximum stability and minimum height as needed.  Plus most of the center post can be unscrewed to get the camera low to the ground and the center post can be inverted so the camera hangs down between the tripod legs for shots very low to the ground.It is a very sturdy tripod for its weight and size, although it is certainly not as steady as a ten pound studio behemoth.  But for a lightweight, compact and versatile tripod you can throw in your backpack and walk around with all day, this is a great tripod.Weaknesses:- When putting a digital SLR in portrait orientation, the camera body can bump into the tripod leg or the center post height adjustment knob, preventing the camera from sitting straight.  This can be remedied by simply rotating the ball head to a location between the tripod legs, but when making adjustments left and right after you've got it set up, the tripod legs tend to get in the way.- The ball head provides no resistance at all when the lever is loosened.  If you let go of your camera it will abruptly swing down and possibly bump the lens barrel on the tripod leg.  This isn't such a problem once you get used to it.
The newest addition to my ever growing photo equipment collection. I needed a very compact full featured lightweight tripod that would set up quick, have a 60" max height or better, stiff enough ballhead so that it could handle a mid sized DSLR and a decent sized lens without creep, stiff enough legs to hold still in breezes, be able to pan, and to get down low to the ground without a bunch of hassle, for less than 100.00.I thought I was asking way too much, but.. the Slik Sprint delivered all that for me and at less cost! It even comes with hidden spike feet (for snow etc..) that come out when you screw the rubber ones in, now thats handy! It even makes for a great around the house tripod being easy to set up and very compact.One heck of a deal as long as you don't expect too much out of it.-Carl[...]
I really am pleased with this tripod!  When I just don't want to carry a heavy tripod, this one really is very stable and solid.  I've used a fairly heavy SLR on it and it seems to hold it just fine.  It fits in a day pack with ease.  The ball head works well.  Highly recommended.
I needed a small, compact tripod to supplement my large Gitzo 1340 tripod.  This tripod allows you to extend the legs until they are flat on the ground, facilitating the use of a spotting scope or taking macro photos while in the prone position.  This feature alone is worth it's weight in gold.
You know, I was one of those idiots that thought all tripods were the same. I mean, it stands on the floor, if the floor isn't moving the camera on the tripod won't either... right??? Yah, what a idiot I was. Of course up until now, I was just using a point and shoot camera that only has a 4x optical zoom capability. So I guess for that, I wasn't too far off. But now I am getting into photography and bought a Canon XSi, and the first time I tried using my cheap aluminum tripod that I bought for $9 on Amazon I realized something. This thing sucks!!Anyway, I read a lot of really positive reviews on this tripod, so I ordered one. What a difference. The tripod is REALLY quick to deploy, the legs are really sturdy, and the ball head makes composing that shot perfectly so easy. I've read that for heavier cameras with heavier lenses, the small size of this ball head would not hold them. But the XSi is pretty compact in terms of dSLR's and I am using the kit lenses that came with it, so there's no problems with the weight. It locks fast and tightly.No need for me to list all of the features, if you've bothered to read the reviews you've definitely read the feature list first. I'll just say from using this tripod to take some night photos with long shutter times, it works perfect. Lightweight, fast, and sturdy. If you're on a budget or looking for a backup lightweight tripod for travel, you can't go wrong with this one.Boy I feel so dumb... I'll keep the aluminum tripod for home use with my point-and-shoot... That thing is not coming close to my dSLR any more...
I have an excellent Bogen tripod which I'd call "heavyweight,"---great for videos, overkill for my dSLR.  This tripod is excellent:  a combination of light weight, remarkable sturdiness (for its weight), and a usable ball head. The best feature is the ease-of-use of the lever-action leg extenders.  It's set up in a way that a flip of all 3 (in the same motion) will allow you to shake down all leg extensions at once.  I find that the ball head is capable of holding even with my medium-weight dSLR with its telezoom all the way extended, and pointed at a 45-degree downward angle.  Recommended.
I am a novice photographer that recently purchased a Canon Rebel XSi digital SLR. After reading everywhere about the necessity of using a tripod to capture the highest quality images, I started doing some online research. After reading numerous reviews, I decided on the Slik Sprint Pro Travel with Ball Head for its combination of price, light weight & size (for travel), and versatility. I have not been disappointed. The tripod is sturdy and easily holds my XSi with attached 28-135mm lens. I'm 6'1" and have had no problem with height adjustments. This is the first time using a ball head and I've been impressed with the ease of use and versatility. I can easily switch from landscape mode to portrait mode. I highly recommend it if it's still available.
Don't expect this to be the best tripod ever, but it's still an excellent tripod.It's pretty well built and looks pretty nice. It's light. I can carry this with my camera bag without problems.I'm 6 feet tall and when extended all the way, I can almost use it at eye level.I've used this with my Canon Xti, but also with my point and shoot SD630 as well as my Panasonic video camera. I leave it on my living room where I shoot most of my kid's pictures. I can quickly and easily setup any of my cameras.My heaviest lenses is the Canon 75-300 IS and this tripod handles it quite fine.
This little tripod is surprisingly sturdy.  It is just 18.5" long (folded) and 2 pounds (including head) and easily fits in my small backpack.  The head locks down easily and securely with my Nikon D40 SLR with 18-200 lens.  Unlike the Bogen travel tripod, the Slik head is removable if you want to use something else.  There is no quick-release plate, allowing you to add any brand of quick-release (if you are using another brand on other tripods).  The lowest leg sections are a little wobbly in the wind, so I fold those up in those conditions.  I have a 8 pound luggable tripod when rock solid stability is important, but this 2 pound tripod is prefect for hiking or travel.
It's small practical and versatil it covers a big range of configurations good price for the benefit. Excelent for starters or daily use. You can ad a quick release to the ball head an it works just fine! Fair vibration absortion, watch for the wind!
I have a Bogen-Manfrotto tripod and it is built like a tank ...but it also *weighs* as much as a tank and it's sized like one too. I travel for a living (and take pictures for fun) so I needed a very portable (as in it fits in a backpack/carry-on bag) best-bang-for-the-buck small tripod and the Sprint Pro fit the bill perfectly.It's a neat little tripod, beautifully simplistic yet surprisingly stable and versatile; this is not a cheap piece of junk. And while it doesn't compare to the rock-solid stance of my Bogen it does a quite credible job if you respect its limitations ...I have been able to take shots I wouldn't have had I not brought this little tripod with me ...and in the end that's what really counts. The ball head is functional and quite capable of handling my Nikon D40 and factory 15-55mm lens. If you want to up the "cool factor" (or change to a quick disconnect style of ball head) the factory head can be removed but, so far, I've found no reason to swap it out.As a secondary/travel tripod the Sprint Pro is hard to beat ...it's a Slik little tripod....
This is a great travel tripod.  It comes with a cloth case, is cheap, and reasonably well built.  Its also reasonably light, and can be carried comfortably (in the case) all day.  The leg locks have not let me down but are plastic and cheapo.  I suspect that extended use may have them breaking or slipping.However.  This is not a very sturdy tripod if you extend it all the way.  I do not extend the lowest sections (I don't mind bending down, though others may).  Don't even bother with the centre section.  The ball head is compact and can work with my D200 in the landscape mode...vertical/portraits are a bit of a challenge.  And there is no quick release.Having said all that, this is a tripod that would go places with you.  Places that you would not take a larger, heavier one.  As long as you are aware of the limitations (sturdiness, leg locks, ball head) this is a good second or travel tripod.
I used this tripod several times on a trip to Moab, UT.  It is quite easy to quickly set it up & get it level on uneven terrain.  I equipped it with a Manfrotto RC2 Compact Rapid Connect Adapter.  That makes it so much more user friendly, enabling you to take your camera off & on quickly & easily!
For its size and weight, this is a nice little tripod. Great for backpacking. The included ball head is much easier to set than multi-axis style heads but you have to make sure it is securely tightened before you let go. I've got a bigger Slik tripod that is taller and sturdier for use at home, but this one is great for hikes.Slik (as well as Manfrotto, Bogen and Gitzo) is a true photographer quality tripod. It's in a completely different league than Velbon.
I use a Leica D-Lux 3, and wanted a tripod that complimented this camera. I debated whether to get a higher end Gitzo that could accommodate a DSLR if I ever got back into lugging the heavy stuff around again(which I did when I was younger, and shot film). When I found this tripod at B&H I really was happy. It has all the features I wanted, and the price was great. It is fast and easy to set up,and I actually take it with me, which I probably wouldn't do with a heavier unit. For my small camera this is an excellent tripod. The Leica is really beyond a point and shoot,and a tripod brings out the full quality of the camera. (By the way, for those new to tripods,you use the self timer or a cable release to take the photo in order to avoid camera movement. For a good discussion of tripods, Ballheads, etc. I suggest  the Really Right Stuff website).
My wife and I recently bought a Canon Rebel XSi, and I wanted to find a good quality tripod that would help us do things like take family portraits (we also bought the Canon RC1).  This tripod is really great for the money.  It is incredibly light and comes with its own carrying bag.  It's extremely easy to set up and take down.  It also has a ball head, which makes minor adjustments to angle easy.  I haven't tried using it on any angle other than level, so I can't speak to its stability with such a camera at angles.  The camera felt solid on the level--I was worried initially that such a light tripod couldn't hold up a DSLR, but it does fine.  I suppose if I had to levy an unrealistic expectation on the tripod, I'd like a quick release, but for the price, you're already getting a great value.
- very wonderfully lightweight- fits nicely in carry-on bag- I compared this with the Velbon ultra series and to me the Slik Sprint Pro is much much better.  To me the tripod is easier to set up than the Ultra, and feels much more solid.  (I have read in various posts that the legs of the Velbon ultra variants are prone to breakage as well, and my impression of them from trying them in-store did not inspire confidence.)- Adjustable to low shooting position, detachable split center column works quite nicely.- The supplied ballhead is really pretty good, but it is interchageable if you want to use something else.  I passed on a head with QR because any QR plate would cover my P&S; battery hatch anyway.- The gun metal gray looks quite spiffy, actually.- I called several shops in my metro area and could not find anyone who carried it; I was not happy with the Velbon ultra's so I decided to order the Slik Sprint Pro sight unseen (B&H;).  Very happy with the choice.- The Velbon ultra's have gotten a big boost from that Popular Photography write-up a while back, but in my opinion they are way overrated.- Slik Sprint Pro -- best travel tripod under $100 (under 2 pounds, fits in carry-on, deploys to standing eye-level).- weakness -- I'm using the Slik Sprint Pro with a Canon PowerShot -- it is great with a digital P&S.;  I think it would work OK with a small dslr and lens (say a Rebel XT and 17-85) but definitely not for anything larger -- but then that's not the mission for a travel tripod (as defined here) anyway.
You can't beat this tripod for the money.  One misconception I had and a I think a few others do also is that you need to buy a short center column to lower the tripod to it's lowest position.  I'm not sure about all of them but my center column is a long two piece that unscrews so that only the short column is in place.  Given the max height of this unit I'm pretty sure they are all like mine.  Check with each Seller but they should all be the same.  There is one thing I would prefer but it wasn't a big enough issue to not rate this 5 stars.  The leg locks would be nicer if the tension was adjustable but as long as they do not loosen over time this whole thing is a 5.  I also agree with a few other reviews in that the weight rating seems to be really low.  Don't take my word for it because I have no super heavy lenses but this thing is solid as a rock.  Folded length is fine, I'd even take this on a hike with no problem.  I bought the pan instead of ball head because I do shoot quite a few pano's.  The head is also really well built and the quick release is works very well.  This is an excellent tripod.  If anything happens to this one I would not hesitate to buy another.
Sturdy, well-designed tripod for use in and out-of-doors. Fits in my suitcase for travel. I swapped on a ball head. The insulated grips and extremely light weight make it a joy to carry. The leg-independent three-angle positioning offers a degree of versatility unmatched.
I have used Slik tripods for years and I have always been very happy with them. Although plastics and lightweight metals are commonly used I have never had any problems with them holding up. I have one Slik U8000 tripod that I have had and used for over 10 years with no trouble.Let's talk about the Slik Pro 330DX. This is a very nice tripod. It is light and easy to carry. It came with a pan tilt head which was not what I really wanted so I have replaced it with a Manfrotto 484RC2 ballhead. I use this tripod and ballhead combination for my product photography. When I am out hiking or backpacking, I use a Flashpoint F1 ballhead (which can also be purchased here at Amazon). This reduces the overall weight of the tripod and head to less then 3 pounds, which makes hiking with this tripod a whole lot easier. Overall, for me, this makes for a great setup. I have been using this tripod for over 3 months now with no problem whatsoever.Now, I need to be absolutely clear. This tripod is not going to be adequate to support and stabilize most digital single lens reflex cameras. If you have a larger camera then you need to find a better tripod. But this one works quite well when using lighter digital point and shoot cameras as long as the weather is calm. I use the tripod combinations described above for my Canon Powershot G10 which weighs a couple ounces less then a pound. I have also used this combination for my Pentax ZX-60 35mm single lens reflex camera with the 50mm lens, which weighs a little more then a pound. Technically it is supposed to support equipment that weighs a little over 8 pounds but I would be nervous using something this heavy. I don't doubt it will hold that much weight but stabilizing cameras for photography is about reducing vibration as well so you need to be careful with a tripod that is this light. I personally would not consider using it for anything heavier then 3 or 4 pounds, or for any lenses longer then 100mm. Even when using it with light equipment, if a medium wind begins to blow then I recommend you attach some weight to the bottom of the tripod to further stabilize it. I have modified my tripod with an eyebolt on the bottom of the center column that allows me to attach my backpack, a camera bag, or use my foot looped through a bungie cord, to apply down pressure to the tripod while I'm using it so it dampens the vibration caused by the wind.Slik has cut a few corners with this tripod to cut the weight down and to keep the cost low. For example, the leg locks are made of plastic. So far they have worked quite well for me and as long as I am careful with them I don't anticipate that they will present any problems. However, they do represent a potential failure point that you should be aware of. Another possible problem has to do with the height of this tripod. With my Canon Powershot G10 attached to the quick release on the Manfrotto 484RC2 ballhead, the camera is exactly chest height on me, and I am 5' 10" tall. Since I am usually using the rear display screen of the G10 the height of the camera is not a big problem for me, but if you are trying to use an optical viewfinder it would present a problem because you will have to stoop over all the time to look through your viewfinder. They have also used a 1/4-20 thread stud to attach the tripod head rather then the more common 3/8 thread. If you want to replace the head be sure to find one that will accept the 1/4 inch threaded stud, or find a 3/8 to 1/4 inch bushing to fit the tripod head you are planning on using.So, in order to get the most from this tripod there are a few things you should be aware of. Purchase and install a ballhead and don't forget the 1/4-20 threaded stud. Do not plan on overloading it with large or heavy equipment. Use only lightweight cameras and shorter lenses. Develop a means to stabilize the tripod, especially when the wind comes up. Be prepared to stoop over a lot if you use an optical viewfinder instead of a display screen with live view. Be gentle and don't beat this tripod up too badly since the leg locks are made from plastic and the legs are light aluminum alloy which can easily be dented or bent.There is a definite positive side to this tripod as well. The legs can be spread individually to accommodate uneven ground. The tripod legs can be deployed so that the camera is very close to the ground for macro work. It is extremely light and easy to pack with you. The price is certainly right. You can use aftermarket ballheads with it. Of course, if it fits your need, the pan tilt head included with this tripod is made of metal and is actually quite solid.If you understand and can work  within some very specific limitations, this is an excellent piece of equipment. By making a few, very simple, modifications, this tripod makes a terrific, very small and lightweight, backpacking tripod. If you have been researching tripods you know that you can easily pay $500 or more for good gear. It is really unusual to get extremely light gear like this, that works as intended, for less then $100. Add in a decent ballhead for $50 to $75, depending on what you buy, and you have a very, very nice tripod that rivals the weight of a very pricey carbon fiber unit. You may have better luck but, for what I needed, I could not find anything for less then $500 that was better then this setup.
Solid feel, very stable, and well made.  The whole head and even the removable mount are made from metal... no cheap plastic here.Would recomend anyone to Slik tripods!
This tripod is super light weight, easy to use, and stable.  The head is a three way pan-tilt - a quality item with smooth action and an easy to use quick release plate - not exactly the easiest head to use, so I have replaced it with an inexpensive but well made Sunpak pistol grip.  So my cost is still reasonable but I have a good travel tripod for less than $150.I'm 5'10" so it's a bit short, but if I use the center stock extended about half way, it's totally comfortable.  The center stock has two pieces that screw together so you can remove one and get down low.  I have added a small hook to the bottom stock's cap (it screws in, which is really a nice distinction from just popping in) and I use it to hang my bag for greater stability.This tripod fits in my carry-on bag and is easy to carry around.  I doubt it would hold up to rigorous field use, but for someone like me - a photo enthusiast who likes to go out and play on a Saturday afternoon - it's great.  I'm planning on taking it to Italy this summer to get some good architecture and landscape shots.  I think it will be a really good travel companion.
This tripod is great. My last one fell apart quicky but this one is very  well built without being heavy! I am a 4'10" girl and a weenie to boot but I lug it everywhere! It has taken tons of abuse and is as good as new, I have had it a while and expect to have for a very long time. I didn't really want to spen this much but it will probibly save me the frustration of many cheap ones so in the end a great deal! I lent it to a taller friend who also loved it and has asked for it for Christmas.
I really liked the Slik Pro 330 DX tripod from the start!  For around $100, it didn't make much sense to go cheap on equipment that will be responsible for holding up my $800 camera.  This tripod has been to the driving range on numerous occasions where I can video my golf swing.  With all the activity going on at the range, I needed a tripod that was easy to setup and sturdy enough to withstand the occasional gust of wind.  The feature that sold me was the ability this tripod has to widen the legs even wider than the standard width of your typical tripod.  You will not be disappointed in this tripod.
This is a decent tripod for "beginners" and by beginners I mean new to tripods not photography. Although many reviews and forums recommend saving your money for a better tripod, this is fine for now for what I need it for. In the future I will probably purchased something better. That said, this tripod is fine and that's why I gave it 4 stars. The legs are pretty sturdy and set-up is easy. It is on the heavier side but that's fine with me because it makes it sturdier.  One problem is with the center post in that you have to push it up and down yourself as opposed to using a handle to turn it up and down. Once set up, it's fine.  If you can't afford much for a tripod, this will do; otherwise, save up for a better one.
I wanted a really lightweight travel tripod to supplement my full-size Giottos MT-8180.  The stock SLIK Pro 330DX offered me a good lightweight tripod which, with two modifications, has become an excellent tripod that is light enough to carry boonie tromping and is small enough to fit in my airline luggage.I first replaced the stock center column with the optional shorter column sold as an accessory.  I do not believe that a lightweight tripod such as the 330DX should be used with an extended center column.  Another option would have been to shorten the stock center column by sawing off a portion of its length. However, I opted to use the accessory column as a more professional looking modification.Secondly, I replaced the rather heavy stock SLIK pan/tilt head with an Adorama Flashpoint F-1 Arca Compatible magnesium ball head.  This head not only considerably reduces the total package weight but allows the use of a Really Right Stuff L-Bracket.  The RRS L-Bracket increases stability by eliminating the need to cantilever the camera/lens over to the side of the head when using a non-tripod-ring equipped camera/lens in the portrait position. This head provides a significant advantage in stability while lowering the total weight of the modified tripod/head package.The modifications reduce the weight of the SLIK Pro 330DX tripod/head package from its stock 3.5 pounds to only one pound, eleven ounces yet allows me to adequately support my 1.6x cameras with either my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses.  The modified tripod/head has performed very well; even in some rather heavy winds while photographing Bryce Canyon, Utah.The one drawback with this package is that it is fairly short in height.  I adequately compensate for the lack of height by using a right-angle viewfinder which weighs only an ounce or two and allows me to comfortably shoot from the lower platform. I would give this setup five stars if it were only a bit taller.  However, if it were taller, it would also be heavier. I wish that the SLIK Pro 330DX had been available without the need to purchase the pan/tilt head but, tripods in this price range are usually not offered without a head.I really like my modified SLIK Pro 330DX and since it is so light and small of a package; I can carry it everywhere with no problems.
Sturdy but light weight.  I like the way the legs are easy to extend.  The small clips at the top of the legs allow them to extend almost horizontally to be able to get closer to a subject on the ground.
Tripod legs are fantastic! 5 stars!  Sturdy, easy to set up on uneven surfaces.  The foam padding is a nice "luxury" feature, so the hands are happy in cold weather.  Legs also have "ankle locks" for low-angle position which work really well, and I appreciate the flexibility it extends.  But the pan head just about average quality.  Not very smooth. Quick release plates are ok, but you have to be very very careful and keep checking that equipment is screwed on tightly.  When I do a lot of pan movements, it seems to get loose on my lens collar all the time (does not happen with manfrotto RC2's I use - I think it has a lot of do with surface padding of the plate itself rather than mount).  There is no lever, which would not be a problem, only once head is locked, it seems to move off ever so slightly.  So leveling with 8+lbs of setup is not that easy if you have to tweak it by few millimeters all the time.So, the bottom line: great leg setup for the money.  I think it would ravel most in this category.  Do away with another head, and you've got a perfect heavy duty light-weight tripod to beat up on your hikes.UPDATE 06/15/11: After 3 years of pretty moderate use one of the leg locks quit working.  I suppose it's plastic and not meant to last, but for the price it was a still a good run for this tripod.
I just wanted to let you know that the head does not have a bubble level that is ubiquitous nowadays.  I recommend it if you need a good solid portable leg and want to use a separate bubble level or change the head anyway.I strongly recommend Slik AF2100 pistol grip head for this tripod leg.  As a travel tripod I couldn't find a better combination at any price range.
Three reasons to buy this product:1) Portrait type photos will be sharper2) Shooting landscapes at a distance with a zoom will be crystal clear.3) You'll look cool with a good tripod!  LOLMY REVIEW:  I've owned my SLIK for 2 years and it has been used for thousands of pictures.  It's extremely sturdy and the locks and controls work perfectly still.  I use the original head, a manfrotto head, and a custom head (very heavy) for 360 degree panoramic shots - and the tripod is still in perfect shape.Does everyone need a tripod of this quality?  If you want to drastically improve your photo capabilities, YES YOU DO.  And don't forget that you'll look cool with a good tripod!JR Fent
I gave a five star review because it is great for what the tripod was intended for.  I wanted to use it for videography and am not happy with it because I didn't realize that I wanted smooth movements from start to finish during pans and tilts - well I did realize that I wanted that -but I didn't realize that I needed a fluid film head to achieve that effect.  So I ended up spending $150 + on a different tripod head and a converter screw ($10) that will allow my new tripod head to fit on this tripod.  I am keeping the product instead of returning it because I really like the tripod legs - they are super sturdy, and built to last.  This tripod will be great for you if you are doing home videos, still photography (although you may want to buy a level to mount on your camera), or locked-down videography.  However, if you want to do fluid-movement - you can take my route and buy this tripods legs and a different head.. or just invest in a fluid tripod made for film......  I feel silly for making the initial mistake, but thought I'd share in case anyone else was about to do the same.  Again, I gave it 5 stars because it really is a great tripod for its own purpose.
This is my first tripod purchase; I bought it for my Canon T2i. So far I'm really happy with it; I'm 6'4 and it stands high enough at full mass that I don't have to bend down too much. I have had it out in the mountains of Wyoming and it has performed well. It feels a bit heavy but gives a sturdy feel. The quick release is nice and feels solid when in place. My only complaint would lie in the clips that lock the legs at various angles; my hand seems to always find those clips and they release easily. No biggy, just need to watch where my meathooks land. Will definitely keep Slik in mind for future needs.
This is the 10th tripod that I have purchased over the years, from a cheap Ambico to a professional video Bogen / Manfrotto (for my range spotting scope). This unit exceeded my expectations in terms of degrees of freedoms, construction quality, stability at full extension and ease of positioning. I have no trouble recommending this as an excellent, low cost tripod (in spite of it being a wee bit on the heavy side).  It is a perfect mount for my wife's Canon El-pd1.
Good solid tripod, just the right height for my wife, 5'2". We are wildlife photographers and switched the original pan head for a pistol-grip ball head just because it is faster for moving animals. This tripod had no problem holding a canon DSLR and a Sigma 150-500 zoom lens. The adjustment of the center column takes some getting used to after many years of using a geared center column. A good usable tripod that is comparable with higher price units.
I have had this tripod for over 2 years now.  It has performed beautifully.  It feels very sturdy - I am comfortable with my 7d sitting on it fully extended.  The only downside is the size and weight - it does not collapse to a very tidy size (making it fun when you are at the airport) - but I figure if you want something to last it needs to have a little size to it (unless you are willing to drop a little more $$$ on it) ... plus you need some weight if you are going to hold a 7d with some heavy lenses.I am not a professional (at all), but this serves me well on trips and when at family gatherings.  When traveling, it fits reasonably on the outside of my carry-on (which is a Gregory day-pack) when looped through the gear loops - it is probably a little longer than collapsible trekking poles.
After purchasing this tripod, I had a bit of buyer's remorse. This was because I started looking at the 700DX and thought that might be a better option. BUT...after receiving this tripod, all my doubts vanished.The tripod felt very solid when I picked it up. The construction is strong yet very manageable in terms of weight. I wanted a good stable tripod for my Nikon D80, zoom lens and flash - mounted. This is the one!All the adjustment levers and nobs are very well constructed, feels solid and works as it should. The panning head with the dual handles are positioned to make fine controlled adjustments with the camera mounted. The foam on the 3 legs are nice for handling. The clips to unlock the legs to bring the tripod down to the lowest level for low-to-the-ground shot are an ingenius, yet simple design.Overall, I can't seem to find a fault with this tripod. For the price and quality...it's a no-brainer. If it came with a carrying bag...that would make it a complete success.
Very poor lenses.  I have $12 binoculars that have better optical quality.  Also, the diopter keeps loosing its setting.  I would love to have my money back.
We use them for traveling, sports and to to watch surfers and dolphins from beach condo balcony.  Small yet work great.
I have been using these binoculars for two years and they are solid.  Both my wife and I now have a pair.
I was looking for some small Binoculars, and these definitely fit the bill.  Good quality optics and extremely small storage space.  They are even smaller than I expected them to be, but they extend to full size for viewing and i have no issue using them due to the size.
These binoculars are ok. The ad was deceiving and made them look bigger than they are. Very slow shipment and when I received them the box was all damaged. It said they were new but I suspect they were used. Very disappointed.
These rock.  For the size they sure fool you.  They are more powerful than I even imagined.  For the price you can't get better than this.  Great for preppers as they don't take up any space at all and have a nice snug case as well to store them in.
personnaly i can't say much about this product because it was a gift for one of my friends, but my friend is very pleased and happy with his binoculars he says he likes them.
While the optics are clear enough the zoom is terrible. The field of view in low power is small and zoomed up larger but almost impossible to focus. The zoom connection apparatus is flimsy and the eye optics can and will move while trying to clear up the image. Eye relief is fixed and will not work with glasses on.
The control locations are well thought out, and the earlier model worked great. But they cheapened this model where the eye piece is held on a rubber mount in lieu of a brass to aluminium slide fitting, so there is much give and much slop. Can't get both eyepieces to focus together in the range of zoom.  Almost useless.
I've owned my original set of this particular binocular for over 15 years.  They have remained aligned, even though they were not always treated gently.  I've been so impressed with my set that I bought a new set for my grandson's birthday.  They seem to be better adapted to rough treatment.  The outside coating on the binocular appears to be some kind of rubber-like substance.  The optics are first class, and my grandson should expect many years of use.  The new carrying case is soft and might not protect much if it were dropped.  The carrying strap is smaller but adequate for the job.  It's not a worry.  All in all I would recommend the 7-21X40 zoom.  It's great for terrestrial viewing and when steadied, it quite good for astronautical observations: Jupiter's moons come to mind.  40 power is my minimum.  Larger lenses have greater light gathering ability. 50 power seems more common, while larger lenses also have more weight and cost more.  I am not disappointed with this purchase.  Good luck.
I read what appeared to be many reviews on the Bushnell 7-21x40... The problem is the reviews are on the 7-21x40 amazon page are on all different models. THIS review is on the model in the title line above. I wish more people would tell us WHICH Bushnell binoculars they bought. In any event: I first bought a pair of Barska 10-30 x 50 zoom binocs, but upon arrival I noted the less than solid build, poorer than expected optics, and inability to focus. NUF said. sent the Barska back and ordered the Bushnell concurrently. These binocs are solid, the lens caps stay on, the zoom is great, and most importantly, YOU CAN FOCUS in at ALL zoom levels. Clear, crisp, images, only slightly degrading as the power is increased all the way to 21. Granted, $80 is more than $40. It was expected that these would out perform the Barska 10-30x50's, but it's more than out perform. Better in all aspects. I recommend you spend the additional $40 when you save it up. It's worth it. In my opinion.
Did not really like it like others before me this is not good to look at your targets at 50 yards it blurs out.
Was loose when received, lense moved around.  Vision was not lined up.  Not even useable. Disappointing Christmas present. Poorly made.
We were looking for something rivaling a spotting scope but without the inconvenience.  We also wanted the most magnification possible in a pair of binoculars.  This fills the bill.  The price was very nice as well.
I purchased these binoculars for my husband for his birthday and....I probably use them more than he does! They are so powerful and so clear. They bring objects so close, it's like they are right in front of you. I highly recommend!
They appear to be well made, but too heavy for wear around your neck for any period of time.  Item weight listed at 1.7 pounds, which probably should have kept me from ordering them in the first place, but when they came, binoculars actually weighed in at just over 2 pounds.  Would probably work well for car or boat use, but doubt few people would want to carry this much weight around on their neck all day.
Great budget binoc for birding and whatever.  I use it with a group of kids on nature walks to look at gators and birds and everything down in Texas.  One of the rotating eye reliefe cups got over screwed in one direction and that took some work to return to position.  Either way though - for the price they feel solid in hand.  Focus is easy. Work great for the price.
This was one of two pairs of waterproof binoculars we bought for a recent Alaskan cruise. I like the porro prisim design and was happy with my Bushnell 10 X 50 wide angles. So when I saw these at the price offered I felt confident with ordering sight unseen. Delivery was as advertised and packing great. Of course I had to compare them with the 10 x 50's so I took both outside to view a nearby hill. Other than the obvious differences in power 8x vs 10x, and light gathering ability 42mm vs 50mm I found the optics clear with no noticable distortion on the edges, no light flares or reflections. They are comfortable and easy to carry. I did buy a leather case from Cabellas as the flimsy one that came with it provides only the most minimum of protection.These will compare nicely with Braska and easily with pairs costing twice as much. Bushnell produces a fine product at a good price. On sale...its a great value. Just remember what you are paying for them, and that they are not at the Zeiss or Canon level.
If you are an amateur bird watcher, never ever come this way. Professionals don't even think about this as a backup. This is for the kids, who are strong enough to carry this around. Also good for guys who want to watch others in the neighbourhood. The eye-piece focusing is poor. The binocular looks like it is rain-proof. Gives decent quality viewing. All together three stars, earned by the price tag and the image quality. Go for it if you are looking for a cheap, decent binocular.
My wife and I got these for while we live Belize because there's some great birding, and these have been perfect for us. It gives a super clear image and easy control of focusing, and we can venture around streams where birds are often very active or anywhere during the rainy season without being afraid of getting the binoculars wet.If our pair of Bushnell H2O 8x42 binoculars happens to break or get lost, I'm sure we will replace it with exactly the same thing.
These binoculars were a gift for my step-son-in-law.  He uses them for work as a meter reader.  He loves them because they work so well at distances that he doesn't have to get out of the car on a cold winter's day!
I ordered these as a replacement for an old pair. Definately superior quality, good heft and feel. Optics are clear, strap included is okay. May want to purchase something thicker if carrying for an extended period of time. Easy to focus.
These little binoculars are great.  I bought them to carry during my photography outings in birding season in South Florida and the Everglades.  They work just great and are small and come in a very nice case with strap.  They are a little on the heavy side though.  I'm already carrying an SLR and my lenses, so this does add some weight.  Other than that, I highly recommend them.
Really good binoculars. Clear image. Not that big. Recommend them.I also had this binocular in 12x42 that didn't work as well. Would not focus and the image wasn't that good. Return them. I think if you are getting something more than 8 power, you need to spend more.
We bought these binoculars as a gift for friends.  Before giving them, I tried them out.  They have wonderful optics and nice armor.  Our standards of comparison were my wife's Waterproof Elites and my Leicas, both of which were almost the best binoculars available a few years ago.  Ours are roof prisms, so are more compact and lighter than these porros.  Otherwise, the only advantages ours have is the incredibly close focus on my wife's binoculars.  Any optical superiority did not show up in our comparison, which was made on a bright day.  It's really wonderful how affordable great optics have become: each of our binoculars cost nine times the price these binoculars.  Of course, we do not know how well these Bushnells will hold up under use.  But as far as we can see, these are a real winner.  If you can afford these, don't get a cheaper pair.
Bought these for my Dad just before his trip to Alaska. They were a hit.
All three sets of glasses were equal to the ones Uncle Sam issued me back when!  However, theses glasses have features that I really never thought of getting.  So nice to have a small pair in the car at all times for those unexpected sightings of wild life like the elk in Pennsylvania and wild turkey in a far away field.  I don't hunt but I sure like to watch them in their natural habitat.
This is a great product, very well built that meet and exceeds published specifications. Was bought for an Amazon trip where it was constantly banged, Droped and in contact with water and extreme humidity. Always delivered a crisp view with absolutely no leaks when in contact with water. It has a good magnification with a great viewing angle. This binoculars are very comfortable on the grip and a very acceptable weight that let you use it with comfort for hours. I consider this product a great value for the price tag, I completely recommend it.
I broke in these binocular at Yosemite Park.  These binoculars worked perfectly.  Did not have any complaints about the binoculars.
Rated Five Stars for Value.  Works as advertised.  I like the quality so far for the price.  There are more expensive optics on the market, but these are ones you don't worry about damaging as much.Very durable.  Clear view.  Easy to focus for those wearing glasses.  Easy to grip.  I'm impressed.If you need a good optic for general use, these are a good buy.
These binoculars are OK, but nothing special. Noted a lot of fuzziness outside of the center of focus.  Not sure if others in this price range are better or worse, so I have no comparison.
He's not very careful with his stuff,this is lasting well and takes a lot of abuse but keeps on working. Great for bird watching to hunting!
I bought these for my grandson for Christmas and almost kept them for myself.  Easy on the eyes.  The larger optics (42) lets in more light for better distance viewing.  Much better than my own pair which have a x24.  I might even buy a pair of these for myself in the near future.
I could not even focus the binoculars a short or long distance.  The focus dial is also extremely sticky and hard to move.  We were not looking for anything too fancy, but these failed at even being functional.  They might look good on paper and for price, but these are not usable.
My wife bought me these for fathers day and they are wonderful. Easy to use and great for baseball games which was the prime reason for them
I was amazed with the clarity and magnification of the binocular.  It's easy to focus.  The biggest grip I have is with the twist-up eye cups.  They suck.  They sometimes twist down when you're using it and they feel very loose and flimsy.  I'm going to get some hardware and rig it so they're permanently in the up position.  As others have mentioned, it's slightly heavy, and it gets fogged up (exterior) a little bit in a humid climate.  Overall, I'm actually fairly pleased with it.
after reading the owners manual, i was able to get very clear images. comes with lens covers, nice case and a strap. i didnt know it came with a strap initially. i made one custom for my hunting backpack. thumbs up!
This item was a definate score for me. The view was clear and it focused nicely. The overall look of the bino's were very good. Also had a nice case.
My 10 year old grandson is a bird and butterfly watcher.  He is thrilled that he will be able to see wildlife, birds and butterflies with his binoculars.Inge
Gave thes to my son-in-law for Christmas,he seemed to like them right off,but we will have to wait and see when he gets to use them for hunting.
Excellent product , material and construction . I was expecting it to be a bit smaller and lighter but I probably d&iacute;dn't pay attention when ordering.
Bought these for my birder wife and she is very pleased.  Excellent optics and well made.
What a simply wonderful pair of binoculars!  The picture is clear, focusing is easy and I really love these binoculars!  I've owned quite a few high-end binoculars through the years and these look and feel just as good, while saving me a lot of money.One thing not readily apparent is the tripod adapter on the binoculars.  The adapter is on the front of binoculars, hidden beneath a screw-on cover and needs a "binocular adapter" for use with tripods. I learned this after I called up the seller, who forwarded me to Bushnell, who explained everything to me pleasantly and professionally.LG Outdoors sent me the product quickly and honestly tried to assist me with problem.  When the customer service person reached the limits of her knowledge, she referred me very pleasantly to Bushnell.  I'm very pleased with both companies and I'm enjoying my new binoculars!
Bought this as a gift for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and ended up as the best gift since they both love birdwatching.
For the money these are fantastic binoculars!  This is our first time to buy binoculars so I really have no way to compare them to anything fancier or pricier.  So I guess I'd have to say they are great beginners.We just returned from a beach vacation and I can say we are completely, 100% satisfied with these.  I would recommend them to friends!
Bought these Binocular for a Month long Cruise to Tahiti. Can in sharp and clear. Was very happy with this choice.
Crisp and clear views regardless of close up or not. Absolutely the best for wildlife viewing; it is as if they are right in front of you! Easy adjustment, easy to hold; PERFECT case, protective covers are a brilliant design. Tremendous value for the exceptional quality of these binocs!
I gave my older Bushnell Binoculars (8x) to my grandson and ordered these.  I wish I had the old ones back.  That one had the quick focus, which this does not have.  I also wish I had ordered the newer one with a roof prism, as this one does not have the brightness I wanted.  Once you look through a quality binoncuar, these are dissapointing, but I thought that they were improved.  Wrong.
I purchased these binoculars for a safari in Africa. They worked exactly as expected and I saw both leopards and lions clearly and up close (tested them out looking at the moon and it was amazing). I didn't put a 5 in my rating as I could not keep my glasses on while using the binoculars (which from other reviews seemed possible and one of my reasons for choosing them). It's not a problem as such as you can set the binoculars so you can see very well without your glasses but it was one of the reasons I bought them. You have to have pretty steady hands but it might be like that with all binoculars in this price range.I am very happy with them and would recommend them to others.
I was looking for a basic pair of binoculars for our everyday use. I have some really expensive Leupold binoclulars that are my favorite, but for all around family use, especially with the kids, this is a great option.They are waterproof, rubber coated for protection, powerful (10x), and the focus is easily adjustable. For the money? It's a great buy.
This is a very practical and durable pair of specs.  The image is a little shaky but the image is bright enough.  They are priced to be a good recreational pair and they are.  Would not want to have to use them if I needed them every day or something; but then again they are hundreds less than anything like that.
very helpful in our daily use on the speed boat and it works just fantastic, the water proof feature on this product is very usefulrecommend it to all the boaters
These binoculars are pretty nice, especially for the price. They are clear and gather a good amount of light. The diopter adjustment is easy, and the focus is responsive. The case and neck strap leave a little to be desired, but that's kind of irrelevant in practice. Overall a good buy. Note that you don't want to go with a magnification much higher than these binoculars unless you're using a bipod because higher magnification amplifies your hand's tremors/shakiness and it's hard to get a good image.
THESE WERE BETTER THAN I EXPECTED.  MY WIFE WANTED SOMETHING TO LOOK AT THE DEER IN THE BACKYARD AND SHE WAS SHOCKED AS TO THE EASE OF USE AND THE CLARITY AND POWER.  THEIR VERY COMFORTABLE AND WELL PROTECTED AGAINST THE ELEMENTS.
I have had these for about a month and they work great.  They are clear and crisp.  They also appear to handle the abuse that I give them.  These are great causal or starter binoculars and you can't beat the price.  Only if you are a serious birdwatcher or have other special need should you consider going for anything more expensive.
The Bushnell H20 10x42 Porro Prism Waterproof/Fogproof Binocular works as described by Bushnell.I was looking to replace binoculars that I had lost several years ago,Probably at a concert. I have recently taken up bird watching and wanted to be able to see all the fine details and identify what I was looking at. I am very please with the performance of this product. Great range and clarity.
Made well. Works as expected and comes in a nice case. I look forward to taking these with me during our next camping trip.
Maybe it's because we have not owned a pair of binoculars for 20 years or so, or that we both wear glasses, we expected more. Ordered to take on vacation to eastern coast mainly for ocean bird viewing, maybe they are the wrong strength or type? They are just O.K in our opinion
I fish a lot off shore, and since this is water proof, it is exactly what I needed. I find it to be a definite must.
Brightness is good in low light(exit pupils nice size).Good, quality hardware, armor coating fits well. Eye cups rotate up/ down loosely- when up be careful in jarring. Heavy, good for stationary viewing. Very, good resolution & contrast. Viewing lens edges are sharp & crisp- no fuzzy spots. Solid focus wheels w/ no grinding or catching. Tension good (will loosen w/ time). Lens multi-coated. Excellent price compared to OpticsPlanet, Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas & other places. Waterproof ? : Haven't tested. Sturdy, nice feel. Use when hunting(still hunt), & general purpose, better than expected, very satisfied.(Good balance, eyes don't tire w/ prolonged viewing).Also, little to no fogging- does as stated/ Bushnell optics "slam", never let me down. Prices always very, reasonable.
I'm not much of optical savvy, but here are my uneducated impressions with the two binoculars.The Celetron: it's very big.  Image is VERY shaky without a tripod. I originally bought it as an alternative to a spotting scope for shooting, but the magnification level is too low for that.  On the other hand, the magnification level is too high for most other purposes.This one: the size is just right.  I like that it's waterproof so that I could use it in the rain.  Not that I would actually take this sophisticated piece of modern engineering in the rain, but it's nice to know I could.It feels great in my hands and the magnification level is great for most purposes. It's got a much better eye relief. In fact the eye relief is the best of all the binoculars I've used.  I've got very long eyelashes for a guy.  Many females find them attractive (yay), but they are bothersome on binoculars.  But not this one.  I lengthened the lens covers to the max.  My eyelashes have not touched the lenses.  NOT ONCE.BOTTOM LINE:  I'd recommend this to anyone looking for an all-around pair of binoculars, especially the cuties with long eyelashes.
So far I have used this product in the field on two ocations, for multiple day trips.  During the first trip, the temperature was in the high 30s, and there was a little fogging of the eye lenses.  This was external, not internal, so I used an anti-fog lens product for that problem, and it went away.  This past weekend the temperature was in the teens, with snow, and these binoculars worked as advertised.  Very clear view and well constructed.  I am happy with the transaction and the price.
I didnt know which one to buy so I bought 10x42 roof, 10x42 porro and 8x42 roof, I ended up keeping the 10x42 roof. Compering side by side roof and porro the quality of image was just a tinny bit better in porro but that thing is huge compared to roof prism, and roof was just so much better made.
This has good quality lens for the money that I paid....I think it was about $68.  I recommend it for someone interested in a better product than the entry level quality but who does not want to pay $1500 for the highest level glass
got these for my wife for birdwatching.  they are very nice and easy to use, do not fog up and give a very sharp image.
I like this set of binoculars very much.  For the quality the price was right.  I consider them a good value.  However, I didn't give these 5 stars because I compared them to my Bushnell Legend 10x42 binoculars (which cost a bit more!) and I can tell that the quality of the Legend ones is better than the Trophy set of binoculars. Of course the Legend ones also have Bushnell's "raingard" (or rainguard) lens covering so they are reall crisp.  If I had a choice which to take on a serious hunging trip I'd take the Legend ones, but, for general viewing and going to a lake or other place I might lose them at, I would take the less expensive Trophy binoculars and not really notice any redcution in the quality of my viewing.  Overall the Bushell Trophy binoculars are very good and I would compare all my Bushnell binoculars up against any other brand with the same or more expenseive price range and I think the Bushnell ones would win.
They work well once you get them adjusted so the field of vision lines up in both eyes, otherwise there is a weird blocking issue until they are lined up.  Wish they were more rugged, it took one 7 year old boy 2 minutes to wrench off one eye-piece (which went back on but just doesn't adjust as well now) (and yes, I know, 7 year old boys shouldn't have such equipment in their hands but kids are fast!).
This compact and light binocular really gets the job gone. Excellent optics, fun to use, easy to carry, a high quality product.
Although I have been very disappointed with Bushnell products in the past (see my reviews), these are perfect and astonishingly good.  All of the following were perfect: collimnation, sharpness, color trueness, small size, smooth shape, sturdy, eyecup comfort, eyecup durability, easy but tight focus adjustment, very firm eye width adjustment, and very tight diopter adjustment.  The last three adjustments required the least amount of movement to get the most precise response. Absolutely perfect.  Focus was good down to an astonishingly-short 9 feet.  All 10 binoculars I've had in the past failed my expectations on at least half of these measures, including a $230 nitrogen-filled 20x60 Pentax.  These Bushnell put the Pentax to shame on all of the following: sharpness, color trueness, eye relief, diopter and focus adjustments.  For the 10x magnification, I expect sharpness to retain the greatness in the 8x.  The optic sharpness is beyond my eyes' ability to resolve, even after resting on something to prevent shaking.  In choosing between the 10x and 8x, I prefer the 8x because of the slightly wider field of view that lower magnification gives.  Especially during hand-held observation, I do not think you would be able to tell the difference.  Only in extreme circumstances where a rest is available would I choose to use my 20x60 Pentax instead of the 8x42 Bushnell (such as viewing a crater on the moon or to get a really close view of a bird). In choosing between 10x42 and 8x42, the color would be a bigger factor in my choice.
These binoculars are wonderful for all around use.  We've used them for birding as well as in Africa for big game.  The controls are easy to manage.  Lens covers attach to the body so you don't lose them.  The case keeps them protected well from bumps and percipitation.  I highly recommend them.
Recently received this item.Clarity of optics is superb. Fit and finish excellent. They're also a lot smaller and lighter than I was expecting, which is great! The tethered lens caps are a good idea - I lost the ones on the binos these are replacing years ago. MAYBE you can buy better binoculars of this type someplace, but if my researchs are any guide, you're going to pay A LOT more for them - these from Bushnell are not "great for the price" I find them "great at pretty much any price"
Batteries were for a dog collar used for an invisible fence - none of the pet shops/centers carried this particular battery nor did Radio Shack - Found them on internet for very reasonable price.
I found it a real hassle to find a local retailer that not only regularly stocks this battery but also has it on hand when I want it. Amazon is the way to go for a good price and peace of mind.
My laser sight for my Ruger LCP uses this size battery.  I did not want a cheap battery to destroy my investment.I did find it at Radio Shack and left it there.  It is not as popular as some other sizes so look no further and stock up here.It will be awhile before replacement so 4 stars will have to do.  It is a Battery, what do you expect.
I own a Nikon FA and a Nikon FG. In each camera, you can either use two smaller cells (like theSanyo MS76or theDuracell MS76BPK, both silver-oxide) or this single, larger cell.Silver-oxide cells outperform lithium cells, but buying just this one is (a) less expensive and (b) one less battery to lose.Sanyo makes good batteries. For example, theSANYO Eneloop AA NiMHcells are amazing.
The battery fits and has a good life span. There's not too much you can say about a battery other than it does its job.
This battery is used in Pet Stop dog collars.  The collar requires two of these batteries.  I purchased two of these and they worked well.
There are certain things that we want and others which we must have.  And if you own a 7 series Elan, this is definitely a must have.  I just received mine today and am totally happy with the quality, ease of use, and the fit & finish.  I'm sure most of you know that the 7N/7NE has a different finish than the older 7/7E models, but just to let you know, it does blend in well with the newer finish of the 7NE.I shoot a lot of verticals and although I've yet to use it, I can already tell that it's going to be fun.  The camera feels much more balanced and gripping vertical feels very comfortable.  And of course there's the 'coolness' factor which the other posts have mentioned.  The BP300 gives the Elan 7 a 'professional' look to it.  well it's time to saddle up the horse because I'm going for a little shoot in the morning =P
My reasons for finally buying this accessory were different than those of the first reviewer, though I have to agree that when I have it attached to my camera, it definitely makes it look cooler!In my case, I was just sick and tired of having otherwise great shots become less than great because I couldn't keep the horizontal in the horizon.  The final straw was a lovely mood shot taken last summer in our drought parched wetlands.  Birds were congregating in the one or two scum covered spots with moisture, and I shot a lovely silhouette of a sandhill crane surrounded by soft green.  Of course, wanting to accentuate the height of the bird, I shot vertically--and the resulting photo looked tipsy.Perhaps others have a steadier hand when shooting with the camera shutter, but mine invariably tips to one side.  I added the vertical grip to my arsenal after learning such a thing existed while reading Arthur Morris's book on bird photography.  He considers it essential as well.  He was right.  My vertical shots are now truly vertical, not angled.The other cool thing the battery pack offers is, well, battery options.  It can use the batteries from the camera, or will adapt regular batteries to power the camera, which can be an advantage when your batteries die and you aren't able to replace the camera specific batteries.The only downside for me?  I wish I'd bought it sooner.  My great photos of the clock tower on Parliament wouldn't have been tipsy if I had!
Would not want to be without this! If you take a lot of photos, you will definitely want this as part of your rig.
Why did I wait so long to buy this accessory?  It makes the Elan 7 camera (which is already very easy to use) even easier to use.  I like the fact that I can use different kinds of batteries, so I never have to worry about a power source.  As you know, a modern SLR camera is just a fancy paperweight without battery juice.  This battery grip allows me to shoot and shoot and never worry.  It is well made and a pleasure to use.  Get it now, before they run out of them!  (See what I meant, they are now out of stock!)
Lets you use AAs, improves the grip. My single complaint is that the vertical grip is a bit thin and feels weird in the hand. But that can be overlooked pretty easily.
I bought a Canon 7N off Craigslist for nearly nothing.  I already had an Xsi with many EF lenses, so I thought I'd add a film camera to my arsenal.  I have an Opteka battery pack for my Canon Xsi and I thought I liked it until I used this battery pack.  The Canon version is much more ergonomic and seems to fit the camera better than the non-Canon brands.  After using this battery pack for a while, I regret buying the Opteka brand for my other camera and will be getting the Canon version as soon as I save up.
I picked up a Canon EOS Elan 7E (EOS 30 in Europe, EOS 7 in Japan) because I wanted something fully-featured to begin studying photography with.  The Elan 7E can do anything the bigger cameras can do, just not as quickly and minus the weighty weatherproof construction, and I was very happy with it for a long time.After a while, however, I started noticing problems.  Being in Japan, I would encounter hordes of elderly ladies and young men, clearly enthusiasts but not professionals, sporting the top-of-the-line cameras with heavy L-series lenses.  When I would go to take pictures of an event - say, a parade - the professionals would elbow me out of the way at all the best spots.Clearly, my equipment did not look cool enough.Needless to say, big equipment provides plenty of psychological benefits and assuages those feelings of envy.  But also, when you carry around a lightweight camera with a consumer-grade zoom lens, the professional photojournalists instinctively know at a glance that you are an _amateur_ getting in the way of their _serious work_.  When you try to gain access to a venue, you need to first overpower the guards with the appearance of professionalism, if nothing else, and this is difficult to do when everyone else's camera is bigger than yours.  People make snap judgments, and are easily fooled by big tools.The solution?  Step 1a:  Buy a heavy-duty professional lens.  Anything bearing the red ring of Canon's 'L' line or the groovy finish of Sigma's 'EX' line are both fine, but for photojournalism a 70-200/2.8 is ideal.  Step 1b:  Bulk up your camera body with this battery pack/grip.  Professionals may still realize there's something amiss, but you'll probably get past the first couple glances and be able to sneak in the door.  Step 1a does more to help, but 1b is almost as important and a heck of a lot less expensive.So the most important thing is that it looks cool, but it also has a couple other interesting features.  It provides a little extra weight and a better center of gravity for when you start playing with the bigger lenses.  It has shutter release and exposure lock buttons so you can take portrait (vertical) shots in a slightly more relaxed position.  It accepts AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH or Ni-Cad) or the usual CR123As through an ingenious little flip spacer thing.  Unfortunately, powerful, lightweight, durable lithium AA batteries are verboten - "The initial voltage is high and it can may [sic] damage the camera's electronic circuitry."  Since alkaline batteries are much heavier than lithiums and fail in extreme cold, the extended battery life (115 rolls with eye-controlled focusing at 20 Celsius, 0 rolls at -20) isn't too much of an advantage over CR123As.  You can use rechargeables to save money, but they bleed their charges relatively quickly even when not in use, and CR123As last all year anyway as long as you're not constantly taking extreme time exposures of the stars.So, ultimately, it gets five stars almost entirely on the coolness of its looks alone.  Get one, get out there and shove a photojournalist back.
It is an eyecup, it fits and works as expected on my Canon Rebel G 35mm.  If you need this piece, buy it.
This item is good!  I recently lost the one that came with my Rebel XTi and this one is an exactly duplicate so it works as advertised.  However, I have one complaint:  the reason I lost the original is that these eyecups fit poorly onto the camera viewfinder.The little plastic clips that hold it in place are flimsy and barely hold the cup on (this is true of the original and of these replacements).  Consequently, they all come off very easily and I am constantly having to push it back on.  The problem becomes exaserbated when taking the camera out of or putting it back into my camera bag.I have already had more than a dozen times when I've found the eyecup in the bottom of my camera bag upon taking the camera out of the bag.  That is where it usually ends up (in the bottom of the bag), but the frustratingly catastrophe finally happened and it must have fallen out of the bag.  Hence it got lost.I bought two of these replacements, just to be sure that I have a backup.  Shame on Canon for such a poorly designed item on the otherwise superb camera.I love my XTi; but this eyecup is cheap and flimsy and not up to what I've come to enjoy as Canon's excellent standards.All that said, I would still have no hesitation recommending this replacement eyecup if one looses the one that came with the camera.
Exactly like the original.  It was just what I needed because the old one was worn out.  I love it!
I got this because one didn't come with my early 1970's Canon FTb. I've put it back in service for B&W film.  It fits perfectly and adds a nice touch the camera never had.  Although I don't need it for my Canon Digital Rebel, it fits that camera, too.
Broke the original, so picked this up as a replacement.  Has been in service for years and still works great.
it fit perfectly on my Canon T1i. very comfortable. My original piece fell off and found this replacement. It's a genuine eyecup for Canon T1i
I lost the little rubber part that came with my digital rebel and had to replace the entire eyecup.  Luckily I found the right one and it snapped right in place.
Satisfied. It effectively replaced the original eye-cup I lost. I am satisfied with the product's quality and 'soft' fit to my face. Purchase this item without fear.
SO this should be a fairly simple review.+ Fits my Rebel XT just like it says it does.+ seems sturdy never had one break- Falls off easily. I'm not sure if this is the eye cup or the way its attached to the camera. But still its annoying to have to replace it cause it falled off.
Like socks out of laundry, so are eye cups to my XTi. The piece is fine, it is the design that allows for constant unintentional detachment.Now on my 5th replacement, and over $60 invested I am looking to glue my next one as the only alternative as Canon has not done a good job on the plastic attachment clips.
this Canon eyecup was needed to replace one that was lost from my original camera. the fit and finish were perfect and the price was very good.
This was a replacement on my XT.  Good fit, kinda loose and unfortunately this one fell off and lost too!
Nothing special about this other than I purchased it to replace the original one that I lost during a wheeling trip in New Hampshire...also bought the extender to keep my face/nose off the back of the camera.
Fits perfect works like a charm. I lost mine on my old XTI replaced with this item I added a couple of crazy glue drops to make it secure and make sure that I don't loose it again.Canon products is the way to go no copies.
i lost my eye cup, bought this one for my canon rebel xt.  it is the same as the one that comes with the camera.
Not sure how I lost one, but this is just like the eyecup that came with the camera.  If you lose one, this is what you need.
This eyecup was a perfect replacement for the one I lost on myT1i. Can't say much more than that.
Used to replace an eyecup on a Canon Rebel T4i. Seems like a genuine Canon part to me. I do wish I had ordered the extender now, though, as I am smearing my face oils all over my touch screen. :)
this is good accesories because it is so easy to loose this eyecup.I was happy to find this inexpensive one...but I have already lost it...such a shame...The good is i can buy a new one ;)
I needed a new one as mine was cut. Good price. Easy to change out.
I lost the eyecup for my canon and needed to replace it.  This item works perfectly and fits my camera as it should
Fits perfectly on my Rebel T1i that my kids kind of killed..  Packaged in an officla Canon type of packing.
Price was right OEM came in canon packaging so of course perfect fit I don't think I would buy a knock off went the price on this is low enough
Packaged in Canon box, this is the exact same eyecup that came with your XT. Not much else to say here
My original eyecup started falling off about 6 months into owning my xti. Eventually I lost it somewhere and tried to use my camera without one for a while but it just wasn't the same. I got this one and maybe it's just me, but it seemed to stay on a lot better than my stock one.I personally do not see how you can give this thing a bad review. It works perfectly, is made by canon, and isn't that expensive.
What's there to say? Its a canon original product, does as it says it is supposed to do. No frills.
OKNothing more to say it's the same to the one I lost, which came with the camera when I bought it.
I bought this one to replace my OEM one.  I fit perfectly for my Canon T4i.  Hope the rubber piece will last awhile. So far no issue yet.
Replaced the broken one. They break easily. Hope it lasts longer the the other one. Worked just like described in the summary.
Got this after my original fell off and lost it.  Exact cannon replacement for my T4i.  This time, I super glued it to the eyepiece extension.
A must have for the Canon DSLR cameras.  Fits many models.  Bought under 9 with Prime so it was cheaper than any other source for this OEM part.
I don't know how I lost the original but knowing I could get a replacement that saves my eyesocket from getting knocked by hard plastic is a blessing.
The eyecup arrived quickly, and is the authentic Canon eyecup. Slipped right onto our Canon EOS Rebel perfectly. Fast shipping. Safe arrival. Great product. No damage. Fits camera perfectly. Two thumbs up.
It fits my Canon T3 perfectly. It was easy to slide the old eyecup off and place the new one, despite the missing instructions. Which were really not necessary. Would buy from this seller again.
works as described it is a direct replacement for the piece I am missing on my camera and works great for what it is.
Just like the original. I purchased this to replace a four year old eyepiece for my canon rebel xti. The rubber on the my old eyepiece wore out from a combination of use and the camera rubbing against my case while taking it in and out. This one fits snug and looks and feels just right.
And it should be. I lost the rubber piece on my original.  This is the exact replacement for the fraction of the price of the original from Canon.
Perfect replacement for the one I lost on my Rebel XTi.  They tend to get loose over time.  A little steep in price, but a lot better than trying to use the camera without it.
A good product at a good price. One order and every thing arrived on time. Jerry
These things keep popping off my camera, I've lost 3 of them now.  I found that I need to keep it seperate from the camera until I use it, then remove it when I'm done.Note,  after using a little super glue, I've not lost another one for several months.
I purchased this item as I had lost the original rubber eyepiece which had came unstuck from the plastic part of the eyepiece. The reason I chose this particular item over the other available replacements is that this is a genuine canon part.I put it on the camera (a Canon EOS 400D) and it went on easily and snugly. It shows no signs of being a loose fit that is mentioned by another reviewers. It is a perfect fit.I agree with other reviewers that it is expensive and the design of this part is possibly substandard at least from the standpoint of how the rubber attaches to the plastic part behind- the part that secures it to your camera - It all seems a little flimsy which sadly is in stark contrast to the rest of my camera which for almost 40000 shots has been brilliant.As for reducing the likelihood of further issues I agree strongly with a couple of other reviewers who have mentioned that it should not be taken on and off  frequently if ever as the plastic part has very fine clips that I can see suffering from fatigue and breaking of rendering it useless.
Good replacement.  Using it on a XT/350D.  Fitment was perfect.  Also good to have a spare. I recommend to anyone looking for replacement eyecup.
I have no idea where we lost the original eyecup for the camera, but this one arrived quickly and is a direct fit for our EOS XSi.I know a lot of cameras now days folks like to use the screen to view and frame the picture.. but I prefer the eye piece just as some still prefer to use film... :)
Fits like a glove and is identical to my stock eyecup.  It slid right on and I'm back in business!
I have all for sale on AMAZON, the camera, the goody bag, and all the optional equipment and very well accented and organized goody bag that allows you to carry the essential with style and profiling in hand.
Does the job as expected. Could be a little bigger. Still have a tendency to aim too high. Priced right for a test to see if it will work for you,
It does what it's supposed to do because darn it I lost the other one.  I hear it's quite common.
This little piece makes the world different! When looking through the eye piece for the camera this adds a nice cushion to the camera. I love it great buy
It's worth the price. I'm happy with my purchase. It's fits totally well with my Rebel XTI.
As many of you probably know, the eyecup on Canon SLRs just tends to disappear sometimes. I'm not sure when mine fell off, but I used my Canon XTi for a long time without an eyecup. Which wasn't really a problem until I wanted to sell my camera. So I bought this as a replacement for it, and found it extremely easy to install. It was a nice perk for the buyer of my camera too--a brand new, clean eyecup.
Lost my eye cup, this is a fine standard issue Canon eye cup to replace a lost or damaged one.
No fuss. This is the OEM and just what I wanted. Priced a few bucks more than the aftermarket, I went with this anyway since I read in some reviews that the aftermarket ones hang a bit lower. I just wanted OEM and for something this cheap, why not?
This is a replacement in kind for the standard Canon Eyecup.  I am currently using a T2i/550D and this fits right on.  No surprises here as this is a genuine Canon part.
It perfectly fit in the Canon EOS Rebel T1i I have, so the item was exactly as described. It has two pieces, the rubber outer part in the hard inner part, which attach to the camera itself.The construction is exactly as the original, so very happy with this acquisition.
It seems silly to say &#34;I love&#34; an eye cup, but it is a fair rating. It is OEM or at least OEM-spec because it snaps into my XSi perfectly. And I got it via Prime for less than the nearest retail shop that would have required a 25 mile round-trip journey.
This is the second time I've had to purchase a replacement eyecup as I seem to keep losing mine.  This is an exact replacement of the original product.
Fits and looks exactly like OEM. I purchased this to replace a broken OEM piece. Nothing more to say here.
Fits perfectly my Canon Eos digital Rebel Xti (450D). I believe it's from the original manufacturer (canon) so works fine
I like having this piece because I myself have no depth perception. It really helps me see the whole picture better. I know a lot of people don't like it but I find having this eye piece added to my camera is a very big benefit. Especially since you don't have the live view finder on the XT.
These eye pieces pop off a DSLR easily so it was good that I was able to easily get this inexpensive replacement one.
I've ordered two of these for my Canon T3i and it's an advantage to have on my camera.  It makes using the view finder more comfortable. I gave the item only 2 stars because it slips off too easily.  Nothing broke, they just came off.  I was fortunate to find the missing piece twice, but on my last outing, the rubber piece was lost again. The piece will slip off from the camera body just rubbing against my side when I have the camera strap over my shoulder, or from the camera rubbing against my camera bag when I'm removing it for use.  I'm very disappointed that Canon hasn't figured out a more secure attachment method.  I will order a third replacement, but this time I'll use a little glue to hold it on.  I don't like putting glue on my camera body, but I don't know any other way to make sure it's permanently secured.Update 3.18.13:  After using superglue to attach the eyepiece, I would not recommend doing this.  The first time I used my camera the vapor from the glue stung my eyes very badly.  After a couple of weeks the vapor disappeared and the eyepiece seemed to hold well but ultimately came loose again.  I originally 'tacked' the eyepiece on by putting 2 small dots of glue on either side where it attaches to the camera body.  The glue actually seemed to 'melt' the plastic finish a little.  DO NOT use glue unless you're prepared to mar your camera body.  This is a super accessory, but be prepared to lose it.  It just will NOT stay put.
Worked great to replace the one I lost. Didn't expect my total price to be somewhere around $20.
I lost my eye cup many months prior to breaking down to purchase this one and although I still think it is pricey it works and it is a genuine replacement for the original can eyecup.
The plastic prong broke easily so it doesn't stay on.  Didn't think the authentic Canon eye-cup would be so cheaply made.
I lost the Eyecup while cleaning my Canon EOS T3, I ordered this Item and it was the same the camera brought from the factory, I can't express the joy I felt knowing that my baby was complete again, to this day I have never found the old one, but I don't worry any longer. thank you Amazon what will I do without you? I give this product 5 stars *****
It's an eye-cup. Priced fairly, does what it's supposed to. Not sure after looking at this one, why my original one fell apart.
i was used to an older molded rubber eye cup from my 35mm pre-digital days which worked better with my glasses. i hit my glasses too much with this piece. if you don't wear glasses, this should be fine. fits a canon t3i fine.
I lost the original some how everything on a canon is expensive happy I could replace it under 10 bucks.Same as the old one for the most part just hope i dont lose it again....
Mistakenly thought this was an eyecup extension to assist with glasses. This is only a replacement of the original eyecup trim.
I carry several of these in my camera bag as they are easily lost. Better price than from Canon USA!
I was excited to see this on Amazon. Great quality and it saved me $15 from buying at a small local store.
Good product, Priced a little too high for such a small item but works as it should
The eyecup that came with my rebel XT was always slipping off due to age. I bought this OEM Canon eyecup as a direct replacement and hasn't failed me yet.
There isn't much to review here - the eyecup fits my T1i perfectly.  Buy this if your rubber piece falls off.
bought it to replace missing eyecup on t1i - fits like it should; came in canon packaging.  not much more to it!
This is the stcok eye-cup for the Canon SL1 camera.  Great replacement as the original one can a bit beat up and dirty.  Quality is great standard Canon.  Real genuine part. Actually is a replacement for many Canon cameras
Packaged in Canon box, this is the exact same eyecup that came with your XT. Not much else to say here
It's exactly the same as the factory piece.  I broke mine somehow, so I needed a replacement.  This was a perfect fit!
What can I say. This is the replacement eyecup for a canon rebel. Like the original it has plastic retainer clips which often  break and cause you to lose your eyecup.The price is right, its a snap to stick on.
The original fell of two of my cameras.  It snaps in and hasn't moved.  Worth the price of protection of the viewfinder.
The small plastic grips that hold this eyecup in place break easily. I have had two of them break, and then the eyecup slips off very easily. Canon needs to replace the plastic grips with metal or make the plastic thicker. I recommend you seek an alternative to this product, though I have not yet found one.
they should put one in the package and give you a break!  I think they are over-priced like almost everything Canon, I love Canon though!!!  If you just bought an XT or XTi kick down the bucks and buy this little eyepiece, in addition to some LCD screen protectors or the Delikin (not 100% on spelling) pop up shade.If you already own an XT or XTi then you know what I mean and are not reading this anyway.Happy shooting ...
Despite many photographers making fun of people that leave their hoods on the lens reversed, I personally like doing that from time to time.  That was the main purpose I bought this over the cheaper Photodiox hood.  However, the design of this hood makes it unusable.Please see my pictures to clearly see the problem.  You press buttons on opposing sides to retract tabs in order to secure the hood to the threaded lens attachment; but pressing the buttons compresses the hood making it extremely difficult to attach.  This makes de/re-taching the hood a very frustrating task.  And because the hood is free-floating on the ring, you cannot remove the hood from the lens without first removing the hood from the attachment ring.This design was so poorly implemented, I'm really surprised it is sold.  This will sit in the box on my shelf. I wouldn't accept this if given to me for free. Get the simple Photodiox hood for less money and better design.
As a must-have with the 50mm Canon lens, this item has served its purpose well. I buy my equipment in the USA, for use in Kenya and so I have to trust that the reviews online are accurate because I have to wait a long time to receive the items and there's no possibility of returning it if it doesn't fit.It works perfectly!
Pros:- It's a hood- The adapter ring is of nice constructionCons:- Expensive for just a hood!- The hood itself (that clips onto the adapter ring) feels a little on the cheap side with the way the plastic clips onto the adapter ring- I don't have huge fingers, but it's difficult for me to get my fingers in there to manually focus my Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens.Overall:A necessary evil.  I think I was able to swallow the steep price for this because I just thought about how much I invested in the camera, memory cards, lenses, bags, etc. and this seemed negligible :P
It clicks into place without any trouble. It would be even better if it extended a little further from the lens.
The hood build isn't as good as others. It's not a twist on as I prefer them to be but this little bugger gets the job done.
I bought this at the same time as my 50mm f1.8 lens.  This lens hood is slightly different than the normal ones.  As other reviews mention it has an adaptor that screws into the filter threads.  It then attaches via two depression buttons on either side of the hood.  I was concerned about the experience other reviewers had with the hood and their difficulties getting it on and off.  Turns out they just didn't think it through.Like other reviewers I had issues getting the hood on and off of the adaptor initially, until I realized that I needed to be gentle.  If you squeeze too hard it slightly changes the shape of the rim, not in a bad way, that's just how plastic is.  This causes it to become very difficult to get off of the adaptor.  If you squeeze GENTLY, just enough to depress the buttons, you have a much easier time.  In fact, with a few trials it was just about as fast to turn this lens hood around as it was for the hood on my kit lens.  It takes a little trial and error, but once you figure it out it's not hard, just don't go squeezing it like crazy.As I just mentioned, yes you can turn this lens hood around for storage.  However, if you do this you can no longer get to the focusing ring.  This is slightly annoying if you are trying to catch a shot with your camera straight from your bag.  You can still reach the auto-focus switch so unless you need to manual focus right from your bag, you'll be okay.  The one or two times this might happen in the lifetime of this hood are not going to change my life, and therefore it doesn't warrant docking a star.Build quality is great.  It fits the lens well.  It's durable.  It's easy to get on and off, once you stop trying to mash the buttons in.  I'd buy another one if mine broke, which is about the highest complement you can pay to an item like this.
When I used my 50mm 1.8 outside in bright sunlight I frequently got very overexposed pictures, more than two stops in some cases using aperture priority on my Rebel XSI. I partially remedied that by setting my exposure -2/3. I agree with others this is overpriced for a piece of plastic, but since adding this filter I have no overexposures. It's worth it for me.
Careful, it feels kind of flimsy and bends easily.  I can envision the pressure ring inside the hood breaking easily.
I prefer the standard twist hood mounts, but as the nifty 50 doesn't have one the mechanism this uses is ok.  As was already stated it is a bit shallow.  The retention buttons annoy me a bit because I tend to squish the hood as I'm trying to take it off which makes it harder to take off, but they did good for what they had.  I do wonder why canon couldn't make an adapter with standard twist instead of this though.4 stars due to shallowness and the odd mount.
I was at first skeptical of the "two piece" hood assembly that was the only Canon branded hood option for my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens.but after receiving it, I quickly appreciated the ability to screw on the adapter and leave it on my lens, while still giving me freedom to place filters on it with no issues. The hood snaps on by pressing in on the two indents and carefully snapping the hood in place.Your lens cap can also be placed on over your filter with no trouble, and reversing the hood on the lens is no problem. This is the ONLY lens hood that I would recommend for this lens. And I have to give a shout out to Adorama Camera for their fast delivery.
I am impressed with the lens hood.  I am a beginner but found it much easier to take pictures in all periods of the day using the hood.
So far this lens hood works great.  You can put in on reversed if you don't want to use it, but my only little issue is that when it's attached, it doesn't fit on tight like other lenses, instead there is some play, but it's still locked in.
Shipping was priced right and fast.  No worries about the product.  It is easy to use and seems durable enough to last.
The lens that this fits on is so cheap I guess Canon could not resist making a little money back on the cover.  What are you going to do? You need to protect your glass .... this thing is tiny and comes in two parts, one which screws onto the end of your lens to enable this to clip on.Its fine now -- was a bit disheartening when I got it in the mail and the box was a little bit thicker than a pack of smokes.
Boy, this is way too much to pay for a hood on this lens.  It's a great a lens, but this is hardly worth the price.
There's probably $0.02 of plastic in this thing. Amortize the die and stamping costs across all the units produced and that's probably like $0.10 each. Assembly, packing, shipping maybe another $0.10, and overhead costs around $0.10 if we're being extremely generous. The upshot is that there's no way there's over $0.50 of cost to produce one of these suckers. They're basically pure profit. Lens covers are to the camera world what printer ink is to printers.So yeah, you're getting ripped off, but you expected it. That being said, it does what it's supposed to do. It's a bit difficult to put on and remove, and you wonder what the lifetime of the squeezy plastic bits that facilitate this process are.
Exactly as odered and arrived promply.  I should remember to always order the lens hood and bag with every lens
I had the less expensive plastic threaded version of this hood. It worked fine but this one feels and mounts better. Pay a few dollars more and get a better product.
The adapter screws on to the filter threads, and then the oversized hood snaps (via two plastic squeeze tabs) on to that.  Since the lens doesn't zoom there isn't much chance of vinetteing, but it looks a bit akward and because it's so wide I'm not sure how much glare it keeps out.However, if you (like me) bought this lens for low-light work because of the f-stop, you're also buying this hood for the same reason I did: lens protection (vs lens flare.) Since it's the only one Canon offers currently, it's really your only bet.
best quality hood ive seen so far fitment is key and these fit perfect you will not go wrong with this product
The hood works well for me. It can be a little difficult to put on and remove if you use a filter, but with some patience it usually works in a couple tries.
I got this hood for my new EF50mm and it is all I could ask for.  It gives a nice look to the lens and camera and protects the lens from direct sunlight.If you get the EF50mm this Lens Hood is a must have!!LR
Lens cap doesn't attach securely. You can shove the lens cap in there, and it kinda stays because it just about fits, but it doesn't snap in like the lens cap should. Therefore, it'll stay there if you don't jostle the thing, but the cap will probably fall out if you walk around with it too long.Also, since it screws into the inner thread of the front of the lens, it doesn't go backwards for storage. Otherwise, good, cheap, and it works for everything else. Which, since it's a lens hood, all it seems to do is hood the lens, but just like everyone has job responsibilities not really related to their actual job these days, it also doesn't have these other two essential functions.Doesn't go backwards. Less lens cap security than a nomad. Lame.
I have one positive thing to say about this hood: It makes the camera look pretty cool and professional. Other than that, this thing is a piece of s**t that broke a month or two after I got it. The clip-on mechanism is poorly designed and hard to use even when it's not broken. Why don't they just make it screw-in? I'm not sure if this is the only option for this lens, I haven't looked yet. You have to use a hood so I might be forced to buy another one, but I would stay away from it if at all possible.Update 4/24/07: I bought a rubber fold-up hood on eBay, and it's infinitely better than the Canon. It screws solidly into the hood adapter, and folds up out of the way when not in use. I highly recommend getting that instead of this garbage.
I bought this hood (make sure you buy the hood that comes with the adapter) for the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens. This hood is extremely flimsy and cheaply built. You squeeze the 2 buttons on the side to retract the 4 tiny little plastic dowels so that you can place it over the adapter and release the buttons to allow the little dowels to seat in the groove of the adapter.If you are a bit more serious about controlling stray light and get this hood just remember to take extreme caution each time cuz it feels like those tiny plastic dowels could snap very easily.If you are just a casual picture taker then don't even bother buying this thing.
a perfectly good hood for the lens.... it just cost me 1/2 the price of the lens. Canon is ridiculous.
Wow... Now if you really want to see a rip-off, here it is. Not to be damaging to Amazon.com but hey for the 50mm just get some carboard and tape it to the front to shield it from the sun. The hood is definitely not worth it.
This item does what its supposed to and having the Canon name and quality backing it is a plus.
I think it's too pricey for what you're getting. This is a flimsy plastic hood with a metal ring adapter which screws onto the front of the lens. Canon probably gets both pieces manufactured for pennies. The two pieces awkwardly fit together and it's tricky to get the hood mounted onto the ring. So, 1 star for cool looks and 1 star for trying.
This lens hood does what it should.  It's plastic and has Canon printed on it.  I like to buy Canon products whenever possible.  An off brand lens hood will do the job just as well, I'm sure.  I read a few reviews about off brands not fitting as good as a Canon so I didn't chance it.  I'm happy.
I own this hood and Canon Digital Rebel XT.I like the hood. It works well limiting stray light as well as protecting the lens.As you will hear from many experienced photographers (I'm an amateur), they would never shoot pictures without the hood on the lens so why would you?All hoods are expensive for what they are, a piece of plastic, but they serve a necessary function.Get the hood if you want the best from your lenses, including this lens the 50mm f1.8 II.I would give it 5 stars but it is pricey.
I purchased this for use with my EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.  Since that lens is so cheap (in cost, it produces very sharp images and is capable of some very neat bokeh effects), I didn't want to splurge for a high-quality multi-coated lens filter; this fit the bill.  The metal ring that you screw onto the end of the lens, which permits you to snap the lens hood on and off, adds some rigidity to the lens.  As far as I know, this is the only lens hood for this lens that can be reversed and snapped back onto the body.  I love this feature about full-sized 77mm lens hoods and it's definitely something that I did not want to miss out on with this 50mm lens.  I have no regrets; it works as advertised.
This fit the assigned lens perfect with the enclosed adapter. It's well made and durable. A perfect match for an excellent affordable lens.Please check yes if this was helpful. Thank you!
i'm not a fan of the "squeeze to mount" setup of this hood.  i like the other mounting method of "twist and click" of other hoods.
The Canon ES-62 lens hood is a good investment for those who plan or think they will shoot a lot with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II.  I have had it on since the day I unpackaged my EF 50mm lens and it makes my Canon XTi "appear" more balanced too.  I have never bought a hood for my kit lens, but I wish I had as stray dust usually found its way onto the front lens element (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II).  When I had purchased a single-coat UV filter instead for my kit lens, I found it very difficult to clean off the debris, even with special lens cleaning kits, without somehow leaving smears or scratches over the filter's surface.  After awhile I just removed the UV and stopped using it, afraid of the loss of image quality through the use of a smudged/hard-to-care-for UV filter.  Good thing I've always had this lens hood on my EF 50mm f/1.8 II.The hood is attached by first installing the ring hood adapter onto the camera lens, then followed by securing the hard plastic hood onto the ring adapter (which feels like metal by the way) by pushing on two tabs on the hood itself.  The hood is deep enough to keep out any dust on the lens.  Even during those times when I forget to replace the stock lens cap.  With this lens hood, once I'm done snapping photos, I can attach the stock lens cap back onto the hood adapter ring (perfect fit), stow away my camera and move on.
I needed a lens hood for my 50mm lens and paying $25 for a hood on a $75 lens might seem ridiculous. However, that might be because the $75 lens is so inexpensive. If the lens was $250 then paying an extra 10% might not seem too bad.  I just saw the total cost of the lens and hood for $100 and that's good for a terrific prime lens and its hood.However, please note: the lens hood is rather shallow (1 star reduction) and it is a screw-on two piece kit (1 star reduction). One piece is the adaptor that screws-on where the filters normally go (UV Filter) in front of the lens and is intended to be a permanent integral part of the lens and the second piece is the hood that snaps on and off this adaptor. The adaptor ring retains the same 52mm rim size so your protective filter can go before or after the adaptor.(1 Bonus Star) Because $100 is still a bargain for a 50mm, f1.8, super fast, super sharp, super clear, light weight beginner lens and hood kit!I hope this helps rather than confuse. :)
It is a minimalist hood. It isn't a pedal because the lens rotates as it zooms. The attaching mechanism requires pressing two buttons which is a bit annoying, as most other hoods can just be twisted off.
I chose this rating, because it met all my requirements, in that it takes the sun glare from the picture you are trying to take.
I agree with the other reviewer- pricey for an extension cord- but it works well.  My only 2 cents to add is that it can be tough to get the plugs lined up just right with the camera and remote shutter- especially in the dark.
Seems a little much to pay for an "extension cord" but upon receipt I see it is of very high quality and nice build on the connectors. Plus, its a brand item from Canon, so what can you do?
This is a great extension cord. You won't be complaining about the remote cord being too short, but instead it will be too long! The price is steep (as usual for name-brand products), but I appreciate the quality that is offered.
I bought this cord because i just bought a Canon 40D and wanted to take some christmas pictures of us and needed a remote to do it. i bought the remote button that plugs in and bought the 33' extension so i could stand away from the camera, and it worked great.
Cable worked fine, although I did have a problem and could not figure it out until I went back to a camera shop.  If you had been taking pic's in continuous mode your cable will not work.  You must make sure that the continuous mode is turned off, You would think that the cable release would over ride that, but it does not, and you may think that there is something wrong with the camera.
What more can be said about an extension cord. Either it works or it does not. This one does, and I always enjoy Canon product for their quality, even if their prices can be a bit on the high side.
First, the product works very well. No issues. Workmanship and materials are good. The chord remains flexible at 15F outdoors with no issues- which is nice as many cheaper PVC cables tend to get brittle when temps drop.I guess Canon built this for nature photography where you need to hide the camera far, far away from the photographer. But boy is this extension chord long. You will be reeling this in and out like the Old Man and the Sea. I strongly recommend getting the cardboard core of a bounty paper towel reel and using that to wrap the extension cable up. Otherwise you will end up with tangled spaghetti in the field.The original remote has, in my opinion, a chord which needs to be 12in longer to be useful.
This does exactly what it is supposed to do. ... It is supple, and easily transparent in my work. ... I like the reach it gives my camera, by removing me from the equation.
I use it rarely. This is not a good product to use. Instead I recommend using a wireless remote like pocket wizard. This is not a good product to use except long exposure.
Does the job.
I strongly believe in the use of lens hoods for lenses over filters for protection of the lens. This hood is worth the price if that is your philosophy. It does not mount like the screw-on hoods, but uses little clips. It is the durability of the clips on the knock-offs that have made me pony up the dollars to buy this. I have had no problems with mine after lots of heavy use.
I bought this hood after reading elsewhere that it fits the 50mm f/1.8 Mark I (the version with the metal mount and distance scale) that I purchased recently.  Canon specs the discontinued ES-65 hood for this lens.  The great thing about this ET-65III is that it is longer, so it blocks more stray light without vignetting on full-frame or 1/6-frame slrs.  The interior on this mark III version is also flocked, providing a bit more light absorption.I've used those collapsible rubber hoods before while in college, but this hood is definitely worth the investment:  well built, fits backward on the lens for storage (but too long while the lens is on the camera), and provides good protection for the front of the lens (it's quite deep).Note that this will NOT fit the newer 50mm f/1.8 Mark II version (all plastic mount with no distance scale).
great lens hood, easy to put on, unlike others that I have bought, its a little loose though which I don't particularly like, but its doesn't effect me when I'm shooting!
I have purchased the Non-OEM version of this and there is no comparison. While it stinks that this is a $22 hunk of plastic. It actually works, where the non-oem one does not stay clipped. I find it necessary for the Canon EF 85 f/1.8 Lens. I wish it shipped with the lens included, but oh well! I am never worried that this will fall of the lens or if I hold the lens by the hood it will fall.
I just gotta buy a lens hood for every Canon lens I own, and it just has to be a genuine Canon hood.3 stars because of the OVERpricing (this is Canon's fault and not the seller/reseller).In terms of quality and build, this gets five stars.  It's an OEM product after all.
Don't love the snap-on mechanism as much as the bayonet style on my other lenses, but it gets the job done, and the fit is pretty good. I can't comment on the fit of the third-party hoods, I've heard they can be hit-or-miss, but this Canon hood for me is just fine.
Nice lens hood.  The fit is perfect for the Canon 85 1.8, it is not too obtrusive when not in use.
Pros:- Reduces flare and ghosting when shooting in bright light.- Helps protect your lens from dirt and scratches.- Somewhat protects the lens in case of a fall. Better to break the hood than the front element.- Makes you look more like you know what you are doing and helps to keep others from carelessly walking in front of you.Cons:- Will increase lens movement in windy situations, kind of like a sail on a boat.- Takes up more room in your bag, even when reversed they still add to the diameter of the lens.- People take more notice of you, will help to blow your cover if you are trying to keep a low profile.
It does what it's supposed to. I only have it 3 stars because of the mount (pinch tabs rather than bayonet mount). Eventually those little tabs will break and render the hood useless.
As stated in the title, it's a lens hood and as expected from OEM appropriate fit and finish but a tad more expensive than third party.
I cheaped out and bought a knock off hood for my 85mm f18, and it didn't last a week!  I've had this lens hood for almost a year and it's been rock solid.  The only reason this is getting four stars is because it can be a bit of a pain to put on, but that's a Canon design flaw.
Like all Canon accessories, this hood fits the lens it was made for like a glove. High quality craftsmanship as expected from Canon.
Con's:Flimsy attachment mechanism requires a thumb and forefinger to press latch on both sides to remove and attach.  Not easy for small hands.  Not really easy for big ones either.  Goes flying about every third time with dry cold hands.  Haven't tried sweaty yet.  Doesn't twist and snap like my other lenses (L-series feature?)Pro'sMakes 85mm F1.8 look cool.  Won't damage your lens in a glancing blow (it'll pop off).
I got this hood for an EF 85mm/f1.8. The filter works as advertised, and feels solid when it's on the camera, even though the mounting mechanism looks kind of cheap.I'm not sure a cheap-o rubber hood would not be as good. Considering the price, you might want to try one out.I give 4 stars because of the egregious price for a piece of plastic.** UPDATE **I want to give it 1 star now for popping off my 85/1.8. Also, as it turns out, this hood sinks, as I found out as I watched it sink into the murky depths of the Berkeley marina.I replaced it with a screw on rubber hood and I've been happy with that.
This fits very neatly on the 85 mm Canon USM lens, with no problems at all. No problems are expected as it is after all only a lens hood! Anyway, it is nice that is does the job well so you can purchase it without any worries.
You can save a few dollars by purchasing an off brand lens hood, but I think there is a difference.  The push button mechanism  is different, but I will get use to it.
The Canon ET 65III Lens hood is great!  It works well and the fit is like that of a glove.  This is an outstanding product.  I am glad to own it.  They certainly got it right. The price is very reasonable and the quality is good also. A+ A+ A+ A+, Thanks.......
Perhaps I will get use to it after a while. All other hood remain in the place when you instal it. This one can rotate after installing. It is also different the way to install it. Other Canon hoods instal with a 1/4 turn, this one you have to press two flush knob in the sides of the hood.
First off: I attach a hood to all of my lenses for protection. From all the hoods I've bought for my Canon lenses this one is certainly the worst. I thought the snapping mechanism would be nice feature but the hood sits loose in its notch (and tough rotates freely on the lens). It's not the most expensive Canon hood and since it provides the desired protection against direct sunlight I have to agree that it serves its purpose but it just doesn't feel as sturdy as the snap in type hood of the 50mm 1.4 USM for example.
It's hard to say anything great or bad about a lens hood.  It does what its supposed to do. The only thing which threw me was that this one, unlike every other Canon lens hood I have, you press/pinch to open and close pins that hold the hood in place.  All the others I have ever owned just quarter-turn into place.It's not a bad design, but just different.
It's a Canon, designed for 58mms.  Got it for my 85mm prime lens to protect the lens and remove glare.  For its price, it's a good product.
Every lens needs a lens hood. You'll end up wishing you had it later anyway. It's great for keeping out the sunflare, and protecting your lens from bumps and bruises, as well as kids fingers and rain drops.
There's not much to say. The hood does its job. It's easy to mount/unmount and can be mounted in reverse.
After reading the reviews on the generic lens hoods I decided to purchase the Canon "official" model and it stays on well in the bag when I stuff the camera in and generally protects the lens.  I would recommend this product.
This lens hood is not very expensive, though it still gets me to pay $350 for a lens and not get the $20 piece of plastic to put on the end of it. This hood has two buttons on each side that you press in and then clip the hood onto the end of the lens. It doesn't always come off very easily. I don't like this hood as much as the twist on lenses I have for the 70-200 and the 24-105. It seems to serve its purpose, but it's not as easy or convenient to use.
I always buy lens hoods for my Canon lenses. There are reams of reviews written on the merits of lens hoods, and repeating all of that is probably not a good use of my time, or yours. I have conducted lots of tests with overhead and flanking lighting, as well as sunlight and secondary reflected sunlight, and in EVERY case found noteable benefits afforded in picture quality through glare and streak reduction or elimination by use of a lens hood. Then there's the whole thread of discussion on protecting your lens investment from boo boo's, which DO happen. The ONLY reason I can think of not to use a lens hood is the hassle with storing them, and/or buying larger lens cases to accommodate them when "reversed" for storage on lenses.This is a Canon original equipment hood. I almost gave up on finding one since many sellers seem to be out of stock on the ET-65III, which is the hood I needed for my EF-85mm F/1.8 USM lens. I began to wonder if Canon had discontinued it for some reason. I found many substitutes, but I try to buy original equipment since there's a lot of junk out there in the aftermarket (and of course some good stuff that's not OEM too, admittedly).The picture on Amazon seems to hint that this hood is gray. It's not. It's black, and a perfect match for my lens in terms of color. The picture also hints that the hood is NOT tapered. But in fact it is, with a nice 0.5" diameter increasing taper over its length.As noted in many other reviews, the EF-85mm F/1.8 USM lens does NOT have the more traditional twist-n-lock feature for a lens hood. Rather, it has a simple recessed band 360 degrees around the end of the lens. It's in to this band that the spring loaded clips of the lens hood insert for mounting. These clips are plastic, and should not scratch your lens. Two clearly marked pressure points on the hood, when squeezed, compress four plastic retaining features, each about 0.25" in width, back in to the hood so that it can be placed on to the lens, or removed from the lens. The hood then rotates freely 360 degrees on the lens, once installed. This is NOT a petal style hood, so orientation is insignificant relative to the lens. I found it trivial to add or remove the hood in complete darkness. The 2 hood features to press are easy to "feel" with detents. These release buttons are also separate buttons - you're NOT contorting the shape of the hood in any way when you press the 2 detent buttons.The inside of the hood is nicely lined with a rough finish to cut down on reflections. For those familiar with the EF-85mm F/1.8 USM lens, you'll note that it necks down to a smaller 58mm accessory sized compatible opening. When installed, this slightly tapered hood aesthetically dresses out the lens nicely. I've uploaded a picture to show how the hood dresses out the EF-85mm F/1.8 USM lens. (See customer images)The lens hood is roughly 3.5" in diameter at the farthest point from the lens, and roughly 3" in diameter near where it attaches to the lens. The hood is about 2" long, and increases the length of this lens, with a UV filter and lens cap, about 1.5" total. Like all other Canon lens hoods, this one can be reversed and mounted to the lens for storage. In this case, the overall length of the lens does not increase.Some reviewers complained that the hood can be easily knocked off due to its mounting mechanism. I could not get the hood to dislodge with reasonable effort. It might, in fact, pop off if you hit it hard enough, but this could actually be an advantage since it might not break the hood. With the traditional twist-n-lock hood, if you hit one of those hard enough to pop them off, you've likely broken its plastic mount and will need to replace it. Just a theory, and not one I plan to intentionally prove.I found that the lens and reversed hood fit easily in to a Lowepro #1 lens case, which is what I was using to store the lens originally, just FYI. This hood only adds about 0.5" to the diameter of the lens, so chances are any case you were using will still hold the lens with its hood reversed.I also found that I could add or remove the lens cap with the hood in place, but it takes some practice with 2 fingers, just as with other Canon lens and hoods. Canon lens owners will know exactly what I mean. The good news is that there's ample room to get your thumb and forefinger easily between the hood and lens cap retaining spring clips to squeeze them. Of course, this was with a lens filter installed, which helps by bringing the lens cap out a bit more.I did notice that there's not much lens to grab when the hood is reversed over the lens, for mounting to a camera. Also, because the hood freely rotates in its mount, it was tricky to try and turn the hood, to turn the lens and lock it in to the camera. Best to mount the hood in picture taking orientation FIRST, and then mount the lens to the camera, or remove it from the camera.I also noticed that the hood (by not being a petal design, or optimized for the EF-85mm F/1.8 USM lens) was larger diameter than necessary in order to keep the hood "out of the picture". What this means is that a more optimized design is possible - one that would let even less stray light in. This would be a petal design, by definition. My guess is Canon decided to design and stock fewer "different" hoods, rather than optimize this design for one lens. Not a big deal, just a note.I am very pleased with this lens hood, and glad I found someone who still had stock on it. I shoot lots of indoor sports with this excellent lens, and overhead gym lights can wreak havoc without a hood. I have many picures to prove that assertion.
It's easy to attach -- and detach -- and works well with most (but not all) of my 58mm lens. It does cut down on glare, and let's face it, the hood makes your lens look a bit more dynamic, while also protecting it from the elements.
The hood is so long and narrow that you literally can't take the lens cap on and off without taking the entire hood off. basically this means if you plan on walking around with it on you will have to walk around with the lens cap off. I am the type of person who likes taking the cap on and off between shooting when walking around, and this hood will not let you. The only use I have for this hood is basically when I am shooting people who are posing for me continuously over an extended period of time. Then I don't mind the aformentioned issue.Furthermore, it does not come off easily. You have to press the two buttons with the exact right amount of force to get it off. Too much and you end up squeezing it so it sticks to the lens. Too little and the tabs don't come in enough to get it off. I mean you really have to press the buttons "just so." It is very annoying.Bottom line, for me this is a studio or pre-planned posing item only. This is not a hood for walking around and taking candid pictures (unless of course you are the type of person who leaves the lens cap off all the time)
I had one previously when I owned my first 85 1.8 (sold it with my crop body), and when I picked up another 85 just recently, I thought I'd try using a rubber collapsible hood. I liked it a lot, but needed something more rigid for when I pack my gear in my bag. The collapsible one bothered me because it would take some time to come to form after being squeezed/smashed/pinched. So, I picked up the ET65III. Should have just bought it in the first place. Stays secure, lessens the chance for unintentional flare, shading light and improving contrast.
Listing stated it would fit, but when I tried it on my lens the hood was too big.  Be careful when you order.
Snaps right on. Clearly overpriced but 20 something bucks isn't a bankbreaker. It does spin around as opposed to twisting and locking like the better ones but seems okay and doesn't really affect performance.
One thing I've learned when buying a lens is to get the cover.  The lens are quite expensive and this is next to getting insurance on them. They are protective and block out excess light allowing for more contrast photos. I have always purchased Canon brand hoods so I know the quality is the best and the fit is perfect... but they are pricey.  The hood however, last as long or even longer than the lens will.
Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer. Primarily the hood shades the lens from stray light that may result in an unwanted discoloration or hazing of the image, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading your lens helps improve contrast and image quality. A hood is not required to eliminate these problems, as any item used to shade the lens will provide the same protection from stray light. The hood is convenient in that it is built to offer protection while ensuring that it will not inadvertently find its way into your image.Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one. This hood being a solid conical two inch long offers some protection from keeping moisture and wind blown debris off the from lens element. There is nothing more irritating than reviewing your images to find dust spots or other flaws. When in place, the hood can protect the lens from impacting solid objects. Replacing a damaged hood is usually cheaper than repairing or replacing a lens.This hood is manufactured for theCanon EF 85mm f/1.8,EF 100mm f/2.0,EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus,EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6USM lenses and normally is not included with the lens when sold new.  Amazon often suggests purchasing one with your lens, and is worth considering.Since the hood is wider than the lens; it can easily be stored attached in a reverse position. This doesn't add to the length of the lens, but does make it wider by about an inch. An inch may not seem like a lot, but in a tightly packed camera bag, it is huge. Fortunately Canon provides a storage case with the lens that can be used in addition to your camera bag.While the protective benefits exist, they are secondary and limited. I find the impact the hood has on my image quality to be the more convincing reason to use a hood. Considering the impact on image quality and the low cost as compared to my other camera equipment (except for a lens case), purchasing a hood is money well spent.PROS:Improves contrast and image qualityOffers limited protection to the lensCONS:Takes up more space in your camera bag to store with the lens
I bought this hood to protect my canon 85mm 1.8 lens from fingerprints of my kids. Also its good when shooting outdoors in a sunny day. I love how the inside of the hood feels. Its easy to put on. All in all great product. A little bit pricey for the hood though....
Pro: does what it suppose toCon:- thin plastic that feels flimsy (ES-71II on my 50f1.4 is far better by comparison, and cheaper as too), questionable attachment to the lens with the snap on mechanism.But this is the only choice you got for Canon 100 f2.
I bought this for my 85mm prime and it does the trick. It's lined with a velvet that soaks up the light and makes my camera look super pro status. It's great protection! Shipped quickly.
Besides the unreasonable price for all Canon hoods, this one looks great and performs as advertised. It has a black felt interior lining and a firm twist on installation. Besides cutting down on stray lighting, it most importantly protects my lens from getting damage. The lens is heavy enough to make my camera lean forward when sitting down, and the hood provides a convenient resting spot instead of touching the lens.
I've had this hood for a month now and it works exactly as you'd expect it to.  It snaps on and off with ease and feels secure enough while attached.  I read another review where someone said this fell of their lens into a lake or something but that's really not possible unless YOU don't properly attach it.  It does feel a little pricey for a piece of plastic but hey- that's what it costs.  If you need it, get it.
You need it. Its gonna help your photos. The inside is soft and fuzzy. It kinda spins around when its on the camera but its not a big concern. It also makes your lens look cooler and people will think you are really smart.
Very useful accessory to the 85mm lens.  I really like the hoods that have push buttons rather than twisting on.  These pair well with the Zeikos pinch lens caps (so you can leave the lens hood extended and still easily access the lens cap).
This is the standard lens hood by Canon. It works well and very sturdy. The shape of the hood is perfect for a prime lens. No complaints.
It works well if left alone, but this is not a screw on hood, its a 2 sided push-in.If you accidentally touch 1 side, the hood could just fall off, either getting lost or making a disturbing noise on a hard floor when quiet is needed.
Works as advertised.  The rim clip is different from the twist-ons but works fine for me.  I have yet to have it unhinged from the lens and I am pretty rough with my camera and it is on pretty securely.  The felt like materail on the inside of the hood gives it a non-glare surface, and adds an expensive look to the product.  The hood is deep but my fingers are small, so it was not a problem for me to work the lens cap.  I am very pleased with this product.
I bought this for the Canon 85mm f1.8, and it fits fine and I'm sure it will work well. The price wasn't too bad considering what Canon usually charges for its hoods. I am not worried about knocking it off, but I do not like the way the hood mounts to the lens and spins. It bothers my obsessive sense of balance when the Canon logo is not directly at the top of the hood, so I am constantly shifting it so it sits that way. Come to think of it, that's more my problem than it is the hood's. So, I guess I'll give myself three stars, too.
This hood does a more than adequate job at controlling flare on the EF 100mm f/2. Additionally, the hood can provide protection to those who 1) do not adorne their lenses with UV/SKY filters, or 2) do so adorne them! The lens is already a capable performer; it is moreso with the hood. The price is a bit steep, but that does not effect its performance. Thus, my rating stands.
This lens hood is of low build quality and poor design.  Instead of screwing on like most lens hoods, this one awkwardly clips on, resulting in a wobbly affair.  The tabs that hold it on also look as if they would break with regular use.  Not recommended.
I tried a knock off product instead, I mean, its a lens shade right? I found as many of the reviewers had mentioned the cheap ones don't stay on the lens. While it is clearly overpriced, it is the only way to go for a good quality, stays where you put shade.
I found that the hood goes on real easy and not hard at all to get off if you use a gentle touch.It locks on nicely and only needs a soft compression of side tabs to get off. Press too hard and you will get frustrated. Definitely over-priced for what little plastic there is but the black felting on the inside does eliminate any reflected glare. If someone could make a knock-off for half the price they would get rich.
After reading reviews on the Canon lens hood I wasn't sure if this purchase was worth my time or money. I ended up buying it anyway and am very pleased with what I got in return. The shipment was very fast first of all. I got this the day after it was ordered. I had read that some people have trouble putting on the lens hood, but I have not encountered this. It has been very easy to put on and remove. The plastic doesn't seem overly cheap to me, but I also do not own any other lens hoods from Canon that I can compare it to.
I bought this lens hood to fit the ef 85mm f/1.8 USM. Fits perfectly. I use lens hoods on all my lenses and the 85 did not come with one so i ordered this. Its an original Canon product so it fits the lens perfectly. My main purpose for using lens hoods are for protection and stop unwanted lens flare from stray light. Every lens should have a hood in my opionion.
Lousy hood. It is difficult to insert and remove. It does not stay on well. It, does the job when it comes to cutting out glare.
Works great on my nifty fifty. Too long to reverse and attach while the lens is on the camera, but makes a nice little spot to keep the lens while in the camera bag (lens in a small fabric bag).
I have always made it a habit to use a lens shade whenever I shoot.  Recently I started experimenting with High Dynamic Range photography (HDR), a technique that involves merging at least 3, and up to 7, bracketed images into one through the use of specially designed software.  Although this can create some really awesome photos, it can also exaggerate any flare in your image.  I used this technique on a photo that I took in Peru by creating several bracketed images in Photo Shop from a single RAW file and merging them with Photo Matrix Pro.  In the original photo I could not detect any flare but in the resulting HDR image in was very obvious and distracting (I added the photo to "Customer images" on this page.)  Just another reason to ALWAYS use a lens hood and I have this one attached to my 85mm 1.8 every time that I use it.  It is well made and easy to attach and to invert and store.
High quality workmanship and material. Since a lens hood directs the amount of light entering a lens, it is not recommended to use after-market items which precision is not guaranteed. Highly recommended.
This is the first time I spent the extra money to buy a Canon brand hood, and it works so much better. The knockoff tulip hood I bought for my Canon 28 1.8 works great, but the Fotodiox hood for my 50mm 1.4 was so crappy that I didn't want to risk buying another dud.  I ordered the Canon version for the 50mm and wish I hadn't wasted the money for the other (it didn't thread properly at all, and took 30 seconds to find the thread each time.)This one works great. I like that you squeeze both sides and it loosens to take off.  Threads perfectly.
Pros:Fits my Canon 85mm perfectly.It also fits backwards on the lens for storage pretty well.Cons:None really.
The Canon ET67 Lens Hood has actually surpassed my expectations for quality and utility, so much so that I don't mind the price as much as I originally did.In my view, it is a better way to protect the lens from dirt and damage than a skylight filter. It will protect the lens thread better than a skylight filter in most cases, if the camera is dropped.  It affords very effective protection from dirt, smudging, and scratching.  It doesn't need to be cleaned, as a filter does. And the improvement in exposure quality that results from shielding a lens from stray ambient light and reflection is underestimated.If you don't need to use more than one filter on your EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM Lens and you take pictures outdoors, then the ET67 is an essential accessory.
I was trying to make do with one of those screw-on collapsible rubber lens hoods, but I just couldn't stand the deformed POS anymore.This excellent deep, hard Canon ET67 plastic hood fits on the lens snugly. It has velvet flocking inside to kill reflections and provide maximum contrast with that wonderful 100 f/2.8 macro lens. Like most Canon lens hoods, it is reversible so you can pack it away using a minimum of bag space.Like everyone, I'm honked off that I have to pay so much for the Canon name, so I'm removing one star for aggravation.
I am experimenting with my new Canon 100mm macro lens and ET67 lens hood. Very satisfied with this lens and hood. i have taken some great spring flower photos. I highly recommend both products!
Yes, the lens hood is pretty expensive for what it is, you have to take in account a few things:1) You'll take better pictures with it than without it, especially in a bright lightbox or sunny day. I've bought hoods for all my lenses now.2) Its about the same price as a good-quality UV filter you would use on your lens to protect it while not degrading image quality (ie: not the $10 tiffen filter Amazon is hawking on this page). I personally use both the hood and a B&W; UV filter.3) The lens is almost $500 as it is. $40 isnt the end of the world, especially when you consider what the next step up for Canon macros costs.4) The lens hood makes the lens look pretty impressive, adding 3-4" to the length. Yes, that's just my opinion, but felt I would share it. ;-)Anyway, Genuine Canon products are usually pretty pricy, but given the poor-quality third party knockoffs I've tried (shutter release cables, etc) its worth it to just spend the extra money.
This is another well made Canon accessory.  However, it should be standard equipment with the lens.  Charge the extra money up front.  You know if we buy the lens we'll buy this too.  It's not like we'll change to Nikon because the lens cost an extra $20.  I know, the price is wrong.  I think including this with the lens and charging an extra $20 would be reasonable.The fact remains.  I bought it. I use it.  I like it.  You got me Canon.
Excellent fit and quality for my new macro lens, the fitment is perfect and much better than generic ones. I will continue to buy Canon hoods for my lenses.
Lets face it, it's a $35 piece of plastic.  It fits the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.  If you want a hood for this lens, this is the one you need.  But at $35, it's WAY overpriced.
Does what it's supposed to do.  I've been using the lens without a hood for awhile, but got glare on a couple of pictures while shooting in the sun.  Purchased a hood which took care of the problem.
I bought this product just because I want all my equipment to be canon, so I don't believe there is much difference among this product and the ones produced by non-canon companies. (4 stars because the price)regards,
A bit pricey but not Amazon's fault, butit serves it's purpose quite well in keepingextraneous light out of the lens, and itdoes slip onto the lens in reverse foreasy carry, Amazon shipped quickly and packagedit well for the trip.G2
Bought this to go with my new 100mm Macro lens. It fits perfectly and helps to block the sun from reaching the lens in outdoor situations.Beyond that, it also provides protection to the front element when being used.
Good lens hood. Perfect fit. It should have come with the new lens from Canon. The Amazon &#34;guidelines&#34; says I need 5 more words. I hope typing this has satisfied their requirement not to mention adding more garbage to the internet.
This is a OEM item so there should be no issues with its function and there aren't. The price is exorbitant but what do you expect from the manufacturer? It performs exactly as it should.
I own 7 Canon lenses.  7 times I've told myself I will not pay the ridiculous price for a Canon lens hood . . . and 7 times I've broken down and bought the hood.  Bottom line is I think the matte flocking the Canon hoods have and all of the 3rd party hoods lack is worth it.  Add to that, knowing the Canon hood is going to fit perfectly, and who am I kidding - having a hood that says Canon on a set up with a Canon body, grip, lens and flash is all part of the deal.  Lastly, the hood really does help improve the picture as well.
Fits great onto the lens and protects your expensive 100 mm Macro lens from dust, dirt, and the possibility of accidental scratching.  A worthwhile investment for your new lens!
In addition to shading the lens from glare and preventing lens flare in your photos, a lens hood can also help protect the front element of your lens without degrading image quality (like a cheap UV filter, for example). When using on board or hot shoe flash, it may end up shading your subject from the flash.After seeing the lens hood that came with my 24-105L, and comparing it to the one on my Tamron, I decided to go ahead, sacrifice a few lunches out, and get Canon hoods for my two other lenses. Sure, they're overpriced, but the 3rd party ones are overpriced as well even at half this price on eBay, and at least I know this one fits well.I removed one star for the price. Otherwise it's perfect.Pros:Fits very well.Inside is lined with a velvety material that will not reflect light.Can be reverse mounted on 100mm macro for storage.Cons:Price.Velvety material traps dust and dirt.Needs to be removed to replace / remove lens cap (not really an issue with the hood - just need to get into the habit of removing cap before putting hood on).
First of all, I think if you spend this kind of money for the lens, it should some with a lens hood.  I guess I'll never understand why Canon is so stingy in this regard.The hood works as described, exterior plastic does scratch easily (like all Canon lens hoods) and, as another reviewer pointed out,  you have to remove the lens cap before putting on the lens hood.  Also, I wish there were a way to use the hood in conjunction with the MR-14EX ringlight flash, but it's one or the other.When I first got the lens, I tried to do without the hood, but was losing some contrast and getting some interference from other light sources, the hood fixed that.
It fits like a glove.  It's pretty big though.  The inside is a little fuzzy and attracts dust, but at least it's there and not on my lens.  I usually keep my 100mm lens on my Canon Rebel, but it won't fit in my bag with the hood on. Instead of reversing it,  I found the hood fits nicely in my camera bag if I slip it down over my 50mm lens (with it's hood on) in the side pocket. It works to protect the 50 and rides well there.
The Canon EF 100mm f2.8 macro lens is one of the best macro lens built in this world, if you like to optimise the quality of the image and eliminate reflection produce by the Sun and other light surce use the ET67 lens hood, it easy to use, durable and easy to storage.
I don't like how much this lens hood cost, but I got so sick of fiddling around with the &#34;generic&#34; brand hood I had purchased that I decided to put out the money for the Canon hood.  Wow!  There is *definitely* a difference.  The Canon hood is super easy to attach and detach.  The &#34;generic&#34; hood I would have to try over and over again to get it secured on.  The Canon slips on very easily.  It's a night-and-day difference.  I'd definitely recommend buying the Canon to anyone trying to decide between a &#34;generic&#34; hood and this Canon hood.
Should have come with the lens, but then, the lens would simply have had a higher price, right?
My macro lens did not come with this hood which is an absolute necessity. The hood is from Canon so it fits perfectly and the quality is very high. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to take good pictures.
Being an original Canon product, I knew the fit, length dimensions and quality would be there without question.  The "material" lining inside the hood helps keep light from bouncing off any hard surfaces.  It's a bit on the pricey side, but it's quality all the way and I'm happy with the product.
It's too $$$$ for a little black plastic, but I need it for my lens.
Nice secure fit. does what it says and or course its the official part from Canon. One down side....expensive for what is really a piece of molded plastic...
This is a great lens hood. I was unsure if my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens came with one or not. So I had bought this and saved it so I could have a backup the off case that I would damage, break, or lose the original lens hood.
I guess it's nice to have an extra one.  It would have been nice if the ad for the lens had said one was included.  It's possible that maybe after installing my wife's under cabinet TV with baling wire because the nuts broke loose from the cabinet top and requiring a number of beers to compose myself and be able to ignore her nibs, I misread the ad.  The lens also came with a case which I also did not notice in the ad and ordered separately.  Anyone one want to buy a lens hood, case and pair of 34mm filters, none of which I need for any of my my lens'. They're going for 25%off--what a deal.
Its a hood, does what it say it does. A little overpriced but you get the fuzzy lining inside. fits my 70-200 just fine
Effective and sturdy material and works great (if you like to shoot with the hood on).  Its long enough that you might not have to worry about light reflection or glare.  A bit cumbersome to put on and take off because of the size and because the lens is already long... well, the hood makes the lense even longer
Insert, twist and it locks securely over lens. Reduces glare and produces a clearer shot, free of the immediately surrounding unwanted lighting. Invaluable.
I had to replace a sigma 18-50mm when the auto focus broke -  Annoying, but the lens had seen several years of hard use.I purchased a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens to replace it. Since Canon does not ship a hood with their lenses I had to order this separately - If you can find another hood to fit this lens for less than $25USD, do it.  Also I had a hard time fitting this hood to the lens.  The hood has to be placed just so, and then you need use considerable force to seat the hood.  In Canon's defence I do have mild arthritis in my hands, but this was ridiculous.
I wanted to get a lens hood for my T3i. I wanted to get the tulip one but Canon does not make one for the kit lenses so I went with this one. First of all this thing is a PAIN to get on even with one filter. I tried putting it on first then the filter and that was a flop. I couldn't grab the filter to screw on and it just kept slipping so filter first it was. Second, I don't see any difference in my pictures. I'm not going to take it off because if anything its added protection so I'm not going to take that away but it's real function however, I have yet to see.
I'm not a professional photographer by any means, but I do know the use of a lens hood. I, as others, would have expected the hood to be a little longer than it actually is (ie. designed longer by canon). But who am I to argue. It fits and while short, it keeps me from accidentally touching the lens. You pay more for the Canon name, but in the end you know right away it will be the perfect mate to the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Type II (Kit) Lens. Just to note - this will fit the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens but the recommended Canon hood for that lens is the ET-60.
Another great canon . product. Does exactly what it's designed to do. I won't make a photograph without lens hoods.
You don`t always need it but when you do its something you will appreciate. It also offers some protection for your lens.
This hood is really nice, and what I love about it the most is that it is built to work properly. Not only does it shade light sources from hitting the lens from the side, direct light is significantly reduced due to the material on the inside of the hood that absorbs the light source rather than bounce it off into the lens. It can also be used for a stand rack for your lens to have them Vertically aligned.
Decent hood. it's hard plastic, keeps away flares, and is very durable. I've had it for 2 or 3 years now, and it's still like new. I would buy it again if needed.
I do not really have much to say for this product, but it is just another good cannon product. The only thing i wish was that it came stock with my camera.
I placed this lens hood on my Canon (kit lens) 18-55 EF-S. It provides a better "look" to this lens and offers more protection. And of course the main reason is to help with any lighting issues.Another great Canon product!!!
way too expensive (I got a used one, so the damage was not so bad).  provides little function.  you can do a lot better shading the lens with the back of your hand.
The kit lens with XSi is pretty wide angle, so no one should really expect to get a large hood on the lens, but the lens also has a very small manual focus ring, and this can help out by adding a little grip.  It doesn't offer a whole lot of protection from accidental dings and stray fingers, but it is better than nothing.  As the title of this review sounds, the hood does a better job making the lens looks better than it does reducing lens flare.  If you have the 20 dollars, its worth it, I suppose.  I never use lenses without a hood.
The only reason I did not give this product 5 stars is the price.  A little expensive for what it is but I have yet to see a knock-off with comparable fit and quality of the canon.  The knock-offs I have seen never fit the lens correctly.
Does a somewhat good job of keeping the sun off, but then you shouldn't be shooting into the sun in the first place. When I was 12 and had my first camera, my first lesson in filming was to always have the sun behind you.
Quality is great but for the lense you need this for, it does very little. Better off with a filter. It's cool and makes the stock lense look cooler and more functional but you get very little help. I have seen some improvement on a few shots I've taken with and without but it's minute.
It's a bit shallow, but 18mm is pretty darn wide, so there's not much they could do. I've had a single time where the sun was in just the right spot annoying the heck out of me and this worked, but otherwise it's more for looks and protection than being a real hood. This takes being banged around a lot better than tiffen filters do lol.
This has a very solid fit and feel. It performs just as advertised. I used it for photos the Rose parade.
If you love buying accessories for your camera and not paying the outrageous manufactures prices this is where I come!This lens hood fits perfectly on my 18-55mm kit lens as it should since is was made by Canon. Whenever I can I buy accessory products specifically made for my camera so that I have the peace of mind that I will not have issues in the field.I'm extremely happy with my purchase, and appreciate amazon.com for making it affordable to me.
This is a good, perfect fiting lens hood. It should come with the lens as Canon lens are costly.I wish it were a little longer. Its not made by Canon & you can find the same product under another brand name for less money.
You can pick up the off-brand lens hood for the EF lenses anywhere from $1-$5. But you'll always get reviews on those about it not fitting, or the lens cap being useless when the hood is on, or filters not screwing in right. Do yourself a favor and pony up a few extra bucks for the Canon brand hood. This thing is solid, high quality, and works well. Though it's shallow, that's just what works with the EF lens. A tulip type hood with cause vignetting, etc, and this works mostly to protect the lens. For example, I was applying the plastic screen for an LCD viewfinder and needed to rest weight on the protector screen to get a tight adhesive seal. No problem. I set the camera up for 24 hours on this lens hood and it didn't budge a centimeter (I also packed pillows and other padding around it, of course). Flips around for storage and is a great, quality accessory. Buy one that works instead of several that don't.
Quality plastic and fits easily and securely onto my Canon 18-55mm lens. The hood does not interfere with the lens even at its widest angle. A circular hood is necessary, as the hood will rotate when focusing, preventing the use of a tulip hood.Worth the extra money over the cheaper names.
Canon lens hoods tend to be a bit pricey but are well made. They affix easily with a bayonet style fixture. Plus, there is a matt coating inside each one that eliminates reflections that shiny plastic can make!
This lens hood employs a bayonet style mount which I use for the 18-55mm canon kit lens. It works well but I don't know how much I like the bayonet style attachment. A benefit of the bayonet mount is that you just have to twist the hood to get it attached quickly. A con is that using step up filter adapters while this is attached can be tricky. Overall the build quality feels flimsy although it will probably work just fine for the life of the product. On the top of the hood it has stamped "For Canon EW-60C" which I find a little cheesy. I scratched the "For" off with a pen, so it looks a little better in my opinion. Overall it works for what it is, and there is no reason to pay tons of money for an official canon version.
It's overpriced for a piece of plastic, but it does have one thing that the cheaper non-authentic versions don't: felt on the inside. The felt helps to scatter and absorb light, thus improving the function the hood was designed for. Of course, the felt is not worth this much money either, and you could just cut your own and line it on the inside of the cheaper versions to the same effect. However, when I buy a lens, I just factor the cost of the hood and filters into the cost of the lens before I make my purchase, so I have already accepted the high price. Price aside, it's a great hood that meets expectations perfectly.
I'm still not sure why Canon just doesn't include these with their kit lenses, but it's a must-have accessory if you shoot outdoors at all.
This was a "real" Canon lens hood, stamped Canon EW-60C Japan, unlike the ET-60 I got from another seller (which was returned). Quality material and fits the lens as it should, without hassle, lens cap fits on after hood installed. Could be just a little "longer", like the ET-60 could be a little "shorter".
specially when you buy it OEM. Not expensive and it does the job. it also makes your camera look more sophisticated. people will turn back to see what camera you got.
Google a 58mm flower lens hood and you'll find there are 'petal' style hoods that actual do what this lens says it will do.
This little wonder takes all the secondary glare away so if the sun is on the side of you or it is in back of you this is when you got no glare. Headlights as well. It drastically improves my images. I use it all the time.
$22.00 for a molded piece of plastic? Yes it is a rip off! But it does attach to the camera no problems.
Product is as stated, a lens hood. Nothing too special. Fits lens well, Reverses and again fits lens well. Hasnt cracked anywhere since the 1.5 years of owning it
The build quality of the Canon EW-60C Lens Hood is simply top-notch. You are paying a premium not only for the Canon name, but for a high quality and impeccably constructed component.Form----The inner side of the hood is specially coated to reduce glare. This coating, called "flock," gives the inner surface a non-reflective matte texture.The EW-60C is designed specifically for theEF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6(AKA the "kit" lens), theEF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM, theEF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, the EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 USM, the f/4-5.6 III/II USM, the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6, the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 III/II, and the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM/ V USM lenses. The optical properties of these lenses is taken into account in the design (such as the depth and shape) of the lens hood.Do not try to fit your lens with hoods designed for lenses with different focal lengths or you might run into a problem with vignetting (a phenomenon where the edges of a picture are darkened). Although there are "cooler" looking lens hoods, such as one with a"petal" design, they will not work properly unless they are designed for your lens.There are also "generic" (or "knock off") versions of this hood made by other manufacturers, such asFotodiox,Opteka,HDE, Janco, andAdorama. These should work just fine.Function--------So how well does the lens hood fare in reducing glare or flare? To be honest, I find the pictures taken with the hood and those taken without the hood look virtually indistinguishable. On the plus side, the lens hood does offer some protection for your lens from accidental knocks because it protrudes slightly above your lens. If nothing else, the Canon EW-60C definitely helps to give your lens an added appearance of sophistication that will impress your friends ;)An Aside--------Seriously, a polarized filter does much more to reduce glare and improve the quality of your picture. I use theB+W 58mm Circular Polarizer MRC Filterand the difference it makes is simply phenomenal! Blue skies are bluer. Foliage in direct sunlight are greener because the filter eliminates any harsh reflection. It also "cuts through" the haze on a smoggy day.---When all is said and done, the EW-60C definitely has some functional and aesthetic value. I personally have no regrets about getting it. Recommended.
This is a really good lens hood for the price.  Obviously if you are using a much higher end camera set-up, you'll be looking for a higher end product, but if you are just interested in cutting down lens flair on an average camera - this will do the trick.  The only bad thing I'll say about it is that it feels a bit flimsy, and I worry that it will break when putting it on or taking it off the camera.
Pretty much everybody looking at this hood is thinking about tossing it onto a 18-55mm kit lens.  Given how wide this lens goes, this shallow little thing is the best they could do.  This hood clips onto the focus ring which spins when the lens is focusing.  Given this, a tulip design would be maddening to use.Honestly, probably doesn't make much of a difference in image quality.  I have yet to shoot a picture without a lens hood so I'm no judge of this.  That said, there are some good reasons to get it anyway...1.  The hood is what I grab onto whenever I manually focus.  This is something other people forget about, but the 18-55 kit lens has a very small ring to try to grip when you manually focus.  I mean, it's tiny.  Since the hood rotates along with the focus ring, you can just grab the hood instead.  When you're behind the viewfinder you're going to be feeling around for the focus ring anyway so having something bigger to lurch for is really handy.2.  When you put the lens down, you can just rest it front down.  Because the hood makes a nice little base, you don't have to worry about it rolling away.  Don't try this with the camera body attached.3.  It protects the lens from bumping into stuff and scratching.  Sure you can get a UV filter, but I don't like leaving a filter on there if I don't have to.  I've bumped the hood against things, while if I had done the same thing with the UV filter, then I would have had to either clean the filter or buy a new filter.  Theoretically a UV filter can slightly degrade image quality, especially if you're buying one commensurate to the kit lens.  Theoretically this hood raises image quality.4.  It makes the camera look cooler.That said, it's seriously overpriced for what it is.  Just call it cheap insurance and get over it.  If you're looking at this, you'll probably going to buy it anyway.
I find the genuine Canon lens hoods to be just a bit better with slightly better fit and what feels like better materials used in the molding of the Canon hoods. Still I will only buy the genuine Canon hoods when I can find them as Used with Prime Shipping. So while better I still don't think they are worth full price over the discount products.
The hood is constructed well, I wish canon had a better design. Its still a bit short of a hood IMO. There has been a few shots where stray light ends up in the shot. I am using the hood on a canon 18mm-55mm IS lense.
A little expensive but worth it. I previously bought an inexpensive hood for my T2i, and it was a complete bust ... kept falling off. This one solved the problem. You get what you pay for !!
I purchased this hood to use with my kit lens on my Canon Rebel XSi.  It works great and stores perfectly (put on backwards).  I highly recommend this hood.
"I know, let's sell the lens hood separately. We can make killing on selling them separately and just think more wasteful packaging. I love it. Maybe we can even figure out a way to sell the glass as an accessory".
I like all of my accessories' brands to match as much as possible.  I own a Canon so I wanted a Canon hood. Definately pricey for a piece of plastic but again I wanted the Canon name.  If you're not worried about brand I would say to go with another well reviewed lens hood. Looks cool and does what it is supposed to.
This is the second lens hood we have purchased within 30 days. Both were passed on as gifts. Satisfied with the performance but would have preferred a tulip vice round shape.
I giggle whenever I see someone saying "I wanted a tulip style hood for my lens but Canon doesn't make one."  Well, of course not!  You can't use a tulip style hood on the lenses this hood was designed for- the front of these lenses rotates when they focus, and the long ends of the tulip would end up messing up the picture when you're zoomed wide- this is why this hood is designed the way it is, as any other hood made for a lens that rotates at the end.That being said, lenses such as the EF-S 18-55mm and EF 28-90mm are simply too wide at the low focal length to be able to use a very big hood (it would interfere with the photo if it were bigger) which is probably Canon made this an optional accessory in the first place (higher end Canon lenses usually come with a hood)As for function, the EW-60C does an "okay" job.  If the light is too far forward of an angle, it will let some flare into the lens (more so than larger hoods would) but it is better than no hood at all.  It does a GREAT job of protecting the front element- something I found out the first day I took my camera out with this hood and ended up face down in the dirt when I was tripped up on some sticker vines!  (The hood survived as well, testament to the quality of the plastic used!) It also gives you a bigger gripping area when you manually focus the lens- a plus considering the focus ring on these lenses are a bit small.All in all, it's more of a "nice thing to have" rather than a "must have."  It's as good as it can be, adds a few nice things to the lens, in my opinion is better than nothing, and the best you can get for the lenses it's made for. (much better than those horrid screw on "professional tulip style" hoods you get for $4.00- don't waste your money on those!!!
This lens hood fits the Canon EF 28-90 lens and does exactly what it is supposed to do: help block extraneous sunlight and flares. I used this on a recent outing and, in before-and-after images, it indeed works. It is compact enough to store in the bag, but I leave it on the lens all the time.The lens cap fits inside properly and without problems, and it fits around my UV filter.Worth the few extra dollars for the quality. Highly recommended.
Yes, I have to agree with the previous review.  It doesn't seem to make any difference in reducing lens flare from light sources.  It doesn't seem to extend far enough to actually do anything.  If it was less expensive I wouldn't mind as much, and just chalk it up to extra protection.  But that seems to be all it's good for.
Although the hood is small it does reduce glare.PROS. It also helps with manual focusing, making the focus ring bigger and easy to hold.Reduces glare. Helps camera sit even / flat when put down. Further protects yourGlass.CONS. Circular filters are a pain to use. Such as a Polarizer, or any that require spinning to adjust.But that goes with any hood.Pricey, For a little piece of plastic its expensive.
The quality of the hood is not what I expected. When done attaching it on to my lens there were gaps between the lens and hood. Attachment is faster than other hoods as it attaches to the outer lens instead of using the threads on the lens. It will work good in a pinch. It is compact so it will also work when you don't have a lot room for extra accessories. Fast shipment.
I don't think it can help much.  Expensive for a lens hood like this.
Completely useless. It BARELY extends past the lens, and if you have a filter on it's even worse. It will not only NOT stop any lens flare, it seems to have no function at all. Save your money.
If you own a canon camera it seems like you need to buy everything with the Canon brand name on it. This is perfect example. If you want a hood for the standard 58mm lens that comes with the Rebel camera don't waste your time just buy this hood. I went through 3 hoods before i just bought this one.works great.
The lens hood fit like glove and was very well made, typical of Cannon products. Never had a Cannon product that has failed me yet.
This lens hood looks very shallow, so I was suspicious of how well it would work. I shot a wedding outside in the blinding sun, and this worked great. No sun spots on my photos.
Shipment was fast and the hood is original Canon brand. I was a little worried that it might be a third party brand hood, but I was surprised when I received it. Fits perfectly my lens. Still can't say how it works against lens flare, but once I get the chance I will update my review.Update:It works real well against flare, just make sure you align it well against the sun or light source. :)
A hood is not a very complicated product. It's a plastic chunk that screws on to the end of your lens. Yet, some of the third party hoods I tried before the official Canon hood were horrible. Bad fit, letting light in all over the back, inner surface was too shiny... each one had its own unique design flaw. This may be more than you want to pay for a disk of plastic, but then again your lens was probably more than you wanted to pay for an overgrown looking glass.
If you are serious about photography, then you should use a lens hood to eliminate stray light and improve colors and contrast. Cannon hoods work fine.
This lens hood is awfully expensive for a piece of moulded plastic that probably cost no more than a few cents to make. But it fits and it does the job. You really need one, and these guys are the only ones who make it, so what are you going to do?
I have lens hoods for all my lenses. I prefer a hood to protect the front element rather than a filter which just adds more glass and, more often than not, degrades image quality. Canon includes hoods for its L lenses but for some reason doesn't include them on the rest of their lenses. When you buy a lens that costs over $400 like the 28mm f/1.8 lens does, the least they could do is include a $2 piece of plastic. Aside from my gripes about that and the cost, this works perfectly. Easily comes on and off but the only issue is that when it's on, it's harder to put on or take off the lens cap since it's not a center pinch type of cap. That's really a minor gripe though and doesn't really impact me because leave the cap off when I'm using the hood since the hood protects the lens.
Great product quality from Canon. I use hoods on all my lenses, protection, better color saturation, and blocks out stray light.Reverse the hood for storage. Takes up minimal space, weighs almost nothing, fits snugly.
It is definitely cheap plastic, but it has been doing the job for years and still looks new so I am happy with this product.
I've bought aftermarket hoods for my lenses before, and they never quite fit right.  this is the real thing, and fits like it was meant for it.  I have the original EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM, that I got with my EOS Elan 20 years ago, currently the default lens on a EOS 350D/Rebel XT
OK so I have looked everywhere for this type of hood and wanted it from Canon. Thanks to Amazon I got it and a great deal. The hood does fit the 58mm lens on the Canon XSI and does a great job at blocking extra light even with the long range lens I have. It pops off and on easily for both lenses and flips backwards for storage on the lens. Works with filter and end cap.Thanks for a great deal amazon. Not bad for 23 and change. Half of what other camera shops wanted to charge me.A plus for all XSI owners.
Canon EW63II Lens Hood for EF 28 f/1.8, 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 & 28-105 f/4.0-5.6 SLR LensWorks well.
Beware of this seller, will minus by shipping fee + returned fee even han't open item. And refund take about 15 days.
Two things I've learned this year.....tripods and hoods.  Both have made a world of difference.  It's as described.
I was recommended this from a professional photographer that said for outside photography, a lens hood is your best investment.  Designed well and does the trick.
I really like lens hoods as they give a little extra protection to the lens and I don't have to use a filter.
This lens hood works very well. I think being plastic is a good thing. Keeps weight down, and is slightly flexible. Stores nicely on the lens, and I also like the flat lining to prevent light scatter. Highly recommended.
This lens hood is very well made, but a little expensive.  It is worth it in the long run because it protects your lens from accidental dings and absorbs shock.  The inside of the hood is lined with black felted material that helps absorb unwanted light.Pros: felted interior, high qualityCons: costlier than other brands
For the price can't be beat, works perfect with my Canon 28mm lens. Probably a little less plastic in it, but very functional. Less expensive than the $40 for Canon's!
i was tempted by the generic 3rd party slip-on hoods, but after reading the reviews that they deteriorate quickly I decided to just get it over with and plunk down for this Canon - it's made specifically for these lenses so it fits perfectly and performs as it should.  it also reverses to store on the lens without sticking out from the front.
Clearly, this was designed to avoid vignetting with the 28mm, which makes it larger than necessary with the 35.  Other than that, it snaps on securely, either in use or storage, and does the jobs for which it is needed--preventing lens flare and protecting the front lens element from knocks.  I only took off one star for the hood being a one-size-fits-two focal lengths.  If I had bought it for the 28, I'd give it five stars.
I use lens hoods on all my lenses absolutely every time the lenses are used. They block glares, fingers, debris, and whatever else comes at your lens from damaging anything delicate. On New Years Day a few days ago, I was shooting with the EF35mm f/2 lens with this hood attached, when I slipped and fell down a muddy hill. Really graceful and catlike, I know. Anyway, the point is that this hood blocked the lens from getting muddy or damaged. I had to clean the hood quite extensively, which was fine, since at least I wasn't cleaning mud off the lens. Doubly so, since I wasn't using a "protection" filter at the time, since "protection" filters tend to add glares, whereas hoods lessen them.
Fits good and tight, not cheap like some say it is,  for the price i would buy it one like it again
Well,regarding the shipping and amazon transaction,i would like to say that everything went so smoothly as usual.However,for the lens hood itself,things weren't the same.This lens hood attaches in a very strange manner,and u wont be quite sure if it's attached or not.I work as a wedding photography,and sometimes u need to change lenses very fast.I took the lens out of the bag,and suddenly,the hood was detached and the lens slipped out of my hands.It had a very nice hit on the ground(i never dropped a lens in five years of shooting ).So now i'm thinking,i bought a lens hood to avoid additional stray light ,and protect my front element,but on the contrary it made my lens fall.Build quality is good as expected,but the way it attaches to the lens itself ,it complete rubbish and very unreliable.
I found the Canon Lens Hood to be easy to use with my Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 lens. Goes on easy and protects the lens from flare as well as bumps, etc...I find myself using the 28mm prime more now with the Canon 5D3 than I did with the 7D before it. The hood is always on the lens when it is on the camera as protection.
I bought this because every once in awhile I would get sun spots,not very often, but they always killed my photo. I have not taken this hood off since I put it on and no bad photo's.
I been using this hood for about 3 weeks now.  It looks great on the 40D.  It does it's job well... although, I mainly bought it for the look factor. =)
Lightweight plastic, but not cheap feeling.  There's no hint of a seam between the outer plastic and thin inner layer of textured/light absorbing material.  Doesn't feel like it's going to fall off myCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, onto which the hood clips effortlessly.Seems like a decent length (long enough to catch oblique light) but I haven't been able to test in bright sunlight yet.Sadly, it does not fit myCanon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  Wish there was more standardization of lens hoods so I didn't need more than one.It's not a heavy, metal, screw-on hood for an L-series lens, but one of those would look silly (and add purpose-defeating weight) fitted on the two rather small primes for which this is designed.Recommended.
Excellent craftmanship, with proud "MADE IN JAPAN" imprinted on it. The inside of the hood where the light gets absorbed instead of reflecting is specially treated, which almost feels like cloth.I compared this genuine hood with the one (for Canon 50mm lens) I ordered from Hong Kong on eBay, which I paid only less than $8.00. I may have saved $20, but think about carring this lens for years with a fake hood attached to it. Worth $20? I think not. Spend extra $20 and have a pride of ownership and feel RIGHT.
I do close up of the kids and just for the protection a lens hood is a must have.  This one goes on and off easily and is very sturdy despite being the snap-on type and not screw-on.  Maybe not best bang for the buck (-1 star) but otherwise is great.
Liked the protection it gives lens I wonder if the plastic may become brittle later or in hot weather.Maybe softer plastic would give a little, however it does the job nicely.
durable and  does the job ! it protected my lens when accidently was dropped while mounted on the camera and It did not break and lens was fine !
Great product, makes an immediate impact on outdoor shooting. I thought about getting the off-brand hood, but figured the Canon product was the best bet. No hesitations recommending this product through Amazon as it was about 8-12 dollars cheaper than most other sites. Shipping was fast, even with Standard Shipping selected.Thanks
Not only will this protect and reduce any glare from your lens, but it looks awesome and adds 2 inches to your lens.
Great protection for lens as well as diminishing any unwanted light rays that might distort or ruin a perfect take!
I bought this as a &#34;like new&#34; item here and it showed up quickly and I couldn't tell that it wasn't brand new. This hood installed quickly and easily, has the felt on the inside ( to help reduce glare ), and has worked perfectly for me.
This lens hood is everything I hoped it would be.  The quality is excellent: it even has a felted inside surface to reduce reflection, and it's made in Japan.  When combined with the 28-135mm canon USM lens, however, there is some usability annoyance.  If you have the hood "stowed" (clipped on pointing toward the camera body), you can't adjust the zoom.  When the hood is in its proper position, you can't easily take off the stock lens cap!  If only canon provided center-pinch lens caps with their lenses...
The thing fits forward and backwards for easy storage.  I haven't done a lot of testing for effectiveness but if you want a hood for this lens then this is it for you.
I just recently received this lens hood and have only used it a couple of times. It works just like it is suposed to.Bill
I purchased one of the off brand lens hoods for my 28-135 lens from Amazon because of the cost. I thought lens hood, any brand would work. When the off brand lens hood came and I tried to get it on the camera lens I realized my mistake. I sent it back and got the Canon lens hood. It screws right on and off without any problems which is what you would expect from canon.
Pros:- Reduces flare and ghosting when shooting in bright light.- Helps protect your lens from dirt and scratches.- Somewhat protects the lens in case of a fall.  Better to break the hood than the front element.- Makes you look more like you know what you are doing and helps keep others from carelessly walking in front of you.Cons:- Will increase lens movement in windy situations, kind of like a sail on a boat.- Takes up more room in your bag, even when reversed they still add to the diameter of the lens.- People take more notice of you, will help to blow your cover if you are trying to keep a low profile.
Fit good no problem, it make it  like a Pro  does help shading for sun and rain  Go for It  the price a cheap
I should have order EW-63C, as my lens is 18-135 f 3.5-5.6 IS stm.Can I change it for the correct one?
I almost bought the $5 aftermarket one, but after reading about how sturdy this cap is, how smooth attachment is, and the fact that the innercap is felt-lined, I decided to spend the money on the real thing.Wow, was it worth it. The quality in comparison is not even close to aftermarket. There is a strong feel to this lens cap. It is not SO plastic-y where there is little to no flex or give. I get the impression that this would absorb some shock of an impact. I used it this past weekend as I toured Washington DC. It acted as a shield from both physical contact and visible light.
There is not much to say besides this lens hood does exactly what it needs to and has been very reliable.
It is the Canon OEM lens hood for their EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. It fits perfectly and has three main advantages:1. Cuts down lens flair2. Improves contrast and image quality - two for one3. Offers some protection to the front of the lens.As has been pointed out in other reviews, this is an expensive piece of plastic and given the cost of Canon glass should be included with the lens purchase. But that is not the case. There are other options available. From some of the reviews I have seen of the knock-offs they do not always fit and/or work as well. So for me, given my Canon investment, I just bite the bullet and add the final piece I feel I get better results with. After all, I could buy cheaper glass.This hood can be reversed on the lens for storage on the lens, but it will require a larger lens case for storage on the lens, if you use that option. And finally, it is a little tight getting the lens cap on/off with the hood in place, but it is doable.
This lens hood fits the Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and I always have it with me when I carry that lens. It is plastic, but well-built - I haven't had any problems with cracking or discoloration.  You'll want a lens hood mainly for the way it benefits the quality of your images - any stray light hitting your lens element has an effect, from the more obviously-seen lens flare to more subtle overall hazing and low contrast in your image.Ever since I started using lens hoods I've noticed a dramatic improvement in my images.  For the 28-135mm lens, the hood is sold separately, but don't think that means it's unessential - you should have a lens hood for every lens you own.
Great to cut the glare and protect my lens!  Since there are 11 more words required and I have nothing left to say, I'll leave it at that.
Why didn't I buy this sooner? I've had my Canon 7D for almost a year now, and now that the lens hood has arrived, I'm scratching my head over why I didn't buy this hood right away. This is the lens hood to purchase for the kit lens (28-135mm f3.5-5.6) that comes with the Canon 7D.The biggest hesitation I had in placing this order was between the aftermarket and the true Canon versions. There was a big draw to spending only seven dollars versus over thirty on this lens hood. But then I thought for a while, this is a seventeen hundred dollar camera; the lens lists for five hundred dollars, now why in the world am I trying to pinch twenty-four dollars? The answer was obvious, buy the Canon version.Canon's choice to not include the lens hood is baffling; on a camera at this price point it seems like a no brainer to include the hood. But since they did not include the hood, and I wanted a hood for this lens, thirty dollars versus the camera price was just not complicated.The hood is incredibly well built. The plastic is solid and well finished. The interior of the hood has a soft felt like material that does reduce internal reflections. There is a red dot on the hood that you align with the red dot on the lens located on the left hand side of the front ring (it's a bit counterintuitive at first, the white Canon label actually ends up on the bottom of the camera when the dots are aligned correctly. The hood does mount in reverse over the lens for storage.There have been a significant number of complaints about the reversed mounting of the hood and not being able to use the zoom or focus rings. On first mounting of the hood, I am scratching my head over those comments. This is a petal style hood, with the hood mounted correctly (the small petal is facing upward), my fingers can get to the zoom and focus rings, no problems at all. Granted, I cannot grip the rings with my whole hand, but it is perfectly workable in a pinch. If this were a full circle hood (not the petal type), there would be absolutely no access to either ring.There are two reasons for a lens hood, shade and protection. On an APS-C sensor camera (the Canon 7D) the hood could be a bit deeper or a circular hood that would provide more side light shade. However, this lens is an EF, so it is designed for APS-C and full frame 35mm use. On a full frame camera (the Canon 5D Mark II) the hood is exactly the correct depth, and provides the maximum shade. This lens hood also provides a small amount of rain protection, in a light drizzle I could shoot a little longer before the front filter gets wet. And it provides a bit of protection from drops and running into things.Overall, this is an excellent lens hood. I do wish Canon had included it with the lens in the first place. But given the hand Canon dealt, this is the right hood to purchase for this lens.The alternate, less expensive, generic brands are here:Fotodiox Dedicated (Bayonet) Lens Hood, for Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens as Canon EW-78BII, EW-78 BII, EW-78B IIPrecision Design EW-78BII Lens Hood for Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
I love it.Inner circle of this hood for my 28-135mm has the same texture feel as my 70-200mm hood.
this threads into the lens with cheap plastic. I've already cross threaded it several time. difficult to get on and off.
This lens hood does its job, and handily reverses on the camera lens for storage.  My only complaint is the cost.  Seems a little spendy for what you get.
Its a bit small but seem to do an ok job of keeping lens flare in check.
Love it, worth buying the official products from Canon. The product is fantastic, and it feels great with the lense.
Excellent product works well.  Made for the Canon EF28-135mm Lense. Reasonable price.
The "petal" shape of this lens hood was a first for me, but I'm ok with it.  So far so good, it's doing what it is suppose to do (designed to prevent unwanted stray light from entering the lens by extending and shading the end of the lens)
I just purchased this hood for my Canon EF28-135 lens and it was well worth the money. Besides the improved quality of my daylight photos, it gives the lens a more professional look and does a great job of protecting my glass. I carry my camera around a lot in the city an it's great at protecting it from getting knocked around. I also like how I can reverse it at night or for storage.I would highly recommend this to anyone that wants to protect their lens and improve the quality of daylight photos.
It costs twice or even three times what the knock-off lens hood is going for, but it says Canon on it and you get that nifty, non-reflective felt lining inside the hood.
5 stars because it deserves it. You could gripe all day that it should have been included, but the kit would have been that much more anyways. Its a high grade plastic, has the black felt, reverses for storage, and fits perfectly.I would recomend this hood to anyone that has this lens.
Works well.  Nice product.  Good Seller.  I use it every day. I have no problems with vignetting when I use it with my 28-135mm Canon lens on my Canon 5D Mark II.
This item is essential in digital photography as glare is a major problem.  As an ex film photographer I had to learn the utmost necessity of having a lens hood at all times.  This one is perfect.
bought as a gift for a photographer, this is kind of a hard item to find, they were very pleased with this item
I recommend using hoods on all lenses for 2 reasons. 1. It helps protect the lens barrel if banged against something and then 2. the obvious, helps keep stray sidelight from interferring with your shot. I use mine all the time and it reverses on the lens.
It's cheap and it fits great. It's used to keep the sun from getting in the camera and washing out your shot. I bought the "Canon" brand because even though they over-charge for all their stuff, it's well constructed and you know it's gonna fit.
This lens hood is a welcome addition to the 28-135MM Lens. Canon should bite the bullet and include it with this lens instead of selling it as an accessory. It works as advertised, fits snuggly on the lens and can be turned around when storing the lens in your camera bag.
The hood goes on and off relatively easily and gets the job done. Of course it also stores on the lenss as well which is a HUGE bonus 8-D
Works as its supposed to. You can reverse bayonette it when not in use. Has already protected my lens a couple times when I've accidentally banged it against something. Plus, it looks cool!
The hood performs as intended, keeping stray light out of the large EF 28-135mm lens.  This hood is an essential item when shooting outside in daylight, as lens flare is otherwise significant due to the nature of that particular lens.  It's reversible for storage, and fits the lens very well.  It is unnecessarily expensive, though, as it is merely a piece of plastic (custom fitted and produced by Canon, of course, but a mere piece of plastic nonetheless).  However, although it costs more than the after-market hoods produced for the same lens, shipping is free (at the time of my purchase, anyway), and the shipping costs of the non-Canon hoods bring them to within a couple of dollars of this one.  I therefore felt comfortable paying those extra couple of dollars for a Canon product, and am glad that I did.
This is a pretty good hood for the 28-135 IS.It is a little expensive at ~$25 for a piece of plastic, but it gets the job done.This hood prevents lens flare and it also physically protects the front of the camera when I carry it around.It reverses on the lens for storage in a case.
I bought this to complete my lens hood collection for all my lenses. It will work just fine and if I ever buy another lens of this diameter, I will have the hood already. Since it is made by Canon it fit like it was made for the lens as it should!
Needed a replacement due to damage at a photo shoot, arrived on time.Works great for a serious photographer. One can take their photography to a different level.
I bought this lens hood to replace the junk aftermarket hood I got on Ebay from Hong Kong.  This hood is designed by Canon to fit the Canon lens, and it works perfectly.  The Chinese item was complete junk and never fit correctly; it was cheaper by about $10, but it was not worth the savings.
Good fit, works as advertised, stores on lens.  Helps keep night dew off the lens as well as unwanted light out during the day.
This hood from Canon fits the lens perfectly, and is easy-on, easy off, with a twist lock action. It can be mounted "backwards" with the twist lock as well for storage on the lens without elongating the lens. I find myself using it at night as well to block bright lights on the perimeter of the shot. Really makes a difference in glare. The inside of the hood is nicely lined with a non-reflective material so that light that does get "in" doesn't reflect back to the lens face. My only gripe is that with the hood in place, the lens cap is a bit tricky to get on and off, and polarizer adjustments have to be carefully managed to avoid those nuisance oily fingerprint smudges if your fingers "miss" the rim of the filter. For mounting the hood, no need to line up the red dot on the hood with the red dot on the lens, you can just put the hood on and twist until it locks. It will lock at either 90 degree's or 270 degree's - you can't mount it with the wrong orientation! "Matches" the lens nicely as well. I just wish Canon would supply the hood with the lens in the first place. Fast shipping, nicely packaged, good transaction.
I can't say this enough, but I definitely recommend putting a very lite polish on the contact surfaces because it makes it very easy to take the cover off and on without any challenges, and especially when the surfaces buildup with some dust or dirt.
The hood is a perfect fit for my Canon 28-135mm lens. Great value. I am a beginner photographer w/ a Canon 40d. Highly recommend it.
Nice Hood. The only thing I've noticed that I'm not crazy about is that the inner part of the hood is black velvet, which collects dust, stray hair, lint, etc.
Of the Canon consumer lenses the 28-135 MM may be one of their best and most useful lenses, a great value for the price: practical everyday focal range, good IS, fast focusing, quiet USM, and decent IQ. Lens build is not up to highest Canon standards--my lens has a little bit of shaky feel, but still operates well and USM works smoothely. I also have a 17 - 40 MM f/4 L and a 70 - 200 MM f/4L IS USM Canon lenses, which I are both incredible and superior. However until I can afford a $1,000+ Canon 24 - 70 MM f/2.8 USM L  or 24 - 105 MM f/4 L IS telephoto, the 28 - 135 MM is a capable walk around lens.If you cannot afford the much more expensive Canon L mid rage telephotos--the 28- 135 is the next best thing. The EW78BII Lens hood is a useful accessory as is a good UV filter and B+W polarizer.
I dont always use the hood because it must be removed from the lens to fit into my bag but it connects quickly and easily.
Try relying on this petal type for a portrait orientation in the sun and you'll get burned. I gave it 3 stars rounded up from 2.5 or 50% effective for landscape orientation only.  R. Gutstein indicates using a piece of cardboard prior to purchasing this lens hood.  I commented to not give up the cardboard any time soon.  I wonder why it could'nt be designed to index 90 degrees to offer portrait orientation protection.  I've tried this and it works while holding the hood in place.  There is a small amount of vignetting at 28mm and disappears completely at any longer zoom.I'm wondering if this is a "one injection mold fits all" design.
Canon EW78BII Lens Hood from Canon; the real deal and the only way to go. Tried the others and were disappointed. Don't waste your time with the copies unless that is all you can afford............been there and done that also.
Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer by shading the lens from stray light and offering limited protection from bumps and falls.  Stray light may result in unwanted image discoloration, hazing, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading the lens from stray light helps improve contrast and image quality. The hood is built to offer protection and block stray light while ensuring that it will not inadvertently show up in your images.Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one. This hood being a solid petal shaped offers limited protection from keeping moisture and wind blown debris off the from lens element. When in place, the hood can protect the lens from impacting solid objects. Being shallow and petal shaped, this type of protection is also limited. Even if the protection is limited, replacing a damaged hood is usually cheaper than repairing the lens and easier to replace.This hood is manufactured for theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoomand normally is not included with the lens when sold new.  Amazon often suggests purchasing one with your lens, and is worth considering.Since the hood is wider than the lens; it can easily be stored attached in a reverse position. This doesn't add to the length of the lens, but does make it wider by about an inch. An inch may not seem like a lot, but in a tightly packed camera bag, it is huge. This lens itself isn't unusually wide so the extra inch may not be a problem.While the protective benefits exist, they are secondary and limited. I find the impact the hood has on my image quality to be the more convincing reason to use a hood.  A hood is not required to eliminate stray light, as any items used to shade the lens will provide the same protective qualities.  However, a lens hood is convenient plus is simple to store and use.  Considering the impact on image quality and the low cost as compared to my other camera equipment (except for a lens case), purchasing a hood is money well spent.PROS:Improves contrast and image qualityReduces lens flare problemsOffers limited protection to the lensCONS:Takes up more space in your camera bag to store with the lens
I didn't use this as much as I thought I might.  However, it does offer another level of protection for a heavier lens.  I've dropped a lens or two and wish I'd had one of these on those lenses.
It might be too small/short to block flare, offer some protection. It's rather expensive for a piece of plastic too.
This lens hood looks cool more than anything else and it's nice knowing you have something that will prevent sunlight from reflecting off the camera lens when shooting outside or in bright overhead interior lighting.  Doesn't work well with a camera's (I use a 7D) installed flash so I'll still have to try it with an attached flash.  Anyway, I like using it when outdoors but take it off when I need to use a flash.
Lens hood does what it's intended to do, shade the front optic. It will also induce shade into the scene & captured image if using the on-camera flash on any of Canon's digital slr's (with the EF 28-135mm) unless you rotate it 90 degrees (a point where it is no longer attached to the lens.) This shadowing is observed from 28mm to about 40mm settings on my Eos 50D. Great while working outdoors and in crowds. Adequately protects the front element but taking the lense caps off is difficult for those with large hands & fingers. A collapsable or sliding hood for this lens would be the better choice if using the on-camera flash with wide angle settings consistantly.
It appears 100% Canon with inside coated in black felt - to kill reflected light.  Best price I could find for OEM quality.
I can't say much to argue the point that some others have mentioned about a cheaper version (from another manufacturer) being just as good as this model.  I own only Canon lenses and I have always purchased genuine Canon Lens Hoods for them.  This Canon EW78BII is a perfect fit for theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  The hood seems pretty well made (although it is plastic), installs easily and fits perfectly.I have only shot a few pictures since installing this lens hood, but I can honestly say that it offers a bit of improved contrast and definately cuts back on stray light hitting the lens.  I particularly like the petal shape of this hood, vs a typical cylinder shape found on most larger zoom lens hoods.  I have shot a handful of pictures using a flash, and there is no vignette shading anywhere on the photos.  This is a wonderful feature, since it looks as though the hood will not need to be removed for indoor/flash photos.  As far as protection goes, I don't know as though this hood will prove to be much of a lens saver.  Still, every little bit of added protection helps.  As others have pointed out, this hood WILL increase the amount of kit storage space in your bag, but if reversed at least it does not add extra height to the lens.Overall I would recommend this lens hood, for improved picture quality, reduction of lens flare, and for some minor protection to the lens itself.  I do agree that Canon has overpriced this lens hood, but what doesn't Canon overprice?  All in all it is a well built, solid investment.
I purchased the Canon EW78BII Lens Hood for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Canon SLR Lens "USED" from Amazon, but it was absolutely flawless, with the original box, and it cost almost 4 dollars less a new one. I have not tried the third party lens hoods, basically because I was just buying the CANON name.  But I am sure they do the exact same thing, which is being a lens hood.  But from what I read, online and here on Amazon, is that the some 3rd party lens hoods probably cannot be reversed mounted for storage, and that at least this the Canon Lens Hood, is lined with felt, to minimize the light reflection on the inside of the lens hood, where some 3rd party ones were reviewed as not having this feature.Aside from the High price, it is an awesome lens, and a little bigger than I thought it would be.  I highly recommend this product, and from now on I am giving Amazon "USED" products a second look.  This "USED" hood was in excellent condition.
I've used lens hoods on all of my lens since I first started doing pro photography almost 30 years ago. I feel the hoods protect the front of the lens. I also always have a UV filter on my lens, which would also protect the glass, but I feel the hood would go a little farther in protecting the lens from bumps and falls. This petal shaped hood for the Canon 28-135 lens will protect the glass and help keep stray light off my subject.I've alway used Canon hoods on my Canon lens. True, they cost a little more, but they are made so well, I think it's worth it.
I am an amateur photo enthusiast who loves taking pictures.  I read several good reviews regarding having a lens hood, hence I was convinced to purchase one.  My experience after using it tells me that it has both plus and minuses.  On the plus side: It adds protection to the lens from impact.  It prevents glare from hitting lens area when used for exterior shots during glaring sunlight conditions.  Some disadvantages noted: It extends the overall lenght of the lens hence makes it bulkier to carry around especially in crowded places.  Secondly, the lens hood casts a shadow on the subject when taking pictures using the built in camera flash when the subject of the photo is in close proximity to the camera lens (say less than 3 feet). You are better off taking the lens hood off or using a dedicated flash mounted higher.With the disadvantages mentioned above and you still decide to have a lens hood on.  I recommend getting the original Canon lens hood.  It is made of good quality plastic material and fits well on the lens.  No difficulty taking it off and on, although pricier than other aftermarket makes that does the same job.
For the price, this is one nice hood. i have had generic hoods in the past and figured i would pick up a genuine canon hood. was very surprised in the difference. this hood had a very fine matte black texture to the inside of the hood to help reduce reflection into the lens. this is a great little item to pick up when you are shooting in sunlight.SH
Great Lense Hood, works well in keeping the sun glair out when taking daytime outdoor pictures.
Protects lens and does its job of keeping stray light in.  Takes up quite a bit of room but that's expected! =)  A must have!
Fit my 18-200mm lens perfectly and I like that I can turn it around when not needed.  Recommend the EW78BII hood to all Canon D60 owners you won't regret the purchase!
It would be a five star if it fit on the lens better. I had an older non-Canon lens hood that fits perfectly so it appears it can be done. The Canon Lens Hood works great, looks good but it just does not fit snugly.
It's a 72mm lens hood, no vigneting, works great. A must for using EF28-135 outdoors.
As I stated in my review of the 28-135mm IS USM lens, this Lens Hood is a must.  Surprising, the quality of the hood surpasses its relatively inexpensive price.The interior felt tended to pick/up some unwanted debris, but I found a good Oral B tooth brush (no floss needed) to fix the problems.  Hey, we live in a filthy world!The only real negative I will mention:  not one Camera store in NYC stocks the Lens Hood.  There I was with a piece of cardboard in my hand trying to block out the sun - looked real Photo 101.  I recommend getting the Lens Hood if you plan on purchasing the 28-135mm while on vacation, etc.
Bought this one for my 28-135mm lens.  It came in Canon box, put it on and it looks and feels great.  Inside is not cheap plastic but a rexin cloth.  It feels great as well.  Highly recommad this to anyone.Cheers!!!
I couldn't give this product lower than 4 stars because it does exactly what it advertises it does, protects your lens and helps shield unwanted light. I also could not give it 5 stars since I don't know what kind of crack Canon smokes to charge their customers as much as they do for a ring of plastic? Not a good way to build brand loyalty.
This lens hood is a very cost effective way of improving your photography by helping to reduce the accidental errors caused by lens flare, etc.  Additionally, you get a little extra protection for your lens.I tend to keep my camera out if I am taking photos throughout the day, so I really like that little extra piece of mind when I set it down on a table or bench as the hood keeps the lens from hitting the surface.  Seems like a small benefit, but I would rather scratch up the hood than my lens...much cheaper to replace if needed.This hood is easy to store on the lens when reversed, though it does add substantial size to the lens in the camera bag.My only complaint (noted by another reviewer as well) is that this lens hood makes using a circular polarizer very difficult.  I use the hood more than a polarizer though so this has not affected my rating of 5 stars.
Canon has a great camera. It provides great flexibility with a lot of help to be more user friendly. Great pictures with a little study - nice - plenty of other things to do with your time.
Can you belive this plastic ring costs $31 ?.
This hood offers great protection from both the sun, and dropping the front of the camera onto something hard and risking damage to the lens itself.
This blocks out light that glances across the glass giving you lens flares and weird ghosting effects. In addition it gives your lens extra buffering in case you hit something. Much cheaper to replace one of these that gets damaged instead of replacing a lens!
Lens hood fits perfectly and is not loose.  Have used it for 1000 plus pictures without an issue.  Nice product.
Exactly as described, fit properly, and is a great complement to the lens, on top of the actual functional benefits.
Easy on and off. Does the job. No issues.Sometimes you get distracted or there is an unexpectedtrip, push or shove and the lens gets bumped.This can do double duty as protection.
This lens hood is a good compliment with my EF 28-135mm lens.  Great addition to my Canon product collection.
This hood is solid and never twists off accidentally, like some of the imitations. It helps keep fingers away from the lense glass and works properly to keep out stray light without hurting the exposure. I recommend this product.
A lens hood is indispensable for so many reasons -- to protect the lens, to keep flare from ruining the pic being the two most important -- but a properly made one is even more so. The way this Canon lens hood is cut prevents the hood from getting in the way of the picture, and it gives you easy access to get the lens cap off or to even rotate a polarizing filter (you still have to be careful so you don't slip and get a fingerprint on the filter).The Canon lens hood goes on and off in just a second, and it's easy to store in your camera back if you take it off and turn it around, then place it over the lens. On the occasions I forget to bring it with me, I have to change the way I shoot or have my husband act as a lens hood! So yes, I would say it's indispensable, and at this price, a no-brainer.
I've had quite a few hoods, but this was my first "genuine" Canon hood (my previous lenses had been Sigma lenses).First:  do you need a hood?  Instead, ask yourself:  do you shoot outside, ever?  If the answer is 'no', then you likely won't need the hood.  If the answer is 'yes' then you will need the hood or to jerry-rig something equivalent (tip:  a blackened index card and a rubber band can take the place of a hood in a pinch, and is much easier to apply than holding your hand out to shade the lens).Second:  build quality.  There's not much to a hood.  It just needs to cast a shadow, and, honestly, it's not hard to design something that does that.  The "trick" to a hood is that it can be easily applied to a lens (because you don't want to stow your lens away with the hood extending beyond the front element).  Canon's lens hood mount is different from, say, Sigma's (Canon hoods have two interlocking tongue/groove sections instead of three as with the Sigmas), so your third-party hoods won't work here.  Where the Canon hood shines, compared to Sigma's own hoods and a third party hood I bought for my other Canon lens, is build quality.  This is a single-piece hood.  There is no flimsy attachment between the hood proper and the manufacturer-specific mount ring (obviously, because Canon dosn't need to support other manufacturer's mounts).  The anti-reflective "velvet fuzz" coating on the inside adds an extra touch of class to the device.Overall, it's not hard to fill the role of a hood, functionally.  Canon really went the extra step here, delivering a high-quality tool which takes secondary aims (durability, reflections from shiny black plastic) into account.You will likely want a hood for your lens.  You owe it to yourself to get the Canon hood here.
This Canon lens hood works great! If you're thinking of getting the cheaper alternatives (like I did) please refrain from doing that and just buy the genuine deal. I bought a Fotodiox (a much cheaper alternative) but it turned out to be a big hassle. It wouldn't fit onto the lens and when it did, I must've have spent more time than I cared for. It fit way too tight and was problematic in taking it off.  But this Canon one definitely does its job, it rotates onto the lens with ease and can be taken off by rotating the opposite way. The inside is lined with felt (?) and is definitely worth the purchase.
This lens hood does it jobs as advertise. Many good points: Block light, Sturdy construction, felt liner for anti-reflect, look good, ...One very bad point: If the Circular Polarized Filter is to use, then there is a serious problem to rotate the filter if this lens hood is attached.Canon make this hood. Canon make the Circular Polarized Filter for this particular lens too. Canon did not think the combination of these two together in their design.
This Canon hood fits perfectly for the Canon lens.  It is made of sturdy plastic and I expect it to last a long time.  I haven't tested it with outdoor photos yet but if it functions like other Canon hoods, I expect it to be fine.
Prompt shipping. I was reluctant to order from a third party supplier, but my fears were dispelled. Product as advertised. Easy on and off features. Would recommend Ace Photo Digital.
It helps with what it's designed to help with... reduce glare on front of the lens.  It also affords a little extra protection for the lens.  It's already helped save my lens from a fall once.  I'd much rather have scratches on the hood than cracks on the rim of the lens.
I tripped on a chair at an event recently and my lens hood saved my lens but cracked in the process.  I would much rather replace this than pay to have my lens repaired.  Usual Canon quality.
After looking into a lens hood for my 28-135 canon-there are obviously a lot of choices out there. I can't say enough for the name brand. Don't try and save a buck, its worth the extra dollars to really get the benefit from using the hood. Thanks!!
I've been looking for my lost 35L hood for months.  I finally broke down and bought this replacement.  My old one showed up in a drawer days later.Update 06-09-13.  I finally started using my new hood.  My old hood started got loose too easily.  With this hood, if it rotates enough, it shows up in the frame potentially ruining a pic.  Two corners of your image will be blacked out.  New one stays in place nicely.
It fits like a glove. Actually, the 35L package on Amazon already has this hood inside. But hey - it's good to have an extra in case the other one breaks! Better a hood breaks than the lens itself. The hood is a bit stiff on the head of the 35L, but with a little bit of lube/candle you can make it fit smoothly on your lens. It does its job well. As always, Canon plastic is overpriced - but who cares. It's made from Canon!
This hood comes with EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM lens. It is big, it is bulky and after three days of use it does not look like new anymore since it is easily scratched.In many cases there is no need for a hood, but pro still leave hood on the lens. Think of this as a bumper. In fast paced hectic situation (Party, kids, etc.) this $45.00 expensive piece of plastic will save your $1,400 lens.Filter is OK, but I've seen "all metal" lenses fall to the floor and hit it right where you will attach your filter. After the fall. Lens works just fine, glass is OK, but tread is bent, and there is no way to attach any filter.[...].
It is a silver strap - little else to say!
I brought this to carry camera and phone. The length of this strap is designed for camera and strap around your neck. I was gonna use it with phone but it was too long. Otherwise, this is a good camera strap. Well built.
I wasn't expecting much from a sub-$5 lanyard, but it appears to be quite solidly built.  I attached it to a SONY NEX 5 camera but was a little concerned that the portion of the lanyard that threads through the camera's neckstrap connector appears to be the weak link in the product as it seems to be relatively thin fabric -- it seems much less robust than the solidly built metal strap.  To avoid potential problems, I thread a round metal keyring through both the neckstrap connector and the metal strap.  Now the lanyard is solidly connected to the camera.
don't be mislead by the people that don't like the plastic coating. i've used other metal straps and they pinch your skin and your hair gets caught in the links.  i don't like the feel of the nylon straps, they irritate my skin. this strap is super sturdy and since it has no clasp, no chance of it breaking or coming apart and losing your camera.  the plastic coating is not irritating at all around my neck. i don't notice it's even there. i wear the camera around my neck so that when we are places like the zoo or camping with the kids, my hands can be free and i don't have to keep pulling the camera out of the case.  i bought one of these when they were $12 and would purchase another even at that price. i am buying two more for my daughters and am happy that the price is now under $5.  the only thing negative about this would be that i wouldn't let kids use it that are young. the strap does not come undone and it could strangle them if they got it caught on something.
For medical reasons I need to have my phone with me at all times, and preferably around my neck, because of tingling and numbness in my hands that causes me to drop things unexpectedly.  I have tried several different types of lanyards and in the end I have been disappointed with them all.  This one is an exception to that experience.  It is very strong and I don't feel like the strap is ever going to break.  The plastic covering is not really noticable and is comfortable and keeps the chain from tangling in my hair.  Some people have said that it is too stiff, well if you wear it for a while it gets more flexible and I have had lots of positive comments about how nice it looks.  The only weak point I can see is the string loop where it connects to the device, but with all the lanyards I have used, that has never been the point of failure on any of them, so I am comfortable that this one will work equally well.  I only gave 4 stars because there is no quick disconnect, which could be a safety issue since this thing is so very strong (just like I wanted it, by the way). The length of the chain makes it easy to slip over my head, but if it were to get snagged on something, during a fall for instance, it could become a choking hazzard.  It is a risk I am willing to take because I totally love this lanyard in every other way.
I have this in my bag for my Canon SX200IS.  Very strong and looks very nice.I used it at my daughter wedding reception, since I knew I would be busy shaking hands.  Looks great with a suit and tie!  I use the wrist strap most of the time, but this is a very nice strap when you need both hands free.  I went to a camera store, and it was priced a full retail, $16.00!  AMAZON comes through again!  Great bargain.
I had purchased this strap for my Canon S410 camera and have found it to be very useful in situations where one would like to hang the camera around the neck and keep the hands free. This type of situation that I have encountered frequently is while shooting videos on a video camera and also having to manage a Digital camera at the same time. It's a nice product with the Canon quality and a good investment if you shoot with 2 or more cameras at family parties etc.
Just got this and it is what I expected - while the metal chain is LIGHTLY coated in plastic, it's not so bad as to make it seem, well. plasticky - AND it will keep the chain from catching my neck skin or hair.  Not too heavy, seems pretty secure - my only issue is the whimpy cord that goes from the lanyard to the camera itself - this is the same as the factory one I had that broke (which is why it only got 4 stars, not 5)- I think a catch or metal latch would have been better.  Otherwise, I like it, and I think it will keep some so-and-so from doing a cut and grab on my camera...
This is a lightweight and super-strong lanyard-style chain for your camera or whatever which probably could tow a car and yet looks lighter and more attractive than anything else on the market. of course, the cord attaching this to the camera is the limiting factor in overall strength. But it is the right length and allows you to tuck the camera into your pocket or hang full length.
Well made, looks great with the Canon camera finish as well as perfect length for neck strap!
I really like this camera strap because it is very comfortable and strong.  It does not irritate your neck and is small enough in diameter that it is very comfortable and I feel it keeps my camera secure
I was very happy to get this strap! It is a secure strap which although extremely functional is also stylish. Delivery from shutterbug was quick and I was so impressed, I immediately ordered another!
I bought this neck strap WITH my camera, thinking I would be insane not to have a strap to put around my neck.I learned, however, that it really isn't necessary.  The Elphs are so tiny that they EASILY fit into your pocket.  The other option is to wind the included wrist strap around your wrist.  They're so lightweight that you barely notice they're there.
I ordered this for an upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon.  Mule Ride requires a neck strap on your camera vice a wrist strap.  Fitted easily onto my Canon S95.  It's very light weight and the plastic covering over the metal is a plus.  Yes, I can hold the camera up to take photos with no problem, but for me it's rather long.  I'm relatively slim and on this strap my camera  is at my waist.  I fear a lot of camera bouncing and bumping as I ride along.  If they ever invent one almost exactly like this, but adjustable in length, I'd be willing to pay the extra money.
I bought this for a small compact digital camera I bought just to carry around everywhere and I wanted it around my neck, rather than on my wrist. This was a perfect choice and it looks great. I am sure that if I need another one at any point that I will buy another one as it is made well and you can't beat the price. The length, for me, is perfect.
A strong, metal braided lanyard for your camera.  There is a clear, plastic sheath around the lanyard for comfort.  I use it to secure my camera while riding a motorbike.  It works great!
I bought this for my son and myself so we could put them on the camera and just roll it up and keep it on the camera while it is stored in a little camera pouch.  Everything is coated and neither camera has been scratched by it.  Much stronger than it looks.
Too Stiff for the Canon 520HS Elph camera, the kinks in the cable are set in, and when you place it around your neck it &#34;DOES NOT HANG STRAIGHT&#34;.
I bought this for my wife, who was concerned about having a more secure strap. It is secure there is no doubt about that, but it cuts into the back of you neck a bit. During the winter it is not an issue, because you wear a coat, but during the warmer months we do not use it.
By 'looking' at this strap, I originally thought, &#34;The piece which 'ties' to the camera is metal and the rest looks/must be 'cloth'?  Right about the former, wrong about the latter.  However, the 'metal' part of it which goes around the neck is covered with a plastic 'tube' which is more than I expected!! :)
Best thing I can say is if you're ever being mugged you can use this straplike a whip and give the thug a good thrashing.No quick disconnect. This is not a fault. I was walking saw that perfect picture reached for the S95 the strap pulled off the camera leaving the loop and female snap still attached.With this one it will rip your pants off. Well at least your camera will be safe.
I bought this Canon metal neck strap for my new Canon S-95 in late February 2011. Works wonderfully, just the right length to slip the camera in my shirt or photographer's vest pocket leaving my hands free. Took it on a 3-week trip to Argentina in March and was very pleased. Buenos Aires is full of pick pockets so this allowed me to keep the camera out of sight except when using it without dropping it, something I do too often. In comparison I find a wrist strap useless.However, in June, part of the clear cover began to peel off at one point. Now a second area has begun to peel. It still works, but I'm disappointed that something with Canon's name on it beginning to come apart so soon.
I needed a strap for my small Canon camera so I could hang it around my neck while on the back of a Harley trike.  That way I can take impromptu pictures without having my husband stop so I could get my camera from the storage compartment.  I am not a tall person and this hangs just right, not too short and not too long.  And if I wear a shirt with a pocket I can slide the camera in there while still on the strap.
I have an Cannon Elph, mostly I use it for field exercise pictures because of its solid construction.  I have opted for just using 550 cord as a lanyard.
THIS WORKS GREAT ON MY CANNON CAMERA, I BOUGHT IT TO TAKE MY CAMERA ON A MOTORCYCLE TRIP, SO I COULD KEEP MY CAMERA AROUND MY NECK SO WHEN A TIME CAME TO TAKE A PICTURE I DIDNT HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE CASE AND MISS TAKING THE PICTURE. MY CAMERA ONLY CAME WITH A WRIST STRAP AND IT WASN'T LONG AT ALL, THIS WAS PERFECT.
The neck strap is very attractive, but the plastic coating over the metal makes the strap less flexible, hence it's more challenging to quickly stuff it into a small digital camera case.
I really liked the Canon metal neck strap. Even if it was meant for Elph cameras, it fit perfectly into my Powershot camera. I guess as long as it is a Canon digital camera, it will... Also, I did not have to wait long for my item to be shipped and delivered.
I really like this camera cord. At first I thought it was stiff and cumbersome. But I have every confidence that it want disconnect from the camera as my other one did. I recommend it!
Canon really out did themselves this time, with the durability, overall style, length and handles (wrist-less) strap. You could be productive, get the shots you need without putting it back in your bag or pocket. Also ensures no one steals your camera with a simple knife. Nope not today, the shipping was right on time. Not a moment sooner.Thanks for the great deal and I will be sure to buy another one once this one is demolished in days to come. I wish I could give this product six stars in all honesty.
This neck strap and the plastic coating are durable. The plastic coating both protects the metal strap underneath and provides a smooth finish to the strap so it does not catch on skin or clothing. It is well made. it is very reasonably priced. It has worked for my Sony Cybershot point and shoot cameras. I highly recommend it!
The tiny straps that come with the small camera's are too small. Now I can put the camera over my neck and have it close at hand whenever I need it. Really glad I got it! Try it you wont know how you did without it.
I like this strap, but it is too long and not easily shortened. My camera hangs down to my belt and the camera is prone to swing out and hit things.  I'd rather have it shorter so the camera rests higher on my chest.  I can put my neck and one arm through it and it's not too tight and sits on my upper chest.  Looks goofy though.  Materials, construction and appearance are five stars, but function is most important to me.
I JUST RECEIVED MY NEW CANON NECK STRAP FOR MY NEW SONY DIGITAL CYBER- SHOT CAMERA. IT FITS !!!. UNABLE TO GET ONE FROM SONY(DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT)ITS AND ITEM THEY SHOULD OFFER.I LIKE THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE VINYL FEATURE FOR KEEPING IT CLEAN ALSO THE FLEXABILITY. IT IS SO HANDY TO HAVE AROUND MY NECK AND I NO LONGER AM AFRAID I WILL DROP MY CAMERA.LIKE THE SILVER COLOR TO MATCH MY CAMERA.
It's strong it's coated so it's smooth and not rough on your skin or your clothing and pretty much unbreakable.  I never worry about dropping my camera anymore while riding our motorcycle and it's nice to have my hands free while walking around sight seeing.
I have a Canon a719is. I know this strap is not made for a-series but I thought I would try it as I liked the idea of hanging the camera around the neck to free my hands. But I realized that while it is sitting in the bag, the metal detail could actually scratch my powder coated camera body. So, I decided not to use it.Instead, I used a cheaper gray neck strap, and use it with Canon PSC-65 Deluxe Soft Case. And I find it surprisingly handy to put the camera attached to my belt.pro: nice look, weighty, shiny metal detail, If not used with a camera, I would recommend itcon: the plastic coat will fade to yellow eventually, the scratch issue I mentioned above, it gets caught if you use this strap with the Canon camera case as the opening is small and the metal(again) bit gets caught always.BTW, my Canon camera originally comes with the thin wrist-size strap in dull dark Grey color. And, you might try it first before considering to buy this item.
its nice built, metal and durable so far( I have it for more than a year).its heavy and I'm pretty sure if you hit some one trying steal your camera it gotta hurt a lot!
This Canon strap is just right for my wife's Canon A710IS camera.  Thin and easy to install on the camera, even fits in the same opening along with the wrist strap.  The neck strap keeps the camera fron being accidently dropped, helpful at sporting events or zoo trips.  I see no negatives at all.  Easy to remove if only the wrist strap is desired.  Amazon marketplace seller had it for about 1/2 of Canon's official store price.
These are probably the best neck strap I've ever used on a small point and shoot.  My first one took some heavy abuse and lasted 6+ years before the string at the end snapped.  After 5 years, my newest one's plastic broke a little on the chain.The reason I like it is because the whole thing is coated in a softish rubbery plastic.  This stops it from scratching the screen of my point-and-shoot when I throw it in my pocked.  It's slightly heavy and feels very robust.Big fan, will buy again!
This is good quality linked metal chain with a plastic tubing tightly fit on the outside. For me the plastic is fine as I think the bare metal would tend to catch on your hair and certain types of clothing. I did note that the "plastic coating" which some don't like is in fact a tubing over the outside of the chain.. If you don't like it, it could be cut and peeled off, leaving the metal chain.For me the chain seems just a bit short, but I confess that it is probably about right for most, leaving the device hanging just below your breast bone on your stomach. It works fine for having the camera "at the ready". The problem is it has the "dangles".. it swings snd flops around. If your device is small enough, you could tuck it into a shirt pocket. If you really want to use this for a full-size camera, I'd suggest you get one of the "elastic snap" type units that hold the camera to your chest until you want it, but you can lift it because it's on an elastice strap. Of course that type harness is considerably more expensive ie:OP/TECH USA 5301422 Bino/Cam Harness (Elastic). My camera is quite small, so it's fine for me.It seems to be quite strong too. I don't know what the tensil breaking point of it would be, but it would take quite a tug. My primary concern is dropping my camera or having someone grab it. This solves that issue. Given the goal, I much prefer this kind of strap to a wrist strap as your hands are not so encumbered. The actual loop attachment is standard for almost all lanyards I've seen. It is pretty strong, but one might consider a metal snap or keyring as reinforcement. The material on here is quite strong but I'm sure over time it will wear and break.Taking the device off this strap would be a bit of a chore, so I am conflicted as to whether I want this kind of fixed attachment or one which can be snapped loose should you want to do so (example:Amzer Detachable Cell Phone Neck Lanyard)..  I have not tried the detachable one yet.I rated it 4-star as it is just what it promises and seems well-built, but the attachment weak link subtracts just a bit given that it is advertised as "metal". In fairness I knew that when I ordered it.I would warn folks however to watch out for the kinds of activities you do so you don't get it caught in a door or have it catch on something. I had a sad event once when riding on a amusement park ride and a strap slung out hitting a fixed post and flinging my spare lens about 30 yards onto the pavement. Of course if you should be doing something like that, having it fly off is probably preferable to it dragging you with it.. :D so you want it strong, but not TOO strong! LOLEdit 3/13  The price of this has gone up ridiculously.. it is now well over $10.. too much..it was about $5 when I bought it.. Forget it at these new prices! There are too many nice options
If you're worried about dropping your valuable digicam, swap the wrist strap it came with for this neck strap. One caveat: it's relatively heavy and inflexible, and uses up a lot more space in your bag then the wrist strap. Also, it's plastic, and a bit uncomfortable if worn in hot weather for extended periods.
it helps keep my phone around my neck so that it doesnt fall to the floor. also helps me find it when its hiding in my purse. great purchase and super sturdy. i use the htc evo 3d phone. works nicely
I take pictures of my dogs in the dog park. I find myself constatly checking if the camera is still in my pocket and always making sure that I do not drop it. I can use the wrist strap that the camera came with but I am right handed and use my right hand when holding the camera to take shots --- but I also use the same right hand to hold the ChuckIt! launcher and throwing the tennis ball. This leaves me constantly moving the items between two hands or holding either one by my armpit. Very inconvenient (and risky for the camera). I was looking for a neck strap and was happy when I found this item. I was hesitant at first because I thought the metal will be right next to my skin but after reading reviews and looking at the customer pictures, I realized the metal is covered by a plastic coating. Awesome! Received it today and couldn't be any more pleased with the function, look, and construction of this item. Amazingly, it is a Canon item that is Made in Japan. How I wish all Canon cameras of any model is also made in Japan (my SX260 and ELPH310 are but my Rebel T3i is made in Taiwan).
This was $3.50 from Amazon when I got it, with free shipping, so I tacked it on to an existing order and got myself a nice little strap for my digital camera. It's long enough to slip around your neck when you need your hands free.I see the price is now $12+ if you buy from Amazon. If you're not in a hurry, add one to your cart, and check periodically to see when the price goes back down.
This strap is great in those situations where you are constantly alternating between reaching for your camera and doing some activity (partying, playing with the kids, or even just giving your hands a break).Also, its nice not to have to always look for a safe place to rest your camera.The strap is in fact metal on the inside for strength and clear plastic on the outside for scratch proofing.A metal only strap would eventually scratch your camera's finish.
Love it! Works great. It's the right length, right weight. It doesn't get hot on your neck like a fabric lanyard or need washing like fabric does. Easy to wind up and put in a purse or pocket. Good and strong.
Excellent strap, and quite cheap.  I'm very pleased with it, it's the right length and composition.
I was looking for a convenient way to carry my SD300, and this is it!  You get a good, sturdy, metal strap coated in plastic.  I've got a big head, and it fits over it perfectly.  It seems to be very comfortable, too.I'm totally satisfied.
I have purchased several of these metal lanyards for my 'point and shoot' digital cameras.  It consists of a metal strap enclosed in a plastic sleeve (to prevent scratching).  This makes the Canon Metal Neck Strap significantly heavier than other fabric straps, but for me that just feels more secure.The attachment thread is soft nylon, and while it is strong enough to do the job, it's also fairly flexible, so getting it threaded into your camera can sometimes be a bit of a job.  The lanyard is 34 inches in length (looped), so it hangs roughly to about your stomach (depending on your body size!).  Being a neck strap, it completely leaves your hands free, and your camera resting safely against your body, or inside your coat.I prefer neck lanyards over wrist camera straps, and I really like this one from Canon.  Recommended for all point and shoot cameras.
On a trip to the Galapagos last year, we watched as one of our fellow traveller's camera slipped out of her hand and into the water while she was removing a life preserver.  I am always concerned about inadvertently dropping and losing a camera which is why I love this strap.  It replaces the simple wrist strap that comes with most point and shoot cameras with an indestructible neck strap.  I originally bought one of these for my Canon point and shoot.  I liked it so much that before the Galapagos trip I also bought one for my wife's Panasonic Lumix.  We recently bought my daughter a Panasonic Lumix, and as part of the package included this neck strap.  Highly recommended.  You never know when you will drop your camera.
This is a long time review.  I purchased my Canon Metal Neck strap probably close to 10 years ago.  I purchased it to use with my Canon Sureshot.  We travel a lot and it has quite literally traveled around the world with us, providing exceptional service.  It provides a level of peace of mind when taking pictures at the railing of a ship, I'm always afraid my camera will slip out of my hands and fall into the ocean!  With this I never have to worry.It is extremely comfortable to wear and sturdy.  While the clear plastic coating has begun to yellow ever so slightly with age, it is still attractive.  It is the perfect length to carry a small camera around your neck, where it will be handy for those quick shots that you do not want to miss.  Unlike other plastic covered "metal" lanyards, this one actually has a sturdy snake type chain inside the plastic.  When I first purchased it, I was concerned about the fact that the loop which attaches the lanyard to the camera was a thin braided nylon feeling material.  I have no idea what it is actually made from, but my concerns were unfounded.  After all these years it is just now starting to show a loose fiber or two, but in no way is insecure.  Also, the piece that attaches the loop to the lanyard is plastic, which will not damage the finish on your camera.I recently purchased a different brand for a new camera because it was slightly cheaper and I thought it would be similar.  Big mistake!  It is very thin and uncomfortable, feels fragile and although there is metal inside the plastic, it is not a chain, but rather two thin metal strands that run through the plastic.  I should have stuck with one I knew was good, cheaper is not always better!Bottom line is that I would recommend this to anyone.  It is sturdy enough for a larger digital point and shoot.  Through the years I have had many people ask me who made it and where they could buy one because they were impressed with the appearance and function.
I find this longer strap very useful when I am taking a lot of photos. It allows me to skip using a regular case. I can put the camera in my shirt pocket and not have to worry about it falling out.
Excellent. I already had one of these and my husband wanted one as well. I found exactly what I was looking for at an excellent price. I am very pleased.
I use this strap as an insurance against my camera breaking. I have a camera strap for my canon where the over the shoulder strap is attached by a screw to the tripod hole at the bottom of the camera. I thought if that connection fails my camera falls and breaks. I attach this metal strap to one side of the camera where one normally attach&eacute;s a camera strap and the other end to the longer camera strap. Works for me. Price is good.
I am a "Loser"!  That is, is LOSE things all the time.  Cell phones, digital cameras, my Garmin NUVI 200, even a cigar lighter!  So, I started wearing them around my neck.  Whether you're a loser like me, a photographer, sportsman, hiker, biker, fisherman, hunter, etc. neck straps can come in VERY handy.I generally buy Qunataray-brand wrist and neck straps, which are also very nice and have the additional feature of a screw-type "barrel" that makes detaching the strap a breeze.On the other hand, the Canon strap is MORE SUBSTANTIAL AND DURABLE, and the 34" length provides a LOT of flexibility: if using the strap with a cell phone or digital camera, for example, you can leave the strap around your neck and still use your device to its fullest.
I have used the Canon Metal Neck Strap for several years on my backup camera. I dropped a previous camera when  the wrist strap slipped off my wrist. Knowing that the camera is safe and my hands are free is a relief.The neckstrap is quite sturdy. The weight of a camera on the neck may seem a bit uncomfortable at first. However,I got used to it quite quickly. It allows me to focus on my photography. All in all a great item.
the plastic coating on the neck strap is fine with me that way it wont be so hard to clean.its the kind of strap i would want with my metal elph.
A perfect camera lanyard! It hits below my waist (I'm 5'2") which gives length needed to lift camera and take pictures. Very well made and looks great. I like the fact that no one can cut it off your neck in crowds. The loop is thick so you feel your camera is protected from dropping and that's what I was looking for. It shouldn't have been titled "For All Elph Cameras" because it will work for all cameras that only have one metal hook for wrist straps.
This product is just what I was looking for because it provides for a long-lasting and secure access for my camera.
I bought this strap over 7 years ago and it looks as good as the day that I bought it. This neck strap is a great way to carry a light weight compact camera around for easy access. Even though my camera can fit in my pocket, it is usually not very comfortable or practical to do so. I am still able to put the camera in my pocket as needed - although I may leave some of the strap hanging out of my pocket. This strap is also comfortable and durable. "Metal" strap has a clear plastic sheath which is comfortable when around my neck and does not "grab" any hair. This product has not discolored or cracked in 7+ years of use.  I did not have a screen protector on my first camera and the LCD display screen become scuffed which I attribute to the motion from the camera swinging against my shirt while on the neck strap. I recommend this strap to anyone needing a strap for a light weight compact camera but I also recommend having a screen protector for the LCD display to avoid abrasion damage.
This is my second order of this neck strap. The first order's neck strap was perfect, smooth and flexible. It has been functional, sturdy, and comfortable for about 18 months. I expected the second order to be the same quality. The most recent order did not live up to the expectation. The metal in the chain feels heavier, the plastic chain cover, clear and soft in the first order was thicker and yellowish in the second. Most significantly the chain is significantly less flexible and the increased weight is noticable while using it on two identical cameras. Granted, it is still better suited to my need (hand-free, secure and accessible keeper for a small camera) then other products that I tried, but it is not the same quality of the items that I expected based on my original experience. I would order again IF I could be assured that the original qulity has been resupplied.
I tried to use the strap and found it to be a bit uncomfortable/annoying. If I really had to be hands free I would use it, but the camera fits very well into a pocket.
As advertised, delivered on time.  A bit showy but sturdy-- and fills the bill for usefulness. Over all, a recommended item.
Good, durable and long camera strap.  Excellent for trips when you get tired of carrying items.  This one comfortably fits around your neck and is coated in plastic for added comfort!
Not much more to say but it works well especially when you need your hands free. Sturdy, easy to attach and de-detached.
Nice strong strap, but it's too stiff....not flexible enough to roll up to fit into a most pocket camera cases.It's also much too heavy.....it weighs more than many pocket cameras, I have a tiny Canon PowerShot SD780IS and I thought this strap would be good for it since I find the wrist strap that came with it to be useless, Attaches easily, but when I placed it down on a table, the heavy strap pulled my camera off the edge and down to the floor! My camera survived but maybe it won't the next time...I had to remove this strap and get a lighter-weight one. Too bulky for a small pocket camera
For those who hate wrist straps this chain is great. Metal keeps someone from cutting the strap and stealing your camera. Length is just right for me at 6 feet - might be a little long if you are much shorter Canon quality product!
I got this item for a Nikon 35Ti film point and shoot. The item came in Canon packaging and looked just like the description. The metal chain seems strong and looks very nice. The clear plastic sheath is a great idea and it seems durable. Good product and great value.
Much better than the previous strap; more flexible and sturdier. Arrived on time in good condition. What more can you say about a neck strap?
Armor plated, very slinky, and long enough to be useful. If you don't have one - get one. You'll never take it off.
Be advised that this metal neck strap is encased in plastic, which was not mentioned in the description. It's an OK strap.
Durable, long lasting. Nothing fancy. Does the job. Put this on all of our pocket digital cameras. Nothing more sophisticated is needed.
I attach this to all my cameras so that I can do activities like Ski, Kayak, Canoe, Camp and hunt and fish without worrying about dropping my camera.  The strap is the nicest I have seen and is actually made by Canon.  You can now get it in a kit from Amazon with a case and second battery.  I am never without one of these and would not be.  Robert F Hauser
Works fine, but I used it every day with my phone and as soon as the vinyl covering wore out the metal cable turned green. I went back to cloth lanyards.
Strap is a bit too long, so camera hangs a bit low. Would be nice if you could resize. I purchased because of the metal material, but the actual strap that hooks onto your camera is not made of metal wires. I was expecting the entire strap to be made of metal. The strap is also not too flexible. If you are hand-holding your camera, the strap does not double-wrap onto your wrist very well.
This may say it's for Canon cameras but I found it to be universal it's solid and won't break if you drop your camera like those cheap plastic ones.
I bought this for my Sony CyberShot and it works great.  I did have to use tweezers to get the loop through the camera slot, but it works.  The strong metal strap is encased in thick clear plastic. Its very comfortable and yet super strong.  The strap is also long enough to keep around the neck while shooting pictures.  Can't beat the price, service or quality.
I thought I was getting a nice sleek item for holding on to my new camera.  The metal strap has some kind of plastic coating, and it is a lot bulkier (not sleek) than I thought.  I'll keep looking because this was NOT it!
I bought this for an underwater camera that I used on vacation.  I used it more than I expected to and it was very comfortable.  Even used it in the water when my floating wrist strap bit the dust.  Very good product at a very good price.
My first purchase lasted through 3 cameras so, of course I replaced it when it started to wear.  Long enough to hang comfortably inside a jacket. Comfortable and strong
Good and strong. It is stiff and not as flexible as I would like...can't fold up as easily and small as regular cloth lanyards, but that the point... strength for loss of flexibility.
This Canon Metal Neck Strap works perfectly with my Canon PowerShot A1100IS camera. The strap is both comfortable and attractive and can be utilized by males or females. Thanks for helping me keep my camera handy and safe!!
This is the second time I've purchased this item, the first one got rusty but that was after a lot of use in a variety of conditions. I recommend this neck strap to anyone who has a compact camera and prefers to have their hands free while using it.
This is a very nice OEM Canon product that is the perfect length. It looks good also. I would recommend.
When we are going to use our pocket camera for many hours at a time, we hook up this great strap and swing it over our neck.  We've used this strap for over 3 years and it's still going strong.  Highly recommended...you can count on it!
Being fashionable and having safety carrying you camera is the Canon Metal Neck Strap 1 for All Elph Cameras, 34&#34; Length.  Really strong and due to its length, a great hide-able moment!
This is a very good product for the price.  It met my needs exactly.
This is an OK product and I thought it was going to be much longer so that the camera could have been held in many more angles without straining or taking it off my neck. It is more comfortable than simple string type neck straps and much sturdier. I use it for work and this is clearly meant for casual use or vacations. Not too bad if you're not expecting much more than a glorified strap.
I hate wrist straps and this looked like it would work, and it is very well made and the price was right. But I would not call this a neck strap, it is long enough to be called a lanyard. At 6 feet tall, it is so long that my Elph 300 sits on my mono-pack. lol
The plastic or vinyl coating has already cracked all the way around in one place, wonder how long strap will hold together now.  Never had this trouble before. Always been durable & comfortable before.
Since this is a neck strap, I bought several of these to replace the short wrist straps of my point and shoot cameras.  My Canon S90 nylon strap has been shredded from coming into contact with velco or hook-and-loop fasteners.  I had to kiss that strap good bye.  This one is metal and completely coated with thick durable clear plastic.  It will not grab or pinch your skin or clothes.  My other problem was that when my cameras are attached to short wrist straps they tend to stay on my pockets or in their protective cases due to laziness and lack of accessibility.  If you wear your camera around your neck (with no case) you will shoot more!  This is a high quality 34" Canon OEM neck strap and made in Japan.  I highly recommend this neck strap.
It's just the right length allowing easy use of the camera.  The strap is excellent quality.  Highly recommended.  The first was so good we bought a second for the other camera.
I also got a cheap generic cord and even though the third party did refund my money, they shouldn't even be selling them under the Nikon brand cord.
This is the real product from a reliable company, not much more to say. Maybe that Nikon products are always very good quality.
I used to drag with me everywhere this cable which connects the Nikon D40 camera (not listed in the product description) to the computer for downloading files, continually reminding myself (in the time before discovering SD card readers) never to lose this cable.Before long I had lost it.I sent a note to the excellent Nikon USA website asking for the cable title in order to order a new one here on the amazon. Nikon itself suggested using an SD card reader instead as quicker and as saving camera battery power. But I like this cable.I actually find this cable quicker than the readers. I also have yet to find a reader durable enough to let out of the house. I keep one in the ashtray of my pick-up (only thing it ever gets used for: loose change for the kids, a few Mass Cards, and an SD reader, no ashes) where it won't get injured but be at hand (of course once the summer heat hits, we'll see if it melts). In fact my small truck provides the most secure camera bag I have ever had. Take my life but not my truck, please.But I like this cable. Even if you have not lost yours, order an extra just in case. It's cheap and it's good and it is very useful.And did I tell you I find it quicker than the readers, and easier to use. I hate swapping out the SD card like that, and remembering which way is up, and trying to get the computer to see the reader, having found room to squeeze it in on some public computer. With this cable, no problem.Keep this cable in your kit, with the extra UV filter and stuff (an extra battery is also very good to have). Don't lose it. It's worth it.
Anyone using a DSLR would like this. Simple to use, works very well. I would recommend this to everyone, either at the desk or on the road.
Great cable and fit my camera like they said it would. Worked first time and every time so if you need one, here it is.
My brothers D3100 didn't come with a cable!  Can you imagine that.  He was constantly removing the SD card to retrieve his photos and I knew it would be just a matter of time before he broke the access door or forgot to remove the SD card and go on a shot with no memory card. I bought this for him and it is much easier to connect.  Works great.  No problems.
Everything went as planned, fast and nicely priced.  But the picture shows the ferret (the knob looking thing near the end).  I had one so it worked just fine for me.  But you'll have to arrange for one as this one was shipped with one.  Still love amazon because once again it all came together,  and quicker than promised.
This item was purchased to download photographs to my computer. It meets all of my expectations and I am happy with the product.
This is NOT a Nikon UC-E4.  It is a MISLEADING product title and MISLEADING 'savings' claim.  The genuine Nikon product may retail for $60, but this thing NEVER sold for that amount.  The savings claim is phony.  Amazon "Sellers" area is turning into eBay.
This product is manufactured in China and comes with a labelled warning re: importance of washing ones hands AFTER handling this cable, especially for child bearing or pregnant females. Why does Nikon manufacture such hazardous products.  I wonder if other electronics over the last decade or more have had similar but undeclared health hazards.Of course it is the cumulative ingestion of LEAD from different toys/products/electronics that poses a health hazard.
I ordered a Nikon UC-E4 cable (actually 3 of them).  Note that in the picture it shows a cable with two ferrite cores attached - those are those cylinder shaped bulges just in from the plugs.  These are magnets and are supposed to reduce noise transmissions.  What actually came in the box from Nikon when I bought my D60, D200 and D300 cameras was a cable with one ferrite core attached.  So, I placed the order figuring I was ordering the right type of cable and expected at least one core.  What I got was NO CORES.  I got a plain old USB cable with the proper ends on it.  You can argue whether or not the cores are of any value (as dCables did when I called them to make arrangements to send these back) but Nikon sees fit to include them on the standard cables they provide with their cameras and when I ordered the Nikon part, I expect that part number and matching item.  dCable shouldn't be selling these for what they are not!!
My D50 was used and came with no USB cable.  It has one now!
The cable that came with the camera quit working correctly so I had to look for another one.  This makes me very nervous.  I found this one and it workes great!  The cord is a little longer than the one that came with the camera but I am glad.  A much sturdier cable also.  My problem was solved.
I made the mistake of trying to buy a universal cable at RadioShack...they assured me it would work. Wrong. So I ordered this one, and while I was worried because my camera model isn't listed here, it works perfectly. You can add D300 to the models of Nikon listed here.Victoria
Always go with the Nikon brand when buying any accessory items for your Nikon equipment. This cable is supple yet strong and carries the signal from my D7000 to my laptop just fine.
This item fits my camera (Nikon D3100) perfectly.  It is great to have, just in case you need to download pictures to a computer that doesn't have a scandisk.  It was definitely a great addition to have handy.
The product arrived quickly and how it should be, perfect.  Fits my Canon T3 like a glove.
I think I'm supposed to place it somewhere on the camera. Order was smoothe and arrived quickly. Now to figure out how to use it...
Was looking all over the net for the just the rubber cover for my XSI eyepiece frame when i stumbled over this. From pic looked just like the one I needed, however it was not the exact fit when i got it. I still kept it, as i needed something and was able to attach it to the eye frame somehow so that my eyes feel comfortable while looking through the viewfinder.
This rubber frame fits around the various diopteric adjustments for the viewfinder of the Digital Rebel / Digital Rebel XT cameras.Do note that it is NOT the "Eyecup EF"; it is the rubber frame from that eyecup, but without the plastic bit that attaches to the camera's viewfinder.  That's a separate item entirely that costs about the same, but this one is intended for use with the diopteric adjustment pieces.
If you get a new diopter you will likely need a new rubber frame. Do some research to make sure you get the correct frame and how to put both your new diopter and new frame on. If you are skittish about modifying your camera like this then don't be, this is actually much easier to put on then you would think. It is very easy to do so, actually, once you read up on how to do so.
This is a ridiculous price for what it is.  Even worse, I realized only after I got it that it's the frame to be used around dioptric lenses.  It's not what you would get to replace the rubber piece around the stock eye cup.  So, like an earlier reviewer, I had to pull off the gasket and put it onto my eyecup.  Luckily it fits so it wasn't a complete waste and the end result was what I wanted.
Please note that this is a standard rubber frame for the Canon EOs digital rebel series digital (and possibly manual) cameras-Mine fell off of my Rebel XT and quite frankly it pisses me off that I have to squeeze out ten bucks to replace the thing.
I purchased a -4 diopter for my T3i so that I can see clearly through the viewfinder without my glasses; however when I received it, it was missing the rubber frame and was uncomfortable to look through. I tried fitting my old rubber frame that came with my T3i on it, but it wouldn't fit the diopter. After some research, I found that this frame is exactly what I needed. The frame slips right onto the diopter and makes viewing much more comfortable. I docked 1 star for the price, since it really should be much cheaper, but it seems to be good quality and works perfectly.Note: This piece is for a correction diopter on certain canon cameras, not to replace a missing rubber frame on your camera.
This little piece of rubber is just what I wanted since my other one fell off and was lost!  Thank you!!!
You would think that this would be the thing to buy if the little rubber gasket had fallen off of your Digital Rebel XL.You would be wrong.In fact, I have absolutely no idea what this thing is. There's no way to interface this with the plastic frame that remains around my viewfinder. I ended up ripping the gasket off of this frame and affixing it to my Rebel. I'm left with a little chunk of plastic that I'm tossing in my camera bag, though I can't imagine what I'll ever do with it. But I just paid $10 for this thing, so I can't very well throw it away, or so goes the thinking.If there's a source of rubber gaskets, go with that. If you don't mind tearing this up to get a gasket, then get this. Otherwise, this is not for you.
First copy was crap and had to return it. Buy a cheap model from B&H and it is working like a champ. The replacement remote I received is still in the box and I'm still using the knock off. Shame on you Canon for marking us the price on us.
I first bought the gray market model that was &#34;made&#34; for the 7D.  Broke on 2nd use.  Bought this one to replace it and I wish I hadn't wasted the time on the knock off.  The plug is sturdy and fits perfectly into the camera.  The switch and trigger are much smoother than the gray market model.It's great for long night exposures or for slower shutter speeds.  Generates no motion blur whatsoever.I highly recommend.
...Build a great camera like the EOS1, the 5D, or 20D that I own.  Sell it at a competitive price.  Then, sell accessories for it and sell them at a 1000% markup. Be sure to patent the product so that no third party can produce a less expensive version.  Want an example?  Try this Remote Switch for instance.Here's how it works.  You connect it to the camera. Press the button half-way, you get focus, exposure metering, etc.  Press the rest of the way, you have a photo. Pretty simple stuff.Functional? Yes.  Practical? definitely- a must have in fact for tripod users.  Worth $50?  No way.  This product gets 2 stars from me because I'm insulted that I had to pay so much for it given its value.Want more examples?  Try a Canon lens hood for $50 or a rechargeable battery for the same amount. (Hint: Look around, you'll find non-Canon batteries for 1/3 the price with higher capacity -- they didn't get us on that one!)
Same problem as another reviewer, the rubber cord wrap broke off at the top of the handle. I've got electric tape wrapped around the break to protect the copper wires. Pathetic for an investment of $50.
OK, no idea why the price is [...] for this. I plaid 25 for my Nikon MCDC2 remote that is excactly the same as this and I thought that was to much. The handle is a bit larger which I like, but dislike the "flex" in the plastic. also the cord is about 2 inches shorter than my Nikon remote.Besides that it does what it suppose to do and should last a while with normal use. Though would not say strong build, I don't think it will break to easily even though it is all plastic. I do recommend this product, as I think a remote is essential to any photo set-up, but c'mon they really should just include it with the camera. They pay what a buck, if, that to make it? Atleast drop the price to 10 or so for us, who already paid out a fortune for your camera.
I use this so much more than my wireless remote.  I do nature photography and throw this around my neck as I hike with the camera and 500mm lens on the tri pod and am ready to shoot in seconds.Also food for shooting portraits so you can catch the natural moments once the focus and frame is set.
This is a good tool, does the job well, and serves the purpose, but is a little overpriced and Canon keeps changing connectors, forcing us to buy new accessories which is a wrong practice against the consumer.I give a 4 Star because of Canon, not because of the product.If you are willing to pay for it, it's a good product.
It proved to be exactly as functional and precise as I'd hoped it would.  Well worth it.
I saw an OEM RS-80N3 on ebay for only $15 including shipping.I wonder if that non-Canon works as this $50 Canon remote Switch.Have anyone used both?Thanks,NicK XU
Hello I just got the RS-80N3 remote switch and it really sucks it does not work at all beside it knocks off the camera so easily this is very disappointing cause you expect brand new items not defective that really sucks!!!!
I have not had any problems with is remote switch. I take pictures of dogs and children. This remote work great
it is a very valuable tool especially for those using tripods and/or taking shots at longer shutter speeds.  built is decent, it is a little expensive as compared to those generic and knock-offs assuming they all work the same.
Does exactly what it was designed to do, i.e., allows oneto trip the shutter while away from the camera.  It is nota wireless device however.
A tripod setup just begs for a shutter-remote switch, to complete the steady, hands-free, no-jiggle photo shoot.  Product is terrific (a bit pricey as most Canon accessories seem to be) and I have enjoyed using it.
Having this remote switch has helped me decrease the number of blurred photos that I get. The camera can shake when you push the shutter even if it's mounted on a tripod, and any movement means your picture is going to be blurry. Using this remote to engage the shutter is the best way to avoid that problem.  The remote works as described on Amazon's website. The only problem I have is that the shutter button tends to stick and that has cause me to overexpose a few pictures. I still have this but will need to replace it because the sticking problem is getting worse with time.
I've used Canon gear for years and it's top of the line. For some reason the last time I bought a remote switch I bought a knock-off brand, I think it was because I could get two for the price of one Canon. It was a bad move. They look the same but the Canon switch kind of snaps into place and you can carry the camera on the tripod with no fear of losing the switch. The knock-off fits in the hole nicely and works fine but doesn't &#34;snap&#34; in and I lost them both within a couple of months. I'm back to the Canon remote and now there are no worries.
Since my Canon 5D does not use a wireless remote, this wired remote is necessary for the landscape shooting that is most of my photography.  In low light, using a tripod, it keeps my hands off the camera. This remote lets you half-press the shutter button so you still use the auto-focus feature of the camera.
The Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch for my Canon 30D works great for shooting in low light with a slower shutter speed where camera shake becomes very prevalent.  It also works great for portrait photography.  I shot my first set of fireworks photos with the remote switch this July 2007 in Marquette, Michigan:  [...]
I use my Canon D30 for macro photography and before I got this remote switch I ended up with a lot of blurred photos; now I have better control and fewer blurry shots. It also works with my autofocus feature. It has made me a better photographer.
After reading reviews of cheaper (less expensive) aftermarket versions of this device I decided to spend the extra money and get the Canon branded item. Works perfect but then it should for such a simple device for this much money. I took one star off for the excessive price.
The remote is very good... smooth and nice... but 46$ is still a bit overpriced. I have not tried any cheaper third party remotes. From reviews I understand that if u spend money on those, u end up spending twice..But this one does its job well...Also the cord is very short which is dissappointing.
Note - Canon RS-80N3 Remote was received as a gift.The Canon RS-80N3 remote switch works with both my 50D & recently acquired 6D. Both dslr's have an N3-type terminal located under the terminal flap cover.Since I rarely do self-portraits and/or group shots including myself, a wireless remote does not suit my needs since the wireless remote must be pointed towards the remote sensor located on the front of the camera on the grip. Since the majority of my work requires me to be behind the camera, the RS-80N3 is best suited for my needs.This unit works reliably & as intended - single shot as well as continuous shooting mode by holding down the remote button as you would the on-camera shutter button. This is a must have accessory item to further minimize camera shake by eliminating any physical camera interaction.
Well, I hate writing a review so I'll keep it brief.  The seller "BrettW via Amazon Fulfillment" is running his Amazon business like a true professional.  This was as easy as any Amazon purchase I have eve done.  I truly feel that this person is actually in it in order to make people happy and the money comes last.  I my years that is how you run a business.  Sell great things for a low price and ship them as fast as possible and there is no way you;ll ever get a bad customer review,  My Hats off to you Brett!  Great Job!!!  Top Shelf Service!Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch for EOS-1V/1VHS, EOS-3, EOS-D2000, D30, D60, 1D, 1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II,III, EOS-1Ds Mark II,III, EOS-10D, 20D, 30D,40D, 50D, 5D
completely defective.  this remote is supposed to connect to a three pin connector on the camera, but the remote piece that connects wasn't built correctly.  it was completely flat - the holes were never set to make the connection.  i honestly can't believe it's a real canon product, they couldn't be that careless.  received and sent back the same day.
The RS-80N3 works as advertized. The cable could have been longer but other than that I am totally pleased.
Typically fine original design by Canon. I have a "Chinese" copy - it really is - and it works but it's not the same as having the mfr's own.
The switch performs well.  Several reviewers complain about the price but assuming Canon tests this item as thoroughly as they do their other products, I expect this item will give me years of trouble free service.  China probably makes a cheaper version but there is no assurance that it will not crack or fail due to poor molding or cheaply made parts.  I will pay the extra cost and have confidence in Canon's ability to develop, test and market quality products.
I've only used it a few times, but it has functioned perfectly so far.  Needs a longer cable though.  I would recommend this to anyone doing macro photography or who uses the mirror lock function repeately.
The product seems to work just fine.  I give it 4 stars instead of five because I think it is quite overpriced for being just a little piece of plastic.  I paid the money anyway after reading bad reviews regarding the quality of the cheaper third party remote switches.  I will consider the money well worth it if the canon model lasts a long time.  We'll see.Also, the cord is quite short...kind of a pain if you're trying to get away from the camera at all.
Works without fail.  User must be close to the camera but it is excellent for bulb or &#34;b&#34; exposure when desired.
It is unfortunate that Canon charges so much for such a simple device. The remote does what it was designed to do, but it should be at half the cost.  I had expected a more robust build quality, however it is just a plastic shutter release.  One other item that bothers me is the short cable, it would be a better remote switch if the cable were longer.  It is too easy to bump the camera with such a short cable.
It is great for all sorts of stuff if you are a photog you know how important this can be.
It works; does the job.  It looks good.  However, it looks so fragile that I can't keep it out of plastic bubble wrapping.  I feel like it's gonna fail me on the field one day or another--scary.  Super expensive considering it's very cheap plastic-made and only contain a wire and a push-pull button.  I wanted to build one myself but of course Canon used a special plug/socket that I couldn't find on the market.  If you can find a third party one, go for it!
The reviewers pointing out how over priced this is are correct. I didn't want to risk it on a cheaper remote for my high end body, but the Canon unit itself feels pretty cheap. There isn't a clear detente between and half and full push, although the throw length on the button is long enough that it's not a huge issue. It works, but I'd be hard pressed to imagine how this outperforms units costing much less.
What can I say, this is Canon and works like a Canon product. I have an after market remote for my Canons and have had problems with them. I should have listened to my gut when I made the purchase.
It is great to take photos on my tripod without any shake. A longer cable would be nice but otherwise it totally fit my needs.  I am looking forward to doing some nighttime photography of the stars using this.
For a 40 dollar piece of plastic product I would have expected a better build quality. There is one thing that really annoys me about the product which is the button. It isn't a pleasant button to push. The edges of the black plastic around the button isn't tapered and the sharp plastic edge pressing against your thumb as you press the button really makes it feel cheap. Even the RS-60E3 switch button which is made for cheaper cameras in the Canon line feel better! Fail in the design department.That said, I don't think there are good alternatives out there...
It is an ok starter product, I actually ended up purchasing a wireless remote which is much better. The cable is too short on this, mainly if you are going to do auto portraits.
I  choose it because it is a canon product and the price is right. So if you have a 50D as is my case,  It gives you the extra stability when used with a trpod and live view. I know person who has a markii and paid more for his than I did.  Yes it fits both of our cameras. gofor it.
However when it connects to your camera, it takes a good amount of strength to disconnect it. Not sure if I am doing something wrong, but it is frustrating when its freezing out and it won't detach.
Works great. I had a cordless on and it didn't fire all the time. No problem with this...
I recently purchased a Canon remote cable release from an Amazon vendor.  This was following buying other releases for less money.  Amazon finally provided a Canon release that was provided at a good price.  I had had a Canon release originally but lost it.  I am really happy to be able to afford the Canon release.  I am also happy with the great service of the provider.
The Canon Remote Switch helps me shoot panoramas alot easier without camera shake. I'd recommend this to anyone especially the older generation of which I belong.
Although I don't use the RS-80N3 much of the time, there is no substitute for a remote switch when using a tripod for portrait work, fireworks, etc.  I stuck with Canon because I haven't been disappointed yet with any Canon item I've bought.  It costs a few more bucks than its knock-off counterparts, but I felt it was worth it to stay with a brand that has worked for me.  This remote does what it is supposed to do and it is comfortable to the grip.  I would recommend it without hesitation.  Amazon did it's usual good job of getting it to me quickly.
I received this unit and while I spent likely 2x as much as I wanted to spend I am happy with the purchase.  The remote functions as described and seems to have high quality tolerances.  I look at this as an investment purchase to add to my stable of gear.
As a professional Photographer I know how important a good quality release button is. It has to be tough and dependable in all situations. I would still have the first one I bought 3 years ago had I not simply lost it.
I love Canon, they make a terrific camera and some of the best lenses available. But, over $50 for this bit of plastic and wire? I have bought generic versions on EBay for about $15 shipped and they work great... No frills just a half shutter, full shutter, hold shutter slider button... much like this one. There is no denying that a remote switch is very useful especially when taking long exposures on a tripod or where even the button press could change the cameras orientation too much. But for $50 it should either be wireless or offer some sort of intervalometer feature. If you're the type who always buys Monster cables instead of generic, then maybe it's worth the premium to you. And even if you can't find a generic available, you can always use the timer feature of your camera as an alternative.
This remote switch does its job well. With the Canon brand name you can't really go wrong. There's not much else to say.
The learning curve was very short - plug it in, push the button, and with the tripod, it leaves me free to play with lights and shadows to get the image I want.  I've tried others and this is the easiest to use.  I would like the cord to be just a little longer, to allow for a little moving around, but it works well.
This product works as great as directed.  However, I seldom need to use mine.  I bought it to prevent camera shake during macro photography from a tripod.  As it turns out, I did not really need it.
I use this contraption on my 5D Mark II and it works great. It really is a simple device so there's really not much to say. I like the feel of it. Wish the cord was a bit longer but that's a small thing.
Works great.....just wish the cord was three foot longer.
Bought a less expensive one - used it Four times then: The tripod, camera, 75-300 lens is set up. Beautifully focused. Hummingbird enters the "sweet" zone, press the button..........press the button............. press the button............ NOTHING! The wire decided that's the time it would no longer make connection! Contacted the manufacturer - large camera supplier - we THINK the cable for the 30D is XXXxxxX. THINK! You THINK?Ordered the Canon unit same day I received their response. Beautiful! It arrived in a box - it's own Canon box with instructions in the Amazon shipping box!This unit, unlike the cheapies, locks into the camera and has a METAL release on which you pull to release it from the camera.Now it's up to you. You can buy the cheaper product and wonder when the wire is gonna give out or buy this one. It's also built a little heaver with heavier (thicker) wiring plus the lock.You can't, imho, go wrong with this.Cut corners someplace else but not in a remote.Added 19 Sept 12, I still love it, still works great and I've used it more than the one that gave out.
This is a necessity for macro photography.  Works great on my Canon 7d.I don't consider it expensive, since I paid $1400 for the lens and $1700 or the camera I use it with.  However, I could argue that Canon should just throw it in with the body.  No harm.  I love it.
I bought this for my Canon EOS 40D.  The cable is a little short which is fine for me, but if you need some distance from the camera you'll need the extension cable or a wireless remote instead.The button responds well and slides up into a detent to allow for prolonged exposures (bulb setting) without having to hold the button yourself.  Unfortunately, it does this so easily I'm always getting the button stuck down without realizing it.  Since I bought this for astrophotography, I just have to remember this so when I try to set up the next shot I'm not fumbling around with the camera trying to figure out why it's not working!
The product is well made and does what it is supposed to, but come on Canon; $50 for a switch and 2 feet of cable. I guess they know they've got you after you buy the camera.
As always, Canon products are great.  I like this for ease in taking photos.  It is like any other remote, plug in & snap away.
Having tried several "after-market" versions of this cable release, I found that the Canon versions are still the most reliable.For those not familiar with a cable release, it plugs into the camera body and allows the photographer to activate the shutter with a switch in the grip of the unit. Using this device the shutter can be held open for as long as the photographer wants (in BULB setting on the camera) and this allows for night photography, more creative ability, and most importantly, no camera shake when you take the photo.In my mind it is an essential component in any camera bag.
This is my second purchase of this product.  The first was ruined by sand at the beach after having worked without problem for years.  Have had no problem otherwise, it works just fine and I would not consider taking a macro photograph without it.  While I was waiting for delivery I had to use the time delay on my camera and boy is that a waste of time. With this you hit the button and your picture is taken without shake.  I wish the cord was a bit longer but it has not really been a problem.
Figure, you spent the money on a good camera, lenses, tripod, CF cards, etc. - might as well just pick this up - whats an extra $50!?  It is very well made.This is not only nice to have, but is practically mandatory if you are doing long exposures on a tripod (using the self-timer is a real hassle and slows you down).  One of the easiest things you can do to improve your picture quality is get rid of all vibration (using the camera on a tripod with a remote shutter cable, and use 'Mirror Lock Up' if you have it).  This will make your pictures sharper and clearer.
NOT.Ok, maybe a few.Perfect for long exposures/slow shutters, preventing unwanted movement when pressing your on-camera shutter button. Over priced, and dislike the fact you have to spend extra (a lot extra) money for the longer extension.If budget was a bigger concern, I would probably end up getting a 3rd party version, imo.
Great product.  I don't know why I waited so long to break down and buy it.  It's nice to get back out there at night for some great time exposures.
I received at a timely matter.. What a wonderful remote.  Fits perfect on my Canon EOS 7D.  The button have a locked if you want to use the Bulb mode.  I noticed there are other type of remote out there, but this all i need to do portrait studio.
This is an excellent, easy-to-use remote switch. It works out-of-the-box! In normal camera modes (Manual, A, V, etc), just plug it in, and press the shutter button! Switch to Bulb mode, and you can hold the shutter button or lock it. Release and done! Feature-wise, this remote switch is worth 5 stars alone.Before I decided to purchase this item, I've read two negatives feedback about this remote switch: Price and Build. For the price, I've seen a lot of complaints about that it's expensive. Personally, I found the price reasonable (I got it for $46.89). Of course, the cheaper the better. But for its purpose, ease of use, and hassle-free setup I think the money spent is justifiable. Sure you can find some clones for a lesser price. But do you really want to settle for clones made. There are obvious downsides. If you're willing to take risk, feel free.For the build, they say it's plastic. I don't think I would like a metal-based remote control. I don't like my remote to be that heavy. How about a carbon fiber-based remote switch? That would greatly increase the cost of this item. I think the build is good enough. Someone wrote that they could probably crush the remote with their bare hands. But why would you? If you're professional photographer or at least a serious hobbyist, you already know how to take care of your equipment!
The old saying that you get what you pay for is about as true as any statement. Canon products are quality items and you will pay top dollar. Is it worth it? Only time and your experiences will be valid, for me I do pay for the Canon quality and know that the item will work and it is the correct item. Will another remote switch work? Yes, will you be happy with it? Maybe, but why take the chance when working on that special picture or project. Just my $0.02 worth of information.
I use this puppy all the time. It is an essential part of my gear.Prosgood quality buildlove the lock for those long bulb shotsConsjust wish the cable was a little longerRegardless buy it and put it in your bag!
This is pretty much an indispensable item as soon as you want to do shots with a telephoto lens and there is not much light.The infrared RC5 wireless remote controller can be an alternative if your camera supports it, but on my 5D mark 2 you wont be able to fire the camera instzntly:remote firing involves a 2second (minimum) delay.The problem with mine is that the protective sheathing is gradually coming off the base, leaving the bare metal wire exposed.Maybe I was just unlucky, but it's my right to complain about the lack of quality of this object.
This was a gift for my son.  He has found it to be very useful in long exposure photography and for special shots.  To my knowledge, he has had no problems.
I bought this a few months ago for a field trip where I needed to do long exposures on a tripod.  Can always just use the timer but it gets annoying waiting 10 seconds just to take the shot.  I researched around and it seems I really only had a few choices for getting  hands away from the shutter(in my case I've got the 30d).  Canon's overpriced shutter release, random off brands that might or might not work, and even more wireless options that also may or may not work.  Considering my trip was a week away I didn't have time to test out cheap alternatives.  So I went with the Canon name.My only real complaint is that the cord is only about 12 inches long.  Steep price for 12 inches of wire, cheap plastic casing with some chinese circuitry thrown in.But it does its job, I can do star trails, long exposures, it autofocuses, can lock it in place for time lapses as well.  I've dropped this thing and I throw it around like a piece of junk but it hasn't broken on me yet.With that said, perhaps cheaper 3rd party alternatives are worthwhile if you've got the time to experiment before you have to rely on it.
Read directions on how to attach, will only fit one way. Do not know why there is a word count requirement for leaving a review!
Aside form the fact that Canon charges an arm and a leg for a 1 dollar piece of plastic, the remote switch does work well.  It does not feel very sturdy and does not seem nearly as well built as the Canon cameras.  People with big hands may have a little trouble using this product.  Overall, a "must have" addition for anyone interested in long exposures, images with excellent sharpness and depth of field.
Well, it does what it says. Very simple and effective item. A must have for the tripod. The only thing is the price. It's expensive for a simple piece of kit.
This remote release, marketed under the Canon label, works very well in reducing vibrations when using a telephoto lens on a tripod.
Maybe it is Canon issue, but I always have to struggle to put it in and get it out. Only time I need to do that is when I am a hurry and trying to change lens etc. That delay this causes feels like eternity.Furthermore, the chord dangles and for long exposures makes me feel like it is introducing some shake.It does the job, but I wish I didn't have to use this and had remote switch. I bought one but in my Mark-III there is no option for remote switch other than SELF-TIMER. I hate to wait for 2 seconds before it triggers.
rarely use it though, im not a pro,  but it's a good tool to have for my camera. it works well.
Great addition for sharp, movement-free photos.  Essential for macro.  Solid construction with soft, flexible cord.
You'd be doing yourself wrong by not purchasing this... I purchased a mock up of this and lasted a few months before the wiring started to come looks...  There's a reason this cost what it does, it's tough and built to last... I'm happy with it even after a year of owing it and still looks brand new...  I just wish it was  a bit longer...
Pretty straight forward, works like a champ.  Genuine Canon, heavier cable (wish it was a tad bit longer).Love it.
For shooting architecture and long exposure the cable release is a must. I actually am into my third remote. My first wore out after a few years of use, I bought this as a backup. It works for both the Mark ll and the Mark lll which is nice. It help for shooting in HDR mode as well.
The title says it all.  I use this for my 20D to shoot at night on a tripod. Kind of expensive for such a short cord but it does the job.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for someone else who owns a high end digital Canon digital SLR.  I felt as though I had to make excuses for the piece of plastic grot that it was without revealing how much it had cost me.
When I bought this remote, I had not anticipated buying the 7D. Happily, I can use this remote on both cameras with no problem. A fellow hobbyist showed me her remote, a non-Canon brand for which she paid slightly less than half. Same functionality, same reliability.For the small percentage of time I do use this, I have now come to realize that it might have been more practical to look at offbrands. I haven't experienced anything negative with this remote, so overall, it works the way it's been advertised.
Have had no issues in the few months that I've had it.  I love long exposure landscape photography.  Left it in the car rental :( purchasing another exactly like it!
The Canon Remote Switch arrived in excellent condition.  Attaching it is not quite as easy as some, but it works just fine after you become familiar with it.  It is not cordless, so it requires that you be relatively close to the camera to operate it.  It does prevent camera shake.  It serves my purposes for purchasing it.  I will probably buy a cordless remote eventually.
The accessory came bundled with a purchase of a used Canon EOS 5D from a professional photographer.  It wasn't a switch that I would have bought.  Now that I have it, it definitely gets used when the camera is tripod mounted for those ever-so-still moments.  But, I still balk at Canon's pricing for this accessory: Any of it's accesories!  It's a well made switch for professional level use.  But, for half the price, there's always an internet available alternative.
This is a quality remote switch that works well for the Canon 40D. The build is solid, but the cord is very short, about a food and a half, so if you need something longer you might have to check into another cord.
After going through an attempt to find less expensive releases, I decided once again to go with the canon product.  The bottom line is that it works well.  I strongly recommend, even though they charge way too much for it.
Having a switch like this for your camara is a good idea, it works fine and is very usefull. But if you want to buy it, you have to be aware of two things: the cord is to short, and it is very expensive.  Think a little bit before you buy.
I have it for only a month. My other generic brand of remote switch gave up already on me. I hope this will last for a long time. But anyway, I got tiny fingers and still having a hard time removing this remote switch from the camera. It's either you use your two hands, or with one hand, squeeze it and push it up slow. Not a good idea if you are in a hurry. The lock mechanism is kinda complicated to men.
I was tempted to buy one of those cheap clones out there but after reading all the horror stories I bought this one.  Works as advertised, but if it is designed to be used together with a tripod, it should have some kind of hanging hook or cable so you can rest/hang it on the tripod while you are doing something else.
The packaging for this Canon product is such a joke.  I actually had to look at the packaging to ensure it came from Japan.  This overpriced super basic remote switch does its job but other remote switches can do the same for much less.  Why did I buy it?  My wife is a sucker for the 'Canon' brand I couldn't talk her out of it.12/7/2013 - updateThis POS's connection between the wire and remote came apart.  This gently used basic remote made by Canon is 100% trash.  Don't waste your money on this remote.  Buy something else.  I only got 14 months out of it.  Perhaps I should just switch to Nikon.
I saw a knockoff of this remote selling for $14 on Ebay. I thought it was better to be safe than sorry - surely the extra $35 Canon sells this remote for means that you're paying for quality. Right?Wrong. This is nothing but a cheap piece of plastic with a short wire attached to it. It feels like you could break the switch in your own hands if you press hard enough.Despite the ridiculous price tag, the remote allows for some beautiful long exposures when used with a tripod. The shutter lock is also a nice feature.All in all, it's nice to own this piece of equipment...although you're not getting anything extra with the Canon name.
This thing is made of cheap materials, and didn't hold up well.  It is unreliable after a while.  For the price and for what it does, it should hold up forever and have zero problems.  Ignore the &#34;Canon&#34; written on it: this thing is junk!
Used the Canon RS60-E3 with my old Rebel. Now I have the Canon 5D and had to buy a new remote switch for it. The 80N3 is made a lot better than the RS60. The connection is better than the pin type on the RS60. I've use the remote for all my night shots and when I use my 100-400 lens for wild life photography. Canon did a nice job on the Remote.
No surprises here, the remote works perfectly, and is an indispensable accessory for any serious photographer!
I tried a third party remote switch and it wouldn't work for B (bulb) exposures on my 7D. This one works perfectly and I'm back in the swing with my night photography projects.
I finally upgraded to a Canon 5D Mark iii... and I have been beyond impressed with the capabilities, but was disappointed that the remote shutter I had for my T2i, wouldnt work, as the connector is different.  Don't get me wrong, my wireless transmitter does work, but that is only for remote fire, but it doesnt work in the bulb setting for long exposure shots.  You need to be able to lock the shutter down, without shaking the camera.  The first release I saw from Canon was almost $200!  In it's defense, it had a timer, and you could program the shutter time... etc.  But in reality, what you need is much less.  This totally covers the job, and is only $40.  A must have for night photography.  (and you can buy a programable one 2nd party for much cheaper if that is what you are after)  I like having a canon product plug in to my camera, as I spent way too much on the body to somehow mess it up by using a cheap release.
I can't see any ther off brands "non-canon" remotes that can come close to canons high standerds of build quality. Other products just don't fit right! It's almost like putting some junky after-market parts on your brand new Ferrari, unless it's ferrrari approved do you really want it attached to your investment? No.. & if something happens to it while in action, it's be hard for cannon to help with the issue. The key thing is with the input area of this devise, canon makes it so it just "fills spot on!" do it right or don't do it at all:)  p.s. I use the rs-80n3 with a Canon 7D*
It does the job without too many bells and whistles. I tend to shoot landscapes at f/22 from a tripod. Exposure times tend to run into seconds not hundredths of a second. Therefore a remote is essential. One nice feature - in the Bulb mode - is that you can &#34;lock&#34; the button so you don't have to stand there pressing a button for many minutes.
I take this remote to every shoot. Helps to minimize movement when using slower shutter speeds, and also allows you to capture some more candid shots when your subject doesn't think you are snapping photos.
This is exactly what you'd expect.  A remote button, on a wire that can do the half way down push and focus as well as be locked down in the pushed position.
The title says it all. I went with the more expensive Canon brand to make sure it would work, and it does. I've used it extensively for a couple of months with no problems. If you don't have a remote, get one. It's small and will fit easily in your bag.
This is an excellent remote shutter switch.  Works on a LOT of camera bodies (I've used it on a 10D, 20D, 30D, and 40D).  The cable is just right the length and the mechanism is easy to us.  It fits nicely in the palm of your hand and even has half-press focus support.My only gripe?  I think it's just a wee bit expensive.  I think this is more like a $25 product...not $40 or more.
I've been shooting with Canon equipment for 20 years.  I still have a film camera.  Their products are always so well designed and thought out.  That's why I don't understand this design.First off, the device seems to work.  Ok, fine.  But, they way it plugs into the camera seems unnecessarily &#34;advanced.&#34;  I'll explain:For years, I used the RS60-E3 cable release that worked with my previous Canon SLR bodies; Rebel 2000 (I think it worked on this model), Elan 7E (film) and Rebel T1i digital.  It's a simple device, but I used it...for 10 years without failure!The RS60-E3 worked perfectly fine.  Since I recently upgraded to the Canon 6D, I was forced to buy a new cable release since my old trusty RS60-E3 has a different way of connecting.This problem I have is the there is only ONE WAY to connect the new cable release, as it has three holes that must line up with three prongs on the camera body.  Fine.  The stupid thing is that the plug (when inserted) protrudes towards the front of the camera, rather than behind it.  The old cable could spin in it's receptacle...any direction one wished.Maybe I'm being a bit anal here.  Were people complaining about the old design?  Why fix something that isn't broken.So, with the way it plugs in, if you jerk it the wrong way, or it gets snagged on, pulled on by something, it could damage it.  And, because it protrudes towards the front of the camera, the cable has to bend if you wish to stand behind your camera when using it.  This puts unnecessary strain on the cable as well.Anyway, I guess I'm nit-picking...by some people's standards.  But, when you redesign somethign that worked perfectly well in the first place, and make it less logical...and cause my previous purchase to become obsolete, it annoys me.
Another official accessory that could stand to be cheaper considering what it does.  At least it works fine and will get you shake free images.  Really could use a longer cord.
I ended up buying this remote switch after having bought a cheaper offbrand which didn't work well at all.  I have a 30D and the off brand gets stuck in the camera port because it's entirely made of plastic.  The metal connection on the RS-80N3 makes for a more secure connection and (more importantly) a hassle-free removal.Having said that, it is overpriced (thus 4/5 stars).
I received my RS-80N3 recently from Amazon and it's exactly what the doctor ordered.  I bought the remote switch to complement my Canon EOS 7D.  As many other reviewers have claimed, the product feels solid, fits snugly, and works flawlessly.  Half a push on the button and the camera quickly responds by focusing, a little more pressure and your fine art is permanently stored in all it's digital glory.  The finger pressure required to activate the switch is nearly identical to the feel on the camera body itself.  For Bulb exposures, the slide mechanism to lock the shutter open doesn't feel quite as well engineered as the rest of the product.The biggest shortcoming that I've found with this product is that it only connects one way.  When connected to the camera body, the cord faces forward toward the lens.  When setting up a few manual focus shots, the cord did prove to be a bit of a nuisance.  Also, it puts additional strain on the cord where it connects to the switch body (a point of failure noted in other reviews).  For this shortcoming alone, I have decided to subtract one star from an otherwise 5-star review.As an aside, the switch does not require batteries.So, if you're looking for an EOS camera remote switch that utilizes an N3 type connector, I would highly recommend the RS-80N3.  It's a little bit on the more expensive side of the spectrum, but the quality of the product is evident and if you use care when plugging in or removing the connector, it should provide many years of hassle-free shutter clicks.
Simple, short review: the product works just as you can imagine.  I would personally prefer a little more length, but that's okay.  The only other thing, I know there are generic options, but I always find that I am attracted to Canon and find that the functionality is much better.  However, you gotta pay a premium for it.  It would be nice if they tossed these in the kit or had kits available that included them.
This product does what it is supposed to do and is easy to use. The price was the best I could find.
Happy Trigger , me likey, this makes photos EZ, I have a style and way I shoot and this makes it so, I recomend it, get one youll be happy!
Bought this mainly for Tripod fired Macro or nighttime shooting.Using the camera 2 second delay timer was getting old fast.The switch works well and has a locking feature.The cable itself is about 2.5 feet long and the button works wellas the a standard shutter release button (half pressed focus full press shoots)The only thing I can say is for the price the part that you hold feels very hollow and 'plasticky' They could have built it with more of a solid core with better materials. (Or kept it as is, and charged a lower price for it.)
I have always been a big believer in cable/remote releases.  I use a tripod whenever possible and a remote trigger is essential when you want to eliminate any chance of vibrations.  I have been experimenting with a technique known as HDR (High Dynamic Range) where you take between 3 and 6 shots of the same scene at different exposure settings (see my humble example under "Customer images") and merge them together into one photo.  For this, as well as many other situations, a cable release is absolutely necessary.My only complaint (more of a question) is why, in this age of digital circuity, is this thing so big?  It could easily be the size of a thumbnail but it is fairly large.  Anyway, I am glad that I have it.
After struggling with a cheapo ebay (a new "buy it now") purchase, I got frustrated enough to pay the extra for the actual item.  It works well, and every time. It was the right decision.
This is a nifty little device for landscape photography, long exposures, HDR, etc.  As the case with most Canon products there's an expectation it will work, and obviously be compatable with your Canon camera....and on those terms it succeeds.I don't have much negative to say about this remote switch, other than it does feel a little plastic-y and not particularly durable.  At the price point it isn't completely unreasonable, and in fact may lend itself towards being a lighter product.  If I can get 5+ years out of it that'll be fine.Whether you get the official Canon product or a knockoff I can't really say, but I would definitely recommend having one of these in your camera bag.
After ruining one camera at the beach I decided a waterproof and sandproof case was the answer for my new Canon camera. This case is a solid piece of workmanship that's made in Japan rather than, thankfully, China. As far as DBRoth is concerned, I can only say they were great, I received the case just 4 days after ordering it. Would buy from them anytime.
I bought this, after a lot of research on the Canon compatibility page for my 6D; yes it works very well on the 6D and 7D. Amazon - please update the long camera list with these also. If you are going to mount your camera on a tripod for HDR pictures, you should consider this remote release to eliminate all camera movement! I used the 6D (with this remote release) for low-light HDR's and had NO ghosting on the finished HDR's.  I used the RS-80N3 in Tv and Bulb modes to very good results but I haven't tried the lock feature; although, for the price a small timer would be a handy feature. I should have bought this with the camera and saved a lot of missed shots.
Very easy to use and attach to the camera. Great price, too. I have two of them. Durable, too. A must for any macro or even landscape work.
I have just recently gotten into night photography this item is a must have item when doing this style of photography. I opted for a like new  but used Version because I can get it at about $21 with prime at that price I was okay. At the regular price this item is way overpriced it has a very cheap feel and with heavy use I don't think it would holdup.I'm kind of disappointed in Canon on there build quality on this one.I would recommend trying an aftermarket first especially if you're in a $45 price point.
You can get a near equal quality one for around five bucks (including shipping) on sites like meritline.
First, let me say that I bought a Canon Optura 50 miniDV camera and have been absolutely thrilled by it. It surpassed everything I was hoping for in a miniDV camera.That's why I bought this tripod: I figured if it worked like the camera it would be a great combo.The guy at the camera store warned me there was a lot of plastic on this tripod and suggested getting a different brand, but I didn't take his advice.Sure enough, the very first time using the tripod a tiny little piece on one of the plastic snaps that keeps the legs achored to the center pole broke, allowing the leg to flop around freely with no bracing.The break is one of those places that plastic shouldn't have been used it all. It was all very aggravating: an otherwise great tripod rendered useless by broken sliver of plastic. That was really poor design on Canon's part.When I take it back tomorrow, I'm definitely going to heed the camera guy's advice.
After reading some of the negative reviews on this tripod I had to point out the obvious.  It is a $40.00 Canon Deluxe not a $600.00 Gitzo Mountaineer.  For $40.00 this tripod actually exceeded my expectations in terms of quality, build, and performance.  Remember now...I'm speaking as a consumer that spent $40.00.Another issue that seems to have other reviewers troubled is the amount of plastic that is on this unit.  This is because Canon has designed it to be light-weight (2.65 lbs).  Again, for $40.00 what can you expect...perfectly balanced feather-weight alloy?  Of course a tripod in this class is going to wear some plastic.The tripod itself can extend up to 59 1/3 inches (1,507mm), has a water level, quick shoe release, and elevator type extension.  Mine also came with a Canon carrying case.I have owned and used this tripod for over a year and am completely satisfied with it.  I've had no problems with the tripod head tilting (shooting primarily with a Rebel XTi and the EF 28-135mm lens) or plastic breaking.  Fine tripod for $40.00.
Well built and thought out. Solid and sturdy for its price. You wont regret it.
Serves my needs EXCEPTIONALLY WELL!  Canon did just what they said!  LOVE this Tripod!  Thanks Canon & Amazon!
I am by no means the professional claiming vast knowledge regarding tripods. Basically I'm a weekend warrior filming grand-children's sporting events and family gatherings. I do however know a thing or two about smooth operation. I was prompted to look for another tripod when the one I had caused small minute jerking when moving vertical. ( up & down ). These small jerks played out big time on the film being shot with my HD Camera. The cannon deluxe 200 is very smooth horizontally as well as Vertically. I gave this item 4 star rating because of my own experience.  For the money this particular tripod is a home run for me. I would recommend this product.
I got this as my first tripod for my Canon T2i (or 550D).  It did a decent job, the built in head barely sagged under my telephoto lens (Tamron 70-300mm), which was surprising.  It wasn't that stable as even using mirror lockup and a remote trigger the shots still had some noticeable blur.  But that's what you get from an all plastic design.  It is very light and a great value for the money.  Light enough that I never felt bad throwing it in my bag.  My biggest complaint is that after a photo shoot at -30 I brought it inside and it fell off my bed.  The mounting plate proceeded to snap in half rendering it useless.  Despite that I still feel I got my money out of it and have since moved on to a "real" tripod.My take:  if this is your first tripod it is a good choice.  If you have a decent size DSLR with large glass you will want something a bit beefier. But this is the most tripod you can get for under $50.
As soon as I opened my package, I knew this was the best $40 bucks I have spent in a while.  It is a hearty unit with strong legs that snap into place with clips and not tiny pins.  It has a liquid level built in which I got all excited about.  And it has a quick release head so if you need to take your camera off the tripod quickly.  This is so much better than my old-school tripod where I have to spin and unthread the camera off the tripod if necessary.  I also like that it has a cross base bars.  This was important to me.  It just makes me feel better about my tripod.  I am a photo enthusiast and I absolutely love the feel of his Canon 200 tripod.  /|\updated 11-22-10 after actually using the product on the set a few times.::::: The neck is stuck and won't retract down. I bought a similar tripod with the teethed neck wind down system and it broke also. They are both stuck in up position and no longer fit in their cases. I am going back to using tripods that have a smooth pole pull up and push down neck. Wish I could return it but I waited too long to use it.  Test your stuff out right away...in real situations to see if it's for real.  /|\  :-(
This is an "okay" tripod. But it is cheap so cheaply made. I suspect that it really isn't actually MADE by Canon... just branded for them. I also suspect that Canon hasn't really looked at it. It could also be a pirated item.Two issues. One the leg clips don't seem to apply much pressure at all so I'm concerned that they will give out after some use and not be able to hold the leg segments in place.Also, once the leg segments are extended there doesn't seem to be much overlap of the segments... not much of the lower segment inside of the next segment up. This results in the legs not seeming very sturdy.So far it hasn't broken though but we haven't used it much either.
It fits perfectly my Rebel XS with kit lens (I haven't tried bigger lens yet). It's lightweighted and I can see me carrying it everywhere. It can be adjusted to several different hights, which gets taller than I can use (I'm 5 feet). Overall: for less than $40, this is a VERY good product.
I was extremely disappointed by this tripod. First, the base isn't level! If you set the legs so that the level reads that you're on level ground, the camera is actually tilted to the left about 5-10 degrees! And no amount of tightening it seems to get mine to sit straight.Furthermore, after just a few months of use the head cracked making it impossible to adjust it. I've superglued it back together and it's OK for now, but who knows how long it will hold up?You definitely get what you paid for with this product - which is to say, not much.
This is the first tripod I have ever had. I have seen some others from my friends and this one is one of the best you can have for 30 bucks. It looks very nice and not cheap at all. And the poles are bigger than most of the tripods I have seen - which means more stable. It's also had bubble level (in the description it doesn't say that when some others' have, so in the beginning I thought that this one doesn't have bubble level. But it might be standard for all tripods). I'm very happy with my tripod. Don't go for some junk 10-buck tripods, spend some more money and you don't regret for your purchase.
This tripod is everything I could ask for and more. Excellent price, excellent shipping and I am extremely satisfied thanks!
I'm satisfied with this and I'm planning on using with more higher end Canon cameras like the EOS line, but for now its good with the PowerShot SD940 IS especially since it shoots 720p @ 30FPS.
While this tripod does what it supposed to do, there are better ones out there for the price. For a mere $5 or $6 more, I'd recommend the Dolica AX620B100 if you're under budget. While the Dolica is mostly aluminum, this Canon is mostly plastic. The Dolica even has ball type head.The Canon tripod I received was also a defect; the panhead was no where close to being level. The crank arm kept got in the way between the legs preventing smooth lowering and raising of the neck. Why did they even bother putting a crank there? You can just as well adjust the neck by hand.Also, one important thing to note is that quick release plate and the base are both plastic. An the little plastic notch that holds the plate in place look very insecure. It is a very flimsy tiny piece of plastic. When you place your DSLR on there, your $1000+ investment is at the mercy of two tiny plastic protrusion of about 1/8 of an inch. There was simply no way I can trust that thing with my camera.My conclusion is you're basically paying for the name. The $25 tripod at Target or Walmart would be of similar quality and a better deal at that if you're really on a right budget.
I have only had the chance to use the tripod a couple of times since purchasing it, but so far it has been great. I can't really ask for much more at 40 bucks. The legs are thicker and more stable than I had expected. I had a sunpack tripod that cost the same and I got a lot less. I do wish that it had a little carying handle on the tripod, but the fact that they include the carying case makes up for it. The quick release plate makes life a whole lot easier. With the quick release plate I am more motivated to take the time to use a tripod. I was photographing next to a guy that had this huge proffesional tripod that must have cost at least 5 or 6 hundred dollars and I felt a little inadequate, but then I figured that he had to start out with a forty dollar tripod at some point. So if you need a starting point this is definately the way to go.
Despite some of the comments I read, it's a fine tripod and I received much quicker than expected.
I got a new Canon camera, and the old tripod did not work with it, so I ordered the Canon 200so I could shoot some Halloween pix outside in the dark. I actually paid almost as much for fastshipping as the tripod. It works fine, folks. Not as good as a tripod costing 4 times as much, butI knew that.The complaints that this tripod is a piece of plastic junk are without merit.It's a pretty good little unit. Hard to beat the price.And I will continue to use it.
Not only was this tripod exactly what I ordered, it was exactly what I needed.  This works great with Canon cameras and has made taking photographs, especially telephoto, very easy.
I have used this tripod for a couple months now and really like it.  I have mounted everything from Canon XTI to my Canon video camera and it is quick to set up and very sturdy.  Comes in a nice weatherproof bag as well.
This tripod has really helped me to get some really hard shots. I never thought much about them until I bought this one.
Received this tripod before the holidays to find a piece near the mounting plate cracked. Exchange was quick, smooth and without hassle, new item perfect.
This is a good tripod for the price though when set up it is not as stable as a more expensive tripod. I would however recommend this tripod for the price range it is in.
This is a great beginner camera tripod. Perfect to use this for all those shots that require a long exposure time.
Purchased this in January 2006.I liked the light weight and how it deployed so quickly. Took many nice shots with it, but it didn't take long for the tripod to break. It's definitely not recommended for use as a primary tripod.
I found it's not that smooth to srew on camera.  All parts are made by plastic except three extention legs is metal.  The quick releases on extention feel so fragile.Three cross arms to hold the legs and center bar are made by soft rubber. The center elevator bar is made by plastic.Turn the camera to portrait, it's not exactly twelve O'clock position, more like one O'clock position.
For the price, you can't get a better photography tripod - look elsewhere if you wanna do video, though.Firm, lightweight, easy to use. The cons are the horrible bag (get another one), whose handle is simply impossible to use; and the fact that it's not designed for video (the movements are not swift, it is designed to stay still).
I'll keep this short & sweet;I really like the look, feel, and weight of this tripod.  The thing is feather weight!  The tri-pod breaks down (pun intended) into a small compact size.After about six uses, I happened to notice that my camera/lens was starting to sag.  Well I took off my 40D + 200mm L series lens & noticed that the plastic was beginning to shear apart under the weight.  I had mistakenly thought that a camera tripod could hold a camera + lens.  My bad~ ;)Well I've had the camera since Nov 2009, and now it is Feb 18th 2010.  I contacted Canon USA to give them the story that I have tons of their products, love em, and hoped that they would replace the tri-pod.  FAT CHANCE!!  They basically laughed at me.  Makes me feel crappy because I have over 5,000.00$ in Canon equipment.  Shows how they treat their loyal fans.  Next I contacted Amazon only to find out that my last chance to return the item was January 31st.  :)  Sweet!!!!Well as other have said, this item is prone to breaking due to the amount of plastic.  If you feel like betting your money that you will receive a tri-pod that defies the laws of 'plastic breakage' in this model, step forth and flail your bills.  Just don't expect to be able to return the product & get your money back ;)Good luck,Pat
I've owned this tripod for years and it serves my purpose well,  mostly nighttime long exposures.I maintain all the moving parts like any tool.  Silicone spray, wd40 and clean cloth wipe downs.I keep reading about and looking at all the more expensive tripods but so far I can't justify the cost of upgrading.It is light weight, compact and fast to setup.I keep the connecting shoe on my 60D so I can easily be set up in 30sec without rushing.
We are all looking for the perfect tripod to trust our camera to, well look no further!!! A well made light weight sturdy stand for your camera, whether it's low or high end.  Excellent adjustments to get the perfect picture at a great price.  No need to spend a lot of money on an expensive tripod when this one will do the job nicely.  Comes with a really nice carrying bag with Canon logo.
This is definitely a great tripod. Light weight and sturdy enough for  normal useage. I recently went hiking and brought this tripod with me, and it was light enough. It is a little stiff panning up and down, but it may go away, I haven't had this tripod long. Also, I;m using the carrying bag more than i thought I would, so that's a plus. ou should get this tripod, it's worth it for the money.
im not a professional photographer but i do a lot of traveling so it does get some use. this thing is really light weight, easy to carry and easy to use. i could see how it could break if you mistreated it, it's not like it's made from titanium or something. if you're as careful with it as you are your camera (i keep it in it's case attached to the camera case) it works just fine and for the price i think it's a great deal! i am six foot tall and it adjust to my height pretty comfortably. only caution i would say is because it is so light it feels like it could possibly blow over if the wind was strong enough.
This is a throw away tripod. There are no replacement parts available through Canon or anywhere else, according to my local camera shop. This includes the easiest part of a tripod to lose, the quick shoe/mount that attaches the camera to the tripod.
Robust and well made tripod. Not the smallest and unsuitable for backpacking but a good accessory to have. Good price from Amazon and very prompt delivery.
Hey, if you are looking for great low-buck tripod, this baby is for you.  Don't let the negative reviews scare you away, this tripod works very well and does the job.  I make professional videos and this tripod is good gear and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  A great buy!
This is a great tripod, for the price it's hard to beat. I'm 6'5" and this tripod works great, it's constructed very well for the price. I'm a intermeadiate photographer and I like the ease of the quick release and setup. It's light, yet sturdy and all for $40.
This is what I should have paid attention to:"Sure enough, the very first time using the tripod a tiny little piece on one of the plastic snaps that keeps the legs anchored to the center pole broke, allowing the leg to flop around freely with no bracing."Mine arrived today, nicely packed ... and with that little piece pre-broken at the leg end, not the center pole end.Gee Mom, I'd rather have broken it myself. Needed (note past tense) it for an awards banquet on 31 January. I have great faith in Canon, was gonna put my new Canon digital camera on top of it. I have gambled, and asked for a replacement, not a refund. I neither want nor expect a high end tripod at ~$40. I do expect it to arrive intact, and last a couple of years of infrequent use before it breaks.Keep watching this space! I will report on the delivery speed, and physical integrity, of the replacement.
This is going to be just another five-star review of this lens, but this is a lens that completely deserves it.First off, if you're like me, you were drawn to this lens wondering what on Earth you'd ever want a lens that's intentionally soft for. Well, "soft focus" is not the same thing as being out of focus. No, even with this lens's soft focus features at maximum, the photo is still razor-sharp, there's just a soft glow coming off the bright parts of the image. This effect is controllable with both the "Soft Focus" dial (0, 1, or 2) on the lens, or through the aperture value. Soft Focus 2 and f/2.8 is the "softest", and decreasing the aperture size and soft focus value both lessen the effect. Additionally, you can shoot with the soft focus value not "clicked" into a number, but between the numbers.But now, enough about that feature, since you'll likely rarely use it. Apart from stylized portraits and nature shots, you'll probably keep the Soft Focus dial locked into zero. So then, what is so great about this lens? The answer is simple: it is an amazingly sharp f/2.8 telephoto lens. This lens is the smallest and lightest f/2.8 telephoto lens on Canon's current lineup, but this is not to say it is constructed cheaply. It is a very solid build, with a metal camera mount, and thick rubber hood built-in. The dials and controls are an older Canon style, so the focus ring isn't as smooth or easy-to-use on the newer lenses, but it still works like a charm.But let's get back to the part about how amazing this lens is. I shoot full-frame, so the "fringes" of lens's image areas are especially important to me. But this lens doesn't miss a beat -- even at f/2.8 it is sharp, focused, and free of distortion to the far edges of the frame. Drop it down to f/4, and there's a good chance this'll be the sharpest lens in your collection. Colors are always bright, out-of-focus areas are always smooth, and this lens is, without a doubt, a top level performer.So why is this 135mm f/2.8 not decorated with a red ring and an "L" in the name? The lack of Canon's USM technology means this lens lacks the 'full-time-manual' feature. Despite this, the lens still focuses quickly and quietly. Another feature you won't find here is Image Stabilization, but with how light and compact the lens is, you won't miss that. And finally, the minimum focus distance is 131cm, which while not atrocious for a telephoto lens, is something you'll find yourself bumping up against while shooting.But to wrap this up, none of the "drawbacks" of this lens matter when considering how amazingly sharp and versatile this supposed "soft focus" lens is. Canon's literature talks up this lens's portrait abilities. They are very true, once in your camera bag this will become your portrait lens. But you'll find yourself popping it onto the camera just about every opportunity you get, since it is such a joy to shoot with.This lens is such an awesome hunk of glass, I have zero regrets adding it to my collection.
Needed a Canon 135mm lens.  The choice was the 135mm f/2 L lens or the 135mm f/2.8 lens with soft focus.  Can't compare this lens with the L lens optically but weight is a lot less and the price a lot less even more so.I am able to get very good results wide open at f/2.8. I don't use the soft focus feature.  I am pleased with this lens.
Much smaller, lighter and faster (better low-light performance, brighter image) than a zoom-zoom.  I don't use the soft focus feature (you can lock it in the &#34;off&#34; position) so I can't comment on it.  If doesn't have IS but if you can live without IS it's really affordable.
I bought this lens used(but mint) back in 1998. I loved using in on film bodys for portraits and general use. The portaits shot look like potraits should look.On APC digital bodies I was dissapointed. Wrong perspective since it became a 216mm lens. I bought a 5D and this lens shines again. Don't bother with Canon APC cameras if you shoot portraits,you will be dissapointed, get a used Full Frame 5D and pick up this lens, you will love the Bokeh at f2.8-4,its the best in its range.Just keep the sf on 0.
I wanted a longish, cheap, wide and sharp lens, and at 135mm/f2.8, this one fit the bill.  I'm using it for taking pictures at conferences and fashion shows.  Still haven't used the soft focus feature.The only thing to watch is that its so long and wide, that the focal plane is really pretty short, so be careful with where your focus is.  For that reason, it's probably not a beginner's lens.
I purchased this lens two years ago, to use with my 40D camera. To get the effect this one lens give you, years ago I would buy Softar filters for my Hasselblad at over $200 each! Now, this Canon lens gives me sharpness, or different degrees of softness, like the old-fashioned portrait lenses, and all at a fraction of the price. Just be careful not to overdo the softness when doing portraits.
Great IQ even wide open at 2.8! Soft focus is fantastic. I only use SF between 0-1, over 1 is too blurry to me. If you believe PS can produce the same effect, good for you. I happen to believe the SF effect from this lens is far more richer and attractive. I use it on both Canon 350D and 40D. The old fashioned AF is in the same league as Tamron and Tokina. I shoot people and flower and everything else that happen to fit into the 135mm view finder. The results are fantastic! Only wish it has better macro capability! The closest focus distance is a bit long in some of the real world applications.
When most people think of this lens, the soft focus feature comes to mind. This lens is certainly unique in this respect. But the truth of the matter is that most people find this to be a feature that they will probably find little (if any) use for. So most people pass on this lens in favor of some sort of zoom (ie the EF 75-300mm). But even if you have no use whatsoever for the soft focus feature, this lens is actually one great, large-aperture, telephoto prime. Oh, and it can be had for a song. I have seen this lens go for less that $200 used here at the marketplace, as well as on ebay and craigslist. Even new, it is pretty cheap.Optically, this lens is a GREAT performer. Sharpness is GREAT, even at f/2.8. It is certainly a MUCH better performer here than ANY Canon telephoto zoom that does not have an L somewhere in it's name. And since it is SO much faster than any consumer-grade zoom, it is MUCH better in both low light AND in situations where you are looking for background blur. And, as is the case most of the time, both saturation and contrast are worlds better than your typical consumer-grade zoom. How does it compare with an L-series zoom? I can't say for sure. But it does cost MANY times less. And it is faster than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4. So given both the price and performance, this is one GREAT lens.
I bought this lens in the 1990s, chiefly because a number of my family members are older and don't appreciate photographs containing facial wrinkles. Although this problem can now be eliminated through the use of various Photoshop (TM) techniques, these techniques still leave the individual's skin with an artificially smooth appearance, or an appearance that is so perfect that it is not life-like. The soft-focus features of this lens allows the photographer to veil the subject's skin, to place a sort of glow on it instead, leaving matters in a more believable condition than what I can achieve in Photoshop (tm). Additionally the 135mm focal length of the lens gives an excellent perspective on the subject's face; the lens is ideal for portraits, though you do have to use it with care, so as not to do overdo the soft focus appearance.If you use the lens as a short-length telephoto, all I can say is, don't use use it wide open. That said, the lens is a genuine bargain for its price, and for portrait use, excellent.
I bought this lens based on the reviews that I read here. I shoot weddings in a professional context, and own both L and non-L lenses, including the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 that are in a similar price bracket.I really wanted this lens to be great, because a light, 135mm 2.8 lens that was sharp would mean that I could hand-hold in situations that I couldn't with a 70-200 f4, or even a 70-200 f2.8. Unfortunately, I can't give it a good review.I found this lens to be far from sharp, it was not contrasty like the 50mm 1.4 or 85 1.8, and it did not work well with my 40D's white balance - all the photographs taken through this lens looked reddish and too dark. It is light and it is a 2.8, so if you want the focal length for casual shots and if the fact that the image quality is not up to a pro's standards doesn't matter so much to you, then definitely go for it. But if you are purchasing this lens because you think it will produce really good photographs, you're in for a let-down.If I can get my hands on another version of the lens (in case mine was a defective one), I'll update this review.
The EF 135 2.8 SF was among Canon's original EF lens offerings during the 1987 EOS System debut. The designation "Soft Focus" refers to the two levels of dial-in spherical aberration that softens and imparts a beautiful glow to the image. Unlike a soft filter, you can quickly vary the effect by changing the aperture or soft focus setting. AF works perfectly with soft focus engaged, but if you change soft focusing settings after AF, you need to refocus. The soft focus effect is only visible from F2.8 to 4, so use Av or M mode and shoot slow ISO during the day. Highlights, especially on backlit subjects, enhance and intensify the glowing effect. Most women love the glamorous, blemish free glow it imparts. The 135 mm perspective makes models look thinner than 85 or 100 mm lenses.When soft focus is turned off, this is an extremely sharp, contrasty and flare resistant (7 elements) telephoto lens. Unlike most of Canon's consumer primes, this lens is surprisingly sharp wide open at F 2.8. Of course, it needs to be sharp as most portraits are shot at F2.8 to 4 to render distracting backgrounds out of focus. I wish the minimum focusing distance was closer than 1.3 m (4.3'), but at least that's near enough for a head and shoulders shot. This lens has 52 mm filter threads and uses the massive ET-65 III (or ET-65 II) lens hood, a clip-on design (not included).The front element does not rotate, nor does the barrel change in length when focusing. Although it uses the older AFD AF motor, it focuses surprisingly fast due to an internal focus (IF) design, almost as fast as many ring-type USM primes. The sound of the AFD motor is softer than most AFD designs, but those used to USM/STM might be put off by its pianissimo "buzz." Build quality is 1980s consumerville plastics and a notch down from the EF 85 1.8 USM. Manual focus is loose and gritty, but slightly better than the EF 50 1.8 (MK I). The soft focus dial feels solid and has a lock to prevent inadvertent changes. Although build quality is plasticky, I've had no problems with this lens in over 20 years of use.Use a penlight while peering down the front of the barrel and you can see one of the odd features of this design: tiny bubbles inside one of the inner elements. I assume the bubbles are used to increase diffusion. At first I thought my copy of defective but soon found the bubble element was a feature and not a defect! Apparently the technique was used in other soft focus designs as well.This lens was designed for portraits but I found it useful for indoor sports, club concerts and street shooting. It's a little long for studio and household use. Nevertheless, it is one of Canon's hidden gems and is wonderful for a portrait shooter on a tight budget. For under $400, you won't see better quality this side of an L lens.
I bought this lens because I needed its focal length on my 5D. It seems like a toy when compared to L-glass, so I was  a little worried. The manual focus ring is a joke, put it on the 5D and took a few shots, I was surprised at how sharp this lens was wide open. I even tried the soft focus feature......nice and soft, yet still in focus. There is a little learning curve with the soft setting, but nothing a few test shots won't solve. On a crop sensor camera its a bit tight. For the money I spent, not bad, not bad at all. I'm very happy with it!
What a beautiful lens.  All I can say is those of you who've never shot this lens, you won't believe it until you pixilate your screen with the sharpest images you've ever seen.  What's been said many times before is true.  Canon makes beautiful pieces of glass and this is another.  Get yourself one of these.  You'll never use your 70-200 for this length again.  It captures light so well that you could pull a flea off the head of your dog from 15 feet.  Outdoors, indoors, low light...get one and start having fun.  The soft focus gimmickry is cute, but not why you should own this lens.  You might use it once a blue moon to play around with a still image or portrait, but if you want sharp, full color images - portrait quality - you can't go wrong here.  It's just that good.  I love the shorter length lenses, especially the 17-50 mm stuff, but this is a different ballgame.  This brings detail into focus and this is where the artistry really starts to happen.  Click and it's yours.  Really.  Get it.
For a f2.8, this is a great deal.  The soft focus is 'kinda' cool, but nothing you can't do -and control better- in Photoshop.  But it can be turned off, and that's how I use it.  I like it a lot.
I've used the Canon 1.4x tele-extender for about six months with my Rebel XTi and two lenses - a f/4.0 70-200mm (non-IS) and the f/4.0 300mm IS. Most of my shots are of kid soccer and baseball.For these applications, the 1.4x tele-extender is a great accessory. Because of the extra reach, you can get more frame-filling shots. The loss of image sharpness is minimal and tends to be offset by the fact that you can doing less cropping. Since both lenses are f/4.0, they maintain their autofocus capabilities. If there's any slowdown in focusing speed, it's not obvious.I took the same equipment on a two week safari in Tanazania. Without the extender I'd have had a much harder time capturing decent wildlife shots. The f/4.0 300mm + 1.4x gave me an effective f/5.6 420mm lens with image stabilization. That was about the minimum for many shots (a leopard with its kill in a tree 120 yards away, for example). Even then, I often wished for more length, but to get it you have to move up to serious telephoto lenses that are much more expensive (and much heavier).As other reviewers have pointed out, there are many lenses - including Canon lenses - that are not compatible with Canon tele-extenders. Check the list of compatible lenses carefully before you buy. 3rd party teleconverters from Tamron and Kenko are reputedly less finicky, although image quality may not be quite as good.Many photo equipment reviewers (e.g. Bob Atkins) claim that teleconverters work better with primes than with telephotos. That may account for the complaints about the 1.4x with the Canon 100-400mm telephoto. It works fine with my 70-200mm, but that's generally thought to be a sharper lens than the 100-400mm.Overall, the 1.4x teleconverter is a relatively inexpensive way to extend the range of your Canon telephoto lenses without significant loss of image quality.
Good product. I knew already (obvious) it would turn my 70-200 f/4 into a 98-280 f/5.6, but I was not sure what the effects would really be when I bought it.The product is well constructed and have very good optics. I would definitively recommend.The only reason I dont give 5 start is because I think Canon should improve documentation on their website, explaining better the effects of the extender (reducing speed in 1 f-stop).
On my 70-200 F4L IS, the images were, if anything, quite as good as without it - shows the merit of a manufacturer matched teleconverter, even with a used unit, as purchased here.
This extender cuts your lens f-stop by 1, so if you have 2.8, it becomes f4, if f4, becomes f5.6 etc.When i have this one, i usually make a AE +1 compensation and then 1/3 bracketing just to be in the safe said.This extender will not fit on all Canon lenses, so make sure you double check before buying, i believed that this is only for the "L's".I tried experimenting with it on my other lenses by putting a 12mm extension tube between the lens and the extender, AF wont work, Depth of Field is very limited to a few inches and is only good to shot flowers or jewelries you want to sell online.Overall, if you have a 2.8F lens and just want some extra reach every now and then, this is for you, if you shot more telephotos, you might want to buy a real telephoto lens, AF is slowed down, F-stop is slowed by 1 and sharpness is also compromised.I have this just to give my 70-200mm L IS USM 2.8 some extra reach but the difference is easy to spot between the straight and with the extender.For avid photographer with limited budget, i will say, this is a must. :)
I bought this extender to use with both my 70-200 2.8 II and my 100mm L macro.  I won't say much of anything about how it pairs with the zoom since my results are favorable and similiar to what all others seem to be be saying: It works exceedingly well!I'm most excited with the results I'm getting shooting closeup.  This extender is not officially supported with lenses less than 135mm (at their longest focal length), but this can be circumvented by way of extension tube on the 100 L macro.I've recently taken an interest in bug hunting only to find 1:1 can often be not enough magnification at times, or too close for comfort for your subject.  But using the extension tube along with the extender, I'm able to put a little more distance between myself and the subject for 1:1 shots, or allow myself to get even closer for what I'm estimating to be 1.6x magnification at a new shorter minimum focussing distance.I am experiencing no sharpness decrease with use of the extender, and it seems the slight chromatic abberation that can be visible paired with the zoom, is even lessened or non existent with the macro prime.  This is probably more a function of the extension tube further "cropping" the corners of the image circle with the increase in magnification.There are a few draw backs with this combo.  The lens/camera is no longer perfectly balanced when mounted on a tripod collar, as the rig becomes back heavy.  Putting the collar on backwards so the collar's foot faces towards the camera seems to help a bit.Autofocus no longer works paired with my 5D.  But when I'm shooting macro, I'm always using MF anyway so this may not be an issue.  Just calling it out for those that do use AF with macro.  You also lose several stops of precious light due to the extra extension.  I've been offsetting this by use of diffused, off camera flash.The other drawback is that your percieved depth of field is decreased.  I'm finding the need to stop down around 1-2 extra stops to get the required depth of field.  This is more a function of higher magnification I think, and was not expected when I first started using the combo.  When I was already shooting at f13-f16 natively, the need to stop down further can be tricky when you're trying to balance ISO, shutter speed, diffraction, etc.I'm really enjoying the additional options I have for macro photography with this extender.  Short of buying the MPE-65, this is a great way to get a bit more magnification/reach without spending too much.
I just got this, but was happy to see that it is "L" build. That is, metal and matches the color/style of the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.No tests yet to comapre before/after. Does anyone know pf a good test pattern to download and print that has progressively smaller lines, like a "bull's eye" style pattern for testing lens sharpness? I see a lot of subjective evaluations, but would liek to see some pictures at a fixed length that actually demostrate the differences.I'll look for something like this and update this review with pictures once I do.Oh, and my f/2.8L is a f/4L with this thing attached.Thanks, Canon!
Make sure to check the compatibility charts to verify that your lenses will work with this before buying it since only a handful of L series lenses are compatible.  If you do already have one or more of these lenses though this is a nice addition.  The AF only works with lenses f/4 and faster on most camera bodies.  You do also give up a little image quality by putting this between your lens and camera body, but the extra reach is really nice.
I compared this extender on my Canon EF 70-200 USM F/2.8L IS to the new Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 USM IS lens.  For sharpness wide open, the 70-300mm has the edge, but when stopped down to F8, the 70-200mm w/1.4 has the sharper picture.  Granted I was pixel-peeping, but when you have the luxury of comparing for quality alone, not disregarding contrast, resolution etc., you can pixel-peep too (just don't limit yourself by that).  In fact, the color of the 70-200mm lens with 1.4x was slightly better even wide open.  Now here's where I have my beef, and none of the reviews I've read seem to delve into this aspect:  Bokeh.  When shooting wide open with the 1.4x extender, I found the quality of objects out of the depth of field to look strange.  For example, I was shooting elephants at the zoo (no bullets), and I noticed that the leaves on the trees behind the elephants looked very peculiar--something like compressed green jelly-beans.  They were out of the depth of field, but they didn't look natural to me.  I mounted the 70-300mm lens and took the same shot, and the leaves were nice and soft, even at f/5.6 compared to the 70-200mm w1.4x extender.  So, if you ask me, I don't find the extender useful unless you have no lens to reach the subject as close or closer or you shoot at F8-F11.  I certainly wouldn't buy the 2x unless I had no other choice, and weren't going to print anything larger than an 8x10 or go to the web with the pics.For background, I was determining whether to buy the EF 70-300mm USM F/4-5.6 IS lens over a mere extender for my existing EF 70-200mm USM F/2.8L IS w/1.4x extender.  I finally resolved to buying the 300mm F/4 IS Prime Tele instead of either.
You want reach?  You want weather sealing?  Here it is.  Too bad there is some obvious image degradation.  This is my second copy.  It seems to work better (that is to say I don't notice the IQ difference as much) than the first one, however, so I am pleased about that.  It's an inexpensive and cost-effective way to gain a little reach and it only costs one stop of light, so for the most part, it's worth it.  Recommended.
I shoot with a Canon 60D.  I purchased the 1.4 extender II after careful consideration and review reading, pitting it against the extender III.  I am using it on the Canon 70-200 4.5 IS which, by itself, is a wonderful, incredibly sharp lens.  I have read (but not experienced) that it may be even sharper than the 2.8 IS, which certainly is faster in lower light.  I seldom use my 70-200 indoors so that really has not been a problem.  I took a risk and purchased the extender used (here on Amazon) at $270, some 40% less than new and was very pleasantly surprised.  The glass looked new and it clicked into place like oiled machinery.  I have noted just a slight loss of clarity at the long end and and as far as light loss, increasing the ISO helps.  A tripod can definitely  help as well.  I have done some "eyeball" testing, comparing a cropped shot without the extender and non-cropped with the extender at full zoom.  I definitely see clearer results with the extender.  No issues with the auto-focus either although that can clearly be a problem with other lenses.  All in all, I've been really happy with the Extender II.  I can't say whether the Extender III would have been worth almost twice what I paid for the II or not, but it certainly meets my needs as a hobbyist.
If you have a compatible zoom, and you need to spend some serious dough to get one, DOUBLE CHECK, then this is a great item to jack up your distance without the loss of quality.
The EF 1.4x II Extender is a cost-effective and highly portable way to add some extra reach to your telephoto lenses. One thing to note right up front, though, since apparently some shoppers seem not to realize it, is that it is not compatible with all lenses. It is, in fact, compatible only with a specific set of Canon EF lenses: L-series primes of 135mm or longer, and the 70-200mm L and 100-400mm L zooms. It will not work with other lenses, and in particular it will not work with third-party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, or other manufacturers. It is not a completely generic adapter; a lens must be designed to fit it.The Extender increases the focal length of a compatible lens by 1.4x, and correspondingly decreases the lens's maximum effective aperture by one stop. A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens thus becomes a 98-280mm f/4 lens, and a 400mm f/5.6 lens becomes a 560mm f/8 lens. Extended focal length and effective aperture are correctly reported to the camera by the Extender. Auto-focus may become somewhat slower (though with my 70-200mm f/2.8 I have not noticed it), and if maximum aperture falls below f/5.6, auto-focus may be unable to function. (This is not the fault of the Extender, but a limitation of most of Canon's camera bodies, which require an aperture of f/5.6 or better for auto-focus.)Image quality is quite good, though one should not expect a lens with the Extender to deliver performance comparable to a longer lens. Canon's 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, for example, will deliver a somewhat sharper image at the same focal length and aperture than the Extender with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens (though you may have to go pixel-peeping, or print your photos out at an extremely large size, to see the difference). The standard I apply is that the Extender should do a better job than simply shooting without the Extender and using software to crop and blow up the image. By this measure, it succeeds, though if focus is less than perfect the difference is easily lost.Along with the increase in focal length comes a corresponding reduction in depth of field, which for some applications will be just as important as the increased magnification. A 200mm lens with the Extender has the same depth of field as a 280mm lens at the same aperture.So, to sum up, while the Extender won't deliver results quite as good as longer lenses would, it does a good job, and it's a lot less expensive than adding to your lens collection, and much more portable than carrying around more lenses. Plus, if you ever do buy longer lenses (assuming that they're Canon L-series), the Extender will work with them too!
Got this to go with my 70-200L 2.8 IS lens which this is perfect for my shooting needs. Gives the added extension to the lens on my 5D and still maintains the image stabilizing and AF function. Canon did design this to fit only specific Canon lenses.I tried it on my Sigma 50-500 and the outerbarrel of the TC will not fit inside of the Sigma.Otherwise the TC was pretty sharp at least my copy is .
Remember you lose a stop of light when you use this, and this does not fit all canon EF lenses.  The only lens that it fits properly(in my experience) are the "white" lenses (I did not realize this before I purchased and thought I would get to use it on my primes but the black part that sticks out has to be able to fit in the lens).
I have been using this extender with my canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS and Canon 5D Mark 1 body.  Together, this lens and body has produced sharp in focus photos.The extender has consistently front focused enough that all the bird's eyes are blurry in favor of a sharp pole or wire.  Where it is focusing, slightly closer to me, it is very sharp.  My Canon 5D does not have focus adjustment, so I'll return this unit.  Since DXO does not have a module for this combo, I think I will wait a while before I consider ordering another.  Though about the Mark III extender, but it is nearly half the price of my zoom - just not worth that extra reach.
Oh yes, absolutely!  I'm more then pleased with this lens and how it extends my 70 x 200 Canon L lens with no noticable depreciation of image quality.  What an inexpensive way to extend your reach.  I took a picture of a Woodpecker high in a tree, one with and one without the extender, and the one with is a good third larger then the one without.  And quality is L lens wonderful.  If you're considering this lens and it's compatable with your lens, don't worry that it might degrade your images, because it won't.  THat's why I gave it a 5 star!
I had heard this converter would produce acceptable results when used on a nice fast prime lens and wanted to give it a try for sunny conditions. I used this converter on a 7D body and Canon 300 mm f2.8 IS lens. I was surprised that the results were very poor quality, both in sharpness and missing focus. The 300 f2.8 with the converter installed missed focus almost as often as my Canon 100mm - 400mm f4.6-5.6 IS lens and the quality was on par with the 100-400 so I returned the converter for a full refund.It seems some bodies don't play nice with focus and quality using 1.4x II converters. I expected some loss of sharpness but had heard that the 300 f2.8 was a lens that would produce acceptable quality with a 1.4x II converter. For some reason the converter I purchased new from a well-respected vendor did not produce acceptable results.
After receiving the 1.4X extender I was profoundly disappointed by the quality of the image -- until I realized the problem was with me and not the extender.This is what I was doing wrong:Since the extender does not do autofocus with my lens (a 100-400mm zoom on a 40D), I was forced to focus manually. What I found was that I couldn't get good focus through the viewfinder. I considered getting an after market split ring focus screen, but on reading about them, I discovered they do not work well with super telephoto lenses.What I learned:Then I discovered the power of live view. Live view permits me to focus on a tiny segment from the middle of the final image. I found that if I could get that properly focused, the image was sharper than the 100-400 lens without the extender enlarged to the same size. The extender is very specialized. For example, I do not think I could ever effectively use it hand-held. In fact, ideally I will use it on a tripod with a remote shutter. I have tried that shooting deer at a distance and found it works very well in that situation.I live near Yellowstone and think I will use the extender to great success because so much of the best photography there involves being patient, setting up at a distance and waiting for something to happen. That said, this will not be for everybody. I can pretty successfully use the 100-400, hand held with autofocus and commonly get amazingly sharp images, and, as I have said,I don't think I could ever use the extender that way -- I'm too old with too much tremor for that.In short, I highly recommend the 1.4 if you keep in mind its specialized use. It works especially well on a tripod with a camera that offers live view focusing. Not all Canons do. I think that feature may be limited to the 40D and 50D, plus the 7D and others from that high-end group.
I use this extender on my 5D Mark III. It is a bargain for any outdoor application. Since you lose one stop you have to take that into consideration when using indoor. It is a huge money saving device and can still be used to accomplish great result indoor if1. You have a full frame and crank up the ISO 12,8000. Another reason I keep on telling people to go full frame and dump the crops.2. You have a lens with minimum speed of 2.8 because you are stopped down to 4 with this extender which would barely work indoor. Of course You can use a flash and get away with everything but it does not look nature IMO.3. You have telephoto lens otherwise it will not fit. The back lens of a telephoto is recessed and will accommodate the extender's protruding black rubber cup, see photo. Example of the compatibility issue, it does not fit my 24-70L 2.8, 24-105L f/4.0, 50mm 1.4, 20-35 F4, 85L 1.2, 28-135mm. Here is the exact specification from Canon's website "This lens is only compatible with fixed focal length L-series lenses 135mm and over, as well as the EF 70-200/2.8L, EF 70-200/2.8L IS, EF 70-200/4L, and EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L." so basically most of the lens would not fit. I am only able to use it on my 135mm F/2.0 and 70-200mm F4. When it fits, it does wonders. Example, it turned my 135mm F/2.0 to 189mm F/2.8 which is equivalent to about $1,000 in saving. I don't like the result as much on the 70-200 because it slows it down another stop and F/4 is already pretty slow. But with the 85mm, I took some amazing bokehlicious action photos of my son's table tennis games. I highly recommend this extender for any outdoor photography or if you have a fast indoor lens, it will be a no brainer. I gave it a 5 star because I know Canon has made it the best it can be within the limitation of the lens physics. Those who gave it less than 5 stars should reconsider that Canon simply does not have any ways to make this much better.
It comes with a little bag to store it in the gadget bag and as I said its a little heavy for its little size, yet it doesnt become a burden to carry at all. I am using it with a 70-200 f4L IS and the size of the combined lens looks quite long on a rebel XTi and of course draws attention to it. I dont notice any quaility decrease (on the pictures) when used with this lens, but anyway, im not using any lab equipment or pixel picking to really test that. The build feels solid and it fixes well to the other lens as if it becomes a part of it, I think thats what the intention is of course. The color of this extender is exactly the same as the 70-200 f4L IS which is not white but rather grayish, they both look beautiful together !I highly recommend it since it does make quite a difference and overall it is a professional and very well developed pice of equipment. Im actually thinking on also having the 2x later on to achieve the 640mm with my 70-200L and a small sensor such as the XTi or the 40D.
This Canon EF 1.4X II Extender is a must when using the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. It really complaints the lens and adds to the zoom when needing to get close. I'm really happy I purchase the Extender when I purchased the new lens. You won't be disappointed at all.
The 1.4X II teleconverter is a modest update to Canon's earlier 1.4X TC.  The mark II allows this extender to be stacked with another of Canon's extenders (either another 1.4X II or the 2X II) without having to separate the two with an extension tube (although the loss of sharpness from stacking extenders may not be acceptable to you).  Otherwise, the quality of the newer 1.4X II is supposed to be very similar to the older model, which I've never owned.The 1.4X II is a great way to extend the reach of compatible lenses.  Note that not every Canon lens is compatible with this extender.  The following is from Canon's Web site: "This tele extender can be used with fixed focal length lenses 135mm and longer (except the 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus lens), and the EF 70-200 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 70-200 f/4.0L, and 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS zoom lenses."I use it frequently with my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, which turns it into a 98-280mm zoom.  The extra reach it adds is not tremendous, but it's very welcome when I just need a little more than what the lens alone can give me.I've found no appreciable loss in sharpness from using the 1.4X.  Of course, any extender is going to reduce sharpness to some degree, but with normal examination, I can't distinguish photos taken with the 70-200mm that use the 1.4X from those that don't.  The fact that the 70-200mm f/2.8L is a very sharp lens to begin with helps in this department.Using the 1.4X decreases your lens' widest aperture 'capability' by one stop.  With some lenses, that can be more significant than it appears on the surface; when using a non-pro Canon body (such as my 20D) the lens must have a minimum wide-open aperture 'capability' of f/5.6 for autofocus to work.  The lens doesn't have to be set at f/5.6, it just has to be 'capable' of at least f/5.6 after adjusting for the one stop loss from the 1.4X.  That means with some camera/lens combinations, adding the 1.4X will force you to focus all of your shots manually.  (Note: There is a known 'fix' for this that restores autofocus.  I've never needed to try it, but it involves taping over some connector pins on the 1.4X to fool the camera body.  Proceed with caution if you try this, and do a Google search to learn how to do it right before attempting it.)The 1.4X also reduces focus speed very slightly.  I've only used it on my 70-200mm IS, which has Canon's USM and is a fast-focusing lens to begin with, but the decrease in speed is so slight I really don't notice it.  And it does not affect IS (Image Stabilization) at all.The 1.4X is built to the quality of Canon's L-series lenses, which means that it is weather sealed and will keep a Canon pro body and L-series lens weather sealed when used with them.If you're considering this extender, you're probably also considering Canon's 2X II teleconverter.  I do not own the 2X but did a lot of research on it before ultimately deciding to go with the 1.4X.  The 2X decreases your aperture by two stops, and is reported to have a noticable decrease in sharpness--more than some photographers are willing to live with.  On the other hand, I've never read a review that complained about the loss of sharpness from the 1.4X.If you've already invested a lot of money in telephoto lenses, the 1.4X II is a relatively inexpensive way to get even more reach (and value) out of your investment while adding only a modest amount of bulk to your camera bag.  Highly recommended.
Product arrived very timely and was well packed. It was in excellent condition and worked well.
This is a handy item to have in your camera bag.  I use it with my 70-200 f/4L when I need a little more reach and don't want to take my 300 f/4L.  Since it's made by Canon it works flawlessly with the EOS system.  I've noted no discernible image degradation using the extender.
One of the Canon failures...do not buy it...poor image quality...loosing two-three stops... Bought it 4 years ago and I did seldom use it...waist of money...tried to sell it, nobody want it.
Excellent construction,Canon is known for that anyway.Im using this extender on a 70-200 L lens.its much cheaper than buying another lens to get the same results,although you loose a couple f stops Ill highly recommend this extender.
I have both the 2x and 1.4x. I just received the 1.4x today and tried it out on a cloudy day. It is not as sharp as I would like but may be better on a bright day. I would suspect it needs quite a bit of light on my 300MM f/4 lens that goes to 5.6 with the extender. My 2x has to be tripod mounted on a sunny day to get good results. At least the auto focus does work with this extender. Overall I think it will work good enough for what I intend to use it for.I am very satisfied with the 300MM prime and as I said my first photos have all been taken on a very cloudy day and I do think my results will be better on clear days.Will update after I have tested it some more.
The 1.4X II teleconverter is a great addition if you are using 'L' lenses. Like others have said it takes my 70-200 f2.8 to f4 but is that a big deal?...NO...yes it makes 'some' shots a little softer but is that a big deal?...NO..play with the sharpness adjustments in your camera and you will see differences in the same shot as far as softness goes. it gives that "extra reach" at a very reasonable price. Now if you are a pixel nazi then you will obviously write pages & pages of the technical junk listing the limitations of this piece of equipment but for the rest of us that love shooting and not expecting each and every shot to be an excercise in perfection...we buy it and love it..
This is my first purchase in Amazon.The 1.4X II tele converter is a update to Canon's earlier 1.4X TC. The mark II allows this extender to be stacked with another of Canon's extenders without having to separate the two with an extension tube.The 1.4X II is a great way to extend the reach of compatible lenses.I have used it with Canon 300mm f4 IS, which turns it into a 420mm.The extra reach it adds is not tremendous, but it's very welcome when I just need a little more than what the lens alone can give me.Using the  tele converter decreases your lens' widest aperture 'capability' by one stop.  I have heard this TC when used with canon 400mm f5.6 L, will loose auto focus capability.  Yet to try this combo.The 1.4X build quality is very good.If you've already invested on telephoto lenses, the 1.4X II is Highly recommended.
Very nice addtion to your setup!Only thing I'm not happy with is, it should allow auto mode for what ever F stop your using!Auto ONLY works with F4 and less.Other then that, I'm still very happy with Canon and its quality of this extender.
This is a great addition to the accessories bag if you need that littleextra mm for distant photo's.I experienced too much pq loss to be totallyconvinced this was what I really needed. I am better served with a longerlens for those keeper shot's, I have gotten spoiled with my [L] lensquality picture's.This may work fine on some len's with good light andshort to moderate distance's, this is a quality product and may work wellfor some people.
this is a great add on to my growing collection of equipment. The price is great, the quality is great, built rugged, worth the money.
Fortunately my intentions are to use mainly with my canon 300mm f4..I give 5 stars in this regard.The drop off in sharpness is apparent when shooting photos of birds. The plummage/feather detail expose the sharpness drop off slightly. But with regard to sports where eyelash/hair splitting detail is unimportant,I see virtually no difference. Of course you lose one stop of light which is no issue in most daylight situations.The mount on my Sigma 70-200mm is not compatible with the telextender. The problem is I can't tell you which version. I purchased my sigma lens in 2006..For that year one version was marketed in Feb 2006 another in June 2006..I am assuming this is the problem?? Also I see where another verion was marketed in 2008..I see more than a few reviewers which do not have compatibility problems. But for me i'll give it "0" stars regarding my sigma lens.Nice addition to my bag of lens. Very compact when you consider it is almost like carrying two telephoto lens instead of one. I gave this product a two star to flag potential buyers of compatibility problems with the Sigma.
I'm using my new Canon EF 1.4X II teleconverter with my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens - and so far, so good.  (I've only had it for a few weeks).  The 100-400mm will not auto-focus with the 1.4x attached to it.  Yes, there are ways to tape 3 pins on the lens or teleconverter to override the unit so that it will try to auto-focus, but I've decided NOT to do that.  Canon blocked that for a purpose.  I've read that you can over-tax (burn out, though I don't know if that's the actual issue) the USM motor since it will hunt back and forth a lot in low light situations if you tape the pins.. so again, I just decided the 100-400mm was too expensive to try that option.  Overall, the quality of the lens combination is still really clear (I'm using it with a Canon 30D).  I am getting used to manually focusing this combination, but it really helps to use a monopod or a tripod when shotting with this set at full zoom.
I have this canon extender and works wonder if you want longer range. Most of the extender is use for the white lens except for the 28-300mm f4.5-5.6 L lens. Highly recommend this teleconverter.
I purchased this at a photographic store because a professional said you shouldn't go higher than 1.4x.  Just keep in mind--1.4x is only "40% better".  It worked really well, but didn't increase the zoomage enough.  I decided to go with a 2x (that's twice the zoomage) teleconverter by kenko instead.  I gave this one to my brother-in-law for Christmas.You have to think about what you want--I want to get in really close to the birds.  I have a 70-300mm zoom lens and 1.4x takes it to 98-420mm.  It is an improvement, but not nearly enough!  If you want to get twice as close, this isn't going to do it for you.  If you want to get half-again-as close, this almost gets you there.As far as quality, the quality is definitely there. Five stars for quality, 3 for insufficient zoomage.
A friend of mine always advises to limit the amount of glass between you and the subject when taking digital photographs, but there are times when you need the added distance a teleconverter can provide in lieu of owning a $5000+ extra long telephoto lens.  Since I agree with my friend, I opted to buy the highest quality teleconverter available for my Canon and this was it.  I have used this more successfully on My Canon "L" 75-200mm 2.8 lens than on my "L" 100-400mm lens.  When using it on the shorter of my telephoto lenses, the autofocus does not "catch" the subject as quickly as using my 100-400mm without a teleconverter, but it does keep me from having to carry around two heavy long lenses.  For those that would use a teleconverter (and be sure you are going to actually use it because it is expensive) for a Canon digital camera this is THE one to have.
I like the price and quality of this extender. It complements my 70-200 2.8 is perfectly with very little effect on the image quality. Great to extend the range - at least as far as the 70-200 2.8 is concerned.
This product works as advertised.  It reduces sharpness a little bit, and costs 1 f-stop, but you get more reach.
I expected some reduction in resolution but clarity is very satisfactory for my needs 4 x 6/ 5 x 7 reprduction and I get much needed extra reach for birds. Very pleased and happy with my purchase. Results are in line with customers reviews of this equipment.
I use this extender with a 100-400 telephoto in good light when I need a bit more reach... My camera is a 50D and I lose auto focus which I miss but it is still of value... You lose one stop so you need to be careful at dawn or dusk to get enough light.  Be aware of its limitations but a good value
I used this 1.4X TC for 135mm f/2L lens.  The lens + 1.4X TC becomes a 189mm f/2.8 lens, which is excellent!  Raw Image quality out of the camera is already very good, only slightly softer than the 135mm raw image.  Post processing easily corrects that softness.Hightly recommended!
This is most likely an excellent item on a lens that will auto focus, but I bought it knowing that the EF 100-400mm L lens would not auto focus because it has too high of an f/ stop capability at f/4.5-5.6 range. I had hoped that I could get results with manual focus in a few situations, but had no idea how hard that is on a Canon XSi. I have had a few shots that were close, but have yet to get a really sharp focus. I am hoping that with a camera upgrade to the 7D that I will have better results and am certain that this item will be great when I can afford the EF 500mm f/4.0 lens, but until then I will most likely just save this item for the future. The construction and quality of this item did not disappoint at all. As with all of Canon's L series items, the build is great.
Great optics, works seamlessly even in AF mode.  But doesn't work with all lenses: I use it with a Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS, but it won't attach to the 24-105 L f/4.0 IS.  As a comparison, I also have a Vivitar 2x which works with any lens, has very good optics, but does not always AF well.
I bought this extender in hopes of liting my load when out in the feild. I shoot a Canon 40D and a XTI as my backup. My thought was attach this baby to the back of my canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and extend my range and leave the Canon EF100-400L F/4.5 5.6IS at home when not out birding. Auto focus and IS work well on the 2.8 but as you know it does not work for the F/4.5 Well here it is, image quality suffers to much for my taste. For a guy like me this must be used when on a tripod. I dont believe this is the soulution for a serious photographer or even serious amiture. take the 300 bucks and stash it away for a lens with a longer focal legth and buy what you want the first time. Just my two cents!
I purchased the 1.4 extender to increase the range of my Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.  I checked the Canon website to ensure compatibility and read the reviews regarding image quality before purchasing.  What I missed was that the extender increases the lens to an f/8 which exceeds the aperture opening auto focus requirement of my Canon 40D.  Therefore, to use the 1.4 extender, you must rely on manual focus with the 100-400mm lens.  There are a number of websites out there which discuss how to tape the contacts of the extender to allow the autofocus to work.  The results of the modification are mixed with some people claiming that the performance of the lens can be affected.The loss of autofocus may be an acceptable compromise when compared to the cost of purchasing the longer Canon lenses.  However, it is something to be aware of before purchasing the 1.4 extender for the 100-400mm lens.
Don't do it! It sounds just plausible on paper, with a 1D professional camera it'll even autofocus using the central focal sensor (on lesser bodies it won't autofocus unless you tape up some contacts to fool the camera into trying, then it'll sometimes autofocus), and the 1.4x generally doesn't soften images too much. But no. It's not a usable combination on either professional or amateur bodies, the image quality just takes too much of a hit.The four stars are for using this well built tool with a more appropriate lens, the 70-200mm f/2.8 or any of the telephoto primes. But there are lots of reviews telling you that.
I have the 2x converter but found this  to be a bit soft and certainly slow on autofocus with both my 100-400 and 70-200f2.8 lenses. A fellow enthusiast told me to try this converter and I am so glad I took his advice. I used  it with  my 70-200 at  the local airshow  and was amazed at some of the shots I got even into the sun [you dont get  an option usually at an airshow] The  focussing was fast and accurate. Follow the instructions though about attaching this  as regards sequence and switch the camera power off whilst adding it otherwise I have found the auto focus doesnt pick up so well if you add it with power on.
I used this extender with the 70-200mm f/2.8L non IS. It is very small and doesn't add too much size or weight to your lens. It does lower your maximum aperture by one, so my lens was no longer a 2.8 lens but it was a good trade off for extending the reach. Image quality was not affected much. If you view the images at 100% you may find that your images are slightly less sharp but for practical purposes it looks great. Autofocus is slightly slower when using the extender. I can recommend this extender for the 70-200 2.8 lenses but I do not know how this would work on a 4 or 5.6 maximum aperture lens. You will probably need to bump up the ISO a lot more because they will now be 5.6 and 8 maximum aperture lenses.
Updated March 2011.I've owned this product for about 2 1/2 - 3 years now and have been pretty disappointed with it. When used with my sharp L lenses, the quality would drop drastically and I always assumed it was just the poor quality of this adapter. Turns out that was only half true. The problem was that this adapter was so poorly calibrated, that it was throwing off the focus when paired with my lenses (giving  an out of focus, blurred image). Because of that, I rarely every used this adapter - I actually had better luck just cropping as needed to get that extra reach.2011 comes along and I now have a 7D - turns out the problem wasn't that the adapter is horrible, but rather it needed to be calibrated. With the 7D's Micro AF adjustment, I was able to dial it in (+13) to the point it produces a VERY sharp image with my lenses. The downside is I can't use it on my XTi or 40D cameras still, as those don't offer Micro AF adjustment.Besides the above, the downsides here are the price (about 300-500 bucks, depending if you get the "II" or "III" version), the fact it loses 1 stop (so f/2.8 is now f/4.. f/4 is 5.6, etc..) and the fact it only works with select lenses. Note that the 2.0x extended loses 2 stops (so f/2.8 lenses become a f/5.6) and that if the widest aperture goes below f/5.6 most bodies will NOT autofocus (so using a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with a 2.0x adapter, you will lose autofocus. Same with using an already-f/5.6 lens with this 1.4x adapter). SOME of the pro-bodies will allow autofocus still.The 3rd-party versions aren't the same quality level as the canon, but work with ALL lenses (so you can put it on your 50mm prime and make it a 70mm prime), the canon versions don't. The 3rd party versions are cheaper as well.  For the somewhat high price of this adapter, it would be nice to have more compatibility, but I can see Canon wanting it to only work with some of their more "Pro" lenses to ensure a higher quality.If you only own 1 "L" lens, it's a somewhat harder sell as the adapter can easily be a good percentage of the price your lens cost.
This extender is very good, when attached to my 70-200 the results were sharper with it!Well worth the money.
Love it. Works great with my 600mm lens. Even though it was used looks and works as if brand new!I would definitely recommend.
Let's start with some words of warning:This extender will only fit certain L-class lenses (see canon website for a list) and it will reduce the maximum f-stop of your lens, so any lens not f/4 or faster to begin with will not work in AF mode (or rather, the camera will not be able to use AF). But you know all that, because you did some research before you considered buying the extender, right?I bought this extender as an economic (ie cheaper) alternative to a longer lens - I own a 70-200 f/4 and as I only occaionally need a longer lens, I was prepared to make amends with regard to max f-stop and picture quality, trading them for (a lot) less money spent and (even more) less weight to carry.I used the extender on a recent trip through southern France and I haven't been disappointed. Yes, the pictures with the extender have a slightly degraded quality, but you really have to look very close. Losing one f-stop to f/5.6 has not been much of an issue for me, as there was light aplenty.The only drawback that was not clear from the beginning - the extender is a bit fiddly to get off the lens again, which you can entirely blame on my lack of dexterity. So not quite 5 stars, but very close.
Bought this to go with my 200 f2.8 lens.  With this on, although I haven't done sharpness "testing", I am very happy with the results.  Can't complain.  I have used it for extra reach when shooting college football games, and I like it a lot.  I had previously purchased a Tamron 2x converter.  While it is not completely fair to do a comparison between a 2x converter and a 1.4x converter, what is fair is to say that I did notice a change in sharpness and color with the tamron 2x converter and I haven't seen that with the 1.4x canon converter.  Of course, this 1.4x converter isn't cheap but in my view, it was worth the extra money.  Of course, before buying this item, ensure that it is compatible with the lenses that you own (or are going to own) as it isn't compatible with all canon lenses.
If you're going to Africa and want to travel light, this is a great companion for the 300/4 IS lens.  As others have noted, the 2X converter reduces contrast and sharpness so much that you are better off cropping at home.  The 300/4 plus 1.4X converter still enables good autofocus, a reasonably bright viewfinder, and pictures with good punch and sharpness.  The 420mm reach is about right for large animals with a full-frame camera and almost long enough for bird photography with the Canon Digital Rebel.
Like:- Smaller than the Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye USM.- Solid build.- Dust and water resistant.- Drawstring pouch.- Minor resolution loss on my 70-200/4L IS and 300/2.8L IS (nothing to worry about).- Maintains autofocus with lenses f/4.0 and faster (this is important to remember).- Maintains optical image stabilization.Dislike:- Extender Cap II (front cap) cannot be used as a camera body cap.
How disappointing!  I expected the Canon 1.4x extender would fit my Canon 30D with Tamron 18-200 lens which I have used with 2 Canon cameras but alas the mount for the lens has a part sticking out so that the Tamron which fits on Canon camera won't fit on Canon extender lens.  It seems it will only fit with a Canon fixed focal length lens.  Would be nice if the ad makes that clear before ordering.
I have used this with varying results with my Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8"L" USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8"L" IS USM, & Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6"L" IS USM. Always with a tripod and on manual focus. Its no substitute for a long prime. but it can be handy in a pinch.
Super product, providing a little extra reach at a fraction of the price of a 400mm L lens. My only criticism, initially, was that it produced images a little softer than those coming from a naked 70-200 4L. However, I compensated by boosting in-camera (Rebel XT) sharpening to the highest level, and the results are excellent. The 1.4x should be in every photographer's bag.
From what I heard all the 3rd party extenders are quite close to this Canon, I just want to stick with Canon though the price is a bit high.  The IQ is more or less the same without the extender, which is a good thing, the only bad thing is that AF is out with my 400mm f5.6L, which makes shooting fast moving things a bit difficult.
I use this with my Canon 70-200mm F2.8 to get me some longer shots that wouldn't be possible without it.  All the while keeping a nice F4.0 and autofocus intact.In my mind this is much more useful than the 2x extender in that you still have a nice soft F4.0 instead of bumping up to F5.6 with the 2x and the 1.4 multiplier is pretty far already.  I might buy a 2x someday, but if you have to make a choice I think you'll be happier with the 1.4x.
Be sure the lenses you have will work with the unit.  I have seven lenses for my canon and it works only on the 100-400 "L" series.  Course I bought it to extend that lens and it does a great job on it. But, it DOES NOT work with the great EF 24-105 f/4.0 'L'lens.A hex on Canon for not making a lens capability list easily available!
Be careful since the 1.4 extender will take one stop of your lighting, making your f/2.8 lens an f/4. Note this means the f/4 lens will become f/5.6 and I think this means that auto-focus doesn't work anymore.Beyond that, for the L lens series, this is a great piece of equipment to get more focal length. The 2x extender loses 2 stops and apparently gives very apparent sharpness loss, so the 1.4x is the one to get.
With the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens, this extender is a fantastic accessory.  The AF continues to work and the image quality, although down just a notch from images without the extender, is acceptably sharp.
I bought this extender to use with my EF70-200L f/2.8 lens on my Rebel XT.  I expected the extender to soften my images, but was very pleased to see no softening.  And, on my lens, the autofocus still works just perfect.Amazon did me right yet again with their pricing and delivery, as well.  I don't hesitate to recommend Amazon to anyone looking for camera gear.
I have both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters from Canon.  Neither, despite what people say, produces an image that just as sharp as the original lens.  But images through the 2x are noticably bad from even a casual inspection while images through the 1.4x hold up very well.  Carefully controlled test shots are the easiest way to really see the problems in this converter.  But for the most part the 1.4x won't be a liability in sharpness.The 1.4x loses one stop of light.  So while this does work on a 100mm-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L lens, I wouldn't reccommend it.  Save this for the 200mm f/2.8 L, and the 300mm f/2.8 IS L, and any bigger primes you have.
Amazing is all I can say.  I shot a wedding on a boat with this lens as I knew the coverage will be limited.  I'm glad to have carried this lens with me (rented).  It's heavy duty and while it does make a buzzing noise it's not loud nor could be heard especially at an event.It's relatively small, compact like the 50mm f/1.8 lens but the hood is made of metal with metal mount.  Tiny but made very well.  The AF was spot on and came out sharper and kept more photos than my 70-200 f/4L shooting outside.Yes, there's a heavy distortion but it's not a circular fisheye either and can be corrected in post to a degree (I didn't heavily correct it).  I don't have to worry about a group of people dancing while trying to focus but let the lens do its job.  Few times I just blind shot behind me and from above with my arms raised and got some pretty neat shots.  The couples and their family/friends all loved the portraits from it.  With the subject being in center, the middle area of course aren't distorted like the outer.  Again, it can be corrected but for a different style to add to the photos this lens is a great choice.I would also use this for landscapes in area you want to cover more of.  Overall I'm very satisfied the lens will likely be my next purchase if not another rental for the next wedding!
I bought this lens as I was walking out to Africa for a month and a half safari.  I didn't own a true wide angle lens and I had just spent most of my budget on a 70-200mm USM "L" lens and a 1.4x extension.I wanted to get the widest lens I could get but I didn't have the big bucks to get the 16-35L or the 14mm L so I got this lens figuring I could correct in Photoshop CS2 later.This is what I found:1) I have a 20D and it doesn't barrel distort anywhere near as bad as I had thought it would....I imagine it distorts quite a bit more on a 5D or other full frame sensor but on the 20D, 10D, 30D, or Rebel it is not that bad.2) It does distort enough even on the 20D that its noticable on every single inside shot and on many panoramic shots....to the experienced professional, you'd notice it even in panoramas.3) For the computer person:  I find it very easy to correct the barrel distortion in Photoshop CS2 very easily....I use a plugin (there are several on the web)4) I tend to like the barrel distortion look on some of my pictures.Pros1) Image Quality is superb.  For not being an L lens, this lens has some amazing color, sharpness, and saturation.  They spared very little in grinding this lens.  Some of my best African pictures, daytime and nightime were taken with this lens and they were fabulous.2) Build pretty well, metal mount, metal integrated hood...but not up to L standards by any means....to its credit, it survived 14 days by vibration ridden truck treking across the Kalahari desert with all its dust, mokoro canoeing in the okavango delta for over a week, hiking, elephant riding, and the five diamond resort at victoria falls (the last one was easy for the fisheye)...3) It is a Fisheye lens and if used properly, it can create some amazing pictures and views...for example In Botswana in the Okavango, I knelt down next to a Gigantic Baobab tree and pointed it up towards the sky, The fisheye captured not only Rex the guide standing next to the tree but the entire massive trunk of the Baobab AND ALL of the canopy of the tree way above.  Everything!  I know of few lenses that would let me do that.  It was an amazing shot only possible with a Fisheye.4) It focuses to about 12inches.5) f/2.8 makes it very good in low light situation.6) The integrated hood comes complete with a nice metal cover.Cons1) Its not built like an L:a) no USM motor so you can hear the whir as it tries to focusb) no moisture seals etcc) It does have a metal mount2) It is a fisheye lens -- I found out after a month and a half what this meant....it doesn't stay on my camera much.  I take it out when I need a certain effect or when I plan to retouch in Photoshop.  It distorts visibly on a 20D and I imagine quite a bit more on a full frame.3) Integrated Hood...can't put screw on filters...but it does have a gel filter holder.4) No bag.My veredict:1) I've purchased a 16-35mm Canon "L" and that lens stays in camera most of the time when I want wide-angle but when I need a special look or I really want to capture everything, I bring out my 15mm Fisheye.  I won't sell it, I don't regret buying it.  I learned what a specialty Fisheye lens is and its staying in my arsenal for those special shots.2) I can't compare against non-canon lenses but I can say that Canon quality here is extraordinary.  I would knock them on the construction but the lens is built well enough and the "glass" itself is spectacular so 5 stars.3) I ordered from Amazon 3 days before my trip --- it arrived the next day.  Great Service.  Thx Amazon.
This lens is awsome. I have no problems with the lens just wish Canon would make a 8mm fisheye. The 15 is good but I have a manual focus 8mm and the range is so much greater. I like a little more distortion on the sides. But this lens will give you some awsome photos. The AF is fast. Just an all around great lens. And if you are not crazy about the really distorted fisheye look this lens has minimal distortion while still giving you the range of the 15mm.
Fisheye lenses come in two varieties. Both types create a heavily barrel-distorted image that provides a roughly 180 degree field of view. Circular fisheyes create a circular image that falls entirely within the frame, leaving black around the edges. The circular image covers a full 180 degrees in all directions. Diagonal fisheyes, which fill the frame, give a 180 degree view only along the frame's diagonals. With both types, a crop-frame camera such as a Canon Rebel or 50D will reduce the field of view significantly unless the fisheye lens is specificially designed for a crop-frame sensor. This will have the effect of significantly reducing the fisheye effect, which is at its most dramatic around the edges of the image (precisely the area lost by crop-frame sensors).The EF 15mm f/2.8 is a diagonal fisheye designed originally for 35mm film cameras, and now usable on full-frame cameras such as the Canon 1Ds or 5D. It is one of the oldest SLR lenses that Canon still manufactures: it was introduced in 1987 as one of the first generation of EF-mount lenses, and does not seem to have been updated at all in the intervening 22 years, even as most of its siblings have been replaced by newer designs.It is a fairly compact, lightweight lens with a metal mount and a plastic shell. Build quality is fairly typical of Canon's mid-range consumer lenses. A small petal-shaped hood is built in and cannot be removed. Because the front element is convex, there are no threads to mount filters in front, though gel filters can be mounted in the back. The front lens cap, oddly, is only held in place by friction, but so far I haven't seen it fall off.Auto-focus is provided by the Arc-Form Drive (AFD) motor that was standard in the early EF lenses, which is somewhat noisier than more modern technologies. Fortunately, it doesn't have to move very much to focus, so it still manages to focus pretty quickly. The manual-focus ring spins freely when the lens is in auto-focus mode.Image sharpness, contrast, and color are quite good, and the lens can focus down to 20 cm (about 8"), which allows for the kind of dramatic perspectives that fisheye lenses are famous for. There are some chromatic aberrations around the edges, but these can be easily corrected in software if you're shooting digital. Every once in a while, when the sun is just out of the frame, I will see a bit of flare, though oddly this never seems to happen when the sun is actually IN the frame.With only five aperture blades, the lens cannot be expected to deliver pretty out-of-focus highlights; on the other hand, a 15mm lens has naturally deep focus, so it can be a challenge to get anything far enough out of focus that the highlights matter. In practice, this is hardly ever a problem.This is a fun lens that makes high-quality pictures. Despite its rather outdated design, it does a good job and I recommend it.
With this lens being at f2.8, i wonder why it doesnt make the L series line of lens.The focusing is crazy fast on this thing!!!!Great fisheye lens, no need for generics, go Canon!Great for ultra wide angle shots of anything, and can be fixed on photo editing programs with lens correction.
I love this lens, too.  Here's a tip for the loose lens cap:  Pick up a roll of paper tape in the wound care aisle of the drug store.  One layer of this tape along the inside lip of the cap (fold the extra half over to the outside or trim off) and you will no longer have this problem.
This is the first fisheye I've owned and this thing is a lot of fun.  Its fast, sharp and takes great pictures.  Obviously there is distortion with it being a fisheye lens but fixable with DxO or similar software.
I purchased this lens because I love wide angle shots and have always wanted to use a fisheye. The only reason I am giving the lens a 4 star is because as someone else mentioned it is a much older Canon lens and think they should have a new version. The quality of the pictures is wonderful. The built is great except it is older. I think this lens is perfect for someone who loves the fisheye concept but already has a nice selection of various lenses. By no means should this be the first or second lens someone buys as it's amazing yet very limited.
I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I use the lens for these situations and love it.1. To add some interest to dancefloor shots. I just hold the camera above the crowd and shoot down. The shots are playful and energetic.2. To make a small, boring church look huge. Just shoot inside and watch out to keep your toes out of the shot.and for fun3. To shoot kids and pets with big, cartoony heads.It's a great lens and fun to use.
I have been a fisheye fan for years.  Photos taken with this type of lens can be very striking because they enable a viewer to see all at once a scene that cannot be viewed as a whole normally.  A fisheye or other superwide lens is often the best way to capture a big landscape.  No other lens has better depth of field making it possible to take photos in sharp focus from a few inches to infinity.  Barrel distortion is largely eliminated or disguised in a landscape photo by putting the horizon in the center of the shot.My only quibble with this lens is that the corners can break down on a full frame camera such as a 1Ds or a 5D.  At f4.0 and above focus in the corner is noticeably soft and there is considerable chromatic fringing.  It is only in the extreme corner so cropping that out or shooting at a higher aperature solves the problem.
I bought this lens to have as an additional option/perspective for my wedding clients. I am on the Canon 50D cropped sensor so I don't get as much of the fish eye barreling, but I like it that way. I enjoy this lens as a great ultra wide angle with just a hint of a fish eye effect so that it doesn't become too much if I use it on a few different shots.For the casual shooter, this lens might be a little pricey but worth it if you are a serious amateur and want to add variety to your lens line up. I would not buy it if you only have one or two lenses in your bag. This is a 'I have everything I need so lets get something I want' type of lens.As for the quality, I feel it is very nice. The lens cap could fit a little tighter but that is pulling hairs.Image quality is good. I haven't noticed anything that frustrates me (as of yet) with the images. I will note, though, that when I try to use this lens indoors or low light I always brace it against something since it can get pretty slow in those situations (high ISO is a must in those cases).Bottom line... I would recommend it.
This is a great lens, especially on a crop sensor body, its like a 24mm instead of a 15mm. It does extremely well in low light and is sharp even at f/2.8. I have used this to do filming in an aircraft simulator where lighting conditions are very low and it performs like a champ. I have also used it during a choir performance in a church to get a wide shot of the entire group, with only ambient lighting and it did very well. This is a quality prime piece of glass.
This is a good quality canon lenses. The pictures are clear and sharp but this lenses is more like a wide angle than a fisheye. When I had my Nikon the Nikor fisheye lenses 10 mm gave me the circular look that I wanted from a fisheye lenses.
This wildly wide fisheye takes gorgeous pictures and is excellent for nightlife, events and gatherings. The wide aperture works well in low light and the distortion provides a great effect. Now that I've moved up to full frame I can see even more of the distortion now. The lens is so small, I always pack this one no matter what event I do.
I have owned this lens a few times and it is a fun lens for creative photography and also useful to carry on a 2nd camera for sports (get the whole stadium) or weddings (get the whole church!)Great price (although it has gone up) ya can't ask for a better fisheye!
I struggled with purchasing this lens.  I must have looked at it every day for months before biting the bullet and making the purchase!  On my recent trip to Colorado, I took this lens along with my 7D took the most breath-taking photographs that looked as if I worked for days for the sun to be setting at the perfect moment and the clouds all to be in order...and to tell the truth, I just snapped here and there and my photos were probably some of the best I've ever taken!  The only thing that scares me a bit is that the lens cap does not fit securely and with the fish eye, you must be very careful.  Nonetheless, I'm so in love with my new lens!  I highly recommend it for someone who is trying to beef up their camera bag a little.  If you've read this review, it means you really want it, so just get it.
I really like the sparkly, crystal-clear images this lens produces.  I was after the lens distortion, and was pleased to see the other benefits of using the lens as well.  It's quite a versatile lens.That it will not take a filter and the lens glass bulges outward is a little scary from a lens-protection standpoint.  I would not recommend this lens to anyone with sloppy handling techniques, and I CERTAINLY would never loan it to ANYone, too much danger of damaging the glass.It's pricey.  That it's not a 'great deal' is the only reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5.
Full frame 15mm fisheye lens is totally amazing!180 degree field of view, close focusing to 39cmSome bending , curving , but this is to be expected with a 180 degree field of view, and isan awesome perspective when shot with a low angle.
Be it a circular or full frame version, the results of a fisheye lens has always intrigued.  Several weeks back, I purchased a refurbished factory demonstrator from e**y with a UW date code and a one year warranty from the seller.  The lens was pristine and generally sharper than expected.  The corners sharpened nicely from f/4.If you are not careful, the E-73 slip-on metal front lens cap can come off.  The lens is not something you would want to walk around with the front element exposed to possible impact.  There is a built-in gelatin filter holder in the rear which can accomodate a 31mm x 31mm filter.The instructions do not explain how to clean the glass.  I use a double valve system silicone blower followed by a microfibre cloth designed for polishing photographic lenses.A compact Omni-Bounce or similar knock-off attached to your flash head with the flash pointed upward towards an 8 foot high white ceiling will create a diffused bare bulb effect which will give even coverage across the entire frame of your full-frame sensor.If you are like me, this lens is definitely a keeper.
I have used this lens at Division 1A football games this season.  I use it on a 5D to take shots of the stadium.  It is tack sharp.  Last night I saw a six foot wide (!) canvas print the university had made I shot with this lens; even with close inspection it held up nicely.  If you must have a sharp lens this is the one.
When used on a camera with a crop factor , the 15mm lens isn't as extreme as it seems.  For example, on my EOS 20D the "35mm equivalent" is 15mm * 1.6 = 25mm.  I do plan on getting a full-frame body in the next few months, and plan to enjoy the lens even in its full super-wide-angle glory.This lens does have barrel distortion inherent in all fisheye designs BUT these can be enhanced, diminished or completely removed by commonly-available plugins.  (I use ptlens, dxo, and to a lesser extent, the ones built into Photoshop CS2 and CS3.)  Here's the important part: if you're willing to deal with barrel distortion in post-processing (and you should be), the 15mm is the best super-wide lens available.  It's lighter, much cheaper, and, to my eyes, equal in image quality to the 14/f2.8L.Bottom line: Excellent lens, excellent value.  The total cost of the lens plus post-processing software is much less than the more expensive rectalinear 14mm lens.  This lens is one of my favorite possessions.  You will not regret owning it!---I have since did as I promised and purchased a full-frame body, and would like to "revise and extend" my remarks.  Basically, at full-frame the 15mm starts to show more flaws.  The chromatic aberrations in the corners are pretty bad (not as noticeable with a cropped body), and the fisheye effect is much more pronounced.  The CAs can be cleaned up somewhat in CS3, but beware stark contrasts in the corners; those purple fringes are really tough to get rid of!  You can still "defish" the images using ptlens, but dealing with corner perspectives is tougher.It's still a great lens, but just for a more limited use.  I wound up getting a 16-35 II zoom as its complement (and to replace the 10-22 EF-S lens that won't work on full frame cameras).
f2.8 is just amazing on this lensI have taken phenomenal shots with it on my 5d2 and get impressed again and againI think the best part of this lens is that it is light with superb image qualityI can even compare the sharpness to my 24L in many situations and that is how good this lens is
The fisheye lens is a lot of fun, and I enjoy using mine.  However, I find that the practicality of the lens is minimal.  I don't usually want my "serious" photographs to have fisheye distortion.I don't tend to like the 1.6x crop on Canon's lower-end digital SLR cameras, but with the fisheye this has an interesting benefit:  it's reasonably easy to use the fisheye as a standard wide-angle lens, since most of the distortion is removed by the 1.6x crop.  You can still get distortion, but it's a lot easier to compose a shot without it using a 1.6x camera than a full-frame camera.Either way, lots of fun.  Buy one for the enjoyment, or even for professional assignments if your work calls for it, but think about if you really want the distortion before getting one of these.
I bought this lens to use on a 5Dmk2 as an fast & ultra wide lens, e.g. low light shows. I use it often to stand close to a stage and get the whole band in one shot. It's hard to get all members in interesting poses & facial expression, but when I do - it's definitely a keeper!Pros:* Image quality is good. There's purple fringing, esp in the corners, but that can be fixed in post processing.* Good build quality.* Quite wide max aperture.* The distortion can be easily corrected, e.g. using DxO or fisheye-hemi photoshop plugin, to create wider than any rectilinear lens image.* Small size, so it's easy finding place for it in a bag.Cons:* No USM. Then again, it focuses quickly, and as it isn't used to shoot people from a short distance, there's small chance of them noticing it.* Bulging front element, which means no filter and little protection. Does accept gel filters.* Only 5 aperture blades, but ultra wide lenses aren't exactly the lenses one would try to get bokeh with.* No bag, and the one Canon lists as matching is tight.* Some people dislike the distortion. Then again, some people don't mind, esp if used in the appropriate occasions.I wish this lens wasn't discontinued. If it broke tomorrow morning, I would look for either a used copy or a Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye Lens. I would avoid the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L is it is about twice as expensive, and as of today is not supported by DxO.As a side comment, the recommended pouch (Canon LP814) is a little tight on this lens. If you decide to buy a pouch for this lens, I suggest looking for one with a larger diameter.
Very good lens but not to my liking stopped down.
I've been using this lens for almost a year now and I love the clarity and limited range it offers. I say limited since it's a Wide-Angle lens and the range can create challenges since it could be wider and longer, but I've found that this has forced me to think more about what I'm capturing. This was the first L series lens I've purchased and compared to the other lenses in my bag it's currently my favorite.  If you're looking for a wide angle that offers enough zoom with the clarity and quality that these series of lenses offer, I highly recommend it.  If you're looking to go wider on your crop-sensor camera, I'd recommend looking at something in the 10mm range. I plan on purchasing a Full-Frame in the next few months, so for me this was a long term investment.
I have had many cameras and lenses, and as a professional photographer I highly recommend this lens. It is very sturdy and well made. Great for night or day. Great colors.
I love buying the best value lenses from Canon like the blazingly fast 50mm 1.8 or the razor sharp 85mm 1.8. The 17-40 L is no exception; in fact it's the best value lens from Canon in my opinion, how so? Consider the following features.RANGE: I use this lens on the Rebel XT. With a 1.6 crop factor this lens will provide an angel of view of 27-64. That's a great range for taking pictures in the forest preserve for example. It would have been nice if the lens was a little longer (more like 80mm on 1.6 a body), but with 8MP and Photoshop crop function does it really matter? Not really, I always crop to create beautiful animal pictures in post processing and still maintain excellent picture quality for prints up to 8-10 inches.SIZE & CONSTRUCTION: Yes I list this second because this lens blows away all other canon lenses that I own in construction quality. Its solid as a tank and it balances the XT so well that I can hand hold it with confidence and comfort. Although it weight 1.1 pounds the lens never felt too heavy, just right.SHARPNESS: very sharp at all apertures, but best by 8.0. I am close to affirming that this lens will produce sharpness at par with many primes at that aperture. That's very impressive if you consider that is still a zoom even if it's an L.CONVENIANCE: Coming from using mostly primes its so much fun to use a zoom like this one. Now I pretty much own 4 lenses in one. Yes think of it as owning the 20mm + 24mm + 28mm + 35mm none L primes for half the price combined. The only draw back is that this lens is 1-2 stops slower than those lenses. Otherwise it's almost or as sharp and more convenient to use.FOCUS DISTANCE: Did you ever see pictures where the foreground is dominated with a small object like a flower and then in the background there is a grand scene of open land? This lens gives you the ability to take those pictures because its closest focusing distance is under 1 foot. That means you will be able to get close to objects compared to other zooms. Don't over estimate the convenience of ultra zooms like 28-300mm. Those lenses restrict your ability to crop and create beautiful composition, because their minimum focus distance is higher. With the 17-40 however, all what you have to do is focus correctly, compose with tight crop, and then shoot at f11-16.DISTORION CONTROL: This lens doesn't come free of distortions, especially so at the wide end where you can notice some barrel distortion. But overall its very capable at controlling distortion. That includes distortions like chromatic aberation, light fall off, vigetting, and flare. It doesn't eliminate those things completely, but controls them so well that such problems will go unnoticeable. I would love to have a distortion free lens. After all, with the challenges of getting lighting and composition right who needs lens distortions to deal with on the top of those two things? But the fact to the matter is that all lenses have some level of distortion and this lens is pretty good at controlling them especially if you take its price into account and that's what I will discuss next.VALUE: At the $600 range this lens offers an incredible value. No other lens in that price range offers the same quality build, distortion control, and image quality. The best part however, is that this lens holds its value really well. You can sell it used if you ever have to for close to what you bought it for. Now that's a lens I can't refuse!There are many great value lenses, but each comes with a weakness. For example, the 50mm is very cheap in construction and the 85mm is soft on the wide end. The 17-40 L on the other hand is just amazing! It did not disappoint me in anyway except possibly its limited reach on the upper end (40mm only). Otherwise I see no weakness in this lens. Some people may consider the 4.0 maximum aperture too low, but it served my landscape and nature needs incredibly well. If you need an extra stop for portrait or no flash concerts get the 16-35 2.8. Otherwise this is the lens!
This is my 3rd L lens (I also have the 35L and the 24-70L) and this lens did not disappoint. In fact, it far surpassed my expectations. I was expecting to just use this lens primarily for outdoors but it turns out, paired with the 5D Mark II, it's not too bad of an indoor lens. Bumping up the ISO and not going below 1/60 of a second is recommended though. I do feel that with an f/4, it's not as quick as my other L's, but the image quality this produces is fantastic. The build quality is excellent too. For the price of this L lens, it's quite a bargain, relatively speaking. This is not my primary lens but for an ultra-wide and landscape lens, it's fantastic! I highly recommend every hobbyist to have this in his/her kit.
To use a sports metaphor, every camera generally needs a single lens to run the show for most of your shots, the "walk around" lens if you will.  Obviously you have your other lenses that help with the truly specialized shots, but you need a quarterback, and this lens is it.  After weeks of reading and research, I purchased this lens and boy was I happy.  A very high quality lens that won't break the bank.  I've already used it to shoot still pictures and digital video.  I haven't noticed the softness around the edges the way some of the other reviews have.  It works well enough in low light that the F4 isn't a worry and the extra bucks for the 2.8 isn't really worth it unless you have a lot of cash to throw around.  I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, if you're looking for a great overall lens for your DSLR, this one is the one to get, considering it's price, it's a steal, a great well built piece of glass that will last.  All I can say really.  Also, ordered it on a Tuesday and chose standard shipping, and it arrived on Thursday, can't beat that!!!Update:  For those of you who are wondering if this lens is wide enough for filmmaking.  ABSOLUTELY!!!  I can understand how someone shooting landscapes may not get quite enough wide from this lens, but it's more than enough for cinema.  Still loving this lens!!!
perfect lens.
great image, great performance, fast focus, perfect shape. I love it because is fast, light wehigt and pro cuality. Tks
It might just be a problem with the new 5D MKIII but unless you are setting exposures entirely manually it is very problematic. It grabs the brightest spot in your frame and adjusts to that so you end up with sometimes with as much as 90% black silhouettes and blobs and then 10% of properly exposed blue sky and white clouds peeking through tree branches.I purchased a .6 graduated nd filter and it does help, but if you are shooting people, the majority of the time their face will fall in the very dark top area of the filter, so, it doesn't help that much.I previously shot with the Tokina 11-16mm on a 7D and compared to that setup, the Canon 17-40mm can sometimes really warp objects in the corners of your shots.If you aren't shooting anything live and can take the time to manually adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and iso, you can get some really nice shots though.
I've had this lens for about a year now and this thing is great!  There are faster wide angle lenses but this fit what I wanted perfectly.  I shoot a lot of nightclubs and concerts so when I'm shooting somewhere darker like a club I always use a speedlite and if I'm doing a concert or something that is better lit it being f4 isn't ever a problem.  I used to have the Canon 10-22 3.5-4.5 ef-s on my 7D but when I got a 5D MKII I needed a wide angle lens to replace that and this does the job perfectly!  Also if you have a crop sensor I would recommend getting the 10-22 instead of this if that not quite fisheye but still super wide angle is what you're going for.
I bought this as a everyday lens because the one i had before this was 3 times heavier and was hard to carry around.I also have 50mm and now I'm looking forward buying a good telephoto zoom lens and that's it for my 7D camera.
I orderd this lens a few days ago and I am not keeping it. Here is my reviewPros:* Solid build quality* Fast and quiet autofocus* Well controlled Barrel Distortion even at 17mm.Cons:* After testing this lens for 2 hours. 95% of the pictures were comming out dark with some indoor pictures having dark corners even with my flash on. Picture taken at 2pm on a bright sunny day were dark and colors were dull!!!*My other L lens EF 70-200 f 4 (from 4 years ago) takes amazing picture compared to this one.ConclusionI think this is quality assurance issue. We are in bad economical times and Canon is getting cheap.Now I have to spend $20 to send it back...I am thinking that I am much better off walking into a store and paying the extra bucks and test the lens before buying it...or get a used one from 4 to 5 years ago. In otherwords treat any lens produced in the last 2 years like a Sigma lens test it before you buy it
I own a few L's now: the 17-40, a 24-105 and the new 70-200/4IS. This is on a par or better than all the others. Yeah, the 70-200 is really, really hard to beat, but my goodness. The sharpness, color and contrast of this lens has to be seen to be believed. Really.I bought mine secondhand and it was a refurb. (Personally, I love refurb items of all kinds - I know the kinks are worked out!) This is just an incredible lens! Some may poo-poo the max f4, but I've used it indoors with no flash at iso800 and been handsomely rewarded for my efforts.Absolutely a superb lens.
For an L-series lens, I'm surprised that this lens isn't sharper, but it's also one of the least expensive L-series lenses. Construction quality is on a par with other L lenses I've owned/used. It's a very capable landscape lens on my 6D, but it isn't quite as crisp as a 24-105mm L that I used to have, even in the F/7.1 - f/9 &#34;sweet spot.&#34; If you're not pixel-peeping on-screen at the computer, you may or may not notice it, and a little sharpening before printing yields very good prints.At this price, this lens is worth having if you need this range, but don't be afraid to consider other options if the image quality is the same at a lower price. And if you have money to burn, definitely look at the more expensive L lenses.
I like this lens. The more I use it, the more I like it. It is tack sharp, captures great color, has wonderful bokeh and is as wide as I will ever need. The only thing I can complain about is using it in lower lighting settings. I knew beforehand, F4 was going to not perform well in the shade, but I didn't expect it to be as obvious as it is. This is not a show stopper for me, but it does register as a drawback. Being that the faster 16-35mm is twice the price, this lens is a bargain.
Received this item on Oct 20, 2012.  Immediately went to S. Lake Tahoe for hikes, took 236 pictures with this lens.  F8-11, 17mm, 28, and 40, focal length.  Results, there were some CA when it was wide opened from 24-17mm, but no big deal.  They can be fixed in Adobe.I used to have Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 DC, and it gave me wonderful pictures on Canon 7D.  In comparison to this lens, I like the Sigma better for it gave little bit better in saturation, clarity, and sharpness.Since I upgraded to Canon 5DIII, that lens was not compatible, I wish Sigma have FF version of that lens.Overall, I believe 17-40mm F4.0 will be good for "walk-around" lens, and it is good buy at the price $729.00I am looking to purchase either 35mm/24mm F1.4.  Hopefully, by black Friday, Amazon will have discount on those lenses:=))
I got this used and i'm really happy with the results. It's sharpest at 17mm, but slightly softer at 40mm which doesn't matter for me since i won't be shooting at 40mm anyways.Focus speed is great and always accurate with no hesitation.It serves its value just right. Very happy with my purchase.
Great Lens for the money. I use it on my MK II works amazing with full frame.Very solid lens
I purchased this lens before my trip to Europe - test drove it for a couple of weeks before my vacation and I have to say I am in love with this lens! :) I use it on a crop camera, on an ancient Canon 400D but the colors, contrast, speed of focusing, clarity and overall IQ are absolutely amazing! It's the PERFECT all purpose lens on my crop camera. Bokeh is sweet when wide open, the focus spot on - and I do mostly dog photography - action primarily, so I know what I'm taking about!It's a lot lighter than my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L and very comfortable carrying and using it for an entire day.I highly recommend this lens for anyone with a crop camera. Yes, it won't be an ultra wide angle lens, the way it would be on a full frame camera, but the range is so useful that I find it very hard to take it off my camera and replace it with any other lens I have.
I purchased this to replace my 16-35mm L lens that cost about twice as much.  I am very pleased with the clarity this lens provides... especially for the price!
this was the first L series lens i bought, back when i had my APS-C rebel. it is a great walkaround lens for an APS-C camera, and the image quality is outstanding. however as a walkaround lens, i did find the f4 somewhat limiting when light was limited. i had to raise my iso higher than i like, and my rebel started to get noisy pretty quickly.when i moved to a full frame 5D classic, i was blown away by the extreme wide angle effect of a true 17mm lens. this creates pretty dramatic perspective distortion, awesome if youre into that look. i used to shoot a ton with this lens, now not as much as i try now not to overuse the ultra wide look. it is still perfect for me though given the right situation. the lens is extremely sharp. i tend to only use this lens when i want a very wide look, so i normally shoot it at 17mm.i never found the need to upgrade to the 16-35 f2.8 version of this lens. i mainly use this lens in bright conditions, i shoot architecture and landscapes with it. i typically shoot it stopped down, so there was really no point in buying the f2.8 at twice the price. this lens has served me very well, i dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. it is one of the cheapest canon L lenses you can buy, yet still has top notch performance and produces amazing images!
I'm not a professional.  I used to be but retired from that profession some time ago.  These days I enjoy photography as a creative outlet.  My only purpose is to make pictures that satisfy me and look good printed large on cotton rag inkjet paper.I use this lens as my normal zoom for APS-C Canon bodies.  In that respect it works exceptionally well.  In terms of absolute sharpness, it's probably not significantly sharper than the standard 18-55 kit zooms Canon ships with the Rebel models. In terms of the build quality and the look of photographs, it is light years ahead of the kit zooms.  Color and tonality are both superb and I find I need to do little in the way of tweaking the Raw files when converting them.  The edges and corners of the photographs do give up a little sharpness compared to the center image but the loss in these areas is not as important to me as the gains in the overall image quality.  Objectively, it's easy to come up with optical limitations in all lenses.  But the important thing to me is the way the picture looks and the 17-40 produces a damn fine looking picture.
Very nice,very good quality.Buy it from amazon and save your money.Showed a very good to excellent performans.12 elements in 9 groups.77 mm filter size.27-64 mm standard zoom on full frame cameras.
photography is my hobby. i do enjoy it and wanted to improve. i bought this lens to give more range to my lens. i have, the kit lens for my 30D and a 70-200 f2.8L. the telephoto was just too heavy for everyday/walk around use. the 17-40 fits the bill. i have shot about 2000 pictures. i would say about 20% are keepers (because i am learning).  focusing at such a wide perspective (i got the hang of it about 250-500 shots) does take some getting used to. the lens does teach you a lot about f stops, lighting, and composition when in full manual. overall, the quality of the lens is outstanding. sunsets and "vista in the southwest" are when i appreciate this lens. i was most surprised at how good it works in close quarters. for example, my kids walking around the mall.  it is expensive, but the EF 16-35 f2.8L, was simply out of my range. it is better than the kit lens for sure. i would agree with the majority of the positive reviews. the only drawback is the price, but i feel it is well worth it. AMAZON did not get the product to me as quickly as promised, but they did wave the shipping when i pointed it out.in summary, if you are wanting to improve your skills in photography, then this lens is a great addition. it will not take better pictures, it will make you a more refined photographer/artist. as with all things worthwhile, it will cost you something.
The Canon 10-22mm EF-S wide angle zoom or the 17-40mm EF "L" zoom?  I deliberated this decision for over a month, having physically tested both lenses on my 350D crop frame DSLR at local camera shops and spending a near ridiculous amount of time reading through indispensable online reviews such as this one.  With the price for each being roughly the same, the decision came down to the 10-22's ultra-wide capability vs. the 17-40's build quality.I ended up choosing the 17-40 and here's why:-Incredible optics and sharpness.  If you're like me and have never owned an "L" series lens before, you'll be able to see the difference in optical construction quality before you ever snap a digital shot.  It's evident in the viewfinder just how precise this lens is.-Longevity: I'm the kind of guy who likes high quality equipment and can see myself upgrading to a full-frame sensor camera body sooner rather than later.-Wide vs. Ultra-wide: You'll often read warnings of the difficulty in framing sub-20mm ultra-wide compositions.  It's a valid point.  Only certain scenarios lend themselves to 180 degree framing but most of the time you'll be challenged to keep all of the uninteresting junk out of the frame.  I was a little worried about 17-40mm's 27-54mm conversion when used on a crop frame.  Would it be wide enough?  Answer, yes.  27mm is plenty wide for most applications and with the crop factor, I get almost zero barrel distortion at the widest edges.  In my estimation, the 10-22 is more of an effect lens whereas the 17-40 is much more of an everyday multi-purpose working lens.In summary, if the focal length range of the 17-40 doesn't overlap too much over your current lens kit and you favor high-quality wide over good quality ultra-wide, then this lens is right for you.*NOTE: If the 17-40's inclusion of a lens hood is influencing your decision in anyway over the 10-22, don't let it be.  The hood is basically a pain in the rear due to it's ridiculous size and shape.  Difficult to pack and you'd probably be better served just picking up a 77mm protection filter.
we love the lens. It has amazing color saturation and we love the photos. I wish it was cheaper :D.
I just bought this lens and am totally in love with it.  The wide-angle is beautiful, captures great area without distortion around the edges which is exactly what I was looking for.  Fast and light, the performance has been excellent.  This is my first L lens and I am totally hooked, will definitely invest in L's in the future.  The only thing negative I can say at all is that when you have the hood attached, and use the built-in flash, it casts a small shadow.  I usually use a mounted flash anyway so it doesn't affect my shots, but if you only use the built-in flash, be aware of this.
Although this lens is considered as ultra wide lens, for XTis and 30D's, this is really a 28-65mm lens (not "ultra" but regular wide).  I purchased this for about $700 at Amazon to replace the kit lens 18-55mm the XTi came with.  I am very pleased with the photos that I am taking. The focus is quick. The images are sharp, and the color is beautiful. I like the lens a lot.  Because it's a F4 lens, I do need to use the flash. With 430EX flash I am getting pleasing shots in low light situations as well. I suppose a lower F stop might be better but I don't think Canon makes a lower F stop lens of comparable build. I did consider 28-70mm F2.8L (45-112mm on the XTi), but then it's no longer a "wide" angle lens. Compensating for the crop factor, getting a wide angle lens meant 17mm or less. So, this was really the only choice I had for an L quality build at this price range.  Over all, I am very satisfied with the build quality and the results.  The 40mm (64mm on the XTi) is a bit short, and I wish it were longer.  However, giiven that this lens costs only (did I say "only?" lol) about $650, I have no complaints about the lens.  Something's gotta give.  It's weight is nicely substantial (not too heavy), and since I use my XTi with a battery grip all of the time, the combined weight balances well in my hands. To me, the battery grip and this lens are perfect companions to make the XTi's complete. I like this 17-40mm f/4L USM Wide Angle Zoom Lens for my XTi.
I like many others who got their hands on a 40D considered the 28-135 for a walkaround lens.  As good a lens as that is, I decided instead to opt for my first L lens - the 17-40.  As soon as I had a chance to review my first photos I knew I had made the right decision.  My 17-40 is incredibly sharp, the bokeh at f4 is excellent, and the colors are perfect. Obviously I lose a lot of range on the long end but gain quite a bit on the wide end.  I have found it to be a good combination with the 430EX flash for inside photos (watch the white balance).  Outside, it is my everyday choice for walking around, sometimes requiring me to move physically closer to subjects (that is a good thing).  The 17-40 also means that my next "L" purchase will be the 70-200 f4, 70-200 f4 IS, or the near perfect 135.  One of those, combined with the 17-40 and 50 1.4 will meet almost all of my needs.  The 17-40 is a wonderful lens and well worth the investment, especially if you are an amateur lucky enough to have a 40D.
I have this lens since May 2005 - no idea how many picture I took with it! It's sturdy as a rock and tack sharp on all cameras I have used (10D, XTi and 60D). Like every wide-angle it shows an amazing DOF; so, getting it to produce a decent bokeh is a little tricky, even at f/4. You need to get pretty close and that makes it almost impossible to use as a portrait lens even on a 1.6 crop camera. At 40mm it starts to work that way, but the ultimate strength is landscape and architecture photography, no question. There are some creative uses of it at 17mm once you start looking for them.It's almost "clinically sharp", meaning that it's somehow less flattering than (say!) the Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 that produces images that appear a little "soft" - nothing you can't fix in PS or any other photo software. Sometimes I feel that is adds a little gray-ish tone especially to the greens (as opposed to the Sigma), but that differs between different RAW processors anyway.Built very solidly, it's with me since 6 years and doesn't budge. USM makes it focus very fast, sharpness is limited only by the sensor quality - since I got my new 60D it showed new life; blow it up to 100% (if that's what you want!) and it shows no softness whatsoever.Of course, it rocks on my "old" 35mm ELAN - if you have one of those (or a full frame DSLR, like the 5D or 1D), 17 mm will open a new window for photographs.I have the feeling that I won't need another Canon wide-angle lens anytime soon.
I TRIED THEM ALL FOR MY 350 XT REBEL,THE TAMRON 18-200 AND THE TAMRON 28- 75, THE CANON EF-S 17-85, THIS LENS 17-40mm f/4L IS EASILY THE BEST IN QUALITY OF PICTURES AND EVERYTHING ELSETOOK ME 3 MONTHS OF TRYING DIFFERENT LENS THIS IS MY FIRST L LENS AND I'M SOLD. PROBABLY WILL GET THE EF 70-200mm f/4.0 LTHIS LENS IS LIGHTER THAN THE OTHERS TOO ALSO IF YOU HAVE A FILM CAMERA YOU HAVE ONE OF THE BEST WIDE ANGLES OUT THERE! CANT DO THAT WITH YOUR EFS LENS & TAMRON 18-200 AS THEY ARE FOR DIGITAL ONLY. COMES WITH LENS HOOD A BIT UGLY, AND NICE LENS POUCH.
Im a beginner in the photography world, so this being my first L series wide angle lens is mind blowing lol the shipping was fast, the lens and accessories were received in tip top shape and i couldnt be more thankful!
I was debating between getting this lens and the twice as expensive 16-35 f/2.8 lens. F/4 is really all I need, and this is a great lens. I am using it with a Canon 6D (full frame good-ness!), and it is really wide. When I slap this on my older 450D (crop sensor), I get a field of view as if this lens were a 27-64 f/4, so it is not nearly as wide, but still good for group shots and some landscape work. Focusing is super fast and tack sharp.All in all, I love this lens and would recommend it if you are looking for a wide angle and don't want to spend too much (or if f/4 is good enough).
I bought this lens for my 5D Mark ll and the only thing bad about it, is I should have bought this a long time ago. It's a great lens. It's on my camera now more than my 70-200.  I'm really happy with the quality of the images, and I can't wait to get back to Zion NP!
I like landscape and interior photography and this is definitely my favorite lens of those I own; with the 10D's 1.6 crop factor this lens has a nice equivalent range of 27.2mm - 64mm.I use it all the time and the images are nice and sharp--considerably better than the images I got from the Sigma 14mm.If you're into portraits 64mm (with a 1.6 crop factor) is maybe a bit too short but for landscapes and interiors I would highly recommend this lens.  I love it.
I just recieved this lens about a week ago and had a chance to take it out on a few road trips already. And I've got some nice pics. there is a little distrotion at 17mm but after reading a few reviews I was aware of it and found that lightroom took care of the problem. otherwise, I love this lens along with my 24-105mm, and don't forget your uv filters. Good Luck.
This lens has excellent qualities, pictures are sharp perfect and the zoom range is ideal especially for interior shoots as always the L type lens delivered.
A friend photographer for a local newspaper showed up with one of these, brand new! I tested it against the 28-40 range and the pictures were completely identical in every way, sharpness in every corner, contrast, etc.Just thought I let you know.
I was hesitant to spend $650+ on any lens, L-glass or not. I'd already purchased a 50mm/1.4, a 75-300mm USM IS, and the Rebel came with an 18-55mm. But I was missing a good, wide lens. After much hand-wringing and research, I settled on the 17-40mm piece of L-glass. I haven't regretted it.The 18-55mm EFS lens that comes with the Rebel is...ok. It falls out of focus easily and feels cheaply constructed. On the other hand, the 17-40mm lens is as solid as you can hope for - metal mounts, feels extremely well put together. Its not especially fast, but its quick enough. I've not missed a shot yet.I mostly use the 17-40mm for outdoor photowork and some indoor portrait work provided the lighting conditions are favorable, otherwise I use my 50mm/1.4. The 17-40mm is good walk-around lens. The addition of a lens-hood and a case is a nice bonus.Yes, the 10-22mm EF-S will get you an extra 7mm, something us digital SLR users would kill for given the 1.6x conversion. But again, the build quality difference between the 10-22 and the 17-40 is glaring. Not to mention that should you need to resell the 10-22 later, only 20D and Digital Rebel customers would apply, unless Canon expands the line-up of EFS-compatible cameras.And...this is L-glass. The pictures are impressive. The bokeh is pleasing. Given favorable lighting conditions, this lens pretty much dominates my Digital Rebel 80% of the time.
This company does good work when selling fixed lenses. I think this lens is absolutely awesome. I got this lens to use temporarily on my Rebel Xti. Next year I shall purchase the 5D markII and this lens will go right on it.When I bought the lens, I must say that I was skeptical. I looked around and the price increased from $400 on average to $407. Then, just before I was ready to buy the lens, it jumped up to $450...imagine my shock. So I looked at a rebuilt because of the lower cost but again, the seller had an impeccable rating which you should be comfortable with. they are good. the lens isn't too heavy either and when zooming, you don't get the the typical lens extending out past the lens body as with most lenses, the lens stays the same length at all times. This is truly a lens designed just for landscape photography in mind but can be used for professional shots of people and other uses. If you move from EF-S lenses, YOU WILL NOTICE A HUGE DIFFERENCE in your picture quality.Pro: excellent picture quality, great picture contrast, smooth focusing motors, excellent glass quality. there is an included hood with the lens, it has black velvet inside which helps greatly to absorb light in my opinion. use it to protect your lens.Cons: on my current APS-C digital rebel Xti, in some cases I get some vignetting which isn't soo bad. one can use the canon software included with the camera and use the peripheral illumination feature to correct that(Not a killing problem to this product, just bcz of the image sensor).other: not a con but, if you, like myself have used EF-S lenses before this, you'll need to get used to the zoom and focus rings being set differently on EF lenses to include this one. But I'm getting used to that over time.My final analysis is that this company is well worth the money they ask for this lens. The delivery was fast and perfect!10 out of 10 stars!
I am an avid photographer and need an ultra wide lens for my 5d Mark 2 and chose this one because the &#34;L&#34; build.  I was pleasantly surprised with the expected quality and have used it several times since purchasing and would recommend it.
This lens does a fine job, but I did notice that when I took picures of builings with words or other features that had good straight-lined contrast, the sharpness was exceptional. However, when I take pictures of nature scenes, it seems that trees, rock formations, etc. look a little soft. Not sure if this is the camera or the lens. I do wish I had a full sensor camera for this particular lens, maybe sometime in the far future.
I give it 3 stars because it's okay.  For an 'L' series lens I guess I expected more.  I should have gone with the 24-70 just to have a bit more reach.  I find myself keeping this at about 35-40mm to avoid distortion.  Things really get bent around at 17-20.  I didn't understand how much.  Probably will sell this when I do get a 24-70.
I am a professional wedding photographer, and have photographed over 100 weddings. I used this lens for a number of those (fortunately sparingly) and have found this lens to produce very soft images 90% of the time. I have used it under all kinds of lighting conditions, and no matter what the conditions, most shots are soft. I see the price is around $800, which is insane. Don't waste your money.
I got this lens for my full-frame camera (5D), and it's a great lens to get into wide angle photography - sharp and versatile, plus it's very nicely priced for an L lens.  Be aware that the crop factor of APS sensor cameras makes this lens more of a 27-64mm.  If you have one of these cameras and you really want to have ultra wide-angle capability, you might be better off with something like Canon's EF-S 10-22mm.
with the 1.6X zoom on my rebel xt, this lense is still wide.  the pictures are razor sharp, saturation is perfect, nice and compact, canon "L" quality definitely shines here.  if you want one of the best lenses for your canon, look no further.  the only downside to this lense is that once you go "L" - there is no turning back.
This is in no way an ultra wide angle lens, my EFS 18-135mm lens that came with my 7d out performs it. I should have expected as much with an L series lens that wasn't a million $.  the internal zoom is nice though and the action is as smooth as silk.  I am returning it and getting the EF-s 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 that I was replacing because it was stolen.
Ok so I hope my other lenses do not get jealous, but I really love the wide angle of this lens. I also just bought a Canon 5D Mark II. So it really shows me a lot. I was thinking of getting the 2.8L but I was talking to a couple of people and they gave me the idea of maybe trying the 4L. So I did and I am happy I did. The higher quality of the L line is obvious. It is heavier than my other lenses, but I do not mind. This was my 2nd or 3rd L lens. I think it was the 2nd. In any case. It is a very nice lens. Yes it is a little pricey, but you are paying for the quality. I am a semi pro photographer and do plenty of events. I normally use flash so I will not miss the 2.8L. I will probably get a 2.8L wide angle later, but this suits my needs for now. Spending more on the L series is worth it. Maybe not if you are just a shutterbug or hobbyist, but if you make money with you art then make the investment. Remember to put a good piece of glass (UV Filter) on the end of this thing. Dont go too cheap, but you do not have to spend $100 for a UV filter. Match the quality of lens with the quality of filter and your pictures will be that much better.
not much to add to other reviewers comments both technical and descriptivelens is smooth and solidly built as all L lensyou do need to add on a filter to complete water resistanceas well as protect lens against dust and finger printsvery fast smooth focuscanon quality at affordable price for amateur and pro
This is the top choice for a versatile, economical full-frame ultra-wide. Buy the 17-55/2.8 IS for a crop camera or a 16-35/2.8 II for full-frame if you can swing the cost.This 17-40/4L is light (475g) and small. Lighter than the 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS kit zoom, lighter than just about everything else in this class. Build quality is excellent with very tight tolerances. AF is fast, silent, and accurate. It takes standard-depth 77mm filters without vignetting, and if you attach one, it's weather-sealed. Nothing about the way it handles surprises in a negative way.Image quality on a crop body is excellent, though irrelevant and slightly inferior to the 17-55/2.8 IS in most ways. There's almost no reason to buy this lens for crop cameras (Rebels, 20D-60D, 7D). You gain marginally better extreme edge quality and weather sealing (that the body itself probably doesn't have) at the expense of IS and focal range.Image quality on full-frame can be very good. Center sharpness is fine at focal lengths and apertures from f/4 to f/16. Edge sharpness, defined as roughly the outer fifth of the frame, is weak at 40mm f/4 and blurry at 17mm f/4. This area is decent by f/8 and good by f/11, but doesn't quite rise to what you'd see with the Tokina 16-28/2.8. The far corners are never sharp at any aperture. There's noticeable lens flare with point light sources. Contrast is very good.For movie shooters, this lens is parfocal, so it doesn't require refocusing when you zoom. Use it with a Steadicam-style rig to reduce handshake.The 17-40 focal range is excellent for a walkaround. My favorite moderately-priced two-lens kit with my full-frame 5D II combines this (or the 16-35/2.8) and a 100/2. Before that, I had a 10-22 and 50/1.4 with a crop 40D. I missed the last millimeter of the 10-22 (a 16-35 equivalent); the lost width is noticeable. That lens also had better sharpness across the frame.Before I bought the 17-40, I went through alternatives in the same price range. Here's the full list with used prices and whatever issues I encountered:Sigma 17-35/2.8-4 (560g) ($300) (QC variance, poor wide open)Sigma 15-30/3.5-4.5 (615g) ($300) (QC variance, flare, poor edges)Sigma 12-24 I/4.5-5.6 (615g) ($475) (slow, not a walkaround, soft below f/8)Sigma 12-24 II/4.5-5.6 (670g) ($575) (slow, not a walkaround)Tokina 17-35/4 (600g) ($400) (no benefit over the 17-40/4L, softer)Tokina 16-28/2.8 (950g) ($625) (heavy, doesn't take filters)Tamron 17-35/2.8-4 (440g) ($400) (AF issues, soft)Canon 16-35/2.8 I (600g) ($850) (weak corners)Canon 17-35/2.8 (545g) ($650) (out of service, no close focus, very poor edges)Many of these lenses are older designs intended to compete with Canon's 17-35/2.8. Sigma's 17-35 and 15-30 are both cheap and capable, but subject to wide sample variance that you won't be able to mitigate if you're buying from third parties. The 15-30 is worth a look if you can try it out before you buy. The 12-24 series are so wildly different from the 17-40/4L that they're almost a different class of lens. Interesting, but special purpose.The most compelling alternatives are the 16-35/2.8L I and Tokina's 16-28/2.8. The Tokina has the best image quality of any ultra-wide zoom for any mount save Nikon's 14-24/2.8. You pay for it with over two pounds of weight, a bulbous front element that won't take filters, and a focal range that starts and ends wide. The 16-35/2.8L II has similar quality at equivalent apertures.Among new lenses, there's almost no reason to prefer the 17-40/4L over the 16-35/2.8 II save cost. The latter has better image quality at all focal lengths and apertures and less flare. Weight is marginally higher and it takes enormous 82mm filters. Otherwise, it's the preferred Canon full-frame ultrawide.Because I found f/4 wanting for general-purpose use indoors, I replaced my 17-40/4L with a 16-35/2.8L II. For landscape apertures, the two are almost indistinguishable. The Tokina 16-28/2.8 is sharper to the edges than both, but I wasn't willing to stomach the weight or lack of filters.
Got this to go with my 5d. Great lens, sharp as a tack for a wide angle zoom. Very quiet motor and fast focus for a wide zoom. Love it as a beach walk around lens.
This it an awesome lens, it has great clarity and with the 17-40mm capability a great range of uses. The light gathering capability is fantastic.
Awesome lens for the price. Build quality is very good and pictures come out great. I have this on a crop sensor body, making it 27-64mm. This is my preferred "walk around" lens, especially for street photography.
this lightweight little wonder is always on my camera, i really hardly ever take it off...i do however, find the hood a bit...much, that being said the feel and operation is obviously that of an 'L' lense
I own a lot of L series lenses from Canon and love this lens. I used it for a year on my 40D and was pleased, not extatic. Upon upgrading to the 5Dm2 I became extatic. The quality is great on a crop factor but when you compare it to the full frame, you will notice the difference.I also own the 16-35 f/2.8 and if you can afford it, that is the better lens to go with it. The price does correspond to the quality (in my opinion).Overall, I think that anyone buying this lens will be very happy, full framers more so than crop factor types.
This is a great lens if you do not plan to use it with a built-in flash. I actually returned this lens because it casts a large shadow when used with the built in flash. If you don't use flash or have an external flash you will love this lens - especially if you miss the full-frame in your canon digital...
Most photographers who consider themselves serious amateurs and probably almost all professionals will have at least occasional need for an ultrawide lens. Interiors, architectural exteriors, and some travel scenes are best recorded by a lens whose angle of acceptance approaches or exceeds 100 degrees. If you like and want to produce images in which large foreground objects play against smaller objects in the background while all remain in sharp focus, an ultrawide lens is a necessity. Some may also be surprised to hear that the ultrawide lens can produce interesting portraits when the goal is not just to show the individual, but rather to set a person in a context and let the environment become part of the portrait. For decades the usual focal length for such a lens has been 17mm, though of course even wider lenses, including those which do not attempt rectilinear correction, are available for special purpose image capture. This lens is an ultrawide zoom that pretty much covers the entire wide-angle range that most photographers will need -- extremely wide at the low end and just below normal at the upper.Its advantages include its utility as an all-purpose wide angle lens (capture range from slightly wide to ultrawide) and its relatively low price for a complicated semi-specialty lens. At f/4 it is not a fast lens, and as has been pointed out in other reviews it suffers from slight softness at some apertures. It is one of Canon's L (red ring) lenses, which are higher-end products, and one can trust the company to have minimized the negative issues that can emerge in complex lens designs. If you feel the need for a perfectly satisfactory wide-angle zoom or primary lens, but don't want to break the bank to get the best one, this is a good lens to consider.On the other hand, if you want a faster lens with a bit more lateral grasp, Canon also offers the 16-35mm f/2.8 zoom lens (also in the red ring/L class) at about twice the price of this one. The more expensive lens offers not only what the 17-40mm zoom does (though it does not go quite as close to a normal focal length on the high end), but provides in addition extra light capture for lower-light environments and the slightly wider angle of acceptance. If I had thought a little longer about the differences between the two lenses, I would have ordered the more expensive one. I may upgrade at some point in the future if I ever feel constrained in the use of the one I did buy. But I am not dissatisfied with this lens and have no qualms giving it the five-star rating it deserves in its own right. It is a solid and reliable tool, well made, and provides excellent images.
I purchased this lens to accompany my new 50D.  The first thing I will note is the amazing improvement upon image quality when moving from the 18-55mm IS kit lens to this one.  As there is quite a bit of difference in build quality as well as price range, that should come as no surprise.If you are shooting with a crop body camera, Rebel/XXXD or xxD body.  The extra range on the short end of this lens becomes really important when shooting group pictures, landscapes, or your shooting space is really tight.  The difference seen between having 17mm at the short end and 24/28mm is really REALLY noticable and allows you to get some landscape and close quarter pictures, you might not have been able to take.As far as build quality goes, the lens is VERY solid.  Metal construction with LD glass elements and very smooth focus USM motor and like butter zoom ring, it all just feels wonderful to use.  You will definitely notice a difference if you try to use a lower quality lens.Optical quality is amazing.  As the sensor on the 50D is very dense, it becomes easy to see the flaws in lower quality glass.  This is not the case with the 17-40L.  Though I would have like to be able to get the extra f stop that comes with the 16-35mm 2.8L , the decrease in weight and the HUGE decrease in price makes the 17-40L a better deal for me.  After all, the bokeh becomes the only reason that the fstop is so important(i wouldn't discredit this because smooth bokeh makes portaits great) , as the difference between f4 and f2.8 is going from about ISO 200 to ISO 400, and with the dramatic increases in high ISO perfomance, it is likely you will not greatly notice the difference.  If lighting is THAT bad, you should really be using a fast prime, such as the 50mm 1.4 or an external flash.The EF mount makes it easy for one to make a switch to full frame camera in the future and will leave you with a very useful ULTRA-WIDE lens on FF cameras.Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase, and if given the opportunity to purchase again, I would happily do so.  In the future I plan on paring this lens with a 70-200 f4 L which I understand is one of the best priced and best value canon lenses made.
For years, I have been using my 28-70 f:2.8 Canon zoom as my "normal" lens. It is sharp (Oh baby is it!) and at 2.8,fast enough for just about any pro or serious amateur. But there were plenty of times I needed a little more coverage than the 28MM focal length provided. Since most of my work is with long-lens and fast (and expensive) zooms, I couldn't pony up the bucks for Canon's superwide f2.8 zoom. When I saw the price on the 17-40MM lens and the fact that it was the "L" flavor with pro glass, I bought it immediately.  I've had it for about a year and I have already sold several pictures - published in glossy magazines with picky photo editors. And I trust it to give me sharp pictures, even at the extreme settings - wide open and at the 17MM end. You have to remember to always use the weird looking but effective lens hood to control flare and as with any very wide lens, look at the edges of the frame (your feet could be in every picture!) It's light, good enough to use as your normal lens and with their new 70-300 IS DO lens could make for an amazing and compact travel kit. So while Canon's lens experts probably built this one for the growing digital crowd, as a film user I think it's the bargain of the year and is in my camera bag every time I go on assignment. I suggest that you get a good quality "thin" UV filter and polarizer and you will be set to explore the exciting world of ultra-wide photography.Important update: I recently returned from an assignment to Monte Carlo to test drive sports cars. Part of the deal was to get thrill rides from a pro driver up and down the French mountains above Monaco. Armed with my 17-40MM an EOS 1V, 540 flash, and Velvia 50, I clicked off a whole roll of film during my turn in the passenger's seat. The magazine editor called me when he saw the slides and said that the shots in the car were the "strongest images" in the shoot. Yup, the lens is that good.
This is an excellent wide angle walkaround lens. It is very sharp, with excellent build quality. The lens comes with a pouch and a lens hood. It has been great so far for my shooting needs, groups of friends and travel-landscape. It is used on a Canon 30D. Service from Amazon was great.
I bought this lens shortly after buying the 24-105 f/4L and seeing the difference all-around in pro glass. While portrait photography is my main thing, I wanted something else that I could bring on hikes and walks to capture some local views, especially during the fall. A lot of times, when we get back home, the colors we caught don't look like the ones we remembered seeing in our head, and I have had that happen a lot less often with this lens. It's well-built but not overly heavy, and the finish has a nice texture to it. The lens hood, to me, functions primarily to protect the glass and filter mount, and it certainly is large enough to do that. Focusing is fast, though not entirely magic. Sometimes at the wide lens, it's hard finding something contrasty enough for the AF to grab on to, but you can always check your camera's readout to see if the AF failed and just go manual. Both dials turn smoothly, yet not sloppily. You can definitely feel the mechanism engaging, but it doesn't feel like you're twisting anything.This is my favorite "we're going somewhere nice, make sure you bring a camera" lens, though I have also busted it out for portrait sessions where dramatic angles and unique scenery give a chance for a unique view. UWA lenses rarely do our subjects any favors, and can tend to exaggerate the size of body parts closer to the lens, so special care is needed to make sure we don't distort an otherwise-attractive person, but by positioning them flatly along a side, or by just sticking them into a shot that would normally be a landscape shot, it's possible to break outside of the typical "now go lean up against that" senior-style shoot.
I needed a lens that has a wide opening near you and have a good quality. This fully answered me and point to all in need for this use.
I have used various Canon and other brands of wide angle lenses with varying success, but this is the best EF wide angle lens I have used to date.
I got myself a 30D  and after hearing all reviews about the kit lens decided I should upgrade to an "L" series lens. I did a side by side comparison on a tripod of the 17-40mm L vs. the 18-55mm kit lens. I used different apertures and focal lengths. Overall, my opinion is that the 17-40 is better. However, it was not, in my opinion, a huge difference. At some settings, I really had to look hard to find some differences. Don't forget this is just a subjective test. Perhaps I was expecting more from a lens that cost me almost $900 CDN. For me, the jury is still out on whether it was worth the amount I paid. Ok, some say I got a "bad" lens but I've heard others that have had similar results with the lens. I shouldn't have to and I don't have the money to shop around for a "good lens".
My wife uses this lens and I take it when I'm traveling on my 5D.  It is a fast and sharp lens that I love to use for landscapes, group pictures, and travel photography.Here's the basics:1. The price is unbeatable for an L-class lens.2. Reliable -- it's been rained on and traveled 100,000 miles.  No issues.3. Its sharp and even sharper on a Canon 5D with no crop ratios.Please understand this is not for low light (unless you spike your ISO up).
This lens is pretty good. I bought as a less expensive alternative to the 16-35mm f2.8L for my full frame camera. I don't need the extra stop since my wide angle work is done primarily on tripods or with adequate lighting. Plus my previous wide was a 4.5-5.6 so a solid f4 was a nice step up. I would like the extra 1mm of the 16-35 but not at double the price. Image quality on this lens is good to very good. Center sharpness is great but corner sharpness can lag a bit. My best advice is don't put the focal point of the photograph in the far corners of the image - but then most well composed images don't do that anyway!I've also used this lens for architecture and I've been pleased. Stopped down to f9-11 and on a tripod, this lens produces some great results.The lens itself is light and feels solid. The 77mm filter ring is nice to have as well.Overall I am pleased with this lens and I'm glad I purchased it. I think on a crop sensor camera this lens would be a very nice quality walk around but maybe lacking a bit in the long end.
You can get sharp pictures and the correct color with this lens. Some review really run this lens into the ground and tell of many problems when using this lens. Some of the issues that have been put into reviews is caused by how the lens was used or they had a bad copy of the lens. I use this lens as it was designed for and have no issues with it. I use.
Along with the 70-200 f/4 IS L, this lens is always in my backpack when I'm doing travel photography, here is why:- Lightweight, you basically don't feel it in your backpack.- Weather sealed when used with a filter.- Very fast autofocus.- No purple fringing like I used to have with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm.- Distortion is moderate.- Has 77mm filter diameter, with is the case for a lot of Canon lenses.Its biggest competitor is the Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8 II (or I) but I personally don't need f/2.8 with this kind of travel around lens. If I want a nice bokeh at a short focal, I will use my 35mm f/1.4.If you want to see real situation samples, just check my blog and website:[...][...]Emmanuel.
canon is the best and this lense is perfect if You need wide-angle. Fast, silent, sharp Photos, excelent construction. Well, if You want to buy it, don't be afraid, go ahead.
This is my first zoom lens as I mostly shoot with prime lenses.  I love this lens.  I like shooting wide in tight spaces and this lens handles that challenge really well.  Not to mention, it's super light.  I say it's a must have in the arsenal.
There are a lot of differing opinions on this lens.  Some people say that it's not a good standard lens for 1.6 crop bodies like the Digital Rebel family or 30d/40d family because it's not wide enough and not long enough.  I tend to disagree because I find that more often than not I find myself using the 17-40 on my Rebel XT; it's equivalent to 27mm to 64mm on a 35mm camera.  Build quality is excellent and I find it to function quickly and quietly.  I find image quality to be nothing short of fantastic with this lens.  Couple this lens with the 70-200 f/4L and you have a high quality 2 lens set up that covers most situations.  Highly recommended.
For the money I don't think there is a better lens.  It is very sharp and focuses very fast.  It is weather sealed and has a rubber gasket that seals the lens mount on the camera.  It is a bit slow at f/4, but given the cost of the 16-35 f/2.8 lens I can deal with it.
These are the best lens I have, if it works this way I can't imagine the outcome of the 16-35. The 17-40 lens takes a lot of detail and for what it does is not that expensive. I recommend this item for anyone interested in not betting that much (16-35) at the moment.
This lens isn't a bad value, but it is definitely the worst performing lens, optically, to get the L designation.  If you shoot at any aperture under about f/8, it just isn't sharp.  You don't get L glass in order to be forced to shoot at f/8 for sharp images.  f/4 is more or less useless, so saying it's a relatively fast wide angle is a bit misleading.  Even f/5.6 is average at best, with many kit lens type offerings being just as sharp as this lens is.The build quality is certainly up to L standards, and the color rendition is very good.  But when it comes to sharpness, this lens is average at best.  If you're shooting a crop frame, I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND this lens, as there are many cheaper options that perform as well or better and cover this focal range and more.  Almost all the third party options (sigma, tamron, tokina, etc) covering this range are as sharp, if not sharper.Now if you're shooting full frame, you don't have a whole lot more options, especially if you need your equipment to be built very ruggedly.  You have to pretty much double what you're paying to step up to the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, which is excellent, but again, it does cost twice as much.But for instance the regular EF 28-135 non-L is sharper at 28-40 than this lens is.  ANd it costs around 1/2 as much and is more versatile (not saying that the 28-135 is a competitor, they obviously are meant for different applications, just giving a point of comparison for a very commonly owned lens)Pros:1) built like a tank.  I've seen somebody drop this lens 10 feet onto concrete and sent it in for servicing, just assuming something HAD TO get messed up with a drop like that, and they sent it back saying absolutely nothing was wrong with it.2) Good color rendition3) fast and accurate to focusCons1) Nowhere near as sharp as you'd expect from an L lens.For the price it's not a bad lens.  Just be aware that you're not getting the optical quality level that people normally associate with the 'L red band'.
I added this lens to my collection because I shoot a lot of family events in tight spots.  Every holiday I do a shot of the whole family at Christmas and it is difficult to get everyone in the shot with my 24-70 L lens.  This does the trick.  I also have did some shots of the Christmas tree we just put up and I did not have to get up against the wall to get the whole tree.  Very pleased with this lens and I am very happy I purchased it.
I've been using this lens for 2 years, always attached to an EOS 10D.Good build quality, good optical performance. It becomes somewhat short if used as a "all purpouse lens" (even with the 1.6x 10D crop factor).
Killer lens! My friend always raved about this &#34;walk around&#34; lens but I always like a bit more zoom (24-105mmL) was my go-to lens.  But I recently got this and I am blow away!!! The clarity out does the 24-105 that I'm amazed they are both made by the same manufacturer.  At 17 you get a great wide angle, yes there is some distortion and slight blur on the edges, but ITS A WIDE ANGLE!!!  The artistic nature of it for scenic shots are excellent. Plus after the rebate it was very reasonable. Great tool to have.
No one lens accomplishes every photographic objective.  Canon makes each lens at every price point well-suited to various tasks, but with limitations that can only be overcome by graduating to the next higher priced but similar item.  A case in point: the wide-angle zooms.The 17-40mm f/4 is one of Canon's best deals in L-series glass.  You have to spend twice as much to get a lens of similar quality, but just one stop faster.  Does this make the more-expensive EF 16-35 f/2.8L a ripoff?  Not for its own specific use: the extra stop gives you the speed to shoot in more indoor situations.  Not all photographers need this.  When indoors, we're often taking pictures of people, which are better suited to lengths around 50-100mm.  To capture sweeping panoramas of parlors for Architectural Digest (or Coldwell Banker) the f/2.8 is the better lens and worth the step up in price, though in many cases you could use the f/4 lens with a tripod.  All this means is that the f/2.8 is priced for professional specialists whereas the f/4 is for more general use. My bigger point is that Canon has its whole lineup positioned: the differences across lenses are specific and appropriately priced, which is good news for the consumer.  It's hard to make a mistake buying homegrown Canon lenses, especially L-series lenses.  You just have to figure out which set of two or three suits your range of uses.The 17-40mm is a steal for people who need a walkaround lens for travel and outdoor photography.  The shorter focal lengths of the zoom are great on a digital body, with nice reach and minimal distortion; just an ability to grab up landscape and wide situations end-to-end, even when standing close.  The focal lengths around 40mm are tight enough for portraits and other local detail.  Colors are strong and convincing; contrast deep and impactful.  The lens itself is small enough and light enough to grab-and-go, but nicely machined, with solid fit and finish.  It has an instantly recognizable profile, with the added bonus of the red ring.This lens, plus a 70-200mm f/2.8 telescope and a nice fast fixed lens in the range betwixt are all you need.  On vacation, and in most outdoor situations, the 17-40mm alone suffices.  It makes a good first L-lens, and a staple in the arsenal.
I'm sure this would give you a lot more performance on a better body (I have a XSi). It provides wide-angle- you can go into a room and capture wall to wall with not too big of a problem. 17-40mm is a good range to get landscapes and then the occasional portrait. Night shots are amazing with a tripod, I was stunned.The bad:Not great with portraits if you want a lot of bokeh. I had fun zooming out and taking self portraits with friends or objects in the background but when you want to really focus on the subject, you won't get extreme bokeh.Overall, you are paying ~40% less than any other L lense and let's face it, that L is worth a lot. I use this mainly but I am upgrading to the 24-135mm 3.5-5.6, I miss the upper range (used to have a 70-300). I would say this lense would rock for HDR- something geared toward landscape shots, but portraits, macro, not that useful.
I won't make this review lengthy, because it's all been said before, but I will qualify myself by saying that I depend on photography for approximately half of my income, and I recently purchased this lens after many hours of online research. I own a Canon 7D, and I was looking for a lens that would fall into the wide/portrait range with the 7D's 1.6x crop factor. This lens was bought as a replacement for my old Tamron 28-75, which was a respectable lens. The Canon 17-40 has thus far been a very solidly built, light, fast-functioning lens. It autofocuses VERY quietly with its ultrasonic motor, and the autofocus is very accurate. On the 7D, I have found it to be a capable portrait lens at 40mm, as well as a great lens for interiors. I bought it as a complement to the Canon 70-200L, for a lightweight kit, and while I am missing the 41-69 focal range, I haven't really needed it. The lens produces VERY SHARP photos, and is much more reliable in quality than the Tamron. I would definitely recommend it to 7D users wanting a versatile walkaround lens, or to full frame users looking for an ultrawide with great sharpness.
01-03-2009 Canon 5D Mark II use update"A so so walk around lens on my 40D becomes a wide angle monster on my Canon 5D Mark II. This lens is soft wide open at F/4 but sharpens up noticeably at F/4.5 and becomes a super wide angle take it all in landscape and interior monster when stopped down to F/9 on a Canon 5D Mark II. This is a lens I always carry with me now since I never know when I might see a wide angle opportunity. Doesn't have the you are there feeling when viewing the photos on my iMac as much as the Canon 85mm F/1.2 II L or Canon 100-400 IS L lenses but it's closer to perfection then you will ever see on a cropped sensor camera. I keep hoping that Canon will make a wide angle zoom that matches the performance of my Canon 100-400 IS L zoom lens.  The 24-70 F/2.8 seems pretty similar in performance as the 17-40 it's just faster and has more reach.  I normally prefer the 17-40 F/4 L over the 24-70 on the 5D Mark II unless I am shooting weddings and then I carry both with me.Pros:Very nice lens bag includedCenter is sharp even at F/4Love that high quality L Lens buildLens hood included and easy to installGreat contrast, beautiful rich color imagesSuper quiet and super fast USM auto focusGreat landscape lens super sharp at F/8 and 17mmGood walk around lens for cropped sensor camera, ultra wide lens when used on a full frame sensor camera.This lens has Auto Lens Vignetting correction using peripheral Illumination control see Auto Vignetting comments belowButtery smooth zoom and manual focus ringsFits all Canon EOS cameras including full frame film and 5DFirst copy I got was good to go with no quality control issuesSharper on the wide end 17 to 24mm then Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS and Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L but much softer then them on the narrow end 40mm.Cons:Only F4, wish it was F2.8 or even F3.5Lens Hood is very bulky and hard to storeRather narrow 17-40 zoom range: 17-55 would have been nicerVery soft wide open in the corners, sharpens a lot at F/4.5Could be sharper on the corners on the narrow end 24mm to 40mm and wide openFirst impressions:If you are an older photographer like me you remember the good ole days when all SLR 35mm style lens had a quality feel to them.  Built to last forever with smooth zoom and focusing and they came with a lens hood and carrying bag.  Details included a built in lens focusing scale in both feet (green lettering) and meters (white lettering) and an infrared scale adjustment in red lettering.  The lens mounted to the camera body with a precision feel like the two were actually made by experienced craftsman who actually cared about the product they were creating.  It's a great quality feel that you can get used to.  With this Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens that's exactly what you are getting, a finally crafted functional work of art.I never cease to be amazed at USM auto focus, so quiet, so fast, so accurate, so useful with the auto-focus manual focus override without turning off the auto focus.  I shoot both wild life and weddings both of which require at times the camera be as quiet as possible up to the moment you shoot.  This lens delivers; I can barely hear it focus even with my ear against the lens and can not hear it focus at all only a couple of feet from the lens.Decisions Decisions:Like a lot of other people I was looking to upgrade my basic Kit 18-55 lens (very soft muddy lens) I got with my Canon Rebel XTi camera.  And like a lot of people I wanted a lens that I would never outgrow or tire of or wear out.  I take a lot of photos and frequently upgrade camera bodies and wanted a lens that will also work on a full frame camera like the 5D.I had borrowed a friends 17-70 Sigma and it was really sharp and for the money (less then half the price of the Canon 17-40) I thought I would try one even though it wouldn't work on a full frame camera.  I went through three copies and all were bad before deciding to go back to the 17-40.  Man what a great decision going with the Canon 17-40.  Thanks to 47th Street photo for being so nice about the whole return twice then later upgrade from Sigma to Canon situation.  I only had to pay return shipping.Testing:When I received my new Canon 17-40 I took it out, mounted it on my Canon Rebel XTi and mounted the camera on a tripod, put on a remote release, set the camera to mirror lockup mode, Aperture Propriety at F8,  28mm zoom and tested it both against my friends Sigma 17-70 and my own basic Canon 18-55 kit lens.  The 17-40 absolutely blew the kit lens out of the water: in sharpness, contrast and richness of color.  Then I tried it against the Sigma which I thought was a sharp lens and the Canon 17-40 was sharper and had more contrast then the Sigma.  Then I set it to 40mm and shot against my Canon 50mm F1.8 II lens which I thought was pretty sharp and it was better then it as well.  I then tried the lens in various conditions and settings and all extremes both indoors and out with and without flash.  I also own a Canon 70-200 F2.8 L and it's sharper then it as well at some settings.I was very pleased to find out that the very first copy of this lens right out of the box was sharp enough and auto focus was right on the money!Auto Vignetting peripheral illumination control:Canon has this super sweet Auto Lens Vignetting correction that works with this lens both in camera with JPEG's and in RAW using peripheral Illumination control in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) when using newer Canon digital EOS cameras (Canon Rebel XSi, 40D, 5D Mark II etc.) . No more vignetting when shooting wide open!!! When shooting Raw open the file(s) in DPP and click on NR/Lens Lens Aberration Correction / Tune and click on Peripheral illumination. The cameras listed above have already picked up the amount of vignetting based on focusing distance, zoom setting and F stop from the lens and the camera has saved the information with the Raw file. You can then adjust the amount under Peripheral Illumination if you don't like the amount automatically suggested. If you shot JPEG then you get the auto amount. SWEET!!!Conclusion:If you want THE best wide angle L lens to use on both cropped and ultra wide for full sized sensor Canon EOS camera bodies this is it.  It's dual purpose capabilities both as a normal walk around zoom (27mm to 64mm) on cropped sensor cameras and ultra wide zoom (17mm to 40mm) on full sized sensors make it a very versatile lens you won't out grow.I am very pleased and heartily recommend the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens.12-4-2007 UpdateI love this lens more then ever and I use it here at work a lot.  Since I take photos usually tripod mounted with a small depth of field F-8 to F-11 and shoot a lot in the 17 - 28mm zoom range this lens really fits the bill when mounted on my Canon Rebel XTi.  I continue to be impressed with the sharp high contrast photos and the super fast auto focus.One note of warning, this lens sticks out especially without the lens hood on.  I have since taken to having a lens filter mounted on it (B & W 77mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Multi Coated (2C) Glass Filter #010) to protect it although it seems to really degrade the sharpness and to some extent the contrast colors of the image.  I'm hoping to find a filter that does not degrade the image at all and am doing tests at all the local camera stores to try and find one.  Will post here when I find a great filter as I would like to buy one for my Canon 70- 200 to protect it as well and since it's the same filter size I could even switch back and forth.  For now when I have the lens tripod mounted and want the best image quality I remove the filter and when I am just walking around I leave the filter in place.Filter Update 1-3-2008After much searching I found the perfect filter.  The Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 Protection filter is not supposed to filter the shot just protect the front lens element.  I was very worried that it would affect the shot after having tried some other premium filters like the B+W UV which caused the photos to be softer and duller.  However, after some tests I found that in some weird way the Hoya Multi Coat HMC Pro1 actually makes the photos seem to have just a little more contrast and be a little sharper then without.  I thought I had gotten the test shots backwards and had to retest with a little sign in the photo saying with and without filter in place just to make sure.  Really amazing!!!  I'm sold!3-28-2008Well, it was one of the sharpest lens I own.  Now I have a different standard as it's been surpassed by the Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens which is sharper at the narrow end 24-40mm at every equal setting and by my Canon 135mm F/2 L and Canon 85mm F/1.2 L II.  But I still love this lens and I am going to keep it and it is very sharp on the wide end 17mm even at F4.5.  I plan to use it for ultra wide angle when Canon finally releases their Canon 5D replacement whenever that is. I also still use it on my Canon 40D and Rebel XTi when I am in dusty areas because of the weather sealing.  And the zoom action is so smooth I wish the 17-55 F/2.8 had this zoom action.  Still the colors are bright and it's pretty sharp and its small and light!4-17-2008 UpdateI still love this lens and use it for motorcycle rides and hiking where it's light weight and weather tight seal come in handy.  Plus I found that you can get an image very sharp if you process it using the Canon Digital Photo Professional that came with you camera.  I also use as a backup at weddings and for out door wide angle wedding shots and landscapes.9-22-2008 Update:I'm getting ready to purchase or lease the new Canon 5D Mark II and boy oh boy is this 17-40 L lens going to come in handy.  One of the first places I want to take the happy couple is to the Grand Canyon.  17mm at F/10 tripod mounted oh YEAH!!!  True wide angle bliss!!!10-07-2008 Update:I recently had a question as to why I bought the Canon 17-40 F/4 L lens instead of the Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens.  All EF-S lenses only work on cropped sensor cameras (Rebels, 40D, 50D etc).  I have ordered a new 5D Mark II full frame sensor which can not use the EF-S 10-22mm lens.  A full frame sensor camera makes the 17-40 lens at 17mm as wide as the 10-22 zoom is when the 10-22 is set at 11mm.  So there is only a 1 mm advantage with the EF-S 10-22 on a cropped sensor camera vs the 17-40 on a full frame sensor camera.  And the 17-40 has a much wider zoom range about double in fact.So bottom line on the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 vs the EF 17-40mm F/4 L if you only plan on using a cropped sensor camera then the EF-S 10-22mm lens could be the right lens for you.  However, if you are planning on moving up to a full frame sensor camera like the 5D or 5D Mark II then you can use the 17-40 L lens now with your cropped sensor camera as a walk around lens (it just won't be as wide) and then when you get a full frame sensor camera you will have all the wide angle glory and still be able to use the lens on both cameras.  If you never plan on buying full frame and want super wide angle you should go with the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5.10-17-2008 Update:I've noticed this lens is very SOFT in the corners wide open at F/4.0.  Which is OK if you are looking for that say when shooting a wedding but not good when shooting landscapes.  But sharpens up a lot in the corners by going to F/4.5 and is as sharp as it's going to get by around F/8 where it seems about as sharp as any zoom I have and is approaching the sharpness of a prime lens at 17mm.[...][...][...]
This is my first L lens. I like the quality and durability, this is not a cheaply made lens. At f/4 I have no problem under general lighting conditions, although I do shoot wide exclusively outdoors. I've used it for long exposure, tripod night shots for which it worked beautifully.One thing to note, this is a big, round lens. When I put it on, my camera is no longer the least bit inconspicous. It turned my Rebel into a canon. Despite the size, it does not seem heavy at all to me as a smallish female.I admit I had a hard time justifying the price but my husband made a good point when he said the zoom range would be an equivalent of two fixed, wide angles for which I was pondering. Consider that plus the thought that this is a lens that is going to last for years. I'm expecting to pass it on to one of my children when the grow up!It comes with a lens hood, pouch (which is not padded), and end cap. I'm just glad Canon made a somewhat affordable L lens for us amateurs who want to save up for a nice piece of equipment.
I traded in my EF-S 10-22 for this one, realizing how often I switched back and forth between 10-22 and 24-70. I took some stats in fact, and it turns out I stay mostly between 17-35 range, and never really go any wider than 15-16 even with the 10-22. The wider range of 10-22 certainly gives you a lot of freedom, but I found it to be a bit too artificial due to the unavoidable barrel distortion.Now, 10-22 is certainly a solidly built piece of glass, but 17-40 does deserve its L label and the red ring. It feels a little heavier than the 10-22, and the focus ring turns with sufficient weight (10-22 feels a little on the lighter side) you can actually fine-tune the focus with greater accuracy. Being an L-series lens, it comes conveniently with a lens pouch and hood.Under darker conditions, the focus seems a little slower than my other faster lens, but even at f4, it takes crisp shots. I highly recommend this for anyone with a Canon dSLR. If you're planning on moving on to the 1:1 crop bodies (1d or 5d, a less expensive sibling coming out in October) 17-40 can be a good piece of glass to have, as you're going to have to let to of the 10-22 anyways.I did have a chance to try the 16-35L, but at the smaller aperture range, the difference seems nominal, especially considering the price difference.I use Canon EOS 20d and Elan 7, and they both pair up nicely with 17-40 4L.
What can I say!! as someone who had canon products for few years it is a good and inexpensive  lens to have in your kit.
I purchased this lens to use on a Canon EOS5D, full frame 12.5 Megapixel digital camera. This is my favorite lens! The expressiveness of pictures taken with it is beyond description. It bring the viewer fully into the scene, almost as a virtual reality setup. I think the best next thing would be an IMAX type lens with the appropriate displays... but that is beyond the scope of us mere mortals.I use the lens for aerial photography and for taking pictures of my favorite subjects: airplanes. In Airventure 2007, at Oshkosh, WI, I didn't have this lens and I lost several very interesting pictures for the lack of it. I purchased it shortly thereafter. On a recent trip on a Cirrus SR22 with a friend, I took dramatic pictures of my pilot friend doing his preflight, and once in the cockpit, doing all his clearance and pre-flight chores. The pictures do do justice to the reality of the scene, even when you take a composition of the airplane panel with the view outside the cockpit on the same picture. Some Photoshop - Shadows and Highlights - is all that is needed to bring it all into the dynamic range of the photographic papers we use.This is my favorite lens because of its perspective, the reality view you get at the 17mm extreme. For my girlfriend, this is her favorite lens because it's the only L-lens I have that's below 1 pound!NOTE: The lens hood is almost useless. Be careful with flare of the sun hitting the lens or a filter. The circular polarizer introduces weird artifacts because of the wide angle - part of the sky will be dark, part will be bright... better not use a polarizer.The other lens I have, all L-glass from Canon:* 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS - for the best airshow pictures you can fathom! Extremely fast lens, it works with the Autofocus on the 5D in the sub-second range, letting you use it almost as a point and shoot. Your only concern is the framing, everything else is done by the camera + lens.* 24-70mm f/2.8 L - extremely fast, extremely sharp. Sharp as a tack! If you take portraits of women, you will need to use the "heal brush" in Photoshop a lot, this lens doesn't forgive any wrinkles, pimples, large pores on the skin. For night scene photography, just let the camera at ISO 800 and you can do without a flash, for indoors night photography, even in an extremely dim restaurant.* 2x Extender - OK this is not a lens but it's an accessory that makes my 70-200mm into a 140-400mm f/5.6. AWESOME! At Airventure it's used to take pictures of the planes at the extreme end of the runway getting ready for take off. Or for capturing the vapor trails on the leading edge of the F22 Raptors as they defy the laws of physics. For daytime use unless you have a tripod and the scene accepts a 1sec or more exposure.
I had received this lens as a gift and I love it!  The picture quality is great, as is with all canon lenses.  The angle is beautifully defined.  A great all purpose wide angle.  The additional items came in handy as well-lens hood and leather tote for protection!  Highly recommended!!
I needed a wide angle lens for my full frame Canon DSLR.  As expected, I found it to be as advertised and I am very satisfied with it. I would recommend it.
The 17-40 gets mixed reviews for the most part mainly due to poor corner and edge resolution wide open. I use this on the 5D Mark III, a full frame sensor that will show these soft edges much more than a crop sensor such as any rebel, 7D, 60D, etc... Even then, I find the edge performance really quite good once you stop the lens down. Central sharpness is very, very good at 17mm and 40mm wide open. Stopped down to f/8 or f/11 will greatly increase sharpness in the edges and corners of the frame. But the lens is plenty sharp, no worries here. I use some of Canon's sharpest offerings such as the 24-70 f/2.8 II, 70-200 II, 135L, 400L, etc... This lens is just as good... Sure, it has some flaws, but the pros greatly outweigh those soft edges wide open.To me, this really is a full-frame lens where you can really utilize that great 17mm perspective. I think there are better options for those shooting with the 1.6x APS-C sensors. But that really is really up to the users and the needs they have. My girlfriend often borrows this lens to use with her T2i and loves it (I think the images look fantastic, as well!).One thing I love most about this lens is the contrast and color rendition. Simply beautiful images straight out of camera. The build quality is top notch as well, the zoom and focus rings are very smooth and well damped. The lens is weather sealed, but does require a filter (per-Canon) to complete the sealing.I give this lens 5/5 stars, simply due to its extremely affordable price (for an L lens) and excellent performance. Sure, there are sharper lenses out there, but that does not hinder this one at all. It still performs great and is a blast to use for dramatic perspectives. One of the most fun lenses to mount to the camera IMO. The light weight, great build quality and very good IQ make this a winner and a spot in my collection.
I love the lens and sharpness of pictures produced by it. I use it with a Canon 7D and the results are just amazing. I am not a professional photographer, i Just do it for fun and like the pictures that I take from this lens. This is my go to lens now!
I dont really know why L lenses and canon doubles the price when pics are even nicer with  a cheap 50mm lense that costs 100 bucks, really, i don't know i have my tamron 17-50 and seriously bits canon 17-40 in all ways plus you get more stops since it is 2.8, i was gonna sell it but i better keep it, canon is not what i expected since price is almost twise,  the only reason why im gonna keep it is  because it Makes me Look Good, i guess im paying an extra 350 dlls just for a damn red ring...wow, i took some really good shots yesterday, i have to change the rating on this baby
I looked into buying this lens mainly because of my focus on outside landscape photography, but also as a successor to the 18-55mm lens that came with my rebel xsi.  So far I've been using it both outside while walking around Seattle and indoor areas with the speedlite 430ex II.Because I already invested in 77mm filters for my 10-20mm Sigma lens I was able to use the polarizer for either of them depending if I wanted a wide angle or regular picture.  Just remember that having this lens on a camera with a cropped sensor does cut down on the lens's wide angle ability.  Since I plan on upgrading to a full frame camera this wasn't really a drawback for me.  The lens does a awesome job capturing images in all kinds of lighting and varying compositions without any flare or vignetting along the edges, which is to be expected of something as a L lens.  When focusing it's very quick and quite, also a nice perk is its ability to zoom without having to extend out of the tube.  This ensures there isn't going to be any sand or dirt getting caught up on part exposed during extensions, there are a few occasions where I spent cleaning out the particles from my Sigma lens because of this.Strong Points:-Ultra sonic motors are super quite and quick in focusing.-Glass elements do a great job cutting back any potential flaring or vignetting.-Lens Housing is self contained helping to prevent any dirt or sand from getting to the lens's sensitive insides.Weak Points:-Be aware that f/4 is going to make you either use a higher ISO or longer shutter speeds while in low light conditions.  This isn't even a concern for me since the speedlite 430ex II does a great job helping this lens maintain proper exposure in indoor activities.-If using on a cropped sensor such as Canon's Rebel family this lens may not be wide angle lens you are looking for.  I already knew what was going on long before buying this lens, this is still a great L lens what will be with me when I do get around to purchasing a full frame camera.  I found myself using this lens for taking everyday pictures and scenes that doesn't require ultra wide view to capture.
This is a very good lens offering a useful range of focal lengths. In terms of image quality, the lens does not seem to perform well at wide apertures -- I find I only achieve best results at F11 or better. Otherwise, the build quality and performance are what one would expect from Canon's &#34;L&#34; Series lenses.
This lens is amazingly sharp and well-built. As a wedding photographer, I would highly recommend it. It is gorgeously wide, especially on a full-frame body like the 5D. Buy this lens!
Figuring out which lens to buy turned out to be more difficult than which camera to purchase!  At least for me.  I want my lenses to be a reasonable size (rules out the superb 70-200 f2.8 IS L), acceptably fast (at least f 4.0), preferably black (so that they are inconspicuous),  not outrageously priced (admittedly this last factor being entirely subjective), and preferably a zoom for the additional flexibility.Primes are absolutely fantastic values, reasonably priced, fast, and inconspicuous, BUT offer limited flexibility which, in my mind overrides the other factors.I purchased this lens for the wider end of my shooting needs and I couldn't be more pleased.  It takes beautiful pictures, sharp, beautifully saturated, with no discernable vignetting and little flare under normal circumstances.This lens has beautiful bokeh IMO and is every bit the equal, again IMO, of the 16-35 f2.8 L in every respect other than speed (f 2.8 vs f 4.0).  With the new digital SLR cameras you can easily make up for the loss of speed by cranking up the ISO.The construction quality is fantastic and it is a lens that you will be able to use forever.  It is an ideal lens for the current crop of 1.6 size sensors, but will also serve you well into the future whether you stick with the current size sensor or move up to larger sensors as they become more afordable.I heartily recommend this lens.
This is my first L lens. I own a Canon 50 f1/8 and also a 100 f2, bothfixed length lenses. My rating is not so much to say that this is a badlens because it's not. For 600+ dollars it is just extremely average. Iwould recommend looking at aftermarket lenses before buying this one.You could save a lot of money.
I wanted a better lens for Wide to Standard than the EF-S one that came with my EOS 20D when I bought it. I have some other L-Series Canon zooms so I figured I would go with this one. I love it. I took it to a recent trip to Kauai with me and used it everyehere. Great pics! I took some sunset pics with this lens and it performed beautifully. No glare,great quality - recommend this lens wholeheartedly.Only drawback is when using this lens at night with the built in flash, you need to remove the lens hood otherwise you get a dark shadow on the bottom of the pic. Have not tried using it with my hot shoe flash yet though.
This is a great lens for landscape photos!  For the price, I haven't used a better wide angle lens.  I used to have the Canon 10-22 EF-S, but this lens is even better.  If you are considering this or the 16-35, I would suggest this lens unless you need a faster wide angle.  For most people, this lens is more than sufficient.  You can spend the extra money on another lens!
I bought this lens for landscapes and chose it over the 16-35mm because of value. I knew I was never going to go below f5.6 for any shots using this lens so the f2.8 on the 16-35mm wasn't enough to justify the price difference. In terms of image quality, I've compared them side by side, and like most people have already said, once you close your aperture a few stops, the image quality is essentially identical.With that said, this lens is sharp but not the sharpest of the Canon L lens family. The distortion/vignetting is pretty noticeable as well. However, at the price level, this is an excellent lens. Though it doesn't take photos like a prime, one has to be realistic about what can be expected out of a lens. A zoom lens will never be as sharp as a prime. If you a buying a ultra-wide angle zoom, you should accept this as reality. I am happy with my purchase and continue to shoot with it when I travel (along with my 24-70 f2.8 ii). It's a worthy addition to the bag of any photographer.
(I really want to give this lens 3.5 stars)This review is written from the viewpoint of someone whom has used many L-class lenses, and as such will be a little harder on this piece of glass. If you've never used a Canon L lens and you purchase this one, I guarantee you'll be quite pleased with your purchase. But this review is really meant for those who own other L glass pieces and are looking into adding this one to their collection.The good:L glass tends to mean some heavy-weight glass, however this lens is surprisingly light and small. In fact, it is the smallest/lightest L zoom Canon makes. You find yourself more likely to take it to places where there may not be much of a projected photo opportunity or where there is a higher risk in damaged gear due to its unobtrusive size. It really is one of those few L lenses that you can casually walk around with and not garner much for attention.As with all L-glass, this ones very solidly constructed. It has a simplicity of design that minimizes risk to moving parts from shock. It is well-balanced and just feels like a tight glass package.The lens performs very well in color and contrast. Natural saturation is excellent, easily on par with the L expectation. The color and saturation of this lens sits somewhere between the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and the 24-70mm f/2.8.I initially thought that the zoom range would be constraining (a mere 23mm of range?), but in reality the lens is fairly versatile. This especially true on a 1.6 FOVCF body (20D, 30D, 350D, 400D, etc), where the range is more like that of a normal zoom, at the cost of the super-wide advantage. The lens handles pretty much all composition tasks except those of a telephoto or 1.0x macro. You won't be disappointed in the zoom versatility.Price. This like, what, the second cheapest L lens available. For those whom are very accustomed to purchasing/collecting L lenses, anything under a thousand dollars really is considered on the cheap side. If this is your first L purchase, this lens or the 70-200mm F/4L are your places to start.Flare. There's practically none.Cons: (there's only one, but its a biggie)Sharpness. This is by far my biggest qualm, and what makes me frown a little at this lens for its L designation. It's nowhere near that of other lenses. One of the biggest uses for this lens is landscape photography, where objects appear very distant and sharpness becomes crucial. 24mm at f/4 on this lens is easily less sharp than 24mm at f/2.8 (!) on the 24-70 f/2.8L. And as a little investigation will reveal, this probelm is also somewhat appearant on the 16-35mm f/2.8L (although it seems less pronounced). 100% crop comparisons of this lens to other lenses such as the 180mm f/3.5L is simply a joke.Other:This lens utilizes slight movement of the front element, so it is advised by pretty much everyone that a UV filter be purchased (77mm filter size). I add to that by saying: buy only the Multi-coated from B+W or Hoya if you're shooting digital. Yes, they're usually somewhere around eighty bucks, but spending forty on something that will bring you ghosting/contrast woes is not worth it.The hood of this lens is hilarious. It's almost five inches wide and maybe an inch and a half tall. I simply don't use it (I can't geometrically see how it helps. I think it may be something of a feel-good-hood if you're not consiencious about flare.) The lens is less conspicuous without it and I really don't have a flare problem.ConclusionI'm really not satisfied with the sharpness issue. It seems at least somewhat appearant on almost all Canon's lenses below 35mm. (Except for the 24-70 and 24-105, which is odd). I think they're still working out their wide-angle formula. Appearantly, the new 17-55mm f/2.8 is supposed to be sharper than both the 17-40 and 16-35, so they are probably on the right track of improving the issue.In the end, if you've never used L glass and are considering this one, buy it. You will be very pleased, I assure you. But if you own a good deal of L glass, you may want to hold off from this one and wait for Canon to improve their optics. You may find yourself like me, using other L pieces and only using this one when I absolutely have to.
I bought this lens after contemplating buying the new 16-35 2.8.  I had the money to buy the more expensive lens but I didn't and here is why.  I was told by an aquaintance who test for Canon that the 17-40 f 4.0 is over all sharper and has less distortion than the new 16-35 f 2.8 (as of Aug 15 2007).  I have heard this from other photographers as well.  Also although it isn't an f 2.8 as like the 16-35 it does have a bit more range and I have found the focusing is pretty fast regardless.  I think it is the best $700 I ever spent on a piece of camera equipment.
If, like me, you are a fan of wide angle shots with their greater sense of depth, and encompassing vision, then you will love this lens.The 1.6X multiplier of my Rebel XT takes away the extreme wide angle capability of this lens, but nevertheless the range is impressive at an effective 27 to 64mm. This makes the lens a very effective general purpose lens, ranging from a great wide angle to slight telephoto. I normally leave this lens on my camera, only swapping it for a telephoto zoom for outdoor/sports shots.The quality is just great - the pictures jump out at you for their color, contrast and sharpness. Even though this lens costs almost as much as the camera body, there is no question that it is worth every penny. If you are thinking of buying the new 30D with a lesser lens, then you might want to consider saving the money on the body and splurging on this lens instead.You won't regret it!
This is the lens I use 90% of the time. Its a great investment. Pictures are sharp and the wide angle zoom suits most needs. The construction s typical L - great. I've used this lens on several Canons and have always had positive results. Expensive, but worth it.
This is the first L lens I have. Solid build. Excellent performance on my 30D system. Wide angle is perfect for indoor shooting except for my baby son. He moves so fast and F/4 is not sufficient to capture his cute emotion sometimes. I believe my next target would be 50mm F/1.4.
I have had this lens for almost a year now. I bought this with a 350 XT body only. For a long time this was my only lens and pretty much this is all I needed.I have used it extensively, the contrast and sharpness are great, it is relatively fast and extremely reliable, the success rate with this lens is excellent. The outdoor scenic shots are breathtaking. For the money this is the best wide angle lens you can buy.Compared to the 2.8 's it is way less expensive and easy to carry. The 2.8 to 4.0 gap can easily be covered by changing settings on the XT in most cases.Also it gives a nice grip when held from the lens and this results in steady shots at high ISO settings. I have used it for nightshots, the shutter speed has to be slow to get the shot, got good and sharp results with the lens.I have added a 50mm 1.4 prime lens to my collection but the 17-40mm is the one I have on most of the time when going out.
I debated for quite a while between this lens and the 17-55 f/2.8 EF-S IS. I'm still drooling over that lens, but what it came down to in the end was my plan to upgrade to the 5D when, and if the Mark II is released. Of course, the other lens that could have made the decision even more difficult is the 16-35 f/2.8L, but it was way out of my price range.I'm happy with my choice. The lens is well built and sharp. If I have any complaints it would be CA. This lens does tend to show a bit of color fringing, but nothing and extra five seconds in raw processing can't fix. So I guess that point is moot.Overall, this is a good lens. Well worth the money. Especially at this price.
This was exactly what I was looking for to put on my 7D. A quality lens to uses for everyday walk around use, and landscape shots.
The EF 17-40 will not give you f/2.8, and at f/4 it is not the sharpest.  Even so, with a tripod at f/5.6 to f/8 and beyond it is a match for the EF 16-35.  Therefore, although as a walk-around lens it cannot compare to the more expensive lenses, if you want to do landscapes, it is by far the best buy in the wide angle L series of Canon--and it will not be bested by the EF 16-35 at the apertures where it is most likely to be used for landscape photography.  Combined with its light weight, it is ideal for packing into the mountains or other back country.I would like to give it five stars, but its limitations at f/4 would make that less than honest.
I just got back from a week in Florida - the reason I bought this lens. I wanted a light wide angle that also had some zoom. This was the only lens I put in my small camera bag each morning because it took the best pictures. The weight was perfect for walking around with it 12 hours a day - I did not experience neck or shoulder problems once (a problem I have). The pictures were fantastic even though the weather was rainy and dreary the entire time we were there (another plus - I felt confident that the lens would keep the damp out).  I am still processing the 900+ photos I shot with this lens over the week. If I had to pick one thing to praise it would be the richness of the colors. The only downside is that it doesn't have a longer zoom. On the other hand, the wideness made up for it. I took photos of a parade at night, and could get entire floats in the shot. *That* is what I was looking for. It hasn't been off my XTi since.====my original review====I struggled for weeks, maybe months, on the lens to buy to replace my kit lens, something light enough that I won't want to leave it at home when I'm going out for the day. I rented a lens that ended up feeling like it was 100 pounds, and I just didn't think the photos were impressive enough to pay upwards of a thousand dollars.I visited lens-specific flickr groups to look for the photos that jumped out at me the most. Everything I saw on a 17-40mm group jumped out at me, and I took a chance on this lens, even though 40mm seemed a little short and it didn't have IS. But I am SO thrilled with this lens, that I have forgiven it for not having IS, and if I need to take photos inside, I'll use my 50mm f/1.4.  I have realized that you just can't find one lens that will meet the need of every shooting situation. I'm extremely happy with my purchase.
Ahhh, this was my very first L lens... I loved her so much.It was also the first lens I bought when I upgraded to a full frame camera and wow did it blow me away... built like a tank, weather sealed, internal focus, quick and accurate AF, and simply gorgeous color and contrast. And affordable!As it turns out I started shooting more and more portraiture and then weddings so I started using it less and less. I eventually sold it to fund a 24-70L (regretted that) which I then sold to get a 24-105L (awesome move!).Like I said, I loved this lens but I just found that I don't need ultra wide perspective for my line of work. I have occasionally borrowed a 16-35L from a friend but truth be told, I think the 17-40 is a little sharper and the extra f/stop is kinda negligible when you're shooting at 17-24mm range and can hand hold up to 1/20 of a second anyway.If you're looking for an ultra wide angle lens, if you shoot a lot of landscapes or real estate, if you shoot editorial or commercial and need to get wider than 24mm for a dramatic portrait, this is the lens for you. You won't regret buying it.
As a photographer, I have not yet succumbed to the pleasures of having one all-around lens for landscape, people and street photography (I personally prefer single focal length prime lenses since these tend to be sharper, contrastier, and relatively more free from distortion, than zoom lenses, though zoom lens quality is now quite close to those from primes.). However, if I was interested in acquiring one lens which would allow me to photograph easily landscape, people and street scences with the flexibility of focal lengths from an ultrawide angle to nearly normal perspective, then this lens would be a superb candidate. The test reports I have read in several photography magazines, most notably in Shutterbug, and I believe, Popular Photography, too, have been absolutely enthusiatic in their praise for this lens. Not only is it among the cheaper lenses in Canon's superb L Series line, but it is apparently among the best. I have also met photographers who are truly quite enthusiastic about this lens's capabilities. So if you are a Canon owner seeking a superb-quality wide angle zoom lens of this range, then you shouldn't hesitate buying it soon.
I bought this with my Canon 30D. This is a great lens and L series is the best. I have mostly L lens because the quality is worth the money.
Reasonably quick lens and focus, with a nice wide angle to it.  This lens spent a lot of time on my camera for many events and weddings, but unfortunately I've found the lens to be a little soft, and it doesn't perform the best in low light situations.  Now that I have the 24-70 lens (Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras) and the 50 prime (Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens) I'm using this lens less and less, to the point that I'm considering selling the lens off.Pros:Nice wide angleFast FocusCons:A little softNot the best low light performance
When I bought this lens, I was looking for a lens that would deliver images superior to those from the kit lens that came with my (Original) Digital Rebel.  I am completely satisfied with the purchase.  I have since upgraded to a 40D, and the combination is wonderful.  I was, perhaps, a little underwhelmed by this lens at first: images didn't appear that drastically different from the kit lens.  But after having spent half a year with this lens, and really getting to know it, there is no way I would switch back.  This lens delivers much sharper images and the colors are phenomenal.In short, if you are looking to upgrade from that cheap kit lens and you want a taste of the L flavor, don't hesitate to pull the trigger on this one unless you have the money and can afford something better like the 16-35 f/2.8L.
very good product to use and highly recommended. useful item if you are interested in buying it. also lasting product.
For months I had been reading review after review and comparing this lens with other lenses in its class at the store. Had finally boiled it down to between this lens and a Tamron Lens which was about $200 less. Both lens received very good reviews. But a couple of months ago I made my choice to get this lens on what a reviewer had said about canon "L" lenses, this one in particular. (Paraphrasing)"You could get the cheaper lens and most likely be happy with it, but what if?" So not wanting to be wondering what "if", I purchased the Canon EF 17-40 f/4L and haven't had any regrets letting go of $600. Some reviewers had said that with the max of f4, the lens wouldn't get good shots in low to dim light. Yet this lens had no problem focusing or getting good shots in those conditions with my 430EX flash what so ever. And not only will you get some great wide shots (even with a Rebel Xti, as I do) but you can get some good close ups of objects as well. You'll have to be careful with close-ups of people because you can distort their facial features(nose,ears,forehead;the lens was not intended for portraits) but, it's useful for group shots. I've uploaded some pictures of some trees and some geese in a pond along with a close up of a pot holder. Photos with this lens are very good concerning sharpness, color and contrast and there is a minimum of barrel distortion as well. So if you are wondering "what if?", I would go ahead and spring the money for this lens, it would be a great addition to your collection and a very useful one at that.Update August 8, 2008. I have used this lens a lot since I've gotten it and haven't any regrets. I have been on a trip to Puerto Rico USA visiting my parents and this lens gave me the opportunity to snap some great shots. I have uploaded some shots that will show just how good this lens really is.
At the risk of sounding redundant, I have to say that this lens performs at the top of Canon's wide angle line-up.  The picture quality will vary depending on your camera, but even with a crop sensor, you will have fantastic results.  If you're still on the fence about buying this lens, go to Flickr and type the key words &#34;17-40&#34; followed by your camera type, i.e., &#34;5d III&#34;; the results will provide the clarity you need to make your final decision.  Have fun!!!
Though I have not used this lens extensively yet, I like what I have done with it so far.  It is another of Canon's very reliable and high quality L series lenses.  Also, it is relatively light weight and, conveniently, uses the same size filters as the 24-105mm L and the 100-400mm L lenses.  The 17mm on a full-frame camera, like the 5D Mark II or III, is a very wide angle that would be outstanding for almost any wide angle use for a scenic shot.
I have purchased several Canon lenses off Amazon, and this is by far the worst yet.  I own an Olympus C-7070 and it takes sharper pictures at f2.8 than this lens takes at f12.  Canon has some major quality control issues that they need to resolve, because this is not the first time I have had issues with soft lenses from them.  The first lens I bought for my Canon 5D was the 24-105mm.  When I received it, I had the similar issues with shapness (or lack thereof), so I returned it to Amazon and got another copy.  Again, same problem.  It took me sending the lens directly to Canon for calibration to get the problem solved, but who wants that kind of hassle??  Come on Canon, get it together, and improve your quality control.  I love my 5D, but it should not be this hard to find good lenses from your "L" lineup...
This lens performs very well.  It is sharp, has limited distortion, and controls chromatic aberrations well.  Color reproduction is also very accurate.  The more I use this lens the more I like it.  The only slightly negative thing I can say about this lens is the dust sealing could be a little bit better.
When I purchased this lens for my Canon Rebel xsi, I knew it would give me a cropped image equivalent to 27-64mm.  I already have a 28-70 lens, that becomes about 44-115 on my Rebel.  I wanted to get back the 28mm (semi-wide) view but did not want a lens that would not work on a full-frame camera as I expect to upgrade at some point.  So I opted for this lens.  What I didn't realize, or had forgotten, was that this lens has a close focus of 11 inches.  Which means that even though on the wide end it is equivalent to 28mm, it still is capable of producing an image with a much wider perspective than a standard 28mm on a full-frame.  The distortion of angles at the 17mm setting with objects up close is still significant enough to get some really unique shots.  F/4 doesn't cause me any problems because when I'm indoors I just set ISO to automatic and it really doesn't impact my shooting at all.  Outdoors, who needs f/2.8 with a wide angle anyway.I haven't seen any reviews that have mentioned how the close focus ability impacts the perception of wide angle.  Anyway, I'm very pleased with the purchase.  Only thing that could be better would be an all-metal body on the lens.  It feels a bit less luxurious due to the plastic barrel.Just my 2 cents.  **Also** Sounds crazy...but true...somehow my copy of this lens is close-focusing at 5 or 6 inches rather than 11.  Not sure if this is normal on an APS-C camera or not, but I'm a little mystified as to how this is happening!
I have both 16-35 and this 17-40.  I end up using 17-40 lot more than 16-35. No doubt, 16-35 is a better lens, faster, wider, but this only helps in one condition: indoor shots where flash and tripod is prohibited. I bump into this situation when I was in the Hearst Castle and 16-36 helped a lot. Another situation is indoor-event without flash, but not too often you'll bump into this situation. Maybe funeral service inside the church?Again, these situations are rare.  Usually I use the wide angle lens for landscape shots or group photos. For landscape, I'm not going to use f/2.8 anyway. For group photos, it's another no-no.Therefore, 17-40 is a more reasonable choice.  Again, it's F/4, but you don't have too many chances to use f/2.8 anyway. It's half the cost and it's lighter.Many first-time users of DSLR face the situation of buying a wide angle lens. I highly recommend 17-40. It's one of the cheapest L lens but you'll end up with much better pictures.  The results are instant. Of course, if you have enough cash, buy 16-35, but you'll find yourself reducing aperture most of the time, which, isn't that what 17-40 can do?
is an excellent lens, image quality, performance in focus, quality in construction of the lens barrel. Excellent choice for wide angle
I have had this fabulous lens for 2 months now. This is my second lens in Canon's line up of L lenses. I have a 70-200 f4 non-IS also. This is my first wide angle zoom L lens and i have come to know what i have been missing. Till now the widest lens i had was a 50mm f2.5 macro and 50 f1.8. Although on a 1.6x sensor like 20D which i own, this lens is not so wide it performs excellently. The focusing is very fast, sharp crisp images and consistent quality as the aperture range remains the same throughout the entire zoom. This may not be suitable for some the semi-pros or pros since its a little slow being f4, i would recommend this to anyone who does serious photography as a hobby. In indoors too it performs flawlessly. Most of the time i dont use a tripod and its difficult to maintain a fast enough shutter speed especially with aperture more than 8. so if you are like me, then you may want to take a look at the 17-85 IS or the 17-55 IS since the IS compensates atleast 2 stops in low light for hand holding. But if its outdoor then u can easily handhold this and shoot some great photos in good lighting conditions. Also i would like to mention that being a L lens this is a little heavy because of its solid construction. Its also big compared to the other startup lenses. It takes 77mm filters and it can be used even on full frame cameras like 5D. hope you enjoy this lens as much as i am doing.
I borrowed a friends 17-40 and fell in love. Great color and wonderfully sharp. So I bought one for myself. It was no where near as sharp, it went back, the second was even worse, so blurry my landscapes looked like they were taken with a P&S, even on a tripod at f/11. This third lens is about the same as the second but won't focus right. Sadly I don't think I'll ever get a good copy of this lens.
This lens is really sharp and feels really solid.  Weather sealing is a nice touch too. I would have gotten the 16-35 f2.8 if i could afford it, but i don't regret getting this one a bit.  Besides, if you want a lens for landscapes, you won't need something at f2.8 anyway.  Save the money and get a fast prime for low light stuff.
"Wow!" is all I can say to express my reaction after getting prints taken with my 17-40.  I've been using Nikon manual-focus Nikkors since 1988 and was always satisfied with the color and sharpness.  However, after using the Canon "L" series, I've sold a lot of my Nikkors.  The color, clarity, sharpness, and detail of the "L" lenses are amazing.  The prints have this 3-D effect (without having to use those silly red/blue glasses!) 8-)  Within 3 weeks of receiving my 17-40, I ordered the 70-200.  Those two lenses will replace my whole Nikkor collection.  Build is really good.  The "L" zooms are a little bulkier, but very managable.  The Nikkors are smaller, but very heavy.  But lense technology and coatings have improved so much in 20 years, I can see the difference.  I tested the lens by pointing it toward the sun.  The 17-40 surprising handles flare very well.  With the sun just outside the field of view, there was very little flare and loss of contrast.  I also make 12x18 prints, and this lens handles them easily.  The body is going to be the limiting factor (refering to digital bodies).Warning: once you use "L" glass, you are going to be spoiled.  You may not settle for consumer lenses anymore, although some non-L lenses are quick good from what I read.
Got this to have a nice wide zoom for my 5D mkII, and I love the lens.  I do find that it actually gets a little soft near 40mm, which I don't mind so much as I won't be using it much past 24 anyway, but just something to note.  Colors look great.  Some barrel distortion at 17mm, but that's to be expected.  All in all not a bad little lens for the price!
Best lens for landscape. I really like the ultra wide angle that I can play on the lens, whether to zoom in or out, real fantastic! It's sharp, bright, clear. For L series eventhough the aperture only 4L, this lens is the cheapest that I could buy and I'm very satisfied with it.
The lens is fantastic! Great L lens for the Canon's line of ultra wide angle zoom lens. I bought this used and was skeptical because I've never bought a pair of lens used. But Michigan Photo did a great job that included everything that they stated it came with (box, hood, both front and back lens caps).
I owned this lens and used it with my 40D, sold it, and recently re-bought it for use with my 5D2.  The corner performance and the general sharpness wide open do not impress me, but stop it down even one stop and it's a whole new world of landscape photography.On the 40D, it was a pretty decent walk-around lens.  Generally sharp across the frame, well-corrected for distortion, and, although 17mm had bad purple-fringing (for an L lens), the CA performance was generally good at other focal lengths.  For a general walk-around lens, though, it's a bit big and heavy, with not a lot of reach in either direction (27mm-64mm equivalent focal length on a crop sensor lands it just shy of a standard zoom) and for all that weight, you still only have a moderately fast f/4 lens with no image stabilization (and it has so-so sharpness at f/4).  I eventually sold it for a 30mm f/1.4 prime and was more than satisfied on my 40D.Now that I've got a 5D mark ii (full frame DSLR), I've come to appreciate that other wide angle options in this price range do not come close to this lens for 1) center to edge sharpness, 2) contrast, and 3) correction for distortion.  Although the 17-40L has very average sharpness across most of its range at f/4, stop it down, even one stop to f/5.6, and suddenly it becomes incredibly sharp almost to the edge ofs the frame.  Stop down to f/8 and it's very hard to detect any softness except the extreme corners, although I feel that corner sharpness really ought to be better.  You have to stop it down to f/11 to get corner sharpness at above average levels, and such shots often call for tripods.  You never really escape the purple-fringing at 17mm, but just zoom in to 24mm or more when shooting high contrast subjects, and you end up learning to work around it.Since most landscape shooting is done at f/8-f/11 or so, and at 20-35mm focal lengths, that's why I say that this is really a perfect landscape lens, although it works best on full frame only.  The great contrast this lens produces (blacker blacks, richer colors), and the especially flat field of view are the frosting on the cake to make this a great option for landscape shooters demanding a great lens.4 stars for the crummy performance at f/4 and at 17mm.  As a landscape lens, with the understanding that you'll be using it at f/5.6 or f/8 most of the time, it is a 5 star lens for sure.
I bought this lens to address my occasional need for an ultra-wide angle lens. Thus, it complements my Canon EF 24-105 f4.0L very nicely. Image quality is superb, as you would expect from a Canon "L" series lens.  At 17mm, images shot with this lens have noticeable barrel distortion, but that's normal for lenses with an FOV (field of view) this wide. I use it for landscape shots when my 24-105 doesn't have a wide enough FOV, and also for indoor shots in small rooms.A few notes:1. This lens is NOT imaged stabilized, as are most of Canon's other "L" series zooms.  The focal length range is short enough that I guess it really doesn't need image stabilization for most "average" photographic situations. For best results, put your camera on a tripod and use a remote release, either the wireless or wired type, to reduce camera shake. If your camera supports mirror lockup, use that as well if your subject isn't moving. Mirror lockup is a feature that swings the reflex mirror up and pauses one or two seconds before the shutter cycles, so that camera shake and vibration are minimized as much as possible.I won't say much more here, as Bryan Carnathan has already written a much more detailed review on this lens. Googling "the digital picture 17-40" will link you to his review.SUMMARY:  A really superb wide angle zoom, that "feels right" in your hand, at a reasonable price.  Highly recommended for use with any Canon DSLR. On Canon's APS-C sensor cameras, it behaves like a 28-64mm wide angle zoom on a full-frame camera. Since this is an EF mount, not an EF-S, if you are currently using an APS-C camera, for example a T3I or 50D, and you eventually upgrade to a full-frame camera like the 5D or 1D, this lens will work perfectly with your new camera.
Another reviewer said that this lens would seem fantastic to anyone who does not come from the world of L-lenses. Well, I only own one other L, the 100-400mm f/4-5.6, which I love - but I was still rather disappointed in this one. I shoot with a 7D now, but I started out with a Rebel XS and I bought this lens to replace the 18-55 kit lens that came with the camera. I expected to be blown away by the image quality - but I really found that it wasn't that much of an upgrade. In terms of focal length, it is practically the same - and it is just not sharp. I even thought that something may be wrong with my copy, so I tested a friend's on both my bodies, with similar results. Even stopped down to 5.6 it is comparable in sharpness to the $80 kit lens. Some may say that this is a wide angle lens, and I am pixel peeping too much, but the sharpness of my other wide angle, the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 exceeds this one by a far reach, and at much larger apertures.It's certainly not all bad. The colors are great, and stopped down to f/11-13 it can make some fantastic shots, but the lack of IS makes it hard to shoot at those settings when light is limited. The build quality is very nice too, the weather sealing is great, and it's pretty light and makes for a nice walk-around lens.Maybe on a FF camera this lens can see its full potential - although I've seen reviews that it gets extremely soft on corners. But for a crop body, this is probably not the best choice - there are better options out there. I think I will sell my copy and replace it with the 17-55mm f/2.8 lens.
I received the lens earlier today so I haven't had time to do extensive testing yet, but I'm pretty happy with it so far. I should start by saying that I really wanted an ultra wide fast prime lens. I used to only use primes and still prefer them, but I have started using zooms because of the convenience of not needing to carry and change lenses.Before ordering I also looked at the canon 14mm 2.8L and Tokina 14 2.8, buts didn't want to pay around 2,000 for the canon and read several reviews about the Tokina getting dust inside. Finally opted to go with the 17-40L because I do have a 24mm prime and of lesser importance to me but worth considering, the Tokina won't take filters.I used my full frame 5d to test the lens, haven't tried it on an aps-c sensor yet but probably will just to see how it compares later. On the 5d the corners are a little soft wide open, but not too bad and after stopping down I didn't really notice any softness. There is also a little distortion at 17 but also nothing I can not live with. I plan to mostly use this for landscape photography and interesting effects, so stopping down isn't a problem for me. Not sure how it would work for large group shots yet.Bottom line: From what I have seen so far this is a pretty good lens for the price. If you need super fast and sharp I would go with a prime or maybe 16-35mm 2.8L. If you don't need to shoot in low light or can't afford the 16-35 2.8 this is a good option. I gave it 4 stars because its not as fast as I would ideally want.
Good quality glass and one of the least expensive L lenses you can buy.  This lens is a good entry point into the world of Canon L Lenses.  They cost more for a good reason.
Great lens at the reasonable price.  Sharp picture and wider enough for travel.  I m using 40D+1740, going for 70200 2.8L later.
This lens is truly the workhorse of my camera bag. When I am out doing any kind of landscape or nature photography this lens is most of the time the lens on my camera. I have to say I have made my best photographs with this lens. I guess the 16-35 is a good lens it is a faster lens thats for sure but I rarely if ever shoot wide open when I am using wide angle lens and have never felt the need for a 2.8 apeture. For the difference in price unless there is some very specific reason I don't see why anyone would spend twice the money on a 16-35mm lens when for the half the price you can get a lens of very close or equal quality. I highly recomend this lens.
Despite this lens is not good for full frame cameras, it is an excellent option for a APS-C size sensor such as Canon 50D and Rebel T1i. On a full frame camera, this lens produce soft corners however, because of the crop effect of APS-C sensor this problem does not show up in the pictures and the lens deliver Pin Sharp pictures from the center to the corner always. As any Canon L series lens, the image is superb with high resolution and wonderful color saturation. The construction is also superb and comes with lens hood as well which is a plus. One also have to consider the prices which is very low for a Canon L lens. I certainly recommend this lens for any APS-C sensor cameras. It is a must have... A keeper... A winner...
Bought this lens for a digital rebel xti and it works great.  Nice pictures, great for close-ups, fast autofocus but it is a rather large lens.
If you have a full frame camera, you probably will have the same problem like mine: Vignetting (dark corners) at very wide angle when a circular polarizer filter is attached. Since I don't like the vignetting effect, I decide to find a good filter that does not cause this problem. After spend few days to review the comments of each candidate, I finally found a good one:B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating($155)If the filter is attached directly to the lens, the vignetting effect is not noticeable. If it is attached on top of the UV filter, you will notice the vignetting effect, although it is still considered minor. Therefore, I usually attach the filter directly to the lens, without any thing in between.What about the slim filter? There are couple reasons I don't recommend a slim filter:1.) The slim filter does not have thread, i.e., you cannot put the lens cap back to the filter.2.) It costs more but the result is not significant better than the non-slim version.Some reviewers also recommendHoya 77mm HD Hardened Glass 8-layer Multi-Coated Circular Polarizing Filter($100). Personally I haven't tried it before. Although both filters receive very good ratings, based on the number of reviews, I decide to go with B+W.Hope it helps.
I bought this product for my sons graduation.  He absolutely loves it!!  He had wanted it for a long time and he said it was worth waiting for.  Thanks for the great service also.
I bought this since I really didn't have a wide angle zoom in my collection. It has become my go to lens, replacing an EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM.It is great for Landscapes and general photography. As with wide angle lenses, there is a slight amount of bending at the edges of the picture. It is not always noticeable though. This is the reason for four stars instead of five.Color and sharpness are perfect. The lens is comparatively light in weight and is great for a walkabout lens.
First off, if you're a pro with a bag full of $2000 lenses, you're probably not interested in this, the 2nd least expensive "L" lens.Secondly, if you're going to compare this to a bunch of $2000 lenses, you're barking up the wrong tree.My guess is the typical buyer of this lens is someone who is taking their first tentative step into the world of "expensive" glass. This lens is made to order for you. It simply blows "ordinary" lenses out of the water. If you're used to the kit lens that came with your camera, or a 3rd party lens you got for $150, you are going to love this lens. You'll find yourself taking more pictures, taking time to frame your shots and basically caring about what you shoot. This is a lens that is far more talented than you are, and you'll strive to rise to its level.I cannot say enough good things. The sharpness ROCKS. The saturation and contrast are absolutely fantastic. The focus is instantaneous and silent, and usually dead on. And the red stripe looks really cool! :)Its heavy, and built like a tank. If you're looking for a lightweight, this ain't it. It is lighter than most other "L" lenses, however, and not too bad to carry.Drop the 700 bucks, and go out and take some serious photographs.
this is my firsst L lens so i have basis of comparison. however im no stranger to crisp imagery, and this lens seems to deliver just that... cant wait to get a 24-105 and 40-70 L on next week. i would recommend this to anyone just because it is in the L family. cant go wrong with L glass
I use it to shoot from an elevated angle as well as for interior photos.  The result were good so far.  You can see the samples on my site:  [...] Look for the interior pictures. Affordable good quality glass, solid built.
Great lens and a super price. Really nice that the UV filter was free too.
I originally bought the lens for my 7D, but have since purchased a 6D also.  The lens really captures what I shoot, well.  My landscape shots are turning out great.  I am not a pro, so I'll leave it to them for technicalities, but for a hobbyist, this is a great walk around lens.  I have Canon's EF 28-135 zoom also, if I want to capture wildlife.
When the lens arrived it was in new condition and performed exceptionally well.  In addition to the lens this also comes with Canon lens hood and a nice protective carrying bag; neither of which I expected but were nice additions.I have been a Canon fan for many years now (almost 20) and have never been disappointed with the outstanding quality. This lens was a new addition wide angle for my recent acquisition, Canon EOS 5D Mark III. After it arrived I hooked it up and took some images without a flash on a darkly overcast day. All of the images came out crisp and clear. Great responsiveness and feel. Highly recommended.
I bought this for a trip to Spain and I was really happy with it. I wanted a more efficient lens for indoor shooting (churches, etc.). This lens didn't disappoint.
I rented this lens a few months back and fell in love with it.  I recently switched to a full frame camera and having this ultra-wide zoom has been a great addition to my camera bag.  You can't be shy with this lens.  To see the real strength of the lens you often time have to get very close to your subject.  It is great for landscapes.  The kids love the distorted look you can get when taking pictures of them up close.  I debated over getting the 16-35 f/2.8L, but I'm happy I went with this one.  While the f/2.8L is a faster lens, I couldn't justify 2x the cost for 1 extra stop.  With my new camera I can go to ISO6400 with little to no noise, so f/4 works very well for me.
I just received this lens today and I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised.  I took a few shots in our vineyard (being that I bought this lens for landscapes) and the contrast and sharpness are very good.  I've worked with other "L" series lenses and the 17-40 doesn't disappoint compared to what I am used to.  Highly recommended if you are looking for a wide angle lens.
I have read many reviews saying this lens is too soft. It is not true. I might have just gotten a good copy but I find this lens to be very sharp. Of course it is not as sharp as the 70-200 lenses but it comes very close. It also costs half as much. I really had second thoughts buying this lens because of all the mediocre reviews but I am very happy with the results from this lens. The f/4 aperture is slow but if you are doing landscapes or architecture this is not important. It is also very compact and light. I was surprised at how small it was when I first got it. The focus and zoom rings are super smooth and feel great. The build quality is amazing. The zoom design is genius. When you have a filter on (which is a MUST), the glass zooms in and out inside of the filter so the lens does not change size. I am using a full frame and it's great but if you have a crop camera I would suggest a different lens. For a crop camera it is not long enough on the long end and you can get a better general zoom with a f/2.8 aperture. I would recommend the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 for crop cameras. I had it on my 40D and I loved it. I highly recommend this lens as a ultra wide angle for full frame cameras. It is sharp, compact, light, and built like a tank. Even as a pixel peeper, I am satisfied with this lens.
I actually have two of these, it's so important to me. I am a travel photographer and I spend many hours out at night. Night photography taxes the limits of most any equipment from camera bodies to glass. You can see some of my work here - LensTraveler18.com. I have rented and owned approximately 20 of Canon's fast glass in mostly wide angle varieties including the new 17mm T/S and the 24 F1.4 mm lens too.Without hesitation, this lens will match in sharpness and contrast any lens in my bag as long as it's at F4.5 or greater. At F6.7 it's as near perfect as I have found. I do not hesitate to recommend it yet some people have experience softness at wide apertures.Addressing the sharpness issue: There are tolerances in all manufactured products. Scientific, precise products like high resolution camera sensors and the placement/alignment of that sensor and the rear lens element. Even 2 mm off is relatively serious in terms of tolerances. The reason I am mentioning this is because sometimes you get this lens and it appears to be "soft" but it's really at the other end of the tolerance scale when compared to the camera. When you get a lens that "matches" your camera body, the results are startling, as you can tell from the comments on this site. I went through 3 lenses before I "accepted" the 1st one I bought. Some vendors like Amazon and their affiliates are very cooperative in helping you match your camera to your new lens. When you get one, you are going to be very satisfied. My second lens was purchased after an accident which damaged my system, after repair by Canon it came back perfect. Now I have two. And that's come in handy on several trips.It doesn't have Internal Stabilization which is not a problem for me, I use it on a tripod for serious landscapes, both day and night.In summary, this is not a "hobby" lens even though it's not priced like a professional lens. It's a true bargain and will provide very high performance.  Don't hesitate to make this part of your system, it will pay you many dividends in amazing photographs.
this lens is goodvery sharpand very goodbut not enough zoom rangeand it is only for full frame machinesespecially for film slr sbecause in a crop factor dslr it is not enough and it is not wide enough..canon 10-22 is more good than thisfor a full frame there is some vignettint issues and corner softness..so this is only good for film slrif you have rebel series or 20d 30 d go with canon 10-22if you have film slr buy this lens
It's winter here and I've not been able to get out and do much with the lens. About all I've taken with it are some closeups of some damaged goods I received from a greenhouse, and it took the photos so clearly there was no denying the damage. We had the items replaced. I've taken a few shots from along the road, and it surprises me how far away everything seems, but I know that's a learning curve I'll get over. The photo of an old truck I made turned out great! I'm looking forward to a break in the weather and being able to get out and give the lens a real tryout.
great little lens IF stopped down to about F8 or so- Even by F/5.6 it shows a marked improvement in corner softness- Of course at 17mm you will have soem distortion which can be corrected in photoshop without much hassel- This is definately a landscape lens- but can even be used as portrait- the corner softness? Bleh- when takign portraits, you want corners soft anyways, it's the center sharpness you are more concerned about to be honest- which this lens delivers- contrast is great, color is nice- If you are looking for absolute sharpness in your landscape photos however, I would heartily suggest getting hte canon 35mm 1.4 (they say the either the 2.0 or the1.8 can't remember which it is, is really good too for a lot less money) and simply takign a series of shots if you need to stitch together wider scenes than a 35mm can handle- my stitched photos are fantasticly sharp with the 35mm- it was kind of a step back going to this 17-40 lens, but I needed a wider lens, and a buit of versatility, and htis lens ranks amoung hte best as far as zooms go, so I'm willing to put up with a slight loss in sharpness/detail compared to hte 35mm.Be aware, that at 17mm and F/4, the extreme corners of image are really not very nice- real mushy- but by 5.6 they are pretty good- they also get better at F/4 by around 20mm, 22mm soimwhere in there if you're itnent on shooting at F/4- Just steer clear of 17mm at F/4 unless soft corners is what you intendIf you can't decide between this lens or the 16-35 2.8 - perhaps deciding what you shoot most woudl help- IF you shoot mostly landscapes on tripod- with mirror lockup and all that- and only occasionally take portraits outside or architecture outside in ok light, then really, you don't need a fast lens and htis lens will save you a substantial bit of money over the 16-35- Also, IF you have a canon 5d111 or the 1DX, then you can crank up the iso indoors withou much worry at all, and htis lens is perfectly adequate for indoor shots in lowish light- However, IF you don't like using higher iso's, and you have plenty of money, and mostly take portraits or family hsots indoors, or basketball games or whathaveyou- then the 16-35 might be a better lens for you- As well, I've heard that the difference in wide angle from 17- 16 is pretty significant difference, not sure how much though- so that might be a consideration too-And folks, remember, todays lenses are leaps and bounds more sophisticated and clear and sharp than many of the old lenses that photographers/artists had to work with in times past- We keep looking for comparisons between todays razor sharp lenses, and worry abotu slight softness or chromatic abberations or whatever, but really, I think if we compared today's lenses with thsoe used by artists decades ago, we'd fidn that we're pretty lucky today to have such high quality lenses at prices we can somewhat afford
Thris lense has been a great walk around lense. Very versatile for doing weddings, gardens, portrait and urban projects. Very little feathering on the edges and the field depth is adequate. Fast and quiet lense!  I'll give this 4 stars!
The walkaround lens. This very topic leads to a heated discussion among DSLR photographers.First, determine your budget, focal length, and aperture needs.If you frequently find yourself zooming out to get everything in a frame, you will want a wide angle lens such as this. If you frequently find yourself zooming in, this is not the lens for you. On a full frame body such as Canon EOS 5D, this lens becomes ULTRA wide angle. On an APS-C crop body such as Digital Rebel XTi (which I used for this review), it becomes MEDIUM wide angle. But thanks to 1.6x crop factor, this lens expands to more usable 35mm equivalent focal length of 27 to 64mm.Second, audition the lens if you can.By definition, a walkaround lens should be relatively portable. At 1.1 lbs., Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is neither super light nor neck breakingly heavy. In fact, it weighs almost the same as Digital Rebel XTi -- really nice balance. The lens feels very solid with supreme build quality that only L-series lenses offer. Although this lens is weather proof and therefore sealed against liquid and dust, I strongly recommend getting a 77mm filter to protect the front lens element. With it, this lens is made to last.In terms of looks and feel, it doesn't get much better. Its rubberized full-time inner focus manual ring USM focuses smoothly, quietly, and quickly. Since it's inner focus, the lens will not extend beyond its metal casing whether you zoom in or out. The focus window shows focusing distance from 0.28 meter (0.92 feet) to infinity. The focal length marker indicates 17, 20, 24, 28, 35, and 40mm. The lens exudes quality from tip to tip.You may tolerate heavier lens or may not mind lesser build quality of cheaper lenses.  A walkaround lens will be used very often, so make sure you will be comfortable with it.This lens is famous for saturated color and deep contrast. Its images are simply stunning. At 17mm wide angle, barrel distortion is noticeable but relatively mild. From 24mm to 40mm, its images are distortion free and perfectly suited at capturing people.Vignetting (corner darkness) is minimal with mild chroma abberrations (color shadows). At f/4 aperture, details become noticeably softer toward the edges. The center region is very sharp and at f/5.6, edges remain fairy sharp. Thanks to 7 diaphragm blades, this lens can produce very nice bokeh at 40mm (blur effects).One of the most cited weaknesses is the f/4 aperture. In my experience, a bump in the ISO speed and steady hands are all you need to take well focused images indoor. On the other hand, if you are shooting with very little amount of light, you might wish for f/2.8 or image stabilizer. Although the difference between f/4 and f/2.8 is just 1 stop, my other lens, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (too heavy to be my walkaround lens) easily outperforms in such challenging situations. But by and large, I was not handicapped by the f/4 aperture.Some of the main competitions (sorted by price):- Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC macro: Good zoom range with macro, and generally solid performance if you can get a good sample. It does suffer from a bit slow focus mechanism, soft corner, and chroma aberrations. Works only with EF-S mount.- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC: Very good value for f/2.8 aperture, but Tamron's 17-50mm is a bit better lens overall. Works only with EF-S mount.- Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM: This "traveler's lens" has a wider focal range than most wide angle lenses (widest among Canon) and is equipped with an image stabilizer. While it is a Jack of many trades, it is the master of none. Every lenses on this list will perform better at particular focal length. Then again, none of the lenses on this list has as wide focal range. It is famous for extreme barrel distortion at 17mm and chroma aberrations. Works only with EF-S mount.- Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF): This is the most direct competitor. It takes sharper images with faster aperture while costing less. Both the build and focus mechanism are significantly worse, but should be good enough for many. Works only with EF-S mount.- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: This is THE reference, if you can afford it. Its images have razor sharp details and great performance all around (minus vignetting, which is typical of EF-S lenses). The build quality is worse than L-series but still pretty good. Works only with EF-S mount. This is the best EF-S lens hands down.- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM: One of the most expensive wide angle zoom lenses. It's larger and heavier, but has f/2.8 aperture.This is how Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 USM stacks up.Pros:- Among the very best build quality.- Excellent, buttery smooth, super fast front-focus system.- Top notch color and contrast. Very sharp center resolution.- Almost non-existent vignetting, generally low distortion, and well controlled chroma abberrations.- Ideal weight and size for walkaround purposeCons:- Edge softness at f/4 aperture.- Narrower focal length than most competing lenses.- Slower than some third party lenses.All in all, this is an excellent wide angle walkaround lens. It may not offer the most bang for the buck, but if you value full frame compatibility (EF lens mount) and excellent build quality, this is the default choice. This lens comes with a nice pouch and a lens hood. I find the hood to be somewhat ridiculously shaped and because the lens is resistant to flare, I do not use it often when shooting outdoor.
Meets the expectations. But since I use it on 1.6 crop body camera, I have to buy extra lens hood due to un-usefulness of the original lens hood for 1.6 crop body camera.
I'm using the lens on a XSi.  I'm still reviewing, but my initial thoughts are the focus isn't quite as sharp as it could be?  Very low distortion, CA, etc.  Sometimes I just can't figure out why some of my images are a tiny bit out of focus.  I'm an amateur photographer, so it might be bad hand holding or some other beginner mistake.  But, since I bought it, it's mostly stayed on my camera.This isn't a good indoor lens without a flash.  The f4.0 is just a little too slow unless it's bright indoor light.I plan to shoot more with the tripod to push it all the way to my limits.  Then I'll either come back and bump up my review, or bump it down.  This is a pricey lens.
great lens. the ultra wide on full frame is pretty fantastic. i do wish it dropped below f/4 but i guess thats a whole other price category. verys satisfied.
This lens is great.  Awesome build quality, great ergonomics, and amazing image quality.  I highly recommend this lens to anyone with a crop sensor camera.  Not only do you get a great lens but you aren't tied down to the EF-S cameras.  By getting an EF lens mount lens you leave the option to upgrade to a full format camera in the future if you decide that is the direction for you.
I bought this lens as a replacement for my EFS 18-50 kit lens.For APS-C SLRs there are plenty of options in this focal range (EFS 18-50, EFS 18-50IS, EFS 17-85IS, EFS 17-55IS, EFS 15-85IS, Tamron 17-50, Tamron 17-50 VC, Tokina 16-50, Sigma 18-50 ....... ). I was not originally considering this lens and was leaning towards the EFS 17-85IS or Tamron 17-50 (the EFS 15-85IS and Tamron 17-50 VC did not exist at the time). However after trying it at a store, I just had to have one!It has a certain feel to it that is indescribable. Its a pleasure to use. Mounted on my Rebel Xti, it is well balanced. It feels substantial but not overly heavy (less than my EF 70-300IS). It balances the camera well when a flash is mounted in the hotshoe (which can be an issue with lighter lenses). Its very solid. Resting on my hand its very easy to manually focus with my thumb and forefinger; and zoom with my pinky (or thumb), without shaking the camera. Both zoom and focus rings are very smooth. Auto-focusing is so fast and silent, that I often wonder if it actually focused!It focuses quite close. Its a good close up lens for objects that are as small as a child's hand.Image quality seems fine to me. I can't say its any better or worse than my EF 70-300IS which I have no complaints about. I do think the colors are better on the EF 17-40 (but that could be my imagination).I do not find the focal range limiting, but this is not an all-in one zoom! Its a wide to normal. If you need more telephoto you will need to carry another lens (like the excellent 70-300IS or 70-200 F4). If you want an all in one lens go with something else. You have lots of choices!The constant F4 aperture is great for general purpose outdoor/daytime use. Indoors or at night you will typically need a flash, to keep the shutter speed up high enough.For its focal range I do not find a lack of image stabilization an issue. Daytime outdoors I can hold the camera steady enough, and indoors I use a flash.I would recommend this lens to anyone looking for a general purpose wide to normal zoom on an APS-C DSLR.
Great lens and superb quality. I did not notice that it doesn't have image stabilization system, bus I have not needed it so far
This is an L series lens, just like the big long white ones, These have the red band on them. I didn't think I would use this lens much, but I use it a lot both indoors and out doors. I love the quality, There is some distortion in its use, but I have learned to use it to my advantage buy making people look very tall.
I have only tried it around the house but next week will take to a photo shoot.  It feels substantial and the optics at first impression look good.  This will give me more zoom range than my 20 year old tried and true 20-35 mm wide angle zoom
Really great lens, love it, the clarity and depth of field is second to none. However, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the supplied lens hood gives slight vignetting at the 17mm focal length range; otherwise it very happy with my purchase.
I have taken between 3000-4000 photos with this lens (with a 5d2) in all conditions ... and I'm sorry, but the sharpness on this lens is just terrible.  My other (non-L) Canon lenses are way sharper than the 17-40 at nearly every aperture.The build quality is fine, colors are vibrant, etc., but the sharpness is very disappointing.
I decided to return this to pick up a 50mm 1.4 and a 20mm 2.8...  sweeping the range is nice but I found myself wanting to tighten depth of field more...  this lens just didn't work for me.  I eventually do want the 16-35mm 2.8 L lens but it's a bit out of my price range right now.
Having owned the distortion-prone Nikkor AFS 17-35 f2.8D for six years, it was time to switch over to Canon's EF 17-40 mm f4L USM.  Canon's version was over a $1000 cheaper, optically superior and lighter in weight.  For me, an outstanding standard lens when coupled with the Canon 5D.Vignetting at f4 is minimal.  Adobe Photoshop CS2's vignetting tool can correct the vignetting.Distortion at 17mm is minimal.  Less than Canon's EF 16-35 mm f2.8L USM set at 16 mm.With the 5D pointed at a blue sky, the EF 17-40 hunted for a focus point while the EF 16-35 didn't.Flaring is minimal when compared to the EF 16-35.Portraits taken at 40 mm produced better results than the EF 16-35 and AFS 17-35 at 35 mm.Images produced at f4 are sharp.  At f8, the images are very sharp.This lens is a definite keeper.UPDATE (13-July-2007):  Please see some of the images taken with this lens.
The wide zoom--16-35, 17-35, 17-40, 20-35, et al.--has been a mainstay of pros, especially photo journalists, since the early 1990s. These focal lengths are ideal for sweeping views and shooting in tight quarters, and are easily hand holdable. The 17-40L is my go-to wide zoom for landscape shooting on my 5D MKII and 6D. Important note: if you use a 1.6X cropped frame camera, e.g., Rebel, 60D, 70D, etc., this zoom will have the field of view of a normal zoom, i.e., 28-65mm equivalent.CONSTRUCTION: Canon's EF 17-40 4L USM brings together precision optical design, blazing AF, durable construction and silky smooth zooming. At $750, it's more affordable than the EF 16-35 2.8L USM II, but offers similar build and optical quality. The hybrid metal and polycarbonate construction and quality components make the EF 17-40 4L USM tough as nails, but a lightweight 475 g (16.8 oz). Plus, the moisture and dust seals, including a rubber O-ring on the lens mount, make it a great choice for jungle and beach shooters. Canon recommends use of a clear or UV filter to complete weather sealing (front element moves slightly when zooming).The EF 17-40 4L USM is a classic two-touch design: manual focus ring near the end of the barrel and zoom ring near the mount. Handling is nimble and decisive. Both zoom and focus mechanisms are internal so there is no nested barrels. Plus, internal mechanisms are less prone to sucking in dust than front extension designs. Unlike most AF lenses, the manual focus ring is large, ribbed, rubberized and nearly as smooth turning as the manual lenses of yesteryear. The satin black finish is elegant and the overall appearance similar to the EF 16-35 2.8 USM II and EF 24-105 4L IS USM.The filter size is 77 mm, making filters expensive. This size is common for L series optics, so you can share filters with the EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM and EF 24-105 4L IS USM. The clearance from the edge of the front element to the filter threads is huge and, subsequently, normal thickness filters such as a Hoya Super HMC UV do not vignette on full frame cameras like the 5D MKII or 6D.AUTO FOCUS: This lens sports a ring-type USM (Ultrasonic Motor) that drives an internal lens group and AF really rips. The front element does not rotate nor does the barrel expand or contract during focus and zoom operations. The motor of the EF 17-40 4L USM is silent during AF. It has Full Time Manual (FTM), allowing you to manually focus without switching out of AF mode. If you prefocus manually, the distance window in meters and feet is handy. AF worked flawlessly on my 5D MKII, 6D, 5D,  A2, 3 and Elan 7E. That is, AF is fast, accurate and decisive.IMAGE QUALITY: The constant F4 aperture is a big plus for hand meter users and those that prefer manual or aperture priority exposure modes.I found EF 17-40 4L USM sharp and contrasty. There is slight improvement when stopped down to F5.6 or F8, but it is almost as good wide open. The contrast and snap of this lens is apparent even through the viewfinder. After all, there's exotic glass in there, e.g., 1 UD and 2 aspherical elements. The short end, like most wide zooms, shows some barrel distortion. The long end has a small amount of pincushion distortion. For most use, distortion isn't a problem save for architectural photography.Flare is well controlled for a zoom. However, some flare and ghosting may occur with bright sunsets. Use the included lens shade (EW-83E) to protect the lens and help keep flare in check. Incidentally, the included EW-83E is a weak design: too shallow and dish-like, yielding a minimal amount of protection. The EW-83H, a deeper and narrower hood intended for the EF 24-105 4L IS USM, gives better protection and does not vignette at any zoom setting on both full frame and cropped cameras.FINAL BLURB: I bought the 17-40 4L in 2003. Ten years of punishment at beaches, waterfalls, jungles and deserts and it's still going strong, having outlived at least a half dozen of my cameras! If you need the versatility of a wide zoom, this is among the best. The EF 17-40 4L USM has similar build and optical quality as the famous EF 16-35 2.8L USM II, but at nearly half the price, weight but shy a F-stop. For discriminating hikers, travelers, landscape shooters and serious amateurs this zoom deliverers quality without breaking their shoulder or bank and can take the knocks they dish out.
I've only read all the bad reviews before buying this lens. I stressed to no end before buying this lens (I have a Canon 5D Mark II). My primary concerns were1. focus - a handful of people complained about this lens not being sharp. I agree a little tiny bit. I have the 70-200mm IS II (which I shrine-worship) that is very sharp. I've vaguely notice that if I were to zoom in, the lines were faintly diffused. Unless you are going to frequently blow up poster size photographs, this will not be an issue2. 4.0 aperture - I do a lot of videography and this lens having a 4.0 was almost a deal breaker. I have a 50mm 1.4, and it does make a huge difference. I'm afraid I won't be shooting video at a very low light setting. I would have to use my 50mm for that. I've taking night shots with and without a tripod and pictures are much less of a concern, which will be a relief for most of you3. Image stabilization - I was afraid my picture would blur all over the place and would have to use slow shutter speed. Again, it was a lot less of a concern than what I initially anticipated.Summary: there's a rumor that there's a Canon 17-40mm f2.8 in the works. If the rumor holds truth and you have the patience, it may be worth waiting for its release. Personally, all my stress subsided and I'm happy with the purchase. AF is very quick and it's so much lighter than my 70-200mm. 17mm is too wide and distorted for my primary use, but it definitely has its use. If you're not greedy and don't care about the range that you will rarely use, I would serious consider the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 (especially if you don't have a 50mm or something similar). It's fraction of the price and 24mm seems to be the ideal setting in terms of minimizing the distortion of the subject matter.
I initally had my doubts about this lens over the 16-35 2.8L, but decided to give this one a try since it is roughly half the price.  I am shooting film, so I have the benefit of the full 17mm at the wide end, and this lens truly does not disappoint.  It is crisp, colors are bright and accurate and the coverage is excellent.  The focal length gives enough flexiblity to be able to compose almost any wide angle shot you could thing of.While the 16-35 does give you the extra f-stop, really consider if it is worth twice the price for what you are shooting.  If you are like me and shooting mostly still lifes and landscapes, it probably isn't.
If you're shooting an APS-C Canon and you've decided that you only want EF full-frame lenses for future use on a full frame camera, the 17-40 is a must-have.  The focal range on the cropped sensor is 27 to 64mm which covers a large range for the majority of shots most people are likely to take.  I've found this lens is perfect for social gatherings and essential for group shots.  The size and weight is perfect on the 7D, making this my favorite lens for handling (compared to the 24-70 f2.8L and the 70-200 f4L).  The build quality is superb.  The focus and zoom rings couldn't be smoother and AF is fast.  While this is a sealed lens, I hear that it's not fully sealed until a filter is fitted.  With one in place, the zoom extension is completely internal, so there's no change in length when zooming from wide to the long end.This lens is a fixed f4.  If you buy the lens with the understanding it is not an f2.8 and will not get you the lower ISO and/or faster shutter speed of an f2.8, the lens does very well in most shooting situations.  On the 7D it's even better with the excellent high-ISO performance of that camera (I can shoot at ISO 3200 to 5000 without much concern).  While it is reasonably sharp at f4 across the focal range, it is not as sharp as when stopped down to f5.6.  Also, boarder sharpness falls-off a bit wide open and close to 40mm.  However, these are not big issues.  Contrast and color with this lens is excellent.  My only caution from experience is to be careful when adjusting the point-of-focus to depth-of-field balance with the micro AF adjust on the camera (if you have that feature).  What may appear to be a correct adjustment with a focus scale sheet that uses the center of the field, may end up causing excessive edge softness of your images due to the edge of the frame starting to fall out of the depth of field.  I believe this may be due to the field curvature characteristic of a wide angle lens where the focal plane is not equidistant from the camera lens but slightly curved.  I spent some time setting the correct AF micro adjustment by photographing a large bulletin board with very small lettering and symbols across both dimensions while making sure the camera was pointed square to the center so that all corners were equal distance from the camera.  Once you have this dialed-in, you can test the center-to-corner sharpness of your lens at different focal lengths and apertures and determine whether you may have any sharpness issues with your copy. Initially I thought I had a bad lens copy that was soft and de-centered, but after getting this procedure right, the lens proved to be sharp.While there are other excellent options such as the Canon 17-55 EF-S f2.8 lens, this one is full-frame compatible, it's weather sealed, it has superior build quality, it's an L lens with that unmistakable red ring at the end, and it's the next greatest lens bargain second to the 70-200 f4L.  While the hood may look odd, remember that it was intended for a full-frame camera where this lens would be a true 17-40mm - making a shallow hood necessary.
I was very excited about purchasing my first Canon "L" series lens for my 30D.  I had been using my kit 18-55mm lens for some time, and figured it was time to step up to some professional glass.  Unfortunately, my experience was not good at all, and I have returned the product for a refund.When I first received the lens, I took it out for a test run.  I took about 100+ shots of the skyline of Seattle.  The weather was partially sunny, so some of my shots had better light than others.  I used a tripod and shutter release, and tested the lens at all apertures, because I had read that there were 'good' and 'bad' versions of Canon's lenses, so I wanted to make sure I got a good version before my return period expired.After reviewing the pictures once I got home, I was quite disappointed.  Most the pictures were unacceptably soft, especially around the edges.  The best aperture range was between f/8 and f/11.  The lens took horrible pictures above f/15, and anything below f/8 was pretty poor as well.  I am an amateur landscape photographer, so it is important to me to have the edges just as sharp as the center of the picture.  None (and I mean NONE) of my pictures were an improvement over the 30D kit lens, and in many cases (especially at the f/6 & f/7 range) the kit camera outperformed the L lens.I called Canon's 1-800 number in hopes that they would consider taking the lens in for calibration (I had read on several message boards that people had gone this route and were pleased with the results).  However, much to my surprise, Canon was not helpful at all.  I explained that this lens was producing no better pictures (and in some cases worse pictures) than my kit lens, so I asked 'why would I spend the money on an L lens if my pictures are not improved'.  Their response was that the L lens maintains an F/4 aperture at all focal lengths, this is the advantage of an L series lens.  I replied that this doesn't mean much when the best pictures are produced at f/8-f/11, and their reply was 'sorry to hear that you are not happy with this product'.  I asked if I could have the lens calibrated, and she told me that this would be unnecessary for a new lens right out of the box.So I then contacted the 3rd party vendor that Amazon shipped the camera from, Ace Photo and Digital.  I explained my issue and they offered to replace the lens.  I was happy to give this a shot in hopes that my replacement lens would produce better images.  I received the new lens a few days ago, and again took it for a test run.  Exact same results.  So I am sadly returning the lens for a refund.  I appreciate Ace Photo's assistance and thought they were very professional.I really wanted to be pleased with this product.  There are several reviews on Amazon.com stating how sharp this lens is, but I just didn't see it in either lens I tried.  Maybe I got 2 bad copies, but what are the odds of that?
Ok, I'm an amateur, at best.  I primarily shoot video.  I wanted a lens that would be good for talking head videos, and that could replace my kit 18-55 EF-S as a landscape walk-around.  The 17-40 won me over on price, IQ, and range.  I have a 600d(T3i), so the lens is a 27-64 equivalent.  Perfect for my needs, or so I hoped when I brought it blind.After spending some time with it, I'll say this, I'm won over, handily.  The focus speed, even on the 600d, is amazing.  The thing just feels solid.  The main complaint I have is the f/4 stop.  A little slow for most indoor work without a flash or tripod.  That, and the fact that it outweighs the camera, even with a battery grip, are the only nitpicks I have, and they're both things I purchased it knowing.  It's not like the kit lens is noticeably faster, even at 18mm.There's a lot of debate on what you should get to replace the kit 18-55mm lens as your first upgrade.  A lot of that will depend on your shooting style.  If you constantly wish you were able to reach just a bit further, or have to stand back less, this isn't the lens for you.  As a straight upgrade, it works very close to the feel of the kit lens, only loosing a bit of the wide end, and gaining a little tele.  A lot of people will tell you to supplement first, instead of upgrading, or upgrade to the 17-55mm EF-S, until you actually get a full frame camera.  While I understand the supplementing idea, the 17-55 never made sense to me, it costs more than this or even the 24-105mm F/4L IS, and while a stop faster, isn't weather sealed, and is crop sensor only.  Not a long term investment, in my opinion.In short, while I feel a little silly owning a lens that cost more than the body it's on, I'm in love with the thing, and have definitely caught L fever.
I like the fact the lens does not extend when zoomed. It is well built and not too heavy. It is typical L build quality with nice optics. Not a lot sharper than the Sigma 18-50 EX lens I bought this to replace but if sharp was all I was looking for I would have been disapointed, I like the rugged feel and the weather proofing. I also like the full time manual focus. I plan on upgrading my body with a full frame sensor and when I do that I think the lens will be even sharper.
I have these lens for less than a month now and whenever I go out I want to take great pictures, I make sure I have this lens on my camera I wont even think of using other lens like the other day I was completely disappointed with the pictures, now I have to redo the shot again, you can check the pictures I upload and rate it the best you can. This L lens made me look good and professional try to have it if you can afford it its worth the time your out there shooting when you upload and check your picture you wont be dissapointed
This is one of the sharpest lenses I own.  As a pro with 40 years experience I can tell the difference between good and great.  Of course lens quality varies within a single type of lens, so this could be an anomaly but it is decidedly sharper than some of my other variable focal length lenses.
A fine full frame or APS C lens for those who like f/4 constant aperture.  I do like it.  Very reliable and predictable with great clarity.  Slow for indoor shots, but I find I can still use it effectively in soft (not dark) lighting.  Sharpness and color saturation with my Canon 60d are excellent and even the JPEGs lend themselves to moderate touch ups in my photo editor (be careful with the sharpening - easy to over-sharpen these already sharp images).  A good buy for "L" series lens. Oh, and a nice weight for such a stoutly built lens makes it a great walkaround lens.  With this lens along with the 75-300 zoom and the 15-85mm zoon, I've got about all I need in DSLR arsenal (for me).  I'm too lazy to carry around anything bigger than the 75-300.  By the way, I can't help but put in a plug for the 15-85.  Wow, a fantastic lens that gives  the L series a run for their money in terms of great images - with IS to boot and a REALLY handy telephoto range for both indoor and outdoor!
Clear and d a great job.I would recommend for other customers.Best in its classReplaced few others I've been using
This is a pro level lens for a good canon camera.  I highly recommend, even if it does not have IS.  Definitely a nice piece of glass for a nice price.
I have to say for the money you get a lot considering the 16-35mm at double the money love the lens for it's landscape properties
No plastic grinding against plastic when you focus this thing. Feels just like my Fujinon lens I use on my TV news camera. Pro gear. Want some? Pay up.
Yes, Canon glass is expensive, however this entry canon L delivers amazing bang for your buck.In a ideal world this lens would have a faster aperture like f/2 but the constant 4/f is just fine for most things you want to do. There is a bit of distortion at the 17mm focal distance but that is to be expected from such a wide lens and is fairly simple to fix in post.All in all, this is a great lens for some one who wants to jump in to the L series, extremely reasonable price for the quality delivered.
This is a magnificent lens deserving of high praise. In general, I tend to shoot "available light" and towards wide angle, and EF 17-40 F4L is one perfect lens for someone like me. On an APS size sensor camera (mine is Rebel XT), it works approximately like a 28-70 mm zoom--a perfect walk-around lens, giving you decent wide angle and at the tele end, a pleasing perspective on faces you expect from a moderate telephoto. I spent two weeks with EF 17-40 on the coast shooting nature and street stuff in small towns. It performed perfectly. But I only realized what a real treasure I have when I began having second thoughts about it on the eve of a long overseas journey. I asked myself whether I would not have done better buying EF-S 17-85 F4-5.6 IS. After all, it gives you better reach - an equivalent of 28-135 mm zoom on a 35 mm camera. Would it not be a perfect lens on an overseas trip? A dilemma worhty of Hamlet. So I decided to order it from Amazon while I still had time to return EF 17-40. As soon as EF-S 17-85 came, I did some tests taking pictures of still life, flowers and a portrait at similar focal lengths and at full zoom. The results put 17-85 to shame. Color and light were flat and paled next to 17-40. But there was still the problem of reach. I took a portrait at full zoom of the same person (40 mm or 65 mm equivalent and 85 mm or 135 equivalent), cut out the critical focus area from both pix and equalized the two crops in terms of pixel numbers. Unprocessed, 17-85 produced a perfectly focused picture, the 17-40 crop was visibly softer, but in terms of tonality and richness of gradations, it was way ahead of its rival. Photoshop to the rescue! After I fiddled with sharpening and contrast in CS2, the focus softness in 17-40 was gone, and the result was a better all-around picture of the same portrait detail. In other words, if you wish to take a picture, say, of a building's detail or a monkey mug shot in a zoo--a situation calling for a telephoto of 135 mm that 17-85 is capable of--EF 17-40 F4 can do the job, in fact a better job in terms of textures and tonality--and focus, too, if you do a little post-processing in SC2. I am returning EF-S 17-85 and will stick with EF 17-40, taking it on my overseas trip. Unlike EF-S 17-85 F4-5.6, which is a feels like a decent consumer zoom,  EF 17-40 F4L is built like a tank and has weather sealing. It should also come in handy if and when I decide to switch to a full-frame camera (EF-S lenses work only with the APS-size sensors).
This lens has been a part of my kit for many adventures.  The results are exactly what I expected for my second &#34;L&#34; lens, simply phenomenal!  I just purchased the Canon 6D so I can't wait to see what my pictures will look like with a full frame camera.
Great lens, and a must buy for those needing a wide angle lens. I own a 50D, & it works great with this lens. I'm able to finally get shots indoors(in my home in places where I can't back up any further because of walls.) that I wasn't able to before . I don't have any issues with weight or any other.Focuses fast & quietly. It comes with a lens pouch & hood. Plus it's an "L' lens, so you get quality build & optics. I'm glad I bought this lens.
This is the second addition of L glass to my collection. I primarily bout this lens to replace the 18-55 kit lens and have not looked back since. It is a little spendy but when I decide to upgrade to a full frame bode this focal length will be perfect. The sharpness of the lens is awesome. At f4 its not terrific under low light, but I mainly shoot on a tripod. Handheld with decent light its just fine, and produces stellar images. The L-glass has a different coloring than regular zooms that can be comparable to a prime lens. for the price of this lend and the other two lens in the similar focal range this is a great lens, if your budget is up for the 1200 dollar range (15-35,24-70).
If you're looking for the consummate landscape lens, I'm afraid I'll have to suggest you look elsewhere.  I've done some decent landscape work with this lens, but if you're really nit-picking image quality for larger prints this lens can be frustrating.  You've gotta stop it down to f/8 or 11, and even then there can be some post work required in the corners if you've got a lot of detail and/or high contrast.  Optically it's comparable to the other "value" L zoom, the 24-105, although distortion is fairly well controlled in comparison.  Performance falls off in the corners wider than about 20mm, so keep that in mind.  If landscapes are your bread and butter maybe look toward the wide tilt-shifts if you need spectacular optical performance.  Realistically, this lens is probably more than good enough for the majority of photographers.So why buy the 17-40 L?  Well, lots of reasons honestly!  This lens is absolutely unbeatable for versatility when doing documentary style shooting or street shooting.  Being able to go from an extremely wide 17mm to a portrait-acceptable 40mm with the flick of a finger is very, very convenient.  If you're doing the type of work where you want to really get up close and bring the viewer in to the images, this lens can't be beat.  It's also got fantastic build quality - weather sealed with no telescoping front end when you zoom.  (The front element does move, but does so all within the non-telescoping body.  Also note you need a filter to complete the weather seal.).  It's also fairly compact and light weight, considering its L peers.  It's also the least expensive L lens, and can be scooped up for an absolute bargain used.One thing I'd like to mention is the focal length markings.  The zoom ring is marked at 17, 20, 24, 28, 35 and 40mm.  If you frequently shoot wide you know that a few millimeters can make a substantial difference in your frame, and having all of the standard wide focal lengths marked on the barrel is great.  I know what 24mm or 35mm looks like in my head, so I can pre-set the zoom to the focal length I want to be working with and go from there.  You start to think of this lens as a set of wide primes all rolled into one, instead of a zoom lens.Is the 17-40 right for you?  Well, what are you shooting?  People looking for absolutely flawless optics should look elsewhere.  Those more concerned with versatility will likely find this to be a great lens.  It spends a lot of time on my camera.Best of luck!
I've had the pleasure of using this lens for 4 years. I originally got the 17-85 mm "kit" lens that is sometimes bundled with camera bodies - big mistake. It's a decent lens - but after you look through this L-type lens and see the photos - you'll kick your non-L lenses to the curb. L is for luxury - and they aren't kidding. Once you look through this lens, you will feel that looking through lesser quality lenses of the same focal length is akin to having butter smeared on your eyes. The lens is fast in focusing. I vary my tactic and sometimes turn AF off on the lens so I can manually focus on an element that isn't dead center, then crank it up a couple of stops to bring in some extra sharpness while still maintaining a shallow depth of field, if I want it. I've used this lens in many low-light applications where a flash was not an option. Boosting my ISO to 1600-3200, this lens is fast enough to shoot in fairly low light and still get 125th of a second shutter speeds.
I do a lot of night long-exposure photography and this is my lens of choice.  For long exposure photography, you don't necessarily need a "fast" lens so this f/4 L glass works great.  Perfectly priced!PROS:- Tack sharp! (especially between f/5.6 and f/11 at night!)- lightweight for L glass- non-extended zoom- good zoom range...makes it a versatile walk-around lens during the day- excellent performer on a 1.6x FOVCF body (I used it on the XTi, 10D, 30D, and 40D).  On a full-frame body, I have heard of some vignetting and soft corners when wide open or even close to it.- comes with the hood and bag (although the hood is quite useless on a non-full-frame body)- fast focusingCONS:- hood is useless on a crop sensor...still get some flare
Here is why I`ve returned the 17-55mm f2.8 and got this lens instead. This lens is solid as rock, unlike the 17-55mm which feels like a piece of plastic. Is it sharper than the 17-55mm? No, it`s not. Actually, there is little difference between the 18-55mm kit lens and 17-40mm in terms of sharpness. At the wide end, it`s almost impossible to say which one is sharper. At the long end, it`s noticible that 17-40mm is slightly sharper than the kit lens. But when it comes to colors, 17-40mm rocks. So there are two things that I love about this lens; build quality and colors. if these are what you`re looking for, go with the 17-40mm. you`ll never be dissapointed.
I wanted to actually invest in a 16-35 f/2.8 but that was too expensive. The f/2.8 would have given me a good option to shoot decent portraits too, which is what I am getting into.Instead I opted for this 17-40 f/4 because I had rented it in the past and loved the sharpness in the lens.The lens performed very well in the field. It is sharp at f/8 through out the field of view at the focusing distance.  The colors are great. I am waiting to get a good polarizing filter. If you have any recommendations, let me know :)The build quality is very good, like it is with other L lenses i have used in the past. The focusing speed is very good, though it doesn't matter much for landscape for me.I am hoping to use this for flash portrait photography too. Will add more images in this genre when they become available.
[Impression of the lens and photos]This lens is light, short, very well made, and ultra fast.  It takes sharp, colorful, beautiful photos.[Consideration 1]On most "prosumer" digital cameras (20D, 50D, etc), the 17mm is not 17mm but is really more like a 28mm. However, on a Canon 5D MkII it is a true 17mm.[Consideration 2]f4 can reduce the quality of the shot in low light level shots. To overcome this, I will higher the ISO setting, but noise will result. That said, f4 is not a show stopper and will degrade only a few shots. If you have the cash, the 2.8 version should be a serious consideration. Also, I bought 2 cheaper, fast primes for those times where low noise counts more than convenience.[Consideration 3]If you shoot RAW (and you should), it's not just the lens and camera that matters. The Canon manuals do not stress the nature of RAW but RAW may require sharpening, depending on the subject matter. If you shoot portraits and some landscapes, you will probably not need to sharpen too much and might even want to soften focus. But, for other subject matter, you will probably have to apply some sharpening to RAW images. You will also probably have to apply lighting level and contrast adjustments too, to bring out the life in the shots.[Consideration 4]AF. I give the AF performance of this lens 4.99 stars and MF is 5.0 perfect. The speed, noise level, and accuracy of the AF is superb. Consider the body you have as part of the system as some cameras do now focus as well as others do.[Perspective]My favorite glass of all time was a Nikon manual focus 24mm (on an F3) - a masterpiece combo. That was sold so this lens is my current favorite and I would recommend it as a small,  light, and well made zoom.
Perfect lense. I had the 10-22 for my old camera, but after switching to 1D it was not compatible anymore. I was choosing between this and the more expensive 16-35 mm. I am very happy with this one. The 40 makes it viable to use just for everyday pictures as well, if I don't feel like bringing somet other lense (or like now, when my 24-70 is in for repairs) :)
I bought this used through Amazon. It sees duty on a 5D Mk III and 7D Canon. I like it!
I just got this lens yesterday and the first thing I did is calibrate it using a LensAlign Pro.  I have a 7D and I have found the micro-adjustment feature invaluable.  I have a 24-70mm 2.8L, a 50mm 1.2L, a 100mm 2.8 macro, and a 70-200 4L.  All of them required slight micro-adjustments inside the camera to get perfect focus.  The 17-40mm 4L required a -6 adjustment to bring it in line with the camera.  That's the most I've had to adjust any of my lenses.Tonight I had the opportunity to test this lens by taking a few shots at a specified focal length against my 24-70.  The 24-70 is a great lens and although it's not a wide angle like the 17-40 I could still use it as a base line against my new addition.Both lenses were mounted to my tripod and set at F4 @ 40mm and all other settings were the same also.  I photographed a flower pot hanging off of my Gazebo.The results:Surprisingly, the 17-40 was very close in sharpness to the 24-70 - impressively so.  The 24-70 was better but not by much. I wasn't expecting that since many reviews on here complained about that aspect of the lens. Color was warmer - much warmer. It's color reproduction was not believable and couldn't hold a candle against the 24-70. Background blur was not as good also as I could make out details on my neighbors asphalt roof top.  On the 24-70 no details were visible.  The blur was just smoother - more buttery as they say. Contrast was very good and I couldn't tell any difference between the two lenses.Now for the wide open tests.  This is my only wide angle lens and I didn't have anything to compare it to so I scrutinized the things other people have complained about when reviewing this lens: sharpness at the edges and chromatic abberation.  I didn't experience any issues of my lens being soft on the edges but that is likely due to the fact that I am on a 1.6x crop body and not a full frame.  What I did experience was bad chromatic abberation away from the center.  Straight on from my focal point was fine but from 17mm to about 25mm the chromatic abberation was evident.  It was the worst at 17mm and got progressively better until it was gone above 25mm.Of course, I had to zoom way in to see it but when I did was it bad.  Purple on one side of a vertical fence post and green on the other side.Bottom line for me is that while this lens will serve the purposes it was bought for, I don't think I'll keep it long term since I plan on moving to a full frame when Canon comes out with their next upgraded line (probably a 5DMkIII).  At that point I'll sell it and pick up the 16-35mm 2.8L.Am I disappointed in the lens?  Not really, I expected some issues regarding glass simply because it's a very inexpensive 'L' series.  Build quality is certainly 'L' quality - but glass is not.  That's why it's so economical.  I gave it 4 stars because all things considered it's a good lens for the price.  5 star reviews are reserved for flawless products regardless of price and this lens is not flawless.
Otherwise this is a horrible lens. I purchased this lens because I was looking for a good wide angle lens since all that I have for the wider range is my 18-55 kit lens. I decided to go with this particular lens because it is reviewed well and I have always wanted an L lens. I took some test shots immediately after I got the lens. I live on 2.5 wooded acres, so I took pictures of trees, and leaves, and whatnot. The pictures were nowhere near as sharp as I had hoped for (Although I had no illusions that every picture would be tack sharp just because I got a new fancy lens.) The results that I got were that this lens was no sharper than the kit lens that came with my camera, and I have never been pleased with that lens. The lens that I shoot with 90% of the time is the Canon 50mm 1.8. This lens is nowhere near as sharp as the Canon 50. I believe that I may have gotten a defective lens. When I took any pictures with back lighting, it looked as though I were shooting through a dirty lens. It seemed "smudgy." Both the lens and my sensor were completely clean. I have seen some other reviews where people seemed to get defective lenses. Canon needs to work on quality assurance. I have since bought a less expensive off-brand lens which I am pleased with.
I purchased this lens last year when I switched to Canon after over a decade of using Nikon SLRs exclusively. I use my digital SLR primarly for travel photography, keeping a point and shot in my computer case for day to day photos. I have used this lens for 90% of the pictures I have exposed with my digital SLR. Extremely sharp and of high quality construction. Feels like a heavy glass brick. Makes the allegedly high quality Nikon lenses I sold seem like junk. The lens feel heavy and large on the camera especially with the not-included lens hood. This lens hood is a must because that large 77mm front element seem to attract stray fingers and hard objects. After buying the lens hood separately, I found it too large to conveniently carry. I bought a non-Canon collapsible rubber hood which offer less protection but is always on the lens. While not cheap it a bargain for Canon's top-of-the-line "L" series lenses. This lens is a must-have if you're serious about taking good pictures. Throw the kits lens that comes with most digital SLRs away or just don't buy it in the first place as I did.
I was a little worried about not being a f2.8 but for landscape but I use a Tripod 98 % of the time anyway. This was my thought process along with a savings of over $300 when I purchased this lens. But I used the lens on my last trip to Yosemite and I could not be more excited about the quality and clarity of my photos. The f4 worked great and I cannot make one negative comment at this time. Great lens , great price.
I am using this on a DNA 50/50 and 5D mark III. it balances well and is light.also perfect for landscape shots on those vacations where you don't want lug around a 50 pound lens. this one does the job.beware of the wide angle distortion that is by design and not an optical error by canon.
Just got back from hiking trip in the mountains and maybe I got a good build, but this lens shows the fine rock texture on rocks hundreds of yards away. I did use it in Av mode at f9 on a 5d ii (I was shooting with plenty of light), but the pictures were saturated and sharp, I was pretty amazed what a good lens for the price. Would buy it again and recommend it to anyone taking landscapes.
The only down fall that this lens has is its lack of IS. But wide angle lenses rarely have IS, however I do mostly video. If you are only doing photos this is a lens of perfection, if you do video, be wary that 40mm can get a little shaky. I bough used and my seller describe the exact  condition and shipped fast. Thank you!!
This lens seems sharp at all distances and apertures.  We are very pleased with it.
If you're using a DSLR compatible with EF-S lenses, Canon already has the 17-55 and 17-85/IS, but there's still plenty of reason to go for this L lens.  It's an investment in the future (assuming 1.3x or full-frame crop cameras get cheaper sometime soon), and Canon's top-line lenses hold their resale value extremely well.  But the biggest reason is simply quality.Those other lenses are pretty good, but just can't quite match the wonderful color, contrast and sharpness of the 17-40 across its range.  There's a touch of barrel / pincushion distortion at the ends, but barely noticeable and easily remedied.The range is incredibly useful, whether as a 17-40 on a full-frame, 22-52 on a 1.3x, or 27-64 on a 1.6x crop camera like the Digital Rebel or 20D.  On the latter, it's merely wide rather than ultrawide, but if you've been walking around with something that bottoms out at 24 or 28mm, you'll probably be surprised at how much you missed that wide angle.  Yes, the long end doesn't go very long, but in my opinion the range you gain at the wide end is more valuable.Focusing is fast and quiet, with full-time manual focusing ability (even in autofocus mode), and build quality is excellent.  It feels very solid and weighty, but not at all heavy.  It includes a gel holder in the rear, but can take 77mm front filters as well (and the manual recommends one in order to complete weather-sealing in the front).I'm not really a fan of Canon's finish for black L lenses, but it looks quite impressive, and has the famous red ring of an L at the end.  The big, oddly-shaped petal hood is a bit unwieldy, and has to be stored separately from the lens if you want to fit it easily into most camera bags.An alternative would be to go with primes, which can be faster, cheaper, and even sharper, but not so much at the wider end, where they tend to be weighty and involve some major tradeoff (not the least of which is that, of course, you'll need at least a couple to cover this range).  If you want a high-quality one-lens solution to walk around with, particularly for travel photography, this is it.
I would have bought the Canon 15-35mm f2.8 lens, but I haven't won the lottery yet.For the price and the fact that f4 is just one stop above f2.8, I'm pleased.Just a bit of a warning for people purchasing a Canon lens, and you probably already know this, but some Canon cameras will take both the EF series lenses and the EFs series lenses.  However; some Canon cameras only use the Canon EF series lenses and not the EFs series.
I have needed a wide-angle lens for my photography business for quite a while now, and was torn for a long time between this lens and the more expensive 16-35mm.  I had used the 16-35mm before when I borrowed it from a friend, and after owning this one I must say I am VERY pleased with it!  You get much more bang for your buck with this lens!!!
Very good lens. Have not had the opportunity to test this lens fully. Bought it for landscape photography, so I would not forget to turn off the IS that my other lenses have.
I am not a pro, but wanted to see more through my dx Canon 60D. It is a fantastic lense and I look forward to using it when I make the leap towards a full frame DSLR.
I bought this lens with a specific usage in mind: I wanted a lens which would allow me flexibility in my small studio to take wide shots without my back pinned to the wall to get the whole subject in the picture.  This lens accomplishes that task with ease.  The close focus distance is very useful as well and it allows me to walk around the room, stick my camera up close for great, tight portraits, or back away and get the model's whole body in focus with a pleasant cropping area left.PROSWide-angle with pleasant perspective distortion at 17mm.Rapid focusing (with sufficient light)L-quality buildReasonable weight and size (solid but not unwieldy)Sharp!Tight focal range - can get within 6-9" of a subject with the right light! makes for great perspective shots and closeups.CONSf/4 requires a fair amount of light.  I've already struggled with this a bit.For some reason, I keep going to the focus ring for zooming instead of the zoom ring.  Something about the placement...this is pretty minor.
It's a great lens and a good value in the L lens category.  Once you have an L lens it's hard to settle for less and this is no exception.
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasAwesome lens! 27.2 - 64 focal length on 7D. Absolutely crystal clear. I see no reason to buy the edition of this lens with IS. Not necessary. You CAN hold this lens still for great pictures. To me, the cost difference of IS and 2.8 are not worth the extra expense. L series products are simply THE BEST!
An earlier reviewer gave this lens only one star.  He may have been incredibly unlucky to get two bad samples, or perhaps his AF was failing to find precise focus.I do not own this lens, but had the pleasure of using it for a week with a borrowed EOS 1D Mark II when that camera first came on the market.  I found that it gave extraordinarily sharp results, with little light fall off in the corners, hardly any propensity to flare, and virtually undetectable chromatic abberation. The only duff results were entirely attributable to my poor technique.  Considering the quality of construction and focal length range it is lighter than you might expect.  On top of all that it is sealed against water and dust.It will be the SECOND lens I buy when I eventually decide on which of the EOS bodies is best suited to my type of photography (the first being the new 70-200 f/4L IS USM)
Canon's L lenses are generally expensive, for good reason. Along with the 70-200 F/4 L, this lens is probably the best overall value in L glass.Build quality leaps out even when you hold the lens in your hand, size /weight/ balance is perfect (for me), optics are excellent, focal length (17-40mm) is extremely useful for digital shooters (with a 1.6 crop factor SLR such as the Canon 20D).My only complaint is that it is often not fast enough for indoor/available light shooting (without a flash, which I do not like to use if at all possible). On the other hand, the 16-35mm F/2.8 is twice the price and not noticeably better (at F4 and over)I have compared it to Canon's non-L primes such as the - 20mm, 28m etc. It compares well in terms of clarity, sharpness, colorrendition.... and it is cheaper than buying all these primes and a lot easier to carry, besides being much more versatile in a real life shooting situation.For this range of focal length, it is a GREAT CHOICE!
I have the new Canon Full Frame 6D that replaced my 30D half frame camera.  This lens replaced my EF-S10-22mm lens which I liked very much.  This 17-40mm lens is about the same focal length on the full frame as the 10-22 on the half frame.  Overall I find this L lens has better color and a bit sharper.  The feel of the lens is nicer too and has a tighter feel.  Focus is quick. I have no complaints.
This is my first L lens, and I like it very much.  This is an ultra wide angle zoom lens which give you a much broader angle of view.  I wasn't happy with the kit lens and the 28-135mm IS I had before in the term of wide angle.  I later bought 70-200mm f/4 L lens which is on of the great lens that Canon offers for the price.
This is a great lens.  I use it on full-frame film and digital SLRs, and love getting ultrawide shots.  However, if you have the cash, you'll probably be happier with the 16-35/2.8 lens, as f4 can be pretty slow indoors.
Perhaps it's always true of wide angle lenses (i'm still new to this arena), but this lens seems a little dark, a little sloppy, just not quite good enough.  With the exception of a few panoramic lake-front or ocean beach shots, i've seldom been pleased with the results, despite pairing it with my full-frame Canon EOS 5D.  In contrast, i love the photos from my not-L-glass Canon 100m macro or my similarly "inexpensive" Canon 70-200L f/4.0 (which has amazing color rendition and excellent bokeh).  It could all be my fault, but i think this lens just isn't sharp enough (despite its L-glass designation), and the color isn't rich enough.  Sure, there's always post-production, but i hope Canon comes out with a better wide angle lens in this price range.
I bought this lens to replace the kit lens I got with my RebelXT, all I can say is that it's worth every dollar i paid.Sharp, fast Auto Focus, great build, looks good, feels good and delivers the quality image I expect from an "L" series lens. This is my second "L" lens and both have delivered handsomely.
I am not a professional but have dabbled around with Canon cameras and lenses for about thirteen years now. I will try to be as articulate as possible about my experience with the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.1)This is not a walk-around or a multi-purpose lens as described by some people in their reviews on Amazon.2)This is a good lens for landscape photography but not for portraits and close ups.3)If you have a full frame camera (like the EOS 5D etc), it serves as an ultra-wide angle lens and hence becomes unbeatable when used with such cameras.4)If you have one of those bodies with a APSC crop sensor (like the Rebel XTI/XSI/40D/50D/60D/7D, it is not ultra-wide angle anymore but borders on medium telephoto (multiply with the 1.6 crop factor - so 17mm-40mm actually transforms to 27.2mm-64mm)5)Even with bodies with the APSC crop sensor, you can still shoot landscapes or compose pictures without having to go back far behind to capture scenes. That is an advantage. Imagine being at the Grand Canyon and capturing a panoramic view right from where you are.PROS:1)Excellent build quality2)Ultra fast auto-focus - the USM (ultra sonic motor really works very well). Not a single picture will be out of focus.3)From 28mm-40mm and the f-stop higher than 5.6, the picture is incredibly sharp. But note, only at f-stops higher than 5.6. So anything else becomes a "Con" and I am not covering that in the section below.4)L series quality and reliability.5)Great value for money. This is one of the very few "L" lenses under $1000 and it is unmatched when it comes to the price-value ratio.That's all for the PROS. Now CONSCONS:1)F4.0 works well only in daylight and outdoors on a bright sunny day. Lens performance is poor in cloudy and indoor situations. It just fails miserably and you will wonder if this is really a "L" lens. But remember it is f4.0 and not f2.8. Lower the f stop, the wider the aperture and greater the sharpness.2)If you want close-ups and take portrait pictures, this is not the lens. This is purely for landscapes and situations where you need the whole scene captured in a single frame. Imagine standing at the street corner and taking a picture of the four roads meeting at the corner with the world around. This is the lens.3)Though this is an "L" series lens, you cannot compare this with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens. Remember, the objectives are different and so are the lenses. Though I must admit that the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens is an incredible lens for portraits and close-ups. Not to mention the fact that it is not just I but thousands have vouched that the quality of the pictures are a tad superior to the ones captured by the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM. I own both lenses and so I can state the difference. If you don't own a "L" lens already, I suggest please start with Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens unless you really need a lens for shooting landscapes and the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is the lens if you are on a budget. If you can afford it, I suggest it would be better to go for a Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens which almost costs double the price of the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.If you need to really research further, visit [...] before buying this lens. I am very satisfied with it, but again only for the purpose it serves (Landscapes) but this is not a walk-around lens. A true "walk-around" lens would be the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS but it is not a "L" lens. It is finally a trade-off.Final summary: This is not a fantastic lens but still a legendary "L" and is worth the price. You need to tweak your camera a bit to get some incredible pictures.
I have owned this lens for about 8 months now and it has quickly become one of the lenses I grab the most.  I had a tamron 10-24mm EF-S lens that I liked but always felt was a bit soft.  I sold it and bought this 17-40 knowing I'd eventually get my wide angle back when I bought a full frame camera.I use this lens on my 7D so the 1.6 FOVC makes it a 28-64mm equivalent.  This is a very usable range and being an L series lens I knew it'd be nice.  The red line lenses have yet to disappoint me.  This lens is very sharp, and the color is very very nice.  The great color was something I had not anticipated and is one of the reason's I keep grabbing it from my bag.  The colors are vivid and pop with out having to push them in post processing.This lens is also a great value.  Because it's only an f/4 zoom lens it's much cheaper than it's f/2.8 cousin.  At this wide range I'm not finding the lost stop of light to be a big deficit (although I'm sure I'd love the f/2.8 equivalent).  Also you'd be surprised how much nice bokeh you can get at f/4.  It isn't like a prime that obliterates the back ground but you can still get a nice separation that pulls your subject forward.  It's also nice that the lens is still sharp wide open so F/4 really is usable.It would be nice to have IS with this lens but it doesn't seem to hurt it too bad either since it's such a wide angle range.  I'm really looking forward to putting this lens on a FF body as I miss shooting super wide and it seems this lens will do it very well.  I expect I'll see a bit more vignetting and distortion but so far I really can't find fault with this lens, and to be able to get L series quality for around $700 new, you really can't complain.  This lens does exactly what it's made to do and it does it very well.  On my 7D it is my number 1 go to for a walk around lens.  It covers the middle range focal lengths very well.
An incredibly sharp lens. I have used Canon lenses for years, but this is the first time I,ve ever used one of the L-series lenses. I am completely sold on these lenses, and will never buy anything but the L-series from now on.
Pros:One of the only &#34;L&#34; series lenses that is sub-$1000.Sharp, sharp, sharp.Awesome wide angle - I love shooting on a full frame like the Canon 6D with this 17mm.Cons:The only real con I can think of is that although it's weather-sealed, the ends are not. So to be truley protected from the weather, you need to have it covered by caps, or have it connected to a camera body, and have a filter on the front.
This will be one on my prize Canon Lenses,it truly lives up to my expectations of an "L" lens for two reasons,build and Function.I don't really use the long end of this lens because for me the super wide 17mm view on a full frame camera is what this lens is all about. And boy does it deliver.
If you want a good all around lense and can't afford the canon 16 - 35 mm lense this is the one for you. I have taken it out for a test run and shot about 40 pictures and all came out great. I use a canon digital rebel camera.
I have been debating between this lens and 16-35mm. Finally pulled the trigger on this lens primarily based on the weight and price. I am sure 16-35 is a great lens, a step up. But my purpose is to have a walk-around lens that can perform well outdoor landscape shooting and this lens meet and exceed my expectation.
I am really glad that I bought this lens. It comes with hood which can be reversed when not in use so it is very useful. Leather pouch, front cap, and back cap is included. Focusing is super fast with USM.
It is my first ultra wide angle zoom lens. I took some photos for test. It worked really great beyond my expectation.
Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5 - 4.5 USM Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.Easy to use,very sharp pictures, it is a strong lens, good autofocus system, the luminosity is really good.It's a light weight lens, not heavy.
The main problem with this lens is the speed, or the lack thereof.  Compared to the EF 20/2.8, it's only a half stop slower but compared to the EF 35/2, it's one and a half stops slower.  While this is not a big deal if you're shooting outside, you have a problem in low light environments.  Secondarily, if you're shooting a small sensor DSLR, you're not getting the wide angle benefits of this lens.For film or for full-frame 35mm sized sensor DSLR users, this is a good choice if you can live with the primary limitation of the slow speed.  Optically, it's not bad at all.  It has more distortion than an architectural photographer will want but if you're mainly shooting architecture you probably wouldn't be attracted to this lens anyway.  As a reportage lens or a travel lens, it will serve well.  Although it's relatively large--especially with the dinner plate sized lens hood in place--it's a lightweight.  Build quality is industry-standard consumer grade for Canon.  Which means it's actually very well put together from mostly plastic components.  The lens mount is metal and the lens elements are, of course, glass.  Autofocus is fast and the motor is a Canon Ultrasonic so you get the benefit of manual focus without having to flip switches to turn off the autofocus.I've used this lens off and on for about eight years.  I originally shot color nature and landscapes and this was a very useful lens for such purposes.  I mostly used a tripod so having a slow lens wasn't a limitation.  For the last few years, I have been doing only black and white film work with an emphasis on the artful aspects of photography.  When I use 35mm, I've trimmed my most used lenses to mostly primes so this lens doesn't get selected as often as it once was.  Still, when the light is bright, I sometimes use this lens for the convenience.  It's very versatile with good performance.  If used at medium apertures under the same lighting conditions, I seriously doubt anyone would be able to see any practical difference in photos made with this lens compared to one of the much more expensive L-series Canon zooms.  For the price, it's very good value.
This lens is good for those who are looking to get decent wide angle but don't have the budget for the EF 17-40 f/4L.  In order to beat the quality of this lens you need to spend almost double.I used the 20-35 on my Rebel XT which makes it equivalent to 32 to 56mm.  It's not as wide as the EF-S 18-55 that came with the camera but the quality is much better.  The ring type USM focuses fast and quietly.  Overall, a great value for the price.If you can afford it, I would step up to the 17-40 f/4L which gives you a little more range.  If not, this is a decent alternative.Another option to consider is the EF 20mm f/2.8.  It's slightly faster but costs about $100 more.
The lens is outstanding.  I am really happy with this seller.  I have used this lens and I am amazed at the quality of the pictures.  Thanks
I purchased this lens used since it's discontinued. I read some pretty good reviews about it plus I own the 28-105mm 3.5/4.5(which I love) so I figured it would be a good match. I wanted a nice compact and light lens that for travel with for my Full Frame 5D. My first impression was that this lens was a Dud. Not very sharp and not very saturated. After getting use to my 10-22mm which is very sharp and other 'L' series lenses this lens did not match up. However, after I bumbed up the sharpening in the picture style settings by a couple of notches the image improved significantly. I then teested this lens against the 28-105mm and the results were about the same with the 28-105 being just a tad sharper. All in all it's a pretty good lens for the price I paid for it. The only thing to remember is to boost the sharpening and you will be fine. Of course if you are shooting RAW it might take some Post Processing to get the image up to par.
I use this lens at work every day, and in general it's a very good lens. The optics are sharp, and the focus, athough not fast, is not something to complain about.The only problem I have is that for $400 for a 20-35mm lens that's f/3.5 is a little pricey in my view. It's also not the sharpest lesn on the market, and when you can spend a another $200 for some 17-85mm IS I find it hard to justify buying this lens for the asking price.
This is a great lens if you need to shoot wide angle in very low light siuations. If you don't need a lens for this exact purpose, you'd be better off spending a few extra dollars on either the 16-35L or 24-70L. These two zoom lenses cover 24mm (and more) at a very reasonable f2.8 with good results. They won't bag a shot in the shadows, but they will handle any decently lit scenario with ease.If you just have to own an f1.4 prime lens, the 35mm f1.4 is a much more universally well-regarded L lens than the 24mm f1.4. The 50mm f1.4 is 1/3 the price of either and just as amazing in my opinion so long as you don't need the wide angle.The only reason I give the 24mm f1.4 a 4 instead of a 5 is the price.
I had researched Canon lenses. Have a 50 mm f 1.18 and love it, but needed more wide angle. Bought a 28mm f2.8 and it was ok. Lots of Glamor Shots type of pictures, not very sharp and it struggled in low light.I was leaning toard the 24-70 L zoom, but wanted the most crisp, sharp, low-light wide angle I could find, so I took a chance on 24 mm L 1.4.I thought I'd made a mistake at first,lots of muddy photos, but an occassional good one made me keep trying. Once I had a little experience with the f-stops, ISO, dioptic adjustments and manual focus, I am now taking more of the "WOW" pictures. Super crisp and sharp. Local newspaper has published several (and they are even better than the local newspaper photog's shots with their zoom lens cameras).This is on a Canon XTi digital rebel.I like to take most of my pics close up (20 feet or less) and this lens is THE ONE! Get the hood when you buy it and save youself some time. You will need it as the glass is right up to the edge of the rim.Got it through Calumet and received fast delivery with no games or sales calls.
This lens is my personal favorite.  For general photography, I'll walk out with this lens mounted and a 100mm in the bag for occasional long shots.  I find little use for my zoom (17-40mm) when I've got the two lenses.  The 24mm is very heavy, but the small dimensions make for good maneuverability.The main point of this review, is that this lens can shoot f1.4 at 24mm, which is a unique class.  At f1.4:  Center sharpness is good, soft at the edges.  There is noticeable edge distortion and fringing.  A compromise for such a fast lens.  I like the dreamlike, shallow depth of field with a wide field of view.  The bokeh is very pleasing.  Handheld shots benefit from being 2 stops faster than f2.8.  When stopped down to f2.8, the traditional measures of lens performance is good.  Another huge plus is a close focus distance.It's a lens that can make an ordinary scene, pop.
Let me start off by saying that photography is my hobby and it is not what I do to make a living. I have a canon 30d and use this lens all the time.I have several lenses in my bag now and this is one of my favorites! The first lens I purchased was EF 24-105 f/4 L IS. This is a great lens if you are outdoors in good lighting and want to have zoom capabilities. I tried to use it in the evening at an outside restaurant and the f/4 was too much; so to compensate, I purchased this lens.I love this wide angle and 24mm lens. I have taken great evening and night shots with this lens! It is fast, gives great bokeh and the colors are very rich. I'm mainly using this lens in the evenings and at night and use it with and without 430 speedlite. When using the flash, I typically rotate the speedlite head so that the flash is bouncing off a ceiling or a wall instead of right on the subject. This lens works great for this!You can walk down the street in The Grove in LA and take awesome, crisp pictures with no flash. If I need to zoom, I zoom with my feet... but I have the ability to take a wide angle photo with this lens that I wouldn't be able to do with the 50mm or the 85mm.The bottom line is this: If you want to take great pictures in the evening or at night, this lens has to be in your bag.Best of luck!
The 24mm f1.4 is a must have lens for your camera bag. Whether you are a landscape, commercial, or wedding photographer you'll find your self going back to "old faithful" more and more. It is extremely well built and performs excellent in low light, and is extremely fast focusing.
There are certain times you will need a wide and fast lens; for example shooting in a tour bus at night.  That being said, I only bring this lens out for those times.  It's wide enough to be noticeably distorted but not wide enough for the distortion to be usefully dramatic.  I much prefer my canon 35mm f1.4L on a full frame camera.  If you own the 16-35mm f2.8 zoom you probably don't need this lens.  That being said, there are a couple times I was glad to have this lens, but it would be the first of my primes I would sell.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with this lens, there's just nothing particularly special about it.Of course, opinions are subjective, so rent one and a 35f1.4 together and compare for yourself.
This is a specialty lens that would be hard to justify unless you are a dedicated wide-angle shooter.Have you been hanging out almost exclusively at the wide side of your zoom lens?  Have you found that there is just something indescribably perfect about how the 24mm setting (on a full-frame camera) takes in the world?  Have you never owned a true professional lens?  Are you ready for the real thing?  This is it.I've been shooting with a 24mm lens (or zoom equivalent) since 1976, when I was a teenager seeking to differentiate my photo style from the dominant preference for telephoto.  I am so glad I did.  A wide-angle lens forces me to get in close to the action, bringing an intimacy with my subjects and a liveliness to my images that "fly-on-the-wall" telephoto detachment simply misses.  But if you've gotten this far, you already know the unique image qualities of wide-angle lenses.The reason for getting this lens -- a dedicated focal-length, rather than a great zoom that includes 24 -- is because it handles its job so much better than your zoom on 24.  Everybody will state how much sharper and richer the image quality is, how the "L" optics are truly amazing, etc.  Yes, yes, yes; it's great.  But, frankly, I haven't yet (2000 shots) noticed the image difference between my "amazing" 20-35 EF and my "truly amazing" 24 L.  For me, it is all about the manual focus ring.Zoom lenses have terrible manual focus rings.  They are always given secondary attention by manufacturers to the zoom ring (Canon included).  (Why?  Zooming isn't so minutely critical, or something that you need in a split second!)  And if you don't use your manual focus ring, stop reading.  Go away.  Buy a point-and-shoot.  You aren't my friend.Still here?  Good.  This lens has the smoothest, most precise, most ergonomic, most oh-so-fabulous focus ring I've EVER twisted.  (And it focuses down to a phenomenal 9 inches!)  You'll need that precision when you open it wide to its amazing 1.4 aperture.  Oh, gosh ... Ever seen such shimmer?  (My own personal experience with wide-angle lenses has always emphasized their incredible depth-of-field at f.22, allowing quick, sloppy focusing without worry; now I am experiencing a whole new wonder at the other end of the aperture.)So, if you've been like me, and long found your zoom lens set to 24, you want to recapture or discover for the first time the sublime self-limitation of a fixed-focal length lens, and you can afford it (but how can you afford not to?), get this lens today, put it on a full-frame Canon 5D, and start producing a body of work that has a distinctive style in which all your subjects will have smiles -- in response to the smile that'll be permanently plastered to your face as you use this "best lens in its category."
You'll never regret buying the Canon L series.  The fit and finish is perfect and image quality is excellent!
I spent several months researching this lens. Countless hours going over sample images, and continuously feeling my heart skip, as I laid eyes on another breath taking image. I thought to myself that there is no way this lens can be that good.Unfortunately, I was right. I received this lens with high hopes and high expectations, and within minutes of taking it out of the box and snapping a few shots, I was quite upset. The images didn't seem as sharp as promised, and I didn't want to be stopping this lens down further, as I purchased it for the constant f/2.8 aperture. I took it outside and started firing off more and more shots, and I was completely disheartened. I figured it was my fault, that I wasn't be steady enough. So I then performed a few tripod tests, with a remote shutter and compared the image quality at f/2.8 been the 24-70mm and my 50mm f/1.8.I couldn't believe that my 50mm was giving me sharper images than this $1,300 piece of glass. I performed numerous 100% crops and just became more and more depressed. I am a college student, and I worked 3 months to save up for this lens. Yes, I know about there being soft copies out there, but I bit the bullet and jumped in.I called Canon and they gave me all the information needed to send it in for repair, but I kept looking back and forth between the sample photos I took. I can't explain it, but I almost felt bad for wanting to return it. As if once you buy an L series lens, you must keep it! I once again, bit the bullet called Amazon and arranged for a return.I understand that I could send it in, but I'm sure anyone reading this understands how that must feel. After dropping such a large amount of money, the LEAST one should expect is a lens worthy of all the hype and price tag.It is currently awaiting pickup and should be back at Amazon's warehouse in KT by the middle of this week.It is a great lens in all other respects. For those that complain about the weight. It's heavy yes, but its a good heavy. You feel...power in your hands, which was the first thing I felt when I held it. Color's were amazing, and contrast was beautiful, but all this business of hearing how "tack sharp" this lens is, at f/2.8, might have brainwashed me, but the images I had seen over the several months of looking confirmed how beautiful this lens is MEANT to be.My first venture into Canon's L series lens, and I am truly disappointed.To be completely honest, I am still torn. Part of me wants to believe in Canon, and reorder the 24-70mm and believe that I'll be lucky and I'll get a good copy. I also believe if I got a soft copy I'd be willing to send it back to Canon to get repairs done.So all in all, be careful. If you can afford paying for return shipping and insurance, and don't mind a potential headache, then go for it. If you're lucky enough to get a lens that is as crisp as they say it is, then kudo's. If not, you'll either feel as bad as I did, or decide that it is worth your time and money to send it to Canon to have it repaired.I'm sorry, but the whole purpose of buying a lens, is to have it on your camera, not at a facility that should be putting out first class lenses.In case you're wondering, I was using a Canon 40D.
Couldn't do without this.  I've had mine for 7 years, traveling all over China and SE Asia and the USA.  Still crystal clear, still lightening fast AF.In this age of smartphone photography, I'm writing to emphasize this is still an extremely important lens, especially with megapixels so high and getting higher.  Heavy, yes, but once you get familiar with it and see the consistently rewarding color, clarity, and depth of your images, you will do whatever exercises are necessary to feel strong enough to carry it all day.Video shooters should not overlook the fact that this zooms with a constant maximum aperature!Super versatile, making it possible with one lens to get a headshot of a mockingbird, breathtaking vistas of lakes and mountains, street portraits, macros of flowers and insects...I admit, on long hikes, if I don't have my gear backpack, I take the camera off my neck and carry it in one hand or the other--but only after the first couple hours.In a street setting, there is usually enough electric light at night to get the best possible use of your higher ISO settings holding this by hand.  If you want to go with lower ISO settings in low light, a lightweight monopod might be for you.No 7 year itch for me!  (If, heaven forbid, anything ever happened to mine, I'd replace it as quick as you can say "overnight shipping.")
This lens is the lens the produces the quality of results you see from the likes of National Geographic.  The images are amazingly sharp and crisp, simply put, this is my go-to lens.  I use this lens on an EOS 50D, and the results are just spectacular.  Stunning.  Amazing.  I'm still blown away by the pictures when I see them.  The zoom moves nicely with enough resistance, and generally doesn't droop when you angle the lens down unlike the 28-135IS.  I have often put an extension ring in front of it and used it as a macro lens, where it takes incredible shots using manual focus. Autofocus is fast an spot-on, mounting is clean and easy, everything you would expect from an L-Series lens.  I own just two L-series lenses, because honestly, I find that these two cover 90% of the regular photos I want to take.  If was to offer any criticism, it is that this lens is HEAVY.  You can't stick it on a camera and just wander around for a day.  Also f/2.8 is great for a zoom lens, but sometimes a shot calls for a wider aperture, and you have to switch to a prime lens.  Mostly the only lenses in my bag are this one, the 100-400mm and the Sigma 10-20mm which has been a bit disappointing.  Add an extension tube, some flash guns and a cable release, and you are ready for almost any photo.
I cannot rave enough about this lens. I use it for every session and wedding I do now. It's the best, seriously. Quality is amazing, it's quick and sharp images...I LOVE IT. It was my dream lens and still is my best lens and I have a variety of lenses. A note though, if you have the cheaper mid-range lenses (I had a sigma 17-70 before I replaced it with this) this is twice the size and like 4 times the weight. It's a heavy lens!!! But worth it.
I have had my 24-70 lens for some time now and every time I shoot with this lens I am amazed.  The pictures come out so clear and sharp.  Like a number of other Canon L lenses, when you put thie lens on your camera, people know you mean business.The lens has a little weight to it but feels good in my hands.  This combined with my 20d camera makes an awesome combination that takes marvelous pictures.Highly recommend for the professional shooter that does not want to compromise on image quality.  This lens and the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS are IMO two of the best lenses Canon makes..
I purchased this lens to go with my Canon 20D.Now, I understand what all the fuss is about.  You must use this lens to believe the quality.  This lens took my photos to another level.  I am making pictures I could only dream of before.  The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is well worth the price.  When so many serious photographers using Canon equipment recommend the same lens as a must have - BUY IT!!!Gee, I sound like one of those t.v. infomercials.  As you can tell, I am just a little excited about this lens.  :)
Take great photos.  Works great.  Costs a ton. I would buy it again.  I look like I am taking photos for N. Geographic. Pics look great.
I was increasing disappointed with the quality of my pictures from my 30D and the 18-55 non-IS kit lens.  I shot RAW only and had to adjust every picture to get close to what I wanted but could never seem to get what I expected.I have now had the 24-70/2.8L for several months and I'm loving it.  Contrasts are so well handled.  I don't have to fight my pics on the computer; now I can only minor touch up some levels and my pics come out awesome.It is a bit heavy (making the whole thing especially heavy with the extra grip) for which my wife complains about (at least I don't have to worry about her taking over my camera).  I don't mind the heaviness at all.  It isn't any more difficult to lug around than it was before with the kit lens.I do miss the 18mm-24mm side but not very often.  I think the extra on the long end and the f2.8 more than make up for it.  I'm hoping to go for a 5Dmark? someday down the road so that tipped me over on my decision of what lens to buy and I'm very glad I went with the 24-70.Only problem I had with buying this lens, I paid for overnight delivery but my credit card blocked the purchase since it was online and so expensive.  Had to call them (Amazon Chase Visa) and allow purchase so I had to wait another day to get it (it about missed a vacation trip).
I really wasn't very happy with this lens when I first bought it, but it was really more of that I was afraid to use it.  I have been really spoiled with IS and I would sometimes break out my consumer grade 28-135 instead of my new 24-70 because of it.After using it more extensively the last six months I have come to change my mind.  I'm glad I didn't get the 24-105 because I love being able to shoot at 2.8 with the nice bokeh.  The extra stop, along with the ability to shoot up to 3200 ISO with the 5D and get still get very good colors means I don't have to shoot at slow shutter speeds.  When I use the flash during events, that combination means that I rarely ever use the flash at full power.  That means my batteries last longer, I can fire off multiple shots with flash, and I don't end up annoying people with a full blinding flash.One thing I've learned about my lenses with IS when I'm shooting events, is that the IS sometimes takes a little time to power up, especially my 70-200.  Not very long, but sometimes long enough that when I want to pop off a quick shot, sometimes it seems that it hasn't had time to take effect yet by the time I've framed and focused and taken the shot.  Maybe it's just me but that's the impression that I've gotten.  I've been very happy with my 24-70, especially now that I've learned to use it.
This is a great lens... I just got if for family portraits at my studio. Ill use it as a walkaround as well.One of canon s best lenses ever.
I use this on a crop sensor camera. It's heavy as hell, but the images are wonderful. Beautiful colors and contrasts. Not the fastest lens, I find it slow to focus on a moving target. For static photography however it's perfect. Love my brick.
What can i says it's a L-lens, but the canon 24-70mm f/2.8 is RAZOR sharp wide open.Since i got this lens, i am yet to take it off my Canon 7D...when you hold this lens in your hand you can feel and see that this lens was well made.All i can say to you all is go out and buy this lens if your serious about your Photography and you want to make your clients happy, you won't regret it.
After deliberation between this and theCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasas a professional quality standard zoom, I chose this one. Besides the obvious reason - having that extra stop of light to freeze action and give more flexible depth-of-field - after playing with both lenses, my reasoning for choosing the 24-70 was:1) Color saturation is better. Pictures come straight out of the camera with the most amazingly rich colors. In 2 years I have never once had to enhance colors in post-production.2) Bokeh quality. While this is subjective, I have yet to see another zoom lens match the silky smooth out-of-focus areas that one gets from the 24-70.3) Tough and weatherproof. It seemed tougher than the other, with the lens hood covering the extension mechanism. Since purchasing, this lens has been through heavy rainstorms, through dust and wind, and never been any worse for the wear afterwards.Yes it is big and heavy, but if you want these features you have to pay the price.Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Because my copy was slightly soft on the wide end. I know it can be calibrated by Canon but I would expect when buying a professional lens that it should be pre-calibrated at the factory and designed to stay that way.(As an aside: If you're looking for a standard / walkaround zoom for a cropped-body camera like the 40D/400D, the 24-70mm is not wide-angle enough. For my 40D I ended up buying theCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Camerasinstead, which is far better suited to those cameras.)
This is a fantastic lens.  It takes crisp, rich photos, has a large apperature that makes for impressive low-light photography, and includes USM technology for lightening-fast focusing.  Since I am only a serious hobbyist, I can't yet afford another quality Canon lens...but for 2 years I have been perfectly happy to leave this lens on the camera (a 10D).  Portraits, landscapes, indoor shots with no flash...it can do them all with ease, and the photos look great.This lens is a little heavy, and combined with my 10D the weight is certainly a consideration.  But to me it feels well-balanced on the camera, and I like the substantial feel that the lens-camera combination gives.  If you plan to use a flash, remember that this is a big lens and the built-in flash may not clear the barrel (especially on the 10D, before Canon redesigned the pop-up flash)...might want to think about an external flash head for the hot shoe.There's a lot of glass on the front of this lens, don't forget the UV filter for a little extra protection.
I traded my 24-105 for this 24-70 as I found the f2.8 much more useful for my shooting style. This lens hardly leaves my camera, it is so versatile and the image quality produced is excellent. Focusing is very fast, and it is very useful to have such a small minimum focusing distance when trying to shoot macro type photos. The combination of hood design and reverse extending zoom is really great as well to get the most use from the hood at all focal lengths. If you can afford this lens, get one!
I bought this after trying the Sigma and have since returned the Canon to get another copy...  The lens back focused between 24-50mm but was very sharp out to 70mm.  I'm looking to get my next copy locally so that I can swap until I find a sharp version.  Maybe the 50D lens focus tweaking will fix this!!
I have been shooting with this lens for the past month, consistently. The lens is HEAVY on the 7D.This is my only complaint.The reach, the quality of the pictures, the overall build--basically everything you could want from a lens is there.All the other reviews hit it spot on.If however, you are not ready for the sheer weight of the equipment, it is not a fun experience. Your wrists, hands, arms and shoulders will be tested.Having said that, you will be the envy of all your friends because of the consistent quality of the pictures.Spend the money and be prepared to expand your horizons.
Although the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 "L" lens does a good job, it does not compare with the clarity, contrast, or the color saturation that I can get with the Canon 70-200mm IS f/2.8 "L" lens. The Bokeh of the 70mm-200mm is much more pleasing then the 24-70mm Canon lens and that may be due to the different focal lengths. I don't know if I have an execeptional 70-200mm or that I have a 24-70mm that is below normal standards for the lens.Update: After a few years of use, I have grown to appreciate my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 "L" lens having used other brand lenses in the same zoom range.
This is a great lens. The pictures I take are very sharp and alive with color, and the brokeh is excellent. I am a big fan of keeping a shallow depth of field when shooting people or animals, so the f/2.8 helps out. Also dim wedding receptions are no problem with even the weak built in flash on my Rebel XT. The autofocus is practically silent, accurate and very fast.If you don't think you need f/2.8, go for the 24-105mm f/4 L IS. It has an extra 35mm on the telephoto end, image stabilization, and is lighter and smaller.
I purchased the canon 20d with 18-55 lens, I was a little unhappy with indoor pics and some outdoor pics were to soft. I then purchased a 28-135 Is usm lens which I also found to be some-what soft. I finally broke out the funds and bought this 24-70 L lens and I have been totally happy with this lens and my 20d. The pictures that are produced with this camera and lens are beautifull, sharp. lens is expensive but you will not be dissapointed. This lens is built great,not that heavy as others have said. check out the pics I took of the sunflowers and the parakeet on the cust submitted pics. nothing was enhanced, downloaded into jpg format. You will be happy with this lens if you don't mind parting with the funds.
I need to confirm that this lens is only average.  At this price range, I could not believe Canon would ship soft copies out.  Many will blast my comment by saying I could send the lens to Canon for calibration, but that is beyond the point.  Each lens should come out of the factory in consistent quality, right?  After all, we are paying over $1200 for it.Other than this lens, I have owned a 10-22mm and a 70-200mm L lens.  The 24-70mm L copy I had was comparably softer than my sharp-as-knife 70-200mm L in all aperture ranges.  The shots from the 24-70mm are slightly better in colors, however.Also, I find the 24-70mm range too long for a cropped-frame DSLR.  I used the 10-22mm and the 24-70mm L on a three-month backpacking trip.  I found myself using the 10-22mm 90% of the time because most shots I took were candid shots - upclose and personal with the object.If you are fine with fishing for a sharp copy, go for it.  I have sold mine to some (un)lucky person after my trip for 20% less than the price I paid.
A fine lens, but I find the 16-35mm more generally useful on a 20D.This might be my first choice for a 5D or other full frame body,but for APS-C sensors recommend a 200+ telephoto as second lens before this.Keep in mind that anything less than f/2.8compromises autofocus on the 20D or 30D.
I love this lens.  I bought it as the first step in upgrading my camera gear so I put it on a basic EOS Rebel.  Immediately I saw the difference in quality.  Now I have a 5D and the combination of full frame and the 24-70 gives me the best and sharpest images I have ever seen from my camera.What I like:Great sharpness, f/2.8 lets me shoot almost anywhere in available lightWhat I wish would improve:Extremely heavy, no zoom lock--when this lens is pointed down the zoom will continue to sag and extend.  If it is zoomed out a bit and pointed up it will sag and sink back.I could go blah blah forever but other reviewers have already done this.  The lens is phenomenal if you can afford it.  I saved for a year and it was worth it.  I wish I could go back in time and retake all my pictures with this cool piece of glass.
This is the nicest standard zoom lens you'll find. It's sharp, high-contrast, and low aberration at nearly all zoom levels and apertures. If you're going to step your toes into Canon's L line, this is the place to start. Giving you five standard focal lengths (24, 28, 35, 50, and 70 mm) this lens is an ideal high-quality everyday lens. Further, the quiet USM autofocuses nearly instantly, and the full-time manual focus ring rotates like butter.If I had to pick one problem with this, it would be the weight. At about 2.5lbs, it's surprisingly heavy, especially when you've been wielding it for several hours. Also, it's immense size grabs the attention of strangers, which depending on what you're doing, could be problematic.But in the end, when what I'm doing demands high quality and versatility, this is the lens I rely on. It is the standard-zoom staple of my travel pack, and if limited to only what's attached to the camera, this is the lens that comes.
If you can afford this, get it.  It's exceptionally handy for portraiture, but is also a nice lens to bring on a hiking trip for a good wide-angle shot.  The f2.8 also helps for lower-light conditions.  Paris would say it's "hot"...
I've used this lens a few times on shoots, mainly weddings and events. But recently picked one up and I have to say I am in love. Extremely sharp, sharper than my 50mm 1.4 the build quality is impressive and the focal range is perfect.
While easing your way into photography is great for deciding if you want to go pro, it's plunging into it that will take you there.  Buy the best and you will get the best results (assuming you're interested in putting the work into learning how to shoot in manual... if not... stick with cameras below a semi-pro level as anything above won't do much more for you).  This lens will help you get the clarity you seek and it will pretty much never need to come off your camera (unless you need a longer range with a 70-200).  And if you're wondering if the additional 1.2 is worth the cost, check out charts online as to just how much it gives a beautiful blur to your background or allows you the perfect picture in low light situations. It's a HUGE difference... HUGE!Seriously, you know the saying "Don't settle for less"?  Cameras epitomize this through and through.
We are a professional photographer couple working always with Amazon on our professional photography equipment. This lens is great but a bit pricey. It takes 5 * indeed regarding it's quality. But this time we have been ripped of by  J-Tech Digital, Inc. We purchased Canon 24-70mm L lens from them. Canon lens was not needed anymore by the next day and the UPS shipment has been rejected by us without actually receiving the lens or opening the shipping package. Seller did give a partial refund and cut 100's of dollars after 10 days even though they promised to issue an immediate full refund. Amazon dispute is opened and if we are lucky enough we might take back what we have lost for no reason from this seller. As far as our experience and our knowledge if you reject a shipment, you should get a full refund immediately. This lens is sold around $1400 so, be careful if you purchase as if it is a Canon 24-70mm L Mark II, this is not that lens. BEWARE of this seller.UPDATE: AMAZON REVIEW SITE SERVES TO WARN THE BUYER FOR QUALITY OR SELLER OF THAT ITEM, SO FOR THE ONES WHO INSIST THIS REVIEW BEEN REMOVED, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT AMAZON REVIEWS SERVE FOR...UNFORTUNATELY, SELLER HERE TRIES TO SELL A $1300 ITEM OVER $2000 AND IF YOU DO A MISTAKE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM THINKING AS THIS 24-70 MARK II, THIS WILL BE YOUR ONE OF BIGGEST MISTAKE, BECAUSE SELLER WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM YOU AND CHARGE AROUND 10% RESTOCKING FEE, PLUS THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING EVEN THOUGH YOU HAD UNDERSTOOD YOUR MISTAKE ON TIME AND TRIED TO CANCEL THE ITEM OR REFUSE THEIR SHIPMENT. PLEASE LOOK AT THE SELLER'S REFUND POLICY, THEY DON'T EVEN WRITE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPENED TO YOU WHEN YOU ASK A REFUND FROM THEM. THEY ONLY SAY ON THEIR POLICY PAGE "SELLER'S RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL APPLY" BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT? YOU DON'T KNOW THIS BEFORE BUYING FROM THEM. MOREOVER AMAZON WILL PERMIT THAT. YOU WILL OPEN AN A TO Z AMAZON BUYER PROTECTION CASE AND WILL LOOSE IT. WE TRIED TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO AMAZON LEGAL DEPARTMENT BUT DIDN'T TAKE ANY RESULTS YET. OF COURSE THIS REVIEW CAN BE CANCELLED IF SELLER REFUNDS WHAT THEY COLLECTED FROM US AND PROMISE NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM ANY OF THEIR BUYERS. WILL UPDATE AGAIN WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED.
I purchased this lens at my local camera shop last month, and wish I would have purchased it sooner.  The photos I take with this lens are sharp with beautiful colors.I know that many people are reporting that they received a bad copy, or needed to return several lenses before they received a "Good" one.  I'll admit that my first set of photos with this lens were all out of focus.  I spent some time with a focus chart and adjusted the micro-focus adjustments on my camera (Canon 50D in my case) and cleared the problem up.  Since the adjustments are lens specific, all the rest of my lenses work as they did before.
She's fast...real fast f/2.8 throughout.  Optically outstanding...sharp as a tack.  Just a negligible amount of pincushion at the long end and (very) slightly soft corners at large apertures.  Other than that, razor sharp.  Canon ultrasonic (USM) focusing is very fast and quiet.  Build quality is excellent...at 2 lbs. this L lens feels substantial, but it's certainly not too heavy to lug around shooting all day.  The only true drawback to this lens is price....that's why they say "it's expensive as 'L'"  However, it is my duty to inform you that this lens is absolutely worth the pricetag.
I've heard that this lens suffers from an alleged case of having a lot of "bad copies" out there.  Even knowing that I purchased the lens thinking that many of the bad reviews were by people that didn't know how to properly use this lens, or weren't used to shooting without image stabilization, ect.  Boy was I wrong, this lens is the biggest disappointment I have ever had with any pro zoom.  It's soft all of the place.  The center is clearly the sweet spot, but even then from F/2.8(the reason you buy a lens like this) all the way up until F/4.5 this thing is soft soft soft!  I was using shutter speeds of 1/500th of a sec, and tripod mounted my camera.  I checked and rechecked the focus.  Everything was good, but the lens consistent gave picture that would be embarrassing even for a kit lens.  Serious, my 18-55mm crummy kit lens gives better images at F/4.5 than this pro grade lens does.  Wow.I don't know if it's just a "bad copy," but I bought this lens in March of 2010... so I would think by now Canon couldn't still be sending out "bad copies" of such an old lens.  No, I'm thinking that they need to completely change the formula because the current was isn't good at all.
This lens is so crisp and so clear it looks 3D! I have a Canon 5D MK 2, and it focus' very fast and quiet. Low light is no problem. I'm shooting with no tripod in light lower than I ever thought possible. Great all around lens!
Great lens, solid AF, good contrast and resolution. Highly recommended. Is a bit heavy but that's part of the tradeoff for a constant 2.8 zoom.
I was looking at the F4.0 but after saving some extra bucks a realized that I need to invest some extra money and go for the 2.8 great quality; fast and very well built!It's a heavy lens, just like the 70-200 but the sharpness of this lens is just amazing. I'll be having a lot fun with it for the next few years!After selling my XTI and getting a 5D MKII this is the only was to go.Update:This lens rarely gets unattached of my camera. I might replace it a few times for my 17-40.I love! it goes with me pretty much every where I go; great speed and softness when needed.Sharp when needed.It is a heavy lens but I don't really care if the quality is good I don't might carrying it. I think my 70-200 f4 is a little lighter.Remember is 2.8 all across!
Yes this lens is expensive (more than my XTi camera body) but look at what you're getting. An incredibly fast lense capable of shooting in low light conditions without flash. The photos you'll take with this lens are as sharp as reality itself. You'll be especially impressed with the macro capabilities, you can get really close and capture incredible fine details that you might not even notice with your naked eye. The lense is a little heavy but it feels great in the hand and the heft lends to your confidence and steadiness while shooting. I call my lense "The bomb" because it takes photos that are an explosion of color, detail and beauty. My recommendation is to spend the money even if you are a simple photo hobbiest like me. You'll be taking pictures that will be noticed by yourself and others as the best.
Check out some of the tests that people have done on these two lenses.  Do a search on "24-70 18-55 canon".  I bought the 24-70 and expected to see an obvious difference in quality...  there isn't any (this was very disappointing to me).  I was surprised to see that in many cases that the kit lens pictures were actually better.  On sharpness, the 18-55 had the edge in my controlled tests using same aperture, tripod and remote shutter release etc.  I was very excited to get this lens,  I checked on its arrival date about 10 times while it was in the mail to me.  But I run a procurement department for a Fortune 100 firm, so by nature I am coldly analytical.  Simply put, the tests on the 24-70 just don't show anything close to a $1200 difference.  This is confirmed by tests that others have done.  I am sending it back and will use my 18-55 for a walkaround lens and my Canon f1.4 50mm ($400) for those special pictures with a beautiful bokeh and/or low light shooting capability (which on both counts the f1.4 is far superior to the 24-70).  Other things I noticed as I worked with the 24-70 is that for a cropped body like my XSI, it is not too long on wide angle as some others had complained. However with my f1.4 50mm though this can be an issue.  As for professional photographers, I understand why they use it: the 24-70mm handles most types of shots for a wedding so no lens changes which means no lost picture opportunities in a fast moving wedding (this is very important to them, and rightfully so!), it provides a nice bokeh at f2.8, and it can shoot without a flash in some, but not nearly all, lower light situations.  So for me the trade-offs are some lens changes and some difficulty with the 50mm being too long on some shots due to the cropped body.  But on the plus side, I will get as sharp or even sharper pictures using the combination of lens (18-55mm and the f1.4 50mm),  and with the f1.4, far better low light shooting and the best bokeh available.  Don't be a lemming and buy this because it is an L lens and therefore expected to be far superior.  Also don't take seriously those who haven't done a true comparison between the two lenses as they are working off of assumptions not facts.  I also don't think that I have a "bad copy" as no one has posted a valid test with results that clearly shows how superior the 24-70 is.  It seems unlikely that only those who have "bad copies" are the ones doing tests.  Lastly, know that your 18-55 is a truly great lens.
This has to be one of Canon's greatest lenses. The images are super sharp, contrasty, and the colors are super accurate. The lens has some weight to it and attached to my 40D with a battery grip, it makes for quite a bit to carry around. I am a bigger guy so I prefer the weight. This is the perfect walking around lens. It is not super wide angle on a cropped body but again, this is my walk around lens. I have a wide angle lens for those purposes.I highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants a great lens that will wow them every time they take it out. I should have bought this lens a long time ago.
Man I wish I would have saved my money over the years not trying to 'save' money by buying cheaper lenses. Yes, I have had or still own all the 3rd party 'fast' lenses that don't work very good. And I have even bought a bunch of the Canon slower lenses that are fine for taking pictures of family and vacations,etc... but not for photography...This lens will blow you away!!! You will never want another lens in this 24-70 range... Yes I have the 24-105 F4 IS lens... Wish I would have bought the 24-70 first rather than the 24-105... Nothing compares... Yes I even have the EF 35 F1.4 but the 24-70 beats it hands down even if it's slower...Built like a tank it will last you a life-time if you treat it right...What more can I say????  Buy this and stop wasting money on all the other junk out there....
I bought this lens for two reasons: to replace my kit lens (Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras) with some serious L glass, and for the wide angle coverage.  The other lenses I use most frequently areCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasandCanon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.This lens is very sharp, and captures excellent colors, which I have come to expect from L-series lenses.  This lens is more than adequately weather sealed, so I can use it with confidence under circumstances where I would tend to hesitate with my other lenses.  After returning from a weekend at the beach, it was amazing to see how many airborne sand particles had been caught by the rubber weather sealing, almost like flies stuck to fly-paper.  I was able to use a compressed air can to blow the tiny sand particles away from the external rubber seals - particles that almost certainly would have penetrated most other lenses.I have heard that constant mounting and dismounting of lenses that have weather sealing around the bayonette mount, like this one does, can wear-out the weather seal.  For this reason I am trying to be cautious both about using a more gentle mounting/dismounting technique, and about trying to avoid frequently switching out lenses when possible.  The seal can be replaced, but at a cost.A quick word about this lens versus the 24-105mm f/4.  For me the choice was easy, because I have found I don't really use the Image Stabilization on other lenses I own.  I have a pretty steady hand, and for longer shutter speeds I use a tripod anyway.  But I do often go down to a f/2.8 aperture.  And I already have the over-70mm coverage with my 70-200mm lens, so for me this lens is a better match than the 24-105.One interesting thing to note is that unlike many zoom lenses, this lens actually extends outward as the distance is reduced.  This means that for wide-angle shots it is possible to get shadows when using a camera-mounted flash, even without the hood attached.  Shooting under ambient light is an alternative, but that means boosting-up the ISO and/or decreasing the shutter speed.  Of course this works much better with modern equipment than in the days of film cameras, but isn't always the best option.This minor annoyance aside, I love this lens and wouldn't trade it for any existing comparable lens.  It is heavier than most other wide-angle zooms, but not excessively so.  The 24-70mm range provides good coverage, and when paired with a 70-200mm or even the 70-300mm, you've got excellent coverage for almost all circumstances.The most important qualities in a lens for me are sharpness, color, and versatility, and this lens is right on the money.  The weather sealing is a huge bonus.  A valuable lens!
I bought this lens to replace an old Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8 that I had been using since about 2001. The Tokina was a very good lens, but on digital cameras it had serious problems with ghosting whenever something like a light bulb or a flourescent tube was in the frame. It also had a very annoying mechanism for switching between auto-focus and manual focus that had to be worked just right or it wouldn't let you switch.The Canon EF 24-70mm L USM is even more of an improvement on that lens that I had expected. Not only does it extend down to 24mm, focus faster, control flare and ghosting much better, and implement manual-focus sensibly (including, like all ring-USM Canon lenses, the ability to adjust focus manually even in auto-focus mode), but it's much sharper. I had no idea how sharp a zoom lens could be until I bought this lens! It is just a bit soft wide open at the long end of its range, but from 24-50mm or so it's quite sharp even at f/2.8, improving to stunningly sharp by f/5.6. Softness creeps in again at about f/11 due to diffraction limiting, but that's a natural optical restriction, not a flaw in the lens.Ergonomically, the lens is excellent. The zoom and focus rings are well-placed and move easily, with a comfortable level of resistance. It is a fairly large, heavy lens, but typically so for Canon L-series lenses, and not much more so than the Tokina that it replaced in my setup. I don't find it uncomfortable to hold, but I do tend to keep my left hand under it for extra support when in use.Aside from the minor softness at the long end that I mentioned above, the only significant negative of this lens is the lack of image stabilization (IS), which would come in handy in low light situations.One interesting property of the EF 24-70mm is that it reverse-extends when zooming -- that is, the inner barrel is extended more at the shorter focal lengths, and fully retracted at 70mm. This seems counter-intuitive until you notice how this interacts with the lens hood, which is mounted on the outer barrel and so does not move with the inner barrel. The EF 24-70mm has a much deeper hood than I have seen on other standard-range zooms, and the extension of the barrel at shorter focal lengths means that the hood optimally covers the lens at all focal lengths. At 70mm, the lens is fully retracted, so the hood provides an appropriately narrow field of view; at 24mm, the lens is maximally extended, and the hood provides correspondingly less coverage.To sum up, the EF 24-70mm L USM is an excellent lens, fully worthy of the L-series designation. The only improvements I would hope for in a future update would be IS and a little more sharpness at wide apertures near 70mm. Until that lens comes into being, I'll happily continue using this one.
Been meaning to write a review or at least rate it and just hadn't gotten around to it.  The lens was in perfect condition and has given me hundreds of great sharp photos.  As good as advertised.  Thank you!
I just received this lens. I am moving up from a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens, which is the lens I bought with the body of my Xsi.  This is my first DSLR, and got into it about 6 months ago with the birth of my first child.  Since then I have been steadily getting better, fumbling my way into taking better pictures.  After six months of taking about 5,000 pictures, I am now confident I can take technically correct pictures ( I learn the hard way).  I decided I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with L lenses, also I wanted something with a constant aperture so I didn't have to mess with my settings every time I zoomed in or out.After looking over several options I chose the Canon EF 24-70mm.  Right out of the box, I knew I wasn't fooling around any more, the 24-70mm L Lens looks like it ate my EF-S 17-85mm.  Heavy.  But I am a big strong lad and don't mind......it is much harder to zoom back in by turning this lens, I assume because I am moving a lot more glass when I twist the ring.  Looks to be durable. Happy that it came with the lens hood, I didn't really want to buy another $40 piece of plastic like I did for the 17-85mm.  The lens bag it comes with is also appreciated but doesn't protect the lens much so I assume it just to keep your lens from getting dusty.As previously stated by more qualified people then myself, this lens produces some crisp images.  After taking the time to set the correct exposure and white balance, I took a few shots and was very pleased with the output.  I took the pictures indoors with no flash and at a high ISO, and the pictures were still, to my eye, great.  I also have a little anxiety after plunking down a chunk of my hard earned money, I want to feel like I got my money's worth. I am happy to say this is not a purchase I regret, thus far.Only downside to this lens is you can't hide with this thing,for  a normal zoom lens its BIG. it draws attention along with bad jokes about your need to compensate for other short comings.It's not cheap and it won't make you  a better photographer, but it might let you do more in less then favorable light.
When I was looking for a General Purpose glass I contemplated between the 24-105mm F4L & this one. I knew that this lens would weigh much heavier than the 24-105 because of the 2.8 glass which could be a potential concern. I really didn't need the extra focal length as I already have the 70-200 for that. I knew that the 24-105 & 24-70 would run neck & neck as far as sharpness being that they're both L-Lenses. But I did love the speed of the 2.8 on my 70-200IS so I decided on the 24-70.I have no regrets but damn!.. damn!. damn! What a piece of Glass! And the weight while on any of my Canon bodies, indeed, it's Heavy... But I don't mind after seeing the results. I actually like it being heavy. My, my, my it's 'Oh so sharp! Another bonus feature I love is the Lens Hood which BTW came with the lens & I have it on 100% of the time, stays in a fixed position (it does not extend/retract), the objective lens retracts deeper into the hood as the focal length is increased. The hood is deep & huge! It looks DOMINATING!All I know is that if I went with the 24-105mm F4L, soon if not later I'll always wonder how the 24-70mm F2.8L would be & probably end up buying one down the road. Hence, ending up with 2 General Purpose glass that have practically similar focal range. Grant it the 24-105 has IS, extra focal length & much lighter(No, thanks).  I get nothing less than Tactically Tac-Sharp images! Going with the 24-70mm F2.8L route, I'll never wonder about the 24-105 nor own one for that matter. If you get the 24-105 you'll end up buying this later on I'm sure of it. If you get this first... After using it - Believe me, you'll never want the 24-105. Save & spend your money on the 70-200mm F2.8L IS instead. As partners, these two are a one two punch to have in your Canon Gear!
I've owned this lens since February 2009. It is a perfect compliment to my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS. Must have for any professional wedding photographer.
only 2 words can describe it:  TACK SHARP!  this lens is amazing and for the price it's even sweeter.  i've always used IS lens so when i heard this didn't have IS, i was a little bit worried.  but after a couple shots the weight of it makes it feel very solid and steady.shots at f4 are usually sharp, so nothing to brag about.. but this one at f2.8 was still TACK SHARP!  it's just amazing..
I bought this Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for my Canon SLR Camera and it seems to be a good product, yet I haven't completely tested it.
I am just an amateur photographer, but once I rented this lens there was no going back.  My purchase was just as I had remembered with my rental.  Super happy with it.
I purchased this lens a couple of months ago after renting an example for a shoot. This is a fantastic lens. It took my digital images up a couple of levels. f2.8 at all focal lenths, razor sharpness, great contrast, excellent fit/finish/quality. I love it, the clients love the results. Highly recommended.
I've been shooting with this lens and my Canon T2i for about 6 months now. It's such a great all purpose lens. I have used it to shoot portraits one day, products the next and then a music video after that. I'd say I use it equally for video and stills. On the stills side the auto focus is super fast and allows me to get what I need for live events.I love the fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. Also the size and weight for this lens is spot on. It's big enough so that people know it's a professional lens even if they don't know anything about cameras and they will assume your hired for the event and get out of your way. Especially if you have the camera grip extension.Honestly with this lens and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens who shoots primes anymore?Buy this lens, you won't regret it.
I now own 4 "L" lenses (see below). I can't think of a single downside to this lens. It is fast, quiet, and the 24-70mm is a great range. On my 40D with a crop factor of 1.6 the lens has a 35mm equivalent of 38.4-112mm. A really nice range. The lens is great for portraits but does so much more. Highly recommended.Canon Digital EOS 40DCanon EF 50mm f/1.2L USMCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USMCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USMCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USMCanon EF 1.4X II Extender
I have been reading and researching this lens for months! i know, It has been out a long time. I have been using the stock lens for so long. I couldnt believe the image quality after purchasing the 85mm 1.8. I instantly wanted to upgrade my walk around lens.I grabbed an old copy of the 24-70. a 2004 copy. I was promised it was in perfect condition and paid 900.00.He wasnt kidding! The lens was in great shape and it took amazing pictures! Clear and sharp.I was a little shocked at the weight at first. But not too bad. I use to use a sigma 400mm. ( beast)But you just dont expect the weight on a 24-70. After half a day I was comfortable with it. GET IT!
After about 22,000 shots with my Canon 20D and several lenses I finally bought this one. I was looking for one walk around lens that could do most things. I suppose you might find a better macro if you are really into macro photography but for flowers and such this is just fine. For everything else it is simply outstanding.Until you get this lens you are just playing..I didn't think I was but after I got the lens and went to work with it I just could not believe the results, crystal clarity, true vivid colors, no more need for unsharp mask with this lens. Virtually every one of my shots was tack sharp. I don't know how to go into all of the technical terms but this is the lens..I know, I know it is expensive and am I really that far into photography that I need it? Yes..if you own a camera that fits it you will take leaps forward in image quality. Simply all it is advertised to be and more. The only negative is I have yet to get my mind around the lens being at full zoom when retracted. Seems assbackwards but I will get used to it and whatever it takes it is worth it. It is also a little heavy but somehow that is a comfort for me so I like that about it.If you can't afford or don't think you can go rent one for a day or a week at one of the big camera stores that have the service. I think the results will make your mind up for you. After showing some of my photographer friends the images I shot with it they were literally speechless.
I normally buy prime lenses for higher performance compared to zooms, but purchased the 24-70 based on recommendations and hands on checkout in the store.  I have to admit it surprised me, after 35 years of shooting with both types of lenses this is the first zoom to come close and in some cases equal my prime lenses.  Yes, it is heavy, but so are carrying 4 prime lenses to replace it.  Bottomline this is the last lens I will let go of, out of all the Canon and Nikon lenses I own.  It is that good.  I find it useful for travel, portraits and weddings where I cannot always back away or get closer to compose the frame, this is where the 24-70 shines.  The AF is fast and quiet, with on demand manual focus override for those times where AF doesn't select the proper subject.  Only the newest lens out from Canon with Image stabilization might better this one.
This lens is awesome. Great all around lens, fast focusing, sharp as a tack, super clarity, I highly recommend this lens.Dave
Pros:- Outstanding sharpness, saturation, and bokeh- USM AF is fast and quiet- Fast f/2.8 throughout zoom range- Weather sealed- Common 77mm filter among L-series- Front element does not rotate with focus- Non-existent zoom-creep- Solid construction and feel- Focus range indicator window on top of lens- Comes bundled with soft lens pouch and lens hood- Well controlled vignetting (full frame)Cons:- Heavy- Expensive- Lacks ISThoughts:Used with 40D. Sharpness, bokeh and saturation are outstanding. Lens is rugged and feels very hefty, however, hand holding this lens with a large DSLR through a day will wear you out. The front element does extend at 24mm and returns at 70mm. Always use the included lens hood in addition to a UV filter, even when using a polarizing filter. Zoom to 24mm, set the polarizer, and return back to normal zoom. Same for the lens cap. The zoom ring is stiffer zooming in than zooming out. Overall an outstanding lens for everyday use.Bottom line:Highly Recommended!
This lens is one of the most sharp I have tried for Canon cameras. Great definition and easy to use. I'll never get used to the &#34;endless&#34; focus ring. For this money I think Canon should consider every little detail. And not that little too. It's pretty heavy to carry around but the picture quality deserves the effort. As long as you are not backpacking.
Canon has a wide range of EF lenses, even in their "L" professional series. Of that pro-level glass, this one is in the top five.It sits perfectly between the excellent 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM and the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lenses.The 24-70's focal length is very versatile, making it an excellent choice as a walk-around lens. Only bested, in my opinion, by the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.It's a little tight at 24mm on a cropped sensor, but not choking. The benefit of the 24mm on a cropped sensor is that the distortion is reduced, but you still get a satisfactory wide view.Image quality is tops: great colors and contrast as well as sharpness.The "bad copy" thing going around this lens has been a myth so far with me. I've rented this lens repeatedly from differing shops for professional use and haven't run into the horror stories about "bad copies". Even before calibrating the focus with it on my 7D images were tack-sharp. The dinged-up rentals as well as my shiny new one all help me make excellent images.The build quality is very obvious: a brick house. It is hefty with smooth action. I've dropped the lens twice, cursed to myself, but found no problems with it. It is built tough and built to perform.The only downsides of this lens that I have found are that it's a little slow when focusing compared to the other L lenses I use and own, it's a little on the heavy side, and lens barrel telescopes when zooming.This lens is ALWAYS with me on every wedding, portrait session, and photojournalism assignment. If you own only a few professional lenses, this one should be one of them.
I rented this lens a few months ago, along with the 24-105 f4 lens. Like a lot of people, I was debating back and forth on which lens to get.I based my decision to purchase this lens because I tend to shoot primarily in low light and indoors, where using an f4 lens is a little tough without a flash or tripod. I don't like using either, so that extra f-stop makes all the difference.Pros:1) This lens is tack sharp, even at f2.8. It gets even better down to f5.6.2) Excellent color and contrast3) The bokeh in portraits is very smooth4) Full time manual focus is available, which is nice to have5) Lightning fast auto focus6) Versatile zoom range (at least for my needs - your mileage may vary)7) Solid construction. It's built like a tank. A huge leap from the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera.Cons:1) This lens is *HEAVY*. Then again, you knew that when you bought it. :) (Get a neoprene neck strap and you'll be set. It makes a huge difference.)2) Cost - not cheap, but then again, you get what you pay for. You have to keep in mind that buying L lenses is an investment.3) One weird thing I noticed - the lens hood (which is *HUGE*) creates shadows when using the internal flash on my Canon XSi camera. If you're using an external flash, then you should be fine. This isn't a big deal for me, I just noticed this.Although this lens doesn't have IS, I'm not concerned. In a way, I'm glad it doesn't. It forces me to do a better job on my techniques, which is a good thing. IS can really spoil you...Overall, this is probably one of the best all-purpose lenses that you can buy. It's very versatile and useful, with very high quality pictures, which is why so many professionals use this lens. I can't recommend this lens enough.
Extremely disappointed with this lens.  Poor focus after 15', Images never sharp under any condition. Not at all what you would expect from an L series. Lots of $$$$ poor performance. Working on third copy. Unfortunately did not get chance to evaluate prior to warranty running out.CAUTION!!!!PS failed to research product reviews prior to purchase, My Bad, Better luck to all!
If you get a good specimen of this lens (I had to send back the first copy I received because of focusing issues), you will wonder why you took so long to purchase it.I'm a professional photographer who believes in efficiency without missing the shot. While you see those photographers with multiple bodies and lenses scuttling around trying to get the shot, you will see me with only one pro body and one lens...the Canon 24-70 F/2.8L. Why? Because this lens will give you 100% of the shots you need without allowing the chiropractor's hands into your pockets. I can get close ups, wide, and medium shots with it. I can also use it both indoors and outdoors, since I'm always close to the action, without worrying about being too close for it to focus.I also use it in my street photography as it allows me to get real close and avoid including unwanted subjects in my shots. It's good for landscapes, too, and captures really nice blues and greens.In low light situation, expect 2.8 to be sharp. I use back-button focusing and the focus is fast and on point. Lack of IS hasn't been an issue for me since I rarely shoot anything handheld below 1/50 and flash will freeze action even at 1/30. It's length, with practice, makes IS really unnecessary.Also, I dropped mine in the studio and had read that it is very fragile, but it still functions well...I might have been lucky, so don't go trying this and blaming me if it goes awry.If you're not used to L-lenses, you will find this to be heavy, but it's nothing compared to the 70-200 2.8 IS or the telephoto monsters, and in time you will get used to it. Also, get a good camera strap is it will make you feel the heaviness less.I'd recommend this lens to all newbies who can afford it as a first pro lens in their kit.
When I bought my EOS 7D, I also bought this lens for its resolving power to complement with the 18Mega pixel CMOS sensor of the camera. Picture quality is very good; however, it 's not as sharp and contrasty as my EF 50mm F1.4 at the same F-stop. The zoom ring is too small and is not very conveniently located. The big zoom ring on my EF 28-135mm is much better. The 24-70mm is quite heavy and its hood is big. You do stand out from the crowd shooting with this lens especially with the hood mounted. I'm not sure if it's a good thing in public area. People notice you. On the bright side, the weather sealing of the 24-70mm is excellent. I was shooting with this lens and the 7D at some sea mammals out in the rain while other photographers staying inside the boat with their lesser lens and camera bodies. I did not miss any opportunity. Overall, you do get what you pay for considering its price. Still this lens is less expensive than its Nikon 's counterpart. I have read many online reviews that the quality control on this lens is sub par. I have not encountered this issue. On the other hand, I think this lens is due for an upgrade to catch up with Nikon in optical performance. A lot of people want IS for it. Personally, I am not sure if it 's needed for such focal length unless it 's free. With such a weight added to the camera body, you have quite a stable platform. My arms do get sore after a whole day carrying it.
lens mounted without any problems to my canon 20d and has a great manual focus. very satisfied with this product.
I've been an avid amateur photographer, using Canon equipment for thirty years, but this is the first pro quality lens I've ever bought. I ordered this lens several weeks ago, and it arrived within days, in perfect condition. The first time I took it out to use for street photography, I fell in love with it. It's solidly constructed, versatile in range, and not only doesn't eat light, it seems to create its own. I've gotten shots I otherwise couldn't have tried, in dim light, late dusk, and even at night under streetlights without flash at a 1600 iso setting. I took over 400 shots during a one day street festival and got great results. I won't be using this for wildlife photography and distant applications, but for photojournalism, event, and portrait photography, this is a joy to own, and worth every penny. Highly recommended!
If I had to have only one lens, this would be it. It is not my favorite (that's the 85L 1.2), but it is certainly the most versatile and most used.If you are considering the 24-105L 4.0, let me help. 4.0 is too slow for an L lens. My partner owns it and it doesn't get much use. Having a stabilizer is great to handhold a shot of something that isn't moving, but to keep people from being blurry, the 2.8 goes a long way.
UPDATE - October 3: Wanted to update my review on this lens after using it for a couple weddings and portrait shoots lately.  Normally, these wouldn't warrant an update for a lens that is so obviously well-suited to these roles, but this lens literally saved the day. I was shooting a wedding in one of the most difficult type of circumstances - never seen the location before, had 15 minutes before the ceremony to scope things out, had no chance to get my basic flow figured out by watching a rehearsal and this place was an exposure nightmare - black tuxes, white dresses in a very poorly lit chapel.  I was shooting with a backup camera (50D - great camera, read my review, but it doesn't perform well enough at high ISO for me to trust it for a wedding shoot as I don't want any noise introduced into things.)  So I knew I was going to be limited to some extent in terms of the freedom I'd have to play with different F-stops - I was going to need to be wide open to shoot at an ISO that I trust on the 50D for weddings (no higher than 200 in my experience) and have a shutter speed that wouldn't give me motion blur during the proceedings.  Suffice it to say that I was more than pleased with how sharp things were at F2.8.  I don't know that I could have done the same thing - on this camera - with the 24-105.  That extra full stop down to 2.8 was absolutely critical.  On another note, aspiring wedding photographers would be well advised to make an initial investment in a 5D Mark II or something in the 1D lines if you really want the freedom to work at high ISO and not worry about image degrading noise.  I am ultra-picky about noise, so perhaps what I notice wouldn't bother some, but the investment will be worth it in the quality of your work.  40D and 50D are wonderful prosumer cameras (high level consumer/amateur, entry level professional), but the 5D and 1D series truly set themselves apart at higher ISOs.  50D is a perfect backup, or a great second camera if you want to throw a 70-200 or something ultra-wide on it and switch to that on the fly during the wedding.  This lens pays for itself again and again.Perhaps the most common agony-inducing lens choice that Canon L-series fans may run into is the choice between the 24-70 F2.8 and the 24-105 F4 IS.  People waiver back and forth between the benefits of the 2.8 aperture vs. the IS and extra reach of the 105. Some say there isn't a wrong choice because both lenses are both so good.  I have a slightly different take - both lenses are good, they are both phenomenal, but you CAN make the wrong choice here, depending on the kit you already have and what you need the lens for.First off - the IS vs. the F2.8.  The 24-105 has image stabilization - a definite plus in low light, handheld situations.  While IS is great for up to 3 stops of exposure to prevent camera shake, it isn't going to freeze motion.  To do that, you need shutter speed.  To get shutter speed in lower light situations, you need wide aperture (and you want QUALITY glass so things are sharp wide-open).  I am not knocking the 24-105 at all, but the way I see it the F2.8 outweighs the benefit of IS - it lets you go up to a shutter speeds where camera shake shouldn't be an issue (especially in the 24-70mm focal length range) and is pin sharp at that aperture.  And these shutter speeds let you freeze action - good if you want to capture a toast in lower light at a wedding or something (unless a bit of motion blur is desired, which can easily be obtained...but if you don't have the 2.8 to begin with, there is no adjustment you can make to compensate save for bumping your ISO up and introducing more noise).  So in the debate over the benefit of 2.8 on the 24-70 vs. IS on the 24-105, I think the nod goes to the 24-70.Next, the extra reach (to 105mm on a full frame or 168mm equivalent on an APS-C like the 40D, 50D, Rebels).  In this case, you might think about the lenses you've got or that you plan to purchase.  For example, the 70-200mm zooms that Canon makes in its L-series are INCREDIBLY popular lenses, for good reason.  Whether you have the 70-200 F2.8 with or without IS or the 70-200 F4 with our without IS, you have yourself an excellent piece of glass with those mid-range zooms.  If you have one, or if you are planning on getting one, the 24-70 becomes the perfect compliment to them, giving you L-series performance from 24-200mm - if you have the 70-200 F2.8 you've got the ability to shoot at that wide aperture from 24-200mm - a very, very useful ability to have.  Granted, the 24-105 saves you from having to switch lenses if you are in the 70-105mm range, but I don't know if that is too much of an inconvenience.  I will say this, if you EVER plan on owning the 70-200 F2.8, you owe it to yourself to get the 24-70 F2.8 now.  Remember, F/2.8 is a full stop ahead of F/4 in light gathering capability, so if you are somewhat new to all of this, you will collect double the light at F2.8 than you will at F4 - meaning you could shoot at twice the shutter speed and get the same exposure as you would at F4 with a given shutter speed. I know many pro's that look at aperture as being the #1 priority with any lens purchase, always get as much of it as possible.  So, if you have any plans of ever owning one of the very popular 70-200mm mid range zooms from Canon, I think the 24-70 is the better choice.Now let's discuss image quality.  In this case, there is no loser.  The F2.8 lets you get shallower DOF. I've read some reports saying the 24-70 is sharper across more focal lengths and apertures and others that say the opposite, but when you are comparing the sharpness of these two lenses you are really splitting hairs.  My 24-70 is PIN SHARP at F2.8 - so sharp that I was literally stunned when I took my first test shots of the kids playing in the yard in the early evening.  Motion was frozen perfectly and details all the way down to their eyes were extremely sharp - there is no way I could have done this and gotten the results I did with anything but the freedom I had to shoot at 2.8 with a higher shutter speed in the evening light.  Sure, I could have shot at F4 with double the ISO and managed to keep the same shutter speed, but as I said before, the noise factor creeps in (to be fair, higher end Canon's do a great job with high ISO and noise).  But in cases where the need for the extra aperture isn't an issue, both of these lenses are superb.  You can't go wrong with either as far as image quality goes.Based on all this, it probably sounds like I'd never recommend the 24-105 over the 24-70.  But I would.  If you are planning on owning only one L-series lens (financially this is a very real issue for most of us) and want the ULTIMATE is high quality walkaround lens - a lens that will let you do professional quality work and has the added benefit of image stabilization, then I'd say go with the 24-105.  If, however, you plan on owning the aforementioned mid-range zooms and plan on doing things like event photography in poorly lit indoor settings, I think the 24-70 is the way to go.One more thing, if you get either of these lenses, don't plan on putting anything less than a high quality filter on them.  L-series lenses need very high quality filters or you are going to suffer degradation in image quality.  Spend the extra $80-100 (or more) and get a nice B+W UV filter.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this lens or if there is some aspect of the decision between these lenses you didn't see here that you are interested in.2ND UPDATE - June 29: After borrowing one off and on for several months, I have also added an 85mm F1.8 to my collection (look for my review on it if you want the details).  Because I know that some people may be reading this review in the hopes of deciding on a good lens for portrait photography, I wanted to quickly reference this other lens as an option. First, the 24-70 F2.8L continues to prove itself a great investment.  It is a true workhorse lens for wedding photography, giving you a very useful combination of zoom and width, nice shallow depth of field with great sharpness at F2.8, and phenomenal build quality (after shooting an outdoor wedding in the pouring rain I really came to appreciate the rubber seal this lens has around the rear element where the lens connects to the camera.) So while I am obviously still a big proponent of the 24-70 as a portrait and general purpose lens, I have to mention that if you are really stressing out about the cost of this lens, you might seriously consider the Canon 85mm F1.8.  For around $380, this lens provides you with AMAZING portrait opportunities, incredible shallow depth of field with great sharpness at the focal points and silky smooth bokeh in the background. So, if a portrait lens is what you are looking for and the cost of L-series glass is an issue, consider the 85.  Obviously it is not as versatile as the 24-70 and there are some additional optical characteristics that make L series glass a bit better than non-L series glass, but the 85 F1.8 could be used for a professional portrait shoot without any concern at all.  Best of both worlds - get the 85 AND the 24-70! :) Email me if you have any questions about this lens or equipment in general and I'll help if I can.  My contact info can be found at my website.
I've owned the 24-70mm for almost a year now.  This lens has been a favorite of many since it replaced its well-regarded predecessor, the 28-70mm.  It shoots images that are very sharp and have excellent contrast and saturation.  It's sharp wide open and only gets better when stopping down.  The USM (Ultrasonic Motor) focuses very fast, and full-time manual focusing is allowed.  I've thought about buying a 50mm f/1.4, but the results from this lens are so good, I'm having a hard time justifying the purchase.  I've been nothing but pleased with the pictures I get from the 24-70mm.  The constant f/2.8 aperture is great for shooting indoors and produces a very nice bokeh (background blur) when shooting portraits.  This lens is much heavier than comparable consumer-grade zooms, but I don't object to the weight.  I actually like the heft and feel of this lens on my 20D.  The only feature I wish it had is IS (image stabilization).The one thing preventing an unqualified recommendation is the recent release of the Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS.  The latter lens costs about the same and has some noteworthy advantages.  It is .7" shorter, .2mm narrower and .6 lbs. lighter.  It has 3rd generation IS that gives you a 3-stop shutter speed advantage when shooting handheld.  I know from my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS that image stabilization is a very welcome feature when shooting handheld at slow shutter speeds.  And, obviously, the 24-105mm adds an extra 35mm of focal length on the long end.The 24-70mm bests the 24-105mm in one way: It's a faster lens.  That translates into the following advantages: At f/4.0, the 24-105mm cannot stop subject motion blur as well in low-light situations where the 24-70mm's f/2.8 can give you a shutter speed that is twice as fast.  Note that IS does not have any impact at all on subject motion blur, only on camera shake on your end.  If bokeh (background blur) is important to you, the 24-70mm will have a slight advantage over the 24-105mm given its wider aperture.  A wider aperture also helps a camera focus a little better in low light.The first run of the 24-105mm had a flare problem (see Canon's Web site for more info), and the early production models have been recalled.  But the problem has now been fixed.  You'll have to consider your photography priorities when deciding which of these two excellent lenses best suits your needs.  You would be well served by either.Update 2-12-12: It's been over six years since I wrote this review, and I continue to use and enjoy my 24-70mm, which is now paired with a Canon 7D.  Anyone considering buying this lens today, however, should know that Canon announced on 2-7-12 the successor to this lens: The 24-70mm f/2.8L II.  Contrary to rumors that had been circulating for years, the mark II version does not add image stabilization.  Canon's USA website lists the MSRP for the new lens at $2,299.00.
Normally I write reviews almost immediately after getting the item.  The lens came REALLY fast, three days BEFORE it was supposed to arrive.  However, it was gloomy, dark and raining!  After work I donned raincoat and boots and went out shooting my dogs playing in the field.  The photos were very good, but I couldn't call them great.  I was certainly hoping it was the weather so I decided to do some testing the second evening, still rainy, dark and gloomy.  I used this lens as well as a "decent" zoom with the same range.  When I looked at these photos, I was feeling better.Today it finally stopped raining and got much brighter.  Again, I took an assortment of lenses with me, tried them all and I can now say I LOVE this lens!!!  I already have the 70mm - 300mm 1:4-5.6 L lens and BOTH lenses gave me super photos... clarity, sharpness, great action shots, and the DOF is fantastic!  I did have to play with the lighting post shooting, but it was hard to tell if the greenery was off because of the lens OR because we have had more than a week of rain and gloom during the Spring growth!I have a Canon Rebel T2i, and I NEVER use the video because I hate the results... I tried it with this lens and it was really great!Later the sun actually came out and I went flower shooting in my garden.  Even with a breeze and handheld, I got the most amazing shots!  Colors and sharpness are right on.I am a hobby photographer, shooting mostly action shots of my dogs playing, some macro shots of my gardens, and nature shots while camping and kayaking.  I absolutely HATE to get home and look at my photos and find they are just missing something.  After getting the 200 L lens, I had to move up with my zooms as well and I am not sorry at all!!!  Once you use these L lenses you cannot go back!!!This lens IS heavy, but not a problem to handhold and carry for any length of time.  It is quiet, quick to focus and even with the poor lighting, was not hunting all over the place trying to focus. It is a perfect range to keep on the camera most of the time.I guess I now have some "regular" zoom lenses for sale, LOL!
I bought this lens after i burrowed it from a friend and saw the big advantage over the 17-85 and 28-135. Its more expensive but if you can afford it, its worth the extra money.
I had this lens for over a year.  I purchased it for my 40D looking for an upgrade in image quality and low light performance as well as looking to a standard zoom for the upgrade to full frame that I was hoping to make.  Image quality was nothing short of fantastic and when I got my 5D Mark II, this was my standard zoom.There is a reason that this is one of the lenses that most pros use. It's built like a tank, weather sealed, and nI never had any problems with it.  The only downside to this lens is probably the weight.  It didn't bother me too much most of the time.  However, anytime somebody picked up my camera they would invariably comment on how heavy it was.  For some people that me be a problem but overall, I just figured that was the price to pay for having an f/2.8 zoom.A few months ago I bought a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 to try out and I found myself using the prime more and more than the zoom.  It was lighter, sharper, and lets in 4x the light. Eventually, I found that for my style of shooting, having a fixed focal length wasn't a problem. Rather than keeping the 24-70 just in case, I sold it and picked up an EF 28mm 1.8 for the times I want something wider than 50mm and banked a nice little chunk of change.  The good thing about L lenses is that they hold their value so the small difference in what I bought it for vs what I sold it for made for a very inexpensive rental.Overall, this is a fantastic lens. If you need a standard zoom this is as good as it gets for a Canon.
I am very happy with the product right out of the box. The lens looks very solid and the first test shots were very good. Being an amateur on a budget, getting this lens was like getting a used BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus. It was not the latest and greatest, but a great value.
Amazing piece of glass! It is almost as sharp as my 50mm 1.4 lens. Love it and use it almost 90% of the time. The only drawback is that it's a big heavy and bulky.
This lens is simply the best lens at this focal length.  Its sharp corner to corner on a 5D Mk II Full Frame Camera.  Its not as versatile as the 24-105 f4, but it is sharper at 24mm than the 24-105 f4.  (I own both).  If you want a top notch studio lens, this is the one.  If you are looking for more of a walk around lens when you don't need the extra stop, save $300 and get the 24-105.  Either lens is fantastic and you won't be disappointed in either.  If I had to say one BAD thing about the 24-70 F2.8, is that it is a pretty sizable and ROBUST lens.  Its not light and will not fit as well on a camera body in a smaller camera bag as the 24-105.  With all that said, the 24-70 is a top of class lens.  You will feel like you own something special when you own this lens.
There are 2 lenses you should have in your camera bag which will cover 95% of most users needs. I do believe that Canon prices their lenses a little too high, but who doesn't. Many users a lot of money on a camera body and very little on glass. The first thing I noticed is that the colors are more vivid. The lens is much more efficient with light, especially with low light conditions. This lens will last me through many generations of camera bodies.  And for the other lens you need, 70-200 L Is USM 2.8.
I purchased the 24-70 2.8L and was expecting a superb lens for the price.  After comparing with my 70-200 4L, the 24-70 performed worse at 70mm f4 than my 70-200 4L.  At 35mm, the sharpness was only average, slightly less than my 28-135 at f4.  The image does get sharper as I increase to f8 or higher, but the whole purpose of getting this lens is for the f2.8. The color and contrast was outstanding as expected from Canon L series.  The lens is also big and heavy, not a lens you want carry around your neck all day.  It's not very practical lens for me and copy I got doesn't perform up to optical quality I expect.  I won't bother send it back to Canon for calibration.  It's going back to the store.
I had the 24-105 F/4L from canon's 5d MK II kit and I replace it with this lens because I wasn't quite happy with the pictures I was getting.The 24-70 with the f/2.8 is much better for portraits because of the bokeh you get at f/2.8 vs f/4.0Granted when you're taking landscape and other things the IS and extra reach of the 24-105 is great but I primarily shotindoors and of people.Having the lower f stop also meant I was able to shoot sans flash in many situations which is great for not flooding a room with light.I'm much happier with this lens and it was well worth the upgrade price.That being said if you shoot outdoors, long distance and not many portrait type photos the 24-105 would probably serve you just as well.
I think it is important for the potential buyer to realize that this is not an image stabilized lens. Because of that, good photography skiills will be important in order to obtain the great photos this lens is capable of producing. This lens may just be the best lens that Canon has made in terms of the quality of construction, the glass that was used, and great photos this lens captures. I have owned this lens for over a month and have shot over 200 photos. It took me a little while to obtain sharp images because I hand held the camera in low light situations. Once I realized I was no longer using Image Stabilized technology and changed settings on my camera to increase my shutter speed, the sharpness and the color came through and unleashed the potential this lens is capable of producing. Now I am taking incredible photos that are tack sharp, containing great color and tonal range and could not be happier with my choice of lenses. I highly recommend this lens to anyone looking for a great lens for Portraits, Landscapes, and general walkabout situations.
Myself and every other wedding photographer I know find this lens unworthy of Canon's "L" classification.  It's so inconsistent in terms of finding focus compared to my other Ls.  Any time I use this lens, I'm careful to re-focus and re-shoot EVERYTHING at least three times just to hedge my bets.  Yes my copy has been serviced.  It doesn't matter much, everyone else I know has the same complaint.  If you're pairing this with a 5d2 which already has a mildly irritating poor AF system, this lens will exacerbate it to the level of frustration.Further, compared to other L zooms, the images are just plain soft.  If you've ever used the any of the 70-200 Ls (even the first generation) this lens comes nowhere near that level of sharpness.  If you're accustomed to the image quality you get from L primes, then this lens is absolutely pathetic.I'm hopeful for the 24-70 MkII that Canon recently announced, but I don't know that I care anymore because I'm moving to the "holy trinity" of Canon primes: the 35L, 85L, and 135L.  The image quality of these blows everything else away, AND you can keep working in much lower light.  If image quality or low-light capability are a concern for you, then you owe it to yourself to skip the zooms and try these three out.  (I also find that primes push me to improve compositionally, so consider that additional benefit.)Build quality of this lens is solid, so I'll give it a couple stars there.
I thought Amazon confused the version I with version II but apparently not.  Version I is a great lens and deserves 5 stars but has been discontinued and should sell for about half of the cost of the new version II.  Version II is the sharpest zoom lens I have ever used and for an additional $300 is a better choice.  It deserves 6 stars.  Many of the recent reviews here are actually talking about version II.  Offering version I at $2300 is big rip off and should be avoided.
Im just newbie hobby photo guy......i invested my money on a 7D+kit lens....sold the kit lens...and bought the 24-70L 2.8 lens...Built was amazing....pictures sharp as a scalpel....fast ...everything in it  was a useful tool except the pouch...one down side was the cost....but worth every penny .....for others who says its heavy...go get your self a cotton candy....i'm happy to have this for low light and portraits .....opted not to buy the 24-105L lens....why?.....Im planning to get a 70-200 L IS 2.8 MkII...a lot of people debating on wich to get?....but care-full planning is the key....if in the future you are planning to get a 70-200 go for the 24-70.....but if not ill go the 24-105...i guess as long as your buying aCanon L lens ...its  D best...ill give it 5 Raw pics...(mabuhay!!!)-its my first l lens hands down ......Just ordered my Canon 70-200 L 2.8 mark ii...now my lens are almost complete ....
Please don't take the Amazon star rating too serious - every lens has its pros and cons that I wouldn't want to squeeze into a single one-dimensional figure...A quick note about me: I have been into SLR cameras and lenses for more than 20 years - as a hobby in the beginning and professionally later. Maybe because of my technical background I started testing my own lenses quite a while ago. I have a (no longer so) little test lab of my own where I do 6 different image quality tests (after taking a lens out for a while).The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is considered THE standard general purpose lens for professional use. I hardly know any (Canon) wedding photographer that doesn't own one (or hasn't owned one). It's solidly built, features a rugged metal lens mount and comes with a weather seal that allows shooting in (light) rain. It's a heavy (909 g / 32 oz) and bulky piece of equipment and the lens hood Canon supply with the lens is of massive size as well. But that's all for a good reason because the lens offers a great maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout its focal range. This allows for narrow in-focus ranges ("depth-of-field") that give your images a nice look and it also enables shooting in low light conditions with fairly fast shutter speeds. Of course the lens also needs faster shutter speeds because it lacks an image stabilizer.The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is equipped with a modern, fast, acurate and silent ring-type ultra sound focus motor. In the higher end Canon cameras the lens's maximum aperture enables additional focus sensors which enhance the accuracy of the focus further.The resolution of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is quite good for longer focal lengths but - to be honest - a little disappointing for 24 mm (which I use often with this lens). The cheaperEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USMis sharper at this focal length! On the other hand distortion is very well under control with the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (for a zoom lens) and corner shadow / vignetting (though very intense at the wide angle) is pretty good at most focal lengths. But curvature of the focal plane ("field curvature") is a real issue with this lens. If you are shooting a straight subject like a group of people in a line-up and want everybody to be in perfect focus you will have to use high f-stops or avoid the wide end of the focal range. Whether this bothers you in real life photography really depends on what you are doing.Color fringes ("chromatic abberrations") both in focused ("transverse CA") and in out-of-focus ("axial CA") parts of the image are visible as well but they are not very intense. On the good side the circular aperture shape produces nicely even out-of-focus blur. Overall I would say that there are quite a couple of issues with the image quality of this lens and it seems like many of them have been addressed in the successor (the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM) which - at the time of this review - had been announced but not released.I doubt that the good reputation of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM comes from its image quality. If you are a pro you just need the fastest available lenses (and you usually can afford them) and for photo journalism or wedding photography image quality is really not all that important (in my opinion). But if you don't need f/2.8 you should take a close look at theEF 24-105mm f/4L IS USMwhich is cheaper, lighter, smaller, has an image stabilizer, a better zoom range and outperforms the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM in some of the image quality tests. But of course it's just not an f/2.8 lens.I have used both for several years and I still switch back and forth. I wouldn't recommend either of them for use with an APS-C camera though because the resulting effective focal range is just not as useful. Check out theEF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USMand theEF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USMif you are not shooting full frame.There are good reasons for buying the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM but whether it's the right lens for you really depends on what you are doing and on what's most important to you.A much more detailed review of this lens together with all test shots, sample images and technical data is available on my website LensTests_com.
This lens is tack sharp even shooting wide open @ f2.8 really good color satuation and contrast,focus speed is good,and quiet.The lens is a very good portrait lens,with a beutiful bokeh smooth as butter!!If you can afford this lens you should buy it, I don't feel you will regret it, I sure don't!! Love my L Glass!!!!Glenn Yearout
This is now my absolute favorite lens in my entire collection. It's fast, quiet, and takes very crisp and clean shots. Together with a Hoya UV filter, I have yet to take this baby off my camera! Granted, this is also my heaviest lens in the bag, I think the pictures far outweigh (figuratively) the negatives.Obviously the biggest competitor for this lens is the Canon 24-105mm f/4.0 IS L lens. To me, I considered both before making the decision. My rationale was the fact that I need a faster lens to take indoor sports photography without a flash. You absolutely can't cut out motion-blur with a f/4.0 even with decent indoor lighting. IS will only help taking photo of friend and family that are not moving.
I purchased this lens as a backup to my Canon EF-S 17-55 IS for wedding photography.  I will be using it when my daughter is photographing a wedding with me and she will be using the EF-S lens and myself the 24-70mm on my Canon 5D Mark II.  I performed some tests back to back and both lens are amazingly sharp at normal distances.  Plus it's a good compliment to the other lens because of a slightly different reach.  I also found the 24-70 to be better at macro photography as it can blow the subject up larger and seems sharper at very closes ranges.  And the 24-70 seemed to have a little better contrast and colors.  The 24-70 is much heavier then the EF-S and does not have IS.  But it does have a little more reach and is weather sealed.I was disappointed that my copy of the 24-70 has the same poor grabby zoom feel as the EF-S lens. All my other Canon L zooms have buttery smooth zoom action especially my 17-40 F/4 L.  The 24-70 is sharper then the 17-40 F4 L on the long end at 40mm but surprise of surprises the 17-40 is sharper then the 24-70 at 24mm towards the wide end.  But Surprise after sending my 24-70 in for repairs the zoom is much better and it's actually sharper then the 17-40 at all settings now.Also the long length of this lens blocks the built in flash for 40D and Rebels in bottom part of photos.  This should not be a problem for most people in this budget range as the cost of a Canon Speedlite is not that high and completely solves the problem.Bottom line though is the color, saturation and sharpness of this lens are simply second to none in the Canon  wide angle zoom arena.Pros:Very sharp stopped downWeather sealedGreat lens hood includedGreat colors and contrastGreat USM super fast auto focusThat little red ring around the end of the lens!Length does not change when zoomed if lens hood is mountedThis lens has Auto Lens Vignetting correction using peripheral Illumination control see Auto Vignetting comments below:Cons:CostSizeHeavyRepair prone, the most likely to need repair lens I have (see below)Very soft wide open (sent back to Canon for Calibration and they fixed it see update 10-6-2008 below)Wide angle a little narrow on cropped sensor camerasBlocks built in flash for 40D and Rebels in bottom part of photosZoom action was poor and grabby when new but later went smooth after a few hundred photosWould be nice if it had Image Stabilization IS (Canon does not have a single IS wide angle L lens)8-6-08 UpdateI find myself mainly using this lens during weddings when my daughter is using my Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens.  Over the zoom range the 17-55 is sharper and the contrast is very similar but the big difference is the 17-55 has Image Stablization (IS)  and is much lighter and can go much wider when needed.  The IS makes a huge difference in a very dark location like inside a church lit by candle light when you may already be at 3200 ISO just to get the shot.  There are times I can use the extra reach of the 24-70 but more and more if I am free to move about and approach the bride and groom during the ceremony this makes the extra reach of the 24-70 unncessary.  Still I am keeping the 24-70 for use on a full frame camera like the new 6D whenever it comes out.For the most part the EF-S 17-55 IS F/2.8 is THE lens I have on my 40D most of the time.  If I wasn't shooting weddings and wasn't going to be adding a full frame camera to my arsnel I would suggest buying just the 17-55 IS F/2.8 and not the 24-70 at all.9-12-2008 Update Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS vs Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L:I am taking photos tonight of a stage special and again will need to use both my Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS lens and my Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L lens since my daughter and I will be shooting at the same time.  I can't help comparing the two again.  The 17-55 feels much lighter but at the same time feels so much cheaper in the hand between the cheap plastic feel the grabbing in the center of the zoom and the plastic build.  The 24-70 feels like a heavy quality jewel that will last two life times or more and it's weather sealed.  Still if you have to carry the 24-70 around for a few hours you wish for the lighter weight of the 17-55. The 17-55 has a wider view but the 24-70 has more reach.  The 17-55 seems sharper throughout the range but seems to have just a little less contrast and slightly cooler colors then the 24-70.  The zoom on my 24-70 is now almost broken in and feels smooth as silk and totally professional the 17-55 zoom feels like a cheap plastic toy and when you zoom even with a lens hood the front of the lens moves in and out. The 24-70 length does not change as long as you have the lens hood mounted.  The 17-55 has image stabilization and the 24-70 does not so I end up using a monopod for most dark shots with the 24-70.  The 17-55 is an EF-S and will not fit a full frame camera, the 24-70 will.  I'm thinking forward to the future  when I will be adding a full frame Canon camera body to my collection and I think the 24-70 will be perfect on that camera.9-16-2008 Update:After comparing photos to my friends taken wide open at F/2.8 I'm seeing a problem with the photos being much softer then his.  We both have Canon 40D's and so I have to wonder if there is a back focus or front focus problem.  I am going to send in to Canon and see what they say.Auto Vignetting peripheral illumination control:Canon has this super sweet Auto Lens Vignetting correction that works with this lens both in camera with JPEG's and in RAW using peripheral Illumination control in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) when using newer Canon digital EOS cameras (Canon Rebel XSi, 40D, 5D Mark II etc.) . No more vignetting when shooting wide open!!! When shooting Raw open the file(s) in DPP and click on NR/Lens Lens Aberration Correction / Tune and click on Peripheral illumination. The cameras listed above have already picked up the amount of vignetting based on focusing distance, zoom setting and F stop from the lens and the camera has saved the information with the Raw file. You can then adjust the amount under Peripheral Illumination if you don't like the amount automatically suggested. If you shot JPEG then you get the auto amount. SWEET!!!Conclusion:  In the end I will just have to keep both of them.Update 10-6-2008:I got my Canon 24-70mm F/2.8 L lens back from the Canon repair facility and it is tack sharp at F/2.8 at all zoom settings close up and tack sharp from 35mm to 70mm out near infinity.  It's still a little soft at 24mm at F/2.8 near infinity but much better then it was.The zoom feels much better.I'm a very happy camper!!!Here's what they said was wrong with it."We have examined the lens according to your request, and it was found that the adjustment of the pcb assembly was incorrect the image was blurred.  Electrical adjustments were carried out on the pcb assembly.  Other electrical adjustments, inspection and cleaning and mechanical adjustments were carried out.01-01-2009 Update:Vignetting:I have noticed on the full framed 5D Mark II my Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L lens with the peripheral illumination correction turned OFF the 5D Mark II images will severely vignette or be dark in the corners when shot wide open (F/2.8).  It's almost like looking through a dark tunnel.  It's especially noticeable shot wide open with the sky as a background.Canon Auto-correct to the rescue!!  With the peripheral illumination correction turned ON it's almost magical the darkening in the corners for your JPEG images is gone!  If you want you can even shoot in Raw mode and adjust the amount of Vignetting or darkness in the corners for effects such as when shooting portraits and you want to emphasis the person in the middle of the photo.  Just open the Raw photo in DPP and click on the NR/Lens / ALO tab and select Lens Aberration Correction Tune and adjust the peripheral illumination to suite by dragging the slider or entering and amount.  Or select all the photos in a directory and you can correct all your photos at once.  This way you can either have no Vignetting or as much as you want.01-03-2009 Canon 5D Mark II Update:The 24-70 F/2.8 is great on the 5D Mark II like the 17-40 L and has better reach then the 17-40. But it does not have that uncanny you are there feel of photos taken with the Canon 100-400 IS L zoom lens. Thank GOD for the auto peripheral as this lens is a Vignetting monster when shot wide open on a 5D Mark II, it was not on the 40D. With the Vignetting control built into Digital Photo Professional (DPP) and the on-board 5D Mark II auto control it's perfect and Vignetting is not a problem. This lens is fragile and has required sending back to Canon for recalibration but is a must have in my arsenal. I'm hoping Canon will come out with an Image Stabilized improved version that has that you are there feel of the 100-400 zoom.3-18-2009 Update":After getting this lens back from Canon repair it's turned into a better lens mounted on my Canon 5D Mark II at times approaching the look my Canon 17-40 F/4 L.  It's sharp at F/2.8 but then softer until about F/4 for some reason but that's fine as I either shoot wide open or stopped down to F/5.6 or so.  I'm much happier with it now after repair and the zoom action is smoother as well.  Still I'm worried that it may need repairs again.  I have other lenses I have even dropped onto the floor that are still flawless!!4-5-2009 Update:If I could shoot all day with the Canon 85mm F/1.2 II L I would.  The Canon 5D Mark II clearly out resolves the Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L lens and that is very disappointing for a lens that costs over a thousand dollars. But at a wedding where you can't always zoom with your feet I reach for the Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L. Its good on the 5D Mark II but not as good as the 17-40 L but it has better reach then the 17-40. It also does not have that uncanny you are there feel of the 85mm F/1.2 II L or even my Canon 17-40 F/4 L zoom.  Thank GOD for the auto peripheral as this lens is a Vignetting monster when shot wide open on a 5D Mark II, it was not on the 40D. With the Vignetting control built into Digital Photo Professional (DPP) and the on-board 5D Mark II auto control it's perfect and Vignetting is not a problem. This lens is also very fragile and has required sending back to Canon for recalibration but is a must have in my arsenal only because I do weddings. I'm hoping Canon will come out with an Image Stabilized improved version that has that you are there feel of the 100-400 zoom.  Once again it seems like this lens may be losing it's calibration and I am starting to lose my patience.  If I could I would change the rating to 3 stars!!!4-25-2009 Update:This lens is for sure going out of calibration again.  To say I'm ticked off is an understatement!  When you pay over a thousand dollars for an L lens you expect better.  No other Canon lens I own has gone out of calibration or had to be sent back for repairs.  I can hardly wait for the replacement lens to come out and I will try and get what I can out of this lens on e-bay.4-27-2009 I just got back from photographing the World Premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and once again the 5D Mark II was awesome.  I ended up mainly using two lenses the Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L zoom and Canon 100-400 IS L zoom lens.  When you have only one chance to get Hugh Jackman  riding by on his Harley you want to make sure you have reliable quick focusing equipment.  You can see my photos from this shoot at [...]Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit lens Muddy, slow, pile of junkCanon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy, repair prone! Disappointing on the Canon 5D Mark IICanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy! My favorite zoom lens!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L great IS, super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!!My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: _Canon EF 200mm F/2 IS L the finest lens ever
I've been using my 24-70 2.8 L lens now for about three years.  I shoot Glamor, Portrait, Wedding and Landscape photography.  I find I usually use two lenses out of my whole bag of lenses 99% of the time.  I use this lens and I use my 70-200 2.8 IS L.  This one for closeup work, and the long one for distance or ultra bokeh (blurred background and foreground) work.  I've used the 24-105 F4 IS L, but even without the IS, this lens is just so much more reliable for super-sharp, perfectly saturated shots.  I expect it has to do with the ability to activate the Canon cross-type focus points only available to lenses that have 2.8 or faster apertures.  I have some other lenses, prime 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8, and a compact 28-300.  They all come in handy when I'm in just the right conditions to make use of them, but primes are only good when your shooting conditions are extremely controlled, flexible and will wait for you to move to the right framing distance, and the wide zooms are great for carry-around vacation shots, but the quality is only mediocre.  So my recommendation is to get one of these, and one of the 70-200 lenses and you'll be in great shape.  The only thing I wish is that they added IS to this lens for low-light slow-shutter-speed hand-holding.
This item was pruchased to replace a new Tamron lens which I had just paid over $600. for and it was junk. The Cannon lense is great. Moral: BUY THE GOOD STUFF FIRST.
I bought this for my wife so she could use the camera with anything other than the 70-200.  She can but it never comes off the camera.  Very sharp, color rendition is excellent.  A little heavy and doesn't have IS which isn't a big problem because of the 2.8 aperture.  It's also backwards which takes some getting used to.  Zoom out for 24MM and the hood doesn't extend.  Supposedly this has been reversed for the Mark II if it's ever released.  I may trade up to the Mark II for just that reason alone.
I had and loved an early 28-70 2.8L that I used through film into a 20D but when I got a EOS1Ds mkII I was shocked at how it showed its flaws. I upgraded to the 24-70 2.8L and am just stunned by the quality. Sharp sharp sharp and the build quality is really solid. I think it is an essential lens for anyone who cares about image quality.
I bought this at the same time as my 30D.  It's my "every day - go to" lens.  Is it big and bulky..?  Tough call...  Yeah it's a bit bigger and heavier than the average mid-zoom but then it's also a heck of a lot faster.  To say nothing about the image quality.This is the lens that pretty much lives on my camera.When I bought the 30D I got this, the EF-S 10-22 and the 70-200 2.8L.  With just those three I can pretty much handle any shooting situation.It will probably seem a bit heavy to those that are just moving up to SLR's (point-n-shoot users) but that's not enough reason to pass it up.  As I've been shooting for more than 20 years I didn't see a need to spend the extra on the "IS" version.  I have pretty good hand hold ability...and tripods & monopods if that fails.  Besides, that will add even more weight.Go ahead and get it...you know you want it!
They don't call this lens &#34;the brick&#34; for nothing.  It is HEAVY.  But in spite of its weight, the image quality from wide open to stopped down is perfect.  I used this lens on the 7D (cropped sensor) and have never seen better images from my camera from any other lens. Highly recommend this lens if you can deal with the weight.
I've had this lens for almost two years now and I have to say, I have never once regretted purchasing it. It's the perfect all-purpose lens. I use it for weddings, portrait sessions, and personal use. It's the one lens I can attach and go with knowing that it will give me anything I need. The focal length is versatile, and wide enough for landscapes but the glass is awesome and gives you a great, sharp portrait for up close use as well. Plus, the macro setting is amazing. Definitely one of my top two lenses and I would buy it over and over again. I could never live without it professionally or personally.
No other words to describe it but amazing. I'm a pro photographer and this is now my prime lens with my 5d
I love this lens. It lives on my Canon 400D. Tack sharp photos. Excellent colors and bokeh. The stunning photographic results far outweigh the high price, size and weight of this hefty jewel. You definitely get what you pay for. Highly recommended. See my on-line photos and judge for yourself.
You are buying quality not price. I&#65533;m amazed with the quality of the pictures I get with my new lens. It seems I changed my camera to a new model... totaly diferent pictures. I have compared to my previous cameras and lenses and WOW... I cant believe I thought I had some great pictures in my collection. I dont want to use my other lenses anymore, I have a new standard in my pictures.I have to say that it was a "crazy" decision to buy this lens because of the price, but this is an investment that once you have it you will enjoy and will last for many years. If you love photography and really like to go to full detail you wont regret it.
I bought it TWICE on Amazon.com (an UPDATE - I bought it 3rd time - now on eBay) and have returned it twice (I am now selling this crap) - I was so not impressed by that lens - so much hype about it and a steep price tag, but images are blurry due to the lack of image stabilization and quality is not 4 times better compare to 4 times less expensive consumer-grade lens. I'll wait for that lens to get IS finally. An Update - colors are not natural too - I have other L-series lenses and this one is totally bad, bad, bad - I am selling it - finally and forever.
First of all, I'll start by saying I am not a professional photographer, and my goal is not to review this lens in detail - there are so many good reviews out there to cause confusion or to brainwash one to buy this marvelous lens.  Not being a professional that makes money with my camera, buying this lens was somewhat of a hard justification - really, there are so many cool things that could be purchased with this much; such as a Samsung Series 9 laptop or a MacBook Air.I have a Canon 60D, which came with a standard zoom 18-135mm lens.  After using the lens for about 4 months, and having taken a photography class at my old university, I realized the included lens was great, but yet not enough to make me happy about my pictures.  After reading all reviews (as many as humanly possible) about the 24-70 lens, and watching a few YouTube videos, I decided to complete the purchase.The lens is not only built very well, but from the first photo I took, it was clear that this lens was a great investment, and worth every penny,  It works perfect with out door images, and works magic in doors thanks to it's 2.8 constant aperture.  I've realized this is the perfect lens to keep on my camera at all times.  I know many complain about the weight, but the images are so amazing, I completely forget about the weight - and after all, we decided to purchase SLR's over a cellphone camera, so weight shouldn't be an issue.  Many complain about Image Stabilization as well, and although it be nice, it's not something I think impacts the quality of the images.This lens makes me happy to have upgraded to a heavier, bulkier, uglier camera (come on, SLR's are no Sony NEX-5 when it comes to looks).  Even though the 60D does not take full advantage of the lens, they still make a great match, and it's also an investment if one considers ever upgrading to a professional series camera.  If I think my images look far better now, I can only imagine what a true pro can get done with this lens.On a different note, it's sort of funny how so many people on the street know it's a great lens, and how so many know what the red ring around the lens means.
I think it very well could be so I'm not going to differ with those who say it is.I bought this to use with a new 5D and itt's simply outstanding in every regard. So far, I've kept it on the 5D and can't bring myself to take it off.I considered a couple of lenses, including the IS 24-105 f/4 which has a lot of appeal and the price is about the same. But this was the lens I chose in part because I already have a the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS Lens and the overlap seemed a waste while the extra stop helps.  I have no regrets about it. sharp as a tack and quick.I note that this is not compact lens, especially with the hood on and it can stretch out a lot when you widen the field. It is also not light. This lens and the 5D will give your neck and back a pain, assuming you work with more than one camera. But the focal lengths covered are just about ideal and require none of the compromises that a longer zoom range require. For that, I've got an 18-200 on a 20D. The 70-300 DO, while not an L, specs out in that range and has the virtue of real compactness, but it' not a lightweight. These two lenses cover just about everything for me. And I can keep the 10-22mm on the 20D for the extra-wide shots.Since writing the initial review, I've since traveled for several weeks with this lens and it fully lived up to expectations. Given the difficulties of travel these days, I am concerned about the problem of not being able to carry it with me -- not a problem to date except for Britain. But always possible. And, despite the weight, I might favor the 70-200 F/2.8L IS USM as a second travel lens- I like the brightness of the focus.One suggestion. There's a temptation to use this lens wide open a lot of the time. It's very good and sometimes that's the best thing. But I've also found this lens makes beautiful images stopped down a good deal for short night time exposures on a tripod and a remote release. The effect with lights, etc. is considerably different along with the extended depth of field.
I really love this lens, it has become my go to lens when I need flexibility and the convenience of using a single lens for portraits or close action.
Hi i guess i had to change my review and addmore stars to it, other folks were just attacking me,  this lens did not work for me the way i expected but i have to change this and make it 5 stars because i was asked for. Thanks
I was choosing between this one and 24-105mm L lens. Im glad I went with this one. This one has the F2.8, and I feel like because of the smaller zoom range the image quality is better too. Overall this is an awesome starting lens for anyone who is becoming serious about photography.
Perfect lens, it's a version 1 yes, but it does everything you need it to.  2.8 aperture, beautifully sharp, Just buy it, if you're looking now you'll eventually pull the trigger. It's the perfect lens for just about every situation.
I picked up this lens along with a 40D for my wife. I did research for months and talked to every one I knew about what lens to buy. I finally settled on the 24-70 2.8L mainly because of the volumes glowing praise for the quality of images it would take.the good:The reviews are right, the pics are breath-taking.  After just a few weeks of dinking around with the camera my wife is taking shots of our kids on par with what we get at the local semi-pro photographer studio. We also have some nice shots of bugs/flowers, this isnt a macro lens but it does a damn fine job at it if you ask me.The long and short of it was I wanted 1 lens to use for pretty much all occasions and this delivered just that.The Bad:Its freaking huge! I was ready for heavy, and it is a little heavy, but the lens is so big my wife dosent like to take it with her. She complains it makes her stand out in a crowd. With the lens hood attached folks tend to stair making it hard to get candid shots. There is no-chance of blending into the background with this beast stuck to the front of your face.The conclusion:Was it worth the 1300 spent? Heavens YES! This is a fantastic chunk of glass. Ive had the chance to shoot some other glass in the last few weeks and I keep going back to it. The only  reason for 4/5 stars is the size.
I just received this lens today and of course did some controlled comparative shooting against my other Canon L lenses and a 24-60 sigma. My control tests were with and without a flash on a tripod and wireless shutter release.I find the images very soft on the ends. From 4.0 to 20, photos were acceptable but not stunning. 5.6 seemed to give the sharpest picture which I find strange.Needless to say, this will be back in the mail tomorrow and just not in the mood to play swap and shop and praying for a descent copy. I can pull any sigma or any other brand off the shelf and get much better results at 1/4 the cost.I rated this 2 stars for excellent color and contrast, although this deserves 1 star.$1000 for this junk?  C'mon canon, get real.
I have not used another lens since I received the 24-70mm f/2.8.  It is a permanent fixture on my 40D and I have not found it to be the over-bearing heavy weight that I read about in so many reviews.  I have found it to be a great indoor low light lens that has freed me from my flash much of the time and an amazingly clear and sharp optical instrument that embraces and enhances outdoor colors and hues.  I have not found the wide end of the lens (24mm) to be overly restrictive indoors, in spite of the fact that I use it with a crop camera.  You'll get lots of "wow" responses from this lens......its build quality and attention to detail are readily evident.  I'd recommend this lens without hesitation.
This lens is a workhorse.  I use it for landscape, portrait, and photojournalism-type work.  It is a lens with great optics and that is built to withstand abuse.I actually had this lens and an EOS 5D fall off of a tripod at a photo shoot, and the lens and camera withstood the fall from about four feet onto a hard surface better than I could have imagined.  I sent the lens to Canon to have it checked out and to have the mount re-attached, and with just a simple mount replacement the lens is functioning perfectly again.  This fall would have destroyed a lesser lens and camera.This lens, matched with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, make the perfect package of quality and convenience.
I bought this lens 3 months ago and I'm loving it. There is still slight back focusing issue in some distances condition, but it's really ignorable. The picture is sharp as knife and L lens reputation does what it suppose to do. Previously I had 18-55mm, 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 18-200mm DC OS, now I sold all of them because this lens deserves every penny I paid. Zoom range is little dissappointing but I heard 3x zoom range is the maximum capability that can bring the best picture quality, which means if the zoom range go more than 3x, the quality degrades.So for example 18-200mm lens is good for all around purpose which covers 10x zoom from wide angle to super zoom, but the quality isn't great as lens that zooms 3x or less.So I'm quite happy with this lens so far. And if I point out one that really bothers me about this lens is its weight. Because after I carry this lens with my 40D on my shoulder for hours, I easily get tired. =PEverything else is wonderful. You will forgive tireness once you see the quality of the pictures you take with this lens. I highly recommend this lens to all canon users. 5 stars!
This is a fantastic lens that has the ability to make any photograph better.  The real beauty of this lens is that, in my experience over the past 18 months, the impact of this lens is directly proportional to the quality of the picture taken.  That is to say, its effect on mediocre pictures tends to be marginal, if you really look you'll notice a minor improvement in detail and crispness.  Take a great picture, something with a lot of details that demands clarity, and that's when this baby start to shine.  The more challenging your subject, the more you likely you are to be impressed with this lens.Nothing in life this good comes cheap, and the costs of this lens are measured in more than just the typical "L" class price tag.  As is typically the case with any of the Canon "L" lenses, it is significantly larger that what one might expect a lens of its power range to be.  This was the first "L" lens I ever used.  When I took it out of the box I though someone had shipped me a 200mm lens.  This is a BIG lens for its class with a substantial girth -- the product pictures do not begin to do it justice. It's also a heavy lens, even taking its size into account.  This needs to be kept in mind if you are considering using this for your "normal" lens -- which I do. A final consideration is that when this lens is paired with a camera configured for 1.6X field of view magnification, which most Canon digital SLR's are, the 24MM wide angle really doesn't get very far into the wide-angle range.  In these cases the lens functions less like a wide-angle to short-tele zoom, and more like a normal to short tele zoom, with a hint of wide-angle capability thrown in for good measure.Taking all of this into consideration, it is still a fantastic lens. It is difficult to imagine any photographer, pro or hack, not being pleased with it.
I bought this lens to replace the Ef-s 17-85mm on my 20D.  That lens is nice especially with the IS, but too darn slow.  The 24-70 is an L series lens, which according to Canon means "Luxury".  If being sharp, contrasty and fast means "luxury" then by all means this is just that.  I have taken about 400 pics since buying this lens and am just amazed with it.  It is heavy, bulky and expensive, but if you want or need the best, this is it.
First of all this is a wonderful lens. Just go for it you'll be happy.Also, I just have to tell you that as much as I love Amazon (and I really do love Amazon lol) I bought mine for around $1400 which is common elswhere. So today when I saw this lens listed as regular price $2000+ momentarily gold box listed for 1300ish I just wanted to caution others not to jump if you're not ready. you can get that price anytime. Sorry Amazon- it just seems like a dirty trick.
as someone who owns the incredible 50mm 1.4 lens, possibly one of the quickest, sharpest and greatest affordable prime lenses you can get for your canon, i cant help but compare all other lenses to this as a golden standard.the focusing compared to the 50mm 1.4 is incredible. apparently they both use USM motors, but this lens is very quiet and fast when focusing. its basically instant. with my 50mm 1.4 it searches for focus a lot.the canon 24-70 is not heavy enough to complain about. the thing to complain about is the length. you will have trouble putting this in bags and manuvering in small spaces due to having to back up your entire camera.this lens is great for making objects pop out of the frame as others have said. what ever you focus on will be crisp and have contrast to everything else creating an unreal and beautiful image. something that the 50mm seems to not be able to do (but makes up in bokeh)the image quality does not warrant the price. it is close to the 50 1.4, but if you are someone who likes to zoom in and crop images, this will disappoint you. if you like to keep the photo how it was taken, it will work fine. i am not the best photographer so you can argue its me to blame.if you are new to dslrs and want the ultimate lens, this is probably it. generally you will never have to swap it for another one and it covers most of the range you need. it would be nice if it had a longer ranger because that is what i mostly attempt to do when using this. portraits rarely use wide angles so having more zoom would be better.if you have gone from film to dslr and are obsessed with quality, get the 50mm 1.4(or 1.8) and another prime that is wider. when using my 50mm1.4 i usually have issues with it being too long since i am used to getting close to my subject with it.
If you have read the 22 or so reviews below this one and are still teetering on the fence whether or not to purchase this lens, allow me to try and give you the final push. I can honestly say that this is one of the only peices of equipment I own that I enjoy and appreciate using MORE every time I use it. Holding this lens literally brings a smile to my face.I've owned this lens for about six months now and have shot ~1500 exposures with it. The first thing you will notice taking it out of the box is the weight and build quality. Holding it in your hand, you will FEEL the value of the lens. Needless to say, this lens excels in the realm of sharpness, contrast, color, and versatility.The weight seems to be an issue to some, but to me it is perfect. It's just heavy enough to give you stability in slow shutter speeds, yet not too heavy that your arms tire out. I have acheived sharp 1/15th F/2.8 exposures handheld, for which I give credit to the weight.Something not many people mention in these reviews is the bonus of Macro in this lens. It is capable of a 0.29 magnification, which for someone who is casually interested in macro like me, produces a capability for some very interesting composures. The lens does very well in commercial product photography.It seems that the AF nails perfect exposure about 40%-60% of the time at longer range shots (95% at ranges within 15 feet). When it misses absolute focus, you still get incredible pictures with no complaints. However, when it does acheive that perfect focus, the shot will rival the 135mm F/2 in terms of sharpness.Note that the lens utilizes a reverse-zoom extension. i.e., when you zoom out to 24mm, the lens extends another three or so inches. This has never been a problem for me.The built-in flash of the 300D, 350D, 10D, and 20D simply will not do with this lens (try it and you will se why). You will have to order a speedlite to overscome the inherent length of the lens + hood.Order this lens with a B+W 77mm UV filter. Get no filters below this quality. I tried to skimp, and suffered a loss of saturation, contrast, and increased flaring.
I've had this lens for a few months now, and find that it very rarely leaves my 7D.  I used to shoot nearly exclusively with my 85/1.8.  I HATED zoom lenses.  Then I got the 70-200/4L, which made me realize my dislike for zooms tended to be due to a inconsistent maximum aperture.  Once I figured out that a consistent aperture and 'L' quality made zooms worthwhile, I picked this 24-70 up for photojournalism and for an upcoming (at the time) trip to Ireland.This lens is amazing!I honestly cannot recommend or praise it highly enough.  Even if you have to save and sell off part of your kit, it's worth it to own this beauty.
Incredible lens.  use it for studio portraits and outdoor portraits and the results are incredibly sharp and focus is always spot on.
This is one amazing lens the moment i picked it up i noticed it was significantly heaver then my pervious 28-135 lens.  The weight and reverse zoom is going to take some getting used to.  I noticed that the lens isn't extremely sharp when at 70mm, f/2.8, and in marco.  The performance of this lens is great the focus is fast and accurate.  The pictures I take with this lens at f/2.8 are much more appealing than with any other aperture or lens.  The color reproduction is also extremely good. Over all this is an amazing lens especially if want to do portraits, weddings, or anything in low light.
I had heard of the hype of L series lenses from other photographers before I bought this lens. Well, they were right.This lens is a great all-around lens. Wide enough for most situations at 24mm. 70mm is also appropriate enough to get in there, but you may have to get up and closer to your subjects than longer lenses. What also sets this lens apart is its fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. Great for very low-light situations and for shallow depth of field.This is the main lens I keep on my Canon body.
I bought first hand my copy in 2006 and treated it very glently. No shock. No bump. No salt water. No war cover. No rock festival. And shade was on the lens to give protection all of the time.By early 2011, my copy  had developed CONSIDERABLE PLAY. This might be due to the fact that at 24, the heavy inner tube comes out of the outer tube, creating too much mechanical strain.Bottom line: my lens is out of use now. Sending it back to the manufacturer would cost a lot and I'm not sure that their screwdriver artists would be able to bring back its original sharpness.I wish Canon would come with a version 2 of this lens that could take care of this conception problem. Forget about inserting any IS and try to build a better framework. The outer tube must hold the inner tube far more strongly. I suspect that the heavy weight is another part of the issue here. Manufacturing a lighter inner tube would also contribute to reduce this mechanical strain.That's my story with this lens that I used to appreciate for its range, aperture and sharpness. Unfortunately, as I said above, my copy didn't age well...Now, will I buy another one and pray it will last yet another 5 years?I haven't made my mind yet.
This lens is a great walk around lens. Not as heavy as the 70-200mm but still has great sharpness and not a bad zoom. I feel the range is perfect. Having a wide angle + 70mm is just the right mix for just a general purpose lens.Has a quick focus and feels very sturdy. I would definitely recommend this lens to any serious photographer. the 2.8/f is a great feature as well. The only thing i wish this lens had was an internal zoom. The lens coming in and out of the housing feels like an old technology. I think this is the only lens in the L series that does this.
If you have the money this is the lens you should own. All L lenses are worth the investment and if you are serious about photography.If you own a canon body there are the L lenses and then there is everything else. I wish the zoom range could be a little wider on this one though. There is not another line of lenses than the L series that comes close to quality,durability,and fuctionality.Pictures are sharp. the af motor is smooth and quiet.comparing to the 24-105 it is close. this lens is a bit heavier but i think this one might have an edge.The f stop difference to me when shooting without optimum light is another reason. There are other lenses with a similar zoom range but you would be settling for something less. My advice to everyone is you need to handle all photography gear before purchase.Go to a photography store and check out all the lenses you are interested in. Some stores will let you rent a lens for a while. This is the only way you can get an idea of what the differences are between one lens and another.All the camera gear in the world will not make you a great photographer, but you can look like one. It is up to the person to put time in and learn to use the camera as a tool or a weapon. With Digital cameras,learning is 40 times faster than with film. Good luck all.
I bought a Canon 70-200mm L series lens and loved it so much I thought there was no point in using non-L lenses anymore (assuming you can afford the L lenses). And this lens is also very sharp, although not as reliably so as the 70-200.The main drawback is this lens is a lot bigger and heavier than the 70-200mm one and as an every day lens it's just too big and bulky. It barely fit in my bag and I found myself not using the camera nearly as often once I put this lens on it. That's the sad truth.In the end I decided to get two non-L series lenses from Canon: the 50mm F/1.8 II and the 28-105mm zoom. Now I am back to using my camera again. I love both lenses because they are small, but the 50mm lens is hard to resist, working on indoor shots without a flash in ways I had hoped my F/2.8 L lens would have. With the Rebel Xt 1.6x factor, I am now considering a 28mm or 25mm Canon lens as well. I love quick lenses: it changes everything for indoor shots.
What a great lens,  amazing picture quality.  It is definitely a must have!!!!  It arrived super fast and really has a great depth of field.
My first L lens! So far so good... Pictures are crisp!Some users might find it little heavy for their hands.Check some of the photos I posted!
Exceptional images! I can shoot indoors with low light due to the large aperture. The lens is a bit heavy though!I had to choose between this lens and the 24-105 F4L IS lens. I went for the 24-70 F2.8L for the wider aperture. I have no regrets!I do miss the additional reach of the 24-105 F4L IS lens, but this was a compromise that I was willing to make.Once again, excellent lens!
It's hard to believe everything they say about the quality and performance of Canon L series lenses, however, once you have tried one of this caliber it's hard to go back to anything else. This glass lives up to all of those expectations and really spoils you. The image quality, color, contrast and image depth are stunning. I use this for portraiture and also for photographing my oil paintings. Technically, you shouldn't use a lens like this to shoot paintings because it shouldn't be able to take pictures as sharp as a prime---however---the sharpness is simply amazing. As for weight it's not a problem---the 2.8 is worth it. Built tough. I highly recommend this lens!
Save your nickels and dimes because this lens is definately worth the dive into your piggy bank.  I've been shooting with this lens and the 70-200 f/2.8L IS and I have virtually all the focal length I need.  If you are shooting on a body with a 1.6x crop factor it might not hurt to add an ultra wide to your arsenal to round things out.  The images from this lens are ultra sharp at all focal lenghts.  I have zero complaints.
This is really the one lens to have if you could only have one. I'm very satisfied with it!Sharp image and fast focus...
I have had this lens for a few weeks now and it is excellent.  I also have the 24-104 F4 Canon Lens.  I like this lens much better and it seems to produce a slightly sharper picture and has much much less vignetting at 24 mm than does the 24-105 lens.  Before getting this I read many reviews stating how heavy it is so I was prepared for a "brick" sitting on the front of my 5D Mark II.  The lens feels much lighter than expected and I have no problem using it.  I think the tradeoff in weight is well worth the improved picture quality.
This was my first L lens, and I wondered whether the reviews about the superiority of the L series lenses, and this lens in particular, were true.  Four days of shooting everything from portraits to landscapes at ISO 100 to 800 and f-stops 2.8 to 22 on my Rebel XT, and I am a believer.  This lens certainly is not the most convenient one I own.  It is big and heavy.  Put the lens hood on it and people stare at you because you look like you're carrying a "cannon."  And lots of the pics I've taken have come out of the camera crying for adjustment in Photoshop.  However, I've been repeatedly impressed with the amount of detail and color accuracy you can draw out with a little processing.  I'm also impressed with this lens's consistency.  Shot after shot, this lens captures fine detail and subtle tones.  Be wary of very shallow depth of field at low f-stops.  You will need a tripod to unleash the full potential of this lens, unless you have enough light for high shutter speed.  But if you can keep it steady, this lens will put every pixel to good use.  I have no regrets, despite the price. I wanted something sharper than my 17-85 EF-S IS (which is still awfully nice), and that's what this lens gives me.
I bought this about 3 years back and believe it or not i thought i paid a bomb to buy it. But for the last 3 years it has saved my ass a zillion times, the 2.8 is perfect for many events that i need to cover. the zoom range is perfect. Its built like a tank, its worth every penny.The only thing you need to consider is that you cannot walk around with this lens all day, when i read reviews i read this and i thought to myslef, i am a strong guy(which i am ) but whole day of this plus my 5dmk2 and battery grip i either have a sore neck or sore back. This lens is HEAVY, but i still carry it around cause i'd rather shoot with this or nothing.Another thing many people do not mention is that this has pseudo macro, its not 1:1 macro but this lens can get really close to objects and i have shot some great flora shots with this lens,so if you dont have a macro lens guess what this doubles up as that. and its a L for a reason !
I am a wedding photographer and recently replaced my 15-85mm lens with this one. I've been working toward all L-lenses for my wedding lens line up and was so excited to finally have a fast wide-angle. Well... I am extremely disappointed and frustrated right now. At 24-35mm, the lens backfocuses LIKE CRAZY! I set my own focus points, usually using center focus mode and then recomposing. This method has always worked with the other lenses I use (my most-used lens is the 50 1.4). But with this lens, I get a blurry subject and sharp background. I HAVE figured out that if I set the focus point to auto-select with this lens, it seems to work better. But still. For the money paid for this lens, it should be on the mark. Now once you are past 35mm, the lens is tack sharp and works fine with center focus. I'm stumped and wondering if I should go back to my 15-85. It wasn't fast, but at least it knew how to focus when wide open.
I am very happy with this lens. I use it on my 5D Mark II and under the right conditions it really takes some GREAT pictures with the 5D II! It is on my camera 80% of the time and I have several other lenses. I do not care one bit that it doesn't have IS, I wish canon would have come out with one so that this lens would have been cheaper lol. It's not cheap but you do get what you pay for, great all round lens.SAMPLES: Click on 'all sizes' above pic. to see the quality that this lens is capable of![...]Almost forgot to mention that I also use this lens for and it works very well for long daytime exposures with B&W; ND filters. I guess it is all relative but I do not feel that this lens is too large. But, I also have the 100-400mm L and this is small compared to that. It also does not seem large when paired with a camera the size of the 5D II, maybe on smaller crop frames it would seem large or make the camera front heavy. I don't mind carrying it around at all though. I also was thinking I would get a wider angle lens for my lineup but I feel, so far, that this at 24mm is wide enough for my landscape shots on a full frame. Wouldn't be wide enough on a crop frame though.Long exposure examples with this lens (click 'all sizes' above pics for larger views):[...]
Amazing lens...i don't know to say. Looks great, produces super clear pictures and are noticeably different from the 18-55mm lens that came with the camera. The zoom is super silent and it looks great. It is slightly heavy but what should I expect, have to sacrifice something for the performance this lens provides. I also really liked how the housing for the lens good is on the main frame as oppose to the extending tube, it doesn't affect the af. Manual focus also feels very nice on the touch/hand the only thing is I wish the manual focus adjustment ring is a little farther out in the lens. I use this one as all-around lens perfect for many shots because of the range it covers.
This lense is an attention grabber when you have the lense hood on.  I find people stare at it as I walk by.  It is also very intimidating to people passing by.  The quality and speed of this lense is phenomenal.  The weight as others have mentioned is a negative factor.  I find that carrying this all day attached to my 50D causes side aches the next day.  This is the primary lense on my camera eventhough it is heavy.  I tend to either shoot at 24mm or 70mm, rarely in between.
While the price is a little steep, I personally consider this the best walk-around lens released by canon thus far (more so than the 24-105mm). At midrange, the images have superior sharpness to the 24-105, not to mention how fast it is (2.8 vs 4). I tend to carry this and the 70-200 for all my photography trips.
This lens is absolutely fantastic in pretty much every way possible. The lens is sharp wide-open, and also produces gorgeous colors with good contrast and saturation. The range is fantastic on a full-frame sensor, and still great on a crop-sensor camera (35mm equivalent: 38-112mm). The build quality is top-notch - silky-smooth focus (USM + full-time manual focus). The zoom lens is at the longest focal length when the lens is at its most compact; 24mm will extend the front elements out by a few inches. While initially a little "odd", it actually works to the lens' advantage by ensuring proper distance from the hood at all focal lengths. (This because the hood attaches below the front element, and thus does not move during zooming.)Aside from the price, there are only two possible quibbles. One is weight; this thing weighs a fair amount. But use it enough and you'll get used to that. The other is the lack of image stabilization. It would be nice to have IS, but that would add both to the price and the weight, and once you get to the lower end of the focal scale, it starts to have less value. Still, it would be nice to have for the very dimmest of situations shooting hand-held.PROS: Sharp images wide-open, sharper stopped down. Gorgeous color, saturation, and contrast. Great build quality (typical of "L" lenses). USM + FTM makes focusing a joy. Bokeh is quite nice. Capable for some macro photography as well.CONS: Price is a tad expensive. Heavy. No Image Stabilization. (I can live with all three.)CONCLUSION: Get this lens. You won't regret it. The range can be used everywhere -- from indoors to outdoors. It can shoot in low light (f/2.8), and has good bokeh. Unless you need more reach or IS, get it. (If you need more reach or IS, consider the 24-105mm F/4L IS USM lens.)
Over all a good wide angle lens.  I use this lens for large groups, product photography and tight areas.
I had EF24-105mm f/4.0L before I replaced it with this lens. Although the 24-105 is excellent and has more focal length, this lens performs so much better for larger aperture for low light situations, especially where not appropriate to use flash such as weddings. Since I'm getting into professional photography services, this lens is necessary for a lens option. Though it's bit thinner than 24-105, it's slightly heavier, and unlike II, newer version of this lens or 24-105, this does not come with IS. However, I did not find it a big issue at all so far as this lens is so solid! The lens size is the same as 24-105. I would love to upgrade to II sometime, but it's still not affordable for my budget. For those who do not need to take photos in low light situations, 24-105 is an excellent option to have for greater focal length, I think.
I wanted this lens for a long time and finally bought it.  Its a great lens and the other reviewers point out all the great attributes.But to be honest, I also have a Sigma DC 17-85 F2.8 for my crop sensor 20D.  That lens is nearly as sharp at all apertures.  Sigma also makes a DG version for full frame cameras and is about $300 to $400 cheaper.In the end, I'm not sure the Canon L's price premium justified it because its performance in my experience isn't that much better than the Sigma DG.  Read up on the Amazon reviews on the DG and you will see that the Sigma is also a great lens but 30%+ cheaper.No regrets, but my next lens may be a Sigma instead.  Canon seems to keep increasing their prices with little improvement in product quality to justify those repeated increases.
This lens is listed on Amazon.com for $1,469, claiming that the actual list price is $2,300 and that you will save $831, but this is FALSE. If you look on Canon's product page for this lens. [...] They estimate this lens to be retail for only $1,399. You will find this lens for $1,399 at all other major photography stores such as BH Photo, Adorama, Samy's Camera, etc. Don't fall into Beach Camera's false price listing.
There is very little doubt that this is one of the better Canon lenses available.However,  why buy from AMAZON when it did a price increase of $73 as soon as Canon starts the 2006 fall rebate program.  AMAZON has officially become the most expensive online retailer for this lens.
I have tried two samples of this lens, and they both behave the same: severe back focus.  Worse, when I try to compensate using the focus microadjustment feature of my camera (Canon 7D), the focus jumps around +/- several inches from shot to shot (measured at 70mm focal length and 6' subject distance).  In practice, I sometimes got lucky and was rewarded with a very sharp image, but most of the time the images were soft to very soft.  In contrast, the auto focus on the 24-105mm f/4L IS is extremely repeatable (I needed a +4 microadjustment on my 7D), resulting in sharp image after sharp image.  Plus, the 24-105 is lighter, smaller, cheaper, and has an extra 35mm of reach.  Yes, the f/4 is one stop slower, but it also has 4 stops of IS, which works very well.  Low light motion situations are the only place where the extra f-stop of the f/2.8 would be an advantage, but your photos will still be soft.
This is a great lens! Although it may be a little heavy, the glass is a piece of art and takes some fantastic shots. Bought this for my 70D as a general all around lens. Although there is an upgrade lens that replaces this, for those who want a really nice lens for half the price of the newer version, this is a must have for your collection. Highly recommended for any photographer using a digital SLR!
I write martial arts books. It's a niche market, one that's not horribly lucrative, but that requires a lot of high-quality photos. After spending way too much to have a professional take the pix for my first couple books I decided I'd get a lot more bang for my hard-earned bucks to get some high-end equipment and do it myself. Shots include both fixed poses and "live action." After agonizing on this a bit, I decided to go with two lenses, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto and this one, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. Together they cover the vast range of angles and distances I need.I went with this one over the EF 24-105m f/4L IS due to the f2.8 which works extraordinarily well in low light, so well that I rarely need to use a flash or light stands. Lack of IS isn't a problem; I picked up a quality tripod for studio shots and monopod for field work. Again, much better bang for the buck. Even handheld I haven't had any problems, though as a lifelong firearms enthusiast and onetime competitive shooter I may have steadier hands than most. YMMV. I'm very impressed by the quality of this lens. Autofocus is silent and spot on; I don't use manual focus much, but it's intuitive and easy to use. Overall the lens is solidly built and delivers awesome quality results. It truly excels at fast motion, low light shots. Don't regret buying it for a second.
In April of 2005 I bought the Canon 20D with the 18-55 kit lens, my first SLR camera. After getting used to properly taking pictures with the camera I bought the 24-70 as a lens upgrade - and what an upgrade it is. All the positive stuff you read about this lens is true ... the color, the contrast, the sharpness, it's unbelievable how well this lens performs compared to a consumer grade lens.A lot of reviews complain that the 24-70 is too heavy, and it is heavy for a lens, but it's not "too" heavy to carry around all day. I also regularly use my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS - that's a lens that is maybe too heavy for regular use but it's also A LOT bigger than the 24-70.A note about debates you'll find everywhere comparing the 24-70 to the new Canon 24-105 f/4 ... These lenses are not built to be an either-or, they are different lenses targeted at different uses. The main complaint I found online about the 24-70 is that it lacks Image Stabilization, a complaint I eventually dismissed as irrelevant. I've taken thousands of photographs with this lens and not once did I miss a shot because the lens didn't have IS. Simply put, this lens isn't long enough to require IS.If you're new to SLR photography be careful when reading product reviews, especially those in discussion forums. Just like any other hobby (like computers), people who are in to photography have very strong opinions and tend to have to have the latest and greatest thing that just came out. If you're thinking of purchasing a lens this expensive and are unsure if you should get one or the other, try renting one for a few days.Another reviewer on this page commented on using this lens with the built-in flash on a 10D. If you're buying an $1,100 lens you should know that Canon didn't design it specifically so you could use it with the built-in flash. They probably assumed that if you could spend a grand plus on a lens that you could also step-up and buy a real flash. This reviewer gave the lens a 3/5 rating because his camera body didn't have the right flash, something that has nothing to do with the lens at all.
Extremely fast and quiet focus that is spot on target.  This lens is a little heavy, but you can feel the quality every time you turn the zoom ring.  Usually, you have to wait until you see the final pictures to judge a lens, and this one gives you great pictures.  But, what's amazing is that I can tell a huge difference on this lens, just looking through my camera.  Even my friends, pro or amatuer, all say WOW! when they look through my camera for the first time with this lens on it!I love shooting with it wide open, while trusting the accurate auto-focus.  I've been looking for this lens' "sweet spot", but haven't found it yet, because ALL the pictures look great, regardless of the focal length or aperature that I choose.
This was my first prime lens purchase. I was nervous about spending so much money on one item but knew, I was at a point in my career where I had to either step up my game or resign myself to letting it be a weekend hobby.I did a lot of research and felt that for what I wanted to do, this lens was going to be the bomb. I had a 20D with kit lenses and knew that good glass was going to be vital. I received the lens in superb condition, popped it on the camera and was literally devastated with the results. Through the camera, what looked perfectly focused, ended up being fuzzy and yuck. I could get the occasional good shot but less good than bad.Before I went ballistic I decided to do some more research. I then came to the conclusion that maybe it was time to upgrade my camera body. That others had suffered the same problems as I, with older bodies. They just were not communicating well with one another. So, more research. I strongly considered the 7D but after several conversations with professional photographers who did the sort of work I prefer.....low light being a big issue.... I went with the 5D Mark II.On this body, the lens works fabulously. I have to be honest, it's not my favourite lens. I've picked up another prime, the little $130.00 50mm and the $500.00 85mm that all give consistently better shots. But, this lens is performing as it should on the newer body. I love it for the close range shots best.
I am a serious hobby shooter.  This was a big expense for me, but well worth it.  This is the lens that is on my camera most of the time.  I am very pleased with how well it does in very low light and for close-up shots.  Better than I would of ever expected.  You never realize how important a fast lens is until you try to shoot moving subjects in low light.
This is the 1st generation version of the lens  being offered at the price of the 2nd gen version -- a $700 ripoff.  Trying to snare the naive -- shame on amazon.con
This is a fantastic lens, don't get me wrong; incredible color, contrast and sharpness, however, it's very heavy, and is not easy for a woman to carry around - one should definitely have a tri-pod when using this lens.  Mine was one of the many I have heard about with "soft images" - that, coupled with the fact I would need to bring so much equipment with me on the field for good shots, made me exchange it for the 28-135 with IS, which is much more portable, takes fantastic shots, better zoom range, and 1/3 the price.  Sure, if you blow up the pics 200% you'll see a difference, but to me, the price, portability and IS make it a much better choice for the amateur.
I use this lense on my Canon 5D and it is spectacular.  I have used it for weddings and parties.  Not a single complaint.
First off, I think that this is a great lens. The lens covers a very useful focal length, large aperture, and built like a tank (weighs like one too). So I would like to reflect many of what have said already about the good things.One thing I have found however is that color saturation and its ability to pick up detail sometimes is very lacking, especially at the long end. Compared to my 300 dollar Tamron 70-300 at 70mm, detail and saturation are lacking. Maybe this is because it is in fact at the long end but from a 1300 dollar piece of glass compared to 300 dollars I expected more. So just a caveat and a little nitpicking.
Ever since I purchased this lens, it's become THE lens that I carry with me anytime I'm using my camera.  This was the lens that I purchased to replace my Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 and I was happily surprised how noticable the picture quality was compared to the Sigma lens  (similar to how surpised the Sigma 18-50 2.8 was better than Canon 28-135mm IS).  I've brought this to weddings and areas with low light and the pictures come out fantastic and the weight of the lens is very reasonable for what it's able to achieve.  I rarely use my Canon 50mm 1.4 anymore unless I'm in a low light setting with now flash available.  The 24-70mm produces images that are almost as good as the prime but adds in the ability to zoom with out having to use my feet :-).  I taken this to indoor evening parties (flash still recommended), outdoor trips in both sunny and drizzly conditions and even in snow and I never worried about it failing on me.  I've had it for couple of years and I'm confident it'll be reliable for years to come.The price tag is pretty hefty but for me it's been well worth it.  Everyone who I've lent the lens out to has been impressed with the quality of the pictures and if you can afford it, I sure it will be a permanent piece of any lens set.
I purchased this lens together with my 1D Mark III about a month ago. I've shot 3 weddings,1 engagement, 1 Official School Athletic Meet, Birthdays etc etc. I have taken more than few thousand pictures the last five weeks with no problems with the Lens or the Camera. I have noticed some of the reviewers complaining the pictures being soft, quality  etc. I can assure at the professional level, pictures turn out just fine. This is an awesome lens only in good/experienced hands. If you are an amateur or pro level photgrapher, you will appreciate what this lens can do for you.
I recently purchased this lens as general purpose use. Let me tell you that these pictures come out extremely sharp, and the saturation and contrast are dead on. The 1.6x factor on my 20D doesn't really make a difference when your shooting group or birthday shots, because it's still wide enough, believe it or not. It is a bit heavy, but you'll forget about that as soon as you see your first shot. This lens is high on my recommendation list to anybody that is looking for the best all-around lens. Don't forget about the f/2.8, so this is exellent in low-light situations too. 6 BIG STARS!!!
This lens is worth every penny I paid for it. No matter what the settings are, wide-open or not, at the end of the zoom range or not, you will get a sharp and contrasty picture.However, do not expect it to beat a prime - even the cheap 50mm f1.8 (that I also own) has a (somewhat) better sharpness and contrast, visible only when enlarged though. What you pay big bucks for is convenience.
This lens is fantastic all around.  Very sharp optics, great light gathering and color saturation.  The letter L says it all.  (Some say the L is for Luxury, some say the L is for Leave it on your camera..it's probably the one you'll  use next time.)  It is a bit pricey, but if you really want quality in your images you have to bite the bullet and buy it.  That's what I did and I would do it again without hesitation.
This is a great lens. Fast both in focusing and in f stop. It produces clean crisp photos and is an excellent buy.
All that you would expect from a Canon L series lens. Very fast focus, true colors, sharp and just plain excellent lens. This is my second L series and I like the results even better than the 100-400mm!!!! This pair nearly covers the full range from 24-400mm with a small gap from 70-100mm that I can fill later. To say that I am satisfied really understates it. The f/2.8 of this lens gives great options for low light situations yet it does very well at all f/ stops. I bought it primarily for landscape/seascape use and usually am at f/11 or higher, but when I want to zero in and lift something from the background I have all the room that I need to do so.
This is my second L series lens (my other one is the 70-200 4L IS).  I use both lenses on an XTi.  I love both of them, even though they are big investments.  I keep the 24-70 f/2.8 L mounted on my XTi most of the time.  When I need the extra reach, I mount the 70-200 (and sometimes I use the 1.4 extender with it, successfully!).  When I mounted the 24-70 f/2.8 L lens on my XTi and began taking pictures I was amazed at the high quality this lens produces, very sharp.  I am completely impressed and satisfied with this lens.  The 24-70 f/2.8 L lens really surprised me at first, because it is a heavy and big lens, but when I got used to that I found it is not overwhelmingly big or heavy (but I notice that it does attract attention that you may not expect!).  The pictures are simply the best I have ever taken, even hand held without IS (IS would be nice though)!  I was astonished at the pictures from this lens mounted on my XTi, even the ones I half-heartily took.  I highly recommend this lens.  It is excellent!  My two L series lens' do produce excellent quality exposures on the XTi.  The XTi APS-C 1.6 form factor is great on the long end but of course limiting on the wide end, which can affect the desired exposure.  But this is true for any lens used with the APS-C size CMOS sensor.  One can easily deal with that, especially given the great exposures of the L series lens on the XTi, though the Canon 5D may be more appropriate to avoid this problem.  Note: There are some very good lenses specifically designed for APS-C sensor, but they are not L build quality lenses, even though at least one of them (EFS 17-55 2.8 IS) produces L series sharpness, they do not have the build quality of the L series lens.  The XTi works very well with the 24-70 f/2.8 L series lens, producing excellent quality photos that are very sharp.  Yes, one can get by nicely using the XTi with the 70-300 and the 28-135 or similar lenses, but the build quality of the L series lens and the exceedingly high quality output of the L series lens is worth the extra investment for me (even though a big investment!) on my XTi.  I say, if you have the money then go for the L series lens, even to use with the XTi.  The XTi is a very good camera that works well with these lenses.  Yes, canon makes higher quality DSLR cameras that work even better with the L series lens (and I am buying the new version of the 5D when and if it arrives).  But, the XTi is a great camera that works very well with the L series lens.
This is my every-day lens.  I think I use this lens the most.  Great for indoor and outdoor photography.  Pictures come out looking very sharp.
I'm a Real Estate Publisher. I've been shooting Real Estate since 1998. Been thru many Cameras and lens over that time. I have other ultra wides L and tele L lens besides this 24-70. Most of my work requires the ultra wide lens and not so often the 70-200 L IS. As soon as I put this thing on I knew it was going to be good. The smooth lens control and weight are big plus's for me especially in low light. It helps me to reduce shake ad keep things steady. Rumor is that a stabilized version is on the way this fall. No pun intended. I don't think a stabilizer is as necessary on this short of a lens as it is on my 70-200 so I got this one, why wait? I love the colors, contrast, sharpness, clarity it produces. It's also quite impressive visually for clients to see this sweet L. It's important for them to know that you've got class, glass that is. It looks great, feels great and best of all, it's now my favorite lens. I'm not a fan of taking pro equipment out on a family trip but this guy just might change my mind. It's got durable written all over it. It's got a very useable walk around range and it's not so large that it will get in your way, though if you've got a little kid be careful when bending over to help them or you might clunk them in the face with a swinging lens. I absolutely love this lens. Keep in mind, it's not a prime and no lens is perfect. The perfect lens for you might not be the perfect lens for me but if you've got a full frame cameral it's clean all the way from edge to edge. If you've got an APS sized sensor. You'll still love it just as much as I do, maybe even more. The prices of Canon lens's are going up. If this model gets dropped and the only option is a stabilized version expect to pay $500 more for that rare moment when your shooting in very low light and you need to make up for a less than steady hand/camera. All in all I regret not having this mid range zoom lens in my arsenal until now. Now that I do, you'll have a hard time getting me to mount anything that overlaps in it's range. One note, don't put a inferior filter on this lens. That would be like putting tractor tires on a Porsche. If this lens has the range you need and it's important for your images to say, Wow, this lens is for you!
What can I say that has not already been said about this lens.  This is an excellent lens paired with my 5D Mark II.  Good for portraits, landscapes, and low light situations.  I would have given the lens 5 stars if it were not so heavy and expensive.  The lens would also benefit from IS as well, especially since I do not have the steadiest of hands.  Overall I am glad I bought the lens.
I've had this lens for over a year and have been very happy with it. I am not sure what the person is talking about who say's that it is not sharp at 2.8, the parts of the face that I focus on are tack sharp at 2.8, the rest depending on the distance will be soft or blurry. I have quite a few L lens, but this is the one that goes on my 1Ds when photographing events. The camera settings also can influence the sharpness.
Was a gift for my husband who thoroughly enjoys the crisp lens on this camera. Use it on the new camera we bought as well.
After much consideration and reading almost every review available for this lens, I dropped the hat a bought one.  I was so excited; I could barely wait to get it.  Upon my first few shots, I thought I had made the right choice and a good investment (After all $1300 on a camera lens is an investment, right?)  Started to notice on anything off of 70mm (60mm-24mm), my subjects seemed blurry and out of focus.  Begin the testing.  This lens back focused anything but 70mm every after micro adjusting it.  For some reason, when I used my 430ex flash and the AF assist on it, it was even worse.  BTW I have a 50D.  I am not talking barely back focusing.....I am talking feet!  Did forum and internet searching and found many, many post about the same issues and how some had been able to correct by having Canon (Adjust it).  So I sent it to Canon.  Comes back confirming the issue and they replaced the Collar and tested.  Well, that is nice, but still did it!  Sent the lens back as defective for a replacement.  Amazon, BTW was extremely helpful with this.  Got my replacement within 2 days.  Did side by side comparisons and the replacement was better.  Still the issue was there.  A few suggestions were to focus at 70mm, then zoom to what I want and shoot.  This works!  But, call me silly, for $1300 this is BS!  I requested to exchange the 24-70L with a 17-55mmIS.  Let me tell you how happy I am with it.  The WOW factor was instant with it and the sharpness is incredible.  I am glad I was able to find a lens that works for me, but the 24-70L absolutely did not.  I have heard that this lens works better on a full frame camera, but I have also heard of them having the same issue, even after multiple trips to Canon.  Buyer-Beware!
I sat on the fence for about a month battling between the 24-105mm L and the 24-70. After countless hours of deliberation, I came to the conclusion that the 1 stop was def worth it over the additional 30mm. I was also concerned, that I had spoiled my self with my 50mm 1.4 I'd been shooting with (exclusively) since I purchased my 7D. I cannot make it any clearer that the difference in contrast, saturation and clarity are night and day compared to my prime. Get this lens, you will NOT regret it! The moment your images start to hit film, you'll be floored how truly "special" these L lenses are!Next up Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM
I received the lens way before the arrival date than expected (May 21st).  Upon reviewing the lens, I messed around with it, taking a couple pictures and recording some video.  The lens works great!  The seller's description accurately matched the description and condition of the lens.  The price is and was very reasonable.  In short:  the seller is very trustworthy.  I will periodically check what kind of deals that HickoryTree will have in the future!Snespy
I just received my Canon 24-70 mm 2.8L USM Lens for my 7D. This is going to be a FIRST IMPRESSIONS thing, there's tons of far more technical stuff in these reviews. Like most, I read all these fine reviews before plunking down a bunch of bucks for this lens. I presently have the 70-200 2.8L IS USM and 100-400 4.5-5.6L IS USM lenses. I sold the kit lens and wanted to get either this 24-70 2.8L or perhaps the 24-105 4.5L lens (leaning far more heavily in favor of the 2.8). I finally decided in favor of the speed of the 2.8. First impressions when I put it on the 7D: I thought it was a natural ... this lens BELONGS on that camera! Both, in combination, look great. I took some test pics at various times over the last several hours: all are perfect. They were taken hand-held, many different subjects (including a room that was virtually totally dark, as a test), and there was a trace of slight blurriness in the dark room - though the colors and brightness suggested it was taken with a flash (no), but I didn't even begin to try to brace myself, it was just a test. All other pics were rock-solid, as they'd appear with my IS enabled lenses. I did read some comments re: weight of this lens. Forgive me, it did not even cause a ripple of concern. Someone else stated the lens, plus camera, achieved a state of perfect balance, and this is what I felt. Everything felt super comfortable to me. When I attach the 70-200 lens, then you can feel a bit of weight, but this 24-70 lens feels just great. The little plastic lenses feel almost no heavier than the air around them, but one does not buy a quality lens such as the "L" series and not expect to feel some heft built in, right? In summation: I have not the slightest doubt that that this 24-70L lens and my 7D are a marriage made in heaven. This has to be love!UPDATE:  4-23-11 ... I've taken a substantial amount of pics with this lens since my first impression blurb, above. "Love" it is! I have not had one bad picture with this lens, irrespective of lack of IS. Pictures are crystal clear each and every time. I am not a pro, but have had a lifelong love affair with taking pictures. This is the perfect mate for my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L lens. Just my very personal opinion: this lens is perfect.
This is the BEST lens i've ever owned, definetly the Canon 24-70L.I use to shot with two cameras and 2 lenses on my bag, depending of what i want to do and light situation I am in, they are:* Canon F1,4 50mm* Canon 28-135 IS* Canon 70-300* Sigma 10-20mm* FisheyeDepending on the light i only carry around this wonderful lens attached to my Canon 5D MarkII and 2 lenses on my bag, this lens is like having a prime lens at all focus lenght, and the best... is very fast... F2,8.Here are the main characteristics:Ease of Use:I assume that if you are willing to buy this, you are a serios amateur or a Pro, so you wont have any trouble shooting with this beauty.Color Saturation:WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!, what a colors!!!!!!!! and combined with the 5DMkII... Speechless!Picture Quality:AMAZING!!!!, without a doubt the bes lens at this focal rangeContrastSPEECHLESS!!!!Value for moneyKind of expensive, but WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!, you get the return out in 2-3 photo shooting!Focus speedVERY VERY VERY FAST!Regards,MT (From Colombia, SouthAmerica)
The 24-70mm has been my all-the-time, go-to, everything lens since purchasing it. I've rented it from a lens rental company before and fell in love with the crisp lines and beautiful bokeh for everything from portraits to landscapes to action shots. I just had to buy one for myself! This is one heavy lens though, and after carrying it around my neck or in a camera bag all day, it gets REALLY heavy.
This is an excellent lens.  However, do a search on Amazon for the EF 24-70mm f2.8 version ii of the lens and compare prices before you purchase.
Amazon advertises the hood as a seperate Item. Just know that the actual lens does come with a hood. Also, the hood in the image is different from the real hood...the image looks like it's the hood for the 24-105 (maybe?)
Simply put, this is the best all-around lens that Canon manufactures.  It produces razor-sharp images with startling color and saturation, and at f/2.8 across the zoom range is capable of shooting in all but the dimmest of lighting conditions.  The "L" glass (Canon's professional line of lenses) is simply the best out there, bar none, from any manufacturer.  It's pricey, but well worth it.I use this lens for portrait and wedding photography, landscapes, sports, and anything else that doesn't require extreme telephoto.  In concert with my EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM lens, I find that these two lenses cover just about everything I ever want to shoot.  Of the two lenses, if I could pick only one, it would be the 24-70mm, because it's so versatile and can shoot so many situations (the 70-200mm is also a marvelous, invaluable lens, but at 70mm is limited in wide-angle situations).I can't recommend this lens highly enough.  If you can afford the entry fee, you'll have no hint of buyer's remorse once you see the spectacular images this lens produces.
I bought this as my main walking-around lens for my 5D2 and love it. The image quality is great and it's versatile. Honestly though, it's been sitting in my camera bag more and more often as my skills have improved over the years. I still think it's a good walk-around lens, but I'm just saying, if I'm going to walk around and shoot street photography, I use my 35mm f/1.4L. If I'm going to shoot at the zoo, I use my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with a 1.4x extender. My point is, while it is a great lens and very versatile, I truly think a lot of people simply outgrow it. Either way, you won't be disappointed with this lens. The one drawback I have heard about is the fact that this lens is notorious for needing to be calibrated every now and then. This is common for these types of zooms but it's a little more common with this lens in particular.
For years I had been using Canon's 24-105 L lens which I was always quite happy with (with the one exception of the vignetting at 24mm) but once I bought the 24-70 and compared the results the difference is actually quite evident.  Sharpness and bokeh are both beyond stellar here and the 24-105 is not getting much use anymore.  Who really needs image stabilization anyway when low-light photography has improved so much over the past 5 years?  On a sour note, I didn't exactly get off on the right foot with this lens.  The auto-focus was defective right out of the box as it kept focusing on the background in half of my moving target photos. (In my case, the moving targets were wedding attendants walking down the aisle)  I sent it to Canon and no more problem.One thing I simply cannot understand is Canon's "in-your-face" price hikes lately.  What makes this lens worth $400 more than it cost just a month or two ago?!!  Same goes for the 40% price jump in the new 5D (Mark III) body.  I truly feel these kind of tricks could permanently hurt Canon and keep Nikon on top to stay.
What a lense!!  I bought it to basically replace the 18-55mm lense that came with my EOS 20D. I was a little concerned about the price, but what an item. It's superb. I know that a good lense doesn't make a good photo, but with this lense the picts I do take just seem so much clearer. I'm stunned at how good it is.The only slight con about the lense is it's weight. But, that should not stop you buying.
This lens is awesome. It makes pictures that make you feel like a pro, even though you are a novice. My husband and I share the lens and everyone thinks we are these great photographers, but it's all the lens. I'm so happy with the pictures made with this lens. You won't be sorry you bought it and years from now when you are enjoying those pictures, the price of the lens won't matter. It's worth every penny.
Bought this lens for myCanon Digital Rebel XSiand soon to beCanon EOS 7D 18 MPthat I've preordered.  I was amazed at the ability to shoot low light with this lens.  Shooting in normal light brings out sharp images, however, I've had issues with back focusing and just "off-focus".  Due to my amateur skill with the camera, I was skeptical if the focusing was due to the low-er camera, my skill (or lack thereof), or just a calibrating issue with Canon.  For reference, I'm moving from aSigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS Lensand aCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens.I am going to send the lens in to Canon anyway just to prepare for the new camera.Okay, all the negativity aside, this is a pretty nice lens.  The colors are out of this world.  It's just using the camera in places like low-light restaurants or walking through a foreign city market center in the evening will require a camera with ISO capabilities worthy of handling the lens.  If not, then what I have is awesome colors, saturation, but with constant blur.  Not all the time I can set up with a tripod.The weight is definitely heavier, but it's no matter to me at all!  I have aCanon Powershot G10on order for the times when I don't need a full SLR, but still don't want to miss the opportunity to capture the shot.  But if you are afraid of a little weight--which isn't that much at all--then don't spend the money.Every time I go out now, the Sigma 18-200 stays in it's box, and I hesitate between the Canon 50mm and the Canon 24-70--especially for short trips.  I always, always, always choose the 24-70 for it's ability to zoom, shoot in low light, awesome aperture, etc.  It just does what the 50mm does, only better.  It also forces me to learn my camera more and use my manual settings on a regular basis.As I've said, this lens is going back to Canon--a HUGE INCONVENIENCE--for calibration.  I shouldn't have to pay extra, wait extra time, risk the mail system, etc. for an extremely expensive piece of equipment that should have been good to go in the first place.One more thing, I did wrestle over purchasing theCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lensinstead, but went for this one so I could eventually supplement with theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS Lensfor my telephoto needs.  So far I don't feel as if I've missed much, but I know I will want the 70-200 for the details and closeups of distant subjects.
There are plenty of good reviews so this one will be a (repeat) short summary:Pros:- Sharp images accross zoom range- Fast, precise USM autofocus- Built tough with moisture and dust sealCons:- A little on the pricey sideOther:- Interesting "reverse" zoom mechanism: lens fully extended at 24mm, retracted at 70mm- Comes with hood and soft (fabric/leather) storage case- Had to buy from Adorama since Amazon was out of stock, imagine that!Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
I've been a Canon photog for a good 20 years, and have shot alot with their L lenses, but this is the first "wide angel" L lens I've owned. Being that it'f f-2.8, it will be good for, maybe indoor sporting events or general photography. I own the Canon 2.8 L IS macro lens, which makes a good portrait lens. I'm very happy with Canon lenses. I thinking of getting the f4 70-200  L IS zoom. It's a little slower then these 2.8s, but the IS will give me a 4 stop boost. That will give me an f-1.4 shooting range. I'm excited to try this.
The key to this lens is f2.8 maximum aperture.A close second is the corner-to-corner performance, especially on a full-frame sensor.This lens competes with the image stabilized 24-105 f4 L.  For a lot of us, picking between them is a very hard decision.  Hopefully this review will help you decide.The killer advantage that the 24-70 f2.8 has over the 24-105 is that extra full stop of light gathering power.  Last night I took some available light night time shots of the massive snowfall we just had.  The f2.8 lens is very bright and easy to see through.  Using a 5D Mark II, I could hand hold my night time shots and have enough speed to freeze the image while I turned night into day.  The f2.8 gave me enough room that I could use a lower ISO setting and get what I wanted.  The f2.8 meant that I could increase the shutter speed to tone down how bright the images were (the first shots were too bright) to get them to look like a night time shot.In short, f2.8 means not shooting at your limits or the camera's limits.  It freed up some ISO and it freed up some shutter speed.I still could have gotten the shots if I had stopped down to f4.  It would have meant a noisier ISO setting and careful attention to technique to avoid camera shake.  So I could have used the other lens, right?  I shoot a full-frame camera, and the 24-105 at f4 doesn't have the image quality out at the edges that the 24-70 has at f2.8.  You can read the details in other reviews, but it's not just a single f-stop advantage when you factor in image quality.Indoors by available light, this lens lets you frame the shot and fire, knowing that f2.8 will give you enough speed to freeze the motion.The other reviews also mention bokeh, and f2.8 lets you play.  You want that back ground gone?  Open up to 2.8 and get close enough that your subject isn't at infinity focus.It is a fast-focusing lens.  On the 5DII, as long as one of the focus points has something to work with, it nails the focus every time.All that said, this is a heavy, longish lens.  You need to use two hands, and you need to support everything with your left hand or your right wrist will tell you about how much torque a two-pound lens that is nearly five inches long generates.  My mother has dainty hands and this lens is not for her.  You will want a comfortable (perhaps padded) camera strap.  And when you look through the viewfinder, it suddenly doesn't weigh a thing.If you shoot in the dark, this lens is for you.If you want the background to go away, this lens is for you.If you want enough light-gathering power to set ants on fire, when it's cloudy, by moonlight, this lens is for you.  [I stole that line from somewhere].If you don't want people to notice you, this lens is not for you.  It takes a 77mm filter and it's five inches long.  It suggests that maybe they meant to spell it "cannon."The other thought on this is that if f2.8 really is your thing, check out the 50mm f1.4 prime lens.  Two stops more light, a ton less weight, a quarter of the price.  It would be a cheap way to get the light gathering power, at the cost of the zoom range.  The 50 would let you decide between, "I can live with f2.8, I can't live without some zoom range, especially on the wide angle end," compared to "It's not enough zoom range to matter, I need more light!"  The first quote tells you that you want the 24-70 f2.8, the second one says that you want a prime lens that lets you shoot really wide open (and get really razor thin depth of field).The 24-70 f2.8 does everything it does extremely well.  You pay for that in glass, mass, and cash.I'm so glad I bought it.------One and a half months later:I got to shoot for a week in the real world recently.At the end of the day, you notice just how heavy the beast is.  It's not major, but it is noticeable.  You also are aware that it is a big lens; you are always aware of it and have to be careful about sitting down, etc.  (Anyone who is not careful with $1,200 lens on a $2,400 camera needs their head examined.)I once got it to refuse to focus.  The room was dim and the subject was strongly backlit.  The 5DII kept wanting to focus on things in the background or could not find enough contrast in the foreground.  I went to manual focus [easily done with this lens], but it was too dark to really tell if I had the focus right.  The first part of the problem was the 5D, the second was my aging vision.  I only had time for a single shot (candid of a person) and I wound up with an out of focus frame.  That is the only shot I've missed.  Just one.The versatility of the focal length range and f2.8 has powerful real-world benefits.  You get the shot, and you get it in available light. It is truly a good lens to have on your camera when you don't know in advance exactly what lens you are going to need.At 24mm on a full frame sensor, foreground subjects jump out almost in 3d compared to the background.  They do at 28mm, too.  I was explaining to my son what you could do with a true wide angle lens and it only took one frame to convince him that there is a different world out there at focal lengths wider than the 36mm he used to shoot at.  Then you open up to f2.8 to seal the deal.70mm (again on a full frame sensor) is sweet indoors for people shots.  Long enough for portraiture and candids, long enough to get you a few steps back out of their space.  And if the room is tight or you need more than one person, a twist of the zoom gets you a usable focal length in a heartbeat or two.That last bit is the real sweet spot for this lens; a wide open lens that nearly always has a decent focal length to use.  In my son's words after using this lens, "After using this lens, I'm going to be spoiled, aren't I?"
I've used several copies of 24-70mm 2.8L in the last few years. I bought two copies from Amazon. All of them are sharp, fast and accurate focus. It produces high quality images. I like this lense very much and always the first lense in my camera bag.If you are a frequent traveler and like to do landscape + street photography then this is a good choice. 24-105mm is also a good option, but I prefer 24.70mm because of 2.8 A factor. It will produce nicer colors, bokeh, ... Also, from 50-70mm, you can also produce excellent and truly portrait photos.For indoor photography with natural light (wedding, event photos) then this is a must have lense. I don't have to say much but most of wedding photographers will use this lense most often.
Possibly the best lens I've ever used. Definitely the best all-around performer in my bag. I'm using it with a 1.6x sensor and I love the focal range you get with this lens. Excellently sharp and detailed images with full saturation that require practically no retouching on your computer. Consider it an investment because you'll save time otherwise spent touching up image quality from lesser lenses. It's a bit heavy, but once you get used to it there's no going back. I love it!
Perfect range if you have a 5D and love the short DOF of wide aperatures!
I love this lens it was great for walking around at a wedding. The F2.8 is great for the low light situations at the reception. It was also great outdoors at the actual wedding. Price is high and IS would have been great but would recommend this to anyone.
After much thought and research I decided to go with the first gen 24-70 vs the 3rd part lenses. I did this because it suited my personal needs better than what the other lenses had to offer. The 2nd gen of this lens was far too out of budget for me but this lens used was the perfect choice! Its a quick focusing lens lens that is very sharp and well made. You cant go wrong with this lens....
It's all been said here already - but this is a great primary lens for a Canon full frame camera. I just upgraded from the 40D to the 5DMkII, and switched my belovedCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Camerasfor this lens. This is clearly an L, with great build and superior optics. It isn't light, but its fast and wonderful to work with. It will become your main, everyday lens, so it is worth spending a little extra on it, in my opinion.
I recently rented this lens for a wedding from lensrental.com. (who I greatly recommend!) I do not own this lens, but I feel that during my rental time, I got very well acquainted with it.Pros:- Great focal lengths; fabulous for weddings, children, or really anything!- Low aperture; handles low light settings VERY well. I shot with this lens at a wedding reception that was really dark and got superb images.- Really quiet AND fast focus; the autofocus is almost noiseless and it focuses VERY fast! Once again, great for wedding ceremonies, in which you don't want to be a distraction and so you can get those short lived moments- Overall, it's a fabulous lens!Cons:- Pretty heavy; I shot at a wedding for 10 hours with this lens AND an external flash attached to my camera. My hand was little sore after it was over, but it is a price to pay to get good shots!- Price; I think this lens is very expensive. BUT I do believe that you get what you pay for... especially in photography! So, I think that it is a fair price considering how awesome the quality is.In conclusion:I was highly impressed with the quality of this lens. I normally use the Canon 50mm 1.8 (a $100 lens), so going from that to this lens was like living in a shack and then moving into a mansion. I feel like there would have been no way on earth I could have shot my most recent wedding without this lens. Most walk around lenses have a great range of focal lengths, but lack in image quality. But I feel like this lens takes the cake. It is truly the best of both worlds. You may look at the price and have a mild panic attack, but now I know why it's priced is that way. The cost is high because it is simply a high quality lens. Simple as that!
I've been using this lens for a while now and have come to find a few things to be true.1. Sharpness. It is tack-sharp. 'Nough said.2. Focus. The focusing is quick and silent.3. It isn't as heavy as people claim. Yes, it is just over 2 lbs, but I really don't know what people expect when they buy an L-series lens. The glass quality is what makes the price and weight go up. I think the weight and construction make my 5d mkII feel very balanced.4. Zoom. This lens is great for landscape photography on the wide zoom and just right for portrait photography on the narrow zoom. Throughout the zoom range, there is virtually no loss of sharpness or vignetting.5. The hood and lens go hand in hand, more so than other lenses and their hoods. When you are at 24mm, the lens is fully extended and near the edge of the hood. As you zoom towards 70mm, the lens pulls in, backing deeper into the hood. This helps maximize the shade for the glass. It works quite well.NOTE: When on a full-body sensor camera, like the 5d mkII, the lens will only take one filter, any more than that and you will see it at 24mm.This lens is a keeper. Once in your collection, it will be used time and time again as a reliable, sharp, quality lens. You'll get new camera bodies, but you'll still enjoy this lens.
It seems ludicrous to "review" this lens as if it has to live up to some standard. It IS the standard, this thing rivals prime lenses in all aspects. I shoot a 5D Mark II and own several L lenses, all f2.8, and this 24-70mm is best in class image quality-wise. I've had it for a week and from day one I marveled at the image detail and contrast (and the bokeh that stays smooth up to f5.6!). Don't toy with the 24-105mm, the f/4 series of lenses is very good, but they're not WHOA. Buy up to the 24-70mm and have that WHOA back in your images.I'm posting this review on several sites. I researched this lens vs the 24-105mm vs the Tamron 28-75mm for months, and now I'm 100% satisfied I spent the money. Besides image quality, it's built like a tank (weighs almost as much!), and the hood design is brilliant with the way it deals with 24mm and still provides full coverage at 70mm. Please, just use the hood for protection and don't put a $20 UV filter over this superb piece of glass. Put that $20 towards a good circular polarizer...Well?? Stop reading this review and get the sale going already! ;-)UPDATE, 6/21/2010: This lens is still my workhorse, I still go "wow" when I open images up in Photoshop and work on them (for the image quality, not the composition, lol!). I have seen many images off this lens vs the 24-105, and I've noticed that if your sensor is >12MP, you can see the difference in contrast and resolving power. If you own a smaller sensor camera body like an older Rebel XT or 20D, etc, you probably won't see a huge gap. In that case, the 24-105 with IS might be the better choice. Also, rumours from Canon-land are a new 24-70mm with IS. I'm sure the optics will be insanely great, and you can be sure the price will be 500 bucks more than this current 24-70mm!UPDATE 12/7/2010: A year later and I'm still wowed by the image quality, and the build. This lens will last 50 years it seems. I did say it was the best lens in my bag image-quality wise, but it has a new rival: I just got theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, and the work Canon did to re-engineer that lens is phenominal (see the review I just posted today). SO, 24-70mm and the new 70-200mm IS II, and you will have an arsenal of image quality that will NOT disappoint!
Rather than rehash all the reviews and the meta-reviews of this lens, I will try to give a review from a slightly different perspective.  Yes, the lens is rock solid, takes beautiful pictures, and has a great focal range.However, this lens is not for everyone.  In fact, a lot of the people that purchase the 70 really would be better served with the the kit lens with IS.Don't expect that by paying $1300 for an "L" lens you'll instantly be an amazing photographer.  It does not work that way.  A red stripe on your lens does not mean you are more pro and take better pictures than those with a silver stripe.For the vast majority of people taking pictures in daylight with F stop greater (meaning lower) than 5, this lens is an absolute waste of money.  You CAN NOT tell the difference between this lens and the cheap kit lens at such an Aperture and with good lighting.  Don't let snooty photographers tell you the kit lens is crap, because it is not.For others who would like to shoot low lighting shots like indoor shots, a 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 would be more than sufficient.  Optically, the 50 quality is very similar to the 70.  Those two 50mm take some amazing pictures and look just as good as pictures from this lens at f2.8.For me, the reason why I bought the 70 was the ability to adjust the focal length without having to walk forward or backward.  It helps set up my composition much more quickly.  It takes some amazing pictures, just as amazing as the cheaper 50 1.8, but zooming was what I needed.Comparing this lens to the 50 f/1.8, you're paying about $1200 for the zooming ability (okay okay -- and better build and USM--but these are marginal points).  Whether or not it's worth it depends on you -- but for most people they're better off saving their money.
So I know this is a red ring lens.  I own 5 of them and only 1 of them do I actually feel was worth the price.With the software being what it is today paying twice as much for that last f-stop level isn't worth it.This is a decently built lens but you are paying for the wide aperture and the moderate zoom range.Its not very sharp at 2.8 so you will stop down to 3.5if you are shooting in low light and go with f/2.8 you are trading a softer image for less noise.  IMO that is a bad trade.  Spend a little money on a good noise reduction program and buy the 24-105 lens its sharp at f/4 and it has a lot more zoom range.Or get a 50mm prime if range isn't that important to you.  But these lenses are actually terrible when you think about our options on software as photographers.
This is a must-have lens for those who appreciate great quality photos and the fixed f2.8.  It could also be useful for photographers working on their biceps considering how heavy it is.
I ordered this to complement my 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS, which is a tad soft at f/2.8, and suffers from the problem of the optimal microfocus adjustment varying throughout its focal length range, but I managed to find a sweet spot that works for most focal lengths, and I just manually focus on the live screen if it's critical anyway. And it's super sharp!But the 24-70 was a huge disappointment. It's incredibly soft at f/2.8, and not much better even at f/4.0. By f/5.6 it's decent. But the focusing problem is the real show-stopper. It simply isn't consistent. I suspect the focus error varies by both focal length AND subject distance. Trying to deal with one dimension of variability -- as with the 70-200 -- is bad enough, but two? Give me a break; microfocus adjustment isn't going to help you there! But even with manual focus, on a tripod with 10x live view, the image quality of this lens is nothing to write home about. Certainly worse (softer, more aberrations) than my EF-S 15-85, which I was hoping the 24-70 would largely replace. Yes, it's fast, but so what, if it's unusable?I'm wiling to accept that I got a dodgy sample of this lens. It's my 3rd "L" lens to I think I know what to expect. But if Canon can't produce consistently good copies of this lens, then I don't think it really deserves the "L" label. How could they even let this sample out the door?Returned.
Beautiful glass, if you are used to a small prime this can seem heavy if you aren't used to it, but it is a small price to pay for the quality and flexibility of this.  Comes with good lens hood but an ugly cheapo bag which is my only minor complaint. Add a 77mm uv and you're set.  Don't expect this to work with the flash on your body if you have it, it will block the lower third of the light, so you'll need a decent external.
This lens Is very handy in the studio! I like it because unlike my prime lenses I can find the best focal length easily and still retain a great deal of sharpness.  The 2.4 speed also is a major plus++ I have photographed indoor and outdoor in various light conditions with and without flash achieving nice results. I like the lens a lot but there are a few cons number 1 the weight. This lens is very heavy.  To obtain the speed and versatility requires a lot of glass and that makes for a heavy lens. 2 it can be more difficult to keep in sharp focus than most of my other lenses.  Overall I would recommend the lens for any professional portrait photographer. I think the lens is worth every penny but it is not very practical and I wouldn't recommend it to someone wanting to travel and photograph a variety of imagery.
I use the Canon 40D as my main camera body, keeping my Rebel as my backup camera.For several years, my main zoom lens has been the Canon EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.For family portraits, I typically close up the Canon f/3.5-5.6 IS lens a couple stops to f/6.3 or 7.1.(A Canon 50 mm f/1.4 is my favorite prime lens.)My expectations for my first `L' lens, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens, were so high that my first session indoors making portraits with a flash was a little disappointing.When I close up this lens a little, to f/3.2, the plane of focus is so narrow that in a group photo, only one person's face is in focus.Wide open, at f/2.8 or 3.2, using a flash, at ISO 100, shutter speeds of  sec were common. The long shutter time required I use a tripod, and even when using a tripod, the model's movement created blur.So, if you want the eyes of one model to be in focus, while the person standing next to the model is out of focus, this lens is for you.  If you want both the mother, and the baby in arms to be in focus, this is more lens than you need.This f/2.8L lens does capture more light than the f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, but even with this fast lens wide open, I still need to set the ISO to 400 or 800 to get a hand hold-able fast shutter speed.I still need a f/6.3 to f/8.0 aperture to have everybody in focus during group shots.I still need to use an ISO of 400 or faster in low light conditions.A good sharp lens? Yes! But I wanted this lens to work miracles compared to the Canon EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and they didn't happen.
I purchased this lens to replace the EF 24-104mm f/4"L" IS USM that I had sold. I know there are many people who prefer that lens for its IS, but for my needs, the 2.8 just takes the cake and IMHO the Bokeh is superior. I use it on a crop body XTi (400d) and couldn't me happier. It compliments my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8"L" IS USM very well. Check out its reviews on"photography-on-the.net" or "fredmiranda.com" and I think your decision will be an easy one!
After saving up for a year, I finally was able to purchase my first L Series Lens.  I have been using Canon SLR's since 2004 (starting with the original Rebel, and then jumping to my current XSi), and this is by far the biggest upgrade/purchase I have made for my camera.A few notes and recomendations:Positives:Pictures are bright and crispThis is a FAST lensQuality of build is solid to the touch, and solid movement (zoom)The WOW factor is really cool (many other photographers and ameteurs compliment my setup)DrawbacksNo IS (not really needed, but for the price it should be there)when using a flash...get an external one.  The onboard flash does not sit high enough and you get shadows from the lensheavy as an everyday lens (I got over this, but may be a draw back for some)RecomendationsRent this or any other L Series lens before buying.  i went to Hawaii with this lens and the 70-200 IS 2.8 lens.  I rented them both for 21 days, for under three hundred bucks.  When I got back, I purchased this lens.  It is a great way to try then buy.  Look for sites that will rent out these lens'...try a search on lens rentals.Overall very happy with my purchase.  Have taken vacation shots of the kids, landscapes, architecture etc....all with excellent results.  This is my new everyday lens.
The Canon Manufacturer website shows the price as $1399.00 I'm surprised to see that the third party sellers are price gouging the lenses for no reason. Usually all retail sellers get at a price marked below the MSRP. So, Most of them would sell at a lesser price than displayed at the Manufacturer website. I'm baffled by Amazon.com supporting these Retailers and asking for a huge Marked up price!!!
I just started using my new lens and I am already very satisfied a nice addition to my other lenses.  It will make a good all around lens for travel.
When selecting a "starter" lens for my new 40D, this lens looked perfect, and it is!  The quality is superb (typical of Canon's "L" series), and the zoom range makes it a perfect all-purpose lens.  I couldn't see any point in accepting what Canon (or sellers) thought were "starter lenses" if I was buying a good-quality camera body.  I strongly suggest NOT wasting your money on a cheapie lens; this is a great "first" lens!  I expect it to remain on my camera 90% of the time.  Highly recommended.
I have many Canon L series lenses and this is one of Canon's best Zoom lenses at the F2.8.  (The 16-35mmII and the 70-200mm are also excellent zoom lenses)  There are several reviews which state the problems with production issues and inconsistencies from copy to copy.  I too had a problem with my first attempt, it was soft, had auto focus issues, and just wasn't what I have come to expect from Canon L's.Compared to it's big brother, the 24-105mmF4, I feel this is a far superior lens for image quality, however without IS, it can be touchy to shoot with.  In low light shooting without Image Stablization, you need to be true to the lens "length to shutter speed" theory; (@ 70mm shoot at least at a 70 shuuter speed) or use a tripod and/or brace carefully.I would have given this lens a 5 * rating if there weren't problems with production quality.  Even though you can get a better price on line, I would recommend going to a shop that has several of these on the shelf and try them out to ensure you get a good copy.
This is one bad boy.Lots of head room in the low light with a 7d. Cant wait to see this run on a 6d.My 24-105L could never run with this lens. Had it only one day and am blown away at the upgrade.Faster focus faster lens at 2.8. Don't miss the IS either. If you have been on the fence about which lens is better.Well I have ran around with the 24-105L f/4 is for 4 years. My walk around lens. Its good. REAL GOOD.But this is by far the better choice.I will be selling my 24-105.Will use that cash to close the gap with a 70-200L f/2.8 for the longer shots. Just makes better since to me. One picks up where the other leaves off.Both in the f/2.8 range. Less of a mind shift going back and forth f/4-f/2.8.
I'm addicted to this lens!  This is my GO TO lens for almost everything.  Even though I have an 85mm f/1.2, a 70-200 f/2.8, a 50mm f/1.4... this is the most versitile of all.  Granted the others have specific uses that I won't use this for, but for events this lens is SOLID.
I purchased the 24-70 in hopes it would attach to my XTi/7D and never come off. Unfortunately this lens disappoints, the sheer size and weight of it makes this lens odd to hold and use. I would not say this lens is "Sharp", especially not as sharp as previous L glass I have owned. I have read that a 24-70 on a cropper is not the best setup, but to really exploite the capabilities of the 24-70 you really need a Full Frame.
I have been using this lens for about 2 years with a 5d Mark ll. It is part of a collection of 6 high end lenses. I wanted to leave a message to anyone considering this lens. Buy it.  If you only have one good lens, this should be it. If you have some of the others like I do,  you will undoubtedly find this your most popular.  It seems to capture all types of photography well. If you are shooting streets and buildings,  the lens seems to wrap around the subject giving you a nice full frame. Portraits, general people shots, sports or landscapes, this lens can do all of this very well and is  deadly weapon for taking amazing shots.Another reason I felt compelled to write this, I left this lens with my girlfriend for her to use with her 5D Mark ll, and I have been without it for a few months.  It's almost to the point where I don't even bother taking pictures. It is hard to go without, now I know how much I really love this lens.
I have had this lens for almost a month now, it was my Christmas gift from my wife (bought a few weeks early for use during the holidays) and it has become very quickly my standard lens. I use it with a Rebel XSI and was concerned that it would not be wide enough at the low end with the 1.6 crop factor but that has not been an issue. I have 2 young kids and a new puppy and so the f/2.8 is great - allows fast enough shutter to stop them in their tracks. I took it out to a field just before the holiday with the new puppy and I don't think there is one blurry shot even with the dog running full tilt.You do have to respect the f/2.8 for what it allows you to do and also what it does not do. If the lens is wide open sometimes the depth of field for close objects is so narrow that a subject's nose and eyes are in focus but ears are blurred (or vice versa) - of course one simply stops down the lens to widen the DOF, but I was surprised that the effect was so dramatic there and was very happy that I had a couple weeks to play with the lens and learn to use it properly before the actual holiday.I also have the 70-200 mm f/2.8 IS (my only other "L" glass) and this one is much more versatile. I got that one mostly for closeups (obviously) and to take shots at school programs without the annoying flash. As such, the IS feature is very important for that lens but less so for this one since shake is so much more obvious at the longer focal lengths. That said, it would be nice to have IS and I almost waited to see if an IS version would be released as rumors of that circulate. I can now honestly say that even if an IS version is released tomorrow I would have no regrets about this purchase (and in fact would buy the this same lens since IS will likely add ~$300 to the price tag).The bottom line is this is a great lens, one that will hold its value and provide you with a lifetime of great pictures. Buy it without a second thought if you have the coin.
For some perpective, I use a 5D and other lenses I own and use are: 15mm fisheye, 70-200 2.8 non IS, 17-40, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 135 f2.  I owned for some time the 24-105 f4 IS concurrently with the 24-70.  I have recently sold the 24-105.  I prefer the 2.8 and to me, it seems to you have to work harder to get good, sharp images from the 24-105.  Again, I don't think you can compare the 2, but I hardly used the 24-105 which is why I sold it.  IS or no.  the f4 is what did it for me.  After using both lenses, I have come to the conclusion that my preference is to have 2.8 without IS than f4 with IS.  this lens is NOT that heavy.  If you've used the 70-200 then this should not be any heavier.  If it is, either get a neoprene strap or you're purchasing the wrong class of equipment for your needs.  Good glass, esp those with fast apertures, are large.  The front element needs to be large.  Add to that zoom and it gets larger still. I have owned this lens since using a 20D (crop body).When I buy equipment, the weight does not factor.  If it provides great images, then that's my criteria.  Obviously if we're talking about shooting pictures of the moon, then stability is an issue, but for wide to medium or 200-400 focal lengths, why even look at the weight?  Again, if that's important, then this may not be the lens for you.  But then neither is the 70-200 2.8 series. Or a 1D body.  Or carrying extra batteries. Or a tripod on your back or shoulder.  Know what I mean?I rented this lens before (and the rental store takes care of their equipment) -- it was made in 2004 I think?  It was terrible.  At any aperture or focal length.  So I was hesitant to purchase, but it seems the newer ones are all sharp.  Perhaps the question "Is yours a sharp copy?" no longer applies.On a full frame, the wide to medium tele are perfect for capturing just about anything.  It focuses a little slower than say a 70-200 but it has a different focal range and focuses much closer so it's understandable.I want lenses that are sharp wide open (or near wide open if it's cheap enough).  Otherwise, why pay $1000+ for a lens you need to stop down?  This fits the bill.  Sharp at 2.8, color, contrast are all there.  Vignetting to me is also a non-issue.  Many times desirable, fixable in software when it's not.Great lens for crop or full frame, wide is great on a full frame.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens is an impressively high performing zoom lens. I regard it as one of the best general purpose lens available. It's very sharp for a zoom lens. The 24-70 L is sharp in the center at f/2.8 at all focal lengths. A fixed f/2.8 minimum aperture makes this lens as fast as any Canon EF zoom lens made. The wide 8-blade aperture produces a nice background blur. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens' 77mm filter diameter makes sharing filters (such as a circular polarizer filter) with most of Canon's other L-Series zoom lenses easy and, obviously, more affordable. This lens is ideal for weddings, photojournalism, portraits and macro too.
I use this lens mainly for portrait and event photography. An excellent range to get up close and go wide, with an aperture to deal with lower-light circumstances.As with most L lenses, you also get better color and contrast compared to cheaper non-L lenses.Doing portrait photography myself, this is my favorite lens.
Great lens that can take great pics in low light.  Word of advice, what ever camera you attach this to, get the Battery Grip, (20D = BG-E2.) This should be considered a required piece since it will restore the balance on back to the body of the camera.  I had the lens for 3 months without the battery grip, then Santa brought me the grip for XMas and WOW what a world of difference.  No need to state what the others have... It is a GREAT LENS. But I will add a word of caution.. once you buy it you will want only "L" series lens, that could get a little expensive.
Excellent quality as would be expected from a L series lens.  Good range however, I wish Canon would make a lens with this quality and speed in a 24-105mm range.  Perhaps the technology is not there yet.  That being said, you won't be disappointed with the sharpness, contrast and overall high quality produced by this lens.
Two reasons you should consider this lens:1) You make money from photography and every last detail or amount of color saturation matters, or2) Money is no object.Remember, it is not the lens, but the photographer, that makes great pictures.  That being said, a lens of this caliber can squeeze that extra fraction of vivid detail/color out of many shots.  However, unless you are making money from photography or just have money to burn, those improvements are costly and fractional.It is also very heavy and big...not exactly good for the wife to pick up and use to take kiddie pictures.I own many lenses that csot much less than this lens and I have many shots I would never part with.  Don't oversell yourself, unless you can justify it using criteria 1 and 2 above.4 stars b/c it did not impress me on too many shots, for the money I spent on it.  Which reinforces the point that it is the photographer, not the lens, that really matters.
This thing is built like a tank. I was a bit reluctant to make the purchase because of the high price tag but it was worth it. I'm using it with a Rebel XTi and it seemed soft in the beginning but it was just my lack of skill. Haha. Still learning and it's a great lens.
Ive rented this lens several times and now I finally own one. By far in my opinion its the sharpest lens Canon makes. Its the perfect walk around lens.  The contrast and sharpness it creates allows for amazingly detailed photographs. If you have to buy only one lens, make sure this is it!
This is my favorite Canon lens.  It is sharp at both 24 and 70, and its fast F/2.8 aperture makes for excellent shots in low light, and creamy Bokeh.The zoom is smooth except for a tiny hitch in its linearity at 24MM.  I understand this is due to the shape of the cam in the zoom mechanism.  The positive is that the lens doesn't "creep" like the 24-105 F/4 IS USM.  Also - when you are at 24MM, the lens is fully extended; at 70 it is retracted.  This makes for a large lens hood, but it blocks flare effectively.My only con is its heavy weight, but if you are shooting L glass, weight is secondary to picture quality.If I could only have one Canon lens, this would be it!
It is amazing what good glass will do for your images. While it won't make ugly people beautiful it definitely will not make them look any worse!We use this lens all the time and it is fantastic. It does add a bit of weight to your camera but well worth the added detail to your images.
First impression: I was expecting this lens to be heavy because of all the whining about how heavy it is.  It's not heavy.  It's not even close to heavy.  What's heavy is this lens, with a 5d-II body, a battery grip, a 580-EX and a light sphere.  And a second 5D-Mark II body with all that, plus a 70-200 2.8.  That's heavy.If you are not prepared to do whatever it takes to get the best image possible, perhaps you should rent this lens first and see what you think of it's weight.  If you're a pro, you know that pro level equipment is heavy because it is done right, and you're used to dealing with that fact in the quest for image quality.I'd like to address another point I see in the previous reviews.  If you are a hobbyist or an amateur who is only thinking about buying this lens because you can afford it... don't complain when you can't use it with your on camera flash.  It's not designed for use with an on camera flash.  It's a professional lens, and professionals rarely if ever use an on camera flash.  Why?  Besides being sorely underpowered, an on camera flash is too close to the lens and gives horrid lighting and shadows.  So if you get this lens, expect that you'll be either using available light, or a real flash.Okay, on to my review.Well, it's surprisingly light for all the complaining I read about it being heavy.  I'm not a very big guy, either.It feels solid, but don't equate that with "heavy".  Focus ring and zoom ring are very smooth on mine, but the 24-28mm range seems a bit more resistant.  I am finding that it's confusing to me which ring is which after using the 28-135 for so long because the focus ring is where the zoom ring used to be, and the zoom ring is significantly smaller.  Now the zoom ring is close to the camera and smaller, and it's slightly awkward to zoom.  I used to be able to hold the camera body with my right hand and hold the lens with my left, and zoom from this position.  Now I cannot zoom from a lens holding position (beneath the lens) and must switch to an overhand position to zoom, which defeats the support and puts added stress on my right wrist and forearm.  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but that's probably going to smart once I start shooing weddings again.Indoors, I was getting shots I simply could not believe using my standard wedding photography settings - not because it was so sharp (more on that in a bit) but because these settings produced EXACTLY what I saw with my own eyes, in camera, regardless of light.  I mean EXACTLY... even when I was shooting a window in a dark room.  Even when I was shooting in the dark room with nothing bright in the scene.  I was stunned, because usually I have to constantly fiddle with the exposure compensation to get this result.  Somehow, this lens paired with this camera body seems to be more intelligent with regards to this consideration.  It does require some fiddling occasionally, but a standard -2/3rds compensation seems to work wonders indoors with no flash -- perhaps it's just that this lens isn't struggling, as my 28-135 used to.It quickly became apparent that I have a sharp copy because even magnified as much as my camera can magnify, the results are noticeably sharper than my best day with the 28-135.  I can count blades of grass across the street, see power lines in the distance that escape my eyes, differentiate the stones in a wall a mile and a quarter away, and read the labels of small bottles across the room, by ambient light.Testing showed that this lens resolves such fine detail that ISO really affects the sharpness of the results.  I'm shooting at 2.8/ISO 2000 in this dim room, and it's bringing the IQ down to about the level of my 28-135.  However, when I use my 580-EX II with a light sphere attached, I can see the pores on people's faces clearly in the resulting images shot from several feet away.  Individual eyebrow hairs are also clearly present and separated from each other.Out in the garden, shooting in overcast conditions, I set my camera to 1/80th, Tv, auto-ISO and a -1 exposure compensation.  The resulting images are so vibrant that I can't believe my eyes.  Saturation, contrast and color accuracy are insane.  It chose an aperture of f/4, though, which didn't give me much DOF to work with... but wow.  I then turned my attention to a car a block over, and was able to read 4/6ths of the license plate letters in the magnified image.  I could not even see the license plate with my naked eyes (and with glasses, I have 20/20 vision)!I spent many years wishing I could afford an L lens.  Now that I have one, I have absolutely no regrets spending that kind of money on this lens.  If I didn't want the best, I'd have bought something else.  Now I can rest assured that any mistakes are mine, and not the camera or the lens.  It's going be good for keeping me on my toes.Auto focus is very fast and very accurate, nearly instant but not necessarily dead-on.  What I mean by that is, it jumps to the focus point and then makes one minor adjustment.  This all takes about a fifth of a second in most lighting conditions.  Focus is very accurate as far as I can tell so far.  It managed to find focus in about half a second in a room that was darker than I have ever been able to focus in by ambient light, on a dark subject.  I'm impressed!Image stabilization: It would be nice, but I'm not missing it.  I only used it on my 28-135 when the lens was unable to keep up with lighting conditions, an I don't see myself having too much trouble with that.  I shot some portraits by ambient light in a dimly lit restaurant and was doing spot on exposure at f/3.2, 1/80, ISO 2000-3200.  Not the largest DOF, and not the least possible noise, but the shots are quite usable.  It seems that this will allow me to work in most situations without having to use a flash, as long as I am careful about the plane of focus and the DOF.So far, I am very impressed overall, and I can feel myself falling in love.  The real test will come when I have more time to hammer this baby and see what she's really capable of, and when I have had some time to do that, I'll update my review here.So far: 4.9 out of 5 stars. (I'm finding the zoom ring placement isn't quite as easily accessed as I would like right now.)Update 08-21-2010:I am now noticing a recurring theme to my night time photographic outings.  I can get the shot, usually hand held, and my uncle has trouble even on a tripod.  He shoots Nikon, but the killer is that he's using mid range lenses that are 3.5-5.6.  I'm using 2.8 constant.  For instance, last night we went to shoot a train and a bridge at night.  Both using tripods, both shooting at 3200 ISO, both using 1/40th of a second shutter speed and both using full manual.  I got usable shots (slight motion blur), and he didn't.  It's all about that 2.8.I was shooting at a rest stop on the Interstate with him the other day, shooting semis, and I was getting clear shots (no motion blur) at an incredible 1/13th of a second hand held (!) at 24 to 50 mm, while he was struggling to get the shot on a tripod.  Still having a hard time believing that!So far, there has been no reason at all to take this thing off my camera.  The 16-35 L and the 70-200 L II are going to be its only competition, when I get them.Update 12-08-2010So I have had six months now to use this lens, and I have had the 70-200 2.8 L II lens for a few months as well.  This lens is a tad less sharp than the 70-200 when I am shooting at ISO 100-640 on my 5D-Mark II, and above that noise equalizes them.  But while I love the concept of the 70-200 more than I like the "boring" 24-70, it is this lens, my beloved 24-70, who stays on my camera 98% of the time.  I try and I try to find use for the 70-200, but... well... in most situations, I have to return to this lens within 5 minutes of shooting.The only thing I can think of to knock this lens on is that while it makes a wonderful portrait lens, it's a bit too sharp for that sometimes... and, I have noticed that if you try to make a panorama with it set at 50mm, you'll get a little too much edge distortion to do so without compensating in software.Since using this lens to shoot models, my keeper rate has jumped from 1 to 5% (with the 28-135) to 25% and up.  It's getting to the point that I end up with several times as many awesome images as I need from every shoot... I'm sure part of that is me getting more skilled, but this lens certainly contributes it's share.I can't tell you how much I love this lens, and my work has dramatically improved since I got it.  It took me a few days to get used to the difference from the 28-135, and now I use this like it's a part of me.  If you only ever get one lens... you should make it either this one, or the 50/1.2, depending on whether you need zoom more or speed more.  Awesome lens, and one I suspect that will be thrilled to use forever.  If you don't have one, and you prefer zooms to primes, get one.  If you prefer primes, get the 50/1.2.Update 11-07-2011: After returning from eight weeks wandering the country doing photography, I can say that this lens was the one I used more than the 16-35 or the 70-200.  It is sharper than the 16-35, but not as sharp as the 70-200, and in most cases during the day it's just what the doctor ordered for focal length, especially for landscapes.  But I am now seriously noticing a real need for this lens to have IS when I can get a shot with the 70-200 that I can't get with this lens, both hand held, same settings, same light, and there is no time to change lenses or no way to frame the same image with 70-200 mm focal length.  Tripods aren't always an option, although I do prefer to use them when possible.  Based on that... I think this lens goes from 5 stars to 4 stars.  Still a great lens, but starting to show the age of the design, without including IS.
Awesome lens. I love it. I've only just started shooting with it but I can tell it will replace all of my other lenses. :)
This is the best all around lens that Canon makes.I have used the daylights out of it.  It is the must have lens for travel.
Excellent lens. The price match up its quality, probably the best lens in its range. I used SIGMA and they don not metch up for sharness and quality. You will get the full mid-range and I've personally sold my 50mm and 28mm because with this one...I cover just about anything I need, portrait and landscape. The macro feature is awesome for detail pictures like small items, circuit boards and other hard to focus subject. Overall this lens can be your only lens and won't disappoint you.My warning and this is the only one I have. The rumors on the internet are talking about a defective batch but I am not 100% any of those are still around. Nevertheless my experience have been troublesome. Amazon shipped the first lens from one of their sellers (NEW) and when it arrived I had to ship it back. The lens was new and in the box but it had a big pice of dust in between the rear elements. This is unacceptable if you conside the Canon brand name and the price they want you to pay to own one! Absolutely rediculous. Amazon was able to help, as usual and they issued a refund for the shipment back while I am waiting for my lens refund. I've ordered my second les from Amazon as well but this time ADORAMA was the seller and this time the lens was and still is perfect.To make a long sotry short, I would suggest you to buy it only when ADORAMA or AMAZON fullfill and complete the order and stay away from all other seller that may try to get you to pay for a emanufacture or defective unit as it happened for me. Do not let this experience discourage for the purchase, I just wanted to share because it made me rethink the whole online shopping experience. I whish we had good old stores available...more and more a rarity.
This is my favorite standard zoom lens that Canon makes.  For the longest time, I used the EF 24-105mm f/5 L IS USM lens as my daily "beater" lens and it performed very well, but I wanted something a bit faster.  This lens was the answer.  It wasn't much more in price than the 24-105 glass, but it much faster.This lens is tack sharp!My only gripes about this lens:- it zooms "backward" compared to any other extending zoom lens I know.  At fully contracted, it's zoomed all the way out (70mm).  At full extended, it's zoomed all the way in (24mm).  Can't figure out why it's opposite.- the copy I got had a slightly loose focusing ring and i sent it back under warranty and it was fixed.  Canon needs to step up their QA a notch.UPDATE:  I got the lens back from the Canon service center today (not bad for shipping it on December 23rd, huh?!).  The fixed the loose focusing ring and also stated that the "mechanical chassis was inoperable".  I never noticed anything wrong with the zoom chassis.  Anyway, they fixed it.  This lens is so tack sharp!  You gotta get it!
Sure this lens is back breakingly heavy, but this lens will be the one lens you will use most offen. This lens is built like a tank. It will take all that you can dish out. It is weather and dust sealed. It also covers a fantastic range, and dove tails perfectly into the 70-200. Now I have heard people say that it does not have IS and they did not want it because of that. Some people say that the 24-105 F4 L IS is a better lens because of the IS. that might be true. It is definatly lighter and it super sharp. However, IS does not fix everything about the F4 apature. Sure you can bring down the shutter speed, this does not allow you to stop motion. The F4 aperature does not allow you to control Depth of Field like the F2.8. The 24-105 is lighter and has longer reach. It works great for traveling. However in the end the fantastic optics, depth of field, and the fast 2.8 win out and make this lens a fantastic lens! Once this lens is on your camera, especialy a full framed 5D or 1Ds, you will not want to take it off!!
simply that.. very versatile lens. it is my, &#34;i am unsure what to pack&#34; lens.. it is great for most occasions
I received a very sharp copy but this lens is very heavy.  I use it on both the Canon 5D Mark II and a 7D.  Fast for indoor shots, wide enough to do landscapes and group portraits.  Color and contrast are excellent.  The barrel extension while zooming in and out is the reverse of other EF lenses so it takes a little get use to where 24mm has the lens barrel fully extended outward, instead of inward.  Typical EF "L" build quality doesn't disappoint.
This is simply the number one must own lens for any Canon EOS owner. It's the lens you will use the most, it's performance is flawless, it's built like a tank and it's beautiful glass to look at. If you have EOS and are serious at all about photography - this should be the first lens you own.
I have been shooting digital for years, Nikon, and now Canon mainly because of the L glass.  I love changing lenses, wide angle, macro, zoom, and trying out different angles and approaches to photos.  The problem with this lense is, well, I can't bring myself to change it.  Everything it shoots is remarkable- especially with wedding photography.  I get my assistant photography to take all of the extreme wide angle shots with the other lenses, because I want to keep this on the whole time in case a shot comes up that I have to get, quickly (super fast focus, even in low light).  I can zoom in on the subject and it will be crystal clear, or I can zoom out and fit most everyone in the frame.  If you are serious about photography, you have to have this lense.
I sold my 24-105 after 1.5 years and finally got this one.I have to say I should have gotten this one a long time ago:Pro:1) The background blur is sooo much better compared to 24-105mm2) I can still shoot clear photos by hand at 1/30s  (70mm)  It takes some effort though3) The color is just great.I have used all the primes from 24L II to 135L  and I have to say that this zoom lens does not seem to be inferior color wise.Con:1) The price really goes up----back in June, 2009, this lens is only 1100 dollars----- i cannot believe how much more expensive it gets nowadays2) The weight is 280g more compared to 24-105  it is still something that you might want to consider before you get this lens.960g is not light----seriously3) Yes, I wish the lens were sharper at f/2.8  but trust me----- 24-105 is not really good at f/4  for me  f/4 for 24-70 is comparable to f/5.6 for 24-105 in many situationsyou know what I mean by saying this---- you get much more decent photos at f/44) This lens is not as sharp at 24mm compared to 24-105------- Many people have noticed this and I second thatIn a nutshell, if you are shooting portrait and want a zoom lens, this is the lens to go.  (THE BLUR IS AMAZING FOR A ZOOM LENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)If you are only shooting landscape, I think 24-105 is a better choice for you for its better performance at 24mm (sharpness wise) and low weight  (because you are going down to f/8---and after my test, there is no real differences between the two lenses at most focal lengths
Don't get me wrong, this seems like a pretty good lens.  I bought it based on the excellent reviews, the L designation and the fact that I was looking for a versatile walk around lens.  I would describe myself as a beginning hobby photographer, whose budget apparently exceeds her talent and/or time spent on the hobby.  I thought spending a bunch of money on a cool lens would make me a better photographer.  The problem I have with this lens is that it is never on my camera.  It's just so big and heavy - it makes it impractical to lug around for casual photography and it intimidates my subjects.  As a result I almost never use it.  It's become like a $1200 paperweight.  I would now like to sell it and buy a few different prime lenses instead which I'm hoping can give me similar quality but in a much smaller package that will be more practical for my needs and will hopefully actually get used.  I had heard that Canon lenses keep their resale value, which is one of the reasons I didn't hesitate to drop the cash.  So I was hoping to get at least $1000 when I sell this lens that I have literally used 5 times, but I am finding that you can only get decent money in a private sale which means letting strangers off craigslist come to my house and potentially rob me...so...I guess B&H's used department is going to make a nice deal off me when they give me $700 for it and re-sell it for $1100.
WOW! What else can you ask for? This is a superb lens delivering great images, and may be it's just my copy but I do not have any focus problems. The lens is slightly soft at 2.8, but this seems to be a problem with all zoom lenses with wide apertures. There are always sweet spots that perform flawlessly in any lens. For me the softness at 2.8 is only noticeable when I magnified the image and try to look for perfection.I am wondering when the IS version of this lens will become available; it seems that this workhorse is coming up on its 10th anniversary in 2012. While it is still annihilating the competition its successor must be in the labs ready for its debut soon.Unquestionably a must buy for any serious Canon photographer.
This lens is fantastic. Along with every other L-series lens it has incredible build quality. Almost as if it was carved from a single chunk of metal. The image quality is stunning but there are a few drawbacks that I'll go into.Things I love:-Smooth zoom\focus rings. This lens was the first L-Series I used and one of the first two I purchased. The zoom and focus rings are solid and had have just the right amount of resistance.-Solid construction. The inner barrel is metal while the outer barrel is hard plastic. It's a very tough lens. I've travelled with it and had no problems.-Reverse extension zooming. This may not be mentioned in other reviews but the lens is very unusual the way it extends. It is longest at 24mm and shortest at 70mm. This allows for a hood design that attachs to the outer barrel and does not move with zooming. Which allows for more proper protection at both 24mm and 70mm. Not just at the short end like most lenses.-Image Quality. This lens has no problems in the IQ department. It's not the sharpest at f2.8 but it's still sharp. It's incredibly sharp at f8.Things I like:-Weight. It's heavy. But I actually like the extra weight. It balances very well with the 7D. It's front heavy on a Rebel, which could be annoying to some. But the weight, to me, reminds me how solid it is.-Constant Aperture. The aperture has a constant maximum of f2.8.  Letting 4 times as much light in at maximum zoom as most kit lenses at maximum zoom (f5.6). A large aperture also allows for a thinner depth of field which helps remove distracting elements from the fore and background.If I have to complain about something:-The Bokeh. It isn't quite as pleasing as it could be. It looks great, but wide open at f2.8 it produces some double line distortion and good bit distracting. But I usually look too closely at things. It's not bad but I felt it was worth mentioning.-I've also heard that the barrel distortion is significant on this lens at 24mm. I shoot on a crop frame camera so it isn't really noticeable at all to me but full framers might have more of a problem with it. However barrel distortion is easy corrected with Lightroom or PhotoshopAll in all this is a great lens. The constant aperture is a excellent feature that you may start demanding to have in all your lenses. And you won't have to worry as much about dropping this lens because it's built like a tank.
I bought this lens when I was 50/50 since the price was a bit steep for me, that Aside, I have no regrets, it has made my experience unbelievable, my customers are always shocked at how my images are crisp and sharp, both outdoor and indoor and also in low light. It's a fast lens and I use it on my 5D Mk 3 or my 60D, amazing results every time. I shoot weddings and sometimes I don't even need to use my 70-200mm Is Mk II. Get it and you won't regret the investment. Ie especially if photography is your profession. If you are a soccer mum.... Well, this may not be for you :p
I have a 20D, and am a student at Mizzou for Photojournalism... This is my main walkaround lens... tack sharp, always, fast, always... its just plain awesome.  The 2.8 is nice, and essential for me, if you don't need it, check out the new 24-105.  I would also recommend having the grip if you don't have a 1 series, since this is heavy, and tends to torque down your hand w/o the balance of weight provided by the grip.  If you have the money (i saved my earnings all summer) go for it, no doubt.
Best lens I've ever owned.  Replaced my Tammy 28-75 which I loved.  This one is sooooo much better than that lens it's unbelievable.
I use it on my 5D...Nothing more needs to be said if you know about the 5D...right?Timtfarrisphotography.com
this is an amazing lens, and what 90% of my photos come fromI have the original and the II version of this, and besides being newer and the helpful focus-lock button, there isn't much difference between them - other than the bizarre $1000 price differencethe II version is slightly smaller, which is fine I guess - both lenses have near perfect feel/weight/balance on a 1D/1Ds series body or a non-pro body with a battery gripso, amazing lens - completely amazing ... keep them comingI have 100,000+ photos on my original pampered 24-70/2.8L (which is still my default mounted lens) and it still works as well as the new one - still quiet, fast and tight after all these years and shotsI have 5,000+ on the II version - it looks/operates exactly like the day I opened the boxbut until the price comes down on the new II model to within a few $hundred of the original I can't see the new version as a real value - and unlike the original version, the resale of the II is going to keep going down before it stabilizesthe original is an excellent investment at around $1200 and the resale is strong - I'd recommend this to anyone who can mount it, regardless of camera body
Pros:- Solid construction- Outstanding optics (sharpness, contrast, saturation)- Complementary zoom range if you carry a telephoto lens like the 70-200.- 2.8 aperture- Focus is as expected on a USM 2.8, quick- Lens hood & soft carrying case included*Cons:- Heavy, nicknamed "The Brick" (2-3 pounds) for a short lens- Lack of IS- Awkward lens hood*I would like to first say that I recommend this lens - it is outstanding.  I fancy this as a good walk-around lens.  It is an excellent complement to a telephoto lens (such as a 70-200) which covers the my field needs - except macro and longer zoom.Just understand what you are purchasing when you buy it.  Quality is not a question in this lens and I will not discuss it.  The decision is between the 27-70 F/2.8 and the 24-105 f/4 IS as they are very comparable (but not precisely identical in use) quality lenses.Compare the 24-70 F2.8 and 24-105 F4.0 IS:- The aperture difference means the 24-70 is superior in motion freezing and to an extent in lower light.- Camera movement during longer exposures is less of a concern between the 24-70 and 24-105 as the IS and 2.8 tend to offset (remember that IS does NOT resolve subject movement)- The 24-105 is more versatile by having 50% more zoom.- I understand the 24-105 is significantly lighter.  The 24-70 was disturbingly heavy for such a short lens having never held a 24-105.- No comment between the 24-70 and 24-105 optics due to not personally encountering a 105.  Ratings on the 105 are good, however.Pay close attention to the fact that the 24-70 2.8 lacks IS and the 24-105 does have IS but at a cost of F/4 - a precarious trade-off situation.  That trade-off decision likely determines what lens you should purchase unless low-weight is a major factor.I chose the 24-70 because I preferred F/2.8 over the 105's IS - I'll suffer through my camera jitters as I have done in the past.  The weight of the 24-70 was more of a surprise to me than an annoyance.*:  The lens hood functions adequately but attaches to the fixed portion of the barrel.  The hood extends 70% of the total lens length when the lens is retracted.  You can reverse the hood but it prevents use of the lens controls.  This is why I call it "awkward".Now to save up for that 70-200 2.8...
This is a very good multi-purpose lens.  I love it.I do have a little trouble with the auto focus in low light conditions
It's very sharp and fast, and AF is also fast and low noise. the only problem is that it's too heavy, feels like a brick on your neck...
It you decided on purchasing a Canon DSLR because you wanted high-quality digital photos and now are looking for the perfect lens to purchase with it, this is it.  It will give you the highest quality images that your camera can produce. This lens is on my camera 95% of the time.  If you are starting out with only one lens, this is the best choice in lenses.
Ok, this review may be a little misleading only because I upgraded both Camera and Lens from a 10D with a 28-200mm 3.5-5.6 Lens (no longer in canon's lineup) to a 5D Mark II and this 24-70mm f/2.8L at the same time.My photography hobby ranges from Railroad and Industrial to Landscapes and Waterfalls.  I chose this lens first over the 70-200mm f/2.8 because of a planned Wedding event, so have been taking advantage of all the waterfalls I have near me (the telephoto is more suited to my railroad hobby).  Many shots are very tight and in dark places, and this Lens has performed beautifully.  I have turned gloomy damp visuals into beautiful, bright and contrasty settings.  When shooting my time exposure waterfalls at f/16, as long as my tripod is secure, I get sharp images corner to corner.  Even at 100% on Photoshop you can see the detail in twigs and small branches on trees well out of the prime focal plane.  I have had no focal or blur issues without knowing why it happened (ie shooting 1/3 Sec with tripod shake, I need to upgrade from my walmart one).  A few test portraits turned out very well, sharp subject, blurred background at f/2.8.  I think the wedding pictures will turn out great when it comes around.  I even tried my hand at the basic macro focus range on this lens and was rather amused as I have never been able to focus on an object like this before.  I have uploaded a Waterfall Scene, and a Macro shot to the images section of this lens page.for reference, on a 5D body, 70mm is about what your eye sees for range without the camera there.Considering the huge leap in my upgrade, my review may be very biased, but the quality is superb, and the weight of the lens is not too much at all.  I love the hood this one ships with.  On the 5D Mark II it is superb for 'Half' of my hobby, shots that a 1.6x body would still be too tight for.  I will invest in a good Telephoto Zoom  or Prime Telephoto next to re-pursue my railroad and crazy telephoto setup shots.Tom Carello
Bought this guy from Amazon a year ago.  It was anothergreat experience among many.This lens is my favorite all around lens.  The build quality,the feel, the color, sharpness, autofocus speed are allwhat I had hoped for in an 'L' lens.  it is my most usedlens and I have 3 L's - this one, the 16-35 2.8 L II andthe 70-200 2.8 L non-IS.  The 70-200 is always on my 1Dwhen I'm shooting motocross, but the 24-70 is onmost of the rest of the time.The only thing keeping this lens from getting 5 starsis lack of IS. Of course, this would add price and weight.But, I suppose if I were to grade this on what it is andnot on what I'd like it to be, I'd give it 5 stars.Getting the idea how much I like it, yet?I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens or Amazon.
The lens can be found on my camera 80% of the time.  As a wedding photographer the range is great for tight spaces where brides get ready and reception shots.  The 2.8 aperture is great and where I keep it most of the time.Why a 4 instead of 5?  Does  need to be serviced at least once a year to keep focusing sharp.  Canon factory repair can service it no problem and then it focus' beautifully.  Before I send it in I notice it back focusing.
My all-around favorite lens in the Canon EOS system is the 50/1.4.  I find that most of the time, most of the pictures I want to take can be achieved using hte 50mm focal length, and the fast aperture allows me to take photos in low light.I bought the 24-70/2.8 in hopes of getting high quality images from a zoom lens, as a lot of my pictures weren't in particularly dark places, and the flexibility to get a little wider or closer sounded appealing.I was not disappointed.The image quality produced by the 24-70/2.8 is outstanding.  Great color, great sharpness.  It might not make images quite as striking as Canon's 135/2 lens, but they are very good indeed.Does this lens replace the 50/1.4?  No way.  The 50 is a lot smaller, weighs a lot less, and is still much better for low light shooting.  But for photographing events where you don't want to lug around several prime lenses or go to extreme lenghts to frame the shot better, the 24-70 can be a great tool.
I agree with all the positive reviews of this lens. It's a great lens, give's that certain silky smooth bokeh that the 24-105 lacks and gives a nice bright viewfinder.It does have a couple of quirks though--It's very heavy so be prepared for that. A lens of this quality and high speed will need a lot of glass in there.-When you zoom out to wide, it actually gets longer which is a bit strange. Sometimes when you are taking a group picture and you need to zoom out a bit to fit everyone in the shot, the subjects see the lens moving towards them and think you are going in for a closeup. This can be partially remedied by using the included hood which masks the lens a bit and is always extended.
I purchased this lens because it's highly recommended by photographers. Perhaps I don't have a sharp copy, but this lens hasn't done its reviews justice. I tried it a number of times and was always disappointed. I also have a 100mm prime lens and this lens doesn't even come close to the 100 in sharpness. I wouldn't purchase this lens again.
After shooting with a Canon 17-85mm EF-S lens for about 5 years professionally, I eventually needed to upgrade to something better and that was weather and dust resistant. I chose this lens from all the great reviews it received online, and that it was F2.8 all the way through. I was very skeptical how "L" glass could be that much better. I was dead wrong. The images straight from the camera (40D and 30D Body) were super crisp, sharp focus (even at F2.8), and great saturated colors. My wife can even tell the difference from the images that come off this lens. She gasped when I told her how much the lens was when purchasing it, but now she sees why the price was so high. You get quality when you throw down $1,200 on an L-Lens. Bite the bullet and buy now, you won't regret it. I am now officially an "L Snob". It could be a little lighter, but your paying for quality and fast glass. I highly recommend it to anyone without a doubt.
I have used this lens with my 1D for about 6 months now and I have to say the images are truly outstanding. When I first tried it out in a shop I was amazed at the fast focus and that was using a 30D! Of course I also was amazed at the weight but you have to have that weight with glass of this quality! Its aptly nicknamed "the brick" for a reason. It is not a lightweight set-up to carry around but its not impossible to deal with. The focus with my 1D is fast and accurate, its aperture is wide enough to shoot in available light, and the images are tack sharp and vivid! It is built like a tank, and I have taken it to the base of Niagara Falls (as wet as that is) with no issue whatsoever. This is about the best all around lens you could have, i think slightly better than the 24-105 due to faster autofocus on the 24-70. When you see the results you can get with this lens, you wont mind lugging it around!!!
I returned this lens and bought the latest version, it's $900 more then this used lens but I felt it was justified. This is an aging designed. Somewhat outdated, it's painfully heavy, (especially compared to the new version), it is short and heavy makes it hard to hold the camera. If you are on a budget and demand the best image quality, this is still your best bet, but if you can pay the extra money, go with the new version like I did, you will not be sorry.
I love this lens! It's on my Canon EOS 20D everytime I go take pictures. Auto-focusing is fast. Great for low-light situations where flash isn't allowed. It isn't a true wide-angle with the crop factor of a digital camera but it still works fine for me.Off topic a bit. I ordered this lens and was being shipped to me. The courier had it damaged and Amazon replaced it the next day free of charge! This is why I love shopping here!
It's a great lens with a terrific picture but when it is extended for the widest angle shots the extended part of the lens blocks part of the built in flash from the Canon EOS cameras. It won't be a problem if you use an accessory flash like a speedlite but it will be a real problem with the built in flash. Most of my flash photographs have a nice dark arc without light because the lens blocks the flash. If you are going to spend that much for a lens you should know it will be a poor buy for photos with your built in flash.
My first "L" lens.  I was a bit nervous that I had unrealistic expectations and that when it came in it would undoubtedly be very good and yet still leave me disappointed.  It did not disappoint.  It is heavy and it costs a fair chunk of change, but for me the results justify the expense and the extra wear and tear on my arms.  The 24-70 f/2.8L is a lens that canon should be proud of.
I checked and rechecked Amazon hoping to see a good deal on this lens. The lowest that I ever saw in price was $1289.00... not a bad deal but not the deal I was looking for.  I am a hobbyist so unless I could find a way to recoupe the cost quickly I would not buy the lens until the price was right.  Well to no avail the price on this lens started to climb on Amazon.  Currently price is $1469.00... way outside my range. So I began looking at alternatives to Canon's 24-70 2.8L and almost talked myself into buying a Sigma until I saw an article that Canon was selling the 24-70 2.8L at $1119.00 as a refurbished lens.  Well that was in the budget but I was concerned with the REFURB.  If I made my living at photography I would have snorted at such a notion but I decided to give it a shot.  It came with the one year warranty as if it were new.  When the lens arrived I took several picture on various projects and am amazed mostly in how quickly and accurately it focuses. It hardly ever misses and when it does miss it is usually a very low light situation are I was not able to get the center point in place accurately in an action shot (such as Basketball).Very pleased with this lens. Tack sharp and beautiful color along with nice bokeh.  It's fast enough to do sports photography if you can get close in.  Portraits work out great. Landscapes no problem unless you need super wide view angle.  No wonder they call it Canon's work horse lens.  There are only three downsides that I see...1) This lens is big and heavy if you are a casual shooter. So if you are a snapshot shooter stay away.  You will need a backpack to haul it and your other gear around.  I don't mind the weight because the photo quality it provides is well worth it.  The only way canon could make it lighter is to make the casing out of carbon fiber but that will not address all that glass in there.  Not to mention that such a redesign would push the price even higher.  Not sure how to address the size.  However deffractive optics might be a choice to compact the size but photo quality is likely to suffer.2) The Price is a hefty step-up for non-Pros.  Even for a pro it is expensive but in the end the lens will provide the quality that you payed for.  Hence the reason lots of people buy this lens used or as I did as refurbished. Anyway I don't regret it.3) The one option I think this lens should have to complete the package is Image Stabilization (IS). Most times I can get by without it but in really low light if you can't get the shutter above 1/15th of second you will have slightly smudged images.  I have now changed my techniques shooting between breaths and finding positions where I can steady the lens (back against wall, kneeling, gentle press on shutter release all to maintain sharpness.  At least I am getting better at photography.  The IS feature can make one lazy but considering lots of other glass has this feature makes me wonder why Canon elected not to add it.  Price of course wold climb an additional $500.I highly recommend this lens if you are looking for every bit of detail and clarity that you can claim.
Had worked my way up the food chain of digital cameras and lens. Night and day difference compared to any aftermarket or third market lens setup. Heavy, fast, and produced beautiful pictures.
I use this lens mainly for weddings and portraits. People think that the results look professional.The 5D demands good glass and this lens provides it.
I found this lens to be adequately sharp at 1.8. Maybe not as sharp as a higher quality lens wide open, but pretty decent. It is soooo much better than the 28mm 2.8 ...
I've been photographing weddings for about 8 years now and I've been through my share of lenses. There are currently three lenses I carry with me at all times: The 50 1.2L, the 70-200 2.8L and this one, the 28 1.8. It's the only non-L lens I ever shoot with.Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a wide-angle guy. I like 50-85mm for almost everything I do, and 28mm is about as wide as I'll go. I used the 24 1.4L for about 2 years as my wide angle prime and I ended up selling it. It was hard to get in focus and it seemed to have some aberrations and other flaws. On top of that it was $1,600.I sold the 24 1.4 and have used the 28 1.8 ever since. I don't regret that decision one bit. If you're looking for a professional level lens for under $1000 (under $500!) then get this. It's a no-brainer.My only gripe is with the quality of flare you get shooting into the sun. I try to work in flare as much as possible to give portraits and other pictures interesting looks. The flare pattern on the 24mm 1.4 was really great. It was smooth and beautiful. On the 28mm you can have some weird patterns and shapes which sometimes look like teardrops. It's not terrible, but sometimes you have to clone out some weird stuff.Pros:Great sharpnessVery little distortionLightweight but built wellInexpensiveCons:Manual focus isn't a smooth as an L-SeriesFlare isn't as pretty as the 35L or the 24L
I love this lens. I'm a professional photographer, and during photoshoots I never take it off my camera.the 28 on a full frame sensor is amazing.it works great, i love it.
Brought this lens because I wanted a wide angle lens with a fast aperture that wasn't 1k+. This lens doesn't disappoint. Images from f1.8 were very soft. At f2 it was a little better but still soft at the point of focus. It was almost like a soft focus effect. From f2.5 and lower it gets very sharp. The sharpness at f1.8-f2.0 gets a lot better with post processing. So if you do a lot of raw shooting, it shouldn't be a big issue. If you don't post process this might not be the lens for you. Especially if you plan on shooting f1.8-f2.0 all the time. I sold my Canon ef 24-70 f2.8 ii to get this lens because f2.8 wasn't fast enough for me indoors. Anytime f2.8 was fast enough for me f4.0 was good enough too. Don't get me wrong the 24-70 is AMAZING. It just wasn't for me.Build quality of this lens is nice. A little better than the canon ef 50 f1.4. The front element doesn't zoom in and out while it focus. The canon ef 50 f1.4 front element is annoying when focusing. Not weather sealed but for the price I can't complain. There will be a lot of vignette from f1.8-2.5. Gets better as you stop down. AT f2.8 it almost completely goes away.Lenses I own now Canon ef 70-200 f2.8 IS II, canon ef 50 f1.4, and canon ef 17-40 f4.0.Shooting with Canon 5d mark ii.Prosfast f-stopprice is decent (paid 430$ and got a free Hoya UV multicoated filter)Sharpness is acceptable at f1.8-f2.5 (with post processing)wide angle (with full frame) (with crop you get a 43mm)build qualityConsSoftness at f1.8-f2.0 (big con is you don't post process - but can't expect an extremely sharp image with a fast aperture at wide angle at this price)too light (I like heavy lenses)I highly recommend this to anyone that wants a fast wide angle for their ff camera. Never tried on a crop camera so I can't say if it's good or not.
I use this lens for portraits on my 60D and 70D. It has not failed to produce quality images in all situations.
I have a big collection of narrow angle lenses. This is my first experiment in something wide angle. For a practice lens, it is great.The body of the lens is a bit light and feels a little more flimsy compared to something like the Canon f1.4 50mm. But that just means it leaves room for me to buy better, wider lenses after I have practiced with the 28 1.8.It is great for outdoor photographs, group pictures, casual outings and mid-light atmospheres! the lowlight/indoor settings should be done with a tripod, but if you have a steady hand, they turn out acceptably if you want to point and shoot. I shake a bit, and it's not as sharp as a bright natural light shot would, but it is still share-quality.I am really pleased with this lens. It will serve as a good casual or practice wide angle, and I can still upgrade if I feel the need to later.
As one of the top reviews says: If you're shooting candids of family and friends under low-light conditions, and you don't want to invest in L-glass, this is the lens for you.I'm not a professional photographer, merely a competent amateur.  I primarily shoot under some of the most trying conditions -- cats in cages in an animal shelter with overhead indirect lighting.  I have to rely on a fast, accurate auto-focus that can handle shifting animals in very low-light conditions.  This lens does that.  I also use this lens to shoot quickly-moving children, often under low-light conditions.I love my 50mm f1.8, but I have to be too far away from the cats to take their photos, and that doesn't work if the cat is trying to get out of the cage (which they usually are).  And it doesn't work for shooting friends and family, either, unless I practically walk into the other room.  I also tried the 35mm f2, but the autofocus simply couldn't handle the shelter conditions; I couldn't get a clear shot of a cat with it!In addition, this lens is sturdy and well-made.  I've used it near-constantly for a year and a half now.  I am a terror on lenses.  Sometimes I drop my camera because a cat is getting away, or it thuds into a cage as I'm reaching for something.  I've dropped it repeatedly.  This lens is holding up to all of the abuse I'm giving it.  I've already killed off a bunch of other lenses, including my 50mm.  This lens has gotten far more use than any of those, and it's still in great condition.
If you have a full frame camera and you are on a budget, this is a must have lens.  The performance is very similar to the 50mm f/1.4 EF but you get a much wider shot.  Get in close for stylized distortion and shallow depth of field in a portrait or still life or stay at a reasonable distance and enjoy excellent performance for the price with a head to toe shot or landscape.
Great price point, Fast lens, great image quality! It's my main lens now, and I rarely change it out! Great buy!
"A good lens with a bad Internet rap" - that's what I read about this lens while doing my research on it, and now that I own it, I must say that it's probably the truest thing I've read.  While not perfect, it's not nearly as bad as most reviews would have you believe.I spent a long time choosing between this lens as well as Canon 35mm, and Sigma 30mm.  I finally eliminated 35mm for not having USM, which I find quite nice.I really didn't want Sigma just because I like primes, and I want a collection of primes that I can use both on my current crop, and on my future full-frame.  In addition, Sigma seems notorious for focus issues that need calibration, which I was not looking forward to.  But everyone was raving about Sigma, so I ended up getting both 28mm and Sigma 30mm, to compare.I got Canon first and the first trial shots were HORRIBLE, I was very disappointed.Then Sigma arrived and I did comparison shots.  Suddenly, the lenses behaved very well and photos turned out very comparable.Sigma did seem to have a SLIGHT edge in sharpness and bokeh over Canon.  But I felt that the two drawbacks of Sigma, that I mentioned above, were more major than a slight advantage I would get by choosing Sigma.  So, I returned Sigma and kept Canon.So far, the only thing I'm not happy about (thus the 4 stars and the "not perfect" comment) is how unkind it seems to the sky.  I've had more blown out skies with this lens than with 50mm or 85mm.  Before I get a bunch of comments telling me to learn how to use my camera instead of complaining - I'd like to point out that a few other reviewers on here seemed to also note that this camera gets overwhelmed by light particularly easy, so I'm guessing it's not just me.Another thing I've read a lot and that I found true - 28mm does seem to hunt for focus a bit more than my 85mm, but so far it has not been an issue, and Sigma hunted in similar conditions as well.
So far i really like the lens for my crop sensor 7D camera-- its perfect for the indoor shots --- Have not played with it too much but its a def winer so far
This is a great lens. I used it with my camera which is a Canon 5D. works great with Canon 5D Mark II
i use a canon T3i and i simply love this lens.  The build quality is something i was worried about but it is a very sturdy feeling metal body.  I would and have already recommended this lens to other canon fiends.
Love the lens. Used it with my rebel and the picture looks great especially when taking indoor picture. Never disappointed.
This lens looks well made and doesn't have a plasticky feel to it.  But it comes down to image quality, and this lens just has too many weaknesses in that area.OUTDOOR USE:Sunlight or even a cloudy day will overwhelm it, even using high apertures of f/8 or higher with a hood attached.  It casts a white haze over subjects and just about everything else.  The white overcast makes color tones on subjects look slightly desaturated, almost approaching grey.  Skin tones will often come out pale in appearance ( this goes for bright colors, too).  Increasing the aperture does little after going past f/5.6.  Using a fill flash will remedy the color problems but will also create more haze.  I even tried it with a Tiffen neutral density (0.3) with little effect.  The lens just can't take a lot of light.  But you would think, well, maybe it's designed for indoors only.  Well, indoors it has even stranger problems as you will read below.INDOOR USE:People look like pale cadavers unless you use the flash.  The whole point of f/1.8 is to avoid using the flash, but that's not the way Canon see it.  Post processing will remedy the problem if you're willing to accept unnatural looking, vibrant colors.  But if you're looking for the dynamic tonal range of colors of the human face look elsewhere.  Using the flash closer than 6 feet with this lens will create the white hazy overcast I mentioned above.CORNER SHARPNESS:Even at high apertures of f/8 or higher this lens will not deliver detailed images except for the center area.  It does focus quite well on subjects and it does it fast, but it just fails to capture surrounding details, even at f/22.IDEAL USES:It seems best suited for portraits.  As long as situations calling for high depth of field and well lit environments are avoided.PERFORMANCE AT F/1.8:It sucks.  It softer than a kit lens when used at 1.8.  This thing will devour whole images unless you get it up f/2.8.PRIME LENS:Hahahahaha! Prime lens my a**.  I'm selling this pig as soon as I can.PRICE VS PERFORMANCE:It's not worth the money and is not what I'd consider a walk-around-lens unless one thinks that cell phone picture backgrounds look 'good enough'.
Pros:-Beautiful organic images that don't look too digital-Center sharp enough from f/2. I mostly shoot single human subjects so I'm not concerned about corner sharpness-Fast enough for portraiture-Reasonable 35L replacement-Small and light weight-Decent build quality. Better build than old 35 F/2 along with silent USM-Good bokeh for a wide angle lensCons:-Very soft and bloomy wide open-Can't handle extreme flareI took a chance on this lens because I didn't want to pony up for the 35L; actually I bought the 35L on 2 occasions and returned them both times because I couldn't see any magic coming from the lens considering its price point. Since I wanted something wider than my 50L I decided to try out the 28mm as my first non L Canon purchase. Boy, was I surprised at this lens' performance. There is an old school/organic feel to the files that come from this lens. This lens is great if you like to process your files to have a film look. I have also taken some amazing portraits with this lens; with the face of your subject closer to the lens, the distortion of the torso and bokeh that the lens creates at wide apertures actually has a pleasing look. The light weight and small size also made this a great walk around lens. There were only 2 minor cons to this lens; first, it's a bit soft wide open, I believe I got a pretty good copy of the lens because from f/2 it was plenty sharp. Second, it doesn't have the ability to control flare like some newer lenses but it does a pretty reasonable job and this will rarely be a problem.
I'll start with the PROS:I love the focal length of the lens. It's a match made in heaven for a cropped camera sensor like my 60D. I 'upgraded' from the 50mm f/1.8 aka the 'nifty fifty' because I felt the 50mm was too long on cropped. I find myself backing up especially indoors taking photos of family and friends. The 28mm is definitely more wider, and it can focus more closer to objects.I like the USM auto-focus a lot. This is my first canon lens with USM and it's so quiet and 'wispy' when you focus. The fact that you can override the autofocus without having to flip a switch is great! The build quality is much better than my nifty fifty of course. Metal mount, sturdy plastic, and fine glass.Now with the CONS:I don't know about other copies of the lens, but I've done some tests on mine and it seems SUPER soft. And the other reviews I've read about on Amazon and other sites will agree to this.Wide open at f/1.8, the subject in focus is very soft. I've taken the same pictures with this lens and my kit lens (18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) at same settings and f/5 and the kit lens is noticeably clearer at the point of focus. The CA (chromatic aberration) of the lens is pretty bad. I see cyan and magenta outlines in my photos, much worse then my kit lens. Lastly, in darker conditions the USM tends to miss completely when focusing wide open.Overall, I am very disappointed with this lens. Canon can do much better than this. It's sad that my kit lens can perform much better than this PRIME lens.I'd wish there were more affordable options for a prime lens like this (low aperture value and wider focal length). The only ones I see are the 35mm f/1.4L and the 28mm f/1.4L which both cost over a grand.I will probably get rid of this lens ASAP. I will rather have the 50mm f/1.4 USM and deal with the focal length then to have this lens.I will be looking forward to the 28mm f/1.8 II USM (if Canon ever makes one in the future)EDIT: I've uploaded some pictures on comparison on the images section. It's the one with the lucky toy cat. Amazon scaled down the quality of the pics so it doesn't do as much justice, but you can see a slight difference in the chinese character. The kit lens is more defined, more clear. I have a larger version of this and you can 100% see the difference it makes.
The EF 28mm f/1.8 USM is an odd animal, with users either loving or hating its optical characteristics.  Physically, there's nothing to complain about.  The lens is solidly constructed, the focusing travel is contained within the barrel, it uses the USM system with full-time manual focus, and the filter ring is the popular 58mm style.  All of these features nicely differentiate it from the EF 28mm f/2.8, which is comparatively compromised in all of these areas (but is probably a better value for the money, oddly).The first sign of trouble may be the integrated rectangular shield inside the front element assembly.  While this probably helps reduce flaring and artifacts, neither of its close relatives -- the EF 28mm f/2.8 or the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM -- require such a feature.  Disagreeable vignetting can occur, even on a crop body and with moderately bright indoor light, when stopped open.  Light bloom is also excessive when wide open, and some users have reported chromatic aberration, although I haven't personally seen it.  Conversely, performance is excellent in very low light and outdoor night shots with long exposure times.I consider this essential glass for flashless photography under low-light conditions, particularly indoors in close quarters, as the wide angle and wide aperture will effectively gather all of the light and people in a room.  Combined with a high ISO setting in the 800+ range, sharp images can be taken at reasonably quick shutter speeds, then subjected to noise cleanup during post-processing.  However I don't use the lens as much outdoors during daytime, or indoors in brightly-lit areas.  The EF 20mm f/2.8 USM handles these situations far better and is a good complement for the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM.Summarily, the main issues with this lens is price.  For about $375, everyone should get one.  But for the $450+ range where this lens usually sells, it is overpriced relative to what it offers.  Hopefully Canon will develop a Mark II version of this lens that improves on the optical characteristics while retaining the physical features and build quality.
This lens is well made, the ultrasonic focus is silent and very fast. This is great for recording videos, I used to use a 50mm 1.8 for low light indoor video but the autofocus was so loud it ruined the videos. This 1.8 USM is silent and extremely fast. Autofocus is great in low light.. my 50mm 1.8 is a cheap but very sharp lens but the the autofucus would &#34;hunt&#34; in low light.. The 28mm USM is great. Plus the 28mm is more suitable for crop sensors. Love the lens, use it on regular and IR converted CANON T1Is. This lens does not have the &#34;hot spot&#34; issues like the 50mm 1.8 does on the IR camera. Hotspots are still possible but rare and subtle. I use it to photograph my 2 year old daughter indoors / low light and I never need to use a flash!
I upgraded from my Canon EF-s 18 - 200 mm kit lens on my Canon 60D. I was tempted to buy the nifty-fifty but I was concerned that it would be too tight since I mainly shoot indoors during family gatherings. This 28 mm lens does not disappoint and is the perfect length for my needs.  I can't believe how fast it is and pictures look amazing.  I have been able to get so many more shots that simply weren't possible before.  I typically don't use it below 2.2 due to softness at the lower apertures. There is some chromatic abberation but I have found that this is easily fixed in  the Lightroom 4 lens profile correction.
I use this lens on my EOS 5D MkII full-frame camera. It works wonderfully. Images are sharp, autofocus is quick and accurate, the lens is very light weight and portable, and it takes a beating without issue (inclement weather, dusty conditions, and worse, my EF 28mm has lived through them all). Yes, there is slight chromatic aberration, but this is endemic to wide angle lenses, and isn't pronounced enough to annoy me (plus,Adobe Lightroom 3is able to fix the issue accurately).The exceptionally wide apertures made available with this wide angle lens result in it being my go-to lens for indoor architecture shooting. I find 28mm to be the most useful focal length for this task, whereas theEF 20mm f/2.8 USMdistorts the image too much, in addition to not being as fast and having greater aberrations.In total, this EF 28mm f/1.8 lens is an essential part of my lens bag.
I've only owned this lens now for about a week so I'm still getting use to it. But I absolutely love it! I've mostly done indoors with it but it handles really well.
I needed a lens with a bit more wide angle capability's than my 100 MM Canon Macro gives me, so bought this one hoping it would do the job, and it sure enough did that.. Very pleased with the quality of the photo's...
This lens takes very sharp photos.  The secret is not getting closer than the minimum distance.  I have been using this lens almost exclusively at the animal shelter where I volunteer.  Image quality is excellent even in lowlight situations.  The lens is not heavy at all, preventing a sensation of imbalance on a camera body.I rotate this lens on either a Canon 5D or 7D.  Obviously with a 5D there is true focal length; on a 7D this acts more like a 50mm lens.I am very happy with this purchase.
I was a G9 and S90 user that decided it was time to step up to the major leagues, so I decided on the Canon 60D. Of the three cameras with the same 18.1 megapixel sensor, the 60D had the most appeal because it didn't feel quite like a toy (as the t2i did), it has an articulated screen for video shooting, and it is enough below a 7D in price that you can afford a nice lens if you were considering the 7D w/kit.And that's where this beauty came in. I looked at the $100 Canon f/1.8 50mm, the 50mm f/1.4, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and this one. My primary use for this setup is to take pictures of the parties that I throw in a club setting at night and lots of indoor candids.I settled on this lens because it best fulfilled the above reasons, but also because it did not have any of the focusing issues gamble involved in the Sigma 30mm AND because unlike all of the other 50mm lenses I was considering, this comes closest to the traditional 50mm prime view on the 1.6x crop APS-C sensor that the 60D has.Let me just tell you that I am absolutely blown away by the 60D/Canon 28mm f/1.8 combo. My excitement should probably be tempered a bit because I am stepping up from P&S; realm to a dSLR with a nice lens, but still. I uploaded three shots to the user section of a nighttime walk around my block I did after a nice rain here in LA, shooting at f/2.8 in pretty much darkness with no flash and no IS and the results were just stunning.I also took some candid portrait shots of a friend who paid me a visit after having a few drinks and it really captures the mood/moments so well. It's so freeing to be able to shoot like this indoors. I have seen none of the "softness" reported by other users, except at f/1.8 where I believe it is narrow DOF on this lens. I stopped up to f/2.8 while outside and saw some incredible sharpness on pictures focused at infinity. Did some some slight CA in high contrast area (cluster of street lamps behind some trees) but nothing that bothered me and again, if I am going to do a ton of outdoor daytime shooting, I'll probably get another lens down the road.I also did a quick experiment shooting video and the large, smooth focus ring makes it very possible to manually adjust focus on a slow-moving subject (like a person moving around a room) once you have an innate feel for which direction you correct if they subject moves in front or behind the focus area. It adds a nice creative dimension to go out of focus and snap back in for a second -- that nice cinematic, hand-held aesthetic -- and the detail is just razor sharp, again, even in low light. Really looking forward to messing around more with the video side of things and this lens.All in all, very very happy. It was worth stepping down to the 60D so I could afford this lens. I finally feel like the gear is no longer an excuse at all, it's just whether or not I have the eye and get the right shot, which is how it should be.
this is a good production and the price are not so expancive. the shipped speed is fast than i manage. nice lens
The Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens focuses quickly and accurately, and can produce nice pictures as long as you keep your subjects away from the edges of the frame. The center is sharp, but even on an APS-C (cropped frame) camera such as a Digital Rebel or 50D, the edges are quite soft at f/1.8 and remain noticeably soft no matter how far you stop it down. On a full-frame camera such as the 5D Mark II, the edges are unspeakably bad. The lens also shows strong chromatic aberrations and heavy purple fringing around specular highlights. Stopping down does not reduce these effects significantly, but it is usually not a problem on indoor shots as long as sunny windows and unshaded lamps (including flourescent tubes) are kept out of the frame.My goal in purchasing this lens was to improve my indoor martial arts photography, but its optical defects were so frustrating that I found myself taking any excuse not to use it. I simply couldn't trust it to produce usable images. I ended up selling it. Now when I need a fast lens in about this focal length, I usually reach for the less-expensive but optically superiorCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens. The 35mm f/2 does not have USM, so it does not focus quite as quickly or silently as the 28mm f/1.8, but it produces good pictures without weird color artifacts.The EF 28mm f/1.8 USM is the worst prime SLR lens in Canon's product line as far as I know. It is the only such lens that I recommend avoiding.
My brother likes it because it is useful both inside and outside. Bright enough to take a photo of baby indoor and wide enough to take a landscape scenery.
Maybe its better on a full frame camera, but on my crop sensor t4i, it wasn't anything special. especially for almost $500
Like many other people, I purchased this lens to get roughly the same experience as a 50mm on a full frame sensor using my APS-C sensor Rebel. Very pleased with the results! This lens is perfect for taking shots indoors where subjects are usually lit by lamps and not bright overhead lights. At 1/40 shutter, 1.8-2.0 aperture, and ISO-800 this lens will hand shoot about what the human eye can see, and at a fast enough speed that you don't need to tell people to "hold still" to take a picture. It's not perfect, but for $2000 less than some of the "pro" alternatives I am completely satisfied.
The 50mm prime is too focused in and narrow. I opted to try out the 35mm and found that to be better but still to narrow, so I bought this lens. The reviews scared me a little because people said that this lens doesnt focus as well as the 35mm and they noticed blur on the outer frame. Ive owned both lenses for a few months now and can attest that this camera shoots exactly the same if not better because of the F1.8 vs the F2.0 on the 35mm. Its a solid built lens and the wide angle is perfect for a non-full frame camera.I def enjoy this lens. Id recommend it to anyone.
i have had this lens for well over a year since i bought it from here. i still use it about 70% of the time along with my 85mm f1.8 and 135mm f2. its a great length for indoors and the 1.8 aperture helps with indoor shutter speeds. has a short minimum focus distance, lets you take close ups of food and small objects.few cons i can think of are the edge sharpness is a little soft and it tends to back focus sometimes.
I was thrilled to get this lens and finally be able to take a realistic shot without standing 20 feet further away than I had wanted to with my other prime lenses using my Canon T3i. It's been a great lens overall, but I've noticed a considerable amount more chromatic aberration than I see on my EF-S 60mm f/2.8 or EF 70-200mm f/4 L. Considering the price (I know it's not absurdly expensive, but it's not dirt cheap) I had hoped for no noticeable issues, and this seems to be one, more or less often. If I had it to do over, I'd probably pick up the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Still, I continue to use the lens and it has given me some truly wonderful shots more often than not.**UPDATE**Since having sold this lens and picked up the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" instead, the 35mm is so completely different and amazing that it really showed me just how incapable the Canon 28mm was.  The 28 is so soft (especially wide open) and the CA so bad that while I fully realize the 35 is twice as much, it's much more than twice as glorious as far as the image quality is concerned.  Having used both for some time now, my only recommendation is to save up and grab the 35mm.  You will be so completely glad you did!
I have a Canon EOS Rebel XT, and I have a number of lenses for it, but I use my 28mm f/1.8 mostly for low light conditions!  It works great in low light without flash, as long as there is no quick movement! I recently attended a banquet and went around the room and took candid shots of everyone, without flash, and they all turned out great.  I took a group shot of everyone and had to stitch the two shots together, and even that worked fairly well.  I recommend this lens highly, but you can expect a shallow depth of field in low light, so your focus has to be right on.
I love this lens!  I am a wedding and portrait photographer who loves prime lenses!  I have been looking for a decent size "sort of" wide angle lens to bring to churches and receptions.  This one fits the bill and I can use it in the studio!  I use it with my Canon 5D mark ii and the color and crispness are both amazing.  I used it for my daughter's recital at school - the clarity was amazing at ISO 3200.  I can't wait to take it to a dark church!!  It was focuses pretty quickly at close range (I love my 85mm 1.8 but I have to step back at least 5 feet to get it to focus) - I was able to get detail of the program from about 8" away!  It's a great lens for a great price!  I'm happy!!
I rented this lens for a week to see how it would perform. I tried various shots indoors and outdoors in a variety of settings.I was looking at a wide angle lens for my XSi, which is a crop factor, so this would end up around 45mm on a full frame.Good:1) Very fast focus2) Able to perform a manual focus override3) Lightweight and small4) Good bokehBad:1) You need to stop down to f/4 in order to get anything resembling a sharp image. The center was generally fine, but the corners were terrible, even on a crop camera. This was an huge disappointment, as the 50mm f/1.4 was razor sharp at f/2.2) I noticed a lot of CA until you stop down to about f/2.8, when it became reasonable.3) Price - it's a little high (~$500) considering you can buy the 17-40 f/4L for about $200 more, and you get more focal range to boot.Overall, I was very disappointed with the results, especially when this was after using the 50mm f/1.4, which was simply incredible. You would be better off in the long run by purchasing the 17-40 f4/L, which is what I'll be purchasing next.
I bought mine in August for use with myCanon EOS Digital Rebel 300D(as a complement - and emergency backup - for theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI'd been using as my standard lens).  I read many reviews on Amazon and elsewhere before buying, and I had my concerns about this lens because of reports it was soft around the edges.  I assumed, however, that any soft parts would be effectively cropped by the smaller sensor in my camera, and this does appear to have been correct.Focus is fast and quiet, and the lens is very sharp except when opened as wide as it will go, but this is the tradeoff you get with almost every fast prime.  At f/8 the results are hard to beat.  Field of view on a 1.6x crop camera (like mine) is equivalent to about a 45mm lens on a full-frame SLR, and since the smaller sensor crops out the edges for you there's little distortion to worry about.My concerns with this lens are the reported edge softness (which I have no way of testing, since I don't own a full-frame Canon body - film or digital) and the external lens barrel, which like the 50mm 1.4 protrudes from the front of the lens and makes it susceptible to shock.  Having had to send my 50mm for repair I opted for the lens hood when I bought the 28mm.  For image quality alone on my camera I'd rate this a five-star lens, but since I have these concerns I'm knocking a star off.I have no complaint with focus accuracy, but the depth of field can be hard to manage in full program mode.  Shooting indoors in low light I generally bump the ISO up to about 400 and shoot in aperture priority mode to give myself a better chance of getting the shot I think I'm getting.  Otherwise with moving subjects (people), at close range (likely when indoors), and with a wide aperture (low light indoors) I find that even a small shift is enough to result in front- or back-focus and a lost shot.If you're outdoors or have very good light this is an excellent lens for candid shots of friends or family, and in low light it's still quite a good lens for candids, just as long as you pay attention to the aperture.  The angle of view is adequate for scenic photos when traveling, but since a true wide angle lens on an APS-sensor camera is prohibitively expensive, 'adequate' is good enough for me.  If you grew up with a film SLR and a 50mm fixed lens (as I did) this lens will come very close to the same utility you remember, and I recommend it highly.
I was looking for a wide angle prime for my 5D Mark II that could also be a "normal" prime on my 40D. I started with the EF 35mm f/2 but ended up with the 28mm f/1.8 because I really preferred the USM autofocus motor because it allows full time manual focus.  Also, I found that the 35 was sometimes a little too tight on the 40D compared to the 28 (56mm equivalent vs. 44mm field of view).Based on reviews and internet rumors, I was a little nervous about how it would perform, but I've been very pleased with my little 28.  Build quality is up to Canon's standards, focus is fast and true, and most importantly, image quality is outstanding. Combines well with my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and EF 85mm f/1.8 for a 3 lens set up that meets most of my needs.
I bought this (eventually returned it) to supplement three other lenses as a fast, wide angle lens for everyday carry for travel purposes. However, at f/1.8 the images produced are unacceptable (yes, tried micro adjustment). I've compared sharpness to a 24-105 L at F4 and couldn't tell the difference. If I had to choose, the 24-105 is slightly sharper at F4. Keep in mind my review is based on this lens attached to a 5D mark II. I would not recommend the 28mm 1.8 to anyone who already has either the 24-105L or the superb 16-35L II, and for everyone else the lens could be several hundred dollars cheaper. If you have a canon with a crop sensor, you may appreciate this more so than me, but seriously consider the 16-35 or for half as much, the 17-40 (great all purpose for crop).To its credit though, it is relatively sharp stopped down past F/2.8, and even more so past f4... but this defeats the purpose of a prime lens. The build is decent with a nice metal mount with everything else being plastic. The zoom ring is nice with a quiet ultrasonic motor. The plastic material is not the same as the polycarbonate/glass mixture that you find on the newer L lenses, it is the cheaper stuff you find with electronics from china.I never really return stuff that I buy as I always research, but this is seriously a letdown.
This really is a lovely little prime. I shoot on a full frame camera, a 5D, and the dramatic and largely undistorted images this baby produces are a real pleasure. You really get the best of both worlds with this lens, from a shallow DoF and luminance perspective. The wide glass gathers a lot of light but also keeps the DoF from being as tissue thin as a 50mm at f1.8. The auto-focus is pretty reliable, less so in very low light, but it generally gets the job done. If you like shooting prime and like the cinematic quality of a wide lens the EF 28mm f1.8 USM will spend a lot of time on your camera. If you don't like to frame with your feet then you might want to look into a zoom that cover this range, but I doubt even the L will look as good.
this is a great lens for the money. its very sharp and focuses very fast! its my favorite lens on my kit and i pretty much never take it off i just love the amazing shots and amazing BOKEH (background blur) i get with this lens. its a great lens, buy it! you won't regret it.
Great quality you would expect from canon. Perfect entry level lens with out having to break the bank. I have the canon 50mm USM also. Both lens usually retail $400-500 each.
I've had this lens for my Rebels for a couple of years now.  It was the first lens I bought with my original Rebel.  Coming from a background in 35mm SLR's (Back in the day) I thought I needed to start with a prime.  Apparently that isn't the case as my 28-135 IS is the lens that has become 'glued' to my camera(s).This lens, however, is my goto lens for indoor shots without a flash.  The fast f/1.8 comes in handy when I don't want to wash out a subject with flash (even with a speedlight).I only give it a 4 out of 5 because I think it is a bit soft for a prime, but I've kept it around while other lenses have gone back to the store or been sold on eBay.I am using it on my Rebel XT now and I suspect I will use it on my next DSLR body (EOS 30D?) whenever that happens.For a fast, wide-angle prime, this is it from Canon...
The best description of this lens I've read is that it is a very good lens with a bad internet reputation.  I couldn't agree more.  I hemmed and hawed over buying this lens for several weeks, due to the mediocre "official" reviews from prominent review sites, ones that you've undoubtedly also read if you're considering this lens.  But I kept reading glowing "unofficial" reviews from users who were out there doing real-world photography, and I was impressed with the images the lens had produced.  I finally went for it, and I love the thing!  It is small, it handles great, it is built great (WAY better than the 50/1.4), AF is fast (although not as lightning quick as the 85/1.8), and for my uses the images are great.  I use it on an original 5D, and it is on my camera most of the time.So why does it have such consistently crappy reviews?  After a few months of using it, I can offer a few reasons.  I have no doubt that this lens would be less than optimal if all you do is shoot flat brick walls.  The bricks in the corner of your images would be a bit soft, and even the bricks in the center of the image would be soft at f/1.8.  The reviews you've read online are overly concerned with what all of the bricks look like, and seem particularly interested in what bricks look like away from the center of the image.  Ask yourself how often you intend to put a subject or other sharpness-critical component of your photo somewhere other than the central 50% of the image.  For most photographers, the answer is rarely to never, unless you're doing demanding architectural or landscape work.  So take those reviews that emphasize corner sharpness with an entire shaker of salt.The lens isn't perfect - none are.  It is a bit soft at f/1.8.  I try to avoid using it there - I often shoot at f/2.2 to 2.8 where the resolution and contrast are excellent.  But f/1.8 is definitely useable, and in post processing you can coax a totally fine image out.  It's there if you need it.Would the 35L or 24L be better lenses?  You bet they would.  Could I come up with something better to do with the extra $1000 it would take to get those lenses over this one?  You bet I could.  I would also miss the 28/1.8's compact size and weight.Buy the lens hood for this lens.  It suffers from flare quite a bit - the hood helps a lot.  I give Canon a big thumbs down for not including the hood with their non-L lenses, but I guess they don't want something silly like the best interests of their loyal photographer customers to get in the way of revenue.  I consider this a problem of the Canon corporation.... the lens itself still merits 5 stars.
This is easily the best all around lens for a crop sensor. It gives you a 44.8mm FOV and incredible low light capability. Its the widest "fastest" lens under $1,500 and is and absolute bargain.Focus is extremely accurate, fast, and silent and its not a very big lens either. Build quality is excellent, focus ring is buttery smooth but maybe just a little tight, which for filming is great.Perhaps just a tiny bit softer at f1.8 but still very usable for an intense hobbyist and probably even pros.I have used it on both the 60d and 6d and it is perfect on both. If you own any of canons crop sensor cameras stop reading this and buy this lens. Seriously. You will be covered for dark late night BBQs, night walks on the beach, indoor house parties.. whatever.I have read that the "normal" FOV for a camera is the diagonal measurement of the sensor, for a crop sensor that is 27mm on a full frame its 43mm. That makes this lens closer to the "normal" FOV than any other lens for crops. Buy one, you wont regret it.
Purchased this to fill the position of everyday wide angle lens. Eventually I'll want to get the 16-35mm L series, but for now this does the job quite nicely. Additionally with the amount I saved buying this instead of the L series, I also picked up a 85mm prime, a collapsible diffuser, a B+W Grad ND filter, and 2 B+W UV filters (because i'm paranoid) for the same price.
the look of it is grand, I will get out this weekend to use it, my expectations are high, so, if there is the slightest malf or irregularity with focus I will be sure to inform the listening/purchasing world the exact problem.
I got this lens probably 5 days after I ordered it.  It's an awesome lens, pictures come out crisp.  I can not wait to go on vacation this summer and take pics of Guadeloupe
So I decided to use this lens for a while before submitting a review. I have a Rebel t3i own the Canon ef-s 18-55mm IS(kit lens), Canon 50mm f/1.4 and the Canon ef-s 15-85mm. My comparison will be based on the image quality delivered by those lens I own. As with everyone else reading reviews about this lens I was very skeptical about purchasing this but I went for it anyway.I initially bought the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and though it is a good lens it was not wide enough. I found myself stepping back. I primarily do candid, available light photography so I wanted a wider lens that was fast enough and this was what I decided on.I only have problems with this lens if lighting is moderately low with fast movement. But otherwise, I get alot of compliments from the pictures from this lens. I shoot with this lens from f/1.8 to f/2.8 at ISO 100-1600 and it keeps on amazing me. The only time I use my flash with this lens is when I cannot achieve proper focus or a sharp enough picture.Its focal length on cropped camera gives almost what your eyes see.Focus:It focuses fast and exact(close and far). Autofocus is not much of an issue unless the lighting is very low or area that i'm focusing on is dark. But mostly when you take a picture the only thing you need to do is check that the composition is what you wanted. My pictures so far have been good/great with this lens focus wise. It focuses better than my 50mm and 15-85mm in low light situations. In daylight all my lenses are great at auto focusing.Color Rendition:Its a bit more saturated than the others. The blues and greens in landscapes look a little deeper but not so much to be a problem. Skintones are good. In bright light(sunlight) with landscapes and backlit subjects i sometimes get some fringing  and a little contrast issues but nothing that cannot be fixed or worked with/around. I also have no intention of printing at 100%. Viewed on my laptop, digital HD picture frame and a few 8x10 prints, Great.Sharpness/Bokeh:As with others, my lens is very sharp with focus set to the center and falls off a bit as you go outwards (f/1.8-f/2.8 - my usual range of use). But this lens focuses correctly at any selected focus point, so I use this lens to isolate my subject. I also like the bokeh that I get with this lens. So once you understand how to use this lens the results are great.Overall I am extremely happy with this lens. It has its shortcomings but is generally a good lens. The focal length is great for a wide range of photography so my advice is to just get one and be patient. Work on your technique rather than expect the lens to take great pictures for you.
This lens bokeh is great! It is a fast lens. Used it on a 5D2 and 7D.  Excellent focal length for video too.  Great poor man's substitute forCanon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.
This lens is almost a perfect 50mm equivalent for my 1.6x SLR.  The large aperture is incredibly fast and allows great indoor shooting in low light.  Beware that using a UV Haze Filter causes glare across the lens.  It's almost unusable with the filter on.
I got this for a trip to Ireland assuming that I would encounter a lot of places where I could not use a flash indoors, like churches and museums.  I was right.  Its about as good as you can get in low light situations without spending a mint.  Very happy with this purchase.
I owned and used this lens quite extensively on both a crop and full frame sensor. I found it to be really sharp, had good color and contrast and handled flare pretty well with a hood. People tend to use this lens as a general purpose lens on a crop sensor camera and sometimes the bokeh would get really harsh and unpleasant with a busy background, but if you're using it as a wide angle on a full frame that's much less of an issues.If you're looking for a wide angle prime on a budget this is a great option. At f/1.8 its nearly as fast as the 24L and 35L for a fraction of the cost and you also get the benefit of USM focusing and a close focus distance. For what it's worth I actually prefer the 28mm focal length to the 35mm when I'm shooting portraits in that &#34;sort-of-wide angle&#34; range.
After reading so many good and negative reviews on the internet, I decided to take the chance and get this lens. Fortunately, It turned out to be the right decision. Reasons why I like it: I can take pictures indoors, at night, with lights on (or lamp), without flash and get a nice result. You can get a totally usable picture even at 1.8. Of course, depth of field is really short at low appertures, so whatever isn't aligned with your focus point will blur (but that's the idea). I found this lens to be sharp even towards corners, once again, it all depends on the focus point you choose, plus, it gets sharper from f2 and above. Also, this lens is "a bargain" compared to other primes. I don't think I'll ever get to buy one of those 1,000 USD + lenses. If you want to shoot indoors, handheld, without flash, or even if you just want an affordable prime lens for normal shooting on a crop sensor camera, this is the lens to go with.
This purchase was a replacement because my previous lens (same exact model) was lost/stolen. It works great on my Canon APS-C sized sensor, with a 44mm equivalent. If I could afford the IS on the newer 28mm lens, I would have bought that. But, considering the price of this lens is half of what it used to be, this lens is now a great value.This fast lens, at f/1.8, beats the standard zoom lens (f/3.5-5.6) in low light any day. Big difference.
Perfect for APS sized Canon sensors (70D and such), to get a normal to slightly wider than normal perspective. If you have the ability to crop your shot images, this is excellent, since you can shoot wide and fix rotation or cropping later. The 1.8 lets in a lot of light, and is a wonderful replacement to my 25 year old cheap canon NON USM 2.8 28mm. That old lens is worthless compared with this new version.
Before anything, I assume that you know all about sensor sizes and field of view related to cameras and lenses. If not, I encourage you to study the subject in order to buy the appropiate equipement. There are good explanations on the web and it is certainly a matter of concern for every willing  aspirant to photographer.This lens is just fine for APS-C cameras, it render a "50mm like" field of view. It is sharp, fast, accurate, silent, has a medium size, and a medium weight, and... of course...  an apperture of 1.8There are so many reviews of this lens on the net and very mostly good ones. If  you have an EF compatible  APS-C  Canon camera and you wanna know the power of  primes, this is the way to go. Once you get it you will not trade it.I haven't test it on FF but I doubt it could do it any worse than in the APS-C ones, may be a little bit more of vigneting and corner softness, but with a good software this is not a problem at all.I payed about 450 bucks which I find a tad high even though the quality of the lens is very good, but I would not pay any more.
This is a great lens I was able to use right away for a conference. I was able to get multiple shots without the use of a flash. The wide view is great. Not quite as wide as, say, a fish-eye lens, but I used it for a conference of about 5,000 people that consisted of a stage with many colors and different light settings and it performed beautifully. It is lightweight, quiet, and great for indoors and different environmental lighting.This is a great "go-to" lens for multi-purposes.
I am not a professional and can't speak to all the technical specs on this lens. I'm writing primarly for people who own the Canon Rebel T3i (or similar cameras) and just want to take more professional-looking pictures because you love photography and want to capture cool moments, do some creative stuff, travel, and share your pics with friends and family. After all, we're not working for National Geographic. We take pictures because we like taking pictures. It's that simple.This is my third prime lens. I already own the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 (a fantastic telephoto portrait lens) and the Canon 50mm f/1.4 (my funnest lens). So why did I buy this lens? I wanted a moderate wide angle prime lens that could also function as a normal lens and even do great close-ups. Folks, this is it! I'll try not to gush, but this lens comes out of the box crying, "Use me!" It feels professional, solid, well-built, and it is super easy to use. This lens never gets in the way taking great shots, which is another way of saying, you never have to fight with it. Screw it on your T3i and start firing away--indoor low light, outdoor, close-ups, groups shots, the whole deal. It is fast becoming the most creative lens I own, even competing with the venerable 50mm f/1.4.Speaking of fast, holy cow, I can hardly hear it focus, it is so quiet. And it's the fastest focusing lens I own. Plus, the f/1.8 means you can shoot without a flash almost in the dark!There have been some negative reviews of this lens, as there are for every lens. But I decided I would have to use this lens in order to appreciate it. I'm glad I did. It's becoming my favorite.UPDATE 6/10/12: Recently I've been doing some twilight cityscape photos for practice. It's a new type of photography for me. This lens is very impressive and it's the one I'm using now for nighttime shots as I get better at it. The time lapse shots of car lights seem to be turning out quite good, and the pics are nice and sharp.
As much as I love the 50mm f/1.4 lens there were times when it just was not wide enough. So I started an detailed search to find, for me, the perfect wide angle fixed focus lens.As this lens will not get used a whole lot I immediately eliminated the 'L' lenses as too costly for the return. I was looking for something in the 20-30mm range. It needed to be a USM as non-USM lenses make too much noise while focusing and this lens will be used at plays & concerts. (I have the 35mm f/2 and it is way too noisy to use at these events.)To make a long story short I selected the 28mm f/1.8 USM. This lens approaches the 'standard' 50mm lens length that shoots pretty much what you see with your eye.  It excells in dimly lit interiors, such as auditoriums, for instance. Use it wide open with confidence, but focus carefully - DOF is narrow even with a 28 at 1.8.Pros: Lightweight, Consistent Output, Strong Construction, Rugged, Easily Interchangeable, Durable, Sharp Focus, Wide ApertureCons: my only complaint is the same as with all non L lenses, that I have to pay extra for the hood.Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Works perfectly for what I needed to do. I use this lens for just about every picture I take because it captures so mush more than regular lenses. I would recommend this lens to even the beginner photographer.
As wedding photographers, my wife and I purchased this lens to replace the Canon 35mm f2, thinking we would benefit from the faster USM and aperture. (I know where this conversation would go... why don't we buy the L, right?  Well, I only use this wide of a view when shooting family shots or shots of the bridal party.  Otherwise, we do use L lenses, and I didn't want to spend $1500 on a &#34;specialty lens&#34;)  What we lost was reliable focusing and sharpness, especially in the corners.  Now, this lens seems built well, is super silent, and focuses quite quickly, but it doesn't always focus where intended... even on point select focus.  If you have the time to take multiple shots of a portrait, this is a great little lens, but make sure you refocus 2-3 times.  Also, not very sharp wide open at f1.8, but very nice at f2.8.
This lens was exactly what I was looking for.  I would highly recommend it!  I considered the Sigma 30mm 1.4, but I think I made the right choice!
I love this thing, i use it on my markiii for beautiful wide angle shot, and it is just perfect on my 60d for a walk around! seriously! and the pictures are great, I am happy i got this !
This lens is not so good.  It is quite soft even stopped down to f/2.8, 3.2 or even f/4.0.  The color rendition and white balance are also off, with and without flash.  I think the sample photos someone else posted are quite telling, they are soft and dull though actually quite a bit better than what I was able to achieve indoors.  Outdoors it is probably fine, but for me, I want a fast prime for shooting indoors without a flash.  There aren't a lot of great options in this focal range (the Sigma 30 mm has serious focusing problems--I tried it out; and the Canon L series primes are heavy and very expensive, though certainly intriguing).  I have the 50 mm f/1.4 and, man, is that an awesome lens.  I'm not sure why this one is more expensive, but I would avoid it.  I'd even suggest trying the Sigma before this one, but be prepared to send it back a few times to get a "good copy".  If you have your heart set on this one, you can have mine--I'm sending it back to Amazon tomorrow for a refund.
Hello Amazon shoppers, Let me start off by saying I am a die hard Canon fan. I've tried many lenses primes and zoom. and this is my fav lens. I have shot entire weddings with just this lens and a 270 speed light (yep, the little tiny flash). I am not a zoom lens fan nor do I like lenses that are slower than 1.8. I find for my business the only lenses I can use are primes at 1.8 or faster. Currently I have 4 lenses in my camera bag. Canon 28 mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8, Canon 50mm 1.8 and Tokina 11-14mm 2.8. These 4 lenses are all I need for every wedding. I've tried the 50mm 1.4 purchased it from Amazon used it for a year, then sold it. I found my photos to be sharper from the 50mm 1.8. I don't know why, but that is the deal. Anyway I hope this helps.
As a beginner with a DSLR, there are so many lenses that one can easily get overwhelmed with choices. Before we get into the actual review, here are some quick tips to keep in mind - for portraits, you want a lens with at least a focal length of 80mm or more. For macro shots, 100mm or more. For landscape, you want a wide angle lens 28mm and below. For general use photography, you want around 50mm lens. However, these focal lengths are relevant when used on a full frame body like the Canon 6D or the 5D Mk III. When you have an APSC camera body (like the Canon Rebel series, Canon 70D, or Canon 7D), there is a 1.6x crop factor to take into account, as APSC cameras crop the image that's taken to fit its sensor.Build Quality-weighing in at 10.9oz (310g), this adds some weight to your camera body, but still not too much weight compared to telephoto lenses. The build quality is sturdy, feels expensive and made in Japan, with a metal mount, huge glass, and a big rubber dial for full-time manual focusing.USM Motor-provides fast and quiet autofocus action; unlike the cheaper 50mm 1.8, the focusing system of the Canon 28mm 1.8 is in the rear of the lens, so there is no external movement during focusing as seen on the 50mm 1.8 where the lens move in and out at the front of the lens body.Minimal Focusing Distance-0.25m (0.8ft) is shorter when compared to Canon 50mm 1.8's 0.45m (1.5ft), which just means you can get much closer to your subject for macro shots. This is also very suitable for indoor shooting, especially when you have limited space to work with and don't want your back against a wall whilst taking pictures.Price-The price of this lens is very affordable when compared to the more coveted yet expensive L lens in a similar focal length - the Canon 24mm 1.4, which costs almost 4x as much.Thus, the Canon 28mm 1.8 is effectively 44.8mm focal length on a crop sensor APSC body, which is great for general use photography or as a walk-around lens. As with any prime lens, you have to use your feet to zoom in when you compose pictures. Additionally, at an f stop of 1.8, this lens works perfectly at night and in low light conditions, especially indoors such as in museums or other buildings where lighting is low. Also, this is one fast lens - autofocuses consistently and quickly before every shot. Now, while there are some negative reviews out there arguing that this lens is very soft - from my experience so far, I agree that the lens is soft at f 1.8, but once you go to 2.0 - 5.6, it gets very sharp. I usually shoot around 2.0 - 2.8 to get sharp images with a nice bokeh effect.Overall, this is one of the lenses that every photographer, beginners and pros alike, should have in their camera bag. At a great focal length that can be used as a wide angle lens on a full frame body or as a general purpose lens on an APSC cropped camera body without breaking the piggybank and short of an expensive L lens, this is one lens that one musn't pass up. Other great prime lenses to consider is the Nifty Fifty (Canon 50mm 1.8), and the Shorty Forty (Canon 40mm 2.8) aka pancake lens for DSLR beginners.
Prime lens at 28mm, 50mm, and 85mm  are a must for every photographer. and this lens at f1.8 gives break bokeh. Your next step up us the L lens of 28mm or 35mm. But at this price, this lens gives great clarity and is awesome for closeups. It works well for handheld videos because you don't have to be far away from your subject.
Bought this lens for a Canon 60D and it is great for all around shooting as it acts like a 50mm on a cropped sensor.  Produces crisp images and is great for portraits!  Awesome lens!
I am so happy I picked this up. I have the 50 1.4 and that is an awesome lens too, but this one has a great focal length for crop bodies. I use in a water housing to shoot surf, really happy with every result.
This lens is so much fun to use. The depth-of-field is spectacular as well as the high aperture. It took a little getting used to as far as the focus is concerned when shoot portraits but after I did the portraits came out spectacular.
Solid and compact, this lens focuses briskly, taking crisp photos, but is on the expensive side, sensitive to camera shake, and has an odd effective-focal-length.The USM AF is quiet and fast, and has no trouble finding focus even in very low-light, attached to myCanon Rebel T1i.However, in the same low-light (eg nightlife) situations, shooting at Av f/1.8 - f/2.5 (ISO1600), I experienced notable blur in my results.  The lens is more sensitive to shake than I expected; that might just be my grip, but during low-light shooting, it begged for IS.  Images are a a little soft at f/1.8, sharpening up by f/2.8, but reasonable throughout the range.Important to note: on cropped-sensor cameras like most Canons (check Wikipedia for "APS-C" and "Crop Factor" for details), the body's 1.6x crop-factor means this lens is effectively a 45mm.  Which I find to be an odd focal length. I have to back up several feet behind where I'd stand with my compact point&shoot; to get the typical "small group" people shot, but a close-up or typical face+shoulders portrait requires substantial cropping.This seems like the right focal-length for outdoor shooting, kids+pets, and general snapshots.  The short length and broad aperture make this a convenient walk-around lens, although the limited wide-angle was sometimes frustrating.The lens is solid and heavy, feels very well-constructed, with "big" glass.I found the colors slightly cooler and images softer than theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens.  Compared to that much cheaper lens, the EF28mm feels much better made, is much quieter, slightly faster focusing, and has a more usable focal length on APS-C cameras.I found the quality and colors nearly identical to theCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  Compared to that cheaper lens, the EF28 feels better made, is much quieter, much faster focusing (especially in low-light), and is slightly more useful than the EF 35mm's effective APS-C length of 56mm.Recommended for multi-purpose use, but outdoor-only photographers may do better with the cheaperCanon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich is much noisier and focus-hunts horribly in low-light, but takes comparable photos for being notably cheaper/smaller.
I enjoy taking pictures of parties and events and catching the interactions between people.  This lens is perfect for parties and gatherings.  The lighting is generally pretty challenging, you can&#8217;t setup a tripod, you can&#8217;t have a flash going off every few minutes and you&#8217;re usually close to your subjects.  I shoot on a crop frame camera (my Canon 60D) so it&#8217;s about a 44.8 mm equivalent on a full frame.  It&#8217;s small, light and very fast focusing.With typical indoor home lighting, I can set the ISO to about 600, aperture at F1.8 or F2.0, shutter speed around 1/50 with NO flash and still get very nice, very sharp and relatively low noise images.  The shallow depth of field really makes subjects pop out, but it&#8217;s also a bit of extra effort to make sure your focus point is dead on your subject or else it could ruin your picture.With longer lenses like the 50mm or 85mm you would have to up the shutter speed (to compensate for handshake) and up the ISO to get a usable exposure without a flash and stand farther away from your subjects.It&#8217;s also pretty good for outdoor night time photography, but I haven&#8217;t done too much of that.I think it&#8217;s a reasonable good general purpose prime lens, but a bit expensive compared to the 50mm F1.8 which is also a good general purpose prime lens.I love it and highly recommend it to anyone who does a lot of indoor event photography in small areas like people&#8217;s homes and apartments.
Love this lens, this is my go-to lens especially when I'm photographing weddings. It has wonderful auto focus for when you're trying to be quick. The manual focus is awesome for when you've got some time on your hands. Does pretty good in lowlight. If you want to get an affordable wide lens I would definitely recommend this one.
I am pleased with this lens and it's value. The only thing that was disappointing is a lens hood was not included, again nothing against the lens.
I just purchased this lens for a weekend shopping trip to Chicago to put on my T1i.  I wanted something light with a wide enough view and capable of low-light performance.  I was not disappointed.  The clarity on this lens is outstanding, as well as its ability to take great night shots. It is very fast and the lack of IS is not a factor at all.  It is my new "indoor lens", it is a great performer in this price range.  Very happy with the build quality, it is very quiet with the USM and focuses rather quickly.  I found it to be pretty sharp wide-open, as well as stopped down.  I honestly feel you cannot go wrong if you are looking for a wider prime in this price range.
I love this lens.  Excluding Canon's L-series professional lens offerings (which are all considerably more expensive), this is the sharpest lens I have seen from them.  I use it primarily for long-exposure night photography to get wide-angle sky shots.  The fast optics allow for short enough exposures that I don't need a wedge to avoid star trails.It's also very compact and light, making it an easy lens to carry around for general use.  With my 300D DSLR and its inherent 1.6x crop, the lens has an effective 45mm focal length, which makes it a good general-purpose lens.  Its portability combined with its good performance in low light make it the perfect lens for candid indoor photography.
Awesome lens. Previously owned the 50mm 1.8 and I must say I use this lens more often now. Allows a nice distance for a good shot.
After reviewing on multiple sites, I was a little hesitant to purchase because they were saying it is not that wide. This is true, but I was using the 28mm to get close to a normal lens of 45-50mm which this goes great. I like the speed of the 1.8 aperature as well as the broken it produces. The USM focus is quit and quick and works well with my 50D and 60D. It is my favorite lens and shoot 90% of the time because of the background blur as well as being an ideal walk around lens. Trying to do less with zoom also I am using this with the Canon 85mm 1.8 so I have most situations covered.
I bought this lens to do large amounts of people in groups such as sports teams or people sitting in stands.  It's exactly what I wanted.  I did research what I needed first.  Then went for this lens
Received my lens faster than expected.  It was exactly what I ordered.  I would recommend it to anyone that needs as part of their lens collection.
There are too many negative reviews about this lens in the internet, but don't believe all of these until you try it yourself. I find this lens really amazing for its price. I bought initially from Canon refurbished, but it came with broken filter ring. However, before I returned it to Canon, I got chance to try the lens. I liked it so much that I ended up buying a new one from Amazon.It must be one of the best-build non-L prime, right there with 85mm 1.8. Auto-focusing is super-quick, quiet and buttery smooth. USM ring does not rotate, and the front does not move while focusing. Image is tack sharp f2.2 and above. At f1.8, it is still usable in the center, but the corners can be little bit soft. Colors from this lens are just amazing.Only thing I don't like about this lens is it color-fringes rather badly when used wide open in bright background (e.g. sky or white walls). I have heard this is an issue with all sub $1000 wide-angle full-frame canon primes. I would rather correct color-fringing in few of my photos in post-processing than pay $$$. I really like this lens for street-photography - small-size makes it less conspicuous.Update: With DPP 3.12.52 update, Canon has released profile for Digital Lens Optimization (DLO) for this lens. I ran DLO in couple of my trouble images - all abberations are gone and sharpness increased considerably (even at f1.8)! Now I have L-lens quality without paying $$!
Very good lens.  Not the best one Canon offers but does exactly what I needed.I considered buying Canons 24mm 1.4 L for about a year but could not justify the price.  I could buy three of these for the price of the 24mm.All i wanted was a good low light, fast, lens to take candid shots with out the crappy flash on the camera.The images are great.  Actually converts to about a 44mm film lens on my DSLR.No regrets.
OMG, this lense is the best investment for my T4i, since my camera is a crop sensor the USM 50mm kind of sucks for it.  In a normal size room its nice to be able to stand 10 feet away and get a medium to full shot of your target.  Versus the USM 50mm that translates to an 80mm.If you have a crop sensor canon this should be the first lense you purchase.
I just recently purchased this lens. It's fantastic for shooting indoors where you want to use available light. Very nice bokeh, not as good as my 50mm 1.4 but still very happy with it! Great lens for a very good price. If you can't afford one of the wide angle L lenses or you are using a crop sensor body and want a &#34;normal&#34; prime this is definitely a good buy! Highly recommend!
Thats it, just one word to describe it if your a professional photographer or a filmaker with a dslr.  AMAZING! I got my lens in one week. amazing picture quality.. for any review that said they suck well theyre wrong because either they got a faulty lens, their camera sucks or they just plain dont know how to use this lens.  so i'll say it again AMAZING LENS!!!
"Poor" being relative, of course!  You've probably heard of the "holy trinity" of Canon lenses:  35 f/1.4L, 50 f/1.2L and 135 f/2L.  These lenses truly are fantastic, but they'll cost you thousands of dollars combined.  You don't *need* this stuff to take great photographs!  So how about the poor man's holy trinity instead:  28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8.  You can get your hands on these great lenses for probably a quarter of the price of the L glass.  Buy used if you can!  They're not as well built, and they're not as optically phenomenal as the L's... but they're also still excellent optics that weigh and cost much, much less than their big brothers.  So, how does the 28 f/1.8 stand up?  Chromatic aberration, sharpness, build quality are all things that are used against this lens by the army of endless online pixel peepers.  If you're actually interested in taking photographs instead of examining the minutiae of lens optics, none of these things should deter you from purchasing the 28 f/1.8.  This is not to say that the criticisms thrown at this lens are unwarranted - it's just that they don't *matter* that much in many cases.  The 28 is soft wide open, but starts cleaning up quickly and looks great by f2.8.  don't hesitate to open this thing up... post processing can fix the issues 90% of the time.  Build quality isn't at the L level, but it's definitely better than the 50 1.4, kit lenses, and is waaaay better than the nifty fifty.  The lens is prone to flare so pick up a cheap aftermarket hood for a sawbuck.  Yeah, the corners ain't great.  Go ahead and spend three times as much for an optically superior lens IF you've determined that the 28 1.8 isn't meeting your needs.  But don't worry about all this stuff until you've tried it - photographers need to determine their needs for themselves.I use this lens on a 5D, and 28mm is a great wide angle focal length.  It's worth mentioning that if you shoot an APS-C body this lens may be very attractive as well; with a 44mm equivalent focal length on these bodies it sits right between traditional 35mm and 50mm lengths.  Most folks who purchase a 50mm for an APS-C body would be better served with this focal length.  If you need a wide angle, fast prime that won't break the bank, the 28 f/1.8 is definitely worth checking out.
I like this lense for group shots in a small area, however when I did some test shots with my UV filter, I had some rainbow spots in my picture. I am unsure of the correct terminology of what that is called but I didn't like it!I removed my UV filter and took some amazing pictures with this lens, however I like to have a filter on it to protect the lens from scratches and dust.This lens is a bit pricey however it does the job well. I love my 50 mm prime lens more than this because of the depth-of-field aspect of it. However right now I can say those two lenses are what I primarily shoot with.
Either I got a bad copy or this lens is really really soft. I opted for the 50 mm f/1.4 and 17-55 2.8 combo.
My pictures went from sub-par to great with this lens. The focusing is just SO fast compared to say a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 or the kit lens. I shoot shows most often, and I just love the results I've gotten with this lens. If interested, please see some of my recent shots at facebook.com/mrniceskye
I bought this lens primarily for close-quarter portraits and general photography. I like the weight it adds to the camera(I know less weight is typically good, but it make my camera feel like a solid tool).  Great for candid photography, and I am now using it for photographing my infants monthly pictures.
Just proves you don't have to spend upwards of 1000 to get some good quality gear. I'm using this for my steadicam so I don't need anything even close to a 1.8 so this lens works great for me.
Last summer I sold all my Nikon gear on Eb*y and switched to Canon. This after over a decade of using only Nikon film and then digital SLRs. I bought the 17-40f/4.0L at the same time and consequently found very little use for this lens. I use my digital SLR primarily for travel photography. On my first trip I used this lens less than 5% of the time, preferring the wide zoom even if it was necessary to increase the digital ASA. Still, it's good to have it just in case especialy at this very reasonable price. Construction quality is slightly below that of L lens, with plasticky feel and some wobble in the focus mechanism.
I tried this lens on a Canon 5D and while the images had great color and resolution, there were soft areas at the sides. I suspect this lens is much better on a camera that is not a full frame sensor.
I love prime lens, but I don't use a 28mm enough to justify the price of a Lseries in a similar mm but the depth of field and the sharpness of this lens and the photo quality of this lens is very close in comparison of some of my primes in the L series I am very VERY pleased with this lens for the price. HIGHLY recommend this lens
I was going back and forth between the 50mm 1.4 and the 28mm 1.8, I shoot with a 7D and I'm glad I chose the 28mm.  I think its a better walk-around prime than the 50mm.  I shoot portraits with an 85mm 1.8 and its perfect for that but for all around use, this is the lens to get.  I would recommend to a friend.  I
Probably it's just my copy, as Canon's cameras are generally excellent. I have a 50mm 1.4, an excellent lens (some would say this 28mm is excellent over the 50mm, and they are probably right). This one I ordered with some high expectation. Pictures are not as clear as my 50mm, has a good focal length though, which is mainly why I ordered, also based on good reviews. Construction is very good, feels and looks solid. I returned it, with a plan to buy the 35mm L lens.
Maybe this works better on a full frame camera but on my Canon 400D it had really terrible image quality. Images were soft, didn't pull color out as I'd expect and didn't have great bokeh. My $100 50mm 1.8 performs way better.
This is my wide angle walk around lens for when I want to go light and not use a big zoom lens or heavy f/1.4 prime. It is very good overall.1. SharpnessSharpness is decent wide open in the center. It's not the sharpest lens but certainly not soft. I don't really need anything sharper at f/1.8. The edges and corners are soft at f/1.8, that's expected. But they don't look hideous on the whole frame. At f/2.8, the center becomes very sharp, and the region of sharpness extends to the edges but not into the far corners yet. At f/4, the corners get sharp, too.2. BokehI bought this lens for two purposes: city/landscapes for which it is great (f/5.6 - f/8 usually), and environmental portraits. Here, the issue is that the bokeh is not very good at f/1.8. Spectral highlights in the out of focus background get some outlines, and worse those outlines get come CA color artifacts. The Nikon 28/1.8G does much better in that regard (I used Nikon before). But still, the bokeh is not horrible, and not worse than that of other Canon wide angle lenses, even the L lenses. The good news is that at f/2.8, the bokeh surprisingly much improves, and the bokeh disks blend into each other pretty well. Subject isolation is less of course than at f/1.8, but the bokeh looks better. Certainly better than the bokeh of the new 28/2.8 IS.So bottom line: The lens is quite excellent at f/2.8 in every regard, superb at f/5.6 to f/8, and you get f/1.8 (perfectly useable) thrown in for when the light is low and you need it.
This lens works well, and is the primary lens I've been using (but that's mostly because my other two lenses are cheap Canon lenses.)  Wishing I would've bought a little bit wider of a lens, but it takes nice shots, autofocuses alright, is a comfortable fitting lens to carry around (I bought a cheap Fotodiox dedicated bayonet lens hood for cheap that I'm happy with), and the 1.8 is great.  The 1.8 is the main reason I bought it; I shoot predominantly in low-light situations.  I kind of wish I would've bought the canon 50mm 1.4 instead (didn't because I have the 1.8, but you'll never want to touch that lens again once you use the 1.4 -- the focus ring is actually responsive and usable!) but it's a fine lens.  I'll be very glad to have it once I add some more decent lenses.EDIT:  After using it more and more, I really do like it.  I'm still definitely going to have to add more, but it's a very solid lens that I use often even when I have my friend's 11-16, 35, 50 1.4 and 85 1.8UPDATE:  It's been a while now, and I bought the 50 f1.4 I was talking about before (which I use a LOT), but I still love this lens. I went ahead and rated it 5 stars, because most of my favorite shots I've ever gotten were with this lens.) If you attach it to a 5D, it is as wide as I could ever want. On a 7D, it's still pretty wide, but gives you a really great look and crispness. So I would've still needed this lens, even if I had bought the 50 first.
I use this lens with my canon 6d and the images are very nice. Fast lens and images clear in low light
I've owned this lens for 3 to 4 years now and I occasionally read a review on it.  It always gets slaughtered for it's lack of corner sharpness.  In reality, yes, it's not the sharpest lens you'll ever buy.  However,  I shoot it on a 7D which is 1.6FOVC, this gives me a 45mm equivalent.  In other words my field of view is very close to the "normal" lens range on a full frame camera.  In other words, serious amateurs, rebel owners, and any other non full frame Canon DSLR owner.  This lens is going to give you that normal lens feel you had in college when you had your Canon AE-1 or Pentax.  This is what I like most about this lens.Build quality is about like my 50mm F/1.4, AF is also similar.  but 28mm @ F/1.8 has much more forgiving DOF.  You'll still get a nice background blur but the DOF is not super thin so the problem of only having part of someone's face in focus is not as big a problem.  In other words this lens is much more usable wide open than the 50, at least on my 1.6FOVC sensor camera.The sharpness is reasonable to me (maybe because I don't see the corners like a full frame), I don't find it to be amazingly good but it doesn't strike me as nearly as bad as many reviews say it is.  Maybe I got a good copy or maybe I'm blind, not sure.  None the less, I find myself using this lens more often than my 50mm.  If you are are shooting full frame I'm guessing that would change as this would become a nice wide angle and might expose some of the issues the reviews have a problem with as a full frame tends to do.  None the less.  4 stars, I really get a decent amount of use out of this lens paired with my 7D
Great pictures in lowlight great for indoor shots. I bought this lens to get ready for the holidays my 50 mm is too tight for shot of the family together. I brought it with me to Thanks Giving to really try it out and I got some beatuful shots of the table and of the family hanging out in the living room. With my 50 mm though I love it was just too tight for certain shots.
Photos are sharp as a tack. A nice supplement to my telephoto zoom lens - particularly for nature shots. Disappointed that the autofocus on my EOS RebelT2i won't work with this lens and my 2.0 teleconverter, but that is true for the telephone zoom, too. My eyes aren't as sharp as they once were, so this is a distinct disadvantage.
Finally! I got this lens and its everything I thought it would be. Sharp! Easy to use and just great!
On a 30D and Digital Rebel XT, I tested this lens against my Canon EF70-200mm F/2.8L USM IS with 1.4x extender, and against the EF70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 USM IS lens.  I can honestly say, there is a noticeable sharpness and contrast improvement of the 300mm F/4 USM IS lens over the other two configurations.  Bokeh is very good with the 300mm lens.  I cannot complain.  Would the extra $3K be worth it for the F2.8 300mm lens?  Only if you make enough money from this field to pay for it AND make some profit.  Otherwise, I'd get this lens to fill the position. Then only if it sees an abundance of work would I consider looking at the bigger brother.  Selling this one as used and upgrading later would be more like renting it for a cheap price because it holds it's value.Back to my comparison:  The 70-300mm lens was sharper than the 70-200mm w/1.4x wide open, but the results were reversed when stopping these two combinations down.  the 70-200 and the 300mm here have better color than the 70-300 zoom I tested.  The issue with the 70-200mm w/1.4 extender is, I was unhappy with the bokeh (background blur) using the extender.  I'd hate to see how bad this is with the 2x extender.  In my opinion, and I admittedly pixel-peep, but if you are wanting to shoot at 300mm, and find yourself zooming as far as you can, this lens will deliver the goods.  Everyone else basically says this lens beats the 100-400mm L zoom, and although I've yet to test one of those, I hear that the 100-400mm L zoom is not "L" sharp at anything above 300mm unless you stop it down.  However, I understand that the 100-400mm L zoom is sharper at 400mm wide open, than the 300mm L w/1.4 extender.  For this point, I'd consider whether you're shooting a cropped sensor or full-frame (I prefer the former, actually--long story)Would I choose the 400mm non-IS lens? No. I don't know anyone who can shoot at 400mm without a tripod unless the sun is out and light is bright.  Even then, I'd still prefer at least a monopod.  At 400mm even IS would be limited.  Even the 300mm tested here is difficult to hand-hold with IS and nearly impossible without IS.  IS makes a tremendous difference, but not having it would require a tripod.  I don't always want to carry one.I took a star off on my review only because I found the AF pretty lousy.  It does a great job of what it does (focus), but hunts an awful lot if the background is busy enough.  About 20% of the time, I've had to simply disable it.  Don't let this scare you away.  No, it is sweet when the composition is sparse, or your subject is quite obvious.  But if you're shooting birds in a tree, it may hunt.Noisy IS?  My copy seems rather quiet, but it does exhibit little clunks when starting and stopping IS.  Honestly, this happens in my more expensive 70-200 L USM IS, and it happens all the time on nearly every car's A/C compressor when it starts and stops every 30 seconds during the summer.  It's a normal thing.  Maybe Canon will put a clutch in the IS later on, right?Bottom line, if resolution, contrast, color, and sharpness is what you're after and you don't mind the fact that you don't have zoom, you'll like this lens.  the price for what you get is not bad, especially when compared to the faster 300mm L lens Canon offers.
This is my first lens longer then 135mm in focal length and with IS feature. I am not a professional, but just take pictures for family occasions.Before I got this lens, I could not understand why people always like to have IS (or equivalent) for telephoto lenses and only believed safety shutter speed and tripod. But after I received this lens, I realized that neither of them is really applicable. First of all, with telephone, the shutter speed drops a lot. It's not easy to maintain the minimum shutter speed, even in outdoor. Secondly, the field of view is much narrower, a tripod will not help on following fast moving object. The IS really provides a solution to those problems. With its superb optics, I ever got a clear shot at 1/50(of course, the object was not moving). Its performance is way beyond my expectation.Before I ordered it, I also read lots of reviews. Some reviews mentioned that its AF speed is not fast. The fact is that it depends on light condition. In low light, its AF is really really slow. But when in the outdoor and it's bright, the AF is super fast. I don't see it any slower then my any other EF lenses. The difference is so noticeable and significant, but I think it's because of its long focal length.
So far this is the best telephoto lens for the money that I've found. It takes very sharp, high quality pictures of birds and other wildlife, which was why I bought it. The IS a little noisy and sometimes the AF has trouble finding small subjects with buzy backgrounds, but this is rarely a problem in most shooting situations.I owned the Sigma 150-500 lens, which took decent pictures at full zoom, but photos from this 300 f4/L, even cropped way down, are still considerably sharper than from the Sigma lens. I'm speaking, for example, of the fine details of hummingbird feathers. The Sigma couldn't capture them (even using a tripod), but the Canon 300 f4/L does so with ease. Also, color, contrast, bocah, etc. are L quality as expected. What is nice is this lens isn't too terribly big and heavy compared to the much more expensive L telephoto lenses, and its more affordable.I now use this lens with the Kenko 1.4 converter, which gives very nice results. Retains sharpness quite well.Warning---this lens does not work with the new Canon 2x III teleconverter. Autofocus does not work. The information on this new teleconverter is very misleading. If you require AF, don't buy this converter for your 300 f/4 L lens.
I prefer using my telephoto lenses while on the hoof (rather than plant myself somewhere with it fixed on a tripod) so I was in the market for a reasonably priced ($1000-$2000) Canon telephoto with image stabilization.  This one, the 300mm, was the longest range I could get for my target price with IS.  I worried it wouldn't be long enough and I'd miss the extra 100mm (I sold my 400mm without IS in order to fund the purchase of the 300mm) but what I gained is so much more valuable to me - I can now, with the lens on an APS-size sensor camera, have a handhold-able, walkaround 480mm-equivalent lens (it was impossible for me to handhold the 400mm) - and as a result, I take it out to play much more often than I did the 400mm.Add a 1.4x teleconverter to that and you have well over 600mm - and this lens is of such a good build quality that it easily handles a teleconverter with no noticeable loss of image quality (although I hear that with the 2x teleconverter the loss in quality is noticeable).This is quite simply an excellent lens, good contrast and sharp, sharp, sharp.  I've been very pleased with this purchase.
Received the lens and shot my first baseball game today.  From Afternoon to dusk this lense worked hard.  It is a little noisy at time (I am also sensitive) but the Bokah (blur) was great and while the 60d is not the strongest body in the world this lens proved the old adage buy glass first.  I can't wait to get a new body but in the meantime I am thrilled with the reach and clarity of this lens.(Canon 10d, Canon 60d, LGlass 70-200Is, 17-40 and lots of non L glass too)
I received a poor copy of the 300mm f/4 from Amazon.com.  Unsharp at all apertures, and a ton of chromatic aberrations, even at f/8.  Obviously there was something wrong with the optics.  Could have been a bad copy from Canon, could have been Amazon's terrible packaging.  Either way, it cost me $30 to insure/ship/return the faulty lens to Amazon!
I was watching a professional photographer on the Oregon Coast, working with this great Canon lens, using a tripod and capturing an image of a small flower on the ground.  After we talked, I knew that I wanted this 300mm L lens.  I have the 70-200 f/4L lens, but did not have a prime lens like the 300mm.  So, I saved up and bought it, and I have been giddy ever since.  The images I get are really sharp, with great color, contrast, and depth.  I entered five shots in the county fair and won a blue ribbon,a white ribbon, and one honorable mention.  So, if you have the bucks and the time, this fantastic lens will produce winning shots for you.
This is another great lens from Canon.  Could not see spending much, much more for the 2.8 at this time.  Clear and sharp, use with a 1.4 adapter and no problems with the lens at 5.6.  Love it.
Incredible IQ in a compact, hand-holdable, image stabilized lens. I have used 100-400 as well, while the zoom offers flexibility, this lens is a class apart in sharpness.IQ difference between the zoom and prime  is amplified at subjects over 50m make it a perfect lens for wildlife..300mm F4L IS and 10-22mm are the only reasons I still shoot with Canon (rebel and 4/50D have poor ergonomics), and probably will be adding a new body to go with each, this is also the reason my D90 in mothballed (I was hoping Nikon will release a VR version when I switched to Nikon).
It give you want you want for photographing.  It is a little heavy in the field to carry around with you.
A lot of Canon's longer glass is extremely expensive and heavy. Canon has a heart and created a great line of professional f/4 lenses, many with image-stabilization.The benefit of the 300mm f/4L IS USM lens is that it is much lighter and easier to handle than it's more expensive f/2.8L version. And even though you're limited to f/4, the IS works very well and enables shutter speeds of 1/125sec, and even lower with a steady hand. Another great feature is the integrated lens hood which telescopes outward for use and inward for storage.It also works with Canon's teleconverters, but you'll lose an additional stop or two, which may be too much for low-light.The AF is very good and since it is a prime lens, it is a little sharper than the 70-200mm. It also has a very close focusing distance just under 5ft! So, if you're into extreme close-ups, this lens will be uncomfortably close.You'll be very happy with the reach, weight, and image quality from this lens.Canon has done an excellent job with its professional f/4 line of lenses. They're cheaper than their f/2.8 counterparts and as the cameras get better at hi-ISO, I can see them becoming incredibly popular.CON: There is a slight jump in the viewfinder image when the IS kicks in. It's only for a fraction of a second, but it can be startling in the heat of the moment. Integrated lens hood feels a little cheap, but it is effective.
Product arrived very timely and was well packed. Product contained user manual and was in perfect condition
I love this new camera lens. The pictures just pop with it. Haven't gotten to use it a lot yet but did spend a day taking bird pictures. It is heavier but not too heavy to carry around. Amazon was great with quick delivery as well.
Love it!  Great for birding.  Sometimes use it with a 1.4X teleconverter but that slows down the USM focus.  Great bokeh.  Be aware that you need lots of light so you can stop down enough to get a decent amount of your subject in focus.  Using F4, at about 10 feet the eye of the sparrow is in focus and the tip of it's beak is out...
This is my second "L" lens the other being 70-200L f4 and both are exceptional. If you are looking for professional results you will need good equipment used within it's limits.
I bought this because I sometimes need greater reach than provided by my 70-200 f4 L. It's a very sharp lens, and because of its relatively light weight and IS I've been able to get some stunning shots hand-holding it when a tripod is not practical.The only negative I've noticed is that the IS is noisy when it first kicks in, but other than sounding a bit like 'elves moving furniture around' (not my words, but apt), it's not a problem.There is no doubt that the 2.8 version is a sharper lens - it's a legend in its own time. But I don't make a living from this so I really can't justify the extra $3,000.00.I haven't had any problems with focusing - it's fast and accurate. This is a great lens and well worth the money.Update 2/13/10 - Although I have gotten some stunning shots with this lens, I began to get the feeling that it was inconsistent. Finally, one day I was photographing landing aircraft near Kennedy Airport. I started out with this lens, realized it was too long, and switched to my 70-210. When I got home I compared the shots and almost every shot with the 300mm was soft whereas the 70-210 was right on. I've sent it back to Canon for calibration, and they responded that it does need repair. Haven't gotten it back yet but I'll update again when I do. I'm not at all turned off to this lens, and I'm looking forward go seeing the results after Canon is done with it.Update 8/11/10 - The lens came back from Canon (not long after I sent it) - they say they replaced the entire auto-focus and IS mechanism. Judging by the results they probably did. This lens is performing fabulously. Color, contrast, and clarity are just top-notch. It's pointless to upload photos to Amazon, they lose too much when downsized, but I wish I could let you see some of the results. Now my favorite dragonfly/butterfly lens as it allows me to keep my distance while filling the frame, without a converter.
I am very satisfied with this lens. I have not tried it with the 1.4 extender yet,but if it is as good with the extender as the reviews, I will be more satisfied than I am now.The quality of sharpness is better than any lens I have purchased before. For the price it is probably the best in class. I have to have IS because of my age I have a slite shake when taking photos handheld. The lens takes very sharp photos even with my shaking hands.I have taken some test shots on a tripod with the 2x extender with quite a bit of quality. It does take a solid built tripod to hold it. There is no allowance for any movement with the 2x extender,and it takes me awhile to ajust and focus in. So I would not recommend using it for action photography. Also you lose auto focus.The 1.4x is suppose to work a lot better . Will update when I receive my 1.4xSo far I am satisfied completely,with the sharpness and build quality.4/25/2007 I purchased a 1.4 extender and have tried it with the 300 prime,even in very cloudy weather I have taken very sharp photos. It does work as I had hoped it would,even dropping to F 5.6.
It is very good. And not havey for using. F4 is very useful in the night or other conditions which the light is not enough. It focus very fast that you can easy to make the picture with birds.
This lens is a [L] canon lens therefore-costly. The quality of a prime will exceed most or all standard lens. Image being the mostsought after and this lens with correct use will deliver quality image's.The downside to this lens is it is a [300mm] that is a littleshort for birding and wildlife unless you are adept at getting close to your subject..My use is for wildlife-mostly birding,sittingflying etc;. I also use canon 100-400mm L IS as my primary lens for distance when I know I will need the extra MM.This is my second prime canon L IS and the 300mm is a terrific quality lens. Good photo technique, good stabllity, willgive satisfying results with this canon 300mm prime lens.For it's limitation on distance only this lens has high quality.
Awesome lens, after reading reviews of the canon 300 f4 IS USM I decided to pull the trigger and order it. Product arrived today and I couldn't wait to test it out. I have a canon 1D Mk IV, 5D Mk II. Tack sharp!! Just what I was looking for. I wanted to start shooting some birds and critters, when trying to focus in the trees and branches the auto focus on several shots did have a little trouble focusing. But it has full time manual focus. I feel the majority of times this lens will focus correctly. I feel when it did have trouble, I could attribute it to the many branches that may have caused the auto focus some problems. It not a real problem for me, I mostly shoot manual anyway.  I also received the canon ext 1.4 III today and wow!!  I can truly reach out a bit.  Another product I added to the mix, the Better Beamer flash attachment. Truly amazing having a fill flash at approx 50' away and have the bird are brighter. You will be happy with this lens. One more thing, I read in some reviews the complaint of noise when auto focus was hunting. I could hear it, but it in no way bothers me.
This lens is replacing a basic Canon  EF 70-300 lens that served me well. The EF lens was a bit soft for birding when zoomed out. The EF f/4L lens provides much brighter colors. I am just starting to use it but have already got eye popping pictures. It is expensive, but worth it if you want great pictures at 300 mm. I am using this on a Canon EOS 60D. You still need to understand lighting and camera settings to get great results.
It is hard to imagine the f2.8 version being superior in most shooting conditions. The fact this lens is so much lighter & portable you open up a whole vista of angles very quickly due to hand holding vs the monopod dependent big brother version. Sharpness & color saturation is excellent. I have used this lens in extreme light deprived situations..e.g.,amphitheatre after dark shooting 200+ feet from subjects on a concession building rooftop. Could quickly pan the stage from either side. The image stabilizer was great. With a good brace 1/20-30 of a second is possible. With a full frame sensor camera at high ISO you get great results from this little gem.Sports photography? Are you kidding me? This is a great lens. I took shots from the upper deck/40 yard line at the University Of Tennessee/Neyland Stadium with my canon rebel XT...even from that vantage point you can crop down & see the eyes/ expressions of the players @ midfield during the coin toss.Why leave the collar on? For me at least it aids in helping with a more steady brace while hand holding. The bottom part of the collar is flat & helps to balance/acts as a fulcrum to balance the body & lens.
Another great out of box experience. In daylight, low-light, moving car, even night - this thing focuses fast, and it does not fight my old EOS20d. In my hands, the IS seems to work great and I have had a lot of acceptably sharp hand-held images during the first few days. Great color as one would expect from L-glass.
I've used Canon cameras and lenses for over 30 years, but never had an L series lens.  I finally broke down when Amazon had a sale and twisted this lens onto my EOS-60D.  My first set of pictures blew me away!  I shot several scaled quail perching on my adobe wall about 50 feet away through a double-paned  sliding door.  Though I wasn't expecting too much, the results were sharp and beautifully detailed.  I did a serious crop to isolate one of the quail and still had a great image.  This lens is sharp!  The focus is critical wide open, but what a bokeh!Quess what lens stays bolted to the 60D?  Clue: not one of the kit lenses.Next step is getting a 1.4x extender and a gimbal head to capture birds in flight.
This is a wonderful lens. I'm using it on a Canon 30D alone or with a Tamron 1.4x extender taking pictures of moving birds in dark conditions or close-ups of insects when I don't have time to change lenses. I can zoom in on the computer 3-4 times and still see a crisp picture. The auto-focus is crisp and it's very pleasurable to hear it snap onto a subject. With a tiny subject surrounded by large objects, it gets very close, and it's easy to switch to manual focus and finish focusing even with my not so great eyesight. It's relatively light weight is a help and I'm amazed at what I can take hand-held in difficult conditions no doubt thanks to the image stabilization. Now I wish I'd gotten the Canon 1.4x.
I do a lot of sports photography of my grandchildren, and this lens is fast enough.  Have not tried the f/2.8 300mm lens, but with using a higher iso and accepting a little/moderate noise in my photos have not been disappointed with indoor, available light photos at swimming meets.  Have used it to photograph football and fast pitch games, also.
I am really happy with this lens.  Images are sharp.  IS makes hand-holding really easy.  The long focal length makes nice shallow DOF and blurry background.  I use this lens to shoot the flowers in backyard and kids playing on the street.  The result is more impressive than my 70-200mm zoom f/2.8.  I guess one of the reasons is that I do not have IS on the zoom lense.  Because I mostly shoot outdoors with good light,  there is not too much concerns about the max apture only reach f/4.  But because of that, the price (less than $1400.00) is very sweet.It is not long enough to do birding, unless you are close to a big Canadian goose.  But it is great for other wide life photographies.The shortcoming of this lens is obviously less flexible being a prime lens.  For my kids soccer games, I find myself uses 70-200 zoom more often, simply because they run around!  Another problem I have is it eats up battery pretty fast.  Since this is the first IS lens I own, I don't know if this is normal for IS lenses, which you can here the motor working hard all the time.
This is one of my favorite lenses.  I find it to be tack sharp, very light, and plenty fast.  The IS works well.  The size of the lens is quite reasonable.  All in all I think this is one of Canon's better value lenses.
I use this lens mostly for wildlife photos. It delivers wonderful sharpness and bokeh. I use it hand held or sometimes from a monopod, and the light weight won't slow me down on the trail. With this approach, the 300 f4 can yields excellent results between 2 - 25 yards. Another reviewer called the 300 f4 a long distance macro, and that's basically how I have used it.On the downside, there is some clicking as the motor engages, but mine is no louder than the shutter click. To me the real drawback with this lens is slow autofocus. It is noticeably slower than the 70-200 mm f4.  Tracking songbirds in and out of thick branches is a chore. I have gotten mixed results with birds in flight. But if your subject is still or moving predictably, this lens really rocks.
This is my favorite lens. I could not carry the heavier long range teles, and it was a hard decision for me. In the end, I chose this because it was lighter than the zooms.Having previouly used the 75-300 IS zoom, I was leary of getting another 300mm prime, because I may miss the 70-300 range of shooting. But the clarity and colors are so true for this 300 prime, I don't look back.Easy to handle, not so bulky. Fast, impressive photos. Even when I add a 1.4 teleconverter shooting in the 500mm range on my 20D. I use the f4 alot, no problem, great clarity. Awesome lens for the price.
Use it for indoor hand-held head shots from distance with 5D classic or 40D. Have 100-400L. Went for this for the f4 as oppose to f5.6 on the zoom. My zoom is pretty sharp but indoor it's way to slow, even beyond the IS could help.Pro:1. IS works, not that noise (about the same as 100-400L)2. Top build quality3. Good IQ wide open with good bokeh (better than the zoom and F4 does give me more acceptible indoor shots than F5.6)4. I like the build-in hood, probably more expensive to build but easier to use than pulling up and taking down the big black hood on the zoom.5. The 1.5 meter min focus distance is very useful and handy indoor.6. I am surprised that it feels about the same weight as my 200mm f/2.8L in real world use. Would have skipped this lens if the 200mm had IS on it. My 70-200 f/2.8L IS Mk1 is not that great, despite its high price)Con:1. Price is up by a lot (thanks to the dollar)2. AF can be confused by low contrast subject. On the same 5D body, my 100-400L has no problem. (The subject is a black F117 model plane against white wall)Bottom line:This lens doesn't disappoint as many of the reviewers have already said. But it's not exactly magical either. The 2.8 is too heavy and expensive. But I would definitely try it had I had the deep pocket.
This is a good lens, but not a great lens when compared to newer zooms;Canon's 70-200 f/4 L IS and the 70-300 L IS USM.  I used the KenkoPro level 1.4x extender on all three lenses and found the Canon 70-200 f/4 L ISto be the easiest to use and consistently produced the best images with the extender,especially when panning to shoot moving objects.The Canon 70-300 L IS USM can be used with the Kenko Proplus 300 1.4x, but it isquirky.  The keepers that I got were comparable to the keepers on the Canon 300 f/4 L IS.The AF and IS are superior on this lens and really showed the weaknesses in the Canon 300L f/4 IS .Oddly, the Kenko Proplus 300 1.4x actually Increased optical quality on the Canon 300 f/4 L Iswhen used to shoot still images. Sounds strange, but I checked and rechecked results.  Later I foundthis same comment on photo forums.After using these three lenses in the Grand Teton/Yellowstone area for a week I have come to theconclusion that for MY uses the 70-300 L IS USM will be my next purchase.If I did not already own the 70-200 f/4 L IS, it would be my first pick.  It's light and has spectacularoptics.  Works very well with 1.4x extender.  I have used the Canon 1.4x II on it as well as the KenkoProplus 300 1.4x.  I prefer the Kenko as it's more compatible with more Canon lenses and my Kenkocopy is comparable with the Canon 1.4xII that I had. I have read that the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS L workswith the 2.0 TX converters which I would like to explore for Wildlife use.I compared these three lenses shooting from a Bogen/manfrotto tripod, no wind, live view with remoterelease on a Canon 7D that was calibrated for all three lenses with IS OFF.It's not that the Canon 300 f/4 L IS  is a bad lens, it's just that for a few hundred  more I can geta lens that is much more flexible for my uses ( Wildlife and Travel photography ) that has up to dateIS, AF, build and weather sealing.IF you shoot stagnate images this will be a keeper of a lens.  I have seen others that say they use thisfor birding.  They surely had a sharper lens than I did. My lens was produced in 2008 if that helps anyone.I found focus hunt, jerky IS that seemed to lag, and the ergonomics on the lens was very evidently lackingcompared to the Canon 70-300 L IS and the Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS.I really wanted to like the 300 f/4 IS lens as it would have allowed for use with the 1.4x and possibly the 2.0X, so thatI could have the extra reach when needed and have a more versatile package for trail use or travel.I used all three lenses hand held as well, since there are times when not only is a tripod not practical, but they are not "legal"either.  I do tend to use a manfrotto monopod that is incredible, but even those are not always practical.For 300mm worth of reach without an extender the Canon 70-300 L IS USM really Rocked and I was very glad to haveit in my bag of tricks for my 2 weeks in the Greater Teton/Yellowstone area.  After a week I sent the Canon 300 f/4 ISPrime back to Pro Photo Rental.  The Lens itself was Pristine and they keep all of their gear in perfect condition.If you aren't certain about a lens Renting is a great way to try one out without the large out of pocket expense.For the most part the new Zooms really are offering a lot for the money.  Of course there are those PrimeLenses that for several grand will take you any where you want to go, except up the hill, unless you havea pack mule to carry them.
This lens fantastic! I was able to use the canon 1.4 extender which, with the dslr magnification factor gave me a 672mm lens with full, quick auto focus and sharp as a tack resolution and clarity. I saw bird feathers I never saw before.Stick with prime for nature photos. The zooms I own never captured the detail this lens has.
I fall into the category of 'pro-sumer',  I don't do this for a living, but In my mind I certainly think i could.I need a lens that I can trust to deliver a cristal clear, crisp, and tack sharp image every time.This lens delivers, and more.I doesn't take long to get past the thought of always needing a zoom lens. With a fixed 300, you must learn how and when to use it, but once mastered, you will never own a 70-300 again.I originally picked this up for nature, birding,and other wild life photography. I have some astounding owl,deer, chipmunk, and fox photos due to this guy.  Once I began experimenting more with it, I began finding a great use for it in indoor candid, and close up shots at weddings and other settings. The crisp details of a full screen head shot, with a nicely blurred background is awesome.Many folks chase the numbers on lenses.  They see 4.0, and all they can think about is getting into a 2.8..  I was one of these people, and honestly, 4.0 delivers more often than a 2.8.  I first picked up a 200mm 2.8. I assumed, like may do that I needed the aperture more than the length.  As you will notice on eBay and other sites, there are Many 2.8 lenses for sale, but 4.0 300mm are rare to find used. Simply put, people keep them.The recent Canon cameras have really good ISO settings, and you can make up the difference between a 4.0 and a 2.8 with the  simple turn of a dial.Most people that look at this lens are not considering a Nikon or other brand, but rather are deciding between a canon zoom (100-400 or 70-300) or they are looking at the 200 2.8.  After making all 3 decisions, and actually purchasing all three over time, this lens Is the only one of the 3 that I still own.  It really fills the need of the telephoto lens, and is simply not matched by any lens on the market for image quality, durability, and value.  You might replace your canon body 3 times over the next 10 years, but you will still own this lens.Quit your review reading and online trolling, and do your self a favor...  Get it!IfI for some crazy reason you ever choose to sell it, you will always find a favorable market for it, and unlike cars, this guy will always sell for most of the initial purchase price.
The Canon EF 300mm f4/L IS was one of Canon's first image stabilized lenses, and as a result, it is a little slower than newer IS lenses. The image stabilization has two modes -- one for tripod use and one for hand holding.The picture quality is fantastic, coming out of this lens, and it is lighter weight than theCanon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USMfor a fraction of the price.Attaching this lens to the1.4X II Extendereffectively makes the lens equivalent to 420mm f/5.6, while still retaining autofocus capability.With theCanon EF 2X II Extender, the lens loses autofocus, but is effectively a 600mm f/8 lens.I was a bit hesitant at first, wondering if I should just save up for the 300mm f/2.8L instead, but with such great image color and quality coming from the f/4L, my worries subsided. The lens hood of the 300 f/4L IS is retractable, and fits snugly while still allowing the use of the focus ring.This lens is not for everyone, as a 300mm prime gets you up close and personal with whatever subject you are shooting; the autofocus can sometimes slip from subject to something in the foreground. It does seem suitable for macro photography with the caveat that one maintains at least 0.3 meters (about a foot away) in order to take the picture.
I got this lens for shooting architecture from a distance--an unsual application. I've also found myself using it to shoot kids soccer games. It's super sharp and very fast focusing. I haven't done formal tests at all apertures, but images appear vivid and contrasty at a range of settings. Online reviews rank this lens very highly and my own experience supports those findings.The Image Stabilization seems to work very well, although be sure to turn it off if you're using a tripod--I've found that it can reduce image quality if you forget to turn it off in that application.For shots where you'll be standing around a lot with the lens to your eye, ready for a shot, it gets kind of heavy to carry. If you're shooting sports, you might want to consider a monopod. For other applications, its weight is low enough not to be too big of a problem.It comes with a canvas-like case that includes a loop you can use to attach it to your belt. I've found this works pretty well out in the field, particularly when combined with a photo-vest. The case also can be carried with a neck strap, but this gets in the way of your camera strap and is also thin, so it kind of cuts into your shoulder.As I write this, the Amazon site has a link for 58mm filters for this lens. It takes 77mm filters.
Very sharp lens, excellent IS, and the lens hood is built in.Was on the fence with several choices, purchased the 300mm F/4L after seeing several examples and reading reviews.My first use was at a live concert, I took it just for kicks and gave it a try to see what it would do. The capture of emotion and the bokeh were amazing. Since then I have been to a few baseball games and out in the yard with pets and it has not let me down. The ring that comes with the lens is smooth for a quick loosen and flip for verticals on a monopod/tripod.* Sharp and Fast, you can not ask for more from any other lens. The case is nice to have in order to keep it safe.My setup: Canon 6D, T3i  with 300mm F/4L, monopod with ball head.
This is one great lens!!  Took pictures from a soccer tourney and got right up in the action!  If you are looking to get closer to the action then this is the lens for you!!
Nice sharp pictures.  I added a 1.4 converter, and pictures still turn out sharp.  It is a little heavy, but can hand hold for a while for some shots if needed.  I haven't done too much with the macro yet, but got some good shots when I did try it.  I am hung up on the &#34;L&#34; series lens now!I thought I might miss not having the zoom, and surprised I don't.  Yes, it is a little pricey, but worth every penny!
This is the sharpest telephoto lens I have ever owned. For wildlife photography there is nothing even close to it for the price.
As you might expect ... as my first big prime it is taking a bit of getting used because of the physical characteristics.  It causes what I thought was a pretty solid tripod to drift a bit but that is easy to overcome.  I am pretty sure the lens itself is much more capable than the operator  :-)
I needed this lens to take pictures of my dad riding his street bike at the track. I wasn't allowed on the track so I needed some reach. I was using this on a 7D, so after accounting for my 1.6x crop factor, I was shooting at an effective 480mm.My review will be based on the image quality provided on a crop sensor. Full frame sensors may experience different results since they use more of the edges of the lens which is typically a lens' weak point.From my experience, image quality was stunning wide open at f/4. It did improve slightly when stopped down a stop, but there was little improvement after that. It was obvious Canon designed this lens to be used wide open all day with exceptional results. I did not experience any vignetting on a crop, and the image was consistently sharp corner to corner (obviously stronger at the center).Autofocus is lightning fast and extremely accurate. There is a focus range limiting switch which helps reduce focus hunting. I cannot emphasize how quick the focus is. It honestly feels instantaneous.Image Stabilization works quite well, though I didn't use it much. It does have two modes - one for still shots and the second mode for panning shots.This lens also works with a 1.4x teleconverter to make it a 420mm f/5.6 lens. It will still autofocus like this on all bodies (albeit at reduced speeds). 1 Series owners can use a 2x teleconverter to have 600mm f/8 and retain autofocus on the center AF point. Any other bodies will not autofocus with the 2x TC attached, but you can still use it and manually focus.It goes without saying that the only real downside of the lens is its lack of zoom, and I've missed a lot of shots once the subject got to close. However, I knew this going in and did not dock any stars/points for it. This lens was designed with a specific goal and mind and in my opinion, it takes those goals and shatters them. It's an incredible lens.Another thing I wished this lens had was weather sealing. I think at almost $1400 they could add that in. The cheaper 70-200 f/4 IS even has it.However, despite the two small gripes this is an incredible lens. If your find yourself needing this kind of reach, this is a great lens.
Bought the 300 f/4 thought it would be a good addition since it was light and image quality was good.Got tired of it pretty quick though.  F/4 just isn't wide enough for what I wanted to do.Also as an owner of the 400 f/2.8, I got spoiled because few lenses out there can compete with it.Sold the lens, bit the bullet and bought the 300 f/2.8.Now that's a lens that can compete with the 400 f/2.8 in image quality.Yes the 2.8 is 4x the price of the 4.0, but it's easily 4x the image quality.
This lens is sharp, but you probably already know that. Buy this lens. f/4 is pretty fast and very usable for most situations. The IS works fine even though it is an earlier version of IS. This lens come packaged really well from Amazon which is important since the shipping box was pretty beat up. This is so much sharper than the 70-300mm (non-L). It is a larger lens but no where near as large as some of the other L lens. Get it.
It's white. It's metal. It's glass. Some electronic stuff in there, too. It is incredible how humans can make these things. Amazing technology. Great stuff. If you can afford it, you know enough about it by now, don't you? Read up, boys. Then buy this one or something like it. But don't ever, ever, buy a piece of garbage plastic lens, and expect it to give you pleasure, as this one does.
Over seven years I've found the 300 f/4 IS to be a solid performer.  I still recall how amazed I was at the brightness of the image in the viewfinder when I first purchased this lens.  Autofocus is quick and sure; if you have trouble with autofocus check the camera settings to see if you are in single shot mode, as the AI focus modes yield different behavior.  The contrast and sharpness are excellent, and fall off a bit toward the corners of the frame.  Resolution improves somewhat when the lens is stopped down to f/8.  If you shoot wildlife and want to take the edge off of the white finish, some camoflage tape on the built in lens hood will help.I own the EF 2x II teleconverter, which provides better performance than one might expect for a 300mm lens in this price range.  With my 300 f/4, I get noticeably better resolution stopped down to f/16 than I do wide open, though the falloff toward the image corners is still sometimes unacceptable.  Knowing this has not caused me to remove the teleconverter to photograph a bull elk in rut, so obviously I can live with this.I tried mating the 300mm f/4 with various Kenko extension tubes to increase close focusing performance, but here the lens fell flat: both contrast and resolution were awful.  I am unable to explain why.  My solution was to buy the incredible Canon EF 180mm Macro lens for chasing insects, and I am happy I did.While I appreciate the availability of the image stabilizer system in this camera, I still use (and recommend) a tripod whenever possible.  If you plan to use Arca-Swiss style plates with your tripod, it is worth considering the Really Right Stuff double-dovetailed plates that accomodate a quick-release flash bracket.  Kirk Enterprises has a less efficient system for lens-based flash brackets.  While most of my plates are from Kirk, for this lens I grabbed the Really Right Stuff.
Beware:  Amazon sells lenses with fungus.  I purchased the lens in February and starting using it in April.  I noticed something inside the lens; fungus.  Period between purchase and use lens was in the original box.  Canon will not honor the warranty and blames Amazon.  Amazon will not refund as it's after 30 days.  $600 to get fixed by Canon.
I am an amateur-hobby photographer with an interest in wildlife, dogs and children sports. My cameras are a Canon 7D and a Canon 5D.  I currently own three Canon lenses, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS and the EF 300mm f/4L IS. I sold my excellent Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L because I do not like to carry a tripod. The sharpness and background blur with this 300mm is as good as, or better than any lens I have used. I waited some time after selling my 400mm before purchasing this lens because I wasn't sure if I could capture nice shots hand held with such a long lens.  I was not disappointed.  The IS helps me take some excellent sharp hand held shots. With the Canon EF 1.4X II Extender the reach can be extended to 420mm and the results are excellent. It is now my most used lens. I have used it for 10 months and found that IS is only helpful with still objects (not panning)and this 300mm lens is much slower than my other lenses so it may not be the best choice for bird watchers. I'm giving it four stars because it is so sharp and light weight, but compared to canon's newer lenses it is very slow to focus.  I would love to see Canon offer an updated version of this 300mm f/4L IS. Zoom lenses just don't compare to prime(non-zoom)and the extra cost and weight of the 300mm f/2.8L IS puts it out of reach for so many potential buyers.
I just bought this lens 2-20-14 @ 1pm the message for Prime customers said order w/ in the next 9 hrs and get your purchase by 2-22-14.I just got confirmation and it's not coming until 2-24-14.Amazon disappointment not Canon.As far as the Canon lens is concerned it's the best. If I hadn't dropped my old one I wouldn't need to replace it.The decision to replace was easy. Aside from great quality it has a close focus of under 5 ft.If you shoot nature it's good for the birds and the bees.Other telephoto's do not have this close focus capability
I own the 70-200mm 2.8 IS and didn't have enough reach for birds so I bought the 300mm f4 IS and used it with the 1.4x.  I found the images very sharp, but the noise of the IS kicking in is quite noticable and also the focus was slow. My other lens was smooth, quite, and fast compared to the 300, and I was somewhat unhappy about the focus and noise of the lens. Seems like for the price, it would be alot quieter and faster to focus. It does shoot sharp though, and maybe I can live with the other problems..
Purchased used; lens and accessories were received quickly and in condition equal to new. After using for a while now with 1.4x, may sell and purchase 600mm or greater. The 420mm combination just not bringing in the birds as close as desired. May be a while before I do so, good lenses greater than 420mm cost a lot! Note lens' IS make more noise than expected, but after reading more about the lens online it appears to be typical. Manual instructs not to use IS while on tripod thought that was strange.
I've been seriously into photography for a couple years now and finally decided to get an ultra-high quality lens. I decided on the f/4 300 mm prime rather than a zoom or a longer focal length because, as a nature photographer, I wanted something which would handle twilight (when animals are most active) and would be fast enough to get the 1/1250 or quicker shutter speed needed for birds in flight at a relatively low iso.This lens is perfect for my needs and I would recommend it highly for nature photography.Pros:1. Relatively light - this is an all metal lens with multiple glass elements and image stabilization but is is easily portable and can be handheld.2. Comes with the tripod collar - some L lenses don't and Canon charges a lot for an OEM one.3. Built in hood - no losing/screwing/unscrewing4. Full time manual focus for tweaking AF5. Haven't needed to tweak the AF yet - it is lightning fast and perfect6. Fast - F/4 - it is a light bucket for a 300 mm and a big step up from my F/5.6 300 mm in all kinds of ways7. Sharp - sharp - sharp8. The image stabilization is awesome9. It comes with a good, sturdy caseCons:1. Really, none.For people transitioning from beginner to intermediate and higher, if you have money for one &#34;super lens&#34; you could do a lot worse than this. Complement it with the EF image stabilized 28 - 135 mm F/3.5 - 5.6 (which can be found used for 200 bucks) and a 50 mm F/1.8 &#34;nifty fifty&#34; (which is plastic and can be had for 100 bucks new) and you will have a really, really nice starter set of quick, sharp lenses for the intermediate photographer.
I recently purchased this lens and have been extremely impressed with the results it produces. The "IS" works extremely well.I was a little concerned at first because the "IS" makes a little humming noise when in operation. I thought it was an issue at first due to the fact that my other "IS" lenses don't make the same noise, but found out it is completely normal for it to make the little humming noise that it does. I tested it out by turning off the "IS" and focusing in on a subject while hand holding my Canon 30D and I was moving around all over the place. Then I turned on the "IS" and it immediately made the image through the viewfinder much more steady and controled. It's nothing short of amazing.The focus is quiet and quick, what more could you ask for? It provides crystal clear shots as long as your shutter speed is over 1/30th (hand held with IS on). If you combine a tripod and this lens in "IS" mode, you will lose image quality, so ensure you turn off the "IS" if you are using a tripod.With the 1.4x teleconverter, it works great. Taking the 300mm and converting it to 420mm gives you a serious amount of "reach" for under $300 for the 1.4x teleconverter. The IS and the Autofocus work great with the 1.4x teleconverter, but I did notice the focus seemed to take just a touch longer, but it's so minor that most individuals probably wouldn't even notice. Combined with the 1.4x teleconverter, your F4 lens will convert to a F5.6 lens.With the 2.0x teleconverter, you get range that you wouldn't be able to get unless you paid huge $$$ for a 600mm prime. The IS works well with the 2.0x but you lose the option for Autofocus. So if you stack this 300mm lens with a 2.0x teleconverter you will be manually focusing all your shots. Combined with the 2.0x teleconverter, your F4 lens will convert to F8.Overall, this is a great lens at a great price, especially when you compare it to it's big brother the 300mm F2.8 that sells for nearly double the price of this lens. If you purchase this lens, you won't be disappointed.
This is a good lens and well worth the money. If you can afford the f/2 in IS then go for it. But the f/4 with IS is better than an f/2 without the IS. If you use it right and within its limits you will not be disapointed. It is better than using a 100 to 400 zoom in my opinion. Just has a better ability to shoot a tack sharp photo. I tried the the Big Bertha 550 zoom and Tokina zooms and you just can't beat a Cannon. If you have a nice camera don't underuse it by having a cheap lens. Match you camera with a good lens otherwise you will never know the capability of the camera. Whether you own a Canon or a Nikon in a nice model, match the lens with the camera. I did not do that with my first Canon EOS 20 a few years ago and I never got the tack sharp pics no matter what I did. I got a EOS 7D and a Canon EF 300 f/4L IS, and I finally succeded in getting the kind of shots I was looking for.
I use this lens for birds in flight photography and nighttime owl photography.  It has really impressed me as compared to my Canon 400 f/5.6L lens. 90% of the time I use the 300 mm with a Canon 1.4X III extender.  I love the combination for wildlife photography.  Fast focusing and super sharp images.  I also own the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6L zoom and like it too, however, my preference for bird photography is the Canon 300mm f/4L prime over the zoom. Mostly since I like to have the option of using the 1.4x extender -- ** the 70-300mm zoom does not allow an extender -- physically / mechanically it won't fit.  Does the newer flourite glass really make a difference in this newer model of the 300mm f/4L lens?  I think so.  I really notice much sharper images and higher IQ as compared with older non-flourite glass lens (mainly my Canon 400mm f/5.6L).
I am guessing I have gotten a bad copy, since no one mentions this issue. The lens focuses just fine at the minimum distance, but as I step back couple of yards it starts to front focus. At first I thought it was a user error, just so strange the all the closeups were so perfect, but every time I tried to do a full body portrait the eyes were just slightly out of focus 2-3 yards away. So i started testing, first with the ruler, that showed that focus was off at least 1" if not more at about 2 yards from the subject. At 4 yards it was about 3" off. I don't know whether this is OK for such a pricey prime, but it's not going to work for me.Maybe I should mention that by f/2.0 AF was right on since DOF is not nearly as narrow.
Every photographer/videographer should either have a 50mm or 35mm prime as their base lens.  I chose to go with the latter because I much more enjoy the wider look and I like shooting closer up to my subjects.  With that said, this lens is amazing.  It focuses dead fast and silent.  The USM is so smooth, especially when rack focusing with the nice beefy focus grip.  It has full time manual focus as well and the technology really is quite amazing.  The bokeh is creamy and silky, especially during good lighted night shots.  There's a slight bit of barreling which I actually enjoy, but that might be a negative for you.  This lens shows some slight CA, especially during really harsh night conditions like in a park lit by lamps at night.  Also, I'm a bit disappointed that this lens is made of plastic and not weather sealed like most of their other L lenses.  Aside from that, it's my trusty prime that I know will be around for the next decade of travels.
i have gone through numerous L series zooms... but after following the advice of many professional photographers, i took a big leap of faith and sold my prized 24-70 to get this 35mm. i have not regretted it one bit, best move i have made! this is by far the best lens i own, and is now my walkaround lens. you cannot beat the color, contrast, and sharpness (even wide open) of canon L primes. there is just something very special about the photos this 35L takes. i shoot it wide open 90% of the time, love the paper thin depth of field the f1.4 produces, even as wide as 35mm. also 35mm is wide enough to take pictures of large scenes, and produces little to no barrel distortion. i have learned to live without zoom... i just zoom with my fee these days. allows me to interact more with my subjects this way. if you have the money, and want only the best image quality you can get, i highly recommend this lens. it is one of the best lenses canon makes and is very highly regarded. i originally wanted a 50mm f1.2, but all of the mixed reviews scared me away. i am glad i went with the 35 though, as i tend to prefer wider focal lengths. i use this lens on my canon 5D classic. the images are breathtakingly awesome! it rarely leaves my camera.
If you can afford it and love the focal length, this is a great lens.I'd like a version ii with weather sealing, and better control of CA (I live in AZ now, so high contrast is common).I'd guess a new version of this lens will be out in 2012, but this one is already practically perfect.
The build quality of this lens is top notch. My suggestion is to spend some extra money and get this L series lens. This is one of the fastest lenses I have tested, AF is achieved in less than 2 Lux in a second or so. Image quality is excellent and provides very good bokeh.Pictures at f/1.4 were exceptionally sharp but the sweet spot starts from as low as f/2.2 all the way to f/4. The best part is that I can set a higher shutter speed for shots without a flash and prevent any movement from being captured by the camera.You won't regret this buy!
This is a tough question because both primes are sharp wide open and both have reasonable price tags.  Deciding which one is "better" will require weighing the fine differences.If you've read anything about the Sigma 35 1.4, you'll know that it is a highly regarded lens and most people on the boards say that it's sharper than the Canon.  Even the folks over at Canonrumors.com decided to review the Sigma 35 before the Canon version, which is telling because they normally review Canon's best lenses first.  But then again you'll always find people online who swear by their Canon-branded gear.  Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com offers a nice analysis of the Sigma and how it compares: [...]So it seems like the Sigma has these advantages over the Canon:1) Sharper images2) Equally accurate and consistent auto-focus (yes, AF accuracy from a Sigma earns them points in my book)3) About $300 less than the CanonThe advantages from the Canon appear to be:1) Smoother bokeh2) Resale value may be higher for the brand name since some Sigma's have poor AF performanceIt doesn't seem like the Canon has much of an advantage.  I have used the 35L and it is indeed sharp wide open with very pleasing colors.  I have not used the Sigma but all I hear are good things and that it beats the 35L.  I also know that the 35L came out in 1998, whereas the Sigma was released in 2012.  It kind of makes sense that the Sigma would have an edge given that technology can move quite a bit in 14 years.When Canon offers their rebates, the price difference becomes less, so if you don't want to throw off your lens collection with one that doesn't have a red ring, then the 35L may be right for you.  But given how the 2012 Sigma competes, I have to give this one four stars because the Sigma has bumped it into second place.
Title says it all. I've been using this along with my 135L lens and my pictures come out great. The only down side is if you ask someone to take a picture for you, they often don't focus the lens properly and you get a s***ty picture (Unless they are a slightly advance camera user). I would recommend this lens to any photography enthusiast who has the money for it.
The rumors about this lens are true..it is outstanding.I am still learing its capablities, but have been very impressed with the images it delivers. I love low-light shooting indoors without flash and this baby does it so, so well. The shooting distances seem to be mid range for me, from 2-20 feet are best, but I have done long shots at about 100 yards and the images are still very sharp. And when you crop in Photoshop, the subject looks great.It's a perfect fit with my 24L for indoor/outdoor group pics, and my 135L for portraits and medium distance shooting with super crispness.
I purchased this lens to replace my 24-70 f/2.8 as a walkaround lens due to it's weight. I found myself leaving the camrea at home if I was going to be carrying it with me for an extended period of time and I didn't like missing photo oppurtunities. I also have the 50mm 1.4 but for me it was never quite wide enough for my use, especially indoors.This lens is incredible. The pictures are extraordinary and the focal length is perfect for almost any use. I have used it for portraits of my son and also landscapes and it has excelled at everything. The 1.4 maximum aperture allows me to use this lens in almost any situation when combined with my 5D mark iii. I have found that shooting with prime lenses makes me think more about the pictures I take and I am finding myself in better positions to take better pictures the more I use primes. I am able to previsualize the picture before I take it and very rarely have to move very much after I am in position. I don't miss the zoom at all. My only regret is that I didn't buy this lens sooner. You can keep waiting for the rumored version ii or do yourself a favor and enjoy using this lens now.As for a previous reviwer commenting about the packaging from Amazon I did not have any issues. Everything was included in the box and it arrived very quickly with no damages.
I do landscape photography with my Canon 40D. This lens is absolutely perfect. The color and DOF is insane. I am convinced this lens was given to us by aliens. Just buy one, you will not be disappointed. You cannot beat the L glass. Best. Lens. Ever.
This is an amazing low light lens at 1.4 and does it well.  It's legendary for picture quality and bokeh.  Only 1 gripe, it's not weather sealed.  It's a L lens, for that price how hard would it be to add some gaskets and seal the thing.  Come on Canon, really.
I have both a Canon 5D MarkII and a Canon 50D...so I wanted a high-quality prime lens that would be a good primary lens for both cameras (taking into consideration the magnification factor on the 50D).  And this lens is perfect.  When I put it on the 50D, it's more like a 50mm, and when I put it on my 5D, it give the perfect amount of extra angle.  I love this lens!  If I go somewhere and don't want to take all of my equipment, I will strap this baby on without hesitation.  I notice that it's a little less sharp at f/1.4, so I mostly shoot with it at f/1.8 or f/2.0 and that gives me amazing bokeh and subject sharpness.I am primarily a wedding portrait photographer and love to get different angles and styles...this lens provides me with the most creative power.
This is the only lens I own for my Canon 40D. I bought it with the anticipation of taking pictures after the arrival of our first child. It's about 2.5 years since I bought this lens and the 40D I have taken 10,000 pictures through this lens. A majority of my pictures have been of our kids in varying light from bright sunlight to dim rooms and the lens is capable of handling any situation I've found myself wanting to take pictures of people. Since it's a prime lens you can't rely on bringing your subject closer to you by zooming but more times than not I'm taking pictures of people in a social environment so they are at a comfortable distance perfectly suited for a 35mm lens on a crop body.I've taken this lens on a few vacations as well and I've been happy with it's capability to capture most vacation type situations. It isn't wide enough to capture expansive objects (say a building, bridge, landcapes) from a tourist distance. But it does well in social situations and capturing the people you're with.I've even tried my hand at night photography, specifically starry nights. Wide open this lens does a great job in low light.Granted I'm a clear novice and I don't have any other lens to compare with but I'm not disappointed with my decision to buy a prime for my only lens nor deciding to buy this lens which has served me well as I've taken thousands of pictures of my family.
This camera lens is simply amazing.  Nothing more to say than that.I borrowed it from a friend to use with a Canon 5d and am not sure I can force myself to return it to him.Best prime lens I've used yet.
Initially I used a 50 f/1.4 on my 40D, but it was a bit too close for my taste, after tons of research, I found that the 35 f/1.4L received amazing reviews so I thought I would try it out.  This lens just smokes the 50 f/1.4 in sharpness, bokeh, colors and build quality.  I don't even use my Speedlite indoors anymore because this lens is so fast.  A lot of people say that the 24L would work better on a crop, but I think the 24 would be a bit wide for my taste...I'm really digging the normal focal length this produces (56mm on a crop camera).  I'm not sure if I even want to upgrade to a FF now because the focal length is so great on a crop cam.  All in all, if you want a well built, fast, contrasty prime, don't hesitate...its worth every penny.
After going back and forth between the 35mm and the 24mm for months doing research on both lenses, I finally decided to go with the 35mm. I already own canon's 24-70 2.8L so actually have both covered anyways. But after looking at the quality of pictures coming from the 35 mm I just couldn't resist. There is also a blog dedicated to the canon 35mm 1.4L which provided some incredible images. I received the lens super fast and couldn't wait to mount it on my 5D mark ll. It will also be useful on my 7D as it will become about a 50mm with the crop factor. Snapped a few test shots in low light conditions and the lens did not disappoint. Planning on really putting this lens to the test when I start working on some more video projects soon. I am aspiring to do more wedding photography as well so I know this lens will be great for indoor ceremonies where flashes are not permitted. I would recommend this lens to anyone looking for a traditional wide angle. The construction is not what you might expect from the L series line of canons but make no mistake, this thing still feels solid.
This is the perfect prime for low light conditions, at f/1.4 its very sharp and produces great shots, just one step up and the photos are even sharper! great build quality which should be expected for an L lense at this price level.I use this lens with my Canon 6D along with another excellent prime Canon 135mm f/2.Also, I have 24-70mm f2.8 which I don't used a lot since I bought this lens.
The Canon 35mm F1.4 is a lens that will produce some of the most beautiful images you'll ever take in nearly all conditions.  Before I get to all of the reasons I love this lens and would recommend it so highly, I am going to point out the one issue I have with it - purple fringing (I usually classify this particular type of chromatic aberration as its own beast, but I guess it falls into the overall category of CA.)  This lens produces some strong purple fringing in borders of two sharply contrasting areas.  I don't want this review to be a lesson on CA or purple fringing, so I'll just leave it at that - the lens has issues with it.  I've read that this is an issue with many primes. The fringing can be addressed in post processing via Lightroom and Photoshop, but all things considered I'd rather not have to add that to my workflow.  Oh well.  With the type of shooting I do, I honestly don't have to deal with issues arising from this that often, but I want to give a complete review of this lens, positives and negatives.  And that is the only negative.Now, on to the positives -1) Build Quality - This lens is very solid.  Doesn't feel like a brick the way my 24-70 F2.8L does, but its a solid lens all around.  Canon L-series lenses are always built well.  A LOT Of glass in this lens.  You might want to invest in a very high quality UV filter if you are at all worried about scratches to this beautiful glass.  But if you do, don't skimp on the UV filter - go with a nice B+H or something.2) Image Quality - Phenomenal.  My copy of the lens is tack sharp wide open at F1.4.  Ridiculously shallow depth of field at that aperture that allows you to set your subject apart from the background even when you are shooting at a bit of distance from them.  If you are shooting up close with this lens at F1.4 you need to be really aware of the shallow DOF because you can end up with things like one eye out of focus if a person's head is turned ever so slightly so that one is further from you than another.  This is Photography 101 type stuff, but with more and more newcomers to photography picking up DSLRs and investing in L-series glass, I figured I'd point that out - be aware of what aperture is going to get you the DOF you want - don't just shoot wide open all the time without thinking a bit about what the practical implications of this are!  This is a great storytelling lens on a full frame camera - wide enough to capture moments by letting you place your subject meaningfully in their surroundings in the frame.  At the same time, you can move up close and get some stunning shots that way as well.  I wouldn't choose this lens over a 50 or an 85 to shoot formal portraits/headshots with, but if you are planning on leaving this lens on the camera much of the time (something I find myself doing often) know that you can shoot up close without a ton of distracting distortion that can be an issue when shooting with a wide angle lens.  My point is that this lens can be a very versatile lens, especially on a full frame camera (I only use it on my 5D Mark II - I don't use it on my 1D Mark IV because I want the width this lens gives me at the full frame end of things moreso than any additional zoom I'd get from the 1.3x crop I get on the mark IV).  Colors are vivid and very well reproduced with the lens and it gives you beautifully smooth bokeh.  That smooth bokeh is accentuated by the sharpness of the lens from wide open to the end of its aperture range.3) Usefulness - Despite being prime lens on the wider end, this lens is very versatile.  As I mentioned, I routinely leave this on my 5DII for long periods of time.  It's also great for personal use, shooting birthdays, reunions, etc.  The width on full frame allows you to capture storytelling moments with wider compositions.  Moving in close to your subject allows you to fill the frame with a single person, face, etc., and with the shallow depth of field you can get some very interesting images in this way - eyes in focus, ears out of focus, etc.  In that way, it could be looked at as a good walkaround lens if you aren't in the need of zoom capability.  If its a zooming walkaround lens you are looking for, consider the 24-70 or the 24-105 (I wrote a long review on the 24-70 vs. the 24-105).4) Price - It's not cheap, but I'm not regretting the purchase in the least.  It has become my most frequently used lens for both business and personal shooting.  I'm finding myself more and more drawn to the primes, and will probably be adding the 135 F2 to my collection next.Highly recommended!
I purchased it to shoot indoor pics of my 1 year old and I am very happy with this lens. Camera body is a 6D. I use it with and without a 600EX flash (bounced).  I am new to DSLRs (8 months) and have the 24-105L kit lens plus a 50mm f1.4. This lens is much better than the 50mm 1.4 as it should be for the price. Speaking of price amazon has a good price plus I got the rebate in January. Canon is doing it again the month of March.I recommend this lens for low light photos of children. It focuses really fast and has pleasing bokeh (blurry backgrounds) when shot open with the thin DoF. I get my son playing...but also like to get him close up, then the backgrounds are even more blurry.  If you shoot in raw, lightroom5 has a nice lens correction factor which will make your pictures look even better (fixes vignetting at 1.4), but you'll be fine without doing it. 35mm and 50mm focal lengths are good for getting kids in their normal enviroment and I haven't taken the 35mm off my camera since getting it. It's quite sharp, but the real reason I like it (besides the great bokeh) is the wide aperture. I normally shoot between 1.4 and 2.8 indoors to use a shutter speed of 1/125 or quicker because my son doesn't stay still.Next up for me is probably the 135mm f2 L. I would also like the 85mm 1.2L and think that the 35L 85L and 135L are great set of primes. The 85L is expensive so I was thinking of trying portrait focal lengths with the 135L first. Shorter focal lengths and wide angles are supposed to make ears and noses longer and less appealing, but I don't think this lens looks bad or has a lot of distortion. I recommend this lens or the 50L for kids indoors and low light. If you're using a crop camera then a 35 is 50 something...so you're good there also.
I have been switching between a Canon 17-40 f/4 and a 50 f/1.4 for the everyday lens on my EOS 40D and I couldn't seem to find the sweet spot. The 50mm which is an effective 80mm on this body is always too limiting in interior situations such as birthday parties or small groups where its narrow field of view forces me to back away or take tighter crops than I would like. The 17-40 f/4 isn't fast enough for low light.After procrastinating over the price of the 35mm f/1.4L for some time, I finally took the leap. I am not disappointed - I now have a real standard lens and a fast one at that. It has a pleasant heft and is built with solid materials and a quality finish. It seems to focus much faster than the 50 f/1.4 and early test results are fantastic. It produces lovely warm colors, the bokeh is very pleasing and images have excellent sharpness. I have had the 35mm f/2 and that lens just is not in the same league though it is a good value choice. If you can afford this lens (even at the cost of dumping some of your others) and want a standard focal length on a non-full frame body, I strongly recommend it.
I recently tried the 35mm f1.4 as a step up from by mainstay 28-70mm f2.8 zoom.  I found some other primes superior to a zoom, especially the 135mm f2.0 compared to the 70-200mm f4.0, but I found no improvement with the 35mm.  Both the 35mm and the 28-70mm zoom are excellent lenses at f2.8 and above.  Detail and contrast in the 35mm were noticeably lower at f1.4, especially at the edges (I use a full frame 1Ds and this not be as noticeable on a less than full frame digital body).  Those problems disappeared at f2.8 and higher but the image was only comparable to the zoom, not better, even at 100% magnification.  The 35mm may be a more useful lens for anyone who needs to shoot in low light without flash.  It is also lighter than the zoom and would be easier to haul around.  Since the prices are about the same for the 35mm f1.4 and 24-70 f2.8 zoom (which replaced the 28-70), a buyer should consider what features would be most useful when choosing.
I have this lens for very long time, and it is still one of the most frequently used L Prime for my assignment.Indeed, this lens has been very popular among commercial photographer who are doing full body portrait, in the particular market, this lens is often considered as premier portrait lens.I will not go into the wisdom of using 35mm as a portrait lens since it is really up to the judgment of individual photographer.In general, there are two type of people using this lens for professional purpose.Former is people who are shooting architecture/landscape and latter is people shooting portrait.While I do not use this lens much for commercial landscape photography purpose, I used this lens a lot for commercial portrait purpose.For the particular type of model...very often female model, I often do the model interview with this lens alone to determine how well this model will work with my project.This lens works really well with particular type of model. And since I worked with Far East market frequently on commercial/magazine assignment, this type of lens work out very well and indeed became workhorse of my production.You have to be mindful, 35mm focal length is bit tricky to do portrait.  So, you have to be careful with type of model you are using.It is also very useful for low available light situation, so I see some wedding photographer used them.Some of events photographer also love to use this for similar reason, and it seemed to work well with capturing child etc.However, I only see limited satisfied amateur user of this lens... while I am teaching photography lesson.It is may be because it makes very little economic sense for amateur user who are shooting landscape or family portrait.This 35mm lens focal length are well covered by many reputable L zoom lens including 16-35, 17-40, 24-105, 24-70 and other. All of them are excellent L lens, and will do wonder for the most of landscape or portrait project.  Zoom lens actually makes better economic argument in many occasion.As far as difference from L zoom lens concern, you won't notice much until you started to enlarge to considerable size.To be honest, not all of my 35mm focal length shoot on commercial assignment used this prime lens either... and that is even for the people who shoot staged subject in studio.  So, you can guess how often prime lens is used for journalistic type of photography.So, be sure you need this particular lens or you will be disappointed.Faster Aperture alone normally won't justify this lens.But if you know you need this lens, and your assignment or project demand this lens. Why wait.You really have to look at its performance when it is stop down to f2.8~f4 where many of money shot using this lens are created.For people who are not sure about taking plunge to the L prime lens, I strongly suggest to rent this lens for a week or more, so you will be sure you needed this lens for your particular style.Major Advantage are:1. F1.4 Aperture really help for low available light portrait situation, and ideal for indoor use.2. Very nice portrait lens for particular type of production.3. Work wonderfully on both full size sensor camera as well as 1.6x body.4. Build quality is excellent5. Very sharp, sharp enough to convince you that your L lens prime is worth the price.  Very useful for spread or any other large assignment.Major Disadvantage are:1.Cost as much as L zoom lens that does not sit well for many people.2.Prime lens is inherently limited as a workaround lens, so I wold go for L zoom lens if I have to choose lens on the travel.3.35mm is not going to work well with particular type of people as head portrait lens, so if you are going to buy your first L prime lens for portrait purpose, it is might be safer to buy 50/f1.2 or 85/f1.2
This review is for the copy that I received, which was a "bad" one. This review is not for all Canon 35 1.4 lenses.I bought this lens brand new in the box, and was unfortunate enough to have a bad one straight from the factory. The lens would not focus correctly; it frontfocused horribly. Even micro adjustments didn't work. I have bought 6 other professional canon lenses without a problem. The fact that it's even a possibility for you to get a "bad/soft" copy of such an EXPENSIVE product shouldn't even exist! Where is quality control for Canon? (Yes, I am aware that there is always a threshold so to speak of good-bad quality lenses that will come out... but I'm saying there shouldn't be.)The image quality, for what it's worth, seemed outstanding. If you are blessed enough to have found a super sharp copy, hold onto it with all your might, and feel lucky!
This L lens is by no means easily affordable or without competition. I have had it for over 4 years and it continues to be one of my most regularly used lenses on my full frame Canon bodies. Most recently its position as king of 35mm was challenged by the very credible 35mm Art lens from Sigma which has received very positive reviews for the price which is much lower than the 35L. Nevertheless, the quality of the build, the quality of the images from this lens -- has made my investment truly worthy. For those who like street photography, this is the perfect fast focussing high quality glass. Highly recommended.
This lens is great! It has great sharpness, nice contrast, just the right amount of distortion when taking portrait photos and best of all it it compact and lightweight.I wish it has weather seal like most other L primes.
The legendary 35 L lives up to it's superb reputation. If you need a fast 35 look no further. This is the best. It's all up to you and your talent once you get the 35L. No more excuses with this gem.
I am going start by saying that I rate this lens as five stars _except_ for vignetting on full frame digital sensors at wide open apertures. I use this lens as my standard lens on a 5d. I find this angle of view to be perfect for general all around photography where I will "step in" to the subject to get the shot. This lens requires more interaction with the subject, but I think it results in more dynamic pictures. This lens is razor sharp, visibly sharper than my mainstay 24-70 f2.8 L zoom. On the 5d, I can shoot at f1.4 ISO 400 indoors without a flash which is pretty cool.Now the downside. All wide angles at wide open aperture have light falloff and even this lens demonstrates this tendency. You may not even notice this on many shots, but under some conditions it is very obvious and this condition is more noticeable on digital than film. You can fix this using the distortion filter in PhotoshopCS. If you shoot at f4 or better, the light falloff is not noticeable even under the worse of conditions. The falloff is not visible when you use this lens on an APS digital sensor like the 20d where it has a "normal" angle of view.
I've been shooting with this for a week on my 5Dii; until then I had been using the 24-105 4.0L as my primary walkaround, with the 50 1.4 for a low-light option. The sharpness and versatility of this lens, even wide open, make me reluctant to shoot with anything else. Delicious bokeh, great detail and the best color rendition I've seen from a Canon lens. I could not recommend more highly, particularly for "street shooters".
I love prime lenses and this is no exception.  However, the first copy of the lens left my images blurry, no matter the aperture or shutter speed setting.  Maybe it was me and not the lens  :)  But I sent it back for a replacement and the images appear much crisper!  I currently use it on my Canon Rebel T2i (APS-C Sensor) and it allows me to take full body shots of people and I have also used it to take pictures of nature.Fast, quiet and one of my favorite is the wide aperture (f/1.4) that allows for nice bokeh in the background of your images.
First of all let's make it clear that I'm an amateur.  I wouldn't say that this lens is for amateurs, unless you use it in full automatic mode.  However, in my ever so stubborn self, I refused to and kept it in Av mode and only a couple of times ventured into M mode on my Canon T1i (500D).Given that I'm an amateur (and the only other disclosure), I didn't want to be so foolish and whip out the +/- $1,400 that it takes to actually own this lens.  Instead, I opted to rent from a very reputable lensrentals internet-based company.  If you haven't done so, I would highly recommend that you do.  If possible, support your local camera shop first and see if they offer lens rentals.  Unfortunately, mine does but doesn't have this particular lens.Now, onto the lens.  When I first opened the box and took the lens out, I don't think I could have smiled any bigger.  To me, this is a dream lens.  One that I oh so hope to own some day.  As any other L series, it's heft is immediately apparent.  My T1i is one of the smallest and lightest DSLR's, but I wouldn't say that the 35mm lens was too heavy.  In fact, it offered a very natural and comfortable balance.  For a 35mm lens, it's longer than you'd imagine physically, but it was smaller in person than I thought from seeing the photos of it online.  Regardless, excellent lens.  The first thing I noticed is that the body is plastic and doesn't offer the weather coating as some of my other L series lenses.  However, for me that doesn't really matter too much.  I'm in no way taking my T1i out in the rain...  The initial plastic feel, though, had me wonder about the longevity of the lens.Functionally, the lens is amazing.  Incredibly fast focus.  Also, very quiet.  I did a little manual focusing with it during some close-ups.  The DOF is so thin, that I wanted to push it back more than AF would let me.  Again, this is the amateur talking and I can't say that I had the greatest of success in doing so.Now, onto image quality.  For me, this lens is out of this world.  I've seen what Pro's can do with this lens and it's really amazing.  But, don't think you can get this lens and turn pro.  There's so much to learn about the art of photography.  This lens requires you to know 'how' to take pictures.  Sure, you can put it in auto mode but creatively you can miss out on so much.  I chose to use aperture priority.  I love the super thin DOF.  It's incredible.  Especially on 'macro' shots.  I took a photo of a cupcake with a candle on it with the camera on the table about 1.5' away f/1.4.  The only thing in focus (and tack sharp) was the candle.  It's a beautiful picture.  BUT, if you're intention was to take a picture of the cupcake, this photo would have been horrible.  Again, this is a pro lens.  You must think about the shot and determine what you want in it, before you take it.  Setting the aperture to f/2 would have likely put the whole cupcake into focus.  I also understand that sharpness is excellent at f/2.I took several hundred pictures of this lens over the weekend rental, both indoors and outdoors.  The only thing that bothered me about the lens was the amount of chromatic aberration.  Now, I don't know for sure if this was the lens fault or if it was a combination with my camera.  It's the only thing that I noticed about the photos.  I use Adobe Lightroom for post processing and was able to reduce a good amount of it.Other than the CA, I absolutely loved using the lens.  It's sad to have to send it back.  I still hope to own the lens one day.  I also wouldn't hesitate to rent it out again.  But first, I'm going to check out some other lenses.Recommendation: If you're interested and you can rent it, go get it. No hesitation.  If you have the cash and could see yourself using this all the time and you've mastered your camera and photographic ability, go buy it!
I'm not sure I got a good copy, but the focal length and aperture are perfect for my needs. It's a great indoor lens, or story-telling lens. I also use it as my walk-around lens.
I have been using the 50mm 1.4 for about a year and I used to have the 24-70mm as the 'wide' lens. I returned it almost immediately, due to it's extension for wide angle shots and the weight. Also 2.8 is not preferable for what I shoot (no flash)This lens is incredibly light weight, and has a great build quality. Somehow it makes my 5d mark ii feel light.The problem with this lens is at 1.4. Between 1ft and 2 feet, it misses focus by about 2-3 inches in distance. For an L lens of this price, this is unforgivable. The big selling point of this lens is that it is 1.4, and it has an incredible minimum focus of 1 foot. Unfortunately, neither of these seem to work as expected. Beyond 2 feet, it focuses very well at 1.4 and is sharp. Even on very generous, high contrast subjects, it has difficulty focusing at close range. It focuses correctly in live view mode, but not in view finder mode. Other people have reported this issue also, and it certainly is not user error, as I have tried at high shutter speeds and kept the camera steady in the center cross focus point to test the lens. In 2011, people rumored of a newer version but that does not seem to be any time soon.Besides the horrible focusing problem, this lens is very worth having. Compared to the 50mm 1.4 which is similar in length and features, and the 24-70 which overlaps in focal length, this lens is capable of standing on it's own.The bokeh for this lens is must more appreciated and beautiful compared to the 50 1.4. There is more in the frame out of focus, almost giving a tilt shift effect. This seems to have less distortion and better colors than the 24-70; I am just taking test shots of my closet and the pictures are vivid and prettyFor some reason, this lens creates a lot of noise (i am a pixel peeper) compared to any other lens i've used. Only at 1600, the noise is very noticeable even on the 5dm2.Despite the issue, I think this will replace my 50mm 1.4. It is wide, yet there is minimal distortion. Along with the minimum focus distance, I can mimic the 50mm 1.4 with physical zoom
started out with this lens when using a 1.6x fovcf camera (t2i) and great to have sharp image with 50mm equivalent lens
For news, event, and wedding photographers, this lens is a jewel.  It shines at capturing a very natural perspective with unique clarity and bokeh.  I own both the 50/1.2L and 24/1.4L II and have had the chance to use a friend's 35L for a couple weeks.  It really seems to shine at capturing groups of people in natural environments.  It has just enough of a wide angle perspective to feel natural while at the same time providing sufficient subject isolation through it's fast aperture.  The subject isolation of the 50/1.2 is much greater while that of the 24/1.4 is much less.It is generally a bit wide for single person portraits, but is excellent for two person portraits or smaller group shots.  This lens pairs very well with a fast 85mm lens.  The 35/85/135 L primes are referred to as the "holy trinity" in Canon circles due to the excellent spacing of focal lengths and the unique rendering characteristics of each lens.Technically this lens is about on par with the 24/1.4II maybe slightly better than the 50/1.2L.  All lenses are sharp near the center of the frame, but this lens seems to hold onto its sharpness towards the edges a little better than the other two at large apertures.  Stopped down they are all excellent across the frame.  The bokeh of this lens has a bit more character than the stronger, more uniform bokeh of 50mm and 85mm lenses.  Images from the 35L seems very atmospheric compared to longer, more isolating focal lengths.I have found focusing on my 5DII bodies to be fast, smooth, and very accurate.  The lens is generally built very well, but still sports the smooth plastic finish of older L lenses.  The updated finish of my 24/1.4 II is more substantial and feels far better in-hand.  I'm half expecting Canon to come out with a version II soon with a host of updates, including the newer textured finish.  The lens hood fits nicely and does its job - which is primarily to protect the front element since this lens flares very little.My #1 advice to people looking to purchase an L prime in this range is to buy for the focal length you want.  Having owned or used most all of the short L primes I can tell you confidently they are all the best lenses you can buy in their respective focal lengths.  The only real difference among them is the focal length.  The perspective, rendering, and general "feel" of the images from each of the L primes is going to be different and special.  Buy the lens which suits your style the best instead of which one is perceived to be "sharper".As it stands, this lens is a wedding and photojournalistic juggernaut and by far the best 35mm lens you can buy for Canon.  Some would even argue that it's also better than all of the Canon 50s, but that's another debate.  Even if Canon does replace this lens soon, it will still be a heck of a good lens at this price.
And with the double dips how can you go wrong.  Use it for in doors with no flash.. sharp...Even did some Christmas light outside looked great keeping the stops down on iso..
I bought this for video and this thing has amazing image quality, especially on the full frame of the 5D MkII
Some of you may know about the 35mm Leica lens that was dubbed the "Bokeh King" for the wonderfully pleasant quality of bokeh that it created. This lens very much reminds me of it. Achieving bokeh is done with many lenses. Achieving that special "wow" bokeh is only achieved with an elite few. I believe this lens is a member of that elite few. It is professional looking and artistic looking at once. Easily controllable; automatically just the right amount and character in every shot. Just purely brilliant bokeh. I also own the 135mm f/2L which also receives high praise for its bokeh but in my opinion it is not as good as this lens. More bokeh doesn't necessarily mean best bokeh. It is the quality of the bokeh. This lens truly possesses that special quality. Alright, enough about the bokeh.Sharpness? Of course it is razor sharp. It better be for this price. I just expected that. If your's isn't then you need to return it for another one.Low-light performance? The best I have experienced from any Canon lens, and I have owned several professional and/or low-light Canon lenses.I sold my awesome 24-70mm lens to get this lens and I took a leap of faith in doing so. It looks as if I made a good decision. I do so because the 24-70 is too heavy and unwieldy and the f/2.8 of the lens is not good for indoors without a flash. Plus, 35mm was the focal length I was using most. Again I am very happy I did so. This lens was everything I hoped it would be and more. I don't see it coming off the 5D for a long while.This is one of the best kept secrets in Canon "L" lenses. I can't understand why this lens gets so little attention. I guess it is because everyone favors the convenience of Zoom lenses. This is bar none the best Canon lens I have ever owned. I can't wait for it's first wedding which is in a few weeks.
I just bought this lens 2 months ago because I wanted to use it to take pictures of my newborn son and 2 year old daughter.  Prior to this, my 28-135 lens lived on my camera and was most often used to take pictures of my daughter in the house.  I like to take pictures without the flash when ever possible, so I found that I was most often using it zoomed all of the way and I was always having to take a bunch of pictures just hoping that I could catch 1 or 2 when she was not moving so they would not be blurry.  I was initially looking for a faster zoom lens but since I was taking so many pictures zoomed out, I decided to give a fast prime lens a try.  So I decided to buy the 35 f1.4 in hopes of getting better pictures of my kids.  I have not been disappointed.  This 35mm 1.4 lens is so fast that in good light it will completely stop their movement and it will take nice pictures in low light and still autofocus with no problems.  I am just an amateur and still have a lot to learn about photograpy but this lens has turned out some outstanding pictures already that I never saw with my mid level lenses that I initially bought with my camera.  This lens has made me such a fan of fast prime lenses that I just orderd the 135 f2.  Now I wish that I would have just bought this lens from the start instead of the zooms that will probably just sit in my camera bag until I decide to sell them.Due to all of the negative comments on lens packaging from Amazon, I decided to buy it through Adorama.  I paid about $20 extra at the time to do this but the lens came packed well.
The 35mm f/1.4L lens has slight back focus at the beginning so I sent it to Canon Factory Service for focus calibration.  After that, the lens is just perfect!  Sharpness, saturation, contrast are brilliant and in line with other Canon L-class prime lens.  Even at f/1.4, image quality is far better than the 16-35mm at f/2.8.  At f/2.8, image quality is way better than the 16-35mm at f/2.8.  This lens is thus one of the legendary lens from Canon, besides the 85mm f/1.2L and 135mm f/2L.  Even though I alredy have the 16-35mm f/2.8L, I'm very happy to purchase the 35mm f/1.4L.Highly recommended lens, espcially for 1.6X crop body (such as 20D, 30D, 350D, 400D).:)
While this lens will allow you to shoot in very low light, the resulting images will be very soft.  It sharpens up nicely by f/4, but there are several zoom lenses (e.g. 24-105mm f/4L) that can match it at that aperture.  While quick, the auto focus is not very accurate.  I spent a lot of time dialing in the AF micro-adjustment on my camera (7D), and while I was able to improve the average case, the variance was just too large to yield an acceptable "keeper" rate.
After borrowing the 35L numerous times from a photographer friend, i just had to buy one myself. i used it for wedding work and the images it produces is truly high quality stuff. The lens will probably stay on my 5D3 90% of the time. I love that you can include a lot of background in the photo and still keep it blurry. The color is very good. Images at f1.4 is very usable and only gets better as you stop down.
Awesome lens, 'nuff said.  You'll know when you're ready for it, and when you are, just buy the damn thing and stop thinking about it.***UPDATE***Okay, so people didn't like my review above.  I got a 1/3 helpful.  I guess I need to include more?Umm, this lens is amazing.  It's stellar.  It has absolutely no negatives.The sharpness is outstanding, especially from f/4.0 and up.  f/8 is superb, especially if you turn off in-camera sharpening and you know what you're doing in post processing.Colors and saturation are some of the best you can get from Canon.  Definitely the best in the lower focal lengths, I think the 35 produces better colors than the 14mm, 24mm, 50mm 1.4/1.8 or 85mm 1.2/1.4.  The 135 is a rival, and the 50 1.2 might be just as good, haven't tried it.  The only lenses that I think compare are the 300 2.8 and the new 200 2.0.  Maybe the old 200 1.8 but good luck finding one.Vignetting, well, if you ask me on a full frame sensor that's a feature for a lens like this.  It's another creative tool for the photographer.  Don't like it?  Open up.  Want more?  Stop down.  On a crop body (especially 1.6x) it's almost non-existant but you can still get a little past f/14.Great build quality.  Solid contruction that withstands the rigors of full-contact wedding photography and various photojournalism assignments, including war zones, the desert, the rain forest, and cold regions.Fast focus for such a large aperture lens.  Great manual focus ring too.Bright in the viewfinder, man this this collects light.Balanced, it feels great on a 5D, 5D II, 1D pro body, or even on a 40D/Rebel prosumer body.  Just long enough to get a good support, short enough to keep the weight centered and balanced.Everything is internal, so you can use any filter you desire.No IS.. thankfully Canon hasn't given in to the IS craze and put IS on this lens yet.  It's 35mm, you don't need IS.If you aren't using a decent quality body, or an older camera, you're going to have problems.  The lens will out-perform your camera in many ways.  This isn't a bad thing, but know that you can't just drop a Ferrari engine into a Daewoo and expect great things.What else can I say?  You know when you're ready for a fast, accurate, top quality prime of this nature.  You've probably had the nifty fifty 1.8 for a while, maybe you spent some money for the 50 1.4, and you'd like an L series prime.  If you're into the normal field of view, this is a classic performer.  In my opinion it's the ultimate walk-around lens for a pure photographer.  Amazing for city street photography, rivals any Leica 5cm.
good, a little bit heavy, so it make me buy another one for my grip. perfect!! it work so nice.
I can't say enough great things about this lense.I will say that I just returned from 8 days in Paris and although I took 4 lenses (50/1.2L, 85/1.2L, 100/2.8L IS, and this one), I had this one on 95% of the time and it rocked!!! Super sharp pictures and great color.  Well worth every penny.
This is an amazing lens and well worth the expensive price tag. This is great as a walking lens, the autofocus component is excellent, pictures come out incredibly sharp, and can function beautifully in both low and bright light settings. For both my personal and commissioned photography projects, it is typically the first lens I pull from the bag. I am very happy I had this for all the baby photos since my son was born!
I ordered this lens a month or so ago and it's left my main cam twice only out of necessity. I am not sorry I bought it ~ I am sorry however I waited so long to buy it (but who hasn't been once they've gotten their hands on this gem - and it is a gem of a lens).It being a prime lens, it's sharp - but more than that - it's just incredibly sharp ~ the most beautiful bokeh and it is built like a typical Canon L. The biggest downside is - no weather sealing - would have been a nice addition.There is some softness at f/1.4 - but even at 2.0 - it is still very sharp.I shoot in all kinds of conditions and lighting - thus far, I haven't had *much* of a problem with CA except around f/1.4 occasionally ...Like has been said many times before ~ focus is wicked fast and for my needs that's just perfect ... Color and contrast are superb etc etc ... What hasn't already been said about it ? ;o) ... And? It shipped with a center pinch cap (purchased / shipped from Amazon.com - not B&H;, or other).Very easy to manage / handle - well balanced (feels well balanced on all my cam bodies).  I know a lot of people seem to complain about the weight of the lens, but - it's not an issue for *me* - I shoot anywhere from a few candid shots (like a lot of people) to all day jobs. I have yet to run across an L that was lightweight. And the price? It's a Canon L lens - don't expect it to be inexpensive ~ but do expect it to be superior glass :o)
If you are considering this lens for purchase, please read some reviews, check the MTF chart, and then borrow the lens from a rental shop for a trial because pictures taken with this lens will give you a better idea of why everyone, or almost everyone, sings praises for this lens. This lens is considered as one of the best lenses Canon makes and its optics and build quality justify the claim. After you have scrutinized the pictures taken with the rented lens, think if you are ready to spend $1500 on a lens that might outlive you.  Here are some pointers to help you make the decision.There are two principal reasons you should consider this lens for -1)Amazing sharpness: The images are razor sharp. It is so sharp at its best(lets say f/5.6) that even Photoshop cannot improve the sharpness.2)Photography without flash: Lets say you have a poorly lit or an almost dark subject which you want to shoot without flash. Do not worry! Put the aperture to f/1.4 and voila! You got yourself a photograph where the subject appears perfectly illuminated . If you cannot trust your eyes for focusing (oh wait! You cannot even see the subject clearly in the dark!) use "Auto focus". Auto focus of this lens is very smooth and the USM is terrific.In my view, there are two additional but less pressing reasons to own this lens -1)Focal length- I use a crop sensor, and the 35mm becomes equivalent to 56mm which is a very fitting focal length for general purpose photography. Ranging from close-up, portraits to landscape everything can be covered by it.2) The bokeh it produces is very smooth and buttery.I have not mentioned the contrast and the color saturation because the suffix "L" gives away that secret.Is there a reason for which you should think twice before purchasing it ?YES!1)This lens produces chromatic aberrations at higher apertures. In case of back-lit subjects it sometimes produces chromatic aberrations even at f/5.6. Initially I thought I got a bad copy but I later confirmed that chroma aberration is a problem with this lens.2)Some copies seem to backfocus. Among the two copies of this lens I tested, one back-focused at f/1.4. However, some Canon cameras do have an in-built focus adjustment mechanism (micro-adjustment). If you own one of them (7D, 5D and 1D), you can buy any copy of this lens and adjust the focus if needed.Having said all these, I think I will buy this lens again if I have to, because nothing else beats all of its pluses, whereas the close competitors share or even exceed its negatives. Please keep in mind that this lens or any other prime or zoom lens for that matter, is not perfect. It is extremely hard to design a great lens and best lenses are often custom-manufactured by lens designers, and are priced well over $1500.Let me know if you need any information and I will be happy to share my experience of this lens.
This lens is permanently fixed to one of my 1DMkIII cameras because it's the perfect focal length for most general situations. This lens is super-sharp and super-fast. One of the best lens in my bag.
Bought this for my Canon EOS 6D body. It's a very, VERY, nice lens. I love how fast and sharp it is. Behaves superbly. I am using it for everything - landscape, portraits, video. It's a great normal/wide prime lens for a full frame sensor camera. As I start getting more lenses I don't think I need to go wider than this, but I am looking to get a high end telephoto zoom lens.
I bought this lens for my T2i. It's really sweet. The aperture is so wide it's like having night vision. It's perfect for portraits and landscapes. Three words for you: GO GET ONE!
If you've read the reviews on photo sites and forums, then there isn't much more that I can say about this lens. I originally got it to pair with my 7D, but this lens really shined when I upgraded to the 5D III. I found the focal length about right on my 7D, but being able to see the full corners (with the full frame 5D) you can see this lens shine!The bokeh (out of focus portions of the pictures) is just creamy and dreamy. The focus on my 7D and 5D has been spot on-- but also razor thin at f/1.4 That is, accidentally focus on a nose and the eyes are out of focus. I told you, razor thin!After coming to terms with how accurate you have to be when using this lens wide open, I haven't had any complaints since then. It's sharp wide open (and if you're not going to use it at f/1.4, save some money and buy a different lens), the focus is fast, accurate and the colors just pop.So, is it worth the price? If you're asking yourself that, then maybe you want to sleep on it another night. However, does it live up to the amazing reputation it has? Definitely. If you need this length and aperture, buy it. You won't regret it.
I love this lens! I've been a devote 50mm 1.4 lens user for years, so much so that I was actually nervous to make the switch to this 35mm size.a) I was considering the switch because I felt like my photos needed to go to the next level and I needed more crisp, precise images.  This is exactly the result I got and I'm so pleased.b) I'll be honest, it was a little challenging in the beginning adjusting to where I stood for the cropping I wanted. I had gotten to know the 50mm so well and it was like being a new photographer at first. But now the 35mm is like an old friend and I love it!c) I keep the 50mm in my bag as backup but have not picked it up once since I bought the 35mm.d) If you're a newbie and on a budget, get the 50mm. If you're looking to upgrade, get the 35mm!
The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is an outstanding lens.Really, in many respects, that's all that needs to be said.  It performs exceptionally well, especially with full frame cameras like the EOS 5D Mark III.  A fast 35mm prime lens, it can easily be a good &#34;walk-around&#34; lens to let you take photos of anything you happen to see while you're out and about.  It produces clear, sharp images and is capable of some lovely bokeh.  The lens itself is solid and very well made, sealed against common weather exposures.  I find it very useful for outdoor, low light, portrait, and fast action shots.I'm very happy with it on my EOS 5D Mk III, and I find that all the glowing reviews were spot on in my experience.  It's an &#34;L&#34; lens, and while the phrase &#34;expensive as L&#34; exists for a reason, I'm very satisfied with my purchase and I'm glad Canon went all out to produce an outstanding lens.  But I also knew what I was getting and how I would use it.  It's not hard to imagine someone buying it based on a lot of fantastic reviews, getting it home, and being disappointed that it wasn't what they were really wanting--especially with the price (low for an &#34;L,&#34; but still...).My advice--unless you can read the technical specifications and know how this lens is going to perform for you, do yourself a huge favor and rent one for a weekend and play with it.  Heck, even if you can read all the tech data, still rent it.  It only costs a few bucks to rent a lens for a day or a weekend, plenty of time to really get a feel for this lens.  Be warned, it will probably just seal the deal if you're considering this lens, but it should take out a lot of anxiety in making the investment.  If rental isn't an option, try taking your camera body to the local camera store and seeing if you can try the lens out there in the shop.  Most folks will probably be well impressed with the lens, but a few might be able to avoid any &#34;buyer's remorse.&#34;Bottom line: an outstanding lens worth the investment.
This lens is the cream of the crop when you pair it with a full frame body.  There is nothing out there that will give you cleaner pictures in its focal range.  If you're ready to do some serious landscape or editorial photography, this lens will get the job done as well as it can be done.  The size is a little bit intimidating for bringing around everywhere, however, so if you value lightness or unobtrusiveness, you may want to snag a 40mm pancake lens as an alternative for your walk-around shooting.
This is the perfect prime for low light conditions, at f/1.4 its very sharp and produces great shots, just one step up and the photos are even sharper! great build quality which should be expected for an L lense at this price level.if you can do with less width, a 35mm f/2 would be a decent alternative, or if you can give in on the length as well, a 28mm f/1.8 provides nice shots at higher apertures. both of these are a lot cheaper and significantly lighter in weight, but if youre looking for the perfect lense, the 35mm f/1.4 is one the best choices.
I already had the Canon 24-105L and 70-200 f/4L IS.  They were great, and I had very good experience with every Canon USM prime I had tried (28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8.)  Still I was seeing all these great sample shots around the web and wanted to see what all the buzz was about on these L primes.  So my 35L was my first L prime (note I say first, certainly not last!)  The build is top notch.  The hood was a little stiff out of the box, but loosened up and is perfect now.  I do have to say it still has some mild CA wide open in high contrast areas, but it is really sharp and has great color.  I have both a 7D and a 5D2 and have to say, I use this lens more on my 7D than on my 5D2 simply because I prefer that focal length (50mm) a bit for my typical shooting.  I'm normally trying to get shots of my kids at play and 35mm is a bit wide.  I have to get in very close to fill the frame the way I like to, and by then they are distracted and want to touch the camera.  Still this is one of my best lenses and it's not going anywhere.  If you want the best 35mm prime Canon offers, this will not disappoint!
So I think I got a bad copy as well.  I've tested this lens on a tripod taking a photo of a static object, and 9 out of 10 times it produced out-of-focus image.Update on 12/09/2011I got my new copy of 35mm f1.4L, and it does auto-focus pretty well.  now it's very sharp in any condition!I'm changing the star from 1 to 3 in order to warn you about the possible auto-focus issue.
This lens is amazing. Sharp, vibrant rich colors, works well in low lighting situations. Canon nailed it with this lens. Paired with a full frame sensor I was blown away by the images I was producing. I know it's pricey, but if you are serious about photography and have the money, get this lens now. You can even use it for a portrait lens, the bokeh is creamy, and the sharpness is to die for.
I expect many people buy this as an "L" equivalent to a 50mm lens on a camera with an APS-C sensor. However, I use it with a full frame digital camera or with 35mm film, and for me, this is one of Canon's essential primes. Together with their 135mm f2L, and a good 50mm lens, the 35mm f1.4L completes the kit. The angle is sometimes too wide for good coverage with a single flash, and I almost never use more elaborate lighting setups, so I am typically left using this lens in natural light. It is best in those cases where you can get relatively close to the subject (else the background becomes overwhelming). As with all L lenses, it feels solid and produces excellent results. The crispness of the image all the way to the corner of the frame allows me to compose an image however I like without worrying much about optical 'sweet spots' in the lens.I have also photographed urban settings with this lens -- Times Square at night; the ruins of the Renaissance ballroom at dusk. Such photos don't drive my photography but I take them sometimes for context or because an image strikes me, and this lens handles them beautifully.
What can I say? It's one of the best lenses Canon makes. I resisted buying it but now I'm so glad I did. I use it on a 40D and the focal length is fine. It's super sharp.
I've been using this lens for nearly a decade now and it is still my favorite lens.I've used extensively with an EOS 3 film camera, 20D, and 5DmkII as well as several other cameras that my friends own.Most people recommend getting a fast prime for low light photography.  Personally I think you shouldn't buy this lens if that is your goal.  The shallow depth of field can quickly ruin shots.  Bumping up the ISO on your camera is free and more likely to provide you with the results you desire.I'm going to focus my review on using the lens' wide aperture:At f/1.4 the areas in focus are more than sharp enough for 95% of uses (the remaining 5% is 1% for unusual requirements and 4% for people obsessed with testing lens sharpness).  Much sharper in the center than my 50 f/1.4 at the same aperturesHUGE difference in focusing capabilities in low light compared to slower lenses.  Some is due to most Canon cameras focusing different when using a lens that is f/2.8 or faster and some is due to just gathering more light to focus.Extremely shallow depth of field at wide apertures gives you artistic options that aren't available to slower lenses.  The bokeh for this lens is quite pleasant and I have not seen any weird distortions like I do with some other lenses (Canon 70-300 DO comes to mind).
I looked at Primes a long time and finally took the dive with this one. I have a 60D and it is a 56mm lens on that body. I take a lot of Pictures of my kids and social gatherings with this lens and I have to say I get way more pictures that are keepers than not. Being able to open up to 1.4 lets me capture shots I otherwise would miss. The colors that this lens captures are also amazing!I am finding I now leave my small point and shoot at home because I can't stand not shooting with a camera and lens like this one that helps me capture such wonderful memories with such wonderful sharpness and colors! If you want a lens that is close to a 50mm on a crop camera you will not regret buying this one!!!
This is one, if not the best lens Canon makes and, overall, one of my favorite lenses of all time. I'm currently using it on a 5D3. Color and micro-contrast are all excellent. Sharpness is top tier - excellent definition at f/1.4, which is a tough thing to pull off. AF focus accuracy wide open has been good in my experience. Frankly, I've never owned a f/1.4 lens (and I've owned many) that was infallible wide open. That said, the Canon is better than most other f/1.4 lenses I've used in this regard. Build quality is very good - typical L build with a very smooth focus ring. My particular copy is reasonably accurate, with regard to micro-AF adjustment. AF speed is slow - which is typical for a prime lens. This would not be a good lens for shooting action for this reason. There does appear to be some focus shift, which can result in occasional back focus. This is common of most large aperture primes.Images are rendered beautifully with this lens - bokeh is surprisingly good considering that the relatively wide FOV will naturally lend itself to less than stellar backgrounds. Granted, there can be some occasional nervousness there, but I'm generally seeing smooth out of focus areas. Colors are great -  accurate, but still with a nice pop and excellent gradation. I have not seen significant coma or halation effects to date. Clarity wide open is excellent - which is often a problem at this aperture. This tendency can manifest with hazy, poorly contrasted IQ. With the 35L, images retain their richness and contrast; colors remain deep and accurate even wide open. In combination with it's good AF accuracy, I have found the overall low light performance of this lens to be excellent. Naturally, stopped down, the sharpness of this lens is very good - though I've had had lenses that were sharper. Vignetting and CA have not been an issue, but the 5D3 automatically compensates for this anyway.Canon will almost certainly introduce a Mark II version at some point. When that happens, I'm sure the price will be significantly greater than $1300. Even then, resale value of  the 35L will hold (as my recent experience with the 24-70L Mk 1 proved: I was able to sell my used lens precisely what I paid for it brand new). Suffice it to say, if resale value is any kind of factor, the 35L should prove to be a reasonably low risk expense.As a whole, when build, color, sharpness, accuracy, wide open performance and ultimate IQ are taken into account, the 35L is one of the best lenses I've owned.
Freaking amazing. Love the depth of field. The large aperture allows me to shoot hand held night photos that come out extremely sharp.Invest in quality lenses before anything else and you'll see that it's the biggest contributor to the quality of your photographs, whether you're shooting crop or full frames.
It is as expensive as a 24-70L, and costs 4 times more than a 35/2. It is fixed length and "only" 2 stops faster. It is not noticably sharper at f4 and higher.But I find I fall in love with it. I used a 85/1.8 and 135/2L for portrait. I also have a 24-70L, 50/1.8II and a 18-55 kit lens. But I found that I need a wide and FAST lens to shoot my kid/baby. I prefer to shoot with natural indoor light. I read reviews and browsed pictures and decided that 35/1.4L is the one I need. Based on reviews and my experience with 50/1.8II, 35/2 is NOT usable untill you stop it to f4. That is too slow.I made the right decision. At f/1.4 it is soft, but at f2.0, picture is pretty sharp. And most importantly, it maintains very good and natural color saturation which you won't get from Photoshop, as well good contrast ratio. It is not very shart at f2.0, but color and contrast make pictures beautiful. Set ISO200 and 1/40th shutter speed, I can shoot without flash at f2.0. Wider angle also means you can shoot in about 4~5 feet away so you can have eye contact with your kids or babies. You won't worry they are not looking at you/lens. This is priceless to me.Originally I thought this would be a indoor lens as I have a 24-70L. But now I also find it is a very good outdoor portrait/landscape lens. It captures very good details and color for shadow area and takes very nice portrait pictures even with back light. After a trip with this lens, I decide to use 24-70L for indoor studio light shoot only (with flexible zoom/frame).It is not a great anti-flare performer, but still better than most other lenses. Bokeh is very good with no sign of distraction at all. It may not be as beautiful as a 135/2L but much better than I expected.It is expensive, but it is a prime L. I cannot say it worth more than a grand, but if you need a fast lens, with good color and saturation at wide open, wide angle and still with beautiful bokeh. It is the one for you. It also provides good shadow details with no sign of wash out. No need to say DOV control. If you have the money, I highly recommend this lens.Body used: Canon Rebel.Lenses used: 18-55mm, 24-70L, 50/1.8II, 85/1.8, 135/2L.Cons:Expensive. Cost as much as a 16-35L, a 24-70L or a 70-200/2.8L.Back focus for 0.5 inch at f/1.4 with Rebel/300D boday but I can live with it.Anti-flare is not the best.Pros:FAST with very usable f2.Very shallow DOV.Very beautiful bokeh.Very good color saturation and good contrast even at wide open.Good shadow detail with good color/contrast (good for back light).Beautiful L color.Fast focus speed as expected from a L lens with Ring USM.L build quality.
Found myself shooting wide open with my 50mm 1.4, but was displeased with its softness in the 1.4-2.8 range as well as its narrower field of view.  I therefore was looking for a lens with a wider field of view and sharper image, but without the distortion of a wide angle lens that something in the 20mm range would create.  Enter the 35mm 1.4.  I love it!  It complements the 50mm perfectly, the lens was tack sharp out of the box, the minimum focus distance is quite low, and the colors are vivid and vibrant.Yes, it's expensive but it's worth every penny.  The focusing mechanism is completely silent and the focus occurs very quickly.  The construction and build quality are excellent.  My only complaint is that the lens is a little heavy; the extra weight isn't noticeable when shooting, but it is noticeable when walking around when the camera draped around my neck.I forsee the 35L as being my primary walkaround goto lens.I use a Canon T4i.
Got this lens from Adorama. It's super sharp at even f1.4, IQ is also superb in terms of contrast and color saturation. I use this almost for everything, landscape, portrait. Have not unmounted it from my 5d2 yet since I got it.  I use to have a 50mm f/1.4 and it's very soft wide open, although I know it's not a fair comparison against 35L.
You have seen all the good things about this lensFor me, i wish canon can address the follow issues1)  The build looks a little bit plastic/ not as weather sealing as I want it to be2)  at f1.4, do not shoot white/contrasted areas too much; you will be surprised at how many purple colors you getother than those, i love this lens very much
This is one of my fave lenses to shoot with for weddings, personal work, etc.  Love the intimate yet photojournalistic feel you get with it.  Beautifully accurate colors and nice crisp, clean images.
I was hesitant to this lens due to the price. BUT, after owning it I wish I would have ordered it sooner. If you are on the fence or thinking about waiting my suggestion to you is to not wait any longer and get this ordered. I know it is expensive but the pictures I have taken with it have exceeded my expectations. I previously used a fixed 50mm F1.8 and I wonder if this would really be that much better. I have to say it is!
This lens is expensive, but well worth the price!I bought this lens through Amazon.com, and it arrived last Thursday. On Friday, I took it out for a brief test. I discovered that it is acceptably sharp wide open. Even at f/1.4, images are sharp. Sharpness increased as I stopped it down. By f/2.0, it was very sharp. Sharpness continued to increased as I stopped down. By f/8.0, it was unbelievably sharp! That is the "sweet spot" for the lens. As I stopped down farther, however, sharpness decreased. By f/22.0, image quality was terrible. In fact, image quality at f/1.4 was better than it was at f/16! Clearly, this lens was designed for low-light performance, with its maximum performance at f/8.0.On Saturday, I took the lens out for a photo shoot, mounted on my Canon Rebel T1i camera. For my outdoor shots, I consistently used f/8 aperture, and the results were simply stunning. The sharpness of the images surpassed anything my other "L" lenses can produce. This lens is even sharper than my venerable 70-200 f/4.0L IS lens! And that is really saying something, because my telephone zoom lens is itself an incredibly sharp lens. What really surprised me, however, was the beautiful color saturation and contrast that the 35mm f/1.4 lens produced. Even without a polarizing filter, it delivered beautiful, rich, blue skies, handled unwanted glare/reflections with ease, and in general consistently produced professional quality images. I could easily print sharp, beautiful, poster-sized prints with the images this lens produced.Since the lens does not have IS (Image Stabilization), I tried to always keep shutter speed at or above 1/30 second. But there was one occasion, in a very dimly lit interior scene, where I was forced to shoot at 1/8 second. I was sure I would get a blurry picture. Much to my surprise, however, the image was acceptably sharp, even at 1/8 second!Bottom line: This is an expensive lens. But it delivers incredibly high quality, professional results, even when mounted on a Rebel body. Anyone who can afford this lens will be pleased with its performance. And when mounted on a cropped sensor camera, like the Rebel T1i, it becomes a 56mm lens - almost a normal angel of view! That makes this the ideal prime lens for cropped sensor cameras!
Love this lens. Nice and wide, it gives me the extra room I always feel I need with the 50 mm attached and its super sharp, fast and crisp. It's on my camera most of the time!
This EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM has one remarkable feature that is not widely reviewed.Recently I had an opportunity to compare (thanks to Glazer's Camera in Seattle) this lens to other prime from Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM which is roughly thousand dollars cheaper than 35mm L lens.Canon's 50mm f/1.4 is a 20+ year's old proven technology in new EF package.  Let us set aside the difference of 35mm vs. 50mm.Is there a reason to spend around $1,400 for EF 35mm f/1.4L USM?You can have "non L" 35mm lens or EF 50mm f/1.4 USM for $400.The short answer is.  I do not have 50mm lens anymore.The reasons are:1. 50mm prime was even sharper in a pristine way. It has fewer elements in the path. But for some reason sharpness was not consistent with 20d and 5d. Maybe L lens has better autofocus motor. L lens is heavy as well, so "Ease of use" attribute has four stars.2. The main reason I do not have 50mm lens and kept EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM is;There is something about consistency in picture quality (colors, contrast) when working withEF 35mm f/1.4 L USM lens. And this is not about sharpness alone. This is more of a tool to get the job done. Here are some problems with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM.This lens has somewhat shallow light latitude. When the light is on the low side, colors of the faces tend to be more reddish. (Too much work on Photoshop to fix 200+ pictures).When there was too much light, my highlights were blown really fast. With film that was not a problem; film could handle light overloads better, but digital sensors have less tolerance to those extremes (yes there are camera setting to chose).To my surprise EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM did not have that problem. Colors of the faces were consistent throughout several stops. I am talking about using the same camera body and all settings auto. Go figure.Addition as of January 10, 2013. I do not have that lens anymore. After owning several different systems from Canon, Nikon and now Sony (Zeiss), I still remember those creamy and yet sharp results. Now I am with Sony (Zeiss) magic.
Beautiful piece of glass. Bought it pre-owned. Previous owner had kept it in immaculate condition.Lens is a tad heavy, but that is to be expected given the amount of glass inside.Image quality is OUTSTANDING. The sharpness is to die for. A must have for sports and wild life shooting.I mount it on a Manfrotto frame for large lenses, and it gives me all the stability and flexibility I need.Will be travelling to Japan in the winter to take snow shots. This lens is definitely coming with me.
I purchased this lens a few months ago. It is absolutely incredible for sports photography and wildlife/nature photography. Fast focus, incredible sharpness, rock-solid feel. I can't think of any negatives. It's a bit heavy, so be prepared to hold it securely or invest in a high-quality monopod.
I consider this lens indispensible for the photography I do (action and sports). It has paid for itself in photographic sales many times over with images that no other lens can take. I combine it with good camera support (Gitzo 1325) and a Wimberly head. With a 1DMk2 body, we're talking over 15 lbs, and that's not something you want to hand hold. The images at f/2.8 are sharp and contrasty. When I nail a shot, the shallow depth of field is breathtaking. It's ability to stop action and to work in low light is amazing. I've had someone ask me how often I use this lens, and the answer is "every chance I get." You want to know how Sports Illustrated Photographers get their shots? This is part of their toolkit.
This lens is tack sharp, super fast, and top quality! I could not ask for better, the sharpness and brokeh produced by this lens are amazing. I have tried it with a 2X extender and did see some noise, but it wasn't anything I couldn't fix in the digital darkroom, still, much better quality without the extender, obviously!This thing is heavy, and it is a beast, but once you get used to it, you begin to learn tricks on how to handle it. First, I got a Manfroto monopod and carbon fiber Tripod with a ballhead that could handle weight up to 22 lbs (this lens and my Mark IV come to about 15 lbs). I found that you have to be careful at all times when carrying this lens or mounting it, make sure you hold it with both hands and don't take a chance on dropping it or mismounting it! When walking long distances, I usually keep the monopod on it and I carry it upside down by the handle, then switch hands as I get tired of holding it, been able to walk up to 10 miles this way.If I am on level surfaces then I have found a cart comes in handy to wheel it with me along with other lenses so I can be prepared for any photo opportunity.This lens is not for the faint of heart, it is big big big, keep that in mind, but if you can handle the weight and the size, then it is a must, if you can't handle the weight, there are still creative ways to tote this around, you will figure it out. It is not a lens you can just whip out and start taking pictures of birds with, you have to find a place, mount it, and be still, let the birds come to you. Whereas, if you are using a 300mm 2.8, or 4.0 you do have the option of pulling it out while you are hiking to track just about anything. By the way, my hummingbird pics are off the chart, perfectly frozen wings at a dead stop with crystal clarity, most beautiful hummingbird pics I have seen!The images I took this last weekend just made me think to myself, "Wow, this was easily worth the $7,000 dollars I paid for it, i got National Geographic quality images." I took it to the local Zoo, rented one of their wagons for kids, put the camera in it and just strolled along, when I saw something I wanted a pic of i just expanded my monopod, whipped it out, and shot away. I was also surprised that no one really bothered me, which I liked, I didn't have people come up to me saying, "Wow, thats a big lens, what are you taking a picture of?" That would annoy me to no end!
This lens is the tool to get images that jump out at the viewer.  As a sports lens I don't know if there is a better solution.  It is a lot of weight to pack around, but after one or two games you get used to moving it around.  A mono-pod is required for shooting any more than a few shots at a time.  Since I purchased this lens it has been attached to my camera exclusively with the exception of one wedding shoot.
This is the most expensive, but most impressive lens I own. Produces amazing sports/nature shots. I could gush and gurgle about it all day, but the bottom line is if you want the long range lens to have this is it. Add the 2x converter and you have an 800mm lens.
I read up on this lens before buying it and I would suggest doing that if you are thinking about picking one up. First it is a large piece of glass and it is heavy which I knew going into this purchase. It isn't the type of lens you want to pack around due to the weight. I find it better to have it set up on the tripod to move around and hopefully not to far. I found that there is a learning curve going to this size of lens from what I had been using. I am still working on getting the sharp pictures I would expect to get with this lens. I use it mainly on a full frame 5D Mark II. Due to the weight, you want to also purchase some type of Gimball head that can handle the weight plus a little extra. I use a Jobu but still fine it will vibrate in the wind and you don't want that if you are looking for sharp pictures. I have moved my Jobu adjustments around to reduce it as much as possible. Also you will most likely want a remote shutter release to cut down camera vibration as much as possible. The polarizing filter is real nice to have but it comes at a price so be prepared. The lens is nice but be ready to spend more to set it up where it is useable. Make sure you have a good heavy duty tripod for it also. I believe the lens runs about 11 lbs. and with the a Gimball and camera we are talking heavy! I have also used the 2X Canon multipier with this lens making it a 800mm lens. It works fine but your picture quality will go down of course. The only down fall of this lens is it has a tendency to draw a crowd and people want to look through it. All in all other than the weight it is a great lens.
This is an increadable lens. I bought it for wildlife and bird photography. It is a little heavy, but with some practice I got to where I could hand hold it to shoot birds in flight. I added a 1.4x teleconverter for a little extra reach. This was an upgrade from a 400mm f/5.6.
I only got deep into bird and wildlife last summer when I purchased Canon's EF 400mm f/5.6L. That's a fine lens and I thought that the image quality was very good, but I longed for more "reach" and a faster aperture that would autofocus with my 1.4 teleconverter.A professional photographer freind let me handle his EF 600mm f/4L and his EF 500mm f/4.5L (both are older models) and the added length and weight of the 600mm focused me totally on the 500mm for my bag. My friend is using his 600mm on a full-frame camera while I'm using my 500mm on a 1.6 crop-sensor Canon 7D. On that sensor the 500mm gives a field of view equivalent to 800mm (1.6X500). When I add my 1.4TC II the equivalent focal length is 1,120mm!!! That's amazing power for a lens that will fit in my LowPro backback.For stunning pictures at all shutter speeds and shooting over an extended periods of time, a stout tripod and gimbal is suggested. I'm using the eight-ply, carbon fiber Induro C414 tripod with an Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick half-gimbal. This setup is extremely stable and you can turn off the lens' IS. I leave it in mode 2 for panning. That said, this lens yields very sharp images when handheld. The IS is truly effective. To see it, just focus on something stationary without pushing the shutter button to activate the IS. You'll see the image moving and shaking, then push the shutter button and the subject almost "locks" into place, as if it's on the tripod. Yes, there's still small movement, but at 1/1000th to 1/2000th shutter speeds typical in bird photography, everything is sharp.  (Remember the old rule, for every 100mm of focal length you need 1/100th second of shutter speed, so the minimum with this lens would be 1/500th, even when shooting something that's not moving. (Factor in a crop-sensor that might be 1/800th second). At those speeds the IS gives very clear results.The auto focuse of this lens is really fast and mostly "snaps" instantly into focus. You DO need to be aware of the subject distance and move the switch for a close subject and remember to move it back for a distant subject. Be aware of your camera's AF mode. For instance, for birds in flight I use 9 sensors in a square box in the middle of the sensor. For birds in the bush, I use single point in order to look past twigs and such. For things like a passing boat or car it hardly matters which mode your camera is in. When used with my 1.4TC II, the AF snaps seemingly just as quickly.My Flickr site is [...] Cut and paste if you want to see examples, Tagged "EF 500mm f/4L IS"I see much superior image quality to my EF 400mm f/5.6L. A big part of this is the effective focal length over 1,000mm when used on a crop-sensor camera and with the 1.4TC, which gives you a frame-filling subject. I still need to crop many of my bird images, but it's mainly for compositional values. This lens is large and does attract a crow (probably the biggest negative) but it gets the job done.
This lens is simply to die for.  Yes, it's big, heavy and expensive, but it does the job incredibly well. If you've never shot with a super-tele the heft and reach take some getting used to at first but once you are comfortable with it be prepared for stunning images.Hand holding isn't exactly a lot of fun.  It's possible if you're not a 97lb. weakling, but not the best way to get quality shots.  For sports shooters a monopod is almost manditory, and if you're a bird or nature photographer a good tripod at bare minumum and even a gimbal head are wise investments.Buy it, use it, love it.
I ordered this lens via Amazon from Calumet and it arrived ahead of schedule and was perfectly wrapped. I have not had a chance yet to shoot in the field but "tested" the lens in the backyard. Image quality is what I expected after having read a lot of reviews here and elsewhere.For those considering this lens, however, it appears worth mentioning you be aware of the consequences: You will most probably need another tripod since this lens is heavy. Only high quality heavy duty tripods will do it. Also, like me, you may not have owned a premier class ballhead or gimbal head. This will cost you a lot. Carefully look if you can mount a 500mm f4 on either. Some manufactures explicitly recommend not to use with this lens although the reported weight load would allow to do so. You will need to research a lot. Further, you need another backpack! Honestly, there is not too much to chose from. TheTamrac 5589 Expedition 9x Backpack for DSLR Camera, Flash with Accessories, Blackis a good option but some airlines will not accept its size for cabin luggage.In conclusion, this lens is a major upgrade in your telephoto portfolio but may require an upgrade of your overall gear. Certainly well known to Pros but a learning process for enthusiasts like me.
Buying a 500mm is always a commitment, weather you are a professional or not. You really got to need the extra 100mm for deciding to go for the 500mm instead of a considerably cheaper 100-400. However, once you get it, you realized why prime telephotos are so unique.1) Image quality: You will be amazed by the difference between a 500mm and a 100-400 or even a 400f/4 + extender.2) Depth of field: f/4 at 500mm produces a very shallow depth of field, it enables you to reveal your subject on a complete blurry background.3) IS: I've been able to use it handheld in quite a few situations where something happened and I wasn't quite ready (tripod) and it worked flawlessly.4) Weight: The reason why I went for the 500mm instead of the 600mm is clearly weight. The 500mm is (at least for me) clearly manageable for a hike on my shoulder (or backpack) but the 600mm is not. Even if the difference between those two lenses is not that huge, it DOES makes a difference.5) Weather sealing: rain ? who cares ? just focus on the subject, the lens is taking care of the rest.6) Good with TC: I'm using it 80% of the time with a X1.4 II and it works very well. We do loose a bit of sharpness (despite some people are saying), it is noticeable but the result is still really clean.I use this lens with a GITZO 3540 tripod, a Markins M20 ballhead and a Wimberley Sidekick, only for wildlife phography.A picture worth a million words ? check my website for samples: [...]
After noting the captions of exceptional photographs that appeared in nature and photography magazines were often shot with this lens, I began to read the reviews.  Based on the uniformly excellent reviews, I bought this lens and spent two weeks this January in the Florida Everglades taking pictures of birds.  Based upon my experience with the lens, I would rate this as second in sharpness and contrast only to the 300 mm f2.8 Canon L series lens.  The lens is handholdable for short periods to shoot birds in flight, but it is best suited for use on a solid tripod with a Wimberley tripod head to allow tracking of birds in flight.Jerry ReedGicl&eacute;e Maker[...]
I debated between the Canon 500mm and 600mm and, finally, decided to go with the 500mm as it actually can be hand held for short periods of time if you are fairly strong and athletic.  Long story short... this lens is about as good as it gets for wildlife photography.  Amazing image quality, even with a 1.4 converter.  I have recently made the jump from Canon back to Nikon primarily because of Canon's inconsistent flash metering (are you listening Canon??)... but the 500mm stays in my bag.  Even though I'm switching over to Nikon gear for most of my portrait / event / landscape work, I will keep one Canon body just to shoot with the 500mm f/4.0... it's that good -even though it's a bit of hassle working with two different camera systems.
I needed more reach than 400mm gave on my EOS 1D, so I purchased Canon's 500mm f/4L IS three years ago. It's incredibly sharp out to the corners at f/4. With bird and mammal portraits, you see every feather, every hair.The lens is light enough to use on a Wimberley Sidekick. Some claim to be able to handhold it, but I think its eight-plus pound weight is a bit much for that. I carry mine in a long lens case with backpack harness from Kinesis Gear.This lens' image stabilization works very well. I've used it on a tripod with one-second shutter speeds and good telephoto technique, and gotten sharp, publishable images.With an EOS 1D or 1Ds, lens and camera are rain-proof in mild storms.I also got mine through Adorama, and had no problem with delivery or post-sale advertising.If you buy one expensive long lens for wildlife, choose this one.
I don't know what I could say that has't already been said but here goes.  This is an absolute beast of a lens in quality, price and weight.  It's 8.6 lbs put it just on the edge of being handholdable, which I've managed to do on a two hour boat wildlife safari (with breaks of course).  If you need 500mm, get it because once you get the hang of shooting with a supertele, you won't be disappopinted with the photos.The biggest problem with the lens is the unwanted attention and questions.  I've already missed some opportunites because I was answering questions instead of paying attention to the action, a raptor and shorebird aerial fight!!  Oh well, I've come to accept that the attention is just going to come with the territory.  I'll have to work on my game face so I don't get interrupted too much.
Este lente es lo m&aacute;ximo en calidad, precisi&oacute;n, precio/valor, puedes hacer zoom a una foto hasta el final sin perder calidad en lo absoluto.Es un dineral, pero lo vale dolar por dolar. Lo compre, los resultados son magnificos y estoy feliz con mi 500 de Canon.
Let's face it.  This is a great lens.But, I want to warn you about Adorama.I highly recommend that you choose a better vendor.Adorama is SLOW.They don't respond to emails.They took a week to ship my lens when they said it was in stock.Their customer service is non-existent.Their prices are no better than anyone else.Almost every time I've ordered from them they have contacted me to try and sell me more stuff. (Which further delays shipping)A totally unprofessional organization.I for one will never order from them again.Good luck if you do.
cant beat this to remove mold from slides but it does contain TCE, a known carcinogen.  use sparingly with good ventilation.  melts plastic slide mounts INSTANTLY!
Here we are in the digital age, but I found myself with Kodachrome and Ektachrome slides from the 70s stretching back to the 50s.  These little family treasures had mildew scattered about and scanning through them wasn't working.So I found myself digging Amazon for an age-old product from my high school darkroom days - Edwal's.  Guess what?  Still as great as ever at getting film clean without spotting and it was amazing and getting off the mildew and 30+ year old spots.There are many reviews/online comments about the smell and ventilation and I'm sensitive to smells but I have no issues with this product.  Maybe I'm just used to it and it has a lasting/familiar imprint in my brain from 20+ years ago!  It doesn't take much to get the job done withPEC-PAD Lint Free Wipes 4"x4" 100per/Pkg.
I had some old 1950's slides that had mold (?) spots. I read good reviews on this product and ordered it. I tested it first on some unimportant film and it worked fine. Unfortunately on one of my important slides it scratched it. I was also using the "tiger cloth" so not sure what could have scratched.  I still recommend it but be very careful and test first.
I ruined several 1950's 3x3 film negatives that I wanted to clean prior to sending them out to be scanned and printed. Unfortunately several negatives had difficult-to-remove stains; it seemed that using a little too much on a clean cloth left rub marks that couldn't be removed. It made the negatives worse than what they were. I ended up cleaning the rest of the negatives with warm water and a little mild soap which did a far superior cleaning job. Use this product with great care!
Okay, here is the real review after I dunned Adorama for sending me a glass bottle in a plastic bag. The replacement came from Mel Pierce Camera in Los Angeles and was properly packed in a box.This cleaner is a combination of isopropyl alcohol and modern dry cleaning fluid. You definitely need ventilation to work with it and keep it off your skin! I throw away the used cleaning pads in another room to keep the fumes down. But I still feel a bit lightheaded after cleaning a 50-foot reel.It works fine to remove ordinary grime. It also takes off the yellow processing residue sometimes found on Kodachrome. (At least I hope it's residue, as someone once claimed, and not dye!) But it won't remove really nasty gunk, like 60-year-old splicing glue. For that you need expert conservation.
I used this to clean the rust, mold and dust off of 50-year-old 8mm film reels, and I have nothing bad to say about it! It cleaned the film well, didn't hurt the emulsion, and dried quickly so that I could motorizing my cleaning.I cleaned two 7-inch (400-foot) 8mm reels twice with this bottle before it ran out, so if you're only needing one cleaning, you can expect to get around 1600 feet of cleaning for 8mm reels. And when it says ventilate well, it means VENTILATE WELL! I started to get a little nauseated before I listened to the tag, and won't make that mistake again.
If you have old 8mm or Super 8 movies that you want to convert to digital using a projector and a camcorder; then you definitely want to use a cleaner/lubricant on the film. Otherwise the old, dry, brittle film running through the projector will surely get irreversibly damaged with very visible scratches and possible breaks. Also years of accumulated dirt and lint will show up on your videos as well. (I found out the hard way.)This product is well worth the price and will help preserve your film.
I purchased this cleaner to prepare scanning photos from at least 30 years ago.  Generally, a small spray will clean the surface.  Some photos had ink spots or water stains, and not all were cleanable. I haven't detected exactly what it will clean, but keep in mind it will not clean all ink spots or water spots.  If you have a picture that has dirty marks on it, it will NOT come clean, even with extra swiping.  Cleaning your photos is a gamble.The spray bottle is small, use sparingly, plus instructions say not to go over the same spot too much.  If you plan to clean many photos, it may be best to go for the larger supply.  To go along with this spray, buy thePEC-PAD Lint Free Wipes 4"x4" 100per/Pkg.  Rizzo
Um, this didn't work for me as well as it was advertised. I ruined a photo even more than it already was ruined. I used them on very old photos probably around 1920 and I believe they had also survivied a fire (1945 or so( and storage in a shed for probably the last 50 years. Was not a miracle worker like I had hoped.
So far the photos we are trying to restore get cleaner using this product, have not dissolved themselves :) and are ready for digitization.
This stuff is just plain noxious. You can't use it in the house. I used it outside on the porch, spraying a tiny bit on a PEC Pad and wiping the slide. Some of the older (ca. 1963 Kodachrome) slides were damaged by the fluid. It worked well on newer slides. The best results were obtained when slides were so dirty that they were basically unusable any other way. Some had mildew on them and this cleaned them up pretty well. It also removes gummy deposits well. In most cases, just blowing dust off the tray-mounted slides using canned air, them blowing off the scanner platten glass and immediately scanning, was the best way to get clean scans. Also, light brushing with a lens brush can be helpful, as well as light rubbing with a PEC Pad. Using this photographic emulsion spray is definitely a last resort. After scanning several thousand slides, I still have most of the bottle left.
This stuff really works, but follow both the bottle directions and online suggestions from users
I used this cleaner, per instructions, on some old Kodak Tri-X B&W film and it ruined them permanently. It left a sprinkling of white dots all over the emulsion. I followed the instructions to remove the dots, and it made it worse. I wrote the company about it twice, and got no reply. Luckily I stopped after a few negatives, but the ones it ruined were irreplaceable. I threw this crap out the next day.
Powerful stuff, but did not noticeably improve 40-year old Kodachrome slides.  You can probably do more with today's software than this stuff.
Works as advertised.  A friend asked me to restore a photograph that had salsa on it.  I decided to try this product to reduce the level of stain before I did my restoration scan.  I'm glad I scanned one time before using the cleaner.  It took off a little more than I wanted.  My fault as maybe I used too much pressure.  Read and follow the instructions
I hadn't developed any film in our new apartment, so I was a little annoyed when I realized that I hadn't thought things through and checked the water. Being used to rather neutral water at our last place, the new place (in the city) has very hard water. When my negatives were done drying there were plenty of water spots even though I had used photo-flo and hypo. I decided to give this cleaner a go, and although I normally get everything from Amazon, with negatives hanging I decided to go down to our local place.This stuff works relatively well to be quite honest with you - it did a great job of removing the water marks and streaks that were on my negatives without leaving any residue. I haven't tested it on any non-water marks that the manufacturer claims it works on, but I have no doubt that this stuff would do a fine job!Being in a spray bottle this was very easy to use - I sprayed some on and using a sterile lint-free gauze pad from my first aid kit wiped the negatives down.They scanned well, and I am very pleased with my purchase!
It was actually better than I expected it to be.  I found an old photograph from 1903 which had scratches and dirt on it.  I was so afraid to try to do anything on my own with it. After looking on the internet, I saw this product mentioned several times.  I bought it with a little trepidation, but was amazed how well it worked.  I would highly recommend this product.
For modern photographic emulsions, nothing even comes close to PEC-12. It does everything the manufacturer claims it will, and more. I was deeply concerned about the grime and debris on some heirloom photos suddenly in my care. They had been stored badly, and some seemed almost beyond saving. I took a chance on PEC-12, and was delighted with the results. I have used it ever since.Don't be put off by the small container. This will last you quite a while. Use it very sparingly, and with a light touch. Never use it on photographic materials from an earlier era, it was never intended for this, and could be disastrous.I couldn't be more pleased with this product, and always keep a bottle or two on hand. Pec-12 is mentioned in my genealogy book, under "Cleaning Photos, Negatives, and Slides," in the chapter entitled "Heirlooms and Keepsakes." I wouldn't trust our precious photographs to anything else.The Cloning of Solomon Hays: A Beginner's Guide to Genealogy
I have used this successfully for years on all types of color film. However be aware that Kodachrome (processed by Kodak) had a protective coating applied to the emulsion side after processing, which will be removed.  This is OK so long as you remove the whole coating.  Partial removal will leave streaks.Some who have written negative reviews seem to be using this on older celluloid-based films which most solvents will probably dissolve.Another reviewer complained about streaks. These will occur if you wipe repeatedly with the same cloth or pad.  Don't refresh the solution - take a new pad and spray it with a fresh amount or Pec-12 for each wipe.And don't use this for water-based stains.  The only "solution" there is a complete water re-wash followed by careful, dust-free, low-temperature drying.  If you don't know how to do this, seek professional help. (Photographic, not psychiatric.)Don
Not only did my package arrive exactly on time but this cleaner works great for cleaning negatives and removing unwanted dust to have a nice clean print.
I tried it with two slides and it completely ruined them. You'd be better off by using a soft brush and compressed air. Besides, uou must wear a  face mask  to use it.
It's recommended by pros. I used it on my vintage Ektachrome  slides, and then scanned at 300 dpi. No damage, no scratches. Like they say, only a drop or 2 does it.
Scanning old negatives can be a chore, but for the best resolution of old negatives or slides, you must clean the film!  Either that, or expect to spend hours on Photoshop retouching the inevitable dust and dirt marks.  This is a harsh volatile chemical, so be careful using it.  But it is the only way.
Arrived in time and easily removes finger prints from prints.  I used to use lighter fluid but I think this works better
A good product. We used it a few years ago. We ran out, needed more and it as good as ever.
hello,i needed a good quality cleaner for some very old color slides, before i scan them to my hard drive from the scanner.  this product works as defined, but has a strong odor that reminds me of the old spirit duplicator (also referred to as a Ditto machine in the US).  when the newly filled fluid was installed in the ditto machine and the first few copies were run off, it gave an unusual smell that lingered all day.  this Photographic Emulsion Cleaner has that smell.  use in a well ventilated area and not near heat sources.it does its job, but i think i will find another less smelly product to do the job.  if you can stand the odor, it does a great job on the cleaning end.  but....
On my first order this came in and was spilled out into the box. The company did right by me and replaced the product for me. I in return bought several more containers from them, because this is the type of company that I like, ones who do right by their clients. This is great for cleaning pictures (always test first) and for cleaning old negatives up. It works and it amazing. I would suggest using in a well ventilated room if the strong odor bothers you.
We use this to clean 8mm film that comes in to our studio.  Other than the fact that we get high as a kite when we forget to turn on the fans while using this product (lesson learned: VENT WELL), this does a great job at removing dust and hairs from 50+ years of build up on the films.Wish there was a better applicator for this product, just don't know what it would be.  We use the lint free pads that the same company makes and rather than "spraying" it on the pad, we dab the cloth with the cap off.
Finally something that can clean off the dust and dirt from old negatives! Instead of wiping them off with your hands and getting finger prints on them, I highly recommend getting this!
It doesn't work that well with water-based stains or other issues.  However, takes off ink and marker stains amazingly well.  Even removed some deep Sharpie marker stains from my wood desk! I had tried to remove it with Goo Gone and it didn't work; PEC-12 lifted it right out.
Had to take my slides out of the cardboard holders (easy with a razorblade) this did an excellent job of cleaning off old waterspots etc. without harming the emulsion. Sent them off to be checked and made into electronic jpeg images. Waiting to see what comes back.
To be honest, I haven't tried out this item, but I see no reason not to believe it will work well.
I'm not a huge camera person - although my husband and son like to have me take pictures with the camera and lessons they give me.  So, I bought this because I keep putting my finger on the lens (makes for blurry pictures!) and it works fine.
Be careful you don't use too much.  That will leave a trace of cleaner on the slide.  As i've read before, the best way to clean slides is to remove them from the mountings and then remount them in new mountings.  However PEC 12 does do an excellent job if done properly.
This is a very nice cleaner for negatives and pictures. I have been scanning all our old slides, negatives and pictures and this cleaner gets 40-50 years of dust and grime off in short order.
Great product. It removed 35 year old negative adhesive off the face of the image. Easy to work with, safe and convenient.
It's been great on our slides. Works as it's stated to work. No complaints.It's a great product. What more can I  say?
Found a pile of 50-year-old or more dusty, finger-printed negs and this product did a remarkable job of cleaning them and helped produce much better scans and prints.
I have a 3-ring binder of 35mm color slides in cardboard mounts that had been put into plastic storage pages around 1980.  While most of my slides ended up in plastic pages that don't show noticeable signs of breakdown beyond slight yellowing and loss of flexibility, for this notebook I inadvertently used a batch of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic pages, without knowing that even in the 1970s, PVC breakdown was a well-understood archival concern among parts of the photographic community (just not in my part, I guess).  To make PVC plastic flexible, plasticizers are added to the mix.  Over time, the plasticizer can "weep" out of the PVC pages and accumulate as oily droplets on the surfaces of the page, including the inside surfaces of the slide pockets.  So, every slide in this notebook has droplets of oily stuff on one or both surfaces of the slide.  Once I cut two of the edges of each pocket so I could take the slide out (gloves recommended by conservators, to keep plasticizer off your hands), PEC-12 did a good job taking care of the droplets.  Before cleaning, it was easy to see the oily droplets on both sides of the film; after cleaning, the droplets were gone and all I could see was a glassy smooth reflective surface on the film - problem solved, as far as scanning my slides is concerned.  I used the PEC 4x4 inch pads - they're pretty thin so I folded one pad in half twice to make a 2x2 inch pad with a little more body, and put a small spritz on one corner of the folded pad.  I gently worked the pad around the film surfaces inside the cardboard mount on both sides.  For the amount I had to remove, I could clean 8 slides from one folded pad - 4 corners on one side, then flip it over and use the corners on the other side.  You are absorbing plasticizer into the cloth with each cleaning, so it makes sense not to re-use the same part of the pad to clean successive slides.  Before I reached that conclusion, I did see some light whitish streaking on some slides.  A fresh spritz on a new part of the pad took care of those streaks in most cases.  I don't know what kind of film it is - didn't want to sacrifice any of the cardboard mounts to find out.  For this job, PEC-12 turned out to be a very effective product.
This is a classic film cleaner that has been used for decades by pros. It removes fingerprints and oils from film emulsions by solvent action. The solution is completely volatile, so it evaporates completely and quickly. It has no non-volatile additives, so it leaves no residue. It does not remove water soluble muck, mold or mildew damage if that's your problem.
I think this was redundant. Using the squirt feature was too messy to use on all the slides that I had so I poured some in a dish and used a q-tip. I don't think it actually cleaned any of my slides.
I have appreciated this product as I prepared old slides to photograph. It does not clean everything but it helps.
This spray didn't seem to work for me.Perhaps what I was trying to clean was not compatible with this cleaner.Rewashing the negatives and wiping them with a PEC-PAD did a better job.An interesting tidbit: this smells like Hoppe's #9 solvent.
Certainly the supplier shipped promptly, but the product's usefulness is doubtful.This cleaner may be helpful on slides, but I doubt it. It may have removed stains or oil, so I use it only on slides which are worst off.But, on negatives it drew dust even when I used lint free squares.
This is hard to find in the local shops around here. I did find a shop who carried it but it would have been a 200 mile round trip. No thanks. It's a real good cleaner for those old photos and slides.
For cleaning slides, I use Dust Off, a non-static brush and a microfiber cloth.  They work for me especially when I read about how nasty the vapors are from this product.  I may use it with badly-damaged photos or negatives.
I am in the process of scanning our old slides.  Some of them were dirty and needed cleaning before scanning.  I tried household cleaners but was afraid they would ruin the pictures.  This stuff really works and my clean scanned images will be passed along to family members for their enjoyment for years to come.
This product is great for cleaning slides and film negs.  I would highly recommend this for anyone archiving those old and precious film shots.
I learned about PEC-12 at a professional photo convention in Chicago, years ago, and have been using it ever since.  It will take Sharpie marker off both the base and emulsion side of film and prints with little or no residue.  Also, I have cleaned/restored what looked like serious old water marks off of the base side of film shot in the in 1944.  This film was nitrate 6x9 format negs, so without PEC-12, they were dumpster fodder.Since then, I have used it to take Sharpie off of lots of surfaces.  So.. just about any place that Sharpie marks or labels are a problem, give it a shot and it probably will solve the problem.  I bought a pint last time and that probably will be a life time supply.  No shelf life problem.
I needed to clean some of my Dad's old slides of what looked like mildew. This did a pretty fair and gentle job of it. I didn't opt for the special wipes, as those seem a silly cost premium. I just took some scissors to some plain white Brawny wipes, and that did the trick nicely. I keep a plastic airtight container to put the wipes in and that seems to cut down on the odor after use.The 4 oz. seems to be more than enough for most uses. I did hundreds of slides and I have plenty left. At the very least it has outlasted my enthusiasm for the project, that mercifully is done.
a quick spray and my negs and slides were cleaned sufficiently so that I could make successful scans and large blowups.
I got this cleaner because it is the one I have seen recommended in numerous retouching forums, articles, and books. It is the kind of product you only use if you don't have a choice, if your original is unusable as it is. It's not something you would use on all photos you plan to scan, just when you must.I have had pretty good luck with it using it on old slides and transparencies. It doesn't make them good as new (that would be impossible) but it does remove a lot of the mildew and fungus that would have made them totally useless. In the process, it saved me hours of retouching.On prints you have to have a gentle hand. Pressing too hard or using too much solution can cause further damage. If used correctly, you do get improvement. If you can get them fairly clean with a blower, a microfiber cloth, etc., I'd try that first. If there is recognizable fungus or mold, you have no choice.If it's a historic or essential photo, I would photograph it with a good, sharp, macro lens prior to attempting to clean it. Sometimes the damage that is there is so deep that simply rubbing it with anything at all makes it worse. Once you, at least, have a good photograph of it, then attempt the cleaning very gently. This is an extra step and extra work, but it is totally safe. (This is also the way to go if you have photos printed on honeycomb or other textured papers since they don't scan well).Once you use the product, you can scan the image. I would never put an image full of fungus, mold, etc. on a scanner and risk contaminating successive images, so cleaning first is a must. (A good scanner glass cleaner is also a must. I recommend the Kinetronics Glass Cleaning Kit for Flatbed Scanners, also available at Amazon.)Cleaning is not a substitute for restoration work, but it does take you to a point at which you can begin restoration work. I use Pec Pads that are lint free 4"x 4" little pads. This sounds small, but it's better for intricate work since you work on one area/problem at a time.Another thing: this is a pretty strong smelling solution. I have asthma, so I use it outdoors wearing a mask. Between the mask, the lint-free gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on the slide or print, the tweezers or wooden skewers to hold the slide to the prepared work surface, working outdoors, and the fear of doing more harm than good, this process is a little tense and difficult.But it is worth it. Anything that can possibly be rescued, has been rescued with this product. And, if you are gentle, don't rub, and don't press too hard, you (at least) don't further damage those things that can't be rescued with current technology.
works as advertised. my slides (some are 45+ years old) looked  like new treatment.It also worked well on old 35mm film negatives.
I'm in the process of scanning more than a thousand Kodachrome slides (some 60 years old) and a huge quantity of photographs and negatives.  Some of the photographs have been handled well, others not so well and are extremely dirty.With the Photographic Emulsion cleaner I've been able to remove spots, mold, even the dirt from 50 year old fingerprints.  It's worked near miracles.  There are some flaws that won't go away, the instructions clearly state that if the product doesn't work the first time, don't try a second, it can't remove every spot and repeated use may damage the emulsion.  Certain emulsions will not tolerate the cleaner, a test procedure is outlined on the bottle.The cleaner has an extremely potent odor.  If you're doing more than one or two photographs you need to get away from your work area to use it-leaving a window cracked open isn't a bad idea.It doesn't take much, just a little squirt on a cloth, don't use it at all unless a photograph needs it.  It looks like this one container may see me through the entire project.
I used this cleaner when in college and even for the home when photos may get dirty, this product does the trick with removing ink, and grease from photographs.  ALWAYS do a test spot of course,and I find that a little goes a long way.  Spray the tip of a Q-Tip with the cleaner and clean your photo/negative that way.
A little known product that removes permanent marker ink (Sharpies, etc) from hard surfaces.Good stuff! I used to use it when I was a pro photographer & it still has great uses.
If you want to clean slides/prints. this is the only stuff I would recomend.  Just make sure you have good ventilation.  It evaporates fast and my office stinks for a while. It is a bit expensive (If you bought a gallon's worth with the small bottles it would cost you $370) but you only need a small amount.Bill K
This is a great rain cover, I use it for the DVX-100. I would prefer if t had a filter adapter in front to attach a filter, but besides that it's a great cover, pretty flexible and you can control everything with your hand inside, or on a tripod.
During the previous 4-5 years, I've been using 1st a Canon GL1, then a GL2, to perform outside video gigs. So I've always had a rain cover one way or another on the camera during those questionable weather days. Thank goodness! And the one brand of rain cover that never failed me with the Kata. I tried others, even the "cheap" ones. But the Kata cover was great.Well, I finally upgraded to the Canon XH A1 so I could start building up my ambience library of HDV footage. Of course, this meant I would be outside a lot, between the Eastern Shore of MD, the Appalachian mountains, VA Beach, yada yada yada and other outdoorsy settings. So, what did I definitely need in my accessory bag? Another rain cover. I found many inexpensive "rain sleeves", but I nixed that idea since I didn't want my expensive and quality camera to be covered with a thin plastic sleeve. I wanted a quality cover! And since I had previous experiences with Kata, I looked there.The Kata RC-14 rain cover, covering my Canon XH A1 camera, is a perfect collection of both fit and function. Having the snug-fit closures around the lens, viewfinder, and microphone makes it easy to adjust and snug well...and stays that way. The opening along the bottom made it easy for me to hold the camera, or place it on my Bogen tripod. And the clear plastic sides allow me to adjust the myriad selection of controls on the camera without removing the cover.Last weekend, here in Maryland we had an incredible storm front come through, with lots of rain, wind, thunder & lightning. So, here was a great opportunity to gather more HD footage during the storm. However, since I didn't want my camera to get wasted in the outside elements, the Kata rain cover was used. Was I disappointed? Heck no!Other than the haze filter on my lens, NOTHING on my camera got wet. I had adjusted the snug-fit openings well enough that even with the rain blowing almost totally sideways, none of it got in. Even my arm holding the camera was totally drenched, but not the camera inside the drenched rain cover. And I was still able to view the storm through either the viewfinder (used most of the time) or via the side LCD, without removing the cover.Will I be buying another Kata? Definitely...BTW, I checked all over the net for the best price and ended up buying it here on Amazon. No, I don't work for these guys, just a quick mention.
Kata RC-14 (CRC-14) Compact Rain Cover es una excelente opcion para mi c&aacute;mara, c&oacute;moda, f&aacute;cil de usar, se ajsta perfectamente y me deja trabajar libremente.
Fits the Canon XH A1 well.  I've only tested the rain cover under a slight drizzle but it worked well enough.My only complaint is that the viewfinder is hard to see because of the the glare that shows up on the material that the clear side is made of.
Well, the review is not really justified, since I never tried to use the item, other than trying it on once. It seemed to be a bit inconvenient and needs some getting used to.
I have been using this developer off and on for a few years now, and it has never let me down! It is relatively inexpensive, and as another reviewer mentioned it does have a decent shelf-life.USAGEIf your film is not mentioned on the back for development times, a quick Google search will turn up several tables that almost cover every popular film on the market for this specific developer. Mix with mildly hot distilled water, and let sit for 24 hrs. Store in an opaque container. Once mixed, it stores for about 6 months or until it has "turned".RESULTSI always seem to have great results with this developer, and I have added two scans to the product images, of negatives developed and scanned at home. These were in fact my first ever self-developed negatives, so if I could do it as a beginner, this shouldn't intimidate you at all! Combined with the right film, this solution is very forgiving for beginners, and shouldn't leave you with terrible negatives that might discourage! Common opinion says that Xtol is the better developer, and I do have to agree. That said, D-76 is definitely a good developer, and I continue to keep it on hand!
Great results with this product.
This is THE standard developer. Almost every film in production will have suggested development times with D-76.I tend to use this as a fall back developer when Caffenol doesn't work well with the film I'm using.I also use it with sheet film as I develop them differently.I tend to prefer the slightly softer look of the 1:1 dilution rather than stock.Although I frequently use the stock solution when I would otherwise have an extremely long development time.Tips:Mix well, but don't shake it as that introduces air which can shorten storage life.Store in multiple smaller bottles. That way you can only expose to air what you're using.
D-76 is just right processing this film. This will make work.  This will make it work for my Quartz Lens.
This was exactly what I was looking for and the price was very comparable to the last time I purchased it.
D-76 has been around longer than I have. I used it in middle school, high school and college, and now that I am a professional photographer I still use it. It is one of the best general developers around.  Digital is great, but black and white film still has a look that is different than digital. My clients can connect to the certain feel that black and white film offers.My local camera shop has a few packages of film they are asking 12 dollars ( which is crazy expensive). On Amazon I can get it for 5 to 6 dollars and it works great.I  buy 2 or 3 at a time, because the price is so much better than I can get in town and in powder form it will last a long time.Once I mix it to liquid I use it that day or the next. Generally with 120 or 4x5, t-max or Rolling retro 400 film.Pros: Cheap and it worksCons: None
This stuff is great for the student or DIY B&W film photographer.  Consistent results and good shelf life.  I personally prefer Kodak Xtol for it's eco-friendliness, but I would recommend this for beginners.
I read the reviews and thought I was getting a thicker grey card than what was delivered.  I would not recommend this product.
It works as expected, better than your camera white balance but of course you requiere time to adjust your camera settings accordingly. If you want realistic colors, use it and you will save postprocessing time and will obtain better results.
Product is high quality and delivered as promised. The package included two Gray Cards each protected inside a plastic bag from elements when doing outdoor photography. I gave one to a classmate taking a photography course with me. The package also include a small card for use as well.
this item was exactly as ordered.  the customer service from this company was stella.  Thank you so much for your wonderful communication.
The card is of a good quality material and heavy enough that it won't be easily damaged. I would but again.
The gray card package arrived very quickly, especially considering that it had to travel so far to get here.  The quality of the cards is above average, and I have seen drastic improvement in the quality of the white balance in my images.  It will be saving me a lot of post-processing time in the future.
If you use Cokin P Series filter holders, or one of the cost saving alternatives, then you should invest in these lens caps. They slide into your filter holder and protect you camera lens, just like a regular cap would.
This item works with the Cokin Series P filter system. Allows you to cover your lens without removing the Cokin system,
Does exactly what it is suppose to. I bought two of these because I bought a 2nd filter holder. Would recommend.
Although a lens cap is not necessary when using the square filters, this does a good job of sealing off the end of the lens to keep dirt out while your are hot using it.
It does exactly what is suppose to do. Close Cokin P series holder and protect your precious lenses. It fit nicely and is a snug. It has enough friction to prevent the cap from wobbling or making any noise when walking. It's an original Cokin brand
The one I received does not look anything like the photo. In fact I wasn't sure I ordered it. It does serve its purpose to protect the lens with the P holder mounted.
This cap is alright.  I am having a difficult time sliding it in and out of the frame on my camera.  Shipping was quick and price was good.
I just got this item, but owing to its simplicity I feel safe in saying that I expect it to work very well for a long time. Construction is plenty rugged enough and it fits well with the series P holder/mount.I think the main advantage to using this item is that it balances lens/filter safety with speed in switching lenses (at least that's why I wanted it). You can quickly insert the plastic lens cap into one of the holder's outer slots and then drop the lens into your camera bag without fear of head-on damage to your lens or any other filters you may have in the holder. There is still a gap on the sides where dust could come in contact with your glass, but you've saved the time of having to remove your filters or the holder from your lens. Alternatively, you could fit the cap into the inner-most slot of the holder to achieve nearly as good a seal as you could get with an EOM's lens cap. In addition, the tabs on the holder will engage the cap and physically hold it in place so it's very unlikely to be pushed out of position (in the outer slots the cap is held snugly in place by friction). The added security comes at a price in that it will be more difficult to remove the plastic cap later, enough to slow you down a few seconds. If you're like me and want to be able to change lenses very quickly while minimizing the risk of damage to your glass, you should get this item.
I bought this to go with a set of filters and holder. The filters are snug fitting, but this thing took an act of congress, once installed, to remove and I had to lightly hand sand the side surfaces in order to continue using it. Once modified it works very well.
This lens cap does it job, no fuss, no bother.  If I need another, will not hesitate to buy one.
Since I like to leave my Cokin filter system attached to my lens a lot, I figured, this would be perfect to allow me to keep it on there even more.  Previously I had to remove it every time I had to put the lens-cap back on.  With this, I can just slide the cap in place and be on my way.  Very nicely done.  When properly inserted, the cap seals off the front glass of the lens preventing dirt and objects from making contact with the lens.  The fit is very snug and will not fall out.As stated, the filter needs to be inserted correctly.  If you don't get it in the right slot, it will leave a gap allowing dust and dirt in.  So please make sure you seat it well.  This is a bit tricky at first, but if you watch for it, you'll catch it.For the price, it is worth it, even if the price is a little high.  In my opinion, better to spend the price of this cap, than to repair the front element of your lens.  ;)
If you use the Cokin P series filter holder, this slides right in to protect your lens is you are moving the camera about and don't want to take the filter holder off.  Saves some time, and might save your lens.
The cap is ok, but does not protect the lens from dust well, since there is a gap between it and the holder.
I actually never bought this but what can you say about a lens cap.  It protects the lens.
The Cokin caps fit quite tight. Where the caps snap into place I bevel the catch on the cap and the holder to make them a little easier to remove. Yes, they are plastic but in Cokin's defense I would have to say that their products are very well made and fit precisely. I have used them for many years and have been very pleased with the fit, finish and function of the P series products.
I got this cover because the last cover I had the thumb plate broke off. It was about 9 years old..
Not a lot to say about this cap. It's black plastic and it fits in any of the four slots on my Cokin "P" filter holder (the regular holder - I haven't tried the wide-angle holder). If you put it in one of the three filter slots, it's easily inserted and removed with one hand. It's held in place by friction and doesn't fall out. If you put it in the slot designed for round filters (the slot closest to the lens), it's a tight fit and it snaps in place. It takes two hands to remove the filter from that slot. The cap is square and is the same size as the Cokin filters. If you are using another brand of filter that is longer vertically, the cap won't cover the entire filter. But as another reviewer mentioned, this is designed as a lens cap, not a filter cap. Works good.Another reviewer mentioned that his didn't look like the one in the photo. I just received mine from Amazon seller "Spotlight Photo", and mine looks identical to the photo above. Not sure why his is different.
I thought this would be more of a tight fit over the end of the lens when put in the adapter ring but not so. It slides into one of the filter slots well but leaves a gap between the lens and the cap. However, there is another slot that is narrower  and makes a nice total cover where this could be inserted. Big mistake!! Accept the gap putting it in the closest filter slot because using the other will not allow the cap to be removed easily.
I have absolutely no idea why I bought this -- it doesn't serve any real purpose.  It's a solution searching for a problem. It was bundled (but priced separately) with the Cokin graduated ND filters.I can't see why anyone would ever use this cap.  After all, dust is going to come in from the slots.  And you're not exactly protecting a $1,000+ lens.The price dropped 50% right after I bought this useless, unused piece of plastic.  Shame on me for buying for the sake of buying.
The Cokin P252 Filter Lens Cap for Cokin Series P filter holders is a good product that does it's job well.  The lens cap replaces a traditional pinch and release lens-cap for your DSLR or other camera when used with the Cokin Series P Filter holder and it works well at keeping dust and debris off the lens glass.The only drawback to this lens cap is that you really need to be looking at the camera when putting it on in order to line it up with the correct slot in the filter holder.  The filter holder has 4 slots, one closest to the lens for the lens cap and three beyond that.  The lens cap slot is thinner than the filter slots so it's easy to accidentally put the lens cap in one of the filter slots, leaving a gap between the cap and the lens for debris to enter.  It's also easy to get one side of the lens cap in it's proper slot and the other side in one of the filter slots, again, leaving a gap.  One needs to make sure that he or she has inserted the lens cap into the filter holder properly for it to be effective as opposed to a typical pinch lens cap with which it's easy to tell by feel alone if it is secured to the camera.
Nice heavy duty plastic part. It snaps into place and can be a little cumbersome to remove. However, it stays put, once it clicks into place and it does what it need too. It will protect your lens from most things.
Washes dishes... don't wash your dishes with this
I bought this product as a surfactant for a record cleaning solution for an ultrasonic machine. Just in case you were wondering, the formula ended up being: one gallon of distilled water, 5% Isopropyl, and 2 drops of this thing. And two extra comments, the 2 drops is what you should use: use two teaspoons instead and you'll see water sticking to the record surface, use two drops as I suggest (and others online) and you'll get a record out the water that's like it has never been wet.
I'm using this to wash records. A little bit in warm water. It seems to work well.
You know, after a lot of research that said that this is unnecessary, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. I have been home developing for some years with pleasing results, and mostly I had heeded the advice that you didn't need it. After reading one article to the contrary however, I felt it couldn't hurt and overall I am really glad I purchased it!PROS- Almost eliminates water marks and streaks- Negatives dry faster- Reduces pre-scan prep workCONS- It's an extra expenseOverall, I wouldn't say that this is VITAL, but who doesn't want cleaner, better negatives? Photo-Flo will save you time and effort, and for that reason alone, it's worth the extra cost!
I'm not a photographer.  I didn't use this product in developing photos.  Instead I used this product to clean an old headstone as recommended by the Association for Gravestone Studies.  A very little goes a LONG way too as this is a most effective detergent, yet it is gentle enough to use on old stones.  Completely met my expectations.
does what it says on the tin, i promise you it really does, no joke, slick surfactant bizness, buy now
Works great!
If you know what Photo Flo is and what it's for then you know it's the same as it has always been and I am glad it's still around.
We had several old pictures of family that had become stuck onto the picture frame glass.  I went on-line to see what could be done to safely remove them.  Almost all the sites mentioned soaking the pictures in water with Photo-Flo added to break the bond between the chemical film on the picture surface and the glass.  The product arrived as promised and by that same evening I had been able to removed all the pictures from the glass by soaking in the water/Photo-Flo mixture for several hours.  It saved me the money I would have paid a photo restoration shop for doing exactly the same thing.
I purchased this for cleaning grave stones. It works very well for removing stains, lichen, mold, etc. without causing damage to the stone or soil. Use for this purpose with plastic scrapers and brushes only!
In the old days, when dirt was new, we used Kodak Photo-Flo as the last rinse for our negatives so they wouldn't water spot.  Haven't used it years........Now my wife has a new onyx shower installed with no place to hang that (stupid) Johnson and Johnson 'Scrubbing Bubbles' automatic shower cleaner.  Thank goodness. So, how to keep the water spots off without wiping the shower often?Simple.  Mix one (1) capfull of Kodak Photo-Flo to 32 oz. of water and put in a small hand sprayer and spray down the shower after each use.Vola! No more spots and a simple once a week wipe-down and it is as good as new!Photo-flo is a 'surfacant', meaning it doesn't allow water to stall and spot.Try it yourself, it is cheap and works great!
if you live in a city with hard water, you will have water spots in your film, no matter how long you wash the thing, this makes the drying process a breeze. Also it will probably last you for years! a few drops in a 1000cc of water, you don't need more than that..
Photo-flo has to be the best value in film photography. You use mere drops at a time, so a bottle this size, unless you shoot A LOT, will last you ages. It does exactly what it says it does, and does it well. There's a reason this stuff has been around for decades.
What Can I say? I've been using this stuff since forever..Last step before you hang your negs up to dry...
I wanted to have a filter that would bring down the amount of light coming through the lens so that I could take pictures of running water... so the water had a cotton-like look. Neutral density (ND) filters limit the amount of light without affecting color. This filter, being a ND8x (aka ND-3), helps to bring down the amount of light by 3 f-stops.
This as with all Cokin products met my needs. quality is very good, and what I like is they are less weight than glass.
Finally had a chance to use this ND filter the other day. Upon reviewing the images, shot in RAW with my Canon 40D, I think that it's not quite neutral gray. There is a reddish or magenta-ish cast to the images. Processing in ACR allowed me to colour correct. The ND filter did its job, allowing me to use a slower shutter speed to get the blur I wanted. I need to experiment further with it, as I was shooting toward the light, trying for back lighting through a tree whose branches were waving. Although I had my camera positioned in the shade from another tree, it might be that the sunlight angle could be a factor in the colour cast.Edit 24June2010: I still haven't had much more chance to use the ND filter, but I've read more about ND filters. Because they are stopping so much visible light, more unfiltered infra-red light is allowed through to the sensor. Infra-red light will impart a magenta colour cast. So the Cokin filter itself could be neutral, and the cast I experienced may have been due to excessive infra-red wavelengths striking the CMOS sensor.
Like my other Cokin filters, it works well when I need it.  No noticable color cast - to my eye anyway.  Compliments my other Cokin filters.  Recommended.
I really like the cokin P system to make filter use and changes easy. Much simpler than screwing a threaded round filter on and off between each shot. However, I tried stacking two "neutral" density filters together however and ended up with very bad pink color cast. Made the pictures unusable. I've read the same happens with the Z series as well. Too bad. Spent a lot of money and now the filters are useless to me. Would have saved money going with better filters from the beginning.
I use this filter for all my lens. I got tired of buying one for each lens I had. I just hold it in front of whatever lens I'm using at the time. It lets me use smaller aperatures for a better depth of field.
This is a fairly simple product, an adapter ring to attach a Cokin A-series filter holder to a 52mm lens.That said, it does its job very well. I already tried it on a 52mm lens, it screwed in easily and securely, and provides a good solid base for attaching the Cokin A-series filter holder.I'm happy with it.
I received the Cokin adapter ring on time and nicely packaged. It fit my camera's lens and also the Cokin filter holder.
This adapter ring is hard to find, and was much appreciated since I've had a bunch of Cokin attachements that would no longer be useable without it.
The ring is sturdy and well made. It works with the rest of my Cokin A filters. Not much more can be said.
This item was delivered fast and works great! One slight issue, the rings fit loosely in my Cokin adapter (made in he 1980's) so I had to shim them to fit tightly.  No a problem to do.
Difficult to find locally since it appears cokin has discontinued the A series in favor of the P series, but the product is simple, very light weight and functions exactly as intended.
I don't know how much could go wrong with an adapter ring... I guess the threads could be bad.  Looks, it's a 58mm ring.. it fits, it threads correctly, what more could you want?
I used this to adapt an old Cokin filter system to my new camera. No Problems, does the job fine.
i had several filters and holders left over from my film days. i was happy to be able to use the split nd and blue filters on a backpacking trip last month. i will eventually upgrade to the p series to use for wide angle .
Cokin setup rings enable me to use grads on nearly every camara/lens I have. There made well, and are worth the effort. Always!
It arrived quickly, it fits perfectly.  What more can I say?  I need to add several more words to have this review accepted so the reader can ignore this last sentence.
This item is an addition for my wife's new camera. It fit perfectly.
Not much to say, it fit on the lens, so that means its just fine.
Works as advertised. Well made and arrived undamaged.Packaging was vaccume packed and strange to open. Cokin products appear to be well made.
Nothing fancy, just does what it says it will do.
The Cokin adapter ring is well made, fits the filter holder and the lens threads.  It does what it is supposed to do, and does it well - serve as a interface between lens and filter holder - and it never needs charging.  It arrived well packed and on time.  Recommended.
If you have a 67mm lens and want to use Cokin filters this is what you need.
This item is probably fine if you have a regular newtonian reflector, I don't know because I don't have a regular newtonian reflector. I have a Powerseeker 127 EQ, which is a &#34;Jones-Bird&#34; telescope. This type of telescope has a corrective lens built into the bottom of the focuser and therefore requires a different collimation procedure than the one outlined in Celestron's Knowledgebase article. Be advised that Celestron's technical support team has verified that this eyepiece will not work to correctly collimate a Bird-Jones telescope.
Celestron did a great job with this item! The eyepiece showed that my collimation wasn't that far off from when I used the laser collimator (also by Celestron). The instructions were VERY EASY to follow if you read them close enough and carefully. I don't know what it is with publishers like Sky&Tel and die-hard amateurs...they have to explain how to use collimation equipment (and everything else) with wordy, techno-babble-filled descriptions that only confuse other amateurs (ahem...I've been an experienced amateur astronomer for over 25 years...so I know what I'm talking about). Maybe it's a way for the hot-shots to show off rather then be helpful. Save the techno-babble for another forum for those who really want to know. The instructions were written simple and to the point and only took up an index card's worth of explaining. I would definitely buy this item again and recommend it to beginners learning to collimate their reflectors.
This is an interesting device. I have made a few attempts to use it however I'm coming to the conclusion that it may not be well suited for schmidt-cassegrain telescope use. I plan to continue experimenting with it but so far the traditional method of using a star or an artificial start light source is the best method so far.
Other than the directions being too wordy without good pictures, the device was easy to use and worked well.  You'll need a light source for it to work.
i only rated this 5 stars because it does not come with laser guided assistance. it was however pretty easy to do. IF you need help look to youtube and help is everywhere. good luck and i do not say that in a bad way. this thing is easy to use. you just need alot of light of a porch light that is bright.Barry.
Works like a champ, once I figured out that the hole in the top was where you looked to check adjustments. Should serve my beginning needs till I work up to equipment needing laser accuracy.
I purchased this product because I wanted to collimate a 6" telescope but didn't want to pay for a laser collimator.  It's easy enouth to use that I popped it in where my eyepiece was, looked at the supplied instruction booklet, and within a couple of minutes I found that my telescope was actually dead-on already, so no adjustments were necessary.  I'd consider this product an essential if you own a telescope.
It works fine.  Takes a little getting used to it, but works like a charm.
It is good enough that it showed imperfections of measurement and assembly of my Twin Star 6&#34; 750/1400 telescope.  The diagonal spider was improperly placed so no combination of adjustments would get the diagonal centered in the eyepiece tube.  Even so it did colimate the scope well.
It was listed with the laser collimators and I thought that was what I was getting for a great price, but low and behold . . .!I haven't used it yet, but it looks like it is put together pretty good.
This tool is very easy to use. I am a very beginner to telescopes and wanted to make sure everything was adjusted properly. This makes that task a breeze. Didn't take long and i had both mirrors in proper collimation.
Bought mine to re-align the focuser in my ED80T-CF after removal for repair/mods.  Worked great.Simple to use.  Slide it into the scope, align the &#34;mirror&#34; with a bright light source, and look into the end.  Crosshairs in the middle, out-of-focus donut moves around.Adjust focuser or lens until centered, ta-da, done.Only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the lack of quality fit and finish.  The &#34;mirror&#34; is pretty rough, the packaging is very basic and of low quality, the device itself is in &#34;rough&#34; condition.  Would prefer a look and feel of higher quality and a more &#34;finished&#34; appearance.
Well, I have successfully collimated my small newtonian reflector with this little piece of equipment. At first it's tricky but you get the hand of it pretty fast. You just need to align all the reflections of the cross you see at the end of the tool. The first step is to align the secondary mirror so the cross aims at the center of the main mirror. Once that is achieved you can then adjust the main mirror to align everything together. Make sure you aim the telescope at a white light source so the cross is nice and visible. I aimed it at my tv with some white internet page, it did the job.It might not be laser precision but it's more than enough for my reflector. I'm very satisfied with it.
I bought this item to do collimation on my Celestron 127EQ. It is quite an essential tool if your Newtonian is out of alignment. To do the collimation correctly on something like the Celestron 127Eq or 114Eq takes some time and patience, but it's time well spent. I first used the "hole in the cap" method, but imo it was a bit of a waste of time. This is the tool to do it right.Edit: I got a small laser collimator (Seben, but also sold on this site as an Orion laser) for almost the same price, and I must admit it works much better ... the laser takes out the guess work of what should be aligned with what where.
I love this thing...It was scary how fast and easy it was to collimate my scope with this little baby.
Makes collimation easy. If you need one, get one
Using the included instructions, I was not able to achieve a satisfactory collimation of my Orion XT-12i Dobsonian telescope (it made it much worse in fact).  I also tried using a bunch of different online guides and was never able to collimate successfully using those either.  I was attempting to collimate both the secondary (which I had foolishly messed with) and the primary.One of the problems that I ran into is that the pictures in the manual and guides never matched up with what I actually saw looking through the collimator.  My best guess is that the drawings were idealized, and my collimation was screwed up enough, or my telescope different somehow, so that I was not to be able to figure out which parts were real and which idealized, leading to a lot of frustration and dead-ends.  Also, the tool wobbled around in the eyepiece, even after buying a special Orion centering adapter that was supposed to prevent it.  So I could change the "collimation" based on how I inserted the tool, or even based on how I changed the focus settings (which people claimed shouldn't be happening, but I thing this might be due to having an offset telescope?  Just guessing).I eventually gave up and re-collimated using the Orion collimation cap that came with the scope.  It's not perfect either, but it is much better now than this tool was ever able to do, and at least I was able to get back to where I was before I fooled with my secondary.  I feel that this collimator was a waste of money.
Not as efficient as a laser but you can collimate a reflector using this tool. I used this Cheshire tool and then borrowed a friends laser collimator and was very close, as in only turning one screw on the primary to bring into collimation. The instructions are not difficult to follow, use of patience is required and if it is your first time collimating a scope EXPECT to spend time and ensure you have sufficient time to accomplish the entire task.
I tried for some time to collimate my reflector without any tools and found myself lost. The Celestron collimating eyepiece was just the right tool to make the job quite easy. I can check the collimation from time to time, and be sure it is right on. Good product.
It seems this device has been around for a while and rightfully so.  I have a Celestron Astromaster 114eq and an 8" Sky-Watcher Dobsonian and this works great for both of them.  Easy to use and I was able to focus both scopes to perfect detail.  I was considering a laser type collimator (I like electronic gadgets) but read that those may need periodic collimating also - that seems kind of strange to me.  I'm not sure how you would do that.  Anyway, this unit is simple to use and effective.
I purchased this to help with the collimation of a few telescopes I have, thought it would improve the process. Was hoping to be able to take this out of the package and with a few directions it would be a simple task. Unfortunately the directions were a little hard to follow for the first timer that I felt like I was. After finding some internet help, I was able to Collimate my scopes and the tool does make it a simple process.I shared this with some of my friends who have experience in this. They found the eyepiece to be very helpful. If you know what you are doing it is out of the box great, if you are a novice like myself it takes a little playing. While I ultimately managed to complete the process, it was a little frustrating at first.If you are planning on transporting your scope regularly, I would recommend this tool. When finally completed, it did a great job.
I'm still new at collimation. I use this to get the secondary mirror aligned and then use a laser collimator for the final adjustments. They seem to work well together. My laser collimator has a self-centering adapter to remove focuser slop. I wish this did also so I could be sure that they were "seeing" the same thing.
I have an older reflector scope that sat in a box in a closet for years.  I wanted to get it working again so I replaced the 0.96 size eyepiece holder with a 1.25 and then used this to collimate it.  I was struggling to do the collimation manually before getting this and should not have bothered.  This made it easy and much faster.
This is a great item for the "regular guy" in astronomy.  Sure there are more expensive options (laser) but if you're collimating your dobsonian with a friend there is no easier/cheaper way than this tool.  I've lined up my 8 inch dob with this tool multiple times and it never fails.  Love this piece.  Makes up an essential part of my dobsonian toolkit.
You will need this or a laser collimater for any fast (f8 or faster) Newts. If they aren't perfectly collimated, they lose a lot of their capability.
I had know idea how messed up my scope was! I'm very glad I purchased this product...only wish I had done it years ago! I didn't realize how important collimation was. All this time I was blaming blurred images on my eye pieces...I'm enjoying Astronomy again. You can have the most expensive eye pieces in the world but if your mirrors are out of whack your missing out on great images.The forty dollars I spent is nothing compared to the frustration I've endured. This tool is now permanently residing in my lens box, it's a must have.
This thing is great.  Very useful in collimating your Dobsonian.  Use this first, then fine tune with a laster collimator.
Haven't had a chance complete my collimation as yet, I think it will work out well, I'm new to telescopes so I'm having a little trouble getting the instructions straitght in my head, Once I do I think it will work fine.  The collimation eyepiece seems very well constructed and now it's up to me to learn how to use it.  Recommend it.
Using this collimator to align the mirrors in a reflector scope is a must-have item.  After the procedure, images are crisp and clear across the field of view, even with my relatively small (3" F9) Celstron reflector.  Frankly the instructions for me especially as a first time user are not easily understood, especially in discerning between various images seen through the eyepiece.  I researched "collimation" on the web, and pieced together sufficient info to understand all the images fairly well.  Also placed a small, stick-on center dot on the main mirror for convenience during alignment.  Definitely recommend this eyepiece - quality built for the money - it will be used periodically to keep the scope in tune, and it can be used as one graduates to larger reflector scopes.  I never tried a laser collimator, but with the excellent results from this piece, not sure that a laser is necessary, at least with an F9 scope - perhaps it might make a difference on an F5 or lower, just guessing.
This works good and I use it whenever I need to collimate. It's nothing fancy but I like it to align my scope.
I bought and a Skyprodigy 130 and then went on a buying spree of 2&#34; and 1.25&#34; eyepieces and other accessories.  I should have bought this first.  After a few months, my scope needed adjustment, and after adjustment it's a whole different ballgame.  I can now see multiple rings around Saturn, as opposed to just one.A properly collimanated telescope is a great thing.
Sturdy construction, easy to use. Only takes a few minutes to check for alignment. Have never used one of the laser units, but cannot imagine they would provide any better function for twice the price.
This will collimate most Newtonians with minimal effort.  No laser beam is necessary.  Follow the instructions.
This is a great little tool, and I can't imagine trying to collimate my telescope without it anymore.  It's very sturdily built, and its use is very intuitive.
My Coulton 13&#34; Newtonian Telescope had gotten badly out of alignment over 20 yrs.  I purchased this Collimation Eyepiece after reading several positive reviews and not wanting to spend $200 for a laser one.  The is very will built.  The instructions were easy to understand and collimation of my 13' Newtonian went fairly quickly.  The clarity of my scope returned and once again I was seeing small object in share focus.I would recommend this product.
Does what a Chesire should do!  Makes getting my Dob dialed a snap!  Reflective enough that it is easy to get my mirror's center spot doughnut centered right over the peephole without too much illumination.  Good fit and finish.  Dinged it one star for price, as it is a bit expensive for what a simple piece of kit this is, margins must be great for Celestron on these.
This collimator is pretty fair, but I later ordered the laser collimator, and discovered that my main mirror was a little bit off.  If you're on a tight budget, like I was, this will do a good enough job.  Otherwise, get the laser! :)
I tried this out and spent 45 minutes fiddling with the mirrors and got it pretty close. Pretty close isn't quite good enough though for a newtonian telescope. I returned this and upgraded to the laser collimation eyepiece. The lasermate was more expensive but worth the price.Pros: cheap and durable. no batteriesCons: much more difficult than a laser collimator. can't adjust at night.
Just what I needed for my new telescope that was slightly out of alignment when it arrived.  Works like a charm.
It is a little shaky in the Telescope, but nothing to keep it from doing its job. Have a Celestron 114eq
Works well in my Orion 8&#34; telescope.  I would recommend this to others if you need a collimation device and don't want to spend a fortune on it.
This cheshire tool is like drum brakes on the back wheels of a car.  Old technology that still works perfectly for the job at hand.Reliable, and no batteries to fuss with.  Unlike those laser collimators you don't have to worry about some kid playing with them and damaging their eye permanently.With a little bit of practice, you will be an expert and aligning the mirrors in your reflector with old reliable here.
An absolute necessity for a SCT unless you live in the desert.  The Celestron model is the least expensive dew/light shield for the C11.  I wish Celestron had cut a slot for the dovetailso the shield would engage the tube further.  But I couldn't find one with the slot on Amazon or elsewhere.This one is likely intended for the CPC, which has no dovetail.I'll just cut a slot to fit, so no big deal.I bought one of the 'used' ones here on Amazon. It's probably a return, and was in perfect condition.Saved a bit of $, so don't hesitate to go that route.These flexible SCT shields are just firm plastic with a widestrip of velcro to hold them in cylindrical form, and a squishy strip of rubbery material to grip the end of thetube around the corrector lens cell.  It holds 'roundness' sufficiently well, while my homemade attempts all sagged and occluded the light path.  The 'other brand' - with the integrated heating strip -  looked appealing, but I  chose to buy the heat strip as a separate item so it can be used on other telescopes.
Delivered on time and works well. Would recommend to others. Celestron label looks a little flimsy, but this is cosmetic only.
the title explains what this thing really is. But then again if celestron or amazon described it as such you wouldn't pay 40 bucks for it.i was expecting a tube made of tough and sturdy material. this will probably do the job, so i'm not gonna go through the hassle of sending it back.maybe it was made for easier transportation, but i would have rather received a single solid tube that was made specifically for the 11" ,just not impressed by the design and the material, specially not for 40 bucks.
Haven't used it outdoors yet, i can only state the quality and structure are sturdy and grip the telescope housing well.  Jim
This is a good shade and the overlapping part doesn't get in the way of field of view. You will still get dew on a heavy night because it's not heated. But way less expensive than heated shields.
The lens shade arrived in excellent condition, very well packed. It's made of stiff plastic, much more sturdy than I had anticipated. Color matches my Celestron CPC 11 perfectly, as does the company lettering. It attaches quickly; just wrap it around the end of the scope and snug it up. Removes easily. Takes up very little space as it rolls into a tight tube. It does indeed help prevent dew from forming on the main lens of the scope, and it seems to help with observing as well by helping keep stray light out of the scope.Overall, it's a basic, sturdy and effective method of extending your observing sessions by keeping dew from forming on your scope. It's very easy to use, well made, and the price is reasonable.
I bought this when I bought the telescope to help with the dew and stray light for a CPC1100. In Austin Texas, the dew has been a problem and I have also needed a dew heater.The fact the lens shade folds up is nice for storage. Sometimes the shade is a little tricky to attach.I ended up buying a custom aluminum dew shield since it is a little more convenient to install and the aluminum shield has a cap useful for preventing dew when you want to leave the scope out (setup at night and observe in the morning).
Works great - I purchased for use with the 17-40mm f/4L Canon lens (on a full frame body), and it does not disappoint.  Whether it gets rid of all the vignetting at 17mm... I'm not absolutely certain because I usually use a polarizer behind a big stopper to eliminate the blue color cast of the big stopper.  Even in that setup, there is very little vignetting.  Without a filter behind, I'm fairly sure there is no vignetting at 17mm.  If I recall correctly, this accessory was not needed with a 24mm lens on a full frame body, unless you're stacking circular filters behind a Lee system setup.
I called Adorama exact and inquired as to whether this was the Lee Wide Angle adapter ring and the customer service rep said yes. This ring actually produced worse vignetting than the standard 77mm ring adapter. I tested it with a Canon 5D Mark II using a Canon 17-40mm lens. Vignetting was detectable at 22mm! I have not yet tried the Lee wide Angle adapter.
I generally do not recommend use of very cheap step up rings as I have found the thread machining to be of poor quality. However, this does not seem to be the case here as the strength of the adapter ring and the quality of the threads are fine.  This product shows how badly overpriced the Lee adapter is.
This is a key piece for Lee system and I am in luck because my UV filter has thread in it and this adapter screws in, without issues. If I had to remove my UV filter every time, other than risking the lens, it would add many more difficult steps to the process and this expensive system would not be all that useful.So if you are going to make this investment, I would say also make the investment in UV filter that has thread and enjoy the Lee system! What a difference maker!
This is Lee filter's adapter ring sold under Century name. Great quality and easier to find than Lee's ring itself.
It's a little spendy, but it does the job and it's made of quality materials. -1 star just for the price.
I have converted all of my filters to Lee.  I can get a single adapter ring and use all of my filters for that lens.  Lee makes quality filters and their system is outstanding.  When you add up what you spend for individual filters for each separate lens the Lee system is very reasonable.
Works just like it's supposed to.  Screws on tight and seems to hold very well.  Couldn't be happier with this purchase.
Adapter ring is actually a Lee branded ring that arrived in Lee packaging. Can't beat this as most other websites do not have this ring in stock. Great product!
Although the bracket is sturdy, it's much smaller than I expected. I'm giving it 3 stars because the price was too high for the device.
Simple product.. Works.  Be careful to tighten your equipment down tight because it can slide all the way through.
This is a helpful tool when attaching an external mic and video light together on a camcorder. I ordered this for a friend and have seen how well he makes use of it.You may also attach two lightsources together on this bracket, without any problem.I recommend this barcket, since it's good priced and made from lightweigt strong material.AKOGAN from Suriname.
Works great for both my Large LED array external light and my RODE microphone mounted on my Canon EOS T3i. Worth every penny!
Bracket is sturdy and the design is nice due to the bi-level placement of the two extra "cold shoes". The bracket mounts onto your camera or DSLR rig with the twist of the knob which tightens it to the camera or rig. The tightening of the lock down part is a bit weak - just needs some occassional tightening but overall, this really does the job of allowing you to split 2 items into a spot on your camera that only held one i.e. light & mic, mic and monitor, etc.
This bracket has proved pretty sturdy for my setup.  Its a bit wide/large for the cam I'm using but that's not really the brackets fault.  Once I purchase a better HD cam, this clamp won't look as large or bulky.  Has come in handy on many occassions where a lamp and shotgun Mic are required for my video shoots.
Great product, came fast and works perfectly. Now I can attach light and A mike to my Video Camera. It is perfect size sturdy and gets the job done. Very happy
I do not have a lot of things to evaluate this bracket on - but it does work as anticipated and seems well built. It is actually more compact than I thought, but I was still able to mount shotgun mic and video light at the same time on my DSLR. Works very well.
First, it was a lot smaller than I had imagined, and there are no "stops" to keep your equipment from sliding off if you don't have it screwed on tightly enough.Well, those "faults" are actually great features.  It easily slides into a side pocket of my camera case(s), and the tall and short brackets are ideal if you need to change up lights/microphone from time to time. It is sturdy, you will not lose the screw - it is on to stay.Just make sure your equipment is properly secured.  I don't use any of the other brackets I purchased.  This is my go-to on nearly every occasion. So I'm giving it a reluctant but well-earned five stars.
This bracket is wicked sturdy.  My only complaint would be that it is quite small.  If it were larger and had the two cold shoes further apart, it would be easier to mount a larger (wider) video light with my Rode Video mic.  Minor complaint, otherwise a great product and of course Amazon got it here quickly.
Great value and gives you two shoes for one!Perfect for DSLRs like the 7d and 5d mark II.  I use this to mount a nice sennheiser boom mic with a zoom recorder on the other shoe mount.  I also will replace the sennheiser with a wireless lav receiver too.  Depends on the shoot.  So great.  Say I'm shooting a concert.. I can mount a led panel and a rode shotgun mic for scratch audio.  No brainer.Quit reading this... buy it and go out shooting.  :)
Using this with a T3i, ZOOM H1(w/a very small DIY shockmount made of a poster packaging tube & rubber bands but works GREAT!) and a 126 LED video light. You have to secure whatever you want to mount on this tight so they won't fall off but it does the job!
Great Product, would recommend to friends... only drawback is that some hot shoe mounts fit a bit tighter than others.
It is great for mounting a light and shotgun mic on a camera at the same time or a light and an audio recorder
Don't think twice,  just buy this.  I use my video light And my rode videomic together using this product.  Remember this isnt powered...  All it does is that it gives you a great looking entrapment to mount two hot shoe using devices or equipment.  Great product.
My wife is a pro photographer and I got it for her business to mount a light on her video camera. it works great, bringing the light up above the camera but off to the side so it is not in your view. Well worth it.
This is a good product but too expensive for what u get. The quality is just OK. You shouldn't pay more than 5 bucks for this
I found that it's too small for my needs.  Makes your gear too top heavy and it it's not wide enough for my led light and rode mic setup for a DSLR
The bracket is great for my video jobs.  I can easily put a video light and a transmitter on the bracket without anything getting in the way.The side monitor opens up easily.
I purchased this device to use with my Canon 60D. I needed a way to attach a light and a microphone at the same time, and this does the job perfectly.
get this product. it holds up my f&v led light and rode video mic pro with great ease. the build is more solid than I thought.
The two best tools for getting clear photos are a sturdy tripod and one of these critters, a shutter release.  I've paid less for one that was nothing but misery but this one is quite different.For only a tiny bit more, I bought this release and was very pleased.  It seems to be very solid and well made.  The threads are a good fit on the camera (cheap ones often are not) and nobody wants to risk damaging the threads on their shutter button.  The shutter release action is very smooth with just the right amount of resistance.  The only negative observation I would make would be with the screw lock.  It's rather small and is a bit awkward to tighten for me and takes practice to tighten in a hurry.  That's the only thing that seperates it from a fifth star.Bottom line, a great camera accessory for the money and Adorama is a top notch seller!
I purchased this for use with my Hasselblad and used only a few times before the end fell off.  Duck tape &#34;fixed&#34; it, but you don't expect a &#34;professional&#34; product to be this flimsy.
I use this with an old Minolta SRT-102 I've been using since high school. Hard to find but worth every penny to do long time exposures. Simple, solid construction.
Okay what do you want me to say, I needed a cable release, and I got what I wanted.  It is well constructed and easy to use. okay
It fit and performed as expected.  Good price.  I would recommend this product for anyone looking to add a remote cable to their camera.
You get what you pay for.  This is crap!  The thumb button fell off three times and the last time it was lost in the roses.Never again.
I have found using this cable release indespensible as I have been learning to soot portraiture and art work for which the camera must be very stable especially at different exposures. This fit the bill perfectly
I bought this cable release for an old film camera that I use for macro and night-time work. It seems very well made, and has stood the test of time for three whole years now. For the ten or so bucks spent, I really can't complain. If you are shooting at anything lower than 1/50s, you almost want to make a rule about using one of these!Totally recommended!
I give this credit where it is due.. it is a cable shutter release with a screw lock and it works well.  However........ (don't you just love those) My unit's cable came in black, not in silver as the above shows and shipping was twice the cost of the actual unit.  You are better off supporting your local camera shop on this one.
Good quality cable release!
I ordered a longer cable release to allow me to trip a camera while mounted on a tripod.  I am an old-fashioned photographer who still uses a film camera.  I have used various Kalt products over the years, and the have been consistent in the quality of their products over the years.  I did not hesitate to purchase this cable release, and I am quite pleased with it.
This is a nice,very handily sized cable release.  The locking screw is great for time exposures and the length is probably the best length for all around use.
Worked perfectly while my camera was on a tripod. This is a well made product and a lot cheaper than a lot of others that I found
This is a quality made rock solid cable release that fits easily in a bag or your pocket.  I use this specific cable release with a Fuji X100 and X100s.  It easily and safely threads into the shutter and includes a locking screw for timed exposures. At first, I thought the length would be too short.  However, I found the length to be perfect in every instance.  Unlike more complicated releases, this analog release is fool proof, requiring no batteries. Any shutter speed below 1/50 requires a release for sharpness.  In portraiture, this is an indispensable tool.
I was bought this for my husband who love take a picture and have own many kind of old camera.
A little short but fine for long exposures on a film camera. I've had no problems. Just a simple tool that does it's job.
They are of high quality and install very easily on the Canon 17-40 and 24-105 I own.  The Lee Filter system is really the way to go, especially with ND filters higher than 3 stops or so.
It's necessary to get this to be able to set your filter holder for your Lee Filters. Can't do without it. Excellent quality as all of the Lee products.
The adapter rings works just fine. It connects to the camera smoothly as one would expect and allows use of the lee filter system.
Allow the use of the Lee Filter kit on my wide angle lens with no vignetting.I also purchased the plastic lens caps that allow me to leave the adapter on the lens, as the current lens cap can't be used with the adapter in place.
Though hard to get at times these adapters fill the bill and work just fine.  Came in a timely fashion.  I will be able to use them for many years to come.  Not like you are going to wear them out.
I purchased this item even after reading some of the negative reviews. Here's my take.Old lenses are a lot of fun and you can get some great lenses for a reasonable price. My macro lens cost me around $100 and it performs much, much better than that. The adapter is a simple metal ring that fits on your camera body lens mount. I happen to have aCanon EOS 40D, but it shouldn't matter as long as the camera has an EF mount. You line up the red dots like you would on a lens and twist it to lock it into place. After that, you mount the lens (I have a Canon FD 50mm f/3.5 macro lens). It snapped right into place. In this configuration, I like to set the camera on AE mode so that I can manually adjust the aperture on the lens and allow the camera to meter and pick the shutter speed.The only problem (which isn't really a problem) is that when the adapter snaps into place, it isn't held very tightly in place. It is locked in, so it can't fall off but it will wiggle back and forth a few centimeters. This is kind of a pain when you are focusing since it moves around. Other than that, this adapter has worked beautifully for me. I highly recommend it.
I got this and tried out the adapter to a few of my old 35mm lenses, it worked, on most, but on two it was REALLY soft-focus, like Vaseline smeared on a lens, that bad.That is not this thing's fault at all, this thing is made perfect, really nice quality, I've bought similar on 'that online auction place', they were Chinese junk, inferior metals.With other lenses I have, I got some good quality out of them, I don't know why the differences yet, but it surely has to do with the lenses compatibility to the lens inside of the adapter, which I removed to check out, (it just unscrews) but it loses its focus big time.I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to utilize their old lenses, or, go with a Nikon lens on a Canon, that sort of thing, you can do some good stuff with this with the proper lens.I'd buy it again, it's cheap for what it is, it's quality, so you can't ask for anything more.
Purchased from Adorama. No lens. Just the fitting. No focus. No work. Can't get off the FD lens. Stuck. Not worth any price. This particular product is malicious. Will now have to take the FD lens to a camera shop to see if they can get it off without harming the lens. We've tried everything we can think of.
This lens mount adapter allows you to use your old Canon FD lenses on you new Canon EOS camera.  It works well with telephoto lenses in the manual mode.  Just stop your lens down and let the camera select the shutter speed in the Program mode.  Works great with telephotos but doesn't work at all with wide angle lenses. Don't put it on too tight or you might not get it off.
Note the  Photo above is NOT this product. This product  is a adapter which contains a LENS and is superior to the one shown.The Canon FD/FL series of lenses for the  bayonet mount cameras of the past were the standard of high quality optics, and the  FL SC and SSC  lenses were the best lenses on the market. When the lighter weight eos lenses replaced the bayonet system, many users were forced to retire these superior quality manual focus lenses.This adapter  is far superior to the  cheaply machined glassless adapters available elsewhere, I own both. Not only does this adapter fit well on both the camera bodies ( I use  XS and XSi) and the lenses,  the original optical quality is maintained as well as infinity focus.By being a 1.3X teleconverter you gain additional magnification, but this is of course unnoticeable when composing in the camera.Metering is uneffected, and  the cheaper glassless  one  causes "communication" errors which sometimes disables the camera operation, THIS one doesn't.I use this to adapt lenses and my FL/FD Bellows for macro work, the results are excellent.The connection is tight and robust enough to handle the extra weight.[...]
This adapter DOES allow you to attach an FD lens on an EOS body. But it's like putting a door knob on a door that won't open.  Made in India, the construction is sloppy.  It does fit on the EOS body well, but the FD lens attached will rattle as though it will fall off.  Without any built-in correction lens, it will not allow anything close to infinity focus.  Unless you want to do sloppy "macro" work, avoid this product.  Why would someone go through the trouble to machine a piece of metal to be so useless?
The mount received was as requested and work as expected except for the issue of it not coming off.  There maybe a way to do it but I don't know how except to start unscrewing things.  But that is unneeded because I don't think that I will need to remove it anyway.  Over all it does what it needs to do.Edit:  I figured o=how to dismount the lens.  However (at least on my 50) it has a real problem with make images so soft that the colors bleed out or not in focus at all.  Very disappointing.  I could be doing something wrong.  IF someone knows. Please let me know.I am also revising my star rating from 3 stars to 4.  The product does work as advertised.  I just did not know how (at the time) to use it.
I made the plunge and got a Canon T4i for myself for Christmas. I hadn't bought a camera since 1982 when I got the Canon A1. Over the next few years I would acquire additional lens.I've not touched that camera for over 15 years. When I got the T4i I was curious about whether or not I could use those lens on the new camera. I found out about this adaper and read the reviews.I got the adaptor last night and am very impressed with it. I had read some reviews that said that there were no instructions to mount the adaptor on the lens/camera. I was more than surprised to find that this was not the case. Mounting the adaptor and removing it cannot be easier. For the price I have access to some great glass. I plan on getting two more adaptors so I can keep them permanentaly attached on my FD lens.This is well worth the money.
I had an unused mirror telephoto and gave it to my brother as a gift.He's got a digital Canon Rebel. This adapter enabled him to use thelens on his camera. He reports that it works perfectly in every regard.No problem with fitting and stability as mentioned elsewhere.That's good enough for me.
I'm using it to join a Canon Rebel Xti and an old Canon zoom lens.  This is a great option for those who don't like letting old lenses go to waste. While I agree with the other reviewers that the combination can be a little cumbersome, it beats having to buy a new lens. Great product!
Purchased this to connect my iPhone 4S and Studio Neat GLIF & Serif to my dSLR. The item works as advertised.. a shoe mount to tripod thread. If you're looking for a simple, effective way to do the same look no further!
i primarily bought this because of a problem i was having where i LOVE the sound and 20min recording capacity of my samsung....yet i loved the nikon d3100's still photos. so once while recording video of the oregon marching band and trying to take stills i thought "itd be perfect if i can mount this on the DSLR..." bam! this was it.now i can have both my hands on the dslr and shoot video from the samsung all at once. the height difference isnt significant its bearable or hardly unnoticeable. the samsung fits perfectly on it, and the mount fits snugly into the shoe of the d3100 without damaging either camera.some may think "why not buy a recorder instead?" 1) to save $ and 2) the D3100 is limited to 10min, samsung is 20min. 3)i can take stills AND video at the same time!
This item does exactly what I needed. I'm using it to connect a Zoom H1 to my 7D. It fits perfectly.
Super inexpensive, and worked like a pro. This was a perfect addition to my cowboy arm. This was teh cheapest place I found them, and they are metal. Not plastic like some are.I would recommend them.
I use it to secure an external audio recorder (H4n) device to my Nikon D5000 DSLR when I'm recording HD video.  It comes in very handy.
I couldn't help but laugh at the crappy-ness of this thing. Poorly designed with the short cord. Adhesive doesn't adhere very well...  a piece of folded over scotch tape would have functioned better than whatever it is they used. Cap goes in the bag or pocket now.
Have owned/used cap holders like this for at least 25 years.  The last time I purchased one I paid less than $2....They are worth their weight in gold.
I have an SLR (Nikon D50) with a pretty short/compact zoom lens.  This cap tether didn't work at all as when the lens cap is on the lens, the tether wasn't long enough to reach the camera body, therefore nothing to attach the cap TOO.
These things are just perfect for securing the removal caps onflash memory drives! No more flash drives with lost caps. Cool!
Works well on my 50mm Prime.  It is not long enough for my 18-200mm.  That is my only 'gripe'.
Not a good product, I lost the cap, believing in this product and this cap costed 23$ to me. I have Canon Pro1 and the cap can be ordered only from Canon
the cord is too short, the attachment clip for the camera doesn't fit on the grommet on the camera, and the adhesive on the capkeeper doesn't stick.  save your money, and keep the cap in your pocket.
When rolling film on to this reel, the little sprockets are really hard to keep the film on. It got the job done but took way longer than when I Was using other styled reels.
This reel is made out of thinner metal than some of the other reels I have used. The two reel ends on my unit I recieved were bent or wavey. This made it difficult to roll the film up without over lapping or kinking. The clip attached to the center of the reel is poorly designed and hard to use if your hands aren't small. I would not recommend this unit to the amateur or professional photographer.
This type of reel will do the job, and it will work the same way every time and stand up to a lifetime of use. The only problem is that stainless reels are not made to the most exacting mechanical standards, and you will rarely find one that works well out of the box. If the reel is deformed by a few hundredths of an inch, it can be maddeningly difficult to wind film on it in the dark without the film jumping tracks and doubling over.The reel I purchased works fine for twelve-exposure reels, but not for anything larger.If you get one that's not bent, or if you take the time to straighten a bent one, it will work every time. But for your time and effort it may be a better idea to get a Patterson tank combo. You'll break the plastic reels occasionally, but they're cheap to replace.
I was hoping for something of better quality from Adorama, but really for the price you get what you pay for. I was not satisfied with the clips in these reels. For me it was REALLY difficult to get the film to insert into the clips. I eventually bent parts of the clip to make them easier to use. Maybe not the best idea... but it worked for me and my roll developed quite nicely. They are sturdy and do their jobs... but I would definifely spring for more expensive ones next time. This is in no reflection on my purchasing experience or shipping... in fact I got them super fast! I will still buy from Adorama... just not these reels ever again!
These reels are frequently bent and will either cause your film to wind on the spool wrong or allow your film to move around in the tank.  I dont recommend these at all.
I bought the Lowepro DryZone 200 for a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  On the plus side, the bag is very well designed for camera and lens storage.  There are lots of interior pockets for extra batteries and other gear.  And the bag when properly zipped up is quite waterproof.  However, I needed to stow my camera during the larger rapids and then retrieve it for the stunning landscape that was passing by.  I found the waterproof zipper to be very difficult to work.  I followed the directions and used the grease/goop that was provided:  first upon receiving the bag and then twice during the 8 day trip.  It didn't seem to help much.  The zipper was extremely difficult to move.  Overall, I am disappointed and would not recommend this bag for anyone who needs to get access to the camera/lenses more than once a day.
I know many people has issues with the hard zipper and so on. I have known these backpacks for some years and used them in my job in Patagonia (Chile). Accessing glaciers, sailing at 50 kt in the coast, kayaking and rafting. And I can tell, there is NOTHING that compares to this backpack. You can swim with it, fall and expose it to the strong winds of helicopters day after day and it keeps going.Sure, it is not a backpack for shooting weddings... It takes longer to access your devices inside but its purpose is protection without being a hard shell case.Also I have noticed with our guides that not always they know that Lowepro designs products, like the Dryzone, that you close the external zipper only during extreme conditions. Therefore, for normal or more easy access to your products, you leave the TZIP opened, using only the internal zipper.My only issue is that there is not a Dryzone 300 model. I need a bigger model!!! The 200 looks big, but is it is not extreme and it feels very comfortable on the back. Just a little bit bigger than my Targus backpack for the office. I have used a Petrol backpack WAY BIGGER, where I fit all my devices with plenty of space but failing to provide all the needed protection; and not comfortable enough for walking, a short climb or kayaking.After three hours I got a distribution scheme to fit my essentials inside the dryzone 200, including a Nikon D5100 with 18-55, 55-300, macro and wide lenses, a camcorder SONY HDR-FX7, a 20Wd2 light, batteries, WB cards, chargers, wires, rain skins for both cameras, tapes, a hydrophone, a M-Audio sound recorder, a GoPro U/W camera and cleaning tools. Externally a professional tripod. I added some Lowepro Sliplock devices outside (bottle pouch, apex 5AW, rezo 60 and phone case 20 for small devices like first aid kits, radios, a leatherman and a SPOT satellite messenger). It sounds a lot but it all fit, a tighter than desired and using each little space. I would not mind to have a bigger backpack of these with more space. But I can do my job with the Dryzone 200 and it is the only one that survives this extreme environment. This is the third we add to our team.The TZipper needs to be greased with the supplied gel properly. If the zipper opens in a wrong section, it can be set back to its position and it does not means is damaged. Always the problems I have found with the TZIP is just lack of being properly cleaned and greased. On the zipper I use the same product as on our drysuit for diving. Just cleaning the tzip very well after greasing to prevent it from collecting sand or dirt, usually when working with the helicopters. One of ours backpack remained during the off season in a wet storage and got some mold on it. Nothing that "Lysol" could not fix and kept going next season.Just a personal experience. I recommend this product, despite its high cost, to people that need extreme protection, for extreme environment where a hard shell case is not practical.
Neat backpack for sure but you need to know this:1. It's very expensive.2. The yellow version screams "EXPENSIVE CAMERA GEAR INSIDE".3. The waterproof zippers literally disintegrate within a year or two, regardless of whether you use the bag or not.4. The zippers require maintenance in the form of lubrication.5. The waterproof zippers are fragile6. It really ain't big inside.7. Once the zippers fail what you really have is the world's most difficult to use (read PIA) camera backpack.  This bag is essentially a camera bag within a rubber backpack with very fragile and stiff zippers.8. Once the sippers fail the bag is worthless.I got mine as a gift and it sat  on a shelf in my study until now when I needed it.  Perhaps two years.  I NEVER used the bag.  The zippers and the seams have disintegrated.  They look like 100 year old rubber on something antique and are falling apart.Uses for this bag?  I'd recommend this only for Pros and others who are willing to invest in a new bag every year.  Why every year?  Well, the whole idea of this bag is you will be able to take the bag into just about any situation; bottom of a kayak, swim across a river, hiking through rain, hiking through rain forest, etc.  You cannot have this bag fail once you are on the wet trek so you must buy a new one before the zippers fail.All that said, I called Lowepro and they warrantied it free of charge.  Outstanding!  So from one star to three.
It's big and bulky, and it's not always convenient (photo backpacks never really are), but it holds aqnd protects an enormous amount of stuff and, when properly adjusted, it rides quite comfortably.  I enjoy shooting waterfalls, and moving water in general, so there's a fair amount of rockhopping involved...over, through, and sometimes in streams, rivers, ponds, and surf.  I've adjusted the pack to fit very snugly, and I've never felt out of balance or uncomfortable with as much as 35 lb. of gear on me in those situations, so I'm able to get into some reasonably remote locations and really work on a scene with all my tools.
I've had this for a few years now and it's held up quite well. I've taken it camping, hiking, canoeing and on trips to Africa and Asia. It is rather heavy and even moreso when laden with gear, but seems to provide a commensurate amount of protection. Nothing inside has ever been damaged.The dry bag zipper seal does require lube periodically to make sure it functions properly. I recommend you carry a spare tube with you. That seal is the key to keeping things inside dry during a downpour or an overturned canoe.The outer compartment with a traditional zipper would have benefitted from some additional fasteners, maybe also at 10 and 2 o'clock, rather than the single strap at 12 o'clock. When you put anything of consequence in the outer compartment it really sags and doesn't stay in position very well. It periodically generates bad words from me.The shoulder and waist straps are padded and it is comfortable when worn on your back. I often carry it by the hand grip on top and find it very strong and up to the task. There's nothing worse than grabbing a laden travel bag by the handle and having it come off in your hand. I don't see that happening with the DZ200.I've hiked and travelled with a friend that has the Nat Geo pack. It's a nice bag and easier for him to access his stuff, particularly if the drybag zipper on the DZ200 is closed. BUT, the DZ200 seems to afford better protection against severe hazards, IMO. For good weather trips or trips w/o exposure to likely potential damage, the DZ200 might be a bit of overkill, but I'm happy I got it.
Great piece of gear.  Bought it for a river trip this summer and looking forward to following this review then.  I would have given it 5 stars, but the bulk of this makes it more for longer trips than daily or even most weekend use unless you are going to get wet.
This is a nice bag. But it is enourmous. It sticks way out from your body in the back. It is very hard to open the waterproof section, as the zipper sticks. As i was returning it i did not lube the zipper as suggested. The yellow is a nice color. The other reviews said that they had tested the pack in water rich conditions and it was true that it was impenetrable by water. Just too big.
I have owned this for a while and have used it mostly for storage of my gear while traveling afoot or in a car.  I recently however had the chance to take it in the air.  I know there has been some question as to whether or not they are acceptable carry-on luggage, so maybe I will be able to provide some personal insight.  The contents of the bag were the following: 1. Canon EOS 5D MK II with Battery Grip attached and Canon 100-400mmL IS USM lens and hood installed on camera, 2. Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens with hood, 3. Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens with hood, 4. Canon Speedlite 580EX flash, and assorted accessories to include extra batteries, remote, etc.  I had no problems checking it through TSA security screening.  I had 4 United Airlines flights, one of which was in a relatively small craft, and not once was I even remotely concerned about my bag fitting in the overhead bins.  On my return, I had 3 Delta flights, and the last of which was in a CRJ 200, whose overhead storage was tight to say the least.  I was fortunately able to squeeze it into the tiny compartment, however, and flew with no issues.  I would suggest you exercise conservative space management if you suspect you might end up in an aircraft of that size.  One piece of advice I would offer travelers wondering how to manage the belly band is to reverse it around the backpack and shorten the straps to keep the belly band from catching everyone else's gear when you're removing it from the bins.  That worked great for me so I thought I would offer that forth.  There are plenty of reviews on if people like this bag or not so I thought I would focus mine more on personal flying experience and I'll leave the rest of the opinions to those of you who have owned more than one camera backpack.
I bought a used one of these off of craigslist, and couldn't be happier.  I think it is also a good deal for the price new.  I currently have these items packed, including hoods for all lenses:Canon 30D bodyCanon 450D bodyTokina 11-16mmCanon 18-55mm ISCanon 28mm f/1.8Canon 50mm f/1.4Canon 100mm f/2Canon 580EX flash... and there is a bit of room to spare.  I find the easiest way to pack two bodies, at least if you are packing a 70-200, is to mount the longest lens on one body and place it lengthwise, then pack the other body with a body cap sideways next to the lens, and in this configuration can easily pack several other lenses and a flash.I debated the merits of a side-loading "slingshot" type of bag, but decided in the end against it.  The bags of that type hold the items no more securely, and perhaps less so-- if you can forget to zip up a backpack, you can forget to zip any other as well, and the side-loaders obviously open on the side.  In addition the bags of that type generally do not offer as much space for photography storage, or as much configurability; the Mini Trekker AW comes with scads of velcro-ended partition walls, more than you will need.The outside compartment is also well thought-out, with plenty of pockets for digital storage and other accessories.  You can mount larger items such as a tripod on the outside.You won't be packing much more than your photo gear and a sandwich in this bag, though.  If you need to also carry a laptop or hiking gear, either look elsewhere or plan to use your significant other as a pack mule.  This bag is for carrying photo gear, which it does well, not for namby-pamby picnicking!  :D
This backpack has a great potential to be my favorite, but it has some serious design flaws.PROS:- excellent protection for equipment- has just a right amount of room to fit all of my "field" gear (including my precious 80-200 2.8)- internal separators are very flexible in adjustment to desired compartment configuration- ideal for hiking, travel and as a carry on.  Very comfortable fit.- THE BEST PART: built in weather protection - has protective stow-away cover.  This alone is good enough reason to buy this!CONS:One of the things I love most about lowepro is flexibility of using street&field; system.  With this backpack there are only 2 SlipLock tabs on each of the sides.  Look carefully at the photo featuring the product.  The bag has compression straps which work really well, however, once the pouches are attached, the feature becomes useless.  Straps are not long enough to go over most pouches, and there's no way to slip them under as they stretch right across the tab.  Why? Why? Why?There are also no loops on the shoulder straps, which would be nice to have for smaller slipLock pouches or a memory wallet.Another design draw back is the way tripod is mounted.  The holding pouch folds out and hangs, so it makes it impossible to set the bag vertically.  This also prevents weather cover to be pulled over the backpack, so if you're caught in a rain, get ready to carry the tripod in your hand.  The system however, is secure and convenient for carrying around tri/mono-pods.  It held up great on my travels and hikes.I should probably also mention that it is rather heavy, but for carrying around thousand[s] dollars worth of gear, the protection it extends at the cost of the weight is something I don't mind.  This item is designed exclusively for photo gear, so there really no expectation for storage for anything other than that.With a minor revision to the overall design this would be a 5-star product.  Either way, I'm still satisfied with this backpack, and do trust it.
I use this backpack all the time for my camera gear.  It has seen so much use and I have never had a single problem with it.  Awesome!
I have used the bag for a year and a half for auto trips and several weeks of travel in Alaska and Hawaii. I opted for the Lowepro over similar Tamrac models because the shoulder straps molded better to my body and the unit felt more comfortable. With the following gear it feels well-balanced on my back. I also like the waist strap which is wider than on Tamrac. The Lowpro easily holds a Nikon D300 with 18-200mm lens attached, a Nikon VR70-400mm, and Tokina 12-24mm lenses, plus filters, SB600 flash, small binoculars (my usual travel package). And, there is still room for other small items. Inside and outside pockest easily hold memory cards and other small essentials. On the side straps, I can carry pouches that get double duty use on a Lowprow belt pouch when the pack isn't needed. The pack fits well below airline seats, usually with room to spare for stretching at least one leg. Even on Alaska commercial bush planes it was small enough for me to keep with me rather than stow. The only negative for me is the limnitation of carrying a tripod on the center of the back. One has to remove it to access equipment. A side mount tripod option would be nice. If I were to do it again, I'd buy the model of this bag that also holds a laptop, not for carrying a laptop, since I back up on an Epson P3000 (also  fits in the bag), but for carrying a jacket or rain gear. The bag's rain cover proved handy in some heavy rains in Hawaii and wind driven dust in the Southwest. All fabric materials are wearing well - still like new.
I think this is a very good, perhaps excellent, pack to be used for camera storage and/or transportation.  I have not once regretted the purchase since I bought it in 2005, and continue to use it constantly.Pros:- Great protection for the equipment in the bag.  Everything is well-padded with good, dense foam padding.  The padding is high quality, and the manufacturer was careful to protect the equipment while adding as little bulk as possible.- Flexible storage compartment.  Almost all parts of the main storage compartment can be moved and customized for your particular camera rig.  It is especially great because it can be configured to allow you to store an SLR with a large bulky telephoto lens attached.- High quality fabric.  The bag is made from a very good-quality heavy duty fabric that seems water resistant and has proven to be abrasion resistant in my use.  Mine today looks as good as the day I bought it.- Excellent quality zippers.  In my opinion, the quality of zipper closures on bags is extremely important.  This bag has great zippers - they're heavy-duty, never slip, never get stuck, and open and close each time.  A great feature!- Plenty of storage for extra lenses and accessories.  With the customizable storage compartments, you can setup each compartment to be just the right size for each item, providing further convenience and protection.Cons:- Accessing your camera takes time.  If you're walking around, don't expect to be able to quickly get your camera out of the bag and take a shot.  It won't happen.  You need to actually remove the bag from your back, put it down on the ground, a table, a bench, etc, unzip it, grab your camera, and take the photo.  Not to mention that you're now left with an unzipped camera bag sitting in place - which you will need to zip again and mount on your back before you can get back to walking along.Is the bag perfect?  For transportation, storage, and protection, I believe it is nearly so, and would buy it again without hesitation.  But be sure that a backpack is the right bag for your camera setup - because each person's needs are different, and if you expect to be able to quickly reach into the bag to grab your camera for an opportunistic shot, you might need to look for a quick-access shoulder bag instead.
Mind you I am a rank amateur, and I rated 5 stars not because it's perfect, but because it is the best I have seen, in my limited experience. I am not sure how people are getting 2 cameras and a lot of gear into this bag, but it may be because I carry a car and home charger, 2 flashes, and other items a more experienced person would put into another bag, and were I intending to go into a remote area, I would remove myself. I do get several telephoto lenses, an 18-55mm lens, items previously mentioned, and more into it. I would like to see the tripod carried a little differently as at least one other has mentioned, but when I compare this to my previous camera bags, this backpack is so superior that I find it hard to be critical of it. Everything can be pretty much immediately accessible, there is virtually no digging. I did a reasonable amount of reading before buying this bag, I was not disappointed. I wish I had done so with my previous bags...
I've had this bag for over a year and have no complaints about it's features and quality.  I travel a fair bit to a variety of environments and it's always done a great job of protecting the gear from rain, snow, dust, heat, etc.  However, I would highly recommend that you consider how you are going to use a gear bag before committing to a backpack style bag.  For me, I thought it would be a lot more convenient and allow me to carry one bag (as opposed to also carrying my shoulder briefcase) when I traveled.  That hasn't been the case.  There is very little additional room in this bag to carry anything other than photo gear.  The other thing I overlooked was how I use my camera.  With the backpack style bag, you need to stop, remove the bag from your back or shoulder, open it up, change lens, etc every time you make a change. And, btw, make sure you zipe it back up or you're likely to have some of your gear fall out.  For me, I'm starting to look at more traditional gear bags to replace this one.  However, if you don't make gear changes that often, don't carry other bags at the same time, or you already have a shoulder gear bag, this is a terrific bag and met every need I had at the time.
This is an excellent backpack. It is small enough to be comfortable carrying it on you back all day, yet big enough to carry a digital slr and a variety of lenses. I carry a NIKON D80 with 28-200mm lense attached alomg with a Sony video camera, and another digital camera (Sony power shot). All three fit very easily with additional room for more equipment.The all weather cover is a great plus as it protects the bag well.
Great bag for a good price.  I had the slingshot 100 AW prior to this bag.  While I enjoyed the slingshot, it just got too small.  The minitrekker is the perfect size for me.  It hold all my lens, flash, cleaning equipment, and manuals.I really like that it can carry a 70-200 2.8 mounted on a D80 with plenty of room at the bottom of the bag.The bag also does a good job of distributig the weight.
This is a great little bag if you don't have a lot of gear. It fit my D80, an SB-800, a 70-300mm VR, a pair of small lenses with random accessories and room to spare. Excellent quality and well thought out design.Unfortunately, you're not going to want to wear it very long if you're anywhere near a 6' 240lb build. The shoulder straps dug into me just under the armpits and got uncomfortable after a couple hours. I suspect most women and smaller or thinner men would be fine with it. If you're a bigger person, you may need to go with a larger bag just so it's a better fit and more comfortable.
I purchased the mini Trekker AW backpack thinking that it was big enough to carry all of my equipment. I was wrong. It is a good backpack but will only hold Camera with one long attached [middle] and smaller lens on each side or a flash instead of a lens. Anything else and it's hard to handle. No room for multi filters and extensions. My Canon 40D has the BG-E2N battery grip and the RRS BGE2-L40 attached. These attachments add a lot of height and as such make it tough to close the pack. The backpack needs to be a bit deeper. That being said, it's a great durable pack and I use it all the time. I did purchased the Pro Trekker AW II as my main pack and use the mini Trekker AW as my satellite backpack. This combination works for me most of the time.After using this backpack on many shoots, I recently discovered a condensation issue with the inside plastic pouch liner.  So please be aware! After a recent early morning sunrise shoot, returning to get some java, I notice that the inside of my pack was wet. Couldn't image where I got water...Exploring the bag, I discovered that the inside plastic pouch had condensation on it. Getting a cloth I quickly wiped up the moister. It continued to condensate for awhile until the temperature rose above the dew point. I was outside below 40 deg. and came inside [room temp]. Still a great bag! I also own the Dry zone 200 as well.
I bought one of these about 13-14 years ago.  Back then it didn't have the AW feature.  But in other respects the bag hasn't changed much over the years... I used to carry 2 x Leica SLRs and a set of lenses, 24mm or a 35mm (not both), 50mm, 90mm, 200mm, along with a Sunpak flash, film etc.  Now I carry a Lumix DMC-FZ20 bridge cameray, FZ20 lens hood, LX7 backup P&S;, Samsung Camcorder, and a bunch of batteries, chargers, and misc cables. In the front flap I carry either a 15.6" laptop or a 10.1" Netbook.So, even though it's called a "mini" trekker, it holds a ton of stuff.  Of all the bags I have and have looked at, for me this is the most functional.This thing has been on hundreds of trips and still looks and works like new.  There are lots of good bags out there, LowePro makes really nice stuff.  This bag is worth looking at before you buy anything else.
I use the bag with my Canon 5D + 4 lens (70-200L, 24-70L, 16-35L and 85mm) and a flash and that pretty much fills up the primary storage area.  The adjustable pads made it easy to lay everything out, but it is packed tight.Carrying the equipment when its in the bag is much easier on my shoulders than my old Domke shoulder bag.  I don't have much of a problem with getting the camera out and changing lens as I don't often change lens when I'm on the run (usually when I want to swap lens frequently is when I'm standing still taking lots of pictures of some event such as a sporting event).Secondary storage area is great for carrying other stuff -- book, snacks, video camera (small), etc.Very happy with the bag.  Much preferred over my old shoulder bag.
Worth every penny. If you're looking for a backpack camera bag then look no further. I have a smaller version as well, but I love the large one for my Canon Digital Rebel and three lenses. Also consider the extra add-ons such as lens tubes and water bottle holders which can be clipped on the loops on the outside. So it is also expandable.
My son and I both have Canon bodies. They are the 40D and 5D MKII. Previously, we have not been successful finding a compact backpack for traveling. We aren't looking to carry the "kitchen sink," but, rather just a nice assortment of lenses we share, flash, tripod, and other necessities. I have tested three or four bags, which looked good "in the shop," but proved unwieldy once I started loading them up. We wanted to keep both our cameras and lenses on our person, rather than having to check them, and wanted one bag we could "grab" easily, and carry comfortably with minimum fatigue. The Canons have rather large grips and arranging dividers in other bags wasted a lot of space. So, similarly sized bags were too small, and larger ones were, well, huge.This bag can be configured to hold both bodies, each with short zoom lenses, one 580 EX II flash, and four or five lenses (Example: 14mm, 15-35mm, 28-105mm, 60-300mm). It proved perfect for our needs. I was also very pleased with the quality and balance. It's a compact package that's easy to get hold to, as well as carry. The first attribute is more important that you might think when navigating airport security, and similar. It fits my frame, I'm 5'9", and my son who's 5' equally well, with quick adjustment. I found other bags to have straps hanging everywhere, hooking on everything, but, none where you wanted them for anything other than wearing them. This bag felt more like a compact luggage when grabbed by the top loop. It is well padded, and I feel it provides a reasonable amount of protection against the unavoidable bumps incurred during travel. I also liked the unobtrusive colors, green and black. I can see great utility in the fold out weatherproof cover. It's integral to the bag, and can be deployed in a moment. It does a good job of keeping your gear dry in an unexpected downpour.If you need a high quality compact bag for travel it's perfect!
I bought this backpack based on the two previous reviews, and I have to say that I'm pleased with it, overall.  There are a couple of little things that I haven't adjusted myself to yet, since I haven't used the backpack a lot yet.  But I haven't found a good way to attach and carry my tripod.  When I figure that out, I'll have no complaints at all.  I also have a little problem with one of my cameras fitting into one of the camera compartments.  My Nikon D200 has an added battery pack on the bottom, which makes it a little too tall to fit in the designated place, but it looks like I can reorganize the compartments without too much trouble, so I plan to try that.
Good little backpack.  Has plenty of room, for it's size.  Fits in plane overhead compartment with no problem, even when full.
I like backpack type cases, whether for computers or cameras.  It leaves your arms free, although you have to put the pack down to get things in and out of it.  It holds my DSLR with a lens on it and three other lenses, including a very big 80~200 zoom.  It has plenty of pockets and places to store things, and the tripod holder works very well.  I also like the handle on top that lets you just pick the pack up and go.Full, it's quite a load to carry, but I think I'd rather have it on my back than slung over my shoulder.  However, it's hard to say whether this pack is the one for you.  A shoulder bag is easier to get things in and out of, and a belt pack is very convenient if you only need room for a few items.
This pad failed my "Will it slip off a very slick raincoat?" test, but only after a lot of walking.  On other materials, it works superbly.  This is the pad that all those bag and strap manufacturers were too cheap to include in the first place.  It is very big, very comfortable, and very expensive for what it is.  $10 seems about right. $20 doesn't.
Very comfortable and works as advertised.The brown stands out a little if you have a full black bag, but hey, if comfort is your #1 priority, this is a great replacement strap.
A good product that has a lot of padding to protect my bony shoulder from other, more narrow straps from cutting in to it. Recommended.
I bought this specifically as an attachment to my laptop messenger bag.  This very padded strap has velcro and it is the standard width of the strap size on my messenger bag, so it was easy to attach.  What a relief to my shoulder!
I can&#8217;t even begin to say enough about this shoulder pad. I have been hauling around a full frame body and pro glass for years. Every time I get a new shoulder bag I buy one these. I will buy these as long as Domke keeps turning them out. Amazing product and very durable and long lasting.I have not been paid for this review or received any products from Domke or Amazon.
I bought this for an overseas trip to carry my DSLR and 2 lenses. The backing came apart from the foam on day 3 and by the end of the trip completely unglued. Poor quality.
I recently went on a trip where I was walking miles a day on a tour.  I used this shoulder pad on a Merrell messenger bag.  It was filled with a padded camera compartment, DSLR, compact tripod, a 24 oz. water bottle, camera accessories (extra batteries, cords, etc), extra shirt/socks, and some food/snacks.  It was quite weighted.  The camera itself was around 3 pounds and over 5 with my tripod.  With all my gear, I would say my bag was just over 13-15 pounds.  I initially chose this, because I wanted to avoid using a backpack due to the hot/humid weather I was going to be in.  I wanted to use a messenger bag instead of covering my back and sweating due to a backpack.  I knew if I went this route a messenger back would do a number on my shoulder.  To avoid this, I bought this shoulder pad hoping, including good gear choices to limit weight, I could avoid a backpack.We walked constantly in the heat.  I don't believe my shoulder could have made this trip, much less 6 days of it, without this pad.  At first, this pad seems a bit bulky due to it's thickness and backing.  Since the weight is offset by laying on your shoulder and providing support and cushioning, it's a non-factor.  After 3 days, my shoulder felt a little tired and sore.  At this point, my pack was getting heavier, as I started packing more gear, including more water/fluids to keep hydrated.  Although I  could tell my should was getting tired, I couldn't imagine if this pad was not on there.  I made it through 6 days without my shoulder getting much more tired than the 4th day.Summary:  With an over-packed messenger bag, this pad worked wonderfully well.  I don't believe I would feel my messenger bag in normal conditions of use (weighted with just my camera and tripod), but being tested on a trip, proved it's ability to save my shoulder and let me go longer.  My only complaint is that it seems the velcro straps/base that connect this to the strap of your bag seems to be pulling away from the pad when pulling the velcro support straps tight.  Fortunately, this has not been an issue since the pad/backing inherently kept together by the weight or your bag.  I would have normally removed a star from this, but based on the price and the ability/comfort of this product, I'm giving it all up.  I highly recommend this product if you require more padding on a messenger bag.
This simple product turns any uncomfortable neck-cutting strap into the comfiest sling ever, distributing weight more evenly and protecting your skin from chafing. I routinely carry 15-25 pounds of gear and would be miserable without this. Even when traveling light, it makes a difference. Now that I think about it, I should probably buy a few backups just in case Domke does something crazy, like discontinue this pad!
I'm actually pretty happy with the padding on my existing camera bags (mostly Lowepro and Tamrac).  I do use it with one fairly large bag that I load up to carry on trips, and it does help a SLIGHT bit, but everything is relative.  A heavy bag is still a heavy bag.However, I thought I'd try using this pad with a guitar strap.  This works great for that purpose.  Even heavier guitars like Les Pauls seem lighter with this pad, even during longer playing sessions.  I'll probably buy a couple more for this purpose.
i love the domke bags, this pad makes it easy to hall my gear around town.gos on my f2, and fx3 but doss not fit the f6 bag and strap!
this helps me significantly with the pain of carrying a heavy bag.. and while it's a bit chunky/ugly, I'm willing to compromise fashion for comfort.
I've been assured that the shoulder pad is excellent.  I bought it for my photographer daughter, but now need to purchase a STRAP.  The picture clearly shows a strap (thus would any reasonable person think that a strap would be extra?).
Bought this after purchasing the Domke F-803 satchel.  Maybe it's a not needed for smaller loads, but when traveling with two Micro 4/3 bodies and various lenses and accessories this is a must have.  Have used it a couple months and multiple trips with no issues.  Definitely an ergonomic life saver for the traveler.
I load up my messenger bag with a lot of stuff, and I was starting to get shoulder pain whenever I used it.This shoulder pad took a little getting used to, and it added weight to the bag, but it has made me able to wear my messenger bag as long as I want to with no shoulder or back pain. Even with a full day of walking around including the particularly fatiguing "museum crawl," my shoulder still feels great.I also like that you can attach it to any bag strap without having to completely replace the strap, as you do with some similar products.
This shoulder pad is great. I bought it to be used with a messenger bag and it works wonderful. The shoulder is protected, it does not slip but you can still accommodate in any position you like.
I bought this shoulder pad to replace the flimsy piece of crap that came with my camera bag. Even carrying a couple of lenses can get heavy and my old pad cut into my neck and shoulder. The Domke product is a thick pad and I barely notice the weight of my bag anymore, making long walks much more comfortable! It's also non-slip so my bag stays in place on my shoulder. This is an awesome pad for ANY bag!! Highly recommend!
GREAT shoulder pad! Perfect shipper/seller! I would order again in a heartbeat and give another five stars. So many uses for this product.
I purchased this for travel.  Carrying a bag for hours can dig into your skin.  The padding is very comfortable and I have had no trouble with the pad coming loose.  The heavy velcro is very strong. I would of given it a 5 but it is rather bulky for everyday use.
While the pad works very well, the white color of the pad sticks out and keeps this from looking business like.
My wife has been complaining about her purses digging into her shoulders.  I showed her two different pads on Amazon and we decided to order this one and the Timbuk2 griptex messenger bag strap.  The Domke pad has the most padding and fit just fine on one of her purses.  She likes it a lot.  The Timbuk 2 fit on a different bag so we kept that one also.  The padding itself is an offwhite color but she doesnt mind that since her shoulder is not in pain.  It would have looked a little nicer if the padding were black.
I really began to appreciate this pad the moment I removed it from my bag. It really makes a huge difference in distributing weight. What it lacks, however, is softness and so I bought a long sheepskin seatbelt cover to put over it. And I secured the seatbelt cover to the the shoulder pad and the strap of my bag with long strips of velcro. It sounds like a lot of work, but I have a messed up shoulder and I needed something to keep me from injuring myself again.Soooo, unless somebody comes up with something better than this Post Office Shoulder Pad, I suspect that it very well may be the best thing on the market. If you buy two of them, you don't have to pay the postage.....
I have attached this strap to one of those fancy custom camera bags for women and have loaded the bag down with several pounds of lenses and camera bodies. This strap makes carrying them so much easier and more comfortable. I love it!
Some of these other reviews seem to give the idea that this is the miracle pad, but this is not quite so in my opinion. A heavy bag is a heavy bag, but this cushion definitely makes it easily manageable. It is easy to put on any strap, and it does stay in place, the only downside to that is you got to get it in the sweet spot, but once you find that life is good. I ride with my bag on a motorcycle and this helping it stay put is a huge plus. It is all in all a great pad. cushy and comfy, stays put, and is fairly priced. I've had this thing for a month or two now, and I put bags through rough treatment, and this is holding up very well, I don't see it breaking in any way anytime soon. So if you need a little extra cushion and security this things pretty good, also goes great with guitar straps.
Finally, a strap pad that makes complete sense. Wedge shape makes strap lay flat and even. Also the non-slip design keeps the strap in place, not sliding down your shoulder. I wish I bought these 30 years ago...
This pad is almost a necessity for a fully packed Domke F2 bag. The pad worked so well, that I bought another one for my Duluth Pack laptop portfolio bag.
Very &#34;grippy&#34; and great padding.  If you wear an oversized jacket, it is so grippy htat it may pull your jacket to one side.
I'm using this strap with a Timbuk2 messenger I got with no strap.  I thought about getting the Timbuk2 strap but when I saw the Amazon reviews I decided to give this a try.  It really balances the weight of any bag and makes it much more comfortable.Pros:- nice contour and padding- pad is wedge-shaped and stays put- easy to put onCons:- none
Purchased for camera bag, but will fit backpack for sling-wearing. Dense foam and pseudo-leather. It is comfortable. Wished it really was post office quality real leather.
I frequently carry two heavy cameras around my neck and needed some to relieve the pressure and make my old body last a little longer.  The cameras are still heavy, but they're much less taxing.  Good product!
Much better than the other shoulder pads I have tried. Padding is thick and wide enough to spread out the weight.
... and I do so with the utter comfort of this well-designed shoulder pad! Ergonomic and sensible for my netbook case, which includes all the gear for historical research in libraries and elsewhere, portable scanner, cameras, etc., Doesn't slip nor ride down the shoulder, detachable for use on my other bags. I tried others and this is the best out there.
I love Domke products, but most of his bags will carry a lot more equipment than you think, so the bags get very heavy very quickly.  I have several of these.  A lot of comfort and for not much more than the cost of a book of stamps!  LOL!
I bought a Domke F2 bag and the canvas strap was pretty uncomfortable with a loaded camera bag. I saw where several folks recommended the shoulder pad, so i ordered one.Makes all the difference in the world. It just velcros on, so it can be used really with any strap, or any camera bag.. or any other over the shoulder bag.The pad is beveled, this means that it helps hold it on your shoulder instead of it sliding off. There is a right and wrong direction though when installing it.
Great shoulder pad! Can't get any better. Also, you can take it off and put it on another strap. Does not dig into your shoulder! I highly recommend.
It works, 'nuff said.  Anything with a strap easily attaches to his shoulder pad.  It stays in place on the shoulder yet adjusts easily, it does an excellent job at distributing weight and reducing hot-spots, and it is made out of high-quality materials.  Slam dunk.It looks funny, sure, but that's a minor quibble.  I bought two of these and use them daily for my sling bag, messenger bag, laptop bag, and digital camera bag.  When I change bags, I just unhook the Domke and put it on the next bag.
I bought a bag for how it looked. When I started to carry it, it was evident that the strap was not comfortable. Based on the reviews, I decided to try this pad. IT IS AMAZING! The pad does an amazing job of distributing the weight on my shoulder. Before, I really felt the strap digging into my shoulder, now it feels 1/4 of the weight it used to feel. I can't comment on the durability of the pad as I've only had it a couple of weeks. I do wish it was not so light colored for my black bag.
I was looking for a brown leather shoulder pad to match my messenger bag but stumbled upon this Domke pad. Sure its not brown to match but it more than makes up for it in comfort and usability. I can take it on and off with ease to use for any bag I need. This shoulder pad is perfect!
I got this strap to make carrying my ukulele case more comfortable (tenor ukulele Ameritage case...so the case is built like a Hummer.)  The pad fit perfectly on the relatively thin Amertiage carrying shoulder strap.  But I immediately noticed that it added significant weight to the strap.  So when carrying the case by the handle, it not only makes the whole case heavier, but also turns the shoulder strap into an annoyance that can bump into your leg.  So if you plan to use this, plan to shoulder your bag/case the majority of the time.The pad had a nice contour to fit my shoulder, but simply was not that comfortable.  It is made of a denser foam which is on the firm side and can dig into your shoulder.  It just didn't work with me.  Another thing is that the area where the strap connects to the foam started to show separation from the first day.  I don't think it'll get any worse with use...but if it does, that'd be a big disappointment.I can understand why the USPS would use this strap: it's durable, does help to distribute weight, and postal carriers shoulder their bags the majority of the time.  But I don't think this is particularly well-suited for instrument cases.  Stick to using it for messenger bags.
My computer bag is always very heavy because I carry so much in it - This pad does a good job at distributing the weight on my shoulder and padding it.
Ntohing fancy--just a big ol' pad that easily fixes onto a Domke strap and makes carrying my heavy camera bag--two DSLRs and multiple lenses--a whole lot easier on the shoulder.  Great value.
I already rated this product up above please refer to previous comments. It may work for some people but it didn't work for me.
This is much better to use than a thin bag strap. It has some cushion, it's gummy so it doesn't slip, and it is nice and wide to disperse weight and reduce pressure. However, 20 pounds on your shoulder for 4 hours is still 20 pounds on your shoulder for 4 hours. This will help you carry same weight for far longer or carry more for the same amount of time you usually do, but the benefits slowly vanish (vanish right into your shoulder) when you try to carry more for longer.Still, it is nice to have, and it does work well! Have a bag with a painful strap? Give it a shot!
I have several of these and use them on all my bags. They are easy to attach to any shoulder strap and the weight distribution and comfort is beyond anything I've experienced from other bags. The image shown here isn't accurate - this shoulder pad has a thick foam padding under that is angled so it rests comfortably on your shoulder whether you have the bag on your shoulder or across your body (messenger bag style) - it's easy to remove to use on other bags and is seriously comfortable! I use this on the Domke F2 but also on Crumpler bags which I find very uncomfortable with the pad that comes with the bag. I also have one for my Freitag messenger bag that I use for school. I bought my Domke shoulder pads from bhphoto - they have a more accurate description and photo, but the price is the same.
I have these on both myDomke F-2andDomke F-7and they make a huge difference in how luggable the bags are. I usually carry between 12 and 20 lbs of equipment when everything is in the bag. With this pad, I'm eager to start shooting; not eager to get the gear off my shoulder.
As published, this did the job, very comfortable. Fast mail service and secure packaging. This is a great replacement for shoulder strap pad. Does not come with a strap, this is only the pad.
This shoulder strap pad is excellent!  It is easy to install, easy to adjust to the required position, and eases the discomfort of a bare strap against your shoulder.  I can now carry my camera bag for a longer time before I even realize there is weight hanging on me.  I've had it for a short time so will see how it holds up to use, but it seems well made and durable.  Carry on!
I got this for use with my cooler. The pad is really good. I got if for my Fridge-To-Go FTG-1120 Romeo cooler. Which has a thin strap, but no padding. My shoulder was dying under the weight when the cooler got heavy.The main issue is with it on all four sides of the velcro they used really crappy glue and it comes up on the very first use. I used some some Locktite super glue and let it set from a few hours to all four sides, and that fixed the issue.Overall it's a relief to your shoulder.
There is nothing really wrong with this - but for me, it just added bulk and weight without really helping much.
The padding is ample and it sturdy and well made,  but this strap pad is also very heavy.  It weighed nearly as much as my messenger bag.  I purchased it to pad a narrow purse strap that would be used during many hours of sightseeing while traveling.  The foam shows too much to be used with a purse strap and still be considered stylish.  Other reviews say it is flexible, but it would probably fit a man's broader shoulder better than a smaller framed person.  The ends stuck out when I tried it.I would only recommend for utilitarian purposes and when hauling heavy loads.  Made for large shoulders.
It definitely helps but even with my not-so-heavy knife bag I can feel hotspots on the outside of the pad.
I bought this with my Kenneth cole leather messenger bag and I am glad I did as it really drops the amount of pressure put on the shoulder.  It kind of gets in the way but the benefits far outweigh the little annoyances.
This is a great addition to any guitar strap. Think and soft, and cut at an angle to fit the shoulder, really helps for a night of long sets. Easy on and off to change from strap to strap. Worth every dime, and didn't pay a lot of dimes to get it. Recommended for heavy Gibsons, base, and other maple solid bodies.
I bought this to go with my new Domke shoulder bag, and used it for a month-long trip through central Mexico.  After a month of traveling with this shoulder pad, I'm ready to throw it away.  It's too heavy and cumbersome.Perhaps that's partly because it does it's job too well.  There are times when I want my bag resting on my hip.  Other times, I want to push the bag behind me, and out of the way.I found myself constantly adjusting the position of the shoulder pad to accommodate a simple 2-inch adjustment in bag placement.With a much heavier bag over my shoulder, I might find this pad to be more useful.  But if you're just carrying a standard camera bag, don't bother.
Like a reviewer before me, I wonder why the manufacturers of messenger bags don't include shoulder pads like this one. Nevertheless, I now own the Domke 725-310 FA-031 and I couldn't be happier. The padding is more than adequate, its design prevents the bag from slipping off the shoulder and actually makes a stuffed bag feel lighter than it is. Perfect! If you have back issues, sore shoulders or just want to lighten your load, I heartily recommend this product.
I am tired of spending big bucks on camera bags.  So I bought an inexpensive camera insert and this shoulder pad to put on a messenger bag I already own for work.  This combo works great.  This shoulder pad is very stable and keeps the strap from digging into your shoulder.  I just thought it was overpriced.
This is a great pad for anyone who has to carry a one shoulder bag.  It is very cushioned and easy to put on to any strap.  Makes a heavy bag much more comfortable to carry.  Highly recommended!
I don't know how, but this shoulder strap literally makes my *heavy* Domke F-2 Original Bag feel lighter and more comfortable.
isn't as soft as i had expected, still works fine but i was holding the padded part was softer, it seems like it wouldn't make a difference/not mold into my shoulder so to speak, unless i was carrying something even heavier than my camera bag
I carry portable oxygen and the carry strap was not comfortable, this shoulder pad made a very positive difference, cushions my shoulder well and no more older strap marks.
I own two of these - I got one with my newest camera bag and I use the old one on a messenger bag. The wedge makes your bag sit level on your shoulder and keeps it from sliding off - great when you are shooting. It also pads your shoulder and makes your camera bag so much more comfortable.
This shoulder pad is the best!!  It's comfy and really helps distribute the weight of my camera bag nicely.  And with the smart "thicker on one side and thinner on the other", my bag stays on my shoulder!  And I'm confident that my too pricey to bang around camera and lenses won't die premature deaths by slipping off and crashing to the ground.  so hip hip hooray! for this shoulder pad!!
This product really takes the stress of carrying a messenger bag. I can't imagine how I walked around anywhere without it.
Not usable as a shoulder pad for carrying my backpack/purse; they are too big, bulky, and inflexible. Disappointed, unfortunately, with this item. Maybe someone else's needs are fulfilled by it, but sadly not mine.
Just received this pad and strapped it onto my one inch wide unpadded leather shoulder strap.  Outstanding.  The angled pad allows for a more perfect fit around the shoulder and collar bone.  Other buyers here don't like the beige colored rubber.  It's not a big cosmetic issue for me.  A true non-slip and very comfortable shoulder pad were my primary reasons for this purchase.  I'll definitely buy more in the future.
Nicely made pad but because of it's &#34;fixed&#34; design, it is not very versatile especially for travel.  The white color is also out of place.
really nice concept and really helps with shoulder carrying your bags.  I don't think there is anything better on the market.  I returned mine because the black strip where it is attached to the white gel/foam began to separate from each other after first usage.  Perhaps the manufacture will change the glue on this.  As soon as it does, I'm buying it again.
I'd never used this system before because the Domke strap on my original bag, with its dimpled rubber friction surface, seemed to work just fine.However, this pad is even better as it distributes the weight more evenly.  The pad adjusts easily and never is in my face, demanding attention all the time.  I just set it and leave it and it's good to go all day.Be sure to position the bevel in the right direction to allow it to prevent sliding off your shoulder.  For me, this means the thinner edge points toward your neck.
This will be straight forwarded, we're not discussing a complex electronic gadget here, just a shoulder pad. Still, I do find it quite beneficial for the purpose intended, I'm glad I ordered it. My Domke camera bag, thanks to the "L" lenses, is quite heavy. I do find this pad excellent in preventing the shoulder strap from digging in when walking any distance at all. It's still quite new, so I can't comment on the longevity factor, but so far/so good.
I bought this pad to use on my carry-on travel bag, which features an over-the-shoulder style strap. The original strap that came with it had a cheap rubber pad on it, and after a couple of hours getting through security and waiting at the gate, the 25 lbs bag on my shoulder was really starting to get uncomfortable. I picked up one of these pads and it made a world of difference. The product material seems to be of high quality, and the dense rubber material does a great job of angling the pressure on your shoulder to spread the weight a bit more evenly. As others have mentioned, its pretty flexible and is not as rigid as it appears in the images.While it isn't as if I put this pad on and said "oh it feels like I'm magically carrying a feather now," it is a great improvement for me. I still feel all of the weight and pull of my heavy bag, but this pad takes the edge off of it, and eliminates that cutting, burning feeling I would get from my bag strap digging into my shoulder muscles after a while. I highly recommend it, and am buying a second one for my wife!
The Domke strap is really good all by itself but adding the Post Office Pad extends the comfort level to all day.  The padding gives it extra grip to minimze sliding off the shoulder and distributes the load across a larger area.  Excellent product.
This pad is incredibly comfortable and grippy. It keeps my messenger bag from sliding around (which would possibly bang my camera gear and lenses into people or objects around me) and also provides comfort and stress relief off of the side of your neck or shoulders. I wear my bag with the strap over my head and the bag pushed behind somewhat. Anyway, it makes a huge difference. Highly recommended!
I haven't weighed my loaded bag (an expandable Case Logic PK), but routinely I carry two lunches, a laptop, a small camera and a small video camera. It's quite heavy, and the bag came with a bare nylon strap with no padding.This pad does what it advertises. I'm quite happy with it; the weight of the bag is distributed a little more evenly over my shoulder.I leave my strap long enough that I can either throw the bag on a shoulder, or over my head "messenger" style. Unfortunately, the pad is contoured in a wedge shape (so the thinner part of the wedge ideally sits close to my neck; the fatter part closer to my shoulder). Flip-flopping between how I wear my strap, the wedge ends up "backwards" when I throw the strap over my head. Not a biggie (and I could quickly turn the pad around by opening the two velcro straps that secure it).Overall, a very nice, solid, well made, comfortable shoulder pad.
The Domke Postal Strap is a great addition to any Domke bag strap (or other brands), particularly when you plan on overloading your gear bag.Nearly every Domke bag I have used manages to distribute weight evenly.  A great example is my F-1x bag, which, despite the amount of gear, nearly always feels comfortable. However, there are times when I load the bag unreasonably and need to lug it around on location.  That is when I add this strap.  The strap makes it possible to carry an amount of gear you probably should not be carrying.A welcome addition for sure.
A great addition for anyone needing a padded shoulder strap for your laptop bag. I also like the no-slip feature. If I had one thing to change, it would be the color.
I used this pad briefly on my Tamrac 606 bag loaded with an EOS 5D, 2 lenses and Speedlite. This is a rigid, heavy and hard pad: does not warp around or mold to my shoulder but, instead, sits on top and bites into my flesh like an angry dog. It's also really heavy and makes the strap cumbersome. The original Tamrac strap pad is more comfy: softer and flexible enough to warp around my shoulder and chest and, thus, distribute weight across a larger area. All I can say is the USPS of yesteryear had shoulders of steel. Incidentally I checked out my postman's shoulder pad and it doesn't look anything like this one: real leather, longer, wider, more flexible and no velcro.
This is really a great shoulder pad; I bought it as my new Dooney and Bourke purse was SO heavy and the strap so narrow that I couldn't stand it on my shoulder. I loved the purse and refused to give it up so luckily I found this product. That said, the cushioning is awesome but I wish it was a bit narrower and that the pad was also black. It looks really odd hanging down when I'm not using the shoulder pad, and my purse is red so it stands out like a sore thumb. The top is slippery and so the purse strap moves around a bit too much, but all in all I am thrilled with it.I just wish I had a choice in width and could get the pad in black. I might use a permanent marker on it so there's not two colors competing with the red. For luggage or anything you lug, this strap is awesome. I can see that the glue isn't the best but so far it's not been a problem. Buy it, you'll like it.
I been using the Domke shoulder pad for a two years now with my Domke J1 bag. Fully loaded the bag is pretty heavy, I have a body with battery grip, few pro lenses plus assortment of other smaller items like a flash unit. The pad works great is it's cushion is more then a typical "padded" strap but also offers a good grip on the shoulder. The pad is also angled so that if you have the bag on your shoulder, the strap will not dig into your collar.Now my only problem with this strap is that during the day, carrying this much gear is tough and I like to switch back and forth between my shoulders or across the body. With the angled strap this makes it a bit difficult, so I'm switching to a regular padded strap, such as the grippy strap pad from Timbuk2. The construction is very well made and shouldn't have any issues but I think the foam is not covered by any material and may absorb water if used heavily in the rain.
Since this is advertised as a Post Office shoulder pad I wanted to try it. It is better than what came with my bag but not nearly as giood as the Op-Tech that I bought after sending this back. Unless your current strap that you put this on is wide enough, the thing slips and I was constantly adjusting it.
This pad alleviates the discomfort of the Domke shoulder strap digging into your skin over extended periods of time. I'm a little surprised Domke doesn't just include this shoulder pad with all of their bags and slightly increase the upfront cost. Who doesn't like comfort? This pad is easy to attach & remove...should be capable of attaching to non-Domke equipment just as easily.Recommended for those of you taking your Domke bags out for long hikes and walkaround shoots.
I bought this to use with my ski bag while on a ski trip to Innsbruck.  It worked great!  I used it like a messenger so I still had 2 hands free to caryy other things.  Getting through the airport, I could carry my ski bag over my shoulder, and still tote 2 pieces of luggage!
This shoulder pad is great. It keeps the bag right where you want it. The rubber is wedge shaped and that helps the pad rest evenly on the shoulder blade. And the rubber is soft so it "kind of sticks there!"
yes, the product does it job, when it's in one piece. i bought it for a messenger bag (holding camera gear) for a one week trip and after the first day, the black vinyl piece with the velcro straps was already peeling from the white pad piece. needless to say, within 4 days use the pad had completely detached from the black piece with the straps. so if you only plan on using it for a few days, it's good. otherwise, consider it disposable (and a waste of your money).
The only problem I have with this is that it did not come with my bag to begin with!  :-)  This is such a great pad, far better than I have seen any other piece of luggage.It is thick, non-slip and really distributes the weight of the bag.  My camera bad weighs in at a hefty 24 pounds.  This this allows me to carry it around, with the strap over my neck and shoulder, comfortably all day long, even on hikes.Well worth it!
The shoulder pad left a white residue on my clothing, and appeared to have been previously used.  Needless to say, I returned it.
We use (and love) theHoover Commercial Portapower Vacuum Cleaner, except that the strap is a bit minimalist, and we wear the vacuum with the strap across the chest to the opposite shoulder, and the strap would rub/chafe at the neck.We tried using a guitar strap pad, but that was too big and bulky, and we eventually found this shoulder strap, which works great.  It's very comfortable to wear and feels well put together.My only complaint is that although this pad appears to be designed such that the strap can slide through it, we find that the strap doesn't move easily and when we bend over or reposition the vacuum.  As the vacuum moves around it sometimes results in the pad moving off of our shoulder rather than the strap sliding through the pad while the pad remains in place.  However, overall we still love this shoulder pad.
I got this accessory pad recently when I bought a new Domke bag for my laptop (F-802 satchel).  I have one of these pads on my Domke F-2 bag and already knew it's a must with heavy equipment such as SLR/DSLR cameras and full size laptops.  This pad makes it much more comfortable to lug heavy stuff around.  The few dollars this costs is a minor investment in your shoulder!  Highly recommended.
I love my Domke camera bag but my only complaint is why this wasn't just included with the bag. This shoulder pad beats any that I've ever used on any bag. It's soft but sturdy due to how thick it is so no matter how much weight you put in your bag you'll still have cushioning. Some may not like that it's contoured to fit on a a specific side (one of the longer sides of the pad is thinner than the other). I actually have no issues with this as I always carrier shoulder bags on the same side. The velcro that holds it on is incredibly strong and the pad doesn't shift on the strap at all. I am actually going to start using this on every messenger/shoulder bag I have as it's that comfortable.
In many ways this shoulder pad is a microcosm of Domke's bags--tough, effective, and not exactly sexy.  Like Domke's bags, there's nothing better out there, and alas like Domke's bags the question should be asked--why the heck isn't this included with the bags?  Seriously, bags that easily eclipse $100, especially those approaching $200, should come with some type of shoulder pad beyond a mere canvas strap.That issue aside, the strap does a good job of making the the task of carrying loads of heavy camera gear bearable.  I've yet to encounter the shedding others have described, and I found the width perfect for the strap on myDomke 700-10D F-1X Little Bit Bigger Bag (Olive Drab). If you're buying this for another manufacturer's bag or other heavy load, do check out the other comments and the listed measurements.
I actually used this product as extra padding on my toddler hiking backpack in order to alleviate the strain on my shoulders from carrying a nearly 40lb backpack while hiking as much as 8 miles. The pads worked great for how I used them, which I must stress are not necessarily what they are intended for, so I imagine that when used properly they are even more amazing. For some added comfort I added strips of mole skin to the inside foam area of the pad as I was wearing the straps with sleeveless shirts and was afraid the rubberish foam may cause chaffing.
I bought it reading all the favorable review on Amazon. While is not a bad product but certainly it does not hold up to its review either. First of all, is this comfortable? Yes it is comfortable than having nothing. How comfortable it is? I would say 3 out of 5. And that's the justification of my rating.Little bit of context; I bought it for my camera bag where I carry one camera, one point and shoot camera, two or three lenses and couple of other camera oriented gear. Total weight about 10-15lb.Pros.1. It provides some extra pad (that's what it is suppose to do)2. The velcro is really strong and it can hold item really well3. The top part is rubbery, so the strap does not moveCons.1. The top rubbery part is attach to the bottom part with some kind of glue, and open and closing the velcro actually detach the top part from the bottom part.2. It is heavy and it is way bigger than than it seems from the picture3. The cushion itself is not very soft.4. The depth is not uniform, hence you can have your strap in a single way, unless you open up the velcro and flip it over
This should be included with every bag Domke makes. I bought it to use with a Domke messenger bag and it is an absolute must have with the heavy stuff that lands in that bag. A big BOO to Domke for selling half finished bags and charging more to complete it. I do love this pad and it is a great comfort for "Heavy Haulers".
This pad provides excellent cushioning and the thin to thickness shape conforms well to the shoulderand direction of the load pull of the bag.
These straps/pads are excellent. Wish they were all black though.  The pad is white. I liked so much got another one. Saves your neck and shoulder from straps digging into them.
This is exactly what I needed for street photography. My photography bag with the camera gear weighs about 7-8 pounds and I can walk around for several hours without feeling sore in the shoulder
I got my first Domke shoulder pad for my Domke F-8 small shoulder camera bag back in the early/mid-80s. Even wrapped in a bandanna, I finally wore it out so I needed to replace it. The new pad: better than the original! Great job, Domke!
This pad is firm enough to provide the maximum comfort for a heavy messenger bag. But don't expect it to alleviate all the pain of lugging around your laptop and papers! It's secured very well, and can be adjusted pretty easily by sliding it on your strap.
As I stated with the straps these shoulder pads worked great to add cushion to your shoulders but the domke bag is not the best to carry on hikes.The pads really help with the straps because without them I don't think you could tolerate the bag for long.
As a replacement strap, it is great. The off color padding is just odd. Should be color matched with teh leather, but whatever. The weight and padding are good and it fits my 2&#34; shoulder strap on my bag.
Most of the places I've worked issue Dell laptops for use along with Dell cases.  I cannot stand those standard shoulder pads.  They always slip off and you get aches from trying to stop the slip.These shoulder pads are comfortable and do not slip.  You can use a more relaxed posture so no more aches.  The rubber pad grips so well that it's hard to get your bag off from your shoulder sometimes.  But that is much better than constant slipping.  They are easy to put on and seem to be well built and durable.  I highly recommend these shoulder pads to anyone looking for replacement pads.
The nice thing about this strap is the comfort AND the fact that the rubberized material minimizes slippage off the shoulder.  It could be improved if the rubber were black or brown, but that's just a cosmetic issue.
I bought this for the Domke 700-02A F-2 Bag (Brown Waxwear Finish) bag.  To be honest, the stock bag has a fantastic strap design that would be good enough on its own.  It's a sturdy but very soft strap with rubber strips inset into the fabric to keep the bag from slipping around on your shoulder and it works very well.  However, after reading some reviews online I decided to give the shoulder pada try since it had rave reviews and was very inexpensive.  I can say that the pad is definitely worth the relatively low cost of entry.  I generally carry about 20 lbs of equipment in the bag, but with the shoulder pad it makes it feel closer to 15lb.  That may not seem like a huge difference but it's pretty huge.  It's the difference between dreading having to carry everything by the third day of a multiday shoot or not really even thinking about it.
I used this shoulder pad for four (count 'em, 4) days and the rubber part separated from the black part. Actually, it had already begun to come apart in the package. I had one of these in the 90's and it lasted quite a while. I'm not sure what kind of glue they're using on these nowadays, but it's worthless. I should have sent it back right away, now I'm stuck with it. Maybe I'll see what type of glue/epoxy/adhesive is best for gluing quasi-foam rubber to quasi-leathery-plastic stuff and see if I can fix it.Maybe you'll have better luck with yours than I did. Good luck.
This is a nice add-on.  Personally, I think it should come with the bag.  Works well, keeps bag from sliding off of shoulder.
Wow!  Why didn't I buy this sooner?  I've had aDomke F-2 Original Bag (Black)for years, and I've been carrying it around with the default strap.  What an idiot I've been!  Shoulder bags are extremely convenient for photojounalists like me; they allow for much easier access to lenses, cameras, and small accessories than backpacks do, but this comes at the expensive of increased apparent weight.  With this pad on, my Domke feels like it's half the weight of before.  It's not a big deal if I'm only walking around for an hour, but a whole day?  This thing is a relief.  In fact, I've bought more just to add my other (non camera) shoulder bags as well, and this works great there as well!The only real con I can think of is that it can sometimes shift to an awkward spot on the bag strap, requiring me to readjust its positioning, but that's a common disadvantage of all adjustable pads.
I got two of these for my 4 gallon back pack sprayer which weighs about 35 pounds when full.  The Domke pads make the spraying life more bearable but I wonder if gel strap pads as used by rock musicians might work even better.
I have the Nova 2 which is identical to the Nova 1 but bigger. The bag itself is okay. I can fit an SLR body plus 3 lenses and small accessories. It is not waterproof but it comes with a plastic cover which can be used to keep rain out. However, none of that matters when there is a seriously weak link. During my first trip with this bag, the clasp that connects the bag to the shoulder strap came undone twice within 3 days, dropping the bag to the ground and damaging some of my lenses. I examined the strap to see what the problem was and apparently it is a design flaw rather than a defect. The 2 clasps at the end of the strap that connect it to the bag are narrow and made of plastic. They can easily be twisted out of alignment, making an opening through which the connecting rings on the bag can fall through. I did not overload the bag, abuse it or misuse it, yet it failed to do what it is supposed to do: carry my camera equipment safely. I had never dropped any of my photo equipment prior to this. I sent an email to Lowepro's customer service department, calmly explaining what happened and requesting that some sort of compensation be made for damage caused by the faulty design of their product, but they simply ignored my letter.I would not recommend this bag or any Lowepro bag to anyone who value their cameras.
Bought this for my Nikon d80.  The camera and another lens fit perfectly. There are still room for small accessories such as batteries. However, one should NOT expect to fit another large item such as lens or chargers. I bought this for its compact size, and I am not disappointed.
I needed a new bag for my Panasonic DMC-FZ18 (digital with 18X zoom built in)plus memory cards, glasses, small tripod, etc. I purchased the Lowepro Mini AW, but found it too small. Be careful to go to the Lowepro website for measurements as Amazon's are  external only and not always acurate.When the Nova 1 arrived it turned out to be perfect. Unlike the Mini, it has a nice and well padded strap as well as a zippered pocket on the back. All in all it's a much nicer bag.I'm used to carrying a Casio pocket sized camera, so getting used to shleping around a regular camera bag will take some time. However, this bag should be great for day trips as there's room for the camera, accessories and personal stuff. All in all, a great little bag for the money.
This is a very nice bag for the price and easily holds my Panasonic GH2 with accesories and 2 lenses, perfect for light travel.  Note I carry the stock lens and a pancake lens this would not hold anythingtoo much bigger then the stock.
This is a beautiful bag with great attention to detail.  My DSLR is quite large (Pentax K10D) so it just fits with its attached lens and one extra.  I can fit in some additional items but nothing very large (such as an external flash).  As it is small is very discreet so doesn't appear that I am lugging around a dead body.  Not recommended for someone who has lots of gear though.
This is just the right size to carry all the things I use dailyGreat construction with a lifetime warantee
I purchased this bag for my Canon Powershot SX110.  I had already bought a Canon PSC-85 soft case for the camera itself, but I wanted a bag to hold the camera AND all of the supplies that came with the camera.  This bag does AND it looks great doing it!  It holds the camera IN the Canon case, all the cords, a AA battery charger and extra batteries, as well as a memory card wallet.  The user manual even fit in the zippered pocket on the back.  It does more than I expected.  I especially like how sturdy and well padded the bag is, and the shoulder strap is very well made with a non-slip cushion.  I believe it to be worth every penny of the MSRP, but was delighted to find it here at AMAZON for significantly LESS!
I needed a camera bag to hold my Canon Powershot G6, lens adapter, teleconverter, external flash, filters, power cords, memory cards, extra battery, battery charger, remote control, lens cleaning kit, and card reader.  However, I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  This bag is perfect.  It fits all the above.  It has a secure ziplock compartment that also has a flapover design with a quick snaplock - this allows you to just snaplock it to keep all your gear inside while you move from one spot to the next without having to zip it all up.  The zipper compartment on the flapover is perfect for your memory cards and extra battery -it provides for quick changes.  The main inside compartment holds the camera , lens and flash nicely plus several filters.  The additional inside compartments provide compartments to store all the rest of the gear.  In addition, the bag has loops to attach it to your belt and use it as a beltbag and an attached waterproof cover that is great for inclement weather transport.  The padding is high quality and protects the gear very nicely.
Shoulder strap problems: Solved.  Why didn't I know about this accessory when I bought my Domke years ago?  For years I've suffered sore shoulders as GAS has increased the weight of my bag.  With these straps added, the weight is distributed and I can choose to wear it in the front or the back.  Problem solved.
For those of us who will die with our beloved Domke F1-X Little Bit Bigger bags wrapped over our hunched shoulders and crooked spines, this is a killer item to own and use. It balances heavy loads and negates the issue to purchase a second backpack style bag. Keep all the utility of Domke shooter bags without the pain of bearing the load on one shoulder. It's easy to get on and off and doesn't get in the way of actually using the bag. The only issue might be grabbing the wrong strap when you just want to pick it up and move it, rather than carry it. There are a lot of straps.
this harness works as described, no it is not a Gregory backpack type harness, but it does the job of giving you another option to carry your bag on a long day of shooting. I love mine.
If you are like me and want to make sure you are not without your fav lens, this stap lets you wear the bag on your back...all day.  This has been one of the best $25 I've spent in a long time
The only problem with Domke is that there is no local dealer and it is hard to figure out what bag I need.  But what more can I say?  It's a Domke and it is perfect.  I'm going to say the same thing about every Domke product that I buy.  I have used Domke bags since the late 70s.  This is a backpack strap and it is as perfect as Domke Bags.  It makes a heavy bag a lot easier to take hiking.
I only occasionally use this occasionally, but it works just fine, and really draws attention from other shutterbugs, which leads to fun conversations.
The design of this strap is rather simple and the set up (for me) was intuitive.  Just need to hook to the bag's existing metal hooks in the back.  The benefit of this strap is that it distributes the weight evenly on each shoulder while the bag rests in the small of your back.  I didn't know this solution existed when traveling last year.  I remember hauling the over-sized Domke bag on one shoulder and pulling my carry-on behind me, thinking: "I wish there was a way to make this into a back pack for the long walks through some airports."  Then I heard of this simple strap, and knew that someone else had the same idea!  It's not a perfect solution, but it's more than adequate for temporary long hauls in airports around the world when you need to securely schlep your over-packed Domke bag.  Don't know if this would work on a long hike in the woods, but it's great for urban transportation.
I've been carrying a Domke J1 as my main photography bag. Currently it weights in at 20 lbs/ 9kg, and for me is really my full kit I take about 90% of the time. The bag is great, and I like shoulder bags over backpacks because I like having easy access to my gear without putting the bag down. But with the weight, it's hard to really carry all day, and also when walking with the bag resting on one shoulder, sometimes makes it hard to balance. After injuring my shoulder from a bicycle accident, I had to be more careful on the weight and amount of time I could carry a bag, so I was looking at replacing my Domke with a backpack or sling bag.During this time I stumbled across the Domke backpack straps, which I figured since the price is under $20, I could try them out. When I received the straps, I noticed that they are very similar to the constructions of the Domke straps on their bags, the cotton feel material with metal rings. The construction is very basic, almost looks as if it was taken from a Vietnam era Army bag if they came in drab green. The instructions while extremely simple were enough to clip the straps in and was easy to use. Basically, the Domke bags have (or should have) metal rings to clip to, clip 4 connections and you're done. The nice thing about the straps is since they are made of cotten, they are not in the way when using the regular shoulder strap. I had no issues with the straps getting caught on anything.In use I tested this during an all day photo walk. After a few hours my shoulder was very sore from not using the backpack straps, and after our stop, I tried out the backpack straps. The first thing I noticed with the bag fully packed, the straps are harder to insert your arms than with the bag unpacked (as I tested it at home). I am a thin guy so this wasn't an issue for me, but honestly it felt like I was wearing a smaller school backpack where the straps where not as wide as a hiking backpack. Now there are adjustments on the straps but you can not make the straps wider if needed. Once the bag was carried by the backpack straps, it felt actually pretty stable but I noticed the weight was not balanced. This is more of an issue that the straps are joined together via the center ring, all it takes is some manual adjustment by moving the pack, but if you're bag is not balanced, this might be a problem. The straps are not as comfortable as a good quality backpack but honestly, it's a welcome relief from having to use the shoulder strap after your already tired.I would recommend anyone who has sore shoulders from long photo days to try out this Domke backpack strap. Also if you're using another brand bag, it's possible to use this backpack strap as the requirements are just 4 anchor points, which are common for most bags on the market. If you're using a ThinkTank Photo brand bag, there's an even better backpack strap available.Just remember that it's alternative carry method and not a backpack conversion, you'll be happy with it. Also if you wish to pack this away instead of having it always connected you can store is in a small side pocket, as the straps are pretty compact.
This works great with my Original Domke bag. I just wish I had gotten one of these years ago. I had no trouble slipping the bag on my back even when the bag was fully loaded. Obviously, it's not intended to take the place of a regular backpack for long or overnight hikes, but it's the perfect complement to the shoulder bag for day trips, vacations, etc.
This is an excellent solution to carry your bag.  It eliminates the risk the bag slipping off your shoulder.It can be rigged a few different ways to the bag which affect how and where the bag hangs as well as the angle in which the straps come over your shoulders.  "Documentation" consisted of a single, poorly illustrated sheet of paper.  This was not very helpful, but if you are smart enough to operate a camera that needs a bag like this, you can figure it out.One very cool thing is that you can rig this so the bag sits very low.  Low enough that you can still use a smaller back pack to carry things like your lunch and some water.  Very cleaver!Several bags, like the one shown, have a belt with a quick release.  For other bags, this belt is optional.  You can use this belt to secure the bag around your waist.  A larger belt (for larger people) is available as well.One down side is that you cannot access your camera without taking it off (unless you are a contortionist).
This strap made my Domke J3 bag more comfortable to use.  The strap distributes the weight of the bag to the shoulder, but unlike a back pack my shoulder and back are not covered by the bag.  This strap only fits selected Domke bags.
I bought the Domke Bag F-1X for my camera equipment because of outgrowing my backpack.  I bought the straps to carry it as a backpack.  The straps are ok but were too wide for me and cut into my underarm area.  I carried it on a hike alittle over one mile and that was enough.So straps are great just thick and the bag is not a good hiking.
The bag itself is okay. I can fit an SLR body plus 3 lenses and small accessories. It is not waterproof but it comes with a plastic cover which can be used to keep rain out. However, none of that matters when there is a seriously weak link. During my first trip with this bag, the clasp that connects the bag to the shoulder strap came undone twice within 3 days, dropping the bag to the ground and damaging some of my lenses. I examined the strap to see what the problem was and apparently it is a design flaw rather than a defect. The 2 clasps at the end of the strap that connect it to the bag are narrow and made of plastic. They can easily be twisted out of alignment, making an opening through which the connecting rings on the bag can fall through. I did not overload the bag, abuse it or misuse it, yet it failed to do what it is supposed to do: carry my camera equipment safely. I had never dropped any of my photo equipment prior to this. I sent an email to Lowepro's customer service department, calmly explaining what happened and requesting that some sort of compensation be made for damage caused by the faulty design of their product, but they simply ignored my letter.I would not recommend this bag or any Lowepro bag to anyone who value their cameras.
I am a field researcher with a university and chose the Lowepro Nova 2 AW to transport my camera safely around the field sites. I used to bring out my Pelican case but was tired of the weight. The Nova is a great replacement for a hard case if you have two lenses, I carry my 75-300mm lens as well as battery packs and the camera itself. The bag can be cavernous if packed correctly.Certainly a worth while purchase.
The bag is well padded and fits the following in the main compartment- Nikon D80 with 18-200mm lens attached- 50mm f1.8 lens- SB600 flash OR battery charger (bulky for D80 battery)The bag has several pockets:- Pocket in front of bag.  I store extra batteries, memory here.- Pocket inside the top cover.  They placed a piece of cloth/vinyl to cover the zipper pull so it won't scratch what you have in the main compartment.  A nice thought.- Side external pockets (exposed).  I guess you can stick paper maps here.The lid feels very sturdy.  It is a fairly tight fit, and may require some fiddling with to close.  The only "-" for the bag.
This is my second Lowepro bag (the other being a Slingshot 100 AW), but it's my most preferred.  This is especially true for those days when I want to carry just the camera and one zoom lens (in my case, an Olympus E-500 with a 14-54mm/f2.8-3.5 lens) for family outings and visits, parties, etc.  This should not imply the bag doesn't hold all I need, quite the contrary.  This bag easily accommodates a FL-36 flash, an Olympus EC-14 teleconverter, Stofen Omnibounce, a spare BLM-1 battery, extra batteries for my flash, extra CF cards, a Lenspen, a tabletop tripod, a CP filter, and RM-1 remote switch, and other small accessories.  It can even accept my E-500/14-54 with the EC-14 mounted as well, with no loss of room -- all this in a compact size and it's relatively lightweight too.  What more can I ask?
Consider this review to be more like 3.5 stars.  I really want to give it 4 or 5, but I just don't know.  First off, I'm slightly bias against this style of camera bag.  I never felt safe with my lens facing down, and the adjustable supports are just a pain to move around.  My Nikon D40 actually began to slip to the bottom after using this bag a few weeks.  I've since readjusted the slips(after a long drawn out fight with the velcro) and it does seem to be more stable now.This thing has pockets everywhere.  Some are very useful, some I feel could be redesigned(such as the one under the flap)  However, it serves its purpose for now.  Mesh pockets are also covered in a rubbery plastic with flips covering the zippers so as to not damage any of the contents.  Clever!The bag is apparently water resistant when you pull the hidden flap over it.  This is cool, but only really usful if you use the strap.  I typically prefer to carry it using the handle which is covered up by the tarp/cover/thing.  Even so, the nylon is very tough and does a fine job resiting small splashes and such.Now, I've saved the worst for last.  Perhaps my biggest gripe about the bag is the sides.  I'm not sure if I should blame Lowepro or Amazon.  Basically the material within the nylon that makes the bag rigid bows inwards.  I suspect it was sitting flat under some heavy load for a while and just doesn't want to straighten up anymore.  I can flex it back out, but after a while it pops back in...  This really isn't a major problem I guess, but more of an annoyance.  I could see it really messing up the slips that hold the camera, too, if I were to stick a lens on that side...All in all, a fine bag.  Perhaps I was an unlucky one...
I won't get into the belt fastener debate here (seems way too easy to pick up a new strap if one is having trouble).  I am using the bag with a Pentax K200D, which is a bit larger than the Nikon.  I stuffed the bag with now 4 different lenses (a 28MM, a 50MM, a 18-55MM zoom, and a 50-200 zoom).  It's all quite tight, but you have to ditch the floppy panels they give you and use some other material to support the gear.  I'm using some rigid packing foam, which 1) keeps the bag fairly light and 2) keeps all of the lenses secure.  The surface that touches the back of the camera (near the display) is not nearly as soft or smooth as it could be (there's even a metal zipper). I have a large lens cleaning cloth I'm keeping over the back end of the camera to keep the display scratch free.  I think I could easily add a spare set of batteries and a spare memory card too, but couldn't fit a flash with all four lenses.  One feature I like is that the bag has a place to anchor it down with your belt (very useful when touring the crowded streets of Saigon!).And it's awfully cute too!
This is a very well made camera bag.  However, it is a little small for my Canon 40D. I will use it for short or quick photo trips.  It may be fine for a smaller camera, but I have no room for extra lenses, etc.
I'm a brand new DSLR (Pentax K10D) owner and did not know how much case I needed to haul around my camera plus "stuff".  I like to have everything I need in organized places and I hate to pack and repack based on the occasion.The case is excellent in general.  It's made of strong material with lots of padding and compartments inside that have flexible dimensions (left and right)based on movable dividers.  You can divide the interior into 1 to 3 compartments but if you put in your DSLR with lens attached, plus one spare lens, the remaining room is very tight.  You can squeeze some filters or cables in the remaining space (or a flash attachment but not both) but it didn't make me comfortable.  I want padding and protection, but didn't want to fill the bag so full that it was stretching the fabric.There is one zipper pocket inside that would accommodate thin items like notes and flash memory spares, but probably nothing with much thickness including filters or batteries.There are three pockets on the outside of the bag.  One on the cover as it flips over to latch, and another on the back body, both about the same as the inside cover. A third pocket is attched to the outside front body of the case that is more robust and could accommodate some additional bulk.On both sides of the case some flexible net-like material is available for quick easy access.The closure clips and the strap connections are all plastic, but seem reasonably substantial to me if you don't put 50lbs of equipment in the bag.I really like this bag but felt it was somewhat too small for me.  If you like to pack and repack for specific situations then it might be for you.I was impressed by the quality of the case so much that I bought a larger Nova 4AW and it meets all my needs, but it is a larger case. Both the 2AW and the 4AW will comfortably "carry-on" if you need to bring a camera with you on trips that include flying.
This is a great little camera bag.  I purchased it solely because I had bought a new zoom lens for my Canon Rebel and with the lens attached to the camera, it didn't fit in the old camera bag.  So I had to buy a new bag.  This bag works great for me.  It will hold the extra zoom lens, extra film, batteries, plus the Rebel with the 80m-300m zoom attached to it.  And pockets galore, I was surprised at how many pockets this bag has.  Which was good for me, because usually I need the extra pockets told hold a few dollars, and my personal information when I travel.  It's a very sturdy bag, and I'm very pleased with it.
I purchased this bag for my Canon Digital Rebel SLR and I am extremely pleased.  It is not the largest gadget bag that I own, but it is the best by far.  The bag itself is 10" high, 9" wide and 6" deep so it is ideally sized for travel with your camera.  It is well sized and balanced for carrying over one shoulder using the comfortable strap which is included.  The bag is made of nylon, but it has a very study frame to it so the bag keeps its shape.  Lowepro was generous with distributing the padding and I feel that the bag keeps my equipment quite safe.The bag includes padded dividers which can be configured using Velcro.  I have the bag configured so that I put my camera body with my 28-135mm lens attached into the bag lens first so that I can take it out again quickly.  The dividers have rigidity to them so I am comfortable that they will support the camera body without risking the lens will hit the bottom of the bag.  There is also enough room for my 300mm lens and accessories such as my spare batteries or lens covers.Pockets include one on each side of the bag.  There is a great zippered pocket on the back of the bag that is really useful for quickly stowing papers or books.  There is also a zippered pocket inside the top flap where I keep my memory cards.  The pocket on the front is also zippered and subdivided to store memory cards, filters, etc.The bag includes a limited lifetime warranty.  The bag is very well built and much better than any of the similar bags that I was looking at such as those by Targus which I did not think were as sturdy as this one.In summary, I think that this is a great bag for a SLR camera.  I use it extensively for my travels and I am very happy with it.
I love this bag for protection and storage. I have dropped it with my gear inside a few times and everything turned out ok.My only gripe is the zippers rattle whenever you walk. Very awkward when walking around inside a museum or anywhere quiet.
My husband and I bought this bag to take on a road trip through New England.  The bag is spacious enough to hold everything we needed to take on each sightseeing stop.  The bag is comfortable to wear over your shoulder, even when hiking.I especially love that the large compartment holds the camera with the lens still attached, for easy and quick retrieval.We are very happy with our purchase.
It is somewhat amusing that Amazon automatically ask customers to review the most mundane items. Here goes, this is a handle amongst handles, never in the history of handles has there been a more practical, efficient (not to mention attractive) handle. If I were a handle, I have no doubt that by now I would be looking to have a permanent relationship with this the ultimate handle. What more can I say?
I needed a grab handle of some sort for my Domke F-5XZ camera bag and realized that Domke offered this as an optional accessory.  Kind of wish they would have included it, but now that I bought and put it on the bag, I see why this particular strap didn't come with the it.  It's a bit long and has a lot of slack; there's about an 8&#34; gap between the top of the bag and the handle when I'm carrying it.  Granted, the F-5XZ a relatively small bag in width.  I might alter it to match the width of my bag better.The strap is about 19&#34; from clip end to clip end.  There is what feels to be a solid wooden dowel sewn inside the middle of the handle.  I don't mind it, but I wonder how it'll fare over time with the weight of the bag and the dowel edge pressing against the strap material.  The material matches the same feel as their shoulder straps, which is comfortable.All in all, its a great concept, and having a grab handle makes it so much easier to transport the bag over short distances, in and out of the car, etc.  I just really wish Domke had included it with my bag in the first place.
A wonderful addition, much better than the strap that comes with the bags.  Very sturdy and comfortable.  Makes a great bag, better.
I bought this bag handle for my Domke F2 bag. The handle on the bag just wasn't sturdy enough. I think this strap will do the job. Do bad Domke didn't put it on all their bags originaly, but I guess they can make more bucks selling selling them later. No complaint.
Despite the claim, this is not a &#34;super handle.&#34;  It is a basic handle of minimalist design and that is the genius of Domke products, that caused me to completely sell off all my other camera bags and switch to this brand.This Domke handle is not adjustable (about 19&#34;) in any way and really has no padding, which may turn some people off.  The lack of adjustability limits use to a few Domke bags and causes me (and many others) to wonder why they just don't include it with the bags). The hardware on the handle is all top quality made in USA as is the webbing.Like most Domke products, if you know what you are buying, you will love it.  However, I have to agree with another reviewer noting that it would be better if 1)there was more padding and 2) the strap was adjustable.  Regardless, I rated the product 5 stars based on quality and usability in the right application.
This handle strap is good...That being said I might have wanted a little cushion on it, but it does serve it's purpose when the bag is not on my shoulder.
Just enough protection at just the right price. This insert is adjustable and takes up just the right amount of space to secure my longer telephoto lenses and prevent them from bouncing back and forth. I put one at each end of my Domke F-804 and created a third protected pocket in the center. My Sony 70-400 fits nice and secure in its case.
I bought this as a second insert to go inside my F-2 bag.The padding is nice and thick and the velcro mates up with the velcro inside of the bag.Only slight negative is that the foam inserts in the sides are not sealed on the bottom. I am not sure if this is to allow a couple of them to be removed (if you only want front and back protection) or what, but it seemed a little unfinished for the price.The Canon 5D Mark III with an attached 50mm lens fits nicely in the pocket with the ability to be easily removed.
I am very surprised that this product has the DOMKE name on it. The insert arrived with a couple of the foam inserts loose in the bag. They are not sewn into the insert walls. The craftsmanship of this product does even remotely match the quality of the DOMKE bag. At best this product is worth about half of the asking price.
The insert fits my F-4AF well and offers sufficient padding, but the construction's lacking. Thankfully, I don't have to move it much in the bag, otherwise I'd be concerned that I'd rip the seams. 1 star off for adequate construction.
I own a number of Domke products.  This product was garbage and mislabeled.First, the foam is not sewn into the walls of the compartment.  It arrived with foam missing and some folded into itself and there is no padding on the bottom of the compartment.  Next, the product was actually 3" larger than specified making it impossible for me to use.  On this aspect, it is possible the item was labeled incorrectly.  Finally, it was missing dividers.I find it hard to believe this is a Domke product.  The quality is simply not consistent with my past experience.
I bought one of these with the idea that I could put a Nikon 70-300 ED-AF w/hood in one compartment and stack a 28/2.8 AF and a 50/1.4 AF (both with hoods) in the other, like I can with the 4 compartment insert, but I was mistaken.  The 2 compartment insert is substantually smaller than half of the 4 pocket, so the 70-300 fits fine and seems to be well-padded, but the other compartment is more suited for a flash than another lens or two.  As with every Domke product I've owned (quite a few since the Original in 1976), the quality of construction is excellent and it does serve a purpose--just not the way I'd intended.
I bought this because I didnt want to lug around an expensive camera bag.I like the inserts. They fit well  with my bookbag/messenger bag, and you cant tell I have a nice camera inside.I think it works well for my needs, and I have the other domke insert as well.one holds my camera & kit lens, and the other insert holds my telephoto and soon to be UWA lens.I agree that bottom portion of the insert needs the most padding, but its fine. I just went to Home Depot and bought some closed cell padding/insulation. works fine.
I bought this insert to convert a large compartment in a Swiss Gear backpack to safety and securely store three lenses a Nikon 35mm F1.8, Nikon 18-55vr and Sigma 70-300mm APO DG lens.  The compartment is constructed of high quality material but something was oddly missing.  There is no foam on the bottom of the insert.  Now I've been using some foam inserts from an Ape Case on the bottom of this backpack to prevent damage during an accidental mishandling and I was expecting this insert to be padded on the bottom.The insert is not hard sided but soft and flexible and the divider is attached with velcro so if you wanted you could completely remove it.  The sides are padded but a four star rating seems justified for such an oversight of padding on the bottom.  I'm still recommending this insert because its potential uses are endless and it is perfectly constructed.
This is just poorly made, they didn't even bother to stich up the bottom so the foam padding is secure.  It's really too small for a D-600 and lens.  It would work for a couple of lenses without a body.  But I could not recommend it because of the poor quality.
I have found genuine Domke products (there are a number of fakes out there) to be the perfect combination of security and minimalism.  In the case of Domke inserts, they are more moldable than the competing inserts and compliment Domke bags perfectly as they keep the bag from becoming too rigid.When first transitioning from excessively padded compartments to Domke, you will be concerned about your gear being properly protected.  Trust me, after extended use and abuse, these inserts will not let you down unless you need to protect your equipment from 20 foot falls onto concrete.  Using these inserts, especially in Domke bags, provides great flexibility and usability without bulk and weight.Many people are turned off upon receipt citing build quality because the foam appears to come out of the inserts.  The build quality is fine.  They are actually designed this way for flexibility.  They will not come apart (unless they are not genuine Domke).
I purchased this insert with the thought of putting it in the bottom of my backpack to hold my Canon SLR body and a medium sized zoom lens.  Impossible to do!  This insert is really small, and I would recommend something else if you have an SLR.
The piece is 3 compartments as promised, but it have no padding on the bottom. neither do the DOMKE camera bags, so while it protect my leica nicely from the sides, it have no protection for a rough landing of the camera bag.  I solved the problem by cutting a strip of half inch closed cell foam for the bottom of my satchel bag...  Not quite the product I had hoped but it does the trick with a little help.
Buying this product was kind of ironic, because over 25 years ago, I discovered Domke bags and their inserts, and quickly realized they were the best system for the way I did street photography. However, at the time, the inserts were uber-expensive (I may misremember, but I think they were $80 to $100 separately), so my wife studied them and hand-sewed a copy, which served me well for many years until one of our cats peed all over it. I recently got a new camera and found to my delight that genuine Domke inserts had fallen quite a bit in price, and this was just a perfect fit in my new &#34;Bail Out Bag&#34;. I use it to hold my camera with lens in the center pocket (body on top facing down for instant access), long zoom in another, and a prime in the third.
I needed to better organize my Domke  f-803 and this insert does the job. Not fancy or super-padded, but an item like this you just put it in the bag and forget about it. The Domke offers enough padding for me around the outside, so I'm satisfied with the construction of this unit because it doesn't suck up space. It was worth it. Oh, and by careful placement it actually creates five spaces--on the ends I've arranged to have a slender place to put slim items. The hook-and-loop is really aggressive, however, so be prepared for a lot of fiddling at first if you want to get everything exactly right. If you're like me and just need it close enough, it's not much hassle.
Pricey for what you get.  A companion insert for the Domke Satchel Bags, I found it to be too limited for the equipment I use, (see my images), I have a Nikon D-90 with a 16-85 lens and Multi battery pack attached, and a 18-105 kit lens, 50mm lens in the main compartment of my Domke F-802 Photo journalist satchel.  Quite frankly the insert seems to be good for lenses and small cameras (no DSLR's) only.  you could squeeze a DSLR or a Rangefinder in the main compartment along with the insert but not with a battery pack attached.The unit doesn't seem to be built that well to me.  The one I ordered was flawed and I am in the process of returning it.  It's not the same build quality of the Domke bags...hmmmm.  I'll make my own. The insert seems flimsy and the thin foam padding doesn't provide any major protection.  The bag  does that.  IMHO I would pay $5.00  but not $20-$35.00 for this product.  Not a necessity with the F-802.
I took my Canon Digital Rebel XTi, several lenses, filters, etc. to South America using this bag.  It was an excellent choice.  Although I got my wallet stolen during a crowded subway ride in Buenos Aires(from inside a zipped inside pocket of a ski jacket that was buttoned closed), all of my camera equipment made the trip without incident.  This bag can easily hold a DSLR camera, two lenses, a small charger, some filters, and a few other small items, and it can do so without screaming that it is carrying expensive camera equipment.  If you want an unobtrusive, "stealth" bag that will hold the basic stuff, this one is great.  The only small complaint that I have is that the shoulder pad tends to move around on the strap.  This is a minor annoyance.
Works well with my camera case. Easy to use.  great and even more useful.  My camera fits right in it
After a certain currency took a 20% dive against the USD I had to save money while trying to protect aCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswith aCanon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)which won't fit inside aLowepro Topload Zoom 2 - Holster bag ( for camera ) - TXP, TXP ripstop - black, navy blue, while trying to remain anonymous; I'd already bought aDomke F-802 Reporter's Satchel Camera Bag, Canvas, Black.for that purpose and decided to get this insert; it does work.Essentially the height of this insert is equal to that of the 70-200, so the combination is supported by both the camera's front resting on the insert's padded walls and the lens end touching the bottom - the one not so cool feature as that bottom is not padded... Even though the F-802's bottom is padded. If you're a little paranoid (and who wouldn't be?) all you need is to find some padding material to leave at the bottom of the middle division, although it would be better if Domke padded that insert bottom from the start.In this setup you have plenty of space to leave shorter lenses on the insert's outer divisions. A little space is left inside the bag (outside the insert as it were), but not much.
Lowepro Off Trail 2 is a well made pack and the modular feature is very good.  The only thing I would caution anyone about is the height of this pack. 11 1/4 inches.  Yes, you need the height to store your camera, but this pack is VERY difficult to use as a fanny pack or waist pack.  It is just too high.  I ended up using the pack but as an add on to my backpack.If possible, go to a store and see this pack in person before you order it.
Nicely made and padded but the side pockets are pretty slim and none of my nikon glass would fit in there.  Ended up selling it and going with the Tamrac instead.  Although the belt on the Tamrac sucks bad, so if your lenses fit in the side pocket then I would prefer this bag over the Tamrac.
I purchased this bag for my Nikon D40 with the standard 55mm zoom and 70-200mm lenses.  The entire camera fits great in the bag, with or without the zoom lens.  Since I only have one extra lense, the other lens pack can be used for excessories such as usb cord, keys, etc.When I initially saw the bag, I feared it was too large, but now after using it on my trip to Alaska, it is very easy to carry and fits well in a back pack.  With the camera and both lenses, the bag almost feels empty, very easy to carry either over the shoulder, with the hand strap or as a lumbar belt.Very satisfied with the quality, padding and roominess of bag.  Well worth the money.
A+ product. I purchased this bag after strongly considering (and grimacing at the price of) the ThinkThank beltpack system. The OffTrail two has got to be the best bang for the buck. It doesn't slide pockets around like the ThinkTank, but I didn't really find myself doing that too much when I used this to cover a wedding. If anything, I would just spin the whole belt around, no problem.The bag is big enough to fit my D300+vertical grip+ a mounted 80-200 f/2.8 lens in the center pocket, with room still to spare in the side pockets for flashes, lenses, batteries, water, snacks....The weight is evenly  distributed when the belt is tightened up properly and would wear you down less than a shoulder strap on a photowalk.I pair this up with an R-Strap and find myself being very comfortable walking a fair distance while still having a large selection of photography tools at hand. While still being able to move them safely out of the way when necessary.More than worth the money I paid for it.
I have been searching for a good camera bag for awhile now. Not only a decent size but comfortable and for me this bag works. On a recent trip to the Zoo I took with me my camera Canon 30D w/battery grip, 24-70mm 2.8L w/hood reversed, 70-200mm 2.8 w/hood reversed, 1.4X & 2.0X teleconverter, spare batteries, spare memory card, blower, monopod and water bottle and a few other items. The strap never "hurt" my shoulders (at times I would switch when one got tired). Access to needed equipement was fast and easy. When I put the bag down it stayed up-right and there was room for more if I wanted. I have learned that hard way to properly plan and to carry only what you need on plan on using, but sometimes you must be prepared for the unexpected. For me this bag fits the bill. Originally I was stuck on trying out the Sling style bags, Tamerac velocity 7 & 9. I quickly out grew the velocity 7 once I got the battery grip and the 9 was just too uncomfortable for me once I started adding more gear no matter how I tried adjusting the strap(s) and you can only where them one way. In addition I like the fact of the weather proctection build in! I don't have to worry about carrying a plastic bag big enough to cover everything (just in case but if you only shoot indoors this wouldn't be a issue for you). This bag has a cover neatly hidden away.I my opinion it is a welcome a great addition, one that will stay with me for a long time...
This bag is wonderful! Holds my 40D,10-22mm,18-200mm,100-400mm Canon lenses and still has room for extra batteries,memory cards,remote release,lens shades for all 3 lenses and filters of 77 and 72 mm.Go buy one if you need most of your equipment with as I do. I'll be looking at a Lowepro back pack of some discription in the future.It's made extreamly well,protects your equipment and is easy to shoulder around.Mike
The Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW, belying its compact size, holds a Nikon D700 body with grip and 24-70 f/2.8 attached, plus a 35mm f/2, an 85mm f/1.8, a Lensbaby Composer, a 70-200 f/2.8 VRII, a 16mm f/2.8 fisheye, a flashbracket and SC-29 cord, two SB-800 speedlights, plus spare batteries, CF cards, a tripod plate, and a cable release.A Lowepro bottle attachment (sold separately) helps keep you hydrated.An elastic rain cover is built in and cleverly sewn into a back pocket so that you won't lose it and can swiftly position it over the bag. The zippers and the whole construction look well-done and sturdy, though the zippers are not the virtually water-proof kind like those found on my Tenba Shootout rolling backpack. Then again, a nice luggage label is attached, an essential accessory missing from all other photo bags I've ever bought, the Tenba included.I don't think very highly of the loops in the lower front of the Lowepro bag. They are supposedly designed to hold a smallish tripod lengthwise. The bag's width is modest, however, and any decent tripod would stick out awkwardly on each end. I tried inserting a couple of compact Manfrotto Nano stands and one or two shoot-through umbrellas through the loops -- same effect, and cumbersome to do besides. The loops would work much faster if they featured pinch-and-snap buckles. As it is, I removed the loops altogether. The same goes for the belt to secure the bag around your waist. I don't see the point. Best give the bag a little bit of room to move/shift as you walk, otherwise it'll slow you down.The Lowepro bag received the thumbs-up in my personal and purely subjective shootout between it and the Tamrac Ultra Pro 11. For my taste, the Tamrac is too big and heavy when loaded up (though it is the way to go if you're packing two bodies and need an even bigger arsenal of lenses at your beck and call. The Tamrac, in addition to a second D700 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens, also holds the 14-24 f/2.8 plus a 70-300 telezoom. Nice, but that combination proved just too unwieldy, and I don't think my back could take it day in day out.) For my money, the Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW offers the best compromise between roominess, portability, and flexibility. Recommended.
I've used a lot of different bags over the years and this is my favorite for travel and location shooting.  It sits very well on the shoulder, never slipping.There is plenty of room. I pack a 5D with mongo lens, two 580EXII's in their cases, a 50mm, a 17-40 L wide angle and a 28-135 telephoto.  The side compartment gobbles up plenty of extra batteries, filters, cards, etc.When traveling it unpacks easily for security to inspect.Buy this bag.  It's great!
The Pro Mag 2 AW will hold a 70-200mm lens vertically and has room to add a full size DSLR and 3-4 additional lenses. The exterior front pocket is large enough to hold two flash in the SB800/580EX size range and it has an interior set of pockets, one large one that is zippered and an another zippered clear pocket on the lid. It is as small a bag as you will find to hold a full size DSLR and and a full set of lenses. The zippered pockets are perfect for small items and the other interior pockets are excellent for filter cases or other accessories.The case is well made though the interior on mine has separated as the lining material is not as tough as it should be for a camera bag. The two buckles are good for quickly attaching the lid but the design is one that unless the zipper is used to seal the bag there is a large gap for dust and dirt to get inside. This is not a good bag choice for use in areas where there might be windblown dirt or sand as this bag will not keep it out while in use.There are two straps on the bottom which do an excellent job of securing a small tripod (like the Cullman 1002) where it is out of the way but readily accessible - something very rarely found on camera bags other than the backpack and roller types. The belt strap is not that good but it is easily replaced with a wider one and the belt loops are very convenient. With a good waist strap most of the weight is carried by the hips and this is much easier on the should when using the bag full loaded (easily can be 12-15 pounds).The lid design is the only serious flaw but one that limits my use of the bag to urban settings. For outdoor use there are better bags with large flaps but the ones from LowePro lack waist straps or even belt loops so I usually buy one from another company.
i have a smaller version of this,love that one too,grove out of it,that will go to my nephew thats why i looked around  for another bag and yes this is Domke as well.only catch is i wish they had other color options than black and other couple.
My 20 year old Domke F-1X still works great but is looking really shabby and coming apart at the seams so I'm replacing it with the same bag. My only complaint is the shoulder strap, I pack my bag full and it offers no padding so I cut it off as soon as the bag arrived and replaced it with a padded strap from Portabrace,Portabrace HB-10 Suede Shoulder Strap (Suede). If you carry your bag a lot you will be really happy you replaced the strap, just remember to turn the seam side up so it's not against your shoulder. Have never understood why Portabrace doesn't put the seam at the edge. Also tried using a backpack camera bag but wasn't happy with it and kept going back to my Domke.
It smells kind of funny when you first get it. But that goes away.lolGreat bag, plenty of room!!!In my bag, with room to spare, i have the following.Nikon D90 DSLR with GripNikkor 55-200 AFS lensNikkor 35mm 1.8 AFS lensNikkor 50mm 1.8D AF lensNikkor 105mm 2.8d AF lensTokina 12-24mm f/4 wide angle lens.SU-800 Remote commander unit in soft caseTwo SB600 flashes in the soft casesAA Charger, Nikon EN-EL3a charger, spare batteries, cables for computer, lens pen, filters, Gel samples, small LED Flashlight, Greycard, and other small odds and ends.The shoulder strap has the Domke Gripper woven into it, i have a Domke Gripper strap for my DSLR and really like how well it will hold on. There is nothing zipping anything shut here, the top flap just sort of flops down and two clips hold it in place.  It doesent scream out "HEY IM A CAMERA BAG" either which is nice.i highly reccommend this!
As with a lot of other photographers, I am a bag junkie.  This is probably my 6th or 7th bag, and I think I may finally be done!I switch out the contents of my bag depending on what I'm going to shoot.  At max load, I have been able to fit the following items into the main compartment:* D700 body with grip* D90 body with grip* 70-200 f/2.8* 24-70 f/2.8* 85 f/1.4* 11-16 f/2.8 (Tokina)* lens hoods for all but the 11-16The insert that comes with the bag is a 4-square sectional for lenses that takes up 1/3 of the center compartment.  I store both of my bodies on one side (each wrapped in a washcloth to keep it from rubbing) and the lens hoods on the other side. I'll take a picture and upload it this weekend.The side pockets are pretty roomy.  They not large enough to hold a speedlight, but they can easily hold a small collapsible white card or several card wallets, etc.The other thing I really like about this bag is the material. It's metal and canvas and I am very comfortable that it's not going to break on me. It doesn't necessarily look like a camera bag (though all the side pockets make it stand out a little bit).  From other photographers I've talked to, the bag only gets better with age as the canvas wears.The bag is pretty large - the biggest camera bag I own.  If I ever buy another bag, it would probably be a smaller Domke for when I don't need such a big bag lol.Pictures have been posted showing how everything fits in the bag. Sorry for the obnoxious red carpet :)
I've been carrying a Domke F-2 for years now, and it has done its job admirably.After acquiring another DSLR and  a few more lenses and other &#34;toys&#34;, I've found the need for a &#34;Little Bit Bigger Bag&#34;.  The F-1X has much more room than the F-2 and with the Domke 720-250D Digital Camera Insert (purchased separately).  The F-1X has become my favorite bag.I have plenty of internal space.  I carry a NikonD300s with it's mounted MB-D10 battery pack, a Nikon D7000 with a mounted Nikon 18-200 zoom, a Nikon 80-300 tele, a 12-24mm wide angle and a 50mm.  I also carry a Hoodman Loupe and two Singh-Ray filters (in their padded leather cases).  And this is just inside the main compartment.Externally there are four pockets, two on the front and one larger pocket on each end.  These are great for carrying additional gear such as filters, stepdown rings, remote triggers, etc.I use this bag for longer photo treks when I need all of my gear.  For everyday use (I ALWAYS have a camera with me) and for day trips when I know I will use only one body and maybe two lenses, I still carry the F-2.  Between the two, I have all bases covered.
Simple quality bag for my camera gear. Its perfect for my storage purposes. It would be a big to carry around much.
I've been using my loaded with professional DSLR gear for the past 2 1/2 years and it's been a champ.  I bought it used (it was older), and it's wearing like iron.  The great thing about these canvas bags is that they are extremely durable and last a really long time.  And when they do start to wear, they only seem to get better looking with age.  Very few products can make that claim.Right now I have my loaded to the max.  I've decided I pretty much have to stop buying camera gear because I don't want to buy another bag to fit it all.  If it can't fit in this bag, I don't really need it.  Here is what I can fit in mind:(2) 5D Mark II bodies w/o gripCanon 50/1.2 LCanon 16-35/2.8 LSigma 85/1.4Canon 135/2 LCanon 580EX flashCanon 580EX II flashAnd that is JUST in the main compartment.  You also have two front pockets and two side pockets.  The front pockets are smaller than the side pockets (which hold a fair amount by themselves).  If you do manage to fully load this bag with camera gear, it's going to be *heavy* (30lbs maybe?).This is a canvas bag, so it is loose and doesn't have any rigid padding or structural support.  I really like this because it's comfortable to let hang down by your side.  It conforms to your body more than rigid bags do. I only use the shoulder strap, myself.  The problem with having the top "handle" strap is that invariably either you or (most likely) someone else is going to try to pick up your bag by the top handle with the hooks aren't fastened in front.  This is going to dump ALL of your gear out on the floor or pavement.  Whoops.  After the first couple times that happened, I just took the handle strap off.My only small gripe with the bag is that the center padded compartments are small.  They seemed like they were designed for older, film era manual focus lenses - which were invariably skinnier than modern AF lenses.  Most of my lenses are a very snug fit inside the center compartments by themselves.  Try to put them in with a lenshood reversed, and you'll have to rip the compartment to get it to fit.  As it stands now, the lining on all four of my inner padded compartments are ripped.  However, all of my lenses fit into it just fine with lends hoods now :)Domke bags like this one are more investments than purchases.  The price is fairly high, but expect it to last at least as long as your photography hobby does.  Very well worth the money.
Great bag. Really. It's built like a tank. Plenty big for a body and 5-6 lens or 2 bodies and 3-4 lens. Fits my gear: body, 3 lens, bracket, flash, and odds & ends. Still have room. But other than the 4 lens holder insert there's no padding (other than the bottom). And that's not very thick. Think magazine thickness.But padding you can add. And I'm completely happy with it.
I use this bag for my location shots where I need to bring a bit more gear. In the main compartment I can put 2 pro sized bodies (1D or gripped bodies) 4 lens (70-200 f/2.8 IS fits as well). 2 Speedlites (550/580) can fit in the pockets covered by the main flap. Front/Rear pockets can hold various PocketWizard Plus II, batteries, grids, etc.. the zippered section can hold 2 umbrellas, snoots. reflector and 2 more Speedlites.The inside zippered section can hold business cards, gels and other flat things. All this without trying to pack the bag in.It's a great extended day shooting bag that I'll even strap a couple of compact light stands to.If you're looking for a bag to cary some moderate amount of gear in and like the Domke style then consider this.
After using Lowe Pro almost exclusively for many years, my kit had grown to the point where I needed multiple bags for all my lenses, and I just got sick of it.  After a colleague of mine suggested Domke, I decided to get the largest bag of theirs I could find.  Not only does it fit all my kit, there's still room for 2 more lenses!  Right now I have 4 primes and 2 zooms, plus the camera, lens filters, remote, 4 batteries, 2 chargers and a host of cables and other random items.  This bag is huge!While the bag is very well constructed, as much as I love it, I have 2 faults with it:1) The main compartment does not zip shut.  Now I understand that Domke designed these bags for "quick access", but the problem with having an essentially open main compartment is that dust, dirt and moisture can get to your equipment anytime, all the time.  When the equipment in my bag's main compartment is worth more than a Ford Focus, call me crazy but I don't want it getting damaged or risk my images being corrupted.  This is by far my biggest complaint.2) No rain/weather cover.  Now depending on where you live, this might be a minor issue for you, but I live in Minnesota, and the weather here is simply nuts.  One moment it can be sunny, then raining, then snowing... You get the idea.  So having a weather cover on my bags has always been a great feature, one that this Domke bag is sorely lacking.  Now I know it's made with a type of weather-proofing built into the fabric, and that's all well and good, but when you combine this with the above stated issue, it becomes a little problematic.  Looks like I'll be holding onto those Lowe Pro bags in case the weather is bad...
As expected, the Domke F-1x follows the same tradition of quality design manufacturing and simplicity as other Domke bags. Having owned a variety of camera bags from manufacturers such as LowePro, Tenba, Tamrac, Timbuk 2, Opteka, and others, I am familiar with many design and manufacturing aspects affecting practical usability and wear in the field. Throughout the years, Domke took many of these issues into consideration.The F-1x, as it's extended name implies, is a "Little Bit Bigger Bag."  I specifically compare the F-1x to theDomke 700-02A F-2 Bag (Brown Waxwear Finish)and it is in fact a "Little Bit Bigger." However, in my opinion, it still maintains the nearly same sleek design as the F-2.  It does not feel or look bulky, but it sure carries more gear.  The construction of the bag is near military specs in my opinion. Heavy duty stitching, quality workmanship, heavy canvas, strong hardware, etc...  This bag, as many people report of other Domke bags, will last many years under the roughest conditions.  The strap, in my opinion, does not need any padding because it is wide enough. Some might still prefer to use aDomke 725-310 FA-031 U.S. Post Office Shoulder Pad, which I actually own but rarely use.  The underside of the strap provides some type of rubber grip that will keep it from sliding and it does a good job.The genius of Domke bags is the streamline approach (simplicity) and limited padding.  This helps the bag avoid becoming cumbersome like theLowepro Stealth Reporter D400 AW Camera Bag. However, it is a tradeoff in gear protection and bag structure. Since the bag is canvas and with limited internal padding, when empty, the bag loses it's structure.  But really, who cares? And while Domke does provide theDomke 720-240 FA-240 4 Compartment Insert (Green), it's flexibility, size, and protection leave a lot to be desired. In fact, I replaced it with theCiesta Flexible Camera Insert Partition for DSLR SLR Lens (Brown / Large), which I found better suited for my partcular needs.  The Ciesta insert also provides better weather and dust protection since the F-1x does not come with a raincover.The bag provides a very large main compartment, two front pockets (flapped), two side pockets (flapped), and a magazine pocket backside.  The external pockets allow you to load them with a large amount or gear.What's in my bag today:-Nikon D300s w/ grip-Nikon D7000 w/o grip-4 Nikon prime lenses-Tokina 12-24-2 Nikon SB-900's-2 Pocket Wizards (in a Nikon case)-2 LensPens-Moleskine and pen-Small Giottos Rocket blower-Lowepro Memory Card Wallet-8 AA batteries (in 2xStoracell by PowerPax SlimLine 4 AA Battery Caddy Yellow - Holds 4 "AA" Batteries)-Camera Strap-Iphone-Grey card-Small reflector-Lumiquest BounceBesides being able to hold a ton of gear, the bag actually feels good to carry AND it does not scream "camera bag!" on first or even second glance. It is subtle and professional. The selection of a camera bag is a highly personal and studied task by most photographers. In my case, moving to the Domke F-1x and F-2 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. I eventually found my Lowepro bags were incredibly bulky and overly padded for carrying downtown, though they protect the equipment perhaps like no other. Now, I simply use the F-2 for street shooting and quick moving scenarios, the F-1x when I have to bring more gear for a generally static or slow moving situation, the F-1x or F-2 and theDomke Rolling Propack 220 Camera Bag - Blackwhen I have to bring all my gear to a static location shoot. My lighting gear (stands, umbrellas, grip, etc.) is all carried in a duffle type roller and only brought to static locations.As a side note, a cheaper alternative to this bag for some may be theOpteka Excursion Series C900 Full-Size Weatherproof Canvas Bag for Photo and Video Cameras, which is similar in design and possibly even bigger (I do not own it). And, for those concerned with the open (to the elements) aspect of the F-1x main compartment, the Opteka addresses this concern with an internal flap, under the main flap, that zips shut.
I bought this bag, along with the F-6 (both in Sand) for a three week trip to London and the Mediterranean.  The F-6 was to be my working day bag, while the F-1 was to be my carry/transport bag.  The F-1 is a great bag for that purpose.  It won't fit under all airplane seats, but it will fit in just about any overhead compartment, so you shouldn't have any trouble from the airlines unless they decide to weigh the bag - then, you are in big trouble.  The F-1 will hold far more in terms of weight than either you or the airlines will appreciate.On the vacation, my F-1 carried two Nikon bodies, 8 lenses, a speedlight, filters, memory cards, batteries, chargers, a tripod ball head, and various other odds and ends.  It was borderline too heavy for me to carry comfortably for any distance, but I didn't think I'd have to do so.  I was wrong.  I forgot to anticipate changing terminals in London and walking about half a mile to the airport in Barcelona.  By the time those two treks were over, my shoulder was screaming for help.  I got a Calumet version of the ThinkTank Airport International to address that problem.  But, if I am not anticipating much long walking with the F-1, it's still the perfect bag to carry a lot of equipment.  It has lots of compartments and you can configure the inside main area in lots of different ways.  The only real complaint is that it's not tall enough to carry a 70-200 on end.  So, you have to decide if you want the lens badly enough to devote 1/3 of the bag to it.  I decided I didn't.Otherwise, it's another perfectly constructed Domke bag - simple as can be but perfect in every way.  If you are looking for the best possible bag made as well as possible, look for Domke.
When I first ventured into the realm of DSLR photography I started with a camera, a lens, and a hand-me down bagLowepro Nova 2 Camera Bag (Black).  At the time and for a while thereafter, I didn't really think much about bags, as I focus my finds on acquiring more and more lenses, a flash, and misc other gear.  I had outgrown my original lunch box style bag and the largerLowepro Nova 4 AW Camera Bag (Black)I had bought for my gear.  Once on a trip my wife was surprised to see 5 lenses in a bigLowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Camera Backpack (Black), and asked where they all come from!  Thankfully it was more of an inquisitive question than a statement of mistrust in my spending habits!  Alas that backpack proved a bit bulky, but it did work as a carry on, as it consolidated my PC and my camera gear in a package that could fit in most bins and under just about any plane seat.  I still lugged around one of my lunch box style bags for field use, even if they barely could fit everything in a weather induced pinch (where I couldn't count on my camera hanging around my neck).This all changed last December, when I took the plunge on the Bigma--Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR CameraThis lens eclipsed even the optimistic abilities of my shoulder bags, and even challenged the bulky CompuTrekker.  It joined my upgraded camera (Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)),Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, Tokina 28-80 f/2.8, andNikon SB-800 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras - Old Version.  I picked up a this bag, which I affectionately refer to Domke-Kong, and this bag comfortably swallowed all my gear!The bag is more or less a start of a system, which both allows for lots of capabilities and can involve additional purchases.  That's a small price to pay to actually fit my Bigma, but do know that I still haven't figured out how to add any padding to protect that lens or my body when attached.  Then again, that's not what this bag is about.  It's a shooters bag for those who've got loads of gear.  I've yet to see anything better for that purpose.  Since buying this bag I tried aLowepro Toploader Pro 75 AWin vein, and I've learned my lesson.  Just work with Domke-Kong, and it will work with you.  If you've got gear that's as heavy as mine (it's hard not to have loads of heavy gear with a bag this size), spring for theDomke 725-310 FA-031 U.S. Post Office Shoulder Pad.  It's not a panacea, but it does ease the burden.Why no 5 stars?  Well, it's not for everyone, and it should already include that shoulder pad.  It's also a lot to pay for a really well made duffel.  It's totally worth it, but honestly I'd rather pay close to half the price.
Do not hesitate to purchase this bag.THIS IS MY SECOND Domke. I purchased one of the first domKe bags in the late 70's and literally wore it out. This bag is nothing like the nylon bags on the market today. (bulky and a pain in the butt to try to organize) The  donke  carries easy and unlike the stiff sided bags it rests easy while carried.  I have no doubt this new Domke will probably out live me.p,s. I am rough as hell on camera bags!Phil ShockleyS.W. Missouri
I got two compliments the first day I used it. It's casual but still has a professional feel to it. It easily stores: a body with grip, three flashes, two lenses, transmitters, and every other not huge accessory you own. I like that every pocket on here is a substantial size. I do not need a million pockets for SD cards, but a large pocket on the side to hold my phone, wallet, keys, is perfect so I do not have to carry a purse. Only thing I dislike is the lack of velcro for the compartment. Hooks are annoying to keep unlocking. It also hugs my body and reduces the shoulder strain I usually get with other bags. It's lighter than most other messenger style bags too.
I love my Domke bag.  I got all my equipment into this bag including two Pentax K10Ds, five lens, and all the little stuff too.  The lens range from an 18-55mm to the Sigma 50-500mm.  It does stretch out with use and things are easier to get in and out.I love this when shooting out of my truck because you flip open the top and for the most part there is all your equipment.I don't like this for hiking.  I used the straps and shoulder pads and it was ok but not something I would do again.  I am going back to a backpack for any hiking.But overall I would definitely recommend this bag to anyone wanting a bigger bag, but not a hiking bag.
ProsConstruction is second to none, great design, good price.ConsFlap is too rigid on ballistic model, outer pocket in rear of bag not good for much, doesn't fit a 70-200 2.8 in upright position perfectly, no tripod mount, and the hooks that secure flap to outside bindings are poorly designed (albeit very secure).  Lobster claws would be much better for ease of operation.The best feature of this bag is it's sling-ability.  It doesn't get in your way and it makes you feel very secure when you're changing lenses.  If you like to swap lenses (and quickly), I wouldn't recommend any other bag.  It fits a body with batt grip, flash, 4 tall lenses or 6-8 short primes if you don't mind stacking them, filter kit, extra batteries, a notebook or magazine, and a few small accessories.  I wish I'd opted for the slightly bigger model but this one still works great for all that gear.
I love Domke bags.  I have 2 currently and both are of Ballistic material.  I have no experience with the canvas bags.  Unless you are dropping your bag regularly on concrete, there is no reason to have a tone of padding in the bag.  Domkes are lighter and more flexible and allow easier access to equipment.My only knock on Domke bags is that they are not tall enough.  I used to be able to jam the AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF in it standing up, but the newer AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is just too tall.  Having to lay this lens down in the bag means that none of the dividers can be used and creates real problems.  I'm going to try the J1 which is probably too big (lengthwise), but tall enough.  If the internal height of this bag was 10&#34; high instead of 8.5&#34;, it would be perfect!
I have been looking for a smaller camera bag so that I don't have to drag all of my equipment around. The Domke F-3XB is perfect for my needs.  Once again, Domke to the rescue!
After looking at a number of options, I just purchased this compact Domke bag. Although the canvas version appealed to me, a reviewer's mention of fine canvas dust developing over time put me off, especially given digital cameras aversion to dust. This version is made of strong ballistic nylon.I've only had the bag for a couple of days, but it is well built, holds a tremendous amount for its size, and is well thought out from a photographer's point of view. It "feels" good. Right now it feels relatively empty while holding a Canon Digital Rebel XT and three canon lenses. It's a soft sided bag with flexible interior compartments.[...]
I bought the first Domke bag model many years ago. (Jim Domke was a friend of a friend) It was the first bag that was really designed by a working photographer and it worked well for shooting, working out of the bag.  It was also well made and lasted a long time.  It lasted so long that when I bought my second Domke bag the quality of workmanship at Domke had obviously deteriorated.  The canvas was thinner, the sewing was cheaper, etc. The second bag didn't last that long.  My main disappointment is the really cheap, crappy spring clips they use - they are relatively difficult to operate if your bag is full (which a pro's bag always is) - and a spring actually broke (!) after a few years of normal professional use.  Also I had a D-ring get bent out of shape. Some years ago I was in B&H; and saw a nylon no-brand bag that looked good and was inexpensive.  I bought it and used it for a long time - it was tough, light, and had really fine quality clips that were easy to operate with one hand when the bag was full.  I never again saw that bag for sale anywhere but I wish I had bought six of them.Domke's bags are still basically good designs, and their quality is OK - but they could be really excellent if they were made better and had higher quality hardware  - all of which pro photogs would be happy to pay for.  Come on, Jim!
Wonderful bag. My only complaint is that the mesh pocket flap shreds every single pair of pants I wear because I need to keep the cover flap open for quick drawing of lenses.
Better than the older 100% canvas build. The only part of the bag that looks faded after 4 years of daily use is the canvas parts. I wish it was all nylon, as which still looks brand new. I'm a daily newspaper photographer so yeah, I beat the crap out of this bag. Its starting to get wear spots and small holes, but thats what happens to all the Domke bags when used this much. By comparison, this bag lasted twice as long as the standard canvas version. Also, the back (canvas) fades in color, while the nylon doesn't one bit.
Love the military-grade materials. Looks tough and classy. I bought the largest one because Domke claims it holds up to 2 SLR bodies WITH 10 lenses AND accessories.No way. No how.Holds plenty, but not that much.
Great bag, just a little bigger that I expect for my fuji x system.
As most photographers know, there is no such thing as the perfect bag. Every bag has some compromises. You buy a small one to take some gear and you can't take the big lens or you buy a big bag and it's so heavy, you end up leaving it at home. There's always something.The compromise here is just in the padding. Not much - or really, any. So what! It holds my D300 with a 16-85 in the back section of the main compartment, a Sigma 10-20 and Nikon 35/1.8 in the front section, an SB-800 and a 70-300VR in the two side sections. Plus the two side pockets hold filters, memory cards, batteries, ect. There's also a smallish front pocket for my manuals and assorted other things and an uncovered back pocket for small flat items. Plus a zippered but small compartment in the lid. Very nice!I've owned dozens (no kidding) of bags over the years and this is by far my favorite. I also have an F-1 for when I take it all with me, but the F-3x is just perfect. Almost. If it were just 2" taller...Like I said...almost.
This is my favorite bag. Perfect size for my Nikon trinity, 35 f/1.4, 50 f/1.8 and 85 f/1.4, plus a D700 with grip. Pockets hold one SB800 and batteries. Love this size so much more than the larger Domke that I have. This one just feels right. Only regret is that there is not much padding to it.
We all have lots of camera bags, as there never seems to be right bag for everything.  This one comes pretty close!  I got this one used, I've had it for 3 years, and it's held up well.No, it's not padded except for the bottom (which is good enough).  It's a great bag for day to day use, it's easy to get in and out of, and it will expand or contract depending on what you put in it.  The lack of padding makes it nice, once you take the camera out and have it in your hands (where it should be), the bag shrinks to your side, out of the way.  It carries very nicely as the absence of padding allows it to mold to your body, much more comfortable than a rigid padded rectangle.  I got a 19 inch domke wrap and folded that to make a sort of holster to drop my SLR with lens attached into inside the bag.  This adds enough padding without sacrificing bulk or durability.  Since the lens pockets are behind the side pockets, they already have enough padding.  I carry a couple of plastic shopping bags (for emergencies, such as extreme downpours, although yet to get anything wet in this bag uncovered, but haven't been in a monsoon eiteher).  The shopping bags can be stuffed in the bottom of the side pockets to pad the  bottom.  I carry a handkerchief in the small back pocket, helps to keep any gear I keep in the back of the bag from sticking my hip if it is oddly shaped (not common for me to carry something that causes this problem).I use this all the time, it's my main bag.  Otherwise, I am probably working from a backpack that is not photo dedicated.  I use it for weekend trips too, since I can remove "extra" gear if I just want the camera/lens and a few personal effects, the bag will shrink to this size.  This is a bag for using, not checking your gear on an airplane!  I have a other bags for special situations, but this is the best general purpose all round bag.  Enough room for camera stuff without being bulky, plus room for other stuff.  Generally my camera stuff is in the main compartment, and my personal effects are in the side pockets (sunglasses, etc).I typically carry a D90 with 18-200mm VR attached, 35mm prime, SB-800 and/or SB-400.  With accessories (batteries, mem cards, etc).  I have fit in this bag (not for everyday use!), a D90+18-200mm, 35mm and 50mm prime, SB-600, Sb-800, SD-8 battery pack and F100 body + accessories.  this is pretty tight.Highly recommended.  Also, wash it as soon as you get it to loosen it up a bit.  I've never had a problem with the "canvas dust" or "lint" some people describe.  Take a look, much more conformable and sticks out less than some high-tech looking nylon super padded monster (I've owned some).
As other reviewers have said, it could be more protective, but for casual usage when I go hiking or out with friends I feel perfectly comfortable bringing my camera in this. So I'm giving it 5 stars because it meets all my needs.The build quality is superb, it looks great, and it's really the perfect size for everyday use. I'm sure glad I got this over the smaller more compact version. I have enough room to carry anything I want along with my dslr with lens mounted, and another lens. Because it's so comfortable I find myself bringing it along whenever I leave the house because it's a convenient place to leave my belongings, and that's just what I'd want from my camera bag.
at one time i started buying bags and changing them like underwear, i ended up with this one, and hugged it.construction is top notch, great quality sewing and hardware used.what i like about it most is that- it looks like leather , but is is'nt- it starts off big, but when loaded up, a few pats here and there and it gets small.- when you take your camera out it gets even smaller,- camera draw speed is as fast as the west- it has 8 compartments, so every one has their own spacePadded bags are great for storage and transporting gear, but only a Domke bag give you the freedom of movementDaveT
My original plan was to weather it down and give it some character but that plan went out the window because of the construction quality is so good. 3 years and 6 international trips and over 100 motorcycle rides later it shows zero signs of falling apart in any way. Maybe one day when I'm too old to pick up a camera I'll pass it down to one of the youngin's; I could imagine this bag getting passed down a few generations. I agree with many of the reviewers about the padding on the bottom being too small. Normally I would dock some of the rating, however the overall quality of this bag exceeded my expectations by such a large margin it wouldn't be fair to give it less than 5 stars.Biggest reasons why I bought this specific bag is 1.) the small-ish size is almost never available in this style and 2.) I trust the quality of Domke; after all, I've entrusted all my expensive equipment inside it. My F-3X holds most of my equipment without much issue. For it's size it can certainly hold more than you would expect. Taking out all my gear at one time is like watching all those clowns come out of the funny little car. Currently it holds:Canon 5D mk2,vertical battery grip,50mm +lens hood,17-40 +lens hood,70-200 +lens hood,TWO 430ex speedlights,ST-e2 transmitter,remote shutter,extra camera battery8 extra AA batteries.To sum it all up, if you're in the market for a canvas messenger style bag, it's one of the best!
I've been using Domke bags since Jim Domke introduced the bag in 1976 and it had to be ordered directly from him.  That bag was closer in size to the F-6 Little Bit Smaller bag.  Domke also had a compact bag similar to the F-3X, but with side pockets that could be added on if needed.  I wore both of the bags out several times to where they could no longer be repaired, but that took over 20 years.I think that for my kind of shooting, Domke bags are almost the perfect combination of size, durability and maximized usable capacity.  I've loaded an F-1X with 2 motorized Nikons, a body w/o a motor, 4-5 lenses, a spot meter and a couple of Vivitar 283's and still had room for film.  I've had numerous Domke bags and currently have an F-2 and an F-3X--my 3rd.  I like the F-3X because of it's size and ease of carry.  The lack of padding is a Domke feature that allows the bag to hug the body, so it's fantastic for carrying where access is limited or there are crowds of people.My only complaint with the bag is the top.  I spray mine with a waterproofer so if I get caught in foul weather, the contents have an extra layer of protection.  However, because of the way it is designed, the top can pull away from the sides, allowing dust or rain to get into the bag.  When the weather turns, I find myself constantly pulling and tugging on the top to make sure that my lenses are covered.  My bag is about 5 years old, so hopefully that has been rectified in later editions.  Still, the F-3X is my normal carry bag and I recommend it, or any other Domke, highly.I think my next bag may be the Rugged Wear F-6 or maybe for nostalgia's sake, another F-2 in chocolate brown.
I needed a bag that was smaller, lighter, and not stick out and say, "Hey look here! I'm having expensive camera equipment here!"While looking for a bag, I came across the Domke F-3X.  I already have the F2 as a gift and liked it for the amount I can put in it, and it is no different from the F-3X.  Bags like Lowepro have a lot more padding, but for simple shoots or walkarounds, the F-3X is perfect!You can put in the bag a camera body + 3 lenses (including the 80-200 f/2.8 lens but not mounted on the camera). The 2 side pockets are very useful, and it can fit a speedlight in it.  It also has the zipper compartment on the bag flap and a back slot to put a notebook.All in all, this is a great bag... and has become my favorite.  I'd wish Domke did not put their branding on the side pockets in red as it does bring some notice that this is a camera bag... you can't win them all.
I really like this bag.  It doesn't scream "I'm a camera bag with expensive stuff in me!"  It has a really subdued look and, from what I have experienced so far, it's also quite durable.  I would have possibly added some padding to the bottom of the bag for a bit of cushion, otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.
I have issues with bags being too heavy and causing shoulder problems, so I was looking for something "smallish" to carry my Canon T1i with a lens attached, and maybe an extra lens, my wallet, car keys, and a bottle of water. There is plenty of room in this bag for all that plus another lens and/or possibly another body.I did find that I overfilled it (which is why I was looking for a smaller bag) but it was lighter than I'd expected. The color is a much darker green than what they show in the pictures. I'm hoping it will fade well. I've noticed a few spots that look slightly lighter from rubbing.The velcro is plenty strong and I generally don't hook it shut. I have taken this bag with me on about 7 outings, and it definitely doesn't scream "camera bag".Note: I bought the F-4A and thought it was a little too big (too tall, wide), so I made the hard decision to spend more money to get the F-3X. When I received it, the unwashed F-3x was exactly the same size as the washed (i.e. shrunken) F-4a. That made me nervous, but I decided to keep it and throw it in the wash. The size is much better after washing and drying, and I suspect until Domke comes out with new styles, this is the closest to what I wanted.
I have gone through dozens of bags over my decade long tenure as a photographer.  The bags for professional shoots are easy to select.  They have to be big, and strong, and offer tons of protection.  However, its the bags for personal street photography that offer the biggest challenge.  They have to fit the following requirements: 1, they must make it very easy to reach your gear, and change lenses on the fly. 2. They have to be ergonomic and comfortable.  3. They must not make you stand out.  I have eyed the Domke FX3 for a very long time, but honestly, could not justify $150 for a compact canvas bag.  Having owned it now for only a few street photography outings, I repent of my short sighted procrastination.  The bag is designed by a photographer, for a photographer.  It is very rugged and has everything you need, and nothing you don't.  Nothing has to be squeezed in. It fits perfectly.  I highly recommend it.
It's really amazing what this bag will hold.Camera with normal 2.8 zoom15-30/2870-200/2.82x TCFlash, cord, 3 sets AA'sMeter3 spare SLR batteriesfilters, remote release, etc.Like all Domke canvas bags, it has minimal padding, making it lightweight and allowing it to mold to your equipment and your body.  It's washable and just gets better with age.
The only problem with Domke is that there is no local dealer and it is hard to figure out what bag I need.  But what more can I say?  It's a Domke and it is perfect.  I'm going to say the same thing about every Domke product that I buy.  I have used Domke bags since the late 70s.  Only thing that I can add is that I wish this bag was more like the original F-3.
I was looking for a stylish, inconspicuous bag that could hold all my day-trip photo equipment without looking like a traditional camera bag. After much research, this bag fit those requirements perfectly, plus it's well-constructed and made in the USA to boot.Unfortunately I have two issues with this bag that are causing me to send it back. These are not actually design flaws, but more like incompatibilities with my lifestyle, so I'm not reducing my rating because of them. Here they are:1. This bag is really floppy and by itself has almost no structure whatsoever. It's kind of like carrying your equipment in a burlap sack. Domke's are famous for this "body hugging" trait which many people find quite attractive. For me, however, removing my camera seemed to cause everything else to sort of fall to the center and take its place, filling the space and making it difficult to replace the camera when I was done with it. This made the bag a bit difficult to use while hanging on my shoulder. A bit more structure (padding or otherwise) probably would have alleviated this problem.2. The top flap is quite loose and allows your hand to access the interior of the bag even when clipped shut. This is probably a plus for pro photographers who need quick access to their equipment--in fact, I suspect the somewhat unusual cloth loops on either side of the main chamber were put there to hold equipment in this "quick draw zone." However, it also means that you have to make sure your bag is upright at all times or equipment could potentially fall out. As a father of a 3-yr-old and a 6-yr-old, I can't guarantee that anything I own is upright at any given moment.As I said, in general this is a well-made bag and probably works just fine for many people. For me in particular, however, it doesn't fit my lifestyle.
Well, I've bought another fantastic Domke bag. It's a little smaller then any I've owned in the past, but it will more then make up for its size. I'm doing photojournalist work again, and this bag lets me carry a camera with battery pack, two lens, filter, memory cards, flash [if needed] and note pad and pen. All in a small bag that is easy to carry. The rugged ware look is cool also. When the weather is bad, it protects my stuff, and the strap is more then comfortable. I've owned about 5 Domke bags in my 30 plus years as a photographer, and think this is the best! Thank you Domke, keep up the good work!Domke F-3X Super Compact Domke Ruggedwear Bag
Gotta love Domke products. I've owned a Domke over ten years (the smaller satchel model) and it looks as good as new. Needed something that could accomodate my new k10-d and attachments so I got the F-3x.As the other reviewer said, I'm not giving this one five stars simply because the 'floor padding' could be just a tiny bit bigger. Not so much in thickness, but in coverage (it could be bigger).This bag will accomodate a large slr with a medium/large zoom, two more lenses and there is still space for a few more gizmos like flashes, user manual, etc...
I first read about this bag on Gizmodo.comFits my DSLR with a long lens + 2 additional lenses, fliters, accessories etc.It has a unique retro look that will not scream "I have expensive equipment in my bag!"It does everything it is supposed to and it does it well. Feels very comfortable and secure on my shoulder or when I carry it via it's hand strap. The material feels almost like leather/canvas and has a nice stressed look to it. It comes with a maintenance wax container - something I have yet to use.Great product designed made by professional photographers - DOMKE is a high quality (Made in the U.S.A.) bag.
This is a great bag for a DSLR, 3+ lenses, a couple flashes, & even more.Padding is really minimal. Just on the bottom of the bag, plus a velcro backed inserts to slightly customize the layout.I'm glad I went with the Ruggedwear version. Nice dark brown color & seems like it will hold up well to the elements.I wish the securing strap & velcro had a bit more room for adjustment. When the bag is mostly empty the flap could be secured tighter but the strap is too long and the velcro doesn't line up (see the pics I uploaded). Only other qualm is the plastic used on the shoulder straps. Wish it was metal. Seems tough though and from what I have read it should hold up fine.Overall this is a nice manly camera bag. Not dorky like something that says Canon or Nikon on it. I was using a Incase DSLR Sling bag before. This Domke holds more gear in about the same size. Looks better plus it's made in the USA which is pretty rare these days.I like this bag & think I will buy a Domke F-10 for when I'm not carrying quite so much.
I am a part time free-lance professional photographer. As I have written before in other reviews, and any photographer will attest, you will one day find yourself surrounded by many gear bags. It just happens- don't try to fight it. After my most recent culling. of bags in a drive toward minimalism, I was left with a Domke F-2 Bag (Brown Waxwear Finish), A Domke F-1x (Tan), a Domke F-802 (Tan), and now, the F-3x (Waxwear).  As any photographer will tell you, there are specific bags to meet specific needs and your needs (and style) change regularly. For example, do you really want to bring a loaded F-1x to your daughters birthday party? What if you need to mix gear and a day's worth of food and weather gear? Do you need a tripod on your bag? Two camera bodies or one? Either way, there are many variables that come into play and they are as unique as the individual photographer.The F-3x is a superb bag in every respect, as usual.  I have never been dissappointed by Domke and their build quality is revered by most in the industry. The straps are all heavy duty with quality materials.  The shoulder strap has a &#34;gripper feature&#34; that helps prevent the bag from sliding off your shoulder.  The hardware is impeccable.  Bottom padding is sufficient while retaining a minimalist approach.  There is no sideor internal padding other than a single divider that can be attached to internal velcro, but if you are considering purchasing Domke, you probably already know that and know it is actually a feature. The bag will conform to you unlike many other bags, of which you must conform to the bag (i.e. LowePro Stealth Reporters).  The design of the bag allows you to not stick out in a crowd. The design of the bag is best intended for those wanting to travel light. Inside you have a main compartment and a compartment on either side. On the outside you have a front and back pocket as well as two side compartments.  The main compartment can hold a body with attached lens, in my case, a Nikon D300s w/grip and an attached 85mm lens with room to spare.  You can fit a lens and flash using the inside side pockets.  You can load up the bag using the outside pockets with additiona lenses, flash, etc...  Interestingly, this bag is nearly the same size as my F-2 (just a little smaller and not as deep) when compared side by side.Many people complain about the Waxwear finish.  Having owned and heavily used many Domke bags with this finish I only had one issue.  I put too much wax on the bag (to refinish) then went out in 104 degree Tennessee heat for a shoot in bright sun. I noticed some of the wax was melting off the bag where I was coming in contact with it.  It was my fault however for putting too much wax on and not using a heated hair dryer to &#34;seal&#34; the bag as recommended. I happen to like the waxwear finish more, simply for style reasons as either the canvas or waxwear provide sufficient rain protection for my needs.Bottom line?  Since I dumped the large padded gear bags, I feel much better.  Domke bags were designed by a real photographer and it shows.  While many new photographers start out with the large gear bags with tons of padding and dozens of individually padded compartments and pockets, it has been my experience and observation that seasoned shooters tend to move toward Domke or other equivalently minimalist gear bags.  They just have to realize it is ok for camera gear to touch other gear and it will not be ruined.
I like this bag and have been around the world with it. However, don't expect much protection from it as there is no padding on the sides or top. I can fit my Nikon D4, a 135mm f/2 lens, a 85mm f/1.8 lens, a 60mm f/2.8 lens, and a 20mm f/2.8 lens. That still leaves one of the side pockets free for an extra battery and a couple of small items but not much else. The bag does get deformed easily and care should be taken that nothing falls out if the bag 'deforms' since the top isn't zippered and held by only the single front clasp. The other minor annoyance is that the canvas wax left a residue on my equipment when I was out and about on a hot day (over 90F) in south Asia. I also felt I had to keep my hand on the bag to avoid pick pockets while in crowded places since reaching into the bag was easy without a zipper. This was good for easy access but not so good if you're concerned about security.I would also be careful with the bag while going through the x-ray machines at the airport in some countries that don't use trays for carry on bags. I worried that the rollers on the conveyer would tip over the bag and potentially spill a lens or smaller item.
I bought this bag after I got a new camera, a Nikon D90 with the 18-200 Nikkor zoom lens. Besides that setup and a few small knick-knacks, I don't have any other lenses or a flashes at this point to fill the bag to the rim, so I might have gotten away with an even smaller one. But I do like the fact that, besides the camera with the lens hood on, it's big enough to also hold my wallet, phone, keys, a water bottle and a couple of toys and necessities for my son. This way everything is in one place and I don't have to carry another bag.The bag looks and feels indestructible, the build quality is very good and solid. Compared to some other bags I looked at in a store it doesn't confuse the user with a dozen zippers and pockets; that way I'm not digging through the bag to find things.Update 7/1/13: It's been a few years since I posted above and thought I'd give an update. I'm still using the bag, although the gear has grown since. It now includes some more lenses, filters, a flash, light modifiers, remote controls etc. Everything fits in it and I keep the gear in it at home. But to carry around it'd be too heavy. If I travel by car I may bring everything plus the kitchen sink, but usually that's not necessary.I most love how flexible the bag is. I usually dedicate one of the outside pockets to small nick-knacks, and put them into a ziplock bag. The other outside pocket holds cell phone, keys, wallet etc. And sometimes I attach a tripod to the bottom with some bungee-cords. I also bought a Lowepro sports backpack AW200, and sometimes bring both. The backpack is better for walking, biking, skiiing etc. but it carries less gear. So sometimes I bring both - keep the Domke in the hotel room and bring what I need in the backpack.And I removed the tag, so now it's just black bag. I would buy this bag again, except maybe in a different color. After a while the bag looks a bit dirty from dust.
I spent days trying to decide between the F-3X and the F-4AF.  I needed something to carry a camera body or two and a couple of lenses for special assignments.  I went with the F-3X because it didn't have the two inserts which seemed to limit my layout options.  I am really impressed with this bag.  Instead of describing the bag as has been done in other reviews, I want to list some of my arrangements to help others have an idea of what it can hold.  My one gripe is that Domke lists the interior as 9" H and it is 8" meaning my Canon 70-200 sticks up about 1/2 inch.Variation 1: Canon 1D Mk IV and Canon 5D Mk II w/ battery grip in center section.Canon 24-105mm f/4L with lens hood in one slot and Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L w/o hood in other slot.(lens hood can go on top of camera bodies).Sun Sniper camera sling on top of camera bodies if no lens hood, or in front or back pocket if lenshood on camera bodies.Canon 580EXII flash with case in side pocket.  Light meter in other side pocket.  Memory cards and/orExpo Disc will fit in top flap zipper compartment.Variaton 2:  Either of these Canon cameras with the 24-105mm or 17-40mm lens attached will fit in the center.Still leaves space for two additional lenses on either inside slot.  (17-40mm lens hood will not fit)Variation 3: A Canon body only on one side with a 70-200mm with lens hood on the opposite side of inner compartmentwith room for two lenses on the two lens compartments.These are just some variations to give an idea of what can be placed in the bag.  This is not stuffing it.  One thing is that if the center compartment gets stuffed too full, it takes away from the space of the side, front and back pockets.Filter packs will also fit in the bag and the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L will fit in the lens slots.For my purposes it is perfect portrait job or other assignment needing a body or two and lens or two.  Since I usually wear a photog vest or jacket, I carry filters and other small items on my person so I don't need it in the bag.  I am well pleased with the bag.
The Domke F-3X is of excellent quality and materials, but offers poor protection, padding and features.  I purchased this bag after reading the stellar reviews here on Amazon.  After first receiving it, I loved it.  However after a few weeks I found myself using it less and less, eventually upgrading to something better due to the inconvenient top flap clips, and overall just worried about the safety of my equipment inside.Cons:1. This bag alone is heavy and simply does not offer enough padding and does not hold its form well.  With only a few weeks of use, the material got softer and held less of its form.  The outer perimeter of the bag has no padding, including the top flap.  I wouldn't exactly call the floor of the bag padded, but it has a very hard cheap cardboard material which is removable.  There is a removable padded insert for lenses etc, but is of poor quality.  I know Domke offers additional compartment inserts, but didn't feel like investing more into this bag.2. I think the two military style clips used to secure the top flap make this for a frustrating, but necessary way to secure the flap and gear inside this bag.  While wearing this bag over the shoulder, releasing these two clips are difficult and can pinch you!  In my opinion a shoulder bag should be extremely easy to open while wearing it, this is not.3. With heavy photo equipment inside, you must use of the top flap clips, the velco strips alone (underneath the flap) will not hold the top flap secure enough.  A simple zipper would be much better here.4. Pricey bag considering lack of features and padding.Pros:1. Roomy.2. Might be better for lightweight photo equipment.3. The military/primitive style makes this bag look great, but ballistic nylon, zippers, and foam would help it be much more functional and save some weight.4. Uses high quality material.  Rubber threads sewn into the shoulder strap are a smart way to avoid it slipping off.Comments:I wouldn't recommend this bag unless you have the ability to try it out for yourself and see if its for you before buying it.  If you are going for a classic look camera bag, and don't care about functionality or protection, this bag is for you.  It is truly unique and one-of-a-kind in the looks department, but I wouldn't trust my expensive DSLR equipment in this bag.I considered selling this bag but decided to keep it, but only to store my old 1970s 35mm SLR camera and gear.  I swapped out my DSLR gear out for something more modern and safe.
Good padding on the bottom, but could use a little more on the sides... Only a thin layer of canvas protects from bumping into car doors, posts, railings, etc...  Solid bag otherwise though.  Fits my Olympus OM-D with two lenses, and my Canon 5DMKII with two small primes, plus a flash, charger, batteries, and lots of other small stuff.
Get a few of these and don't even think about it. If you pack your gear in anything but a well-padded camera bag (e.g., messenger bags, backpacks, purses, etc.) this will keep your gear in wonderful condition. It's also wildly useful for folding up small connectors and so on.
I found out about this from a professional bird photographer.  When he had a normal lens on his camera (meaning not his monster 500mm), he would always use the Domke when stowing the body/lens in his pack or a snug spot among other gear in the trunk.I do mostly weddings and various events with a 5D Mk III and a backup 60D, so I bought two.  I use them to keep dust off while my cameras are at home, when carrying a body in the trunk, and I also use one as an alternative to the lens case that came with my 70-200mm when it is in my pack, as the lens case is huge and just takes up too much space.These are not padded, so they obviously were NOT designed to protect against anything more than a light knock against a hard surface.  But they keep dust and the occasional water droplets out, protect buttons and knobs and displays, and also protect body and lens barrel from scratches.The largest size is big enough to wrap a 60D and 24-70mm, but with a 5D Mk III with the same lens, there is little room to spare.  (Note that I keep L-brackets on both cameras at all times.)One thing that is puzzling is that, to get a good wrap, you have to put the softer side OUT, meaning that the somewhat water resistant side is inside.  Intuitively, you'd think that the soft side should contact the gear and the plasticky side should be outside, but that makes wrapping properly difficult as the Velcro contact points are very limited.For traveling to locations and stowing body/lens combinations at home, I highly recommend this.  Just understand that it is not designed to protect against impact.Update:  I figured how to wrap my 5D Mk III and 70-200mm f/2.8L II with the largest size.  Just had to try a few ways of folding so the Velcro could stick.  I've ordered three more of these as gifts for fellow photographers!
I am very protective of my lenses so the times that I do not use the case, I wrap the lense in one of these protective wraps to protect them from bumping into each other when in my bag. I do not use the case for the purpose of creating a space. I also like the attractive colors that it comes in. You just have to make sure you create the right size so the item is rally wrapped all around.
This is the perfect size for my Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 12-40mm zoom. I don't like carrying a camera bag when I travel and this wrap lets me toss my camera into my walkaround bag without any worries about dings and scratches.
Versatile wrap... Specifically ordered these wraps for packing glass products. It works great for keeping glass personal toys from breaking or chipping in my travel bag. Saves a great deal of space compared to the original packages or the padded draw-string bags...
I wanted a light, protective wrap for my camera for times when I'm not carrying a camera bag.  This fits the bill perfectly.  If you're looking for heavy duty protection and low key, buy camera bag insert and put it in your regular bag.  But for something that's quick, easy and very portable, this fits the bill.  Also, the size is large enough that I can wrap my camera with a pancake/flat lens.
This was just what I was looking for!I had been looking for some sort of case for my bluetooth keyboard I had purchased for my 7inch tablet.  I wanted something that didn't take up much space, but would protect the keys from damage.  This is perfect.  I love the way I can conform it to whatever shape or configuration I want.  For my keyboard, I fold it like an envelope and then just open and close the &#34;flap&#34;.  But if I want to use it for something else, I just unfold it and reconfigure it.  The material is sturdy, but not to heavy.I could see using this as packing when traveling, for camera lenses, for art supplies, for expensive tools, for musical instruments and recording equipment. . .the list could go on and on.  In can see myself ordering several of these in various sizes in the future.
I know that it was only $11 but this protective sheet is thin and provides little protection. While the stitching was nice and it was made in the USA (at least that is what the sticker said) they could have spend $.50 more on good neoprene and made it a good item. Chintzy feeling.
I have several Domke wraps in different sizes. I use them when I want to just take my dslr and one or two lenses and I don't want to carry my camera bag, I just use these in my brief case or back pack along with whatever else I am carrying that day. While they may not be padded enough to protect the equipment if I drop the bag on concrete, they supply ample protection against the equipment banging together in the bag.
I had purchased a similar item at a camera store while out of town and liked it so much I wanted a couple more.  It's much handier than a zippered bag for lenses or small cameras.
I use this to wrap up my flash before it goes into my camera bag. This keeps it from getting damaged bumping around inside the bag. It also keeps it from getting all scratched up too. Great product!
These wraps come in really handy when you need to protect your gear. They fold up nice and neat and the velcro really does what it is intended to do. You can fold this wrap up tightly around your gear and count on it being protected.
I bought the 15-inch for a Canon 70-300mm zoom and the 11-inch for a Canon 20mm f/2.8 prime.  Both fit perfectly.  To size them, know this.  The 11-inch is 11" wide on all four sides, so it is 15.5" diagonally (high school math and the Pythagorean theorem for the win).  Look up your lens, take the maximum width and double it, take the length and double it, then add the two up.  It should be a little less than the diagonal measurement so you have some overlap for the velcro to grab on.I bought two of these for a trip, so I could take a couple lenses but not the whole gear bag.  They worked very well, but you'll still have to pack them properly.  I wouldn't just toss them in anywhere.  On the plane, I had them wrapped up inside a jacket in my backpack.  Walking around, they were snug inside a shoulder bag with a few other things.  I wouldn't just roll them around loose in a big backpack, as the padding is not super thick.  I see some folks have used this for wrapping a SLR body with lens attached, but I don't see how.  There are better products for that, check out Zing neoprene wraps - they are custom sized for a better fit.
I bought it for my tablet, and its great. Mine is a 10.1 inc and it fit perfectly, there is a lot of room.
I picked up this camera wrap to use with my Canon Rebel T2i.  It fits great and is large enough for me to use it with a variety of things.  Right now I'm using it on the camera and then putting it in a 10L dry sack for backpacking.  So far it works like a charm.  Definitely worth picking up if you need a versatile wrap for your camera.
Love the fact that it protects my very expensive dsrl, its not bulky and i can put it in my bag without having to carry a big bulky camera bag.
It's perfect for wrapping my camera lens & keeping it protected: easy to put on & off and well-cushioned. It's just what I'd hoped for!
I wish there is slightly more elasticity to the material so when an object is wrapped certain area doesn't pop up or have their corners sticking out.It does a good job for protection, color and texture is satisfactory as well.  The 15 in is a bit more useful than the 11 inch wraps in my application.
I bought two of these (a 19" and 15") to make a tote bag into a camera bag. Well, sort of. I ended up just placing them on top of each other at the bottom of the bag. The wraps create a nice bottom cushion and also come up the sides a bit. I'm using two because I'm a bit over protective of my gear and felt that one wasn't enough padding, especially for a bottom of a bag.The 15" just wraps around a Nikon D700 + 50mm, so I think the point is to wrap the lens and camera separately in most cases since most lenses are bigger than a 50.
I bought these to make a protectives cases for various electronics that I use in my business. I wanted something that would ensure they travel safely and this worked out perfectly. A seam on either side and presto a protective case with a velcro closure.
I used these many years ago for camera gear.  Now I throw them in to a suit case in case I buy something breakable for the return trip.  They are good protection and the color makes the object easy to find in a full case.
Own a camera? better yet own a DSLR?  take a lot of pictures?  carry a backpack around with all your gear?Protect your investment.  Buy one of these.  It fits my Canon 40D perfect with room to spare if I should add a grip.
I bought one of these wraps because I'd read someone else's comments on making one into a &#34;bag&#34; for their Kindle keyboard. I sewed up 2 edges, and presto! a nice light keyboard bag.And then I bought another one for my husband's camera lens. As it was designed for that purpose, it was great!And now I'm going to buy another in a different size and go on to more projects. So many uses!
I'm mostly leaving this review because when I purchased the 19-inch wrap, I wasn't entirely sure it would work with my DSLR + Battery Grip + medium sized zoom lens.It does work.  In fact, it is possible a smaller size would work, although with 15 inches being the next size smaller, I couldn't be confident (17 inches would seem ideal).That being said, the extra size for this particular wrap makes for nice padding and it will be great as I throw together an ad-hock kit for hiking and a messenger bag kit for a day about town without the requirement of a real camera bag. This wrap gives the flexibility of wrapping my body and a lens no-matter the combination.  It will further double as padding in the messenger bag for quick access when access is a necessity.
I picked up two Domke wraps for a recent trip &#8211; space was limited and I wanted a safe way to carry my camera and a few lenses.  I picked up a 19 inch wrap for my camera and a 15 inch for my largest zoom lens.  The 19 inch size works well for my Canon 60D with a fairly large lens (Sigma 17-70) attached.  In the 15 inch, I fit a 75-300mm zoom and a 40mm pancake.  While these won't offer the same level of protection as a dedicated camera bag, I felt perfectly comfortable tossing the wrapped camera into my backpack for a hike or outing.  Especially given the price, I think these are a great way to carry your gear when space is tight.One note &#8211; the photo for the &#34;gray&#34; wrap looks sort of olive green.  The actual wrap is a nice medium bluish gray, which I think is actually much more attractive.  I wasn't overly concerned about the color to begin with, but be aware that the gray is gray, not green, as pictured.
I use it for either the panasonic 25f1.4 or the oly zoom, which isnt mounted and is perfect for either or.
These wraps are really great for keep your expensive lenses from knocks in your camera bag or case. I've even found a way to hang them on my belt so I can exchange lenses on the fly! The ease of customizability to fit just about anything in it's size range makes them worth owning.
I love these protective wraps for holding/securing/covering my lenses or cameras when I cannot carry around a camera bag and need to shove things into a backpack or general purpose bag. They prevent the items from being dinged or scratched when rattling around in a loose bag. ALso the Nylon backing provides some moderate moisture protection as well, for e.g., from condensation around a cold water bottle, etc. They fold around odd shapes easily and the velcro strips help provide a snug fit and they last a long time despite being washed/cleaned. I have one yellow in the medium size and the red in the large size and they work best for typical DSLR lenses, flashes, DSLRs and P&S like the G series canon. This is a must have for the pro-sumer photographer or professional photographer. I chose bright colors to help find easily inside a dark colored bag even in low light.
1.  I'm giving this product a 5 star rating because although I seldom use it, it is a very well made product and works as designed.  Specifically the material is top notch and the velcro is of a high quality, thus ensuring a nice solid... grip (I can't think of the proper term).2.  The only down side is (which is the nature of the beast) is that once you wrap up your item, it can be fairly bulky.... which is why I use this only in limited situation.  But when needed, it is a great product.
Bought two of these, one for my point and shoot and one to cover the bluetooth keyboard for my tablet, both for travel.  They serve their purpose nicely and the red is bright enough so I don't leave anything behind.
Got some of these in different colors to wrap my different lenses when not in use.The flexibility and velcro allow you to wrap lenses of different shapes/lengths and feel secure that they won't get damaged/scratched in your bags.I also use the larger 19" wrap for my main camera body + lens.
Nice product.  Well made and serves it's purpose well, flexible and will shape easily to whatever you wrap it around.  Purchased the 11" to wrap my E-PL1 with a Panasonic 14-45 lens attached, unfortunately it's too small and had to upsize to the 15".Great product.
Ok ladies, listen up. If you are a photographer and also fashion forward, you NEED this wrap. "Cute" camera bags are either 1. not actually cute or 2. really expensive, or let's be real, both. Not to mention that a lot of the time, no matter how hard they try to hide it, a camera bag still looks like a camera bag, which is like advertising you have expensive gear on you. I also really hated the idea of spending 200+ on a camera bag when I could use it on a new lens/filter/toycam/etc...so when I saw this, I knew I had to have it. All I do is pick my camera for the day, wrap it up, then stick it in whatever handbag I'm using that day. Now you are instantly more fashionable while still prepared for whatever photo adventure awaits. The 19inch is big enough to wrap my D700 (w/ lens attached) with room to spare and more than enough for my D3100, also with a lens attached. I probably could have gone smaller but like that I can use the excess to wrap around it again which gives it another layer of protection.LADIES! You can have it all! You CAN be a kick ass photographer without looking like you just hiked back from the woods with Uncle Ansel! No more ugly bags for you, now you can be as fashionable as the models you're shooting!
This wrap is a camera-saver. I like to travel light and bring my camera with me on hikes and trips. Lugging around a hiking backpack and camera bag is no fun- that's where this guy comes in. I can use this wrap and feel confident that my camera will be safe even buried in my hiking backpack.
I got this Domke 19" protective wrap to protect my Canon T1i and Sigma 18-250mm lens while travelling with it in my backpack.  It's big enough to easily fully wrap up my camera with lens and is just cushy enough that I had no worries about it banging around into my other travel gear in my backpack.
Wanted something to protect my Kindle keyboard, This does the job. I was going to have it sewed into a pouch but that was unnecessary. Protects it well.
this is a nice product, and comes in varying sizes. I mistakenly purchased one too small for my wireless keyboard. Later, I learned that larger sizes are available. in the meantime, however, I had already bought an entirely different keyboard case. I can envision many good uses for the Domke product. I may buy one in the future. Thank you, Joe Fegan
Not really what I wanted but will use with my small telephoto. Once it is wrapped around the lens the corners kind of poke out.
I bought two sets of these Domke wraps.  The wrap is a perfect solution to protecting lenses and cameras.  They make so much more sense than the leatherette bags we've all used in the past.  They never seemed to fit.  They were always too large or too small, and they took up so much space in a camera bag.  The wraps fit tightly with the velcro holding them in place.  They are definitely thick enough to protect whatever you have wrapped, so there's no worry at all.  I highly recommend them.
Very nice item. I am using it to wrap up a HP mini laptop and a mini Sony DVD-R.
This is a simple, but very useful product.  I usually use it to protect my camera when I drop it in my backpack.  Yes, I could use a similarly priced holster bag, but those are much more bulky.  I don't know why gray is so much cheaper than the other colors.
I have traveled with camera backpacks, modified backpacks, and these. These were more than enough to protect my DSLR and didn't take up a ton of space in my backpack. I will use these again, no problem.
I bought two of this 19" protective wrap, and they are the greatest thing you can have to protect your lenses or cameras. It is ultra easy to use and fast to adapt to your items. I used one of this to protect my Pentax K-X with its 18-55mm lens without a problem. The other I used to store a digital video camera.All good things said, it is time to talk about the downturns. Be sure to select the correct size for your item because it can be too large to fit some of your items, and although you can bend it, it can be a bulky waisting precious space in your carry on bags.
I have several Domke protective wraps in different sizes and colors. They provide protection to a variety of sensitive gear. I use them for lenses, cameras, lanc controllers mounted on tripods, you name it. If you are a pro you need some of these in your gig bag.
I already own the medium sized Domke wrap that I use for lenses when I need to pack down a lot of camera gear.  This one is large and I use it to wrap a Polaroid 195 camera for travel.It's durable, the velcro doesn't wear out and the material doesn't pill or anything annoying like that.  Solid wrap.
This wrap is really simple, and that's what I like about it. If you don't need pockets for extra lenses, etc, this is perfect. It's light and protects the camera from bumps.
This wrap has more padding than older (much older) ones I have. As a result, it is stiffer and bulkier, but of course also more protective than the older ones. This 15 in. will wrap around a wide-angle zoom with the big lens hood reverse-mounted. As with all Domke products, quality of construction is first-rate, and made in America.
Works great to protect my SLR, camera lens or flash unit in my handbag, backpack or suitcase.
Works perfectly on my odd things for my backpack of teacher techie stuff.  For example, I wrap the microphone and document reader in these things.  Just make sure you select the one that is size appropriate.
The wrap itself is great! I found the 11" just sized to wrap a 4in lens. The 15" works for my Canon 450D with a short prime lens (50mm), but I can't quite get it around the camera and a short telephoto. I ended up piecing the two together and can use it with my 450D. I wish I had gotten the 19" for the camera. The padding is nice for using in a non-camera bag.
I found this wrap to be perfect for my kindle HDX which I didn't want weighted  or bulked up with a case after buying the magnificent device because it was so slim and light
Love it. Easy to open, throw in my backpack, find in a pile of gear. All the pros are using these days, according to s buddy who shoots for Natl Geo...
A friend showed this to me, it's what she was using as a case for her 35mm SLR. It's great if you've got a bigger more general bag you want to also keep your gear in. I bicycle around the city so this was the perfect solution for me.
These wraps are great for use when you're wrapping an odd size object or where space matters are concerned. When I travel I can't take my dedicated lens bags with me due to the bulk. So I carry these wraps and collapsible Domke inserts with me.Only problem with the Domke wraps is that they're made of felt. Since they're felt, sand or abrasive hairs can stick to the material and will sneak in to your gear.I tried the alternative Nikon wraps which have a nylon shell and a tighter nap of felt cloth on the other side. This solution seems to work a bit better. But I'm floored by the cost of these.Check the Nikon wraps here:Nikon Protective Wrap with Nikon Logo - Large (15 x 15")
I've used these protective wraps and lightly padded duffle bags to protect my camera and accessories when going to jobs for about three years now and my camera still looks good as new. I needed a lighter setup to get from place to place, when working on location or even at a studio, as commuting with heavy bags is a nightmare, and these wraps add just enough protection to make sure nothing is going to get horrendously scarred. That said, think sensibly, and add extra padding or double wrap if you feel like it isn't cutting it.
I purchased this on a whim so I could store my camera in my backpack. That way I can take my camera around without having to lug around my full bag/lenses/etc. It works well and provides great protection. When I'm borrowing/lending lenses to friends these make great cases (for lenses that don't come in cases already).The only problem I really have is sometimes I have trouble getting it into an acceptable shape. The way the velcro is placed, it does require some creative use to get a compact yet fully protective cover. It isn't all that difficult though and this product is a great (and relatively cheap) way to protect your camera, lenses, flash, or any other gear you can think of. I don't think it would replace a true camera bag full time, but it is good enough to protect your equipment in a normal backpack if you didn't want to carry a camera bag around.
When you want to throw a lens or attachment in your backpack or purse these are super for protection and ease of use.
These things had great reviews, so I ordered a few to try out when I was ordering lenses from Amazon. They were so fantastic that I've now put all my lens bags into storage and ordered more.They are very light, but do offer a good amount of protection (think realistically though, it's just thin foam, they won't protect against a big drop but will protect against dust, rain, light knocks and bumps). I tried all different sizes. The 15 inches are perfect for even the largest of my lenses (the Panasonic 7-14 and 45-200 M43 lenses). With the 15 they wrap around enough to have almost double coverage on the lenses. The largest size takes the camera (OMD EM5) with flash and a lens easily. I can imagine that if you have REALLY large gear you might not find they cover well, so all you medium format shooters might want to order them in pairs and use the velcro to bind them together.The colours are very clear and bright, easy to assign different colours to different lenses which makes pulling the right lens out of the bag easy. They can also be folded easily so you can pop open the package on one corner and slide the lens out, leaving a perfectly shaped little lens pocket ready to put the lens back into when you're done. The velcro corners are also excellent, you can wrap up the gear in seconds even if it's weirdly shaped or whatever.I would like to add a negative point, but I can't think of any. They are cheap, made in the US, extremely well made. I wish they had a few more colours on offer, but apart from that these are a perfect product.
Such a great product that I own 3! I bought one 3-4 years ago and bought two more recently for my new cameras. I love the extra protection for when I just want to toss my dslr in my purse. I can use it to wrap my lenses too. Very durable.I recommend this wrap! I would buy it as a gift for friends that are into photography.
This review is for the 15 inch black Domke wrapPROS- Great concept for protecting lenses and camera gear- Easy to use and versatile- Durable and high quality materials
Purchased to use as a Kindle paper white case . Perfect size. Easy to repurpose of another device. Awesome over all.
I have a Nikon D800 which I shoot mostly prime lenses.  28mm f2.8D and 50mm f1.4D.  The 15 inch wrap barely covers the camera with either of these lenses.  I would recommend the 19" wrap for anything with a zoom lens.High quality wrap though.  The velcro seems to stick nicely, and the construction is well done.
Buy large size or you'd better use a camera case that fits well. ok product but not very excited about the quality.
it fits a 32oz Gatorade bottle nicelyvery cool I have finaly found a bag to carry my Gatorade in
Got this to put on the slingshot 202 because it felt just a little off to put a water bottle inside the bag with, you know, an expensive camera system.  anyway this thing is great!  it will hold a nalgine bottle, one of those metal water bottles and i was happy to discover that a tallboy will fit in it almost completely covered!  now i don't have to feel bad when wandering around krunk and taking pictures, i can stash my can in this and the pastor won't give me as many weird looks when i'm stumbling around his church documenting the icons and architecture!  the bottle bag even swivels about 45 degrees so when i sling the bag on in front of me, the bottle/can wont fall out or spill its precious contents
I have been trying to find a way to easily carry a lot of camera equipment for quite some time. I have tried backpacks, shoulder bags, duffel bags, but none of them really worked all that well. Then I saw the Lowepro Street and Field system with completely customizable pouches, vests, belts, and accessories. It works great, you only get the pouches you need so there is no waisted space and you can organize them however you want according to how often they are used (put frequently used items in easier to access places.)The variety alone of this system is worth the investment, but the quality and ease of use is also very high which is a big plus. You can get a case for any lens, camera body, or accessory you have. I even have cases for my cell phone and water bottle. One word of caution, be sure to measure your lens with the lens hood on backwards if you use them to make sure that the entire thing will fit into the pouch, because sometimes the lens will fit, but then the lens with the lens hood will not. I often carry 5-6 lenses, extension tubes, teleconverters, extra memory cards and batteries, and a bunch of cleaning supplies and other gadgets, which weights a ton. But when they are evenly distributed on this vest/belt Lowepro system it is actually very manageable.The only down side is that everyone will be staring at you because you have thousands of dollars of camera equipment strapped to your body. But if you can overlook that, this is the way to go. I have used this system at many zoos without ever having problems, in fact just unzipping a single lens and switching seems safer to me than opening an entire bag of equipment every time you want to switch lenses. Many of the cases also come with a built in rain/snow cover so if the weather changes all of your equipment is not destroyed. You can also put just a few pouches on a normal belt when you are just going to take photos in the back yard or don't need to take all of your equipment, which is nice. I really can't say enough about how much easier this makes traveling with a lot of equipment, if you have been hopelessly searching for a better solution, consider this, you won't regret it.
I bought this LowePro Water Bottle holder through Amazon.  It was not "findable" any where else so for that I was happy.The holder is good quality, well-made and attaches via a Velcro strap, it's made for a rather large water bottle(not included)to fit inside, 32oz.  I found a Nalgene Brand bottle at a local sporting goods store with not much trouble. But, and it's a big but, when the bottle is filled, and placed in the holder, and the placed on a back pack or camera back pack/sling pack, the weight of the water makes it too much. It literally will pull the pack off your back or drag your shoulders back uncomfortably.  So consider this.  I tried filling the bottle only to half full, but it still does not work for me. I would buy the holder again, because I am going to use it apart from my original intentions.
Attach the Lowepro Mesh Water Bottle holder to your back pack or sling pack and you are ready for a day on the trails.I'm a photo hiker and the Lowepro works perfectly attached to my Slingshot 200.I can still flip it around to get equipment and the water bottle remains securely in the holder.When carrying the pack, I hardly know it's there.I own several Lowepro products and am always pleased.
I used this as an extra holder for my Mountainsmith Lumbar camera pack.Oddly, it  had no  "bottle" holder and  I needed another holder for my wide angle lens case.It works GREAT for this purpose and is a very durable piece of equipment.  It has a shock cord withpressure lock around the neck, so no worries about things falling out.I use this packing into the Rockies both summer and winter.If you need to get to a lens case/pouch quickly this is a gem for an add-onfor your pack.Of course, I guess you could even use it for a water bottle holder.
I received my Bottle Bag from Ace Photo Digital in a few days and I think it was less than $2.00 for shipping. I usually don't buy anything that is shipped from anyone but Amazon, itself. Couldn't be happier. I use these bottle bags on a Lowepro beltLowepro Street and Field Light Belt 9 - Belt pack - black. This bottle bag will hold a 1L bottle of store bought water or a "bike" bottle. It's great because you don't have to wear a backpack when day hiking. All the weight is on your hips and your back stays nice and cool. You can get different sized pouches for the Lowepro belt to put food and stuff in. Super idea.
After owning a MiniTreker AW for quite a while and always being frustrated with not being able to carry water easily, I finally got this bag. I was a little worried because I had seen some other backpacks and such that claimed to be able to hold a 32oz Nalgene but they never actually restrained the bottle, so it could easily fall out. That was not the case with this water bottle pouch. The deep pouch and drawstring allow the Nalgene to be restrained, keeping it there no matter what orientation the backpack itself is in.
This is a great accessory for my Sling Bag, it makes bringing a drink along on a shoot a little more convenient. I tend to do a lot of landscape and nature photography so having something along to drink is very nice and with this I don't have to try to stuff a bottle of something into one of the compartments on the bag itself. Very well constructed and fits almost any drink bottle that you could want to fit into it.
This bottle bag is a great addition to the Lowepro Slingshot 200.  Lowepro has done an outstanding job of developing products with great flexibility and utility.I attach this bottle bag to the side "SlipLock" harness of the SS 200 when I am on the go and it works great...when I don't want it I can take it off with no hassles.  Being able to remove it comes in handy when traveling too.The whole system is very versatile and this bottle bag is a great complement to all of Lowepro's products.
You could probably make your own bottle holder for your lowepro bag.  But with amazon prices this low and prime shipping, why would you?
Great addition to the lowepro bags. Shoot and stay hydrated. What more do you need. Attaches Firmly! Fell skiing with this at speed and did not spill a drop.
This is a great large bottle bag as it fits all the bottled water containers we use with it. This is a definitely a must as part of your camera gear.
I bought this bottle bag as an accessory to go with my Lowepro camera backpack.  It's the perfect add-on if you want to carry a drink or, well, anything else you want to put in this bag.  Only the top is open.  The bottle bag is large, deep, well made and has a draw string at the top of the bag to adjust the opening to fit about any size water bottle from large to small, or a mid-range zoom lens.  (Just be aware, if you plan to carry a spare lens, it is not padded.)  I can now cary all my camera equipment and a drink hands free!  The bottle bag attaches to Lowepro bags with a wide strap that loops through accessory straps on any of my Lowepro backpacks and velcros in place.  I'm not doing a good job of explainig it here - it's a strap that slips though another strap and velcroes in place secured by yet another strap that velcroes in place.  The installation is very easy and very secure.  I highly recommend this bottle bag and would buy it again.
Just what I have been looking for...almost.  Compared to other filter holders I have used, this one is the best for my uses and for the money.  It leaves plenty of room round the filter to make it easy to get the filters out without having to fight the bag squeezing your fingers in the slot and getting fingerprints all over the filter (I am a big fan of 77mm and 82mm filters).  As a previous reviewer said, you can stack filters in it and double the capacity if you wanted.  It is heavily padded, which makes it bulkier than I like, but I know my filters will be protected very well, especially when the pouch is dropped (which I have done).  While all fabrics create some kind of lint residue, the fabric used in this pouch was at a very acceptable minimum.  I don't like to keep filters in their individual original factory holders, because that only slows down getting to the filter when in a rush; so this pouch worked perfectly for me during my travels quickly retrieving the exact filters I needed at a moment's notice.
Pockets are nice and big.  All my filters fit including 77mm C-PL.  Plastic fronts provide nice surface for labels so I know what's in each pocket.  Velcro strap keeps filter pocket closed securely.  Nice product for the money.
this is a nice design, very practical and easy to use, and fast in the field. i am very happy with it.
This filter pocket holds 6 filters of various sizes and fits neatly in my back pack.  Worth every penny.
A great way to organize and keep your filter collection safe. I could not find a filter holder locally and was happy to find such a variety on Amazon. This is exactly what I was looking for to keep my filters clean, safe and organized. The 'boxes' filters are sold in take up too much room and keeping them in my bag without some protection isn't an option. If you need a viable storage solution for your stack of filter, this will work nicely.
There's a line between safe filters and not being able to fit your filter wallet in your bag. This line was crossed with this product. This thing barely fit in my mailbox. I will not be using it. It's too inexpensive an item to go through returning it or I would. It is way too fat. Also, the plastic windows contain some sort of "mesh" on the inside that could rub onthe glass of your filter. Some reviewers said they have used this with no such results. I would be super weary about this when you use coated filters (i.e. HMC, etc). I guess I'll just stick with the plastic boxes that B+W provide. Oh well. If you are looking for something simply to hold your collection in a drawer in your studio, this might work well for you. As for the seller, AvidMax, they did good and shipped my item immediately. I'd buy from them again.
Another very high quality made product from Lowepro, however the pockets are not large enough to hold the filters in their original plastic cases. I have always liked to keep filters in their original plastic holders for added protection and this case does not allow that.  I should have looked closer at the supplied photos.  Will keep and use for other small items.
I have accumulated quite a handful of expensive filters now and I find it a dilemna to carry them all with their cases. This wallet makes it more organized and easy to carry around. A must have for those having a lot of filters to carry around.
This is a very nice accessory for anyone with more than couple of filters.  It is very easy to remove and replace filters while in the field, and it doesn't leave any lint or residue on them.  It fits perfectly in the exterior front pocket of my Lowepro SlingShot 300AW camera bag, which is exactly what I wanted.  I have 6 filters and used to keep them in their individual cases, which was a handful to try to keep together and use.  Now it is much simpler and safer, and I am much less likely to get fingerprints on them trying to get them in and out of their cases.  Highly recommended.
personally I found it very useful since I keep my my photostuff in my camera bag in the car. This wallet allows me to keep all my filters in there without the bulkyness of their boxes
Love the way this case keeps my filters in one place. Even has room for protective covers on filters. Recommend.
I can't add much more than what's already been said however I wonder why it couldn't have had a zipper closure similar to a memory card pocket.
As with all Lowepro items I've seen/used, great build quality. The filters seem to be very well protected in this case. It is more bulky than I expected, does not fit in my LowePro AW 100 SLR bag. There is also no way to attach the filter wallet to the bag (no strap on the back of the wallet). If i needed to, I could stack 2 filters (72mm) in each pocket, so in that instance it will hold 12 filters - definitely useful.
I purchased this Lowepro Filter Pocket to hold my assortment of screw on lens filters.  This will hold up to an 82mm! I have my thin mount 3ND B+W filter with the lens cap on it and fits snuggly into one of the pockets. This has space for 6 filters and folds up nicely in a secure velcro pouch that fits in my backpack.  Be careful this isn't water proof and when pockets are expanded with large filters it my not hold smaller filters snuggly.  Price was right.
Product is exactly as advertised. No real issues with it. The minus one star is for the velcro enclosure. It gets caught every now and again when I take it out (opening it up) of my camera backpack.  Made well enough that nothing ever comes spilling out.
Not really much to add. It is a bit bulky and big, but it's very functional and well made. I recommend this item if you have a relatively big bag.
As expected from Lowepro, the filter pocket is well made and very durable.Perhaps there is no way to avoid it, but I find it too bulky for everyday use. I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of padding for a more compact design.I only take this along with I'm planning on an extended photo outing and want to bring along a bunch of filters. Otherwise, I find it more convenient to just use regular filter holders and slip a filter or two into my pocket.
This is a great product if you have several filters that you switch between on the lens.  It keeps them all in one place and handy.  It protects the filters well.
I was reluctant to buy this case after reading other reviews about it being unnecessarily bulky. However, I do not find this to be true. It definitely has some padding but to me it feels like it should. I have the Lowepro Flipside 400AW bag. For travel, I lay the filter case over my equipment and zip the bag. For hiking, I keep it in one of the bags mesh side pockets so it doesn't interfere with my quickly grabbing equipment. Either way, I don't find myself stressing about it being too big or bulky.Like other Lowepro pieces I own, it looks and feels well made -- especially considering the low price. I was initially concerned that the mesh on one side of the pockets would damage my filters' coatings. After much removing and replacing, there has been no such damage.I've been very pleased with this case.
As with all Lowepro products, this filter pocket has supurb build quality and materials.  The velcro locking strap is sturdy and the clear pockets are good for finding the filter you need.This filter pocket fits nicely in the top compartment of the Lowepro Slingshot 200 slingbag...it is snug, but it is a perfect fit.
A bit bulkier than I expected but its very nice to be able to see which filter I'm pulling out from the pouch. Big enough to hold some filters still in their cases.
First, I was excited for this. Then I got it and was nervous to see if it was going to scratch my super expensive filters......OH NO! As of now all is good, but I am still a little shaky about it. I know it will probably be fine but hey..filters are expensive! It is also a little big but seems like a better alternative than leaving the filters in their original cases. As of now they come out cleaner than they did in their original packaging.
The filter pocket does the job. The pockets are big enough to get the filters in and out easily.The shipping was awesome. It came way before expected. The only thing with it is that when it is full the velcro strap should be a little longer to hold it closed better. A little big to fit in most camera bags. It does do the job as expected and makes it easier changing filters.
I use a filter case to save time removing the filters from their individual cases and to reduce the space required in my camera bags. The Lowepro succeeds in the first area but fails in the second regard. It is more than twice as thick as it needs to be to protect the filters and as a result I don't use it in the field. My Nikon lens case is 40% of the thickness of the LowePro filter case and provides just as much protection and holds the same size filters and the same number of filters.I cannot find anyone selling the Nikon cases so bought on of the LowePro and then found it was much too bulky at a thickness of 1-3/4 inches (not mentioned in the description of course) so it is never used. I have found slimmer cases by General and others which are not as thin as the Nikon due to their use of cordura nylon and padding, both of which are overkill and create the very bulky cases.If you are only going to use 6 filters at most in the field it makes sense to buy a 6 filter case and take the 6 you plan to use and have a thinner item to stow in your camera bag. There are cases that are designed to take filters up to a certain size and this adds unnecessarily to their bulkiness and it is better to buy one that is barely up to the size you need, like 77mm for most Nikon lenses, or 82mm for Sigma lenses.This Adorama case is a better choice for most uses as it will hold 6 filters so you can carry 3 sizes of ND and polarizer filters for example, but is more compact and it has plastic pockets which keep dust off the surfaces of the filters which the wallets with mesh pockets do not.Adorama Slinger Filter Wallet "P" Holds Six 82mm Round or Six "P" Series Square Filters, Black.People complain about their small filters falling out of these cases which are designed for large 82mm filters. If you have 52mm or smaller filter buy a case designed for small filters and they will not fall out and you will have a less bulky wallet to stow in your camera bag. Better to have multiple filter wallets than to try to get one large enough to hold everything and then try to squeeze it all into your bag.
This one fits very well for my nikon 18-55mm kit lens, but a bit small for 70-300mm tamron zoom lens. It has good quality but will be better if it's a little bigger.
Bought this case to go with my new Lowepro Toploader Pro 70. I already have a backpack from Lowepro so I really trust the brand and decided to get the lens case from them.This case fits my Canon 55-250mm as well as the ET-60 lens hood. I simply slip the hood first then put my lens in. It was not a tight fit for the hood, I didn't want the case to be constricting the hood so I was really happy. The lens is just at the same level of the opening.I like the padding of the case, it's enough to secure my lens. What's also nice about it is the excess padding when you open the zipper. So that splashes of water or dust don't go directly inside the case.I wished that the zipper was inside-out just like in the backpacks. But other than that, it's a must for extra lenses when they won't fit the camera bag or to go together with your holster-type bags.
I bought this product for my lenses. This product can protect my lens very well. But don't forget to include your lens hood dimension. Any way, it is a very good product.
I purchased these so I could rapidly change lenses when on a photo shoot. I use these both in the studio and when I'm shooting events.The construction of these is great. The velcro belt loop holder on the back is solid. The main flap velcros in place and then a second flap velcros over the first to ensure the holder does not come lose. This is important when you have hundreds of dollars tied up in the holder.The zippers work well and can be opened and shut with one hand. That is great when you are changing lenses on the fly.These are not the biggest lens holders out there. Here's what fits and what doesn't.Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras- This fits with room to spare. Even with theZeikos ZE-LH58 58mm Soft Rubber Lens Hoodon it.Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens- This lens will fit if you do not have the lens hood on it (even if the hood is reversed, it doesn't fit). Its a tight fit but it works well.Tamron Autofocus 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon DSLR Cameras- This fits with the lens hood on as long as you have reversed the lens hood first.The 18-200mm is pushing it. That is about as much lens as you can fit in these holders and there is not any space to spare.Overall, these are great and have been a very nice addition to my system. Finally, as a side note. I typically just attach these to my regular belt on my pants. They do not move around too much and it is actually nice being able to reposition them easily. I'm sure the Lowepro belt system is nice, but these will work without it.-Cheers!
Superb quality, slightly wider than comparable "Case Logic Small Case". The price is fair. Protects the 18-200mm Nikon VR. Highly recommended!
This item was exactly as listed. The shipping was a little slow but I am very satisfied with the item and the savings as compared to other listings.
i do alot of traveling on a motorcycle in the summer.  i take my camera with me when i travel.  its a nikon d90.  i recently got a new camera bag for it and it's a holster type bag.  it works very well (see my other review about the bag), but i also recently picked up a wide angle zoom for my camera and when faced with the decision of which lens to take, decided to take both.  the other lens is an 18-105mm.  the holster bag i keep the camera in will hold the camera with a lens on it, but isnt made to hold an additional lens. on the last trip i wrapped the 18-105 in my clothes and put it in the bag on the bike. i wasnt very comfortable with that, but everything turned out ok.  i vowed to find a better way to transport the extra lens i wanted to take when i rode on the motorcycle.so.i looked on amazon and found this lowepro lens case.  although it isnt the same brand as the bag im currently using (think tank) I dont care.  i looked at it and read some reviews and i was sold.  it was cheap, so i ordered it.  if i got it and it didnt fit, id wish it did, but would only be out a little bit of $$$.it arrived a couple days later and its a very nicely made case.  i tried the 18-105 lens in it and it fit like it was made for it.  it even fit inside with the lens hood on it (reversed only). and the wide zoom is the same size as the 18-105 so either lens can be put in the bag.all in all, spending $16.00 (with shipping) was money well spent.  wrapping up camera lens in a sweatshirt isnt the way to keep them from becoming damaged.good lens case.  ill buy more when i need them.
I have the Canon 28-135mm, which I bought this for, and it fits a little loose. I also bought the 1W for my Canon f/1.2 50mm (based on the website), but I didn't need to! They both fit! This means that I only need to carry one case instead of two!I have the Lowepro 300 bag, and although there are 2 "mounts" for these lens cases, I can't imagine using them. They stick out a LOT, making them bang into everything, and scream out "Hey! Expensive stuff to steal here!". Using this bag as a multi-tasker avoids that.Oh, and another thing. There is a secret little velcro'd compartment inside that runs the length of these cases (another undocumented feature) that fits lens paper and/or microcloth very nicely!
I love this case.  Easy to put on your belt/backpack strap.  Offers great padding for my lens.  I used the little net pouch in the lid to keep a microfiber cloth and my camera's remote control.  It has a nice long flap behind the zipper to keep the cooties out of you lens.Lots of ways to strap the pouch onto whatever you carry.  Great price.  Very well built.
Fits my lens, but not with my lens hood on. Nevertheless, I'm thinking about purchasing another one for my other lens. It's perfect to carry extra lens and compact.
The case is very well padded and the OverLap zipper feature keeps the zipper away from the lens body.I purchased this case for a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens. It fits snuggly, but comfortably. It does not fit with the lens hood, just the lens itself.  If you want to fit the lens with the EW-83J lens hood reversed, you will need a larger diameter case; I am not sure which one.
This sturdy, well constructed case is a perfect fit for my Nikon 18-200VR lens. (Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras)It isn't bulky, and seems like it was custom built for this lens.I am extremely happy with this case, especially for the price.
Once again, I'm very happy with this lens case. It fits my Canon EOS 55-250 lens perfectly. Well-padded, great belt attacher and it looks good and professional. Great to protect and store your lens. It's a good case - go ahead get it.
This is part of the LowePro SlipLock system and will attach to any case they have that has the SlipLock attachment points or you can wear it on your belt.It's long enough for my 55-300mm zoom with reversed hood, has a good zipper, nice overlap to add to protection, but the padding is merely adequate.
This is what I have been looking for a affordable lens case that will hold a 72mm diameter lens. It has a sturdy loop on back to attach to a belt or even to the outside of a bag. No more juggling lenses while walking down the street. Now keep in mind I paid about $11.00 for it I see it is listed at $20+ I would not pay that much for it though. It fits my Tokina 12-24mm 72mm diameter and also my Sigma 50-200mm so it should work for most med size lenses.
I wanted a case for my 55-200 Nikon lens to use either on my waist belt or on another Lowepro case. It's nice and compact and while snug with the hood ... works. It's water resistant ... that's good and it's reasonably fast access. I like the lens cap keeper. Fits tight and securely and gives me several carrying options no matter if I'm using a Slingshot or my Camelbak pack. Good choice.
Bought this one month ago and I like this product.Pros: Perfect on my Tamron 17-50 F2.8, EF85 F1.8, EF-S 10-22 F3.5-4.5 (A little tight though), convenient at outdoor use, good paddingCons: Some may feel a little too tight
After looking and looking and also switching how I carry my camera. Less often in a bag with many accessories and many other bits and bobs. I figured at least for one alternate lens I'd get one case. This case fits my non L 28 -135 almost exactly. I doubt it would fit anything larger. I know for a fact it would not hold a 2.8f lens. The diameter of the case is just right for something much smaller.It is a good solid case and does hold the lens I need it to perfectly, very secure and very padded. I would not worry about my lens being loose in my gear bag now. I would recommend this for the one off generic lenses but it is a rather small case for anything with a wider piece of glass with the larger apertures.
This lens case fits snugly on my new Lowepro camera bag, and it's secured with super strong velcro.  I'm not worried about it coming loose from the bag.  I would highly recommend it to others.
This lens case fits any one of several of my lenses:  10-22mm wide angle lens, 100mm macro lens, 17-85mm zoom lens.  I attach this to my Tamrac Velocity 7 by the same type of attachment system that Tamrac uses for all of thier products.  A flap slides into the available MAS system slot on the camera bag and is secured VERY securely with a double locking velcro strap system. This leaves plenty of room in the bag for my camera and other gear.  Nicely padded to protect your lens investment.
There is literally no space for the lens to shift when the metal lens hood is on.  Fits perfectly snug.  Love the feel.Strong belt attachment.  I don't worry about my lens one bit while it's in this.
Very good quality for the money. Does what it's designed to do, without any compromise.
I needed a padded case for my Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Zoom Lens, and this fits it perfectly.  But, just the lens, not the lens hood too. (I have the EW-78B II Lens Hood - and that will not fit on this lens any which way in this case).  If you want to keep your hood with your lens in a case, this one is too small for that.  I looked at the LP1116 Canon Soft Lens Case (bag) and I just didn't think that would protect the lens very well, so I went with the Lowpro "1", and I'm glad I did.
Its a tight fit for my Tamron 10-24 mm but no room at all for the hood.  Padding could be thicker.
I use this case for several different things.First of course, I used it to carry around my camera's lens, the Panasonic 14-140. It fit in perfectly well, and this let me travel around with it and not worrying about the damage. I also am able to fit in several other large lenses in the Micro 4/3 class.I have also used this case to carry around my GX-1 w/20mm pancake lenses, which fit fine.The flat part of the case has a velcro-assembly that lets you attach this to either your belt or your backpack's strap. Or really, any strap. It holds it very securely (I've run with it weight down by my camera for several minutes with no loosening, if that gives you any idea. I run fast.)There is also a mesh net in the top part which is good for holding lens caps or a filter if you need it. This is a nice touch to an already great lens case.For the price, I am very happy I bought it. If you need individual lens protection, do consider buying this. Lenses cost hundreds of dollars, so why not protect them?
This a good product with good quality of material. However, it is quite fit for my canon 55-250 mm lens. If your lens has a hood, you could not contain it in this case. Moreover, this product should add more padding on cap and bottom of this product for protecting lens more.In general, it is a good product which need a bit comment to improve.
This is a nicely padded lens case.  It fits my Nikon 18-200 lens (without the hood).  I just drop this in my backpack on days when I'm carrying just one spare lens and don't want to lug around a full camera bag.
To be brief, I do not regret buying this case for $10. I would buy it again if I ever come into possession of a lens that will fit in this case.As for the quality of the case, it exceeds expectations (with the price tag in mind). Many reviewers have already commented on how excellent it is, so I will leave it at that.Here's some things I noticed while playing around with the cases:Canon EF 60mm Macro f2.8, no hood. The case is a bit tall for the lens, so there's vertical room for the lens to move around. The lens will not fit in the case comfortably with the hood on; either reversed or normal.Canon EF 85mm f1.8, no hood. Same story as the 60mm. Lens won't fit in the case comfortably with the hood on.Canon EF 24-105L f4.0, no hood. Tight fit. The lens will not fit with the hood on, but it will without -- although just barely. There is no "wiggle room", and I suspect that the filter holder at the top of the case can't be used unless you take out the bottom patting of the lens case.
This case spends most of its time attached to the strap of my minimal camera bag with aCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasin it.  My impression is that this case is very capable of protecting that lens from the elements and little bumps.  My opinion is that a lens case should be closely matched to the lens it will carry.  Any lens with nearly the same size as the one mentioned above should work well.  The T3i kit lensCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lensalso fits, but with a little more room to move up and down, not have I've noticed excessive movement.
I only have the two lenses. the case attaches simply to my lowenpro bag. Easy on easy off. Snug, but not a tight fit on either lens. I like keeping the lens attached but not in the camera bag, easily removed so i do not need to catrry it in one lens situations.
I bought this for the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro, which was said to fit in this case. It does, but just barely - have to really squeeze it in there.But in itself, the product is very well made and is my third Lorepro lens case. I'd buy another, just not on faulty size information this time.I use a couple on a regular web belt while I shoot, and leave the camera bag in the car.
Fits bothCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasandCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lenswith lens hood attached in both forward and reversed positions. Half the price of Canon's pouch and much better lens projection.
When I ordered this case I did not know what to expect. I needed to carry an extra lens for my Canon T1i and I did not want to carry around a big camera bag.The first thing that I noticed was how well padded the lens case is, how well it fit my extra lens and how protected the lens was when inside. The second thing I noticed was that it had double velcro straps so that I could put this on my belt securly without having to take the belt off and slide it through some loop. And the third thing I noticed was that the velcro was so well made that the loop for my belt was not going to inadvertently open and the case fall to the ground. And on top of all of that the case had a nice zipper top that was easy to open and close.This is a great bag and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to carry an extra lens.
This is a great, simple lens case.  It fits my Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens perfectly.
Perfectly fit myCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR CameraswithFotodiox Dedicated (Bayonet) Lens Hood, for Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 USM, II, II USM, III & III USM Lenses, Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens as Canon ET-60reversed. Very good construction and padding. highly recommend. For lenses any longer than this I would move up a size.
Can't say much about this product itself, besides it's superb quality and I couldn't imagine anything that could be improved at all. Just check the size and compare it to your lenses, and then order it. Again, extremely great quality, a professional product. Period.I would like to enrich this review section by introducing how I'm using this product after trying a lot of aggravating combinations of bags, belts, cameras n' stuff. I'm a professional doing weddings and conferences and I spend sometimes 8-12 hours a day with my equipment (2 SLRs, 4 lenses, flash, 20 AA batteries, lens pen, business and memory cards, etc) on my body, mostly standing, sitting, ducking down, lying on the floor.. you name it.I use a relatively cheap waist belt ($20 class) and I attach 2 of those Lowepro lens cases 1 (LP1) to it. Also I have the original SB-600 flash pouch attached to it. I don't use different sizes of the Lowepro because I want to be able to put every lens into every case (my lenses: 28-75mm f2.8, 11-16mm f2.8, 85mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, all fit without hood into the LP1) otherwise I wouldn't be able to rotate all the lenses on the fly (hope that does make sense).My batteries and stuff goes into the waist belt. The front caps of the lenses are stored in the little pouches inside the LP1 or the waist-belt. During the show I don't have time to take off the front caps too (back caps are annoying enough) so that's why I store the lenses front-side down into the LP1.My both cameras are hanging around my neck (one with a shorter neck-strap) and the other one across my body (because I'm very tall I had to make a custom combination of a soft neck strap -O/P tech ordered on Amazon for about $10- extended with cut-off parts of the original neck-strap).This combination takes a lot of weight off your shoulders and changing lenses is really easy and fast.Even if you are not a professional, the LP1 is a great item to safely store your lenses, but if you just throw them in a soft bag, you could also put them into plastic zipper bags (32 for ~$4 at your local supermarket) to avoid scratches and/or moist. Seriously, if you're carrying your lenses inside a bag, that actually works too (your lenses can stand more than you or the companies that want to sell you stuff give them credit for!)UPDATE 11/2011:I'm not using the above combination anymore in favor of a simple messenger bag. The reason is, that I figured out that my pants are being damaged when walking around with that all day. A jeans might be more resistant, but on certain events I have to wear normal dress pants, and these suffer from the constant rubbing and thus getting damaged after 3-4 event days.However, the pouches are still great for lens storage and transport - so I still recommend this product.
This is a great case when you only want to bring along one extra lens. I use it for a 100 mm Macro and a small telephoto zoom.
I purchased a camera/lens kit, so the lens had no bag at all. I also have a Canon zoom 17-85, and it's a perfect fit on width, with a little room on top. The OEM bag may protect from nicks or scratches, but offers no serious padding - this is much, much better. The strap for attaching it to a belt, camera bag, or back pack is beefy and has a Velcro locking tab so it won't come loose. There's also a small pocket in the lid to hold a memory card. A definite must have is you carry multiple lenses on a job or hiking, and need quick access.
I measured my camera and checked the inside dimensions of this case and decided to take a chance and buy this.  My Fuji Finepix S1800 with lens cap slides in with a little effort and has enough room at the top to coil the neck strap and my spudz cloth.I was looking for a case to protect the camera while it was in my purse and I think this will work.  I also have the option of using the velcro fasteners and attaching it to the strap of my bag.There's a removable plastic stiffener behind the padding on the fastener side of the case.  Since the back of my camera is flat, I'm leaving it in, but for those using it for lenses, it might work better without it.I might use the webbing in the lid meant to hold a lens cap for extra batteries.
The Lowepro Lens Case 1 is the perfect lens case for the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.6-5.6.  The lens fits like a glove (without the hood) inside but it is still very easy to get in and out.  As with all Lowepro products, this case is built with quality materials and it has a sturdy design.This lens case fits nicely inside my Lowepro Slingshot 200. The "sliplock system" design also allows me to attach this to the outside of the SS200 if I need ready access to it.
Although very well constructed with many tiny little features, this case hugs the lens too close. There is very little padding between the lens and the outer surface of the case. I have a 72mm filter-thread lens from Sigma that is the right length for this case but it has to be squeezed in if the lens hood is retained. It's so tight that a bump from the outside seems like it will snap the lens hood. The freebie cases that Sigma provides along with their EX lenses all come with foam pads at the top and bottom. Besides protection for the top and bottom, this foam suspends the lens down the middle of the case so that there is some air gap protecting the lens from bumps against the case as well as allowing an easy fit for the lens hood.
i've used it to carry my eos lenses (lens kit 18-55mm, 50mm nifty fifty, 75-300mm) and my canon hf m30. works great and durable. keeps whatever inside protected. i've dropped it from as high as 5 feet off the ground. it's well padded inside.
I bought this as an add-on to my Lowepro system. It performs exactly as expected and hasn't shown any signs of wear. I would definately recommend.
I love Lowepro products.  I own several items they make and I am happy with all of my Lowepro purchases.I got this for my 18-105 VR lensI like the double zipper on the top of the case.I like the cap holder inside the lid.I like the quality of the stiching and the materials used.This is a no brainer purchase if you are looking for an individul lens case.
This lens case is awesome. It was a little smaller than I had hoped. I was planning to put my Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 lens w/ the hood in here, but it was too small to fit the hood. So I had to take the hood off and store it in my camera bag. The lens fits perfect though so I love this case!
Lowepro makes good cases at a modest price. My criticism is that I would like to see them have a better belt loop attachment - these are wide and awkward and the top should also have a quick open flap with a velcro feature in addition to the zipper for fast access to the lens.
I got this thinking it could help to protect my lens. However in my opinion there is not enough padding to protect a lens from a fall. The only thing this lens case does is protect against water spill, other than that it just cosmetic
This bag is the equivalent of a German car or Swiss watch: no prize winner in the price/value category (it's expensive!) but oh so beautifully engineered and built.  There's not a single frill or useless feature.  The gear is very well protected but very easy to get at on the fly without having to struggle with straps or buckles.  And the thing looks cool--like something a grizzled photojournalist would carry.  The tough construction makes it look like it will last through multiple wars (or at least lots of family vacations).  My only concern is how long the velcro closures will last, but the flaps themselves should stay down even with less than perfect velcro, and can always be snapped.After buying based on a web page describption, I was a bit surprised at the smallness of the internal space.  It's absolutely perfect for my Nikon D70, a couple of lenses, and the odds and ends that go with it, but if I throw in my backup film Nikon body things get very, very crowded.  No way of adding my video camera without taking out the padded insert.Overall, I love it and believe I made the best possible choice from the plethora of bags available.
If you can get over the price (I think all Domke bags are over priced) it is a great bag.  Construction quality is very good (canvas) and there is a ton of room.  I basically keep 2 configurations. 1) Gripped 50D, 11-16 2.8 Tokina, Sigma 30mm Prime, 17-50 Tamron, hoods for all lenses, 2x Canon pro flashes, polarizer and ND filter, small accessories and a pop up gray card. There is still room in this configuration for another small lens.  Configuration 2) gripped 50D, 30mm prime, 17-50, either a 100-400 /70-200 2.8/ 300mm f4 prime, 1.4x / 2x teleconverter, flash, hood, and some accessories.  This configuration is much more cramped but a LOT more convenient than my big Tenba backpack if I'm making a short trip and need long telephotos.The bag is very roomy and it can hold a lot more stuff than it appears (I was disappointed when I saw its size, but as I was filling it the bag would take more and more stuff).  If you are anal about padding you might be disappointed.  The only padding is on the inside insert.  But I don't have a problem with this.  I think most bags over do it on padding and are too bulky because of it.  Because of its canvas construction there is a lot of "give" in the bag and it will fit nicely to your hip.The only problems I have with this bag are 1) I wish it came with the postal shoulder pad (costs about $15 from Amazon)and 2)I don't like how gripped bodies fit in the main compartment.  They are very cramped.  My 30mm prime + gripped body will fit fine but bigger lens will require the lens and body to be positioned vertically with body facing up.  Of course if you remove the lens from body then it is fine but that seems impractical to me if I'm walking and shooting.Basically this is a great working bag.  If you need small and comfortable with storage for 2 or 3 lens and accessories this is a great bag.  If you need more storage look elsewhere.  I have used it for family outings, trips to the zoo, walking around town and small real estate shoots and it works great.
but it's the damn inserts that frustrate me to no end.  I bought this bag for the height and side compartments for extra storage.  I want to be able to fit a Canon 1D3 w/ attached prime, as well as either a 70-200 2.8 or 100-400 with another prime in the extra compartment as the largest kit I'd need.  Well, that didn't work so out went the zoom and then I found that the "2-compartment" insert still wouldn't hold 2 primes (24mm & 50mm) and that "pro-size" DSLR and attached prime?  Forget it.  Domke's are pretty good bags but their inserts suck big-time.  As an owner of the F-6, again, the inserts are enough to drive anyone bonkers.  Tiffen/Domke need to evaluate the idea that we are in the digital age and their inserts are firmly stuck in the analog days - they need to expand the capacities of these inserts to accomodate larger, digital lenses and their reversed hoods.  I'm going to Think Tank instead, just like I should have for this purchase.  There's a company that "gets it" because they build the bag to the dimensions of the gear that people use it for.  And they're built like tanks (and, unfortunately, weigh about the same.  Hence the Domke purchase.)Sorry Domke - but it's time to get a clue.  And by the way, the sewing on the bottom of the insert that was for two lenses didn't have stitching that connected one side along the bottom where the green polyester/nylon meets the gray foam to form an enclosed box.  QA needs to catch that as well.
I have gone through several bags for my camera gear and this is the one I have used the most.  It is tough, simple, easy in-and-out, and adequate for most of the equipment used everyday.  Cannot pack my 70-200 Nikkor in it, the lens is too tall, but one body, two lenses (one on the body)and a flash fill it up.  Side pockets for small stuff and a pouch for papers. Well padded too.  I have drug this through Greece, Italy, the Baltic and all around town.  Shows no damage, tears, or strains.  A simple, strong gear bag. I'll keep this one!
I have 3 Domke bags. I've tried many of the other manufacturers, and all are good, but Domke bags seem , for me anyway, to hold up the best. They get better with age. I have an F2 bag and a smaller bag for my point and shoots. This bag the bag I use when I want to carry one extra lens and a strobe. The side pockets hold all the filters and other accessories needed. These bags get better with age. They seem to just hang naturally. The best shoulder bags.
Really enjoy using this bag.  I love the look and feel of the heavy-duty canvas, the strap is sturdy, the padding fits my D90 w/battery pack just fine, with room for accessories.
I purchased this bag and received it about two weeks ago. Since then, I am desperately trying to fit just a simple walk around kit in this bag - much frustration and no success. I can't think of any reason why Domke calls this bag a "pro system bag".The bag has one main compartment which takes easy a Nikon D300 or similar size camera with battery grip - without lens! The two extremely small lens compartment will then hold a regular small diameter lens each, like the Nikon 18-55 VR, or the 55-200 VR. These are no pro lenses Mister Domke!Okay, possibly Domke ment a "medium size camera" as a pro equipment - I believe that in the advertisement is a Hasselblad on the picture... Now, I have a Mamiya RZ67 - the plain body would fit in the main department, the film back in the outside pocket and the lens I would have to carry in my hands, because not even one single lens would fit!Pro? Nonsense!If you own a regular full size SLR, without grip, and use regular standard (amateur) lenses, you probably will be happy with this bag. If you own a larger camera, or SLR with grip, and pro lenses like the 24-70 f/2.8, you will be out of luck with this bag. By the way, the outside pockets (3) are large and take all accessories you like to carry, but they are not patted (protected).So in summary: Yes, it is a nice bag. It looks good, and is of superior workmenship. Nevertheless, it is not water proof or dust proof, because there is no zipper, and all the lid's are not closing the compartments fully - it actually can rain freely into the bag, especially in the outside pockets.Okay, I still like this good weather bag, and I use it now the following way:I took the grip of my D300 and carry now a spare battery in the outside pocket.I have the 24-70mm f/2.8 mounted on the camera and the camera sticks with lens downwards in the main compartment.In the two lens compartments, I carry a Tokina 12-24 f/4 lens, and a small Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6G VR lens. This gives me for my purposes a small walk around kit and it fits snugg and thight in this bag.The outside compartment are very sufficient for all other gear, flash, charger etc etc...Okay, the bag might deserve 4 or 5 stars for the quality - I gave only two because I like to express my anger about people who try to sell equipment, making it better or bigger than it actually is!It is a good bag, and Domke has all sizes of good bags - why blowing sand in the buyers eyes and making customers buy wrong sizes??? I would not mind paying another 50 or 100 dollars to get the right bag. I work with it every day.My final advise is:Don't just buy a camera bag over the internet. Go to a camera store and try one - find the right one for you, and then either buy it right there and then, or go back to your computer and order it from Amazon after you know for sure which one makes you happy. I am a pro for 30+ years and know the hassle of buying camera bags, I just thought that Domke would be straight with their description - so I figure that the "White House Photographers" must have very small cameras...
I'm not sure if my review made it thru on this bag. As I've said, I've been doing photojournalism for about the last 25 years. I've alway used Domke and wanted a smaller bag. I shoot with the Canon 50D, a battery pack, and normally take my 14-70 L f/4 and my 70-200 L Is f/4. I can fit all of that in the main compartmet. If I want to take my 580 flash, I just put it in on of the side pockets. As usual, Domke satisfies my photo needs.
High Quality case for protecting you valuable lenses. I use it to carry my Nikon 18 -55 VR in my pack when hiking and skiing.
Well made and great protection for your lens, far better than the pouches nikon provides. The case securely fastens to a belt or strap making your lenses easily accessible for quick changes. Fits my nikon 10-24 and 18-200 perfectly.
I use this Lowepro Lens case 1N for my Olympus mFT lens 14-150mm. It protects my investment. I attached this Lens case to my Lowepro Apex 120 bag.
I bought this little case to hook to my belt when using my E-P2. I really hate digging around in a camera bag, so this is a great solution: have the M.Zuiko 17mm or the Panasonic 20mm mounted on the camera, with the camera slung over my head, and have one larger lens in the belt pack.Construction is good, as you'd expect from Lowepro. The Velcro attachment is quite sturdy and I trust it to easily handle the weight of any lens that could fit.The only minus is that this is clearly branded as Lowepro and might be easily identifiable by potential thieves. Of course, it attaches so securely, that I imagine the belt would give before the Velcro if some ne'er-do-well tried to rip it off of me.Here are some of the lenses I know it holds comfortably. Unless otherwise noted, I have the Sony mount version, but size should be nearly identical for other systems:-Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro(4/3) with hood reversed andPanasonic M4/3 Adaptermounted (it fits with the hood mounted in shooting position, but it bulges uncomfortably)-Panasonic 45-200mm f/4.0-5.6(Micro 4/3) with hood reversed-Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3with hood reversed-Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8with hood reversed-Tamron AF 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6without hood (this hood is very wide)-Sony SAL16105 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6with hood reversedLenses that come close, but won't quite fit:-Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6width is good, even with hood reversed, but this lens is too long by at least a couple of cmYou can of course use this for smaller lenses too, but I wouldn't get *much* smaller than the ones listed here. If a lens isn't wide enough, it will have room to roll around in the case.I bought this case specifically for the Panasonic 45-200mm, which is the largest lens I own for Micro 4/3. It fits that lens like a glove; you couldn't really ask for a better fit.One fun alternate configuration that I have used for my E-P2 is storing the diminutiveOlympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6in the bag, along with theOlympus FL-14 Flashand the OLYMPUS 260057 Electronic View Finder, and keeping one of the pancake primes mounted on the camera. That makes a great little walkaround kit.
Well built case with good stiff padding. Does not fit the Canon 75-300mm Lens however! I'll be buying the bigger LowePro case next to try, since the sizes they post dont seem to be accurate!
Excellent lens pouch.1. It has a good shape and size2. Strong material and a solid construction aspect3. A tab belt with double ensurance velcro4. Inside there is a lining protector (including an extra protector appart that looks like a cookie and a tap cover over the zipper key of an extra space compartment)The last thing that I am not reviewing is the waterproofing.
I got this to use with a Think Tank Steroid Speed belt. In truth, I got three different sizes of the Lowepro lens case, making it easy to get one that is a perfect fit for lenses and lens accessories (teleconverters/extension tubes). I would definitely recommend these for amateur and professional shooters.
The case fits the 18-135mm lens reviewed at [...] perfectly with space to put the reversed hood around the lens as well.
This is a good lens case, however, I assumed wrongly that it would fit an Olympus 70-300 lens based on the picture showing a lens along side the  case.  Amazon did not furnish the dimensions for the case. This case is less than five inches deep on the inside.
This case is advertised as 5 inches deep inside, so I assumed it would accommodate my 55-250mm (4.3 inches supposedly). It does. Barely. However, it is necessary to remove the divider. Not needed anyway since nothing else will fit to require a divider! Important to note that this is with the front and rear caps attached to the lens. It seems like the bottom padding can be removed since it is stuck by velcro, but didn't want to try that.With a bit of a struggle, can accommodate the EF-S 15-85mm.Holds the EF 50mm f1.4 with no drama.Everything else seems excellent. Good amount of padding, divider has a filter pocket for convenience, zippers look solid, double velcro beltstrap is a nice touch. overlap zipper will make sure nothing inside will make contact with the metal teeth of the zipper.Overall, I think it'll work out for my needs. Just wish it was a little bit deeper,thats what keeps it from scoring 5 stars.
I got this for my Nikon 55-200 lens and it's a perfect fit, with just a teeny amount of wiggle room.  Length is perfect.Construction is very good (it's Lowepro), and the padding is excellent.The good:- Solid construction.- Perfect for a Nikon 55-200 lens.- Excellent padding.- Double-headed zipper for easy access whether you're left handed or right handed.- Velcro belt strap in the back if you want to wear it on your belt.  (I don't use it that way, but I see some people do that so it's an option.)The bad:- None that I can think of.I'm very happy with this purchase and would highly recommend this item.
I bought this lens case after seeing other reviews that it would snugly fit my 55-250mm lens. I didn't expect for the snug fit to be the height. By taking out the padded disc in the bottom, the case just barely zip over my lens. The case is padded well, constructed well, but it is definitely for shorter lenses.
This was my first Lowepro lens case and I have not been disappointed. Since I'm continually expanding my photography gear collection, my small shoulder bag doesn't have room for the four lenses I have now. This case was the perfect addition to my arsenal since I am able to attach it to the shoulder strap of my existing bag. I was originally using it for aNikon 50mm f/1.4D AF lensand it was a little to big but it protected the lens well. I just bought a newNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens w/hoodand this case fits the 35mm lens much better. I am able to fit both the lens and hood (reversed) in the case; it is a snug fit but it also won't bounce around the inside like my 50mm did. I placed the lens hood on the bottom, then the lens slides right in so that I only need to deal with the lens hood when needed. Just as a side note, this case will not hold a Nikon 18-55mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED lens.The zipper is very smooth with medium size teeth that overlap the inner wall about half an inch so that even if the case isn't zipped all the way there is an added layer of protection before your lens. The case is round except for the flat side where the strap is that is secured in place by two separate pieces of overlapping velcro which makes it very secure. There are also two small heavy-duty nylon loops, one on each side at the top of the case which I presume could be used to attach it to something via carabiner.Before this case, I resorted to wrapping my lenses in towels if I wanted to tote them all in a backpack to go hiking. All in all, I have been very happy with this case and intend on purchasing more after witnessing its protective qualities first hand.
I love the Lowepro Lens Cases and I own 2 of them already.  My first was the Lowepro Lens Case 1 which I use to house my Canon 100mm Macro lens (a bit of a tight fit but it works).  The Lowepro Lens Case 1S is a perfect fit for the Canon 18-55mm kit lens that came with my XTI.  Since I've opted for a messenger bag to hold my gear instead of a traditional camera bag, the Lowepro cases have been the perfect option to keep my lenses safe in my bag.
I do brand names things.  That means I've had great luck with Lowepro so I buy their brand of anything I have need for that they make.  This seller was timely and efficient unlike another seller on Amazon  WCP's LabelValue Labels & Travel Products.  I would never ever deal with them on anything.  They are untruthful and their packaging is pathetic.
Lowepro makes good stuff and this lens case is good. It fits my Canon 18-55 lens perfectly and I can clip it to my holster case if I need to. Product came quickly thanks to Amazon. I recommend this case.
Several reviewers seemed to think this was a good cover for the Canon 18-55 lens that comes with the Xsi kit.  Seems tight to me.Otherwise it is an okay case.  I own a Sigma lens case (which comes with the lens) and I'll rate it better in build and protection.  If Sigma sold just len cases, I'd buy theirs.
It's exactly what you would hope it would be. Lowepro makes a good quality useful product and that's what this is. You won't be disappointed.
Fits the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 AF-S lens perfectly.  Will not fit the 18-55mm kit lens--use a Lowepro Lens Case 1 for that.The belt attachment is really strong and won't budge.  I feel better about carrying my lenses now.
These are well constructed with very good padding in a nylon type case they device is secured with a very good zipper that is covered by a flap that will keep moisture away from the zipper. Excellent protection from bumps and dust and dirt. Has a strap on the side to secure to a belt, backpack strap, camera strap to help transport another lens. The strap is quite strong and help in place by a sturdy hook and eye ( Velcro like closure).
The guys at Lowepro really know what they're doing.  They've put a lot of thought into a simple little case like the 1S.  For sure, it's not your average lens case.  Here's some of the highlights listed with my comments:1) OverLap zipper guards - When you unzip the case to open the case, you'll see a large overlapping foam flap next to the zipper.  The designer's idea was to keep the line of the zipper away from the interior of the bag, and instead next to this overlap, thereby further protecting the lens inside from dusts, dirt, etc.2) Reinforced SlipLock - One of the most thoughtful features of LowePro cases, designed for any other LowePro bags with SlipLock ability.  This is a wide, reinforced flap with double sided velcro locks, making the attachment to another bag /belt very, very secure.  Yet it's very easy to remove when needed.  This works well with the LowePro Street and Field belt.3) Built-in lens cap pocket - Right under the top flap is a mesh to hold your lens cap.  With the OverLap zipper, it makes it a tight squeeze to get your lens cap into there, but still it's nice to have this feature.4) Shock-absorbing open and closed cell foam and padded base5) Tough, water-resistant outer fabricFits: Short, wide lenses including 28-90mm f/4 zoom, 60mm f/2.8 micro and 28.mm f/2.8 (all without hoods).Inner dimensions: 3D x 3.5H in.Overall, this is a very a well designed bag.  You'll get your money's worth.
Nice padded lens case. Well constructed. Should protect my lens from anything I might run into. I like the way the lid pulls down over the inner lining and the zipper is of good quality. The back is made semi rigid so when straped to a belt or shoulder strap it will no deform the case. Recommend this case and others made by Lowepro.
Lowepro lens cases are great qualty and very functional, especially if you have Lowepro belts or bags that these can clip on to.  The 1S is a small case that will fit a small lens without a hood.  If your lenses are bigger or you like carrying your hood with your lens, then look at Lowepro's bigger lens cases like the size 1 or 1W or the much bigger size 2 cases.
Nothing comes close to the quality of these cases in the market. Think outside the lens because these cases are also good for other uses: telescope eyepieces, compact cameras and video camcorders etc. My point is that the quality is simply unbeatable.
Purchased this to hold our alternate lens for our Cannon XTi. This size (1S) case holds the stock lens (EF-S 18-55mm/3.6-5.5) and our favorite other (portfolio) lens (EF 85mm/1.8 - reportedly 2.8 inches long), securely. Fits well without extra room. The case has a belt loop with which we attach it to our other case. All in all, very pleased with the purchase.
This lens case is a quality product made from lightweight, water-repellant, tear-resistant nylon material. It is well padded to protect the lens from bumps, has all manner of loops and velcro mounting tabs, and has a zipper closure. Besides all this, it is smart looking without being pretentious. All in all, it is the perfect case for almost any occasion. I am very happy with mine, and if I get a larger lens, I will probably buy a similar LowePro lens case for it.
Want one? Then buy one. If you don't like it, don't blame me. I like mine.
A Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 fits nicely inside this case...nice and snug but effortless to get in and out when needed (w/no lens hood).  As with all Lowepro products, this Lens Case 1S is well built with quality materials.I fit this lens case inside of my Slingshot 200 for extra protection...I have had a lens fall out of my bag in the past (when trying to get to other gear) so I generally keep my lenses in a case even in my camera bags/backpacks.What makes the Sliplock system great is that I can attach this lens case to the outside of my SS 200 when I am going to need a lot of access to the lens so it is really like getting two products in one if your camera bag/backpack is equiped with Sliplock attachments.
Perfect fit for Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM prime lens. I always by Lowepro lens bags, they are well manufactured and of high quality. It gives the peace of mind that your lens investment is receiving the best protection possible. Worth the money.
Purchased to store a canon 18-55mm IS kit lens.  Fits perfectly without the hood.
I bought this to use with my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and screw on rubber lens hood.It is a perfect match there is know movement within the case.I would highly recommend this for this combination.......
This will fit one small lens only. It holds my 50mm perfectly with a hood on. But that is it. So if you need it for that one lens...this is for you.
This is an extremely well padded case and I feel safe having my Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L in it. However, while the lens fits very well...the lens hood does not. It's just too wide for this case.If you don't mind putting your lens hood elsewhere until you need it then this is the case for you!
i have used several cases and this is one of my favorites.the size is almost perfect and fits quite a few different lens.i would have liked it if it was half an inch taller and wider though.it is sturdy and built well and i feel safe putting my expensive lens in it.
The 1W case will perfectly fit your EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 with the lens hood reversed.The outer fabric is good quality and the padding is around .5" around the lens and around .25" on the side with the belt loop. The case offers sufficient padding all around and closes tight without trying to cram the top on.
For what I paid ($18.55 current price) I should have gotten way more. Like at least two of these, maybe three. I looked at the size chart on Lowepro's site and it suggested this for my Nikon 18-200. Unfortunately, the case is way too big for it. I was hoping it would be somewhat of a secure fit, but no - my big expensive lens bounces around inside this thing - even with the hood on it. Consequently, this case is HUGE. Annoyingly so.The materials used on this case feel very cheap. Extremely cheap, actually. The zipper isn't smooth at all.It does have a belt clip. I'd have to be in a pretty miserable situation to go out in public with this thing strapped to my hip, but hey, it's there if you have to have it.
I have used a few different camera bags over the years, and I really like the LowePro system.  I use the Holster for the DSLR with a lens attached, and the lens cases for my extra lenses.When I need to transport my equipment around, I have two ways I use this system.  The first way is to use the LowePro waist belt, and I attach the Toploader holster to the belt.  This is nice because I can easily unzip the holster and pull out the camera and shoot.  One nice feature is the the top zips open away from your body, so that the top doesn't get in the way as you are trying to pull out the camera.  I don't usually use the lens cases on the belt, as I feel that's a little too much bulk/weight for my taste.  Instead, I wear a non-descript backpack in which I carry whatever lenses I might want for the day.  I keep the lenses in the LowePro lens case and they remain safe, sound and incognito.  I can also use the backpack for whatever else I may want for the day -- snacks, sweatshirt, umbrella, etc.  I feel this makes the backpack safer in that it doesn't scream "Thousands of dollars of nice lenses inside!" like my Canon backpack does.One reason I like the belt system is that I can still push around a stroller or wheelchair (something I often have to do) and still have the camera at the ready (without having the camera around my neck and swinging back and forth).The second way is really just a version of the first, except that instead of wearing the belt, I toss the holster pack into the backpack with whatever lenses I might want.Overall, I'm very pleased with this method.  The LowePro bags are well made, and have the features I'm looking for.As for the 1W lens case, it fits my Canon 10-22 and my Canon 24-70L 2.8.  The shade for the 10-22 is a pretty tight fit, and the 24-70 is slightly long for the case, but I can close it up without difficulty.I also use a lens case 2, and use that for the Canon 70-200L f/4 IS.With the toploader holster, and the two lens cases, I can keep one lens on the camera, and the other two in the lens cases.After using a traditional camera bag, a photo backpack, and a Crumpler shoulder bag, I find that the LowePro belt system components offer the most flexibility for my pattern of use.
Lowepro cases are a must have for all your lenses. Protect you equipment - lenses are not inexpensive. I even put my lenses in the case and then in the pockets of my camera bag for extra protection - especially from the security agents at airports that seem to get some fun out of shoving your bags into others and even off the table (which has happened to my camera bag twice after going through the xray!).
This is part of the LowePro SlipLock system and will attach to any case they have that has the SlipLock attachment points or you can wear it on your belt.Wide enough for the Tamron 10-24 with hood!Good zipper, nice overlap to add to protection, padding adequate.
I ordered two pieces by mistake yet, I am glad I made it because as a nikon user it can fit a lot my existing lenses like 105mm F2.8 VR macro lens, 12-24mm F4, 18-200mm VR, even my 17-55mm F2.8 so you can see that versatility is indeed there. This is a perfect companion for trips where bulk maybe an issue. I don't mind tagging along this lens case for my travel. No wonder it has consistently rated 5stars and I couldn't disagree with all of you folks who helped me chose this case!
This is for fatter lenses.  A Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0L (the 2009 release) fits perfectly in this bag, with the unique front cap scraping, but not buckling, the interior sides; the back cap rests just underneath the top cover of the bag.  A smaller zoom like the cheap Canon 28-90mm F/4-5.6 III will just bounce around inside (it's both a bit too short and far too narrow), and this goes for the current Canon 18-55mm kit zoom as well.  A Canon 50mm f/1.4 with the hood on and extended will fit with less space to the sides, but there's still an inch or so wasted in front of it - not a snug fit.  Look for a smaller bag in these cases.Lowepro has a laugh at our expense with the claim of a "silent zipper" on the advertising paper fixed to the back; it's not very loud, but I would be cautious against buying it thinking it will be perfectly silent in the wilderness (then again, the person who can shoot wildlife with a wide lens or the shorter zooms ideal for this case is better than their equipment).The most important points are:- The belt fastener has two velcro points, which will cause many people a lot of concern that it'll fall off.  I find that when I attach this case to the sling of a separate shoulder bag you can hear the velcro detaching a bit, but it doesn't make any difference because the belt attach is both *very* stiff, and the velcro attaches firmly on both sides of the belt loop.  The bit that loops behind the belt attaches to the outside of the case, and a flap folds over that, so I'm not worried about the movement of the case or a shoulder strap causing an accidental detach so long as I check it occasionally.  The flap is short enough that you can barely get a belt in there - if the shoulder sling attach point breaks , the belt attach point will probably catch on the plastic shoulder bag sling attach, preventing it from falling straight off.- The shoulder bag mentioned in the previous case is an Opteka design, about as expensive.  Don't be deceived by the price; your $20 or so goes a lot farther with the 1W than it will with a camera bag.  There is a nice grey inside lip that tucks under the zippered top of the case, so that there's a bit of a weather seal.  Totally unscientific, but I found that a 50mm f1.4 prime fogged badly in the shoulder bag (going from a cold outside to a warm interior), but the Lowepro 1W kept the TS-E totally clear and ready to shoot immediately with no condensation.  I believe this is entirely due to the thicker walls and the overlap of the 1W providing a seal against moisture, whereas the small Opteka bag trades away such useful points for the sake of size, easy closing and price.  The only bad thing I can say about the 1W in this regard is that you often have to push the gray inside of the case in to get the zipper over it - but you know the seal is working as a result.  There's little chance of careless zippering tearing the material, and I think a broken zipper is unlikely as well.As it stands, I would rather have a separate attach method for the 1W, but the belt attach works surprisingly well, and even if I get an improved bag for my cameras and lenses I'll keep the 1W in service for the improved protection it provides.
If LowePro makes any inferior products I've never heard about them.  Everything I've ever bought has been top quality.  So is this lens case.  Tough fabric, well-designed, well-padded, good construction.  LowePro always designs extra little details, such as the elastic net in the inside of the lid, so you can put a lens cap or a filter in there.  I use Tamrac, Domke, and LowePro products, and they are all very good, but LowePro is always my favorite.  Always top notch.
I'll admit to copying the title of this review from another reviewer, but she/he is right: This is a perfect match for the 17-55 lens with the hood on. There is no addition room, and you do not need to squeeze the lens in.It is possible to squeeze an EF-S 10-22mm lens in this bag with the lens hood, but this is not recommended. (You need to take off the hood to get this done).The EF-S 10-22 mm is too narrow and too short for this bag without the lens hood and will have lots of space to bounce around.This case is surprisingly wide, fits the 17-55 perfectly and is sturdy built.
I like to pack my Canon lenses in lens cases with their lens hoods reversed. That way I always have the hood to use when shooting. But this also means over-sizing the lens case a bit to accommodate the hood. I simply measure the diameter of the lens with its hood reversed, as well as it's length with protective caps at both ends, and go to the Lowepro site to find the closest fit. I don't like to "fit" my measurements any tighter than about 0.25" to any specific Lowepro inside published dimension, as I find that this can mean the fit is TOO tight, and this can be annoying in the field with a case strapped to your belt as you try to remove the lens with one hand, while holding your camera with the other. Too tight means pulling too hard, and that can spell disaster with a fumbled lens as it "pops" out.I simply adore the Lowepro lens case line for it's ample padding, weather sealed case design, dual zipper system, and its AWESOME belt strap system. You can put this case on any belt without removing the belt or unfastening the belt, and it's dual-velcro belt fastening system is basically foolproof, and very secure. Easy on, easy off. I enjoy field work with one to three lenses strapped to my belt, or tucked safely in to a backpack. I absolutely hate shoulder straps of any kind - they always fall off, snag on things, and beat me to death when walking or jogging. I keep my camera in a waist belted holster for the same reason when in the field and not shooting. The Lowepro cases are low-key, black, and don't stand out too badly, even though you may be toting around 3 or 4 lenses and a camera.I sized and ordered the Lowepro 1W lens case for my EF28-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM lens with its EW-78BII lens hood installed backwards. I had been using the Lowepro 1 case for the lens, since it was readily available at a local retailer, but keeping the lens hood separate was really annoying, and meant I didn't use it sometimes, in all honesty, since I didn't have it with me. I was delighted to test fly the 1W case with the EF28-135 lens and hood and to find it was a nice fit, without being too tight at all. I will place the filter-end of the lens in first, which leaves the smaller diameter lens base for firmly grasping when the lens needs to be removed. Unlike one other reviewer, my fit was "loose" and just right. Perhaps there's some variation in manufacturing with the cases, or perhaps they used a different lens hood???Another Lowepro lens case reviewer complained of a bad smell with newer cases when they received them. I had never had this issue with any other Lowepro case I'd previously bought, but was concerned. I was relieved when I got the Lowepro 1W case and found that it had no such odor or bad smell.The height of the case and lens is a perfect match as well. The top of lens EF-mount cap is flush with the top of the padding inside the case. I have a regular UV filter on the lens, with the Canon lens cap. There's an elastic netting storage pouch inside the top of the lens case as well that could hold a couple of CF memory cards, or even a lens filter in a its own protective plastic case.I also tried the 1W case with my EF-S 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5 USM lens with its behemoth EW-83E lens hood reversed. It was close, but no cigar. (Nor did I expect it to fit, given my measurements and those posted for the 1W case.) The petal lens hood on that wide angle lens is gigantic, so it currently travels in either a Lowepro 1 case without the hood, or in a Lowepro Cirrus TLZ 15 case that I happened to have for reasons unremembered. This hood is 4.75" diameter at its widest point, whereas the lens is only 3".I am very pleased with the Lowepro 1W case for the intended application, and will now be able to take another lens in to the field on my belt without having to find a separate storage place for its lens hood (or leave it behind). And I can't say enough positive about how the Lowerpro lens cases mount securely to one's belt, and don't require removal or unfastening of the belt to put on or take off, should you need to. I mount the Lowepro lens cases to my trousers belt, or to the camera holster belt, and couldn't be happier. If traveling by air, I pack my lenses in their Lowepro cases and pack them in to a backpack/daypack which is inconspicuous and taken as a carry-on so that it's always ME who's carefully storing them for flight.I also ordered a Lowepro 3 case for my EF70-200mm F/4L IS USM lens at the same time, and have posted a separate positive review for that as well.
I purchased this to hold my SIGMA 10-20mm ultra wide (Nikon model).  It fits well.  The case is a little large in the height dimension for this particular lens.  However, I took some of the cushioning out of the bottom of case that came with that lens and was able to put in into this lens case.  That took care of this problem.  Fits like a glove now.The case seems to be well made and should be very durable.  The padding is thick enough to protect the lens from minor bumps.  It closes securely and should be able to keep dust and a light rain out.  The case is supposed to be weather resistant but I have not tested this claim yet.One slight criticism I have about Lowepro's Sliplock attachment system is that it does allow heavy object such as large lens to flop around a little.  Not enough to be annoying, but a little.  I have a Tamrac bag and their accessory attachment seems a little more stable.  The downside of the Tamrac system is that it is a little harder to remove and attach items. I do like Lowepros cases better overall than Tamrac.  I used to be a Tamrac users, and have since converted.  Both make great cases and bags, I'm just a little more partial to Lowpro in recent years.  You can't go wrong with either of these vendors and I'd look at both, and some other major brands when shopping around.If you want a case to hold your ultrawide lens, and you have a Lowepro bag that has a Sliplock attachment. I'd recommend this one.
The positive aspects of all the reviews are true.  The only thing I wanted to add is that the Canon 28-135mm with genuine Canon hood (Canon EW78BII Lens Hood for EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Canon SLR Lens) reversed fits perfectly.  It is not snug at all and the length is perfect.  At least one other reviewer stated that it was a very tight fit.  They did not get the Lowepro 1W or they have a different 3rd-party hood.  It is not possible that there is the amount of slop in manufacture that one other reviewer mentioned that would produce two cases such as the one I have and the one that is purportedly too tight.  I was hesitant buying this for the one review that said it was too tight.  Lowepro's compatibility chart recommends theLowepro Lens Case 1 (Black), but the dimensions for that are smaller than the 1W and I've read that Lowepro doesn't always consider reversed hood when determining compatibility.  With that in mind, I opted for the 1W.  Glad I did.
I use these great soft cases to protect both my Canon 17-40mm f/4 L and my Canon 24-105mm f/4 L lenses.  Most frequently I use them strapped to the side of a Lowepro Topload Zoom holster case.  Together they form a modular method of carrying an SLR, my Canon 100-400mm L, and two additional lenses in a modular, highly compact, yet well protected manner.  Highly recommended.
Great pouches that have lasted me years. After about the 3rd year though the constant velcroing has caused the stitching to come undone on one of them. Still not bad
The cases are exactly what I needed, my lens are now safe and secure and I don't have to worry about them falling and breaking easily.
This is a well made bag.  However, regardless of what the websites recommend, the Canon EF 16-35 F2.8L II does NOT fit inside. The lens is too long for this case.
I own about 10 LowePro Lens Cases plus the LowePro x300 Roller Case... so I'm a Lowepro gent... well, honestly, I needed a case right away, ran into B&H;, saw a lot of them, grabbed the first one that looked like strong construction, zippered top, and Velcro belt holder... and it happened to be LowePro.  But, once you I find something that works, I don't try to fix it with another brand :).That initial attraction is still just as apparent now:** SlipLock Vecro Beltloop.** Weather Resistant - I've been out in the pouring rain, discovered not a leak!** Thick foam on the inside (see pic provided). - note, i read somewhere you can take the foam out the bottom; as you can see from the pic its possible.  But, you would have to cut the thread that holds it in the back (its only velcroed to the bottom. [the back foam is velcroed as well - looks like a place to store secret stuff actually :) ].  But I wouldn't take the bottom foam out since doing so would only leave (practically) the outer shell (very thin) to protect your lens.  This case could be more flexible if LowePro offer 2 thin layers of inner foam. This way, in case a lens may not fit with its hood, simply remove one of the layers, and voila. (See pic provided to see its benefit).** Carabiner/Belay hook eyelets - you could hook cases together, or to other things while hiking/climbing. This has been very valuable asset.** LensCap/Lens Cloth holder - inside the bottom of the hood of the case, a net holds your lens cap when the lens is in action.  I have a lens cloth as well as the cap in each case.I have two of these - one holds the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.0 USM - without the hood.this newest one holds the Canon EF 85mm 1.2L II USM.  Without the hood OR with the hood reversed - but not comfortably (see pic). The 85 has a UVFilter + Lens Cap + Lens Cover attached and still fits.While it doesnt fit with the hood comfortably, I was able to put the lens in the lens pouch canon provided and put it all in the LowePro Case with no problem... maybe overkill on protection? But hey... why not :)(see pic).I bought mine from a private seller here on Amazon named "Truth-Seeker".  Excellent transaction, by the way, even shipped it bubble wrapped! Conscientious - I'd buy from him again.Anyway, Check out the pics I posted to show its fitting for the 85!
I bought this hoping to use it as a case for one of my 3 zoom lenses. It ended up being the perfect fit for my Tamron 18-270mm (Canon) lens.  The lens case is well made with decent cushion, though I doubt it would be enough to take a very hard fall. Zipper opens smoothly for quickly taking out the lens.
Fits a cano 28-135mm is usm lens like a glove. Excellent build quality.However, it doesn't fit with the lens hood on. I can shove in in real hard face first and then yank it out at full extension but after trying that once I am not going to do it again.Come on lowepro: in your lens compatibility chart include information about  lens hood compatibilty. How often do pros shoot without lens hoods?
Before I was aware of the optional size cases, I wrote a review of the Lowepro Beltpack which was critical of the overal camera case.  Using the properly sized cases makes all the difference in the functionality of the Lowepro beltpack.  My only suggestion to Lowepro would be to sell the beltpack as a system, allowing the consumer to choose the lens cases needed.  I now have two new tall lens cases which I will probably never use.
I bought two of these cases to replace the two cases that came with my Outback 200 that did not fit the wider lenses I use. The 1W's fit my sigma 12-24 HSM & 24-70 HSM perfectly and now give me a lot of flexibility and they attach to my pack in seconds. An excellent product and great value.
This is well made, gives you the confidence that your lens will be protected.It has a side loop with velcro to attach to another bag or even to a belt.
I bought this for myNikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens, and it holds this lens comfortably with the hood reversed.  It can also hold mySigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraswith the hood on (not reversed).While the Sigma came with its own nice case, this allows me to bring my camera with the 18-200VR attached for most shots and have the 10-20 available for immediate use (and safely store the 18-200VR in the meantime.
Lowepro's Lens Case 1W is the largest of their "1" series lens cases, and accommodates lens up to about four inches in diameter, and six inches in height.  Typical for the "1" series lens cases, the 1W is attractive and well-constructed, with a solid layer of padding about a quarter inch thick on the sides and on the flip up cover, with padding and a hard insert on the bottom. The interior of the case is quite roomy for most shorter lenses.  The cover has twin zippers, with Lowepro's standard nylon pull tabs.  This case provides substantial protection, at very reasonable price.On the back side of the case is Lowepro's SlipLock connector, which allows it to be attached to Lowepro gear with SlipLock provisions, as well as an ordinary belt or strap.  The SlipLock connector is sturdy and very secure.  There is a 2 inch wide flap, with 2 inches of Velcro material for basic attachment. For additional security, there is a fold over flap. When properly attached, it would take a great deal of force to rip this case off.While I generally prefer Tamrac's camera bags to Lowepro gear, when it comes to lens cases, the design of Lowepro cases is simply superior to Tamrac's.  Having owned both brands, I find that Lowepro does a better job with padding, the pull tabs are more convenient, and most of all, the SlipLock system is vastly more secure than what Tamrac provides.  This may be brand heresy, but as SlipLock components will also fit on Tamrac bags with MAS (Modular Accessory System) provisions, if you are seeking maximum protection, there is absolutely no reason not to take a walk on the wild side, and attach a Lowepro lens case to a Tamrac bag.
This product was perfect for my needs.  I was headed out of the country for a wedding, and I needed some extra protection for my Canon 70-300 lens.  This product was the perfect answer.  I packed my lens and lens hood in the case.  I added just a bit of small bubble wrap in the bottom, and the lens and hood fit perfectly!  It gave great protection throughout the trip, and I will echo the thoughts of those who say the Velcro belt loop is worth it's weight in gold!  Very easy and extremely secure.  It made my lens swaps during the wedding much, much easier.Again, a top-notch product, very well worth getting if your size requirements match.  (Lowepro has various sizes, so check before you buy!)
I love all Lowepro products!The Case 2 fits my Tamron 70-300 with plenty of room to spare.  Love that it works with my other Lowepro 100 Sling bag and never have to worry about it coming off.  Has a bottom velcro that locks it in and has plenty of cushion.
Not much other than others have said. Good buy especially at current prices around $11. Best buy sells almost double.
This case fits the Canon 70-200mm f/4 with space to spare, and the hood could be squeezed into the case if push came to shove. However, given how snug the fit is, I wouldn't take any bets on how well the hood would survive if it was hit/dropped. The case does make for a great addition to a utility belt/harness for quick access to a lens. I've even put it to use as a holster using the 70-200mm and my 5D2 though I'm not sure how useful it was considering the camera ended up hitting my ribs whenever I moved.
This case is well designed, durable, and can hold a wide variety of lenses, including substantial zooms if the lens hood is reversed for storage. The ability to attach it to a LowePro Toploader Zoom case is handy since it allows the body and two lenses to be held securely as part of the same bundle and allow access to BOTH lenses simultaneously, making smooth changes of lens and handling caps easier.
Great case that is semi rigid. Protects my Tamron 300mmlens. Has a nice option to web belt it or even clip it to a carabiner. Great case that has made me look at more products from this respected company.
What a good buy and it handles/protects my lens very nicley.  Very well constructed and although I haven't dropped the lens, I feel that this case is so well padded the lens would be highly protected.
Great simple, smart, economical item. My best spent money compare to all of my "way over-priced" photography equiptments. Thanks to Lowepro great designs!
This lens case fits my Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens or any one of several of similar size.  I attach this to my Tamrac Velocity 7 by the same type of attachment system that Tamrac uses for all of thier products.  A flap slides into the available MAS system slot on the camera bag and is secured VERY securely with a double locking velcro strap system. This leaves plenty of room in the bag for my camera and other gear.  Nicely padded to protect your lens investment.
I found this while searching for a case for my Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AF-S ED lens.  While it does fit in here, the sun shade and tripod collar do not.  Not a huge deal, but it was one of my first thoughts and it disappointed me.With that said, the fit for the lens is snug and it has lots of hoops and velcro for it to attach to other packs.I feel very secure having my expensive-for-me lens in and I would recommend to anyone.  I would just let them know what won't fit in there.
I bought one of this in May 2011 and planned to buy another one today and was shocked with the price change!I just bought this for only $11 in 2011 and now it is $45???? What the heck!Review on the product, it is great for my long lens and wants a new one... good quality but the heck with the pricing!!!4 stars is for the product and I want to give -0 on the pricing....
This works great, fits a Canon EF 70 - 200 F4 IS with tripod mount attached and the lens hood reversed. The fit is snug with the tripod mount, but it fits fine. The protection only seems to be foam, so you still wouldnt want to drop the lens case with anything breakable inside.
This case fits my Canon lens perfectly, but I still feel it's not enough protection for L lenses because of their weight.  The wall of this case is less than " in thickness.  I would think dropping this with a 3 lb. lens inside will definitely break the lens.  It is better use for travel to protect lenses from bumping into things.
Bought this to store my 20 year old Canon EF 70-210 f/4 lens with hood. The lens fit very easily with plenty of room around the sides, but the hood just made it comfortably. The lens case is well made with decent cushion, though I doubt it would be enough to take a very hard fall.
This product is very useful for a quick lens change when I'm shooting events, weddings, or just out on my own.
I have several of these Lowepro lens cases in different sizes for the various lenses I use.  This one is no exception and does its job quite well. The only reason I gave it a lower 4 stars in the usability category is because the zipper around the top is a bit awkward to use as it hangs up on the inside lip of the case if you try to run it around quickly. I suppose if I weren't in such a hurry to change lenses and just took my time, it would be fine.  Good case, good padding all around, top and bottom; the tabs are a convenient thing as is the velcro strap on the back.
I bought this one for a friend, as I already have a Tamrac equivalent. I could compare them side by side. They are essentially equivalent: same size, same thickness, same way to attach to a belt and I like them both.
Lowepro is, as always, the product leader.  This case is no exception.  I use it to protect my Rode Stereo VideoMic On-Camera Microphone which is used on my Canon 5D Mark II
I highly recommend this lens case.  It is very well made -- and at a very low price.  Great value for the money.
I bought this for my canon 24-70L and it holds the lens and the hood.... great design, and well padded...
This case is perfect for carrying my telephoto lens. It has a sturdy lining which is padded enough to protect the lens from any bumps it might encounter. It is perfect to use if you don't want to carry around your whole camera case while on a photo outing.
this this not only protects my 70-300mm it also keep the lens warm during winter and cool during summer.  On top of that my girlfriend uses it to keep her drinks cold or warm.
Quick ship by the vendor. Item arrived in as described condition (new). A slightly snug fit for my Nikon 200mm f/4 micro with a filter on the front (slight bulge in length of case). This may be nothing big, but if the case were to incur a drop on its end from a short height, there would be no wiggle room for movement of lens inside so that the impact could be absorbed. All the more reason for this case to have at least a carry handle for those grab-and-go times when strapping it on to your waist or a camera bag is not always practical.
The case is just the right size for the 75-300mm Canon zoom lens. Great deal & price!
Lowepro's Lens Case 2 is a slightly smaller version of their ultra heavy duty Lens Case 3, and will accommodate lenses up to about four inches in diameter, and eight inches in height.  Lens Case 2 is attractive and well-constructed, with a solid layer of padding about a quarter inch thick on the sides, the flip up cover, and on the bottom. The interior of the case is roomy enough for any but the largest lenses.  The cover has twin zippers, with Lowepro's standard nylon pull tabs.  Lens Case 2 provides substantial protection, at very reasonable price.  With much thicker padding, Lens Case 3 is better suited to larger and heavier telephoto lenses.On the back side of the case is Lowepro's SlipLock connector, which allows it to be attached to Lowepro gear with SlipLock provisions, as well as an ordinary belt or strap. Typical a telephoto lens is quite heavy, so you really need a connector that is sturdy and secure, and Lowepro's system seems up to the task. It has a 2 inch wide flap, that has nearly 4 inches of Velcro material for basic attachment. For additional security, there is a fold over flap, and four loops that can be used to tie down the case. The SlipLock connector system is sturdy, and very secure.  When properly attached, it would take a great deal of force to rip this case off.While I generally prefer Tamrac's camera bags to Lowepro gear, when it comes to lens cases, the design of Lowepro cases is simply superior to Tamrac's.  As a owner of both brands, I find that Lowepro does a better job with padding, the pull tabs are more convenient, and most of all, the SlipLock system is vastly more secure than what Tamrac provides.  This may be brand heresy, but as SlipLock components will also fit on Tamrac bags with MAS (Modular Accessory System) provisions, if you are seeking maximum protection, there is absolutely no reason not to take a walk on the wild side, and attach a Lowepro lens case to a Tamrac bag.
this was a great deal - i picked up three of them. they're sturdy, well padded, they have good belt loops, etc.  great buy
it's a well made case, for a camera lens.  i purchased it for the nikon 70-300vr.  the diameter fit very well, but it's a little on the long side for that lens.  other than that, it's a well made camera lens pouch.
I have already been using this case for a couple of months and I am competely setisfied with it. It is a high quality product. I am using it for Canon ef 70-200mm & ef 100-400mm lenses that perfactly fit in it and are easy to remove. I can attache or take it off my Lowepro camera bag with no problem and what is the most important it hase quite solid protection for the lense as against phisical as well mosture (rain) damage. I would highly recommend it for all telephoto lens users!
I thought I sized up the dimensions of the Lowepro Lens Case 3 so it would fit my Olympus 70-300mm lens. It was way too large both in height and diameter.I was able to trade for a Lowepro Lens Case 2 at a local camera store with the warning not to buy on-line but at their store where I could see and touch the items.Both cases are high quality and fit my need.
See my 4 images for this product, as I show how the lens fits. I know that Marc LeFevre wrote a review where he had trouble, but you can't argue with the pictures.When I first put the lens in, it was so loose I was afraid I wold have to return it (like I had to do with the 1W, which LowePro says works for the 50mm f/1.2, which is DOES NOT. You need the normal "1" case).Also, not all Lowepro cases are equal. I have a "1" case which has metal zipper "pull tab". Another "1" case I have has then string and plastic thingy system. This "3" case has the string & plastic thingy pull tabs, which are my favorites.The case has 4 "loops" that are 2 on each side, and are about 5/8" wide. Not sure what you would hang off of those. I'm open to anyone making suggestions!I could not be happier! The padding is really thick, and as it is holding a $1600 lens, that is fine with me. It is just as big as it needs to be, no more. That matters to me as I am a location shooter.Another winner, Lowepro... Thanks!
not very bad or good... good looking but verey big diameter so large and soft not as originals.
I have two of these cases.  One houses a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS II USM which I store with the hood reversed and tripod ring attached.  It is a bit of a tight fit, lengthwise, but the padding seems good enough that I don't worry about it.The second I use for a Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM that I also store with the hood reversed and tripod ring attached.  This is a tight fit across the width of the hood, and it can be a little challenging to get it in and out of the case.  Because of the setup I use (sometimes it's strapped to a bag, other times it will be on a belt) it's a compromise I can live with.Both of mine (ordered from different places) have the pull-tab elastic zippers.I'm a fairly new photographer that was looking to build a basic collection of professional grade lenses on a budget.  I wanted to be able to produce high quality photographs, but since my budget was limited I opted to go with the Canon 7D first, since that was the body I wanted to (eventually) use as a secondary.  Next, I needed lenses.  I was willing to spend a little bigger on lenses because they tend to have a much greater staying power when it comes to their useful lifespan, and they tend to hold their value quite well over time (when compared to camera bodies).  I decided my basic kit should include a fast 50mm prime lens (EF 50mm f/1.4 USM), a mid-range lens (EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM), a zoom lens (EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM) and a lens to do wide angle work (EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM).I wanted to have the option to carry ALL of these lenses with me.  These are BIG cases.  I'm still not sure that it was the brightest idea I've ever had to decide to strap these on a belt or bag, but they do work for the purpose I wanted them for.
Fits my Canon 70-200 F/4 IS with the hood reversed snugly and provides great protection.
I have an Olympus 70-300mm lens that measures 3 5/8 inches by 8 inches with lens hood. The lens fits easily in the case with about 1/2 inch diameter and 1/4 inch height to spare. Cushioning is plush and there is good  cushioning on the top and bottom of the case as well. Very nice. Some would say it is a little bit too loose a fit for my lens but I am happy with it. I don't like fighting to get at my equipment. This case does not come with a strap. However it has loops for one and that is how I carry it. There is also a very secure velcro attachment that I think is designed for Lowe's "system." I don't use Lowe's bags, so I don't care about it. You could use the velcro to attach the case to your belt (if you want to end up with your pants around your ankles or look like a dork). The fit, finish and materials are top notch. Finally, the case is flat on one side so it won't roll around.
I bought this item with my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, only to find out that the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM already came with a lens case.So right now I'm not using it ... but;The case looks stylish and is of a good quality, offering good protection for your expensive lens.
I like to pack my Canon lenses in lens cases with their lens hoods reversed. That way I always have the hood to use when shooting. But this also means over-sizing the lens case a bit to accommodate the hood. I simply measure the diameter of the lens with its hood reversed, as well as it's length with protective caps at both ends, and go to the Lowepro site to find the closest fit. I don't like to "fit" my measurements any tighter than about 0.25" to any specific Lowepro inside published dimension, as I find that this can mean the fit is TOO tight, and this can be annoying in the field with a case strapped to your belt as you try to remove the lens with one hand, while holding your camera with the other. Too tight means pulling too hard, and that can spell disaster with a fumbled lens as it "pops" out.I simply adore the Lowepro lens case line for it's ample padding, weather sealed case design, dual zipper system, and its AWESOME belt strap system. You can put this case on any belt without removing the belt or unfastening the belt, and it's dual-velcro belt fastening system is basically foolproof, and very secure. Easy on, easy off. I enjoy field work with one to three lenses strapped to my belt, or tucked safely in to a backpack. I absolutely hate shoulder straps of any kind - they always fall off, snag on things, and beat me to death when walking or jogging. I keep my camera in a waist belted holster for the same reason when in the field and not shooting. The Lowepro cases are low-key, black, and don't stand out too badly, even though you may be toting around 3 or 4 lenses and a camera.This Lowepro lens case #3 is a bit large for one's belt, but it works if necessary for field work. I think I would prefer putting this lens case in a backpack for field work though. I currently do that with my EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens and case. It's much more comfortable on one's back, than beating against your leg for a lens that size.I sized and ordered the Lowepro 3 lens case for my EF70-200mm F4L IS USM lens with its EW-74 lens hood installed backwards. This lens came with a soft, collapsable case from Canon, but this afforded NO padding at all, and basically just served as a dust cover and scratch protector. Not good enough for a $1000+ lens in my humble opinion. I was delighted to test fly the Lowepro 3 lens case with the EF70-200mm lens & reversed hood and to find it was a nice fit, without being too tight at all. This included the add-on tripod ring mount on the lens, which does not come standard with the lens. I will place the filter-end of the lens in first, which leaves the smaller diameter lens base for firmly grasping when the lens needs to be removed. Note that the case fits the lens with the optional tripod ring mount installed "bracket forward" or "bracket backward", for maximum flexibility.Another Lowepro lens case reviewer complained of a bad smell with newer cases when they received them. I ordered both a Lowepro 1W and a Lowepro 3 case at the same time, and didn't notice any odor at all with the 1W case. However, I can smell an odor of some sort in the Lowepro 3 case (not too bad), so I'll air it out with the case propped open for a few days just to be safe. I've never noticed this with other Lowepro cases (and I have several). Not sure it's a big deal, but wanted to corroborate the other reviewer's observation.The height of the case and lens is a nice fit as well. The top of lens EF-mount cap is just short of the top of the padding inside the case. I have a regular UV filter on the lens, with the Canon lens cap. There's an elastic netting storage pouch inside the top of the lens case as well that could hold a couple of CF memory cards, or even a lens filter in a its own protective plastic case. I always find this handy for "distributing" extra memory and battery accessories for field work.I am very pleased with the Lowepro 3 case for the intended application, and will put the Canon soft case in permanent "storage". I am baffled that Canon includes a nice case with its EF100-400mm L lens, but not its EF70-200mm F4L lens, given that they are both expensive "L" lenses. But the former lens also comes with a tripod ring mount, wheras the latter does not. I suppose I can "justify" the tripod ring difference based on lens weight, perhaps, but not the significant difference in the lens case???I did try the EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens with its ET83C lens hood reversed in the Lowepro lens case 3, but it didn't fit. The hood was too tight. The lens would fit fine without the hood, just FYI.I can't say enough positive about how the Lowerpro lens cases mount securely to one's belt, and don't require removal or unfastening of the belt to put on or take off, should you need to. I mount the Lowepro lens cases to my trousers belt, or to the camera holster belt, and couldn't be happier. If traveling by air, I pack my lenses in their Lowepro cases and pack them in to a backpack/daypack which is inconspicuous and taken as a carry-on so that it's always ME who's carefully storing them for flight.I also ordered a Lowepro 1W case for my EF28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens at the same time, and have posted a separate positive review for that as well.
Purchased this for our telephoto lens which we also purchased here on Amazon. Product is exactly as described.
my 135 to 400mm lens fits perfectly in this case (without lens hood).  It doesn't come with a should strap.  I can strap it to my tamrac velocity 6 slingbag but it isn't the most comfortable.  i am still happy with it though.
I like the size of it, you can fit 1 big zoom lens or 2 standard size of lenses. Very handy, very sturdy material, though cheap in orice but not cheap in materials.
This case fits my Canon 70-300 lens perfectly with room for a few extra filters.  There is just one thing missing, and that is a shoulder strap.  I tend to use this on trips where I am primarily shooting landscapes with a wide angle.  Then when I encounter wildlife and want a close up, I switch to the telephoto which I carry on my shoulder.  A strap from the camera shop or a tote not in use anymore works fine, but for the price, you think they could throw one in.All in all it is a well made case that can take the trail or the family vacation.  No worries of damage to the lens it holds.  Great construction and padding all around.
Fits Canon 70-200L f4 IS with lens shade inverted.  Very well padded - much better protection than the pouches that come with Canon L lenses.  A bit expensive, particularly if you are not interested in the SlipLock mounting.
I searched for a long time. I bought this case. We are very happy together. I spend Saturday nights caressing it. If you buy one and don't like it, send it to me, I will give it loving care, you cad.
I use this case to carry my 70-200 2.8 or 100-400mm lens with my smaller camera cases.  I also use it with my Sony camcorder when I use my Lowepro Computrekker and my lens fit in the bag.  Well padded and very durable.  Has Lowepro's SlipLock strap on it.  It can be secured to the side of many camera bags that support external attachments (I use it with my lowepro and tarmac cases).  Great  addition if it is the size you need. At this time Lowepro  has 8 different sizes available.Size (Interior):  4.5D x 8H in. / 11.5 x 20.5 cmOuter fabric:  water-resistant 600D TXP
I purchsed this case because I wanted to keep my 80-200 Nikon 2.8 with the metal shade on, in a belt pouch for easy and quick lens changes.  I didn't want to fuss with putting a shade on each time I mounted the lens. The shade mounted lens fits in the case without a problem.  In fact the case diameter is a little too big but I'd rather deal with that than struggle to pull a lens from a too tight case.  The quality of the case is first rate.  The padding is exactly what you would expect to find in a top quality case.  I like that they use a double zipper design which is handy in case one zipper breaks.If you have any questions/comments please post them and I'll do my best to respond quickly.
Lowepro is a leader in the camera accessory industry, and their Lens Case 3, designed to accommodate a large diameter telephoto lens, is simply a great product.  When you have an expensive telephoto zoom like Canon's 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, or Nikon's 70-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens, you want substantial protection for your investment, and you certainly get that with this case, and at very reasonable price.The case is well constructed, with a solid layer of padding about half an inch thick, on the sides, with thinner inserts on the bottom and on the flip up cover.  The case is quite roomy, with inside dimensions of 4.0"W x 4.5"D x 8.5"H.  The cover has twin zippers, with Lowepro's standard nylon pull tabs.On the back side of the case is Lowepro's SlipLock connector, which allows it to be attached to Lowepro gear with SlipLock provisions, belts, straps, and also to Tamrac bags with MAS provisions.  A typical telephoto lens is quite heavy, and you really need a connector that is sturdy and secure, and Lowepro's system seems up to the task.  It has a 2 inch wide flap, that has nearly 4 inches of Velcro material for basic attachment.  For additional security, there is a fold over flap, and four loops that can be used to tie down the case.  When properly attached, it would take a great deal of force to rip this case off.For lens cases, the SlipLock system is a better and more secure, than Tamrac's Modular Accessory System (MAS).  As Lowepro's SlipLock components will also fit on Tamrac MAS straps, there is no reason not to attach a Lowepro case to a Tamrac bag.Solidly built, well padded, and economically priced, if you need a soft case for a telephoto lens, this is probably the best one you can buy for under twenty dollars.
Perfectly fits my Canon 300mm f4 IS with tripod ring attached. The protection is also good, although the strap could be better.
The Lowepro Case 4 is a great case for a long telephoto.  It's well padded, well-built and protects the lens very well.  However, I tried to use it with a small Lowepro Rezo 190 AW and found that (even using the SlipLock attachment) it completely unbalanced the bag.  It was so uncomfortable and unpredictable, that I finally gave up and bought a Lowepro AW Magnum (where all the gear I use fits inside the bag) to replace both.  I now just use the Case 4 for storage purposes or to bring the telephoto along in the car when I'm "hand-carrying".  I believe it would work much better as an attachment on a medium size bag where another lens case could be hung on the other side of the bag to better balance the weight.
Great case super sturdy, ample padding, nicely sealed  when zipped shut & made out of really tuffLowepro Lens Case 4 (Black)Cordura like nylon material.  Straps easily to my Lowepro sling shot camera bag.  Plenty of room to hold my Nikon 70-200mm VR f2.8 zoom lens 77mm diameter.  Just know that the Lowepro Lens Case 4 (Black) is one really big case so make sure you need this big oF a lens case  before buying.  Check out the dimentions provided for the case and measure your lens to be sure the case will not will not be to big for your lens.I love this case works great for my needs and provides excellent protection for my very expensive lens.  l would definitely recommend this lens case if the size meets your needs.
This lens case is much better than the one that comes with my EF100-400mm lens. It has a rather tight on my white lens, and you have to be very careful not to tighten the tension ring of the push pull zoom mechanism. Overall not a bad product for its price.
This case is everything I have come to expect from Lowepro. High quality, very padded, and holds my lens including the lens hood. This is not a small case. I carry my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens in this case.  I don't mind the diameter being large to accommodate the lens with it's hood. I frequently leave my large camera backpack in the trunk of my car when I go hiking to shoot pictures. I carry a second lens in the lens case and wear it over my shoulder with the shoulder strap that comes on the lens case. While on the trail I can switch lenses. Should I slip or lose my balance, I never worry that the lens in its protective case will get damaged.
I purchased this Lowepro 4 case specifically for a Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II lens and it fits perfectly.  I prefer the Lowepro case for its superior padding and better protection over the Canon LZ1326 zippered soft lens case that was supplied with the lens.  I also prefer the zippers around the lid of this case versus zippers on the side which the Canon offers.  It's just easier and quicker to work with.  On the down side, this case is significantly larger than the Canon.As far as the fit, I store the lens facing down with the hood reversed and with the tripod collar in place on the lens.  It's a nice, snug fit as others have mentioned.  I wouldn't say it's too tight, but comfortably snug.  I was also able to fit the lens into the case with hood reversed, tripod collar and a Manfrotto 200PL-14 quick release plate attached, but this was pushing it.  So I removed the Manfrotto plate and stored it in the internal storage pocket within the lid of the case.Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase.  While the Canon LZ1326 case is indeed a quality case, I much prefer this alternative at a very reasonable price.
Its a well built lens bag. I bought it to fit my Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS. It is very snug with the len's tripod ring & hood. It will also fit the my 17-40 with hood and the 24-105 with hood. I bought the lens bag because it can be attached to my Lowepro Reporter 400AW, OffRoad, and Toploader 75AW. Overall I'm very happy with it.
I recently purchased a used Canon 300mm f4 L and it didn't have a case.  This lightweight case was perfect for this lens.  It fits snugly, but not too tight.The case is lined with about 1/2" of high density foam.  I'm pretty sure that this case would adequately protect a heavy L series lens in a 4-5 foot fall.  The case can be used with my Tamarac MAS bag, but most of the time I sling the lens and case over my shoulder using the attached shoulder strap.This is a very secure, reasonably priced lens case that provides excellent protection for your valuable lenses.
The Lowepro Case 4 is a good tight fit for the Canon 100-400mm IS USM L lens. I didn't see it listed in reviews, but bought one to try. I have the lens hood on, the tripod mount turned toward the corner of the flat back case, and it fits nice and snug. The padding is almost 3/4" foam and very firm. The water resistant nylon case has quite a number of carrying options. Built in tab eyes to tie to a pack, a handle, a shoulder strap, a Velcro strap, and two buckled belts are all included. Suffice to say, I'm very pleased with my purchase.Oh yes, this case has a Lowepro LIFETIME Warranty. Not bad for about $25.
Look at it. That's what it is. Want one? Or not? It's up to you, kiddo.
It appears to be good quality although I cannot judge how it works under wear and tear. I bought the case 4s and it is monstrous, it has too much padding. In addition, the waist belt (size large), and I have waist 34", covers only the back from hip bone to hip bone. So the lens cases would be hanging on the back when I want the buckles in front of the body. This will make it extremely awkward to get a lens out and in from the back, including operating the zipper. In my view, waist belt, body harness and lens case from Loewepro is from the concept a very poor design. Not made for photographers who need quick access to lenses and who do not want to be subject of laughter by the monstrous appearance this system provides. The unpadded lens cases that came with the lens are much smaller and I will modify them to attach to a self designed waist belt and suspender type harness.
When I carry my ultra wide angle lens, I need a case to accommodate the lens with the hood. The hood is quite wide, and this case fits the whole thing perfectly. It has a long strap, so you can carry it on your shoulder comfortably. It also comes with built-in waist belt straps. The design of this case is very well thought off and it offers good protection for your lens. I highly recommend it.
This case is everything I have come to expect from Lowepro. High quality, very padded, and holds my lens including the lens hood. This is not a small case. I don't mind the diameter being large to accommodate the lens with it's hood. I frequently leave my large camera backpack in the trunk of my car when I go hiking to shoot pictures. I carry a second lens in the lens case and wear it over my shoulder with the shoulder strap that comes on the lens case. While on the trail I can switch lenses. Should I slip or lose my balance, I never worry that the lens in its protective case will get damaged.
I bought Rokinon 500mm mirror telephoto lens.  It's 4.5" in diameter, too wide for a lot of lens cases.  The lens, with the T-Mount attached fits fine.  And the lid pouch had a place for filters in the cases.  Yeah it's big, but unlike other Lowpro pouches I have, this one comes with a shoulder stap too.  A lot better than the bulky lens rolling around.
It is what it is. A padded case. Good quality. Big, though. But it has to be, to provide the padding. Hope the zipper holds up. That's about all that can fail, I guess.
I have two older versions of this case from about 6 years ago.  They were much better.The problem is that the new cases are made in China and they just to not seem as robust or "over built".  There is one less surround strap.The worst thing is that the foam smells like a chemical factory or toxic waste, nothing in the older version.  I had to air these cases out for two weeks in my garage to get to the point where I could use them.  I was also afraid that the fumes could also infiltrate my lenses and damage the optical glass.I am tired of Chinese products that mimic older made in the USA.  The Chinese stuff is junk.What is Lowe Pro thinking?Rudi
This LOWEPRO lens case like all LOWEPRO products is well made and ready to go. It provides excellent protection for your valuable lenses.
I was concerned about the covering from other reviews, but that is a non-issue.  (I haven't yet put any of the stuff on it yet though.)  This is a great size for the OM-D plus extra lenses.  I have a 20mm 1.7, a 45mm 1.8, the 45-150, and the kit lens (12-50) all in there along with the flash it comes with.There are only a few changes I would like to this bag.1) I wish there was a zippered pocket on the top to put small items like SD cards, batteries in.  (like on some of the bigger Domkes)2) I wish there was a pocket on the side that a water bottle could be put in.All in all, a very good bag.
Like most photographers, I've owned a ton of bags. Think Tank, Lowepro, Kata and of course, Domke. I like Domke for the construction and (in other models) for the utility. But NOT this bag. One main pocket holds my Panny GX7 m43 body and one extra lens - but not much else. The weak slot - not fair to call it a pocket - in the front is terrific if you want to carry a slip of paper.But none of this is why I don't like it. The primary reason is the velcro. I'm sorry. It has a zipper running the length of the main (only) pocket. So if I want everything inside to stay inside, I'll close that zipper. Enter the velcro. Industrial strength stuff that runs the length of the bag along the front. Something like 16 square inches of velcro. It makes it near impossible to use the bag singlehanded. If I want to carry this like a messenger bag and use just one hand to pull my camera out for a quick shot - forget it. The flap is flexible enough that the velcro is constantly fighting you trying to keep the bag closed. Ridiculous. Either dump the zipper or use a couple, small pieces of velcro. Not two inch high, ten inch long strips that would have kept the Tintanic from leaking. And opening it scares away just about anything earthbound you might have wanted to shoot, should you ever get the bag open.As always, quality construction. Good padding - which is a bit unusual for a Donke. Love the strap, too. BUT HATE THE VELCRO! Really!
Photographers are always looking for the "perfect bag", The Domke while somewhat small, isvery well made and offers a zippered top, under a flap which makes the case very secure andvery weatherproof. A very good buy from AMAZON.
I use this bag for my Leica gear. It holds an M9 with lens, a 35mm lens with goggles, a 28mm lens, a 90mm lens, a 15mm lens, extra batteries and lens hoods associated with the lenses. The bag is well padded, with 2 dividers giving 3 storage spaces. I added a couple of small velcro attached dividers to cushion further the lenses. The material the bag is constructed from is waterproof and has an &#34;old and worn&#34; look to it. The strap is comfortable to carry the bag loaded with all the equipment. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good quality small bag.
Loved the look - but straight out of the box I was surprised at how small it was.It looks bigger in the pics. Maybe they have used smaller body cameras than mine. I have a Canon 60D and 2 lens. But it even looks bigger on the pic with a girl carrying over her shoulder. Must have been a tiny model.I can just fit my camera body and 2 lens' in - but only by having no lens on the camera body. So its impossible to grab the camera from the bag and start shooting. Gotta fit lens every time.With he 70-200mm standard lens attached to the body, i can jam it to one end have enough space to almost, but not quite, store the second lens. So with the 70-200mm fitted, thats all that the bag can take.Even if it did squeeze in - im not keen to have anything tight up against the two ends of the bag - because they skipped the padding here. Just thin canvas. Why?? (ok you can detach the velcro internal dividers and move them to the ends (i have) - but now I have no internal dividers...For me, no padding at the ends makes it unfit to be called a camera bag. And the size  -for a camera and 2 lens' - not practical.Make it 20% bigger and pad all 6 sides - then it would be great.It looked good in the pics though.
I have a massive Lowepro bag that holds all my equipment. It's super-padded and great for airline travel; I can put it in the overhead bin without any fear of something happening to my gear. For everyday use, though, that bag is overkill. I've always wanted something that would hold just one camera with the lens attached, and nothing else. I had looked at Domkes in stores over the years, but they never seemed very well padded, and I was under the impression that when it came to padding, more was better.I recently made the switch from the Tamrac 5684 (which screams "Camera bag!" and doesn't look very cool) to the Domke F-5XB in Olive, and I'm in love! In this bag, I can fit my Canon 5D Mark II, with the 50mm f/1.2 L (attached), with the lens hood attached (not reversed). (Just for reference, I also can fit the same body with either the 85mm f/1.2 L or the 16-35mm f/2.8 L, with the lens attached, but for both those lenses, I have to reverse the lens hood in order to get the camera to fit.) The camera sits on its side in the bag. I put one divider at the back of the camera and the other divider at the end of the lens, just because there isn't any padding on the ends of the bag. The bag doesn't have lots of pockets or dividers or padding, and that's what I love about it! It's streamlined, doesn't look like a camera bag, and yet protects my camera as much as a day bag needs to. I wouldn't put it in an overhead bin, but that's not what this little bag is for.If you've been hesitant to get a Domke because it feels so light and unpadded, give it a shot. There's a reason these bags have been so popular for so many years. I might even look into switching to one of the big Domkes for when I want to carry spare lenses and accessories.
The only complaint I have about this bag is that the front pocket is a tiny bit too shallow. Not a big deal because I can put small valuables in the pocket between the camera insert and the canvas on the inside of the bag. Otherwise it's perfect; just the right size for a Sony NEX system, small enough that it won't get heavy unless you stuff it with ingots of lead but large enough to hold body and numerous lenses, and the classic Domke canvas is water resistant without leaving any residue from waterproofing treatment on your lenses (unlike the Domke waxed bags which leave goop on your gear if used in warm weather). I previously purchased the F-5XA as a small NEX system bag, but am much happier with the larger size of this bag. It holds just the right amount of stuff.
Using this for an OM-D E-M10.  It's big enough to hold the camera, two lenses, extra batteries, and a charger.  Probably a bit too small for a larger DSLR rig, but perfectly fits my needs.  It's got a nice rugged look to it, and the zippers and strap are fairly high quality.  I wasn't a big fan of the prominent logo on the front flap, but it is easy enough to remove with a knife.
I just received the camera bag Domke F-5XB today.  The only three things right for me are the size, the weight and the strap. It is the only bag of this size that I could find on Amazon. I shall be using it for my Panasonic Superzoom FZ-200 and related supplies.  I feel like a fool to have paid $61.17 for a bag of this quality, which is ludicrously listed by Amazon as  originally costing twice about $110! Even at the price I actually paid, the profit markup on this bag must be phenomenal! Four years ago, I had paid $30 for my Canon camera bag which is three times large, superbly made, great for storage, and still looks like new; but it is too large for walking around. I chose the sand color of this Domke model and its appearance is depressing: coming out of its package the bag looks 5-year old, as if its fabric came from a recycled pair of second-hand army pants. Like some other users, I had to removed the grossly invasive brand label, but the holes from the stiches show. Most astonishing to me, the bag comes with something that looks like a can of shoe polish  but is labeled as "refinishing wax". The appearance and texture of this material is like mink oil. Wax for a fabric bag??! I tested the material on the bottom of the bag and saw no result at all.  I think that a waterproofing spray for upholstery fabrics by 3M will do a much better job.To sum up, this Domke bag is of the right size and weight for my needs. As to its price, PT Barnum must be laughing in his grave.
I purchased this bag about 5 months ago for our summer vacation in Europe.  The bag is comfortable and easily holds my Canon EOS digital rebel, three lenses (18-55mm kit lens, 50mm prime, and 28mm prime), an extra battery, a cleaning cloth, and two flare hoods. I do like the non-slip grip built into the shoulder strap that is effective and leaves no residue or damage on your clothing.Aesthetically however, the bag shows significant fading after only 5 months of regular use and without getting wet.  Also, there is no padding on the sides of the bag (though it does have a reinforced bottom plate) which makes going by turn styles more of a chore than it should be, and in general it provides little protection for your lenses.  I still like the bag, but if I were to purchase another bag I would look elsewhere.
I cannot say much more about this bag than I that which I have already said about the original Domke F2. Which is, this is a sturdy camera bag that will travel the world with you and not let you down.  My wife, and daughter, each use this bag for the Nikon kits (d40, 18-55. 55-200, sb400 flash, and personal items).  When they plan on taking their camera gear with them for the day they generally leave their purses behind and add the necessary items to this bag.  Simply put, it just works.  Please, read my Domke F2 review for more information about this company's excellent products.  If you choose to buy this bag you will not be disappointed.  In fact, it may be the last camera bag you ever have to buy.
Over the past 7-8 years or so, I have had a number of camera bags, from Lowepro and, more recently, Domke. This is definitely the best camera bag I have ever had. It is very well made, durable, and minimalistic in external form and internal structure. It doesn't look like a camera bag, which is a plus IMO. It is an excellent size for a rangefinder with one lens attached, plus two additional lenses (and other accessories). I have it in olive canvas, which has proven to hold up well to dirt, even rain. It's not rain proof, but I have managed well in quick sprints from the rain (though not torrential). It's easy to clean in the washing machine. I also like that the F-5xb has a zipper and flap for the internal cavity. (In contrast, some A&A; bags have only a zipper OR a flap.) The bag comes with a Domke label on front, but you can easily clip that away.Two minor complaints. First, the F-5xb comes with two rather thin internal dividers. I actually moved those two dividers to the ends of the bag and inserted two other internal dividers (that I had from an older Lowepro bag). This permit greater protection, without taking up lots of space or altering how the bag moves in your hands or on your body. Second, there is a pocket on the front, right under the flap, but it is an open pocket. I would much prefer if this front pocket had a snap or velcro or something to keep it closed. Without such, I never use this pocket for anything important. There is, however, a good pocket inside that I use normally for SD cards, a rocket blower, etc.Every year or so, I ponder other bags of similar size (from A&A; or ThinkTank), but each time I have refrained from getting another bag of similar size because I really can't see this bag being improved upon (albeit for a snap or velcro on that front pocket!).
I like this bag.  It is just what I wanted and I like how it looks.  I have other larger bags when I want to take more gear like the Domke F6 but I was looking for a small bag to hold my D90 with a 16-85 lens or 35 1.8 lens and still have room for an extra lens or flash and my wallet, cell phone and keys and this bag is perfect for what I want.  Like all Domke bags it is well made, comfortable to carry and I can take it anywhere.  Sometimes I use it as a shoulder bag without the camera. I haven't found the velco fastener to be a problem in fact the wide size lets the cover be fastened in different positions.  Others have criticized it for being small which I don't feel is fair thats the way it was designed.  If the bag is to small for your use buy a bigger one.
Very nice bag. Rugged, built to last, and attractive. Expensive but worth the money for sure. I will be purchasing this brand in the future.
This is super heavy duty and well made.  I didn't like the hard plastic piece at the base of it though so i had to go in, take that out, and sew it back up.  Outside of that, love love this bag for my x-t1 and 55-200 lens.
Down sized the format to micro 4/3 (GF-1 body).  GF-1 body with 14-45mm lens attached and hood deployed sits vertically in the center created slot.  On one side sits the Oly 9-18mm.  The other side holds the 45-200mm. The flat front pocket has enough room to hold spare cards, battery.  The dust blower, cordless charger & spare chamosis sit with the Oly lens.  Since purchasing this bag have added the LVF-1 & a 2nd used GF-1 body.  LVF-1 attached to the GF-1 body results in a very snug fit. You can still zip the bag close unless the 45-200mm is mounted.  Without the LVF-1, the fit is tight with the 45-200mm attached even with the hood bayoneted.  2nd body with the Oly 9-18mm attached fits into the slot that once just held the lens.  Bit of a snugger fit for the 45-200mm.  No room for blower & charger.  I tuck inside the belt loop slot a large zip lock bag.  Convenient place to store.  Use it when transitioning from the cold outside to the warm moist inside. Plans to sew a custom silnylon weather shield for the Domke. Should easily store in the belt loop pocket.The Positives: 1.Relatively small package can efficiently hold more gear than I expected; 2.Quality Domke construction as expected; 3. Subtle no screaming "I'm a Camera Bag!".The Negatives: 1. Overkill on the amount of Velcro. Covered most of the Velcro with a length of OmniTape(velcro with both hooks & loops on one side).  Reposition to expose more Velcro when a more secure closure is required.  Velcro silencers with a mechanical clip to secure would be a nice improvement; 2.Zipper closure, personal issue.  Prefer just a flap closure. The required shaping of the bag to incorporate a zipper closure makes insertion & removal a bit tight with the additional gear acquired since originally purchasing the F-5XB; 3. Even with the olive green color body and black Domke logo a preference for a smaller logo placed in a more discreet location.  Maybe like under the flap.BottomLine:  Overall happy with the bag.  Quality construction, functional design, aesthetically pleasing.  Sticking with Domke bags.  Willing to pay the premium price for this brand.  Higher USA labor costs plus history of a very durable product has to be factored into the price.
I wanted a small camera bag for my Olympus E-3 and my 12-60mm lens (a  bulky combination). It just fits perfect!!The quality of the bag is amazing, and aesthetically is very pretty.Buy it with confidence.
I liked my F-5XA bag so much that I also ordered this slightly larger bag. It will hold my entire micro 4/3 system, including a Panasonic G5 and 5 lenses. Very well made, light and sturdy. It can be carried on a belt or with the shoulder strap. Just enough protection for the gear without being too bulky.
Did lots of research and read reviews on this one.  Yes you have to apply wax on it, but I rather do that than to risk getting my camera wet.  I lived in Hawaii at the time, where it always sprinkles a little bit every day.  This bag fits my micro4/3 with my pancake lens in one compartment, my long lens in another, and back up battery, mini tripod, and lens cleaner in the third divider.  Looks and is rugged.  I'm happy with my choice.
Just the right size to hold a mid sized camera, my iPad Mini, wallet, phone, folding knife, paper, pen, two alcohol pads and a can of Mace! And I love the rugged waxed canvas fabric.
I really like this bag. Very cool wax finish. It does seem to fade away after a few weeks of use, but it comes with refinishing wax so you can get the original look back if you choose.Overall it's really well built. I can fit my ipad mini, fuji x100s, with plenty of room left over for at least 2 if not 3 cans of soda, for size comparison.I don't love the color of the strap so much, but I think it looks pretty good and is as rugged as you'd want it to be. My only quibble is the strap adjustment pieces are plastic, while the clips that attach the strap to the bag are a nice metal. I feel like it's a small touch that holds the bag back from being everything I wanted.This is a great bag and I would buy it again.
I'm very please with this bag. It is very sturdy and well made. I purchased it for my Olympus OM-D10. It holds this small camera with kit lens attached and a couple other lens or flash in the large zip up compartment with deciders. There is an outer compartment to hold batteries and other accessories but there is no snap or zipper to hold items in this pocket when large Velcro flap is opened. The best thing of all is this bag is made in America.
Not the configuration I needed. Well manufactured though. Didn't love the way the strap attached. Sold it to someone for about the same price I bought it.
I don't like lugging around the included kit bag for the D5000 so I searched the net for something small, light, and low-key.  I found the incase dslr bag, but only available at [...] and shipping was was too much  so I checked Amazon and found this little guy.  It fits the D5000 with 35 attached and 55-200 perfectly!
The manufacturing quality is very good. The weather sealing (wax) is nice. I like the fact that Domke supplies a can of wax to touch up the bag from time to time. The strap sits firmly on your shoulder because of the grip material sewn into the strap. It is low key, unassuming, and looks good with whatever you are wearing if you care about appearance.I'll purchase other Domke products with confidence.Dan
This is an excellent bag for small dslr or smaller. I fit my ME Super w/50mm and a Panasonic w/17mm in the bag with room for a notepad, lens cleaning stuff, a hood for the 17mm, film, extra batteries and a charger with a little room to spare.It's made out of a nice heavy duty canvas that has an already broken in feel to it. The strap has the perfect amount of sticky to it also.The only downside is you can't remove the padding, but you can move the partitions.I would highly recommend this bag to any mirrorless or rangefinder shooters.
My needs were a small bag that didn't look too obvious and that had compartments for me gear.this did the trick.fits myPanasonic Gx1, Viewfinder, 2 filters, giotto rocket (small), p20mm , oly 45mm, and Samyang 7.5mmnow i have to say like others the velco is pretty damn loud! but that's a good security feature.i wish the bag was a tad larger for me ipad but that will be for another bag really.
I could not comfortably fit a Fuji X pro 1 with lens and 2 lenses.  No padding on top, material is very nice.
This is my second "ruggedwear" bag from Domke.  Very well made, but when these are new, the wax coating almost feels wet to the touch.  As it wears, it takes on a very cool used look and sirt of "dries out" a bit.  I don't think it's a big deal, but I do store them in a safe with dessicant to keep moisture out of my lenses, etc.  This size is perfect for a Leica M rangefinder body and a couple of lenses, lightmeter, several rolls of film, and still has toom for a few more odds and ends.  Perfect for my needs.
Holds my Fujifilm X-2E with two zooms and a pancake plus a little. Does not look like a camera bag which is great.
This well padded bag is a little smaller than expected but has room for two digital cameras and a bit more.  Not as bulky or as heavy as the bag it is replacing.  Access to the bag contents while carrying it with the should strap is easy.  I can take out a camera when a shot presents itself and return the camera aftet the shot(s) without taking the bag off my shoulder.I carry the bag along with a backpack and there are no problems with one being in the way of the other.For daytrips or a lite photo session, the bag is great.  I carry the bag and cameras with me at all times - you can never tell when a once-in-a-lifetime shot might present itself.  Quite pleased with the purchase.
Have used a Domke bag for over twenty years. The bag has carried my 35mm system  atop Mount Washington, through the Grand Canyon, through Royal Gorge, through swamps in Louisiana, through prairies in Oklahoma, down the Dead River in Maine, and the High Island Block in the Gulf of Mexico. My gear was always protected from the elements, a couple of falls and my carelessness. So when I went from a 35mm SLR system to an Olympus digital SLR system, I bought a new Domke bag too. The F-5BX holds the camera body and two zoom lenses, CF cards, remote and extra battery just fine. I am confident this new bag will protect my new system just as well as my 20 + year old Domke protected my old film system. Yes, you can throw the bags in the washing machine. Never tried throwing the bag in the dryer though. And after a while, these bags get that neat grungy look. Highly recommend any Domke bag.June 2009 update:Added the 25mm f2.8 normal lens to the above stuff. And yes, it all fits.
I'm using this bag when I want to travel really light.Several configurations:1. Body + Small zoom + primeD80 + 17-50mm + 50f1.82. Body + Small zoom + speedlightD80 + 17-50mm + SB600 (Tighter fit but it works well).If you've ever used an older Domke, you'll know how difficult the metal clips are to open. On this model, however, the clip on the shoulder strap is really easy to open. I hope Domke implements it on more models.
No one bag serves every purpose, but this one is perfect for what I wanted.  It holds my Pentax K-x with 50-200 lens attached to the body with room enough to throw in either the 18-55 kit lens or other accessory of about that size.  Front pocket holds small, thin items like lens cap, filter, remote, etc.  This bag hangs very comfortably and is very inconspicuous which is exactly what I needed.  Very simple design but very practical and I love the green.  I am ordering another larger Domke for those times when I want to carry a little more, but these bags are my favorite of all the camera bags I have owned.  This bag does not have the excess padding of the other brands, but I am very careful with my gear and wanted something more slim-lined and this suits the bill.
I purchased this bag to hold a Panasonic G1 micro-four-thirds digital camera, plus accessories.  It works perfectly for that need - I can fit the camera body with the stock lens mounted, a pancake lens, and a zoom lens all in the bag.  There is room for absolutely nothing else - it's a tight fit.My guess is that if you have any normal sized DSLR, and have anything more than one spare lens, this bag is too small for you.  But for a micro-four-thirds camera and a few small accessories, this is about as good as it gets.Construction quality is high - the only thing I don't really care for on the bag is the separate name tag that they include - it flops around, and eventually just fell off.  I would rather see some sort of name tag that was more firmly attached to the existing camera strap.  But that's really being nitpicky...
I bought this for my Panasonic GF1, and essentially my micro 4/3's kit.  I intend to have two lenses, the 14-45 and 20, and this will have room for a tiny giotto rocket blower, too.  Right now, I only have the 20, so it's too big for just those things.  Well, rather I have extra space.The small accessory sleeve has room for flat items like memory cards and microfiber cloths.For kicks, I could use this to carry my 40D+sigma 30 without a problem too.  Unmounted, I could fit a 50/1.8 too (or the blower, heh).  I think I will also use this when I want to use that combo on the go.The strap is also very nice.  A bit too grippy though, as I like to sling it forward to pull stuff out of my bag.The biggest reason this didn't get 5 stars?  The velcro is far too massive for such a small bag.  It's already got zipper protection, did they need to make TWO huge velcro patches?  It requires two hands to quickly open because my contents are so light.  I decided to tape over a little over half the velcro and it is much much better now.  If you're worried about security, there's a zipper for the main compartment.  You can keep your memory cards in there.  Cloths or loose change I wouldn't mind if anyone managed to pick those.  If anyone managed to unzip this w/o my knowledge while I was conscious and wearing it, they deserve whatever I have inside.*EDIT*I meant to come back to this a while ago, but the front sleeve is very very easy for things to fall out.  It's almost useless for anything not flat (basically, paper, and a maybe a pen).  I have knocked down a start because it has been vastly annoying.  It is more a 3.5 star rating, but I feel it's more of a poor design choice to keep it at 4 stars.
My aim is to have a camera bag that is just big enough for the equipment. Other bags I've had are either too big or too small plus have a lot of pockets which slow me down because I feel impelled to constantly search them having forgotten what's inside. The Domke has two main compartments inside, one for camera and lenses, the other for accessories like cards and batteries. Both are quickly  accessible. It also has an outside open top pocket the width of the bag that is secure because of the velcro top flap. My gear consists of a Panasonic Gh2 body and 3 lens, two zoom, one prime, and all fit exactly with little left over. If I buy another lens (not likely) I'll have to get another bag that's how good a fit the bag gives.  A big plus: like all Domke bags the canvas fits the body with a "give' that will become even more comfortable with time. I know because I have a 25 year old larger Domke bag left over from my film days when I would carry a lot more equipment. I have no doubt this old Domke will outlast me!
After researching camera bags for hours (wanting to only purchase the best for my new Canon SL1 and not have any regrets), I was excited to buy the Domke F-5XB. AWESOME quality &#8211; you will be surprised. I love the way it feels, the size of the bag, and the attention to detail. It is perfect for my Canon SL1 with lens attached. I also carry the charger, cables, extra battery and cards in the bag with plenty of room to spare (but not too much, I didn't want it wiggling around. Perfect for a 1-lens SLR photographer who doesn't want a ton of bulky equipment, but wants a professional feeling and functioning bag.
- Fits my micro 4/3 camera and several lenses.- Fabric is FANTASTIC.  Rugged, but it still feels and looks good.- Padding is good.- Camera slides in and out easily with a lens attached.- Understated, quality construction.- Rugged appearance avoids the &#34;manpurse&#34; look even though the bag is not that big.
I think the F-5XB is really a *great* small kit bag.  I use it regularly to carry my M8 with one lens mounted (usually a 35mm Zeiss), and two extra lenses (currently a 25mm Zeiss and a 90mm Konica M-Hexanon).  There are two dividers, so each piece is in its own section.  I've carried more lenses, by stacking them, but I generally don't like to do that.  In the front pocket I generally carry an extra battery, cell phone, and other odds and ends.  I've found it to be just about perfect.  The construction is minimalist and high-quality.  There is no extra padding to make the bag bulky.  It fits against me very nicely when shooting, and I wear the strap across my chest, bandolier-style.  I'm a big guy and it fits fine that way (adjusted all the way out).The bag has a zipper and a velcro-secured flap.  I generally just leave it unzipped because the velcro is so secure, unless I'm traveling somewhere.  When carrying it around, it's unzipped, and when shooting, I flip the flap to the back, and I can easily grab lenses, etc. while on the move.
Bought this bag because it looked the part and reviews were positive.  It just arrived so I have no great insight into its durability or much else, however I am stunned that there was no mention in the product description of one particularly important selling point:  this bag is American made.  There's a big &#34;Crafted With Pride In U.S.A.&#34; hangtag and the inner label repeats the message.  Maybe Amazon should amend the product details so that they include this tidbit of info.  Definitely would be of value to certain people, as myself, who prefer not to throw money away on Chinese junk.
This little shoulder bag fits my Nikon D40 with lens attached, plus my flash and battery charger.  There's also room for wallet, cell phone and keys, though not much else.  It's well-constructed, looks great (ie. inconspicuous), and I thought the price was reasonable too.  It's much more comfortable to carry than the bulky Lowepro bag I bought and returned.  I don't mind the noisy velcro, but I don't like the way the zipper tags jangle while I'm walking.  That's pretty minor, though - overall, I'm quite pleased with this purchase.
I really like this little bag.The velcro is very strong and does make a bunch of noise opening.That is a good thing, but I might put another piece of velcro on it so it won't be noisy during a shoot.
tried about 15 bags before settling on this one. so many were too bulky or overkill for an m4/3 setup with a couple lenses. easily traveled around italy for 2 wks with my panasonic dmc-gf2, 20mm prime, DMW-LVF1 viewfinder, panasonic 14-42mm zoom, panasonic 45-200mm zoom. still had room for passports, papers, cleaning supplies, wallet, inhaler, keys and a few other things. super comfy even with a bit of weight in it. some reviews will complain about lack of a padded strap cover but personally if i find them annoying.my only gripe, and its a very small one, is the velcro doesn't quite line up when the bag is empty. you have to "fluff" the cover a bit to get the velcro to bite. still, fantastic bag really.also one of my biggest issues with other bags is the zipper quality. they always feel like theyre one bad pull away from jamming. domke uses some MONSTER zippers that are absolutely great, super high quality A+
I've had this bag for a few weeks, and I really like it. I had been searching for a small camera bag for my Nikon D40 and an additional lens, keys, wallet, ipod, and not much else. This bag fits the bill perfectly for walking around the city taking photos, without feeling like you're lugging around a huge bag.The  F-5XB feels nicely made with thick canvas, nice sturdy hardware. The flap has heavy-duty velcro on the underside, and it is noisy when opening. But, if you are in a hurry and don't have time to zip up the interior (I have 4 kids so this happens a lot when we are out and about), the velcroed fold over flap still holds your stuff securely inside. Another nice feature is that the rubberized stripes on the underside of the strap help keep the bag nicely on your shoulder. The bag is perfectly padded in a minimal way for enough protection, but not too much that you are carrying around a stiff, bulky box on your hip.One other important feature to me, is that the bag is attractive. The olive color is versatile and the bag looks clean and modern, for either male or female photographers. It's not your typical ugly nylon camera bag with weird logos and ugly accent colors. (Okay the Domke logo is a little big, but at least it's tone-on-tone for this olive color and you can easily cut the tag off if you want to).So the search is over, I have finally found my perfect small camera bag. Next up for when I carry more gear (and buy a bigger Nikon body) is the Domke F-6...
Handsome, beautifully-made bag for my m4/3 system. Holds camera with lens, plus two other lenses, leaving a bit of room for a couple of filters, iPhone, etc. And it's made in the USA. If I have any quibbles at all, it's that the flap folds slightly at both edges where it touches the shoulder strap. Their smaller bag has a flap that is slightly 'sculpted' so it doesn't touch the strap.
On a regular day, this bag houses my Canon 5D Mark II and 24-70mm 2.8 II (attached). I'll also typically keep a Lenspen, business cards, and keys in the front pocket. Now, this bag is just a hair small for this set up--the flash mount portion of my camera body makes a bit of a bulge wherever its positioned in the bag. That's not a problem when the camera body and lens are separate from eachother within the bag. But that's my bad, I wanted a smaller bag, just didn't know how much smaller this one would be. Some may think that that's enough to remove a star from the review, but when this bag (containing the aforementioned set up) fell with a mighty THUD from my desk last week, there was no internal/external damage to the camera or lens at all. I didn't expect that with such minimal padding--nice work Domke! Sturdy bag, reliable craftsmanship.I'm still looking for a Domke bag thats bigger than this one but not as big as the F-3X that I already own. So if you have any suggestions, they'd be much appreciated.
I was looking for a bag that would fit my X100s plus an external flash and the Domke F-5XB fits the bill nicely. It's very well made and looks stylish - not typically camera bag-gy though (as long as you but it in anything other than black). As a bonus - it can do double duty as a man bag.
It is a well-made bag for light-duty gears. Please note that this is a small bag. It is best for a simple mirrorless system. A Nikon FM2 body and two lenses is as much as it can take. A small box of wax is included for canvas touch-up.2013/07/24:I felt that I need to reduce the score to a 3-star. The problem I have found is the material is really quite flimsy. I left a Scotch tape dispenser in it this morning and placed the bag in the car. I really did not move the bag much at all. But to my dismay, the plastic sawtooth on the tape dispenser cut through the bag! I admit it's not smart to place sharp object in a bag like this. But I really expect a bit more from a "rugged" bag.
This bag is perfect for a Nikon DSLR with kit lens mounted or zoom that's not TOO long... it fits the 35-70mm f/2.8D but without a lot of room to spare. It also fits another small to medium sized lens plus small flash unit (such as SB-400), or two additional lenses without flash. The SB-600 might make it a little snug for fitting another lens in, unless maybe it's the teeny 35mm f/2. Depends on how comfortable you are packing your gear a little tight. It seems the pocket on this one is a little smaller than on the black version. ALSO I am going to try to attach a photo of my bag, because I think the color is a little more brown than what you see in the Amazon shot. Luckily, I still like it, but was expecting it to be more gray, and it's sort of a brownish-gray, with black tones, if that makes any sense. It's hard to explain, and it depends on the light, but it's a wonderfully neutral color that seems to set off whatever I'm wearing. A great bag that sticks to your hip and doesn't swing everywhere while walking. If you've never had a Domke bag, treat yourself!
I bought it and it was way to small for my needs so I sold it on e bay as i needed a much larger bag
What a perfect choice to carry a digital camera and extras with you throughout your day.  It can fit a Canon G9 with plenty of protection and room to spare for wide angle lens and mini tripod.
I can fit 3 cameras - a rangefinder, a SLR, and a small point and shoot digital camera - all into the bag together with 5-6 35 mm rolls of film. Everything fits snugly and I have no complaints. The bag is very well balanced and makes my heavy cameras feel light on my shoulder. The strap is made of a special kind of non-slip material which grabs onto my shirt. The best part is this is an AMERICAN MADE product - unlike the foreign made junk you get at superstores these days.
But for 2.5 little quibbles, I'd have given this bag 5 stars.Quibble # 1 is the velcro closure on the main flap. It's makes the bag far too noisy to open. I like to shoot with Leica Ms for their quiet shutters and overall "stealth". The velcro negates those advantages. A simple fix...I just removed about 90% of the velcro, leaving only enough to keep the flap closed.Quibble #2 is with the front pockets. There are 4 of them and 3 of them are too small for anything but a pen. The largest will barely hold a Sekonic 308b exposure meter. I really wish that Domke had designed the bag with just two front pockets, but then they couldn't advertise it as having 7 compartments. I guess that the stitching between the pockets can be removed if you have the patience and a steady hand.Quibble #2.5 is the Domke label on the front flap. I don't want to advertise to the world that I'm carrying $4,000 worth of gear in a bag that, otherwise, is almost invisible. The label is a PITA to remove. I had to use a razor knife to verrrrry carefully cut it away. This is quibble 2.5, only because, if you select the "Official White House Photographer" (or something like that) version, you may actually enjoy advertising the contents of your bag.Now for the good stuff....The bag is made of high quality, durable canvas. After a little use, it softens and kind of molds itself to your side. In fact, the more you use it, the better it gets. You could probably remove the padded dividers and toss the shell in with the laundry if you wanted to.The strap is fantastic. It's a Domke "Gripper" strap. Just like the ones I use on all of my cameras. Although I tend to carry my bags/cameras "cross-chest" for security, the Gripper makes it possible to keep them on my shoulder without much danger of sliding off. The swivels keep the strap from getting twisted and save a lot of cuss words.The interior has three compartments. I use the center one for a small body with lens attached. Usually a Leica M, but it will also hold a SMALLish SLR with short lens.One of the other compartments is useful for a second lens or two while the third can be loaded with film.A nice feature is that the front of the padded dividers is not attached to the front of the bag. This space is useful for extra batteries, a filter or two or other small items.This is a SMALL bag. It probably won't be your only bag if you have anything more than a very small kit.It's nearly perfect for the Leica M system and costs a lot less than anything comparable...think Billingham/Fogg, etc.Just remember to remove the velcro!!
Too often i buy cheap bags and regret my decision. This is not an expensive bag, nor cheap either. But, the feel you get from this bag is nothing but quality. From the top of the line zipper and hardware to the rubber inlaid in the strap this bag was obviously well thought out. Fits my NEX-6 w/ 24mm Zeiss mounted, 16-55, 55-210, 3 lens pens and charger without issue. If you are looking for the perfect travel bag that doesn't scream &#34;steal me&#34;, then you have found it.
This case is the perfect size for medium sized digital cameras like the Micro Four Thirds models from Olympus and Panasonic.  It would also work great for the super zoom digital camera like the Canon SX10.  There is room for a few accessories and one or two accessory lenses plus the camera.  The construction of the case is bulletproof. Heavy fabric, big zippers, movable pads inside, etc.  The shoulder strap is long enough to wear across your chest and the color doesn't attract attention.  So high quality and the perfect size for medium cameras equal a great case.
Excellent little bag for the Canon G9. Not obtrusive. Delicately remove the Domke label, by using a fine blade without cutting the cloth. Holds the camera and two large accessories, the wide-angle or telephoto lens and the external flash for instance. Expensive but worth it.
Don't get me wrong -- this is a durable, high quality bag with lots of nice features. But it would have been great for there to have been a little zippered mesh pocket somewhere to securely hold memory cards, batteries, filters and all the other little doo-dads that seem to accompany photographers everywhere. As it is, the best (really the only) place to put them is in the long side pocket next to the main compartment, where they will all loosely roll around together.In terms of size, the bag suits my needs -- but I've only got the micro four-thirds Lumix G1 and two lenses -- some may find it a bit tight for a full size DSLR.As another reviewer mentioned, the velcro on the front of the bag is extremely loud.
I shoot with an Olympus E-P1 which is a digital camera with the specs of a DSLR but with out the prism and mirror, so it is a little smaller.  This with either a 40mm-105mm or 14mm-42mm lens mounted on it fits in the bag with enough room for the other lens in a divided space plus filters for both.There isn't much room left except for a booklet or strap.  The shoulder strap has rubber woven into one side of it so that it does not slip off of you shoulder.  Very well made, great padding, and water resistant.  It will probably last a life time.
I have a Fujifilm x100s and purchased the Domke F-5xb as a carrying bag.  Simply put, it is close to ideal.  There is sufficient space for the camera and accessories.  Construction of the bag is quite durable and the quality is typical of Domke.  This bag was money well spent for me.
This is one of the best camera cases that I have ever used.  Lots of compartments, light weight, well padded, and has a nice wide and sturdy strap.  Would buy one again.
If you are looking for a rangefinder style bag for your micro four thirds camera and three lenses this one is a bit too big.  E.g. E-pl1, 17mm lens, 9-18mm lens and 40-150mm lens.  It is too tall for a micro four thirds rangefinder style cameras which fall to the bottom of the bag and have to be fished around for.  It would however be perfect for a Leica M4 size rangefinders and longish manual lenses.Also, when open the zippered top doesn't open enough to allow things to go in and out easily.As others have said, the velco on the front is too noisy.Construction and materials are superb though.Tedolph
Domke makes professional equipment for all types of photographers and this bag can easily perform double duty as a camera bag and a hand size camcorder. It's quality speaks volumes and should last you a lifetime. Pros swear buy Domke, why not you?
Purchased this for my A7 recently and it fits perfectly.  I usually carry around the A7 with the 35mm 2.8 attached, which fits snugly in the middle compartment with some adjustment, and 2-3 other lenses in the other two. Also has a compartment the perfect size for my ipad mini.  Wish there was a little extra room for accessories up front, but overall this is the perfect bag for your new mirrorless!
UPDATE: Now I have an iPad mini, and I can confirm that it will fit in the body of the bag along with my Oly OMD, the kit lens with the Oly hood, a pancake lens and a 9-18 wide angle. Still room for a lens brush, and a filter in a plastic case. Incredibly happy with this bag. I'll post a pic above.-----Read many, many reviews for camera bags. After looking at several other recommended products online, settled on this one. So happy with it. The quality of the construction is above and beyond what other manufacturers produce at a similar cost. Very durable, expect this bag will last for some time.I've got an Oly OMD with the 12-50 and a pancake lens. Plenty of room in this bag for another lens, or the battery charger. I think I will eventually be able to slide an iPad mini between the bag and the padding. Looks great, feels great, just love the texture of the oiled canvas.Some have recommended removing the Domke label to travel a little more inconspicuously. It was pretty easy to remove, and I think it classes up the bag a little. I would definitely recommend this bag for mirrorless bodies, or a DSLR with maybe one or 2 more modest lenses.
I am serious, this is one of the finest, no simply the best bag for photographers.  Shoulder strap is just somehow miraculously attached to the body of a bag, in a manner, that doesn't allow it move unnecessary across your body.  It is just stays, I mean hangs, where you put-parallel and close to your stomach, hips, wherever you fancy it.  Now the big flip closer on Velcro, it is just incredible.  You know you don't have to open and close zipper in order to take your camera in and out of a bag all the time.  Who have time for this!!!  Just open bag's zipper and leave it be open, the flip closer will keep your camera safe and sound.  I have Nikon D5000 with a regular zoom lens and I checked it upside down with only flip closer shut and open zipper-it never gave in.  Finally, the material this particular domke is made of, is just tough.  But it is not nylon strong it is cotton strong.  Thick and supple and just pleasant to touch, just a great bag that was made by people who know photographers or who themselves were the ones.
this bag is great for a m43 setup. the canvas is waxed and provides good protection from the elements while allowing the fabric to breathe. it comes with a tin of refinishing wax to keep it looking its best. if you read the instructions for wax application, it requires you to run a blow dryer over while you rub the wax into the canvas - skip this stage and you'll see skid marks on your gear when it comes into contact with the outside of the bag. if you still get skid marks after using the blow dryer, you've put too much on. we're not applying this to a half inch thick piece of canvas - a little goes a long way.it comes with two dividers and there's a small slot inside that can fit a small tablet or lens filters and batteries. there is an outer pocket but it's not secured so i use it for microfiber clothes or brochures. the velcro gets old after awhile, so i just slap on a couple of the fatter velcro strips (dollar store variety) when i need it to be stealthy. i actually prefer the zipper opening because it's always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it...like when you fall off a scooter at slow speed in the streets of bangkok. Plus the zipper with the added protection of the velcro gives you peace of mind when walking through the busy night markets. And being that this bag is not very deep, those features are important as it's very easy to reach into. The base is firm enough that when the bag is loaded a bit heavier than usual, it won't scrunch up and bow out while you move the camera in and out. The only negative is the hook clasps on the strap but they're not very easy to undo. The strap itself is grippy so it doesn't move around much on your shoulder.
I purchased the Domke F-5xb camera bag through Amazon. When it arrived on Mar 9 I removed it from the boxI put my Nikon D60 camera with lens attached in the bag but there was not enough room for anything else.The bag was too narrow. After looking it over, and thinking about it. I decided to return it to Amazon fora refund.On tuesday Mar 10 I ordered  the Tamrac adventure 4 camera bag from Amazon. I received it Mar 12.The Tamrac bag is a big improvement. And I'm satisfied with it.  Willie
I'm new to the SLR scene, so I just wanted a simple bag that would keep my equipment safe. I only carry around my camera so far, but hope to have either a flash or extra lens eventually. The bag comfortably fits my Canon T1i with a lens attached. I use the two dividers to keep it protected, while I stick my everyday items (wallet, keys) on the other side of the divider. It looks just like a regular messenger bag and is just the right size! It kept my stuff protected from the rain as well, thanks to the zipper. The flap kept my checkbook safe from the rain as well, even though it was stuffed in the little compartment on the outside of zipper portion.I've read about a lot of people who remove the Domke-Tamron tag so that people won't know that there's expensive equipment inside. I decided to do the same and chose an iron-on patch to fill the empty space. I think this bag is great for the beginner camera person who doesn't want to be too ostentatious about it.
Gee I did not like the color so I rated it one star.Gee I have to fasten the clip to keep it closed, that equals a one star rating.Gee all my photos are out of focus when I use this bag , that equals a one star ratingGee I can't carry junk food and my camera in this bag,that equals a one star ratingGee maybe I am not very smart, IQ rating 1
I am a relative novice to the camera world.  I recently bought an Olympus E-PL2 that came with a lens.  I also bought a 2nd zoom lens to use as well.  This bag seemed to get good reviews and I liked the appearance so I gave it a try.  Very happy with the bag.  Seems to be extremely high quality, and I suspect it will be very durable.  Plenty of space inside for my camera, and 2 additional lenses.  The strap is comfortable and adjustable.  Not the cheapest bag you can buy, but I recommend it.  I would buy again.
I bought this bag shortly after I got my first DSLR.  The bag is perfect for traveling and great for day trips too.  The bag is waterproof, and has a four compartment insert with enough space for several lenses and a camera body with lens attached (pointing down).The zippered pocket in the top of the bag will hold your small accessories like a remote shutter release and memory cards.  The front zippered pocket easily holds a Gorillapod and will hold your personal items as well.  The back features a slotted pocket that I use to put field guides and other slim books.  The top secures with two stiff clasps, and it's easy to attach Velcro to the underside so you're not fumbling with the clasps when you try to remove a lens.The bag is large enough for travel yet small enough to be portable.  I give this bag a top rating for its functionality.
Like most photographers, I've long been on the quest for the perfect camera bag. For a year or so, I've carried my Canon 5D Mark II, with a lens attached, in theDomke F-5XB Shoulder/Belt Bag (Olive), and then carried a separate purse. But I've always found it annoying to have to mess with two bags, just for walking around town. I've tried the camera bags marketed toward women (the ones that look like purses, but are loaded with foam inserts for camera gear), and the problem I've had with those is that, sure, my camera is protected, but the bags are so stiff because they're so loaded with foam that I feel like I'm carrying a suitcase. I tried theDomke F-6 Little Bit Smaller Bag (Black), and it's perfect!I'm not loading it to the gills with camera gear, so this review is targeted toward women who want a combo camera bag + purse. Here's what I can fit in mine: First, I removed the four-way divider in the insert (it attached/detaches with Velcro), and I can lay down in the insert my 5D with the 24-70 lens attached. I shove the insert all the way to one side of the bag, leaving the other roughly one-third of the bag open. In that half, I put my wallet and a very big sunglasses case. I could put some other things in there, too, if I wanted. Then, in the front zipper pocket, I put all the tiny things that I normally put into my purse's zipper compartment: lip gloss, keys, Advil, nail file, etc. There's room to spare in there! In the zipper compartment that's on the inside of the top flap, I put two of these:Baggu 6-89076-17298-1 Reusable Bag - Navy Dot. Finally, in the sleeve on the outside back of the bag, I can fit my iPad Mini or my iPhone. The best part is, when I have the bag loaded up with all my stuff, it sort of conforms to my body as I'm carrying it, so it doesn't look like a stiff box. Now, this is definitely not a "cute" purse, but for walking around every day, it's everything I'm looking for.One minor note, and the reason I gave it only 4 stars: At the bottom of each of the four outer walls of the insert, you can actually remove the foam from the insert. In other words, the walls of the insert box are more like "sleeves" into which the foam slides, and they're not sealed off the way camera bag inserts typically are. I've read some forums, and it seems like Domke does this specifically so that you can remove the foam or add thicker foam or something along those lines. That's fine, I guess, and it fits with Domke's low-padding approach, but I found it a detraction. On the upside, the foam doesn't come out when you have the insert inside the bag, so I guess it's not really a problem. It's just not the way I'd prefer to see my inserts look. It seems unfinished. . . . Really a minor point, though, and not one that kept me from buying the bag.
I already have several bags, but I wanted one that would securely hold my 5DmkII with a lens mounted and another lens as an extra.The size is exactly what I was looking for.  The construction and durability are great.  My only issue with the bag is the partition insert.  It's a weird square divided diagonally into 4 sections.  If you use tiny kit lenses, this may work for you, but almost all my lenses are L series and are quite bulky, so I'm going to need to figure something else out.  I'll probably just line the inside with velcro and use partitions from my other bags to fashion together some other interior setup.I still highly recommend this bag.  I would just keep these things in mind when purchasing it.
This bag has become my favorite take-everywhere bag.  It holds my camera (D90) with 16-85 lens attached and has a 4 pocket insert in which I carry 2 to 3 extra lens and a SB600 flash.  There is also a large zippered pocket on the front for miscellaneous items, a slot pocket on the back for thin items i.e manuels etc. and a zippered pocket in the flap.  I have configured it with the insert to one end of the bag and have plenty of room for my camera with lens attached at the other end.  I find the bag to be sturdy, well constructed and easy to carry.  I did add the postmen's shoulder pad to the carry strap to make it more comfortable.My biggest and only complaint, as other reviews have mentioned are the poorly designed, inconvenient, metal clips for fastening the cover closed.  I would much prefer the snap type buckle.  Apparently Domke designers don't read these reviews as this as been a common complaint of Domke bags and why I rated it 4 stars instead of 5.  But its not a deal breaker and I recommend this bag whole heartedly.
By category--SIZE:The bag is smaller than I thought it would be. I bought it to use with a Canon 300D, 50/1.4, 100/2, 70-200/4L, and the 18-55/3.5 kit lens. This kit will fit, but it's slightly more cramped than I'd prefer. Since then, I've moved to a 40D, 28-135, 10-22, 50/1.4, 200/2.8, 1.4X TC, and a 430EX flash. This is really the maximum for this bag. One or two middle lenses less would be ideal.To mold to your hip, the F6 has to have two open spaces in the center partition. It's really designed for people who have some other bag to *store* their gear and want a quick working pack for travel. It's not supposed to be full. If you've got a big superzoom (100-400, 70-200/2.8) or an equipment list similar to what's above, move up to the Domke F-2. It's nearly as discreet, but a lot more spacious.INTERIOR:The only interior layout this bag has is a four-part partition held in place by velcro. If you remove the partition, it's just an empty space. On either side of the partition are larger areas that, in my case, hold the 430EX and the 200/2.8. The partition itself was designed for manual equipment: long and thin lenses, and film bodies without deep grips that could be slotted where I have the prime and the flash. That's Domke's graphic, anyway. It's both difficult and inconvenient to fit a DSLR in those areas, though, and you have to remove the lens.The better solution, and the one I was forced to use because I have more equipment than before, is to have a moderately heavy lens like the 28-135 mounted to the camera at all times. Then you just put the camera face-down over an empty partition space. The malleable nature of the partition and the weight of the lens hold the camera in place, with the added bonus of freeing up space and having the camera ready to shoot.While it's also possible to do this with the 50/1.4, the bag starts to feel slightly top heavy, so you'd want to have at least one side of the cover clipped to keep everything secure.BUILD AND FEATURES:There is no side padding on this bag. It conforms to the waist better for that reason, but don't buy it if you're worried about bumping your SLR. The front pocket, bottom pad, and the partition do keep the lenses in the middle decently protected. If not for this light padding, the bag would not hold its shape. Even as is, heavier loads cause unused pockets to compress in on themselves, so if you take a lens out, it may take a bit of fiddling to get it back in.The two metal clips stink. They're small, difficult to unclip, and tend to knock about into your lenses when not in use. There's no easy way to remove them, but if you're willing to reduce the resale value of the bag, you can replace them with superior mini-carabiners.As shipped, the F-6 is not waterproof, but it can be made water-resistant with the same aerosol waterproofer you'd use on leather boots. I put two coats of Kiwi "Camp Dry" 13% Silicon water repellent on my bag two years ago. A water puddle on the cover will still bead for a full minute before it starts to wet the canvas.IN USE:People tend not to assume that this Domke is a camera bag. On two occasions, I've been able to enter a sports venue without the ticket-checker bothering to look for equipment. While the front pocket is not padded, it can hold quite a lot. I was able to "hide" a 70-200/4L inside with little change in the bag's outside appearance.The rubber embedded in the strap is great if you wear the bag like a purse, but I loop the strap over the other side of my neck and across the chest. When I do that, the rubber makes it difficult to shift the bag in front of me without binding my shirt. No big deal; there's no rubber on the opposing side side of the strap, so I just turn it over.If you fill the bag with my revised equipment list above, it'll feel like a brick on your side and will cause your shoulder to ache after a few hours. I bought the mail carrier strap to mitigate this problem, but I find myself rarely using it. The padding on this optional addition is less soft than it appears in the picture, and the whole item feels bulky. A wider and less-thickly-padded generic alternative would probably work better.ALTERNATIVES:There are comparable Chinese rip-off bags by Mekko and Safrotto. They're high quality and cost about 30% less than this Domke bag. I bought the Domke because the olive green color wasn't available in the others, and the Mekko bags in particular have too many ostentatious logos I didn't feel like removing. Otherwise, they're worth a look.The biggest competition for the F-6 is Domke's own F2. While the F-6 is handsome and functional, it doesn't have much room to grow. The F2 offers significantly more space, though because the unused portions collapse on themselves like with any canvas bag, it doesn't look or feel much larger than the F-6. Had I known that I'd expand my kit to the extent that I did, I'd have chosen the F2.
Within just a few weeks this bag takes on a patina of buffs, scratches and creases that will look like it took years to develop. If you're expecting this bag to stay pristine, it's not the bag for you.As an everyday walk around bag it holds my D5100 with 85mm 1.4, a 55-300 standing up, a Nikon 18-70mm or Tokina 11-16mm (depending on the day) and my sb-700 flash. The leftover "hole" in the insert I use for hoods, filters, cleaning stuff, the occasional 35mm prime etc. It has two zippered pockets which I use for odds and ends but nothing i need immediate access too. It molds well to the body, the rubber strips in the strap hold it secure on your shoulder and it becomes second nature to have on as you move. The clips are a bit tough to open and close and are also a bit sharp but I like the extra effort as it means they are secure.As the bottom and top flap have zero padding, I took one of the adjustment pads from my Amazon basics backpack and placed it on the bottom under the D5100. Another one is attached to the velcro at the top edge of the bag and flips down over the upright 85mm 1.4 attached to the camera for a bit of protection.Overall this is one of the best walk around everyday camera bags I've ever used and I highly recommend it.
yeah...it's made well and it costs a little more than other bags....if you want a rugged bag, but not a lot of protection, this is for you...other than a small insert (which is equally divided into 4 parts) to store lenses upright, it's great if you're careful or just transporting a body and 2-3 lenses with a flash in a non rugged area...don't take it hiking or anywhere the bag could get banged around.
As usual, Domke comes through with an excellent small bag. It's like my 2 larger ones, but just right for my son's equipment for now. Excellent product, properly advertised, not surprises. Wonderful to deal with you.
I recently purchased a Canon XSI, 18-55mm lens, and 5-250mm lens.  My old Crumpler 4MDH bag was not sufficient to carry the new load.  I wanted a bag the didn't fit the standard camera bag build.  I tried a crumpler 7MDH knock-off, but it was too big for my liking.  I decided to take the plunge and try the Domke F6, without seeing it first.  I wish I had started with this bag, because it is fantastic.  I put the camera with the 18-55 lens attached on the side and put my other lens in one of the four insert holes.  My gorillapod tripod fits in the front pocket and the manual in another pocket.  There is room for an extra battery, charger, and the cables.  I put my iphone and wallet in one of the insert holes as well.  I am thinking of getting the nifty-fifty lens and possibly a speedlite flash and I think they will fit without issues
So I bought this bag just two months after purchasing a 6 million dollar home bag from crumpler.Interested in knowing why I didnt like the Crumpler(read on):  The reason is, the crumpler bag had too much padding, I mean, I'm not going to throw the thing.  And so I didn't have much room for my gear! Also, the Crumpler bag's main flap is a huge chunk of velcro and so there's no such thing as being discreet at a wedding or any other important event.DOMKE F-6 REVIEWAppearance: i love that it's not an obvious camera bag. I mean these days everyone owns a DSLR and it's just asking to get stolen in a typical camera bag which can be spotted a mile away. I got the olive color because everyone has sand.  It's a bit greener than the photo appears, but I imagine that with use it'll become more army green.Pockets: there's a front zippered pouch that goes aross the length of the bag. Fits a bunch of stuff. extra batteries, cards, my rocket air blaster, lens wipes, card reader, etc. There's a top zippered pocket on the main flap as well.  I tend not to use that as much since my bag is pretty full and it adds strange bulkiness.Clips: some people complain that they're too hard to unclip.. not really. I have very weak hands that shake after shooting for an hour but have no problem with the clips.  If anything, you'd WANT them to be strong to ensure your gear won't fall out.Mold: it's true, the Domke bag molds to your body.  I like it because I know it won't fly off my shoulder or swing out in front of me when I bend over.Padding: some people complain about the padding.  Compared to the in store type of bags like Lowerpro/Canon/Crumpler it's true, it's definitely not as padded as those bags.  The bottom comes with a thicker board for padding.  Domke bags are used by some serious photographers, you'll never see them carrying something you can just buy at BestBuy. I'd think if you have expensive gear, you're gonna be careful with it.  Ultra padding gives you a false sense of security, allowing someone to think that they can slide or toss their bag across the table/room.  You do need to be careful with this bag but.. I would think you're being careful to begin with.WHAT DOES IT FIT: here's an important question.  This bag comes with a 4-section insert.  Personally, I don't like this set up.  With a 4-section insert, you can do one body with a short lens on it and scootch the insert all the way to the far end and stick other lenses and flashes, what have you.  If you put the insert in the middle, you can put in two bodies but with no lenses attached.WHAT I DID: I swapped out the 4-section insert with a 2-section insert. I have 2 lenses in there or 1 lens and a flash.  And then two bodies with lenses attached to them.- Canon 50D with 24-70 lens- Canon 30D with 50mm lens- 70-200mm L lens- flash/another lensAnd it fits fine.  The bag actually stretches and molds around things so it's fine. I'm no professional, but i love this bag and it fits my needs perfectly.4 stars in the end because i wish you could select your insert.. wishful thinking I know. but i'd much rather have two bodies with lenses on them and 2 additional slots vs. 2 bodies with no lenses on them.  I want to be ready to shoot when the moment arises. Having to put on a lens .. you risk missing the shot.
Love the size and feel of this bag. It is very pliable so can stuff a lot into it. It is perfect for carrying my Nikon D90 with 18-105 lens attached as well as a couple of extra lenses. The only thing I don't like is the 4 compartment insert is to tight for my larger lenses. I'm trying to stretch them out so hopefully that helps. Once stretched out it could easlily hold 4 lenses and my camera. I also own an F-2 (love as well) for when I need a larger bag.
This is rugged and durable! I traveled around the world with this. The only complained I have is that the clips where really hard to clasp... and they started to rust :(
I love this bag.  It really is the bridge between the bag that treats your equipment a little too preciously and the thrift store army satchel you can pick up for cheap.  It doesn't scream "Hey, I'm a photographer," but it works incredibly well and looks good enough to carry darned near everywhere.So what's in it?  You have a good sized main compartment that comes with a velcro four compartment insert that you can move back and forth wherever you like.  There's a zippered compartment under the lid flap (this is the least convenient to get to... I keep my emergency batteries and extra LCD screen protectors there).  There's another zip pocket in the front (I keep film, extra memory cards, etc. there).  There's also an open pocket in the back (for quick access... snack bars, magazines, a notepad, etc).  This past weekend, I used it to lug along a medium format Twin Lens Reflex, a handheld meter, my dSLR, the kit lens, a 50mm lens, a 28mm lens, a teleextender, and five rolls of 120 film easily.  The bag was a little heavy, but it was surprisingly comfortable.Comfort really is the best selling point. The shoulder strap is embedded with veins of rubber, so it grips to your clothes.  This takes a bit of getting used to, but the bag won't swing around on your shoulders while walking or biking.  It just stays put.  And it sits well on your hip... it will bend around you a little, since it isn't stiff.  And the canvas feels well worn already. It feels like it's been used for years and just barely broken in.All in all, this is the best camera bag I've had pretty much ever.
What can I say...the name DOMKE says it all.  This bag holds my 7d, 10-22, 17-55, 24-105 580ex ii flash, grip, i-pod, list goes on and on and on...This bag as well as all other Domke bags will last you a lifetime.  The key is to pick the one right for you and your shooting needs.  I use the F6 for days when I got out street shooting.  For days that require more equipment, I use the Domke F2.  I have nothing negative to say about this product.
I already have an F6 that is very old and threadbare. I'm sure it was washed many times. I was replacing that one. I like the bag because I carry a camera, usually Nikon D-SLR, flash, small C Crane portable radio and other items in main compartment. The best feature is the rear open pocket which fits my Kindle Fire, in its neoprene case, perfectly.
I bought the F-6 because it appeared to be a durable, functional camera bag, and it surpassed my expectations.  Its tough shell has survived airports, car rides, snow, and daily wear and tear with not even a hint of stress and strain.With a Canon 30D with battery pack, three lenses (two stacked), charger, filters, and a few other small tools, it's pretty well full inside.  It's still able to carry a compact tripod tucked into the top, though.The inside compartments are removable for flexibility, and other styles can be inserted.  The size works well as a carry-on, as well.The only negative is the brand name rather blatantly displayed on the outside.  I'm not big on oversized branding, and it stands out a bit for my tastes.  Small issue, though, on such a great product, which happens to be made in America (a definite rarity these days).
There is nothing much to distinguish this bag from other mediocre bags. It is canvas, with a poorly fitting lid which cannot keep the dust out, and little protection for your possessions from bumps.It is an unpadded (by design) cloth bag in which you dump in stuff that needs carrying around. Do not expect your possessions to be protected from the minor bumps that happen in daily life. It is not designed to provide bump protection, there is no inner padding. So if you expect that your bag might get bumped, and your equipment needs protection, this may not be the ideal bag. Further, the lid does not cover the top properly unless you take care to spread it out by hand every time you close it; the two catches are really hard and both hands to open. A dusty breeze will get dust inside, a bit of rain soaks the canvas (unless you spend time and effort to waterproof it first).TO get it up to grade as a camera bag that protects as well as carries, you should consider an upgrade with:>water-repelling spray>inside padding for the camera>easier to open catchesOr you can just get a camera bag that already takes care of these basic requirements.One of the big things that people mention is that the inner and outer dimensions are nearly the same. That is true. That is also true for a paper or plastic grocery bag.In its favor, the bag looks nice and curves to your body when you carry it.Edited May 9 2010: My comments on the lack of padding need retraction for the current version on sale. I see that the current version includes a short 4 compartment insert.
Domke makes sturdy, reliable bags.  I still have one I purchased more than 20 years ago.  However, I should have done some measuring before ordering this one, it is a bit too small for my purposes and I will use it as an accessory bag.  Very much worth the money.
I've been using this bag for about six months now and still love it.  It's exactly the same thing as the otherDomke F-6 Little Bit Smaller Bag (Sand)bags, except for the finish, so check out the reviews on those as well.The Ruggedwear finish is dark brown, doesn't feel waxy or oily, and doesn't smell.  The bag isn't weatherproof, but I've carried my gear on a mile walk through a blizzard when the buses stopped running and everything inside stayed dry.  I can't say if that's any different than the normal canvas Domkes, but it's good enough for me.  Overall I like the Ruggedwear finish, but I probably wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it.As for the lack of padding mentioned by the other reviews, I don't think it's fair to hold that against it.  It's an intentional design choice: more padding would affect how the bag collapses and carries, and how accessible the gear inside is.  Domkes are designed for photographers who need this kind of bag.  The style is either totally wrong or perfectly right for you, depending on what you need, but it's not an inherently flawed style.I carry around a 40D with grip, a flash, several small/medium lenses, and too many accessories and cables in this bag.  It's not a bag to transport everything you own if you have a lot, but it's a really versatile day bag.  The balance is perfect, and the strap keeps it in place as I walk.  The clips on the lid are tough to work at first, but they ease up a little, and I like the extra security their toughness gives me.It's a good, durable bag.  I love mine and would get it or another Domke again, no hesitation.August 2013 update: I'm still using this as my day bag after three years, and everything I wrote above still applies. The bag sees a lot of outdoors use since I mainly shoot bugs, and it doesn't really show any significant wear. It's actually an excellent working bag for a bug photographer, since it can hold my entire macro rig assembled -- though it's a better fit with the flash removed -- and the rest of the gear I typically want when I'm shooting.
This is the perfect bag for me!  It has enough space for everything I want to carry and is comfortable.Highlights...SIZE:  I have my Canon with a lens attached, 3 additional lenses, and a few other small accessories in the main compartment (insert holds my lenses).  I store my manual and gorillapod mini tripod in the front pocket with my battery charger.  I put cables in the flap zipper pocket.USABILITY: I like that it can be a shoulder bag or sling across my body.  It is not a stiff bag so it countours more to my body.  I don't ever feel like it is sticking out far on my side.  I like being able to open the flap and have everything I need at my fingertips.MATERIAL:  It is durable, soft and water resistant.Now some things to keep in mind...WHY ARE YOU PURCHASING A BAG?  If it is for everyday use, this is perfect.  For travel, you may want something with more padding.  Especially if it is going to be out of your sight (security check points, etc.)  The insert is well padded for lenses...the bag itself is not padded.  But that is not what I wanted, so I am fine with it.CLASPS:  They are a bit challenging to open and close and nearly impossible 1 handed.  I do wish they were easier to open.  However, it does let me know that when the clasps are closed, my items are secure.  I don't ever worry about anything falling out or someone getting into my bag.Excellent bag with a great look!  I would purchase it again :)
It is a little bit smaller, expect to fit one single height SLR body and maybe three or four smaller lenses, along with your flash, etc. Or a digital camera  and accessories or two,  or just whatever.  You're not going to be able to handle a giant mass of L lenses.All of the Domke bags are durable, and this one is no exception. I think I've only seen the old canvas ones ever wear, and after 7 years in the sun, the cold, the wet, the hot,  my F-6 looks brand new. No complaints at all.I cut off the Domke label tag on mine to make it lower-key.
I already have the F4AF and the F3x but I was looking for something smaller to take with me on family stuff. This bag will hold a 70-200 with the tripod mount, a 20-35, a strobe and a 20D with the grip. The front pouch is big enough to hold the hood for the 70-200. The flap pouch will hold several batteries. It took me a long time to descide between this and several of their other bags but because of the gamera grip and the long lens this one was the only small bag that looked like it would accomidate them without being one of the other two bags I own.
I own two Domke bags, and will likely own another (F-2) very soon.  Both of my bags are Sand color.  It's a look I really like.  I have this (F-6) as my daily working bag - both at home and on vacation.  It typically carries a Nikon D7000, a Nikor 70-300, a Tamron 17-50, a Tokina 11-16 and either a couple of fast primes or a 35-70.  The F-6 is big enough to store the camera on its side with any of the lenses attached.  This is important, since I don't want to have to change lenses just to stow the camera for a few minutes.  If you are going to use any of the available Domke inserts, a 70-300 is about the largest lens you can carry - on or off the camera.  It's not tall enough to handle a 70-200 stood on end.  If you want to carry a 70-200 lens, you'll need to remove the insert and sacrifice pretty much all else in the bag.  Still, for those times when you don't need that behemoth, it holds an amazing amount of gear.With four lenses in storage and one on the D7000 I have enough room left over for a filter pack, a speedlight in its case, an extra battery, a memory card wallet, a remote release cable, and a lens cleaning kit.  With all of this in the bag, it's pretty full, but I can still work out of it easily and access everything I need without setting the bag down or taking it off of my shoulder.  Even this full, the bag is comfortable for a full day of shooting, although by the end of the day, you're ready for a drink and some rest.  Like all Domke bags, the lack of stiff padding lets the bag hug your hip and actually makes it easier to maneuver in crowds.  I can also easily shift it to the front of me if I'm concerned about "happy hands" in a crowd.I took this bag on a three week vacation to London and the Mediterranean and used it as my working bag every day.  It kept my stuff dry when it rained and clean when it was dusty.  It's not hermetically sealed like some bags, so I'd avoid tornadoes and hurricanes if possible - for health reasons as well as photographic reasons.  Domke bags appeal to minimalists, I think.  They are the essence of a working bag - no frills, no special features, no hidden compartments, no "user's manual!"  (I still can't believe some camera bags come with a "user's manual!")  It's a monument to simplicity and excellence.  The design is pure simplicity, while the materials and workmanship reflect excellence.  You won't find better materials or workmanship for anywhere near the same amount of money.  If you want to spend 4 times as much, Billingham is the standard bearer.I have three small complaints about all Domke bags - the metal clips.  First, they can be a challenge to work with one hand, especially when it's cold or they are wet.  At times, I've needed to swing the bag from my hip to my front and use both hands to open both clips and access my gear.  This can  be awkward and time consuming, but I assume that if it's hard for me to get into my bag, it's equally hard for thieves and pickpockets, so there is a trade-off.  Second, the metal clips can be sharp and will scratch or even cut your fingers.  I've had this happen a few times - not often but enough to complain about it.  Third, the clips are heavy and metal and could damage equipment if you are careless.  I've not had this happen, but I've heard of some who have.That's not much to complain about really.  If you are looking for a Kevlar re-inforced Abrams tank with more bells and whistles than your camera to surround your gear, you will hate this and any other Domke bag.  But, if you are looking for a perfectly designed and crafted working bag that looks great and will last longer than you will, then you can't do better than Domke.
Almost perfect bag.  I wanted a smallish bag for my Nikon D3 and 3 lenses.  This is perfect, and not too deep.  I would buy it again.
I've been looking for a small discrete walk-around bag for a DSLR + 2 zoom lenses and this bag works well for that purpose.  Its not rigid like other camera bags and really hugs your body, the waxwear cloth is really nice and water repellent.  The flexible insert however is very cheap and totally useless, the compartments are too small to fit any zoom lens and will not fit a camera body either.  Also the insert is smaller than the bag so you're left with either buying another insert or leaving your SLR in an unpadded area of the bag.  I wish Domke would just make one large insert with a couple of velcro dividers.
This is the perfect walk around bag for me, but it's not without tradeoffs.Size-wise this bag is pretty compact and can still fit all of the DSLR equipment I need at any one time. I'm able to fit my 5D (a rather large dslr) with a medium length lens attached, 2 extra lenses (with space for 2 more), as well as all my filters and filter holders. You give up a little bit in padding to gain the extra space with the Domke. Because this bag is made out of heavy duty canvas instead of padded nylon, it's much more inconspicuous and doesn't scream "I'm a camera bag!!"If gear protection is high on your list of priorities out of a camera bag, this may not be the one for you. The latches keep everything locked into place securely, but there isn't a zipper to seal off the outside elements (although the top flap does cover any opening).Having all of the gear I need with me in a lightweight, convenient-access bag was high on my list of priorities. So for me, it's just what I needed. I chose this over the F-2 Original because it can still carry a lot without looking like a small duffle bag.
I purchased a Canon 2Ti and wanted a large enough bag to carry my camera body, at least 2 lens, and plenty of room for any accessories. I wanted something more than just a slim case, but not some professional sized backpack for carrying more equipment than I own.When on the shelf at my house this bag is now holding my T2i body, 2 flashes, a 50mm lens, a 18-55 lens, 3rd party strap, 2 speed straps for my flashes, 2 sets of radio triggers and a remote trigger, shutter release cable, all my manuals, extra set of batteries for everything, battery charger and a homemade Grid. Yes, the bag is completely stuffed, but that's everything I own right now minus my light stands, umbrellas, and tripod. Obviously there's plenty of room and I usually remove half of that gear depending on where I'm taking my camera.The bag is satchel size, and feels a lot like carrying around a wide laptop bag. The material is very sturdy. The interior padding is adjustable, but only protects equipment from banging into each other, there's no padding protecting the exterior walls. I love the color, but being conspicuous isn't really a concern for me. Comfortable enough to carry around all day, but it's not like you wont notice it's there.The only things I don't love about my Domke F-6 are the front clasps (not the easiest to unfasten to get in and our of the bag fast) and the way it kind of pulls and slightly loses shape when the bag is very full. You'll also need to separate your camera and lens for storage unless you really don't want to carry much else with you.Overall I would buy this bag again in a heartbeat and it was the perfect size for a serious young photographer to grow into as I add equipment. One day I'll graduate to the F2, but this will always be my generic day bag.
Finally a reasonable sized bag that fits my kit. I keep 4 lenses + one mounted to the body and it fits great!
I have a blue color bag for more than 10 years. Bought it from B&H.; While I have had many alternatives, I have used this the most. Design is functional. I like the low profile design, which is not eye-catching. It balances well on the side.  The buckles work properly.I do have three major issues.1. the workmanship is not the highest. I have to manually cut some threads here and there. The seams do not always look professional.2. the rubber lines underneath the shoulder belt disappeared after a couple of years of use. I wish it could have lasted longer.3. the shoulder belt is a bit narrow for a full day use, especially if you carry some heavy gears.All in all, a satisfactory purchase, despite the high price and not-the-best workmanship.
Good design but...  I was using to hold a camcorder.  Next thing I know the belt loop rips and the whole thing drops onto concrete.  No undue pressure was placed on the loop.
The slip-lock system works well, having a few different LowPro bags which have the systems loops allows me to expand as needed readily and fast.  These bags while not all weather have a pouch covering with a draw string at the top opening and when cinched should deter much rain or winding conditions etc.  Well made and securely attached.  Hold my GPS, wallet and walkie-talkie well.  Using mine with the fanny pack AW 100 and 200.
It WILL connect to your Tech belt. But it's a pretty cheap build. It almost looks like a knock-off. A small strip of Velcro holds the flap down and underneath is a drawstring pocket. There is no cool little rain shield that pops out from underneath so use my favorite and yours, Scotch Guard ( I should get a commission eery time I mention their name). Even with Scotch Guard, i wouldn't put anything more expensive than a really, really good sandwich in this case.
As promoted, this item is suggested for use with binoculars. The draw tight hood is a constant pain when trying to replace your field glasses back into the pouch.  If the draw cord opening were off to one side this would greatly improve the design, but because of its location, their is no way to really get around it, or to fold it out of the way.  This problem seems to be an annoying design oversight. The size of this pouch is also too tight or narrow to insert or remove a mid to full-sized pair of binoculars easily.  Slightly larger width and depth (1/2") would have been better. Using the Lowepro S&F Technical Belt (an excellent product), I was hopeful that this pouch would have become a primary tool when birding. I learned otherwise.
Purchased these Sliplock pouches (#30) to go with the lowe pro system ( I have 2 back packs for my Nikon camera gear - a Slingshot 100AW, and the CompuTrekker AW.  These pouches are constructed of durable materials, and attach very securely to the backpacks.  They have an additional drawstring closure system under the flap that provides water resistance and addition safety for your equipment.  It adds to the capacity of the backpacks, without increasing the overall size by much.  Great system, and a total 10 out of 10 to Lowepro on their design, system, and construction.
Use this on my Lowepro belt and love it,, its very durable and has a strong velcro latch system to attach it to anything,
I have a LowePro Slingshot AW100 sling pack for my Nikon DSLR.  Works great, but now and then I wish it had just a little more capacity, for carrying a light snack, cell phone, etc.  This pouch, which attaches via the SlipLock system to the SlingShot, adds a little extra carrying room without adding too much bulk.  It's as well made as other LowePro products.  Works for me.
This is my 2nd pouch and Lowepro is my vendor of choice and has been for a number of years. I have over 7 Lowepro bags and a lot of accessories. As a matter of fact I just bought another item on Saturday.Nothing against the other brands I love Lowepro!
Built Lowe tough like other Lowe products, this pouch is indispensable and customizable.  I have never lost an item that used the Lowe sliplock system.  Whether this pouch or Lowe lens pouches, I swear by them.  This item also has a draw string that you can cinch tight that helps keep water out of the pouch.  The sliplock system is also not specific to Lowe products.  You can use the entire Lowe sliplock line in conjunction with other outdoor gear such as Mountainsmith. Most photogs will want two of these to really customize their system, especially of using the S&F; system.Lowe wins again.
Since I bought my camera I bough so many attachments and accessories. My camera bag just ran out of space. This attaches nicely to my camera bag and adds more space. The reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is that It is not easy getting things out of it sometimes when you are on the move. Otherwise it is a nice product that can attach easily to lowepro bags.
I bought this as an add on to my Lowepro system. I use it as a "purse" to hold keys, cash etc. It is easily removable and has it's own shoulder strap, so I can use as a shoulder bag when going out to dinner (and not taking my camera). I travel a fair amount, so having to pack one less thing is great.
I bought this to carry my flash attachment for my Nikon D80, It's a perfect fit, and fasten on the side of the Lowepro camera case. Easy to open, and very secure fastening, with an inside draw string closer. Can also be used alone using a shoulder strap attached to the d-rings on the side.
I've collected a lot of bags over the last couple of years, and this is probably the best, certainly the best value.The bag is made of rough canvas, the only soft spots are the removable and replaceable inserts.  Two large inserts and one smaller one divided in two fill the inside.  They are made like pods, you can buy extra ones and just pop them in and out to change equipment.  There are 2 large side pockets that close with velcro, I put a SB-900 in its case in one and a poncho and large garbage bag in the other.  Two front pockets are closed with the top flap, I put all my cleaning stuff like solution, lens pen, rocket blower in one and the backpack harness in the other.  Most of the top has a mesh pocket inside, I put a lastolite reflector in there besides all of my filters, batteries, flash cards, etc.In the left insert I put my D300 with a battery grip, side handle bracket, and quick release plate attached.  There is a Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 attached with the hood reversed.  This is the first bag I've seen that will let me put that camera in vertically, ready to shoot.  Another camera would fit on the other side if you need it there.  I put a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 and a Sigma 1.4 teleconverter in that place.  In the middle insert is a Nikkor 105mm Micro on the top, and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 with a Nikkor 12-24 f/4 DX on the bottom.All of this weighs about 22 pounds, but I noticed from the first time I picked it up that it doesn't feel like it.  Maybe its the balancing or the compactness, but it feels lighter, and I could see myself carrying it around for a while were it not for the problem noted below.I bought the large lens pouch which fits my Sigma 150-500, now I can just velcro and strap it to the shoulder strap when I'm going to need it.  I also bought the large pouch, and all of my 4"X6" filters and holders fit in that and I can add it as necessary.  I'm going to get some more pouches so that I can switch out equipment depending on what I'll be doing.All-in-all a nice bag, except for some problems:It doesn't look waterproof.  Not the material but gaps between the parts. Carry a large garbage bag.The hooks that hold the bag closed have a small spring loaded blade to keep them closed.  To open them takes two hands, one to hold the blade in and the other to slide the loop from the other side out.  It almost takes two hands to get them back on.  These hooks are a major pain, they should be modernized and beefed up.  They may be strong but they don't look strong.  None of the hardware looks strong.The straps for the top adjust from one side only, so if you fill up the top (or the inside to the top) the handle will be crooked and the bag will tilt to one side when you're carrying it.The handle has the seams on the top and bottom, and they are hard and rough being sewed rough canvas.  After just a few minutes my hand starts hurting like it's being cut into.  This definitely needs a pad.Speaking of rough straps, the shoulder strap is also rough canvas.  Don't even think of buying this without the `mail carrier' pad.  As a matter of fact it should be standard equipment.Despite the shortcomings, I still like this bag the most of those in my collection (need to sell some.)  The little problems can be corrected or gotten around. I think between this and a backpack I modified  I would be able to carry all of my equipment and some overnight drying clothes, and still talk my way on an airplane with everything needed for an extended trip.Instead of adding dividers and plastic tabs and infinitely variable interiors, which all take up more space than your camera equipment, Domke has taken the minimalist approach, proving that sometimes less is more.
Well, well made. As cameras and lens get deeper and taller I needed a deeper bag.  I have a Nikon D800 with 2.8 24-70, other deep well I have a 2.8 70-200. They fit perfectly.  Still leaving room for other lenses and small movie camera, chargers, flash, filters. Bag can become quite heavy so recommend ordering the backpack strap at same time.
This Domke bag was designed for carrying two large AF cameras, and it does an excellent job of it. Currently I am carrying:Canon 7D w/ grip, RRS L-plate and mounted Canon 24-70 f2.8 LCanon 5D mk II w/ grip, RRS L-plate and mounted Canon  and 24-105 f4 LCanon 100mm f2.8 L macroCanon 430 EX, stand and Sto-fen diffuserCanon 430 EX II, stand and Sto-fen diffuserCanon 580 EX II, stand and Sto-fen diffuser2xDelkin AA battery casesfilled with Sanyo Eneloops4x 77mm filters in hard cases2xPelican 0945 casesCanon off-shoe flash cordCanon TC80N3 remote/intervalometerA hot-shoe levelThree rolls ofmicroGAFFER tapeTwo Canon LP-E6 chargersFour (spare) Canon LP-E6 batteriesBody and lens capsSome allen wrenchesaLensPENOne mylar emergency blanket (aka cheap silver/gold reflector)Miscellaneous other "stuff"The frightening part is that I still have room to carry more. However, I don't recommend doing so if you value your back. This load is made easier to carry with aDomke Shoulder Pad. When shooting, the removal of one camera makes the weight a lot easier to carry around, but the bag's biggest weakness is it's size when moving through crowds. The good news is that like every other Domke bag it's soft enough to collapse a little when gear is removed.If you are looking for a bag that will coddle your equipment, this is NOT the bag you want. But it is the bag you want if you like to work out of a well thought out, incredibly durable bag. The bag itself is heavy canvas. There is a padded board in the bottom of the bag to protect it rough rough landings when you set the bag down. However, the equipment dividers have thin foam pads that seem barely adequate if you are used to the stiff, heavy foam in products from other manufacturers. This is by design; a Domke bag is meant to work out of and collapse against you. And the little padding that is present is more than adequate to keep your gear from getting beat up as long as you are smart about how you pack it. The relatively open design means you can dig through it and find what you need with ease. The stitching is heavy, and on this bag the shoulder strap D-rinds are secured by two pieces of webbing slightly offset from each other for extra load-bearing capacity.
I have several bags from the popular manufacturers but only use the original Domke bag and I love it, it just got a little to small for my day kit. It is strong, well made, durable and yes I even like the metal (old school) clips that others complain are too stiff. With that history I went on a search for a larger bag that would hold another lens and a second flash as well as some misc items without everything being packed tightly in.I appreciate the Domke brand as then have been around as long as I can remember and besides excellent construction they don't add a bunch of unneeded padding that adds nothing but weight.This bag was all of that and more. The construction was identical to my older bag and was exactly what I expected right down to it being a bit tall for my taste. When I ordered it I suspected that it would be too tall but there was no way to see it before buying it so I took the chance.Its a great bag and my only complaint is because of personal taste. I wasn't happy with how tall the bag was so it was returned and I ordered the Domke F-1X Little bit bigger. This is the same height as my favorite and longer.
The bag is not as great as the reviews would have you believe. Limited amount of space and the inserts leave a lot to be desired.
While this bag is a tad heavy, it has every feature I wanted.  The price is right, the constructions is top-notch, and I can safely place all of my equipment in it.  I have the Canon 7D with battery pack grip, the 580exII Speedlite; Canon 100mm Macro, Cannon 70-200mm, extra batteries and miscellaneous supplies, and SLIK monopod.  The bag simply works quite well.
This is the best camera bag you can buy. I just got lots of newcamera equipment, and gave my old Domke to my son (that one isat 15 years old).  They last forever!
I upgraded to this F-7 double bag because I was using the F-2 Domke. The smaller bag was the one I used way back when I was a working newspaper photog. Now I'm using digital and want some more room in my bag. My gear isCanon 50dCanon F4 70-200mm L isCanon F4 24-105mm L isCanon F2.8 100mm L is macroCanon F3.5/4.5 10-22mm wide angleCanon 580 ex II flashplus extra batteries, rear lens caps, notebook and pen.I'm still trying to take news photos, and this bag will be great!
I use both Crumpler and Domke bags and I like this one. I don't like back pack style bags because I keep them on my body, I don't set them down. This one-I have lots of bags-carries a Hasselblad 500C/M, 3 extra lenses, 3 magazines, hoods, filters, film, the works. It all fits and I can get to it all without putting the bag down. It's a bit heavy but that's what you get when you shoot Hasselblad.Phil
If you looking for a camera bag that will carry a complete digtal camera system this may be the bag for you.There is three padded inserts, which  include two large single-compartments for cameras/lenses, and a two-compartment insert for extra lenses. Three see-through mesh accessory pockets, for extra memory cards, lens cleaning materials and insect repellent. Two extra large side pockets for spare batteries, tripod mounts and energy bars.Two extra large front pockets for product manuals and maps. There is also a zippered compartment inside the bag for any miscellaneous items that you may need.In my bag;*canon 30d camera*canon 100-400mm lens (yes, this bag is deep enough to hold this lens)*canon macro 180mm lens*canon 16-35mm lens*canon 24-105 lens*canon Speedlite 580EX*two filters*accessories, as mentioned above.There are two downsides to this bag, it is heavy when loaded and some people may believe that a canvas bag will not hold up to the elements.I love the feel to this bag, much better than the ballistic nylon bags. The canvas bags tend to "give" more than the rigid nylon bags when carrying them.
Arrived yesterday, completed the return process today. To gain access to the bag it requires setting the bag down and un-hooking these goofy hooks that are not that easy to open, I didn't even bother seeing how my gear fits
I received my Domke 803 in waxwear finish today and I am thoroughly impressed.It is much smaller than I had expected but fits a ton of stuff.  If you are considering this bag to carry a laptop, move on to a larger size like the Domke F-802, 701-88 or the like.  It will hold netbooks, ipads, tablets and the like easily in the back compartment.The main interior compartment is large and roomy and Domke includes a single insert with the bag.  I did not order the three divided insert to accompany this bag as I wanted to see if the single insert would suffice.  So far it seem it will fit the bill nicely.  The single padded insert easily accommodates my X100 (with hood) or Olympus EP-2 (with 14-45 lens).  With the insert moved to the farthest point to the left or right, I can even fit my D700 with 50mm in the main compartment.  I then use the insert for my 70-200.  The back pocket easily fits my iPad2 in a moleskine like case (from Pad&Quill;) and doesn't stick out of the top of the pocket as it does in the "ipad friendly" pockets of most bags.  The two flap pockets easily hold my keys, wallet and cell phone.  The two front pockets under the flap are large enough for chargers, batteries, memory cards, pens, notepads, sunglasses, etc...The shoulder strap is the typical Domke gripper strap.  It works great and is very comfortable.  If you are debating on buying the Domke Post Office strap pad, I'd suggest passing on it as this bag is small enough it is difficult to load it down enough to warrant the extra padding, although if you go with a larger bag the Domke strap pad is a great item to have for a heavily weighed down bag.  As with most Domke bags, the strap is not removable.The overall build quality is very good.  Quality stitches, quality fabric and the waxwear finish protects everything from anything but the harshest environments.  The main compartment is sufficiently padded on the bottom and sides.  I do wish Domke could design a better bag clasp as the metal clasp can be difficult and even painful to open one handed while the bag is suspended on your shoulder.  The 803 is the typical high quality I've come to expect from Domke and I know I'll be using this bags for years and years to come.Bottom-line:  Great bag, exactly what I wanted.  If I had it all to do over again, I'd choose this bag.Pro's:very durable, will last a lifetimeadequately paddedroomy (can fit my ipad and camera gear)versatile (Configure insert in any way you wish)small, light (easily fit in under-seat storage on a flight)1/2 the price of Billingham's cheapest bag3/5 the price of Artist & Artisan's cheapest bagCons:Bag enclosure clasp can be difficult to use one handed.  Small gripe, I suspect it will loosen up and become easier as my other domke bags have.
Once upon a time I was a photojournalist and I always used Jim's bags. They are durable, usable and always handled what I threw at them. This bag, that I know use as a computer satchel continues that excellence. My camera bag is probably close to 20 years old now and I will be surprised if this bag lasts any less. It's rugged, simple and handles all my needs. Awesome, still!
I have had a Domke F-5xb for a few years and really like it. I then got this bag, but really did not like the waxwear and color used for the strap and body strips. I couldn't care less about how it looks, but the strap and strips (in this light color) are far too prone to dirt and dust and the like. And making it worse is the waxwear finish, which you need to care for regularly and are not supposed to machine wash! So this bad has a strap and strips that are far more prone to dirt than my olive canvas F-5xb, but you're supposed to hand wash it. I don't have the time for that, so I sold this bag without using it much.That said, I do like the overall structure and layout of the bag--just not the finish and strap and strips.
Pros:Nice waxwear finishHad just the right amount of pocketsInside of strap has rubberized grip stripsMight be just about right size for a stealth, take anywhere camera bagCons:The bag itself contains no paddingThe only padding comes from what seems like a "Domke 720-200 FA-280 1 Small Compartment Insert (Green)" that might be big enough for Pen type cameras but not SLRs. Maybe with the "Domke 720-230 FA-230 3 Compartment Insert" a decent SLR with lens would fit but thats another $30 bucks.Loops that attach the strap to the bag and for strap length adjustment are plastic, seems cheap and unauthentic for the style and price.Metal hook clip lid closure seems clunky (maybe with time, opening this would seem natural)but authentic.I'm returning this bag on my dime.
I already had three other Domke bags when I bought this one, a dark brown F-2, an olive green F-5XC, and a black F-802. Obviously I like these and at this point I wouldn't buy any other brand.However, most of those bags (besides the 802 to a limited extent) are really only useful for camera gear. You can take the dividers out and put whatever you want in them, but they really only work well with camera gear.That hasn't stopped me from regularly using them for other things, of course. I used the F-802 as a carry-on bag for air travel (it's large but fits under the seat), and stuffed the F-5XC with a Canon 40D, 24-105L lens, and one or two additional lenses inside.But if you use the F-802 as a shoulder bag for carrying papers, books, laptops, or whatever besides primarily camera gear, it's way too big. Comfortable, but large. That's where the F-803 comes in... despite the higher number it's a smaller bag.To be honest, I've never even tried to fit my large camera gear in here. According to the other reviews it came with a divider insert, but I don't remember that and don't know what happened to mine (I got the bag about a year ago). I must have taken it out right away and put it away somewhere :) I think with a regular-size DSLR like the XXD or 5D series everything will fit snugly, but you may have trouble fitting a laptop in the laptop pocket.Which brings me to one of my favorite things about this bag - there's a spacious main compartment, and then a pocket that goes all the way across. In this pocket you can perfectly shove in a neoprene sleeve for a 13" laptop (I use a MacBook Pro), and slide the laptop in and out of the sleeve within the pocket. A superior method for laptop protection and transportation. You can of course just slide the laptop into the pocket without the sleeve - despite what people may say there is plenty of protection for your stuff with these bags - but I do sometimes take the sleeve out if I just want to take the laptop somewhere and not the whole bag, so I like to keep the sleeve with me and it doesn't take up much space. The small Apple laptop power adapters and other accessories will fit in one of the front pockets of this bag, but if you have a really big power adapter like on some laptops you may have some frustration.These days for travel I use an Olympus EP-2. You could fit this size camera and accessories (I have the kit lens and the usually-attached Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, two extra batteries, etc.) in one of the front pockets of this bag. Or, a better solution in my opinion is to get one of the pouches that Domke sell (in the matching Sand color of course). There are clips at both ends of this bag designed to attach those pouches (and other things I suppose).And you have to love the handle built into the sides of most of the larger Domke bags... great feature that I've never seen on bags from other companies. Makes it easy to pull out the bag, i.e. on an airplane or shoved into a small space in a car or wherever.
Great size for every day use for a casual user like me. Easily holds a Canon 60D with a 50mm fixed lens attached, 70-300 lens, and L-series wide angle with room to spare. Exterior pockets hold charger, extra battery, flash, cell phone, etc. The wax finish fabric is awesome also. And it doesn't scream &#34;camera bag.&#34;
I have avoided real "Camera bag"s like the plague... they are usually bulky, and scream "steal me." Instead, I used an old WWI vintage US Army Surplus gas-mask bag... It served me well but the canvas started to wear out and my lens collection started to grow. I looked at other messenger bags, but they didn't seem like they would hold my camera securely enough. I was intrigued by the Naneu Pro Sahara 115 but it seemed way too big with the camera insert. The Domke bags seemed to match the aesthetics of my old surplus bag, but they were all way too wide for my tastes.. eventually I found this.There is a minimal amount of padding, but it is all you really need if you are carrying this on your person... it is not a storage/shipping container. Most camera bags seem to be built for travel and storage, rather than on the fly daily use.I have the 1-partition insert positioned about a half-inch from the side-wall, and wedge my Rode VideoMic Pro down in there (A speedlight would also wedge in nice). It fits perfect and now there is no excuse for me not to have good sound. In the insert I throw my Nikon 18-105VR down at the bottom (I rarely use it, but it can be a lifesaver where my AI glass won't work) Then I throw my 50mm 1.8 AI-s with HN-7 screw-in hood directly on top of it (the flexible plastic cap I use provides enough cushion between the two). In the rest of the compartment I slide my D7000 with 24 2.8 and HN-3 hood... it rests sideways on the bottom with plenty of space to spare, you could put a zoom lens on the bottom in a lens-wrap and still have plenty of room for the SLR, or wrap a small prime and fit the camera in lens down. (in my setup, the camera fits with the 18-105 mounted sideways with the hood reversed, or lens down with the hood straight)In the front compartment I have a small filtercase in one with a swiss army knife, and lens cleaning supplies/usb cable/flash diffuser in the other. They use velcro, so are definitely not quiet open if that bothers you, but you can put some tape over the velcro then let the weight of the main flap hold them closed, but they won't be as secure. They are large enough to fit my Nikon FE comfortably without a lens mounted, to give you an idea of their size. They should be more than generous enough for a speedlight or charger, etcI still don't even use the zipper pouches, but you could easily use them for flash media, info booklets, or other slim-profile stuff.The strap is really heavy duty, and the slip-resist rubber banding is non-descript, but highly effective. A Hufa Holder just BARELY fits on the strap.the clips on the side seem just decorative, but I found them great for holding knife/multi-tool belt cases... you can slide the clip through the belt loop and clip it in place. With a Gerber or Leatherman you now have a small toolcase at your disposal... just don't forget to take it off when going out into populated public places (public transit and other downtown institutions are typically not fond of knives), but it can be a lifesaver on private shoots. Anything with a belt loop should hook on pretty well.The flap is heavy and there is no need to keep hooking/unhooking it if you are taking your camera out very often... when you hook it you can know it is secure. But even with practice it takes a second hand (only a finger or two, though) to guide the loop.I have had absolutely no problem with the waxwear finish... I love it, it seems slightly more water resistant than normal canvas and looks much more rugged... It really matched the aesthetics of my old surplus bag. I can tell it is getting slowly worn off, but I have slid Moleskines down in the back pouch with no transfer, in the time I used front pouches for my Rode VMP I never got any transfer, and I have yet to see any on my filter case.
i've been looking high and low for a bag like this one.  like any avid photographer, i've owned and have many a camera bag.  Nothing quite like this though.  I was looking for a bag to carry my Rebel XT, 17-85mm lens attached, sigma 70-200 F2.8 lens, PD70X PSD, 35mm F2 prime lens, batteries, cards, hoods, remote, cleaning gear, and my ipod.  just enough stuff to be ready for practically anything.  this bag fits the bill, without looking like a techno geeks man purse.my velocity 5 was being called a purse far too often.  a clear sign you need to find a domke.  that and i can't fit another lens in the velocity 5.this bag has very little padding.  it is made of heavy canvas.  the only padding is on the 3inch width sides and bottom.  no padding on the front and back.  it does come with one domke lens insert.  it's capable of swallowing my sigma snuggly.  excellent.  the scarce amount of padding gives the bag a very very slim profile.  if you're used to having a million padded velcro dividers like a tamrac or lowepro bag, you're in for a shock with this bag.  it has practically none.  it's domke's way of forcing you to carry less?  with this bag, you tend to pack items in small nylon bags, and tossing them into the bottom.  i did scavenge one velcro divider from a different bag to hold my slr upright.like any other camera bag, it won't be perfect for every situation or everyone.  but it's perfect for me when i'm running around town.things you should know:1) shoulder strap is NOT removeable2) comes with a domke bag tag3) the top flap of the bag has a steel or plastic insert to retain the bags briefcase shape when closed.4) the clasp for the bag is hard to operate, but very strong.5) extra clasps on the sides of the bag to carry more items.6) not waterproof by any means7) bag will probably not stand on it's own if set on the ground.8) looks nothing, and i mean nothing, like a camera bag.  mine is sand colored.  gives peace of mind, especially when inside is several thousand bucks worth of camera gear.
The ultimate non-descript camera bag. Classic and timeless styling. Can also double for everyday use as briefcase or commuter bag. Can easily access DSLR camera body and two lenses. Sturdy and well made (in the USA). Metal cinch buckle takes some getting use to with one hand, but doable with use. Flap close pockets under main flap keeps secure, medium sized items, wallet, keys, cellphone, lens cap, filters, small flash, etc. Backside flat pocket for quick access to reading material. Adjustable shoulder strap long enough to wear across body, rubberized gripping to keep from shifting. Having tried many camera bags, but this is the most useful for daily use for many years to come.
This Domke bag is my every day carry bag.  The profile is slim and fairly compact but it carries a lot. The 803 carries all of the odds and ends that I use every day. When traveling I toss in my Kindle and a few extras and off I go.  Love the look and feel of the waxwear finish.  Would buy this bag again and again but I don't have to!
This bag may be only a little bigger than a magazine, but Domke is masters at conserving space. I am able to fit my Pen FT w/lens attached, plus 4 lenses and all the accessories easily. This bag even stands up on its own, probably because of the waxwear finish. First photo bag I've been completely satisfied with. As others have stated on the other versions, you do need to use 2 hands to open it. The image for it above is terrible, it really looks much better in person, it's really brown & sand colored.
Recently got this bag for carrying my camera around NYC when I don't want a huge bag or one that screams "expensive equipment, steal me."  I'm not sure if this is true of their regular material bags, but the waxwear bags have a lining inside that seems like nylon.  The strap, handle, and other details are in a nice light khaki material (looks white in the photo, but is actually the same color as their khaki version.)  On the shoulder strap, there are what appear to be rubber threads sewn in which makes it stay on your shoulder very well.The main compartment can be nicely divided into 3 sections by the included removable padded divider.  I can fit my Nikon D50 with 50mm lens on the left, 18-135mm lens in the middle, and a Yashica TLR on the right.  If I attach the 18-135mm to the d50 and stick it lens-down in the middle, the camera does stick up above the top of the bag, but the flap will cover it if necessary.  With the 50mm, the d50 will fit with lens facing down, sideways, or toward the front.  The main compartment has a strip of hook-and-loop (velcro) running the length of the front and back, but it's near the top - this makes it a little harder to use some dividers from another bag.The two pockets under the main flap are pretty big - can hold a speedlight easily, or spare batteries, etc.  On the outside of the flap are 2 small zipper pockets, they can only hold thin things, like memory cards, business cards, spare battery.  The back has a slot that holds things like magazines, papers, maps very nicely.  Seems like a good place to put reading material for a long subway ride so I don't have to expose the inner contents of the bag to access it.  Finally, each side of the bag has a ring and clasp that connect to form a loop you can put things in, or you could unclasp them to connect things to.The new waxwear material offered by Domke on specific bags is great.  I really like the somewhat 'worn' look of it and that fact that it's waterproof (although I haven't had to test that yet.Compared to my Crumpler 7 million dollar home, it is slightly shorter, the same width, and about half as thick.  It seems to be more flexible too which makes it comfortable to carry - except the top of the bag that the handle attaches to has a rigid panel inside that keeps it square on top - it kind of prevents it from conforming to your side when carrying.
lots of pockets, compartments and section seperators for the inside of the bag, nice quality.the only thing i didn't like was the closign flap and clip to close the bag. the flap was just too big when wanting to quickly access the my camera. and the 'quick-release clip' wasn't really that quick to release.
I am a man and sometimes I get teased but I really love this bag! I usually put my Canon 5D mark II, 300mm F4, and a wider angle lens or zoom along with my cell phone, wallet, and keys. When youre going out and about for fun who wants to lug around a big bag full of gear so buy this! Material seems sturdy and Im confident bringing it anywhere I go!
I've included quite a few measurements in this review, since I carefully considered these factors before ordering the bag. My goal: A small, discreet, conveniently designed, well-made bag that would carry my camera gear along with a few small personal items. Mission accomplished with this Domke bag! If you have similar equipment, you'll probably love this bag.I ordered the optional one-compartment 3 x 6 x 8" insert, and my Nikon D80 SLR with lens attached rides on its back in the insert. The zoom lens is rather large -- 4" from camera body to filter when fully retracted.The optional insert made a big difference in my enjoyment of the bag. It's easier to slip the camera in and out, and the camera receives extra protection without the bag becoming too bulky. Also, for some reason, the bag now stands up on its own. Before, it tended to need to be propped up against something.I stash a flash in the 3 x 4 x 8" insert that came with the bag, but it would be fine for a couple of lenses if you don't mind stacking items. The flash, which is 3-1/2 x 2 x 6-1/2" inches, also fits in one of the front pockets but just barely. I personally wouldn't carry the flash in the front pocket because I prefer the more spacious feel, ease of access and extra protection of the insert, but it's doable.The two inserts fit well within the bag, but perhaps not perfectly. Together, they might be about 1/2" too long. Perhaps it's by design, but they "fold" just a little. It's not bothersome. They have kind of molded themselves to the shape of the equipment. Domke's inserts are clever, and I appreciate the way you can remove them with contents intact and can remove the individual foam paddings from whatever sides you want.The bag's pockets have plenty of room to carry small items such as filters, a wallet, a couple of manuals or magazines, etc. There are hooks on each side -- handy for carrying an extra pouch for more gear or even lunch. The bag has a plastic bar that runs the length of the top flap; I suppose it helps keep everything in place.As reviews elsewhere mentioned, the main hook is somewhat difficult to open and close. Domke says this is to make it more pilfer-proof, and it probably does. After I used the bag for a few weeks, either I got used to it or it loosened up a bit. Still, I'd prefer an easier hook and have considered replacing it.One of the main reasons I chose this particular bag is that it's very discreet. It doesn't look like a camera bag at all, and the Domke logo is hidden under the main flap.The construction quality and materials appear to be superb. I've owned another canvas Domke bag for about 25 years. It even went through several years of professional use, and it still looks and functions great. It doesn't appear that Domke has scrimped on quality over the years.
Looks great, hold just what you need for a day trip.  I have a Canon 7d, Canon 17-40, and Canon 70-200mm IS II, and there is room for more!  I love it!
This is one of two Domke bags that I own, with the other being the smaller F5-XB. It has the usual excellent construction and attention to detail which is typical of Domke.If you like bags with two inches of padding and a load of dividers you're looking at the wrong brand. Domke bags are for use...not for storage or heavy duty protection. By keeping the padding to a minimum, Domke keeps its bags small relative to their carrying capacity. This approach also cuts down on weight, which you'll appreciate at the end of the shooting day.The F-803 comes with a nicely padded interior divider that, depending upon placement, will provide either 2 or 3 spaces in the main compartment. There are also two good-sized front expansion pockets and a "magazine" pocket on the rear. The front flap has two zippered compartments which I find pretty much useless as even a filter is a tight fit.The flap closure is very secure. So secure that you really need two hands to open it....which can be a nuisance. The usual Gripper strap is provided but, on this model, it's not removable and without swivels. I prefer my bags to have removable straps with swivels, but that's really a matter of personal preference.I can easily fit either my Nikon D80 or D300 and two or three lenses in the main compartment with a flash and some accessories in the front pockets.After two years of fairly hard use, mine is still in good condition. I've actually removed the divider and tossed the canvas shell in with the laundry a few times. The canvas has softened over time and the bag now kind of "molds" itself to my side making it very comfortable to carry.Something that you might want to consider is that, being canvas, this bag isn't even a little bit waterproof. If you shoot in wet environments that could be an issue. There are waterproofing sprays available that might help, but this is most certainly not an "AW" bag.Every bag is a compromise and this is no exception. However, it does what it's supposed to do and it does it well. If you can live with minimal padding and no waterproofing, you might be a good candidate for owning a Domke.
Great product which is perfect for the Panasonic GH-3, particularly with the microphone and an iPad!  Very discrete, as it doesn't look like a conventional photography bag.  It is slender, light and comfortable.  Just right for my needs.
I purchased the Domke 701 Waxwear bag for use with my newly acquired Olympus PEN E-P1 camera kit, and I have to say this is a perfect match.The waxwear finish is a great new addition to the Domke line it looks as good as it functions and it's built as good as any bag on the planet. I hope that Domke takes note of the demand for these bags and starts producing all their bags with the new waxwear finish.
I have used a backpack-style camera bag for years, and there will be plenty of photography outings when it will be the bag of choice, especially for my larger camera, a Canon 1Ds Mark II; however, I wanted something smaller and less noticeable for those occasions when I am out on the street with a smaller camera, and this bag is perfect for that.  I can pack it with my Leica M9 - on its back with the mounted lens facing up - and a couple of spare lenses and accessories, and still have room for a few other small items.  Although the padding is thinner than that of the backpack, it is sufficient for the way I use it, which is more like I would use a briefcase than a camera case. I have no doubt that this bag will last many years, and like a good wine, will only get better with age.  This is one purchase that you will not regret the next morning.
You can fit a couple lenses and a camera body and a few accessories in it.  That is fine.  But the material is stiff and unyielding.  Putting things in and taking things out of this bag is a nightmare.  The pockets are small, as they should be for a bag that is low profile and compact.  But when I reach my fingers in the pockets to retrieve items the zippers scratch up my hands.  I have small hands and simply taking out something as small as a rear lens cap is a big headache.  I cannot stress how much I hate this bag.  I never use it.  It is good for transporting your stuff if you don't want a bulky bag to carry around.  But I don't recommend it for using on a shoot because you will be fighting with it for your stuff the whole time.
While this bag looks great in terms of color, I hated the Waxwear finish. It rubs off on your hands when you touch it and also when you put something in the back slot such as a book or folder, the wax rubs on that. And if you put something that is rubber there, it will ruin that. I put my Apple iPad there with the Apple iPad case, which is black rubber and the wax rubbed against that and ruined it for good.The inside of the bag does not have the Waxwear finish so you don't have to worry about your equipment there however all of the pockets do have the wax and it can indeed rub off on whatever you place there.I returned this bag and got a standard canvas one of the same model and am much happier with that.
Just received this bag. So far it looks ok. BUT, I bought it because I was under the impression that I could fit a DSLR in this bag. The only way I can get my Canon 5D to fit is if I remove the lens. Not very convenient. I plan to use the bag as a carry on for traveling. Seems like it will be ok for that.Update June 25 2014After using the bag for several months and as a carry-on when traveling I have to say that this is one of my favorite camera bags. While it does bulge when my 5D is packed it really hasn't stopped me from using it. It still has plenty of left over room for ipad, extra lens, battery, passport, etc.
Great bag, small size but big enough without being too noticeable. It's water resistant and looks great. Had to get the Domke shoulder pad but this really should be included with the bag at this price. It's somewhat durable...i say somewhat because a corner of the velcro on one of the pockets came loose (just a little thread) but superglue remedied that right quick. Come on Domke, this is made in USA and i'm trying to support US products but more quality control needed.
This is another well-designed product from Lowepro, and it integrates well with their other pro-level products. Be advised that this harness is useless without the Street and Field belt which must be purchased separately. Most people will just need the belt, but I carry a lot of gear for street photography and need it handy. You will look like a Borg drone, though.
Seems like a great product.  Be aware that this product is useless without one of the Lowepro Waistbelts.  Also be aware that unless you are VERY familiar with how web gear works, getting this thing set up is going to cause you a seemingly endless amount of frustration.  The picture is misleading - it doesn't snug up tight like it shows, and getting everything together is a huge pain.  Don't think you're going to use this part-time, either.  Getting it all snugged up takes a fair amount of effort.  Be prepared to buy two complete setups (this one plus a more traditional bag setup) if you don't think you're going to be wearing this full time.I think this has potential to be a terrific product, and that Lowepro blew it by deciding to not include any sort of usable or useful instructions.
This is a nice item that is flexible in size but around your neck it is tight and annoying.  Works great in winter over a jacket but in summer it will rub your neck.  There are homemade remedies you can figure out to compensate this.  I had to have it over a backpack because all my gear was always out of reach.  Well worth the bucks.
This modular vest makes one think of the army or police forces using modular vests. And for a good reason! Photographers can learn from them. With the attached S&F; waist belt that you must buy separately, the modular vest makes sure you have all your gear comfortably close at hand. No grabbing in bags or rucksacks. It gives you fast access and is highly adjustable too.However, as previous posters mentioned, there were no instructions enclosed so that you have to find out how this vest is configured and how you should attach it to the waist belt and use it. Fortunately, I found it out and it's not that difficult, but it may take a layman/woman quite some time to uncover this.Unfortunately, the ergonomics of this modular vest are not perfect. The neck part has an uncomfortable V-shape instead of a U-shape. Have the engineers forgotten that the human body is shaped in curves?? When wearing an additional tripod on a shoulder or wearing a shoulder bag, the V-shape of the neck part hurts in the neck. A U-shape would fit the shape of the body better!There are lots of D-rings and strings to attach the sliplock pouches and bags. So, while this vest is well-thought out, the fact that it lacks instructions and has a V-shaped neckpart make that I can only give 4 stars. I hope this gets addressed in an updated/revised version.Aside from this, this vest is to be recommended even it will not replace my Lowepro Flipside AW400 that is just a marvel. I use the modular vest and attached waist belt when I cannot wear a bag because of the event (for example at dense mass events when people are too close to you and wearing a bagpack may annoy others and/or yourself).
They should clearly mention that this product is useless on its own! I kept on looking for the other parts in the box but could not find them ... then I read some reviews and figured out that I am not the only one that was fooled by the pic. I do not even know why Lowepro would sell this on its own ... it has no use on its own ... but when coupled with a deluxe belt and some lense pouches and other utility pouchs it wasa setup made in heaven .... but again, be warned that on its one it is like having really sturdy shoe laces but without the shoes
The only thing that this item comes with is the harness part. No lens bags come with this. You have to buy those seperately. I wish they would have told me that before I purchased it. Other then that, the harness part is very sturdy and durable. Just wish I had the bags so I could have used it on my job!
This is a useful utility pouch made with Domke's usual quality.  I use it to carry extra lenses, flash, a small camera or other odds and ends.  I would buy it again.
I don't remember exactly what I bought this for, but I got it because I have the Domke F-803 Camera Satchel, also in sand, which I use as a general shoulder bag (with laptop, papers, etc.) This pouch mates perfectly to the end of the F-803. About the same height, and same color obviously.Now, I can carry a camera with me as well as fill up the 803 with papers or whatever. The thing about the larger Domke bags (and this style of bag in general) is that while they may look like regular shoulder bags that will hold all kinds of stuff in addition to your camera gear, what really ends up happening is that your camera gear's awkward shapes use up all the usable room in the bag. You might have plenty of room left, but odd spaces not usable for papers, laptops, etc.This is particularly frustrating if you use a bag like the 803 as a carry-on for airplane travel, because there isn't room for all the other stuff you want to bring with you.Of course, this is a rather small pouch, so you're not going to fit a full size DSLR in here. However, I've been frustrated traveling with my Canon 40D and two or three large lenses, so I got an Olympus EP-2. This bag is basically perfect for it. I have two lenses for it, the kit lens and the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, which is what is normally always attached. Both lenses, extra batteries, and a small clamp camera mount all fit in here. It's not quite big enough that you can just toss the camera in, though - things have to be arranged properly for it to fit. That's not a big deal though; you usually have to pay attention to how things are arranged in camera bags anyway.So the point is, if you've got an F-803 and an EP-2, you like to use the 803 as a shoulder bag for carrying stuff besides your camera, and you like to use it as a carry-on, this is ideal. A lot of conditions there, but you can extrapolate it to whatever equipment you happen to have :)The greatest advantage is that the camera is right at hand. The EP-2 and accessories will fit in the front pockets of the 803, so if you don't have other stuff you like to carry in those (both pockets on mine tend to fill up with all kinds of other useful stuff if I'm traveling or generally using the bag) you don't really need this pouch. But you'll never get stuck opening all of the clasps and compartments (which is often difficult to do quickly on Domke bags) fumbling for your camera again, because it's very easily accessible this way. If you put this setup under the seat in front of you on an airplane (or wherever) and face the pouch toward you, you can just reach down and take out the camera very quickly.Of course, that means it's easy for someone *else* to grab it quickly, so if that concerns you, either learn to keep track of your bag and/or use a different arrangement :)Finally I'll mention the attachment details. It's got both velcro straps and a belt loop. You could theoretically attach it to your belt, if you're not fashion-conscious. The 803 and some other Domke bags have a clip at the end that's designed to go through the belt loop of this pouch (and other Domke accessories I presume). Not all of the bags do, though. The larger Domke bags do all have "handles" at the ends made of the same material as the shoulder strap, and the velcro attachments on this pouch are designed to attach to those. The velcro should be quite secure, but I trust the clip through the belt loop much more.
I use a Vivitar 285HV and this works perfect for my strobe! It has a sturdy belt loop which will fit on my thank tank belt, or I can attach to my Domke F6 bag.
The allure of Domke bags to any professional is simplicty and build quality.  When you first start out in photography, you embrace complex products; bags with 50 pockets, tons of padding, multiple straps, individual compartments for every single piece of equipment, etc... After a few years of serious shooting, you come to reject such complexity, usually after you throw out your back. That's where Domke comes in.The Domke F-901 pouch is intended to compliment your Domke bag.  In my case, it compliments my F-802 Satchel, which is my everday back and forth to work bag.  It holds a Nikon D300s (no grip) with a Tokina 12-24 lens attached , SB-700, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4, and a small bag containing a Nikon Flash Stand, PocketWizard Flex TT5 Transceiver and TT5 Transmitter.  Currently, I am using the Tenba insert though any of the Domke inserts will work great.  The bag also holds my daily work stuff such as files, papers, pens, pencils, cell phone, moleskine, etc.. By adding the F-901 pouch, I gain a little more storage capability in a readily accessible format.  The pouch attaches to either end of the bag easily using velcro loops abd belt strap and is very sturdy. The pouch is big enough for a variety of items up to an SB-700 with room to spare. It provides great versatility.Hands down, the pouch will come in handy.  The build quality is the same as the Domke bags.  This thing will last you a lifetime and probably be handed down.
I like the Fujifilm X-100, and I carry it with me everywhere when I'm not shooting serious stuff.  But I didn't have a decent bag to carry it in.  I don't like that leather case that costs an arm and a leg.  I hoped that Fujifilm would produce a form-fitting leather housing with a magnetic snap on it that I could loop through my belt.  That way the camera would be right there securely at my hip where I could easily grab it and shoot.  But no such a thing exists.  That's what I was looking for when I stumbled on this inexpensive and simple pouch from Domke.  I love this pouch!  It can hold the X-100 with the lens hood attached, the dedicated accessory flash and an extra battery and there's still room for more.  After a while you forget it's there, and when you see a photo you'd like to take, there it is ready for prime time.
I'm glad to see Domke is still making their stuff in the USA. This pouch is one of the only ones with fasteners arranged to attach to a bag strap in a vertical position, and also horizontally as on a belt. It has plenty of room for a larger flash unit and some batteries, or a whole mess of batteries, flash cards and accessories. Domke stuff is indestructible.
I've owned many Domke products over the years and this isOne of my favorites! I use this to hold a Quantum Turbo Battery one day, and hold lens the next. Its also just the perfect size for a Contax G2 or a digital camera like the Canon G12.
Domke makes the best cases and bags for camera equipment as far as I'm concerned. Buy these and they last forever.
The Zoom AW bag from Lowepro is perfect for my Canon 5D and 70-200 2.8L IS lens (attached). On those assignments where I'm traveling lite, the Zoom AW saves me from having to carry a larger bag. It fits like a glove while providing good protection. It's a great item!
In 1995 I bought a Canon Elan SLR camera, a 70-210mm f/4 telephoto zoom lens, and a black Lowepro Topload Zoom AW at a local camera store. Now it's 2010. The Elan has been in the back of a drawer since I switched to digital, and the zoom lens has long since been replaced by a much better one, but the Topload Zoom AW is still in daily use and shows no sign of wearing out. This is one durable camera bag.This is a pretty roomy bag. A lens of up to about 7.75" (for example, theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens) mounted on a DSLR fits comfortably inside the main compartment without making the zipper difficult to close. Alternatively, you can put a smaller lens on the camera and have room to store another small lens at the bottom of the bag, with one of the supplied velcro-edged pads in between. The outer compartment is suitable for storing a couple of filters, a spare battery, and other small accessories (memory cards, USB cables, etc.).The bag makes rapid access while standing very convenient. When the zipper is opened, the lid gets out of the way automatically; due to the Topload's design, the lid naturally wants to stand up, and has to be held down by the zipper. This is much better than the conventional bag design in which the lid wants to flop down and get in your way.I had no idea when I bought this bag that I'd still be using it 15 years later. Every so often I browse the camera bags available here on Amazon to see if there's anything I think I'd rather be using, but I haven't found anything yet.
This camera bag is of high quality and both comfortable and durable.  It also arrived from this company in a timely manner.
The Lowepro Toploader Zoom is the perfect match for a 5D mark i or ii with a 70-200 IS mounted to it. It has enough pockets and accessory add-on slots to carry just about everything that a camera backpack or bag would carry. I feel that the Toploader works best as a "Around Town" bag due to it's compact size instead of having to lug around a backpack or anything larger. BEWARE!!! Though. This bag will not fit a 5Di or 5Dii with Battery Park. For that, go up one step higher to the Toploader 75AW. Unfortunately, I experience this problem and now have to take the Toploader Zoom back. Overall, the bag works out perfect for my camera without the battery pack. High Recommend.
I've had this bag for years, and I still love it. I love it's toughness, and simple functionality. In fact, I often sling it across my back, away from my arms during hikes and sporting events.  It generally stays out of my way, and actually holds several small items in addition to my DSLR amd long zoom.  Very cool, and the design, while dated, is perfect for my use, when I need to travel light. It is everything I expected, and I have not been disappointed with it, in the least.
I have needed something like this for some time.  This was the most affordable product I could find, and I've more than gotten my money's worth!  Can't wait to try it out when hiking and riding my bike.It is very sturdy and I feel confident that the strong velcro will maintain it's strength over time.
This holster bag works perfectly for my Canon D-SLRs and my Canon 100-400mm zoom.  When I strap a pair of Lowepro lens cases on either side, I can carry my Canon 17-40mm L and Canon 24-105mm zoom along with the 100-400mm zoom.  This modular concept allows me to carry the camera body, three lenses, and assorted miscellaneous items like a 1.4 TC extra batteries, etc. in a very compact, yet protected format.  Highly recommended.
I purchased this a few months ago specifically for on-hill ski photos.  I spend most winter weekends with a bunch of ski racers, and shoot around 3,000 images in a weekend.  Swapping lenses on the course is a really bad idea (lens and camera guts do not mix well with snow,) so I needed a good way to carry the camera/200mm lens.This is the best investment I've made in a camera bag.  I'm not saying that if I take a header down the hill or if I kiss a tree the bag will save the camera - only a hard case would do that.  But it does keep the camera safe from minor falls, keeps it warm (there's plenty of space to add heat packs) - and dry. There's a cover that pulls out of a small pouch that acts as a rain poncho for the bag, making it darn near water proof! The outside pockets hold extra batteries and CF cards.  It also supports the lowepro harness system - I'm looking into that for this bag and other lowepro bags I own.Update: This winter (Jan 2010) I DID take a header down the hill - 25 foot tumble followed by a 50 foot slide at Marquette Mountain.  Camera and lens: undamaged.
Great product!  Used this all over Europe for 7 of the last 12 months with the chest harness and a 2 year old in a back pack.  Worked perfectly.  All Weather hood was used several times.  I carried my D40 with standard lens, flash, extra batteries for flash and camera, and a JVC Handicam all in this one bag.  I also had the 202 Sling for more moble situations and it was a winner as well.
This item performs very well, especially with front chest harness. Keep in mind that the weather cover doesn't completely encase the bag. The back is still exposed (but touching your chest). This TL Zoom bag is slightly better than other Lowepro TopLoads since it has extra compartments and side straps for mounting lenses, and the waterproof cover. The cover has a nice feature too of being permanently attached to the bag, so it doesn't blow away. The front 2 pockets actually expand with a drop-out velcro bottom so you can easily store a large mini tripod (such as the SLR gorillapod zoom). The top front pocket, when in dual-pocket mode, would store a small (3") lens adequately. The top D-Rings for chest harness are metal. The side D-rings are plastic, but very sturdy. This bag is a bit long, but only 5" thick, so it sticks out from you body about 1-1.5" less than all the other Lowepro TLZ bags. When measuring your camera system, keep in mind to add the Lens hood length, because if you are getting this bag, you probably want quick and easy access to your camera, which means it goes in bag while out shooting with body+lens+hood on and ready to go. So this adds an extra 2" to most lens+camera length requirements. My normal usage mode is to strap bag to chest, strap camera around neck and store camera in bag with zippers slightly open, to accommodate the protruding normal camera strap. All-in-all a great product! I give it a 5-star, even though it's a bit long for me, because it's cheaper than the other TLZ all-weather bags.
Bought my Domke J3 earlier this year prior to a European trip. In it I carried a Konica Minolta 7D SLR, a Minolta A1 camera, a 3600 flash, 3 lenses, plus a wide angle converter, a 40GB FlashTRax, plus the requisite memory cards, batteries, 2 chargers and several lens hoods etc. This is one tough, versatile bag...I will never be without my Domke again!
I use the J-3 to carry around my D200 with 18-200, 12-24, and 50 1.4f lenses, I also carry my SB 600 and an extra battery. I have plenty of room, things feel protected and yet it makes for easy access. I looked for a long time for this bag, I am very happy with it. I hate large cumbersome bags, but needed something big enough to get the job done. Great build quality, it is very easy to move around the dividers, but they stay put. Love this bag. If your looking for a bag, around this size, your search stops here.
I rec'd the bag today and absolutely LOVE it!  It looks even better in person than it does in the photos I've seen online.  It easily holds my Nikon D80 with 18-135mm lens attached, Nikon 55-200 VR lens, SB-600 (in the Nikon velcro pouch), all my manuals, cords, battery charger, etc, etc, etc.  I wanted a bag that I would not outgrow for a while that was very well padded and not too huge.  It was also important that it did not scream camera bag.  This fits the bill perfectly!  It will hold at least 2 more lenses on top of all the other stuff I have in the bag already without being cramped.  It's very well made and I expect that it will only get better with age.  I really love the ballistic nylon material.  I had also considered the Domke F-3XB, but am glad that I went with this one instead.  This one is more padded so I feel like the stuff inside is safe and I don't worry about anything rubbing or clanking together.  The side pockets velcro close but also have a clasp for added security.  I'm rather petite and this bag carries perfectly.  Great purchase!!!!  I highly recommend the Domke J-3!  ******SIDE NOTE:  Be sure to check out all customer reviews for the third party vendor at [...] BEFORE you make your purchase at Amazon.com.  It could save you a huge headache and from being scammed!  I got mine through Adorama Camera via Amazon.com and was very happy.******
Very well made. Lots of room in the side pockets. Durable. Looks great in black. Feels great on your shoulder. I've found the  short strap handle to be very helpful.
Let me start off by saying that I've gone through a lot of bags. 3 photo backpacks and 2 camera side-bags before getting the Domke 700-J3B bag. The price was quite high, but with all 5-star reviews at the time, I gave it a chance. Unfortunately, I just didn't care for it.First off, the good:* Its tough - the bag doesn't feel like buckles will break or it will ever tear, even after years of use.* It's somewhat stylish - no bright, ugly logos or plastic pieces easily seen on it.* Pockets for accessories/smaller items.Unfortunately, the bad:It's SMALL!I wasn't expecting anything too big out of it, but the description says "Ideal for 2 professional digital camera, even room for up to 3-4 lenses too" - Maybe if we're talking 2 point & shoots and a couple short DSLR kit lenses. The inside compartment is very small (even with the dividers removed) - even smaller than theCanon SLR Gadget Bag For the Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, 350D, 400D, 1000D, or 450D Digital Camera (Color: Black with Gray). Trying to fit even a smaller DSLR (Canon XTi) with a decent telephoto (70-300 or 70-200L) in it just isn't possible. The bag seems made for you to detach everything and use this as a carrying bag, meaning you put a DSLR body without a lens inside, and keep the lens standing up on its own. This might be fine for some, but I want a bag that I can reach into, pull out the camera with lens attached and be ready to go. You can put a DSLR inside with a shorter lens attached, but that will take up almost all of the room in the bag (leaving a bit of room to stack a flash or small accessory on top of it).The safety buckle is hard to do/undo with 1 hand. This is somewhat of a good thing as it makes it more secure (nobody can just walk up and quickly unlock it), but makes it a pain when trying to actually open the bag unless you have both hands free.While the main compartment has this sturdy metal locking system, the sides (which will be in front and behind you while wearing the bag) use a light plastic buckle which is easily undone (again - good for getting access to it, but bad as anyone can easily open it).It has 1 main compartment and 4 pockets - one on the "front" (beneath the metal clip),  one on each side (with the plastic buckles), and a zipper pocket inside on the bottom part of the opening flap).The strap is NOT removable - it's sewn on there. Good in that it won't ever get lost, but bad in that you can't easily replace it or change it out for other straps unless you want to cut (and permanently destroy) it.I used it a couple times, but was always disappointed - it basically meant I was carrying a big bag around to hold a body (with no lens attached) and 2 lenses.So why am I giving this a 4 star rating?!Well, it makes a really good lighting bag. I can fit a couple superclamps, 8 speedlights, gels, flash transmitters and receivers, and batteries in here very nicely. While I won't ever use it for my cameras, it has become a permanent addition for my flashes/accessories.
Excellent!
I recently bought this product to replace another similar Domke strap that had swivels.  I prefer this one because it's lighter and there are fewer parts to get stuck, come apart or break at inconvenient times.  I love the quality and low key approach of this Domke strap.  I don't like advertizing that I'm carrying an expensive camera when I'm traveling in a third world country or off the radar in the US.  It's perfect for my Panasonic DMC-GF1 micro four thirds camera with the 14-45 zoom lens.  The rubber strips in the canvas webbing hold well on my shoulder and I've found that in hot humid climates, webbing is more comfortable than neoprene or leather straps.
I hate advertising on my camera straps, and dislike any kind of metal attachments.  This product is a solid and reasonably well designed substitute for manufacturer bling.  When I purchased it, there was nothing available in a 2&#34; width, which is what I'd really shoot for.  The non slip material works well.
The strap is good with good rubber gripper material to keep a camera on your shoulder. I bought this to replace a domke strap that had the swivels and quick release.  I like this better because it doesn't have the metal swivels and releases that will nick your camera.Strangely though, the description says a "box of 60" I ordered this twice, expecting to get one strap for the price. The "box of 60" seemed to be a typo.  I ordered through a third party merchant and got 1 strap. I ordered again through Amazon and got a box of 6. Not quite 60 but the 6 were the same price as the 1. Im not going to complain, but know that you probably won't be getting 60 of these great camera straps.
This strap is perfect for my needs - it is easy to wrap around my SLR lens when store the camera in my (Domke) shoulder bag, is inconspicuous on my neck (no blazing yellow NIKON advertisement), it is very well made, and it has no metal pieces to scratch equipment. I only wish i could have bought one (1) from Amazon, they are only sold in boxes of six. I'll be using them on a second camera body, binoculars, other bags, and as Christmas gifts...
As much as I like my camera maker, I didn't want the brightly-colored advertisement-band that came with my dSLR. This is the perfect replacement -- fits nicely, not too bulky, and doesn't stand out.I've got a medium-small dSLR (Pentax K-7) which I use with Pentax's awesome Limited prime lenses, and anything bigger than this strap would be overkill. If you routinely use a bigger dSLR with grip and a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, you may want something heftier.I don't think the version with swivels is necessary. The strap is so simple and lightweight that getting tangled isn't a big problem.
Solid construction item.  No flimsy parts.  It is a little difficult to put the leather on the anchor while screwing on the "key ring", but keeps metal from clacking around.  The neck strap is small, but does not feel like its too small (i.e. cutting into the neck).  The strap extends out way longer than I would ever need it.  The strap is small enough to where I find myself wrapping it around my hand to take quick shots.  The cloth portion of the strap feels solid, as well as the padded area of the strap.  The strap features a sewn in rubber "thread" to grip.  In summation: I am very glad to have ordered this strap.
This is an attractive, discreet, and well-made camera strap. It does just what it's supposed to do. One side of the strap is treated with a rubbery type material to keep it from slipping or sliding off of your shoulder. The strap materials are all of high quality. There are no large, chunky metal or plastic pieces to scratch your camera. I like it's simple and unobtrusive design - no glaring, cheesy brand names printed all over it. Classy and understated. I bought two of these and am very pleased with this product.
I bought this strap for my leica rangefinder and smaller nikon SLR's. It's the perfect size, pretty comfortable, and most importantly it doesn't get in your way when you are taking pictures.The grip stops the strap from sliding off your shoulder, a great invention. Probably the best camera strap I've owned...I would get a 1.5" strap for large 35mm or medium format SLRs and DSLRs though. This is made with smaller cameras in mind.
Recently, I bought an old 35mm rangefinder film camera, a Canon P made in 1961.  It didn't come with a strap, so I ordered one of these Domke camera straps.  This strap is made with heavy cotton webbing, with rubber strands weaved into the webbing on the underside.  This works well in stopping the camera from sliding on my neck.  It's also the right length and adjustable.What I particularly like about the Domke straps is that it doesn't have any advertising on it.  I hate straps that show the Nikon or Canon name in bright letters.  I don't want to  be a walking advertisement and I don't want to draw attention to my camera or myself.  These Domke straps are discrete, comfortable, secure, very durable, functional, and they add a nice touch to my classic camera.  By the way, they now come one per pack--not six like they did before.  I guess that was a mistake that they've corrected.
This is a great all around camera strap. I like the swivels because for some reason, my straps always get twisted up. Not anymore!This strap is just like the shoulder strap on my F2 with the rubber threads and it doesn't slip at all. Good stuff.I have had a lot of different camera straps over the years but this one is by far the best one I've owned
I don't care how much strap designs change, and how much technology improves them. I will alway go straight for the Domke gripper strap when I need something to hang my camera on. Have used these for more than a decade with great results.
This is my 5th Domke strap; stealthy, almost slip-proof and comfortable.  Nothing else to say. Well worth the cost of ownership.
The listing is for a bulk package of 6 straps hence the $169 retail.  If you check the part number with the Tiffen-Domke site it also is or a bulk package of six but when you receive your item you get one strap.  This listing needs to be corrected.
This strap makes me feel like my camera is safe. It's heavy duty and the non-slip grip really works. Unlike neoprene straps your camera will not bounce. Another reviewer complained about the metal hardware being noisy but I wouldn't trust my camera to be held up by plastic hardware so I think metal hardware was a great manufacturing decision. I've never had any "noise" issues with my metal hardware anyways.
No advertising that says you have an expensive camera plus it is wide enough to spread the camera weight more evenly on my shoulder and has some gripper material to help hold it in place.
Feels (and is --I have been using it for a few years now) very sturdy. The swivel is very handy and the use of metal is a very good idea. Stealth too (I don't enjoy walking around with a huge red "there's a camera on my shoulder"-type camera strap. Great product.
It's a one strapper and not a six strap package just fyi....anyhow, I bought the same strap for my 5d about 4 years ago and it is still going strong, just picked up another one for my 5d mark ii.
I bought this vest for my husband who is a nature photographer and needs to be able to carry lenses and other gadgets in his pockets. He loves it! It is longer than he would have liked but he uses it often and loves the large number of pockets. Because it is so long I returned the X-large that I originally bought, and he normally wears, exchanged it for a large which is better fit. The X-large was almost down to his knees (he is 5'10&#34;).
One of the best investments I've ever made in Photography Equipment.  I have a great backpack, but this is so much more efficient to use.  I rarely take the pack anymore.
I bought it as a replacement. It was a gift.As somebody said, it can get stinky in hot humid days or environments. However, nothing that a washer and dryer can't take care off.It gets used a lot. Strong. Good carrying capacity.The adjustment pieces for the waist tend to come loose. Not a big deal, just make a knot (smile!)
I bought this when planning a vacation. I thought that it would be a great option over carrying a camera bag with body, lenses and other bits an pieces. The product itself is functional but anyone wearing it who is not going exploring jungle areas or reporting from a war zone should prepare themselves for being subject to significant ridicule. My wife vetoed it and my daughters mocked me. I shipped it back to Amazon and bought a bag instead. A good camera bag holds more stuff and you are not stuck wearing a vest which may limit your choice of jacket or cause you to overheat.
This is a pretty nice vest, I feel that it is worth the price I paid for it. There are numerous pockets. On the front I was even able to store my Nikon D200 with the attached MB-D200 grip (of course I had to remove the lens).I can comfortably walk around with a body, and 2 or 3 lenses plus flash. I can even put my 70-200 VR in the back pocket if I needed to.
Light weight, and comfortable. Holds everything I need. So much more convenient than carrying that camera bag around my neck.
The vest looks like it would work well, but it is huge! I like a vest that I can wear with a coat, but there was enough room for 2 people.
I hate to disagree with the other reviewers, but this vest has a number of problems:- It's made of cotton. When it gets wet - rain, sweat, whatever - it stays wet. If you are in the tropics, before too long it starts to smell like old socks. In the Amazon basin it actually developed a decent selection of molds.- It's hot. It doesn't breathe well, so it gets sweaty in a hurry. Which takes me back to point #1 above.I replaced my Domke with a Big Pockets. Unlike the Domke, the Big Pockets has a nylon mesh liner, which keeps it from getting as sweaty. The Big Pockets is made with synthetics that dry more quickly and seem to better resist mold and fungus. And the Big Pockets has padding on the shoulders so that my tripod doesn't bruise me.Sorry, but I cannot recommend the Domke PhoTOGS Vest.
I wanted this vest because of the size of the pockets.  While I'm hiking I don't always want to carry my camera equipment on my back.  The pockets on this vest are a good size.  Though I haven't worn the vest much it does seem to hold the lenses and other items comfortably without making the vest too tight.  It also fits well over a sweatshirt and not too loose by itself.  It seems made well enough to withstand ordinary wear and tear.
I've been a professional photographer since the 60s and I owned one of the first Domke camera bags that came out.After years of using fishing vests, I decided to try a the Domke vest.I wish I had done it years earlier.[...]
I'm a female - despite the chest size being appropriate (which I had to google, because nothing on Amazon gives any guidance as to size), this item does not fit in the hips.  And due to some insanity on the part of Amazon, this is not classified as apparel, so my only recourse was to return it on my own dime and a refund, not a replacement.  Bad show.  :(Otherwise, I think it's a very nice garment, very soft, well built and I love the ability to carry photo gear so easily.  Decided, though, to go with the jacket with removable sleeves, so that it's more useful (price was about the same today, so I got lucky on that).
Well made vest. fits like a glove and pockets galore. Love the material as it is soft, prewashed and is quiet when rubbed together. I believe I will get lots of use out of this vest.
I received the Domke PhoTOGS Vest as a Christmas Present, last year. Since then, it has received  hard, but careful, use.  IMHO, it is more convenient than a camera back pack or bag because it is easier to pack, easier to access and more comfortable to wear.  I particularly like the great number of various sized, conveniently located  pockets, which give the vest wide photographic application. Even now, I find more pockets and more uses for them, almost every time I use this vest!  The workmanship and material are excellent. Its general appearance is attractive, giving the wearer a professional look. The mesh panels are a welcome feature, making the vest cool and comfortable to wear even in hot weather. The front closure is well designed. The waist strap adjustments make the vest fit comfortably. The material and assembly of the vest are very rugged and highly damage resistant.  This is an important feature for those who hike through rugged terrain. The overall design was evidently well considered by experts who demonstrate that they have world class experience in outdoor photography.My only wish is that it would have more zipper and snap pocket closures, rather than velcro.The vest has ample capacity for two dSLR camera bodies. And additionally, I have carried as many as seven medium to large sized lenses, some as large as 300mm, plus fist fulls of accessories. Access to all parts of the vest is easy, convenient and logical. Although I own many (too many) expensive camera back packs and bags, I use this vest far more than any of the bags I own, simply because it works better for me. This vest is well adaptable to many photographic activities and applications in ways a camera bag simply is not.I WOULD emphatically recommend this photographic vest to a friend.  And I WOULD purchase other Domke products in the future.
While the color is more US Army olive drab than "Khaki" I like the color; less likely to show soil. Another thing to mention is the sizing. While I generally buy XLT sizes at 6' 2", 218, I bought the 'large' sized vest and it fits great. I expected good quality for this price and it does not disappoint. Going to a shoot I still bring my camera bag of tricks, but it's a lot lighter. The pockets are handy, saving time and reducing the likelihood of losing stuff; finding things again in 18 pockets is another story.
I got this as a gift for my husband for a photo trip he was taking.  He loved it, thought it was comfortable and liked the size of the pockets.  He said that the pockets were big enough to hold his Leicas and lens. He gave it 5 stars, so I am passing that rating on.
Returned due to small size of pockets especially small interior chest pocket.  Pocket size smaller than needed for the documents I need to carry.
Just kiddin.  I added velcro to the front patch hip pockets to keep them open so meter is at hand in one and lens cap and light trigger in the other backed by my white balance tools in the next pocket.  All always at hand.
Just what I was looking for in a vest.  Great pocket that will hold long lens and lots of small stuff.
Too large and heavy for my purposes.  Was looking for a lighter weight vest and was surprised at how heavy the material was.  If shooting in warm climates as I generally am, would likely be too warm.
I have long been a fan of Domke bags.  There are glitzier and more modern looking bags out there but working photojournalists know that Domke is almost standard issue for field photography.Sometime in the early 90's I was admiring this vest at a photo show when my old friend Jim Domke walked up.  I had known him since the early 80's and I think that he is one heck of a guy.  Jim asked me if I needed a vest and I said that I had been using an old fishing vest for my field photography.  He laughed and gave me a brand new, Large Domke vest right there on the spot.  I am 6'3" and I wear a size 44XL men's coat and the large vest fits me perfectly.Over the years this vest has become one of my most prized possessions.  I have carried 4x5 sheet film holders in it; Hassleblad lenses and backs; digital SLR equipment; and on occasion even my lunch.  I have worn it while in the Peruvian Amazon; in the North Slope region of Alaska;  the mountains of Hokkaido and just about everywhere in-between.  It holds an outrageous amount of stuff and the mesh panels keep me cool.  I have modified it slightly and added an epaulet on the left shoulder to keep my camera bag from slipping off.  I also had someone sew a press-pass holder on one of the front pockets.  Even though my vest is looking just a little worn I love it, the wear just adds to it's attractiveness (at least in my eyes.)There is another "bonus" feature of wearing this vest for at least some of us.  When you are at a public event, such as a press conference or an awards ceremony, this vest screams "I am a working photographer!"  I have wandered into places that I normally won't get into mostly because I looked like I should be there.  The downside is that there are times when you don't want to stand out and have to leave this practical piece of photo gear in your trunk, but for a lot of occasions this vest is perfect.  Thanks, Jim!
I first saw this vest on a professional photographer shooting a NASCAR race. I got one and use it when I'm shooting photos but mostly as a travel vest. It has a zillion pockets. The only problem is remembering where I put what. It's relatively light weight and made of cotton. Very durable. Machine washable. It was cheaper buying it online than in my local photo shop where I tried one on to check the size.
I actually have two of these and enjoy and use both of them.  The first one, a size "L", was given to me by my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter as a birthday present.  My son-in-law noted that the individual who sold him the vest encouraged him to get this size, as I would need it roomy enough to go over a jacket or parka.  And it does, but it's also sufficiently roomy that when wearing it over just a shirt, I felt I kind of rattled around in it.  So I purchased another one in size "M" and now have the best of both worlds.And this garmet does indeed work well for its intended purpose.  It has enough pocket space to carry a flash, extra lens, a selection of filters, a spare set of batteries, and pretty much whatever else you might think of.  I added a large button on each of the shoulders to help keep cameral straps from slipping off.  And it works, as a photo vest and also as a great travel vest with a pocket for all your documents, cell phone, keys, boarding pass...you name it.  Wear this vest and leave your camera bag in the car.You'll be pleased with this.  Keep in mind when ordering it, however, that it is generously sized.
I got a chance to try out my Domke vest yesterday, " Carnival tuesday " of all days. the sun was out in its full force as usual, temperatures well above the 90, very little wind, no clouds, and i was supprised i felt no warmer than usual. the vents really does its job. as for no padded pockets, no problem. it was mostly bouncing into people and how hard could that be on your gearso in caribbean full force sun Domke vest is no problemDaveT
My brother became fascinated, even do not understand why they need so many bags, but at least I gave him something
I tried non photo specific vests and they didn't do the job. This vest has a pocket for everything that I might need for a shoot.
This item is very very sturdy, light (by itself), and breathable. The vest has a number of pockets and features a raised collar. I'll list all the pockets at the end of this review. I wear this vest along with a BlackRapid DR-2 Double Strap. Everything fit well, and the weight was well distributed. Nothing interferes with the DR-2 strap giving me a full range of motion. If you are curious, I carried:Strap:7D + Grip + 70-200 f/2.8 II w/ hood5D III + Grip + 17-40 f/4 w/ hoodVest:24-105 f/4 w/ hood50 f/1.2 w/ hood3 pelican memory card cases (0910, 0915, and 0945)77mm B+W Circ Pol with case4 Lens caps2 extra batteriesWalletiPhoneKeys5 granola barsGatorade/water bottleand there was room for more. At no point did the vest feel like it was being strained carrying all this. This setup was plenty comfortable. It was also possible to use it with a Kata 3N1-30 backpack with no problem, which was carrying even more stuff, but that was was the point where the weight began to drag (it also denies easy access to rear pockets). I have yet to try this with a beltpack. The vest is long so the items in the lower bellows pockets might rest on top of said beltpack (if pack is worn in front)... or not, I don't know. Something to consider.Regarding the vest size, I suggest that you go with what you wear normally plus a size. I fit smalls, but only medium was available. This may explain the &#34;long&#34; length, but medium is a good fit for me. Not tight, not loose, and it can go over most coats/jackets easily. I bought a large as well, just to try, and the vest was comically huge on me, even with a winter coat on. I wonder if a small would fit even better but have difficulty with going over jackets. Not sure, but it is another thing to consider. I am content in not trying out a small as I have no reason to dislike the mediumPocket ListLowest front set:2 Large bellows pockets (able to hold 24-105mm f/4 w/ hood with ease; 70-200mm f/2.8 II w/ hood is up for debate)1 Zipper pocket nestled behind front left (while wearing vest) bellows. This pocket is about half the depth of the bellows1 Deep velcro pocket nestled behind front right bellows. Full depth of bellows2 &#34;Hand warming&#34; pockets behind these (1 for each side)Upper front set:1 Nylon lined pocket w/ removable plastic press ID sleeve (right side)1 mini bellows pocket (left side)1 Nylon lined pocket (left side; able to hold 77mm filter with case)2 Clip-button loops (you can store glasses or other light items that can hangRight side (hip):1 Bellows pocketRear:1 Large Bellows Pocket split into two halves (easily stores a 20 fl. oz gatorade or 580ex II)Interior Left:1 Velcro pocket the size of and behind the front bellows1 Velcro pocket the size of and behind the mini bellowsInterior Right:1 Velcro pocket the size of the mini bellows and behind upper setCollar:2 Nylon corded loops for clips/hanging items (located on either side of the collar)1 Button clip at rear of collar
An outstanding vest for any ocassion with plenty room for most of your on assignment jobs.
I bought this vest to take on a vacation that we recently took to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Moab and Yosemite. My husband said I looked like a dork, but this vest was great! There are plenty of pockets; deep ones for the bigger lenses. It was functional and distributed the weight of my gear from a concentrated area (such as the neck for a shoulder bag, or the shoulders for a backpack) to all over. Thusly, feeling like I was carrying less weight. Which, was really nice.It's not the cutest thing on the face of the earth, but does the job it was designed to do. My only complaint (which is not a big one) is that only one pocket had a zipper, the others were Velcro. I felt as though my extra lenses weren't quite as secure as they could be; I understand that's for quick access.  However, I prefer a little more security. It does run a little big, as the other reviewers stated. So, for me, ordering a size smaller worked out great.For me, the vest worked out great!!! I intend to use as often as possible. Dorky looking or not. :-)
If you don't mind looking too dorky, this is a handy accessory. Lots of pockets, can carry spare lenses, filters, etc. Of course, if you are going to spend the day in, say Boston, go ahead and look dorky, you will blend right in.....:)
Works great. I see alot of people end up taping velcro to their flash because they dont like adding the task of taking this simple velcro piece off. Simple solution. Leave it on like the taped velcro you would put on. Plus with this you can take it off easily and your flash still looks awesome.
It works, is better than sicking Velcro stickers to the flash and the rubber backing is tacky and will hold it in place.BUT I think a Sto-Fen (do an amazon search for it) that you trim the top off and stick Velcro stickers to the Sto-Fen would work better. It would be more stable and less prone to slipping.Also in those times that you need to prep everything and start shooting quickly. You could get the mod'd Sto-Fen on faster than this strap and get shooting in half the time. Yes we are talking seconds faster but that could mean the difference of a great shot or no shot.It would cost more than this strap, but the few extra bucks would make a better holder.I plan to make one. When I do and if I remember I will write a follow up on it.
The Lumiquest Cinch Strap is a great addition to my photo gear.  This is my preferred method of attaching my Lumiquest SoftBox and my Proxax System to my flash.  I'd much rather use this than adhering anything to my flash.  Someday I will sell the flash and I do not want to sell it with any glue residue adhered to it.  This product works as advertised.
The cinch strap is great, so you don't have to glue velcro to your flash.  It makes the diffuser more interchangeable, if you have more than one flash, or can let a friend borrow it for theirs.  Also, with velcro glued to the flash, I wasn't sure if it would still fit into its case.
I bought it to attach the LumiQuest Mini Softbox to a Nikon SB-400.  I works as expected.  The rubber underside of the strap grips strongly.  Since the SB-400 is "small", the strap almost wraps around twice.  The Softbox attaches as expected, solid.  The whole rig fits nicely on top of a Nikon D40 with no inteference.The Strap is a simple idea that probably could be homemade (velcro felt material on one side, triangle-cut rubber backing on the other along with a strip of velcro "hook/grippers" at one end...)  I'm glad I bought it though because the fit & finish is really good quality (matching the LumiQuest Softbox in build quality).A worthy purchase. I matches the LumiQuest products, but if I need another one, I'll probably just make one...
This strap works as advertised without the mess of glue residues. It's a good addition and how I wish we could buy something longer for other uses ofcourse besides using it with lumiquest diffusers etc. etc.
Like others, I didn't want to attach sticky velcro pads to my nice, new Nikon SB600 flashgun. The cinch strap does an admirable job of attaching the diffusion hood to the flash, but it doubles the assembly time. The soft rubber triangular pattern on the underside of the strap grips the flash body very well, but doesn't lock it completely solid. It does get displaced slightly after a few mins of manhandling the camera. If you put the flash on a tripod, this is not a concern, but if you're hand-holding the camera and moving about a lot, it might be.I have bitten the bullet, stopped using the cinch strap and just stuck the 4 pieces of velcro to the flashgun now. Much quicker to set up and holds the diffuser more rigidly.
Not sure how to review this product -- it's not the most excellent product ever, and does exactly what it's designed to do.  I think I may have overpaid for it.  Meh.
if you have the lumiquest systems, this is a must have.  I was afraid that it would slide around maybe, but not at all.  ...and with this you can swap between flashes and/or not have to stick anything to your flash.
Update at the bottom (04-dec-2009)I bough the Cinch Strap over a year ago and so far has worked not only for the Lumiquest products but for almost everything i wanted to attach to my flash. Considering that i bough this for the Pocket Bouncer, i can't imagine how it would be without this strap keeping it in place since i an event photographer and when you work in a fast paced environment you need to keep everything tight to its position.I must say the rubber isn't the best to keep it from moving, it does the job pretty well. I wish the strap was a bit more elastic so i would get a better grip. Thats why i only give it 4 stars.I received mine the first week of May 2008 and up to this day i use it in a everyday basis with absolute no regret other than i did not bough more than just one.Update 04-dec-2009:Now after 19 months of use mine still in great shape and almost keeping it's original shape, i never leave it at home when i have a job.
These guys come in really handy for more than just attaching Lumiquest products to a speedlight!  I keep one of these in my camera bag at all times even though I permanently attach velcro to all of my speedlights.  One never knows when one needs some velcro on demand, and this makes it possible in an instant.Oh, and Lumiquest kind of rocks anyway.  I like their products in general and their warranties makes it easy to decide to check them out.
This is great for attaching accessories (like diffusers) to your flash without having something permanent or sticky added to the flash unit.
You could probably come up with something on your own that does the job- rubber bands, tape, etc. However this fits perfectly and you don't have to leave Velcro on your flash body.
Use the LumiQuest Cinch Strap instead of the standard method of securing flash modifiers, (which is to attach small Velcro squares to your flash permanently).  To use the strap, you simply wrap it around your flash first, then attach your accessory to the Velcro side of the Cinch Strap.The rubbing backing which touches your flash, grips enough to ensure that your flash modifier stays securely on your flash.  You can remove the Cinch Strap at anytime and reuse it over and over.  The Cinch Strap works with all LumiQuest flash modifiers and is highly recommended.
If you are considering any of the Lumiquest products, this cinch strap is a must.  The included velcro is okay for a temporary fix, but not permanently (personal opinion).  I believe Lumiquest should include the cinch strap with the flash modifiers.  Just my .02 cents.  I had to purchase two because I have two flashes. Arghhh!  It works great though!
It's a rubber/hook and loop strap. It works fine. You can make one yourself if you go to a craft store.
If you want to maintain the look of your flash using Lumiquest attachments this is the way to go. Easy to install and remove and has not failed me in the short time that I have owned them, (bought one for each flash I own). The attachments are very secure when using this strap.
I bought this with the ProMax System and it just does not hold in place.  I did not want to put velcro on my flash but thats what I had to do.  I will still use this but only to keep the ProMax System tight on the flash.
I'm not sure you can give a piece of Velcro a bad rating, someone might. It works great with my gel holder, snugs up to my Polaroid 144az very well. If you don't want to put sticky velcro on your flash, but want to use a soft box or gel holder, this is for you.
If you do not want to mark your falsh gun forever with glue and you are using accesories to disperse light this is the best choice.
Lumiquest Promax SystemThe product does what it is supposed to. If you are in a situation where there are limitations in bouncing (high dark ceilings for example), then the diffuser fixture facing forward works very well. The other reflector shields are less useful to me than the plain white one with the diffuser attached, but opinions may well vary here.It takes a while to get the attachment set up at the right angles on your flash, and the flash has to be kept upright all of the time, so your camera will be a bit taller than perhaps desired for all situations. The attachment should be set up before the photo event, since it takes time and attention not usually found in a quick candid moment. But, other than that, I found little not to like.The unit is a tad pricy, but my results have been so satisfying that I consider it worth the money. Definitely buy the cinch strap. It works, and saves time, and does not require you to stick Velcro tags on your flash (at possibly the wrong positions!).You will have to watch the video tutorials on the web to get a good feel for its proper use, since there is no manual at all - just a small, flimsy, badly printed piece of paper. The carton in which it comes actually has more helpful information on it than this paper. This is why I give it 4 stars.
Shortly after unboxing my new Nikon SB600, I began what had become something of a tradition for me these last 25 years: "The Fastening Of The Self-adhesive Velcro Tabs". A solemn ritual this, familiar to all photographers who use any of the myriad bounce flash, softbox, and other diffusers with their portable electronic flash units. Peeling back the release paper from the three furry strips, I precisely aligned each one to its exact intended position, and pressed them firmly home. Pausing to inspect my handiwork, there came a flash of horror at the thought of what I had just done. Not to put too sharp a point on it, but basically, I had just glued a three-piece 'fro toupee onto my brand new $300 Nikon flash. Talk about remorse! This is no $39 Quantaray; what the hell was I thinking? So maybe it wasn't the same as painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but still! Immediately I commenced removing said Velcro before the amazingly tenacious adhesive could cure. Still, it wasn't easy and it required a little Goof-Off solvent to restore the flash at last to its pristine, unmolested state.So the question remained...if not the fearsome Velcro strips, just how do I intend to fasten a LumiQuest pocket bouncer to this costly, new, and above all 'bald' flash? The idea came to me that I could obtain one of those wide, heavy duty rubberband like straps, place it onto the flash head, and glue 3 more Velcro strips to it in their correct positions. Which meant finding a place that sells those rubbery strappy things, fitting the flash with one of the correct size, and finally anteing up another $5 for 3 more Velcro strips. Someone, I thought, must have had to solve this problem before, so I began Googling (I say it's a word!) around the web. The search led me right back here to Amazon where I found the subject of this review, the LumiQuest Cinchstrap. I have to admit to some skepticism as to whether its triangular rubber patches would securely hold a pocket bouncer in place, but I pulled the trigger anyway. So how did it work out? Well, since my five minutes are almost up, let me cut right to the chase and tell you: This strap hugs the body of your flash like a grizzly bear! It could hold a beauty-dish firmly in place. And as for those that were apprehensive about fastening and unfastening the Cinch Strap all the time, there's a simple solution to that, too...just leave it on all the time! The worst that can happen is other photographers will recognize it and take you for the serious shooter you are. The best thing is when you finally DO remove it for whatever reason, your flash head will look just like new.Don't you love happy endings!
Works as promised.  I recommend purchasing this to go with the Pocket Bouncer to avoid putting Velcro strips directly on your external flash.
LOVE this strap!  Nay, I love this strap's grips!  No lie, does what its supposed to without fail.  Great to have something dependable at the ready!
I got this Cinch Strap in conjunction with the LumiQuest ProMax Mini SoftBox and the LumiQuest ProMax Pocket Bouncer and I personally feel that this is a great 'package' for shooting images of people in a room or outdoors.This Cinch Strap I felt beneficial as I did not want to place the included double-sticky-back hook-n-loop Velcro(tm) directly onto the flash head.This strap takes care of that issue for me in that it straps around the flash unit head and fastens to itself and then the various flash diffusers attach to it.I found the combined price and ease of use as well as aesthetics to be well worth it.It gets a great THUMBS UP!! from me.
This is a very useful and, importantly, non-destructive way to attach light deflectors or similar devices to a flash without leaving permanent marks or residue.
If you use Elinchrom monolights then having these 90 degree reflectors is pretty standard so I recommend buying however many you have of Elinchrom monlights
Like all Elinchrom products, its a bit pricey for something so simple. But it works fine. No complaints. If it was cheaper, I'd give it 5 stars.
Espa&ntilde;ol:Compre esta pieza porque la original fue da&ntilde;ada en un choque, El producto esta en condiciones excelentes y es mas versatil que la incluida en el set.Tanto en difusion como en expansion de flash cubre el espectro mejor que ninguna otra.Recomiendo que si tienes el par de Flash Elinchrom compres este modelo y reemplaces, en verdad se ve la diferencia.EnglishI Buy this piece because the original one was damaged in a car crashed, the product this in conditions excelents and its more versatil than including in the original kit. As much in diffusion as in expansion of flash it covers the best phantom than no other. I recommend that if you have the pair of Flash you moust be buy this  model and you replace, in truth you can see the difference.
I really like this reflector! Fits like it should. No problems, good price and works like a charm. Wish there were grids for it though.
does it job very well. the reason for going for an umbrella system is for portability, if you want good control i will stick with soft boxes.
I bought a couple of these, one to use immediately in a dead phone and one just to have on hand for later. I now have both in Uniden phones and they're a perfect, drop-in replacement for the batteries that came with the phones; my phones are Uniden model #DXAI4588-2.So far, the first battery I used has been in its phone for just under a year and is doing great. It holds a charge for several days, depending on how much use the phone gets, of course. The second battery has only been in its phone for about a month, but so far, so good.
great quality, has lasted so far for over a year! no issues! proper fit, proper size for my cordless phones
My phone went belly up one day. All buttons unresponsive. Got this battery, popped in, charged it up and was ready to go again.
I bought this as a replacement for the battery in my LED utility light (I matched the product number of the original) and it has not performed well.  It's probably a 1 star performance even, but I tend to reserve that rating for absolute junk.  This is just... underwhelming.
WARNING!  FIRE HAZARD!! Sadly, the battery pack I received was defective.  And it had enough charge to attempt to "run" the cordless phone I installed it in. After some minor smoke (for real) that handset is destroyed.  I would certainly avoid this as yet another example of Chinese low quality.  If you have purchased these, I strongly suggest you grab a DVM and check polarity first.  By the way, it is not reversed internally in the battery. The wiring from the battery is correct in that the red wire is positive.  But the connector was installed backwards and thus polarity is reversed via that problem. Clearly, no final check at the factory. So I would only believe it to be safe after checking with a meter and disregard wire colors, connector markings/keyings etc.  Better yet - don't buy it!  Or return it!!
It fit the space and coupling as advertised.  I like things that measure up to the companies claims.  It performs well.
A good price and restored my phone's life; I was going to buy a new phone until I realized I could replace the battery.
I bought this battery for my cordless phone.  The battery has worked so far and was a good price.  No complaints.
Works really well and for the fraction of the price of a store bought battery.  Really impressed with the value.
I am happy with this replacement battery for my phone. It was delivered quickly,fit well and seems to be working fine.
This battery took a charge and has been holding it for a few months.  Better option than replacing the phone.
Why spend more money than necessary?  This battery works great and is stronger than the original from Uniden.  Several other reviewers say it does not fit well into their phone, but I had no problem.  It is snug but the cover closes completely and stays closed.
Battery was shipped in good time with free shipping.  The milliamp rating was almost twice the battery it replaced so it should have good talk time and standby.  The plug fit my phone perfectly and was no trouble to install.  Happy with this company and battery.
In the past I've purchased replacement batteries for my Uniden phone from Radio Shack.  This year I noticed my phone wasn't holding a charge more than an hour so I knew it was time for a new battery, before the phone couldn't hold a charge at all.  I walked over to Radio Shack (with my phone handset and its battery) to purchase a replacement. Because the battery in my phone didn't list any technical specs, I wasn't sure which battery I needed because the new battery packages didn't have enough information for me to be sure I had the right battery and the store clerk didn't know either.  Also, I noticed the price for batteries had nearly doubled.  Between the price and the store clerk, I decided to go back home and check on Amazon for a replacement.I was surprised that I could get the same battery on Amazon for well under the price at Radio Shack.  The technical specs were detailed enough that I felt confident I'd ordered the right battery. Even paying for shipping, the total price was several dollars less than Radio Shack. The item shipped quickly and, although I don't have any electronic testing equipment to verify this, it seems to work as well as any previous battery.In comparison to my experience at Radio Shack (which I won't include here because it was not the usual, satisfied experience I've always had in the past), the Amazon purchase was a breeze. I expect I'll buy another back up battery in the next few months so I have it on hand next year (these batteries only last a year or two) but I'll definitely check out Amazon first before I buy any electronics in the future..
I was needing AAA batteries, thought that this was what I needed since it came up when I put in the part number of what I already had but it was AA.  Ended up returning it, but that went very smoothly, has no issues.
When I went to radio Shack to see if I could get a new battery for my home cordless phone, I almost fell over in shock at the price.  I went and bought a whole new cordless phone for less!  But I like the features on my original phone that I bought this battery for.  Finding it at Amazon was tons less expensive.
The Batttery is probably OK. The Description leaves something to be desired. Can'y say more because I did not use the battery.
I used this to replace the 800mah dead battery in my old 2.4gHz cordless phone and it works great plus the added battery life should allow it to last another 10 years.
Our cordless phone died, and we needed a battery fast.  We got this generic replacement and it is fine.  The price was right, we had it the next day, and it works great.  Would order again.
Hard when the cost for replacement batteries are virtually the same as a new handset.  These were affordable enough to justify getting new batteries.  Work like a charm.
Used these batteries in a rechargeable solar radio. These worked excellent and hold a charge so much longer than the original batteries did.
When you leave your portable house phones on the charger 'all the time' the battery loses its ability to hold a charge.  That's a fact of life.  I tend to replace my phone batteries every year to year and a half when the charge is noticeably short.Amazon always points me to a good price and I've never had an issue with delivery.
This battery works just fine on my cordless phone and is easy to install.  It saved me not only buying a new phone (the usual advice) when I was very happy withe one I had, but also the higher prices of replacement batteries that I saw in electronic stores. Helenel
I purchased this battery for a Uniden cordless phone that was constantly beeping low-battery, even when right off the charger.  This replacement battery plugged right in and gives a decent amount of talk time.One gripe that I have had about cordless phone replacement batteries in the past is that they are just too expensive; it's almost more economical to buy whole new cordless phones than to get replacement batteries once they are worn out, but from an environmental standpoint, this is a very wasteful practice that creates a lot of e-waste out of perfectly usable phones.However, this replacement battery is priced right for the value it delivers, especially since it can save a perfectly good phone from going to waste.  Recommended.
Exact replacement and inserted with no problem -- it is working well as expected -- and I don't know why I have to type more words for this review but it says that I have to.
Product arrived on time. Installed them in my phones charged it  and works great. Those batteries have lot larger capacity then the original that were replaced. I would recommend this product and seller
This battery lasts about 5 days after being in the charger for one day. The battery that came with the Uniden, the BT 905 would last for 3 days or so, that is without being placed back in the cradle. I am very happy with this purchase.
I have mobility problems, so I carry the handset for our Uniden cordless phone around with me in the house for about 10-12 hours a day, then put the phone back in the charging cradle. After about a year, the original battery (600 mAh) wouldn't hold a charge more than 5-6 hours. Looking for a replacement battery, the Lenmar battery (1200 mAh) looked like a good buy and it had only positive reviews, so I ordered it. That was a couple of months ago, and the phone is working just fine. I've had it out of the charging cradle for up to 16 hours at a time, with no loss of power.One comment: The battery cover on our Uniden phone fits very snugly against the sides of the battery. The way the wires come out of the battery pack made it difficult to slide the phone's battery cover into place. I squeezed the wires against the side of the battery firmly enough that I was afraid they might break, but the battery still worked, so it's a pretty robust attachment.The next time we need a replacement battery (we have two Unidens, and both are getting old), I wouldn't hesitate to order another Lenmar.
I read all the reviews and decided this would be the right battery, but when I plugged it in, it started smelling and later smoke started coming out. I had to pull the battery out and checked with a multi-meter. I was able to figure out that the polarity was reversed, all the way from the battery terminals. The wires and the clip were correctly installed but the terminals are reversed. I ended up pulling the tiny clip tabs out and interchanged the wires. It works fine now.Needs better quality control by the manufacturer.
The battery seems to fit well and perform adequately in my Panasonic phone. Only long-term use will prove its reliability and service life.
The replacement battery is fine for our portable phone.  It is as I said a replacement battery, nothing more nor less.
it was the correct battery and works perfectly at a fraction of the cost of local retailers in my area
The price is great and these work well in my two phones. I've had them about a month and have had no issues at all with the charge running out too quickly.
I've had this product for a while now and works perfect.  I would order again.  I would recommend to others.  Shipped quickly.
This battery works perfectly...not easy to find, but this one is the perfect fit. Arrived on time and I am completely happy with it. I love my Uniden phone and did not want to say goodbye to it, so this was just what I needed. Could not find in retail stores here. Thanks!!! Good service, good product.
I have an old Radio Shack cordless phone that I love.  I was happy to find this replacement battery to keep it going, it is working great.
Heck of a lot cheaper than what they sell for in Radio Shack or other electronics stores.  Does the job!
Thus battery lasts much longer than the replacements I purchased previously.  The higher mah numbers make a difference and make these well worth the extra money.  Would/will buy again next time
This battery pack replaced one for my phone that even the manufacturer could not supply me with. I am very happy with it.
This worked perfectly in my phone and was at least 1/4 the price of the same thing at Radio Shack.
Good product; excellent price....win win!Especially since the AT&T; store wanted $50 for the same battery.  It works, it charges, it holds a charge.  You can't ask more than that can you?
My 15 year old Panasonic cordless was becoming harder to hear. Thought I needed a new phone, when I realized maybe the battery was the issue.  Searched for a  replacement battery and this Lenmar Replacement battery worked 100% immediately and I now have a new phone again.
This was just what I needed, and the price was the best.  I would buy from here again, because of the other sites being more expensive.
Got my old phone up and running in nothing flat.  Easy to install and even had a small charge already in it.
Replaced a Uniden BT-800 that was only 800 mA-hours.  These are 1200 mA-hours and fit and work perfectly.Fast shipping and good price!
Works much better than the original battery the phone came with. Have purchased several units and I'm always impressed with the mAH's).
I order 4 of these batteries for our Uniden DXAI5188-2 cordless phone set.  The battery works well in the phone and we look forward to being able to use the phone set for a number of years to come.Shipping was fast!
This battery is a perfect match for our cordless phone. It is a good quality item, and would recommend it to anyone.
The battery went out on our cordless phone, and a replacement battery was a bit difficult to find.  This battery has performed well.
Its little more heavier but batter does really last forever, don't have to even worry about it. Its perfect for me
I bought two, they seem to work good and the price was great compared to what I can find locally.
Works great. Needed a new battery for my home phone and you can't go wrong with this. I would buy again.
The price was great.  i have a cheap Uniden phone that i paid $20 for. It was a replacement for the same phone that i purchased a year prior. Usually it is cheaper just to buy another phone, but when i saw the price on amazon i couldnt believe it.  it works like a champ and my phone no longer has 20 minute talk time! I am gong to buy another one for the first Uniden phone i purchased. Its like having a new phone for under $10!
After four years, the battery on my Uniden cordless was near death (only held a charge for 15 minutes and subsequently hung up on whomever I was talking to). After I installed this new battery, I had the phone charge up for twelve hours. Since then, two hour conversations are a cinch - with plenty of battery left over. I only have to put the phone back in the cradle every few days. The prices some of the brick and mortar stores wanted for this battery were outrageous. I'm so grateful Amazon had this for a low price.
The price of the battery is better than the local Fry's and it's working well in my Toshiba cord less phone. Highly recommend.
Easy to install and nicely priced as opposed to the last one I got from Radio Shack; it's no wonder that they had to close most of their stores.
I bought this battery as an auxiliary to carry in my Lowepro bag for when the main battery on my Canon ZR-500 runs down. Sometimes the switch will go from the "off" position to "camera" which leads to my battery being drained. I bought the Lenmar DLC2L to combat this problem.Well after attaching the Lenmar to my Canon videocamera the battery looked to be the perfect fit until after its attachment and several uses I noticed that the energy of the battery seemed less and less from where it would have been had I been using a Canon model. Indeed, the battery was virtually drained after less than 10-15 minutes' use of the camera. To me this was/is unacceptable.Stay away from this product. At best, it is only a below average secondary battery, at worst is is a wattage-wasting energy loser.A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.
Have used this battery in the past.  Holds a charge and have never had any problems.Will purchase again.  Thanks.
A perfect back up for the old battery as it will hardly hold a charge any more.This is the closest battery in volts and MAH to the one I have so I bought it.
I BOUGHT A BUNCH OF THESE AS SPARES TO HAVE CHARGED AND READY A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN I BOUGHT A CAM CORDER FROM AMAZON SITE ALSO..THEY STILL WORK AND HOLD CHARGE
Charged up worked great held a charge worked with my canon rebel im happy not much more to say d
In the past, if I had any problems with a Lenmar battery, their customer service department responded in a positive manner where customer service was considered number 1, second to none. They will do whatever it takes to satisfy the customer. The price of their batteries are great and their warranty outstanding.
This battery fits perfect and has saved me several times. Every photographer professional or amatuer needs at least one extra battery. This one is awesome price and quality.
Needed another batter for my Canon Rebel xt.  It works great!  Far cheaper then if I had gone to a camera shop to purchase one.
I decided to try the Lenmar replacement battery for the Canon NB-2L based on the "positive" feedback (note: there is a lot of negative) that it received and the appealing price. I was going on vacation and my current batteries were getting old and didn't hold a charge for very long anymore. So, I purchased a genuine Canon Battery, and the lower priced Lenmar battery. While the Lenmar gave satisfactory performance, based on the fact that it costed less than 1/3 the cost of the Canon. Life was definitely shorter, but again proved acceptable. It allowed me to use my Canon battery, and if it ran down on me, I could use the Lenmar to finish out my day until I could recharge. It didn't let me down. Overall life was definitely less as previously stated, but again, it was far less expensive. Actually, I could have bought (3) Lenmar batteries for (1) Canon, so....you get what you pay for.Overall, it met my expectations, and probably then some. Not good enough for 5 stars, but definitely worthy of 4.Note: This was used with an older Canon S30 Camera, and not a new DSLR, which might yeild different results.Lenmar DLC2L Replacement for Canon NB-2L
Great replacement to the expensive brand option. I have had mine a few months and it has worked great. I put it in my extra grip with the brand battery and works fine. It shows the remainging power with no problem.
It's nice to see a product you have used before, on Amazon for half the price of other stores locally or web. I was sceptical of such a great deal at first but after receiving the product in question I have been very happy! This is basically the same battery which came with my camera initially.
I've had a number of Lenmar replacement batteries, all excellent, and so far, this one is equal to or better than the original.
Even though I haven't used it yet, the appearance, the required size and material appear to be excellent.It looks very similar to the batter it's replacing.
I can better evaluate the batteries after the trip to see how they recharge & store charges. The last pair of Lenmark batteries were 50-50 with one incapable of holding a charge for longer than a day or 50 pic's. Hopefully they have improved their technology.
i would say that, the battery charge is good but not great as the original. Usually batteries will show the difference only after certain number of charge and discharge cycle. As of now, there is no much difference i can see from the 3 year old original battery and this one. But one thing i found is that when i use flash in the camera, the battery drains faster compared to original one...over all for the price, the battery is good
Had to borrow a friends camera as a back up for a gig I did - needed some spare batteries, I ended up buying these based on price and previous Lenmar experience.They seemed to charge well and held charge well enough for what I used it for, however one of the batteries I got would not fit in the slot like it should - it would not engage the "lock" that holds the battery in place, you had to keep your finger on the battery while shutting the compartment lid. Once in it worked fine. Go figure.Other than that little glitch it seems like good batteries, considering I paid 7.50 for each I don't think I'll complain - its a bargain for canon compatible batteries (I've paid upward 50 bucks for my regular camera batteries).
What can you say about a battery?  It charges and it works.  Great Price.  Shipping and Delivery were fast and it works perfectly in my Canon HD Video Camera.
This battery is just like the one that came with the Canon VIXIA HF R10A. My only problem is I tried to order 2 batteries but they only sent one. They also only charged me for one. I would have liked to have two replacement with this order.
I've owned ths canon camera since 2002 and this is the third battery I've bought for it.  Ths battery holds a charge well and is a good value
I bought this battery as a back up for my XTi. Seems to work at least as well as the original Canon battery. I recently took approximately 1500 photos over the course of a weekend and I couldn't tell a difference when switching back and forth between the two batteries.
A good value for the price so i purchased two. I have not put many cycles on the batteries, but they look so far . I am very pleased...
The only 3rd party battery I will buy...Lenmar's have consistently proven to have great quality!  I only use them in my cameras, video equipment and laptops as their price to quality ratio is unmatched.....
I've only had the battery a few days, so I can only give my first impressions (though if necessary I will update this review). The battery came in a plastic blister pack, heat-sealed all the way around. I cut it out and placed it in my Insignia flash HD (NS-DCC5HB09) camcorder (from Best Buy but now discontinued), and it fit perfectly. Next, I gave the battery a full charge (through the camcorder), and it seems to be working all right. The camcorder came with only one battery and replacement batteries from Best Buy in-store cost about three times the price on Amazon. The battery is rated at about 90 minutes for this camcorder, but with an 8GB SD card the camcorder is capable of storing more than 4 hours of HD video, so a second battery makes sense for extended video recording, or simply as a backup. The battery works, but I think a main consideration for anyone thinking about getting a second, proprietary battery for devices these days is how long you intend to use your device or whether the battery is compatible with any other device (lithium-ion batteries can last a long time).
well not much else to say on this product, but if your looking for a replacement battery for your first generation VADO HD, than this is the battery for you. i was close to just buying a new version, even though nothing was wrong with mine except that creative no longer was selling the battery for my video camera, but lo and behond, i found lenmar that was selling its own version. i'd suggest that you completely drain the battery when you get it, and than fully charging it. FYI.Lenmar DLF60 Lithium-ion Digital Camera/Camcorder Battery Equivelent to the Fuji NP-60 Battery
Have discharged/recharged this battery several times to condition it and now have it in use: as with past purchases of this brand and type of battery, it is performing extremely well in my video camera for *very long* recordings.
It's always a good idea to have a spare battery.  When I received a Sanyo VPC-HD100 digital movie camera my search for a reasonably priced second battery took me to amazon.com.  This battery has more capacity (1100 mAh) than the battery that came with the camera.  It's also a screaming bargain at $10.00 delivered.
In time delivery. Saved me from buying a new camera :DBattery holds the charge as specified
I've purchased two other after-market batteries for this camera, and was disappointed with their performance.  This one works great.
So far (two months) so good. Seems to work as well as the original battery. I use it regularly for work and have been pleased so far.
I have bought generic batteries in the past with poor performance, but this one works just as well as the Cannon battery that came with the camera.
I haven't used my old Minolta Dimage X, one of the first Slim cameras on the market (2002, way before Sony or Casio in US) in a few years now. Last time I tried to use it, I only got about 12 pictures before the battery died from a full charge. With the new battery in hand 8 days before the expected arrival date, the camera turns on quickly, doesn't take as long for the flash to charge, and feels like a brand new device... except for the 2.0 MP. Well, it was 2002. Anyway, I'm very happy with this purchase and can continue to take my slim camera around my every day life like I used to.
Good as OEM at a better price. I read many reviews and some of the competition were negative or simply not seasoned. Took a chance with this one and adding one more to the positive list.
I ordered this battery when the one in my Nikon went to battery heaven.  Given the number if digital cameras laying around I chose the low cost solution.  Unfortunately it didn't fit into the battery charger that was also lying around and so I had to buy a new charger  - which was equally reasonable.  So far everythiing's working well and I am happy with the buy.
There is a reason why this stuff sells for 1/5 of the price of an original Nikon battery. Does not hold the charge for long. May be around 50 photos and it dies off. Buy the original Nikon battery even if it costs more.
This EN-EL1 equivalent battery is not as high-capacity as the Minolta NP800, but it is close. Much better than the SterlingTek batteries I bought before.
This will be quite an unusual review. I have not used either of the 2that I bought from TheBatteryCenter. I'm giving it 5 stars only becausethat's the average rating it's received. Whether the reviewers got theirs from the same place is anyones guess.I do want to add some comments.1. They arrived in really cheap individual cardboard boxes. I mean CHEAP.2. They have NO brand names of any kind and are NOT what the photo shows.The label on the front has BATTERY PACK FOR NIKON EN-EL1 7.4 680MAh Li-ion CE. That's it. Not even the normal "made in China".3. The company didn't even send a receipt with the items.I feel like these things were made in someones basement. The entireorder is very low quality from the word go. Basically I have no ideaat all what I received. The price from this company was the lowest I could find and it shows! I will never order from them again. On the positive side they didn't explode when I charged them. I'll find outhow they actually work some day but right now I am not expecting much.Basically, don't read this since it doesn't mention how the item works.At least I didn't skew the ratings because of concerns not related to the actual performance.
I had to give it a 3 star rating since the Nikon battery that was sent with the camera and is older is still going strong. A friend sent me a Nikon Coolpix 8700 to use a few years ago and I bought this battery as a back up in Oct 2008. The past month or so the battery goes dead soon after putting it in the camera. I would trade off batteries during use so guessing both brands have been used and charged the same amount of time and I would say the camera had a light to medium use. But the battery worked Ok up until recently, now I have to find something else.......... I'm not sure how much use the camera and Nikon battery had before it was sent to me but if money is not an issue, Nikon seems to be the way to go.....
We have a couple Nikon 995 cameras at work and these batteries replace the pricier Nikon ones.  They work great.  I have used Lenmar batteries before with good results which is why we picked these up for our cameras.
When one of my original batteries died, I needed a replacement for my venerable Nikon D70. I didn't want to pay the (IMHO) outrageous prices for an original Nikon battery. I decided to give the Lenmar a try.In the first couple months of service, no issues so far. I haven't made a scientific study of it, but my impressions are that is charges in about the same amount of time as a Nikon battery, and lasts about the same amount of time in the camera.I use my camera pretty often, and often take 1000 exposures or so. Both the Nikon and Lenmar batteries seem to hold up to that amount of usage.I'm happy.
Just received this battery, which certainly seems of high quality, fits in the charger, but SURPRISE, does not fit in my D90. Looking more carefully I see that the D90 requires an EN-EL3e battery instead of just an EL3. Hopefully someone will see this and not make the same mistake I did. I see that someone tagged it with EN-EL3e, which is a big mistake and probably why it came up when I searched for D90 batteries.
The description states that these batteries will fit the Nikon D90, and at first glance they look exactly like the factory Nikon EN-EL3e batteries. After cutting them from the blister pack, I placed them in the factory charger, which they fit perfectly. After fully charging both, I tried to insert them in the the MDB80 battery power grip i have attached to my camera. The batteries would not fully insert to the point that they clicked "home." Thinking that maybe it was a problem with the MDB80, I removed the battery grip from the camera and attempted to insert one of the batteries into the standard in-camera battery socket. It would not fit there either. In looking closer at the batteries, I see that they have only two electrical contacts while the factory EN-EL3e batteries for the D90 have three, with each of the three contacts sitting in a depression. The missing depression prevented the batteries from properly seating in either the grip or the camera. I do not know how this affects their use in other Nikon models which also use the EN-EL3e battery, but I strongly suggest you look at your factory battery to see how many contacts it has, and if it has three DO NOT order one of these aftermarket replacements.
Do not worry.  This replacement battery works just as well as the Nikon product.  I use them interchangeably and do not notice any difference.
this battery does not fit D700 as advertised did get a full refund though a shipping label generally Lenmar OK
This lasts as long as my Opteka brand battery that I have already, no issues with it heating up or being unreliable, but I don't use it intensely as it is mostly a backup.
I ordered 2 of these to replace 2 original Canon battery packs that I was using with my 300D Digital Rebel camera.  (One of the batteries was from the 300D and another was from a Canon PowerShot G1 which was the camera I had before the 300D -- both use the same battery).I use the charger that came with my 300D to charge the batteries and that is working fine.  The replacements are a very slight bit looser sitting in the charger and in the camera but not enough that there are any issues or concerns.I am not a professional photographer and rarely have to take over 100 pictures at a time, however I used the camera extensively over the Memorial Day weekend and never had to make use of the second battery.  I actually bought the 2 batteries because I was worried (after reading the reviews) that I might get a dud and wanted to hedge a bit to help make sure I at least had one good battery for Memorial Day.  So far both seem to be exceeding my admittedly low expectations and requirements.If either battery dies prematurely I will update this review.Update: 7/3/09Of the two batteries I bought, I only used one about 1 month ago.  That battery is now completely dead.  I used it for only the one weekend and it has then sat for about a month.  I went to charge it again today and it will not charge.  Putting a meter on the terminals shows 0.0 volts.  No life whatsoever.I have not used the other battery, but did charge it when I first got it.  I put that battery back in the charger today and it still had most of its charge after more than 1 month.  It charged fully and still seems fine.  I will be using that this weekend.I give this product 2 stars now.  I still think it is a good deal considering you can buy almost 4 of these for the price of one Canon branded battery.  Though obviously the quality of the product is horrid.  Absolutely terrible.  Any well made product should never experience failure rates of this magnitude.So, if you need a battery for something critical avoid this and get the Canon battery.  Otherwise, buy twice as many as you think you will need and cross your fingers.Next time I do not think I will bother.  I hate to pay the inflated price that Canon charges, but maybe there's something to the high cost.  Apparently no one is able to step up and produce a quality product for less.
Not much needs be said.  Simply a good product, at a great price, delivery in good time, available when I needed it.  Fit perfect.  Works perfect.
I bought this battery as a replacement for an old Canon BP511A.  It lasted about a couple of months before it started not taking a charge.  Complete waste of money.
I actually bought four Lenmar batteries at the same time, two LIC511 and two DLC511 batteries.  I purchased both sets to go in my new flashpoint grip used with my Canon 50D and Canon 28-135 lense.  I visited the lenmar site and could find no real difference between the DLC and LIC.  In fact they look the same to me.The DLC511 seems to result in slightly faster auto focusing than the LIC511 battery.  I have no hard data to support this but the lens motor sounds more powerful when the DLC version is being used.  The battery life for both batteries is excellent.I did have a problem with one of the DLC511 batteries.  It would not hold a charge (tried repeatedly to charge or recharge or use without success).  The seller (ADORAMA) promptly refunded my money.  Three of the four batteries are excellent and I am happy with my purchases.WOULD I BUY ANOTHER LENMAR BATTERY?  Yes.WOULD I BUY THE LIC OVER THE DLC?  I have not decided but lean toward buying the DLC (matched pair in my case)WOULD I BUY VIA AMAZON AGAIN? Yes.WOULD I BUY FROM ADORMA VIA AMAZON AGAIN? Absolutely yes!DO I RECOMMEND THESE BATTERIES?  I think you will be happy - if you can be happy with a nonCanon battery.
Sometimes when the price is too good to be true...sometimes it is best to believe your intuition.  I decided to take a gamble since most of the reviews of this product were good.  Was a waste of my money. It recharged only twice...I'll go back to a Canon brand and pay the higher price for a better value.
First time I charged it would only charged to 90%. After 200 shots it was dead and would only charge to 55%,  I am returning the battery.
I found it to work just as good as the original battery, if not better, on my Canon EOS 40D.
Perhaps I just got a good one, but I see no difference in performance or charge time from the battery that came with my 40D. If you're concerned about the disparity of the reviews, I'd also recommendUltralast UL-BP511 Canon BP-511 Equivalent Digital Camera Batterywhich I own, also works just as well as the Canon, and has significantly better reviews.
Yep. Works like a battery should. Much cheaper than the same thing that you'd get from Canon.
I picked up a couple of these batteries as spares for my Canon digital camera (Powershot G5)--for the price of a single Canon battery.Both have worked fairly well, although neither holds nearly the charge of the Canon batteries; I expect to get about 50 photos off of one, using a flash for about half, whereas the genuine Canon battery is good for 100 or more.Also, one of the two no longer charges in external chargers; the contacts on the battery apparently don't quite connect well enough.  I have to change that one in the camera.Overall, if you want a spare battery, you can get two of these for what one Canon battery costs--but expect to get half the performance of the Canon battery, too.
Bought second one of these because the first one worked so well for my 40D.  As good as the OEM Canon battery, based on my experience with them can recommend them highly.
This is a great battery replacement for the Canon BP-511A.  I have used Lenmar batteries bought from brick-and-mortar store before, so I was comfortable getting them online.The two batteries I received is silver - not dark grey (doesn't matter though since it is hidden inside anyway).  And it is actually 7.4v, 1500maH (vs 7.4, 1390maH for the Canon). Don't be discouraged if you see the label says "For Canon camcorders".  It works fine ...Even so, it doesn't last as long as the Canon battery, which lasted through more than 350 shots of large raw (15-20MB) on my EOS 50D and still has a little left.  The Lenmar still got me around 250 - 275 shots before I have to switch it out.BTW, it charged just fine on my Canon battery charger - so no problem there (just fitted a tad loose.)For quality, fit, and finish, I would give it 4 stars.  However, at such a bargain prices, I have to give them a 5 stars for overall value.  You can't beat this !!!Mike
Purchased it as a replacement for my original Canon 30D battery. Works great. Get around 500 shots (or maybe more)with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and fair amount of chimping. Note, that IS eats considerable amount of battery. Overall, I am happy after a disastrous purchase of Sterlingteks for my 350D.
Bought one of these a year ago.  Works about the same as the Canon battery I got with the camera. I alternate between the Canon and the Lenmar batteries and haven't noticed any difference.
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I've had no problems with this battery...and I've had it over a year.  I'm a pro photographer, so it has been recharged over and over and over and still holds a charge.  Maybe it is better because I tend to totally drain my batteries before recharging?  I also use this battery in the Dual Battery Grip alongside the Canon and other off brand batteries.
I purchased this battery for my digital SLR camera as a backup. It actually out performs the original battery in terms of run time, highly recommended.
I purchased this replacement battery to bring life back to an old camcorder whose battery had stopped holding a charge.  I purchased it because it said &#34;works with Canon ZR.&#34;  Well, apparently it doesn't work with ALL Canon ZR because I have the Canon ZR300 and it is a completely different battery.  I ended up having to return this (at my cost) so check carefully.  I do have to say, though, that other than having to pay for something that I purchased due to incorrect advertising (in my opinion), the company was prompt and easy to work with.
Cheap Looking but it works, I however upgraded to theWein SSHSHS Safe-Sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe #W990560becasue it protects the camera body from higher flash trigger voltage of older strobes
The Adorama hot shoe adapter fit perfectly onto my Canon Rebel Xsi hot shoe mount and allowed the flash to fit easily into the slide. I used the adapter with cable to trigger a strobe, and worked equally well with a remote trigger. I would recomend this unit.
This seemingly simple device was absolutely useless. I bought an identical looking one (different brand though) from a brick and mortar shop that worked perfectly. This piece of junk just failed to operate. It wasn't even assembled correctly and once I took it apart to rearrange the pieces I found that it still wouldn't actually activate my flash unit.  It's not the design, as I said the identical product in a different package worked fine, it's the manufacturing that was f-ed up.If you need to connect a cable to a hot shoe get a similar device, just not this exact one. These people are clueless.
It works well. No problems. I use it to get three point lighting with cheap slave flashes. I just connect a pc cable to my camera using this and a pc to hot shoe adapter and trigger the first flash. This triggers two more cheap slave flashes. So I have 3 point lighting with a minimum cost.
This is so necessary for today's electronic cameras.  Why take the chance of burning your electronic circuits with the off camera flashes.  Slave flash is unreliable.  Hard wire your camera but don't use the PC connector as some monoflashes suck more that 5-12 volts and this can ruin the electronics of the most robust camera.Mount this on the flash shoe and there will be no chance that the flash will cause damage to your camera.
If I could I would give this no star, this item has been a waste of my money. Firstly it's cheaply built and feels like It won't last a week. Too my utter shock and surprise it doesn't fit my t3i hotshoe or any of my other devices with a hotshoe not my flashes or anything it's too small. So please I beg youDO NOT BUY!!!!
I use it as adaptor for my radio trigger and works great. Construction quality is not the best.
If you're going to buy this flash hot-shoe to PC cord adapter, chances are you will need thePocket Wizard 804-605 MPCF Miniphone Male to PC Female Adapter.  I've added this to my review because it's not easy to find on Amazon's site when searching.  In fact, it's not easy to find at any photography store or photography site.  I wish that made one of these hot-shoe adapters with a miniphone connector on the end of the cord instead.So, to make that work, you need this adapter. They make an adapter with multiple inputs, multiple possibilities (e.g., PC female, PC male, etc.), but it doesn't connect as firmly as this one. I bought one of these about nine months ago and just ordered another because sometimes I want two and because sometimes I worry that I'll lose this little thing. I can't find that anywhere else.By the way, I agree with the other reviewers I see here that say the cord is flimsy.  The shielding come loose from near the base of the hot-shoe pretty easily and quickly.  So, try to handle it carefully--don't tug on it.  Based on the poor quality, I would say buy something else, but there's nothing else.  Other adapters don't have that separate center point for some reason and short out the flash.  So, buy this hot-shoe adapter if you need it and get an extra one while you're at it.
I bought thisd once Before, and it was flimsy like everyone says, but this time they sent me one from "Mandee" that is very very sturdy and well made.  The cord is EXTREMELY strong, and looks like it will last for years, and the hotshoe has a screw lock to lock it on the camera hotshoe if need be.  I expected the same flimsy one I broke before but got something far better instead...KUDOS Adorama!!!...
It works well. No problems. I use it to get three point lighting with cheap slave flashes. I just connect a pc cable to my camera using this and a hot shoe to pc adapter and trigger the first flash. This triggers two more cheap slave flashes. So I have 3 point lighting with a minimum cost.
Bought this product about a year ago and have been very pleased with its performance.  It is used to recharge AA NiMH batteries for my two digital cameras and generally recharges 4 batteries in an hour or less whether using house current or the DC adapter supplied with this charger when in my car.  The charger has a built-in cooling fan which is said to prolong battery life and the charger shuts down automatically when the batteries are fully charged.  Lots of good features for an attractive price in a seemingly very well-made product.
this works great. It charges batteries really fast. I use the AA's for my canon dig. cam. I have 2 sets and they last for 100's of pics
I have had this device a couple of years. It is very handy when I use rechargeable batteries, although I don't always...Charges both AA and AAA and has a car charger. Nice .........SHALOM........Brother Randahl
This product worked fine when I first bought it. Batteries charged in 1 hour, very convenient.HOWEVER, after a few months I started having problems. I would charge the batteries for 1 hour, until the indicator lights indicated that they were fully charged. But when I tried to use the batteries in my camera, they depleted after only a few minutes of use. The batteries also depleted quite rapidly when not in use, they were dead after about one day unused.I do not know whether the problem is with the batteries or with the charger, but this product is now unusable.
I ordered this package directly from Vanns to get same price but free shipping in August.  The included AA batteries were 2500mAh.  (Amazon needs to update its product description.)  Having owned a non-durable Kodak charger and a super dumb Energizer charger, I finally own a smart charger at a low price.  If you use NiMh batteries often enough, to avoid hassles and lengthen battery life, I recommend you get a smart charger that can (1) charge batteries individually, (2) charge up quickly within 1-3 hours (but not too quickly like the 15 minutes chargers), (3) trickle charge.  You can spend 20 dollars for this smart charger or about 60 for a smarter smart charger (like La Crosse or Maha chargers).  To me this charger is good enough, and it also came with a car adapter cord.  It has a small fan to ventilate air to cool batteries when charging, which is a cheap old but very effective approach to lengthening battery life.  The fan may be noisy if the charger is put on a hard surface.  I put the charger on a soft surface such as a bag to eliminate the fan noise.For a 2500 mAh battery, it takes the charger about an hour 15 minutes to charge and then the red light is off and it switches to trickle charge.  For good batteries like eneloop batteries and the ones that came with the charger, the voltage was about 1.25 after red light is off and they are ready to use.  I often take the batteries off 1-2 hours after the light is off, just to top off.
This was a holiday present for my son (with Dad expecting to use it too!), whose handheld games eat batteries at a prodigious rate.  It has already been a hit today (Dec. 25) in that regard.  (I bought a dozen Maya Powerex 2300 AA cells  in addition to those supplied by Lenmar. The Powerexes are very highly rated in user reports, but also are a bit pricier than average.)As previously noted by others, unit ships with batteries insulated from charger terminals by a thin strip of clear (all but invisible, in fact) plastic. This should really have a "pull tail" on it, or a note stuck to the unit saying "Please remove insulator before use" or some such, I bet they get tons of DOA reports from people who just plug in the unit with the supplied cells still in place and expect it to start right up.The description of this unit on Amazon page says it comes with four 2000 mAh cells, though at the time I placed the order, 2300s/2400s were quite common.  I figured, no big deal in that regard.  I was pleasantly surprised when the unit arrived with four 2300 mAh cells!  Of course, to compensate for this, one of the four supplied cells turned out to be a dud and would not charge.Unit seems to work as advertised. "One-hour" theoretical charge time is for 1800 mAh cells. The unit charged two of the supplied 2300s in 75 minutes, the third cell took 90 minutes.  (You can charge individual cells in any combination in any of the four slots.)  Individual red LED indicators initally come on after cell insertion, during rapid charging, then go out again when cells are nearly full and are being trickle-charged.  If serious problem with a battery, its LED will flash, or in the case of an excessively-drained, dead cell, LED will NOT COME ON AT ALL upon battery insertion.  Note that this (LED dark) looks very much like the NORMAL indication for a battery that has finished charging, so you have to make sure that the lights initally come on for each cell as you insert it.  It is too bad dead cells don't ALSO cause a flashing error warning.While any cell is rapid-charging, the unit's internal fan runs.  This normally is an audible, but not excessive, whooshing air noise.  (Manual states not to run unit if fan is not operational.  Hopefully the unit also has its own thermal auto-shutdown protection for this possibility as a failsafe!)  In the case of my unit, the fan blades were striking the inside of the case, so the fan noise was like a cross between a cicada and a really noisy electric razor.  Probably cause for a warranty return, but I would prefer not going through that hassle if it can be avoided.  By gently flexing the plastic case and loosening the case screws a bit to give the top a smidgeon more clearance, I managed to eliminate the noise.Contrary to other reports, I observed that batteries became noticeably warm during rapid-charging phase, but not overly so.Pros--* Can use charging slots individually, in any combination* Very good "intelligent" charging performance* Comes with both AC and 12V car adaptors* Supplied with decent-capacity AA cellsCons--* (Minor) Should warn user that batteries ship insulated* Should be a more specific LED warning for severely-drained ("dead") cells* Can't leave cells to trickle-charge indefinitely (manual recommends removing cells after 4 hours max) so unit needs to be somewhat attended when in use* Minor flaws with my particular unit (one dead supplied cell, fan buzzing against case) probably not common, but it could indicate that quality control tolerances are a bit tight.Note that most of the "cons" simply require using the unit correctly, so as long as you are a careful user, this unit should do very well for most uses.  --JMF
Charger works great.  You can charge each battery individually.  My previous charger need to have battery charged in pairs.  A built-in fan keeps the unit nice and cool, a little noisy though. No problem here.
For several weeks now, I have seen this Lenmar MSCAA model at work and it is a true 1-hour charger.  I have used it at least 22 times; charging-time averages to around 60 minutes for charging 4 AA-NIMH batteries (2000maH) [NOTE: in late 2006, Lenmar started sending out 2500 maH batteries]. (I bought the Lenmar MSCAA charger-unit when I bought a Canon A60 digital camera.)With 4 independent charging slots, the unit can charge one or two or  three or four AA or AAA batteries at a time. The MSC-AA has a microprocessor that monitors for negative delta voltage.  When a battery is being charged, a drop in voltage indicates a fully-charged status. When the microprocessor detects a voltage drop for a charging slot, the main charge is shut off for that battery and a trickle-charge starts.Batteries being charged always remain cool to the touch. The unit's microprocessor monitors battery temperature thus allowing the charger to provide an optimum charging level (and shorten the charging time). Keeping the batteries from overheating extends battery-life.The Lenmar MSC-AA has international capability (100-240 Volt AC range).  The four AA-NIMH batteries provided with the unit are high-capacity (2000 maH). Also provided: a DC car-cord (plug into cigarette lighter). Do note the charger-unit is a bit bulky. The charging unit does not fit into a shirt-pocket.  With the AC-adapter/transformer and the DC-car-cord, fitting into a coat pocket is difficult.Lenmar states this MSCAA-model is only for use with NIMH batteries (and not to be used on rechargeable alkalines or even on NiCads).
While I don't own this charger (still considering), I felt compelled to state what I have read elsewhere: an individual thought that his Lenmar charger was D.O.A. also.Upon closer inspection, he noted thin plastic coverings over the "touches". Upon removing them, the charger worked!So, a heads up to prospective buyers.
It charged my AA batteries in less than an hour. I have been using them in my digital camera for 2 or 3 weeks and they are still going strong. If the battery charger continues to work this well, I will be very pleased. In a year from now, if I find it isn't working as well, I will come back and edit my review.
I've only used this charger once and it was a quick charge, just as claimed.
The Mach1 Gamma is a "Smart" charger because it uses Lenmar's patented NeoTherm microprocessor technology to monitor each cell being recharged to make sure that it is charged to its maximum capacity.Operation of the charger is very easy.The rapid charging time is totally dependant on the capacity of the cell being charged.700mAh AAA -- 30 minutes1600mAh AA -- 55 minutes1800mAh AA -- 60 minutes2000mAh AA -- 65 minutesAC power adapter (100 - 240 volt AC)Lenmar provides a three-year manufacturer's warranty on the Mach1 Gamma Speed Charger.The only negative thing I can say about this charger is that Lenmar recommends that you don't leave the batteries on the charger more than 3-4 hours after the fast charge is completed.(The charger does not charge NiCd.)
This charger's main selling points are:  1. It has 4 separate and independent charging circuits, with each being able to charge 1 battery at a time, and 2. the batteries barely warm up during charging.  Heat is what kills NiMH batteries, so the low temp feature is great.The first unit I bought had two defective circuits that began to act up after a week of use, where it either did not terminate the charge or it would terminate far too prematurely.  I should have returned it for an exchange, but didn't because I lost the receipt.  Anyway, I bought a second unit and it has worked fine so far.Besides the defective circuits, one minor nuisance with the design is that if you insert a cell in a slot the charging current would only come on if the cell is above some minimum voltage.  For some of my NiCAD and NiMH cells, the cells sometimes experience temporary polarity reversal or very low voltage after a prolonged storage.  No matter how many times these cells are inserted in the Mach 1 charger, the charging circuitry would not come on.  I think this is a safety feature to insure that dead cells won't be charged, but it frequently weeds out batteries that are perfectly good but that for some reason either experienced a temporary voltage reversal or fall below the cutoff voltage.  To charge these apparent duds, one needs a "dumb charger" that doesn't have the safety circuitry to first revive the cells to give them a positive voltage before putting them in the Mach 1.Another negative with the Mach 1 design is that the cells are usually less than fully charged when the unit finishes charging. The reason for this is that the cells heat up quite dramatically at near full charge, so it sacrifices fullness of charge for cell longevity by not charging the cells to fullness in order to keep them cool.Note that the 1-hr. charging time is based on 2000 mAH batteries.  If you put in batteries with less or more capacity, the charge times will proportionally change.
They simply don't make them like this anymore!  These started out as a pro photographer product (for camera flash units). They even made a better 8 min version but global economics priced them out.  The 4 batters that ship are old tech, replacing the with AmazonBasics AA NiMH Precharged Rechargeable Batteries (16 Pack, 2000 mAh) is a great option!  Newer tech in Amazons version of these eliminates they issue with &#34;Shelf Life&#34; after charging (Claims made by OEM Sanyo I believe) are: 100% for severak weeks, 80+% at 6 months, and 50% at 1year!  Not like charge them & use them in 2 weeks and they dead!
The circular polarizing filter and adapter were tied together for half a year. I could not separate them as much as I tried (the polarizing filter kept on spinning). In the end I used a wide rubber band and put it around the polarizing filter, so that the polarizing filter could no longer rotate. Then I was able to easily unscrew it from the adapter. I did not try the product above. Perhaps it's also very good, but the rubber band solution could save you time and money.
I dont know how did I do without it before. Great help in puting and taking on filters, especialy Circular polarizers. Help in any way, must have item in your bag1
This is what I needed to get a stuck UV filter off of my lens. I should have bought these months ago.
I bought these Filter Wrenches for my Canon Powershot S3 IS.  I screwed a filter on a little too tight, and as I was struggling to twist and turn and pull it off, I stopped and thought... "Ya know, maybe this isn't such a good idea. I might break the filter I JUST bought less than 24 hours ago..."  Luckily, I found these wrenches and it took the filter off easily, potentially saving me a lot of money for a replacement filter... as well as saving me a lot of emotional grief if I had broken my new filter within a day. Oi!Not to mention the fact that I bought them from Adorama - what a cheap price for a product that is SO good to have!  Every photographer needs these.
I have more than once had issues taking off a filter.  I first thought that these things were not going to do the job.  I was quite surprised to find that these wrenches have worked every time
Not much to say, but they dont look to be made in a way that they will break, and will save me from having fits trying to remove a polarizing filter all the time.
canceled the order, because they wanted seven bucks to ship less than an ounce of a three dollar product.  Found elsewhere, a lot less expensive.
My UV filter was stuck on my new Powershot SX30IS.  I tried all different ways and finally this wrench was the only one that worked.  It is a good investment if you are going to change filters often.
I have a Canon Rebel digital camera. I usually only use one filter, a UV mainly as a lens protector.If you don't give these a twist every once in awhile, they will get frozen to your lens.I found this out many years ago after my filter got cracked and I had to replace it. I finally got it to loosen after wrapping a large rubber band around it for grip and was able to replace it.A couple of months ago I noticed some smudges on my filter and decided to pull it off to give it a good cleaning. Once again, it was frozen in place. I was at the time in process of ordering some lens cap holders for the camera from Amazon and ran across these filter wrenches. They were inexpensive so I thought I would give them a try, a little more professional I felt than my old rubber band trick.I was excited when they arrived and immediately put them to work getting my frozen filter off of my Canon lens.I was very disapointed. Even though they have an inside ridged ring to wrap around the filter, they were inadequate to get enough grip to loosen the filter. After several attempts I finally went off in search of a large rubber band, which once again worked.So these wrenches now reside in my camera bag, along with my large rubber band, which I am sure will come out first before the wrenches.But for now, I am giving the filter and occasional twist so I may not need either one a long time!
I bought this mainly for the purpose of helping me unwind my Hoya Pro-1 D Circ PL....the attached part is really so narrow that even with this wrench it is having a hard time removing it. For run of the mill filters I see no problem using the wrench.
Wrenches work as designed and are a "Must Have" if you swap filters often. I waited and ordered multiple items from the Adorama Store Front via Amazon and shipping was very reasonable (see their shipping rate page).
Still waiting response to my email from seller about returning the Filter Wrenches. - didn't fit my camera
Filters are persnickety things. Just a little bit off-kilter and the threads become inseparable. Or at least seem to be.These filter wrenches are helpful, but don't expect miracles. Filter threads can become seemingly welded together. It can sometimes take patient analysis and several approaches to successfully separate the filter from whatever it is attached to. It can be frustrating.That said, these inexpensive wrenches will handle many situations. As it says on the package "may8 be helpful in removing a "stuck" filter". No promises here.The wrenches are plastic and have a serrated inner edge that grips the filter. Much of the time, only one wrench is needed. In other instances, you'll need to use the second.Are these perfect? No. Will they work in every situation? No.But they are a handy first resort when your filter gets stuck.Jerry
Not only will this wrench save your filters from damage but could also save your lenes from damage. I recomend it to any photographer. In fact I think it is a necessary tool. to have.
I purchased these filter wrenches because sometimes filters get tight and are hard to remove with you hand. The Adorama filter wrench works, but has to be expanded to fit a 58mm filter which I found a little clumsy, but I got used to it with a little practice.  Good tool to have in your camera bag for when you are in a hurry.
I thought maybe these would be a good to have in the camera bag, but they are not really doing what I thought they would.  First, they are plastic, and do not grip the filter.  Second, there is no way they will ever span a 58mm filter without snapping in half.Save your money, and use a rubber jar opener pad from the kitchen supply store.
Get a filter or ring stuck on the front of your lens and you'll really be glad you have one of these.
48-58 is the claimed size, but I have some 46's and these wrenches fit them too. Low cost, feather weight, work fine, take minimal space in the camera bag. The only question is: do you need them? I had a CPL I almost couldn't loosen a while back, so I decided I did.
I had a filter that was "stuck" on my 50mm lens that would not budge.  I saw this Filter Wrench and thought I'd give it try and it took the Filter off with ease.  They are well worth the small amount of money.
I bought these because they were cheap.  I know they're not necessary (rubber band works) but I figured if a filter ever got stubbornly stuck, I could use these.  They are not much of an addition to my camera bag, so I don't mind carrying these around as a backup to switch filters.
Light, sturdy and simple. And terrific. Already used them on my Hoya CP which is just about impossible to unscrew by hand - worked like a charm, effortless and finally no risk of damage to the lens or the filter ring. They grab on securely and there's no fiddling whatsoever. Totally awesome.
I ordered the 48-58mm wrench set, and Adorama (via Amazon) sent me the 46-55mm wrench set. These are too small for my 58mm filter attachments. Given the low cost, it's not even worth the hassle and time for doing a return/exchange. Instead, I'll just order the proper sized wrenches from B&H directly, and I'll give these smaller ones to whomever could use them.
When up on a 58mm filter it feels like it is about to break, and it doesn't even grip enough to turn the filter.
If you have ever over tightened a screw on filter you would give up your first born son for a set of these.
Every five or six years I suffer from amnesia and buy a set of thease "filter wrench's". They seem like a good idea but the fact is they do not work. Save your money. The palm of your hand works as good or better. If you use two fingers you just make an ovel and the filter never comes off. I've been a photographer and a teacher for over 40 years, so you would think I would have learned this by now, Amnesia.
It's going to happen.  Your filter is going to get &#34;stuck&#34; on your camera.  You're either going to get our a pair of pliers and ruin the frame on you filter, or you're going to use this. If you use it one, you've made your money back. If a friend uses it, they will be internally grateful to you.
I had a stuck filter, after trying a number of ways I ordered this and the filter came off with no trouble.
First of all you can not expect this unit to be more than it is...  It's a budget light.  I've read multiple reviews of people blowing the fuse using this as a monolight on full power.  I went ahead with this purchase because all I needed was a cheap external flash for my photo booth....  With that said, I took out the monolight and only use the flash with the included PC sync cord.  Works perfectly every time.  My advise, if you're going to get this and want it as a modeling light with flash... well, don't use it at full power, or go buy a bunch of fuses.  The housing is entirely plastic except for the area around the flash which is aluminum.  No road warrior but I think if you take care of it, it will take care of you.
This is good for the price. You may want to invest in a higher watt light, but it serves it's purpose.
I have a pair of these I bought direct from Adorama a few years ago when I needed a pair of lights quickly- and cheaply- to do an art project for a friend. They are cheap, and they do work, and the slave trigger is reliable. But they do have a few drawbacks:1. The modeling lamp runs *very* hot (for some reason they decided to squeeze a  a 75 watt bulb in this little flash), and there's no way to turn it off. I looked around for a lower wattage bulb that would fit, but ended up removing the modeling bulbs from mine.2. The flash lamps are not replaceable. If one burns out- and it will, if you use this flash regularly- you'll end up having to replace the entire unit.For $10 more you can get theFlashpoint Budget Studio Monolight Flash, 160 Watt Seconds, with User Replaceable Flash Tube.which has replaceable flash tubes and switchable 60w modeling light. I think that's $10 well spent, and a better choice for an absolute low-end studio setup. But I'd recommend spending a bit more.Adorama also has a budget light with much of the the flexibility, if not necessarily the ruggedness and reliability, of the pro units. For $99 you can get theFlashpoint II 320M, 150 Watt Second AC / DC Monolight Strobe.which takes a wide range of accessories and can use a battery pack for portable operation.  With a few reflectors and careful use you can just about do everything you might need a flash for with that one unit. Would I use it on a professional location shoot? No way. But for my own amateur work, and for anyone looking to get creative with flash on a budget it's a good buy. If you want to spend more than that on a moonlight, don't mess around with budget units. Get a Paul C Buff Alien Bee (they start at around $225) and you'll have a basic pro light you can trust, and that you get get serviced if the need arises.
This is a very low budget strobe, but a great starter strobe.  I used mine for about year with my Speedlite as a secondary.Unfortunately, it is NOT very well sealed and I lost mine to nature...It died a tragic death on a night shoot when it tried to be a bug zapper.  After a couple of cracks and pops from bugs, it died.  I thought it might have  been the light itself, but it was internal electronics.  I ended up having to throw it away.Would I buy one again?  Probably not.This is an excellent case of "You get what you pay for".Not to say I regret buying it.  It did a fine job other then melting a couple of gels because, as another stated, the model light runs overly hot.I carried it around in an equipment bag, it got bumped around a lot, fell over a few times.  I don't recommend mistreating it, but it seemed sturdy enough for the cheap design.
I bought this as my 'training' strobe.  It works pretty good for portraits and product pictures.The only minus is that you only get full and half setting but it is easily overcome by moving the strobe or reducing exposure in camera (F-stop or shutter speed)
as expected
it was excatly what the description said it was  shipping was fast and the product worked very well!  looking forward to purchasing again for future projects!
Considering it's basically just matte board, it's very expensive.  No prime shipping just adds to it.  Other than that, the product itself is good, black on one side and white on the other, so you can decide which looks best with the photo being mounted.
I guess I am the stupid one for I thought that mount board using heated dry mount presses was discontinued years ago like film is practically non-existant.To my surprise, this mount board is not a peel & stick product! Beware if that is what you expect. Basically $20.00 to throw in the ash can!I am going to try and find some mount spray at an art store so all may not be lost! But all this trouble is a real pain!  I just hope the spray mount does not interefere with the quality of photographic paper! The "gods" must have been frowning on me on this Amazon order. Three items ordered and only one is what I expected, maybe that is because I ordered the Precision Design PD-C10 Digital Camera Padded Carrying Case ($6.95 + $2.95 shipping = $9.90) twice before! And Yes I agree even more with those who have balked at the $1.94 per piece price! Adorama, you should be ashamed to even offer this product at this price, after years of hassle free ordering from you!UPDATE:  TUESDAY, May 5,2014 I have recieved word from Amazon on my review. Amazon offered me a refund. I did not accept their kind offer! Mainly because I still can't find "peel & stick" mount board. So I'll wrestle with the spray approach.I was also contacted by the seller, which I thought was Adorama Camera store of New York City. But turns out to be another firm. They requested that I point out that their shipping service was first rate and IT WAS.
They are thin, flimsy sheets of poster board. Not sure if this is anything special. Plus the black is more like a dark matte grey.
The color on the boards are perfectly white on one side, and completely black on the other, for those worried about  not being able to see the actual board. These boards held up alright, but received a 4 star rating because they did warp a bit a couple days t, and do get dirty quite fast if they are not covered at all times. But nonetheless, probably about the cheapest you'll find mounting boards for.
not what I was looking for, the magnetic frames I already have, have more rigidity and body to them. I don't think these will last long but they are working for now.
These are easy to input and remove pictures as apposed to others available.  Wish they came in a variety of colors.  Great size too.  I purchased the 5X7.
Love these.  We previously had the hard acrylic ones and they would sometimes get knocked off the fridge and would chip. These are great!
Well worth buying. Magnet sticks as expected and had no issues of it curling or losing its grip. Great choice!
Nice and sturdy.  Photos easily slide in and out.  The whole back being magnetic make it so they don't move.
This was a good deal on a functional magnet.  We needed it for business, and inserted a greeting card into it, and stuck it to the front of a metal cabinet where the rest of the greeting cards were stored.  Allowed staff to avoid opening a big heavy, metal drawer all the time, while identifying exactly what was inside.
Far from high tech, but exactly what I wanted. These are hard to find in small quantities. Look great on the refrigerator.
I enjoy this product and like that the magnet covers the entire back surface. It came quickly and in good condition.
I love these frames. Whats better than putting some cute pictures on your fridge? I will be getting another order asap.
Have purchased more since my first order, because I love these so much. The photos fit nicely into the pocket and then they go on the fridge and the magnet holds them perfectly safe from falling.
The Pioneer Freez-A-Frame, Magnetic 5x7&#34; Photo Frames are a great way to Show Off Your Pictures.I like that I can remove the picture when it has served it purpose and I can then insert a new picture of an other important moment.
My wife insisted on this brand; the way it secures photos and adheres to the fridge door.  Tried others, but this kind  works best.
We ordered these photo pockets to put our grandson's Christmas photo in it.  Your photo will slide in (easy to use, 5x7) and because of the magnetic composition, our grandson's photo is now displayed on our refrigerator.  We highly recommend this product.  Well made.
This was just what I needed to put up a photo at work on my metal cabinet in my cubicle. These frames are great for the fridge too.
Awesome, plain and simple. If you want a magnetic frame, these are inexpensive and exactly what you expect. Love it!
The magnetic frames are well constructed and are a better quality product than what I had previously found to use.
When my daughter in law sent me pictures of my grandkids; they were 5x7....So I bought this to put on my fridge...The magnets on the frames hold very well; I love seeing the pictures everytime I go through the kitchen....Wow what a great product..
We live in an all steel home (Google Lustron if you're interested) therefore everything we hang has to be done with either magnets or those 3M hooks.  I love these photo frames, they have a nice and even white trim around the photo and since only one side opens, the photo stays securely inside the frame where it is protected.  The entire back of the frame is magnetic so it sticks very well and does not slide down the wall.  I can't wait to get more in larger sizes so we can get rid of the bulky (and expensive) 8x10 frames we have and create a more uniform and professional look in our livingroom.  It's also fun because they can be moved around so effortlessly.A great product, I would recommend to anyone!
Format frames are cheap but so much fun and so easy to load. These prices are great too. Better than any other place i've found. Definitely worth the purchase in my opinion. Great for quick showcasing and easy-in, easy-out if you feel like switching photos out in a heartbeat.
I bought three of these for some small prints I wanted to hang.The frames are all plastic with glass frames.  The instructions for putting the glass back in the frame are not clear and you need to be careful when putting the glass back in.This got 3 starts because the corner of the glass of one broke when I was putting the glass back in.To prevent breakage, you need to carefully but firmly push on the corners.  If you push too hard or the glass doesn't snap back in to the frame it could break the corner.Other than that, I like the frames they are lightweight and look nice.
This is not ideal for a table top frame at all. The instructions to make it into a table top frame are also terrible. The piece you are supposed to snap off to make the frame sit on your table doesn't snap off correctly nor place into the frame to make it stand on a table.
These frames are super cheap. They are all plastic, the stand in the back is cheap & you pretty much snap it on the back. I needed some cheap frames for gifts, and the price was really reasonable. Next time, I would just spend a little extra to get something nicer.
I used these to put little motivational phrases in to include with teacher gifts.  They all looked very nice when finished.  One frame broke a little when I tried to &#34;pop&#34; the glass back in.The instructions were harder to follow than just using common sense.  Pop out each corner and the glass comes out easily.
Works well for hanging photos that you don't want to see the frame.  Inexpensive
Don't waste your time.  Everything is plastic and flimsy.  Pictures don't fit correctly.  I would never recommend this to a friend.
The plastic on the one of the corners was cracked when it arrived. :( However, I'm not framing anything super expensive-- they are just accent pieces for my college dorm wall, so as a college student with limited options, I'll take the risk! If you're looking for something sturdy or giftable, this would not be it.
I own a small store and often need to put up pictures of my customers or other notices in frames. Since we have a lot of kids in the store, the frames break often and the bill had started running pretty high for us on frames. These frames are just priced wonderfully, very affordable and of good quality. I was prepared for something cheapy looking, but was surprised to see the quality. Pretty good. Will be buying more in the future.
These frames are OK for the price. Very cheaply made. You have to force out the glass and I did cut my hand once. But, if you are careful it won't break.
Nice, thin frame... looks great and hangs on the wall easily.  Would definitely buy again if I needed more frames.
I have bought these frames for years and have loved them for what they are - cheap frames to hang pictures of my darling daughters.  Today I bought a few more, and when I was removing the glass from the first one, the glass broke in my hands.  I was very fortunate, just a small cut.  I was very careful opening the next one (used a small screwdriver), and the glass broke again as I was trying to disassemble.  Previously, I have not ever had this problem.  There must have been a change in the manufacturing process (or perhaps just a bad batch).  I will be returning these to the local store - not sure if they will do anything or not.BE CAREFUL!
I bought these frames as a gift with a picture in them. They look great in a house where things can break easily. Easy putting pictures in and can hang either way.  They also will stand. For the price well worth it.
I started with the 8x10 frames and am now also using 5x7 to display photos.  They work well and the frame does not compete with the photo.When I went to put a photo in the first one, it seemed like the frame was a hair too small, something I did not experience with the 8x10 frame.  But I put thephoto in place and pressed the glass into position and can see no wrinkles or distortions in the photo.If you have not used these frames before, you may wonder as I did how they look and work.  They come with good directions, but in brief, they are like very shallow pans witha plastic back and a glass front.  Holding the frame in both hands with the glass up, you put your thumbs on each side of a corner and press the corners outward while with your fingers youpress the back forward.  This loosens the glass.  You may have to repeat this on a couple of corners, but it takes less time than it does to read this to removed the glass.  You thanlay the photo in the "tray" and press the glass back in its place.  That is all there is too it.  Again, there are good directions with both an illustration and a written description of the simpleprocess.The back is designed so you can hang it in both the portrait and landscape orientation, or use it as a standup frame on a desk or shelf.I have bought a lot of these frames and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an attractive, relatively inexpensive frame.
I bought this because I was looking for something cheap and I guess I got what I paid for it. The back is like a puzzle that I am apparently not intelligent enough to figure out. I ended up throwing it away.
Purchased this to do an entire wall of photos. The simple style does not detract from the photos, yet keeps the look very uniform. Just what I was looking for!
Great pricing, packaged well and delivered with no problems early then expected. I will be back to buy more, thank you.
A reasonable price and quality for a functional and reasonably made picture frame. It's hang-able but probably best on a surface (horizontal of vertical). Frame is solid plastic but glass is really glass so it can be cleaned easily and is perfectly transparent. It's easy to swap in new pictures too so you aren't making any long term commitment. You just pop out the glass and replace.
I bought several of these frames in various different sizes to fit on my photo wall. All frames came well packaged and unbroken. For each sized frame, it was on the most part easy to take out the glass and then fit the photo in and snap the glass back in place. No glass was broken from that process. I would advise not to force the glass out; if there is no give, try another corner and wiggle out the glass from there. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the given directions are clear.The frames do indeed allow the photos to dominate the display. Furthermore, in my opinion, they do not look cheap. I am highly satisfied, but I'm giving 4 1/2 stars because the glass does need to be cleaned on both sides, which is a slight annoyance.
bought this item for a picture of grandma to give to all the relatives - fit the bill exactly. I like that it is essentially &#34;frameless&#34; and allows the picture to shine.
We ordered a ton of these in various sizes to frame prints for sale. When I inspected the glass before putting in the pictures, I started finding scratches and dirty glass. I think we returned around 3/4 of them because we couldn't resell them with the defects. Also had a lot of chipped corners on the 5x7s, along with warped sides. Several of the 8.5x11s had fingerprints on them.They're easy to load, and mostly the glass stays in place, but they do look as cheap as they actual are. Just realize that you're getting what you pay for. If you won't have people looking closely at them, they're probably fine, but I wouldn't use these for any serious application - I won't even order any to display snapshots at home. The quality is too hit-or-miss.
Overall this is a very simple plastic picture frame. I didn't want fancy and this isn't that at all. It does have wall-mount ability or desktop prop-up ability. It's nothing fancy, but it does do the job and is cheap.
Perfect fit for my photos. Found ease in mounting and hanging these eight frames ordered. They look great clustered on my wall even next to inferior frames of different sizes. Only wish other colors were available.
First off, understand these are inexpensive frames.  The plastic quality is good but because this is a front loading frame it has to be a little flexible.  The standing feature is, honestly, useless.  The plastic is just not durable enough.  In my opinion these frames are best for only for hanging.  The glass quality is acceptable but if you get too aggressive trying to force things it will chip and break (I find it best to start on the bottom corners and then work up with gentle, even and consistent pressure).However for hanging frames they are quite good.  Provided you're careful they are easy and fast to load.  They hang nicely.  I find I don't need to do anything extra to keep them level on the wall once positioned.  The pictures stand out.  Mixed in with more expensive decorative frames they can help fill out a display wall nicely.  I've used sizes from 4x6 to 11x17 with good results.These frames are not for your really important pictures or artwork that you want protected.  For that stuff spend the money for good frames with high quality glass.  These frames are a good inexpensive way to display everyday photos and fill out wall space.From reading through the reviews there seems to be a lot of variation in packaging quality.  Mine arrive wrapped securely in bubble wrap with no damage.  I did need to clean the glass but I do that with all my frames before putting new photos in them.
This frame came as advertised and works perfectly for what I needed it for. I would recommend without reservation. A bit different in terms of how you load the picture but easy to do.
Use it for some photography... creates haze rather than dull. Must be careful not to spray too much or too little
I had a client send me a bunch of chrome items to photograph and Krylon is the easiest way to get a nice crisp shot without all of the reflective glare. The true beauty of this product is the simple way it wipes off the item. I have been using this dulling spray for years and unless they change the formula I will continue on with it.
When shooting on camera interviews, this is a must have in case your location has a lot of glare in the background.
I use this for photographing shiny ceramics and it works well. At first I tended to use too much. A light coating seems to usually be enough.
The Dulling Spray works very well with my prints after printing professional images on my Epson R2000. I have also used it for my daughters paintings (she's only 6 years old and I want to preserve the memories). From amateur to professional, you can find use for the dulling spray.
Nothing special here. This makes the perfect gift for a person you don't really care about. I ordered two of them, and one picture frame had a small crack in the corner. When taking into account my reason for making this purchase, this didn't bother me too much. They're cheap, so why not buy them?
Was hoping for small frames meant for hanging, not standing on a shelf, as I find the &#34;stand&#34; gets in the way of proper hanging alignment. These frames, unfortunately, have the stand and therefore will be returned.
This is a simple black frame of good quality.  It is exactly what I needed. It works for my needs. I would buy again.
I love the quality of this frame.  It stands up well on my desk.  I plan to purchase more.  It would make a nice gift frame.
There is nothing WOW about it, it&#8217;s a simple black frame and I still love it. It is described as is and came surrounded in bubble wrap which prevented any scratches.
Nice frame but a little cheap feeling. The edges are nice but the backing and holds are cheap and will probably not last long.
They are basic, but they are as advertised.  Good enough for me to use in my office at work!  See ya!
I purchased this frame for a Picasso print that I had. The Picasso fits perfectly the frame came wrapped and safeguarded and easily hung on the wall.
Unlike the photo you can see the corner joints.  Mine has a few little nicks and dents here and there.  Also, the inside edge of the bottom piece has these little cuts in it apparently from sloppy workmanship.
This was a great buy for me. It serves its purpose. I like to do jigsaw puzzles, so I needed something to put my completed puzzle in. Thus, if i need it again I will buy them again.
I found these frames to be well make and no problems at all. Just put them up today and they look very professional.
This is the real McCoy...been using Metz flashes since the 70's and this battery will last if you charge/discharge it correctly.Don't be fooled by the power pack image...this is NOT what you're buying, but the Metz battery that powers it.
This battery is a replacement for the one in the original unit manufactured by Metz.  It is a dry cell battery and is rechargeable.  The ad is a little misleading in that the photo shows the entire power pack unit and the offer is only for the battery so you need to already have the complete unit to be able to use the battery.  Anyway, it works fine and replaces the old battery.  It was delivered in a timely manner.
Metz flashes are very useful - much better than those cheap Chinese units.You'll have to find them on auction sites, but the effort is worth it.Get a few Manfrotto stands, umbrella swivels, super clamps and you're in biz...Oh yes, this is a battery review, right?There are two types of batteries for Metz 60 guns, the one here and lithium ion ones.I keep one lithium one for hand=held shooting (these last about 5 years)I keep 3 or 4 of these for stand and studio use. They tend to last nearly ten YEARS.This actually makes them a pretty cheap battery, all things considered.Compare the cost of the 500-1500 AA batteries they replace.
I have used a Metz 60CT Flash Unit for some time.  The dryfit battery is in my opinion one of the best batteries made for continuous usage.  You rarely have to replace them but when you do, it is nice to know you can go to Amazon for the replacement.  Thanks Amazon.
I got one and now I am re ordering it from Amazon for Back up battery. It works well enough, but not quite sure that will last longer than the original battery. The life for it self I doubt it. Because this is not an original.
This cable release lets me avoid camera shake on long exposures. It works perfectly both on Nikons and other cameras with standard threaded cable-release-ready shutter buttons. VERY worthwhile purchase!
It feels nice, solid and professional when you used it. The build quality is nice. It's a little short to be honest but I can't really imagine why someone would need a longer cable.
This shutter release cable is great if you're standing right next to the camera and are using a slow shutter speed and want to prevent camera shake when pressing the shutter release button. If needed for any other purpose, say self portraits, then I would recommend a longer one. The item was shipped in great shape and quickly.
THIS CABLE RELEASE WORKS GREAT AND IS SMOOTH AND SNAPPY WHEN TRIPPING A SHUTTER. A BEST BUY FOR SURERIDDIMDADDY .....
I use this to reduce the vibration input when using slow film and not wanting to use the self timer. Works great on my Nikon N80 and my antiquated D100. Smooth actuation and people think you know what you are doing when you have gadgets that they don't. :)
Works as advertised.  It certainly does what it is supposed to do and does it well.  Be sure to order the length you need as this is a very short one - which is what I needed.
Great product for anyone looking to get into macrophotography without spending lots of money on a new lens. Although this adapter accepts lenses with a 52mm filter thread, I also bought theFotodiox 7 Metal Step Down Ring Setto go with other various lenses I have and they work well together, though obviously it might take some fiddling with to get the different rings on and off.However, this adapter is great for the price, considering you can use the kit lenses that come with most cameras to start doing macro. You do have to take care when changing focus or focal length on the lens, as you could unscrew the lens from the adapter, but that's just the nature of the beast. As you can see in the image I uploaded, depth of field is pretty shallow, and the closest focusing distance for a 50mm f/1.8 is about 4.5 inches. You also have to shoot in manual or shutter priority mode, but shooting manually is a good way of challenging yourself if you're a newer photographer to think more about how you shoot and not just letting the camera decide things for you.Another plus is you can use any brand lens, included those with functional aperture rings (which most digital lenses now lack) to gain more control over your shots. I've gotten really great shots using a 30+ year old Canon 24mm lens I learned to shoot film with.
This ring is great for macro photography! Recently I was able to shot the tiny snowflakes in Colorado with it. I definately recommend a rail system though. Be careful though, your lense can unscrew when adjusting the focal length
I got this to use on my D90 with an old 50mm Series-E 1.8 manual lens that was handed down to me.  The lens was full manual anyway so I wasn't losing any functionality by flipping it.The ring: The ring is solid metal and very sturdy feeling.  Whether you trust hanging the weight of your lens off of your camera by the strength of the filter threads alone is up to your own anxiety level.  For me, hanging an old, free, and light weight lens off it doesn't bother me at all.Results: well the ring "just works" for me.  Photographic results come down to the lens you use and your technique.  For me I find that using this with my old 50mm lens works much better than using a set of close-up filters on my 18-105mm kit lens for not much more money.Recommendations: I would get the BR-3 ring to go with this so you can put a filter over the back end of your lens once you've flipped it around.  You'll be working pretty close to your subject and it could easily be bumped against the lens.  As others have hinted, it's very helpful to use a lens with a manual aperture ring on it.  What I do is open the aperture wide enough to see my subject and get a feel for the focus and depth of field. Then I crank the f-stop to 8+ (depending on light availability) to widen the depth of field.  Bright Sun or a flash will help you push your f-stop further.  Without TTL metering, you'll have to set your flash manually.  Also you had better know your way around your camera settings since you'll be in Full Manual (M) mode to use this.
Cheap and instant macro lens.  The threads are well cut and the lens screws on smoothly.  But it is not a replacement for a good macro lens.  You do lose all automatic functionality of the lens.
This reversing ring worked great!  It is made of steel so will hold up to heavier use than rings made of aluminum.  Since there are not too many threads on the filter end of the lens, I wanted a ring which was strong enough to hold the lens securely.  This ring fits my requirements.  It fits the camera perfectly and is easy to get on and off.
The best way to take close up pictures is with a good prime 1:1 macro lens.  Not a 1:4 but a 1:1 lens.  The problem is that good macro lens are not cheap.  The 105mm VR Nikkor is superb.Bellows, extension rings, and this reversing ring are the next best bet.
This is the handiest little ring. I use it with my old 50/1.8 lens and it allows me to achieve amazing macro photos.Note, the DOF is really shallow and it works best if you use it with a rail system.
This is a nifty little accessory to add to your gear collection.  I use it with the 50/1.8 and it makes a neat little macro setup.  Be advised that when using a reverse ring you get no metering and no focus control.  This really isn't a big deal because you just move the camera and take some test shots.The DOF with this ring is SUPER thin, so you will learn to use it to your advantage, but it takes patience.I only gave this ring 3 stars because I thought that the threading didn't make me feel too confident that it was securely on my lens and made me somewhat nervous.  I still use the ring and still like it, but I always hold on to the lens and camera while walking when this ring is on.
yessimple - of you are looking here, for a reversal ring, a 52mm for nikon - it wouls be easy at this stage to just say buy it. Buy it.The Engineering on this ring is better than many I have seen from other companies, it really has Nikons signature of quality built right in to it, so on something as affordable as this I would not scrimp and save a dollar or two. Not even 10 or 20 as this ring locks very wonderfully with body and lens.I have macro gear. I added this to my gear and find it so perfect with what I have BUT be aware - if you are using a ring flash you may need 2 of these as now the lens that is closest to the subject is not the inside. I personally like to place a flash off to the side for extreme close-ups as the ring flash, and its depth, prevent me from getting as close as I'd like. I use extension tubes as well.Wonderful - the BR-2A macro adapter ring
For many uses the DR-6 is better...but that one costs almost four times as much as this one.If your main use is macro work then the DG-2 is a much better value.
they don't mention Nikon D800 here for a reason! this expensive eyepiece does not work on Nikon D800 cameras without the very overpriced trivial $20 intermediate ring. the description to this eyepiece mentions that the additional ring is "optional". well, it wasn't included in my option, and I was forced to order it separately.so the whole thing is in $100 range for Nikon D800. probably, you can ask for free ring for their price in the future. I don't expect many buyers are so desperate for this thing for this range of price.focusing with manual lenses is easier, but it's not perfect or very convenient. not very stable and the rubber part is falling off all the time.
I gave this a shot after reading mixed reviews. I thought I could live with it but after trying to use it, I ended up selling it.
Nikon usually puts out a quality product, but this eyepiece magnifier is  not one of them. The small viewing area defeats any benefit of added magnification.  By the way, this originally fit the round eyepieces of the F series cameras.{That should tip you off, it's about 20+ year old technology}. You need an adapter piece to fit the rectangular eyepieces of the DSLR'sIf you do buy it remember that you must focus it by turning the eyepiece lubber part). Never mind, Don't buy this.
I bought this for my Nikon 3200 and it works great, fits well and is well made. I've since moved to my Canon 5D MII for Micro and do wish that this was also made to fit that camera.
It fits quite well with the adapter and allows you to fine focus on the viewing screen.  It does require an adapter which runs about 6 dollars and slides on and off easily.
The viewing area is too small, and it's pricey!I would not recommend this to others.
Item headline IS INCORRECT. To fit a D300S, additional DK-22 adapter is needed.1-star rating is because I can't actually evaluate the item, but must enter a rating. Amazon, consider it a review of your incorrect listing.DK-22 takes an additional 2-4 weeks for delivery, as of this writing.Due to lack of adapter, I will have to defer my real review of the item itself. Looks OK; too small to use as an interim paperweight.
2X Eyepiece magnification for Nikon SLR Cameras Does what it is supposed to do. For closeup focus and Macro work it is a "Got to Have".
Please refer to two fotos added by OddJobber in description above.I keep this mounted on-camera most of the time.  It has improved by closeup and macro shots 100%!My ONLY complaint is that the diopter adjustment works too easily and has no markings.  Just flipping it open to compose the shot then back down to fine-tune focus usually results in resetting the diopters.  A couple of dots painted with a toothpick let me quickly reset focus for MY EYES.  I guess a drop of super glue would hold it in place for your adjustment if you don't care whether anyone else ever uses it.
I received the eye piece today and am very impressed with it. HOWEVER, I wish that the item description would have mentioned that you also have to buy an "optional" piece for nearly $8.00. more before you can attach the eye piece to your camera!!!!  Optional?? Only if you want to actually want to use the eye piece! Well I ordered the "OPTIONAL" piecce but it will not arrive until 2-4 weeks. Thanks for making your description so clear.
I think people do NOT understand that this is for close up work not for a dedicated "viewfinder"The metal hinge is there if you want to see the complete viewfinder/image to make sure that your subject is framed correctly etc, then switch back to the magnifier and focus.Again, for close-up/macro work it is outstanding and a great help for dead on clear and precise focusing...nothing more.Have been using this for years, even in the late 80's you could not find one of these for less than $50.00!!! So I can not see how they are over-priced. Considering inflation I would say that prices have decreased and still a good value for THE CORRECT INTENDED USE!
I found this to work well. The diopter compensation works for me even though the standard diopter compensation on Nikon camera viewfinders is inadequate to correct for my bad eyesight. You really want to be able to use this without glasses because the rubber eyecup will help seal out extraneous light and also makes the field of view larger than if you use it with glasses.Another review which criticizes the "20 year old technology" is way off. It works fine and nothing beyond good optics is needed for this particular application. Flip up the eyepiece to frame the shot, flip it down to focus. Easy.
When you look through the eye piece you can only see about 20% of the viewing area. This might be good for portraits or macro, but hardly worth it. If it were about 3 times larger it would be great, but its not and it sucks.
Don't need this often, the lighting isn't such that I really need to block the eyepiece, but since I was ordering I figured I might as well.
Not much to say other than this is an OEM product.  It covers up the viewfinder fine, but it can be a little finicky inserting it and removing it.  I has a clip on the back and I normally just attach it to my neck strap.
Works really well at keeping the light from interfering with pictures when using the live action mode on your dslr. Handy and fits perfectly in the eyepiece of my Nikon D3100. Get one for yourself!
This eyepiece cap does exactly as promised. When taking pictures with a tripod and using the live screen on my Nikon D3200, I use this to prevent any possible overexposure from the eyepiece.
Nikon DK-5 Eyepiece Cap fits my D5000 without any problems. This the part that comes with Nikon D5000 Camera. It fits fine and snug, easy to install and remove from camera without any problems. Hope this helps!
Not much to say about this small piece of plastic.  It fits right where it's supposed to and I can store it on my camera strap when not in use.
Bought this eyepiece to replace the 1 that came missing from my used Nikon N75. fits like a glove & works great.Ordered & recieved the eyepiece in 1 week.Thanks Cameta Camera!
It's unfortunate that the Nikon D600 even requires this cap to prevent light leakage in through the viewfinder, but I'm afraid the design is such that if you use it as design, you'll lose it.To keep the cap with the camera you'll undoubtedly expect that you can attach it to your camera strap and it will stay put. Not so!  I bought TWO of these and the first one fell off the strap on the first DAY!  I do most of my shooting at night so that cap is LOST.  To make it really useful instead of having a "clip" to keep the cap on your camera strap, they have put an opening large enough to thread the camera strap through so that the cap CAN'T fall off.As designed it's a whole lot easier to lose than a lens cap.  The only way I've been able to keep from losing my second one is by keeping it ON the camera... but of course that means I have no eyepiece to look through and it also means I am NOT carrying around the padded eyepiece.FYI. I also have three other camera bodies, all Canon and while each of them will meter incorrectly if there is no eyepiece cap, only my Nikon D600 REQUIREs this cap to prevent severe light leakage.  That is, while my Canon cameras also have eyepiece caps (which are designed to have the camera strap threaded through them), it turns out I don't NEED them on the Canon's.  Too bad Nikon didn't steal Canon's cap design, or Nikon didn't steal Canon's leak-proof viewfinder.
It replaces the Eyepiece Cap that I lost some time ago. Nothing to mess up so get it if you need it.
This item is very well built, and works great with the Nikon Camera it was purchased to support.  I recommend this item
This works well and simple to use.  Used it on my old D70s and attached it to my strap.  Just need to remember to replace the eyepiece from your pocket when you're done.
Nikon for Nikon camera's fits perfectly.I always get the best value from Nikon items and the extra cost is worth the price.
Since this piece is so small, I decided to pick up another one and the price and availability from Amazon fit my needs.This is an exact manufacturer's replacement part and covers the eyepiece if you are taking long exposures or timed shots and keeps anything in the eyepiece from changing your shot. Used with my D7000 but also works with my D50 DSLR.
This is required if you want take long duration shots of night sky objects.  Apparently light can ruin your photos without this cap in place.
This is an OEM Nikon eyepiece cap, to protect your eyepiece when you remove the cover to switch eyepieces.  Fits well and is durable.
This tiny, but necessary, accessory does what it's supposed to do: block light from coming into the eye-piece and throwing off metering. Using your finger to block the light would work just as well, but is sort of limiting. So we do need something that will stay on by itself and, unfortunately, this is it. This little piece of rigid plastic fits most Nikon cameras with a square viewfinder, including my D-80.Having said that, it is a horrible design. The original came threaded into the original Nikon strap and had to be removed in order to use it. This, of course, required detaching the strap from the camera and working your way through all those plastic loops--no quick task. Once off the strap, you're not tempted to re-attach it, which explains why you lose it between uses. There are so many things that could be changed about it:--it should be possible to use it while attached to the strap;--it should be possible to use it without removing the rubber eyepiece;--it could be less clumsy to slide in;--or it could be made of a more flexible dark rubber (like some Canon ones which you just have to stretch on);--it could have some sort of loop on it which could enable you to attach it to a key chain or some other storage;--it could have a bright colored rim or something which would make it easier to spot/harder to lose;--it could be less expensive or come in a pack with several in it;--or it could be larger so it's harder to lose.There are any number of ways that this design could be improved, but since this is all there is, this is what we have to use.
Hey, it's original Nikon equipment - need I say more?  If you've lost yours, and you do long exposures on a tripod, you need this to prevent light from entering the eyepiece.
I didn't get one of these when I bought my camera, so I ordered this one. Slipped onto the strap just fine, no issues, so I can have it with me when needed.
I recently went to the eye doctor for my routine exam, and discovered I needed a -2.7 diopter correction.  So I bought a corrective eyepiece for my Nikon D70.The diopter choices from Nikon are in whole diopters (-1.0, -2.0, and so on), so for my eyes, my choices were either -2.0 or -3.0.  As the built-in viewfinder in the camera has a correction of -1.6 to +0.5, everything comes in focus at the very end of the viewfinder's adjustment range.  I didn't realize that the camera's adjustment was nearsighted weighted, so I probably would have bought a -2.0 rather than the -3.0; but the -3.0 works.  What the hey; I will probably become more nearsighted as I age anyway.The caveat here is that unless you know for sure, this might be the one time to take your camera to a local store and try the different correction lenses rather than on-line ordering.But as soon as you have found the correct lens, its like night-and-day. Sure, you have to take your eyeglasses off to use the viewfinder, but you gain back the depth-of-view you lose when trying to look through your glasses.  I would encourage anyone that needs corrective lenses to try one. Its an inexpensive solution.
As mentioned under my review of the -2.0 diopter eyepiece, I used this as an experiment outside the original intent.More info here:[...]
My Nikon D5100 is an amazing DSLR. I love everything about it. But the one thing that Nikon has done with the D5100 is make the Diopter adjustment more towards people who are farsighted. Both my Nikon D50 and D70 seem to be for people like me who are nearsighted. My older Nikon Bodies don't need corrective Diopter lenses. I thought that was a little strange but I guess there are more farsighted people than nearsighted hence the change. I took a gamble by buying this corrective lens. But I had no choice since NONE of my local camera shops stocked these important diopter lenses. First times a charm with me. I guesses right. I popped this bad boy on my D5100. I was so happy to finally be able to use my D5100 without glasses!!!!. I now have perfect sight through my DSLR. I can now frame shots with ease and I can finally use manual focus for my Macro work. I should also add that these corrective lenses will space out the DX-20 eye cup from the viewfinder. This in it self is great because it means no more smudges all over the LCD.I was reading some other reviews that said the Diopter won't allow you to use the rubber eye cup. Well my D5100 uses the DK-20 eye cup. which is very common. Its a snug fit but it will work. I recommend you fit the eye cup to the corrective lens first before you install it. Obviously don't try and force it since its very small and make of plastic. Its a little tight but the DK-20 does fit.
This requires about 20 minutes of filing to get the grooves large enough to mount the rubber eyecup on the back.  I recommend you disassemble the eyecup before doing that assembly.  I used a nail file, a flat needle file might be better.
No more mooshing my glasses up against the eyepiece! Yay! This works just precisely as indicated -- easy breezy to attach, and as long as you have the CORRECT prescription (I got the wrong one the first time; whoops!), you'll be very happy. As always, I am beyond pleased with Adorama's speed, price, and service.
These frames do the trick, look sleek and expensive, and are so super easy to slide on. I will definitely purchase more! They arrived quickly and I've had no issues with them.
There is not to much to this frame but it does the job. I bought it to frame a Marilyn Monroe poster and it does frame it quite nicely but it isn't a very sturdy frame. Also the way the picture looks I thought it had a little shine to it but it's just all black.
This is pretty simple acrylic frame. You basically get a piece of cardboard and sheet of acrylic cut to the specified size. You basically sandwich your item between these two using 4 plastic slide on borders cut to size. These apply the pressure needed to keep the frame together. Aligning your image can be a bit of a pain since it tends to slide around before you put at least 2 of the borders on it. Its very cheap in its construction, but will definitely make any bare poster look sharp.
It is an inexpensive poster frame.  Works as designed and well enough for the price.  I plan to order more for the project I am working on.
These are thin and flimsy and would not put a poster in them. I did put a certificate in this I needed preserved and it worked for what I needed it for. It is not special or flashy or sturdy.I would not purchase it again but now that I have it it works.You get what you pay for
My wife took a short vacation to Boulder Colorado recently and came back with a few images we wanted to enlarge to `16 X 20 Inch size.  I purchased these frames because I had used the same style frame in 8X10 and 11X14 also from Adorama.  These frames were the same good quality as the smaller frames and the service from Adorama was the same quick, error-free service I received from them in the past.  I would recommend them to anyone needing an inexpensive picture frame.
These are very nice quality poster frames. They fit together very snugly and the corners match up perfectly. They are value priced too.
it came in a timely manner, snaps together simply enough, but there is a small crack in the upper 3rd of the acrylic, I didn't contact the seller- will just ignore it for now. And I will likely go somewhere local to get a matt surface acrylic to replace it.
I suppose for the price I got a good deal but I found that the edges fall off too easily and then the whole thing falls apart.
One review stated it was hard to put together and that is laughable.  These frames work very well and they are extremely simply to assemble.  I am very pleased with them.
it's okay.  not bad at all.  suitable for a poster.  4 plastic pieces along edges of clear plastic covering poster and ridged cardboard backing.
I received this today, one corner is slightly(maybe an inch long) cracked, but its not noticeable on the wall.  When i was putting my poster in it, it felt pretty sturdy.  And especially considering i couldn't find another frame this size for less than $50, it appears to be well worth the money.
Not even worth the low cost. I wouldn't buy this again, and don't recommend that you buy it either.Lightweight plastic throughout. Started falling apart immediately.Not a good product.
Item was not as strong as I thought it would be. Kind of cheap but then again you get what you pay for.
This frame isn't great quality, it arrives in parts & you slot the black edges together.It's ok to preserve a poster, but doesn't look very good for display purposes.
The frame came loosely packed in a box which did not warn of fragility. I ordered two of these, and the each had a bent corner (complete with plexiglass shards) and the plastic frame edge was cracked on the same corner. It was a bit tricky to get the edge pieces on some of the sides, and where the plexiglass was broken, I did end up marring the poster. The backing is layered cardboard but sturdy enough, and it wasn't much strain to mush the corners flat so that the frame went over them again. After the posters were in, the broken parts aren't very visible.Bottom line: if your poster is valuable, put more money into a frame than this one.
good. but came with lines on the front. it does what i need it to do but the line in the front was a bummer.
With a 55 Micro and a PK13 extension (recommended option) it cuts off part of the image. It also swivels where you have to keep adjusting it so it doesn't go off vertical. It works but it's embarrassing to say this is made by Nikon.
I love these reviews.  How I wish I had paid closer attention to them before I purchased the ES-1.  I would not purchase it were I to do it over.As noted in other reviews, the movable slide holder has nothing to hold it in place, either in focus adjustment or angular orientation.  It's sort of irritating to have to use masking tape to secure adjustments on a $60 device.  Beyond that, there is nothing to position the slide.  The two little spring holders hold the slide alright, but there are no guides to position the slide horizontally, and a bit dicey putting the slide in place.  All slides are 2 x 2, are they not?  Would it have been too much for Nikon to have installed a couple of guide rails?Be forewarned about getting extension tubes, you will need several, and of course, Nikon no longer makes them.  I located a source on eBay located in Australia with the items shipped from Hong Kong!  What a wonderful world we live in.
If you have a camera that can focus at short range, like my Canon PowerShot G9, not having any, perhaps poor optics in the device is a plus. I wish I could make everything shorter to fill the image with the slide. I wish I could use this for loose, un-mounted film.
This product is for copying individual framed slides. I've used it to copy about 1000 slides. Setup: a D7000 camera, Nikon 60mm afd micro lens, a generic 62-52mm step down ring, and a Nikon k5 (20mm) extender tube. I put an inexpensive 5000k CFL in a floor lamp for a light source. The camera's on a tripod and is pointed at the lamp. I set the white balance on the camera to 5000k then fine-tuned to get a virtually equal RGB values on the histogram before attempting to copy slides. I set the camera to aperture priority with aperture f/5.6 and ISO 200. With this setup the autofocus works and there's no vignetting or softness in the corners. I can copy a slide in about 30s, from pulling out to returning to storage sleeve, if no cleaning or trials with exposure compensation are needed. I use the LCD on the back of the camera to align the slide in the ES-1...the D7000 viewfinder is less than 100% coverage and is not usable to align a slide. The 20mm extender tube is not quite long enough to get the whole slide, but the loss is only a sliver. A 21mm extender would probably allow inclusion of a sliver of the frame, in case you'd rather crop that in postprocessing. The ES-1 telescopes and turns, so it is possible to crop and straighten a slide on the fly.I tried the ES-1 with the 60mm afd micro and a D600 (full frame), no extender tube. This is more trouble because the slide is much closer to the camera making the autofocus is spotty. Likely to get a little vignetting and softer corners. Bigger image files as well, which I don't need for the slides I'm copying.Altogether I'm happy with the ES-1. It is indeed well-made and provides a very good alternative to scanning. Nevertheless, it's price is exorbitant. At a minimum it should come with the extension tube needed for use with DX camera and an accessory that would permit copying of unframed slides.
The concept is great and the price is right, but without additional adapters/extension tubes this is useless. I ended up returning the item and buying a used bellows and slide copier on eBay.
Item works fine with Nikon D-90 and D-70.  Most of my slides required cropping after using the ES-1 but that appeared to be only a minor inconvenience as I did not have to copy a large amount.
While I really like being able to make quick copies of hundreds or thousands of slides with this, I encoutnered one points of major frustration:-  I didn't realize that even though I have a macro lens with a 52mm front thread that I would still need a few accessories to make this work.  While the barrel of this adapter extends a bit, it doesn't extend far enough for my use on a non-full frame DSLR.The barrel extends to ~2.875" from the front threads of my lens.This puts it just a little too close for my macro lens to focus on a slide.I thought that adding an extension tube (25mm) behind the lens would fix that.  It did make it so my lens can now focus on a slide inserted into the adapter however now the magnification is such that I can only see ~75% of the slide at a time.  My work around involves a set of step-up adapters and step-down adapters (found on fleabay) to add an extra 12mm or so to the effective barrel length which allows me to eliminate the extension tube and just focus with my macro lens (no more cropping!).After I figured this out, I have quite enjoyed being able to rapidly archive hundreds of old family slides in no time at all.  The only other snafu I encountered was dust - a giottos rocket blower helped minimize that problem.While I wouldn't consider this fully equivalent to scanning on a high quality scanner, I will say that 8x10 enlargements look FANTASTIC and it is a decent alternative if you aren't planning to make posters out of your slides (I shoot in RAW format and use a slave flash for a consistent quality backlight source).In my experience, many old family slides were not taken on a tripod-mounted camera and thus are not exactly "tack-sharp" to begin with therefore, the potential increase in resolution from drum scanning really is of no benefit (though better DMAX really is if the exposure is blown or if you are looking to manipulate the image much in photoshop).
I have been reading reviews of slide digitizers for a long time while waiting for the price to fall to reasonable levels. I have hundreds of slides I'd like to digitize, but I'm a bit loathe to spend what it takes to buy a slide digitizers that will produce really high quality images. Then it occurred to me- I've got a pair of DSLRs, and an excellent Nikkor Micro-55 from the 1960s. A bit of Googling about turned up this device as well as a numnber of reviews and web pages with advice on how to best use it. I bought one, and it does work well. The Micro-55 doesn't interface with the electronics on my DSLRs, so I have to estimate and adjust exposures, depending on light source and the particular slide, but this doesn't take long.The best tip I found involved getting the correct image size. If you use a DX-format DSLR, as I do, using a lens like the 55 Micro-Nokkor that's designed for 1:1 copying (with its dedicated extension) will produce too much magnification, as the DX sensor is smaller than the 35mm film frame. The solution is to add a 55mm-55mm extension tube in *front* of the lens, between it and the Slide Copying Adapter. 10mm is just about the right amount of extension, and you can find tubes like this on eBay for very little. If you can't find 10mm, go longer rather than shorter. The adapter telescopes to half its full length, so you can always adjust shorten the lens slide distance.As some reviewers have noted, this is a very simple device, and doesn't even have a way to lock the extension in place. Once you're set up, a piece of tape works fine, and as this is something you only have to do once. It's not a big problem. Sure, for $60 you'd think they could put in a lock screw, but my feeling is the simpler it is, the less likely it is to break.So while it's not as convenient as a digital copier or a Bowen copying stand, the Nikon 3213 is a good solution for those who own a DSLR and a good macro lens. Some fine tuning is needed for your own particular setup, but with practice and careful calibration you can produce excellent results.
My husband is very much into photography. He chose this adapter to help him in his passion. He loves it.
The good thing about this product is that Nikon does not include any cheap glass in the adapter. ES-1 has no optical elements at all! Thus the quality of your reproduction depends on the quality of your macro lens, and of the camera. So why does an empty tube cost $49 and not $10 as it should? I know, I know, the "N" is $10, the 'i' is $10 and the "kon" is also $10. And we still do have issues with this device:1) Despite its high price, the product has a significant deficiency forcing you to do even more shopping: If used with a customary 50/60mm macro lens, it projects the 35mm slide on a full frame 35mm area. However, the majority of DSLR's support support the smaller sensor size, often called APS or DX. In order to use this adapter with a 'DX size' DSLR, such as Nikon D300, D80, Canon 40D or a Pentax K20, you will have to use an additional 20mm/30mm long 52mm diameter extension ring. This might be the old K5 ring by Nikon. I use the K4 and K5 ring in tandem. Difficult to find, a hassle and more cost to say the least. Nikon should have included such rings in the first place.But wait, there is more!2) You might also need a step-down ring, because most lenses will have a filter diameter larger than 52mm used by ES-1. I need for example a 62-52mm step-down ring, do not confuse it with the much more common step-up rings 52mm-62mm!!3) Another pain with the ES-1 are the two harsh metal springs depressing the slide to the device, what prevents its use with uncut film, and may even damage your slide. This is really a big, major, crying out loud issue with this device: How in heaven shall we copy uncut film? The solution would be so easy, if these springs would be made of a soft teflon, and placed horizontally rather than vertically. But Nikon is (in)famous for being both "the only game in town," and delivering things not well thought through. The uncut film ordeal with the SA30 roll film adapter in their LS4000 and LS5000 scanners comes to mind.4) Another great deficit of this device is lack of any position fixing mechanism. The front element of ES-1 shifts for "zoom" and rotates freely. And this causes that after each change of a slide its position will slightly change. The result are crooked photographs. To prevent this to happen I use... a painters blue tape(!!) holding the front ring, once adjusted into position. How embarrassing! This reminds me of the (in)famous "credit card and a paper clip fix" in the $400 SF200 Nikon slide adapter needed to prevent jams! Nikon team "designs" again.I think that this is a long and impressive list of negatives for such a seemingly simple gadget.To summarize a generic opinion: Do not use any adapter with build in lens elements, take rather the Nikon ES-1 despite its shortcomings. Cheap no-name glass will likely spoil the resolution of your pricey macro lens. Nikon ES-1 is the right way of doing it, however in a lousy execution. Thank you Nikon for ES-1, shame on you Nikon, you blew it again.
there is no better way to copy slides in an affordable way but making sure that you maintain quality and usability. You are copying ur slides at the full resolution potential of your dslr. I recommend this to anyone, just do some research to make sure the focal length will work with your lens.It takes a lot of extensions... iv got loads of up and down c rings that i put together to make sure it focused accurately...if you can work round those problems, u will be blown away!
This is a great binder with strong plastic outer case.  It is wide enough for many pages of slides and/or negatives.
These were different from other binders I had. They won't hold as much as a 4-5 inch binder but they will cover your photos/negatives.
My old binder is a "Work Box" brand.  I actually haven't seen these around in a while, so maybe they have been discontinued but I liked that one better.This binder is good, the flaps lock the binder together very securely (maybe a little too snug, making it harder to open) and it is spacious inside.  The rings are rounded as opposed to the "D" shape, so your negative sheets wont be uniform on one side... not a partiularly huge gripe, but I would really have preferred the D rings so that all the sheets could line up properly as opposed to hugging the ring and making it slightly less efficient to go through your sheets.The plastic is hard, a good quality.  There is no space on the outside to add a tag (unless you make your own with a Dymo, etc).  I am going to use this one for my archived sheets and continue using my other binder for my current negatives.
This is perfect for the photos and negatives that need to be organized so pictures can be looked at easily.
I was finally digitizing my slide collection from the seventies and eighties. I needed somewhere to preserve them when I was done and this box was the perfect answer to that dilemma.
This item is essentially a decent three-ring binder that's also a decent plastic box (emphases on &#34;decent,&#34; meaning &#34;not fabulous&#34; and &#34;will not cause you to swear off all non-plastic consumer products for the rest of your life). Luckily, it isn't flimsy, nor does it feel like it should be handled delicately. I do expect that frequent use will eventually cause the 2-tab locking mechanism (which is also made entirely of plastic) to eventually break, but I haven't yet encountered any issues with it. Since this is an archival item, it probably shouldn't see daily usage, anyway.
This archive box serves my modest purposes as an amateur photographer. I'm trying to scan and then archive many old negatives. If I fill this box I will most likely buy another of the same. The only real drawback is the cheap hinge system- just molded plastic connecting the parts. But since I don't expect the hinges to get frequent use I'm not really concerned with the possibility of them wearing out.
I wish I had these a long time ago. It will take longer now to organize, but it will be great when done.
It is unclear here and other web sites who makes these for Adorama. Is it the same as the Beseler binders? I ordered it to find out.Yes, it is!So if you have used the Beseler or other binders from ages past (remember Satter binders?), this is basically the same thing. No difference.I just wish Adorama sold the white version of this!
I have a massive collection of 35mm slides, taken over a 45 year career.  These inexpensive binder boxes are the best and most economical solution I've come across.  They used to be readily available at photo equipment stores.  Now Amazon has the best connection to retailers who still stock them.
The box came in real handy for storing my slides. I love it! It was just perfect! I would recommend it to everybody!!
I wish the box were prettier but otherwise it's great. Keeps out the light and works well. Great for storage.
This hood is just as good as any other, but I bought the wrong size/for a different lens.I sold mine immediately, but could easily tell it is well built like any other.
it works, it is the same as the original.  No reason to try and save money on this lens hood.
Original Nikon hood, quick shipping. A bit better than the old one that came with my 18-35, at least it feels a bit stronger.
Like metal hoods, but this hood OK.  Typical Nikon original equip is well made but too expensive.  Since hood not absolutely necessary unless shooting  near sun line, I would probably buy a knockoff for half the price next time.
As a sports and action shooter, my UV or NC filters and lens hoods are constantly being trashed.About the time I got extras of each, I stopped being run over by athletes, go figureToo assure that I get the most benefit from lens hoods, I only by Nikon and Leica hoods for my currents cameras
It's a Nikon lens shade with a great price ans was delivered super fast. These are very hard to find items, this where you find it with no regrets
Original Nikon hood, quick shipping. A bit better than the old one that came with my 18-35, at least it feels a bit stronger.
This Nikon HB-23 lens hood is OK.  However, I am always cracking these hoods or they fall off my lens unless i duck tape them on!  I need something more practical.
After some of the fragile grip teeth broke with the hood that came with my lens and after experimenting with cheaper but unsatisfactory alternatives, I finally bit the bullet and ordered this lens hood.  Of all solutions, it does by far the best job.  But I've learned to use this hood much more carefully to avoid the grip teeth chipping off (which can even happen when the hood is in place on the lens but bangs against a hard object).  But with extra care, all is good.  Still I must treat the lens with this hood much more gingerly than in the past.  I understand some well-off professionals often carry extra, backup hoods for this lens.  That bit of insight comes as no surprise.
High quality as always. Perfect for artwork, collectible ads, etc.
This is a great quality product it holds the size of paper it is supposed to hold and it looks very professional.
I like the looks of this portfolio and it seems to be constructed for practical use - easy to fill/ reorder pieces. I purchased two of these (18x14 and 11x17) because I have drawings stored in less than idea ways and I have a studio art therapy class this semester that requires a sketch portfolio submission.  I haven't had a chance to load my pieces in the sleeves yet, so I'm not able to comment on the functionality of the item.I read another customers review stating that the free pad that was advertised with the 18x14 portfolio was not included in their order.  I did not get the free pad either; the advertisement image should be changed or the pad should be included.  Is this false advertising?  Amazon seems too reputable for that.
I bought this so that I could keep some of my child's oversized art-work... the gems they bring home from pre-school and some of the pictures she makes on her easel at home.  It's working perfectly and I'm very happy with my purchase.
I know this is for print work but I like using it for my drawings. It helps protect my work but still allows others to view it.
I am in love with these portfolios. Even this very large size stood up to my needs and demands. Like other reviewers I didn't get the free gift either. But that wasn't why I purchased it so it wasn't too much of a let down. I highly recommend these.
I have reviewed other Itoya ART Profolio products and this one is similarly good.  Please see my review of Itoya IA1214 Art Portfolio, Top Load, 24 Sleeves, 14 in.x17 in., Black.
The portfolio was exactly what I needed to store my items and keep them in good condition and last for a long time
I was so excited to be able to find the size of portfolio that was needed to display several full-size newspaper pages in a way that will protect them. They will work out perfectly.Thanks so much for offering the larger sizes and getting them to us so quickly.
This portfolio definitely does a fantastic job at keeping your artwork safe and clean.The only thing I wish it had is a handle! It can be tricky trying to carry it around.
I purchased the Profolio for my budding artist granddaughter as a Christmas present.  She was awed when she opened the package and was so happy that she had to do a little dance of joy.  She has been storing her drawings in a big box under her bed and was overjoyed at having a safe and secure place to store her art. She also can carry her drawings to display them at shows without fear of them getting wrinkled or smudged. Thank you for giving me a way to make her day.
The smaller folders are really good. But this big size came to me falling apart that the inside clear display section fell off the cover. It looks to me to be structurally  defective because of the heavy weight making it impossible to stay in place. Returned
Great product.  Item came very well packaged.  You get a lot of bang for your buck here.  Sturdy workmanship.  Inside pages are easy to manipulate and well crafted.  Nothing flimsy here.
Pros:- sturdy- doesn't smudge my workCons:- the ad says their is a free sketchbook but it didn't- the last plastic sleeve is damaged
Bought this for my son's graphic arts class to have for college interviews.  It did not come w/ anything free as it says.  There is no handle.  It serves it's purpose.
It's a very nice professional portfolio and I could use it for my big drawings that I did.  If you have big art pieces, this portfolio is the one.
I bought this for my son to store concert posters in.  It is perfect!  Posters fit easily and the backer in each sleeve protects the edges.  Couldn't ask for a better product.
The ad said includes 18x24 sketch book and that was not included in package. The portfolio itself is nice as described
i had wanted something with a handle for easy carrying, but this affordable option will work just fine.  and arrived well before expected.
Book is aesthetically appealing, and durable.  I was initially concerned that the plastic cover might scratch easily, but that has not been the case at all. Book can only hold approximately 25 page holders (50 pages inserted back and front with professional photo paper) comfortably; provided page holders are archival and do not smudge or dent (plastic and paper) easily.  Only dislike is tiny blue square painted on top outside of spine of binder!  Perhaps this was done to help the portfolio presenter identify top from bottom?  Can't say for sure...
This portfolio was exactly what I needed for an art project I did. It arrived within a few days and has worked great.
This product is great! Its sturdy and seems durable. The pages are crystal clear on the inside and all my pieces fit. They only way it could get better is if it had a handle.
I bought 2 of these, at that price I could not pass them up.  They are $50 everywhere else.  They are heavy duty and with 24 sleeves, that is a lot of room for your pictures. And the delivery was quick, within 5 days. Thank you.
I picked this up to store my collection of 18x24 and smaller screen prints I collect from Nakatomi, SpokeArt, Mondo, Gallery88 and others.It is always best to keep them flat vs inside the tubes and I also wanted them to be easily to browse through. This binder is perfect. It gets kinda heavy once full but thats because paper is heavy.The portfolio is high quality and can handle the weight and bulk of 2" of prints. I recommend this to anyone who needs a good storage space for their prints. The price on this is great.I really wish there was a similar solution for my 24x36" prints. Any suggestions?
The other review here says the item "does not need an special album, a regular 3 ring folder is enough." THIS IS INCORRECT.  The protector sheets are 13 inches by 9.5 inches, and if you can find a 3-ring binder big enough to fit, then, congratulations, you are a better shopper than I (and I'm no slouch).  All the ring binders that I've found that are large enough have 4 rings, not 3, and since these pages have 3, they are incompatible.  Sorry I made this purchase.  Made me wonder if Adorama Camera has ringers writing reviews.
Not much to say about these simple card storage pages. I collect vintage photo postcards of Hawaii and these archival pages are just what I need for storing them safely.
these sheets look good, but I was planning on putting them in a regular 3 ring binder.  Nope - they don't fit. At some point, I need to buy a real photo album that uses these pages.
Printfile's products are the best.  Only archival sheets we trust to protect sensitive b&w and color prints. You'll will never make a mistake using these and Amazon.com has a large assortment of the company's products..
These print files are the proper and only way to store your photos.  Although we are moving away from paper and toward digital media, everyone has hundreds or even thousands of old photos lying around.  Don't neglect them!  They are precious!  Keep them for future generations, and do it with proper archival preservation.  Use this stuff.
I have many of these because is the best way to keep my photos organized, and it does not need an special album, a regular 3 ring folder is enough.
These PrintFile brand photo sleeves are excellent quality and work perfectly.This product (Printfile 35-8P) holds the 8 photos (four on each side) so they are all in "portrait" format.  Contrast that with Printfile's 35-10P (couldn't find an Amazon link), which holds 10 photos (five on each side) so that 3 are "landscape" and 2 are "portrait", per side.I have some of each style, and I've decided that I like the 35-8P (this product) better even though it holds fewer photos.  My wife and I are not skilled photographers; rather more of a point-and-shoot type.  We shoot photos in both formats, but most of our photos are in landscape format.  With the 35-8P sleeves, while we'll have to first turn the binder 90-degrees to comfortably view landscape photos, we won't have to keep turning the binder often, as we would using the 35-10P sheets.If you have total freedom of the order of your pictures, you may have better luck, but I found it difficult to load the 35-10P pages -- it seemed whenever I needed to fill in a portrait slot, I didn't have one, or I had 4 portrait ones I wanted all on the same page, etc.I have number of different Printfile brand photo and negative sleeves, and I've been extremely happy with their clarity, ruggedness, and design.Here are some sizes.  The 35-10P page is somewhat larger, which could matter for your binder or if you plan to use index tabs in some way.Printfile 35-8P (this product):Total overall height: 11"Total overall width: 9 1/2"Width from center of holes to outer edge: 8 13/16"Printfile 35-10P:Total overall height: 11 5/16"Total overall width: 10"Width from center of holes to outer edge: 9 1/2"
The size, quality, and convenience of use found in this product makes it perfect for organizing and storing photos or postcards in collections, albums, or other uses. I easily had use for three packs of 25 and found I needed more.
The pages seem tough enough to last a long time.  I won't remember to revise this review in 10 years or so, when I know whether the photos stick to the plastic or the plastic will yellow and fall apart.  I do know that I enjoy getting my more valued prints organized without the effort of making an album.
I've used these photo pages for a very long time.  Only brand I will buy.  Not easy to find 3x5 since most people seem to prefer 4x6.  I really dislike the pages that hold 3 photos horizontally and 2 vertically, so these are perfect.  After decades my older photos are still pristine thanks to these protective pages.  I recommend them highly.
My small business requires that I keep a stock of archival photo sleeves on hand. I let the supply run low. I received this order fast, and at a reasonable price. I was able to keep up the production end of things without a pause.
We've been digitizing our massive photo collection, and transfering scanned photos from shoeboxes into these lovely photo pages.  They are durable and easy to use.  Photos fit snugly, without forcing, and stay nicely in place.  They seem protected from both attic heat and basement chill.  The holes in each side are reinforced and very strong, so even when they've been abused in heavily overly-full binders there hasn't been a hint of tearing.Simply fantastic pages. Thanks for keeping our memories safe!
My husband has been busy off and on since this summer organizing all of our old photos using the PrintFile print storage pages.  They're acid free and work well in the binders we use to archive our prints.
This product is exactly what it's advertised as. Sturdy plastic pockets for holding pictures, coupons, or anything else you want to organize in a binder format. They're working great for me!
These photo pages hold photos securely in about as good a configuration as is possible with 4x6 pictures.  They are completely transparent and quite strong.  The photos slide in quite easily and seem to stay securely in place. If you need three ring binder, 4x6 photo pages, I think you will be pleased with these.
I needed some pages to put pictures in that would fit a normal size binder, they seem great quality and were perfect for what I needed.
Have been trying to organize my pics and put them in separate albums.  These print storage files are perfect.  I place the pics back to back in each holder and then place some that are relevant in between the 2 pics.  The holders are not heavy but also strong enough to hold these pics.  They are for 4 x 6  but I had 3 x 3's for which I did the same thing.  Will be ordering more
This was my second order of the 4x6 print storage sheets. The color and coating has so far remained clear providing good visibility and protection for my photographs.
These sheets are easy to handle and really facilitate management of large numbers of photos that you want to file.
I have many of these because is the best way to keep my photos organized, and it does not need an special folder or album,  a regular 3 ring folder is enough.
I have bought these photo pages before and like them especially for the vertical photos.
This product is great.  I don't have time for scrapbooking but I can put pictures in these and then in a binder.  When I'm gone the family will have and they won't be damaged from glue, etc.
I have started shooting 120 film in the last year or so and needed a way to store all of the negatives. I found it to be a bit difficult to get my film loaded into these file pages. I expected more of a rigid plastic and these are of a "stretchy" plastic material. My negatives were originally left whole and stored rolled up in small boxes. This meant that I needed to cut the negs down into strips of 4 frames and then load a partially curly bit of film into these sheets. I have only taken one star off of the product due to this difficulty, as I find them great in every other way. I appreciate that the binder edge is printed so that each page can be labeled.
These negative sleeves for medium format film are the best I have found.  Amazon has a good price and fine service.
These sleeves are easy to store and remove negatives from. There is a label along the side for marking notes & dates and it easily fits into a standard binder. The plastic is thin & transparent, so it's easy to see your negatives without removing them. Love it!
I've been using these for years for my 6 X 6 negatives. They do the job well and fit into standard 3 hole looseleaf binders for storage. I prefer these, with three strips of four negatives, over the 120-4B Negative Preservers, which hold four strips of three, because I like making as few cuts as possible. However, I do prefer  the 120-4B sheets for 6 X 9 (four strips of two) and 6 X 4.5 (four strips of four). I'm glad I don't have a camera that makes 6 X 7 negatives--I can't think of a good way to store ten frames.
this is the best way to archive your negatives. you can put posted notes on the page to record information like date location and camera.
I don't understand why these sleeves are such poor quality. I was using Ultima Sleeves by Print File which are strong with a thicker clear plastic. These sleeves that I bought are flimsy, the texture isn't as glossy, and the negatives don't slide in with ease. I just got JAM'D
Great for shanty house construction
The item ships fast and is of good quality. I would use this again if ever I ran out of it.
Really good size. Especially if you shoot non 6x6 medium format (like 6x9 or 6x7). If you only shot 6x6 you can get the Printfile with 3 vertical film strips.
All professional photographers know how easily color negatives can be damaged if not properly stored.  We've trusted this company's products for many years to protect valuable, irreplaceable color negatives from the rages of time.  And Amazon stocks a wide variety.  Tell all your photographer friends (who still shoot film) that this is one of the safest ways to store color negatives.
I got these not for the film strips. I actually got them to keep my children's swim ribbons. With every swim meet, they earn ribbons, and these are perfect size to organize the ribbons. I love it!
Finding storage pages for family 120 negatives from the '60s took quite a bit of searching.  However, these pages were exactly what I need.  They're strong and sturdy but perfectly clear, making it easy to see the negatives inside.
One page can hold one roll of 120 6x6 photos. But it won't hold 4 6x4.5 frames. So can't be used for 6x4.5 or 6x7. Use something else.
Fits Holga film perfectly
I had sheets for my 120 negs that required storing in individual pockets.  This format is wonderful, as the negs can be stored with 3 together.  This makes the negs easier to work with.
Looked for the perfect container to put my grandparents old negatives.  This was perfect.  They are clear enough that you can view the negatives as you are thumbing through the pages.  The material they use is durable and does not feel cheap and flimsy.  None of the pockets ripped when I put the negatives in.
The sleeves do not catch my chromes/films. You can fit two 6x9cm, four 6x4.5cm per row. Thus a roll of 120 format film can be stored with one sheet. The top of each sheet has a white area to write notes on and a Sharpie permanent marker works well. It is an ideal solution to archiving my medium format film.
Perfect size to fit one roll of 120 film. The only complaint i had was that it opens from both ends, I would have preferred that they didn't, but it's not a big deal and still worth 5 stars.
I develop my own black and white film, these sleeves work perfect for storage.  They have a white area at the top where you can label the sheet with data about developing, the camera/film you used, etc.  The plastic itself seems fairly durable.  I am pleased and would recommend them!
After getting back into the darkroom after a little absence, I found that my archival supplies had magically disappeared. I'm rather fastidious about my negative storage and decided I needed some 120 sleeves quickly!PROS- Good value for money- Easy to insert negatives- A full roll of 120mm can be fit on a single page- Clear for easy negative viewingYou would be surprised at the (now) several sleeves I have tried that either don't allow you to fit a whole 120mm roll on one page, or are less than totally see-through. These sleeves make negative storage and viewing very easy, and I will be buying more in about 22 rolls time!
These are your standard negative carriers for 6x4.5 or 6x7 medium format negatives.  Not heavy duty but perfect for what I needed.
The product is just what I needed to organize negatives and keep them protected. It's so nice being able to have them all visible like this rather than flipping through them in a box somewhere.
This is exactly what I expected it was going to be.  Bit pack of negative sheets just like I get from the lab.
These sleeves have held up well throughout my photography classes. They're just the right size for 120 film and has enough room to allow for varying negative lengths.
In the Good Old Days we could get two brands of negative preserver: Print File and Vue-All. Print File is the survivor, which is good because Print Files were always better than Vue-Alls.We have before us a sheet for medium-format film. It will hold four strips of any of these cuts: four frames of 6x4.5cm, three of 6x6cm and two of 6x7cm. If you put 6x7 negs in this sheet there'll be a lot of empty space in the slot, but that's better than using the &#34;official&#34; 6x7 sleeve which is too wide to fit a standard three-ring binder.If you shoot film you must have these.
Because it fits 4 strips of 3 6x6 negatives, it is ideal for the negative holders that come with the Epson V750 scanner. Strips of 4 negatives can be used, but one of the frames protrudes out of the bottom of the carrier and you have to turn the negative around to scan that frame. That's why, if you have this scanner or another 3-frame negative holder, you should get these instead of the vertical ones.Other than that, they are great - you should know it if you need them. Actually, you should know the part about the strips of 3, too, so I don't know what I'm doing here anymore.Oh, and don't use ethanol to try to erase sharpie writing on the white strip at the top because the white will also rub off.
I've used various Print File negative and photo pages for several years.  Got these 120-4B as I'm doing more 120 filming lately.  They accept three square or two wide negatives per pocket.  Durable and easy to view on the light table.  They are archival.
What more can one say? It protects the negatives and it is clear enough for contact prints. Definitely worth the price.
this was something that was great for my photo negatives it is great and keeps my stuff safe and great
This is exactly the product for archiving 6x6 negatives for short or long term. Easy to put negatives in and equally as easy to remove them for scanning or prints.
They are exactly what they are supposed be.  I really don't have more than that to say.  My film is happy
These have worked great in storing all of the negatives from the family archives. Makes it easy to sort and store these.
Perfect for keeping your negatives in order. I used to hate keeping negatives because I never had a good dedicated place to put them, but a simple file keeps them organized and out of the way. Great for those of us who still use film.
This is the best film preserver I've used. When my local camera store discontinued carrying it, I was happy to find it online. Film is a dying art, but there are still some of us using it and in need of film related products.
These negative storage sheets help me keep the order of the film, they are very practical because they have holes and can be saved in standard size folders
It's the good product to me. I used to look for this kind of product. Cheap and useful. I can use it to build my film documents.
I use them for my medium format slides and negatives (6x7).  I can fit only two per row...three per row is probably for 6x6 crop sizes.  The plastic material is nice and transparent and I can't find it add any discoloration or diffusion when I put the slides on the light table.  It is especially handy for that purpose.  It is a good way to protect the slides, but since the plastic that makes them up is kind of thin, you can expect the three holes (for the binders) to eventually wear if you are flipping them often.  I try to grab about 10-15 pages at a time and flip them at once to reduce wear on the holes.It's a small investment to make to protect your film for many years.
Fairly easy to insert/remove, very easy to hold 20 slides at a time to the light.  I can easily cheaply store 2000 slides in two large binders, and actually find the slides I'm looking for, compared to storing them in a closet full of expensive slide trays where they aren't as well protected.
The top of the slide pocket tends to tear if you are not careful how you insert theslides.  Other than that it would be a 5 star rated item.  I will buy them again.
This exactly what I was looking for to organize my old slides. They will not get damaged as they did in boxes.
Good for archiving slides and getting them into a binder where they are accessible.  Easy to insert and to remove.
I bought this because I have been working on archiving all my photo negatives and Slides. It has taken me a few years to go through all my negatives and archive them. Now I needed to start on the slides.To explain my project a little, I am putting all my negatives and slides into protective sleeves. I have put all these sleeves in a binder that can zipper close (to prevent things from falling out). I also put in several index dividers and created a table of contents in the front. It was important that I organize the negatives as much as possible to find them later.First thing I noticed when I received this item was that the package is pretty heavy duty. There are a lot of sheets inside and it was nice to know that the company wanted to protect them. I have gotten slide and negative sheets that were folded in the past. These were not.Another thing is that these are slightly wider than index dividers and will cover up any dividers below it. If this is a problem you can purchase adhesive dividers that can attach to the edges of the sheets.The plasic they used to make this was pretty heavy duty. It actually feels thick in your hand. Not thin and cheaply made. This means that your seams and openings for putting in and taking out the slides will withstand a little beating.Another thing that I like is that I can put the slide in the pocket either up and down, or side ways. This allows me to always orientate my picture in an upright and viewable position. I have some other slide holders that are a bit narrow and are difficult to get the slides in and out. This product does not do that.I also like that each picture, or slide position has a place to record what the picture is. There is also a space at the tope of the page to put the date, assignment, and file number. Having the ability to identify the individual slides makes it easier to retrieve them later.Anyone that is archiving some slides should consider ordering this item. Getting it in the pack of 100 really saves on ordering more later. If you have a lot of slides 100 sheets will really help too.
I needed to get 2,000 old slides out of Carousel trays and reclaim that shelf space. I've read dozens of reviews of digital slide scanners from people across the country with the same need and motivation, and none right now stand out as the perfect solution. At the very least, even if the technology was flawless, I could see hours upon hours evaporating as I fed slides into the scanner, adjusted for exposure or color balance, and finalized the copy. So I decided that instead of scanning the whole collection, I'd put them all in archival sleeves, keep the sleeves in a binder, and as needed pluck out specific slides for digitizing on the best, simple, low-capacity digitizer I can find at the moment. After all, most of these I'll never look at again--I just don't know which I will want to use for some purpose or share when nostalgia moves me. These sleeves seem to be the most commonly used, and I'm hoping they are sufficient protection for the next few years--after which, I suppose, no one will care. I did have a few slides stored already in older, heavier plastic sleeves that seem to have hardened a bit and turned somewhat opaque over the past 30 years or so. I've transferred those, too, and trust the new ones are of a material that is truly more "archival."
Who will ever project them again?  Get them out of the trays and into these pages.  Protection and less (much less) storage room needed.
great service, product exactly as described and arrived in a very timely manner. thanks have been looking all over for these
Any page that is archival will do, but I like Printfile's for several reasons:  Heavy gauge material. Top openings is a little quicker to work with - no thinking required.  And the top row is a bit down from the top, so sliding in and out is just as easy as with the other rows. (Some protectors have the top rows opening at the very top edge, which makes it sometimes difficult to open and grab the slide.  Top opening is also handy if you want to store buttons or something; just don't turn the binder upside down.  (For any items of particular value -- e.g. rare coins --  I'd get a system designed for that type of item.)
Since I am scanning and organizing my collection of slides anyway, I thought I'd pick these up to replace some of the beat-up boxes some of my slides live in now.Using these to store slides in binders will be more economical than archival file boxes, and makes them easier to view with less handling. Slides fit snugly, and the sleeves appear to be of very good quality material.And my slides are happier!
Finally able to organized years of slide in separate boxes into the sheets then into a binder.  Local photo shops either don't have them or charge a lot higher.
The only proper way to store photographic 35mm slides is in slide pages like these. The slides are well protected from dust and oxidation, yet able to breath. The plastic file pages are safe (PVC free) for film storage and will not damage the emulsion over time, as many cut-rate storage pages will.Easy to use, the slides slide in and out very easily. The thickness of the plastic makes these storage pages very durable and easy to handle. Made to fit a standard 3-ring binder, they are great for organizing your archives and still allow easy access. You can view the slides directly through the plastic, so you only have to remove or handle a slide when you need to.There are also nice areas to write on the slide pages, so that you can catalog them for easy reference. If you are still storing slides in boxes or paper sleeves - I would strongly urge you to upgrade to this form of storage!
These work great.  Put all my Dad's slide collection into these.  Now instead of 15 slide projector carousels and boxes of random slides, I scanned them into my computer and put them in these sleeves and into binders marked by date and event.  A lot more organized and compact.
i have seveal slides from back in the 40's 50's and 60's that my dad took and i found them and am so anxious to see them but also needed to keep them neat and organized
Came exactly as described. I had no issues with each slot opened smoothly and did not need to &#34;cut&#34; opening as some other reviewers wrote.
I've been sorting through hundreds of slides taken by my Dad and Grandfather and this product works great.Loading them into these pages makes it so much easier to compare sets of slides and let the siblings pick ones to be scanned. I was leary of ordering these, thinking they would be flimsy and hard to load, but that's not the case. The slides insert quite easily.One caution about ordering them with other items. They shipped in a box with a big bottle of vitamins and packing paper. Unfortunately my husband pulled out the vitamins and recycled the box -- I assume with this $29 item -- we don't know because the recycle truck came by that same day. Sadly I had to purchase them a second time.
Perfect solution for what to do with old slides that need to be removed from bulky carousels.  Easy to work with and good price.
This is an excellent way to store slides--35mm. I am in the process of restoring old 35mm slides from many years ago and have been looking for a may to protect them once they are restored. This is an easy and inexpensive way to accomplish this!
These slide sheets were exactly what I needed to organize and store the old slides I got from my Dad.  They are fairly thin plastic, but appear to be durable, and I like that they are archival.  These are a great way to organize a slide collection.  You can hold them up to the light and see exactly what they are.  Much better than putting them in boxes or slide carosels that make them difficult to look at.
What can I say about these sleeves? They are exactly as advertised. I've had no need to use an exact-o knife as every pocket has been open and available. I'll update the review in ten years to let you know if they are truly archival quality...
I have bought many of the different printfile archive sleeves over the years and they do the job.They make it very easy for slide/neg/print storage as well as being able to select the next slide for scanning - beats rummaging through the old yellow Kodak boxes! Sometimes the slits are a little hard to open but once open they work fine.Prices seem to be creeping up over the years but that may be due to the drop off in demand for film related products. Then again the prices for the binders to put these in have gotten very expensive over the years too!
I am impressed with the construction.  These slide holders will last a long time. They title strip makes it easy to label each slide. Good product.
These slide pages are exactly what I needed so I would not have to put all those slides back in a cannister I would not use.  I placed allthe slides in the album slide holder and used much less space.
I received about 50 boxes of slides in carousels from my parents and they take up too much space. So to keep the slides safe (and give myself room) while I'm trying to scan them all, I decided to load them into sleeves. They work great! I can now fit hundreds of slides in a binder that takes up the same space as one carousel!
I have used these for years, but was unable to find them in a store.  Found on Amazon and like using them as they are an easy way to view and store the hundreds of slides I have.
I am doing a project that involves organizing hundreds of 35mm slides taken back in the 60's and 70's and needed an archival means for storing and organizing them. The Printfile holders are perfect for this application.
I had too many boxes of slides and purchased this product to try to get more organized. Now, I have most of my slides in these sleeves and in binders according to date. (Even though I purchased 100 pages, I need more pages to be completely organized!)I am very satisfied with this purchase!
I needed a way to organize my grandparent's old slides and this product worked perfectly!  The sheets are great quality and I would recommend them to anyone.
I found some old slides my Dad took 40+ years ago.  They were in boxes and all mixed up.  These sleeves allowed me to organize the slides and protect them.  And it's easy to hold them up to a light and see what they look like without looking at them one by one.  I may need to buy another package, since I still occasional shoot slides.
The individual slide compartments are nice and strong so removing the sides is easy.  I'll have to update the review after I have used them for a few months but they look great.
As 35mm slides move into the past, it is pretty much impossible to find storage slide pages in the usual local office supply stores.  It was nice to find them on Amazon, and it was even nicer that my pack of 25 pages was delivered from the seller without shipping & handling charges. There are some minor differences between the newer Print File slide pages and those that I had purchased some years ago.  However, these minor changes do not translate into lesser quality.  The seller delivered my slide pages early in the projected delivery window, and the USPO managed to get them to me without any sharp creases or puncture wounds.  I considered giving a 5-star review, but I couldn't get excited enough by a simple storage product to go the distance.  Regardless, I highly recommend this product for anyone who still has 35mm slides and wants to keep them nicely contained.
Slides go in here! What else can I say? If you for some reason have old slides, they will fit in here.
This simplifies the way to store slides. Easy to get in and out. Also easy to group in small sections
Needed to get slides out of my carousel, sorted, edited and stored in a more usable form.  These pages have done the trick in the past, and I'm sure they will do it again.I would buy these slide pages again.
These are the real deal! They are the highest quality slide pages I have ever used, in fact they are the only brand I have ever used. Nuff said
Amazingly I only ordered 1 package it and it fit everyone of my slides that my folks took when I was a child. It is a great way to preserve your slide and makes it easier to sort through them.
Good product.  My only complaint is that these are advertised to fit in a standard binder.  A sheet measures 11 11/16 inches high.  In contrast, a Print File 35-7B for 35mm negatives measures 11 3/16 high.  My binders are 11 9/16 high, so this product sticks out on the top and bottom a tad, making it difficult to store vertically on a bookshelf.
I purchased this to put things other than slides.  The sleeves were too big for what I needed and my stuff kept falling out.  The pockets are slippery and lose, so keep this in mind if you plan on putting things other than slides in.
I bought these for an unconventional use -- to store my many samples of mineral makeup that come in small plastic baggies.  Depending on the size of the baggie, you may need to fold the baggie in half to fit in the slot.  Smaller square baggies can fit without folding.  Put these sheets in a binder and it's a great way to store lots of makeup samples -- does not take up much space, and you can easily flip through the pages to find the color you're looking for!
I have slides to keep and hold on to.  I hope these archival slide holders will do a better job than the original ones I had. The original slide pages broke down into graphite over time leaving a greasy residue on some of my precious slides.. I have transported my originals into these new slides pages and at this point in time, I am well-pleased. Only time will tell, if they are truly archival.
Its a simple product that provides me with the means of a simple task. The price is right and you provided it.
I am the Archivist (volunteer) for a local historical society.  We had a need for storing a number of old 35mm slides in a protected and organized manner.  These pages work perfectly and can be filed in archival file folders in archives boxes.
Got this to help sorting 35 years of slides to scan and print. Not high tech or rocket science, but does exactly what it was intended to do. Allows a page of slides on a light box to be reviewed to determine which are worth scanning. A suggestion, mark those that are scanned with a dot or something on the slide itself so if someone (like your wife) wants to improve your selections, you know which ones were already done.
I really am pleased that I ordered these slide pages to store my old slides.  The original boxes they came in were deteriorating which is bad for the slides.  These sleves hold each one individually and are clear so you can hold it up to the light and preview them.  There is also a label strip at the bottom of each slot too!
These were great.  Perfect.  They all load from the top which is far more convenient than past left/right loading.  One never is totally sure of the true "archival" nature but these seem to be high quality plastic sheets.  Fast delivery.  Very pleased with this order.
I used these to rid myself of carousel trays that were taking up too much space. Buy a heavy duty binder to place them in and they seem safe until they can be scanned digitally.
Excellent product for ease of storing for long periods of time and easy to use.
The slides require a bit of pressure to get them into the sleeves, but just enough that they won't come out unless you want them to.  It is nice to be able to SEE all of the slides without removing them from a box and worrying about fingerprints.
Just what I needed and hard to find in stores; am cataloguing old family slides. That's all I can say
These slide pages are serving me well as I sort thru a large collection of old slides.  I ultimately want to digitalize them, but in the interim, these clear, plastic sheets are helping me to organize and categorize them.  An entire sheet, full of slides, can be placed on a light box (or even held up to a light) and the slides are visible.  I highly recommend them for any slide project.
We recently received a box full of slides from my parents' estate. I ordered the 35mm slide pages to organize and protect them. They work great, are heavy duty and allow us to view and arrange the slides very nicely.
They only have room for four negatives per row, which is inconvenient when I have rolls of film that come with about 35-37 photos. I would suggest to choose a different product if someone has the same number of photos per roll of film as I do.
The product does what it is supposed to do, it holds flim negatives, but I find it very frustrating when the edge of the film pokes holes in the plastic holder.  If only it was made a bit tougher then I wouldn't have these problems but as is, it could use a little reinforcement.  THis really isn't a big deal and if you just want someplace to put your negs then this product will do the job.
I didn't pay attention when ordering these which is my fault, but these are far too narrow. I prefer negative pages that hold 5-6 frames per strip, not 4. However, these are great otherwise and I'll probably use them for 12 exposure rolls of film or something and put 2 to a sheet.
I also have many 35mm negatives sitting around in less than optimal storage conditions. These holders are my attempt to organize family memories and although these are not as stiff as I had hoped they get the job done. I just ordered a couple more, recommended
In this age of digital cameras, having a way to archive and preserve "old" 35mm negatives is a way to save the past for future generations. I could not locate these pages locally, so I've very grateful to have found this reliable source for a great product.
I really like this product. Just a heads up, there are different sizes. I am a novice and I did not realize that before ordering. I wanted the ones that hold strips of 5 and did not pay attention to the description. These work for rolls of 24 exposure for one sheet. I am still able to use these and it is NO reflection on the company, the product is perfect.
I LOVE the negative archival pages from PrintFile: they offer a quality product at a very reasonable price. The only drawback with this particular version comes into play if you are cutting 35mm negative rolls into four-shot strips: the curvature of the film stock causes the negative pages to curl. I was able to resolve this by placing the pages in question in the middle of its storage binder. The weight of the adjoining pages keeps the misbehaving pages in line, at least until you open the binder and turn to the offending page(s).
My photofinisher cuts my negatives into strips of four frames, and I couldn't for the life of me find negative pages that'd hold strips of that size with no wasted space.  I like the four-frame strips, mostly because they're small and easy to handle, and these sheets take care of helping me file them away with no issues.I love shooting film, but I hate filing negatives.  This takes care of that quite easily.  The negs slide into the pages easily and the soft plastic means they won't get scratched as long as they don't have any dust on them.  The plastic won't stick to the negs, but it will hold them in place, so if you need to have one enlarged it's a simple matter of removing it and taking it to the nearest enlarger.  Of particular note is that the negs slide in from both sides, so it may be easier to push a strip out the other side if you need to remove it.I like the writable area at the top of the sheet; I use a fine-tipped Sharpie to write on it instead of trying to use a ballpoint, and I find it works better.The only problem I have is that a 36-exposure roll of film will take ten rows, so you have to use two pages for that roll.  If you're like me and anal-retentive about how your negatives are filed, you'll end up wasting a fair amount of space on these lost rows, and so you'll have to buy more of these pages than you'd like.  It's no reflection on the product, and you might want to find six-frame pages by the same maker and instruct your photofinisher to cut your negs into strips of six instead.
I've going through my old negatives.  Some have been scratched by being in paper sleeves.  These pages hold and protect the negatives from further damage.  The pages are thick and protective.  I think it is a very good deal for the price.
I used these to hold a collection of ticker-tape strips I have. It works like a charm thus far. I will update this in the future if I have any issues.
I wount ever put myt negatives there, I have no trust that these plastic are not making fungus very fast!
I bought these Archival pages to hold the hundreds of negatives sitting in rolls in my office. As another reviewer mentioned, these are really the best because they are entirely translucent and can be viewed directly with a loupe without having to remove them - a feature that my previous pages (with "protective" paper) lacked.For the price, you really can't do any better, and these are very good quality. I have had archival pages rip while trying to insert negatives, without much force, and yet these have stayed intact very nicely. They are thicker than others I have used, which give these pages a nice feel to them!I can't find anything to complain about - these pages truly merit the 5 stars given, and I will be ordering more as my film collection grows!
Pros:-Easy to load-Each sheet will hold an entire 36 exposure developed roll-Optically clear enough to make contact prints-Does not scratch filmCon:-Larger than a standard three ring binder (not really a con, more like a consideration)
It's really comfy and easy to store the film in this format 1 page = 1 roll. My only concern is the film that is not straight it's a bit of hassle stacking it cause it will curl with the film. Now I'm pressing my film under heavy books. best bang for your bucks with film archival formats :)
I like this product b/c it's easy to store & remove negatives, there is room to label on the top & it's transparent so you can see your negatives easily without removal. The plastic is quite thin & it stores in a 3 ring binder, although the size is best suited for larger than standard binders.
These sleeves are clear and make negative viewing easy, including through the ten power loupe I regularly use. This feature alone provides a decided improvement over my thousands of individual translucent sleeves that protect the six frames inside but require each strip be pulled out in order to view it -- to tell what's on a negative. However, the clear product is more difficult to load negatives into as the sides tend to collapse in and hold strips from making it all the way inside. A puff of air and some wiggling are required to release the strip. A little practice reduces the problem. I find the sleeves so convenient for making selections from thousands of frames that the one disadvantage is of such minor consequence I otherwise rate the product a solid five. I intend to order more of these sleeves and gradually transfer all of my negatives from my old sleeves into this product.
The service was good and the product meet expectations. Be carefull with the size of the pages, they are biguer than standard so you will need a special binder. I did not choose 5 stars because the holes are very flimsy, and I am not sure if they will not broke easy very soon
I bought this sheet because it was advertised as a sheet for 6 negatives per row. I cut my negatives to fit and when the item arrived....5 negatives per row.This isn't the item that is shipping.
There are small sizes, but this is the right one. My Minolta 5400 can scan 6 frame strip. The Epson V750 scans 6 frame strip too. Also, I shoot panoramic and this fits 4 frames. I can file a complete 36 exposure film on one complete page. The small ones just would not do. I can't use two pages to fit one roll of film.There is no smell.
If you scan negatives for yourself, this 6 frame by 7 strip archive sheet is a good choice.First, many scanners take six frames in a row.Second, if you roll your films using a bulk film loader, often your canisters hold more than 36 frames. Then this sheet is useful. You can put the entire frames from a canister in one sheet. You won't have a overflow to the next sheet.
Guess im one of the few lucky ones who receive the stated 7 rows of 6 frames. Placed my order on 2/3/12.
I've been gradually archiving old photos onto my laptop, and these pages help keep my negatives in order.  They are great for organizing negatives- I only wish they still made them for 110 format negatives.
These Negative storage sheets have been the only/best good solution for many many years. I have 40+ years of 35mm and 120 film negatives stored in Printfile sheets. They file in notebooks nicely and they make awesome contact sheets without removing negatives from the sleeves. I've gone all digital for my new photos but my collection of negatives is too precious to risk damage from sitting in envelopes etc. The Printfile sheets I have from many years ago still look as good as the ones I just bought and the negatives still slide in and out easily when I need them.
NOTE .. this will hold 5 across ..so if you are running a 36 exposure roll .. you will have one image onto the NEXT negative page ..(but for my own purposes, that is not a problem since I code all my film canisters and know where they were shot by the code)
If  you're a bit older then you have some film negatives lying around. I've been working on storing ours in a binder. These pages hold 35mm film negatives and there is space at the top to write down information like year and place so you can organize them.
Print File's negative page is essential if you have negatives that you would like to save and store.  Instead of keeping them in the degradable plastic that came with your developed prints, take out the old shoebox that they live in, and put them in these archival pages.This has made my life easier and my files so much more organized!  With a space at the top for writing subject content and date, this is a saving grace for those of us who have negatives that we would like to hold onto.It is getting harder to find these in camera stores and photo stops, but I am thrilled that Print File has such good customer service and a good product.
These fit well into a standard 3-ring binder, but you might consider the printfile sealed cases for your negatives.  You can fit a typical 24 exposure roll using one with the negatives cut 4-up.  You'll need 1-1/2 for a 36 roll.  The quality of these is excellent.
I had thousands of 35mm file lying around in envelopes and drawers. I decided to try to organize the film and thus ordered the negative holders. They are excellant for storing 35mm file negatives. The film inserts easily into each slot. Each slot will hold five frames of 35mm negatives and there are seven slots to a page. A 1 1/2 inch notebook will hold about 100 of these sheets filed with negatives. The negatives are easily removed if you decide to print. I did not worry about where I inserted each sets of negatives as I repared an inventory sign Miucrosoft Exvcell and can access the negatievs by title, by country, by city and by date. I have each page number in the notebook thus I know exactlty what pahge the negative I need  is stored on.
One of the best brands for film.  I shoot a ton of film and these are a necessity.  They fit in a standard 3-right folder or in a archival sealing folder.There is one model better if you can find it, where the plastic is like, twice as thick and will protect the film a lot better.  But these are great for the price.
The printfiles were as advertised.  They provide a an archival method of retaining negatives and can be use to hold the negatives for contact printing, if desired.  Shipping was prompt and the product arrived in good condition.
How do you rate something that sells for less than two cents?  I bought a 100 pack of these for under $20 shipping included.  If you are like me and have tens of thousand of negatives and want to be able to ever find one of them this is about the best filing option.  Put then negs in the pages then put the pages in those plastic three ring binder boxes then place the boxes in a four drawe file cabinet.  The fire proof cabinets are the best.  About the only way to make these beter would be if there was a way to store an entire 36 exposure roll in one page but that is not going to happen on a standard sice page.
Great product, good quality, good price, dont think you will find anything better that will hold and store your precious memories better than this.Material at first glance and feel seems to be flimsy but dont let that fool you. Once the pages are full of your negatives you will discover that any thicker material would take up space and complicate and otherwise easy removal of the film strips.
These were exactly what I was looking for to archive my negatives from decades of taking pictures.  Thanks so much!
Not knowing what I should buy I relied on other reviews before buying this product and I made the right decision.Since most of my negatives were processed for me by various labs around the World I have loads of 4 frame negative strips, since each sheet hows 7 strips this is perfect for the many 24 exposure films that I am archiving.  For 36 exposure rolls you will have to use 2 pages, not a big deal since my negatives are more valuable than the sheets that hold them.To put my money where my mouth is, I got through 1 packet of 100 already and am just about to order another one.Update, April 2013.  I just purchased my 3rd pack, these things are great.  I recently had to rescan some rolls and had to take the negatives out of the sheets rather than just put them in.  These negatives had been in the sheets for over a year by now and they came out just as easily as they went in; not bad.  I would recommend these to anyone who is serious about making sure that their negatives are safe.
This product works great to protect and store negatives.  They are thin but tough.  They lay nice and flat and it is possible to make contact prints without removing them from the page.There's a strip on the top that you can write on.  I have a ton of old negatives in paper sleeves that I am scanning to my computer with my Canon 8800F and I love being able to protect and organize them as I go.
Vienen 100 hojas, limpias los negativos los guardas alli, los pones en un folder y se mantendran en perfectas condiciones, buen producto
I have not used this product yet but seems to be exactly what I will be needing once I start my project.
Love this product! They have great quality and work great. Im very happy with this product and highly recommend it.
I had a box full of negatives that I had been intending to scan into the computer for years.  I recently started scanning them and needed a way to organize them while doing this (there are approximately 120 rolls of film involved).These have worked out great.  The allow me to look at the film and keep the rolls organized while scanning them.Now if I could just figure out an easy way to make contact sheets for all of them...
It is exactly as described.  Unfortunately my negative strips came in all different length and number of frames since some of my old photo processing was done over seas spanning many years from the past.  I therefore have to cut the strips to fit the slots.  Or some times I have to put in more than one pieces into the slot to fill the 5 frames.  I would also liked it more if the the way to label the negatives are made easier.  I had to slide small pieces of paper into the slots to do that.  My needs and expectation were somewhat more than the intent of this product.  Given what is available for sheet storage for negatives, I am thankful that I found this product and my old negatives are finally in these sheets and in one binder.
Excellent way to organize and protect negatives from scratches; not going to protect negatives from deterioration of dyes due to time and temperature, of course.
Putting your negatives in plastic slip covers will extend the life of your negatives and make the pictures you're looking for easier to find.  These plastic sheets are archival quality for 35mm film (standard for most film cameras), so they will not degrade the life of your negatives.  The frames slide into the sheets from a lip in the front.  At the top of each page, there is a small area where you can write the date and any other categorical information that will make finding your photos easier.  The pages are thin, but they don't really need to be thick to hold the negatives.  The seams between each of the rows does not easily come apart, so I do not foresee a ripping problem.  (The Amazon stock photo doesn't show the product cover, so I scanned it in and uploaded it above so you can see the specs of the product)  One thing you need to think about before buying them is how many frames your negatives have.  This pack will hold five frames per section.I'm very pleased with this product and works well for storing nearly 30 years worth of negatives.  Recommend!
Well worth the price to organize all those negatives, I will probably never look at again! Now All those paper envelopes are now recycled!
The size of the pages is just right.  The negatives slide in between the sleeves easily. Finally I can keep my negatives the right way.
easy way to store and access your negatives. plastic material is durable but not too bulky.seems to be immune to fingerprints, so that is great.
If you have bundles of negatives just lying around, you should definitely invest in these sheets... Negatives load easily, and they are protected from dust and scratches... What a wonderful purchase... =)
I mostly shoot 36 shot rolls, and I regularly get 37 shots out of them. I cannot fit a roll into one of these sheets. Get the 7 rows of 6 frames option unless you always shoot 24 shot rolls.Print File Archival 35mm Size Negative Pages Holds Seven Strips of Six Frames, Pack of 100
These film holders work. I really don't know what else to say and I need four more words written here.
Price:This pack weight only 1 pound 10oz shipped to me by USPS. I have been keeping track of the price of this item. The product itself should cost around $20 and shipping should be less than $4. 3rd party retailer from Amazon take turns picking up the sale of this item so the price goes up and down. I have seen AdoramaCamera selling it for $22.95 + $8.23 shipping and that's a big rip off. What they are doing is trying to raise the shipping so they pay less sales commission to Amazon, on the other hand if you decide to return/change, you will get less credit back.Tips & Quality:One thing I'd like to warn everyone, make sure your film is a 5-frame cut or less. In my case, I have 6-frame cut so I have to cut out 1 frame if I want to fit-all. I ended up keeping it coz I already have it opened and they charge 20% restocking and I have to ship it back. My fault tho. As far as quality, I wish I could pay a little more to get better quality one - these sleeves are very clear but it's the thinnest I ever seen, I have seen better one at pro-shop but of course they cost more. It's
I have/had 3 giant tubs of loose photos, film, negatives, etc as many of us do, from days past when people actually took pictures with cameras and film.  I used these and some 3 ring binders to try and preserve and protect the negatives.  I am sure they will be fine for years to come and I feel like I've done my part to protect them in case they become artifacts like fossils...  :)
I have 10,000 negatives that needed proper storage and cataloging. This product solved the problem. I recommend it. The binder holds all the pages nicely when completely loaded.
very pricy. $20 just for a stack of plastic sheets.and the plastic sheets are not very clear but have a white tint, I dont like that.the picture of the product is not accurate, only 3 holes are shown in the picture but the product has 7 holes, so it does fit in my 2 ring binder but I didnt know that and bought another 3 hole binder for it.
I got these for my photography class, so they are just in a regular binder. Some of the holders have ripped around where the hole punches are. I would suggest getting something better than a regular binder to put them in.
Plastic covers fit different sizes of binder rings and the plastic isn't really think, so when you add the film, they don't get too thick in a book. Perfect for organizing all my negatives!
I ordered this after ordering the smaller [ASIN:B00009R90P Archival Storage Sheets 35-7B25 for 35mm Film Negatives 7 Strips 25 Pack]].  These are handy for the tedious job of trying to organize the stack of negatives you have sitting around.  This allows you to eventually re-order any photos that have come up missing over the years or extras needed for scrapbooks.
Great for getting all those strips out of shoeboxes into notebooks.  Easier to catalog too just by writing your index number on it.
Five frames by seven strips will hold a 36 exposure film either black and white or color. I used it to archive a semester worth of black and white photography class. This product suits my projects. It was very easy to put all the strips of film into the negative holder. It's transparent enough to see all the film and I was able to write in using permanent marker the date, title, and subject matter of the film on the top of the sheet. I recommend this as there are very few choices nowadays for archiving. This is a good product.
I've been dedicated a large amount of time and effort into archiving old photos for my family. I had a large number of 35mm negatives from my own shooting and a variety of negatives found in my moms house when she passed away. These negative sleeves were one of the first things on my list to make this effort successful.They are good quality and have a nice thick quality. A lot of the negatives I am working with have been poorly cared for and are curled in a variety of ways. These sleeves do a good job of wrangling them back into place. I purchased a nice archival 3 ring D binder so that they can be preserved lying nice and flat for the long term.The top of each jacket has a nice white strip for writing additional information on. I am instead using a labeler to create tags for each sheet and that fits and adheres well within the same area.
I have bought all sorts of Print File products and I am very happy with them.  But I have to wonder what Print File will do when people like us have filed the last negative.  Their products are excellent and well designed.  I will keep buying them as long as there are unexplored boxes in the attic.
Negative pages I received are perfect for my use.  They are of good quality.  They were shipped/arrived in a timely manner and in excellent shape.
I have used these for some time and I never had a bad experience. They keep my negatives nice, neat and protected.
Holds tons of strips. love that I can write notes on the top of the pages so i can find certain pictures faster.
These negative sheets are ideal for keeping all of my rolls of film from class. I shoot film a lot, and it's good to have these protectors to keep my negatives in good shape so I can revisit and enlarge rolls from 5 years ago without worrying that they are scratched or dusty.
Great quality for your negatives. Love these for organization and keeping away the smudges. A great set of negative sleeves.
These work well, just don't buy too many because now I'm stuck with a crap load of archives and barely any film to put inside them.
I bought these because I could not find my old brand.  Now I actually like these better!  I can fit more pages into a binder (because they are thinner) and they even have a white area at the top where you can write in information about the negatives; I didn't think I'd care about this feature, but now I love it!  I love easily finding the exact negatives I was looking for without having to hold them all up to the light.  And, of course, most importantly they are safe and archival!  Perfect!!!
When you outgrow digital photography and start shooting film you will need a way of protecting and organizing your negatives.  This is a great product, the sleeves are large enough to accommodate negative strips (on some brands the fit is a little too tight and it's hard to slide the negatives into the sleeve), and the plastic is archival. I've tried several brands and like these the best.
Keeps negatives straight and organized so that they are easily found when needed.  Will keep in a notebook and store in a safe for fire protection of precious family photos!
This products does exactly as intended and will extend the life of your negatives for sure.  I have used them many times over the decades and they have improved them in quality and protection since I started buying these items back in the early 80's. If you have old negatives lying around get them out, wipe them off and place them in these sleeves to help save them and store them.
This is a great way to organize all of those 35mm negatives that I have from years past.  I can easily see what they are without getting fingerprints on them.
These things are the best way to safely store your negatives.That being said they are very hard to get negatives into or out of, though I'v never had them scratch any of my frames (though i have heard of other brands doing this to other's frames).I wish there was a magical way to get a protective cover over my negatives but these are the best current option.Buy them, use them, hate them. In that order
These standard size pages are divided for seven negative strips. They are of good quality and are easy to use. They are excellent for someone who actually shoots real 35 mm film in their camera.
You put them in these archival negative pages, and condense hundreds of paper photo envelopes you get from the developer into a single binder.  You can annotate the top of the page with relevent information and since they are clear you can hold the entire sheet up to a window or light table to see the content.
These are strong, soft plastic. Inserting the negatives is more difficult than with some other brands - I guess this means they won't slip out. Best to put the page onto a flat surface while inserting negatives.
Thanks to these negative pages all of my negatives are stored in a binder. I have been a photographer for over thirty years so I had a lot of loose negatives. It took some time, but now they are better stored. I highly recommend this product.
I needed this for work to get all of my negatives in one place and protect them and these are great. They are very easy to slide in and they do not get caught so I love them.
Useful! Just really make sure your negatives are completely dry before placing them in the sleeves, otherwise they will definitely snag and ruin the sleeve and possibly your negative.
Archiving my film from folders to these sheetsThey got here in a short amount of time and they work greatI used a marker at the top to give me some idea of what the sheets containthey fit into some left over note books
I think these negative file binder pages are a good deal given the low price.The pages are made from a fairly thin polyethylene material which is fine for the storage and protection of the negative strips, but will have to be handled carefully so the binder holes don't tear. If you handle your negatives frequently you might want to choose a more robust product. But if you are like me and handle your negatives very infrequently these pages should be fine for you.I am putting my pages in a D-ring binder which does not put as much stress on pages as the traditional circular binder shape, so I think these will work out fine for me.
I had no clue the place was near me and they came early in the mail. Made my day !
I bought this item based on glowing reviews, but was very disappointed.PROS:Will just do the job of storing the negatives- with an attitude.CONS:1. The plastic material is very thin and flimsy.  It is not easy to handle till you put the negatives in it.  I expected some AVERY quality thicker material that can hold itself.2. Because of the cheap quality of the material and NO reinforcements near the 3 holes, it is hard to put and keep them in place in a 3-ring binder.  I had to buy strips of reinforcements to keep it secure in place, and prevent it from getting torned.This product needs improvement, and I will not recommend it.
The negatives require some shimming into place it's two hands. You have to get your process down, but then it goes fairly quickly. The sheets are of nice thick high quality material. Happy with this, but I might try other brands.
If you need to keep you 35mm negatives free from scratches and dust these are a good way to do it.
This product was priced at a local camera store for slightly over twice the price paid using Amazon.  I would definitely purchase from this seller again.
These sleeves are pretty much the standard for most people.  Over the years, I have gone through various brands and styles but this one is the one that seems to pop up the most often in stores or with the best price.Pros: Really crystal clear.  I've used other brands which are slightly hazy, but these will show you just about 100% of the color and detail of the original negative.Cons: The sheets are a little too soft, and also each slot is very tight.  So it is harder to slip in negatives with ease and you really have to struggle sometimes to get it in properly.  The white strip at the top is nice for labeling, but is also hard to write on.  A ballpoint or sharpie will both do it, but you'll need to practice a couple times to get it on there smoothly.  Also tends to push against the plastic, resulting in a bit of a relief on the other side.The Beseler brand sheets, though they seem of a "crappier" quality, are very easy to load in and out of the sleeves.  Also crystal clear, and of a slightly more rigid material.  I almost think I like those better, though there is nothing particularly wrong with these sheets.
Flimsier than I was expecting (VERY thin), probably wouldn't have bought if I had known they were this flimsy. Product that arrived has somewhat similar packaging and image, however there was a difference in that it had a small rectangle and image showing 7-hold punch, as the sheets that arrived are indeed 7-hole punched rather than just 3-hole but it fits standard binders. Product states that it is archival quality for long-term storage and has no PVC.On a small note, I have noticed more Amazon customers/users asking where products are made and seeking products made in the USA. The product states that it is Made in the USA, by a Florida company.
These are decent negative sleeves, although it takes a bit of wiggling to get the strips into the slots.  I appreciate being able to label the set of negatives at the top, but I suspect it takes away space from the individual slots.  I might try another brand once I run through these, but these are just fine.  They are clear enough to make good contact sheets, too.
Good quality, good value.  With thousands of stray negatives, I needed a way to protect, store and organize.  These are heavy duty and easy to use.
I really like these for storing my negatives after developing my film. Works great for making contact sheets! Very happy with the product!
As a photographer who still shoots film on a weekly basis, I was very pleased to see some clear archival sheets for 35mm film here on Amazon. They are getting harder and harder to find in brick and mortar stores, and since they are no longer in high demand, stock is either old, has been stored improperly, or is lower quality. These sheets (PrintFile brand) are pretty decent, and apart from a couple of minor caveats are some of the best, low-cost sheets around.WHAT I LIKE:- The sheets are completely see-through. While this may not sound like much, I have encountered many archival sheets with a mild opacity that makes viewing your negatives rather difficult. With these I can pop the sheet out of myAdorama Archival Binder Boxand view them immediately on a light table or with a loupe.- They are relatively well made. All said and done I have gone through about 60 of these sheets, and so far not a single one has torn near the "O" ring holes, nor have the dividers between rows shown any sign of coming loose. Again, rather straight forward but you would be surprised how many other brands don't pay much attention to this detail.- There is a white bar along the top that allows for a permanent pen to write on it. This is PERFECT for neat archiving of negatives, and something that I am a little bit fussy about. There is plenty of space, so I can fit my "Lisbon, Portugal - June, 2010 - Minolta X700 - Ilford HP5+" (etc.) without running out of space.SOME MINOR CAVEATS- While I knew this beforehand, I can't seem to figure out why this comes in 7 strips of 5 negatives? Perhaps it has something to do with standard binder sizes? Either way, if you shoot a full 36 roll you are going to have one shot left out. I would HIGHLY recommend picking up thePrintFile Ultima Archival 6 rows x 6 negativesheets instead if you shoot 36 rolls...if you're just archiving old pictures, however, the 7x5 will do just fine.- The sheets are a tiny bit thinner than others I have used. While this isn't a huge deal, it does means that if you don't flatten your negatives beforehand the pages will curl rather easily. I have used sheets in the past that were thicker and less prone to this, but it's a good idea to flatten your negatives with a couple of dictionaries beforehand anyway.OVERALLI found these out of necessity (6x6 was out of stock), but they really are rather decent and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to archive old pictures! If you are a stickler about organization, the aforementioned 6x6 sheets are much more convenient.
I've stored my negatives in these products for years and never found anything better, no degradation from years of exposure.
Superb service! Received order quickly and product was in good condition. These pages are wonderful, and just what I needed!
I have over the years lost so many negatives.  This does the job, and is not developed cheaply.  It is great and keeps my negatives clean and safe from harm.
These sheets work really great to store my negatives. They protect them very well and I love that you can label the top of them. I would buy these again.
Works very well with my film stip.
This is very good for storing negatives if you are a photographer who develops your own film. The only thing is, it is slightly too big to make a contact sheet if you are using 8x10 photographic paper. Other than that it's perfect, it fits right into a binder without sticking out.
Love these for storing all my negatives. They slide in there easily with five exposures for each row. They have holes on the side so you can easily store them in a binder.
This is ok for smaller rolls of film, like 24 exposure. With 36 you are left with an extra frame. Other than that, they are easy to load strips into.
My comments won't matter if you didn't purchase this same product a while ago.  I bought this same item (same style no, 35-7B) probably 15 years ago.  I recently acquired many old negatives, so I purchased a new set of these, hoping they would be an exact match, but there are two slight differences.  The first product photo shows only 3 holes for a 3 ring binder.  This is exactly how my older 35-7B sheets are, but the new ones have 7 holes, like the second product photo.  The new sheets are also about 1/8&#34; wider overall than the older.  It's still a 5 star product.
Now, I can organize old 35mm negative strips efficiently.  If, I need to find old pictures negatives, they will be more accessible and better sorted and organized.
Exactly what I was looking for at a price I liked.  Easily fit into a binder, easy in and out.  Great item.
Needed for photography college class. Came on time and fit all my negatives in it. Recommend this to all photography majors
These are great way to store all your negatives from the days of yore. I created a 3 inch binder to store negatives and used these sheets. They hold up well too.
It's a good sheet, but to get the negatives in the slots its really tight. I have to slightly bend the negative to get it to fit.
Strong, durable, exactly what my husband needed to organize all of his negatives.  He's an avid photographer so these are great.  You can title your negatives at the top on the white strip, they each hold 7 strips and fit perfectly in a 3 ring binder.  I ordered 10 of them, and will be ordering more since my husband still has more negatives to organize!  Definitely a must if you are tired of seeing negatives all over the place or piled high in shoe boxes, and a great way to preserve the negatives for future use!
I'm in the middle of a very large photo-organizing project with about 10-15 years of photos and negatives.  I'm putting the negatives in these storage sheets then inside these plastic baggies along with the corresponding photos I have left (some are in albums or missing):  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LKEZU6/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_titleThat way mold or water will not damage them and they are out of the flimsy paper envelopes from wal mart.Then eventually I plan to scan all the negs with this, which I've already purchased:http://www.amazon.com/Wolverine-Digital-Converter-2-4-Inch-TV-Out/dp/B002TKMG92/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid;=1326129939&sr;=8-17Yes, it's a long project and will take many months/possibly years but will all be worth it once finished.  All in all these negative sheets work perfect for this project.
Years back everyone had negatives and very often they just came in a little paper envelope, Over time, the negatives pile up while the paper holders fall apart. In comes the storage sheet and things are easier to find and stored more safely. Now, people who still shoot film will want these to replace the light weight plastic sleeves they get their negatives back in.
Finally sorting out those boxes of family photos, I looked all over the city for a means to store the negatives safely. I found a few archival storage sheets of another brand at a camera chain but these are far superior and less expensive. Service was great, and I will definitely order from this vendor through Amazon again.
I had purchased other storage sheets and needed to use 2 sheets for 36 frames.  With these sheets, they all fit on one page, which makes printing contact sheets much easier.
How do you even review such a product as "protective negative sheets?" Well, i guess I can try: They're plastic, you put your negatives in them, and hopefully when all is said and done, they'll be safe. These are just your average, run of the mill negative protectors. Nothing that's going to blow your socks off, but good quality nonetheless.
I bought these for my niece who is taking a photography course. They are just what she needed. She likes them.
If you are still shooting film then you probably know that keeping those negatives (or slides) around for a long time requires special treatment.  That means 'archival' storage and probably digitizing also.  These sheets are very good and there is no reason to use anything else.  Store in a cool dark and dry place, and you have really long term storage.
I could have driven all over town to find this product, but the shipping was so reasonable, and then so fast, that I'm very happy I didn't burn the fuel. The price was better than the closest photo supply offered.Print File Archival 35mm Size Negative Pages Holds Seven Strips of Five Frames, Pack of 25
these arrived quickly and in great shape.  a very professional way to store negatives.  i recommend this product and will use again in the future
Like them and find them very useful. The film is a bit difficult to insert in the pocket. It would be easier with white gloves. Would recommend it to friends.
Used to organize my rolls. Durable protective plastic that you can label. Good buy for the money. Comes with 7 sheets i think.
Probably won't last too long, but they get the job done!Inserting the negatives is also kind of difficult, but I still recommend these!
great productvery easy to use and seem to be of good qualitywe are ordering more to finish our negatives
I found these usefull and a better way to store negs than in those sleeves, until you want to digitize them. Or print them with your enlarger (just kidding).
Works well enough.  I'm fairly new to film photography so I don't have a lot of negatives to deal with but I figure it'll be good to start with an organized archive.  The plastic is fairly thin but it allows for really good transparency.
item arrived on time. The product looks just like it does from the professional photo stores, well it is the same, however the price is better.
The reason I bought these was because it shows binder holes and archival quality.The strips are thin and there are no binder holes so I have to put them in a folder which defeats my whole storage system.  If I weren't so busy I would have returned them.
Bought these for my college photography class. Had no problems with them, they work great for holding negatives. Great price!
We're good for storing film. Not a thick as some other brand, but still good. I am happy with it.
With digital cameras, film is almost obsolete, but for those of us who used film for years and now must scan and store it, these archival folders are perfect.
Product arrived on time and in good condition.  Couldn't find it at retail anywhere, thank goodness I found it online.  Was the best price as well.
I bring many cards for trips and this case works great.  It holds the cards well and makes it easy to get the cards out of their holders.  I'm thinking I will be getting another one of these Hakuba Mediacase for my next trip.
Exactly what I needed for my data cards. I found it at Amazon on 1st click. Great website!
this is cheap! economical! easy to use! works great!Is a nice case for my SDHC cards. An excellent protection!
Purchased the 4 slot version for protecting the 'extra' SDHC chips.  Very pleased that the individual slots are made of a semi-rigid plastic material that appears to be anti-static (not positive).  The chips fit snug but not overly tight and are easy to store and remove from the case.  The case has a positive latch to prevent accidental opening yet is not a bank vault so you can get it open when needed....no time locks either.  The attachment 'chain' and clip are plenty strong and well attached to the case.
It works as described and does the job, fast shipping, inexpensive and it works , did I mention it works, cards don't fall out of the slots like on the Vanguard products
nice little memory case to store four memory cards. would have liked it better if it also had  something on it to attache it to the camera bag or strap
kept my memory cards safe all over NZ. I would recommend it to anyone. Handy to have around and easily hooked to my backpack.
Build is solid, inside is very dense rubber-like material that holds cards securely.  Awesome if you need to store 4 or less SD cards (or MicroSD or MiniSD or whatever it's called).
This case is *almost* perfect for storing four SD memory cards and is still the best case I've found for this purpose.  As others have mentioned, it's a little thick and if it were thinner it would be perfect.  If you keep it in a DSLR bag or backpack, the thickness probably won't bother you.  I have theCanon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EGfor myCanon Digital Rebel XSi DSLR Cameraand inside one of the pockets is a keychain snap hook.  I just hook it to that for easy access and I always know where it is.But it's still pretty compact and sturdy.  You could save space by keeping four SD cards in their original cases, but this keeps them all together in one place with easier access.  There is a separate compartment for all four SD cards and they fit snugly with a thumb notch for easy release.  In addition, you can keep track of which memory cards are full by putting them in their compartment backwards or upside down, which you can't do with the original case.
I ordered this memory card case on a whim and love it! It's sturdy plastic and can clip onto the inside of your camera bag/backpack/purse/whatever for safe keeping. I like having all my memory cards in one place rather than them floating around in the flimsy packaging they came in. Recommend!
It is great for get organized SD's cards.As a wedding photographer I put used (full) cards on one side and empty ones in the other side.It's better to have one case for 4 cards than have a couple of individual boxes of cards lying around my camera bag.
I went on an extended trip and wanted something to protect my SD cards while traveling. I was going to be in an area where it rains often, so I also wanted it to be mildly water repellant. The compact size of this was great (I could fit it in a small camera bag pouch) and it fit the cards well. I wasn't worried about it in rainy conditions, and the case is built pretty solid so I wasn't worried about sitting on it or anything puncturing it either. I ended up getting a second one, so I could carry 8 cards around at a time. The picture now shows a black case, but the two I got were both the lighter blue color, which is how they were advertised at the time I ordered them.
This is just what I needed. Small and yet it fits a lot of sd cards. I bought one for me and my husband loved it so much, he had to get one. Its the perfect size to fit in your camera bag and has a nice hard shell to protect whats inside.
This is a nice case for 4 SD cards.  It will hold them safely and securely (as long as the case is closed).  It is not waterproof.At some point, the lock's hinge will fail, and then I'll be using rubber bands to keep it closed.  Why?  Because the hinge is a very thin piece of plastic (for flexibility), the same plastic as the case.  These hinges can be opened only so many times before they fail by tearing.  I would have much preferred a more substantial hinge, with a metal pin.  Then I'd be confident that the case would last a long time.And I can't understand why there is a clip and chain for clipping "to a camera strap or belt loop."  If I am putting expensive SD cards in the case, especially cards with image files, I am NOT going to clip it my camera strap or belt loop.  I will put in a very secure location.If I had purchased this in a brick and mortar store, I would return it next time I was at the store.  Returning to Amazon is not economic, especially because the case costs only $8.
This is a very durable case that holds four memory cards. The interior is a rubber which cushions the cards and the exterior is plastic. It has held up very well. I also like that it has a hook to attach to your keys or to a bag for easy access.
I ordered two of these, used them, and now ordered a third so it should be obvious that I like them.  Each case keeps four of my SD cards in one place and because they are reasonably large it is less likely that I will either misplace the memory cards, loose them or have one of them fall out of my pocket.  That said, they are rather bulky but do fit comfortably into my camera bag and they are tough, really tough.  Although I haven't tested them, I'll bet I could drive over the case with a car and not damage either the case or the cards within.
A lot of similar items looked enormous (who actually carries more than 4 cards out of devices?) or really cheap.  This guy seems to be neither of those.  The width is less than a quarter's diameter high.  And the interior is lined with foam to press the cards into rather than plastic that &#34;snaps&#34; the cards in.This seems perfect for throwing in your camera bag.  Large enough that it won't fall out or get lost, but small enough to squeeze in among other goodies.  I'd buy it again.
Cheap.  Does the job.  Makes something small (an SD card. Or 4 of them, to be exact.) slightly larger so it is harder to lose.
Bought these to store SD camera cards during travel.  The cards fit very snug inside, and the interior is well designed.  The exterior is a hard, nicely finished plastic, not cheaply made like others I have seen.
love mine & bought 3 more for friends. you can't go wrong with this thing. good price too.
I received a new digital camera for Christmas and needed a case to securely store three new memory cards. This case was the answer to my problem as we were going out of the country on vacation. It held my memory cards securely and prevented any accidental damage during traveling. I am pleased with this purchase even though the case I received looked totally different than the one advertised. I would purchase the one I received again if I ever need a second case.
What can you say, I have a video camera with SD card memory slot, I need a way to keep my SD cards from disappearing into the bottom of my camera case (or worse, getting lost between each use of the camera). Plastic, but solid, won't take years of wear but will serve my purpose for the next 5 years or so protecting and keeping my cards in place.
This thing is great. Love that it can take a hard blow..like my horse stepping on it and not breaking...I swear it could withstand that kind of impact. Love the rubberized interior , pliable but firm. One little problem I didn't realize when I ordered...only fits one size SD card...and mine were all too small. Size wasn't specified in advertisement...wish it would have been.If your cards fit, this is a great case.
I have a couple of these, different styles.  I think this is the one I really liked.  But I am not positive.
This holds 4 of my camera disks safely and conveniently. Solid, safe, and easier to store and find than individual card storage. Get it.
Used this case on vacation to carry all my different memory cards. Worked great and kept cards save and secure. Would recommend highly for travel or storing multiple cards in one area.
If you have need to carry digital memory a lot, like I do, you will really appreciate this case. Handy and attractive.
Size is good on this, although it could probably be smaller and still provide sufficient protection.  The moving parts (hinge and hinged catch) look like they might be a weak point under daily opening and closing -- but it's just fine for my less-frequent use.
Beware, the chain and clip aren't included.Photos are misleading.Ten more words are required, but there isn't anything else to say.
Excellent design.  Works really well to keep 4 spare cards in your pocket without losing them.  Sturdy and well made.
This case is perfect for my needs. Closes well and opens without spilling the cards out like other cases. Not for someone looking to store alot of cards, but for a safe place to keep things in your bag, I recommend it.
This is a perfect little case for my SD cards. It's small enough to fit anywhere and tough and secure enough where I don't need to worry about losing and damaging the cards inside. The cards are held nicely inside and are easily removed. I will be getting the CF case for my other cards. Highly recommend!
I was looking for a place to store my used and unused memory cards. This is perfect! I ordered 4 of them and my only complaint is I should have ordered more! They are sturdy, and small enough to fit in my camera bag. Love them.
I bought this product because I wanted a digital memory case that held a small number of memory cards, but was lightweight and durable for hiking and getting bumped around.  The memory cards fit into the case nicely and I can attach the case to my DSLR bag or my digital video camera bag with ease.  The inner compartment has a firm, rubbery feel so that the cards do not slip, but has some minimal give for the cards to slide in and out without damaging them.  Each slot also has a little thumb groove to put the cards in and out, which are a little small for very large fingers, but still doable.
This case holds four cards securely. It closes well with little chance of opening by accident. The case is robust feeling, leaves me with some confidence about being dropped or crushed. Haven't used the chain at all but could be nice to keep it tethered in a bag or purse.
This is a very sturdy case and it's stayed closed for me so no concerns there, but when I open the case 1 of the slots is a bit looser then the others and the disk will come out of that slot on its own.  Open slowly to ensure it doesn't fall out.  Overall still good, happy I have it.  4 slots, 4 cards, all I need at this point so it works for my needs.
This mediacase is a big disappointment. I have felt like throwing it away. It does allow for much storage, but this is no way of knowing what photograph or series of photographs is on each disk. There is no room to type out what is on each disk because there is no way to know which 4GB disk is which. I have another case which numbers each disk so that six discs can be numbered in each case. I can put a list of the photographs on disk 1 and disk 2 , etc.I would not buy another another case like this, nor would I store any information on disk that I have. If you are OK with a lot of storage slots that are not numbered so that you can identify it, then this is a cheap way to carry a lot of disks.
This is a great little case for SD and SD mini cards, so long as you don't have more than 4 of each.  You can store the mini and then place the regular card over it.  The foam makes it protective of the cards while the case protects from outward threats.  Great for limited travel gear.  I use it for Garmin GPS (mini) cards and Camera SDHC media.
Taking numerous pictures on longer trips, I am glad to have a safe storage unit to store extra memory sticks for my camera.  Great product.
This SD storage case allows me to hold up to 4 SD flash drives in a compact format.  It is a bit thicker than I anticipated, but I would purchase again should the need arrive.
This is a great little case. Didn't come with the chain as pictured, but no big deal. It does have a slot to connect one if desired. Holds memory securely and has good closing mechanism. Would recommend this case.
cards stay in place,Sturdy and simple. Small enough to stash anywhere.... It is black so will disappear in the bottom of a black camera case/tote but it's large enough you can find it by feel.. there is a loop for a lanyard/wrist strap if so desired, but not included.
This little case is perfect for my needs. It securely holds four SD cards and is made of hard plastic. Dimensions are 2 1/2&#34; long, 1 7/8&#34; wide, and 7/8&#34; thick. It has a simple latching mechanism that keeps the case securely closed.
This is perfect for me to carry a few extra SD cards. It's compact so it doesn't take up a bunch of space in my bag. The cards fit in it very well!
Great item for carrying extra memory cards. Very pleased with this product. I recommend this product for anyone who may need to carry memory cards for any reason. Howard WV
This case is a bit smaller than I expected, which made me happy. I thought it was around the same size as the photo - dumb me. It's about 1/2 the size, so it can fit a whole lot better into my camera bag. It's very easy to put the memory card in and take it out. The case is a hard shell case, so it can't get squished and it doesn't break easily. I love the little clip of it so I can attach it to my bag! This is an amazing case, a whole ton better than a normal memory card wallet. One little thing I noticed was that the memory card does not always stay in it's little slot if it gets jolted around, not a big deal because it doesn't fall out, but when you open the case, it is in the opposite side and starts falling. Otherwise, a great case!
I got this case because my order needed to add up to $25 for free shipping and true to form it's a great addition to my kit I have exactly four cards, three 16 GB and the 32 GB that was part of the order this case came in, it does what it's supposed to and that's good enough for me
The item that was shipped was a completely different item.  Different color, different internal holding material, and no hook on the to attach to something. While the item I was sent is still an SD holder, it's 100% not what I ordered. :(
I ordered a Hakuba SD storage case from an 'Amazon partner seller' &lt;&lt;edited to add--on 7/1/12 it looks like Amazon is now the vendor, not a partner>> and it took so long for it to arrive I'd forgotten exactly what I ordered. This was not it. By the time I realized my mistake I had already tossed the packaging and receipt and was 'stuck'.Turns out, this is actually a pretty nifty little case. The one I ordered was for 8 cards, this only holds 4. Of course as a digital media dilettante, I only use 4, so I'm not exactly disappointed after all.The construction is excellent, and has a nice durable feel to it. The closure is secure and the card slots are well fitted. Extremely nice protection.I wasn't sure about the keychain feature, but I do like being able to attach it inside my bag--one little extra bit of security I appreciate after I'd had a spare card fall out of another bag recently (thankfully it only fell into another bag I was carrying but I was EXTREMELY lucky).I am very happy with my accidental purchase! Highly Recommended!JTG(updating on 7/1/2012---I've been using for a year and I still find it quite functional and useful.  It's nice when a 'mistake' works out so well!)
Not much to say about it other than it does what it should!  It holds SD cards firmly, and closes with a snap, so the cards can't slide out and fall into the camera bag (or worse.)
Being the DSLR owner in the family, I have a few extra memory cards that I always bring along with me on vacation. And inevitably, I or one of my family members winds up needing to use an extra one while on the vacation. The problem is that a bunch of little SD cards individually stored tend to get lost in a DSLR backpack- despite your best intentions to store place them all in the same pocket. Plus not all memory cards sold these days come with that little protective plastic case anymore. So I needed something that would store my extra memory cards all in one case and maybe offer a little extra protection. This fits the bill nicely! Compact but durable and provides snug protections for my SD cards. I am a little concerned about the durability of the plastic clasp as I could see that getting worn out easily but if you just put it in the pocket of a camera bag, that's not such a big concern. It does come with a clip but I wouldn't suggest using it. There's nothing wrong with it, I just don't trust a little metal clip to hold all my memories on a keychain for long. Seems like an unneccessary risk. I suppose it could be useful for anchoring it to something inside your camera bag so that you really could always find your memory cards, but my bag has no such place. Anyways, this thing is a good buy and I would love to buy another one, except that Amazon currently doesn't have any in stock :-(
This is practically a vault for 4 SD cards. The external shell is robust kind of plastic that looks and feels like it could survive a good sized truck rolling over it. It is not advertised as water-resistant, but at least when it is new, this case looks like it would be moderately water-resistant for a few minutes at least.The inside is another kind plastic, which is a bit spongey. The four recessed wells grasp the SD card and a thumb notch allows quick access.Overall, the unit is just shy of a half-inch thick and has a reasonably sturdy hook attached.In sum, this unit is overkill offering far more protection than your SD cards actually need. Is it a better product because of this? I think so, but others might find they prefer a unit that offers less protection made of more flexible material.Jerry
This is a great little case, and an excellent value!This storage case is more protection than the average person will ever need, and I love that fact.  The outer shell is very durable, and the inside soft foam inserts hold the cards nice and snug - without being difficult to remove.If I ever have the need for more than four memory cards, I will not look at other cases.  I will buy another one of these without hesitation.
I bought this item thinking it was like the one in the photo: a large case that holds 8 cards with a smaller one that holds four.  Well you actually just get the smaller one.  Guess I should have read the fine print.  The case is sturdy but I really wanted the 8 space case.
I feel completely confident that my memory is safe and free of any debris or moisture. If i had to complain about something, the chain is a little short.
Great little hard case.  Holds two SD cards on each side, and it hangs by it's tether from the netting in the top of my Canon "Rebel" bag on the inside perfectly.  Each time you open the bag it is pulled up from the pocket where it hangs and presented for quick access. I store the cards with label up to indicate they are empty and ready to be used.  Cards with pictures on them are placed back in the case face down to indicate they have pictures that need to be downloaded.  The SD cards are definitely protected and the case is most likely water-proof.  No doubt it is water resistant.
I deal with multiple SD cards for my DSLR and H4N Zoom recorder (4 each) so I bought 2 of these to keep them from rattling around and getting damaged sitting in the pockets of my bags. These work great and offer the convenience of compact storage and protection from hard blows, drops and the normal knock-around of swapping out pieces of equipment and having to travel light.
Received the item., it is NOT what is shown but has the same brand name. The one received is cheap, flimsy and has NO keychain attached. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! Not even worth it having to go to UPS to ship it back. Amazon is going downhill, be careful what you order on here!
Hard plastic case, easily attaches to camera bag, Hold 4 SD cards, Water resistant, and insert keeps cards in their place. Even with dropping the bag (not a smart idea) the cards remained tight in their slots. Highly recommend!
What it says.  Still going strong after 2 years of use.  Would definitely buy it again.  Also helps me keep from losing any MORE SD cards - I can't keep track of those teensy little wafers without it)
i order this case thinking it was an 8 & 4card holder.  according to the picture.  it show a picture of a 4 & 8 holder.  thought that was kinna cheap.  but i've should of read the ad.  the picture decieving.  the holder was a little thick.  i thought it could be a little thiner.  putting the card in and taking out is quit easy.  other than that it works good & good price.
I was looking for a compact, secure case and this fits the bill perfectly!  It holds 4 cards and I put a key ring through the loop and attach it to a clip on my camera bag for quick access during shoots.  It's easy to get into and the cards fit snuggly inside so they won't fall out when you changing cards.
I love this case because it fits 4 SD cards and is very small and safe. The SD cards are well protected. A great tip (from a previous reviewer) to put the cards in upside down keeps the contacts clean.
Very convienient to have a place to hold all my SD cards. Nice sturdy case with snap closure. Holds 4 SD cards.
My SD cards don't fall out. I do turn the SD cards upside down so that my fingers don't brush on the data writing part of it.
Works as advertised. Nice to have a padded case to store my SD cards, knowing they are safe from being damaged or lost. Bonus clip that I wasn't expecting. It wasn't shown in the original picture, although it appears to be there now.
My wife and I travel frequently and we also shoot a lot of pictures in Nikon Raw file format.  Because of the large file sizes, we need to carry several memory chips with us and these storage devices are perfect.  They come with a clip and chain which makes it easy to clip the device on a camera bag or a belt loop.  I would recommend these to anyone who travels with their camera gear.
This case is perfect for travel and keep all my memory cards. Is small and resistant.
Tidily and securely stores 4 HD cards AND you can use it as a key chain. I wouldn't, but you could. It's kind of cute too.
Loe this little card holder.  I run a lot of trail cameras throughout the year and this is perfect to snap on to my backpack.  I bought two of them.
I received a black case, which is nice in the outside, but I'm not really convinced about the hard foam it has in the inside. I had bought these cases before and the inner material that holds the cards is solid and perfect because it holds them tight yet it's easy to take them out. This new foam doesn't seem as good. And they didn't send what they announce in the picture.
Holds 4 SD memory cards securely.  Nice, compact design fits anywhere, even in small pockets.  In the last few months, I've traveled with it and taken it on several fast-paced shoots where I needed multiple cards on hand.  The case performed great and feels like it will hold up well.  I wouldn't call the design &#34;waterproof&#34;, but it's hard plastic with a firm rubber insert and closes tightly, so I don't see the cards being in danger of getting wet if dropped in a shallow puddle or caught in a downpour.  A+ for the simple, functional design and another A+ for the price!  Thanks, Amazon!
The inside of this case consists of a foam padding that securely holds your digital memory cards (various sizes will fit). I own four cards for my DSLR camera, so this is the perfect size. (Hint? To remind yourself if a card is &#34;full&#34; or not, turn it upside down!)My only wish? That some type of lanyard/strap would have been included, as there is a built in lug for one.
Needs something to connect to inside camera bag to prevent falling out or having to dig for it. Holds card well, but I fear i will lose it and all cards.
I don't have to scramble around to look for my memory sticks and it's easily accessible. Very nice to have around.
What can you say about a case?  It closes and stays closed.  It does a great job of protecting our cards.  My wife likes the key chain thing, because she can move it from purse to purse.  We use ours to hold SD cards that have videos on them.Note: this thing is a bit "clunky", by that I mean that it is pretty big, but that just means that you won't have to worry about finding it!
If you only need to carry a few memory cards, this Hakuba case will handle the job with confidence. These little tanks are solid and close very, very securely. They're probably the best protection you can get for your cards for the price.
I've been looking for an sd card case for a while to put in my camera bag and small enough to throw in my pocket when I go out shooting so I don't lose track of each sd card and the small plastic casing they come in. I liked the thinktank case, but  that like others was a little more than what I wanted to pay for a small case for my cards. This one is perfect, very compact and fits my cards great. Ordering another one as soon as I order a few more cards.
This is a simple idea, but the case is very well made and quite effective for keeping all my SD cards safely together when not in use in my camera. I'm very happy with this product.
Buy this product, thinking of 6SD , like the pic. but I receive only for 4.Otherwise good Qty.
Item is not as shown as when i purchased it.  Different color and inside material and construction is different.  This is my second purchase, first was OK.
I have three Hakuba cases, and as Amazon conveniently pointed out, I've ordered this very before.  Unfortunately, what I received this time around is not what was pictured.  Instead it is black (definitely NOT the color I would have wanted (too difficult to see in my gear), does not have a retaining strap of any sort (though, for me, this is unecessary), and finally it certainly doesn't seem like it's as "substantial" as my other Hakuba cases.If this is what is available, then so be it.  However, please understand that when shopping online, pictures are all we have to decide what product to purchase.  Given a choice between what I received and what was pictured, I would have never chosen what I received.
This item is great for your keychain or your camera bag.  It's great to have me memory cards in one organized place.
This card holder feels very well put together and it holds the cards in place nicely. It feels like it could survive a fall from a second or third floor balcony. The only complaint I have is that the latch feels a little weak. It hasn't popped open on me though, so I'm not too concerned about it. Other than that, great product.
I've carried it in many bags on travel and shoots, and nothing has broken or cracked. It still closes firmly and stays closed. The thin little dividing rubber hasn't warped or disintegrated. The clip is handy, as is the blue color. I get tired of having everything black in my camera bags. The blue is easy to spot. The hard plastic is a good texture for the label I made for it, with my Brother labeler. The label has stayed on.
I purchased this after first purchasing the Pelican 0910-010-110 Secure Digital Memory Card Case. That case was overkill for my daily needs.The Hakuba is very light weight, and won't pull your pockets down while you're walking around. It is much bulkier than I'd expected however.
Looks like a tough unit that will defineately protect your cards. If there is a weak part it would have to be the hinge, but that remains to be seen.
Good product reasonably priced to manage 4 memory chips.  Sturdy.  Perhaps a bit too thick and tends to have a loose chip when case is opened sometimes.  A very good storage case.
Others have commented extensively on the construction of this case.  It's definitely solid, and I can't imagine a case that would be more impact resistant.  It holds my 4GB and 8GB SDHC cards quite well.  I especially like the clasp for extra security.  I put this case in one of the zippered pockets in my camera case and also attached the clasp.  Since I lost a memory card on my last trip because it fell out of the camera case, this will provide maximum security/protection.  I do think this little case is a bit pricey, but couldn't find a quality case that was less expensive.  I would have given it five stars if it had been a better price.
This is big enough to help me find it. Hated the little plastic holders that came with the SD cards.
I wanted a good case for SD memory's and this one works. It holds the cards really well and the material makes it feel like it keep them secure if you dropped it. Not sure so far if its weather sealed but had no problems with that. It's quite small, a bit bigger than a 55mm lens filter or 3 double A batteries together.Only reason it's not 5 stars for me is the lock, it looks like it won't last too much, like it could stop working eventually or just fall off, so if your someone that uses it constantly then probably this item is not for you. Otherwise, is good and cheap.
The Hakuba DMSP-SD4 case is just what we needed for transporting SD cards. It holds up to four cards securely in an enclosure that is small enough to fit in a camera bag, purse, or pocket, yet large enough not to get lost. The clear plastic cases that come with some SD cards are often hard to open and close, fragile, and easy to lose. We recently bought two expensive Transcend 32 GB SDHC cards, and they were not even packaged with plastic cases.We didn't need the metal chain attached to the case, but found it is easy to remove. The soft rubbery inner surface of the Hakuba case has recessed openings for the cards. They fit in securely but are easy to remove. We recommend placing the cards in the case with the contacts down and opposite the finger access cut outs (This is opposite to how the Amazon images show the SD cards in the case.) This way you are less likely to touch the brass contacts when removing your SD cards, which should help prolong their lives.
The cards tend to pop out when you open this. But it's a handy case, and it fits in the pocket on my camera bag.
The case was rugged and a snug fit for holding the memory.  Thanks for a very good product.
I rate this item quite highly.  It is more compact than the item's description would indicate and therefore fits quite nicely in the storage area of my camera case.  It will also fit easily in a pants pocket or hang from a belt.  Four SD (or SDHC) cards will fit easily in this case.  Several other people have given the hint to put the cards in right-side-up if they are empty and up-side down if they are full.The Pelican case is sturdier, but is too large to fit easily in a camera case.
Great little case, I keep it clipped to my camera bag. Holds 4 SD cards and they don't fall out when you open it. Holds them tight while letting you remove the one you need.
Sure, it only holds four SD cards, and it's pretty large for what it does, but I swear you could drive a car over this case and not damage the cards. Fantastic padding, secure fit, secure snap-lock.
The case is substantial but still small enough to fit in any pocket on my camera bag.  As a novice with DSLR cameras I don't yet need to store 8 or 10 cards so this is just the right capacity.  Truthfully, even if I go beyond the 4 card capacity of this case I will probably order another one just like it.  The two cards I have fit tightly in the provided rubber-like depressions and the case shuts tightly.  I can't vouch for it's waterproof qualities but I have no intention of immersing it to find out either.  Highly recommended for those who don't need to store large numbers of memory cards.
This SD case securely houses 4 SD memory cards and protects them with it's hard case.
I didn't expect this case to be almost 1/2" thick.  It uses up about the same volume as the 4 memory cards in 4 separate plastic cases.  It does have a lot of padding, but I don't believe that SD cards are that sensitive to damage on being dropped.  This case looks like you could drop it off the top of a tall building and your SD cards would still be OK.  I'd like something slimmer in my pocket.
This worked out well load your extra cards and I snapped mine on the handle of my camera bag.....It worked out just like I needed,,,
Hard plastic outer case.  Soft closed-cell foam inside.  Snaps closed tightly.  Cards fit snugly, but you don't have to press on them too hard to get them in their place like you might with a firmer material or plastic.  I doubt it is waterproof but it is certainly water "resistant," not that I plan to test it (but I wouldn't be too concerned if it got wet in the rain).  There is a little recessed, cutout to loop a cord around, but the metal chain and clasp pictured were not included with mine.  I don't really care, but some folks might.  And it's black, inside and out, not blue as pictured.
Based on the photo, I expected to receive two pieces, an 8-card case and a 4-card case. It is only an 4-card case. The description did not make it clear that it was two separate items in the photo. If it had been the 8-card case I would have been satisfied (not happy, but satisfied) because that is what I wanted. I had to buy another product to actually get what I wanted. It would have cost me nearly as much to return it as a buying the new one so I just kept it. The description and photos need to be more accurate. I will say the that the 4-card case seems to be good quality for what it is.
I bought this over another based on reviews and think it's a real nice little box for SD cards.  Don't beleive the dimensions listed.
I must say, I expected the interior to not be hard rubber and instead be a softer material. The coloring is okay in my opinion, a bit darker than the picture the seller provides. Overall, it seems to be of good quality. My only fear is that the clasp to hold it shut might snap as it is only plastic. Yet, your memory cards will be well protected. It holds 4 memory cards and is about 1/2 inch thick; I do not find this to be a problem. I give it 3/5 stars solely because the clasp and hinges are quite breakable.
Very nice little case to hold 4 SD cards.  I bought 6 of them. The RIGHT PRICE TOO. and nice quality.
I used to have all my SD cards in separate cases. I was constantly fiddling around looking for them and trying to remember where I put them. With this I put all the cards in one case, and they are well protected.
Kind of bulky but protects camera cards well. Holds 4 SD cards and comes with a key ring for easy attachment to lanyards etc.
I purchased this item because of the chain that is shown attached to it but when it was delivered, there was no chain attached to mine. I am very disappointed because the chain was my main attraction to it. I feel like the picture is very deceptive, if the item you receive does not match the picture you've been shown. I'd like to return it but for the cost of shipping it back.
I got this to carry around my extra SD cards and it works great.  Keep in mind, however, that it's made for SD and SDHC cards, not for micro SD cards and not for bigger video cards, like some other memory card holders are.  But this is just how I like it.  It's very small, just a couple inches long and less wide.  Its rounded edges make it easily fit in the pocket or even on a keychain.  I like the little clip on it, which allows you to hook it to the inside of your camera case if you'd like -- a good way to prevent losing it.  The outside is hard plastic and the inside is a squishy rubber that seems to hold the cards snug.  The little lip on the card slots helps to get them in and out with ease.  Great product at the right price.
The picture is a little misleading, from the picture I thought there was space for 6 cards!
The case is a good size and holds the SD cards snugly. HOWEVER it has a cheap plastic "hinge" and as much as I used cards I do not expect it to last very long. :(Cannot recommend this product. The photos posted by Amazon conveniently do not show the hinge. I am off to find a replacement.
fits in your pocket and holds media well. might get an extra one. Will pull out the foam rubber on one side to make a place for a extra battery. The foam rubber is very thick and quality.
Nice quality.Solidly built.Holds 4 cards snuggly in somewhat flexible foam cusion.Easy to retrieve thanks to small crescent-shaped cutaway above each card slot.I would recommend this product to anyone needing a way to store up to 4 SD cards without them getting lost or damaged.
Hakuba DMSP-SD4 Plastic Case for Digital MemoryThis clam shell type case for SDHC Memory Card Is a nice large hard plastic Container. That holds 4 SDHC Memory cards in a soft plastic pockets. The outside plastic appears hard enough to drive over with out damaging it's contents, although I have not done so.Outside dimensions are 2 1/2" L X 2 1/16" W X 11/16" DInside dimensions for SDHC Memory Card are 15/16" W 1 1/4" L X 1/16" D.The unit closes with a plastic another clam shell lick device (with a positive click) that looks like it will last for a wile. It also comes with a small length of chain with a clip hook. Also I would put the SDHC Memory Cards in with the contacts pointing down so when you go to remove them you donot touch the cards contacts. The cards data will last longer that way. I would say the whole thing looks very dependable and well built to last. I have no problem recommending this Plastic Case for SDHC Memory Cards.That is why I give it a 5 star ratting.
This little case fits the bill for organizing and protecting sd cards when you are traveling, or even just out and about.  I bought several as stocking stuffers.
I was looking for a carrying case for extra SD cards to replace the clutter of the little single plastic cases the cards come in. This one was nicely priced, and the other ones I saw here when shopping, seemed that they might be cheaply constructed. It's kind of large to just hold 4 cards, but as long as I'm careful to fully close the latch, I'm confident my SD cards are well-protected in this case. I like the clip on the outside, although I don't know that I'd dangle it from just that clip for fear of it breaking under strain. I've used the clip to secure the case at a spot inside a larger bag so it's easier to find.I like the blue color, as it's easier to see inside a camera or tote bag than yet another small black item. My only regret is that this case holds only 4 cards. As I write this I'm shopping for another carrying case for my SD cards, because when I go on vacation I'll be carrying more than 4 cards. I'm looking at cases which hold multiples of 4, but I may just go ahead and buy a couple more of these cases. I can label them on the outside so I can tell them apart. And one advantage, I suppose, of the 4-card case, is that I won't be carrying all my cards in one case when I'm out and about.Finally, I just want to mention that this plastic product did *not* give off a bad chemical smell when I took it out of the package. It seems that lately when I open an amazon shipping box and take out a recent purchase, all too often the item gives off a strong smell. I'm tired of that, and now I'm likely to return items with unacceptable odors - whereas in the past I might have put the item out on the covered porch to outgas for a few days.Edited to add: I goofed and didn't search enough. After I ordered a couple more of this product, I found that there's an 8-card capacity case from this same maker:HAKUBA USA INC DMSPSD8 SD Secure Digital Memory Card Storage Wallet. Thought I'd mention it if anyone really wants an 8-card case.
Was looking for a small case to hold a few memory cards for my camera.  This fits the bill to a "t."  Very pleased with the product and would recommend it.  Delivery was speedy.
The case I received has no clip.  Must be &#34;new and improved&#34; version....  Too bad because the case itself is nice, there's just no way to clip it to anything.
UPDATE 2/9/2013: The picture on this page now does resemble what I received. However, if you look at the user-submitted selection of pictures you might still see what was shown when I ordered this. It was a light blue colored case with a Key chain attached. So, I'm leaving my below review intact because the manufacturer apparently has a policy to randomly change the design ... who knows how long this design will last? So, if you really want a small black case, take notice... you might not get that because they may have changed the design again.ORIGINAL REVIEW:The picture has very little resemblance to what I received. I agree with the other reviewers who report that their product has no key chain and is a different color (mine is black). The product I received does have space for 4 mem sticks. But that's really where the similarity ends.This is a quote from the small print on the back of the packaging: "Product design and specifications are subject to change without notice for continual product improvement."So, even though the product model number I received is the exact same as this product (DMSP-SD4), it appears that the manufacturer completely redesigned the product and didn't change the picture OR model number.This is a big disappointment to me. The main reason I bought this was the Key fob feature. Instead there is a tiny plastic loop on the back that we are supposed to thread our own strap through. Unfortunately, my plastic loop is not punched-through so mine is completely non-functional as a strap attachment location.All of that said, the product does look like it would provide adequate-to-good protection for Mem sticks. Just don't buy this for the key chain feature because that appears to have been "optimized out" of the design ... at least in some cases. I think some people are still getting the key chain version. Unfortunately, there's no way to guarantee that what you see is what you get.
Hakuba's memory card cases are extremely well-made, durable, and reasonably priced.  The lightweight plastic housing is practically indestructible, and the cutout soft rubber inserts are perfectly designed to accommodate memory cards, making insertion and removal extremely easy.  It may not be watertight, but the case appears to be dust tight and water resistant.  The attached chain is handy item.The case is a tad oversized, and availability in designer colors would be a plus.  The latch hinge will eventually break, but that's about the only potential issue with this great product.
I tried three different styles of SD memory cases, and I prefer this one. I can find it easily in my bag.  The four SD cards can be placed with their labels facing me so I can easily find the one I want. I can clip the case to my bag's zipper tab. My case has banged around in a travel case for five weeks and never come open.
Like others I was surprised by the size even though I expected it from the reviews.  It's hard to describe but it's just a little bigger than you think.  It would probably protect your SD cards from an astroid.  Wanted something to clip inside our travel bag and this is perfect.  No more searching for those little plasic cases.  I would definitely recommend.
I own several Hakuba cases for CompactFlash cards, and this one, for SD cards, works just as well. Cards fit snugly, the case snaps closed securely and is well built and solid. I am glad the CF and SD card cases are of different colors, because it makes it impossible for me to grab the wrong one when going out on a photo expedition. Well done, Hakuba!January 9, 2013. A lot of sleet, snow, rain, dust and mud later, this Hakuba case proved itself worthy, keeping my memory cards clean and dry.
What is not to like, except the key chain and that can be easily removed. It might even be handy in some circumstances.  Otherwise, the case is sturdy, solid and I presume waterproof (wouldn't test it though). It takes up slightly more room than other SD Card Cases that are plastic shells only, but worth the sacrifice for the additional protection and security.  Would reccommend highly.
I wish the keychain part was removable. It gets in the way, as I carry it in the camera case anyway.  I will probably cut it off sooner than later.  Otherwise a nice little case with plenty of protection.  There is no way I'd want to trust my valuable cards in this case if I used the keychain to hook it to me in some fashion.  The latch does not snap tightly enough for that kind of trust.
This is a small case for memory cards -  it is exactly what it purports to be but I now wish I'd bought one a little larger, and a little more flexible in its construction.  It certainly works as advertised.
Good case, but the "living hinge" and latch means that it's going to "die."  Rather than having a proper hinge and a latch with through-pins, the plastic will eventually fail, allowing the case to come open.
It's very durable and well made to fit exactly 4 SD cards, but the only thing about this product is that it did not come with the metal chain. I am disappointed. I think it is misleading to advertised it as having it, but the delivered product did not have it.
The telescoping legs are a joke, they just will not hold up to the weight of even a small camera. The size is to small (without the "telescoping legs") to get the angles you would need for any shots.It is difficult to get it to lock at the desired angle, and the tripod will literally disassemble itself if you do not handle it carefully. This item is really not worth the money, I wish I would have spent a bit more and bought a gorillapod or similar
This Tripod is great for the person with little or no extra space for accessories. I use it on horse back or when I'm hiking. You can set it on a Rock, Tree Stump or anywhere you like, on a flat or uneven surface. Fits into almost any pocket or a small pouch (flashlight pouch) for your belt.
This tripod is very stout, much more so than the $3 - $5 dollar ones you see.  It's all most all metal,  the Ball and ball housing is metal and moves very smoothly.  Works good with my 2 lb Canon HV30 camcorder.  Bottoms of the tripod legs have nice rubber grips.  This is a bigger tripod than the ultra mini's.  This can fit into your pocket, but it will be "stuffed" The legs are about as thick as dimes.  When extended it is about 15 inches tall.  Folded down it is about 9" long.  With the diameter of a $1 coin.
Only tripod small enough and more stable enough to hold my iPhone.  Used but in excellent condition. Wow, I love it.I had a Hakuba, Before.  It turns out it is a cheaper Imitation: the screw and the metal that holds it are too simple on the imitation.  The tripod legs will will not lay flat on the table.  The small screws will easily detach--although they may look similar.  I am glad I bought this because the other one I bought had the same price, but of poor quality.Additions:  Every part of the imitation version has cheap parts:  the tip of the legs and the way they are attached are different.  The color of all metals of the real thing is a lot better.  The knob to tighten the ball is way better. The plate that holds the leg will definitely last a lifetime( it is held on a solid unimetal). The ring that holds the leg will let the legs lie flat on the surface making it more stable. The ring itself is highly polished.  When you extend you do not just have a push pin, but one that is in a lot of more expensive portable tripod..  The tip of the leg is more chrome.  Even the wrist handle is better. In the real thing, when you lift the pole, the three legs tend to s stay up.  On the imitation it will drop down, so you always have to hold it up to stand the tripod on the floor.I was worrying if this is the real thing I was referring to, because I ordered a few of them.  I ordered another one of this specific mini tripod and I got the order and this is the right one.Hakuba is a US company---I am sure the cheaper one is made in China.The scary part is some of the bigger camera store are selling the cheaper version but at the same price---you can imagine how different they are.  I am doing a video on this and a little more information---
I found this one on one of the Youtube videos where the guy made his own steady cam. I built one similar to his and its the ticket. mounted it upside down and hold the legs. search "homemade steadycam" and you'll run across it.
I shoot a lot of night-street and interior event photography and love this lens for these situations in many ways. But, there are a few things about this lens that I wish I'd considered more carefully before purchasing:* Truncated bokeh - On the Nikon FE, Canon 7D, and Canon 5D Mk II, specular bokeh on the top and right portions of an image can be "chopped" in half. This is due to the small size of these cameras' light boxes (the chamber between the lens and the film frame). The Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AiS lens does not have this problem (smaller circles of confusion wide open). And, you may not have this problem with your particular camera body.* Non-circular bokeh, even at f/1.4 -  from 1.4 to 2.0, there's a distracting "ban-saw blade" outline with specular bokeh (christmas lights, etc.) From 2.4 to 16, the bokeh are clearly polygonal (nonagonal) and not circular, again for specular bokeh only.* "Condom-ring" bokeh -- almost every lens that is neutrally corrected for circular aberration seems to have this "bright-edged" look with specular background lights, even expensive aspherical designs like the Canon EF 50mm & 85mm 1.2 L's. The only exceptions I've found so far are the Sigma 50mm 1.4, the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 G, the Nikkor 105mm f/2.0D AF DC and, surprisingly, the bargain-basement Rokinon/Samyang 85mm 1.4. These lenses UNDER-correct for circular aberration in distal out-of-focus areas, creating creamy and "un-jittery" backgrounds (not just for specular highlights but also with straight-line elements like picket fences and buildings)* 19 min focus distance - I didn't think that the more common 16" min focus distance of the Nikkor 50mm 1.4  vs the 19" of this lens would matter to me until I started using the 50mm 1.2. For most people this will be insignificant, especially if you have lots of megapixels to crop.  I do carry around a macro extension tube with this lens when shooting small subjects.* Like every other double-Gaussian non-aspherical 50mm lens, there is definite green-magenta chromatic fringing wide open with backlit/silhouetted subjects--severe enough that Adobe Lightroom 3 and 4 cannot remove it. I guess that's when to consider the Nikkor-G 50mm 1.8 or the Sigma 50mm 1.4* Special caveat for Canon EF users: If you're shooting video and need smooth pull-focus shots, be sure to get a Nikon-CanonEF adapter ring without "play" (jiggliness). The Fotodiox "Pro" series are 100% snug.I realize that most people just don't care about the phenomena above. In which case, this lens will blow your socks off. Here's why I still love this lens and continue to use it so often:* Sharpness, perceptual sharpness (MTF-30 contrast), and color saturation for non-bokeh fanatics is superb from 2.0 to 11 (at which point it hits the diffraction-circle brick wall like any other full-frame 50mm lens)* It's build and silky focus helicoid gearing meets or exceeds Nikon's non-Ai classic manual focus lenses and the Zeiss/Cosina manual focus primes.* It's quite compact for its speed--much smaller than, say, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 (which is the most bokeh-friendly sub $1,000 lens around)* I actually love the "cat's eye"/"lemons & footbals" peripheral bokeh mentioned by a prior reviewer--it has a vintage, pre-aspherical and pre-computer-age look and feelHope that helps. Happy shooting whatever you're using! - Andrew
I've owned this lens for about twenty years and I can't let it go. I owned a Nikon F3 HP and a Nikon FM2. I sold the F3 but I held on to my FM2 and my 50mm 1.2 lens. I primarily shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II now but when I get in the mood to shoot film, I break out my FM2 and 50mm 1.2. I could use some money for a few new toys that I'd like to buy but I refuse to sell my 50mm even though it's in excellent condition. I even bought an adaptor so I can use it with my Canon. Here's a link to a shot I took with the 50mm and FM2: [...]
this is a most cheapest big apperature at 50mm. other 1.2 50mm lens need at least 1000 dollars. if you use the nikon camera, come on, buy it as fast sa possible. if don't, you will missing in you whole live!
I have been a serious amateur photographer for over 60 years, beginning in the late 1940's with an Exacta SLR, then progressing through Pentax and Nikon. I have always loved the feel and operation of the the well built SLR with all mechanical controls easily at hand and the feeling that I, rather than the camera, am in total control. This is why I jumped at the chance of buying the retro featured Nikon DF, with its incredible D4 sensor, fantastic color rendition and incredible low light sensitivity. You can imagine that I was intrigued by the still living retro non CPU 50 mm f 1.2 Nikkor from the late 80's, a manual focussing lens, still made in Japan in small quantities and available in the U.S. with full Nikon warranty. Imagine taking a photo by candle light that is sharp and noise free without a flash!Since they always seem to be back ordered, I had to search several dealers before finding one available. When it arrived, I was smitten by the looks and feel of this product, an all metal gem with silky smooth short throw focussing and a satisfying click of F stoops right on the barrel. Being a non CPU lens with AI capability, there are no electronic contacts on the lens and EXIF data must be produced by registering the lens through a menu function on the DF. Once done, the camera is put in aperture priority and the camera operates just like a Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon FE or a brand new Leica M240. Set the F stop on the lens barrel and the ISO on the top dial of the DF and away you go.The fact that it is an AI lens means that it focusses and meters wide open.Manual focussing is just great. There is always the focus confirmation light in the viewfinder to comfort you. But I tried focussing without it in a number of lighting conditions, then pressed the shutter half way to activate confirmation, and the light always lit up. The bottom line is this in an easily manually focussed lens. I am now back to my nostalgic photographic years. But wait!This is a fantastically sharp lens wide open and even better at F 2. My non technological source of evaluation is the red brick wall on the house across the street. At F2, this lens yields crisp sharp pictures at 10X crop and I can pick out the imperfections in the mortar between the bricks. By the way, this lens allows me to take great noise free pictures in candlelight at F 1.2 and ISO values of  12,800.So there you have it: a great lens on a great camera and a joy to my retro heart. But also with modern low light capabilities that a 1980's photographer could never dream of. I also own an Olympus OMD EM1 with a number of excellent lenses. So I am not an antiquarian. However, when I head out with a camera, it seems to be the DF with the Nikkor F 1.2 50mm lens that mostly accompanies me.
Bought this on recommendation of a friend who raves about his.Attached it to my D4 and it was like being back in the old days--as I generally shoot in manual mode, had to actually manually adjust the aperture with the aperture ring and focus manually (a bit more of a challenge as my eyesight ain't what it used to be).  Got focus confirmation via the green dot appropriately.IQ on the D4 is, in a word, stunning.  This is simply a great lens--no question about it.  Unless you're really skilled, I wouldn't recommend it for fast moving subjects but then 50mm is not really something you'd typically use for sports or racing, etc.We take for granted the instantaneous response for focus and shooting of today's modern DSLR's.  This lens is a step backward in the speed and automation departments but a step forward in restoring the thoughtfulness and focus on participation in imaging.  I really enjoy this lens and am sure you will too if you understand its fundamental.sOne other quick observation--Ken Rockwell, who is revered by some and reviled by others, says this is the sharpest 50mm at f2 of all lenses in existence.  I will affirm that claim.  It is indeed spectacular.Give it a try.  It may open your mind to a whole world of shooting that some of us more &#34;mature&#34; people remember fondly.
I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer who still has a day job that pays the bills. I make my photographs with a Nikon D3s and I have a range of prime lenses and also zoom lenses. When I started using Nikon cameras back in the early 1960's with the Nikon F Photomic T which I used for a long time the only way to shoot was with a prime lens. When this lens made its debut and I forget when it was, I was awestruck by this phenomenal work of engineering art. What a piece of glass it was and so fast at f 1.2. I think it was the fastest one out there. Then I thought it was so expensive I could never afford it and I did not. Now by comparison it is rather inexpensive, but only available used (pre-owned) of course. It is well worth the price since it is so well built it is almost indestructible if the lenses are not scratched.When zoom lenses came along they had their problems which have since been resolved and they now are the most used lenses and for good reason. They have largely displaced the prime lenses. There is still a place for the prime lens and even with the fast digital cameras (the claim to fame of my D3s is speed) there is still a place for analog speed. When one is gathering light by analog optical means rather than digital one does not suffer from the problem of digital noise and that is a real advantage. Managing the light and depth of field is where this lens shines, no pun intended. This is a jewel that has no match in the photographic crown. Solidly built it is purely mechanical because that is where lenses were when it was made. It is light weight, despite its mammoth aperture because it is just lens elements, barrel and diaphragm, no motors or other devices. It is entirely made of metal and aperture and focus rings are well designed and ergonomic, they are there for a purpose.True, it requires manual focus, but this is the true creative artist's lens. One must attend to many elements of the photograph, the exposure by manual means and thereby one attends to depth of field which is one of its real advantages. Wide open at f 1.2 the depth of field is very shallow and one can isolate the subject completely from the environment. The bokeh of this lens is legendary and a beauty to behold. The sharpness and color rendering is phenomenal and makes the photo unsurpassed.Can I recommend this lens? If you can find one, buy it! If you like to make photographs rather than just take them, you will not be disappointed. This is an artist's lens.
The lens is great. Beautifully designed and put together. This lens belongs firmly in the &#34;they don't build them like this anymore&#34; category, except that apparently at Nikon they still do. It has quality written all over it.Focus: This is a manual focus lens and the focus mechanism feels simply great. Very smooth yet not too light. All in all  easy to use but as with all manual focusing, it takes practice. In low light focusing becomes a lot more difficult which is ironic given the ridiculously wide aperture of the lens.Image quality:  At f1.2 the lens is soft and unforgiving. That's not to say you can't take great images with it. The combination of 50mm focal length and super wide aperture make for great effects in portraits. The bokeh IMO is quite pleasant. At f2.0 the lens becomes sharp, very sharp.Who is this for:  If you have to ask, you probably don't need this. Nikon's 1.8/50mm is a great lens at much lower cost AND has auto-focus. This lens on the other hand, is for enthusiasts and collectors (and hobbyists for whom cost isn't a big issue). You get a great super fast lens (at a price) and for better or worse you're stuck with manual focus.Note: I use this on a D800 and I had to create a lens profile on the camera order for the exif data to be stored correctly.
It's manual and one must be careful in focusing, but the effort is worth it because of the extreme sharpness of this lens. Excellent for portraits. For those who aren't interested in manual focus one should consider the Nikon 50mm 1.4 or 1.8.
*Not heavy or bulky at all--I found it to be lighter than most any lens yet the build quality is robust--and the wide grip focus ring allows a rapport 'gliding with preciseness'-- meaning great levels of subtle adjustments.*At f2 it's truly sharp-you read of those saying this lens and that lens is sharp wide open--only to find this is BS--well f2 isn't wide open but it's so sharp that didn't want it any sharper (without any post processing I could see the faint stitch patterns in a baseball cap--and I don't mean the main stitch threads--I mean within the smooth surface of the cotton--and 2.8 was sharper than that even--in fact sharper than I thought lenses could get and yet a faint creaminess was still there!)*Since at f2 you have real world-perfectly usable sharpness (this is where I keep the lens set for 90 percent of my work) you are no longer in the basement of 2.8 and below. All of which means f2 on this lens sends the world of available light photography through the roof.*Its bokeh is beautiful stuff and tends to define in a Monet-like way rather than other worlds of surrealistic soft cotton. But there is an almond shaped disc effect it does to background lights that is famous when used at 1.2...I have as of yet to replicate this with accuracy. But it has happened. Flickr will show you what I mean.*I found the colors to be more than just accurate--they were spot on. (Using Nikon D3)In fact, I am still kind of stunned at the color fidelity.*IQ --Okay the only fair thing to compare it to is the legendary Nikkor 85 1.4---I have the AIS (MF only)and the 85 is creamier with more dynamic range--meaning the 50mm is rendered just a bit more clinical in comparison. Basically the 85mm gives you a bit more romance--the 50mm tells you like it is. I think I carry the 50mm more because of its light weight and it's easier to focus. Which of them is sharper? Depends on how you like your sharpness. I have found the 85 sharp to the point of being a bit brittle--of course this depends on the aperture you use. But peak sharpness on the 50mm (which I consider overly sharp around f4 and up)I find to be less brittle. I wouldn't choose sharpness as the deciding factor of these lenses--it's too close--if I had to kill one and marry the other--the 85mm would be at the altar. But try to pry the 50mm from my cold dead hands--because I'll be holding onto it from the afterlife.
Hoya produces good clear filters.  I have been satisfied with the quality and durability of all Hoya filters used to date.
Purchased solely to protect the lens of my Panasonic HC-V700M camcorder.  No complaints as far as image quality, but I mostly shoot indoors under fluorescent lighting.  Well-threaded, multi-coated, nice price.  Made in Philippines.
Hoya makes very good filters. A UV filter is usually used to cover and protect the lens from the elements. If you have a good camera with an expensive lens, it doesn't make sense to put a cheap filter on it. You'll get annoying reflections and flare from inadequate coating and generally will be disappointed. Spring for a good Hoya filter you won't be sorry. I highly recommend this filter.
This filter provides effective protection for my lens without any noticeable image deterioration; I leave it on the camera all the time so it is less time consuming than the use of a lens cap. The anti-reflex coating appears to be extremely efficient. The threaded ring is made from metal and holds the glass without imparting any strain. It doesn't get any better.
The Hoya filters always give good value for money. For most lenses I'll use Hoya, only the most demanding lenses I would buy B+W or Tiffen filters for.
I purchased this filter for a Panasonic DMC-FZ35 camera which has a Leica lens. I use the UV 0 filter for lens protection and believe that you should not cover a good lens with a piece of poor glass. This Hoya filter provides the protection I needed with the quality I was seeking.
No complaint here. The price is right and it is multi coated so it reduces some negative effects of using filter.
I ordered two of these, one for a Panasonic Lumix 14mm 2.5 and another for a Panasonic Lumix 20mm 1.7, both 46mm.  When I received them, one turned out to be Made in Japan, the other Made in Philippines. I noticed a couple minor differences:1. Cosmetic - The Japan filter has a glossier black paint finish, while the Philippines filter is more of a matte black metal finish.2. Optic - I held up the filters at an angle to see the reflections from a fluorescent light bulb. The reflection from the Philippines glass is a much darker green than the Japan glass, which is a much lighter green tint. Not sure if this means there's more UV coating, but I haven't noticed any image quality differences.
This filter cost about two to three times as much as other filters so I expected a product made in Japan.  Instead the seller probably made a few extra dollars selling a Philippine product instead.  The ring is flat black and doesn't match the shinny black color of my Japanese camera.  The filter itself doesn't seem to make any difference in my photo's, I've shot the same phot with and without the filter.  The whole experience was a waste of time and money.  I'll probably throw the filter away and order something else since it is too much of a hassle to get what I wanted.  This was my first bad buying experience on Amazon.
I usually buy the B+W filters but in looking I came across this at 1/3 the price. I figured I'd take a chance and was not disappointed. I wanted to get a "protection' filter for my new Panasonic HC-V700M camera. The filter is a glossy black and not a matte finish. It is also "Made In Japan" and not Chinese crap. Excellent price from Amazon and speedy delivery.
I picked up a Hoya 46mm to go with my 20mm pancake for my Micro 4/3 camera. I've upgraded cameras twice but have kept the lens and lens cover to protect the glass.I like the lens filter. It is made in the Philippines, (as stated on the side), is threaded very well, and protects my camera from the elements. The quality is good as well- my camera dropped from three feet lens downward. The lens cover actually broke from the fall, but the lens filter suffered no damage.I have now had this filter for over two years and enjoy it a lot. There are issues with green duplicates popping up during night-time photos however, so I do have to remove the filter if I want to avoid extra work post-process. Because of this I'm removing a star, however I highly encourage everyone to work with filters just to protect the more valuable glass below.
it works ok, but i prefer B&W. not too much price hiking for B&W.From my exp,  Hoya works a little bit better than Kenko
I don't always leave a haze filter on the lens when shooting. It just depends on the situation. I do try and leave a filter on the lens when I'm either transporting the lenses or whe they are not in use for a long time.
Works well as a lens protector and as an hase filter. Price is reasonable. Why spend more than necessary? Does not add distortion.
Perfect sacrificial UV Haze filter, no aberrations or optical characteristics to speak of.  At this price you really cannot go wrong.  Buy extras!
I initially bought this for added protection for my Panasonic TM 700 camcorder lens. But it does have a noticeable affect on the picture quality. It's great! And good price.
This is a nice filter for general protection and is suitable for most lighting conditions.  I use one each on my three Micro Four Thirds lenses for my Olympus OM-D.  However, I can verify another reviewer's experience with lens flare in low light, or with the sun in front of it or just off to the side.  Photographing a subject in front of a fireplace with a Panasonic 25mm f/1.4, for instance, will produce flare in the form of green blobs that are not present without the filter.  Given that this type of lighting is very challenging for any filter, for the price I can overlook it.  If you shoot a lot in low light, I'd suggest trying some different filters and perhaps spending more for better results, or just take off the filter for certain situations.  That said, this filter is a good value and I don't have any hesitation in recommending it.
Not expensive, but quality is good. Nice fit for the panasonic FZ28. I have bought several of them, because they easily come loose and disappear -not the filter's fault
Use it with my 20mm fisheye for my Panasonic four 3rd's GF3 camera.  Fits perfectly and don't detect any distortion.  As expected from Hoya.
I bought it for my Panny camcorder HC V700 for protection against the elements, water condensation, sand and dust. It may help in a very sunny and hazy day, but my main purpose is for protection.
Outstanding clear lens filter. Bought 2 for my Nikon lens 55-200mm zoom lens and for the 55mm Nikon lens.No problems screwing it to the front of the lens.Have not noticed any distortion to the photos or on the filter lens. Lens's were very clean. No smudges or any dust paricals were seen.These clear lens's from Nikon were so good that I ordered one more for the Nikon 55-300mm zoom lens in 58mm form.Arrived in mint condition and again no problems at all.I will stick with the Nikon lens filters.Can't go wrong.
It does what it is supposed to do, not really much to write about it!  Nikon quality is always great!
I chose this over the Best Buy &#34;NO NAME&#34; brands.BEST CHOICE EVER!The quality of this filter is much better than the ROCKET FISH filters.Recommended For Sure!
A great investment especially if you have expensive glass on your DSLR. Easy to replace and clean. Highly recommended to all.
Being "old school" (Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL) I wanted to protect the lens on my new Nikon D5100. Easier and less expensive to replace a scratched screw-on filter (not really a filter)than a lens.  I have yet to see any negative effects because adding this to the "front end."
Perfect protection for your lenses - arrived promptly,  best price I found for these - fits 18-55 and 55-200 Nikon lenses.
There must be hundreds that manufacture filters for cameras and I made a purchase of an inexpensive filter that eventually got stuck on the camera lens and we almost did not get it off. It was cheaply made and the grooves of the filters just did not fit well on the lens. I replaced it with a Nikon filter and while I paid a little more for the filter I feel this time I got quality. In fact I have even removed the filter a couple of times just to test to see if I am able to change filters quickly and it worked smoothly every time. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is really true in this case. No more off brand cheap filters for my Nikon!!
No one should have Nikon SLR lenses without having these filters on to protect them.  They have held up great for me over the last 3 years.
We bought this filter to protect the kit lens for the Nikon D3100. So far, it's been great - hasn't affected our photo quality at all, fits perfectly (we leave it on all the time), and does exactly what it says - protects.
I've never dropped my camera or had it fall, but these filters give you a little piece of mind that if you bump the lens into something, you won't damage the lens glass. Filters like this are just a little bit of cheap protection against simple goof ups, but won't really protect against a really bad impact.
Great lens protector, perfectly clear and does not reduce F stop at all. Nikon quality, what else is there to ask for?
I wanted a filter that would protect my lens, but what I hadn't expected was that you must be careful that the threads in the filter are correctly aligned with the lens when you screw on the filter.I was shooting at Pike Place Market in Seattle on a crowded Wednesday afternoon when three cruise ships were in port. The place was packed with tourists, and several times I had to cover my camera with my hand just so it wouldn't get whacked by someone trying to rush past me. Unfortunately, someone's elbow came up and hit my lens. The filter popped off and went zooming onto the ground amidst many people trying to finesse their way through the crowd. When I bent down to pick up the filter, surprisingly, it wasn't broken.I cleaned off the filter and when space allowed, I found a quiet nook in the market where I could reattach the filter to my lens. Long story, but the message is to make sure the filter is correctly attached before you venture out. The threads on the filter are very fine, and it's easy to &#34;think&#34; that it's attached securely, even when it isn't.
This filter leaves your picture alone, unlike the UV filter. And this way I can use it to always keep my lense protected.
Nikon says these neutral color filters (NC) are intended for everyday use to protect your lens glass. Other filters could do this for a little less money perhaps, but the anti-glare coating on the Nikon filters is amazing. When you first open the package, it looks like they forgot to put the glass in the aluminum rings. You really have to look at them from an oblique angle to get any reflection whatsoever from the glass. These filters are top quality. They will protect your lens glass and reduce reflection and glare considerably.
Like the ad for JBL speakers used to say....  What do you get for your money?...  NOTHING.  Nothing to come betwen your lens and the world.  Very fine quality.
The product I purchased was of high quality and exactly what was advertised I would recommend this product and the price was very reasonable.
This is an excellent filter/protector for your lens... It really proved it's worth as a protector in my case - I dropped a lens and fortunately the filter saved it!  I purchased another one.  I highly recommend Nikon filters.  I bought the 72mm one for the 55-200mm lens I purchased.  Great quality!
I have always been a believer of Nikon Optics reputation.  Although they do make some inexpensive items, their optics are one of the best in the world.
What I like:- affordable price  I bought it for around 20$)- almost zero reflections (compare to Tiffen UV filter, "zero" reflections)- good build qualityWhat I didn't like:- there are still some additional reflections when you have directed light, but I noticed it only in conditions when you'd expect to see reflections (in opposite to Tiffen's filter, which made reflections even if you thinks there should be nothing)Overall: will buy again this product. Don't look in more cheaper and worse quality alternatives
An excellent filter. Numerous shots, both day an night, were free of flares. Although it is primarily a "protection" filter, the best feature is there is no discernible affect on exposures. Only when shooting direct at full moon, did I get a series of "lens reflections" but any filter will do that.
These are pricey but worthwhile it they are used to protect a pricey lens.  So far as I can tell there is no degradation of image quality at all.  I also use B+W clear filter filters for this purpose.  I'm suspicious of all others.
For protection of the lens and peace of mind, this filter is perfect. Easy to clean. Great price for what it does.
Firstly, if you need to know if this will fit your Nikon lens, just look at the back of your lens cap. The back of every Nikon lens cap says the size filter that it takes in millimeters. I found this out late after googling it for a while, so I figured i'd save you some time if you didn't know already.Here's all you need to know about the product:1] It's a genuine Nikon NC lens filter, that's sealed in it's original packaging.2] If your using a Nikon lens, don't skimp on the filter, buy the same brand that makes your lens. Don't be a chump.2] Nikon protects the filter during shipping by including a reusable plastic storage case for the filter, which is further protected by the semi-hard plastic packaging. The case snaps shut, and seems pretty durable.3] Nikon product number is CM-10, and it's a 52mm filter.4] Price on here is lower than retail, and far lower than camera shops that mark these up above retail.
very nice filter , although i have not taken any shots  its very clear . cant wait to take it out on the field
If you want a 52mm screw-on filter to protect your lens then this is a great choice.  I stayed with the Nikon clear glass filter for this particular lens.  If I was buying a filter for an expensive Nikkor lens then I would go with the &#34;premium&#34; Hoya HD or HD2 lens.
This filter is used to protect the front of the camera lens from damage.  This filter is made to the same standard as Nikon lenses and has no effect on the photographs.  Simple as that.  Superb product.
What can I say, it's a Nikon brand, multi-coated filter that protects my lens from accidental scratches.  What more can I want?
Many consider this an essential accessory to protect lenses.  A few folks find a few circumstances where they don't wish to use it but most of us will leave it on all the time.  Good price, excellent Nikon quality, quick delivery, all one could ask for.
I bought this as protection for a Nikon 17-55 lens. It fits well & has not caused any problems from adding a layer of glass to the lens
After research and numerous opinions about my feeling the need for a lens protector, and the various views of the downsides of cheap UV or Skylight filters which alter the light. I decided to try this. Seems well built, no complaints!
Always install a neutral filter lens on your SLR to protect the coating on the lens from damage.  Easier to replace the filter than to buy a new lens!
This is a great way to get a backup filter for a 52 mm lens.  I got it as a used item and it came in the original Nikon packaging....It was a great price.  Shipped quick and packaged well.
I am very happy with this filter. It is simple but well made. It is Nikon's protective (NC or Neutral Color) filter . It's not polarized nor will it do anything much other than protect lens from dust/damage. If you spent a bunch on a nice lens you should spend the extra money to protect it.
As in my other reviews.  I own this clear filter for different sizes and I believe that they're great, clear glass with no vignetting involved, doesn't change the tone in your photos.  Its like your camera  has no filter on, great for protecting against unwanted accidents and dust.
I typically buy Hoya UV filters, but that was giving me green ghosting with light sources. This NC filter gets rid of that problem and protects the lens. I don't even bother with a lens cap, which I could lose on a shoot. The filter is good enough to protect my glass!There's lots of options out there, but this is a great choice at a pretty good price. I'd recommend it.
Decent clear filter for my Nikon D3100. Fits perfectly as expected, no problems with it and affecting picture quality. Great protection for your main camera lens!
clear...sharp photos...fits well..screws and unscrews easily and that is why I paid more for the Nikon product to start with
As long as it's made in Japan, I'm good. Very good quality. I recommend this product to anyone who has a Nikon D3200
If you have a camera which is not good in low light, I think this will make things worse.  But if you have that camera you probably have no interest in low light situations, unless at extreme long exposures, which this would not effect. You must have a filter to protect the lens in case of a scratch.  The price is good.  The filter is good.
I own 3 Nikkor Lenses and 3 of these filters. I own the Nikkor 18 - 55mm, Nikkor 55 - 200mm and 35mm lenses. Each time I purchase a lens I purchase this filter for it at the same time and I never take it off. The reason for having a filter for each lens is pretty plain and simple... what good is a filter for protection if you are constantly exposing the lens while you switch filters when changing lenses during a shoot? Once the filter is taken off the lens, even for a brief amount of time, it is exposed to the elements of your surroundings. No matter how quickly, which that in itself can cause accidents due to being in a rush, once the filter is removed the lens is subject to dust, lint, sand, or any of the many thousands of things that cause damage to a lens including finger prints, scratches and so on.I have read all the reviews on here so let me shed some light on a few things. First of all it is true when you take the filter out of the packaging it is so clear it looks like they forgot to put the glass in it. I am very picky about my gear and getting things right the first time so I have taken plenty of photos with and without the filter and only a few rare times were there a slight lens flare with the filter on. Those very rare occasions were not enough for me to ditch the filter and take a chance of scratching or otherwise having any damage to my lens.The other thing I keep reading over and over is the high cost. This baffles me because I normally use B&W; which is extremely expensive and I was very concerned purchasing this filter at the low cost of the price. After reading the reviews and going on the Nikon name alone I thought I'd give it a try and I am glad I did. This filter is less costly than the B&W; and in my humble opinion works equally if not better than the aforementioned brand.The old saying penny wise pound foolish applies here in that paying $200 for a lens and not the additional $20 to protect it is a very foolish decision.The last thing that I would like to remark on is clear/neutral, UV, Polarizing, etc filters are not the same and will alter or not alter your photos depending on which you so choose. These days, especially the higher end lenses are multi coated, and really do not require a UV filter like they did long ago pre digital camera's and the early digital camera's. The clear/neutral filter such as this filter is basically for one reason, to protect your investment of the lens. If you slam your lens on the concrete or drop it off the 3rd floor of a building the filter isn't going to do much to save that lens however it will protect it from dust, dirt, sand, finger prints, etc from everyday usage.These are just my opinions so just take them for what they are.
I like the fact that it's made by Nikon. Other than that, it's a clear filter... it fits perfectly on my 35mm f/1.8 AF-S lens... I haven't noticed any degradation in my shots since screwing it in. I don't plan on ever taking it off not even to put a Polarizing filter on it since it has threads on the outside to stack more filters onto it.It comes in a very nice case that I'll never use again.Overall, I can't complain.
I bought this to protect the lens itself.  It is relatively easy to screw in place, but the fine thread make cross threading quite easy, so care must be taken when installing.  I have no plans to srew on or off with any sort of frequency.
Nice filter! It is simple and more for protection more than anything, but there have been a few times it has saved me from glare! Thumbs up!
I'm not a pro but I'm using this filter to protect my lene and I see no visible difference in picture quality.
Perfect to protect your lens. A small investment that goes a long way to protect your expensive lenses, well worth it.
Bought this for my Nikon D5100 to protect my lens. Great purchase! Would recommend to anyone looking for a screw on filter
I bought this to use with the Nikon D3000. It's easy to use and works very well with the camera. I haven't noticed any difference in overall picture quality. If you frame a shot poorly, you will get some shadows around the edges of the picture due to the filter. However, if you make sure to hold the camera straight that shouldn't be a problem at all.
Great filter. Not sure who is doing the mfg for Nikon these days, but no quality issues. There are plenty of after-market NC filters out there. Some great and some that will have you tearing your hair out from a slightly noticeable tint or (less-common) flaring. For  stuff that is in this (relatively) small dollar price point, I usually just stick with the OEM. While Nikon is far from perfect, I trust them, and the filter is one heck of a lot less expensive than replacing a scratched lens.
I'm no expert on coatings and such but it works for me just fine. I've smudged it couple of times and it cleaned easily with Nikon's cleaning pen.
A good value for some additional protection for the important, expensive lenses on your Nikon D5100 camera. A reasonable price.
I was going to get some keep filters, but I wanted quality glass and so I had to spend some money on just a clear filter, but it's all worth it!  No scratches when I got it, but when I did open it up, there was a finger print on the glass.  Kind of upset, but just little bit of work,came right off and nice and clean now.it is VERY clear and I do seem to notice some difference in my photos, since I had a UV filter that wasn't the best and my lens cap kept on falling off.  My lens cap doesn't fall of from this filter!Great filter, I feel like pro using it!I'm actually going to be buying another one for my other lens that I got as well. Photography is a expensive hobby!
It worked as advertised. In my test, the coating also eliminates glare vs. cheap filter as well as no filter at all.
I purchased a set of 2 for my kit lenses (lol?) and neither my 55-200mm nor 15-55mm seems to collect any flares or ghosting with a lens hood. Without a lens hood, flares and ghosting are noticeable. I bought these so that I didnt have to worry about scratching the lens coating when I cleaned them. I have not used these filters with any other filters. The filter seems to be able to withstand light stabbing from my fingers and lens cap. As far as I know, these filters have not seized to my lens threads, as sometimes read when buying good fitting $2-3 dollar clear screw on filters.
I bought this instead of the much less expensive Tiffen filter because of the great review of this product and the poor reviews of the Tiffen filter complaining of green artifacts from light sources.I am pleased with the quality of the filter. It even comes with a nice hard plastic protective case for storage when not in use. I became disappointed when I began taking some test shots with the new filter on. I could immediately see green lens flare artifacts in about 50% of the photos I was taking that included a bright point light source.If the picture includes a lighting fixture, lamp pole, car headlight, etc, in my experience there is about a 50% chance of the picture being compromised with annoying green artifacts. I am disappointed because I intentionally paid more for this filter with the expectation it would be free from this effect. I'll probably return the filter and shoot with the lens naked and just be careful.
Great function and matching style for my Nikkors. The transmission seems very good. It's just a bit pricy. A very good alternative optically is Marumi, in my opinion.
I don't get people who spend $$$ on Nikon lenses and then put on cheapo filters to protect the lens!!!  This is the best solution.  It is more expensive than Tiffen etc but worth it as it is Nikon and perfectly clear.BTW, I do use a Tiffen UV filter, but only when I take my camera to the beach...the uncoated filters clean a bit better!!!
So far it has been a great filter.  i'm using it on my 35mm f1.8 nikon lense to protect it and it works!
Fantastic, well built high quality filter you would expect from nikon, you get what you pay for, its expensive but well worth it. No distortion that i can see. I have a few cheap lens nc filters and i never use them anymore. I also reccomend the nikon polarizer. Why put a 10 dollar filter on your 1k camera?
Very nice, received fast and correctly just what I was looking for.They came in a plastic protective case for each one that can be carried in my bag as spare. Not to worry about it getting scratched or damaged.
Purchased this item to protect the lens I use the most on my camera.  It is there just to avoid those scratches.  Another thing it does is it makes the lens a lot easier to dust off. Without this NC filter, the cleaning and dusting of my lens could wind up damaging the coating on the surface of the glass.
Great filter, no complaints screwed on nicely. I always use a filter on new lens. Nothing bad to say.bla bla bla bla
Super good and does not spoil the picture quality in any way. Well constructed and fits the Nikkor lenses very well.
no noticeable change in picture quality, protects the lens well. glad i decided to spend a little more and get the nikon over the other cheaper alternatives.
This fits real nice onto the lens and it doesn't really change my image quality! At the least it protects my lens and that's all I care about!
Great lens protector.  I have purposeful filters and some photogs keep one filter or another on the lens (such as warm or cool).  This is neutral. EVERYONE should have some sort of lens filter to protect the lens.
They are the best filters I have ever purchased and I do believe that they do enhance my pictures.Always want to keep my lens covered so these are the best ones to put on in my opinion.
I ordered a 52mm Nikon NC filter to protect my Nikon lens. Had the opportunity to use it at a friend's wedding last week. I couldn't figure out why my first few shots were not in clear focus, since this is not supposed to change the photo. I knew it might cause AF to be a little slower. I took it off and got clear shots. Today I took it out to figure out the problem. Turns out I was sent a Nikon Soft 2 filter by mistake. I'm still delighted because the Soft 2 filter is a more expensive filter than the one I ordered. I just went back on Amazon and ordered the NC filter from them. All's well that end's well.
great optics.  Nikon filters have the same great multi coating that their lenses have, and are crystal clear.  comes in nice case, packaged well.  Better than my hoya filter! INCREDIBLY THIN!!!!! can't emphasize that enough.  they are THIN
I know its cost a little bit more than the cheap ones, but think about your expensive lens, it provide the best protection and still get great pics. 5 *****
This cover provides a little more protection on my 50mm.  Also it looks very cool on camera, people ask me what lens I'm using.
I bought my Nikon D50 new in 2006 and I bought this filter in 2011. I had been getting bothered when I was taking pictures and just noticed over time the lens just didn't seem to perform the same. In 2011 upgraded to a newer Nikon 18-55 lens and figured maybe this NC Filter would help keep it protected and prevent me from cleaning the lens so frequently. Over the past year the filter has been a lifesaver. I rarely if ever need to clean the lens and the filter is crystal clear and my pictures are the same. I have not noticed any sacrafice in quality. I wish I would have purchased this when I bought my camera originally.
Perfect lens protection.  And the preferred filter protection.  Why would you put a cheap UV filter over your lens?
This filter is the Nikon original manufactured in Japan. No glare and great to protect my 35 mm/1.8 prime lens. I cannot tell I have the filter on in my picture quality.I cleaned my lens carefully prior to attaching the screw on filter so I wouldn't have dust particles between the lens and this filter. I think this filter is great for me especially when I take pictures at the coast. I feel much better about cleaning a filter than a lens if I have to clean at all.Make sure that this filter gets installed gently and completely flush. It could be easily possible to get the thread incorrectly on. Do not force it. Unscrew and set it again. I hold the lens vertically with the lens down. Then I screw in the filter gently. It will be completely flush once completely installed (no thread visible).The product itself came directly from Amazon and was definitely brand new. The filter was clean and without issues.The filter does what I want it to do, the quality is great, so therefore I rated it 5 stars.
This is a must-buy if you're tired of fumbling with lens caps and missing crucial kodak (or rather, nikon) moments. I leave this on either my kit lens or 35mm f/1.8G...whichever is on my d3100 at the time. I feel so much better knowing that I have something protecting the actual lens of the camera. Most of the time, I forget I even have it on. This is a must-have in your camera bag, or better yet, on your lens.
This is a Neutral Clear lens designed for keeping your lens intact.Most people should know that DSLR lens have a protective coating which wears away slightly every time you clean the lens. As such, most people usually buy a UV filter to cover the lens.This lens is as clear as invisible. I place it on a sheet of white paper and see no discolorations at all. If there wasn't a black ring and simply the glass, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't notice it.I recommend this for everyone who's looking to protect their lens. Lens are more expensive than camera bodies most of the time, so preserving them would be in the best interest of anyone who is interested in doing photography with DSLR cameras.I've purchased this in 52mm and 67mm, and both are very much crystal clear, multi-coated. If you don't want a UV filter, you can get this one instead.
It's an NC filter. If it's doing it's job, I should never notice it's there! That said, I haven't really noticed it! I've had some significant lens flare in a few shots, but it's not clear if that was due to the addition of this filter or if it would have occurred in the same shot without this filter.I really have it there so if something smacks my lens, it breaks before my front element does.
Product was delivered quickly and in brand new condition (no marks, no scuffs, no prints - it's always a little scary to try to buy something from someone unknown).  I was pleasantly surprised and am buying a couple more lenses from this company.
Makes for a good protection for the lens and I have always used a UV filter for just that purpose.
I am very happy that I chose this filter as my lens protector! It's very easy to put on and remove (and thin!) - I don't have loads of other brands of filters, but I can tell that this Nikon version is very well made. I'm much calmer about the state (cleanliness!) of my lens knowing this is on it! And it is crystal clear - I can't tell a difference in my photos! As one newbie to another (if that's who you are), a protective filter is a must! I'd rather be cleaning this filter than my expensive lens!
getting this filter was long overdue. I have a Nikon D90 and didn't have a protector for the lens. it's really nice quality, heavy weight and scratch free when I received it.
Just a plain UV filter, but adds the necessary protection for the lens - could have gone with a cheaper one, but why risk picture or lens damage after spending all that money on a Nikon DSLR???  Great physical fit for both of my Nikon lenses.
I recieved Nikon 52mm Screw-on NC Filter well packaged and delivered on time. I now have it on my Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens to protect it from harmful elements. Thanks Amazon.
The lens is great!I attached this lens to my Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens.Pictures come out clear and nice. So far it hasn't caused anything out of the norm when shooting in morning, noon or night. I ended up getting mud on the lens and it cleaned up nicely.The lens was so clear that I had to touch it to make sure it was in the black ring. No discolorations at all. I recommend this product to anyone that wants to keep their equipment safe along with not wearing the protective coating off of their main lens.
Those Hoya HMC filters have 3-layer coating and are very good for almost all situations.
It's a Hoya filter, so it's a high quality product.  The only improvement I'd like would be if it was thinner, but thinner is more costly, so this one is fine.  I have not noticed any vignetting from it, even on a NEX 16mm wide angle lens.
it protects my lens from finger prints damage and dust. As far as cutting haze I think that paet is not needed on digital cameras
Quite an improvement when shooting distant landscape scenes vs. without.  Pics seem clear and colors truer.  I have to add these word to meet quota
I am used to buy neutral skylight filters to protect my lenses. And I am used to buy Hoya filters. Excellent product.
It is pretty good, and serves well as a protector for my lens. Doesn't distort pictures, and the price is quite reasonable.
works great. you can get some ghosting if you try to but for normal use you don't. and if for some reason you do just take another picture at a diff angle and your good. cant go wrong with this hoya, it is the best you will get for the price
This fits my newSony NEX-5N 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Touchscreen Cameraperfectly and has put me at ease for lens protection from scratches and dust.  There is no noticable impact to image quality.  Considering I dropped decent money on the camera, I didnt want to cheap out and get the no name ones and risk reflections, ghosting, etc and at this price, its still a reasonably inexpensive filter.
Hoya 49mm VU glass filter, Simple filter, for low price, does the job, the photos are clear, fit my 55-200 sonny lens.
These Hoya filters are great. Granted - some say you don't need them for digital cameras - but I like the protection for my lens and these are thin filters that are well built and don't cause any degradation in image quality. you get what you pay for!
I've had this filter for more than a year, and also have other filters from Hoya. Quality is great, leaving no marks on the pictures. helps a lot on bright sunny days and is also a great protection for the lens. I only take it off at night, since it darkens the picture a bit when it's a dark environment. I've learned that to fix it on faster it helps to rotate it counter clockwise first a little, before screwing it to place.
Nothing much to say - you get a filter like this to protect the lens.  That's what it does.  So far, I haven't noticed any picture or color distortion,
EXACT PRODUCT I NEEDED, PERFECT FIT, PERFECT USE AND HAPPY WITH ITEM ALL DURING ITS USE FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS
I can not find any difference in an image taken with and other taken without the filter. So, I guess that is good, because I buy it to protect the lens from scratches and dirt, but I was afraid of the halos and gost images, and all the extrenge creatures that I have seen with the "Polarized" Zeikos U.V filters.The HMC do a great work keeping the reflection out of the image but, sincerely, it is a pain to clean this filter.The filter fit  nice in the pentax-m smc lens.Es imposible para m&iacute; conseguir diferencias entre fotos tomadas con el filtro y otras tomadas sin el filtro, por ello supongo que es un buen filtro que sirve para proteger el lente contra golpes y rayones.Al principio estaba un poco esc&eacute;ptico debido a los halos y reflejos que hab&iacute;a observado al usar filtros supuestamente polarizados de la marca Zeikos, pero el HCM de Hoya funciona correctamente, lo &uacute;nico malo es que limpiarlos bien es tremendamente dif&iacute;cil.La rosca del filtro esta perfectamente realizada y encaja facilmente en los lentes pentax- M smc
I use UV filter as a protection filter for my lenses against finger prints and repeated cleaning which wears off the expensive lens coating. I make lots of 11x14 prints for my home. My prints are sharp as a tack and there is no color shift! Great buy.
Its a no brainer. Nothing wrong with the lens. I am very happy with the product and will definitely buy from Hoya again in the future.
It's a Hoya filter that works great, is solid and the threads are nice.  I buy Hoya before other brands because I know it will be a good investment... as this purchase is.
I am a polarizer person, not that I am personally polarizing, but like those darker skies, fluffier clouds and the kind of saturated look that a polarizer on a camera can deliver. Others may like a different look, a less dramatic one, but these filters rotate and as you do so the effect gets stronger or more subtle. The position of the sun relative to the direction of your lens also determines the result. It is also nice for photos through glass and water. In any case, you can easily see the effect through your viewfinder and the results you will get. There are no calculations or menu settings or anything like that to worry about on cameras with automatic exposure or through the lens metering.For technical reasons you want a circular polarizer on your digital camera, rather than the linear ones used on film cameras. Some people are selling off their old film polarizers and that isn't a good idea for digital. BTW, this has to do with the actual polarizing process, not the round shape of the filter! You can search if you would enjoy knowing the complex details of this!There are two things you need to look for in a polarizing filter. One is good mechanical construction. These have very thin frames and not only have to screw smoothly into your lens, but they also move as they rotate around. The machining process is difficult and the whole thing will fall apart if it is not of good quality. And they do!The other requirement is for multi-coating to prevent reflections, amongst other attributes. This is another layer of glass stuck out on the end of an expensive lens. Everything depends on it being properly coated.If a name-brand filter is described as multi-coated, it is. Some will be better than others per their advertising and reviews, but at least it will be decent. Those cheap brand X ones being sold by those ever-changing marketers may be described as "coated", but one can only guess at what they are coated with. Coatings are high-tech, expensive concoctions and are applied by very expensive machines as well. They require a great deal of quality control and testing. You just aren't going to find that in the no-name brands.I felt the Hoya was the most reasonably priced filter with the qualities that are required for a happy photographic experience. I felt the more expensive Nikon filter that I lost (grrrr) was a touch better in that its frame was thinner, but the Hoya is a reasonably priced, solid choice that you can rely on.
This Circular Polarizer is very nice and heavy and very clean out of the package.  The only thing that I'm worried about is that there is a tiny ring inside just around the glass itself that is cracked and kind of warped, but still inside it's track.  I have researched photos to see if this is broken but a few pictures of the item for sale new seem to show the same crack in the ring - fingers crossed.Also, I bought it along with the Amazon recommended HMC UV(0) filter and I have to agree that when you put them both together they are very hard to get apart.  It's great quality though very heavy, clean and nicely milled around its edge.
This filter is great and a must have for any lens. I don't know if the S-HMC filter is worth the extra money since this one seems to do the job quite well.
If you read the description of this item, you may believe that you are buying the S-HMC (Super Hoya Multi-Coated)filter, but, in fact, you are only getting the HMC one.As far as filters go, I have been very impressed with how nice and thin it is, and it does a wonderful job reducing the reflections off of water! Overall, I'd say that this is a great product, and the only reason I'm not rating it higher is because of the misleading description. As a product I do understand that this is not necessarily fair, but if the description and main picture of this were to change, I would be more than happy to update the rating higher!
Much of the content of the picture frames I photograph is encased in reflective glass. This filter does a great job of removing a lot of the interfering reflections.
works well and does not have any vignetting at wide apertures. The threads are well made and overall optical quality is very good.
I bought this filter for landscape and long-exposure photography, and I am satisfied with its performance. It does a good job at eliminating reflections from water, and it makes the color of the photos "pop" very nicely. It does struggle on even moderately wide angle photos, in which the sky can appear very harshly graduated, but overall it is very good, especially in build quality, where it seems very sturdy.
This filter is neutral in color unlike a UV and will protect the front element in the lens from dirt, moisture and other hazards.
Very nice lens filter that protects your lens from bumps quite nicely...recommended for those wishing to protect their costly camera lenses..recommended!
If you want your lens to be protected from dirt or even possible damage, you better have a good UV filter on each of your lenses.
I wouldn't say much if the Amazon dos not require at least 20 words. This is not UV filter. It is lance protection neutral color (NC) filter. My review for this filter is: Made in Japan is not made in China. Sound different, and looks and feels excellent. I did not believe on my yes, but it is!Happy!Amazon deliver it well. Clean and not opened, In hard clear box.George
Nikon's NC filters do exactly what they are supposed to do-protect the front element of your lens from dust, scratches, etc.  I have NC filters on several lenses and have yet to see any impact on image quality caused by the filter.
This is a Nikon NC (Neutral Clear) filter and it's recommended by both myself and many professionals. It's so clear if you're holding it you can't see the glass within the metal ring.This isn't a UV lens; it's a Neutral Clear lens.I own a D700 and asked the other professionals on DPReview and Nikon NC filters came highly recommended.
I always use a neutral or UV filter on all my lenses for protection. It's just common sense and relatively inexpensive protection. Good, typical Nikon build quality, arrived  well packed and on time. If it were a bit less pricey, I would have given it 5 stars.
The frame of filter is very narrow, me it seems to even already Hoya pro1 digital. Excellent filter. really transparent. I advise all.
bought it for my 105mm Micro, VR.  Works just fine without any image quality changes.  recommend it to any Nikon lens users.
This protective filter is a necessity for an expensive lens so why don't they make it part of the lens purchase? Because they know we will have to purchase it anyway and that is more dollars in their till.  So so ... no biggee. Amazon did their job well. Merchant did their job well. I just wish manufacturers would quit charging an arm and a leg for a mass produced "in China" items that should be included in the price of the item.
I am a novice photographer.  I bought a new 105mm lens and was advised by a semi-pro friend to invest in a quality lens filter to protect new lens.  I took several shots and am pleased with the results.
What's there to say?  It's clear and it fits.  I'm no expert about coatings and such, so can't say much along those lines.  I've smudged it a couple of times and used Nikon's cleaning pen (sold separately) to clean it with no problems.  Get this filter and protect your lens!
Mainly bought this filter for protecting the lens.  It does the job.  Haven't seen any adverse impacts to picture images I shoot.  Pretty much leave the NC permanently attached.  Sometimes will place an CP filter over it, or in place of it.
It help protect you camera's lens and it can easily replace the lens cover, so you would not need to use the cover anymore!It is a real value for money!
I chose this not for it's function as a filter per se, but so that with or without a hood my camera lens would have added protection. I'd rather have this knock into something or get rained on, than the lens itself. It also serves as an added dust protector. I have not noticed any interference with the visual quality of the photos taken with this on vs off. I would say it's truly neutral. I'm much more comfortable having to wipe this clean, instead of the lens which I try not to touch as much as possible.
Great NC filter made by Nikon.  Sharp images, very thin, seems like there is no filter attached.  Gave it a five star for the the product but a two star for late delivery from vendor which sent it.
If you have an expensive lens, you will want to buy a high quality filter to protect the glass. This is the one.
Very good. The simple purpose was to protect the original lens, and it served the purpose. Highly recommended if traveling in far and distant places.
I usually buy all my photo stuff from BH as when they list it as new it is ALWAYS new and not reboxed.  I have bought a lot of Nikon Filters and the first thing I do is check for cleanliness, every one of them has been so perfectly clean out of the box you could not tell there was any glass there at all. Except this one. It had lots of dust and other larger particles all over the glass.  Problem with Amazon (sometimes) is you don't always know where the stuff is coming from.  In this case it came from Focus Camera and I feel it was returned and sold as new.  So the filter itself is great but I had to clean off all the crud that somehow got on there before I could use it.
It's a piece of flat glass that protects the front element of my 18-200mm VR Nikkor lens. It has threads for, um, threading and it is called NC for "No color." And it costs more than many point and shoot digital cameras.But it's guaranteed not to vignette the corners of the shot at full 18mm wide angle.And it says "Nikon" on it. Still. I could have filled my gas tank (the new universal unit of conversion) 1.5 times with what this filter cost....
I have owned a whole range of non-Nikon NC filters over the years, and while I haven't done fancy chromatic tests on the images I captured, I can say that whatever coating Nikon has put on this filter it stands up great to dust and occasional finger prints that I have to wipe off. If not from the cost, I do believe the quality is as good as any Nikon optics, and if you've already invested lots in a quality Nikkor lens, why risk putting anything on that may suppress the lens's potential?
What can I say? It's everything I could ask for in a neutral color filter. Super quality at a super price, and the delivery was faster than a flash.
I'm a newbie to SLR's and came across several reviewers who said that this protection filter was worth the money for the Nikon 18-200mm lens.  So far it's been excellent -- at least for my peace of mind.  Sturdy construction.  Distortion free.  Tested it against different backgrounds without any hint of yellow.  Pictures shot with my D90 and Nikon 18-200mm lens look the same with and without the filter to my untrained eyes.  I'd say that this protection filter was worth the money.  Shipping time was reasonable, about on par with most merchants on Amazon.
I used to have a uv filter for my nikon 18-200, it's not from Nikon, pictures have a strange hue, pictures are much better without the UV filter. however the UV filter was damaged when I dropped the camera one day, the filter protected the lens pretty well. So I bought this clear filter from Nikon, I like the clear filter much more, it's super clear, very good quality, pictures are nice, don't feel like there is filter, The filter is a good protection for the lens, a must have!
The first thing I did once I received this was to place it against a white background and check for discoloration. To my surprise, I found that it DOES introduce a (very) light brownish shade. It is a very light shade, but noticable to the naked eye.I have used the Nikon NC filter from a friend and it does not introduce ANY discoloration - that leads me to believe that I probably got a bad piece - or that the quality has dropped (I assume that Adorama doesn't sell fake Nikon filters)Anyway, other than this slight discoloration, there is no visible distortion introduced by this filter. If you purchase this, do test it against a white background to make sure that you got a good one.
I've had it awhile and am glad to know it's protecting the lens. Great product. I'd highly recommend to protect your expensive lenses! It's worth it.
although expensive, I have to admit that this filter is the only one I have used during past year (in fact, I have not opened it even once from my lens).
Exactly what I expected. Glass is perfectly clear, the threading was perfect, and the lens cover fits snug over the outside threads. I highly recommend this filter.
Optically clear and low profile for use with wide lenses. I'm very happy with it. I don't have much more to say.
The filter was as described - Clear. I've read about how this type of thing is not necessary but I have to say as a new owner of a overpriced camera this just plain makes me feel better. My only issue so far, and I pass this on as a warning, watch out for cross threading. This thing has to be lined up just right to go on and if you are used to screwing the lids back on a salsa jar you will mess this thing and possibly the lens up. My first three tries met with some resistance, fortunately I did not square peg round hole this thing. Fourth attempt I turned it back wards until I felt it fall into the threads, and yes it was done with a light touch. That worked for me. So off to take pictures.
Nikon - Filter - protection - 72 mmWorks fine. Fits. Protects the lens. And filters UV light.
As a published pro photographer I have used some very sophisticated and expensive equipment. Except in one instance of a very beat up old Nikon film camera, I have always used "protection" on my lenses, and always in the form of the ubiquitous "UV" filter.  I never really cared about filtering out "UV" but it was a relatively clear filter to protect the front surface of my lenses.  I'm not even sure there is any scientific justification for needing to filter "UV" rays.I recently purchased a Canon 60D with 15mm-85mm lens for my personal "fun time" use.  With about two-thousand dollars into the new toy I wanted to get a lens protection filter and ran across this gem from Nikon at a reasonable price here at Amazon.  The reviews were good and the concept of something absolutely clear sounded good.I spent today at the zoo having fun with the new camera and I sincerely want to say I am sorry I thought "UV" filters had any significance.  Yes, I know I have a Nikon filter in front of a Canon lens, but I really don't care.  I doubt if any piece of glass could be more invisible, which is just the point.  What I shot today was exciting and amazingly color-accurate and on my first trip out with the new camera and lens I got instant gratification when the sprinkler systems went on at the wolf exhibit and my lens got a big splash of water.  No problem ... only the filter got wet and it was easily cleaned.I haven't found anyone yet who sells a similar product of this high quality at this low price.  For less than fifty bucks if it does nothing more than keep some dust, fingerprints and other nasties off of an $800 lens ... buy it.  Why not?
I received the 72mm ND clear Nikon filter on time and I am using it now.The product is good, and Amazon's service is fast and reliable.
This is my first Nikon filter, it works pretty good. I got this one to see if there is much difference between a neutral filter vs. a UV. I prefer the UV multi-coated.
Got this to protect my expensive Nikkor 18-200 VR II.  I am glad that I made this decision as I never had to expose my only lens for dust or possible damage.  Having 18-200 enables you to use only this lens for all purpose and day in and out without a need to change lens (yes, 35 mm prime lens is good for low light and sharper image, but you get good enough photo using 18-200 zoom lens).  Very clear and don't reduce any light.  You can add polarizer or other filter on top of this one without much distortion in the image.  I can see no difference in light exposure without or with this filter.  Keep one all the time on your lens for protection and don't buy other alternative or cheap one out there.
Received on time and product was as advertised.  I would recommend this product.  Provides good protection for the lens without much loss of light.
*This filter is very clear and will not affect your photo quality.*Can be cleaned by a clean soft cloth (cloth used in eyeglasses/sunglasses)*Easy screwing it, it was a no brainer and you can still put on your lens cap on it. *LOL* i did'nt know that!*I would definitely recommend this over UV filters.
Didn't come with a manual, but after only a few minutes of experimenting I was able to get it on my lens (fit perfectly with only a few screw turns) and begin shooting. Wow! The images looked virtually identical to the ones I shot without it! Which of course is exactly what you want in a neutral filter. Good price, good quality build. I like it.
The Nikon neutral color filter is bright and clear, with excellent glare reduction.The Nikon lens protector filter is replacing a Quantaray protector filter, which I cracked with a miss-step in rough country.I actually prefer the Nikon filter over the Quantaray filter. This is not a negative remark about Quantaray's fine filters. More of a personal preference, the Nikon NC filter just seems brighter to me.I'll give it an A+ and of course it does a great job of keeping foreign items off my expensive lens.
This filter is the Nikon original manufactured in Japan.  No glare and great to protect my 18 to 200 mm lens.  I cannot tell I have the filter on in my picture quality.I cleaned my lens carefully prior to attaching the screw on filter so I wouldn't have dust particles between the lens and this filter.  I think this filter is great for me especially when I take pictures at the coast.  I feel much better about cleaning a filter than a lens if I have to clean at all.Make sure that this filter gets installed gently and completely flush.  It could be easily possible to get the thread incorrectly on.  Do not force it.  Unscrew and set it again.  I hold the lens vertically with the lens down.  Then I screw in the filter gently.  It will be completely flush once completely installed (no thread visible).The product itself came from Pavillion and was definitely brand new.  The filter was clean and without issues.The filter does what I want it to do, the quality is great, so therefore I rated it 5 stars.
While this is a bit pricey, the build quality is top notch.  I have not noticed any glare as a result of the filter and the added protection gives peace of mind.
It took me a long time to decide to buy a filter to protect my new Nikon 7000. After reading reviews on several brands of filter it seems the only choice is a genuine Nikon filter for my Nikon7000. I am very satisfied with Amazon's service and I am a repeat customer.
Fits perfect, is clear as a bell and does not slow down the lens.  A great filter.
Hoya Multi Coated filters are renowned for their manufacturing excellence and great quality glass. This is a slim filter that can help protect my 50mm F1.8 lens. The front thread will also help me to attach more glass on top of the filter. I am happy with the filter and overall shopping experience. Do remember, "multi-coated" are better optics, than normal ones, and you may consider this or better to do justice to the sharpest 50 mm F1.8 or F1.4 or F 1.2 lens you have.
I bought this to protect my lens from my clumsy hands.  I've put many fingerprints on it, thinking I had my lens cap on when I didn't... so I figure it's been a good investment so far.  I'm no expert, but I don't see any weird lighting effects or colorations, so I assume it's not affecting my picture quality.I have a Nikon D40 with the stock 18-55 lens.
Works as designed and definitely one of the most trusted brands. If for nothing else, install this item as a lens protector. I leave it installed for all of my photography both indoor and outdoor on all my lenses. Highly recommended!
Bought because of the reviews here - went on easy, no noticeable problems/light drop off/etc. Bought from Adorama and got good, fast shipping, although I wish Amazon would stock this stuff or just buy up the whole world so I could get the Free Super Saver shipping.I feel a whole lot more relaxed around my children now with this on the lens.
This filter is much clearer than the Tiffen that I bought with my camera.  When you hold it in your hand it looks as though there is nothing there.  Great, fast service from Adorama
Looking through it with the naked eye reveals no distortions or imperfections.  This is a genuine multi-coated UV filter (test this by looking at a reflection of a light source on its surface: a perfect reflection indicates no coating, a dim reflection indicates a single coating, and a green reflection indicates multiple coatings).  Multiple coatings yield greater light transmission through the glass, and less glare, but (and this affects all multi-coated filters from all companies) also pick up dust, fingerprints, and condensation very easily (just holding it on the metal ring with your fingers causes condensation from your perspiration).
It is well buit, screw into my 50mm lenses perfectly and does the job w/o problem. I haven't find any reflections in the pictures taken with my 60D. So the coating is doing its job.
I have always found filters kind of a waste of money. Anybody that tells you they enhance an image is crazy. I defy anyone to tell me that they can tell if you had a clear filter on your lens just by looking at the image. They may reduce glare, but most importantly, they PROTECT YOUR LENS. And after all is said and done, the lens is the most important part of your camera. Long after you dispose of your old camera body, your lens is still in service or at least has some resale value. For the price, this is about as good as it gets, but I have to knock it down a star for price. Now that I think of it, they should give you these for free when you buy a lens considering what they cost.
Pretty simple, it helps with glare and sun spots. I have only had a hand full of times that this Filter was unable to neutralize a sun spot or glare from a light. If I get another lens anytime soon this filter will be in the cart with it.
This is my fourth Hoya UV filter that I've bought and love these filters.  They're highly regarded for the price and perform very well with no noticeable degradation in my photos.  I highly recommend these filters.
OK, I am NOT a professional photographer, completely amateur here.  I just operate with a normal Nikon D40 and 3 lenses.  At the online recommendation by Ken Rockwell (pretty cool guy), I got UV filters for all my lenses.  One of the stated reasons was to protect the lens from damage, which I did not give as much credit to as the reduced glare, etc.that is, until last week when my significant other hooked the camera strap and yanked the camera off the table to land lens-down on the floor.  Urg.  I thought that was the end of the lens right there.However, the Hoya UV filter i had installed saved the lens.  the filter ring, which evidently is soft metal, folded just enough to absorb some of the impact.  after taking 10 minutes to pull the shattered glass out of the ring and fold the ring in to get it off the lens, I discover the lens is in fine shape, no scratches on the lens glass.so, I would say the $15 to $20 you spend could save you from busting a $200 or $400 lens.Additional note:  when I lost the lens cap on a hayride, I didnt' have to buy another one because I had the UV filter on there to keep from scratching my lens surface.  another good use...RECOMMENDATION:  Buy new.Warning:  I've noticed a lot of reviewers have complained about knockoffs.  Only buy DIRECTLY from Amazon, not one of the fulfilled by Amazon or other marketing partners, or buy from the camera website that also starts with A (can't mention them here).  Amazon buys from Hoya, so you won't be buying a knockoff if you make sure it is SOLD BY AND FULFILLED BY AMAZON.
We have had very good luck with hoya filters! Purchased this for our 35mm and have had no problems with it since. At first we purchased the &#34;cheaper&#34; filters and got a ton of flare. all and all I'd recommend this for a friend and we are purchasing the equivalent in 58mm
I bought this filter for the Canon 50mm 1.8 II lens.  It does it's job and is better than the Tiffen version.  I would probably spend a little more if it were a more expensive lens and get better glass, but I'm happy with the protection and flare reduction it provides.
I bought two of this filter as gifts to my beginner friend who bought a Nikon with two kit lens.
Early in Sept I searched on Amazon for "Hoya HMC UV 52 mm filter" and bought and received an excellent Hoya HMC 52mm UV(o) filter made in Japan. That one is great almost no reflection of light from a table lamp.  Then I bought another new lens and needed another filter so I ordered again linking to the product on Amazon from my previous Amazon order so I would be sure to get the same great filter.  This time the seller had changed to "Gigabargan" and unfortunately so has the filter they are selling under the same description as before on Amazon.  This time I got a Hoya HMC 52mm UV(C) filter made in the Philippines instead.  The "C" must stand for "Crap" as the filter is highly reflective compared to the UV(o).  Also the original UV(o) filter package says it is Multicoated on the front and on the back, but this later UV(c) package says multicoated on the front but the back says "FULLY COATED" .  The seller is not being specific in what they are selling so they are getting this one back. HMC must not mean Hoya Multi Coated all the time.
Great product for the price. Works just as intended. I breed German Shepherds and love photographing my dogs as well as others in different settings. My photographs have appeared in multiple calendars over the  past 3 years as well as being picked up by major communities on the web and large companies who have social media sites. The more I have played with filters, the better my outdoor shots have gotten over time. Lighting has always been where I struggle when it comes to photography and a fear of scratching an expensive lens on my Rebel T2i is always a concern. This filter adds the protection I need to protect pricey camera lenses!
Inside of filter container was damaged as though item took a very hard fall (no outside damage stangly), but filter itself appears to be in good condition.  Had to really clean it because it does have a film, unlike the HMC circular polarizer I just got (from Adorama) which was smooth and clear.  Didn't know seller (APD) was in Brooklyn or I probably wouldn't have made the purchase...that's where all the Ebay crap is too.  There was no HAZE written anywhere on the package or the filter, maybe this is a generic term?  It only says HMC UV (0).Very high quality feel, heavy with a great milled edge and fits very snug sandwhiched between my 50mm 1.8d lens and the HMC Circular Polarizer that I got at the same time - in fact they are a little hard to unscrew once together.
Hoya is Pentax and Pentax is Ricoh. Good quality all around. Not only works as a protection for your valuable lenses but also helps you getting nice pictures.
I use a lot of these on my lenses, mostly to protect the front element more than anything else. The filter has an aluminum body and works perfectly as I expected it to.
I don't think they come any better.  Very slim.  Repels fingerprints and smears.  NO ghosting or funny image quality.  I'd been using a sort of off-brand on a lens I bought used - filter came with it.  After using it on a long vacation and seeing the results, I dumped the off-brand for this one.  Really a visible difference.
I use it to protect my camera lens. I have learned to remove when photographing - using an expensive lens with an inexpensive filter is not a good idea.
I own a Nikon D5000 and I was looking for a good filter but didn't wanted to spend a lot of money in it, and I found this Hoya HMC filter. It works great and fits my 18-55 mm NIKKOR original lens very good. Yes, it is difficult to clean because it is multi-coated, but anyway, you will never get it hundred percent clean, so in my opinion it is better to clean it periodically and use it normally for blocking unwanted UV rays in photos and caring of the expensive lens too.
I bought these to compliment a nikon d3100 18-55 and 55-200 camera kit.  they seem to do a decent job protecting the lens but are a little difficult to clean.  Overall I'd say they are are a good value compared to what you would find at a big box retailer.
I got this mainly as a lens protector and am pleased with the quality. No glare with this filter.
I always buy Hoya.  They are Amazing.  The same goes for this Lens.
I use a lot of Hoya UV filters for my lenses. Have never had a problem. Well constructed and worth the asking price. Big debate as to whether filters are needed or not..many say No and may say yes. Personally I would rather replace a filter than a lens. Good investment.
Seems to be quality made - only issue I can see is that held up against a white piece of paper, it does seem a little tinted; which is strange b/c I thought it was supposed to be clear.
Product was exactly as described and worked beautifully.  There was no problem with lens cleaning prior to fit-up aand had no marks or other prints etc on the lens.  The Nikon lens cap fits correctly and securely.
I am amazed by all the positive reviews for this filter. This filter is total garbage! Dont believe me, check the horrible reflection it produces. My advice: STAY AWAY!!!
I bought this as a gift, and the person who uses it says it works very very well. They are a professional photographer.
Probably one of my best filters. I bought this for my Tamron 55-200mm lens and it fits perfectly. This is a lot better than the 1-10 filters.
I bought this filter for my kit 18-55 so that I could prevent the strange flare that occurs when I photograph my kids late-afternoon. I can't compare it to other filters, but it has definitely had a great impact on the overall quality of my photos.
Antes habia comprado unos filtros para mis camaras. Pens&eacute; que un filtro uv Hoya ser&iacute;a de mas calidad. solo es bueno. Por eso pienso que deberia ser mas barato.
Noboday should go without the protection of a UV filter.  The price of the filter is great insurance against lens damage.  Great service and shipped very fast.
I have purchased a few new lenses lately and needed a UV filter/protector for them. This one had good reviews.
The Hoya Filter fits on my camera lens as promised.  It seems to be doing its job - my photos are coming out well and I don't seem to have any problems with discoloration or glare.  I'm using it currently with my Canon lens.
Fits lens well and protects it from scratches.  Doesn't affect image quality negatively the way some others do. I bought it on a recommendation from a photography forum.  It's come unscrewed a couple times, and I'm not entirely sure why because I don't fiddle with it other than to take the lens cap on and off.  Otherwise, it's great.
The biggest difference between this filter and uncoated filters is that glare is drastically reduced.  I can look straight through, and my eyes are telling my brain that there's nothing there, like that windex commercial with the birds.  This is precisely what a UV filter is supposed to do - reduce glare, haze, and UV light, while not getting in the way of your actual picture.  And it does this superbly.  I use it mostly as a lens cover, but the glare and haze reduction are real benefits, in addition to the protection it offers my lens.  Don't let yourself be oversold with more expensive filters, especially DMC ones.  You can't tell the difference in the pictures you take.  The quality of this filter can't be beat, and the price is great to boot!
I have for years gotten one of these filters for every one of my lenses.  Over the years, they have saved a lens or two.  Can't be the safety here and the multi-coating does a fine job.
You just can't beat the value of Hoya filters, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Hoya produces high quality filters at reasonable prices. I use Hoya for all of my lenses, and have never had a problem.
Product does exactly what it says and came in great condition. Gift for my girlfriend and she said its just what she's looking for. Blocks uv light and glare great
I have both this filter and a Hoya Super HMC 52mm filter (which costs twice the price).  I've swapped the filters between my Nikon 50mm f1.4d and 24mm f2.8 lenses and honestly have to say that I'm hard pressed to find any discernible difference between the two filters.  If you're trying to decide between the two, I would forgo the Super HMC and get this filter.This filter does what any great UV filter should -- it stays 100% out of the way of your shot and protects your lens.  I've never experienced any ghosting or flares in my shots.  It's solidly built and the threading is clean and smooth allowing easy screwing/unscrewing.  At this low price, how much could you really save by taking a chance with a filter from a no-name brand?  Is it really worth the risk of having glare or washed out images?
I was tempted by the Tiffen 52mm UV filters but found that in low light they would ghost horribly.  I learned that multi-coated filters play better with multi-coated lenses in low light.  I have purchased this filter for a Nikon 18-55vr and a HOYA SUPER HMC UV filter for my Nikon 35mm F1.8.  I have used both in dark conditions with very bright light and all ghosting was gone.  These things are a miracle even on the least expensive Nikon lenses.  I highly recommend this lens filter for simple worry-free protection.On my internets journey I found that there is no difference between the Hoya HMC UV(0) and Hoya HMC UV(C) and I have verified that there is a difference between the HMC and SUPER HMC Hoya filters.  Optically, the non-SUPER filters perform better but cash is king.
looks pretty good, feels solid and makes for a great lens protector.Screws on easily and allows other lens attachments/lens cap to be affixed.
Works great. Nothing to complain about. Easy on easy off. Does not interfere with Camera Function on my Pana FZ200
this is exactly what i thought, but i dont see the difference between the view with and without the filter.
It is very clear and has no optical flaws.. Fits perfectly on the lenses and hasn't shown any scratches. Was delieverd in a good packaging too.Don't go for other cheaper alternatives as they will not pass on much light as these standard filters do. You will end up with dull and odd looking pictures.
This is a "must have" for simple lens protection. There will come a time when you will fingerprint, smudge, or maybe scratch the surface of your lens by a branch or whatever. If you have this lens filter on, you'll be glad that replacing this because of a mistake will cost less than a expensive lens. It will also keep your pictures colorful and bright.
No glare, perfect fit, no reflections, no artifacts created. I have one for each of my D80 lenses. Works perfectly with all of them. As far as I can tell, it's the equal of filters costing 5 times as much.
Hoya HMC UV(0) has been replaced with Hoya UV(c), and you will get the (c) unless the seller has older production. The filter is also made in the Philippines. Apparently they have been outsourcing a number of filters. (See my review on the Cir-PL in this size). According to several forums, the (c) is slimmer, but other than that, it is unchanged from the (0). I will be curious to see some reviews on these stacked up against the old ones by people more advanced than me.....Gotta love outsourcing. Product gets four stars for the mislabel on Amazon.R
This item is acquired by mistake since I do not have any lens of that caliber, but I really have on my computer several Hoya brand filters and they are very, very good!
When I bought this, the product images were of the Hoya regular UV filter and not the HMC filter (I uploaded the product package image just before writing this).  So I was a little unsure of which filter I was going to get.  After reassuring myself of the Amazon A to Z guarantee, I decided to finally buy this.My lens (Pentax 18-55mm DAL lens) already comes with anti-glare coating, but with this, it is even harder to get lens flare.  I tried intentionally taking pictures of the sun and bright lights to cause lens flare to little avail, this filter really does it's job!  And being the worry wart I am, now I have an extra layer of protection on my lens should I happen to bump my lens into something.This filter is has the slim frame, but my lens cap still fit onto my lens on top of the filter.  This filter does not cause vignetting.With that said, it is exceptionally difficult to clean.  After 1 hour of polishing with my lens cloth, 1/8 can of compressed air and 4 drops of lens cleaner later, finally decided that it was 'clean enough' and gave in.  You cannot see the fine smudges (slight fogginess) until you go and screw it onto your lens.  Depending on how OCD you are, you may never get these clean to your satisfaction.
What an excellent UV filter!Do not be tempted to buy the el-cheapo ones.A good UV filter MUST be fully multi-coated and this one is.I was amazed when I took it out of the box - it looked as if there was not glass at all!!! I just saw the ring - it was that transparent!I see no ghosts/flares in my shots and so far it works great!I'm very happy with this filter.
I have been on a quest to find the real hoya filter (I meant made in Philippines, since HMC UV(C) 52mm - Japan doesn't make then anymore), specifically the 52mm UV(C) filter since most of my lenses are 52mm. After going over good reviews, thought this might be the one, but I am still confused.Simple test for Multicoat filter: Put  the filter on a white sheet of paper on a table. Light up a daylight lamp (as a photographer with SLR lens you would have one :)) above the filter and try to look at the reflection of the light, you'll see either the same 'White' light or other colors in the reflection. Typically different color means multicoated (unless I am wrong!)HOYA UV(C) 1: This Reseller:----------------------------The packaging seems nice, the printing is not faded appears to be Genuine. But, there is no where in the filter it says it is made in Philippines!! Not on the box, not on the filter. I was very disheartened. Then when I took a look at the reflection of the filter, it showed "Green" reflection. From my research this should be Genuine. Wow!! what is going on. Is this real...? I am thinking positively. If anyone have any clues, please comment.HOYA UV(C) 2: Another Reseller (claiming to be genuine hoya online reseller - yeah! its ebay):---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The packaging seems nice, an exact replica of the reseller from this Amazon - EXCEPT - it did say it is made in Philippines!! both on the box and on the filter. And to add to the confusion, it showed "Blue" reflection of light. So WTH is going on!!! I wish I knew. Are they both real. I would love to think so. I wish I knew. Please comment if anyone have any clue!!HOYA UV(C) 3: Another Reseller:------------------------------This one also showed Philippines, but I can clearly see the white reflection of the light, clearly a fake I wasted my money on!!Conclusion:Well.. I am still confused. LOL..All of the above almost costs the same money.I am giving the benefit of the doubt and giving it a 4. But I'll go for Nikon NC next time, so that I don't have spend time behind finding real/fake.The company HOYA should post a way to identify their product from fake. Their website is a joke. For a popular filter company HOYA - they really suck at Marketing.
I recently purchased a 24mm wide angle lens and quickly discovered that the thickness of a normal filter caused a slight vignetting at the corners. This filter (used to protect the lens) is thin enough that no more vignetting occurs.
Arrived on time, quality is very good.  Price was OK.  Buy this to protect your expensive lens from scratches & dings.
Its a lens cover, It fit, the threads worked, It did what it was designed to do.  Nothing More, Nothing Less.  Worked the way I anticipated it would.
This filter works. It does the job of protecting my lens and during mid-day my pictures come out clear. However I have noticed small greenish blemishes ONCE when I was taking pictures in low light. Overall, for the price its a great deal.
... but this filter gives my pictures way less flare than my old one. Other positive side of this filter is that it is thin and can be used with my polariser, for instance.When shooting in a weeding (no, I am not a professional using this product - I am an amateur) during night time, I took a shoot against the filming crew and the LEDs of the lightning were very visible as a flare.Despite the discussion about using or not the UV to protect the front element, I think it is useful and I also use the hood all the time. And I think this is a good UV filter.
The Hoya filter was ordered along with a Nikon D60 as protection for the 18-55 kit lens. It appears to be perfectly clear with a precision fit.
everyone that is entering or a pro photographer knows that filters help tremendously with the quality of the photograph.the uv filter is a must have when photographing outdoor environments.
Years ago when I was shooting film, Hoya glass was notoriously soft and would scratch easily. In recent years they have improved their formula and coatings. They have various quality levels and price breaks. They are about all I use anymore.
I bought this filter as a protection for my 18-55 Nikon lens, and it's been great. The multi-coat reduces glare, and the filter has protected my lens from scratches and dust. It's also pretty thin and I haven't had any vignetting.
This filter slipped right on my lens.  It seems solid, but most importantly I haven't noticed it while taking photos, which means it's doing its job just fine for me.
First, as a clumsy person, it has saved me hundreds on buying new lenses, second, as you know, putting another layer of plain glass between the camera and the subject, means a loss of light, why get an F2.8 lens and have it dropped to a F2 because of the filter coatting? Third, the glare and reflected light from the surface of the filter wil show up on the picture, if your filtering ( coatings)won't eliminate. Nothings pefect, but Hoya is the best I have found sofar.
Great it make the images much clearer when shooting landscapes, it does work! I did not think it would but it actually works.
The UV filter serves no real purpose on a modern Digital SLR other than to protect your lens.  You could probably get similar results protection wise from a cheaper filter.  Going with Multi-coated will ensure no ghosting or flare caused by the filter.. although my girlfriend has a single UV filter and has never had a problem with hers.  It's a matter of personal taste.  I am happy with mine I guess.
There are filters that cost less - and lets face it, a UV filter means very little in these days of DSLR - but you want one of these to protect your investment in your lens. (Or lenses, as the case may be.)The multi-coating on this makes it virtually invisible, even in tough lighting where you'd normally see some artifacts or ghosts... and the fact that it's hardened just makes it that much better.
If you have an expensive lens to protect, this is well worth the extra dollars for the precision of its metal threads and the quality of its multi-coated optics. I'm very pleased with it - it's in front of my Nikon 18-200mm DSLR lens, doing what it's supposed to do.
I bought this filter to protect a new lens.  It seems to do that job just fine.  I can't tell it's in use.  It doesn't seem to cut down on light or cause any noticeable changes in my photos.
Hoya make good filters, and the UV filter is more for protection than any optical alteration. That said by getting a multi-coated filter you do not degrade the quality of your lens. Why would you put a cheap filter on a quality lens?Why would you want to risk an expensive piece of glass when you can get a protective filter. Using cameras exposes you lens to dust, finger prints, salt air, and extreme conditions. When you go to clean off these elements you could accidentally scratch your lens; I did once wrecking the lens. I also had someone run past and pull the camera out of my hands, and the camera hit the ground to a shattering of glass. It was only the filter, the lens itself was in damaged, a selling point that has a good quality filter on all my lenses.So I recommend always have a UV filter on your lenses to protect them, multi-coated filters are optically superior to cheap ones, so you don't lose the quality of you expensive lenses.
You spent a lot of money for the lens on your SLR or DSLR.  The glass in that lens is multi-coated to prevent unwanted reflections from ruining your pictures.  You can see the coating as a color, maybe green or blue, when you look at the front element of your lens in certain light.Now, you want to add a filter, probably a UV, to protect the front glass element of your lens.  This is not the time to skimp by buying the cheapest filter you can find, because that cheap filter is not likely to have an effective multi-coating of its own, and you could be adding a piece of glass to your lens which will actually degrade your photos with unwanted reflections.Hoya has several price levels of filters, and I have never had problems with any of their multi-coated products.  The Pro 1 and this "Super multi-coated" both seem to be exactly what any serious photographer wants on the front of the lens.
I have several Hoya super multi-coated UV glass filters and highly recommend them.  Great protection for my lenses + no adverse affects on the photos.
Hoya made good filter but not the best. When I order any new camera len I purchase anew filter too. High $ lens I use BW filter. This Hoya mult coated filter go with my Nikon 35mm f/1.8 len
Very nice piece of hardware. I have noted no problems. Comes in a nice plastic case.
This works just fine with my Nikor lense. I've made the switch from film to digital, and film habits die hard. I'm happy to have a nice filter for my new dslr lense. I would suggest this vendor and product for future purchses. They took GREAT care of me
I bought this for the kit lens (18-55mm VR) when I purchased a Nikon D5000. I prefer to leave the lens cap off (it's in the box and will remain there), and use a filter instead so that the camera is always good to go without fiddling with a cap.It in no way diminishes the quality of your shots, it is a genuinely well crafted piece of glass that serves its function well. Where I live (in the desert), dust, sand, haze and glare are constant issues. This filter both protects my lens from sand and dust, it cuts through the haze to deliver crisp, sharp images.Not the least expensive filter, however it is a quality product that will leave you satisfied and confident of your purchase. Recommended highly if your budget stretches to it. This is a good product from Hoya.
Shortly after ordering this filter, I discovered online Hoya literature that indicated some Super HMC filters don't have front threads.  Front threads are needed for the lens cap or when adding additional filter(s) temporarily in front of this filter.  The specs for this filter don't mention front threads in any way but it turns out that this filter does have front female threads.  Apparently all Hoya filters have front threads unless designated as "Ultra Thin".I bought this filter to protect the outer lens on my primary zoom lens.  It serves that purpose perfectly without altering the images.
Hoya's high transmission (12 layer) Super-Multi-Coating minimizes reflection at the filters surface.  The "SUPER" HMC filter is advertised to produce an average transmission of 99.7%.  This means clean, flare, and ghost free pictures.I've used both Nikon and Hoya filters alike with spectacular results.  (Highly recommended as a secondary to OEM Brand filters)  Protect your lens face and preserve the beauty of your photography at the same time.Highly recommended to anyone in the market for a long lasting, quality filter for their lenses.
The filter is excellent. I use it mainly for protection, since I'd rather ding a $30 filter than the front of my lens. The coatings, while difficult to clean, seem to hold up very well and have absolutely no impact on the clarity and sharpness of my images(or produce artifacts). If you're buying a UV filter for the same purpose as me(and it's safe to assume you are), get this at the very least; it's only $20 more than the cheapest you can find, and for glass that will be in front of your lens for every image you capture, that is a very small price to pay.
I have the Super HMC UV filter on both my 50mm f/1.8 and 16-85mm f/3.5 Nikon lenses. These filters are very high quality and can't be beat anywhere near their price range. I've yet to observe any adverse affects to my pictures due to the filter.If I had to pick a negative, it's that the filter doesn't clean particularly well. But, go with the "wax on, wax off" method (without wax hopefully), and you'll be just fine to get rid of any streaks or smears.Don't get a cheap filter, and don't leave your lens unprotected. I keep this filter on my lens at all times and just have a circular polarizer that I can put on if need be. This Hoya filter is highly recommended.
Met all my expectations and have not noticed any unwanted light reflections from its surface.  Vendor shipped a second filter because of a damaged outer thread any did not require return of defective unit.
Great Lens filter.I only got it to protect my lens, I never see any distortion in my pictures.I would rather scratch this than any of my lenses!
I bought this for a Nikon D40 and am using it to protect the lens, but also wanted a good quality glass filter that would not degrade pictures.  This does the job well.  I recommend it.
Great filters and not to pricey compared to many and Hoya has a long standing solid reputation in the photo world. It is a good lense protector and helps in daylight shots and I put other filters right over top so I don't have to be concerned with getting dust back on the lense and it is easy to blow off the UV filter before putting on other filters over top. I recommend this uv lense over the Tiffin ones, it will be money well spent.
I am a novice photographer with Nikon D90, this lens filter works well witn 35mm prime lense, it does the job of keeping lens protected. I have not experienced any problems whatsoever.
I gave this product 4 stars because it works, it is multicoated on both sides of the lens, and it is inexpensive. However, the orange coating comes off really easily. Coating both sides of the lens is crucial to eliminate glare and reflection on the inside of the lens. It also allows more light to travel through the lens which results in less haze and better picture quality.I have compared the quality of the shot with and without the filter. The filter does seem to reduce some of the glare making the sky slightly bluer and getting rid of some of the glare. It will also decrease some of the light coming into the lens but the kit lens is so fast it doesn't really hurt performance (even indoors or low light situations). I think the glare reduction as well as the protection it offers to the lens makes this a great buy. I paid over $19 for mine last month and now the price has dropped a bit.I keep the UV filter on my lens at all times (unless I break out the Polarizer filter). I do not like the prospect of getting my main lens dusty or dirty.
As a protective device only, I think it is worth it. Looks OEM, protects. As a UV filter, it does it's job well enough that I can tell. No signs of loss of coating, have had it for a year. Works well with the FZ-40. Can't say anything bad about this product.
I ordered  the filter listed here, the UV(O) filter; that's what is also listed on the invoice; and I received from the Amazon supplier, Gigabargain, the HMC UV(C) filter. I can return it but am stuck for the shipping, despite their error. (Note: they ask to contact them before leaving feedback but others should be alert.) See the Q and A below for the difference between the Phillipines-produced (C) filter and the Japan-produced UV(0) that I ordered.---I'd like to not have to list stars since I have not used the filter but how else give the warning; I'll list 3, neither good nor bad.UPDATE: an hour or so later: I contacted Gigabargain for a refund and they replied extremely promptly, saying they would refund the price and "there is no need to return it". I appreciate their response.
I'm not qualified to rate the multi-Coating or technical qualities of this UV filter's glass.  I can say that I don't see any difference in photo sharpness with or without it - and I think that's good.  In addition, the frame is slim and does not interfere with turning the lens shade backwards for compact storage of my 50-200MM Sigma lens.  And the glass doesn't move around as does one of my other (non-Hoya) filters.  Finally, the threads are well made so that the filter screws on and off smoothly.  These kinds of defects are common with cheap and/or no name filters.My overall experience with Hoya filters is that they seem to be of excellence quality and they are modestly priced.
Fits the 55mm size well, and protects the lens well.  The glass seems to transmit light well -- I have no concerns for the quality at all.
one of the best/priceUV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com ([...])But please do not forget to clean it with liquid (lens cleanser) before installation. you will ba amazed.
This filter has very clear glass, fits well, and doesn't seem to cause any flaring.  It is an affordable and protective filter.
Price is right. No distortion and protects lens on the new Sony Alpha camera. Very satisfied. Does the job it is designed for.
This filter's super HMC coating is only on the top side.  Meaning unfavorable light trasmission is affected on the underside.  Also you can easily put scratches on the underside of the filter (i.e. while cleaning).  The glass is cheap and opaque enough that it causes my macro lens to autofocus on the glass.  It is not a thin filter and not recommended for use on UWA lenses.  At this time I cannot tell whether an aluminum ring is better than a brass ring though I do like the heft of brass.  I just purchased this to try it out and will be sticking with BW/heliopan from now on.
This is the UV Filter to get! Highly recommended for use on all lenses for great performance, and protection. I have yet to get any significant flaring from ether of the two that I use on a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lenses during bright sun and/high glare situations. The one other thing I highly, highly, highly suggest, is to clean the filters upon arrival with a lens pen. Both of mine needed cleaning when they arrived, and if you happened to touch the filter by mistake during use, a lens pen works wonders on the coating without damaging the filter. ;)
I'm pleasantly surprised that Hoya is able to price this multi-coated filter so competitively, even against the economy brands. But make no mistake about it, Hoya's SMC U.V. filter is a higher-end product. If you're serious about producing quality images, don't skimp on filters. This is one of the best that's available.
I keep a UV filter on all of my SLR lenses at all times. It protects the front of the glass from dirt, water, fingerprints, and scratches. I know some photographers do not like having an extra piece of glass between the camera sensor and the subject, but I'll sacrifice a bit of flare for a protected lens.However, I've found that the quality of UV filter on my lenses does affect photo quality. Pick a cheap filter and you'll lose sharpness and contrast in your photos. I have always had good luck with high-end Hoya filters such as this one. If you want to use a UV filter for protection, this is the one to get. It is reasonably priced for a quality filter.
I have used Hoya glass filters for over 25 years.  Why put an inferior filter over an expensive camera lens?  I like to protect my treasured lenses, not take away from their quality.
Over the years I've been acquiring lenses, many of them have come with cheap UV filters on them. I've been slowly replacing the cheap filters with Hoya SHMC filters. I have a few of the green box HMC filters, but they're not quite as nice as these... I'm of the belief that you should always have a UV filter on your lens because the UV filter will protect the front element from various mishaps that inevitably occur. At this point I have hundreds invested in lenses, and it took me a long time to acquire every lens I have (searching ebay, etc.) and I do not want to risk my lenses. At 30$, this filter's cheaper than my cheapest lens, so it's worth it.The Hoya SHMC filters have 12 coats on each side (according to Hoya), and definitely perform better than bargain brand filters and the cheaper Hoyas (although the cheaper Hoyas are still better than the bargain brand). These filters are also thinner than many competitors filters which prevents vignetting (darkening of the corners) on wide angle lenses. The other big difference is, because these are coated, they are less likely to cause lens flare than cheap ones. I did a test that shows this to be true... I took one of the cheap camray UV filters that came with a lens I bought, took 2 pictures with the sun directly in the frame... The one with the hoya filter had better contrast, and a much smaller lens flair.
It is a good polarizer and produces a quality image.  I wish they included a dust cap or some other protection with it, however that is typically found on higher-end polarizers.
I have used this polarizer now for a few months on both my Canon 18-55 mm zomm and 55-250 mm zoom without encountering any issue. It turns the sky really blue and prevents reflection on water and other reflective surfaces without any vignetiing whatever focal length I have used.
Changed for good the way i am taking landscapes especially in bright sun. Love the way it saturate the sky and gives nice contrast!
I went through two copies of this filter and finally gave up and requested a refund.  The snap ring that holds the glass in place was out both times and on one of the filters, the glass wasn't even edge-to-edge!!  Terrible QA standards. I went to B+W filters and will never consider Hoya as an option again.
This appears to be high quality.  It came in original, sealed packaging.  The price seemed to be fair.  It fit the camera well.
i got this for my 50mm lens, it is pretty confusing with the various lines and quality of filters made by various filter companies let a lone Hoya.  totally worth the extra money as i had a chance to try the lower priced filter and the build quality is noticeable. would recommend this line if one could not afford the high end version.
This is just what the doctor ordered if you need a good polarizer without spending a ton of money. Well built, solid construction.  No distortion in photos.  Ring moves freely and smoothly.  Polarization effect equally distributed across filter with no "light spots".  Mine is on a Canon T1i and has caused no problems with the metering system.  Great way to protect that expensive lens!
Although I am an amateur, this POL-filter seems of excellent quality, optically as well as how well it is made. Superficially at least, I am not able to detect any kind of optical distortion. I would buy this filter again.
A polarizer is among the accessories every photographer should have with them when shooting outdoors during the day. While not all digital camera's require a circular polarizer to avoid problems with focusing, some do and most specifically this will be a necessity for dSLR's. Most super zoom digital camera's can get by with a linear polarizer which will cost a little less.For those of you purchasing a polarizer, the Hoya HMC tends to be very well regarded because of the coatings used to reduce the amount of reflected light while minimizing reflection. For capturing the sky, landscape photography, cutting glass or water reflections, and cutting glare - the Hoya does a pretty good.Caring for filters with multiple coatings such as the HMC requires that you make sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations, typically suggesting owners stick with no cleaning agents or those specifically designed to lift oils without eroding the coatings. In my experience, a combination of blower, brush, and soft cotton microweave cloth are all you need to keep the filter clean but for tougher issues like salt water spray, a clean and soft cloth that is moistened with tap water will help return the filter back to great condition. My first Hoya HMC was actually ruined because I tried to muscle out salt water spray which had dried on the filter, between the ruined coatings, scratches, and tiny pits this low cost but important accessory was ruined.
This filter is more expensive than some, and worth every penny.  I had used very cheap CPL and other filters ($12 or so) on my Fuji S100 with no problems.  But on my Pentax k-r, they created ghosting.  I solved this by upgrading to a Tiffen ($34 on Amazon).  This solved the ghosting, but the colors weren't true and there was vignetting at some focal lengths, especially against a light background.  There is a huge difference with the Hoya.  Rich, true colors, and so far no vignetting.  The filter is thinner than the Tiffen; this helps avoid vignetting.  Haven't really had a chance to put the CPL through its paces, but so far I'm impressed.  I take a lot of shots around breaking waves and water with reflecting sun, so the CPL is a must.  This is a good one.  Mine came with a cap, which is nice, since this CPL is too thin to accept the lens cap that came with the camera.
This circular polarizer works great with my Digital Rebel T2i. I have a 75-300 lens in addition to the IS lens that comes with it. It screws right onto either one and you can visibly see the changes in reflections on water and glass as you rotate the filter. I will definitely purchase other Hoya filters when the time comes.
Seems good. I'm no expert on filters. It seems a bit dark to me and seems to make the colors more bland and grey, which it shouldn't, but maybe I don't know what I'm doing. Fits good and has good build quality. Glass seems very nice.
Purchased used and turn out to be very used. Scratched, stuff between glass. It does function but concerned quality of pictures are suffering.
Useful information for potential buyers:If you are reading this, then it is assumed you know what a circular polarizer does and you want some more information to make your purchase.I see many cheap filters sold on Amazon.  I had to sort through them to find an acceptable choice.  Therefore, I feel compelled to post a primer for buyers of filters explaining why the large price variance in filters:- Pay attention to coating on filters.  Coatings directly dictate quality of pictures and price.- Cheap filters are not properly coated - they will cast reflections, excessively darken, or cause visual aberrations in your photographs - thus cheap results- Proper filters are multi-coated to prevent the problems with cheap filters.  Some are better coated than others.- Filters also come in low profile to prevent vignetting - especially when stacked on top of other filters.  This adds to cost.- Expect to pay $50+, more likely $65+ for a proper polarizer.  UV filters are cheaper in most cases.- Logically, larger filters also cost more.Hoya sells 3 main levels of filters.  The cheap, uncoated/single coated ones are in a green box ("Green").  The multi-coated are denoted as HMC (Hoya Multi-Coated) and comes in a yellow package ("Yellow").  The pro are extensively coated and come in a blue package ("Blue" or "Pro").The product you are looking at is a Yellow and is therefore HMC coated.  The green usually yield unacceptable results and the HMC/Yellow should be the standard.  This unit (Yellow) does NOT show reflections or other anomalies in photographs - thus the price point.  The filter rotates smoothly and yields an acceptable polarizing effect as expected.  No significant issues with threading it on a lens although it sticks a bit on occasion.  I do note that the outer ring (the one to adjust the polarizing effect) has a much smoother feel than my more expensive Promaster.I used this filter on a Canon 1.4, 55-250, and briefly on an 18-55 (kit lens).I am satisfied with this purchase but note that I've gotten better deals at camera shops when it comes to buying filters.Edit:  Be careful that you buy from Amazon and not a marketplace vendor.  You can tell who you are buying from by looking near your buy button and next to the product image.  A particular marketplace vendor (Crawford's) is sending buyers a different and inferior product.  If they are the default vendor select another vendor.  Please do not down-rate the product (star rating) due to actions of the vendor(s) - vendors are rated separately in your account page area.
These lenses are a great way to protect your lenses. Why risk scratching your expensive lens when you can get these? I never bought these for the photographic use, just for protecting my lenses, so I can't vouch for anything other than that.
It was cheap, it arrived in pristinely clean conditions, fit just right in my camera, and now I can feel more at ease that my original lens won't get dirtied.
We've had this product on our T3i for  the past 18 months and we love it. It does not degrade our photos and we often forget that it is even there.It was exactly what we were looking for.
Ultraviolet filters don't mean much in terms of actually filtering ultraviolet light any more -- that's a product of the old days of film, and DSLRs don't need that any more. What I use mine for - and what most people do - is as a protection for my much more expensive lenses. And for that, this is a great filter.The glass on the filter is sturdy and clear; I notice no difference between a photo taken with this filter on and one taken with it off, and that is exactly what I want.
This item is not labeled correctly. I ordered this item hoping it would be a UV-0, which I know is in part my fault. However, it would have saved me money and time if it were labeled correctly. It is actually Hoya HMC UV(C). This piece of glass has way worse flaring that another filter I purchased for a few bucks more. Check images for my comparison.The worst part of this filter is it got stuck on my 300+ dollar lens and I freaked out because it wasn't budging. I was finally able to get it off without breaking my lens.The other bad thing about it is the lens cover cap doesn't clip in all the way, like a previous review mentioned. I didn't think it was a big deal until I saw what it was like in person. See images to see what I mean.All in all I would rather just fork out the extra money and get the same filter I already have or try and find a UV-0 like I was hoping this was.
This filter is great.  It does not impact the image quality and protected my lens (already) after an accident.  The filter was broken, but the lens still scratch free.  I already ordered another one.
Usual Hoya build quality, this is one of those rare filters that I've tested to show NO difference in photo quality with and without the filter.  It's staying on the lens.
I am not enough of a photographic expert to judge the exact quality compared to others, but I trust the Hoya brand as an affordable, high-quality product. I have not been disappointed.
This is a great product.  Love Hoya filters.  I have used them since college.  Would highly recommend purchasing this premium filter.
this filter received the highest rating of all UV filters at [...]- that is the Hoya HMC UV HMC (O) series (see actual test to view images on this lenstip site).  There has been some mystery questioning what the difference is from the (O) to the (C).  I called Hoya to inquire and get the latest:  I just spoke with Glenn in support at Hoya regarding this same issue (O) vs (C). Glenn stated physically the (C) series is a slimmer design than the (O) and that is to reduce vignetting even further and that is the only difference betwen O and C. Technically they will provide the exact same results and are the exact same quality. I had asked what the "O" or Zero represented and also the (C). He stated Japan has never advised him as to what the symbols reflected. I asked is it possible the (O) is for Original and the (C) is for compact? He stated he had never heard that before and probably just a rumour. You can call any time for more info or verification at [...] - I called their [...] phone number.
good quality but expensive.  very good results under the sun. easily drawn.  If you want to get good quality but expensive,  I would recommend.
This is a fantastic filter at a great price. Normally, I'd expect to spend over $30 for every filter I buy, so this was a bargain. Hoya means quality. If you have a $1000 lens and protect it with a $50 filter, that gives you lot of insurance for the life of that lens.
It works and serve as protection to lens without changing picture quality. Made in the philippines doesn't mean it's cheap quality or fake, Hoya/Tokina has branch factory in the philippines because of labor wise, less cheaper compare to japan. so don't worry about having filters or accessories that made in philippines as long as it's coming from the same company.This filter is well built. Comparing to the nikon NC filter, I don't see that much of a difference. I have couple more hoya filters and they are serving me well.
Good but overpriced. Yeah it's Hoya okay but still. Not that i'd choose anything else.. but.. anyways it's worth picking up.
Let's be honest with ourselves, using filters to protect the investment we've made in our lenses is absolutely essential.  As a photography student on a budget, it can be tough finding a great filter that doesn't soften the lens, but at the same time doesn't leave me shelling out $50-$100 for nothing more than a UV filter.  I'd used Tiffen filters before, but I found they warped the images I was making when they were on my lenses.Hoya is a very well-known brand in the photography world.  I'd say, when it comes down to filters, it really comes down to Hoya and B+W.  The latter's price point is more often significantly higher, but I didn't feel like I was sacrificing anything by going with the Hoya.This filter arrived perfectly in protective packaging.  It was easily applied to my Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens.  It stays on it all the time and the lens is still as sharp as it would be if the filter wasn't on.  That was honesly all I was looking for in a filter so I feel my needs were met.At less than $20, this filter is a pretty great option to protect your prized glass.  It won't enhance your images in any way, but I find that lack of influence really ideal.  This item's most important purpose is protection, which it does well.
Very well made for such a low price. Wish they didn't always display Philippines at twelve o'clock high when screwed onto all lenses, but what can you do. The multicating is pretty effective against flare.
This is the filter that I use on my lenses when I am not using the polarizer in order to protect them. Very useful to cut through the haze on hot days. Highly recommended.
Very inexpensive way to protect your lens.  Hoya is a quality product offering multi-coated glass UV filter which has little to no impact on the functioning of the camera lens.  Very happy with this purchase.
it was in the recommended accessories but it was the wrong size for my lens.
I have Hoya multi-coated filters on all of my lenses, so yeah, I'm a fan. Like the others, this one fit perfectly on my Canon lens and, as a filter should be, I have forgotten about it. Great pictures are taken and my lens is protected. Buy without hesitation.
The lens was exactly what I needed, it has a low profile so there is no clipping of any pictures.
These filters are great.  They fit like they were OEM, are blemish free and always work.  I always buy Hoya and have never been disappointed.
Hoya filter was very clear, images not distorted in the least. Just wish the packaging fit closer to the filter so I could use it for storage. Will buy other Hoyas, they are top notch filters.
I am extremely happy with this filter. My lens is protected and the fit is perfect and the cap fits really well (canon t21 and canon 50mm 1.4f)I think I will stay with hoya filters for a while.
Just what I ordered.  Like it.  It serves its purpose well--protects my lens.
Works as advertized. I use it on my lens on my Canon T2i. The results are stunning. I really don't have to adjust the color since putting on this lens. I bought it to protect my lens from damage, the image improvement is a nice side benefit. I have used less expensive lens, most work fine, but I can see the quality difference. I highly recommend this lens.
This lens is well worth the money.  It has very good clarity without much tint to it.  Much cheaper to purchase this than get scratches on your lens.
Very nice UV filter.  I keep one on all the time to protect the lense front element.
If I hadn't had this glass filter on my camera, my camera lens may have smashed! I dropped my camera and this was all that broke. While I feel good about that, I am a little sad that i essentially smashed money.
I only use Hoya uv filters on all my lenses for their consistency, clarity, and quality construction. I can go cheaper on a special effects, infrequently used filter, but I want the best for my UV filters since they protect my lens and rarely come off.
I'm still learning how to use my Canon Rebel T1i DSLR and bought this due to the fact that it can protect my lens (as I've "almost" created a dent to it a few times).  And I love what it does to my pictures!  It does filter it in a way for some colors to be crispier.  It's not a huge difference but still there.
I'm currently stacking this filter on a Canon HF-S100 and then on top of that I've attached a Canon WD-H58 wide angle lens.  The setup works really well.  The filter is really thin and doesn't seem to affect the focal length when the wide angle is stacked on top.My only dig on the filter is the difficulty in cleaning it... but, it might just me, i might need the right tools for the job.  Currently, i'm just using a microfiber cloth... i'm guessing there's a better cleaning method.Otherwise, the filter is great, I recommend it!
Arrived well within the time frame. Looks OK. Little tricky to fix. Does not stay fit. Results are not bad. Base line is you get what you paid for.
It has a multicoat to maximize the light throughput and take out glare.  Professional looking and great price.  Every lense should have one.
Used it on my hike through the Enchantments to protect my lens from the elements. Pictures came out great (except for a bit of flare on one or two), but rain spots were a little too obvious on some (more so than a regular lens). Construction seems good and durable, but not amazing - but that's about what you expect for the price of this item. Overall, I'm happy with it.
I snap a lot of outdoor photography, taking day trips to scenic locations and just wandering around a quiet forest in the early morning. I tried this filter out snapping shots of beautiful flowers on some trees with the sunlight at an angle that would have caused terrible glare or washed out images. The photos were stunning and I captured so many beautiful shots with this filter on during hours of the day when the sun is so high in the sky it can ruin great photos. I now use filters on my lenses more often than not. Besides helping me snap stunning photographs it also protects the glass lens. I would rather accidently scratch and have to replace a filter than a $1,000 lens!
I did not have high expectations for this lens, however it does a great job.  No more blue casting.  I was worried about scratching, not really an issue, if cleaned properly.  Worth the money paid especially to protect my expensive lens.
So far, so good. I have two of these, one on the Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens and another on the Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens. I haven't had any problems with this filter fogging up or any noticeable lens filter glare. It seems to me like a fairly high quality multi-coated glass lens filter. It screwed on smoothly and tightly, no problems with it yet.
Well made, metal outer rim. Not the most expensive UV filter but also not the cheapest out there. Happy with my purchase so far. I'm using it with the Canon 55-250mm STM lens on my Canon T4i.
Purchased primarily for protection of lens, fit is perfect. Have not been able to compare to see if it improves photo quality, from what I have experienced it does not diminish quality in any way.
Good filter, but it came broken.
Great price, fast shipping and exactly what we needed!  You can't go wrong with this.  We purchased a new camera and needed the UV filter quickly before vacation in Mexico.  Had it in one day with Prime Shipping.
Used these filters to protect both of my lenses for my Canon EOS T1i Rebel system.  They stay on as long as I own the camera.  I WOULD recommend these filters for anyone owning lenses for there digital or 35MM Camera for film. Just get them to protect your investment and there's no adjustment to your camera's focus or compensation adjustment needed.  Put them on and forget them, except when you need to clean your UV filters. And Hoya makes great filters and others as well. I will be purchasing the kit Amazon makes with correct cleaning solution, correct type of material to use for cleaning, & more.
My filter came with a large bubble in the glass near the edge. Fortunately, it is outside the visible range of my lens.
Been using these for years and they are excellent in filtering UV haze with no other effect on the photos (as it should be).  I have used other filters that have left artifacts on the photos, but this filter is outstanding.  The biggest bonus is that it protects my lenses from physical damage and dust.  I bought one for each lens and it's money well spent.
Its been on my lens twice.  Once to see if it fit and once to test it.  No idea why I wasted my money on this.  Maybe Ill use it at the beach to keep sand out?  No idea. Buy Polarized lens instead.
I had previously purchased a cheaper UV filter from a different vender, The results on my photos were not good. As soon as I switched to the Hoya the results were impressive.
This is better than my previous filter and it significantly cuts down on lens flaring.
Recently purchased a new lens for my Canon Rebel DSLR. Fits perfect, stays on, hardly noticeable. Can't complain. Glad it's there to protect the lens!
Not much to say about this product. Its a UV filter... and it works.  -1 star because it's pricey for a UV filter.
I got exactly what I paid for; a quality UV filter at an affordable price. It serves as excellent protection for my lens as well. A must, especially when you start buying more expensive lenses.
My FZ100 fell from the top of the closet....The filter was smashed.....Glass all over the floor....The filter saved my FZ100...Took about 1 hour to remove filter ring....But I did it....TG...It was in a bag as well......
Product was exactly as described and worked beautifully.  There was no problem with lens cleaning prior to fit-up aand had no marks or other prints etc on the lens.  The Nikon lens cap and hood  both fit correctly and securely with problems.
I trust Hoya brand, but even though this filter says it is multi-coated, one of those coats is not anti-glare. Make sure you have a circular polarizer handy. Otherwise, you may run into glare and flare spots with your photos.I live in Seattle, so it is difficult to tell when cloudy days receive the gift of sunlight here and there. After a strenuous uphill hike to the top of a spectacular view, being without a polarizer, several amazing pictures had glare and flare spots due to the sun peaking out. Total bummer.In summary, I don't have much experience with filters (yet), so maybe this is commonly known with UV filters that are not labeled as pro, or it is a known fact in general. I gave this product 4 stars due to the ambiguity of the multi-coated claim; it is definitely not anti-glare. Take it for literal value (UV coated only).On the bright side (no pun intended), the lens cap for my Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i) fits nicely.
arrived with in a week by USPS mail, fits very well with canon 50 mm lens. i use it primarily as lens protector. as my lens will be mostly used for indoor pictures, for outdoor i have a lens with polarized filter.
It's just a UV filter, but it is also a coated lens and that helps to prevent lens flare.  Not the most expensive but the best value for a quality lens.
Cleaned lens filters for installation and found each had a hard grain of glass or sand or something embedded in the p,ane of the filter glass.... Hoya... What happened to quality checks After you moved to phillipines....
Exactly what I was looking for. Doesn't seem to impact photo quality and provides protection for the lens.Appears to have a high quality build.  Will be buying more when I get additional lenses.
I've been using this filter on aNikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. I love Hoya's quality filters and use them on all of my lenses, mostly for protection. My gripe is the green ghosting that appears whenever there is a light source in an image.I don't know a lot about filters, but I've read that having a green cast on the filter is a sign of a quality multi-coated filter. Terrific. But I can't help but associate that green cast with the green ghosts that appear. And I'm not talking about sun flares, shooting directly into harsh light, or any other "unfair" scenarios. If there is a tiny candle in the background of an image, expect to see a blurry green spot adjacent to the light source.Like I said, I don't know a whole lot about filters, but this filter has ruined a lot of shots for me. If you're looking for protection, look no further than theNikon - 58mm Filter NC. I've used this at several weddings and I've been very pleased with it's performance (ie. it protects the lens without any negative effect on the picture quality).
This appears to be of good quality, and the price was right. Now my 1.8 50mm's much more protected. Before buying this item I was paranoid about ruining the lens.
Fine. Easy to use and easy to put on the camera. Once it is on, you don't know it is there but if I ever dropped the camera or damaged the lens, I know I would know it was not there, which was the point of the purchase.
Well worth the investment. I've been using Hoya for many years now and all there filters are worth the investment.
I upgraded from a UV Sunpak Filter I purchased at Bestbuy which was a big mistake, because it wasn't coated, but since I didn't know any better, I thought it was great. After doing some research, I finally invested in this filter, a little pricer, but it was so worth it. I could really tell the difference between a cheaper filter. I love how everything just stands out, no glares, and sharpeness too. Of course it does a lot more. You won't be disappointed.
it's pretty cheap and it works. This will protect your expensive lenses and clear that it doesn't interfere your quality of your photos.. at least it's not noticeable...
Bought this product because somebody said it's the best filter on the market - might be but it didn't seem to be much different (if at all) than the ones it replaced or supplemented as the case may be. I'd still suggest getting the "best" filter you can but how do you determine which is "best" for your application? Don't ask me.......
When this filter is on my lens, I can't even tell it's there. I basically use it for protection purposes in specific environments, and I don't leave it on all the time. I haven't run tests comparing image quality with and without, but this multicoated filter is good enough to the point that I have not seen any problems with it that are associated with cheap filters.
The filter is so clear, its almost unnoticeable even in bright light.  I haven't been able to produce a reflection in it whatsoever.  I highly recommend this filter for anyone who is looking to protect their lens!
I purchased this as a replacement for the one that broke when the camera hit the floor. The previous identical one did its job of protection the camera lens.
It's working fine, but I had a bit of trouble getting it to securely attach to my 58mm canon lens for some reason.  Once it found the threads, it went on okay.  Just had a harder time getting it to go on right at first.  I don't know why, because my cheaper lenses didn't have that problem.  I leave it on as mostly to protect my lens.  Good overall staple filter.
If you do not have UV filters on your lens you are not going like the long term results this filters help in making sure your photos turn out with much better clarity when shooting outdoors and help protect those expensive investments.  I would much rather replace the filters then the lenses.  The hoya filters work really well I live in Florida and travel to the deserts in the southwest often and these are great for all shooting indoor and out.
This filter is great; not the pro model but good for most uses. I had a cheaper brand thinking a filter is a filter but this Hoya is not too expensive so definitely worth going for a name brand.
I'm an amateur photographer and I wanted to buy a filter just to protect my lens. 2 simple reasons for why I bought this product:1.Price for the brand: $142.it's much easier to clean compared to other similar lenses
Don't see a difference in picture quality but works great at protecting the camera lens from scratches and dust. Worth the money for that.
I can not find any difference in an image taken with and other taken without the filter. So, I guess that is good, because I buy it to protect the lens from scratches and dirt, but  I was afraid of the halos and gost images, and all the extrenge creatures that I have seen with the "Polarized" Zeikos U.V filters.The filter fit almost nice in the canon EF-S 18- 55 IS lens But I think this is due to the plastic lens thread.The  HMC do a great work keeping the reflection out of the image but, sincerely,  it is a pain to clean this filter.
I rated it 4 stars because the filter was smudged which I easily cleaned.  Other than that it&#8217;s wonderful.
I have used these since I got fig sap on my Nikkon lens and it ate the coating off!!!  I sent it to Nikkon and it would have cost over $100 to fix.  I just bought a new on AND I bought this lens UV filter.
Shoot professionally, frequently in low light conditions or darn close to dark.  At a recent company Christmas Party this filter gave me lots of shots with some flare.  Looking to get Pro1 version to hopefully solve this issue.  The HMC 67mm on a Tamron 17-50 DI lens did Not give flare under identical circumstances.  Will try to upload picture(s) of flare.
This item turned out to be the right quality and the right price for me (I bought two of them for two lenses).  Research convinced me to buy a lens filter that had multi coating on it to go with the lenses that are multi coated.  These had good reviews and a reasonable price, so I gave them a try.  They showed up in good shape, went on easily, and are now doing exactly what they should be doing... protecting my camera without me noticing the difference.
Although I am an amateur, this UV-filter seems of excellent quality, optically as well as how well it is made. Superficially at least, I am not able to detect any kind of optical distortion. I would buy this filter again.
The product is just as it says in the description on the site. Its clear and a great multi-coated filter to have.And it do not affect speed of lens.
I normally only buy Hoya and B&W filters. I found this one at a great price and it's been on my lens ever since...
I bought this for my Pentax ED 55-300MM lens. It worked perfectly. I've noticed no optical distortions (which is an issue with cheaper filters). It protects your lens. Cheaper to replace a filter than a lens. If you're new to DSLR photography, this should be an item you order with your lens.  Without it, your outdoor photos will not look as good.UV filters should be totally innocuous. Meaning you almost don't notice that they're there, except making photos on bright sunny days pop more. A cheap UV filter can distort your photo, making you wonder if it's your skill or your camera. This one works. It's 2-3X more expensive than the cheap ones, but my recommendation is to not go with those. You will be disappointed. Hoya is a good brand name that makes good stuff. You can't go wrong here.
I have been using Hoya and TIffen UV filters for a number of my lenses.  They typically do a good job during the day but create ghost lights when used at night.  My Tiffen filters are actually more prone to flaring than my Hoya (I would five an extra 1/2 start to Hoya).  Ultimately the best option for night photography is to remove the filter.  It is night and day in terms of result (pun intended).
The filter arrived in perfect condition and right on time as advertised. It will more than adequately fulfill my needs. As far as Gigabargain goes, I can't say enough good about them. I had several shipping issues related to my personal situation. Gigabargain bent over backwards to try and get the filter to me. They were very helpful and understanding. Thank you.
works fine with no problems.  I bought for the main purpose of protecting the lens & color adjustments are done with software
I am very pleased with this filter.  It protects my lens and prevents glare.  My mother spent twice as much on a different brand, and you cannot tell the difference between our pictures.
It protects your lens (Believe me, I know) and filters out haze making UV rays. Best of all, it doesn't color or distort your images. Don't get the cheaper stuff, because without the coating, they're more prone to ghosting. The cheaper ones tend to add distortions to your photos as well. Spend a little extra the coated Hoya, it's money well spent.
It looks good...came in the mail 6 days later on first class USPS. I was juiced when I got it but now I see that it doesn't fit my two lenses. I'm sure this is my mistake.  I tried to called Cameta camera but they are now closed at 7pm.  I got it for a gift; I have a birthday wishlist on here, so hopefully returning it won't be too hard.***** Couldn't return it.  Cameta camera said they don't do refunds when purchased from the amazon website which is lame.  Oh well, it's still sitting here.  Hell, if anyone wanted it I'd sell it for $5 bucks just so they could have it.  I ended up purchasing something else... another brand and got 3 rings with different tints for a little cheaper and works well.
protection.. don't go shooting with out itGood lens and a good price.I use in a tripod fixed studio setting very sharp
Great filter,has little effect on pictures but helps protect lens and some glare. Would recommend.
I purchased cheap single-coated UV filters before, and it's really disappointing to see reflection and glare in my pictures (while pointing to a light source of course, and light sources are everywhere not just the Sun).This multi-coated filter is much much much better. It does eliminate most of the glare and reflection. You would need to point to a super bright light source to notice a patch of blue reflection in the your pictures. You won't see any reflection by pointing to normal bright lights like fluorescents and to strayed flash light.
The Multi coat is a layer over the filter. It's not manufactured into the glass. This is a UV(c) Filter not the UV(0) which has the anti glare manufactured into the glass.Point is, I don't notice a difference yet and it does what its supposed to do with Hoya Quality. However it's not the UV(0) so it may not last as long as I hope.However they DON'T make the UV(0) anymore so this is the best you can do unless you find an old one.
The filter was pretty good quality but the glass is some of the most fragile glass i've ever seen.After landing on the side - my filter shattered. :(
This is exactly what I was looking for. And it does it's job perfect. I would always prefer to purchase Hoya products.
I noticed that this filter is of higher quality than my canon branded UV filter.  The canon filter glass moves in the  ring and seems to permit small amounts of dust in.  This filter does not move in the ring and I have noticed no dust.
This is a great filter that is worth the price, because of all the care Hoya puts into their filters.
Always buy screw on filters to protect my lenses.  Great filter for doing just that.  Very good quality!!!  Nice filter
Product is as describe,  well made, and fits the lens exactly.  As well as a UV filter it does protect the lens from dust and fingers.  I would recommend this product and seller for prompt service.
The 4 star rating is given based on the price of a Hoya Filter. Hopefully it lives to the rating when comes to durability and protecting lens from any accident.
It fits very easily as they say. I did drop my camera once from an 18in high coffee table and nothing happened to the lens. It's been very useful so far.
Nice, fast delivery, and the filter is of good quality. Produces clearer pictures and protects your camera lens.
This filter works beautifully, at the price, you cant beat it.  I have not noticed any distortion in my photographs which is noted when purchasing 'cheaper' UV filters too.
Hard to beat for the money - fit perfect, clear and transparent and my photos look great.  You can certainly spend more money and perhaps for those photographers more skilled than I, this might not be enough but for me as a &#34;prosumer&#34; guy, I am totally happy.
Of course, there are more expensive UV filters out there, but for 95% of non-pro photographers, these are a great deal. I bought two of these filters as protection for my lenses, and they are excellent. Very sturdy construction, multi-coated, and not too expensive that you'll get upset if one gets scratched. These filters do not really effect your pictures, except by reducing glare a bit, which is always nice. A simple accessory that can save you a lot of money by protecting your lenses.
This filter eliminated ghosting I experienced with a Tiffen UV filter.  A worthy addition to protect your lens...don't skimp, get a premium coated filter.
We have been using this filter for a couple of years and it has protected our camera lens on several occasions from damage. We strongly recommend using a filter to protect your camera lens, and would purchase from this company again.
Excellent product! ... you don't even noticed that is there...
The Hoya Multi-coated filter does not get in the way of excellent photograhps.  Cannot detect any reflections or extraneous light from the glass, I cannot detect any difference in image quality in photographs taken with and without the filter.  I consider it to be a high quality filter at least for the photo enthusiast.
This is a very good UV filter, and I have been using it for about a week now.  There have been no issues with the filter, such as reflections or shadows.
For me the filter is only a piece of glass to protect my expensive Canon lens. And, to avoid involuntary hands/finger's contact. When you want a sharp image, take this filter off. Beacuse it is one more barrier to light the camera sensor. Even been so clear. It is my opinion.
This is a very nicely made filter, though i really have no priors for comparison.  :-)I got it to protect my kit lens and spent the little extra over the Tiffen to have more peace of mind in not having any resultant detriment to image quality and have had no complaints with this one.
This is one of those items that I can't really tell if it makes any difference.  And that's good since I bought it for lens protection.The lens cap doesn't seem to stay on as well though, but still works.
Bought 2 of these to fit to my Sigma 70-300mm dg apo and 18-55mm canon lenses. They fit perfect. Had to go with multi coated glass, so I chose to give this Hoya product a try. Wow was I impressed. Packaging was nice, opened it up to inspect the glass and it was just crystal clear. No scratches at all after shipping. I was pleased with the feel of the metal ring as well, as it felt quite sturdy. I don't necessarily plan on testing out the durability intentionally, but I feel the filter could take a good whack on the outer ring and still be good to go. Pictures were all amazingly clear, and the filter did it's job well. Great job Hoya!
THis saved me the price of a lens when it broke and the lens did not. Essential when using a camera in the backcountry.
Used Crawford's Superstore as the seller and received a quality made in Japan filter, not one of the Philippines ones other buyers have sometimes had problems with from other sellers.
I got this mainly as a lens protector. Its a Hoya UV(c) slim frame:[...]Works as expected, up to Hoya standards
I am very happy with this lens. I have used it for about a year, and no scratch on them yet! You can also tell it's a quality lens because you can hardly see the tint on it! My camera has it on at all times! Also to note, this lens is double threaded, so you can add extra tinted lenses.
I bought several of these filters to protect the outer element of my camera lenses.  No problem holding the lens cap.
If you have a digital camera, you don't need to filter out UV rays because the digital sensor won't pick them up to any significant degree (unlike cameras that use film).  So just keep in mind the filter is for protection and not much else.  I suppose a more expensive filter will offer that protection PLUS not reduce the image quality.  I am just an amateur but this is was I read from the following website: [...]I still recommend this filter because it is just a drop in the bucket when you consider all the other costs, and it seems to be of excellent quality.
I am using this filter for my Canon 18-55 kit lens for canon t2i. It was easy to put it on. No difference while taking pics indoor . Good protection for the lens.
I purchased this because I wanted to protect my len because I will have it out a lot without the lens cap on all the time. It is nicely made but it is far from perfect. The lens cap itself doesn't go all the way on and there's a small gap between the lens cap and filter. It stays on but I am worried that it may fall off. Another thing is that it will ghost on you if you shoot at a light bulb or any sort of light source like that. Overall it is decent for the money for DSLR lens because of the built quality but beware of the ghosting.
This is a good, mid-priced UV filter. Hoya has always made middle-of-the-road glass that I've been satisfied with. I use it as a lens protector more than for its UV qualities but the UV blocking seems to work reasonably well.
Easily screwed onto the ef 18-55 IS lens, and is a great lens protector. I haven't noticed much of a difference in my pictures, however, unless you are shooting 70% of your shots outside in the sun, this will be more of a hindrance than a quality booster.
It works as expected. Good quality feel. There is a definite difference from non-coated or less coated glass - you can see much less reflection with this one. Very happy with it (I now use three on three separate lenses). Worth the money, and Amazon had the best price and quick shipping.
Tiffen was always my preference in the past. Now, Hoya makes different levels of very good glass. Affordable and rugged. The bezel is nice and thin. Color neutral. This is all I use on my Nikon lenses. I actually use this instead of my Nikon filters. Sorry Nikon.
As MC(UV) filters go, you won't go wrong with a Hoya branded one. This particular model's brass frame feels noticeably improved over those framed with aluminum, (and it is higher-priced because of that). I firmly believe that if you have the money to spare, upgrade to the brass.
I have been using HOYA filters for years, but no more. I purchased this filter in May 2012 to protect Canon kit lens on a Canon DSLR. In July the filter cracked, while in protective camera bag with lens cap on. This is the second HOYA filter that died on me like this within a year. Yes, camera bag must have been bumped into something, but the impact has been nothing out of ordinary--nobody dropped the bag. I blame my last HOYA filter's early demise on the design flaw common to all HOYA filters I have purchased. Unlike the B&W filter I purchased as replacement (ASIN: B0000BZL67), the metal frame of the HOYA has no inner metal ring for the lens cap to stand on, so that any impact on the lens cap, however mild, impacts the glass directly. The reportedly better optical characteristics of the B&W are a welcome bonus.
I hope I read other reviews about multicoated UV filter much early. I use a normal ... UV Haze filter on my kit lens since the first day, 2 years ago! I can take some sharp pictures, but always feel a masking over the picture and have to use software to touch up. To attack glare I even bought a flower shaped hood. With this Hoya HMC zipped on, I can tell it's more clear through now. Adorama standard shipping is lightning fast. From placing order to getting the filters only took 4 days, including a weekend.
I've received this filter in a timely manner.Excited, I've opened the package just to realize that the filter was not sealed. So, I've got a used item from Adorama again. This the 2rd time that Adorama is sending a used item.The first one was a flash card reader.When cleaning it, I was amazed how dirty it was. It is really a shame for a company of this size to send people used filters at full price.
Great piece of mind to help protect lenses that would cost hundreds of dollars to replace.  I use lens caps, of course, and these screw on perfectly to my cannon rebel t2i lenses and the stock lens caps clip perfectly onto these filters.  I bought one for each lens and am very happy with them.
Build is fine, fits well, again not an expert of filers just bought it to protect my expressive lens. So yes I would recommend this filter
Saved a bundle compared to the camera shops in downtown SF.  The correct filter shipped on time with no issues.  See other reviews below mine which discuss this filter versus B+W and other brands.  I read many helpful pieces of advice there before ordering this product.In all, I am glad I have chosen Hoya.  I am even more glad that I bought this product on Amazon.
Impressed with the clarily of this optic.  Really like it. Great product for the quality and price. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in a hight quality filter.
This is one of the higher grade filters from Hoya. There are around 4 grades, in ascending order: Standard, HMC (Hoya multi-coated), Super HMC, and Ultra. This product is, of course, the Super HMC grade.Out of the box, the filter has a bit of dust or plastic particles on it. It probably doesn't affect image quality, but you should quickly blow that off with an air blower anyway.Having any kind of filter will protect your lens from situations like a rain, water spray, sand storm, unpredictable actions of kids, and so on. This protection is especially important if your lens is in the 1000 USD range. Needless to say, a UV filter is the cheapest filter that you can have in front of your lens. And it does not alter the image in any way, for better or for worse.Having a good multi-coated filter is not expensive considering the image quality you will lose otherwise. Especially consider the fact that there are some uncoated filters that cost as much as these Hoya Super HMC filters! Crazy!The filter is indeed coated; the reflections are dim and slightly tinted. Yes, there are reflections, but it is slightly dimmer than the reflection from the camera lens itself. You can't eliminate it all, heh.More information about Hoya's coating grades can be found on their web site.
Excellent glass.  Only filters I use to protect all my lenses.Much better prices (almost 50% lower) by purchasing from Amazon sellers than I can get locally.
Great protection for a mid-high dollar lens. . . . . . . . . . . .  .. .
I bought this mostly as a protection for my lens.  However, it does seem to slightly improve my photos in certain situations.  At times, I do have to concentrate to get the threads lined up properly.
This is definitely a decent lens for the cost.  No wobble in the glass or the coating, it's nice and clear and doesn't dim or cloud the shots.  My only complaint would be that I had to send the first one back for a defect in the glass, but the second (replacement) lens is fine.
I bought this filter for protection on the front of my EF 70-300IS lens. It has served this purpose well.It seems well made. While walking around with the camera on my shoulder I have bumped the ring couple of times on a wall. It did not dent or scratch, and the glass has not fallen out.The threads have never locked onto the lens barrel, although its never been in extreme conditions. (60 to 110 F only).This filter does not increase flare or reduce sharpness! (Unlike my 58mm canon filter).This filter is not the easiest to clean. Too much liquid cleaner causes white streaks on the glass. The trick is to use a blower and dry micro-cloth most of the time. When liquid is required to remove stubborn grit it requires the right amount of moisture on your cloth so that it will remove the grime and evaporate instantly. Once you understand the technique its not that difficult.I deducted a star for the cleaning, however it did not stop me from buying a 77mm one for my EF 17-40.
I dont know enought about UV Filters,but enought to know that my Pictures are slightly clearer and I really feel strongly about the fact that it does help protect my Lens from damage.Maybe in time I will know enough to give a better review..
Many people will tell you not to put a UV filter on your lens because they tend to cause ghosting and flare, especially with digital cameras. Not so with this filter. I've shot in all kinds of conditions and never had any issues. Be smart people! Don't risk lenses that cost several hundreds of dollars by not using a UV filter. It's much easier to replace a filter than a lens.
Attached to my lens with no issues.  It doesn't distort pictures I've taken and also provides a layer of protection for my lens.
Fits perfectly on my Olympus E-620 to protect the lens. This filter is coated, so don't get fluids on it, it can then make a mess.
I purchased this Hoya 58mm Super HMC Haze UV (0) Glass filter for my new Nikon 58mm prime lens. The fit was perfect and there are no distortions or haze on this lens. I will be sending out a updated review after some use.
Some of the family groups ordered extra large photographs and this item accommodates my collection so far. May have to order more.
Nice snug closing, you can put your valuable papers and other items in here with no fear of them suffering acid damage.
I bought this storage box because I always end up with more 8x10's than I need and the dreaded 11x14's. Nobody wants to throw away photos of their children so I decided the best thing to do would be to store them. This storage box is perfect for that purpose. It is large enough to hold 11x14's but thin enough to fit almost anywhere. I am very pleased with my purchase. It can be a little difficult to open, but I am not worried about that aspect as I would rather have the snug fit to keep my photos safe.
this is a great way for me to install all my portfolio piece and it keep them secure from getting dirty and everything.
The quality is very solid and has a nice exterior texture. The interior is lined with nice cotton and fits my 11x14's perfectly. I would feel confident handing this box to who ever is looking at my portfolio. Also, I kinda like the smell.
I purchased this pouch to prevent my camera from getting scratched while it's in my backpack. I will also use it when we're traveling & take a break to go into a restaurant. I'm always concerned about placing my camera on the table & risking some liquid getting on it. It is light & very well made which is typical for OP/TECH. I use it on my Olympus Pen 2 with either the 14-150mm Olympus lens or Panasonic 25mm 1.4. The fit with the Oly lens is nice & snug. There is a small void in front of the Panny lens but not enough to be concerned about. I highly recommend this pouch for the need as described & it's reasonably priced too. I don't think it would offer much overall damage protection if you were to drop your camera on a hard surface such as concrete. Be sure to follow the instruction in putting the pouch on to prevent any damage to it. I'm very pleased with my purchase decision.
So, you've switched to M 4/3 right? Small and light, fast lenses, it's awesome. The ONLY thing that has really been frustrating me is the lack of options to keep that package small and light in every day carry/while out shooting.All the options so far have been:- Small camera bag, which sucks up a ton of space in your backpack/messenger bag. Added bonus of looking extra dorky when you have it slung around your shoulder and you have the camera in your hand.- A small camera pouch, which can only accept the smaller pancake lenses- A fitted leather full/half case. Half case offers very little protection when throwing the camera in your main bag. The full case seems to only accept smaller pancake lenses.Along comes this OP/TECH pouch. It does EXACTLY what I want it to do, which is to carry my Panasonic GX1 with Panasonic-Leica 25mm f1.4 lens attached (with hood). It fits perfectly. Easy to get on and off. Comes with a small button strap on the inside so you can attach it to your belt or neck/shoulder strap. Small enough to put it in your pocket. Durable enough for me to trust it in my everyday carry backpack so my camera is always with me, which was the whole point of me switching to M 4/3 in the first place.Great piece of kit, it has really made me happy with the fit and overall value. Fast and light, here we come!
I use this to protect my camera from bumps and scuffs when I put it in my backpack for traveling. An OM-D E-M5 with 12-35mm F2.8 lens fits in the case, including the hood if it is reversed. Of course, all of my primes and slow zooms fit as well. It is a bit tight over the viewfinder hump, but not to the point that it stresses the seam or hinders the cushioning effect of the neoprene.This is not a quick-access case when used with an OM-D. It will take a few seconds, at least, to get the camera out and ready to go. I snipped off and fused the internal attachment strap because I don't use it.
I bought this after experience with the larger DSLR pouch and reading reviews on this one. It does fit my new Olympus OM-D EM-5, but it is quite snug. With the kit 12-50 mm lens, there is some space at the end of the lens pocket, with the Oly M.Zuiko 40-150, the lens is pretty much up against the end of the pocket. Fastening the top flap is a bit tight, but you can do up both snaps if you stretch it a little. Again, the pouch gives some weather and impact protection to your camera, and is very compact, so the camera fits nicely in your backpack or bag. I always carry my camera with a cover on, just in case I bump into something or get a little mist. With a little practice, one can get the pouch off and on fairly quickly.However, I think I'll get an accessory grip for the OM-D and this pouch won't fit over the camera + grip. Probably get the D-midsize pouch in that case.The only reason it gets four stars instead of five is because although Op/Tech recommended this for the OM-D, it really isn't ideally fitted for it. If the top of the case had a little bit of a bulge to give the viewfinder a little more space, it'd be nearly perfect.Highly recommended, and made in the USA!
I like the soft pouch,  however, one of the snap scratched the LCD viewer on the back of my new camera )-: when I put on the cover.  Biggg bummer for me.  I'd suggest this manufacturer utilize snaps made of a softer, scratch free material (rubber?).
OP/TECH USA 7401174 Soft Pouch -Digital D-M4/3, Neoprene Pouch for Compact Digital Camera (4.75 x 3 x 5 Inch) (Black)My Panasonic Lumix G3 with the standard Vario 14-42 zoom kit lens fits into this pouch with some room room to spare.  The G3 will also fit with the relatively large Lumix Vario 45-200 lens including the lens hood mounted in the reverse storage position.  But it's a tight fit and is quite literally "a stretch".  I only fasten one of the snaps with the 45-200 mounted because I fear that the pouch might tear.I have four of these OP/Tech pouches and use one of them for a Nikon D700 body and another for a  Nikon D90 with a zoom lens attached.  I've been pleased with all of them.  I use them primarily for protection in a camera bag or while the cameras are stored away.  I don't think the neoprene is heavy enough to really protect a camera that is dropped, but I guess it's better than nothing.  I certainly would not want to drop a camera as heavy as a Nikon D700 to test how much the pouch would help.
This is a very tight fit for the Fuji X-T1.  Its neither wide enough without stretching nor tall enough to get it snapped without some stretching.For those that want to keep their camera in a pouch every day, I'd suggest giving it a pass.  For those that are looking for occasional use during travel, its works very well.  I use it only for travel.  I've also had oversized ones and they can be a pain.  With all the excess material, its difficult to get a good grip on the camera while putting it in or pulling it out.
This pouch fits the Olympus E-P5 + PL25 comfortably without the custom hood VYC1063 attached. Contrary to one of the earlier reviews, attaching the hood to this setup will expose the risk of breakage. This has happened to me in the past with another camera+lens+hood setup where I had to take the camera to a repair shop and have them remove the hood which was stuck half-broken at the front end of the lens due to tight fit. If you need to attach a hood, the VYC1005 hood for the PL 45mm F2.8 would be a better choice because it's a bit shorter or use a collapsible rubber hood. Else, just carry the original hood outside the pouch.Just wishing it was about an inch longer.
My husband ask for this for his new &#34;toy&#34; for Christmas. he loves it. and it fits like a glove!!
I wanted the least bulky case possible for mySony NEX-5R. I usually carry accessories in a backpack, so what I needed for the camera was just some basic unobtrusive protection while it's slung on my shoulder.Short of a custom or OEM solution, the fit is about the best it gets. The stretch neoprene offers shock protection while still permitting easy access. The camera with the 18-55mm kit lens and hood fills the entire length of the case. Without the hood, I think the camera would fit in aD-Shortie; with something like the 16-50mm kit lens, it'd definitely fit in aD-Compact. These are the three cases recommended by Op/Tech's product selector. These fits would also apply to the newSony NEX-5T and 16-50mmas well.The only issue I had is with the strap that attaches the case to the camera. There are two snaps on it--one at the end that attaches to the camera and another in the middle, I guess to stow the working snap when it's not being used. Well when the case is closed, the middle snap can rub against the LCD if you're not careful. I just cut it off, as I didn't see much point in it anyway.
I use this pouch to cover my Fujifilm X-E2 when I really want to travel light or walk around with one camera + one lens. It fits the camera and kit lens (XF 18-55mm) with the hood reversed perfectly.
This case perfectly fits my Olympus E-PL5 with Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 lens, and it offers decent protection against scratches and small bumps. The problem is that the opening at the back of the case is too small to easily fit the camera through. It is a real struggle to put the camera in the case or pull it out, and I sometimes think that in fighting with the case I might accidentally rip the articulated LCD off the back of the camera!I have the rangefinder version of this case, which I use when I have a Panasonic 14mm pancake lens on the camera, and it works well because it's easy to put the camera through the opening in the case with a small lens attached. For some reason the manufacturer didn't make the opening on the M 4/3 version any bigger than on the rangefinder version, even though the case is designed to fit a camera with a larger zoom lens. As a result, it's too difficult to use, and I've gone looking for another, better case.
High quality material, and sized appropriately for a snug fit.  Only problem I have with it is that it is difficult to put on.  Makes you think you need 3 hands to do it.
I keep this on my Canon 18-135 STM lens over the extended EW-73B Lens Hood so I don't have to dig inside the hood to get at a lens cap.  Works fine, decent padding, and is snug when installed.  I do have to be careful in my struggle to get it stretched over the end of my lens hood without my fingers slipping off and smudging the lens glass, but again I'm putting it over the sculptured end of the hood when in place.
I hate lens caps, and let me cameras bang around a bit. so figured, I better get some of these to protect the ends of my lenses and stop them banging against things. Also bought some connectors by OP/TECH as well that fit right on my same brand camera strap. Had work to push the strap to the connector through the little tab on the side of the Hood (not sure that was designed for that), but it works like a charm, and now I can leave the hood on the lens and clip it on the the strap so I don't lose it. Really works nicely. Oh and did I mention that they are not expensive.....can't beat it.
I have 2 different sizes and they both work well. The problem is still what do you do with it when it is taken off. Stick it in your pocket or bag I guess. I like to leave mine on, but it takes up too much room in my bag when attached to my lense. Over all it is ok and does work for a lense covering and is easy to remove.
This thing works great to protect my wide-angle lens.It's soft, so it won't provide too much protection from a hard impact against a sharp edge,but the material is definitely thick enough to keep my lens safe while I'm out and about.Honestly, I like it better than the cap that came with the lens, so in most cases I use it instead.~Rusty Spoons
This is a nice thing to have when only wanted to take my camera with strap on a hike or for long term storage.  The sizing guide worked very well to assist me with getting the correct fit.
I've used OpTech Hood Hats for several years now and consider them a required part of my equipment. I have them for all my telephoto lenses because their large hoods require you to remove them to get to the lens cap. They also protect the hood from scuffs and scrapes. As with the other OpTech's products I have, the quality is outstanding.
I gave the Hood Hat three stars because the actual use is questionable.  It goes over the lens to protect it from dirt and dust and other undesirable deposits you might encounter.  It's sort of a storage device because when you're in the field using your camera, the last thing you need is a cover on your lens that might come off easily but requires both hands and some patience to put on again.  Photo opportunities show up unexpectedly and taking this off and putting it on again doesn't make sense.  As a cover when you're not using your camera, it's terrific.
This is a very protective addition to your valuable lenses, I leave it on my 70-300 Canon all the time. Easy to remove when in a hurry, takes a few seconds to put back on but no hurry with that. I love it so much I take it for long strolls on the beach!
I hate lens caps, and let me cameras bang around a bit.  so figured, I better get some of these to protect the ends of my lenses and stop them banging against things.  Also bought some connectors by OP/TECH as well that fit right on my same brand camera strap.  Had work to push the strap to the connector through the little tab on the side of the Hood (not sure that was designed for that), but it works like a charm, and now I can leave the hood on the lens and clip it on the the strap so I don't lose it.  Really works nicely.  Oh and did I mention that they are not expensive.....can't beat it.
Here is the solution to the Zeiss's problematic lenscap. This fits snugly over the lens's filter ring with just a bit of stretch and it will not come off from any incidental shifting from being carried in a bag. Finally, I don't have to worry about protecting the Zeiss's expensive front element!
Love this little soft cap.  Much better than the hard ones.  I take photos of cats and they love it too.  When/if it wears out, will be a great cat toy!
Love being able to cover the lens shade and not having to fuss with lencaps, also add a little padding to protect inside the camera bag.
Yes, it's a ripoff of LensCoat Hoodie, but I assume they can do it because there's no patent on the design. It costs a lot less and is basically the same thing (I have a LensCoat Hoodie too), before I knew there was a cheaper alternative). Unless you want a specific color/design that only LensCoat makes, there's no reason to spend more on the same thing.
Fits the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 and 35mm Lens.  The stock lens hood barely fits, very tight fit, though.  Also fits the 18mm lens with the Stock Lens hood in place, but the Rubber cap pulls off easily.  Took off one star for the non removable tether.  It's nice that it has an option for attaching a tripod mount or rubber o-ring to fit around a lens, but I would've liked the option to remove it temporarily.  So I ended up cutting it off.  It's really nice to have it as a protective case, and easily stuff it into my pocket when shooting.  I don't want it dangling from my camera when shooting.
Just a simple neoprene case for a mirrorless camera with a good sized lens or a rangefinder camera. I bought it primarily for the Fuji X-E1 and the XF 23mm f1.4 lens.
This fits the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 (with 35mm lens attached) very well. This also fits a Nikon FM with 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AIS lens. (It definitely wouldn't fit something as large as a Nikon D800.)  I like the additional protection this case offers when traveling with the camera. I do think it would be a bit cumbersome to use when actually out with the camera, but for storage and travel it's great.
I usually have my camera in a Blackrapid SnapR 35, but when I'm just keeping it in a bag or coat jacket I slap on this pouch for minimum bulk.
I don't have much use for the rubber ring, designed to fit around the lens and allow the case to dangle when shooting, because I just don't want it in my way. But I do like the fact that there is also a snap that can screw into the tripod mount of the camera, which can then allow the case to dangle from the bottom of the camera. This was a surprise, and seems like it might be more useful, especially on a camera with interchangeable lenses.A little fiddly getting it on and off, but it seems like it would also work with an even larger lens, or perhaps with the hood, as indicated by other reviewers.I'm also happy to see that unlike some of their straps and harnesses I've bought in the past, OP/TECH chose not to use any leather bits on this case, which will make it less attractive to my dogs.
This is really good for CSCs or fixed-lens compact mirrorless cameras.  It fits the Fuji X-100S with the lens hood attached and has a little pocket for memory card or spare battery.  Your strap will come out the sides and you use the strap attached to the camera - the pouch has no strap of its own.  Minimal padded protection from wear and elements, but better than nothing.
Loved it for X-Pro1 with 35mm, but really tight with 18-55. Ordering the &#34;SLR Auto&#34; version which is supposed to be .9&#34; longer and see if that works better.
UV filter are usually bought as a protective piece of glass in order to protect the front element of a lens. It is true that no lens should be without one, to even further emphasize the importance of having a UV filter on your lens, I refuse to take any of my lenses out of their boxes when I first buy them before having a UV filter to immediately fix that will stay there permanently!The Hoya UV filter is of a solid build better than many competing brands out there and as far as a protective piece of glass goes, that should be your number one criteria.
I bought this for my Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art lens. Filter feels like a high quality filter because of the metal and glass. Once attached to my lens, I don't notice any difference with or without it. Which is good because I bought this to protect my lens from getting scratch or just in case I do drop it. The only problem I had though was the packaging. My filter wasn't damage or anything, but inside the package the filter was free to move around. This could've damage it, but mines didn't.Pros: solid filter, doesn't degrade qualityCons: filter was moving freely in package
I have not taken many pictures with this filter yet but so far the ones I have taken have been greater than if I had not had the filter.  Hoya is a good brand so I am comfortable knowing it's been around for awhile.
Just a forewarning: I'm relatively new to the SLR photography realm, so I don't have as broad of knowledge as some others might.The lens has performed fantastically for what I've used it for (mainly outdoor photography). However, I've noticed when cleaning the lens under a bright concentrated light (like that of a flashlight), many specs that don't seem to want to be wiped away by a lens pen. While I can't really tell in my photographs, its still a detail that bugs me. However, it still seems like a great deal for the price and for the lens protection that it affords.
I don't notice this product.  It fit on my Nikon lens great, and since then I've been able to forget about its existence, which is basically what I bought it for. Seems to be protecting my lens so far.
Bought the filter to act as protection for the glass in my new Tamron lens; and I'm satisfied with it.
After scouring the web for UV filter reviews, I decided to buy the Hoya HMC. It was highly rated for resistance to flare when shooting into the sun. I'm very pleased with its performance, tho I always take it off when shooting into the sun, as no filter is totally immune from flare. I now keep Hoya HMC filters on all my lenses.
See page 56 of this Hoya catalog: [...]The UV(O) filter is clearly more effective at attenuating wavelengths below about 425nm. The UV(C) filter kicks in at wavelengths below about 375nm. Frankly, with modern digital cameras, I wouldn't worry about this difference.I have read that the UV(O), which was made in Japan, is no longer available (except as new old stock). The UV(C) is made in the Philippines. This, too, is not a serious issue in my view.The quality of Hoya HMC filters are beyond reproach, and the one star deduction is for product substitution by the vendor (Gigabargain) without prior notice.
I've previously been known to use low cost filters. You know - I'd say they can't be that much lower in quality, Right?Wrong! This filter has certainly convinced me there is a difference & it's worth the increased cost. Even though this filter is being sold at a highly discounted price, the quality of the filter is spectacular. I have a drawer full  of budget filters that will not be seeing any action in the future, since I'll be gradually replacing them. The old adage of - Why put a $5 filter on a $1,000 lens, is very true
This is my 4th Hoya UV filter of different sizes. The quality is consistent. Price is reasonable. Good lens protection.
Hoya filters are the best. High quality great fitting glass protector for everyday use. Don't leave your lens unprotected without one.
Excellent quality, coated filter. Appears to be well constructed an should last, unlike the cheap filter it replaces. I made the mistake of choosing a cheap haze filter, thinking that "its only  a piece of plain glass", which actually, it is, but if you buy the cheap filters that's all you get, a piece of glass in a cheap mount.This Hoya filter is also coated, and that really does make a difference, as does the well made mount.Well worth the money.
It is tough to b eat Hoya filters, and this one is no exception.  'Nuff said!  Get one and protect your lens investments today!
Wait to protect my $800 lens. Great product works just as advertised much better than the cheaper alternatives. Sweet device
I've been pleased with all of them so far.  Every time I get a new lens I get one of these mainly for scratch and dust protection.  They are optically clear and are reasonably priced.
I use this ,for a protective lens, which stays on all the time. It's good to have UV lens also. Hoya good name. No problem
In my opinion its optics are a lot better than my previous Tiffen, but it got scratched way faster than the Tiffen. I do not even know how that happen. I use it in a SONY HDR-FX7 behind a very nice hood and I clean my filters with so much care. Maybe just a bad day, but I plan to buy it again. It is not cheap but its optic is on the high end.
Solidly produced filter.  Works well as a filter and as a lens protector.  Good product.
Very happy with the product.  Did a lot of research and I found this to be the best deal for what I needed.
Needed a new protective filter for a lens I purchased from this seller.Came installed on the lens, seems to be in like new quality and very fairly priced.
But I have since removed all UV filters since I believe they degrade photos by putting an extra layer of glass between the lens and subject. A Lens shade is much more protective against damage to the lens.
Fit was good. Quality excellent. Great protection for my very expensive lens.. I keep it on all the time. Pics are clear and reduces glare off water
This is your standard 3 layer multi coated circular polarizer. It's just as good as all the other Hoya filters I have used. Just behind B+W and even with Heliopan filters in terms of glass quality.I will note that even though I love Hoya filters, sometimes they do ship with the retaining ring bent or broken and you have to request an exchange for a new filter. I kind of freaked out the first time I noticed that when I opened the box, but now I just do a quick inspection when the filters arrive and if it looks perfect and nothing is loose, then I put it on my lens and never think about it again.
Near tops in quality although there are a few better.  this item met my quality standards for the lens I am using it on.  I have Caonon L lenses on which I use better filters tan this one.  My canon lens for which I purchased this filter is a good lens but not their L series so OK for me using this filter.
I haven't used this filter much since purchasing it but so far it seems to be well made and not affecting sharpness of the photos.
I can't comment on the optical quality of this filter, but the mechanical quality is astoundingly bad.  There aren't a whole lot of parts for one of these filters, so I don't know how you can do a job this awful.  Mine arrived with the retaining spring unmounted, so the filter was just laying in the holder.  I finally got the spring in place (which is harder than it sounds) so that the filter was secured.  The second time I used it the spring popped out, and the filter hit the pavement.  End of usable filter.  Needless to say, I don't think Hoya's QC is very good if they can ship a filter that is so badly assembled that you can see it immediately on opening the case.
I received this item just as they said I would and in perfect condition. Will order again from them.
I would strongly recommend not purchasing this product. It arrived less than three weeks ago and it is already beginning to fall apart.There is some flaking of the polarizing screen on the filter. This renders is completely unusuable because it now it adds little shadows that look similiar to dust being on the sensor when I have it on.The filter was either in a case, or on my lens with a lens cap on during all periods in which I wasn't using it. For it to beginning to break down already is just sad. Don't try and save $30, go for a different filter.
This filter helps to cut down a couple stops of light and allows you to slow down the shutter speed.  It is ideal if you want to take pictures of silky waterfall, flowing river, or just to create a sense of blurness of moving subject in broad daylight.I also use it to take portrait of people outdoor when a large aperture is neccessary to create a shallow depth of field.This is not a cheap filter, but it is made of very high quality glass, and the ring is very well made.
Works great! I mainly use it for moving water like falls, river streams and outside portraits. It's a high quality glass that made in Japan!
This is my first time buying screw on filters as I have always used filter holders and 4x4 square models. This one is well made and appears to be consistent in nature across the glass. Comes in a nice case that fits well in my bag. I have not used it yet on a shoot but will update this if anything changes.
Great filter. It is made of durable materials and no scratches or defects. It has a little weight to it.
Very good but i need something stronger ndx10 would be better. Quality fo this product- very good!! Hoya is one of the best
With so many manufacturers moving production to different plants, I was very pleased to see that the item I received was just as pictured in the listing - and completely up to my high expectations of Hoya filter quality standards.
Though only a .8 still works as i needed. If I need it darker I add a circular polerizer. Using as an outdoor addon filter, I love it.
I've just recently started playing with ND filters and am quite pleased with this one.  Build quality is nice and it does a great job.  I've been doing some 5 second exposures at mid-day on the beach with great results.  Early morning or later in the evening when the lighting isn't as harsh I'll be able to really lengthen the exposures.
I bought this filter as much for protecting my lens as for the filter effect and it works as advertized.
This is a genuine multi coated filter, you can confirm it by seeing a reflection of any object on the glass surface; it shows up with a green tint. Tested this with indoor and outdoor shots and did not affect picture quality. Constuction quality is excellent and has a lightweight alluminium ring/body. Extrememly durable. Hoya is among the top three filter manufacturers in the market and at this price this is a steal!!Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Zoom Lens with 57" Tripod & Tripod Collar + Hoya 3 (UV/CPL/Warm) Filter Set + Cleaning Kit for Canon Rebel T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, EOS 50D, 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II, 1D, 1Ds Digital SLR CameraCanon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)Hoya SUPER HMC Haze UV(0) - Filter - UV - 52 mmHoya HMC UV(C) Filter - UV - 67 mm
I wanted a UV-Filter to protect my lens (since I don't believe in any effect on UV-reduction) that wouldn't be too expensive but also not have too much of a (negative) effect on image quality.While doing my research I was surprised that apparently there aren't too many tests for filters. However I came across this one:[...]The Hoya HMC UV(0) got the highest rating and since it is affordable I went with this one.So far I am happy with it. However I did not do any comparison shots with and without filter, so I can't comment on that and rather just rely on professional sources and the fact that I think my images look good.
This filter looks and feels of high quality. The ring is metal, stampings are sharp and clean, and the filter seems top notch. The only drawback is the glass id extremely difficult to clean. I spent a good 30min to get rid of smudges...
This filter works as a shield and protects your expensive lens against scratches etc and at the same time retains the quality of the picture without degrading quality unlike other cheap filters. Highly recommend this product.
Unless I am shooting macro's, i dont worry about any interference.  I have yet to detect any in my sports and general photography
Regardless of what some photographers believe, these don't seem to degrade the image quality at all (reviews on the net are highly positive) and they are comparatively cheap protection for the front element of that $2000 L lens.  I personally have had one lens saved by the presence of a UV0 filter; that was enough to convince me.
Nice filter. Does the job well. I specifically purchased this because of the price point when compared to my local dealer.
I have these Hoya filters on both of my lenses.  They do what they are supposed to do.  They are a little tough to keep clean but I find that a little breath and the carbon tip of a lens pen works perfectly.
This filter is great for all lenses, it does not add any ghosting or flare (from what I can tell) and is not very expensive.  If you are looking for a filter to use than I highly suggest going with this filter, I have one on all of my lenses.
I only got this as a protection to my actual lens. From what I have read, UV filters don't create any type of photographic effect on dslrs, so the main thing is to have one of these to protect your lens without negatively effecting the picture quality. While I am not a professional and don't blow my pictures up to wall size, I have not noticed any decrease in picture quality for what a typical hobbyist would need it for, so I'd say it does exactly what it is supposed to do.
Fine for the price.No issues and serves its purpose.There are some debates about whether these should even be used on good lenses but I like the peace of mind of protection.
I've used filters from all major brands and plenty of knock-offs and no names.  I decided to adopt Hoya as my brand.  The real reason I did so was that more and more photography professionals seem to be recommending them to me.  I think if several sources who don't know each other recommend not just the same make but the same model, there's probably quality there.I buy the Super Multi version for all my lenses (67, 72, 77 and I have a 52 coming) ... I think it's important to use the same make/model filter on all your lenses so that you are seeing apples-to-apples when shooting the same subject (under same conditions) with different lenses.  Aside from artistic filters (CPL, ND etc) the filter should not modify the image all that much.The glass is clear, sharp, flare-free and provides protection for the lens without degrading image quality.  That's really all we want from a UV filter.
I just put it on my lens and there it is... perfec, images are not affected and its easy to clean.I really like it!
Since most of my photography is done indoors, this filter was purchased to protect my much more expensive lens from accidental scratching.  The product comes in a nice plastic case with a foam insert, and mine was clean and clear upon arrival.It's also important that this filter is multi-coated... just like most nice lenses are.  There's no reason to throw an uncoated junky filter in front of a nice lens with coating!
Very good filter, I always keep buying Hoya or B&W
There is a lot of controversy about whether or not a UV filter makes your photos better or worse. The manufacturers claim that it "removes haze" and purists say it degrades your photos. I was very skeptical because another piece of glass between you and the subject has to be a risky proposition image quality-wise, but I was very interested in protecting my lens investment.  I chose this filter for my Sigma 18-125mm OS lens because it seemed to be about midrange quality, as I suppose the lens is, and Hoya seems well established.As I often do, I did a number of test shots and to my surprise, on a sunny day at longer focal lengths the photos were unmistakably sharper with the filter than without it. This was not true at 18 mm where it was fuzzier with the filter, but this difference all but vanishes when stopped down to f/11. (with or without the filter, the lens appears to work best at f/11.) In some shots it appeared to make the color of grass a little more naturally green.I haven't read a scientific discussion about why these improvements might be happening, but it makes sense that if you prevent UV from entering the lens barrel, it will not be able to randomly bounce around between all the glass elements inside. I recall from basic science that light at the high end of the spectrum such as UV light tends to scatter much more than longer wavelength light such as visible light.So for now I'm leaving it on, remembering to take it off for wide shots with wider apertures.
This works well. I have had a similar one on an older camera. Mine was a little tough to get on and really squeeky.
It is not easy to clean it. Or, you will scratch your filter. Overall, it has good transparency, and good protection, but it is a little bit fragile.
this is a must have, using a polarizer changes the skyhad no issue with autofocus, exposure calculations or anything. works great with my Nikon D90 + Nikkor 18-200mm VR
After two years of limited use... never in harsh conditions and always stored in the case indoors... the filter fogged up between the lenses and that is over $100 out the window... what I didn't know when I bought it was the number of complaints about shoddy products from Hoya... The usual problem is that the CPL falls apart.. I guess I got lucky in that mine only became useless but stayed in one piece. btw, try to find out their warranty period... no information on the web site at all. It is one year but check out their supplier in the US for warranty terms-- if you accept those you get what you deserve.
I have had this filter for over a year.  It works as advertised.  I have taken beautiful photos with that classic polarized sky and lush green vegetation.  But, and it's a big BUT, it is nearly impossible to remove from my Canon 28-135 lens.  There is no knurling that allows your fingers to grip the threaded frame that screws into the lens barrel.  In fact, it fell apart while taking it out.  I had to put it back together (an adventure in itself).  The lubricant that is used for the rotating mechanism ended up on the glass and now it is unusable.  I would recommend against this filter for that reason alone.
We got this polariser more than a year ago,and I still can't believe the difference it has made to our photography. Absolutely an essential, especially if you're going to an area with water surfaces/reflection. We took it on our cruise in the Galapagos - with high suns and the reflecting ocean surface all around. Was the perfect asset to give our pictures deeper colour.
Hoya HMC Filter for my 18-200 lens is an excellent item as it helps to make a beautiful picture.  I'm an beginner with a Digital camera and have a huge learning curve it's a lot of fun and hope to be a better photographer.
Hoya is the best when it comes to combining quality and reasonable price. It is used by professionals and amateurs alike. If you are using a film or digital SLR camera (with thru-the-lens metering), you must use a circular polarizer instead of a conventional one, or the metering will be way off. This unconventionally-sized 72mm filter is the one to use for those who have the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens.
Does a wonderful job filtering haze and glare. Make sure you learn how to use a circular polarizer before you try it (sun should be at a 90 degree angle, never directly above you).Also, make sure you adjust this filter by turning it counter clockwise. Otherwise you run the chance of accidentally unscrewing the filter during use and dropping it. That happened to me the first day of use. It fell on the cool deck by my pool, but nothing happened. Still looks like new. Whew!
I used it couple of times in outdoor locations and it gives a good saturation of color and reduces glaze.....The ring can be rotated for adjustment as needed which is a good feature....I would say that go for it...I avoided the very cheap ones and also very costly ones...the price is good for this product..
The polarizing ring fell off! it completly desintergrated from the lens. I was reading on multiple site that this is a common occurance. overall not happy, i purchased a BW filter, and its day and night. If you forked over for  nice lens, might as well fork over some more money and get a nice filter... that also has a warrenty. like a BW
The polarization of this filter is great. I love the pictures I get with this filter and I recommend it
... then go ahead and spend it on something not so cheesy.  I agree with the other reviewers.  The cir-polarizer works great when it works, but the way this filter is constructed is faulty.  I too unscrewed the filter and had it fall apart on me.I wish I had spent just a little more and gone with s Singh-Ray or something.  Now I'm just out the $70 dollars I spent on this thing. I could not in good conscience recommend this product.
It appears that many buyers have had this filter fall apart on them.  I had the same experience.  Within a few weeks of use, it fell apart.  The metal piece inside fell out.  I was able to reassemble it, but it soon came a apart again  At the moment, there's no sign of the metal interior part, so I think it's dead for good.  Way too expensive for this sort of performance.  I think Hoya is now off my list of acceptable vendors.
The polarization is great, loved the pictures when the product worked.  Used it on a shoot location for 3 days when it came apart and will not stay together.  Photography is my living and the lense was not abused!  Contacted the seller thru email and very disappointed in feedback.  Got a two word response like English was a bad second language.  Issue still not resolved.  Go for a higher quality than Hoya when selected a polarizer lense.  It's worth the extra money!
Do not get this. Wow, for the price, you figured you can get a few years of use. I used this three times, shooting scenery and it fell apart on me. What a useless POS.
Any serious photographer knows the importance of having a polarized filter. Hoya has proven to me to be a great product and very well built. I would recommend this filter for any serious photographer.
I am using this filter with my tonika 12-24 lens on my Nikon D60 camera.  This lens vignettes just a tiny bit on this lens when racked out to 12mm.I have had the issue mentioned by several others with the filter self-destructing.
I have several Hoya filters - UV and circular polarizing filters, they are so cheaply made they fall off or don't fit in snugly.Right now a 77 mm Hoya polarizing filter on my wide-angle lens is stuck. I need to take it out when I don't need it but I can't unscrew it. I will never buy another Hoya filter....they used to be better. And they are not cheap either.  I have to find another brand.
Negative voices are always louder than the positive ones.  I am guilty of being very happy with this CPL for several years, yet never wrote a review until now.  I felt the reviews here only represent customers who have had issues with the filter.  I would suggest checking out B&H; reviews on this filter to see a bit of the other side.Pros:- No color cast- No vignetting at 10mm- Manageable flare shooting into the sun- Cheap and effectiveCons:- The spinning polarizer element can be looser- The threaded lens element can benefit from knurlingIn 2013, I will have owned this CPL for 7 years.  I use this filter a LOT.  I do a lot of automotive photography where managing reflections is important.  This CPL is almost always mounted on either my Sigma 50mm 1.4 or 70-200L f2 IS lens.  I was also previously using this on my Sigma and Canon 10-20/22 lenses.  I have not experienced any of the problems that the other reviewers have had with this filter.The following are the highlights for this CPL:1.  Don't believe in the hype of the overpriced super-thin and space aged CPLs.  This Hoya does not cause vignetting at 10mm.  The B+W equivalent CPL for wide angle lenses costs several times more.  I don't doubt that the B+W is "better", but it is not "several times the cost better".  Manufacturers and photography forums will make you believe you NEED the most expensive.  Unless you're NASA with one shot to do deep space photography, this Hoya will do just fine.2.  Super cheaper filters (no name, ebay and plexiglas), Neutral Density (ND) filters and polarizers can color cast your photos.  I've made the mistake of using those cheaper filters in the past and had to spend hours in photoshop making corrections.  This CPL does not do this.3.  This CPL will cause some lens flare and it is acceptable to me.  I still shoot into the sun without too much flare and without losing much contrast.  All filters - yes, even an expensive UV filter - will cause lens flare.4.  Adjust the CPL by turning clockwise.  The adjustment can feel a bit tight depending on how you apply pressure to the ring, but I found myself unscrewing the filter while adjusting the CPL.  The change in habit to turn clockwise (tightening instead of loosening the filter) was an easy solution.5.  Only the rim of the adjustable element is knurled.  It would be nice if the knurling continued onto the face of the filter too.  Knurling on the face would make it easier to adjust the CPL when using a deep lens hood.  It would have also been nice if they knurled the threaded side that attaches to the lens.  The filter can be hard to remove from the lens when my hands are cold and dry.I did not experience any problems with quality or consturction of this filter.  I've been very happy with this CPL for several years now.  I've travelled with this filter several times.  I also often put this filter in my pocket without protection and it has held up very well without any micro scratches or cosmetic wear.  I would definitely recommend this CPL to others.
This filter was not heavily used and was not abused and just fell apart on me one day when I was removing it from the lens.  I had it only about a half of a year.  The pictures did come out well with it, but for the cost and the amount of time it will work- just not worth it.  Obviously, there are many people having the same problem.
It doesn't seem mentioned in the specifications, but this filter is about 7mm thick. On a Canon EF-S 10-22, you'll get some slight vignetting at the 10 end. 11 and higher looks clear though.
Fantastic filter. A must have for landscapes. Don't buy a cheap polarizer. Get a good one and be done with it. Cheap filters reduce image quality, don't last as long (poor multicoating), and generally don't work as well. The Hoya Pro1 and HD circular polarizers are top shelf.
It jammed on my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8. I didn't have a filter wrench and it took a lot of work to "coax" it off. Optically it is great.
This is a fantastic piece of equipment. I have a sigma 10-20mm wide angle for my Nikon D80 and don't know what I'd do without it. If you want to bring your images to life, pick up a circular polarizer!Visual Guide to the Wineries and Hotels of the Central Coast: with the Photography of John Crippen
This polariser works beautifully on my Canon 24-105 zoom lens.It is better used outside in brighter conditions since the lens opening needs to be stepped up while it's on.I have many family members who wear glasses that reflect light & finally I can make portraits of them where their eyes can be seen.
In the last three weeks, in my workshops, I have witnessed 4, that's 4 Hoya polarizer filters fall apart in my or my student's hands, one purchased the day before at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park.  What's even more disturbing is this is an old problem.  Google "hoya polarizer filters" and you'll find narratives about this dating back 6 years.  And they do scratch easily...  No more Hoya for me. No wonder you see so many Hoya filters at deep discounts lately; the word is getting around.  Buy anything but Hoya...
I am a professional photographer and find Hoya indispensable. It makes all the different to have excellent glass (which is what Hoya makes its filters from).This is a must-have item in any photo bag. Well worth the cost!! Stay away from cheap polarizers like Tiffen. A lens is only as good as the glass covering it.
The quality of the filter is good.  However, vignetting is a problem when your lens is wider than 13mm.
Before this, I had a cheapie Sunpak polarizer that did a decent job. This filter has stronger polarization and a clearer image. The thin frame also eliminated the vignetting that I was experiencing with my old one. I definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to do landscape and nature photography. It really adds depth and richness of color to your shots. I got this filter at a very reasonable price (one that no longer seems to be available - guess I got lucky). Definitely worth it for a good polarizer!
Definitely a nice, thin polarizer that does not vignette on my Canon EF-S 10-22mm. Image quality deserves 5 stars in my opinion.However, the standard Canon lens cap does not attach to this filter, so I need to use the supplied rubber cap which rather easily falls off. The filter is also a little hard to rotate, especially with gloves on in winter-time.
This is the first polarizer I've owned and I've been very pleased with it.  It rotates very smoothly and fits snugly on my Canon lenses.  Given that this is so thin to accommodate wide angle lenses there are no front threads so your snap-on covers will not work while this filter is attached (it does come with a rubber cover that works just fine though).  While I purchased this primarily for artistic landscape and travel photography one of the applications where this has improved my images the most is in architectural photography.  I often shoot a couple homes per week and there is simply no comparison in the outdoor images with and without the filter.  Consider it a must have if you do very much with real estate.
This lens had vignetting with the "normal" Circular Polarizer. Replaced that with the "Extra Thin" polarizing filter and problem solved..Now images are sharp and clear edge to edge..Additionally this protects the $400+ investment on the lens itself, and works great in making ordinary skies pop..
This polarizer is exactly the same as HMC Super with multicoating and very tin ring to avoid vigneting.  This is one of the best filter you can find for reasonable price. Best value since the price is cheaper than HMC super, just older packaging.
A good polarizer is a mandatory piece of equipment for any photographers gear bag.  This polarizer is very thin and designed to be used on a very wide angle lens without any vignetting.  The Hoya 77mm polarizer is a design success.
This filter is heavy and durable, which is exactly what you want. I've done countless shots at all angles to the sun with this filter and I haven't seen any excess flare from it. This filter gives me the little bit of extra shutter time that I need to be able to get nice flowing water and brush while still maintaining a well exposed shot. It threads very well (unlike some cheaper filters) and has even stood up to a bump or two. In some instances of quick changing, I've even had to throw this puppy in my back pocket outside of its case.This is a high quality filter. I've worked with lower quality filters and found flare or dislocated colors so this is a nice change for once.
I have a number of Hoya filters and I like each and every one of them.  This ND filter is like everything else I have from Hoya.  It's well made and does what it claims.  I often choose Hoya over other brands.
Awesome for waterfalls and rivers and give you a great long exposure ... Love it and if you were into natural photography you should get it .
Love the filter.  No color shifts and works great.  I have used it in conjunction with the ND 400 in bright sunlight.  Perfect!
I consider ND filters to be one of about 4 types of essential every photographer should have in their arsenal.
The quality is much higher than that of the generic garbage tourist camera shops try getting you to spend hundreds on.
Pleased with the product and the results.  Like lots of comments, can be a little sticky getting off and on.
Needed a Neutral Density filter to complement my growing lens collection.  Was on the fence between this and the 10 stop Hoya, decided I didn't need all the blocking capability of the 10 stop at this point.  My observations are that I'm getting the advertised 3 stops, especially when used in bright, direct light situations such as mid-day outdoors.  Did see some discrepency, but not enough to matter.Well worth the price, I'll either buy another one or two at some point to stack or just purchase the 10 stop.
I absolutely love this item. As soon as it came in, I went out to photograph a waterfall. It is amazing that I can use a slower shutter speed while using this filter. Since this arrived, I've gotten some really awesome waterfall shots.
Excellent quality, focus is still sharp (with my Zeikos filter on a 10-20 mm Sigma ultra wide angle lens, I used to observe slight blurriness)
I used a lot and make very smothy and sharp pictures. Perfect to longexposures. I used during night shoots and moments that have a lot of lights.
I have used a few Hoya filters of different types for a long time and achieved satisfactory results.  Most of the work for which I use these does not involve results that would be strongly affected by minor variations in filter parameters.  This most recent purchase has been examined, quickly exposure tested, and added to the photo bag. There will not likely be any future exciting results to report unless some important photo turns up with major issues related to the filter or it falls out of its mounting somewhere in the field!  It will likely be used for relatively benign tasks like photographing waterfalls.
Useful when one needs to shoot with a larger aperture or slower shutter speed.Useful for flowing water.Control depth of field.
This filter is awesome, lets me take long shots during the day and these pictures are coming out great! A++.
I can't really say more than that. Sometime you want just a little blur in the motion to help show action. this filter gives you the ability to keep the depth of field shallow and the shutter speed on the slower side to see the action....all in direct sunlight.Recommended.
After few hours of research for affordable and quality filter, I decided to try this. Of course I wanted to buy B+W but I just didn't want to spend $100+ for a filter as I'm just an amateur photographer. ND8 is perfect for bright sunny day, when you cannot adjust your settings to achieve a quality photo due to the strong light. I tested it under extremely bright daylight, taking a photo of sunflower against extremely bright blue sky. I was able to capture quality photo as darkening of lens by ND filter allows me to set the camera, and not run out of shutter speed to the max (or smallest aperture)! I did not see any flaws in the resulted photo. Cannot wait to use it for long exposure sometime soon! I'll update the review after trying out for long exposures.
It's a filter, what can I say. I haven't used it yet but the glass looks clear, clean, and without flaws.
Bought this for video-work mostly to use outside during the day, so I can achieve proper exposure and still keep a decent shallow depth of field. The filter is high quality, does not soften the image unreasonably and stops down the light. I have this coupled with my Tokina 11-16 on a Canon 7D and it does its job. The ND rating seems to be sufficient for most cases outside, except for bright, mid-day sunlight. In that case, I would recommend a higher rated (less light pass) ND filter.
It does what it says it does, with no impact on photo quality.  But don't expect it to allow you to blur waves on a sunny day.  It'll buy you 3 stops, for sure.  But don't confuse this with an ND400.
Works great to slow water. Recently, used it a beach amusement park at night.  It made the Farris wheel a shot to keep.
Nice filter, good image quality, good multi-coating for flare resistance. Not as expensive as others, yet does the job without killing image quality in the process. If you need just one, this is good. I would not stack it with other filters though, I stacked three filters and the result was horrible.
This 3 stop filter is great for blurring waterfalls and getting streaking head/tail lights in evening shots.  It isn't nearly enough to capture ocean movement on a bright sunny day though - for that you will need 8-10 stops of light reduction.I haven't seen any issues with ghosting or reflections.  This is a well made, multicoated filter.
I needed to be able to use slow shutter speeds or large lens openings during the day. I had some success using a polarizing filter but still needed more flexibility.I tried a bargain brand of Neutral Density filter but it had a very strong red cast to it. Also, it was not multi-coated, which could lead to flare issues under some conditions. I wasn't willing to live with a "neutral" filter with a red cast so sent it back.This filter is about three times more expensive but here's what you get for the extra money:- filter is truly neutral - no added color cast to your images- multi-coated (both sides) for better color, contrast, and flare control- better construction - threads onto lens much easierThis filter fits two lenses that I own so I am able to save some money that way.My first images proved that this was the right choice for me. The pictures (waterfalls) came out just the way I wanted them, and the filters were easy to use.There are more expensive filters out there, and some may wish to spend the extra money (twice as much), but I found these to be perfectly good for my purposes and far exceeded what was possible at one third the cost.
I bought this to use it to reduce light make flowing water like silky smooth. I just used it for the first time yesterday. I was very surprised look at my bright view finder. How come? I did a test of it when I got home. Shooted with my camera mounted on a tripod, the camera spot meter gave me f/4 and 1/60 without this filter. When this filter was added, it gave f/4 at 1/13. That's only 2 1/3 stops, similar to a typical circular filter which I already have. This is far from the effect I bought it for.If you  want something to make things really silky smooth, buy a stronger one, or other brand. If you already have a circular polarizer, don't waste your money  here.Bottom line, this is advertised as a reduce 3 stops of light and its model number also gives you an illusion of "x8" ( which means 2 to the power of 3, that's 3 stops of light), it is NOT. It only reduce light for 2 and 1/3 stop.
Great 3 stop ND filter at a great price, includes multi-coated surface. This is a great filter for the price.
I've been using this filter to take long exposure sunset pictures and it's done it's job perfectly every time.  There is no noticeable quality degradation, and the filter contains threads on both sides so I can stack ND, or continue using a circular polarizer and UV filter at the same time.
As far as color and sharpness, it is good. However, I tested again and again on T2i and Xsi cameras with Tokina 11-16mm lens. I only got 2 and 1/4 stop.I though maybe I add a polarizing filter it would give me the shot I want, but still not getting enough blur motion. On top of that, you get the vignette at 11mm wide. I guess I have to go with 10 stops filter, and hopefully I will get at least 8 or 9.
Hoya HMC NDx8 appears reasonably priced compared to its competitors .As an amateur photographer i don't feel any major drawbacks with Hoya and it serves my purpose very well
Pros:Attaches to my Canon 17-40mm f/4 L lens easily.Other reviewers are right in that it subtracts about 2 - 3 stops of light.I've taken a few shots of waterfalls with this, and it makes the water blur perfectly!Cons:With only a few stops of light taken away I still need to shot some daytime scenes at f/22 to get 2 - 3 second exposures without blowing out.
I have been a Hoya filter user since way back in my film days. I have never had any construction or usability issues with any of their filters and they all have performed as advertised. The colors are neutral with no apparent color cast which is really good. BUT, in this case, the NDx8 is supposed to be a 3 stop ND filter but I am getting only 2 1/2 stops with this filter. I had read that with some makers and even with Hoya, these filters are sometimes not true 3 stop filters but it seemed to be random. I am still keeping the filter as it still does what I need it to do, just a 1/2 stop short for time lapse photography. I may invest in the 10 stop filter in the future.The shipping was fast and the filter was well packaged so kudos to the supplier (I forgot who it was) that sent out this filter. 5 stars there.So, I am giving it only 4 stars instead of 5 due to the 1/2 stop variance.
Descent filter for decrease flare etc, but every time I go back to HOYA I am frustrated because it streaks.  At this price it's back to B&W or Tiffen for me!
Does as it says on the tin... Hasn't compromised the quality of the optics on my 70-200mm in any noticeable way so far. The slim frame is nice- it almost disappears once screwed on. Paying extra for multi coated is worth it when I compare it to my other UV filters
I wanted to have some protection over my fairly expensive Tokina 11-16mm lens but didn't want any adverse optical effects.After looking through some of the reviews of cheaper filters, it looked like this Hoya was by far the best 77mm UV filter anywhere near this price range.  Although I don't have any other 77mm filters to compare it to, I've taken quite a few pictures with the filter on and off to see if there was any effect of having an extra piece of glass on.  Thankfully the with and without pictures look identical, which is what I wanted.If you're looking for a 77mm UV filter, this is the one to get.
Maybe it's my lens but I can't seem to keep this filter on my 24-105 f4.0 lens. I screw it on tightly and it stays, but a day later I'll check it again and the darn thing will be loose. It doesn't happen every time, but it has happened enough that it scares me.I'm sure it's probably just my lens being 2 years old seeing as I don't think others are having this problem.
I've had UV filters in the past that had apparent ghosting. When ever there is a light in the frame there is a duplicate near it. This however, never happened with these Hoyas. There is no sign of the image quality being degraded neither. In Sum, no ghosting, and protects my lens; This is exactly what I am looking for.
Great filter, good build, glass, multicoated, not overpriced. Everything a filter should be. I've bumped the edge of this filter against hard surfaces more than once and it has not bent the aluminum ring or damaged the lens it was attached to. Good product.
I have really enjoyed using this filter. It has made shooting in bright sun easy again. Also, the filter works great with my camera.
I have Hoya UV filters on almost all of my glass. I have bought a handful of Nikon clear glass filters that I also like. Can't go wrong with this brand, especially in this price range.
People are silly, get with the program for crying out loud! If you cannot take the time to clean your LENS prior to shooting then, maybe photgraphy is not for you.-HMC filters are NOT any more difficult to clean than cleaning your Multicoated lens!-Hoya is made by Tokina - Tokina lenses are AMAZING, most people don't know because they are sheep and they stick with either canon or nikon. Tokina uses the same Multicoating technology on their lenses and Filters. Their latest coating is very very good, it is used on their DX II series of lenses.-There is a huge difference between the "old" uv filters and the new HMC filters, it made me realize my "old" hoya UV filter coating had degraded, yellowed and was crating an odd hue.I hate spending $40 on a stupid filter, but it saves your lens from damage and degradation, that is worth $40.
This UV filter does the job it's supposed to.  Protects my expensive L lens and reduces haze.  I usually spend more money on polarizers and other filters.  The build quality and multicoating make this the best choice as a decent, not too expensive, lens accessory.
mounts easily onto the end of your 77mm lens. I have one mounted on mine to help protect the expensive lens.
I purchased this filter for a new lens I had purchased.  The filter was well packaged and was flawless.  The slim frame helps the filter to be unnoticeable.
Hoya's have never disappointed me for over 30 years.  this latest filter came with the same quality.  It fit my canon 24-104 lens perfectly.  It was absolutely clean and dust free and clear as a bell.
I ordered this for my Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII lens, and I couldn't be happier so far. It is a great filter and is protecting my glass wonderfully.
Offers great protection for my lens, and the clarity is great...Now I can go out shooting with out worry.
I'm not very keen on the filters as they tend to diminish the quality of the images obtained. But this filter is really good and will protect your lens without sacrificing quality.
My husband is a videographer and I am a photographer. We love hoya filters and almost every lens my husband and I own has a hoya filter on it!
Doesn't matter how much u spend on filter, it will always lower your IQ. UV filters are less important in today's digital camera. Got it for protection reason, thought Hoya is a ok brand, didn't want to get B+W. While the slim frame sounds great... It also means that it is more subjective to a filter jam... It is now stuck on my 70-200 f2.8 L IS.... I won't get a slim filter again...
I bought this to protect my $600 plus lens.  It works and doesn't seem to add any flare, so far so what can I say.
Somehow, within minutes out of the box, I managed to put a small scratch toward the outer rim.  I know it wasn't there out of the box, and was trying to be careful, but I managed to knick it somehow.  Now, it's small enough where it won't affect pictures, but served as a warning to me to be extra careful handling it.  Shot several hundred pictures after and it performed great.  I'm using it with my Canon 70-200 L 2.8, and for what I spent on that lens, I wanted something to protect it.  So far, so good.  Per many other reviewers advice, I am cautious when taking it on and off to avoid it getting stuck, which seems to be problematic with just about all filters.  So far, no issues, but I am careful to apply even pressure around as much of it as possible.
The slim frame fits perfectly. Found no issues working with my canon 70-200 lens. Have been using Hoya filters with other lenses I own. Will recommend to anyone who is interested in getting an inexpensive UV filter for protection and more.
This product was as described and is great on my lens which I use everyday. Low profile and an extra safety net for my lens.
This is a good filter. I am using it to help protect my Zeiss lens and there is no noticeable change in IQ. It did change the flare pattern slightly, but not  significantly.  I did not have any trouble with the filter and will be purchasing more for my other lenses.
Like I said, needed a cleaning before I could use it. Normally not the case when buying filters but who knows.
This filter is perfect for protecting 77mm wide angle lenses.  Gives a clear view throughout.  I highly recommend it.
The Hoya is affordable and seems to be very good qualityThis was the most affordable "multi-coated" filter I could find to protect my lens.  The next time you're in a camera shop, do a visual comparison between a single and multi-coated filter.My order with Amazon shipped fast and arrived in perfect conditionHere's an intersting discussion "Do I need multi-coated filters vs mono-coated?"[...]
I tried taking pictures with my EOS 7D with and without this filter.  I mainly purchased this filter for protection rather than a filter but it definitely did not negatively affect my pictures.  Shots with the filters looked about the same to me.  There is however one flaw with this filter...it is hard to clean.  I have a multicoated B+W on my other lenses and they are quick and easy to clean with my cleaning pen.  With this filter not so much.  I needed a little bit of water and a bit more tougher scrubbing with a microfiber.
I read alot of reviews before I bought it , and I love it it gives more contrast to the pictures , also protect your lens, I am going to buy another one different size for different lens that I have..
I bought this filter due to it's many high ratings from reviewers. I was not disappointed. It's solidly built, fits well, and works great. I have two of them; one for my EF 70-200mm f/2.8 MkII and one for my EF 400mm f/5.6, and I put the filter on anytime there might be a chance that the lens gets wet (rain, surf splash, etc.). I've never noticed any negative effects on picture quality, but I also take the filter off if the sun or another bright light source will be in/near the frame.
Hoya makes very high quality products for much less cost than the name brands.  I see very little need to spend extra on filters when Hoya makes about equal quality.  I can't tell the difference between Hoya and Nikon, except for the price.  I'm happy with this filter.
Works as described.  I can not find any negative impact from using the filter.  I use the filter all the time and just leave it on the lens for protection.
I bought the Hoya 77mm UV Multi-coated filter to protect the Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS II lens. It works fine and unobtrusively most of the time, but it falls down badly at night. For example, I was taking some pictures of the Moon/Venus/Jupiter conjunction the other night, and when I got the pictures loaded onto the PC and looked at them, there's a greenish ghostly reflection of the crescent moon in all the images.At first I blamed the lens - I had forgotten I even had the filter on - but I noticed the filter and decided to try a comparison.  So I went back out and took a series of pictures both with and without the filter. Without the filter, no reflections. With the filter, the same mirror image greenish "ghost" of the moon was in every picture.So, why spend all that money on a premium lens if you'll take pictures through a cheap filter that degrades the image?I'll see if I saved one of the reflective "ghost" pictures and post it here if I did. It really stands out and ruins an otherwise good shot. Hopefully I have one of the comparison shots as well.Update: I posted a picture with the green ghost from the filter on the product page.http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B00009R9EO/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index;=0I paid a lot of money for the 70-200mm 2.8L IS II lens, and using this filter at night wastes it. I haven't noticed any daytime issues, but I'm actively looking for a better protective filter that I can leave on the lens at all times. Even if it costs $100 or more, it's still cheap compared to the lens.
Really nice Filtering. I have been shooting great shots. Really pleased with that. However, after about two months of being really careful, I finally had to clean a small smudge off of the inside surface five minutes before shooting an event. I was in the parking lot and had no choice but to try and clean it. I tried steamy breath and a mirofiber cloth and it made it way way worse. I then tried lens tissue. Omg, 8 could not get it clean. I finally used a wet papertowel but it removed the purple coating from the lens and now it is only gold tinted. Great lens, worked great, too difficult to clean. :(
This is my 4th Hoya filter. I leave them on all my lenses to protect the front of the lens and keep dust away.  I just sold my tokina with my filter so i had to get one for the replacement lens.  The fit and finish are excellent .  Love the flat black paint they use on the metal ring.
I personally wouldn't have purchased the lens without it - This filter works well, has no issues and it of great quality.
By far the best filter you can get within it's price range.I own three sets of B+W UV MRC Filters and decided to go with Hoya cause it was half the price and got great reviews (even when compared to the B+W). I was not disappointed. Glass is just as clear as the B+W.I have a old Tiffen filter that I used on an old lens and it's night and day compared to this one. Both are at the same price range too.Doesn't get much better than this.
AS Usual, Very Good equipment. I have used this filters for  many years and I think they are as good as the more expensive ones and far surpass the cheaper ones.
Coating is clear and strong. Not heavy. Reasonable thickness. In my opinion this is one of the best filter you can get.If you want something better than this, you will need to pay a lot more to get BW or Heliopan.
The filter is too dark, I didn't use it for a while since I bought it, didn't see much difference after using it!
This Hoya 77mm filter works great!! I tested this at the weekend on a Canon 24-105mm and really saw no degradation. went out without a lens hood in bright sun by the ocean. Worked fantastic!! Thanks and great value!!
I was really excited to see the build quality on this filter. I could care less about the UV BS, I just needed something to protect my glass, and this thing is sturdy. I haven&#8217;t noticed any drop off in image quality for having it. It's a great product.
For a UV filter, Hoya glass is always clear, threads well. Not the most expensive, but good protection for those expensive lenses.
Has a reasonable price, very good optics, no vignetting on Tokina ultra wide angle lens for this UV 77mm filter.
What can you say about a UV Filter, other that it does a good job of protecting my valuable camera lens and filters the sun's glare while taking photos.  I recommend it because it is inexpensive and works well.
If you're an amateur who only occasionally meticulously inspects and edits their photos, you likely won't notice the difference between a $10 UV filter or this Hoya. Likewise, if you're only looking to protect your lenses from mishap, then you're safe buying any filter that fits.But, if you really care about the quality of your photos, fork out the extra money and get this or a similar filter. Opening up that near-perfect photo and realizing there is a flare or an artifact from a cheap filter is a buzzkill.
I opted for this lens because of the multi coating that was supposed to prevent the mirrored image effect.  I was noticing it show up on my video so I removed the filter to double check if that was the problem.  It fell on a soft carpet and came apart in two pieces.  The mirrored image was gone after I took it off so this lens was definitely the culprit.  Very disappointing!
You really don't need one of these but they give you a sense of security when you travel with your camera.
I use this on both of my Nikon 70-200 and 24-70 lenses. I wanted a filter to protect the front elements, but not alter the image at all. This filter does just that.Lens flare is kept to a bare minimum (I noticed this right away as I utilize lens flare in some of my work... it's now more difficult to get that flare in the shot! haha).Good product. Recommended.
The debate on whether to mount filters on modern day DSLR lenses goes on.  I tend to use filters, but not the cheap knock-off models. I've had no issue with glare, or flare, using the Hoya on a Nikon 70-200 VR.For me, it adds protection for the front lens element from dust and other elements.I have taken photos with and without filters under varying conditions and have seen no negative effects on the photos when using filters.Recommended for those who choose to use filters.
Came free with the purchase of the CANON 17-55 EF-S lens. I have not compared it to a spendy clear filter. I cannot notice a difference on or off. I use it as a protector.
I bought this filter mainly to use as a lens protector for an EF 100-400mm lens. I had concerns that while a good filter might not degrade the transmitted light too much for a shorter reach lens, that it nonetheless "might" have some negative effect on a light-starved longer reaching lens like this one. I did some indoor testing and saw a slight (very slight) amount of light loss, but no apparent loss of quality, or distortion. I shot a lot of outdoor shots, and saw no discernable loss of transmitted light, nor any noticeable impact to image quality. The weather has been uncooperative for testing its haze reduction effectiveness on long landscape shots though...After shooting a lot of shots in the rain WITHOUT the filter, and then having to carefully clean the water spots off the front lens element, I decided this filter needs to live on the front of my lens, unless I am shooting with a polarizer or other filter. The long lens hood on the EF 100-400mm (~3.5" of protection) should be enough for most unplanned events, but won't help with blowing sand or dust. And who can say when I might have to shirt-tail (horror!) some spray off the front of the lens some day if I find myself without a lens cloth?
The filter arrived promptly within the specified time frame.  No complaints at all with the product as well.  I will do business with this selleer anytime.
Hoya UV filters are the best available lens protection.  I use them on all my lenses.  Thy are worth the extra cost.
Good filter lens.  Dual function UV filter lens and lens protection.  Reasonable price too for a multi-coated lens.
I have been using this protector from Hoya for around 6 months now and I have no complaints. It is crystal clear, has not chipped or scratched and fits my Canon 24-105mm L lens well. I also have a clear protector from B + W which was twice the price of this Hoya filter and I cannot tell the difference. Especially for the price, this is a great purchase for anyone who wants to protect their glass.
Worth every cent to protect any 77mm lens, I purchased this for a Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens I bought which was quite pricey. Was worth it as this assisted in keeping my lens from getting scratches or dings in the glass and the filter is durable and worth the price unlike some of the cheaper filters.
Simple glass filter. It doesn't do anything overly dramatic, but it is a filter I use primarily to shield the 24-105L lens I use. My photos are unaffected by the filter and are enhanced with it. It stays on the camera lens all the time, and probably won't be switched out until I purchase a polarizing filter.Don't cheap out on your filters if you're using higher grade lenses. This is well worth the money.
This is a well made filter and is especially good for wide angle lenses because of its slim design.  The glass is deserving of high quality lens use.  And unlike many such slim lenses, another lens can be screwed onto this one.
Good Product works well for what it is intended, it also protects your lens.  Hoya is a good product to use.
Of the more reasonable priced filters, I have found that the Hoyas live up to their reputation of making quality filters.  You can pay lots more for filters, but the difference in the outcome of the picture probably won't justify the increase in cost.
I wonder if I received a defective filter.  It arrived in a hard plastic case (good) but not actually packaged inside the two foam inserts (bad).  The filter had smudges and grit, and despite carefully brushing and cleaning it, the smudges would not go away.  I returned it to Amazon.Advice:  Check the filter carefully as soon as it arrives.
I'm really careful and passionate about my camera gear so it was a surprise to see a filter get so screwed, so quickly.  I've taken this on only a weekend shoot and I consider it unusable.  Other than the destroyed coatings I payed extra for, the structural design does not seem to be flawed. Stick with american or german filters.
I bought the filter for $50 and received the UV(O), one day after I received the filter, price dropped to $30 on Amazon. I asked for credit but Amazon wants me to return > re-order. So I did... I ended up receiving the UV(C). After some research I realized UVC is the new version and they discontinuous the UV(O). The UV(C)is slimmer (maybe 1mm slimmer) and now made in Philippine VS the old UV(O) is made in Japan. Just a FYI.
Hoya filters can always be trusted to be a great value.  Provides UV filtration and doubles as permanent lens protection.  This filter is terrific!
Just an FYI, the picture shows a Super HMC lens filter made in Japan.  The one I got is just a HMC made in the Philippines.  Buyer beware!
I love this UV filter from Hoya.  It stays on all my lenses all the time and offers great protection from scratches.  Which would you rather replace a $30 filter or a $500 or more lens.  It might produce some image degradation to the pure theorist but who can tell in the real world.  Highly recommeded.
I typed up this review to help prevent others from making the same mistake I did when ordering this item. Like many who already wrote reviews, I bought this item based on the very high ratings it received from an independent photography lab. Little did I know that the Hoya company discontinued production of that famed HMC Multi UV(0) last year. The Item sold though Amazon is not the one pictured but a poor copy made in the Philippines. It is the not-as-effective cousin of the Highly rated UV(0) called the UV(C). The major difference being that the UV(0) has the filter layers made into the glass while the UV(C) is a top coat.
There are cheaper filters on the market but for the protection value of a lens the Hoya filter fits nicely.
Love the Hoya UV Digital Multi-Coated filter. Be sure you get the 'MC' version as the lens resists scratching much better. Piece was delivered on time and as-advertised. Bravo Amazon!
This is the second filter I have purchased - yes, it really did save my expensive lens when I dropped it - right on a rock.  The filter shattered, but the lens was perfectly intact.
I think this is a great filter at a decent price. It serves its purposes, protects my L series and reduces light glare. There are much more expensive filters out there that do the same thing, but why pay more this ones pretty solid.
This is a great product, so far no problems. I use it on a Canon 16-35 2.8/L. I will probably buy other filters from Hoya in the future.
The Hoya UV Multi Coated Glass Filter is a first class piece of glass. Hoya quality shows in this multicoated filter. The quality shows in the photos.
Purchased this filter for a Nikon 17-55mm lens.  Well made and does superb job of cutting down the glare.  I would recommned this filter for anyone.  Reasonably priced for the novice and good enough for the pro.
This went on my 70-200 the moment the two came out of their packages and hasn't left yet.  I haven't seen any ghosting or reflections in the photos I've shot.  This is like it's not even there.I've connected a 77-52mm step-down, a 52mm reverse to that, and a 50mm 1.8 to that to take macro shots, and this filter held it all together with no issues.  It didn't get stuck on the step-down either.Really happy I spent the money.
I've owned multiple Hoya UV filters including UV(C) and UV(0). This filter is UV(C), and it is designed to replace the older model: UV(0).Both models are priced similar, i.e., around $40, but the quality is noticeable. First, UV(0) (The older model) was made in Japan, and it has higher quality in terms of manufacturing. The UV(C) (The newer model) is made in Philippine.Both filters perform similarly in the day time, but the difference is noticeable in the night time. The UV(C) (newer model) has more lens flare. I don't know whether this is caused by the newer design or the coating material they use.I wish I knew this problem ahead, so that I could take off my UV filter.Here is my advice:If your lens is over $1000, either get a good filter like B+W Multi-Coated ($60-70) or don't use UV filter.If your lens is in between $400 - $1000, try to get a UV(0) ($40) if possible.If your lens is under $400, I will not use any filter.
* i love this HOYA filters brand price is great and the product was the best! i will buy some other nd filter again.  A+ RECOMMENDED!
A bargain-basment priced filter may not be the best choice when used on an expensive lens. Your optics are only as good as the weakest link and if you have a second-rate filter in front of your expensive lenses, you may regret your purchase due to optical distortion, poor quality coating or mismatched threads.I did not buy this for any UV reasons, but simply as a layer of protection for my $1700 lens. It has already spared me from getting my lens splashed by mist from a waterfall I was taking photos of. And I'm sure it will protect my lens from other unknown things in the future.It's kind of similar to wearing a seatbelt when you drive. You may never really need it, but if it saves you just one time, it's worth it. I'd be a lot more sad if my $1700 lens got hit with something than if my relatively inexpensively priced Hoya filter gets trashed by a flying projectile.As others have mentioned, be sure to get the multi-coated filter if you have a multi-coated lens.
Using UV filter mostly as a form of protection and weather seal.  Hoya offers very good products at reasonable price.  Very happy so far.
One of the reasons you get a filter is to protect the lens against dings.  Well, I dinged the filter and the lens is fine. The marring on the filter is not affecting picture quality either, even though I can see it.
This is a nice piece of glass that will help protect the glass in your lens. I rather scratch this piece of glass that I can easily change, than scratching the front glass of my lens. Under most circumstances you won't see a difference between having it on or off, but when taking pictures in low light or dark ambient, with some bright lights in the scene, you may get some green spots in your shot. Still, nothing that a spot removal tool in your photography software won't get rid of. It is very personal whether you use this or not, it really has no effect on your photographs if you are using a digital camera.
Let me preclude this review by saying I sometimes can be obsessive-compulsive. But even so, this filter is very hard to clean! It is well built and has excellent optics but I probably went through half of my lens cleaning tissue and I'm still not satisfied with how I cleaned this filter. The problem is the filter streaks even after you clean it. I tried different types of cleaners including pre-moistened wipes and even my sensor cleaners but I can't clean this filter to my satisfaction. I ended up actually not using a filter on my lens because of the streaking issue. If you want to read more about this, just google "hoya hard to clean". I'll probably buy B+H if I decide I'd like to use a UV filter.
I did a bunch of research to see which UV filter would be best for my new camera.  Basically, i wanted a multi-coated and glass filter.  I didn't care about the brand or whatnot.  Just so happened this one was most affordable one that met my requirements.  It's the third Hoya filter i've purchased and i would obviously buy Hoya again in the future.
1) Purchase a good microfiber cloth2) [Skip this step if you have just have a few smudges]  If filter is very dirty, use an appropriate cleaning solution with lens wipes, e.g.3) Using the microfiber cloth, carefully remove smudges with your breath4) Put the cloth in a sealed ziploc bag and never use it for anything else.
Minor distortion, good UV reduction. NOT a lens protector in bright light. Get an optically clear filter for lens protection.
This filter is perfect for my needs, it protects the lens and it takes the edge off the photos it is of good value and it appears to be sturdy.
Only so much one Can say about a UV filter. Some lenses require an extra thin edge, otherwise with multi-coatings they all seem the same. Price is key! Product manufacturer must be high quality,
I'm not sure if it the normal behavior for multi-coated. but when I clean the filter it feel very sticky and it hold on some dirt on linear.
It works in normal situations, but it swallows more light than you'd expect for multi-coated glass and I noticed some red shift in long exposure low light situations.  This is my first Hoya filter and a little surprised to see that it's made in the Philippines.  Not to say that this implies lower quality, but for glass I usually stick with made in Germany or Japan. It's cheap, so that's a plus, but due to it's shortcomings, I still plan to upgrade to a B+W filter. So ultimately it'll be money wasted.
I bought a Nikon D3200 kit via Amazon.  It had 2 lenses.  I also bought among other accessories, 2 Hoya 77mm UV filters.  Only one case was empty.  I gave up on Amazon responding and ordered another one so my lens would be protected.  Be aware of bargain prices....I paid for 3 to get 2.
Best glass for the money - IMHO--thin metal band so no viginetting on wide lens.  Nice coating on the lens.  Well machined--no thread issues,  Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for--put a great filter on your expensive lens!
Got this filter to protect a rather expensive lens.The camera it is attached to is used for video, that being said - for me, the multi-coating is a MUST HAVE feature of any UV filter.Sure, the glares present on a non-coated UV filter are pretty annoying in its own right, but in video it's painfully obvious.Really, if one is shooting still-imagery or video, you NEED to spring the few extra bucks for a UV filter with the multi-coating.I know it's hard when the un-coated ones are so cheap here on Amazon, but this filter is in no way expensive, and well worth the extra money.That being said, the glass which this filter is made of has served well thus far, and seems pretty rugged. Five stars.~Rusty
Decent quality UV filter.  Not as cheap as some I've used *cough*Tiffen*cough*, but not a high quality coated filter either.  I get some flares in dark lighting with high intensity light sources, but all do that to some extent.  I got this for my Canon 10-22, which I don't use a ton, so I didn't want to drop a lot on front glass.  Works fine as a standard lens protector and doesn't get in my field of view on the ultrawide.
No issues so far. I am using in a Nikon N90 which is not a full frame body so I am not sure if on full frame, this filter will show silhouettes at the widest angle
I've always been willing to spend a few extra dollars on a UV filter so that if anything happens to it, my lens should be protected and I can easily replace the filter without having to scrap an expensive lens.
I did a lot of homework on getting a filter. I bought this for my 17-55 2.8 because the front element on that is so big. Has worked great so far.
It does what it's supposed to do.  Threads perfectly and I've never had issues.  I use it only for lens protection.
Works just fine....I'm not a pixel peeper kind of photog so maybe there are better quality out there but this protects my lens first and foremost and does a fine job at that
Slim frame glass filter works alright. The colors have not been changed because of this filter. So far so good.
This filter has the look, feel and actual built of a super quality item. The difference between this and the cheap filters are visible evident!
Great filter, good build, glass, multicoated, not overpriced.  Everything a filter should be.  I've bumped the edge of this filter against hard surfaces more than once and it has not bent the aluminum ring or damaged the lens it was attached to.  Good product.
I ordered this for my son, so I can't really rate it, however I haven't heard any complaints from him.
Good filter for basic protection of your lens - it's  multi-coated  and doesn't seem to cause any issues with my Canon 10-22 because it is so thin.
This is a really nice filter. It has a good weight and screws onto the lens without an issue. I use this on my 17-40 4L Canon lens with my 40D. Since it's a crop sensor I don't have any issues with this not being a "slim" filter. The only reason I wish I had spent a little more on the Pro model is that this filter is next to impossible to get completely clean. This is an issue I see with all non-pro filters though. I have to remove this filter for night shots because of the long exposure, but during normal use it doesn't matter if it's a little spotty.
This is my goto filter that I use on some of my highest quality lenses. I've never had a problem with it and little if any cases of artifacting. Build quality is excellent and the glass is crystal clear.
My opinion is base on a short period of use and by no mean scientific. The great thing about this multi-coated filter is that I could not tell if there is any degradation of image quality with it attached to my lens. It is also relatively thin (unless you compare to those $100+ filters), so vignetting is also not an issue.
The Hoya Multi-Coated UV filters clean easily with Zeiss Single Use Lens Wipes from Walmart. The image quality is great, and I don't notice flaring and ghosting like I  did with the uncoated version.
I use this filter to mainly protect my lens from scratches however I am not sure how resistant the glass is since I just discovered a couple of deep scratches in it. Well I guess the filter is now worth every penny since it did what I wanted it to do.
I'll start this off by saying that this is a great filter to use with my Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. The slim frame ensures that no vignetting appears, even at the widest angles. I have not noticed any increase in flare or ghosting as a result of using this filter. The build quality feels good, however I did have one problem. The first time I tried to take the filter off, I couldn't, and ended up having to use rubber gloves and quite some force to remove it. This is most likely user error, as I probably tightened it too much, but I tightened it as much as I normally tighten filters and it got stuck. Since then, I don't put it on as tight, but be aware this filter may become stuck on your camera more easily than others.Overall, though, a great filter to protect your lens.
This is a great filter to use.  It is remarkable how thin this filter is.  A B&W; filter looks almost twice as thick!  The front of the filter is threaded, and can accept a typical lens cap.  The front edge of the filter is also cross hatched to make it easier to remove.  There isn't much to grab from the sides of the filter ring.  The glass itself is thin, very thin.  You need to see it, to believe it.since the filter ring is so short however, there aren't that many threads on the front of the filter glass.  IE, not great for stacking filters.  Then again, you really shouldn't be stacking them to begin with...
I purchased this filter to protect my expensive lenses including the L series. It does its job and I do not notice any degradation in my images.
Well made, does the job of protecting My L Lens.  Great price with Amazon.
Why should you get a Haze (UV) filter?  The benefits include correcting Ultraviolet (UV) light which may cast a bluish tint to your images and obscure distant details, and protection of your front lens element.The UV-Haze filter will improve your images when photographing mountain and marine scenes, where increased haze threatens to make your photographs indistinct in color and clarity.  Be aware that this filter reduces Ultraviolet (UV) haze, and not haze related to other reasons like smog.Photographers tend to debate the protection aspect of UV filters.  Some say it will degrade an image to a certain extent and can increase the likelihood of lens flare.  These are legitimate concerns that can be minimized with a quality lens filter.  If the scene you are shooting doesn't present UV haze concerns, the filter most likely isn't doing anything to improve your image.Hoya has designed the Pro-1 filter with these problems in mind.  They applied 12 layers of Super Multicoating to the surfaces of this filter to produce an average transmission of 99.7%.  Coupled with maximum surface precision, this allows for increased resistance to flare.  Monocoated filters (standard inexpensive type) do not resist flares nearly as much.In my case I shoot quite a bit of amateur softball.  Using Canon L lenses (expensive) the last thing I want is to wipe the dust off my front element and accidentally scratch it.  I would much rather scratch a filter due to the difference in cost between replacing the filter and repairing the lens.Even though the protection provided by this filter is invaluable when I shoot amateur softball, I leave it on for all shooting scenarios.  I wouldn't think of doing so with a low quality UV filter.  I only remove it when I am using other filters and I'm not interested in stacking.Another benefit of the Pro-1 series is the double threaded super slim filter that is more than 40% lighter than standard filters.  The weight difference doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but a thinner filter means one can stack filters or use on wide angle lenses with less chance of vignetting (unwanted darkening of the image's corners).  With the front threaded, this filter will accept lens caps without difficulty.PROS:Double threaded super slim ringIncreased resistance to flareFilters out UV lightProtects front lens elementCONS:Shallow front lens threading
This filter has been the only one that doesn't cause a difference in my images versus not using a filter!  Any extra glass  has got to make some difference but I can't see any visible difference when using this besides that it eliminates the haze when needed.  Perfect protection filter to leave on all the time!  All the other UV filters I've used really diminish the quality of the images!!!
I recently had a quality problem with some photos, and was forced to run comparison tests on the six 77mm filters I owned (two different Hoya models, a Tiffen, and two no-name filters).  This filter was the best of the bunch.  I destroyed the two no-name filters so that they could not ruin future photos.  There IS a difference!
I have this on my 17-55mm Nikkor f/2.8 lens...  a nice filter from Hoya - not the top of the line for today (Nov'09) but still a great filter at a great price.  This filter does not impact picture quality and provide a great sense of security that the front element of the more expensive lens won't be damage.
Nice UV filter. It does what its suppose to on my Canon 100-400mm L lens. No reflections are flares with this coated filter. Excellent UV and haze filter and nice protection. Got it through Amazon's fast and good service. I would recommend it to a friend.
My 24-70/2.8 was going commando (no filter) for quite a while, which always made me nervous for a $1,400 lens.  I wanted to put a quality filter on the front so I went for the Hoya Super HMC, which looks great, by the way.Anyway, just a few short days after I installed the filter, BAM!  I slam the lens into the corner of my kitchen table.  The filter is now permanently marred, though the blemish doesn't appear to affect image quality or light transmission in any perceptible fashion.  The most important thing is that my lens is just as good as new.  The front element would otherwise have been damaged without the filter!  I'm either really lucky that I had the filter on there, or I'm unlucky for slamming the lens against my table.  Either way, I'm soooo happy that I kept that lens protected.  I'm never going ANYWHERE without that filter on the front.
I don't own a lot of differnt lenses but i aways use the Super HMC HAZE UV by hoya. I never had any problems.  I dont see any difference in picture quality.  Highly recommended!
The filter arrived in sealed factory packaging and was exactly as expected.  Delivery was prompt.  If there is a criticism it is that the item was shipped in a bubble pack envelope with no rigid protection.  While the plastic case wasn't damaged in my case I would expect that others might well be.
I really like the Hoya Super HMC Haze UV(0) filter I purchased from Amazon.com. It's nice looking, strong and does it's job very well. I can find very little if ant loss of detail by using this filter on my Canon L lens.
I bought this to protect my 24-105mm F4 IS Canon L lens, fits well and protects my lens, does not affect the quality of my pictures.  I also bought a 67mm to protect my 70-200mm F4 IS Canon L lens, same thing fits well and protects the lens and does not affect picture quality.
definitely superior quality.. it reduces some haze over my other cheap filters so i suppose it's a good buy :P
Read all the review and made the purchase.  Very please with the filter.  Does what it is supposed to do and I have not seen any negative effects in the pictures I have taken.  I mounted it on a Canon 24-70L 2.8 and everything is working just great.
Not sure if what I received was a single defective unit but within a couple weeks of very light home use, there were areas on the glass that appeared to be chipped. Also, there were areas that looked like gas trapped between glass layers. I have never experienced this issue with any other filter that I own. Hopefully it was a single defective unit.
I've used a lot of filters, and this is certainly as good as any of them.  The threads are well-formed, the finish is nice, and the glass/coatings are visibly perfect.
My rating of this filter is that you get what you pay for.  When considering the amount of money that I have spent on Heliopan, Singh-Ray, Formatt, and Harrison filters, the Hoya is a bargain.  The Super HMC coating on the filter is excellent and it cuts through the UV rays when shooting scenics and landscape shots in color.  It has no real effect when shooting B&W but, it remains on the end of my lens as a protector.  The purpose here is to tell you about the filter and not about the number and amount spent on my lens so, let's cut to it.  UV filters are made to cut the bluish cast of UV rays when shooting outdoors and especially landscapes and scenics of distant objects. The filter does what it is designed to do and does it well.  Using uncoated or single coated filters will leave you with a scenic that has a blue cast of open fields and mountain ranges unless you are shooting at the perfect time of day.  If you have the time to scout the location and can determine what is the perfect time of day, then you have more time than money or so much money that you can sit there all day to wait for the perfect shot.  If this is not the case, attach this filter to the end of your lens and bracket a couple of shots and I am sure that you will get exactly what you are looking for.  Want a better filter? Spend about three or four times as much and purchase a Heliopan or a Singh Ray.
I've used filters from all major brands and plenty of knock-offs and no names. I decided to adopt Hoya as my brand. The real reason I did so was that more and more photography professionals seem to be recommending them to me. I think if several sources who don't know each other recommend not just the same make but the same model, there's probably quality there.I buy the Super Multi version for all my lenses (67, 72, 77 and I have a 52 coming) ... I think it's important to use the same make/model filter on all your lenses so that you are seeing apples-to-apples when shooting the same subject (under same conditions) with different lenses. Aside from artistic filters (CPL, ND etc) the filter should not modify the image all that much.The glass is clear, sharp, flare-free and provides protection for the lens without degrading image quality. That's really all we want from a UV filter.
I bought this as a protective filter for my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S. It will probably never come off unless I scratch it. It is optically clear and I cannot tell in any photos that the filter affects the picture quality at all.
The Super HMC UV filter is distinguished by the optical coating on both sides of the glass.  This is a high quality filter and worthly of high end lenses.  I have them on both an 80-200mm f/2.8 and a 17-55mm f/2.8 Nikon lenses.  No demonstrable reduction to the image quality is visible on images taken with either lens.  In my sports photography work, I am typically right on the court very close to the action and having the glass of a $1,000 lens exposed is too much of a gamble for me.  The only downside of this lens is that it's a bit difficult to clean as streaks seem to stick to it if the lens cleaning cloth (microfiber)isn't wet enough with cleaning fluid.  However, I've found that if I flip the cloth to a dry spot right and swirl from the center outward to the edge, away go the streaks.  The price ($39) through the Amazon affiliated dealers is excellent.
For the most part, I'll only buy Hoya and B&W filters. I found this one for a great price and its been on my lens ever since...
I own many lenses and uv filters, and the coating on the Super HMC pits and smears the easiest over time (some 4+5 star reviews mention the smearing???).  The pitting is on only my Super HMC filters in the past 6 years, but not my multicoated filters from other brands.  If it ever gets wet or you accidentally touch the glass, you'll never really get it clean again.Everyone in these reviews talk about how necessary a UV(O) filter is, but doesn't review quality in terms of relativity to other products.  I sometimes feel that reviews are becoming rationalizations for large purchases rather than thoughts from informed consumers.I give it a star because I like the lightweight aluminum ring, although it can loosen up as it ages.  Unfortunately, the heavier rings on B+W and Heliopan lock onto the lens too tight.  Another star for the good price.The Heliopans and B+Ws clean easily with a cloth and have have years of abuse without pitting, scratches, or smearing, and feel much more solid as they age.  The Super HMC requires a chemical, which still doesn't quite get off all the smearing.  In fact, over the years the cheaper MC version doesn't have the same problem, go figure.The regular MC versions don't have the smearing and pitting problem so much, which is odd because they are cheaper.  Go for the MC pro(1) version instead if you're on a budget, or buy B+W or Heliopan instead.
Ater spending so much for camera equipment there is no way that I would not get a top quality fliter to protect my investment!! After researching lens filters and reading the reviews HOYA was a no brainer.........................The lens filters are pricier than many out there, but protecting my expensive equipment is very important and after paying for top quality lenses, I'm going to buy the best filters to protect them.........why would anyone do less?! I am always amazed when I see folks with expensive lenses and/or cameras and no Filter in place to protect the glass..................With HOYA filters in place, my wife and I take our equipment all over the world and never have a doubt as to the added safety our lenses have for long term, beautiful, photographic experiences. Thanks HOYA!! Ronnie & Winnie, Southern California
Bought this UV filter to protect my Nikon 24-70 f2.8 lens and so far I'm satisfy with the purchase.
This is a great filter. Bought it for my 70-200 Tamron and I think Ill be buying another one for my 11-16 Tokina.
The Nikkor 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 VR is almost a cliche in the Nikon circle for it's super zoom capability, versatility, quality lens, and not to mention VR.  This lens is well built, not entirely metal casing, but a heck heavier, at 19+ oz, than the plastic 18-55mm kit lens.I bought it based on the hype as the single lens solution, and it didn't disappoint with it's fast focus and ability to produce sharp pictures.  Having said that, it's not going to replace your wide angle lens, your standard fast aperture lens, your telephoto lens, and your other specialty lenses.In sum, if you can have one lens that covers most needs or can carry only one lens, this is it.
This Hoya Super multi-coated filter is excellent. It's a little hard to clean but it does a good job of reducing glare and protecting your expensive glass.
I bought cheap the first go round and had nice distortion and halos around my subjects in all images.  Absolutely pleased with the image quality utilizing this filter.  Primarily used to protect my lens while shooting outdoors.
A lot of money for a piece of glass in a threaded metal ring, but it does the job it's intended to do.
Hoya products are awesome! Never letter me down! Best 86mm UV Haze Ultraviolet Filter I have ever used. My pictures came out so good! Got to get this 86mm filter! No regrets!
A must-have for a lens this big.At that large diameter, the lens is a virtual dust and fingerprint magnet - the filter is so much easier to clean or replace.
The UV filter great .  Packaging for mailing could have used some bubble wrap.  Filter slid around in box and fortunately was unbroken.  The  price I paid for the filter should require some better shipping .  Product great however.
I purchased this item for my Sigma 50-500mm lens. I had a thin UV filter before that repeatedly got misthreaded when placed on and so I threw that one out. The filter threaded on smoothly and the UV part of it works great too.
This is a an excellent UV filter.  The price is good, and the quality is very good.  I highly recommend this product.
I have several Hoya filters for various lenses.  This 86mm UV filter fit perfectly on my new Sigma 150-500mm zoom lens.  With such a large surface on the front of the lens I didn't want to take a chance of scratching it or worse.  The UV filterprotects the lens and provides added clarity to images.  This is a high quality filter with mutliple coatings and a sturdy metal ring.  It's worth the money.
I do a lot of wildlife photography and having this filter on my lens gives me peace of mind that my front lens element isn't going to be scratched when I'm out in the woods and heavy brush. And that peace of mind is worth every penny that I paid for this filter.You are most likely wondering why I chose this brand of filter. The reason is that Hoya has a reputation for quality at a reasonable price. And so far, I haven't been disappointed.
I received what looked like what I ordered, but when I opened the box, all I saw were international power adapters, not a battery adapter as pictured.
The adapter allows the camera to be operated on AC power when downloading pictures, displaying pictures, or operating the camera for an extending period of time when AC power is available.  The battery door must be closed for the adapter to work.
Got this for AC power for my Canon 40D.This is recommended when manually cleaning the camera sensor.
I have a "Time Machine" camera control for triggered exposures. In order for it to work, the camera has to be left on.  When I had attempted to take stop action pictures of the lunar eclipse the battery was dead before the eclipse was full. If I had this adapter at the time, this would not had been a problem.Using this adapter I have taken over 100 continuous flash exposures. I have taken stop action exposures continuously for over 12 hours with 6 minute gaps.I would have liked Canon to have provided another way of powering the camera with ac, but they didn't.
Yeah, Canon charges waaaaay too much for what is basically simple electronics. Seriously, folks, this tech has been around for decades and Canon ain't breaking any new ground here. Get it as cheap as you can. I have this thing and I love it, still using it.
Product works as expected.  No problem with delivery or ordering.  Would order again from here.
I use this for studio and product photo workIt is a tremendous benefit to not have to change setups just to swap a dead battery
Instructions for use:You cannot use a battery extender grip (BG-E1, for example), so remove that if you have it attached. Also, it requires the battery door to be on. The battery "module" locks in the battery compartment on the 5D (that I have). There's a little plastic flap that pops open and closed for the wire that goes to the power block on the unit.The rest is easy - just plug it in.The unit works fine. I can see plugging this into my truck's power inverter for overnight shoots or extended time lapse stuff. It's a handy thing to have around, even if it is overpriced.
First, it works mostly as intended - as a device to power Canon DSLR's that use the BP-511 model battery by using 110vAC instead. This is PERFECT for studio work, and I can certainly recommend it for such use.Since Canon seems to rarely take their gear out into REAL outdoor environments for REAL testing, the ACK-E2 shows it's limitations.If you happen to be out on the American prairie, deep inside the Mojave desert, or somewhere along a stretch of deserted coastline you're highly unlikely to find an AC outlet on a rock or a tree trunk. So, you have to use a power inverter (12v DC to 110v AC) and run an extension from your car/truck cigarette lighter outlet.Of course, if you don't want to be tied down to your vehicle you can free yourself with a reasonably light-weight portable 12v battery pack. BUT, you STILL have to have a power inverter for the ACK-E2! No problem, right? Well, unless you carry along a very low-wattage power inverter (50 watts or less), the juice in your 12v battery pack will be sucked away by the power inverter needing to process 12vDC-to-110v-AC-to-7.4vDC. It's a ridiculous waste of energy! Canon should have included a 12vDC cigarette lighter plug to directly power the ACK-E2 for field work!!!It gets better.Try using the ACK-E2 in freezing or sub-freezing temperatures. The electrical cord that runs from the BP-511 battery shell of the ACK-E2 is WAY over spec'd (too thick) and freezes into stiff hard rubber below 32 degrees F. This creates a NIGHTMARE at the camera where a tight bend in the cord is REQUIRED to properly insert the battery shell in the camera and close the camera's battery door.On more than one occasion, I've actually had the cord freeze so hard that it forced the camera's battery door open right in the middle of a shooting sequence - causing the camera to immediately shutdown!!!!!Now, you might think that using a battery grip on your camera would allow you to use a regular BP-511 battery as backup next to the ACK-E2 - just in case one or the other failed while shooting. Not possible, folks! Canon designs their battery grips so that you cannot mix different power sources. You can use 2x BP-511 batteries at the SAME time in a battery grip but you cannot use a BP-511 and the ACK-E2. You're forced to use one or the other.Thanks, Canon. It's bad enough to deal with freezing temps (as so many photographers actually do) but the ACK-E2 is a design FAILURE for ACTUAL use in many parts of the REAL world!
The item was exactly as expected.The packaging for shipment, along with the other item I ordered, was unacceptable. A child could have done better.
As I was searching for this item on Amazon, I found several different "versions" listed, with different product sub-numbers included in the description. You can ignore these differences. As long as it's an ACK-E2, it's what you're looking for. Buy the least expensive one!
I use my Canon 10d mainly for Astrophotography. Most of the time,it involves keeping the camera shutter open for long periods oftime, anywhere from a few minutes to tens of minutes. This ACK-E2adapter takes my worries away from monitoring battery status or adrained one, while i control the camera remotely sitting inside myhouse. Continuous power also ensures worry free writes to its flashstorage. The package included several AC power connectors which isvery useful while travelling. Amazon provides a wide range of itemsto choose from.
I want to just let you know that I am definetely not a pro, but an average person, so that is how I'm writing my review. I got this camera 2 years ago because I wanted a superzoom. Well, with the picture stabilization and the 12X zoom, I got what I wanted, but not much more. If you want to take nature photos, this camera is terrific. If you want to move on to scenery that moves, your going to have to find something else, b/c this camera does not have the shutter speed for it. Also, low light or artificial light does not come out very well either. With flash will look so-so as long as your image is within range, but the background is black. I do love this camera for being easy to use, but I've personally grown out of it. The 2 MP is also outdated.
First, I'd like to say that I've owned about 7 different digital cameras, and this has got to be my favorite out of the bunch.  I travel a lot, so I enjoy taking a lot of photos, and this camera has just made picture taking fun again!  Its controls are easy to use, making it a great point-and-shoot camera for someone who's new to digital photography.  The 12x optical zoom using a Leica lens is the BIGGEST optical lens on a digital camera, and the image stabilization help to make this huge zoom usable without a tripod.  Thanks to the Leica lens, colors are vivid, and the photos come out crisp.I only have two complaints about the camera, but only one is important: it's a 2 MP camera.  With a lens like this, Panasonic should've made it at least a 3.  That's the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating...but I was still tempted to.  I like to make 4x6 pics, but 2 MP doesn't make for nice 4x6's.  The other complaint is that many controls and settings are preset, so serious photographers won't like it (but serious shooters would avoid it anyway, because it's a 2 MP).All that said, at this price, you won't find a better point-and-shoot camera with a big zoom lens.  The camera is compact (it still fits in the palm of my hand), has a fast start up time (considering the lens) and a fast shot-to-shot time.  The controls and settings are easy to understand for beginners and did I mention the 12x zoom?  It's a great camera for fun photography.  If you don't make too many 4x6 prints, this camera is incredible--buy it!
My partner and I decided we like snapping photos so much, that we wanted one each. We already owned a 3.2 Megapixel Sony Cybershot (with a 3x zoom), and wanted something that could zoom in - without sacrificing the quality.We didn't see the need in buying a hugely expensive camera - as we would prefer to buy a new camera every few years to keep up with the new releases in the market.When I first saw the Panasonic Lumix 2 megapixel camera in the photo shop, the shop attendant tried to talk me out of it. I was taken in with the massive 12x optical zoom! This was not even comparable to other cameras in this price range. Granted, the image quality was only 2 megapixel's, but that did not worry me in the slightest.I use my photos for viewing on my laptop, and sharing with others through email. I find that photos larger than 2 megapixel take a long time to send through, and some email accounts such as hotmail and yahoo cannot accept the file size as it is too large.A nice man in a photo processing shop told me that 2 megapixels is the same quality that a standard film camera produces in photos. Therefore, if I did want to print onto gloss paper, I would not be sacrificing the quality of the photos in any way.My partner and I have just moved to Alaska - and we are loving the zoom on our Panasonic Lumix. It's fantastic! No more missed photo opportunities because the old Sonly Cypershot couldn't get in close enough. The camera barely shakes even right in on the 12th level of zoom power.The dial at the top is easy to use, and makes shifting between types of shots easy. Move the dial from night preferred, to fast moving, to portrait, to movie, you name it. There are loads of options.One of the coolest things I have found with this camera is the multiple click option. Are you trying hard to capture something that is moving? Set the multiple shot button, and just hold the button down on the moving target - it takes 6 pictures in succession really quickly - so you are guarranteed to snap that shot you want.People who see my camera, think it's a really expensive one. I have had people ask me if it is a digital SLR! The lens is nice and big, and the viewing screen is impressive.This camera looks sexy, it performs well - and for the price, it's a steal.
Wow, was I pleasantly surprised by the image quality of this camera.  My purchase was decided by the best available optical zoom (12x) because of nature and sports photography.  The quality produced by this unit was a bonus.Easy and fun to use, this camera belongs with anyone who likes to take long shots.  The stabilizing system works very well and the low light performance is very good.I highly recommend this one and amazon. com has the best deal by far.  Oh, immediately order a 256k sd card.  The included 8k card is best left at home.
Dumbfounded by the deluge of digicams? Spending more time obsessing on which digicam to buy, more than you did buying your house?  Like the fact the users seem to fall in love with this little wonder but are put off by the fact it's only a 2 megapixel camera? Don't worry about the megapixels. The Lumix FZ1/FZ2 is rightfully developing quite a cult following with consumers, photography enthusiasts, and even professional photographers (read "FZ-1: A Pro-Level Digital Point & Shoot" by Frank Van Ripper from the Washington Post available on-line at CameraWorks.com) If you can live without more megapixels, this compact camera has so much to offer.  2MP is more than you need for PC viewing, e-mail, and the web. It can and does provide sufficient resolution to make excellent photo-quality prints up to 5X7, and supposedly makes nice enlargements up to 8X10.This is a compact, responsive, point and shoot camera with a robust feature set - including a capable burst mode (great for sports action shots and not found on cameras in this class), and true TTL framing via an EVF. There's enough to this camera to satiate the enthusiast - night portrait, portrait, panning, "normal" mode etc., and also has a fully automated mode if you want to let the camera do all the work, and just "focus" (pardon the pun) on composition. But what sets this digicam apart is the big zoom fixed Leica lens. It really is a word-class piece of glass with remarkable specs, especially considering its size. Combine this remarkable lens with an effective image stabilization system, and you have a "different animal" all together. This is a unique versitile and fun digicam that has  so much more than others in its price range. Its limitations (weak pop-up flash, EVF cuts out in low light, noise above ISO 200, etc) are really more attributable to its class ($300 point and shoot) than the camera.  However, it is capable of producing remarkable images, and once you start shooting with its high quality lens with an IS system, you'll never want a camera doesn't have them.  Plus, it is an excellent value. If you don't do a lot of enlargements or cropping in a photo editor, I would recommend the FZ1 in a heartbeat over any other camera, regardless of the number of megapixels, in its price range, and most cameras that cost two or three times as much.Now a word about megapixels. A megapixel is 1 million pixels (they're the little squares that make up the image...). So, this camera produces images that are 1600 pixels wide by 1200 pixels high.  1600X1200 = approx 2 million, hence 2 megapixels. Since going digital, I find that I view 90%-95% on my PC/laptop monitor. It's convenient, and priting them all would cost a small fortune, since now that I can snap away with wreckless abandon since film (for me) is a thing of the past. (I still use a lab to print. I would rather "borrow" the lab's $200,000 printer than own a $300 dollar consumer photo printer, plus it costs much less per print when you factor in the cost of the printer ink...) Okay, so my laptop's highest 32 bit resolution setting is 1024X768, the resolution of the FZ1 (1600X1200) exceeds that. Point is that since I view most of my pictures on a PC now, I gain NOTHING from a higher resolution camera with more megapixels in most circumstances. The 5% to 10% of pictures I print, I usually print at standard 6X4. Anything over 200 pixels per inch (ppi) is considered "photo quality" for printing, 150 ppi is considered "acceptable".  As you get beyond 250 ppi on a print, the differences in resolution from a normal viewing distance are virtually invisible to the naked eye. IMO, I would fail a blind test, probably, if asked to guess the resolution of a picture between the 200 and 250 ppi range. 1600 (pixels)/6(inches) = 267 ppi, exceeding 250 ppi in length on a 6X4 (Note: technically, this formula isn't entirely accurate but is close enough for government work, and serves better as a quick illustration...). A 5X7 is 228 ppi, and an 8X10 is 160 ppi. Hence, this camera produces "photo-quality" images up to 5X7 and "acceptable" resolution up to 8X10. Most photo editors worth their disk space, like Photoshop, can resample images using bicubic interpolation to add pixels and boost resolution for the (very) occasional larger print. A very good product for this is Qimage, a free trial is available, and it's quite inexpensive to purchase. A hot shoe would have been nice but my understanding is that a "digital slave flash", which are quite reasonably priced, like the Vivitar AF200, work very well when you need a big flash.Now consider, not a "scientific survey" but 3 or 4 folks I know own 3 to 5 megapixel cameras.  (The 5 megapixel guy has a 10X optical zoom camera, made by one of the usual suspects, that cost 2X as much as the FZ1, but he doesn't even attempt zooming out beyond 5X without blurring the image, since his camera doesn't have IS). None of them kept their cameras on the highest setting thereby "using" all the megapixels. Why? Because the larger image files cut the amount of pictures they can store on their flash cards in half, their camera annoyingly "locks up" for a couple seconds while it writes a larger image file (often very frustrating), and they really can't notice a difference in quality on their prints, and they view most of their pictures on their PC. Let's say you have a 6 megapixel camera that had a cheap lens that introduced all sorts of distortion and a processing engine that rendered inaccurate colors. What would you get? A crappy picture with distortion and inaccurate colors rendered in all their ugly glory in high resolution. The FZ1 has the "best" lens on the market, and an excellent, innovative processing engine that provides "enough" but not "extraneous" megapixels to provide photoquality resolution for 99% of "real world" viewing formats. I believe that camera companies are exploiting the conspicuous consumption factor of camera consumers who wear their camera around their neck like jewelery. (The "name" + many megapixels = "the guy" equivalent of a pearl necklace to wear on a night out). It is therefore a great way for the camera co's to (finally) introduce planned obsolence into their offerings, dispensing with the days when folks held on to their cameras for decades until they finally died. I'm glad at least one manufacturer withdrew from the "great megapixel wars" and offered an excellent product based around real user needs and the true advantages of the full range of available technology - like IS and its processing engine, and did so at a very reasonable cost, instead of being just another combatant exploiting one aspect - "the megapixel", and the conspicuous consumption factor.Get the picture?
I have had this camera for two years now.  I have taken many, many great photos with this camera, it's unbelievable.  It seems to do well in almost all conditions.I uploaded a photo I took of my daughter just last week. The original picture was in color and was fantastic all by itself.  I used virtual photographer to improve on it just a little bit by changing it to black and white and putting a soft focus on it.The very first picture I took with this camera had me hooked.  It's a closeup of my son.  I was trying to decide if I should keep the camera or return it for another. Well, that shot alone made me decide to keep it and I am so glad I did.
I'll be brief.  Megapixels should not be your sole consideration.  I have made 8x10 prints of pictures taken (macro and regular settings) with this camera and they are gorgeous and very detailed (I posted the full zoom photo of the truck with the dent and the macro pic of the devil ducks).  For family and vacation pix this is exactly what I need.  I think the person who wrote that 4x6 prints weren't good didn't have the camera set to the highest resolution (it has 3, with the lowest resolution intended for web viewing only).The low light problem may lie with me as I've re-read the manual and now taken a couple good photos in no light with the flash.  I set the camera to night rather than normal and the flash and image stabilization did the rest.The video quality is alright for the occasional e-mail.As I love the compact size I'm keeping this camera.  I was thinking of moving to a used FZ3 as that model is the same size and has the focus-assist for low light, but may hold off for now.Ideally I'd like a camera this size that could also take decent video with sound occasionally that I could enjoy watching on a TV. This is a little too muddy.  BTW, you can watch photos on your TV, but oddly, you can't transfer pix from your computer onto the camera's flash card and then use the camera to view them on TV. That would be a nice feature also.I also wish there was an ISO setting button rather than having to go into the menus, but oh well.Oh, get a 128MB or better flash card.  I only take pix at the highest resolution and then convert to lower for e-mail on my computer.
Extremely small, Barbie-sized tripod.  Anything attached to it weighing over a few ounces will tip over.  Watch out for breezes and uneven ground.  I sent mine back.
I will not be using this tripod, and it's not worth the postage to return it.  Why will I not be using it?  There are no mini-pins or "stops" in the legs to keep each segment locked, so instability is very high.There are 3 point-n-shoot/compact digital cameras in my family (an older Nikon 995, a Canon A720IS, and a Panasonic Lumix TZ4), and there's only one I'd even remotely consider using this with -- the Lumix, which weighs in the lightest.  There is not much leg slippage with it atop the head, but if I put any down-pressure at all, the legs start folding in upon themselves.  The legs on this are so small, of course, that any uneven slippage will result in a terrible tumble for your camera.Also, only two of the legs pivot, with one fixed, which is just plain awkward.While slightly bigger, I HIGHLY recommend theSunpak - 1001D Digital Tripod.  It's only about five dollars more, and it's sturdier to at least a power of 10.  Not quite as portable, no, but I won't risk any of these fine digital cameras with such cheap gear.One other reviewer noted using his with an H4 (or H2?) Handy Recorder.  I might consider using this tripod for that same use -- I have a Zoom H2 -- for that recorder is as light as a feather.  But since I've got the SunPak, I am not sure this Vanguard will ever see light outside of my closet.
It is my second VS55 tripod from Vanguard. I gave my first one to my inspired young nephew who loved the tripod at first sight. The tripod is travel-friendly. I carry it on every trip. It allows me to take steady long-exposure shots inside the church, and outdoor night scene. It also provides a firm support for the ultra slim camera when I hold the tripod horizontally instead of vertically. It is sturdy,flexible, and it looks good. After my first VS55, I looked at many alternatives, and still returned for another one. I am very happy with this product.
The good:SmallMade of metalGold paintBall mount has a good tightening screwLegs are stable when fully RETRACTEDThe bad:Not ideal for heavy cameras since the legs will retract under the camera's weight when EXTENDEDTripod smells like grease
This is perfect for photographing jewelry, gems to put on ebay.  The quality is superb also.
Standing just a few inches high, this tripod is ideal for on-the-go use.  I was surprised by the weight - fairly hefty - and was initially put off.  I've come to appreciate that this tripod has some heft to it because it keeps whatever I have mounted to it nice and secure.I bought this tripod mainly for use on my Zoom H4 audio recorder.  The removal of handling noise is essential with small audio recorders!I will likely use this in the future for my small digital camera and *maybe* my dSLR but I doubt that it would have the ability to hold up such a device.The swivel head is easy to use but I would prefer if it were just a bit stiffer.  Once locked down though, the camera plate doesn't shift.Great product.
I wanted something I could throw in my pack or even my pocket that would provide a stable support for cameras weighing up to one pound.Found what I wanted and needed in the Vanguard VS55.It is small, only about 4 inches long with the pan head folded up. Relatively light at about six ounces. And t is, used reasonably, sturdy.The arrangement of the legs is unique. On is fixed with the other two movable. The legs must be fully spread if you want the tripod to be stable. For some reason, the manufacturer decided on four extendable sections. You can - if you are careful to fully spread the legs - use the tripod with the legs at each of their intermediate positions. I tested it with a Canon S%, which weighs just shy of a pound, and lighter cameras. With the legs fully spread, the VS55 provides a very stable and sturdy camera platform.For the price, you can't beat this little hummer. It's a solid addition to a camera bag.Jerry
I was a bit leary when I order this item. But was more than pleased when I recieved the tripod and found it to be of an extremely superior design and construction
I actually used it for a short stop motion school project.  It worked really well considering how small it is.  I didn't have high expectations, I just needed something to keep the camera from moving.  The only reason I took off was because if you push too hard the legs start to fold back into themselves, but I wrapped them in duct tape for the project length and it worked wonderfully.  Good buy for a temporary thing or a hobby, but professinals will definitely want something a little more stable.
Good for small cameras like Powershots. Not good for EOS cameras. A stronger camera base would be useful and appreciated.
This is such a handy tool for tabletop photography.  Totally sturdy, and keeps the camera nice and steady when you click the button.  That's very important when you're shooting close-ups of small items.  I also like to leave it attached to my camera when I'm shooting a bit farther away.  I actually hold it like a handle.  Keeps my shots steadier.
I purchased this tripod to use with a grab and go telescope.  It is solidly built, extremely versatile, and convenient for what I use it for. I can mount a short tube 100mm refractor telescope, with either a diagonal, barlow and lense or a camera adapter and dslr and the tripod will handle the load easily.  Perfect for my use.
Bought this to use with my Celestron Super Giants.  Tripod is beefy enough to handle the work.The head has a nice motion but the binos are still to heavy (156oz/9ish pounds).Will most likely upgrade the head. Rest of the tripod is great.
After getting beat up about people walking across my camera lens when shooting the performances of my daughter, I finally decided to get a tripod as tall as I am. In fact this is almost seven feet tall compared to my height of 6'3" but worth the investment, as no more heads rolling into my line of sight.This thing is so huge, heavy and sturdy construction and is quite stable and has neat features for pan and tilt. The operation may not be the most smoothest but for this price, I am happy with the performance and stability of the tripod.Of course I am not a professional but for my video shooting, which I do lots, it fits the bill. A carrying case included in the purchase price would have been a welcome thing but the manufacturer skimped on this to make a few extra bucks of profit.The only thing is mounting a newer HDD camera on this which looks like a David and Goliath pair and quite funny too, to have a teeny weeny camera on a giant tripod, but I alternate between a heavy weight SONY TRV 510 and a Panasonic HDR-40 with a final result in good shake proof video shooting.
Tripod was larger than I expected but is very sturdy. Good value for what I paid for it. Here are the extra words required to complete the review even though I said what I wanted in my review.
The Vanguard VT-560 exceeded our expections.  It is sturdy beyond most tripods.  My husband loves it, being 6' plus this extends high enough that he does not have to bend over like most tripods.
Don't buy this if all you want is a cheap, functional monopod. Alhough it has a quick release plate, the head has no tilt function, which limits youto using your slr only in horizontal composition mode. I ended up buying a separate ballhead, which raised the cost of this monopod to almost twice what I had intended to spend.I would have been better off getting a good quality one like Manfrotto or one of the cheap models available on ebay.
Very light and easy to tote around sporting events when a tripod is too hard to get out of the way.  Great height too for 6 footers.
This is a good, sturdy product and I have no complaints.  A good deal.
I do like this monopod.  I have never owned one before, but do like the extra stabilization that the fold down foot provides.  I also like the fact that it comes with a shoe thing that attaches to the camera and clicks onto the monopod.
The rubber balls come off and get lost easly. Then it tips over dropping your camera.
This is a great product for the Money! Compact enough that it fits in my pocket and allows me to attach in seconds with my digital compact camera for a good shot of the whole family. It feels nice that I can finally be in some of the pictures I take!I would give this item 5 stars but the legs are just a bit too stiff to wrap around tree braches and other things. not that this is a big deal but it would have came in handy once or twice.
best 5 bucks I ever spent. am able to take pictures of self, on hikes ,where usually no one is around. small enough to fit in camera bag with the camera.
This is incredibly useful for the price.  It's the cheapest mini tripod out there and the design is brilliantly simple.It can be adjusted finely even though it looks clumsy.  Just start with the legs fanned out but straight, and if you need to adjust the camera angle a little push the appropriate leg so it bends inward.It's more sturdy than I expected.  The rubber feet prevent slipping and the flexible legs can easily hold a typical camera without bending under the weight.  Maybe it's not for those 15-pound cameras with a 2 foot lens attached, but if you have one of those you probably aren't looking for a four-dollar tripod.It has a very small clip on the mount so you can hang it one a bag strap, but you can also just bend the legs around the strap.The only thing this tripod doesn't do is shoot upward at steep angles.  The most I can manage to get out of it with the most extreme pose is about 40 degrees, and with a larger camera balance issues might limit it to less.One design drawback is the mounting screw is fixed.  You don't get a little thumb knob to twist when mounting the camera, you have to rotate the whole tripod.  But it's so small and the legs squeeze together so close that it's easy to do.For four bucks, it would be hard to ask for more.
so handy - easy to use - very bendable - I take it everywhere in both of my camera cases! Takes a beating and still works like new.
this is a handy little utility that you can shove into a pocket or a glove box and have access to a steady and sturdy tripod. I bought it to use for the Flip, but it fits my digital cameras too. One camera is an old Cannon 4.1 mg. It's heavy as far as cameras go now. But it sits on the tripod and is steady as can be. The tripods legs move in any direction so you can mount it to uneven terrain - rocks, etc. - and make it level for your shots. The legs stay where you put them. But the best part of it is its price and the versatility it gives you.I recommend it.
I found this to be a little fragile. Your camera has to be a light one. Because of the flexible legs one has to be careful to set the camera straight to keep the picture straight!  Be careful before you buy.
Great product for an even greater price... I think this is as good a product as any. It serves the same function as a product you would pay close to $20 for at a store such as wal-mart. Fits great, works great, and seems to be good quality. I was very pleased to see that this was such a nice little tripod when I opened the package. I didn't really think I would get much for this amount of money.
This is so small and weak it can't hold much weight at all. Certainly shouldn't be considered for any SLR
This tripod is almost useless. The legs are too stiff to flex around anything. If you manage to wrap them,  they don't hold their shape... and this is while empty. Attach a camera and the whole thing falls over. Stick with the original gorillapod. Something that works is always a better value than a cheap piece of junk.
This is unexpectedly well made for the cheap price.  I am glad that I did not waste money on the more expensive versions.
It's very sturdy, doesn't move when I'm pressing buttons on the camera. It's tiny (size of a pen) so it can't be used in every situation, but it's a great alternative to setting your camera on the ground which is what I used to have to do! Weighs just about nothing and the legs are pretty flexible.The only complaint is that it isn't AS flexible as the gorillapods. It's difficult to try to wrap it around things. I tried it on a chair, and it was hard to get it to stay put.Overall, well worth the money. If you can afford to go higher though, get a gorillapod!
Didn't expect much from this, but it is a perfect solution for tabletop tripod use. You have quite a bit of aiming variety as you can bend, twist, and rotate this thing in any which way. And it holds its position really nicely.A nice surprise of functionality and portability and price. One of those things that you find you need once you buy it.
Bought this for my digital camera and my webbie. It's small enough to fit in a pocketsized camera bag and the bendy legs mean you can situate it on just about anything and still get a level picture. Seems really durable after being bent and unbent about a million times with no noticeable degradation. Highly recommend!
I use this on my canon a720IS to take night shots or set custom timer to sneak myself in the picture with other members of the family.  I also hold it and take shots as it acts as a stabilizer giving more focused picture.  Cheap, portable, and works with point and shoot cameras.  I wouldn't trust a DSLR on it since toppling over will easily cost you $500 or more.
This is a pretty good device for light weight cameras. Don't recommend it for anything very heavy, though. Not really that stable. I bought it to use with a now obsolete Vado video camera. Works great with it.
It's average. The tripod is probably no bigger than my hand. I like that the legs on it bend, but they don't curl (aka you can't actually make the tripod grasp an object)
Well worth the money, but not nearly as good as the expensive Gorillapod. I love the Gorillapod, even though it seems overpriced, it is outstanding.
The quality on this is great for the money. The only thing I would beware of is your camera tipping over. If you have a tiny camera, it might not be as much of a concern, but if you have a Digital SLR style camera, it can very easily tip over. You don't want a $5 tripod breaking your expensive camera.
Arguably, you're never really going to be able to use a tripod this big for a lot of shots, but it's small, lightweight, and easy to slide into a bag or pocket.  What I have found is that it's perfect for setting up the camera and taking a shot at night, and allowing the shutter to do the work, rather than go to a higher ISO setting.  For a few dollars, you will not be disappointed.
This is a cheaper version of similar tripods out there. Works just as well. Very handy. Works as a great handle when folded together. Sturdy yet bendable. A must for any photographer with a relatively small camera.
"Ultra portable camera stabilzer" should be its name. I see problems with really heavy SLR cameras but for most consumers, this is not an issue.
I bought this tripod to help take close-up photos of food. It's inexpensive and generally works very well. It attaches solidly to my ultracompact digital camera (Panasonic Lumix FX9) and it's easy to get it to stand. The legs are a bit springy so I usually have to hold it in place with a hand, too, to get just the right angle, but the tripod ensures the camera doesn't move for longer exposures, which is what I cared about. If you were trying to use it to take multiple shots from the exact same angle, it might pose problems, as the legs won't hold totally still at any very tilted angles.The main problem I have with this is that the rubber ball-feet are very soft rubber and apparently are very soluble in oil, because I was using it on my butcher-block counter top (sealed with wax & oil) and it left black smears everywhere. After that I used it on a tablecloth and it smeared black all over that, too. I wrapped each little foot in some cheesecloth with a twist-tie to hold it on and now it's great, but it's a bit silly that I have to do that. I'd have paid a few extra bucks for feet made of some other material, maybe silicone, that wouldn't have that problem.
I always use it, even when I'm not taking a timed picture.  Somehow it just feels steadier when I have it on the camera all the time.
I picked this up due to the price and have been pleasantly surprised - it is small, but sturdy enough to support my Canon Digital Rebel XT with the 28-135mm IS USM lens.  It can be a bit tricky to get it balanced, but it works.  For the price, I can't think of anything better - it fits in your camera bag and if it breaks, buy another.
When I purchased this little tripod I wasn't sure what kind of quality it was going to be since it was priced so low. It's actually a sturdy tripod holding my digital camera with no problem. I even tried putting my DSLR on it and I was amazed that it could support its weight. I wouldn't use it for a DSLR though because it does tilt and could eventually fall. While my DSLR was mounted on this tripod I put it on the table and on the floor for some macro shots and it did a pretty good job. I was well aware that this tripod is not meant to hold DSLR's but if you are careful you can get away with it. The quality is great! the legs aren't flimsy and are rather pretty firm. They bend easily but don't collapse under the cameras weight. They are really compact and easily fit in your pants pocket. I would recommend! I mostly use it to photograph things close to the floor since its a really small tripod. If you are looking for a tripod that will take those family pics then I suggest you look somewhere else for a taller tripod.
I used to have a tripod just like this that worked great with my Nikon SLR a big camera (not digital).  Then I kept using it with different compact cameras including the not so lightweights Canon Powershot A80 and then the A640 which got stolen with the tripod.  I bought a Canon Powershot S5 IS and this tripod, and unfortunately it is not strong enough to hold the camera.  I have to pretty much put two of the legs all the way forward in order to balance the weight and not have my camera fall lens first.I haven't tried this specific tripod with other cameras, but it seems that it could hold a regular compact one.
This mini tripod is a bit sturdier than I expected.  Excellent price and it allows you to bend the legs to secure it to a higher positioned object to get the bet picture.  I use it with the Flip Mino.  I am so glad that I got this one rather than Flip's version becaue it does the same thing at 1/5 of the price.
This is a nice little shirt pocket sized tripod that works great for lightweight cameras and camcorders (like myFujifilm Finepix F70EXR 10MP Super CCD Digital Camera with 10x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCDor theFlip MinoHD Camcorder  2nd Generation, 2 Hours (Brushed Metal)). This is not meant for your dSLR or other larger cameras.The legs are bendable, within reason, and allows for positioning the camera to take self-portraits or to be used to position a Flip to record while narrating (I use it this way a lot).We have two of these that are identical, except for the name stamped on the pocket clip, so it is likely that there are many other companies that buy these and re-brand them (the second one of ours came in a kit).Recommended!CFH
The tripod is great. I was not sure if it could hold the weight of my Nikon D40 with a 55-200m lens, but for a couple bucks i thought i would try, and it holds the weight just fine.There is no reason not to buy one of these. It is small enough to put in any camera bag, and it is great for holding the camera in areas where a regular tripod is too big and bulky.  The little rubber feet are very grippy too. I suspect this will come in very handy. The reason i was looking for one of these is that i was on top of the parking garage at my work and was wanting to grab a  couple nightshots of the downtown buildings, however without a tripod with me and the ledges being angled, it was difficult to get the shots, this will greatly help in those instances.I dont know how often you can use it before it breaks, i imagine ill get plenty of use out of it though
This little tripod is just the right size for my Vado and Fujifilm cameras.  Even though the ports are offside, I have no problem supporting my equipment.  The legs are very flexible and splay far enough for my needs.  The tripod is small enough to fit in my pocket or purse and I get a lot of comments on it.  People  can't believe that this little thing can hold my cameras.  It almost looks like an insect or an alien.  It's just too cute.
This tripod has been good to me.  It fits into my small camera bag so it always there when I need it.  Great on my Disney vacation.  It was kicked around all day and was ready to be used for my night shots.  It perfect on my center mounted camera.  The legs need to be far apart for the off center mount camera.  I would purchase again.
What can I say that wasn't said in the title?  Not much.For the price it's not bad, but it's not great either.The con is the legs could be better.  They move, but they don't hold their position that well.  They generally "move back" into place a bit.I'm no expert in flexible tripods.  :)  ...and so maybe this is the norm for these things.  Maybe you would pay 10 or 20x as much for one that had legs that moved and solidly held in place to the positions you move them to.  I don't know.I guess overall it's hard to complain for the few dollars I spent.  When I need to take a really steady picture then I have something to do that with.If you're looking for something "professional" then I would say this isn't it.  For casual, home consumer use it's fine.
I used this tripod on my last trip to Walt Disney World.  With this tripod and my new camera (Kodak Z1275), I was able to take almost professional grade pictures.  This tripod worked awesome for night shots.  The only thing with this tripod is you obviously need to put it on a something.  I used trash can lids and tables to get my best night shots.  I carried it everywhere with me because it was so small and light.Anything bigger than a point and shoot probably will not work well with this tripod.  This is definitely worth the money.
Tested thing bad boy out today and i'd have to say, its quite small, kinda hard to maneuver, but it gets the job done. Another downside was a bunch of black thread looking plastic stuff rubs off of it. But otherwise Great for the price!
Works great for my camcorder and my digital camera.  For the price you can't go wrong.  I works as expected with no problems.  It easily fits in your pocket or camera bag.
The thread is plastic. I guess I turned it too hard, because it snapped off the legs when I tried to tighten it. Okay, well, straight from China, by plane, truck, and mailman to my trashcan.
This minitripod is very sturdy, considering it's size. With a little work, you can bend the legs into any shape you want. I saw it at a camera store for ten dollars after I bought it on Amazon, so I thought I had snagged a great deal. Then I saw it on Black Friday for a buck. Even so, I do not regret the loss of three dollars, as it easily supports both my Sony DSC-T33 as well as its mounting/charging dock.
I purchased this little tripod to use with a Flip camera.  It's easy to bend the legs to get it into position to hold the camera.  I also like the clip on the top for attaching it to a pocket.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because if you don't balance it *just* right when you're arranging the legs, it'll tip over.
The tripod is fine, but nothing to get excited about.  The legs aren't long enough to wrap it around anything I've tried.  I've owned it for 5 weeks. It is fun to work the legs to create the angle I want but the Mino I use it with is often not level.  There is no adjustable screw base so you turn until it stops so the legs aren't always in the desired position.  It's more fun that a 6" regular tripod but it's not more functional.
This is not a great tripod. It's three piecs of 5" gooseneck lamp material with a camera thread at the top.That said, for the occasional shot with the camera positioned on a rock, fencepost, or automobile hood, it is invaluable. If you are going backpacking and want a few pictures with you and your friends in them, this is a great find.For what it does, where it goes, and what it costs, it's a no-brainer. Throw one in your bag.By the way, I use this with an EOS Xti and, usually, a Sigma 30mm/f1.4, and the BG-E3 grip with two batteries in it. The entire setup is not light. I'd say the tripod's ability to manage this weight is marginal, but acceptable.
Small & flexible this little tripod is handy to have. It's strong enough for a digital SLR & helpful for putting yourself in the picture.
We bought this tripod for a mino cam that was being used to record conferences.The tripod has exceeded our expectations 10 fold .It was used 25 times and is still like new. This mino camera is very light weight so I am not sure if it will hold up to heavier cameras , but  we did test it on our canon xsi. In the couple times we used it , it worked fine . For the couple dollars we paid, it could be a throw away and we would not care. Other people who bought similar tripods to record like we did paid up to $15 for similar products that do the same thing. Buy it, it works.
It works and is easy to carry in your pocket or a small carry case. If you're traveling and using a pocket camera it is nice to have so you can do shots with yourself in them, as well as longer exposure shots in dark areas,
After reading the reviews I ordered this VS41 MiniTripod, hoping for the best.  It's a darn good little tripod, with flexible metal legs--sturdier than I expected.  Great for steadying my Kodak Z612.  Recommend highly!
very Useful and helpful taking photo in self timer mode. I like it too much and make taking photo easy for you.
I have used this now on two trips and find it sturdy and balanced and quite flexible. The only downside is that you cannot tilt the camera at the plate, so the legs support it. To shoot downward, you have to move the legs so that front one is way extended and other two are higher, and then you must hold the camera in place so it doesn't fall.
I received this item today, luckily I bought it for $1.93 or so, and still have my prime trial. This thing is junk, to put it mildly. It's not even the size of a bic pen. It's not flexible enough to grip around a tree branch for instance, nor would the legs be big enough to.I guess for $1.93 I won't bother shipping it back, or maybe I'll attach it to an old webcam.
I have one of these to my small Ricoh camera, and we'd used it for years on trips and hikes.  I've used it with my newer dig camera (a Dimage), and it works just as well.  Very very handy and great for uneven surfaces.  Small and light, too.  With some experience you learn to trust your expensive camera being attached to it!  So, when I saw this similar item listed on Amazon, and at such a great price, I had to order it for my sister's new camera.  It appears nearly identical to my older one and to be of good quality.  Just a warning for those who are allergic to latex:  The little balls on the end of the feet are rubber and even the smell from them is noticeable.
I wasn't sure what to expect for this price,  but it's a sturdy enough little tripod to hold my Sony DSC-H1 Cybershot with an additional filter and sunshade extension installed on the lense, all weighing maybe a little over 2 lbs. max. The tripod just screws on to the bottom of the camera, which is in the middle of my camera, so it isn't an issue as it might if the place to attach the tripod were off-center. I'd buy this unit again. I did purchase a lightweight travel tripod as well, but this is just right for tabletop uses.
The item received is not Vanguard, but rather Digital Matrex, a more generic name.  Physically, it looks identical to the Vanguard, except for the missing "Vanguard" label on the plastic clip.It's made in China, but seems to work as advertised.  I put my beefy Fuji A205 camera on it and it seems to hold up fine with the rubber ball feets holding it firmly on the table.  Legs are bendable in all angles.  This would be very usefull as a portable quick tripod for still shots from a table or most surfaces.I would buy it again, but I wish seller would use correct brand name.  This is false advertisement.  If not for this, I would have given it 5 stars.
Works grat for self timer mounting and fits into any camera pouch.It's great (& cheap)!
Bought this a while back for my Flip Cam. After using it for less than 30 mins, one of the leg's wires locked up/broke. As a tripod, it still works, but isn't nearly as pose-able as it should be anymore. I should've just paid the 10-20 bucks for a legitimate tripod and I'd be a lot more stoked. Had the leg not broken, I'd be pretty into it for the money. Alas, not as good as it could be.
This is actually a give-away item bundled with other photo-related products, hence the one nickel price and somewhat exorbitant s/h cost. Due to its size, the tripod fits inside most any camera bag and is a great help for those using a self-timer.
I barely used it, but for the price it was nice to try on a few occasions. It's just not something you want to carry around.
Attached this to a Canon Powershot SD850 IS with no problems however it leans forward a little but can be corrected by placing the back leg lower. The legs are flexible and it's also good for carrying the camera when using the video on the camera.  For the price, it's well made, can't complain.  Get it; you never know when you might need it and it's small enough to carry around in your pocket or to throw in your glovebox.
This it not capable of holding any type of SLR camera. each leg is just a little thicker than a pipe cleaner. Ill just throw it out, not worth the bother of returning.
I needed a particularly short camera stand with some flexibility of angle, and this looked like a good bet. While it is handy for steadying my camera, it takes a lot of fiddling with to make the tripod itself stable in whatever configuration you want. This also makes it time-consuming and difficult to change angles or height. If you have one persistent configuration you want to use it in, it's probably perfect, particularly given the fantastic price. But make sure you understand its limitations.
Before buying this item, I did lot of research on all types of tripod.1. All Flexi mini Tripods in this category are same except Brand name on Tripod. I purchased Zeikos and other 2 brands from Amazon.I tried this tripod on Sony Cybershot DSC (Whose tripod holder is not at center place (Sony likes different)). but I did not face any issue with that.This Tripod strong enough for a Canon SX10IS.(its similar to SLR without additional lenses. But You need to spread out the legs of Tripod.)2. I bought this mini Flexi tripod and ended up making this my travel companion. Here are my reasons for liking it a lot:- It's sturdier than I expected. The rubber feet prevent slipping and the flexible legs can easily hold a typical camera without bending under the weight.- While it's light enough to carry around, you can keep in your pocket. Flexi Tripod size is less than 6".- With the legs spread out at the bottom it makes a great grip for little cameras.- Its perfect replacement for Mini Tripod also Mini Tripod are more bulkier, heavier.- Flexi Tripod helps you a lot to take pictures on self timer with less space available for Tripod.- You can spread out the legs also bend/twist the legs (not at great extend)to adjust the angle.- Unlike straight-leg tripods, you can make the feet grip a vertical edge, like a cube partition.- shooting at a low speed and risk of blurring the shot, You can use any object/ place for stability (6" X 6" place is more than enough)- Very nice tripod for who thinks they are not professional photographers.Drawbacks- One design drawback is the mounting screw is fixed. You don't get a little thumb knob to twist when mounting the camera, you have to rotate the whole tripod. But it's so small and the legs squeeze together so close that it's easy to do.- Tripod height is less if you keep on ground its but obvious it makes some angle when you are standing for  photograph.- I am not sure about life of this Tripod, But It can go for 2-3 years at least :)Conclusion:Hello!!!You are buying this item for nothing. This item is just for $1-$4 range. Don't compare with Costly gorilla pod/ mini Tripod.Who needs quick photographs at any place(and bother to ask others for clicking your snap). If you lost this item you will never mind.This item is great you can go for that.
Cannot complain! My Flip Mino screwed right into this.  It's about 5 inches tall, unbeatable price and arrived in less than 2 days. Will do the job.
This tiny tripod is so easy to just throw in with the rest of your camera accessories, and it's inexpensive, too!  It should fit most cameras with a tripod attachment location. I use it with my DSLR, a Canon XSi, and it's a little top-heavy, but it works. The quality is decent and I have no complaints.
This is necessary for the hobby photographer.  A mini tri-pod will come in handy so many times. This one is surprsingly strong and sturdy for its size. The legs are  completley flexible and can be arranged on an uneven surface. The price is certainly reasonable. The serious hobbiest should have this in his or her arsonal.
Was I surprised when I got this in the mail.  It's so tiny.  Of course the item page didn't hide the size.  It says "5 inches".  I just didn't realize how small 5 inches was.  So get your rulers out and see for yourself before you buy.  But it's very nice.  It's sturdy and you can position the bendable legs so many different ways.  I got it for my Zoom H1 digital audio recorder and it's perfect.  I thought I could use it for my Flip Ultra camcorder but Flip has the tripod hole on the bottom of their unit but over to the side rather than centered so you have to go through contortions to position the tripod legs in a way so the Flip doesn't fall over sideways so I'll just use it for my Zoom. And the price...2.95.  You can't beat that.
This product was used on a Flip Ultra non-HD camera.Obviously the allure for this product was the price.  This tripod works fairly well for the standard shot but doesn't allow for much creativity with the camera.  After reading numerous glowing reviews I thought this product would be more than it actually is; but I must remember the price.  For what I payed, the build quality is excellent, the compact size is extremely useful and I have had no problems with stability.  My one complaint is that the tripod is very inelastic and makes bending the tripod for interesting shots difficult.  My next aim will be theJoby GP3 Gorillapodwhich appears to offer more flexibility.4 stars, and for the price I would recommend it to anyone just wanting to make their simple camera stand up straight for clear, still video.
We like this flexible tripod for the ease of use and the small convenient travel size.  Our friends saw how useful they are so we got extras for presents.
I bought several of these because they were so cheap, and they turned out to be pretty close to one I paid a good $15 for over 10 years ago. They are generically packaged and reek of the chemicals from the factory (I feel bad for the Chinese workers who had to breathe the air there) but after a few days sitting outside they were tolerable. Well worth the price unless you consider the ridiculous shipping charge of the seller.
Very tiny, very useful, works well.  I use this with both my Canon Elph and my Sony H5.  It is very solid, even with the heavier Sony H5 camera which is closer in size to an SLR camera.  Takes up about as much storage space as a pair of AA batteries, so it fits nicely into a compact camera bag: you won't even know your carrying it.  I am very pleased with this item and the price is unbeatable.
PROS:-so tiny, it's extremely portable. fits right in my purse.-doesn't need a carrying case, but the box it comes in could serve as one.-the thing that says 'vanguard' is actually a little clip, which could prove useful-rubberized feet provide stabilityCONS:-i knew it would be small, but it's way smaller than i thought, even.-because it's so small, you CAN position the legs like a normal tripod and move it to get the right angle, but CAN'T really wrap it around a tree limp or chair leg or something like you can do with the larger version.SO...I think I'll definitely get use out of this, because i can just keep it in my purse, great for actually being IN the group photos and for random artsy moments where you need a stable camera. but i wish it would wrap around stuff better for when you really need the cam in an odd place. will probably end up getting the larger version as well because of that.
This product was exactly what I expected, and maybe even better than expected. The quality was good, highly recomend this product. The price was right also. very pleased with item and service from company.
Cool, portable, quality tripod; unbeatable price. Have ordered two more (one for each of my kids)! Rubber feet are a plus; very stable, and acts as a handle for the camcorder when I'm not using it as a tripod.
Great minipod.  Rubber non-slip feet.  Flexible legs.  Fits in your pocket.  No need to say more.  Basically, if you need it, you know what it is and what to do with it.
IT ALWAYS GOES WITH MY CAMERA. DOES THE JOB VERY WELL. HAD USE IT FOR STILL PHOTOS AND FOR VIDEOS. ALWAYS FINE.
This mini-tripod is well-constructed, very light-weight, and very portable.  It screws into the camera base very easily with little or no threat of stripping the threads of those with plastic housings.  It can be used with larger digicams, but since the tripod is small, care must then be taken to be sure the legs are spread wide enough to guard against any top-heavy tipping. This, of course, cuts down on the angles the camera can be directed.  A great bargain!
Really handy small tripod to put in your pocket. Limited flexibility on legs, but very good for most purposes. Best for lighter cameras.
I  bought this tripod for my sony cybershot and I am very pleased with how it works. I wasn't sure if it could hold the weight of my camera by looking at it online but rest-assured, it is very strong and like others have said, the little rubber feet work great. I am buying a second one for my girlfriend's camera because we love it so much!Sony Cybershot DSCW55 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)
I bought this only because the price was so low. I love its versatility and practicality. It can be used for video and photos. I've placed it around the table for dinners with the family and have been able to record conversations and fun times that would not have been recorded otherwise due to its ease of use and convenience. Even my small children can set it up and begin recording.
It's nice to have a small tripod like this for travel and for taking some photos of yourself by yourself - but I would certainly throw down for the "big boy" tripod also (because sometimes you just can't find that brick wall to put your camera on!)  Great value though - I can't say I can't live without it, but I do enjoy the fact that I do have it.
For the price you can't go wrong. Fit my sony cyber shot perfectly I love this little product it gets the job done! Very impressed!
Item looked like picture, except it did not have the Vanguard name on it, and it did have a pretty heavy duty chemical smell, which seems to be slowly dissipating over time.  Except for the smell, item appears to be high quality for the price, and the relatively light weight Panasonic ZS3 is comfortably and securely supported by the three legs, as long as the legs are widely separated and on a firm surface.  Since the ZS3 is a much a video camera as it is a photo camera, when pushed together, the legs provide a nice handle for shooting extended video while looking at the nice LCD screen without obstruction (it's especially secure when using the wrist strap at the same time).  A highly practical item that makes handling of the smallish ZS3 much easier.
Don't waste your time - get one a little less cheap. There is a reason that S&H; is more than product price (and way more than is reasonable: 2oz @1st class is $0.79).This is the same exact product as "Sunpak 620-786 Mini-Spider Tripod"They don't support my tiny Lumix FX33 and are more elastic than "poseable".
I use this to record me and my friend skateboarding, so we can all skate at once and one person doesn't have to stop what they are doing and film, just so we can have a video.It is flexable, and can get many different angles without falling.I screw it into the bottom of my Ultra HD flip, although I know it works for all Flip Cameras.The price is amazing, and is the same exact product as other well known names.
A convenient and useful device for a very nice price, but you have to treat it like a much more delicate item than you'd think it should be.  By simply trying to screw it onto a small camera securely so it wouldn't be loose and let the camera rotate, the screw tip broke right off in the camera's tripod mount hold!  I was actually trying not to be too forceful, and I was aware they could be easily damaged.  So this really surprised me.  I bought two, however, and the second was able to be attached a few times so far without issue.  You just have to be INCREDIBLY careful with it!
Great little product at a fantastic price.  It goes anywhere, fits in your pocket much like a pocket cliped pen since it has its own pocket clip.  I love it for night photography on the go and it makes those low light settings where you can't effectively use a flash or it is not practical do-able. (I think that long exposure shots come out better in no-action low light pictures than flash photography anyways... the picture is not as artifical, more natural looking).  Best of all its legs are flexable to help you make it fit best to your individual situation without all the complexities of a normal tripod.  Put it on a rock, no probs, want an up-facing shot, not prob...
This thing is the answer to a prayer. As soon as I used this tripod all I could think of was " Why didn't I think of this". It does several things very well. First, when not in use you can carry it in your pocket or a purse. Second, it adjusts to any surface, level or not. Third, when installed on a small camera it creates a hand grip that allows you to keep the camera rock steady while giving you eye level access to the viewing screen. Everytime we use this people are asking me "Where can I get one of those. My wife and I liked this tripod so much we bought ten more just to give to our friends at Chritmas. If you own a camera you have get one of these.
Its small but I needed something that would sit on the table to take pictures of my artwork and well it did the job. The legs bend fairly easy so I could point the camera up or down. A nifty little thing. Great for table top use.
Update: I've got two more in my cart, ready to add to my next order (for free Super Saver shipping) They're strong enough for a Canon Digital Rebel.All these reviews are great - I actually bought a different mini-tripod at first but ended up making this my SD550's travel companion. Here are my reasons for liking it a lot:- I was able to position my camera right on my dash for intervalometer shots (Powershot S2IS) and it actually stayed put while I was driving. The feet are rubberized just well enough and spread far enough to keep the camera in place.- I carry it in my pocket. Since the legs are flexible, it doesn't get awkward or damaged when I sit down- With the legs together (and a bit spread out at the bottom) it makes a great pistol grip for little cameras.- It's the perfect trade-off between using a bean bag and a mini tripod - the legs stay put however you shape them, and mine has seen a lot of bending and still works great- If I'm shooting at a low speed and risk blurring the shot, I put the tripod legs on my chest for extra stability. It's not much, but your chest is less shaky than your hands alone, and gives you that extra stop for indoor pictures- While it's light enough to carry around, it also has a bit of weight to balance the weight of small cameras not making the setup too top-heavy.- Unlike straight-leg tripods, you can make the feet grip a vertical edge, like a cube partition
I'll try to make this review as short as the tripod:  If your looking for the smallest and very functional mount, this is it; bend the legs any way you want to capture that shot.  It works just as I expected.
This is a great tripod for a point and shoot.  It makes a great stocking stuffer.  What I like about it is how flexible the legs are, so you don't have to be on a level surface to get the shot you want.  It's small, so it will fit in any camera bag, no problem.  Mine has lasted several trips over three years, and it works as well as day 1.
I received the tripod in a rapid fashion.  I must say that I was not prepared for the size though, but that is my fault.  I was expecting it to be a little larger than it was, but it is pocket size and easy to use.
When I opened the box on this product I was struck with a nauseating toxic like smell (kind of like a cross between burning plastic and oil). After a day the smell had largely abated but it still has that smell if you put it to the nostrils. I recall reading something like this about this product or something similar. Mfg should recall the product until it deals with the potentially dangerous vapor issue.
For the price, I cann't complain.  Using on a sanyo VPC-PD2 which is light so it works fine.  For a larger camcorder or SLR, I don't think that it would be much help.
When it comes to taking pictures I keep finding times when I need to keep the camera steady for low-light settings or for taking closeup shots of jewelry I make.  This tripod is perfect for that.  I didn't need a big 3 foot tripod for indoor jewelry shots--just something to elevate the camera from the table that allows me to angle the camera as necessary.The flexible legs bend and turn for a lot of variety with positioning the camera.  If you're worried about shaking the camera when pressing the button to take the picture, that's also easily solved by positioning the photo you want and setting the on-camera timer.Other people are right about the tripod fitting in your pocket.  It's very discreet.  I'm not one who'd really enjoy lugging a big tripod around the zoo, but I took this mini-tripod to the zoo with no shame since it was in my pocket when not in use, and I was able to prop it up on things like fences, signs, and rocks while still being able to angle it due to the flexible legs.  I was very happy with the photos I took.  I was able to zoom more and take photos without a flash with better results than usual.The mini-tripod twists in and out of the tripod connection on the camera so easily that it isn't a problem if it does happen to block your battery or digital card access.  It's hardly rocket science and takes just a couple of seconds.In the end, this little tripod is so inexpensive and tiny that it's absolutely worth buying.
This is the same thing you're gonna get for the brand name mini tripods but for a fraction of the price. Works great!
There's many times when I am either too lazy to use a regular tripod, or the situation doesn't permit.  This little tripod does the trick.  It's really compact but it is sturdy and solid.  The legs are very flexible and stay put fairly well.  The drawback, which is inherent in the design, is that you have to fiddle around with the legs if you want to keep the camera level, and also keep them balanced enough so the camera doesn't tip over (the mounting hole on my camera is on the bottom right side so I have to angle the legs to compensate).  But that is a problem (if you can even call it that) which is easy enough to overcome.  This is a very handy thing to have and as others have said, it's really small.  For $5 this is a bargain.  I use Amazon Prime and it must have cost them more to ship it to me in two days than the price of the product!
This tripod is good if you need it in a tight spot. It will work; just don't tip your camera at an angle. My camera (Panasonic FZ7) will tip it very easily, but the FZ7 is an dSLR like, so it is bigger than most compacts.This is one piece, keep in mind. Nothing like a full sized tripod.Don't think this is the gorrilapod - barely like it! The tripod is flexible... but not too flexible. It's a pain to make the legs more too much.After all this being said, I still give it 4 stars. I knew what I was buying, as you should too after reading these reviews. If you want high quality and price, go with the gorrilla pod. I wish I could, but this was soo much cheaper.As a tripod, it works. You don't have to use it just as a tripod too. If you hold your camera and the tripod, you can stabilize your camera more than just holding your camera.If you can, go for the better quality. For the rest of us, this will do.
I bought this for our Flip ultra camcorder and it works perfectly. The legs are flexible enough to place the camera in the position you wish yet strong enough to support it properly. The legs work like a grip upon chairs and, potentially, thin tree branches, although I haven't tested that particular flora theory as yet. It's small enough to keep attached to the camera and use as a steady handle, if you wish. And it's far cheaper than the Flip's own version. If you own a Flip, do yourself a favour and just pick one of these up.
Bought the tripod and took it on two vacations.  It is great.  It fits in your pocket and was handy to have around for pictures using a timer and for pictures at night.
It is small, but if you just need something to hold your camera up, it works great! Highly recommended, great quality.
I was looking for an expensive tripod for my Flip Ultra HD; but many of them online are in the $15-25 range!  However, this tripod is great and perfectly fits the camera! Shipping was super fast as well...
Against my better judgment, I ordered this Vanguard VS41 Flexible MiniTripod, whhich actually arrived in a box labelled VidPro WT-5 model in a new 2008 small package.  I almost did not order it because a prior review said if your camera has an off-center tripod mount, this thing will tip over.  I have a Pentax 33WR, an almost solid waterproof 4-inch square chunk of metal an inch thick.  So for $5 I gambled and won.  The item came right away from THEMEMSTORE via UPS First Class, the first of three small orders I placed with three unknown-to-me different vendors.  The construction is quite solid, and my chunky digital camera does not even show a hint of tipping over and is solid as a rock on this little gem.  As it is with me, I do not even have to adjust the legs to counterbalance.  I would guess tipping becomes a problem in the 35mm or superzoom digital camera ranges of size.  This product strikes the perfect balance of very small size but enough heft to allow most all small digital cameras to work on it.  Otherwise one would not see the very high proportion of favorable ratings on Amazon.  I carry my camera in my standard size Sampsonite briefcase, and from now on this tripod is going to be with it.
Not a bad accessory to toss into your bag with a compact camera. The legs are flexible but fairly stiff. Also, it doesn't rotate, so wherever the legs end up pointed relative to the camera once it's screwed in is where they stay. This isn't so much of a problem if you intend for the camera to be level and the surface is level, but it's sometimes a pain if you want to point the camera up or down a bit or if the surface isn't level. It can take a lot of fiddling but once it's set up it works pretty well.
Basically an ok item, The legs are a little stuff when used with a light weight camera and need to be forced into position. I bought this with the intent of using on uneven surfaces when doing the tourist thing. The legs work much better or flat surfaces than rocks/status etc...For the price you can't complain much however.
I used this on top of our TV to take a photo of three of us on the couch. It was perfect to use to get just the right angle, otherwise I'd be trying to rig it somehow or stuffing something underneath to try to get it right. Worked like a charm!
A little more flimsy than some others that look almost identical. Probably will not want to use an SLR with this particular one as it will bend easier than some others. Point and shoot cameras on a timer, HDR, ect, are fine as long as the lens isn't huge and doesn't protrude a few inches from the camera body. Always try and keep one in my backpack, camera bag, ect.....
IT IS SMALL, IT IS LIGHT, IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY INEXPENSIVE, AND WORKS WELL !  ALSO IT ARRIVED IN MY MAIL BOX IN ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS.
very good product, it is usefull and I recibed in perfect condition, i recomend for other costumers this item, very good.
I dont think this tripod will work well in windy situations. But if you wanna use this indoors or some place other than top of a mountain, I think this will work well. I use ti with my Canon 800IS and it works perfectly.
Order this tripod for my son to use with his video camera.  Perfect for him to make stop action movies.
Though I've seen some fancy looking mini-tripods, this one stood out as being small, compact and useful. The legs are flexible enough to adjust to practically any height, and it's thin enough to put in your pocket (for guys) and even in your wristlet (for girls). In a nutshell - it's thin, lightwieght, and does it's job.  And if you expect a "mini-tripod" to be more than that, feel free to throw your money away on a fancier looking one.
considering this tripod is much, much less then the comparable gorillapod(I have both, and while the gorillapod is better at gripping onto things, it's also bigger, by far, and much more expensive for it's size), it's an extremely good product for it's price/value. The legs "can" be bent to grab onto things, but it's really not so good at that, it's more of a true pocket  tripod(even has a pocket clip built onto it). 5 stars because of it's size and pricepoint.
You get what you pay for. Mine wasn't even together when I opened it from the box. I guess its the luck of the draw on whether you get a good one or not. I didn't & its a hassle to send it back because shipping itself almost costs as much as the item.
Okay if it wasn't for the strong toxic smell that this tripod emits I probably would have given it 4 stars. I have had this tripod for over a month now and the smell is still just as strong as when I first recieved it. I can't even keep this in my house, if Im within 5 feet of it I can smell it very strongly and it gives me a horrible headache. I have tried to wash it to see if that toxic smell will go away and it didn't help at all! Buy this mini tripod if you dont mind toxic smelling things that cause headaches. Im really shocked that this item got so many great reviews, what the heck are those people sniffing? Must be all the toxins clouding their brain. Glad I removed this tripod OUT of my house!!
If you're buying this tripod, you're obviously looking for a deal, so I'll rate this based on that premise...-Pro: Easy to stand up, holds the flip and most small point and shoots perfectly fine, easy to travel with in pocket or bag, and costs less than the Flip brand.-Con: Super cheaply made, the clip snapped off with a little tug (not a huge loss, not sure what I'd clip it onto anyway), can be hard to position on a slippery surface, legs don't wrap around poles or railings that securely.There ya go, if any of the cons scare you off just spend the extra $5 for the flip brand, it's a bit more stable and not so cheaply made.
Using it with Lumix GF-1Never had an issue with stability yet. One of the 3 legs isn't as snappy as the others though.
These are great small compact. got to me QUICK!!!!  love the flexibility its great to use out while hiking! will buy more as gifts
Doesn't work simply because the screw in spot is not centered, and therefore the camera tips over. If my camera had a centered screw in spot this product would be nice to have.
I was wary about the sturdiness of a tripod that was so small, but have been pleasantly surprised.  Now sure it would hold up a big camera with a long and heavy lens, but for my needs its perfect.  I wanted at easily portable tripod - small enough that I WOULD put it in my pocket and take along while traveling.  My other tripods, while compact, are just not this small so I tend to leave them at home.  This one can go anywhere so I can get everyone (even me) in the picture. I'd buy it again.
Very nice little tripod.  It is easy to use and easy to carry with you.  It is worth the purchase price.
Good price and easy to keep packed in my backpack ready for use.  Be sure to spread the "feet" as wide as possible during windy conditions or your camera will take a tumble!
This is a very small mini tripod, by "mini" i mean small, only about 4-5 inches tall. It only has the capacity to hold a small hand sized pocket camera or point and shoot!
Great product! I love it because it fits in my pocket just like my Flip. I take it everywhere with me and can set up for a video journal entry whenever I want.I found it at a great price here at amazon.com too! It couldn't be beat unless it was free.
No doubt this product is worth the price. It's also very easy to transport. It fits into my jacket picket easily. The mini-tripod holds my digital camera without a problem.The legs are a bit stiff making it a little hard to adjust at times. Forget wrapping the legs around a vertical pole. The head doesn't swivel making panoramic shots difficult at best.
This is a very nice little tripod, which also doubles as an excellent hand-grip for those of us with large hands. No more worries of holding a small digital camera and having fingers getting in the way of the lens. Set-up as a flex-tripod is easy, but be careful with large cameras, as they will tip over easily. All in all, this was a great buy for me. It definitely deserves 5 stars. By all means, buy it, you won't be sorry!
As predicted in my review of the Sunpak tripod, currently outselling this one on Amazon and at a lower price, this item was too small to remain with me for any length of time.  All the same, it's cheap enough and sufficiently useful to warrant an encore.  It attaches to a personal audio recorder (Zoom H2), a point and shoot camera (Canon SD780), and videocam (Flip) with no problems whatsoever.  So whether your objective is steadier shots, better sound isolation, or self-portraits, this is a handy item to have on hand (though I haven't found the flexible legs to be particularly useful).As for the different brands and prices of these curious creatures, may as well ignore them.  They're all the same, regardless of brand, and if you compare the ones that come postage-free with those that don't, you're likely to discover that they all cost about the same.After losing the first one within the first two weeks, I've become more conscious of the pocket clip that's attached to the tripod.  Unfortunately, it's a bit too loose to remain attached to the owner's shirt pocket--but it's the right idea.
Works for simple leveling, and to avoid using the grass, etc.But if you need to attach the camera to something, or maybe a greater angle, you will need another product.
This tripod is as advertised. Arrived soon and was packaged well. It is however very small. No real use for it other than if you wanted to take a timed self-portrait placing your camera on it on a table then posing in front of it. I was hoping to be able to aim it at a sharp downward angle and place items directly under it for close up photos on a table, nowhere near enough adjustment to be able to do that. No complaints on purchase and shipment, product is what it is, it just isnt useful for much.
Have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to buy because the price was so low, but to my surprise, it so far is great!
I lost a mini tripod exactly like this one and just had to get another one. This tripod is small and convenient to carry around in the camera case. I used it to take some wonderful night photos and fireworks photos. It works great anytime you need to use slow shutter speeds. It is also nice to take self or group photos that you want to be in. Because of the flexible legs, it works great on non-level, curved or uneven surfaces.
It works out OK, honestly, just below my expectation. Two legs are flexible enough but the last one is so stiff and hard to bend. It's cheap though.
A rigid tripod is better for situations where it can sit up straight, but if you need to bend or twist to an odd angle then this semi-flexible one is fine.
I used this as a tripod exactly once, but I couldn't get along without it. I ALWAYS attach it to my camera when I'm out shooting, as it makes a great handle or grip. My hand is in a loose fist around the legs and the camera is resting on my hand. This means I don't have to be gripping the camera itself, which can tire your hand after a while. It also allows me to steady the camera more easily when I'm shooting. It doesn't get in the way at all when the camera is hanging around my neck, and it comes off really fast if I need to remove it for some reason. I never have had reason to use it again as a tripod, but it's turned out to be invaluable with my Canon S3. Best six bucks I ever spent! Highly recommended.
I wanted a very small tripod to carry with me when I bike ride. This tripod is suitable for a small digital camera. It is not suited to a small palmcorder or larger camcorder. It may hold it but you will have to balance things carefully. It will be even more difficult on uneven surfaces. The flexible legs are not flexible in the ways I would like. They cannot be contorted into positions that would allow versatile settings. Their useful range of flex is rather limited. I bought a folding, rigid leg mini tripod from vivitar for about the same price. It is much more flexible in terms of supporting the camera in odd positions on odd surfaces like a fence post where the post is not level. I wouldn't recommend this tripod for the reasons mentioned, plus it is no smaller than the vivitar, and won't support as much weight. The normal rigid leg tripod is also way more stable and not so likely to collapse or fall over with the camera.
This is truly a must have for all photographers. This table-top tripod allows low-light long-exposure shots. This also comes in handy for timed shots, as you don't have to spend 5 minutes trying to perfectly balance your camera on a rock - this does that for you. If you hate the washed-out flat look you get from a flash, invest 5 dollars in this.
Got this for a digital camera, the camera tripod mount was off center, but with careful bending was able to get it stable.  Would not buy for an expensive shoot, but for quick pics on the point and shoot its fine.
Don't expect to get this tripod to hold at any more than about a 30 degree angle, as the natural springiness of the internal leg structure, overpowers the resistance of the external leg structure. Very frustrating. But you can't beat the price when shipping with a prime membership.
I received the product about 2-3 days after I ordered it. It's about 6&#34; tall and is sturdy. I have a sort heavy kind of point-an-shoot camera. When I opened it I didn't expect it do be so tiny and slim, but it's mass can hold a heavy camera like my Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Zoom, and you can also move the legs to what ever position you need them to be to hold your camera up. The price is perfect for this tripod. I recommend buying this if you want to do Youtube videos of self portraits.
This is a great little tripod for the price.It's best for a point and shoot small camera but it will even work with a DSLR if you are careful.If you want something a bit better and more versatile, check out the GorrilaPod:Joby GP1-01EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey)This can be attached to the edge of a chair or a pole, etc.At any rate, it's nice to not have to put your camera directly down on a surface and you can use this to get a level shot no matter how the surface is. I also use it to get a bit of elevation when recording videos of myself at my computer, etc.
for 1 cent, with the exception of shipping, it is freaking awesome! i expected plastic cheapness and cheap legs, but i got the complete opposite! i got metallic awesomeness and sturdy legs! i can't comment on how much weight it can support (cause imma mod it to a handheld tripod), but i can say that the materials used to make this product is very reliable! it just leaves a rubber mark on the bottom of my devices, but it's scratchable.
Used with a mid-size Powershot it is sturdy enough, will be great with any smaller point-and-shoot.There's been a lot of buzz about the heavier gorrilla-size minipods, and I'm sure they're more reliable but they're also 10x the price, so if you're just casually using it, or only need it for indoor tabletop snaps, it's clearly a very good deal
The Vanguard VS41 is very small and compact. With the legs all pushed together it takes up no more room than a long roll of nickles. As such, it's a perfect item to throw into your camera bag and forget about - until you need a steady shot (or a shot of yourself when no one else is around) and don't want to try balancing your small digital on a rock (the normal use of a mini).While it a sturdy little guy, and easily adjusts for a uneven surface, the flexible legs are designed for the compact digitals that are so common. Don't try mounting your SLR or large camera, as it won't hold much weight. If your camera is on the heavy side, try the VS-10 instead.To mount a camera, you just rotate the tripod until the screw goes home, then bend the legs out for the angle you want.
very small, not very fleaxablebetter to get gorilla try pod.
Obviously, this isn't going to be as good as a Gorilla-pod or a full size tripod, but it is excellent for capturing clear pictures. I use this with our Kodak Zi8 for taking videos and our camera for capturing pictures in low-light settings. Overall, I would rate this product 4/5. It doesn't really wrap around anything, but it is adjustable so that you get a good angle to your shots.
Not the correct item
it is not VMC 15FC as shown on the picture and does not fit into the camcorder. The seller insisted the product is correct.
I bought this for a migrant friend who foolishly bought his sony camcorder (DCR-SR45 iirc) from a pawn shop without any of the attachments. He says it works, and is very happy. Thank you, Amazon and SF Planet.
Cable with the same connectors is $35.00 at radio shack.  can't go wrong at this price I am finally able to download my old mini dv tapes.
To the previous poster, the manual tells you what is accepted and what is not.
It does the job I have no complaints. Glad we were able to find it here because no stores sold it and it was becoming annoying.
It probably works great for it's intended purpose.  I was hoping to use it to connect an HTC EVO to an older television.  Unfortunately Sony uses a "Modified" form micro HDMI which is incompatible with the standard micro HDMI that HTC uses.
I needed a cable to connect my camcorder to my DVD recorder and this works great.  Fast delivery, and works as advertised.  ++++
If you own a Sony MiniDV and want to connect it to a standard TV, then you will need this A/V Cable in order to display the images from your camcorder onto the TV screen.The cable itself is of good quality with enough length and conveniently includes an S-video adapter(which produces better picture quality than the standard A/V connection).This cable is compatible with most Sony MiniDV camcorders(but does not work with other brands). Years ago these cables were a lot more expensive but now can be had at a reasonable price.
Just got theSony VMC15FS A/V Cable for most Sony MiniDV & DVD Camcorders.  We looked all over and couldn't find the one that came with the Camcorder, and we were wanting to transfer our videos to DVD.  So, we ordered this one.  Very prompt service & delivery and it does everything we need it to do.  What more can I say.Edited to say that yes indeed, S-video works like a charm.Also, the vendor Argent Electronics was very prompt with the shipping; one of the best I've dealt with and I would buy from them again.
Everything works fine and arrived on time!  The price was right, can't ask for more!
I was trying to buy the Sony brand cable in an attempt to get the best picture possible and I was not disappointed.  The actual seller was Lots Deals 4 U.
I needed a new cord to allow my video camera to work with my VCR player.  I looked in several local stores and eventually found what I needed through Amazon.  Thanks for having this product available.
I generally use this to record videos and it has a &#34;S&#34; video input into the recorder which is the best video picture you can get in the analog style cables.
POST OFFICE LOST THIS PACKAGE AND I CONTACTED THE COMPANY TO SEE WHERE MY PACKAGE WAS AND THEY QUICKLY RESPONDED. TODAY THE MAILMAN FOUND THE PACKAGE AND I WAS VERY HAPPY. WORTH THE MONEY.
The Sony VMC15FS AV Cable is a very nice cable that is used on several Sony Camcorders. My Camcorder is the Sony DCR-HC28. This cable allows you to transfer Audio and Video from the camcorder to your VCR, TV, or an external DVD Recorder. This cable may do more things that I am not aware of as I have never used the "S" cable that is part of this cable.The Sony VMC15FS A/V Cable for most Sony MiniDV & DVD Camcorders does the same thing that the Sony 18231661 AV Cable does plus it has an S-video cable added to it.I have both the Sony 18231661 AV Cable and the Sony VMC15FS A/V Cable. Both cables are great but if I had to choose it would depend on if I used the "S" cable portion of the Sony VMC15FS A/V Cable and if I did I would pick the Sony VMC15FS A/V Cable.If I didn't use the "S" cable I would pick the Sony 18231661 AV Cable. I have both cables and recommend both cables.
I've this cable for a couple years now and it continues to work perfectly.  Great bang for the buck!
Great price and the cords are a better more durable quality than what came with camera...would suggest got any buyer
The price was so low I had my doubts, but it works smoothly..Connects my VCR and old analog camera to the computer, and I'm capturing without any problems.  (Using a program called AVS Video Recorder with Windows 7).
Use this with camera equipment for high school football.  Works great and have had no problems.  Price and service were great.
Good Cable looks very durable and feels good...Same cable was 15dls if i bought local..Hook up right to my portable lcd for my rod and im very happy.
good product
The Sony VMC15FS A/V Cable is the solution I needed for my sony dvd camcorder. This item solve a major problem for me, it allow me to connect my recorder to a tv audio/video input or a recorder a/v input or, if I wanted, a vhs input. All sony camcorders come with an excellent set of a/v cable, and if lost this item does the job just as well. Of course, if you buy this item take the time to ensure that it works with your camcorder, just check your camcorder model number with the model numbers sony vmc15s a/v cable will work with.
I use this with my Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus. It works great.  I was trying to use older cables, and this unit gives me better results.
Have not used it yet but it looks like the same as what came with it !!!!
works great!the cable will most likely out live the cam,but maybe starting up the cam again and start recording more stuff will be fun!
I purchased item to replace one I thought I lost.The day it arrived, I found my old one. So now I have a spare.
did not work with my camera, and it was listed in the site that it did suported :(
I need this cable to display whatever showed on my camcorder.  It does pretty great job.
I specifically plugged in my camcorder model number to be sure I located the proper cord, and this is the one Amazon identified for me.  I took for granted they knew what they were talking about.  Very disappointed.
A GREAT price for a much needed item! I want to convert all my mini-cassettes to DVD before they're obsolete (how long before DVD's become obsolete?), but couldn't find my connector. I got this MUCH cheaper than from Sony, and it was delivered quickly.
When I saw the description of the cable, it appeared to be the one I wanted, but when I received the cable it had the wrong connection.
I just recently got a Powershot A80, which I love. I got the PSC-60 case sight unseen since it seemed like a nice complement for the camera. The quality of materials is good, but the design seems simplistic and minimalist to the extreme. A few complaints:-My A80 fits in the case, but it's pretty snug, and there is only room for one extra compact flash card, no room for extra batteries even without the extra compact flash card.-The flap closes nicely with a large area of velcro, but the case is open at the sides around the top 1/2 inch or so, so this case is far from weatherproof, and wouldn't be suitable even for shielding the camera from debris.-The case has no handles/straps/etc., and no way to attach one. There is the belt clip on the back, but it's not releasable so you truly have to thread a belt through it.-With the camera and a compact flash card in the case, and with the flap closed, the case is actually thicker (maybe 3 inches) than it is wide, which both looks and feels awkward.-Padding on the case is pretty thin, so I would not recommend trusting this to protect the camera from anything other than some light bumps... it would not give adequate protection from a fall.I moved on to a Lowepro MX10 (which is now called the Lowepro D-Res 10 AW). For about the same money as the Canon case, I get:-a reclosable belt loop (with strong velco attachment)-removable neck strap-soft tricot lining (no scratched LCDs with this case)-room for an extra compact flash card (a bit tight with a CF plastic cover, perfect fit with just the card)-room for 4 extra AA batteries, even with the extra compact flash card in the case as well-a weatherproof and durable fabric-wide top-opening full zipper top-reasonably thick paddingOverall, the Lowepro bag looks like it was made for the Powershot A80 (and presumably the A70 and A60 as well), the camera fits just a little loosely by itself, but perfectly with 4 extra AA batteries and a spare compact flash card.I can't say anything negative about my Canon camera, I love it. The PSC-60 case, however, leaves a lot to be desired, and much better options exist out there. I highly recommend the Lowepro case.
I bought this case for my new Canon A550. The camera fits perfectly.  The case has VERY soft naterial inside and can hold 1 extra SD memory card (in the case)and possibly 2 AA batteries. I have no need for an extra memory card so I put 2 AA batteries in the front pocket. This case also has a belt loop on the outside.
Why do you want a case? to protect your camera.con: the case do not cover 100% of your camera, is not very well protected agains dust etc.Also It does not have a strap, belt or something for you to hold the camera. I do not wear belt, I do not have how to carry it other than inside my back bag or purse.Pro: good quality, etc.Contras:el estuche no cubre 100% la camara Canon a 620!, yo quiero un estuche para protejer la camara del polvo, etc, y no queda 100 cubierta con este.El estuche tampoco tiene una correa o algo para colgarte la camara. Yo no uso cinturon, asique solo puedo llevar la camara con este estuche en mi mochila o cartera.Ventajas:Es de muy buena calidad. Pero eso no sirve de nada, ya que no queda toda la camara cubierta!!Comprate otro estuche que puedas ver el tamanho en walmart!!
I bought this to be a camera case, and it does just that. It securely holds my Canon PowerShot A560 as well as a spare set of batteries. The velcro closure is high quality and I don't worry about anything falling out.I gave it only 4 stars because it doesn't really do anything that any other camera case doesn't do--but then, what else is a camera case supposed to do?
July 2006 I bought my Canon A620 digital camera and this case, plus batteries and memory cards, here on Amazon.The case is perfect.  I put it on my belt and go out with the camera securely in the case.  The camera doesn't turn itself on, doesn't get banged around, and is always nearby and ready.  The A620 will take up to 1500 photos on one set of batteries, and the 2 GB card will hold up to 700 photos at the Large/Extra Fine settings.  I don't need to take extra batteries or memory cards.I took the camera and case on a cruise to Alaska's Inside Passage, took over 1,000 photos in a week, and highly recommend both the camera and the case.
I just bought one of these for my Canon Powershot A95 and the thing is just perfect.  It fits the camera like a glove, very snug so the camera doesn't bounce around, and there's a little pocket for an extra flash card as well.  This case is VERY affordable, and it does exactly what it claims it does; it protects your camera.  Now, this isn't a case designed for a professional photographer with plenty of room for spare batteries and other junk.  It's also not waterproof, fire proof or accident proof.  This is simply a nice comfy little case to use when on a quiet vacation or to carry your camera around from place to place while in your home town.  Simple, cheap, and well-made.  I recommend it.
This case is handy and fits my camera just right.  It has good velcro that always stays fastened and has never popped open.  I love it!
I wanted simplistic and light protection for the A620 which would fit inside a jacket pocket, the center console, or a briefcase for the daily around town carry, plus a secure and quick draw from the belt.  You never know when the newsmagazine "money shot" will happen, and I don't want to be fumbling past zippers and other equipment when it does.  This is a perfectly fitted case for when you are working close to a home base, and don't require a lot of support components on hand.  When traveling, I use a larger case with accessory pockets and more padding, but this is the carry of choice for the majority of the time.  In other words, I find both types to be valid depending on circumstance, and this case is absolutely perfect for one of them.  And at this price, there is no excuse for not having one.
I was very disappointed in this case.  The camera fits in, but the only way to carry it is a belt-loop attachment.  If it wasn't so much trouble I would have returned it.
This case fits my camera perfectly w/o movement and it has even fallen a couple of times w/o damage. It fits onyour belt and it very lightweight you wouldn't know it is there. It's size is small and it fits in a purse conveniently. IT is paddded and the velcro hasn't given up yet, in fact it sticks even when I do not want it to when I am trying to open or close it. That is how good it is. I will never lose my camera even bending over with it in its' case, of this I am sure. I highly reccommend this case.
My daughter purchased this in 2007 for the new camera she got for Christmas.  Fits in it really well and can hold 2 extra batteries in a small front pocket.  It protects the camera really well; my husband even takes it on business trips sometimes instead of our larger camera and case.
Here's the situation from my point of view.  I've had a few Canon cameras that can fit into this case and a bought one of these cases for every one of those cameras.  If you of my friends have cameras, they can use this case.  And I have bought it for them to.  My thought on this case, is this for five dollars.  It offers protection looks pretty cool and is only five dollars, I might buy a hundred.  Just because they're five dollars just kidding on that.It is a great case worth all 500 pennies
Can't say much about the case. The camera fits perfectly into it and that's exactly how it's supposed to be.
Fits my camera perfectly.  It has a belt loop and I use it for my walking around camera (I also have a DSLR, but don't like to carry it around if I am just walking around).  It keeps the camera handy yet out of the way.
I bought this case for my Canon A620 and I liked it a lot. It is nicely design to fit the camera snugly. The padding is soft yet enough to make me feel that my camera would survive an accidental fall.Has a belt clip that I would use with my backpack. The color is great and fit well with almost any clothes.Definitely a good case for Canon cameras.
I bought this case for my Canon A70. There's not much to it. You can do much better for the same price at your local camera shop or Best Buy.
Fits my A530 like a glove.  Has enough room in the pocket for a pair of AA batteries.  A belt clip on it would have been helpful
This is a nice case, protects the camera well, but I wish there were a few more features.  It has a belt loop, but I think a clip would have been nicer for those days when you don't wear a belt, or if you'd rather clip it to a pocket or something.Also, the pouch is only big enough to carry 4 extra batteries OR another compactflash card, but not both.  I bought a large CF card, so I guess if I ever use the pouch it will be for batteries.Besides that, the case looks very good and seems to protect the camera well. My Canon A70 camera fits perfectly inside, as expected.
That is all there is to say.  A good price, and the camera fits in the case absolutely perfectly.  A good investment.  Protects tha camera and takes very little space
The Cannon A640 comes without a case. I purchased a bigger one than this, but have found that I use this one the most.  It is the perfect size.
This is the first time I've bought a case from the camera manufacturer.I've always considered them to be a bit of a ripoff.This was really for my wife to safely carry her new Canon A540 camera. The materials are of good quality. The inside is soft and won't scratch the camera which fits snugly but not too tightly. It is compact which is a nice feature. We are still able to put an extra SD card and a couple of AA batteries.Good product, good price and effective design.
When I purchased my new camera, I wanted to protect my investment. So, I bought this case and I couldn't be happier with it. As it says in the product title/description, it's a soft case; so the case won't do much to help in a hard fall, but it's perfect to protect it from scratching and little bumps. The case is big enough to fit my camera (a Canon SD630) with plenty of wiggle room, and there is a little mesh pocket to hold a spare battery or memory card. Also, while I haven't used it, the case has a built-in belt-clip so that you can carry your camera/case hands-free; a handy little extra, I think.This case is exactly what I needed: an inexpensive peripheral to hold my extra camera accessories, and protect it from scratches.
I got this stuff as a gift for a friend of mine. He seems to be happy using it. So I am giving this a 5 star.
Everything works well.  It is pretty tight when you fit 4 AA's in the front of the case, but they do fit.  I like the overall quality of it.
This is a genuine Canon camera case just big enough to hold my Canon digital camera (a 2.5 inch screen).  I like the fact that I can hold the camera on my wrist with the original camera strap coming out of the case.  This cases sells for about $ 13 in Best Buy.  I really cannot complain.  It will be perfect if it will come with a shoulder strap so I can hang the camera around my neck.  This is a better canon camera case then the regular size one.  Highly recommended.
This is just what I had hoped for.  It fits my Canon A95 like a glove and attaches securely to my belt - plus room for an extra memory card.  It protects the camera admirably and minimizes the bulk on my belt.  Can't beat it, especially for the price.
Very happy with this product.  Holds the camera and extra batteries -- all you could ask for!
People will either immediately like or dislike this case depending on their needs / normal usage.  My A710 fits snuggly inside with no extra wiggle room.  Watch your camera settings as the dial is likely to be adjusted when removed from the case.  There is a small front pocket that holds a couple of extra SD chips and that is it.  There is no room for extra batteries.  The case is made out of very good materials but is by no means weather proof.  I am planning on having a person add a couple of small pockets on the sides to hold some extra batteries.  After that the case will be perfect for my needs.
The case was only 97 cents, you get same for $10 in the stores. Great value.
This is now listed for $1.5 million. I don't think I want to pay that much...
Great price!  Protects camera just fine.  Only negative is a lack of a strap.
I purchased this case to go with a Canon Powershot A80.  The camera fits nicely and there is room in the little front pocket for four AA batteries OR a CF card.  The problem that I really have with this case is that the sides of it don't go all the way to the closing flap.  This would allow water to get into the main compartment, which stores the camera.  If you only want a carrying case and aren't worried about the weather--this is a nice little case.
Considering how cheap this was at amazon, it's hard to complain.  I wish there was a little bit of extra room for extra batteries and memory cards, but that's my only complaint.  For someone that doesn't travel much, this is a great bag.  Otherwise, I'd recommend getting a bag that has more room for accessories.
It works perfectly with my A720 IS...and it was only like a buck or something.
This case is better in quality than its replacement. It was also less expensive. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a decent camera case.
Nice product.  Fits the camera very well.  Don't purchase if you are looking for a camera BAG.  This case can only hold the camera and a memory card and that's about it.  Good quality and function.  Works well for my purposes.
If you need something to store a lot of accessories in, this isn't the right choice for you.  There really isn't room for batteries, etc.  However, if you want to protect your camera (mine is a Canon Powershot A630) without adding a lot of bulk, this is perfect.  I like to use it since my camera is a little big on its own and so I don't want a big carrying case, but I want to put it in my purse without risking scratches and other damage... this worked just like I needed.
Good product at a great price.  Bought while on a trip out of state, and it arrived at that address before we returned north.
Yes, this case is inexpensive. But how much would it have cost the manufacturer to sew a shoulder strap onto this case? It does have a sturdy, sewn belt loop strap on the back, but I don't wear belts, so when I take my camera with me, I either have to hold it or put it in my purse/backpack. This is so inconvenient where cameras are concerned, because it takes too long to fish the camera out of the purse/backpack. By the time you're finally ready to point and shoot, that once-in-a-lifetime moment you so desperately wanted to capture is long gone.The insulation, by the way, is also crap. There's no real padding on the side of the case, leaving your camera vulnerable. The velcro flap is easy to open, but should you want to put, say, four spare batteries in the front pocket, the flap barely closes and now your impractical case has become bulky as well.Incidentally, the velcro flap offers poor protection, leaving rather large gaps on each side of the opening, plenty big enough for odds and ends to creep in and lodge themselves into your camera.Canon makes such lovely cameras...but the guy in charge of camera case R&D; should be reassigned.
Good case and has a small storage net in front for extra memory card or battery.  It does the job at a good price.
It's a case... What can you say? My A570IS fits just fine, though the case could be little smaller. It is supposed to fit the A7xx series as well, so not surprising that it is a bit big.The PSC-65 has a hole for the camera strap and also an internal pouch for a memory card. Everything else being equal, I recommend that case over this one.
I like the design. It looks elegance and the price is just right. It's not so bulky and great to carry or strap it on the belt.
This is a good case. It has a front pocket for storing a memory card. No space left for extra batteries though.
I use it for my Canon's A95 cam.. it fits well and also accommodates 4 AA batteries that my cam uses.. Its not bad at all.. keeps the cam safe.
I bought this case when I bought my Canon digital camera.  I got the 570 IS, and the camera fits perfectly in the case.  It's got a nice soft backing, so it will protect it from minor bumps and scraps.  There's even a small pouch in front to hold an extra set of AA batteries or a memory card, although it wouldn't hold both.  There is also a belt loop so you can carry your camera around your waist all day.However, I like to carry my camera on my wrist.  This case has no hole for the wrist cord to go through, meaning if I have my camera on my write, I have to hold the case separately when I want to take a picture.  That gets old in a hurry.I wish I had done more research before buying this case since it looks like the PSC-65 has that hole.  On the whole, I'm happy with this case, but not as happy as I could have been.
I got this case to go with my new Canon Powershot. Although I ordered it with the camera (which qualified for free shipping), I didn't notice that the case came from a different vender so I was charged for shipping.  For an inexpensive item, the shipping was quite high proportionately.  If I had it to do over, I would have checked around for prices.  However, I'm very happy with the case.  It's nice and cushy, which protects the camera and it has a pocket that can hold extra batteries...a wise thing to do with the camera I purchased. It's a grey vinyl that is easy to wipe clean.  I would recommend it.Mary Ann
This camera case fits the A620 perfectly.  Purchased it for hubby, who must walk around construction sites with his A620.  He cannot have some big, bulky, manbag hanging off his shoulder because it's annoying and dangerous on a construction site.  He is so thrilled with his new camera case because of the belt loop and small size.He can also easily fit the entire thing in his briefcase, to carry-on the plane when he goes out of town.  This probably won't protect your camera if you drop the thing on the ground (what would?) but it will keep dust, dirt and scratches from ruining your pricey camera and also provides an easy way to tote your camera around on your belt loop.  Very handy!Well worth the insanely cheap price for high quality.
I've got the A80 and this holds my camera very snuggly, but the A80 by itself is pretty sturdy.  Basically this case looks nice to carry the camera around... no real protection benefit here.
bought it for my Canon A85. great fit. great price too for such a nice looking accessary.
Just received this for my Canon A620.  Fine as a camera sleeve, for storage, holding the camera in a briefcase or large pocket, etc.  But not a heavy duty case with storage, padding, carrying options, etc., if that's what you are looking for (I purchased a separate Lowepro Rezo 50 case for that).  It really should be included by Canon when you buy the camera. 3-1/2 stars.Pros:--  Slight and holds the camera tightly, without adding much in size or weight.--  Grey metallic nylon color/fabric, if that style appeals to you.--  Soft inside--will not scratch the camera.--  Belt loop sewn on.--  Easy to access the camera, through a quick tug on the flap (kept in place by velcro)--a big positive to get at your camera quickly.Cons:--  The color/material, if you don't like that style (it could take getting used to for some).--  No padding--will offer little protection from falls.--  The flap just flaps over, and so the top is slightly open at the sides.--  Tite fit--only enough room for an extra memory card in the accessory pouch.  No room for batteries (with the A620).--  Tite fit--the camera's eyelet for the carrying strap sticks into the case flap a bit if the flap is pulled down tite, and ultimately could stretch out that portion of the flap; leave the flap a little looser to avoid (but it still will be snug enough).--Sewn-on belt loop--you will need to unbuckle your belt to put this on or take it off (always fun to do in a museum!).Again, good as a camera sleeve, especially if the price here is in a "down" phase.
This case is a perfect fit for my camera.  The pocket in front makes carrying around an extra memory card.
It's a perfect fit for my Canon A 540 - Wish I'd had it before the LCD screen got scratched in my purse!  Fits well, the velcro closure holds tight and there is room in the pocket for extra batteries.  I feel much safer carrying my camera around now.
Ordered this to protect my husband's new Canon A60- it fits perfectly and looks great- not too big, easy to get camera in & out of-(has velcro flap, not some annoying little clicklock buckle), and has a beltloop attchment-(not that my husband will ever put it on his belt)...but it's a nice feature.  Camera fits securely and is well padded.  Also has little front pocket for spare batteries or extra memory card.  Glad we got this little case and you can't beat the price!
works on my newer PowerShot - never had any problems with this little case, has traveled around the world with me a couple times
I am very pleased with this camera case.  The pocket in front is handy for memory cards.
Go to Wal-mart's electronic dept. to get a better bag for much less.  I got a good Samsonite bag (which I love) for under $5.00 for my Canon A80!!!  The bag I got had 3 compartments with zipper closures and can hold extra memory cards plus a backup supply of batteries.  This case is basically useless unless you just want a Canon bag to go with a Canon camera.
I bought this camera case along with my now-antiquated Canon A60 camera a few years back. I use it to keep my camera well-protected on my hikes. I love it for its functionality and durability. Here are some of its features along with some pros and cons:Features:- PVC exterior - makes it splash proof- Plush fabric interior won't scratch camera- Pouch large enough for a set of 2 AA batteries OR a few SD/CF cards- Padded to adequately protect camera from light bumps and scratches- Velcro securely fastens flapPros:- Exterior is easy to clean - just wipe with a damp cloth- Snug fit with no wiggle room- Easy open and close Velcro flap- Compact - not very much bigger than the camera- Well-made and durable- Attractive - light grey with dark grey borderCons:- belt loop is sewed on the back - no belt clip- pouch doesn't hold very much - at most 2 AA batteries OR a few SD/CF cardsPersonally, I love it for its simplicity. I needed a camera case to simply protect my camera from dirt, dust, scratches, and bumps - and the Canon PSC-60 fits the bill perfectly.If you need a bigger pouch to hold 4 AA batteries, consider thePSC-65, which has pretty favorable reviews. If you need a basic, no-frills, compact camera case that is functional, durable, and attractive, the Canon PSC-60 Camera Case will do very nicely.
A good buy. In my opinion, eventhough it wasn't as great as the picture shows, it is still nice and fluffy.
What can I say it's a case for the camera - well made
nice soft case, a little to soft maybe, which isnt good for a real protection. Looks nice with the canon A640. Would be nice if it was still small and slick, but had a couple more extra pockets for memory sticks, extra batteries, whatever...
What can I say? It's a compact case for my Canon A620 and the price is great. Seems solid enough. No complaints.
I bought this case for my A80.  I did not want something that was waterproof, big, fancy or that had a bunch of extra features.  I just wanted a simple case that would protect the camera when traveling and storing.  It accomplishes these objectives perfectly.I like the fact that the belt loop is sewed into the case.  When I am at a race or amusement park, I want the assurance that there is no way the camera will come off my belt unless it completely breaks.The inside of the case is soft and the outside is a water repellant-type material with a large velcro &quot;snap&quot;.You can't see it from the picture, but once opened, the case features a web-like pouch for batteries or a CF card.  It will not hold both, but all I care about is batteries since I do not carry a spare CF card.Overall, I am very satisfied with this case for the price I paid for it.  It does what I want in an efficient and compact way.  I bought it without seeing it in a store.  After receiving it, I would have expected this to have cost around 15-20 dollars.  I like it.  It's just right.
How can you beat a camera case that is a perfect fit (Canon A530), is well made, looks nice, and is ridiculously cheap?  Highly recommended.
I got this with my A80.  It has been a great buy.  The camera and a spare CF card fits snuggly.  Is comfortable to wear on a belt and the velcro closure is secure.A must for anyone buying a A series camera!
Well made case but if you have the canon A630 camera or one of comparable size don't buy this case.  It is frankly too small for the camera.  If you stretch the flap it will close over the camera and attach to the velcro but just barely.  Not sure I would trust carrying it by the belt loop either given the strain on the flap.  There is no room for accessories such as extra cards without placing pressure on them due to tightness of case.  This is so low priced not worth hassle of returning to Amazon but will buy an aftermarket case for my camera and consider this a lessoned learned.  Canon should not sell this as fitting my camera.
I bought it for my Canon PowerShot A95 camera and it perfectly fits it! By that I mean that it is neither too big nor too small, looks like it was made exclusively for my Canon A95.- Price is very affordable and cheaper than those ugly, black, bulky camera cases which are widely available for sale at Wal-Mart, BestBuy and other stores.- Regardless its low price it is well made and quality is quite high. I'm confident that it will last for years and not gonna fall apart.- Flip down cover is reclosable by velcro, which I think is better than zipper it terms of saving time when you need to take camera out of the bag quickly. Also, flip down cover with velcro won't leave on your camera scratch. For example, people can be concerned about zippers which may leave marks or scratches.- Has belt loop, which doesn't open though.- It looks quite attractive at least much more attractive than those ugly, black, bulky camera cases which are widely available for sale at Walmart.- It has a little front pocket where you can put EITHER your extra Compact Flash memory card OR extra 4 AA batteries. I'd rather keep in that front pocket extra CF memory card because keeping there batteries makes the case look a bit bulkier but it works for batteries too.- Perfect for Kodak EasyShare Z760 digital camera too! I tested myself looks like Kodak EasyShare Z760 has very identical body shape as Canon PowerShot A95. So if you have Kodak EasyShare Z760 I strongly recommend buying this case, which I already did for our 2nd digital camera Kodak EasyShare Z760. It that case you can use its front pocket for keeping your Kodak's extra Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery!I'm glad that I bought two camera cases, one for my Canon PowerShot A95 and second for our Kodak EasyShare Z760.Great price and great quality! What can be said more? :)------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW-UP:I purchased one more on May 16, 2007 for my newly bought Canon PowerShot A620. This case fits my camera like a glove. So, I will recommend it again, now for Canon A620.Looks like Canon changed its packaging. Packaging has carton back now and specifies camera models this case is made for. According to packaging this case fits PowerShot A95, A85, A80, A75, A70, A60, A40, A20, A10, A620, A610, A520, A510. And also any camera within 4.13" (104.8 mm) x 2.6" (66.0 mm) x 1.93" (49.1 mm).Also small metal emblem in front of the case reads just "Canon" now. Older versions of this case had "Canon Powershot" logo.Case quality is still the same as previous version and it is still made in China.Thanks.
I bought this case por my camera canon A620 y and it's very useful because it protects it against everything. Saludos Rafael...desde Cabimas Venezuela
I bought this camera bag for my A510 camera. The camera fits in this bag perfectly. There is a web pouch in front of the bag.Well u can carry some spare SD cards in that one.But now a days people neeed not carry one because of the high memory cards available.Definitley one must carry spare batteries.What is the use of a camera bag which has no space to carry atleast 4 batteries.This bag accomodates two but the bag looks awkward with the closure of velcro.Canon had designed a camera bag with least functionality.I am looking for some other camera bag with velcro design and sufficient space to carry spare batteries.
Have been using this case for a few months now and its great.  If you have to buy one case for your CanonA710 get this one.
Este articulo era para un compa&ntilde;ero, la entrega en cuanto a tiempo fue muy buena.
Does what I want it to do. Keeps the camera protected from small bumps. Also keeps the camera handy on the belt. I really wasn't expecting much more for the price.
Fits my A530 perfectly. Whoever said it doesnt hold SD cards is incorrect. It has a little pocket in the front to hold one. I have one in there right now. The only problem I have, much like other reviewers, is the belt clip is kind of annoying. You must take your belt off, loop the case through, and put your belt back on.
This was a perfect fit for my canon A520.- I paid $9 for this when I bought it, which I think was a great deal.- I got it delivered to me in 3 days, another reason to be happy.- I slid my camera into this case and it was a perfect fit. I was also able to slide in an extra pair of AA batteries.I would definitely recommend this case, but would not pay more than $15 for it.
I like this camera case. It fits my camera specifically. The only downside is that the little pocket for the extra memory chip is not very secure. I lost a chip, so I'd advise not using it. Otherwise it is a great camera case. Small & sleek & perfect for your Canon camera outings.
It's a very well-padded case and has just enough room for the camera and a couple extra batteries or data cards.  You have to take your belt off to slip the belt through the loop on the case, but if you're going to be walking around all day somewhere that's not too big of a problem.
It does what it says it does! You get a lot for a small price very satisfied.
It's a great case for the intended cameras, but with use the Velcro on the flap loses its grip.  For the price it should be better.
My new Canon A610 fits very snugly in the case and is smaller than I thought it would be. I'm very glad I bought it and for a great price too. It does what it's supposed to do in protecting the camera without being too large and bulky. Highly recommended to anyone who has the A series Canons.
I took Canon PSC-60 for my A610 camera and the quality and fitting is really cool and giving good protection to my camera.. this is really a cool product for .65 cents
We bought this along with the camera. We had it before I lost the camera and the case too. Holds an extra pair of batteries earlier- now with the bigger camera it doesnt (A620). But def has a small spce to hold extra digital cards. Like it. Would love a better strap to go with it. But def fits in my husband's blazer and cargo pocket..so good.
this fits my a75 nice and snug. not much to it. just a simple camera bag to protect your cute little canon digital camera. has a nice amount of padding/cushion all the way around. it uses velcro. when not using my digital camera, i just put it inside this case, throw it in a drawer, and dont even worry about it getting scratched up or anything. its a steal at amazon.com's price!
There isn't much more I can say that hasn't already been said. Without a doubt this is the best deal in Canon's Super Telephoto lineup. Images are sharp from corner to center to corner. Virtually no barrel or pincushion distortion. Aberration color spill is virtually nonexistant. And it only weights about 3 pounds. You don't need to decrease the aperture on this lens to get better results - f/5.6 is as good as f/8 in terms of optical quality. You'll make out the splines and veins of a bird's wing with this lens, the hairs of the fur on a fox, and the mist from the nose of a deer in the morning. It's a terrific piece of engineering that Canon accomplished with this lens. Another testament to the optical quality this lens produces is that this lens has not needed a revision in 20 years. And here's an amazing fact: In the Adobe forums, we've asked why there isn't a "lens correction" profile for this lens, and one of the Adobe Lightroom techs told us, that the lens produces such good images, that "... optical quality will not benefit from a lens correction profile -- it's rare to find a lens that doesn't require one, but it's true in the case of this lens." Truely the best deal in a Canon Super Telephoto lens.
I bought this lens hoping to finally be able to shoot wildlife and I am happy to say it has met every expectation. I went in understanding it was not a fast lens, but felt that by upping the ISO I shot in I could compensate for the relatively slow aperture and, for the most part this has panned out well. The lens is tack sharp and not too heavy to hand hold and you CAN get reasonable images off tripod if you know what you are doing. This is the only lens in Canon's stable near this length that is affordable for me so I am happy to report I am not disappointed.
This lens is great for photographing birds!  It works best in bright light.  It's light enough to carry around for hours!
The lens is much sharper then the 100-400 homolog and also the focus is quite faster. After using it like a crazy I have produced some stunning action photography with hand held. Never missed the IS feature (which initially I was concerned of). For the first time L makes sense for this lens. Colors were crisp. Performed great even in low light. I think this is the biggest asset of my compulsory gears. All the best.
I've been using this lens about six years.  In all that time, I can't remember ever shooting at any aperture smaller than f/5.6.  It's amazingly sharp wide open and I've never had any reason to stop it down.  When I first bought it, I used it on a tripod almost all the time.  These days, I've started using it handheld and I can appreciate how well it handles.  In good light, autofocus is fast and accurate.  In low brightness and low contrast light, it gets a little slow and sometimes hunts.  Not a real problem, just switch off the autofocus and use the superb manual focus ring.  Images snap in and out of focus easily whether you do the focusing or you let the lens do it.The lens is made like a tank.  Mine has been subjected to a lot of use but it has never failed me.  I sometimes use it with the Canon 1.4x Extender which makes it a 560mm f/8 lens.  That combination does usually require a tripod but it is still a handy combination that retains great sharpness.  I've also used it with the Canon 2x Extender as an 800mm f/11.  It's a good idea to put it on a sturdy tripod and stop down a wee bit to get the best results.If you can make use of the focal length and you can live with f/5.6 as the maximum aperture, I recommend it highly.
Can't say enough good things about this lens. Light and easily hand held. If you are a wildlife photographer shooting Canon, THIS is your hand holding lens. Ridiculously sharp, high quality images. No need for IS. Super fast AF. Razor sharp at 5.6 and only gets better at 8.0. Built like a tank. I will never, ever sell this lens. Only possible negative is that it's a 5.6 and it needs lots of light. But you already know that, and if you want a faster prime lens at this focal length, you'd better take out a loan.
This lens is excellent. Excellent optical performance when used wide open at f/5.6.  Great for Bird photography.  Kind of heavy hand held but still workable. Fine for tripod use also. And you don't need to buy a lens hood as this lens has the hood built in.
The only non-image stabilized offering of the three 400mm lenses Canon has, produces excellent images.  This is a good lens for wildlife photography, especially on a cropped sensor Canon, which makes this lens a 640mm equivalent.  The built-in hood is a nice alternative to the plastic ones you have to put on yourself (and remember to carry with you!), but it does add to the weight a bit, if that's a consideration.  Canon includes a tripod ring, another good move on Canon's part, saves you an accessory to buy separately.  But the lack of IS is a bit of a limitation for me, as the size and weight of the lens makes handholding it a problem - hand shake blur is evident except for shots taken in the very brightest of conditions.  If handholding the larger lenses causes you problems in general, you might want to consider springing for an image-stabilized alternative.  Otherwise this lens is a strong performer and I've been happy with it.
It took me a little while to get used to this lens as it isn't a zoom,  wanted to keep zooming....but once I got past that, the lens is perfect for caturing the birds ect along the shore line where I live. The images are spot on. I use a monopod as the lens is heavy for me, (I have wrist and hand prob.)..but a person could shoot freestyle with it...I will keep working on that one also. I love that it has the tripod ring to attach to tripod or mono to even the weight out. This is a perfect lens for anyone that is shooting wildlife, birds ect,, would also be good for closeups in the sports areas also. If you need the distance coverage, this is a good all around lens.
As with all Canon lenses, it is expensive.  That being said, this is a great lense.  I do some landscape photography as well as wildlife and birds.  This is a great unit, easy to use albiet heavy.
My husband & I bought this lens for our son's soccer games. We LOVE the quality of pictures. We are very happy with this product.
I just got this lens a little more than a week...perhaps not long enough to give you a decent review.  Having said that I want to tell you of my first impression to perhaps prepare you for this lens.In terms of previous telephoto experience...I use a 70-200mm f/4L IS USM coupled with a 1.4 II Extender for my bird in flight (BIF) shots.  So I have shot up to 280mm.  To prepare for deciding whether to get this lens, I turned off IS and shot a bunch of pictures at sunset light level...BIF still turn out pretty decent. So Non-IS is not an issue. I went ahead and ordered this lens...like most BIF shooters, I do not have enough reach.I got this lens via UPS...it was delivered at 6pm, half an hour before dark where I live.  Not enough time to go to the bird reserve to shoot so I started shooting in front of my house to test it out.  Shaking with excitement, I started to snap at various still objects, people walking about.  First impression was the lens is a lot heavier than the 70-200 f/4L + 1.4X. It's also a little longer and the tripod mount was interfering with where I normally hold the lens with my left hand. Everything via the viewfinder was magnified so much and I couldn't keep it from moving around.  Most of the shots I made was with 1/400, f/5.6 or slower.  The result was abysmal...out of 30 shots, only 3 were not blurred.  I also tried it with my cheapo $40 tripod and the result was slightly better but not by much. The tripod was shaking too much under the weight and the breeze.  Panic set in.The next day, I left work early and showed up at the bird reserve. The light was brighter and I was able to shoot at 1/800 or faster.  I also paid attention to my breathing - back to basics. I moved the tripod bracket up and away so my left hand can hold on to the lens more securely.  The results were much better...I got a bunch of keepers whose sharpness and clarity is just as good as the 70-200mm but at twice the reach!  I felt much better.A few days later (a Saturday) I went back to the bird reserve and spent half a day there.  I was a lot more used to the lens, its weight and bulk. I figured out how to hold the lens with my left hand to minimize shake. I learned to take deep breaths then release the shutter while exhaling.  I also cranked up the shutter speed to 1/1200 or even 1/1600 and set aperture at f/8 (its sweet spot).  The result was stunning...razor sharp images with vivid colors and contrast...I didn't have to do a thing to the images with photoshop...jaw dropping awesomeness! What a difference a prime makes!  I'm completely sold on this lens.I realize that the IS feature on my 70-200mm coupled with relative short focal lengths spoiled me badly. I could just snap away happily and got good results (provided I can reach my objects).  With this 400mm lens, one must be more careful. At this FL, any movement is magnified and IS is not there to help you when you need it most.  I think I'm a much better photographer for learning to use this lens properly.  It also kick start me into thinking seriously about investing in a good tripod and gimbal head...almost time to join the big boys.To see some of the pictures, use flickr dot com and search for user tongho58 (that's me). I have a set named after the lens (EF 400mm f/5.6L USM).
People often ask how I get such great wildlife shots. I credit this lens. It is an awesome performer on bright sunny days. For me it is easy to use the ultrasonic motor is quiet and does not spook wildlife.I do not have a use for a lens this large indoors so I cannot comment on indoor performance. I shot a few test shots in a well lit room and was happy with the results. It should perform well in well lit stadium/arenas.Where this lens shines is outside on bright sunny days. I have taken hand held shots of red tailed hawks flying overhead. I'm guessing they were at least 1/4 to 1/2 a mile above me. I had to crop the photos quite a bit to achieve frame fill. I could see details that I never expected to see like notril openings.I am strong enough to carry it an hold it steady for long periods of time. This may not be the case for everyone (it's all metal/glass and heavy) so if you think you may need image stabilization I would recommend the 300L at about the same price. For a few hundred more you can add the 1.4 II teleconverter which will give you more reach than the 400L but you may need a tripod for the extra weight.For me this is the perfect lens. I like to hike long distances and don't like to use a tripod. I have a friend that has the 500mm L and he is going to buy this one just because it is much more mobile. I considered several others like the 100-400L the Sigma 150-500 and the Sigma 50-500. Since IS wasn't a factor for me and I didn't really need another zoom lens this was the clear choice.Quality of construction is a given with L series lenses. This is a professional grade lens that will hold its own for quality of images of any other lens at this pricepoint. They also hold their value much better than the competition so if you decide at a later date to upgrade you will get a great trade in value.If you are unsure I would strongly recommend renting this lens and some of it's competitors after all everything is subject to taste.
I use this lens on a tripod almost all the time, so lack of IS isn't a big deal. Handheld, I can get sharp shots at 1/400. It's built like a tank and is razor sharp even wide open. Auto-focus is ridiculously fast and accurate. I'm very happy with this lens.
This lens is the only prime 400mm option on he Canon L series under 2k, the image quality is excellent even today with so many great primes updated but way over 2k. The usm af motor is as fast as my canon 300mm f4 L IS USM, and a tad faster than the 300mm + 1.4x tc. I don't miss the IS in this lens as it's mainly for BIFYou feel this lens is old when you don't find a lens profile in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.
I love this lens, and have been using it solidly for about 8 years. Initially I bought it because I could not afford the 500mm, and started using it with a tripod. However I soon realised how lightweight and handy it is to use handheld. Surely it has to be the best bird flight photography lens out there: with practise you can catch even swifts on the wing and it still delivers stunning images. The only drawback here is the compromise you sometimes have to make between high speed and resulting noise/ graininess, when snapping birds in flight.It is great for all kinds of stalking or crawling along the ground, and can be taken anywhere, as it is so small and light. I doubt I would ever sell it even if I had a 600mm or 800mm.A word of warning: if you buy this lens, be prepared to never take it off again. It is a dust-trap that is very awkward to clean, and every time you change lenses on your camera body you are wafting dust into the sytem.I can't imagine any other lens being this versatile, and I have had great service from it.. so I can only give it 5 stars.
I also have the Canon 100-400mm USM/L and purchased the straight 400mm hoping for improved sharpness of photos (mostly wildlife; birds in particular). I didn't really have any complaints for the 100-400mm, but thought (based on professional reviews elsewhere) that I would see a noticeable improvement and I'm not certain I have.The lens is very quick to focus on my 7D.  It's build quality is impeccable.I've already taken at least 500-photos with it (sports included) and believe it is sharper than the 100-400mm, but the differences are more subtle than for which I had hoped.  When shooting wildlife, especially small birds, the slightest vibration can mean the difference between a perfect and unusable photo.  A tripod is absolutely necessary as is shooting with at least a shutter speed of 1/400.
I purchased this lens primarily for hand-held bird photography for use on my Canon 40D DSLR.  The lens is typical of Canon's L-series "white" family of professional level telephoto lenses, having very high standards of construction and superb optical performance, even with a 1.4X teleconverter, when conditions allow.This lens is known as the "overlooked" Canon telephoto, since it does not garner the glamor of its cousins, the really long, heavy, faster, and vastly more costly professional telephoto lenses.  It is also known as the "toy lens" by bird photographers who mostly use those really Big Berthas for long-distance close-ups with blurred-out backgrounds.I selected it for the high image quality wide-open, relatively light weight, and shorter physical length, allowing both hand-held and tripod mounted use, as well as its modest cost (compared to all high quality alternatives).  The image quality is extremely high, even wide open at f/5.6, although it does improve slightly stopped down a notch or two. The image contrast, flare resistance, and color saturation are also excellent for a telephoto lens of its "older" fixed focal length optical design.It doesn't have image stabilization (IS), which maintains the reasonable price, but I don't consider that much of a handicap using Canon's DSLR's, which allow low-noise high ISO settings for higher shutter speeds under decent lighting conditions.  Braced against a tree, fence post, etc., and especially in a sitting position with arms resting on knees, for example, the lack of IS is simply not an issue.  The focus is extremely fast and accurate with the 40D's sensitive all X-type focus points, and the quickly removable tripod mount is of an excellent design that all tripod mounts should have.As a bonus, on the 40D, the lens has the equivalent field of view of a 640mm f/5.6 telephoto lens! When a high quality teleconverter can be used, this becomes almost a 900mm f/8 telephoto (actually 896mm)!  Not to exaggerate the point too much, but that's starting to get into the Big Bertha focal length range, under the right lighting conditions.  Other pluses include the handy built-in sliding lens hood and the very high quality included lens case, which are extra cost items for Canon's non-L lenses.The 400mm and 500mm zooms all seem to suffer from image softness at their maximum focal lengths, which I would be using 90% of the time anyway, so I elected to simply get the highest quality fixed 400mm I could find for a reasonable price.  I also decided that I could live with 1 f-stop less than the much more expensive f/4's, since this lens can be shot wide-open at the same high quality as the f/4's stopped down - thus resulting in f/5.6 anyway.This reasoning is even more appropriate when including the slightly less expensive, still high-quality, third party lenses, such as Tamron, Tokina, Sigma, etc.  I reasoned that since I plan to use this lens for the rest of my life, why compromise in image quality for a few percent lower initial cost? I'm not slamming third party lenses in general by any means (I own a few), just in this case of comparing available alternatives (including other Canon's) to the selection of this particular Canon 400mm and its intended use.I was blessed with several excellent bald eagle shots on what I had expected to be just an initial "practice with the new lens" outing. Because of this excellent lens, it turned out to be a very productive shoot.  I would include a thumbnail photo of one of these shots, except I can't seem to be able to "paste" a small image into Amazon's review window.For one that is willing to accept and operate within the parameters of this lens, that photographer will be handsomely rewarded by Canon's 400mm f/5.6L telephoto lens.  In my case, it is exactly what I was looking for and it is exceeding all my expectations.
I was not sure what lens to buy for  wildlife and sports 100-400 or Canon 400mm 5.6. After some testing and studying I found that the 400mm is the lens to go because its results in much sharper photos than the 100-400mm.  In most cases you have to use tripod or monopod to avoid the camera shake (Motion blur), but in daylight conditions with the high shutter speed, around 1000/s,  you can produce razor-sharp images, even wide open.I found that this lens is the best for general bird and sport photography and produces a nice bokeh effect even with f-stop higher then 5.6.Unfortunately it doesn't do auto focus with 1.4X  or 2.0X canon tele converter on my canon 7d body.
The lens is sharp, light weight, and the included sliding hood is a big benefit, for glare free photos. Iv'e had 400 2.8, 500 f4,lens and find this lens to fit my needs very well. I have retired from professional photography, and am enjoying this much lighter, and sharp lens. It works best with a tripod, as it doesn't have image stablization, but delivers excellent images if you do your part, and hold it steady. Excellent Lens at any price.
It's hard to find as long a lens at a comparable price, but there is a "you get what you pay for" factor. Of all of my Canon lenses (I have seven), this is the softest and offers the least contrast. It performs best in bright light when you can stop it down to f/14 or better. I have used the 400mm lens with both the 1.4x and 2x Canon extenders (1.4 is better). It's a comparatively slow lens. BUT the 400mm f/2.8 is over $5000 more! So you can see why "bang for your buck" means something. Also, this is a _much_ lighter weight lens than the faster Canon telephotos. Finally, it is not image stabilized, so you will likely want to a solid tripod or monopod.On balance, if you don't need the very finest optical quality, this lens is well-worth the price.
This lens is somewhat of a specialty lens, but it is still quite versatile for what it is. It does lack IS, but with modern bodies that is hardly an issue with the ability to shoot at high ISO's with minimal noise. It is lightweight for its size and has amazing build quality. The autofocus is nearly instant. Sharpness is very good, although the resolution is not the highest I have seen. Needless to say, it is sharp across the frame and has minimal CA and fringing. I find the sharpest aperture to be f/6.3, although wide open is excellent. Stopped down to just f/6.3 improves contrast just a bit and really resolves sharper details. Beyond f/6.3 I really see no difference at all. Lens has beautiful bokeh, even with its quite long minimum focus distance.I really enjoy using this lens when I can... 400mm even on a full frame sensor can be a challenge if your not just birding or walking around a zoo... I do a lot of amusement park photography so being able to get up close to riders and guests enjoying their day at the park is easy with this lens.I give it 4/5 stars only due to lack of IS and the MFD. It is an old lens design that still performs great on modern DSLR's.
Light, fast, terrific built-in hood and great photo quality.  This lens is a bargain.  It is so much lighter than my 70-200 f2.8 that I use the 400mm far more.  Like most, I debated buying the 100-400 IS (and had money in hand) but - after handling both - decided to give the prime a shot.  No disappointment here.  In retrospect, I realize that I often pick-up my zooms to use them at their maximum length - why carry a bowling ball around my neck?  In short, very fun lens that you can shoot handheld 'till sunset.
I've had this lens for about two weeks and it is truly one of Canon's classic L primes.  I got it for nature shoots and it has produced "WOW" results. Don't worry about the f/5.6. It's as sharp at that as many lenses are a f/8.  It's in the class of the 35L and the 135L.
Great bang for the buck! I have started shooting gigapixel panoramas which are images stitched from hundreds of photos. The 70-200mm is great for that, but to get more detail I wanted a higher magnification. For these Panos you want a small aperture so generally I shoot at f11 or f8 so this lens at f5.6 is good enough! I'm also shooting on a tripod so lack of IS is also not a problem.The payoff for this non-IS L lens is great image quality! I'm getting incredible photos at f8 and 1/800th shutter.The lens is at least as sharp as my 300 f2.8 in a much lighter lens. It's also sharper than the 70-300L zoom at 300 and sharper than Sigma 50-500 at 300mmGreat lens for good price. I expect the replacement from Canon being $2500 when it comes out.
I've been using this lens for over 3 years....I also have the 70/200L f4 I/S...Image quality are identical...It will be difficult to find better image quality at any size or price...It's a gem handheld...I use it in many rookeries, shooting fast flying birds...I've seen image quality of larger L lenses, but none of them are better than this lens, "period."...If you're looking for extreme quality, great price, and great handheld shots even without I/S...don't hesitate...You'll be glad you made this purchase...Also...if anyone tells you that this lens if not one of the best L lens ever made...then you should tell them to return their lens because they obviously got a rare lemon....
I LOVE this Lens. I can take a picture of a Sparrow's eyeball and not even let the little critter know I am looking his / her way.
I'm new to bird photography and have tried a canon 100-400mm and a sigma 120-400 but I was not happy of the image quality, finally I decided to buy a slightly used canon 400mm f/5.6 and was very happy of the results this lens shoots, this lens is a keeper. I'm using it with a tamron 1.4x SP extender in my 1D body which autofocus even at F/8.
I got this lens as a way to capture birds in flight and as a sports lens. Don't let the f/5.6 discourage you from buying this beauty, because in my experiences, it's one fast lens. The sharpness is absolutely stunning, with razor sharp edges!! The color and contrast are also remarkable!!If you like photographing nature and sports, than this is the lens for you. Take my word for it, you won't regret it!!!(...)
A 400 MM prime for about a grand?  Neat.I originally bought the 100-400 when I got my Canon body, as I wanted to do wildlife photography and wasn't even AWARE of this lens.  I wish I had, because this lens is (1) a pound lighter than the 100-400 (two pounds vs three), (2) doesn't pump dust into my camera body when I adjust the zoom (as there isn't any zoom!), (3) is shorter and so easier to balance in my hand, (4) has a built-in lens hood -- the one with the 100-400 is separate and surprisingly flimsy for a $1500 product, (5) produces a somewhat better picture, and (6) it is a 77 mm L lens, which means I needn't buy a new set of UV and polarizing filters.  (Many, but not all, "L"s are 77 mm diameter lenses.)No, there's no IS, but -- and here's the important part -- it doesn't NEED it.  That one pound and shorter length makes all the difference, at least for me.  But if you're undecided, then keep in mind that:  (1) the 100-400 has that zoom, which means that when you CAN shoot in, say, 100 mm, then you're doing it at F/3.5, and (2) if your hands are a bit wobbly then you can do a lot of hand-held shooting with the IS.I wondered if I'd miss the zoom, but in all honesty there has only been one shot in the two years that I've shot with this lens that I wished that I could dial it back a bit.  A great lens for the money.
I use this lens for astrophotography, which puts the highest possible demand on raw optical performance.  I have been getting great results from the 400L wide open.  I have no other lens that is usable for astro work wide open.  Additionally, its construction is solid - another must for what I do.  Highly recommended!
One of my favorite lenses, I've had one for 2 years and some of my favorite wildlife and bird photos were made using it.  Very highly recommended!
I use this lens on a 5D.It is definitely not as sharp as a 50mm lens, but this is something I accept as it is well known in photographic circles thatit's harder to get the same sharpness on a telephoto lens as it is on a wider angle lens, unless you want to put all the sharpness intothe center of the image, in which case you can get higher resolution. That's why you get better resolution from astronomical telescopes(which are optimized for the center of the image) than from camera lens.Overall I can't complain about this lens, for the price. There is very little chromatic aberration. It's built tough, it's light anddoesn't hurt my back.Jut be aware that if you want top-notch quality (at a price) you will have to fork out a lot more money for the 400mm f/2.8 lenses.In any case this will blow the zooms of equivalent focal length out of the water.So rating this lens is not so obvious:as far as value for money goes it's five stars, but in absolute terms it's four stars.Update:I noticed recently that the combination of this lens and my EOS 5D mark 2 does not always focus perfectly in AF. Consequently I now use manual focus in Live View mode (magnified 10x) to get the best sharpness.
In all fairness, I wanted to order the 100-400mm telephoto lens and chose this on by mistake.  It is VERY heavy, and it appeared to take great distance pictures, but it was missing the feature of being able to adjust the distance.
Oh, did I mention &#34;incredible&#34;????I found this lens to be hand-holdable, with no need for Image $tabilization. Bucks saved means more moolah available for more goodies from Amazon.Mostly though, the lens is SUPER SHARP!Yesterday I paired it with a Kenko 1.4x teleconverter - WOW!!!!! The image was not degraded at all from the addition of the teleconverter.
The only problem with the lens is that it is very heavy, so you really need a sturdy tripod.  However, it is great.  I've taken photos of the full moon that I never believed I could showing the craters, etc.  I love it.
Great lens if you can get it right... I had to send mine back to Canon twice for calibration, second time with the camera.. Fist time lens was found with a broken USM.. Fortunately they replaced it but it came back so so.. Pics were not sharp as this lens is known to be... As of this writing, I haven't received my lens back yet, so will see...  I purchased this lens in April of 09...[...]
Perfect lens.  I love this lens.  It's very light, and very handy to have.  It's a great deal and well worth the price.The lens is very sharp.  Comes with a case, front and rear caps!
Okay where do I start.  I love the feel of this and how smooth, quick and silent this lens focuses.  I have had this lens for almost 8 years and every time I use it I have so many pictures I was able to take because it on my camera.  You will enjoy how fast the focus is on this lense.  Use a tripod for sharp pictures with a min 500th second shutter speed.  I thought I would hand hold this lens but it is always mounted on my camera attatched to a manfrotto tripod.  Manfrotto makes the perfect tripod for this setup.If you want to hand hold your lens get a telephoto with image stable. tech. so you will still have sharp images.
I will add a few comments to the excellent reviews and information I have found here.  The 400mm lens by Canon is not the newest lens or the biggest but for my use, it has proved to be a fine addition to my zoom lenses on my Canon Rebel XSi. I use this lens for bird and wildlife photographs.  I can not add much in terms of technical information, but I can share some things to get good results.You must be very aware of your light source.  Good light is critial to good, detailed photos with this lens.  If your subject is in shade or shadow, the picture may be improved with computer manipulation, but in full light the 400mm will give you outstanding detail.  You will also need to use your feet to get the shot framed properly.  You need to physicaly move, rather than zoom in or out, to the get the composition you desire.  True, you will crop photos later to get the right "look" but closer is still usually better.  When I photograph birds flying overhead, the detail is quite good even when a 50% crop is used.  I have set the ISO to 400 to help with blur as my subjects often do not pose as I might like.  The use of a monopod has been helpful to give support and still be somewhat portable.  Most of my shots are hand held and for the most part have been in focus.  However, if there is a tree or post to lean against, don't pass it up!  I carried this lens on a 2.5 mile hike and I thought my arms were about to fall off so you might want to invest in a backpack to carry this lens and your other equipment.The 400mm is a prime lens, no moving parts and built for hard use.  This is the "baby" of the Canon super telephoto series (and the least expensive, but not cheap) and, in my opinion, a fine lens for nature photographs.
Great lens! Couldn't afford the other versions of this lens. I haven't had any problems with this lens. Great pictures..even wide open!
I was waiting and waiting for an updated version of this lens (with IS hopefully) but finally gave up and bought one.  I did not order it from Amazon because it does not seem to stock them and I got it from Norman Camera since they were the first one to receive fresh stock (Date code UX0317, so less than 2 months old).  It is light but not that light, AF is super fast, seems to be very sharp too but only tried it for a few shots in cloudy weather.  Will try to see how well it works hand held.  Oh, did a quick and dirty check for AF microadjustment, seems like 0 works best (only did a quick compare with 3 -5s, 3 0s and 3 +5s).  Overall, I'm happy with the lens.Updated 04/26/09Finally got a chance to take it out on a hike.  Though it may be light by L lens standard, it is kind of heavy if you have to carry it for couple of hours.  Image is sharp, very sharp providing you have very steady hand or good support, I think I will mostly have this on either a tripod or monopod.  Despite of the weight and lack of IS, I am very very happy with this lens.  It should be a 5 star rating if the price is somewhat lower.
The only problem with buying on-line, as I did, is that you don't get to handle the product.  It's a beautiful, sharp, quick enough lens that is too long and too heavy for me.  I carry my cameras and do not use a tripod.  I will be selling this, but have some beautiful images of birds, I learned a little lesson here, now I consider where the center of gravity is, not just the overall weight.  I can't fault the lens at all for my lack of prior knowledge.
I thought about buying the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens for about one year and read most of the reviews during that time before taking the plunge and buying it. Reviews of this lens are generally very favorable except for the occasional bad copy. The lens arrived well before the expected date. I tested it against my Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens which is tack sharp. Both lenses were tripod mounted for the test and focused on an object 37 feet away under natural lighting in my house. Exposures were at F5.6 and F8 with mirror lock up and a remote switch on a Canon 40D. I noted that the lens also had a very fast auto focus even under relatively low light(exposures were 1/25sec). From the reviews, I expected the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens to perform well. But this lens exceeded my expectations. Pictures from my copy are as sharp as those from the macro lens. Next, I added a Canon 1.4x extender to the EF 400mm f/5.6L lens and let the camera and lens equilibrate to the outside temperature (40F) for 45min. Then I took a picture of the moon with a remote switch and 10x magnification on live view to manually focus. The pictures were shockingly crisp. Again, this lens exceeded my expectation. I have not tried this lens on wildlife yet. But I fully expect that this lens will produce stunning photos with hand holding when the exposure is 1/1000 sec or faster.
Light weight.  Compact and fun to use.  Nice concept in design with the retractable lens hood.  Nice case for traveling and storage.
This lens is quality at it's best.  I've used it for a year +  and it really does a great job.  But, theres always a but, if your budget is limited to a couple of lenses,  go for the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens for Canon EOS Cameras.  I have both and this lens is "L" quality as well.  Not as much reach but far easier to carry around for the day.  The 100-400 is great for specific shots and really the best there is, but not for carrying around all day.  Recommended for limited budgets is - Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens & 5 Year Warranty & Filters & Accessory Kit
This is a great long telephoto lens.  It has great color and contrast.  It focuses as close as 3.5m, and even shooting wide open this lens is extremely sharp.  Really, the only draw back to this lens is that it doesn't have IS.  If you shoot on a tripod, that's not a big deal, and if you have a steady hand, this lens is small enough to handhold and still get sharp pictures.  But especially if you need to shoot in low light, you may want to consider other options.I use my lens mostly for bird photography, and if you have the money, there are good reasons to spend more money on the 400mm f/4 or even the 500mm or 800mm lenses.  With these you can have IS and larger apertures that are highly desirable for bird and action photography.  At the same time, the 400mm f/5.6 is small enough to hand-hold, and it's maneuverable enough to find a moving subject quickly (like a bird in flight) and get the shot.  So, despite the benefits of the larger lenses, this lens has some real advantages at a smaller price tag.You may also want to consider other lenses in this price range, such as the 100-400mm and the 300mm f/4.  Both of these lenses have IS, and they may be as good or better for your needs.  The 100-400mm is great if you need a zoom lens, though it will not be quite as sharp as this lens.  It's also larger and heavier, and the push-pull zoom is a drawback for me.  The 300mm f/4 is a great option if you don't need 400mm, and you can add a 1.4x extender to get to an effective 420mm f/5.6 IS.  However, you again will lose a little image quality by adding the extender.  For my needs, I found it best to get the 400mm f/5.6 and then add a 1.4x or 2x when needed.  For bird photography I don't recommend adding a 1.4x or 2x extender to get to 400mm if you can avoid it.  You want those options to go beyond 400mm for far away birds.
Buying this lens was $1300.00 thrown down the toilet.  I have this lens now for 3 weeks and I'm going to put it into the closet to probably never be used again.  I can get sharper pictures with my old $50 point&shoot film camera.  Even put on a sturdy tripod with a shutter speed of 1/4000 and mirror lock up, the images are totally blurry.  I micro-adjusted the AF in the camera by about five stops and it helped a little, still, the results are just unacceptable. For Macro-shots I use live-view and 10x magnification to help focus on very fine detail and I always get a nice crisp detail on the screen.  That is not the case by applying the same technique to the 400/5.6, even then with manual focusing, the image never achieves a good focus. It goes from blurry to less blurry, but when you think you should be getting close, it's already past the point and is going blurry again.  I've bought this lens after reading all the reviews, stating how good a lens this is and how sharp it is.  I guess I received a lemon and now I have a $1300.00 paperweight or dustcollector. I will be saving (for many years to come) for one of the big boys now. I did gave it two stars for the very good build quality and a fairly good AF mechanism.
It is lighter then my 70-200mm lense. It does not have IS as I use it on a tripod all the time. The optics are typical high quality Canon glass.
I was tossed over this or a Wide Angle, we went with the Telephoto first,,,still learning go use it,,,Great Len
I bought the 100-400 Canon and just hated the way it didn't lock on to focus reliably when shooting, especially birds through tree branches (which I know is a lot to ask) but it was so frustrating to miss so many shots.  I returned it and bought the 400 and oh my, what a difference!!  So much more precise focusing, every shot is sharp, I DO NOT miss the IS and I hand-hold most of my shots and it's no problem even at lower shutter speeds (1/60-1/80).  I love that it is quite lightweight for a lens this long.  The f5.6 also does not frustrate me, because I only need it outdoors and if the light dips too low, I just up my ISO which still gives me great shots on my 5D MIII or 6D.  I also don't miss the zoom of the 100-400.  I like so many find you end up using zooms at the extreme ends - long end for tele or wide for ultra wides.  Never once have I wished for less of a zoom while using it.  The Hummingbird pictures I have been doing are amazing and the creamy backgrounds are sublime.  This is such a sweetheart of a lens, I feel so lucky to have found it.  No back or front-focusing, just perfect images every time.  No one will ever pry this one from me!  And believe me, I am very discerning and fussy about the quality of cameras and lenses, so a positive review from me is not too common!
This has been a great addition to the camera assortment husband has - he loves this lens for birding here in the Rio Grande Valley.  It was recommended from a fellow birder.
I purchased this lens a year ago after extensively reading and learning about super telephoto primes. The real choice was between the 300mm f4 IS and the 400mm f5.6 no IS. Price was very close, and for me the extra reach was more important. So I got the 400mm. A lot has been said about lack of IS and the blurred images in low light situation, and I have to agree these points of view are correct. My copy is tack sharp. In reasonably good lighting, I get superb images handheld, especially birds in flight and wildlife. On bright days, this lens is a true delight to shoot with. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the amazing speed of the auto focus and how quickly it 'locks on' to the subject. With dim lihgting, it really is a challenge - I end up using a higher ISO (and miss the IS a lot). Looking back, I would still have got this one for the price, as the reach is important to me. And yes, I am saving for the 500mm lens (if I can afford it in this lifetime!). Bottom line - it is a terrific lens, if you understand its limitation and advantages, and know what you want from it. Thank you.
I am very happy with this purchase. The extremely fast auto-focus makes catching shots I am after much easier than with any other lens I currently own. I highly recommend it, especially for nature photography.
Great quality, easy to use. Gives sharp, clear photos! I would recommend this lens to anyone wanting to upgrade their photos to high quality results.
I have used this lens for 2 years mostly for birds in flight photography on a Canon 7D and a Canon 5D Mk3.  The lens is very well built and this lens has held up great with very frequent use (approximately 3 days / week in the field).  I find the lens focuses very fast with the body in AI Servo mode for birds in flight.  Northern Harriers are my favorite subject.  They fly low and erratically, which makes for very challenging auto-focusing.  The 400 mm f/5.6L does ok in finding focus.  I like to shoot with the motor focus search off - that is the lens will still auto-focus, however it does not do wide distance searching.For comparison sake: I also own a Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 lens.  I never end up using the Sigma lens.  Perhaps I have a bad copy?  I can not get a sharp focus and find consistently lower IQ than the Canon 400mm f/5.6L.  I have performed lens micro-focus adjustments a few times on all my lens and did not find any big improvements. The Canon 400 mm f/5.6L delivers much better images than the Sigma -- and even though the Sigma has longer reach, and image stabilization, I do not use it as much as the Canon 400mm.Also, in the spirit of comparison, I own a Canon 300 mm f/4L IS USM that I use with the Canon 1.4x III extender. This gives an effective 420mm f/5.6 lens.  This setup (420mm) gives me much better image quality than the Canon 400 mm f/5.6L.  This seems counter-intuitive, having an extender would seem to lower IQ.  My experience in the field though consistently show better performance from the Canon 300mm f/4: IS USM (which is newer than my 400 mm f/5.6L and uses the new flourite glass elements, and also has IS that the 400mm f/5.6 does not have.  Yes, the combined cost of the 300mm f/4L with an 1.4x III extender is more than the 400 mm f/5.6L alone -- however in my experience I am happier with the 300mm f/4L + 1.4x III combination.You can see examples of the photos taken with this lens by web searching "mountainhorizonphotography"  (all one word).
You can fit about 20 rolls of 35mm film in this bag if you lay them down in an organized way and don't keep them inside plastic containers. It seems to do its job as advertised and is a nice way to keep film organized for a 20 roll trip. If you need more rolls for a trip I would advise getting more of this size bag because the larger bag doesn't keep the film canisters in a nice flat structure. When you pick up the larger bag all of the rolls will jumble up and possibly pop open, especially if you hand-load your film with reusable canisters.
The bag has gone through a number of u.s. and international xray machines without even being asked about. I have no idea what it looks like to the person running the xray machine, but I guess it doesn't attract attention so I don't bother to mention it.The first time anyone did look at it was when arriving in Mexico City just this past November where the security people started rooting through my knapsack. I had the bag in the very bottom of the knapsack and that's what they were looking for.When the person pulled it out, the head guy who was standing there watching the proceedings asked, es para rollos? I said, Si', He asked Cuantos rollos tiene? I said viente, mas o menos. He said Gracias, adios. Coming back to the u.s. it wasn't asked about.In the past I would go through the procedure of handing them the film and asking for hand inspection. This is way easier.
Hope this purchase will prevent a recent xray disaster in both the Cayman Islands and Charlotte N.C.Security in both places refused to hand-check exposed but undeveloped film from a trip to the Caymans.I totally lost one of three rolls, with partial fogging of the other two...  Am still testing unused film that went through the same nightmare.  It was ISO 400 film, so the 800 thing is a MYTH...Bag seems well made.. will know whether or not it works next month.Domke Products are always pretty substantial.
Haven't seen any 35mm film discoloration so I guess it works. But would like to see some real tests to verify that it is doing its job. Its well build and seems like it would do what it claims to.
I've seen some other bags at camera stores that are lead lined, but they were absurdly priced and extremely heavy.  This bag is heavy, but not overly heavy.  It holds several rolls of film.  I put eight rolls in it, but it could probably hold a few more.  It's really necessary for when you're traveling with unused or undeveloped film.  Plus, the price on Amazon (and Adorama) is much lower than I found at camera stores.
ORDERED BAG SEPARATE, DIDN'T SEE THAT THE STEINER MARINER INCLUDED THE BAG WITH THE BINOCULARS.BAG LOOKS GOOD, LOOKS WELL MADE.
I got this for my husband Steiner binoculars. He preferred this bag over the one that came with the binoculars. Very convenient and portable.
for save ur stiner i like it and i buy more for my friends in 6 month ago its nice
This product is well made, and my Steiner 7x50 marine binocs fit in the bag perfectly.
If one selects on the size of the Binoculars it works fine.  A 10X50 fits, but if doing more that just using it as a suitcase travel case, some additional padding like a soft towel might be used.
The product description says it's 10 x 6 x 4.  What Amazon sent me, was 7.5 x 6 x 3.25 outside dimensions, and inside dimensions 6.5 x 5.5 x 2.5.  I can still use it, I like the way the front flap can zip open on three sides, but it's not at all what I expected.  Either I got sent the wrong item or someone at Amazon is really bad at measuring.
OK, I have to get my 2 cents in, here.I bought this tripod because it was very light and it has just about every feature I could want. Did I expect a super high grade professional quality tripod? NO! It's only fifty bucks, for Pete's sake! I wanted to try a ball head, having never owned one. It has the retracting spiked feet that I have found very useful in the past. I like the idea of having a bubble level built in. The list goes on.So...I am using it. The ball head works fine - maybe not as solid as a Really Right Stuff monster ball head, but it's pretty stable and it doesn't slip. The pan-and-tilt head has a pretty small handle, but, hey, I wanted compact, right? The bubble level on the base unit is actually a joke - it's not even close to right, but I figure with a little experimenting, I can calibrate it and mark it (can't adjust it) for where the column is really vertical. There are bubble levels on the 2 quick release plates that look more serious, but I haven't quite figured out what they are for, exactly. The QR plates work pretty well. The legs are nice tubular aluminum. Very thin, but that's how it ends up so light. There is a groove formed down the inner side of each leg segment that keeps it from rotating as you work the nicely made aluminum lock collars (these are probably the best looking/working detail on the the tripod). The combination independant/center braced leg system is the most ingenious feature. The legs can be spread at independant angles and still lock firmly in place. Or the brace arms can be locked to the legs and it acts like a conventional braced symmetrical tripod. Very clever! It has the bottom hook for a stabilizing weight.Yes, it is a bit flimsy. I will need to take care of it to keep it straight. But for a light weight camera, like my Lumix FZ50, it is plenty stable and strong. If you have a 20 pound f/2.8 super telephoto, this tripod probably won't hold up. The plastic fittings will probably crack after a year or two. I have other tripods that have much nicer pan heads, but they cost four or five times as much and they weigh 3 times as much. It would be nice to get all these features in a Tiltall or Bogen quality tripod, but I can guarantee it wouldn't weigh 3 pounds or be this inexpensive.Is it perfect? Of course not! But for this price and weight, it's great! And it came with a really nice canvas case - bonus!
Keeping in mind that you're not paying for a Manfrotto leg set and a Gitzo head, this tripod is a great value.  From a quality standpoint, it won't compete with high end equipment, but if what you want is an inexpensive, lightweight travel tripod, the features on this one are hard to beat.  It is light and it folds short enough to fit in 22" carry-on suitcase.  Yet still tall enough for most of us.  That's the travel part.Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, it comes with both head types, and since the heads are removable, you can upgrade the head with a higher quaility one in the future.  The Pan head includes a quick release capability and 2 quick release plates!  Some of the other great features:  The hook to hang weight from to add stability.  The ability to reverse the center post, spread the legs and position your camera to ground level.  The rubber feet screw back to reveal metal spikes (great for carpet or dirt).But, since it's inexpensive, you can certainly notice where quality is lacking.  Set-up takes a bit more attention because the plastic knobs have a cheap feel, and don't provide positive feedback when they are tight enough, so you'll be overtightening to be sure.  The extension legs tighten/free with a simple quarter turn knurled section, but this too doesn't provide tactile feedback for when they are 'locked'.  I prefer the flip levers.  Keep this in mind if you plan on putting $1500 worth of DSLR on her.  (Frankly, if you've got expensive, heavy equipment, this tripod is really not for you)  The pan head seems usable, but don't expect it to have the most smooth fluid motion.  The ball head is simple and functional, but once again doesn't move smoothly with friction applied.  They will both hold your camera- just not in professional style.I'd say that it's fine for the smaller and medium sized digicams and video cameras if used carefully.  When on a solid surface, I didn't find that it wobbles at all. Set-up will require a few more seconds to ensure that everything is tight.  Frankly, if you've read this far and are really researching tripods, you should consider spending more for a better one.  However, if this is your price range, you want a lightweight travel tripod, appreciate the removable head feature... buy it.  It'll do the job.
While this tripod seems to be of reasonable quality, it is so unstable in the field as to be virtually useless unless a counterweight is hung from its bottom. What's even worse is Sunpak's customer service. After multiple phone calls and an email I have received absolutely no response from Sunpak. My advice: stay away from this company - I intend to.
This product worked ok for me because it came with two heads, the ball head is sturdy and made of metal and i used it to replace a broken head on my previous tripod which makes a good sturdy combination. However, the rest of the product is quite unstable and the leveling function is way off the mark, so I basically paid the entire price for the extra head, because the rest of it is pretty much junk.
I ordered this tripod with great excitement because of the ball head and cheap price.  The intent was for my wife to use it for her Rebel XT with 430ex flash and battery extender.  We were disappointed with the quality the moment we opened the box. The thing is very flimsy (much worse than Sunpak's base cheap $20 tripod).  Not only that but it's also very confusing to even setup. This thing was just designed poorly. If you need a cheap tripod then look to Sunpak's other (even cheaper) options.  Stay clear from this one.
I use this unit to angle my softbox and sb-600 combination, and it does exactly what I need it to do securely!  I never have to worry about my set up losing it's position, it is strong enough to hold every angle that I need it to.I am VERY happy with this purchase.
is perfect, it does what is suppose to do, I have used it with 2 vivitar at the same time + the remove trigger + umbrella, no problems at all. it locks just fine.
Pretty good product. The cold shoe is not the greatest...the screw gets lose every once in a while, but decent.NOTE: the the customer photos for this product are a great example on how to put ur umbrella and swivel together THE WRONG WAY. So do not follow them as a good. The first photo the umbrella has been put in from the wrong side (the hole for the umbrella is made at an angle so the flash would be pointing right in the middle of it...therefore in that pic the flash and umbrella run parallel and it't not because of the receiver. The second photo the swivel is put upside down...yes the flash point right in the middle of it but the umbrella is fixed to the lightstand. So if u want to tilt the umbrella u cant. This swivel is great if you know how to put it together, works with any flash and with those cheap receivers too.
Bought it and was planning to use it but now no need for it. Quality build is solid. When I need it, it'll be there.
exactly what i needed for school, best price i could find, received product in no time, still use it today
I've had my multiclamp for about 6 months now, and I've become more and more jaded with each use.The construction feels cheap, and the shoe can't seem to keep my strobe attached. I have been tightening the screw to the point where I'm afraid it's too tight, and if it's not level, my strobe still feels like it's falling off. Recently the screw-head broke off, and now I'm searching everywhere to find a replacement. There must be a better way to get a solid feel when many of us are putting very expensive strobes on the clamp.
This is a much needed accessory for mounting speedlights to tripods with umbrellas. I've used this with both the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 it held them both tightly but it still felt a bit flimsy to me.. Next the size of the "multi clamp" is bigger than I thought it would be.. Lastly and most importantly the reason I only gave it 3 stars is the metal cold shoe (as others reviewers have mentioned) But really Photoflex WTF? Why would anyone make a cold shoe out of metal? I recommend taking the cold shoe off and using the mounting foot that comes with your speedlight (it has a tripod socket on the underside of it, well atleast the Nikons do) if not then I highly recommend putting some electrical tape on the part where your flash contacts the coldshoe of the "multiclamp"
This is a great clamp for your off camera flash. It will hold an umbrella and can tilt forward and back, moving the umbrella and flash together. It comes with the connectors you'll need if you want to attach to a light stand or even an extra tripod you have sitting around. Versatile and reliable. The only suggestion I have is stick a piece of electrical (or other) tape on the bottom of the metal shoe (where you attach your flash) so the metal doesn't short the flash.Happy shooting.
This was just what I needed. When shooting in the field and more light is needed, this is perfect to use an additional flash.
Just what I needed. I am using it to attach a Nikon Speedlight to a light stand I have, also allows you to use an umbrella with it at the same time. Now I need to get another with an additional Speedlight, having fun now!
Bought from Adorama Camera. It broke at first use even it was handled with care.It is useless because it can not hold an umbrella or a reflector.Even it is sold for that purpose, No way, It is not built for that.The flash shoe is made by metal and can damage seriously  your flash.Shame on Adorama to sell such week and cheep item with a high price.Overall it is just loss of money. DONT'T BUY IT. DON'T EVEN BOTHER.
The clamp works ok but the tightening handle came apart on me and it seems to be a little fragile.  I'll probably buy the metal Manfrotto clamp next time.Update 7/7/2013Bought the Manfrotto 026 and thought I would keep the Photoflex as a backup when I needed to use two stands but the Photoflex is really garbage.  I'll get another Manfrotto or maybe a different brand but the Photoflex was wasted money.
I shoot low budget documentary video and my crew usually consists of me and one other so I need to travel lightly and all of my equipment must be able to multi-task.  I wanted to be able to utilize any one of my heavy-duty Amvona boom light stands as a boom mic stand with as little jerry-rigging as possible.The inexpensive Photoflex Shoe Mount Multiclamp has been great so far.  I use it to attach a Rode NT-3 hypercardioid mic in a  Rode SM-3 shockmount to my boom light stands.  The SM-3 has a shoe-mount so I can use it as a camera mic or use the multiclamp to attach it to an available light stand boom to get the mic closer to a stationary subject.  So far it has worked just fine.I do agree that the mount itself is a little underpowered and I always use a little gaffers tape on the light stand for added grip before I cinch down the multiclamp.  And since I have no desire to see my beautiful Rode mic hit a cement floor, I always wrap some tape around the base of the clamp to secure it to the stand as well.  I don't think it would let loose, but better safe...That said, this a great product for the money, and it's one of the only clamps like this out there, but I'd gladly pay ten or even twenty dollars more for one that locked to the stand more securely.  Even at twenty dollars more it would be hundreds of dollars less expensive than an additional shockmount and mic boom stand.PS - It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful.  I usually respond to comments the same day, so if you have a question or comment (even if it's just to say, Hi!") feel free to post it below.Thanks, Claire
This is an excellent addition to your professional photography equipment to mount different types of lights to your existing light stands.  We use them alot to mount our Nikon SB800 wireless flash units to our light stands to create a wireless setup for on-location shooting.  The multiclamp has a place for an umbrella if you desire to use one.
I have three of them. They are excellent if I want to mount LED's or my portable flash units and shoot through an umbrella. High quality. Get them.
if you have a hotshoe flash you gotta own this or you suck! this is the tool you need to put your portable flash on a lightstand with an umbrella or softbox or bare and use just like an expensive studio flash! Sturdy build... great product!
I was on the fence as far as whether I should go with this one based on price or the Manfrotto one. Obviously this one won, I was not disappointed. The build quality is solid. Great deal
I have a few of these so I knew what I was getting and like the other ones I'm not disappointed.
this comes with both a 1/4 inch and 5/8 inch tripod adapter but it's a scary thing to put it on a tripod from my expirience.  on a light stand it is very solid however.  I'm also not crazy about having an aluminum cold shoe and while I have not had problems with it, it scars me to no end that I'll short out my flash somehow. Also the coldshoe has a little screw that you tighen.  I would have much rather had a standard cold shoe like the ones that come with the flash so I could use the flash's own tightening knob but I guess this gets the job done.If you're reading this chances are you're on a budget so go ahead and get it.  It's not fancy but it works.
Great clamp, does the job.  I like the spring-loaded angle adjustment toggle...so I can pull it out to rotate it to a better position (without loosening the clamp).  The screw for the umbrella is perhaps leaves a little to be desired - it seems to be a bit too finely threaded, but it works well enough.A few notes for newbies:  Mine came with the studs inserted at the wrong ends.  It had the shoe clamp at the bottom which would result in the umbrella getting mounted the wrong way.  The umbrella and the flash should both be mounted above the hinge (so both rotate/angle together)and the umbrella should be pointed slightly upwards (there is a slight slope to the umbrella hole).  The flash then gets mounted so that it points at the center of the umbrella.  Ignore what you may have read about this clamp "not being for every flash" - that is poor advice from an inexperienced photographer.  The only difference is where you choke up on the umbrella shaft.  Taller flashes require a longer flash.  Shorter flashes require you to choke up.One suggestion...I would recommend replacing the cold-shoe clamp that came with it.  It does it's job, but can be a little harsh on the flash foot - especially the Nikon SB-900 (with a slightly oversized foot).  I use and recommend theFrio ENLFRC1A Cold Shoe Mount for Tripods.  Some say it's overpriced, but it saves a lot of frustration and potential damage to your equipment.
I have several of these from Photoflex. They're lightweight and sturdy. They are made of of a nonmetal material, however. I also own the Manfrotto steel product, which is literally bullet proof, but much heavier. I almost always use these. The only problem with them is that the cold shoe they come with is junk. But you can remove it and use the stud anyway. They come with an umbrella hole also.
After buying and setting this up with my flash, new shoot through umbrella and stand this work out great. It's seems to be well made, just keep the adjustment handle to your right and you'll be up and shooting in little time
I'm a novice in studio photography and no way will I have an idea how this clamp would work based on the picture alone. This is one hell of a clamp. This is one clamp that is indeed well made, well conceptualized and  well thought of. Highly recommended. I decided to get it based on a 5 stars rating on this site so I feel obliged to give my thanks to all of you who contributed in one way or another to helping others decide before buying an item! I give this clamp 6 stars!!! If you are still undecided about this clamp, I suggest to just go ahead and buy it...it's cheap and again very well made. I am very happy! Even with amazon's excellent return policy, this is one item I am sure you will certainly keep!
You can use this clamp to attach your flash to your tripod, or light stand, and use an umbrella. You can angle the flash however you like. The brass fittings have 3/4 and 3/8 threaded nuts. Very easy to use. Add an umbrella reflector and light stand (or use a spare tripod) and get started with studio lighting. Excellent way to capitalize on versatile equipment, like flashes, you probably already have.
Not bad for the price. A bit on the cheap side. Doesn't fit too firm on the lightstand and doesn't hold the strobe too well. IT's not a perfect fit. I was suggested to put an electric tape in between the strobe and the photoflex.For now, I bought another one for the cheap price.
sorry, but the threads stripped on these things months after i bought them. the umbrellas would not stay in place because of this. would never buy this product again. i never wrirte reviews, and i bought these things a while ago, but the poor craftsmanship made me decide to write. crummy product.
Good equipment. Does just what it is suppose to. Great for shooting with off camera flash and a umbrella.
I have used these a few times with Canon and Pentax flashes for semi-pro shoots. They are built well and the controls operate easily and smoothly. The screw clamps and cylindrical studs on each end allow you to mount it from the top or bottom. The studs have female threads on both sides to fit two sizes of male studs on your light stands. Nice.
This is a good unit for the intended purpose "IF" you have a relatively flat (as in not tall) flash unit.  I use a Canon 580 EXII and that particular flash unit has a vertical body that holds the batteries and controls with a flash had mounted on top.  As a result, when placed on this holder, the flash sits very high relative to the umbrella.  The umbrella holder and flash mount cannot be adjusted separately since they move together.  I solved this problem with $25 worth of gear from another company that lets me mount my flash separately anywhere on my light stand.  So, in practice I use this unit as an umbrella holder only.
Every portrait photographer should have these. Great for mounting on lighting stands, easy to use, can holster any umbrella or lighting accessory. It stores pretty small in a bag, maybe a little awkwardly if you are tight on space, but all around a great item to have.
Bought these along with my second stand. It differs from the first swivel i bought (Adorama Universal) in that this one has a hot shoe attachment. Build quality is also not the same as the Adorama Universal swivel. If you need the hot shoe attachment go for this one. Either way you wont be disappointed.
This is a great product, good quality, works exactly as it should.  You won't be disappointed.  I use it to mount a slave flash on a light stand and can attach an umbrella to the clamp and it works great.
It is dangerous to use this shoe mount clamp.First, my flash felt twice even though I tightened the screw.Second, the screw that comes with it had gotten loose and fallen several times, until it finally got lost. Then, I bought a replacement screw. Unfortunately, it cannot hold the flash tight enough either.Third, wrapping up the shoe mount and the flash with masking tape should not be an option. I tried this method and found it time consuming. Plus, it beats the purpose of using a reliable product.I rarely write reviews, but due the bad experience with this product, I promised to myself to say something about it.
The Multi-Clamp can be one of the most versatile items in your kit.  It's made strong and I'm always finding new uses for it.  It's easy to adjust and comes with a shoe mount.  I use it with a tripod, a reflecting umbrella and key light or flash.
I bought this thinking it would go nicely with the other lightweight strobist gear I was buying, but I was sorely disappointed. As others have noted, the umbrella screw strips the plastic threads so easily it's practically a disposable product. Do a search on Amazon for a metal umbrella bracket, and you'll find several options, any of which would be better than this. I have one from Impact and two from Westcott that are a bit heavier, but actually still hold an umbrella after a bit of shooting.
I've practically eliminated the need for an assistant for sessions with this (which is a HUGE money saver). The mount is extra sturdy and adjusts easily, plus it fits my tripod AND my light stands, which gives me extra "hands" when I can't hold a reflector (or have someone do it for me). I honestly don't know how I survived without it for so long!The only con I've noticed so far is that the clamp is a little bulky and does take up some room in my camera bag, but for all the times it has saved me from trying to explain EXACTLY how I want the light angled to assistants, it is WELL WORTH IT!Also, be careful how tight you make it for speedlites. I figured out the hard way that, if too tight, you'll snap some plastic on what you're attaching.
I've ordered two of the shoe mount to use with my canon flashes mounted on a stand and umbrella, its a great item and I think everyone who wants to create a mini studio lights should get it.
I was surprised by how light this item is, and still it remains strong enough to safely hold the flash.Needed to Dremel out the flash holder to accomdate some flashs.  It's tight & touches the bottom sync connector.  I also shortened the handle a bit for packing size.
I picked up a couple of these and when I placed my 580EXII on it. I found the flash sat way too high. This stand is not meant for larger flashes. Adding a radio receiver makes the flash higher. I uploaded two photos to show the hieght of the flash.I tried using the head both ways but the result is still not what I want. I don't trust the shoe either. It likes to pivot the flash. I may keep it for a smaller flash but for my 580 and even the 430EX II, I need something aligned better and more stable.
Can't tell ya how long I have had these, 2-3yrs.. and they are still holding up without any issues what so ever, I use my speedlights with various things on them, umbrellas, soft box etc all fits and works great !!!
Well made.  Gives you the option to position your strobe and umbrella exactly where you need them. Good fit and smooth action. A great improvement over the ball/clamp fitting I was previously using.
This is a tool in my bag that will make remote lighting much easier.  All I need is my 430EX and one light stand with this clamp and I've got the photographers best friend.
I was looking for a good quality multiclamp for holding wireless flash and umbrella -- good product -- recommend!
First, let me say this: I know how to use an umbrella shoe mount, so I am confident that the issue that I have is not of my own doing.  I purchased two of these units for use with small umbrella in front of Canon 580EX Speedlites.  After only minimal use, the threads have stripped on BOTH clamps, and not due to over-tightening.  If that were the  case, the umbrella shafts would show damage, but they don't.  Very simply, this is a cheaply made product with very fragile plastic threads.  Both units have been rendered useless for their intended purpose.  I regret my decision to buy this unit in an attempt to save a few dollars.
Save yourself some money with these clamps by attaching them to extra camera tripods instead of spending extra on light stands. Great and easy to use clamp. Bought two for my optical slave sunpak 383's and two umbrellas and you cant beat the pics im getting.
Threads on the umbrella knob stripped on mine too.  6 months total ownership, but I use my Manfrotto 026 most the time (maybe got a dozen uses out of this trash).  Additionally, this one does not hold weight near as well as my Manfrotto 026; it sags with a 580ex and an umbrella if you lean it more than 45 degrees.There's absolutely no point in buying these when you can get a name brand metal adapter for a few bucks more (at the moment the 026 is $5 more).  The metal ones lock and loosen smoother, sag less, and will last much longer.  Don't waste your money on this crap.
They're a little plasticky, but they work quite well.  I am concerned about long-term use, but if I wanted big heavy duty cycle swivels I should have bought some.  These are a good price, and very likable.Don't know if other reviewers mentioned this: get some tape on the bottom of the shoe mounts.  Your flash contacts will short out on them.  Photoflex: 1 star gone for you!  What were you thinking?On the up side, they didn't damage my 580ex's.  The short simply caused them to fire.UPDATE 01/02/2009 - I am astounded at how good these have turned out to be, for cheapies.  I tend to be careful with them, because they feel a little flimsy, but I have not yet been able to break them.  I have dropped them, thrown them (that was a childish temper-tantrum moment for me...sigh), and popped them into the side pocket of my light bag (where they get bumped a lot) and flown with them.  Still going strong.Twice used as a simple swivel for a big heavy octabox and monolight, which is not recommended from what I hear, and the knuckle tightened right up without strain and held tight.I also discovered clear packing tape works well to laminate the top of the show where the contacts go - that has held up well also.I have recommended, and continue to recommend, these to other photographers.  I will be buying a few more as my kit grows.
got me confused at the beginning because the shoe mount was in the wrong place. it works great with the Heavy Duty 7'6" Light Stands from Steve Kaeser Lighting & Backgrounds.i like.
I have another one of these but this one is built better. More sturdy and it's also easy to figure out which way the umbrella's supposed to go. Thanks.
Ideal for off camera flash photography with light modifiers. This is a strobist essential.Though this model is a bit heavy.
The clamp is much bigger and sturdier than it looks like in the photo. I'm just using them for the hotshoe clamp and they are sturdy and easy to adjust.I haven't used an umbrella with them but they could easily handle that task.
I wish I had found this clamp years ago. I own several others clamps,  that tried to do it as well as this clamp.This is a solid clamp, just don't abuse the materials. The knobs are larger than my next best clamp. The materials are superb. I use a Stroboframe Accessory Shoe and a Vello Universal Accessory Shoe for my Quantum shoe flashes. I ordered an extra Photoflex clamp because I am so impressed with the quality and functionality. I'll keep this extra one in my photo bag. I highly recommend this clamp.
this product worked pretty well- if it weren't for the cheesy shoe mount itwould have probably rated a 5.
Use it with my 580exII and a 45in umbrella - all fit snug. Feels very solid in terms of quality and use for my needs. The lever and knobs are easy to use. The hot-shoe clamp could work a little better when securing the screw, but am overall happy with it.
These are great for attaching a camera flash to a lightstand with an umbrella. I tried buying a cheaper version and they barely work. I recommend spending more and getting this one.
I have used the Photoflex for a family member's engagement wedding photo shoot. It has held up pretty good considering it is plastic and I like that the brass inserts for shoe mount and connecting to tripod can be replaced if needed. I gave it 4 stars because I was a little disappointed in the shoe mount itself. It only has a little screw to hold flash into place which at times will allow the speedlite to move. If this were to be replaced with a better shoe mount (clamping style) it would be a 5 star product. Over all I would still recommend it for a low budgeted photographer.
I had this style on two of my lights stands for a couple years and was really happy with them. After I forgot my bag at a location shoot, I tried a friends different design sold here on Amazon... hated it. So although this particular brand/unit is about twice the price as others, its well worth the money imho... after purchasing and using it for a few weeks now, I've since ordered another.
Previously, I had purchased a similarly designed tripod for a very low price and should have known it would be inferior (squishy, fragile parts, bad fit and finish).  I dumped it and bought this one.  It is an improvement, but certainly not professional grade.  It is capable of holding a DSLR, but that depends on having a surface to which the suction cup can be attached.  If you have a lighter camera, I'd recommend a lighter-duty but better designed tripod.  This one is not of normal (historical) Sunpak quality, in my opinion.
Since all I had before this was a fullsize, heavy tripod, I wanted something more portable for a cruise.  I bought this for the price and have loved it.  It's actually small enough to fit inside my camera slingpack.  It's light enough that I even carried it hooked over my belt for a while.  Everything I wanted from a mini tripod.
I purchased this for my daughter and she loves it! She has a 35 mm sized camera and we were concerned that it would be able to hold the weight. From what she has communicated, it hasn't been a problem at all. I would recommend this to anyone.
Great quality! Can't ask for much more considering the price. Better to throw this in the camera-bag and have it at all times than do without a tripod at all.Holds my Canon T1i with a Canon 55-250 mm Lens w/o a problem.Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Used only once so far.  Seems well made and will support full size camera.  Nicely adjustable using both legs and center support.
These things are Great!  The head isn't the best, but look at the price and, besides, you can mount your own ballhead. Small enough to fit in your camera bag, set it down on a table or a rock, or use it as a chest pod.  Don't go anywhere without one.
This mini tripod is very sturdy and has any feature that you might reasonably require.  I can see no reason at all to pay the extra money to buy either of the two higher-priced versions of this tripod unless you really need a pan handle or a ball head.
This is a table-top tripod capable of holding both point-and-shoot cameras and many DSLRs.  The legs are extendible, as is the center post, giving you about 18" of elevation.  The base uses a standard tripod screw to attach to the camera and does not come with a quick-release mount, but it does have a built-in bubble level.  The base can be pointed in both horizontal and vertical directions, giving you complete flexibility for composing your photos.  Folded up, the tripod is only 10" long and 3" wide and it is very light weight, making it possible to carry in daypacks or larger camera bags (mine fits easily in my LowePro Slingshot 300). On the ends of the feet are rubber pads to keep the tripod steady on slippery surfacesI have found this tripod quite useful, mainly because it's so easy to carry.  It holds my Nikon D90 with a 200mm lens securely without falling over.  It's not the easiest tripod to use, however, because the knobs can be a little hard to turn or secure.  There are small buttons that you need to press in when collapsing the legs, and these buttons can be rather difficult to press--you have to have good dexterity and strong fingernails to get them in.  The plastic parts of the tripod are not very strong.  On one of my first times out with this tripod, a large chip came out of the plastic head just above a leg joint.  As a result, that leg is now always loose.  And a 3-legged tripod with a loose leg is never steady.  I have to brace and prop up all the legs since the tripod won't stand on its own any more.  Meanwhile, I'm shopping for a replacement.
Besides doing outdoor photography, I also take close up pictures of jewelery which my wife and I sell on the internet. This is exactly what we needed for such work. Its sturdy, and will hold my Cannon XSi Rebel with its large lens. Well worth its price.
Very well made,looks good and it is ultamately adjustable. I am using it as a LED light stand and being able to get the right angle is key.
Wanted a tripod for my new Canon Camera. This was 6 or 7 bucks and is a really nicely made product.
This was everything I needed and more for my tabletop tripod.  It is very stable, and has the ability to put your camera in just about any position you want and lock it down.
Great quality for the price. Sturdy telescopic legs, level window and compact. Very happy with purchase. I bought one a few weeks ago for the same price and the quality does not compare.
I keep this in my bag with my Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 that I mainly use for scuba diving vacation trips, this is small and compact and perfect for taking pictures of the group after a night dive. the legs are adjustable for adding a little height (such as on top of a table) the bubble integration is helpful as well.
This was a gift for my husband, he is very happy with his tripod. A bit heavy for its size
For the price, this little tripod is excellent. It's sturdy and well made, I didn't expect this quality for that little money. I think it will last a few years even with the camping and hiking wear and tear.
Sunpak MINI-PLUS Mini Tripod with 3-Way PanheadThis little  guy is perfect for back pack,fanny bag,or larger purse.It's 3-way adjustable head has a spirit level to keep cameras on focus.It extends(with legs,centre post extended)to about 24 inches.It fits nicely in a fifth size Crown Royal bag.I use it when I'm hiking or at the creek for both video and still cameras,and my Sharper Image 10x25 camera binoculars.It is a very good buy at the price,and will give excellant performance.It will allow up/down,tilt,and swivel positioning of camera.The adjustment screws are well built and easy to use.The legs are solidly built of aluminum,as is the centre post.In the field,it can be adapted to uneven surfaces by adjusting the leg length.It is quite stable with the centre post at any height.It has a screw mount for camera/binocular use,and a spring loaded pin for video cameras.For the money,it is a bargan,if one doesn't require pan arm.Equal to much costlier mini tripods.
Pretty good little tripod.  I actualy prefer this over my medium height tripod as it fits right in my pocket and i generally dont  have a problem finding something to sit this on to get a good shot.
I bought this minitripod to use with my Canon Digital Rebel XT.  It's quite a bit bigger than the flexible legged minitripods (but those wouldn't be able to hold a digital SLR properly), but is still very portable.  Unfortunately, the construction is quite flimsy, and it seems hard to get stable pictures on this tripod.  On the plus side, it does extend to a pretty good height (i'd say about two feet [60 cm]), it's not too heavy, and as I said, it's small, so you can carry it around with you all the time.  This, and the fact that it's very cheap, is why I gave this item four stars.
Small, lightweight, solid. This is a really well made tripod. This is the most stable of all the tabletop tripods I've seen at any price. Just a really good piece of equipment. I would recommend this tripod to anyone looking for a tabletop, you will be pleased.
this tripod for its price is great, everything is plastic excepts for the ball.the ballhead is a no-way for me, even if you put a standard DSLR with a standard lens, the ballhead just keeps slipping, bear in mind, the maximum weight is only 2.2lbs or 1kg. some lenses are already 1kg.
This little device is working well, solid, and doing the job for my needs. I later found out that there is amodel with a tilt handle for the cam, which would be nice, but mine is pretty much stationary and so it works fine. I recommend.
I was looking for a tripod that would hold a small Microsoft webcam and this is perfect.  It is fully adjustable, light weight but not flimsy, and even the tripod base has options for squeezing onto a small space (with my laptop) to use.  I wanted something that would capture my keyboard and/or hands in order to demonstrate what I'm doing on a screen to my 'students' (staff) and also versatile enough to allow me to position it front and center for webinars without being in my way.  It fits in my bag as well.  It's really perfect!
Sturdy and applicable for a desktop webcam.
I've had my MiniPro Plus/B for a little over a year now and one of the locking rings for the legs became stripped so it would no longer keep the leg extended (they're made of plastic with fine thread so it's easier to strip them). My low rating isn't so much for the fact that the locking ring/nut stripped so easily, but rather due to SunPak's absolutely horrible customer service department.  I emailed them TWICE about this since it "supposedly" has a lifetime warranty, only requesting a replacement locking plastic retainer ring/nut for it.  I've yet to hear from them and it's been over a month and a half since the first email.  I don't know if I should purchase another one and thus have 2 spare locking rings should the replacement fail in time (which I'm sure it will) or just try to find another brand that's better made; or at least has a better manufacturer's customer service.Any warranty (lifetime or not) is only as good as the company behind it, and thus far, Sunpak seems to be one to avoid.
Small, light and easy to carry around.  Built like a lighter weight travel tripod but shorter.  Will easy handle an SLR with a moderate size macro or tele lens.  Quite stable because, let's face it, at this length there's a lot less to start shaking.  If you're thinking about something easy to carry around for more stable outdoor shooting you also might want to look into a beanbag
I was surprised by the quality of the tripod. I expected one that would be barely adequate to hold a slave flash but it actually did well holding my Digital Rebel and was perfect for a mini DV camcorder. Well worth the price.
I use it for hair tutorials and I love it. My husband uses it for drawing tutorials and he loves it too.
This little guy is perfect for supporting a camera when you don't want to lug a full sized tripod around. The camera and tripod can easily be placed on a table for quick snaps and portraits. The Sunpak holds a regular D40 DSLR with a small zoom and generally can be tightened effectively. The only limitation is that pointing the camera upward or downward at more than about a 45 degree angle will cause the tripod to tilt and fall over. Of course the tripod is stressed with a full sized DSLR and should not tilt over with a small point and shoot which is probably it's intended mount. The fact it can handle a D40 with a regular lens and SB400 flash is a huge positive in itself not to mention it's a ballhead.The build quality is very good for a small tripod and it is built well where it counts. The ball and tightening screw are metal and durable. And it's very attractive like a small version of a full sized model. However, it comes off a little cheap when the legs are fully extended. Hardly a deal breaker, though. The price reflects its worth. Four stars and a Buy!
Got this mainly as a novelty, When I got mine it was very loose however I noticed every fastener was accessible so after tightening everything it worked out very well. For $20 this novelty actually works! It was able to hold a D7000 with kit lens just fine (about 2 1/2 pounds).
As indicated in the product description, this plate fits perfectly a SunPack 2001UT tripod. The only thing I don't like about it is that the "ring" in the back of the plate (the piece you turn to fix it to your camera/scope) is very loose, with the consequence that sometimes it is a bit of a pain to fix the plate on the tripod (because the ring will dangle underneath and won't allow you do fix the plate easily). But perhaps my plate was slightly defective. The original plate I got with the tripod doesn't have this problem.
Nicely finished and quality materials, extra mounting plates are a very useful luxury when working against the clock or trying to stay organized. Fits in pocket easily; 2 came with tripod and this extra one is convenient and practical. It's easy to lose one of these and then your tripod is no longer useful, so order spares today! Only downside is that this spare cost half of price of tripod. Worth it for convenience and peace of mind.
did not get this item why rate it if you did not get it at all  do not think it right.
was waiting for this to arrive for a week or two, but it works fine...
If you're working with mulitple lenses and bodies, a quick release plate makes life a whole lot easier...this works as advertised...just make sure you have correct tripod/release unit combination.
The fit is difficult because it's so tight on my nearly new Sunpak tripod, and its quick-release feature is therefore a struggle-to-install-and-release feature.  It looks like the original plate, but doesn't fit nearly as nicely as the original did.  Interestingly, I did later find the original which I thought I had lost, and am using it again because it works so smoothly.  It's a good backup, but the kind of backup you'd leave at home anyway, considering the weight of the equipment you might already have to lug around in the field.
To be clear I'm rating this 3 of 5 stars purely on built quality and appearance. This isn't the highest quality item ever, but it is very solid for a plastic molded item (although you can see the injection mold seams). My thumbscrew was nice and tight, which is good since a loose one would be a PITA when trying to quick-connect it with a tripod head. The bubble level looks good enough for most people, but certainly not "pro" quality.If you have a tripod that needs a new plate this is a great option for anyone but the most discerning of professionals.FYI I have a Sunpak 7500 series and this does NOT fit, as my tripod needs a larger plate. I simply ordered this one by mistake and am returning it. I'm not factoring my mistake into the quality rating though.
I was very happy to find this company! They took care of my need so fast, and now I'm able to use the tripod again.
The quick release plate that I received was not what was pictured and did not fit my Sunpak 423 Pro Tripod. So, I returned it.
It seemed like I was always looking for and needing another quick-release.  Perfect match to sunpak tripod.  Most likely will get one or two more.
I lost the quick-release plate to my Targus tripod. I decided to go with this product because of the price. My DSLR is a Nikon D7000 and was a bit skeptical if this is a great fit but I bought it anyway. It arrived timely and was satisfied after putting it on the tripod and the camera. It was a great fit! It holds the camera securely and mounts on the tripod perfectly. Great product and great price!
I have a Sunpak tripod and thought that this would fit.  I did not fit the tripod, so no use to me, Jim Ryan
These are a good factory fit. But why they used cork in the base is beyond me. the price was right so I didn&#8217;t mind.
Very handy device, easy to install and release.However, the level would have been a greater use on the longest side of the plateso we can actually see when the camera in screwed.Except that, affordable and reliable product.
This item was purchased so both my cameras can be quickly changed out on the tripod, small and can be left on the cameras.
I somehow lost (or misplaced - now that I have another, I suppose the first will show up!) my original - this works perfect!
Great news.... annnoying news. Great news....this one you can screw on the camera and it really does lock down so I probably won't have the problem of it spinning off the camera which is why I lost the last one. Annoying news...it fits so tight in the tripod slot that it isn't really a "Quick release" anymore. It is more of a tight release. Still it works.
The cork on the plate is much lighter in color. It does fit  tighly, need minor adjustment but it will work
Bought a couple of these to replace the pair that were stolen in a car break-in. (They are required, not optional, to put a camera on my tripod.) Knew what I was getting, so am obviously satisfied with the product.  Not so satisfied with Amazon's delivery. I was up against a deadline and desperately needed these replacements NOW!  I forked over the 'get it here tomorrow' fee -- and waited.  and waited. for four more days until it came.  Explanation I got was that the delay was due to the surprise snow that shut down Seattle -- and that sounds reasonable -- except that the guaranteed delivery date  was, er, the day before it snowed.  And a month later, I'm still waiting for the refund of expedited shipping cost promised for a fail-to-deliver situation. Until Amazon can convince me that their shipping dept employs fortune-tellers or refunds my wasted extra fee, I'm withholding the other two stars.
The Quick-Release Plate was the right part for my Sunpak tripod and works great.  The shipping was perfect, for the event that I needed it.
This is great, like that it has extra level on it, but I failed to measure the foot size that fits on my tripod I use so I can't actually use this.
I bought this as a universal replacement for Kodak tripod shoe.  Unfortunately, it's a little smaller than the original so it wiggles.  I will not use this to hold my camera on it's side but I can use it to hold my camera on the tripod...
I purchased this as a replacement for a tripod that a family member had. They had lost the plate to attach the camera to. It was a perfect pit for the tripod that I bought it for.
This plate works OK, but I wish the connection between it and the tripod was better, more secure. It's a bit scary given you are putting expensive camera equipment on it.
I've owned this tripod for about a year, and I have enjoyed it.  I use it with a Canon T3i and it holds my basic lenses pretty well, though at times with a zoom lens (the basic 70-300mm lens with no image stabilization) it is too much weight.  It does not come with a level bubble, but has the rest of the features you should expect in an entry level tripod such as a handle to move the camera around and the platform swings out, so the camera is stable shooting both landscape and portrait styles.  However the thing that I like most about this is that it fits easily into my check in luggage.  The take away on this product:  it's small, light, cheap and stable - it works great.
I parahes it three months ago. I took some picture. The tripod look nice and light, but the quality is really bad. The head doesn't fix properly.  After couple months the screws was damaged.
I have to admit I was worried that this tripod was going to be a piece of junk. I was way off. This is probably the best tripod you could get at this price point. I have literally no complaints about this tripod. It even came with two mounting pads for quickly changing cameras. I like it.
I needed this for my camera for video mode. I used to have one but lost it in the move. This comes with two adapters so it's bound to fit your camera. It seems to work well enough for me and is plenty tall.
The price is excellent for this sturdy and light weight tripod. It also comes with an extra quick release plate -- wonderful for those with more than one camera body.
The Sunpak 620-020 Tripod is a great piece of work. Sturdy and easy to use, has a great price vs. quality ratio. Recommended if you don't need anything too professional.
I use this to hold my Sandlot Slugger pitching machine.  It works good and I have no complaints.  it is worth it!
Great buy . Nice light duty . Not as sturdy as my other tripods . But doesn't cost over a $100.00 like they did . For the price a great tripod.
This is lite weight tripod that works well with my small camera. I would not use it with a large camera. It is easy to set up and take down.For my use it is perfect. I would recommend to anyone with a small digital camera.
Just so everyone knows where I'm coming from, I'm not a professional. I simply wanted a tripod to hold my camcorder steady while taking videos, especially ones that I want to be in. I don't need anything fancy or any interesting features, and for me this tripod has been great. I've given it plenty of abuse and it hasn't so much as scratched. It compacts down to a fairly small size (which is good since I've been traveling a lot lately), and can still extend fairly high when needed. It expands and contracts with very minimal effort (I literally open the leg clamp and tap it to extend the leg), and when I put it in a given position, it stays put. For an amateur like me, this is really the perfect tripod.
The Sunpak 2001UT tripod is exactly what I wanted and needed!  I have a D5000 Nikon and the tripod it is perfect for it, with the 55mm and 70 - 200 mm lens.  Thank you!
Sunpak 620-020 2001UT Travel Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Mounting PlateI bought this tripod because of its brand name and excellent reviews here on Amazon. It does not disappoint. Almost thirty years ago, as a photography student,I bought a tripod made by Sunpak. It was a lightweight and sturdy tripod in its day. This 2001UT model is even better made and is being sold on Amazon at an unbelievable price. You get TWO quick-release mounting plate, so that you can have two cameras that can be quickly swapped onto the tripod. This feature is not commonly offered on even expensive tripods that cost many times more. Unless you camera and lens weigh a total of more than 4.4 pounds/2 kg, you don't need anything costing more. I highly recommend this tripod.Below is Sunpak's description of the productLimited lifetime warrantyThree-way photo/video fluid-effect panhead with quick-release plate.Free second quick-release plate for your other camera or camcorder is included.Adjustable lift'n'lock center column with tension adjustment, and locking metal leg braces for added stability.Oversize 0.9 inch (22mm) leg diameter.D-shape three-section legs with quick-lock levers, and heavy-duty rubber feet for a good grip.Extends to a full 48.9"" (124.3mm), closes to only 19.7" (50.1mm), holds up to 4.4 pounds (2.0kg), weighs just 2.3 pounds (1.04kg).
The head is not movable, plastic parts, hard to move around.  BUt it is a good product for the price.  As it is my first tripod, I guess I can't complain too much.
I've had this about a month now and haven't had a chance to use yet.  I only tried it out for a test (in my house) the day I received it.  It seems easy to use, opens to a decent height, and while not as sturdy as I'm sure a professional tripod would be, will probably serve me just fine.  I'm planning to use it to take pix at an upcoming graduation and wedding so it will be interesting to see how it functions out of doors if it's windy.  It does take a while to twirl the camera around to screw it into place on the pan but again, that's to be expected with a low end, travel-style tripod.  So far, I'm happy with it.
Super cheap fast arrival exactly what I was looking for couldn't ask for better also for a cheap tripod it is very sturdy and can be adjusted for uneven areas
Very nice for the money, works very smoothly.....would buy one again.....has extra foot for a second camera also....very nice price....
I really like the tripod - it is VERY versatile (lengthwise and angle-wise), sturdy and priced very reasonably - the perfect tripod for my indoor needs - both for stills and videos.
Very good quality especially considering the price, which was very reasonable. Would recommend to friends and family. Really like the sturdiness of the unit
This is a great tripod. Appears to be sturdy and well built. Would recommend this product with no problem at all.
Works great. Love being able to put my camera on it and have the confidence that it isn't going to fall over.
This tripod is made well and very cheap. It's sturdy and easy to haul around. Included are mounts that attach to your camera allowing you to quickly remove the device you are using.
This is a good "starter" tripod for a new shutterbug. Although this is an inexpensive model.... it works perfectly well. When my skills improve I may get a better quality tripod.
The product arrived on-time. I just got it yesterday, so I don't have much information to give. But so far I like what I see. This tri-pod is not the flimsy alluminum material. I have a Nikon P520 and it fits my camera. The tripod has a swivel function, so you can move the camera around.
It has such great quality you would think it would hold up, but top piece is very chap for the awesomeness at the bottom. The top piece broke after a month of moderate use (once or twice every weekend for four hours at most)
The tripod is only about 4' tall, but it's perfect for my digital slr camera. As a photographer, sometimes I need a tripod for slower exposures and whatnot. This one was very cheap, and worth the money. It's light weight and very stable. Exactly what I was looking for! :]
I needed a cheap tripod and I got one. Not the toughest thing in the world but is pretty light and fold nicely into a small form factor. Not very tall so if you are 5'7&#34; (170 cm) like me then its OK. If you are any taller, be ready to bend down to look through the camera.
It's light weight still has a good sturdiness to it.  I find it easy to use with a spotting scope.
I purchased this tripod for my 13-year-old son, who makes his own YouTube videos with a flip-type video camera.  He is not very gentle, and I needed something fairly sturdy, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money, so this seemed to be the perfect option.So far, it has worked out okay.  There is one piece of plastic at the mounting point that has cracked, but that hasn't been too much of an issue (and for the price, we weren't expecting it to last forever).  All of the pivot points have held up and have been sturdy.  And we like the height extension.  All-in-all a good tripod for the price.
This Sunpak tripod was reasonably priced and sturdy. I use it often indoors and out. It comes with 2 quick release mounts, I think that is a great Idea.
The easy snaps & extend and all the tighteners are great. I would recommend this to anyone :) Get It.
this tripod is a good deal. stable, lightweight, good height, easy operation, great price, good delivery. But there was a  problem where the quick mount screw was  too long and would not secure the camera rigidly. Placing a thick washer underneath fixed it. I don't know if its rigid enough for really big cameras and lenses as I have only used it with my liitle Nikon 9100, but that has an 18xx zoom so I need a tripod on the long telephoto.
Excellent value.  For amateurs like myself...I believe this tripod serves the purpose and relatively easier to travel with.
Read carefully.  This tripod is well built like the other Sunpak I had, however, I didn't really look closely at the size and now realize it's smaller/shorter than I would like.
I have gone through at least three tripods in the last 15 or so years. This one is very sturdy and is a good height for my needs.
This is a good tripod that is light and easy to manuever.  The only reason im not giving this 5 starts is because the quailty of the plastic is somewhat questionable.  This is the second one I have bought and the first one had the platic tab break off making it unusable only after light use.
I've been using theSunpak 620-020 2001UT Travel Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Mounting Platefor a few months, and I've found it to be excellent for taking pictures of documents indoors. Besides offering a stable platform with great ease of adjustment, it is lightweight and portable.
The Sunpak tripod is designed for simplicity and speed. You can see how it was improved over models from 30 years ago, no fumbling around with it.
This is the only tripod that I have ever owned, however, I do agree that it seems to be a very nice piece of equipment, especially for the very low price. It suits my needs well for a small digital camera. The only downside is that it does not come with a carry bag. This was an oversight on my part when I ordered, and I'm sure I would have to pay just as much as I did for the tripod to get a bag for it, so I will live with it as is.
Wow, for the money this is one impressive tripod.  I read other reviews about flimsy or shaky tripods, and this one is none of those things.  Its description says medium duty and I would say that is about right.
Nice tripod at a good price. The panning head was a bit stiff but that was easy enough fix. Joints are sticky and I would have to remove the camera to make even the smallest adjustments. Very sturdy when properly adjusted though.Fits my Canon T3 snugly, love the free 2nd quick-release mounting plate for a second camera/camcorder.One major draw back is the lack of a carrying case, I keep mine in it's box for protection.
Get it you will thanks yourself about that desition, this tripod is magnific dont hesitate and get it now, you will see.
I bought this tri-pod and less then a month of very light use one of the plastic pieces broke and a piece of the main body broke. Spend a little more money and get a good tri-pod.
I am not a photography buff. I was looking for a cheap tripod for occasional use. A quick search on the Web brought me to this product. The quality of the design and the apparent sturdiness of the Sunpak 2001UT surprised me. For the price and for the uses I have for it (which are limited), I don't think I could have done any better.
Purchased this for around the home/studio/workshop use, at the price paid it represents excellent value. No complaints whatsoever. I liked the fact that an extra mount was included.
This thing is great. Low price point but good quality. I'm just an amateur, but this thing is easy to use, light weight and very functional.
I've had this tripod for almost three years now and I'm very happy with it. It is pretty sturdy and decently built. It's not a super high quality tripod, but it works great for me. It's relatively easy to adjust and the bottom of the legs can be set to have either the metal spikes or the plastic nubs. The tripod came with two base plates and a very handy dandy tripod bag. Overall, a pretty good value for the price. I don't think I'm buying another tripod for a while.
Product is quick to set up. Very light and seems sturdy although has a lot of plastic parts. Should last a while unless you abuse it. Used it for 10 days in Hawaii and worked fine. I do wish it was a bit shorter but since I only aid $17 with free shipping,  I really can't complain.
This lightweight but sturdy tripod is well suited to the gamut of digital video cameras.
Very sturdy and stable. The screw-on doesn't feel completely tightened but it is. I would buy this tripod again when needed.
I wish I had this tripod for Christmas.  We wouldve just taken our own holiday pictures in front of our tree. Very strong and impressive for the price!
I'm a YouTuber and I needed a good quality tripod! I had been looking all over for a tripod that was great quality and had a good price point! After much research I found this one. I just got it in the mail today and its amazing!!! It comes with an extra camera dock pad so you can easily switch out your cameras without having to unscrew your camera from the tripod. It's very sturdy and the height is absolutely perfect for my needs. I'm also in a wheelchair and its super easy for me to assemble and disassemble as well! All around I'm extremely happy with this product and would recommend it to anyone needing a tripod!
This is a great little tripod for the money. I read some reviews that were neagative, but that was not so in my case. I'm going to Egypt and I want to take photos where there is little or no light. The tripod will keep my camaras, 35mm & digital steady for the long exposure. I wanted a tripod that was light weight and easy to carry as I roam through the tombs and Pyramids. This tripod fits the bill and I'm very happy with it.
This tripod is "good" if you only plan to use it indoors. I bought this tripod as a "starter" tripod so that I could learn the ropes of photography equipment.I used the tripod for a faux-studio shoot for some pencils and small objects. For these purposes, it's a great, adjustable tripod. However, while I was still ecstatic about my new tripod, I decided to bring it outside to the park for pictures of a sunset. As it turns out, once you bring the tripod out of a indoor environment, the fragility of the legs really became evident. Even fully compacted, the tripod seemed to move on its own right just as I held it with one hand (from the wind.)When I set up, I was careful not to extend the bottom legs, since from what I understand, they are usually the more fragile. My pictures came out fine, although I found out some strange things about the tripod, that might be a fault of just my model. As it turns out, the tripod mount's head didn't lock at ALL if you turn the camera on it's side.To explain, there's 3 ways you can move the tripod head:Twist the "hand grip" to lower or raise the camera.Undo the bottom screw to turn the camera left or rightAnd, undo screw closer to the tripod mount, to turn the camera to its side, like in a "L" shape.When I tried to turn it a "L" shape and lock it, the head did not lock properly. While it DID stay in a portrait position, I could simply push it back down flat with nearly zero resistance.The overall build of the legs were fine for such a cheap and compact tripod (although, when I went to the park, they almost seemed to bend like cheap metal on the rough concrete+wind). Along with that, the plastic head seemed very poorly made, with many of the joints looking cheap (You could see the plastic "nips" that seeped from the molds. They were seen on both the joints of the tripod, and in the basic parts).Overall, I think that it's a acceptable camera tripod for indoors, and a almost embarrassingly cheap tripod once you bring it outside and extend the legs.UPDATE: I've been bringing this tripod around a bit more, and I think that compared to some other cheap-o tripods out there, this actually performs exceptionally well at the price point (I've seen tripods for the same price with tripod legs that looked 2X thinner than mine.) However, I also noticed that the tripod "head" has been degrading in it's ability to hold its position. Along with that, the camera mounts that come with this tripod don't twist all the way into my camera, resulting in 5/6th of a full twist (my camera ends up facing a weird angle).Still, it's a better tripod than most at the price point.
I would give it a higher rating if my heavy Canon 7d didn't cause it to fall forward at the head if its pointed too far downwards (more than 45 degree tilt).  It also isn't as tall as I would want as it doesn't come to eye level (I'm 5'10&#34;).It is lightweight and easy to pack around.
The Sunpak 2001UT tripod is a good basic tripod, esp. for digital cameras.  The reason for my saying this is that this is a light-weight tripod, and its maximum load is about 4.2 pounds.  This is sufficient for digital cameras that do not use interchangeable lenses, and also for SLRs or digital SLRs that use a lightweight lens.  So, if you have a 300mm telephoto or zoom lens on your SLR you MUST get something heavier and sturdier.  For others whose camera (plus lens) is less than 4 pounds, this lightweight tripod is perfect.  It's pretty good quality, easy to use, has a quick-release camera plate (so you can take the plate with the camera for that quick handheld shot), and is light enough to carry with you anywhere you go.
We use this for video shoot regularly. We needed to keep this in different place, with different height setting. It works perfect. We love this product. We havnt carried this outside, but it should be easy to carry around.Still looking for bag/cover/box for this for outdoor shooting.
Unfortunately the product was broken upon opening the package. It was alright in apperance but was not able to actually use it sadly.
Works great
This tripod was not worth my time or money. The only thing that it really was good for is holding my camera when I wasn't using it. It is very hard to adjust and does not have much variability.If you are taking straight forward pictures from a flat surface, this tripod will work for you. Any variability, such as uneven surfaces or fast set up shots, I would recommend spending a little bit more on your tripod. I wasted my time with this one, but I also take most of my pictures outside and end up with many variables. I have found that this tripod does not suit someone who plans to do more than work in controlled settings, like your living room.
I bought tripod just like everyone else to take many photo of myself and my wife.Easy to adjust the height and angle.  It's little heavier than I thought but i'm a young man who can carry this at least lol.I recommend this.
Very compact, very stable.  Well made.  Don't be afraid of the plastic fittings - they are very strong.  The clamps hold very well.  It is very light weight too.
I chose this tripod based on the positive reviews regarding its virtues as a travel tripod.Quality-wise, appears to be well-constructed, especially for the super low price.Problem? It is not particularly small and it weighs a ton!I like to go on long exploratory walks or bike rides, often at night, with my Canon G1X,a relatively compact camera with a very large sensor that is ideal for shooting in low light.I think a tripod would be a useful accessory to enable even better low light shooting and the positive reviews regarding portability are what led me to the Sunpak 620. It may be a useful general purpose tripodbut it is definitely not very portable or light weight.
Wow! I just received this product today. It came much quicker than I was expecting and it arrived in perfect condition. It was already put together, so there's no assembly required. I've never had a tripod before, so I had no idea what I was doing. I just followed the instructions and I was able to quickly place my camera on the tripod. It was super simple.The tripod is incredibly sturdy and, although it's lightweight, it feels very solid, even with my camera on it (I have a Nikon D5000 with a 50mm 1.4 lens on it). I will be giving the tripod a test run this Friday, so it'll be interesting to see how it holds up to wind and other factors. Overall, I am VERY happy with my purchase. It was cheap and it feels like a good quality tripod. I'm very happy!
It is not easy to find a good tripod at a price like that. It is solid and versatile. I recommend it.
Lightweight, and able to adjust in every direction someone might want! This thing is a no brainer...if you need a budget tripod look no farther.Only thing I might want to add is a level. But for the cost, this thing is great.
Would have loved if there was a tiny level on the base. But even without it is a delightful product. I camp and hike often, and this is my one luxury item. In fact, I am taking it tonight for a little midnight stroll in the mountains. With the Lumia 1020 + Grip attachment, this is a choice setup.
This tripod is exactly what you pay for, it's cheap, light, and get's the job done. I gave it 5 stars because it is not meant to be a professional tripod, you have to spend a lot more money for that. But for our SLR and camcorder, all the features are great.
Head is a little sticky on the pans.  Manageable, but needs improvement.4 months of light to moderate use, leg mechanism is broken at the point of support.
I wasn't impressed. Head was quirky and you will definatly need some weights. I ended up getting some ankle weights.
This item is very flexible and easy to use. You can set it for almost any angle for the camera. Lightweight, so easy to adjust.
This tripod is of high quality, easy to use, and at a phenomenal price compared to others on the market.  I used this on a recent mule deer hunting trip in Montana and loved it.
For the cost of this tripod, it can't be beat. It folds into a fairly small size making transport very easy. This is my first tripod purchase so I can't make any comparisons, but, price shopping around, I really couldn't justify paying 5-10x as much for other tripods as a recreational photographer. This tripod more than satisfies what I need from it.
this is for point and shoot camera, and it works. it's light, stable enough to hold pretty much any ponit and shoot, and even light DSLR. Excellent price!
The Sunpak 620-020 is light weight, sturdy and easy to operate. We use the tripod to hold very expensive electronic monitoring equipment.
This tripod is about what you'd expect given the price. It works OK, though I feel that the design isn't as easy to use as more modern (and expensive) ones. Despite its claims of smooth panning, head movement is just plastic on plastic, so don't expect really fluid movements in your videos if that's what your using it for.Works well for photography, especially travel as it's pretty light, but it's not heavy enough to keep a big camera rock steady when it's fully extended. Bring along a remote shutter release and you should be just fine as long as it's not really windy.It's also nice that it includes two quick-release plates, but it's not nice that those plates are very bulky and prevent almost all cameras from sitting level on a table, so I don't leave mine attached. For me, that kills some of the appeal of quick-release in the first place.
I bought my last tripod sometime around 1975 and thought it was about time to get another. The new one is lightweight, doesn't wobble, has quick release plate. All this for less than $30??? Life is good.
Got this as a Christmas gift for my daughter's family, so I do not have any direct experience with it.  On the other hand, it is a fairly simple device, and I do not anticipate any real issues with it.
Feels a bit more solid and sturdy than what I was expecting.  The weight is very good as well, good value for the price.
I was in great need of a light weight and very portable tripod because we take many trips with our daughter and this tripod is perfect. It looks great with the black plastic on grey aluminum and it is very easy to operate. There are no complaints so far but if i do have any i will definitely come back and update this review.
For the price I paid for this tripod, I was not expecting so much bang for the buck. I was kind of expecting a tripod that could be adjusted even when it was all tightened up (which I did not want to happen), but I was surprised when this little thing arrived and was able to hold its own.It is lightweight and the fasteners actually fasten securely, so you won't be accidentally adjusting it when you don't want to. And even though it is lightweight, it is incredibly stable. I have walked into it a few times, and my precious DSLR did not go tumbling--rather, the tripod just shifted along the floor.It has multiple height adjustments, and this is where my only knock is against the tripod is found--I wish it would go higher. But, that's just me being nitpicky, and overall I would highly recommend this tripod.
for the cost, it isn't a bad tripod. it's sturdy but lightweight so it isn't a hassle to tote around when you are out going on photoshoots. i would like it, however, if it extended to longer heights, or if it had a handle for easier carrying. other than that, the points of articulation are solid and can be secured very tightly without them going loose for whatever reason. a great budget tripod.
It's a nice little affordable tripod. It is as stable as a $15 tripod gets. The quick release is very convenient, specially since they give you two mounting plates. As some others have mentioned, panning on this tripod isn't very smooth, even when fully loosened.
I guess for the price of $15-20, it's hard to complain too much. I'll do my best to put down some concise ideas about what I'm happy with and what I'm not.Pros:- Simple construction; easy to use- Mounting plate seems to be compatible with any type of camera, video or photo.- Very compact and light construction, easy to carry around- THE PRICE! (cheaper than any tripod I could find anywhere)Cons:- Maximum height is slightly deficient at 40 inches, making nature shots ok but portraits difficult- Light construction means a little less strength and rigidity, legs are spindly and tend to flex a little. The bases or stoppers on the bottoms of the tripod legs are very thin, so a completely level and stable area is needed for the tripod. (ie. if you were to set the tripod on an even slightly uncompacted surface, like soil or sand, the skinny legs would quickly sink in, providing no stability)- No bubble or other type of level to make sure that your recording device is actually level and not tilted to one side or the otherConclusion:- If you just need a cheap tripod to throw around for nature shots and other non-human subjects, this will work perfectly. If you want a tripod for standing level portraits, this will not suffice, due to its height deficiency. It is functional in every other regard.
low quality, Broke appart on the hindges. Yet to big and bulky to carry on a backpack. I was very dissapointed with it
Cheap and good.Just few word is enough it's boring to have a long text to write. If you really want a feedback.
I purchased this tripod based on price (I really only wanted something that would support the water drop system I recently bought).  When I pulled it out of the box, I was surprised at how &#34;heavy&#34; it was.  And by heavy, I mean heavier than the cheapo tripod that came in the kit when I bought my camera.  It's definitely very sturdy, and seems like it's a good quality item.  The bonus head pad was a nice surprise (I didn't notice that when I was reading the description) so I will be able to use it interchangeably with the water drop kit and my camera.  It's actually such a nice tripod, I'm thinking about using it for my day to day photography instead of my old tripod.Just FYI, keep an eye on the price and shipping info.  Four days after purchase, the price itself has increased by a few cents, but it also has an additional shipping charge from the seller (it was free with Prime) resulting in an almost $10 price difference.
I received the tripod yesterday and played around with it some.  So far I think it's a winner for the price.  Very sturdy and EZ to use.  I like the quick-release mounting plate.  Groovy!!!
The tripod is great for the price for a light-weight Camera, but if you taking movies a much higher quality one with a fluid-heat is recommenced.
This is a nice tripod but the attaching wingnut is hard to access (for me) and it should extend higher. I'm 6'5" and another 6-8" of height on this would be nice
I was completely prepared to give this tripod a five-star review. It's lightweight but sturdy, easy to assemble and disassemble, and very adjustable. I used it to tape a church service and sat it next to me in the pew with its legs retracted, like a short tripod, and it was wonderful. It's also nicely finished, and when you collapse the tripod and tighten its knobs, it stays together and doesn't flop around while you're toting it.Unfortunately, that evening I had trouble docking our new Sony camcorder, and when I looked at the bottom of the camcorder, I saw that the stabilizing pin from the tripod quick release had broken off in the camera! To my great relief, I was able to pull out the pin with no trouble, but the angst factor was pretty high there for a couple of minutes. I was very careful attaching and removing the camera from the tripod, so this is not "consumer error." (I can't keep the quick-release plate permanently attached because then I can't dock the camcorder... bad on Sony there...but still.)Your mileage may vary, but this tripod is going back to Amazon, and I'll be shopping for another brand.
First of all, When I received this tripod, it was a lot more sturdy than I had expected for a $15 piece of equipment. (This is the only tripod I have ever bought and I cannot make comparisons.)It stands firm and the &quot;head&quot; is well designed, allowing you to move the camera is several directions. There is a quick-release feature that allows you to take the camera off with a part of the head still connected to it. This &quot;piece&quot; that comes off comes in duplicate with this tripod, so once you &quot;quick-release&quot; a camera, you don't need to take off this piece to hook up another camera. That was convenient for using this tripod for my still camera and video camera.The things I DIDN'T like include not being able to adjust the hieght easily between the three different levels the legs allow you to extend. It would have also been nicer if it were able to collapse to a smaller length, because as it is it will not fit into any camera bag.
Fairly sturdy. NOT made for tall folks. I am 5'6&#34;, and even on its tallest extension, I still have to squat down a bit to see. Not a comfortable position. For the price, though, it's not a bad deal. Set up and take down is easy. Don't expect too much from it, though.
This is my first tripod for my first video camera.  I have been very impressed with the tripod especially for just $20.  It is light in weight but very solid.  It has all the adjustments I need to get the shot.  I highly recommend this product.
At first I was very happy with it.. but then after about 5 months it broke on me. Was happy with it up until that part.
When I got my camera I went with a cheap $25 dollar tripod that was not as well built as this thing. I was really surprised to find the metal in the legs was thicker than the first tripods, you can feel it in the heft. The plastic parts have been cleaned up of all the flashing, locking mechanisms are pretty robust, and just plain rubber feet(can't add spikes). Definitely would recommend this for someone looking for a light duty tripod for small lights or flashguns(can't have enough of eitherFor camera work I've long since moved on to proper OBEN tripod.
Excellent value for the price. The height is acceptable and its weight makes it easyto carry it around with little extra load on your pack. make sure to get the level with it
This tripod is light, fits in a backpack, and is plenty sturdy for a large digital SLR camera.
If you're looking for the elusive tripod that will fit in a carry-on bag while behaving every bit like a standard tripod, look no further. The Sunpak 2001UT provides all the functionality of its larger competitors - but it's smaller, lighter and very affordable.Of course, if you're planning to use a camcorder and expect a hydraulic head for fluid pans, this is not the right product for you. But it will serve all your digital photography needs quite capably.Sunpak even includes a second quick-release mounting plate in case you lose the first.
I purchased this with my sony dsc-rx100 m2. I'm an amateur photographer so I don't have many tripods I can use for comparison but this one is sturdy and functional. My only gripe is re: the mount. The M2 has a functional focus/menu ring and it rubs against the mount when it is tightly secured.
I was reluctant to spend so little on a tripod, but this thing is fabulous! It's made very well...seems quite sturdy and durable. I am very pleased with this tripod and amazed that it doesn't cost more money.
Great quality tripod.  Sturdy and I like that it comes with two quick release options.  That came in handy at my daughter's b-day party when we were video taping and taking pictures.
Sturdy, well built and still light weight. This is a great buy for the money. Great for videos and photography
mobil because it is light.  i attaced it to my camera bag and off i go.  it doesn't seem like i'm carrying it.
I agree with the reviews that speak of the good features of this tripod... it is lightweight, easy to set up, compacts to a reasonable size, and is not difficult to carry.I purchased this tripod in 2004 but have never used it with my video camera; it always held my still camera. This year, I began using my video camera and a tripod was needed for smooth panning and tilt for an hour-long shoot. The subject was a corporate trainer whose motions did not follow a predictable path.The first taping, I found the joints a little sticky, even though the clamps were loosened. To prepare for the next taping, I attempted to lubricate he mechanism. That is when I realized that the design and construction was the cause and not that the tripod needed the lubricant.The construction of the joints had large clearances thus the tradeoff was keeping the adjustment snug or allowing the maximum freedom to eliminate the stickiness. On the second taping, I loosened everything up and was more careful. Some erratic movement could be edited out and some was compensated by the video camera's steady-cam features.While I like this tripod for my still pictures I would suggest evaluating other tripods for video use when panning, or tilt is needed.
Go to youtube and copy and paste inredneckcomputergeakThis is my channel and i have used this Tripod to make many videos.  It is rugged as can be and works great. At first the camera release level was stiff and hard to open but given a few tries it works great.
I spent $19.00 on a simialr sized unit at Wal-Mart. It was so wobbley I brought it back 15 minutes after purchase. I looked on Amazon and found this beauty for $20.85. plus I got the 2-day free shipping.  This unit will hold the largest of Spotting Scopes with ease. The Fluid Base, makes side to side and up and down movements glide like they are on Ice and when you lock it down its LOCKED DOWN!. Don't waste your money on a Shooters Optic name brand tripod. I give this unit 10 out/of 10 on the rating scale. Thank You Amazon for another top grade product for little money. A+++
This is a very cheap tripod.  I highly recommend spending $15.00 more and getting something that is built a little better.  The second time I used this tripod the plastic center ring that stabilizes the the three legs broke.  It snapped when I was tightening it to hold the ring in place.  Since it would cost me as much to ship the tripod back to Sunpak as I paid to buy it in the first place I am just tossing it in the trash and looking a little more closely at the construction of the replacement I will be buying.
It almost seems like there was a pricing mistake on this because I can't believe how good of a tripod I got for so little money. It's a fine quality unit that even comes with a spare connector on the top to which you attach the camera. It works perfectly and has all kinds of adjustments on it so you can position the camera in whatever position you want very easily.
I use these to hold cameras outdoors in stealthy locations for watching birds. I'm pleased with the quality and they are holding up better than expected. They are very light weight, if you get into high winds you'll need a weight to anchor the stands.I'll be buying more.
I have a Canon rebel Xti, with ultrasonioc lens. The tripod works very well! it's solid enough for my camera and at the same time light enough for carring it on trekking trips, although there are lighters, but not so solid in material. 3 things i miss: bubble stabilizer and a hook on the button to hang the bag or a weight.
You get what you pay for. Combined with a free bag (that I'm using for a Bogen 3001BN tripod), it's not such a bad starting tripod so you can evaluate something better. The legs are small and not very sturdy. The head movement is slow and tedious. An extra quick-release plate is good. If you have compact cameras (point & shoot or SLR w/ small lenses), it's okay.
A great starter tripod! I was amazed at how nice this tripod looks right out of the box and has all the swivels and movement features I could want. Super inexpensive and pretty darn compact. Even comes with a spare quick-release plate. Highly recommended!
It is lightweight, easy to set up, compacts to a reasonable size, and is not difficult to carry. Great price for this item. The shipping was fast an as described. Will purchase from this seller again
For an affordable tripod, this is pretty nice. It feels more durable than the cheap one I've had for many years, and it has done the job so far.Caveat: I've really only been using it for snapping marketing-type photos, so I haven't asked very much of it. For very low-stress duty, I'd recommend this item... but if you're going outdoors, shooting sports, etc,: my guess is you'll want to indulge a little bit more.
IT is just fine for amature photog.  It is light duty and a little short for any one over 5'7&#34;.  So handle with care, dont over tighten swivels and bend just a little.  It meets my needs and its very light weight and cheap.  I recommend it..
solid for home use. haven't carried it around. has good weight to it. no issues so far. i would recommend.
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened this. I had an old tripod given to me by my mom that was about 16 years old, that I broke because it was made of all plastic. This product is a very sturdy metal feel and slightly heavy. I like that it has a little twist knob thing to release the expand tube for the top part. My old one was crank style.Very good product. Happy customer here :)
After reading a series of mixed reviews of this tripod, with trepidation I bought one, and I'm so glad I did.  It is sturdy, lightweight, easily adjustable, and perfect for my needs, which is to take stable photos with a Nikon D80 SLR.  Among the reviews that were misleading were those that described the legs as not locking (they do...at any height or angle)and the case as not slinging over the shoulder (it does, it's just that you have to use it with the strap so that the zipper is at the bottom).  This is an amazing value.  My only regret is having spent so much time trying to decide whether to get it.
I, just like another reviewer, was going to give this tripod a 5 star rating, until, just like the other reviewer, the stabilizing pin broke! I was very careful, so it must be built poorly.I was going to send it back after the 4th of July (I needed it for the weekend) and then the extra mounting plate fell off! The quick plate was still attached to my camera when I left, but was gone when I got home. I know I should have taken it off, but that does say something about the mounting plate - that it will fall off randomly!Now that I only have one plate, I doubt I can send it back to Amazon. I'm pretty disappointed. I managed to put the broken plate together, but who knows how long it will last.Apart from my problems with the plate, the tripod is pretty good. Wish it had a bubble level, and it really needs a bag. It's awkward carrying around the box with it, and it's weird to carry it by itself. You could always make it a bag.If anyone has any information about how I could buy an extra plate, please tell me!
Great tripod so far! Its light and sturdy. Many adjustments can be made and seems to be decent quality. Great buy for the price. Hope to get many years of use out of this bad boy.
This is a very nice tripod, small and convenient enough to carry in my backpack. The 3 way pan head is also a very essential feature of this tripod.
This is a great tripod and exactly what I needed. Feels sturdy and the legs extend out. The middle collapses, so this does not take up much space. I am not a professional photographer - I use this for family pictures and times that I want the camera steady. Works like a charm!
Such amazing quality! I am so excited to use this on our trip this summer! Happily surprised with the sturdiness of this product for such a great low price!
This is a pretty solid little tripod, but check the measurements before you buy it. It's not very tall, so it's sort of useless for most of my shoots.There's no bubble level, either, so it's tough to line shots up perfectly.Now you know.
I opted of one of the cheaper tripods because im just starting out but this one is great and you cant beat the price. I Just wish it was a little bit taller. Other than that its perfect.
This is a video i made about the unboxing. The tripod is about 4 feet tall and i recomeend it to everybody. it is an ideal tripod and it is light weight and compact.[...]
And I love it. It can stand on my desk or on the ground. It's easy to work with and extremely sturdy. I will only buy Sunpak for now on cuz the quality and price is unbeatable:)
I'm one of those people who researches purchases -- almost all of them.  Chose this tripod and liked it so well that when it  was stolen from my car, I immediately bought a second one.  Made this selection because I'm entering into light video production (professionally)and didn't have the bucks for more exalted models.  Its light weight makes it ideal for my use out in the field.  Perfectly steady for average use, swivel action is smooth, and the quick-release plate is very helpful (and the bonus plate is just that:  a bonus!).  Only caveat is that it might not be tall enough for some people, but I use the LCD screen, not the viewfinder, so it works fine for me.  And taller would translate to bulkier/heavier.
This tripod is fantastic!  It's very sturdy and holds the weight of my 3.5lb camera + lens easily.  Unlike some other tripods, this one can adjust to a fairly small height, which is great for shooting dogs, in my case, and great for storage.  For the price, this tripod is a steal and I am very pleased that I had decided on this one.
Poorly assembled, but designed well.Upon receiving it, I noticed one of the screw on mounts for a camera had unglued itself and a spring had popped out.  I reassembled it.  Then I noticed that there was a bent staple stuck in one of the joints.  I removed it.After that, it works well.  There is a slight difference in length of the legs however, but it's pretty minor and can be adjusted so the camera is level.  Not professional quality, but good enough for an amateur.
This product is good for the price you get. Literally. It's good for everyday situation, and my only problem is that the plastic feels cheaply made. It's for indoor use, and i wouldn't suggest using it on a windy day or outdoors.
Bought this for Canon SLR with standard 5mm lens. Fits well, Sturdy and sufficient for general use. PLastic is okay - no issues at all. Very good for price.
I am simply amazed at this tripod.  Packs up into a small space (backpack-sized), lightweight, but still sturdy and quickly expands to full height.  This is the kind of tripod you could take with you on hikes if you're serious about your photos, without feeling like you're really packing anything extra or letting things get out of hand.  Feels well made for a medium-duty tripod, and I expect to get a lot of great use out of it.
This is a very sturdy tripod and a great price for it! I got in on sale for about 17.00 and it was worth every penny! We can now take family pictures on our own!
I would definitely recommend this.  I travel with it so I can send my pictures to my nutritionist during contest prep.  I also take it to the gym so I can critique my form.  Very sturdy totally recommend.
This is an okay tripod. It works fine--not great, not awful. If you're on a budget and just looking for something simple, you'll probably be thrilled with it! I'm not sure if mine lost a piece or is suffering from regular wear and tear, but is no longer functional. The piece that supports the camera has no tension and the camera just 'flops' over and can't be aimed/lifted. It worked fine for probably 6 months to a year, but now I need a new tripod.
I was looking for a basic tripod for learning and I found it right. Does a good job and it didn't cost much.
I'm not extensively experienced with tripods, so I haven't experienced a higher end one, but this fits the bill well. It seems very solid in build with good workmanship on material and finish. I haven't tested the weight limit to any extent, but it holds all my cameras well.Seems to be a very good product for the money.
Its definitely more rugged and sturdy than i expected. i like that it came with an extra quick release plate, in case i lose one. i use this to hold a portable led light source. the only thing i didnt like, is the fact that it does not come with a carrying bag. other than that, for the price its worth it.
At first I was skeptical in buying this product because I really wanted a tall and sturdy tripod. My main concern is also with the fluidity of the panning and tilting features of the tripod since I will be using a videocam with it. Anyway, I bought  it because of the good reviews it has and also of its free shipping since I'm on a Prime trial.I truly have NO REGRETS in buying this thing of beauty. It's tall enough for me and the panning and tilting features are fluid so long as you know how to properly adjust them. The tripod is also surprisingly sturdy, I think it's made of metal cause of its heaviness and built. Very easy to use and to setup too! For the price, it's really something every aspiring film maker or home video addict should get!
Better than I expected.  Holds my chronograph securely and is much sturdier than the low price implies. Extra quick connect base is nice.
Great. Sturdy, Easy to setup. Comes with 2 camera attachments which makes changing camera's easy. Nice all around unit.
This has worked out well, especially for the price. It's a smaller tripod, and does not pan perfectly smooth without a bit of set up on the adjustments, however, after a little fine tuning to get the mounts set correctly, it moves fairly smoothly. THe overall size when it is folded up, makes it easy to pack with a small camera bag to take it with you with little effort. If you are looking for a simple, compact tripod, this is a good buy for the price.
The quality of the Sunpack 620-020 tripod is very good.  It stands very stable, folds down fairly small, and even comes with an extra mounting bracket.  I would recommend this to anyone needing a basic tripod.
I bought this tripod to steady my camera during the filming of the various how-to videos I've been making in my attempt to gain fame and fortune on the internet. The fame and fortune have not been forthcoming, but the tripod is a little wonder: it's light, expands and turns and twists in about 1,000,000 ways, and is exactly what I needed. This little puppy screws into even might dinky digital camera, so what's not to like about this tripod? It's totally great.
First it looks professional. Locks on the legs are "quick", you can release and adjust the legs very fast. One problem is that if you don't want to strecth the legs full way, then you have to use your imagination to make it stand level. It is much lighter than it looks. The legs and structure is made of thin and hollow pieces to reduce weight, still it is sturdy and holds the camera firm. The quick release pan head is also a nice feature that helps you to fix and release your camera without unscrewing the pan. An extra pan also comes with it that helps you to use two cameras alternatively without bother. The pan can be adjusted in three coordinates. A small complaint is that, there is no indicator with which to check if the pan surface is horizontal, so again one needs to guess.The tripod has also a center pole that extends to about 1 foot and helps adjust the camera height without need to adjust legs. When legs are closed it is reasonably small.I would say this is a great tripod for home and vacation use and for the price you pay, you get a worthy service.
I can not understand anyone writing a bad review for this tripod, maybe they received a defective one.This tripod is great! It fits in my carry on luggage is sturdy, easy to use, the head moves smoothly, light weight the only thing I would like to see is a quick connect like on my much more expensive Sunpak tripod this one is too large to leave on camera, in my opinion but then what do you expect for so inexpensive.ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU AMAZON!!!!!!
This is a great all purpose camera stand. Very solid and well made. I've seen others in store that sell for $50-75 for the same quality.
This tripod was an absolute waste of my money~The camera soes not stay hooked on to the tripod and lifts off easily. In general the quality of this tripod is substandard even though it looks nice.
A perfect balance of price/performance.It fits neatly with my camera, a Canon G10. I use it to photo products in a camera box, connected to my PC using digital capture. It is rock solid and simple to use. Which is exactly what I was looking for.The tripod arrived on time and undamaged.
I couldn't have been happier with this tripod until it broke on me about 15 minutes ago.  I have owned it for less than a week and I had only put my camera on it about 5 times before the locking mechanism for the detachable dock came off.I've read reviews from other users who said the stabilizing pin broke off... I think this may be the piece they are referring to, but I don't have the manual with me to identify exactly what the piece is called.  I noticed, once the piece came off, that the head of the screw holding it on was not wide enough to actually keep it in place.  Once it was off, I could easily slip it on and off again without removing the screw.  Nothing actually "broke", but once the piece came off, it was too difficult to get it back on with the adjacent spring in the right place (...a futile effort, since the screw wasn't going to hold it on anyway).I'm pretty bummed out about this.  Everything else about the tripod was great, especially for what I payed.  I wish I could still say it was worth it for the price, but if I can't even clamp the camera back onto the tripod, then it's worthless.
This tripod works fine and serves its purpose. Although... I do wish it was a little taller, but then I guess I should have bought a taller one then! It is as tall as it says it is so that's my fault.
Great product. Great Value. It exceeded my expectations, I just use it for photography with a high zoom Sony Camera. I recommend this, for beginners and amateurs.
I wanted a light weight tripod for travel.  This filled the bill and is a very good value for the money. The only negative I noticed is when I move my video camera in an up and down motion, it is a bit jerky. I can't seem to get the fluid movement that I got on a heavier, more expensive tripod.
This is junk, had ordered for 22 week back now it is 17, glad i had returned, handle loose and not fitting in at all
Lightweight tripod that hold my webcam easily. The quick release makes taking down the setup easy also. No case though.
This tripod is cool -- I've never owned a tripod before, so it's cool to me. It extends everywhere and compacts really nice. I'd put it in a yoga mat bag to carry it since it doesn't come with a case. I purchased it to take a steadier picture of my paintings to post online. I also found out I can mount my night vision monocular to it and stare at the neighbors trees from my window.
Bought this a gift for my grown daughter who is a budding DSLR photographer.  When we saw the box, we were both a little concerned that it would be too big, but it collapses to a very manageable size - it fit into a standard size backpack w/o difficulty.  It comes w/ 2 plates that you fit to the bottom of your camera for &#34;easy-on/easy-off&#34; maneuverability.  She just took it on a trip to northern Sweden to see the Northern Lights and pronounced it &#34;perfect&#34;.
I just received it and tried it right away. It looked decent, but if you look closely you feel the plastics are very cheap. So cheap that the center screw broke away with very little effort. I really wished this to work. But it has to go back. If you own a DSLR it is not right for you. Please spend another $20 and get a better tripod.
I got this tripod so that I could use the quick-release plate, yeah, it's real nice...
This is my first tripod and I think it is great. It is easy to use, set up and easy to carry.  It is sturdy for my usage. It is compatible with my canon rebel t3 and was a great price.  I use this for family portraits most of the time.  This is a good tripod. I would recommend it for first time buyers and amateur photographers.  I don't do video so I'm not sure how well it performs with that.
I bought this to mount my digital camera and video my golf swing. For the price I got about 5 times the product.  I bought it because of the price and I am amazed at the quality and ease of use.
I carried this all over Hawaii in my backpack to get those lava shots and waterfalls. Lightweight and easy to use.
Cheap.  It maxes out at around 5 feet.  So if you want to take portraits of people above 5 ft, they will be looking down at the camera...
The quality of this product was excellent. It is sturdy but light weight and includes and extra removable camera connector. The legs extend perfectly and the leg clamps are smooth and solid. The only thing I would change on the design is a fine adjustment for the single extender leg (the one the camera connects to). For the price it is impossible to beat this product! The vendor was excellent too - the product was as advertised and the delivery was very fast.
this is a smaller, more compact tripod than i was used to. i like it because it travels better but, fully extended its not as tall as my old dolica. i reach for the sunpak every time though.***Update****Just tossed it - the extension holders started breaking and the tripod is kind of worthless after that
otherwise - a very solid and lightweight little tripod.  I'm six-foot-nothing, and to use the rangefinder on the tripod is a little painful (my back is a train wreck anyway).  But it sets up fast, takes down fast, and overall - an amazingly good value - FOR THE PRICE.
Decent economical tripod. The extra hot foot was an unexpected bonus. No problems after few months. A friend had borrowed it and was ecstatic about it too.
For an entry-level tripod this is a great buy.  More than sturdy enough for my SLR, lens and flash kit.  You would be hard-pressed to find a better value in the sub-$100 range.
Tripod is sturdy and not heavy - very easy to handle.  Comes with two camera bases.  Now if I could just figure a way to carry it in my suitcase and prevent TSA from destroying it.Packed well and arrived on time.
This is a really good item at the price.  It seems sturdy, I had it outside in a windstorm and had no problems, the only issue was my lower back got a little cramped from bending down but I defintely would recommend this to someone who lacks the steady hand who wants to take some pictures.
Yes this is not professional grade but it works good.  We put our Nikon 3200 on it with no trouble.  Nice to have the camera on this insted of weird objects for pictures.  Seems well made but only used a few times.
I am just a backyard photographer, taking photos, short videos of birds, flowers,pets or maybe the full moon at nite.  I didn't need anything expensive or professional,just something to steady the camera for those close up shots.  This seems to work well, it is notreally heavy, but it seems sturdy enough, as long as you don't let pets or kids race aroundthe base.  Easy to extend up to full height and easy to mount your camera.  So farI am happy with it.
This works great for me. The one thing that I didnt like was that it did not come with instructions. I let my husband fool around with it then tell me how everything worked. Otherwise works great. I use it with my Canon SL1 which is a small DSLR and it holds it just fine.
I was expecting it to be a little taller when fully extended but maybe I should have read\researched more. Its a good quality tripod for the price though.
This is lightweight and inexpensive tripod that's great for travel if you're taking still photos.  Nottogood formovies - the head does noy move smoothly - for movies you need a tripod with a &#34;fluid&#34; head control.
I was very surprised at how nice this product is for the price.Even the box is glossy cardboard with quality printing - you would be proud to give it as an inexpensive gift.
This thing is compact and effective, as well as very sturdy. This tripod does the trick for my amateur photography purposes. Plus it's affordable!Highly recommended.
The 8001UT is the best basic tripod I have found.  I have been using this for a few years - first with my film SLR and now with my digital Nikon D3000 SLR.It is lightweight, stable and the quick release head is its best feature.  The quick release head lets you VERY easily take the camera from your hand to the tripod, without having to deal with the screw attachment.  There is a small plate that just stays on the bottom of the camera.The quick release legs always work great and have held up well under heavy use.Sure, the tilt and pan will not work very well for video because it is not the smoothest mechanism in the world, but for a basic tripod, it works great.In my humble opinion, buy this or spend ten or twenty times more for a very high end tripod.  Anything in the middle is a waste of money and you will not find anything near this quality for less money.If you are not a professional photographer, this is the tripod for you.  It is the right choice for 98% of people looking to buy a tripod.Unconditional recommendation to everyone but a professional (or anyone taking very very long night exposures).
This is a fine tripod for stationary photo work - good price, sturdy enough, nice level, attachment is good, quick release works well. However the pan and tilt are just not smooth enough for video.
I was reluctant to buy a tripod for such little money.  You usually get what you pay for.  I read the reviews on this and thought I'd take a chance.  It turned out to be just what I wanted.  A very light weight but stable tripod.  The quick release is nice and they include two in the purchase, one for a second camera.  The legs slide in and out with ease.  Very happy with this purchase, recommended to anyone else who wants a small, light weight, stable tripod for under $30.
My husband owns a Manfrotto 475B Professional Tripod Legs its quite lovely but the issue is we both take photos.  He is a quality nut and I am most certainly not!  After days of research from one side to the other and with him nagging behind my ear get a good one or you will be sorry; I came to a conclusion.  I needed a tripod that could: 1) Support my Nikon D3000 and a telephoto lens  2) Not be god awful heavy. 3)  Ease of use for panning.  4) quick release.This tripod does those things.  And as far as the quality side of things  I've seen him steal mine a couple of time when he was &#34;In a hurry&#34; so it must be just fine. LOL
I am happy with this tripod. It is stable. It holds my small digital camera for clear pictures. Took a great family portrait; that's why I bought the tripod.I would say that tripod height can be important. This tripod is a good height but not the tallest one available.If I was using the tripod daily I would be concerned with some of the parts. It seems great for the occasional use that I plan to use it for.
This is a nice sturdy and relatively lightweight tripod.  Setup and breakdown are very quick and easy and it offers a lot of adjustments.  The levels are convenient, but mine don't seem to be calibrated correctly.  It's not a big issue though.  The detachable mount is extremely convenient.  Just attach it to the camera and you can quickly snap it on and off the tripod.
This tripod is great if you want to take still photos. It's light but sturdy and fairly easy to set up. But if you want to take videos where you are following some action (nature, sports, etc.) I would not recommend it. It is impossible to get smooth movements of the camera, especially panning. The movements are very jerky. If you try to pan, it will resist moving until you push hard enough, then it will suddenly jerk, often further than you wanted to move. But for still photography it's a very good tripod for the price.
Me: Rank amateur who just bought a M43 camera (Panasonic G3) and am learning the art or photography which includes long exposure shots requiring a tripod.  Nevertheless, I don't have 1000's of $'s to spend on equipment and need to achieve maximum value as opposed to premium gear across the board.  I felt like the tripod was an accessory where I could compromise as opposed to lenses.The tripod: It's pretty much as described and reviewed here.  A lot of plastic compared to more expensive tripods, and heavier than carbon fiber.  Nevertheless, it does do the job and I have not had issues or concerns about the security of my relatively lightweight camera.  I did have a problem in the first few weeks where the plastic collar for leveling the camera broke - I would have given this a 1-star review, but the mfr sent me a replacement part in the mail right away and I haven't had any issues since.  I would be careful not to tighten the leveling collar too much, just enough to firm it up in place.So, I'm not sure how spending another $100-200 would hold my camera any steadier, although I'm sure it would buy a lighter tripod and perhaps with a more versatile head which I don't need at my skill / experience level.  I'm more than happy at this price point, and can easily upgrade later as needs may or may not dictate.
Nice and sturdy.  I take this with me on shoots and it holds the camera well.  There is not as much movement as the ball heads but I still like the solid stance it has.
this was a b-day gift for my daughter..she loves it and uses it every day. It is very good quality and a really great deal !!
Its a bit larger than I expected but that really doesn't matter.  It works just as it should and we are enjoying it immensely
Hopefully this inexpensive tripod will prove it's worth. Reviews were mixed as to quality. For $25.00 I thought I would go for it. Seems like a good value. I liked having an extra quick change plate and the &#34;Limited Lifetime&#34; Warranty. I wondered about the warranty, being &#34;lifetime.&#34; The written warranty leaves a lot of wiggle room for the supplier. It covers &#34;manufacturing defects&#34; and specifically excludes &#34;misuse.&#34; So when the plastic leg locks break the supplier could say &#34;you abused the product.&#34; One would pay to ship the product to and from the manufacturer (NJ). But at $25.00 it wouldn't matter--just buy another one. I looked at the $80.00 model in a local store, and the quality of that was no better than this model. Sunpak tripods are made/imported by ToCAD America. There is very little about the tripods on their website--virtually useless. Models currently for sale on Amazon and local stores are not shown on ToCAD's website. I was hoping to get comparative specs on various models. Not a chance. One would think the &#34;manufacturer&#34; would have more pride in their products and list all models, features, and specs.
This tripod offers good value for the price.  It is reasonably light weight, quick and easy to erect and attach camera, and appears to be quite sturdy.  I am a hobbiest who takes photos regularly but uses a tripod only occasionally.  A professional would undoubtedly need the features of a higher end tripod and wouldn't find this one suitable, but meets my needs very well.
This would be a great tripod for a digital camera where you simply mount the camera to shoot pictures and are not concerned about being perfectly level. It is not very good for mounting items like laser levels where you have to be perfectly level before you use it. The swivel feature is jerky, and when you try to turn it around 360 degrees it keeps jerking and the extremely sensitive bubble level keeps getting out of level. I haven't managed to get the tripod going out of level for the past hour even when I am standing on perfectly level ground, let alone on uneven soil. I finally used it for my digital camera instead and it works great for that purpose. I guess that is what it is meant for anyway - so as long as you aren't relying on the leveling feature, everything else works fine.
I picked this tripod up recently at a garage sale in brand new condition (tags still on it and everything). There are a few things that I like about it, a few things that I don't.PROS- Lightweight- Very functional for the price- Quick-release plate system- Feet are VERY well designed- Has a thread for adding stabilizing weightsCONS- Camera with grip and lens is too heavy for the X-axis fastener - made of plastic.- Didn't take long for the legs to start sticking- Unlike other lightweight tripods, it's not made too wellFor a beginner or someone who doesn't use heavy gear, I definitely think that for the price that this is a good place to start. Add anything bigger than a kit lens on a DSLR, or even a battery grip, and you're going to notice it. I would probably rate this product at around 3.5/5 if possible, but I think it's closer to 3 than 4 stars.Recommended with reservations depending on your use.
I was very pleased with this design.  All of the adjustment you could wish for, seems well made, solved some issues I had taking steady closeups.  Probably not rugged enough for professional use but a dedicated amateur would like it a lot.  Comes with two shoes so that you can swap cameras quickly.  Seems light enough to pack.  I thought it was a descent value
This tripod is a good one for the price; although if you are using an SLR camera with large lenses you will definitely want a sturdier model.
This is my fourth tripod.  The ones I have had previous to this one have all felt cheap and weak.  One collapsed with my $400 camcorder on top of it.  This tripod looks and feels sturdy.  The legs have some weight to them and don't feel like they will collapse under the weight of my equipment.  Honestly, I was going to get the 6601, but with this one I got the super saver shipping (Thanks to the recommendation of one of the other reviewers), but I am completely satisfied with this product.  I like the bubble levels.  I used them this past weekend to take a family reunion portrait in my back yard.  I plan on taking it to the beach this summer for another family portrait (on my wife's side).
This tripod works well for people who just need a tripod.  I would not get this tripod if you're looking to take it on long hikes or need to carry it for a long time, because it is not lightweight.  Since it is made of sturdy materials I do not feel like my camera is going to fall.
This unit is very nice for the small amount of money it cost.  Can you buy much better tripods?  Sure you can, but not at this price.  I have used this with my DSLR and with my Video camera.  It has good balance of features, build quality and cost.  I like that it came with 2 quick release bases, I am not sure how often I would use that but I tested it with my DSLR and another camera and it makes it really easy to swich between the 2.  THe pan and height mechanisms seem reasonably smooth if maybe a little akward, but generally I do not use these functions when filming so It was not a deal breaker for me.  The legs are easy to deploy and easy to adjust.  It is sturdy and if treated with care will last many many years.
Bought on recommendation from Scott Hargis and Malia Campbell as an affordable light stand.  Very sturdy and comes with extra quick release plate.  Use them to attach my speed lights for interior photograply.  Becase you can adjust the legs to the narrows point they can fit in tight corners which is what I needed for flexibility.
It does the job. You don't really need to fork out a large amount of money just to place your camera on top of a flat, level surface. This will do for most photographers. The only part I found a bit annoying is the little plastic piece that pops up in the middle of the platform. It is used for video, apparently, but will get in the way of SLR cameras when you're trying to screw them in. I solved that by taping it down, but surely there should be an easier way to hide it.
Simply put: For $18 I don't think you will to better then this tripod. Sunpak are a 'known brand', the inclusion of two quick-release feet is great, the tripod is sturdy, the plastics are good quality and I'm quite amazed that they can sell this for the price. I have no hesitation it recommending this to anyone looking for a good light-use tripod.
Needed a new tripod and this did the trick.  Not for everyday use but for the advid photographer it is handy. should have come with a bag.
I got this for my Pentax DSLR and it works good for it. Sturdy and light weight.
This is the nicest tripod I've seen.  It is fully adjustable in more ways than you can imagine, plus it has two bubble holders, one for horizontal and one for vertical, so you can square it up on any type surface.  We intend to really put this tripod to use in taking lots of pictures out of doors of coastal birds, wildlife, etc.We're thrilled with it!
Sufficiently good for the price.... acceptable capabilities.  Comes with an extra camera plate which is a real bonus for those of us using multiple cameras.
I like this tripod, it serves the purpose for a class I am taking.  Not the most fancy but it serves me well.
ABOUT MEI use a Nikon D3200 and use a 400mm zoom with this unit.I consider myself semi-pro (I do sell my work to supplement my family but am not well known (yet ;-))I do nature/wildlife photography.I have been using the tripod lightly for about a month.It holds the wight of my camera and 400mmzoom lens (which is super heavy). Although I would not trust it for anything more or telephoto. I also use it &#34;loose&#34; so I can move it to follow the subject.It seems to be made of average quality for a tripod of its price range.The connections and adjustments are all plastic.It has multiple adjustments that I like.The handle and adjustments can be tightened to hold still or you can loosen them up to a sweet spot to allow for mobility.(when I shoot wildlife this helps because they don't know the concept of holding a pose :-/)I was a bit dissapointed because this model does not come with the monopod feature that sunpak includes in some other models but--- it's not like you can't just fold up the legs - works just as well but with more bulk.Bulk - the unit is very lightweight - I am a 5'2 female and the camera with lens weighs more than this tripod.Case - does not come with one.Does not fit into my camera packs' side tripod holder either - will have to make or purchase a case with shoulder strap for travel.My units' head does not fully come to level on the tilt but that is easily adapted to with a twist of the leg nubs or leg length.For the price.... (under $50) This is a pretty good tripod.Recommended for - LIGHT, OCCASIONAL  USEFor the BEGINNER, or SEMI-PRO or CASUAL userWe will see how it holds up over time. (so far way better then the polaroid I bought prior that broke straight out of the box)
This tripod is well suited for amateur and travel use as it's inexpensive and relatively lightweight. Very sturdy with retractable spikes in the feet, and the controls all work pretty smoothly. I would post some pics of this tripod, but they would look bad without the use of it! Great item!
I found this tripod to be just what I needed.  Lightweight, but strong.  The extra mounting plate allowed me to ready my dvd camcorder and switch as needed.  Very much worth the money.
I BOUGHT THIS SUNPAK 8001UT-B BLACK TRIPOD ONLY TO REPLACE A SUNPAK 8001UT CHAMPAGNE-COLORED TRIPOD THAT I HAD PRIMARILY BECAUSE I WANTED A BLACK TRIPOD THAT WOULD NOT REFLECT LIGHT.  I WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE 8001UT OR I WOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED THE 8001UT-B.  THESE TRIPODS HAVE RETRACTABLE SPIKED FEET, TWO QUICK-RELEASE CAMERA MOUNTS, AN ELEVATOR CRANK, HOLD A CAMERA THAT WEIGHS ALMOST SEVEN POUNDS IF REQUIRED, HAVE INDEX PINS FOR VIDEO CAMERAS, ARE VERY STURDY, AND RAISE TO A GOOD HEIGHT FOR ANYONE WHO ISN'T VERY TALL.  I WOULD RATE THEM AS BEING A "BEST BUY".Sunpak Medium Tripod Case (27" x 5") for 2001/6001/8001 UT Tripods
Really nice for the money, use it for a range spotting scope. Works great, Much better that the one I had.
The price could very well be 3X as much,look know furthur, the Sunpack 8001UT issuperior in quality compared with othertripod's out there, you wont be sorry!
I used this tripod for 3 months.  Camera kept tiping over (it weighs 2.6 lbs with lens).  Handle finally stripped out.  Would cost $20+ to replace under warrenty (to get the same problem again?).  I fixed the handle with a new bolt.  Lasted for 2 more months and nut inside head stripped out.  Only get this tripod if you are using a lightweight point-n-shoot pocket camera.
very sturdy, works well with my nikon D-3100 and a 300mm lens... i was a little nervous about it wanting to tip over or the plate not staying level, but it's done great! Also, it's nice to have the extra quick release plate for my second camera... great price too at $30.78 and free prime shipping!
Some of the pieces feel a bit cheesy like the plastic clips that hold the legs up but we will not be using it a ton and just wanted to have a tripod just in case. Once it is up it feels solid and I am sure it will work. I would recommend for light use users but not for a professional heavy use photographer.
Happy with purchase as what was promised was delivered. All around tripod will get great use for great price. May upgrade eventually to high quality, lightweight, but not until the activity goes backwoods and the much higher expense proves necessary.
The tripod is a bit flimsy, but the leg adjustments work smoothly.  The horizonal panning is not fluid, but sufficient.  The mounting plate's rubber nub that fits into the camera base to lock it into position broke off during its first use, but it is not a necessary accessory.  Overall, with a total cost of $34.94 which includes the extra mounting plate, this lightweight tripod is a good purchase for casual use. I recommend buying it at this price.
I am not a professional photographer, but for my amateur uses, this is an excellent tripod considering its cost compared to some other brand names.It is extremely lightweight, completely intuitive, and has great features like built in levels and a geared telescoping center stand that makes it easier to lock.If you are juggling a few things at the same time, you can still do a lot of adjustment on the tripod with just a single hand - I love it.All of my use for it so far has been indoors, on level ground, and I am using it for macro shots into a lightbox with a digital camera. For this environment, it is perfect for me.I can't speak for uses outside of that since I haven't tried it elsewhere yet.
This isn't your high dollar tripod, but one you can take into the wilderness and not be too careful with. It functions great, it's stable, and it's pretty inexpensive. The only gripe I have is the plastic handle for raising the height, although it works fine. Not enough to worry about.
Used this tripod 3 times and by the fourth use one of the locking mechanisms to hold the leg from sliding up and down just kept popping open by itself and the leg would slide.The tripod is very sturdy when it worked the first 3 times, unfortunately they overlooked this flaw in the locking mechanism.I would stay away from this. I'm not sure of any other mechanism to lock the legs in place as i have not looked that extensively into other models yet.Maybe i just had a faulty as it seems everyone else gave it good reviews. Would be interested to see if anyone else had this problem.
This Sunpak model #620-080 (8001-UT) is a lightweight but sturdy medium duty tripod that accommodates my Canon EOS Rebel with 55-250mm zoom lens with no problem. It has two bubble levels and retractable spike tips for use in uneven or rough terrain. It comes with a second detachable quick release plate with bubble level, making camera or camcorder changes very fast. It extends to 60.2" and closes to 22.6" and holds up to 6.6lbsIt also has a second 1/4"-20 mount at the bottom of the center column, which comes in handy for mounting your camera, camcorder or a flash at an interesting, creative low level position.You may find a better tripod but not at this price with the features and versatility of this one. Amazon.com has the best price on this tripod and it came in two days at no extra cost, with Amazon Prime shipping.
The tripod works like a tripod should. Each leg is adjustable so it can be used on uneven ground. It swivels up, down and sideways and can be locked in place.
I was looking for an inexpensive tripod to steady my camera and take pictures using the timer.  I chose this tripod for simple fact that it had 2 mounting brackets for quick attachment and removal of the cameras.  I put one on my camera and one on my camcorder.  It's great for personal use, but the only problem is that you have to use the supplied brackets. So if a friend or family member wants a picture of everyone with their camera, you have to remove the bracket from your camera and attach it to theirs. It's quite stable and light weight and I would purchase it again.
Well built tripod.  It is a little heavier than I thought it would be, but I guess that is what you get when you try to stay away from cheap plastic, for which this is not.Tripod is definitely portable to a school play, and back.  I would not take on a hike.
everything is fine it feel solid and it comes whit 2 easy-remove cap, the only thing i dont like is that the joints and the head are made of plastic, i dont like how plastic looks, thats it
This tripod has all the features, construction, and usefulness of the expensive manufactures! It has two quick releases included! Read the info included, it helps!
I would not purchase this tripod again because the handle that raises and lowers the tripod is not well constructed.  It is very difficult to raise and lower.  If you do not use the tripod much, and for the price, it would serve it's purpose.  For continuous use because of the handle, it is frustrating.
I have purchased tripods, at ten times the price, that do not come close to this jewel. All mechanisms function smoothly. It is light weight - I carry it while mountain hiking. It folds up compact and is easy to store when not in use. It supports my Kokak P850 perfectly. It looks and feels professional. You cannot beat the price for such an awesome photography tool. I cannot rave enough about this SunPak tripod.
The build quality of this piece is excellent.  Everything seems to be solid and all features are very simple and functional.  None of the pieces are too hard to turn or tighten.  For this price, you can't beat it!!!
I'm 6', so this isn't perfect eyelevel.The tallest height of tripods are always measured at their most wobbly outstretched extention.I bought this for a trip oversees, so It needed to fit inside my luggage.I read all the reviews of this, and similar tripods, and feel this happy with my choice.As for the complaints about parts being cheap? I treat my stuff nice and gentle.It works better for non-pan shots, rather than panning. But it is possible.Don't expect professional panning results.Even tripods with consumer grade, fluid heads, are dicey when it comes to professional results.It comes with 2 camera quick release mounts, and that's really nice.I have another cheaper tripod, and this one looks superior when next to it.
I ordered this tripod as a gift for my son.  It arrived promptly and seemed to be in good shape so I did not remove it from its original container.  When my adult son opened the package he observed that the crank handle seemed fragile and its mounting appeared cracked.  By later in the day it had fallen off!  I was very embarassed, as I thought I had purchased a quality gift.  I was wrong.  My son was polite and said it would work OK, but I'm looking for another product to replace the cheap poor quality gift that I provided him.  Maybe I should shop elsewhere!
I read lots of positive reviews on this tripod. It seems most people like it. I got it with high expectation(not unreasonably high due to the price range), however, mine came in broken. The plastic piece on one of the feet came in broken and it got the whole leg stuck. Since it's not something that worth returning, I kept it and fixed it myself. It's working now, but it could have been better.Pros:light-weightedcomes with two quick mounting headseasy to adjustCon:the plastic part is very fragilethe mounting head feels cheap, too. And it might not hold heavy cameras steadily enough.Suggestion:check the product before you ship to customers
While this tripod is certainly very good for the money you pay, and very light weight, there are a couple finer points that make me wish I'd paid a bit more.When you flip it out to a right sideways angle, it doesn't go all the way to 90 degrees; it's more like 88 degrees, which isn't a huge deal, and you can compensate in other ways, but I'd sure prefer the ability to flip to MORE than 90 degrees at will than the restriction below it.  Cranking the top part of the stand up and down works well, but the twist/screw-lock doesn't completely lock the top part in place; if you pull it as tight as you can, it'll still go down if you lean on it a bit.As I said, definitely a good buy if this is what you can spend, but there are some annoyances.
I really do like this tripod- but it may not be the best one for my camera. I have a canon dslr and I find that the weight is pretty heavy for this particular tripod. If I'm shooting straight on, it's not a problem though. Nice material and light weight. It is a little bulky though, and there's not a carrying case.
It works very well with the DSLR Olympus E500, and Ive loaded it upto 5lbs. However, you get what you pay for:- Its mostly plastic, requiring a delicate touch.- It does not have a ball head.For the price - its awesome!!
Comes with two camera quick connects, thats great as that is the part I always lose, now I keep one on each of my cameras. zzzzzNo chance of losing them now.
I am using this tripod with a Pentax 6x7 -- a rather heavy camera for a tripod of this size and strength. The tripod is relatively easy to set up and take down, and it is as sturdy as I would expect for a tripod in this price range. The quick release system is a bit clumsy -- I wish the release lever were on the right side instead of on the left. Fit and finish are quite good. The design is reasonably user friendly, If my camera were not as heavy  this tripod would be even better for me.
Easy to operate, sturdy, has a wide height range, allows for vertical shots, has a good bubble level, and holds your camera well, all for a great price.
I am not an expert photographer or filmer.  However, for what I use this tri pod for (making youtube videos) it works great.  It is very sturdy and serves my purpose well.  I use it both inside and outside when filming.  It's lightweight, yet durable, tall, yet sturdy.
I looked around for a basic tripod. I didn't need anything complex of fancy, just something that was sturdy and would allow me to set my camera up for fixed shots or remote shots.This tripod delivers that and much more! It has adjustable legs, which allows you to place it on an incline and still keep the camera level. Additionally it has an adjustable neck, which lets you make minute adjustments to the height of the camera for getting the perfect angle. You can also flip the camera 90 degrees so you can take landscape and portrait photos. It has an integrated level on the mounting plate and the tripod itself. It also comes with 2 mounting plates so you can use more than on device without switching plates. One other feature I like is that it has retractable spikes in each leg, allowing you to set it outside and secure it on an incline.For the price I am very impressed with how sturdy and versatile this tripod is.
This Sunpack model is easy to use (quick-release plate), sturdy, and at a great price. I mounted a Canon 70-200 L lens on the tripod and it was able to hold the extra weight of a heavier lens. Would recommend this product.
I bought this 2 years ago and love the functionality it allows me to film and tape with less effort.  This stand can adjust to ANY ANGLE desired by the photographer!  Using a stand eliminates any camera shake from the operator, and allows you to capture subjects for longer periods of time without your arm getting tired of being in one position for long periods of time.  The extending legs easily glide out of the chamber and lock into place.  This is a sturdy stand, easily adjusted even to uneven flooring!  The unit is incredibly light and compact, easily transported to events that you can't carry arm loads of equipment to.  I'm thrilled with this camera stand, it's improved the quality of my work and creations.  The biggest element it's changed for me is shooting still live photos, before, any little movement would effect the clarity of the picture, now I can mount the camera and not have to worry about shifting left or right, or angle, it's right where I left it for the last shoot.  Great product!RECOMMENDED
This is a well made tripod.  It is very adjustable and very stable.  One feature that I didn't see mentioned in the other reviews is the feet.  The feet have rubber caps for indoor use but they can be screwed up to reveal metal points for better outdoor stability.  This unit is loaded with features for a very reasonable price.
I like this tripod, but after having it for a couple of months, the mounting plate is loose and there is no place to tighten it.  I find that I'm using the remote more often in order to take pictures so the camera won't shake.
I bought this tripod in 2005 for my camcorder. When I first held it in my hands after receiving it, I still remember how surprised I was at its light weight. Since then, I've used it on several occasions and it has worked flawlessly.Recently, I bought a digital SLR and this tripod is a perfect match for it too. I use it more often now and even after five years of rough use, it still rocks! I'm very impressed with its build quality and I'd highly recommend it.
The center ring that adjusts the angle broke after just 3 light uses. I was adjusting the height and the plastic that held the tightening-screw snapped with no warning, sending one leg falling (thankfully with no camera attached at the time)It never had more than half a pound on it and it was always handled with care so it seems like the plastic was weak.Sunpak used to be awesome, I had an old heavy-duty sunpak (which they discontinued).I knew this was a lighter duty tripod but still, it couldn't even handle the lightest of tasks.Sunpak really need to step up their mid-range/heavy-duty options. how about the same thing with no bells and whistles but with 2x thicker parts and more weight and a reasonably higher price?
Fills all my needs for using my 8-24 power binos for a spotting scope instead of buying a separate spotting scope.
I am just a stay at home mom trying to get into a picture every now and again with my baby. I am not a professional by any means but I am very pleased with the Sunpak 620-080 tripod. It is very stable and seems durable. Not cheap feeling at all. My camera (Nikon d5100) feels very safe on this tripod and I wouldn't trust that baby on any tripod! It is also very easy to use. If you are looking for a tripod for simple use at home or on the go ( it closes up pretty small) then this tripod is great! I don't know how it would hold up for any fancy photographer usage... but this Mom is sure pleased with it!
I was looking for a tripod for my new T3i and this one fits the bill.  It is very good quality and not high priced.  This is ideal for me to use to learn my camera, use for auto shoot at family gatherings and for using the movie setting.  This would work great for a video camera, smooth operating panning.  The legs are easy to operate and the platform to quick mount/dismount is so great.  This is a sturdy tripod.Some other reviewers mentioned concern about the tripod tipping or not working well on uneven ground...I just don't see the same concern.  I am not using a heavier zoom lens though.Solid and great features make this a great buy.  So happy I saw reviews on moving up to this tripod from another, less expensive version for free shipping too.  Just wish this could travel easier in my carryon for an upcoming vacation!  Thanks Amazon!
Lightweight and sturdy, it does its job well. But the tilt and pan head does not operate smoothly, so this is not recommended for video. It's a budget tripod at a budget price, which makes it acceptable -- especially for situations where you don't want to risk damaging a more expensive tripod. But if you are looking for a really nice unit, you'll have to step-up the price-point.
I love this tripod. It is a high quality and sturdy made tripod. Very easy to use also. Loved it.
I got this for my T2i and it works perfect. I use it for HDR's, Astrophotography, and for self shots. Very strong and easy to move around. Haven't a problem with it yet and it's been 2years since I got it!
This tripod is about as good as it gets for $30. The construction and rubber spike feet feel sturdy, and the levels and spare quick release plate are a nice bonus. Since the head is plastic, panning is jerky and terrible, of course, but if you just need to set up your camera in one position and shoot, this gets the job done. I shoot with a ~4 lb setup and it's rock solid. I wouldn't expect the same with a big telephoto lens.Size-wise it's average. I can carry it in a backpack, although a few inches stick out the top.
I had a chance to use this a little so far and I have found it to be stable and well worth the price but I know my thing will be the long term wear. The leg points are plastic compression and the tubes feel really lite, will have to wait and see but otherwise good product.
Tripod is smartly designed with many modern features for just about all needs for most of users,  Well made and relatively light weight.  Moving parts all work well.  I'm surprised at what you get for the price.
This is my first tripod that I've purchased(third that I've used), so I don't know a whole lot, but I do know, that I'm very content with my purchase. It's not incredibly heavy, which is important, it has feet that adjust for hard or soft surfaces, it has multiple pivot places, and has two very useful levels. I've used it multiple times, and the only complaint is that it's difficult to use in confined spaces, but, this much is true with almost every tripod. Overall, I'm very content with this tripod, and I would recommend it.
I purchased the Sunpak tripod after doing some research online. The other positive reviews of this tripod on Amazon helped sway my decision to purchase it. In short, the Sunpak delivers. It easily opens and closes, and has a quick detach lever you can use to quickly remove the camera from the tripod should you need to follow the action.Once locked in position, the tripod stays locked. It's incredibly versatile in its adjustment.  A small level bubble comes with the detachable mount; you can use this to ensure your camera is straight and not at an awkward angle. As a professional wedding videographer, I can't praise this tripod enough. The Sunpak is exceptionally sturdy while being lightweight. It's also easily transportable, and the price is reasonable. I highly recommend it.
i like, and it didn't cost more than what i was willing to spend... i liked it mostly for the release mounting plate and the liquid balance... the material isn't the best quality there is, but u get what u pay for... it is light, so that's a good thing if u want to carry it around a lot... i bought it mostly to take pictures of me and my baby if no one's around to take the pictures and just use the timer shots on camera with the tripod... oh and it came with an extra mounting plate which was awesome...
Exactly what I wanted and at a good price.  The bubble level and adjustable feet are nice features.  Seems sturdy.
While this tripod is as good as others I have had, and sturdy, I gave it 4 stars because the crank is made of plastic and I would prefer a material that is less apt to break.
I had occasion to use this for 4 or 5 hours at a family reunion Labor Day weekend, and it is the best (cheap) tripod I have owned, A definite value for the money.  I especially liked that it comes with two shoes- one for my video camera and one for my digital camera.
I use it for a DVD recorder and a camera.  It is a nice solidly made tripod.  It is simple to use and stores away nicely.  I would purchase it again.
A tripod that's shakey and won't lock up tight is worse than no tripod at all. I've gone through a lot of tripods in my time, and finally ended up with a heavy duty Gitzo that cost well over $300, topped off with a $150 head. But not everyone needs or can justify a $300 tripod. Consider the average person with a $250 point and shoot, or an inexpensive video camera. They might want a tripod for occasional use- like taping a child's concert performance, night time time exposures, or getting into a group photo. They're going to be looking for something more budget oriented.I have a nephew with a strong interest in photography who has been been increasingly interested in pushing the limits of what you can do with a simple hand-held camera, and it occurred to me that he might profit from having his own tripod. After reading a number of reviews, the Sunpak 620 stood out as being an excellent value in the under-$30 range. I wasn't disappointed. It's reasonably sturdy (especially if you don't extend the legs all the way), locks up solidly, and is light enough to toss in a backpack for travel.
Five star item and the quality was outstanding,  bought one of these a few months as a and paid twice the amount for it from another site that had overage from companies ordering to much. And it did not last a month. The workmen's ship is high quality will recommend you to everyone. Thanks
I've had this for a few years and it's given me mostly good service. I only use it in a studio to photograph art, so no rough treatment or lugging and banging around. The plastic crank that raises and lowers the platform the camera attaches to has had a small plastic piece broken off that causes the handle to pop off of the tripod when you try to turn it, necessitating grabbing the top and pulling it up/pushing it down by hand before tightening the ring that holds it in place. I've also replaced the quick release platform for the same reason: breaking off of small plastic parts. If you're more professional, I wouldn't count on this for something that's expected to take wear and tear.
For the money this is a pretty good tri-pod. Will look to get a better one though as this tri-pod is not as smooth as i thought it would be.
I've had this tripod for less than 4 months and used it maybe less than 10 times.In the middle of a photography gig I was adjusting the tension on the center pole when the clamp snapped clean off of the fixture.It's an obvious manufacturing defect and I can't help but wonder if the other clamps would snap off similarly in time.At the price point, it seemed like a good value with decent lightweight construction but it's not worth the savings when pieces snap off in your hand.
I bought this for work and it seemed really sturdy and well built. I liked the full extent of the adjustments.After about a three weeks of work (photographing houses for about an hour two times a day four days a week) one of the supports broke. I glued it back together because it seemed like it would be okay, but then about a week later the head of the tripod completely failed and fell apart. This left me photographing a house resting my camera on the broken tripod.I have since returned it.
Wanted to use it with my new pochade painting box.  It's a bit unsteady but steady enough.  Directions could have been a bit clearer on how to attach.  Mention for use beyond cameras should be made.
Usually when something is so light you would think it's cheaply built.  Not this.  Very good product and smooth as silk.  Everything overall is awesome.
Holds my D-80 with a 18-135 lens fine. Adjusting the center column with the crank is not smooth or precise, but it works. Solid when set-up.
I have only used this item one time (for a class on family portraiture, outdoors) and it worked great.  The quick release is a handy feature.  The tripod is ready to go in less than one minute.  When setup, it's very sturdy and I had no shaking or unsteadiness.  Product is just as described, arrived in excellent condition, nothing broken or missing.  Time might make me feel differently, but for the money, I am very satisfied.
I Paid $35 for it.  It firmly supports my Digital Rebel, Sigma 70-300mm APO, and 28-70mm F/2.8 EX.  It is a bit heavier and sturdier than Sunpak 5800D ($30).I wish the tripod could have a handle and come with a carrying case/pouch.
I bought this tripod because my other tripod was very unsteady and the legs kept collapsing.  Sunpak 8001UT is more than steady, it is solid.  In fact, it is more heavy duty than I need for my tiny camcorders and cameras.  And it's lots bigger than my other tripod.  I can't just put it in my purse or backpack.  I have to lug it around.  Still, when I need a tripod, this one is the reliable one.The quick-release mounting plate means I can pick up my camcorder quickly when needed.  There's a second mounting plate included, so I can quickly mount a second unit.  Very easy to use.The bubble levels are useful for getting the camcorder or cameras straight.  Nice to have something like that included.There are an infinite number of adjustments I can make to get my camera just so, from the height of the legs to the tilt and swivel of the camera.  The center column will also extend to give a very nice height.  I'm 5'5" and I don't need to bend over when the tripod is extended.This is a terrific tripod.  For its size, it is lightweight.  I guess it really isn't that big for a professional photographer.  For a person who owns tiny camcorders and cameras who just wants something steady and reliable, I wish it were smaller; but then it may not work so beautifully.________________UPDATE 3/28/2014: I'm still using the Sunpak tripod.  At one point, the head broke.  I don't know what the kids did with the screws but it wouldn't adjust anymore.  Sunpak stood by its product and send me a replacement, no problem.  I didn't have to provide documentation or send anything back.  It was hassle free.
The tripod is very sturdy and has a number of shooting options available. Would highly recommend it for most cameras and camcorders
When our son got a DSLR, I thought we should probably get a second tripod.  We've had an El Cheapo for several years and it's done fine for us so I pulled it out of the closet to see what brand it was.  It was a Sunpak and it seemed like a no-brainer to continue with the same brand.  So we did.We were on spring break when I tightened the ring at the bottom of the center post for the second time ever and it broke into several pieces, rendering the tripod useless.  I didn't feel like I was mistreating the equipment at all.  Back home, I sent it back and requested a replacement which arrived promptly.I haven't really "field-tested" the new one but I've had it out and tried out all the moving parts.  So far, so good.  I can't help but kind of baby it and I suppose I'll keep up that behavior until we've had it a while or it breaks.  I imagine I'll spend more money next time.UPDATE, five months later:  I've used the replacement tripod maybe a couple times a month since the review above.  I have, as anticipated, been overly gentle with it.  Yesterday the thumbscrew on the ring on the center post stripped before it was adequately tightened.  I can't see any way to repair it or work around it.  I suppose I'll throw it away since I can no longer tighten the legs in position.  Lowered my rating from 3-star to 1-star and changed the title of the review.
I am not a pro and wanted it for day to day shooting. However, this was not upto the quality that I expected. It is much heavier than I thought and more over the head is not leveled, so when ever I click pics using the tripod they are tilted to one direction.. which is annoying. I have to keep extra space just to ensure I will be able to correct the tilt later.Also, the swing movement is not smooth and has a jerky feeling. Please put some more money to buy a better, lighter product.
This is a good buy for the price.  It's very light and reasonably sturdy, certainly sufficiently so for most digital cameras or camcorders.  The panhead is not particularly smooth, but workable.
Very good tripod, I have used it in all kinds of places,sand,dirt,rocks,grass, inside. The adjustable legs are great and I like this alot. It is very sturdy and I am very happy I purchased it. I use this with my Cannon DSLR T2i.
I needed a stable platform for my digital camera so I could do videos and long distance shots. This Sunpak is perfect for my needs. Both my wife and I have cameras so the two plates with the quick release feature is perfect if we want to switch cameras when filming.My only complaint right now is how do you get the extra 1/4-20 mount off the base of the tripod without damaging the tube? I hope I will never need it, and I don't really anticipate having to ever use it.I got this tripod at a good price and I personally can't imagine getting better utility for more money.
Got it to connect my iPad and run my Astronomy program right beside my telescope.  iPad connected right onto it with the inexpensive Grifiti Nootle iPad tripod Mount. The legs have easy release and extend thumb clamps.  Gold color matches my Celestron telescope.  Very well made and light weight.  Glad I bought it and it is inexpensive.  Love it when someone gets it right.  Excellent.
This tripod works very well for any photographic purpose I can imagine.  It's not a tripod for a professional, but it's certainly more than good enough for my needs.  I like the fact that it comes with two heads so you can easily switch cameras.
I really like this tripod, I use it for my binoculars to observe the sky at night. The weight and design males it very easy to carry averywhere. Very good price
My old Star D tripod had a broken crank handle so I looked for an affordable and suitable replacement.  After multiple searches and comparisons, I chose this.  I chose this because it met my three criteria:1. I wanted a pan-tilt head2. I wanted something light weight but durable3. I wanted an affordable price.
I would not call this an astronomical tripod, but it works fine as a portable for wildlife viewing and limited astronomy.
My tripod arrived in supurb packaging sooner than I expected.  I was quite surprized at the quality of the tripod (considering the price paid) and the number of features included on the tripod.  It is a simple design, providing an steady platform without being so heavy that you dread taking it with you.  It is a good compromise.
It is a great tripod and the only reason I have marked it down to a 4 star is because the bubble in the spare camera mount they supply was broken, and there is no carrying bag, otherwise it is a nice robust tripod.
I was in a bit of a rush to buy a camera tripod to replace one that had become partially broken and I came across this one at a huge markdown (> 80% off suggested retail, presumably a discontinued model).  I don't very often use a tripod, but wanted to start using one more for my daughter's track meets since I was getting tired of making shaky videos with my handheld camcorder.  I'm sure a serious photographer/videographer wouldn't be impressed with this model for a variety of reasons, but I'm not that particular.  The size is just right for me, it's easy enough to set up, and it collapses compactly.  I suppose my biggest criticism would probably be that the panning mechanism could move more smoothly, but for what I paid, I really can't complain too much.  Overall, it's been a solid bargain.
This is a great tripod for the price.  It has numerous adjustments, holds steady, and folds up quite well for storage.  Additionally it has spiked feet for outdoor use.
Oh this product is a blessing for long hours of recording. It is very sturdy & form. It still feels new after years of use.Very good product
I needed a good tripod to use with my digital slr to take hiking and this one is great. Has all the features of my heavier, more expensive tripod with 1/3 the weight. The only drawback is that it is still fairly large when fully collapsed. It fits in a backpack, but takes up a lot of suitcase room when I pack it in a suitcase for plane trips.
This is not a top of the line tripod, but very darn functional and hefty/stable... You won't be dissappointed. Avery good deal indeed. Some cheap parts, that`s ongvious, but should last a long time.
This is my second tripod.  My first was a ground score on the side of the road.  Evidently someone had had enough of that thing to gift it to me.  I too have become frustrated with it so I will dispose of it properly this time.  No need for the torture to continue.  The Sunpack is very stylish and looks and feels solid.  I have only used my Sony Handycam with it.  It has a small flat quick release mount so I just leave the camcorder attached to it and store it in my bag that way.  Makes it quick and easy for setting up since I am shooting the same scene over and over (video diary).  I just leave the same settings, collapse the legs and lean it against the wall behind a door. One feature I like about this tripod is that there is a vertical adjustment so you can increase the height of the camera (and mount) about a foot after you have leveled the legs properly using the built in level.  For this novice, that's great otherwise I would be screwing around with the legs all day trying to get the camera the right height. The quick release leg adjustments seem a bit flimsy but they haven't given out so I will report back if they do.  I am very pleased.
New Nikon D5000 owner. Tripod is easy to use sturdy and very inexpensive.  Came with extra quick mount bracket. Light weight as well.  One of the best buys I have ever made through Amazon.
The tripod seems sturdy and has all the standard functions of a tripod.  It's light enough to carry around and take with you on photo shoots, though probably not light enough for a backpacking trip.  It's about a foot and half long when it's fully collapsed.
Valuable, light, durable, easy use. You also can easily to adjust its height. I would recommended it to every body.
I have only owned one other tripod in my life, $10 and about 48&#34;. It tilts and pans smother (it shakes and moves too). So there's no doubt I am happy with this 8001 UT model. Its stable with no shake rattle and roll, its tall enough. I bought it for my sons upcoming wedding this weekend so I'll hold out any harsh judgments. Just a few pro's and con's in my unprofessional, professional opinion.Pro's;Appears sturdy, Looks good and for the uninitiated (like myself) it looks the bidnis, so I'm happy wit dat! Most important my wife and kids taint lookin at me like I'm stupid, they actually think I know what I'm doing!Cons;The wind up and pan and tilt adjustment knobs and handles feel flimsy! The wind up handle doesn't turn smooth at all and feels as though it will break or at least not last very long. It actually has a collar that you can loosen or tighten, too loose and the pole wiggles and slides back down after winding it up, too tight and it is hard to turn. Also the level at the base of the quick mount is hidden once you mount your camera. I have a DSLR and A smaller point and shoot both cover the level making it useless.That is why I gave it a four of five stars so far, I'll update later after the wedding.Over all I'm happy with the purchase and price though, like I said I'm not a pro. I know there is better and I do own one that is worse! with that said I would recommend this tripod to friends.
First one that I owned broke after 3 uses.  The second one I got broke after 10 uses.  Legs are very flimsy.
Have no opinion of this product, as it was purchased on Cyber Monday 2013 as an xmas gift for 2014.  Not opened or examined yet.
I love the thick sturdiness of this tripod, the extra plate for other equipment, but turning the handle to bring the neck up and down is stiff and doesn't glide easily, hopefully it does after being broken in some. I love how you can screw the rubber feet in and little spikes are there for the soft ground neat idea.
No complaints about this one.  It's been great for us.  Works with all our cameras and we have gotten some great pictures and film using this indoors and outdoors.
The only reason I am a lithe hard on this tripod is that I had a Canon one very similar in size and build and all the parts on the Canon one just seem smoother and sturdier.  However, having said that, this tripod has thus far worked as it should.  The huge plus about this is that if you lose the mount you can locate replacement ones.  Canon was so difficult and so annoying that I refused to look any longer and just got this tripod, which comes with two mounts and is almost as much as any possible replacement mount solution for Canon.For sheer workability, it definitely works well, but the plastic pieces seem a little iffy and the clamps are so-so.  However, none have broken or malfunctioned to stop use, but I worry that will be the downfall of the tripod.  For the price, it is a great fix though and I wouldn't mind having to buy one every 1-3 years or until I can afford a really nice one.
Pretty nicely made. I like the quick camera connection.  I just keep the sub-plate attached to my camera all the time. This tripod is ready for action.  Highly recommend this tripod at a great price.
This is a great tripod. It is light but heavy enough to not blow over from the slightest gust of wind. Adjusts to accommodate my hight and am 6&#34; foot so that is alone a great attribute for me. The only draw back i see is the level is hard to read as it is so dark other wise 5 stars all around. Get this and you will not be disappointed excellent build quality backed with a lifetime warranty can not go wrong there.
very cheap and very useful. this tripod is small when packed up but then fully extends to a fairly large height.
Sun pack need I say more, having a second mount bracket is just over the top!Easy adjustment and solid for my Nikon 5100
For this cheap of a price, I'd give it 5 stars.  Especially with the free super saver shipping.  However, the leg locks are definitely not high quality and the bubble levels are somewhat cheap.  The tripod uses plastic clamp style leg locks, which in my past experience work quite well, but these seem to be on the cheaper side.  When clamped they provide sturdy support, but when unclamped you can really feel the "wobbliness" in the construction design (though this doesn't really affect performance).  The tripod does come with two bubble levels (one on the pan head, similar to the type you'd find on a level lying around the house, and the second which is the circular kind where the bubble lines up in the middle like a bulls-eye).  They are functional, but very slow to "find the center."The tripod has a threaded bolt to hang a weight from the bottom center, but nothing is provided to attach to it.  The crank handle is plastic and is a bit "wobbly" when cranking the tripod head up, and it doesn't feel very strong.Overall, I still give this 5 stars since it costs under $30.  It provides a lot of advanced functions that many more expensive tripods offer, but on the other hand cuts down on product costs by using plastic parts that aren't as strong.  Still a great tripod!
Don't buy this tripod. I bought it and used it maybe 10 times and the thread for the vertical movement got very loose and now no longer tightens. It is now unusable because my camera will always point down when I place it on. The legs are sturdy and works fine but the plastic head is definately a no no. I guess buying an expensive tripod with a changable head then to waste your money over and over on cheap tripods.
I bought this tripod three months ago and have been so pleased with it... until the tilt locking handle (which holds your camera steady at the top of the tripod) wouldn't tighten down enough anymore. Unfortunately, it's not much help to have a tripod that won't hold your camera steady! Hopefully this is a rare defect and you won't encounter it yourself. I've contacted Buy.com to see about returning it for a replacement or a refund... am hoping it'll all work out ok. I hope if you get this product, it'll work better for you!
I'll start by saying that I've burned through seven other tripods.  Cheap plastic parts and bolts that would strip while holding my bulky equipment have become the bane of my existence.Recently, I purchased a new Canon and had little left in the budget for a high-end tripod.  Fortunately, the Sunpak has been a tank since I took it out of the box.  The pod is lightweight and easy to carry, but very sturdy and quick to set up.  The mounting plates (yes, two plates) packaged along with the tripod fit all of my gear and easy to use.I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great tripod in a salary-man's price range.
I am not a professional photographer. My Equipment is just a Canon SX20 and a pair of flashes. So I use this tripod just to carry the camera plus a flash or even a flash alone for fill ligth. Since it support 6 pounds is sufficient for my needs. I do not see the need to buy a $200.oo tripod. I get this tripod in jannuary 2010, so I have 3 years experience with it, and never fail. Certanly I will buy it again.
This tripod is quite sturdy and supports my fairly heavy Nikon D200 very well. The anglular adjustements are a little clunky, especially compared to a nice (expensive) Ball Type Head, but for the low price this unit sells for it can't be "dinged" for that.I recommend this tripod to anyone who, like me, hasn't had an opportunity to go "tripod shopping" yet in order to pick out a very high quality, light weight, easy to use, and expensive unit. You don't want to spend a bunch of money unless you know what it is your buying. Until then, buy this low cost solution. It works fine, and who knows, this may be good enough to put off buying that high dollar unit for a long time.
I just opened the box and one of the center supports is not holding to the leg properly.  There are really two bubbles for leveling including one on each of the shoes.  There are a full array of adjustments and all other parts seem to be solid.  Be careful of the center support and the tripod should do very well for an amature like me.  I couldn't find a better one for less than twice the price.  I expect to get several years of use from it with my Nikon D50.
Not that I horse race, but this tripod hits all the places.  It is sturdy, it is light and it easily adjusted.  Can't wait to make some family self portraits with my DSLR and this tripod.
The package was delivered on time, but a piece of plastic broke off from one of the legs when we tried to set up the tripod. I contacted the seller(Electronics Expo) via email about returning the unit and they are currently working with me to do an exchange. Since this is my first tripod, and I am not looking for a high end tripod so this unit is sufficient for what I need and it is able to hold up a Nikon D80 SLR reasonably well.
The overall construction of this photo accessory seems to be adequate for its designed use. The bag is quite good. I've only one complaint. The set screw that fixes the lamp to the lamp arm simply will not lock the lamp. The bushing is not thick enough to allow the set screw threads to lock in. Minor flaw, easily fixed, but not usable without the ability to firmly affix the lamp to the boom.
I absolutely love it. I hate I didn't purchase it months ago when I first looked at it. I also purchased the diffuser along with it.  With the light bulb being 250w you definitely need it.  I also got creative and used the boom with my small monolight (smith-victor 110-I) with a snoot for creative background lighting. The boom is very easy to assemble and set up.  It also came with a nice vinyl storage bag with plenty of room to fit the entire kit plus some.  I'm thinking about purchasing another one for my mobile studio.
Compact flouresecent bulbs will not fit this fixture unless you order special CF's with extended bases. Other than that, it can't be beat for the price and quality. I got the unmentioned carry bag also. Adorama Rocks!
very very flimsy..it will knock over and hurt someone easily.  the bulb is too heavy for the flimsy base...not enough support
I had high hopes for this hair light. Unfortunately , the person that put it together had high on their mind too. The thing was constructed backwards. The light hood was literally glued on backwards and there was No way to fix this other than breaking it. I sent it back instead. I can't say that I'm pleased about the huge waste of time and energy only to be seriously let down. I guess the old adage is true. You get what you pay for. In this case , I hoped it would've been the exception and not the example of what not to order. No way would I do this again. Cheaply made and teetering on dangerous . If the stupid light hood hadn't of been mounted incorrectly , it might've fallen on someone's head as it was NOT sturdy at all. I am glad I didn't have to find out the real hard way by having someone get hurt.
I do love this photo album.  It's beautiful.  I would have given it 5 out of 5 but the glue (adhesive) that attatches the sleeves to the paper is weak.  As you slide the photo into the pocket, the pocket tears away from the paper a little to easily.  I had to reglue (with Scrapbooking glue pen) the pocket back to the paper.  There are photo books, buy pioneer that work a little better, and the sleeves are a little more durable.
I was pleasantly surprised upon receiving the photo album. It is very sturdy. Even the plastic inserts are strong.
They are just the right size for my vacation trip.  I thought the pages would be larger and have more room for writing, but they are adequate.
don't waste your time putting photos into this album.  The pages started to pull out before I completed it.
Great product, delivered on time.  I expected it to be a little bit bigger though...
I wanted a photo album for my husbands elk hunt photos.  Needed one with a manly design and would have a place to write about each photo next to it.  I was delighted with this album when it arrived and the photos slipped into place easier than any other photo album I have ever used.  Just enough room to write about each photo next to it too.  Very happy with this product. It is well constructed.
I love these albums for two very important reasons.  One, the photos slide in easily.  Two, the space along the photo to write notes is the most important thing to any photo memories.  I order these special when I need albums rather than searching stores because I love these, they are perfect and why search?  I usually purchase a few at a time.
these albums and pages dont fit 2 4 x 6 pics next to each other completely unrealistic for 4x6 pics
Perfect as pictured.  Shipped amazingly fast and packaged to prevent damage or bending.  Purchased for standard three ring binder photo album and works great.
I've used these since the early 70's. I'd give the sheets 5 stars if the packages came bigger than just 5 pages since I make the album (that comes with 10 sheets) about 45 to 47 pages each. This will be album #20 for me.
If you have the Pioneer Deluxe Magnetic Album, you'll need the refill sheets and extra extension posts to expand your album. The extension posts are included although you can also buy more seperately. Great photo album, and great refill sheets that show no yellowing even after many years.
Although a bit pricey, this is exactly waht I needed and is kinda hard to get otherwise in small stores
I bought this refill pack for a photo album.  Very happy with the quality and price.  Nice addition to the album.
The pages are easy to add to the album. They make it possible to keep like themes together, such as one complete vacation, or one year in the grandkids' lives.I find using these much more convenient than starting another album which won't be filled completely.
I purchase these sheets to augment my photo albums purchased on Royal Caribbean. They are the right size, but I had to punched holes closer to the center since these weren't at the right place. However these are the only ones of the size that I found in weeks or research!
Here is the only realiable Refill for a PMV-206, and it is as the original that came with the album, so it a winner! Suggest you pick this item up if you want to add photos to your 206 album..
This is a gift....  But Pioneer is a great product, as I have used their albums sleeves for many years.
The product was as advertised.  The delivery of the product took a few days longer than I expected.
I ordered six of these, along with 2 albums, and they came from Adorama camera. After they arrived I discovered that the shipping cost was extremely high. Their policy is to charge shipping on each individual item, even though, of course, they are all sent in one package. I complained and got a partial refund on the charges, but the way they do it is clearly a rip-off.
EXACTLY WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR LONG LASTING QUALITY for my photo journals. The BEST purchase for the long haul! Highly recommended...
Timely Service & Fast Delivery. Aids in extending our family photo album to allow all items within one year of too many photos we've acquired. Now we're organized.
I ordered these pages to go along with the matching album.  I love it, you can add to the album just by adding more pages.  These pages are great, they hold the photos in really well, and allow you to position photos the way you want and they're roomy allowing for more photos vs. other albums that only allow you to slide pictures in the sleeves, limiting how many and which way you position them.
Will finally complete my never-ending photo album project that I started several years ago. I didn't buy enough albums and found that I needed refills for each album as those can take more than they come with. I'll be back for more..
My old faithful scrapbook refills. I've been buying these since 1982 and am quite dependent on them. They're perfect for the diary-photo albums that I make.
5 pages, 10 sides. A bit pricey but are the same as the pages that come with the album, fit and look perfect.
Who ever put this item on amazon.com should have put a better picture of the item. I thought I was buying the photo album refills with 3 hole. But I received it. It was only 2 hole refill
They advertised this as a trio of products meant to go together. But these pages fit neither album. This was false advertising.Do not buy!
I have over 40 Pioneer albums containing photos and memorabilia of my family, going back to the 1930's. The "magnetic" insert pages are ideal for arranging the photos with anecdotal captions. I can also insert additional pages if I have to go back in time with new material. They are acid-free, too, so my photos don't fade. Highly recommended.
I love these.  They are easy to use and the pictures stick so well, even my old ones!  I will continue to buy these as I need them.  I am trying to redo 34 years of photos
The refills fit perfectly in the album - same size, same color, same everything. I loved the fact that they included extension posts, so I didn't have to buy them separately. I ordered two, and practically doubled the size of my album.
WE TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES AND WHILE THEY ARE ON OUR COMPUTER WE ALSO ENJOY PUTTING THEM IN PHOTO ALBUMS TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND TO JUST SIT AND LEISURELY PAGE THROUGH,  BUT BOTH THE ALBUMS AND THESE REFILL PAGES IS BECOMING VERY  PRICEY
Excellent, classy product with a price to match.  Easy to use pages with easy to view photo holders.  Quality construction.
This album is attractive and helping to store years of pix of four kids and ten grandchildren, it is made well also.
This was the perfect size for a mini album I was creating. The album did not look cheap! For $6 it was well worth it!
These each hold 24 5x7 photos. I have bought several of for my nephew who puts pictures of him playing sports in them. They are well made and very inexpensive. An excellent choice for what we are using them for.
This album exceeded my expectations. It is a dark glossy brown, with brass cornerd. Inside, it has 12 pages, with a fibrous white material in each plastic-envelope-page. This allows you to insert photos inside each side of the page, so in effect, you get 24 sides.I think this an outstanding bargain and was very pleased. This is not the fault of the album, but my limited set of photos unexpectedly expanded and now I need a much bigger album. I expect to buy another from Pioneer. They did a fine job on this one.
Mine came in gray - I probably would not have selected that color - but other than that it's exactly what I wanted.  Good quality and well made.  I think it's off that the shipping is more than the item, but the total price was not out of line.  I called a local photo shop to see if they had albums for 5 x 7 photos and they did - for $20+.  They may have been fancier, but this one is just what I needed for much less.  I would recommend it.
I love this album. It is a great way to display my 5x7 photos. It is a very high quality item.
Nice photo album. I didn't know what color to expect, they sent maroon, and it's a nice color. After inserting 21 5x7 photos, it wants to stay open a bit. I have a rubber band around it, to "encourage" it to lie more flat. It's worth the price. Nice textured "leather" but nice. UPDATE: Liked these so much I am ordering two more.
This photo album makes a great grandparents brag book. The 5x7" size photo album is the largest size that you will need to carry. This size, of course, also allows you to carry around the other popular photo size, the 4x6". Well made photo book and the seller was great!
I'm happy with the quality of the album.  My inability to choose a color is the only complaint I have.  The albums I got were slightly different shades of dark green.  They were going to different people, so it worked out ok.  Packaging was good, and it arrived quickly.  If I could have chosen the color of the albums, I would have given them 5 stars.
I was expecting this photo album to be purple. The one I received was black. It's ok but would of preferred purple.
I had my fingers crossed for the color pictured and I got this ugly as sin blue green thing. Ack.
my wife told be she wanted this photo album she could not find it in stores. so i checked amazon and sure nuff, there it is, great price. i asked her if she liked it she said she loved it, then she wanted another one so i ordered two
We have infant pictures taken every month.  It's a great place to put them all.  Sleaves are nice because they don't stick to the picture, which can ruin them.
This is a great value for the price, and delivery was quick.  I am a SendOutCards Executive, and I find that these albums are great for displaying sample cards, which fit perfectly in the plastic sleeves.  That way I can carry samples around and my cards don't get dog-eared in my purse or carry-on.
I ordered this product with the impression that I would get the red color in the photo and as described in the title. What arrived was an emerald green version. Not that it was a huge deal to me, but I know that some people might be planning on a color scheme or something. Anyway, its pretty thin when it arrives and when I put 18 pictures in, it got a little fat. Maybe it could have been bound better, but all the same, you get what you paid for. Does the job, but not great quality. Paying 6.50ish total, I should have been expecting that.
Album looks great and the price was right.Thanks.  Pioneer makes great affordable albums.
I wanted photo book for my grandchildrens older pictures. It is hard to find one for 5X7 in a store, so this was a great find. I received it quickly and appreciated that.
These albums look really nice for the price, but if you fill them, they will not close all the way. If your storing them in a full book case, that might not be a problem but beware that the ones I received do not close all the way one their own when full.
I looked at office supply stores for these little beauties. They are perfect for a minister to use during a ceremony (baby dedication, wedding, funeral) and inexpensive enough to then hand the album (with the ceremony written/typed out inside) to the family.That is what I use mine for ... Sayyadena
I purchased this to present my husband with some photos I had taken for our anniversary.It made for the perfect presentation.Nice size!
Just as described. Very nice, and very good for holding pictures. I'm very glad I bought this item. Great Price too!
Had a hard time finding photo albums for 5 x 7 pictures--great price and good service.
What a great way to share your photos ans keeep them organized at the same time... buy a bunch... you'll want to reorganize all of your photos...
Ever since I got my first plasma TV, I have been looking for extra cleaning cloths that match the kind that came with the TV.This appears to be it :)
I have purchased these cloths several times and my wife and I love them and use them every day to clean our eye glasses and camera lenses.
Pioneer Microfiber Photo Memory Cleaning ClothOut of all the clothes on the market for cleaning camera lenses I believe these are the absolute best I have ever used. I also find these to be by far the best Microfiber Cleaning Clothes not only for cleaning my photographic equipment (especially lenses) but they are also great for wiping down computer screens, smartphones (lenses & touchscreens), jewelry, etc.I always keep at least one in my camera bag, one in my smartphone case & keep a number of extras on hand.These cleaning clothes are a great value and will last a long time as they are washable. I actually wash them in my washing machine on the 'hand wash' setting, and also dry them on gentle setting in my clothes dryer.As stated they are also great for wiping down jewlery, getting fingerprints off of watch cases, necklaces etc.These microfiber clothes are a 'must have' in our household.
I bought several of these Pioneer microfiber cleaning cloths to put in my camera bags (I have several). They are excellent for cleaning camera lenses, and also good for eyeglasses and LCD screens. Their only problem is that they do not come with individual containers to keep them clean. I solved the problem by buying small brown envelopes in a stationary store for 25 cents each.
This is a good quality 8" x 8" microfiber cloth, which can be used for cleaning camera lenses (it doesn't scratch them), eyeglasses, and also laptop computer screens. I use it together with a cleaning fluid for eyeglasses sold by a Sam's Club optician. The price is better than similar microfiber cloths in the B&H Photo catalog. Mine is going into my DSLR camera bag.
I like these for any lens. I especially use them to clean my eyeglasses. They consistently do a better job that microfiber and they last forever. When they get dirty, I just throw them in the wash with my clothes. When they come out, they work as new.
I got this to use on the LCD of my Nikon P5100.  At 4x it was too much.  The overpixilation defeated the purpose for which I bought it.  It did the opposite of making the image sharper.I returned it.
Bought the Peak 4x loupe as a replacement for one I bought years ago. Loved the fact that it showed the complete 35mm slide and and had sufficient magnification to analyze the photo. Highly recommended.
I ordered this product as someone else had recommended it....and I am glad I did...Now I can see my photos much better and clearer without my glasses! Always in my camera bag...a must for small views!
This is a wonderful product that preformes as expected. It in excellent for seeing your photos on viewscreen in the field.
When you take a picture in bright sun it is impossible to see the results without finding a shady place.  I looked at several makers of this product, all with a higher price.  I was not disappointed with this product.  It does magnify the picture which some people don't want but I have found that the magnification allows me to see the sharpness better.  It works great for me.  The picture shows a white or fogged part of the device which some might think would let in light and defeat the purpose.  However, that piece is removable.  Haven't quite figured out why someone would use that part but who cares the point is this is a good product for a fair price. Received it in two days.
I bought this case for the express purpose of transporting delicate glass pieces of art.The ease of use in taking the foam out and customizing it to fit my needs was great. It functions just fine and I know when my pieces are in this case that they are safe.Pelican = Quality
Pelican makes very sturdy cases. Whenever iI take mine with me on a trip, I do not worry whether my camera case inside is safe from breakage because I know the Pelican is doing it's job.
Before i received this case i was worried that it might be to small to fit my BerettaM9. Fits like a glove, and it came with pick N' pluck foam which was really easy to use. I recommend trying not to pick out one piece at a time, but multiple pieces. The reason for this is because you can use the picked pieces to give you extra padding on the bottom of the case. Just lay the pieces flat in the areas that are empty.
An excellent case - haven't tried plunging it into a lake or running it over just yet, but appears to be extremely sturdy and well-built. I have little doubt that it will perform exactly as advertised. And, quite frankly, its only slightly more expensive than other "cases" that provide about the same protection as a grocery bag doubled up. It is a smidge on the bulky side for the amount that it holds, but I won't call that a con as it is certainly to be expected of anything providing the protection factor that this does.Only one item to keep in mind - because of the bulk of the foam the case may hold less than you expect. Its not misleading and the dimensions given are accurate; this is just something to keep in mind as in terms of cubic inches it will actually hold quite a bit less than other cases of "similar" size.
I bought this case to house my GoPro action camera and a few of its mounts and accessories.  It was just the right size to hold the camera, waterproof case, 3 different mounts, and the charger cable.  I also liked the yellow color to make this case easy to identify as to what it holds.  I know my black Pelican cases are for other gear, but photo gear is always in yellow.Of course it's Pelican so it's the best case on the market.  No issues whatsoever with this case months later and many uses later.
Tougher than pissed off wild hog with rabies.  Seriously, it's a pretty stout case. I have no doubts that it will keep electronics and other items save during travel.  I do wish it had the steel padlock guards. Maybe on the next one.
Got this case for a Mettler JG602-G scale, which I carry around without its power cord/transformer. It fits quite well and feels very well protected. I would only caution that you try to "pick and pluck" the foam out in a long section so that you can turn double thick strips on their "sides" to provide extra padding in the bottom and make the scale easy to get out of what is otherwise quite a deep hole. The upside to this arrangement is that there's a lot more padding in the bottom than there would be in a thin case.
I love this case but I should have purchased a bigger one. I needed something for my Rebel T4i camera and 2 lenses. they fit but a little too cramped for my liking. Can fit one camera and one small lens no problem.If you are looking for a solid case for one or two small items this is the one.
It's impossible to beat pelican for protection and quality. I use this case for my digital camera and have been very happy with it.The latches are a little bit of a pain but over all I can't find anything to complain about.It's a very durable and reliable case and recommend it and any other pelican products for keeping your "stuff" safe.
This tough little shell protects a Fluke and connectors in the same truck bed that simultaneously carries chainsaws, splitting mauls, and other heavy tools. Easy to spot, stands up well to abuse.
As usual Pelican has a great case for small items in the 1120 Case.  This is the third Pelican case I have purchased and they all are outstanding.
Just received case. On a Sunday! Great little case heavy duty locks hold lid down firmly. Have no doubts the claims for this case are true. Comes with a layer of foam on the bottom you pull out to custom fit whatever you put in the case. Bright Orange as seen in the picture. good stuff. Would buy again.
This is awesome. I bought it for a go pro and a few accessories. It works perfectly and keeps all my gear safe, no matter the conditions.
Keep my lavalier packs, handheld transmitter, extra batteries, cables and a tascam recorder in this. Absolutely love it - and will likely get a couple more for other small but delicate items in my kit.
Bought this for my son who is a type 1 diabetic and we needed a water tight case for his blood sugar meter, insulin pens and food during rainy day soccer games or unpredictable weather during hunting season.  It's very rigid and heavy and I have no doubt it will protect it's contents well.  It has a hole on either side of the handle for a lock if needed.
Perfect case for my prizedLeica D-Lux 4 Digital Camera (Black). Not only waterproof, but provides shock protection with the customizable foam insert. The folding handle is a nice touch as you can still stash it in a small space.  Now to get the next size up for mySony Professional Portable 24-bit Linear Audio Recorder, and I'm set for spring birding floats.
Was able to fit a canon 6D and a Canon T3i as well as the cowboy studio professional rubber sealed, water proof memory card case.  Closes nicely, loved the pull out foam.  The latches do close and I know my cameras are safe but they feel looser and not as secure as the 1300 series.  overall great buy.
I use this for housing 2 12v gel cells.Complete with foam insert and solid locking tabs. What you would expect from Pelican.
I bought this to hold my DSLR, an Olympus E-620, when bringing it on adventures.  The camera fits perfectly in the case, with room for a second lens, cell phone, filters, and other valuables.  Foam is easy to fit to your object.  It is a bit hard to open and close the latches, but this makes me feel like it is sealing securely.  Exposed to drops in saltwater, covered in sand, dropped in rocks - the case keeps on going and my camera stayed dry, clean, and safe.  Pelican makes a great product.  Haven't used it with a lock or submerged it for long periods.  It does float with a camera in it.
If you have something rather small that needs a safe carrying case protected from well anything this is it. Whatever you have in this case is protected by the Pelican guarantee. These cases are guaranteed for life, you break it they replace forever. I use this case to carry my "ebay triggers" with me on location so far so good. I will say be careful with the latches, make sure they are locked fully. In the beginning for tiny little fingers the latches be hard to open, but with use it gets easier. I already love mine and can't wait to buy larger ones for the rest of my equipment. This is one investment you will never regret. Just get it.
Used this to travel with my DSLR by air. Couldn't be happier. TSA never blinked and all my gear was safe and sound.
This case is great. durable, well made, and the foam is great and easy to shape. Only thing is that its much smaller than it looks. Fits my GH2, 14-42 lens, 20mm pancake, 50mm FD, 3 lens adapters, a small intervalometer, charger, extra battery and chords etc. Its about as tightly packed as its gonna get though. Definitely recommend pelican, but definitely recommend going bigger.
Slightly too short for an OMD-EM5. It fits but the foam above the hotshoe is all compressed.The pick and place foam is easy to cut.
Reliable heavy duty box for my  Sony NEX5R with wide angle attachment, spare cards, filters, remote, charger, flash, and iPhone. Unfortunately Amazon has limited color options for the price.
pelican makes a really good product. ive had several and really like the cases and flashlights. will buy more as needed.
I bought this to store my Glock 33 in. It is a perfect fit, can be padlocked, and is waterproof. Love it!
I almost went with the next smaller case for the GoPro setup.I'm glad I didn't.I can't use the foam inside with all my accessories but it doesn't need it.It holds the GoPro, mounts, BacPacs, etc etc.The only thing that doesn't fit is my tripod.I'm very pleased with the purchase and recommend to anyone with a very small camera.
I purchased the Pelican 1400 to protect my GoPro HERO2 camera outfit. I watched a tutorial on YouTube on how to work with the pick n' pluck foam, and was able to custom fit my gear to the foam in about an hour. Another reviewer said the latches are difficult to operate, but I disagree. This case is super rugged and I have no doubt it will protect my gear in any situation, whether it be flood, volcanic eruption, cosmic ray burst, electromagnetic pulse attack, or zombie apocalypse.I had hoped that the 1400 would fit inside one of the hardcases on my H-D motorcycle, but it's a little too fat. This is not the fault of the case, but mine, for not measuring the hardcase first.I highly recommend this case and any Pelican product. I am going to purchase additional cases for use with handguns and other camera equipment.If you are the techy geeky type, a Pelican case has a very high level of appeal. It's just a really cool piece of tech.
Case came exactly as described. Case is very high quality and very easy to modify to fit to exactly what you want to place in it. I use it for traveling with my handgun and it is able to fit the 9mm handgun and two magazines just fine.
This case is not quite deep enough to house a Nikon D5200. It would be perfect for smaller items. Pelican makes a very quality product but this one did not quite serve the need I purchased it for. This is more an error on my part than it is a flaw with the product. I'm deducting one star because, as a DSLR seems a logical use for this size case.
I bought this case for my GoPro camera and I'm very very happy! This case is amazingly durable and tough. Dust-proof, water-proof and its pressure system keeps everything I have inside safe.Once the case closed, nothing moves, nothing even does one sound. The case is very light and robust! Perfect for me when I go somewhere and I need my camera. I chose the 1200 because it's quite small yet big enough to fit all I need. The pre-cut foam pad inside make the configuration easy to do.Great product.
If you are unfamiliar with pelican cases let me say they are among the toughest cases available and they offer a lifetime replacement guarntee. Pelican cases will scar and scratch but it does not affect the usability of the case and you generally have to go out of your way to make a scratch in the case. All pelican cases I have used come with a valve that automatically equalizes the air pressure so there flyer friendly and they are water proof, not water resistant, water proof unless you scuba dive or some other crazy thing with them and even then it might hold out for a while.This particular case I use to house a custom pistol and it works well, the interior foam takes a little work to remove but its not a problem. The foam comes out in rectangular pieces that form a grid that you can customize. The bottom, top and sides of the foam are not meant to be removed but the interior foam is completely removable. You can buy other cases and you can buy cheaper cases and certainly there are some metal cases that may ultimately outperform this for a much higher price but for the money this is simply the best.Yes Pelican cases are not cheap so buy them on sale whenever you can but the product is worth every cent of the full price if you buy something else you will almost certainly regret it in short order.
I needed a water proof camera case to strap on to the back of my motorcycle. I got the 1400 model and my Nikon D5100 fits with a 55mm lens, 70-300mm lens, charger, and flash unit. Easy to customize with the pull out foam.
I bought this to replace the plastic case that came with my Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm, type F (full size).  It fits the pistol along with the factory supplied spare magazine, and there's room for another spare magazine if you want to fit it in.  This case allows the use of a small pad lock, which I prefer over the cable lock that came with the pistol.  The shooting range I go to requires that your firearms to be cased AND locked when you're in their store area signing in, and this case works well for this purpose.I deducted 1 star for the pluck and choose foam.  While they are fairly easy to pluck out to create the shape necessary to fit the pistol, I wish they've made the foam so that you can pluck it out at half-height only.
It's tough as nails, keeps out dirt and water, protects and loves expensive delicate items just as much as you do.
Bought 2 of these cases for my Gopro Cameras. The pluck foam is great, made perfect size spots for everything. Nice size, construction and water proof.
I got 2 of these as 'travel' cases for my handguns. It comes with pre-cut foam that you can shape as the top layer, and another foam layer at the bottom. Even before I could use these for the purpose I got them for, the Northeast got hit by a major storm and I ended up using this as my 'emergency' go-case since it is waterproof. I ended up storing my iPhone, wallet, glow sticks, extra batteries, and LED flashlight in it. I actually never got to use it (luckily) but I had the confidence after reading all the reviews (on Amazon and other places).For the handguns, it fits a glock with one mag in the gun and one mag outside - it is fairly compact so don't expect to fit a lot more in it... maybe can put a couple of glow sticks but that's about it. But the nice thing is that it fits in backpacks and can be locked (for the states with weird gun-travel laws).All in all, satisfied so far.
Got this case to store NEX 7 and lenses. The case is extremely tough. The foam provides great support. The only thing is it is not big enough to hold all my lenses (a 18-200mm, 16mm, UWA converter, and two legacy lenses) that I may want to get another case.
The case is first-rate. Strong, quality build and materials.  Pelican rocks.  If you're looking to house your GoPro, go a little larger - this was a bit of a tight fight when I added extra pivots, clips, etc, etc.  Just fine for a gopro, charger spare batteries, memory cards, and a couple smaller items.
There's a reason that the military, emergency services, professional photographers, and many others use Pelican cases to protect their equipment, and this one is no exception.
The Pelican 1200 is just the right size for three GoPro cameras, two extra batteries, a charger, and some extra parts. You can;t beat this price for genuine Pelican. They've made the case much easier to open and close than previous models.
as title states, the pelican case is sturdy and i picked a good size for my needs. I use a ton of pelican cases for work and nothing quite beats them for the purpose they serve. Would recommend! Pelican all the way
I was a worried about this case because some of the reviews said it was too small for a camera. I purchased a Canon t3i w/ the 75x300 lens it all fit great with enough room for another lens or two. I personally like it because it is big enough for all my stuff but small enough to bring with me everywhere.
If you need the most amazing, rugged, dust proof, waterproof, durable, un - effing  - breakable case for whatever reason do yourself a favor: pay the money, get a Pelican. Period, end of discussion. I am a HUGE Pelican fanatic and I use them for everything from protecting my electronics to luggage to gun storage.Biggest bonus? Did it break? Send it to Pelican and they'll replace it. Free. Period. Forever. BAM! Just like that. Amazing company and amazing product.
Spacious and fits everything it needs to fit on top of being TSA approved and being padded better then any cases out there!
This is my second Pelican case. Unlike the larger 1600 case, the smaller latches on the 1200 are somewhat stiff and, at times, difficult to pop open one-handed. Otherwise, would have been a 5 star rating. Very please and highly recommended as is Norman Camera as an Amazon vendor.
Bought this Pelican 1200 Case with Foam for my GoPro kit for traveling and using in the backcountry. Very durable and the foam was easy to configure. The orange color helps it to stand out. I can see why these cases have a great reputation.
If you want top quality, Pelican is the brand!  These indestructable,water tight,air tight cases are the best money can buy.
This case is great protection for valuables. Can be used for fire-arm transportation (airline friendly). Have owned many Pelican products, never disappointed.
to small for camera eq....good for pistol only.  it will hole a cannon t2i with two lens or a go pro with all the odds and ends
Good product, however, item is too small for intended usage. small compact firearm does not fit the case and dimension do not fit the case advertised.
Bought as upgrade to the stock case for my sig p238.  After some foam cutting and stickers I am super excited with it.  What else can i say its a pelican!
Its a Pelican case.  Waterproof and extremely tough.  Perfect for small gear in a kayak.
I'm using this for when I check my sony nex 5 camera so it won't get damaged.  Pelican makes great cases that are quite strong.  I was able to fit the camera and all of the charging accessories in the case.If you would like to know something specific about this item just ask and I'll try to respond within a day or so.
Awesome little box, i keep some pretty delicate audio recording equipment in it. never had any issues, the pluck foam works well, solid well build pelican protection you can count on.
This is an actual Pelican case that comes with the foam. For the price you can not beat it. I would definitely purchase this again.
No hype here. The case does exactly what it is supposed to. Keep equipment from getting damaged by either hard objects or water. Foam is easy to pluck/cut and the snap locks are very solid and tight. Good price too.
This thing is spacious.  I use this to hold my misc electronic devices that I use everyday. This holds 7 cords (in the cover (I cut spaces for each and velcroed it to the top of the cover)) 10000mah External battery charger, my zyxel mini router, my anker 5 port usb charger and it still has space for other things.  I know my tech devices will expand so the space and depth of this is a great plus.If you own other pelican cases, then you know how great they are.  If you never had one, get one and you'll never be dissapointed.
This case is great for keeping valuables safe and secure during travel and storage, I would definitely recommend this case.
this is awesome  just check dimensions to make sure whatever you have will fit. Pluck inside to fit whatever you have
Used this case, including foam, on a multiday canoe trip and it worked perfect.  Custom designed the foam pieces to hold 2 Iphone 5's, and Ipod Touch, as well as a side section for wallet, keys, etc.  This thing kept them completely dry and shielded from all the weather and river water we could throw at it.Very happy with this purchase and will be using this for years to come for outdoor excursions with my expensive handhelds.
Nice case.  Using it to fit several go pro cameras.  It isn't overly large which is what I wanted.  Super rugged.
It's a Pelican case.Works great, protects my camera. Already had an instance where my the case, with camera, was submerged for about 5min. No water damage!Picking out the foam squares was easy. Would recommend.
I got this case for taking a DSLR camera and equipment on a rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This case is perfect for my Canon 60D with 2 medium sized and one small lens (EF-S 15-85, EF-S 55-250, and EF 50 f1.8) plus 3 extra batteries and a Sony Action Cam with 2 extra batteries with room left over. The 60D fits great without compressing the top and bottom padding much when closed but if the camera is any taller you may wish to get a bigger case. The pick and pluck foam makes the case very easy to customize for whatever electronics or other fragile items you wish to protect.I took this case with my camera gear inside on several swims in slot canyons floating it on the top of the water and never worried about getting the contents wet. I also believe that if my raft had flipped it would have protected the camera. It is very buoyant even when loaded with my camera and lenses so if it ever went in the water it would be easily retrievable. The case is also very strong and durable, I have stepped on it several times with my camera and equipment inside without causing any damage.The case is IP67 rated which means it is dust proof and water proof to 1 meter depth for up to 30 minutes. Anything more and you are risking water leakage. This is not a case to take on prolonged swims or scuba diving.Overall, if you use the case as it is meant to be used then it is a great case. It can really take a thrashing and even handle a reasonable amount of water submersion while keeping the contents inside safe from harm.
I purchased this for my husband's camera. The foam allows him to configure the storage his way and still look nice and neat. Perfect!
What can I say, it is a pelican!  I love it, always will, always have! Waterproof and you can walk on them!
Mounted it on the back of my Yamaha WR250 dirt bike so I can take stuff with me when I trail ride, it is durable, light weight & waterproof.
It holds everything that we need to put in to it. it protects very well every day we use it
Once again pelican delivers the absolute best carrying case for valuable gear. there is no case that is as solid and durable as these. I got this one to house a compact DSLR, and it is the perfect size for the camera w/lens attached, and extra batteries, cables, etc.. I will note that you should always measure what you will be putting in the case before selecting a pelican, because it's hard to tell how big/small these actually are without measuring first.
I have used Pelican products for decades.  Their product is 1st rate and the customer service is fantastic.  My shop looks like a Pelican roadshow.
I have several Pelican products and I can't say anything bad about them. There priced well and built well. If you want something protected this is the case to h
Bought the Pelican 1200 for the new GoPro HD Hero2 camera system.  I was concerned that it may be too small, but I was able to fit everything I needed in it with foam space to spare: GoPro camera, suction cup mount, head strap mount, roll bar mount, various adhesive mounts, spare battery, larger door for dual battery setup, USB cable and an extra SD card.  This case gets strapped to the rack of an ATV and endures water, mud, dust and the occasional rock or tree branch.  Water and dirt can not penetrate the heavy duty seal, and everything about this case is high quality.  Highly recommend case for protecting your expensive equipment.Best part is, it's made in the USA!!
I own many different Pelican cases in all sizes. As with all of them, this is excellent quality, super robust and every little detail works and fits. The foam is pre-cut and easy to take out section to make it fit your equipment. These cases are made to last. The materials are nothing like the cheap cases from other manufacturers. The handles, hinges locking mechanism, just everything is made to withstand abuse and any temperature. You can drop them in the ocean or leave them out in the rain or snow. But what many people forget, these cases are also excellent for dirty and especially dusty environments. Delicate equipment is save in any environment. Since they are also air tight, it is possible to keep your equipment dry (using Silica gel) in environments of very high humidity. You really can't go wrong with Pelican cases. They might be a little more expensive than other cases but they will last you many many years, maybe even a lifetime thus making the initial investment absolutely worth it. The only downside is that they are not the lightest cases available. The design that makes them so robust also adds extra bulk. If your priority is light weight and size this type of case isn't the ideal solution. For anyone else I highly recommend them!
What a bargain and what a case. I use it to contain my new GoPro camera and a few accessories.  I got what was stated when i ordered it. Will be a repeat customer for sure.
Too small for a Lumix GH2 with one 15-140mm lens attached. And, weighs way too much. This case is designed for people / situations that greatly exceed normal wear & tear. Consider the 1500 line if you need room for a camera and a couple of lenses. These cases are for people who need a solution for really rugged situations. I'm giving 2 stars because I don't need / want a case this heavy and built to withstand the worst of conditions. For those of you who do, it's probably a 5 star product.
I thought it may be a bit too small for a GoPro plus accessories and parts. I can fit the camera, case, a bunch of mount parts, two extra batteries and a charger, cables and and the headgear and wrist strap. Snug as a bug! There is room for more but what else do I need for a GoPro kit. Maybe I could cram the macbook in it. Probably not...I really like the closing latches. They make a loud pop when closed so stealth is not a strong point here. It also seems to be a sticker magnet!I'll be buying another one for one of my other toys.
I got this after researching for a couple months. I needed a container for my medical supplies. I have durable and disposable equipment. This works perfectly. I love it so much. I am thinking about buying another just for the heck of it. I love the construction. My last container was run over and crushed by an eighteen wheeler when it was left on the roof of my car at a gas station. I lost over a thousand dollars and medicine I cannot live without. It turned my situation into an emergency. I don't want that to happen again. This will help.
I waited for a while until I could find a pelican case for my GoPro camcorder and accessories. I was able to fit my GoPro, extra back, floatation back door replacement, charger and suba grip pole. This has more than enough space for all of my equipment. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. Phenomenal build quality on this case
I got this case to use with my G19 and G26.  I had someone make a custom foam insert and it's awesome.  They fit perfectly with enough room around them for protection.
This is a fantastic case. I purchased it for my Klein Tools Multimeter and it was a perfect fit. The case is not just well made, it's superior to any other case I searched for. I find the construction to be top quality and the closing clasps to be both tight and easy to open. I do not worry about them popping open or breaking in any way.My only tiny complaint is that the &#34;Pull & Pluck&#34; foam was a little difficult to pull and pluck and I ended up tearing one piece I didn't want to. While this was my first time with it, I would of hoped that it'd be a little easier to pull. I'd recommend having an X-Acto knife on standby.
I use this when I take my DSLR camera on the boat or on the airplane.  It works great keeping my expensive equipment safe.  This thing is shock proof and waterproof.This price is also a great selling point.  After I bought it on Amazon, I saw this in the store for twice as much!Only down side it the latching system.  It can be very hard to latch sometimes.  I also get pinched by the latches sometimes.  I guess thats how you know it water-tight.
For anyone not familiar with pelican cases I would like to tell you that you cannot buy a better case made to protect your valuables. For these cases are waterproof airtight cases that are made of a plastic that is virtually indestructible as well as the fact that every case that pelican manufacturers comes with a lifetime warranty for if there is anything that goes wrong with the case, you simply return it and pelican will send you a new one, no questions asked.Also, if you are like me and tired of everything that you buy nowadays being stamped made in China. It's a great refresher to find out that every part of these cases are made in the United States keeping Americans working and that is just simply icing on the cake for me.I have bought and owned over a dozen of these cases in various sizes,, and shapes for I own three cases that are made for my laptop computer and I just purchased one case that is made to hold SD memory cards and could not be happier. I also have a very long and large case that holds my hunting rifles so no matter what size the case is they are all built with excellent quality and attention to detail. So if you want a case that will last you the rest of your life with a lifetime warranty. That is made in the United States then look no further for you won't be disappointed.
Things get kicked around a bit when we go places and this was the ideal solution for protecting my expensive gear. Everything I use regularly fits (even a small collapsible pole) after configuring the foam just the way I wanted. Not too big and not too heavy. I love it!
This is a first-rate case at a great price.  Provides just about the best protection for anything you want to carry in it.
I purchased this case to hold small things that I wanted to be able to get to quickly on the river/rafting/canoeing. works great! I can put my cell phone and digital camera in it with peace of mind.
If your thinking about buying a pelican case, just go ahead and buy it. Hard use case. Im a firefighter and we have the big ones for our drug boxes. we are extremely tough on these. Price is pretty cheap for the kind of protection your getting. 5 out of 5.
I bought the 1200 case with foam to house a medium frame Glock handgun. For the most part, I use it as a locking transport case, paired with a standard size keyed lock such as this one:Master Lock 140D Solid Brass Keyed Different Padlock with 1-9/16-Inch Wide Body, 1/4-Inch Shackle.The pick and pluck foam made it super easy to create a custom fit. For size reference, I'm able to fit the Glock plus two ten round magazines (with the magazines stacked) with extra cushion between everything.  In terms of sturdiness and quality, you simply can't beat what Pelican offers. These are the best hard cases on the market.
Perfect little waterproof box for all your important stuff while in and around water. You can adjust the foam to your liking or remove it all together. Great for phone, wallet, keys, cameras. Perfect for boating/Kayaking.
I bought this for to use with my GoPro and accessories.Pro's: Great for the Gopro and a few accessories.Built like a tank and very durable.The foam pull outs let you customize the case for accessories.Cons: If you have a lot of GoPro accessories you should get one of the larger Pelican cases.Overall I'm happy with this case.
Interior Dimensions:7.25" x 4.75" x 3.06" (18.4 x 12.1 x 7.8 cm)Watertight, crushproof, and dust proofOpen cell core with solid wall design - strong, light weightO-ring sealAutomatic Pressure Equalization ValveStainless steel hardwarePick N Pluck(tm) with convoluted lid foamLifetime Guarantee of ExcellenceConfigurationsCat. #  Description1120  1120 Case1120NF  1120 Case (No foam)
I purchased the 1120 case to hold a small wireless microphone set.The box has been dropped, showered, opened and closed without a problem.Initially the latches are a bit stiff, however are easier to operate over time.  This is not to say they are getting worn down though, it still seals extremely well.Make sure to allow for a bit of extra room around whatever item you are looking to protect, as the purpose of the foam inside is to help protect it from shock.  You want a bit of "padding" around your items.Besides protecting my gear, it also looks pretty sharp as well.
I bought this case to protect my GoPro 3 black. I got the camera and all my accessories in it but it did take some careful placement. I have the camera, skeleton back, 2 extra memory cards, 4 extra batteries with two wall chargers, a Joby Gorilla Pod, the newer GoPro suction cup, plus various adapters and mount screws. Like I said, a tight fit. I like the box but if I had it to do over again I think the 1400 would have been better for the amount of stuff I have.
I used this Pelican Case for some of my watch collection and I could fit 4 large G-Shocks inside with some space in between each other. I love Pelican Cases!
I bought this case with purpose of holding my Dave Park Snakeskin Bubbler, a matching vapor curve, matching flower bowl, a female to male glass adapter, a TI nail, and glass dome. The pick and pluck foam worked great, the case securely fits all of the above and I have no doubt that my expensive glassware will be safe while inside. The fact that it is waterproof, lockable (have it dual locked), and floats makes it an even more attractive purchase.After purchasing this, I will straight up say that I will NEVER carry any of my high end glass around without a Pelican to protect it.
This case is perfect.  I was more excited about getting the  case, than I was about what was going in it.  I'm using it to carry around a Fluke Meter and leads and this was the perfect fit.  I think I've found my brand as far as cases go.  I couldn't be more happy with it, plus I was excited to see the Made in USA on the front.
I'm reviewing the Pelican 1120 Case with Foam for Camera (Black).As far as the security of the case, I bought this this for my pistol for when traveling on the plane, (checked in of course), and to secure it safely from my toddler, or deter someone from accessing it. For anyone buying it for one of these purposes, I cannot recommend.There two holes (one on each side) that allow locks to be latched on the case but this is pretty much useless as someone with moderate strength could easily twist off the lock - breaking the hard plastic and accessing whatever valuable item inside. I can't speak to the security of the larger cases, but locks on this case would takes seconds to twist off.
all pelicans are great products
I bought this to store my Small HD AC7 HDMI monitor that I use with my Canon 5DMKIII DSLR. It's a perfect fit.
Pelican cases are so strong, they will take the abuse from shipping, weather, neglect, and more.Perfect for keeping things like  the Taser X26 or Springfield XD sub-compact protected with room to spare for extra cartridges and magazines.Reinforced locks and pressure equalization valve are great for traveling with the unit!
I will begin by stating in general I have come to trust and appreciate Pelican cases over the years as I do with my most current purchase of the 1400 series. The only drawback in this case was when I dropped it by accident the hinges flew open on both occasions. Perhaps something to do with their new hinge design???? Otherwise very good product.
it is a Pelican, i've been buying Pelican for all my equipment since I saw the first one. Its thru the price is high but its worth it. This is the same Pelican quality but in small size, I'm using it to hold my Glock 25. Fits very well.You cant beat a Pelican. very hard, thick walls, and locks are great.
I bought this for my watches, watch tools and extra straps. It's the perfect size. I will never take advantage of the capabilities of this case but it is nice to have, in case of a zombie apocalypse where I still care about fashionable timepieces.
I bought this case for my canon rebel T2i DSLR with an attached Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM.  The fit is tight but it is doable. There is also enough room for a couple batteries as well.  I love this case for traveling.  It keeps my camera safe on airplanes, in car trunks, dangerous terrains, etc. It's not great for, say, backpacking. I have a soft shell case for that, but for travel I love knowing that my camera is safe from a lazy baggage handler or a taxi trunk.
It's a pelican.  It is what you'd expect and does its job well.  Perfect size for a full size pistol or a camera.
I have 7 Pelican cases in various sizes, they protect everything from delicate scientific instruments to artist supplies.  Pelican cases are tough, last a long time, and come with a limited lifetime guarantee against breakage and defects in manufacturing.  Interiors include pick & pluck foam, hard foam (can be customized with a hot knife), adjustable compartments, and without foam.  Replacement foam is available for all cases.Read through some of the negative reviews, mostly to do with problems with the case.  If you get a bum case, return it for exchange.  Pelican doesn't expect their customers to keep non-working merchandise.  Two of my cases are 15 years old, still looks good and works well.  Other than gentle cleaning of the exterior, I sometimes purchase new foam so the case can be used for different equipment like optical glass.If you need a case to protect your valuable stuff, try a Pelican Case.
I purchase the Pelican 1120 to keep my valuable electronics safe from the bumps and crashed that occur while traveling.  Not only does the case keep my electronics safe, but I can also put any important documents under the foam padding, allowing myself to have peace of mind from any crazy weather or disasters that can occur.Pros: Keeps everything you can fit inside safe, portable, very lightweight, great quality, low priceCons: NoneOverall, if you're looking for a way to safely carry around your electronics or any other valuables in harsh environments, this is the item to buy.
Another great product from Pelican and Amazon.  I received my package this afternoon. It was packaged very well and was absolutely brand new.  Sometimes you can get a worn box or dirty merchandise from other sellers.  Not from Amazon.  The shipping information was sent to me through text.  I highly recommend signing up for text alerts.  The Pelican 1200 box itself is a good size for the price.  Well made and sturdy.  It fits all of my Go Pro Hero 3 including wall charger, car charger, extra batteries, extra mounts, head mount, LCD Touchbac and extra backs perfectly.  No extra room but I bought it for this purpose.  A tip that I could not find answers to online.  I called Pelican to find out what to do about the red tag on the automatic purge valve on the box near the handles.  I was informed that it should stay there.  Do not remove it.  I saw some posts about how hard it was to remove.  That is because you should not remove it.  It may compromise the integrity of the valve so leave it alone!  All around a quality, good looking, affordable waterproof box.  Keep up the good work!
Obviously you want a pelican because everyone wants a pelican. I bought this one because I wanted something for my pistol. My full frame semi auto fits in this case with a little wiggle room. I am not crazy about the Pick N'Pluck foam, because I'd rather spend the time with a razor blade and make the fit perfect. I can see how that feature can be useful if you are using the case for different purposes.
It meets my expectations of what a exellent case should be.Solid product.If I get a new pistol, I'm gonna order another one of these cases.
Great purchase for my camera equipment.  I lugged this sucker through a 4 day hike in the Andes mountains and then down for a 3 day trip in the Amazon.  Its seen it's share of abuse and protected my camera equipment from rain and general abuse.  Just enough room to fit my Olympus OMD camera with lens and extra batteries, filters and charger.  Could probably squeeze in an extra lens or two.  I also like the 1200 size because it can fit within my backpack and daypack with no problem.
This product as with all Pelican cases purchased so far, is very sturdy, well designed and very durable. I selected the bright yellow color for obvious reasons, and boy-oh-boy is it a nice bright yellow! I am perfectly satisfied with this purchase.
this case gets me man.  I want to put stuff in it and the case is like yeah let me move some of this foam out of the way for you and im all like thanks case....
This is my third Pelican box.  I also own two 1510's.  I use these for transporting my $13,000 worth of camera gear and I could not feel any more confident in a box.  This particular box carries all of my flash products while the others carry camera bodies and lenses.  I really appreciate the strong latches these boxes have in addition to the resistive, albeit easy to open, hinges.  You won't go wrong with one of these.  They're worth every penny.
Amazing little box. I've kept delicate electronics inside of the unit and the foam holds them so well that they hardly know they're being moved around.
I purchased the Pelican 1200 with foam to use as a watch case. This is the only thing besides a vault I would trust my watch collection in.I would recommend this highly based on quality, looks, and the wide variety of applications.You will find something to keep safe I promise!
Heavy duty case is perfect for taking out in the field.  Keeps your equipment safe and dry.  I love the orange, makes it easy to find.
Purchased it to protect an HVAC instrument, just as described in the description, super well built, easy to customize the interior, prime got it here quick,
Great case for my galaxy s3 phone camera lenses. Excellent protection for the lenses and the other accessories that come with it. Perfect size as it fits into my backpack without difficulties and still leaves plenty of room for my other cameras and accessories. Pelican makes some good quality products.
Short Version:Giving it as a gift to be used a pistol case. Fits a single pistol and spare magazine nicely. Case is quality construction. I'd feel confidant that my pistol would be safe from small drops to freak hurricanes. Small enough to throw into a backpack and comfortable enough to carry on its own. Giving as a gift, and would recommend to anyone with something that they want to protect and is small enough to fit.Use:I giving it as a gift to be used as a pistol case. A pistol and spare magazine tuck nicely into the case, still leaving about inch all around for padding. There's not enough room for much else. Maybe a cleaning cloth or some other very small item, but don't expect this to be small range box.Pros:Excellent quality. If you've never held a Pelican case you can recognize the quality as soon as you hold you. They just feel tough. This case is just large enough to carry &#34;the essentials&#34; of one pistol and a spare mag, yet small enough that you can throw it into a backpack.Cons:It doesn't fit a lot, but it fits exactly what it needs to. If I wanted it to fit more, I would have got a larger one. For this specific purpose, there are no cons to this case.Recommendations:I would recommend a Pelican to anyone who needed a case to protect something valuable. This specific case I would definitely recommend for a pistol case, or as a case for small electronics.
I'm super excited about my pelican case because I use it to keep all my GoPro accessories in one spot and even due to its compact size it fits: GoPro in its protective housing, frame housing, frame for backpack housing, wifi remote, SD card adapter, two extra batteries, rapid charger, suction cup mount, gorillapod tripod, handle bar mount, two charging cables, tripod mount, and a handful of screws and mount adjustments. Definitely worth checking out if you want to keep your GoPro protected and all in one place!
Like other Pelican cases I've owned this thing is built like a tank.  The new latches are nice, it's still a very solid operation to latch and unlatch the lid, but a bit easier now.  The pluck-apart foam is great, makes for a very clean looking cavity to place your equipment.I got this case for my Nikon D60 based on a review of a1200 in a different colorthat said it fit the D40 (which is the same size as the D60).  It's a perfect fit in the horizontal directions, but I do wish it was a half inch taller, as the D60 pretty much compresses the foam all the way when closing the lid.  Nikon lists the height of the D60 as 3.7" and Pelican lists the interior height of the 1200 as 4.12"Of course that's not a defect with the case, I could have gone for the 1300 which is almost the same size in the horizontal directions but 2" taller.  Or the 1400 which is 1.5 - 2.5" larger in the horizontal dimensions and 1" taller.  But my mom has the 1300 for her Canon XTi and it seems quite bulky, so I think the 1200 was the right choice.  Pelican's are rock solid so I don't worry about the case getting crushed and squishing the camera.
If only the spartans has these cases as their shields. They should have won all the battles without casualties.Pelican case are the best.
Bought this to pack my Gopro Hero2 in for a Scuba diving trip this last November. I was able to pack all my equipment in it and did not have to worry about it getting damaged.
Pelican is my go-to product for storing and transporting valuable and sensitive electronics/mechanisms. The encasing layer of foam has pull away sections to let you form fit it to your equipment. The bottom and top of the case have a solid foam lining. The case is hard resin with heavy duty fasteners that close the container and make it water proof and air-tight. The handle is sturdy and will not break on you.This container can take a beating without what's inside even noticing the disturbance. They're also stackable, making storage far easier. I use mine to hold and transport CURTA Calculators and radio equipment
Man Pelican has really cornered the high end case market. This little unit is the best designed case, storage box I have ever seen. Made with extremely hard plastic, every component is very good quality and durable. Not to mention it is waterproof. I use it to store my router bits. The foam is great because it can be "plucked" to hold anything you desire. See the picture above. That way none of my bits contact each other and get chipped or damaged.  This thing is guaranteed for life and I don't doubt it will last it.
As always when it comes to quality equipment to protect my gear I turn to Pelican. This 1200 model case is no exception. Measuring in at 9.68" x 4.87" exterior, the actual interior real estate is 7.12" x 4.12". With the pre-cut pick & pluck foam its good for customizing that perfect fit for my weapon and ammo. The half inch cubes are easy to work with. Outfitted with Pelican's signature o ring and ABS latches, my equipment is always safe. I particularly like the auto purge valve. It especially comes in handy when flying. Like all Pelican products that I've picked up along the way, this baby is airtight, dust & corrosion proof and absolutely unbreakable. The high impact copolymer casing is built to last. No one makes a better protective case. At under forty bucks and a life time warranty tagged on, its a bargain.
I bought this case to hold a revolver as home protection on a boat. As it would not be opened or used except in an emergency I wanted the best. I own several Pelican cases and they are the best at keeping things protected, dry, and secure.
Just small enough for my compact pistol and not too large for suitcse.  Very secure latches and TSA compliant.
This is a nice box BUT not the same dimensions reported on the product details. You haveProduct DetailsProduct Dimensions: 10.6 x 4.9 x 9.7 inches ; 4 pounds.The dimension for the 1120 case are: interior dimension 7.25"x4.75"x3.06" & the exterior dimension 8.12" x 6.56" x 3.56" so i will have to find some thing else to use this for. I notice that when I change the product type that the dimension don't change, so you may want to check [...] for more info. on the type you are looking for.
You cant go wrong with a Pelican Case-- One word of warning- check the dimensions before you buy-- the Case looks larger in the pictures. I use this for my H4N Recorder and it fits perfectly with room for a battery and memory card.
I actually had to return this case because it was way too small for my camera. I promptly ordered a bigger one that would fit my camera because I saw the quality of this case! I bought it because I go on ATV camping trips and want to be able to take this with me and not worry about my camera getting muddy, wet, sandy, or smashed around while riding though remote sections of forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am very excited to get the larger case and try it out!
Wow perfect for my go pro hero 3 + camera and accesories. All essential accessories fit. Not too big not too small(goldilocks) to carry around and in my backpack. I put a go pro sticker on it and it looked liked an official go pro case. Excellent for protecting your investments, military grade.
Got this for my new MUVI micro camcorder and all it's accessories.  Works perfectly.  Pulled out the pre-perforated foam to make holes for the various parts.  Everything fits!  This seller has the best price on the web for Pelican waterproof boxes.
Pelican cases are well known in the industry for protecting your family jewels. This thing will survive anything you throw at it, as long as it's not a rocket propelled grenade.
When I read the Pelican case was plastic, I thought it would be OK but not as good as aluminum.  WRONG!  This case shell is very tough and the latches are super secure.  Also the Pick N Pluck foam is easy to configure to whatever you want to protect.  It took me only 20 minutes to make neat pockets for half a dozen items.I bought it to protect a delicate (expensive) measuring instrument.  That instrument's maker sells a hard case for 3 times what the Pelican case costs and (IMHO) isn't as tough.  There's gotta be a lesson there somewhere.
I purchased this case for my girlfriend who bought a Beretta M9A1. The boxes that Beretta uses are embarrassing and for the amount of money you spend they could at least make one that works. There aren't any hinges but instead are thin pieces of preforated plastic. After 1 month they already cracked - hence the need for good a case.This Pelican is the real deal and can easily fit a full sized pistol outside of a Desert Eagle or Race Gun with compensator. Any production pistol will live happily in this case. It has fit her M9, my 226 and Glock 17. The dot system is any easy pull and pluck and can accommodate most shapes and sizes. The only issue is that the outline itself will not be a perfect silhouette, but the purpose is not for looking pretty but in being functional. I am extremely confident in it's construction and have even dropped the case with a cheaper Sig that I own in it. No problems whatsoever.I would definitely buy again and in fact, I am probably going to get one soon when my new &#34;toy&#34; comes in.
Overall solid case. Reading the directions regarding the foam makes customization easier. Case was smaller than I thought it would be but I didn't look at dimensions enough.
As with every other Pelican product I've purchased, quality is amazing.  Just big enough to fit my shortwave receiver when travelling.
Pelican quality.  I expected the case would protect a digital recorder (Zoom H2N) against all possibilities.  Was not disappointed.  Foam insert secures the contents from vibration and drops.  The pick & pluck perforations can be time consuming to form the mold, but that's my obsession to get it perfect.  The point is the foam insert is designed to get perfection.
This case was ordered to house a Samsung NX1000 compact camera and an extra lens, plus anything else I could cram in, like an extra battery.  It is a perfect size, as I wanted, but it took a little extra effort to get the cover to close when the camera was in position. The foam sits on a layer of another kind of foam.  By carving into the lower layer as well as the thicker layer, the camera fits perfectly.  As I expected from Pelican, the box is sturdy and extremely well built.  It looks like you could throw it around and still protect the contents.  The latches take an effort to snap close and, of course, to open.  I like that because it is not going to come open on its own.  The orange color I ordered is cool too.  For 25 bucks it is one big bargain, even if the case is tiny.
TOO SMALL for DSLR with a zoom lens. I have a relatively small zoom lens on a Canon T5i that barely fits in this case. I suggest you order the next size up. I wish I had.
Building a portable solar generator out of this using a deep cycle motorcycle-sized AGM battery and waterproof fittings. Box is very rugged. You can find my picture progress online by searching/googling for the following words: &#34;pelican case solar generator expeditionportal&#34;.
As allways Pelican has created a great case. I got this for a camera and it works great. Dust proof water proof and shock resistant, love it.
This is a great case. It is amazingly durable and I am not worried about my stuff suffering any sort of damage. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is serious about protecting their goods. Another plus of the product is that Pelican has an amazing lifetime guarantee on the product.
This is a tough an durable case designed to protect your valuable items.  The foam inside is easy to customise to fit whatever it is you want to protect.
I am going to buy more of these for handguns and other camera's I own. I LOVE the Pelican company.
Excellent, Now I can protect my NIKON D3200, Thank you Very Much friends, I will return to shop with you.
I bought this case to store my GoPro camera and accessories. This case is virtually indestructible and all of my items fit neatly into the case. A great investment to protect some very fragile equipment.
This case would be great to store phones and other expensive personal items when canoeing, kayaking, on a boat... or whatever else you are doing that involves water. Love it!
If you are considering this case for a small DSLR, read to the end.  First, the basics...I've used Pelican cases like this in my videography work quite a bit and this one matches up to others I've seen.  It's a tough case, water-tight but not resistant to heat according to the owner's guide.  The latches are a bit stiff on these cases but I love that it comes with pre-punched foam so you can easily fit whatever odd-sized object in snugly.  Be sure to read the tips that come with it about using chalk or toothpicks to spot out the shape you want to cut out.I ordered this case to hold my Canon T2i (550D) DSLR camera.  Sure, the camera fits fine without a lens on the body, laying down screen side.  And you can fit at least two small lenses in next to it.  But the case is a bit too tight for my taste with the T2i resting on its bottom, which I'd like to do so I can store it with a lens attached.  It also is too small to fit both the camera and the reasonably small Rode Videomic I bought to go with it.  It would definitely be out of the question for the larger Canon 7D and 5DmkII or the Nikon D90 and the larger pro lenses.The bottom line is that I'm probably going to keep this one to carry other, smaller equipment.  I shouldn't have any problem finding a use for it.  But if I was Goldilocks, this would not be the case that is "just right".
Bought this case to hold a camera, memory, and extra batteries for a trip to India.  The foam insert is easy to configure, and the case is very well built.
Perfect case for my GoPro and small accessories. Solid case and the color is great. Punch out foam is easy to take out and fit your items in the foam.
Little pricy for this box for how big it it. But I like how you can make the foam custom.
I like that the foam tears away in very small cubes or long strips to make several compartments to exactly fit your needs.  You can place a lock on one or both ends near the latches.  My camera, sunglasses, dive card, and money stayed secure, and dry.  Best of all, if ever necessary, my valuables will float on the surface for easier recovery of important documents and valuables.
Using this case for my GoPro camera, works great!!!I carry it on my motorcycle and never worry about it getting damaged, this is one tough case.
Pelican cases are like indestructible. They are made from super sturdy plastic and the pick and pluck foam instead are great for protecting your expensive and sensitive equipment. I'd get all the larger and different sized Pelican cases if I could afford them.This case is one of their smaller ones and is great for holding accessories or other small equipment.
There's a reason Pelican is the go-to name in cases and protection.  I use this to protect an expensive dive watch while traveling, Pluck-and-pull foam is easy to modify, but isn't the most durable if you're taking things out and putting them in repeatedly.  I've heard you can plasti-dip the foam but have never tried.
I bought this case to store all of the components of my Hero3 camera from GoPro. There were several cases on Amazon for it, but they were 85 dollars or more. I got this case for a third the cost. Removing the foam was really easy.
This is the perfect size for a go pro with accessories. Love pelican cases they are the only case I use for valuable electronics.
I bought this case for my go pro 3.  I was able to get the camera and many accessories in it. I feel that it is very good protection for my go pro.
This is exactly what I needed!  GoPro Hero and accessories fit inside perfectly.  Pelican has mastered the toughest, waterproof case out there.  Can't go wrong.
This is the best case I've purchased, the pick out foam is great for arranging things how ever you wish.
This pelican case is perfect for what I need to carry my personal belonging.  All the locals wanted far more money for this item.  Shipping and the timing was great also. Thank you and I will be ordering again.
Great camera case for my m4/3 camera and 2 lens.  I wish Amazon carries more color themselves.  It is especially difficult to find military green and military sand color cases.
Just got this case for my rc charging stuff ,keeps all my batteries and charging wires and other things.This case is super strong and has load of room , you can drop this case and everything in side is safe no worrying about anything getting broken the foam padding is supreme and plenty of it
Meets the pelican standard and came as described in a timely fashion. This case works great for checking in bqggage at airports, the orange I find nice given its very visable on security cameras, just as a little extra security. If you know what youre purchasing you have to give it 5 stars. Most reviews with less than 5 stars are being too critical.
Pelican has once again not disappointed! I always get exactly what I want in their cases! Great buy and great price!
As with all Pelican cases (I have a half-dozen) this case provides the ultimate in equipment protection from the elements. I just wanted to say that this case fits the Nikon D40 w/ standard kit lens (18-55mm) perfectly. According to my measurements, and eyeballing it, it should also have no problem accommodating the same body with an attached 18-200 mm VR lens once I get that upgrade.
Bought this after getting another gopro so I could carry them in something that I could just toss in the truck and go. Its just big enough for two gopros, a few spare batteries, a bunch of mounts and a few back-door's. Construction is beyond solid but the latches can be a bit tough to open and close. The foam is easy to customize. And the overall size is just right for what im using it for.
We used to have a Pelican box that was very simple with none of the extra raised lines on it. We use it for medical supplies and it was much easier to wipe down then. This one seems much bulkier. Wish I could find the old version.
These are arguably the best hard protective cases on the market . I use these to protect valuable and or sensative equipment. Work flawlessly.
I've used these cases since the mid-1990s; They were excellent then and are excellent now.  Would not hesitate to buy Pelican again.
It is perfect for my go pro cameras for the ultimate protection and water proofing, I am glad I purchased it
Great functional versatile case.  I've been using pelican cases for many years now and very happy with is durability and usefulness.  Be sure to make sure you got the right size case for your needs.
I mounted this case to my motorcycle gas tank to use as glove compartment. Worked just as planned and is of excellent quality!
i bought the pelican 1200 case in yellow with foam for my canon t2i. i was looking for a waterproof case just large enough to fit my camera with an 18-55mm lens attached along with a 55-250mm lens. it BARELY fits the camera with the foam in it. with the camera inside the case, it is a bit difficult to close the lid. the first time i closed it, i worried that the pressure might damage my camera - it did not, and i hope it continues to not. but with the top and bottom foam compressed so much when i close the case, i also worry that it may sacrifice on impact protection. the foam is very nice and is very easily customizable.the latches are not the easiest to open and close but they feel very secure.i havent tested the water proofing or the shock protection and i dont plan to ever test it. it seems extremely durable but the directions say not to leave the case in a humid environment (trunk of a car) so it's not as invincible as i initially expected
I bought this one for my GoPro Black and ancillaries, it was shipped to me in Afghanistan really quickly. The foam is really easy to customise and so now I can take it anywhere secure in the knowledge it will survive the rigours of tac movement out here.
A great case for storing a hand gun and extra mags. The out side scratches easily, I haven't had that problem with any other cases
This is a great product! I bought it for my gopro camera and I was surprised by the build quality of the case. It appears that it is nearly indestructible. Overbuilt for a gopro. Good for anyone with a high dollar camera or electronic equipment that needs good protection. I would recommend this to anyone for transporting any expensive/fragile items.
Super nice great quality case.. clips are  a little hard to open/close.. but, I'm sure it will be fine.. nice product
Outstanding USA construction, will keep anything you put in it safe and sound. The Pluck + Pull foam is easy to form a perfect protective fit.Don't skimp on these things when you're putting valuables in them...Pelican is hands down the best.
This is a great case for containing just about anything. It's strong & rugged as well as waterproof. I like it.
Another great pelican product, fits my camera, batteries, screens and misc accessories.
First let me start by saying that this case and company are AWESOME! Made in the USA and there is no case that is better. However, I should have really taken the measurements more into consideration. The 1120 case will fit the Go Pro camera Silver edition and the miscellaneous connectors and a few case backs. My wife has the Go Pro camera, LCD backpack and the misc cases that go with the LCD, plus a few connectors and there is almost no room left. It's just too tight. Do yourself a favor and bump up to the 1200 at the bare minimum or go to the iM 2050. This is a bigger case and will hold many more of the accessories. Great case just make sure you get the right size!
Bought to be able to transport a firearm while traveling on commercial carriers.  The pick and pluck foam was very easy to shape and form to the outline of the gun and magazine(s) when put in.  Holds everything very secure when the foam is trimmed to fit properly.  As other reviewers have stated, if you want to lock this case, would recommend the Master Lock 140Q locks, and you'll need at least two for this, so get the ones that are keyed alike.
Exactly as described. Good secure case with many good features. Foam cut outs make a secure fit for my intended items
These cases are great. Solid, good seal, and protects your gear. I have several in different sizes. I recommend using an electric knife (like for carving a turkey) to cut the foam. It will give you and easy clean cut. Also look into getting a silica gel insert to absorb moisture. Pelican also makes these and you can get them here on Amazon.Enjoy.
Expensive? YES! Tough? YES! Worth it? Maybe.. For most, a pelican case is overkill. If I'm being honest, it's probably overkill for me. I just wanted a little extra protection for my custom Glock 17. I spent too much getting it just the way I like it to put it in a cheap gun rug for transport to the range. I took away one star for the price. IMHO, it's about 20% more than it needs to be. But that being said, you can't go wrong if you have the doe to spend.
purchased as case for panasonic lumix dmc fz35. cam fits fine but one size up would have been better as i have to stuff access. in. it is hard to open the clasps. it doesn't appear to be submerge able but should work well for rain, etc. very sturdy otherwise. looks good, too.
Bought this for my Gopro camera, was able to utilize the pick and pluck foam inside to fit all of my camera parts in. i took it out  and threw it into the pool. Totally dry no leaks and very rugged.
I bought two of these cases and have been totally pleased with them. I use one to hold a GPS watch and USB cable. There is space to hold two of each, so the case is very convenient if I'm traveling for outdoor adventure and want to keep an extra watch safe. I use the other case to store a Contour ROAM2 along with cables, cards, and other accessories. I've not subjected them to abuse, but my experience with other Pelican products has been that they are solid cases and can handle whatever you might (reasonably) throw at them. For the price of these cases, they offer a tremendous amount of protection for the valuable devices they're carrying. I plan to buy more of these (or similar) cases as I have the need.
This was my first Pelican case. Love it so much that i bought at 1500 & 1510, too. Also will be getting a 1650 soon. AMAZING value here for $40. I'm using it for my Zoom H4n, two Zoom H1's and a few lav mics and small audio accessories (batteries, jacks, microSD cards, etc). Should have invested in Pelican cases much sooner!
I will only use Pelican cases to protect my stuff.  When I got this case I decided to test it out.  I filled it with important stuff and then threw it directly into the lake.  I then pulled it out and ran it over with my truck.  I attached it to a tow rope and pulled it over concrete and through puddles.  I then took it and threw it off of a giant bridge more than a hundred feet in the air.  Case was fine, contents were fine.... buy it.
After  looking for a case that I thought would suit my needs I saw this one and thought it appeared to be what I was looking for; something not too big and not too small.  The photos showed a car tire parked on top of the case and so I assumed the case was decent size compared to the tire that was parked on it.  Well I got the case and it was NOT what I expected.The case states something &#34;case with foam for camera.&#34;  Sure.  Barely.  More like a couple GoPro cameras if that is what you want to use the case for then your good to go.  I wanted to use the case to carry accessories like a set of tools, pliers, allen wrenches, etc.  Nothing crazy just a few tools and a couple of batteries.  The case is nice but I ended up using this case to only carry AA batteries because that is about all I could use it for.  It would probably be good for a pistol like a 9mm or something similar in size.  I would not buy this product again because it is too small for my needs AND in my opinion I believe the photos were very misleading. It led me to believe I was getting a slightly larger case.  I guess the saying is true, you get what you pay for.
Bit cramped for my D3100, but I made it work. This case means business! After having such a rugged case as this one, it's hard for me to trust my camera in any other setup.One thing to note, this case will not keep your equipment's temperature regulated if you're in harsh environments, (but I don't think it's supposed to anyways). This does keep me from feeling comfortable with lugging my equipment around in extreme situations.Great product, and if you have sensitive equipment, such as a DSLR and lens, this is a no-brainer.
Works Great. I use it for Glass and have never had any problems. I plan on buying a larger case soon.
What else can I say about Pelican, other than I LOVE all their products. I bought this to protect my Shure SM7b and I have no doubt that it will keep that microphone protected forever!
I received my Pelican case today. I use it to protect a couple of portable pieces of test gear. We have used Pelican cases where I work for years and I can attest to their durability. The case is well built and Pelican backs it with a lifetime guarantee.I  highly recommend any of the Pelican case products.
perfect condition exactly what is says. wish i went one size larger but does ok. will do business again. I have used Pelican before. i could through this out the car and it would be ok.
Hold my Glock 30 and an extra mag perfectly.  Using this to store it in the car.  Very heavy duty and much easier to do the pick and pluck instead of the solid foam that you have to cut.  Pelican is everything they claim to be and more.  A great American company!
Just want to let everyone know that despite the description saying "Stainless steel reinforced padlock protectors," the 1120 doesn't have any reinforcement; it's just plastic.  Otherwise, a nice case.
It's a pelican, so it has to be good, right?  If you want to keep your equipment safe from the unexpected drop, and not concerned about the money, its the case for you.
got a whole bunch of Pelican Cases, love them, the only thing which could be better for one in this size would be the double locking latches which starts unfortunately only from 1200 cases as well as an rubberized handle !the foam, pick `n plugg, great , keeps my Optics in place and protected and the DT color is my fav. anyway.any day again , always on my wishlist!!!
This is a superb case for the money. I bought this for use with my GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition. I was able to fit the camera, 3 batteries, remote, floaty backdoor, extra backdoor, cords, handful of mounts, battery charger, headstrap, and memory card all comfortably in this unit. I bought this as an easy way to transport on domestic and international flights as I will never check this camera under the plane. Fits nicely under the seat or in the overhead with room to spare.
Great case for anything you want to secure and not worry about the elements. Cut the foam to your liking and you're good to go.
One word rugged!  I got this case to put a PrinkStick, cords, mouse, and netbook in for my father-in-law trucker that doesn't know how to take care of things too well.  This case is amazing for the price!  Cabeles sells something similar for around 2 times the price!  I have not tested out HOW water proof it is, but with how HARD the locking mechanism is to lock in place, the nice rubber grommet that's around the seal, and how tough the whole thing feels, I imagine this sucker could be submerged underwater!  Its big, clunky, and a little on the heaver side, but damn its a good buy!I will be buying more for my hand guns, that's for sure!
If your looking for a great case for your valuables, this is the perfect case for it.  Sturdy, airtight, and customizable.  Great seller and quick delivery - highly recommended
I purchased this case for a hunt i was going on in Alaska and it worked out perfectly!  I had just bought a new Sony hdr-pj260p and wanted to be sure and protect it while i was in the Alaskan bush and it did outstanding!  This case is perfect for the size of my camcorder, travel charger and a couple batteries with room to spare.  If you are new to pelican you will notice that they have redone their latches.  Although they still function perfectly they are improved with an additional hinge built into them to increase leverage on the buckle to allow easier opening and closing.  This fit nicely in my Erbelstock x1 hunting pack in the bottom of it and the pack itself was a carry on on my flights to and from.  I consider Pelican to be one if not the best waterproof cases and i didn't worry one bit transfering to and from float planes and small boats, my camcorder with so many great memories on it was safe!  Highly reccomended!  If you want the best, this is it!
Took new camera offshore fishing and back for a week with no issues.  Was able to put a Nikon DSLR, extra lens, extra battery, charger, two filters, extra memory and cables securely inside.
Another great pelican product.  This one doesn't have lock holes that are large enough for normal locks.  Need a slim lock for it.  It is a small case, so to be expected.
This is a great case it offers great protection and is water proof.  It was easy to customize the foam to my needs.
I have chosen to give the Pelican 1120 case a 5 star rating due to a number of features.1- The case is incredibly sturdy. I don't worry about things falling on it and damaging my equipment. I often worry about damaging my lights or my camera in their soft bags (or semi soft or whatever you want to call a normal camera bag). With this case I can literally throw it in the back of my car and go on about my business.2- The foam was pretty simple to adjust for my needs. While not exactly &#34;picking&#34; as described, its easy enough to cut out to fit your object. It also feels like it should offer a good amount of shock protection for my equipment.3- It fits what I wanted to put inside it perfectly. There is no extra room and I am able to fit everything I wanted to inside.I'm using this to store and transport a Tascam DR-40 recorder, along with a windscreen, cords and extra batteries. I also discovered that I can fit the manual behind the top padding (I had to cut maybe 1/4 inch off the top and bottom of the booklet) so it can come along too.As a result of using this case I plan to purchase more Pelican cases for other gear and possibly to use as luggage for my travelling with the military. I recommend these cases if you have delicate things or want peace of mind for your possessions.
This is the most awesome, rugged case I've ever seen. I feel confident that if I throw it out the window going 80 it would survive no problem. Check out YouTube under pelican case test. Surviving the shot from a 12 gauge shotgun blew me away! I use mine to store and transport my iPad 3rd gen. I bought the 1400 series case and it works great. I know this is a little over the top for an iPad, but im a bit of a gear nerd. If anyone reading this is wondering if their iPad outfitted with a griffin survivor case will fit; it will. Perfectly. If you can get past the high price tag you'll be glad you did! It's worth every cent.
Can't go wrong with Pelican.  Has two places for locks and a customizable foam liner. You could probably drop this off a couple story building and the contents wouldn't be affected. The only issue with this and any foam lined airtight container is the caveat to not put anything in it that has moisture on it. If it has steel parts, it WILL rust rapidly.
I purchased the Pelican 1400 before a weeklong river trip in the Grand Canyon. I had originally ordered a 1500 put that proved too bulky. This case holds 2, yes 2 DSLRs. I have my Nikon d7000 and my backup d60 both with lenses attached. If you cut the foam properly you can fit both, each with a lens, and leave a couple slots for filters, batteries, and memory cards.
I bought this case for my gun, Glock 22. I wanted a more "heavy duty" case for my gun then the thin plastic Glock case that came with my gun. I was disappointed to see this case really wasn't the rite case for my gun. I was able to get the gun fit inside, along with only 1 magazine. I was hoping to get in two magazines, and the speed loader, not the case. If your planning on using this case as a 'gun case', then I think this case is only suited for sub and compact pistols. Not full size. You can get a full size in this case, but you can have more items going in with your sub or compact pistol being placed inside.
The case is great. Hard cover, came with foam insert to fit how you want it, awesome color and great price.
Smaller than expected, but I could have gone and seen that or measured it out.  as always well made and fucntional.  Holds the light and bracket perfectly.  very good indeed.
I got this to take some of my watches with me while on vacation, and it was easy to setup and worked great!
Works perfectly, nicely sized.
I bought this for transporting firearms when I travel. If you have a 4 barrel&#34; semi-automatic this case will do quite nicely. Any larger than that or if you have a full size beaver tail you should probably go with the 1400 series case. There is enough room in the case to hold my pistol and (3) double stack 9mm magazines laid flat on top of each other with enough foam from the base layer and the lid layer to protect them..Depending on the thickness of the firearm you may need to cut the blank out and cut its thickness about 3/4ths, then lay the blank back in so the top lays flush with the top of the foam. To keep everything in its place I hot glued the bottom foam pad to the inside of the case, and the rest to the base layer.Cutting the foam with a sharp fine edged pocket knife is no problem. An 8&#34; electric or regular carving knife would make for a neater cut. Just be sure it's a plain edge and very sharp.
This is a very HEAVY DUTY protective case. It fits my NEX 6, 2 lenses (50mm, 16-55mm), and some accessories very comfortably. If I get some more foam in the future, I may be able to get my 35mm prime in there too.If you're protecting something expensive or if you're going to be around water. This is the only choice.
This is a bomber case to survive in the harshest environments. The latches take a bit of force to open, but I feel confident that my gear is safe inside. My primary use has been for the GoPro Hero 3+ with plenty of room for assorted accessories. I use this when the extra protection is needed for my equipment which is certainly not 100% of the time. For those other occasions, I have a POV case for storage or when the extra protection is not needed.I have also purchased a second set of foam inserts that I customized for various DSLR lenses. As another reviewer stated, the case is probably not large enough to provide ample padding for a DSLR body with lens attached, but would be sufficient for the camera body only. The extra foam inserts are about $12 per set.The pick and pluck foam included with the case provides easy customization for any type of application. There are three pieces (top and bottom are solid and the middle/main section is the customizable pick 'n pluck). I found that once I plucked out the general shape for the particular item, I could remove the whole block and then take a sharp knife to slice off a cross-section in order to have smaller items sit up at the perfect level.Overall, this is a great case when you need serious protection for sensitive or expensive gear. Being able to purchase additional sets of foam make this case usable for a variety of applications.
What can be said that most people don't already know about Pelican cases? They are great! Don't tell Pelican or Amazon this but I think the price on the 1200 is very reasonable. Awesome construction and a quality product.
I use for high altitude low altitude iving everything you can think of is a great product I believe I said this more than 5840 * I own over 10,000 dollars worth of their products I don't buy anything but elegant and I certainly don't need to write another damn book somebody with some brains again take control of Amazon that lost control patella can have sinned the pricing pointer fairly decent day should come down about 20 percent but they are a fantastic product and worth everything you pay for it
Most, if not all of these reviews are for cameras. Another big group of Pelican's customers are gun owners. Pelican's are great gun cases. Seeing that I couldn't find any reviews for guns, I'm going to help potential shoppers out.I got the 1200 for my Glock 17. The way that the pick-n-plug works is great, so the way to store the gun and accessories are endless. I have the gun, and 4 mags (1 in the gun, 3 loose) in the case. There is still room for a tac-light or something small around the same size.The smallest I would get for a full size handgun is the 1200. I was considering the 1400, but that was a but deeper, which I didn't need.
I ordered this to put my GoPro in while traveling. It's perfect for the camera, batteries, and a few other small accessories. The foam is easy to pluck out and fits nice and snug around my camera.
great case would buy again very heavy duty would not hesitate putting valuables in it. good foam inside can cut any shape inside.
Bought this for an antique pistol. At first I was afraid it would not fit, but it ended up being the perfect size and had enough room to make a slot for the magazine. It is made with nice thick plastic and when you close it, you know it's water tight (has rubber in the seams so they are water tight). The foam inside is nice, I just wish they cut the middle in two sections, so you could take out the foam from the top section and have an item laying in the middle of the case rather than plucking out foam all the way to the bottom of the case (there is foam at the bottom, so it still won't damage the item, it's just a cosmetic thing for me). Great case, buy one.
the best money can buy, they work forever take a beating outside and keep things safe inside and this one was inexpensive too!
I have a few Pelican cases personally for my camera gear, and have used them at a previous company for shipping computers and projectors. They are second to none for protection and configurability.I wanted a small case for housing my microphones, and keeping them safe. The 1200 model holds my 3 mics perfectly, configuring the foam liner is really easy. This will last longer than the products inside them. Really worth the investment if you want to protect something valuable for transport.
I have owned a Pelican case for years.  I cannot figure out why the O-ring is in the lid, and so flops loose when one tries to close the case.  We replace the ring every year with an official Pelican O-ring, and it is always the same.  Gravity just drops the ring out.  It usually takes several tries to get the thing closed.Second flaw is that the two snap closers are extremely tight in closing and in opening.  I bang them with my fist to close them, and yank with all four fingers to get each one open.  The sudden snap sends one's hand into sharp parts of the case, causing minor injuries (cuts).I really think that simple engineering could make a better design.  There is no reason that the O-ring should not fit in place by its own friction.The boxes are mostly waterproof, but we tested ours several times, and found that some water did get in if the case was dropped into the water.The O-ring must be new every year, and must be well greased with silicon grease.  Warning: silicon grease is not generally available in back areas.  Look in professional plumbing stores in urban regions.  Be sure to test your case with weights equivalent to the items you wish to carry in it, to make sure that it will float if it goes overboard.  For marine purposes, you need a brightly-colored case.  A modest green or black one will likely be lost as soon as it goes into the water.In spite of these defects, I have used my Pelican case to protect camera equipment when going by boat to remote islands.  When you are on a small boat, you should pretty much assume that things will be receiving spray.
All of my camera equipment goes in these. A wrist strap for handle would be helpful. A must for any clutz
I needed a hard case for my high-end binoculars, and I found the perfect fit. This case seems like it was designed for the particular binoculars I have. The Pick N Pluck Foam makes it easy to make a custom fit for whatever you want to store or carry.
This is a great case. Water tight, air tight and shock resistant. This case perfectly fits my SLR with enough room for batteries, CF cards and other accessories as well. I only gave it 4 stars though because I bought mine 6 months ago for $1,000,000 and Amazon won't refund me the $999,965.67 difference cause its past 90-days. Boy I wish I had waited.
Pelican cases are the gold standard when it comes to hard cases. I have five cases manufactured by them of varying sizes and love everyone of them. I purchased my first 1120 almost 10 years ago and it's still as secure as the day I bought it. I recently ordered another to use as a electronics project enclosure and it's great. Does not disappoint.
Pelican makes the best cases in the world.  They are durable, secure, robust, and there is one for (almost) every size you might need.I have taken one star off for two reasons: The price has always seemed a little high for these cases, and the padlock hasp is neither large enough for a normal padlock, nor is it reinforced.
I use this pelican case to house my audio technica m550 headphones. I looked into other cases and this one just seemed to be the best. The build of the case is solid, but it is very difficult to open the latches. Other than that, the case is very good.Yes, I would recommend it to a friend.
Got for my gopro but out grew it (i keep everything inside)I own GOPRO, assorted mounts, Mini gecko (takes up the most room) extra charger, 2 extra batteries, back plates, the camera (in case, the little screen and all the cords, chargers, etc. So it holds a lot, but it's cramped.
We use these for small portable hard drive transportation. Fine examples of the type of drives these cases protect would be the LaCie Rugged and G-Tech G-Drive Mini. It even has enough room for peripheral cables and CD (Compact Disc) with software. A DVD or Blu-ray disc would also fit because they are the same diameter as a CD.The clasps are a 'w'itch to open and close at first, but they get easier over time. Many a sore thumb hath wrought pain and suffering when trying to open and close the case. But I suppose that means they are securely shut.I heard these are waterproof although I haven't tested this theory. I haven't found a use where I need to take a portable hard drive scuba diving with me. But that would be a pretty cool career if a task required such necessity. Sorry this part of the review was useless to you.
Great little box for storing itmes that need 100% protection.  It is light, durable and airtight.  Definately first rate.
Its a great case! I use it to store a small monitor for my DSLR and it fits nicely in my case. I get alot of comments on it as well.
The pictures that you see on here are not the 1120, the 1120 only have a interior space of 8.2 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches with is small so do be fooled buy these pictures on here or you be disappointed .But on a better note the case is great very sturdy I like .
purchased this for my gopro hero 3.  all of the camera basics fit well.  camera, remote, extra doors, sd chips, charger and spare batteries, misc. mounts etc.  Solid case.  Carefully remove foam pieces to fit all items.  Confident that I could &#34;throw&#34; this case around with my camera in it and it would be safe.
Pelican cases are always great.  No surprises, just high quality.  The pluck foam provided worked well for me because the items I was storing are rectangular.  For an irregular shaped Item, you might want to consider some Kaizen foam.  I think Pelican now offers it as an upgrade.  The orange color makes it much more difficult for me to lose it.  Additionally, I opted for the optional, customized ID panel for the case.  The order form for the panel is inside the case when you get it.
This thing is rugged,waterproof, air tight,lockable. Perfect for storage,transportation and protection for your handgun. I own a full size m&p 45 with a laser/light combo this fits perfectly with an extra magazine. I highly recommend this case opposed to the cheap flimsly cases often provided with the firearm.the pluck/pull foam is easy to work with.If your looking for a durable case at a good price point,just stop looking and add to cart, This case rocks!!
We bought the Pelican case to store photography equipment (i.e. camera, lens, etc). The case came with a pick-and-pull foam that allows you to customize it to fit whatever it is you want to store. It is a great case, but my only complaint is that I find it very hard to open and close. About two weeks after I purchased this brand, I came across a very similar case (different brand) that has a much nicer opening-closing mechanism. I wish I hadn't already picked the foam out. But overall, a good product that serves it's purpose.
I love this case! I bought it for my GoPro and accessories. Very nice fit for all the accessories and camera. Not huge on the pick and pull foam I'd rather cut out what I need but it's great for people not wanting to cut too much foam.
I bought a 1200 in orange for my two GoPro cameras and assorted mounts (see uploaded pictures). The 1200 is the perfect size (depth) to fit a GoPro camera on its side; you would likely waste a lot of space under the camera if you mounted it on its back. The case is the perfect size for my use (a Hero 3+, an original Hero HD, one BacPac, WiFi remote, spare adhesive mounts, spare backdoors, suction cup mount, handlebar mount, and assorted mount extensions / pivots. If I get any more mounts or another BacPac I will have trouble fitting it all in this case.The case itself is great build quality and feels very sturdy (just like every Pelican case I've used). The latches take significant effort to open, but that means they'll be less likely to pop open on accident. I would not hesitate to buy another Pelican case should I outgrow this one or need another one for other items.I chose to go with a Pelican case rather than a soft case because I've used Pelican cases before at work and in person life and have always been impressed with their ability to protect sensitive contents, even when used as checked luggage. Based on this past experience, I knew it could easily protect my cameras in the trunk of my car. I went with orange so if I'm trying to find this at night after a long day I could easily spot it.
I have purchased Pelican cases in the past for all my Nikon Camera equipment to carry outdoors and keep my equipment secure . Now I recently purchased a new Ruger LC9  and it made me think what a great case to keep my new locked up sealed and compact they have every size you can think of , I would highly suggest this product to all my friends. Remember THINK OUT SIDE THE BOX great case five star rated!!!!
As with my past experiences with Pelican products, this box is very good as well. Would recommend the Pelican products to anyone.
Not much to say except it was what I wanted. Hold items I needed held and with 2 luggage locks I could lock it to my cable.
What can I say? I have 9 Pelican cases. From the micro cases up thru the large suitcase size. If you have something needing protection, or just want quality, IMHO, Pelican can't be beat.
Glad I bought this for our dive camera was easy to configure to our needs. Would recommend this brand to friends
This thing is bombproof !I use it for my gopro gear when kayaking. It is highly visible, in orange, and is no doubt water tight. The only thing I wod mention is you need to put a few hours in cutting out the foam. Also; don't throw the foam out, as you may need it if you get any other gear later on that needs to be stored.
What's to say?  This is a Pelican Case.  Period.Oh, you've never owned a Pelican Case?  This applies to ANY of the &#34;legit&#34; Pelican Cases, and by &#34;legit&#34; I mean the thick, American-made ones.  Not the weird proprietary tablet and cell phone cases.  Not the weird smaller cases.  I mean the ones with handles and two big latches (which is 90%+ of the models out there).*BULLETPROOF.  Well, probably not.  But, they're not kidding that you could routinely drive over this with a humvee and not damage it at all.*WATERPROOF.  Completely.  Always.  Every friggin time.*MADE IN THE USA.  Awesome.That's about it.  This will protect the heck out of your valuables and last several lifetimes.
I use this as a case for my GoPro stuff. The pluck-n-pull foam works great and the beefiness of the case is no doubt rugged enough for almost anything.
The Pelican case is everything you would expect for protection.  I use mine for a satellite meter & charger, crimper, cutter, and stripper.  The foam is easy to pluck out and no cutting is necessary.  If you have the dimensions of the items to fit inside you can go to the Pelican website and use a guide to determine which case will be right for you.
I purchased this for air traveling with my 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P pistol.  I was able to cut out a cavity for the pistol and two magazines.  It works perfectly and didn't tick off TSA.  I had to buy two different pad locks to find one that would work.  Be sure to find a lock with a long shaft, the traditional size lock shaft will not do.
Great, I received the case in a timely fashion. It will provide exactly what I need to protect my fire for travel.
Over the years, I've owned equipment cases of every type and brand, so I'll get right to the point...if the world ends in December of 2012, all that will survive will be Pelican cases and whatever was locked inside them!
I trust my expensive electronics to this case on my boat.  Phones, wallets, gps's, you name it.  When I go out, the important stuff goes in.  You pay for piece of mind and it's worth it.  These pelican products are the best and it shows!
Excellent product. Box has positive latching/unlatching mechanism that insures the well-designed gasket engages and keeps the contents waterproof and dustproof. The handles are convenient. This box has ribs that take most external scratching, rubbing. I keep coins in the box. Holds a lot. The foam conforms nicely and can be reconfigured.This is one of the best products I've ever bought on Amazon. I would assume that other size Pelican boxes would perform as well.
There's nothing that comes close to Pelican's quality, lasting strength and protection!  Have been a Pelican case user for more than 20 years.
I bought this one after I was so pleased with one in a smaller size I had just ordered.  Pelican is THE ONE for waterproof, dustproof, and safe equipment protection.
Perfect case and the price is excellent.  Very impressed with the quality of the Pelican cases.  This is a perfect size for small electronics and has the ability to lock via a padlock.
you just don't find a lifetime warranty anymore.. probably because not many things designed for rugged outdoor use are actually expected to last like this one does.. but a few years on with constant punishment and still going strong
What can I say?  Pelican while expensive is great!  I guess the old adage you get what you pay for is true.  This worked out better then I had figured it would.
What I got is labeled as a 1400 but is clearly a 1450 (thicker, stronger hinges, heavy duty latches) Don't waste extra money on the 1450 when this is it.
Good Quality and Good Price. Perfect size to hold my thermal device safe and dry from the elements need another one for other gear soon.
I'm about 3 weeks in with this case. This case is built to last. The price is great for what your getting. The lifetime warranty goes a long way and shows just how much Pelican standy by their product. I found the pluck N pull system very effective. I don't know if the foam will withstand after heavy use, but it's as easy to pluck as a company could proably make it while maintaining foam sturdiness.I would buy this case for specific items only and not various items. If your looking to store various items in this case, look for the NF version to maximize the small amount of space it offers.
I have three 1400's and several other sizes as well, they are well worth the investment. I have had expensive camera gear in some harsh cave environments and never had a problem. I would no hesitate to recommend Pelican to anyone!
Nothing bad can be said about this Pelican... It is a wondeful mult-purpose case... I get a lot of looks using this a lunch-box currently. However it doubles as an electronics case when I go on trips.Pros:Almost perfectConsIt is extremely difficult to close the latches when the rubber seal is in place. It is a tough little case to close. I removed the rubber seal when I don't need to "waterproof" my lunch. :)5 stars - I would buy it again
The case boasts a tough exterior that will with stand abusive conditions while protecting equipment instide.  However, the latches are excessively difficult to open and close.  The positive and negative points balance to a 3 star rating.
I have had many Pelican cases for various things such as Laptops, Guns, Diving Gear Etc.  I ordered this one to place one of my Eotech sights in while traveling to protect it from damage and theft.  The quality of these cases is always top notch and I know I will be glad I purchased it with the way the airlines toss bags around now days.
I bought this for a first aid kit in my truck and it works great and as always was shipped quick.
Let's just say, there is a reason these cases have a perfect 5/5 stars on Amazon with tons of positive reviews...Pelican's cases are practically indestructible (realistically speaking).Waterproof, Shockproof, Dustproof, Airtight, Crushproof...and all Made in America!If you are hesitant to buy because of the price (or you are looking at some knockoff brand), just pull the trigger and get a Pelican case. These things are downright amazing!EDIT: Just wanted to add a little hint that I discovered when it comes to the pick and pluck foam. The foam that is "plucked" runs the entire depth of the foam block, so if you have a small item like a battery, it can be difficult to dig it out from the bottom of the slot you made with the pick and pluck. What I did was save the pieces of foam I plucked, cut them to size, and fit them at the bottom of the slots so that the smaller items (like batteries) are raised up more and stick out just above the top of the foam. They are much easier to take out of the case this way.
The case is excellent and worth every cent. However, be aware that the dimensions advertised are the outside measurements. The inside is much smaller by at least an inch in all directions. It would be nice if Amazon added the inner dimensions to the information about the cases. If you want to know,in the meantime, you can go to the Pelican website and find that information. It was a lesson learned for me. Fortunately, the item I ordered the case to store fit inside, but I had to take it out of its leather covering to make it fit.
This case is very rugged, well made, and surprisingly lightweight given the strength of materials.  I buy Pelican cases because they are ALWAYS well made.  There is no substitute for this particular brand of case.  There are, however, many attempts to make cheaper cases with some of the features.  They never stack up to Pelican.
Great quality. I like the way you can cut out the foam insert in the shape of your camera equipment. Sturdy and rugged case is great for the adventurous one.
I own many of these cases, both of this size and smaller. These things are wonderful to keep ammo dry and secure, or to act as a pistol case. Perfect for storing batteries and other sensitive electronics. Great for protecting items from knocks, bumps and crushes while out in the field. And the customizable foam is an awesome feature. Works great.
Sturdy and light, this small Pelican case was a perfect match for the telescope filters I needed to store. The foam chunks were easy to manipulate into the exact dimensions I required. The lid latches very securely and seems to create a new near air-tight seal. Perfect for my uses and a great bargain through Amazon.
I purchased this case to use with a Zoom h4n recorder.There is a custom SKB Zoom h4n specific case out there but it is about 20 bucks more.Figured I mine as well go for this case as I own other pelican products and they are tough and built to last. Cant say the same for SKB because I never owned one, but even still, this case cost less than SKB was offering and I was able to pick and pluck the foam to which ever way I wanted to have my h4n to sit. in the case.One thing I will mention is the clips are pretty hard to open and close. But at least you know your stuff is secure!I highly recommend this case for the Zoom h4n or whatever else you may need to protect.
Excellent Case, Pelican brand speaks for itself. The size fits a pistol and 2 magazines comfortably or a GoPro Hero 3 camera, 2 extra batteries, suction cup mount, and miscellaneous accessories. Tad bit small, but for $40 it is not bad!
This Pelican is a mini size of a ordinary Pelican case with the same water-proofing as its bigger brother. Its great for little chakas that need to be protected. I use mine for my MF lens converters.
This is the third pelican case that I own. These cases have traveled to and from the Middle East, endured wicked sand storms, and have been beaten with a football bat.If there is a better product out there... keep it to yourself; since my mind is made up about this amazing product. If you buy a knock off brand hard case,it obviously says a lot about the trust you are putting in a product, much less the worthless junk that you put inside . If you have professional equipment,doesn't matter what it is, GO WITH PELICAN!!! Period. Comparing and contrasting this product with a knock off would be like comparing..... trigonometry and stamps!
the pick-n-pull foam is great except for the way I wanted to design the interior of the case, it didn't allow for horizontal/sectioning of the foam, you can only pick the foam out vertically. I wanted to pull the first inch or inch and a half layer but had to cut it...it still worked but didn't look all that great when finished.would recommend pelican cases to anyone for anything, the case is awesome and will be purchasing more in the future...had first experience with pelican cases in the military.
We have bought several Pelican cases of diff sizes for our office. We use them for cameras, scale masters, anything fragile. They are very sturdy and you can cut the foam custom to anything you want. You can literally throw the case or stomp on it and it will be just fine. We will continue to use these forever. I would def recommend these to anyone who travels or needs to transport anything fragile.
Pelican is the gold standard in protection for photo gear.This box is no different - and it gets the job done. An excellent product. It keeps my stuff safe and that includes a couple drops on my last trip. The case did not even show a scuff mark where it hit the ground.This is one tough box.
I'm a huge fan of Pelican brand cases, their waterproof, odor proof, crush proof, you name it and a Pelican can house it and protect it in most, if not all environments! Originally bought the 1200 for my Digital camera and GoPro, it came with the Pull & Pluck foam so that made it very easy to size the foam for my gadgets, easier than I thought! It has 2 small openings where it closes so that locks can be used. This is a great case, that can be used for just about anything and a great price too, I have a friend who has the exact case from an Army Surplus store for $70!I would definitely recommend this to those looking for a weatherproof all terrain case for your gadgets, valuables, herbs, etc!
I currently have a Pelican 1150 and 1510. And I use the small one for my External HD (1150) and my camera gear (1510). Since I sold my bulky DSLR gear already, I had to find another case for my mirrorless gear.Did some research online and basically still sticked with the brand. PELICAN!Great protection from the elements and can last a lifetime!
I have many Pelican cases and they always perform for years.  I purchased the orange so it would be easier to differentiate the contents from the rest of the cases.
Sweet little box. I bought it to store my helmet camera gear inside(Contour Roam2 + a bunch of mounts and charger). Fits perfectly. Havnt tested the waterproof-ness yet, but if its the same as my other Pelican box's there wont be problems.
I originally bought it to put in my Apogee duet in, but it's a little too small for that. I'm using it for some mice and other small stuff and it works like a charm.
Well made - very rugged - lots of room.What can I say - Pelican makes as great product.I will buy more of these.EDIT 10-23-2012I bought another of these for mics and stuff. Love this case!
I bought this for my son for his 8th birthday. He loves all things army and camo. He also loves little hiding places and secret drawers, etc.I bought this for his walkie talkies and it works just fine. Of course, he doesn't take them swimming, so I don't know if it truly is waterproof - but, I'm told by others that they really are!
Perfect size for the new larger cell phones. I take this on my john boat and kayak. Its a little bulky for my kayak but it keeps my keys, wallet, and phone all dry and safe. It works perfectly for my needs.
Pelican makes incredibly high quality cases. Nothing but the best and this case is no exception. However the picture with the item makes it appear slightly larger than it actually is. I knew what I was getting by checking the dimensions but I could see how someone could be easily confused. I use this to store my Tascam DR-07 Digital Audio Recorder for my video jobs and it works flawlessly. I absolutely love the diced foam so much! It's so much easier and professional looking than a razor blade or hot knife. A++ Product!
This case is exactly what I have come to expect from Pelican.A top quality, extremely durable and tough case.In my work (video production) we pull a lot of gear on and off trucks and airplanes on a regular basis.  Pelican cases have become a staple for traveling with our gear.This particular case is used to store and on-site RAID drive.  It fits perfectly and securely in the case and goes with us to ever location for redundant back up of files.If this case is the size you need and you want something trusty, strong, durable then get what you pay for and get a Pelican.The only Con (if you want to call it that) is the latches fit SO VERY snuggly that it can be difficult for some of our administrative ladies to open the case at times.
I bought this because I am some one that like to buy things like this. Now that I have it I am happy.
Bought this case for my gopro hero 3 and I'm pleased with it. The case is solid and the foam is easy to cut the way you want it. I carry a small Joby gorilla pod 3 batteries and a few small mounts inside.
I've been using this case for five years and it still looks brand new after being transported all over the country.
product is as advertised and cost is great compared to getting it locally it is perfect for my newG9 canon camera
This small case was added to my existing collection of Pelican cases to go with an existing older orange case of the same model.  This new case sports the newer design with the metal covered lock-holes and a new articulated hinge.  I'm a fan of the older design.. just because its simpler.  It worked really well.The new articulated hinges worry me a bit because of the possible failure points that new moving parts add to the system, but as far as case function and strength, same as always - rock solid.The valve on the case is of the newer design as well. The old design had a screw-valve that one manually opened to allow pressure back INTO the case to facilitate opening it after the sealed case was in a low pressure situation (think air travel or weather changes).  The new valve design does away with the manual screw part of the valve... I've not tested its abilities, but can only assume that it works just as well.  So long as its water proof and holds up over a a couple of decades of use , thats all that matters.I'm using mine to store ceramic poker chips... allows easy storage and transport for that purpose.  I have a similar case for my SLR 35mm camera and flash, and its served me well.
I use the Pelican box to keep all my Drift HD Camera equipment organized and safe. When heading out mountain biking, I just grab the yellow box and off I go. The box keeps everything safe, and even after a few drops it looks good as new.
I am an engineer that travels frequently. I use a variety of computer and electronics equipment, tools, testing equipment and fiber-optic cabling.  This case holds it all, and I have confidence in it.  I am very happy that I purchased it.  It is easy to setup, and worth every penny.  I know what is inside this case will not be damaged.  I highly recommend it, and I am now considering more uses for the other sizes available.
I've got several Pelican Cases. They are super sturdy and definitely protect.If you don't have one, you do need to know that they are difficult to open.  This is great because you don't have to worry about it accidentally popping open. That being said, if you are a woman you may break a nail trying to lift the latch. Either that or have a small pry tool to pop it up.There is one thing that I wish Pelican would change. The foam inside isn't set up to be broken down 1/2 way through. For example, I use this for a wireless microphone. When trying to pull the foam out I only want to have it sink down into the foam about 2 1/2&#34;. It doesn't give you tear points 1/2 way down. You can only pull out sections that go all the way down to the underlying foam. They just need to make perforated points about 1/2 way down so that you can have items with different thicknesses fit snug.
You will not find a better case, Pelican is the best case ever made, You will not find a better case for a better Price in the USA
I use mine for my amateur radio antenna analyzer, battery, coax, adapters, and dip coils. All fit nicely and keeps the stuff together  and protected when carrying out in the field or in the shack.
I used this case to take my D5100, 70-300 f/4.5-5.6, 18-55 kit, gopro hero 3 black, plus chargers, cleaning supplies etc to Chile for a month long kayaking expedition. We started in Santiago and spent a few days at meetings and learning the city. In Santiago, the subway doors are a little different than here in the USA. Being that the subway was totally packed, and I wasn't paying attention, I had to squeeze in. The doors shut right as I got my body through, but my pelican wan't so lucky. The doors slammed so hard on the case that I was stuck. (the case was in side a backpack that was only on one shoulder, so when it slammed shut, it was pushing on the top and bottom of the case.) Some subway people had to come pry the doors apart to dislodge my case, and myself. I think that the doors might have broken my arm, if I got it stuck, instead of the case. I thought that my gear was probably going be unhappy, or at least moved around inside. (I have pick and pluck, but the way i packed it, it was overflowing a little.) But to my surprise, Everything, including the case was totally fine! It then traveled with me in overhead compartments, under my feet on the floor of busses, etc. for about 8,000 miles while we made our way down South. The put in for the River Baker (the river that we paddled) is in a little town called Cochrane. That is where we got off the busses and cars, and on to the river. The case survived days in-between my legs while kayaking, and some days on the raft. The case is a little big for a creek boat. and you could see it's side poking up from under my skirt. Paddling with it inbetween my legs got very uncomfortable, so I ended up leaving it on the raft and just keeping my gopro with me for a lot of the trip. I would not recommend this case for long days paddling in a creek boat or smaller. One of the other issued I had was balancing the case on my knees and the side of the boat to pull kit out. And doing that was really sketchy on flat sections! So for this specific purpose the case didn't do great. But as a indestructible camera case, it rocks! 20,000 miles in total traveled and 100+ of those on the river, and all of my gear is in excellent shape.The other thing to think about is if this is going to be your primary camera storage, I would recommend sizing up! Now that I have a gripped body and more lenses, I can only fit about half of my kit in it.. Still a great case but a little too small for anything other than on cam and two lenses, maybe 3 depending on size.Last note. I oriented my 18-55 vertically in the case, and it just barely fit. I would not recommend doing this as it packs down the foam too much to be protective.
This bad boy has been keeping my pistols secure while flying the friendly sky's. Nothing bad to say about this product.
The quality and ruggedness of this case is very high. It easily fits my Nikon D5100 with kit lens, a 35mm and a 200mm zoom lens with a little room left over for a battery and some filters.  I have mounted this to the back of my motorcycle and feel very secure knowing my equipment is safe from rain, dust and vibration.
Great road cases for my external hard drives or expensive small electronics.  They look good and keep my expensive gear well protected.  I will aways by more
I wanted to take my camera equipment with me on an Ozark canoe float weekend, but needed a sturdy waterproof case to protect it against bumps and (especially) water.  I ordered this case, and have been completely satisfied.  I had no trouble customizing the foam padding to accommodate my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, a 100mm macro lens, a 18-55mm zoom lens, a 75-300mm zoom lens, a couple of spare batteries, two watches, and my car keys for this trip!  The fully loaded case floated high in the water when I tested it.  The latches took a fair amount of effort to open and close, but this was actually pretty reassuring when risking expensive equipment on the water.  It opened and closed easily enough for me to manage while sitting in a canoe on a moving river without losing my paddle or my fishing rod.  All of my camera equipment stayed dry and undamaged after spending two full days on the river.  Had my canoe overturned, I have no doubt that my equipment would have been fine.  That said, I should have bought the orange or yellow version rather than the black one as it would have been easier to find had I had such an accident.
Makes my camera look professional. A little small, it fits my BMPCC with attached lens, one lens, and a space for X
Pelican cases are versatile and well worth the money if you need a good case.  If you need a cheap case you're gonna wonder why you bought it.
just the right size for my Remington 1911 pistol, keeps  it protected during transport to and from the range. I like that I can lock it if I choose
This Pelican case is a little smaller than I thought it would be but I made it work.I have a Nikon 1 V1, charger and spare battery in it. Works great. There really isn't room for anything more. I'm not sure how anyone can fit a full size SLR in this.You can't go wrong with a Pelican case. I also have a 1470 which I use for my MacBook Air and two Pelican iPhone 5 cases. A Pelican Vault and a Pelican Protector.
Very good unit.  No problems at all. Custom fitting the foam is super easy and it is very well made.
I'm using this to store a goPro camera with accessories.  Enough space for 2 Gopros + suction cup mount and other mounts.  Very durable case with removable/custom foam insert. A+
Like all of my Pelican cases, this one does exactly what I need it to do, protect some instruments from typical treatment bybaggage handlers. Now I do not worry about my instruments being intact when I arrive at a customer site, I know they are wellprotected.
This a good case for some, I was going to use it for a DSLR camera, it is to small for this use.
At least, I think it's perfect for a GoPro. I have several other items in there too, 2 extra batteries, charger, wireless remote, few cables, and at least 2 SD cards. There's still a ton of room for a few other things too, if I wanted to add a few items.As always Pelican's are top of the line cases and this one works well for me. I don't use it that often, but knowing that my GoPro and accessories are safe inside the case is peace of mind.
Good quality case, what I expected although pelican should make the red label more easy to remove as it is annoying.
It's a pelican case, need I say more!?
Outstanding case. Very easy to cut the foam to fit whatever you want in it. I bought it for my GoPro hero 3. I was able to fit Gopro, different  cases, LED screen, wall charger, USB cable, and wifi remote! Very sturdy case and definitely gives me peace of mind that my GoPro is protected!
I keep my 2 TB Hard drive in this little case, and I feel like it's really safe! Yes, I am paranoid about my stuff, but when you put hours of work into a hard drive, you get concerned about protecting your investment. The snaps close really tightly, so I won't worry about them coming open. Some day, I'll have all solid-state drives, but they're still pretty expensive, for the time being, so I'll keep worrying about dropping my hard drives, ha ha.
I bought this case to put my new Canon Powershot SX510 camera in and it fit perfectly. The Pick N Pluck foam worked great and I was able to fit my new camera nice and sung inside the case. The Pick N Pluck foam layer was just under 2 1/4 so the depth is great for putting a camera in. Over all a case that will last a life time.
Needed for an older Vivitar tripod that was given to me and the fit was perfect. The price was reasonable and shipping was very quick.
I really like it!  It helps to quickly mount my camera for group shots.  A great buy!  Thank you!  :)
If you are looking for a replacement quick release plate for your Vivitar VPT-360 tripod , this works great!!! Like it was made for it!!
I had an old  Vivatar vpt-240 and had lost the QRP for it. I took a shot and by goodness it fit. Couldn't be happier.
This part Looked identical, but did not fit correctly even though other websites list the QRPER as a Vivitar VPT-120 replacement part.A close comparison shows that two of the small feet on the bottom were squared off where the original part was triangular.It can be "made to fit" with a Dremel tool and a few minutes work; however, if you have lost the original part, then forget about buying this as a replacement. Close only counts in horse shoes. ;-)
My father-in-law bought a used Vivitar tripod at a garage sale for $4, then told me he could not figure out how to attach the camera.  After a quick look at his tripod, I explained to him what a quick release plate was, and told him he needed one to be able to attach his camera.  The few places that sold this model were either expensive or charged a lot to ship.  Amazon Prime to the rescue!  Not only could you order the product for a small price, but the shipping was free thanks since it was covered by Prime.It fit perfectly, and he is now a happy camper with a really good tripod (and release plate) for a cheap price.  The only odd thing was it took 2 months to arrive, but that was noted at the time the order was placed, so no complaints.
Did not fit!  Although the reviews stated from others that it was perfect, it wasn'tFor our Cannon Rebel XLS
I was actually looking for a replacement of the release plate of a Digital Concepts 57" tripod. After measuring, this one came the closest to what I was looking for and I took the chance. Glad I did! It fit better than the original release plate.
fits just a little tight would buy it again didnt cost much did what i wanted it to do. good price
I have an old Vivitar Tripod, VPT-240. Vivitar is either out of business or no longer makes the plate one needs to attach a camera to the tripod. I read a few reviews here and one said that this Davis & Sanford QRPER fit his VPT-240. For $12, I took a chance because I could NOT find a replacement plate anywhere on online or at any of a half-dozen local camera stores.Bless you D&S;, The QRPER fits the VPT-240. If YOU have need of a plate for your VPT-240, have no fears. This works.
After searching far and wide I found that this does indeed fit a Digital Concepts tripod. It is a nice tight fit: just slide in the side opposite the lock mechanism and push down. Then slide the lock in. I had heard that this might fit and it does.
I lost the quick release plate for my tripod.  I reviewed this one very carefully and thought it would work on my tripod, but when it came, I found it is a different size - too big, even though it is the same brand and looked like it would work.  I'm very disappointed and don't know where to find another one.  Next step is to call the company and find out if there is one available, but there's very limited info on the tripod to make a match.
I thought I would never be able to use my Vivitar VPT 360 tripod again because I lost the QRP.  I read in this product review that it would work with my tripod, so I took the chance and ordered it.  It fits perfectly.
This is a heavy duty tripod for my application but it is very nice! I love it! If I ever need another one this is the route to go.
I love this tripod. I could never afford the more expensive tripod and that's where my search began. It is just awesome for filming aerial movies or for the last INDY car race here in Baltimore. The head is so adjustable and smooth! Gone are the days of clicking sounds when panning a scenic view or recording 30fps auto  racing! I would suggest this tripod to anyone who wants a high-quality and well built/constructed tripod.This will probably be my last tripod I'll ever own, I believe in it that much. Even comes with a second plate to quickly attach a second camera or video recorder! Great for moon watching, star gazing. easily fo follow any target no matter what speed your target photo is moving. LOVE IT!
This tri-pod is of amazing quality for 200$ Its construction is simpler than the 1000$ models I've used at school but its still sturdy and the head is great. I can execute insanely precise pans with it. Ive used it with my Panasonic PV-GS500 and my DVX100B and this baby definitely preforms with pretty much any grade of camera. Its absolutely a good deal.UPDATE: This tri-pod performed beautifully for us for about a year. Then somehow the leveling bubble dried out. Unfortunately without that bubble the whole tripod is more or less useless. I really wish it still worked because I really do like this tri=pod. But the leveling bubble isn't the place to have a major malfunction!
I do freelance videography and filmmaking, so I needed a decent tripod to be able to make smooth pan and tilt shots. If you're in the $200 budget range, this is a great tripod.Pros:-Great for moving your camera to different heights (up to about high 5 foot, low 6 foot range)-Very smooth fluid head for panning and tilting (this is the biggest factor right here, this creates great pan and tilt shots)-Supports up to 18 pounds on the head, I mount my shoulder rig on this with my DSLR camera, lens, Rode Videomic Pro and it handles like a charmCons:-the clips which allow for the adjusting of the legs ("sticks" in film lingo), make me a little nervous, it takes a bit of pressure to snap them into place at first, which I've read in the past people actually breaking them, so be gentle here for the first bit. They eventually get smoother as time goes on.-this is a very stable camera, but obviously the more weight you put on it, the potential for accidentally knocking it over increases, so obviously be careful around it. I haven't knocked it over yet, so don't read it as if I'm a donkey who walks around my sets knocking over my tripod with my camera and other equipment mounted on it!All in all, if you can't budget for the $500+ Manfrotto tripods, the TDS Provista 7518 is a solid purchase.
This is precisely the tripod that most amateur and semi-pro videographers have been looking for. A good price. An excellent piece of equipment.
This tripod is easy to use and does what it is supposed to do. My order was processed without a hitch. I am completely satisfied.
Davis & Sanford offers many fine products that may go overlooked if you don't actually look at the specs. This particular model can extend high enough for most uses. I have a good size pair of large binoculars and with the quick release plate allows one to be set up in minutes. The movements are well controlled and smooth, the 2 handles provided come in handy to help in that regard. If you need it, a case is provided.
The tripod is sturdy. I love the ball head&#8212;it makes it quick and easy to level not having to adjust each leg individually. It works with my ePhoto 4ft Portable Mini Carbon Fiber Crane Jib Arm.I think it's great, but let me give you three warnings:1. The screw to tighten the plate with your camera in from falling will likely hit your camera&#8212;especially if you have a DSLR. This requires you to then turn it half way then re-grip and turn it again, repeat, repeat. I think they could have changed this.2. The pan mechanism is smoother than no fluid pan, but don't count on it being like a high-priced studio tripod. You could likely get a decent pan with a lot of practice, but it will definitely take some work.3. When you go to lock down the pan mechanism so that your camera doesn't pan, I've noticed that that last twist or two on the screw will move some fluid and consequently move your shot off to the left or right. This was a pain as typically you just lock in your pan and it's good to go.Other than that, I'd recommend this tripod for anyone who needs a heavy duty tripod and wants to look a bit more professional than the tripod you buy at WalMart.
I bought two of these tripods for my Canon XL-H1s.  I was looking for the cheapest tripod that would support the weight.The tripod comes with a bag, carrying strap, and an extra mounting plate.  Another review mentioned a missing alan wrench.  I didn't see anywhere that said it came with one, or why you'd even need one.Another review mentioned poor design on the mounting plate, but it worked just fine for me.  You unscrew the tab on the right and hold down on the button on the left, and it slides right out.  Then you screw it in just like pretty much any other plate.It comes with two handles, but you'll want to remove the right one if you want to tilt the camera up and down, as the handle gets in the way of the knob that controls that.If you're looking for a professional fluid head, you'll want to buy or rent one of those $1000+ tripods.  But this one is more than adequate for projects where the fluid movement isn't going to make or break your film.
I scoured the all over the internet for a solid but affordable tripod. After several hours of searching, I came upon this and since using it for some time, I can safely say it's worth the purchase. More than enough for your typical DSLR.ProsHigh quality buildBall bearing swivelTwo handlesProtective carrying caseConsHard to loosen clamps to make the legs longer
I bought this because of the price and I have to say I am impressed. You defiantly need to break the tripod in it will be stiff for quite a few days shooting. I sat there for hours breaking it in. Smooth movement reliable. Just wished the handles where a little longer. Very sturdy built and am very pleased. I give it 3 stars because the long break in time required and the locking mechanism is the older single stage style that you cannot make a full turn on the tilt brake because it hits the handle attachment block. Thats just carless engineering.
Perfect performance, perfect pricing. Amazing product. Dollys fit perfectly on the bottom also. Very steady and lightweight. Can handle heavy cameras.
This is a very sturdy tripod. I love it, the movement is a little slow, but VERY smooth. I think this will last me a while.
Let's face it, It's not Cartoni. But how many have the $8k to shell out...It is a great platform and the fluid head does a reasonable job all things considered. I have even used the carry bag as a backpack to hike it up in the mountains. Not the most comfortable straps I must admit :)It's reasonably lightweight so you can take it out and not suffer too much. I use it in studio and outdoors. The fluid head is what you might expect in this price point so it takes some practice to get your smooth on. All in all a good buy.I bought two of these. I've heard some concerns about the spreaders breaking. I counter that by simply being more careful when setting up.
The tripod is a bit heavy, but I knew that going in. Dual handles is cool. Movement of the fluid head is great for this price range. Just one problem. The camera plate (often referred to as the sled) is almost impossible to lock with a camera on it because the metal bracket that the screw on the side tightens (to lock the plate into place) malfunctions. Strangely enough, it's harder to explain than it should be. Lets just say, short of filing the edge of the cameraplate or cutting a new sled tightening screw size, securing the camera in place on the tripod is almost impossible. I have tripods at several ranges above and below this one, but this is the first that fails to function on the most basic level. A pity too, because as I said before the fluid head has great motion and spring.
We have been using this tripod in video production and photography with youngsters in the Children's Museum of Bogot&aacute;, Colombia. The tripod is well built, sturdy and with excellent manufacture. Our teenagers have not been able to take it apart ... Its made of metal, not plastic. (Another plastic cheapo tripod perished in their hands time ago).Pros:* A smooth moving head. Not as smooth as an old tripod, but suitable for panning your video shot with ease.* Reaches in height close to 6 feet. Good for any application.* Strong construction. I love the center handgrip which allows you to put the tripod + camera in other place.* Great engineering: you see the quality immediately.* The duffle and the second mounting plate.* Adjustable screws, with pull out handles that let you adjust their position to tighten the screw.* Two handles that can be adjusted to the position you like them to be.Cons*The head is not as 'fluid' as I would have liked, but gives a smooth movement.But this is an advantage with our small video camera (Canon HF100): the head doesn't colapse if you do not tighten the head.In summary a nice tripod for video and photography capable of handling 18 pound of gear. Great value.
This tripod is much better than expected, and much more professional than expected. This is a high-quality item and I am very happy with it. In addition, I will say it is bigger and heavier than expected! I thought it would be a little more portable since it comes with a carrying case, but trust me folks you won't be taking this monster very many places! If you ask, however, I would rather have an item of professional and rugged construction than portability, assuming they are mutually exclusive. So bottom line this is an awesome tripod that gets the job done but not very portable at all.
It's a good unit that gives me what I need.  Too bad, though,that the zipper on the case is so flimsy!  It gave up the ghost early in the game which is a nuisance.  A mluch more durable one should be used!
I have been a TV engineer for 22 years, and this is the best tripod I have seen for the money. Sturdy, solid construction, very professional looking. The leg locks are a little tight, but I've only had it for a few hours. I'm sure they will loosen a little as I use it. The fluid head is sturdy and easy to adjust for leveling. This tripod is rated to hold up to 18 pounds, so if you have a DSLR, it may be too much tripod. But if you own a prosumer camcorder, get this tripod! You won't be disappointed!
The first time I went out on a shoot, I had a heck of a time mounting the camera to this tripod.  The screws would not rotate completely because they were too close to the camera.  The plate was poorly design as well at the mount.  the tripod otherwise is very stable and smooth.  I am thinking about trying to get a custom fit just so I can easily mount my camera to this unit without spending so much time.  I am surprised others did not mention this huge flaw in their own reviews.  This is the worst mount I have ever used.  On a good note, this tripod came with a camera bag and dolly, if purchased via BH Photo.Update after about 6 monthsI had to get a part sawed off in order to rotate so that the plates would lock in a tight fit.  Ever since I was able to mount without problems.I took the tripod in the field and the legs fell while the camera was mounted.  I didn't realize that the legs were screwed together and needed a star key for adjustments.  I had what every AV Tech lives by, DUCK TAPE, and literally had to duck tape the legs so they wouldn't fall.I wouldn't recommend  this tripod because of the many flaws.  I should have purchaed a Bogen.  I have a Bogen that was soaked in Katrina waters for 2 weeks and still work.  Just wanted to save some money and saw good reviews for this tripod so went ahead and purchased it.  Big mistake.
Other brands are easier to use and take more abuse, but cost twice as much.  When using this tripod it gives you a stable platform for a good price.  Just be gentle and you'll be OK.In my case, the handle clamps failed on the first time in the field and spider on the third time in the field.  The problem with this tripod is that critical parts are either made of soft metal or brittle plastic.  However, the tripod comes with a good warranty.  I sent it back to Tiffen for a warranty repair.  In the meantime, I used an old Vanguard tripod I've owned for 15 years without a problem and I've slugged it all over the world.  However, at 6.5lbs, it doesn't have the weight for windy conditions.  That's important with video because you want a stable platform.If you're a pro, dig deep for a pro brand like Gitzo or Manfrotto and pass this by.  These sticks are prosumer quality -- not pro. Best advise. Take your camera to a local store and get hands on with these things.
The Davis & Sanford tripods and heads are really neat.  So smooth and lots of weight for stability.  I bought two of these for back up to my higher end tripods.  I never get complaints about them from my cam ops.  Way to go Davis & Sanford!
I have very expensive tripods and they are heavy and hard to maneuver.  I needed another one for quick set up and portability.  I bought this tripod not knowing what to expect and I love it.  Ended up adding a second one recently and bought the head for my slider too.  Great product for the price.
I got this tripod and was so impressed with it I bought another one aweek later.I have two Canon Xl2s I use with these tripods and they workgreat...Even better than I expected them to for the price but,sometimes you do get a great deal and this is one of them.The 75mm Ball Claw set up makes it so easy to level because you don't have to fool around re-adjusting the legs...(Nice)I am going to get a couple of Canon XLH1s soon and I will use thesetripods for them with confidence because the tripods are sturdy withvery smooth action heads and weigh just enough to be stable.They look professional also and that is always a plus.I suggest you get the 3 wheel dolly for this also because it makes it so nice to be able move the whole thing around with out having to pick it up and carry it.The dolly works smooth also and the wheels easily lock in place so the whole set up is firmly grounded.Marcus (Legends Studio)
This tripod has a smooth head is durable and works great for a DSLR (7D). I look forward to putting it to the test.
I'm really impressed with this tripod.  I've been using an $1100 Manfrotto tripod, so I was skeptical about spending $200.  The fluid head moves very smoothly and with the lock adjustments tight it simulates a drag adjustment.  The ball setting for the head allows a super quick adjustment for level---easy to see with the bullseye level attached to the head.  Just unscrew the vertical bar under the head and the ball rotates in its base to any desired angle. The tripod shipped with an extra mounting plate, but the allen wrench that was supposed to be in the bag is not in the bag.  The carry bag is very nice.
I gotta say its a bit heavy, but its very fluid and solid, does the tirck and at a great price, somehow I lost a important locking screw and had to put a bolt in its place but all is well and it works great!
If it is the one thing I have that every other student film-maker I have worked with wishes they had it was this baby.I had to build a track dolly and a jib arm to get shots that out due this bad boy. You want to look like a pro? Buy this thing.Seriously I have bought many things I have regretted but this is the one tool I have owned for a while that has not brokenand has seemed very useful.
I am still amazed the &#34;value&#34; this product provides.  rock sturdy, easy movement of the camera, easy to set up -- just superb!!I was a little surprised by the weight, it is on the heavy side, but that was because I was so use to the cheap, flimsy products that most of us buyit is a STEAL at this price.  just exceptional!!!
I ordered a filter wallet here:Adorama Filter Wallet - Wallet ( for lens )and when it arrived, it was the Tiffen Wallet as shown here on this page but cheaper.  Be sure to check that link, you might find it cheaper also.
I have 7 filters from 62mm to 72mm and they fit perfectly. Also product is well made and it work for me.
Soft filter case even fits my extra large filters.  It folds nice and I have never had a problem with anything breaking.  I even had this with filters in the backpack around China for two weeks.  You will not be disappointed.
I don't use a lot of filters but this wallet will carry the few loose ones that I have (ones that didn't come with their own more substantial cases).  The only concern I have is that the fabric might attract/hold grit/sand if you ever were to accidently get some on it.  I shoot outdoors and in remote locations most of the time.  Sometimes there's dirt.  A lot of dirt, in fact.  Eventually some of it will end up on my hands and into this case.
This is not the best filter wallet in the world but it does the job.  It is fairly large for how many filters it holds and it does not fold well when it is full of filters.  Other than that it will defanately fit all your filters for a low price.
I have a lot of filters and had one of these already, but needed a second one since I keep buying filters. Small, light, fits in my camera bag and protects the filters well.
I have two filter holders one from lowepro and one I recently ordered is the Tiffen holder....well, Tiffen is less bulky and the pockets are covered by transparent see thru plastic which is nice unlike the gray tint on the lowepro (makes identification of the filter a bit difficult because of the tint}. I like the Tiffen because it is less bulky and the transparent see through pocket is a plus....it makes it easier to identify the filter you want....I guess it's more of preference!
This filter wallet protects my filters in a full camera bag. It folds flat and is easy to fold up but keeps my expensive filters protected but close when needed.
I love this wallet.  I was finally able to remove my filters from their individual boxes and clear up some space in my bag.  It's easy to use and protects the filters well.  I can even fit my 77mm filters in it without any problems.
I've been using this Tiffen wallet for almost a decade now. It is very durable. However, it fits 72mm filters with ease. 77mm filters are a tight fit. 82mm filters is a very tight fit. Also putting 6 filters in this wallet makes it feel like it would burst at the seams, but it never broke on me yet (and it has been 10 years of use on my oldest one).Would I recommend this wallet? Heck yeah!It is not bulky like some others and does the job of protecting the filters. The see through pockets allows me to quickly see which filter is in which pocket without fumbling around looking for the one I need.
I have multiple diameter lenses, so I have a wallet for each size lens in my camera bag. They are quick and easy to get in and out of and offer a lot of protection for my filters. I really recommend getting these, especially if you have larger diameter filters which can cost over $100.00 sometimes.Animal Portraits With The Digital Photography Of John Crippen: Learning Photography With Animals
I still have a few physical filters I use outside of Photoshop, and this filter wallet holds them nicely.  Because it folds closed, the larger filters fit better at the top.  I have a few filters I like to keep in their original cases, and those barely fit.  If I stick them in the bottom slots, the wallet doesn't roll/fold where it should to line up the velcro closure, so if you can't part with those old square Cokin filter cases with the nice labels and pretty example photos, this may not be the best solution for you.  The pockets are mesh with a slight stretch to them.  For filters outside the cases, it's a great solution, just not a dust free one.
This wallet is fantastic, nothing else to say! Economy and budget minded people. I have spent twice as much on other products and got same quality as this product. Love it and recommends this product!
I have owned several different ones of these, this is my favorite.  It even holds my 77mm filters.Recommend highly.
it's a macro wallet. it hasnt fallen apart yet or even showed any signs of wear. i like it but, i keep my macros in the cases they came in. I use this for adaptors and whatnot
The case does what it was made to do.  It is a very high quality product for the price.  The case is generously padded witch offers good protection for my filters.  This has become the main wallet for my most often used filters.
The wallet is well padded to secure the filters inside. A few of my filters are a little larger than I think this wallet was intended for, so when those filters are in it, the velcro doesn't always stay shut, but for my regular and small sized filters this wallet works perfect. Quality manufacturing.
Filters are expensive.I haven't dropped one out of this wallet...but its been close.A backcheck flap to sewn on the underside of each pocket would keep the filters under control when trying to pull one loose without losing the rest. I would like a Label or window for one on the outside. Or a color differentiator so that its easy to tell which &#34;Black&#34; wallet contains what without opening them to find out and exposing the filters inside to dust.The vast majority of photography gear is Black as are the bag and interior liners of said bags...things that go in those black bags need to be a different color so you can find what your looking for even in bad light.
An enhancing filter is pale rose color which enhances red tones in an image, especially valuable for landscape photography.  The Tiffen enhancing filter is great.
I live in the Utah red rock desert and near Rocky Mountain fall foliage. This filter is a 'must have' for bringing up the reds and oranges.
This filter appears pink in the pictures, but in reality it's green. So I think it must be of some good to picture foliages and trees. Dont tried it yet because my time is too short the last weeks, but as soon as I have photos taken with it I'll post it here.
Tiffen is an excellent brand when it comes to filters . The more I use the various filters, the greater the respect for the company. Enhancing filter does everything it says will do and MORE. It also clears HAZE from the pictures and I have taken the perpetual UV filter out and will use this for my future shots. With portraits too, it does not alter the skin tone negatively , in fact enhances REDS and warmth which is extremely soothing. Well Done - TIFFEN.
THE TIFFN ENHANCING LENS IS A FINE LENS. I HAVE A  67 & 72MM ENHANCING FILTERS AND LOVE THEM, ESPECIALLY SHOOTING FALL COLORS AND THE RED CANYONS OF UTAH!! THIS LENS THAT WAS SHIPPED (62MM) WAS FILTHY WITH A BIG SMUDGE IN THE CENTER IN A DIRTY BOX. I THOUGHT THEY MAY HAVE SENT ME A USED ONE, INSTEAD OF NEW!! IT WAS RECEIVED 5 DAYS AFTER PROMISED DATE!! WHEN  I OPENED IT UP AND SAW THE CONDITION. THAT'S WHEN I BECAME VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE.. AFTER 4 PHONE CALLS TO AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THREE E-MAILS TO ELECTRONIC BASKETS (SHIPPER) I FINALLY GOT AN ANSWER!! BOTTM LINE:I CAN,&#34; SHIP IT BACK AND WAIT FOR A REFUND (ALTHOUGH ITEM ALREADY CHARGED ON MY AMAZON ACCOUNT) BUT CANNOT GET A REPLACEMENT FILTER&#34; !! WHICH BOTH AMAZON AND I ASKED FOR!! TOTALLY FLUSTRATED, I DECIDED TO CUT MY TIES AND LEARN MY LESSON!! I AM KEEPING THE DIRTY LENS AS A REMINDER !! I AM SURE WITH  SOME WORK I CAN GET IT USEFUL... AGAIN, LET ME STATE A TIFFIN FILTER IS A GOOD FILTER!! ---- JIM D SMITH
I recently visited Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and in preparing for that trip, I wanted to add an "Enhancing Filter" to my set of filters.  I use a Canon EOS 30D and 40D camera with several of Canon's L series lenses (the 70-200 2.8 and the 100-400), and for wide angles I use a EF-S 17-55 2.8.  Those 3 lenses all use a 77mm filter, so getting a good one that I could use on any of these lenses was the task.  I decided onTiffen's 77EF1 77mm Enhancing Filterand after shooting for a day with it on these lenses, I was happy with the results.  Bryce has a lot of red/brown/orange sand-stone structures (hoodoos) and I thought it might be too bright to just shoot these formations without a bit of help from an enhancing filter.  On the other hand, I didn't want my shots to look exaggerated. The Tiffen filter feels like it is structurally sound, screws on nice, and produced great results at this location.  I'm looking forward to shooting fall colors with it next time the leafs turn here in Wisconsin.Some of you might ask, can't we warm up the shot during post processing with your favorite photo editing software?  I asked that too, so I shot 1/2 of the Bryce Canyon locations with just a UV haze filter (B&W;'s best ones) and the other 1/2 with the Tiffen filter.  During post processing, I was able to do a lot to the shots that were not enhanced, but I found myself working a lot more on those than I did on the shots with the enhancing filter.  For the money, it was worth it to me.
I love this filter! It gives my subjects both people and things more depth and punch! It's especially beautiful when used outdoors, though I have gotten amazing results indoors as well.
First, if you put out $100s or even $1000s for some good glass, why you gonna put a cheap filter on top?  I learned the hard way that cheap filters on top of good glass just means cheap glass, so why bother.  If you insist on doing this, then pick another filter.  This one didn't do squat for my images, noticed no difference at all.  The only thing I use this for is to protect my lens when I temporarily lose the lens cap; it makes a decent lens cap until the real one shows up.  Otherwise, it would have gotten one star only.
Worked true and brought out even in a very bad thunderstomas expected even in the worst lighting conditions you could imagin. Colors were brought out even in a very bad thunderstorm. Colors did not have to be enhanced as much as much by photo editing on computer as some photos taken without this filter.
I bought this adapter to allow mounting my binoculars to a tripod for stargazing. It works as intended. It's a good match for my Pentax 10x50's, and also works with my Leupold 8x50's as well. This is a pretty simple item so there isn't much to go wrong. From an aesthetic standpoint, it matches the Pentax optics well. The little socket for keeping the cap from the binoculars is a nice touch.
I chose this item to attach my Pentax binoculars to my camera tripod. This adapter is easy to use and does exactly as advertised. I am 100% satisfied.
This was a replacement for an adapter I had lost for my Pentax 16x60 binoculars. It does a good job of securing the binoculars to the tripod and a tripod or monopod is a necessity when using larger binoculars.
Not a newby to optics and accessories this adapter does the job.However,  the binocs are not perfectly rock solid but MAY have a little side yaw (20x50 PCF-WP).  May be just me but the additional threaded sockets use on the post was not immediately obvious and the manuals mention as a top mount was not clear.  Duh, it holds the thread socket cover from the binocs.
Functionality, built quality, and sturdiness of this item leaves nothing to be desired.  Also, reversibility of the mount direction makes it easy to customize it to your needs as far as the position of the binocular on the tripod.
This turned out to be a great little purchase. It screws into the center of the binoculars, and has a female port for screwing in the tripod. Very sturdy, very simple. He liked it!
I really like how well made this product is. The finish is excellent. I gave it four stars due to the pricing only.
The adapter works great on my tripod.  Attaching it to the binocular was fast and easy.  Highly recommend it to anyone owning a Pentax binocular.
very pleased. make it easy to steady for certain viewing in situations nad it is easy to set up on a tripod
The trigger lock is perfect for long exposure.The cable is a little short but still enough for most situation.
If you don't like the short length of the cable you can extend it by getting an extension cable.  This is just a standard stereo cable but it works with the cable release.  I bought this one:12 foot 2.5mm extension cableand it works great.  The male end doesn't "snap in" on the camera, but it isn't loose enough to fall out.I've used the cable release with the extension a couple of times and it works great.  I imagine you could probably chain them if you wanted to be really far from the camera, but I haven't tried it.Overall, a great and useful tool.
After purchasing the Opteka cable switch and having it lose its focusing function in less than a year, I decided to buy the Pentax switch. I wasn't quite sure what the other reviewers were saying about the Pentax cable being too short, the length seems to be just fine.The Pentax cable switch seems to be working OK, including the focusing function. We'll see if this continues for a while and how well it holds up.B. Schollesp.s. The Pentax cable switch failed today while shooting a critical kayak race with a 500mm lens mounted on a tripod. Had to bump up the ISO and shoot hand held! Damn! I'm going to go to Radio Shack, see if I can buy a new pin adapter and make my own freaking switch. Not happy. July 7, 2012.B. SchollesDon't waste your money buying ANY direct connected release. Instead, buy a wireless remote. Much more reliable AND cheaper.
Gave this product 4 stars (instead of 5) because I do find it a bit pricey for what it is (basically a push button at the end of a length of cord). That having been said, the little gadget works like a charm and is totally indispensible for owners of a Pentax Digital Camera (film camera cable switches are not compatible with digital formats).The Pentax K10D digital camera, by the way, which I also purchased from Amazon, is probably the best camera in its price range that I have ever owned and used (we're talking more than 15 cameras here!). Solid, sturdy, full-featured and user-friendly, this camera is suited for the advanced photographer as well as for the amateur. You can set dials until the cows come home (according to the effects you want to achieve) or you can simply point and shoot. Either way, the resulting photos are breath-taking. Color is right on, details are sharp, and taking pictures is a joy! I've never enjoyed a camera more.
Pros:this product meets all expectations...i shoot alot of studio shots and this trigger works perfect, i can sit and talk to the subject and take photos without any movement on the camera..a thumbs up..Cons:the cord should be at least 1-2 feet longer..
Bought for taking night shots, which is basically useless. if you're aiming for night skies, just use film. Digital becomes very noisy, fast.Otherwise, 30 seconds is plenty long exposure for whatever you're going to use. Tripod/2 second timer does well to avoid shake. It's also very, very short.Basically, if you need some kind of remote, use a remote.
Pretty simple remote, works on many of the Pentax slr and Dslr bodies.  I like the fact it doesn't just release the shutter, but also operates the AF.  It will come in handy on long exposures.
I am very pleased with my purchase. Shipping was ok but the price could have been less. All in all services was good. Thanks!!
Works great - I'm so happy to have this for my K20D.  I am not sure why someone would want it to be longer than it is - it's plenty long for what I need - in fact, I don't think I'd want it to be much longer than it is, but I guess I can understand why some might complain.  It is easy enough to plug in and unplug - if it were too easy it might not stay in!  I considered getting an off-brand, cheaper version, but I decided to go with this one as this is an important (though simple) piece of equipment, and I wanted the best quality I could get.
Unfortunately modern cameras don't take the old threaded plunger type of cable release. So, unless you are able to make one, you'll need to shell out for a proprietary electrical model - this is my second Pentax model, as the other one I have only works with film cameras.That complaining aside: you'll need a cable release or remote for those long shutter speed shots - night time, fireworks, even portraits and so on. You could get by if you set the camera self timer to 3seconds delay, that helps the vibration die down, but that won't work if you want to use the B speed. Using a cable release and a good tripod makes a big difference in picture quality.For the other traditional use of a remote release - self portraits - the length of the cable is a bit short. Pentax does sell a wireless remote that's useful for that purpose - as well as the tripod slow shutter speed need - but the wireless uses a tiny battery.
Handy to take pictures with a slow shutter speed. Works very well. A good price.
Just a warning if you are buying this for the new Pentx K-X DSLR camera. It does not have an outlet to plug in this pin-type connector. I imagine there may be a cable made for the Pentax K-X; however, this is not it. Best not to assume anything without explicit detailed information. I guess I'm the one who deserves the 1 star rating!
I rated this 5 stars because it makes taking lasped timed photos very convenient. I don't have to hold on to the camera while holding the shutter open. With the cable switch, the camera remains stable for however long the shutter remains open. I would highly recommend this product with the ZX-L or *ist DL.
This is a button on the end of a 3.5mmm mp3 headphone cable that will close or stay closed.  It is not proprietary but is Pentax.  Thus has Pentax famous high build quality.  I would give this a 5* at $20.00.Pushing the button halfway will achieve focus, pushing it all the way fires the shutter pushing the slide up keeps it open.Jouying RS-C1 is a knock off for Canon/Pentax.Any 3.5mm M/F stereo line cable / mp3 extension cable will work to extend this release.  Amazon sells these ASIN: B00007FGU7 Cables to Go.Length is twice that of a standard 18" cable release so is very traditional.  As a designer I applaud the design decision since I can buy an extension from $0.95 so I can suit myself.A number of other Generic designs take advantage of the voltage supplied by the camera to run a countdown timer with LCD display for bulb open or count down to shutter. (Yongnou)Enjoy the selection fun!List of compatible cameras.CANON EOS 400D (Rebel XTi)CANON EOS 350D (Rebel XT)CANON EOS 450D (Rebel XSi)CANON EOS 1000D (Rebel XS)CANON EOS 300VCANON EOS 50ECANON EOS 50CANON EOS 33CANON EOS 30Canon Digital Rebel X/XTiPentax K20D/ K200D/ K10D/K10D Super/K110D/K100D/Gx-1L/Cs205, KM, K2000Pentax *ist D/DS/DS2/DL/DL2/K10Hasselblad H/H1/H2/H2D/H1DContax 645/Nl/Nx/N/Digital/LA-50
Received the CS 205 Shutter release cable for my Pentax K20D.I have only shot a half dozen photo's indoors with it thus far.Works fine. The K20d's Auto Focus focuses when the shutter button is pressed half way down.My only gripes are (1)that the cord could be longer.(2) The button could be designed with a large tang for better grip when trying to release the button from the locked position. I guess as the switch wears it will be easier to push back to release from the locked position.(3) The end that plgus into the camera could be a straight plug instead of being a 90 degree end. There is very little room to grip the plug end as the access door is right there and people with big fingers might have difficulty unplugging the cord.I've included several pictures up above.
How can you NOT have this? Brand name has been more durable than generic so far for me, and this has been the case for this switch for me for one year.
Obviously, the price of this thing is a turnoff. But consider what it can do for you. I use it for macro and nature photography. There are remote options and competing products from other manufacturers, but Pentax's own accessory seems to be readily available, and you know it's going to work reliably with the camera. I admit that I hated departing with that much money to buy this product, but it delivers what I want and reliably so. I'm happy.
the Pentax cable release is a very handy tool, works all the desired functions including bulb mode and multi-exposures however for the price the cord could be longer, it's only 18". 3' would of been nice.
I had a tough time finding any information about how big this shutter release was or how long the cable was for it.  All I kept reading from some reviews was that it was a little too short but no info just how short it was.Here you go:Switch assembly dimensions (the part you hold in your hand)Length:  ~ 4 inchesWidth:  ~ 1.12 inchesThickness:  ~ 0.5 inchesThe length of the cable is ~ 20.5" measured from the cable exit of the switch assembly to right angle mini-connector.  I prefer this shorter length so that I don't have to mess with longer cable tangles or worrying about the release hanging down to the floor while the camera is mounted on a tripod.This release does a fine job.  I will say that it is a very tight fit when plugging and unplugging it from my Pentax K200D.  I imagine it will easier with each connect/disconnect cycle.Press the button down part way and camera focuses; press fully and the shutter releases.  This device also has a sliding mechanism on the release button which allows you to lock your camera's shutter in the open position for long (bulb) exposures.I bought this because I want to remotely trigger my K200D while taking exposure bracketed photos.  I have the IR remote, but the camera does not support multi-exposure with the IR remote.  This device works fine for multi-exposure (bracketed) shots.
It works fine, though it would be nice if the cable were a bit longer.
I find this product is what a photographer needs instead of ainfra red remote.I find for myself this is all I needd,Iambehind the camera beside it back of it all over withoutdistraction of the camera & working with my subject.Tom B
What else can you say. 50mm lens, 49mm cap. Fits as it should and works like a charm. Good stuff.
As another reviewer mentioned, the cap is absolutely nothing like the picture.  Mine has Pentax on the push tabs, all unpainted.  Regardless, it fits great on the lens; very snug and tight, doesn't feel like it'd pop off easy.  I purchased this to go with my Pentax DA 40mm pancake lens and it's a great matchup.  (FYI, the screw-on metal lens cap is classy, but go ahead and get yourself a real cover!)
I got the cap today and I was a little disappointed that it doesn't have the white PENTAX logo across the front as the picture shows.  It has little black Pentax logos on each of the little things you press to take the lens cap off.  Other than that its a great.
Item received was a newer style cap rather than older style pictured.  At time of my order in 2012 there was already one review saying the picture had been inaccurate since 2010!  Picture shows old style outer pinch cap.  Item received was actually newer version with recessed logo and larger buttons.  For my purpose either would have worked but I am glad that I got the newer style.
This is the standard pinch-cap you are used to from the PENTAX DA-Series kit digital lenses.  It does not look like the photo (at least on 22-Dec-2010) but instead has the un-painted, recessed PENTAX logo.  Also unlike the photo, the pinch buttons are flush with the edge of the cap when fully extended (not sticking out like in the photo, which shows an old M-Series cap (I think it's an M-Series anyway.)These are the real replacement PENTAX caps and they are superior to aftermarket versions.  Highly recommended.
It looks like my original lens cap, but it doesn't fit as well.  This one pops off if bumped and does not really offer the protectionthat it should.
These serve the purpose quite nicely - wish they came in packs of 6 - I'm constantly losing them :-(
I lost the original lens cap of my Konica Minolta A200. The lens size is 49mm, so I bought it. Yes, it's good fit for that. It's not easy to attach if lens hood is attached, but it's OK.
The Quantum Battery Clamp (QBC) is very nicely made. There are not sharp edges and should last a very long time.
For years, I've hung Quantum Turbo batteries on the knobs of light stands using a strap.  These clamp nicely to the stand, never need to be removed and are much more secure.  I LOVE these clamps!
I have my Quantum battery attached to a manfrotto light stand and photogenic softbox. This is a great way to keep the battery attached without fear of it falling off the stand.
I compared this to other seemlier product, it's nice and study. I recommend it. little bit expansive though. thanks for reading
As the title says... we are professional photographers and without this simple clamp where are you going to hang your flash battery.  This has turned into a fantastic alternative.  Highly recommend.
I use a couple of Avenger stands for my Quantum flashes. Make sure you research if this clamp's diameter will fit your setup.One of my stands is a Avenger A4050CS JUNIOR BOOM STAND, the other an A125B; the A4050CS is big, but I was still able to find a nice place to mount this clamp. This clamp solves a problem, where to hang the battery. Thanks Quantum.
The lens does appear to be well made. However, on my x920 video camera, there is obvious edge distortion and blurring. I don't think it's because the lens is bad, but rather because it is a one-size-fits-all lens. That means that with some cameras it is good, and with others, not so good. This review is fair warning for x920 owners. If you plan to use it on a different camera, try to find reviews for your specific camera.
Returned it after trying it on my Sony RX100-2.  Optics on wide angle lens not nearly as good as on Sony.  I may have been asking too much of it...not crisp, distorted around the edges.  Was hoping to add the wider angle capability and this is one of the few add-on lenses with the 49MM threads.
I purchased this lens on whim, hoping it would fit the internal threading of my Sony HDR-CX760V. To my luck, it fit perfectly and has a wonderful wide angle image (the 760v already has a wide angle lens but not nearly as wide as this add-on). Anyone looking for a camcorder add-on lens that can provide great clarity with a wide framing should definitely consider this lens, but of course the price tag on this lens does feel a little steep, so if you are a hobbyist shooting home videos, I think you can get by without it. A must have for prosumers.
Excellent zooming capacity. Crisp and nice pictures with wide angle. it almost increases the range by 60%. Good for group photos and panorama shots. excellent build quality too. I purchased for my Canon S3 IS. it was a 52 mm lens, but my camera was 58mm. I purchased an additional 58-52 step down ring and it fits beautifully.
This is my first review, but I was so let down by this product I was inspired to write.  I wish I could post pictures, to show you the examples.  The very center of the image is fine, but everything on the edge is blurred.  It's a nice package, and the lens looks sturdy and well made, but a blurry image just isn't what I paid for.  I returned this and bit the bullet, and bought a Sigma 10-20 instead.
this product has a 49mm rear.  It does not have a 37mm rear.  It looks to be a quality product.  I hope this helps others and prevents headaches for those purchasing for a 37mm.  I purchased the Raynox HDS680 which has a 37mm rear for a Canon HF100
The Raynox HD-6600PRO-46 is a fairly good lens. Zoomed out, the whole image is in focus. With any zooming in, however, the edges start to blur, but do seem to hold up fairly well between 0-20x zoom.I mostly take family video with most of the action fairly close. I love the wide view this lens provides, especially indoors or traipsing through the wilderness, but if the kids get more than 50 feet away, the image gets a little too blurry for HD quality when zooming in on the action. Still better than the old Hi8 I had, but not good enough for HD. So I find myself unscrewing the lens a lot in those situations. It sure would be nice to have a lens that didn't need to be removed, but I can't afford the big bucks that might get me something like that.This lens advertised itself as staying in focus on the edges through higher zooms, but I didn't find that to be true. It does okay with short zooming, but still when I took photos at a short zoom and displayed it on my PC monitor, I did see some minor blurring on the edges.Still, a pretty good lens for the price, and there are cheaper lenses that are much worse, but it's still not the "Pro Super Quality" that the listing advertises it as. Actually, the cheaper lenses are too unsatisfactory compared to this one and I wouldn't use them.When zooming in at higher zoom levels, say 30x or higher, the entire image gets too blurry to be satisfactory for HD quality, so plan on removing the lens for those situations.I am using this lens on a Panasonic HDC-TM900 camera which cost, if I remember correctly, around $700, so the camera and lens are in the mid-range category, and I'm happy enough with the pairing. I keep the lens on the camera, and remove it for those zooming moments.On my camera I saw no vignetting and no degradation of the camera functions or video quality, other than the blurring issues. Only problem when taking photos was the shadow created by the lens, which makes it not possible to take flash photos with the lens attached.
Using with a Panasonic HDC-TM700.  Very little vignetting at the widest setting.  As sharp throughout the zoom range as the original lens.  It's fairly large and adds some weight, but you get used to it in no time.  Well worth the price.
I have now tried the Raynox HD-6600PRO55 with two cameras:1)  Sony Alpha 100 with 18-70MM zoom lens.  Two main points, the 18-70 zoom is already a reasonable zoom providing a 35mm equiv. of 27mm.  Adding the Raynox adapter, one can only get a little wider before the corners show significant vignetting.  Additionally, the wider the arperture, the fuzzier it is around the edges.  At F3.5, the widest setting, the edges were very poor.  At F22, there was hardly any noticable degradation.  At F8, it could still be seen.  So bottomline was that it did not provide very much wide angle improvement and it was only really usable in bright sunlight with the aperture stopped way down.2)  With a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 and a Permaraal adapter, did not have as much edge degradation which I attribute to the smaller image sensor and smaller optics.  But even using the Permaraal adapter, which allowed me to screw in the Raynox adapter closer and closer to the lens, I was not able to improve upon its wide angle view.  The FZ18 has a very wide zoom range of 35mm equiv. 28mm to 504mm.  At the low end, even with the Permaraal adapter in as close as it could get, the edges had very significant vignetting.  Increasing the zoom power until the vignetting went completely away yielded a picture of just about the same degree of wide angle view as the camera without the adapter.  Bottomline here is that it just does not seem like this product offers any advantage for this camera.I have yet to try it on some other leses that aren't quite as wide as the Sony SAL1870, and it may be more successful with those lenses, but then again, using it on a longer lens to get wider angle will not be as good as using the wider angle lens in the first place.
gives my hv30 a completely new High Def look. Would recommend. It's sort of expensive so I believe there are other lenses cheaper with the same quality but if you have a hv30, Id recommend a lens for it. It gives it a much better image....but I don't use my hv30 anymore. I've upgraded to a dslr, lol.
SO SO SO good! it gave a great help in recording outdoor moments ... the quality of the lence and finishing are really super ...
First off, ignore the review of the person who had a customer service problem who posted here. I own several Raynox conversion lenses, and they are all high-quality, well-made products and are a good value. No business in a mass-consumer market can please all its customers.Now, about this lens. I consider it to be the best of its type out there, dollar for dollar. Its construction is solid and its optics are of high quality. It is also just the right weight. Not too light as to be cheaply constructed, but not too heavy as to put too much pressure on the camera that supports it. This is a substantial chunk of glass.The knock on most WA converters is that they don't really buy you that much in terms of increasing the view field. However, this lens from Raynox increases the field of view by 50%. WA conversion lenses also frequently suffer from nasty barrel distortion. The Raynox 6600 does the best job at keeping barrel distortion to a minimum, at the expense - perhaps, of a little edge softness. On my camera model it will sometimes vignette slightly in the top corners but this is easily corrected with a photo editor.Wide angle converters are great for indoor shots in cramped quarters (note, you MUST use an external flash if using this WA adapter, as the on-board flash will produce a shadow on the subject...), as well as architectural work, and landscapes. I consider it "a must" for any serious hobbiest of digital photography. They all have their limitations, but the Raynox DCR did a nice job overall with this converter, especially regarding the degree in the increase of field view, and minimizing barrel distortion. It is the best value for this type of conversion lens.
I wasted a lot of money for this lens.  I bought this lens for our Arizona trip to get some great shots of the Grand Canyon.  I have a Lumix FZ50.  I tried every conceivable setting and had vignetting in EVERY shot.  I also did the conversion lens settings for the camera with a wide angle lens like I do with my telephoto lens.  More vignetting.  Since I got this right before our trip, we were then out of town for a couple of weeks and then had to deal with my mother-in-laws illness, I wasn't eligible for a refund.  IF I had gotten great shots, this would have been a bargain....unfortunately it was money flushed down the toilet.
I use this on my HF S100 and am pleased with the results. Does it perform as it is intended? Yes... but it may not be worth the money.Pros:-Works with my IA focus (Instant Auto). *** (see edit) ***-Shows NO distortion through a full range of zoom.-Threads on very well and is rock solid.-Comes with snap-on lens cover.-Has 72mm threads for additional filters etc.-Adds a wider angle to your shot.Cons: (not really cons... more like limitations)-Will not add a great deal of wider angle to your shot. I never had a WA lens, and I expected so much more. This is my fault for not knowing how these things perform.-Some lens flares at some angles. Again, this is to be expected... but I was not aware of this when I bought it.-Seems a bit pricey for what it accomplishes. (AGAIN... to be expected.)Summary:For about $150, you get a VERY solid lens that will keep your camera lens from any exposure to the elements if you keep it on at all times (as I do.) But, I'm not certain that what I gain in my shot is worth the money.EDIT:Instant Auto Focus... NO. From my LCD screen on the video camera, things looked as though they were focused. I use a red line focus assist, and things seemed to be in focus; however, the red line function was a bit askew. Upon reviewing the footage on an HD monitor, the focus in those IA shots was soft.When I manually focused, things were perfect. I often use IA to get focused and then switch to manual (to hold that particular depth) to create a shallow depth of field. This was not absolutely spot on with the WA lens attached. Still, I can get great focus manually.This is just another item on the learning curve, and I am still very happy with the lens... just maybe not for the money.
I am not a camera pro, but I fond this lens to be a beautifully made and superior product! Highly recommended.
A flash savior. The once I bought before had screws that got lost in a manner of days, my flashes just slided out all the time, I truly don't know how they survived the falls...
This tool works and hold my flash tightly and securely.  Add this to a ball head and you have a great and flexible flash mount system.
Its hard to wax poetic about a shoe mount, but it does its work well, and eliminates the risk of shorting your strobe's electrical contacts. When the red screw is tightened down, it also takes a strong grip on the strobe. My strobe is usually mounted on a PocketWizard Flex which in turn is mounted on this shoe.Note that I use this adapter in conjunction with a Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand, a Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter, and a Westcott 43" Optical White Satin Collapsible Umbrella. This combination works exceedingly well for my purposes.Happy Strobing!
As there seems to be some confusion if this is the real thing, I received a genuine Stroboframe 300-SHO adapter. I ordered DIRECTLY from Amazon.com. I would suggest you do the same to get what you are expecting, which is a very nicely made all-metal cold shoe mount with a 1/4"-20 female thread and a plastic red knob. There's space underneath the mounted flash to stop short circuits, but does not take advantage of the newer locking pin mechanism found in many newer flash guns. However, I don't see this as a problem as the clamp is very strong. I mostly worry I'll over-tighten it by mistake and crush the foot of my flash! It's much stronger now and I highly recommend it. I plan to get more for all my light stands, and it also comes with a 1/4"-20 screw round black plastic knob. As a side note, you should also look at this item which comes with a different style knob (Stroboframe Accessory Shoe).I used this to modify a Manfrotto 175F-1 "Justin" clamp (Manfrotto 175F-1 Spring Clamp with Flash Shoe (Black)to replace the weakest link...the plastic, non-locking (friction-based) cold shoe. I removed the OEM cold shoe and thumb wheel underneath it, and replaced it with a 1/4"-20 x 3/4" L socket set screw from the hardware store and this 300-SHO cold shoe (which does not touch the flash contact points on the foot). 3/4" is the perfect length, although I think a 1/2" length may also work.BTW - If you are interested in this product, you may also be interested in the "Frio" cold shoe (Frio ENLFRC1A Cold Shoe Mount for Tripods). An interesting design, but it in my opinion it doesn't work quite as well with the newer Canon weather-sealed flashes (Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash,Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras) because the rubber "boot" gets in the way of the secondary locking mechanism.*UPDATE* (9/10/2012): I bought a second one to use with aManfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter, and I discovered the small round nub on the bottom of the Stroboframe cold shoe doesn't allow it to sit flush against the umbrella adapter UNLESS you attach the two adapters together before mounting the cold shoe.
Theses are the greatest little things to attache your flash to a light stand.  They hold very firmly, securely.  I have 4 of these and love to use them.  I don't use any others anymore.
Works perfect! No complaints, have had this for few weeks now. It is all metal and very sturdy hold, fits perfectly well for the flash.
I bought a pair of these along with Manfrotto 175 clamps and Oben mini ball heads to make my own Justin clamps for 40% less.These stroboframe brackets on my DIY rig will hold a heavy speedlight like SB 900 in place like a champ.
I have several of these now and they all work great.  They clamp nice and tight and the knob is easy to grip and gives good leverage.  I don't worry about speedlights falling out of these (like I do with some of my other cold shoes).  There's a pin that sticks out the bottom so it will line up with some quick-release plates.  This pin keeps the shoe from sitting flat on a monopod, but the pin is easily twisted and ripped out with a pair of needle nose pliers.
I received exactly what was ordered, a real Stroboframe and not a knock off.  It's anodized metal. The price was right.
What I ordered and what I actually received appear to be the same, but from reading on here, I now realized I did NOT get what I thought I ordered. Mine looks legit at a glance, but the red knob is different and there is no locating pin. The paint is very low-quality also and is in the threads causing this to screw on very tight.It may not be genuine stroboframe, but for me, this works fine.
Received the item promptly.  Good built, and has a nice smooth feel to it.  Stroboframe had this bracket shoe mount design for a long time and hasn't evolved it.  They could have changed the knob with something that is easier to hold and adjust.
I just got two of these STROBOFRAME Bracket Shoe Mount and they are just Great. The finish of these mounts are exceptional, smooth and just perfect. My Speedlights fit tight and very secure on the Shoe and I can dismount them very easily. If you want a perfect fit, excellent Finish and secure Fitting on your Light Stands then please get this Shoe Mount. You won't regret it.Aaron...
Those cold shoe are perfect, this one comes with a round headed screw to hold it where ever you want. Buy this instead of the 12US that is around. I use them to be on my manfrotto's umbrella bracket and my manfrotto nano lightstands. Works great...!!!!
Fit is perfect and materials were high grade. Very pleased with fit and function of this product. Great value - should buy several.
This looks like a very sturdy item BUT it will not hold a Canon flash. The hot shoe mount is wrong for Canon so I will just hang on to it or give it away to someone that needs it.
This was recommended by the website with the arm extension and the mounting bracket, but I still don't understand the use for this.  It was not necessary for mounting our video camera to our sound booth.Maybe you'll have better luck.P.S. This shoe is really small so it can only have limited application but I'm still scratching my head as to why it was recommended.  For our needs... it was not needed.
Bigger knob makes it easier to clamp the flash down securely. My only issue is there are small springs that keep tension on the bracket that floats, I've lost one. Not a huge deal, bracket still works.
I just received a couple of these "offered and shipped" by Amazon. They came with the red thumbscrews and look and work exactly like my others. These were not knock offs. These are also the best mounts you can buy. They are smooth and lock the flash head or ball head very positively. You can't even force your equipment off of them.
I made up brackets to enable my compact strobes to work with Chimera rings and needed a &#34;cold shoe&#34; mounting. These are well made, reasonably priced, arrived promptly, and the clamp not only adjusts for off-size shoes but holds the strobe firmly. The 1/4-20 tapped mouthing hole prevents the strobe's center contact from shorting, so make sure that your mounting screw isn't too long.
The Stroboframe I received arrived in a package indicating it is made in China and distributed by Tiffen in the US.It came with a thumbscrew that has 1/4-20 threads which are 7/16&#34; in length. I was able to easily remove the locator pin with a pair of vise grips.  I bought it so I can mount my Vivitar 285 flash unit to my Joby GorillaPod.  Also use it to mount the 285 onto the bracket for my 30 year old 42&#34;x42&#34; Larson Soff Box that uses a Reflectasol clamp.
This is a simple and well build bracket for my hot shoe strobe.  It screwed right onto the stand and the strop trigger slid right into place.
This little adapter does exactly what it needs to do.  It easily clamps the flash securely to the stand, and with a few quick turns the jaw opens wide enough to just pop the flash off. It makes swapping out the flash a little faster than with less expensive alternatives.Overall build quality is good, but not amazing.  I feel that this should be closer to $10, but when it comes to holding a $400 flash 6 feet off the ground, I don't mind spending a few extra bucks.  If it was a little cheaper, I'd easily give it 5 stars.As I get more stands, I'll be adding more of these to the collection.
This isn't the greatest quality but, it all comes down to price.  You pay for what you get and it simply does its job.  It fits my flash unit and holds it well in place.  Even at certain angles, its still secured.  Personally, it looks like it was made for 50.  Sorry, I exaggerated that, but, still, its good enough for me.
The Stroboframe 300-SHO is hard to beat. I highly suggest them. They grab hard and don't release. The recessed top gives clearance so the flash contacts do not touch the mount.However, that is NOT what I received. Like so many other people that have left reviews, the old bait and switch. I ordered it through Fancier which was being fulfilled by Amazon. What I received was not a Stroboframe 300-SHO. The description states there is a "locating pin". The aforementioned pin prevents the piece from twisting when using it with some Stroboframe brackets. I had ordered three of these. None of the three contained the pin. None of the packaging contained Stroboframe header cards.I already had and actual 300-SHO and compared the two models. Aside from lacking the pin, the size of the units were slightly larger and not built as well either.Amazon was good about the return. But, I was disappointed that I had received knock-off equipment. I needed them for a shoot.Fortunately, I was able to get them from B&H; Photo. I received three actual 300-SHO shoes. All had Stroboframe header cards and locating pins. Learn from this and order them once!
Perfect, indestructible.The real deal. I've owned others, some plastic, some aluminum but this is by far the best quality shoe mount I've owned.
The 5-star reviews for the Stroboframe cold shoe are definitely accurate; that's a great cold shoe and you can feel confident putting any flash on it basically.THe problem is that this is NOT the SAME PRODUCT!  This is a product being sold by Adorama Camera as Stroboframe but it is actually a Flashpoint (different brand - makes cheap knock-offs of lots of photography equipment).  That's why the price is so low - because it's not the Stroboframe.I purchased one and discovered this apparent false advertising scheme when I received a Flashpoint cold shoe. I immediately contacted Adorama and requested a refund and paid return shipping as well as the correct product.  It seems they will be issuing me a refund while "graciously" allowing me to keep the product ("graciously" in quotations because to pay for return shipping would cost them the same amount as I paid for the product, plus the re-stocking effort - so they're really just doing themselves a favor by "giving it to me").  What they should do is give me the Stroboframe cold shoe, which is what I purchased and what I need.  But Adorama is not very good with customer service.  As they adapt themselves more and more for the consumer market (as opposed to the pro market, like B&H; PHoto), they try to pull these types of schemes on unsuspecting consumers who "probably don't know any better".In any case, buy it for $6 if you choose to do so; just be aware you will receive a cheap knock-off, not the mighty, original Stroboframe cold shoe!
Tightening down is easy and secure.  Loosening is extremely difficult and painful if you aren't using tools.  I always know that my strobes (SB910, 2 SB700's) are secure and not going to fall off the stands.  But, I dread taking them off.  It is very painful if I don't have a wrench to take them off, which of course will damage the locking mechanism.  I would buy another if needed, but there has to be a better way.
Functions as it should. Locks the strobe in place and can only enter one way (won't push through). I compared it to my Dad's Calumet version. His was cheap feeling. This one is solid with a lot more control with the red tightening screw.
I had some real problems with my Nikon speed lights(SB-600s and SB-900s) falling out of the cold shoe when mounted on lighting stands.  This cold shoe solved the problem. Great product.
I received the Tiffen packaged version. I am using it to hold a Rode Video Mic to the top of my camera cage. It works just fine. No problems at all. It is a high quality piece.There is a little &#34;stud&#34; on the bottom of the shoe which will prevent it from sitting flush in many uses. However the stud can be pulled out with a pair of pliers. I did this on both of the Shoe Mounts that I purchased. Now they are more versatile.
Works ok just a little clunky , probably just right quality for cost.
Exceptionally well made, I use them for my Nikon SB-900 Speedlights.  VERY secure as long as you tighten the red thumbscrew on the side. These will not contact the pins on the bottom of your speedlight, thus avoiding shorting the terminals.  It IS solidly made with cast aluminum, not stamped!  VERY highly recommended!
The Stroboframe shoe mount bracket is very good quality. It's made of strengthened aluminum. The pieces fit snug and tightly, showing very good quality. I'm confident it won't break, the only plastic piece is the little turning nob on the end of the adjustment screw but looks fairly solid. For the price I can't complain, it's better than the plastic bracket mounts out there.I received Stroboframe product unlike some of the other customers here and very satisfied. The plastic bracket on my flash will break before this does. 4 Stars because the knob on the tightening screw is not metallic but plastic.
I use this with my speedlight combo and this item is built well and holds the unit efficiently. You don't need to buy an expensive cold shoe mount and this fits most mounts. Win Win.
I have had other brands of shoe mounts and always had problems with some flashes not fitting properly. However, this one is adjustable and I can set just the right amount of tension for the flash I am using. I highly recommend this one over any others.
This item is essential for attaching a off camera flash to a camera, it also makes it possible when attached to the Stroboframe Bracket to take better photos with an off camera flash because of the limitations of the on camera or flip up flash.  It will lessen the "red eye" effect and enable the user to better control off camera flash use
This is a cheaper version of an expensive bracket.  Materials are not top notch but they are strong and reliable.  I have several of these and have never had any problems with them.
I don't know if there are other products that offer something this one lacks, but at this point I don't know what that would even be.  This product does exactly what it's supposed to, and it does it with little to no hassle.
This item has the correct 1/4&#34;-20 socket unlike another one I tried. The adapter is shaped so that the firing pin won't touch metal and short out. I'm using it to hold speedlites for off-camera use with radio triggers.
I have needed one of these for a very long time, I am very happy with it and it should last a very long time.
I have used this shoe mount with the Neewer 77560 Flash and so far I had no problems with it. Recommended!!
Very good product.  Nothing will secure your expensive speedlights better than this device.  However, make sure that the red screw is turned tight enough to secure the light.  Tighten, and check.
I saw the bad reviews and can only guess that the packers picked the wrong product to send, or ???  Mine is metal and feels very sturdy and solid.  So far, it has held my speedlight firmly.  We will see as time goes on, as to whether it can keep the tension steady.  Based on initial usage, I think it will.
I usually read reviews in depth, but didn't think I had to with such a little simple product, but lo and behold, I should have: Adorama pictures the Stroboframe Bracket Shoe Mount with the red knob and says it's by Tiffen, then sends the Flashpoint version.  Nothing new so apparently Amazon continues to tolerate the misrepresentation.  Shame on you both.
exactly what i needed at a reasonable price.  Smooth operation and secure mounting with included thumbscrews.  Note it does have key pins to keep form rotating, this could affect how you mount it...
How can you mess up a simple shoe adapter?  I concur with the opinion of other reviewers that you may not get what you thought you were getting--at least from one vendor (Adorama).  The unit is supposed to work by pinching the outside of the hot shoe.  Enough pressure to hold a heavier object is likely to bend the hot shoe.  I would have thought that there would be a piece to actually slide into the shoe--much better mechanically--but no such luck with this piece of junk.  Perhaps it might work on some cameras, but that list doesn't include Canon.Perhaps it's a good idea never to buy something like this sight-unseen.  I sure won't.
Well, every single bad review seemed to be from Amazon, so I went ahead and ordered this cold shoe from Amazon. To my delight, it was a genuine Stroboframe cold shoe. Well, I'm almost positive it is. Feels really solid. I uploaded the packaging I received so they can compare what they got from Adorama to what you would get from Amazon.So, overall, great product, well worth the money.
There's a good reason this shoe mount is such a good seller. It's extremely good quality at a good price. It has a small pin sticking out the bottom that pokes into a hole in matching brackets. I bought one from Custom Brackets that didn't match but a good twist from a pair of plyers got the pin out. Even without that twisting is not a problem.
If it's not a genuine Stroboframe mount, it's a damn good copy.  Solid metal construction, locator pin, red screw head.  Received in January 2012.
If you want a secure and easy to use hot shoe mount for your flash and light stands then this is the product to have. Easily adjusts to all hot shoe flash units and is super secure. No slipping or falling out of this mount.
Nothing wrong with the product. Its really good.just that i should have used my 600ex-rt shoes instead of this.[...]
This shoe clamps tightly onto my flash gun or radio trigger. I generally don't worry about anything sliding out, but you can never be too sure. If it had a lip on one side for extra protection when angling a flash gun downward it would be perfect.
purchased 2 of these to hold my speedlites (580EXII and 285HV)on stands.I was originally using the plastic foot that came w the 580EXII, but had issues with the flashes slipping out.The red knob is a bit small, however it and the metal bracket work well enough to tighten so I no longer worry about speedlites coming loose.If I were to purchase replacements or additional units, I would look for:1.non plastic knob2.larger knob.3.possibly knob 1/4" further out from bracket for easier adjustment w speedlites on top.
I ordered Amazon as seller and received the original Tiffen/Stroboframe product. The flash sits rock solid in the mount, even a heavy SB-800 with additional modifiers like a LQ Softbox III. The groove is so deep that there is about 1/16 of an inch room between the pins in the flash foot and the mount, perfect. The pin in the bottom plate can easily be pulled out and leaves a flat even surface to mount onto my light stands/umbrella brackets.Great product, highly recommended.
I have used these for years and they have not failed me. the price is not bad either and it just works.
I suffered the same fate as another reviewer here. I received the "Flashpoint" brand of this product through Adorama and immediately became aware of the inferior quality of this knock-off product.It would not fit a Vivitar 285 flash!This is pretty absurd considering how many 285's there are in the world. I also tried it with a Sunpak with the same results. The clamp won't open wide enough without coming apart at which point the tiny springs fall out and get lost.Basically the clamp screw does not have enough thread engagement, less than two thread turns.I should have known considering the price that this couldn't be the Stroboframe brand product.I'm still a little shocked at Adorama describes this item as "...Bracket Shoe Mount for Stroboframe".Misleading to say the least.Apparently some people have obtained the real Stroboframe item and have nothing but praise.But I received the Flashpoint item and it's worthless to me.Be careful when ordering and make sure you're getting the real thing, not the cheap imitation.
They don't work worth a crap on the SB800 flash,,,, Twice now my flash just fell off my Beauty Dish and hit the floor... I even used pliers to tighten it, still don't hold the flash good... Just not engineered right.. I have a tether cord on my flash not just in case...
it works better than the stock ones that came on the umbrella/light adapters.
I'm in agreement with others on the price, but the funny thing is: we all bought one anyway. Well made and does it's job. I like the spring loaded adjustment knob, meaning I can use it with any portable flash in the future without having to buy another size. Bottom line: in the end, you get what you pay for.
Nice little piece of hardware.  Avoided any knockoff drama by paying a little bit extra to receive from Amazon - thanks for the warnings!.  Works perfectly atop my shiny new Manfrotto 026 swivel.  Speedlight easy to attach securely, but also easy to loosen and remove.
Quality is very good and liked the rifle style lock down, will not move once in place. Very Durable and is constructed of all metal except handle on lock down. Would recommend seller and product.
Yes it is expensive.  What is peace of mind worth to you?  When your strobe is extended 10 feet high, or any height for that matter, it is nice to know this Stroboframe Bracket Shoe is the anchor. If you value your strobe, this bracket shoe won't disappoint.
Stoboframe is the only shoe to consider.  It does it all, holds very tight, gives no trouble, and is easy to use.
Purchased mine direct from Amazon, authentic Stroboframe. Nice little unit, solid cast steel with black oxide coating. Two small springs between the plates allow the mount to open and release your speedlight.Downside, there is a small bit of Pem hardware that protrudes from the base (for an on-camera type of bracket) making flush mounting impossible. The Solution was to grind it off since it's of no use to my application (lightstand). Pliars won't budge it and I didn't want to drill it out.It's a shame that this little piece costs as much as it does but at least it isn't going to fall apart anytime soon.EDIT 12/30/2011: I just received a second unit, this one via another vendor, not Adorama, and it was aluminum and plastic, not at all like the genuine Stroboframe unit I had received previously. I contacted Amazon and they took great care of me, giving a full refund, free return shipping and selling me another unit directly from Amazon. GOT TO LOVE AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!
Small but well made. I wish the knob was made from metal, but for the price it's great...does just what I need.
This is a great item to hold a remote flash on top of a light stand.
As another reviewer noted, I ordered two of these cold shoes and they did not match each other, or the picture. It's a small difference, but since I was using them on the same DIY bracket, I like my projects to look professional, and mismatching hardware doesn't. Also, one seems to be a little better quality than the other, and included a much better mounting knob. If I had received the inferior one by itself, I would have rated it a 3, and the better one a 5 star. They came in branded packaging, with matching part number stickers, but the packaging wasn't identical either. For what it's worth they both seem to perform their function just fine, though one is easier to use than the other.Frustrated, since I'm not sure how to get a matching set. Guess I'll just have to pay more from a camera store??
This is an awesome cold shoe for the price.  It is very well-made from solid metal.  I've used it to secure a speedlite to a Manfrotto Superclamp twice so far to shoot basketball games and haven't worried for a second that it would fail.
I bought these to use with Canon 580 EX Strobes on a Light Stand. These work well because they don't make any contact with any of the pins on the flash itself.
Solid. A pit pricey, but comes with the wing-nut and that's a plus. And, I can't make these myself.
I was a skeptic at first, but these are well worth the price vs using the plastic attachment base that came with my speedlight (which costs about the same price, if you can find them).
Shoe itself is what I expect from Stroboframe. The thumb screw is too small to tighten to actually hold the flash. The thumb screw is not the nice one pictured. I have to spend more time and money to complete my set-up. It would be a 5 star rating if I had gotten what is pictured.
The description failed to describe the product clearly, particularly about the screw at the bottom, if it is a female or male. I received the unit on time but could not use it so I returned the unit.
I use speedlites so these little shoes come in very handy. Good quality too. I have one of these for every stand I own. Works awesome.
No issues with the performance, but it's pretty questionable whether this is a legitimate, branded item. I'd say no. It's prety solid and affordable, so I won't make a stink about it.
I got this for the bracket only.  I didn't need the tightening knob, but just adding a knob drops the price by $5.00?  Really?  The bracket aloneStroboframe Bracket Shoe Mountsold at the time of purchase costed $15, whereas this item with an additional fastening knob cost $5 cheaper.  You know which one I chose, why pay more for less, I paid less for more, even if I will throw the knobs into my spare parts bin.  LOL
I'll start with this: I have an SB910 and 2 SB700s.  I trust this little unit will hold them securely all day long.  I don't even think about it.  I cinch that red dealio down, check it, and move on.  There is no contact with the....well...the contacts so there no concern there.It's taking the flash off that is so difficult for me.  And, it may be me.  I can't seem to get that thing off without nearly tearing flesh off my fingers.With that said, I'm buying 2 more.  I would much rather be concerned about having a hard time getting my flash off than fearing it will fall off.
Well built and securely holds my off camera flash on a Photoflex "shoe mount multiclamp."  I replaced the Photoflex's accessory shoe because the screw lock was difficult to secure and ultimately broke off.  I should have purchased this earlier.
Does exactly what I need it to do; hold my speedlite. Ha!Solid construction, locks in tight.Will buy more when needed.
Exactly what I needed, exactly what was promised!  Fast delivery... this is just what I needed, as the shadowbox I ordered didn't have a shoe of the same quality on it.  This is going on my larger shadowbox, so I wanted all metal construction, I've got it!  Great choice...
I have a bunch of these mounted on my camera cage.  They are really good for attaching my H4N, Wireless Receivers, and lights.  The only issue I have with them is the way the screw on.  The screw on flush to the surface via a set screw and to tighten it you nee to scratch the surface of the cage or whatever you are screwing it into.  To get it tight it is necessary to scratch.  I recommend putting a thing rubber pad or something between it and the surface.  otherwise they should modify these things.
The Stroboframe Accessory Shoe is a mini clamp for an off-camera/external flash. The Stroboframe can accommodate different flashes due to the adjustable clamp that slides to hold the flash in place. To prevent the flash from shorting out, there is a gap that prevents the flash contacts from sitting on metal. The Stroboframe is 1/4"-20 compatible.The thumbnail photo of the Stroboframe shows a wingnut that connects to the base of the Stroboframe. The one I received has a round orange knob, similar to the orange knob that moves the clamp. I prefer the wingnut for better leverage.The edges of the Stroboframe are rather rough... with little nicks along the edges. I prefer a clamp with smooth edges for mounting an expensive piece of equipment like a flash.For a few more bucks (prices subject to price fluctuations), I purchased theKupo Hot Shoe Adapter KG006711which is of similar design. The finish of the Kupo is much smoother. However, the Kupo does not come with the universal screw at the bottom so that is something to consider if you need it. I thought it might be handy to have, but I don't really need it.PROS:- Inexpensive- Adjustable to fit flashes from different brands/models- Clearance between the metal and the flash contacts to prevent shorting outCONS:- Rough metal edges- The one I received had a small orange knob with less leverage than a wingnut.
Easiest thing to use and solve your problems!Get your hot shoe flash, this adapter and your camera tripod.. IT'S DONE!!!you have a hot shoe light stand studio flash!
i have several of these and can recommend them.the only complaint is I would like more surface area/depth to the red tightening screw and possibly even made of metal and not plastic.i would buy these again.
very good quality and heavy duty for pro photographers who use speedlights.I use it with canon ex 580 II and ex 430 II off camera for umbrella and softboxes,  found this one most reliable mount.
I just picked this up. I also have a Velo Cold Shoe. This product is excellent. It works great on my Photoflex Light and Umbrella Shoe Mount Clamp, and looking to put another on my Impact accessory. This is an excellent shoe and I highly recommend it.
Sorry but I hate this. They come on Stroboframe brackets, such as the real nice Stroboframe 350 brackets. I immediately get rid of them and replace them with something else. I like to just screw in whatever I am attaching on my bracket directly with a 1/4-20 screw. I use a Promaster TTL cord with it's own base and with it's own shoe on top of that base. I screw it directly into the bracket with a screw from the hardware store. I ruined a Promaster base,  cracking the shoe off with one of these Stroboframe devices the first day I used it on a wedding job getting just getting out of the car. Manfrotto makes a replacement cold flash shoe that you can screw into whatever you are going to use this Stroboframe shoe for. The Manfrotto version does not have the side screw that overtightens to the device you are inserting into the shoe. Your device just slides in. Most speedlights have their own built in tightening device anyway.
Needed to get a old Stroboframe  ready for some event photography using a old school Vivitar 285HV strobe and this did the trick. It has more than paid for its self. Great service and on time delivery.
For what it does it's great, no question. It's low profile and doesn't add that annoying height to the light stand / umbrella set-up. My flash is still aimed dead center of the umbrella with this. Clamp is solid too, a well constructed piece. Now, I made the stupid mistake of buying this one, with the bracket nut thingy, when I didn't need to. Buy the one without it if you only need the shoe and save your money.
Although this bracket will work, there is a part necessary to attach NIKON cameras that isn't included or mentioned in the description.  It can be jury-rigged...but don't tip or your camera will flip!
Looks and feels very professional and durable. Great hot-shoe mount with good locking mechanism. Bottom has multiple screw-holes to move the position of the camera or add quick release plates or accessories. The top arm rotates almost 270 degrees, and is fairly stiff so it stays in place when moved.The only thing I wish this bracket had was extra places on the top and side arm to put additional accessories.
Solid construction, very basic but very effective and I would highly recommend this if using an external flash. Not much to say about it, not alot to it lol.
This set works perfectly with my 20D and 430EX.  I have no sync issues, even when playing with before and after the curtain bursts.  I had no idea how important getting the flash up off the camera and flipping it when turing the camera could be until I used it.  The results were great.  I don't use a battery grip, so I don't know how the added camera height will affect the performance.  But it is a great value, even if you have to sacrafice the grip.
I received this product quickly from seller. I am photography student and this bracket came highly recommended by the instructor. Several students order this bracket immediately; after using his in class that night. I used the bracket recently to mount my flash to a camera stand allowing me to remote flash my flash. This worked out beautifully and allowed me to brighten the subject. Great Bracket buy it, buy it, buy it.....
Do not follow the published instructions and mount this bracket as shown - to the left of the camera.  I know this is true especially if you are, like me, using a Canon Rebel SLR with an accessory Battery Grip.  To take a vertical shot I would have had to turn the camera the wrong way.  Everything would be all messed-up.  I used only a Phillips screwdriver, on only one screw, to make this design correction.  Oddly, setting the bracket up so the flash is on the right side of the camera turns the logo upside down - but everything else becomes perfect.  You don't even need to straighten or change the bracket arm position when you switch from shooting horizontal to shooting vertical.I just recently purchased and mounted my new electronic flash on my camera with this Stroboframe Bracket.  It works well for making pictures outside and inside.  Outside I shoot flash mostly head-on to fill in the shadows.  With the flash up and away from my camera, the fill-in light looks more natural than if the flash were directly connected to the camera.  Inside I use bounce flash a lot.  If the walls and ceiling are not white I may bounce the flash off a large white foam board.  Using the bracket mount, instead of holding the flash in my hand, makes it easier for me to aim the flash at whatever I want - even if it is behind me. Now I can concentrate more on composing and timing my shots.I have had greatly improved results with this set-up, and I'm very satisfied with the quality of this bracket.  It is a big help at a small price.
Looking around for a flash bracket, I didn't want something that was really pricy nor something that looked like it was from outer space.  I don't need the extension since I use a Stofen soft-flash attachmentStofen OM-EW Omni Bounce For Canon 430EX Whiteand the flash unit is pointed up. I stuck with the Stroboframe name and it did not fail to deliver.  The unit is very sturdy.  CameraCanon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)mounts securely on the bottom of the frame.Using the flash extension cableCanon OC-E3 - Flash synchro cablefor my Canon 420EX, it mounts on the top part of the bracket (the flash mounts on the extension cable).  I was concerned that this would not mount securely but it tightened well using the thumb screw tightener.During a live photo shoot, this bracket swung for the few vertical poses and the flash is right over the lens.  The event was a 90th birthday celebration and with over 400 shots of guests and celebrants. It was a lively group of 80 folks and the bracket did well; the flash and camera was held in place for the three hour event.  The soft handle grip made the camera unit feel lighter.CONS:  If there is one concern it is the red plastic tightening knob on the bracket holding the flash. I tightened it fairly hard and am concerned that I might just break off the plastic part. But it does come with a guarantee and plan to use this bracket quite often so I'm satisfied with the quality of the unit.  I hope their customer service is responsive when needed.Bottom line:  Price and performance, versitility and build.  This is a very good and must-have accessory.
I use this with a canon 40D and accessory battery pack and it does fit just fine. I've shot a couple of weddings since buying it and it's very light and sturdy enough and the hinge can be tightened if the flip is ever too floppy. You do need a anti twist plate or the camera will rotate on the mounting screw. I tried Velcro which worked well until the rubber on the frame base became unglued so 4/5. Other than that it's well priced and will work just fine for me. Anyone know where I can get the anti-twist plate for a 40D with battery pack?
This item worked intermittently.  It was brand new and during a wedding shoot the flash would not always fire.  Very disappointing.  I did return the cable but kept the stroboframe.  I bought the Canon brand cable but have not used it yet.  I would not buy this brand of cable.
I have a Sony A350 DSLR and this bracket is the perfect size. It holds the flash and camera very well. Anyone who is looking to get into a bit more of a professional setup, this will put that finishing touch on your pictures. This does a nice job of throwing shadows behind  your subject to really make your pictures great!
GReat item.  Flips easily and makes using my Digital Camera a breeze
I bought this bracket after reading some reviews.  It is tedious, but works as well as it can be expected. Tighten the 10 mm  nut  at the elbow, wrap your flash cord around the stem and go. The red plastic knurled knob on top might break at some point in the future, as it seems fragile, but so far so good.  The bracket does solve the Alfred Hitchcock shadow problem.For further pain relief, get a VIVITAR cord with it and NOT the PIXEL offered by Amazon. The PIXEL is a piece of junk.
This is a perfectly fine flash bracket for its intended purpose: Getting the flash up and off the camera to reduce red-eye and provide a bit better modeling light. However, what I wanted was a bracket that would allow me to tilt the flash down at close range for macro photography. This bracket doesn't allow that. From the photos and description, I couldn't tell whether or not that would work, so had to order it. I'll send it back because there's nothing I need it for, but it seems like a well-made item so I gave it 5 stars.
I purchased this and received it yesterday. I was skeptical about ordering it because most of the brackets state they do not work on camera's with battery backs, but figured what the heck.Let me say that this fit on my Nikon D60 with battery pack with no problem in regards to clearance.There are several drilled holes in the mounting bar that allow adjustment of clearance for your finger grip if you want. I went with the center one as set up out of the package as it fit placement of the flash best and left ample room for my hands.The rotating bracket screw seems plenty tight for night, though based on other reviews I will keep an eye on it and cary and allen wrench in my camera bag just in case.Things I did not like about it:The single screw in the bottom sticks out way too much. I will likely replace this one with one that folds like for a tripod plate.The single screw does not keep the bracket stable in terms of rotating on the bottom of the camera. There is some textured grip stuff on it that seems to be more for looks then actual tact. I solved this issue by placing two small circle pieces of velcro on both sides of the screw and then also on the bottom of my battery pack. They are small and no obtrusive and hide under my tripod plate when I am not using the bracket.Over all I think this is a good investment and think I will be happy with my purchase.
I am using this with my Canon Power hot G15 and the Canon 270 EX II I would have liked one about half this size so when your shooting vertically the flash would be directly over the lens barrel but I couldn't  find one.  It is a great product and a needed accessory I just modified the flash mount a little and it works great.
The device is what I expected. It is well made and is no problem connecting to connect to my camera. I would recommend this product. Good price.
Ok. Ive used this Product like 3 times maybe, and the wire broke. baaad quality, but pretty bad quality
This thing is sturdy and lasts forever.  The last one I had was a hand me down that I used for 7 years before the hinge gave out on me!  i'd buy it again if I needed to, but I don't think I'll ever need to get another one!
I purchased this to use with my Fuji S6000fd digital camera and a slave flash, it is well constructed and very comfortable to use. Don't let the name fool you, it works perfectly well for digital cameras not just 35mm cameras.
The bracket is nice and solid.  It is a little heavy but is workable.  I like it.  The cord, however, is defective... It has bad or lose wiring making the flash fire intermittantly both on its own(!)and with shutter release, very annoying.  I bought a second cord from a different source and the new one worked fine.
I bought this to use on my Canon 40d with battery grip, and it does the job (you need the off shoe cord to make it work, buy the dot line one, works the same as the canon for half the cost). it lets you shoot vertically without the ugly shadows. The grip mounts into the bottom of the BG via the tripod screw, this is the major design problem in the unit. With the weight of my flash (430ex) it has the tendency to flop around unless I tighten it really hard, and even then it can still slide if you knock it. But in all its good, and inexpensive, and relatively hassle free. Professionals should look for something designed better, but for a photographer on a budget this is an easy solution to improve vertical flash pictures.Pros:Easy to useWorks with most any SLRcheapSolid ConstructionConsFlops around unless screwed in tight
I bought one of these to get my flash away from my camera, because I was sick of holding the flash with one hand and the camera with the other. Most events, I'm using my left hand to signal people, grab a drink at the bar or swapping lenses. This just makes it easier to get the look I want and frees up my other hand. Decently balanced if you setup your rig right, but it makes the whole thing pretty heavy.
Its a very nice product and works well when I do my profession shoots.  I am only disappointed that it didn't come with a little screw attachment so my flash would fit.  I had to buy it for $15 at B and H.  A little screw thats worth maybe a dollar.  A little frustrating....
I bought this for my SB-400 that I was using on my D3200.  This bracket worked perfectly, let me swith to portrait with a quick flip of the bracket. One thing to note though is that the bracket mounts to the left of the camera which means that you shutter button will be on the bottom when shooting in portrait format. While this is no problem when using the shutter button on the camera, this rendered the shutter button on my grip totally useless (believe, I tried using the button on the grip but there's no way that that's happening).I did mount the bracket the other way so that the grip is on the right so that I can use the shutter button on the grip and it worked okay. Just note that the bracket WILL be in the way so you'll have to pay attention to how you're holding the camera and where the grip button is. The bracket mounts easily and the hinge is sturdy and doesn't slip when put into either position. This is a good bracket and I'd still be using if it wasn't for the fact that I now own three SB-800 flashes which has rotation in both the pitch and yaw directions (eliminating the need for the bracket with the SB-400 which DOESN'T pan in the yaw direction allowing me to bounce the light when the camera is in portrait).If your flash only tilts in the pitch direction, get this bracket because it does put the flash far enough away from the camera while keeping it centered over the lens that it helps to eliminate harsh shadows.
I use this with my Canon G1X and the Canon 270ex electronic flash. Add a off camera dedicated EFU cord and this is a great package.
In other reviews, there has been some grumping about the shutter release being at the bottom when the bracket is set for vertical shooting. Here's a solution with a bonus. Turn the arm so it's away from the camera in a horizontal position. This puts the flash mount upside down. Unscrew it and mount it right side up. When the flash is attached, it will be above the camera and as far away to the side as possible. This is the &#34;rembrandt&#34; position which highlights one side of the face and puts the opposite in slight shadow for a pleasing depth. When the arm is raised straight up for a vertical shot, the shutter release is at the top, simple!Henrik Hansen, DDS
I was looking for an inexpensive replacement for a rather cheap bracket I had purchased a couple of years ago. This bracket is not exactly inexpensive, but I had a rewards certificate from Amazon so I went ahead. The item works very well and the photos taken with the auxiliary flash unit are noticeably better, without those annoying shadows that one gets when using only the on-camera flash. I like the fact that it is easy to flip the bracket when shooting in portrait orientation. The shoe for the flash unit seemed odd at first, but it really secures the unit in place. Even at full price this is a worthwhile gadget to improve flash photos if you are using an off-camera flash unit
I have shot many portraits and weddings with this bracket and have been very satisfied. My setup: Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D), Canon Speedlite flash with Sto-Fen omnibounce connected by an off-camera shoe cord.I have never used any other bracket so I can't compare, but this one has always gotten the job done.
Works great to get your flash off the hotshoe of the camera.  Was lighter than I expected, yet feels solid and well made.  The foam is comfortable and yet feels firm and well made.  Glad I purchased this.  Using a Manfrotto quick release to be able to move from bracket to tripod with a minimal amount of grief.  Works great.  Yay Amazon, best price and even with two day shipping twenty bucks cheaper than local.
The item was advertised as NEW.  But the item has multiple cosmetic imperfections on the metal surfaces... looks like normal wear.  I would not expect this on a new item.  Functionally no problems so far.  Vendor should do a better job with product descriptions.
I bought a used one on the auction site. It is all metal construction and the flash and camera mount quickly and safely. Without speculating on why some reviewers have reported problems attaching camera and flash, I have found it to be a very sturdy setup - a good compromise between weight and strength. All screws are metal and tighten up firmly.The main benefit to using a bracket is for getting the flash up and away from the camera body, resulting in less red eye problems and more natural lighting in most any situation. Also, I wanted a flash mount to use with my 300mm lens for wildlife photos after dark or when using fill flash. Flash obviously allows me more options regarding shutter speed, ISO and aperture. Also, with it up and away from the camera body, using flash with a longer lenses also means you will enjoy a closer working distance with less chance of your flash throwing a lens shadow on your subject.MACRO APPLICATIONS - I also wanted a bracket for macro use. The Stroboframe is not the best choice for macro photography but it is still useful in some situations. Using this bracket with the same 300mm lens mentioned above, I can zoom in for a close up photo while keeping a generous working distance (maybe 3 or 4 feet) between the lens and the subject - so as not to startle the subject. This is the most unobtrusive way to shoot tiny subjects. Need more magnification? Just add an inexpensive lens extension.MACRO USING A MACRO LENS - This bracket will not allow the flash to tilt down, nor will it allow the flash to be moved forward towards the subject - essential to flash photography when using a true macro lens. At the end of this review you will find info on an affordable bracket just perfect for use with a true macro lens.CONS - The thumb screw part at the bottom of the 1/4" screw that attaches to the camera body sticks down below the bracket. This means that the whole setup will not sit flat. If it bothers me too much I will replace it with a lower profile 1/4"-20 screw. Also, the replaceable foam hand grip, while comfortable, might not last forever. However, there is still no wear on the used bracket I bought. Neither issue is a deal breaker to me.BRACKET SPECIFICALLY FOR USE WITH MACRO LENSES - As other reviewers have mentioned, this Stroboframe is not well suited for use with true macro lenses. But it is clear that a single light source such as a flash on a suitable bracket is preferable to a ring flash for most close up photographers. As one author explained, "flat, washed out ring flash lighting is unlike any natural lighting in the known universe. Avoid ring flash!"This last paragraph provides details for a bracket for true macro photography. Maybe you have already run across these gizmos... Search "flash l bracket" on eBay for inexpensive, two piece flash "L" brackets that will tilt forward and down. They are just the ticket for close up and macro situations and are reasonably priced. However, they support only the flash so they are not, and do not have to be, rock solid and vibration free. Finally, there is a bunch of DIY macro flash bracket info on the web. They are very easy to build if you have some basic skills and a few common tools. Just search "diy flash bracket". Thanks to all the reviewers who provide me with such great info. I hope this review was worth your time too!
Great product, It could be better, but it could also be more expensive. Great price for a great product, and makes a world of difference in the pictures!
Its not the best on the market but it works great.  I love that you can take it apart and adapt it to other types of flashes(I don't think that is an actual feature) The rubber grip on the bottom that goes between the camera comes off pretty easily but i just put a tiny bit of gorilla glue on each end and it hasn't moved yet.
I like the stroboframe a lot, actually. It's light weight and compact and very easy to move around. I use it with my canon 60D. But when you have a very heavy lens, a L lens, for example, it gets really awards and hard to move around. But I'm a girl and don't do well with weight, my hands get sore after holding the whole thing: frame+camera+speedlte+ lens... But I think that's gonna be the problem with every frame you get as long as you want a frame that is...The only reason I gave it four star is because the wing nut on the bottom to which you mount your camera broke after two times of usage... not cool. But it is made of plastic and I was wondering why the heck would they make it out of plastic when they know it's gonna be heavy duty?But I contact Amazon and they send me a shipping label, so all is good. I'm just gonna sent back the frame and get another same one because like I said, I really like the design and just have to be more gentle with that particular part next time.
Very well made and works well in the field when you are taking shots quickly. I have noticed a better quality of light falling on my subjects with no red eye. I have not had a situation yet to test the shadow of my subject falling further down but it goes to reason if the flash is higher over the lens the shadow would be effected.
I found the same problem that other users of this product experienced.  Particularly the issue of the shutter release being at the bottom of the camera when composing a portrait oriented shot.  I found a stroboframe flash bracket that rotates the camera counter clockwise within the flash bracket instead of flipping the flash.  This leaves the shutter release at the top of the camera and also alleviated the other problem of speed light hot shoe breakage from repeated "flipping" of the flash that some other users have reported.  The item is manufactured by Stroboframe and can be found at an ebay store called "Gadget Infinity" under the listing title of "Flash Bracket with 90 degrees Camera Rotate feature".  Buy it now price is $29.99.  I just bought one and it arrived yesterday and I could not be happier.  Pass the word of this ingenious new product that will solve the issues that have plagued photographers for the past several years.
When you receive this product you will need to place some thread lock on the screw and the top of the fram.  This is the screw that hold the flash sync hotshoe.  If you do not fix the screww the flash unit will swival all over the place.  Hey Stroboframe-place a lock washer between the screw and the frame.  I cannot be the only one that has had problems
I have two of these and use them for event photography. I found this bracket to be well made and easy to use.
I purchased this with modest expectations, but it has exceeded them. It is very solidly built and I believe it meets professional standards in that respect. Let me address a few concerns that I know other people have expressed:Vertical shooting: yes, with this product vertical shooting becomes fairly difficult to the point of effectively ruling it out. However, I shoot vertically about 4 times a year. That's not 4 sessions per year--4 frames. If you are someone who does a lot of vertical shooting then I would recommend steering clear of this item. For me, someone who rarely ever does shoot vertically, this does not bother me at all.Camera and/or flash coming loose: I have not experienced this issue at all, not even a little bit, not one time. All I did was tighten the bottom screw down fairly tight. I didn't use a pair of pliers to tighten it or anything; just my hand. The camera stays in place perfectly all the time. This may be, however, because I have a Canon battery pack on the bottom of my camera which also has grip to it. I haven't tried mounting the camera directly to the bracket so I don't know if that would cause the slippage issue or not. Anyway, for me this is not an issue at all. Also, in all positions my flash has remained in place as well. My flash is attached to a remote cord so actually it is the remote cord which is screwed down technically speaking, but regardless everything has stayed in place in all positions. I have experienced no issues with anything coming loose. Now, I did just buy this and I have only used it a few times so I can't speak to long-term reliability in this area. If it fails down the road I will come back and revise this review, so if you are reading this then everything is still fine.If I had a gun to my head and was asked what the shortcomings are with this product, I would say the bottom camera mounting screw is so large that it makes setting the camera down incredibly difficult in any position with this bracket attached. You have to find a soft surface (like carpet or a chair) to set this down when your camera is attached. Setting this down on tabletops or counters will scratch them and your camera might tip over and get scratched or damaged. Also the grip is pretty lacking in ergonomics. Those are really tiny issues that would not stop me from buying or using this item. I mention them just to be thorough.This is a great bracket and I am very pleased with it. I will likely buy another one or two of them for other cameras that I have.
This flash bracket is a terrific, useful gadget. I used it professionally with my old work-horse Nikon film cameras and am now using it with my Canon 30D. It does what it's supposed to do: elevates the strobe above the camera and flips to take vertical shots with the strobe over the top of the lens. Like I said, I've owned it for years and it has a whole lot of mileage on it. It looks a bit banged up, but it's still solid and reliable. It also conveniently fits in my Canon 200EG backpack.The only problem that drives me nuts is the same one another reviewer, R. Shellhamer, has (although it seems to be less of an issue for him/her than it is for me). The damn thing puts the shutter release button on the wrong end of the camera when shooting vertically. It's a royal pain, but can be overcome by removing a few screws, reorienting the mounts, then mounting it backwards on the camera. Really, I don't give much of a rip if the Stroboframe logo faces outward.At any rate, it's a nifty item that truly improves flash photography. For around $50.00, it's worth owning.
I initially saw this bracket at a camera store and liked how solid it appeared. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I never had a problem with the vertical pictures being "on the wrong end" of the shutter release, I just adapted myself to it. I always found the brackets that twist the camera while the flash remains stationary too awkward, especially if you have any cables from the flash to a power pack; the wires get tangled, get in front of the lens, causing at times many delays while shooting. One other plus for this bracket: The handle side of the bracket has two screws that allow the flash to be raised higher, in case the combination of the battery grip and camera do not clear the horizontal bar, or if you want to place the flash more apart from the lens. This is a great accessory, and you can shop around to get the best price.
I just opened the package and it looks like it will do the job at a good price. Flips quickly for vertical shots. Well made but I wonder how long the plastic thumb screws will last. They can be replaced tho.
Keeping in mind how much flash brackets can cost, this is actually a great product.  Works great for me, using it on a Nikon D60.  Very simple bracket, but good contruction.  Does what I want it to do and the price was right for me.
I've used my Stroboframe for over 8 years with my original Olympus E-10 and my current Canon EOS 40D, and love it. It's very well built and able to take the sometimes rough handling I give it on location shoots. I'm a graphic designer and use it with my Canon Speedlite flash to capture everything from architectural to office work scenes, portraiture and even product shots. Combined with a Lumiquest Softbox diffuser on the flash, I get superb, rich color and nicely lit scenes that need relatively little retouching and color balancing in Photoshop. In many indoor situations, you can make do with available light (natural light from windows, incandescent or fluourescent) and even outdoors as long as you experiment with the appropriate color temperature setting. I just shot a 4-person family portrait outside on a slightly overcast day in 3 different settings: in shade inside a gazebo, under open sky and partially under trees. In the gazebo I shot on the flash color setting, as the flash was the predominant light, and the natural light acted as fill. On the other two shots I set the camera to the cloudy skies setting, with the flash as the fill, and in each case I got perfect metering and great saturated colors.We are used to seeing lighting come from above the subject (sun, overhead lights), which is why camera-mounted flash shots look harsh and somewhat strange.The Stroboframe raises the flash above the camera by about a foot so that the light looks more natural. Combined with Lumiquest's Softbox or Softbox Mini, the light looks very natural and unlike a usual harsh flash shot. This setup is very kind to flesh tones. I wouldn't shoot without it.I also carry a 2-light and umbrella tungsten setup, in case of poorly lit interior shots, but don't have to use it often. The Stroboframe makes doing location shots with people much faster and more comfortable, as it offers enough light from the flash to get shots from several angles without having to drag around external lighting. I can't say enough about how much money this Stroboframe/Lumiquest Softbox setup has made me over the years. My shots get great attention and I spend much less time fixing exposures and hot spots in Photoshop.You'll need an off-the-camera hotshoe extension cord for your model of camera. You'll be taking much better lit shots with better color--and the setup makes you look much more authorative and professional. I highly recommend this product.
Frame is very rugged, metal is much thicker than I expected. Has many mounting holes and adjustment options to adjust length and mounting location.
I purchased this because I believed it to be of decent value for what you get.  The bracket is of good quality however my only chief complaint is the bolt that attaches to the camera is actually bulky and digs into the palm of my hand when shooting vertically.  After a red carpet event it feels like my hand is going to fall off.  If you never shoot vertically, you are good to go, and perhaps there is a workaround to this bolt trying to plow it's way into the palm of your hand.  I just haven't found one and I haven't tried.The price was decent.  The quality was decent.  Constructed out of good metal and not some flimsy sheet metal or something similar.  I didn't have any troubles using the bracket other than what I stated above.  The flash connection is secure for the 550ex I use on it.  My only gripe is the bolt and I dread using this when I have to go shoot.
This is good gear!  (at least when you're smarter than it!)This is meant to be mounted with the cushioned handle on the same side of the camera as the shutter.  Bam!  Works great when you do that!  If you mount it the other way around, you're doing it all wrong and the flash will be under the camera when you turn it portrait style.  Ignore the bad reviews because THAT is what they're doing wrong.  Like claiming an AA battery only worked when inserted the right way around.  Well...of course!This works best for cameras with an integrated vertical grip, or with a battery grip such as the MB-D10 or the BG-E6.  It's awkward to hold portrait oriented without the vertical grip (but so are the bare cameras in my opinion).This has been a standard piece of gear for wedding photographers for a loooong time.  There are more complex versions that flip the camera but this is better because the ones that flip the camera have a reputation for eating fingers and breaking.  Simplicity is beauty in this case!  Also, this version will put the flash further off axis from the lens and orients the head in such a way that the pattern matches the frame, just the way it does in landscape mode/in the hot shoe.Much like any tool, it's only as good as your ability to use it correctly.  Mount it properly and it'll work great for ya!
Using it on my Canon 40D and it attaches well with multiple positions to choose from.I guess the only caveat I have is that the flash clamp can be a bit hard to work with. If the flash is not 100% straight - it can slip out.
This device works fine. It is well made. I use it on a Canon 40D with the 580 EXII. It's quite sturdy, supports the flash without any flexing, and makes a good handle for the camera. We walked around downtown Denver all one day during the DNC and I found the bracket as good a carrying handle as flash bracket. There are a number of threaded holes on the bottom of the bracket that allow different mounting positions, and a tripod shoe can be fitted to the bracket by one of these extra holes. The flash cable seems to be well made and has worked well. The only fault I can find is more of a quibble than a fault; I would prefer a beefier hand grip/cushion. This item more than meets my requirements, and is a good buy.
Well made entry level frame. Since I bought this I have seen other nicer frames in use. I'll keep this until one really strikes my fancy.
The Stroboframe part of this set works fine.  Although it is a bit awkward to take a vertical picture with it attached.  The button is at the bottom and have to push the shutter release with my thumb.  The cord broke after the first time I used it.  The plastic piece that connects it to the frame broke off.  I fixed it with super glue but it broke again the next time I used it.  I would recommend you spring for the pricey canon cord.
I have been using two of these for years and they are well built and simply work. The point of a bracket is to get the flash off the shoe and at a higher axis to reduce shadows. I use these units along with the odin system. This allows me to place the transmitter on the camera and a receiver and flash on top of the bracket. No wires no mess. These units allow you to go from vertical flash to horizontal in a matter of seconds. My only suggestion is to purchase extra knobs for the bracket. The knobs are made of plastic and can break after a while. I carry a spare just in case. Extra knob part is:Stroboframe STMKC1/4&#34;-20 Camera Mounting Screw for Quick Flip 120 Flash Bracket
The biggest problem with this bracket is its inflexibility. I prefer my flash mounted a little to the side of the lens, and this bracket lacks the capability to do that. It's too bad, because all they would have needed to do is allow the hot shoe to travel horizontally a little bit.
The bracket is constructed well and works great for landscape-format photos.  If you are mounting a DSLR on it, you will soon realize that the flash is in the wrong location when you turn the camera to portrait orientation.  After taking out a few screws and reversing part of the bracket, it becomes useable.
Good design and quality. It works on my Canon 50D and flash. Be careful not to pinch your finger when you adjust it lol.
I purchased this item through Adorama. Prompt, very efficient service, good quality item and functions very well for most flash photographic situations. This bracket system is surprisingly light weight, tough, rigid and articulates very well from the horizontal to vertical positions. This bracket functions superbly when used in conjunction with the battery grips designed for the various Canon digital SLR cameras. The shutter release button is placed in a convenient location so hand stretching is not an issue.Would I recommend this item? Absolutely! It has made a world of difference to my flash photography in large group situations, and many other ones also.Raising the flash well above the camera makes a huge difference in flash photography and often eliminates the flat harsh lighting with nasty shadows around the head areas.Great product!:) Try one yourself and you will not be disappointed.
Update: The cord is defective and does not hold flash securely.(The 5 star rating is an accident and can not be edited)Adorama's customer service closed by 9 am PST on Friday, and Monday is Labor Day, so for at least 4 days, Adorama's 'Customer Service' is unavailable.Adorama 'form' e-mails insists that returned merchandise must be in the original packaging which I threw away a couple days after receiving the product. It wasn't until I actually used the product that I learned it is defective. FYI - the packaging was a large zip-lock style bag.Adorama's 'form' e-mail has a link that will 'allow' me to get a UPS Return Label, but the link is broken, the only thing the link generates is:Error: Unable to retrieve the UPS Label information. Please check the retrieval link.  ( Error Code: 0 )I have purchased well over $5000 in photography equipment from Adorama before this purchase and never before have I received defective merchandise, but now I will have to reconsider ever purchasing anything else from Adorama.
I would have to disagree with everyone saying the flash is not secure on this mount. Tip: Once you screw in the flash with the mount screw, screw down the flash screw (which would be used for mounting to the camera's hot-shoe). The thing is rock solid.The mount also works great for stabilizing a video shot if you have a newer DSLR. I've got the Canon 7D. It is a beautiful camera.
it works great and it holds my nikon D7000 with my meike grip. Im not sure if every battery pack or camera has the tripod hole in the same place but keep in mind when i put my d7000 with the grip on and my sb 700 on top i cant seem to line it up completely above the sb700. in other words when the camera is underneath and the sb7000 is on the strobo frame it doesnt line up exactly on top of the camera like if the flash was ON the camera hotshoe.it is about 1/3 inch of to one side.
This flash bracket works well and gets the job done. There are much better brackets out there but for the price it is good. It does help with shadows on your subject especially when shooting an event and taking vertical portraits.
I needed a bracket to get the flash off of my camera and help control redeye and shadows. Stroboframe is a brand that has been around for ages and has stood the test of time, so I figured I'd give their product a try.The bracket is very functional and is made of durable materials. The only exceptions might be the foam hand grip and the thumbscrew for mounting the camera. The grip does not seem like it will last. Fortunately, it is replaceable. The thumbscrew has been fine so far. My observation is purely subjective.One thing the description does not say is that the mounting shoe that is included can be removed, allowing you to mount the shoe end of a dedicated TTL off camera cable. This is very helpful.The only thing that really bugs me about this bracket is the general lack of good industrial design. It's not very ergonomic, and it could look much better than it does. Also, the edges could have been more carefully milled or finished. They are pretty rough.
I use this on a Nikon D5100 with Vivital 285 flash and extral hotshow cord. The fit and friction is just right. It flips quickly from horizontal to vertical.
Nothing "quick flip" about itFlipping the flash to portrait mode requires TOOLS, Disassembly, then re-assemble - WTF is quick about that?99.99% of the time - I prefer bouch flash technique (highly highly recomend Neil Van Niekerk's book "On Camera Flash" - its made the biggest difference to my photography in the last 10 years - honestly - get it. period.)I only use this bracket when shooting on the run when I have nothing to bounce of off (like shooting outdoor receptions, etc)... even then, there are better setups available (like flash on a monopod - hand held over the camera even!)if you're a flash novice and getting a bracket because someone told you itd help - you'll need a short iTTL cable to go from camera hotshoe to flash mount on the bracket so your flash will function as if it were on the camera...
I purchased this as a gift for my daughter, who is a professional photographer. It is light weight and very well built.  She uses it a lot for weddings and portrait sessions.
It keeps the flash over the lens at all times, in both landscape and portrait orientations.  Positions the flash far enough away from the lens to avoid red-eye.  Also is nicely balanced with SLR with battery pack and flash mounted.
I have used this product several times with canon equipment and like it. It is well built and sturdy
Good firm support for both the camara and the flash.  locks both down security. I also use my Black Rapid with it and there are amble screw holes.  Unit hanges and is in the ready yet convient to carry.
I like everything about the Stoboframe Quick Flip except the device that the flash unit attaches.  The space allowed for the flanges of the flash unit are not high enough.  the gap is too small.  When you compress the clasp, my confidence begins to waiver as to whether or not this will really securely hold my Canon 580 EXII or will I be picking up the pieces during an important shoot.I WAS however able to remove the clasp and use that screw with rubber washers to securely attach my canon off shoe cord (OC-3).  This now works extremely well.
Installed this on my Canon 40D (combined with batt. grip)Fits nice and so far so good. To date, I'm satisfied withthis product for the price I paid. I don't really use itvery often, but it's a good accessory to have when goingto group events and such when you need to use a flash andwant to have better control over unwanted shadows.
The quick flip is good. Very sturdy and easy to use. The cord by adorama is good as well. Doesn't seem flimsy and is quite sturdy. The fit on my elan 7ne (yes i still shoot film) and 430ex is nothing less than perfect and ETTL-II shot all the way. I would buy it again but then i don't think i would need to because it's going to last me a while. Next would be pocket wizards for me.
The frame does exactly what it is advertised to do.  I was a bit disappointed to see that it is made out of PLASTIC.  Come on!  $40 for a piece of plastic with a hinge?  Time will tell the durability of this product.
I was tired of getting that harsh shadow that comes from taking vertical shots with the flash mounted on the camera. After installing the Quick Flip 350, the problem is completly gone. It's worth mentioning that this bracket will work with larger cameras and cameras with a battery grip installed. I use a 1D MarkIIN and a 30D with battery grip, and they both fit well. The hight of the flash mount is adjustable. This bracket is relatively light and sturdy but I don't believe it is professional grade.
I was very pleased with the quality of this bracket. Nice metal construction, great grip. Well worth the price, especially when compared with other, far more expensive options.Sadly, I made the mistake of buying this (and then not opening it for a long time) only to realize when I went to use it that my Speedlite does not have a remote cable, and since this does not have a &#34;hot shoe&#34; your flash must support a trigger cable that connects to the camera. Oddly, my expensive flash does not.
The problem with this is that with the Nikon D200 and the battery pack, you can't place whatever flash you're attaching it to to the center of the camera. You have to mount it slightly off center.The difference is about an inch or an inch and a half. To me, that is insignificant. What is more important to me as a photographer is the fact that I will get extended flash. It's not perfect, no. (What in life is perfect, anyway?)I give this a 9.5 out of 10. It's a great product, highly customizable and easy to work with your Nikon.As long as you understand this, you will not be disappointed.
I had high hopes for this flash bracket.  I have aCanon Rebel XSi DSLRwith theCanon BG-E5 Battery Grip.  The battery grip is great for taking vertical (portrait) shots, but with myCanon Speedlite 580EX II Flashmounted on the camera, shooting in this mode cause the flash to be off to the left side.  This bracket mounts so that the vertical bar is to the right side of the camera and the flash is centered over the camera in horizontal mode.  The vertical bar is angled forward so you hold the camera as you normally would, not by the bracket.  When you want to shoot in vertical mode you flip the flash 90 degrees clockwise and simultaneously rotate the camera 90 degrees counter-clockwise.  The flash will again be centered over the camera (although the flash will be vertical instead of horizontal).Unfortunately, the placement of the bracket makes it impossible to reach the shutter release on the battery grip as it's hidden behind the bracket!  Using the shutter release on the battery grip in vertical mode was the primary reason for getting this bracket!  The Tiffen/Stroboframe website shows that this bracket is for cameras *with* accessory grips.  This may work for other cameras with a battery grip, but it doesn't work for the XSi with the BG-E5.As others have mentioned, the (optional)Stroboframe Anti-Twist Plateshould be considered mandatory.Another major annoyance:  You would expect that the screw that holds the bracket to the camera/battery grip would be a knurled screw that you can easily and quickly turn with your fingers like almost any other device that uses the trip mounting socket.  Instead, it's a thin, sharp-edged slotted screw that is captive.  You need to use a quarter to tighten this screw.  Being captive, it won't get lost, but if you ever strip the screw head, you're SOL, since you can't remove the screw to replace it.Before you decide to buy this bracket online, stop by your local B&M; store with your camera (and battery grip) to see if will work for you.
Purchased this product because it was light weight and great to use. When I received the product there was nothing too it. The bracket was light weight but I could not shoot vertically with the bracket.  This is not a functional bracket for professional photographers.
Used it once.  Just not a good option.  Go to a brick & mortar store and try out different brackets.  This one didn't work for me.
I bought this for wedding photography.  Very solid construction for this price range. For me the best feature was a the bracket sets up on the right side of the camera so you can hold the camera normally and have access to the cameras direct controls. If you use it often and/or have a heavy camera I would recommend purchasing the non-slip plate.  The cork board is good for occational use.Very easy to flip for vertical shots.
Stroboframe Pro-T bracket is very solidly built to last (Made in the USA). Metal is light but durable. It looks like the contructed metal taken from those of aircraft type material. I'm very impressed with the product. I mounted on my Canon EOS 20D. I'm just a start up digital amateur now all of my portrait vertical pictures are like a pro quality. The Pro-T eliminates the shadows on all of my portraits pictures. The bracket mounted fixed to the camera, and I just twist the bar where my flash attached to so that it's always on top of the camera all the time.I first mounted my EOS camera backward. It didn't look right for the vertical bar was right on the front my face and it unable me to get close to the preview hole of the camera. I thought something is wrong. So I mounted the other way where the PRO-T logo letter faces outward. Then it looks just perfect! This bracket is designed for us to hold to the camera when shooting like you normally would naturally. DO NOT hold the bracket's handle. This bracket comes with a cork adhesive base so that the camera is mounted on this cork. This cork supposed to prevent the camera from twisting. I found out it doesn't work too well so I have to buy the optional Stroboframe Anti-twist plate 300-BE1 (Canon EOS mount). The cost for Anti-twist plate is $12.95. I highly recommend if you have a digital SLR camera Canon, Nikon...etc. Here's my summary:1)Get the PRO-T2) Mount it right. PRO-T logo faces outward.3)Get the Anti-twist plate (Remember-each plate is specific to your camera brand)I forgot to mention I have the Canon BGE2 the extended Battery Grip. This Pro-T works well with the battery grip.
I don't know what I expected from this accessory. I did not understand the operation from the description initially. However I was pleasantly surprised at the functionality, light weight, and efficiency of operation. During initial use the camera continuously tried to flip even though I did not want it to. A few adjustments to the pivot bolts eliminated any unwanted flipping. The frame is a great deal and it works very well. I highly recommend it if you are considering a flash frame.
I purchased the camera flip bracket for use with my Nikon D50.  It fit the camera well altough I never really got comfortable using it so I seldom did.  The build is great and it still functions as new so I have not complaints with construction.  I now have a Nikon D300 which is a larger camera and the bracket does not fit.  I can force it but who wants to chance stripping the tripod socket on a $1,800 camera.  I have since bought the model that rotates the flash instead of rotating the camera.
One of those photography items you can't imagine needing until you get one, then you can't live without it. I never leave home without it.
Unit came as ordered.  I have Nikon SB 600 flash unit.  It requires removing nut and assmebly at the top of the frame.  The manufacturing process tightens the nut down so much that it is extremely difficult to remove.Having used the unit a few times, I have found that the flash bracket has a tendency to tip towards the camera.  This requires holding the bracket.  While one can work with it, the 'cumbersome factor' increases signficiantly.I actually e-mailed the manufacturer regarding these issues, and they were very responsive.  The tipping problem is supposed to be solved by adding an anti-twist plate, which I have not tried.  I'll update this review once I've tested it.I think this is a good firm to do business with, they just need a few minor tweaks.
I'll start off by saying I'm not a professional photographer.  I do, on occasion, photograph small parties and weddings for friends.  I bought this to use at a wedding I shot right after Christmas.  It worked just as advertised but with a few caveats.First off, I shot the event with a Nikon D5000, a Quantaray(Sigma) 18-200mm (not the best but great for the zoom shots), a Nikon 35mm DX (a must have!)  and a Nikon Speedlight SB-600.  I used the Stroboframe with a Zeikos off camera shoe cord.  The Stroboframe is nice, light and sturdy.  The camera attaches with a typical tightening screw on the bottom.  It also came with an adhesive cork to place between the bracket and the camera (it sticks to the bracket).Everything worked great with a few problems.1. With the 18-200 lens, the camera would move just a bit in the bracket. It would swivel just a little when I would carry around the camera while not taking pictures.  I would tighten up the bottom screw but was a little afraid of stripping it.  When I used the 35mm lens I didn't have that problem.  In all fairness the 18-200 is a heavy lens.2. There were no problems when flipping the between landscape and portrait but if you were trying to use the zoom and hold the camera with your right hand the bracket starts to flip.  I had to use my right hand to stop the bracket from moving while I used my left hand to zoom.  I was thinking of adding a velcro strip to lock the bracket into a particular position but I have yet to try that.The bracket has a few flaws but at the price I think it is a good deal.
I'm very pleased with my camera flip bracket.  It works great, it's well made, it was shipped quickly, and it is very handy in use.
Purchased this bracket to keep the flash above the lens when shooting vertical.  The bracket was well built but too small for the Canon 1D Series cameras.  I have the Canon 1D Mark III the base needs to be about half an inch longer from the swivel plate to the handle.If your using a smaller camera (e.g. Canon 40D) it works great and well worth the bucks.
This was so poorly made I would never risk putting my camera on it.  I even bought the twist plate for it.The other thing is that I never received my refund for it.  This is my only poor experience with Amazon.I would not recommend this bracket to anyone.
It appeared to me that the RPS flash extension cord bundled with the Stroboframe 350 was defective, either in its engineering or in manufacture. At least, I found no way to adjust it correctly to fit the Nikon SB800 flash unit. When the flash was fastened to the extension cord, the flash unit rocked around on the rails of the connector.  This wobbling threatened both the flash signal and the mechanical integrity of the whole assembly, so that I feared the flash unit might snap off during use and fall on me or someone else.  I returned the entire bundle for credit, although I had to pay the return postage. Cameta Camera folks were gracious and helpful.  I hope that either I had a solo defective unit, or that they'll bundle someone else's flash extension cord with the Stroboframe.
This is my 3rd bracket. I use it with my D600, D90 and 7D. I won't leave home without it. Excellent for bouncing flash off the ceiling. Helps to spread the light equally over the subject.
The bracket is solidly made and works as expected.  The fasteners are excellent and it holds my D300 and SB-900 well.  However, getting the D300 on the camera plate was a little challenging as it barely fits in the farthest slot back.  Also, there's no clip or lock to keep the flip plate from flipping so holding the camera normally isn't possible.  You have to hold the brack somehow so the camera doesn't rotate, or the flash.  There certainly needs to be a locking pin or something to keep the plate in place.
I really wanted this product to work, it seems like it is good quality and has the convenience of flipping the camera as opposed to other brackets that flip the flash. I tried using this bracket on several different tripods and none of them fit. I noticed the bottom thread is not quite the same size as the standard camera thread. After 5 different returns!!!, none of them fit!!! I gave up and was so frustrated!!!
I've used this bracket a lot.  It gives a little more distance of the speedlite from the camera.  I have fewer instances of &#34;red-eye&#34; in my photos.
Finally I've solved the problem I used to have with FB350 Flash Bracket from Precision Design where you flip the flash from landscape to portrait camera orientation shooting. The problem was in portrait orientation where your flash is in horizontal position and that was a huge problem if you used a modifier being attached to the back of your flash gun as I had. With this Stroboframe Camera Flip Flash Bracket you rotate the camera instead and your flash is always in vertical position regardless of your shooting orientation. Plus this bracket allows your flash to be at about 12&#34; above your camera that produces very flattering images without any side shadows. I came across this product be reading Chuck Gardener's manuals about flash photography. I would highly recommend his concepts about flash photography and especially his very potent self-made modifiers that allow you to create very natural flash exposures without being depended on having a ceiling or walls nearby to bounce your flash light. However, there are 2 relatively small problems with this bracket. Number one, that could be solved by purchasing an additional component called Anti-twist Plate. The camera tends to twist slightly on the Cork-padded platform even if you tight up the mounting screw well (you don't want to use any pliers for this as this screw goes into your camera tripod socket). The number two problem is related to the flipping camera platform screw hinges as you better carry a 8 mm wrench so you could do periodical hinge screw adjustments because they are getting loose and your camera becomes unstable in either horizontal or vertical position. Fortunately, it does not happen often but after you flip your camera about 2 dozen times, you would need to do some retightening. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!In all, I would highly recommend this flash bracket to anyone who is really serious about high quality flash photography. I am using it all the time including outside too.
Agree with some reviews that there really should be a way to lock the camera in vertical position...In my opinion, adding that simple design change, my review would go from 3 star to 5 star.  Other reviews stated manufacturer says to add &#34;anti-twist&#34; plate, but that obviously adds cost, making this budget friendly flash bracket less so...and, potentially changes your decision to simply save up for a better flash bracket.However, I did play with the pivot bolts like another reviewer said and that did seem to help somewhat with the tendency to want to flip on you.  As long as you're always prepared for it wanting to flip, you can work around it...that said, would hate to get too comfortable (or forget about the tendency) and end up dropping/breaking a lens and/or expensive camera body because of an ill-timed bracket flip.  At that point it's too late to wish you had saved up for a higher quality (and more expensive) bracket.
This stroboframe is outstanding! The quality and stability is great and feels nice and mycamera is nice and secure. I would definitely recommend this for any photographer.
The build quality on this is excellent. The ability to change the orientation of the camera comes in very handy.
I bought this to use on a tripod in order to quickly move from portrait to landscape while I was taking some prom formals.  It worked well for that but there are a few caveats:1.  The lense doesn't stay centered when you move from one to the other.  I had a grip on my D90 so that may be the cause.2.  Using it hand held, there's no way to zoom without the whole rig flipping.  There's no latch to stop it from moving so unless you're using primes, it's a no go.It was pretty cheap and accomplished what I wanted it for, so I'm ok with it but I won't be using it for any hand held work unless it involves prime lenses or no zooming.
I shoot weddings professionally and there are too many products available on the market, even in this price range, to settle for this one. It is very unstable. There's no provision for locking the camara into the vertical or horizontal position. I have a number of camera rotation flash brackets and this is about the worse. The others I own did cost more but they're well worth it. If you really intend to use this type of equipment, save up and get yourself a Newton or the like. Don't confuse this with the Stroboframe RL-PRO unit which is far better.
I bought a Strobo-Frame about ten years ago and I do not do flash photography without it. Yes, it is another piece of equipment to haul around, and it does require a synch cable to trigger the flash, but the monumental difference in the pictures makes this worth every bit of extra effort.With the ability to keep the flash over the lens, whether the shot is vertical or horizontal, truly gives the pictures a much more professional look. The "blown-out" look from a flash being right in your subject's face is eliminated, as is the harsh light from a flash mounted on, or built-into, the camera. Red-eye is also eliminated as the flash, again, is not firing directly onto your subject.It's a great accessory for any photographer looking to improve the quality of their photos.
I bought this frame and the separate bracket for the 30D (no battery grip, just the 30D).  So the good news is that it does provide an angle for the flash which prevents red eye and in general looks more natural.  The bad news is that with anything but the small 50mm f1:1.8 lens, good luck keeping the camera straight in portrait mode.For what it is, it works fine.  It seems way overpriced, but I am keeping it and will probably use it occasionally.
I was worried why this was so much cheaper than I had seen it other places. I was pleased and am happy with the Bracket...I do not use it daily, only casually, but it works fine for me and is great for keeping your flash above Camera when horizontal or Vertical. I would recommend with no problem. I Use it for Canon 580exII Flash on Canon 40D and 60D. It does get tight if you are using a BAttery Grip as well, but its really not made to be used with that.
Protects my new Tamron lens, and arrived very quickly, in spite of my selecting the cheapest/slowest shipping method.
Screws right in.Gives images a more colorful or warmer effect plus it protects valued lenses.
Always buy these for protecting my lens glass.  Cheaper to replace this filter than a 72 mm lens.  Tiffen products are always good.
I've been happy with every Tiffen filter I've ever bought.  This one is no exception.  I will continue to purchase them in the future.  I wonder how they would do if they tried making lenses too.  It's also great to find a quality photographic product made in the USA.
it compensates for the blue cast in mirror lenses. it's alright... it improves the contrast a bit too. It's a plus you need when using mirror lenses.
My wife and I go on a lot of cruises, and I am trying a different approach to the traditional camera bag.I have purchased several MAS cases, along with a Tamrac Digital Zoom 7 camera bag. I will carry these cases on board in my non-photo backpack, and use just what I need for the day.While the Zoom 7 can hold two of the MAS cases, this belt will allow me to put carry more than 2 cases if I need to. However, the danger here is that I can end up carrying everything on the belt - which is specifically what I don't want to do, and the main reason I am trying an alternative to the traditional camera bag.But if I can limit carrying the zoom bag and one or two MAS cases, I can use the belt as an alternative to slinging the zoom bag around my shoulder.The jury is out on whether or not I will use this belt or not, as it does look somewhat Dorky. But perhaps just attaching the Zoom bag and perhaps one other MAS case won't look that bad.
I applaud Tamrac for coming out with this belt.  But it is not usable for me.  The web fabric is very heavy and coarse, and the buckle has lots of tiny grooves that grab the web very tight.  Problem is that you can't adjust the belt while you are wearing it.  When I am hiking with my other fanny packs I like to loosen the belt a bit before taking it off. When putting my other packs on,I like to click the belt together and pull the strap to tighten to get the perfect tension for what I am doing.  I can do neither of these actions with the Tamrac belt because it is non-adjustable when being worn.  In fact, it takes a lot of effort to adjust even when not wearing the belt.  This leads to a lot of trial and error getting the perfect size, then as I hike I have to go through the same adjustment process as conditions change. Quite frustrating.  I tried the Lowepro belt in the store and that seems to work fine but of course I have bought all the Tamrac accessories and they do not fit on the Lewepro belt.  Went to REI to find a belt that will work with the Tamrac accessories, no luck so far...
I tried out this belt carrying one Nikon DLSR with 300mm zoom and one Panasonic zoom camera along with a bottle of water walking around an airshow all day.  The web belt kept working loose after a while which would allow the padded belt to shift out of position.  The outer web belt is only attached to the padded belt at a few points, which allows the belt to sag quite a bit with the DLSR weight.I used this with the optional Tamrac shoulder harness.  Everything feels comfortable when it's all tight and positioned properly, just wish it would stay that way.  It would have been good to have velcro attachment for the padded belt as a secondary feature.  Plan on trying out a belt from Think Tank photo which looks to be a better design.
A bit bulky, but I love that I can add and remove accessories to constantly customize.  And it's comfortable, too.
I don't need to write volumes about this product.  But I will say it does exactly what I needed it to do, and I found it comfortable to wear.  I specifically had in mind photographing wedding day activities, including working without an assistant and in more spread-out spaces when I decided to try this item.  This belt strapped on comfortably over my dress pants (and belt) and allowed me to attach a couple of pouches for holding lenses, a flash and miscellaneous gear. Everything I needed that wasn't in hand was available on my person and easily accessible.  A significant improvement over trying to use a "fanny" pack for holding lenses and such, or having to run over to a bag in a corner every time I needed to swap something out.The belt distributed the weight and did not bind, feeling comfortable even over my hip bones and dress belt.  It held whatevr pouches I needed pouches securely.  I'm very happy with this product!
Great quality, fits my waist snuggly. and gives ample room for Tamrac's M.A.S. system.My main purpose was to use this belt for carring all my Heavy glass instead of using my holster to attach the M.A.S pouches that contained the lenses. The weight of the lenses and camera used to cause stress on my neck when using the holster. I instead bought the Tamrac 5769 Velocity 9x Pro Photo Sling Pack and it distibutes the weight a lot better.  I'll still keep the belt though..
This is meant to be functional, and functional it is.It is as simple as these belts get, yet still pretty big and thick. The point is comfort while carrying and in this regard it delivers.I picked the MAS belt over Lowepro because I use both Lowepro and Tamrac accesories and anyone who has put them side by side noticed, the standard Lowepro S&F; flaps are significantly narrower than the MAS ones, leading to the impossibility to attach MAS cases or pouches to many Lowepro points.I am not saying it is always impossible, but it depends on the S&F; attachment point. For instance theToploader Prohas a side anchor point that will not accommodate any of my MAS lens cases.Since I am buying this from Amazon and I can't easily return (I live in Central America) I took no chance and picked a Tamrac belt.Now, on to the actual belt:It is composed of a main carrying padded belt inside and a broad strap outside. The broad strap is attached to the padded belt by three main seams just left, right and behind you, leaving the corresponding two somewhat tight loops where to attach MAS (or Lowepro S&F;) accessories.Each end of the strap passes through a loop on each end that allow some wiggle room for the buckles.The buckles themselves are pretty strong. I have not loaded the belt egregiously (yet) but with maybe 12lbs of equipment attached I had no fear of seeing them snapping.The wiggle room of the strap ends is maybe a little too much as I sometimes have the right end of the padded belt stick up or down instead of staying under the strap.I use it with alargeand amedium lens case, twoflash pocketsand more recently alens exchange. I also sometimes pass its left end in my belovedtoploaderbut then it becomes extremely unwieldy.For any reasonable hiking, two or three accessories are a max.The caveat: The side loops are about 10" long so unless you tighten the belt or you really pack each loop with accessories, they are going to move around, which can be pretty annoying.The obvious counterpart to that is the Lowepro approach where they have not few large loops but multiple small ones such as on theTechnical Belt(also thebigger oneandthe "lighter" one) with the inconvenient that then you cannot attach MAS accessories since their flaps are wider.This looks to me like a marketing war based on features, where each contender's goal is to corner the maximum market share, not to maximize the utility for the consumer.The good news is it is very comfortable once adjusted. This is a great back stress reliever.The bad news is if you want to blend in inconspicuous, forget it.
I purchased this belt from my local camera shop after reading reviews regarding sizing issues.  I purchased the small belt and found it to be more than adequate in size.  I even had to pull it a little bit tighter than it came from the factory and I still have enough room to rotate it around to the front and pull out what I need.  I have 4 lens cases on it and there is no more room for anything else simply because of lack of space to put things...anything else will be directly on my sides under my arms.  Will be great for working out in the field so I don't have to keep track of a bag and will save a lot of bending over.  For shooting weddings I will have to remove a couple of cases to make it less bulky around my waist.
One of the most valuable items I bought.It is 5 stars in everything...I highly recommend this belt for photographers....Thanks Tamrac
I ruled out a backpack for my photo equipment and opted for this belt system instead after two of my friends had their backpacks stolen when they put them down in public places.  My hope was that the belt would be comfortable enough that I just left it on all the time when I took my gear out.  It is.I'm really glad I didn't listen to the friend who told me not to "waste" the money on this belt and to just buy a military surplus utility belt instead.This functional part of this belt is well constructed, sturdy, and easy to adjust and to take on and off.  It's the padding that really makes the thing worthwhile, though.  The padded backing of the belt is about 5 inches wide at it's widest point, and quite thick.  It makes wearing the belt, and carrying a substantial amount of weight on it, easy and comfortable.I recently spent the day at the Cleveland Zoo, walking up and down the paths, with the belt loaded with a super-zoom digital camera, a mini camcorder, a water bottle and my Treo.  It never felt heavy or irritating.  And for what it's worth, only the camera was in a Tamrac case - all the other items were in cases by other makers, and they all easily fit on the belt.About the only drawback I can see is that the belt has to be taken off your person and off the padding at least part way in order to put the cases on it.  It's a little bit inconvenient, but the trade-off is that you know your gear is securely attached to your person and less likely to fall off or be pulled off the belt.
IF YOU ARE A PROFESIONAL EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER THIS MAY BE VERY COMFORTABLE TO REACH ALL YOUR GERE AT THE RIGHT MOMENT!
I sent this belt back because it did not fit properly and it was not as robust as the Think Tank belts.  It is much cheaper but the price difference was justified.
It is the right size for me and what I would normally take on a shoot.  It protects the filters well and the velcro and belt hook are very sturdy.  It is well made.  Should last a long time. I would recommend it. The velcro would be noisy if you are using it in a quiet environment but other than that it's just fine.
Use it to transport filters.Pro's:Fits 77mm filter size comfortably.Has velcro and &#34;snaps&#34; - can be attached to belt or camera bag.Has cushioned dividers.Con's:Would have liked to see a cleaning cloth compartment.Would have liked to see the ability to label the compartments, (so that I don't need to lift each one up, to find the one I'm looking for.)I would recommend it to a friend.
I could not find a filter wallet in any local store but once again, Amazon came through with a multitude of choices. While I wasn't specifically looking for this type of filter holder, I am glad I added it to my list of purchases. The belt loop mount is perfect for attaching the most used filters to my camera bag. If you change filters often, like I sometimes do, you will realize the convenience of having them handy for a speedy change.
I bought this to carry some filters in my camera bag, and to eliminate the original hard plastic cases.You could even carry filters in their original cases, but this pack will protect them well either way.It is large for a filter case, but built like a tank. It also can be carried on a strap or even a belt, using the loop in back.The divisions are softly lined, and the dividers are very sturdy, and deep enough for any filter I may carry.If you have the room in your bag, and want to organize at least 5 filters this item will work well.
This little case is excellent for holding filters safely and securely. Easily attaches to belt and allows quick access to selection of filters. I do wedding photography, nature, and some real estate photos. So I typically need a variety of filters on any assignment. Bag is rugged on outside but inside pockets are made of softer, padded material so no worry about scratches. Don't hesitate. Excellent quality.
I very much prefer this filter holder to the traditional "wallet" style holders for a number of reasons. First off, I'm not a person who usually uses filters at all, but there are a number of times when I really wish I had brought along an ND or polarizing filter for an outdoor shot. Grabbing a filter from this pack takes 5 seconds and doesn't interrupt the flow of the shoot like opening up a wallet or fishing a case from a bag does.It can attach to a belt or camera bag strap using the beefy velcro + snap latch on the back, which is cool because most of the time, the filters stay at home anyway. Construction is sturdy canvas, and the padding between compartments is beefy. I leave my most commonly used filters in here with a microfiber cloth to clean them off in between uses.I'd definitely recommend this guy to anyone who needs fast and easy access to filters. Everything about the bag is quality, just like my other Tamrac stuff.
As advertised.  However, the Cokin &#34;P&#34; filters must be take out of their protective case. Safety of the filters is a problem, therefore I am not using it for its intended purpose.
In actual practice, I am just not likely to keep my filters inside of little cases of their own when using this bag.  I'm going to need to slide each filter in and out of its section with no other protection.  I do it carefully and I'm satisfied that between handling with care and the good coatings on high quality filters, I'm not putting much wear on them.  But it would be nice to see a softer lining in the sections than there is.  I don't know, maybe that would only hold any grit that got in there, which would be worse.
Not much to say other than it's better than carrying around five filter's in their large OEM plastic cases.  I use the Tamrac 5 filter case for CPL's, IR Pass, UV pass, and graduated ND.  I use the Tamrac 3 filter case for ND.  Between the two cases, I can hold all eight filters with easy access.It's really pretty cool, you can keep it in the bag, attached to the side of a bag, or in a pocket.  It's very quick to grab a filter or put one back.All my filters are 77mm, and there is plenty of room to fit them
Tamrac makes good products and this is no exception.  Well-padded and roomy, stores more filters than most digital photogs need.  I would have given 5 stars if the case did a better job of sealing out dust, dirt, moisture, etc.  The fold over flap doesn't do the job adequately.
It protects all my filters for a day trip, easy carry on your belt. I use it also attached to my camera bag for easy access to filters.
REALLY LIKE THIS ITEM A LOT!!  WHEN WALKING TRAILS, CLIMBING PLACES TO GET GOOD SHOTS!! IT'S REALLY HANDY TO HAVE A POUCH ON YOUR BELT THAT CAN CARRY SIX(6) FILTERS TO HAVE A SELECTION OF CHOICES ON WHICH TO USE, TO ACHIEVE DIFFERENT IMAGES!! PLUS IT PROTECTS ALL YOUR FILTERS FRON THE ELEMENTS!!!
I own five filters, this case holds five filters.  It is not just the number of slots that is important, it is how they are stored in the case that is what needs mentioning.  Filter "wallets" allow the transfer of their materials such as mesh or plastic onto the expensive coatings of your expensive filters.  This pouch has individual padded pockets like those found in a quality camera bag.  Filter glass never touches anything damaging.Build quality of this pouch is great...it will last for many years. It is constructed of sturdy cordura with a secure velcro strap on front.  The rear has velcro mounting straps for many popular camera bag/case systems as well as your belt.
Was exactly what I needed. No more fumbling with clamshell cases - I can easily organize these for quick accesss. When not on my belt the pouch stays on the camera bag strap. The only thing that would make it better is if the back strap could be attached for vertical or horizontal strap attachments.
Okay, I did make a HUGE modification to this filter pack.I actually cut out the inside padded slots.  Why?  Because, now I can hold my expensive B+W filters, in their white plastic cases in the pouch.  Now, my filters are SUPER secure!  Also, I grabbed a carabiniere and attached it to the top strap loop; now, I can clip the pouch to my belt loop for easy access!
Good filter holder and protection for your filters.  The construction is well done and the ability to affix to almost any belt to carry is a huge plus.  I have mounted this on a Think Tank Steroid Speed Belt down to a dress belt.  The small handle on top is handy when retrieving from my transport bag.
I have several filters that I carry with me all the time and I would have to open my knapsack every time I wanted to use one.  Now, with the Filter Pack, I can store all of my filters a, clip them onto my belt.  I love this Pack.
Great way to easily and securely carry your round filters on your belt while allowing access to them with out the necessity of removing it. Keeps your filters separated to boot
This will fit 3 or 4 filters with their plastic cases. It will fit even more filters if you dont use their plastic cases and thread them into eachother.
I bought this so that I can bring several ND filters with me when using off camera flash outdoors. It's very portable and it's really convenient to be able to carry my filters like this.
the case is padded & has divided compartments. i was able to fit 9 filters in the case. it is well made
I have the Tamrac Bag 9x and bought this to be able to attach it to the bag. although after attaching it I felt that the filters wouldn't be that secure outside the bag during travel, I don't think they lock firmly, fitted all my filters in it comfortably.
This is a fairly large case, suitable for stirring several filters but a bit large in my opinion for carrying around.
Well padded, can fit my 82mm and 77mm and all my other filter. You can fit 5 filter in it, and well protected from scratch.
It came fast and well packaged.I put in the filters that I use the most in my camera. I like Tamrac.
This three filter pack augments my six filter case which was too bulky to carry around during day hikes.  I now can carry my essential Polarizing and ND filters plus and one more depending on the conditions I'm expecting to shoot.
Was starting to get a few too many filters than what I could store in my camera bag with them still in their cases. This was especially true of a few that came with step down rings (making for a really thick case).  As such I went looking for something to hold my filters without the cases. The case is good and well padded.  Each filter has its own slot so no filter is unintentionally touching another one.  The pack itself is design for multiple sized filters and as such is a little on the big size for the 58MM I use. I would like it a little smaller so it would be big enough to protect the filters but no so big that I have a hard time reading what filter is what.  That being said if you are storing filters on the larger size it will work just fine. The pack itself seams well constructed, The cover has stayed on well, and there is a belt loop. If you have (or anticipating having) a large number of filters than you may want something else.  This can store five filters just fine (meeting my needs) and if you need to you can screw two of the same size together and put the pair in a slot, if the filters are thin enough you could get away with this. Overall this product works and meets the hobbyist needs.
I purchased this Filter case for storing 5 filters, which range from 58mm to 72mm diameter.  The case fits all of them very comfortably.  It is also very convenient to carry around as it fits in the belt.  The cushioning is really good, and as a result this is not the one that will fit in quietly in a corner of a bag.  I would any day trade in the space it consumes to the protection it provides.
In short,It is amazing and do the job... high-quality in everything... most important it takes up to five filters and it is harmless to them...I use it with my Tamrac Expedition 7X and Tamrac Belt...Although it designed to carry 5 filters, still there is room for 3 more filters, and there are two ways to accomplish that :)The 1st way, by joining two filters together and insert them in one pocket.  This is a good way but it wont works if you change filters frequently, because you have to dis-attach the joined filters which takes some time... yet, it is good for storing filters in case you don't use them a lot.The 2nd way, which I use more often than the 1st way, is by using the cotton pad that comes inside the filter container/box.  I install this pad between the filters, that gives me space for 8-10 filters -- based on the thickness of the filter.I strongly recommend this item, it can be used with the Tamrac Accessory Belt or any other belt...
I am not a fan of filter, just wanted to find something to keep a couple of polarised filters and a ND filters.With this Tmarac, glasses touch to the soft wall of the pack. Not a big issue but it happens that filters got more dust on them every time I take them out of this Tamrac and I simply cannot accept that.So, I went back to used my hard B+W filter box which came with the ND filter that I bought before. I just remove the soft foam in the box and can keep 3 of my filters stacked in it. It's light, neat, safe, simple, easy and it works much better than the TamracFive stars for Amazon
large enough to feet in more than 2 square rectangular filters in each partition which is a big plus when on the go.easy to pull filters our and put 'em back in! i was able to put the P size filter holder, adapter ring, screw-in-polarizer and regular one along with other P filters in and the cleaning close with ease. the case has quite wide Velcro and snap-on closure. easy access, filter swapping and closure!ps..unless you work in the windy desert it is a must have soft case.
I bought this to use as a case for my video camera.  It's very good quality construction, and has padding on the sides.  I like the way the to covering folds over the zipper to protect from rain.  (It claims to be waterproof, but I haven't tested that)The camera itself fits in with about 1.5" of spare room above to put a couple of spare batteries, memory cards etc.Another product I would recommend isTamrac M.A.S. Medium Lens Case (Black)if you don't need the extra space for batteries.  Its a perfect fit for the camera, but no room for anything else.  I like both of these cases a lot for carrying the camera attached to a belt.
The only reason why I don't give this case a five star rating is because I have not tested it in the rain. Everything else works perfectly, I was initially concerned about the fact that the belt loop is detachable, I was concerned that walking through the rainforest it may detach and I may loose my lens. Far from true. It doesn't even come close to loose although I've hiked through tight spots, and when you need to take it off, this feature is a better alternative than taking your entire belt off, especially if you carry a headlamp or knife in your belt as well. So far I couldn't be happier with this case, I can't wait to test it our in the rain.
I bought this bag based on ecstatic reviews on how well this bag fits Nikkor 70-300mm. I dare to differ. This is a tight fit - like **very** tight. This lens comes with a hood and if you try to fit both in you need some push to squeeze the assembly into the bag. If you have the bad idea to bag it front first with the hood attached then the whole zoom will pull out before you extricate the lens out of the bag. Even if your smarten up and reverse the lens in the bag, to take it out safely you still have to push it from the bottom.Unfortunately, you don't have too much choice of bags for this lens. The rest of bags (that I found) had too much tolerance or they were of dubious quality. And when it comes to quality this bag is five stars. And yes, I will keep it. Maybe after a while it will loosen up.
Great product! A++++++++ Seller The case fits my Nikon lens perfect! May buy more in future. Would also like to see larger sizes too!
I have 2 of these for my Tamrac Exploreer 2 bag. Alternately, I use them to store Nikon 18-135.., Sigma 10-20mm, Nikon 70-300mm VR or SB600 flash.They work well with the bag and are well built and rugged.
As if anything is perfect, but this comes close. It fits my Nikon zoom and is well made. I will pick up another for one of my other zooms.
The BIG velcro strip and buttons keeps the case secure to my side when looped under my belt. It's NOT going to slip and fall. But if it did there's just enough padding to prevent damage to any lens that fills it. The zipper at the top prevents it from accidently slipping out and any dust/dirt/moisture from getting in.
I love this lens case.  It's lightweight, padded & provide ample space for storing various lenses.  I can attach it to my camera bag or my person for quick & easy access when changing lenses.  I'll definitely buy a few more.
I bought this for my 70-300mm lens and it fits perfectly even with the lens hood.  It provides plenty of protection and has a strap which makes it nice for strapping to the outside of my camera bag.
I have been experimenting with an alternative solution to a camera bag. My wife and I go on cruises, and instead of lugging a heavy camera bag, I am trying several of these cases in different sizes and configurations.Along with a MAS-compatible camera bag, such as Tamrac's 5627 (Pro Digital Zoom 7), I plan on just carrying these cases in my regular carry-on backpack to get on board. As I rarely don't need everything when I go on an excursion, I can simply take the item's I need, and attach them to the Zoom bag; you can attach up to two of these cases to the Zoom's sides.That way, when I go on an excursion, I only need to carry what I think I will need that day, rather than having to carry a heavy and bulky backpack or shoulder bag.
First lens case worked for what I had planned - I bought a second for second camera. Small enough, good protection when packing, and has multiple uses.
I did a lot of research before I selected this lens case.  It holds my 70-300mm with the sunshade on plus it attaches to my Tamrac camera bag.  It fulfills what I need.  Great buy.
The case is all you expect. Well made with a great design for carrying it. the huge velcro belt loop makes it easy to secure to your belt or  camera strap. highly recommended, great product.
I purchased this to carry about a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm Lens with HB-57 Lens Hood attached.  Perfect size, perfect construction and good price making this an exceptional value.  Perfect companion product for my camera...
Mine came in similar to the MEDIUM style with the "carrying handle" on the top instead of the loop as shown here, m.b. an older style. Very well designed: Not as rigid as Lowepro, easier to carry on your belt - not getting in your way in tight places (crowd, bushwalking) and stays close to your body w/o bouncing (good for long walks and short runs) due to a good balance and wide and rather rigid "belt loop". The zipper is easy to open with one hand w/o looking, not too tight as Lowepro, not too loose. The lid goes back w/o any additional efforts and closes the case almost like spring loaded. In Lowepro you have to pull it over. If you are not jumping or running really hard, you can move around with the unzipped case for quick lens change. The walls are a bit flexible, you can just drop the lens in or pull it out effortlessly. Could stuff Pentax DA 50-135 f2.8 with the reversed hood, perfect fit w/o the hood.If you are looking for a large case, I strongly recommend to compare the Tamrac Large with Lowepro S&F; Lens Exchange 200 AW (see my review) that is a bit bigger but still rather compact.For MEDIUM size (posted a detailed review/comparison here) I also prefer the Tamrac or extremely well designed CaseLogic small lens case (the same height as the Tamrac but more narrow). 2 years ago I wasn't impressed with the CaseLogic cases, apparently they improved them. Nor sure about the CL large case, check out for yourself.
Nice lens case and works fine with my longer lens. I like that these cases can be worn attached to a fanny pack with the lens as a second.
The item was as advertised.  The transaction was quick and clean. I would buy from this vendor again.  What more can I say
I have used this for a while now on my Tamrac Velocity sling pack so I could carry my larger Canon 75-300 along with two other lenses in the sling pack.  Very durable and integrates well with the other Tamrac products.
Bag is well made as most Tamrac stuff is and it fits my Nikon 70-300mm lens perfectly. Generous Velcro area and snaps on belt flap will keep it secure to a belt or bag sleave made for M.A.S.Could be improved upon by adding a small pocket inside of the top cover but besides that it's a great case.
I purchased this lens case specifically to house my Nikkor 70-300mm which, as many reading this already know, does not come with a case as does the more expensive 14-22mm & 24-70mm lenses but instead comes with a totally worthless felt bag. I did some research and found that this Tamrac bag would work for the 70-300mm and indeed it does. It works perfectly. Actually, they're such a nice case that I'm seriously considering buying a Tamrac case for my 14-24 and 24-70 lenses. Unlike the Nikon softcases, there is a very handy velcro and hard snap connector on the back of the case that allows you to attach it securely to your pack or whatever you would like. It's a much better design that the loop on the back of the Nikon bags.Bottom line is this - if you're looking for a softcase to hold your longer lenses like the Nikkor 70-300mm, this case is perfect. Can you jump up and down on it or send it thru the airport baggage without breaking the lens - NO. If that's the kind of case you want then go see Pelican cases. But if it's just something to keep your lens in so you can add it to your bag on the way out on a hike, this bag is for you!
I dropped the lens case with a Panasonic 14-140mm lens in it and no damage!  Twice!  Trust me.....I was not trying to test the case.  Dropped due to my own clumsiness!  So it clearly does the job.  Perfect solution if you have three lens.  The case helps avoid carrying a bulky camera bag.  You carry a lens (up to a 4.5 inch long) in it and a GH2 with 2 lens in a Aero 3336.  Not sure why Tamrac stopped producing that particular model of Aero.  Not listed on their website anymore.  Back to the lens case...highly recommended!  Solid construction...will last a long time!
I originally bought this lens case so I'd have the ability to carry one extra lens around with me.  I almost got the medium sized case instead of the large one, and now I'm really happy that I didn't.  Once I got my third lens, a 55-250mm, I discovered that I could stack my 50mm and my 18-55mm lenses on top of one another in the case.  I just simply cut out a small disk of camera case foam to place between them so there would be no contact.  After that, I was able to carry all three lenses on me at the same time...the 55-250 on the camera, and the other two in the case. It's not ideal, of course, if you're walking around shooting since only the 50mm and 18-55mm could be in the case at the same time.  But for a static location, it really helped slim down what I had to carry.Another reason I like it is because it can fit any of the three lenses, and I don't have to change it depending on which lens I want to bring or store.  The case itself seem very well constructed, and I haven't had any complaints about it so far.  I would certainly buy another if I needed an additional case.
I wanted a case that would hold my Sony 55-210 lens with the hood shade attached. Also, I wanted the lens to fit without the lens moving around inside the case. This one is so perfect, you would think it was made for the Sony 55-210. It's very well made. I hope I can save you the trouble I went through of having to find a lens case that fits the lens.Get the "Tamrac M.A.S. Large Lens Case (Black) MX5378
Excellent product, fully met my expectations. Have had it half a year now. Fits my Nikon D80 with Sigma 18-125mm
55-250mm lens fits perfectly, along with the lens hood (reversed on lens body and there's just enough room for a polarizing filter in it's own case too.
I'm not a fan of big camera bags, instead preferring to use a Tamrac 5684 for my combo D7000 and 16-85 standby lens.  But I needed a longer zoom for some shots, particularly sports and wildlife.  So when I need to carry both lenses, I chose to get a standalone lens case that I can then throw in my backpack with all my other travel goodies.  The MX5378 works perfect for my Nikkor VR 70-300 f4.5-5.6 IF-ED Lens.  It is snug with the lens hood (reversed), but I like the fact that it's not moving around and has a good 3/8ths inch of foam on all sides.  I also use it to stow my 16-85 when I'm not using it.  I haven't used it as part of the Tamrac modular ecosystem, so I can't comment on that.  But as a standalone case, it works great and is of very high quality, like all of the other Tamrac cases I have purchased.
Fits my bigger tele zoom lens perfectly and of course smaller kit lens like 18-55.  Seems durable and water resistant enough with the large zipper overhang.
Fits the Nikon dx 55-300 mm telephoto lens just right - very snug and secure. Strong velcro on back as well as snap closures to allow attachment to camera bags or other bags.
Perfectly snug fit for my Tamron 70-300 (newer model with the silent motor drive.)  It traveled well with me during a 19-day cruise from Honolulu to Sydney AU.
I was trying to use this for purposes other than what it was intended and it really didn't work very well.  When used as a case for a lens, It did just fine.
This lens case Fits theTamron 70-300 VC zoom lens perfectly. It is snug with no apparent movement of the lens inside. Very good padding to protect valuable lenses.
The Tamrac MX5378 BlackMX5378 MAS Lens Case Large Black is a high-quality product, but does not fit the Canon EF-100mm lens if you have the hood reversed on the lens. If you want to store your lens without the lens hood, then this case fits perfectly. Since I like to store the hoods with the lens, I'll be purchasing this product:Tamrac MX5343 M.A.S. Lens Case - Pro 100 (Black)
It perfectly fitted my Nikkor VR 55-300mm. It is very protective. Besides, you can firmly attach it to a belt, or another bag.Good purchase.
I thought this was going to work for my Tamron 300 lens - nope. way too big.  I returned this case and got the Tamrac 346 LARGE lens case instead - and that one was a perfect fit.
Fits the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G-AFS ED-IF VR LENS like a glove, great padding and good quality. Fits much better than the Lowepro Lens Case 11 x 26 (Black) which is too big.The only issue is that there's no strap so you can't easily carry this on your person. It relies on using Tamrac's M.A.S. system to connect to their bags or to your belt, and on your belt it can be rather unwieldy.
This case fits well on my regular street belt and fits any of my lenses.  It seems padded enough for decent protection.  Very useful for walking around and keeping a spare lens handy for a quick swap.I would definitely buy this again.
This lens case is well-made! It seems resistant, too! Well-padded and it comes as it was advertised! I use it with my Canon 60mm macro lens and a belt. Yeah, it looks a little bulkier but I can live with that!! Recommended!!
I needed a lens case for my extra lens while traveling overseas since I couldn't take my camera bag and purse, so I combined the camera, lens and personal essentials in a Pacsafe hobo travel bag and this worked perfectly to keep the lens protected.  Very durable with a quality zipper and material.  Highly recommended!
All of my current lens can fit (one at a time) in this handy cloth case.It attaches to my belly bag for easy access so I won't have to carrya large camera case all the time.  Perfect
sturdy and hope to have for a while as my collection of equipment grows.  Research, research, research,,you get what you want!!
Although it says medium, I still consider it a quite small case.The Canon 10-22mm barely fits in there and you won't be able to fit the 24-105L which is what I considered medium size.I already have and am very happy with the large one for my 70-200L; I was hoping the 24-105 would fit in this medium case as then I would have been able to carry my three mainstay lenses with one on my camera and the other two in the medium and large cases.Tough luck, yet the case is well made and properly protects the gear. Next time (that is: now) I will actually measure my lens before ordering.This one will do just fine for the 10-22.
Fits the Canon 70-200MM F4L perfectly and straps onto camera bags decently as well. Good build quality for the price as well.
Product review at the manufacturer's site said this case was great for the Nikkor 70-300mm VRII.  They were right.  My 70-300 fits in it like a nice tight glove.  Well protected.  It is quality made with good padding and heavy stitching.  The lid zipps close but there is no velcro for when you don't want to fool with the zipper but have the lid secure (doing fast lens change outs).  I sewed velcro around the lid.  I can now use the zipper when I'm not in a lens changing frenzy but have the velcro when needing quick access for quick lens changes in the field.I recommend this product but give it only 4 stars because of not having velcro on the lid for fast action lens changes.
I prefer this lens case to the equivalent lens case from Lowepro.  The Tamrac case appears to be a bit better constructed and has a more secure mechanism for attaching to the camera bag.
This bag just barely doesn't fit my Canon 70-200mm f/4L lens. I had hoped it might, but it doesn't. However, it is a perfect fit for my 17-55mm f/2.8 lens, so I'm not really complaining.
Bought this case to protectect my lens from getting banged around in a back pack and it definitely serves that purpose. I am kind of used to that old fashioned hard case to put a lens in that would help the contents survive a fall but this is adequate. Also nice that it can be attached to your bags or belt to be carried. Overall quite pleased with this purchase. Tamrac makes good photography products!
I bought this case for my Tamron model 572DM AF70-300 (Minolta) lens, which has a 118.5 mm length, and a diameter of 76.6 mm.  The lens is a perfect fit inside the bag.The case is a soft case, but is rugged and appears to be able to take abrasive wear without difficulty.  The zipper is sturdy.  There is cushioning at the top and bottom of the bag, to provide some impact protection for your lens...but I would suggest some care anyways, as lenses are fine instruments, eh?
I have a 75-300 telephoto zoom lens and it fits nicely in the case.  Case is well made and holds my lens in place.  Very happy with it.
I bought this for a Canon Vixia M30 flash memory HD camcorder.  It is perfectly sized for this camcorder, and it allowed us to carry the camcorder within a backpack at Disneyland.  We wanted something that gave us enough room in the backpack to also carry snacks & jackets.  The camcorder slides into the carrier easily, but doesn't have much room to move around within it.  It should be noted that this carrier does not have any pockets, so you'll need to find another way to carry whatever accessories you wish to bring along.  This wasn't an issue for us (accessories stayed at hotel during the day).
My 55-210 Sony emount lens fits with room to spare. Have not tried yet to use on an outing and looks like it willl be great
This case was recommended when I bought 70-300 IS lens from some other site. The lens can barely fit inside the case. You have to make the lens smallest to make it fit.The construction is very good. Not heavy duty padding, but good enough and the belt attachment works well with my Tamron Velocity 5 bag. I think it'd work with other belt just as well.
I bought this item along with, Tamrac MX5343 M.A.S. Lens Case - Pro 100, Tamrac MX5341 M.A.S. Lens Case - Pro 50, Tamrac MX5347 M.A.S. Lens Case - Pro 200, Tamrac M.A.S. Filter Belt Pack, and Tamrac M.A.S. Modular Accessory Belt.I like it a lot and found it nice and very useful.I use it with my Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x and Tamrac M.A.S. Large Modular Accessory Belt.If you are in a situation where you need to carry so many lenses and need to shift between them quickly, then you must have this item along with the other cases and the belt.
This relatively sturdy and nicely padded len case can be hung from a camera case (especially easy to do with the Tamrac M.A.S. camera bag line) or can be tossed into a backpack or messenger bag. Looks nice, too. Especially handy to have around when you need to take just one more lens and don't want to transfer all your gear into a larger camera bag.
I'm only writing this since neither the ad copy nor any reviews bothered to state the dimension of the case.  Note to Tamrac:  in your listings, the word "large" is almost as bad as "you have to guess."I don't own the case; I looked up the size of the Nikon 70-300, which is what other reviewers used to measure.I had to assign a number of stars, and I chose 5 because every Tamrac case I've owned has been both attractive and highly durable.  These include camera cases as well as lens cases.  I've used them for over 30 years, bought one as recently as two months ago, and am anxious to buy them again ... if and when I can figure out whether they will FIT my needs.
I really like these lens cases.  These have a flap over the zipper to keep rain out, the zippers are heavy duty and solid, and the flaps on the back have both snaps and hook & loop to secure them.  The medium easily fits my 55-200 with it's lens hood.
I find these lens cases useful with my Tamrac 9X sling.  It is not too large, and holds my lenses secure while hiking/ traveling.  The zipper is smooth and feels strong.  Padding inside is just right and the outside is tough to deal with random bumps and abrasions.  That being said, it can't pass for a hard case, and I still treat my bag with care when one of the lenses are hanging outside of the bag.  When I don't feel like carrying an extra lens it doubles as a water bottle holder.  Worth it if you have a Tamrac bag with a MAS system.I use the case for a Nikon 18-200mm (72mm filter with hood) and a Tokina 11-16mm (77mm filter without hood).  The Nikon is snug with the hood, and Tokina is just right without the hood.
The build quality of Tamrac gear is consistently very good to excellent.  The materials are usually high quality, and the construction and workmanship are very good.  These things are pretty much true for the Tamrac MX5378 lens case, which can accommodate a mid-sized lens up to about 6.3 inches long, with a diameter up to about 3.8 inches.  There is padding on all sides, and the top and bottom ends.  The padding feels solid, but could stand to be a little thicker on the sides.As part of Tamrac's Modular Accessory System (MAS) the case is designed to be attached to Tamrac bags with MAS provisions, Tamrac's photographer's belt, or any normal belt or suitable strap.  The case has a 2.8 inch wide flap on the back, which attaches to the case body with 2 inch wide Velcro strips, and two metal snaps.  I would prefer that the case not slide around too much when attached, but unfortunately it slides freely with quite a bit of play on one of my bags.  Despite the looseness, the grip seems to be fairly secure.  A very powerful physical blow might be able to detach the case, but otherwise it probably will remain attached.Because of the high cost of the individual components, I am not a big fan of MAS.  Eighteen dollars for a water bottle holder (Tamrac M.A.S. Water Bottle in Padded Carrier (Black)), just seems outrageous!  This entire approach by Tamrac seems kind of lazy, and a bit of a money grab.  As I now own several bags with MAS provisions, I can see some benefit in being able to swap MAS components between bags.  However, as the number of photographers who have several MAS bags, must be a small percentage of Tamrac's customers, to my way of thinking, the needs of most Tamrac customers, are not being served very well.Tamrac's major competitor is Lowepro.  While I generally prefer Tamrac gear because of the build quality, I do also own some Lowepro gear.  Lowepro has an accessory system similar to MAS called SlipLock.  Neither brand will mention it, but SlipLock components will also attach to Tamrac's MAS.My Lowepro Lens Case 3 (LC3) (Lowepro Lens Case 3 (Black)) attaches perfectly to the MAS provisions on my Tamrac bags.  The LC3 is designed to carry a large telephoto lens, and is larger and has a much heavier layer of padding, than the MX5378 case.  The SlipLock attachment system is slightly different, but is more secure than Tamrac's MAS.  The fit is tighter,  and the case does not slide around as much.  On the lid, Lowepro uses double zippers, which are more convenient, although there is no protective flap over the zipper.Since the LC3 is more secure, and does a better job of protecting a lens, I don't have any problem taking a turn to the "dark side", and attaching a Lowepro case to my Tamrac gear.  When it comes to lens cases, Lowepro seems to do a better job with the padding, and the attachment system.  The LC3 case is a five star product that is quite reasonably priced.  If you need a big lens case, I would recommend it in a heartbeat over Tamrac's MX5380 case (Tamrac MX5380 Modular Accessory System Extra Large Lens Case), which looks like it has the same level of padding as the MX5378.Between the two brands, Lowepro's prices for comparable components are usually lower, and they provide more variety.  You should verify the interchangeability of the particular gear you are interested in, but any Lowepro gear that fits on Tamrac MAS, means more options for photographers.  Tamrac's MX5378 case is OK, but Lowepro gear, like their Lens Case 1N (Lowepro Lens Case 1N (Black)), seems to be a superior option.
This is the first Tamrac case I purchased and am very pleased with it.  Lowepro did not make a size that I was looking for and this fit the bill.  It is a snug fit, without having to force the lens.  I originally purchased to mate with the Tamron 70-300mm and it fit well with lens hood reversed.  I now use it to house the Canon 100mm f/2.8 II L Macro, again with hood reversed.
The description said it fits lenses up to 6.75 inches long.  Nope.  6.00 inches is about it.  So I returned it.
It fits my Canon 75-300mm lens very nicely. What I like about this lens case is that it fits on the outside of my Tamrac Expedition 7 photo backpack securely. Also the lens case is easy to remove from the backpack and then I just slip it on my belt when I want to go light.
Use this for my prime normal and wide angle lenses.  I place the pouch on my belt and allows more portable solutions to carrying more than one lens.
good bt little bit expensive you can buy if you dont care this price and also if you think you just will get two lens than buy it otherwise you'd better buy a big bag for all the things that will be more convience!!!
This lens case was designed for Canon and Nikon 70-300mm zoom lenses.  My Nikon 70-300mm, with the lens hood in storage position, is a perfect fit in this case.  And when I say perfect I mean perfect...perfect diameter and height...fits like a glove.  Being a Tamrac, the case has good padding.  I'm not worried at all about bumping the case in a door frame as I'm walking through.The biggest deficiency of this case is the fact that it's a M.A.S. case (Tamrac's Modular Accessory System) and isn't designed to be carried by itself.  It's got a big flap on the rear that is held down by Velcro and snaps.  This is used to attach the case to a Tamrac M.A.S. bag, or you can slip the flap behind your belt and carry it as a belt attachment (Tamrac actually sells a belt for carrying your M.A.S. add-ons.)  When used as designed, the case works perfectly.  However, I wanted to carry via shoulder strap as a separate case.  I searched several camera-bag websites, as well as Amazon and others, and couldn't find a lens case that was such a good fit for my 70-300mm.  So I bought this case anyways.All you really need is a smidgen of ingenuity and you can find several ways to carry this case.  Besides on the belt, the easiest is just attach it to a nylon strap via the flap, and carry it as a cross-shoulder bag...done.  I also find that I can attach it to my Tamrac Express 6 (non M.A.S. bag) fairly easily.  I can put it on the strap, or using a small piece of wire or metal rod I can attach it to the side of the bag (see pics.)So for the price, it really can't be beat.  Just make sure that you consider how you're going to carry it around.  If you don't already have a Tamrac M.A.S. bag and you're ingenuity-challenged, then this might not be the lens case for you. :p  Otherwise...recommended.
This is well made and fits my largest (77mm) and smallest filters easily. It's a little awkward to open, but I can't think of something that could safely hold this number of filers that would be less so. Overall good product for the money. The item was shipped quickly from the vendor and well packaged.
Well made and does a good job of protecting my filters. Holds eight 77mm filters easily and keeps them safe from damage.I am sure it would hold as many larger filters but might have a problem closing right. For my needs it is a good solution and I plan to buy another one soon.
I have no complaints about the quality of the pouch itself, and the filters seem reasonably safe inside of them.However, every time I've taken it out, I've always sent a couple of filters flying when I open it. When you're in a hurry its difficult to remember which was the "right way" to open it.I'm also not too happy with the size of the wallet as I have to force it into my camera bag and end up wasting some space in the process (I own a lowepro slingshot 200 AW). I've ended up leaving the filter wallet at home on most occasions and just packing my filters in bubble wrap or attaching them to lenses. Those with a differently shaped bag might prefer this wallet for its long but flat shape (of course the flatness goes away when you pack it with filters).I just ordered the adorama "slinger" filter pouch from amazon and it seems much better. I haven't used it out in the field yet, but it fits 5 large filters comfortably. It fits snugly in my backpack, and I can also attach it to my belt when I'm shooting! I'll post a review for it once I use it a little more. oh yeah, it won't send your filters flying unless you open it upside down.http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Slinger-Filter-Pouch-Filters/dp/B0002E1S2I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s;=home-garden&qid;=1249688544&sr;=8-3
Exactly what I was looking for.  Needed the extra capacity of holding the extra 2 filters 8 versus 6 that others offered.
Wallet is nice and big, so it's easy to get even fairly large filters in and out easily.  It's also got just enough padding to protect the filters without taking up a ton of space in a bag. Like pretty much all the Tamrac products I've tried, it feels sturdy enough that I don't have any qualms about trusting it to protect my gear.
I have a lot of filters for my Nikon DSLR and this filter wallet comes in handy. I wish it was a little bit smaller in terms of dimensions so that it could fit more neatly in my camera bag though. It'd be nice if they made a filter wallet for those who have >10 filters though.
This happens to be the wallet that holds the most filters that I could find, 8.  That in itself makes it valuable to me, as I have exactly eight filters.  Of course, I will be adding more soon and will have to buy another wallet.  One thing that I do like about this wallet is that when the bottom section is first folded up, there is a small magnet inside and it locks the bottom section closed.  However, the negative side is that my 37mm filters sit too loosely in the pockets and sometimes when I open the wallet, if I'm not careful, my filters come flying out.  Honestly, I do not know if this is poor design of the product or that it is just designed for larger filters, hence my rating of three stars.  Tamrac has always made me very happy with their storage products, as my camera bag is from them as well.  I would think that if one is using it for 55mm and larger filters, that it will hold them securely.
Haven't had a chance to get out to shoot much but it seems to be well made. Good value for the price.
This is the perfect filter holder for me.  I have 4-67mm and 4-77mm filters.  It holds them well and the slots are see-through so it's easy to find the one I want to use.  My previous filter holder was all black so I couldn't see the filters.This is made for large filters, not small ones. Someone complained that his small filters fall out.  If you have small filters, get a small filter holder.Someone complained that the filter holder is too large for the camera bag.  It has a handle so you don't have to put it inside your bag.  Fully loaded, mine is 9" wide x 4 1/4" high x 2" deep.  I put mine where a laptop computer is supposed to go.  I use a Tamrac Evolution 8 backpack.Someone complained that there aren't enough compartments.  Well, it comes with 8 like it says.  If you have 9 filters, screw two filters together.Someone wrote that the bottom compartments are magnetized.  I didn't read anywhere that Tamrac had a magnetized holder.  Mine is not magnetized.Suggestion:  Read all reviews before you buy.
and nice to pack many filters in.  Folks who open this product upside down need to mark in some way the 'This end up' stamp on the correct end and all will be just fine.
I would recommend it...I put a caribiner on the handle and hook it onto my belt loop and it gives me easy access to my filters without removing it from the hook.
a Must have. Because, I often send my bag sliding downhill so I can climb down without falling, I found this item to do an excellent job of protecting my filters. Not one damaged filter in 3 years.
Got it earlier than expected . The wallet is nicely padded ,well made. It has 8 pockets for filters. Need more filters that for sure !
Theres not much to it. The velcro is very strong the product works well. I use it with 52 mm filters on one side 58mm on the other. If I have a need for more filters or filters of a different size I won't hesitate to buy anouther one.
I bought this because the smaller filter cases I had purchased earlier (3 in all) had become too inconvenient.  With 8 filters in one package I can now find what I need much more quickly.  The build is quite adequate for my amateur photographer level of use and the wallet holds the filters securely.  If you have acquired enough filters to need this size, I highly recommend it as a good value for the money.
got this to hold my extra lens, not knowing that they came with their own case, but will find some used for it
This product is to hold filter collections, it specifically show color filters which is what I bought it for. It holds four well, but to get all eight in I have to play with it a bit.
This filter wallet is excellent. It is well-constructed and looks like it will hold up well. With a mixture of eight 52mm and 58mm filters, it still folds nicely and fits in my camera bag.
I have been looking for a wallet to organize my 85mm / Cokin P size gels.  The square filters fit easily into the pouches allowing it to fold closed.  The longer grads fit as well but it is tight.  I haven't field-tested it but I think this will do the job.Mine does not have any magnets.
I like this wallet, but, alas, like everything, it has its drawback (really just one for me): you have to carefully pack this case, otherwise it doesn't comfortably close - you get an unpleasant "bulge.". It concerns me when this happens, so I usually re-pack it, and then it's fine.  I am probably a little easier to please than some, so if you know that you're a little bit "retentive," then go ahead and try it but be prepared to return it.  For me, it packs my 8 filters of varying sizes (55mm - 72mm) just fine.
I wasn't expecting anything special, just a way of storing some filters that folded-up.  Exactly what I needed.I used a labeler to make it easy to find and replace filters.I've used all the pockets.  If I buy any more filters, I will buy another one of these.I only gave it 3 stars because I'm not in love with this product, it just does a good job.
I purchased this bag because it looked large enough to carry everything I needed at any given time and the design of being able to sling it around to the front for accessibility. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I am a very serious amateur and take a lot of pictures everywhere I go.For the most part, I hate this bag and don't have much nice to say about it. It is just too hard to access things while "on the go."PROS:-- Spacious: I have packed a Nikon DSLR with attached 18-55mm lens, Nikon film SLR with 28-200 mm lens, four other lenses (70-300 mm, 55-200 mm, 18-35 mm lens, and 70-300 mm), Nikon SB-600 flash, spare batteries, and about a dozen filters. I don't recommend carrying that much though. It gets very heavy quickly.-- The shoulder strap is very well padded and weight is distributed evenly when carried as designed with the waist strap in place.CONS:-- For all you can pack in it, not much of it is accessible while carrying the bag.-- It cannot "sling" when the waist strap is in place and when I do get it to the front of my body, the top opens up (toward my chin) and unless the shoulder strap is fully extended, it is in the way.-- Small things end up at the bottom of the bag or front pocket. The padded dividers keep things protected, but make them even more inaccessible. Anything you want easily accessible does not need to be in the bag.
This is my second tamrac camera bag and I have no major complaints.  The only reason why I did not give five stars is because I have seen a newer version of this same bag that zippers and think that would be a better buy than three clips. I am able to reach around the clips to grab my small lenses, which is great, but then I think of all the dust and insects that can do the same. Very cormfortable to wear all day loaded with two Canon Rebel bodies and three heavy sigma lenses!!!
I previously owned a Velocity 7, but had to move up in size once I began using a 300mm lens as my prime, working lens. For me (a 54 year-old man with occassional back troubles), the Velocity 9's ability to sit square in the center of my back is critical for an even weight while hiking. On a shoot (I am a wildlife photographer)in the back country, I can swing the bag around quickly and rapidly access my camera without any noise to scare off the animal I am focused on. I carry two other lenses, all my memory, and other photographer's paraphenalia (sp?) with ease. A great bag in my book.
With a simple load (D70, 17-35mm, 35-70mm, a flash), the bag cannot be swung around easily. There is no flexibility advantage. And yet, the bag does not provide sufficient support. My back hurts at the end of the day because the bag has only strap and thus thus load is not distributed evenly, skewing it to one side. In my trip, my daughter and I eventually took turns to carry the bag. She complained too and she is no wimp -- a captain in her water polo team in high school.
I have owned this bag for about 2 years now. I loved it so much I bought one of the smaller versions for my Lumix FZ-15. I am one of those guys who has yet to find a backpack that is right sized, accessible, well made, comfy and doesn't scream ROB ME! I also can't stand slinging a standard gadget bag and trying to take pictures at the same time. And for you back pain complainers, I have had a herniated disc for 4 years now and I have no issue.So I bought the Vel 9 since it looked like an intriguing compromise between the standards. The only issue I agree with is that I would not want to be climbing or carrying this all day on my back. That's why I'm still searching for the perfect backpack for me. But for a few hours at a sports event, or the zoo, or at any other venue where you want your lenses with you, I think this  does a fabulous job.However, like anything, you need to be in tune with what you want and try it first. Therefore, if this interests you, go try one out at a store. Even take your gear with you to see if it covers you and the weight. For me, it's like having a top access gadget bag that slings enough like a backpack that it doesn't fall off your shoulder but definitely doesn't give you full panel access like a backpack does. WHAT IT DOES give you is EASY ACCESS on the body! I hate the idea of taking a backpack off every time I need to change something. It does take a little to get used to but I find that when I want to zip out the d-rebel for a quick pic or change a lens, it just takes a quick reach over the shoulder to slide the pack up and over to your chest, one or two clips and you have what you need.As for the complaints about the compartments, they are fully flexible and basically aligned in 3 "tubes" with different"floors" you can put in depending on what you are stacking in the tube. So your camera takes up most of the center "tube" and the outside 2 hold lenses. I keep my 35-135IS zoom on the camera, with my 50mm on the very bottom of the center tube under the end of the IS lens. My flash sits in the bottom of one of the side tubes with my wide angle on top of it (divider in between). Finally, my 70-200L lens sits on the other side. Most important, the gear underneath is actually quite easy to access because the dividers easily flip up to get things out.Since I actually have the camera in my hand most of the time, the remaining weight in the bag is no issue for most of the time. If its all in there it can be a little heavy, but again, I'm not carrying it for hours. If it does start to annoy me on the shoulder, I actually take it off and sling it like a bag over the other shoulder for awhile.In summary, the concept of this bag is unique enough that most people are going to either love it or hate it. To find out which one you are, I suggest trying it at a camera store that stocks it. If you want a pretty large bag that carries all of a standard  SLR kit and complement of lenses, allows you on the fly access without showing the world what you have and stays securely on your back, this is it!
I have been using a Tamarac Velocity 8 for several years.  It was purchased for use with my previous camera, a Canon SX10IS.  However, I now have a Canon T2i with battery pack and several lenses and the Velocity 8 was not large enough.  For that reason, I purchased the Velocity 9.I can carry the camera with zoom lens and hood attached ready to use plus another lens and several other things in the main compartment.  The two lenses that are always in the bag, one of which is on the camera, are the Canon 18-135 and Canon 70-300.  Both with hood.  Which lens is on the camera at the time depends on what I am shooting.  If on the street, it will be the 18-135, if  shooting kiteboarders, surfers, or other sports action, it will be the 70-300.I am pleased with the bag; it gives me the space I now need but retains the versatility that causes me to prefer a sling to a camera case or backpack.  When I am out and about with my camera, I carry the bag with sling on one shoulder.  When out in field, I  wear it like a backpack and use the  waist strap to held spread the load.This is a well made bag with adequate padding to protect the camera.  A little more flexibility with arrangement of the dividers would be nice, but I don't have enough concern to subtract a star.
The Tamrac 5749 Velocity 9 Pro Photo Sling Pack is well designed and sturdy. The dividers stay in place as long as they are resting solidly on another object. A second row of Velcro strip would be an improvement.The cut out diagram only indicates how the bag can be packed. The pictures of the actual product clearly show the whole front does not unzip. There is a mesh pocket over a zipped pocket area with dividers for storing and organizing smaller items. The main compartment is accessed from the top only. On the inside of the main compartment's cover flap is another zippered pocket for items like batteries and CF cards.The bag itself only weighs about 2 lbs that is not a whole lot for a bag. Putting any collection of heavy objects in any bag will make it weigh more. I learned the hard way to pack the equipment I need, and leave what I don't at home/in the hotel.If you choose not to use the waist strap, of course all the weight will rest on one shoulder. The bag was made to include the use of the waist strap with the quick release buckle! The weight of the bag will not distribute as intended otherwise.I don't think a backpack will make my equipment any lighter. Distribution of weight is on the waist and one shoulder for the sling, and on two shoulders for a similar size backpack. If I only use one shoulder strap of the backpack like many people do, then all the weight would only be on one shoulder. Neither is better than the other in this respect, just different. Many pro photographers own more than one type of bag; and use the best bag for the situation.For travel I found the sling to be handy. I've been able to swing it around and get what I need out of it fairly easily. This is not always a natural feeling task though and requires some thought in how to pack the bag. I tend to pack the big lenses first and smaller ones on top in the main compartment. While I will change lenses, I have the lens I think I'm going to use the most already on my Canon 20D ready to shoot and stored in the center like the diagram shows. The pocket inside the main compartment's cover flap is the most awkward area to access and holds the smaller items I don't need to get at that often. The outside pockets are the easiest areas to access. I have never needed to loosen the shoulder straps to get what I need out of the bag. I'm tall and slender, so maybe a person's body type makes a difference in how well the sling function works.The sling is especially beneficial for mass transit situations and crowds. While visiting cities like Rome, or Paris I prefer to use mass transit instead of renting a vehicle or hiring cabs. Crowded buses at rush hour in some European cities or even here in the States are known to be prime pick pocket territory. I can swing the bag around to my front and it is in clear site. I can even sit with it on my front comfortably.PROS:Sling feature handy in mass transit situationsWell designed and sturdyCONS:Could use a second row of Velcro stripNot all areas comfortably accessible while wearing sling bag
This is a terrific camera bag - I carry my Canon 20D with 2 lens, compact cards, battery and battery charger, etc.  It is extremely well made and attractive to boot.I also liked it enough to buy the smaller version, which I use about as often with my back-up 350xt.  It has been dropped, rained on, etc - still looks great and is very protective for my valuable cameras.  I must agree it is not a backpack - but that's what I like about it.  Very reasonably priced for the quality.Updated:  10-08  Although I now own 5 camera bags, this still has a place in my arsenal.  Great for heading out for the day, big enough to carry basics, comfortable, attractive  - my husband particularly likes this one over the others which I use.  He carries a 40D along with 2 lens and all the miscellaneous items.
The diagram that shows the layout of the compartments implies that the front of the bag unzips, it does not.  To access the lower compartments you need to remove the item in the upper compartment and remove the velco fastened divider.  It doesn't support the Canon Digital Rebel XL well, a narow camera body tends to want to slide down in the pack.  The divider only has 1 velcro strip per side.  If it had 2 it would support the lens and body better.
The Velocity 9 is a comfortable easy bag to use when you want to carry a lot of equipment. I've got my Nikon D80 with lens plus two additional lenses, flash unit, filters, and a few miscellaneous things. There's room for my cell phone, couple of pens, and a pad of paper. If you don't need to shlep as much stuff, I would go with a smaller bag. I also have the Velocity 7 for lighter loads. It handles fewer items but has the same basic design as its big brother. I'm really happy with both bags. Great design, easy handling, and excellent value.
terrific bag. easy to use, comfortable and has ample storage for my Nikon D200 with battery pack+lens and two other lenses.
The following equipment will fit into the main compartment:- one Canon 5D body with attached Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and lens hood- one Canon XT body with attached Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM and reversed lens hoodThe following equipment will fit into the outer compartment:- one Canon Speedlite 580EX and smaller necessitiesWith the bag rotated towards the front of my 6 foot 185 pound frame, there's always this fear of dropping a camera while struggling to remove it from the main compartment.Instead, I have to unbuckle the waist belt, remove the bag from my body in order to easily remove a camera from the compartment.  A slow process which defeats the purpose of this so-called "Velocity" design.I returned the bag for a full refund and am still waiting for the right sling bag.
I primarily purchased the Tamrac 5749 Velocity 9 because I could not decide between a back pack style camera case and a traditional "gadget" bag camera case.  The new "sling" concept seemed to offer the best of both worlds.  I wanted to use this bag as a travel case for my digital SLR and assortment of lenses and external flash.This bag had plenty of room inside to store all of my gear (1 camera body, 4 zoom lenses, 1 external flash, batteries, media cards, etc.)  However, when lugging this sack of bricks around, the sling turned out to be very uncomfortable.  All of the weight rests solely on your one shoulder and it is not distributed very well.  Using the waist straps made the weight more bearable, but then the swing around feature of the sling could not be used until disconnecting the waist strap.  After sliding the bag around to your front, it is too large and difficult to open to easily access your camera gear without first loosening up the shoulder strap.  By the time I had to undo the waist strap, swing the bag around, loosen the shoulder strap, and undo the lid 3 fasteners and access my camera from an awkward angle, I have given up all hope that this bag would make my travel more convenient.Also, the internal velcro system and cushioned dividers seems very cheap when compared to my Cannon gadget bag.  The foam inside the dividers is pretty soft and not as rigid as I would have expected.Another reason I was excited about this bag was the M.A.S. system that allows you to attach a variety of removable storage components at will.  This is very cool and I purchased the MX5398 water bottle carrier and the MX5379 XL lens case.  I was pleased with both of these accessories; they seemed to be well-made and durable.All-in-all, I have to give this item the thumbs down for practicality and usability.  I think the design is good and would probably work well for the smaller sized bag when only carrying a point and shoot lightweight camera and a few media cards or other accessories.  I think the sling concept is just not as friendly for this large bag when carrying a DSLR or 35MM with interchangeable lenses.This is just my two cents - I am no professional photographer, this is just my down to earth experience with this model.Thank you, Robert
What initially drew my attention to this bag was the fact that it could be worn like a backpack. At the time I wasn't interested in one of the larger "gadget"-type bags, but I wish I would have saved my money and opted for the latter. This bag would be great for a casual shooter who doesn't need to worry about changing lenses too often or searching for other gear. However, if you are the type of photographer that needs frequent access to different gear you might want to look for another bag.The construction of the bag is great, I've never worried about anything being damaged or coming loose. However, the design of the bag makes it extremely difficult to fetch gear out of. The problem is that the bag is much too deep and narrow. I found myself continually having to pull out lenses or switch them into different compartments in order to get something from the bottom of the bag. I also think there could be a bit more room in both the outer and inner zip pockets. Don't expect to be able to carry much more than spare batteries and memory cards in them. It's just a bit too much of a hassle to be worth it.
No bag is ever really perfect, but this one is an solid choice. I owned one in my professional capacity at a previous company, and I bought it again for my personal photography equipment. I carry two camera bodies w/ lenses and straps attached ready to shoot at a moment's notice, 3-4 additional lenses, a full complement of cards, batteries, miscellaneous accessories, a roll of gaffer's tape, gloves, etc. and still have room left over. Everything is well organized, has a home where it fits snuggly, feels well-protected, and gives me easy access when needed. The stitching is sturdy, the shoulder strap is very well attached, and the zippers have all held up well for multiple years. All in all this is a good purchase and worth the money for a professional or semi-professional photographer who invests in quality gear.
This is my FOURTH bag like this. I've worn out the previous three after many years of use. Although expensive, they do the job well.
I've had this bag for 5 years (purchased from Amazon) and it is my primary bag, I have a Tarmac Pro 12 for walking around. The 14 holds 2 bodies and 8 lenses, two strobes, filters and such. With it full of goodies it needs 2 men and a boy to carry around. I love it - period! This bag has been rained on, sat in icy cold water, and nothing in the bag has ever been wet or even shown the first bit of moisture. The slots for media are great, and it even has a pouch for a light meter should you carry one (I do). But then I earn a living with my cameras. If you have a bunch of equipment - Tarmac bags are great!
After ordering one of these without ever having seen one I found this bag to be quite useless. The dividers are only 2 3/4" wide. My smallest lens is 3" wide with most of them being allot larger. What are the compartments made for? Small slow lenses I guess. If you have fast lenses, long lenses with tripod mounts, or lenses with big lens hoods you can forget about this case. There is also a big plastic compartment sewn into the lid that will close down on top of whatever is under it, which is a bad idea. Make sure you try one out first if you are set on ordering it.
This is exactly what I wanted...a huge, rectangular bag with all the goodies. I wanted to be able to carry everything and have quick access to it all. Lots of pockets. My only complaint is that (and this applies to every camera bag I've ever bought) most of the pre-configured storage spaces seem to assume older skinny lenses not the fat ones I currently use. So, re-organizing the interior is a must.
I purchased the Hoodman H 400 sunshade for my Toshiba Camileo X 100 camcorder.  The shade slips on the viewfinder screen easily and fits reasonably well.  It folds flat and doesn't take up much room in the camera bag.  Unfortunately, with the sunshade in place, I can't really get to the touch screen controls, but that's a small inconvenience when I am able see what I'm shooting in bright sunlight.The product was shipped from the East Coast via first class mail and it was delivered to me in California in just two days after I ordered it.  That's very fast service!Hoodman has been making sunshades for professional video production for quite some time, and this is the first one I've seen for compact camcorders. If you are unsure about which of their products will fit your camcorder, you can go to their web site, [...], and download and print a PDF file with the actual size of each product outlined. Then, you simply hold the sheet onto your screen to determine the best fit.I would recommend this product to anyone with a similar camcorder who wants to shoot video in bright sunlight.
Hoodman H-400 Hood for 3.5&#8221; to 4.0&#8221; is perfect fit LCD screen on Sony HDR-FX7 video camera. It does block the light and sun out when you outside. I highly recommended anyone who have 3.5 to 4.0 LCD screen (please, make sure you measure your LCD screen before order).
I can actually see the LCD screen now in bright outdoor lighting conditions and I can frame my shots accurately.  I was considering buying a video camera with a view finder but this $40 item saved me from doing that.  It attaches quickly and folds down and slips into your camera bag when you don't need it.  The hood has velcro straps allowing you to adjust it to your screen size.
Ok, as with most camera/video gear this thing is WAY overpriced for what it is (vinyl, padding and Velcro) but it is competitively priced against all available options.It works great. I have a Canon HF G10 and it fits perfect. Provides a nice box around the LCD screen for outdoor shots so you can see the screen in bright sun. I usually use the viewfinder in these cases but shooting some stock footage outside this year using the camera on a low tripod that got very inconvenient. On the G10 you also need to use the touch screen for certain things.One suggestion: it comes folded in such a way that when you open it, the product will not stay in a nice square orientation. I simply worked it back in the opposite direction, over folding the joints so that it would be square. Much better.  Also, the size JUST fits the visual portion of the LCD screen, not a lot of room for error in alignment. Not a problem but figured it was worth mentioning. It does leave the manual buttons available for use outside the hood (a big plus). It is short enough to use the touch screen when you need to but obviously it is trickier than without the hood on.
Works well on camcorders with larger flip out screens. I tried to use it on my Canon Xh A1, and it was constantly falling off. For the price, the should include a freaking decent clamp or holder of some type. Velcro? Uh, el cheapo! Looks nice, but really nothing more than a small cardboard box with velcro.
I have a D90 with a 70-300mm and this tripod handles it with no problem. For the price, this is an awesome tripod.
this is a great tripod for a very reasonable price.  it has all the major features you would expect from something like this, is very easy to use, and is light weight.
Like the other reviewer - I checked out tripods at a camera store. Hadn't heard of Velbon, but a quick Internet search showed them to be a recognized name in tripods. I needed a tripod for my Nikon D50 (especially with the 70-300mm zoom lens), and perhaps a video camera, and the DF-60 fit the bill - lightweight, quick to set up, leveling bubble, detachable baseplate, etc. Sure, it's pretty much all plastic, but if you take care of your equipment - shouldn't make that much difference for non-professional use. It's stable enough with the built-in leg brace spreader. The price at the camera store was almost $70 - Amazon beat them by a mile. Received it in a few days. So far - everything I though it would be. Highly recommended if you need a lighweight tripod. Now I need to get a bag so I can sling it over my shoulder.
May not be top of the line, but to shoot the christmas play at school and have a still shot - its works just fine.
Light weight, versatile, good height, reasonably sturdy for a light to mid-weight camera or cam-corder, a decent tripod for field work.
Tripod arrived well packed in good shape.  Really like it - solid construction and easy to work. Very smooth operation with enough versatility for most any situation.  Use if for primarily digital still shots with an occasional video here and there.  Very much like the clip-on setup - though I have to remove the clip in order to put the camera on the dock to transfer the pictures to the computer.
Like some of the other reviewers, I was a little skeptical about this tripod. Not only because I haven't heard of this brand before but for the price.. I didn't think I could find such a nice tripod at this price range. I'm not a professional but you don't need to be one to recognize when something looks cheap and flimsy. Something this tripod certainly is not.Build quality is just excellent. Controls feel smooth and precise. It tilts so you can take portraits. I even like its weight: Light enough to carry it around without too much trouble and heavy enough to ensure stability (which is needed considering no one wants to put his SLR camera with a 1000+ dollar lens on a unstable tripod). As one user said, the little spikes at the end of the legs add to stability when needed on some terrains.Size is excellent too: when folded you get a small tripod for all purposes and when fully extended, the camera visor is a couple of centimeters over my eyes (I'm 5'8") so in other words, unless you want something so small you can put onto a desk or table (which makes it unsuitable for an SLR), or something bigger tan a crane (joke), this is the right tripod for virtually every kind of situation.It works with any kind of camera since the screw is standard but I find little sense in buying a tripod this size to be used it with a pocket-sized camera (although you could use with it if you want anyway). But whether you got a compact camera like sony H-series (2,5,7 or 9) or canon's S3/5 IS, or a SLR, this is a very good investment. I've had lots of fun with it using my remote. Now I can be into my own pictures too :)
I'm a novice in the photography dept., so I wanted to start out with a tripod that's user friendly, well made, yet affordable.  I purchased one for taking pictures on ebay.  Adjusting the height is no problem, and the quick release attachment is a pleasure to use with my Sony Cybershot. I found this tripod to be an excellent value.
This tripod is a great value!  It's pretty light weight, and has plenty of height adjustment.  The only real problems I have had while using it are trying to use my SLR in the portrait orientation, it's just not strong enough to hold the head in that position without being a little crooked.However, I didn't expect it to be able to handle the weight with that setup, and will attach a ball head if I need to use it that way more.Overall, a great value!
This thing is very steady, however there is one thing I don't like about is that the level trigger thing in the middle is very annoying. When I roll it to the high level it cannot handle heavy camera to hold on to it. I wish there is a lock button to hold it.
This is my second Velbon tripod, my first one lasted for over ten years and it had many a miles on it. Great tripod! This one is very nice, easy to learn and has plenty of height. We use it for our Canon Mark II 5D and when I use the vertical function (camera on it's side) there is no movement and it feels stable. The material used to make this tripod (plastic) feels slightly cheap but as long as you're not slamming the thing around it should be just find. I would recommend this to a friend.
Calling this tripod light weight is like calling a PC portable. I purchased this tripod exclusively for use at my daughter's school functions, dance recitals, etc. Although the quality appears to be excellent for the price, I returned it immediately after removing it from the box as I had no intention of lugging around something that is trying to pass itself off as a light weight tripod. I was able to purchase a Sunpack QSX 2001 locally with virtually identical specs weighting about one - third the weight of the Velbon and same build quality.
I haven't use this too much, yet, but so far so good. It's all hard plastic, so it could obviously be stronger and more durable, but... for the price it's a no-brainer. 4 stars.
It's easy to use and super sturdy. All the parts move smoothly and easily, and it stays tight when you tighten it.
It's heavier made than some inexpensive tripods, which is a good thing if you are taking pictures when it's windy.  When using it I'm not afraid that a gust of wind will blow it over and destroy my camera.Nice quick release feature.
Fantastic tripod!!! I use it for my Canon Rebel XT and I shoot lot of pictures with my Canon 75-300 zoom. With all of this on board the tripod feels very strong.It comes plenty of availabilities to positioning the camera the way you want: low, very high, vertically, etc etc...I though the leveling bubble it comes with would be something I wouldn't use ever, but I've found this very useful at the time I need to be sure about the accurate horizontal position of the camera, especially when shooting on the mountains.It has a quick release platform panhead which results reeeeally useful. I even leave it attached to the camera all the time!One important thing to mention is about its height: it is really a lightweight tripod!, And it still gives you the steadiness required for i.e. night shots.Easy to use, and easy to carry as well. I take it with my on my motorcycle trips with no problem.I love this tripod, I recommend it highly!!! A+++++++++
I went to the camera store to look at tripods.  I noticed this one, It went very high which was a main trait I was looking for.  It felt strong, not flimsy like many other tripods on display.  the panning was smooth and you can flip the head on its side for vertical pictures.  It seemed like the perfect tripod for except for the price...$80.  I checked it out on amazon to find it was only a mere 40 something.  I havn't used it yet, but i know i'll be very happy with it.
I really like this thing. It's light enough and feels sturdy enough for a small camera, even possibly a video camera. Then again, I'm a novice so take this review with a grain of salt.
I'll add a few comments to the other good reviews here. The appearance is very nice, the black has a nice semi-gloss look. The aluminum legs are sturdy and slide well. Everything moves, glides and slides smoothly with virtually no sticking (very low breakaway friction) in the tilt and pan movements. The joints and fixtures are beefy and look like they will stand some fairly hard use. The tall max. height is nice. A little heavy, but that is because it is solidly built, stable and rigid. I am happy with the function and value.I use a 40D with the EN-2 battery grip, some fairly heavy lenses including a 100mm macro lens with the ring flash to photograph small machine parts which requires the camera to be pointed down at around 45 Deg for most shots, and this is sturdy enough for good results.Recommended for fairly serious semi-amateur photography.
The build is rather light but it doesn't compromise on stability or sturdiness. Not the handiest equipment to carry around (doesn't ship with a bag) but a good starter tripod, nonetheless. The max height comes in very handy for portrait shots. (Complement it with a smaller tripod such as a gorilla pod)
this is a good product at a good price. it's solid construction and light weight are a great alternative for somebody on a budget. i've owned this for a couple years now and haven't had a problem.
I bought this tripod for my boyfriend and from the description, I thought it was a professioanl, lightweight tripod.  However, this thing is very big, bulky, & heavy compared to your average tripods.  I'm sure it could be used professionally but not for the regular digital camera that most consumers have.  It does have very nice features but I thought that the description was misleading in stating that it's light weight.  I would imagine using this with the professional video cameras or SLR/DSLR with those telephoto lenses or something.  I ended up returning this tripod but I am giving it 4 stars for what the quality seems to be.
So far the tripod has served me very well.  Light, full height adjustments, and quite stable for its weight.
I've been doing amateur photography for about a year now, and I knew that I needed to get a decent tripod - without a huge price tag attached to it. This one fits the bill perfectly. Regardless of what another commenter said on here, it IS lightweight - I can carry it in my hand while I have my camera bag over my shoulder. It sets up quickly and is very sturdy. The only problem I have with it, and is why I only gave it 4 stars, is that the main adjustment handle gets in the way - but you can solve this by turning the tripod around backwards. Looks kinda silly, but it works!
Quite portable, super easy to adjust. Very similar to one I lost due to theft, so I was happy to find this.  Used only with SLR's and compact cameras - no video in our house. I wish the description included the fact that it comes with a travel bag. I purchased a bag separately and now have to deal with returning it hopefully without paying for shipping.
good for price. - pretty good quality  a little heavy for pack trips but great for the car. My 6 year old uses it a lot with me and after 3 years it still works!!
I wanted a sturdier tripod than the dinky $10 one I have. I definitely wouldn't take my chances with my DSLR on that cheap thing. This one definitely fit the bill and seemed like the best fit for my needs and budget based on reviews. It's not too pricey and it seems very sturdy for what you get. There are some plastic parts, but I suppose that is expected for the price. For my purpose as a beginning photographer, it works great. I also like that it's black as opposed to gray, but that's my personal preference.I mainly use it for macro photography with my Canon Rebel XTI and Canon 100mm macro lens. I wouldn't be able to get tack-sharp pictures without it in low-light situations.I highly recommend this tripod for someone who is on a tight budget and wants something sturdier than some of the lower-cost tripods. It fits my needs nicely.
Really worth the money.  I was kinda iffy about ordering this sight unseen and I had never heard of the company...as I really wanted a sturdy tripod but didn't want to spend over $75.  I can say this is an excellent tripod and based on this product I would say that if all their products are of the same quality then I would try other of their products and have recommended them to friends.I like to do a lot of night shooting with my digital camera (Fuji Finepix S6000fd which is a great little camera). This winter the little spikes at the ends of the legs really helped stabilized the tripod in the ice.  I was also comfortable walking away from the camera and knowing it would not fall over in the wind.  The only way the camera was falling over is if someone bumped into the tripod.  I also really like the quick release feature of the tripod to capture pictures quickly away from the tripod.My only two reasons for not giving it 5 stars are 1) it didn't come with a case which would have been nice and 2) I am a little concerned about the screws getting stripped in the panning handle, but so far my fears have been unfounded.  All things considered I was really happy with my new tripod.
This tripod is exactly what I was looking for. It is sturdy enough to handle minor bumps without damage. It got to me quicker than expected - which is a plus.
I shopped around online for quite a while before I settled on this tripod.  I narrowed it down to this one and the Slik U9000.  All other things being equal (from what I could tell), I chose this one for aesthetics.  I have not had a chance to use it yet, but it looks very sturdy, not cheap at all (cheap is a relative thing, I'm not a professional, so for me it's fine).  I'm glad that I bought it.  It is well worth the price.
This is my first tripod, and it seems to be a good one for the money.  Very flexible in terms of setup and it is plenty sturdy.  The balancing screws on the feet are nice.  Easy to set up and easy to carry.
I have an older Velbon ( Victory 145) I got from a thrift shop, had to get the quick shoe as they always seem to be missing on used tripods (or went missing when the camera was sold), this one seems even more rugged although sold as a 'light weight'. I like the bubble level for setting it on uneven ground. I will probably still hang a sandbag around the center column for stability (I use cheep wrist or ankle weights with the Velcro fasteners) Oh and forgot to mention I have a Velbon head on the dash of my 2006 Jeep Wrangler also! I must be addicted to Velbon tripods!
ORDER WRONG PRODUCT FROM A DIFFERENT OR MAYBE THE SAME COMPANY.  THIS ITEM FIT PERFECTLY. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY.
Got what was expected. Fits tripod perfectly. Shipped in same time as was expected as well. No more required today.
A freind gave us an old Veblon tripod, but needed the quick release.  It works great and now we have a nice tripod for very little cost.
Does what it is suppose to do.  I was worried that the old tripod, it would not fit, but was perfect.
I somehow managed to lose the quick release plate that came with my Velbon tripod thereby rendering the device absolutely useless. I was overjoyed to learn replacement parts were so readily available, so reasonable and so quickly delivered. The replacement was a perfect fit and I am a happy tripoder now. Needless to say, I will keep closer tabs on the new QL plate than I did on the original.
Velbon QB5L Quick Release performs as expected and described, is appropriate for use required, would recommend for general duty use..
I bought this quick release for my tripod, I am happy that it fits, but I recieved a chork surfaeced one. It is okay but I would prefer one with plastic and rubber
somehow i managed to lose the platform.... it usually was attached to my camcorder but who knows where i took it off....  now i can once again use my tripod for my sons concert recordings.
fits a specific Velbon tripod but it is rigid and fits tight so there is no wobble; I need it as I have 2 cameras but usually carry only one tripod
Bought a used tripod missing this item.  Was delivered promptly and in A1 condition.  Mounted a large/heavy spotting scope on same and it is holding true, tight, straight on the firing range.  Yes I recommend this product from the vendor to anyone whom is in need of this.
Fit perfectly in the tripod my boyfriend sent me back from Afghanistan.  Screws onto the bottom of the camera and stays securely.
Could have spent ages looking for this quick release platform but decided to purchase this one and what a good idea it was! Perfect fit and function, all in one.
Its so good and dose the job it needs to and will not come apart
I have used this product before, but lost the original and had to replace.  This is a very good product!
The description says that it fits the V9000, but it does not. Now I am out $4+ on a $7 product to send it back.
It's simple to use.  I like the feature of being able to stack multiple slides in the holder.  So far, I have not had any problems with the viewer and I recommend it.
I had a Pana-Vue Automatic - Slide viewer from a number of years ago, but found that batteries had accidentally been left in it and corroded, so ordered a new one from Amazon.  It looked exactly like my old one, but found on inserting new batteries that the light would not come on.  I tried two other sets of new batteries, just in case, and the light still wouldn't come on.  Thinking it might be the bulb, I tried replacing it with the bulb from my old one (it was still good).  It still didn't come on.  Ended up sending it back for a refund.
This is just what we wanted to view some slides we found. We can decide what to keep or put on a dvd.
worked great right from the start , we used it to make photos of slides we had from years ago
First off, it works. It's flimsy and of cheap construction but that aside it works. I think it is twice the price it should be but it allowed me to zip through hundreds of slides and decide which I wanted to digitize.
The slide Viewer is very easy to operate and I use it mostly to view my favorite slides of my kids when they were little and I don't feel like dragging out our big projector
This is exactly the same as what my grandparents bought years ago!  You can't argue with a great design.  I recommend buying the power adapter.
This unit is made in Spain. Yes Spain, how about that!  Anyway it's not everything I imagined as the system is a little primitive and does not work that smoothly every time but hey, it does work.  You have to repeat the shuffling of the slides mechanism a few times to get it to work occasionally but it does work! Still a good buy for the $.
Dust on the inside of the projector lens is hard to clean. Mechanism not tolerant of slightly bent slides - allows them to get stuck and hard to remove.
Using the device is quite easy and it show the slides with good magnification.Inserting the D batteries, however, is something of a pain.  I'm using the optional power supply where possible, to delay battery replacement.
I really like this product for a couple of reasons. One it hold a lot of slides and two, it shows a nice clear picture. The thing I didn't like about this item is the fact that you have to buy a separate transformer or a case of D batteries to use it for long periods of time.It would make more sense to include the transformer with the viewer and charger more for the one product rather than selling these as two separate items. This would make the item much more desirable I think overall.
Compact device for viewing and cataloging 35mm slides. My wife's father left her over 17,000 slides which she reviewed with this viewer. Good value for the price.
I have used this slide viewer to preview the slides that I wish to convert from slides to digital. This is a tool that has aided me in this project. The slides fall into the viewing window with ease, usually on the first attempt. I purchased the transformer that you have to have in order to provide the power, as I did not  want  to rely on batteries.  You need to order the transformer in addition to the slide viewer, if you have many slides to view.
This was a used Viewer; therefore the 4 stars.  It was my choice to buy used, even though most of the reviews about this product were not very good.  For my purposes, it has worked just fine.  No complaints.  I had a lot of old slides to review, and it rarely jammed, but that was easily fixed.  I would buy it again.
This item was received as it appeared.  It works ok, but I did have some trouble with a few of the slides sticking either in the intray, middle or out tray.  Not too bad though and it was easier than feeding a slide in the single viewers.
I bought this product for my Grandma, and she loves it! It's a great way for her to view her old film negatives
I used the same slide sorter (different color) years ago.  The current model is just as reliable and easy to use.  Changing batteries is NOT difficult if you follow the directions carefully and don't assume (as I did) that you know how to do it.  I have experienced occasional jams, but every time there has been an obvious cause -- usually a defect in the slide, but once in a while because my stack was loaded with a slide out of alignment.  If you have hundreds or thousands of slides to review, this is the best tool available short of a projector with a stack loader.The image is clear and large enough to  be useful.  My slides are forty years old and leave lots of dust, so I would appreciate an easier way to clean the lens.
I was not totally happy when I had to repair the unit to be able to use it. I did get it repaired and have used it, but it was no0t a good experience.
Out of the box, it did not initially work with batteries. I had to take it apart about 4 times before I finally figured out that one battery contact was loose. I solved the problem by jamming a penny between the contact and the battery. Also the slide feeder jams repeatedly and you have to reach in and unjam slides. Finally small bits of dirt or lint get inside the lense and can't be removed. I used it to screen over 1000 slides prior to digitization. It is OK for that job.
This is a great viewer, but I wished in the advertisement that it had stated that a transformer is not included in the box.  I had to go back into Amazon and place an order for the transformer.  But the customer service was great and I love the viewer.
I chose this viewer because you can view a number of slides consecutively without loading them individually.  However I found that it jams quite a bit and a slide would get stuck inside so that I needed a pair of tweezers to remove it.  Also lots of dust and other lint from the slide mounts builds up on the viewing area, which needs to be cleaned -- but you have to take it apart to do so, which is a pain.  This item could and should have been deseigned better.
Apparently this viewer builds up a lot of static electricity. Any dust or lint on your slides will stay inside the viewer. This quickly builds up to the point that the viewer isn't really much of a useful tool.
I've had two of these.  One was a while ago and it didn't work too well, but I needed another slide viewer and thought they had to have changed the design in 20 years, but no, they still aren't worth a dollar.  It should be an easy thing to mfg., but they are still made with a very poor design.  DON'T BUY IT.
The viewer is identical to the one that we have used for over 25 years. It is reliable, will accomodate a stack of slides, easy to use and the screen is large enough to be easily useble. My wife looks through our 35 mm slides, sorts them on a slide sorter, labels them and inserts them into capacity trays. She then updates the master list. We have a 49+ year library of our slides. This viewer is perfect for use in identifying the locations etc shown on the slides.
flimsy and too complicated. called for two D batteries which barely fit - once I managed to open.  batteries were just purchased but it wouldnt work.  I was unable to reopen the battery compartment for fear I would break it.  They recommend use of the electric adapter and I see why, but I only wanted to look at 100 slides or so so I didnt want to spend the extra $17.  If they advertise that it works with batteries then they should be simple and easy to load.  I returned with the batteries inside because there was no way to reopen without breaking it.
Pretty cheaply made and didn't work until I bent one of the battery contacts so it would press against the negative end of battery. Worth maybe half what it's selling for. Might have been worth it if they'd have included the AC transformer.
My wife and I are going through 40 years of slides.  We use a stack loader on a carousel projector for both of us to view and then the Pana-Vue to individually review before scanning.  It pretty much is the same product as it was 30 years ago.  They probably should update the bulb with a LED, but its still pretty good.
This product is working just fine for me. When I was a lot younger I took a lot of slides of our travels and since we no longer have a projector this little Viewer helps me easily go through a lot  of slides that were just waiting in a box. I use it with two batteries. My daughter had no trouble putting them in. The light shows up behind the slides as they go through. A few times they got stuck but just turned them right and no problem. WinnieMar
This investment is worth its money spent.  Not only will it save batteries, it eliminates the somewhat involved battery replacement procedure.  I recommend it.
Needed to cut down my slide collection to transfer to disc and needed a small portable viewer. Used to have one of these and it does the trick.
Needed for the slide viewer. It helps you see the picture clearly.  I had some old slides I wanted to see better.
I use this plug in to power the slide viewer that I purchases also.Good way to power the devise instead of using batteries.No problems incountered with this product.Would recommend with purchase of slide viewer
We love looking at slides from years ago using the Pana-vue since it is so portable and it is not necessary to drag out a slide projector.The ability to use it with batteries or plug it into an electric outlet is handy.
Plugging in this transformer lets me use the slide viewer without batteries, which is very convenient.
It does what it is intended to do.  My only negative, which I stated in my review of the main product, a slide viewer, is that it should be coupled with the viewer so I don't have to go back and reorder.  I understand that related plans are in the offing, which would eliminate this criticism.  Amazon's service was prompt as usual.
I bought the slide viewer to use with the Plustek scanner I purchased.i did not realize until further reading that you either needed to buy this transformer or buy a case of D batteries to view all of my slides. I like that it saved me a fortune in batteries, but I think that it should be sold with the viewer and charge more for the viewer.
got here fast and was exactly what I ordered.  Works great.  Used batteries before but no more.  This will save money and I won't worry about battery power
I purchased the item to use with the Pana-Vue hand-held slide viewer.  Using it with electricity to view over 3000 slides was far better than replacing batteries frequently.  The long cord allows the user to plug in and view slides from a comfortable location.  I'm looking forward to using it on another large batch of slides.
This is a must if you want to use the slide viewer extensively - as I did.  Great to have on hand!
A very nice little gadget that lets me preview slides and to a lesser extent, negatives, which allows me to sort them before scanning onto my computer. Just what I was looking for and just what I needed. Works great.
This is a great add-on for the slide viewer as it allows me to keep the light on while I just pop slides in and out.  Recommended for use with the Slide Viewer.
Little to be said about a targeted transformer.  It is designed to mate with the its companian Pana-Vue slide viewer, and it works perfectly.Pana-Vue Transformer
The description of the viewer indicated that this would be useful.  Had to return it as there is no connection on the viewer for a transformer.
I ordered the slide viewer which I love and I am happy that I also ordered this transformer.  Why waste batteries when it is not necessary.  I recommend this for home use or anywhere that you have an electrical outlet nearby.
this does NOT go with the Kaiser 202010 DIASCOP mini viewer.  That model of viewer has no way to attach an adapter even though the website sold them as a package &#34;deal&#34;...returned it.  Kept the viewer
Price almost tripled when bill came.This is not needed with the camera scanner. Power comes through the computer connection.
I also had problems with the battery connection on this product.  It took my engineer father two hours of playing with the connections and finally jerryrigging it to get the light to come on.  Also, the on/off button doesn't stay pressed down to keep the light on. In general, the construction of the unit is just cheap; it's lightweight plastic that I expected to be much heavier. The images look okay in the viewer, but I was surprised that so much of the viewing area is taken up by the border of the slide. If you have old slides at home, there aren't a lot of other options for viewing them. But this product isn't worth more than a cheap flashlight.
The images appear slightly distorted in an hour glass shape. The lighting is otherwise good and the batteries last a long time.  It has a nice compact size and its easy to load and unload slides.  Overall, this viewer is ok for sorting through slides.
Needed this to help me edit my slide collection in order to transfer to disc. A nice portable product I used to own when film was king.
Reviewer performs as advertised.  Use 2 C batteries, insert slide, press down to engage light, and view the slide.  For what I wanted--to view slides before converting them to digital--it works fine.
This was a gift for my mother and she called to say that it was just a bunch of junk random pieces stuffed into a box.  She has no computer but I was able to print out the return info and mail it to her for her to attach to the box and get it returned.  Thank you Amazon!  But shame on the mfg or the reseller who ruined what I had hoped to be a good gift.  I have one of these units that is over 30 years old and it is still working fine.  I was hoping that the new viusally indistinguishable version would be fine.  Sure it is a bit funky but it worked fine.  I guess things have really deteriorated in Pana-Vue land.  And for almost $30 it is simply outrageous.
Great product.  First one received, light did not work.  Returned for replacement at no cost to me for shipping.  Second one works fine.
I received the Pana-Vue #1, made sure the batteries were inserted correctly, then put in a slide.  Nothing.  Put the batteries in another device to make sure the batteries were okay.  Put the bulb in a flashlight to make sure the bulb was okay.  Everything checked out, but I could not get this thing to work.  Then I went to work trying to figure out how this slide viewer got its juice.  I was able to discern that a connection was not being made and I bent one of the copper connectors so the existing gap was no longer there.  I got it working but, really, this is a VERY poorly made product and the electrical design looks like something out of the early days of electricity.  Now that I have it working, the image of the slides is slightly distorted and not bright enough.  Don't waste your money.
Just what I wanted.  Replaced an exact duplicate which I had purchased thirty or so yearsearlier and used until it no longer worked.  I was surprised to see that the electric bulb andsocket as well as on/off switch were exactly the same construction.
This is exactly what I wanted to replace a very old slide viewer.  However, the viewer has only one support (in the middle), and it tends to fall over easily;  otherwise, it's great.
Don't buy this product.  I bought 2 and had to return them both.  They would not work at all. Apparently there is something wrong with the lighting mechanism, which is very poorly designed.
I am reviewing and digitizing 1000s of 35mm slides and this viewer is the perfect way to quickly scan a bunch of slides.
This is a functional but flimsy slide viewer. It does the job, however, vast improvements could be made at little cost. The incandescent bult should be replaced with a high intensity, white LED. Besides using less current, the LED would virtually last forever. In addition, the bi-metal switch that turns on the light is unreliable. The light came on a couple of times by itself, just due to setting the viewer down. A hermetically sealed, momentary contact switch would solve this problem.
Great ItemExactly what I expected.  Works great.Would recommend for anyone with 2 x 2 slides.Arrived on time also.
Viewer is easy to use and has enough magnification to get a clear look at the slides. It enabled me to finally check numerous slides that had been stored away for a number of years. I no longer have a projector and needed to review slides and get rid of those no longer needed. Am in the process of scanning slides to use in a genealogy project.
This is a product for viewing slides one at a time.  It could work a little better.  The light does not go on and off as it was designed to do and to turn off the light you have to remove the batteries and the door to the battery compartment falls off and has to be replaced each time.  The switch to turn on the light is flimsy - but what the hey, for the amount I spent I guess I got what it was worth.
The response to my order was fast, and the product was exactly as it was described. Would recommend.
I came across some 40+ year old slides and wanted an inexpensive viewer to go through them. This Pana-Vue viewer was inexpensive but it does the job -- low tech is sometimes the best option!
In this digital age not many will need this viewer but I have hundreds of slides from years ago I wanted to scan.  Needed a way to view the potential candidate slides in a small space and be able to show my kids while I was working on them.  My parents owned a Pana-View for decades, so I bought one.  Works on wall tranformer or c-cell batteries which last a long time and it shows plenty of detail so you can see any dust or problems with each slide.  This viewer shows one slide at a time in full-screen, not as fast as a tray style or light table where you can lay out a dozen or more slides at once but those don't enlarge the slide for inspection and you end up viewing them twice for the same effect.  Simple, effective, no moving parts to wear out and well made.  Very happy with this product.
My husband had wanted a lighted slide viewer in order to filter through 'millions' of old slides of his girls growing up and put them on a DVD.  This item is perfect - and it has kept him busy!  Great size, easy to operate, and priced right.
We found some old slides that belonged to my wife's father. They must be as least 55 years old. I purchased this viewer without the power cord. The battery power works fine. The viewer is great. It is a good value and the shipping was super fast.
We have slides from back in the 50's, and wanted to convert them to discs.  It was going to be a very tiresome task, holding each one up to the light and choosing the ones we kept.  This product made it so much easier, and we loved looking at the old slides!!!!  Our girls were little, and now they both have grandchildren!!!
Great product.  I ordered the AC adapter with it and they work great together.  With the AC adapter I can leave the light switched on and just pop slides in and out for viewing.  I would definitely recommend this product.
Used to have a small one years ago.  Now going through slides to copy and store, this became a necessity.  Great magnification and quality.  Highly recommend it.
Don't need this kind of thing very often anymore, but when you do it's nice to have one.  Works great and arrived in record time.
viewing screen is too small for me. my fault, I should have gotten a model with a larger screen. the unit is decently made and operates well.
May work great if inside, but it's terrible with even the slightest amount of wind.  Even with sandbag, the arm can't withstand the wind.
Very useful when I don't have helping hands on shoots. Before having this reflector arm I would be frustrated with holding or placing this on obscured angles to get a perfect reflection. Now I'm more relaxed having this help me with inside or outside work.
The arm is made very well. It is manufactured in Italy, likely by Manfrotto. It has the same sturdy double ball joint mechanism that is used in many Manfrotto items. The difference between this arm and the one Manfrotto sells is in the way the reflector is held. The "jaws" on the Westcott open easier and grip better on the reflector. As noted in prior reviews, it is best mounted on a light stand with a sand bag. You could mount to your tripod head if you purchase a female threaded stud. Or you could mount it to the leg of tripod or sign/pipe with clamp/stud combo. It is must have for shooting outside and helps control shadows in studio.
Westcott makes great quality products.  This product is made very well, is stable and and holds the reflector firmly.  I have no complaints.
I have used a few different relector arms and this one is the built the best by far.  It is very solid and professional.  Most of the accessory parts are even metal.  It can be extended out to accomodate larger reflectors as well.  I would definitely reccommend this item to anyone!
This arm effectively holds varying sizes of Westcott reflectors.  It obviously won't work well in windy conditions, but it frees up my assistant to do more important things than hold a reflector - very convenient on location shoots (other than the inconvenience of lugging it and a light stand and a sandbag).  Construction quality is good, no complaints, but I somehow can't give that aspect of it a 5 rating.  An integrated rear boom extension would sure be nice, but that would increase the price and weight.  If you own a Westcott reflector, you got to get one of these arms with a medium duty light stand.
This reflector arm came highly recommended by another photographer and I can totally see why. The construction is superb, the double ball joint allows for an incredible amount of adjustability (it holds fast even when larger reflectors are attached), and the reflector mounting clips grip without slipping and feel like they should last a good long time. My only complaint is that the telescoping sections spin freely, which can make keeping the mounting clips aligned during setup a little annoying (granted, it's probably a plus if you need to twist a reflector or something).Quick tip: don't forget to weight/sandbag the stand you attach this arm to, especially if you're using larger reflectors in conjunction with light weight stands.
This is one SOLID piece of equipment! I love it. I can stage my reflector in just about any position or angle with ease. Expensive but excellent value.
light and convient to carry.  just suit my lowepro camera bag. every time i go out to take photo i won't forget it
Unique double folding umbrella for the ultimate in portability. I use these umbrellas as part of a mobile lighting kit with  Speedlights for the ultimate in portability.
As the subject says, it does the job well...Most ppl complain about problems putting the black part back on, but it's not so bad.. Easier with two people though
I'm a big fan of Westcott's products and this silver umbrella is no exception. I was already using the similar sized collapsible shoot-through umbrella and really liking it, but it's not ideal for taking pictures in small rooms. Mainly because it reflects some light backwards as well as forwards, which can reflect in a small room and really effect the resultant lighting.So I thought I'd give the soft-silver a go, especially because it's pretty cheap to buy. And I am really happy, obviously it only throws light in one direction so I'm getting much better control in small rooms. The soft-silver finish also produces a fantastic soft light. It's not a full-on mirror finish, so it doesn't reflect as much light as, say, a silver reflector, but the light is very soft so this is a good feature in my book.
I have two of these, one of which was purchased a few years ago. It works as well as any standard design umbrella of equal size for most applications. It is a bit more delicate due to the folding design, but that is what makes it so portable, so it is a small tradeoff. This newer model has a solid insert in the end of the shaft which prevents it from being crushed when clamped a bit tight near the end. I highly recommend this for a very good portable lighting kit.
I really like this but I wish they offered it in a hard silver instead of just the soft silver. You miss out on all the contrast with the soft silver.  Otherwise it's a great product.  If you buy it from Adorama it will have an Adorama logo so if that bothers you get it from a dofferent vendor.
Very compact, is retactable and fits in any backpack, the pole is hard and well constructed.the only negative aspect  is that the umbrella is very plain so offer less angle of reflected light
It's built very nicely, sturdy and folds up in a easy to carry package. Great deal for the money spent!
It's shiny, and so white!The haxagonal construction of the pole that goes through the umbrella clamp is awesome and confidence-inspiring.I use this for my fancy shoots, and my $6 36&#34; dx umbrellas for my adventure shoots.Honestly though umbrellas are like a cheatcode at photography.Just, please look up strobist and know how to use them...I look forward to the day that you can't afford not to have one of these.
I was looking for a large-ish umbrella at a budget price, and chanced upon this umbrella. I've used it on a number of photo shoots so far, and it has worked very well indeed.(Do note that this is a shoot through style umbrella - where the outside surface of the umbrella faces your subject. It will not function well, if at all, as a reflector umbrella.)Pros:####1. The light it generates as a shoot-through is soft and well diffused2. It folds down to a very compact 6" or so size. However, it is often a struggle to pack it back into its tiny case.Cons:####1. You get the build quality that you pay for - this isn't an umbrella that will stand up to rough use.2. The extension handles are not the smoothest. It sometimes sticks, but this is not a show stopper issue for me.3. The handle is a very thin tube - and I'm always nervous when tightening the screws that hold it in place.4. Has an annoying Adorama logo.In conclusion, this cheap accessory makes makes me look like a better photographer - so this is excellent value for money.You might want to watch out for the build quality though - I use it very gingerly and rarely take it off the stand except when I'm transporting it.I suspect that I'll upgrade this at some point, but for now, it works well enough for my needs.Note that I use this umbrella in conjunction with a Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand, a Stroboframe Bracket Shoe Mount, and a Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter. This combination works exceedingly well for my purposes.Happy Strobing!
The umbrella is nicer than I expected after reading the reviews. I wanted a moderately sized white shoot-through umbrella specifically to use while on the go. I decided on this instead of one with a removable cover (Westcott Compact 43" White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover - Collapsible) because I think a shoot-through is sufficient for the majority of mobile applications. I also wouldn't bother with removing and putting a cover back on and would probably just leave a removable cover at home anyway.The package comes with a clear plastic cover, and a black nylon sheath that is admittedly tight-fitting. I think this is good as it makes the whole setup more compact and protects the white surfaces completely. I use this with a standard Strobist setup:Manfrotto 5001B 74-Inch Nano Stand Replaces Manfrotto 001B (Black),Manfrotto 026 Swivel Lite-Tite Umbrella Adapter, andStroboframe Accessory Shoeholding up aCanon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flashand wrapped with10pc Premium-Grade New Virgin Rubber 8" Bungee Ball Cords - Tarps, Canopy, Wrap Hose & Cords. With this setup everything is reasonably solid, the flash points directly in the middle of the umbrella, it's portable, and takes great photos.PROS:- It provides very nice, soft light. The "optical white satin" has a nice sheen to it and gives off very nice, diffuse light.- It collapses very small, is light, and very compact when collapsed.- It opens to a good size, and is competently built. It won't take abuse as it's a lightweight affair, but it will last if handled with care. You can't expect an especially strong shaft because it's hollow and therefore collapsible (with the exception of the reinforced tip for attaching to an umbrella holder). Any umbrella will break if knocked over on a stand enough times.- The end of the shaft has been reinforced with a solid metal piece to keep you from accidentally crushing the hexagonal hollow shaft when attaching it to an umbrella adapter. The old workaround of glueing in a sawed off pencil is no longer required. This is a nice improvement made by Westcott recently and I applaud them for that.- There is a lever-action "button" to snap the umbrella in the open position and close it easily. I really like this feature.- The case is nice and tight fitting. It's pretty easy to get the umbrella in if you twist the fabric it closed tightly before inserting it into the sheath.CONS:- The "tips" around the diameter of the umbrella are a bit sharp, likely to accomodate a removable cover. I would prefer if the ends were capped in some way, or perhaps rounded at the ends. I may just cap the ends myself.SUMMARY: A very nice umbrella with very minor drawbacks. I will definitely buy another one for back-up, and intend to get several more sizes and types.*UPDATE (9/10/2012):- A 2"Wx16"L mailing tube from the Post Office holds it perfectly if you prefer a sturdier case.- After comparing the fabric and build quality on a few cheaper umbrellas, the Westcott is the one to get. The "Optical White Satin" provides very nice light, it has a nice sheen to it.- Seeing the "spokes" in the catchlights bug me a little, but I fix that in post. I can't really blame the umbrella, though. At least the catchlights are round, which is what I personally prefer in most cases. For square catchlights I use a softbox (e.g.Lastolite LL LS2462M2 Ezybox M2 Hotshoe Kit (24-Inch X 24-Inch)). A softbox has less light spill, is more directional, and has nice square catchlights. On the other hand, it's 10x more expensive.*UPDATE (12/27/2012):- I still really like it, but now I wish I bought theWestcott Compact 43 inch White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover - Collapsible. The cover is useless as a bounce umbrella, but the cover would be handy to partially cover the umbrella when you need to feather the light. The shoot-through gives very pleasing results, but it kind of sprays light everywhere which is a problem if you'd like to keep the flash off the background, for example.
Mine has Westcott logo instead of Adorama logo.A key feature of this umbrella is that it is less than 16 inches in length when folded.  I can put them in a backpack rather than a light kit bag when I need to travel light.  The edges doesn't have protective plastic caps like some other umbrellas but the overall build quality is decent.  I'd give it 3 stars but portability makes it 4 stars.  Costs bit more than non-collapsing type.
Short and brief. (?)I have been shooting professionally for a long time. Portraits, head shots, corporate exec's etc...etc. I like to work tight (close to the subject) and this of course denotes setting your Speedlights on a lower power. Usually, my units are set around 1/16th power. This umbrella is so good at transmitting light that I had to reduce my flash units to 1/64th power. (less power = more flashes & faster recycle time) But what surprised me the most, was how much softer the light is with this unit. It really is fantastic ! The build quality is very good. For those who say different, I would say: &#34;Hey folks...it's an umbrella...not a TRUCK&#34;. Really...??As for its packaging: I welcome the fairly heavy clear plastic case. I can't see where anyone can b#$@h about the black sleeve that it fits nicely into. Just gently twist the top umbrella (like you do any portable rain umbrella) so it is easily started into the sleeve.I love the ease of collapsing antenna. This is also built of a strong hexagonal shaped metal shaft, and telescopes vey smoothly. And I do believe it will last!Ending: I have been around a few blocks in this life, and this is the best portable, packable, usable, practical, best deal photo related piece of gear you'll ever buy!!!  That's a mouth full...but all true. Oh...and did I mention that it has a professional look about it that is certainly deserving too!I ordered two more today, and I don't need them, I am just afraid they (Westcott) will find out what they have and double the price.There...what else could you ask for? Do yourself a favor...buy this one.(or better yet, buy two and save yourself more time and shipping)Your Welcome,Bill Boone.
I'm using this with a SB800 flash for portraits. I don't do that many, so this umbrella is a decent choice for the application at a reasonable price.
...the pole is too thick and barely fits into the standard hole! I could have sent it back, but I didn't. So, now I have to use an umbrella that I can't slide closer to the flash...whatever.
It comes with a plastic cover. It works perfectly. Just like any other umbrella be careful with it. I'm starting to get into flash photography and this is the best for it's value.
I ordered this umbrella directly from Adorama along with a couple of pocket wizards, bogen lightstand and a light meter.  The umbrella had the Adorama logo on it ... not a big deal.  What was a big deal is that the umbrella appeared to be used.  The rod, end of the umbrella is damaged like someone had clamped on it to tightly already and the umbrella's rod appears to have been shortened.  I've emailed Adorama and have yet to hear back.
Got great results with a shoot-through umbrella. Easier to direct a flash light through this umbrella than a reflector umbrella. Nice soft shadows and pleasing light.
I already had a number of shoot-through umbrellas, but they had started to yellow over time, and I wanted just one *good* one that looked professional and would maybe hold up better over time. The Westcott umbrella is unique in that the rods that extend from the center fold in the middle, making it collapse much more compactly. Not only this, but it keeps the center of the umbrella flatter than the edges. I can already see how this will help when using it as a shoot-through umbrella. Construction seems high-quality, and the price was alright. Next to my other cheaper umbrellas, this seems to be a bit more translucent, like actual satin, rather than just thin fabric. This'll do well for a quick popup photo booth or even in the studio.
Ordered this umbrella for the large size via Adorama, but though the packaging says 43", measured across the diameter of the umbrella opened, it is 36" rib tip to rib tip, 34" side to side, which is quite a bit smaller than what I expected.  Do they measure across the arch of the umbrella?
I bought 2 of these. I'm very happy it them. They diffuse the light nicely. I would just recommend setting the umbrella as faraway as possible from the flashgun, so you can get a big SPECULAR light source, which will soften the shadows of your subject. The product includes a kind of plastic hard bag as well as a soft nylon case.
Except that 2 uses into it, one of the strings broke.  Will have to register it and then have them to replace it.  I didn't get the "Adorama" logo some people were talking about.
It's an umbrella.It Umbrells as it should.The materiel is more reflective than the cheaper cloth umbrellas.This unit also folds up smaller than the cheaper umbrellas.It only lacks a convertible cover.
They say that the final arbiter is the output. So in theory, using a no-name China-made umbrella should be a no brainer, right? Well, that's what I thought.I used a couple of China-made umbrellas to cross-light mounted paintings. Behind them were a couple of Nikon SB-800's of roughly the same age.  When we were done with the shoot, we noticed that the umbrellas (from the same maker) were giving us a colour cast different from one another. Sure you can retouch in post, but do you really want to do that ALL the time?When we tried out the Westcotts, we were amazed that the colours went back to neutral for both. So I'm very happy.Plus the fact that there was certainly more effort in having the Wescotts made well.  The no name China ones had the tip as you would with a normal rain umbrella.  The compact Westcotts had flattened tops.And, they fold into maybe 12"?  So carrying them around David Hobby style is no bother at all.Worth it!
Cheaply made but will do for now. The ends doesn't have the plastic caps which makes the tips of the umbrella very sharp. It's very dangerous where it could cut you and damage your equipment.Adomara also added their logo on there. Not a big fan of their logo on my umbrellas, but hey it's cheap and we have the choice to buy it or not.
Seems to be fairly sturdy and compacts down smaller then some of my other umbrellas. I'm quite pleased with it.
This is really nice and portable, and it was a good price.  I have no complaints about it.  It does exactly what it needs to do!  :)
I bought 2 of these for my home studio to shoot strobes through. They aren't really 43&#34;, more like 38&#34;, but that isn't an issue for me and what I'm doing. I would have preferred not to have the black Westcott logo on them, but I just swing them to the top and out of the way. I also don't care for the plastic latching buttons, but we'll see how long they last. The frames are pretty light as with most of these cheap umbrellas. They'll need careful handling to last very long. They fold up nice and small for great portability.They do give good even defused light for portraits. I have used them a number of times and really enjoy the results. I don't see any color cast caused by using them. They suit me, and I would recommend them for anyone wanting to shoot on a budget.
Great quality, portable, even light diffusion, lightweight. Easy to get back into the small black bag (a plus!) Highly recommended for new and pro photographers.
This umbrella was recommended by Strobist and it is small for portability, and a big light source for flash photography. Easily a permanent piece in my camera bag.
Very happy with this umbrella for my portable lighting kit. Small as a traditional compact rain umbrella you might keep in a bag, which is perfect for having on hand for any location need. The 43&#34; size is great for individuals up to small families and provides a wide spread of soft light.I recently had this out in a pretty strong windstorm. While my assistant tried to keep things in place, a wind gust threw this umbrella out completely reversing it. Most standard folding umbrellas would have been toast, but this little guy didn't break! We just got it folded back and thankfully no joints were damaged. I'll be ordering several more of these!
I ordered two of these umbrellas. Problem was neither one was 43 inches. More like 38&#34; 1/2 from tip to tip. Although they look wonderfully made. I just want what was described. They did come marked Westcott. Some said they had Adorama logo on them. also others stated the ends were sharp. Not the case here. I will be returning these and ordering a 60&#34; Westcott. Lets hope those are 60&#34; and not 50&#34;
I bought three of these umbrellas over a year ago after reading about them in a Strobist article. They have been fantastic. They hold up as well as the much higher priced brands after over a year of commercial field abuse. Their most endearing attribute is that they double fold when collapsed, so they are ultra compact when folded. Best of all, I have not had a single failure of any kind since I bought the trio. I am not overly gentle with my photo tools, and this product has never let me down. Buy a lightweight, ultra collapsible stand, bungee the two together, an you have a portable light studio for your Speedlight and Pocket Wizard combo that is as as compact as a small folded newspaper, and pleasingly light to boot.One review mentioned that the umbrellas included the Adorama logo on the outside perimeter. It's very true. I was surprised to see dual brands printed there, but after considering that my first purchase from Adorama was in the early 1980's, and that I have bought everything from film to large format lenses from Adorama since that time without a single complaint, I welcome the Adorama logo as an old friend, and I'm more than happy to display the name wherever I shoot.
Works great, but broke after only two weddings.  Opened it up and one of the metal rods snapped.  10 bucks per wedding seems expensive.  AVOID.
Not sure if this is endemic to the 'race to the bottom' of some manufacturers, but I've paid less for 'protect me from the rain' umbrellas that have held up better than this one. Always put it back in it's little protective sleeve after I'm done with it, and it's still started fraying at the edges, and a couple times, the metal arms that hold the umbrella open have popped out of their 'holsters'
These are the first umbrellas that I've worked with but I have no complaints about these ones. They feel solid and come with handy sleeves for storage / transport. If I need more umbrellas I will order these ones again.
I bought it for the price, it was just on my budget. If seems some how delicate so I have to threat it with care, I think it will last for a while if dont overuse it otherwise I dont think it will last much but no problem because it was not expensive.
The material that the umbrella is made out of is very high quality as is the internal spokes and shaft. But how the umbrella attaches to the retractable spokes is the weak point and is mind numbing why even cheap umbrellas seem to have a better idea of how to make these two things work together. After opening this umbrella 3 times! the thread that holds the umbrella to the spokes broke and pretty much makes this umbrella unusable. I'll sew it back together myself because I'm past the return date, but this is just a stupid design and just makes me mad.One more thing the shaft is larger than normal umbrellas and it will only fit into one of my stands and I have to seriously force it into it. I'm not sure what this was made for, but not the typical stands.
Good quality umbrella, folds up small, feels sturdy when popped open. Use it for all of my shoots both at weddings and even product shoots. Gives a nice soft light when shot through.
This is my first time to use umbrellas, and by using this one .. I had great results by using Speedlite 580EX II with it. perfect small packing size and light weight. very good for using indoors and outdoors. I liked it
I love Wescott umbrellas, You can't beat when you get for the price. This one is light, compact and the double fold is awesome, making it easy to use at a smaller size if you need to.
This is my first umbrella, so I have nothing to compare it to but it seems very well built, it's compact and easily portable, and seems like it should last.  Would definitely purchase again.
The build quality is good. The material is matte finish and nice. Overall well made for the cost you're looking at. The size is excellent. As for use, it really does well for shoot through with a speedlite. I've used it indoors and outdoors, for bounce and for shoot through and it does the role perfectly well. Can't go wrong for this price. Mine says &#34;Westscott&#34; on it, I know some said their's say &#34;Adorama.&#34; I frankly don't care about brand names for this stuff though, but figured I'd throw that out there. I'd buy more. I want a gold one now.
Well made, rugged shaft, the collapsible shaft means it's compact and fits in my carry bag. This is a simple product that just does its job well, and for only a couple dollars more than the &#34;cheap&#34; ones.
To someone who has been trying to emulate the professionals These umbrellas have helped me tremendously for diffusing my strobe lighting on portraits and product photography.
I previously purchased a shoot through umbrella for far less from another seller and it broke the first time I used it.  I learned my lesson, and bought a brand name that I trust.  The umbrella shaft is not hollow; it the material is thicker and more rugged compared to the cheapie version.  I expect that this will hold up through the years.
Great build quality for the price and the material is excellent. The quality of the the diffused light is clean and well diffused causing very light shadows.
This medium sized collapsible umbrella is well designed, something you would expect from a name brand manufacturer.  The fabric is more translucent than you will find with other discounted brands, resulting in nice soft light and minimal power loss.  The bi-fold design allows it to collapse down to a smaller size than typical umbrellas, but the trade off is in durability, more moving parts means more parts that can break on you.
I was looking for a compact and good quality photo umbrella -- I found it at a good price!
I bought this to carry with me for shooting gigs where I cannot control the lighting and and need to deal with it.  It doubles as both a shoot through umbrella with a speedlight and as a shade to get faces out of direct sunlight.  For the latter I have an assistant or unsuspecting observer hold the umbrella over the head of the person I am photographing to block out the direct sunlight.  It provides a quick and effective way to soften the light on the face.  Finally, it folds up really small and tucks in a side pocket of my camera bag so I am happy to take it along just in case.
I purchased this umbrella to use with my SB-600 flash on a light stand with a bracket I purchased from Amazon as well.  Works well.  Nice even lighting.
Product came well packaged and exactly as described and shown. Westcott ONLY branded. Nice sleep, great build quality. Don't hesitate in purchasing this.
I took some incredible engagement photos using this umbrella. I loved the portability and ease of use. It's wonderful indoors, but outdoors beware. It's easily broken if it's knocked over. The second time it fell over on our outdoor shoot, it broke.Even though I consider this umbrella to be a little pricey, I liked it so much I bought another. To me, that fact says it all...though I do wish the manufacturer would improve the durability of the product. Photography umbrellas are notoriously fragile, and nearly all require careful handling if you want them to last. Still, it seems that this one is more fragile than most. Otherwise I'd have given it 5 stars.
Great product. Happy with the quality, especially for the price.  It fits in my backpack and it is very portable.
Good quality umbrella for the money. this is my first umbrella and I needed to keep the cost down. this has worked for me in use and cost. would highly recommend
At first because of the compact size when folded, I thought the umbrellas were missing from my order!  It's folded inside a black thin pouch that's inside a thick clear pouch which is easy to store (I ended up getting rid of the black pouch).  It's only about 14" folded including the center tube which makes traveling with the much easier (I bought two, might by a third soon).As for the umbrella, these are built much better than other cheaper umbrella with the center tube being round and thin which spun around the umbrella adapter easily.  This Westcott version has the thicker hexagon shaped finish which prevents it from spinning and also fits just right in most umbrella adapter.  The center tube also three stages for shortening & lengthening the tube.The best part about the umbrella is the white satin finish.  It's thicker and has a shiny coat inside which is great for bouncing or soften the light drastically shooting through.  To get the most light but diffused, I would bounce the light while shooting through to cut the output and soften the light about x3.On a side note, I never liked how the speedlite flash head always aimed on top 2/3 portion so I also bought "M-18 Pro Flash Hot Shoe Umbrella Holder adapter" on Amazon so I have the extra leg to move the Speedlite horizontal to the center tube.  The light is diffused better with the light shooting through the center.Overall this is probably one of the better quality umbrellas on the market.6/20/2014 Update:  I was doing a shoot at a location and obviously with an umbrella it can get knocked over easily.  It was a slow motion but didn't catch the falling stand on time & seemed like the umbrella hit the side gently but completely bent the center shaft.  Lesson learned, use weights :p
Very large when open but extremely compact when closed. Ideal for on location multiple flash photography.
Haven't had the opportunity to use this yet, but it had a much better rating then some of the others offered on Amazon, which is why I chose to buy this particular one.
I'm new to studio photography. I used this umbrella for a photo shoot at my job, and it fell resulting in a bent stem so the umbrella wouldn't collapse all the way. I got it to collapse later when I bent the stem back into shape. Not that bad of a problem. I'm weary taking it out for outdoor shooting now. Good product though it gets the job done. Will definitely purchase another one in the future.
After going through countless other shoot through umbrellas with questionable quality and materials, I finally settled on these Westcotts. They break down to a very compact size, and the fabric diffuses light in a very pleasing manner. They are built well, and should last quite a while. I'd recommend them!
I purchased 2 of these umbrellas; they are compact enough for portable lighting setups. They are built well and perform as expected.
This thing folds down nice and compact. Bring it along wherever, and it might make that mediocre shot of yours something so much better. Or if nothing else, have it keep you mildly dry in a downpour.
I just received my Westcott 43" Umbrella a few days ago so I haven't had much time to play around with it but it seems to be well made, looks professional when mounted on a light stand, and it was fairly cheap. It's a nice size when open and it's very compact once you fold it down, could easily fit into your camera bag or backpack. I bought it as a shoot through umbrella but I guess you could also reflect it. Mine doesn't have the Adorama logo on it like a few other people have mentioned, maybe they stopped doing that? But anyway, it's a decent piece of kit and I'm more than happy with it!
I rate my brollies on their ability to take hits and keep folding. This sucker went down twice and it's good as new. Quality of light off it is great as well.
Like most umbrellas, quite fragile, but of better build quality than the Phottix one I originally bought. Will buy again if this one breaks.
Slightly more expensive but Good Quality and worth to spend the extra $.  This is my 2nd one for the same size.
I've only had it for a few weeks and thought I was taking pretty good care of it... but it's already seen a somewhat significant bend on one of the spokes. It still shuts and when it's open it is still plenty functional - I just hope this isn't a bad sign of things to come.But yeah, otherwise good price for what you're getting.Updated January 13, 2010: These things are incredibly fragile. If you have one on a stand and it falls, you will break it. Period. I've broken one of mine this way.
Great Umbrella!  It's just a shame that it didn't last that long.  It fell a couple times because of the wind and is worthless now. =(
Sure, it looks nice "optically" but mine didn't have a handle.I looked like a total dufus standing out in the rain with this thing.  Oh well..  I still gave it high marks as it did an ok job keeping off the rain and I assume I just got a defective copy.Simply too lazy to return for one with a handle.
Well constructed. Good value for the money. Cover goes on very easy and stores nice. Recommended for all levels of photographers
Westcott makes great umbrellas, especially for their price range.  One thing I really love about these is that they don't have the standard aluminum shaft, the material they use (graphite?) stands up much better and doesn't get dinged up like the cheap aluminum ones do.  So the shaft fits and tightens in place on your light every time, despite lots of use.
I bought 2 of these.  I took the black covers off to shoot-thru and the cover was easy to remove.  The tips are then cap-less but they aren't sharp so no prolems with them.  It opens just like an umbrella.  The length of the shaft is good so it can be inserted and remain closed until ready to use.  They came in their own plastic sleeve so easy to restore if you want to keep them in something.  Very happy with the purchase.
Luego de buscar y investigar sobre que marca comprar, lei en las lecciones Strobist, que &eacute;sta marca de Sombrilla y &eacute;sta medida eran las m&aacute;s recomendadas, compr&eacute; una y ahora tengo dos, tienen una resistencia muy buena y excelentes condiciones de traslucidad, estoy muy contento con el resultado de mis fotos.
This is just what you expect it to be. If you're moving a lot with it you should consider getting the double fold ones.
I received the umbrella bent. I was able to bend it back straight and it worked out great. I needed it for a large group shot and it really came just in time for that.
I am very happy with this umbrella. I have 3 others, but this is by far my favorite so far.
This is a great item to have for portrait photography. The price is great, as well the multi function ability. The only hangup is it isn't as compact as I would like. There are versions that are collapsible for fitting in smaller carrying cases. If I could do it over, I would have ordered the collapsible version. Great product though, with so many uses.
I bought one of these to defuse my Fresnel lights and it does an amazing job.  After the first I ordered 3 more The only thing that could have made this better is if it had some sort of reusable case to transport it in and store the black cover
This umbrella is a great umbrella to use for shooting through or reflective shooting purposes. The umbrella shaft is black and feels very sturdy. The only reason it received 4 stars out of 5 was because the bag/container it came in was made of plastic and felt cheap as well as the black cover that you take on and off seems like it could possibly break fairly easily.
Let me start by saying I've gone through 3 of these already.  I usually use it without the removable black cover. I like the product and that's why I've been buying it over and over again. The only grudge I have is that the wires bend easily. I know I'm supposed to put weights on the light stand or have someone hold it when working outside, however on a couple occasions the wind has beat me to it. Even though my speedlights have survived, the umbrella has not faired so well. Even with a small bump against the ground the wires bend all to easy. Other than that, great product.
The Westcott 2016 is well made and quite versitle. Although not instantaneous, modifying the cover is very easy and fairly quick. I'm quite pleased with this product.
I think Westcott makes very nice products.  I really like the quality of light out of this umbrella--not as hard as silver, but not as flat as plain white--nice compromise between.  I like the black backing personally as I never shoot light through my umbrellas.  I'd give it 5 stars, but I've had a problem with the ribs of Westcott umbrellas breaking and not folding properly--just a minor complaint.
I was debating between this and the plain white shoot-thru umbrella and decided to pay the extra few $$$ to have the versatility of using it as a bounce as well. Wish I would have just gone with the white since I use the shoot-thru 95% of the time. Removing the black cover is easy. Replacing... not easy. Plus, once you remove the black cover the metal points are nearly razor sharp. Makes it quite dangerous.  Also would be nice to have a velco strap attached like most umbrellas do to keep it secured when stowed. There is a nylon condom included for storage, but trying to get the umbrella crammed into it with the black cover is not easy. On the plus side, the shaft is rigid, the quality of material is pretty good, it compacts to a small size and as a light modifier, it does its job.
Does exactly what it says, absolutely no complaints.  This thing will scuff up if you aren't careful to keep it away from other objects (not that cosmetics matter for something like this).  Would definitely buy again if I needed another one.
Overall feels very solid and the shaft is solid metal. The arms seem like they can withstand some bending, the fabric is of thicker quality and has a Velcro strap to close. The end of the arms all have ball-tips rather than the needle-like ones another reviewer posted, so there's no ninja action on my version. Slipping the black cover on and off is very quick and easy - just make sure the umbrella is not extended, gently bend each arm and it pops right off.Only con is the clear plastic holder is cheap- as if it was designed to be thrown out after opening instead of a reusable holder I wish it came with. The opening of mine came torn out of the box from the workers stuffing the umbrella into it.All in all, it works great and the price is right.
It works. So far no melt down of my D70s. I have it going on a year now.
To start, my camera didn't have a pc sync port. Plus, I lucked into a ton of old flashes. Even though I looked them up, found they were less than the 250v my Nikon D40 could handle, wasn't going to risk killing my camera. Well, the Safe Sync took care of both having a pc sync socket AND removed any worry about using these powerful old and inexpensive flashes! Now I can use a flash on, or on a bracket, connected to a pc sync cable... and with a couple cheap optical triggers, can trigger those others without using my on-camera flash. My advice if you are considering using any older flashes, buy this FIRST!
Today's digital cameras all seem to have a problem ... if you have older electronic flash units, the "trigger" voltage may well be MUCH higher than the camera can tolerate.  Digitals usually require a max of less than 5v and some of my setups crank our over 100v.  This adapter is a true digital camera lifesaver ... without it the camera circuits would be fried.  It's a LOT cheaper than repairing a digital camera.
This is another one of the Wein photography items which does what the Wein company says it will do.  Wein products are always dependable.
I bought this to try out off-camera lighting on my old Digital Rebel. That camera does not come with a built-in PC sync socket. This device serves as a conversion between the hot shoe, for attaching flashes to the top of the camera, and an off-camera flash sync cord. More than that it provides voltage protection. I found that I was able to use a 70's era Vivitar 283 safely, on or off camera by putting the Safe-Sync between them.Even if you only plan to use a flash on the camera, this can save you big bucks and offer peace of mind. With this assurance that an older flash is safe to use with your camera you are free to buy powerful manual flashes that cost a tenth or less of what Canon & Nikon charge for their current top models.
Having made the transition into digital photography from my old medium format days I was not yet prepared to surrender my powerful vintage flash units (they are still one third to twice the lighting ability of the best on-camera flash Canon has to offer).  But given that my flashes fire at 45v and Canon digital cameras only tolerate 6v on the hot shoe, I was stumped.Though skeptical of its claims and not just a little worried for my camera if the thing did not work, I purchased this Wein voltage reducer based on Wein's longstanding professional reputation.  Before attaching it to my Canon cameras I used my voltage meter to measure the reduced voltage off-camera with several vintage flashes (the unreduced native trigger voltages originally measured in at 205v, 200v, and 45v).Surprisingly the Wein safe-sync reduced the voltage from all the flashes to less than 1v by my measurement for all three flash units (I am using an anolog voltmeter).  Now I was concerned in the other direction: would the thing even allow the flashes to fire consistently at such a low voltage?Live testing has produced this result:  Firing the flashes off-camera using a sync connection via the Wein reducer has so far proven very reliable (no missed flashes on early tests); however, firing dedicated flashes installed directly on the Wein is a hit and miss proposition.  I am guessing that the weight of a dedicated flash allows both units to shift a bit and misalign just enough to cause some missed flashes.My learning point is to always connect the vintage flashes to the voltage reducer via a sync connection and move the vintage flashes off-camera.  Since I have only had the reducer for a week there is nothing I can say with regard to durability except that I did contact the company and they noted the reducer has a warranty and other photographers use the reducers for years without problem.  Nonetheless, I will keep testing the reducer on a regular basis to ensure it continues to keep the voltage under 6v.In spite of the dedicated flash issue, I am giving the unit a full count on stars because it honestly works for what I need.-----Update one month later:  The Safe Sync is still going strong and I have now used it to sync up with my studio strobes via sync cable.  Not one missed flash, yet.
I know it's a pain in the neck to contact manufacturers and even worse to try and find one of their people who can answer your questions, but in this case it is CRITICAL.  This handy gadget can reduce the sync voltage on your old flash unit to a level compatible with your digital camera.  Doing this can save hundreds of dollars when you don't have to buy a new flash unit.  However, do the homework and make sure that it provides sufficient voltage reduction for YOUR particular digital camera.  I completely fried the hot shoe on a $400 Olympus Camedia by just assuming that it would work.
I have been using this device for a couple of years.  It works well with several flash units, including an old Vivitar 285.  I was surprised today when it failed to trigger an older Bowens studio flash.  The Bowens' trigger voltage is 12 volts, the same as many of my other flashes that still work properly.  The Bowens unit was checked out and it works with other camera's with a built in PC connection.  The Wein device will not fire the Bowens from the camera or it own test button.  When I called Wein, I was informed that the owner and only engineer was out and will only reply to email and then only if he feels like it.  They did offer to take the unit back for service but it is not broken, just not well designed.
I always keep this in my camera bag or pocket when shooting in the field or in the studio! Absolutely perfect and came highly recommended by my professors.
I am a photographer with more than 50 years experience. I own an old electronic flash that I once used to shoot weddings and other paid jobs. I joined the digital age just like most photographers. I shoot a Canon 50D, but have been afraid to use the old flash because of the difference in flash sync voltage.  I saw TheWein Products W990560 (SSHSHS) Safe-Sync Hot Shoe To Hot ShoeOn Amazon .com and ordered it. The price was more than fair, and shipment was extremely fast.  I can now use my old flash whenever I need to with out the fear of damaging my camera. Using my old flash was like being reunited with an old friend, thanks to Amazon and the Wein Products W990560 (SSHSHS) Safe-Sync Hot Shoe To Hot Shoe adapter. Friends again, never to part.
One such accessory that photography lovers usually need. This one does what we expect perfectly, with a very fair price. I have it since 2011 and it is working well.
This attachment prevents the high-voltage from blasting the camera.  I have two that I purchased here.  They're both great.  No more worrying about disabling the camera.  They work great although they are pretty pricy.  But that's OK.  And they work with wireless triggers too!
Wein, if you are listening: get more technical details about your products on your web site. Far too many photographers are leery about your safe-sync products, and don't trust them due to the scant information available.  I use this with my old Vivitar flash and Canon G7 & 50D with no ill effects so far. I'm going to get a Canon flash soon, because I'm still a bit uncertain and don't want to risk my 50D. My Vivitar puts out only 10v though so even with the wein I'm still not entirely certain that it will work with higher voltages.  I would be nice to see a table showing what cameras are guaranteed to work with the weins. Also there are a number of Wein model changes SSHSHS SHSHSH or whatever, and no idea what the difference is. If Wein would publish this info more people might buy this unit, which seems to work for me so far.
The Canon 6D did not explode and the Broncolor strobe packs (from the 1980s?) triggered every time. Probably a cheaper/simpler device would have worked equally well but I was too scared to try "unsafe sync".
I have had no voltage problems since using this gadget.  I can't say I know anything about it other than I've read where it is important.  I have many friends using older flash units with new cameras and they have no problems.  They have never heard of this thing.  Camera shops don't know about it or any voltage problems.  In the remote possibility of damage occurring I use it anyway but it is a pain.  It doesn't fit my hotshoe securely so it is hard to tell if it is fully seated and I get some shots where the flash didn't go off.  Can't say I'd like to use this under pressure as a wedding photographer.
I've used their products for years. They are beautifully made and they work. I bought this one in order to retro fit a number of flash units with my Sony A850. It is a must because the power used by a DSLR is much lower than the old flashes. Do not attempt to use your old electronic flashes with a new DSLR you will fry the circuitry. As a bonus it has a PC sync so you can use studio flash units in safely.
I got this to use my old 120J with my Pentax digital camera and it works very well.
I got this hotshoe adapter so that my sync cord for my flash units would work on my Canon 70D. The concept is perfect. It worked like expected with only one of my sync cords/ flash systems. The Novotron sytem worked. However, the JTL system can't seem to work with it. I don't know why. I've tried everything I can think of, including streching the metal pin on the cord to make a better fit. If I use the Novotron with the hot shoe sync, it will trip the JTL flash. I like my JTL because I have soft boxes for them and the Novotron has reflector umbrellas. It's not a perfect set up but better than nothing.
I love the idea of this product, but in practice it's a little cumbersome. I've been using it with the new Pentax K-X for about a month and a half. I normally have the 18-55mm kit lense attached. With this combination it does fit, but it's a tight squeeze and I worry a little about putting too much force on the lens to loop the top over. It has stretched out some and I think it does its job well enough now. I'd probably go for the Op/Tech type neoprene case if I had to do it over again, although that one might have its own problems.
I had to return this item, because it didn't fit my camera. There weren't any dimensions on the website and this really frustrated me. Aside from that it was great product and I feel bad giving a bad review
I love this cover.  It comes on and off easily once you get the hang of it, and is great if you have your camera around kids or anyone who might not treat it with the same care you do.
Ordered this cover in black for my new Sony A330 DSLR hoping it would be the right size and oh my goodness, it was like it was made for it! I am delighted with it and after a couple of tight-fitting in-and-out sessions, it has moulded magnificently with my camera, no problems getting my camera out quickly to grab a fast shot. Quality of material and workmanship is tops, looks classy and feels nice to handle. I can now feel comfortable with leaving my camera bag at home and throwing my camera in my handbag along with all my other gear now that it is protected by this cover. I highly recommend for this model or similar size camera.
I got the standard Zing for a Sony DSC-H20,good fit with an adapter and lens and tripod quick release.I also got a large (502-205) for a Canon Xsi and it fits perfectly with the kit lens and tripod quick release.These are great products!
I bought this for a trip where I didn't want to lug my everyday camera bag everywhere.  I coupled it with two lens wraps for a wide prime and a long zoom, and thought I could use a small slim bag for them.  It worked but just barely.  I guess it would depend on the bag you'd use it with.  If you are just bringing your camera and kit lens, it would be great.  If you are trying to bring some extras, depending on what bag you use, it could just end up being a jumble.  I hope to use this in my everyday bag in an effort to take more pictures each day.  Also nice if you are walking around places -- if photography is not allowed, just wrap it up and the staff should leave you alone.As for size, it just barely fits on my Canon t1i with 18-55mm kit lens.  I actually felt a few times like I wouldn't get it on.  Perhaps it will stretch a bit with use.  However, there is no chance of getting it on with any other lens, and doubtful if you had a hood reversed on the kit lens.  But once it is on, it feels pretty safe.
This camera case was perfect for my recent vacation. I just upgraded to a DSLR (Nikon D3100) and was excited and nervous about taking it with me all day. Our activities included a lot of outdoor walking in the heat and I knew I didn't want an extra heavy camera bag to lug around with me. This is the perfect compromise. It adds almost no weight to the camera and still uses the camera's own strap. It provides the camera with extra protection and padding without adding bulk and weight. I mainly carried the camera in my purse which prevents advertising the fact that you're carrying around an expensive camera. As for use, I quickly got the hang of it. It's definitely a snug fit and the D3100 might fit better in the large case. With a little use, the fabric stretched out and it became much easier to get on and off. The trick is to put the lens in first and then adjust the other seams to fit in the right spots. I really like the fact that you don't have to mess around with different buckles and straps. Just put the loop down over the lens and you're good to go. The attached tether strap makes it even easier to use. I wish it included a small pocket for a lens cap. I can't see this working as my only case for the long term, but it's definitely perfect when your camera is set-up as you need it and you don't need or want to haul around a bunch of accessories. I also wish Amazon had some of the other colors in stock. The black is boring. All in all, I'm happy with my purchase and would make it again.
Zing 501-102 SB1 Standard SLR Cover (Blue)Zing 501-102 SB1 Standard SLR Cover (Blue)Zing 501-102 SB1 Standard SLR Cover (Blue)  great Product just did not fit
This cover did a great job of protecting my camera.  I found it light weight to carry on my trips.
JUST RECEIVED THIS ITEM AND I THINK ITS A GREAT IDEA.  IT WORKS WELL WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO CARRY YOUR CAMERA BAG AND JUST WANT TO TAKE THE CAMERA ALONG IN A REGULAR TOTE BAG.  IT'S ALSO A PLUS TO USE IN ADDITION TO YOUR CAMERA BAG.  IT'S LIGHT AND VERY EASY TO PUT ON.  FITS THE CANON SX10 IS perfectly.  YOU WILL LOVE THIS ITEM.
I bought the Zing 501-101 for my Canon A-1 because I don't use a camera bag much and it fits it perfectly. I also tried it on a Ricoh Singlex TLS and fits that camera perfectly too. I will definitely get another for the Ricoh too.
This is an extremely stylish and snug cover.  It fits perfectly over my Rebel XSi and 50mm lens.  However, if you use anything over 50-55mm, this standard cover will not fit.
I used the Zing products years ago with my 35mm film cameras.  I had forgotten about them until we planned a month long trip to Europe with only carry on luggage.  I have a very nice case for the SX40 that I really like but it was too much for Europe.  Using the Zing allowed me to pack the camera in my small carry on for traveling.  Then when out and about I carried a ChicoBag Hobo reusable tote bag for the Zing encased camera.  On the suggestion of the camera store I kept a Ziploc bag with moisture absorbent packages to stick the camera into in case of rain.  It worked like a charm.  It is important to stretch the front flap with the opening over the lens of the camera vs using the lens to stretch the flap since the lens is a zoom lens.
This is a nice camera cover if your camera fits.  Mine does not and the cover keeps falling off.  I do still have it.  I may have a camera in the future that it fits better.
I just started using the Zing 501-101 SBK1 Standard SLR Cover (Black).  Since I purchased my first DSLR I have spent a fortune on different bags, trying to find the right combination of protection, portability and ease of use.  None of them has been right in all situations.  I think this cover is the answer.  First it fits myOlympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR (Body Only)withOlympus 35mm f/3.5 1:1 Macro Zuiko Lens for E Series DSLRattached perfectly.  I find it easy to take the camera out for shooting.  The cover stays attached to the strap with a convenient hook.  The entire package is neat and compact, making it possible to use in any bag or pack as well as making it an excellent choice to simply carry as is.I haven't tried it on myOlympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization (Body Only)but I have no reason to think, given the similarity between the two backs, that there should be any problemShipping from Amazon was amazingly fast.  And the minimal packaging was environmentally friendly.I've now ordered another version so that I can use it withOlympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization (Body Only)and the Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras.
As someone who generally carries around a camera with just one lens at events and outdoor adventures, this works quite well.  It's enough protection from bumps and scrapes, but not big and bulky.  My only complaint is that my cover arrived somewhat mangled looking with creases and folds.  I'm hoping over time it will flatten out, but this is just an aesthetics thing that bugs me because I was hoping it would look as sleek as the product image.
I already have a Tamrac bag that holds all my gear, but I bought this case for occasions where I just want to bring my camera with just the one lens attached, and thats it.  I have a Pentax K-X, and I bought this specifically to use with the kit lens attached.  For what it's worth, it does protect my camera from minor elements and dings, and it does fit nice and snug around my camera.  However, I don't think I'll be using it much because it is too awkward to put the camera back in the case and close it.  Taking it out is easy, but putting it back in and closing it is more of a chore than I want it to be.  It's due to its design.  You almost have to turn it inside-out first before you put the camera in, then turn it out again, then grab the camera thru the case with left hand and stretch out the loop (requires some force) with right hand in order to loop it around the lens.  In my opinion, the best camera cases and bags are designed with ease of use in mind, and should give you the ability to quickly access your camera and quickly put it back without much thought and effort (like my Tamrac camera bag).  Plus, the buckle on the strap that you connect to your camera is plastic and very stiff and difficult to use.While the design is novel, and it works in theory, it just doesn't cut it for practical purposes.
I bought this for my trip to England.  I did not want to bring my full size camera bag.  This allowed me to stuff the camera in my carry on backpack and keep it protected.
I bought the Zing not knowing what to expect, but read other reviews and trusted them. The reviews were right. This is a great little product for the price. It holds the camera securely and is water resistant. I would certainly recommend this product to another Cannon SLR user.
I bought this to house my Sony Nex 5n.  I had read that it would work - well it's way too big.  So it doesn't make me feel as if the camera is secure.  A different SLR would be great.  I guess I could maybe make some edits myself.  Hmmmm.
I bought this cover for my Pentax k-x camera, and it works great! I wanted a camera cover for some protection of my camera, but not a big bulky camera bag. This is great for my use, I can keep my camera around my neck og over my shoulder and it's still a bit protected, or I can put it in my handbag along with all my other stuff, and don't have to feel so "touristy" all the time. :-)
My daughter has one of the same ones and uses it regularly. I bought one to protect my new camera. At first I thought that it was not sufficiently big, but after trying harder it fits perfectly and protect the camera a lot. I love and it gives me certain safety when I do not have the camera inside its protective bundle.
This is the second Zing cover that I own.  I bought my first for my very first camera, a Canon AT-1 SLR, at the local drug store, back in the early 90's and though I don't use that camera anymore, its Zing cover is still protecting it in it's place in the closet.I bought my second Zing cover here at Amazon for my brand new Canon EOS 60D DSLR.  It's the exact same size as the first and cause my new camera is a bit bulkier, the Zing cover is a bit snugger, though it works for me, just as wonderfully as my original did for almost 20 years.
Was looking for something to provide protection for my Sony DSC-HX100V while it was floating around a backpack.  As others have mentioned, it can be a little tricky placing the camera into the cover but I see that as a sacrifice I make for the compact design of this product..no big deal.  I was concerned that the grip on my camera might prevent the cover from closing properly but was quickly relieved to see that it wasn't an issue at all.  The lens area of the cover provides me a little extra room at the end which is good because if I accidently hit the power button on the camera as I'm placing it in the case the lens has some room to extend.  If the lens had no room to extend it could damage the lens motor, so I'm glad there is a little extra room.Seems perfect for moderate protection from scrathes and bumps. I like it.
This product is almost exactly what I wanted.  It's thick and cushy, but lightweight and not bulky at all.  It protects the lens and I think offers a good bit of overall protection: don't sit on it, but accidentally knocking it against the car door frame will be fine.I got this cover in Standard size for my Canon Rebel XT-- according to the products specs, it would fit well.  When I first put it on I could barely stretch it over the lens to secure; it was so tight I was going to send it back.  But I've messed around with it more and will be keeping it.  It definitely takes a little practice (at least for the Rebel) to take on and off.  Because the fit is so exact, you really have to seat it in there carefully.  I've gotten a lot faster with it, and I'm also hoping that it will stretch just a little to make it easier.
This is really nice at being quick and easy to remove or put-on without harming the camera. I used it during backpacking trips with my T3i to climb &#34;Capital Peak&#34; in Colorado (a 14,000 ft. peak). I used it while drapped over my neck and also while in my backpack among other things. When it's in this case I feel it is safe. It even protected my camera (although camera was a bit moist in the end) from an hour downpour w/ 20 minutes of hail, while in my camelbak. My camelbak was soaked but camera still worked and was dry....I know you're probably saying why was it in a down pour and hail...but you don't have much choice when downclimbing a mountain.
I have a Canon EOS. The cover fits nice and snug. Well made. The cover clips to the camera strap. Now I won't need to carry a bulky bag! The material is thick enough to protect camera but isn't so thick as to add to the cameras size. Very nice product for such a good price. Since I tend to be a clutz I feel its going to keep my camera safe!
This case fits very well with my 40mm Prime lens on a Nikon D5100, but it feels like it won't fit much larger. Most kit lenses will be too large for use with this case.The quality of construction is second to none, and the fact that the colors reverse is cool. I can only marvel at the fact that someone couldn't figure out how to close it... it's simple and elegant.I slept with my camera inside my sleeping bag on a 25 night. Despite the camera being oblong and my mummy bag being snug, this case made the camera comfortable to float around with in there. It also made it feel very secure from being accidentally rolled on, though, this was a minor concern.
I purchased this camera cover in 1997 and am just now needing to replace it! I traveled 12 months in Asia, lived in Japan where I took a ton of photos for 2 years, cycle toured 6 months with this case and just now it is starting to show holes along the lens crease at the very front.Basically, this bag rocks! It molds to your camera, is very fast to take off, is great for dropping your camera or throwing it in a backpack and keeps dust and what ever off the body. I can fit it in a purse as it is not baggy.I highly recommend purchasing this case!!
I was looking for a case to protect my old Nikon F1  - This fit well but it is so awkward during use - having the lens part of the case on the bottom instead of the top means you have to remove the whole case to use it. I cant see using it in the field. It will be usefull during storage and transport.
ESta funda proteje muy bien la camara, el material es lo bastante grueso como para protegerla bien.producto 100% recomendado
I've been using this product on my Canon XSi.  It fits the XSi with the 18-55mm kit lens, though a little snugly.  With a prime lens, such as the Canon 50mm f/1.8 or the 35mm f/2, it fits perfectly.I feel that the neoprene is adequate protection against minor bumps, definitely against scratches.  I've never been caught in the rain, but if it rained, I think it would protect the camera as you run for shelter.Covering and uncovering the camera is pretty easy, if you develop your technique.  If you don't mind, grab the camera by the flash housing (fingers under the flash overhang, thumb on the eyepiece -- flash closed, of course), put the lens deep into the case, then pull the butt end of the case up around the body.  Then pull the hole part over the covered lens part.  It's not amazingly easy, but you'll get the trick.The case has a retention strap with a plastic ring/latch that fits the thin part of the Canon strap, allowing the case to dangle while you shoot.  The retention strap is amply long, but not adjustable.  You may find it bothersome while you're shooting, but it's not difficult to detach the ring from the camera strap.  But better yet, attach a mini carabiner to the ring for even easier/quicker detachment.  This way, you can also clip the case+carabiner to one of your belt loops.But here's the kicker: the wife hates the appearance of the "thing" sticking through the "thing".  (Subtract 1 star from a perfect rating.)  It wouldn't have bothered me, had she not mentioned it, but ...too late.  Well, she gave me the go-ahead to get a different one.  I ordered theZing 555-211 UXBK1 Large Eveready (Black).  I hope this fixes the "problem".
When I was looking for one of these Zing cases, all I really needed to know was would it fit my camera. I mistakenly bought the large model and the lens portion was too big.This case fits my Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V with room to spare in the lens nose. (B006K551TOI actually wouldn't mind if the lens nose was even shorter.If you have any recent point-and-shoot SLR-type camera body unit with a retractable zoom lens, this is the one to get. The larger one is for true SLR's with interchangeable lenses, particularly if you want to leave a longer lens on the camera.As for the overall design, it's basically a neoprene enclosure for your camera to keep it somewhat protected when you place it in another bag or backpack. I wouldn't use this as my only coverage for the camera. It's relatively easy to use but it will take you a little maneuvering to get the camera in and out. I wouldn't say it's for "quick draw" camera removal.I'm keeping it. It does the job. Acceptable price (especially from Amazon warehouse).
The SLR cover is thick, stretchy, and soft.  It gives my camera good protection so that I can just throw it in a day bag.  The only downside for now is that looping the cover over the lens to "close" the cover makes it a bit tight, but I think the material will probably stretch out a little bit over time.
Just fits with my Canon 10D or T1i with the Canon 28-105 and a shoe horn.  Problem is, my walking around lens is a Tamron 28-75 2.8 and that's just too long for the case.  Tough to squeeze the camera body in even with the "right" lens.  OK setup if you're walking around lens is a diminutive one.I would not recommend.  It's too picky on lenses to be very helpful.
Zing is a lifesaver.  I have a Canon T1i and I normally leave the kit 18-55mm lens on.  I didn't like the idea of getting a special bag just for my camera that screams "steal me I'm a camera!" so this the perfect protection for throwing camera in the bottom of my normal pack and not really worrying about it.  The case is snug but not tight and is very well made with strong seams and material.  Overall a great product.
I have a Canon T2i DSLR w/standard kit lens.  I dislike traditional camera bags, they have tons of padding sure, but they are either really bulky or leave little room for anything else but the camera.  I was heading for Disney World with my kids and I wanted to be able to carry my DSLR with me, but not have to carry a bulky camera bag.  I wanted it protected inside my backpack but also be able to throw other things in there.  I found this on Amazon and decided it looked like it was worth a try.I ended up liking it quite a bit - it worked perfectly for that original purpose, protecting the camera while its in the bag. But I realized it worked well too to protect hte camera while its around my neck - so I didn't feel like I had to worry so much about it if I slung it over my shoulder. I could keep it out but protected.  The case also has a little strap which attaches the case to the camera's strap, so I never had to worry about it, I pulled the camera out and let hte case dangle and it was right there to put the camera back into.  It's a little bit awkward at first, but once you get used to it, I could get the camera in and out very fast.This fits my T2i with the kit lens perfectly. You absolutely could not fit a larger lens in it though they do sell the same model made for zoom lenses.
I had a hard time judging the worthiness of this bag without seeing it in person, so I took a chance.  First, the quality of the polystyrene and the stitching and the strap are pretty good.  Second, the actual way the bag wraps up the camera was never apparent to me no matter how many web sites I looked at. Now I know; the front of the camera stuffs into  it up to the back plate, a flap at the bottom-back folds over the back plate and - get this - wraps over the lens and allows the lens to stick through a hole.  So it's the lens sticking through this hole that keeps the thing wrapped up.  I hope that helps someone else to understand.  Third, the bag isn't as convenient as i'd hoped.  It seems like it might be a pain to get it unwrapped, shoot, and wrap it back up.  It does, however, have a clip to attach the back to your camera strap so that it can just dangle while you shoot, and that's nice.A problem that I have that isn't their fault - but that you might want to know about anyway - is that the bag is a bit too snug for my Nikon D50.  At least it worries me how tight I have to wrap it to get the lens through the hole.A five-star review would have meant a more convenient bag-shoot-bag process.
I purchased the Zing Standard cover for my Sony Nex-F3. I really did not want a true "camera bag" but instead wanted something that would provide a certain level of protection without adding bulk allowing me to place the camera in my purse.  After looking at other neoprene wrap options I decided to go with the Zing mainly because it is all one solid unit without snaps or velcro to deal with. I called the supplier before hand to make sure the standard size would fit my camera with the 18mm-55mm lens attached and I was told yes.  I just received the cover today and put my Nex in it and noticed there is about 1" of extra space on the top and about 0.5" of extra space on either side if the camera is centered in the cover.  I was concerned with inserting and removing the camera from the case due to the design but with the case being a little larger than my camera that is not an issue.  The camera goes in and out easily and the wrap secures nicely over the lens. The case is designed with two triangular notches on the top of the case I guess for those with a traditional DSLR that has a hot shoe. I do wish the case fit a little tighter on the Nex-F3 so the ability for the camera to slide around within the case was not as much as it is. This is why I am giving this case 4 stars and not 5.  Other than that the case is great. It even comes with a detachable clip that you can hook onto your camera strap so you are not left with a loose bag when using the camera.  Maybe with the increasing popularity of the smaller interchangeable lens cameras Zing will create a cover size more suited for the Nex sized cameras.
Most camera cases are pretty bulky and dorky. This isn't so much a case or a bag but a sleeve or skin. Fit our camera perfectly. Provides decent protection when we toss it in a backpack, but doesn't take up any more room.
Hi,  This case is actually pretty nice, but it's too tight for my Nikon D90 + Nikon 18-55mm lens.  They should be more clear about the fitting on different body/lense combinations.
Bought this for my Sony NEX-F3 and it fits correctly. I could even put a slightly longer lens on the camera and the cover would still fit. The material is durable and I think it protects my camera very well. It closes securely and is easy to put on and take off. No complaints really.Pros:PriceDurable and secureCons:The tag on the outside is huge
I bought this case after borrowing a friend's, but I think this may be a bit smaller than theirs was because I have to struggle  a bit more than I'd like to fit it over the lens.  That said, this case is still wonderful! It makes having a DSLR so much easier - just carry the camera out, but protected and let the case hang when you don't need it, or throw it in a bag in this case without having to worry about damaging your camera or taking up your whole bag.  I bought another case first that velcroed close, but I returned that one even though it was cheaper and came with other little accessories.  I like that this one does not require the velcroing step and that it has a hook to attach to your camera so you don't have to hold it every time you take it off.  Overall, I'm happy with this case, but maybe would've ordered one size up if possible (I have a Pentax K-5 with the adjustable lens that comes with it).
I wasn't sure which size to buy, but this fits my nikon d60 with an 18-55 lens and will stretch to fit my 55-200 lens as well.
Fits Canon Xsi with kit lens and tripod quick release perfectly.I have several Zing products and would recommend them for all your gear.
I was carrying my Canon Rebel XSi in my purse and it started to get sand and dirt in it. I couldn't find a case locally that would still allow me to carry my camera around with me, so I ordered this product. This case works so well with the kit lens (doesn't work with larger lenses) and allows me to still carry it in my purse. The product seems very durable and I believe it was a great purchase. I also bought an additional lens pouch made by Zing as well to carry one additional larger lens in my purse as well. So far this works very well and I'm thrilled to have found this product.
My Cannon camera thanks you!  It is an excellent cover when we go to the mountains or desert.  Keeps the camera clean and safe...excllent fit!
My one hesitation when I made the jump to a SLR camera from a point-and-shoot is that SLRs tend to be huge and the cases for them are even bigger. This cover offers protection and minimizes the camera case bulk.This case is only good for mild jolts, but the camera and it fit in my backpack easily. It is good gear, but gauge your use. If you need a heavy abuse resistant case this isn't it. If you want some basic protection and something easy to pack this is good gear, maybe even as a secondary case when you don't want too much bulk.Note that the case is reversible; blue on the outside, black on the inside.Also note that I didn't comment on durability as I've only had the case for a month.
So there isn't any confusion.The 'large' version of this can hold a Canon 5d or 5d2 with even a L-plate attached to it (as mine currently is).  It gets the job done and is something that can be worn around when the camera when being transported in your backpack, purse, or whatever while not worrying of it knocking or getting scratched of the various stuff within your bag/purse.  I usually utilize this when I don't feel like lugging around all my other camera equipment and just want to carry around a single fast prime for casual low light events.  I can fit my 35mm 2.0 prime and 50mm 2.5 macro with the L-plate on my 5d2 within the large version of the Zing cases with a little extra room to boot for a tighter fit.  I'm sure it could also fit the 28 1.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 100 2.0, etc., however the larger L primes in diameter would definitely not work or have trouble fitting in here.The 'standard' version fit is more for rebel sized camera bodies, if you have a 20-50d, 7d, I'd recommend getting the large over standard.  There is NO extra large size for this (only a zoom or full size one for those that opt for a body grip or 1d series).  Another thing to note is that on the Tiffen/Zing webpage for fittment size, its basically incorrect or outdated, there is no way my 5d2 is fitting in a standard size zing case.The bag is also reversible, so for those trying to look for a black color just purchase the grey and reverse it to black.I've been looking around for camera covers to carry around for casual events or to transport in my backpack when i want to travel light and casual, and this by far is the best option out there that is compact and small.
I own aCanon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-inch LCD and and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, and most of the time, I put it in aCase Logic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling (Black)when we're out and about.  Sometimes, though, I either just want a much lighter case or I want to put it inside another bag -- especially when traveling through airports, when I'd prefer to keep it in a backpack or a tote -- and this cover is perfect for that.  It's easy to get open and shut and fits just fine with the kit lens or anything smaller.  It wouldn't work in this size with my telephoto lens, but since I use that less regularly, it's not a big deal.  Highly recommended as a second case or even as a first if you just want something streamlined and light.
Nicely built but certainly not for a Large SLR as the name implies. I have a Canon 5D MKII and it's too small for it and had to return it.
I got this case primarily for travel.  Like a previous reviewer, when I want to travel light, regular camera cases are simply too bulky.  This case is great when you want to put your camera in a day bag, backpack or overnight bag for travel. It is about as compact as you can get while still providing significant protection for your camera.On the fit, it is not perfect.  Of course, without providing a different bag for every camera and bag combination I don't expect it to be.  I'm using it with a Canon 7D and an 85mm f/1.8.  The 7D is a BIG camera and fits into the large bag easily.  There are puckers and pockets of empty space, so I suspect you can fit a slightly larger body into this case.  However, rather than the case bein large for this body, the puckers suggest an attempt to make a generic design to accommodate a variety of shapes.  Definitely don't try to fit a body with a battery grip attached, and I'm not sure if the Nikon D700 or Canon 5D series fit (I haven't looked at the chart).It is very snug around the lens, but I don't feel like I have to force the fit. I think that the 85mm is slightly smaller (length-wise) than the Canon 18-55 kit lens, so I agree with others that putting a longer lens in the case might not be possible.With a camera, the size of the Digital rebel (400D-500D, 1000D), I'd probably opt for the standard size case. I don't think the large gives you significantly more room for your lens, but you will get a snugger (better) fit around the body with the smaller case.This is not a case that you want to remove and put on multiple times during an outing. It takes too much time and effort.  If you're on a hike, you will miss the shot trying to get the camera out and ready for shooting. Moreover, your companions will quickly tire of waiting for you to put the camera away after you finish shooting.I'm very happy with this purchase, but it's far from a perfect solution, ergo the 4 stars.
Personally, I love these covers.It has been with us to Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Central America....But if you don't have a durable constructed camera, the snap-on nature of these covers might make your camera easier to break rather than protecting it.That is a minor point, but it is really not the cover's fault.
Simply does not fit my slr with a 4" lense. Product description states "fits autofocus SLR cameras and other large cameras with a lens up to 4 inches." I measured my lense and it's exactly 4" (18-135mm) and it's not even close to fitting. I tugged and pulled and tried to stretch out the material,.. and if I had pulled it around the lense it would have taken a lot of effort and stretching of the material, and would have put a ton of pressure on the lens. I was afraid that the dramatic pressure (if I did fit it on) would eventually damage the lens. I'll have to return the item and get a different one, but I'm hoping they send the new one without extra shipping charges (since the original one had free super saver shipping because I bought other items with it to get the free shipping). I gave this 2 stars because I think if it actually fit, it would be useful. I seriousely don't even think it would safely fit with a 3.5" lense.
I bought a 502-203 SXR1 "Large SLR Cover" case for my Canon 20D back in 2008.  I had previously owned a couple of Zing cases for my old Nikon FM & FE and loved them.  They were great.  This one is similar, but too tight, and it puts intense pressure on the pop-up flash.  The case fits fine, otherwise.  I used it for a couple of years anyway, but it damaged the pop-up flash on the camera to the point that it no longer popped up, and I had to stop using it.  The flash stopped popping up, and I had to pry it up each use.  I was able to get the flash to work most of the time after I stopped using the case, but the pop-up action is still kind of delayed from time to time.  Other than the pop-up flash damage, the case was OK, and protected the camera and 18-55 EOS lens.  I recently bought a Fotodiox case for my 5D with 24-105 L lens (see my review), and it is of no value - doesn't even fit the 20D, much less the larger 5D, so I returned it.  Buyer beware of this Zing case if your Canon has a pop-up flash.
I like this case a lot.  It doesn't offer a ton of protection, but is a great option for protecting my camera when I'm carrying it in a different bag (e.g. tote bag while sightseeing).  It isn't waterproof by any means, but should be sufficient for a light rain, especially if inside a larger bag of some type.For reference, this works fine with my Nikon D5100 with a 16-85mm wide angle / zoom lens (lens is 4&#34; from camera body to end of lens; the D5100 body is in the small-medium range).  It is a tight squeeze and I have to do some fenagling to get the case on, but it works and the case doesn't seem too strained.  Zing makes a larger cover designed for zoom lenses, but I decided against that option because I didn't want a big, floppy, empty &#34;snout&#34; on the case for times when I'm using a smaller lens (e.g. 50mm prime).Also, note that this case works fine if you have a strap on your camera, at least a normal strap.  If you use a BlackRapid or other strap that connects via the tripod socket, the strap would rub against the camera.  The case itself has a small &#34;wrist strap&#34; which is nice.
This is one of the most important pieces of camera equipment I own. It fits my T2i with room to spare, and it protects it from dust and unexpected weather.
I relly like the Zing.  I wanted a camera cover that would travel well and protect my camera without the bulk.  It definitely protects the camera but does not take up a lot of room in my backpack or my suitcase.  I feel confident in the amount of camera protection that it provides.  I wish it has one pocket for my extra sd card but that is a small price to pay.  What I love most about the Zing is that it attaches to my camera strap so when I take it off to take a picture, I don't have to have an extra hand to hold the camera bag, it just hangs on the strap.  The only down side is that it takes me a few minutes to figure out how to put the camera back in that bag, but I just need practice!!
This was exactly what I was looking for: One piece, no Velcro.  But on second thought, after receiving this cover, I am changing my mind.This case was purchased for my Nikon D40, with standard zoom lens, and does offer the neoprene protection I wanted.  But I found that the one piece closure strap that wraps around the lens neck actually puts a lot of upwards pressure at the base of the camera where the lens attaches.  I thought similar cases that had Velcro closures around the lens would be too risky for failure and my camera would fall out.  I am now thinking that the Velcro one might have been better.  However, I am not sure that this would alleviate the problem and the Velcro might be just as snug?  I just do not know.Opteka CSLR-60 Neoprene Stretchy Wrap Case for SLR Camera with Short to Mid-range Zoom LensI decided to keep this case for now, opting to leave the strap loose and unattached until I find a camera cover/case I would be more happy with.Overall, if I had known then what I know now, I would not have purchased this item.
I bought this for my Pentax K-X, wanting something portable but protective. I've been using this for about 2 years now and the only problem that's developed is a small tear in the neoprene. My camera has traveled with me around the world and the case has kept it in great condition. The only issue is obviously that you have to buy different covers if you want to use a different lens. Otherwise, it's great.
I purchased one Zing 502-Grey for my dad and one Zing 502-Blue case for myself.We both have Olympus E-520 bodies and this case fits with the zuiko digital 14-42mm, 40-150mm, and 50mm macro lenses.Since no camera bag is capable of suiting every photography purpose, I decided to get a slim neoprene case so that I could throw my DSLR in my backpack for hikes. I usually use a Kata 3N1-10 for the rest of my photography needs, but it's nice to be able to stick my camera in a regular bag and not worry too much. The neoprene is 1/4" thick and seems to provide sufficient padding. Of course, I'd still be weary of dropping my camera, case or no case... The Olympus lens-mount is a little off-center on the body, but the case fits fine. The neoprene can stretch so it accommodates a bit.I noticed that other reviews did not mention the dimensions of the Zing 502 Large-Size Case, The case can fit Camera bodies that are 6.5" to 6.75" Wide. If your body is on the 6.75" side, it will be a little snug.Along the bottom, my Oly E-520 body is 2.25" from the back of the camera to the start of the lens, and my hand grip is about 2.5" from the back of the body to where my right hand sits. My camera is 4" from the bottom of my attached tripod quick-release mount to the top of my hot-shoe. My lenses are all about 3" long, including lens cap and 1 filter.One cool thing about the case is that it's reversible. The interior is black, so if you buy Grey or Blue, you can still flip to Black. It comes with a removable leash so you can attach the case to your camera's neck-strap so you don't have to worry about putting the case somewhere case while shooting. There's also an eyelet on both the inside or outside of the case, so you can hook up the leash on either side, depending on what color you decide to sport. Hope this review helps, check out the pictures I uploaded for more details on the dimensions and look.
The other reviews can attest to the quality of this item.  It is thick neoprene that will provide a basic soft case protection for your camera and lens.  More importantly, what does it fit?  I have a Nikon D40 with the 18-55 kit lens that fits fine.  Also, fits nicely with the new 35mm f/1.8 AF-S with the hood attached that I just got for Christmas.  As a bonus, it is a squeeze but it will fit the 55-200 zoom lens with the hood reversed.  I had to stretch it a bit for this one and I am not sure I would be comfortable using this size if that was my main lens.  My main is my new prime though and it fits just fine.  It will likely fit a slightly larger camera body as well as there is a little wiggle room in the body part of the case.  It is not too loose by any means, but neoprene will stretch to fit some.  This version of the case has to "stretch" over the lens, no velcro to wrap around it.
I bought this to use with my Nikon D90 and 35mm lens for a trip to Europe.  I found the cover well made but very cumbersome to use.  It is hard to open and close and just didn't work well for me.  I ended up buying a Lowepro Adventura 140 which fit the bill.  Perhaps you will have better luck with this as long as you are not in a hurry to get your camera out for quick shots.
I'm giving it four stars for what it purports to be. However, it is too big for your point-and-shoot SLR-type zoom camera. I have a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V (B006K551TOand the nose on this large Zing model is at least twice the length of the retracted lens. It made the case strap fit poorly, not a good fit at all, almost slides off.This case is designed for a true SLR with interchangeable lens - and using a longer lens. It will hold that type of camera well.I returned this and went for the standard case (Zing 501 101 Standard Cover BlackEven the nose on the standard case is a bit too long but it works.The body of the camera fits snugly.Hope this helps you avoid ordering the wrong size.
I love this camera case. I bought it for my Canon 60D, and granted it is a VERY tight fit-- but I still like it.  Lately, I have been using it for an old Canon Rebel film camera, and it is so light and easy to use that I will never go back to a regular film case.  Would be nice if Zing made a slightly larger once for today's DSLRs.  By the way, I love the Zing neoprene lens cases, too.
I bought this case after seeing a friend carry her Nikon D60 in one. It was exactly what I had been looking for. My camera was traveling around in a cotton bag. I did have a camera backpack but did not always want to be lugging it around.The Zing cover fitted perfectly over my Nikon D5000 with the 18-55mm lens on. Anything past that would be a little snug I think. I did manage to fit it over the 55-200mm lens one time, but it was a stretch.
I have a Nikon D90 and a 50 mm 1.8 and it does not fit tightly but it isn't loose neither. I don't think that any lens bigger that a 18-55 will fit. This is a very nice cover weather protective, I love it.
I bought this hoping that it would allow me to keep my Nikon D700 in a purse or backpack for everyday use and it suits that purpose perfectly.  (Much better than the Ziploc freezer bag I'd used in desperation a couple of times.)  Be warned, however, that I doubt you would be able to fit this camera around much more than a D700 body and a 50mm lens.  That's not a problem for me, though, since my nifty-fifty is my every day lens.  If I need anything else, I'll use my camera bag.
The case is excellent quality and easy to use, but my fears that it would not fit my Canon EOS 60D with a slightly oversize lens were confirmed.  It will fit, but it's a real battle and it will not accommodate the lens hood.  This is an excellent case for the 60D as long as you are using a smaller lens than the EF-5 15-85mm zoom.
I bought this for a cruise we were going on and I didn't want to haul the huge camera bag around.  This sleeve worked great!  It keeps the camera protected from being knocked around and is easily removeable.  I like that you can keep the neck strap functional while still using the case too.  It makes having a DSLR much easier when you can have protection to keep your camera in a purse, messenger bag, etc.
This case plus a Tiffen UV filter and lens cap, were all that was protecting our Canon Rebel XSi with kit lens when we dropped it on the sidewalk while on vacation.  The cap was slightly displaced (it landed on the front of the lens, we think) but everything worked fine, and still does a year later.The case is a little snug over the kit lens on our XSi, but covers it securely and provides some extra padding and protection against dirt, water, and careless bumping when it is around your neck.  Works well with stock neck strap.  I would not take my camera anywhere without this cover.  We also use a larger outer case when traveling to provide more impact protection and to give storage for extra batteries, charger, and our small video camera.
After reading the earlier reviews, I was cautious about buying this product. I am glad I risked (Amazon's 30-day return policy makes it an easy choice). My goal was to provide glove-like protection for my Nikon D90 with Sigma 17-70mm lens (the lens is 97mm long including the lens cap and a UV filter and is 72 mm in diameter). This cover fit perfectly well. Granted, it is not as well padded as the Crumpler "The four million dollar home" bag my camera usually resides in, but the Zing will do just fine for carrying the camera in a larger padded backpack to reduce my check-in and later hang-on-the-shoulder luggage count.
Great pouch for use if traveling light when you don't want a hard sided lens case taking up room.  I fit a Nikon 180mm in here easily, and was not worried about it at all.  The pouch is thick yet flexible, and is truly waterproof.  I tested it out without the lens in of course!The pouch has an easy-in easy- out drawstring and a plastic clip for hanging off of a bag.  I would only suggest hanging something very light with this clip however - it is plastic and might not hold up although I am sure that the material of the pouch will.  I am going to replace the plastic clip with a metal carbineer so I can hang small items in one of the smaller Zing pouches.
this is a very nice pouch, our lens was dropped and broken, and hopefully this will keep lens safely together
I have a Canon Rebel XSi and I bought a body pouch for the camera that only fits with the kit lens. I bought this separate pouch to carry around my 100 prime lens. This works perfectly and I keep it in my purse (I can fit both my camera and lens in my purse). I am very happy with this product and it should last for several yearsr (good quality construction).
This bag is nice for the larger lenses.  It seems to be moisture free.
I like the fabric and the draw string on this pouch, fits my lens  and meets my requirements. I recommend this product.
I should have purchased two of the medium bags instead of this large bag, because the medium bag also fits the 55-250 Canon lens. Great for travel inn a suitcase to keep camera and lenses safe.
Great for keeping and protecting a camera lens, which is why I bought it in the first place.  Zing products that I have used are well made and totally useful.
Can't say enough good about Zing pouches. Not limited to protecting your lens. I use this large size to protect the expense ball head on my Manfrotto Tripod. You won't be disappointed in these no matter what you use them with.
I thought this is the same with the other pouch i was searching for, i was expecting a rounded shape at the bottom but it's more of rectangular. In any case it still works.
I currently use one of these pouches for a zoom lens, Olympus Digital 40-150mm, and another pouch for a Sunpak 383 flash (which is a bigger flash unit similar in size to my FL-50 which came with a case).  It is obviously larger than the small zing, which I use for the Olympus 14-45 mm lens.  They are a nice & soft, yet a little thick and offer protection for these items.
Bought this for an old, Nikon 75-300 lens, which is pretty long. The drawstring closes the bag nicely and the bag is cushioned enough to provide decent protection. The plastic clip does not look very strong, which is the reason for only 4 stars in construction quality. However I wouldn't dangle this 2-lb lens from a belt anyway. Great product!
I purchased this bag to protect a medium format telephoto lens, 250mm for a 6x7. I took a chance that the bag would be broad enough for the diameter of this lens. It did work, but the fit was quite tight. The bag has become a nicely fitting sleeve for this lens after leaving the lens in the bag for 2 weeks. It turned out to be just what I needed. When in doubt, go for the bag that will stretch.
I don't use this for camera lens. I use this to hold my medications. It is the perfect size and it is padded well enough for nothing to break or spray. Just what I was looking for.
I love the thick neoprene protection these provide. The drawstring works well, and these keep lenses and other gear protected well. I use them in backpacks and carry-on luggage for trips where I need to carry multiple lenses in a tight space.
I am very impressed with the quality of this bag.  It nicely fits myTamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC (Vibration Compensation) Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.  With the added cushion from this sack I can see storing the lens with my regular baggage or even for a short while putting the lens in a standard backpack.  This will be great for trips where I don't want to bring my full camera backpack but want to securely transport an extra lens.
Fits my Tamron 70-300 zoom lens with hood very nicely. snug, well padded. Closes completely to keep out water and dirt. Great product.
This soft compact bag holds & protects my long lens (Canon 4.0 70-150 L without hood) well
First, the Zing Large Pouch isn't large but the same width (3") as the small and medium Zong pouches. The large is merely longer. It's ideal for a short slim telephoto prime like an EF 135 2.8 SF or a medium tele zoom, e.g., EF 70-300 IS USM. It won't fit the 70-200 2.8L IS USM. I can squeeze in the smaller 70-200 4L IS USM if I remove the tripod ring but it's still a little short.Like other Zing pouches I own, it's well made with dense neoprene, sturdy stitching and drawstring. It also has a plastic clip for hanging from a belt loop or daypack but I wouldn't trust an expensive lens to such a weak connection. The dash of color helps distinguish it from the sea of black pouches I own. This pouch is ideal for stowing and protecting a loose lens in your suitcase or shoulder bag. I use it to protect a lens in my messenger bag while dashing around town. The drawstring has a finger lock so the contents won't work themselves out even if your bags gets tossed around.Nice pouch and less expensive and more protective than Canon's lens bags. I'll be adding more Zing to my lens cupboard in the future.
This bag is a perfect fit for myNikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom, but probably too snug for a 2.8 telephoto (or anything much larger than 70mm filter diameter). The neoprene like padding is light weight and offers decent protection. The little plastic clip is near worthless, but it has a snug carry handle along the side that can be used as a belt loop or to strap it to another bag. Useful on the go when I just want to toss the lens in a regular bag, rather then pack a full load of camera gear.
I bought all three sizes of these to try with different lenses that I have. This large size was too big for the lenses I bought it for - a little long. So I'm using it as a cover for my Canon HF100 camcorder.  So if you know what those look like you can get an idea what lens to use this for.(about the size of a pop can) It would also make a good accessory bag too. The neoprene material offers decent protection and I like hook on the pouch too to latch onto my camera bag. It also has a belt loop on the side. Draw strings hold shut tightly. Quality product! It does all you would expect it to.
Ordered these drawstring pouches for my new lenses and they are light, easy to use, give me the protection I wanted.
This pouch was just what we needed and the price and service were the best.
I bought this to carry an extra lens in my purse when I'm out shooting. The material is really thick and the drawstring is sturdy. It easily fits my 28-75mm f/2.8, which is kind of a monster lens. It also fits the 70-300 and of course the 50mm. A great all-purpose bag for keeping lenses safe.
I bought this bag to use with a Nikkor 18-200 lens.  I discovered that my monster 105mm Nikkor will fit in this pouch as well.  There is more than enough padding to protect a lens, but they are flexible enough to fit in a lot of places such as a tightly packed gear bag or a purse.  The drawstring top closes the pouch securely.I highly recommend this lens pouch as a perfect alternative to the hard  shell cases.
I bought small pouches for two camera lenses (including a small zoom), and the medium pouch actually holds my SLR body (it's the tiny Olympus 420). These pouches give enough protection that I can carry my camera and lenses in a lumbar pack rather than a camera bag that shouts, "Come steal me!"The pouches are very well made, have both a belt loop and a clip, and a sturdy, stretchy drawstring. Oh, and they're cute.
I bought this as a camera case for my slr type digital camera.  I wanted something that I could slip in my bag and still protected my camera.  This was just the ticket. I can get my camera out of this pouch quickly and easily.  I would strongly recommend it!
I have a smaller size.  Picked this up on a lightening deal.  The opening was a little small for the size of the case though.  Also the Opteka offering has a flap inside that serves to cover contents and a zipper pouch on the bottom for filters which are nice features.  My daughter just picked up one of the Opteka's locally.  So with better features in another brand, I'll give this a 4.
If you are looking for a lightweight neoprene cover for a telephoto lens, this pouch works well to protect from scratches and minor bumps. Dimensions are approx. 7 inches long x 3.5 inches in diameter (or 5 inches wide when the bag is flat, which I suppose only matters if you will use the bag to carry something else).Because it has a drawstring closure, the bag should be at least 1 inch longer than whatever you are putting in it in order to pull the bag completely closed.  My tele lens is 6.5 inches long including front and rear lens caps, so I can't get the bag fully closed but near enough.  The material is somewhat stretchy, which allows a little flexibility on fit.Note: the "small" pouch, which I purchased several years ago for a shorter lens, is approximately 5.5 inches long x 3.5 inches in diameter. (It would be nice if Amazon listed dimensions!) I liked the small pouch, so that's why I decided to get the medium size version for my new tele lens.
It feels decently made, and has about as much cushioning as you'd expect a cheap lens pouch to have. That said, the drawstring closure adds a lot of bulk to the end of the pouch, and the snap hook isn't removable, so it just flops around in the way if you don't need it. This would be better if the manufacturer didn't try to add so much random functionality (snap hook, belt loop) to a simple lens pouch.
Its a bag.  If functions.  It protects the lens.  There are no electronics to break 2 days after the warranty expires.
I purchased on optional zoom lens for my Canon DSLR camera and needed something to protect it from damage. This pouch works great for protecting a zoom camera lens.
What more can you ask? It's a well constructed pouch for lenses and other accessories. The draw string with locking clip is very handy too. Best lens pouch on the market with enough room on sides and depth for an 18-200mm Sigma lens.
I purchased this for  my 17-55 SLR Canon lens, but it was plenty big enough for the 55-250 lens, which I had also purchased the large bag for. Perfect to protect lenses in a travel back when you don't travel with the large camera accessory bag.
I bought this for my Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens.  It's almost too big for the lens.  There is a lot of room in the pouch.  I might even make a cover for my wired remote so I can slide in in along side the lens.  Good quality construction.  The soft neoprene fabric feels good and protects the lens from scratches.
I like it as it protects lens and is not bulky so it fits into camera bag also. order and you will see
This product met al my needs for carting my extra lenses.  Compact and durable.Good buy!  Was handy to access when I needed to change lenses
This well cushioned lens pouch will provide a degree of protection for medium sized (4-6 inches) lenses.  Unlike most pouches, this one's exterior is neither vinyl nor leather, but rather a rather smooth woven synthetic, similar to microfiber.  An excellent value as well.
Ordered the pouch originally as a water bottle carrier, since it was half the price of the purpose-built water carrier systems from Think Tank or Lowe Pro.  Since it's a nice size, I  found so many other uses for it: It's swallowed up a 1.7x teleconverter, a 35mm f/2 prime,  a monopod head, a tripod ball head, cell phones - and of late - a Canon G12.  The Neoprene is nice and stretchy, and reassuringly beefy.  I dropped the pouch - with my Canon G12 inside it - and there was no damage to the camera at all.The reinforced clip is also tough.  Maybe a bit too tough, since I would normally clip the pouch on my trousers'  belt loop in a heartbeat - but would take a minute to remove it since the clip works so well.I like the way it looks so ordinary that it doesn't call attention to itself.  So simple in execution, but very well thought through.
I use this for my Tamron 17-50mm actually but I'm sure it would accomodate the canon 18-200 lens easily.  Great pouch.  I use one for my loose kit lens and I use another for the Tamron lens that is in my camera bag.  It does take up some extra room, but I'd rather be secure knowing that lens is not going to be jostled around.
Zing camera bags are great.  The neoprene is protective and I use them for all of my camera lenses.  Protective and functional.
This pouch is flexible and provides good padding.Here is how it fits a few lenses:* Canon EF  50mm f1.8 - way to big* Canon EFS 10-22mm  - almost perfect w/o lens hood (pouch could have been a little shorter, but who cares?)* Canon EFS 17-55mm  - perfect w/o lens hood (too narrow with lens hood)* Sigma EX 50-150mm  - perfect with and without lens hoodI can highly recommend this pouch.
- Cheap price- perfect size to hold Arca Swiss Monoball B1 ballhead or a similar sized item- does not provide 100% protection in case of drops- quality build and workmanship; nice neoprene material which is thick enough to provide some measure of protection- pullstring works- little clip seems convenient- can do without the big "zing" logo tag; can maybe catch on things if hiking and hanging off a belt clip or bag
I needed a pouch for my 17-85 Canon f4 w/lens hood. The Canon pouch is $25 or so. This medium sized pouch fits perfectly. It is made of a very durable and protective neoprene material and beats the original Canon pouch hands down. It also has a nice drawstring and belt hook, highly recommended.
I used this Zing bag to hold all the wires behind my wall mounted TV.  It helps make a much neater appearance.
Last month my wife and I went to Cancun and I was looking for something to protect my old Sony MPK-P1 Marine Pack. While doing some research I found this Zing Pouch and felt it was exactly what I needed. After checking the dimensions of the pouch and marine pack, I ordered one. Since the pouch is neoprene, it works perfectly.Really, my only complaint is the fact that the pouch doesn't include a strap. Since the marine pack has a extra long strap for scuba, this solves the problem.
Very Good Product. I have a 55-300 mm lens, about 5.5 inches by 4 inches. Fits perfectly after you pull the drawstring. The material seems pretty good, can sustain a small bump. Not as good as an enclosed/zipper specialized lens case but good enough for me cause my lens always travels in a backpack so the small size helps. The odd thing is the material leaves a residual smell on your hands.
I am very excited about this lens pouch.  I bought it to use with my Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens and it fits it perfectly.  It is a bit roomy to allow me to get it in and out of the pouch easily.  I have been very pleased with how well-made the pouch is and think it is a great value for the money.
I own this item and can recommend it highly. It has a clip that can easily attach to a belt loop, so carrying an extra lens when you want to travel light is easy. The pouch also works well as protective storage, I keep some more fragile items in it while in a compartment in my camera bag. It keeps things from rolling around, making noise etc due to a good fit and excellent padding.It's well made, will last and opens and closes easily.It holds all my Nikon lenses equally well - 35mm, 18-55mm, 55-300mm. Recommended, very handy.
Two ways this product is better than products that I have bought and seem to very very similar to.1.) Size:  Zing bags don't turn out to be smaller than you expect.  If anything, they they may run large.2.) Closing:  Some other products don't close well.  For these other products the top is too stiff and my lens caps are are not covered (or even mostly covered).  Worse, for these other products,  even with a lens that is too small for the pouch, the top still will not completely close.  This is not so with the Zing bags.I also like that the material seems a little softer and you can buy the bags in three different colors (they are all black except at the very top where they are either black, blue or purple).  The colors save you from opening the pouch to see which lens is inside it.
Great lens bag- I can drop my lens in this neoprene drawstring bag and then not worry about it being damaged if it rolls around in my custom camera bag. 4 stars because the clip is near useless and just more bulk to deal with. It is a nice lens bag but I would NOT advise clipping it to the outside of any camera case so ditch the clip.
Based on another user review, I bought this for my Canon EF-S 55-250mm. (With the hood on backwards, of course.) It fits fine, seems well made, etc.
value for the price was rated low because if you compare a pouch at $9.99 toa camera bag at $5 to $10 more, this product is expensive. however the materialsand craftmanship is worth the extra price. heavy enough to use as a standalonelens carrying pouch or pliable enough to store it inside your camera bag.i store my AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED with the oem lens hood.Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Nikkor Zoom Lens
I ordered this for my Canon 55-250mm telephoto lens.  The lens fit nicely with an extra inch on top of the bag to pull on the string and close the bag.  The material is thick, soft, and stretchy.  Now I can throw my extra lens in my bag without having to worry about it being scratched anywhere.MZ Photo shipped quick in less than 3 days.
The Zing Medium Pouch is ideal for a medium sized zoom like my Canon EF-s 15-85 3.5-5.6 IS USM. It also fits my EF-s 10-22 3.5-4.5 USM with room to spare. It's too small for an EF 70-200 4L IS USM. Well it slides in but the upper third is nekid.Like other Zing pouches I own, it is well made with dense neoprene, sturdy stitching and drawstring. It also has a plastic clip for hanging from a belt loop or daypack but I wouldn't trust an expensive lens to such a weak connection. The dash of color helps distinguish it from the sea of black pouches I own. This pouch is ideal for stowing and protecting a loose lens in your suitcase or shoulder bag. I use it to protect a lens in my messenger bag while dashing around town. The drawstring has a finger lock so the contents won't work themselves out even if your bags gets tossed around.Nice pouch and less expensive and more protective than Canon's lens bags. I'll be adding more Zing to my lens cupboard in the future.
I bought this pouch to hold my Nikon 18-200mm lens. However, the pouch is bigger than I thought and practically swallows the lens so I will have to find another use for it. Still recommend because of the quality and lycra material.
This pouch is constructed from 1/8th inch neoprene (naturally waterproof and padded) and appears to be Nylon on the outside and Lycra on the inside - I used to sell wet suits years ago (-:The seams are not sealed, so there's no way to consider this weather proof or water resistant - Zing does not claim it is - just mentioning it.  I purchased this pouch because the lens cases that Canon now supplies are terrible - just non-padded, way-too bag pouches that provide zero protection.  There are many times I need to pack several lenses, but don't have the space to use a pack or case with compartments. I need to pack things as tight as possible. This pouch offers some protection, basically enough to prevent one lens from damaging another when them make contact in your pack. Not much from a large drop, but plenty for normal use.I would never use it as a belt pouch - There's not enough protection against impact and it will wobble too much. But then again, I have a lot of dedicated lens cases that could survive a drop down a flight of stairs (yea, I've done that). But for a stuff sack for accessories, a small speedlight, etc., I'd belt-mount it. There is a 1/2" nylon strap on one side with a 2" belt loop, plus a clip. The mouth uses an elastic band with a heavy-duty "keeper" - the part that keeps it cinched.So far I have used this pouch to pack my Canon 8-15mm lens, Canon 25-105 and similar sized lenses. The 8-15mm was a snug fit, and I squeezed the lens out to prevent the huge lens cap from popping off.It's a great addition to my ever-expanding bag collection.
This pouch is so much better than the lens bag that comes with some lenses that you buy. Because it is made of thin neoprene, it offers more protection than the Nikon lens bag that I have. The clip and the belt loop work great. My camera bag is one compartment short of being able to carry all my lenses and a flash, so I put the the belt loop of the Zing pouch through my camera bag strap and now I don't have to buy and carry a much larger camera bag just to get room for just one more item. I like it so much that immediately after getting the Zing bag in the mail, I ordered two more. On some photography outings, I don't want to take a camera bag and these will enable me to carry an extra lens and an external flash on my belt.
handy pouch. my husband used it to carry different dive equipment that required a little padding. If we needed similar items would order again
This a nice versatile bag. It's very light in weight and is compact. I use it for compact interchangeable lenses (Olympus 4/3 and micro 4/3).The foam padding is soft and provides only modest protection. The clip is useful to hang a small lens on a belt.Annoyingly, the pull string is an elastic cord, which I find can make the lens spring out of my hands if it catches on the case as I remove it. I've dropped a lens twice because of this darned elastic.The bag comes in "small" "medium" and "large" sizes. However these are misnomers, as all 3 have the same diameter, about 3 inches (about 4 inches flat)! They should be called "short" "medium" and "long". The large one is therefore not suitable for cameras or flashguns. For such things, get the "X-Large" size which is significantly wider, about 7 inches wide (when flat), about 5 inches circular diameter, and 9 inches long.Even the "small" one is plenty long enough for my 4 1/4 inch long compact (four-thirds) telephoto lens.
The quality if the Zing pouches exceeded my expectations.  Their construction is impeccable.  They look good enough to compliment any equipment. They provide reasonable protective padding without a big penalty in bulk.  They are very, very lightweight.  Compared to what the big-name camera and lens makers charge for their pouches, the Zing pouches are free.Tiffen, the manufacturer, has been making lens filters and other accessories for 70 years. I've used their filters for over 25 years and never been disappointed.Whether your equipment is Leica or Hasselblad or just a no-name bargain you've lucked into, you won't go wrong here.  My only complaint is that they don't have a wider range of sizes.  For example, I'd like a pouch that would provide an ideal fit to a DSLR body.  What they offer is a little big or too small for my Sony Alpha 550.Tim Naff
It's a neoprene bag what can you say. Does a great job, I can put a lens in with no cover and not worry about it getting scratched or beat up.
The Zing cases of neoprene are just about perfect combinations of excellent protection, low cost, quality construction, and good design. I own lots of sizes and colors of these and all are great.
Not much to say about a neoprene bag; it works great and fits a small zoom lens (55-200) no problem. The neoprene is thick and sturdy while still being plenty flexible to open and close. The plastic clip is a little cheap, but it will still do the job just fine in my opinion.
As advertised.  It is a lens pouch with a drawstring.  What can I say?
Love this product. It's much bigger than what I thought "small" would be -- it fits my Sony camcorder! Awesome pouch!
Product is nice, well made, and for my purposes it meets all my needs. My only wish is that the colors were available on Amazon.
I bought this for my kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm) and my prime lens (Canon EF 50mm).  Kit lens fits great with plenty of room.  I might make a small pouch for my extra batteries and put them in here too.  It swallows my prime lens.  Note: Of course, you can't fit both lenses in the bag together.  Good quality construction. The soft neoprene fabric feels good and protects the lens from scratches.
This Zing small pouch is a perfect pouch for my small lens. It's material is stretchable and somewhat absorbs shock if it happens to bump into something. Protects my lens from the elements and nicely made. Definitely recommended!
I received a set of 3 lens extension tubes for Christmas, but they simply came in a box with plastic wrap.  I needed a case to store them in, and this little pouch fit the bill perfectly.  It has a nice draw string at the top and a clip on the side.  I'm using it to hold the extension tubes, and then put the pouch in my camera bag.  It's a soft pouch, so you wouldn't want to put an expensive lens in it, and not have it secured inside another bag or something.  Overall a nice pouch that does the job.
I am not sure it offers much protection for the lens.  I would not buy another one because the material is rather thin.
I wanted a relatively inexpensive way to individually store my lenses since the camera bag I use only allows me to take out 2 lenses at a time.  They're nice, thick pouches.  I wouldn't want to drop the lens or anything since the pouch doesn't afford that much protection.  But, it keeps it safe from dust and gives it some cushion.  I even use a pouch for the extra lens in my bag.  It definitely helps there to make sure the lens is secure and safe.  I just love these pouches.This small size is great for my Canon ef-s 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.
For a small prime camera lens, the Zing Small Pouch is perfect.  Zing products are top notch and I use them for all of my camera lenses.
I've owned several of these in different sizes .... well made, sturdy and good value. This is not a cheaply made product. You won't be disappointed. I even have one of the larger ones that I use over the end of the ball head on my Manfrotto Tripod. Can't say enough good about these and the many uses you can find for them other than protecting a lens.
This pouch has great padding and is really flexible. It is surprisingly large and wide to be the "small" edition of these bags.I bought it for my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, which has a lot of extra space, but it still works ok.My Canon EF-S 10-22mm fits perfectly in this pouch (without the very wide lens hood of course).My Canon EF-S 17-55mm is a little large for this pouch with lens hood. The back side of the lens will have the cap outside the pouch. Usable, but not ideal for this lens.If they had a smaller pouch I would get that for the 50mm and use this solely for the 10-22 which is a perfect match.
My Sigma 10-20mm (Canon Mount) fits very well in this pouch. The lens fits smoothly without the hood but, I can manage to insert the lens and hood together.
nice little bag, well built, nice padding and fits my canon fisheye lense well. I am sure my lenses will be well protected in this bag
This Zing fits my Canon 50 mm macro lens. Good protection for any small lens. Highly recommend this item.
I needed a lens pouch for my Olympus 14-45mm lens, and this pouch fits it perfectly and protects it great.  These pouches are slightly thick, but soft and pliable.  The fabric is like wet suit material.  I really like the small pouch for short lenses and the larger pouch for telephoto (long) lenses or external flash units.  Great stuff and would recommend.
This lense case is great.  I fits several of my small lenses well and protects them when not in use.  Great addition to my photo accessories.
What a great lens pouch, especially for the price!  Drawstring and material are great.  I will definitely be purchasing more of these.
I bought one for my kit 18-55mm lens, which arrived in the box with no pouch when I bought my D5000. My 35mm f/1.8 is on my D5000 almost permanently now, so the 18-55mm goes into its lens pouch in my bag. However, when I want to walk around with just the camera and the extra lens, it pops into this pouch and clips onto my belt loop.It was inconvenient before to move around with just the camera and somehow carry the extra lens - as the Nikon pouch has no attachment clip, and the lens was too big to go into a pocket. Now it's a snap.I am going to buy a medium size pouch to complement this one for my 55-200mm lens or any other purpose, that way I can easily pick 2 lenses to carry with me - one on the camera, one clipped to me or onto something else.These pouches are versatile and can hold plenty of other stuff you want to throw into them, from cell phones to batteries, a flash unit to point-and-shoot cameras and more. These are rugged, durable, attractive, useful  pieces of equipment. If I'd known how useful they are I would have ordered 2 in different sizes when I bought this.
This is my second Zing pouch, they come in very handy when I'm out and about. Instead of constantly going into my camera bag I just clip these onto my belt loops and I'm able to effect quick lens changes. The padding also provides an additional level of lens protection when I'm on the go and also when the lenses are stored away in my bag.
The Zing Small Pouch is ideal for a short but stout zoom or prime. It fits my Canon EF 35 2.0 IS USM and EF 50 1.2L USM along with hoods. It's too roomy for my M4/3 primes, e.g., Olympus 17mm F/1.8 or 45mm F/1.8.Like other Zing pouches I own, it's well made with dense neoprene, sturdy stitching and drawstring. It has a plastic clip for hanging from a belt loop or daypack but I wouldn't trust an expensive lens to such a weak connection. The dash of color helps distinguish it from the sea of black pouches I own. This pouch is ideal for stowing and protecting a loose lens in your suitcase or shoulder bag. I use it to protect a lens in my messenger bag while dashing around town. The drawstring has a finger lock so the contents won't work themselves out even if your bags gets tossed around.Nice pouch and less expensive and more protective than Canon's lens bags. I'll be adding more Zing to my lens cupboard in the future.
This bag is just great for my Panasonic LX7+viewfinder (attached).  Many so called camera bags for this and similar cameras have no room for the viewfinder. Padding is excellent as well.
Don't be fooled by the description "Small Pouch." This pouch holds my Nikon 18-200mm lens without any trouble. Pleasantly surprised.
I purchased the Zing pouch in hopes of storing my smaller micro four third lenses in a safe manner.  Like many, I love the neoprene wetsuit like material that is stretchy to accommodate and protect my lenses and have also been very pleased with the draw string and belt clip.In reality, although I purchased the small Zing pouch for my Olympus 9-18 lens, it's definitely much too roomy for the majority of micro four third lenses, even if you cinch the pouch down completely.What I have ended up doing is buying a set of the much smaller micro lens pouches listed on AmazonSmall Micro Lens Pouch for Leica, Micro Four Thirds, Fuji X-Pro 1, Sony NEX, Pentax Q, Nikon 1 Lensesthat fit the lenses much more snugly AND then I can put several of the lenses in the Zing pouch for ease of travel and accessibility.  (14mm, 20mm, Olympus 9-18mm)It's a great travel solution and like everything micro four third results in a camera system that is so much tinier than DSLR.Although the initial purchase was for a SINGLE lens, I'm very happy that I can store and carry MULTIPLE micro four third lenses.
I had originally gotten this bag for my Canon 35mm f/2.0, but it's just too darn gigantic for that lens! Luckily, it fits the hood for my Canon 10-22mm quite nicely.As far as the build goes, I like the quality of the materials and the elastic draw string is a nice touch.So, while it's a nice bag, just realize how big it is! It's essentially a flat bag and, when flattened, it measures about 5.5" x 5.5".
it has just the right amount of padding and closes nicely to protect the lens from falling out. I wish more border colors were available...
I was looking for a small neoprene pouch for my point and shoot digital camera.  I thought by the description (Small) that this would fit the bill.  Unfortunately it was much bigger than I expected.  It is still a nice bag but if you are looking for a small camera pouch that will fit in your pocket then you should look elsewhere.
The bag fits the camera nicely. Its soft material would protect it from an accidental drop. And it opens and closes effortlessly. Zing bags are neat.
This cover is just what I was looking for. I have a Canon Rebel T1i and I wanted a case for it that was not big and bulky just something to protect it when I take trips and I can just drop my camera in my backpack and not worry about it getting dinged up. I would not recommed using the strap that comes with the case it looks cheap and other posts have said that theres broke, I just have my canon neck strap that came with the camera and that works just fine. The case is a little big for the T1i with the 55mm lense but not to big that the camera moves around in the case. I would recommend that you invest in this product and you can't bet the price!!
The Zing is a great product.  It lets me travel light while keeping my camera safe.  I use it on a Pentax K2000 (s small DSLR) with a Tamron AS XR Di LD IF f/2.8 28mm-75mm (a decent size lens) with no issues.  My only problem was deciding on witch of the Zing size case to buy.  The camera fits great but the lens area has a lot of free area at front (could hold a bigger lens).  Makes me wonder if the smaller version of the Zing would have been better.  Still, great product and what I use when I want to travel light.
Great case love it on my camera. It is great for taking on the beach and other traveling needs. So happy with this purchase and no issues with delivery
This "Standard Zoom SLR" size is a nice snug fit for my Nikon D3200 with the 16-85, 55-200, and 10-24 lenses.  Fit is snug around the body and all of the lens mentioned had a little room (1"+) at the end of the lens for something longer.This is not a quick off-and-on case. It takes two hands to put the case on.  More useful for protecting it in a bag or tossing it in the car, or when you set the camera down for a while. Probably not useful for protecting the camera when you walk around between photos due to the time necessary to put the case on.I also have the "Large Zoom SLR", which is a litte faster to get on and off the D3200, but still takes two hands.  I use the Large Zoom SLR for my D600, but the Large Zoom SLR size is a great fit for the D3200, so consider that size for the D3200 as it saves you a little fussing to put the case on since it doesn't fit so snugly.
I have a Canon DSLR with a fairly fat 24-105 L-series zoom lens.  When I fly, I always have the camera in my carry-on, never packed, and I was looking for some type of protective cover that would encase and protect the camera without taking up any unnecessary room in my already cramped bag.  I also wanted something that was easy to handle when going through security.  This fits the bill on all counts.  The fabric is a stretchy neoprene-type material, and it hugs the camera and lens snugly without any fear of damage.  It's designed in such a way that it fits the camera and allows the existing camera strap to remain accessible, so you don't have to take the strap off.  Once on, it's held in place with a couple of Velcro closures at the bottom.  It can be a little tight to get onto the camera, and it's a little tricky to get situated and strapped in place until you get used to it, which is why I only gave it four stars.  But it's still the best soft protective case I've found for traveling with my camera, and after several trips with it - including a very long one to Africa - it's done its job very well.  I'd certainly recommend it.
Definitely like this cover. our camera was dropped and the lens broken, hopefully this will help keep from breaking anymore lens
I got this item today and just as quickly returned it for a refund. The pouch has a strap on the back to serve as a holster. The strap has to plastic clips that clip on to nylon strap loops on both sides of the pouch. Supposedly both these loop straps would be on the exterior. I got a pouch and one of these had been sewn towards the inside of the pouch, rendering the holster strap useless.  I also tried with my Canon EOS 7D and a Canon EF L 35mm lens, and think it fiits way to tight. It is hardly possible to secure the velcro straps around the lens. The neoprene quality is good and the seams did not look bad but the quality control was way too lousy. I am giving this a 2 star.
Camera cases offer better protection, but they're too inconvenient for walking around.  These neoprene shells are a nice compromise.FYI, it's too small for the Canon XSi (I bought this one because another reviewer said it works with the XTi).  The lens portion is long enough for Canon's 55-250IS lens, but due to the size of the XSi body the "extended flaps" don't wrap around the bottom of the lens enough for the velcro attachments to line up.  I returned it and ordered the 520-202 version instead, which fits the XSi better.Also, although Amazon's stock photo looks purple, it's actually a much nicer dark blue color.
This is the 2d Zing cover I've purchased.  I use it for my Olympus E-510 with the 12-60 zoom.  I find it is fantastic for my daily photowalk in the city.  Moreover, when traveling it's possible to toss my camera into bags that are not designed for cameras.  I also have used it as additional padding in my camera bags.  It is easy to remove and I find that the fact that it hangs from the camera strap is a plus: never lost, never in the way.Update: 06.15.09.The leash link broke yesterday.  It's made of plastic and apparently not very strong plastic bc the case wasn't under any stress.  I will stick with my 5 stars bc the cover itself is excellent but if the the leash clips are important to you recognize that they are relatively fragile.
I was a little hesitant to buy this Zing case for my new camera. I wasn't sure it would protect it very well. But I sucked it up and bought it anyway and it turned out to be a great buy! The case fits nicely around my camera, protecting it from getting too banged up when I travel with it. The case is also very easy to store in a pocket or small place when it is not being used. Quite handy I'd say! All around a great case for protecting your camera!
I've been using these Zing neoprene camera covers for about 12 years. The design is superb. It cradles and cushions both the camera and attached lens, and protects it not only from fairly severe impacts (I once dropped the camera off a bed onto a marble floor and it survived), but also desert dust and everything short of total immersion in water (I do a lot of sailing and kayaking). The wrap around straps with velcro closures secure it while providing almost intant access for immediate photo ops. It can also be used with either the colored side or black side out. Since its not bulky, I keep it on my camera all the time, even in my camera equipment pack. A leash attaches it to the camera's strap.I have a Canon Rebel XT, and this works well with most standard telephoto zooms, but its a bit tight, though still functional with my Canon 24-70 2.8L lens mounted, and anything larger (5"x3.5")might not fit.Highly recommended!
Love the Zing camera covers, this is the second one I have bought (for a second camera). My camera goes everywhere with me and the Zing fits ti well, is easy to use, and has been very durable.
I have been using Zing camera covers for 20+ years now and I love them!  They protect my cameras from moisture and when bumped, while not in their cases.I just bought my Canon 60D a new lens (18-135mm), therefore, my standard size Zing cover didn't fit anymore.  I wasn't sure which size to get, so I gambled and bought the 510-102 Standard Zoom cover and it fit perfectly, like it was made for my camera and lens!  I love the fact that there is velcro to attach the part that goes under the base of the lens (in the 501-102 Standard cover, you stretch it and the much shorter lens can go through it, which doesn't work with the longer lens, due to the stretch factor).
I got this to go with my Nikon D90 DSLR with a nominal zoom lens.  It is not a perfect fit, but it does the job well enough to earn a place in my backpack and camera bag.  The Nikon D90 is a little too "tall" for this zing sling and the zoom lens is a little too fat to fit easily, but with a little stretch and tug it all works out just fine and I felt completely comfortable with the camera in my backpack being tossed around in a Land Rover or stuffed into the overhead bin or even in the back of my car awaiting my next adventure.I also use it as added protection in my Domke F-6 camera bag, which is a great bag but does not have padding on the sides.  With this zing sling I can just toss it in the Domke bag and not worry about it.
This cover wouldn't even begin to fit my Sonya a300 with the kit lens.  I don't know how you could find a more "standard" sized camera than that.  The manufacturer's website is zero help - they don't list Sony cameras.  Seems like it would be what I need, but the lack of info on sizing is ridiculous.
This, and a similar product for an SLR without a telephoto attached, are must haves when I leave the house with my camera. The cover is easy to take on and off and provides protection from dust and the elements. It's not waterproof, but it'll do when it drizzles.
Great protection, but not very practical for serious photographers needingto access gear.  If you're just storing for protection that is another matter.I sent mine back as I use m-rock topload and Mountainsmith lumbar packs.I bought this originally to take a trip over seas, but decided on a Crumpler typebag for easier access and lower visibility for thieves.If you need major protection of some sort this might work, but if you need accessI'd pass this up and do some more research.
This is an indispensable item for the protection of your SLR during daily use. You can slip the camera with the lens attached into your preferred bag/backpack with this cover on and you won't have to carry around a separate awkward camera bag. You can put your camera on the car seat next to you and you won't have to worry about it getting banged up. It is easy to slip on and has a clip to keep it attached to the camera when you have it off, so you won't misplace or lose it.
Fits my Nikon D3200 with the 18-55 lens or the 55-200 telephoto lens.It's a little awkward putting the camera in the case but it's not a big deal.I like how it allows you to use the camera's shoulder strap.
Bought this for my Canon 30D. I use a variety of lenses on it, but mostly a 50mm and a 28-75mm. I'll start by saying the package actually specifies that it's for a Canon Rebel, A-1 and AE-1. It's a snug fit on my camera body but definitely do-able. I don't see any way to "slip" the ring over the lens as other reviewers suggested without pushing too hard on the camera/lens. Thankfully the ring has velcro, so I'll definitely be using that instead. The color is also more navy than the vibrant blue in the photo, but that's fine. The padding is thick, the fit is snug and it will serve the purpose of protecting my camera while still allowing me to just throw it in my purse. However, I'll always have to use two hands to get my camera in/out of the bag, so it's not as convenient as I had hoped.
For the past two years I've been using this for a Nikon D80 with a Tamron 18-270 lens, which sticks about 3 3/4 inches from the camera body (with one filter attached).  The case is tight on this camera/lens combination, and I really have to tug at the case to pull it over the back of the camera.  It's not a quick on/off process.  You have to look at the camera to add or remove the case -- not a one-hand deal.  If you have a D80 or D90 with a longer lens, I'd suggest going to the next size larger.The case does offer good protection from dust and the elements when it is installed.  It does have some cushioning, but not enough to be protection against dropping.  When it is off the camera, I usually leave the case behind instead of dangling it from the camera's neck strap.  The Velcro fasteners pulled threads from a favorite polo shirt by rubbing against it, plus the case just looks goofy dangling in mid-air.Originally I thought I'd like the blue color, but it is so bright that it attracts attention that you have a camera around your neck.  Fortunately the case is reversible, and now I use it with the black side out.When this wears out, I will consider another Zing in black, but I'd definitely go with a larger one.
I converted a Canon 20D to IR and had my EF-S 17-55 f 2.8 calibrated for that camera, so they need to stay together.  It's a tight fit, but allows me to carry the camera and lens in regular luggage instead of a specialized camera case.  I wouldn't recommend this if you're planning to extract the camera from the cover on a frequent basis, like a photo shoot, but for extra protection during transportation it works well.
Just fits my D600, snug around the prism. You probably won't be happy if your camera is larger.  A D600 with the 28-300 lens doesn't max out the length of the lens tube, so this case would work fine for that combination or a smaller lens.Nice easy fit on a D3200 with 55-200, 16-85, and 10-24 lenses.You need two hands to put this case on and it takes 30 seconds, so this isn't a quick off-and-on case. I don't use it for walking around and protecting the camera between photos; I use it to protect the camera a bit when I toss the camera in a pack with other gear on a hike, or in the back of the car.
I've had several of these.  The are good protection from jostling and a light drizzle.  The one I got was not quite large enough for my lens, but I was able to make it work.
The Zing Large Zoom SLR camera cover is exactly what I have needed.  After taking the new camera and lens on an extended trip, I found it tough not to bang it about in transit.  The Zing cover is a great choice for protecting the camera, particularly during travel.  Like all cases, it's a tiny bit awkward when taking it off, as it dangles from its tether while shooting.  But that is a small price to pay for the protection against scratches (or worse!)  Easy to put on and off the camera, it also protects from dust while not in use.  Glad I bought this item.
I bought this case for my Canon Rebel T2i (550D) 8 months ago, and would buy it again.  It fits the body perfectly with extra room to spare in the lens area. It fits the kit 18-55 lens with a couple of inches to spare.  I can also use this case with my zoom 55-250mm lens with still a little extra room (1-2 cm). I think that the extra space just creates more cushion for the lens, but if someone wanted a snugger fit in the lens area, they should consider buying a smaller size.  I LOVE this case, and it is becoming my case of choice. I just pop my camera into the zing case and throw it into my regular tote bag and it's protected quite well. I am going to buy a zing lens case to hold my alternative lens & battery so I don't have to haul along my traditional bulky camera bag on long trips. It's quite easy to use once you get the hang of velcro-ing it shut around the base of the lens. Mine is reversible cobalt blue & black, but I just use the black side.  Only downside I can think of is that sometimes the velcro will stick to a scarf I sometimes keep in my bag.  Also it's not 100% waterproof...it will certainly protect against small amounts of rain & spills, but there are 2 "holes" where the strap goes through, so it wouldn't survive a submersion. But that's a different expectation altogether.
I am planning a long trip and do not want to take an extra bag for my camera, but wanted protection for it while traveling with it in my backpack.  Fit the bill perfectly!
I have this case on my D90 and have used it for 2 years.  I recently purchased the 18-300mm Lens and this fits in the case perfectly.  I don't use the hoods so I can't speak to the fit with the hood.  I use the strap that comes with it attached to camera strap to keep it close by.Also, I recently got a Black Rapids camera strap and wanted to ensure I can use this while using my new strap.  I put the camera in the case upside down to ensure the clip can still connect to the camera.
Camera cases offer better protection, but they're too inconvenient for walking around. These neoprene shells are a nice compromise.FYI, this is a good size for the Canon XSi (I originally bought the 510-102, but it was too small). The lens portion of the cover is long enough for Canon's 55-250IS lens.Also, although Amazon's stock photo looks purple, it's actually a much nicer dark blue color.
I bought this for my Nikon D90 with the Nikon 18-200 and 70-300 lenses.  Although the description of the case states that it will fit a lens up to 7 inches, the case will not close with the 70-300 zoom.  (This lens measures about 6 inches in its fully retracted position.)  It does close with the 18-200.  The "snout" of the case is rather narrow and will not fit over the Nikon-supplied hood (carried in the reversed position) for either lens.  Because the 18-200 and, to a lesser extent, the 70-300 are prone to flare in some conditions, this is a serious issue.The case appears to be a clever idea that should offer meaningful protection for a small sized DSLR with a short zoom.  However, it is a poor choice for a D90 with two of Nikon's most popular lenses.  Ratings reflect the case with the Nikon D90 and the 18-200 and 70-300 VR zooms.
Protects camera but is a tight fit on my Canon EOS 7D.  It is very difficult to get it rapped around the cameras body.  It would be better if it was a little bigger in the body area.
The finish of this product is nice but i havent gotten around to field testing yet.  It fits my D3100 with 70-300 manual focus lens just fine without the hood on.
This is my fourth Zing camera case.  Good product, good camera / lens protection and solid construction.  However this is the first design that I have used from Zing that has velco fasteners to hold the body cover closed.  The length of the velcro ends is a little short for my camera body and lens combo and the velcro area obviously does not stretch, so it is a little tighter fit than my previous units.  Overall, I think that this product is still the best protection for a camera that you can buy!
It does what I wanted it to do, protect my camera from everyday wear and tear, dust, moisture, etc.  I considered several different options, almost all being more to way more expensive than this.  This has protected my D7000 with the 18-105mm lens, UV and Polarizing filter attached, no lens shade, on a 6 day, 60+ mile hike on the Continental Divide trail and two climbs and one attempted climb of 14'rs in Colorado, and other similar activities further north.  For this type of activity the Zing cover seems like the best option.  I can wear the strap over my shoulder, with the camera at my side so it doesn't block my view of where I am stepping,  and, when needed, the cover comes off quickly.  The Zing cover did its job more than once.  It would not save my camera from a serious drop or a hard slam on a rock, but I don't expect anything I want to carry on long hikes to do that.  This size could handle a lens about a 1/2&#34; longer than mine.  Not a perfect fit but the neoprene is a little stretchy which helps with the RRS L bracket and the wrist strap attached to my camera.  The neoprene has material laminated to both sides, similar to the Nylon II used to make wet suits, and is ~1/4&#34; thick.  I reversed mine so the black side and the &#34;Zing&#34; tag is out, and that is the only difference when the cover is reversed.  I like the cover and I will get another should it become necessary.
I have used this for years.  While it is a little small when you put a small, fixed lens (e.g. 50mm) on camera, who really cares if there is extra at the end?  you can fold it down.  It fits a D90 and 18-200 Lens perfectly.  I toss this in my regular, non camera bag, and don't think twice.
I bought this for my husband as a Christmas gift (off his Wishlist). Neither of us regrets the purchase.I'm bad with brand names and recall the type of SLR camera he has, but I know it is NOT a Canon. This cover fits his camera and lens well and has kept them protected no matter where they get left around the house or when we take them on hiking trips.I agree with the other reviewers that the design is NOT optimized for the resulting target user. I used to design similar sewn products and think that more effort should have gone into the design based on end use/users. But of course, more time = more money. I'll likely make some modifications for carrying outside of a pack and quicker access as my husband and I pin-point our grievances.
Immediately placed it on my Nikon D5100 with the standard lens and it fits.Havent tried it out and about but will update if I have any issues worth mentioning.
Thick material, good quality. A bit pricey for such a simple product. Chose this over clumsy camera bags to provide my DSLR a bit protection against bumps and scratches on the road or on the trail.
Great product!. Well made. It is a tight fit on a Nikon D300 with a 18-200MM lens, but it works. It protects the camera & lens very well. I also have a Nikon 24-70mm, which when installed on the D300, won't fit, as the len's diameter and lenght is a bit too much for the Cover. Not a problem though, as I have Zing's Large Pouch to hold it when it is off the camera.
I have a Canon 6D with a 24-70 mm lens.  This is a snug fit, but it fits.  I would recommend that if you have a large camera and zoom lens, this should be the minimum size you should go for.  Mine came in a lovely electric blue color.
I just purchased this cover based on my previous ownership of a smaller Zing SLR cover.  I had an older standard sized cover that worked great for my first generation Digital Rebel with Tamron 28-300mm zoom.  I used the old cover when hiking and backpacking with my camera and really appreciated the quick release strap that went around your back to keep the camera from swinging.  The cover protected the camera well against light rain, sweat and shock.  I never had a problem with it.  I have since upgraded to the Canon 40D and it took quite a bit of tugging and stretching to fit it in the standard cover.  I just got the new Tamron 18-270mm stabilized lens and there was no way this new combo was fitting in the standard pouch.Enter the Large Zoom SLR cover.  I am able to fit the 40D with a quick release tripod mounting plate and the 18-270mm lens with the lens hood attached into this cover.  It is a bit tight, I think because the quick release plate extends the height of the body, but it fits.  This lens has a 72mm filter size, but the body is even wider than that due to the stabilization mechanisms, and the lens hood is wider too, but they still fit in the zoom tunnel OK.  This cover has velcro tabs on the portion that closes around the lens whereas the older, smaller model had to be pulled around the end of the lens.  There is a little bit of room at the end of the lens pouch with this lens/body combo, but not much.  The only real problem I have with the cover is Zing changed from the around-the-back quick release strap to a little difficult to attach and detach strap that hooks to your camera's neck strap.  This does nothing to prevent swinging and swaying if you are wearing this while hiking.  I plan to modify mine to add this functionality.Pros:Fits my 40D with Tamron 18-270mm lens + hoodGood Weather / Shock ResistanceExcellent Longevity and Quality (based on previous Zing experience)Cons:No around-the-back strap to prevent swinging when wearing it around your neck
I guess this thing does its job of protecting the camera and the lens - it wraps around completely and creates nice padding all around. However, as other reviewers noted, it is pretty tight for a Canon body, so it takes some effort to both extract the camera from this cover and to put it back. The material is soft and tight enough that this is definitely a major two-hand procedure. If you expect, something easy, even remotely similar to top-load bags, you'd be very disappointed. So I'd say it's a good protection when the camera is in another (non-camera specific) bag, but this is not an option to have around your neck to be ready in a moment's notice.
Good protection, easy on and off - looks good even if slightly &#34;codpiece&#34; like which still brings a smile to my wife's face when I bring it hiking with my tele.  ;)
I dont like to carry extra camera bags since most of the time I've got  a purse anyway.  This camera wet suit pads the camera nicely so I can discretely put it in another bag and no one knows I have a large camera with me.  This is also good while traveling and the one piece is nice too.  Perfectly fit my Canon Rebel T4i and 100mm macro lens.
I've got two Zing camera covers - one for short lenses and one for longer lenses.  They're easy to use and provide great protection.  I have several camera bags, but prefer to carry my gear in a simple North Face day pack.
When I'm out hiking, I'm nervous if my camera is not protected in some way from the rocks and trees.  The Zing covers are light, easy to put on/take off and protect my camera.
I needed two of these for my camera. They arrived quickly, for a good price, and worked. I have no issues and will purchase them again if the need arises. I can't ask for anything more.
I ordered these batteries for my radio remote shutter for my Canon 40D. These 3.0 volt Sanyo replacement batteries gave the same life the I got from the original CR2 batteries that came with the unit -so no complaints.
Batteries arrived quickly, were fairly priced, and were fresh stock (long expiration dates).  Worked great in my computer.  A good buy and a name brand.
Good CR2s, they last a long time, and stay good when they haven't been opened yet. I use them for my wireless transmitter on my camera and each one lasts about a year which is great considering how much I use it. Other people might not get that long if they use it a lot.
product isn't easily available locally andAmazon and their suppliers seem to haveexcellent parts sourcing.very satisfied.product shipped quickly andarrived in great shape.
I always get nervous with third party purchases on Amazon but have always had great shipping and product from all of them.  These batteries almost arrived faster than it would have taken me to drive to the store.  Exagerating but not by much.  I recommend this seller,
Good deal. Our local pharmacy charges a lot for just one of these, and our son goes through them on his laser rangefinder. This way we can keep a spare or two around  (he looses things too), and save a lot of money.
Seems to last as long as any other camera battery.  Bought this one because it qualified for free shipping.
It is a good fit for my Slik tripod, and works like a perfect OEM replacement is expected to.However, I think it is a bit expensive and Slik must reduce its price if want some customer loyalty.
We had our camera stolen at Disneyland (of all places, with our entire stroller and everything in it, besides our daughter - thank goodness, rolled off), which had the original shoe attached to the camera, so I needed a new shoe only. This works great for my Slik U8100. I used it right away and can't tell a difference from the original one. I was told all tripod/shoe manufacturers make theirs a little different, but this one is perfect.
Slik 6122e is correctly stated as a replacement quick shoe for the U-series video tripods.  Just put it on, lock it in, and place your camera .  Sturdy and stable is the result.
If you have several different cameras, or are sharing a tripod with a friend, these are indispensable.  Buy several, they save so much time.  Sturdy and well made.  Highly recommended.
This fits perfectly. I use it for video production and attached it to the bottom of an Igus Slider so that I could do a quick switch between camera setups. Glad to have gotten it!
Very nice tripod, as expected from slik. it's bigger than I expected and pretty heavy. I can't imagine needing a more durable tripod for indoor use.
I have another tri-pod by this manufacturer; it is smaller and not as sturdy.This is a real nice unit and for the price I don't have any issues.  There may be better, but I'm sure you'd pay a LOT more.
I have had the U8000 Slik tripod for many years. I have not used it very often but it seems to be really good for stability and adaptability to uneven terrain.It will accommodate an 80-200 zoom.  A couple things I do not like: The crank handle broke off when I was turning it when it hit the end before I stopped applying pressure. I can still use this without the crank by simply lifting the shaft by hand and setting the lock ring at the appropriate height.The other thing I do not like is the quick release shoe. It has to be taken off and screwed onto the camera. If you have a second camera you must have one attached to it or you have to unscrew the one and put it on the other camera. The  quick release is fine if you don't mind having it attached to your camera and you want to remove your camera from the tripod quickly.
Had an earlier version of this tripod and it held up to weekly use for 5 years (accidently broke off the crank to raise the instrument platform).We find this tripod to be fully functional, light and fairly easy to use - great for hauling it around the woods with scope attached when birding. Legs are easy and quick to extend or retract, and the 5-movement platform is quick to get the bird in the scope before it decides to fly away.Only downside to this tripod is when compared to the previous one mentioned above, it works a bit different - not in function but in adjustment. If we had not had the same tripod we would likely not notice adjustments are a little harder use.Would buy this tripod again easily.
I use this tripod mostly for my small spotting scope. I picked this one because it is simple and sturdy enough. I don't need it to be level with lots of unnecessary adjustments,  just as light as possible to carry without being too flimsy. I bought an extra shoe which I use with a small camera occasionally. I also got the SLIK padded case, which is almost better quality than the tripod. I have had it about two years now and it has performed well.
These are light-weight but durable tripods. I do travel documentaries and these are perfect. They are small and light, so no problem carrying one around attached to a backpack or photo vest. If I drop one and break it, I haven't trashed hundreds of dollars like I would with one of my pro models. They are stable, I even attach motorized pan/tilt heads to them, plus the camera and have had no tilt problems.It isn't a pro model by any means, but it does well and you cannot beat the price.
'HonestLarry' sent a Cannon mount version of this lens from Amazon marketplace after I posted the question (BEFORE ordering it) what mount it used and if it was a Pentax K-mount type lens. The answer I got assured me it was. When I received it, the fact it was incompatible with a Pentax K-mount camera body became immediately apparent. When I contacted 'HonestLarry' to demand my money back, he says he never was asked (even though the question and answer are still on the advertising page) and it was &#34;clearly&#34; described as a Canon mount lens, which it is not or I wouldn't have asked.I cannot evaluate the lens further because it doesn't fit my camera bodies, though I did note that turning the barrel of the zoom was difficult and not at all smooth, rather it was rough and sticky for an item described by 'HonestLarry' as in &#34;like new&#34; condition.
I recently purchased my first DSLR camera, a Canon EOS xs.  The included lens is great for general photography, but had little zoom range.  I searched high and low but couldn't find a zoom lens I wanted to purchase.  I read reviews about this one as well as MANY others (all more expensive).  I took this on vacation with me and I was EXTREMELY pleased with the pictures it took.  The zoom range was great.  I even used the macro feature on a few occasions with success.  It works perfectly and takes great pictures.  It is a little heavy, but never having used any other telefoto lens, I have no idea how much they usually weigh.  I don't take professional pictures, but I am picky about the quality of the pics I take.  I would buy another Quantaray lens in a heartbeat.  I paid $61. (used) and it was money well spent.
I am moving on up from a 30mm-55mm basic canon lens. I have to say this is a wonderful lens to move up to. works very well with auto focus with a Rebel dlrs Ti2, nice zoom on it and nice stable pictures. I absolutely love this lens and the seller was very easy to deal with when questions were asked about shipping. Made sure item would be on time even with a holiday weekend getting in the way. would buy again from this seller. With the price of the lens being what it is this is a steal of a deal.
cant get rid of it.....anyone want it ? soft at 300.slow and no japans better lens .I like pancakes blowterd
I just recently purchased this lens for my Nikon D3000. I am graduating from the 18-55mm kit lens my camera came with :)  I'm so far happy with my purchase, the AF feature DOES NOT work with my camera, because I have a lightweight camera and this type of camera doesn't house the AF motor, it is in the lenses, so watch out new buyers when you are picking lenses! ;)  other than getting used to manually focusing my main gripes are that all my images are very noisy :( I guess the ISO is set really high (which is expected with a zoom), and the last thing I'm kind of unhappy about is that when your lens is on 'macro' function for maximum zoom, you have to be at least a couple feet from your subject, there's no real 'macro' capabilities (at least not the way I usually think of them) but it does have an amazing zoom range!
This is a great beginners lens. This is the lens that I learned to take actual pictures on. Not just that point and shoot stuff. It is a very well priced item, and for the price I think it is a great lens to have if you are not a professional. This is the only lens that I have on my camera (A Nikon D80). And the only thing that I don't like about it is sometimes it doesn't focus as sharply as other lenses that I have used. I should also mention that I like that this lens worked perfectly with both my Nikon D80 DSLR, and my Nikon N60 SLR. I almost never use the Auto focus, but when I do, it is pretty noisy and can be kind of slow. But I do not consider this a con because I do not use the Auto focus enough. I use this lens for everything. It is AWESOME for telephoto but it lacks a little bit in closer range pictures. That is why I would consider getting a Nikkor 18mm or something to couple this lens with. However I would recommend this lens to anyone.
This is by no means a pro lens, but its no slouch. It destroys my sigma 70-300 when you compare them side by side at 200mm. It may get lens creep if you hold it up or down, but thats not really problem because the autofocus is so quick and I can hold the zoom ring with my finger. Good lens for the price, defiantly better than the cheap "name brand" lenses from Sony, Cannon, or Nikon.
Quantaray is Ritz Camera's store brand, and Quantaray lenses are made by Sigma, one of the "big three" third-party camera lens makers (the other two being Tamron and Tokina, all three are Japanese companies).While Sigma lenses are usually pretty good quality, the Quantaray line is rather uneven, probably due to lowered manufacturing specs.  This 28-200mm lens (or 42-300mm on the D70 and D100 digital SLRs) feels rather "cheap", and the autofocus is noisy and slow.  On the other hand, the same can be said for low-priced Nikkor (Nikon's own brand) lenses.On the plus side, this is a lot of lens for a decent price -- again, I want to emphasize that if you are willing to look around, you may be able to find better-quality Tamron or Sigma lenses for the same price.  You get a focal range that covers wideangle to moderate telephoto, and this is a relatively modern lens, so its optics is good.  Remember, this is a poor photographer's lens, as it cannot compete with official Nikkor 28-200mm offerings which cost at least three times as much.Bottom line: this is an economic lens that gives okay performance.  Not something you want as a professional, but if you are just an amateur and don't have a deep pocket, you may want to get this Quantaray as an all-purpose zoom lens.
This is an awesome lens. I bought it to replace the crappy lens that came with the digital rebel xt. It really is great. Sharp autofocus and great aperture range. This is perfect for what I do(astrophotography). The only reason i gave it four staars was that the autofocus can be a little sluggish but you can hardly notice it. Great value for a great lens.
Several years ago, I dropped my camera, breaking my favorite Canon 28 - 70mm lens. After seventeen years of dependable use, the mechanism in my 70-300 lens went to that camera heaven in the sky.What was I to do???I happened to read up on the Quantaray 28-200 and felt that it suited my needs. Thankfully, with a reasonable price and flexibility for a variety of photographic needs, this is a suitable replacement for both of my departed lenses.I can highly recommend it to the amateur like myself or even the seasoned professional.
The Quantaray 28-200mm/F3.8-5.6:EF is an "all-n-1" auto-focus zoom. One use is as a good walking around lens for those on a budget. Another use may be for those learning photography. While not an "L series" Canon at this price, I have found it to be an affordable value with good optical quality and a sharp autofocus. It has a great aperture range in appropriate light (i.e., it is not a "near dark" auto focus use lens ... get a tripod and switch to manual 'M' mode on the lens for that).Currently, (Fall 2010) you can pick these up used for just over $100.  I think this lens is well worth the money.
While I use the white Wal-Mart bag trick, I also use polyester quilt batting to diffuse the light. 1/4" to 1/2" thick does the trick. You can easly make a "tent" outa this stuff too. Note: the polyester quilt batting tends to transmit light as well as diffuse it, similar to fiber optics.This unit will work fine, though you should also look at the list to the right of this.
I bought two of these slave flashes to improve the lighting for some serious-amatuer work. I was disapointed to find that the units produce very little light. I can't imagine what they could be used for, honestly, as the light emitted from the flash was ineffective even under moderately lit conditions. The bottom line is that these units are as inexpensive as they come, and designed accordingly.
Very effective as a fill flash for portraits or as a secondary flash when shooting in low light. Nothing fancy about this one. Last quite a while with two standard AA batteries. Would certainly recommend to anyone who wants to exercise some control on lighting indoors. At this price, you just can't go wrong.
It works.Turn off the red eye reduction pre-flash, and it will flash when you camera flash goes off adding more fill light onto the subject.Set it on the floor aimed upwards for effects, or place colored plastic onto it for backlighting.Cant beat it for the price.
Here is a workaround that skips the pre-flash entirely, and should work on virtually every camera with a hot shoe.  Just get out your trusty hot-shoe flash and put that on your digital camera!  The camera won't do that pre-flash business with an external flash, yet it's a fully sychronized flash just like in the good 'ole 35mm days.After trying to get the MS-1 to work for about an hour, even trying the "*" button, I hit upon this, got my old strobe out of my camera case, and the MS-1 works fine!
Este peque&ntilde;o equipo vale mucho mas de lo que cuesta. Lo compr&eacute; con muchas dudas por el precio tan bajo y los pocos comentarios que encontr&eacute; pero puedo decir que su compra ha valido la pena.Hace exactamente lo que dice que deber&iacute;a hacer con solo dos pilas peque&ntilde;as AAA y brinda una luz bastante potente para lo que se podr&iacute;a esperar de un flash de relleno o soporte tan peque&ntilde;o. Si buscas una luz muy potente de estudio, este complemento no es para ti. Pero si deseas algo barato y que funcione como apoyo, esta peque&ntilde;a unidad te va a sorprender
Works great. Good product for the money. Real versital. I bought two so I could use one for backlighting and one for front lighting. My camera's flash just isn't good enough by itself, the pictures are always too dark.
This has a guide number (GN) of about 10-20 ft at ISO 100, i.e. very weak. This GN was computed from the dial on the unit. The specs don't spell out the GN. I haven't checked whether it actually delivers that power. Even a GN of 20 is very weak (e.g. 5 ft at f/4, ISO 100).This flash uses 2 AAA batteries. Why not the longer-lasting AA? Why not 4 batteries?This flash will not work with cameras that have a pre-flash.I returned mine right away.
I love this thing.  I'm too cheap to buy a good camera (cuz I'll kill it)and always up on cliffs, down in wet caves, or out in the woods.  This flash dramatically improves the quality of my pictures taken with disposable cameras.  Easy to use.  Easy not to worry about. If I ever drop it in a subterranean river, I'll just fork out another $20 bucks for another one.  VERY happy I bought this.
A neat little unit which produces excellent results both with a Canon point and shoot and a Nikon dSLR.Perfect as a background flash at parties and for portrait usage.Great value!
The file should fit my needs, although I may need a secong one. Construction is very good and no flaws are noted in finish. Might have been nicer if alternate colors were available.
Like many of a certain generation, I have a profusion of 35 mm slides.  I have been scanning the slides, but want to keep keep the slides proper in compact, secure storage box; they currently are in slide holder pages.  TheLogan Electric Slide File, Archival Metal Storage Box Holds 750 2x2 Mounted Slides in Movable Dividers.does an excellent job of keeping your 35 mm slides for the long term.  It comes with card board dividers, that you can use or not use (not using gives you a little more room for extra slides).A word of warning, this slide box is made all of metal, and weighs more than 3 lbs.Logan has devised a safe, secure, and study metal box to store your 35 mm slides.
This is a practical solution to the storage of 35mm slides.  The case is sturdy and will last a very long time.
The Logan Slide file has helped me find a place to store most of my slides after installing them on disk.  I finally got rid of all those slide trays I had piling up in my closets.  If ever I need a product I always try amazon first.  They have never let me down.
I've been on a years-long project to scan in tens of thousands of family photos from decades past and was really getting sick of the large boxes of slide trays taking up all my closet space.  I bought three of these for starts and they are great.  They remind me of a metal desk my father had when I was a kid; big, solid and he still has it in his garage today 40 years later because quality products last.  It's made of reasonably heavy gauge sheet metal, painted, the dividers are welded in place at multiple points and the hinges and latches are very strong.  My only minor complaint is the dividers are made to only fit in the pre-defined notches, so I ended up cutting them slightly so I could just divide my photos wherever I felt like.  As a side bonus, this is a made in the USA product.Edit: Adding the dimensions:Overall width is 14 5/8" measuring the top vs 14 3/8" for the rest of the box (top closes down over the box).  Depth is 8" measuring the top and including the latches.  Height is 2 1/4".
Unlike quality problems noted for other 35mm slide boxes, this one is solidly made---just like the ones from 40 yrs ago.  Even though we, like so many other people are digitizing our slide collection, its nice to know we can securely archive the originals for another 40 yrs, or whatever.
I have been using these boxes for many decades for photographic slides and 2x2 coin envelopes. Though digital photography has stopped the need for new slides, the coin collection continues to increase.
The first one I received had a broken clasp when I took it out of the box, a problem I saw in another review.  The return process was easy and did not cost me anything but it was still extra work and the factory should have seen the clasp was not working before it was boxed.  The cardboard inserts used to separate different groupings of slides worked fine and it was easy .  Overall I am satisfied with the product.
I purchased the Slide File to archive about 60 years of family history.  The movable dividers work very well in separating out each slide tray, so I can keep everything in order.  I will be purchasing at least one more Slide Tray. They work as advertised!!
Overall they do the job as advertised. The latch mechanism "ears" are just a bit too long and scrape the desktop - not good.
I last bought this product about 30 years ago, so I can compare that one to this one.The box itself is still made in the USA, so I have to give Logan some points for that.The size and features are exactly the same,strong and heavy, however the springs in the closing clasps are not as strong as the original.There is no tension in one and I have to manually close it. Minus points for thatA big difference are the inserts, before they were hard fiber, today they are flimsy cardboard and I will be looking for replacements.I would put its price value at about $35 so for this price I would expect hard fiber inserts.To sum it up, it is slightly overpriced, strong and does the job, quality control needs to be addressed and why even bother putting in the inserts,
I love it, I will be purchasing more of them.I can store more slides than its recommendations with no problem.I wish I had known of them before.
I've never seen anything better for permanent slide storage. We scanned in the old slides that my father gave us. They're on the computer. They're stored in Crash Plan. Now the old slides are filed away and labeled in neat rows in this metal case that provides protection in case it is dropped.by Linda Cargill, author of The Key to Lawrence
I am very pleased with this file.  It's very sturdy and holds the slides nicely.  The dividers are a little flimsy and not quite big enough to suite me, so I cut my own to size using a cereal box which is plenty sturdy.  I definitely recommend this for storing and archiving slides.
Can't believe I scanned over 4,000 slide on a light box, then categorized the lot and then ran them through 5 carousels to determine worthiness. Now I have 2 file boxes full and 2 carousels filled for viewing. My kids will be so thrilled I threw the rest away.
I gave it four stars because the movable dividers are kinda cheap compared to thow they were some years ago.  Otherwise the box is of very good quality and works well for slides.  Don't accidentally buy the model 215 instead of this one if you like movable dividers as the 215 has a cheap, thin plastic liner that looks like it belongs in a box of cookies instead of a slide storage box.
I am going through a process of digitizing decades worth of family photos. The boxes holding some of our old slide carousels were contributing a lot of dust and lint that I am having to remove before scanning. I wanted to find a better long term storage solution that allowed me to sort and store the old slides in chronological order so I did some competitive research here on Amazon.com. There were several options available and I wanted something that would hold up for decades. I think this product will do the trick!! I will be purchasing at least one more of these as I finish up my archiving. I would definitely recommend it to others.Pros:&#8226; Very sturdy construction. I really like the feel of this case! This feels like something that will outlast me for many generations.&#8226; Comfortably fit three full 140 slide carousels into the case with room for more.&#8226; Thin cardboard dividers are provided (24) to separate the box into 30 individual slots.&#8226; Each of the 30 divided slots hold around 20-24 slides comfortably. Packed tightly, you can fit about 26 or 28 but it makes it difficult to remove individuals if you do.&#8226; Solidly built handle and latches.Cons:&#8226; Dividers are a thinner than the slots they fit in and leave room for slides to catch in the slots. Would have like to see these a bit thicker.&#8226; If you have groups of slides exceeding 24-26 and want to keep them grouped, you end up with a few lying loose in the next slot in the tray. Would like to have had some dividers cut that could fit anywhere in the box (not just in the pre-cut dividers).&#8226; No way to lock the latches in place. The latches are sturdy but I'd feel better if I could put a pin through one or both. This would make me feel better about transporting this from place to place.&#8226; If you purchase more than one, you may want to get some rubber or felt feet to put under the box. The fit and finish is beautiful but I think it's going to be prone to scratching if stacked or used much. Would have nice to have them included as an optional item but it's far from a deal breaker.
This file held more slides than expected.  I was able to put more than one slide per slot, therefore doubling the capacity of the tray.  This has eliminated the need for a large storage area when the slides were in the large carousel boxes
Met my needs precisely. Solid product. Makes storing the slides very space saving. product very well made. No problems at all.
These slide files are solid storage containers.  I have purchased many of them and have been pleased with their quality.
If you wan to save all those slides your dada took when you were a kid this is perfect storage.
The seller accurately described the condition of this slide tray, and it arrived extremely fast after ordering.  I had acquired these trays several years ago and found that I needed one more.  They work nicely for storing slides.
There is nothing on the market better.  One can not only sort 135mm slides, but view them quickly, eliminating poor quality pictures, and in general, arranging them in  more fruitful storage groups.  Its simplicity of set up makes it doubly useful, in saving time; and its folding properties, make storage a cinch!
I am scanning my numerous slides to a digital format. This sorter is a big help in viewing my slides prior to scanning. Hard to find these now in the digital era.
I love it. I am able to look at more than 4 slides. The old one I had you could only look at 4.Nice way to arrange your memories.
We must have 40 carousels of slides to sort through before converting them to digital and this sorter is easy and illuminates them well...
This will probably last with very careful care. It just seems flimsy to me. I guess a case of getting what you pay for. I bought it for just a few projects so if it doesn't last, no big deal. You need to supply your own bulb.
This is a sturdy, easy-to-assemble (less than a minute) slide-sorting aid. Using a flourescent lightbulb keeps the heat-production to a minimum. I especially like that it folds flat for storage.
Sorter is great for sorting your slides.  Helps you to get everything organized if you want to get everything in order of how you took your pictures.
I've had a Logan Slide Sorter for decades and it finally turned yellow with age. No problem, it still works fine. Recently, I tried to buy another as I have a huge supply (about 7000) of slides taken long in the past and I use the sorter to organize them for a variety of purposes. Well, new sorters are real hard to find and rather expensive when you find one. I finally found one at an obscure camera shop and it's practically identical to my decades-old model. Well, that figures, 35mm slides are becoming a thing of the past and everyone is going digital theses days. So am I. But I need to convert some of my slides to a digital format and the first step is sorting them out prior to conversion. The classic Logan Slide Sorters work splendidly. Alas, I miss the old days.Gary Peterson
maybe it was 1000's. this is a fast way to quickly sort through slides for scanning or whatever. have a magifier handy as well. i changed the light to two flouescents to create less heat and even out the light. i will try to attach a picture.
Great product for organizing slides for in my case, scanning to my computer. 5 rows of slides are brightly lit. If you like me have hundreds of color slides stuck in protector trays, this is for you. A sorter of high quality better than most. Prevent scanning slides backwards as well.
I bought my husband a very expensive slide sorter last year.  He hated it.  Too small, too hard to use.  So I bought him this one, just like his dad had 40 years ago.  He loves this and it's making his slide sorting project a lot more fun and less of a chore.
This is a great simple product.  If you have a million slides that you want to see what they look like and are thinking of scanning them or making prints of them, this is the most practical 1st step.  Easy assembly - easy viewing.  The perfect slide viewer.
I bought this sorter to review a large number of slides.  My choice was poor, I did not realise that the image size would be inadequate to determine the clarity (and sometimes content) of my slides.  I ended up buying a Panavue Automatic Sorter which is easier to load and gives a large clear image. This one may be best if you only want to consider the order in which you arrange the slides.The sorter itself is difficult to use because the sorting surface does not fit well on the frame and periodically "pops off" scattering the slides.  I fixed mine by taping the surface to the frame.  Considering the quality, this item is over priced.
The slide/sorter was exactly the product I needed.  It will be a great help to me. It arrived very quickly, and was packed very well.
The Logan Electric E-Z View Slide Sorter Lightbox is a simple, easy to use piece of equipment.  It's sturdy metal sides and large screen make it durable and accessible.  This makes slide sorting an easy project.
I had one of these years ago. I have tons of slides and this is a great device to sort thru them and pick out the ones I will put on a disc. However, I think it is overpriced. Have had no trouble with putting it together.
I recently purchased the Logan Slide Sorter, which is fairly old tech, but very helpful in deciding which of the thousands of slides from my parents and my family that I want to scan and save to CD.I just wanted to warn other purchasers that the suggested Panavue Transformer and Panavue Replacement Lamp that are recommended on the Amazon site, to be purchased with the Logan Slide Sorter, are TOTALLY incompatible for the Logan Slide Sorter. Do not order them, or you will have to go through the hassle of not only returning them, but paying the return postage!
Excellent shipping time and came in good order.  Will be a very useful tool for sorting those boxes and boxes of slides.
This slide sorter is convenient to move around and works great sorting my Dad's slides from the 1950s and 60s.
Remarkably poor quality.  An elastic band to hold the tray to the stand! You jest. The light mount is almost dangerous.
Don't buy from this retailer on Amazon.  I was sent a product that had been opened and returned.  The corners of the plastic tray are cracked and will break off very soon.  Additionally, the tray does not fit properly over the stand and constantly falls off.
The flimsy plastic tray to put the slides in was broken on the edges.  I did not exchange it because the quality was poor.A very nice light box was suggested by a customer service representative; and it turned out to be great!
I felt that it was very flimsey.  It works and I am glad for that.  I would not buy again
The construction is a bit flimsy but usable.  Would prefer a more standard light source, but it will work.  Done
This light box will allow you to sort through slides and organize or prune them.  The transluscent plastic screen is a little on the flimsy side, but still okay.  It is satisfactory for the money.
My only complaint is that the indentation holding the slides is too shallow and if you do not place the slide firmly it tends to slip out of the indentation and fall.  Other than that, it works well for reviewing slides.
even though it deserves 1 star because I receive the box damaged....which i didn't care about but the paper was damaged. the corners were bent and the side of the paper would come out with black marks (or exposed to light) when i was in the dark room.I am very happy that I received a full refund at least though.
Great paper and contrast with photos does not take extra time on developing as other brands do and the results are amazing.
I can't compare Ilford against other papers -- I've never used anything else!  But the paper is just fine, and delivery was nice and speedy. Well-packaged, too.  The price is better than most other online vendors.  I'll keep buying it as long as they keep making it!
Great paper for the class that is being taken.  It is good paper for the black and white picture that are developed
In the spring, I took my first B/W class, and I purchased a 25 pack of this paper. My thinking was that maybe I would just use two or so packs of paper for the semester. I was broke, and the price difference did come into play. Always remember: you will use more paper than you anticipated. Whether it's due to mistakes, or just developing a love of the darkroom, you will use the paper. It always sucks to be so close to the perfect print, you reach for another piece of paper, and BAM! No more paper!As far as this specific paper, I love it. It prints well, and I prefer pearl. Enough shine to be pretty, not enough to look ridiculous.
item arrived was as advertised.  bought to use for a college course, so far paper is performing very well, at this point I don't think there will be any problems due to temperature concerns because I bought online instead of directly from a local store or shop.  plan to buy this way again when I need more paper.
I get really nice prints with these papers.  The quality of the stock is good, and very forgiving during developing.  Be sure to let them dry completely, because they will stick.
This is the perfect paper to print my pictures on for my colledge course. I like that it's a big pack because the 20 count just isn't big enough when you want to get just the right effect.
I got this paper for a class and got a pretty good deal on it! It was packed perfectly, allowing no light in and worked perfect, giving me amazing prints!
Ilford has a great quality product, but I enjoyed the Pearl finish much more then the Gloss finish I got talked into buying at the store. I think it just makes my photos come out so much more crisp. Can quick and was great quality.
This paper is a great paper for developing photographs. The quality is premium and i encountered no damages or anything weird about the paper
This is great all-purpose paper. It has the ability to create rich tones and is very easy to work with. If you are not willing to spend double the time on fiber paper (such as if you are a student) then this is great paper.
All 100 sheets exposed properly under Illford Multigrade contrast filters. Used this paper for a photo class and liked the matte finish. Paper flexes when in humid environment.
This was the first time that I have used RC Pearl paper and it creates a really nice image for being plastic paper.
This is the standard--my go-to paper for B&W photo processing. Great for hobbyists. Buying in this bulk makes it much cheaper.
Awesome paper by Ilford as always. Pearl is a favorite, I just wish it wasn't so expensive. Produces great looking prints though.
This is very nice photo developing paper. I hope that I used just the right amount of chemistry for the right amount of time so that the photos I developed in my B&W photography class last my entire lifetime and longer.
The seal is always broken on these? Exchanged my first pack for another and they were both cut open, which I found a bit silly considering it is light sensitive. Not sure why that is, but oh well. Seems as though the paper is alright.
Though it isn't cheap, it isn't a bad deal for Ilford, which is a standard in the industry.  This is paper for developing prints in a darkroom, it isn't digital laser printer paper.  Your prints will come out as expected, and the pearl finish is nice. It isn't a high gloss, but gives you enough of a shine to add depth and quality to your photographic print.
This is probably the lowest price you'll find on google for the highest feasible amount of photo paper.  You will definitely need at least 100 sheets of it for a Photography class, so don't even bother buying 50 or 25, buy it here instead and save your money.  Now, I only hope that 100 sheets will get me through the whole semester..
Having never used a darkroom before, I started out with a pack of this paper and fell in love. I feel like developing prints on it is magical, haha. It's easy to manipulate values, it dries quickly, develops smoothly with little to know screw ups (I've had one problem out of probably fifty sheets of paper, and I guarantee it was my fault.) I love the glossiness and the fact that it doesn't pick up too horribly on finger prints like most other glossy papers I've used. Definitely a great value. 10/10, would recommend.
I bought a box of this paper for a film photography class. It produces rich, dark blacks, and has produced consistent results throughout the course. The box of 100 was a lot cheaper in the long run compared to buying 25 sheets at a time locally.
I was happy to find this inexpensive photo paper.  I would not recommend rushing the shipment, it seemed to take longer at great expense.
A LOT of good photo paper.  RC paper is great for people who don't want to spend a lot of time and money on getting great prints.  The glossy variety produces fantastic, rich blacks that can't quite be achieved on the pearl.  The 100 pack is great because trust me, it's really not that hard to use 100 sheets of photo paper over the course of ten hours in the darkroom.  Also, Ilford's RC paper is probably the most resilient photo paper I've ever used.  I left it in the developer for three minutes and the print still came out perfect.  I left it in the water bath for quite a few hours and it still didn't deteriorate in any way.  You can pretty much do everything wrong with this paper and it will still do right by you. I really, really, REALLY like this paper and would absolutely choose it over the other types.
deep blacks, and cut down developing time because it is resin coated and not fiber. the contrast is nice with good shine if that is the look you're going for!
The glossy paper when making prints creates great dark blacks & very white whites, and if you're taking a photography class and plan on using many sheets, I would highly recommend buying a larger package rather than a bunch of small ones. You'll save money that way too!
It was good quality paper.  Just what I was looking for.  Timely delivery. Easy to work with and photos show up good
This is a good buy and very quick delivery of this item. Thanks!
Though this product works and is what it says it is, I would recommend fiber based paper instead.  It is a bit tougher and doesn't scratch as easy but this does produce beautiful prints.  They are just a bit more delicate.
I got this for my photography class. The paper is great. I have never had a problem. Just wish it was a little bit cheaper
she used this in a photography class at the community college. it performed great and she got an A! yes
A 25 pack runs about $25, so this is a steal.  I don't have to feel stingy when I print because I have so much paper, which makes printing a lot less stressful.  And I can use this paper in the dryer in my darkroom because its Resin Coated. I don't have much experience using many different types of paper, but this is my boyfriend's favourite kind, and I have no regrets buying it either.
The only previous paper i have used was a kodak paper (some years ago), now no longer readily available. This paper does not seem to have the corner durability in handling that i used to recall in the other paper i used.
As film is being rediscovered in this digital age, this paper is amazing if you want to explore B&W photography youll love it!
Good paper for beginning photographers! Easy to tell the front from the back, develops quickly and nicely. Great quality paper.
Glossy paper does a good job for contrast. If you have a good negatives, you will not have troubles with your prints. Good deal, too!
This film is perfect.  loads easily, advances like a dream.  No issues with development in the darkroom! Students should buy!
it gave me a very fine grains on every image that I scanned.... so in love with this film..... can't argue more
I like HP5 for general use a good relatively cheap 400 iso black and white film. Amazon usually has 36 exposures for 3.99 and that is cheaper than I can get it anywhere I know in town and with prime shipping that is really hard to beat.
I used this for my intro to photography class and loved it. It was consistent, great to shoot with, easy to learn development with. The quality was always good and it was relatively inexpensive. Ilford products in general were great to work with.
I've never had this film processed into negatives, so I can't speak for that. I send it to the DR5 lab in Denver Colorado for reversal processing(slides). It has super fine grain and holds shadow details well. If you want to try DR5 for slides, READ their site. Only certain films can be processed this way and many need to be shot at a different ISO than their native ISO for DR5 process!!
Got two rolls of this for my Canon EOS Rebel 2000. They came out great, and provided that grain and grit I love in black and white photos. I have always used Ilford film for black and white, and it has yet to provide anything but quality photos.
Ilford HP5 Plus is my go to film when I need to capture action, I like the tonality and consistency that this film has. I develop with Kodak HC-110 which makes this film pop well. I switched to Ilford HP5 Plus after losing three rolls of Arista Premium due to pre fogging done at the factory, and I never looked back, Ilford's standards are way higher and their films always come out good. I personally have pushed this film to ISO 1600 which resulted in some awsome grain.
This film is great for a broke college student, you get quality pictures without hurting the wallet too much. Easy to develop and your pictures come out great.
Well folks, I don't know about you but I am stocking up on my favorite films, and FAST. I couldn't find the HP5+ PRINT film on Ilford's website, so I'm not sure if they have stopped making it, or maybe it's just not featured. Either way, it's a good time to stock up, and film keeps past it's expiration date.The Ilford HP5+ is an EXCELLENT all-around film, with fine grain, sharp images, and most of all it responds very well to push-processing. There really isn't much more you could ask for in a film. It currently is priced very closely to other Ilford films of less quality (Delta comes to mind) so for this price and free Amazon shipping, you better swoop it up quick!PROS- Fine grain- Sharp images- Beautiful contrast- Easy to develop- Responds well to push-processingCONS- Only comes in 400 (although it works well in all lighting!)OVERALLGrab a roll, shoot develop and print it, and you will see the amazing difference this film makes! Definitely recommended to any photographer, but I challenge you to bring this on a special shoot that you want to make prints from...you will be amazed! Take a look at the customer images for some examples of the results I got with this film recently.
For my Fundamentals of Photography class we needed to purchase a decent black and white film for our 35 mm cameras.When I first purchased this film, I really didn't know anything about traditional camera film and was just going by a recommendation by my professor.I have to say that the Ilford ISO 400 b&w; film is a wonderful product for a great price.With an ISO of 400, I found that my images were very crisp and clear. As long as I was mindful of what my light meter was telling me, I found myself capable of creating excellent indoor and outdoor photos. (However, you might need to add a lamp or spotlight on some of the indoor scenes).The 36 exposures was also great. I found that it allowed me to have more room to breathe when I was devising shoots for in class assignments.In the end, I used the film the entire semester and received high marks for my films image quality. I would highly recommend this film for professionals and beginners alike.
received the film as ordered in a timely manner. As anyone who shoots film know, Ilford is great to work with. as ordered.
A great Quality B&W 35mm Film at an affordable price on Amazon.  I have used this film under varying conditions and it has never let me down.  I am an amature photographer, been taking photos for over 40 years.  I LIKE this film.  I like the finished results from the darkroom as well.  It has proven to be a winner for me, from combat photography, to family vacations, under both Controlled and very Adverse Climate Conditions, Just a Great professional looking Black and White Photo Experience.  I recommend it to amature and professional alike.
Purchased for a photography class, arrived promptly. Good film for indoor/ outdoor use. Not too grainy, easy to work with.
Easy to use, a snap to load and to get into a processing rig. Clearly marked with the film info on the canister, nice for someone like myself that dislikes fine print!
As far as I am concerned, this is the British equivalent to Tri-X.  Same ISO and grain characteristics in D23 with a Kodalk second bath.  Two step development.  Good product.
My granddaughter, the budding photographer, was thrilled with her gift.  Nothing but stars!  She loves the sharp iimages and contrast.
Four hundred speed. Hmmmmm, you must not take photography very seriously. Or your shooting skateboarding or night photography. I guess if your shooting Somalian Gunmen while smoking White Owls stuffed with Trainwreck it's cool too.But I prefer the 50 asa. No, seriously, I like my ASA slower than Simple Jack on crack.Ilford is my favortie choice for black and white. But when it comes to color, I love Kodak VC. But that's me. And 400 asa is only good for skateboarding or somalian gunmen.P.s. do photography a favor and ridicule, taunt, heckle, and hate every kook out there pretending to be a photographer with they're heinous digital camera. Digitals suck more donkey than tijuana on a friday night. If you really like photography and respect the art you will be shooting film. Also, holgas are for hipster kooks. Ilofrd is from england and lots of good things come out of england like beer, The Clash, and funny looking teeth. But this film is top notch, and film is one of the most overlooked components of photography.
What did you expect? It is pretty much like you would assume it would be. Not much to explain about it.
yes, the Ilford 1574577 HP5 Plus, Black and White Print Film is truly film. it is film of the highest caliber. it is film that is transcendental. transcendental PLUS
I was happy to get a good fresh batch of film.  I have fallen in love with black and white photography, and Ilford makes a great product.
Received shipment quickly, well packaged, no surprises! This high-speed, medium resolution film is great for those who want to try their hands at &#34;old fashioned&#34; photography.
I had never purchased Ilford film until my second Photography class at college. The film was recommended by my photography professor. It was a delight to load this into my Pentax K1000 and go out a shot, then come back and learn how to process and develop my own film. It was like magic before my eyes. Ilford makes remarkable film with rich tones and contrast. Highly recommended.
The Ilford 400 is an amazing workhouse for Black and White photography. It allows you to shoot in pretty much any environment. And because its 400, you can pretty much keep it handheld, without the tripods and ND filters. If you are starting out on film or a seasoned pro, give this film a try. It has a very unique look!
Step aside, Kodak!For years I've used Kodak films, and quite honestly, I do like them still, (particularly the TMAX 400 films), but there's something about the quality of my photos when I use this particular film that I just love. The images are much crisper, the contrast levels are always on point, and nothing ever seems to go wrong when I develop these rolls. I'm a huge Ilford fan.
Ilford is a very good photography brand, I recommend buying any of their products. Definitely top of the line quality!
No  problems with this film it wasn't expired. Would buy again. The film came on time, and I had no trouble in loading or having it developed.
I have a BA in photography and I have used this film for the last eight years. It is my absolute favorite brand! This is a great find for anyone who appreciates black and white film, especially because black and white film has become so expensive. The only reason I am giving it four stars is because when it arrived the packaging was extremely damaged and although the film is in a protective case, anyone who knows about film, knows it is delicate. Despite this, great product and great price!
All the film I ordered was well packed. This vendor even tells you the expiration date in the description! Excellent film, quick ship, I am thrilled with this vendor. Highly Recommended.
I love this film! Try shooting it at 200 speed for great contrast! I buy 5 or 6 at a time!
I first bought this product in college a few years back. It was my favorite film because it was so consistent. I had the development down and had my own post processing procedure. Now I just shoot film as a hobby and i love the grain in this film. Would def recomend.
I was finally going to shoot a roll of film after years of digital.  Film has dimension that digital just does not. I though I would start with blackand white and play with some images so I was VERY disappointed to learn that when I took the film to the in for processing it cam out purple.  The lab thinks it was heat damaged.  It was still within date so they think it was improperly stored or handled.  Very sad to lose all of those images.
It is not the best BW film, but is good enough for school projects. It is a good deal also, but I prefer 24 exposures over 36 - better for an assignments.
It was great quality photos came after developing the film. I would repurchase this film again. I am pretty satisfied with this product.
Fast delivery.  I used this film in one of my older cameras and the results were great.  I did have to send it out through the mail to get it deveolped but that is understandable today.
Cant wait to shoot and develop more with this film. It is great for street photography especially downtown Seattle where Im from.
I purchased this film after not using photography for a very long time.  The pictures were beautiful! In the day and age of everything digital it's nice to have such high-quality photos!
What can I say it the film I started with and i really love, the Images I develop are stunning and really easy to use in the dark room! I really love the film and urge people to use Ilford when ever they can!
It protedcted very well when I recieved it. And This is an awesome product for a film camera. It is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an excellent quality film. Picture quality is awesome. Only problem is and something to keep in mind when ordering this item is this particular brand is expensive to get developed. My local shop has to send it away to get developed which gets costly and I will look for another brand in the future but if you want awesome quality go with Ilford!
With the arrival of the digital age print film is hard to find.  Ilford film is great for Black and white pictures.  Very good value.  I will reorder soon.
This is not processed as standard film you have to take it to a photo shop to get the pictures, worth it if you are like me and like photography and quality. Thank you Amazon, I was able to use my older camera, because you still have film in stock.
Ilford... my go to film for black and white.  This one is very smooth and fine grain with luscious depths of tone your 500 MP digital can't match. Try film sometime if you haven't.  As a photographer you have more skin in the game with a limited number of shots you must pay to have developed.  It makes photography more soulful, more mindful.  Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focus, frame it right....snap!  And when you nail that great shot.... nirvana.
I was so glad that the film came at a good time and the pictures that developed looked wonderful! Very pleased
I have found Delta 100 to produce nice tones and agreeable grain when using my Leica M2 + Zeiss 50mm Planar and 35mm Biogon lenses.  I think I like it a bit better than Plus-X and Tri-X so far (though obviously Tri-X is very different film).  I've developed it in Diafine (3m+3m process), and scanned with a PlusTek 7300 with good results.
I've been pretty happy with this film so far.I seem to be able to get what I want.  I like how the dark and mid tones are captured.I can't say if it's better or worse than other black and white films since this is the first I've tried, but I've been liking the results.One surprise is that the grain is visible when scanned.  Coming from digital, you are used to ISO100 being completely clean.  The grain isn't that distracting though.
Or rather, they love the grain of this film.I normally shootDelta 3200, but if I know that I'll spend a full roll in daylight, I load up Delta 100.  The creamy grain is practically non-existant, even after high resolution scans.  I don't shoot in the daytime often enough to keep this on hand, but I'll buy a roll or two for special occasions.
This is the first "delta"-type B&W film I have used, previously sticking to traditional emulsions like Tri-X and HP5 Plus. I tried it out because I was looking for an extremely sharp film to test out some lenses. All I can say is "Wow!" - this stuff showed levels of detail in my test targets (topographic maps taped to a wall) that I never expected to see (and yes, if there is something amiss with your lenses, this film *will* show it). I had it professionally processed and scanned at very high resolution (16Mp) for this purpose so I can't comment on the darkroom chemistry side of things. I liked the grain structure, though for general-purpose use I would probably go with the ISO 400 version for greater versatility. The combination of biting sharpness and detail with good tonality would probably make it a good choice for landscapes.
Ilford Delta 100 is the go to standard for professional, 35mm, black and white photography. Buttery smooth grain that makes viewers doubt that images were not taken with a professional digital camera, and consistently stunning results! Pair this with a good film camera body, and a quality lens! You will not be disappointed, until the day that this is no longer made! That will be truly heartbreaking!
Fine grain film works well in my Nikon F4, and is traditional b&w film. Continue to order and use it.
This film coupled with good developer resolves amazingly nice! forget about ilford delta 100 or pan f 50 forget about Fomapan 100 this film will kick their butt. when developed with adonal 1+50 the grain is amazing, and the skin tones are amazing If you shoot faces with lets say Fomapan the skin will look too dark Delta 100 is kinda greenish tone and not that good either. But Tmax100 will give you true B&W; tones, the iris in the eyes will look light not completely dark like other films. Stand developement is also amazing with this just leave it 1 hour and 5ml of adonal + 495ml of water mix very well. you can shoot from iso 80 to 200 and dont see a difference.I have tried it in Xtol &#34;didnt liked the grays iso is boosted&#34; adonal &#34;best choice&#34; Caffenol &#34;very nice but not too good for portraits. will try D 76 and tmax soon.This film and Neopan really well developed are the next sharpest films out there after Adox CMS 20 and other boutique and very expensive rolls that require a special developer, Like ATP Rollei...
Always easy to develop, comes out with good contrast, and has tight grain. A classic great BW film that should be a staple in every photo bag.
This has been an excellent product. I have been very happy with using it for several years now. It was shipped and received very quickly
I ordered TMAX 100 because I was traveling to Aruba which is extremely sunny.  I wanted super crisp shots and with Aruba's sun, a low ISO would not be a problem.  Before my trip I ordered a pack of TMAX 100 and received it shortly thereafter.  I shoved the film from teh amazon box to my bag and left for better weather.  My second day in Aruba I went to go do some shooting and grabbed my film.  I was unpleasantly surprised to find out I had been sent 400 ISO.  I like to print really large, so a 400 ISO is going to leave me with a substantially higher level of grain in my shots.  I will not purchase film from Amazon again.
Was not the kind of roll i was looking for i was looking for a black and white roll that just fits in the old cameras i have but this rools are big and dont really know what they fit in, But anyway terrible waste of money.
I have been a fan of Kodak film since the 1970's.  There film continues to evolve and seems to always get better.  With the advent of digital, its good to know that Kodak reliability in film making is always at it's best.
I have used Tmax in my 35mm cameras, and recently been trying it in my cameras that use 120 size film. I like developing my own film at home rather than sending it out, and Tmax has its own developer and also does well with D76. I like the fine grain and the great contrast. Also if there are deep blue skies, the sky appears darker than with say Tri-X, which often appears white in print. This I understand is due to a different response curve. I recommend this film for medium format cameras as well as 35mm cameras where fine grain and brightly lit photos are wanted.
It's Kodak, its good.100 is a good grain, make sure you have light, I use it on my Holga 120 and my Argus. It works.
It is what it says - fine grain black and white film with T-grain emulsion.  Its the best 100 ISO monochrome film on the market when sharp, low grain shots are desires.  Nice for portraits or landscapes.  I use it in vintage box cameras as well.
I develop my own film and this film is great to use if you want to do it yourself and scan the negatives.
Luckily, I ordered one of these a the same time that I ordered the Lowe strap. At about 1/10th cost it is 10 times the strap. Long, wide, sturdy. Just what you need for a big, expensive, digital. The 70's pattern is a bit loud, but I have the same strap, in red, on my Nikon F from 1973. Well made, and I can attest that it's earlier version is still serving me after 33 years.
good camera strap, sturdy, film holders EXTREMELY handy, does not break under pressure. good find.
Great Kalimar "Old School" camera strap at a great price of only $4.99. Looks and works very nice with my Minolta Dimage 7hi. Much better than the original cheap strap that came with my $1499.00 camera.Comes with 2 plastic clips and two metal triangular clips. I removed the extra clips and ran the nylon straps through the eyes on the camera. Wide strap is very comfortable on my neck after a long day. Grab one of these before RitzCamera runs out of them!
Okay so the film canister holders on this are a little dated, but other than that I LOVE this strap.  I've had it for a few years and it's held up really well.  High quality and very durable.  You won't regret buying it!
Very well constructed strap has all the right features for attachment and removal from any SLR camera.  Nice, wide strap doesn't dig in and can be adjusted for very short to very tall photographers.The metal swivels could possibly scratch the LCD on a digital SLR, so I'd put a screen protector on jsut to be safe.Does add that old-fashioned look to your rig.
Got what I needed it works like a charm fits like a glove no issues as of yet I will continue to use it and provide services
We were able to acquire an older Canon XL 2 camera for use in our church and it did not have a power adapter. This one works perfect and allows us to not worry about battery recharging. We only use the system inside so batteries are not required.
I spent a lot of time on the internet trying to find a replacement.Most of the places that I checked did not have it. Some of them had the whole power assembly, battery charger, etc.  Very expensive.  Canon dot com didn't even have it.  Was very pleasantly surprised to find it on Amazon.Thank You Amazon !!  Bob :-)
I was hesitant at first about paying the money for this and the charger that goes with it, but now that it's here, I'm so glad that I did.You will need it for doing your transfers to disc or computer.Your camera pulls a lot of power when in the vcr play back mode, so if you are transferring your film, you don't want to rely on a battery, as you will use your battery up and not have it when you need to shoot again.Even the extended batteries, they have a good run life, but it also takes a very long time to charge them again.  If you do a lot of video work, you need this and the charger.The price is high, but in the end, it is worth every penny.
I guess so.  The coupler works.  It's in good condition.  I use it on my XH A1 S.  The camera seems happy.  I would recommend this cable for anyone who owns the XH A1 S.
I need the Canon AC - 900 and not the DC-920. Please send me your adresses for sending again to you the product. Or tell me if  Ican send it to my address in Miami for returnig it to Amazon.
What can I say?  It's a DC adapter plug, and it works.  Canon cleverly made this necessary so you couldn't use any generic similar apapter.
I had lost my original and I'm glad I was able to buy another original again.  A must have for when you are transferring your tapes.
My dad gave me a video camera that he had owned but never used only problem was finding a power cord. I'm glad I found this one! It was $100 less than what it cost from Canon directly & works just as good. Shipping was very prompt.
This was a replacement for a camera power cord that was lost or damaged (can't remember which) but it was exactly the one I needed and for a better price than I would have paid from Canon.
We've bought other power supplies and had problems. This one functions flawlessly. We'll be ordering more of these to add to our shoots.
After loosing my last charger I had a hard time finding the right one, my camera only works with actual Canon products so the charger was really a God send.
Just got the charger today and used it to charge my dead camcorder.  Seems to work fine, but the casing of the charger had scratches on it and appeared to be used.  The item came in generic packaging so no way to tell if it had been used from the packaging.  Hopefully it will continue to work ok.  i will update if it doesn't.
I needed a charger for my camcorder as I had lost it. After looking at canon's website, ebay and amazon; Amazon had the best deal. The charger is a compact version, which is great, doesn't take away from the charging capability.I'm not sure what the other person who posted above stated, but I received both parts of the charger.
Works with the Canon HF 100 which is extremely picky about the power supply. So it's the ginuene article.  Not a knockoff. Tried two of those and they both failed.  This worked great.
I left this adapter plugged in and it quit working after 9 months.  I wouldn't spend the amount of money necessary for buying the Canon-brand adapter.  In fact, I'll be purchasing an adapter, from a  different maker, that will work with my Elura 100 and only costs 30 USD.
The Camcorder compact power adapter workedvery well.  I was given great help in finding theright one for my Canon Camcorder, which in itselfwas amazing.  5 stars to the product and to the helperswho helped me locate the right one.
Works great. had my Hv20, so it fights right into my camera without any issues..and it is from canon...so no doubt it wont work.
The &#34;brick&#34; works fine and does what it needs to do. The generic cord attaches to it and it charges and operates the cameras.  done
This is a great product. but I order it before I received the camera and they won't fit it. But it is not a total loss, they happen to fit my older Sony handy cam just fine, and so they will be used for that purpose.
This has worked great for me. I do a lot of 4 wheeling and it gets dusty. I can wipe it off and not scratch the lense on the cam that way. A good buy.
The filters come as stated - the 2 filters in a small case.  They thread on the camera just fine and perform well.  I bought these for a Canon Vixia HF10.  I received the camera a few days before the lenses and the only think I didn't know was that these lenses attach to the outside of the camera (the lens on the HF10 is protected and automatically covered when powered down) so you will probably remove the lense(s) when not actually in use (I originally thought I would just leave the one lens on all of the time).
This item consists of a neutral density filter and a clear filter. I sent it back un opened.  I thought it was a polaroid filter which, for the same price you get from Sony.  Firstly there are few times a ND filter would be necessary even on a beach as most camcorders have 1/2000 second shutter speeds and the other filter just protects the camera lens from dirt but puts more glass in the system.  Better off to buy a off brand Polaroid filter which gives really good control of glare.
Use of camera filters should not add noise to the picture. These do a poor job. You can see what appear to be evenly distributed circles or spots on the lense. What is that about? I cannot recommend the product.
The filters work great with my camera.  They appear to be of a high quality for the price.What else is there to say?  I think they are worth the investment for the protection offered to my camcorder's lens.  I have also been able to shoot some interesting footage using the neutral density filter.
Use it instead of the neck strap that was bugging my neck for some reason. I use it on the left side of my Powershot SX40 HS since it kinda gets in the controls way on the right. Good tough nylon wrist strap on it and I won't be taking it off anytime soon ...good stuff this is  :D
This works great with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D, and also other DSLRs, for one handed shooting.It also makes it easier to take out and put away.
I didn't realize that the strap is not adjustable and it is way to small for my wrist. I'm a 6 ft tall women so my wrists aren't &#34;dainty&#34; but maybe a little small. Either way, I didn't feel comfortable with the huge size and returned it. I've found something else that I love.
I use this on a Canon SLR and it is sturdy enough that I don't worry about it breaking even with a heavy 80-200 f2.8 lens.
I recently bought the Canon Powershot SX20IS through Amazon but don't like to use neck straps.  I usually place my camera back in my case after a shot; but on those times when a lot of great shots are in view, I had thought about using my not used old 8mm camcorder hand strap -- but that wasn't a good option.  Using the "shoe string" wrist strap that come with cameras would cut into my wrist since the SX20 is heavy, so when I saw this heavy-duty strap I thought I would give it a try -- especially since the cost was right.  I am very happy with this strap.  The lead-in part of the strap fits into the eyelet that accommodates the neck strap and the wide band for the wrist allows maneuverability for a horizontal or vertical shot.
This wrist strap works great on my Canon G12 point and shoot still camera.  I had been using the neck strap for sometime and wanted to try something different.UPDATE: After over 3 years of excellent service I have moved this strap to my new Canon G16.  It is very difficult to thread into the camera but it can be done.  At first I thought, as many do, that it is bulky.  But as a travel writer who relies on my camera I am much more comfortable with this solid strap than something thinner.I should note that mine is a little different than the one in the current product photo.  But it should work just as well.
I got it because the neck strap that came with my Canon G15 was too thin and stiff for such a small camera. I found in other reviews that this was used and got it myself. It takes a little wiggling to fit in the side lug of the camera but once in it's not sliding around at all. It works much better than the neck strap and is comfortable to hold and very secure.
I wanted something that would make it easier for me to shoot vertical shots. When I would go to shoot vertical my neck strap that came with my camera would get in my face or my view and I'd have to move it and potentially miss my opportunity at a great photo. I know this strap seems to be for a camcorder but I got it for my Canon 7D to replace the neck strap and it is exactly what I was looking for. It is sturdy and fits perfectly around my wrist and allows for full mobility. I now have to carry my camera at all times rather than letting it hang from my neck but I honestly never felt comfortable with it around my neck and not holding it anyways. I just wanted the added safety of having the camera secured to my wrist because I take a lot of wildlife shots and sometimes need to hang the camera over a barrier or need to rush to get a shot and going in without any kind of security made me nervous. This strap is exactly what I wanted and it does what its supposed to. A great buy!
It took a little getting used to, but I wouldn't want to use my Canon G-11 without it now! Feels secure on my wrist. I also love the fact that I can keep it on my wrist even while the camera is securely in its case! The case I use for my G-11 is theTamrac 5689 Pro Compact Digital Bag (Black)... works out great for when I want to tuck the wrist strap inside the case as well.
This wrist strap is quite comfortable and quite small.  In fact, its only drawback I can see is that the part of the strap that goes around one's wrist can't be cinched tighter, but on the other hand it works fine and quite comfortably with my large hands and my wife's small hands.We use this strap attached to a 450D with 40mm pancake; the smallness of the strap allows the entire assembly to fit inside aLowepro Apex 100 AWbag.  All in all, we couldn't be happier with this wrist strap, and at the price for which we bought it, it's a steal.
Solidly built strap. The cloth area that fits over your wrist is wide and comfortable, the part that straps to the camera is a bit wide for my G9 but it fit nicely on my G6. Very well made, if it fits your camera you wont be disappointed.
For all of you who worry about dropping your camera this is for you. I have used this strap for about a year now and have no problems with it. It's a little snug putting onto my Canon Powershot G12 but once you do you never have to do it again.
After many hours (more like months) of searching for the perfect wrist strap, I settled on this one. And I was not disappointed. If you get tired of having your camera hanging around your neck, but yet am nervous/paranoid while holding it in your hand (in fear that you may get bumped of just let is slip while awaiting the chosen shot, then this is for you. Keep your camera in hand without fear of dropping it, and without the restrictions of the standard neck strap.This strap is not elastic nor thin by any means. Excellent quality and the overall size, width, and length of this is perfect. Why I did not get one of these sooner is unknown. But I do know that I have one now and it wasn't too late. Great product, great price. Once again, thank you Amazon.com !
This strap worked very well on my Canon G12 to help me keep it protected. It was easy to put on and use.
I never liked using a neck strap and could not find a decent wrist strap for my new G11.  I finally found one at Amazon and it is great.
Although this wrist strap is marketed for Canon camcorders, it is also a good option for the Canon G15. Some compact camera wrist straps have camera loops that are quite thin. Since the Canon G15 is a more substantial camera, the quality of this wrist strap insures against accidental tumbles.
I bought this strap for my Canon SX10IS camera and I love it.  The weight of the camera pulling on my neck with a neck strap eventually makes my neck start hurting, so this arm strap was perfect.  I wouldn't want to have to carry the SX10IS around all day in my hand, but it's great to be able to get away from the neck strap.  I wish I could have them both hooked up at the same time so I could alternate on long outings.  This strap is strong and durable.  When I first considered it, I thought it looked too wide, but it doesn't bother me.
Based on a review I read, someone had used the strap on a Canon G10. Was perfect timing, becuase I just bought a G10 for my wife for her birthday. She didn't like the strap that connected on both sides. The WS20 was perfect. Especially since I bought the Canon PSC-85 case for the G10. The 2 together are a good combo.
I say it has the perfect size and the price too, I used for my DSLR because I dont like the neck strap.
I use this strap for my Canon g15 and it serves me well without using a neck strap.  It makes my camera very handy and convenient to use. Gives me added protection without being stuck in my neck all the time. Its easy to grab too whenever I need to get perpect shots without delay. I love it and its made by Canon for the brand conscious!
Threads tightly into Canon G12, but is too loose on my wrist.  When it is not slipping off (if I spread the pinky & thumb, it will not slip off), it is comfortable on my wrist.  Canon should have made it adjustable.  Are you getting a case for your G12?  The Lowepro Apex 60 AW case holds the camera with the strap.
I bought this wrist strap for my Canon PowerShot G16, because some muckety-muck at Canon decided that a point & shoot camera like the G16 needed a neck strap, not a wrist strap.  Seriously???I use this, in conjunction with my Case Logic QPB-202 camera case.  This allows me to carry the G16 on my belt, and quickly pull it out of the case for use, having the wrist strap to provide a solid hold on the camera.The really nice thing about this wrist strap is how wide it is.  This distributes the weight of your camera, and doesn't dig in as much as rope-type wrist straps do.
This is a great item, if the openings on the camera had been just a tad wider, I would have kept it. I did not know that Canon widened the eyelets in the G10/11/12. It was impossible to push this strap through without destroying it in the process, so it is going back. Boo hoo. :-)
I wanted to replace a bulky shoulder strap with something compact. This wrist strap fit the bill perfectly. It fits easily in my small camera bag. The wide wrist band is comfortable. The materials are strong. I'd recommend this to anyone.
Even though this was designed for the camcorders it fits nice on my new g11. It is tight but it does fit. much better for a small camera that the neck strap supplied with the G11.
Bought it as an alternative to the neck strap for my G15. Little tight getting it through the holes at first but its great.
The portion of the strap that threads through the camera attachment is 1/2" or 12mm -- which is a tight fit for the Panasonic FZ-35 (which takes about a 3/8" strap), but well worth the effort.Very comfortable and usable strap. Well worth it and no modifications needed. Highly recommended.I pushed the strap through using the end of a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Something like a blunted toothpick might also work.
I wanted to replace the neck strap I have never used as a neck strap with a wrist strap. I would actually wrap the neck strap around my arm while using my camera. I was shocked when I couldn't find a Canon wrist strap for my camera. While searching Amazon, I found this camcorder wrist strap. After reading the other reviews of people using it with a DSLR I figured I would give it a shot. It works great!The area of that strap that loops through the camera's ring is a little thicker and wider than that of the neck strap. I actually think it is thicker and wider by design, one connection point verses two connection points. Even though it is larger, it still fits perfectly in the camera's ring.The size of the wrist loop is also just right to fit my rather large/wide hand. Also, the length is perfect since I can still grip the camera comfortably while using the strap.If you too are looking for a wrist strap for your Canon DSLR, give this one a try.Update 11/25/2010: I recently updated my camera to Canon T1i, wrist strap still works perfectly. After using this strap for over a year, I still love it. My only complaint is ever-so-often I miss my neck strap. I'm considering adding aCanon BG-E5 Battery Grip for Canon XSi Digital SLR Camerasand aCanon 2344A001 E1 Hand Strap for Eos Rebel Series. This setup would allow for the neck strap to remain attached.
It's advertised for camcorders.  I have one on my G12 and the other on my 3Ti.  I never liked neck straps and the cameras feel very secure with these wrist straps.Wish I bought them for the current price though.  I paid $20.
Works as described. Not much to write here. Used it on my Canon G12. Looks OEM. I like it better than the neck strap.
Short and sweet:I purchased this for a Fuji X100. It is a perfect fit; highly recommended.Uh, yes, I took a black permanent marker and made the CANON name disappear!
I used it with a DSLR to replace the neck strap as it was cumbersome to fit in the camera case. This strap is very durable, and practical for everyday use. I keep it around my wrist anytime I am handling the camera...an extra protection in case you drop the camera.
I actually bought this for my Canon T1i DSLR.The DLSR came with a neck strap, but neck straps have several disadvantages:  They really make you look like a tourist, they get in the way if they are not on your neck, they are an easy target for ride by thieves, and if the strap is hanging off the table, they become a tripping hazard that will take your camera with it. Because of all these things, I usually wrap the neck strap around my forearm several times and always hold my camera.With all that said, this strap has the same quality and strength of the neck strap, but without the bulk.  It allows me to hold the camera without fear of dropping it.  I can dangle the camera off my wrist if I need to use my hand and a drive by thief cannot take my camera without taking me with it.For me this is a perfect buy.
I didn't like the neck strap that came with my Canon G15, so I purchased this wrist strap. It is very well made and works perfectly. Strong enough to support the camera and a 270EX II flash.
I've never liked neck straps for anything, and I always need a wrist strap for my cameras (have slippery hands, as I wash them all day long for my job).  Did some research and although there aren't many choices really, am fairly happy with this one - I do feel it's the best of the bunch.  Got it for my new G11, and while I was concerned there wasn't a slider to tighten up the fit I don't really think I need it - despite having small hands.  The material isn't slippery so it doesn't feel like the strap will slip off easily (but it does make quite a good cat hair catcher), and while I thought at first it would be too long/big it actually is a good size that allows me enough room to maneuver my hand around the camera.  Reading some other wrist/hand strap options I was concerned that once your hand was "locked in" to position, it would be difficult to make on the fly changes to settings.  I'm glad I chose this one just for this reason.It's a tight fit to get it into the G11's strap handle, but not a biggie - I didn't need anything extra to poke it through, and once it went through no problem to strap it all in.
I bought for the Canon G15 still camera, but found that it was too large to fit into the camera.
I have a neck strap for my G-12 but wanted to try this wrist version.  It's a very well made strap and works great.  I think the camera isn't as conspicuous secured in your hand as it is hanging around your neck.
I tried a couple of lesser quality wrist straps for my Canon G15 and though they might not have ever broken...I still felt uncomfortable with my camera dangling at the end of them.  I ordered this solely based on other reviews and I couldn't be happier.  It fits on the camera perfectly and there is room for it to hang outside the Canon PSC-5100 case through a side opening.  Very well built and I feel a great value.
I got this for a Canon G-10 and it fits perfectly through the strap mount on the side of the camera (they enlarged it from the G-9). It is nice to have a solid and substantial strap like this. I'm glad I got it and didn't use the flimsy wrist strap I had from an older point-and-shoot camera. This strap is well made and does its job.
I got this to use with my Canon G15 point-ansdshoot.  The camera came with a neck strap which I wasn't crazy about. Although this wrist strap is made for Canon camcorders, it works perfectly with my G15. It was a bit of a tight squeeze to thread the strap through the slot on the camera, but if you push it gently you'll get it through. The strap is substantial and is a good length. If you prefer a wrist strap rather than a knock strap, this is perfect.
I hate neck straps so I needed a good wrist strap for my new G12.  I chose wisely!  This strap rocks!  I don't worry about dropping my camera as this is the sturdiest wrist strap I've ever seen.  Kudos to Canon for a fantastic alternative to the conventional neck strap.  If you prefer a wrist strap then this is for you.  Not just for camcorders, great for digital cameras as well.
This is a great wrist strap to use whether you have a camcorder or a point and shoot camera. It's very comfortable.
Bought this for my XSi and it works great.  I hike and prefer to carry my camera rather than use a neck strap.  In the past, I had to wrap the neck strap around my wrist so I had some protection in case I let go of the camera - no longer have that worry with this strap.  The strap is wide enough so it is comfortable and the connecting strap is solid.  If I could change anything, it would be to have a way to tighten the strap around my wrist.UPDATE ---- I have since used the strap on my T2i and 5D Mk3 - works well!  To re-iterate my only complaint - I wish there was a way to tighten the strap around my wrist BUT it has never slipped off and I have never dropped the camera while using the strap.  I recommend this strap !
Perfect for the Canon G12 that comes without a strap. Thanks to someone else reviewing this for the G12 I was able to make a confident purchase. Fits perfect.
This is a much better alternative to the neck strap that came with my camera. If I decide to use liveview I can hold the camera anywhere I like, I'm not limited to one foot from my neck.
I bought this for my canon 40d and the battery grip. It is comfy and not too big definitely gives me the confidence that the camera wont drop to the ground when I am out shooting. I hate the neck straps.
This is a very simple item, but it works well for my intended purpose. I bought it to use with my Olympus E-P3. It offers security while holding the camera away from your body without the extra bulk of a neck strap. It would be nice if the wrist strap was adjustable in size, but it works pretty well for my larger hands. The wide fabric used for the wrist strap is comfortable. The attachment loop is securely sewn to the wrist strap and there are no metal parts to scratch the finish on your camera. This is a good choice for micro-4/3rds shooters.
The Canon WS20 Wrist Strap for all Canon Camcorders is an excellent addition to any camera.I purchased mine specifically to replace the poorly made, uncomfortable, neck strap on the Cannon G-11.Well made, secure, easy to use and install.A welcome accessory for my Cannon G-11.
I bought this strap for a Canon G10 camera.  The standard straps are too flimsy and even break - not sure why this strap is not marketed as an accessory for all of the Powershot series cameras.  The strap lanyard fits perfectly into the little slot on the G10.  The strap is very strong and fits nicely on the wrist.  The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it lacks a little cinch mechanism like you'd find on a wrist strap for a Nintendo Wii.  Not absolutely necessary, but if it had one, you would be sure the thing would not slip off of the wrist.  I probably wouldn't have thought it a benefit had I not seen it on a Wii controller.  Definitely worth the price for what you get.  I opted not to get a strap for my last camera - it wound up in the bottom of a stream when I tried to take pictures of fish from a small bridge....
I am a semi-pro photographer and use the neck straps on my bigger DSLR's.  However, on those times when I want a smaller, but high quality camera with me, I use the Canon G12 and slide it in my pocket.  The hand strap is perfect so that you have another level of protection in the event you get bumped while shooting or carrying your camera, plus you can have the camera hanging by the hand strap around your wrist to free your hand if needed.  Great product.
I use this wrist strap with aPanasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Black).  For such a small camera, I find a wrist strap to be more convenient than a neck strap.
I used this for a short while on my heavy Canon 60D + 15-85mm lens (total 3 lbs). For its intended purpose it does it well, but I need both my hands free sometimes and hence my neck strap is back on my camera.- The loop that goes around your wrist is soft to the touch and really flexible, far from a backpack texture feel.- The strap is adjustable and strong, it felt secure. I even let my camera dangle from my wrist as a test no worries there.- The loop is not adjustable but it felt like it wasnt going anywhere ( it was actually harder than expected to slip my hand off on purpose).- Canon logo looks silk-printed on (versus entirely stitched)- Good for those with a DSLR wanting to secure their camera without the large neck strap. Be careful though, make sure you can fully forego the neck strap as you will always need to occupy one hand to carry the camera.- If you always carry a camera bag that already as a neck or shoulder strap, then this product is great.
I'd spent years wrapping the Neck Strap around my wrist for shoots, then a friend of mine got one of these and showed me his. I immediately went and ordered one, I've been loving it!I wish I could make it shorter, I'd like the camera safely against my wrist rather dangling 6 inches away from arm if I'm not holding it.
Very nice construction, and a perfect fit for my camera.  Feel much more secure carrying my camera around in busy situations. Goodbye neck strap.
I have a Canon TX1 which is almost as small as my ELPH.  With fingers needing to be in the right place at all times it became imperative I added a safety feature to make a recording.  With the Canon WS20 Wrist Strap I can maneuver the camera around and if I miss one finger the camera is safely dangling from my wrist instead of bouncing off of rocks.  I also use the strap to push away form the camera for leverage.  Then too, when walking around to find a scene I want, the camera remains at fingers length for a quick flip up and I'm ready to go.
I used this strap with thin winter gloves and the opening is large enough to accommodate my large hands.  A wrist strap and a belt clip are the perfect way for me to carry my camera when traveling.
I just received this for my new T3i...  I tried to use the neck strap but maybe I need a bigger or more padded one..  I don't know but I bought this and I like it.  I have very large hands, this is perfect for me. I can see how people with smaller hands might not feel comfortable with this.  So far, so good.
A little bulky, however I didnt like the idea of just a neck strap.  This works well for the g-15 and I like it a lot better and it is easier to use than you might think.  You do have to get used to it though.
Suitable for large cameras. But a little too big for my Canon g15 camera. Too much strap to fit into small camera case.
This is a great hand/wrist strap and should be included in the G11 purchase instead of the wimpy and very short neck strap.
Very nice wrist strap. Comfortable and sturdy. Exactly what I needed for quick access to my Lumix GF1, which will stay in a pouch attached to my belt.
this was supposed to fit all Canon Camcorders. it surely did not fit mine. the tie in thread was thicker than the camera's opening for a handle.. this is for the BIG cameras.
I got this for my G11 and subsequently Handed the G11 neck strap to my old SLR. This works great for the lighter weight G11 giving you the security of holding it without having it hang around your neck. Well designed and should be supplied with it. I'm sure it will work well with the newer G12.
I went with this strap because the off-brand neoprene ones looked like they were too fluffy and padded for me. I really wanted a thin strap like the neck strap but for my wrist. This ended up being exactly that, and I'm happy with my purchase. One thing that would make this a better product would be if there was a little plastic piece to pull it a bit tighter around your wrist like the off-brand ones have. I have an average to large wrist and still feel that its just a bit too loose. Really, its just an insurance policy while shooting, but I would feel better if it was a bit tighter.
After spending $1,000 + on equipment for my Canon HG10, the last thing I want to do is drop it! I can be a bit of a klutz, so this wrist strap is great insurance for those times when I get pre-occupied and stop paying attention to my camera.Don't let a dropped camera ruin your day ... invest in this wrist strap!
A necessity for active people using Camcorders.  If you need your hands just let go of that camera.  It won't go far.  Strong attachment to the camera.
I recently purchased a Canon G15.  I am very happy with the camera and about the only complaint I have is the neck strap.  I was not happy with a fairly large neck strap attached to a camera that is probably not as big as my wallet and yet because of that small size it makes it difficult to hold without having my fingers on buttons and possibly changing settings unintentionally so I didn't want to go without any strap at all.  I bought the WS20 as a compromise between the two and it has worked out great.  I can wrap the strap around my left hand and support the camera without pressing buttons (unless I want to!) and it's not so huge that I feel like I'm lugging around a rope with my camera.  If you buy it I hope you are as happy with it as I am and thank you for taking the time to read my review.
An Excellent Alternative to the Hand Grip I was considering, and not a Bad Price either.
Bought this to replace the standard neck strap that came with my G15 camera. This strap is great and seems to be a perfect fit with the camera. As a couple of other reviewers have stated you can not 'cinch' the wrist strap around your arm, which would be nice, although for me I do not feel like there is a risk of it falling off while walking around due to the material inside the strap and the width of it.
This is a great alternative to a neck strap. Seems very well made and strong enough to hang a camera off of your wirist which happens on occasion.
I am glad I bought this.  I need some extra security for my $1000 camcorder.  Feels extremely sturdy and looks nice as well.  For a little over ten bucks its worth the piece of mind.
I can't believe Canon didn't include a strap on their Hi Def camcorders.  I had an old, out-of-order Sony camcorder.  So I am using that strap (that works as good) instead of spending for a strap that should have been included with the camcorder to begin with.
What can I say?  Its a camera strap and its performs the function well.
I just bought a Vixia HF-S10 for $1300 and guess what... no strap. Big thumbs down for not including this with the camcorder Canon. I can't imagine that this strap cost Canon any more than $1.50.
I got this strap for my Canon HV20 HD camcorder.Anyone who owns a camera or camcorder is aware of the Photography Corollary to Murphy's Law:  If you leave it at home or in the hotel room, you're sure to miss something awesome.  For this reason, it's essential that you keep your camcorder with you at all times.This strap gives you a third option, in addition to being in your hand or in a protective bag.  You're not going to win any fashion awards with a bulky camcorder hanging around your neck, but you will be ready for cool shot at a moment's notice.The strap is high-quality, strong, comfortable, and light-weight.  It should've been included in the box with the camcorder, but it's fairly inexpensive, and an essential accessory in my opinion.
This strap is perfect for my Canon camcorder. It is about an inch wide and distributes the weight of the camcorder well, without getting in the way of other devices I often carry. The only minus is that one should have come with the camera.
Strap is good. Price could have been lower as it does not have a hook to connect.You have to attach the two end through the two small plastic buckle.
For what Canon charges, you'd expect to get something better than the variety of strap you'd expect to get for free. If they don't want to include a strap, they should at least make a deluxe strap for this price. If other vendors can afford to throw in basic accessories, and I can't think of a reason this would cost more to make than an included cable, then I can't see how they justify what they are doing.The strap itself is adequate. If you found something similar in a dollar store, it might be of lesser quality. Or it might not be.I put it on as indicated in my instruction manual. It's not that I needed to use a manual to figure out how to put on a camera strap. But my HF G20 has only one eyelet for a strap so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. The instructions show placing the two ends through the same eyelet in parallel, which is impossible. The strap will fit, but not in any way that makes it feel as if it were designed specifically for that expensive camera. I figured that for a strap that's expensive for what it is, and a camera that should be designed for this specific strap, as the manual states, they could have done better.
This neoprene strap is super comfortable.  I use it with a D5000 and have walked around all day in hot weather with it.  The neoprene wicks away the sweat from your neck and it's comfortable to wear all day.  It doesn't chafe it supports SLR camera weight well.  The only thing is that it's a bit short, so for me, I can't wear it across one shoulder (as I would've preferred) and can only use it around the neck.
Neoprene is much more comfortable than any "stock" strap and electric blue stands out in a crowd of black accessories, but this strap is just too short to be useful to me.  I'm average height (5'11") but have broad shoulders and a thick chest.  When I put this strap around my neck and shoulders (the way you *should* wear a strap) there was so little slack that my NikonNikon D5100stuck straight out awkwardly rather than hanging down naturally.  Making pictures was out of the question.The little ladies and bean-pole men among the prospective buyers may be happy with this strap, but if you've done a lot of push-ups (or cheese-its, as the case may be) you'll want to look for something longer.PS- As for alternatives, I've got aLeica strapon order.  It's a little more expensive, but it comes highly recommended by Ken Rockwell, and the Amazon reviewers seem unanimously satisfied.
I like to carry my camera to the side with one arm inside the strap.  This strap (and most others) are not quite long enough to do that and then pull the camera to the eye.  It is better than most because the neoprene will slide a bit easier.  The stretchy give of the neoprene does notably improve the comfort.I rated it 3, because I just don't understand why a few more inches of nylon on the adjustable portion of the strap is so hard to find.  This is true of all the tamrac's I've seen.  Otherwise, really good.
It does what it suppose to do:- replace the flashy factory strap (colors and big logo) with plain black low-profile strap- very comfortable, it's made of neoprene- it has quick release feature (not very useful since the loose ends attached to the camera won't attach to each other)- relatively cheapThe only con is that the length is not any longer than the factory strap.It might not be long enough if you like to wear your camera through neck and shoulder, and have bigger build body.
Some of the larger lenses for my camera are quite heavy, and the strap that originally came with the camera was thin and uncomfortable.  I ordered the Tamrac neoprene strap as a replacement.  It is softer than the stock leather one, but the edges are unfinished, so it still feels like it's biting into my neck.  Not as bad as the original, but still not what I'd call comfortable.  The strap is quite stretchy, so it should absorb shocks better than a non-elastic strap.The attachment straps are a bit fiddly to work with, but that's what the quick release is for, you attach it once and stop screwing with it.
I got this strap because I needed something more comfortable to use for more than 1 hour at a time.  Here is my take:Pros:1.  VERY padded.  in fact, so padded that it felt weird the first couple times.  the neoprene is kinda grippy, but not like sandpaper, so it won't chafe as much as the stock straps that come with the cameras.2.  Secure.  for those that complained that the buckles came un-done, well, I'm not sure if they got the strap threaded correctly.  it takes a bit of small-finger work to get the strap through all the buckles, but then the strap ends don't move at all.Cons:1.  kinda short.  it works fine around the neck, but I like to sling my camera cross-shoulder to get it out of the way, and this strap is too short to do that and then pull up quickly for a shot.  by the way, I'm 5'9", so not a giant by any stretch.2.  quick release clips.  ok, so I can see the possibility of the clips scratching your camera if you are not careful, but why would you not be careful with your $500 or $1000 or $3000 investment?  I'm always careful when I place my camera back in the bag/holster, even when I'm in a hurry.2(b).  quick release clips.  I see maybe a long term issue with the plastic giving it up, but we're talking years down the road based on those I trust who use this strap now.conclusion:  I like the strap.  length is what gets this strap a 4 star rating.
If you don't need buckles to remove the strap from your camera when you pack it away in your camera bag, then by all means consider a strap without buckles.  But I need that feature.  My Nikons (when they're not around my neck) travel in Pelican hard cases, nestled in camera-shaped holes in the "pick-n-pluck" foam (which, by the way, has completely protected my Nikon bodies and several Nikkor lenses from being dropped out of a moving Jeep.  And dropped to the floor in airports by my "assistants" many times. "But that's another show."). ANYWAY I need to take the straps off when I put the camera bodies in the Pelican cases.  In five years of using these straps (I have two) I've never had anything get scratched by the buckles.  The stretchy Neoprene fabric is comfy and great for long-term wear.  My only gripe is it absorbs water vapor coming off my neck or chest when it gets hot outside.  But for some reason, never seems to get stinky.  And other straps I have get slippery in similar conditions, which is just gross.
needed a strap and this was nice. color ok. size was ok. matched my case. was a fair price. so i bought it.
Love the strap, very comfortable.  But if you are six feet tall or more and you want the camera to hand lower than the middle of your chest, look elsewhere.  I havemine set to the longest possible setting and it is barely long enough.
The N25 strap is comfortable and its quick release is handy. But, I hate to say it, the rubber smells like sour farts. And before long, your collar does too, all on its own. Maybe mine was improperly cured or something, but until such time as web sites have .pong files to let you sniff in advance, you might want to think twice.
My mom recently upgraded her camera. She was complaining when she carried it around her neck, it hurt. I read lots of reviews on camera straps, and liked what I was reading about his one. It works great. My mom is loving being able to carry her camera and it not give her neck pains. Plus, she loved the color.
Using this with a Canon 30D--works like a charm and has no issue with the weight.
An exellent addition to my camera accessories. The elasticity of the neoprene strap takes the jarring weight off of your neck making it a lot more comfortable. I find myself taking my camera with me more often and missing less photo opportunities.Howard
I very much agree with the leading review here that the quick-release buckles on the strap can potentially scratch your camera's exposed LCD, especially in travel-storage situations. I currently use this strap on a Canon T3i/600D with a fold-away screen in a Tamrac Aero 50 bag. The design of the bag (and many other Tamrac offerings) allows the strap on the camera to be put away well to the side, and the fold-away screen on the T3i allows the LCD to be doubly protected as well in those travel-storage situations. I also use a screen protector on the LCD. All the same, when I put the camera away quickly in the bag, I have to be careful with the strap. The quick-release buckles are, for me, a calculated risk.There are two general, obvious purposes to buying into the Tamrac quick-release buckle system and putting up with the risk. The obvious purposes are:1. If you have multiple camera bodies and want to use the same strap with different cameras easily, this feature gets the job done.2. If you want to carry your camera(s) in multiple ways, you can switch out different straps in the Tamrac line easily.Getting back to THIS strap, there are two specific reasons why these buckles are useful.This is a traditional neck strap. It is not a sling/bandolier/crossbody strap. It is not a shoulder strap. It is far too short and narrow for that. There are two ways to use this strap and others like it: around your neck and wrapped around your hand as a quick wrist strap.1. The buckles allow you to quickly wrap and tie the strap around your hand for additional security when using it as a wrist strap.2. The buckles allow you to detach and easily clean the strap.Mostly beyond the buckles, I've seen these benefits with this particular strap.1. As mentioned earlier, I own other Tamrac gear, and have never been disappointed with the build quality of the products. This strap is no exception. Some reviews here have complained about the strap coming loose. I don't think that's particularly likely if the strap is attacked correctly the first time, which is not particularly easy.2. The neoprene helps significantly on long vacation days when I use a heavier zoom lens on the T3i's light body, as I tend to do. Because the lens tends to pull the camera body down and around, straps with no give or stretch to them tend to dig in high on the neck and chafe, especially on hot days. It's a feeling like "400-grit sandpaper on your neck" as another reviewer described it, and that's unfortunately a very apt description.3, The neoprene is two-sided. If I get one side sweaty on a hot morning and I still have hours of carrying the camera to go, I can flip it around (using the buckles) and use the other side. This really helps cut down on chafing.3. The Tamrac branding is discreet, and the main brand label can be hidden by turning the strap or flipping the strap around. This is important to me. Late-model stock DSLR straps, with their loud, obnoxious branding, help mark you as an easy target for occasional hustlers and thieves in vacation areas. Any camera hanging off your neck is bad enough.In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with this product. But I understood what I was getting and I had specific reasons for wanting this particular strap with these features. I tend to go to hot, sunny places well off the beaten track on my vacations, where I spend most of the daylight hours walking around and filling up memory cards. This strap is exactly what I needed to do this more comfortably.
I have this on my D7000 which has a magnesium chassis. It's heavier than the last camera I had (D5000), but nothing like a full-frame professional dSLR. But for my camera it's great.
Its name says it all! - I assume N25 refers to its width in millimeters, just right for an SLR, and black so you are not a walking billboard for the camera manufacturer.  The soft and stretchy neoprene makes carrying a camera much more comfortable, though it does not slide so easily as other materials.  I could do without the quick release - it just adds clunkiness to the strap and though the quick-releases seem strong they could be a weak point?  The rest of the construction seems very well-made and I particularly like the way each camera attachment strap has two friction buckles - other straps I've had with only a single buckle have sometimes slipped and become detached.  So, streamline the thing doing away with the quick releases would earn five stars, but in the meantime it's four and I'm still looking!
I hate all camera straps, the only thing I hate more is dropping an expensive camera and trying to explain why I didnt have a strap. I like this one though. It's comfortable, light, a little bouncy even. I still would rather shoot without a strap and i often do, but if I use a strap I use this one.
I bought this camera strap because the one that came with my new Canon 60d is very uncomfortable to wear.  When you carry a heavy camera and lens around you want comfort for your neck.  I highly recommend this product.
A very well-made and comfortable strap. The only complaint is that it's too short to wear across your body, bandolier style. For someone like me, who carries the camera everywhere, I either have to wear it like that or have it stick to my shoulder like glue. This one slips around a little too much and I'm afraid my camera might fall off while I'm walking my two dogs and don't have a hand free to grab it. I suspect very few of you would have this problem though so, I'm giving it a high rating.
I own a Nikon D60 and I love the camera.However, the strap that comes with it is not a good addition.I guess I am bit security conscious so advertising that I have a Nikon on my neck never made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Not that I go into bad neighborhoods, but I do travel with my stuff and advertising is generally not a good idea. This goes for Canon owners too.Also the standard strap has about as much padding as sandpaper and is as comfortable as a pair of pant 3 sizes too small. If you have shirt with a collar it is not too bad, but if it is hanging on your bare neck all day it will feel like it was made from 400 grit sandpaper and you have a semi truck tire around your neck. On a real hot day, I hate to think what that must feel like.BTW, if you think the Nikon D60 strap is bad, I still have my skinny all leather black Nikon F strap and camera. You want to feel uncomfortable.. Try that combo.Now in looking for a strap, being a budget minded, this one popped up. I know of Tamrac and their reputation seems good and the length was right and it was padded with neoprene.I just got it and popped it on in a few minutes. I walked around with it and it feels comfortable around my neck and seems to be well constructed. The weight feels better, must be better distributed.One might ask if I am security happy why I chose bright blue. Well, that is because, if you lay your camera down with a bunch of other DSLRs at a family get together, that bright blue sticks out. Besides blue is my favorite color.
The neoprene is so much more comfortable that the factory Nikon strap it replaced. I like the quick release aspect as well.I do have two major gripes about this strap though. The nylon webbing at the base of the neoprene which connects to the camera is definitely inferior to the factory strap. It looks and feels "cheap" by comparison. Gripe number two is that the webbing (and the strap overall) is so short that the plastic buckles are ironic since there is a total of less than 3/4" of possible adjustment. One of the great things I read about this strap was that it was great for wearing around the neck and one shoulder which is my favorite way to carry my camera but the overall strap is really too short to do that. At 5'9", 175 lbs, I'm not a big guy and this thing barely fits in the manner mentioned so it's too tight to raise to my face for shooting.Overall, I suppose it's just ok. It's super comfortable around the neck or one shoulder but it's too short and has basically zero adjustment to personalize the fit.
Bought this several years ago and still use it. It has slipped twice but thank goodness I caught the camera. Super comfy and lightweight.
I bought this strap to replace the original strap that came with my Nikon D40.  I found the original strap to be uncomfortable to wear for any length of time.  The Tamrac strap is extremely comfortable, and it stretches, which enables me to carry the camera at my side and raise it to take a picture.  If for no other reason, I'd buy this simply because it is soft, strong and comfortable.
I got this primarily because I didn't want the standard branded camera strap advertising my expensive SLR to the world.  It's about the same size, perhaps a little shorter than the stock strap, I'd have preferred it was longer as I like to wear my strap more like you would a messenger bag.The strap itself is pretty thin which causes it to chafe a little around the neck but I feel like this will go away once it's worn in.  The neoprene has a nice give and it's like a shock absorber for when you're not clutching the camera.
Needed a more comfortable strap with some "give" to it and found the perfect one with this Tamrac purchase. If you are carrying the larger size DSLR's and a good sized zoom lens then you know what I am talking about. This high quality strap from Tamrac is so comfortable...just what I needed.
The neoprene is great, I carried this camera for 10 days straight while on vacation in England with no apparent strain or soreness.  I wish it was not quick release, as I find the latches get in my way fairly often and drag across the camera body when shooting.  That is worth one star, maybe even two deduction, but the give in the neoprene mostly offsets that.
This is an awesome camera strap.  The material is super soft and very stretchy.  I would like it to be a little longer, but it still is very nice.  I love the quick release as well.
I love this camera.  I bought it this year.  I bought all the options afterward; MB-10, MF-26 and SB-26.  I use it as my primary camera.  I'd buy another one.  I recommend this.
I'm diving into the realm of photography. I have always loved it, and now it was time to buckle down and become serious. I bought this camera and never looked back. This camera is by far the best camera I have ever owned. I love all the control I have over my photography. I never become disapointed and the pictures come out perfect everytime. I don't recomend this camera for a beginner, the controls are way to advaced for most. This is a good camera for a serious photographer or student. I used to think my Minolta was unable to be beat, until I got this camera.
I've used this camera for almost 10 years and it's just about perfect!  I am an amature but I am always hearing about the professional quality of my pictures! People are always amazed when I say, "I just point and shoot! The camera does all the work for me!" =)Nikon is a relieable quality company and they offer 24 hour support! You will be very pleased! =)
The N90s can still take solid film pics.  Being known for its metering system is well deserved.  Though one of Nikon's old camera designs, it is intuitive and will last as long as film is available. I just wish they would have resolved the film door rubber issue.
The N90s (F90x everywhere but the US) has been my main film camera for journalism work in the former USSR since 2005.  It is outstanding in every way, and is a bargain at its current market value.  The meter is superb, and typically does not over- or under-expose.  (My FA overexposes with backlit subjects.)  The N90s is tough, weather-sealed, but not too heavy.  It feels great when handling it and is almost infinitely adjustable, with a number of settings for flash (such as back or front flash), burst speed, focus, etc.  The only issue with the camera is that the back rubberized armor begins to delaminate if you use the camera a lot.  I'd recommend it unhesitatingly if you need a cheap but superb semi-pro 35mm camera.  (By the way, the Amazon illustration seems to be a D90, not an N90s/F90x.)
Quality and performance not bad but I was highly disappointed by extremely cheap plastic carrying case. I don't think it would last more than couple of setups (it was a lit bit broken from one side already). For 45 bucks it has to be made of fabric at least. Even 5$ umbrellas from Walmart got normal cases!
I can't stop staring at my photos taken with this. They're absolutely incredible. Great price, durable, well made. I'll be replacing my cheap umbrellas with these. FANTASTIC, beautiful, natural, even light with no weird color casts. Ideal if you want a nice portrait without any silvery specular highlights. Highly recommend.
Great convertible umbrella to have. Made by a reliable company. Solid shaft. Easily converts. I use with speed lights and have had no issues. Best bang for buck. Spend a little more now to save a little more in the end.
I've had this brand before and couldn't lower myself to buy one of the cheaper brands.  The Photoflex is the the best.
Great umbrella well worth the cost.  Material is of a high quality that should last a long time.  Highly recommended.
Well made, durable, very usable with correct stand head.  Able to get close, broad lightingon model, minimum center black spot in spectral highlights in eyes and almost round.  I amusing this with a SB600s both for key light and fill.  The fill also has a diffuser on thestrobe to broaden the lighting further.  Can also be used as a bounce umbrella, but I preferthe use of a soft-box (harder to use on location) for this purpose.  I feel with a smallstrobe like the SB600 you can acheive better broad, difussed lighting, with the lowerlight power these small strobes can put out as compared to large, more powerful studiostrobes.
Everything I expected without a high price.  These are durable, bright, simple, and reasonably tough - I sometimes overtighten things out of habit, and swivels can crush the ferrules.  These hold up very, very well.In use they are as expected, as good as any other basic shoot-through's out there.I highly recommend them.
I bought this case for my new Canon SD400 over the lame Canon cases...1) It mounts horizontally on my belt.2) There is room for an extra battery in the front pouch. With no battery life indication on the SD400 I want an extra battery with the camera always.3) The Pentax logo is embossed (not a metal hunk to scratch things) and very subtle. It doesn't scream steal me!4) The fit is perfect and the leather quality excellent.
I recently purchased a Pentax Optio S12 and decided that I needed something to protect my camera a little.  I did a quick search, and this was one of the first cases that popped up.  I received it within a couple days after ordering, and it is perfect.  Just the right size to hold and protect my camera, and I love the little pocket on the front where I can store an extra memory card.
I needed a camera case for my S5i, so I decided on the factory case that worked so well on my original Optio S.  For fit, size and price; these really can't be beat.
It would have been great if my camera fit into it.I ordered this case based on the information provided in the product description.  It said Product Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 2 inches.  WRONG!  My camers is not even 4 inches wide and it didnt fit in this case.  It was simply a matter of needing the larger PTX-L50 case instead of L40.  Unfortunately I had to send this case back.  Fortunately, the vendor promptly gave me credit and I was able to locate a L50 that works great.  The quality of this case is wonderful and has a small pocket on the front for an extra memory card.
Lost my original & Amazon had the best price! Found my old one after this one was delivered, now I have a spare.
This is the right size for the cannon. Worth the purchase.
very good product, very fast and can take very nice photos. I think it is one of the best Nikon branded lenses and exceeded my expectations
Quick to ship and items are exactly as advertised. I recommend this product to any photographer that has nikon dslr
I really like this lens. I'm an advanced non-pro. lens is great for travel; the only one I used on a recent trip to Disneyland. the location of the zoom ring is different than other lenses of this size I've used so I kept turning the focus ring. I use a D100; autofocus and all other features worked great. I would recommedn this lens for what I paid.
I bought this unloved (by people in the know) lens used from B&H used on the cheap ($350) rather than swing for a new 24-120mm f/4G ($1,200).  I read about how this lens was soft wide open at the long end but for my general needs, it's plenty good enough at most all focal lengths, especially stopped down.  The build quality is better than the kit lens and has metal lens mount. Color, contrast and AF are all fine.  It is sharper on DX than FX body.
I admit to having a love-hate relationship with this lens...I had the original non-VR version several years ago...now THAT was a soft lens. I sold it on eBay and went with Nikon's pro lenses, but admittedly missed the wide range of the 24-120. Sure, the 24-70 beats it in every conceivable way (it should - it's twice the size and three times the price!), but I found myself lacking that one lens I could comfortably stick on the camera and walk around with all day. For my DX camera, I have the 16-85 (which is also a very, very good lens), but until now, I had nothing similar for the FX body. But every time I stared to think good thoughts about the 24-120, I'd pull out some of the images I took with my older one, and the softness, distortion, poor flare control and so on would bring me back to reality.Well, one thing led to another and I picked up the latest version of the 24-120, hoping that Nikon made some substantial improvements in image quality since my older version. I also own the very good Nikon 80-400 - also a 5:1 zoom ratio - and I've always been happy with the picture quality it gives me, so I hoped Nikon applied some of this same magic to the 24-120. That, and thinking maybe VR would be a help. Still, after living with the latest 24-120 for a while, I have to say it's been a really mixed result at best.Yes, the performance of the latest 24-120 is better than the old one by a wide margin - but it's still no superstar. It's convenient, has the VR feature, not too big and heavy - but frankly, the images I get with it on both top end DX and FX bodies aren't all that much better than I get on my point-and-shoot. It's not any one thing, just that very few images I take through this lens have that jaw-dropping "pop" I get from my higher quality lenses. To be fair, there are situations where the 24-120 does an admirable job. I tend to like slightly soft and low contrast portraits, and the 24-120 makes this easy. Indoors with flash and f8 or so, the image quality is also totally acceptable. Outdoors, especially in any sort of partial or fully back-lit subject, and you start to wonder why you didn't just pull out that point-and-shoot.Sharpness is okay at f8 through f16, and colors and contrast sort of depend on lighting. Darker scenes not back-lit at all tend to be more vibrant. I tend to keep a polarizer on the lens full time to help compensate. The VR system works well, and I can get fairly consistent results at 1/10 second or so at the short end of the zoom range. There's ample distortion at both ends of the range, but nothing you can't fix in Photoshop. In terms of construction quality, the lens is about what you'd expect from Nikon in this price range. It zooms and focuses smoothly and seems built to last a long time - even though not quite to the standards of the true Nikon pro glass.Still, what are the alternatives? For DX, I'd recommend the 16-85 - no contest. But FX users can't seem to get this range in a single lens at any price. It takes at least the 24-70 plus one other lens (70-200, or possibly just the 105 would be my choice), and now you're into lens-swapping (or carrying two bodies) and several times the weight and cost.I'd give it a cautious thumbs up, so long as you know what you're getting. This lens is all about trading image quality for convenience - not a bad thing, just be sure that's what you want.
This lens gets an unfair bad rap from a lot of amateur snobs and pro-wanna-be's.After reading all the mixed reviews, I figured at the price it would be a reasonable stopgap while waiting for an 18-200VR.  So far I've been more than satisfied with this lens.  I get good contrast, and sharp images through the middle 80% of its range.  Contrary to some of the negative reviews I've read, focus is reasonably fast, and more than adequate for action sports in good light. Granted it's not a low light lens.  I have other lenses for this purpose, but cost me over $900. each and don't have the versatility of this lens.I finally did receive my 18-200VR, and have to admit it is an improvement due to the added range, but light gathering is comparable, and  within the 24-120's range, the two function with about the same results. Overall, average quality of shots taken with both lenses is about the same.Having said that, even with the 18-200 VR, I still have to use my 85mm 1.4 and 80-200 f/2.8 for shots where extra aperture or sharpness are needed.In summary, if you plan on having a couple spcialty prime lenses and one multi-purpose zoom, then either the 24-120 or the 18-200 will do as a great walk around lens.  Unless you're only going to buy one lens for the life of your camera, why spend the extra money on the latter?
I've had this lens for approximately 4 months and have now had the chance to shoot  in a number of situations. I use this lens on my Nikon F100 with slide film. It is a good lens in many ways. Its compact, quiet and quick. Just one problem....the focus is not SHARP, especially at infinity. It is frustrating and I want to dump the lens because of this. I know its not a pro-lens, but the sharpness is NOT acceptable to me at least.
This lens, so maligned by many, is constantly picked on, defended, attacked, trashed, rescued, vilified and redeemed by many.  As someone wrote in a review, for armchair photographers and gear maniacs it's great fun because they get to take it apart and sound important.  The problem is that they tend to forget the advantages of this type of lens.-Small, when compared to the behemoth AF-S 24-70-Good color rendition, good sharpness-Wild range, from landscapes to long distance shorts, and a surprising minimum focusing distance for macros-Solid built-VR (it actually allows two stops more)-Decent rendition of OOF zonesGranted, the wide end has a noticeable distortion... when you're looking for it or you know what it is.  I have shown friends my photos done with this lens at the wide end, and they simply DON'T see the distortion until I point it out.  It can drive you crazy when shooting, but then, remember the barrel distortion that comes with ANY 28mm lens...In short, it's a lens worth having, a compromise, a shot in the dark for some, but still a competent, useful tool.  My copy (used from the -Bay) turned out to be a good one: sharp, fast, problem-free except for the natural distortion at 24mm.  Does the long end show soft shots?  Probably, but any photographer who knows the gear they use will try to close down the lens when shooting with long focal lengths with a zoom of this type.  Mine, at least, delivers decent photographs at f5.6, and with one more stop (at f8) it's pretty good (just like the AF-S 24-70 would do at f8).However, I'm probably going to sell mine and replace it with the newer version because of the constant aperture.  Yet, I am convinced that whoever buys mine in the used market will get a very good lens and a reliable piece of technology from Nikon.  Hence, I've given it a 5-star review, because for a lens of its type (which would be the super-zoom group, mostly made by Tamron, like those 28-200 and 28-300 things), this one, with a shorter range, does more than its competitors.  I find it unfair to compare this lens to the AF-S 24-70 (which I own), so, on its own merits and performance, this AF-S 24-120 f3.5-5.6 is quite the lens to have for travel and all-around shooting.
I've had this lens now for about 3 years. I've always had great results, sharp as a tack at all focal lengths.I recently slapped it on a new Nikon D800E and took a photo of a building 1/4 miles away. I can make out the detail of the bricks when zooming in on the back LCD.I highly recommend it as a great general purpose lens.
I needed a simple lens for an indoor video shoot and this worked great. The zoom is not as smooth as I would like it to be for video use, but I attached a lens stick to it and that seemed to help. Nikon makes quality and this lens is no exception.
I purchased this lens after trying it by making a series of handheld test images and going home and analysing the results. On my D70, this lens is sharp. Not as sharp as my 105 MicroNikkor VR, but that lens is a tack sharp prime macro. It also has incredible color contrast. It is every bit as sharp as the 18-70 kit lens, and it has the great advantage of the VR technology that lets you shoot handheld in almost every situation. I recently took this lens and my 12-24 dx Nikkor to Cabo and got some fine shots, even at night. I took only 2 lenses because of the airport/customs hassle. That is what these new great lenses are about. Major focal length coverages, VR technology that makes the fast/slow lens issue irrelevent. Glass that is engineered for sharpness and contrast at all focal lengths.  Pop one or 2 lenses in a bag and you can shoot just about anything. Nikon is revolutionizing digital photography.
Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus VR Nikkor Zoom LensSince my photographic interest cover a verity of different genres' I was looking for a high quality lens that could accommodate my varied requirements providing wide angle, candied and personal one on one casual photos.  Since my purchase I have had the opportunity to test this lens extensively and am delighted with the results.  I have used it to take over 400 photographs ranging from landscapes at Yosemite and the Monterey coast to candied private gatherings and even shot a couple of advertizing layouts for one of my web sites. All in all I am pleased to say the lens lived up to and in some cases exceeded all my expectations.  This lens, at around $700 +/-, is not cheap but in my opinion it provides great value when compared to the other candidates hanging in the rather pricy $2000 neighborhood.  I should add however if your needs are more casual and you are using one of the excellent DX series (D80 to 300) Nikons there is another Nikkor lens at about half the price. It is the 18-135mm which I have also used extensively with very good results. For whatever it is worth, I would highly recommend both lenses depending on your needs and your budget.
The VR is nice to have, and the images are usually crisp. I have a couple of photos that are almost as crisp as those from my 50mm f/1.4D. I like the zoom range - 5X is pretty flexible. This is a very good walk-around lens for a mid-range price, especially for outdoors shots. The weight is not bad, it feels pretty solid.My copy is a bit noisy, a bit slow, and a bit dark. It has a bit of slop in the focus ring,  but it's not too bad.I wish this lens were an f/2.8 with a 77mm filter mount.
This lens takes the best pictures ever.Price was the best I could find.I will reconnect this lens to anyone.
At the time I bought mine, Amazon was out of stock, and I bought it someplace else.  Fortunately that store was good on returns.My 24-85mm AF-S Nikkor (now discontinued) has been very good on my Nikon D50, but I coveted more telephoto and VR.  I'd read so many reviews complaining of problems with some superzooms, that I didn't want to overdo it, and I figured the 24-120mm should be perfect.  It wasn't.  At 24mm f3.5 image softness away from the center was very unsatisfactory.  I compared side-by-side twice with my 24-85, and I got the same result. Stopping down gave better image quality, but 24mm f3.5 is a setting I do find too useful to sacrifice.I returned the lens for refund.I have looked at a store sample of the 18-200mm Nikkor, and that looks more encouraging.  I ordered one from someplace less expensive than that store.Maybe a different sample of 24-120 would do better than the one I tried. Maybe not. If you miss out on the chance to get a discontinued 24-120 before they disappear, you probably have a better choice from among current models.
I have a D70S & D200. Ikeep my 18-200 lens almost always on the D200.  I bought the 24-120 for a portrait lens on my D70S so I dont have to continualy change lenses on my D200 with the 18-200 lens.  I've only taken a couple of images.  I am very happy with the detail and AF zoom. Quiet & responsive. I have no prime lenses.  But I just ordered the upscale 50 mm lens for its fast apeture. It is backordered, Wall ST, is taking advantage of the availability and chargin $100 more for the same. But they have it in stock.I plan on buying a couple of more fast prime lens as all my lenses are slow zooms
This lens came with my D700 kit. For the longest time, I did not have a term for comparison. I finally acquired a Nikon 80-200 2.8 (push-pull), which is supposedly much sharper than this lens (in the overlapping focal range). Surprise - it isn't! Even when pixel peeping, I could not see the difference in sharpness when shooting at the respective lens optimal aperture. Now, this lens is NOT as sharp as a prime (compared with a 50mm 1.8), but neither is the more expensive 24-70mm 2.8.Pros:- Good image quality for a 5x zoom.- Reasonably wide on FX - it was definitely an eye opener after the 18mm typical wide end of most DX midrange zooms.- good build quality for the money (except for the butterfly hood thread). I'd say this is solidly in the 'middle' class of the Nikon lens universe - in between the likes of 18-55, 55-200 DX on the low end and the fast zooms on the high end.- VR works like a charm.- relatively light for the focal range covered- AF is fast and silent.- Front element does not rotate - good for polarizing filters.Cons:- Visible distortion at the wide end.- Won't replace wide angle and normal primes in terms of sharpness, but this is the compromise you make for flexibility.- Slowish lens, but that's to be expected for the size / price.My only regret is that I didn't buy this second hand - you can find them for around $300 on craigs or ebay - from people dumping them for no good reason. If you have one, I'd recommend holding on to it, it will improve its resale value once Nikon stops offering this as a kit lens.
UMM, Amazon??  Are you there??  You made a HUGE TYPO on this one!  The max aperture is f/3.5, not f/2.5!!  BIG DIFFERENCE!I am not a lens expert - not by a long-shot.  But, I can say that I wish I had researched this lens better before I bought it.  Since purchasing it in January, I can say that I have read some rather poor reviews of it online.  The numbers make it look like this is the perfect do-everything lens, especially with the VR.  Such is not that case because I am left longing for more sharpness, a larger aperture, better zoom, etc.Here is a link to read a review:  [...]
I was wary of this lens given the very strong negative reputation it had among DX and FX Nikon shooters. For the FX shooter, there just isn't a very compelling Nikon-made modern walk-around lens solution and the 24-120VR hits all the requirements: wide to tele focal length; stabilization; light; quick and quiet autofocus. Now, this lens is not fast and it gets slow rather quickly in the zoom range, but I have found the lens to be an excellent party lens, hiking lens, or general vacation lens. While I absolutely love my 24-70, it does get heavy, and at times you want that extra reach. I find the lens adequately sharp, and produces images with good color and contrast as well. Some have thought that this lens actually works better on FX sensors than DX ones (why this would be the case is not clear). Others have argues that with the release of the D700 Nikon tweaked the optics a bit so it performs better. So my advice is that if you are shooting FX and looking for that walkaround/ vacation/party lens, then give this a try. But do be aware of its limitations and don't expect image quality you'd get from the Nikon zoom Trinity (14-24, 24-70, & 70-200)Is it the best? No! Is it as bad as its reputation? NO!!!Enjoy.
Despite what certain self-appointed web pundits have said about this lens, it's actually a highly useful piece of glass.  On a Nikon D700, its sharpness ranges from acceptable to impressive. Predictably, it works best in the middle of its zoom range. I recently compared it pretty carefully in the 50-55mm range with a 55mm Micro Nikkor f/2.8 AIs and a 50mm Nikkor f/1.4 AI.  The 24-120 matched those lenses at both the center and the edges from f/4.8 (wide open on the 24-120) on out.  In fact, it beat the 55mm Nikkor much of the time, especially at the edges.  I've had similarly impressive results comparing the 24-120 to a 35mm Nikkor f/2 AI. At its extremes -- 24mm and 120mm -- center performance is very good but edge performance doesn't match prime lenses or even some zooms, though it's still acceptable. Chromatic aberration is surprisingly well controlled and the vibration-reduction (VR) feature seems to help. Focusing is quick and silent. Admittedly, the 24-120 is a lens with peculiarities -- like the fact that it reverses the usual positions of focus ring and the zoom ring. But it's an autofocus lens, right? Who cares about the focusing ring? Considering the overall capability, convenience and relatively low price of the 24-120, I consider it a strong lens.  In fact, I got my 24-120 for $280 as part of the D700 kit from Amazon before Christmas 2008, so I'm very pleased with myself.
This is a quite good lens for what it is: and what it is is a rather slow decent quality zoom lens that does a fairly good job on Nikon digital SLR cameras, which is what it is for.  The main downside of this lens is the fact that it is slow and dark--over most of its range it is closer to F5.6 than F3.5.  This is not a fast lens.This lens is better for digital cameras than film bodies because since Nikon digital SLRs use the half-frame format, the digital body utilizes the "sweet" center portion of the lens, for better quality.  I have not used this lens on a film camera and so I cannot give a firsthand report on how significant this is.  Others say that it is, in fact, a significant advantage of this lens.The VR helps, sometimes a lot, but VR is not a cure-all for a lens being slow.  VR does not affect the brightness of the image through the viewfinder, although it will improve the quality of the picture by damping out camera shake.The autofocus on this lens leaves nothing to be desired--it autofocuses at lightning speed.  Nikon cut no corners here.This is a very good all-around lens for the user who does not want to spend a lot of money and who can put up with this lens' relatively slow speed.  A great lens for daylight shots.The new 18-200 VR ED DX Nikkor is getting better reviews, and digital SLR users will want to consider that lens as an alternative to the 24-120.
This is a much disparaged lens by many on the Nikon Forums...but I am not sure how many of those complainers took the time to exchange their lens for a better one. There appears to be a tremendous amount of sample variation for this lens. It took me three lenses until I found one that is tack sharp --And WOW!....On my D700, I use it for almost all my shots now -- and I've tried all the other "pro" lenses in this focal range as well, NIkon and 3rd Party.I'm find the lens has great range for walk-around purposes and for event shoots. It renders colors brilliantly, and it is sharp with very little putzing around needed with your settings. Half of the shots at my website at RonAnnArbor at [...] in the D700 gallery are taken with the 24-120. I will bet you can't tell which were taken with it, and which were taken with the Nikon 24-70.I would highly recommend this lens -- but I would also add the caveat that you have to be persistent. If you get a lens and it is soft - exchange for a new one, and try again. You will eventually find a really sharp lens that you will be very happy with. I am very happy with mine, even though I was also one of the original disparagers of the lens at first!....
As expected.
Amazon made it easy to locate and obtain this battery.  It will last at least a year for my clock.  Recommended.
The battery arrived quickly and as described in the ad. I used the battery in a remote control and, so far, no problems with operation.  I would order from this company again.
This battery worked well for my car remote.  Seems like a waste to buy two at the store when I can get the one I need at a good price.
I bought it for my husband to replace the old battery of his watch. Works very well. Will recommended it to others.
Let me start by saying I own a Quantaray, it is a quality pen with a large and well trimmed brush - no frayed fibers to get loose and litter the lens or object being cleaned.The item ordered from this seller turned out to be the cheap Chinese knock-off of the Quantaray pen. Smaller, harder to use, and teh brush is a jumbled mess of loose fiber (true of both pens I received). Items received are marked BOTHLENSPEN 32690 [D 362 ]Buy elsewhere and save money.
Great product for a specific purpose. Keeps my expensive binoculars clean and clear and is perfectly safe for the glass.
Not the best I've ever used, but not terrible either.  On my camera lenses, even though it does get smudges and spots off, it seems to leave a bit of a residue on the lens surface.  It's not terrible, but being picky it still bugs me a bit.  I'd recommend it- especially for the price.
This brush costs HALF of what the famous &#34;W&#34; Ultra Big Box store sells an equivalent for. Bang for the buck !
this is a great tool that everybody with a camera should have. it does not cost a lot and is very easy to use.
when i got it it was in a little white bag, open the bag to find this white box. nothing fancy. About the pen, the cap does not fit on the end where you think it should go when in use. but when you clean a camrea you are usually sitting down or want to sit down. so the cap can be near by. for a $1.51 its a good hobby pen, but would have been happier to get 2 for 2 dollars.
This thing is amazing! A friend let me borrow his on a stargazing trip, and I had never heard of one. I had a pair of expensive binoculars I had resigned to having spots and tarnishes on the objective and eyepiece lenses. I of course thought this was some gimmick that my friend had been taken for $10 over. Was I ever wrong! It completely polished all four glass surfaces, rendering them all back to the nice deep purple-green tint I was used to seeing on my brand new binoculars way back when I had bought them. I had tried everything from lens cloths to cotton swabs to get them clean before, and what I thought were permanent disfigurations of either the glass or the light-transmission coatings, they were instantly removed!! My lens surfaces are completely spotless and look brand new. I will never be without a couple of these in my astronomy bag. I hope someone is making several million dollars off this innovation; they deserve it.This is a 5++ Star Rating item.
I have this strap for both my Olympus Pen cameras & very pleased with its comfort whether around the neck or over the shoulder.Tamrac has a good selection of camera straps & bags.
Its made by Tamrac, its comfortable, nicely padded, its secure, and it has quick disconnect snaps.  Not much else to say.
I replaced the stock strap on our Nikon with this and am mostly happy with it. The padding is comfortable, and the quick release feature is really convenient.Cons: I agree that it is more difficult to slide the camera forward since the suede padding sticks to clothing. I have to kind of lift the strap to move the camera to the front which takes an extra movement and can be a little annoying.All in all, though, I will continue to use it, and the pricing is just fine. If I had paid more, I might think about switching it up, but feel that the value is priced just right.
C'mon, it's a strap.  It is very well made, easy to install and works.  What more need be said.  Done.
Great 3/8" mounts.The strap can be extended long enough for a shoulder carry (barely).Nice build quality/feel for the price.I threw away my Canon OEM strap. Yuk!The strap disconnects very close to the body, but not close enough... This brings us to the negative issue...Why on earth is there an extra METAL strap grip on an otherwise perfect nylon product? It serves no purpose at all, except to tie off the extra nylon strap that was needed to give the clip something to do!I'm going to go get my wife's PAS canon Elph and take a picture of this, sending it to this site's picture section so you can see what I mean. If they would have just elliminated this frivolity, it would have made an outstanding strap, as when disconnected the parts "left over" wouldn't even been long enough to reach the LCD on the Canon 40D...Tamrac: Please try these ideas out on a real camera, r at least ask someone to evaluate it for you. Now I will still have an extra long strap leftover when I take that useless metal (bad for LCDs, remember?) clasp off with my wire-cutter.(still beats the pants of the canon strap, though!!!):)
This strap from Tamrac feels amazing around my neck. I use a Canon EOS Rebel T1i with the added battery handle, needless to say my camera has some weight to it. This padded strap feels like a pillow around my neck, and the quality is great too. The buckles that clip on and off are heavy duty and I feel very confident when using this strap to protect my camera. I would definitely recommend this strap to anyone looking to purchase a camera strap or replace the one they currently have.
I purchased my first Tamrac strap back in the early 80's.  It was of a similar design and has last the better part of 28 years of use.  It still looks good and has help up well.Your equipment is only as good as the weakest link.  The OEM straps are terrible.  They are poorly designed, too small to carry the weight of most DSLRs, and worst of all, advertise what camera you have.  Oh looky, looky a Canon EOS 5D, let's rob him.This strap is sturdy, comfortable, the pad is made of leather and will wear forever.  It doesn't slip off your shoulder like synthetics do, and is inconspicuous.  No big letters or model names, just a black camera strap.  I've purchases a few of these over the years.  In the 28 + years, the strap hasn't changed much.  Model number has been changed, but the build quality is always been top notch.If you're looking for a good, solid camera strap that will out last the camera it's attached to, you've found your strap.
This is exactly what I wanted. I was originally concerned about the plastic connections, but they seem to be holding up well.
When you need a camera strap you really need one.  Most of the time, however, it gets in the way.  Being able to easily remove the strap and pack it away is a luxury.  Now when I have to mount the camera on a tripod or pack it into the case it's a simple matter of squeezing the clips and the only left on the camera are the two short straps with the female end of the clips.  Nice.
This strap is the best money I've spent on gear in years. The quick release is king! The strap itself is super comfy, much more comfy then the one canon provided with my body. Ditch the stock strap and get this beast!
Doesn't slide off or bounce. This is the second one I have gotten and will get them again when I get another camera
My last trip to Hong Kong was a very humid environment. The problem I had with this strap was the leather suede would flake off in high humidity environment. The suede also got on my clothes and my neck. It didn't stain my shirt which was a good thing, but I didn't like having black dirt on my neck.I bought a neoprene strap with anti slip on ebay to replace the Tamrac. The neoprene one has more cushion and is comfortable to wear for longer periods. It was also a lot cheaper than the Tamrac. I'm still using that same ebay strap as of writing this review.
As noted by others, the manufacturer straps that ship with most DSLRs are barely adequate for lighter cameras and downright uncomfortable for heavier gear.  I agree with the others this strap is very comfortable.  The padded suede works as advertised.  The strap in black is understated and elegant (to the extent that is possible).  What I would like to add is that this strap is adjustable to a longer length than most straps.  I'm over six feet tall, and the original Nikon straps on my D70s and D200 are too short for anything other than around the neck carriage with the camera hanging over my stomach, which is a dorky look and uncomfortable.  This strap allows allows me to sling the camera over neck and shoulder, messenger style, and have it ride on my hip.  The other great thing about this strap is that it is robust.  This is especially true of the quick releases.  I've tried other straps with similar releases, including one made by Nikon.  None of them gave me any confidence and their releases seemed weak.  If you're putting a heavy camera, vertical grip and long lens on the strap, you don't want to worry about the quick releases popping loose.  You won't with this strap.  The releases are strong.  They click together very positively.  I have no doubt the attachments on the camera body will pull out long before these releases fail.  That's a great feeling while working in the field.Be advised the suede padding is sewn to the woven canvas strap material and does not slide.  Although comfortable, the suede will not slide around the neck as easily as a synthetic material.  Accordingly, if you carry your gear like I do (above) you will need to slacken the strap a little to get the camera to shooting position because the strap will not be centered around your neck during carry.  This is really a non-issue in my opinion, but something to consider when making a purchase.  I really like this strap.
Great quality and a fantastic all around strap. Right now it live on my main camera day in and day out. The quick release is perfect for when I want to use my shoulder strap.
I bought this for my Sony NEX-5N camera before my family's holiday trip. It was easy to put on the camera, after removing the horrible one that Sony packed in with the camera. I like the quick release buckles to easily remove or change the strap. These buckles, for me, have stayed strong and tight, even while wearing my camera for several hours.The neck strap is very nice and is comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The strap has plenty of length in it; I am a taller guy and I was able to find the perfect length for me. I am sure I could have put it over one shoulder like a sling if I adjusted it longer.The strap was not too bulky and was easy to compact into my camera bag for travel.
Great camera strap.  I'm using it on a Canon SX30IS.  Much better than the OEM.  It's longer, which is a must as I like to carry the camera over the shoulder.  OEM strap was so short the camera was almost in my arm pit.  The suede is kind of 'tacky' which I like as it keep the strap from slipping around.  The strap I received through an Amazon link has the metal secondary buckle which someone said was not necessary and cut off.  I left mine on - hurts nothing.  The strap is heavy duty enough to pull a car, which is over-kill for the SX30 Canon.  The metal buckle is a back-up in the event the strap would slip through the plastic buckle.  If I had $6000 of Nikon telephoto over my shoulder I sure would want the most secure system I could get and this would provide it.  All in all, a very nice strap which is rugged & longer and provided the features I was looking for at a reasonable price.  Oh, and if I made it sound like this is a bulky, heavy strap it is not.  Very light and comfortable to carry.
Bought this as a replacement for my stock Canon strap.Installation was a breeze. The quick release clips are sturdy and don't seem like they'll break or release without warning.The strap is padded and comfortable and is lightweight. I've only shot a few hundred shots with the new strap, but I'm loving it so far.
The quick release break at 100lbs according to the docs that came with the strap. There was no indication of this from the wed site. I don't want my camera strap to break even if it is me or my neck with a thief at the other end.
I like this shoulder strap except that it doesn't slide on my shoulder. I knew that when I bought it but didn't realize what a hindrance it really is. For instance, when I want to use my camera while wearing this, I can't just bring the camera up to eye level without using my other hand to move the strap around to give me slack. If I don't do that, it pulls my shirt up since the pad is very 'sticky'. Not that there's much slack; I'm 5'8 and it's just long enough for my camera to hang at my waist when it's over my shoulder/neck. If you are taller, good luck.Although I still have this installed on my camera, I mainly use this for the quick releases and have it connect to my bag usingOP/TECH USA 1301012 System Connectors (Uni Adaptor Loop) - Extra Connectors for OP/TECH USA Straps with Quick Disconnects. I hardly ever take the shoulder strap portion out of the bag.For those of you planning on using a hand/wrist strap, I also haveOpteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Camerasrunning through the buckles and it fits fine.As a result, I'll keep this since I like the quick releases that I'm using with other products but I'll rarely be using shoulder strap.
I have over a dozen of these straps just on Nikons with motors and several more on other cameras.  I have been using them for years and never had a problem.  My first N45's had the black padding and it bled on hot days, so I switched to the brown and have been very satisfied.  They are very comfortable and most importantly, don't slip.  I trashed the finder on a Nikon F-2 with the MD-2 when a neoprene strap slipped off my shoulder, but these hold a lot better.  A highly recommended product.
Was given as a gift to a friend and I think he was happy with this camera strap.It's a nice product
So much better than the flimsy strap that came with my Fuji XT1. This is more substantial, without being too big. And best of all, it's very soft and comfortable. I found it easy to attach to the camera (there's a photo above that shows how it's done). Would recommend.
This is my first strap outside the stock strap that comes with the dslr. I must say that the quick disconnects are a big plus when it comes to setting your dslr on a tripod or for storage etc. I knew before hand from other reviewers from the suppose metal clip on the strap but I don't see a metal clip. Its more of a hard plastic. Probably I have an updated tamrac strap. I have no problems with this strap and it looks great. I love it!
I adore this strap, it's light weight and comfterable.  One of the best aspect of it is that it detaches (great for tripod work).  Ihave four of these straps (one for every camera) and could not go without
When I ordered it I was expecting a shoulder strap that's long enough, that moves smoothly over my shirt, that doesn't intrude in the way of taking pictures and is easy to attach and detach to my camera. But when I got it, I understood that it doesn't have at least one of the listed qualities. Then did I return it? No. Why? Because it's far better than the neck strap that came with myPentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White)and I can use it as a longer next strap that is more comfortable. (This only applies to compact light weight DSLR's like Pentax k-x).I am 5.5Ft tall and of normal body weight. I put this strap at it's maximum length and attached to my DSLR. When I put the camera-strap duo over my shoulder it perfectly fits my body. But it never moves smoothly over my body when I want to take pictures. Why is so? 1. The length of this strap is not sufficient 2. The material of the strap (some of it is leather) sticks to the shirt (I tried on Ts, cotton and silky Ts) and refuses to move fast and smooth. In fact, you need to tug your head down to look through the view finder rather than bringing the finder to your eye level, if that makes sense to you. If it is not working smooth for my body then does it work for bigger/taller people?This strap should be attached to the camera rings on both the sides of the camera body. And that's not a problem. The problem is the quick release locks and the piece of strap thats stitched together. When you pull this setup around your shoulder, given the fact that it doesn't move freely on your body, these quick release locks come in the way of your eye and the viewfinder.I fail this thing as a shoulder strap. You can use it as a shoulder strap while carrying your DSLR but not while taking pictures. But I like it as a longer neck strap. Then it is more usable and doesn't come in the way. But if you are using heavy DSLRs and bigger lenses then a normal bag strap would do better than this. All the best.
My neck got scratched badly by the stock canon strap in my last few vacation trips. So I bought this one before I went to Hawaii this summer. It made a huge difference. No more scratches. And I barely managed to use it as a shoulder strap. I am only 5'8'' though.
I ordered it at the same time as ordering my m4/3 Olympus E-PL2 and it works perfect. It's relatively narrow and has minimal padding. The suede material gives good grip on the shoulder to keep from slipping. If you get this for a larger DSLR you may be disappointed. It is lacking in the girth you'll need for a heavier camera and would more than likely make your shoulder sore after a day of carrying it around, but for a light weight, small DSLR or Micro 4/3 it's really quite perfect. Better quality and function than the one you get with the camera, but not overkill. I would recommend this highly for that application. I just spent the weekend carrying it around and even left the camera strapped on while driving from place to place and hardly noticed it on.
Bought this strap to replace the Nikon OEM strap. I am very pleased with the quality of the materials. The leather pad does not slip, and is very comfortable around the neck. I don't know how it will hold up when wet, given the pad is made of leather. Ken Rockwell suggested this strap, and I have to agree it is a great strap for everyday use. It has quick releases that work really well. I would recommend this strap to anyone with a medium weight camera. For a pro camera I would suggest the heavy-duty "UPSTRAP".
This is a nice camera strap.  The only drawback is the neck pad does not slide around, but that doesn't matter much to me.  It seems well made and I like the feel of the leather.  It works well on my Canon XSi.
This is the only strap that you will ever want to use! This is so comfortable and with the padded leather it will last for many many years.  Love the quick release.
Good strap, nice padding.  I have broad shoulders / thick-ish neck & this strap wouldn't allow me to comfortably wear the camera slung over one shoulder.  Kept it to put on a lesser used camera.  The quick clips seem like they might be a really good solution if I wanted to move this from one camera to another.
I picked up a Nikon D7000 last year and found it a little too heavy for the included strap (I would get a knot in my neck if I carried it around my neck for over an hour). I did some research and came across this strap. While the padded area is not very thick, it provides the padding and support I was looking for yet still folds away nicely in my camera case. It's been with me now through Death Valley, Nepal, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Jordan, the Yucatan, Greece, and the Baltic States and still looks and feels new. And, most importantly, the knot in my neck is long gone.
I've owned more than a few camera straps, but this is the best strap I've ever owned. No need to look any further.
There are plenty of camera straps for DSLRs on the market, but there's a simple honesty to theTamrac N45 Black Leather Padded QuickRelease Camera Strapthat makes it so appealing.This is one convenient and comfortable camera strap. It was purchased to replace the strap that came with my DSLR, which was just barely adequate to carry the camera for a couple of hours. I've put it through its paces with myNikon D5000, a medium-weight DSLR that checks in at about 1 lb. 4 oz. (560 g) without anything. Add a lens, and you'll easily go to 2-3 lbs, depending on the focal length. This may not seem like much until you carry this kind of weight around your neck for 10 to 12 hours, and that's when you'll really begin to  appreciate the qualities of this camera strap.The non-slip suede leather pad is comfortably padded, and enough so that carrying the camera around your neck or over your shoulder for a day of shooting is made easy. I found that the non-slip suede leather inside pad didn't slip off of the shoulder, even with a windbreaker. The quality of the stitching and the quick-release buckles show that Tamrac has put some pride into this product, which was designed with the photographer in mind.It should be noted that I also have an OEM version of theOP/TECH Pro Loop Strap, a gift from a photo software company, that has also proven to be a good one. It's a different design altogether, but does a great job with a fairly heavy bridge camera that I own as a backup. Either choice would be very good if you want to get away from the lightweight original straps supplied by the camera manufacturers.As noted originally, this strap does its job and does it well. It's a 5-star product, one that doesn't disappoint, and that should last for years.
As a professional photographer, I have been using this strap on my cameras for 17 years. Having seen one of these on every camera I came across at all sports events that I shot, I purchased my first of these Tamrac straps in 1996 for my very heavy Canon 1N with vertical grip. I still use that very same strap 17 years later on a 1D and have purchased 2 more for my 5d MIII's. My 17 year old strap looks just as good as my new ones, and is still holding my camera securely. I highly highly recommend this strap as it is very durable, very reliable, and very comfortable. It can be extended to fit over just about any head and shoulders. The quick release is a huge benefit when shooting with a tripod or a monopod. I love this strap and would never use any other. I don't even bother unpacking the straps that come with my cameras. Buy this strap and use it for many years- you won't be disappointed!
This was a very good product. I could have bought cheaper ones but why would I do this when the quality was great.
There are many cameras on the market today that are on the heavy side. If you use a light weight camera, a new strap is probably not a desire. For the rest of us, we should consider upgrading the manufacturer provided camera strap.My camera is a Canon 20D weighing about 5 pounds by itself and comes with a durable fabric neck strap. The supplied neck strap is simple, basic, and advertises Canon boldly. That may be okay if you don't make much use of the strap or use light weight lenses. Take my camera however, and add any one of my heavy L lenses to it and the supplied neck strap can still do the job, but becomes a pain in the neck.This strap is made for comfort. The pad helps to absorb and distribute the weight of your camera. The suede cover on the pad is smooth enough to feel pleasant on the skin while being rough enough to not slip around easily. The suede covered padding is attached to an adjustable nylon strap which contains a quick release buckle near each end before the strap attaches to the camera.Having the buckles come in handy when the strap just gets in the way. This usually happens when the camera is used on a tripod. Pressing the sides with your fingers releases the buckle for quick removal and only the piece connecting the camera to the buckle remains. Push the buckle back together and it snaps into the locking position.Back to the bold advertising, some people feel such items bring attention to their camera equipment. This may cause one to think thieves are paying closer attention to them. While I think seeing the camera is enough to get a thieves attention, I don't really know if this is a legit concern. If it is your concern this strap does have a Tamrac label on it that could be removed or worn against the body so it is not seen.If you are planning to replace your camera strap, this one is build to do the job and be comfortable.PROS:High quality durable constructionComfortable padded neckQuick-release systemCONS:No viewfinder cover
Just received it and first impression is great, feels comfortable, looks of good construction and seems its gonna last, already attached it to my DSLR and perfect fit for messenger style which is what i was looking for, plus the quick release works perfect, i was afraid of the release buttons cause u never what to drop ur camera but i think i can trust this strap cause seems strong enough. Definitely recommended !!
I purchased this strap to replace the stock Canon strap that came with my Canon EOS 7D.  I have just tolerated the Canon strap, it was very uncomfortable, especially with my heavier L lenses.  When I purchased a Glidecam for video work, I needed to have a camera strap that was easily removable.This strap is much more comfortable and quickly removes for use on the Glidecam.
after 40 years of photography this may be the best strap i ever owned. i have the regular straps by this company and i don't like them they may be soft rubber, but they slip and stretch from camera weight . another good thing is that the strap clicks in to the quick release parts already on the camera from the other strap. a great feature. nothing is more frustrating than putting on a camera strap.well done
I love the easy on off for when you are using a tripod or bracket.  I love this item and highly recommend it.
Like many others, I've been looking for a Strapateer reproduction for years, for lighter cameras, but no one wants to make one. Finally I took one of these and cut off the leather pad.That way, it's as close to the Strapateer as you're going to get, I think. You can wrap it around your wrist several times for carrying in one hand, you can put it under your coat and still unhook your camera, and it slides around easily, but sticks well enough, just like the old leather straps did. For shoulder wearing, it adjusts short enough to brace your camera under your elbow while you're running. As a neck strap it's plenty long. If you carry your camera diagonally. . . well, sure there are better straps for that.Now if it were just narrower, it would be perfect.
This camera strap is far better than the strap that came with Canon 6D. It is soft and comfortable around your neck and doesn't have the neoprene smell of an old wetsuit. However, it is not heavy duty, thus 4 stars. It is fine for a walk around town or to the park, but I wouldn't sling my camera over my shoulder and go for a strenuous hike depending on the comfort and strength of this strap for a heavy DSLR. For the right camera and conditions it would be perfect, but if you want a strap for more extreme conditions, spend more money for thicker and stronger webbing.
I bought this strap as there are several times when I wish my camera (Canon T2i) didn't have the strap, while other times I did need the strap to carry the camera around.  The stock Canon strap was a pain to detach and reattach.  This strap works pretty well, although the clasps that stay attached to the camera are still some-what annoying.
I had one of these straps on an old 35mm SLR and regret selling it with the camera. I'm glad they are still available and purchased one for my Pentax K5. Very comfortable and the quick release is great when shooting macro on a tripod.
This is a solid, very comfortable camera strap. Materials and finish are very good. Definitely an improvement over most standard straps that come with the camera from the factory.
I use these when I'm going light, switching from one camera to another, or clipping camera to my backpack straps. They do what they are intended to do, strap is cushy and comfy.
Sturdy and easily attached with an instructional drawing that actually makes sense. Nice feel to the suede and the quick-release clips are a must for tripod use.All at a good price and that doesn't turn me into a walking billboard.
I bought two of these one for each ofmy cameras I was a bit skeptical hanging so much money by them but have had no problems. I really like just having just the ends on when using a tripod, especially on those windy days.
Overall I found this strap to be sturdy, comfortable, stylish, and a great alternative for light-medium weight cameras. I had a 5 year old opteka foam strap on my D80 but I found that it was getting worn out. I also recently added a battery grip and 70-300mm VR lens to my D80 which brought it's weight up to 4-5 pounds. I was worried that my aging opteka strap would snap, I was constantly holding onto the camera instead of letting it hang free.I looked around and there were many recommendation for tamrac straps. I looked around and the N45 seemed to be the best compromise between comfort, price, and durability. I don't know what the max load is on this strap but I imagine it would be able to support a camera up to 8 or 9 pounds at least. The strap itself is made of a single piece of 1.5" nylon with a suede pad sewn over it. I like that it's one piece instead of 2 nylon straps sewn to the pad. The plastic buckles look sturdy and they positioned so you can't accidentally release them but they're easy to unbuckle when you want to.The only gripe I have with the strap as another reviewer mentioned are the metal buckles near the camera. WHY are these here? They don't hold anything together, they don't secure the excess strap because it just slips around anyway. Needless to say before I put it on the camera I used a pair of wire cutters to snip them off. I found no adverse affect to this, the strap still holds onto the camera tight without slipping at all. The entire strap seemed secure and now there's no risk of the metal fasteners scratching my $1000 camera. I'm sure it voids the warranty but heck it's only a $20 strap.My advise before you put it on the camera cut the metal things off, all they'll do it scratch your camera body. This won't affect the straps functionality as they don't do anything in the first place.
I wanted a strap that did not advertise NIKON! in bright yellow colors.  Since my photog hobbyist friend mentioned its a calling card for theives.  I saw the other reviews on other straps from different price ranges.  This one had the better reviews.  Other straps had mentioned their straps broke and their camera fell.  This strap is very comfortable.  Made with the high most quality in mind.  This is a must have in your photog inventory.
i don't see how you get 50 inches out of this.  i have it maxed out at 45, which is not enough.  it's a nice product, but too short to truly go over the soulder.
I mainly use my cameras to video document live events and promotional production. I like to have my cameras strapless when I am using tripods, sliders, cranes, etc. because straps can get in the way when I need to switch from one piece of gear to another (i.e. switch my camera from a crane to a slider). However, there are times, especially during live events, when I have to quickly switch from a tripod to "hand-held" and back again. Whenever I switch from stationary to a mobile shooting situation, as a precaution I like to have a strap on my camera incase I loose my grip, my camera will stay securely attached to me and not become a shattered mess on the ground. Nothing like a destroyed camera to halt a production in progress. Previously, switching from stationary gear to handheld has been a pain because I was forced to leave my factory straps on my cameras because they are not quick release. The straps would always get caught on something: my wireless mic receiver, the crane arm, a usb cable for my field monitor, etc. With a quick release strap I can leave the strap around my neck while I need my camera stationary and then if the situation calls for a hand-held approach I can quickly remove my camera from my tripod (via a quick release plate) and quickly fasten the strap with two snaps and I am ready to go. This one simple product has eased my productive labor and increased the value of my work.I love these padded quick release camera straps and I highly recommend them for any production.Pros: Easy to install, Easy to Operate, Adjustable, Comfortable and Soft Suede Neck PadCons: It's too good!
Although I'm glad I bought this nicely constucted camera strap, when wearing it I don't notice much difference in it compared to other straps I've used.  The padding cover is a rough textured leather and it seems to &#34;grab&#34; my shirt better than others when I use it on one shoulder. It does spread out the weight of the camera when wearing it around my neck but again, it's not significantly better than other decent straps.  I don't think anyone will be disappointed in this strap.
I am glad I bought this. Reading other reviews helped me to choose this. It is very comfortable. I like where the quick release buckles are located. I own several other Tamrac products.
So far so good.  I really like it a lot compared to the pretty basic factory strap.  Long term durability is still being tested so I can't give it 5-stars.Like:+ Great price for a &#34;name brand&#34; 3rd party (detachable) strap+ Leather padding+ can remove strap via clips when using on tripod (main selling feature for me)+ long enough to use as a sling in a pinch, though not ideal;  there are better solutions out there for that-- eg. BlackrapidDislike (more like suggestions as they don't affect useability):- Don't really care for the &#34;Tamrac&#34; logo stitched on the strap.  I may cover it with gaffers tape.  A little tag with the &#34;T&#34; logo would have been better.- Would have liked a little pouch on strap for memory cards or spare battery.
I purchased this strap about a year ago to replace the factory strap. The padded neck strap is OK but not much better for comfort over the factory strap. The quick release connections are solid and I had no issues with that. Now the buckles that hold the mount straps to the camera are to wimpy. After a while they the ability to keep the strap tight and one would come loose, thank goodness for two mounting points. Anyways after each strap came loose several times I decided to use in on a light less expensive set of Steiner Binos.So watch the buckles, they will get loose on you.
I've been searching for a good detachable strap and have finally found one.A detachable strap is ideal when I'm shooting off a tripod with my DSLR cameras as I can take it off and not be bothered with the dangling strap.Well made and a good value. LIke it so much, I just ordered another one.
When carrying a camera around your neck all day this camera strap makes the task much more tolerable, The quick release catches are an added bonus
Good enough design.  No fear of camera coming loose from quick release on accident.  Comfortable enough, too.  Recommend for Pro cameras' weight.
This strap is made both durable and very comfortable.. The best thing I like about it is one can just un-snap it from the camera and you don't have that Damn strap in the way on a shoot... Just wish they sold the buckles only that goes on the Camera, you could use the strap for your camera bag then take it off and put it on your camera.. So I had to buy two... I highly recommend this product...... Tom from Truman Photography
Couple of months back i bought a Tamrac N45 for my Canon 60D and i loved it. I recently purchased a Canon 7D and bought another. This strap is a must have and it works great
This is a must-have strap for those who use a tripod, or anyone who needs a quick release of the strap around your neck.  Very sturdy and easy to use.
Love this do much on receipt I  purchased a further two.use them on my nikon amd olympus cameras and they're wonderfully comfortable. Do yourself a favor go buy it....they're worth the price I promise.
I have another quick release strap, from Op/Tech, which has a much larger padded area but of course the price you pay for the bulk is that large foam pad which is unruly whenever the camera is not around your neck. Enter the Tamrac leather strap, probably the perfect compromise. The leather pad area is stylish and offers more comfort than the stock Canon/Nikon straps, but don't expect much - so set your expectations. My favorite feature is the quick release straps, which is why I bought it, so I can quickly take off the strap when shooting video on a monopod or tripod. The strap is still slim enough that I can wrap it around my hand when hand-holding the camera as well, so for my requirements this was the perfect strap. If you need a bit more padding check out the foam ones from Op/Tech, but if you want an upgrade from your stock camera strap with some comfort and great features this can't be beat!
I like the strap, I will use it.  It has a good range of adjustability and the quick release seems reliable.  However the attachment system doesn't lay flat on my unit. I hope/suspect it will stretch to lay flat eventually.  The other thing is that the padding is so minimal as to barely qualify as padded.  It *DOES* feel good but if you were thinking it might be a good thick padding for a heavier camera, it's not that.  As a counter-example, the padding in the black rapid straps are quit a bit thicker/softer.  The padding in this strap reminds me of the collar of a suede jacket wrapped around the nylon strap.  It's a bit nicer feeling than my stock Nikon strap, but only just.That said, I would recommend it for normal camera use as a more convenient and flexible neck strap.
The best thing about this camera has to be its video capture (with sound).  You can only record about 30 - 45 seconds at a time, but the resolution is unbelievably clear!  Better than our digital camcorder and very easy to upload to your hard-drive.  We are really impressed with this product, which we have owned for 6 months now.  A great buy!!!
I still love this camera. I actually have 3 other digital cameras (Canon, Panasonic, Disney) and this is the one I use the most. It has the best clarity and I'm in love with the video capture. It also has a "multiple shot" function to get those hard-to-get fast motion or low light pictures. I've had this camera for a little over 2 years now and not one problem whatsoever! (knock on wood) Great buy!
When I was doing my research I was between this one and the Canon G5. I honestly went for this one because I found it chepear and I don't regret it at all. The picture quality is incredible and that was what I was most concern about. If you have a good printer (I have the HP psc 2210), you would be amazed with the results.The LCD of the camera is above and beyond anything I have seen. The camera is easy to use. And it has more settings than the average user will ever need; hey that's a plus ;-)I was able to take pictures of the Grand Cannon from the airplane and these pictures came out pretty good.Anyway, I highly recommend this camera.
Purchasing this Fujifilm FinePix was a great solution for my husband.  His original camera, identical to this one, was in need of repair which would have cost more than purchasing this camera.  It arrived promptly in original packaging and it works great.  He is 81 years old and had no desire to attempt to get used to a new camera, so this was a perfect fit for him. He is thankful to have a working camera again.
I have been getting amazing photographs with this camera. In just one trip to Mount Shasta, I got atleast thirty stunning shots with great realistic colors. Better than the best photos I got with a Canon G5 borrowed from a friend for a Cancun trip. I was even able to make 16&quot;x20&quot; posters out of some pictures.This camera excels at outdoor photography where colors and light are both rich (it does not have a snow mode though if you are thinking of taking it along for a ski trip). Menu controls are less than intuitive - for example you cannot access the megapixel resolution setting through the menu - you need to press a different button.The best feature in this camera has to be the speed. If you have used other digital cameras, you would have experienced the frustration of the &quot;moment&quot; slipping away while your camera takes its time responding to your pressing the button. Not this one - shot times are extremely fast, making even this bulky monster a near-natural fit in most photo situations. This is probably one of the fastest cameras out there.This camera takes AA batteries - which is great. I got myself a set of 8 rechargeables so I would have a fully charged backup set at all times.
This is my third digital camera the others are an early Olympus 2020 (2 Meg) and a Canon Elph (3 Meg - bought for the small size).  I had three SLR's over the years, and love taking photo's.  I looked for an upgraded camera to take on a boat charter to the Alaska Inside Passage this summer.  I did a lot of research and read the reviews.  I settled on the Fuji Finepix S7000 for a variety of reasons - the biggest being the ease of use (it holds and hefts like a SLR, so it comes naturally) and picture quality.  Others I looked at include the Canon Digital Rebel (not a lot of versatility in the stock lens), the Nikon 8700, and the SONY.  My criteria were something that got me 6 Meg (to get a good 8x10 print with some cropping), could do point and shoot as well as aperture, shutter or manual without a lot of fussing around, appeared to be well made and fit in a medium sized case.  Based on the reviews and the price, the S7000 was my choice.The camera is great, all and more than I expected it to be.  It takes great pictures, has a lot less shutter lag than my other two cameras, brilliant colors, little color fringing, and low battery drain.  Everything is well thought out and fits in your hand like a good SLR.  With a 512 MB XD card and a 512 CF card in the camera I was able to have over 600 pictures in the camera. It is a joy to use.Any limitations?  The wide angle is a 35 mm equivalent - a 28 would be nice indoors, but it has not bothered me yet.  There is a less range in ISO speeds than I would have liked.  But these have yet to have any impact on the quality of my pictures.I love the camera.  Any limitations now are those of the photographer.  To see what it can do, take a look at the Fuji enthusiats web site [...]I highly, highly recommend it.
Once you add the protective adapter barrel and a nice 55mm UV filter with lens cap, and after you get yourself a nice lens hood, you have yourself a nice looking and feeling camera hereThe pictures I've taken, whether macro, telephoto'd or anywhere along the zoom range line have come out well. Even ISO800 images come out quite well. RAW images that come out of this camera and processed through Fastone(image program) generally look astounding. The larger 1/1.7 sensor definately flexes its muscles in the s7000.However, with the high shutter range, fast 2.8 lens, and general nice feel, I cannot understand why Fuji limited the ISO range. My s5200 can take 64-1600, which is why I still keep it around. If I could think of any other prosumer camera that could one up this dynamic duo, it would be the Konica Minolta A2 with it's manual features, larger sensor, better lens system and generally bulky feature set.Other than that, I believe this camera does the trick for hobby photographers.
As a photographer, I'm in the beginning to moderate range.  I bought the s7000 prior to a recent trip through Colorado and the Dakotas in September and October, and came back with several hundred photos.  I don't think I had really discovered photography until I sat at my computer and saw some of the great photos this camera produced. Everything appears to work well, although it is more complicated than the basic point and shoot stuff. The color photos are great and the built-in macro is killer. I purchased both the Olympus wide-angle and teleconverter lenses (as well as the Fuji adapter ring), and these complement the camera nicely. A couple sets of rechargeable batteries are a must if you take a lot photos like I did in the Rockies. Stick with the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD monitor to maximize battery life. My only real problem is that the auto/manual focus switch is easy to trip, sometimes resulting in out of focus shots if you're thinking you are in auto mode.  Otherwise, this camera &iacute;s very much right on and can deliver professional quality shots.  I'd say the s7000 will open up new dimensions for the beginning/intermediate photographer. I bought mine through Amazon.com, who usually offers up very competitve prices and is very reliable. Highly recommended camera.
Iowned my s7000 for about 3 1/2 yrs. Usage was lite  3-400 pics a yr.  Camera was well taken care of never dropped or abused. All of a sudden for no reason it would not download to the 'puter.  Sent it to Fuji, they said a board burned out,  WANTED $170 to replace it,  WOULD ONLY GUARANTEE FIX FOR 3  MONTHS......I amm buyin a Canon Rebel,  and Fuji can eat their LACK OF CUSTOMER CARE>>>>>>>
I own two S7000's. My review is simple. I purchased my first S7000 new in 2004. It served me well as my first digital camera. I love the way it takes excellent macro pics. It is hard on batteries and I quickly learned that lithium batteries were the only thing that would last for long. My biggest challenge with this camera is the delay between the time you press the button to capture your image vs. the time the image is actually taken. With the slight delay, I had to work and practice a lot to capture images at the exact time I wanted them. This was especially important to me when shooting pics of my family playing sports. Several snap-on attachments I acquired for the lens seemed to be a waste of time and money. I am especially fond of the fact that you have the option to use a view finder or the small monitor on the back of the camera to frame your shots. With my vision being slightly less than perfect, I enjoy the view finder because it makes the images much sharper than the viewing screen. A simple press of a button lets you switch betweeen these two options.A few years ago I upgraded to a Nikon camera but I continued to use my S7000 for macro shots and locations (sporting arenas) where professional cameras (my Nikon) was not allowed. Approximately three years ago my S7000 suddenly quit working. The view finder/monitor on the camera would not display clear images. Any pics taken also showed the same scrambled image. Attempts to get the camera repaired were met with expensive estimates of around $200. Eventually I found a used S7000 on Amazon at a very reasonable price. Even with the few shortcomings, I am very happy to have another S7000.Note: With regards to the above mentioned purchase, I procrastinated and did not immediately rate the Amazon seller of the S7000 I purchased several months ago. When I tried to rate them recently, I discovered an Amazon policy that would no longer allow me to do so. I would like to thank Amazon seller BFuller563 for the entire buying experience of my second S7000. The purchase was handled perfectly, the seller communicated with me in an extraordinary manner, and I highly recommend BFuller563 to others.
I have had GREAT LUCK with the Energizer e2 LITHIUM AA's.  They cost around 12$ for 8, but I went through 600 pictures w/flash and they are still going.  I have heard many people complain that the Fuji S7000 draws batteries, and these are great!!!..  Rechargables dont even come close!!!
The adjustment for the different types of photo, like sport, manual, etc was and is frozen. It will not turn, at least it on set on auto, so I could use it.
The fact that this Fuji Finepix S7000 came out nearly four years ago and is still so highly regarded give one an idea of its good qualities. It is ergonomic - the fingers and thumb find the zoom, AE lock, flash, exposure compensation, viewfinder/LCD toggle without much struggle. The viewfinder is excellent - detailed and has as much info as you could want.It eats up standard AA batteries, so get some NiCads, NiMetalhydride, or some other type of rechargeable.But they are a good point - available everywhere. I have read that the early models produced have had the problem of the CF card running down the four AA batteries when the CF card is left in the camera between shoots. So, it is a good practice to remove the CF card after using it (it is menu selected as to using the CF or the Fuji xD card). Otherwise you will pick up the camera one day with the CF card in it and find the batteries drained.Later production may not have this problem. The camera was designed to use the IBM mini disk card, not the standard CF card. But it does, with reservations. For example, I could  not get video do upload to Picassa from the CF card. Photos uploaded OK.I have been astounded at the quality of the images shot at the highest resolution, written to the CF or xD card as 12 megapixel images. The lens, even racked out to maximum telephoto is tack sharp and contrasty. I've used many cameras in my life and this is a favorite. For the amount of money you can get one of these new or used, you can't go wrong. It is a winner.It also does 30 fps VGA video with the highest quality I've seen so far. Also, although it doesn't seem to have an image stabilization system, I have been amazed how little the images deteriorate due to low shutter speeds or normal camera shake. Maybe it uses a 'stealth' stabilization! Anyhow, I love it and have rediscovered the joy of photography through finding how much I could do with this beauty.Recommended.
I haven't seen any battery drain with the FinePix S7000 and use a CompactFlash card to store the images.Also when it arrived it was factory set at 1 Megapixel so you need to push the f button and change the quality setting to a higher level [I keep mine set at 6 Megapixel].At that setting it is very high resolution, I use images I take and use them as a background for my desktop PC and the colors are excellent.Overall a great camera, also the video setting works great, it has two settings, at 640 it lasts 1m48s and at 320 it lasts 3m34s with a 128 MB CompactFlash card.Also at 6MP it holds 83 frames with regular snapshots, and at 3MP it holds 164 frames on a 128 MB CompactFlash card.
I am &quot;in love&quot; with this camera! I have NO COMPLAINTS whatsoever about it, except maybe for the fact that the neck strap is in the way of my hands, but that's CERTAINLY not a reason for not buying this camera! The results of the pictures are absolutely beautiful, even at the lowest setting. It has a LOT of bells and whistles--for the photo-tech--and enough automatic functions to make a novice happy! I can't say enough about this camera. I am overjoyed that I now own such. The pictures are beautiful both on-screen and printed out. You WON'T be disappointed in purchasing this one.
I don't want to bore you with this-n-that and what this camera does and it's shortfalls.  In short, it's a great camera.  I've had it for a couple of years now and have shot a little more than 13,000 photos.  In short, this camera has been outstanding.  Four months ago I bought a Canon EOS 30D (8 MP) thinking that I could improve my photos (I also needed a camera where I could change lenses).  But I was dead wrong in my thinking.  The Fuji S7000 out shoots it!  I know that may sound funny especially when you read all the kudos by professionals in the various photo magazines toward the 30D.  I know.  Who am I to say they're wrong.  I spent one afternoon shooting the same scene with both cameras.  Both cameras were set on a tripod to make everything equal.  Later that evening I printed eight pictures shot with the S7000 and with the 30D.  I took them to work and asked several people to tell which pictures they thought were the better.  In each case they all picked the ones shot with the S7000.  They were just a bit sharper.  The smaller details were clearer.  The Canon does have some nice features, but when you spend $1400 on a camera that has a higher MP rating you would expect it to produce a better picture.  Against the S7000 it loses.  Especially when you consider the price.I got my start in photography in the mid 1950's in Japan and haven't stopped.  I've had pictures published in magazines and books.  I grew up with 35mm and 2-1/4.  I can tell you without reservation that this is as good as any of the 35mm's that I own.  And a couple of those 35mm cameras are professional grade.  Now it's great to come home after a day's shooting and download everything into my computer in a few moments.  No more standing around waiting for things to develop and no more breathing chemicals.  No more washing prints and drying.  I just sit at the computer and produce pictures as good as anything I've ever shot.I seriously doubt that you'll find a camera that does everything you want and to the degree you want it.  Take a chance!  The S7000 will not disappoint you.  Believe me this is an outstanding camera!!
This is my 2nd digital comera. I have been usingit for over 8 months. I am very happy with this camera.I agree with other reviews about the good photo qualityfrom this camera. Just to address something not heavilycovered by other reviews.1. I am using Hitachi's 2GB microdrive and MAGICSTOR's2.2G microdrive. No problem for continuous 5-shootingwith the highest resoultion setting (5-meg, fine),where each picture is about 4.8Meg byte in size.Microdrive is fast enough.2. With microdrive, this camera can capture >30 min ofvideo at its highest setting (640x320, 30-frame/sec).The video lenght is limited by my microdrive diskspace.3. With microdrive, the captured video does not showany slack, and dragging effects. You don't need touse xD-card for video capturing. The microdrive isalready fast enough for non-stop video capturing.4. This camera has very very good video capturing power.The captured video is better than my JVC camcorder.The color is more vivid. The focus is far more sharper.The audio capturing is more clear than my JVC camcorder.5. Excellent low-light video capturing power.Here is the best part, virtually all camcorders don'tcapture good videos under low-light condition. Thiscamera is very good in video capturing under low lightcondition. In a kid's birthday party, when all the lightis off, with only the few candle lights on the cake,it still can capture good video. Pretty amazing....I do a lot of video shootings for my 4 and 3 years olddaughters. Instead of using my camcorder, I use thisFuji S7000 most of the time for video capturings.I highly recommend this camera for both photo shooting andvideo shooting.
I did a lot of research for my big move from the original HP 1 megapixel digital camera I have had for the last 3 years.  I wanted to purchase a camera that placed me close to my old SLR Film days and the Fuji S7000 is that camera and a whole lot more.I looked closely at products from Canon, Pentax, HP, and Nikon and found that dollar for dollar, the Fuji S7000 was an excellent choice.  The pictures that this camera takes are incredable to say the least.  I took pictures from 2 Meg up to the 12 Meg and also using the RAW settings, and the color saturation and clarity are awesome.  Obviously the best shots are at the 6 Meg level, but what range you have!  Wow!  Also, the Macro and Super Macro settings are a lot of fun and get the minute details that you really want with close up shots.Lastly, I have not run into any of the problems that I have read in a few of the prior reviews, ie. the battery drain from the CF Media or noise on film (I even tried the shot with the lens cap on and no lines (noise) recorded!) I did buy a double set of good quality rechargable batteries and have taken a lot of shots with no problems.  Buy it quick and (...) it's an even better buy!!!I love this camera and look forward to many years of fantastic photos!
I got this item as a gift for myself after a vast amount of research.  The other camera that I was looking at was the new Canon digital elph.  My mother ended up purchasing that one and I chose the fuji.  My previous camera was a canon digital elph, and I liked it very much.  That being said, this Fuji far exeeded my expectations in every way.  It is a lot bigger, so if you want small stick with canon; however, when comparing the same picture, from the same distance, in the same lighting my camera blew my mother's canon away in clarity.  The only complaint I have is that I wish it had a rechargeable lithium battery instead of taking double A's.  I do love the ability for dual media and I took a picture of a flower on macro only to find there was a bug on that flower that I couldn't even see.  I really love this camera and all my friends want one now.
I work as a wedding/portrait photographer using high-end Fuji and Nikon DSLR cameras. DSLRs are excellent performers, but they don't make good family/travel cameras because of their bulk. When I decided to buy a new family/travel digital camera I wanted something that could perform almost as well as high-end DSLRs but in a relatively compact form with a low-end price.The ONLY camera that fit the bill was the Fujifilm FinePix S7000. I can't say enough about how great this camera is. The list of great things is too lengthy to go into, so I'll list the only two negative things about this camera. 1: The autofocus system is not as fast/reliable as what you can get on a higher-priced DSLR like the Nikon D70 or Fuji S2. But then, the S7000 is at least $500 less expensive. 2: The ISO noise/grain is worse than in a higher-priced DSLR, but you can remove ISO noise/grain easily using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.If super-fast autofocus speed and clean high ISOs are what you "need" then I don't recommend the S7000. But for 90+ percent of people out there, the S7000 will make an EXCELLENT camera.
This Fuji S700 is my 4th Digital Camera. The first was a HP that started messing up within the first week. I swapped that out for a Fuji which gave me years of reliable service. I gave that to  friend a few years ago when I bought a Panasonic that had more bells and whistles. She is still using the Fuji I gave her. The Panasonic developed a quirk with the on/off switch and I went back to Fuji with the S700.All I gotta say is, WOW! This S700 far exceeds my expectations. It has more features than I'll ever use and is very user friendly. Even a newbie will easily be able to use it right out of the box. It has the looks and feel of a sturdy SLR and is extremely well balanced. That make is easy to take quality no jitter pics. Both the view finder and LCD screens are remarkably bright and easy to see even in the brightest conditions out side. The pop up flach is unique and does the best job I've ever experienced with eliminating red eye. For those of you who have Dogs and/or Cats, you know that even with red eye eliminator set on most cameras, the eyes of your pet will still have that piercing glow. Not so with the Fuji S700! My Puppy Zoe's eyes are the beautiful soft natural Brown even with the flash. Rae my Cat's deep Green eyes look deep and green wvwn with the flash. The Vid setting takes amazinly great Video for a multi function Camera. You can get up to 45 minutes of Vid on a 2 gig SD card. The audio is even exceptionally good for a Camera. One feature that knocked off my socks is the battery discharge feature. I was able to completely discharge some NIMH batteries that were destined for the recycle bin due to not keeping a charge. That resulted in them now holding a complete charge again! I can go on and on about the wonders of this camera. Oh yeah, the manual. It's detailed and leads you through the use and functions in a logical, easy to understand step by step process. One of the best written manuals I've ever seen. Yes, there are better ones on the market but they are many times the cost of the Fuji S700. I could go on and on singing the praises of the Fuji S700 but will conclude in saying that I'm beyond pleased with it.
I owned the Finepix S3000 for a couple years before I purchased this model about 6 months ago in late June of '04. I was EXTREMELY fond of my old camera so Fujifilm is where I looked first. I briefly considered a Sony and a Canon Digital Rebel but settled on the S7000 based on great reviews and amazing price."Disappointed" isn't even in my vocabulary!Excellent camera - it is my S3000 plus a whole net set of additional features: much faster shutter delay and focus, better lowlight shooting, fully manual settings, greater megapixel rating.The things rules. I rarely leave the house without the S7000.Hats off to Fuji, AGAIN!
May be this sounds interesting, but I'd been upgraded to the FinePix S7000 from a Canon A95.You can ask me the question: why did I ever upgrade when I was mad about my A95?The reasons are simple:- Because I cannot afford two digit cams at the same time at this price level (so my second one is a Fuji A200 for pocket use).- Because I needed a hot-shoe for future plans,- Because it has 6x optical, 2.8-3.1 fast zoom lens,- Because it has unlimited movie mode,- Because although the ISO starts at 200 (160 in auto mode) it is quite clear even at ISO 400 (and 800 at the 3MP mode),- Because of the professional feeling, excellent ergonomics,- Because of the high resolution viewfinder,- Because of the many extra settings and external buttons for quick menu accessing,- Because of the 1/10,000 min. shutter speed,- Because of the "last 5" continious shooting mode,- Because of the 1cm super macro mode,- Because of the faster performance in record mode, faster AF,- Because of the USB 2.0 high-speed transfer from camera to PC,- And because of the dual media slot that is very useful.So what are the things I miss from my S7000 at this price range?- Flip-out and rotating LCD- Custom modes on mode dial (or anywhere)- ISO 800 at full CCD resolution (6 MP) - Yes, I DO NOT miss ISO 100!- Continious shooting mode with flash on- A bit better auto white balance- An AF-assist lamp would be nice (passive sensor helps mainly in good light)Many people compare the S7000 to DSLRs. This is NOT fair IMO. Compare DSLRs to each other, this camera may look like a DSLR (that is very nice) but that is not a DSLR and it doesn't want to be one. It's an all around, full-featured prosumer camera with high quality lens and longer than average zoom.I use only the 6MP mode, the 12MP interpolated is not my cup of tea. The images are soft and noisy for my liking in the 12MP modes, but in the 6MP mode everything is clear - so if noise is the issue you hesitate buying this camera, then go and get it, it's not an issue - at least for me.I like the aperture of 3.1 of the 6x zoom lens at tele position very much. With this, I can make crystal clear and sharp images at full zoom, without having to struggle with light and AF. Of course, it needs external light that can be a flash unit, but this property of the S7000 is really outstanding, comparing it to any of my previous Canons.The last 5 continious shooting mode is very useful - it even works for moving objects, I shot several sharp images of my 2-year-old daughter without any problems. Just make sure you have a big memory card, make as many photos as possible and keep the best of them at the end of the day.Strong jpeg compression is another thing I was afraid of. Having 5 Canon compacts before, my first thing was to test the image quality straight out of the S7000 without any post-processing. Some of the photos I saw on the net (on pbase) were great, but some of them looked grainy and soft. Here's my opinion: again, at the 6MP mode the images are GREAT. At the 12MP modes, although it allows for larger print sizes, images look grainy and soft to me. So I stick with the 6MP mode, it's enough for me and gives at least as detailed pictures as my A95 gave before.What can I say about the macro mode? It's outstanding with great DOF, very high resolution and image detail. No complaining about the S7000's macro performance.VGA movie mode - it's nice. Fills up the memory card quickly so be sure to get a few ones (or a big one). Try to avoid microdrives, nowdays high capacity CF cards can be bought, no need to a microdrive, I always preferred flash cards to microdrives.One of the big big advantage of the S7000 to other cameras is user friendliness, ergonomics, menu and button layout. It's unbeatable I think. Everything is in the right place, you can manage the camera even with one hand.I have only one problem at the moment, but it's not that big really. The camera seems to misfire the white balance sometimes when using flash indoors. It has a blueish tint to the images taken, that happens occassionally. In the same environment, without changing anything, I was obtain to take 9 pictures with great wb and 1 with bad (blueish) all the time out of 10. This is quite strange, may be I have a faulty camera I don't know, but it can be easily corrected in post-processing afterwards.It did the same when using one of the pre-programmed wbs, like the incandescent setting.Still, despite of the white balance issue, I HIGHLY recommend this camera to every serious amateur photographer out there. It's certanly NOT a DSLR but can you get a DSLR for this price? I don't think so. The S7000's outstanding ergonomics and appereance, feature set and high quality optics raise above most of today's compact (and even prosumer) cams, just go and buy it you'll love it I promise. That's what I've been told and they were right!...Back again. Did I ever mention the RAW format and the zoom ring for manual focus?I would like to talk about the noise issue. The S7000's lowest noise setting is ISO200 in P, A, T and M modes, and the camera can select ISO 160 if it can. Are the images of the S7000 noisy at ISO200? I would say definitely NO. In fact, image noise of the S7000 at ISO200 match the image noise of my A95 at ISO100. One of my favourite digitcam reviewers on the net was complaining about ISO200 as the lowest selectable ISO and higher than average noise. OK, a Rebel has less noise. But hey, again, this is not the same price point. For the price, the S7000's noise is lower than average. I can shoot hand-held images without flash at ISO400 (or 800) and I don't need a tripod. Just try it yourself and you'll see that noise is not an issue, indeed it's better(lower) than average. Show me another camera at this price that has lower noise at ISO200 and ISO400 than the S7000. I wonder if you could.So come on people, hurry up, before this excellent camera gets discontinued!...Another update: the more I use the camera the more I like it. There is another issue unfortunately: blown highlights. The S7000 tends to overexpose images occasionally that many times leads to blown highlights and therefore loss of detail. Be careful with the right exposure setting. I know that in winter it's really tough for the camera to set the correct metering, but the number of overexposed images seem a bit more than average to me. Still, I love this camera you just have to check and set the exposure manually a few times and then you're ready.DOF of this camera is SOOO great!
This is the best digital camera I got so far. The photos came out beautifully with sharp focus, brilliant and balanced color (no any color casting as one reviewer stated). Resolution is exellent. Even at 3 MP, it beats all competitors, like Olympus, Nikon, HP, Kodak etc. It's the only digital camera came with a shutter cable release which is incrediblly important for taking pictures at night or under dim light when a tripod is used. Its Raw Mode gives almost noise-free photo, as good as you can possibly get.For the price of $$$, it's a very good deal. It's basically a SLR with many nice features. its value is a way more than the price. I tested the shooting modes of P, SP, M, S, A, all were very satisfactory. The night view photo came out very good. I like its manual focus, too.I wish it were 10X zoom.Overall, I love this camera. I give it 5 stars!
Actually, 4.5 stars.I only had a little time to run the S7000 through its paces, but that was enough to see that for a camera that can be had for $700, it is a price-point bargain.  It's not perfect, and I'll give a couple of examples, but overall, I'd give it very high marks.On the plus side, the 6x optical zoom lens is of excellent quality and the autofocus system works very well.  The focus and exposure electronics seemed to be faster than most, thus there is less of the notorius &quot;digital lag&quot;.  If you capture images in the least-compressed modes, you will get excellent results considering that the CCD is &quot;only&quot; 6 MP.  This thing, at its best, rivals my 8MP Sony.On the minus side, the S700 does not have continuous autofocus, so it that's a priority, you will find it lacking.  Also, I found the exposure of close-range flash pictures to be poor and beyond the range of compensation.  Aside from those caveats, this is a very fine device at a very reasonable price.
I have a Fuji S5000 and thought it a good camera for the price. It takes sharp photos with great color under all conditions. I wanted to go to a 6MP camera and for the price the Fuji S7000 looked like a great deal. Boy was I wrong. My S5000 3MP takes better pictures than the S7000. The camera would not focus for anything. The indoor shots were horribly Under exposed and constantly fuzzy, even with the setting on sharp. The color was dull and the auto focus just does not work well in low light conditions (by low light I mean indoors where people like to shoot photos of their family). If your on a budget try the S5000 I think you'll be happy. If you can afford to go to the $1,000.00 range go with the Canon EOS. Or the new Sony 8MP camera. IF you buy the Fuji S7000 YOU'LL BE SOORRREEEE!
Ease of Use:  Excellent - It is easy to use right out of the boxDurability:  Very Good - Well made and will last a long timePortability:  Very Good - Small and usually functions wellPhoto Quality:  Excellent - Pictures are professional gradeBattery Life:  Very Good - Lasts all dayLighting Conditions:  Use inside &amp; outside, with or without a flashI would recommend this camera primarily for:  AnyoneI went from a Casio QV-3000, to a Canon G5. After testing the S7000, I sold the G5 in favor of the S7000. The options exceed those of the G5, included 12MP image capability. A buddy of mine (you know him, Mr. Pro-photographer) said that digital camera's that do RAW format is the one to go with. I had no idea what he meant until I had one printed out. Stunning.As the QV-3000 and G5 had, and the S7000 has, the ability to use IBM Microdrives. I tested the seek/write times between the Microdrive and the xD-Picture card ... my recommendation is to dump the Microdrive. The xD-Picture card uses less power and seeks much quicker than the Microdrive. Well, not wanting to get rid of my investment, I was happy to find that I can use both the xD-Picture card and the Microdrive at the same time (in case I run out of room on the 256MB xD).Ease of use. In my family, I'm the one who figures techy stuff out (like the blinking VCR time). This time my wife figured this one out way before I did. We had it in the house for 1 day and when I came home, she told me of all the neat stuff it did. Very easy to use.
This is the best camera you will find for under five hundred dollars.  I just spent all day taking pictures with it and I'm totally blown away by this camera's performance.Someone said that it doesn't autofocus enough but only one of the 200+ pictures I took today was out of focus.The camera is a little awkward to hold.  I almost always use a tripod anyway so that's a non-issue with me.Switching picture quality is really fast and simple.It's nice to be able to switch from the EYF to LCD screen with one button.The zoom is fast.It runs on AA batteries instead of a pack.  I ran out of juice today but I was able to canabalize the AAs from my MP3 player.  This made me realize how much better it is to just use common battery types instead of an expensive pack.The camera wrote to my xD picture card REALLY fast even on the higher quality settings.  This is probably more to the camera's credit than the card's but I love those little cards.  They're so tiny, I feel like I'm on star trek when I use them.It took exellent pictures!  Way better than my old kodak.It's auto mode is great for a beginner and its manual modes and settings would make it great for a back-up camera for a professional.Anyway, I'm very pleased with it.  It was fast to set up my shots, it wrote to the card fast, the pictues look good.** I would reccomend that you get a tripod or at least a monopod though since it lacks image stabilization. **:) I'm very happy with it.  :)
The Fuji S7000 doesn't disappoint! I have used this camera for about 3-4 years and am still using it. If there is one camera you need to take with you in a hurry for any photography situation, this could be the one. The 6x optical zoom is more than competent for about 95 percent of most pictures, and if you need more then you can bump up the added 3.2x digital zoom (total 19x zoom). With this camera you can put in two memory cards at the same time (CF and xd), but of course it will read/write to only one at a time that you choose. But this gives you automatic backup, just switch to the other card if your primary card is full! Also, it shoots 30 fps video, so it's a good idea to get as big and as fast a memory card that you can. In the macro mode it can get as close as -inch, and I have taken many awesome close-ups! The built-in flash also has a rated range of nearly 28 feet at wide angle and 26 feet at telephoto! And it has a hot shoe so you can add a more powerful flash if you wish, if you needed it. I did have a disappointment with it in that because the lens is an external zoom (the lens zooms outward), it is not possible to attach a lens filter to the front of the lens. (When the lens is retracted, it is possible to attach a 55 mm filter, but then the camera won't operate because the lens can't pop out when the camera is turned on.) I believe Fuji sells an accessory tube that can be attached which is longer than the extended lens to allow the use of filters. (I was brought up on film SLRs, where every lens had a UV or haze filter to protect the lens.) Another quirk, which is a "good thing," is that this camera will shut itself down when battery power is low. It happened to me, but all I had to do was restart the camera, and it will continue to take pictures (and then shut down again). I know I am writing this review late, since the camera is already officially discontinued, but I happened to browse this site, and was impressed that the camera has such high rankings and such a loyal user base.
This is my third S7000.  Not because the other two quit, but both were stolen.  After trying smaller Kodak and Vivitar cameras, I had to go back to the Fuji.  Although no longer produced, this camera fits so well in the hand, and the controls are so easy to manipulate I found myself scouring the internet for used ones.  The versatility of this camera, the quality of the pictures and videos and the design are some of the most comfortable features in a camera I've encountered in my 50 years of amateur photography. Some say the batteries drain quickly but I have found that using a high quality rechargeable makes that problem minimal.  And a 1gb XD card can store so darn many pics you could shoot for days. Fuji did a phenominal job on the model and I hope to use my third Fuji S7000 for many years.
I've been using my FinePix S7000 for about three years now.  Overall, I've been extremely please with all aspects of the camera *except* for the following:1. The electronic zoom control is inoperative in the movie mode.2. *My* camera requires a re-boot when I switch from a CF card to an XD card.  No rebooting is required when I go the other way (XD to CF).  Fuji claims this is a problem that could be corrected with a new mother board, however, my camera is out of warantee and I'm not going to pay $175 to fix such a minor problem.I have taken literally thousands of pictures and I have to say that this camera has consistantly produced outstanding results.All considered, looking back to when I bought the camera, I made a good decision and would probably do it again.
I have owned Fuji Finepix 3800, some junkie Sony, Fuji Finepix E550, Canon Digital Rebel XT and this one. Guess which one is left standing. I have bought, sold and returned all of these cameras including the S7000. I then came back to my baby. It will take a heck of a camera to replace this one. I think I'll keep this one for ever and maybe get a second one as technology advances. You won't be sorry.
This camera is a real money savor for a family that can only afford 1 camera!  Along with the F5000 (a real bargain now) this camera allows a user to learn photography from full auto to full manual without the high expense of film and processing.You don't even need a Video Camera!  The vast majority of video that I take of family and other cute stuff are very short in duration.  This camera does 30 frame per second (that means it's like TV, without any jerky movement or lost frames) and the clips are already fully digital and ready to transfer to computer or display to tape.  Put a lot of short clips together and you have the same thing you would get from a camcorder only it's all in one camera!Hot Shoe - One of the major plus' of this camera is the Hot Shoe.  Any digital camera without some way of putting on an external flash is really just a snapshot camera, no matter how much it costs!  The external flash means that when you take a photo of something like the inside of an old structure like a cathedral, etc, you get a beautiful photo that you could not get without the external flash!The quality of the photos in the S7000 is tremendous.  We stopped doing film photos a few years ago when a local processing company destroyed the only two rolls of a friends wedding back east.  Naturally, after that the memories of the trip were gone!  They only appologized and moved on!  With digital, we have never been disappointed.Both the S5000 and the S7000 are, in my mind, two PERFECT cameras for the typical family!  And a real money saver!  I especially like the little graphic in the viewfinder that reminds you that there might be some camera shake and to hold the camera steady!  Very cool camera!
This is an awesome camera. One of my great investment ever! I had bought it from Sears as closeout model for under $[...].I own this camera for more than 1.5 years now - just never got a chance to write review on it. I am not a professional cameraman but I love taking pictures. And any give time, pictures taken from this camera just come out great. All of my friends & co-workers always envy my camera. I ended up buying the same camera for my brother too. ;)When I originally bought the camera, 6.3MP was a lot for most of the people. Now you can even find 7MP camera. Most of the time I actually take picture with 3MP but they still 100 times better than regular 3-4MP cameras. I have taken some great skyline pictures in the night with this camera too. My advice will be to get 1GB SD memory card along with this camera so you don't need to worry about any space issue.The only pictures I don't like with this camera are fast activity picture and the one mainly in low light. I just find the speed slow that it's not able to take very good pictures. For that I use, small point & shoot digital camera. But with this small disadvantage this is still an awesome camera and so I am giving 5 stars!
I bought this as an upgrade to my Fine Pix 2400 compact and haven't been disappointed.The electronic viewfinder has a big and clear display ,with a useful grid feature you can switch on and off to help with composing pictures to the rule-of-thirds. The battery life seems to be reasonable, and the memory options with XD clips and micro-drive compatibility is welcome for taking lots of shots at the 6.3 megapixel maximum before software does its thing to generate 12 megapixel files., which I haven't bothered with.Colour saturation looks a lot cleaner than with the smaller 2.1 megapixel 2400, and the 6X optical zoom works well, but a tripod and a cable release is necessary to avoid blurring of distant detail. The self timer could be used instead of a cable release, but this option might be too slow for some users who use maximum zoom on a regular basis.Downloading via USB 2.0 is significantly quicker than with USB 1, even so, the purchase of the XD/ smartmedia reader would be a good choice, especially if you intend to use the 128MB and higher  XD clips.A collar can be fitted to the main lens ring, with which you can attach filters. A polariser would be a good addition for getting crisp shots under bright light conditions.This camera can also be used to shoot short videos, and be used as a webcam.Although the battery life is reasonable, purchasing the optional power supply would be a good idea, especially if you intend to be using the flash unit a lot.This is a good camera.
Having owned the Fuji Finepix S602, I recommended to two colleagues they consider it's next generation S7000. Both decided to buy it after examining and briefly using my S602. When I got a chance to play around one of theirs, I was immediately impressed with how much more responsive the S7000 autofocus was and how incredibly crisp it's shots were even in low light condition. On top of that the latency between shots was much better that the S602. The only thing I seem to dislike a bit is the autofocus mechanism which appears much noisier than its predesessor. I can hear it operating and making faint clicks all the time.I had my S602 for 2 years, loved using it, but disliked its low light performance. I managed to sell it and get the S7000 (...). Aside from the cost of the new XD card I needed to buy it is a GREAT deal, and I get new warranty to boot! A no-brainer purchase.The sturdiness of the S602 continues with the S7000. It is rock solid and comfortable in my hand. It is not comfortable for my wife however who prefers her own pocket sized Gateway 5.25 mp camera.Keep in mind that this Fuji camera feels much like a small 35mm camera and can be something that gets a bit tiring to lug around your neck. That said, I would rather carry it and have the ability to takes photos that are really outstanding with the Fuji S7000 camera. It captures images of stunning clarity and color better than all other digicams I have had the occassion to use or test except the Sony DSC F828 8mp unit. Considering the delta in price ($350 or more) the Fuji really stands out as the clear bargain and a pretty capable one also. Though not perfect it scratches enough itches to satisfy this casual photo taker.Many have underscored the issue of distorion caused by the firmware compression but I have not noticed anything objectionable so far. All 400+/- pictures I have taken are more than acceptable in that performance critereon. A new button near the 1.8" display makes resolution adjustments much easier than the prior model. Adjustments can be made in 1/4 the time. Great idea Fuji!. The only feedback of a negative nature on the menu system is in the means of performing a memory format. In the S602 it was very easy to do, in the S7000 it is now buried in a different menu and a bit more difficult to perform. This is a pretty minor issue however.All in all I believe anyone wanting one of the better digicams out there for considerably less than those High End Big names, walks away with a fine camera and hundreds to spend on other 'toys'!
I bought this after upgrading from the Fuji finepix A405, which itself was a cracking little camera! Well, the s7000 is a lightyear from that, and already I have taken some great, extremely atmospheric, and crystal clear shots, in all kinds of conditions. The picture quality is absolutely superb, and for 300 you are getting a camera that could be used for even total professional shots.There are a few points I could take with it: The technical side could have been made a little better, such as an open bulb setting for example, and you DO need rechargeable batteries with it, but these niggles aside, the camera takes brilliant shots, is easy to get used to, and within a few weeks you will be taking great shots, within days taking good shots. I feel that this camera will push me towards a more professional approach, and I can't wait to see the next level of Fuji camera, whenever that is!Highly recommended!!!
I must say I have been totally pleased with the purchase of the S7000 camera. I owned a Fujifilm 6900Z prior to acquiring this camera and have found the S7000 to be a world apart in difference (much better). Utilizing the excellent digital media format (xD) or the older Microdrive/Compact Flash I or II media. Slots are provided for both. The range of shutter/flash settings provided are capable of all that you'll ever need and even a threaded cable release shutter-release button for time exposures. All though the lens' zoom controls are now on the back right-side panel of the camera they are a little less intuitive in this location and a little more cumbersome. The learning curve is a little steeper with these zoom controls at least as to placement of the controls. One control any photographer should learn about right away is the exposure/focus lock button, although the auto-focus feature works extremely well, a slight movement of the camera will change the point of focus rather quickly. So, knowledge of the exposure lock control is fairly important. Also, you will need to keep the exposure lock button depressed until the shutter release button has been depressed and the image begins recording. This is a minor drawback and inconvenience and Fuji should have created a simple "on" lock for depressing the button and an "off" mode if pressed again. In addition, the manual focus setting appears to be pretty worthless as the focus mechanism struggles to update the focus point inside the viewfinder rapidly. This makes knowledge of the use of the exposure lock button with the auto-focus feature even more important. Understanding White Balance is also key with this camera. Relying on any camera's auto white balance feature, means a lot more post processing correction. Custom White Balance with S7000 is a breeze using the back side of a 18% Gray card (it's white)! Read up on this feature before heading out into the field and relying solely on the camera's interpretation. A major plus with this camera is the capability to do all image processing outside of the camera with a PC or MAC. This camera offers the RAW CCD sensor format solely for post processing work (image processed outside the camera). Images range from about 12-13Mb per image. So definitely obtain a 1Gb xD or Compact Flash storage card if you want to work a lot in this particular format. Rechargeable NiMH batteries are a must for this camera unless you own stock in EverReady or Energizer. Although, power management is extremely good even if you like to preview your images a lot? You will find you'll need to end up turning the camera on and off a lot if you're using a timer for the power management. I have always set mine to "off". Also splurge on the exorbitantly priced AC Adapter or buy one used online. If you decide to let the camera process images, you will get some extremely good color results at the highest JPEG settings (6.3 Mega-pixel actual and 12.1 mega-pixels interpolated). This is probably the easiest and best setting for most people who don't want to process every image outside the camera on a computer. I never use the video capabilities on this camera although they are quite good, only limited by your memory card capacity (I'd say go for the Hitachi 2Gb Microdrive if you plan on using this for video) I believe if you want to shoot video though, you should buy a video camera. This camera is too capable for still image creation to utilize as a video camera solely. I found this camera to be one of the finest semi-pro point-and-shoot cameras on the market for the dollar. This model incorporates top notch optics and superior low noise, and in-camera processing (JPEG) when utilized. This is an easy camera to recommend for an advanced user and someone who is already familiar with basic photographic exposure principles and color temperature. It will be a challenging camera for someone who is just beginning to come to terms with photographic principles however. I am a professional photographer who also uses the Fuji S2 and S3 Pro SLR digital cameras where a multitude of lenses might be required. So, I have a pretty thorough understanding of the most of the Fuji lineup from recent years.
Now that I've had the camera for several months its seems like a good time for an update, especially given some of the criticisms that have been leveled at the S7000.The short answer is that I still love the camera, even though it's not perfect. The long answer deserves some explanation.I have many years experience with 35mm film, but also many years experience with computers and computer graphics. Even today, film has capabilities that can't be matched with digital cameras, except possibly by cameras beyond the means of most people. On the other hand, digital photography has huge advantages in terms of immediate accessibility, cost per shot, electronic distribution, editing and enhancement, and the ability to control the printing process to get prints that look the way you want them to.My initial path into digital photography was to buy a film scanner and scan 35mm slides, which in some ways still represents the best of both worlds. But it is a time consuming and expensive (on a per shot basis) approach. My move into digital cameras has occurred in two steps. The first was to replace my &quot;little&quot; 35mm camera with a compact digital camera. For recording events and snapshot photography digital cameras became the preferred approach several years ago, and I'm on my second generation compact digital camera. I love being able to go to a family gathering, then go home and do a quick sorting and editing of the pictures, dump them on the web, and e-mail out a URL so everyone can see them while the gathering is still fresh in their minds.Replacing my 35mm SLR is a tougher problem, and one that hasn't been completely solved yet. The biggest issue I have is that the format of available digital sensors means that there are no really wide angle lenses available for reasonably priced digital SLRs. This, more than any other issue, keeps me from buying a digital SLR. I bought the S7000 as a way to get most of what my 35mm SLR does at a reasonable price, while retaining the 35mm SLR, the film in the refrigerator, and the film scanner as a backup until there is a digital SLR that comes close enough to my ultimate requirements that I'm willing to pay the extra money for it.The S7000 is a remarkably capable camera for the price. The wide end of the zoom is restrictive for me, but I have an adaptor and a  Raynox 0.66x lens that help. A fast 1GB compact flash card makes it easy to take a lot of pictures at essentially zero marginal cost. It is true that the lack of control over the compression is an occasional annoyance, but the compressed pictures usually come out very well.Then there is the noise issue. There is no question that if you want to blow up the images and look for noise you will find it. For many shots it's not an issue, but for clear skies and a few other situations you can clearly see it. In most cases screen images and prints of modest size won't show unacceptable noise, but there are situations where it will be evident. Note that there are tools available to make the nose less apparent in images, and if you only occasionally make big enlargements they may solve the problem (if it is one) for you.To continue on this issue, if I scan a slide from ten or more years ago I will generally get grain that is more evident than the noise in an S7000 image. Newer film, thanks to the intense rivalry between Kodak and Fuji in the 90s, has noticeably less grain, but it is still there. So it is all a matter of expectations. The S7000 can create images with noise no more evident than the film grain of days not long since past. Yes, for half again as much you can buy a camera with less noise, but is that a reason to criticize the performance of the S7000?The S7000 can create marvelous images at a great price. It doesn't quite match the capabilities of a cameras that cost significantly more, but why should it?I'm delighted with the S7000, and have taken a lot of pictures that I really like with it. I like being able to shoot hundreds of pictures without changing film. The battery draw bugs me a little, but the problem is not that I've ever had to stop while shooting to change batteries. The strange thing is that it draws down batteries while it is turned off, so I have to plan on inserting fresh batteries each day. But that's a small problem when you expect it.I keep up on what's happening in the digital camera world, and I knew when I bought it that it was possible to buy a better camera at a higher price. But, as I alluded to above, I'm waiting for the digital SLR system that gives me everything I want before I make a big investment, and this camera offered pretty much everything available at its price point or even a step or two higher. The one competing camera that intrigues me is the Sony DSC-F828, which has a wider zoom and a four color CCD mask. But it not only costs half again as much, it weighs nearly twice as much as the S7000. So I still think the S7000 is the right camera for me at this time. That doesn't mean that it is the right camera for everyone. But when you compare its strengths and weaknesses it should be clear why many people love it even though, as some critics point out, it certainly isn't perfect. But it is a very capable and fun camera!
When I started researching for my first digital camera, there were three main qualities I was looking for: powerful zoom, good picture quality and adaptability (I wanted a camera a newcomer could &quot;grow&quot; with). It also had to be affordable.I considered the Minolta DiMAGE Z1 and Olympus C-740 before deciding that the Fuji FinePix S5000 was by far the best value for the money.And I couldn't be happier! The Fuji Finepix S5000 is relatively easy for a digital beginner like me to learn with, but also has enough features to satisfy the creative needs of a more advanced user. Set the dial to &quot;AUTO&quot; and you can pretty much just point and shoot. More advanced users can adjust shutter speed, aperture, focus, flash, etc.The camera itself seems sturdy and is ergonomically designed so that it &quot;feels good&quot; in your hands. When taking pictures you can easily toggle between the LCD (which is small compared to some models but very bright and easy to see) and the camera's Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).Fuji FinePix S5000 has a special &quot;Continuous Shooting&quot; mode that enables you to take 5 frames at intervals as short as 0.2 seconds-perfect for capturing the action at sporting events or getting good pics of moving subjects like kids &amp; animals.Other features include &quot;movie mode&quot; (allows you to shoot brief moving pictures w/sound - the length of these movies is limited by the size of your memory card), a macro setting for close-up photography, red-eye reduction, a self-timer &amp; a lot more.I've taken a number of pictures indoors under very poor lighting conditions. With the flash, the resulting picture quality is amazing (you'd think the subject was standing under studio lights).I've had this camera for several months now, had no problems with it, and am very pleased with the picture quality. The best part about it-and what distinguishes it from its competition-is its 10x optical zoom. If extended zoom is important to you, put this one on your short list!Some notes:The included 16MB xD-Picture card will take approximately 19 pictures in 3.0 megapixel (MP) mode, 25 in 2.0MP mode, and 33 at the lowest resolution (1MP). You'll probably want to upgrade to a larger-capacity card. I purchased a 128 MB card, which can take approximately 162 pics at the 3.0MP setting.The camera comes with 4 regular AA batteries, but you'll definitely want to get the rechargeable ones.A tripod is recommended when using the full 10x zoom - although in a pinch (with some practice) it's possible to get clear shots at full zoom without one.Good luck with your decision!
I am on a mission to become a photographer.  I've always loved taking pictures and I want to start really focusing (no pun intended) on photography.  However, I didn't want to start with a $1500 digital SLR and then discover I'm not really as into photography as I'd hoped. So I researched cameras in this price range. The Fuji S5000 stood out as a great starting point for many reasons:1. Awesome zoom.2. Sturdy construction.3. Good for action4. Great price.5. Easy controls.What concerned me were professional reviewers saying that there was &quot;noise&quot;.  So I looked at betterphoto dot com and reviewed pictures taken with this camera.  I found night shots, shots of fireworks, portraits, action and macro all with perfect detail.  Many of the photo were competition winners.  That was enough for me.  I read a review here saying the noise obscured details.  Huh?  I have taken macros of bees in mid flight with the antenna and fuzz perfectly in focus and clear.  I've taken night shots as well--all lovely.  I don't notice noise except in the lowest light and that was because I hadn't figured out my camera settings yet!  This is the perfect starter camera for me.  We've gotten great action photos, great portraits, wonderful landscapes.  I love it!It does have some &quot;warm up&quot; lag time and like all digitals it's got shutter lag (reduced with pre focus considerably).  This means you have to plan your shots carefully, but in order to avoid this you have to go film or Digital SLR and both of those aren't options at this point.Bottom line: Don't compare this to cameras that cost three times as much--it's an unfiar comparison.  I compared it to other cameras in it's price range and class, including the Dimage Z and some others.  The others were very flimsy feeling, awkward to hold, and unimpressive all around.  I'm very happy with my camera.  I'm also hooked on photography and will practice with this camera for a year or two and then invest in a true Digital SLR.  But for a digital with an SLR feel and the ability to take amazing pics this camera is exceptional.  I love it.Get a 512 card--you won't regret it.  A polarizer filter is also a good investment--both to protect your lens and insure good daytime shots.  Enjoy!
I love this camera.  I spent a year looking at cameras and bugging every person I know who had a digital camera.  I originally had a very old Ricoh SLR which took fantastic pictures until the flash went dead.I reviewed the camera on epinions.com, shopping.com, and any other professional camera/imaging site online and it consistently got 5 stars.It's very durable (it fell out of my backpack onto blacktop) and I haven't noticed any problems.  I've had it for about 6 months and I take it everywhere and I've never had a problem with it.  Also, because it's digital (true with any camera) I find I waste a lot less film now, because I can see the pictures so well with the LCD screen, and delete the ones I've taken with the lens cap on by accident, whoops!There are so many features on the camera, I am still discovering them.  It helped me to read one review on epinions.com where one guy wrote detailed examples of what settings he used and the limitations/advantages to each.  Also, I looked at the dcpr review (...)and don't agree with all the comments (it is mentioned that you can't control white balance, but you can, and there are 3, yes 3 different controls for flourescent light - forget the filter! There is also a photo gallery so you can see some examples.  Imaging Resource (...) is also another excellent site for viewing the photo capabilites of this camera.It has a continuous shooting mode, which is great for taking shots of quickly moving subjects (toddlers escaping!) but I also put the camera in the SP mode on sport and get really great shots that way, too.Some other tips by other people:Some tips: 1) use the chrome color setting to get better saturation 2) combine tele and manual focus, if you want to fill frame with your subject, e.g. your kid's face 3)get a UV filter and lens cap put on to protect lens; 4) or put on a polarizer filter to get richer colors ( a must have for seiour scenary phtography); 5) for in-door pictures, better to forgo the automatic settings and use the "P"(programable) or "A" (aperture priority) to set ISO to 400(800 only at 1M) to ensure maximun shutter speed to avoid shaking,"slow-syc" flash mode helps with low light conditions too.This camera isnt' perfect, but as this is my first serious digital camera, I think it's great.  All the pictures I've taken have come out beautifully and getting them developed through Sam's Club was the cheapest and since they use Fuji film - the colors in the photos are very rich.
Before purchasing our first digital cameras, my wife and I did a heck of a lot of homework.  We finally settled on the Fujifilm A205 for my wife to carry around in her purse, and the Fujifilm FinePix S5000 for me -- as I am a bit more serious about photography.I wanted something that gave me the feel and many of the features of an SLR, but I didn't actually want to deal with either the price or bother of an SLR.  After doing about a month of research, I purchased the FinePix S5000 and it is the perfect solution.If you read the other reviews, you'll learn about many of the terrific features of this fine camera, but I'll mention a feature I didn't really realize until I brought it home and played with it for a few weeks.The adapter ring that forms the barrel around the lens allows me to use professional filters.  It tells you that right there in the manual that you can use one filter with the adapter ring, but it's buried under all sorts of other technical information.  I'm surprised that Fujifilm doesn't do more to promote this fact because this is a HUGE asset.  The only reason I can think of as to why they don't is because there are so many incredible features of this terrific camera.As for filters, I've since purchased four different ones -- all size 55mm to fit the adapter.  The general use UV filter (mostly for protection) and a Polarizer (to lessen glare on sunny days) were a great place to start.I also purchased two other filters to compensate for indoor light.  The flash on the S5000 isn't particularly strong, so it doesn't work all that well from more than 15 or 20 feet away.  This is important because if you're in a school auditorium (remember, I have 6 kids -- so I'm there often) with fluorescent lights overhead, the pictures can turn out slightly green if taken from a distance.  This does not happen when up close because the flash overwhelms the ambient flourescent light.  But when my kids are on stage, for instance, they turn slightly greenish.  This is no fault of the S5000 -- it's simply a characteristic of any camera taking pictures under most household or office light.  It happened on the time with our old camera.I bought an FL-D filter which dramatically lessens greenish effect from fluorescent light.  I also have an 80A filter that compensates for the same problem that comes when taking pictures from a distance under traditional home-type incandescent light bulbs.I imagine you can use any brand you want, but each of my four filters is a Tiffen and can be bought online or from many camera stores for about $10 to $15 a piece.  This makes the S5000 truly unique.  I have not found another point and shoot (non-SLR) camera that has this capacity to use professional filters.  You can't use more than one filter at a time, but I'm so tickled that we can use any at all that this is a small issue of concern.If you're really ambitious, there all all kinds of filters that do everything from soften a picture to create really neat special effects (like starbursts with every point of light).  This brings an amazing flexibility to the S5000.I also bought a Fujifilm TL-FX9 1.5x telephoto lens which I can attach to the adapter ring, effectively raising my optical zoom from 10x to 15x.  This is a nice feature, but the 10x standard optical zoom is such a monster zoom that I rarely use the additional 1.5x telephoto lens except when I'm watching my kids on stage from the audience or something like that.As noted in other reviews, ignore the 2.2x digital zoom, because you'll probably never use it.  It is disabled when you're shooting at 6 megapixels (if you're confused about the 3.1 mp versus 6.1 mp, read the descriptions about the amazing Super CCD) so I never am able to use the 2.2x digital zoom anyway.  But unless you've had a telephoto lens on your old camera, the 10x zoom will overwhelm you for most purposes anyway.  And if you really need more, buy the TL-FX9 telephoto lens that turns your optical zoom to 15x.  I purchased my TL-FX9 through an outside vendor at Amazon and it worked out great.One last thing, don't forget to invest in a good printer.  All this camera technology means nothing if your printer doesn't do its job.  I bought the Canon i960 at the same time as my camera and couldn't be happier with it when using the Canon Pro paper.  The prints are amazing and truly duplicate the quality of processing you get in most neighborhood retail stores where most film is developed.If you're a serious amateur who doesn't want to break the bank, I highly recommend the Fujifilm S5000.  I absolutely LOVE it.
Back around 03 this camara was so far ahead of others  , the pictures I took with mine stand up to 12 megs easy as far as image apperance. The only reason Ive updated was for movies. I still have it and it still works great,25,000 pictures later. The new Fujs have lost the edge they once had.
After using the point and shoot camera for a decade, I wanted to try a digital SLR. Once I saw the prices, this was my compromise. For the first year or so, we were really happy with it. The only complaint we have it that it will not take a focused picture with the flash off.5 years latter: four brand new batteries last literally 10 minutes. About half that time if we use rechargeable batteries. I only use the camera if I have about 8 to 16 rechargeable batteries ready to go for a short birthday party. Otherwise, a camera phone today takes pictures of similar quality (without the zoom).
This camera is by far a sleeper value if ever I saw one - for the price you pay, you get a camera which pretty much ensures that the only camera you will buy next is a dSLR.  It covers just about all the little things you will ever need or want in a digicam. The zoom is amazing - my first night, I steadied the camera on my window sill and extended to full zoom and got an astounding shot of the moon - complete with crater detail the likes of which I haven't seen in a medium grade digital camera.  It's compact, fits into my hand easily and the picture quality is amazing - even at it's lowest setting (1MP - 1024x768 res).  My only problems with it are the shutter lag, and the manual focus which tends to be a doozy if you aren't patient and knowledgable.  Also, the lack of the external flash hotshoe is one drawback that nearly made me pass it over.  All in all, I am fully satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone looking for an SLR-like camera.  Amazing!
I have been looking for a digital camera for about a year, watching as technology improved and prices dropped.  Finally won a gift certificate at work and treated myself to this camera.  Am I glad I did!!I am just an average person, taking pictures of my family, of events, of friends, the usual stuff.  This camera makes it so easy to get professional quality results, I cannot believe it! I will admit, there is a lot about it I have not figured out yet (note to Fuji, a CD-ROM interactive user guide would ROCK!) but it is relatively easy to use with minimal instruction.  And the picture quality is incredible.  Some day I will read the guide and find out all it can do, but even without, I am having a ball!I asked several casual photographer friends their recommendation before I bought and the S5000 was the overwhelming favorite.  The 10X optical zoom is amazing, and the only time the 3.1 megapixels could be a drawback is if I was to blow a photo up to photo size (highly unlikely!).  I was told to go for zoom over megapixels, and I am glad I did.  My first series of photos was St. Patrick's Day parades, and I was able to get some GREAT shots of my daughter's bagpipe band and some shots of her piping in the parade.  Up close &amp; personal while standing on the curb!I was looking at the S7000, which costs about $200 more, but my friends all said don't spend the extra $$, and I am glad I did not!  Even the movie mode is great!  And the sound is good as well.  Thanks, Amazon, for making such a high quality piece of equipment so affordable!
It might seem a little odd to write a review now (October  2008) on a camera I bought over 4 years ago (March 2004), but I am just so impressed with the Fuji S5000's performance over the years. We have used this camera almost daily in our business (to take product photos) and for personal use, including trips around the US, Europe, and South America.This camera had many advanced features for when it was made that still hold up today:* Sharp 3.1 MP Image (prints up to 8 x 10)* Great 10x Zoom Lens (really sharp pictures)* Movie and Sound Capture* Great Battery LifeSure, you can get higher end cameras now but I wouldn't hesitate to get one of these used for a backup or "beater" camera for the kids.Simply a great, reliable camera that has held up well over time.
If you don't mind it's bulk compared this camera packs a punch.  Absolutely love it for taking macro-photo shots.  Easy to put in all your 55 and 52mm (with adapter) filters that you probably already own.  Using this baby with a +4 magnification filter and you are taking a full frame picture of a dime in focus.  Artistic creativity abounds with full manual control if you so desire, or very sophisticated automatic action.  Have been using for a year and I am pleased as can be.  Lock, load, shoot!
I've been very pleased with this camera - the SLR feel of it means I don't miss a beat from my normal photo habits, and the results have been amazing. I hesitated because this does not offer a hot shoe for pro flashes, but the pop-up flash  is truly awesome. I've gotten perfectly-lit zoom shots at a rock concert of subjects 15 feet away.I spent more than I'd planned on this for the 10x optical zoom, and that makes all the difference. Closer, clearer shots. The colors are rich, and the special features are not hard to figure out.In short, my 35mm is getting dusty,  and I can't imagine feeling comfortable with any credit-card size camera. Until I can afford the digital back for my SLR, this is the way to go.
i just bought this camera about a week ago, and right out of the box, i thought, &quot;this is such a cool camera!&quot;. i had done some research and wanted a dig camera with a good optical zoom on it, and this was one of few that was over 3X. i got a great price on it (from somewhere else...) and have been using it almost everyday.the good: easy to hold, lightweight, battery life seems good, lots of useful features (once you learn how to use them), zoom is great, movie mode is kinda cool. good shutter speed. pictures are pretty good. overall, it's design and use of use are pretty good. doesn't seem to have a lot of &quot;down time&quot; when thinking from one picture to the next. the continous photo modes are cool and some of the advanced features really turn you on to learning more about photography.the so-so/bad: viewfinder (EVF) is hard to see through. better to use the LCD instead. pictures look better and crisper on LCD versus your computer monitor. movies are only available in one resolution setting, which makes a 15 sec video about 5 MB - kinda hard to email that to anyone! difference between 2MP, 3MP and the 6MP are really unnoticable. i didn't find that this camera took exceptional photos (on 2 or 3MP). i owned a 2.1MP kodak dc3400 before this one and felt it took better photos. however, the 4x6 prints i've done look just fine. only comes with 16MB memory card which is practically useless.advice? get the 128MB card, get rechargable batteries. read the instruction manual (at least twice). auto mode works fine, but if you want to take even better photos, learn about the advances features. if you don't want to use advanced features, buy another camera.overall, i am impressed with the features, but not so impressed with the quality of photos. this might go up for auction on ebay...we'll see.
I bought my camera over a year ago, I have had noproblems at all with it. Its similar to that of a real DSLR in the fact u can adjust allot of the settings, and the body style. But it keeps the point and shoot ideas by having a fixed lense. The 10x zoom is amazing.my only complaints, would be the shutter speeds are limited to 2 seconds. I would like to have had a bulb setting. I wish it did have a detachable lense so i could fit many more lenses and filters among it. Also there is NO hotshoe to put a real flash on it. The flash that is built in, well its a typical flash over exposing or underexposing photos. a real flash you can angle toward the ceiling to create better lighting effects, but thats not possible due to the absence of the hot shoe.somebody was complaining ti was heavy? thats absurd, after holding many cameras, this is fairly light. but still sturdy. and the same perosn also complained about the size. but your not goign to get a camera thats that small with all the options this has offer.If your a pro, I wouldnt suggest this. But if your a ameature like me, its a great starting place, due to the ideas of having a look like DSLR, manual options and auto options. Seems to be the best of both worlds. Hope this can help you all!
I haven't owned this camera for long, but I've taken roughly 250 pictures with it and they are outstanding!!!  If there are any drawbacks I just haven't come across them as yet.  I do own two other Fuji Digital cameras and a Minolta Dimage 5, but this one is superior to the others - and the others are in the 3MP range as well.  You will need a larger XD card.  16MB just isn't enough.  I can recommend this camera without hesitation.
I bought this camera about 2 months ago and have been very pleased with it in all but 1 aspect:  it is no good for action shots.  It has the same problem as every other digital camera in that you have to push the shutter button half-way down to lock the Auto-focus, and only then can you snap an instant shot, but on top of that, this camera doesn't take the shot immediately when the shutter button is pressed all the way down, there is a millisecond delay, just enough to lose a good shot.  In addition to this flaw, the Electronic view finder and the LCD both go blank for an instant while the auto-focus is locking, which means that a shot framed a second earlier is lost when the screen goes blank for that short time, and the camera must be refocused.  In combination, these two flaws make it almost impossible to take action shots, even in &quot;action shot&quot; mode.Other than that, the colors in the photos are rich and the auto-focus works well.  The details captured are quite nice, and battery life is average.  The video mode is convenient and clear, and the manual settings come in handy for many subjects.  The zoom is great, and even at 10x I still get clear, focused shots.  Macro mode captures excellent detail, and night mode allows for some interesting lighting effects.  Alltogether a very nice package if you aren't interested in taking action shots.  For action shots, you MUST have an optical viewfinder.
I've been an amateur  photog for  70 years and until Santa brought me an S5000 I thought that there was nothing better. The S5000 is better; great color, great prints and no wait. I miss the ability to make time exposures and the time it takes to warm up is sometimes a pain. I'll get used to that. Stashing images on a disc  is a fine way to protect them. No fading. Don't need filters because the computer lets me try many filter effects. Camera is always ready for color or B&amp;W.  Macro feature is useful to support other hobbies( I make ships in bottles). Never run out of film. Outstanding Large prints. If only it was instant on. Oh,well!!!
OK, I had to come back and add to this review.  I just printed 8x10's and they are to-die-for!  They are of my sons and I am picky when it comes to hanging pics on my walls.  They better be awesome.  This camera takes wonderful shots.  So to those who said contrary, I think they must be doing something wrong.----------------------------------------------------------------I can't begin to express my satisfaction with this camera.  It has all the features for a serious photographer like my husband but an awesome auto feature for the moms like me who want great pics of our kids but I only want to turn it on to shoot.In less than 2 hours we had everything figured out and was impressed with how easy it is to use.  My immediate concern was taking indoor shoots - nothing but awesome shots.  My husband was taking pics while driving at 55 mph in his car and even those came out great.  I know it will be worth my learning all of the feature of the camera because his pics can achieve more than mine...but my baby spit-up looks great too.  The continuous shots is great for sports.  I tried it out taking pics of a TV program...it was amazing.  And there are multiple ways to get continuous shots.  The focus ability is amazing.  You can take shots up close, far away and have objects in both places and you can achieve any focus you want (i.e., some objects in focus, all objects in focus, etc).  The zoom is awesome.  ANd you can add a telescopic lens to get 20 optical zoom.  I do wish the camera had the ability to add an extra external flash in case this one dies.  But, some things are worth the sacrifice.The price is awesome.  Why waste money on extra megapixels when the biggest I would print out would be an 8x10.  The optical zoom is what is fantastic.The camera says it can take pics at 6 megapixels - they look the same as the 3 so I don't think it's worth the file sizes.Of course, the 16 meg stick it comes with is useless.  We purchased a 512 and don't regret it at all.  I never have to change sticks so I don't have to worry about losing it, or that I could break it (it is small).  We can take over 600 pics at the peak settings.  600 pics - that's incredible.  Worth the extra $$.I will say the one thing about the camera is the size.  I have small hands and I was looking for something easy for me to hold, easy to carry on vacation, not bulky, etc.  It's awesome for me.  My husband has much wider hands and he manages OK.I researched this camera and others until I got so sick of looking at another review.  This is by far the best one especially for the price.  After we have shown this camera to a few other people, they too went and got it.You can rest assured that the funtionality is all there.  You will not be dissapointed!  Happy picture taking!
I have had this camera for a year and it is wonderful.I was hesitant to purchase a digital camera given my experience with a first generation Sony Mavica (that had a disk drive) and that I am a photo enthusiast. I have a Canon SLR film camera that I adore and even used to take photos of my sister's wedding (semi-professionally). I, however, have not even picked up my SLR since I received this camera.Zoom-There is sufficient rangers withing digital and opticalzoom that allows you to retain excellent picture quality.Flash-Easy to use and sustains enough light to get good qualityindoor and night pictures. It has been a great help at postingitems on ebay when it is difficult to get good light indoors.Software-Simple to transfer pictures from your camera to yourcomputer and to view on your television. The controls on thecamera themselves are also easy to use for deletion, savingand changing to macro and other features.Viewing Screens-Able to see very well thru the viewfinder aswell as the LCD.Manual-So glad you do have manual options. Especially in lowlight situations. If I want a crisp picture but know that theauto settings will show too much movement I can adjust thesettings and then gamma correct on the computer.Video-Nice to do short video clips. The picture quality is notgreat but is a great extra feature when you have cutenephews who do cute things :)The only drawbacks I would advise on this camera are just true of all digital cameras. Interior shows are difficult to master. You have to practice a lot and take lots of pictures before you can become comfortable with the picture quality in dark and interior environments.I highly recommend this item for the average user as well as someone like myself who is used to a film SLR. If you just want a slim point and shoot you may want to seek a different camera, however, as this camera is more the size of a small 35MM w/ out the large lens.
I purchased this camera 8 months ago and wish I had checked the price on Amazon before doing so. The shape and style of this camera and its black body make it look far more expensive than it really is and set it apart from many other cameras on the market.But you don't buy a camera for its look alone, or do you? (not a good idea). Having said that in this case you would not go far wrong. The camera is packed with features that will please not only the casual snapper but also those who would like to get far more involved in their photography.The lens is as good as anything in this price range and the zoom is up their with the top range models. If you just want to let the camera make the choices for you leave it on automatic, your photographs will be excellent. If you already have the technical skills or would like to make your own decisions regarding shutter speed, aperture, white balance etc. the camera allows you to do this. The different modes allow portrait; landscape, night shots, I could go on forever. I like to take pictures of my cacti collection and the macro facility is excellent. The camera fits in the hand beautifully and feels like a solid piece of equipment. The only slight criticism I have, is that by the time the camera tells you your batteries are low on power, it is too late to do anything about it, apart from replace them. This is a gem and I doubt you will get it cheaper than on Amazon.
the s5000 has a very nice professional feel.  it also has 10x optical zoom which is great.  but the superCCD system that fuji uses doesn't give as much detail as hoped for, and in the end, you have to conclude that there are better camers at this price point out there.pros:- 6-megapixel interpolated still mode.- vivid colors.- 10x optical zoom!- flexible: point and shooters have automatic selections and scene modes while creative shooters have plenty of control with manual and priority exposure modes.- continuous shooting mode.- RAW file output.- bright LCD works well even in low light.- xD card features short write times, less battery usage.- non-proprietary batteries used.  this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).- good macro performance.- supplied lens adapter gives camera a more professional look and serves as a lens protector.- supports add-on lenses.- unlimited 30 fps 320x240 video.- adapter ring (which doubles as lens hood) included.- low redeye occurrence.- built-in AF illuminator.- not as big or heavy as i thought.  dimensions are 4.4"W x 3.2"H x 3.1"D, weighing 11.9 oz. (excluding batteries and media).cons:- image quality not as good as competition - too noisy and over-compressed.- visible purple fringing.- noticeable vignetting.- lens shading visible in everyday shots- no gain in resolution using the 6MP image size setting.- no direct adjustment for tone or color saturation.- no manual white balance.- limited night exposure capability.- flash exposures slightly underexposed.- ISO 800 limited to one megapixel image size (1280 x 960).- you're on your own when using manual focus - it doesn't show focus distance.- this camera is made of plastic and it doesn't feel very solid.- no exposure info for photos in playback mode.- slowest shutter speed available is 2 seconds.- although i like the fact that fuji uses non-proprietary AA batteries, 4 of these definitely add bulk.- the supplied 16MB xD card is inadequate.  be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory (at least 128MB).- the AA batteries supplied by fuji are not rechargeable so add a few more bucks to your budget to buy a charger and rechargeable AAs.i hope this helps your buying decision.  peace.
This was my second digicam from Fuji. It was better than the first one I had.What I liked:Amazing image qualityEasy to useManual controllGreat manualCame with memory card and batteriesVery fast, images showed quickly, little lag timeWhat I didn't likeSlow start up of 3 secondsAs the camera got old it started crashing, it would shut off at random times
I did a lot of comparison shopping and product research when I decided to buy a digital camera, and this one came out on top. I am stationed in Iraq right now, and I needed something reliable and easy to use here. This camera has done this and more. The picture quality is good at the lower picture settings, but once you adjust the pixels to a higher quality the photos come out amazing. I was especially pleased with the zoom function. When fully zoomed at 10 times the pictures were still clear, even though I wasn't braced with a tripod or anything. The screen and menu are easy to use, and the camera interfaces easily with Windows. I have not even used the included software yet. The only thing I didn't like are the fact that you have to set your zoom before you start recording a movie, and it cannot be changed during filming. The movies come out amazing, though, and the little speaker on the camera is pretty loud when you playback. The 16MB memory card is way too small, but this is the base for most digital cameras anyway. The Xd cards are very small, but are comparable in price with other types. This is an excellent camera for deployed troops or just for everyday use, and you will not be let down with your purchase.
I absolutely love this camera! I did lots of research into the digital camera realm and finally decided on the Fujifilm S5000. This camera takes GREAT pics. It is so easy to use right out of the box. It is perfect for an amateur, but has lots of SLR type features for those wanting to experiement into the technical stuff. I haven't even began to delve into the more indepth features. I have taken all of my pics on automatic. The only thing I do change from occasion is the megapixel quality (1MP, 2MP, or 3MP) and the ISO features (200/auto, 400, &amp; 800). Before deciding to go digital, I was looking at a SLR camera, but wasn't impressed with the picture quality. At first I was hesitant to go digital because I knew that I wouldn't want to print the pics off on my printer and I didn't want lots of pics on my computer slowing it down. Then, I discovered the many online digital photo processing sites (i.e. Shutterfly, Ofoto, Snapfish).While I loved the features of the camera, the deciding factor as to whether or not I'ld keep the camera was how they turned out in print. One word...WOW! These pictures were as clear and crisp as my 35mm camera (which by the way is also a Fujifilm). Also, the pictures that I took on 3MP quality, can be printed off as large as 16x20. I am so excited that I've finally decided on my new camera!As far as the cons I listed...the flash does not popup automatically. However, there is a green blinking light that will remind you that you need the flash. And as far as the 16MB included card. Fuji could have sprung for at least a 32MB card. You definitely will need to get a larger xD style card, however, I found a 256MB card for a really good price (well under retail) on a popular auction site. Some cons I have read is that you will need to buy a battery charger. However, this camera takes regular AA batteries and I am still using the ones that came with the camera. Environmentally speaking, I suppose I should use rechargable batteries. But for now, I'll just have regular AA's on hand.
Just today I noticed I never review this? Shame too. A very nice camera. Created wonderful images. Fuji did a great job. I look back on images I took years ago with this camera and still enjoy the quality and color. I moved onto larger dslr camera. But that is this cameras only fault for me. Small images.
This camera is one of the best hidden secrets of the mid-range/amateur digital camera market. It is about as close to a dSLR as you can get without breaking the bank. For one, the camera fits your hand like a glove, with its huge beefy handgrip and thoughtfully placed controls. The 10x optical zoom is stunning. Battery life is amazing, I go for weeks on a pair of 1800mAh rechargeables. Color and exposure are spot on, AF is dead-on accurate and the AF assist lamp is a rarely-found but valuable feature in this market segment. Shot-to-shot time is practically instantaneous. The S5000 can scale from a novice-friendly point-and-shoot to a killer amateur photographer's camera.I have only few quams about this camera. For one, the software that compresses the JPEGs is too aggressive. Images show noise when viewed 1:1, but this isn't a problem unless you're printing photos larger than 8x10; if you are the CCD-RAW mode produces flawless images that can be post-processed on your own. Prints from the 3 MP mode look spectacular when printed in non-enlargement sizes. Next, I would make the LCD bigger, although it is incredibly bright and pretty high-resolution. The EVF needs to have a higher resolution, but it's better than the optical viewfinder found on pretty much every other camera in the market.In all, I strongly reccomend this camera. The professional reviews that I've read tend to put this camera up against cameras that cost it twice as much; that's actually rather flattering for the S5000. It's not a dSLR, but it brings the feel, control, and power of a dSLR to a more frugal, amateur market segment.
the seller listed this camera as &#34;works good&#34; but it was d.o.a.. this review is about the seller not the camera. I purchased a s5000 several years ago and when I bought my Olympus e-620 I gave the s5000 to my son. still working after several years. the e-620 is slow to react when shots are made of moving objects so I bought this s5000 for back-up because it is very quick. I reported the d.o.a. to the seller and he said he would refund my purchase. not so! ultimately amazon returned my $ not the seller.BUYER BEWARE!
Camera was exactly as expected. My brother will be very happy because his S5000 quit working and couldn't afford to replace it.Thank you very much for pricing it as you did.Mtnhopper
Man, i bought this camera about 3 weeks ago, and I am so happy with it.  This camera is Great.  I love it.  I think I am going to marry it.  I have bought a lot of cheap digital camera's from 1 to 3 mp but this is one is by far the best.  With 10x optical zoom you can hardly beat this for the price.  My only problems with the whole package was the software it came with.  I had a few conflicts with it.  I am using an Hp a520n running xp and the problems came when transferring the pictures to the computer via the included software.  The funny thing is, the computer was brand new too and I was about to go out and buy a card reader for when I noticed that the computer had a 9 in 1 card reader right on the front panel!  duh! So I just removed everything but the drivers for the camera and i transferred the pictures via the xd card.  I also recommend getting re-chargeale batteries for this and keeping a charged set with you if you're going on trips.  It comes with batteries but it used them up in two days. This camera takes some awesome photos, it even makes me look like an experienced ametuer.  GET IT NOW.
I selected this model because of the fine word of mouth and magazine reviews. I found that the learning curve for the camera, despite many complex features, was very low and easy to navigate. The photo quality is excellent. The focal range of the lens offers opportunity for shots other digitals don't give, as well as the number of apeture choices. The reason I rated the camera at four stars versus five is the finepix software for downloading the photographs. The program would not recognize the camera even after two installs and my computer is a new PC with Windows XP. I finally had to call a tech friend and we found a roundabout way of retrieving the photos. The camera, when plugged in, becomes a separate drive on the hard drive. If I open the Finepix software, then search for that drive, my photos appear and I can then copy them onto a fixed drive in the computer. I'm very pleased with photo quality and the ability to use this as either a 'point and shoot' camera for fast work or to set your own apeture and shutter speeds.
Gosh, I sure wish Fuji still made this camera. Mine is 7 years old; has taken over 15,000 pictures all over the world, including some extreme shots, and it has always performed wonderfully.I've taken it with me via snowmobile, bicycle, xc skis, snowshoes, Jeep, scooter, etc. I have used it to photograph nature, people, weddings, scenery...It was a replacement issued to me by Best Buy after my Sony Mavica (floppy disc drive!) went kaput. I had the extended warranty, and insisted on a camera with zoom qualities like the Mavica. The Best Buy people handed me this camera for "free" in 2004.It's a workhorse. I use rechargeable AA batteries. My 1st set lasted 6 years; just replaced them. It just keeps going and going, and when I need to recharge, I slip the 4 batteries in the wall charger, and away I go again.The battery hatch is now held in place with a rubber band, as I dropped the camera on concrete last year.  : (I wish everything was as reliable as my Fuji S5000. Thanks, Fuji. Well done.
This was the first digital camera I had ever bought, so I did a great deal of research before jumping into the new technology. There were certainly cheaper cameras out there, and more sophisticated ones, but the s5000 seemed to be a good balance of costs vs. features, and I didn't want to lay down a great deal of money, until I had figured out from use which features were important (Start up time, for example, was something I had never considered before).I wanted something "SLR-like" if not actually an SLR, because that is what I am used to working with normally. Strictly speaking, the s5000 is not an SLR, because the is no mirror and no reflex, you may not get the "real life" image of an actual SLR, but there is also no mirror shake or screen blackout.Of course, immediately after I bought this proces tumbled and the higher end digital SLRs are now affordable, but that's the way it always goes. If yo want a camera that is cheap, reliable, makes good pictures, and is a good gateway to the top level digital SLRs, then this is probably the type of camera that you want.On an odd note, I find that when I use it at public events like parades, particularly with the wide angle lens adaptor, people occasionally ask me if I am from the newspaper. I guess the camera looks more pro than it really is.Also, It survived a drop from about 12 inches onto hard tile, with no damage. That's not too bad for a cheap plastic body.It has a number of strengths:The 10x optical zoom is extremely long. (this is really a huge plus)Lens quality is good.Absolutely quiet.Continuous drive features are good, allows a decent (5 frame) series of consecutive pics.Lightweight.Nice sharp macros.Uses standard AA batteries (this is important in the field!)Batteries on full charge last a long time. I find around 400 shots.Remarkably good resolution for 3.2 MP- punches above its weight.Weaknesses:Storage media is way overpriced.Mode selector dial switches unintentionally.Long start up time.Body is plastic and a little frail. (not too bad though).Manual focus is not actually possible in real life.Viewfinder image quality is nto so great.The 6MP setting is, for lack of a better word, fraudulent.  The camera creates a larger file through interpolation, but the 6MP image is actually of worse resolution than 3 MP image.  I discovered this the first trip I shot, when I got home to PS the images.STRONGEST DRAWBACK!!- almost constant vignetting, this is often fixable in photoshop, but I don't know how the designers let it go to market with that problem.Overall I would recommend it as a good intro to digital, especially at the prices it currently commands.  The sequel (the s5100) appears to have solved most of these problems, but vignetting still occurs.  Value, however, is acceptable.
I love this camera, but it's one major flaw gets in the way of total enjoyment.  That flaw is the overly aggressive jpeg compression on standard shots.Great things about this camera:  The movie mode is surprisingly high quality, though low-res at 320*240.  I took it to a concert with a huge xD card and the video and audio quality were very good.  (I listen to a lot of bootleg audio.)It does take very, very good shots.  Make sure you have a steady hand, as the incredible range of zoom, shutter and exposure can lead to blur.  Fuji's non-square CCD technology makes great shots.The features available to control your shots rivals that in digital SLRs.  In fact, I moved to this camera from an Olympus digital SLR.  At the cost, there is no comparison to any other camera on the market in late 2003/early 2004.It takes wonderful low-light photos but you must learn the exposure/shutter features (like on any camera).  The ability to emulate ISO 800 is great.Coming from an SLR, I thought having an electronic viewfinder would be disadvantage.  It is, but this viewfinder has great quality for a pro-sumer class camera.10x optical zoom:  need I say more?OK, so the major flaw.  The jpeg compression on the pictures it takes is way too aggressive.  The wonderful Fuji CCD quality is simply thrown away in 90% of the shots you will take unless you leave it in RAW mode and the RAW mode disables several features.  Sharp details and fine texturing are lost because of the compression.  My last camera had three quality settings in addition to RAW, this has none, well, one, and it's too agressive.  My dream is that Fuji releases a firmware update for this, but I doubt it.Nitpicks:The RAW mode saves in it's own RAW format requiring Fuji's software to be installed.  If it weren't for that RAW format, I'd have no need for more software clutter on my computers.  Other Fuji cameras I have used save RAW as TIFF, so what was Fuji thinking on this one?The included xD card is entirely inadequate.  Again, what were they thinking?  I only used the included card for test shots before putting in larger cards I bought at the same time.  If this was a marketing decision to sell larger cards, the 16MB should have just been thrown in as non-removable base memory.It does seem extremely sensitive to hand movements.  Maybe some mild stabilization would have been a good design, they fit in much, much smaller cameras.The shutter press results in the photo being taken a signifigant fraction of a second longer than I expect.  Though true of many cameras it is particularly exaggerated on this one when compared to my last Olympus.  It is frustrating to take good candids with this camera.  The focus lock (half the shutter button) should actually lock the focus for true instant shots.There isn't a better pro-sumer camera out there in this price range!  But the compression settings don't allow me to give this a full five stars.
I have had this camera for 3 years now, it replaced a Kodak digital that broke. I have been pleased from the first day it arrived. It had been through a lot (Key west, Disney, DC, NY etc) of vacations. It has been abused, bumped, dropped, gotten wet, kids sticky fingers and it still works great. If you are looking for a great deal for a DSLR style camera, this is it, look no further, because this camera is IT. This camera can also provide you with a great learning experience, no only will it tell you when the shutter speed is too fast, but it can even tell you if the aperture is not enough to take a excellent photo, and with 3.1 effective megapixels, your photos will print out better than Kodak prints. ...I now have the Nikon D80 and this has now been promoted to teaching tool for the kids to learn photography. I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting a quality camera at a reasonable price.I also recommend getting a 1GB xd card.
This camera is a real money savor for a family that can only afford 1 camera! Along with the F5000 (a real bargain now) this camera allows a user to learn photography from full auto to full manual without the high expense of film and processing.You don't even need a Video Camera! The vast majority of video that I take of family and other cute stuff are very short in duration. This camera does 30 frame per second (that means it's like TV, without any jerky movement or lost frames) and the clips are already fully digital and ready to transfer to computer or display to tape. Put a lot of short clips together and you have the same thing you would get from a camcorder only it's all in one camera!Hot Shoe - Unfortunately, the S5000 does not include a hot shoe.  That's the only real problem with this camera.The quality of the photos in the S7000 is tremendous. We stopped doing film photos a few years ago when a local processing company destroyed the only two rolls of a friends wedding back east. Naturally, after that the memories of the trip were gone! They only appologized and moved on! With digital, we have never been disappointed.A major plus of the S5000 is the 10x OPTICAL zoom!  (Ignore the digital zoom, it just degrades the quality of the photo anyway!)  The S7000 has a 6x Optical zoom but twice the photo size.  The S5000 is also significantly smaller than the S7000, and may be easier to use for someone with a smaller hand.Both the S5000 and the S7000 are, in my mind, two excellent cameras for the typical family! And a real money saver! I especially like the little graphic in the viewfinder that reminds you that there might be some camera shake and to hold the camera steady! Very cool camera!
If you are looking for a digital camera that is a few steps above basic but aren't quite ready to pony up $800 or $900 for an SLR, look at the Fuji S5000. It has great features and produces quality prints without costing a fortune. My husband and I got our S5000 in May and we LOVE it!  We had been working with a Sony Mavica, which we enjoyed, but we had decided to get something a bit more advanced.  In the S5000 we found exactly what we were looking for.The S5000 has 10x optical zoom plus 2.2x digital zoom which impressed us.  We had to adjust a bit to using this camera since it does have quite a few more features than we were used to but it has been enjoyable playing and learning.  One thing that has taken a bit getting used to is the delay on the shutter.  When you press the button to take a picture, there is a 2-3 second delay which means you may not get the exact picture you intended. At first this was a bit annoying; however, with some practice we have learned to adjust to this.  This camera has the ability to take MPEG video so it gives us the versatility to make a short "movie" and since we have small children this feature has really been fantastic for catching some funny moments that couldn't have been captured with just a single shot alone.One thing I initially was worried about was the quality of the pictures since this camera was "only" 3.1MP.  So far, this has not been a problem.  The pictures that we have had printed thus far have been of very good quality.  While the color is not quite as rich and the pictures are not quite as crisp as what we get from our 35mm, they are much better than what I had expected.A couple of things to think about when budgeting for this camera.  First of all it only comes with a 16MB card which doesn't hold a whole lot of pictures and even less if you do ANY kind of video.  You should definately plan on getting a larger card (we bought a 128MB one).  Also, this camera can use regular alkline batteries but do yourself a favor and buy some rechargable ones.  This camera sucks regular batteries down VERY quickly.  We got rechargable batteries but also keep a small pack of alklines just in case.  Finally, I would recommend getting one of the optional kits that are offered.  Our kit came with a carrying case and battery charger both of which are must haves.
For my money this is a great little Camera for general all around usage, certainly not for high professional use.
I like this camera because:a) Its batteries last for more than just a few pics (so far the first set has taken more than 15 pics).b) It's comfortable to use (nice size and shape) and nice looking.c) It takes great pics. Color is rich and image is realistic.d) It connects easily via USB and the software is simple if a bit more than what i need.e) You can connect it directly to your video viewer (TV, another cam, or VCR) with the included video cable.I don't like that:a) The power switch slides instead of clicking off and on (could leave it on by mistake since its position is always the same).b) You have to switch it to another mode to view pics easily (you CAN see them in the main view, but it's a pain).Excellent buy at $200!
This was my first digital camera and it served me very well for about two years. At the time I bought it, it was a tremendous deal - 3x optical zoom, 3MP for less than $130 - with macro and movie capability.About two months ago, it began eating batteries, even when turned off. I notice a number of other people have also had this problem. Now, I can put brand new batteries in it, take 3 or 4 shots, turn it off, and the next day the batteries are dead. When it was new, I could take 10-20 photos, leave the camera for weeks (sometimes months) and then take many more.On a week-long vacation where I took close to 100 pictures, I used only one set of batteries. Now, a set of batteries usually won't get me through 24 hours, even if I take less than 5 pictures with no flash.I read about another battery defect in a different Fuji model that was helped by taking out and re-inserting the batteries before putting the camera away but haven't had a chance to try it yet.Bob
This is one great camera. My sister who is a professional photograher oftens borrows my Fugifilm because of the ease of use, great quality of pictures and it is compact. I am really impressed that I can finally take a decent picture and now have many of them as my wall paper on my computer.
I recieved this camera as a gift about 2 years ago when i just started getting into photography. It's a very easy to use "snapshot camera" because theres not a whole lot of settings to change yet you still can get quality pictures. With the right lighting and atmosphere you can even create photos that look like they were done by professionals. Time and time again people have been amazed that my photos were taken with such a simple camera. I will try to submit some of my photos on amazon.I also have dropped this camera at least 5 or 6 times and it still continued to work. One time i dropped it and the lens would not retract but this was only because the lens became unaligned. After popping it straight it worked perfectly. Only when the wind took it and caused it to hit some blacktop did i finally have to have the LCD screen replaced because it cracked.The video quality is at a small resolution but i had no issues with that, only disappointed because there was no sound on it. I did have some issues with the exposure time because you cannot control it. You can only get long exposure on night shots and even then its only about 3 seconds of exposure. Would have been nice to have more control over that but as i said not expected with a snapshot type camera.Overall i was really impressed with Fujifilm and would recommend a camera like this for those who take a lot of snapshots. As for those getting into photography, its a nice starter camera but it needs an upgrade to open up how creative you can get with it. I just bought a canon S3 IS so we will see how that works out.
I put fresh rechargable batteries into this camera Christmas Eve, then didn't use it.  The next day, the red battery light was on when I tried the first photo.  Of course, waiting for the camera to green light you for a photo takes at least 7 seconds -- no joke -- which burns battery and wastes many an opportunity. Even at lower resolutions, reload is a huge problem -- downloading the photos to disk to empty the card is no help. I took one photo at Christmas because I didn't bring spare batteries.  If you didn't know better, you would think this camera was made at the dawn of digital technology, and you were the caveman that got suckered into buying it.I rarely get a good photo out of this camera, and I used to enjoy a rep as the reliable family photographer -- no more. The zoom is useless as it moves by gigantic distances and can't be backed up in any smaller increment.  It makes a noise like its moving, but I think it has two settings; close and closer -- nothing in between.There is simply nothing about this camera worth your time.  Its so painful to use, you never do and might as well not own a camera.  Its also pretty massive and makes you look like a tourist ready to get robbed wherever you take it.
I got this camera with "reward points" from my credit card.  What a waste of points.  It's clunky, pictures turn out grainy, and it eats batteries for breakfast.  I'm about to Freecycle mine.  Adious "FinePix."
This thing is a steal!!!!  Easy to use, great pictures, great software, small and light.  The only problem that I have with this camera is that i had to buy a rechargable batteries.  Also be sure to pick up the cradle.
This camera is great as a starter digital camera, especially for people who are usually afraid of photography.  The camera body is easy to hold and the buttons are laid out user-friendlily.  It's the usual snap-and-go type, and anyone who half a brain can use the basic functions after picking it up.  The memory cards have come down *a lot* in price so there's no reason to whine any more.  BTW, speaking of price, the A210 can be had for under one-fifty if you shop around.  For that price this is simply the best 3MP camera.Image quality is excellent outdoors when light is aplenty.  Night shots do tend to be dark and noisy (noise refers to the coarse-grained color dots you see in a poorly exposed picture).  But after you read the manual you can do things to improve night shots.  Besides, no camera takes great picures when there's insufficient light.
At the current sale price of $129, this camera costs about the same as an equivalent film point and shoot camera. If you are looking for a digital camera for everyday snapshots, this is the BEST DEAL available. If you are looking for a digital camera with professional quality pictures,this is not for you.This camera takes two AA batteries and is good for around 20 pictures.  If you don't have one, get a battery charger with four rechargeable batteries.
For today it is a very old camera and only good as a gift for kids. I have it for 4 years and it is still working. The only problem we have is some kind of abrasion on the lense which gives a glare on the images so we are not using it any more. It has a macro option and video capability without sound. Picture quality is good for outdoors. The flash is not powerful so not recommended for indoors. I was amazed to see that they still have some on sale.
I have used my Fugifilm A210 for two years now, here are some observations.It is a much better camera than my first digital (1.3 MP Olympus).The 16 MB memory is not enough, but 1 GB memory can be had for $30. I have found that 256MB is plenty.It does take a while to store pictures and calculate focus and exposure, so I have lost oportunities for good shots because of this, but I have still captured crisp, colorful images.I recommend you always carry spare batteries, but at least AA batteries are cheap and can be found anywhere.My A210 has survived trips from the boundary waters (MN) to the summit of Mt. Fuji (Japan).All that said, today (March 2007) you can find many better cameras for about $100. I just placed an order for a Fujifilm V10 for $125. It promises to provide better performance in a pocket size package.If you don't mind carrying a bigger camera, my choice would be a Canon Rebel XP. This camera has fine optics and Canon's Digic II chip allows rapid fire shooting. For the street price of $575 this is a good value.
Great deal for the money. Other user's are right about buying a charger with rechargeable batteries, and a larger memory card. It comes with 2 alkaline batteries, they won't last long, especially if you play around with it like I did. I just got mine a few days ago. I noticed leaving the display off helps to save on batteries a little though. I love mine, I would recomend buying the power adapter for the camera too for when you download the pictures onto you're computer, I think that's also where the camera uses a extra battery power too. I just ordered a 128MB picture card and a charger with 4 batteries for mine.
The camera did not work. Its very thick too. I lost my money! Cheap is not always best! I bought it because the reviews were good but that was my mistake.
The manufacturer's rating of this camera, at >260 frames per battery set with LCD on, is a complete fraud.  I have never managed to get more than 15 frames out a freshly charged high-capacity new battery set and I had this camera exhaust the set in just 3 frames.  The zoom jumps discontinuously, often preventing one from using an optimal setting.
I have owned several digital cameras and bought this as a low-end bang around every day use camera.  Takes great pictures and is easy to use.  Battery use is not really that bad, although I do recommend getting rechargeables.  The case design is not all it could be....is a little blocky
Very basic review: I have shot 35mm since 1978. This camera is my first experience in the world of digital photography. I've only had it a week or so, but I am *very* impressed with its versatility - allowing full auto mode or my choice in manual set up. Picture quality is so much better than expected. I'm enjoying very much working with my photos at home instead of picking them up "developed" at the local drugstore. Highly recommended.
I've used a pretty wide range of digital cameras so I feel comfortable grading the Finepix 210 a solid 3, possibly a 3.5. I bypassed inexpensive 2MP cameras to make the jump to this, one of the least expensive 3MP ones around that had decent reviews.After using it I can say that it is definitely lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Nikon Coolpix 3100. I only use it at the highest quality level and even closeups for portraits are obviously not razor sharp like I've become accustomed to with the 3MP Nikon and Sony products.On the other hand this camera is at least $50-$70 less than the competitors and when accessories are factored in I was able to get the camera, a 128MB xd card and the handy USB cradle (with rechargeable battery) for $100 less than I could've with Nikon or Sony.The bottom line: this is a decent camera that puts 3MP in reach of the average casual user but it is not very sharp.
Fuji 2600 sold very good in 2001 because it was cheap & solid camera (with below average build quality). They removed some features and downgraded its screen & lens speed to make 2650 in 2002 even cheaper. Come 2003 they have added video-out/3MP and futher downgraded it, made it uglier and zero innovation.Basically its gotten thicker (well above 2 inches), poor night capability, grainy LCD, cheapo plastic body, expensive xD cards and average build quality. The picture quality in daylight is very good though. Battery life and user interface are also good.Meanwhile cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon and other companies have improved a lot, added many features and have gotten cheaper. Right now Canon A60/A70 is much better option.Ofcourse first time users (who never had a digital camera before) will give it 5 stars and will be very happy.
I am so pleased with this camera, and I love the program. The only thing I wish it had voice when you are recording movies. The program is easy and I know where my pictures are. I had Kodak easy share, and I spend hours locating my pictures. I am still learning how to operate it, but I am happy with it, so I had to let you know.
Camera was exactly as described. It arrived quickly and was very well packaged. Seller was concerned over the absence of a user guide and emailed me to check if I still wanted the purchase. I advised that it was not an issue because I was replacing the exact item and already had a user manual. I felt that extra touch showed a touch of class.
This camera takes pretty decent pictures for it's resolution and pricepoint. The included software is also good. Definitely get a larger memory card & the rechargable batteries, though; it sucks up lots of memory for higher-quality pictures and the batteries don't last as long because of that.I love the super-zoom feature on it, that you can override the 3x zoom by continuing to press on the zoom.
I caught this at Amazon during a clearance sale for $84 and am thrilled with the purchase. I'll mostly be using it for closeup for auction site products, and it does an excellent job of showing details at very close range. It pays to read the instruction manual carefully, as there are several options for non-flash low light photography (useful for avoiding glare off shiny objects).My only complaint is that the user has to be careful about running down the batteries. Once they get below a certain level the camera simply stops working for low-light conditions.  This applies equally if you are using cheap replacement types, even fresh out of the package. My advice is that you replace your good batteries for rundown ones (a very simple proceedure) when you are reviewing or uploading shots, then switch back to ensure proper voltage when it comes picture-taking time.Other than that, absolutely no problems. The fact that it is thick actually enhances its cach&eacute;: I take photos of other people's products and it looks very professional mounted on a tripod, something that slimline digital camera versions can't claim.
I got this camera free w/my purchase of my Dell computer...it is AWESOME!  I already own a Sony Mavica but this camera (Fuji) takes WONDERFULLY clearer pictures and it's just all around a better camera.  It is a nice compact camera.  I love shooting the little video clips so I can send them to family/friends online!  You can also plug the camera into your tv/vcr and watch a slideshow of your pics/videos!  It's a great product!  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I bought my camera several years ago at Wal-Mart and I have to say I have never really liked it.  It eats batteries like crazy, even the rechargable ones.  The only battery I have found to not go dead within two to three photos is Duracel.  Also, the quality of photos is not that great, especially indoors.  I took this camera with me to Amarillo, Texas and I finally gave up trying to take photos with it and bought a throw-away camera which worked fine.  I am currently shopping for a new digital camera and have given this one away as it wasn't worth selling.
I got my camera in 2004, brand new. Excellent macro mode (I must say incredible)  outside shots were always terrible, regardless of know how- absolutely terrible. I even found distortion, beyond bad coloring and proper focus, as it turned out, finding photos to compare to was about the same, with same camera, and others called it good. One day I decided to use the lense cleaner that came with my kit. I scratched the plastic lense with the soft cloth! Downhill from there, I tortured myself to get as many pictures as I could before it was no good (it literally got worse on its own). The 2mp is plenty, and worked great while it lasted. I found an 2mp olympus in same price range, with all glass lenses, and that is where I am headed.For the possibly 200 dollars these started off as, go get the glass lense version at a minumum. I do not recommend this a205 camera, and the servicing costs are phenomonal. I did not get the 3 years I expect from an electronic item as well.
We had two digital cameras in our household: an Olympus Camedia D40Z and a Pentax Optio S4. We bought the FujiFilm FinePix A205 a little over a week ago. My son and I spent two days looking online for a digital camera in the $100 price range. (This camera was purchased for him from his savings). Many of the cameras that we found in this price range were very limited. The A205 was a stand out from the rest. It even has a few features that our more expensive two-year-old Olympus doesn't have. My son was able to figure out how to use it quickly. The picture quality and battery life have been very good. (Although as other reviewers have said here and elsewhere, buy rechargeable batteries and a charger). Really an excellent first digital camera.
I bought this camera because of the price, but when comparing the pictures with my 1.3 MP Sony I relized the Sony took much better pictures (even though the Sony has no zoom and has a lower resolution.)My first problem with the camera was the aforementioned low light problem.  My apartment gets plenty of light, but the picture still came out extremely grainy.  Also, due to the positioning of the flash so close to the lens, any dust floating in the air shows up as large white spots on the picture.The focus also didn't quite seem to focus as well as it should have.  I took the camera back after having it for 3 hours.Just remember: you get what you pay for.
Our toddler loves this camera. It has a view finder that he loves as it makes him see his subjects in the bright sunlight.
I bought this camera mainly to take pictures of my kids as they grow up, and to satisfy the clamoring from relatives for pictures of the kids.  In both indoor and outdoor lighting, I've taken a whole bunch of great pictures, and I have no particular training or even track record of taking good pictures with previous cameras I owned.  The software that comes with the camera is pretty easy to use and install, and I have an aging G3 Mac, so that's not a small accomplishment.I have found that for indoor shots, there is a delay between when the electronic shutter button is pressed and the image is captured.  I attribute this to the camera adjusting to the light.  With small children that simply don't sit still, or for other indoor pictures, this can be a bit of an inconvenience.  The delay isn't so bad that I usually get the shot I was expecting, and the image quality is good.Given the low price for this camera, I've found it to be an excellent value.
I bought this camera based solely on the Fuji name, since I have had good experiences with them in the past.  This camera was extremely easy to set up, and since it was my first digital camera, it was really important for me to not have to read a big thick manual just to take a picture.  For the price I paid, I think I got way more than I could have, had I bought a similar camera by a different company.  The pictures are crisp, clear, and contrary to what another reviewer mentioned, I have had no problems with the flash.  Since I am a beginner, I was quite suprised at how good the pictures came out!  My alkaline batteries started to die within the first day, but I think that was because I had the camera on pretty much all day, since I was taking pictures os everything.  I purchased some rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, and so far, my battery light hasn't come on, and I've had them in for 5 days.  Anyways, if you're not looking for a top-of-the-line 5 MP camera, and just want a camera that takes really good pictures for not very much money, I would definitely go for this camera.
This is really a great camera! I've had it since 04' & its still perfect!
We got this camera as a Christmas gift two years ago or so.  It has lasted very nicely, which is more than you can say for most electronic gadgets nowadays.  I am passing it on to my spouse as I have just gotten a newer camera.  How often can you say that about an electronic toy?  I totally recommend this as a first or spare digital camera.
The Fuji Finepix A205 is a very nice digital camera for those not ready to purchase a more advanced model yet.  It's a nice and very affordable way to get started in digital photography.  It takes generally pleasant pictures both indoors and out, and it's very easy to use.  The build quality is also very good.If you are looking for a &quot;serious&quot; digital camera, however, go for one with at least 3MP, preferably 4MP. (But 5MP or more might be an overkill.)  2MP resolution gives you decent 4x6&quot; prints, but if you start cropping a little, you'll wish you had more pixels to work with.
Great digital camera Everything is as advertised. However sometimes it can't fit in your pocket because it's a little chunky.
I got this camera for free, when i bought a computer from dell. I was pretty happy with it from the get-go, however a few days later i got the zoom-error screen when i dropped it. I couldnt get it to work no matter what- so i called dell and they sent me another one, no hassle. However the new one now is acting up. the lens cover that slides back across the camera has some sort of sensor behind it, that tells the lens to come out, and mine doesnt work all the time, so i have to work the cover back and forth until it catches correctly. ANNOYING! it always happens when the baby is making a cute face ...I think it does take really great pictures, although with the littlescreen you cant always tell the quality of pic, i havent been dissapointed when i downloaded to computer. THey always look crisp, and colorful like a decent camera should.As far as the features on the camera, it is very easy to usewith minimal buttons, easy to find the menu buttons.with the 16mb fuji xd picture card that came with mine, you have 3 options for photos:3mp 25 photos-1mp 33 photos-.3mp 122 photos.i think i usually use the 1mp option, and the pics are really nice. ive used the .3 option also and they honestly arent bad, they look like 2 mp. to me. ive not yet opted to buy a bigger card, although i guess i would if i was going away and planned on taking lots of pics.i like that you dont have to use the fuji photo program to download the pics, i just plug in the usb, and the computer automatically recognizes it as a removable device, you can dowmload straight from the wizard and send them to my pics.you will need to buy rechargables for this baby, as the flash eats up lots of power. i think i took maybe 15 pics and the battery was low. I went to wal-mart and bought a cheapie rechargable set, and they really last longer per use than the others. now i can go probably 3 rounds with the camera before it goes low.to sun it up, i do like the camera, but its not reliable enough for me to say i woould buy another one. its very plastic and lightweight, wheras i would feel safer with a smaller denser one. however if you do think the price is right and want to risk the errors, it has good features.
This was my first digital camera and I still use it. The ease of use and price were a couple of the factors I considered when I purchased this product. It is pretty much point and shoot. It's also lightweight and small enough to carry around if you're more of a vacation photographer.
I wanted an inexpensive and fairly small 2-megapixel digital camera for vacations and outdoor use, and at less than $100, this camera is beyond what I was hoping for. This is my third digital camera, and it's by far the easiest one to use, plus the image quality is excellent. Excellent, of course, is a relative term in the field of digital cameras... like many low-end cameras, it shoots at the equivalent of 100-speed film, which makes for grainy images if you are not shooting outdoors or with a good amount of light, but the flash does a great job and it's really not hard to get good quality images. If you want to take fine art photos, you need a much more expensive camera anyway. A big plus for this one is the 3x optical zoom. Most low end digital cameras only offer digital zoom, but don't let them fool you-- digital zoom is exactly the same thing as cropping your pictures and does not actually make them better. Also, many low-end cameras have a fixed focus, which will make all of your photos come out looking rather flat. The Fuji 205, while it has no maunal f-stop (aperture control) or focus, self adjusts these things to take nice pictures with the subject in focus and the background slightly out of focus. Full manual control is nice for some things, but for point and shoot, you can't beat the simplicity of this camera. Plus, I don't have to worry too much about taking it along when I go somewhere I wouldn't want my $450 camera to go, like the beach or on a boat.As far as battery life, please do yourself a favor if you are buying ANY digital camera and get NiMH rechargable batteries. Alkaline batteries are simply wasted in a digital camera... they are not strong enough and you are throwing your money away if you try to use them. Get a quick charger and 2 sets of batteries, and you'll be happy and save money.Pros: a quality camera that takes good pictures at a great price.Cons: needs lots of light, no manual controls
I'm no electronics expert but this is a great camera for the price!  It's super easy to use and takes excellent pictures.I'd highly recommend upgrading your memory card right away (I got a 250MB card).  It will add greatly to the usability of your camera because you won't always be running out of pictures.I did recently experience the dreaded "zoom error" that others have complained about after accidentally dropping the camera on a hardwood floor.  After reading some of the advice on CNET.com, I tried a to pull the zoom lens out with my fingers--and it worked!  Seems that this error represents the lens getting "out of alignment."  I was amazed that after dropping this camera hard on the floor, I was able to get it to work by simply pulling on the lens to pop it back into realignment. There was no permanent damage and the camera works just as well as it did before.I am very happy with this camera. Thanks, Fuji :)
I recieved this camera free with my dell computer and I used it for 3 years and loved it because it is so easy to use. Then I dropped it. So I bought another one, and i love it just as well. Life is too complicated to use something that is difficult to understand. I never remember to recharge the batteries, so I buy disposables.
I'm a total newbie to digital photography.  I do maintain web pages for my students (college writing) and figured a good &quot;starter&quot; camera would be a good investment.  I came across this one through an Amazon deal.It was priced well within my budget, under $100.00, and was a nice little complete package.  (Even with batteries!)  Instructions were clear, and it's basically usable right out of the box.  It comes with PC software that makes it easy to transfer your pics to your PC.  And, a nice surprise, they even included the USB cable!Well, it's so simple to use you think you're doing something wrong.  I've had it for a couple weeks and tried both indoor and outdoor shooting.  The zoom is very easy to use, and it's very simple to immediately check out your shots.  It's got all the features of a moderately priced, film camera (red eye, auto focus/flash, etc.)  Only personal glitch for me...there is a momentary delay between pushing the button and the actual shot, which I learned the hard way by taking shots of my daughter riding her horse.  I had a couple of my daughter actually riding OUT of the frame.  Still...more my mistake than the cameras.  Still, this is easy to adjust to, and other pictures came out fine.I'm no pro with photography, but this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone wanting to cut their teeth on taking digipics.  I still need to find a camera case for it, but that's easy to do.  Somehow, I'm sure Amazon will manage to add accessories to my page...  :-)Try it out!
I love this camera and I always go back for more. i love the pictures it makes. I use it for close up so I can sell items on Ebay and the pictures always look good. I wish they would make them still so all I can get is used ones and I have no way of konwing how many times it has been used. I have trouble with them lasting very long since they are used but I can get them at an affordable price and I can count on at least getting my money's worth out of it. It is getting harder to find the picture card at a affordable price but other than that. I like the ease of the point and shoot that is part of this camera.
It is a very simple camera that anyone can use. But it is not fancy and high-tech. It does what it is suppose to do.
I've been thinking and thinking and thinking of buying a digital camera for a long time, but kept putting it off. Everytime I saw something that looked promising, it seems there was a purchase killer somewhere-too expensive, no LCD display, too few pixels, whatever-and I kept passing.Then my sister told me she was getting a grant from her school to take her kids on several field trips and had $100 to spend on disposable film cameras. Then the light bulb came on over my head. Why not get a digital camera, said I? So I rounded up the usual web sites for research, came upon the FujiFilm A205, and was impressed by the specs. Where, oh where, thought I, can I find some reliable real world reviews? Amazon, of course. After reading the reviews I bought the camera and a 64Mb memory card and I'm delighted with the results.You need not hesitate any longer if you've been considering getting a digital camera. This camera is a real bargain. Picture quality exceeds my expectations, and I've even taken a few experimental pics at night and with a little more refinement of technique, I'll even be getting better night shots.
Since I'm on a college budget, I needed to get an inexpensive camera so I could take pictures during the Thanksgiving Break.  My requirments were at least 2 megapixals and decent image quality.  I read a number of digial camera reviews and decided to pick up the Fuji Finepix A205.  My first thoughts of the camera was the bulk; it's quite thick but it is light weight.  Not something you would want to stick in your pants or shirt pocket though.  The buttons on the camera do feel cheap, but it was only $150 so what?Other than those small gripes, the camera takes excellent pictures but only in well lit environments.  Outdoor pictures are really nice.  Indoor shots can end up grainy if there isn't alot of light and I mean A LOT OF LIGHT.  The flash is only effective in close range (at least 5ft to 6ft)  Anything beyond that, make sure the environment is well lit or your subject is close.Macro mode just takes a press of the button and it works really well.  There is also a movie mode, but forget about using it unless the room is very very very very well lit.Comparing indoor shots taken with the A205 and a 3MP Sony digital camera, the A205 images were less grainy than the Sony's, but the Sony's pictures were brighter because of the better flash.In conclusion, the Fuji Finepix A205 takes very excellent pictures outdoors and indoors in bright light or when the subject is close to the camera with the flash.  I could only give it 3 stars for the poor flash performance.
I bought this camera brand new in late 2003 to become more "modern".  I didn't really need a digital camera, but I wanted one.  Now, more than 4 years later I have thousands of pictures on my PC that are priceless.  The camera finally died 2 months ago and I've replaced it with a 10 MP Nikon Coolpix.  Although this camera is now considered bulky by today's standards, and the LCD screen is now considered tiny (1.5") I can't just toss this camera away.  It's served me very well the last few years, so I guess it'll just take up drawer space.  It's taken excellent pictures, but it took a little getting used to.  To focus on anything, you have to press the button down "half-way".  Try saying that to someone who's not used to digital cameras.  Most of the blurry pictures occured because of that.  Want to take pictures of your kids playing sports?  Faggedaboutit!  Action shots come out blurry.  Not enough light?  You'll get grainy pics.  Like to take videos?  Hope you do it in bright sunlight and don't need sound.  All-in-all this camera has gained my respect and takes great pictures under ideal conditions.  A perfect starter camera.
I've had two of these cameras, both lost their ability to focus after 11-13 months of use (no drops or any extreme use).  They aren't dirty or abused, the simply loose track of where the lens is (the computer moves it in and out to focus) and every (yes every) shot is blurred.I'd recommend another camera.
The A205 is easy to operate and renders sharp images for web or prints. The case is bulky by todays standards, but I use a tripod mostly. I have no complaint with functionality after 6+ years of use, and I still employ it for online auctions and my business website content. I find the viewfinder and recharging/download cradle very convenient, I wish my other Fuji camera had them. A205's can be found for as little as $30 today. I have had no problems at all with it.
its a great little camera, specially for the price. i use it as my position in my college student government to keep track of my class's 4 years. it has the basic uses. its not as great as the few hundred dollar digital camera my parents have (which has a million more features) but if u want an easy point and shoot w/ great pictures and easy to use features this is definitely a great camera to get for any age.
We bought one because it was cheap and thought we would save up and buy a better one later. For our useage it is perfect. It takesgreat shots with little interaction from the user. The pics are sharp and clear and the color is great. It comes with excellent software as well. We have given up thoughts of buying a different one. You can't go wrong for the buck!
This camera has worked well for me both indoors and out.  It is easy to use and the user interface is staightforward and simple to navigate.  It has more than enough flash/focus options for most users.  I never enlarge photos so 2 MP is more than enough.  Anything more is expensive overkill.  It is not the most compact camera, but this is a compromise that I accept given its relatively low price.
Im going to make my review short and simple. This is a good little digital camera and you can't beat the price. But...if you ave a digital camera you already know that they eat batteries faster thanfat albert would eat a cookie. I had to save money for rechargeable batteries because it drains the batteries so fast.
this is a good camera at a real good price (i got it for $79.99 only!). The only real issue is that its VERY big compared to other digital cameras and has a manual shutter which can be a bit annoying !.Otherwise for $80 you can't ask for more. the picture quality is pretty good and prints from it look great too!. The zoom is nice and the LCD pretty good. Doesn't hog that much battery too!!
I bought this camera oddly enough, on ebay.  I did not need a 5 or 7 megapixel camera.  I just wanted to get rid of my film cameras.  So I bought it and it works just fine.  Has .3, 1 and 2 megapixel modes.  Works fine for my use and I don't need to spend a lot of money just for a higher megapixel camera.
Fuji 2600 sold very good in 2001 because it was cheap & solid camera (with below average build quality). They removed some features and downgraded its screen & lens speed to make 2650 in 2002 even cheaper. Come 2003 they have added video-out and futher downgraded it, made it uglier and zero innovation.Basically its gotten thicker (well above 2 inches), even worse lens, poor night capability, grainy LCD, cheapo plastic body, expensive xD cards and average build quality. The picture quality in daylight is very good though. Battery life and user interface are also good.Meanwhile cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon and other companies have improved a lot, added many features and have gotten cheaper. Right now Canon A60/A70 is much better option.Ofcourse first time users (who never had a digital camera before) will give it 5 stars and will be very happy.
I did all the research, read all the reviews and decided on the FujiFilm FinePix A205, to replace my Kodak digital which was no longer compatible with my new computer.  I've had it a couple of weeks now and can't complain.  I actually bought it to do minor stuff, but am finding more and more, I want to use it to take my nature photos for print.The picture quality is not bad at all.  I went to a local garden and took a beautiful shot which I've since blown up and framed.  It does use batteries fairly quickly, (I needed a new set after about 20 {give or take} photos.)  So to invest in rechargeable batteries is probably going to be a good idea.I haven't used the movie clip option yet, but as far as the pics, I've actually been amazed, that for the price, the pics are clear, crisp and suitable for my amateur photography efforts. The zoom feature is not as good as I would like, but you can compensate for that somewhat, by adjusting your distance from the object you are trying to photograph.It comes with Roxio Photo Suite, which makes editing photos easy.  I like that program too.  The pics load easily to the computer for easy viewing, then bring them up with Roxio to edit and print, e-mail or whatever.I think for the price this a really good value as far as ease of use and performance.
This camera takes quite nice pictures under the proper environment and settings. If one is outdoors with lots of light or if one uses the flash with the LCD turned off, then the pictures produced usually turn out very well.  However, if one is indoors and uses the LCD to compose the shot, then pictures can get blurry. What seems to happen in this case is that once one gets a focus lock on the subject, if the subject moves after the focus lock is registered, the photos end up blurry.  To avoid this is to turn off the LCD and rely on the viewfinder. Pictures end up clearer this way, however, that way the way one sees the image appear in the viewfinder isn't a true representation of the image like it would be if composed by the LCD screen.
I bought this camera about 2 weeks ago. It's a pretty good one. Picture quality for outdoors are excellent, even it only has 2MP. But indoor pictures are not very clear. Anyway, what do you expect for a $100 DC?. I am very satisfied with it.
I owned one of these several years ago and loved it.  The pictures were perfectly exposed and in focus most of the time--very few badduns.  5MP was plenty and I suspect it would be plenty today for most applications.  If you want to enlarge to billboard size, Hasselblad are coming out with a monster 60MP camera.  The little swivel screen made Macro work easy and this camera gets in close.  Feels high end quality and easy to hold.  Downside--its old tech and very slow firing up and getting ready for the next shot.  Would I buy a new one today?  Probably not, but it seems that the newer P series suffer from all kinds of glitches and lots of one-star raters who got lemons. So if you are not in a hurry, like solid "Made in Japan" old school Nikon quality this may have been the last of the Mohicans.  5 Stars for this one if you take into account how ancient it is (2005?).
You do not want to get any Nikon cameras from the last 4~5 years. Most of them use the SONY CCD sensor, which has been failing like crazy as of late. Of course, for the 5400, Nikon finally fessed up and decided to issue a service advisory. But the company's repair record is so spotty that I've decided never to buy a Nikon again. They tried to "fix" my sensor the 1st, and ended up breaking the control system. My camera is now in for its 3rd "redo."Don't buy this camera unless you like non-functioning cameras and nonexistent service.
I bought this camera because of the price.  I had a Canon, a 75, which I liked for the size, but was only three megapixel.  I got this camera for about 275 after rebate.This camera takes great photographs and has good battery life.  Has a ton of manual features, which is great with digital season experiment and learn about shutter speed, aperture etc.one thing to keep in mind when buying this camera or any other Nikon is that they use battery packs and not AA or AAA batteries, which makes getting juice one on the run difficult.  I own a Nikon 8700 eight megapixel camera.  It is just awesome, and this one is similar.  Shutter lag can be a hassle to deal with less than the second I believe, but not as snappy as SLR.One thing the body is made of metal, which I enjoy makes it feel rugged and safe plus the flash is built in and not a pop up super bonus.If you buy and I think you'll enjoy this camera.  Check the reviews online for all the specifics.  Peace out
I had a Sony 1 MP camera before I was given this one, and I'll tell you 5 MP is a big diffrence! The camera has all kinds of settings, but they aren't realy good, the indoor settings have a slow shutter speed so the pictures almost always come out blured or they don't work with the flash. If you want to take a good indoor picture you need a tripod, and your subject must not move for several seconds. I learned the best setting is M, it has a fairly quick shutter speed, and you can turn the flash on, off, or there is a good red-eye reduction setting.
In response to "that guy" who said " don't listen to this guy who said it is a step backwards". This is a review of a camera not a judgement of people and their eyesight or if they knock the camera they "can't afford it or don't understand it.As stated I have years of photographic experience and compared the camera to the Nikon Coolpix 990. I have had the 990 since the first day it came out (about 3 years ago) and it has been one of Nikons biggest selling digital for many reasons. I also campared it to the camera it's ment to replace , the Coolpix 5000.In my review I stated many people will like this camera and it does take good pictures, but compared to the new technology that's out there and the compitition from other camera makers (Canons new G5 for instance, and I don't own any Canon products) the 5400 as a whole is a disappiontment.People shouldn't write a review based on having a product for a week and comparing it to nothing.I've used Nikons for over twenty years. I have always expected improvements with new models and most time they didn't disappoint. I loved (and still do) my Coolpix 990. The 5400 is a downer.First, it's made in Korea! The smaller sensor is stretched for quality. The dull 1.5" LCD screen is also a step in the wrong direction (if you can even see the image on it). Nikon's older 5000 had a larger chip and 1.8" screen. Nikon should be making better cameras. Cameras with larger chips and a nice 2" LCD (don't be fooled when they say the smaller chip is better technology, not!) Many people will love this camera and say they get great pictures with it. With the right know-how and software you can get excellnt images with a 2-3 MP camera. It's cute and does have a great amount of features (why I gave it 3 stars). If you want better images get one of the new SLR's.For your money stay with what you have ( 2-3 MP) or spend half the money and get a 3 or 4 MP (from [Amazon.com]) and wait for a better product from Nikon or something from the competition that's more reasonably priced...
Got a $200 rebate from Nikon on this camera and couldn't pass it up and never happier.  Very good all around performance, a few small problems (no Focus Assist light and fairly small LCD are some) but overall a solid camera with a lot of features and unbeatable at the price.For those who are having problems focusing in low light I have to ask, are you shooting on a tripod or by hand?  Take advantage of the nice feature whereby this camera shows you the exposure time right on the LCD when taking pictures, at medium and low light levels the camera will often have an exposure time of 1 second or more, this will lead to a blurry shot if it's not heald perfectly steady.If you are having blurry shots at low light, try the same shot on a tripod or just sitting on something solid, I bet the shot will be crystal clear and very bright (I took some late twilight shots tonight and they look almost like midday with the right settings!).Many features seems advanced for a camera of this price range, and sometimes at the cost of point and shoot ability, but if you are looking for a good prosumer level camera I have to say this feels like a solid bet.
I have owned the NikonE5400 for many years now and it has served me well.  Of course it has it short comings, but for it's new price of $99 I don't think you could ask for more.PROS:1. The picture quality is outstanding.  Most people cannot believe I used a point and click when they see the pictures I have taken.  Just go to Flickr.com and check out pictures taken with the E5400 to see for yourself.2. It has a large number of useful features for it's price.  Aperture and shutter priority, Programmed auto, and Full Manual along with more than 10 preset modes including multi-directional panorama, and other surprisingly useful modes.  You will not be disappointed with the scene options.3. Macro is incredible. Being unable to afford a 600 or 700 dollar Macro lens for my D-SLR I sometimes find myself still using the Coolpix 5400 for macro shots.  This is where the camera really shines.  I can literally touch the subject with the lens and still get focus most of the time in good lighting.4. Easy to use.  Important features are all easily accessible.5. Price.  If your looking for a good point and click with lots of features and good image quality for less than a hundred this old lady will treat you right.  Also keep in mind that most accessories are extremely cheap as well.6. ISO 50-400 could be considered a bad thing but it means the camera is well equipped to take excellent photos in good to cloudy lighting and fair indoor lighting.  Even modern point and click cameras take poor, grainy pictures with any higher ISO anyways.7. Flip-out LCD screen with huge range of motion. It flips out all the way and rotates 360 degrees allowing for all manner of camera angles. Need a mirror? Just flip out the screen and point the camera at yourself.8. Many affordable accessories.9. It has a video mode with sound. This is a gimmick however, I wouldn't record anything important with it.CONS:Keep in mind this is an outdated camera, so it's cons in the modern market may be more than you can take.1. 5.1 MP, which means the images can only be enlarged so much.  This also means that the digital zoom (beyond the normal 4x zoom) is nearly worthless.2. The battery life of the Nikon EL-E1 battery which comes with it is fairly short.  I would recommend purchasing 1 or 2 3rd party battery replacements (you can buy 2 for less than 10 dollars from a 3rd party that have twice the battery life).2. FPS.  When not on continuous shot mode (or one of it's numerous other multiple pic shot modes) it takes pictures fairly slowly.  One of my biggest annoyances with this camera was the 1-3 seconds between pictures in single shot mode.3. Start-up time. Plan on waiting 2-4 seconds before taking your first shot after turning the camera on.4. Crappy viewfinder.  I have always used to LCD screen, which has a little more than 90% accuracy (your photo will be larger than what you see on the LCD screen)5. Has been known to lock up at times.  This is not a normal occurrence but it can be bothersome.  I have found that turning off the camera, removing the battery, then reinserting the battery and turning it back on seems to solve whatever issue the camera is having with little to no loss of images.6. Slow internal picture organizing.  I wouldn't take the time to delete individual pictures from my memory card using the camera.  Just plug it into a computer.  Card formatting is fast enough though.All in all I would still recommend this camera to bargain shoppers looking to take some high quality pictures.  With the price of the camera and 2 new batteries you are looking at a $110 investment with the guarantee of sharp pictures, strong features, and extremely good macro capability in the point and click genre. It's main issues are it's slow picture taking speed and somewhat low megapixels which make it obsolete in today's market.  Because of this you are getting an extremely low price on an otherwise high quality camera.
I decided to try the Nikon 5400. It has delivered consistent, fine images and allows many pre-set modes to shoot as well as manual control. A top piece of equipment with Nikon know-how.
This camera measures roughly 4"x3"x2.5".  It weighs 0.8 lbs with the battery.  As I am 200 lb size man, this camera definitely is compact for me.The camera is powerful.  It has a wide angle lens, standard. The optical zoom is 4x. Shutter speeds range from 10 mins (bulb) to 1/8000 sec (ultra high speed); but, 97% of my shooting uses 1/8 sec to 1/700 sec shutter speeds. f/ values range from 2.8 to 8.0 (8.0 reached at 4x zoom). In 1600x1200 jpg fine picture mode, it can snap 7 frames in 2.7 sec (high speed continuous), or 54  frames in 33.5 sec (low speed continuous). For faster continuous shooting, I recommend using the QuickTime movie mode (includes sound), rather than the ultra high speed continuous mode. The movie mode is 15 fps, 3 mins max at 320x240 pixels or 70 secs max at 640x480 pixels. You can combine and edit the movie clips, using QuickTime Pro software ($30 extra).The camera can be used in fully auto mode, or for the best pictures, you will want to go to the fully manual mode ( this will be a learning experience for the novice).  Also, available, if you need extra high quality pictures (better than jpg), you can use the TIFF 2,592x1,944 pixel mode (5 mega-pixels is also available for the jpg images).The color accuracy of this camera is very high. While photo editing the pictures, I seldom need more than one click of adjustment to achieve perfect color, and half the time , zero adjustment is needed.Auto focus will be 97-100% accurate in average or bright light, but if the light is very dim, then the auto focus quits working. Also, the natural focus of the lens tends to be soft, so that a setting of high image sharpening, + contrast, and +1 color saturation is recommended. The lens has rather low chromatic and linear aberration.The auto ISO sensitivity and the auto white balance of the camera is generally very good , so no manual adjustment is needed or recommended.  Image "noise" is almost zero at ISO's of 50 to 150.The monitor measures 1 1/4" x 7/8" , 1.5" diagonally. It is easy to see the image in bright sunlight, and has good resolution at 134,000 pixels. The monitor is big enough for me - I am nearsighted, but a lot of people would prefer the 1.8" size monitor.I can't give this camera a 5 star rating, because, then you would have to give the professional league cameras a 6 star rating. But, for its size and weight, Nikon has made a very powerful camera.
The Coolpix 5400 is a model that's nearly two years old and, in digital photograpy terms, it's already a dinosaur.  It takes good-quality pictures, better than most tiny point-and-shoots, but compared to Nikon's newer advanced compact digital cameras (8400, 8700, 8800, etc.) and the latest G-series from Canon, it's a very lackluster performer.  I also have issues with the very small (1.5") LCD screen.  The sensor on this camera is small, resulting in picture quality that cannot be compared to cameras with larger sensors.Yes, this is cheap after the $200 rebate, but it's a camera that wasn't great when it was new and is definitely way out-of-date by now, and its picture quality just doesn't do justice to the Nikon brandname.
I have had this camera now for 2 years and I have found that the people do NOT read the manual or do not memorise it. I get very good pictures and it has some great built in features. I love it.
Although I have had years of experience with conventional cameras in both 35mm and medium format, the Nikon Coolpix 5400 is the first digital camera I have owned. I had grown weary of traveling with a 35mm and several lenses, or even more bulky medium format cameras.Other reviewers have amply written about the features of this camera.  I am going to focus on performance.The Coolpix 5400 has good optics.  I have shot the equivalent of several rolls of film on it.  The photos have been crisp, had faithful color rendition without any glaring digital artifacts, and really don't need any software manipulation.  So far, so good.All is not roses, however.  The Coolpix 5400 is very, very, very slow in writing from the a/d converter to the flashcard.  Fire off a bunch of shots in continuous mode and get ready to wait.  And wait some more.  Smokers will have time for a cigarette or two; others could take a short bus ride or file their nails.  It's that bad.  I find this to be inexcusable in a camera sold at the original price point of the 5400.  In fact, a lot of less expensive cameras are quicker.  Canons don't seem to do this as poorly as the Nikon 5400 and Sony with its new V3 may be the fastest prosumer camera on the block for the time being.  I think most other name brands will be quicker also.  I should point out everything is relative: all point and shoot and prosumer digital cameras will be much slower than a digital SLR.Another shortcoming:  the autofocus in dim light problem that has been amply documented by other reviewers.  This has not bothered me that much, but it is a problem to be aware of (this problem is not unique to Nikon).A former shortcoming, the lack of a RAW file format has been rectified.  You can now download firmware enabling RAW files from the Nikon USA website.  It is up to you whether you want to utilize the RAW format.  RAW is essentially uncompressed, but I doubt you'd be able to discern any real differences between a RAW or JPEG photo at normal print size.Were it not for the glitches I listed above, I'd highly recommend the camera to just about anyone.  As it is, the Coolpix 5400 is suitable for someone like a landscape photographer who takes a long time to compose a picture and has some patience; but it's not for the person who wants to take action shots and  review them quickly.The Coolpix 5400 has been recently discontinued by Nikon, and, depending where you shop. the price has dropped from a bit to enormously. That may make its few flaws more acceptable to the new buyer.  My advice: shop around and try to use the camera you are interested in buying as much as possible.  Online reviews can provide a good guide, but you really need to put your hands on a camera and run through the controls to see if it is right for you. What feels good in my hand may not in yours.Hope this has been of some help.
the nikon coolpix 5400 is a solid 5MP, 4x zoom camera with a strong feature set.  but it has a few shortcomings so make sure to consider its competition.pros:- 5MP and 4x optical zoom.- good color response, average resolution for 5MP.- photos have very low noise.- allows a great deal of manual control.- macro mode better than most.- low redeye occurrence.- virtually free of chromatic aberrations.- shadow highlights maintained.- timed exposures up to 10 minutes.- expandable with a boatload of lenses, flashes, and other accessories from nikon.- wider lens than most.- supports CF card types I and II.- flip-out LCD display - protects LCD when not in use.- high resolution LCD with anti-reflective coating that actually works.- very comfortable to hold with a deep hand grip made of soft rubber.- compact body feels solid.- reprogrammable FUNC button, and initial record menu.- above average battery life (i still recommend getting a spare though).cons:- some lens distortion, especially at maximum zoom.- images occasionally appear soft around corners.- slow response interface, non-intuitive menus.- no AF assist light - very puzzling why nikon doesn't provide this.- to add insult to injury, this camera has a hard time focusing in low light so an AF assist light would really come in handy.- average auto focus speed.- buffering issue? the camera locks towards the end of write process.- slow CF write speed / processing.- you're on your own when using manual focus - it doesn't show focus distance.- LCD smaller than competition.- RAW mode not supported.- flimsy cover for CF slot.- no live histogram in record mode.- no support for external Speedlight features such as AF assist or flash zoom.- connectivity options all over the place rather than in a central location.- uses proprietary battery so make sure you add some $$ to your budget to get a spare.- the supplied 16MB CF card is inadequate - again, more $$ for more memory.the coolpix 5400 is a solid camera from nikon with a very strong feature set.  it will produce very good pics in point and shoot mode but still has full manual control if you want to be more creative with your shots.  i've given this a 4-star rating because of two important factors for me: the lack of an AF assist light and the dead time at the end of write process.  i would suggest that you consider the canon g5 and the sony dsc-v1 before committing to the nikon 5400.i hope this helps with your buying decision.  peace.
Bought the camera a couple of years ago.  Worked great (used about 10 times)until a couple of weeks ago, then froze up.  Sent it in for repairs to Nikon Service Center and was informed today it will cost me at least $150.00 +shipping and handling to have fixed as it's out of warranty.  I was not informed what was wrong with the camera.  This camera was well maintained and looks like it just came out of the box.  Perhaps the reviews I have read, about "Made in Korea" were true.  Anyway, I'm very disappointed and hope this isn't a Nikon trend as I have always liked their products....
Make sure you get one made in Japan (with fireware 1.3).because Korea made has focus problem!!!I had both, and return Korea's, which make me nuts.
Had it a little over a year, now the CCD is bad, the pictures it takes are all distorted, ghost like colors, vertical lines. Very disappointed.
There is a reason that you can find the Nikon Coolpix in droves for re-sale. There are SO many other better cameras out there!Lets start with the battery on mine, even when its off it sucks it dry.Now for the card slot door that no-longer likes to stay shut.Finally it is not a good camera for low light areas.I finally bought a Kodak Easy Share DX7630 for 299.00 and it has done wonderful!
I have had this camera for 6 years. For the entire 6, I have been frustrated by the delay in writing the picture. I am not sure how many fps they claim, I am here to tell you it is seconds per frame. There is a 3-10 second delay between each photo. Now, I am just your average user, 4 kids and want good pics of them. I have to admit, when I got the shot, there is no better. I have the wide angle and telephoto lenses and are very happy with those (not happy with the amount of time to change a lenses).My sister purchased a Canon Rebel. After witnessing how fast she could reel off the shots, I dumped this and purchased the XS. For an investment of 700, I now feel I have a much better system than the 5400 ever could have provided. The Nikon is on its way to ebay.I would strongly advise not to buy this camera.
My 5400 was a birthday gift from my wife. She purchased it from an online store (NOT Amazon, as she should have done)who called her for "confirmation" at which time the salesman talked her into a very expensive (over $200) filter add-on which is nearly useless and could be bought elsewhere for under $30. I should have waited for the d70 for just a little more money (actually I now have a d70 and it is amazing!). The 5400 takes great wide-angle shots, so you would think it would be a good camera for interior pictures, but it is hampered by its poor autofocus habits in low light. The 5400 is small, but its odd configuration means you will have to carry it in a larger case than you would expect. Images are generally very good, but the lcd is so small, you won't find it very useful for composition.I also had the same experience as another reviewer, the tiny screws holding one of the strap lugs stripped out and gummed up the lens mechanism. This caused a complete breakdown. As it was just out of warranty, I opted to have it repaired at my expense($150), but now wish I hadn't. Nikon should make good on this issue, as I suspect it is far more common than they will admit. Save your money and buy either a d50 (same $ for new)or if you have an investment in CF cards, go with a d70.
I've heard many negative reports about the 5400 but I am well pleased with mine mostly because of it's many modes and especially manual mode.It's easy to operate and intuitive.
Like the others, my camera just stopped working, without any abuse on my part. Nikon recalled the 5700, which had a similar problem, but won't recall the 5400. I won't be buying another Nikon, even though I really enjoyed it while it worked.It broke just in time for the holidays. Thanks for standing by your product, Nikon.ETA: I sent it in to Nikon and they fixed it in about a week without charging me. It is as good as new!
In response to the made in Korea question, I received my camera a week ago and was terrified to see that it was made in Korea (having read the reviewer's comment).  After a week of unneeded stress, I can personally say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my camera - it works perfectly.  I'm sure the reviewer had a problem with his camera and simpy assumed it was the fact that it was made in Korea.  More realistically, he simply received a lemon camera - it happens.  (Incidently, the &quot;Made in Korea&quot; is located on one side of the box in tiny print, or on the bottom of the camera.)So far this camera has been amazing.  Super wideangle that no comparable competitor can surpass, and great macro capabilities.  I went for this one over the 5700 for that fact (and the price difference - plus having to deal with rebates).  I haven't yet had any reason to worry about the buffer speed as some reviews have nailed it on.  How many times do I need to take 30 continous low res shots in a row (as in, holding down the shutter release) and then turn around and take more shots?  Really, the only major drawbacks to this camera in my opinion, are the optical viewer and the price.  The viewer doesn't cover the entire actual shot taken which can cause you to get a shot you hadn't intended.  So I basically rely on the LCD screen usually.  But isn't that what most people do anyway?  The price is high basically because its a Nikon and built out of good materials.There will be tradeoffs in any camera that you buy, and this one covered most of what I needed.  You really have to look at what you want personally, rather than what a camera review is looking for.
Get this: the eyehole that holds one of the strap ends broke free, and the tiny (internally mounted!) screws that held it in place jiggled their way to the lens mechanism and turned the camera into a paperweight. This was the second instance of fragility. Right after the warrentee expired, the USB port stopped working, so for two years I had to upload via a cardreader.Save your money.
When I saw the Coolpix 5000 in Best Buy in 2002, it was the top-of-the-line prosumer digital camera and I lusted after it. Unfortunately it cost $999. The 5400 is the 5000's replacement and is superior in most ways, and 4 years later, I have my hands on it for a quarter of what the 5000 cost in 2002.In my opinion this is the best wide-angle digicam currently available at the price of $250 used. The Canon G5 is selling for more than this camera purely on its brand name. This camera is pretty much neck and neck with it and you will get a good deal on it because it does not have the Canon logo on it. In short, with the Nikon you sacrifice the faster lens for a wider lens.What I like about the Coolpix 5400:- Nice 28mm wide angle- 5mp is plenty for the 1 1/8" sensor size - do you really think a current 8mp camera can resolve 8mp of detail onto a 1 1/8" sensor?- Fast startup time- Smaller than the G5, too large for a pocket but small enough for a sweatshirt pouch- Good battery - rated only 680mAH but still lasts quite a while, charges quickly, and is easy to pop in and out compared to other cameras that use 4 AAs- RAW support with 1.4 firmware (download from Nikon's website)- Nice array of buttons, not a lot of poking around in the menus necessary, common functions all have a button. Takes some time to learn them all, but once you do they make you faster and more efficient. I even wish it had one or two extra user-definable buttons.- LCD is visible even in direct sunlight, and its small size saves the battery- Flip-and-twist LCD is one of those "How did I ever get by without one of these before" things- Panorama assist is nice, unfortunately it only supports JPEG and not RAW- High quality build, except for the battery & CF compartment covers- Black cameras just look so much cooler than silver onesWhat I don't like about this camera:- Slow lens (max f/2.8, decreases with telephoto)- ISO 50-400 (small 1 1/8" sensor would be too noisy at higher sensitivities)- HORRIBLE low-light camera - no AF assist lamp and if the autofocus even works at all under normal incandescent room lighting, you'll be lucky- Vignetting in the upper left corner at full wide angle and maximum aperture- Colors on the LCD look washed out - many photos that look dull on the LCD actually look fantastic, causing you to question whether the photo you just took is any good- Tripod mount is not centered underneath the lens and is plastic- Doesn't support USB 2- Slow CF write speed- Camera is unresponsive while draining the buffer onto the CF card- Only supports 2GB CF cards max- Locks up too frequently (seemingly every 75 shots when I shoot in RAW and keep taxing the buffer) - have to reinsert the battery and I usually lose a couple of the photos I just took- Slow shutter response and shot-to-shot time - terrible for sports or any kind of action- Very awkward in my hand - I have normal-sized hands and I simply cannot hold this camera securely with one hand. The grip sticks out enough but is too narrow. I have to rest the camera on my pinky to keep it from falling out of my hand.- "Quick review" is not quick since you have to press it twice for it to be usefulEvery camera has strengths and weaknesses, every camera is a tradeoff and this camera makes some "unique" tradeoffs. Overall, it fits me quite well.
Very good quality pictures although it could really use a flash or light. I was never able to get the web cam driver to work properly but it was a good camera for regular pictures.Battery life could be better but just get rechargeable AA batteries always carrying a spare and you'll be set.
I order this camera based on its features, some reviews and doing some research on the net. After a week of exploring its capabilities i found out that its 4 in 1 features are in med level in terms of quality and here it is:1. as a Digital video(camcorder) - support only up to 10fps as a result the video is not smooth and zoom features are not available.2. as a Digital camera - 2MP ok, the pictures are fine as long as you pay attention on the lens when taking pictures. no flash, no optical zoom only 2X digital zoom.3. as a Voice recorder - its a fix sampling rate i don't know what it is. the quality of sound recording is low but you can save more space.4. as a Web camera -  capable only up 20 fps, just good enough for me.Bonus features: as a removable drive, nice 1.5&quot; LCD display, small in size, can be preview on TV, 2 AA batteries, plus its accesories and software package.TAKE NOTE: use this camera only during the day or where there is sufficient light coz it has a very poor results in low light condition.Anyway, who can expect professional results on a less than $150 camera? It's still recommended for enthusiast who's fun of capturing moments. Don't forget to include at least 256MB CF card.
I returned this camcorder. sound quailty was poor and picture lighting was very poor. Camera body itself is made cheaply (all plastic).You would be better off spending a little more.
My 8 year old son has taken beautiful still shots and videos.  This is a daytime camera exclusively.  Indoor low light just doesn't work.  OK crybabies, so it doesn't have a flash and it doesn't work with 1 meg compact flash cards - what do you want for $80?  Keep your expectations tiny and you won't go through life being so whiny.
For the money, this tiny camcorder is a bargain! It has so many features packed into its little frame it amazes me, frankly.I purchased this camera solely for experimentation in shooting video from a moving radio control (R/C) model. So far I have captured several videos and the quality is definitely acceptable at 10 FPS. The sound quality is rather harsh, however. But adding music to the audio, it tones down the harshness.This camcorder will take a lickin' and keep on tickin' as the famous saying goes. By being attached to my r/c cars, this thing has been beaten, scraped, had the lens hood knocked off, jarred while doing jumps, splashed through water, and various other insults while flipping over at 30 mph! It has never failed. It still works great!If you are considering this camcorder for the same reasons, using it in r/c models here is a little tip I discovered: the camera is turned off whenever the LCD screen is closed. It has a plunger attached to the LCD door. By snipping off the plunger, you can then close the LCD door and contine to have the video recording. The camera provides several methods for booting up.I rated the camcorder 5 stars. Not for its video quality so much but more for its use in my desired application. R/C modeling video. For that, it is perfect! It is the size of a pack of Camel cig's and weighs almost nothing. For under $100 bucks you can't go wrong!
If you wish to introduce yourself to digital video (or, for that matter, digital still photography) and have budget considerations then this is the camera for you.  Or, if you wish to have a small / light weight DV/still shot camera to use (sometimes) in place of your larger camera then this is an ideal choice.The &quot;native&quot; still shot resolution is 2 mega-pixels (also with a 3.1 Mega pixel setting, interpolated) and produces quite pleasing and satisfactory images taken in natural (outdoor) light (no flash).The video quality (10 frames per second) is good (all things considered), however, it is unfair to compare this camera's video quality with the excellent results produced by cameras priced hundreds of dollars higher. You can use this camera in places and situations where you would not dare to endanger your high-end camera.The recorded sound (mono) is fine (satisfactory) when played through your computer's sound system (one microphone - no input jacks for external mic).The internal memory only allows for about 3 to 4 minutes of video so a 256 MB (or higher) compact flash card (slot on camera) is highly recommended.The camera may feel flimsy but this is because of its small size and also because it records on ram instead of digital tape so the camera has no weighty mechanical devices inside of it.The still shots are best taken at a distance of 5 to 7 feet away from your subject.  Distances greater than 7 feet are not as crisp.Rechargeable (&quot;AA&quot; type) batteries are recommended and armed with a 256 Meg Compact Flash you will be prepared to have a great deal of fun with this amazing device.Downloading the images is easy using the included proprietary USB cable, or use a compact flash card reader if you have one and have an optional CF card.This camera, just like every other camera, has its limitations. Nevertheless, it is a great value and is an inexpensive way to introduce yourself to digital video/photography. The included software package (check for software updates and patches on the internet) gives you everything you need to start, right out of the box.  It is, in my opinion, the best in its class (under $250 ).
I bought this camera for my wife this Christmas, hoping, with fingers crossed, that the good reviews about it were accurate.  Well, they were!  It works even better than expected!  It does need added memory if you want to record for more than just 5-10 minutes, but you can get an Edge 250mb memory card for under $30 on Amazon!  The people who say that it can't be used indoors must not open their windows - or they live in a place where the sun doesn't ever come into their home.  During daylight hours it records just fine inside!  We recorded hours of holiday activity with no problem! It has even worked at night, as long as we have enough lights on in the room!  It hooks up really easy to our t.v. set, and we have transferred several hours worth of video to tape.  It works great on our computer too.  We had no problems with the software! We have been able to download several videos to our hard drive. The next step is burning those to a disk!  The camera is so small - easy to take anywhere!  It seems durable enough too - just treat it like you should any camera or electronic devise!  I heartily recommend this camera to all of you who want to have video of your kids and family, but always thought you'd have to pay hundreds of dollars to do so!  It just isn't so - with the Aiptek you can do it all for under $100!
I just bought the Aiptek DV3100 and I must say that comparing the quality and features to numerous other digital cameras, this one is equivalent to cameras that cost around $300, not only because it's 3.1 mega pixels. I've owned several digital cameras in the past that have gotten broken, lost, or stolen. I didn't want to fork out several hundred dollars yet again for a camera that might get broken, lost, or stolen. In fact, the quality on this one is better than several digital cameras I've had in the past that cost quite a bit more.Now, this is a &quot;camcorder&quot;, but if you buy it just for the digital camera use, you are way ahead. The camcorder isn't bad, but if you're looking for a digital camcorder, I would spend the extra money and buy a nice one. If you're looking for a basic digital camera that you can point and shoot and take great quality pictures, this is the one. It is extremely lightweight and small and can fit in most pockets.The one downside is that there is no flash. This is a pain because it limits your picture taking to when there is good lighting, but even if the picture turns out too dark, you can always photoshop it.I scored it so high because this was what I was looking for at a cheaper price range than I was expecting to go. I didn't give it a perfect because of the flash and because of the camcorder quality being less than 100%.
When I got this camera I didnt read that it didnt have a flash, BIG MISTAKE.  When you take pictures inside they always turn out to dark and are really grainy.  We took a trip to Florida and ALL of the pictures turned out blurry!  Im 100% I was not moving to.  It actually takes pretty good vidos but thats about it.  I would not recommend this camera/video camera.
La c&aacute;mara me conquist&oacute;. El precio, las especificaciones, su forma, lo compacta, ligera, sus accesorios y sus funciones, me dije Guauuuu!.... Cuando la prefer&iacute; ante otras opciones de su mismo precio lo &uacute;nico que me molestaba eran las pilas desechables, pero se trata de un aparato realmente coqueto. Nunca me percat&eacute; que no dice nada por ninguna parte sobre el FLASH, me di cuenta ya tarde. &iquest;A QUI&Eacute;N SE LE OCURRE PONER EN EL MERCADO UNA C&Aacute;MARA DIGITAL SIN FLASH? Fue realmente una gran decepci&oacute;n, porque la compr&eacute; para regalo y ahora su due&ntilde;a no puede tomar fotos de sus reuniones bajo techo a menos que sean debajo de un bombillo. Triste, me sent&iacute; como estafada, tiene mil funciones pero no trae flash!
This is not lightweight. It may even be as heavy as my camera. It is sturdy. I loosened the mount and don't know how I can get it back to level again. I wish there was some kind of notch to indicate the level position.
This is perfect for holding our little Canon steady for shots. The price is right and it works perfectly. Thanks.
Revision: this is a compromised product. Let's still call it four stars with a minus. Mine began to loosen up within a month. And I ended up having to fiddle with a set-screw holding the ball-and-socket mechanism together. It's in there opposite the lock screw. Disassembly of the head (out of curiosity) revealed a hasty fix for poor control of tolerances in production: an e-clip was dropped into a gap so that the head would tighten at all. I did a little fiddle here and there, put it back together, and put a drop of nail polish on the set screw. Should do it.Note that some "slop" is necessary for the ball mechanism to work. Too much, however, results in the head gradually loosening and beginning to come apart.Works just fine with Canon SX130 and SX150 that I tote around for various pix. Expected lightweight small tripod with a ball and socket head. It's exactly that. Legs do extend one "click." Don't figure I'll ever use that feature.
For a small, and I mean small, camera this may be of more use. I found the tripod to be too small for most needs, and that the camera was often too heavy for it's top. Overall I wish I had gone for something with longer legs and a wider base. It seems to be designed to hold cameras the size of a cell phone, but since most cell phones are cameras this collecting dust in a closet.
It's a nice tripod, but it's not really a pocket tripod. If you want something that will really fit in your pocket try a readysteady at [...].
This little tripod works just fine for only the smaller and lighter cameras and camcorders.  Don't even think of using it with a full size DSLR.  I have the Nikon D7000 and, with just a 35M prime lense attached, easily overwhelmed this little guy.  I ended up stripping out the thumbscrew trying to tighten it and prevent my camera from sagging forward.  Even when I managed to have everything tight and balanced just right, it was pretty precarious at best, not a risk I'd want to take with an expensive camera.  For $15-$20 more, there are several much better options available in small tripods.  That said, with our much lighter and smaller Nikon point-and-shoot and a Canon camcorder, it worked just fine.
Carry this tripod for your ninja photography skills.  Need to take a photo on top of your car?  No problem?  It is no problem to get that photo of everyone in the house when all you have it a table!  This is such an easy thing to carry around when all you have room for is a tiny item.  This tripod is great for trips.  I carry it when I travel.  Such a great item when you go camping.
It's very basic, inexpensive and performs the minimal requirements that I had for it. If your looking for a swiss knife like tripod this will not work for you. I am pleased with this tripod.
I got this for around $9, and found it to be exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something that would give me some stability while doing long exposures or self shots. I used this with my Nikon DSLR with a small 28mm lens and had no problem with stability. I was able to adjust it for both landscape and portrait shots. The legs telescope out to about 10 in in length, which I didn't notice until fiddling around with it when I got it. Overall, well worth it!
It was not what I was expecting. It works for what it is, but it's too small to be useful to me.
The tripod I received does not have telescoping legs.  Otherwise, it is a quality, lightweight metal tripod, with a ball joint allowing adjustable tilt, and fixed legs.  If that meets your requirements, this is a good choice.
I have a 3M LED Pico Projector that needed a tripod, desperately. The projector is tiny and can be used for Powerpoint presentations and other video presentations, but there are a minimum of adjustments on the projector; particularly, none to level the projected image. It needed a mini-tripod with a moveable head. The Sunpack 2002 connects flawlessly and fits the need.
This tripod is awesome.  It is small enough to fit in my camera bag and easily holds a Canon Rebel XT with a telephoto attached.  The adjustable design is far superior to other models I have tried and this is ideal for that special shot where a 4 foot tripod is not necessary.
Good Tripod -- stable even with lens extended.  Small enough to fit in back pocket of camera case.  Legs stay extended.  So far no negatives.
This is an excellent little table-top tripod to have. I have a Nikon D5000 and it works with no problems. Unlike a cheap plastic tripod that would fall over, this little guy is built heavy with rubberized feet to stabilize it. The rotating ball joint can't be screwed very tightly, though; you can still rotate the ball joint even when you do tighten it, however it doesn't fall over with the weight of the camera, so it doesn't matter much.A must have.
I bought this tripod to use with a Sony HD Camcorder.  My Camcorder is the smallest and most lightwieght that is on the market.  It is too heavy for this unit as it tips over.  I'm not sure what camera would be a good fit for this unit.
Pros:- Quite steady- High quality material- Good lookingCons:- Has trouble holding heavier cameras (e.g. DSLR) at an angle- A little bit on the heavy side. If you are already holding a DLSR walking around a big city for the whole day, you will wish this tripod was ligther.
I needed a small, packable tripod and wasn't expecting this to be elaborate, but it gets the job done.  I have had no trouble securing the camera and it can be tilted to make it level.  The legs telescope out to a maximum length of 9.75 inches.  There are three adjustments I can see--height (telescoping legs) level (camera base rotates on a ball swivel secured by the black thumb screw), and the maximum spread of the tripod legs, which is somewhat adjustable by rotating the knurled collar.
Hard to describe, it's just a real cheep light weight tripod.I put a small light weight digital camera on it and it keeps falling over.
This is a great little table-top tripod.  All metal construction is weighty and high quality.This is much better than the cheap plastic alternatives out there.No complaints about this tripod at all.
I would only use this tripod for very small lightweight cameras.  It is not very sturdy.  Noticeable vibrations when recording video.
This mini Sunpak 2003 Pocket Tripod is adorable and functional.  Arrived on time.  The product is not top quality, but it is listed at the right price.  I would purchase this product again and I recommend it.
You will need this device to put in your took kit! Just one of those things you need if you ever have to submit your self on tape to that lucky casting director.
I bought this little (6"x1" collapsed) tripod for my digital audio recorder that has a photo tripod screw hole?  the head can tilt about 20 degrees in most directions and in one direction it can tilt about 95 degrees.  the tripods standard footprint is about 3 or 4" diameter.  if you extend the legs fully (three 3" sections) you get about a 10" diameter footprint and about 8" head from the ground to the mount.  you can adjust the footprint width and get a really low and stable stance for the tripod.  about 14" diameter and about a 4" height to the mount.the tripod does not look heavy duty.  I doubt you could put a heavy video camera or spotting scope on it, especially with the extensions extended.  Its probably best for digital cameras and small digital web cams etc.
So far the product has met my needs for being small, light & packable. I haven't used it in the field yet...that review comes later.
This is quite a sturdy tripod, it feels heavy and solid in the hand. It weighs 155 grams, yet it plenty strong to hold my 215 gram (7.6 ounce) camera. The legs slide with a good amount of friction, and have a spring-ball to lock them in place. I got it in a light gold color. Although this was never meant to hold heavy items, it is not flimsy at all.
Ordered 2 of these, one for myself and one as a gift.  Coming out of the package they looked good and felt pretty hefty.  But both units had problems with the ball joint, which is about the most important component.  It appears as though the manufacturing tolerances are way off spec.  There's no way that one can get a smooth and easy way to align or re-align your camera.  It feels like the ball is pivoting against rough and uneven surfaces.  I put a little oil on the joint but that didn't help.  I suppose this is a classic case of getting what you pay for,  I will return these and fork over a bit more for replacements.  Don't waste your money on these.
It's a cute little thing that fits in a small purse or in your jeans' pockets. That's what I was looking for. I needed to replace an old one that broke and used it each time I went out and a good photo posibility existed. Really light and easy to carry.I like that you can tilt the head for vertical pictures.But the one I received is a bit different than advertized. It said Operational height range: 5 5/8&#34; to 12&#34;, Extended Height: 9.75-inch, Minimum Height: 2.75-inch. But really the range goes from 5.50&#34; to 7.50&#34; when legs are closed, when opened it's a little bit shorter. In the picture you can see the legs spread wide open, but in reality it doesn't. I haven't use it yet, but gives you the feeling it won't be stable once you put the weight of you camera on, specially on different types of surfaces or terrain if it's windy outside.
I am very satisfied with the product and the vendor. everything went according to agreed
I use this with my Canon S110 to shoot rehearsals and performances for my dance team. It's worked great in a variety of settings and has ensured stable shots and videos. The only issue I've had is that within about a month of having it, I was adjusting one of the legs and it popped out of the tripod. I was able to fix it with some superglue and the problem has not reoccurred. However, next time I might go with a product with a more reliable build.
If you are buying the AAXA P4 P4X Pico Projector, 95 Lumens, Pocket Size, Li-Ion Battery, HDMI, Media Player, 15,000 Hour LED, DLP Projector, don't buy this tripod.  There is already one included with the projector.  I also found this type of tripod to be EXTREMELY unstable.  I would rather put this expensive projector on a pillow or beanbag to be safer.
The tripod fits in my small camera case and is easy to pull out and install. The spider legs are great - I can set the camera/tripod on a table or hold them in my hand just to add a bit of stability in low light. I recommend this product.
I got this little tripod simply so my go pro could have a handle and it works great just for that. I cant imagine this holding anything bigger than my tiny go pro or possibly a flip camera.
I purchased to place a baby monitor on my baby's crib but it would the legs would not wrap around, nor would they wrap around each other. It dropped black debris when I attempted to wrap the legs around each other.  Does not have a tight hold.  This works great as a stand but not to wrap around anything.
I carry one all time in my camera bag, takes almost no space, but is very handy when I need to place the camera at certain angle (as opposed to just place it on a flat surface). It won't hold heavy DSLRs though..
I bought this for using with my Creative Vado Camcorder, but it will definitely work with any other pocket camcorder or photo camera. The movement is sort of limited since there are no moving nor extensible parts, but for this price and size is a really good option. After all, is better having a limited tripod that no tripod at all.
I bought this to use with my newly purchased Creative Vado HDCreative Labs Vado HD Pocket Video Camcorder 3rd Generation,120 Minutes (Black) - NEWEST MODEL.  I wanted something that would hold it on a table for video-taping events while I am on vacation.  I received it, and it's a nice little device so long as you realize that this is intended for Digital Camcorders or perhaps a small and light digital camera.  It will not hold a heavy camcorder or SLR camera.  It takes a little bit of working to get it leveled (not because this doesn't work well, but because my Vado HD has an offset spot where the tripod connects).  Holds very well and works for its intended use.  Folds up for convenient storage.  Great little purchase.
I attached it to my Microsoft Lifecam Studio and it holds the weight fine.  There is a slight automotive tire-like odor from the rubberish feet, but I can't smell it unless I put my nose to it.  The smelly feet do a good job of keeping the web cam from being dragged off the table by the hanging usb cable, so the material does what its supposed to do.This hack of pairing it the web cam greatly increases the value of the web cam compared to the tripods modest cost.  My office mates are starting to copy the idea.
Excellent product.  I was looking for a small tripod for my Flip and camera and this did the trick.  Very stable and easy to to make level.  Compact size makes it easy to store and carry along.
its a simple product for every single camera out there, easy to use and also very usefull. if you looking to buy just something than can hold your camera stand still and let you regulate the lavel, this product is for you.
No question. I love my digital camera. I use it all the time. I have a regular big Tripod. But sometimes I just want to take a photo quickly, sitting down, with no fuss. This attaches in about 2 seconds, I aim it, I set the camera timing and Voila! done. I really, really like this little item.
This is not a fault of the tripod.  The connector for my Coolpix is on the side, therefore any small tripod is going to cause the camera to fall over sideways.
The flexible legs make this a great add-on to a compact projector as leveling out the image is made quite simple.
This product are very good, I like and meets the expectations and specifications described in the data sheet, I recommend the product, small cost and big quality
Easy to carry around. Can be perched almost anywhere with the flexible legs. Use it all the time. Seldom take it off my camera.
For the price, this is certainly a great tripod. Very convinient and easy to use. You have to wait to buy something else to have it shipped which is a bummer but worth the wait
it was perfect for my movie camera. Now I can get it the video with my grand babies.Thank you so much.
I bought two of these and use them all the time.  They are lightweight and easy to move around and we love them.
I had a small gorillapod for my last camera, but my new camera was just enough heavier that I couldn't use it.  So what the heck, why not try this?It's amazing!  Obviously you can't wrap it around a railing like you can with a gorillapad, but let's face it, I'd never done that anyway.  What you can do is prop it up on a picnic table or the hood of your car while you set the self-timer and run to get into the picture.  Which is what I generally want a tripod for.  It also works for evening or macro shots where I want to use the self-timer to avoid shake.  An amazing product for the price, and it would be worth buying if it cost five times as much.
I just bought it and it has been working well without any breakage that other customers have suggested. It matches my need and it's cheap.Update on 02/18/12So after being used for a few times, the plastic screw head has been worn off and it no longer screws into my camcorder. Big disappointment!
I bought this for my girlfriend so she could drop it in her purse and pull it out to take long exposure shots.  The product smells terrible and makes anything it rubs up against smell bad.  It can't be put in a purse, even when wrapped in a paper towel or something.  We ended up replacing it with a gorillapod and haven't looked back.
OK it might be functional but the plastic odor coming from this item reeked and was so strong that I did not want to put it in my camera bag. The odor has lasted for months.  Are you folks aware that chemicals that outgass from electronics and plastics such as the "new car smell" are hazardous to your health?  One item will not do you in, but most of us have  gadget collections and the total collection of volatile chemicals can over time impact your health in subtle ways you may not recognize as due to these chemicals (fatigue, rashes, "brain fog", mood swings, etc.).  I do my best to stay away from smelly gadgets for that reason, I would have returned it but the cost was less than postage.  Manufacturers should not make products that pollute the user's environment. Which do you value more, a cheap but functional mini tripod or your health?
This is my first tripod and I'm not a very experienced photographer.  I've used it on a Canon PowerShot and I wouldn't recommend it for large cameras.  It's been a great addition to my camera and really improves the quality of my shots and the value of the camera itself.  There are many similar products.  I got this one even though it was more expensive than others on Amazon because I could get free shipping.If you're very worried about camera shake, use the tripod with the self-timer feature.  I also like using the tripod to hold my small camera in my hands.  Also putting my the camera in continuous shooting mode while on my dashboard during a drive produced some nice shots.The tripod is a nice addition to a camera and its so cheap it's not worth thinking about too long.  I doubt there are many differences between brands so just find the best deal.
its a little small which is good for some in limited situations. the grip feature is nice if you can find a surface to get it to stick to.
Tiny tripod but useful in many applications. I used it to mount cameras, webcams, and slave flashes, It is sturdy yet small enough to fit into a pocket or gadget bag. Very useful.
I would recommend spending a few dollars more and getting something better. It's sturdy enough, and seems durable, but it's really hard to bend it in a way where your camera is level and pointing at what you want to shoot. I've already bought something else to replace it.
I bought this product probably because of price and of course because I needed a mini tripod to take on the go for my dslr.It might be for a small pocket camera but I have tried this for my DSLR and a very small projector used for business presentations.aI also feel I generally err on the side of being positive and objective.  This tripod is unstable for both of my applications.  It doesn't provide enoughspread to balance out a larger object that goes on it, and it doesn't take much for the object (camera/projector) to be larger.I would say if you were buying this for a pocket point and shoot camera this would be fine.  Otherwise, it will end up in the draw with your other non usableitems. I'm still looking for a tripod for my small presentation projector.....
To small to amount to anything.  Falls over easily. My cats like to play with it, so I gave it to them.
Hey...no smell, no tip over even with a Sony Cybershot with threads on the end....and ya can't beat the price. Have no clue why folks say it stinks...mine rocks! There ya go.
worked for a while but one of the legs broke out and I superglued it and it is fine again.
This is a great little tripod for casual shooting.  I doesn't weigh much, and it doesn't take up much space in a bag or jacket pocket.We found it useful for taking pictures while hiking.  We placed it on a variety of surfaces, from boulders to logs and found it pretty effective in nearly every situation.On word of warning: it works best with cameras that it supports close to their center of gravity.  For cameras with the tripod mount way off to one side, its light weight means it can tip.
The smell, a combination of machine oil and plastic, is vile and possibly unhealthy.  It gets on your hands and anything else that touches this tripod.  The concept is a good one and you will be much happier spending a few extra dollars to get something what won't make you sick every time you use it.I had ordered theVanguard VS41 Flexible MiniTripodand received this by mistake.  Boy, was it ever...
I bought this to use with my little 3M portable roku projector. it is literally the perfect fit. I love how its bendable, for our purpose it is perfect and super cheap!
When purchased, I knew full well the size characteristics. It does all that I want and is sturdy enough to hold a camcorder at level. It can easily hold a camera or VADO recorder at multiple angles. The main reason I bought this was to use as a holder for my camcorder, for more control & stability when taking stright shots. I can now hold it by gripping the tri-pod, which gives me the ease of use I was looking for.
This tripo works perfect, because i'm not a profesional in things with cameras but in many situations this little tripod is very heplful
I got this free with my Cannon EOS Rebel XS, and it seems like it can barely support the weight of the camera.  While the legs do hold the camera stable, it takes quite a while to position the camera correctly and bend the legs to keep the center of gravity in the center.  I would recommend this tripod for use with point and shoot cameras, but not dSLR's of any make.  You get what you pay for though, and this tripod does very well at the job for which it was intended.
Fits my camera perfectly. Cute little bugger too. I've got a Fujifilm 5x zoom 16 mega pixel camera. I just leave it on it's tripod ready to use.
great little device. I would recommend this to anyone. the price is great and it works perfect. amazing! thank u
As a previous reviewer said, they do smell awful. This model is too short and the feet fall off. It's really just junk. For the price? Maybe. But you'll get a lot more use from a better one. I bought the Flip model after this one---MUCH better.
This little product is nice and easy to set up. It's affordable an does the job just fine. good little item.
After seeing a friend use this during one of our children's play-dates, I decided I had to get one for myself! And I must say that I absolutely LOVE it! I've used it with ease with every digital camera I've had over the years. It's bendy legs and flexibility make it great for family portraits, self-portraits or just for the use of the sturdy hand that only a tripod can give!
A waste of time and not worth the frustration. Not sturdy or adjustable enough to hold the crappy projector it came with.  Waste of money.
I use this little tripod for my Flip cam.  Perfect! It is the right size. It does not take up  much room in my backpack either.
This was only about three dollars. It works really good! It angles and stays perfectly! It sometimes falls over. It is an amazing product for that priced through out.
The Sunpak spider leg tripod 620-786 is a steal for the price. It holds compact 35mm and digital camerasSmall, lightweight design; only 5 inches long and weighs less than two ouncesHolds your camera steady at any angle, indoors or out, on virtually any terrainFeatures individually adjustable, flexible legsComes with a lifetime warranty.  What more could you ask for?I would recommend this product.
does what its made to do, how ever it is veary small, like 4inches maby5? so it could take a lil work to get your camra to stand up if the spot for the tripod isnt in the center, Im veary happy with it, it holds my pocket cam up so I dont have to lean it into books no more if I dont wana hold it in my hand
Got this for a hiking camera I've been using with some shaky results. I got the product right away and should do what I need but it is heavier than I thought so was little disappointed in that. Otherwise seems fine.
This tripod is great.  I hook it on my small camera and it helps to hold my camera steadier than holding the camera alone.
It's pratic, though I don't use it very often. it doesn't fit on my camera bag. But it's nice though.
Inexpensive yet very effective in holding digital camera and video camera in position for taking photos and videos respectively. You just can't go wrong with one of these - I recommend you keep one in your kit.
These are one of the greatest innovations to &#34;mobile&#34; photography that I have ever come across. It keeps my HD camcorder so stable that my videos are VASTLY improved! You gotta' get one! They're DIRT CHEAP but made well and they ship them out quickly. Buy one! It's that simple. You'll LOVE IT!
I guess you get what you pay for rings true here. I bought this to hold up a small camera. Well, that plan didn't work out too well. I couldn't get it to stand up without falling over. Total waste of money. I ended up going to best buy to their camera department and bought a more solid mini tripod that worked perfectly. Buyer beware. Make sure your camera is really really light or it will fall over.
This is a great little tripod for a small camera. I use it with my Kodak Zi8 and it is perfect. If you're shooting an interview or getting some footage and want the camera to be still, but don't want to carry around a full sized tripod, this is perfect. Especially because it's less than $3 shipped!The only case I wouldn't recommend this is if you're using a bigger camera. I don't think this would hold any DSLR or full sized video camera. This is only for point and shoot and very small HD cameras.
I have never had a smaller camera and I figured I could just prop it up anywhere to take videos but this tripod makes it so much easier to take those shots when you want everyone in the picture, It is very stable and you can adjust it very easily. A must for anyone using cameras or hand held video camcorders
Decent product, competitive price and prompt shipping. The price was 1/3 the Flip video tripod price, so I bought 3 and shared with my son's families.
I immediately pulled out the box and thought that it can't be this size.  But, I have tried it on my digital camera and camcorder, and it works great.  It is about 6 inches tall, is great for desk top use.  Doesn't slip, and has the ability to angle because of each legs flexibility.  Am very pleased!
Sunpak SPK620786 5-Inch Flex Leg Mini-Spider Tripod was a great deal for the price. Just a simple little tripod that does the job..
I rated this handy tripod a four star only, because depending on the overall weight of your camera, tipping can be a problem.. Also care must be taken when setting the timer as the legs can move easily when applying the set button.. A GE x500 Digital stays supported fine on flat surfaces.. I feel over time, the flexible legs will begin to weaken and no longer support the camera; so be extremely cautious - don't want an expensive Canon SLR tumbling off a ledge!! I'd recomend this mini tripod for ONLY light weight point and shoot cameras..
You know I feel really stupid taking time to write a review for an item that costs just over two bucks SHIPPED. I mean a freakin' lottery ticket costs that much, and you might as well toss your money in the toilet. Two bucks for a chance at greatness? Well, most of the reviews here dwell on the smell, and well it does stink when you first get it. After a week the stink dissipates and you are left with an incredibly useful little tripod. Portable, durable, and useful. For two bucks!This little devil will easily support a Canon G12 or in my case the Nikon 7100 (a superior camera). It fits in a pocket, easy to use and set up and malleable enough to point where you want it to go. Is it a Jobey? No. But it is much, much more portable. Like a camera, if you don't have it with you, it's useless. This is so easy to carry and use. I set it up and use my IR trigger to take HDR images, to take candids as folks walk by (they have no idea the camera went off), or to take self portraits. Many times I use a DSLR and a Manfrotto tripod and ball head, but recently I am using this 2 dollar tripod and my powerful point and shoot. The images are incredible.It's durable. I have been fooling with it for over a week and it hasn't fallen apart. If it does, I'll buy a new one. In fact buy two when you order, have one for a spare. You can't afford to be without this little gem. No, it won't hold your DSLR, but it will hold all P & S cameras quite well.So buy it, air it out in the garage for a week or two and thank me later.
I purchased this tripod to use with a Creative Labs Pocket Camcorder.  The camera is very light, so this stand works perfectly!!  It may not be for you if you have a heavy camera, but great for my camcorder.
great for the price.. cant beat it. the rubber does rub off so dont set it on your car. fast shipping and great product.
So cheap and so useful! This screwed in perfectly to the bottom of my flip camera and let me take some great videos of sports matches!
If you have one of those compact auto-focus cameras with self-timer, this handy camera tripod that fits in your shirt pocket allows you to set up your camera anywhere and take a picture of yourself or you with the group. Great value.
this mini tripod is incredibly handy. I keep one with each of my point and shoot cameras. It would probably not do too well with a full sized camera, but for self portraits out in nature or out on walks - it can't be beat. The price is diminutive as well. I have given several away to people who see me using one.
I picked up one of these very inexpensively to carry along for spur of the moment shots using the self-timer on my camera. Although not as good or as flexible as aJoby GP1-EBEN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Blue), it'a s nice, cheap accessory that does not take up much space in a glove compartment or purse for everyday use.
good stand for mini video, a little "light" so need to be sure set up okay, but great for what used for.
We purchased this from pop up of &#34;other things&#34; purchasers of 3m/Roku stick projector purchased.Flexible legs allows adjustment of layout on screen to adjust for parallax.Would highly recommend purchase along with the referenced projector.
Would not purchase this item again because it is just too unstable and will not hold much in the way of weight. Only the very smallest of cameras will work with this item.
very good, cheap, portable and usefulit has a little industry smell but it's fine! it works fine but I didn't tried many difficult positions! For the price it's a must have!
Normally I'm not one for poor reviews... even after reading a lot of decent reviews on this to decide to buy it.  It screws into the camera just fine, but the legs are just too stiff and rigid.  Maybe I haven't "broken it in" enough, but even then the length of the legs and the stiffness don't seem like they will ever bode well to be an actually usable tripod.  I've had better results with a webcam stand that has a multi adjustable ball-type joint thing.Its about as good of a tripod as two dollar bills would be, so just keep your money.
Easy to set up. Fits in small bag. Sturdy. Not much more to write except that it does what it is supposed to do.
It attaches well.  The legs are not as flexible as thought.  It only holds it level; I was hoping it would bend down more.
When I opened the packaging an extremely strong, toxic smell hit me. It was so bad that I produced vomiting sensation. I started floor fan to blow off the smell at full speed. I played with it a little bit. I do not think that this thing will be steady even with Kodak Easy Share Cameras. It's hard to adjust camera angle and the most you can achieve is few degrees. I put the thing in the garage to avoid the smell. I realized that my hands smelled. I had to wash my hands thoroughly with soap to get rid of the smell. I don't know why so many people have given good ratings rating to this thing. What's wrong with their smell sense? Just in case if you are wondering I am not hypersensitive to smell at all. I wouldn't touch this product even if it was free.
I was going to purchase the Flip mini-tripod when I was reading the reviews and someone had said this works with the Flip as well. After using this product I realized that I was paying a "Flip" logo tax and this was the exact same product. The tripod is very stable and easy to screw on. Buy this product if you want a mini-tripod that you can use for stability and shots.
The Sunpak SPK620786 Mini-Tripod works perfect for my ML750 Optima projector. I wanted something that would fit in the bag this the projector comes with and it does with room to spare. The threads are made well and screws in easy every time easily. The only thing I would say about it that is a draw back is that the legs sometimes start to come back in from being straight for a long period of time. Once it is in place for a while it is fine but sometimes it inches back in. For the price you can't beat it though. I bought one and then ordered 3 more just for spares.Overall this is a perfect product for holding your devices. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a mini tripod stand.
This tiny little tripod is very handy for casual use. Its very small and the legs do not extend out but it is flexible enough. I absolutely love it for the price.
Useful gadget at an extemely reasonable price.  If nothing else, it makes my recorder easy to find. Three more words.
These are an absolute must for most any of the smaller cameras -- and this one works very well.  Although you may want to pull the little rubber feet off and re-glue them before you lose them.
This little tripod is great, especially for the price.  Light, flexible and small.  Obviously best to use for smaller camera.  Works great hiking with my digital camera or flip video camera. So light you can forget it's in your pocket.
i got this for a small digital camera it worked good for a while. then the cups on the feet fell off. other wise it worked pretty well.
I would recommend this product. It was very handy and useful and different at that. Cheap as well and makes for a great tripod.
Use it for my Optoma battery projector and it works like a charm....very useful!  I've also used it for my small pocket camera.
This mini tripod is handy and small enough to fit in camera bag , also can mount to both my camera and camcorder.
Mine lasted three days. After one leg fell off, I gave up. I couldn't waste my time with crazy glue. I was better off buying a good mini-tripod.  And you'd be too. Sure it's cheap. But how much will it cost if you have your camera mounted on this thing and everything falls to the ground?
GREAT item! The bendy legs are great, and the quality is great! It fits easily in a purse or small camera case. Excellent for taking photos!
Amazon sells this item as a bundle pack with the 3M projector.  After a little adjusting I was able to make it work for the projector. Hopefully it will hold up well.
I purchased this to hold flashes off camera, so not much weight at all.  You have to be sure the legs are all angled correctly (which isn't difficult), but once that's done, this little tripod does great!!
I love this tripod!!! I lost my first one and HAD to replace it...it's so convenient to use and very handy.
Perfect for my AAXA pico projection. Helps balance my images nicely.
It very compact and comes handy! It won't be useful for heavy cameras with long lenses. However is is perfect for point-and-shoot and higher-end digital non-SLR cameras.
This is a handy little thing to have on a hike or for a family trip. It works well for what it is and is inexpensive.
Still havent used it yet but it screws into the bottom of my camera fine and the legs adjust to angle the camera almost any way you can think of.. and its really small, fits into my case no problem..
Having lost a tripod just like this one I was very happy to see it for sale at Amazon! Keep it in your pocket or in your camera bag, its always there when you need it. It will support any "point and shoot" digital camera. It has never failed me when I need a tripod.
Very compact, it can fit in your camera case! Strongly recommend for compact camera, easy set up. Can't beat the price.
It's okay.  If conditions are right, and you balance camera just right, it works perfectly...so keeping that in mind, for the size and portability it is a perfect little tripod for mostly level, still shots.  Difficult to balance for star shots, or odd angle night shots, but if you need a very small tripod for taking family shots you are normally out of (because you're the one taking them) then this is good to have.  Legs are stiff, and hold position well, but it is still a little of a balancing act and learning curve to use...best with a remote.
So small and light.  Fit in my pocket, camera pouch, pack pockets, car console, etc.  Work great!  Have a half dozen.  Use them everywhere.
fits on camera no problem and ajusts to what ever angel you would ever need and is small enough to carry in a pocket or carry case
well... what can you say about a tripod of 2 bucks... I bought this for a optoma video beamOptoma PK301 Pico Pocket Projectorbecause Amazon recommended it to me.First the tripod came with a broken leg, I wrote to the seller and he sent me a new one just free.Second the tripod works good with the optoma video beam, but when I connect the charger and the laptop cable to the video beam, the weakness of the tripod showed up. It doesn't have too much stability so the optoma falls.Finally, I preffer to use the tripod with our photo camera and sometimes, just sometines, with the optoma.Like I said in the beggining, what can you expect from a tripod of 2 bucks?
There's not a lot to say, it is amazing. It works perfectly for everything, it's cheap, sturdy and stylish.Buy it!!!!!!
This is a neat little tripod to throw in your day pack if you are traveling with any of the myriad of small handheld digital SLRs such as the Elph line or the Nikon Coolpix.  It allows you to easily set your camera for a self-timer shot.  It will NOT support a heavy (or even light) digital SLR - even with the smallest lens.This is a substitute for the reach-your-arm-out-as-far-as-you-can self photo.I find that I use it all the time when traveling.Note that the whole thing is only about six inches long.
The this works well, the legs are not that maneuverable, meaning there aren't that many positions you can put the camera in. For the price, it's worth having.
My 10-year-old has been having fun playing with his new (hand-me-down) digital camera, so I bought him this tripod as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. He's had lots of fun with it, and I have all the digital pictures to prove it! It probably would not work well with larger or heavier cameras, but for a small digital camera, it's perfect. And the price simply can't be beat!
This mini tripod is super. It is the perfect item for point and shoot cameras. The flexible legs make it possible to set up your camera on uneven objects or surfaces and still maintain a level plane.  Small and easy to carry in your camera bag or even in your pocket.
This is a must have if you get the Ruku projector. Easy to use and holds it up nicely and great height
This tripod does exactly what I expected and wanted it to do.  I bought it for my Kodak Zi8 camera and it works perfectly.  I have only used it indoors and on flat surfaces.
I bought this since it was offered as a package and it works as advertised.
I am surprised at how much use I have found for this little tripod. Works as designed.
The Sunpak Mini-Spider Tripod is a terrific little helper and it fits right down into my camera case. I've used it several times and haven't been disappointed at all. You can reposition it any way you want and it stays put. I'm glad I bought it -- and it was definitely not an expensive investment.
This works for what it is... a small tripod. I use it on a flip and it has worked fine. the strength is relative to the size so don't expect to do a lot of off center angle with it. 4/5 stars for a small tripod.
its good for what it is. tabletop tripod for small/light camera's or a camera you're okay with dropping. this tripod came with a complementary cleaning kit for my T2i(3lbs). BEWARE: it will not safely support an SLR class camera. the footprint of this tripod is waaaay too small, even just the body(sans lens) will be pushing it.its okay for tiny and lightweight point and shoots. but there are better options out there if you want "bendy" adjustable legs, like the JOBY.
I've lost my first one and couldn't travel again without it! It makes possible to get everyone in the picture: we use it on the floor, over tables, trash cans, anywhere! Just adjust the tripod, the timer and run for the photo!
These are cheap....very cheap...you'd do better spending a few more bucks...it's what I'm gonna have to do.  It's precarious and easy to tip over..I don't want to risk my flip video cam on this.
I wanted a small tripod to carry while hiking.  this is perfect for my Nikon Coolpix. It fits very nicely in the backpack without adding a lot of weight
This is the best option I have bought to help with my photos. It is designed for the small slender cameras that can be difficult for us older people to handle and it makes it so much more convenient to handle my little Sony DSC-TX1. The prices is extremely reasonable and shipping was super quick. It isn't designed for larger bulkier cameras, but for the newer slender credit card size cameras.Some have complained about an odor. It does smell like rubber. Hello --- it's made of rubber and I cannot smell anything unless I hold it right up under my nose.It's a great product when used as designed. It's very portable and adds a great deal of stability to a small camera.
Don't waste your time - get one a little less cheap. There is a reason that S&H; is more than product price.This is the same exact product as "Vanguard VS41 Flexible MiniTripod"They don't support my tiny Lumix FX33 and are more elastic than "poseable".
Works as expected. Great price. Very portable and makes adjustments easy for flip cams, web cams and even still cameras.
I needed a stand for my camera and my nephew told me about this one, he had recently purchased one and loved it. It is so small you can actually take it with you anywhere if you had a need to. It really is a great little stand, i have not had any issues with mine at all. It was nice and sturdy when i placed my camera on it, at first i was a little worried that something so small would hold it, but it did and i am one happy customer. Thank you!
It is perfect and I only payed 2.50 for it! Its cheap, easy to use, and its simple, gets the job done. Buy it!
Not really good for a pico projector, the images will move slowly to one side. may be for a camera.
One of the legs is less rigid than the others therefore it is hard to bet it to stay in one position.
works great for my normal camera and my vado hd.  buy one, it's cheap
It's stronger than it looks.
because it really is cheap!I have a mini-LED projector and I added this onto another order to be able to mount the projector on it and make it easier to position. Well...it's too flimsy and difficult to level out to make it worth using. It's a tosser!
I have used it on a couple of different cameras and a pocket projector.  It is a little unstable with larger cameras due to its small size.
I just wish that when u push it down, it stayed. but over all.. Good product!Cute and simple. I would recommend this to someone that needs a mini tripod.
It is not as still as I thought.With the weight of the projector, it is kinda difficult to position the projection.
I really like thing.  I got it for my Vado HD pocket camcorder.  It tips over if it's too windy, or if you put it on your dashboard for driving shots, but other than that, it's pretty stable. It's portable size and almost free price were the selling points for me. It's easy to get different angles but just so you know, it doesn't wrap around objects.  It also has a little clip on the side so you can clip it to the outside of your pocket.  That's a good thing because I wouldn't want to put it inside my pocket because this thing SMELLS TERRIBLE.  I'm not kidding. You had to be wondering why you can buy these things for $1.35. Now you know. It smells like a combination of 'new car smell', gasoline, and tar.  This thing must be toxic.  It's sitting next to me on the sofa right now and I can smell its evil fumes wafting up at me. I tried washing it but it didn't help.  Hopefully I can find a similar product that doesn't have this issue.
But--- well it was recommended with a projector to which it cannot be fitted.  DO NOT expect this to work with an Optoma PT110
The description does not explain how this would only hold a small camera. Much too weak to hold a DSLR camera which is what I bought it for, but it's good for little things. The other downfall is that the legs come out easily, if you pull on them the legs will come out as they are only held in with a little glue. But they go back in and stay in fine if you dont pull on them.
Maybe we expect too much for $5 but this tripod requires a lot of adjusting to make it work properly with our new Dell projector. We might order a new one which would be a bit sturdier.
nothing to write home about, but definitely practical. bought this for my 3m roku projector. i am pleased. thumbs up.
It supports my camera to the right height. It is adjustable so it works well. I suggest this if you need a desk sizes tripod!
Just the right size, works great in a pinch. Great little item. Will fit right in your pocket or coat
first off, this is an interesting piece of inventory. its good for those who have light video cameras or other devices. its good for vlogging. i have read reviews on this item and many says it smells really bad. mine didnt for some reason. maybe its different companies sending the same type? i dont know. mine was not a sunpak. it was a zeikos. its pretty durable and holds up my sharper image vid camera pretty well. i wouldnt recommend this for heavy cameras. just small or light cameras. here are the pros and cons.pros:small, portable sizedurableholds up decent sized camerastays in position wellcons:none at all , this mini tripod is outstanding
This little son of a gun handled the weight of my DSLR(Nikon D80) when I needed it the most and resulted in some amazing picturesI dont see how this thing can get bad reviews, for 3 bucks you dont even get a Big Mac.
I use this from time to time when I need a picture I want to be in. It is nice and small for that.
Very good tripod, easy to use and you can place anywhere you wish in any direction. It fits with my camera easily and I used a lot of times this tripod.
I wish II would have seen the Prop 65 warning before ordering this product...once I received it I immediately smelled it, and it was not that stinky. I did move the legs around and one of the ball bottoms came off, all it needs is glue again. For 2 dollars I am not complaining..but its quite cheap in price in quality.
I use this as my default tripod for all electronic gadgets. It works great and holds heavy cameras without collapsing. Just make sure you position the tripod correctly and adjust as needed. Small and easy to carry around.
Works well
It holds my portable recorder off of the table. Can't see what can go wrong with it. Hasn't broken. Sturdy enough.
I carry this little wonder with me whenever I take my camera. It's used for my Canon SX20 and it works great. Bigger, heavier cameras 'may' have a problem.
It's good for its size...but because it's so small it can be easily knocked over or the balance can be thrown off. It is better than nothing, but you have to play with the balance of a pico projector on it.
While I wouldn't trust it to hold my camcorder, it's perfect for what it's intended use is.  Any small digital camera should be quite stable with it, while adding virtually NO weight to what you're carrying.
We bought it for the Optima 320, which we use to project movies from our laptop.  No way can this little tripod keep a projector up-right when the HDMI cable is plugged in (not to mention if you have the AC plugged in too).  Inexpensive and probably works fine if you're using an SD card or something, but not if you have "heavy" cords plugged into the projector.
I bought two of these but while they were very cheap, they have pretty much NO ability to do anything other than one the picture shows... you can kind of bend them a little bit but if you're hoping to be able to make them &#34;grab&#34; things, look elsewhere.
This tripod is very nice, it is handy, small and sturdy, nice for compact camera, and did i mention the price? you can't complaint with this price and overall quality, smell wear at the beginning though, but now its OK
this is the best little tool I absolutely need for my 3M micro projector. I highly highly recommend buying this tripod if you are buying that 3M projector. you will thank me later :)
yes! they work just fine. ..  what else can you ask bout them? they are what you see... stable enough.
I got one of these for free when I purchased a point and shoot Canon. I've used it 60+ times a year for at least 4 years to set up photos in the backcountry and felt compelled to let folks know that it's great for this purpose. It's lightweight and small. (It fits in the side pocket of myBlackRapid Snapr 20camera bag.) The bendable legs make setting it up on uneven surfaces easy. Just bend each of the legs the right amount to get a level shot and put the legs on sturdy surfaces. I highly recommend this tripod if you're looking for an inexpensive way to take selfies and group shots in the mountains.
If I actually got to use it. This item came to me with just the tripod legs. Where is the top part of it that holds the phone?  It never came. If this was a complete unit for sale, the description does not indicate that another piece was needed for it to work. It was really inexpensive so I just didn't bother to try sending it back, but I'd get mad every time I looked at it and realized that I got taken by yet another company. Don't bother buying this product unless you're prepared to go in search of another piece to make it work.
I wish I had returned this.  It was advertised as an accessory on Amazon, but one came with the projector.  So really didn't need it in the first place.  It is only half the strength of the tripod that came with the projector, but doesn't work at all.  Don't buy it!
This device is suitable for use with the pico projector acquired, easy transfer and of good quality. Recommend purchase for ease of use and adaptation
Needed something to hold my gliph for my iphone for facetime chats and for pictures. It is a bit cheap on the construction but does the job just fine.
Would be fine for lighter and more balanced projectors or cameras.  The projector I have did not balance well on this tripod. WOUld have been better if a little sturdier or had larger feet to improve stability.
It works, and it is three dollars. I like it. It is worth noting, however, that this is identical to theVanguard VS41 Flexible MiniTripodsold by the same business. I bought them both thinking for this price I might as well try them both.
I bought this for Creative Vado HD, and it works great. Amazing how much better video looks without the usual handshaking (Vado has no image stabilization). Also works great with my small digital camera. Costs next to nothing. Everybody should have one!
Holds my Rebel T2i with kit lens, sturdy connection. Not like those little aluminum ones where the plastic breaks.Rubber feet smell like chemicals but that will go away just like my bulb duster did. Fits easily in my bag. Does not swivel though.
This tripod works great with the Vado mini pocket camcorder.  Even though the insert point on the device is off center, this tripod does the job and at a fantastic price!
Very convenient when don't want to carry(backcountry,ect..)a tripod with more functions. Be carefull to put a leg under the  heavier parts(lens,batteries,ect..)of the camera to prevent tipping over.
I work in schools as an instructional coach.  We use video as one means of studying our craft. I set the flip camera on this tripod and all of it on a post it note pad.  Now I can set the camera anywhere in the room and get pan views of all of the students.
I really liked having this little tripod available and use it with the 3M MP225a Mobile Projector (very light). But over time, the head of the tripod broke and impossible to repair. It shattered into small pieces and was a little disappointed. On the plus side it was nice to be able to manipulate the legs in any direction needed. It is a fairly steady tripod and at a great price.
Decent for the price, but it is kind of flimsy. I guess it is only supposed to hold a smaller camera. I haven't used this near as much as I imagined I would. I use my larger, small tripods. Good quality and great for small cameras. A negative aspect is that it isn't extremely flexible like I would expect. Decent product. Not what I prefer.
Didn't work well at all with the 3M MP225A Mobile Projector. It is more the projector than the Tripod but this tripod doesn't work with the 3M MP225A so don't bother with it. Look for the Tripod built by 3M if you need it for a 3M MP225A.
For the price, this is really good buy. It is small and can hold pocket camcorders very well. It is flexible and easily stands on any surface. Allows to adjust angle due to flexible legs.
This has been a great way to set up a little recorder for meetings or events that may be memorable
At under three bucks and with the ability to spread and maneuver it's little legs and support a few ounces of your portable unit, this little guy does all that is advertised. It does what it does. The talent part is up to you...
The title of my review says it all. This is a simple product that works very well. What else needs be said?
A very useful item but be very careful when attaching to your camera. I tried to tighten it and the screw broke off inside the tripod attachment of my camera. The screw is made of plastic instead of metal.
And it works good, now I can include myself in the pictures,and the price is almost a gift. The quality is solid and so cute it fits in your camera bag, when have you considered putting a tripod in a small camera bag ,that's a big plus. usually it doesn't go every time because of space issues, My problem is solved case is closed, and I bought 3.
I guess I should have looked at the picture a little more.  This item is way too small for the use I had planned for.  I guess that's my bad though.
Okay, it's price is probably the #1 selling point, bu the quality is decent, and it meets all its descriptive hype, handily.  I use it as a base for a small sound recorder and it's perfect.  Makes a great handle to avoid touching any of the buttons that blanket the unit, and bends back to a single post for use as a hand-hold.  Works fine with my Canon Powershot, too.
We've had this for some time, and take it along when the possibility of stabilizing a pic might be needed. It has a pocket clip, and although rather gangly, it does work. Don't expct it to hold a full sized SLR, but for point and shoots and similar small cameras, it is very satisfactory. Smelled terrible at first, but smell went away.
I like this mini tripod. I use it with my Galaxy S4 and am happy with it. It does what I needed it to do.
Not sure how you can really review this. It's a tripod. It screws into the tripod port on your camera or Flip video. It holds the camera up and allows you to adjust the angle. It works as advertised. If you need something to get it up off the table and set a simple angle (too much angle and your camera will fall over if your legs aren't severely splayed out) then this works perfectly fine. Nice price, too.
It was surprising how strong this thing was.  I used it a lot while it was relevant to what I was doing.  Not good for a cantenna, but if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're fine.  For normal uses, this thing was great.
It's a handy little item, but make sure your camera has the mounting hole more towards the center or it may have a tendency to fall over easily. Works great when you want to get everybody in the picture and not end up with some unwanted object in the shot.
This tripod only stand up. It doesn't wrap to crazy places like the fancy ones, I guess its good for what u pay
Bought this to use with my Creative Vado.  Light, small, simple to use and does the trick.  Wouldn't be any use for a conventional camcorder as it is too small  and light  for that but ideal for the recent upsurge of pocket/YouTube cams.
Received the product in a timely manner. It is as others have commented, if the camera mount is off center, this tripod is not very stable. I am able to level it enough to get it to stand on its own, but it is somewhat awkward. Not a fault of the device, but not as desirable as I would have liked it  to be. I like the ease of use and its ability to bend to any needed angle. The size is a plus, fits in s small camera bag nicely.
This cheap tripod works great if you want to set your camera up and never move it. I have a top heavy Sanyo Xacti and it topples over very easily on this tripod and getting angles out of its short legs is sometimes difficult. Overall it's not a bad product. It successfully holds the camera up and is easy to cart around. Do NOT expect to be able to get a lot of flexibility out of the legs they're just not long enough.
It's cheap and pretty decent quality for the price. It works perfect for my little pocket video camera but I don't think I'd use it for my DSLR. Other than the smell, it's a perfect product. The odor actually surprised me when I opened the package. It smells toxic, like burning tires or something. I'm hoping the smell will fade eventually. I'm going to try and soak it in something strong.
I had never used a mini-tripod and really wouldn't have been surprised if it turned out to be a dud. I was surprised by how sturdy it is and it's ability to hold my camcorder. Glad I bought it.
Legs are "bendy" which makes leg use more flexible. Short height makes you adjust legs more than normal to accomodate weight imbalance of camera. If camera tripod hole was in center of camera, would be no problem. But short height makes camera not as stable. Would recommend a longer tripod.
I won't lie and say this was a tough decision between the Sunpak and another tripod on Amazon going for two grand (actually $1,874.90--the Gitzo Video Tripod).  The truth is I purchased it simply because of the price.  A buck and a quarter puts me 4 cents short of a box of Good 'n Plenty licorice candy.  And come to think of it, the candy doesn't have anything close to the plentiful uses of this minuscule contraption.  If you have a Flip, you've seen more shakes than video.  Solution: a tripod, the securest foundation of all geometric shapes.  If you have a Canon Elf, the automatic steady-shot capabilities don't require additional support, but any attempts on the part of the photographer to include himself in a shot certainly do.  If you have a personal audio recorder like a Zoom H2, don't expect to get noise-free recordings if you're holding the recorder or setting it on a table that'll transmit every vibration to the machine's sensitive mics.  The tripod comes through with flying colors in all three instances.Just one caveat: this item was so small I left it in my mailbox overnight because I didn't see it.  I'm predicting it'll last me longer than a box of Good 'n Plenty's but not as long as a Papermate ballpoint (about two weeks).  In any case, a small cost for a small loss.  The disposable tripod has arrived!
It's exactly what it looks like. A perfect little tripod to take with you and prop your camera up on a table.
It is small and very portable. But the size is an impediment for anything larger than a relatively small point & shoot. Can be balanced on a ledge very easily but with a light camera - otherwise camera could topple over damaging it. All in all, be careful with the tripod - useful for portability and smaller cameras. But does what it says. For larger cameras, use Sunpak 620-1212DCC Tripod.
This works perfectly, just don't be too rough with it. I recommend it for Point and shoots only though. It is light weight, small, and cheap. Enjoy!
This is amazingly cheap, but even for your smallest camera, it's unstable.  One of the rubber feet disappeared the first day, and the legs came out after just a few weeks.  I wouldn't trust anything more than a webcam to it, which seems to be the ideal use.
It isn't super potent but its definitely there. This tripod doesn't have much structural integrity either and I wouldn't trust it with the majority of my devices (unless you want your device to go front first into a table). The area at which you can point this thing at is also pretty limited and getting the legs even to have a level shot is a pain as well. I'd recommend buying a different product that has more capabilities instead of this one.
I love this little tripod. I take photos with it on a table. Perfect for toy cameras and shaky hands. It fits in my purse. I haven't had any problems with it. It also does well sitting on the sidewalk for unique pictures. I have several lomography cameras that screw onto it without any problems. Never used in high winds. I have a habit of holding onto the camera anyway.
This is just too small, it does fir great in a purse, but the legs don&#8217;t stay bent and it changes position on it&#8217;s own when setting up a picture, keep looking&#8230;
This works great, such an invaluable item for the price! Bendable legs give you many options to adjust viewing. Highly Recommend
I had a similar product a while ago but I lost it.  The other one may have been a knock off but the legs fell out after a few months.  I just got this one and it feels much more solid.  So far so good.  I plan to update the feedback in a few months time.
The legs are easy to adjust, and the tripod fits my camera and an Optoma pocket projector well. It's OK for the camera, but not sturdy enough for the projector. Good for light usage, very good value for that price. The small and compact format makes it easy to stow, and I'm sure it will travel well.
such a great accessory, brought three more for my new two kodak playsport zx5.  i already had a kodak playsport but needed an additional two so i can shoot multiple shots of one scene.
Simple, and effective, it has flexible legs, perfect height to sit on a desk or table. Stable and well worth the cost. This Tripod is well made for something with such a low cost.
This little item is so handy, easy to install and great for more than just steady recording. First of all, it simply screws into the camera with a few turns - couldn't be easier. No snaps to break or finger-busting configurations.Secondly, the legs are so easy to bend and maneuver without breaking. My hard drive has vents on top so I cannot set anything flat on it. When I charge my camcorder, I just connect this handy little tripod and set it up on top my computer, out of the way and without blocking the vents.I really appreciate the larger round ball feet. It contributes to the stability of the stand. It also allows me to slip it into my carrying case without damaging the interiorPremium Quality Well Padded Carrying Case for Creative Labs Vado HD 2nd Gen / Vado 720p HD and More Pocket Video Camcorders ***Includes Convenient Shoulder Strap & Accessory BagThe price is more than reasonable. I love it!
This is a tiny tripod.  It's about five inches top to bottom.  It's totally bendable to any configuration you like.  Recently my son was a recepient at an awards event at his school.  I put my video camera on the floor, trained it towards the place where he would accept the award, and went and sat down. This tripod kept the camera aimed where I wanted, still as can be, and got a great video.  It's a must for anybody's camera bag and it's small enough to go with pocket cameras.
The price was good and it was delivered in just 4 days.  I couldn't ask for more.
I needed this mini tripod for my speech class for when I did my speeches. Before buying the tripod I used to put it on a stack of books but this makes it so much easier to record my videos or even take pictures of myself to send my wife from Afghanistan or even group pictures. This was probably one of my best buys off of Amazon!
These are great.  This is not designed for a full size DLSR with a heavy telephoto.  Its perfect for pocket cameras and even my micro 4/3 with a prime lens.  In a pinch I can sort of get it to work with my panny GH1 and a moderate tele, but that is pushing it.  It weighs about the same as a small gorillapod, but is much more compact and can be tossed in a corner of a pocket without even noticing it. You cannot wrap the legs around something like a pod, the one down side.  But it doesn't bounce and vibrate like a pod does either.And if you lose it, no big investment lost.  Although somehow I seem to hang onto these for a long time.
The product is manufactured in what seems in a machine shop without regard to the end user in mind. If this were a metal product to be bolted in the engine compartment of your car it would be great, because the machine oil would keep it from rusting.However, I wanted to use this in conference rooms to support my Optima PK301 projector and the machine oil smell makes it impossible to bring into that environment. I put the tripod in my garage for two weeks in hopes that it will dry out and outgas, but that was not to happen. I will throw it away, good thing it was very inexpensive.
I bought this to hold a Zoom H4n. The recorder weighs in at a pretty hefty 9.8 ounces and probably rounds out at about ten when I use a windscreen with it. It's still holds it off of a desk with no problem and allows a little flexibility with the direction of the onboard microphones. I can aim the recorder about thirty degrees up or down without worrying of it tipping over. It's quite durable, I expect the threads and rest of the tripod to last a while. There isn't much more to say about it, though. It works well and costs less than a pint of Ben and Jerry's.
I wouldn't hang my wife's Nikon on this, but for my CL Vado, or for any other really light digital point-n-shoot it's perfect!
The smell is bad - it smells like smoldering rubber put out with paint thinner - but it's not overly strong.  Beyond that, it's great.  The screw is metal - the foot-buds are rubber and glued well - the legs retain their shape.  For a two-dollar tripod, one can't do much better.
I bought it for my zi8 camcorder, but I rarely use it.Its good for inside recording, but keep in mind you get what you pay for.Don't expect it to be super durable.
I have a Nikon D70 and used this little tripod while traveling this past week.  I didn't have - and usually don't have - my full size tri, but one of the kids in our group had a Mino video camera and this tripod. I  was very impressed at how well this little tri worked.  It was perfect for setting up the camera for a group shot - I used a nearby wooden railing about 4" wide and was able to quickly get everyone framed, fire the delay and jump into the picture.  I later experimented with my 70-300 zoom and surprisingly it still supported the camera and big lens even on irregular shaped rocks. The D70 mount is pretty much in the center of the camera, so note that an offset mounting might be a more difficult challenge for larger cameras. I also found that turning the tri upside down and setting the long zoom lens down into the legs provided a way to support the lens and get the right angles for shots while leaving the camera on a solid surface. It should go without saying that this is not going to be as versatile as a "real" tripod, but then again, this "Mini Me" tripod completes my full size tri and it's ultra-portable.  I'm buying a few of my own to drop in the camera bag, glove box etc., just to have on hand.  Very recommended.
If you have a point and shoot camera, either still or video, this is a handy little tripod. It's priced well at about $5.00 and sure beats trying to get the right angle by just placing the camera on an available surface.I use it for shooting videos too.
I agree with the reviewer that says this thing smells toxic, like gasoline mixed with tar mixed with other nasty chemicals. It's the "rubber" parts that stink. I have no idea how it performs as a tripod... I've already thrashed it; it's not even worth returning for the price paid. I don't see how some of this toxic crap gets into the market. I bought a tape measure with a rubber grip (not from Amazon) that had similar odors and I trashed that thing as well. These tripods seriously stink up the whole room. Some people must be more sensitive that this type of odor than others or this product would be all zeros and removed from the market.
Confirmed fit for Logitech C615 webcam and GE W1000 digital camera but please read below for the W1000!This fits the tripod port of my GE W1000 digital camera but because the tripod is small and the port is not centered the camera will tip if not supported on the other side. This really isn't the fault of the tripod but the mounting position on the camera.Works very well with my Logitech C615 webcam which is what I got it for. My desk can wobbly sometimes and I have yet to have it fall over on me. My only complaint is the webcam seems to be a bit slanted while sitting on it (see picture) but it's not noticeable in captured video.
This Mini-Spider Tripod was very cheap, very useful, versatil, well it's just excellent for my dutties, i just love it.
It's so sad that I wanted to use it and the little piece on the top was broken. My camera almost suffer an accident. I never realize that was plastic instead of iron.
except for the long delay in delivery from Amazon, which is very unusual for them, the stand case and memory chip were fine.I really thought that the Powershot Camera had a memory chip and when I found out it did not I had to purchase one.  I did itthrough Amazon instead of running out to a store because Amazon is usually so prompt on delivery. This time not so much.  I came several days late, and after a call to Amazon because the tracking page showed it had been delivered when in deed it had not.
BORDERS ON USLESS, IT DOES NOT HAVE &#34;GRIPPY&#34; TEXTURE TO THE FEET, NOR ENOUGH GIRTH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT IF THE CAMERA IT WAS PAIRED WITH...
it's small, but so handy.  No matter the camera, this will give a needed stabilization when you need it.
This is a very cheap piece of equipment. I had another version of this that came with my camera that looked very similar but worked much better. This product is a very cheap replacement and I recommend you don't waste your money and instead choose one that may cost a bit more.  It does not bend well, springs back immediately to where it wants to be, and will not stand up on uneven surfaces very well. Choose another!
man o man talk about cool . i never new how hard it was to stand still with a camcorder ! now i can screw it right in and stand it any where really ? and it is pretty handy in my book ! now i film better with out haven to look at a shakie camera and it fit my other 3 real nice .for me it,s better than the rest because of it,s size and wieght , you have to take my word ! it,s great ! small camcorders and cameras can,t do with out it ! if you need bigger than get a gollon jug . fill it all the way up and drill a hole in the center of cap and get a bolt the size you need for your mount and some washers and your also set for the gigger ones ! but me this is all i will have .my friend has the type you can twist on every thing and it,s ok but not for me i like what i have and will stay with it and if i ever  do need a big one or taller one ,i,ll do as i said get a flat head bolt and make my oun .but not today .this is all i need .it,s great not to see the screen shake and rock and roll around and not look good .
Seems to work like I thought it would. It is made out of cheap plastic but that makes it light weight and very easy to slip in your pocket or backpack.I would recommended this product based on it's price and ease of use. Oh and I did "NOT" notice any smell like the other people are saying.It is also a lot smaller than I thought it would be so don't use a heavy camera or long lens with this one. It is great for getting group shots  from a short distance when you don't have anything level to set it on. I use it to take photos of small objects in a little light tent I made for my wife's business. It sits in the desk perfectly.I would have given 5 stars if it were made out of better material.
This will be good for my photos of insects......but dang !dudes.....this tripod smells like huaraches....probably made from recyled tires which is okay by me.......hope that it airs out soon so my friends dont think i have  massive stinky sneakeritis!!!!!
I brought this mini-tripod with me on a backpacking trip to hold my Canon HF200. It worked great and the flexible legs made it easy to set up the camera on uneven surfaces. It's pretty light weight, so an excellent option when a real tripod is not an option.
Although I ordered this tripod to be used with a Pico Projector, I found that it was too small to balance the projector.  It will work great in other applications and it was "Cheap" to buy.
Just fits in the camera case with the camera.  Even with hand problems, easy to attach and remove from the camera, and it is so cute it is just fun.
Sunpak ClampPod ProThis product works far better than I imagined it would. The bendable "neck" bends stiffly, which keeps it VERY securely in place. The clamp is powerful too. I use this product as shown, in combination with my full size tripod, and in combination with my table top tripod. I screw the bendable neck on to my two tripods. Very versatile and functional. Highly recommended.
Good clamp, especially since you cannot find this sort of thing anywhere else.The construction is not that great, but it is still a good thing to have.
If you plan to fix a DSLR or a good external flash to this tripod, forget it. It will not hold a thing other than a small point and shoot (I guess)
I found the flexible army to be slightly more flexible than I would prefer (using a relatively light pocket camcorder).  In the end it worked though.  The clamp is very, very strong.  Users should experiment with removing the black clamp pads for the best grip on the mounting surface.
I make YouTube videos. A lot of times I have to make them on my own.  This is great to clamp to the kitchen table and record what I need to do. It has worked well for me and I would definitely buy it again if I needed another.
I am using this to mount3M Streaming Projector Powered by Roku (SPR1000)to the headboard of my bed.  It is excellent for that purpose.  By projecting over the bed to the opposite wall I am getting a 72" screen.The clamp opens ~2" at most, but that is really pushing the limit; I would not recommend clamping to anything thicker than 1.5".
Wanted this mainly to attach to my drafting board to shoot drawing tutorials (it's tough to get a clean overhead angle). It holds my Xaxti  camcorder fine, and the arm is stiff enough to support the weight of the camera and not droop. The arm is short at 7 1/2 inches but the adjustable swivel head adds another 1/2 inch. If you're looking for an affordable mini pod with a clamp to hold a light weight camera in unusual places, this is it. See customer photos to see how I attached it.
Like damianicus says, the ball joint should be scuffed for the clamp to work properly; nothing some elbow grease can't fix.So, not perfect, but pretty close. Rest of the unit works great; if anything the goose neck is a bit too stiff. Good clamping strength, plenty for point and shoot or light camcorder. They should fix that ball joint to get 5 stars.
I added this to a recent purchase and have made use of it several times to hang flashes off of a ceiling grid and off of light stands  but it is limited in it's capacity and the clamping grab power (Weight of the spring) is not as tight/powerful as I'd like.  Don't get me wrong I am glad I got it and it is very useful but the little ball head is undersized and small to my hands . It is exceptional for light P&S cams and flashes in some modes, like hanging, but in other set ups it can not bear weight without the clamp wanting to pull off a light stand let's say.  For the money it is great for light duty use  & the occasional "extra hand" . A nice touch is the ability to remove the  head to  get the ball head right of the threaded stud on the clamp surface.  4 stars  as I would have liked a slightly more powerful spring. Good to have this in the kit bag.
Even with my small Sony Handycam, I really had to work to keep the ball swivel from drifting once I locked it into position.  Otherwise, the rest of the design is neat.
Everything about this product is great except one bad flaw. As someone else stated the hand-twisted little ball tightener does not fully lock the ball in place. As hard as you can turn it by hand you will still have movement in the ball, so you better have something light on here. Disappointing because the rest of this clamp is well made.I'm using it to mount an old iphone to my baby's crib for a $5 App video baby monitor, rather than spending $500. So the ball is barely holding the weight of my phone as hard as I've tightened it.This is a bad flaw, this company had better fix this issue or just remove this product from Amazon.
I was wondering when I would write a bad review and unfortunately the day has come.The clip works and the goose neck itself seems pretty solid. BUT**** the ball head does not tighten at all. One bit. Not even close. This thing could be a great product but the ball head on mine is aboslutely awful. It litereally does not tighten a bit. I wish I can get my money back or a replacement because I am sure (I hope) they are not all sold like this. Hopefully I got a dud but the fact that there are duds in circulation does not keep me satisfied with the quality of the product. I will have a video up soon.
"Not the best build, by far, but cheap. The ballheads DO actually work, but you have to crank them down beyond what they are likely to take for too long. I use them for very small lights like Par16's and small LED fixtures. Works OK. Bonus is that you can put this in places other grips cant go and it's very quick to move around. But overall, not a great tool, but can work in a pinch. "
This is made so well and sturdy. You can tell it is strong and designed well and I'm a happy buyer.
The one with flexible rod is worthless, it doesnt hold my Sony HVL58 flash unit. The other part is ok though.
Gotta keep my video kit very mobile for recent 'on-the-back' assignments in the third world.  Easily breaks down and can be configured for just the right improvisational solution for many lighting, sound, or temporary rigging scenarios. The standard 1/4-20 threads on both ends of the 'gooseneck' allows for some creative uses, especially if you have two of these at hand to mix and match components.
Works just as good as a full size tripod in tight areas and where tripods are not allowed. Used on top of empire stae building
The product appears to have terrific design and great potential.  The quality/feel of the product is great.  I like that EVERY part of this item can be taken apart and cleaned, repaired, & replaced.  The entire item feels sturdy and is very modular.#1 Major issue:  This kills the entire deal--  the ball joint top is fabricated poorly.  I have had multiple replacements and have the same issue with all of them.  The ball joint is poorly machined/fabricated and therefore we have a terrible time getting the top post to secure in-place.  Even with the set screw over-tightened, the ball joint has &#34;slop&#34; and &#34;movement&#34;.  This one detail substantially hurts the usefulness and quality of the entire product.*** This IS my ONLY complaint.  However, being able to confidently and securely mount a small device on the top post and know it will stay in place is THE primary reason for this product.  The product fails to do this.  :(  ****
The Sunpak ClampPod Pro is a very nifty little mounting option - that is if you are using a fairly small camera. If you are planning to use this mount for a full sized SLR or other heavy camera, please note that it is not strong enough or intended for that. At least not with the goose-neck.The clip is strong, with a beefy spring. It clamps securely in place and holds very well. The inside of the clamp has rubber "teeth" pads that help secure the clamp to round or shaped surfaces. There is even an extra "rubber tooth" included that fits inside the handle portion of the clamp. Think of a "chip-clip" on steroids, and you have a good idea.  The rubber teeth are not glued in, and can fall out - so some care and attention is required not to lose them.The goose neck is also sturdy. It takes some effort to bend it to the position you want - but that is ultimately a good thing because it stays in place, and doesn't drift or creep (unless you have too much weight on it, see opening paragraph).  The included ball head at the end of the goose neck allows you to position your camera in any direction or angle and secure it with a thumb screw. It accommodates the traditional 1/4"x20 thread size of a camera mount.The clamp can be used with or without the goose neck, and can be combined with other mounting options for a nearly limitless array of mounting ideas. For the price, this is a very nifty item and I consider it a 'must-have' for the gear bag of you are like to think outside the box for your photo/video compositions.
The product is a bit larger than anticipated.  But because it disassembles, is easy to carry and use.  I really like its flexiblity in uses, and articulation.
Seems to have a fairly good grip, and the bendy arm is sturdy and firm in any position. Used for a baby video monitor.
This is a great idea. It works--sort of. The problem is the gooseneck is so stiff and difficult to maneuver.
This is the only small tripod I could find that uses a `clamp' for those times you cannot find a level surface.  It can be clamped vertically to a post, door edge or even a tree, if necessary.  The spring clamp is heavy duty, but has rubber pads to prevent any potential damage or scratching.  You don't always have a flat surface to film or photograph from.  This also holds up to two pounds of weight which will work with most any newer model of camera (not older video cameras).  The flexible steel neck makes just about any angle work and it will unscrew for easy packing.  Sunpak always seems to have the most `cutting edge' products; even simply ideas like this.
My spouse makes frequent how-to videos, and this flexible stand is perfect for mounting the camera in unique positions that a traditional tripod cannot duplicate.
The gooseneck could be made of lighter material. As it stands, even without a camera attached the goose neck is fairly heavy and if the clamp is not firmly attached to something a good vibration or shake will make it pop off. This clamp is perfect for small point and shoot camera's or Gopro type camera's. The gooseneck can be removed and the adjustable ball head can be directly screwed onto one of the two 1/4X20 screws on the clamp which is really nice. The clamp does have hard rubber inserts so it hopefully won't mar the surface of whatever you clamp it to.
Wow,I use a digital recorder for recording church services and musical performances. With my recorder attached to this clip on it fits almost any where and is extremely secure. I love it!
It is so very useful and handy for genealogy work.It is also very useful for taking very beautiful and different pictures.
First, this isn't a Manfrotto, but it is a reasonable clamp at over half the cost. That's the deal. Works great as a small flash clamp or for a small point and shoot camera. I don't recommend using the "goose neck", it makes the clamp top heavy. The ball head works very well on all Nikon flashes up to the SB-900. If you don't want to drill a clamp (diy, I salute you), this isn't a bad alternative.
Simply put, this thing is junk! It doesn't work. The set screw is not directly attached to the arm itself? The set screw is attached to an upper peice that does not screw onto the arm! Therefore the ball that has the camera mount just falls down. I think they also made the ball way to large to fit in the arm housing. You can push the upper peice down and snug against the arm but the set screw can't reach the ball to set it! I bought this to attach to a canoe and film with my GoPro. I end up sending it back for a refund. Amazon was real quick with picking it up and the refund. This was the best thing about the order!
I use these with my game camera's comparable products cost 4 times the cost.very durable.
In my opinion this clamp is made pretty well. It seems sturdy and durable. That being said this clamp is NOT intended for heavy duty applications. Over the years I have purchased mounts similar to this. They have all suited my purpose for light duty. As an example I would recommend this clamp for camera flashes during a shoot. It seems to hold my SB-600 and SB-900 pretty well with no slip. I would not however trust this with a heavy DSLR camera or any heavy piece of equipment at all. The clamp is not strong enough and the gimble may not tighten and hold. ( The gible does require a little muscle to have it hold in place )Another application I've used is a time lapse with a GoPro Hero 3 camera. This type of action camera is very light weight and puts no stress on the clamp. My final example is a light weight nursery camera attached to the end of a crib for infants not standing yet. This seemed to work well until she was able to reach it. I would also not recommend affixing this unit on something thicker than two inches. I found it seemed to slip a bitThe unit comes with two clamp rubber inserts. One is flat and the other in angled to suite your needs. The neck is fully adjustable and can be removed if need be. In conclusion as long as your not expecting it to hold up anything heavy it should be fine. It certainly has limitations but what it does do , it does well.
Awesome combinations to use with Contour Cam or underwater camera summer boat fishing or Winter Ice fishingPerfect for the person who uses many combinations for different applications
You cannot crank the thing down hard enough on the ball joint to hold the camera mounting platform in place.I regret I wound up with a nice looking piece of junk.  The mount has a little ball joint with a tab you are supposed to tighten down to prevent ball rotation once the little mounting platform is in the position you want it.  However, the mechanism does not work.  You can tighten that tab down until your fingers hurt, but with a modest little shirt pocket digital camera mounted on it, that's all the weight it needs and the ball slips loose and your camera flops down, making it impossible to position.It's a shame.  This would be a wonderful and handy little product if it worked, but it does not.  Don't buy it.
This lens fit perfect,-no thread problem,but don't screw it too tight- in my Canon Vixia hfm300.Great protection from dust,scratches and UV as described. The quality,the price and the value of this product is great.
This filter would only partially screw onto my Panasonic camcorder and seat in a slight angle.  It would not attach firmly and completely to the camcorder lens, though the threads appeared in good condition.  To find if the threading problem was related to the camcorder lens or to the filter, I borrowed a Hoya from another camcorder.  The Hoya seated perfectly, indicating that the problem was likely due to the defect in the filter threads.The filter came in a clear plastic storage case.  The appearance of the packaging suggested possibly long time storage and rough handling.  The tray housing the filter did not fit the size of the filter, allowing the filter to move freely inside the storage case.
It may not be the best quality UV filter, but it served its purpose as the most effective gear to protect the lens of my camcorder from dust, dirt, and scratches. I also like the fact that the ring is of hard metal and black. It's inexpensive, too.
I have it on my Panasonic Lumix FZ-20 camera for last 8 years and it serves the purpose. I like it.
i  just  got  it  today , no threading problems,  took  it  right  out  of  the case  and  put it  right on  my  canon  vixia hf m30.
It does its job good and it is a smart purchase to protect your camera lens with. It's better to take the chance of messing up a $6 filter lens than your $500+ camera's lens. The only thing I didn't like about this filter is that it comes in a very cheap case that won't really protect it in storage at all. Besides that its all good.
I had no problem with the threading. The only reason I got this was to protect my lens. It hasn't impacted (good or bad) my pictures in any discernible way. It does give me piece of mind when working with my camera. Even a kit lens deserves protection. The container the item came in was cracked, but the filter was undamaged. Fair price. Don't spend too much (or too little) on such things. This fits the bill just fine (as do many others).
Works great i just cant really use as much i would have hoped, because if i put the filter and sunshade on it causes vignetting. And most of the time i will have the sunshade on. But if i think there is any danger that my lens could get dirty i will use this for sure.
I bought this filter for myCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. It is easy to take on and off, and it does it's job of protecting my lens quite nicely. At the end of the day, you are paying for a flat piece of glass so I don't think it makes a lot of sense to spend a lot of money. For the price, you really can't beat this filter.
For less than the half the price of a nikon lens cap, you can get this filter. It serves no function on modern digital cameras other than protecting the lens from dust and damage.If you're taking picture of light sources, you'll get ghosting (stray dots of light) in your photo. In such cases you need to remove the filter. This is the case regardless of how good your UV filter is. Take off the filter when you need 100% of your camera's image quality.
it screws on nicely. Never had any issues with it. Right now i have 2 of these scewed together with a coffee filter cut to fit in between them for a impromtu expodisc and it works great.no complaints!5/5!
Seems to be well made; metal ring, filter doesn't move around or anything like that.  Compared to my Sigma filter (which was over twice as much) it does seem to show a bit more reflections.  However, for cheap lens protection, you really can't go wrong.
The quality of the filter unless you are just looking for a filter to protect the front of your lens with. This lens causes LOTS of glare when used with a Nikon 50mm 1.8D in sunlight. I have two other sizes of the same filter, and the problem does not occur. ONE MAJOR CON: I am the type who tends to accidentally screw on the filter too tight, and when doing so, it can be difficult to take it out. And this filter tends to have a sharp razor like edge on the botton screw in portion. I have cut one of my hands really badly when trying to unscrew the filter from my lens. :(Overall. I would say that this a really cheap affordable filter, but if you are looking for a quality filter, I would look elsewhere.
This filter was good at first until I noticed that the reflection off it is terrible . If there is any additional light it is even worse. I did a wedding and ended up taking it off. Yes I have to clean lens more often and its not protected but I would rather be careful than have bad shots.
Nice, economical lens protector for the Nikon 50mm 1.8. Came packaged well, clean, easy to put on. Does the job, what more do you need?
This filter screws right into the front of my Nikkor f/3.5-5.6 18-55mm zoom lens. It also protects it from scratches. I haven't tested its filtering capability, so I can't comment on that. Also, lens cap still fits on the front. So it's everything you'd expect.For the price, great.
I bought sunpak 62mm and 52mm filters for my Canon lenses (75-300mm and 50mm lenses respectively) and for about $6 each they seem to be fantastic and cheap protection from both UV rays and physical damage to your camera lenses.
Purchased for my Panasonic DMC-FZ8 and fits perfectly.It allows the lens cover to be attached and does not interfere when using the lens hood. It can be left on the camera permanently with no reason to take it off. Does a great job of protecting the camera lens.Quality packaging protected it well in shipping.No defects noticed in the glass.
I'm an amateur photo enthusiast and purchased this filter for the 'protection' it provides the lens.  Protection from dust, primarily.  I'm not sure about the filtering part.  Most shots look fine from my perspective.
Why risk scratching a $300 lens when you can get a $5 filter? This is a no-brainer.
It came very clean.  I didn't feel the need to wipe it down before putting it on a lens like many others I've received.  I'm very happy and will check these out again when it's time for more.
The filter fits well on my camera but I have had about 3 of these. I take very good care of my camera equipment but these always seem to break on me.  These work well and fit great but perhaps its just my luck that they always break. Theyre cheap so it wouldn't be bad to try it out first and if it breaks, just look for another brand.
I put UV filters on all my lenses to protect them.  It's an inexpensive way to save your expensive glass from scratches, dust, bumps and falls.  This filter is clear and defect free and does the above job fine.  Don't expect more than that.
There's a horrible glare at night. I took pictures of the Eiffel Tower and was sad to see the Tower upside down and green next to the real thing in my images. Alas I'm no longer in Europe and I've done some side-by-side comparisons and it's definitely because of the filter. Spend a few bucks more and get a good filter. You're not just protecting your investment in lenses, but you'll get better pictures!
Build quality is good. Fit my Nikon 50mm/f1.8 prime lens perfectly. It also fits D50 kit lens very well.
I bought this filter along with B&W $35 filter with intention to prove to myself that it's worse then the expensive filter. After many shots I came to the following concoction: If you shoot in any direction except against the sun they both perform 99% the same. If you shoot in angles towards the sun you will get much more flares from this filter than from the B&W. In both cases shooting against the sun gives you poor pictures. In my mind you should match the filter cost to your lens cost. If you have expensive lens go with B&W, but if you have regular lens that came with my T3i this filter will do the work just fine.
I use my UV filter mostly to protect my camera lens.  Well, this filter does that.  It also scatters light across it, creating a blurry, poorly lit photo if you are anywhere near looking into the sun.  Granted, taking a picure into the sun isn't a great idea, but sometimes that's the angle you've got and that's that.  In that case, unscrew this filter because you're going to ruin your shot otherwise.  Like another reviewer said, you get what you pay for.  This is junk.
I bought three of these guys and use them on my 58mm lenses.  They're great to protect the outer glass and when you consider what you pay for your lenses these SUNPAK CF-7034 UV 58mm filters at less than $7 are great.The construction on these optics are very good, they are well packaged and come with a convenient, plastic storage case.  Great buy for the money.
I had this item in my Wish List for those times when I need a small purchase added to my order to get Amazon's wonderful "Free SuperSaver Shipping".  A UV filter is wonderful for protecting your lens on your camera, and this one threads onto my lens just fine.  The lens cap has no trouble clipping onto it.  So form and fit are great, but what about function?  I was concerned that an inexpensive filter would distort the image.But it doesn't.  I have yet to be able to see any distortion using this filter.  To be honest, for the kind of pictures I take, I'm not sure I would be able to see if it was enhancing pictures as the sales copy claims; supposedly, UV filters will reduce haze and dust, but I maintain the main reason to have one is to protect your expensive lens.  In any case, it lives on my lens now, and is removed only when I put a different filter on (such as my circular polarizing filter when shooting wildlife in water).Inexpensive, good quality, and absolutely no distortion makes this an easy recommendation from me.
I've had the filter for a couple weeks. It threaded on fine and works like it is supposed too. Great for protecting the lens.
works great for protecting your lenses while on the move. you wont get anything cheaper at this quality. just got 1 star off bcoz its not multi coated. no prob with this item and supplier...
I ordered two of these for the price. received them and couldn't be happier. I am a new "photographer with DSLR and just wanted to protect my purchase until I know what i'm doing!
nice, clean filter, but thread is not excellent. Buy it, put it on your lens and forget it :)
i bought this for my kit lens on the rebel t2i for the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6. it works great, and i really just wanted it for protecting the glass from hitting it or dust. it worked well for that lensthen i upgraded to the 50mm 1.4 lens. this filter and the lens do not work together. if you are working in dark light(which is probably all the time with the 50mm 1.4) you will have problems with this filter. it reflects light, and sometimes even when the light is out of the frame. perhaps its the lens? i took the filter off and took the same photo and the reflection was gone. make sure you use a lens hood when using this filter or dont use it at all. i will show a pic of what reflections are appearing
these filters are great, for a lot less than some others.  The fir on my canon efs lenses was perfect, and the optics are flawless.
I ordered two of these to protect a couple of lenses I have (Canon EF-S 18-55mm and Canon EF-S 55-250 IS).  I'm not a professional photographer so for me these work perfectly well, no vignetting on either lens, which is really all I can ask for!
This is better than I expected. It cannot compare to my B+W filter but that's for my L-serie lens. For regular type or in this case for the kit lens of my Canon XSi, this filter is above average. Made in Japan.
I normally buy only Canon filters, but Amazon had them on back order, so I thought I'd give the Tiffen UV filter a shot. Talk about getting what you pay for! That thing was trash -- it had all sorts of flaws on the lens that couldn't be cleaned off.I was going to be using my camera soon and couldn't wait for the Canon filter, so I decided to give the Sunpak filter a try. WOW! Now I feel like I've been wasting all sorts of money. For half the price, I got a filter that's every bit as nice, if not nicer.The glass was perfectly clear, and getting it on my lens was smooth as silk. Sunpak has totally won a devotee here.
On my cameras (including Canon S10) this works fine.  Eliminates lens flaring (I don't notice any UV difference, sorry), doesn't seem to distort the image.But, when I add wide angle adapters or macros, it doesn't seem to mesh well.  Weird shadows or fixed glares appear.  Not sure why. But, for what it is, works fine.  I mostly want it as a lens protector, frankly.
I bought these filters in order to protect the front of the lens, but light is trapped between the front glass and the filter which is causing glare when taking photos of sunrise/sunset and moon.  I really dont see any difference in the shots with them on or off - but they are a cheap way to protect your lens if needed.  I would say that these filters actually cause glare to occur - not prevent it.
As single coated filters go, I suppose this one is OK. However, single coated filters will turn into glare city any time you are shooting in lower light where light sources are visible in your picture.With this filter (and single coated filters from other brands), you get green dots whenever you're out at dusk or at night and point the camera at anything involving a light source, such as a street lamp, a marquee, etc. On a recent trip to Disney World, this ruined so many otherwise perfect night shots.These things are not expensive. Do yourself a favor. Spend twice as much and get a Hoya or B+W filter instead. Make sure it's multi-coated. This way, when you point the camera at or around a light source at night, instead of green dots you will see no glare. Big difference!
I would never have expected any optical product to arrive in the filthy condition that this filter did.  But, I would have cleaned any filter before using it so, my issue is more about presentation.  After clean up, the filter was fine - optically flat, no distortion, no issue.
The ordering process was very good and I received the product on time. I would recommend this product to anyone.
I use this with my Fuji HS10 as basic lens protection and it gets the job done without causing me any wonky results in the photos.
It came very clean.  I didn't even feel the need to wipe it down before putting it on a lens like most filters I've received.  I'm very happy and will definitely check these out again when I need more.
Kind of useless as a UV filter, but great for lens protection. I would much rather pay five bucks for a new filter than 300 for a new lens. these get really dirty really fast, so keep a microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution handy or else you will have a  lot of finger prints and smudges in your shots.
Offers great protection for the main lens in your camera!  The price is unbeatable (less than $10)!  Also it protects against ultra violet interferences!Albert C. Marth
This is a good and cheap product to protect lens. It stays alway on my lens and I am happy with it.
This filter is everything you would want in quality and at a price that's much lower than it's competitors. Don't miss this piece.
GREAT FILTERMAKES PICTURES WARMER AND SHARPERARRIVED AS PROMISED ON TIMEWORKS PRERFECTLY WHILE PROTECTING OUR $$$ LENSDONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.WE DONT!!RECOMMEND A STRONG BUY!
It serves it's purpose and protects the lens glass. The cost was much cheaper on line so I bought it.
It feels well built and comes a with nice package.For what it worth, mine is made in Japan.
Bought this about 3 years ago to protect my Tamron 18-250mm lens on a Pentax K100 and it has been on the lens ever since. It may not have the best quality glass, but it is certainly adequate and I have been happy with the resulting photos. For 7 bucks you cannot argue with the value. Just ordered a replacement as my 8 year old managed to knock the camera and lens off the table yesterday - trashed the filter but the lens and camera still work.
Not much can be said about this besides its what you expected, a seemingly well made filter.
I ordered this item from ANTOnline and 5 days later I received an e-mail stating: "Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver to the address entered at order placement, and we have instructed Amazon to cancel your order"...  5 days later!  This is the first time in the many years since I started buying from Amazon and its suppliers that I get an apology of this kind.  But more interestingly, the order just disappeared from my purchase records at Amazon so at this moment I am not able to leave a feedback using the standard procedures.  I already filed a complaint stating this problem to both Amazon and ANTOnine but still want to advise other potential customers to stay away from this product or get it from another supplier.
The product is good.It fits fine, it works well.I have not performed specific photo-benchmarks, but it fulfills its function.
A UV filter is a very simple thing. A smooth round glass coated with UV screening material. At a very small price this one does both. Sure it could have a thicker coating but it works well.
UV filters removes haze and act as lens protector (say if your camera swings forward and hits rock, the filter would break and keep your lens safe in most cases)  good glass quality, smooth threading, great price great buy.
I bought this filter for my 18-180mm Zuiko lens. Unlike other poor quality filters, the glass used here is crystal clear that it doesn't create any sort of impediment,aberration nor distortion on the lens. More so it enhances the clarity of the image. Very much worth what I paid for not to mention the protection it gives to the more expensive lens.
Purchased this filter along with a CPL for a new Tamron lens.  Product arrived very promptly (a day after the lens), and does exactly what it is supposed to do.  Cuts through blue haze nicely, and protects the lens at the same time.  Highly recommended.
This may not be the most expensive filter but it works great on my digital camera. It is well worth the money and the low cost will encourage you to replace it when it does eventually get scratched.
Does what I want...protect my lens and provide some UV protection.  Great price was a plus.
I put this on the lens I purchased it with and couldn't tell a difference in the pictures. I'm not a photographer though so maybe it's just there to protect the lens...
Not a lot to say about it- it fits the lens I have, it seems well constructed, and has caused any problems.
I use UV filter as a protection filter for my lenses against finger prints and repeated cleaning which wears off the expensive lens coating.  I make lots of 11x14 prints for my home. My prints are sharp as a tack and there is no color shift! Great buy.
This filter was bought basically to protect my camera lens from the elements and fingers. However, the reflections from this filter create big problems when there are small sources of light in the picture to be photographed. A good filter should be coated with an anti-reflection film.
I have been using this filter for several months and it is working just fine.  Fits the lens well and I have had no problems with it.
I've used Sunpak equipment before, this one is their usual good quality.  I don't know if it is pro quality but certainly does the job for me.
I rec'd the lens and have been using it ever since.  I was told by a college professor who teaches us digital photography that this was a must.  It will protect your actual lens and enhance our pictures.  I feel it is doing both!
This 62mm filter fits my Tamron 18-200mm lens perfectly, and the price was right with shipping included. Every expensive camera lens should have some protection and this type of lens is the less expensive way to protect my investment.
Works Great for what I Purchased it for which is to protect the lens I installed it on, as we all should know it is less expensive to replace this filter than the lens.
This polarizer is horrible!  It causes severe blurring on every camera I've tried it on.  It matters not whether it's used with auto focus or manually focused this polarizer simply ruins your photos.  I am at my wits end  with this thing and I've experimented endlessly with this polarizer and can't for the life of me get a decent, clear shot.  This shouldn't be called a polarizer it should be called a bluririzer.  I guess it's true you get what you pay for, but keep the money you'd spend on this clunker an apply it to a better filter.
This CP filter is one of the more inexpensive units of this type, yet it feels well-made (in Japan), fits perfectly, and rotates smoothly.However its polarizing effect (through various lenses) on the images taken with my Nikon D40 is only moderate.  There is some darkening of the sky and reduction of reflections as I rotate the filter, but the effect is not what I'd call "strong".  Upon reflection (get it?) that may actually be a good thing; too pronounced an effect might make the photos look unnatural (and could be achieved using editing software later, if that's what you're looking for).I would have given this five stars (for price vs. quality) if the filter's effect was more noticeable.  Your results may vary.  Still, at this price point, this unit may be exactly what you need.  It adds some saturation to the blues and greens of sky and grass, and diminishes reflections in glass and water.
I was at the beach recently and put this filter (67mm version) on my 70-200 f/4 IS.  My images immediately got very very blurry.  I took the filter off and everything went back to how it should be.  This wasn't subtle: everything was blurred about 10 pixels, at 200 mm.  I was totally astonished: I've heard of cheap filters hurting image quality but never seen it myself.  I took a bunch of shots with it on, and a bunch off, and got the same thing over & over again.  Shutter speed was fast and I was on autofocus, so this wasn't a user or camera issue.  No scratches and the surface was clean, and reflections weren't an issue.  Reading reviews on Amazon confirms that I'm not the only one with this problem.The filter's well-built, turns well, and comes in a fine case.  It *looks* clear and sharp.  But in use -- what a piece of junk!
I have no $100 multicoated filters with which to compare this Sunpak Picturesplus filter, but it seems like quality glass to me. It has front threads so another filter can be attached in front of it. The total thickness is 10mm. However, if you want a UV filter for use with film cameras or as a clear protector for digital cameras, then get the SLIK CF-7078 two-pack for only $2 more. The only thing lacking is a carrying case, but the packaging serves as a protective if bulky case.
This is a very good filter for most everyday photographers. Good value and good performance.
I'm not a professional, but the polarizer does its job as designed. Have been using for 2 years with no issues. Would buy it again.
This is a great item to have to create smooth water looks and help control lighting.
This is a glass polarizing filter.  It rotates to give you more or less polarization, the problem is that there is not much difference at all when rotating the filter.  If you can't afford a more expensive filter buy this one, if you can spend more skip this one and go for a Hoya or Tiffen.
I am very impressed with the high quality of the Sunpak Circular Polarized Filter.  The outer lens of the filter rotates with silky smoothness, and then stays in proper position while you take your photo. The high quality mount makes it easy to put the filter on your lens, and then easily remove it.  I'm guessing that Sunpak does not use the "ultra-grade" optical class or the "super multi-coating" of the polarizers that sell for five times the price...but the photo quality is excellent.I am using it with a Canon S-5 camera with a Sakar Digital Concepts lens adapter.  I had expected that the polarized filter, being twice as thick as a UV filter, might cut off the corners of my photos with the lens set at its widest zoom.  To my surprise, there was no problem at any zoom setting.  The polarized filter does precisely what it is designed to do...increase contrast and color saturation while reducing glare when taking photos in intense sunlight.Bottom line: a very well made polarized filter at a bargain price.
I am happy with my purchase. The product is built well and does what a polarizer should. The filter rotates with enough resistance so it's easy to move, yet enough to hold it in place so it doesn't move on its own. It contains no coatings, though there really isn't any need for them.
I don't like the look of the photos with this filter. I bought a Marumi instead and the difference in quality is astounding. I wish I never bought the Sunpak.
I bought this filter and am satisfied with its polarizing effects.  Granted, I've never owned a different polarizing filter, but this one seems good for the price.  I did have a little bit of trouble screwing it on my lens at first, but after the first time, it's been fairly easy.I would purchase it again.
Less can sometimes be more.This is a filter on the low end of the price points available.It is a good product, I'm not sure what spending twice as much gets you in this catagory.It works as well as any other I have used in the 1980's.Buy this, and the money you save can be used to buy additional equipment.
the product is ok, is a good price benefit product.is very good for begineers, but i now would consider buying some better.
This filter works as intended. It's not amazing, but it does perform up to expectations. There are no special coatings on it, and there are better filters out there, but if you are a beginner looking to try and see what effects filters can do for you, then this is a good investment.
The Sunpak CF-7059 CP Polarized Filter works as advertised.  It was a great value too!
I loved this filter for my camera. It was a great addition to my camera and worked great. Although my first filter got lost with the shipping, when I called they helped me out with a new order with no extra charge. Altogether, its a great purchase.
This is a polarizer filter that was bought to use with a Canon T3.  I bought it to specifically use on an Alaska trip.  It is not a high cost filter but seemed to give the desired results.
Great filter, solid build, I am happy with Sunpak and will continue to purchase future filters from them. Don't have any other brand so can't really compare them, but from some of the other reviews read about others I can't see them being better than this-good glass, solid metals and good tolerances on the build.
It's cheap for two things:1. A good filter would only block the polarized light, reduce the reflection. This cheap filter has its side effects by shifting the color cast to blue at maximum point and then to greenish when rotated for another 180 degrees.2. A good filter would almost completely block out polarized light at maximum. You can test it in front of a bright LCD monitor and at maximum, a good CPL filter will go completely dark. This cheap filter will only block half; you can still see what's on the LCD screen (and like mentioned above, it's blue tinted too).
I've been using this for over 2 years now, and it has worked out well on my Canon PowerShot G11. My only issue would be that the threads are a little finicky, but I couldn't tell you if that was because of the filter or the lens adapter that I use. Either way, for under $4, it's well worth it.
I purchased this polarizer because of the low cost.  It worked as a polarizer should and I was pleased with the results.  However, it is not coated and I had to take extra precautions to reduce reflections on the surface of the filter.  Up to now I had been using Hoya coated filters but at twice the cost I couldn't see going that way this time around.
I purchased this lens for my Sony DSC H20b.  It's a great buy and works well, but the lens is unstable.  It mounts perfect on my telephoto/wide angle, and lens adapter, but if you pull on it slightly it comes off.  I'm not sure if this filter will secure better on other model cameras, but would hate to see someone drop and break an expensive lens for not having the filter mounted tightly.
This is the first polarized lens filter I've ever tried, let alone owned, and I'm happy with it.  It doesn't eliminate all glare/reflections (I don't know if the really expensive ones do either), but it does take a lot of it out, and deepens a blue sky nicely.  The outer rim is metal, so its sufficiently durable.  I believe the "lens" is plastic, but I don't notice any degradation in quality.  All you do is attach it to your lens, then rotate the filter until it blocks out the desired amount of unwanted reflected light.The only reason I don't give this the full 5 stars is because I wish it did take out all glare, but that may just be stupid on my part.
It does it's work well. After couple of years the think CP coat started coming out from the glass!
Does what it is supposed to. I know the pros out there will probably say you need to spend $150 on a CP, but for us amateurs/hobbyists this filter works just fine. The threads are really small, but they have to be to match the lens designs... so thats not really something that any filter can fix. Screws on easily, and turns easy enough without feeling sloppy. Stays where its put. Comes in a nice little holder that I still use in my camera bag to keep off the dust.Ive used it several times at the beach and in the blue ridge mountains with fine results, but there is a learning curve to it. There is a CP filter effect where one side of the picture is darker than others, if you dont watch where you have the sun. Dont blame it on the filter... its the camera person in most cases.
I've got a few Sunpak filters, and all do what they do very well without costing an arm and a leg. They ship in nice plastic cases that provide quick access, but solid protection when not in use.  Though I don't use a polarizer often, when you need it nothing else will do. Images are excellent. Amazon seems to think that 58 words is less than their required 20, so I'm adding an extra sentence or two as filler. If this doesn't work, I won't bother with this review. Good stuff.
I needed some inexpensive filters for occasional use and was very pleased with how good these filters were for the price.  Both filters work quite well.
As a first time DSLR ( Pentax K200D ) owner I'm in no position to judge how these filters compare with the much more expensive brands, but can say the units I received introduce no aberrations, arrived in perfect condition and have performed well.  At this price they are definitely worth buying even for lens protection alone.
Just needed some basic protection for my glass.  Not looking to spend a fortune and if I have to replace these...no worries.  Cheaper than my local walmart.
this filter is a very good pargain for the price and it works as good as 60 dollars one ....i had lots of filters and i will never go for expensive polarized any more , cuase any multy coated c-polarized behaves the same as long as u know how to use it
I just bought aNikon D5000with two lenses, and went looking for some accessories. I like having a polarizing filter, and to a lesser extent, a UV filter, so this 2-pack from Sunpak looked like a great deal. I am very happy with my purchase. For the record, I own both theNikon 18-55mm AF-S DX VR Nikkor Lens, and theNikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens. These Sunpak 52mm filters easily screw onto both of my lenses.This package includes both a 52 mm Circular Polarizer, and a 52mm UV filter. Each comes in its own container and storage case. The storage case is hard plastic, and while it does the job, it is not as nice as some of the Tiffen filter cases I own.The images I have taken using these filters are crisp and high quality. There is no vignetting (darkening of corners). The filters look durable to me, and Sunpak offers a lifetime warranty on both lenses. Overall, I am happy with the price and quality of these filters.
I bought these filters for my Kodak P880, which is a nice "point and shoot" with some SLR features.  The lense is not removable so protecting the glass is important.  The Ultra-Violet filter stay permanently on the camera, I use the polorizeing filter for exterior shooting.  I've been happy with the filters, I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good filter at a reasonable price.
Pro's:-works well with my Canon 50mm f/1.8 II-cheap-does as advertised-glass-free of distortion and inconsistencies-A few other reviewers using Hoya's claim these to be identical in quality.Cons:-shallow threading.-it probably will make camera snobs jealous. They refuse to buy these cheaper filters despite its obvious quality. Maybe I could understand it if you were shooting with $10,000 glass.
I bought myself the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens that is highly recommended.  Wanting some protection, but not wanted to spend a lot for a hundred dollar lens, I tried out these.  UV filter works great protecting the lens, don't see any distortion with or without the filter.  The Circular Polarizer works great too.  Never had one, but since this kit included it, thought I'd give it a try.  Wow, makes the skies much more blue.  Since then, I've bought a CP for my 18-200 lens.
I am no photography expert but I do have a fairly nice Canon camera.  I did not like that the lens had no protection against scratches and dirt so I bought these filters.  They seem to be good quality and thread on nicely without binding.  I keep the UV filter on at all times and have only used the polarized filter once. It was hard to tell a difference to adjust the filter while taking the picture looking through the digital screen on the camera.  I could tell a slight difference on the actual photograph though.  I mainly bought the filters to protect lens and they do a good job at that.
Hi All, I bought this product a month before. The construction is very cheap, and the polarizer is not that much good. In the corners of the image I'm getting a black shade. The glass is also not so clear. Overall rating is bad. Don't go for this product.
unit was loose out of the box . When you hold the lense and rotate it in front of a reflective surface there is absolutly no difference in any position. I have another camera with one and I have used it for years , bluer blues , greener greens , trimming reflections to none . this one is just a tinted lense with no function
Got the Sunpak filters just based on the reasonable price.I have also posted 2 pics taken just seconds apart with/without the polarizing filter.I see a noticeable difference in them. Probably not the best polarizing setting like professionals.But i am still learning.I could see a significant difference in the sky color but rest was ok.About the Sunpak Filter:It fit my D60 very well.Forget about the UV filter , its more of a lens protector. (no image quality difference, i already own an ebay ordered "china" seller)Tip:Found online that setting your white balance to "DayLight" and lowering the exposure would bring great results.
These are good quality filters for a great value. I have these on my lenses and bought them for a gift.
Hard to find fault with these.  One is a UV filter, the other a circular polarizer.  I can't see UV so I can't tell if the UV filter works.But I can tell that the circular polarizer works, and works well!  It's done wonders for those otherwise impossible shots through glass and with water.  Highly recommended if that's your type of shot.
I recently bought a Canon Digital Rebel XT, and the first thing I noticed was the glare I would get from roofs of buildings, wtater, etc.... I'm just starting out learning photography. It seems I needed a circular polarizer for my lens. Canon seemed kind of expensive, so I ordered this.The circular polarizer works great! I guess the UV filter is good too, although I can't really tell the difference. Just don't bother using the polarizer indoors since it essentially blocks half the light.
Don't be fooled by the price, these are some actually some decent filters. I'm using the UV filter to simply protect the lens on my camera, but the polarizer is pretty darn good at filtering out glare and reflections.This "Twin Pack" is a simply aSunpak CF-7059-CP Camera Filterand aSunpak 58mm UV Camera Filter (CF-7034)box taped together.The filters themselves work great. The only minor issue is that the polarizer is slightly too tall for the hard plastic case it comes in, so the cover doesn't fit perfectly, but it still locks in place fine once you twist it.
Both lenses are very quality. While they are the first filters i've owned, i have friends who are in the field with official canon filters and say that the quality of these are rather impressive for the price
Maybe it's just defective, but the polarizing lens give me noticeable image degradation.  The images are blurred and easily seen even at 1:4 scale and with a tripod being used.  Cleaned it just in case but still the same issue.  The UV filter however is perfect and I'm very happy with it.
Good product reasonable price.UV Lens: A must for protecting your camera's sensor/film from UV radiation.Polarizing Lens: Essential for landscape/cloud photography, really makes your photos POP.Overall I'm happy with the Lenses. I've been using them for a few years now and there still like new.I would recommend to any one using an SLR camera.
This is not some cheap, weak-kneed polarizer: you could see to the bottom of the ocean with this. The UV filter was also clean and clear. Definitely a good value.n.b. I ordered this from Electronics Expo, and it took nearly two weeks to arrive with bottom-rate shipping.
These are the first filters I have purchased, and are for a Sony DSC-H2. I have only used them twice so far, and took the same photo with and without the filters, and so far the polarized filter is the only one that made a noticeable difference.The polarized filter works wonders for outdoor shots. They add a nice contrast between sky and clouds on a bright sunny day, and take some of the highlights off objects like roofs. I have not done any specific tests on any changes in color hue or temp, but nothing looks "wrong" with the naked eye looking at the test and filter photo on a computer screen. Be sure to experiment with the orientation or rotation of the lens, as that is what makes a difference for polarized filters. Screw them on, then rotate the filter to find the best angle using the sky, fresh asphalt, or something with lots of glare.I haven't noticed a difference on the UV filter yet, so I use it more as a "protector" than something to enhance my photographs. I also recently purchased a Nikon D90 and Hoya filters, so they will be my test bed to compare these "cheap" filters to.If you are not a professional or enthusiest, you may never notice the difference between these and $80+ filters, but at the very least you have protection for the "all precious" front element lens on your camera from bumps, finger prints, scratches and accidents. I am giving this product a 3 because out of 5 because I assume this is average, does what it says it does, doesn't do anything wrong that I have found, but does not stand out in some way where I could say it is the best there is. Camera geeks will give you cred for having filters in the first place, but many will sneer at the sunpak brand, but just point out the small words that say "made in Japan". Hey, under $18 for two filters that's the best you can say and what a good deal too!
Bought this set up for my Canon G9 which is equiped with a LADC58H lens adaptor (which I also got at Amazon).  The adaptor does multi function duties as a lens adaptor, shade, protector and mount for the polarizer/filters.  The camera is my backup and goto for when I don't want to lug my digital SLR around.  But I wanted something to protect the lens (I do a lot of outdoor stuff) and the polarizer gets a lot of use/abuse.  I expect it to get scratched or scored (windy days at the beach) but at this price its tolerable!  And I'd rather sacrifice the filters than the camera lens/barrel.  The polarizer ring continues to rotate smoothly and screws easily into the mount.  It also arrived undamaged from Amazon.  Good value in my book.
Even though Sunpak doesn't cost as much as some "others", don't think the quality isn't there.  I have never had a problem with the Sunpak filters.
Bought this set through Adorama last week.  The $2 shipping cost was a relief and it actually arrived the same day as the rest of my order placed using 2nd day.  When I opened the package I was surprised though.  My Sunpak twin pack consisted of a Tiffen UV and CP filter.  The Adorama invoice even reflects that the above Sunpak kit is made up of the 2 Tiffen filters.I have contacted Adorama and will be updating this review based on my results.
Both filters seem to be high quality. This is my first polarized filter, and I am impressed with its performance, but have nothing to compare it to. My only issue is that the polarizer can be very difficult to remove from the UV filter if you tighten it too much. It also may turn too easily, but it has not been a problem so far.I needed a UV filter to protect my lens, and for just a few dollars more, I got this set, so I would say it is a great value.
I purchased a set of these when I bought my Sigma 105mm macro, and I am very pleased with the quality of these filters.  I would recommend them to anyone interested.
I bought two of these for a friend for his DV Video camera, to protect the lens. They fit great and do the trick and the price was right. It's certainly as good as any other basic UV filter for twice the price.
No question, just very good, fit my SONY CX110 very wellCX110 has no automatic lens cover, just a manual one, so when I forget to close it, no worry on dirts now.It's good.
I bought this filter mainly to keep dirt and dust out of my camcorder lens (Sony HDR-CX110), but when I point it toward a window (indoors), I see a purple spot or two. If I remove it, it looks fine. I'm not sure how it'll work outside, haven't tried it yet. I'll update this review later if it works better (or worse). For now, it'll keep out some dust and dirt, I guess.P.S. - I cleaned the filter and re-attached it, same deal.Later that day: I did some searching on the Internet, and found that the filter can cause the flare, so it's probably not unique to my situation. I'll still use it to keep junk out of my lens, but remove it if I get the purple spots.Update: I did some video outside, it looked fine. I avoided aiming it toward the sun, no problems. I removed it to see if there was any difference, but didn't notice any, so the filter doesn't seem to make videos look worse. So, I've updated my rating to 5 stars.
Never sure these work much for UV. But they are rally great for adding some extra protection to your front lens glass. Works great with my canon and nikon lenses.
This is a very inexpensive way to protect your camcorder's lens. It does not seem to affect the image quality of your videos.  I am satisfied with this UV filter.
I bought this camera knowing its drawbacks, and would still buy it again, but just so you know, here are the issues: (1) the wonderful lens is completely exposed w/o the lens cap and the lens cap falls off very easily--it has to, because if you press "on" without removing the lens cap, if the lens cap didn't fall off as the lens extended, the gears would strip. (2) to fix the first issue, you can buy the lens adapter and screw on a 58mm filter but this adapter is so large that it interferes with internal flash coverage, creating a black cast in the bottom right of pictures and also, it makes the optical viewfinder unusable. (3) even w/o the adapter, when using the optical viewfinder, the lens blocks a small corner of the view on widest angle. Why use the viewfinder? If you're following action, LCD displays may not have quick enough response from picture to picture. You might want to wait until the replacement for this camera comes along, sometime in the Spring I hear. (Addendum Feb-04. Check out the new Canon Pro-1!
I bought the Canon G5 about 3 months ago, best digital camera i ever owned. I still have my ELPH S230 which I carry around all the time, but this one is capable of fully manual and automatic settings, you can do everything  with this little gem. I do not know why the lens cap falling off bugs people so much, would you rather take that great shot with the lens cap on? I would give this camera 6 stars if I could.
I don't agree with the review of some people who rated the G5 with very low score.  I just bought my Canon G5 and the camera is awesome.  The pictures I took with the Canon G5 are very beautiful.  Canon in my opinion make some of the best digital camera out there.  I use Canon, Nikon and Olympus digital camera before and Canon is by far the best.  The only other camera I would be interested in buying is the Canon 10D, but the camera is out of my budget at this very moment. ...
For the price, there are a lot of good cameras available. The G5 scores highest on picture quality, and the level of control you have over your photographs.I did end up choosing the Fuji S7000 because I got a great deal - nearly $100 less than the amazon price for the G5. Also the Fuji has better zoom, and is much faster. However with a smaller $ difference - maybe $50? - I might have chosen the excellent G5. The 600+ shots I got to take with this camera left me really impressed.The G5 has an excellent instruction manual that actually teaches you a thing or two about digital photography every time you look through it. The camera's menu is intuitive and easy to use. I have compared this camera with a few including the Nikon 5400, the Fuji S7000, Kodak DX 4490, and a few others and found it easiest to get &quot;true&quot; colors from the G5(I am still struggling with the Fuji).The high quality LCD will show you a fairly accurate representation of your photograph. Nine out of ten digital cameras do not do that. The LCD also swivels - great feature to have if you want to avoid scratches.There are some disadvantages as the other reviewers have pointed out - like the flash getting blocked by any lens attachments, camera being a little too big to carry around conveniently, limited zoom, difficult to hold in one hand, etc. However if picture quality and control are important, the G5 is hard to beat at the price.
I bought this camera to replace a 2mp camera that allowed no control over aperture and speed and to give me the greater resolution that would allow larger than 8x10 prints. I was very pleased with the menu structure and layout of the controls but I was very surprised to see the lens barrel visible through the optical viewfinder, obscuring the lower left part of a shot unless the camera is zoomed in. The lens is outstanding, and shots taken at ISO 50 are wonderfully free of noise even in low light. What killed the camera for me is the autofocus. For some reason it often has a hard time finding focus. In several situations from macro to landscape and at various light levels the autofocus would hunt for seconds and then occasionally would give up and lose focus entirely. The conditions mentioned in the manual that might cause difficulty with focus were not present. Of course, I could focus manually but that can be a tedious task using the LCD display (and not just with this camera), especially in bright light. The camera has a good feel and is easy to use but I finally gave it up from the frustration with focus. I bought an Olympus C-5050 which is not quite so easy to use but the autofocus is rapid and reliable. I frequently see a shot where I must get the camera out and on it quickly and the G5 couldn't be counted on.
Using the G5 as a backup gives good quality images and allows for raw image capture. I really like it because it is a point and shoot with all the features of a professional SLR. Great camera even better price great deal for me.
I currently own a G2 and thought an upgrade was due. Unfortunately, my G5 arrived today with a dead pixel on the LCD. Dead pixels are a fairly common problem to digicams, so it wasn't a huge deal. Because of this, I knew I would be exchanging the G5 immediately but decided to take a few test photos first.Photos from the G5 had more of a grainy appearance and the purple fringing was way out of hand. I read this in reviews of the camera on dpreview.com and other places, but thought that the G5 still had to be an upgrade to the G5.It's simply not the case. Although the camera felt nicer in my hands and physically looks better (I'm partial to the black exterior) it was simply not worth the extra cash.I think most new users would be better off spending less on one of the earlier G series models than spending top dollar on a camera that doesn't live up to its expectations.I am so disappointed that I have no choice but to return my G5 to Amazon.
I use a pro model digital SLR for my important work and purchased the G5 for a handy travel camera and for candids at parties,etc. I had previously used the Canon G2 for this purpose,but wanted more resolution in case I got a shot that I wanted to enlarge to 11X14. The Canon G5 fits the bill.It does everything I ask it to do and does it well. I agree that the noise produced above ISO rating 100 is unacceptable,but the ISO setting of 50 for the G5 is equal to 100 on other cameras and the 100 setting is equal to 200. I find that with the availability of f.2 to f.3 speedy aperture I find little need to shoot at any higher ISO. As far as the complaints I've read regarding soft images and poor focus,I have not found this to be the case.After taking around 800 shots with the G5 I can say that the images are very sharp with no focus problems.Perhaps the complaints stem from the users technique. Yes,the shutter lag is a pain,but shutter lag is a problem with all compact digital cameras.If you don't need enlargements beyond 8X10 then go with the less expensive G3,but if you want enlargements up to 16X20 and don't want to invest in a digital SLR I think you'll be more than happy with the G5. Shoot at ISO 50 when possible. Keep in mind that a vast number of the best published 35mm images are shot on Fujifilm Velvia (ISO rating 50).
Let me start by saying that I bought this camera because we couldn't get the PowerShot G3 in time (for the price I wanted). I was more than content with the 3.x Megapixels and wasn't looking to buy a 5MP camera.That said, the G5 is a great camera, with many features that will make your mind boggle (time spent with the manual will definitely come in handy - btw, this is one of the better manuals I've seen). It comes with with an Automatic mode (read as mode for dummies who don't want to deal with aperture, speeds, modes etc.) or you can choose different modes (landscape, portait, nightshot, stitch assist etc...). The controls for these modes is on the top of the camera and is designed well. I tried all of them and it does make a difference compared to the default mode. The stitch assist was also easy to do with the software that comes with the camera. I doubt it that I will use this feature again, but it's nice to know that it exists if the need arises.I was able to get the camera up and running quickly and transferring photos to the computer is a snap (just follow directions - equally well written manual) and you will be fine.What is not designed so well is the series of buttons at the back - specifically the White Balance (WB) and Menu. My hand tends to hit the back of the camera when you are taking shots. Also on extended zoom the lens is unprotected, making me a little antsy.Overall, I feel that this is too much camera for me. I still give it the 4 stars because it takes great pictures (get a 128MB memory stick as the 256MB memory stick has caused problems in the past - the 32MB that comes with it will not be adequate), it is easy to transfer and create an online photo album and the prints (4X6 as well as 5X7) that I developed are decent.
I love my 2 Megapixel Canon Elph. Small, sharp and reliable - during its time, it was all I could ask for.  I even sold a couple of its pictures to magazines, so what's not to love?  While I have not discarded my Elph, I recently moved up to the G5 because it's better in every way. With a fast 4X optical zoom (all the way out to a 35mm-camera-equivalent of 140MM) and 5 megapixel chip, it could easily become my new favorite camera. The manual is thick but it uses a lot of illustrations and the text is surprisingly clear and simple so the reader should not be intimidated. Not being one to read manuals, I was able to take the G5 out of the box and immediately shoot pictures without cracking the book (the battery came out of the box with a decent charge too - how cool is that?) That's how simple and intuitive the camera is. I have already made a few 8X10 prints on my Canon color printer and they are sharp, show excellent contrast and have good color balance too. Like most auto-focus digital cameras there is a brief shutter lag. It's not too bad but the shutter release is certainly not as quick as one of my 35mm Leicas. Speaking of Leica, the shape and size of the G5 is very close to that of the classic Leica M series cameras. And the clever design of the battery case allows it to serve as a grip - I found it comfortable and secure. (Note: a similar grip is a [$$$]option on a 35mm rangefinder Leica!) I don't like the fact that you can't screw a UV, skylight or other kind of filter on the front of the lens. I like to have a good quality filter on the front of my lenses for protection - but that's me. For the average camera user, there are 2 auto exposure settings that should cover the vast majority of shooting situations. (I used "P" and got an "included in the box" 32mb compact flash card full of great exposures.) For the advanced photographer, the G5 comes with just about every manual control you could need or want - similar to those on their excellent EOS 1V pro camera. One cool feature is the ability to capture a shot in both RAW and JPEG at the same time. This feature will give you a "pure" file with no data loss due to compression and will allow you to make the largest, sharpest print possible. (The manual says that the RAW file is compressed, but there is no data loss - must be a new form of Japanese magic!) Bottom line, the RAW format will give you the biggest file with the most information. I suspect that a RAW file will allow the careful user (i.e., one who is fussy about focus, exposure and camera shake) to make an 11X14 inch print that is as good as any 35mm camera (maybe better!)  When compared against the many excellent digital cameras out there, the Canon is a stand out. Its size, resolution, simplicity, and Canon's excellent reputation for reliability made it and easy choice for me.
This purchase was requested by a friend living overseas.I ordered it for him and had it delivered to my house, because I wanted to prepare it for a long journey and make sure that will not get damaged on the way.The package came well wrapped, so I didn't really needed to put any additional cushions into it.I cannot say how the camera performed, but my friend called me two weeks later and told me that the camera arrived in a great condition, actually looks like new, had all parts as described and the performance is outstanding.Another great purchase at Amazon!!! Thank you!
0 star if I could since it is almost consider to be DOA. Don't know how good the camera yet. But just after a few shots, the battery is dead. Based on Canon's support, I have to send the battery back for them to check. What a bull!!! Now I have to wait a few weeks before I can use it again if I am lucky enough.
Many people will find it hard to believe that they're better off with the nearly identical 4 megapixel G3. Reviews by dedicated digital photo sites conclude that the G5 introduces significant noise into images causing the effect of extra resolution to be cancelled out by the degradation in image quality. Canon had to produce this camera because of our obsession with pixel count and in spite of the fact that all of the reviews of the G3 conclude that its combination of a clean sensor and excellent optics give it an edge over most 5 MP camers.Furthermore, very few people actually need 4 megapixels, much less 5. I had a hard time accepting this myself, until I printed out a couple 8x10s from my G3. 5 megapixels will simply mean that your memory card gets filled sooner, and each image will take longer to write to the compact flash card. Unfortunately, people look at pixel count much the same way as they do processor speed in computers. This is why we see folks buying P4 machines with 15" monitors and 128MB of RAM.The G3, with its less noisy sensor and lower price is the sensible choice. It's a better camera for less, but most won't see it that way.
Eww, I sometimes forget the advancements that have been made to cameras in the past 10 years. I bought this for my 3 year old daughter (Yes, she understands how to use Auto mode) The shutter is too slow even with the flash on, Her nor I can get a clear shot. The camera was used so maybe its broken. I suggest going with a G10 or higher if you really want an advanced Point and shoot over a DSLR. Though, just get a T1i or Higher.  Cheap enough, much better.
Long review, but I made it funny and informative just for you!Just understand ANYTHING you buy, there will always be something out there worse AND better than it.  There ARE cameras out there better than the G5.  BUT..for what this camera can do, it rocks.I fought in Operation iraqi Freedom on the ground in combat, and had this camera with me in the desert for over a year and not one scratch on the lens OR LCD screen.  Most of the other guys had these dinky point and shoot cameras than had no manual controls on them.  Sure they took good pictures as well, but try to adjust manually when the sky turns dark, and you want that perfect shot. The G5 is awesome.  Just awesome.Its been dropped, stepped on, left outside in the rain, and its still working!  I wouldn't recommend you try this, but its good to know, right?The G5 isn't a $5000- 49 megapixel 5 star fleet commander camera your friend might have bought to impress everyone, but when it comes down to great pictures, DURABILITY, protection of the LCD screen, and manual controls...it beats them all.Let those individuals who think its all about the megapixels buy those fancy laser guided, 22 megapixel cameras. Its just going to be 'obsolete' according to what the manufacturer says in a year anyway; you're G5 will always work, and Why???  BECAUSE GET OVER THE FACT THAT UNLESS YOUR A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURES OF TOM CRUISE ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT, NO ONE NEEDS OVER 5 MEGAPIXELS, not today, not tomorrow, not in 300 years.Just because its 2007 and not 2004 doesn't mean we as consumers need any clearer photographs.  If they get any 'clearer' our pictures are going to be invisible!!  In 2045, a 5 megapixel camera is still going to take awesome shots.  Besides, the Hubble Telescope's 'Wide Field Camera' only uses ONE megapixel and look at the shots it takes!  Ya, thats right cousin John, always bragging about your 10 megapixel piece of crap.The whole concept of 'MORE' megapixels is just those idiot companies trying to get us to spend more money we don't have.In my opinion, as an owner of 2-G5's, (bought the second because after surviving iraq, I dropped it in my pool; yes im an idiot, i know) if you want a camera thats going to last, go with this one.And one last thing, when your family members or friends pull out their 40 megapixel government issued, super-expensive digital Pro XLX-2000 camera, bragging about how they can print 400'x400' posters, just slap them across the face, take a picture of their shock with your G5, and walk away laughing.
If I could give this 4 1/2 stars, I would, but I can't.  The G5 is a great digital camera for all kinds of users, however is simply too much camera for most people that will want to take snapshots; many people won't even touch on using or even understanding all of the features the G5 has unless they have some photography experience.The lens is quite good, it's very sharp no matter the aperature used, the autofocus is of average speed, and the zoom is roughly equivalent to a 35-140mm on a film SLR - you get a pretty good range of focal lengths as long as you don't need wide angle or extreme telephoto shots.  Bokeh is okay at wide aperatures, but don't expect it to compare with a good SLR lens, because it won't.  Macro shots are very good, with little distortion, sharp focus, and decent bokeh.Image quality of the pictures is excellent - colors are balanced and realistic, and edges aren't oversharpened at all, 8x10s look fantastic but I have yet to print anything larger (The G5 should be able to make a nice 11x14 print).Featurewise, the G5 is very well rounded - it has a full auto mode, which works quite well, except the auto exposure for shots using the flash tends to overexpose the picture (This does not bug me since I usually use manual or priority modes), it had a program mode which gives you some control over the camera settings, and various manual modes including full manual, aperature priority, shutter priority, and also several scene modes for taking portraits, night landscapes, and more.My biggest complaint with the G5 is that it takes very noisy pictures at a given ISO - ISO 400 is utterly useless for taking shots because they are so grainy, ISO 200 is usable but I wouldn't print an 8x10 with it, and ISO 50 and 100 are okay - this camera is great for outdoor shots but if you need something to work with inside without a flash, you are better off with a D-SLR of some sort.Ergonomically, the G5 is great, it's well built, easy to hold, and all of the controls are easy to reach and intuitive.  There are numerous functions however, and it will take most people a while to become accustomed to and comfortable with all of the camera's features.  The flip out LCD is a very useful feature, and it has helped me take many shots that I couldn't have made otherwise.Overall, it is a very good all around digicam, but for some people with specific needs (Long zoom, wide angle, indoor shots without flash), there are better choices.  I strongly reccomend this for people with photography experience, but it is complete and total overkill for someone that wants to take snapshots.
this is a full-featured camera that you use as a point-and-shoot and still have the flexibility to be more creative when you want.  this fills the niche between the excellent canon s50 5MP digicam and the d-SLRs.pros:- excellent resolution from a small lens - 5MP power!- 4x optical zoom- good metering and good tonal balance - maintains shadow detail- good natural light white balance, strong and balanced colours- allows control over cameras internal processing algorithms - saturation, tone, sharpness- fast lens (F2.0 - F3.0)- low noise at ISO 50 (keep in mind that ISO 50 for this camera is actually ISO 100 for everyone else; likewise, ISO 100 is in reality closer to ISO 200, etc)- shooting priority play mode - simply half-press the shutter during playback and you're ready to shoot- impressive range of manual controls- very good shot-to-shot times, considering the larger files due to the higher resolution- nice metallic black finish - i definitely prefer this to the silver finish of other compact cameras- great fold-out LCD: nice and bright PLUS it folds away when not in use (less likely it'll get scratched)- fairly good startup time, especially for an extending lens camera- the manual focus has magnified loupe and ruler readout- flexible continuous shooting modes (buffer after processing)- RAW file format maintains 12-bits of data- ability to turn JPEG shot into RAW during record review- Compact Flash Type I/II and official Microdrive support- voice annotation feature- has a hot-shoe that allows the use of an external flash- invervalometer (time lapse capability)- AF assist lamp works well- has an included IR remote control- nice optional accessory portfolio to choose from- excellent battery life- USB connectivitycons:- where's the nine-point AiAF that's standard in Canon's own S50?- you'll need to remove from tripod to open the battery/CF compartment- AF Assist lamp doesn't have enough power at telephoto zoom- viewfinder partially obstructed by lens barrel- zoom controller does not have enough steps / multiple zoom speedyou would choose the G5 over over the s50 if you value flexibility over compactness (and you don't want to go all the way to the d-SLR range).you would choose this over the G3 because of the higher resolution, which more than makes up for the higher noise levels of the G5.this is a fantastic camera - highly recommended. enjoy!
I sent this back after 2 frustrating weeks...I got this camera over the S50 due to the faster lens, larger optical zoom and the hotshoe, boy what a letdown.The autofocus is miserable, this camera needs full light to focus correctly and it is VERY slow, if shooting in dim light (anything less than daylight) this camera took at least 10 sec's to focus, ofen it would just give an error beep and make me manually focus.Most flash photos were overexposed badly despite trying to deliberately underexpose.This camera is not worth the price, even if less than list. If you are willing to spend this kind of money spend a little more and get a digital SLR. I really don't want anyone to be dissapointed like I was, what a waste!
I ordered a G5 for work--we do a fair bit of digital imaging.  We were very impressed with the resolution and sharpness of the images.  I was reasonably pleased with the interface, though the other person who tried the camera thought the menus were too complex.  HOWEVER .. this camera had very pronounced chromatic aberration showing at the boundary of light and dark areas in high-contrast situations.  The dreaded &quot;purple fringing.&quot;  We had to send the camera back.  It may be that this was an early lens or coating and this will be fixed in cameras produced later than the one we bought (December 2003).  And it might not bother some users at all.  But we thought it was unacceptable for a $600 camera.  :-(
I got my G5 on August through Amazon. In December the LCD has stopped working, and a few days later the Camera completely stopped functioning.At the time I was travelling with my wife to Europe and Canon refused to service the Camera. Apparently you can only get US local service to it (they even don't allow shipping back to the States) and get this - I took this to Amazon customer service which warned me that by taking this Camera outside the United States, &quot;you void the manufacturer's warranty on this item.  This could make any future servicing of the item difficult and costly.&quot;Since we are due to get back to the States only in 3 months, and I need a WORKING camera to shoot while on vacation, not when I am home, I had to pay today $350 to fix it and replace the &quot;Optical Unit&quot;.I will never buy a Canon product again.Sony gives you worldwide walk-in warranty, no matter where you are you in the world you go or call a local Sony service center and get your Camera fixed.Now, that Sony offers CF and not just MemoryStick and with the excellent reviews it gets from the user community, there is really no reason to take the risk with Canon. Their Cameras ship with defects and the service is the worst I came across so far.
I am not a professional photographer, but I love taking artful and beatiful pictures. This camera is allowing me to fully learn the art of photography. It is versatile enough to allow me to try anything I want to.I would say that this camera is more than needed if all you want to do is take point and shoot snapshots. You can do that with this camera, but you can do so much more.For someone who, like me, is becoming a serious amateur photographer I would say this a great camera. I have been very happy. I would also say get a photography how-to book. I'm reading "The Basic Book of Photography" by Tom & Michelle Grimm. Read that along with the manual that comes with the camera and you can use all the knowledge from the book.Get Photoshop Elements and a companion how-to book. I use Scott Kelby's Photoshop Elements for Digital Photographers. With Photoshop you can make a good picture look great.Get a quality photo printer. I got Canon's i860. It does a fantastic job at making gorgeous prints, and it's quick.With all of these compontents a whole new world is opening up. If you have a Mac, like me, all of these components work together seamlessly.The camera is fun and easy to use. I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone interested in getting serious about photography.
This is a very nice camera. The battery life on this lasts for several hours. The picture quality is excellent. It is fairly easy to use provided you actually look at the manual. It does take crystal clear, vivid color photos. I had used the one my husband borrowed from work to take pics of our new grand baby. My photos actually came out BETTER than the ones a professional photographer was paid to take the studio!!It is well worth the list price of around $800. If you can find a deal like I did then I would strongly advise you to grab this beauty!
I have owned this camera for 3 years and am totally impressed with it.The rechargeable battery is amazing. It holds a charge for a very long time.I use it for ebay photos and it takes great closeups. My next digital camera will be an SLR and I will definitely consider a Canon. For now this camera still meets my needs.
I've been using this camera for 3 months, and have clicked about 1600 photos as of yesterday. Here's my take on it.- The lens is amazing. Fast and crystal clear. In digital cameras, the lens quality is more important than the mega-pixels beyond a certain point - for me personally that's 3.2MP- The battery lasts forever compared to other cameras in this range.- Tons of features, with amazing customization and configurability. I've taken beautiful photos in extremely low light conditions to very still pictures in high motion environments.- Very capable.- The package comes with everything you need. All the cables, remote control, charger, ac adapter etc... The only thing you have to buy is a big memory card.- The software drivers are nice, but the rest of the software is pretty useless. Download picasa ([...]) - it's better than iPhoto and is now free.- It is big and bulky (smaller than an SLR, but bigger than the S50). I bought this instead of the small S500 - at the time they cost the same; and have no regrets. The capabilities are worth the extra bulk.Read all the reviews of the purple fringing and chromatic aberrations. Here's my take- all cameras have them- personally, I've never noticed it.- the pictures look great when printed out or on the screen.- if you really want, you can fix them using software.
The G5 is an incremental improvement over the G3 model rather than the revolutionary jump some Canon users were expecting. G2 and G3 users (other than the gear-obsessed) probably won't be lining up to trade in their cameras, but new users, or those upgrading from 2Mpixel cameras will find the G5 to be an excellent choice.It's still not quite the ideal compact for my purposes. The zoom range, equivalent to a 35mm-140mm lens on a 35mm camera, just isn't wide enough for what I want to do. I'd rather sacrifice the 140mm end and get something with a perspective equal to a 24mm-100mm lens, which would give you a long enough focal length for decent portraits and provide a good wide angle for indoor shots and landscapes.That aside, this is still an excellent camera for someone coming over from film. Resolution is sufficent to produce really excellent 8x10s with a little Photoshop fine-tuning. The manual controls are all you'd ask for. The fast f/2 lens allows shooting at high resolution in dim light. And the ability to link to the various Canon TTL flashes proides for exceptional control over lighting.So while I'm not quite ready to trade in my G2, the G5 would certainly be my first choice if I was moving over from film or a lower resoltuion camera.
Don't forget that the G3/G5 are using the Compactflash memories... which mean you can use the 1Go and 4Go megadrives from Hitachi (previously built by IBM). When I go on week-ends/vacation, I'm worse than a japanese busload: I shoot, I shoot, I bracket, I'm at the biggest resolution and I don't worry about the memory.The result? On a 300 to 500 pictures week-end (G3 w/1Go microdrive), I can decently go to my Walgreens and print 5 to 10 AWESOME 8x10 pictures.For less amateurs people, you can use this way the RAW format and still have room in your memory.Conclusion : when you choose your camera, don't forget that you won't have always your computer around to unload your memory sticks. Check also the price per Mo.Go Compact Flash !! Go Microdrive !! Go G3/G5 !!!
There's plenty of repetition in the reviews you'll read about the G5. Here are a couple thoughts I haven't seen expressed yet.First, this is a compact camera, and that means the lens is made to tuck well into the body. The protective shell only extends part way out to keep the profile slim, so the fragile lens is somewhat vulnerable when extended. This is also the case with other maker's compact cameras. One solution is to add the lens/filter adapter, but if you've got any sense of style you'll be put off by its contrasting gray color. This, by the way, is the only way to add a protective UV or other filters - the lens barrel itself is not threaded. For a camera at this price and with these capabilities, the user should have a threaded barrel and sturdier lens construction.Second gripe is the placement of the controls on the back of the camera. I have average sized hands, but my thumb constantly bumps either the white balance or set buttons. It's more of an annoyance than a problem though, because they keys rarely engage from the contact.Canon clearly recognized both these issues, because they've fixed both in the new Pro 1.But don't let these turn you off. It's a fine, full featured compact camera.
I bought this camera new in 2004, I like it then and I like it now. It may be getting behind in technological terms, but it is still capable of creating fantastic photos. This is my travel camera, I own several cameras and as the user name implies, a nikon user and huge nikon fan. But Nikon still to date has not made a point and shoot camera that a DSLR user who wants more control should buy. Luckily Canon has, in the Powershot G series cameras.I have used this camera since 2004 and it has been trouble free and never once has it not performed like it should. It gives me lots of control of my photo shoots, has RAW abilities, takes pretty good photos, and is very easy to use.I would recommend anyone who is looking for a camera that will give you the control you like, without having to take your SLR everywhere, look into the G series cameras. If you don't mind some older features, the G5 will do very well for you. Right now they can be found for around $125 or so on ebay, which I think is a real bargain for what you are getting in return. I plan to keep this camera until it just dies, or there are no more batteries, CF, cards or accessories available. That is another thing, you can still readily find all the accessories for this camera, and find them at a very reasonable price.I do not agree with others who have complained about the picture quality or excessive purple fringing, neither have ever been a major problem for me, and I am very picky about the quality of photographs I make. If the photos were not up to my standards, i would have tossed this camera a long time ago and moved on. This a is very nice camera, even today. You don't keep and use something for 6 years if it is not up to standards. Look into the G5 if you are looking for a useful camera that will give you control over your photos, and you can leave that DSLR at home from time to time.
The lens seen through the view finder I knew about before purchase so I cant complain about that.The Selector icons (auto, portrait etc.,)wore off after only a couple of months!! Cannon did replace the selector gratis, and I have now protected the icons on the top of the selector with a two part slow setting resin (72 hrs), this looks good and works perfectly.Apart from the above this is a great Camera and I have been very happy with it and have taken thousands of great pictures in the year I have had it.My friends wish they had my Camera and when they pull out their fancy Samsungs, HP's etc., there faces soon drop when they see what mine can do.
NO, I bought the G3 rather than the G5 because of some less-than-favorable reviews of putting a bigger engine in the same frame. The G5 [other than for the black drag] is a Powershot G3 with a five- rather than a four-megapixel CCD sensor. Canon seems to have put just a finer-grained CCD in the exact same body as the G3, causing chromatic aberration and increased digital noise, with little gain in picture quality, in an effort to keep up with the competition. My suggestion is either to get a G3 (top rated by Consumer Reports) at a great price, or wait for Canon's sure-to-come-soon top quality prosumer camera with larger CCD.The G5 is just an annual model change, rather than a genuinely new revision.
It is simple. Nikon makes the best SLRs. Canon makes the best digital cameras. This is particularly true in the prosumer range, where Canon's Powershot Gx series beats them all with its ease of use (both hardware and software), in looks and holding comfort (which is a subjective opinion, and this is mine), in the sheer realism of the pictures etc etc.I own both the G2 and the G3, the latter being a upgrade more for the purposes of competitive response than anything else -- different bodyline, somewhat higher pixel ratio etc. Now, G5 may come across as the same with little to show for, except its black paintjob and the insiginficantly higher pixel ratio. A tad disappointing for us Canon aficianados who were expecting a bit more from the next in the series.WHAT'S NEW:(1) Black body. Personally, I have gotten used to the silver finish, which appeals to me. I hope Canon doesn't standardize on black and makes the next cam available in both colors.(2) More "megapixels" (of course). Which doesn't really mean squat unless you wish to print your photographs on 20 x 30 photopaper.(3) Video recording with sound for 3 minutes (actually G3 can manage about the same).(4) This could be an important factor to some of you who believe digicams haven't yet reached their prime given how pathetic their focus speeds are -- G5 rocks in terms of instant clicking. G2 was painfully slow and effectively useless for sports photography for instance, G3 was a remarkable improvement, and G5 now is almost as good as EOS in its response time.Summary: what can I say. Great camera from Canon, but falls short of being spectacular as an upgrade. If you already own G2 or G3, wait for the next in the series by when let's hope the clicking response times should match EOS and other digital SLRs.But if you are in the market for a new digicam, this is easily the best on offer in the semipro category (as are G2, G3 etc if Canon does not make them obsolete).
It's been a number of years now that I've had my G5 and I've been very pleased with it. At the time I purchased it, it was the only camera with all the features I was looking for. The pictures are very sharp, the colours amazing, and the battery seems to go on forever! I absolutely love the swivel LCD screen and use it all the time (it was the only camera I knew of that had it at the time of purchase and one of the big reasons I chose it). It not only allows for unusual photos but it protects the screen as well. The remote is also very handy! The manual is well thought-out and easy to use. It doesn't come with a case but I was able to find one (Lowepro) at a local drugstore that fit the camera, battery, remote and a couple of memory cards quite nicely!My only complaints are that it sometimes takes a long time to focus-if it does at all-when the subject is low contrast (mind you, even some of those shots come out beautiful in an abstract way). It's also a bit big to carry with me everywhere so I've recently purchased another smaller Canon camera (I'll review that one once I've had a chance to play with it). Also, the design for the memory card slot needs to be redesigned as it's very difficult to get the card out (the 'door' does not allow you to get a firm enough grip on the card... and I've got tiny hands! It must be even more difficult for those with larger hands). Other than that I've been very happy with this camera.
I've been disappointed with this camera.  While it has an abundance of features, the controls are annoying and confusing in many respects.For example, the auto shutoff delay, which is relatively short, can't be adjusted: if you opt to have it enabled, count on the camera being off just when the perfect picture presents itself.The on/off and zoom buttons are small and clumsy to use.  Other controls are nonintuitive: expect to spend a lot of time with the manual.Serious purple fringing is evident in the images, a dissapointment for a maker of Canon's reputation.I'm not a novice: my first &quot;serious&quot; camera was a Minolta SRT-101 (in the late '70's), and I've since owned a succession of Olympus, Nikon and Canon SLR's.  Currently I use a Canon Elan 7 for film photography, and it's a fantastic camera.  Prior the G5 I was using a Kodak DC 4800 3mp model for digital photography: it was much easier to use and the image quality was nearly as good as the G5's.If you're considering this camera, be sure and take it for an extended test drive to make sure the controls suit you.
I got my Canon G5 on 7-23-03 and I love it.  I took some photos as a test to compare it to my Canon G1.  WOW, what a difference.The depth of field has improved a LOT.  Now, you can photograph the same road, and see a 1/2 mile down the road in clear focus rather than a blurry end.  You can pick out license plate #s two blocks away from where you took the photo.  Ever taken a photo of a purple flower and had it come out blue and awful?  I took photos of some purple flowers and they came out crisp and gorgeous deep color purple.  Like to photograph insects?  WOW, you get to see them CLOSE UP.  The macro function is astounding.  You can see the detail of fly eyes and misquito wing structure.  The detail on my cats teeth is totally awesome using the macro function.  I can see every bit of smile and every little scale on his tongue.  Like photographing nighttime views over a moonlit water?  MAN, it is so awesome using the night scene mode.  You can get moonlight over the ocean and buildings lit up over the bay in clear focus with no pixelation.  They must have fixed that.About the fringing and the noise - if you take photos with a film camera, you know how tough it is to get a good photo at dusk or in shadow.  The digital camera is doing what you tell it to, if it isn't coming out right, try a different time of day or use the flash!  If you are photographing a building against the sun, DUH, it's going to have fringing around the edges.  The sky will look white if you photograph an object with the sun behind it.  Try using the white balance controls - this camera has so much you can test and try out.  Read the manual.  Try every function on the camera before you give up.  Having trouble focusing?  The dumb Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58B made especially for the Canon G5 is to blame, in my opinion, because when I take it off, WOW, OMG, the photos are perfect.  I think the adapter blocks the focusing beam.Pros - quality, crisp, clear closeup/macro photos, great depth of field in focus, rich color tones, tons of functionsCons - a lot to learn in order to use it properly , but the best things in life require work, time, and dedication.
While the camera took fine pictures when brand new, after two years, it technical glitches became more and more frequent, such as the picture files being corrupted or lost from both the internal memory or media card. Also, it would no longer sync to my desktop to get pictures off the internal memory.However, the worst problem was not digital but the mechanical design. The zoom toggle switch falls off easily when the camera is jarred or when the camera was put in and out of my pocket. Eventually, I lost the tiny switch, and when I tried to locate the part on-line through eBay, I realized I was not alone. Many bidders were fighting for a broken KODAK CX6330 just for the zoom switch. Kodak itself is no help as they will not just sell the plastic switch but require either an expensive repair at their service department or a replacement of the entire back shell of the camera. Notice that the newer models dropped this defective design.Furthermore, the docking station I bought for it (the 6000) is now obsolete and no new models are compatible unless I buy an expensive adapter.I'll not buy another Kodak product, unless of course, it's the last camera on earth.
I am very happy with this camera, which I received as a gift.  I have own two digital cameras in the past and this is the best by far.The only minus is that the zoom is difficult to use and you must hold the camera very steady.Pluses...Battery seems to last longer than mostPicture quality is fantastic.  I have blown many up and they look greatYou get nice short video with audioLove the sepia and black and white choiceWorks well indoors and outdoorsVery easy to useEasy to download picturesWho ever designed this camera did an excellent job.  It is so easy to use and the pictures are of excellent quality.
After having this camera for more than a month, I must say I am quite pleased with the image quality.  It is also cool to see the video mode, with sound, and the movie size depends on the size of the memory card.  With a 32 mb card, i can take a 2 minute long movie.  The camera is easy to use and figure out, granted I still find out new things every time I use it.  I really enjoy having this camera, it is good for a beginner like me.  My only complaint is the battery life, this thing drains batteries like mad.  Overally, I would give this 4.5 stars, but since I cant, gave it 4 due to the battery life.
The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 is my first digital camera.  I bought this camera so I would not have to haul my SLR supplies with me everywhere.  What a great choice!  It is small enough to fit in a loose pocket or purse but big enough to hold easily.  It has enough features to please an experienced photographer but also makes a terrific 'point and shoot' model for beginners.  The pictures are clear and the colors are crisp.  Even 11 x 14 photos have great clarity without appearing grainy.  The only problem I foresee is the door to the memory card compartment is very cheap plastic and rather flimsy.  Other than that one small problem, I am tremendously pleased with this camera!  I may abandon my traditional SLR film camera after all.
I bought this camera back in March and I returned the original one I bought because after taking about 4 pictures it wouldn't turn on anymore and it ended up being defective in the long run.  Now I have one that works wonders.  The only thing is that when your batteries get low or die altogether it doesn't always give you a low battery warning.  It's wonderful for taking everyday pictures and the print quality is awesome.  The video feature is great for little videos that are like 2 minutes in length.  There is also a variety of picture taking modes that make digital photography with this camera idiot proof.The USB cable that comes with it is smaller on the end that plugs into the camera but standard on the other end.  The camera also comes with an AV cable that connects to your tv so you can view your pictures and your video's through your own tv.  The software that comes with this camera is a JOKE!  I would recommend buying a memory card reader and photo printing software so you can print your pictures.  It can be VERY confusing and very difficult to use.The camera itself is a wonderful deal and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a digital camera but doesn't want the high price tag.  Our friend has a 5.0 mp Kodak digital camera and the prints from mine turn out much better than hers.
I am 67 years old and retired. Many years ago I was a Combat Photographer and Writer in the Army Paratroopers (173rd Airborne Brigade) in Viet Nam. I'm used to having several cameras with me at all times. I do a lot of hiking up here in the mountains, and my Nikon D-70 is a little too bulky / heavy to lug around with me, so I just carry this Kodak EasyShare camera in my shirt pocket. I've gotten some really good photos with this camera that I might have missed if I'd had the heavier one with me. For such a little camera it does a very good job taking fast / clear pictures.
The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 3.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom is a easy to use camera, with enough features to keep the novice interested, but not too many to make the camera overwhelming.
I've had this camera well over a year. The zoom button broke within my first year, but it was still under warranty and it was serviced without problem. Overall, I've been very pleased with this camera. The optional "easyshare dock" is not at all necessary, as I upload my pictures with a simple USB cable.I've been, for the most part, happy with the pictures I've taken (over 1000). It usually focuses well, but on the pictures I took at the zoo, I could not make it focus on the animals instead of the fences I was looking through.Low-light pictures frequently turn out badly. Also, the LCD review misrepresents the brightness of pictures. Pictures that look perfect on the review are often too dark on my computer. Sometimes I have to force the flash on, because it doesn't recognize that there isn't enough light.I didn't have this problem when I first bought the camera, but now, it will not focus in extremely bright light (such as on the beach, with bright sunlight and reflections from the ocean and sand).The quality of the pictures is perfect for 4x6 prints, but I've never tried anything bigger. Overall, I usually do edit the pictures I take, but I don't think the originals are that bad. Just too dark, often.If you are planning on using this camera for video, CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE. Even on the highest quality setting, the videos are a tiny resolution. Also, the camera has a microphone for recording sound, but if you want to review your video, it has no speaker. Additionally, the zoom function is disabled during video.In conclusion, this is a good camera for the family photographer, but there are better out there for the same price.
The good:Very happy with photo quality.Menus, buttons well laid-out and easy to navigate.16MB (17 pics at best quality) internal memory is handy when you fill your card.SD storage is my favorite format.AA battery - buy some 2000mah rechargables and you're set!The bad:Red eye is pretty bad unless using red-eye flash setting.Size is just a little too big to fit in a pocket.SD card port door is cheap plastic - feels fragile, but no problems yet.Not fond of Kodak EasyShare software - I use Canon's Zoom Browser.Overall:Good camera, can't beat the price in the 3MP range (I got mine for $199 new with free 64mb card - Staples).
I just bought this camera and it's easy to use. For some of the tasks, I had to open the owners manual, but it wasn't that difficult to operate. The pictures are outstanding. I've used both Optical and Digital Zoom with excellent results. It's a nice camera for a beginner like me. It's fully automatic. Uploading the pictures to a computer requires the Kodak Software.
This camera I own for two years. The pictures of this camera were excellent. We took the pictures during night time at Niagra Waterfalls, pictures came so good.Nice features of camera:Excellent resoultion and quality; good at night shots; date imprint feature, NTSC/PAL TV output; able to print 8X10 size without loosing quality;But after using two years it start giving the problems, it's not holding the battery for not even two photos. I given the camera for repair at CompUSA. They replaced couple of parts and working fine for few days. Later it totally stop working even though you load full charged batteries. The camera power light blink and it stops. Anyhow, it's not working now. I suggest to take extended warranty from store for this camera to overcome these kind of problems.
Well after nearly two years of use I just have to say this camera is my camera of choice for quick pick up shots.  If you're looking for a camera that hasEasy to use features **********Quick to Review format **********User friendly Menu layout **********Fast Delete Button  (with double check features)**********Speedy Share *********Or Small but great viewing window **********Automatic lens **********Wide & Telephoto (zoom)**********Then the Kodak EasyShare CX6330 is for you.  I use it all the time because itFits in my pocket *****Easy to carry along ***** You ask me where I carry it?  It would probably be better if you asked me when I don't carry.  Because I've got it almost all the time.  I like to carry this light weight camera on trips to Disney World, to speaking events and to major engagements where I will be mixing or mingling.It's very special for the visual layout.  This helps to strengthen my ease of use and inspires me to carry it almost everywhere.THE ONE THING THAT I FOUND CHALLENGINGEven when you have a small little easy to use camera something can go wrong.  I've found that the camera begins to stick and sometimes makes it challenging when you want to start shooting pictures right away.  It appears that the internal functioning of the lens does not always spring out forward when you turn it on.  This can slow down your shooting time frame as you have to use the manual wide angle features to open it up.  This was the only area of challenge I had and you might have.  Thanks for your time and for reading.  Is there anything else I can do for you?Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)
I just purchased this digital camera and the easy share dock to recharge it and I love it.  The set up is very easy and the software is simple to install.  In just minutes i was taking pictures and transferring them to my computer.The Kodak Easy Share system makes sharing photos, printing, emailing and compiling an album simple.  Transferring photos to the computer is accomplished in a touch of a button.  Editing is also a breeze with the provided software.The quality of pictures is also first rate..i have taken indoor and outdoor pictures..even movies.  The Easy Share dock is a great place to keep your camera and make sure it is charged and ready to go.  I did not buy the easy share printer yet..but it probably will be my next purchase.All in all, this is a great camera for your money..even amateur photographers will find this easy to use, edit and share your pictures.
I got this camera for Mother's Day and the reason I bought this brand and model was after reading all the reviews here.  I appreciate everyone's time that they spent giving their opinions on this camera.  I feel that I made an excellent choice on my purchase.  I did not want to spend tons of dollars, but I wanted a camera that would deliver good prints. I bought mine at a warehouse club and the camera came with the docking station, which is something I love.  It has made the camera so easy to use.  My daughter and I spent the afternoon taking pictures, uploading them from the docking station.  We sent some pictures email, and boy was that an easy thing to do.  I have the HP photosmart #2175 printer I put my picture quality ink in the printer and we printed pictures and they turned out so good!  We were impressed. So for having the camera for less than 24 hours I am up and running, taking pictures, printing and emailing, who could ask for more!  I spent $229.00 for mine at the warehouse club and I bought a 128 SDcard.  Thanks again for everyone helping others to choose a good camera for the dollar.
This is the first digital camera I have purchased.  So far I am quite satisfied.  I like that the controls are easy to use and understand and find the software very useful.  I also purchased the printer dock and have to say the prints are as good as anything you'd get with a 35mm.  My only dislikes are the slow time between photos (though all have this to my knowledge) and the general size of it.  It's definitely not the smallest on the market, but at the same token, the size makes for comfortable picture taking.All in all, I am very pleased with this camera.
I also at first thought I was locked into the Kodak software with my EasyShare 6330. But I discovered that when I transfer the photos onto my computer, they appear simultaneously on the Kodak program and in &quot;My Documents.&quot; Open My Documents and find your &quot;My Pictures&quot; folder; then you'll find one labed &quot;Kodak,&quot; and there they are, sorted by date into folders, lovely jpegs to do with as you wish.
The camera works perfectly & even included rechargeable batteries.  No dings, looks perfect.  Sender even emailed when & why he mailed it on a certain date due to icy weather. Works great with the printer dock.  My pictures often were complimented on for quality, color etc so it was very important to me not to buy a new camera which might not be as good, but to find the camera like the one I dropped & broke.  Camera worked perfectly for 8 years.  Printer dock compatibility important due to good instant pictures and charging camera battery which is better than AA Kodak batteries, charge lasting longer.  I recommend this camera for people who want quality pictures for point & shoot without the added need to focus yourself etc.  It offers many features that would be included in a more expensive camera.  Was well packaged, he took the trouble to send it FedEx. THIS PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED AT AMAZON. I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH EVERY PRODUCT RECEIVED FROM AMAZON. MORE REASONABLY PRICED AND ARRIVES TIMELY AND IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION.
So far this camera is fantastic. I have only had it for about a month so I don't know how durable it is. As far as ease of use, I have to agree with everyone that this is SO simple to use. My camera came with the easyshare camera dock 6000 and all I have to do is push a button to take great pictures or videos and then set my camera on the dock and push a button and they're on my computer. I'm a beginner with digital cameras so this one is just amazing to me. I absolutely love it!~*Update*~Have had the camera now for over 2 years and it's still in perfect shape! Very durable, highly recommended camera!!
Now, I don't understand all the technical capabilities this camera can do, but the pictures that my wife and I have taken have been superb! They look incredible. On the PC and when we print them. Although, I still love the &quot;old fashion&quot; camera that uses film, this is a wonderful addition to our new and expanding world into the multimedia. And not too expanesive, either.
This is my first digital camera and I love it.  The pictures are so clear and it is very easy to use. I also loved that Amazon had a guided tour so you can see how the menus work! The software is also easy to use and you can do some amazing editing. The memory card door is a bit chinzy so you do have to be careful when opening. I've taken this on 2 vacations and have not been disappointed. Rechargeable batteries are recommended!
This camera was my first digital camera.  I was lured to it by the cheesy commercials about how easy the pictures were to print from the dock.  God, was I naive.Pros:The dock does print pictures quite effectively (although at great cost)Cons:The dial at the top is nearly impossible to turn.The battery is CRAP.  I will charge this thing the whole day, then use it for twenty pictures and it will be showing low battery.  This is with the rechargeable battery, which you need the bulky dock to charge.Frequent problems with loading to computer.Very slow to turn on.Please, for god's sake, learn from my mistake.
I purchaed the CX 4230 camera, it was S L O W! Push the shutter and you would have to wait 5 seconds for it to take the picture. This is wicked fast. GREAT Camer
this is the first digital camera my wife and i have owned. we looked at a lot, from all the major brands. we chose this one for two reasons. the controls on this camera were very similar to a lot of film cameras, even my nikon slr. i love the dial on top of the camera that lets you quickly and easily switch from one shooting mode to another. no need to access the menu, clicking your way through the choices. just turn the dial and you are ready. all the other controls are also very intuitive, which is important to me, being a first time user of this type of camera. the second reason, no matter what store i looked in, when i asked the sales people for input, the kodak was always on a short list of recommendations, mostly for reliability. the only possible downside is that it is a little bit bigger than some other cameras. for me, the controls are much better designed and easier to use, and it just feels more like a real camera than most. for the money, i don't think it can be beat. as for reliability, we bought it about three months ago to take quick easy pictures of our baby boy. i would guess we have taken around 150 pictures in those three months. not one problem with the camera or the software.
I received Kodak's cx6330 camera for Christmas 2003 and could not be more pleased with it. I have always been interested in photography as are many members of my family. Having this camera has turned my interest into a passion. The photos are sharp, clear, with wonderful color. The camera is easy to use but not so basic that you lose out on creativity. There are many innovative  features such as the burst or action mode and the color modes: sepia, black and white, and color. This has allowed me to move past basic photography and get creative.The selftimer (10 seconds) is available for both photographs and videos. Video is available with audio, which is perfect for capturing moments that surpass a single shot. Cx6330 is a 3.1 MP camera, which is plenty for a novice photographer. Eventually, I would like a camera with 4-5 MP. The LCD is a nice size and makes it easy to include all necessary parts of a photograph. With 3X optical zoom and 3.3 advanced digital zoom, you can get even closer to your subject. That being said the more zoom, the poorer the resolution. However, for someone not taking professional photographs this is OK.I received a battery charger rather than the dock for this camera. I am glad because I later purchased the compatible printer dock 6000 (great buy) and another dock would be a waste. I reccomend the dock as a battery charger and an easy way to share photographs. However, I do not advise purchasing it if you will buy the printer dock 6000.I removed one star due to the flimsy door covering the memory card storage and USB port. Hasn't been too much of a problem but when one isn't gentle, it could be. Also, the Kodak EasyShare software could be imporved. Yes, it is easy to crop, reduce red eye, store, share, and explore other fun effects. However, it is very tempermental and slow on my computer. If I need to transfer more than 5 pictures, I pray it won't freeze.All and all this is a wonderful camera. I will be able to look back fondly on this camera as it inspired me to be an amateur photographer. I hope this review helps anyone find a wonderful digital camera. Good luck and enjoy!
I absolutely love this camera.  I received it as a birthday gift and have used it a lot with friends.  I'm 15 and brought it to camp this summer, my pictures were the best I'd taken in my 5 years of camp.  My only setback is the fact that my battery door had a little piece break off so it doesn't stay shut all the way but my dcut tape matches it pretty well so it's not a big deal.Using the LCD all the time drains the battery pretty quickly but if it's on quickview there's not a problem.I suggest buying a memory card because it only holds 16 pictures at the best setting within the internal memory.  My dad bought me a 512MB card and it will hold 570 some pictures.
I've grown from an old Kodak digital camera, to a Canon G1, and finally to a Digital SLR.  Along the way we still used compact 35mm and APS cameras for convenience while traveling and for quick snapshots.  Once we saw the Kodak C6330 we trashed those small film cameras and are now 100% digital.First the camera.  It has an excellent 3x optical zoom and more than enough bytes for 4x6 and 5x7 photos.  It is very easy to use, and the program modes make it a simple process, no more complex than film point and shoots.We went with a 128mb memory card, and sometimes we wish we purchased a 256mb one.  Its all a matter of how many photos you take before uploading them to your computer (remember, you can always delete photos while previewing them to create more room).When you are ready to upload, Kodak's docking system is fantastic,  Just place the camera in the cradle and press the transfer button.  It does not get any easier than this.  Kodak's Easyshare software (included with the cradle) makes it simple to print, edit, mail, or send photos to an online printer service.If you want a decnt zoom lens in a quality point and shoot camera, this one is a great choice.
I bought this camera after reading reviews, looking for something that I could produce decent 4 x 6 photos.  Just like the other reviewers said, the camera is easy to learn to use, and the colors were bright.  But when I had them printed as 4x6 photos, I noticed that there was sort of a thin dark line outlining the people in the pics.  I know it's not the developers either, because I can see that little line on the video screen of the camera, as well as when I viewed it on the computer. So, this camera is being returned soon.
We had this camera just over a year when it quit working; of course, it happened on a big trip to Italy.  This camera never did take particularly good photos; the auto focus was always hit or miss and you can't even think about using it in any situation even approaching low light.  The lenses assembly finally locked for good when the camera was just weeks out of warranty.  We had the same exact problem, twice, with a more expensive Kodak LS443.  From reviews of these two Kodak products, I can only conclude that this is a known weakness with Kodak digital cameras that the company is either unwilling or unable to correct.  My advice to potential buyers is to steer clear of Kodak products.
I have had this camera for over 2 years and love it to death.  I take it everywhere and take lots of pictures and short video clips with it.  It is so easy to use and takes awesome pictures.  I didn't buy the printer dock to print the pictures.  I went with a picture quality printer and let me tell you...you can't tell if I had the pictures printed at the photo shop or on my computer.You can't go wrong with this camera!
So I got this camera like over two years ago and I feel like I can now make an accurate review of it. Don't let the negative reviews turn you away from this little gadget. Of course there are flaws to it and of course there are a few lemons in the batch... just like with any other electronic products.I have not had any real problems with it. The only semi-problem is that sometimes the lens would not come out all the way and result in a semi-blurred picture. The remedy to that is just switching it off and back on again. No biggie.. and it rarely happens.It's still working well and just a note... if you decide to get the printer dock that goes along with it, it can still print pictures from the computer so even if the camera dies on you, you can still use the printer dock so I also suggest getting the printer dock because it prints awesome pictures.
This camera takes the best pictures of any digital camera I have ever used! Especially in low light, it leaves the Canon S30, S40, and A510 (the ones I've used) far behind. Another reviewer wrote that it takes better pictures than the Nikon Coolpix, and I can easily believe it.This camera shines especially well in low-light conditions such as indoors or twilight/sunset shots. Indoor shots without the flash are even better than with the flash, while indoor flash pictures are not over-exposed.I also love the way the settings show up on the monitor with a brief description of the setting and what it's used for. It makes the camera very easy to use, with no chance of turning the dial to the wrong setting by mistake.Its one weak point is that the battery door is very fragile, and the catch tends to break, so that the door won't stay closed with batteries in it. This issue is so ubiquitous that it's almost a non-issue: replacement battery doors are inexpensive and very easy to find.When my battery door broke, I put my camera up for sale to someone who could replace it - after buying another CX6330 that I hope will be as good. If you can repair these little electronic parts yourself or have a good camera shop nearby, it is well worth replacing the occasional battery door (or just being very careful when opening and closing it) in order to take such beautiful pictures!
I bought this to replace my older digital camera and my crappier no-brand digital camera. (See reviews of those below, just in case you run across them.)CX6330 is extremely easy to use. The photo quality is wonderful (yes, you are able to choose the photo quality from 1.1MP to 3.1), and there are many innovative features not present in any other cameras I have used or owned. It is also very small, compared with older cameras or to the HP or Fujifilm models. Another great feature is that you can buy rechargeable batteries to use with either a 3-volt AC Adapter (not included, unfortunately) or the optional camera dock or camera printer dock. Or, if you already have a recharger, the camera only takes two AA batteries.Another great feature is the video mode. Not only does it capture video with sound, the quality is also very good. I suggest getting a larger memory card (at least 256MB, but 1GB for the longest shots) if you want to use it frequently for video.I docked one star for reasons stated by other customers. One is the extremely flimsy USB/SD card door. I don't think it'll break unless you put some pressure on it, but I recommend you be careful when you open it to insert/remove the memory card or insert the USB (which is mini - it uses a smaller head than the standard USB cable) cable. Another problem is the Kodak software included. It tries to be "too helpful" which just gets in the way. Kodak should release a simpler program for those of us who just want to load pictures and video to our computers!If you can look over those two problems, I recommend this camera strongly. It isn't for the professional - it is for the family, the high school or college student. I think you will enjoy using it as much as I.Kodak CX6330 is my third digital camera to date. My first is a Fujifilm MX-1200, which I received when I graduated high school, nearly five years ago now. It is a good camera, and it still continues to take great pictures at 1.3MP, but I needed a camera with a video capturing option. It is a shame Fujifilm doesn't make thin camera's any more...most of their cameras are so thick now. If you are looking for a used digital camera for your younger children or for very casual pictures, I recommend looking for this one.My second digital camera is an Omisys 4.0MP 4-in-1 camera, which I bought for a measly $80. I was curious about this camera, because it came with so many options. It is a so-so camera - it takes still pictures, video with sound, records sound only, and also works as a webcam. The LCD quality is absolutely dreadful, the flash takes more than 15 seconds to load, and the white balance is practically non-existant. The flash is also too strong for any shot closer than six feet. I keep it to use as a webcam that I can take anywhere with ease. It takes great outdoor pictures and videos, however. But I don't recommend ANYONE purchasing this camera, unless you ONLY take outdoor pictures/videos that doesn't require flash.
While a little too expensive to be a &quot;throw away&quot; camera, this is a basic digital camera that provides good pictures for home use. Pictures are of good quality and can be enlarged up to 5x7 and barely 8X10. This also means you can crop your pictures and magnify your pictures up to a point. Photos are sharp and generally more than adequate for home use, although the results are typical for an autofocus: decent overall, but occasionally it focuses on the wrong subject and flash photos can tend to look washed out. I have not found the other settings: landscape, closeup, action to be of much use yet. The video feature is handy, it is a bit choppy but decent enough to be shown in a small window on a computer monitor. The software is helpful for the novice user who doesn't want to manually organize his or her photos via Windows. The software makes it easy to upload pictures from the camera, but the default setting is for it to be constantly running in the background whenever you turn the computer on - this will slow your system down. ALso, managing your pictures can be a pain especially if you have a lot of previously taken photos already stored on the harddrive. If you use Windows XP, you probably don't need their software. The card uses Secure digital flash media which I think is good: it is stable, has a good price point, and is widely used by many items (such as my notebook computer and Pocket PC ). There is a plastic cover which flaps over the lens when the camera is off, but you really need a case for this if you want to protect it adequately. It uses 2 AA batteries, and seems to consume them pretty rapidly. Overall, if you are looking for an uncomplicated, inexpensive but well performing digital camera, I think this is a good value, and I'm pleased with this purchase. However, if you can afford a little better, and are technically apt enough, I strongly recommend getting a camera with more megapixels and more control over your images.
I do not know how other reviewers use this camera, but am inclined to  think that their problems are caused by  user error. I have had this camera for  4 years now along with the camera dock. I love this camera. I have had no problems at all. Even after it fell off the roof of the car it works like a champ.It is easy to use. compact,not overly complicated. I use the view finder alot as the lcd  on any digital camera will use up the battery really fast.I  use the lcd only when taking close up shots of items for online selling or outside to capture insects, flowers etc. It charges quickly, holds a charge a long time .I use the KODAK rechargable battery pack and I replace it annually  ( it cost me $12.00 a year  for  the battery ).  I have taken hundreds of  photos with this camera and it has never failed me.  I love the video feature too, you can  capture  alot of fun times withit.The online Easyshare software is great too and it is free. You can  crop, edit, enahnce,frame etc.  do  just about anything you want to  your  pics .A really nice camera for a very reasonable price.
Long story short: This easy-to-use camera packs in great features for the price. It has yet to disappoint me in any way.I've taken this camera with me on a couple of trips, including one to Antarctica, and I've been delighted by the pictures I've brought home. The video-capture, with sound, is a nice touch. The level of resolution has not been a problem for me. If you're looking for more zoom (and that will cost you), this might not be the right camera for you.
I purchased this camera for pictures and video.  After about 2 months of use, I've found it to be easy, simple and most importantly very intuitive to use.  I've only referenced the manual only a few times.  The picture quality is incredible, as well as lighting even on the darkest nights.  The flash is very strong.  I get tons of compliments on my pictures, and i'm by no means a professional photographer.Kodak's EasyShare software is nice for a beginner, but for professional picture editing I'd suggest either Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.  I have a SanDisk 256Meg card as well, and it works great, i can either take about 306 highest quality pictures or about 16min of video.  In fact, the card is about 3x as fast editing, taking and thumbing through video and pictures vs. using internal memory.  I'd recommend a small camera bag for this camera [doesn't come with any bag] and a 4-pack of rechargeable AA batteries.  I got SONY batteries and they work very nice, although the camera does eat power very quickly, so make sure to have a pair of batteries always handy.Overall, this is an excellent camera for 4x6 pictures and video with sound, which looks very nice on a TV shown for friends/family with provided cable.
Great book all photographers should have them. They come in various sizes, and they keep your photos neat,clean, and in order.thank you
Good quality for a great price.  I bought one as to try it out, and I'm planning on buying more.
I was looking for something to keep my larger embossing folders in. All the folders that I was finding were only made specifically for small A2 size folders. I decided to get this one and try it. It works great. The plastic sleeves are really thin, so one has to be careful while putting in and removing the folders so they don't rip apart(hence the four stars) but I am really happy it works! I am ordering another one for my Cutting Dies.
This is a nice little display book that is easy to transport in a purse.  Good value for the price!
Absolutly love this product, have order in many sizes, did not disappointmet, good for the uses I intended.Organized my photos for me.
Have years of pix to store and organize, these are working out great, the price is reasonable also, now just need more hours in the day to get my project finished!!
Really nice for use as a portfolio. If ya wanna carry around those awesome photos you shoot, I would recommend this as an inexpensive solution
I looked at several small photo albums and I wanted one with a very small binding, thin and very portable. This is the perfect carry-around showcase for your work.The cover is durable plastic so your work won't get damaged and the pages are easy to insert photos / cards into.
Expensive for what it is but I could not find anything else that would work to put 5x7 photos in.
Great item for storing pictures.  Not gift-giving worthy, unless the recipient has asked for a great way to preserve their pictures. As far as a convenient and safe way to store pictures (I got 6 of them, 5 x 7 inch sized), I am VERY HAPPY with my purchase. It has a soft cover which I like, too.
This book fits  my 5x7 pictures perfectly.  I wish there was one for wallet size pictures.  Overall a good purchase and would purchase again.
As an art student in college who needed a personal sized portfolio, this was perfect! Slipped my images into a Powerpoint presentation, printed the custom slides and slipped them right in the sleeves! Great style, price, durability, and protection!
Plastic sleeves do not seem as clear as with their other products.  They very noticeably degrade the clarity of the photos.  The plastic on the 9 by 12 portfolio that I also use seems much clearer.
My daughter is an illustrator.... these books keep her work organized, protected and easily shown... like that these come in various sizes....
Great for the price, not big and bulky, easy to carry. I bought to put yearly Christmas pictures in, works perfect.
Extra nice feature: exterior edge pocket that you can easily slide a custom &#34;cover&#34; in. Just slide out the product label that comes with this item, and use it as a template to size your own custom insert. The exterior pocket covers the side edge, and wraps partially (1.5 inches) around both the front & back covers. If you have several of these, your label allows you to differentiate between them. I chose to insert a colorful pattern print, but you could use wrapping paper, text, or anything else you choose.I plan to purchase another one in a larger size as well.
This was just what I wanted. It was so easy to transfer my photos from a box to something nice and tidy.
I love that they even come with their own paper to label what photos are in there.  I love all the sizes
I've purchased manyt of these to use for my daughters' 8X10 school pictures - I now have them all in chronological order & in one place.  Also use them for their sports team pictures.  Am going to purchase more for award & sports certificates.  Slim size, good quality & easy to manage.
I love the product I would recommend this to anyone one who needs a great portfolio. The only down side is there was a price tag on it that left a huge sticky mark on it. It is still hard to get off. It makes it look less professional.
High Quality Product.I use this to put in some of my oversized photos.The product was reasonably priced, good value.
Bought this to keep/show our custom 5x7 greeting cards to clients.  The cover is &#34;plastic&#34; (or technically polypropylene) - in the picture it looked thicker and maybe more like &#34;pleather&#34;, however, that was my fault for not reading the description closely enough.  That said, it works for what we need it for and seems like it will hold up well, so overall I'm happy with the purchase and would buy another when we run out of space in this one.
Since I am not an artist I bought this to keep my favorite 5x7 photos neat and organized.  This makes a great photo album for the above mentioned size!
this album is nice & durable, just as described.  as expected it is not fancy at all, just plain plastic (which is what I was expecting)
I liked it but it's a little too expensive for the size and quality.  Don't get me wrong the quality is excellent but for the price I would expect more.  $4.50 would be a fair price anything more is too much.
Once again, Itoya has come through.  I bought the 8x10 portfolio for my husband who is a budding wildlife photographer and the pictures are beautifully displayed.  So I tried the 5x7 version for my son who, as it turns out, has a fantastic ability to find unusual wildlife and has the pictures to prove it.  Again, the Itoya portfolio comes through. The pictures look great inside the sleeves and he can easily travel with it.
I wanted something to use to corral photos I'm considering using in my photography hobby. This was the perfect size and price.
I have search for quite some time for an item like this.  Excellent price and quality.  I do not use it for pictures, but for documents I need to carry with me regularly.
Just what I was looking for to keep those 8 x 10s I have laying around in.  I could not be happier with this purchase and I plan to buy more as my kiddos are little and many pictures still to come!
I bought these to make photo albums as gifts for my daughter's teachers. I didn't want something with 100s of pages, because I only had 12 items to insert and wanted the photo albums to feel complete and 'full'. Therefore, I took a chance on these instead of something with a more plush cover because they had only 24 sleeves and were the right size for my photos.The cover is a stiff black plastic, kind of like the three-ring binders I used in college to hold my notes. It's pretty floppy and not at all fancy. There is a sleeve along the spine, which does allow for some customization. I inserted pretty colored pieces of paper, and it made the album look a bit more attractive, and I used fancy scallop-edged mounts (see:K&Company; Jubilee Diecut Mat Pad) beneath my photos which added a bit of pizzazz and contrasted nicely with the black background.I do wish it was a bit more 'expensive' looking for the purpose of a gift. I think for professional-type uses (as in a photographer using this to hold a small portfolio), the look and feel are probably perfectly adequate. For a small photo album gift as I used it, it's a trade off. The 24-sleeve size is great for a small collection of themed photos. However, there are more beautiful options on the market. Don't expect anything fancy, but there's a lot you can do with these little display books to spruce them up and add some beauty to them.
This photo album was not outstanding but for the money a pretty good buy. This is not an album you would be proud to display on your coffee table. It is cheaply made. It is good for storing extra or personal pictures. If you want quality and good looks look for a little better more expensive portfolio. I good buy for what I use it for storing extra photo to preserve the quality. Don't look at the stars read the reviews.
This portfolio is perfect for archiving and displaying 5x7s.Photos slide in easily, and flipping through the book is comfortable and easy.I haven't checked Itoya's website for Indesign templates for the spine insert, but I can create one easy enough.The slim design of this book is also great for space-constrained shelves.I will be buying more Itoya portfolios for sure!
Great product at a great price. Was exactly what I was looking for. Perfect for a monopod. Its really a manfrotto 234 but the quality is top notch anyway. Made in Italy. Has adapters to fit just about any monopod ( or tripod). Just reverse the mounting screw or bottom threads if necessary. Very happy.
If all you want is a tilting head for your monopod, then this product is a good buy.  For slightly more money, you should also consider the Bogen 3229 head which is similar to the 3232, but with a built-in quick release plate.  To many people, the quick-release feature is even more important than the tilt feature.
I initially purchased just a monopod for my 400mm lens, but it only took one trip to realize I needed this tilt head. It does exactly what it's supposed to do, which is allow the camera to point up and down (you swivel the monopod to move left to right) from a fixed height. Glad I have it. And it's durable! (I purchased it in 2007 and it still works as well as it did the day I received it.)
First off I hesitated to purchase this item with its weight limitation. It was recommended by Really Right Stuff (those in the know are familiar with their quality photo mounts) as part of their mono pod solution. At first glance from the pictures it appears to be made of plastic. It is not! It is made from cast aluminum and very sturdy. I don't believe you would risk it braking off and dropping your camera if you exceeded the weight recommendation. I figure the thumb screw will not hold its vertical position if over weighted though. It works great with my Gitzo GM5540 Mono pod!
Was lead to believe that this was needed with my purchase of a mono-pod.  It wasn't.  Unless I am too ignorant and can't figure out to use it, it was a waste of my hard earned 'shekels'. The unit seems to be of superior quality but not needed on a mono-pod.  I would work well on a tri-pod not having an adjustable head.  I would give it a 5 star rating on quality but give it only 1 star for functionality in my case.  It is now sitting in the closet gathering dust.
Wonderful optics and field of view in these Binos. Definitely worth spending a bit more to get crystal clear views that you can use for long periods with little to no eye strain or fatigue. Love that they are waterproof so i don't have to worry about them during hikes or hunts. Had a couple of rainy days using these and they never fogged.
These binoculars have been great compared to my much cheaper bushnell's. The clarity and focus is great.  They haven't been exposed to water or been dropped so I can't say much about waterproof or shock resistance.  The compass is is very fast at stabalizing and helpful in navigating along the shoreline if you need to take bearings to check against a map for reefs etc (for whatever reasons, reefs seem to be marked on maps, but not gps) The light works well.  The range finder is fun, but mostly a gimick (IMHO) because its all done in meters and I can't think in meters instead of miles/feet.The only downsides to this product is that the compass is a little hard to read when looking through both eye pieces..much easier if you just look through the left one...and its made in china, so quality may be suspect.
Didn't know how great these were when I ordered them. Bought for my husbands birthday.  At the same time, he was given a pair by his mother.  By the time I got around to returning them, it was past the deadline.  Are we glad it was!  So superior to the others we had.  We can see forever with them out on our boat.
I did not know how clear these binoculars were going to be BUT wow.  I have had a set of 7X50' Swifts for 40 years and the new ones are far and away better.  I have learned to use the Reticle and with Google Earth I can check my figures.  The compass is wonderful and right on.  You can't beat this devise for the price.
A little heavy but worked as advertised!  It is nice to have the compass on the ocean as a backup.
Great optical quality for price. Well made.Would be a great binocular for sailboat.  Little big for my my flats boat.
These are for sailing and should do the job nicely, they are certainly as clear and useful las the very expensive one which I could not afford
I love them for sailing
I've had a couple seasons with these binocs, very happy with the results.  I've left them onboard with damp, hot, cold conditions... no problems at all.  Still amazed how they allow you to focus near or far without a zoom-function.  Not sure how they did it, but they work.  Others who tried them on my boat like these too.
I use them frequently sailing day and night and they are excellent.  The image quality is top.  The compass makes it easy to take bearings.  The compass is however not that stabilized, meaning that if your boat is moving around, as is the case if you are sailing or motoring, you won't be able to get a very precise bearing (plus minus 10-15degrees).  The compass is illuminated, it's really hard to get this battery in though! I use my Petzl headlamp when I am sailing @ night with a red light, I discovered that it does illuminate the compass by reflection without using the built-in lamp and without affecting the vision...Overall I am very very satisfied and would recommend them highly.
I was hesitant to order these because binoculars are so varied in price and quality it is difficult to buy them without trying them out first. I have a pair of 12X50 Pentax that I paid over $200 for but these Bushnell binocs exceed them for clarity and quality, and priced at half the Pentax. I do a lot of fishing so I am out on the ocean waters of S.E. Alaska almost every day, and these 7X50 Marine work perfectly on the water. I especially like the built in compass which can be illuminated at the press of a button for near dark navigation. I would recommend these to any boater who wants a binocular that performs well, and doesn't put a big hole in your wallet.....thanks Bushnell!.....N. Smith Haines,Alaska
These are a great deal for the price.  The optics areclearer than many more expensive binoclulars.  The only thing to determine is how durable they will be.
Just the right choice for boat use. Gathers light for a clear view better than some more expensive binoculars. The rubber armor is good for grip and protection. The waterproof qualities are perfect for encounters with salt water spray. Perfect for spotting birds over shrimp or schools of small bait fish. The optic view won't make you dizzy when using as the boat moves. Like the compass and lock that is built in.
This is a very nice set of spyglasses.  Has a built in compass which shows up in the visual field so you can take a bearing on objects you are viewing.  It also lights up for low light conditions.  I like this item.
Great for the average boater. A must have. Look no further. I did the research for you. Check them out
The built-in compass is wonderful.  The optics are excellent.  The binoculars fit well in the hands and the design is streamlined and waterproof.  I have used them for birding and will use them for sailing. I could have spent four to five times as much, but these are fine and excellent value for the money.
This works perfectly and takes the guess work out of studio photography.  It is a simple tool that is well built and with the flat diffuser and spot meter attachment, can do everything that any of the other, more expensive units can do.  I would go with sekonic meters if you have pocket wizards, but if you don't plan on getting them then get this beauty.  Love the bag it comes with and how well the instructions worked out for me.
The team has very good desenpe&ntilde;o taking into account the economic cost, even to impart lessons give ORT Univercidad workshops in national technical, very precise in measuring both incident and reflected ...
I have been playing with lighting for a long time and this has been a great addition to my stash!  Works every time unlike some on the market.
I was originally torn between the Polaris SPD100 and the Sekonic L-308S.  After reading the reviews it was clear some of the Polaris units had defects, but it looked like most people were happy with it and I decided to gamble on it to save $60 bucks.I would still imagine (or at least hope) most Polaris meters work fine but, after my experience, it's clear their defect rate is pretty high.My first impression on unpacking the Polaris was that it had a cheap plastic feel.  Not surprising for the price.I put a fresh battery in it.  I used a new Duracell Alkaline, not the battery that came in the box.  I read through the instructions, turned it on, set it, took a reading and immediately thought "That seems dark."I grabbed my camera and took a picture of the area I'd metered with the Polaris.  I set the camera to AV, ISO 100, f/5.6 and the camera set the speed to 1/80.  The picture was properly exposed.With the Polaris set at ISO 100, f/5.6 it said the shutter speed should be 1/250 using both incident metering and reflected metering. That's 1 and 2/3 stops difference.  I switched the camera to manual and took a picture using the Polaris settings.  Naturally it was very under exposed.I thought maybe there's something about the lighting in this particular area that's thowing it off and I wanted to nail down how bad the problem was.  So over the next two days I tested the Polaris by taking pictures using its readings in different lighting situations.  The Polaris consistently came up under exposed by anywhere from 1 and 1/3 stops to 2 full stops.I repeated a few of the test shots using a friend's Canon 1D.  As expected those came out under exposed as well.Being the obsessive type, I took the Polaris to a local camera store, explained the situation to a guy I've dealt with several times before and asked if I could compare the Polaris's results with some of the other light meters in the store.  He seemed as entertained by the situation as I was and we spent most of the next hour going around the store taking light meter readings with the different meters and recording the results.  We tested 4 Sekonics, another Polaris SPD100 (the same model this review is for), a Gossen and something else that I can't remember the name of.Other than the Polaris units the biggest discrepency we found was when one reported a 2/3 stop difference, but when we retook the measurement, it came back with the same values the other meters had.The Polaris unit I purched on Amazon consistently came in 1 to 2 full stops under exposed and, I can't say I'm really surprised, the store's Polaris unit consistently showed between 1/3 to 1 full stop under exposed.Like I mentioned earlier, I don't think all of the Polaris SPD100s are defective, but for me to come across two defective units, through two completely different channels, suggests they do have an uncomfortably high defect rate.As I see it there is one thing a basic light meter like that absolutely must do:  measure light and display information accurate enough for a photophrapher to properly expose a photo.  The Polaris SPD100 I received was not able to do that so I returned it (I love Amazon's customer service).I'm giving it two stars instead of one because I do not feel anyone was intionally trying to cheat me out of my money or anything like that.  I also think that if one of the working units would actually be a decent light meter for the price.I ended up getting a Sekonic L-308S.  It cost about $60 more than the Polaris, but I'm extremely happy with it.  The dome slider on it feels a little flimsy, but other than that it has a nice solid feel to it, is accurate, versatile and is very easy to use.  I also like the fact that it comes in several different colors.
My daughter said this was good for fun stuff when she was in high school but that it did not cut it for professional lighting.
I have been using this item in casual photography and the results have been good. This item gives you the ability to determine the ISO in which you prefer to shoot and it determines the stop F3,F4 etc. To me it also provides the ability to determine your stop in out door lighting. i have seen what people meant in the sense the the camera meter are good but not as good. I must say that I am not a professional just an amateur photographer and that the camera I use is a D7100 Nikon
Excellent meter for the semi pro. Good entry price range and accurate readings. Takes a little practice to get used to the button clicks and user interface, but overall a good light meter for the budding professional.
The meter is quick and easy to use. It's compact and light weight so it doesn't take up a lot of room or add excessive weight to my camera bag. A very handy item for improving your photos at a reasonable price.
I use this meter all the time. It's great for ambient or flash, and it makes you feel like a "real" photographer. If you've been itching for a light meter but have been put off by the high prices on some of the fancier brands, this one should work fine for you. Happy shooting!
I thought that I would never use a light meter but once I started I can't stop. If anything it's a time saver.
I have one of these that I use regularly with my studio flash setup.Inexpensive high-power studio flashes generally don't work with your camera's TTL metering system, and when you bring in multiple lights, complex diffusers and so forth, calculating exposure gets to be a challenge. With the Polaris, I setup my lighting the way I want, fire the flashes (either one at a time or all at once), and the meter gives me correct exposure information that's always 100% spot on. It can also help me achieve certain specific lighting ratios, such as making sure the background is subdued or helping me know one part of my subject isn't in too-deep shadows - in effect, you just fire the flash a few times, metering all the key parts and noting how far apart the exposures are. For calculating studio flash exposure, the Polaris can't be beat, especially considering the price.Of course, these days you can achieve good results with digital cameras by simply taking lots of test exposures...there's no film cost, and most photographers tend to have a few lighting setups that really don't vary all that much. This means there aren't too many exposure combinations, and you can probably home in on it trial and error if you want. Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way by knowing the guide numbers of your flashes and dividing by flash to subject distance. Still, having a meter like the Polaris makes this much faster and more precise, especially if you tend to shoot under lots of varying conditions.There are also flashes like the Nikon Creative Lighting System that actually do integrate with certain camera metering systems, even when multiple, off-camera flashes are used. These are wonderfully flexible units, but I still find myself using my somewhat old-fashioned (by CLS standards) studio strobes to get the power and light quality I want. There are so many types of flash attachments - big diffusers/soft boxes, snoots, barn doors, gobos, etc etc etc - that just don't work with the compact flashes Nikon and others make. The Polaris makes using these setups almost as easy as having a TTL flash.The Polaris can, of course, also be used as a more conventional exposure meter under nearly any condition. Frankly, the meter in most of my cameras are so good under most non-studio flash conditions, I tend to only rarely use it this way.About the only thing the Polaris doesn't do is include built-in color temperature metering. This would simplify situations where you have a mix of different light sources and you want to set the white balance for a particular effect.Otherwise, it's a small, compact and lightweight unit. It doesn't seem particularly rugged, but since I tend to wear mine around my neck on a lanyard, I'd rather have lightweight than a unit built like a tank. The display is large and easy to read, even in dim light, and it runs quite a long time on a set of batteries.Recommended as a low-cost alternative to some of the other more expensive brands.
Great product, easy to use, not bulky.I'am an amateur and only regret not getting a meter earlier.No more guessing the ISO, aperture and shutter speed.This unit will give the right settings to start.... that doesn't mean those will be the perfect settings you need for your creative decisions. It's just a starting point.
At the risk of sounding too ethnic this meter is made in Japan. Click the controls.  They respond smartly. Shut the battery door. It clicks in place without force.  This is a very nice piece!  Of course all the reviewers who rave about accuracy are right on. Never heard of Polaris?  Me either. If you want a seriously good meter, buy one.
I bought this primarily as a flash meter. It's easy to use and appears to provide accurate readings, based on the pictures I'm taking. It's a lightweight case and I suppose I was expecting something a little heavier based on using light meters in the past. Overall, I like this meter and hope it will continue to work well for me.
First, the seller did a very good job communicating and getting this to us in a timely manner.The meter is all they say it is. Lightweight, accurate, easy to use, easy to view.It is holding up well in weather extremes too (+95 and -20 wind chill).
The light meter works great. Love it. Specially for the price. Of course if money is not an issue or you can wait I'd say go for one that gives you temperature in Kelvin. Much more useful. Still this works like a charm. Captured great images both on film and digital using both reflective and ambient measures.
is not accurate,  and you can use a flash 5 times with the same placement and same flash and get 5 different readings. The dome cover dose not work at all, any were from 5 feet away from the flash with the dome on it can not take a reading. Using continuous light it works great but dose not work with the flash.I tried to Calibrate it but it did not work,still way off and very very inconsistent. I am very very disappointed that I bought this and wish i could send it back, I have tried every thing possible to get it to work accurately or at least consistently but no luck.
This light meter performs as advertised and is easy to use.  There are just a few settings so not very complicated.  It also fits nicely in your hand and the display is easy to read.
I found this light meter to be very inconsistent indoors and the reflective light meter in my Canon 3ti out performed it in out door settings. I may have had a bad unit but 90% of the time when I tried to take a reading in a studio setting the meter would read &#34;under exposed&#34; and changing the ss would make no difference. I honestly found the limited features no better than the resident meter in my camera along with a little photo savy. Don't waste your time and money do like I did in retrospect buy a Sekonic.
This meter is all you need for ambient and flash photography. One thing the description fails to mention is that it reads in 1/10's of stops like the big boys. I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years and this meter impresses me..
An incidental light meter just may be the best investment the beginning photographer can make. The reflective light meter and histograms on your camera are helpful, but only tell half the story when it comes to lighting. Being able to calibrate and set your studio lights before you start shooting with a live subject saves time and aggravation for everyone.The Polaris SPD100 is a very simple meter, but it gets the job done. It can be used to measure ambient light, flash light, or even multiple flashes (haven't used this yet). It's durable, fits nicely in your hand, and powers off after a period of inactivity, which is nice. It goes with me on every shoot, and gets used at every shoot. Definitely would recommend to anyone looking to get a light meter.
Excelente articulo. Ha funcionado perfecto y cumple con todos los requerimientos de determinar intensidad de Flash con modo manual. A muy buen precio.
I am glad that I have my very own and it will be put to use. Photography has so much to offer.
I've been using this for awhile now without issue. I can see a difference in my photography when I know what light settings to use. The quality and construction is well, and i haven't had any issues as of yet. I would buy again.
I bought this product in December of 2011. I used it almost exclusive in "corded flash mode" to both trigger and measure light output from my studio strobes. This product worked as advertised for a few months.  Thereafter when I depressed the trigger button, the unit would intermittently display an "Eu" (under-range) error message, and would not trigger the attached strobe. At other times, the strobe would fire but the meter would display wildly inaccurate readings (e.g., f/8 brightness measured by chimping with my camera and white balance target was displayed as f/32 on the meter)  The problem began happening with increasing frequency, despite battery changes, cable changes, and despite cycling the product on and off numerous times. As of today, the meter will not work at all in "corded flash mode". Other modes appear to be working, but I've not tested them thoroughly.  I found no customer support or warranty information in the package or online. After some prodding, I did manage to obtain from Amazon a purported phone number for the manufacturer: 800-822-7933.  When I called that number, I reached "Zodiac Pool Systems".It appears that most reviewers have had better luck. All I can say is, "consider it disposable".UPDATE (6/14/12): I just used a cable tester to check for continuity of cable and connections.  I discovered several things: (1) the cable that I had been using to connect the meter to the strobe has an intermittent fault (loose connection), (2) the PC jack in the meter also has an intermittent fault (loose connection), and (3) the "Eu" error message means only that ambient light (dark studio, without strobe) is less than the minimum that the meter can measure. When the strobe did occasionally fire, then the "Eu" fault was replaced with a plausible f-stop value (e.g., 5.6 or 8.0). Conclusions: The meter that I purchased seems to work except for the loose PC jack.  But, since there's no easy way for the average user to repair that, I consider this unit fatally defective.
What more can you ask for, a great meter at a great price! My photography teacher recommended this as an alternative to the mucho expensive meters. Does everything I need it to do. I have instant feedback, and it helps make the decision on what the best shot settings are. Highly recommend!
I love my Polaris SPD100. Its very basic and PRECISE...just what I wanted. My lighting measures in my shoots are on point, and I am loving it! Simple to use and at a reasonable price. I only wish the instructions were a little more helpful,but the item itself is pretty self-explanatory!
I used this right away.  It works like a charm.  Very accurate and easy to use.  It has been a big help some low light situations.  Totally worth what I paid for it.
This meter was purchase for a photography student and is used constantly.  Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive models but it's preforms well especially for the price.
If you're not a pro and can live with a no-frills light meter, get this one!  It's really very good for what a light meter is supposed to do.  It's also one of the cheapest ones without compromising performance/functions.  The only reason why I gave it a 4 star-rating is it's price.  For something that's $170 bucks, using well established technology, you would think they would use better quality plastic.  Or lower the price to about $100.  But overall, I'm happy.
This is an excellent meter for the price.  It is very simple and easy to use.  It is light weight and comes with a protective pouch.  I would definitely recommend this to others.
This light meter is very easy to use and very accurate.  I would have given it a 5, but when I have my sync cable hooked up to the meter, it always errors on my meter.  But when I use my wireless triggers, it works perfect and now that I am using constants for film, it is a life saver.  Thanks.
I have used it a few times in low lighting situations, works as advertised, I would recommend for anyone who needs one for limited use.
Polaris SPD100 Digital Exposure MeterThis is virtually the same as my previous meter, a Sekonic L-318. It has the same buttons, the same functions, works the same to the point where I wonder if it is either a direct clone or the same meter with a different name and different plastic casing. I has slightly better build quality than the Sekonic was, in a simply cosmetic way. What it lacks that the 318 had is a pivoting head, and an included flat diffuser, something I'm not willing to pay another $100 to get. The casing of the Sekonic does look like a cheap plastic box, but was durable for me.I suspect the reason people think it's "cheap" is that it doesn't weigh much for its size. If I were to open it up, I am betting it's filled with empty space and a circuit board, and the reason for the size has to do with fitting in the externals, like controls, a big LCD, etc. Probably there's empty space in there for 4 AAA batteries, at which point it would be heavy, and critics would give it more love. The plastic case appears to be plenty strong for the job it has to do, is more attractively designed, and a bit thicker-feeling, than the Sekonic L-318.If there was one criticism I have, it is that it's a shutter-priority device. The user sets a shutter speed, and it gives back a lens opening. If you want another, the up and down buttons take you through all of the shutter/aperture equivalent combinations.  I would prefer the other way around, f-stop fixed resulting in a varying shutter speed, but I can live with it the way it is, for the price.Unmentioned, but in the manual, is an adjustment to permanently fine-tune in the meter in small fractions of a stop if you feel that you consistently need lighter or darker results than the meter suggests.
I got one of these light meters.  Kept getting dark pictures, called amazon and got another.  I assumed the first time was a fluke so have not opened it or used in for quite awhile.  Just finally used it and its off as well!!  By 2 stops!!!!!  I had my suspicions confirmed by comparing my friends correctly exposed shot, and comparing the results of her Sekonic meter.  Yep, 2 whole stops off.  There is no polaris customer service so no company to even repair it.  Im going to contact amazon and see if they will let me exchange it, very frustrated!!  Will update after I talk to amazon.
Power on. Set ISO. Set shutter speed. Point and shoot. Gives and calculates f stop which is awesome for awful indoor lighting.
Perhaps I  just got a faulty item, but the f-stop recommended by the Polaris was not even close when I was using a flash. It was, however, right on when using ambient light. This is a very simple meter to use. I read the directions in about 15 minutes, and was up and running in no time. Statistically, it seems this is a good light meter to go with. However, after my experience, I'll probably go with a bit higher quality model.
This light meter works great, even when your meter is conncected to your strobe flash for a meter reading.5/2/2011. The meter still works. I found some new tricks with this meter. If you find that you have problems with metering or it does not seem right, change your battery. The meter does a great job.
Very adaptable and an excellent price. Does what I needed it to do. Manual could be better for explanation and some better guidelines for use.
If you are just getting into Studio lighting this is the meter for you.  It does everything you need it to.
With film you really need to know what you are doing. With digital you see the results right away. I've always relied on my eye and expertise to make a good exposure, and felt a meter was a waste of money. I bought this one to give a meter a try, and it helps out a lot. Changed my mind about meters.It does have some drawbacks, like it doesn't have all the shutter speeds on my A65, but it's close enough to get me within an F stop.If you have an questions about using meters, buy it! For the price it will answer all the questions you would have about using a meter with your photography.
This Digital Exposure Meter works on what I need it for, a simple Meter without all the bells and whistles. All I need is to have a good Aperture reading when I set my ISO and Shutter Speed values. I don't need all that extra crap. If you need all the extra fancy functions then look for another brand which is more expensive. If you do a lot of commercial shooting then bite the price or let your company pay for the fancy ones!
Works as advertised.  A well constructed basic light meter. Would recommend this meter for preliminary lighting assessment when you just don't want to carry your camera.  Pre wedding lighting assessments are great.
Excellent!Accurate and fastErgonomic designI was testing the device after I received it and am very pleased with my purchase
Not to mush to say but this meter is very easy to use but also is VERY inaccurate. Wish I had returned this product within my time frame but i didn't even open it up till two weeks after I received it. Test after test this light meter failed.
Bought this meter for my studio and on location work. Very accurate meter. No more headache to match the flash with ambient light.
Well...first off; I liked this meter while it was working. I didn't like that I had to do the math to get the 1/10th stops to convert to 1/3rd stops but that's a small thing. I ended up not doing the math but just saying (mentally in my head) "f/8 + 2 clicks" to mean f/10 because that's the way the meter reads...in in 1/10th's with the 1/3rds marked out also. It's strange but it's not that big a deal.What IS a big deal is that this meter stopped measuring flash accurately. For some reason it just started going from registering (inaccurately) to not registering anything below a certain f/stop....nothing in between.I did like this meter while it worked (with the slight caveats that I mentioned above)and it works fine while it works.For myself, I should have spent the extra cash to get an L-358 because that's what I'm going to do now and I could have avoided a $160.00 lesson.
Great alternative to the items that cost 3-5x as much. It certainly gets the job done, just without all the bells and whistles. Very light weight and easy to operate. The instructions are well written and easy to understand.
HIGHLY recommended.How it works - you enter your sync speed (shutter speed) you want to shoot at, take your reading and it will tell you the f-stop to get correct exposure.  Pretty simple.  Can be wired via sync cable to your flash which you can fire directly from the meter itself, or use wireless mode and it will wait until it detects a flash.  Ambient mode allows you to set for natural light outdoors as well, and will give direct or reflective readings.Want to find the shutter speed for your preferred aperture? EASY-  Once you've taken your reading, you can use the up/down buttons and it will not only change your shutter speed, but show the appropriate f-stop reading for the change.  When you get to the f-stop you want, you know know your shutter speed!Overall, this meter is extremely useful ESPECIALLY if you are going between several light scenarios, such as indoor / outdoor at a wedding, or when you are setting up strobe(s) or changing power levels in the studio.  It takes out the guesswork, and saves you tons of time taking all those test shots for exposure changes.The program mode is nice that you can have it show readings based on your preference of over/under exposing slightly to suit your taste.  Also handy if for some reason (as stated in other reviews) that the meter might be off a bit.  I've found mine to be accurate, and reliable in the readings, so if yours seems off check your camera.  Many cameras have 'creative style' or presets that will adjust exposure over or under, contrast, sharpness etc.. depending on your taste.  So don't instantly blame the meter if you haven't checked your camera settings.  Per some other reviews taunting the inaccuracy and saying how much better other considerably more expensive meters measure let me say this, for $200 - $1000 difference in price, I can spend the 2 seconds it takes to use the program button to correct it if necessary.  And it DOES have a warranty (2 years) and a place to send it, so quit trying to convince people that they need to spend a ton of cash to get something useful.  You can take ANY 2 meters even higher/lower priced ones from the same maker and get differences in readings, my point is more expensive doesn't ALWAYS mean better.(for newer photographers: sync speed is the max shutter speed your camera will shoot at when using a flash)
I use it for flash photography. I have several old flash lights. It has been a challenge to setup them in the past. This meter helps a lot.
This is my second identical meter.  I've had the first one for years and it is still working perfectly. Another meter finally gave out and I didn't want to be without a backup.  One of the jobs I do is to light a full Barbershop chorus on risers.  These risers go wall-to-wall in a large hotel conference room.  I need even lighting from both side to side and front to back. I can't imagine doing this without an accurate flash meter. I can usually get everything even within a few tenths of a stop.One problem I had initially is that the hemisphere slides sideways to switch from incident to reflective mode.  It's not loose, but it's easy to bump it.  So you need to check each time that it's where you want it.  My solution was to cut a small square of painter's tape (the blue stuff.) I put that tape across the track where the hemisphere slides -- works great! I don't often use reflected mode, but if I do, it's a simple matter to remove and reposition the tape. The blue tape leaves no residue and is good for multiple uses.I also use the meter to balance studio flashes in a portrait setting and outdoors for balancing daylight and fill flash.
This meter worked great - for one shoot.  It's accuracy declined rapidly thereafter and, within a few days, exposures that should have been shot at F22 were being registered as F2.8 (or sometimes f4.0 depending on the whim of the meter).I have an important shoot this weekend so I had to order a better quality meter and overnight it out so that I'm not left in the dark. The Polaris is going back in the morning.Spend a little extra and get a higher quality product; buying cheap is NOT worth the heartache, inconvenience and cost!On the positive side, I was surprised by the accuracy of the readings for the day that it did work; it was spot on.
great product great seller item as described
having no problems except did not know was for an 8 inch telescope i only have a 5 inch but mounting was easy with double sided foam tape. did not want to drill a hole in my new scope. other than that product working very well.
Some people think these star pointers are cheap or worthless, but for the price, I recommend that everyone add one to their scope. These are lightweight, easy to use and very useful for targeting objects. If centered correctly, the red dot shows you exactly where your scope is pointed and you should see the object nicely centered through your Eye Piece. Make sure you start out with a low power EP (20mm-32mm) so that you see a wider field of view and then step up in power if you need too. DON'T FORGET TO TURN IT OFF AFTER YOU SPOT YOUR OBJECT OR THE BATTERY WILL QUICKLY RUN DOWN.
is a product of low quality, my telescope nextar8 brings one, which stopped working 15 days after starting to use it. I had to buy another orion ez finder deluxe. buy it on amazon but I got no response by the warranty. is poor cheap plastic contruction.
If you want to be hardcore and find stars like the cool kids, this finderscope is for you. Every time I gaze down the red dot sight I feel like a Green Beret honing in on my target. The strength of the laser is adjustable so you can turn it up high if you are spotting during the day. Even on low this thing gives you a very visible dot. It can actually be a bit too strong if you are looking for an object that isn't very visible. For the price I don't think you can find a better finderscope. I didn't want to spend $100 bucks for something fancy, this gets the job done at a great price. I had it hooked up and zeroed in on my Celstron 6se in about 2 minutes. The knobs for adjusting are easy to use. One of the greatest things about this scope is that there is no battery shield. If you have to change the battery you can do so without removing this from your telescope, which is huge if you have ever used a finderscope that had to be removed to swap batteries. As soon as the battery dies, just slide it out the front and pop in the new one, no need to recalibrate, which is fantastic when your battery craps out a 2AM and you can't see a thing let a lot zero in your scope if it had to be removed.Just buy it, it will make you feel good about yourself!
Got this finder scope for a little 70mm Orion scope.  I've always loved the red-dot finders and this one is economical and performs very well.  The only complaint I could cite is that the red dot is very bright and cannot be dimmed as much as some other finders.  However, for my uses with this little scope, it's not an issue.
I am very glad I chose this finder scope.Once you set it (best to do it just the way the instruction say) it makesstar finding very easy. I have used telescopes for 50 + years.This is the best finder scope I have ever used.
Perfect for finding objects in the night sky. Just a little hard to mount onto my 114 mm telescope since it only screws in on bigger scopes just used some foam tape after it was calibrated to keep it on. Now it's so easy to find any object.
The rating is based on the units function. It does exactly what is claimed for it, and is easy to use. The only drawback is the method  (glue) used to secure the adjustment dials to their screws . On my unit, the altitude dial broke loose from the screw due to glue failure, but I reattached it with superglue and it works well.I would recommend the star pointer to astronomy buffs.
This is cheap. Very cheap. I think I will loose the battery before it runs out, the &#34;system&#34; to hold it consisting of a paper clip. No, really, it is actually a paper clip. Will do what it's supposed to do though, until I upgrade my gear entirely (I use an Astromaster 140EZ).
This product works well, but it is all plastic material and the batery is totally visible with just a little metal arm holding it.So far, so good, but it feels that it could brake any time. I allways remove it when I go to somewhere with my telescope, I'm afraid to live it on the bracket while transportation, but every time I remove it I'm afraid that is going brake in my hands.It was cheaper than the finderscope, but sometimes cheaper is more costly....A YEAR AFTER:The plastic is not so fragil, but I still remove for transportation.I strongly recomend you not to forget the finder ON, when you put it away.And whenever I want to ajust the luminosity I aways mess up the alignment, because in the dark, the first nob on the right is for alignment and the second is for ON-OFF-LUMINOSITY.But hey! It is light, cheap and good enough for the price.
I got this for the Celestron 127 EQ. I had to drill new holes but that was super easy. It is a million times better than the piece of crap that came with because it is actually possible to use this one. I love the red dot, you just look at the sky through the thing and move your telescope until the dot is lined up with what you want to see. I finally was able to find Saturn thanks to this, and it only took me a minute or two. It probably isn't the best quality but it stays in place and works so it is good enough for me, and at $20 who can complain?
I got this finderscope last week, installed it and used it that same night. It was easy to adjust and once it was aligned with my telescope it was BY FAR the easiest finderscope I've ever used.Here's how it works: You turn it on and a little red laser light shows up in the glass, then with both eyes you are able to adjust your telescope so that your target star (or object in general) gets behind your red laser and that's it! It is definitely easier than looking through the traditional Finderscopes with one eye and trying to match the star to a black dot that might not even be visible. The brightness of the laser pointer is adjustable so for fainter stars you can still use it.The only complaint I would have is the description. It mentions it can fit easily any telescope while it is not true, in the instructions it mentions it would fit any 6 in or bigger Celestron Telescope. I have a 5 in Celestron Telescope and I couldn't make it work (at least not without some tweaks). The problem is that the mount has the holes too wide for my telescope (Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescopeif you were wondering) so I drilled some extra holes to the mount so it would fit. In the end I think it worked fine, but it would have been great if someone had indicated that before.Overall it is a great product, easy to use and highly recommendable!!
Great product. Mounting was a snap. Works like a charm. Once you get it all aligned it makes finding objects a snap. I would suggest purchasing a taller riser.
This is a must have if you own a telescope. It uses a little red laser like led dot to alighn your scope to whatever object in the sky you need to find or focus on
Purchased to replace the original. Inexpensive way to find the object you wish to view. Simple to use, fairly accurate once aligned.
My dog ran through the house and toppled my Celestron SLT130 and smashed just about everything. I was a little concerned this wouldn't fit on my scope (5&#34; tube) but with a little modification and some epoxy it worked just fine. For the money you can't go wrong, the only thing is; it's a little flimsy, when I tightened it cracks started to appear. I backed the screw plate with a little bit of epoxy and it seems to have done the trick. I was able to use the original bracket and can hardly tell it's a replacement. This is much better than the pointer that came with the unit, it's brighter and easier to adjust. My only complaint was the bracket, I think they could have made it a little thicker....
I came this search two weeks ago and I'm testing it, after aligning the telescope, it is quite easy to use, is one of the best search engines I've had, once you turn can regulate the intensity of light in the form (which is a red dot in the center), is made &#8203;&#8203;of plastic, is very light, but I see you have the battery in the bottom sustained a metal arm, without any protection, it may fall to be taken to the telescope an observing site, however I recommend that when you carry the telescope, remove the form and take it apart carefully.
I purchased this to aid in finding night objects with a 100mm spotting scope. I usually use the scope when I want to spend less than an hour observing, otherwise I have larger scopes.  I like it because it is small, light, removable from its base and cheap. Once aligned it works reasonably  well.  I do not like it because its adjustment is more difficult than it should be, the dot is large and overall functions poorly.  I would put it in the class of astronomy products that tends to discourage interest in astronomy than enhance the hobby.  If it were not for the price it would have been rated one star.
I bought this because I was tired of lying on the ground to coarse aim my 8" Dobsonian. I figured that it would be just good enough to get the telescope aimed well enough so the target was in the finderscope field of view. Turns out it really is very accurate. If there is a star or planet I am trying to aim at, it does just as well as my finderscope. It is also very inexpensive. I would like to see an auto off function. Someday I am going to leave it on and the battery will run out.
I have an Orion 6 inch Dobson that came with a finderscope. I was having trouble with it, and figured it was user error since this is my first telescope. Then I read reviews here of a lot of folks having similar problems, and this cheaper Celestron getting better reviews. The Orion looks better made but the 2 are very similar. The Celestron looks cheaper, is cheaper, but most importantly - it just works. No problem. BTW I also had no problem fitting it to the Orion equipment. I like my telescope. Now I have a good finderscope to go with it, and that makes a big difference.
I don't know why Celestron  doesn't just send this product with their telescopes. It works brilliantly and is a snap to adjust.
Works great, but seems to have left small black shavings in my camera body. Easily cleaned. Helps me takes incredible photos!
To be clear, I'm not a professional in astrophotography, and I'm too far of that, however I really want to try taking some nice moon pics so I decided to buy this.I've attached my Olympus E620 to my Celestrom90SLT using this adapter and was able to capture some really nice moon pics, also some pics from stars, this small adapter makes the work, but it's important to note, that to get good results you need a very solid mount for your telescope, because it's hard if you are not able to keep camera in place and with no vibration, remember that using a long exposure and higher zoom, stability is the key.
an outstanding product, the barlow lens can be removed to use the telescope as a primary lens, take great pictures of the moon is the best adapter I have.
Not being an expert with telescopes, i ordered this because of what i found online. Tried mounting my DSLR to my telescope and cannot get a focus! My focusing lenses with the telescope will not fit between the Adapter and the Camera Body! Nor can I find one that will! Do more homework than i did is all i can suggest! If you have a very high end telescope this may work!
Fantastic!  Used it with my telescope, taking pictures of the moon.  Amazing! Pictures of the moon are amazing.  Connect this with celestron 93419 t-ring to my Canon t3i camera.
I have a Celestron 114 Telescope. I used my T Adapter to attach to my Nikon D3100. It is hard to achieve focus. The product is nice.
T-Adapter is well made and works perfectly for our older Canon 350D and Nikon D3100 & D3200 dslr cameras (with the right T-rings-make sure you order or possess the right size T-ring before investing in this unit) in our Bushnell Northstar Goto reflector telescope.  The cameras fit securely and the barlow lens on the T-adaptor is a nice touch.  Barlow lens is removable too.  Great unit for the price.
To use this product you ALSO need a T-Ring that fits *your* specific brand of camera!Once you have your T-Ring (sold separately) and this product you can plug your camera right into a telescope where the eyepiece normally goes.SHORT REVIEW:Yes, this product fits tightly and seems very well made. If you already have a T-ring for your camera this is what you need to thread onto it and slide your camera onto a telescope. But there's more it does: it includes a 2x barlow magnifier which doubles the magnification of what your camera sees through the telescope.Also, the 2x barlow is removable for use on eyepieces when you're not photographing (or if you don't want 2x magnification when you are), and this product can be left in place on the telescope with the camera removed and telescope eyepieces can then be plugged into it and tightened with the silver set-screw (visible in product photo). This allows for quick changes to compare an eyepiece with and without barlow (with and without this product between the eyepiece and telescope). For about the price of a 2x barlow this product gives you a 2x barlow + half of the T-setup you need to bolt a camera onto your telescope for prime astrophotography. Nice!LONG REVIEWTo attach this to your telescope, your telescope must be able to take 1.25" eyepieces. If it does, you just screw this onto the T-Ring on your camera and then slide everything into the telescope like an eyepiece. Most toy-store telescopes (and many high-quality spotting scopes) take 0.965" eyepieces, so this may not be the size you need. Take the eyepiece out of your telescope and measure the hole it was in. It'll be either .965", 1.25" or 2". This product is for the 1.25" hole.This adapter also includes a tiny eyepiece holding screw, so you can leave this in your telescope without the camera and stick eyepieces into it and tighten them in just like normal. This also allows you to pop different eyepieces into the unit to utilize the 2x barlow *without* having to unscrew from this product and screwing it on your different eyepieces: you can pop this unit into your telescope with the barlow attached to it. Then you can place an eyepiece into it to get the 2x barlow effect. You can then quickly take this product out and put just the eyepiece back into your telescope for really quick "normal vs 2x barlow" comparisons with the same eyepiece.You may also need the 2x barlow to bring your camera/telescope combination into focus. But it just unscrews if you don't want/need it. You can also take this barlow off and screw it onto your rear-threaded 1.25" eyepieces to double their power (actually, half their focal distance in millimeters, it'll make an 8mm eyepiece into a 4mm eyepiece) which is actually why I chose this adapter, even though it was a little pricier than others: it's like a 2-in-1 deal. Almost all good 1.25" eyepieces have threads for filters and barlows like this at the end opposite of where your eye goes--the part that goes inside the telescope. Screw the barlow part from this on and you've just doubled your magnification.After clicking the T-Ring (sold separately) onto my Canon T2i and then screwing this product onto that it took all of 3 seconds to attach my camera to a Zhumell Z8 dobsonian scope. I was able to focus on the Moon and stars before the clouds rolled in. Seems to work just fine optically! It also mounts solidly at both ends as well.Normally I just use an "Orion SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount" (with an older, flatter lens since the newer Canon zoom lenses are smidge just too long to fit between the camera and the telescope without the front of the lens touching the rubber eyepiece cups of some of my eyepieces) and it holds the camera up to a regular eyepiece stuck into the telescope. You get much more magnification that way. It's called afocal astrophotography, a fancy term for just holding a camera up to a telescope or microscope eyepiece and snapping a photo. What you see with your eye up to the eyepiece of the tele/microscope is exactly what the photo ends up looking like. Honestly, this Celestron telescope T-adapter is probably better suited toward longer exposure prime astrophotography (with a motorized telescope mount), but I figured before I get a motorized mounted scope in addition to the Zhumell dob I could, at the very least, use the included 2x barlow to double the power of all my eyepieces--and this lets me attach my camera to some smaller scopes (that take 1.25" eyepieces) and turns them into cheap telephoto lenses without the added weight of the SteadyPix.Theoretically you *might* be able to put a short eyepiece into this product and then screw it onto your camera BUT DON'T DO THAT: if your eyepiece or the rubber eyecup extends past the top of this product it will touch/interfere with the flip-up of your camera's mirror. If you can find a short enough eyepiece you **might** be able to up the magnification--but you might also DESTROY your camera/mirror. If you need higher magnification than 2x, I'd recommend trying something like the Orion SteadyPix, since it works with your camera *and* a telescopic eyepiece.POSSIBLE SETUPSCamera  + T-Ring (sold separately)  + This Adapter  + slide into your telescope where the eyepiece normally goes = "prime focus astrophotography".Camera  + T-Ring (sold separately)  + This Adapter with the included 2x Barlow screwed on  + slide into your telescope where the eyepiece normally goes = "prime focus astrophotography" magnified x2.Your telescope eyepiece (sold separately)  + This Adapter + slide into your telescope where the eyepiece normally goes = normal telescope use.Your telescope eyepiece (sold separately)  + This Adapter with the included 2x Barlow screwed on + slide into your telescope where the eyepiece normally goes = normal telescope use with 2x the magnification (halves the mm of your eyepieces). This will *also*  allow you to swap the adapter+barlow in/out from between the eyepiece and telescope to see the difference the 2x barlow makes on whatever you're viewing.Your telescope eyepiece (sold seperately) + the little Barlow lens unscrewed from this product and screwed onto the bottom of your eyepiece end that goes into the telescope = 1.5x magnification, so you have your eyepieces normal + 2x when lens is on tube + 1.5x when lens is on eyepiece. Basically triples your number of magnications available! Usually a 2x Barlow gives 1.5x when screwed directly to the end of an eyepiece: more variations of magnification is great. I wrote all the combinations on the side of my black telescope in silver paint pen. Example, my telescope has a focal length of 1200mm so a 12mm eyepiece gives 100x mag. 12mm with 2x Barlow gives 200x. 12mm with Barlow lens screwed directly onto it and no Barlow tube used is 12mm divided by 1.5x = 8mm which is 150x mag. Focal length divided by eyepiece mm = magnification. 2x mag means divide eyepiece mm by 2 = new eyepiece mm. For 1.5 divide eyepiece mm by 1.5 to get new eyepiece mm to divide into telescope focal length.Using this product without a camera (between the eyepiece and the telescope) will also yield a slight improvement in near-object focus. This is useful for terrestrial viewing: there is a pine-tree a few blocks from my house that is too close for me to focus on unless I loosen my eyepiece and pull it out of the drawtube, extending the distance between mirror and eyepiece as I hold it in my hand. This product basically `holds' the eyepiece for me--and allows me to focus on the pine-tree easily (and at double the magnification if I leave the barlow in). However, I would think this might impact far object viewing, but as stated earlier: I was able to focus very crisply on a single star with my setup: I took three quick shots playing with the focus rack and I was able to get: a star with 4 diffraction spikes (X shape), a slightly blurry star (a bit of 'seeing' roiling the sky) and a slightly bloated dot (normal photo of a star). The moon was crisp, with craters visible: Theophilus showed it's central mountain peak nicely.  BTW: with my setup (Canon T2i + Z8) and the barlow in place the magnification showed maybe about 2/5 of the moon (if it wasn't a waxing crescent). Thus the 'magnification' factor of your telescope is somewhat negated during prime focus photography--if you want to 'zoom in' on individual craters on the Moon, then check out the SteadyPix for afocal astrophotography (telescope with eyepiece in it and camera with it's own lens attached). Usually, a product like this is used by people doing prime focus astrophotography (no lens on camera and no eyepiece in telescope) which is better suited to telescopes with motorized mounts and for nice, long exposures...but if you're planning on trying both, or want to attach a camera that isn't suited for a SteadyPix bracket, or you have a motorized telescope mount and want to do long exposures without your camera flapping around on a loose bracket, or you have a smaller telescope you want to turn into a make-shift telephoto camera lens, or were thinking of buying just a 2x barlow alone, or just want to play around like me...I highly recommend this product.For what is usually considered a utilitarian "photo adapter" (simply half of a T-mount system), the Celestron T-Adapter+Barlow has lots of fun possibilities and features incorporated into it. The fit and finish on this product is also top-notch--in direct contrast to some things I've seen out other `name brand' telescope companies (flaking paint, rough metal file-marks, cheap pins instead of screws, etc.). I was quite happy with all the `extra' uses beyond it just acting as a t-adapter.Oh, and if you order this you might want to pick up a remote shutter release for your camera (or get well acquainted with setting the self-timer function on your camera in the dark)since you may find that your telescope shakes a bit with the added weight of your camera dangling from it...and a LOT more when you try to fire the shutter button with your finger.Clear skies to you!-Mike from Detroit
Since I also purchased the Celestron accessory kit, I now have two Barlows! The entire time I was waiting for this item, I was worried I'd be forced to magnify all exposures when using this item. Not to worry! The Barlow screws right off. Other than that, it looks like a solid product when used in combination with your DSLR's T-ring. Not sure what the screw is for. It didn't seem to serve any function I could think of as the T-ring screws on to that end of the product. Oh, well! In any case, if you don't need a Barlow, I think Celestron has a different T-adapter sans Barlow.
Good deal and allowed me to mount my A77 on my Meade AZ-70 telescope. Plan to use maybe when Comet ION comes around in fall.
There is no question about the quality of this product.  Unfortunately, it was not what I needed. However I will still keep it for future use.
I bought this so that I could get 2x with my camera on my telescope. It works great and arrived quickly. Now my moon pictures are even closer and they are beautiful. Thank you.
Works great on my brothers Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT.  You'll require a T-Ring to go along with this for it to work properly on a DSLR camera.  Fits my Canon XSI perfect as well.  The extra Barlow Lens is a great plus and increases the magnification greatly.  I highly recommend this.  Might I suggest getting a Remote Switch for your DSLR as well to reduce vibrations.
I love this adapter because it makes lunar photography possible via my SLR.  In addition to doubling the magnification of your existing eyepieces, if you want to do photography through your telescope via your SLR you will probably need this.  The reason you will need it is to actually focus the image on the sensor of the camera.  Using with a T-ring attachment (this includes it own T-adapter so don't need an additional one.)I have gotten some amazing lunar photos via my 6 inch dobsonian reflector.
Barlow lens don't always live up to the hype but this simple version does and fairly impressiveSimple : if you want more magnification from your telescope when taking photos drop this bad boy in.Seems to be a well made optic and no notable distortion in main field ( far outside edges slight amount . . . but should be able to lens correct the lens function on a RAW in photoshop on importing )
Does its job just fine..Can use it with the t ring to hold the camera.. Or just use it as a Barlow with a regular 1 1/4" eyepiece. wish it had a retaining groove to prevent if from sliding out of the telescope (with my $800 camera on it) if the screws would loosen up a bit.
I'm waiting for the weather to clear to actually use this adapter.  The owners operation manual also shows how to place a &#34;T&#34; adapter directly to the scope too so I would try this method first before buying the Universal Adapter 93640. I missed this before I went to the Celestron website and ordered the Universal Adapter.  I have a &#34;T&#34; adapter I use for other lenses.
This T-adapter fit perfectly on my cheap Celestron reflector, allowing for some stunning astrophotography on a budget. I tried the Celestron #93625 (plain T-adapter), but it was too long, and I was unable to get focus on any object. So, I would recommend this one over the 93625.
I bought this T Adapter with this T ringFotodiox T/T2 Lens Mount Adapter for Nikon Mount Camera, Nikon D1, D2, D3, D3x,D3s, D100, D200, D300, D300s, D700, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, D3100, D5000, D7000. With the two products together I was easily able to mount my Nikon D5100 to my StarBlast 6 telescope. I am really happy with this little Barlow T Adapter. I like that the barlow is detachable. I was able to take some cool pics by taking the barlow lens off attaching my moon filter to the t adapter then re-attach the barlow after the moon filter.
I purchased this Celestron T Adapter/Barlow 1.25 Universal to be able to connect my Nikon D3200 to my Coulter 13&#34; Dobsonian telescope.  The unit is well machined and fit like a glove.  You do have to buy a T-Ring for your particular camera and well as this adapter/Barlow.  Celestron makes a good product there also.  You don't have to buy the second T-Ring that Amazon recommends.I would recommend this product.  The product came quickly and was well packaged.
Arrived on time. Looks as expected. Does what its supposed to. I haven't tried the expensive ones yet. My Nikon with the T ring fits snug.
I bought this to adapt my DSLR to my Celestron C8 telescope. It works as advertised, is easy to use, and is of good construction.
Regarding the product, It does what is supposed to do, but with the Barlow attached there is too much "flare" (not sure if this is the correct term).Positive point: the barlow can be removed. And can be used with other eyepieces.Celestron Customer services is terrible. They take a long time to answer and dont provide even the simplest information replying:"As a policy we cannot provide such information."
This lens did not work with my meade telescope. Despite the specs it would not stop slipping and rotating. I returned it.
You can see this is cheap from china. But it does the work flawlessly.It's ALL METAL! :D I was expecting plastic I don't know why :P
I bought this for someone else.I was told that it works.  This attaches to another adapter and then to a DSLR camera.  My friend told me that this worked fine.  I have not seen the pics yet, but I will update this review if he has any complaints.Super fast shipping.
It threads on (fairly) easily and holds my camera (Sony NEX) extremely steadily on my scope (Celestron 8&#34;).  It does all that very well.
Works as intended threads onto rear of Nexstar 8 just fine. Appears to be made well. No problems encountered so far.
This Celestron adapter was build with quality and fit. I own a Mak90 spotting scope and it does not support the SCT thread pattern.
Since these are all the same, this was what I expected. This T-adapter fits the v-back of any scope and directly connects prime focus to whatever you want.
This is a solid, well made product that does exactly what is advertised and I intend to keep it.  The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that at 2 1/2&#34; long, it limit's my capability at zenith.  I have a fork mounted scope with 8&#34; clearance between the base and the tube. I generally this use this adapter,  a filter wheel, Flip mirror, Barlow and CCD.  That's a lot of weight and this adapter secures it well, but together, it's longer than 8&#34;, so no Zenith shots.  I would highly recommend this to a friend.
I was concerned about using the T-Adapter's that use eyepiece screws to hold thousands of dollars of camera equipment in place at a downward angle. This solves my problems and makes sure I know my camera is secure. The only drawback is that it's much harder to use filters or barlows with this. I only use the t-adapter with threaded eyepiece screws when I need to shoot through a filter or a barlow.
Primarily used to attach a SLR camera to te lght path as it exits the rear of a Celestron telescope.  Fits well, is heavy gyage metal. You must purchase an adapter unique for your camera which theads onto the small end of the T-adapter.  The other end of the T-adapter threads onto the back of yor scope.  Recommend that you screw this with care or yo will gall the threads on your scope.
Mounted perfectly on my cousin's telescope. Got great shots of the moon with my Canon 5D mark iii. Great product!
Delivered on time and works great.  There is an alternative that can slide right into the 1 1/4" eyepiece hole that is easier to use, but this does the job
I use this to mount my Canon 40D to Nextar 8SE.  It is simple to use, however, threading in the dark can be tough.  I suggest putting this on first and then mount your camera.You must remember that the focal length changes with the removal of the eyepiece, therefore, you photo will not be as magnified.  You will be able to photograph the moon with much clarity and the major craters and plains are visible.I give this a 4 simply because of the threading issue.
This adapter seems to be very well made and will give a good tight connection when I get the scope I'm going to use it with.
I did a trial fit of the part to my C8 and Orion CCD and DLSR camera - fits perfect.  And sturdy...
Good stuff and fits great, of course you need a T-ring adapter to use this as well. It is solidly built and fits snug enough to feel comfortable holding the weight of my Canon 6D
I was exited to get this item it works great paired up with my Celestron T-ring now I can get to imaging!!
The Celestron T-Adapter for Schmidt Cassegrains is a nice one.  It is sturdy enough to hold the weight of my Minolta Maxxum 7D digital camera.  I used it today to take pictures of the sun.  I also took some pictures of nearby objects.  I had the telescope at 90 degree and 160 degree angles.  The T-Adapter remained sturdy the whole time.  Great product.
Their shipping chart claims the shipping for items less than $50 is $6.94, but once you get to the end of check-out they actually charge you $11.89.
This adapter fits my SCT well and allows me to mount my camera. The price is way too high, though.
This connects instead of the visual back on your Celestron (or many other brands) telescope.  Combined with the proper T adapter for your camera, it allows you to easily connect the camera to the back of the telescope in place of an eyepiece for either astro photography or extreme telephoto photography of things like wildlife.  For example, with my Celestron Nexstar 6 SE scope, this gives me 50 power at F6 with any camera using an APS-C sensor.  On my AstroTech 66mm refractor it gives me 20x.  This unit, which threads right onto the back of the scope, gives a much solider connection than the style which connects like an eyepiece.
This fit my aging Celeston C8 perfectly, and gave me some great shots of the moon.  I paired it with a Canon t-ring and a Canon t4i.  I have no complaints.
Its lightweight, cheap. You have to develop the habit of not turning the camera when mounted as it unscrews it from the tripod.
Works great with my canon camcorder and sony digital cameras.  For its cheap price, it's a great product and worth purchasing if your tired of blurred pictures and shaky videos.
Are there tripods out there with more features? Yes.Are there tripods out there that are a bit sturdier and will support more weight? Yes.Do those tripods cost at least 2 or 3 times the amount of this one? YES.Some great features of the SDV-20 are the quick release camera mounting plate, 3-way adjustable head, 6' max height, quick release leg locks, sturdy construction and a nice, light weight. Sure, there are tripods out there with fancy bubble levels, thicker legs, hand cranked center columns, etc...but they cost a significant amount more and weight more too.If you're fairly new to photography, are a little confused about all the features of these tripods and just want something reliable that won't break the bank...look no further.Simply put...if you're looking for something compact, lightweight and fairly sturdy for a small camera...you cannot beat the SDV-20. ESPECIALLY considering how inexpensive it is.
The quick release levers for leg extensions are easy to use. The legs themselves slide smoothly. The only complaint is that the detachable plate doesn't lock in place, and the release lever is a little awkward to use. Other than that...a nice tripod at a great price!
I don't have the tripod but considering to buy one.  However, the description of operational height range of 58 5/8" to 59 1/2" sounds very strange to me.  If the operational height range was something like between 28 5/8" to 59 1/2" as other tripods do, then it would be good.  Else, the usable height of this tripod is too limited, limted to about only one inch range as described on the Amazon web site.I check 4-5 different web sites such as buy.com, etc., and they all indicate the same operational height range.  But I still can't believe it. Can any user verify this?  Thanks!
Cheap tripod, cost me about 12 bucks.Very sturdy, not professional, but enough for me
The Slik Tripod with Pan Head is a good value for the price.  Quick disconnect feature from tripod is very convenient.  Definitely light duty, but who needs infinity?J.F. Metzger
If you are an avid photographer and make lot of outdoor trips for photography and need a tripod, this is NOT the right one for you. Buy an expensive one.However, if you are an amateur in photography or pursue photography as a hobby, and are looking for a reasonably priced tripod for occasional use, this will work just fine.Features, I liked:- Expandable length with multiple settings.- Stable, unless put on really uneven surfaces like rocks etc.- Lightweight to carry.- Small size fits in a backpack or small bag.- Three way movement is pretty smooth.- One click easy removal of camera with the screw-in base from the stand.- Price is unbeatable for this quality.In short, you get what you pay for...actually more than that. In case, if you but it, I recommend to buySlik Tripod Carrying Case - Medium- 25" X 4.25" with Adjustable Carry Strap, Outside Pocket & I.D. Pocket.
Comes up a little bit above the waist when fully extended. The build is sturdy. Have not tried it in windy conditions but looks solid. For the price serves the purpose more than adequately. Fully satisfied with the purchase.
es bueno para uso familiar pero en uso extremo no tiene muy buen desempe&ntilde;o, es un poco delicado
I received this product for free as part of a camera promotion.  I wouldn't dream of using it for my camera, but I use it to hold my off-camera flash, and it works fine for that, though the head is poorly-built and wearing out quickly.  I expect before long I'll have to replace the head because it will no longer lock (I'll probably just get a new tripod like this).If you want to support a very light point and shoot camera occasionally, this might be okay.  If you want to support any type of single-lens reflex (interchangeable-lens) camera, or even to use a heavier point and shoot, I'd get a better tripod.  The Velbon Maxi tripods or the Bogen 3001 would be much more satisfactory (and cost more, of course).
I have bought this item last year, and I wish I had had it before. Before this, I couldn't take cool night pictures, or I had to ask someone to take a picture of me and my wife. With this guy, which works and handles the job very well, taking photos is incredibly enjoyable, especially when you see stunning night pictures!
For the price you cant beat it. the quick release snaps on the legs are super easy and solid. its lightweight and the rotating head is super steady.
When searching for a tripod, I wasn't looking for an expensive professional broadcast grade product but, on the other hand, I didn't want something so cheap it would fall apart at the seams, collapse and destroy camcorder or camera.  I was hesitant about purchasing this unit for that very reason, I mean come on, $15, how much faith can I put in that?  Ultimately my bugdet prevailed and I opted for the SLIK SDV-20.  I was impressed by its solid construction for a tripod of that price.  It's relatively lightweight and can only support up to 4 lbs, but that's all I needed.  I use it with a Canon Powershot A95 digital camera and a Samsung SCD27 MiniDV camcorder, the latter only weighting a couple of pounds with battery.  That being said, I wouldn't consider leaving this tripod unattended in windy or other adverse conditions as it is lightweight  and can be top heavy when fully extended.  All in all, it's one of the best $15 I ever spent.Pros:  Cheap, Lightweight, Easy storage(fits in a small to medium size duffle), Durable, Excellent height(almost 60 inches, 10 inches higher than like priced tripods)Cons:  Lightweight(can be top heavy), Pan and tilt adjustments not very smooth(when used with a heavier camera or camcorder), Only 1 quick-release attachment plate(could've used 2 for both my cameras), Quick-release attachment plate needs a flat head screwdriver to attach to camera(have to carry around the flat head screwdriver with the tripod to switch between cameras)
I have paid around $12 and worth for that price.  Very cute looking and stands well.
It's much more than I expected.  Strong but light, very helpful. I used this tripod with my Handycam and with my Casio Exlim with no problem at all.
Get a perfectly framed, straight and level picture everytime. Great for up close macro shoots if you don't have a steady hand. Price is right and it gets the job done.
When I ordered this tripod, I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, the price is so low. I LOVE this tripod. I still can't believe it was priced so low.
I bought this tripod several month ago. It was better than my expected when I received it. The quality is very good. Easy to use, many adjustment of height. This is good enough tripod for both of my DV & DC.
I sought for a tripod that would not 'endanger' my camera because it was so flimsy, yet I was on a budget.  I am VERY pleased with my purchase of the SLIK Tripod.  This tripod is great for travel, can fit in a 22inch carry-on if you take the panhead off.  I've brought it with me across the country filming with both a Panasonic Lumix FZ3 and a Panasonic GS35 DV Cam.  It is light, easy to fold up and has a tall enough stance when I need to get a little height on shots.  It pans smoothly, rotates 180 degrees for vertical shots and is pretty rugged to boot. Some other tripods in retail stores of lesser quality are so ridiculously priced-this one is a gem for the money.  I'm always up for a good value and this is definitely one.
I love this tripod. I have never used a tripod before so I have nothing to compare it to. But I unlike some of the other reviews have mentioned, I have found no poor material quality. This tripod is very light in weight and easy to open and close up. I can change camera position very easily and take the camera off the tripod with just a flip of a switch. I highly recommend this tripod.
Very Durable and easy to use, especially for the material it's made of. It's not metal or aluminum or anything like that, but it gets the job done. It's sturdy and definitely strong enough to support a large camera.
A very stable tripod for the dollar. Nice adjustable tripod to even some very unusal positions! A little on the bulky side for long day trips, like to the zoo. Would actually go for the monopod, lighter, more compact, you just need a little balance control. Overall great product for short walking tours. Tiring to lug around with other camera equipement. But great value for the price.update: after several outings using tripod must report that it is heavy and akward to lug around. A couple of trips to the zoo carring also a camera bag with slr camera. It is very stable and of good quality but for travel or for trips with alot of movement I suggest a small light weight monopod.
I think this is a great tripod for the money. Its very basic and easy to use and store. Not for the professional photographer but for the novice or photography as a hobby its great.
I bought this case for my new Canon SX200IS - and it fits perfectly.The small auxiliary pocket at the front actually is big enough to hold my Sony GPS CS-3KA unit.The padding of the case is thick enough to protect the camera from most outside damage (no, it probably won't survive an elephant sitting on it ...), and the flap closes the case effectively enough to provide a good shield against the elements.The camera does not have any wiggle room, it is a snug, but not a tight, fit. It is easy to pull out of the case, without having the setting dial catch a  corner and being moved in a different position (well, that happened a lot with the case I was using before - really annoying if you expect the aperture priority setting and the video setting is active instead ...).The case, when filled with the camera and the GPS unit, is not really pocket sized anymore - good thing that they included a nice long over-the-shoulder carrying strap.The only thing I am missing here is a strip of velcro to fixate the flap, instead of always having to close the buckle to prevent the camera from falling out. That is not a minor issue in my point of view, because I want to access the camera real quick, and to always have to undo the buckle first is certainly counterproductive. The alternative would be to just let the flap hang there without closing the buckle - do that at your own peril.Other than that, it is a very functional, no frills, fits like a glove, sturdy as a rock camera bag.
I bought aPanasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Blue)and this case works great for it. It really is built well. It gives me lots for room for a extra battery and a couple of SD cards.One flaw is the strap has a cheap connector in the middle that seems flimsy. But in the year or so I've had the case I haven't had a problem, but I don't use the strap much.
I recently purchased a Canon A720is digital camera and was looking for a case for it.  I have found it in this Tamrac model 5691.  It fits the A720is perfectly with space in the accessory pocket for four extra AA batteries  and an extra camera card.  The black balistic nylon is smooth and good looking and appears to be very tough.  It has a very sturdy neck strap with removable clips and a belt loop on the back.  The main compartment has a flap with a buckle and the accessory compartment has a zipper closure.  Inside the accessory compartment are two pockets to hold camera cards and batteries.  The assembly quality is very good.  In fact, I am having a hard time figuring out how to improve this case, and I don't think it is possible-it's perfect as it is, at least for a Canon A720is.  The only quibble I can think of is that it would be nice if it came in nuetral grey as I think the black color may be a heat sink in the Sacramento summer sun when it reaches 115 degrees as it did several summers ago.  The black looks nice though.  So in conclusion I am very happy, an excellent camera and an excellent case to go with it.
Just got this a couple of days ago for my Panasonic Lumix ZS-3.  It's a perfect fit.  I like the front zipper accessory pouch where you can store your memory cards and extra battery.  This is the main reason why I bought this bag. Also, it is well padded inside and the material on the outside is very rugged, good if you are looking for durability but so-so if you're going for aesthetics, I wish they had a leather version of this camera bag.  Only thing I am not crazy about is the clasp in the front.  I think it would have been much better to have a zipper instead just like they did for the accessory pouch.  It just adds an extra step to open up the clasp if you use it. Finally, this is something you will not be able to put in your pocket.  But this is to be expected for a bag that also has room for accessories.
I bought this bag for my Canon Powershot SX210. It is my first time to own a Tamrac brand camera bag.I like the buckle/clasp instead of zipper to close up/secure the camera in the bag.  I thought it is a little quicker to get the camera in and out.  There is a separate compartment for my spare battery and SD card and there is room for another spare battery and SD card. Then there is the compartment for the camera.  The liner has slippery, silky feel to it.  It should not scratch the camera.  The padding appear to be sufficient for protection and the outside material is rugged that I think will withstand everyday use and could handle abuse.I only gave it 4 stars because it is not a snug fit for my camera. The bag is is a little taller and wider.  It also looks a little blah to me compared to Lowepro bags I previously owned.  I bought another camera bag - Lowepro Apex 30 AW.  It is a better fit and looks better for my taste.  I gave my Tamrac to my brother and he seems to like it alot.
This is the 2nd Tamrac Bag I've purchased to match a 2nd Canon Point & Shoot. This one was a gift and it was based on my use over the last 2 years of the 5690 model. The camera fits snug & stays in place yet will easily slide out with a tug of the strap or by using your fingers. Front Pouches work well for extra batteries & storage cards.Bag is well made, durable & an excellent value. Tamrac website is also very helpful = product info & selection
I purchased this bag for a Panasonic Lumix camera. Works great for holding the camera, memory cards and extras batteries. Sturdy construction and well padded. Not a super high dollar bag, but does a great job for what it is. I have been pleased.
I just bought this case for myPanasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black), and it's a perfect fit.  I love the option of carrying with the shoulder-strap or taking it off and using the rear attachment (velcro AND a snap) to hook onto your belt like a mini-fanny-pack.  Superb idea!I have room for a spare battery, SD card, the lanyard, and there's a little space left over in the accessory pouch.  Great padding and great protection, and it's SO convenient to tote around.  I love it!
perfect for my canon sx230 hs. compact and comfy. i highly recommend this product to all point and shoot users. wonderful product by tamrac!!
This is a great bag. I holds my Lumix TZ5 without a problem, as well as two extra batteries and a USB pen drive. The belt loop makes it easy to carry around, although the shoulder strap work just as well.
I purchased this bag mainly to carry the panasonic lumix tZ5 safely when I don't have any larger cameras on me.  The lumix fits snug and that is a good thing.  This bag also has space for my extra batteries.  It works great for what it is for.  If you have a smaller point and shoot than the lumix I would recomend also getting a smaller bag.  This bag is just a bit too big to fit into anyones pocket.
I bought this camera bag without any previous "testing".  I own a Canon A710 is and chose this bag according to the Tamrac guide.  The fit is perfect, not too tight not too loose.  I include in the bag a couple batteries and a card reader (in the outter pocket). It has a very clever belt strap.  I like the blue option better.
I just bought this case for my Panasonic Lumix TZ3 and the fit is perfect. I can put an extra SD card and an extra battery. I'm very pleased with the purchase.
This case works well with my Panasonic Lumix LX3.  Holds the camera, neck strap, lens cleaning cloth, extra memory card, with little room to spare. Seems to be well built.
I had ordered another case when I bought the camera but, it was too tight and had no room for extra cards.  This one is just right, not too tight, I can actually take the camera out easily and the front area has room for two extra cards and a battery.
This camera case is very nice.  It is small, compact and looks like it would hold batteries and memory cards really well.  It is nice looking and nice.  Did I mention it seems nice?One major problem, it doesn't fit the camera (Canon PowerShot S5 IS) that I bought it for.  It was listed on the camera's page as being a case to buy with it.  There is no way I can get it to fit!  The camera is bigger than the case.I couldn't give the camera case a lower rating, though, because it's not it's fault it was listed on the camera's page, and it really does look like a nice case.  I just wish it fit my camera.
This is the second case that I have purchased.  It was bought to hold the Canon Waterproof D20, extra battery, camera strap and extra memory card.  These items fit well in the case and the camera is well protected.  It is compact and easy to put in a backpack for traveling.  As with all Tamrac bags I have, this one is one of the best.
I'm using the Tamrac 5691 for a Canon Elph 500 HS.  The camera fits in easily and not at all snug.  This is a perfect fit for my needs but if you turn the bag upside down with the top open the camera will slide right out.  The front pouch is absolutely perfect for an extra battery and SD card.  The interior is smooth nylon that shouldn't scratch anything.  The bag is well padded.The quality of the bag is perfect and it seems like it will last for many years with just a little care.  I like that you can use it on a belt or with the shoulder strap.  My favorite feature is the snap buckle closure for the top.  The snap buckle is very secure but opens easily, and quietly, when you need to get the camera out in a hurry.  Some other bags and cases have Velcro which works well but makes a distracting noise when opened.If I was to add anything to this bag it would be a small non-slip pad on the shoulder strap.  I like to hang the bag on one shoulder instead of putting it over my head and a little rubber or sticky nylon pad would make it a little more secure that way.
My Sony DSC HX50V camera fits this case perfectly.  The case is very functional, durable and well made.  The belt loop is both button down and Velcro sided so you don't have to take your belt off to put this case on or take it off.  The zipper front pocket is big enough for extra memory cards and batteries but not intended to carry your recharge electrical chord.  Although I have not tested it I'm sure this case will protect my camera in the rain.  Although it's expensive at $25 I would buy it again without hesitation.
I'm a Professional Photographer & I got this to use for my Point & Shoot with Tamrac's S.A.S. (Strap-On Accessory System).  This simply means you can strap it to the shoulder strap of S.A.S. compatible Tamrac shoulder bags, for quick & easy access. This Camera Bag is perfect for my Canon PS-A3300-IS. It has nice little zip pockets in the front that hold my many back-up batteries & extra memory cards. (Could hold other small accessories as well.) Comes with a shoulder strap with metal hooks, if you just want to use it as a stand-alone case. My 10+ years of experience with many Tamrac products is that they almost always hold up to the elements, & protect your equipment like no other products I've experienced...I highly recommend!
I bought this camera because I just had a baby and I wanted to be able to just throw it in the diaper bag and not miss any cute little thing my new baby did.  It's good for that.  My two problems are why I only rated this 3 stars.  One-it eats up batteries FAST!  It's just not convienent to have more batters rolling around a diaper bag.  And two-the red eye is horrible.  I end up with demon baby every time her eyes are open.  Even after I turn the red-eye reduction on.  Maybe it's just my camera, I don't know.  Most people seem to love this camera.  I wish it didn't have that red eye problem.  I'd be much happier with it.
Images can be stored on the included 8 MB Memory Stick, which can store approximately 15 images at 1632 x 1224 pixels. The Cyber-shot DSC-P92 is also compatible with optional Memory Stick PRO media, which can extend data capacity up to 1 GB.Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultrafast USB 2.0, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. When used with USB 1.1 connection, transfer will slow to USB 1.1 rate.
I ordered the camera thru Amazon.  I love Amazon, they shipped the order to me right away.However, the camera sent to me was missing the battery charger.  Until I can charge the batteries, the camera will not work.  The battery charger is proprietary to this camera, I cannot buy another charger at the store.Sony customer service is poor.  I've called, and emailed to request a replacement immediately.  The Sony customer service rep acted as through they were doing me a favor.  3 days later, I still have no replacement, and have a camera which will not work.
This is my second purchased. I've taken my camera everywhere I go and people notice the size and simplicity of the use from this camera. I have to tell you, when you need a quick shot of a special moment, simply whip it out and snap! That's how easy it is. Battery lifetime is good, just make sure you maintain it well.Anyhow, I've got two now! One for personal use and the other for work. So if you are looking for something small, light weight, and easy to use, GET this one! Good luck and have fun with it!DL
I love cameras and this camera is a Keeper!  It fits nicely in the handbag/pocket and takes great pictures!  When I want to take a camera with me while power-walking (maybe catch a deer or ducks in my view...) this camera fits perfect in my pocket and doesn't interfere with my "steps" :)
I bought 5 of these when Ritz Camera were closing them out at $100 each. Love it as a second camera, easy to use and great as a second small digital camera if not also as a primary one. The other 4 were given as gifts and all those who received it love it too. Easy to pack for everyday carrying! Included NIMH batteries and charger made it even a better deal!Afternote: I gave this to my son for his E-Bay use and got a Canon SD 400 which I love.
I've owned several digital cameras.I disagree with anything negative anyone has had to say.  Mine came with a rechargable battery - it gets AMAZING battery life.  The absolute best feature is the super quick shutter speed.  They rate it at 0.9 seconds.  And unlike most cameras that have a button you press to power on, on the dscu30 you just slide the cover open and its on instantly.  Also, people love it - you whip it out and people are amazed at how tiny and cool looking it is.  Its smaller than alot of the "flat" design cameras.  My favorite feature is the fact that it has the lens slide cover (mine is not wobbly).  It is so convienent to be able to carry the camera in your pocket without worry about it powering on , or even worse - scratching the lens.Downsides:-2.0 MP - I do webdesign, personal photos for fun, email, etc. It is good for me - If I ever wanted to blow up pics or anything like that - I would want higher resolution.  But that is nothing specific to this camera.  Standard size pics print just beautifully.-Comes with a meesly 8mb memory stick, you definitly need a minimum of 64mb - (about $40 and up - shop around).  Again, not specific to this model, every digi cam maker throws you a tiny card. Just plan for the expense.I'm a big fan of Sony digital cameras.  They make high quality, solid products.  Need convience, portability, and quality - buy this
If you're looking for a compact sized digital camera this is for you! Sony CybershotU30 has good resolution according to its size and pictures taken are very neat at 2MP. The LCD, although small, is completely visible for the average person and you won't have problem taking good pictures. Start-up time is almost none, and time between pictures is very little! It has few drawbacks like its handling : it is so little that people with big hands should be careful of not letting it slip away while taking a picture or viewing them. Another one is the playback mode, the index selection feature is definitely useless because pictures appear too small (4 pictures in a 1" LCD display makes it impossible).My rating for this camera is perfect because you get more than you can from this size and the price is near fair, it could be cheaper.
As you know this camera is tiny, with well-thought-out ergonomics, and just enough features to ensure decent picture quality.  I bought it so my parents can have a simple digital camera to use that wouldn't require them to fiddle with the pictures on a computer afterwards.  With resulting picture sizes ranging from 200K to 500K, they can just attach pictures on a e-mail and send them to me without resizing them.  I bought a 128MB memory stick along with the camera so they can shoot over 250 pictures without ever having to change memory cards.  Simple, easy to use, decent picture quality, it was a perfect choice.Of course I just couldn't resist playing with this camera before handing it over to my parents.Ergonomics: A-With such a small camera, the buttons are necessarily small. But they are well placed and intuitive to use. I was able to figure out about 90% of the camera's capabilities on my own, referring to the manual only for the shooting modes.  The camera becomes ready for taking pictures quickly, and the lag between taking pictures is very short due to small file sizes.  I've accidentally left the sliding lense cover not fully closed on a few occasions, but this is probably just me. About the only major wish I have is for a larger LCD.Quality: B+Lable on the bottom says this thing is made in Japan and it certainly looks and feels like it. Why the B+ rating?  Well, the sliding lense cover on my camera feels a loose and floppy.  I can rock it back and forth like a see-saw by about 1mm, which is quite a bit of play.  I can't help but wonder if my camera is defective, but I can't confirm until I get my hands on another DSCU30.  Other than that, everything else is A+ quality.Picture Quality: C, B+ with considerationMy digital camera is an Olympus C-50Z, a 5.0 megapixle powerhouse packed into a compact body. I am obviously not expecting the DSCU30 to provide similar levels of detail, but I did expect it to provide a decent picture quality otherwise. With pictures taken by both cameras in full automatic mode and resized down to 800x600, the DSCU30's picture was noticeably more washed out with less vibrant colors.  Also, strong light sources, such as flash glare on eye glasses, produced large X-star patterns.  The pictures were also noticeably grainy in all situations.  In all this is very average performance from a 2 megapixle camera.  However, given the intended use for this camera, the picture quality is adequate.  So for my parents, this camera would probably be more like a B+.All in all not a bad camera.  I would strongly recommend it for anyone who wants a camera that is easy to use at a moments notice.  I am sure my parents will love it.
I got this camera 4 years ago to photograph my first children being born.  I thought the pictures were good at the time, but now that I look back after getting a real camera, I can see how bad the pictures were.All the pictures are grainy, even on a low ISO.  Red-Eye is horrible since the flash is so close to the shutter.  No Zoom either!Not that anyone would really buy this camera these days, but don't buy this one!
I bought this camera in March 2004 with a plan to have the smallest camera available to compliment my Canon Digital Rebel.This thing is freakin' amazing. The picture quality is ALMOST as good as my old 1999 2.1MP Kodak DC290 that retailed for $1099.It is in my pocket anywhere I go. Two weeks after buying this camera, our 2005 Escape was rear ended (with 306 miles on it!, $4200 damage!) and I was able to get pics of the accident scene. Awesome.I used it on vacation and stuck it out of the sunroof to get scenery pics. The LCD is nice in the sun, you can still see the images.Seven months after buying it, I have already taken 8,300 pics! You just want to take pics of everything since its so convenient. Mountain biking, home projects, the garden, pets, my partially chopped off index finger last weekend, whatever. It can focus down to about 4", but it has no zoom which can be annoying at times. That is my only complaint.The casing is metal and mine has several large dents from hitting the ground. It fell in the dirt a few times and the sliding cover trapped some dirt that grinds into the metal when sliding it open/closed.I see it on Amazon for [$]!! Makes me want to buy a spare at that price. Paid $149 from Sears. There is now a U40 model out. Not much different.Check out my pics at:[...]
INTRO:I just got this camera a week ago, and it's great.  I wanted a small camera that fit in my pocket, and offered good combination of resolution and size:  this is probably the best example of that compromise that exists in the market today.  When I got the camera, I was amazed at how small it actually was.  It fits right in the palm of my hand and is a little bit bigger than a pack of Extra gum (the 15 stick pack).  It's perfect for the shirt or pants pocket.THE GOOD:I figure most people that buy this camera are looking at the size first, then the picture quality second.  Overall, the picture quality is right in line with what you'd expect from a 2.0 mp camera these days.  It's not top notch, but for it's optics size, it's what I expected.  Indoor shots come out pretty good, outdoor is excellent, and pictures at dusk seem even better.  The pictures can be a little washed out on occasion, especially when using the flash, but it's great for what I wanted - a camera I could take with me and use when out with my friends.It's got a great constructed feel to it.  The shell is practically all metal and feels very solid in the hand.  It's not heavy at all, but not so light that it feels unworkable in the hand.The controls are simple to use - there's shoot, review and movie mode.  Plus, there's a "joy stick" style dial (with buttons) underneath the viewfinder where you can scroll through images, zoom, and set shooting modes.  The a short learning curve considering there's so few buttons to control all the functions of the camera:  It's very intuitively made.The viewfinder even offers some power saving options, where you can turn just about everything off.  You can turn off all sounds, and even turn off the backlight on the lcd display.  It gets really hard to see anything, but I'm glad that Sony actually thought enough about it to include it as a feature.The camera includes a standard USB connection so that you don't have to buy a reader for the card.It uses two NIMH AAA batteries, which includes the charger.  Even at full price, I think it's great they kept it affordable enough to include a charger and you can use it to charge both AA and AAA batteries.  Plus, the charger only needs an adaptor (instead of a converter) when in foreign countries.Power management is really great considering the size.  It takes some time for initial battery charge (6 hours recommended), but they seem to last a good amount of time.  I've been using it pretty much all week, taking a total of 40 pictures (also, scanning through them, deleting, etc) and the battery indicator never went to low (half bar indicator).COULD IMPROVE ON:There's only two things that kind of get me down about this camera.  First, is the sliding door.  Don't get me wrong, it's well constructed, but it's just way to easy to accidentally open the sliding door when it's in your pocket.  It takes very little effort to move it open.Also, the USB connector on the back is not that great.  It kind of has a cheap feel to it and once you get it connected, disconnecting it takes some delicate shimmying.  Plus, the drivers do not work in WinXP (actually, I take it back - it worked once and hasn't since).The mirror is a cool feature and it does work, but I think you'll get bored with it after the first day.  Unless, of course, you plan on using it for self portais a lot.This is being nitpicky I think, but the battery charger takes a great deal of time to charge the battery (as I stated - 6 hours).  Plus, when it's fully charged I expected the amber colored light to turn to green - instead it just shuts off.  Which makes me think I lost power in the outlet or worse.Lastly, I admit that this is probably my fault, but I tend to want to hold the camera with both hands to steady the shot.  However, the lens is so close to the left hand that you may occasionally cover up the lens.  I thought a centered location for the lens would be best.Anyway, this camera is great, and I highly recommend it.  It's relatively inexpensive, you get great Sony quality, and the pictures are great for the size.  Enjoy!
for the price!  Have used some very high value ones in the past, but they are way proud in their prices to own.The optics are crisp and clear, do not care much for the ocular cover, (eye peace) But what the hay, the real value is the optics, and the ones on mine are great. The general feel is solid,has serious weight (the glass?) and  the rubberized coating makes for a solid grip even when sweating, which we do a lot of here in Texas.And the ergonomics are increadable, at least for my large hands.Bushnell eat your heart out, these for the price win hands down, in my opinion. My other binoculars are  headed to the give away/trash pile (very old Bushnell's (same power 10x50) that I payed close to the same price as this Pentax back in the day, but are far inferior)I would highly recommend to anyone.May add to this later, bought them for terrestrial viewing, It will be interesting to see how well they fair on a starry night!Very impressed considering  the price!Note: As others have said there is no place you will find a Pentax mark/label/cartouche on them, but they are  made by Pentax  in china, many optic houses have moved there, and they do make some dam fine glass.  Sad to say!Very good bang for the buck!
Good value, these appear to be well made, great feel to them and do a good job for watching birds at a feeder from inside. (Needs to be about 30 feet away.) Specs are about right combination so one gets a good magnification, and doesn't have too much trouble with the field of vision being too "jerky". NB other than the title of the product, it appears to have nothing to do w/ Pentax, you will not find their name anywhere but on Amazon.
Okay, I admit it ... I've become a binocular junkie! I live in a small town where there simply isn't a good selection of binoculars (actually our Wal-Mart store is the ONLY place that sells new binoculars, and their selection is very limited). Therefore, buying binoculars elsewhere (primarily online) is about the only way I have of testing different binoculars for my particular uses (mainly astronomy). I wanted to get a 10x50 set of binoculars to compare to the other sizes I already have, so that I could determine which sizes work best for my uses. But, after buying multiple sets in varying sizes, expense was starting to become a consideration as well. So, I thought, why not try a set of these binoculars? After all, most of the reviews were quite favorable, and the price was certainly not going to put me into bankruptcy. In addition, Amazon.com is an exceptional place to do business with, so if they are just junk, I suspect I'll be able to return them without any problems. But, once I got them, and was able to try them out, I was very pleasantly surprised! The 50mm objective lenses gather plenty of light (lots of stars can be seen!), and with 10x magnification, I'm able to make out a substantial amount of detail in the night sky. Terrestrial viewing is top notch. And, for a lower-priced set of binoculars, they even have a place to mount a tripod adapter. Yes, the neck strap is pretty cheap (I bought a better one), and the case isn't going to provide much protection beyond keeping the dust, dirt & rain off them, but the binoculars themselves are very nice, and so the total package was well worth the price!
These are the best 10x50 binocs I've used for this price. Great viewing angle and optics. I really can't tell that much difference between these and my $100 orion scenix 10x50. Well obviously those are better but not $50 better. I use these mostly for astronomy and you can make out a ton of stuff like Jupiter's moons and some cloudiness around the Orion Nebula. Case and strap are cheap here, but that's where spending $100 on binocs clearly is better; better case and strap.
This was a gift to our 11 yr. old, who loves hunting. He says they work great and of course his are the best.
Clear picture and easy to focus.  10x50, so you're not going to get a great close up, and there are certainly better optics at higher prices, but for the price you can't beat them.
For the price these are great binoculars. Used them deer hunting last weekend and could see quite well out to about 1/2 mile, after that it was a bit hard to get the view to be clear and not a little fuzzy. But, like I said, for the money these are well worth the price. Would certainly recommend these.
As an astronomer, I am well aware of what fine optical quality looks like.  These binoculars are darn good and exceptional for the price.  The moon and the Andromeda galaxy are quite fine as seen from our remote ranch.
I ordered these to take to the farm so we can keep an eye on our cattle when they are at the other end of the property, about 300m away. They arrived just in time, too. On their first day of use my wife was able to watch a cow giving birth about 200m away. They focus very well and the image is bright and clear. We kept an eye on the new female calf right up until dawn and the image seemed brighter then with the naked eye. We could also see things, people and animals in the surrounding hills kilometres away with excellent clarity and no shakiness.One of the first things I did when the binoculars arrived and I took them out of the package was threw way the protective lens caps. They were bound to get lost and, hey, I take care of my stuff anyway. Besides, I'm not dumb enough to leave them around where they can get broken.So, the next day I put them down on an outdoor table while I ran a dog off the property and a quick sun shower ruined them! Water penetrated the right eyepiece. I tried leaving them in the sun to dry but it was just too much water.Great binoculars - under $40, watching a calf being born - priceless! But hey, the story doesn't end here. When I got home I did what the instruction book said not to do. I took the binoculars apart. After all, I had nothing to lose. I cleaned and dried the four eyepiece lenses, put it back together and now they work like new.  Maybe I should have tied the lens caps to the binoculars with a string, eh?
Husband was searching for binoculars and after much research we decided on these.  When he compared side by side with friend's that cost approx $400 they both agreed these were as good if not superior.  Now friend wants to buy a pair.  I am very pleased he is happy and we spent so little.
I am a PA announcer for various sports. I am using these to watch from the pressbox and it is better than being field side. It is almost as if I am on the field with regard to how well I can see the numbers and the field of view is very good. Highly recommended.
Lowest price of all the pentax 10x50's. These match up with the expensive pcf wp for 1/3 the price. Super sharp, great fov and super eye relief at 19mm. You'll look long and hard for this kind of quality for the price.
THESE ARE GREAT BINOCULARS, I have nothing but praise, any poor reviews were written by idiots with very little integrity, Buy these, you can't go wrong.
Got it through a reseller which advertises Amazon so didn't place the order through Amazon.  To me they don't feel heavy at all but then I'm used to the weight of an old (>30 years) all metal pair of 7x35 Bushnells.  That thing weighs more than this!Anyway, the optics are bright and clear and the rubber cladding feels good in your hands.  The focusing is precise and does not drift.  The only "complaint" I have is the cheap cloth/nylon soft case, the strap (which I replaced with an Optech I had lying around) and the funky lens cover for the small objectives (pictured).  The lens cover does work but you have to finagle it and get it to "lock".  Looks weird though.Now for the issue of whether this is made by Pentax or not, IT IS.  It even comes with a warranty card that says PENTAX on it and you register the binocs by sending this back to Pentax Corporate.  I don't know why there's no Pentax logo on the binocs.  Maybe it's a marketing decision by Pentax but who knows.
These binoculars is supposed to be Pentax brand, but nowhere is the name Pentax printed. Packaging is cheap plastic blister. Carrying case and strap are made of the lowest quality materials. But the binoculars themselves are stellar performers and built like a military device. The optics are superb and the BAK-4 prism gather light like no other binoculars in this price range. Colors are very accurate. Sharpness is excellent too. This is a great pair for astronomy if you have a tripod adaptor.
I bought these for my parents (after one of my brothers broke their binoculars years ago).  The price was amazing and my dad couldn't believe how well they worked.  He could read a tiny note with regular handwriting from about 30 feet away!
Good binoculars, you can get good views of the night sky with these. Sturdy construction and really comfortable to use
Good set of binoculars. They give a good, clear image. The carry case and neck starap are pretty cheap, but the binos themselves are what I was looking for. I'm sure if you payed more you would get more, but I just needed a good basic set of binoculars and this did it for me.
they were advertized as pentax but not even close the cheapest set of tasco binoculars are better than this save your money
It works good but it is bigger than the listed size.  I brought it because the listed size is smaller than others.  but it came with the same standard size as a 10X50 binocular
They are quite nice and particularly for the price. No one who pays the price these sell for has a right to complain. There are certainly better binoculars out there, but at this price point I feel these perform better than expected.
I have had more expensive binoculars than this Pentax 10 X 50 binoculars, however I would consider the quality as good if not better.
Good looking, sturdy, priced ok, and work.  shipping was quick, and I would reccommendI live in the sticks, turkeys, deae and all kind of varmits cross my property, lots to look at, and these binocs, bring them up to you
Have used the binoculars for a couple of months.  They are easy to focus and provide a good image even in lower light. For the price, I don't know if I could find a different pair that would be comparable.  The binoculars are one of six pair thethat I currently own and I prefer these to the other five.  The are well made, durable, good optics, and reasonably priced.
These babies are really awesome I do believe for the money you could not find a better pair Im totaly satisfied
After reading the reviews, I was expecting a shabby strap and bag.  The strap and bag are fine and the binoculars are clear without distortion.  They seem to improve contrast on a hazy day.  I definitely recommend these as a good value. And yes, they are made by Pentax.
these binoculars match - capability by capability - with other binoculars that cost 3 x or more the price.  i've wanted binoculars for my children to look out at the sky, see the moon pretty clearly, some planets, and the satellite tower on the mountain across from mine.  this is an excellent purchase.  i only paid $40, shipping included, and this has been something that we've gotten our money's worth out of ...  A+
These are an amazing pair of binoculars!!!  I didn't expect them to be so nice because they were so inexpensive. They seem like they should be much more expensive. They are a bit large, but still a nice pair of binoculars!
For the price, I am pleasantly surprised at the quality.  I really was not expecting them to be this good.I purchased them for astronomical observation, and they serve this purpose wonderfully.  The optics are sublime.  These binoculars would be a good deal at twice the price!
The binoculars came on time and well wrapped they are ok but not outstanding however the price was very fair. I am planning a vacation and these will be a back up to my other binoculars.
Very nice and clear. Pulls in alot of light. You can look through them at dusk when you cannot make out any details with the naked eye and see things very clear.
THese reminded me of some of the surplus stuff I used to get from former soviet Union or China: case and lanyards cheaply made, but the optics themselves are of good quality, esp. at this price. we've used them for stargazing, field and nature outings, looking in the neighbors' windows, and I have no complaint at all about function or durability. I've been keeping an eye on some Nikon 10X50'c at the local WalMarx. Marked down to $106.00 last check, but these turned out to be a better deal.
I returned a pair of Bushnell 10x50 Permafocus binoculars because I didn't like the optics.  These Pentax Whitetails are far superior for about the same price.  They have BAK4 prisms which let more light through at night.  I plan to use them for stargazing.  These also have a diopter adjustment, where the Permafocus model didn't.  These feel more solidly built than the Bushnells.  The lens caps are thick rubber and better made than the Bushnell lens caps.  My only complaint is that they get a bit of internal reflection when looking at city lights at night.  The Bushnells didn't do that.  I took away 1 star for that, but I can live with it.  The Bushnells came with a slightly better case.  So far, I'm very happy with these.  They are a keeper.  Other reviewers complained that they don't say 'Pentax' anywhere, which is true.  Not even on the package.  Who cares?  These are still great binoculars for under $35.Update, I also returned a pair of Celestron 7x50 Up-Close No-Focus binoculars, which I didn't like.  Don't believe the astronomy books that say beginners should try 7x50 non-wide angle binoculars first.  The authors of those only recommend them for 'somebody else'.  Then they go on to talk about their 15x70 Skymasters or their 6 inch telescope.  Blah, blah blah.  The Pentax Whitetail 10x50's blow away the Celestron 7x50's.  In exchange for the Celestron's I got a pair of Bushnell Powerview 16x50 binoculars.  The 16x50's are difficult to hold steady and keep in focus.  Also, their light gathering isn't great for nighttime use.  The Whitetails are slightly heavier though.  The Pentax Whitetails are the best budget astronomy binoculars I can find.  I'd have to spend 2x or 3x more money to get anything better.
I bought this binocular from Amazon. When it arrived, I was surprised by the packaging. It was packaged like a cheap toy in plastic covering and nowhere was Pentax name identified. I thought that i might have made a mistake buying something else so I went back to Amazon and sure enough this was a Pentax product. Except Pentax do not want to put their name on it.It was easy to see why. It was heavy, heavier than all my binoculars ( I have 7 of them), the necklace was a joke, the case a cheap piece of cloth vinyl. Everything about it was cheap. So we do get what we pay for. Frankly because I had to cut the plastic to access the binocular, I did not want to return it to Amazon.On the plus side, the optics were OK but not great. But nowhere near the Pentax quality that I had expected. This was Whitetails not Pentax.I would gladly pay more for a better quality product.I had bought this product having read the previous poster review so I am compelled to write this review.
I wanted binocs for astronomical use.  The "Whitetails" name clued me in that these were intended for birding (daytime).  But the "Pentax" name is famous for optical quality, so I took a chance.The "Pentax" name does not appear anywhere on these binocs.The quality of the optics & mechanism is good, as is balance, and weight is decent.  They have a large central focus wheel, better for fine focusing when one doesn't have to change focus (eg astronomy), rather than a focus paddle as I expected on binocs intended for birding.  They also feel rubber-clad; I haven't drop-tested them (in water or otherwise), but that provides a more comfortable feel, not least because they don't get as cold at night.  For the price (at the time, I paid less than US$40), they are a good value for astronomical binocs.I've not used them in daytime, nor in a sandy or dirty environment.
My decision to purchase this stand was based on the unanimous great reviews from the strobist blog. I have used it primarily for indoor shoots at home and have found it extremely reliable and sturdy. Somehow, it did not fare well outdoors (falling down a couple of times, thankfully no casualties..) with the Vivitar 285 and the 43" westcott umbrella on top of it. You may have to buy some sandbags to weight it outdoors. The stands extends very smoothly and feel very professionally made even though it is light.I would totally recommend it for the beginner strobist. Actually, I am going to go in for my second one as I write this review.
I bought this stand at the recommendation of strobist.com and I was not disappointed. It seems much taller than I expected. It gives me a nice high light source and when folded it straps to the bottom of my camera bag. It is only about 3" wider than my bag so I carry it everywhere. I can set it up in minutes and it gets the job done.My only gripe might be that is seems flimsy or prone to tip if not weighted down. That should be expected by a stand that collapses to this size though.
Sturdy, Portable. Start with this and you will never look at another stand unless you got bigger lights than off camera flash.
Fit the bill, good price.His favorite thing about it as a light stand was that it was highly portable.Perfect for that, I was jealous.
This is exactly what I wanted, something very light and portable but capable of getting very tall.  People who complain about stability clearly don't understand what they are buying -- if you want something heavier and don't want to sand bag, either buy something else or change the laws of physics.  You're buying portability here.  Paired really well with the Westcott 45" umbrella, which is similarly ideal for my needs.
Yes, maybe a bit pricey, but this is the best stand in my bag. You can use it as a standard light stand or as a boom. Made of excellent materials, and extremely sturdy. This stand is not falling over unless you are booming a lead truck.
There are plenty of brands of lighting stands and rigging on the market, but Manfroto stands out because of the quality of its construction. They make rugged stuff and this boom is no exception. The set up takes a little head scratching but it is not hard once you figure it out. All the joints are solid and the metal tubing seems to have a good heft to it.I'd make sure to put the sand or other filler you might use in the sandbag counter-weight into ziplock bags before I put them in the provided item but that is about the only additional thing you will need to get lights up and running above your subject. Aside from the weight of the bag, this item is also highly portable and wont take up much more room than a sturdy tripod in you lighting bag. This makes it great for a fixed studio or for lighting in the field. Great item by a solid accessory company.
There is just something about pulling a Manfrotto product out of the box... Exquisite quality and feel every time.  If you've heard that the cheaper stands are just as good, you've heard wrong.  They can work, but imho, are not worth the savings.  The last cheap stand I used nearly cost me a flash unit when it collapsed at the most unnecessary of times.  Think of a good stand as an insurance policy... that is sexy... and will make you smile instead of fret while you shoot.The stand works wonderfully in every way advertised, and even the counter-weight bag is high quality with a handle and all.
I needed a portable boom arm for my Alien Bee 800 with Beauty Dish so I could take to clients for portraits.  This solution works great.  It's has the Manfrotto quality I come to expect and it was very portable.  The sand bag is the perfect size for controlling the boom arm.  I do wish the tighteners didn't need to be torqued as much, but other than that I'm really happy with the solution.  I highly recommend this product!
Sets up in seconds and very well built.  I couldn't imagine a shoot without it. I considering buying another just to have around.
Works as advertised. Good investment for the money and I routinely use if with a barn-doored Alien Bee. Good quality.
The design with the boom 'hiding' in the risers until needed makes it a great compact boom stand. Works well but you'll need that sandbag with shot in in if you have anything very heavy on the boom. Boom extends out quite a way, works fine for holding a Lowel Pro for a hair light but i'd hoped the boom would be just a bit more robust sine there is a slight but noticeable bend with even this little weight all the way out. All in all, a great stand for the money.If you have hot lights that weigh much, or need 10' then it's Matthews time.
This is a well constructed stand that articulates to also act as a boom stand.  Very stable, high quality materials used throughout.  The sand bag is a nice edition, though I perfer to use water bottles for counterweights where possible.
This will make your life so much easier...  I bought 1 to put on my 2nd tripod.  But then I ended up buying 2 more, since I figured I would put one on my Teleprompter rig as well.  Also, for the 3rd one, I really just needed the plate, but I figured the plate is too expensive on it's own.  So I just bought another full unit since it could act as a replacement, and I can just use the plate from it until then.
I use my Canon 7Ds for video.  With all the moving around, it's important the camera is tight on the tripod head, steadicam, etc.  If you look on the right side of the base plate you'll see a nob that you turn to tighten the grip on the plate.  Imagine a DSLR on this contraption, with a steadicam merlin plate below.  As you turn that nob on the right to tighten the camera down, the nob will hit the steadicam plate below, stopping it from tightening; or, that nob will hit the base of the DSLR up above, stopping it from tightening.  It's really annoying, but you can usually get it to tighten somewhat but not great.
I wanted the versatility to quickly take my 7d and put it on my Manfrotto 501 head on my tripod, my 701 head on my glidetrack, and my glidecam and this does just that. I needed to put one on my glidecam and it was quick and easy. The idea of a universal quick release plate is great for the weddings I have been doing, never miss a beat.
It's a little pricey but worth getting if you already have a Manfrotto head on your tripod.  The release/locking lever seems like it would jam on whatever was mounted underneath.  However if you push in the lever it will turn without ratcheting the mechanism (neat trick!).  This allows you to position the lever so you only need to use 180 degrees of movement to fully loosen or tighten.  If you have less than 180 degrees, you'll have to ratchet to work properly.  But in practice, I've always had at least 180 degrees to work with.I'm using mine on a FlyCam Nano and it's great to quickly remove the camera and put it on my sticks.
I purchased this Manfrotto adapter to mount my Canon Vixia HF G20 to my Glidcam HD-2000.  It mounted perfectly and I've had no problems.  You only need to be familiar with how to adjust the side knob (pulling it out and repositioning) so that the bottom plate of the Glidecam doesn't get in the way of the locking mechanism.Easy.
I always trust this brand. I can't say anything bad about it. It is a solid product, very well constructed. A++
I purchased my Manfrotto thingy for exclusive use on my Glidecam HD-2000.  It is perfect.  Easy on and off and stays at the tightness adjustment you set it at.  I'll buy more for other uses as well.  Built quality could not be better.
This is exactly what it looks like, an is as described with one major, glaring exception. There are three female screw holes on the bottom. One is 1/4-20, one is 3/8-20, and one is M6. Both Manfrotto and Amazon describe this as having 1/4-20 and 3/8-20. The third hole, sized very similarly to the 1/4-20 hole is in fact ISO M6, which is incompatible with 1/4-20 screws.For most people, this won't really matter. If, however, you are like me and you bought this expecting two 1/4&#34;-20 screw holes on the bottom, you will be sorely disappointed. It's a perfectly good product, as long as you don't need two 1/4-20 mounting points, as I do.
Purchased a lightly used 501 Fluid Head and realized I was going to need at least one extra plate.  One comes with this rapid connect adapter, but the adapter filled another need I hadn't anticipated.I had previously ordered a SpiderBrace (shoulder mount brace) to use with the Canon T1i for "handheld" video and this adapter gets the camera up just that extra little bit to align it better with the eye (with either Hoodloupe 3.0 or CAVISION viewfinder assembly over the LCD screen).In addition to being able to slide the adapter plate forward and back to adjust "eye relief", I find it a little easier to "aim" the camera to either side or even a bit back over the shoulder.  And it is just as flexible with my Canon HF100s.All this and being able to "swap" from SpiderBrace to tripod in seconds!Great product.
I use this with my Manfrotto mono-pod, it works pretty good, but at times it won't slide in easily,I have to jiggle it a little and work it around before it will go in.I would suggest buying the Giottos Quick Release Adapter and saving your $$$!
I do Time lapse for a living and use these all the time to place cameras in the toughest places.It's important to be able to remove the camera for cleaning and changing the memory card and putting it back as close to the same place as possible.
This is a great product for use with a DSLR video stabilizer rig like a Glidecam or Blackbird.It has high quality and the camera is secure.
I use Canon XH- Series and Glidecam 4000 Pro.  make my life easier. I do not have to align my Glidecam 4000 Pro every time I take the camera off.  I love it.
A must to have... Saves lots of time... Specially when you have different gadgets.... such as cranes, dolly, steadycam, etc.
I have several of these!  I use them on all of my stabilizers and tripods!  They are well built and easy to use.  I'd recommend them to anyone.
Need I say more? Italian design and a very reialble product, great machining long lasting, constant design for decades of use and spares.
An important feature of this adapter is the locking lever's ability to rotate 360 degrees.  Often, the camera or tripod pedestal, or something else prevents full 360 degree rotation, therefore, the lever is spring loaded so you can pull it out, to allow free rotation without moving the screw. This allows you to tighten and loosen the grip even when you have limited clearance. Well, this often does not work, because the lever requires you to pull it out way too much to clear the hex head, it barely clears at all, so when you rotate the handle it is still engaging the screw. In my application there is not enough room to grab the tightening lever and pull it out to the very limit of it's maximum movement (also it takes a lot of effort because of the increasing spring tension). The brass hex screw head (only visible when you pull the lever out) which must be engaged to tighten or loosen the clamping is way too long!  I compared the length of the brass hex head to the one supplied on the Manfrotto MVH502AH Pro Video head. That one works just right because the screw head is about a fourth or a third the length, so with a much shorter pull there clearance to rotate the knob without engaging the tightening screw. Either this 577 was designed poorly, or the manufacturer failed to use wrong brass hex head screw.I swapped out the tightening knob/screw unit from the MVH502AH and with the one that came with the Manfrotto 3433PL 577 and then it works the way it should.I'm thinking of returning this for a replacement but I'm worried that the replacement might be just as bad. I might instead disassemble it and shorten the brass hex head. I should not have to "repair it".  Obviously, there is not sufficient Quality Control by Manfrotto. Someone should have noticed that this does not work too well in practice.The reason that this item gets very good reviews must be either that few of the reviewers have clearance problems (with the bottom of their camera or a mounting plate beneath the camera, OR that their sample came with the proper "short hex head" tightening screw.
I own a Sony NEX VG30 camcorder. It's a great camcorder but try fitting it to a professional tripod! A portion of the zoom lens it comes with hangs below the bottoom of the camera body making it difficult to nearly impossible to mount it on a standard tripod video head. I ordered this plate and adapter to get around that by leaving it connected to the bottom of the camcorder. Not I can connect it quickly to my Manfrotto 502HD Pro Video Head with Flat Base without the bottom of the lens hanging up on the front of the 502 plate.
When it comes to quick release plates and ball head mounts, I find that Manfrotto products are top of the line and well worth money!
I live by these quick-release adapters. They're versatile, functional and extremely well-built. The 3433PL plate is the same as a 501 (and 501 HDV), 503 and 701 HDV head, which are common picks for videographers, run-and-gun ENG TV units, etc... Great system all-around.
Good if you need it.  However the knob on the side cannot be turned or adjusted once connected to a larger tripod or mounting head, or wide camera.  This makes the sliding mount plate unusable except on the smallest of tripods and camcorders.  Not very useful.
I use several different tools (tripod, slider, camera cage) and I needed to be able to move the camera to all these tools.  This sliding plate came in handy.  I had a special situation where I had a knova slider and a tripod head I wanted to put on the slider.  I bought this plate hoping it would fit.  It fit perfectly!  So now I have a quick release for my tripod head.  This way I can safely pack away my slider, and use a tripod head quickly in the field.
Lo recomiendo especialmente para quienes tienen un Glidecam 2000 &oacute; 4000 y un tripode Manfrotto con cabezal HDV501. Es una pieza de construcci&oacute;n robusta; hecha para uso pesado. Vale la pena pagar lo que cuesta.
I was planing to use this with my to cameras and a Glide Gear Stabilizer. Unfortunatelly this doesn't work so good on a Canon G12 because the battery cap gets overlaped with this plate. But it works as good as quick release as it does for my D5100.I like the amount of adjust I can to with this plate, and that I came with two different mounting screws.
Definitely a must have for my Glidecam.  The only modification I had to do was loosen the locking mechanism, put my camera on, turn the lever to the far right, tighten the lever with an allen key until it is completely tight.  Without this modification, the lever hits the DSLR and won't lock all the way.Now whenever you loosen the lever, it should be just enough to slide the quick release plate, and when you tighten the lever, it will be enough so the camera doesn't fall off.
Its nice to have universal quick release plates. I like manfrotto products like its monopod, so i'm stuck using their quick release plates and i don't mind it. works well. doesn't interfere w/my camera (T4i) like how some reviews state. its an easily fixable problem if it does. google it.
Diddn't come with the screws to attach to camera or this unit to my tripod. Very unhappy. The package came late and looked like it had been run over as well.
The mounting plate is very well made, all parts fit together smoothly, machining of the pieces is excellent, no issues using this plate and adapter at all.
This Manfrotto Rapid Connector I got for my Glidecam HD-2000 and a Canon T3i.  It works perfectly on the Glidecam and on the T3i I can still open my battery compartment when it is on straight!
Works great and comes with all the mounting screws you will need. For DSLR weddings, I own a bunch of these so I can unify camera mounts. Since I use a Manfrotto tripod and monopod, mixed with a Vinten Vision 3 tripod, a Kessler slider, a jib, a Pico Dolly, Cowboy Studio shoulder mount, and other things that I need to mount my 5D to, this allows for me to use just one plate on the bottom of the camera. I attach these to the incompatible plates and, viola, I can now mount the 5D directly without changing plates. It gets expensive when you have to buy 6 of these, but they are a life-saver in the field.
If you use a steady cam or the likeness (I use a Flycam 3000), this makes it safer for the camera and easier for you. It is a hassle if your shot need to be switched from steady cam to tripod often poor planning). This makes it quick. More than that I don't like setting down the steady cam with the camera attached. It is likely to fall over.
I bought this adapter because I just wanted to make sure it matches my Manfrotto 701 HDV exactly, in case I just want to take my camera off my rig and slap it on to my tripod by itself. I use the original plate that came with my tripod at the bottom of my rig mounting plate for when I just slap the whole shoulder rig with the camera on to my tripod. I know there are other cheaper models out there that does the job, but I like to take no chances with my camera.
I have a Manfrotto 501 head and a Varizoom belt-mounted monopod support for my Panasonic HMC 150 for handheld steadying.  I used to have to remove the tripod plate and screw the camcorder into the top plate of the monopod, but that was just a pain.  Now with the adapter mounted to the monopod I can just slide the camcorder on and off in seconds.  The adapter and plate is simple, well-made, and sturdy and should last for years, typical of Manfrotto products.
I bought several of these so I could quickly change out different cameras, tripods, monopods, rigs and mounts at shoots. When all hell is breaking loose, you'll be very glad you have this system in place.
It's Manfrotto!  Always fits, never fails, and just works great.  Anyone interested in making their own camera rigs should look into buying this adapter.
I purchased this QR plate system to replace the one that came with my shoulder rig and could not be happier. What some people in other reviews seem to fail to realize is that the tightening lever that secures the plate can be pulled outward to free it from the tightening mechanism. This allows you to adjust its angle without tightening or loosening the bolt. If the lever starts to come in contact with your camera body or anything else, simply pull the lever outwards, readjust its angle, allow it to pull itself back into place, and continue tightening. Read your instructions, folks.As always with Manfrotto, it has solid build quality. There are female threaded holes on the bottom of the unit for mounting it as well as two on the sides for keeping spare bolts. The QR plate is identical to the one that came with myManfrotto 501HDV,546BK Video Kit with 501HDV Head and 546B Tripod (Black), so it's a snap to switch my camera from my tripod to the shoulder rig during production (which is why I purchased this item in the first place). MyCanon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lensfeels very secure in the adapter and has certainly improved my handheld DSLR video setup.
I know they're cheaper quick release plates but if you want quality I feel this is the best route to go.
Was always complaining why this was so expensive but when i got it, its worth the price. I highly recommend this for glidecam users
I bought this so I could have a system of interchangeable QR plates. The 577 does the job for me. I have a Manfrotto 501 Head and the QR plate is 100% interchangeable. I have a QR plate on my 15mm rod/matte Box assembly and the whole unit slides in perfectly to the 501 Head. The 577 sits atop the 15mm rod unit so it accepts the camera. Point is it works great and is very high quality.
Love Manfrotto gear. Works perfectly. Next time I order two so I can have a mount on all my gear.
I purchased the Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect to use with the GlideCam XR-1000. It works well with the GlideCam. It lies flat on the camera's mounting stage on the XR-1000. It holds the camera firmly, and it releases the camera easily. Overall, this device is well made.
I think this probably would be great for a videographer. It is very large, however, for a DSLR. The top plate only loads one way on the bottom clamp, which is why I stopped using it and went with another clamp system. Very sturdy and good value.
I am using it for both the Sony A57 SLT and the Camcaddie Scorpion thing. Both being attached via the manfrotto quick release onto my own DIY PVC camera rig.
If you do video production and use a Manfrotto tripod like the 501 or 701, you'll want a few of these.  I've got one on my Glidecam, monopod, slider and shoulder rig.  When you're doing run-and-gun work, these things are a necessity.  Constantly screwing your camera on and off of all your different stabilizers is a pain (and you risk dropping your camera if you're always spinning it around to unscrew it!).
Quality Manfrotto product. Capable to mount on nearly any 1/4 or 1/8 screw head. Attaches to same diameter ball or video heads. I use this product extensively with a 501 plates on all our production equipment for fast simple mounting of camera's to many needs.If you mount your camera gear to a variety of solutions for that perfect shot, and want to make it simple from the beginning, use this product.It's a bit large for DSLR work (there are smaller solutions) but this product has so many positive characteristics, it's a no brainier.  I have five of these and would not do without.
I bought this for my Nikon D7000 in use with my glidecam 2000 and it's perfect. It's easy to use and install and it gives me much more versatility while I'm shooting video. Definitely give it a go if you want to amp up your video gear.
This tripod head rapid change slide-plate assembly is very convenient for swapping cameras/camcorders in and out of tripod head quickly and easily. These slide plates seem to be cast, rather then the older style I have which was machined. This product works fine and construction is solid, but I feel it's a bit over-priced because you are paying for the Manfrotto name.Though it is cast aluminum, it is arguably functional and durable under normal use. Your several cameras can be fitted with more of the slider plates that come with this assembly, so that cams can be interchanged quickly. If you don't mind paying for the convenience, it's a handy investment. And the slider plate can be moved back and forth in the base housing in order to balance the weight of different size cameras/camcorders. It also serves to allow setting the pivot point of the camera for parallax issues -- if you care to get that technical.
Silly me I didn't realize it was non standard size, kind of smaller then what all the other camcorder gear I work with. so for now I'm saving it for when I can use it for a non standard propose.
Agin way to big for what I needed, but was able to return it with out and problems. Needs to have a better disciption on it site.
We use a lot of different types of video gear and we use a bunch of these pieces for our sliders, crane and Glidecam.  We abuse the crap out of them and they hold up for a years... We have had two break but for the abuse giving it is expected.
My nephew ask this item for Christmas He is studying aeronautics,so I'm sure this item is the top of the line.
Does what is says.  Works with Manfrotto heads and slides in nicely.  They are also make to last...from metal.  Good deal.
Quality and functionality. Built to last. A really professional grade mounting plate for small video cameras or any DSLR. A must have
Now I can move various cameras, and camcorders from tripod to shoulder rig in half the time!Well made piece of equipment.  I'll most likely make future purchases of this item.
I needed a consistent QR system for all my tripods/monopods/slider/glidecam.  Manfrotto is the best way to go.  Previously, I used a Giottos QR plate.  It was a pain in the ass to work with when transferring my camera to Manfrotto plates.  Great product!
This quick release plate and mount is a &#34;must-have&#34; if your photography involves going from tripod to hand-held and back quickly.  I'm using this on the Glidecam HD-2000, and it works like a charm.  I had to slightly modify the Glidecam mounting plate to get this to fit on it, but that's an issue Glidecam needs to address.  This Manfrotto adapter works as advertised and I wouldn't be without it.
This quick release bracket and plate works well.  May be a little long if attached to a DSLR camera body, that is the plate may extend forward too far and interfere with the lens ring controls.  Also locking mechanism may be hard to turn since it is so close to the camera's body.  You might consider a smaller plate/base system for DSLR work.  I have worked past these problems... Just giving a heads up.
I mount either a Nikon D800 or a Canon XF100 on either dollys, tripods, sliders, or cranes.  I have several of these mounting plates and it is the only plate I would use with my pricey equipment and lens.
I've been doing video production for 10 years and I always use Manfrotto products. They are superior in every way. They are super rugged and last forever.
I purchased this for my GlideCam HD-2000 and the built on this Manfrotto Quick Release Adapter is rock solid. It gets the job done much easier now and it is quite heavy for something that looks very small. ***The only problem for glidecam users is the lever on the left side, which only go's back and forward at a 180 degree because the glide cam plate is restricting from it giving a full 360 turn. You can solve this issue by making the quick release lever hang off the side and adjusting the top plate all the way to the right so you can balance out the glide cam and the camera together or you can put it normally in the middle and just put the lever little to making it free and come off or to tighten it and it can happen within that 180 degree turn, which I am doing as of now. ***The next problem is that the main screw that came with the glide cam cannot fit in the bottom of the plate with the glide cam so I had to look for certain screws just to make it work. That is not an issue but the screw that came with the Manfrotto adapter looked very promising because of the thick thread it had on the screw.So overall, I would say this is the best quick release adapter for the glide cam as of now and I would recommend to other filmmakers to purchase this.
This is great for what I needed. I needed a plate to attach cameras to my Glidecam. This works out perfectly. I can remove the camera and attach to another tripod and then put back on the glide cam without rebalancing. This is a must have for Glidecam owners!
I bought this quick release plate for my shoulder rig, that way I would no longer have to switch plates when changing from my tripod to my shoulder rig. When I mounted this on my 7d I realized that not only is it incredibly unstable but you cannot tighten the knob when its mounted to the 7d (it hits the bottom of the camera as it would any wide camera). After I realized this I quickly took it off expecting to put it back in it's box and send it back to Amazon. However, of course it decided to break into five pieces leaving little metal scraps and bolts scattered along the floor. Just an overall terrible experience, and I highly advise against purchasing this product. For $50, this is nothing more than an overpriced piece of junk. I expected more of Manfrotto, but alas their like any other cooperation, cutting corners, and raising prices. Don't waste your time on this product, just leave the page and don't look back.
A bit heavy but VERY solid. The oddly utilized tightening device is strange, you have to load the foot into the body, that clicks very nicely and wont fall out without the release button but requires that you tighten the thumb screw. Given where the mounting plate it at, getting your fingers in to tighten the dumb screw make the whole &#34;Rapid&#34; part of the adapter less so. The thumb screw DOES have a spring catch on it so you can move the tab indifferent to the tightening nut but still takes at least a half turn to lock in.I got this for mounting my D7000 Nikon SLR to my Glidecam HD2000 and it is pretty much a huge pain. It works. It is solid. But it is alos heavy and annoying.
Arrived fast! Great quick release plate! Haven't used it too much yet but it's very strong and I'm happy with it.
I purchased it for my Glidecam HD2000, It is a must for any glidecam owners. makes adjustments so much easier. Easy switch from tripod to glidecam.
The adapter works great! I have used it on a couple of custom made camera rigs for a Canon XH-A1. The configurability really opens up options for whatever you want to use it with. I did have 1 slight issue, which can be fixed. The lever to lock it down does hit the camera base. I read in another review that the lever can be extended out, but I have not done this yet.
I have rated this product a 4 as it is up to the typical Manfrotto quality and reliability.I bought the manfrotto 357 rapid connect adapter and also bought the 577 with the hopes the QR plates were the same with the exception that one plate was longer than the other and that way I could have two adapters the same, with different length QR plates, boy was I wrong.The Manfrotto 577 QR plate is shorter and "narrower" than the Manfrotto 357, the adapter castings are the same apart from the plate holder (tightens with the thumb screw)is different.I didn't think for the life of me these would be different, didn't even check the dimensions that were listed for the plates.if you require this style plate and adapter stick with the one version or the other.The positive side is as others have mentioned, very stable platforms, however I still have to drill a hole and tap threads so that I can insert a set screw.The original 488 RC4 ball head I have, has on the RC4 adapter a set screw to help secure the adapter and to eliminate the adapter rotating around, as well as the main bolt which goes through the adapter and into the ball head stub.To attach the 357 and 577 and other adapter plates securely to a manfrotto ballhead you still have to drill a hole and tap threads to accommodate a set screw.Why Manfrotto doesn't do this I don't know, but it can be fixed with a little effort, just go to home depot or Lowes and purchase a set screw, then buy the corresponding drill bit and tap, and make your own threads, there is an area on the adapters which have a molded area, this is located for the set screw on the complete ballhead units from the factory.Plus side of things great set-up for long lenses, easily adjust the balance point on the camera and lens combo, also great for panoramic shots.
I bought two of these to use with my Glidecam HD 2000 and my tripod. After attaching the center piece to my DSLR, I could switch from Glidecam to tripod in less than 10 seconds vs the near minute to took to unscrew the normal head plates. This helped out tremendously at a recent wedding where timing is everything.I suppose its worth mentioning that the build quality is excellent since we're talking about metal.
I have used Manfrotto (Bogan) products to support my camera equipment for almost 40 years. They have never let me down and I even still use a couple tripods/heads from that long ago.I know it is a temptation to fall for the clever hype of cheap no-name brands to save a few dollars in the moment. RESIST!The dependable, smooth, easy operation of this adapter and plate combination has served me well for years and now that I have ventured into video, it is once again great to have totally interchangeable, professional parts that will play their supporting roles perfectly for years to come - in the studio and in the field.Adding this adapter to my camera stabilizer and the plate to the bottom of my video camera means I can combine the two with precision each and every time where millimeters make all the difference in balance. Then I can quickly and effortlessly remove the camera from the stabilizer and put it on the 3046 tripod with 501 head and once again shoot away with no worries.A quality product that supports my gear dependably, securely, and effortlessly so I can remain focused on the creative project at hand.
Works great for what I need. I use it on my Canon T3i and I have had no problems with it. Also works on my Manfrotto 701HDV.
I picked this quick detach mount for my Glidecam HD-2000 and it has made a difference. Never again will I have to pop that plate off, and screw in a screw into the bottom of my camera.The locking knob on the side took some adjusting, but after figuring out that I could change the alignment for the knob (By pulling it out and twisting it) so that it could work in the small gap between the gldecam and the camera, it was setup and is easy every time.My only regret was not picking up another one so I wouldn't have to change my tripod plates for a good while. Oh well.
The picture does show a spring loaded pin for the camera anti-spin but this product ships with a rigid plastic pin instead which is disappointing at this price level.
Or the key. The key to my heart, that is!You cannot go wrong with this product. I wish I had 300 of them. They are always so useful.But why do they have to be so ruddy expensive!? They should knock the price down to $30. Material wise, that is what it is truly worth.**NOTE** If you get jammed and it doesn't seem to tighten any more on to the plate. Pull the black lever out and re-adjust. You'll see what I'm talking about. A lot of people do not know this sweet feature exists. Very helpful on things like Steadicams and Glidecams.
This product is pretty decent for its price. It comes with several different parts that are made to suite every cameras needs. It comes with a standard DSLR screw that will go into the bottom of the camera and it has a larger screw made for the bigger cameras that will screw into the bottom of those cameras. It is pretty adaptable camera wise. If you are using a DSLR camera that has a wide base, you are going to run into some trouble because the lever that is on the side will hit the bottom of your camera when you try to tighten it down to the mount itself. I ended up taking the lever off, so now I just have the gold piece of metal there to tighten my camera to the mount. I do carry around a little allen wrench to tighten it up a little more and that's not a problem for me to keep track of. So if you don't mind carrying that around then I would take the lever off. All-N-All this is a pretty good product that will get the job done.
I use this to go between my manfrotto head to my monopod.  It easily attached to monopod and I have battery access on my dslr.
Like most of Manfrotto's products, it is well constructed, easy to operate and very strong. I bought it to use with the follow focus system.
I bought this to serve as a quickrelease for a camera slider to go with my Manfrotto 501 tripod heads.  I mounted the bottom plate on the slider camera platform so that my Panasonic AG-HMC150 HD camcorder could be quickly attached to the slider.  I put the quick release plate on the bottom of the slider so it could quickly attach to the tripod head.  The result is that I can go from tripod to camera slider in about a minute.  Of course, being a Manfrotto product it's built solid.  You'd really have to be trying to break one of these.
Came on here to see if anyone else had the same problem, why does the rear 1/4" hole almost fit but not quit fit??? Thanks to a comment on a similar review, someone mentioned that the rear hole is metric? That doesn't make sense why Manfrotto would do this but whatever, the front hole and middle hole work and mount the plate. I wish the rear hole worked to space out the screws but I'm using the larger middle hole with the screw that came for the baseplate since my Canon 5D Mark III uses 1/4". Got this for the Glidecam HD 4000 and works great! Allows me to quickly go from Glidecam to monopod without missing a beat, essential item.Another pro tip: You can pull the locking lever out to re-position the screw and dial in the correct stiffness on your mounting platform. Out of the box I had to basically screw the adjustment lever one full rotation and then micro adjust the screw with half turns to get it just right. Now my 5D Mark III + Grip slips snugly into the adapter and that final 1/4" turn is all it takes to lock it down tight onto the Glidecam's quick release platform.
I expected the stand to be a little flimsy, but went with it as an amateur photographer not wanted to spend a lot of cash. I've been very happy with it, it's stood up to several active families. I use mine with muslin, I haven't tried using a roll of backdrop paper with it.
haven't had any problems with this stand. I've had it for 2 years and its still working well. the top bar bent a little somehow but it hasn't effected it at all. The carrying bag is nice, much easier to carry it, although it is heavy and big!
I purchased this stand and it arrived slightly bent. It is usable, but is a very flimsy product. My advice is to spend a little more money and get a better product.
I bought the stand thinking it would be stable for outside shots. If I am going to use it, I will have to put sand backs around the base of the tripod. It is extremely light and easily pushed away by the wind. It's small too, but thats what the description of the product said, so thats my fault.
This is the stand I use to display quilts on during programs featuring quilts and children's literature. It is sturdy enough to do the job and light enough to carry.
Nice and tall, but kind of  flimsy.  Does not hold the roll of seamless paper well at all.  Too top heavy.  But for a regular backdrop it works fine.
I bought this 1.4x Nikon TC primarily for use in macro work with my Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro VR lens.  My Nikon camera's EXIF data shows that the TC converts this micro lens to about 150mm.  Often with macro work it is a good idea to try to get farther away from one's subject so as to not interfere with lighting and subjects.  This TC performs this task extremely well at the expense of only one f/stop--at infinity my micro lens's maximum aperture becomes f/4.0 instead of its usual 2.8.I gave the 1.4x TC 5 stars (especially for use with the 105mm micro lens) for the following reasons.  The TC retains virtually all of the resolution on the very sharp 105mm Nikon micro lens.  And the nominal 4.0 maximum aperture is still easily within the range of my Nikon's autofocus ability.  (On the subject of autofocus with Nikon cameras, Nikon's website currently says this teleconverter will NOT autofocus focus with the 105mm micro lens.  However, I beg to differ--my 105mm micro VR lens/TC combo does!  Perhaps Nikon was just being conservative on its website.)Here's why I did not choose the 1.7x or 2.0 teleconverters for macro work with the 105mm micro lens.  First, I was not willing to lose greater amounts of resolution with the stronger teleconverters.  Second (less importantly), I was not willing to end up with the resultant smaller maximum apertures of about f/4.8 and f/5.6, respectively.  Those smaller apertures would have bordered on undesirable in portrait work.  Admittedly they would be largely unimportant in macro work.The second important use of this lens is portraits.  Generally the Nikon 105mm micro/TC combo can produce very creamy, attractive bokeh.  And it can produce very out of focus backgrounds at its larger apertures.The third use of this lens is as a general medium telephoto lens, for which it also excels.Summary:  almost no degradation to image resolution, and very little light loss.  Compare that to the major benefit of allowing greater distances to the subject in macro work (with the Nikon 105mm f/2.8 micro VR lens).  And probably at a lower overall cost than buying just the Nikon 200mm f/4.0 micro lens (with no TC), and with more flexibility).Caveat:  I have used this TC only with my Nikon 105mm micro lens.  Elsewhere on Amazon you will find numerous reviews of Nikon TCs paired with much longer lenses.
Had problems deciding between the 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0.  Bought the 1.4 because of absolutely lowest distortion to the picture.  I pretty much leave it on my 70-200 VRII all the time.  I've also used it on my 105mm macro without any problems.I will skip the 1.7 and get 2.0 in the future for when I need the extra reach. Very nice finish that matches pro lenses.
Works well with the Nikkor 300 mm.  Would recommend .  I have had no problems with this extender.  Love it.
I use this with a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens and the quality is excellent. I haven't noticed any deterioration in the sharpness and focus of the f 2.8 when the converter is attached.  I tried the TC 2.0 and the TC 1.7 and cant say the same for either so I returned one and ended up selling the other. Please be aware however that this will not work with some of the low-end kit zoom lens.  I am very pleased with the TC-14E II.
Sometimes you need a little extra reach. This teleconverter adds 1.4 magnification to your lens. So, a 150mm will be a 210mm.These Nikon teleconverters are compatible with a number of lenses but they work best with faster prime or fast zooms (2.8 ./ 3.5).Nikon has a compatibility chart to check if your Nikkor works with the teleconverter.Small and very compact, makes sense to carry almost always when you are out.The performance is outstanding.  I am not a pixel counter, so I don't go looking for issues; here are few low light shots of a hummer;http://www.truetoad.com/ToadBytes/ArtMID/510/ArticleID/28/Hummers-for-the-Summer.aspxThese were taken with the teleconverter on a 70-200 late afternoon.I don't notice any difference in sharpness when using the 1.4x.The teleconverter works great with a Nikkor 105mm Macro lens as well.
I am just an occasional shooter who needs this only occasionally....for me it's good to be ready so you can have it when the need arises...
I use this with 20-200mm f/2.8, 200mm f2.0 and 200-400mm f/2.8. In my opinion it adds more than a stop to the shot, but in daylight it works fantastic with very clear results throughout the image. At night events I only use it with the 200 f/2.0 with good to very good results in poor lighting such as night football and other youth sports. I also have the TC-17E, but that is strictly a daylight device. These are not the optimum way to get longer telephoto shots, but even at this price it beats the price of decent 500mm and 600mm lenses with very good results and way more easy to tote to remote locations.
I've just used this TC on a Nikon 7000 with 2 lenses : Nikon 70-200mm f 4 & Nikon 105mm (Marcro). With the former it gives you a 280mm & with the latter a 150mm.  As mentioned by others, there's no noticeable loss of quality in any sense with either lens.  The AF works quickly & accurately at all times.  Highly recommended.
I purchased this teleconverter for use with my Nikon 300mm F/4 lens.  I shoot mainly photos of birds/wildlife and thus far I am very pleased with the image results using the TC-14EII teleconverter.  The only slight drawback I have discovered deals with focusing.  It seems to be slightly more difficult to get a perfect focus when the teleconverter is attached.  Considering the subject matter of my photos, trying to focus on a distant bird perched on a tree branch can be challenging even using the best of lenses without a teleconverter.  For subjects no so distant from the camera, perhaps less than 40 yards, focusing is much easier and the images come out crystal clear with absolutely no loss of image quality.
I bought this converter for the Nikon 70-200mm VR lens to cover extend my range when I upgraded from a D300 to a D3 and lost the 1.5x factor I had with the D300.  It works great with my f/2.8 70-200mm VR lens and the results are sharp at f/4 (the minimum aperture for the aforementioned lens with the tele, but the pictures really shine when stopped down to f/5.6. It's worth the investment, easy to carry around.  I thank Ken Rockwell for advising me on this product and guiding me to Amazon's exceptional service.  This product really makes a difference, less cropping needed for those hard to reach shots.
The service for the delivery of this product was good. The teleconverter it self is great. I can extend the focusing magnification to an extra 100 mm on my 70-200mm lens. This making it 300 mm. I did not notice at all a reduction in sharpness. I am happy with it.
If you are looking to extend the reach of your f/2.8 lens then this is the item for you, just make sure it's compatible with the lenses you intend to connect this to, it doesn't fit all of the Nikon product. Great quality with 1-2 stops lost, go for it, its less expensive than filling the gap between that 300 & 500.
As an addition to the 300mm f/2.8 Nikkor, there is simply no observable loss of sharpness or contrast. Images with and without the TC, compared side-by-side at 100% are indistinguishable except for the larger scale of the 1.4X.
I purchased this teleconverter to extend the reach of the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Nikkor Zoom Lens.  The purchase was made based on very good reviews from photographers using this teleconverter with the 70-200 f/2.8.  Unfortunately there was a marked reduction in image quality with the f/4 lens and I ended up returning the teleconverter for a full refund.
I have used both the TC-17E II and this one, the TC-14E II.  This one multiplies the reach of a zoom lens by only 1.4.  There are two other Nikon teleconverters in this series, the TC-17E II (1.7 multiplier) and the TC-20E II (2.0 times multiplier).  The "E II" series of teleconverters is only suitable for certain Nikon lenses--check the Nikon website for compatability.  I purchased this teleconverter for use with the 70-200VR F/2.8 lens, with which it is quite compatible.All teleconverters introduce at least a theoretical degradation in image quality in exchange for the extra reach; the extent of this can range from the unnoticeable to the significant.  The TC-14E II does not degrade the images from the 70-200VR to any perceptible extent.  Even when shooting with wide aperture settings this teleconverter does not appear to introduce any noticeable decrease in lens image quality.  Further, it only lowers the light sensitivity of a lens by one F Stop.  This means that a 2.8 lens will become a 4.0 lens when using this teleconverter--still pretty fast. The TC-14E II is noticeably sharper than the TC-17E II in lower light conditions requiring wider apertures (at the cost of less "reach" or magnification). I have been extremely impressed with the combination of the TC-14E II and the Nikon 70-200VR.  The magnification is significant, and the decrease in image quality is undetectable.Most Nikon afficianados seem to think that the 17E II is the best compromise between not too much image degradation and significant magnification, and I am inclined to agree with this, generally.  The charm of the 14E is that it really does appear not to exact any appreciable price in terms of image quality, and it is the only teleconverter I have ever used (or heard of) of which this can be said.  The qualities of the 14E II become evident when shooting in low light conditions, such as early morning wildlife shots.  When shooting flying birds, for instance, this TC is particularly useful, because it allows wider apertures, which may be required to allow the photographer to use faster shutter speeds to "freeze" the subjects and avoid motion blur.  Under such conditions, one appreciates the special qualities of the TC-14E II.Highly recommended.
The teleconverter is excellent concerning image quality but just does not extend the range long enough for most situations. I just returned from shooting wildlife in Yellowstone and much preferred the 1.7 over this one.
Surprised my hubs with this for Christmas!! That was almost a year ago. These binoculars are still one of the best things we have. Everyone uses them. He shows all his friends and they loooove them. We've even caught a coyote in the back yard!!!
The unit itself is easy to hold while viewing. The focusing leaves something to be desired, with the front lenses and the rear lenses that have to be individually adjusted to have the optimal picture. The worst feature is the one piece cap on the rear lenses, that mess up your settings while you put it on or take it off.  Otherwise works as advertised.
For the $$ I was not impressed and returned them. The vision was not crisp and so unless you were looking at something close, it was indistinguishable.
These binoculars are a big improvement from 1st generation night vision that came out about 10 years ago and the case is nice too.
I found these borderline unusable for three primary reasons:1) The interocular distance (spacing between the eyes) is quite narrow, at least for me, and non-adjustable2) There's a huge one-piece plastic cover for one end that's always in the way (but you wouldn't want to discard it, so you have to deal with it)3) The focus is sensitive and to properly do it you have to focus both ends of each eyepieceIn short, you'd never want to rely on these in a hurry, but if you have time to fight with the ergonomics and focusing then they do indeed actually function.  I found, however, that unless you're within range of the built-in IR illuminators that the light-amplification was somewhat minimal.  If you can see it through the binoculars, odds are you can see it unaided.
I purchased this unit almost 9 months ago and use them multiple times a week. They are amazing. Comfortable to hold, battery lasts a long time (AA batteries) and easy to figure out. Some complaining of focus problems just need to learn that it takes a few tries to figure out how to work night vision binoculars, the far dials are for the distance focus you want the Bushnell to and each eye has a focus to make that clear. Once you figure it out, you will be rocking an amazing night view every time.Distance wise, about 100 yards of good view for animal spotting. Their eyes glow in the dark like you can't believe, truly awesome. I know I am sounding like an advert for these googles, but I really do like them. For less then 400 dollars this is a good deal.
Bought these thinking they would be good for nighttime boating.  There were not.  I found them difficult to use, and do not have any long range focus, and don't add much more visually to the night view than you can see by yourself.  I sent them back for a full refund.
Even though it is second generation night vision it was very poor I could see better with regular binoculars now
Top of the line merchandise. Could ask for nothing better. Will definitely find good use for them. Especially in the evening
Don't spend you hard earned money on these.  It is first gen night vision.  It is not that good.  Focus is the real problem.  The fact that you have to focus each eye separately is a pain.  I wish I had not bought these.
Bought these with moderately high expectations, and fully understanding the limitations of first generation night vision technology, I can say I'm satisfied with the performance. They work ALMOST as good as the military grade night vision gear I used in the 1980's. If you do a bit of research you'll see that 2nd generation night vision optics are significantly more expensive. If you're rich go for 3rd gen equip. Lesson here is Gen 1 stuff is affordable, but comes up a little short from turning night into daytime.I recently went camping in the boonies and took these along for the following review:Performance on starlight alone is not acceptable (at least with my pair) as I could not resolve much of anything without the I.R. illuminator turned on (more on that in a sec), but these binocs do work pretty good when there is a moon overhead. I could see further than I needed to except for anything that might have been in shadows. Shadows keep their secrets well unless the illuminator is turned on. No moon tonight? Flip on the I.R. illuminator and see pretty much everything in the dark quite good up to say 60-70 yards. The I.R. lamp (illuminator) has a sort of "spotlight effect" in that everything in the center is really bright, kind of like when you use a flashlight on the wall you will have a really brightly lit spot, and then area outside of that spot is somewhat visible, but much less so.Each eye is focused independently of each other, and when properly focused is fairly sharp. I did notice that focus is easily knocked out of whack by the lens cover(s), so each time I pulled off the covers to have a look I needed to fine tune them again. I wish they could be locked into place. There is also a macro focus, but I did not investigate that. I was more concerned about what there was to see outside of the camps perimeter.For those who don't know, everything has a very green appearance, and that's just the way it is. Newer generation night vision may be less green, but since it's so expensive I haven't investigated it. And you can use these during the daytime as well providing the front lens caps are in place. They have daytime filters allowing for daytime use, but I much prefer my regular (and higher magnification) binoculars for daytime usage. In a pinch though, these will do both. Hope this helps some folks out since reviews on these are hard to come by.
No power button to turn the unit off.. Besides that it works just fine...
product arrived in good condition
It is really nice for remotely operating the camera (I have a 40D). I use it for night-time shots and for the intervalometer. My only complains are price and the cord length. It would be a good deal under $100 but at $160, not so much. Also, the cord could stand to be twice as long if not more; one meter comes up a little tight for low shots with tall people (like me).
I bought this device to do extremely long exposures for night photography. I've paired it up with two 8x neutral density filters, and closed down my lens apertures to create "smoky" water effects. The manual took me all of ten minutes to read and helped greatly in understanding the device's operation. It's also made to work with just about all of the Canon EOS cameras I plan to work with.I'm happy I bought this item.
This does everything you need it to do, but I'd like it to be weather sealed for the price.The buttons work well, but for some reason my backlight doesn't work well anymore. It kind of half comes on. It would have been nice if this was as good as the backlight on the actual camera body.It is a good remote shutter, though, and the plug is very good, so that's why I kept it. I dislike the plugs on the 3rd party versions of this equipment.As long as those strengths and weaknesses are understood, this might be a good option for you.
So far I've used this for time lapse, sunset and family group photos. It's simple and effective. My only minor complaint is that it has no "off" button. I worry about buttons being pressed while it's in my bag. Perhaps this isn't an issue, but I imagine that battery would suffer if the "light" button is accidentally being hit. For extended periods when I'm not using it, I remove the battery (actually I place it in the compartment upside down). For shorter periods, I use the "hold" feature, but I'm not sure if this is really necessary.
This remote timer is a "must-have" for anybody doing work where there must be no vibration (still studies, etc), or for extremely long delayed pictures or for very long exposures. For those familiar with the Canon T-90, this gives most of the functionality of the data back, plus extremely long timing periods for all functions. The instructions are thorough and easily understood. The unit integrates into the camera well, my only complaint is I wish the cord were a foot longer, the optional camera case for the 20D/30D must be removed before using the timer/remote.
it is expensive, for a piece of plastic and some circuit boards, no on-off switch, buttons are small and the connector can be connected to all the pro-body eos's, so what's not to love, i think, if you love photography, this gadget is a must, people complaine about it for all sorts of reasons, but what else can we do. if you want to get more adventure and learn how other people got their shots, this tool is a must have. if you want to shot with you on it, just use the camera timer. :) or ask somebody to say cheers and shot.
After reading all of the 'knock off' brands, I decided to buy this instead. Works well, but way overpriced for an intervalometer, especially considering that some Nikon cameras have it built in.
Canon products are a bit pricey, but they work as advertised.  This is a good piece of gear.  I would recommend to others.
I love this remote. Changing the settings to get it to do what you want is a breeze and its fantastic for time lapse and long exposures.
Good controller.  I had a gift certificate or I probably would have gone with the cheaper knock-off version.  The canon one is nice, but pricey if you have to pay full price.  Adorama seems to have a pretty good deal on it though.
I bought this remote without really knowing the extent to which it could be used. It's all I use now for night photography. My brother uses it for time lapses. The number of possible projects it opens up are numerous. It's always been reliable and it looks nice. If you want to take your photography to the next level with long exposure or time lapses and your on Canon, definitely consider this.Just keep in mind that you may want to take the small battery out so it doesn't get drained while you're not using the remote.
I got this for doing some time lapse photos for an upcoming bank robbery. I needed to case the bank and see how often the security guard came to the door so I could know when to hold up the bank. It really helped me do the job.Only thing I don't like is the price, Canon thinks very highly of all of their stuff and also the fact that it stays on forever.
Extremely intuitive and simple controls, well-built and durable, this control is everything it should be. Fun for timelapse as well as extremely useful for macro, night, and studio photography. It's my most-used accessory.
It does what it's suppose to. There are some oddities to this thing though. One of them is that you can't turn it off. Since I don't use it all the time, I just take the battery out. It's easy to do and takes less than 8 seconds. The second thing is that if you want to take 500 pictures at a time using the time lapse feature, you have to set it to &#34;0&#34; photos. It only goes up to 99. This is &#34;ok&#34; I guess, but that means I have to keep an eye on the number of images it's taken, or do some math and figure out when 500 photos at 5 second intervals will finish (which is fine too). Just a bit of an unneeded extra step.
One could argue that the features offered by this remote ought to be offered in at least the best (= most expensive) Canon bodies as included features. But they aren't, so this device is almost a necessity for some types of image capture. For videographers, the single best feature is undoubtedly the intervalometer, which allows you to capture variably timed single shot sequences that can be pieced together to make a time-lapse video.It is true that a longer cable would be good in some situations -- self portraiture, for example. But the traditional workaround for that is the time delay shutter release, so you would be able to set the functions you want, push the button, and hit your mark before the camera begins doing whatever you have programmed it to do.The device seems at least twice as expensive as it ought to be for the functionality it provides, but I won't knock a star off this review because I disapprove of the price. It does what it does excellently. If you need this device's features, you should be happy with it.If you don't need the special functions, basic cable releases are available for significantly less, from both Canon and third-party suppliers.
This is one pricey intervalometer, but works flawlessly for my time-lapse work with a Canon SLR. I know people fuss about this unit not having an On/Off switch, but it used so little power, does it really need one? I think I saw in the fine print the little watch battery that runs it should last at least 2 years.
Good well made product.  Easy to understand and use its functions.  Great for multiple timed exposures.  Arrived promptly and in good condition.
We bought this to use for a time lapse sequence for a movie and this worked really well. My husband sat it up and used it for a sunrise lapsed shot and the timer worked just as it should.
Don't bother to get anything other than the best. I messed around with a Satechi model and it was impossible to get to work consistently. This works every time, just like you think it should. Sometimes it's just best to pay for the brand name product.
Don't bother buying one of these from Amazon - they are selling USED as NEW!The one I ordered came with a scratched screen and connector.Thanks Amazon - another order going to NewEgg.
Although a bit pricey, it is very well made and does what it is supposed to do to perfection. Stays on forever though. Should have an on/off switch? Taking the battery out is the only way to turn it off.
This is a great product in all respects. After reading the product reviews, especially those that addressed the warranty I contacted Canon Customer Service regarding this issue. To quote Canon "This remote does not carry a warranty". Accordingly I don't believe Amazon did anything underhanded and it is not a grey market product. I have purchased a number of small and relatively inexpensive Canon accessory products and none of them has come with a Warranty Card. It appears this remote falls into the same category.
I don't think I could ever live without it. I love taking pictures in low light situations, so now I'm certain I should have bought this with my camera in the first place.First of all, it works without batteries as a remote release which alone is worth the money. You can half-press the shutter and focus and press all the way to take the shot, exactly like you do on your camera. This is a huge deal when it comes to shooting on a tripod under low light. You forget about shooting with your camera timer.The length of the cable works for me, and the other functions: interval- shooting, delayed/timed shooting for which you need a dime-sized battery, are very convenient, although I don't use them much.  It's nice to know you have those functions.  Instructions are easy to understand and follow. I'm very pleased with this purchase and totally recommend it !
Although Canon products can be pricey - they do work as advetised. I have always wanted to be able to do time lapse photography, and this little baby gives me that option.
Works as promised.  I have used for timelapse multiple times and the results are as expected.  One thing that does not work is the setting on the camera for &#34;mirror lockup&#34;.  Make sure you test it before you set it and walk away, I wasted 2 hours one night due to having the mirror lockup setting activated on the camera menu.Quality seems to be on par with other canon cable release.
Works beautifully but chord could have been longer for the price.
This does what it's advertised to do.  Only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is because like other people mentioned, it's a grey market item.  Also there is no way to turn it off unless you remove the battery.  I don't use it nearly enough to let it just waste the battery like that.  Although it probably would take a good two years before the battery would die if left on 24x7x365. ;)
For a piece of plastic this thing is amazing.  I've used it on my 40D for about a month now.  Lack of an off button is a little hard to get used to you but I learned to just think of it like a wristwatch or something where the battery is always going.I recommend this product.
I'm just starting to venture into the world of photography, and even more so into the world of night photography. After seeing the website "Lost America", I was instantly inspired to start working with long exposure and night photography with my 10D. This remote is the single most useful accessory to have for that purpose! I can set my exposures up to just shy of 100 hours in length! (Though I rarely get past 3 minutes) The timer function is really useful in setting up for light painting techniques or even just to get more time to set up a shot or jump into it. The backlight is extremely handy for getting your settings right. And, of course, I can't forget about the standard remote shooting it offers. It feels really comfortable in the hand and pretty solid in feel. Like others, I'm kinda skiddish about battery life seeing as it never turns off. But I guess I'll have to wait and see how that pans out. It's too bad I got this for Christmas from my wife. Alaskan cold plus long exposures equals short battery life. I'm lucky if I can get 5 shots off on a charge! Needless to say, I'm dying for summer nights and full moons to come along! When that happens, this little guy is going to be put to the test...
My use so far has been limited but I like the features this controller is capable of. It is a bit expensive but it is a genuine Canon product.In the attributes I held back because I wish the LCD screen was a bit larger.I noticed in some of the previous reviews that one person said that 99 exposures made the product limited. After reading the instructions (I also called Canon's Support to verify) if you leave the exposure count at "00" the controller will shoot continuously until either the camera's battery, or the amount of film in a film camera gives out.
This was a great purchase! I love the release and am glad I bought this one with multiple functions. It works great and allows me unbelievable latitude in my photography!Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control for EOS D30, D60, D10, 1D, 1V & 20D SLR Cameras
This remote is so cool, so awesome, so fun and so useful, it's hard to believe.Ever want to do time-lapse photography? Now you can!Ever want to shoot in inclimate weather? Set up the camera and tripod, then get out of the wind/cold/heat/sun/whatever. I did this just the other night while shooting a series of moon/cloud shots. I will finally be able to get some lightening shots without having to babysit the darn camera!
This  thing has no way  to cut off the pouwer  to save the battery I can not beleve Cannon would  make  something  so  cheap  and sale it  for  this price . It is  canon made  with canons name . I have two canon  camras  and  seeing  some thing like this makes me want  to sale  them both .  To trun it off you must remoive the Battery every time  ( is this a Joke )
This item was purchased for my grandson, who is really into photography.  He was extremely pleased with its operation.  It arrived well packaged and operationally perfect.
It works well but is unintuitive to set up for use. Definitely requires a manual. The one which comes with the unit is Ok but there is an online manual which is more thorough and better.
This is a great Canon product... much more than a simple cable release. It performs man functions that would normally require twiddling with the menus on the camera body. Great product and works flawlessly!BTW, I am using it on a Canon 5DMKIII.You will certainly enjoy the features and reliability of this unit.
This remote is a handy tool to have.  It's very basic use is as a shutter release.  It's best to use a shutter release for when your camera in on a tripod in low light situations.  Using the shutter release in this way helps to limit camera shake which improves your images.Other programmable features include a self timer, interval timer, long exposure, and exposure count.  You are permitted to use any combination all or none of these settings making the possibilities virtually limitless.I have used to self timer so that I could both take the picture, and be in it.  The self timer can be set for just shy of 100 hours if you wanted to.For time lapse, a combination of the interval timer which can be set for just shy of 100 hours and the exposure count which can be set for up to 99 shots should be set.  The self timer can be used to delay the first shot if desired.The long exposure can also be set up to just shy of 100 hours.The settings can be entered at any time without worry of inadvertent alterations.  Pressing the light button until the hold indicator is displayed will deactivate all but the light button or prevents the stop/start button from being deactivated once an operation has been started.The TC-80N3 is operated by oneCR2032 battery.  I've had my remote for over 2 years and the battery is still going strong.  I'm not sure how long the battery is supposed to last, but there is an indicator in the display panel to let me know when the battery starts to get low. If the battery is fine, I don't see the indicator at all.There is a storage place on the back for your cameras RC socket cover if you have one.  I use this with a Canon 20D so it is of no use to me.  The plug connects to the camera simply by pressing the plug into the socket.  To disconnect, pinch the plug on the side and pull out.For me, this item is a must have.  I enjoy low light photography and I get plenty of use just for this reason.  It's great to have the option available for other photographic opportunities.  It is clear to me that this is a well thought out, quality product by Canon.PROS:Acts as a simple shutter releaseProgrammable options include a self timer, interval timer, long exposure, and exposure countCONS:Cable only about 34 inches
It took me a bit to figure out how to set this product with my Canon 20Da for astrophotography purposes. The reason: the instruction manual is poor. Otherwise, the product works great, and the battery lasts for many months.
Though I may not use this remote much it will be a very handy item to have when required, I highly recommend it for all serious photographers.
I bought the cheapo (Satechi WTR-A Wireless Timer Remote Control) and I paid for it. The Canon TC80N 3 just works, with the Satechi remote I had major problems with it taking photos. For example, I put the interval time, exposure, and how many images I'd like to take, I'd plugged the Satechi in and it would just start taking photos randomly. I'd have to shut my camera off and redo the settings again and again. Also the wireless remote for the Satechi didn't work good either.The Canon TC80N3 just works out of the box, and takes photos flawlessly. Please don't go cheap and buy another brand or you'll pay for it. Lastly, there is no wireless for the canon, although, I think they make a wireless controller that works with the Canon TC80N3.
once you learn to use this gizmo you will wonder how you lived without itit was expensive but the cheap one I bought is in the trash&#8230; never worked rightwish the wire was longer&#8230;. the extension is waaaaay too expensive&#8230;make sure you get the right fitting for your camera&#8230; non standard fitting, of course
Who would have thought a remote control timer could do so much in one simple package.  There are so many features and functions on this, if knew this was the control to purchase over the competition.  Not only has Canon delivered on this, it looks professional, works professionally, and is used by professionals.Worth every dollar of the price and many dollars more.
Intervalometers should be built into the camera but they aren't (well, more cameras are starting to do this) and so Canon charges an arm and a leg for a counting device.Edit 3/6/13: I previously wrote that there was a limit of 99 photos taken, which was wrong. Having used the device for a while, I can tell you that I was wrong. There isn't a limit to the number of photos that can be taken without resetting the device. By leaving the intervalometer to "0", the camera will take photos until there is no room available on the card.
Works Great.  I have tried several different brands of remote releases.  They all died at just the wrong moment.  This one works perfectly.  First time every time.
It's built very well and is easy to use. I'm glad I got it.The only thing I am disappointed about is that the slowest time interval is one second. This means if you want to shoot something like traffic driving down a street, or, in my case, a ferry boat docking, you can't really get the results that you see on TV shows like Suits or House of Cards.It's really meant for time lapse of things like clouds, plants growing, or even stars moving in the sky.I'm not disappointed that I bought it, but I wish it were just a bit more capable.
I changed my mind about the remote time and decided on a different item. The seller was very willing to exchange with prompt service. Thanks!!!
Well I too have recieved a "grey market" version of the product, with an international warranty only.  As this has been mentioned before, and apparently has been rectified by Amazon, I hope I'll recieve the same treatment.  But this still troubles me.  Is Amazon continuing to sell off cheaper merchandise, only addressing the issue on an individual basis when people complain?What grey market means is that the product was originally intended for sale outside the US, but has been imported because that version of the product is cheaper than the version intended for US sale.  While it's a legitimate enough process, they should be telling us if they do it, because the warranty has been invalidated by being sold outside the boundaries of the system Canon has put in place.I'm not even touching the hardware until I find out what's going on about it, so I can't rate its quality.. but I have no doubt that it's a quality piece of hardware, I've never heard anyone have anything bad to say about it, except its price, a gripe I totally agree with.  Let's face it folks, if it wasn't a proprietary accessory to a high priced camera system, it should really cost about $20.  It's just a simple programmable timer no more sophisticated than most wristwatches.
As always, made by Canon equals quality.  Sure, probably overpaid a bit compared to aftermarket products, but it is quality construction and works flawlessly.  Also, did not wish to risk invalidating a warranty on an expensive Canon body.
I almost bought a 3rd party device but decided to get the Canon version. Spend several thousand on camera body and glass, why not another 130.00 to get it straight from Canon.
Bought this to create time lapse photography.  Have tried to set it several times and got it to work only once.  I do need to spend more time and have more patience when setting it up.  Definitely, an expensive piece of equipment that does not have an off/on switch.  The only way to turn it off is to remove the battery.  Hope that Canon changes that next time they upgrade this item.  Well worth it is you want to do tine lapse.  I thought that I could use it with HDR photography but there is no way to change the shutter speeds using this.
I used this timer for a long exposure project a couple years back and it was a lifesaver... Rather than setting the camera to a delayed shutter, I could choose Exactly when to press the shutter (for capturing vehicle light trails during irregular traffic)Since then I've used it in a number of TimeLapse projects, and this remote has never let me down....I lost this and a tripod in a NYC cab a while back, so this was just a replacement for the one I had before!  No problems with it thus far!Oh, works great with tripod macro shooting as well!
Does everything it is supposed to do.  Multiple mode settings.  Weird there is no off button, but battery is easy to come by and apparently lasts for a long time.
Seems to be a well made product, but would not buy this from Canon again - no difference between this and the Aputure brand model, except the Canon side adjustment wheel actually turns while the Aputure is a jog-click unit. Big deal.My buddy has the other brand and I have this one. When we shoot together I'm like &#34;I just paid $100 more than him for EXACT SAME PRODUCT.&#34;Have to see if it stands the test of time though... :-)
Cost is expensive but it works.  It works well.  Learning curve on this but so was the old wind up versions on SLRs.  Manual is useful . . . but the best way to try it out is to test a few shots to see how everything works.  Given it is a Canon product only gave myself an insurance it would work and do what it should.  Definitely does that.
This thing is very cool. You can do a bunch of different timer functions, and some combinations of them. You can set shutter length, interval between shots, time to first shot, and number of shots to take, plus you can just treat the thing as a remote release cable.The display light is just fine for shooting at night, and there are not a lot of buttons, so you can learn to run the remote in the dark pretty fast.My only gripe is the cable is not very long - 21 inches or something like that. Canon wants almost 1/2 the price of the TC80N3 for the extension cable. Most won't need anything longer, but it would be nice if it was.
This remote works exactly as described. It only gets 4 stars from me because I feel the price is way too high for such a simple device.But, if you want to do time-lapse photography and not have your camera connected to a laptop, this is the only way to go.
My wife is into photography and we were trying to get some longer exposure shots but playing with settings on the camera itself is a hassle when you don't want to jostle the camera when it's in position on the tripod.  So I got this for her and it does the trick.  And a lot more besides.  A little on the expensive side, but as it will work for any Canon camera that has the capability for remote control, it will be of use for long to come.
I waited to write this review until I had a chance to use this remote a few times. It's simple to use, has nice ergonomics, and long battery life.  When I first installed the included CR2032 button battery, I looked for a way to turn it off.  I soon discovered that it has no power switch - I was concerned about the battery life.  Research shows that it should last for around three years on a single battery.It's not just a timer remote - it's also a standard remote trigger. Press the button half way to focus, etc. and all the way to shoot.  The remote is a must-have for time exposures.The only con: I with it had some type of pouch. The connector is sheathed in metal, and if you're not careful packing it up you could scratch the face.
The first thing I would like to point out is that it does not have a on.off switch, but that doesn't matter! It is like and lcd wristwatch, it will keep the display on and keep running for years. There is no need to keep taking the battery out like some of the previous reviews have stated.That being said, this is an awesome product, period.
Works great and saves me a lot of time and effort.  The cord could be longer, maybe a foot or so, but for macro or night sky shots it is plenty.  I would recommend a piece of velcro on your tripod and the back ot the remote to keep it from dangling and getting tangled.The only issue that I have with this unit is that the extension cord costs way too much considering that it is only a piece of wire and canon only end pieces.
I just love it for doing time lapses on my 5d3. Simple as heck to use and the cord seems solid and well made. By the way the remote doesn't turn off if you are wondering, its like a digital watch that lasts for months on a battery.
I never head out for a shoot without a Canon TC-80N3 in my bag. This interval timer is so critical to my work that I have 2 of them and an extra coin battery.Pros:Your creativity will be GREATLY expanded with this combined full-featured intervalometer AND cable release. Check the PDF User Guide link for the specs on what it can do for your photography using any Canon camera (SLR/DSLR) with an N3 port.Cons:* Too pricey. There are similar devices available at less than half the price of the TC-80N3.* Buttons on the front are TOO small and grouped TOO close together for use while wearing winter gloves. This is a design oversight on Canon's part. You'll have to brave the elements by wearing only glove liners and/or fingerless gloves to properly operate the TC-80N3 in freezing conditions.* At the VERY least, the start/stop sequence button should be larger than the rest and have a different texture on the button surface. This way you won't have to take your eyes off your subject to see that you're pressing the right button! This would also allow you to start/stop a sequence in low lighting conditions (i.e. by feel).* Minimum usable interval time is 1-second between frames, even though it'll let you set it for 0-seconds (it stops operating after shooting the first frame when an interval of zero seconds is set; a programming BUG).
I do a lot of long-exposure night photography and this cable remote saves me UNTOLD amounts of time!  I no longer have to babysit the remote or fumble around with a mini-maglight to check the exposure timer on the camera.  I can just "set it and forget it" with this release.Worth the price!
The ability to combine four different delay and interval modes makes this product able to accommodate almost any automatic-shooting situation.You can control the delay until the sequence starts, the delay between shots, the total shooting time, and the number of shots.That last one, however, is where the glaring flaw comes in: The controller is limited to 99 shots when you use the total-number-of-shots setting. In correspondence I've had with Canon, they have had no explanation for this asinine limitation. Even a modest CF card these days holds more than 99 shots, even in raw mode. For time lapse, 99 shots is woefully inadequate.You can work around this defect by simply letting your card fill up or by doing the math and using the total-duration setting. But sometimes you want to shoot multiple sequences on one card. If you know you want about 300 frames (for example), it's annoying to have to baby-sit the camera and stop it manually, or to do the math and figure out how many seconds total your sequence will take, convert that to minutes and seconds, and then dial that into another setting on the controller. And if you then decide to use a different interval, you get to re-do all that. Dumb, Canon.The fact is, this device shouldn't be necessary anyway.  Every camera today should come with this functionality; it's technically trivial, since every one of these digital SLRs is a computer with plenty of on-board timers and logic for this task.
This little gem works excellent.  Love all the setting and it easy to use.  Set it and forget it...(I sound like an infomercial).Timtfarrisphotography.com
Easy controls and works perfectly.  Expands your photo creativity for stills and conversion into movies with Quicktime. Easy to read display.
This remote timer does not fit the Canon EOS60D - the D60is a Nikon.  However, Amazon does sell an adapter that allows it to be used with the EOS 60D  DSLRKIT Shutter Remote Terminal Convert Adapter Cable N3F-E3M.  While impatiently waiting for the adapter to arrive from overseas, I ordered the Satechi WTR-C Wireless Timer Remote Shutter from Amazon at half the price of the Canon TC80N3.  It has all the features of the Canon model including great quality AND IT IS WIRELESS!  If you still want the Canon TC80N3, look for mine on eBay real cheap!!!
Are you an astro nut, need to do a timelapse of a busy city street, long exposure captures or perhaps do studio work with a fixed camera that you can't touch?This is a necessary tool for you.The only thing that sucks is the price.
I upgraded from my Tamron 180mm to the Canon.  The Tamron is a good lens and a great value, but there is no comparison to the Canon L glass!  I love the lens and the range it gives me to use it.  Only complaint is its hard to find the adjustment bracket thing for the Macro Lights for the 180mm 72mm thread filter size.  Wish Canon would step up more there!!!  Make sure you put a good UV filter on this baby, heliopan or B+W as they are ground glass and much better optically than the other filters!The Canon L series glass is pristine and holds its value very well also.  My bag is all L glass, except for 1 lens.  The Tamron 14mm SP 2.8, otherwise my 70-200 2.8 IS, 70-200 F4 IS, 17-40 F4, 300 F4 IS, 500 F4.5, 100-400mm, 24-105 IS, 35 F1.4, and now the 180MM Macro.  Canon has some of the Finest glass out there and match that to solid camera, like the EOS 1N and EOS 3 for Film or the 30D, 5D and Mark III for digital, you are in for some wonderful shots and a lot of enjoyment!I make my living doing Photography, now in Alaska doing photo tours for/with Kenai River Hideaway B&B;, as well as selling prints and private shoots, and I won't put any other 35mm Platform in my bag!  You get what you pay for, and the L series delivers and holds its value should you wish to change and upgrade later!You cant go Wrong with Canon L Glass.ThanksAlaska Photo Tours
The EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro lens captures amazing colors, and is the sharpest lens I have used. A tripod for close up photography is mandatory, although the two samples I supplied are hand held. I can't say enough about the images it produces, they are simply amazing.I read all the reviews and researched this lens for months while I saved for it. Now that I have it and have used it I can say that this will soon be one of my favorite lenses. I own two other L series lenses, a EF 28-135mm and a EF 100-400mm zoom. All L lenses.The lens is large and a bit heavy but what do you expect? If you want good quality images, you must invest in good lenses. You won't go wrong with this lens. The results are worth the effort. I compose my shots to get the effect I want, so, I always focus manually before I auto focus. As a result, the slowness that some complain about doesn't bother me. It takes exceptional images inside and outside the macro range. This is a professional lens with look and feel of greatness. My lens came packed in the Canon carton with a lens hood, white Canon carrying case and shoulder strap.  The carrying case cannon supplies with its lens are awesome. I always keep my lens stored in their cases when not is use.
This lens is worth every penny especially with Amazon,s price. Takes awesome close ups better then my Canon 100mm macro lens. I will hang on to my 100mm for now because that lens also takes some great pohtos. The Canon 180mm gets you closer to your subject.
When this lens is used with a 1.6X camera body such as the XT, 20D, or 30D it ends up giving you an amazing 288mm Macro or you can go one step further with the 1.4x or 2X TC's and make it a 403/576mm super power.  Of course whenever doing this you must either use a tripod or flash except in blazing light.  It is a little slow to focus compared to many of the other lenses canon offers, but since you will most likely be using manual focus a lot of the time anyway, this is not a huge drawback.  It also gets heavy to carry after a few hours and you will have people ask you questions about both your and their cameras.  On a good note parents are pretty good about keeping small children out of your way when you have this lens mounted.  The narrower background as compared to the 60mm or 100mm macro lenses makes cluttered areas easier to deal with.  The extra working distance is also a plus when working with wary insects etc.  It is best to use a shutter release and mirror lockup for shutter speeds longer than 1/30 if you want sharp pictures.  The 60mm Macro wins in convenience, but for absolute clarity and improved working distance the 180 comes out on top.
I love this lens!I can get fairly good close up photos with this lens but the auto-focus is a bit on the slow side, so I carefully help it along.
This is an amazing lens...  I was questioning buying it but I needed the macro to get up on peoples faces.  Its not the quickest focus mechanism but damn are the shots clear!
I purchased this lens from my local dealer and am blown away with the IQ it produces.  I am using it both as a macro and also as an outdoor portrait lens.  The sharpness, saturation, color accuracy and contrast are matched only by the best optics I've ever seen.For the money, this lens is a bargain.  Take a look at what other top notch glass costs.
I had a choice of this lens or the new Canon 100mm IS macro. Most people choose the 100mm because it is smaller and has IS. I have to admit that this thing is a bear to use without a tripod because, at 180mm, you have to have incredibly steady hands...which I don't! Another reason people choose the 100mm is because the bulk of Canon shooters out there have crop factor cameras. At at 1.6 crop factor, the 100mm macro becomes a 160mm macro which is more than enough for most situations. I have a full frame camera and wanted a good macro capability without having to get less than 1 foot from the subject so the 180mm fit the bill nicely. The lens is unbelievably sharp and the shots are incredible. I've even used it with my 2X extender to give me 360mm of macro which is truly amazing but very hard to focus. If you are trying to capture a moving bug, the 100mm IS may better suit you. Most of the things I shoot macro don't move around much so that is not a problem for me.Another factor to consider is DOF. This lens has an incredibly narrow depth of field so if you're planning to get the whole subject in focus, you may have to stop down to f22 or even f32 and even then the subject needs to be on a  parallel plane to be tack sharp. The shots are still incredibly sharp even at f32 though!Using this lens at a 180mm telephoto is also spectacular but you have to remember there is no IS so you have to have a very steady hand.I think, if I were to do this again, I would buy the 100mm IS macro simply because I do like to shoot handheld and this lens does not work very good for that. But if you are mainly shooting macros with a tripod and you have a full frame sensor, then this lens is for you! I would not suggest buying this lens for a crop sensor camera because it would end up being a 288mm macro and hard to use.
This is the best Canon lens that I know of period! I have used it for close-ups, portraits, landscapes, even for studio shots.This lens is SHARP. Incredible contrast, resolution and aberration-free. There is no zoom lens, no matter how expensive, whose quality compares with this lens.On the negative side, this lens is heavy and has no image stabilization. But in terms of quality, it is unsurpassed. Using it as a macro will definitely require a tripod. Some form of stable platform will be needed in low light as well. Of course, some of the newer cameras have excellent quality at high ISO's, so this is becoming less of a problem.Not a lens for everyone. But if image quality is your primary concern, this lens cannot be beat.
Especially in the Canon line up.  Buy the 70-200 F/2.8L at similar price or F/2.8L IS at a bit more, and get a few extension tube (you can get a set of 3 Kenko extension tube for around $170 at 12mm, 20mm and 36mm), you will get a fantastic zoom telephoto lens and a far more versatile package.  With the 70-200mm zoom lens, you get all the focal length not just the 180mm.  If macro is desired choose an extension tube or any combination of extension tubes, you get so much more choices in focus distance and magnification factor combinations, it's mind boggling.  If you go with the IS 70-200mm lens, you get the benefit of the image stablizing when taking Macro as well to reduce the camera shake effect.  The combination of the 70-200mm family with a set of extension tubes are a far better choice if local focal length macro photography is wanted.
May I introduce you to one of the least know and yet most superb lenses Canon makes. You probably even stumbled on to this page by accident, looking for another Canon lens, looking at various macros, or even just intrigued by this higher-priced lens you've probably never even considered.Let me just say this about this lens: Ultra sharp. Ultra colorful. Ultra contrast. Ultra solid.Like everybody else, I initially bought this lens for its macro. The 60mm and 100mm options were a lot cheaper, but my collection is entirely L-class and I'd learned to trust putting gobs of money into the lenses with the red ring. So I put my money where my L-faith is and went with this lens. Needless to say, my faith was rewarded again.Yeah, sure it's got the 1.0x macro capability, and this is important. But what I wasn't expecting was the image quality. It is unbelievably good. Now I'm not somebody who's taking his first trip into L land and comparing this lens to the $300 run-of-the-mill glass. I've used six L-class lenses significantly and I'm comparing this lens' image quality to THOSE.You will find yourself using this lens as much as its 180mm focal length and f/3.5 aperture dictates. The lens is versatile both as a super-fine telephoto and as a 1.0x macro.The macro capability is the main feature. 1.0x macro literally means that a 35mm wide object will completely fill a 35mm frame. Basically, it's a small microscope. If you dare to dial in the aperture to the wide-open f/3.5, the DOF is approximately that of the thickness of two sheets of writing paper at 1.0x. Needless to say, you'll need a tripod, preferably with macro rails that slide forwards and rearwards for ultimate control.(For those of you new to macro, focusing the lens changes the magnification factor. So as one focuses the object, the object's size in the viewfinder changes. This is why I mention the macro rails, they allow you to achieve focus and physically move the lens/camera in and out to reachieve the desired composition.)As a telephoto, due to this lens' superb image quality, it actually produces images of a much greater quality than the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. (I know firsthand, as I own it too)  The difference is in the 70-200mm's versatility. If the light drops too low, the f/2.8 and the IS bests the f/3.5 quite rapidly. If the distance of subjects change quickly or you are unable to move your feet to frame images, the 180mm will be too constricting and the zoom will win. But under conditions where the 180mm f/3.5 can perform unhindered (such as at an airshow or out flower hunting), it will consistantly produce brighter, more saturated, and sharper images than the 70-200mm F/2.8 IS.There is a complaint that circulates about the slow speed at which this lens autofocuses, expecially annoying when trying to be used as a telephoto. This is actually incorrect. The lens' autofocus drive does infact move very quickly, but it must traverse all the way from infinity to about 4" in front of the lens to find the subject. This is where the wait time comes into effect. Here's the solution: utilizing the AF limiter switch allows you to limit the AF search to only between infinity and about 5' in front of the lens. Consequently, this range is about 10% of the focus range (the other 90% is in between that 5' and the 4"). I no longer experience AF "hunting" problems when trying to use the 180mm as a telephoto.Some other info about this lens:The front objective element is actually concave. I think this is the only L lens Canon makes with a concave front element. It's probablyexpensive to replace if an accident should occur, so utilize a UV filter (72mm filter size). I recommend only the B+W or Hoya Multi-coated brands. (Yes they're pricey, but worth it)The hood for this lens is actually a little too small in my opnion. If shooting a backlit object, I sometimes get the heavy orange glow in the viewfinder soI am forced to use my hand as a "hood extender" and block the sunlight.For its size, this lens is relatively lightweight. It is much lighter than the 70-200mm F/2.8L IS and easily handholdable for extended periods of time.This lens is compatible with Canon's extenders. I have personally used it with the 1.4x extender. The results are excellent. While CA and sharpness degrade noticeably on the 70-200mm, this lens shows barely a difference in image quality, except for the change in designation to a 252mm F/5, of course. And add to the fact that the macro capability is now gone from 1.0x to 1.4x, a big bonus.So for whom does this lens apply?-Those who neither have a macro or a telephoto prime who desire a single piece that can handle both aspects with excellent results.-Those who plan on performing professional product photography.-Those that are looking into serious nature photography (packing this lens with a wide-angle is pretty much all you'll need on a day hike).What this lens does not do well:-Low-light photography.-Event photography.-Landscapes.Alternatives:-60mm/100mm: lesser image quality, less telephoto compression in macro images, no real double-duty as a telephoto, but a whole lot cheaper and wider aperture.-MP-E 65mm: much greater magnification (5.0x), lower image quality, no telephoto capability, odd design means studio use almost exclusively
I have seen glowing reports on this lens in several magazines, most notably in Shutterbug. It is truly a splendid performer and one well worth paying for if a photographer needs the extra working distance afforded by a macro lens in the 180mm to 200mm range. Its performance is certainly as good, if not better, than Nikon's venerable 200mm f4 Micro Nikkor, which was one of the first - if not the first - telephoto macro lenses in this focal length. This Canon lens excels not only in macro photography but also in nature photography, getting close-up images of animals in the wild without working too close to disturb them. If I owned Canon equipment, then this lens would be an essential part of my kit.
If you ignore the lack of image stabilization, this is a five star lens.  Colors are deeply saturated, and sharpness is on par with Canon's best super telephotos.  Want to stop spending all of your time in Photoshop?  Get this lens.  The only thing I ever do in software with this lens is crop.  Period.The long focal length of this lens gives 1:1 magnification while staying a decent distance from the subject.  I live in Texas, and this comes in handy with all kinds of subjects, like snakes and scorpions.  It also enables you to use a standard tripod (with the legs collapsed) and still get good magnification.Thanks to an eight blade circular aperture, the bokeh from this lens is dreamy.  At f/3.5 and 180mm, there is a razor-thin focus area, and distractions in the background just melt away.  You can take a picture of a daisy and make the stem disappear.  Simply awesome.At 180mm, this is basically a telephoto lens with macro capability.  As such, it could really use image stabilization (IS).  I have not taken too many sharp shots handheld, but I have taken some amazing shots with a monopod.  IS would make this a no-brainer lens.  As is, I would strongly recommend bringing a tripod along.
I have taken some amazing photos using this lens.  Since it is 180mm you don't need to be as close to the subject, which helps greatly with bugs.  The only downside to the len is that it is extremely heavy.
Over the years I have owned both Canon's 50mm and 100mm Macro, they are excellent lenses and substantially less expensive. If you want to shoot insects and other small, shy creatures outdoors the 180 mm Macro is the lens to get.Optically the lens is excellent in every way. The 'slow' focus is a function of the huge focal range of the lens, typically manual focus is used for macro photography - for general photography the focus limiter can be used to improve focus time. Construction quality is excellent - although the included lens hood is a rather cheap plastic design, however it functions fine.I use this lens on a tripod almost all the time - with Macro work you are normally are working a smaller apertures (f8-f16), so relatively slow shutter speeds are the norm - the tripod ring makes transitioning from portrait to landscape very easy.Additionally this quality of this lens allows the use of canons 1.4x teleconverter with minimal loss of quality - significantly increasing the 'reach' of this lens.This lens is a good general purpose 'short' telephoto - but not suitable for sports or action photography, Canon's EF 70-200 lenses or 200mm f2.8 lens make better alternatives.Image stabilization is not available for this lens and would make a very useful addition
No one can complain about the quality of the construction or of the images that this lens produces. It's often considered a hidden gem in the Canon lineup as it gets thought of strictly as a macro lens and its use as a telephoto gets ignored. I'm going to give the lens its well-deserved five stars, but now tell you that you should be careful in picking this lens for your use lest it live, unused, in the bottom of your camera bag.This is a lens that I think you should rent to try out if it's interesting to you. I find that it's too long of a lens for most of the macro photography work I think of doing. Especially on a 1.6x crop body the magnification leaves you with very little depth of field and horrible subject vibration problems in the field. (You need a tripod for this, so photographer movement shouldn't be as much of an issue.) I find the 100mm macro lens to be much handier on both full frame and crop cameras. Others disagree, that's fine, but you should check it out yourself. On the telephoto front, a 70-200mm zoom with IS is a much more versatile setup. If macro work is only occasional, you could into extension tubes that let you go in close.
This lens is super crisp and sharp for macro, bought this thing used from KEH, was a little reluctant about buying some used camera equipment at first but I got to think about it, digital camera equipment isn't cheap so I'm pretty sure that whoever owned this thing before probably took good care of it, the thing was probably in better shape that the rating that KEH was giving it, it came with the original box and case for it and hood, was in excellent shape and very clean, first thing I did was buy a filter for it and mounted the lens on my 5-D. Again, super sharp and clear pictures, very crisp colors, and as far as buying used equipment, won't hesitate to buy from KEH, saved about $ 350.00 off the original price and received it 4 days later with a 6 months warranty. :)
For macro this is incredible, with a couple of  caveats... No IS so handheld is near impossible for macro, and you really need to manual focus for macro as the autofocus just isn't accurate or hunts a bit too much.  When you're in focus on a tripod though, the bokeh is &#34;unfreakinbelievable&#34;!  (new word).
This is a lens with extremely sharp optics and a fairly steep learning curve before your able to take advantage of this lens' sharpness. It does NOT have Image Stabilization! As a macro, in most lighting conditions you will either have to use a good stable tripod and a slow shutter speed or a high ISO and a shutter speed at or above 500 or a ring flash. It has the sharpest MTF chart (Higher and straighter) for any lens Canon sells under 300mm and $6999.00 list price. Great lens for relatively still wildlife at medium distances. AF is not fast enough for humming birds and flying insects. I did thorough research on this lens' limitations and purchased this lens for its optical sharpness for which I gave it is 5 star rating.
Regarding the suggestion that one instead get a 70-200 and extension tubes... yes, that would be more versatile than the macro alone, but I have a 70-200 and extension tubes, and they can't compare to the 180 macro.
I spend most of my time as a photographer taking macro photographs of flowers and other small things in nature.  I chose this lens over Canon's 50mm macro and 100mm macro for two reasons: (1) it is constructed with higher quality UD glass, so it has great color and contrast, and it's incredibly sharp at all f/stops, and (2) at 180mm, it allows you to stay farther away from your subjects and still focus to 1:1.  This makes it easier take photographs without disturbing your subjects and it allows you to have a smaller, more blurry area in the background so that the background doesn't compete with the subject for attention.  The lens also comes with a tripod color, which allows you conveniently change from vertical to horizontal, and it adds stability with your lens better balanced on your tripod.The lens has an ultrasonic motor, so it's fast and quiet when focusing, though I highly recommend setting the focus limiter 1.5m-infinity when not shooting macro photography.  It will speed up the time it takes for the lens to focus.  The only drawback I can find with the lens is that it is constructed with only an 8 blade aperture diaphram.  Theoretically, with a higher number of blades, it would allow more natural blurs, but I can say I've never noticed a problem in my photographs.
This is a great lens, perfect picture every time, have to stand a bit back to get a good shot though, wonderful clairity where focused and great blur in background, adds real depth to the pictures - this is the only macro lens you will ever need!!
I agree with the glowing reviews of the actual lens - it is amazinghere's my thoughts on the other stuff it came with-- comes new with a hood as well as a very nice $50+ zippered soft case and tripod mount --**the hood is a reversible, twist-on bayonet style similar to other OEM Canon L hoods and is independent of the 72mm filter ring - it is more of a cone-style flat hood, NOT a petal-style hood like the 70-210mm has**the LZ1324 case stands out as a high cost, high quality item worthy of housing such a valuable lens - it is identical to the 70-200mm/2.8IS case**the tripod mount is completely solid and becomes a beautiful part of the lens body - it is many times stronger than it needs to bemine is currently for sale here ($1240 like new), as but after reading the other reviews I may pull it down and sell the 70-200mm/2.8IS instead as this lens may have it beat
I bought this as my first macro lens. I love it. I was using a 250mm with extension and a Canon 500D filter to get close. This makes everything faster and easier and I can shoot from a distance.
I ordered this because it looked like just what I wanted. When it arrived I found that while it did fit my camera as advertised, it didn't fit any of the lenses I have.  On the instruction sheet that came with it there was a short list of lenses it would fit.  This information was not on the ad.  However, I checked at Adorama, where I usually by cameras, and it wasn't there either. No fault for the vendor, but it was still useless to me.  On the other hand the return was handled quickly.  My refunded was posted to my account in just 2 days.  Good job!
For me the big question is "does it give better results than just cropping and resizing the results from my existing lens"?  After some careful testing  the result in my case was "just barely".As a test I photographed a distant object with my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L IS lens, and again with the extender, using a tripod to keep conditions comparable.  I then doubled the size of the non-extender image in PaintShop Pro and displayed the two images on my computer screen.  The image with the extender captured only slightly more detail than the one without.  Testing with smaller apertures sharpened the images but did not change the conclusion.  To find my test shots and those of at least one other person, search for canon extender test on Flickr.That said, it's a nicely made piece of equipment.  Having spent the money I use the extender quite a bit for photographing birds.  For anything larger I remove the extender to get a clearer result.
I love this addition to my camera bag! Works get with my 70 - 200 zoom. I only wish it would work with more lenses.
I have to say, the extender does do the job...it will get you closer to the thing you want to capture, but the quality just isn't so great.  It turned my 70-200mm 2.8L IS into a much much lower quality lens.  The price is right, so if you don't care too much about the quality loss, this is the way to go.  For me, I'm returning the extender to get the Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6L IS.  Lots more money, but I think it's worth it.
This is a good accessory with a 300mm f/2.8 or above. The problem comes when you try to use it with the Canon L zoom lens like the 70-200L or the 100-400L. You lose so much sharpness that it not acceptable for a pro or advanced am, which would be the people buying this accessory. If you have big glass then you should get this, otherwise stay with the Canon EF 1.4X II Extender and get publishable photos.
Make sure to check the compatibility charts to verify that your lenses will work with this before buying it since only a handful of L series lenses are compatible. If you do already have one or more of these lenses though this is a nice addition. The AF only works with lenses f/2.8 and faster on most camera bodies. You do also give up image quality by putting this between your lens and camera body.  When using longer telephoto lenses with this, you will want to use a tripod, cable release, and mirror lockup in all but the brightest of conditions.  If you need this much extra reach you may be better off getting a 1.6X camera body or saving up for a longer lens.
I bought this 2x TC for some extra reach on my 300 f/4 IS and was very happy with the results from a recent vacation.  I practiced with it for a bit before using it for the first time where it would count and I am glad that I did - 600 mm is very different than 300mm.  I still had about a 60% keeper rate even with IS at f/8 or better on a 1DmkIII - but I got the shots I wanted.  I was hesitant to buy this since I had read so many things about how it really didn't hold up well IQ-wise (specifically, that it was far worse than the Canon 1.4x TC) but I was pleased with the shots where I did what I was supposed to!!  All my shots were handheld so if there was an OOF image - it was my fault.I walked away with some very clean, and very sharp images, so I give this a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
It can allow for outstanding results otherwise unattainable without the really big budget glass. I use it exclusively on my 300mm 2.8L IS and couldn't be happier with the results. I also use that set-up nearly 100% of the time hand held for birds in flight/wildlife.When all is said and done I'd have to say it comes close to the best $275 I've spent on photo related accessories.
I bought this to go with my Canon 70-200 f2.8 L series lens. I can put this on and get a 400 zoom but I lose two stops. The Canon 400 f4 lens is a little faster but not by much. consider this: You have two lenses in one with this doubler. When it's on it's almost as fast as the Canon 400 f4, but with it off I have a 200 at f2.8 which is great for weddings or other low light indoor shooting. It's all about your needs. If you are going to shoot wildlife only than the 400 f4 might be for you, but if you ever shoot under any other low light conditions than this item makes a lot of sense. It's a great option worth considering.
Amazing product with my 70-200 2.8 and this product I was able to take pictures of a Squirrel and it was just as if he was sitting in my living room. The close up was so good that I was able to distinguish the sex of the squirrel highly recommended and worth every penny enjoy.
I have not used this extensively, but the initial tests on two Canon lenses has been spectacular!  It was used and the came exactly as advertised.  Nice Work!
This extender is not compatible with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. The Canon web site and this site leads you to believe that it is compatible. Granted the 18-200 is a new lense, but none of the compatibility charts address this lense/extender combination. I had to return the product.
I'd like to elaborate on the review posted by LT Beasimer wherein he said,"I would imagine that using with an extremely sharp lens like the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto zoom lens would be able to handle the reduction in sharpness with minimal effect. I didn't own this lens when I used the extender, so I cannot say for sure."I own the Canon f/2.8L 300mm prime lens and use it in conjunction with the Canon 2X Mark II extender. I cannot detect any loss of picture quality when shooting at 600mm. Yes my largest opening is then f/5.6 but I won't tell a soul. If you were to call Canon Tech Support and ask specifically for the extender compatibility chart most of your questions will be answered. It lists all the Canon lenses and the features available and not available when the extender is used.
Great converter, but very limited to number of lens that it can be used with.
I shoot a lot of long distance action, sports, wildlife, etc. and thought this would be a good addition for my canon 100-400mm. My long canon lens is an f/5.6 and when multiplied by the 2x extender gives it an equivalent of f/11.2, beyond the f/8 capability of the autofocus.  It worked fine on manual focus and for many situations, this is actually the best way to go, but for on-the-move photography (birds in flight, football players)it was inconvenient.  I ended up sending it back and am going with the 1.4 extender - it does not provide as much range, but does not override the auto focus either.  The lens is excellent, just beware of the limitations it may impose on your particular needs.
Will this get the same results as a dedicated 400/500/600mm prime lens..?Nope.Did I expect it to..?Nope.It's a great thing to leave in the bag for those times when 200mm is just not quite enough or you didn't feel like lugging the 300 f/2.8 (or longer) around.OK, so it drops my 70-200 down to f/5.6 but I can live with that if it means the difference between getting a shot or going home empty handed.The difference in sharpness in prints is only slight and only found IF you're looking for it.  Most people will never see the difference.  That said, care needs to be taken.  Using a tripod is almost a must. (FWIW I use one a lot and for ANYTHING shot at 300mm or greater.)  Hand holding a 400mm lens is a bit dodgy at the best of times IMO.Most of the complaints I see for this are by people that either didn't take the time to check which lenses it will work on or figure that they'll get exactly the same results using a 70-200 f/4 (or lesser) as they would if they had chosen a fast 400mm in the first place.  Not going to happen.  Canon is very specific about which lenses can use this...and the body focus specs aren't exactly hidden either...If you're looking for a quick and easy way to increase the reach of an already SHARP compatible lens then go for it.  If you think you're going to get Canon 400mm f/2.8L performance for [...] bucks...  Well, sorry but, time for a reality check.So why 4 stars instead of 5?I don't want to skew the results and make people think this is something that they must have or can't live without.  IF you can use it, know it's limitations, and HOW to use it...well then it's a nice addition to the kit.  OTOH, it's not the end all be all accessory that many people hope/wish/think that it is.Like I said up top, it's a great thing to keep in the bag.
If you put this on a big lens with a small aperture, you're not only going to lose a F-Stop, you're going to lose the brightness some of us need for focus. There's going to be a point at which you won't be sure whether it's you or the lens at fault.I was sold one of these by a dealer for a non-L Canon telephoto. It was refunded, but you need to do the research.I've since had cause to use one, but decided against it. I may eventually buy another, but I'm mostly sticking for now with a 1.4. I think it's probably best suited for the f//2.8 L telephotos where the loss of speed can be tolerated and the focus problem eased. They are great lenses anyway.A comment on Adorama. I've bougt a lot of things from them over the years, most of it new. Not long ago, I bought a used Leica advertised as working. It was from external appearances. But the film advance slipped. I wish they had offered to repair it, but they didn' want to do that. But they volunteered to take it back and make a full refund -- which they did. I find them good people to do business with. Every company has slipups, but I don't think Adorama has a policy of doing this. They are one of the companies I would recommend. They also don't exaggerate the conditionof a used camera (tricker than new). I've been screwed by sellers, but they are not one of the firms. Give them a chance if they make a mistake.
Was expecting the reduction in aperture, but not a reduction in focus!  Is so bad that after reviewing a days of shooting in Krugar park we never used the extender again.  The other setup used my 70-300 IS DO USM which produced better telephoto pictures than the the 70-200 f/2.8L with the 2x extender - without the extender the reverse is true.  Also for those looking for confirmation this Canon 2x extender does not work with the 70-300 DO, mechanically won't allow it due to the position of the innermost lens :(  Am told a third party extender (Kenko 1.4) does work with the DO lense, which will be a much more pleasant to travel with ;)
Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto AccessoryI was completely blow away by the quality of the resultant images. ... Yes, I lost 2 f-stops, but I gained twice the reach of the telephoto, and a doubling of the macro. ... And I liked it. ... My 180 mm 1x macro is now a 360 mm 2x macro. ... Cool!
The longest lens I own is a 70-200mm f/2.8, so this accessory turns it into a 140-400 f/5.6, which is handy when shooting wildlife.  The problem is that the keeper rate goes way down when I use it, as the autofocus becomes slower and the picture quality takes a bit of a dive.  Being a sharpness freak, I only pull this out in dire need.  The 1.4x has much better picture quality, and I still get an effective length of about 100-280mm, which isn't bad.
I have been a photographer for years and have always wanted to add this to my arsenal. Talk about a huge change right away!! Despite losing two f/stops it's well worth it if you're shooting in well lit situations, especially sports.It's easy to use, lightweight and small enough to store with your main equipment without getting in the way.I highly recommend you add this to your arsenal like I did!
I have only used this Extender outdoors so far to photograph my 14 year old son's football game. Simply put...it performed to my expectation and beyond. I saw no loss of quality with these pictures. I sat in the bleachers and was able to zoom in to actually see the player's faces clearly. So far, I am very excited about this lens extender and the possibilities with football and baseball games.
Go to the Canon web site make sure the 2x will work with your lenses.  I use it on my 70-200 2.8/fL IS USM and although you lose 2 stops, its a lot cheaper than buying a 400mm lens not to mention a lot lighter.  For those that complained about losing their AF all I have to say is learn to read and learn focus manually.  You will be a much better photographer for it.
The jury is still out on this one...image quality is not really where I expected it to be.
This extender is limited to which lenses it will work with, most of them L lenses. The II model features a new seven-element weather-resistant design, and improved anti-reflection internal construction. Auto-focus is possible with any EOS body if an f/2.8 or faster maximum aperture lens is used.  Image Stabilization lenses maintain the IS feature when used with current EOS cameras.  Using this extender with any lens will eliminate one or two f stops and decrease sharpness to some degree.I rented this extender to use with theCanon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens. This lens while sharp and high in quality, is not the sharpest L lens out there. I found adding this extender with the 100-400mm caused the sharpness to suffer too much for my tastes outweighing the benefit of having extra reach. The minimum 7.6 f-stop limits creative abilities with this combination too.I would imagine that using with an extremely sharp lens like theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto zoom lenswould be able to handle the reduction in sharpness with minimal effect. I didn't own this lens when I used the extender, so I cannot say for sure.I would suggest renting or taking your camera and lens to the store and trying this extender out before buying. I can see where certain combinations may benefit the photographer. In my case, it didn't work out for me.PROS:Provides extra reachCONS:Eliminates one or two f-stopsDecreases sharpness of the lens
This is a high quality piece of glass, and it's not a coincidence that its color is white, since it is by all means an L series glass and L series only compatible (more on Canon website). A reviewer here underrated this lens for not working as well as he expected on a 100-400 F/4.5, well, I thought it was common knowledge that a 2X extender will remove 2 f/stops and the quality of the final image will somehow suffer, it's called... what you pay for. Otherwise no one would be buying the much more expensive 500mm, 600mm, etc. lenses. I demoed this extender in Yellowstone for a few days with a Canon 70-200 L f/2.8 IS lens and even after I added a polarizer the autofocus was still very fast. All the Canon people I met told me that with a 100-300mm f/4.5 you should use a 1.4X extender and that the 2x is not for that lens. Guess it's useful to do a little bit of homework before investing in expensive technology.As for the quality of the images taken with the 70-200 above coupled with the 2X I can tell you that you could see it in lab tests but not with a naked eye (Unless you're an eagle maybe).* Update October 19 2007I bought the 2X with a Canon 70-200 F/4 non-IS lens and been playing with it for the past 2 weeks. Just as I previously stated the quality remains high; on the f/4 lens the autofocus stops working (as I expected and stated previously) although a friend told me that by blocking one of the pins the autofocus will work although only the central sensor. It's not a big deal to me since I often use manual focus and at the minimum f/8 you get there's still room for error. With my Canon 30D (1.6 crop factor) the image quality is high, surprisingly high, just as I experienced up in Yellowstone at the Canon workshop. So, let's do a bit of math: 70-200 * 1.6 factor makes for a 112-320mm effective range, add the 2X extender and it becomes 224-640 at f/8. So yesterday I took photos of a Bull Moose at 640mm effective with a cheap tripod ($20 BestBuy, horrible, but better than nothing) and the quality of the photos is much better than using my Tamron 70-300 ( effective 112-480) f/3.5 lens which I'm definitely going to get rid of.This piece of glass definitely deserves 5 stars and not a bit less. Now I can't wait to take it to my trip to Costa Rica's jungle.
I purchased this item to use with my 70-200mm F/2.8L lens and I just love the results I get with it! Very sharp and very high IQ. The auto focus is still very fast, too.I cannot praise this accessory enough.And my thanks to Amazon for their amazing delivery service. I had this accessory delivered on Saturday in plenty of time for my shoot!
I use this with my 70-200mm 2.8 IS lens. I get "acceptable" results, because I lose a little in sharpness and a couple of stops, but it is a much cheaper solution than buying a 400mm dedicated. For the price this is a good value.
What a great little piece of kit. It's great with my EF 70-200mm f/4L.  The only drawback is you've no AF.  You are forced to use manual focus. Now this isn't a big problem, unless you're photographing wildlife or moving objects.  Well worth the price though and very useful.
I bought this specifically to complement my EF 70-200 2.8 IS Mk 2. I use it with EOS 40 D which is 10 MP ASP-C sensor. If there is a quality degradation from using the extender I cannot see it on my camera. Maybe on the higher pixel density cameras it is more noticeable. The focus speed is lower than with the bare lens but still is pretty quick. I uploaded a picture of a water landing seagull. See for yourself.I bought the extender for one specific project with the intent to sell it later but after using it I decided to keep it indefinitely.
If you have the big lenses (400mm f/2.8L IS USM or even the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM) this is totally worth the addition. The 2x does NOT kill the autofocus on the f/2.8 and effectively doubles your lens with very little distortion around the edges. Check compatability on Canon's website. You won't be disappointed!
I recently purchased the canon 100-400mm L series with auto focus and image stabilazation.  Amazon had the extender come up as a recommended buy.  The problem is that the extender requires a lens with a 2.8 f stop for the auto focus to work.  I tried using the extender withou the auto focus and found it almost impossible to get a clear picture. I'm sure the extender would work well with any of the canon $7000-$10,000 professional telephoto lenes, but not with the 100-400 L series zoom.
As the other reviewers have said, it is a nice option to have in your bag. It is not meant for everyday use to get that incredibly sharp, close-up of birds, animals or people. It is very helpful when the shot is very difficult to make without it.If you examine the sample pictures in Amazon under the Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto Accessory, you will see the Shuttle Discovery taken with a Canon XT1, Canon 100-400mm, and the 2X at about 4 miles. This was without a tripod, through the shimmering heat of the Florida day, and with the salt air from a windy day causing a lot of haze.I could have just relied on the 100-400 at maximum and enlarged and cropped later. It was easier to frame the shot and know what you are getting through the view finder using the 2X.Yes, I use it with a Canon 100-400 and yes, you do have to manually focus the lens. I do not see this as a major problem.The Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto Accessory works exactly as described by Canon!
I recommend this extender but only for occasional and situational use. I use this on occasion with my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8"L" IS USM and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6"L" IS USM with good results (manual focus on a tripod). Its a nice cost saver over buying more glass for those times you need just a tad more reach. However, If I get the longer prime I am after, I will likely sell this.
I have used this now for sometime. I am pleased with the Extender. The first thing I learned the hard way was you get the best results buy using a Tri-pod and remote shutter release when using it. I use this on my Canon 400mm lens and found that if your not dead still it will blur the shot. I have hand held the 400mm several times and did ok with the 11 lb. beast but with the extender it is just too much lens. Even a stiff wind on the Tri-pod can mess your shots up. I have hand held it ok on my 200mm lens. You need to also know that this will not work on all Canon Lenses. So make sure you check the lens you are planning to use it with. Canon has a list of lenses that it works with. I now get fairly good results using it and I feel that the results are better than what you can do with just zooming with software. I have used this with my 50D and both 5D bodies with good results.
I've used the EF 2X II Extender for 9 months now and can say it has met my needs admirably.I say this having researched, knowing the benefits and short comings of using it before I made my purchase.I use it primarily in combination with my EF 100-400mm IS lens for use on birds and outdoor events. I have shots of birds I couldn't have captured had I been required to close in on the subject. It's also been key in closing the gap where I would not be able to cross because of an area being otherwise inaccessible - not worth losing gear or limbs to get a closer vantage point.Now the downside with using the EF 2X II are no Auto Focus and added softness in some shots and of course the increase in F stops. Even in shots with high contrast lighting and a stationary subject, softness in image quality can be an issue. When using it on a mobile subject, I end up with quite a number of shots that I will not use. Between adjusting for focus and the inherent soft IQ, you'll definitely need to weigh its use.A work around for not having Auto Focus through the viewfinder is to use a Hoodman or other device to shield the LCD and shoot in Live View. Using my 7D, I can get AF confirmation and take the shot.If you are good at post processing your images, one could argue not using the extender and simply enlarge an image matching the IQ softness the extender adds. My preference is to go with the optics vs. the software algorithm.
It should be obvious - this extender really needs to be used with a tripod. That alone will increase your image quality. It's also designed for the higher quality Canon lenses - the EF series. 90% of the complaints about this accessory ignore those two facts.  The next biggest complaint - autofocus.  Again, Canon is clear that you need a lens with an aperture of 2.8 or faster in order for autofocus to work.  Basically, so what!  If I'm on a tripod shooting my subject, I'm going to pre-focus . The depth of field is in such a compact area and you're zoomed in so much, autofocus is really not that important.  What did people do before autofocus?  Skip the photo?So if you understand what you are purchasing and know how to use it - well, like with any great tool - you'll produce fantastic results.  If you don't know how to use it, try and do a hand-held 400mm zoom, or attempt to catch that bird as it swoops past, forget it.  This is not a $5,000 lens. It's a $300 add on that extends your current lens.If you could afford that 10 lb, 800mm telephoto lens - at $12,000 - you would not be looking at this accessory. I'm not trading in my car for a lens any time soon - and this little accessory does the job just fine.  I've tried it on action shots freehand - even though I knew better.  Forget it.  Handheld when it's added on to my 200mm?  Almost as bad.  On a tripod? Fantastic. Even better if you have the remote trigger.The bottom line is that if you are looking for an affordable alternative, know how to use it, and are willing to spend the half hour it takes to master this multiplier, you will get great results.  If you expect to point and shoot, then buy a point and shoot camera.
I have been looking at purchasing this item for a long time for use with my f2.8 70-200 mm "L" image stabilized lens. To me, this accessory seems almost designed solely for use with the 70-200. I plan to use it for nature photography and to take pictures at my daughter's soccer games. I received it a few days ago and have taken a number of pictures (but as soccer season is over that part of the assessment will have to wait until fall!) In any case, it performs as advertised. Focus is a bit slower than with the bare lens and max aperture is lowered as expected. In other words, this lens does NOT suddenly make your $1300 lens into the equivalent of a $5000 lens, of course. If you keep these limitations in mind, this powerful tool is quite useful.Other considerations:The "mark III" model of this has come out - for about double the cost. I suspect this item will be discontinued / out of stock quite soon, so if you want it you may want to act relatively quickly.Be absolutely certain you know your lens(es) are compatible with this device - specs are pretty clear, but most of the negative reviews are regarding compatibility issues.Don't expect the same tack-sharp images you have been spoiled with using the bare lens as image quality is quite good but not excellent.All in all, this is a very useful (and fairly cost effective) addition to my kit.
A big disapointment.  Doesn't fit most of my lenses.  I should have done my homework befor buying this.  Image quality is very poor when coupled w/ canons 100/400mm lens.  With all the good equipment canon makes, I expected more.
The Canon EF 2X II Extender I used on my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens to give me a 140-400mm f/5.6L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens. Of course it's slower with the F stop, but for now it saves me, till I can buy the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens.
Bought this on a whim with the 1.4. Used it with the 100-400 and boy it all goes to soft focus, to be fair it wasn't made to be used with that lens. The 1.4 with the 100-400 is exemplary and the way to go. Also this was the mark ii a new one has been out for quite some time.
I have a Canon Rebel XTi with a 70-200mm telephoto lens.  The extender does its job but doesn't operate the telephoto lens' auto focus.
I returned mine mainly because I couldn't go down to f2.8, which I love, any more.  Also I noticed a little the photo quality went down just a little when comparing shots with and without the extender.
The attachment, which goes between the camera and lens, in this case doubles the focal length.  A 200mm lens would now becon a 400mm lens.  Two f stops are lost through this process.There is also a 1.4 extender which works in similar fashion.  Borh are useful to you, the photograher.The alternative to using extenders is to get the log range lenses which becomes very expensive.
Only works with Canon 1D, auto focu will not work with any other Canon DSRL
This is a must to get closer to your subject. I haven't noticed any loss of picture quality.  Very slight if any.
For my camera that is.  Doubles the zoom and produces excellent images if you know what you're doing and I do.
I purchased this to use with my Canon 300mm f2.8.  There is some loss of IQ, but not noticeable enough to off set having a 600mm f5.6.  I can't comment on using with other lenses.
The Canon EF 2X II telephoto extender is a reasonably inexpensive way to double the focal length of some of the Canon lenses.  There are a few pro's and con's when considering going this route.  The image quality of this extender is extremely good and maintains the image quality of the lens that is attached to.  I found it to be far better than other lessor cost extenders.There are a couple of caveats to be aware of before purchasing this extender.  First, it is NOT compatible with ALL Canon lenses.  Check the Canon site for the specs on this extender and the list of compatible lenses.  It is mainly a physical problem of the front element of the extender lens sticking out too far to physically connect with some lenses because their rear element is too far back and it clashes (or crashes) with the extender.  Secondly, be aware that a 2x extender will cause a 4x light loss through the optical system (i.e. 2 f-stops slower).  This is true of any extender - it's the law of optical physics.  Unless your main lens is better than F5.6, the camera will not have enough light to autofocus, so be prepared to manually focus your camera when using a 2x extender.That being said and all of these conditions being understood, the Canon EF 2X II extender is a great way to double the power of your telephoto lens.
Shortly after I purchased my first SLR film camera (some time around 1977) I bought a 2X tele-converter hoping to use it with my 70-200 f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens.  It was an off-brand (Spiro-Tone if I remember correctly) and it was awful!  It created barrel-distortion and degraded the image far more than I had expected.  Well, they have come a long way in the decades since.This 2X extender is designed to work with both fixed-focal length telephoto lenses and long zooms.  I purchased this originally to use with my 100-400 zoom and even though the effective maximum aperture at 800mm was f/11 the resulting image was tack sharp.Recently I rented a Canon 400mm f/2.8 L lens and tried it with this converter.  Wow!!!  It was incredible!  I had it mounted on a good sized Gitzo tripod and was able to photograph a small bird from a great distance and it still filled the frame.  The effective aperture was only f/5.6 which is what you would expect for a 800mm lens.  I hope to purchase a 300 or 400mm f/2.8 in the future and I am sure that I will be getting even more use out of this excellent optical accessory.
I might have taken the best shot in my life with the help of the 2x extender. I was able to get a close-up eagle in action. See images. It takes a little practice manually focusing, but it's something you can get used to. It would be better if the autofocus worked with more lenses. More specifically, the Canon 100-400 L Series (4.5-5.6) which I use. With this extender you can get you a great shot without spending $12,000 for an 800mm lens.
The extender works OK if all you need is to bring your images closer. I found it no different than if I enlarge my photos with software.
I use this extender with a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.1-Will double the focal lenght of your lens.2-Will double the lens max aperture.3-Will (to some) take acceptable pictures.If you are planning on making a living with this extender..... you are wasting your $.Read the manufacturer specs and all other reviews.
If you need more zoom, this is the item. If you have a lens larger than f2beware, do some reading. Otherwise must have.
The 2X II Extender by Canon approximately doubles the reach of your Canon "L" lens. I used it today to capture some American Goldfinches while attached to a Canon "L" series 70-200mm, f2.8 lens I am using. You can really reach out and "touch" the subject at 400mm. You loose a few f-stops and you need more light by adding the Extender but you make up for some of it with IS (Image Stabilization) available on a 70-200mm lense. The AF features still work as does all features on the main lense I used. This is a great accessory to make your investment in a lense do a lot more for a little money.
You can use the 2x TC to double your reach, you can also drive a car with your feet, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.In a nutshell, there is no cheap magic bullet that will give you high quality photos of distant subjects at half the distance, and still provide AF.  (lookup digiscoping).PROS :  Well built,  does what it promises,  brings objects twice as close.CONS:  makes your images dark, and soft that no amount of Photoshopping can adequately correct.I basically out foxed myself by buying this one. I spent $300 to learn why people spend $6,000 on those big Canon telephoto lenses.The 1.4 TC is much better.
I shoot with the 2x extender and my 70-200mm 2.8 - although it adds some serious length to the lens which makes me worry a bit about the pressure on the mount... so far so good.I was looking at the 1.4 which is much thinner. That might be an option for some of you. But if you need to double your distance then this is the way to go!Another great Canon item.
Great exetender, Works as expected. I use this repeatedly when I need to get that extra close shot from a distance. Note: manual focus only
Purchased the "Canon EF 2x II Extender Telephoto Accessory" from a N.Y.C. Retailer and it's proven itself to be well worth the cost, which incidentally was a bit less at the time.I bought the extender specifically for use with my 5d mkII with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens attached and have used it often to capture wildlife at a distance that would require a 400mm lens, with extraordinary results.Almost a necessity for wildlife and sports photography, and it'd be difficult for me to be more pleased.
I used it on all Canon equipment (1.6 crop sensor) with 2.8 200mm lens and in very bright conditions, stabilised and fast shutter speed.The pictures were very un-sharp. Some due to the sensor but certainly  most of the difference from the lens alone to the system was the optical multiplier's fault. I did not keep pictures and returned the item.
It is a very good 2x teleconverter as it does not introduce noticeable additional distortions besides to what the lens is producing. [...]The only reason why I didn't give 5 stars is not a broad compatibility with Canon lenses and the fact that it kills autofocus when used with the darker lenses (Canon 1Ds series has a wider lenses spectrum that still autofocus with it, but for most people this camera is out-of-reach).
I was so excited to get this extenders, I was dreaming of the image that i will see, then i was shocked that it does not fit any of the three canon lenses that I have. It fits only few very expensive lenses that I don't have yet.This issue should be clear on the lens description from the start.
I bought this lens hoping to upgrade my architectural photography method from shooting wide with the 17-40L and then applying perspective correction in photoshop and cropping. My reasoning for such upgrade was that shooting wide and applying correction wasted much needed resolution, added distortion, and made the scene look slightly different than my intended final scene.Therefore I got this lens hoping to put an end to all of that and get the image to its final crop in camera. Sad to say, that didn't entirely happen. This lens has disappointed me on three very important aspects: soft corners, vignetting, and chromatic aberration.SOFT CORNERSBy far that is the most disappointing aspect. Pictures are unacceptably soft in the corners and no I am NOT referring to corners of pictures captured with the lens shifted by 12mm or tilted 8 degrees. I am talking about 0 tilt and 0 shift. In such setting the 24ts-e compared terribly to the 17-40L. Pay attention to the last part, this lens could not keep its own vs a zoom, and one of cheapest L zooms from Canon for that matter.I have uploaded several comparison shots for you to see. To answer some speculation in advance, however, no I do not have an exceptionally bad 24ts-e lens or an exceptionally good 17-40mm lens. I can confirm this because I posted my test results to other photographers on a respected photography forum. The feedback I got was consistent, the 24ts-e performs poorly in general and my lens exhibited the same poor performance.VIGNETTINGGoing past 6mm of shift the lens will start to vignette. By 12mm, which is the maximum shift possible with this lens, the vignetting becomes pretty bad. This is especially problematic for a lens that is made for stitching images. Pictures taken to be stitched at medium to maximum shift will not match in luminosity. In fact, Canon has the 6mm-12mm shift range labeled in red. I guess that is their way of saying you should not use that range. That practically throws away half of this lens shift capacity.CHROMATIC ABERRATIONThat is the least offending aspect but still annoying (check the picture with the window labeled "bottom right") I can live with this problem because CA correction software can compensate for most of this problem, but who needs extra steps in post processing when working professionally under deadlines and high quality requirement to deliver?Given this last problem alone I would have given this lens 4 stars. However, with the other two, more serious, problems I cannot give it more than 2.5 stars and thus the two star rating.So should you get this lens? People using average lenses such as the kit lens, 28-135, or 28mm 2.8 might not notice any of the problems I mention because they are used to such results. In such case the new mechanical features are a welcomed plus. That being said, given the lens price I would say its not a good lens to buy. If Canon, however, was to discount the price of this lens I still would discourage buying it. Most people looking for tilt and shift usually need better quality results than this lens can deliver.
I had this lens for close to a year now, and have had many opportunities to use it. It's a great specialty lens if you frequently shoot what it is best at, and those type of shots are worth the money you spend on the lens.There are two separate purposes for this lens: Shifting the field or shifting the plane of focus. The shifting the field applies to architectural and landscape photography. Tilting plane of focus is among other things an interesting and unique portrait style.I've found that I use the shift 95% of the time on both architecture and landscape. I've found the tilt to be marginally usable on this lens, mostly because at 24mm this is not a great portrait lens - you would go for the 90mm version. The facial distortions at 24mm (particularly on full frame bodies) are just plain hideous and overpower any benefit gained from the tilted depth of field.Any time you photograph a building this lens is exceptional in allowing you to retain the proper perspective. That's what tilt-shift lenses are famous for.However, I've also found it helpful in landscape shots where I want to the move the horizon up or down to avoid a 50/50 split without introducing curvature on the horizon due to the wide angle. That can be particularly helpful when shooting canyons from the rim in Arizona, or wide angle beach scenes, both of which have strong horizon lines.The two challenges to master with this lens are that it is manual focus only, which many of us are not as used to anymore with today's cameras, and the fact that a significant shift plays games with the camera's exposure meter. I've found that I either have to meter the scene with a light meter, or meter in camera unshifted, then switch to manual mode and shift the lens. Both workable, but extra steps forcing this to be a lens for very deliberate shooting.People interested in selective focus may want to check out the Lensbaby lenses, which are purely artistic, but allow a lot more play with selective focus then this lens, which will only tilt in one direction.In summary, I enjoy having this lens, and it has served me well. But it takes some time to get used to and to know which scenes it will help and which ones it will not work with.
Never used cameras bigger than 35mm so can't comment on the similarity to the large frame world. But I suppose if someone does come from the large frame world, using this lens would be a piece of cake anyway. I am a hobbyist and like to use this for tall buildings and large landscape. On Canon 5D, it's not super wide, but wide enough. On a 40D it's much less wide, but the tilt effect is more prominent.For best result it should be used on a solid tripod, but I found hand held completely possible in out door day light. Manual focusing is not that bad if you have camera with live view or a bright view finder (a 2x view finder would also help but then you need a tripod again). The metering used to be a science in the film world. But now with RAW and DPP (or photoshop), you can just give a few tries and find the right combination in no time. M mode is very useful since the camera won't mess your setting up once you settle on a combination of aperture and speed.Can't wait to get out and use it on some real worthwhile scenes. If you've never used one, try it and see if it works for you! I don't know why this one is designated as L while the other two are not. I got my lens second hand so I can not comment on initial quality. But as a second hand in great shape, I'd say this is indeed an L lens. The lens is very sharp without T/S. The original owner told me it's sharper than the 24mmL. I don't have the 24mmL so I can't comment on that. But this lens certainly is really sharp all around. T/S increases CA around the border quite a bit.
I've used this lens on an EOS 1D Mk II at Bodie, California and for Anasazi ruins and petroglyphs in northern New Mexico. Its only big shortcoming is flare sensitivity, most evident in bright hotspots in the restored Great Kiva at Aztec Ruins National Monument.It's a great problem-solver for converging verticals. Shifting horizontally, it let me shoot all of Chetro Ketl's main wall without walking into thin air off Chaco Canyon's North Mesa.Use it with or without a tripod - but a gridded architectural focusing screen is a must. Focus assist helps if you have less-than-stellar eyesight. Stop down to f/9 or more for best sharpness, and watch your depth of field.Meter your subject manually before tilting or shifting, focus on important detail, then compose. Remember metering isn't accurate once you shift or tilt, and focusing is brighter and easier before adjusting.I have three other lenses covering 24-25mm, and this is the one I use most when I'm in the field.OTHER CONS - It may tilt by itself when you pull it out of a tight-fitting case, even locked. If focus across the viewfinder is fuzzy, check for unintended tilt.Sometimes I wish for tilts and shifts in the same axis, but not enough to trade for the II version of this lens.A good lens overall - main reason I didn't give more stars is flare.
I have had this lens for a few days. I ordered it since I was tired of stitching bad photos by hand, and finding everything out of alignment. I do mostly indoor and outdoor architecture, and nature scenes, so needed something with both a panoramic sweep, and to maintain parallelism in my subjects.The lens allows 11 degrees of shift to either side of center, and it rotates, so shift is either left/right, or up/down. Out to 5 degrees of shift, I am finding the auto settings are not too perturbed. After 5 degrees, some manual setting skill is needed. I will develop more of those soon, I can tell. The lens also allows tilt capabilities, which produce a nice selective focus effect, not unlike a lensbaby. I don't use much of that, but may do some portrait work with it.The build quality of this lens is rock solid. The optics are very nice. I got a Hoya UV filter, and there is not much light loss, although I think there is some peripheral CA.Straight through photos (no tilt/shift) are very sharp out to the edge, but this is a manual focus lens. For my work, I set it to infinity and that is no problem. For closer subjects, this could be challenging for someone with old eyes. A focusing screen is next.I attached a photo above of the US Capitol. This was hand stitched in PhotoShop from two images shot 5 degrees left and right off center. ON A TRIPOD, of course. Note that there is no misalignment of the vertical lines in the Capitol building. In fact, the blend line goes between the first and second bays next to center on the left side of the center section of the building. Even knowing where this line was, I couldn't see it. The alignment and metering is so good that there is a couple along the curb in the lower left, and the woman turns between shots, and there is some double exposure effect, but she is right where she is supposed to be from the previous shot 10 degrees to the other side. The original image was more than 5' wide, so I had to shrink this one down for posting.Definitely a special purpose lens, but if you want to do good architectural shots (to preserve paralellism) this is the best you can do without going to medium format. IMHO.Update from June 2008: I notice that someone has posted an image that seems to be taken without using the Shift effect, so that the flagpoles in the image are tilted toward the center of the frame. This happens when the plane of the image sensor is rotated out of parallel with the flagpole, and indicates the lens was not used properly for this shot. The poster there should have mounted the camera on a tripod, rotated the camera body and lens appropriately, and then shifted the lens UP. Then the flagpoles would be parallel with the edge of the frame and not be tilting inwards.
Canon really earned their money with this lens!  It is difficult and expensive to manufacture, and has a large aspherical lens as the front element for performance approaching apochromats.  Version II of this lens has just been released, but it sells for twice the price.  Of course, the TS-24mm has long been standard for architectural photograpers, but don't forget about the tilts!  Tilts make possible a range of compositons many artists would overlook.  The lens is heavy and built like the proverbial tank--it is happy sitting on a tripod--I need one because it's not so easy to work the controls and also keep your subject aligned in the frame.
The TS function is limited on the original design. You have to check which item this is.But there's also a lot of price difference with the new II version (about 1000 USD).The lens is simply excellent. If you do not use the TS functions, it is probably the sharpest lens in this range.
When you photograph buildings from the ground they appear narrow at the top and wider at the bottom - which is the reason this lens and it's brethren exist.This is NOT an inexpensive lens, especially when you consider it is useful only for a small set of conditions.Solid as a rock, extremely well made, beautiful, clear optics.Killer lens.
really  fun  lens  to  take  some  unique  pics with.
This is SO perfect for an indoor lens. I'm having a much easier time capturing images of my children inside without a flash, and without having to back up so far I'm plastered against a wall in order to get everything into the frame like I do with my 50mm. I'm glad to see others say the auto-focus is loud on this lens -- I was worried something was wrong with my lens, but apparently that's normal. I have no problems with that. This is an awesome lens for the money! I'm only a hobbyist photographer so I didn't want to spend $550 on the 35mm f/2 IS USM lens.
I've got a Canon T3i (crop body) and have been using the Canon 50mm f/1.8 to shoot the kids around the house. While that lens is fast and takes acceptable pics, it's pretty soft below f/2.8 and not super-sharp ever. It's also a bit long for taking shots around the house. Shooting inside small rooms, I've ended up with a ton of really nice pics of my kids heads, and that's about it.I decided to upgrade and looked at the 35mm f/1.4L, the new 40mm f/2.8 STM, and the 50mm F/1.4. At first I thought I wanted more light than my 50mm f/1.8 but in retrospect light hasn't been as big an issue as the limited framing, so that led me to look for a shorter lens. The 40mm is just too slow at f/2.8, being a whole stop slower than the f/2. The 35mm f/1.4L is, well an L and thus extremely expensive. The only practical option left was this lens, the 35mm f/2.At first I thought it was kind of expensive for what it is, especially since with Nikon you can get the faster, quieter 35mm f/1.8 for $200. However, now that I've got it in my hands, I am loving this lens.It's extremely sharp even wide open and the bokeh is noticeably more attractive than the 50mm f/1.8. The larger FOV offers much better composition at close distances, and with a close-focusing distance of ~8 inches it's actually quite nice for some macro work, too! Had I realized how limiting the 50mm would be on a crop body, I would've bought this lens in the first place instead.
This is a good lens. And take nice pictures. After testing it, this lens takes better pictures than the canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L. However as far as I am concerned it is still not wide enough (after 1.6x crop factor) for landscapes. It is also kinda noisy.
I love this lens.  Yes it's loud and not as solid as the 1.4 - but it's like a thousand dollars cheaper.  At higher apertures it is hard to tell the difference.  Lower aperture - The bokeh is considerably prettier on the 1.4 - but I can still get gorgeous bokeh on the 2. I also think the photos come out a little more vibrant and contrasty with the 1.4 - but that's an easy fix in photoshop.  It works brilliantly on my full frame body and cropped sensor body.  So if you have the cash to spend and love bokeh - buy the 1.4.  If you just want a good fixed focal lens - the 35m2 is a great buy.  It's fast and crisp enough for children's photography.
I am a pro photographer and bought this to replace the 50 mm f/1.4 (a mistake .. now i can see!). I replaced the 50mm initially because it was not sharp enough albeit a good construction and felt it was a quality lens. This lens costs the same so I felt it should be about the same quality even if in terms of aperture it is a bit of a step backwards relative to the f/1.4 of the 50mm... but I was wrong. The 35mm f/2 is a HUGE step backwards in every direction. Every time I put it on the camera I feel like I will break it.. it is like a plastic toy. It is small and light, which is great. But it is soft... way too soft.. not too great. I have yet to get a sharp shot from this lens. Lesson learned: get the L series next time. Simply not worth $10 in my opinion.
I got this lens after finding that my 50mm was just too tight indoors.  I was always limb chopping my daughter's photos because I had no room to get it all in!  This lens is perfect!  And super sharp!  I have a Canon Rebel T3 (crop). I've done 2 newborn shoots with it and everyone comments how sharp my photos are.  I debated for a long time about what lens to get, and I'm really happy that I chose this one.  I just wasn't ready to shell out thousands on a 24-70, so this fit the bill nicely!
This lens was recommended to me by a friend for beginners, I've have only used it a couple of time,so far I'm happy with it. I would recommend this lens to others.
...this is the traditional "wide normal" lens.In 35mm format, I don't think I've ever been without a 35mm focal length lens.  It's highly practical and many times it is a more useful lens than a 50mm "normal".  It's possible to use a 35mm in close without worrying about the perspective distortion often seen in 28mm and 24mm lenses.  Sometimes it's just the right lens and nothing else will do.So, why bother with an old design EF lens of a focal length covered by several of the current and past Canon EF zooms, including the optically excellent L-series zooms?  First of all, it has a maximum aperture of f/2 and that's a stop faster than the fastest of the L-series zooms.  Second of all, it's a good deal smaller than the zooms covering this focal length.  And, while it doesn't have Ultrasonic autofocus, it's fast enough, accurate enough and not too noisy.  It also has very, very good optical performance.
I just got this lens today so my review is based on just a couple of hours usage. The lens performs great in low light conditions - both indoors and outdoors. Some people have complained that the bokeh is not smooth - I don't agree - the bokeh is smooth enough for me and looks very pleasing. I'm stunned by the performance of this tiny beast.Only dislike is the build - the focus ring is not that smooth and has a very cheap feel. My Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM have a much better build.
Bought this lens as a 'standard' prime lens for my Digital Rebel XT.  What I found was that it was a fast, sharp, and lightweight lens that made the camera great for long walks.  This would be the perfect lens to take to an amusement park, hiking, or biking where size and weight are a concern.I've also used this lens for macro photography and portraits where it shines.  The F2 Bokeh is wonderful and center sharpness is superb even at F2, much better at F4 which is what I use most of the time.On the negative side, autofocus is noisy.  To compare, it's like a drug-crazed wasp trapped in a matchbox.  Maybe a mosquito buzzing close to your ear.  It's not louder than the shutter, though.  If this were a film camera and I was trying to take candid shots, I'd complain more, but it's a 56mm equivelant lens.Another negative is build quality.  They really should make the body of this lens out of thicker plastic.  No reason to skimp there as the 'feel' of the lens certainly gives you much more confidence for very little weight penalty.  Make it feel solid.I've got a 52-55mm step-up ring on it as I've got a slew of 55mm filters.  This also helps in that the lens cap is further from the body of the lens and easier to remove and replace.If Canon had made a faster lens in 28mm at the same price point, I would have gone that way.  For my tastes, it would have been preferable to have that extra field of view assuming the quality was as good.
Ive been doing photography for a couple years now. I have a zoom lens, 50mm, and the kit lens my camera came with. 75% of the time my 50 is on my camera. But I found myself struggling with finding enough room indoors with this lens. I researched for a really long time and kept coming back to this lens. So far I love it! Its exactly what I was hoping it would be.
Super lightweight, sharp wide open, short minimum focus distance, fast AF. Decent bokeh. Ability to take pictures in very low light , Super cheap when compared to it's 35mm f1.4 L $1000+ brother and at 1.6 on digital its a normal lenssee some shots: [...]
Good budget lens.  For the money, you cannot go wrong.  I've used it over 50 times and have had great results.  Would definitely buy again.
I returned it and got the 28mm 1.8f. There is nothing wrong with this lens, but we mainly shoot portraits and weddings and needed something that was good for large bridal parties. We 35mm wasn't wide enough to suit our needs and too wide for portraits. The lower f stop is always a bonus. It's great for indoor, tighter spaces -- especially if you don't want the hint of distortion you can get with the 28mm (we happen to like that effect).
Very sharp and works perfectly with my EOS 60D digital camera. Lens if light and small, easy to carry around.
For full-frame photography, the 35mm focal length gives you that fun, slightly-wider-than-normal shot which is very versatile in landscapes, architecture, and even portraiture. So it is frustrating to me that Canon offers only this basic version, L-level version, and zoom versions of this focal length, and does not have a USM mid-level 35mm lens like they do with most other common focal lengths.That gripe out of the way, this lens otherwise performs just fine. Yes, the autofocus motor is loud, but the lens is so light-weight and small that it's enough to forgive this. Other reviews mention issues with optical quality, but while I've never put this lens in a lab and tested it, I've never had any technical issues with any of the many shots it's taken. Sharpness issues, distortion, aberrations, flaring -- these are all non-issues in my experience with this lens.My only grievance, and the reason I do not give this lens 5 stars, is because the lack of USM and full-time-manual focusing, especially at this price, really are a thorn in the side.
Takes Good Crisp pic on T4i, focus is very good fast and quite.  It a great middle lens to have.  but focus after flu day bcame poor
Very good quality.The lens seems quite sturdy,good for evening shots and street,travel photography when u dont want to carry around yr heavy gear .
This lens is a little workhorse!  Before owning this lens theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameraspractically lived on my camera full time.  This lens now lives on my camera more than the 50mm.  Why do I like it so much?  It's a bit wider than my 50mm, which makes it less difficult to use in closer quarters on my crop body camera.  It's super sharp, especially when stopped down to f2.8 and beyond.  There's little to no discernible distortion or chromatic aberration.  The minimum focusing distance is less than a foot, which means it behaves almost like a macro lens. What would I change about it?  Not much.  The only thing I don't like about this lens is the noise.  It's focusing motor is loud.  Almost too loud.  If Canon announced a 35mm f2 lens with USM I'd be the first in line to buy it, but until they do this lens is nearly perfect for my needs.
Not long ago, I bought the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens to have a fast, roughly standard-length lens for my Rebel XSi (standard taking into account the camera's 1.6x crop factor, that is). That lens turned out to be a little wider than I wanted, which would have been okay if it didn't also have terrible problems with chromatic aberration and edge softness. So I decided after a while to give the EF 35mm f/2 a try.Build quality is toward the low end of Canon's scale; not as nice as the EF 28mm f/1.8, but not as cheap as the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. It does, at least, have a metal mount and a distance window. Since it doesn't have USM, it is rather noisy when autofocusing compared to the 28, and full-time manual focus is not available. But at least the focus ring spins freely in auto-focus mode (unlike the 50 f/1.8 II), so you don't have to worry about damaging the motor by turning it accidentally. Picture quality is quite good; wide open, the center is decently sharp, and the edges not too bad at all; stopped down to f/4, it's even better.If you're looking for a roughly standard-length lens for an APS-C Canon camera without paying the premium price of an L-series lens, and you need something faster than f/2.8, I think this is the one to get.
A must have for any photographer and a great addition for your camera bag.  A bit pricier than the beloved 50mm f1.8 but you can get a little closer to your subject and fit more people in the frame with a very similar effect. This is the second one I've purchased.  I'm a pro-photographer and this is my go-to lens 99% of the time.
This lens is a quality lens. It has a medium weight to it, has nice glass, produces sharp images and is perfect for family photos!
this lens is really awesome, it's the right one for night shots. I work in video productions and works excellent
AWESOME LENS. Very well packaged when it arrived, the focus speed is so quick I love it, the photos that I take with it are so clear and crisp with the right amount of aperture.
Best $109 spent on a lens period.  Excellent image quality and if you are worried about durability then photography is not for you.  Go buy one!!
Update after a year of using this lens...This lens stays on my Canon 40D more than all of my more expensive lenses. (I have the Canon Macro 100 F2.8, Canon 70-200 L F4, Canon 17-40 L F4)This lens takes super sharp photos from F5.6-F11. And, the colors are very nice!!Even if I upgrade to the 35mm 1.4 someday, I will still use this lens because it is so light and doesn't draw attention.Sorry to keep raving about this lens but, for an older, louder model, it still does a decent job!! And, like I have said before, having F2 is great for low light shots and when you want your subject to really stand out.Update after five months of using this lens...Some of my best shots have been taken using this lens. I have read a few reviews of this lens and some say it is just average. I disagree. It is capable of taking some very nice pics. And, it is such a pleasure to carry around your neck all day long because it is so light weight.I used to carry my 17-40 L lens just in case I need to take a wide angle shot. Now, I just take several pictures with this lens and stitch them together. Since there is very little distortion the pics line up very easily. Most of the time I only go out with my Canon 40D and this lens. I use F2 all the time. I love the shallow depth of field. You have so many more creative options.Like one reviewer said, careful if you get this lens. You will like it so much you might be tempted to get the more expensive L version.This is a great focal length on a cropped sensor camera. If you feel a little boxed in all you have to do is take a couple steps back.I think every photographer should have this lens. It is light, has good picture quality and is very sharp. And, it doesn't kill your shoulder after an hour of walking around with it. F2 combined with a high ISO allows you to shoot handheld in very low light. And, the pics still come out sharp!Bottom line..just get it. You won't be sorry.Original ReviewI find myself using this lens more and more. I love using an F2 aperture. It opens up a whole new world of creativity. You can make ordinary scenes become extraordinary. You can blur out backgrounds and make your subject pop off the screen/print. But, be warned, you will need fast shutter speeds so your pics will not be overexposed. I was shooting wide open in daylight today and sometimes the camera had to choose a shutter speed of 8000! That is my 40d's maximum shutter speed. So, if you have a Rebel (Max. shutter speed of 4000), you may have to use a slightly smaller aperture or screw on an ND filter/polarize to ensure your pics aren't over exposed.I have tried taking pics at F2 through F22 and this lens is pretty sharp at all apertures. Like most lenses it is slightly sharper when stopped down a bit but F2 is very useable!About focusing...many people have mentioned how loud it is. This will not be an issue if you are shooting outside. You won't even notice the noise. But, inside, in a church, you will be getting some funny looks. But, there is always manual focus for more discrete situations. Just remember to flick the switch. You can't focus manually when you are on auto focus.It has taken a little time for me to get used to using a fixed focal length lens. I, like most us , have been spoiled by zooms. But, it is nice to have almost no distortion and be able to take pics in available room light (while keeping a low iso like 200 or 400) This lens also gives you something no Canon zoom can give you. Apertures below 2.8.This lens is so light you don't even feel it on your camera. Much better for your neck after an 8 hour day of walking around taking pics. For the first time in a long time I have gotten brave and left my 17-40 L and my 70-200 L at home. This lens can't do everything but it can do a lot of things so it makes a great walk around lens.If I need to take a pic with something that is pretty far away I use my 40'd's live view and magnify the screen 10 times. This is an excellent way to tell if I am focused properly. Once the focus is set, I go back to looking though the viewfinder. Then, when I crop the image and zoom in the part I need, it is very sharp. You lose a little bit of file size but hey, that is a small price to pay to only have to carry around one very small and light lens.I have only had this lens for about a week. So far I really like it. Having a sharp F2 was the main reason I chose this lens. I have a feeling this will stay on my camera more than my L lenses. It is nice to know I have a good lens to handle indoor situations. Sure, I can always crank up the ISO on my other L lenses but it is sooo nice to shoot indoors and never go above ISO 400. The pic quality is really great.If you are used to zooms there will be a little bit of an adjustment period. You will feel limited at first and then you will adapt your technique to exploit the most from this lens. I love it and highly recommend it. The price is great and the image quality for the most part is impressive.I also own the 50mm 1.8. I don't find that focal length very useful. (Because I don't do a lot of portraits) I always feel boxed in. 35mm is a lot better focal length for me.
This lens is a good value if you're looking for a 50mm equivalent (actually 56) for your 1.6 crop-factor dSLR (30D, 20D, XT, XTi).The design is a bit dated, and it suffers from slow and noisy autofocus, and pretty bad ghosting.  But, this is the lens that lives on my camera the most.Especially great for low-light conditions!
I purchased this lens mostly because I shoot a 1.6 crop sensor and the 50mm on that crop is a bit too telephoto for most indoor situations.I didn't have the cash to shell out for the L-series version of this lens, but figured the f/2 would be fast enough for me. It is fast enough when the light is good, but this lens really struggles in low-light situations. It is also very soft until about f/4, effectively making it no more useful than the kit lens that comes with the newer Rebel series cameras at 35mm.Were Canon to update this lens with a f/1.8 and USM, it'd buy it again, but until then, this is pretty much a lens to pass on.
EDIT: I just took the lens for a test drive out in the front yard and posted the pictures in the customer image galleries. I'm really impressed with this lens. It has really nice bokeh and is versatile enough for macro-ish photography. It *is* really noisy and it does vibrate a little bit, but you get used to it. It does have a bit of difficulty focusing properly sometimes, but you can just use manual focusing to fine-tune. The colors and sharpness that it picks up are quite amazing for the price of the lens, and I can't recommend it enough!EDIT #2: Having had this lens for a good while, now, it has become my walk-around lens of choice. The focus is sharp, the rest is pleasantly smooth and the bokeh is breathtaking. I do tend to focus manually, though, not because of the noise but because of how incredibly annoying it is when the lens just won't focus properly (which is quite frequent, it just doesn't know what it wants to do).---------------------------------------------------Original:As a newbie photography enthusiast, my first lens was the kit 18-55mm, which I quickly outgrew. Then I decided I wanted a very versatile lens that would have outstanding low light performance without breaking the bank, and I got myself a Canon f1.4 nifty fifty. Recently, though, I started wanting a wide angle lens, and after looking at several lenses, I decided to purchase this one because the 35mm is pretty standard and the lens is pretty cheap compared to other alternatives.I received the lens today and I felt compelled to write this review because the lens is bloody noisy. While the 50mm is very silent and focuses really quickly, this one has a bit of trouble focusing sometimes and it grinds really loudly all the way. I compared it to the kit lens, which is also louder than the nifty fifty, and this one is not only louder, but more obnoxious. The kit lens has a soft, but noticeable whirring sound, whereas the 35 makes this loud, obnoxious, grinding sound that startles me whenever I decide to start taking pictures. I'd say I'm spoiled by the USM in the 50, but even my dog got startled when I tried taking photos of her. So maybe both of us have been spoiled by the 50, I dunno. Just be mindful that the lens' noise is very likely to distract your subject.You've been warned.Now, on to the good stuff! The lens is tiny and light! What this means is that while you're moving around to get that awesome picture, you won't be bothered or weighed down by the camera at all. Another pro is, compared to the 50, you can actually use it indoors with ease! This is because you're not zoomed in on anyone's business. Also, from the few photos I've taken so far, it looks like the image is pretty crisp and clear, and it does a good job with low light situations. Since I got it today I haven't played too much with it, but it looks like it may produce some nice bokeh as well.As far as the wide angle is concerned, it is noticeable when compared to a standard lens, but it is very subtle.One small detail that caught me off guard at first (and keeps catching me off guard) is that, as opposed to the 50, you cannot do any manual focusing while the AF is switched on. You can roll the focusing ring as much as you want but it won't do anything. This is also different from the kit lens, which prevents you from moving the focusing ring when the AF is switched on.Now, please do take this review with a grain of salt because I haven't tested the lens thoroughly yet (though I plan on updating it once I test the lens good). I just felt compelled to warn you that this thing is loud. If that matters to you, then you might want to spend a bit more on another lens with a quieter motor -or you can just focus manually. If it doesn't, then this lens is pretty good and well worth the price!
I bought this as my standard lens in 2007. I use it always with the EW-65 II lens hood I had to purchase separately.  It is small and light. The quality at f/2 is acceptable - if you happen to hit the focus - see below. It takes very good pictures once  you stop it down to f/4. The corners are good, too, at least on APS-C.  With the lens hood, I have not had many problems with flare or ghost light. With a minimum focusing distance of 25 cm, the lens is great for close-ups. I shoot RAW and correct the modest amount of vignetting (when wide open) and the minimal distortion using the lens profile in Lightroom (or Digital Photo Professional), if necessary. Sometimes vignetting is even desirable!Shooting wide open the depth of field is small and the quality of many shots is compromised due to the focusing errors of the combination of this lens and my cheap Canon DSLR bodies (400D, 1000D).Once I shot only two pictures of a family gathering - on a good tripod, with self-timer!  And found both of them practically useless the next day because the focus was not on the people - the autofocus missed both times. In low light, the focusing speed and accuracy is dramatically improved with the red focusing light (projecting a grid) on an external Speedlite flash (430 EX in my case).  The white focusing light in the built-in flash is very annoying and does not help that much.  If you shoot wide open, use the Live View if possible - it is practically completely accurate at focusing, even if it is slower.P.S. October 31, 2013:The price of the new version of this lens- with built in Image Stabilization, USM,  and improved optics - was ridiculously high, but is falling.
This is a great lens. Every photographer should have this lens in their kit. I've spent the last few days shooting pictures of almost everything I see and I am blown away by the quality of the pictures - sharp with excellent colors. The lens is very fast and can take pictures in low light conditions that give even Canon's IS lens difficulty - certainly when you consider the cheap price of this lens versus some of the other Canon offerings.The few inconsequential negatives is the focusing mechanism is slow and noisy (old style) but strangely charming. It certainly *sounds* like an SLR lens unlike the newer USM models that are very quiet. And sometimes it has trouble focusing but in my experience it does well the vast majority of the time. Finally, you cannot manually focus while autofocus is engaged.I am pretty sure this will be my standard walk around lens for the majority of the time.
No doubt about it, Canon's 35 f/2 is a fantastic little prime, especially considering the design's from a quarter century ago. It's still my go-to lens for no-flash indoor photography, or any situation involving a shallow depth of field. Its focal length is great for full-frame and crop cameras alike. The focus ring's a little lackluster, but what do you expect for the price?Unfortunately, I've started to cheat on this lens occasionally with my new 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake. Sure, the 40 isn't quite as fast, and the field of view is a little narrower. But it's very quiet compared to the 35's ridiculously loud zoom motor, and it's much more compact.Canon should consider doing a direct update of this lens. As DSLRs evolve to shoot video and be smaller, it's important that one of Canon's most-used lenses keep up.
Every great image has two things in common...a good photographer and even better glass.  This lens has been a beautiful addition to my collection.  With one exception, It's been the only lens on my body since I got it and I've taken about 250 shots with it since getting in on the 11th.  I've used it wide open and haven't experienced the softness issues other reviewers have mentioned.  I also have a Nifty 50 and my primes are rapidly becoming my favorite.  I particularly like how the fixed focal length requires me to really move and often get creative in order to get that perfect shot.  I will likely be adding the 40mm prime to my collection as well as a few others, I just like them THAT much!
I picked up this little beauty to use as a normal prime on my EOS 40D and as a moderate wide angle on my 5D Mark II.  Overall, image quality is fantastic.  A lot of people complain about the older style AF system but I didn't find the noise too bad.  Yes, you'll hear it but it's not nearly as bad as some reveiws indicate. The only time I really noticed it was when focus went from infinity to the minimum distance or vice versa. Here's a list of my pros and cons:Pros:compact and light weightlarge aperture and sharp wide openquick and accurate focusrelatively low costCons:5 bladed aperature means pentagon shaped highlights in out of focus areasNo USM focus means no full time manual overrideOverall, I liked the lens but ended up preferring the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM lens instead because I prefered the full time manual focus and it fit my lens lineup better. If Canon were to update this lens to a USM model it would be a hard to pass up. Even now, though, you get 90% of what the 35mm f/1.4L does at a fraction of the price.
For a $300+ lens, this is way over priced. There are only 5 aperture blades (not so great bokeh) and the focussing mechanism is not smooth at all. Compare this to the Nikon 35mm AF-S. The Nikon has 7 blades and much smoother AF. I have recently switched to Canon and now I am regretting the move because the canon lenses are in short supply (artificial shortage?) and very over priced. Next body upgrade I am going back to Nikon (yes even with the quality issues).The good fast canon lens is the 28mm f1.8 but its priced at $450 (although thats full frame compatible). One star off for the image quality and 1 star for the high price.
This is the lens that is on my camera the most. I am not a pro but I shoot a lot of good quality photos. Works great inside and out, good low light capabilities.
I purchased this lens because if a bid i placed for a photography job that required me to do group shots. This was a winner.. the images it produced were clear and beautiful. My customer was so happy i got the contract for their event next year.. thanks canon..
I bought this lens thinking I could match, or surpass the sharpness resolution and contrast range that I get with my 50mm 1.8. Unfortunately I was not as surprised with this lens as I was with the $80.00 50mm. Although this lens is extremely sharp, it is by no means sharper than the 50mm. What really dissapointed me is the contrast. Using my canon 30D, I had to turn up the contrast a few notches just so my pictures would not  come out with that pastel look. Even then, allot of my scenic shots were not as saturated as I had hoped even with a lens-hood and polarizer, although these last two items did help a little. For close up indoor/outdoor shots, this is were this lens outshined some of my more expensive lenses. Pictures came out, sharp, crisp and yes well saturated. For an everyday walk-around lens which gives you true 50mm perspective with todays 1.6X cropping factors, this lens is not bad for the money. However, I would not recomend it for "scenic" shots unless you like working with Photoshop.
I love this lens! Nice sharp images. Light weight. Easy to carry around. Great for group shots or weddings. Thanks
I ended up returning this item due to the extreme noise the focusing motor makes while trying to lock focus. When I say loud, I mean loud. Sure, I get this lens is only a couple hundred bucks but I would still never expect to have that annoying of a focus motor sound. Also, the quality was just not there. We took many different photos in different lighting conditions and nothing really wow'd us. Even at an f2 aperture, there was not much separation in terms of depth of field.
This lens is very versatile- I've been using it as my primary for a few months now. I've taken it on hiking trips and it's proven to be excellent in all light conditions. The auto focus is a bit noisy and seems to have a hard time focusing when there are multiple focus points, so I keep it on manual focus 98% of the time.
If you can't afford top of the line wide angle lenses, this one will get you by with a full frame camera till you afford to buy a better one.
I went a head and got this lens after I found my self not having enough space to shoot my son with the 50. You don't always have that extra step or two to move back.I've been presently surprised this far. Besides having more room to operate, the lens is quite sharp and colors vibrant. I have the 17-55mm too but for those who have it too you know how heavy that guy is.I can see myself leaving the 35mm on the camera a good amount of time.
I have this on my camera almost ALL the time now, it is my go to prime.  I had the 50 mm, I hated it, I mean I loved the photos but I was always too close and indoors forget it I couldn't get anything more than a persons face in the frame.  Beautiful bokeh, I'll leave the tech reviews to the experts.
I've started using this lens as a &#34;walk around&#34; lens on my crop sensor camera (Canon xTi) which makes it closer to a 50mm focal length.  I like this lens but I find that the noise the camera makes when focusing is kind of loud.  In addition, I noticed vignetting wide open on the xTi.  I don't mind the vignetting so much but I can imagine this may be a deal breaker for some (I haven't tried this on my 5d mark II to see how dramatic it may be on a full frame).  However, at the price I paid for this lens, I'm willing to overlook these issues.
I've had this lens since November 2005 and I've taken thousands of pictures with it using a Canon EOS 3, Rebel XT and lately a Canon 40D.  It's plastic and has an old induction focus motor but these are sometimes advantages.  Plastic is light, and although the focus motor sounds like a zipper, it works great.I have a lot of Canon lenses.  Right now I use the 17-55mm for general photography as well as a 70-200 zoom.  The zooms are great when I don't know in advance what I'll be shooting.But mostly I photograph people--family, sports, activities, anything my family does which is worth remembering.  My favorite photos have always been with fixed focal length lenses, including this 35mm f/2.  Sometimes the simplicity of a fixed lens makes the shot easier to get, and the primes almost always give sharp results.Indoors using the 40D (a crop camera) I've found this lens more useful than the 50mm f/1.4.So, thumbs up!  And if you're just getting started and want to add something to your kit lens get this lens.
I seldom post reviews but this lens deserves one so here goes.  Over the years I have owned several good Canon lenses, including two L Series; and this lens is best of the lot.  Based on my experience with this lens, some of the reviewers who are less than enthusiastic about it must have received a dud because this is a great little lens - as sharp as you could ever want and the colors it produces are vivid in the true meaning of the word. The added bonus from this little charmer is its weight. On my 30D it feels like there is a feather out there in front. If you're looking for a sharp walkaround lens, you could hardly do better at twice the price!
Crisp clear pictures and small and compact.  She bought a zoom lens she had been drooling over for months.  I got her this because she wanted it too. and she liked it better.
I use this entirely for DSLR video and I love it! It's very sharp and colors look amazing. It gets kind of soft when it's wide open, but I would still prefer it over the Canon 16-35 any day! It obviously can't get as wide as the 16-35, but when comparing both at 35mm, I love the look of this prime lens way more than the $1000+ 16-35 lens. I don't see myself ever using the 16-35 again...not unless I need a super wide shot.
This lens is the best for Food and Electronic Gadget Photography. Especially on cropped camera, the distance became standard, it is very easy to take food dishes in low light situation without stand up, backwards, or lean toward to the food. It is also perfect for taking picture for your electronic gadgets and personal wears such as cellphone, portable game console, portable music players, headphones, watches, cameras, video cameras, jewelries, craft, and anything you can set on table.Before I purchase this lens, I have heard many reviews that said the motor of this lens is very noisy. After I tried it, I found it was totally fine. It does make some funny high pitch sound, but it doesn't sound very bad and very loud. I think it is totally acceptable.To my point of view. The build body is much better than EF 50mm f/1.8, and just a little bit weaker than EF 28mm f/1.8 USM. This lens can offer more vivid color than EF 28mm f/1.8 USM. I own them both. If you are considering to get either 28mm or 35mm, I think this 35mm is your better choice because it is cheaper, lighter, and does better jobs.Oeverall, EF 35mm F/2 is a great lens. It is very tiny, very light, very inexpensive, and does great jobs. I think this is the must have lens if you own any Canon DSLR.
this product is noisy and the angle is not as wide at the stock lens that came with the camera. I am not an expert photographer and I could not see the benefit of using this lens. canon ti83
Great image quality, the only cons are focusing in low light, and noise(loud). I found the 50mm f1.8 is a little better at focusing in low light without the flash.With that said, you can adapt to the slow focus the more you use it and still get great shots. Great color and contrast.
I'd look for a while for this lens. To be honest i would say that i was a little disappointed for the noise but the images quality is excellent!
I originally bought this lens because a 35mm is the closest you can get to a 50mm full frame equivalent on a Cannon Rebel T3i. I mainly use my camera for portrait work. I also have a Cannon EF50 F/1.4 USM and I have to say that I still like shooting with the 50mm better. The lens is noisier, colors don't seem as bright, distortion is higher, and auto focus is slower. It just seems over-priced for what it is. It's still good for those situations where you want a particular shot and don't have the space, but I probably would have been better off putting the money I spend back in my pocket and started saving for an L-Series lens.
Have had this lens for about 2 weeks and am quite happy with it. I bought it primarily for its low-light capabilities and it hasn't disappointed me. Bokeh is very pretty. Images are clear, but I am using it on a camera with a cropped sensor (Canon 40D). I've read reviews from those who've used it on cameras with full size sensors and experienced some softness at the edges of their images but apparently this is not big issue with cropped sensor cameras.With a cropped sensor this lens becomes a 56mm lens. It's an ideal focal length because the way it renders perspective is similar to how the human eye sees it. If I need to get closer to or further from the subject, I just use my feet to "zoom" in and out. It's perfect for taking group shots of folks in an average-sized room.Physically, the lens is small but does not feel flimsy. It felt a bit "stiff" when attaching it to the camera, which I was not expecting. I just had to turn it a bit harder than expected and everything was fine. I also purchased a step-up ring with the lens so I could use my 58mm filters on it.It definitely sounds like a mosquito when focusing. But you get used to it.True to other reports I'd read the images are lacking somewhat in contrast and saturation. If your camera has custom user settings you should be able to correct these shortcomings in-camera by creating a setting for this lens. Otherwise, there may be some minor post-processing work you'll need to do.For the money, this is not a bad little lens.
I bought this for my T3i after getting frustrated with the 50mm feeling too "zoomed in" at times.  The viewing angle on this thing feels perfect, but without too much bulging distortion.  I was leery of the price tag in comparison to the 50mm f/1.8, but this one is much higher quality than the 50mm.  The focus gear disengages when it's in AF mode, so that you don't accidentally strip the gears.  The focus gear is also large and REALLY smooth (both great things for video).  It's nice and sharp and works well in the dark too, just like the 50mm!
This product has a good number of excellent reviews that give you a general idea of what is good about this lens... so I'll be brief.Reasons I love it:* Very quick to focus* Sharp* Useful in full body portraits to head-shots (on a 1.6x DSLR like a Rebel/450D)* Great low-light lens (I use it all the time in clubs)* Very light weight* Useful focus window (unlike the Rebel XSI/XS/T1i's kit 18-55mm IS lens)* "EF" (Useful on full frame, and "crop" frame sensor camera's... so I'll be keeping it as I upgrade)* Solid build quality (metal lens mount, light, but has a good "solid" heft to it)* About equivalent to a 50mm lens on a full frame sensor or 35mm format camera.* Good "carry around" lens (Light, unobtrusive, small, good focal length, very useful aperature)* Shallow depth of field at f/2, great for soft backgroundsThings that I noticed (which bring it down to "great" and not "amazing"):* My lens tends to over-expose images from what the meter says (add a little -EV and you're golden. On the plus side of this, you get a brighter picture in the dark than you were expecting)* Focus ring is very thin and "plastic-y" (works good though)* No manual over-ride when in AF mode (not that big a deal)* Colors are a little muted for my taste (bumping the saturation up, or post processing clears this right up)* f/2 is shallow... very shallow (good focus is a must at this aperture)* Background "Bokeh" reflects 5 sides of the aperture blades* AF is noisy (in comparison to HSM lenses)At it's price, I have no problem recommending it to anybody who's thinking about buying one. It's an EXCELLENT lens for the money, and much better build quality than the Canon 50mm f/1.8 "fantastic plastic" (as can be seen in the increase in cost, however). It produces better pictures, BY FAR, than the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 at an equivalent 35mm length.Yes, you should just buy it and be pleased!
if you are not a professional photographer, and I'm not, you will enjoy this lens. good luminosity and pretty decent angle.
Pro:Small, light, fast f2 (good enough for most low light), great IQ stop down, beats zooms hands down. (Just did some test under perfect light shooting grass and trees)Neutral:Build, MF, no hood included (as expected of course, thanks to Canon), AF fastCon:AF whiny, worse than my Tamron zoom and Sigma non-HSMs.Use this with 40D, don't know how good (or bad) it is on FF, but being around for this long, there must be a reason for Canon. Overall, I'd say it's not that different from Canon 100 f2, and maybe slightly better than my 50 f1.4 in resolution. Only the AF is a bit lacking. Great for crop sensor cameras.
I bought this lens because I was looking for something a bit wider than my beloved 50mm 1.8 to use with my Canon 30D.  I mostly take pictures of my children indoors, so wanted the extra width while still being a fast (and light) lens.  So far it has been great, the only complaint is that the autofocus is noisy and a bit slow which can sometimes mean missing a shot with fast-moving young children.  But honestly for the price it's pretty a pretty great lens.
It is the all around lens. If have to carry just one, this is the one. Wide enough for landscapes and perfect for portraits.If it were just a bit sharper, it would be the best canon for its versatility.
Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI bought this lens to use on my backup camera (Rebel XT) to give me a specific field of view and a wide angle F2 aperture. This lens works so well for me that I carry it in the bag at all times, to use on my 40D.IQ is very sharp with great color rendition. AF speed is average for a non 'L' lens but it does make a small amount of noise when it focuses. (Nothing even close to the amount of noise a Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 makes and I'd know as I used to own one.)If you need a 35mm prime and cannot afford the 'L' version then this is a great alternative. I highly recommend it.
(My original review--below this review--was based on using on Rebel XTi - cropped sensor.)This review is for the 35mm f2 witha 5D Mark 2, full-frame camera.The 5D Mark 2 offers such high resolution that I used only my good primes with it. Of those, the ones I use the most are the 35mm f2 and 50mm f1.4.The 35mm lens is the most versatile, as well as being sharp with great color.  If I want to zoom in more and did not get close enough, I crop.  With the razor sharpness of this lens and the 20+ megapixels, the result is still a very sharp image.  Although the 50mm takes beautiful images and is quieter, it sometimes isn't wide enough even with a full frame sensor.  (The bokeh with the 50mm f1.4 is also better if there are bright, small lights - more creamy and not pentagonal, but the 35mm f2.0 has beautiful out-of-focus effects.)As for portraits with a 35mm lens, I bought a book of photos by Alfred Eisenstadt.  Most of his famous candid portraits of Sophia Loren, Jacqueline Kennedy, etc in the book were taken with a 35mm lens.  They were all taken to exhibit them in situ, not tight head shots.  They were wonderful.  So don't rule out the 35mm for portraits.For indoor group shots and locations, it is just wide enough most times.  It is so small and light compared with zooms.  (I tried using the 28-135 IS lens but it is not as sharp as the 35mm, is heavier, and the aperture is smaller so not much bokeh if you want it.  So I sneaker-zoom or crop with this lens.)----------------------(This review is based on my usage on my Rebel XTi which is a cropped-sensor camera.)When we visited the Taos Pueblo, I read that you had to pay to use your camera inside the Pueblo and if you camera looked too professional, they might not let you use it at all.  So I decided to mount only one prime lens, and that was this 35mm.  It took amazing photos.I love the sharpness, color saturation, and contrast of this lens.  It shoots outdoor scenes, indoor scenes and small groups of people - low light or otherwise.Other pluses: it allows you to focus close - about 6 inches; it is small and lightweight; the focus is razor sharp; the color saturations and contrast are striking; on a cropped-sensor body like the Rebel XTi it is approx equiv to a 50mm on a film camera; this is an EF lens so you will be able to use it on a full-frame sensor.Minuses: the focus is noisy - not enough to wake up people, but noticeable in a quiet room; it is a small lens and so doesn't look impressive; it has a funny optional lens hood.
Okay. This lens is certainly not the sexiest lens out there. The design is rather old. And the build quality seems a little chintzy and almost toy-like. Image stabilization? Forget it! But that is where the negatives of this lens end. The positives certainly outweigh the negatives by a WIDE margin. For instance, resolution is GREAT. In fact, it is practically on a par with the excellent 50mm f/1.4 (which does not have the best focal length for a cropped sensor DSLR). We are talking about the kind of sharpness here that even an L-series zoom would be hard-pressed to match. And needless to say, a consumer-grade zoom will not even come close. In fact, the optical performance of even the 35mm f/1.4L is little to no better (and even worse in some areas). See for yourself on photozone.de. This lens is also a great performer in terms of contrast and color saturation - two areas where zooms tend to fall short. And let's not forget that this lens is a whole stop faster than even a good L-series zoom (and about TWO stops faster than a typical consumer zoom). Perhaps best of all? You can pick it up for a song - little more than the crappy kit zoom.So if you want a good standard-view lens for a cropped sensor DSLR, want excellent optical performance, but don't have much cash to spend, it just doesn't get much better than this. This lens just might also make you a little less bitter about the fact that the crop factor makes the 50mm f/1.4 less useful than you would like. It really IS that good.
I've had two copies of this lens.  The second copy is very sharp with no micro adjust on my 5D2, and it's also great on my T3i.
UPDATE 04/11/2013 - Use of Full-frame 5DII:-------------------------------------------I now have been using this lens on my full-frame 5D mark II for 6 months and have have some more observations/opinions about it. I was expecting this lens to show some image quality issues on the high-resolution sensor in 5D, like i noticed with 50mm/1.8 (nifty fifty), but i was surprised as it produced superb images with very high quality. It really surprised me. I went on a vacation to Florida recently and took all of my lenses (from 14mm ultrawide to 70-200/f4L) and after lugging different lenses to a beach and to Legoland (and having to change lenses just cause you have more), i decided to take only a single lens to Disney Animal Kingdom. I mounted this 35mm/f2 on my 5DII and took my point & shoot SX40HS for telephoto shots and that's it. The 35mm captures amazing shots and i never feel the need to have a different lens. It proved to be the perfect walk-around lens.This lens rules indoors where my 24-105/f4L even with IS falls short. I find myself using this lens for all my indoor shots (kids in the house). If i had to live with just one lens, this would be it. Also i considered "upgrading" to the 35/1.4L or the new Sigma 35/1.4 but looking at the quality of photos this lens produces; i am not sold that spending 3 times as much would give me much improvement in quality. I love this lens, i have gifted a copy of it to my brother as well and he is very happy with it as well.Also I have changed my mind for crop-sensor users: Get this over the 50/1.8 or 40/2.8 - i believe this is the best of these lenses you could have.-----------------------------------------ORIGINAL REVIEW:This should be your 2nd lens right after you have used a 50mm 1.8 for a while. It provides wider coverage and is fast enough to handle indoor shots hand-held easily. It is a pretty old design - Canon never improved or revised it - thus all the complains you hear about noisy auto-focus etc. True, its noisy, especially if you got used to the ring-USM motors on the likes of 85/1.8 or 60/2.8 but as one reviewer said, the focusing motor noise does not show up in your photos :) And photos it produced are very high quality. This would be a no-brainer to get after 50/1.8 if Canon has not raised the prices. 300-350 is a bit too much for such an old lens. somewhere around 200-250 would be best. But as there are very few other alternate (and all more expensive than this), it is worth getting if you need a Prime in this focal length. I personally only use primes: 85/1.8, 60/2.8, and this 35/2 got me covered for most situations. There are times when i thought about replacing the 60 with a 50 but that 60/2.8 Macro is such a sharp lens that i'd hate to part with it.
using this on my canon t2i. video looks amazing, takes great stills. I use this lens all the time. pretty close to a true 50mm on the t2i with the cropped sensor
The Chromatic Aberration (purple fringing on bright objects) with this lens is just awful. Stop your lens down to f2 and take a photo of a brightly lit chrome faucet. Look closer. See it? Try stopping down to f5.6 or even f11. Sure it gets a little better, but it's still there.This lens is frustrating! I'm selling mine!
This lens takes great indoor/low light pictures.  I have read many reviews which stated the lens would not mount correctly to their camera and I am happy to say I have not had those problems mounting to my rebel t3i.  I have not put my factory 18-55mm lens the camera came with back on since this one arrived.  This lens is a good value.  It has a reasonably quick focus and the f/2 aperture is wonderful.
I actually like this a lot better than the highly revered 50mm 1.8. The main reason for me liking this one over the 50mm is the because of the focal length on the croped sensor DSLR's. This seems to be a much better walk around lens for candid shots. The 50mm is a little too tight for me, but it is great for portraits. I plan on putting this little guy to good use. Yes the focusing is loud...very loud, but it gets the job done. And for the price I think next to the 50mm then this is Canons second best budget lens. I never thought I would choose a prime as my go to lens. I thought I always wanted something that varies in focal length, and sometimes that may be true, but more times than not, this is my go to lens.
I have used this lens for a while since I can't afford the 1.4L version.  It is a little noisy, but not as bad as some say.  People make it sound like it's an X-1 breaking the sound barrier when it focuses, for goodness sakes.  It takes clean, sharp images and the focal length is great.
Not sure how I feel about having this lens as it so heavy compared to the Nifty Fifty by Canon. Perhaps if I never bought a lens that is lighter in weight...Someone suggested that it could be the difference between plastic or glass lens.
I upgraded to this lens from the 50mm f/1.8 because I'm often shooting portraits in situations where 50mm is just too far away. This lens compensates for space perfectly and gives a downright stunning, crisp image. I will confirm from all of the other reviews that the autofocus is loud, but it's not a concern for me, and if it is, the manual focus works just fine.
I don't often need a wide-angle lens, but I wanted a prime lens for the image quality. The EF 35mm f/2 is really good for the price. On mine, the bayonet-style mount is very tight. Perhaps this is because it's brand-new.The f/2 aperture renders good depth of field and decent bokeh. Can't complain for what I paid for it.I recommend it.
This lens is small and fast, producing crisp, pleasing images at most apertures, but focusing poorly in low-light, and being unusually noisy.Important to note: on cropped-sensor cameras like the Canon Rebels and 40/D50D (check Wikipedia for "APS-C" and for "Crop Factor" for details), the 1.6x crop-factor means this lens is effectively a 56mm.  That amount of telephoto is slight enough to get decent candid photos, but still had me backing away to get a whole person into the shot.In brighter lighting, this lens focuses quickly (but noisily), but its lack of USM is most apparent when it focus-hunts horribly and slowly in even modestly low-light, attached to myCanon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens.I have trouble judging exactly where the expected blur of large aperture ends and lens softness start, but images seemed consistent through the whole frame, somewhat soft at the fully open f/2, reasonably crisp by f/2.5.  The bokeh is pleasing and consistent.I found this lens slightly noisier, but not quite as sharp as the cheaperCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, however its 35mm focal length is much more useful (than 50mm) with a cropped sensor.The image quality seemed just as sharp as the more expensiveCanon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, producing slightly cooler colors than that lens.  The USM motor of that 28mm lens is much quieter and faster than this 35mm.It may just be this copy, but this lens is the first of 5  I've tried on my T1i that seems to fit "poorly"-- it feels too "tight" and is difficult to turn/lock into place.  No other EF or EF-S lenses I've tried have done that, so it seems to be the lens.  All product lines have the occasional manufacturing error, though, so I don't dock a star for that (but I do for the focus-hunting).I really like this lens, it's solid, small, lightweight, and a reasonably effective focal-length.  Sadly, I was looking for a large aperture prime to use in clubs/restaurants, which makes the slow focus-hunting in low-light a deal breaker.For the price, this is a very nice lens.  Recommended for daylight/outdoor use.
I have found this to be one of my better non-L lens.  Very sharp, very clean, very useful.  I found myself using this more than my 50mm F/1.4
I bought this lens because i got a steal on it through craigslist. I only paid 150 for it and it was mint. I love the lens so much i can't even explain it. I usually have a 50mm 1.8 on my Canon T1i on all times but sometimes when im indoors i would like a bit wider view of things, or i don't want to back up all the way to the end of the room to take a picture. I have been wanting a 35mm F2 for a while and as soon as i saw this i bought it no regrets at all. Last saturday family was driving on the Las Vegas Strip. I was out the window shooting away at the hotels and such no problem. Iso set at 800, shutter speed set to 100-200(manual shooting) and aperture at F2. Crips pictures all the way. pictures on my flickr Username: PjurisprudenciaI took so many amazing pictures none were blurred, dark, overexposed at all. It had enough range for me to fit all the buildings and such that i wanted to get.
The EF 35 2.0 is considered semi-wide lens (63 degrees) on full frame cameras, e.g., 6D, and normal on APS-C, e.g., Rebel SL1. I find it ideal on my 6D for family snapshots and walking around the neighborhood. Sixty-three degrees is perfect for showing a subject in its natural environment.This is a petite lens, measuring in at 42.5mm length and 210g. It takes 52 mm filters. The barrel plastics feel sturdy and solid, besting the EF 50 1.8 build by a couple levels. The mount is beefy chrome plated brass. A hood isn't included but the clip-on EW-65 II lens hood is available as an accessory. The original hood, EW-65, is the same as the EW-65 II but uses flat black paint on the interior rim instead of rayon flocking.Although AF is driven by an AFD motor, it focuses fast due to the tiny extension needed for a 35mm lens. It is not silent but produces a pianssimo buzz or "sheeet" sound. No rotation of the front element, but it moves slightly during focusing. The manual focusing ring is small and reasonably smooth, but a little coarse in pitch. I find the distance window clear and easy to read and very handy for manual pre-focus. For hyperfocus shooters, there are DOF markings for F11 and 22.I've used this lens on a wide variety of cameras--EOS A2, Elan 7E, 3, 40D, 50D, 7D, 5D, 5D MKII and 6D--and in decent light AF was sure-footed and fast. Unfortunately, it struggles to focus in dim light. My EF 24-105 4L IS USM, a two stop slower lens, focuses fine in the same light. The best workaround for low light AF problems was to use the center AF point (most sensitive point) and lock on areas of contrast, e.g., eyebrow rather than forehead.The EF 35 2.0 is a sharp lens, sharper than the 35mm end of most Canon zooms. However, sharpness is not even across the frame. Wide open and focused a couple meters out, the center is extremely sharp but towards the edges my copy is slightly softer. The difference is small but noticeable in poster sized prints if viewed at close range. Once stopped down, the edges sharpen up and things even out. However, close focus--25cm--is not as sharp as normal to infinity. Obviously this is not a macro lens and is designed for best performance at normal distances.With only 7 elements, there is virtually no flare, ghosting or loss of light. However, it does suffer from a wee bit of purple fringe on borders of overexposed highlights or branches against strong backlighting. Nothing major and easily removed in Aperture or Lightroom with a few clicks.Why use the tiny EF 35 2.0 when zooms are available and excellent? For me, it's mostly about simplicity: too many focal length choices get in the way of my subject. Plus, I find the field of view of a single focal length easy to pre-visualize, allowing me to work quickly. This lens is easy to take pictures with due to its natural perspective and ease of handling. These qualities make it an ideal "walk around" lens. The fast aperture makes for bright viewfinders, a great feature if you shoot in dark interiors or twilight. Finally, with its ultra fast F2.0 aperture, you can take a picture in nearly any available light situation, especially if you're willing to pick contrasty targets to lock AF.
Though this lens is an older mecanical design without the ultrasonic motor for virtually instant, silent focus, it more than makes up for any supposed shortcomings with superb optical performance. Even wide open, it will perform on par or in many cases out resolve lenses costing considerably more, and all this at a price less than even independantly manufactured lenses that have a more modern, robust construction.Other factors in its favor are its small size and light weight, both due to the construction materials ( mostly plastic ) and an older focusing motor. Though nowhere near as well made and glamourous as an 'L' lens, the primary reason to purchase this lens is a need for its angle of view and image resolving power, and here it rates a solid "10", or 5 stars. Little matters more than that.
Used on Canon EOS 7D.  A really good lens for anything requiring this focal length.  35mm gives a really immersive look to your pictures since the field compression is similar to human vision.  It is also a little wider than the 50mm focal length, which can be a little too tight for many occasions.  This lens also happens to be sharp at f/2.0 and possibly hits the camera sensor's limit at f/5.6 -f/8.  Corners aren't anything to write home about, but who really checks out corners anyways?  This lens is also very light, making it less prohibitive to carry around.  It is a little heavier than the 50 f/1.8, and possibly lighter than the 18-55 IS kit lens.  Focus ring is fairly tight and smoothish.  This lens takes a bit more torque to attach to the body than any of my other lenses, but I guess that eliminated any play.  Other things to note, as others have said, autofocus is a bit noisy.  Doesn't matter, your shutter makes more noise.  Maybe an issue if shooting in live view mode to capture wide angle spy shots, but who spies with a 35?  Lens vignettes at larger apertures, deal with it, this lens is cheap and the vignetting adds to the picture in my opinion.Word on the street is that this isn't very good on a full frame, I'd believe it.  Less than perfect corners on a crop body?  Probably exaggerated on a full frame.
I returned this lens after comparing it to my Canon 24-105.It wasn't as good, in the center or the corners.
I bought this lens because I wanted a good, fast prime lens for indoor use on my 50D.  I also own the EF 50mm f/1.4 which I love, but indoors I find it less useful due to the crop frame sensor of the 50D.I knew I wanted something in the wide angle range (due to the 1.6x crop frame of the camera) so I looked at the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM and the EF 35mm f/2.0.  Based on reviews here at Amazon as well as outside websites I decided to go with the 35mm f/2.0 because the 28mm seems to have consistently negative reviews.  I was also able to pick up this 35mm for about $130 less than the 28mm so it seemed to be a better investment.I have now had the 35mm for about 1 month and taken over 300 photos with it on my camera.  All in all I am happy with the lens and it has been on my camera nearly the whole time I have owned it.  The images are sharp and the color is good.  This is a fast lens and you can get some great bokeh when you open it up wide which is nice when you want to get creative with your photos.However, I am more than frustrated with the auto focusing with this lens.  It does not seem to want to focus on the subject of the frame, many images end up out of focus if I let the camera do all of the work.  When left to its own devices, many times this lens will not produce images that are in focus, or at east not what you wanted in focus.The only way I can get the great photos that this lens is capable of is when I take control of the focusing points and select exactly what I want in focus for each shot.  This is not overly difficult and I am used to it because I am generally selecting the desired auto focus point for each shot, but this lens seems to be abnormally challenged at focusing on the desired subject on its own.This has been a major disappointment because unfortunately I know that when someone else (who is not familiar with how to use the camera) picks it up it is 50/50 whether the photo turns out, especially in low light situations.I feel that this is a problem if you are looking at this lens to be a good all around indoor prime for candids and family shots and especially if you want to be in some of the photos.This is a good lens if you are familiar with how to use the auto focus selectivity features of your camera.  The image quality is good, similar to the 50mm f/1.4, and definately better than any kit lens you may have, but don't expect to put this lens on your camera and never have to learn how to really use it on your camera.
Well a lot of gloom and doomers are saying this thing is destined to break.  Whatever.  It's been said about all Canon lenses i guess.  Mine's been on my Rebel since the day it got here about a month ago.  Most people won't notice that the motor is noisy.  There is absolutely no issue with back-focusing.  This is my third lens for my Canon.  I started about six years ago with Canon after finally changing to digital after decades of film shooting.  My 24-105 L lens has been rock solid.  The 50mm 1.4 I've had for four years has never failed me and focuses perfectly in all circumstances.  I'm not saying other's complaints about durability and focus problems are wrong, but I have been totally satisfied.  The 35mm lens is perfect for shooting around the house with the 1.6 crop factor that the sensor of the Rebel causes.  It's small and light and fast.  I've been capturing spectacular candids of the kids which I'll treasure for the rest of my life.Update 1/4/13:  the lens is still in mint condition after 2 years and hundreds of pictures of use.  I love the glass.  Great portrait lens with warm color.  Pay attention to crop factor- it's barely wide enough for candid shots at close range.
When I picked up this lens I was amazed at how sharp it was. I own a 85 1.8 and a 50 2.5 and this is sharper than either of these. Colors and contrast are good, but not amazing. My only real complaint with this lens is that the build quality (perhaps only on my copy) was below what I have come to expect from Canon lenses. The focus ring is not super tight, moves up and down perhaps .5mm. And the lens mount is not very crisp, it feels as if it rubs into position and is slightly hesitant to lock. For the money though, 5 stars.
I began my photo adventures with a Canon 50mm 1.4 on a 30D, followed by a Canon 10-22 and a Canon 70-200 f4, all of them great, but I felt I was missing the "normal" focal length (50mm on 35mm film or digital full frame); the options were a zoom that covered the range (such asTamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras), theCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras, which was way out of my budget, a prime such as this Canon 35mm f2 or wilder options such as theZeiss Ikon 35mm f/2 Distagon T* ZE Manual Focus Standard Lens for Canon EOS SLR Camerasor theCanon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Camerasboth for a considerable price. After much thought I got this lens and love it: It's physically small, the autofocus is not USM so it buzzes a little (but nothing to worry about, it's not  a huge noise or anything like that) but works very well and you can get good shots wide open at f2; By the time I had finally made up my mind its price went from about $260 to $320... But it's still worth it. Some alternatives from Sigma looked interesting but they have a bad reputation for quality control and I just couldn't take the risk... It's unfortunate they haven't thought of offering an international warranty (I checked locally).I also got theCanon EW65II Lens Hood for Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 & EF 35mm f/2 SLR Lenses, which snaps into place and can be mounted in a reversible manner, and will also get a transparent/UV filter for protection (it's always better to shoot without filters unless they are for special effects such as a polarizer, but it gives me greater peace of mind and I try to take it off if possible). If you're still on the fence I would highly recommend it.
Very old lens, but very excellent for my 5D.It is a little bit regret the USM edition is so expensive.The sound of the motor is kind of annoying.And the auto focus is not easy to get to the right point.But, overall, these don't really matter.The picture looks very good. That's the most important point!One more point: Use F2.8 instead of F2 to avoid the dark corner.
This lens is great. It's my first venture into more expensive glass - yes, I know there's much better and much more expensive glass than this - and it turns out great color and excellent detail every time.
Pros:* compact travel-friendly* consistent photo quality that one comes to expect from Canon lenses* ideal focal length when photos taken in smaller spaces* reasonable performer in low light compared to Canon kit lens (18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS)Cons:* not wide enough for group shots that include large backdropsDetailed Comments:I needed a lens with a reasonably wide focal length that would also perform will in low light.  I also own the Canon 50mm f/1.8 .  This lens complements the 50mm lens in that it gives you a wider angle so you can shoot in tighter quarters (ie. a living room where you only have a few feet between you and your photo subject).This is not a replacement for the 50mm because the difference in focal length does indeed change the characteristics of the photo. This did, however, effectively replace my kit lens (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS).  The kit lens does not perform adequately in low light situations.  This is where the 35mm excels.I always found myself struggling at events such as evening dinners or get-togethers at restaurants and homes.  The light would be too low for the kit lens so I would switch to the 50mm.  I could get clean, crisp shots with the 50mm, but the focal length either forced me to stand far away from subject (usually this was impossible in a standard sized room) or the photo subject would take up the entire frame thus limiting my composition options.The 35mm solved this problem as the focal length hits the sweet spot.  I can now stand at a reasonable distance from my photo subject and snap a picture with nearly complete composition freedom.The trade off is that 35mm is not quite wide enough for group shots or panoramic landscape shots.  Particularly wide group shots that take in a large backdrop are tricky (ie. 3 - 5 friends standing in front of the Grand Canyon or Golden Gate Bridge).  This is where the wider side of the kit lens excels.  I've simply settled to forgo these shots with my dslr and instead revert to a point-and-shoot.  Of course if the situation was of great importance, I'd bring my kit lens along and swap out as needed.I highly recommend this lens to amateur photographers like me who have experience with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and are looking for something a bit wider.
Lens is small and light and gives you a classic 50mm type of view.  It is VERY sharp at wide open.
I just got this lens a couple days ago, and so far I love the results  I'm getting. I have a Canon Digital Rebel T1i and was upgrading my lens from the kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8. Being that I don't have a full frame camera, I love that this lens is giving me a 56mm perspective. I don't see myself taking this lens off my camera anytime soon. Upgrading from the lenses I did, the quality of my pictures seem better with this 35mm lens. It has great bokeh with the f/2, and the sound of it focusing isn't that bad. Definitely not any louder then my plastic fantastic 50mm f/1.8. The construction seems good and sturdy.If you're contemplating buying this lens, and you're on a budget...just stop and buy this one!
While this lens is not perfect, it is lightweight and does a fairly good job. Using it on a Canon 5D, it takes good landscape and architectural images. Its size is amazing in its compactness and lightness. It is fairly sharp from edge to edge and has distance indicators meaning one can set the lens to manual and use it with preset hyperfocal distance. The lens itself is noisy and without USM, it is not as smooth in focusing as a more expensive lens. But for the price, it is highly recommended for those days when carrying a heavier lens just is not an option.
I'm more of a casual photographer but I knew that I needed a lens to help me take indoor event photographs that weren't blurry, and to add some artistic flair to my photography.  This is just the lens to do it, as I build up my lens collection.  I love the possibilities.  Next up for me is the 85mm f/1.8 lens and then I think I'll be set for a while on lenses!
This is an excellent lens.  Sharp at f/2 and even better stopped down a bit.  This makes a nice, fast indoor lens for a crop camera.  I considered the 24mm and the 28mm, but the overall image quality on the 35mm is generally rated to be superior.  I was also very surprised at the great colors from the 35mm--they are almost as good as the colors from my 24-105mm f/4 L.Bokah could be better but under most circumstances it is fine.  It does have a buzzy autofocus motor, but the autofocus is very fast and accurate.  Its a bit loud compared to a USM autofocus, but I find it acceptable.The 50mm is also an excellent lens, but isn't built as nice and is a little too long for a crop camera indoors.For The money, you can't do much better then this lens for what it delivers....
This lens is very sharp. Not good if you're into video, get a STM lens if that's your thing. I use it on a 1.6X crop camera and it makes beautiful photos. I use it as my &#34;normal&#34; walking around lens.
Such a great lens.  It is so clean and crisp.  It is my favorite prime lens to use, especially on a cropped frame camera.
Stays on my camera most days. I would recommend if you don't have the money for the 1.4, but I am now going to save and invest in the 35mm 1.4.
Worth every penny. Great depth of field. great with low lighting and perfect for night time shots. even without flash.Also the best video lens I have.
Using  other lens requires standing far back from models in the studio and makesless convenience.  This lens does the trick nicely.
This is an oldie but a great lens.  It is fast, inexpensive, and takes nice photos.  Canon's cropped sensor puts the equivalent focal length around 56mm, very close to the performance of a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera.  It is also very comparable in size to the "nifty fifty," the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, but the build and quality is far better.  This is a fantastic lens for APS-C cameras to shoot what you see.  This lens quickly became my default and I often leave this lens on a camera and don't take it off until I need the reach of a zoom lens.The sharpness is agreeable and the lens is fast.  This is a far superior lens to the 50 mm f/1.8 II:It has a metal mount and solid feel.The AF/MF switch disengages the focus ring which alleviates the worry of gear stripping.The windowed focus scale with aperture marks and IR markFocus ring is at the middle of the barrel (rather than the end).This is an older lens that lacks the latest features available today.  The motor is loud and I would not recommend this for AF with video.  There is no IS, but at this focal length it is not hard to freeze any camera shake.  This does not come with a lens hood.  The mount for the hood is shallow and narrow and leads to some fumbling attempting to attach a hood.  There isn't much to keep the hood secure if bumped, but it's a very short lens so it is much less likely.Skip the kit lenses.  If you have an APS-C, cropped sensor, this is the lens to get and use.
I like it as I have used it on my cropped sensor canon T2i, it perfomed well, sharp images and excellent in low light situations although it is equivalent to 56mm on my T2i and that is a little cropped for a normal lens use on APS-C sensors. I'd rather go with a wider focal lens like 28mm or 30mm for my street photography.YOU CAN NOT use it for video as it has a buzzy sound while focusing.but the manual focus ring is nice and it is a light lense to carry around.I sold it because I needed a wider focal length on my new 70D. I will miss it !
The files generated with this 35 mm lens were not sharp from 2.0 to 3.2 and relied heavily in the back up of flash in order to render a usable file. Cropping made from the full resolution files rendered images with poor contrast requiring of considerable fine tuning in Lightroom.I would not recommend this lens for professional work.
I bought this lens to take advantage of the ability to alter the depth of field for landscape with tilt and create seamless panoramas.  I was skeptical this lens would have enough resolution to keep up with both my 5D MK II and 7D but those concerns were quickly put to rest.  This lens is -sharp- on both cameras with just a very small touch of chromatic aberation in really glarey conditions on the 7D.So, on the 5D MK II I have a 45mm lens while on the 7D I have the equivalent of a 72mm lens.  I guess that means I bought 2 $650 lenses ;)On my eye level tripod if I just level the camera and dial in a little under 2 degrees of tilt the focal plane runs parallel to the ground which makes getting the depth of field one wants for landscape a snap.  Just keep in mind the DoF runs in a vertical wedge with the narrow end at your feet to watch for DoF in the vertical direction.  Live View with depth of field preview and 100% zoom is your friend for checking critical sharpness.Only caveat is I would NOT recommend this lens if your camera doesn't have live view.  Live view really is essential for working with this lens in my opinion.Also, there is an excellent tutorial on:[...]
If you're looking at reviews for this lens you may already know what it is capable of doing and are wondering how users feel about it after purchasing.  For me, I bought this lens for its main dual purposes - shifting the focal plane to get the trendy &#34;tilt-shift&#34; blur effect, and to make taking panoramic shots more simple using the shift feature.  This lens is solidly built and tack sharp wide open.  It is however the least used lens in my bag (my other  lenses: 24L, 50 1.4, and 135L).  The manual focus rotation is buttery smooth and easy to use bceause the focusing mechanism isn't just the ribbed part as you see in the photo, it's actually the entire protruding portion of the lens.Now for the main raeson why it's least used and thus may not be worth the $1000+ dollars: It's a manual focus lens.  unless you are good at it, it's time-consuming to have to tweak an extra parameter when you're on the go unless you have a dedicated body for this lens.To wrap things up, the only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is because sometimes when you are shifted to the limits, the focus confirm light that blinks (at least on my 5D Mark III) won't work.  Perhaps this is because your sensor and lens are not lined up enough, the sensor just can't confirm focus at the extreme ends of shifting.  But just a sliver of shift back towards center brings back the focus confirmation light and all is well.  I gave it 4 stars because it does what it promises and it does it well.  This is undoubtedly a classic piece of glass that is excellent if you do a lot of tilting and/or shifting!
I've had this lens for a few months now and it is rad!  Nailing the focus when tilting is a challenge, but once you get used to it, you're able to get more creative with it.I use it for wedding and portrait photography
It is a nice, sharp lens but know this:  there's a steep learning curve.  Not something you can pick up and shoot with and get any consistently good results.It's manual focus.  I tried manually focusing it through the viewfinder of a full-frame camera, using the stock focusing screen, and NONE of the shots came out in focus.  Don't get this if your camera doesn't allow you to change to a better focusing screen unless you're going to use Liveview on the LCD.
This lens gets five stars if for no other reason than it has no competitors in the EF mount.  However, it is a pricey lens designed for specialist applications and is not for most general purpose photographers.Optics:  Shooting wide-open (not really the intended use of this lens), the center is very sharp with the corners falling to good.  Tilting or shifting results in even more drop-off in the corners.  Shooting at working apertures (f/8 or smaller), the sharpness across the frame is excellent and there is no real vignetting and very, very little distortion.  The only problem at working apertures is a bit of CA in the corners, but this cleans up very easily in post.Ease of Use:  Well-damped focus ring (as it should be for a MF only lens).  Tilt and shift are easy to apply and lock, though the knobs are probably smaller than they should be.  You should also note that it is possible to end up with one of the knobs under the viewfinder housing, which makes operation difficult, but this can be avoided and as is a common "feature" to all of the TS-E lenses.  Lens cap is a bit better than the Canon standard and the lens hood is good quality plastic and locks on securely, unlike many Canon hoods.These lenses are said to be "hard" to use, but with a liveview and a little knowledge, they are stupid simple to use.  Just remember to use the DOF preview button to stop down the lens so you can see the final composition on the screen. It will take a bit before everything clicks, but you can master the ins and outs in an afternoon.While there are many great resources on using tilt/shift lens, as a basic overview:Shift allows you to change the perspective of the lens.  If you shoot architecture and need buildings to have straight lines, this will be handy feature.  You can of course accomplish the same task in most image manipulation programs, but you do sacrifice some of the frame to computer perspective correction.Tilt allows you to change the field of focus from being perfectly parallel to the sensor.  Thus, you can get near and far objects in perfect focus, which is an important ability for landscape or product photographers.  Yes, you can get landscapes that are reasonably sharp from near to far by taking advantage of the hyperfocal focus distance, but this only puts near and far in "good-enough" focus.  If you consider the cliched meadow in front of mountains photo, with hyperfocal focusing, you will find that the nearest flowers are annoyingly defocused and the mountains aren't as sharp as they could be.  However, with a TS-E lens, you can avoid this and more or less have the entire scene in sharp focus.Of course, the price you pay for this ability is a that you have to purchase a big, heavy, expensive, and manually focusing lens, meaning that this lens is not for everyone.  However, if you want to shoot truly great landscapes (assuming you already have a good eye for things), then a TS-E lens is the way to go (unless of course you drag a LF camera out there, which is really the way to go).  And if you shoot a lot of products, then this is really the way to go.As a general note, tilt and shift are perpendicular to each other, so if you have the lens tilted up or down, you can only shift left and right.  This is probably the behavior you want, but if you want to be able to tilt up and down while shifting up and down, you can either pay Canon to change the lens, or you can do it yourself with a screwdriver and a bit of care.  The newest TS-E lenses allow you to do this yourself without tools, but for most users, this limitation will not be a problem.Oh... build quality is also excellent.  It feels like a tank and I have yet to have any problems with mine.  I will of course keep everyone updated.Also, these lenses mount the Canon series of extenders, so you get a great 60/4 and 90/5.6 as well if you already own the extenders.  Optical quality drops off a bit with the 2x, but at working apertures, it is more than good enough for professional quality big prints.
This is a nifty lens but I thought I would use it more than I would. My only qualms is that it's still a manual focus lens.
I have to get this off my chest in response to the 'too bad it's a manual focus only lens' review. ALL tilt shifts are manual focus  because it's impossible for the camera to focus with one! [when the focal plane is tilted or shifted at least]. I've got a canon CPS demo of this lens and it's been nothing short of what I expected. Very sharp at 2.8, and the creative possibilities are amazing. I free lens quite often so I've been dying to try a real tilt shift lens, and I can assure you that free lensing does not compare to the quality of a real tilt shift [not to mention how much safer it is not letting dust into your camera freelensing]. the 45mm tilt shift is great for shooting creative shots of people, but for architecture I would probably go for something wider. All in all, a great lens that I would love to own one day, but right now I cant justify a grand for something like this ;]
I've been a photographer since the film era, and I also have previous experience with view cameras, so I'm familiar with the lens movement. Yet, TS-E has a couple of peculiar points that have its own learning curve. Image quality is also very good, but not perfect.I use this lens mostly for tabletop product photography, food photography and creative and corrective portraiture. I think product photography is probably the most common application for TS-E45mm, although not many people talk about it online... and even less so for corrective portraiture. Anyway, if you can pay for the lens and willing to take the steep learning curve, this lens is almost essential for these things.I found TS-E45mm tends to give inaccurate focus even when the focus is dead on on the viewfinder screen. This happens most often when tilted and shifted simultaneously, and the focus is taken near the periphery of the view. This happens on both 5D and 7D. I don't know if there's a good way to overcome this problem other than live view or tethered. (EDIT Sep 2013: Eg-S on 6D, Ee-S focusing screen on 5D or Eg-S on 5D mk II seems to be the solution. With a 5D mark III or a 7D, live view is the only solution as focusing screen is not interchangeable.)Although officially unsupported, we often see people say that TS-E45mm works fine with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters online. I think what they mean is merely that the teleconverter fits without a mechanical problem. However, this needs a caveat. If the lens is shifted while on a teleconverter, the lateral chromatic aberration worsens dramatically. Other aberration probably worsens, because focus is also not very sharp. Tilt is not as bad in this regard. Simultaneous tilt and shift is also very bad. So, if you use this lens with a teleconverter, you should limit the lens movement to a small tilt only. Since the movement is limited by the image quality, the limitation is not absolute, but certainly limits the usability of this lens with a teleconverter. Also, with a 1.4x teleconverter, I see a noticeable drop in image contrast. So, if you buy TS-E45mm with the hope of using it with a teleconverter, I think you'll eventually be buying TS-E90mm as well (I did), to avoid these problems.The lens itself, when compared to any of the EF50mm f/1.4, 1.8 or 1.2, is slightly less sharp and slightly less contrasty, especially if compared at f/2.8 to f/5.6 range. It does have some use (with a proper lighting and post-production work you can create nostalgic effect in fashion photography, for example) but if you are looking for sharp image with shallow DOF this is not the ideal lens. On the other hand, this lens has virtually zero vignetting unless shifted a lot, so out of focus blur in the background is pretty good. (TS-E90mm is even better, of course.)
As others have stated, it's hard to focus to infinity when not tilting at all... it is odd, you'd think they would've made it so it could focus beyond infinity, like most lenses, but it stops just short of infinity.Lens is a little disappointedly sharp at 2.8 and not much cleaner till 5.6 or so... but honestly, it's a tilt shift. It's mostly for fun for me and I don't expect it to be as sharp as an 85mm 1.2 or anything.I will say the focal length is very usable. Not too wide, not too tele. Very goldilocks. Build quality is fantastic.... All around good, but not perfect. Fun to use, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Its sharp and the built quality is solid. I often take this guy with me on mountain adventures to add a twist to otherwise normal mountain landscapes. Its made of metal and all of the knobs have held up to some tough treatment. The 45mm focal length is great for what I want. Some may want wider...
Great lens.
I love this lens!Crisp clear pictures.
This lens is just SO much fun to shoot with. I pop it on my Canon 6D or 60D and I just want to take pictures of everything. I think anything and everything else you could say about it outside of quality are minor compared to that. You just have to feel your camera with a compact little lens that gets such great results to know what I mean. It brings out the fun of photography more than any other lens I own.The 1.4 aperture is very tricky, so if you're not used to something so wide, be ready for a learning curve. It opens up a world of photography with its high quality images, huge aperture (light gathering and bokeh abilities), small size, and pretty good price.I sprung for the 1.4 instead of the 1.8 just to be able to use the manual override focus. I figured the wide aperture would be tricky to focus and I would need that feature. I've never used the 1.8 though so couldn't give a fair comparison.I've read plenty of reviews on the failing autofocus. So far mine is still working (knock on wood), but I plan to post an update if that changes.
I was worried after reading many had some problems with the lens but prayed and I received a great lens. Now to just get use to using my body as the zoom.Took it out for a test drive yesterday, I am happy.
This was the perfect answer to my son's photography interests. He took a class and got some great information about the right lens for his needs. This one was suggested and it met his needs perfectly. It is of excellent quality. Great product, great price.
Excellent piece of glass, does a great job blurring backgrounds and delivers sharp and crisp images. A must have for any decent portrait photographer.
I use this as my only lens and boy does it shoot great portraits :) ... everyone compliments me on my portraits (and new EOS 60D). I bought this primarily for taking portraits of my infant, and its just awesome. If you are gonna be a dad and want to invest in a "baby-essential", buy this!! they don't stay babies forever ..
I cannot speak for the 1.8, but this is lightning fast, and it is the one lens I have that must be consistently softened in Photoshop.  In other words, it is so laser sharp, so revealing of every wrinkle, that for portraits, inside or outdoors, even for people under 30, I have to soften a bit.Among my lenses (three L series, a 100mm macro, and this) the 50 mm 1.4 is the one most likely to produce head-turning images without much thought.  It is a star performer.This stands its ground just fine against any L series; you are not settling for something lesser if you choose it.
This lens is great for all-around shooting. The wider aperture (1.4) makes a really nice bokeh effect, as well as helps with low-light situations. I really like this lens!
My first prime lens was the 50mm 1.8 Mark II, without this lens I would have never dreamed of spending this much on the 50mm f/1.4. The only way I can justify the added cost is the full time manual focus, distance window, USM, 58mm filter thread, and a 1.4 (8 blade) aperture. The 50mm 1.8 is the best lens Canon makes for the price, but if you tend to out grow this lens the only option is the 1.4 solution. I would reccomend 1.8 lens to anyone that wants to have the best image quality for the lowest price, but if you want 'more' this is a great lens to keep where the 50mm 1.8 just felt temporary.The only draw back I can mention with this lens is some chromatic aberation is present under 2.8 with certain extreme lighting conditions.Do not get caught up with all the reviews, buy the 50mm 1.8 and if you need 'more' you can always upgrade later (as I did). The 50mm 1.4 is one of my favorite lenses, and I wouldnt trade it for the world.
Great low F lens, just make sure you're focusing on the right thing else it'll be blurred. Low light is great.
Because I live in West Africa, returning this lens I imported is quite the issue for me. Straight out of the box, the AF did not work. I thought it was a joke, and tried the MF but still now show. Every other lens I bought at the same time (though they were L-series lens)all worked. This f/1.4 50mm is not L -series but that is still not an excuse for it to flop so miserably straight out the box! I am feeling like if had I just lost money placing a bad bet, it would not be as bad as looking at a defective product gathering dust in the corner of my room . I still keep wondering if I will be fully re-imbursed (including shipping costs, if I try to get replacement)
Worth every penny if you can get used to the &#34;no zoom&#34; factor. That would be the only issue I have with it - other than that great.
Had been using the 1.8 for the last 4 years which has served me well but after using the 1.4, it is definitely worth the $ for the upgrade.  It is indeed sharper than the 1.8 and much less noisy.  I highly recommend this if you are on the fence about choosing between the two.  However, if this is out of your price range, the 1.8 is certainly still a good choice.
I love this lens! I was debating a zoom lens that included this focal length but ultimately decided on this and I'm glad I did. I recently went to a family party out doors and got some great shots. I did notice that when shot wide open the subject was not always razor sharp but when stopped down it yielded great pictures with great bokeh. I like the size and weight but that is not a big issue with me. The thing I like most about this lens that made it worth buying a prime instead of the other zoom is the light let in by the large aperture, making all my shots natural looking without shadows from flashes.
This was my first "premium" lens purchase, so I considered it to be quite an investment at the time I bought it. After doing research on this and the comparative lenses, I decided to spring for this one since I have started doing some portrait photography work on the weekends. This lens provides really great quality images and colors come through very brightly. I really feel that this has helped me to get some of the visual aesthetics that I've been looking for in my portrait and even macro photography. It's solidly constructed and appears to be high quality. One thing that I really love about it is that it really soaks up a lot of light, so it's ideal for low light situations if you want your pictures to be less grainy. There's a lot more to this lens than that, but several of the other reviewers have already captured the specifics.
and I've only done about 2 sessions with it, but so far, I love it.  It's very sharp (I'm a sharp freak) and fast, great in low-light (I only use natural light).  The only thing is that it's insanely close-up with my 1.6 crop (I can't use it anywhere in my home except for maybe close-ups).  So I'm on the hunt for a 35mm or wider (thinking of the Sigma 30mm), but I'm not giving my 50 up.
This is a superb portrait lens and a reasonable price. I've been using it for four years for my portrait project of Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. I have no complaints about this lens.
Excellent lens. In my Canon 5D I use it as a standard lens and in my 30D I use it as a short telephoto lens, perfect to take pictures of my baby. Don't forget to get the lens hood. Not only protects the lens but improves contrast and color saturation.
Let's get the distinction between the two predominant primes and a zoom lens that covers the 50mm focal length. With a high end zoom, the 24-70 f/2.8L II, you are using an aperture that is 2 stops more narrow than the primes. Additionally, you have a lens that has a premium placed on sharpness and versatility. This means that when you use the 24-70 you will find the sharpness to be incredible at an aperture of f/5.6 and it will be indistinguishable or better than the sharpness from either the 50mm f/1.4 or the 1.2. Sharpness at f/2.8 will be about the same as the 1.4 and better than the 1.2. You also are buying the versatility of the zoom range. Many people will say to buy the 24-70 f/2.8L II because they think it's as sharp as any prime in it's zoom range. But that's not making a holistic recommendation based on all the strengths and weaknesses of each of these pieces of equipment. Unlike Miriam Weeks (Bella Knox), you definitely do not want to sacrifice all of the positives of several options, while you're chasing the single positive of one option. You would choose the zoom if your application requires very good sharpness or versatility. You don't pick a zoom for it's bokeh, contrast, and color representation.Now, to distinguish between the 1.4 and the 1.2. First, you are considering these because you want to shoot at wide apertures. If you want to shoot at an aperture of 2.8 or narrower, you really should choose a zoom, because you are being handicapped by focal length for essentially the same or worse sharpness and bokeh is going to look about the same. Where these wide aperture lenses have an advantage is in character of the photograph at wide aperture. The sharpness is sacrificed in the design of these lenses in favor of more attractive color, micro contrast, and blur. You can't have everything in a lens design and high resolution is optically mutually opposed to high contrast. To create the best sharpness, you have to reduce spherical aberration. As an aside, it should be noted that spherical aberration is also necessarily more prevalent in a lens that has a very large aperture, because you have a lot of light coming in from the periphery that isn't moderated unless you decrease the size of the aperture. When you attempt to reduce spherical aberration by lens design, you sacrifice beautiful looking blur. Bokeh will take a hit, and color saturation changes as well (because spectral varying wavelengths of light (this means different colors) are behaving differently as they are refracted through the lens elements.) Aesthetically, all of this combined could be called 'pop' to the picture, or attractive isolation of the subject. This is actually desirable in certain circumstances, especially when the sharply resolved detail of a subject isn't as important as an emotion you are trying to evoke. So that is why a photographer will choose a wide aperture lens despite it's deviation from an ideal lens characteristic (also, because they want to photograph in low light at low ISO.)So where does the 1.2 distinguish itself from the 1.4? The design team made the decision to place a greater focus on not reducing spherical aberration but improving the way the blur and color transitions look in the resulting image. You would be absolutely correct if you noticed that the images from a 50mm f/1.4 look slightly washed out when compared to the identical image from a 50mm f/1.2. That is by design. More emphasis in the design of the f/1.4 was placed on reducing spherical aberration, astigmatism, and comatic aberration in a different way while still providing an ultra wide aperture (and the 50mm f/1.8 has a design emphasis on being as cheap as possible.) The 50mm f/1.2 is designed to make the bokeh more creamy and the colors more popped. Unfortunately, you won't get that quality with the 50mm f/1.4.The bottom line is that if you are going to shoot most of your images below f/2 and you are trying to get images that really have a subconscious character to them, then you really should spend the extra money on the 50mm f/1.2. The f/1.4 is awesome for it's price -- but it's going to be best for someone who is on a budget or really just wants the ability to take images in low light at low ISO. It's a cheaper way to get there, and beautifully composed images with a narrow depth of field can be taken with it. But the 50mm f/1.4 doesn't honestly perform as well below f/2 for critical publication level shots, so the advantage of low light photography is competing with image quality at large apertures. You have to understand how it was designed with a different application and design focus in mind.
For it's price, I think this lens is great! Great for shooting kids up close and portraits as well. This is great
Lens has AWESOME BOKEH. Thats the only reason you will need to buy this lens?But if you need more convincing it has a fast aperture of 1.4, great for low light. Build quality better than the canon ef 50 1.8. Image quality I feel like its better than the canon ef 50 1.8. Definitely more consistent focusing than the canon ef 50 1.8, Fast auto focus. Sharp at 1.4. Even sharper when stepped down to about 2.8.Only thing wrong with this lens is that front barrel of the lens zooms in and out (similarly to the 50 1.8) while it is focusing. I REALY DISLIKE THAT. lol.
Bought this for my hubby (and sort of myself too) for Christmas. He originally asked for the 50mm f/1.8 and although that is cheaper....you get what you pay for. This lens is a great addition to our new camera collection. I love shooting with it and would highly recommend getting this over the f/1.8.
Best Canon lens I have used. This is my walk-around, everyday lens and I bring this everywhere. I love this lens with all the good and whatever bad reviews it gets. It has been said every time, this is fast, sharp and clean. This is a must have lens.
I won't repeat the merits of this lens as just about everything has been said already. For the money, this is the best lens Canon makes. The image quality is simply astounding in every category. If they wanted to, Canon could easily put a red stripe around the barrel of this and sell it for three times as much. It's really that good. Really.
Really great lens.  I own the Canon f/1.8 50 mm and ordered the f/1.4 to see if there was any noticeable difference. I've had it a couple days and I'd highly recommend spending the extra money for the 1.4 if you're choosing between the two.  I'm getting far more consistent results from the 1.4. The 1.4 has vastly superior build quality (though in fairness you could go through three of the 1.8s and still come out ahead).  This is also my first USM lens and it really makes a difference when you're shooting at the open end. All around I think it's worth the extra money.
This 50mm f/1.4 lens is a great one to have in one's camera bag. The Focus is quick and the colors are rich with this lens mounted on a t4i.The one drawback with this lens is that it is not compatible at all with even the best UV or lens protection filters. You will have to go with a lens hood instead. I recommend the original Canon lens hood for this 50mm.The reason why is that even Zeiss or Hoya HD filters will ghost badly with this lens. I believe it has to do with the curvature of the front element which is unfortunate, but otherwise this lens is top notch and one of my personal favorites to shoot with.
This lens is absolutely incredible.  I have gotten some of the best portrait shots in low light conditions.  I used this lens for all of our Christmas pictures (early morning - low light - LOTS of activity), and to photograph my son and his brother playing together - and my daughter blowing bubbles in the kitchen at night! - and animals - and sunlight filtering through icy trees - and snow falling across the parking lot at work - and - and - and I just can't get enough..!  The pictures are just absolutely incredible.  And even after I dropped the lens!  Thank God it had both the caps on both ends.  But it just keeps on taking beautiful pictures.  I am endlessly amazed.  I considered the 50mm 1.8, but being that I am a klutz, I decided I'd probably better go with something a bit more durable. And after reading the reviews of those who had to replace the 1.8 with the 1.4, I decided to shell out the money while I could (although I still choked on spending that much - ouch)..  But I don't regret it so far.  I might need to take it to a camera shop to have it recalibrated after dropping it - but still - just wow..  I definitely recommend this lens.
I just got the 50mm 1.4 because my 50mm 1.8 had broken down. its a lot better then the 1.8. i would recommend this lens to almost anyone. The best part about it is that its amazing in low light and allows fast shutter speed. if you want see what the lens can do, look at [...]. This lens is almost always around my neck.
I bought the f/1.4 assuming the auto focus would be quieter and faster than than the f/1.8 but there is not much difference. Just stick with the f/1.8 and save yourself a couple hundred bucks.
I like having a lens with such a wide aperture for low light situations.  One drawback is the fact that, when used with a less than full frame sensor, the photo is a fraction of what would be captured by a full frame sensor.  For my camera, the crop factor is 1.6, which makes using this lens more like having an 80 mm lens.  This requires being further from the subject to capture larger groups of people.
This is the lens I use most often. It is unbeatable for portraits and low-light photos indoors etc. It is very sharp and relatively light and small. I have also found it useful for aerial photography. I used to have the 50 mm 1.8 but upgraded because I like the extra low-light power of the 1.4 (which I often use) and the one-touch USM manual focus with distance scale (which is just a nice-to-have). That said, the 1.8 is a great lens too.
Really great. The bouke on this is almost circular and the 1.4 is a lot of bright. Nice lens, buy a UV filter to protect it as a must.
This is still the one lens I use the most. Works perfectly and I just Love it so much. This is a definite lens that should be in everyone's collection. The 1.4 is just amazing and the depth of field.
This is a great lens when used with manual focus. The auto-focus is consistently off at wide apertures. I had to send the lens to be evaluated by Canon and its performance has improved since (Canon acknowledged that my brand-new lens was not up to their own specs and had to be fixed). But still, three out of five shots are slightly off focus at apertures 1.4-3. There is no consistency in bad shots so it cannot be calibrated.I get best results when I use a live view function and set the focus manually zooming on the spot. However, this is only possible when there is enough time, preferably a tripod, and this is kind of counter-intuitive given that one of the reasons to buy this lens is that it is so fast.For people who are not sure if they want to spend all that money, I would recommend to get a much cheaper 1.8 50mm lens. Its auto-focus works perfectly, at least for the one I had bought before wasting money on the 1.4mm lens. I compared the two lenses and the cheaper one outperforms at 1.8mm in terms of how crisp the images are. Chromatic aberration looks about the same at 1.8mm. I don't care about the charts, this is what I see in the photos. The blurred background looks better with the more expensive lens but you should ask yourself if it is worth some extra $350!
I bought this lens after reading all the positive reviews. I am especially impressed with it's sharpness, although only at its best after stopping down the aperture by 2-3 stops. It gave me incredibly sharp and crisp pictures (not only portraits) on my Canon 500D and I am very happy with it.The only thing one could expect from Canon would be to include a lens hood. Especially at a price of 500$ you would think a little piece of plastic wouldn't be too expensive to throw into the package for free. I recommend getting a hood, first, to protect the auto-focus tube which some people say is somewhat sensitive and second, to minimize lens flare and light artifacts caused in bright light. There are places online you can get a hood for only 5$ and they are just fine.Altogether still an excellent lens and absolutely recommendable!
I loved this lens but it broke. The AF stopped working. I was very happy with the quality of this lens so far, but the fact that it lasted only a couples of years really annoys me.
The first time I used this lens was on a wedding shoot. I read some in-the-mouth advice somewhere that said every photographer needs a 50mm prime lens to be happy. So I thought to myself "I'm every photographer!" And plopped down the $300+ for this.I was beginning to regret the decision until I used this puppy.Pictures so crisp and clear and beautiful came out of my camera that day. Pictures that need no sharpening, no photoshopping, no curves adjustments or contrast adjustments. Just honest to goodness dead sexy clar pictures.I was so happy with the pictures that I composed a poem about this lens on the spot! It goes:Oh I think that I shall never seea lens so ripe with clarityThen the 50mm which sits abreastUpon my camera's lovely chest.I now don't mind 'walking around' more, or ditching a zoom lens. This lens is Empyrean.
This lens has been problematic since I got it. I wish I had returned it right away.  First it would not lock focus then I took it in and they fixed it.  Now it is causing some sort of ghosting on the bokeh. Looks awful when subjects are placed on dark b/g. I am so annoyed cuz now I have to bring it back iN AGAIN.  When it is working the photos are amazing.
I won't write a professional review.  If you need one, you can get it through Google!I can tell you that it is one of the best investment that you can do for your photography hobby and personal use.I got this lens thinking about family and portrait pictures. Done! It made a wonderful job in each shot.Suggestion:Don't lose your money with the f/1.8 version, it is cheaper, but the quality is too bad.  If the money is not your problem, go to the "L" version.
I have upgraded my rating after reevaluating the performance of this lens and how I intended to use it.  This is a very special lens and cheap for what it does.  I am giving it five stars because it is a tremendous value.  I consider it a very good buy for the price.I recently purchased the Canon 20D camera with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6II as the kit lens. Also, purchased the Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM and Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM lenses. I am an amateur photographer, but this is my first time using a digital camera.I purchased it primarily to use for available light photos on my new digital camera.Rather then list PROS and CONS, I will list the general characteristics of this lens.  Then you decide if it is appropriate for your intended purpose.CHARACTERISTICS:1. The lens has a very shallow depth of field at the larger apertures giving it this dream like Bokeh (soft background blur).2. The medium and smaller apertures are razor sharp and very clear.3. The lens has lots of contrast.4. The lens gathers a lot of light to be so small.This lens was built for 35mm cameras.  If you use it on a smaller format, as many digital cameras are these days, know what you are getting into.  This is a 50mm lens when used on a 35mm camera, but it is equivalent to a 80mm lens when used on most digital SLR cameras.  Looking at size alone, it would seem to be a good portrait lens on a digital camera, but the lens characteristics indicate it would be better used for other purposes.  I don't understand how it gathers so much light ... it is unusual.  This is an excellent lens, but make sure it is a good match for the job at hand.P.S.If you are wondering about the other lenses I purchased. I love the EF 24-70mm f2.8L. Yes, it is expensive, but it focuses well in low-light situations and the colors are great. The photos take on a third dimension with this lens.What about the EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6II kit lens? Unlike some elitist, I believe this kit lens is very useable for the average consumer. The lens does not have the outstanding color rendition or extra dimension of the L-series lens, but still a very good lens and light weight. It is better then any of my old 35mm lenses.
bought two years ago after consulting with few friends and reading reviews. needed a good lens for baby. ended up using this lens as my primary lens for the past two years. Takes incredible portraits. Perfect for kids since its a very fast lens. I found that it performs best at 2.8-3.2 f range. Otherwise you get blur and have to shoot at very high speeds. I use it with my canon t2i. It is a prime lens, so you have to be prepared to move around to get the shot you want, at 50mm you have to be a few feet back if you want to get more than the face and shoulders. Compared to my other telephoto L lens (which was much much more money) this lens is great value. I'm sure if I had the EF 1.2 lens I would be happier, but this is a great lens for the money. I opted not to go with the cheaper f1.8 lens even though I heard they're similar in Photo quality. I never shoot at f1.4 because almost everything is blurred, so I don't really know how they both perform side-by-side at f3.2. but I certainly don't regret going with the 1.4 lens.update 6/2014 - had a problem with the focus barrel and was unable to focus on objects closer than 2 feet. did some research and found youtube videos on how to fix it yourself but was disappointed to find out that  this is a common problem with this lens in heavy use. someone put it as "you never really own this lens, you pay a downpayment then payments every few years to send it in for canon to repair". it cost $80 for canon to repair the mechanical issues, but I took it apart and was able to get it working again with help from youtube, but likely will need to send in for a new barrel (could buy part myself $35). The one silver lining is I did get a great tip out of this from canon support, they told me about the depth of field calculator.
I got this for my new, refurbished Canon T3i and it's frankly stunning. I have a decent amount of camera knowledge and found this lens to be unbelievably great for the price. The colors are sharp, the depth is astounding. It's definitely touchy--I often have to turn on the LCD to make sure I'm accurately focused. The autofocus is loud and labored, but I don't really care as I don't use it. Get it!
As a wildlife and outdoor photographer I needed a high speed lens capable of taking pictures in the early mornings and late evenings. The Canon EF 50mm f1.4 gave me an addition 45 to 60 minutes shooting time over my other f2.8 lens. The pictures of hunters during the early and late hours of the hunt are clear and sharp. The auto focus time is slightly longer than some of my prime lens but adequate thus the reason for 4 stars. It works very well indoors too without flash.
I got this for my birthday a few months back, after having drooled over one for months.  I had actually purchased the f/1.8 (nifty fifty), but returned it.This produces beautiful pictures.  For my needs, I find it very sharp @ f/1.4 and it allows me to take some interesting images late at night.  It is quick to focus, but I wouldn't say lighting fast specially in low light.  The Bokeh produced is quite "creamy" particularly at F/3.5 and bigger.  Having circular blades yielded very nice circular specs of light.  You don't see hexagonal specs until maybe f4.0 of 5.6, as opposed to the f/1.8 that the bokeh is rather pentagonal from 1.8 up.IT took me a a while to get used to the focal length, particularly on a Canon Crop body (T4i/650D @1.6x) which is equivalent to 80mm; making rather long for tight quarters.  I have take wonderful head-shots in tight spaces, but don't expect much more.I recently took it on a shoot of a local landmark and took some incredible pictures; it also forced me to be creative with the focal length.Overall, if you are in the market for a great lens and can afford the f/1.4 do no hesitate and get it.Side note:  Many reviews that I read of this lens, and from some photographers I spoke to I got the feeling that many photographers actually use this over the 3x more expensive f/1.2L glass.  The results are similar, and for the price difference, there is no significant improvement with 1.2L.
I am FAR from a pro when it comes to photography, but my pictures from this lens look AWSOME!!!  You would think I actually knew what I was doing.  I use it with a t2i.  I don't even use the kit lens anymore.  I also don't seem to miss zoom most of the time.  I may buy a fixed apature zoom for video, but otherwise, this thing will stay on my camera pretty much all the time.  One other note.  The only thing that kept it from a perfect score, was the focus noise.  The sound of plastic rubbing, will wind up in any video you shoot.  I still have to try it with a rode videomic to see if that moved the mic farther away and cures the issue.  Basically if you have an old camera with a metal lens and silky smooth heavy adjustments, don't expect that anymore.  Plastic on plastic just isn't the same as the old lenses.  If you are using it for video, you might want to buy an old manual focus lens instead and adapt it for the new mount.  The old manual lenses sell for like 75 on ebay.
I initially purchased 50mm 1.8 and loved it so much I decided to upgrade. 50mm 1.4 seems much faster and quieter than 50mm 1.8. It seems to focus better than 1.8. The build quality is much better but I do not really care about that. 50mm 1.8 is smaller and lighter50mm 1.4 lets me take amazing pictures without a flash. The quality is amazing. Is 50mm 1.4 three times better than 50mm 1.8? I am not sure but I love the lens and do not regret getting it.
No complaints at all! I highly recommend this lens...it definitely brings up my camera (Canon EOS 60D).f/1.4 is superb!
This lens Rocks!I can tell you that this is one lens you must have!The images are awesome.Get it now, no regrets.Best money spent and I love it.
The Canon 50mm 1.4 lens is a great lens for what it does.  It provides extreme depth of field with a maximum aperture of F/1.4, and it can enable very fast shutter speeds in low light.  This is both very impressive and very useful, and no other lens can offer this at around $350.  (The Canon 50mm 1.8 is great, as well, and gets close with an aperture of F/1.8 and does so at a lower price point, but it doesn't offer nearly as good of build quality as the F/1.4 does.)It's nice that this lens is small and portable.  It doesn't offer the convenience of a zoom lens, which means that it requires you to work harder and learn how to properly use the lens.  If for nothing else, this lens is great because it pushes you to become a better photographer.What kept me from rating this lens with five stars is that the USM does not seem to do as well as USM does on other lenses.  The lens seems to be a bit noisy when focusing, which you would wouldn't expect.  Given that the next available upgrade choice for 50mm prime lens is the F/1.2 L, which is at at least four times the cost of the F/1.4, I can live with this small annoyance.This was one of the first lenses I invested in, and I plan to keep it for a long time.  If you don't have a 50mm prime lens, it will be worth your while to get one, even if you just start with the Canon F/1.8.When used correctly, this lens can produce some amazingly sharp and beautiful pictures.  But keep in mind that it does take time and work to learn to use this lens well.  I'm still learning how to do so, and I consider it to be the one of the most rewarding and yet most frustrating lens at the same time.Each time I use this lens, it helps me discover more creativity with my photography, and it makes me work harder to achieve the best results.
Really sharp and Fast !If you can afford this, stop wasting time researching. Buy it ! Maybe rent it in a local store and use it for a day. You will love it.Pros:Build Qualitysharp lensFast Lens!Fast Autofocuscheap price for the quality !Cons:None I know so far !
This is definitely an ultra sharp and smart lens for full frame body. The looks are great, the metal body gives a nice feeling when used with the hood. The f/1.4 wide aperture makes this lens faster and sharper. Colors are the best. Its one of the most recommended carry around lens specially for portraits  and general macros. I am super happy with this lens, the only thing I can say is that once you try this little wonder you will be hooked. I have made some real time large panoramas using this lens instead of using my wide angles.
I have owned this lens for 6 years and have had to have it repaired 3 times. It is now broken again. The focus ring just stops working. I don't know enough about lenses to understand why this happens, but I use it a lot, so it is really annoying when I have to send it in to the shop. I can't afford the f/1.2 so I'm going to buy this lens again. Hopefully it will more reliable the second time around!
Birthday present for an amateur mommy-tographer. I upgraded from the f1.8 and I also had a 28mm fixed lens. This is by far my favorite....easy for me to take close up professional quality pics of my kid. I've used it to take pictures at my company, newborn pics, detail pics for products and more. I have also learned to use the manual function because of this lens and it's been a great journey.
I was so reluctant about getting this lens at first, I have a friend that owns the 50mm F1.8 and at first I thought there wouldn't be much of a difference between the quality of either, guess I was wrong for the following reasons...1-This one is made of metal and glass...not like the F1.8 version, on my first week, I SMASHED my lens into a black wall in the dark and guess what...I scratched the wall big time (Note: I had a Canon UV filter that helped in this situation) but my point is, others complained of how flimsy the f1.8 is, and yeah...that f.14 lens is really sturdy.2-The blurr of the images is a bit better, you can compare the quality and see the difference. (I posted about 7 pictures online, check them out)3-USM...very nice, instead of being noisy with every single focusing in or out, the silence makes a difference.4-It's been mounted on my camera since the day I bought it, it's hard to get rid of it you know...:D5-Very good for indoor pictures, when you don't want to use a flash, this is the lens to use...very good quality pictures.6-Portaits are awesome when taken with this lens, the blurr in the back is outstanding.7-The only Con I see is...I don't think this is the sharpest focusing lens out there...but overall..A+++
I came across this lens simply by accident!...I like to shoot in very low light, without using the flash, so I really didn't know how tosolve this problem. I"m a self taught passionate amateur with tons of digital camera questions that needed to be answered.So, one day, I asked a  photographer how could I solve this "low light" problem... he spoke highly of the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens...I use it for shooting in very low light with great results. And, I never use the flash because I don't like it!..For portraits, it can't be beat!. And the "Bokeh" is always on target! (meaning backround blur)I constantly use it for my Macro work. I attach a Kenko extension tube to it and the macro resultsare stunning!...A few weeks ago, this lens was "stolen" from me and I immediately ordered another one.Not all people may have a use for this lens, but for me, its "priceless!"...
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of those that think this is a great lens. Beautiful bokeh, sharp detail, and excellent overall quality makes this a wonderful lens. The image quality is comparable to my L series 24-105 and 100-400 lenses (of course, the 50mm is prime, so this was expected).I have not used the 50mm 1.8, so can't compare it to that.
I bought this lens after reading several reviews and trying to decide if the 1.8 vs the 1.4. I also decided to borrow a 1.8 and almost immediately I could see the difference.Using an aperture of 2.0 is clearly the best for sharp pictures. I have almost started to use this lens exclusively.  I have taken some pictures that amaze me when reviewing on the computer.This lens is an absolute must for anyone armature or professional. This lens should be the first purchase when upgrading to new lenses. The essential addition to your kit.Pro:- Blohke is amazing. The aperture blades make wonderful octagons out of light and makes blurred water look incredible.- Sharp Focus is best at F2.0 but awesome at most f-stops. I cannot complain but I definitely keep it at 2.0 more often than not.- Quiet autofocus. This does not seem like much until you change out to another lens. Holy cow is it quiet. This can be a major advantage while taking video with your DSLR.- Cost (Pro and Con) is low for what you get. The quality of this lens from build to optics is definitely worth the price. It just feels solid compared to the 1.8. If you think that 300 is high for a lens then you will view this as a con but if you think of a lens as a long term investment into your profession or hobby then the 300 will pay off end dividends.Cons:- Autofocus can be touchy at lower f-stops and may require very very minor manual adjustments. It can be agrivating if you do not pay attention to where you want the focus but you should be able to adjust easily.- Cost but if this is a con for you then you are not investing in your photography.Overall:This lense is surpassed by none and should be in your camera bag. It's going to last you far beyond your normal lenses. It is going to be more reliable and better quality than any stock lens. Also remember that this is an EF lens and will be able to go from camera to camera unlike the EF-S lenses. If you ever move to a full frame from a cropped frame camera you will be able to use the lens and long lose your investment.
Essa lente surpreendeu todas as minhas expectativas, incrivelmente fant&aacute;stica, pratica, leve, qualidade das imagens acima do que eu havia imaginado
This EF 50mm 1.4 is amazing. Important: If the sensor is APS-C the focal length for this lens is really more like 80mm
I bought the 40D body only and got this as the first lens with the camera.  Great lens, I love how fast it is and the bokeh that you can get with it (one of the main resons I switched to the 40D).  The speed is great for taking indoor shots without flash (I was surprised that at how much you need to open the aperture in order to take a shot with indoor lighting).
This is the first decent lens I purchased for my Canon Rebel and I am very happy. Much sharper than the cheap 18-55mm lens it came with or the 75-300mm cheap Canon telephoto lens.The wide aperture makes it much better for low-light situations or indoor photos, though you may need a bit of room to frame your subject if you are using a crop-sensor camera like the Rebel series. I have barely used the kit lenses since I got this one. The quality is great and it is priced within the range of a novice like myself.
I love this lens. It takes beautiful portraits and is very fast. I often shoot in a very dark restaurant and it is very difficult to get good pictures. I purchased this lens to go with my 5D Mark II. I shoot in aperture priority mode and get plenty of keepers when previously I got very few. The depth of field is shallow, the pictures are crisp and clear where I want them to be, and the bokeh is smooth. My friend shoots fashion photography in LA and he recommended this lens to me. He used it for a long time and only replaced it with the 50mm f1.2 because someone stole his lens. The f1.2 is marginally better at best but costs 5 times as much.
This is a very reasonable price for a 1.4.......but  you must baby this lens....If you attempt to manual focus it while in af mode you will damage this lens...And you will need to manual focus frequently when shooting in very low light which is the point of this lens.....That being said if you can avoid manual focusing of the lens while in af mode its a nice lens for the price. This lens is just particularly sensitive to that problem....
Not looking to break the bank but still have a sturdy lens? Everyone buys the nifty fifty (50mm f/1.8) but this is definitely worth the upgrade if you plan on doing a lot of shooting w/the 50mm prime.
I purchased this lens for video, primarily. It sucks up light and allows for great indoor filming. The quality on the glass is great and the control you have over depth of field makes this an amazing lens for DSLR videography. It's not going to give you L series quality, but it's going to be better than 95% of the dedicated prosumer video lenses. I, like many, replaced my $99 50mm 1.8 with this. It is a worthy step. The focus ring doesn't require a bumper to be usable, the glass is much sharper, and DoF controls are much finer. If you are thinking about it and just want to know if it is worth the extra $300, I'd say yes if you film a lot or do a lot of portraits. Moreso if you do those things in high-moisture areas or areas where a better seal is important. Probably not if you're just looking for a versatile, fast lens.
I have a canon rebel t4i.  Personally, there are better lenses out there.  There are also better cameras out there.  For my camera this lens works just fine.  I like it for taking pictures of specific things more than other things.  I have to get used to the 50mm, and having to physically move two steps forward or backwards to get a good picture/shot. Just something to consider with any fixed lens
I've hardly taken this lens off my camera since I got it! I absolutely love it. It's a really great lens for portrait photography. I've done my brothers in laws' business photos and senior photos with it and they have gotten many compliments.
so far the lense is doing what it was purchased for.  Have not used it as much as I had hoped at this point but the pictures taken so far are really wonderful.
This lens is great!  I'm amazed at the pictures we've taken with this lens.  Great for low light situations.  It's definitely worth every penny.It is a fixed lens.  You've got to move instead of zooming in or out but the quality far outweighs having to move around a bit.  I'm sure we'll be buying more lens with the same/similar specs in the near future.
I use this lens to get indoor high school basketball shots in gyms of various levels of lighting quality. The extra stop over the 1.8 50mm is significant and has warranted the expense of upgrade. My shots have been crisper and better lit at lower ISO. I leave a game now with probably 30-40% more useable shots than I did with a 1.8 lens.
The Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens is a great all around lens, and should be part of any DSLR kit for those times you need to shoot in low-light, or just want a compact and sharp lens on hand.The 50mm lens is fairly compact and stubby, and makes a camera like my 7D much easier to carry around all day than the Canon 24-105 I usually have attached.  The lens is nicely constructed, and feels well made in the hand.  The focus ring is fairly wide and very smooth in its motion.  The only control on the lens itself is the auto focus/manual focus switch.  The lens doesn't ship with a hood, but the front element is set fairly deep so you most likely won't need one anyway.  I've shot with Canon's cheaper 50mm f/1.8 before and this lens is clearly superior in build quality and materials.I shoot with the lens on my 7D, and in use it is quick to focus, and very quiet in doing so.  When shooting at f/1.4 - f/1.8 I find about 90% of the photos have the subject perfectly in focus.  Since the aperture is so wide this is probably a mix of camera error and/or my moving forward or backward slightly when taking the photo.  The depth of field is so narrow at that aperture, it's easy to see how this could be the case.  Regardless, those wide apertures are what allow me to even take photos in such low-light conditions (such as my recent trip to Walt Disney World at night) so I'm happy to deal with a couple of off shots.  Sharpness from f/1.4 to f/2.0 is decent, but a bit soft, especially the corners.  Once you hit f/2.0 the lens sharpens up quite nicely, and missed focus is rarely a problem.  On a crop sensor camera, like my 7D, the field of view is equivalent to 80mm so it's quite a tight view, but it's easy to adjust to after a few shots (just don't plan on using the lens in tight quarters).  Lastly, I don't notice any vingetting with the lens, and distortion is low.All in all... a must for all Canon DSLR owners.
Over 30 years ago, when I bought my first 35mm SLR, it came with a 50mm lens.  It was considered the "normal" lens for 35mm at the time.  I must admit, as soon as I could afford it, I started buying accessory lenses.  First a 35mm, then an 85mm, then a 24mm, so it went.  I didn't use a 50mm very much.  I didn't want my photos to look normal so why would I want to use a normal lens?Twenty-odd years later, I bought a used Leica M6 with a 50mm Summicron lens.  Since I couldn't afford another lens for some time after that, I used the 50mm for everything.  This opened my eyes to the possibilities of a normal lens.  No longer did I depend on a lens to give my photos a "look", I was depending on myself to make them interesting.  I saw things that I overlooked before and began to make photographs of them.  Light and composition took on a new meaning.  The character of subject matter became the overriding concern--not the angle of view.  It was something of an epiphany for me after so many years.Cameras today come with kit zoom lenses.  Many of them are not very good, but they help to sell the cameras.  I have nothing against zooms but I mostly use primes these days.  Back when I bought the Leica, I also used Canons and I already owned several Canon EF lenses, including primes and zooms and L-series lenses in both prime and zoom formats.  I did not own a 50mm.  So I bought the cheap little f/1.8 II lenses.  While it performed well optically, I really was not comfortable using it.  It lacked a distance scale and the manual focus ring was a royal pain.  I can appreciate lightweight equipment but the 50/1.8 II lens just plain felt like a toy.  Since I was using the 50mm focal length more and more, I decided to spring for the f/1.4 version.  I'm very glad I did.The lens is a joy to use.  It is well built and well designed.  The autofocus seems a little slow compared to some of my other Ultrasonic lenses but it's still extremely fast.  The f/1.4 aperture is truly awe-inspiring if you're used to using f/3.5 kit zooms.  The out-of-focus portions of the picture (the bokeh) is creamy smooth and the in-focus areas are very sharp.  The lens is already sharp at f/1.4 but it picks up even more sharpness and a considerable amount of contrast by stopping down a bit.  I don't test lenses by shooting test targets.  I shoot real pictures of the various subjects that interest me.  In that type of real world testing, this lens gets top grades.Although the 50mm may not be the correct normal lens for a reduced size sensor DSLR, for full-frame DSLR and 35mm film users, I recommend it highly.
The lens pictured has a metal ring and is a upgrade, better quality lens than the ones that typically come with a camera (aka kit lens).  The lens I received was a kit lens and had a plastic ring where the lens connects to the body of the camera.  I paid the same price as I would have paid for a brand new one (with a metal ring connector) and they told me this one was a used lens.  Don't waste your money on this item.  The plastic is more likely to break and you can purchase a brand new one with metal ring connector for the SAME price!
Image quality is top notch for a lens of this price, provides excellent bokeh for portraits all the way up to F/1.4Only disadvantage is the AF, which is slow and does not lock in most of the times.Build quality is cheaper than other Canon lenses.
Apesar de bem constru&iacute;da e bem acabada, esperava um pouco mais dela. Realmente tem recorrentes momentos de dificuldade de fixar o foco correto.
So far this lens has lived up to the other reviews I have read.  It takes great pictures, and I love the 1.4 Aperture capability.  It seems solidly built and I am enjoying having it on my 5DMII.
I bought this as the third lens for my rebel XT (I also have the 17-85 EFS IS and the 70-200 f4 L. I sold the kit lens). It would not be a good solo lens because as a prime, it is less versatile than a zoom. It means getting closer or further from the subject rather than changing the zoom setting to get the framing you want. Remember, though, that in many conditions you get distortion from a wide lens, so maybe you should move back.However, primes outperform comparable quality zooms at a given focal length. This one is very fast at 1.4. On the Rebel XTi this lens is equivalent to an 80mm on a 35 SLR. This is a very useful length for portrait, flattering to most subjects. It is very sharp. I have not noticed the softness or focusing problems noted in other reviews.Is this a good lens for you? If you have a Rebel XT or XTi, and a lot of your pictures are in this focal range (you can tell by looking at the Exif or shooting information in Image Browser), then yes, by all means. It will outperform your zoom in lighting conditions where either lens works, and will perform in low light where your zoom may not work at all.
Vs 50mm 1.8 -----------------------If you see the comparison on DXOMARKS, you might think that 50mm 1.8 version is sharper. If that is so, it might be just a fraction over a particular aperture.Practically, 1.4 is much better when it comes to colors. Yes, colors with 1.4 are much vibrant and rarely need correction in post.I first purchased a 50mm 1.8 which kept be excited in the beginning but i soon lost my love after infatuation was over :) I was never happy with colors, they looked little muted and bit yellowish. I used to fiddle with white balance more often.After i purchased a 1.4, i realized how better it is and Yes, aperture = 1.4 vs 1.8 makes a lot of difference in low light conditions. I can shoot at lower ISO or faster shutter speed with better results.While 50mm 1.8 was not really usable at widest aperture of 1.8 (bit soft), i have no hesitation in using 50mm 1.4 at its widest aperture.Construction quality and ultrasonic motor makes it really worth for the price along with definitely better image quality. No, i won't compare them at aperture 2.8 (as DXO do) since i didn't purchase them for 2.8!I kept both lenses for decent time to compare side by side and i always loved to pick 1.4 whenever needed.While i lost interest in 1.8, i am loving photography more than ever with 1.4 and use it whenever it is possible to use this focal length. Recently sold 1.8 with no regrets.If you have budget, don't go cheap, buy 1.4 and be happy. Else, 1.8 is still a good value for money and you can sell it later without loosing much money (resale value is amazing).Vs 85mm 1.8 ----------------------------It is not really fair to compare lenses with different focal lengths, each focal length has its specific purpose. Still, i would like  to bring a few practical aspects which can help some in making a good decision.85mm 1.8 is currently rated 4.8 stars out of 5 on amazon. This was the factor which influenced my purchase.85mm makes a very nice length for portraits.If you are using a full frame, you might find this length perfect for portraits and use it indoors easily. However, with a crop body (1.6 crop factor), 85mm becomes nearly equal to 135mm which again is a good length for portraits  but not really for indoors while 50mm with a crop becomes nearly 85mm which is very useful for indoor portrait shooting.... thats too with F/1.4!So, with a crop body, 50mm 1.4 might be the one you are looking for instead of highly rated 85mm 1.8I do possess 85mm and do most of my photography at home with my little kid. It is always sitting in drawer while 50mm is doing all the action.So far, 85mm has failed to impress me on my Canon T4i body in average lit conditions. I feel that crop sensors are not really good to take advantage of 85mm's high quality optics.I recently purchased a full frame (Canon 6D), i hope that i will be using 85mm a lot from now onwards, will write a review for 85mm too after some time. It is better to have both in your bag. If i have to start again with a crop body, i will always put my money on 50mm 1.4 before any other lens.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edit: 11 April 2014-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am already using a full frame (Canon 6D) and used it for more than a year. I still possess 50mm 1.4 and 85m 1.8. Additionally, i also have 135mm F/2 L which is the benchmark to compare any lens.So, my observation and recommendations are as follows:Crop Body:1) 50mm f/1.4 - This will make an ideal portrait lens while giving a lot of low light capability. It will effectively be 80mm (50 x 1.6). This lens always amazed me and provided wonderful pictures. This is reasonably sharp at f/1.4, better at f/1.8 and amazing sharp at F/2.8. I mostly used it between F/1.4 to F1.8 and that's the reason i purchased it. I am no more using crop and full frame is different story, read below.2) 85mm f/1.8 - This focal length is not really for crop body. Take it only if you are sure you want this focal length (effectively 85 x 1.6 = 136mm). No, i am not sating that focal length is bad, just that it will be too tight for indoor purpose. So, unless you want that focal length, simply purchase 50mm f/1.4. Personally, i never liked 85mm on my crop and you need to stop down to f/2.8 to get sharp pics.3) 135mm F/2 L: No, i never used it on crop body but can tell you that it will be very long focal length. This hasn't got image stabilization so it will be difficult to use it handheld in low light specially when ISO capability of crops are limited. Yes, this can be an excellent outdoor lens but with very specific use.Full Frame:1) 50 mm F/1.4: Not liking it on full frame as much i liked it on crop. But yes, this is wider now. Corners are not as good and it shows up on full frame. Not sure if i am spoiled by 133mm F/2 L, i don't like the image quality as much as i liked when i used it with crop. I see little CA and fringing outdoors, yes i have micro adjusted it, so it is focusing perfectly.Don't get me wrong, this is still amazing lens for all low light work (without flash). There could be some situations where only 1.4 or faster lens can work for you.I will sell it only once i have courage to spend on 35mm F/1.4 which is 4 times the price of this one. Till then, this is poor man's F/1.42) 85mm F/1.8: In very short words, i have listed it for sale. I have got some amazing pics with this lens on my 6D which look out of world. I never liked it will crop but the day i first mounted on full frame, i knew that it is a special lens. Now there are 2 reasons effecting my decision to sell: 1) While pics are amazing, CA and fringing are untolerable  2) Configuring my kit differently and don't see 85mm into it.3) 135 F/2 L: Amazing, superb, hallmark..... what can i say, i am in love
Absolutely love this lens.  My husband and I have been starting out our photography buisness and I would recommend this lens to anyone.  I owned the cannon 1.8 50mm prior but the quality of this one is so much better.  When I received it its body looks very study and a nice build.  The pictures come out crisp and clear, gorgeous circular bokeh instead of the cheap octagon bokeh my older lens produced.  Would recommend this to anyone!
The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a reasonably well-built lens and offers commendable optical quality.  The focusing is quick and quiet in spite of the low cost micro-USM motor.  The bokeh quality is excellent, and the full-time manual focusing feature becomes very handy when the camera picks the wrong focus target at a shallow depth of field. Many users regard this lens as slightly soft when the aperture is wide open, but for low-light settings, sometimes the only choice is slightly soft or entirely unusable, and being able to stop clear out to 1.4 is then beneficial.  The use of a 58mm filter ring ensures access to a wide range of quality filters at reasonable prices.In most respects the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is worth the upgrade from the EF 50mm f/1.8 II, which begs the question of why Canon designed the front element to travel outside of the lens barrel during focusing.  That sort of cost-saving measure is expected on a $100 basic lens like the EF 50mm f/1.8 II, but not on a higher-end prime costing over $300.  Fortunately, the moving front element does not rotate on either of these lenses, so position-sensitive filters such as circular polarizers and partial-gradient ND filters will not be disrupted by focusing operations.  However, other popular mid-grade Canon primes have no external movement, including the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM, EF 28mm f/1.8 USM, and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.A first-time dSLR user would be better served with the 50mm f/1.8 II, and higher-end buyers would be better served with the 50mm f/1.2L, if for no other reason than to delete the external travel on the lens barrel.  For everyone else, the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is an essential part of any well-rounded camera kit.
The F1.4 maximum opening makes a big difference on being able to take indoor shots without flash at 1/60sec versus 1/20sec with the standard kit zoom (F3.5 to 5.6).
When your used to using a zoom this is difficult to get used to. I love the results of the large apeture. I've been shooting a lot more indoor natural light portraits, and can get 2 more stops than usual with my other lens. It's awesome for that. The focus can be tricky though. You really have to pay attention to what it's focusing on.Love it though.
unreal quality.  even a dummy, such as myself, can make pictures look like they're done by a pro!  it takes a bit of getting used to the fact that there is no zoom, but this lens forces you to pic a subject, focus on what you want to do and take a beauty pic.  it's a must purchase.  i'm just angry at myself for not splurging earlier - i would of loved to have this lens for the first 8 months of my daughters life!  live and learn...
I've had this lens for about 8 months.Pros:--It's light weight!--It does great in low light.--It takes sharp pictures.  Because of that, I can crop and still have a pretty good image.Cons:--Focus is slow and a little unreliable.--It is loud when it is focusing -- whirring as it goes in and out, in and out, trying to focus.I use this one when I know it's going to be dark and at the same time I want a sharp picture.  I also use it sometimes just to force myself not take pictures without the benefit of zoom -- it causes me to change my style of photography a little.Realize that this is NOT an L lens.  (I have 2 Ls and 2 non-Ls.)Summary -- I like the lens.  I use it often enough, and I'd buy it again :)
I think this is the best all-around lens for a number of reasons.1. It is unbelievably sharp. I shoot it indoor at F2.8, 1/90, and ISO 200 most of the time (5D3). The key here is to get a Speedlite 270EXII and spend time to learn how to use it well. Pictures are incredibly detailed. BTW, spend a couple of hours micro-adjusting the focus. I had to set this at -12 to get the sharpest images.2. It is just the right size and weight. Most lenses are just too big, bulky, and heavy for general purpose use. I also tried the Canon 40mm F2.8 pancake. Great lens, but actually too small and didn't feel right. This 50mm is just right.3. Good focal length. On my 5D3 (full frame) I feel like 35mm is too wide, and 85mm is too tight in *most* general purpose situations. Again, the 50mm is just right for the vast majority of situations.I know a lot of people are wondering if they should get the F1.8 or F1.2 instead of the F1.4. I too agonized over this. I had the F1.8 prior to this, and while that is a great lens, it just feels too cheap on a 5D3. If money is really tight, or you just want to experiment, go with the F1.8. If you want something you'll use a lot (like me) go with the F1.4. As for the F1.2, I think it makes sense if you are a professional and need that extra tiny amount of capability. However, for that tiny amount of extra capability between F1.2 and F2.0, you are paying an extra $1000 and getting a much bulkier lens. My advice is to shoot at F2.8 and learn how to use your Speedlite well. Spend the money you save on a Speedlite 270EXII and a 5D2 or 5D3.
I bought this to take portraits and also in low light situations indoors.  I use XTi.Initially, I was somewhat disappointed with the indoor shots because of the softness of the shots at low f stops (less than 4 perhaps), as well as the orange hue. I tried different settings but I wasn't entirely happy with the performance of the lens. Still, it was far, far better than the original lens that came with the camera (18-55mm). Canon should stop selling that lens, in my opinion, but I digress.The day time shots (indoors and outdoors) came out very well with crystal clear  focus with great bokeh. So, I don't think there's anything wrong mechanically with the lens.  I am happier with the lens as I discovered that at least with my XTi, the indoor, low light shots come out really well at the factory preset mode (turn the dial to "no flash" mode). I am able to take shots with truer colors (no more orange hue) that are sharper than my own settings with this simple turn of the knob.  Almost too easy, but I like the results.  (Update: I've since figured out how to use my camera with apperture (Av) and shutter (Tv) settings which has solved the color problem.  I am also finding out that the indoor shots are coming out with great clarity. I also bought an L lens 17-40mm recently, but I find myself using this lens over the L one for indoor shots w/o flash.)I originally gave this 4 stars thinking that it was a bit pricey, but after using it for several months in various lighting situations, I am very, very pleased with the shots, and I think this is a 5 star lens.I am happy with this lens. It's a very good lens. I am pleased with the photos that I am taking. I am also enjoying taking shots without disturbing the people since I can take shots in low light indoor situations without the flash.(Update: I find the narrow field of focus on this lens and the great bokeh to be an execellent way to take close ups of people and objects.  The photos have depth and are very pleasing. I am very happy with this lens and can't imagine not having this lens both indoors and outdoors.  F1.4 is a must.  I recently spoke with a friend who "saved" money by getting the F1.8 but regrets the decision. We both agree that F1.2L might be nice if one has the money, but at $300 to $350 level, the F1.4 produces great shots with clear focus and a very nice bokeh. It's worth the price tag and you won't be disappointed.)
OK so there's a lot of discussion on whether this is a "good" lens,and it's an OK to good lens for the money.  The biggest problems is the chromatic aberration.  Now this just could be this particular lens, though there is a lot of discussion on that, too.  My experience is this:  if you are shooting high contrast color with a lot of dark to light edges, the lens interprets the borders and shadows as a kind of deep green.  My particular shot included a white traffic stripe on a black asphalt road, and I was shooting close at 1.4 so any aberration is bound to show up under these conditions.  The green aberration appeared mostly in the bokeh, so that might be the final factor in a shot that would force the lens into bad behavior.There was green fringing along the subject of the shot, and nothing I could do in Lightroom or PS could get rid of it minus a lot of color selection and masking that really should not be necessary.So I spoke with a knowledgeable friend and showed him the shot and he said that this kind of aberration is not out of bounds for a 350.00 lens under the conditions I was using it in.  So really, it ain't L glass but we knew that.It is fine in the middle focus range of the lens and the middle of the aperture ranges, it will hunt a little (so focus on a contrasty edge because that's where all lenses like to focus), but otherwise it performs quite well.My gripe is this:  Canon, give me a 1.4 50mm lens in the 800 dollar range and I'll snap it up.  The price disparity between the 1.4 and the 1.2, while understandable, is too much of a gap to justify spending 1400.00 on the 1.2 lens.The lens is really just a plinker.  Good for fun, but not for serious hunting.
I bought this lens after a short, disappointing episode with its cheaper 1.8 brother (seeCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens). The 1.8 lens was flawed (it had a big, 1.5 mm long spec of dirt inside the lens, a problem that others on Amazon have reported too!) and I sent it back. A[fter some additional research and reading of reviews, I decided to cough up the money for the 1.4 lens and I am very happy I did this.While the 1.8 lens seemed to be a good lens (aside from the dirt inside), the 1.4 is sharper, takes in more light, and is also more responsive. Not to mention the precise distance control. You can do great indoor pictures without ever using the flash and you end up with nice crisp pictures without the harsh effects of the flash. VERY impressive.The 1.4 lens is also much more sturdy (nice metal body) than the 1.8 plastic lightweight. Even if the dirt had not been inside the lens, I would have been tempted to send the 1.8 lens back because it felt too light and fragile.All in all, I am happy that I ended up spending the additional $250 on this lens. It's worth it.
This is a very good lens from and IQ standpoint.  Much better than the 50mm f/1.8 II.  In some regards it performs as well as the more expensive 50mm f/1.2L version of the lens.  Just couldn't justify spending that much money on a 50mm L.  This lens does exhibit some coma when taking star shots, and also won't work on IR converted sensors (produces a hot-spot in the center) but those the only negatives, and the 50mm f/1.2L has the same issues.  If I really wanted to jump up to a premium grade standard lens (although almost all will have issues with coma and aberrations for bright specular highlights and stars), then I'd consider the new Sigma 50mm art lens which is excellent and won't break the bank like the Canon L lens will.
It was a present for a friend and he loved it. So glad to bought the original.You wont regret it
This lens takes beautiful photos. BUT I have had this lens for two years and the autofocus has needed repair twice: once for free by Canon, and once for $90 by Canon. The build quality is LOW. For the price, I suggest the 50mm f1.8 lens available for less than a hundred dollars. This is not my first repair of a Canon item; in my experience, Canon products work great when they are working, but they are not very durable and require frequent, expensive repairs.
After using the f1.4 for several months and then holding a friend's f1.8, I am so glad I chose this lens over the f1.8.  The USM is so quick and quiet, the bokeh is gorgeous... I have gotten several wonderful prints with this lens. If you can afford this lens over the 50mm f1.8 I would strongly recommend you make the investment.
i'd call myself a pseudo-amateur photographer as of now. i work as a designer for a fashion magazine so i always work with beautiful images but its almost always the DESIGNATED photographers that do so, however i've been given a few opportunities here and there. my point is, i'm not about to shell out over a grand for the 50mm 1.2f just yet, but this is doing a damn good job convincing me its worth the cash. For such a moderate price, it takes stunning photos. The quality is nice, and i love the color... But mostly what i love this for is that fantastic depth of field. I'm the kind of photographer who can practically cream himself over beautiful depth of field... Perhaps its my background in digital art, my love for perspective and execution... What i love most is that the same photo can portray several moods depending on whats in focus, and how shallow you're focused. This truly is the artists lens... Great bokeh, dof, good colors and quality. All around, worth it.
I hope I can add something meaningful...I am by no means a professional or even advanced amateur (bought my first DSLR a few months ago).Pros:SolidQuietFast Auto FocusFull Time Manual FocusBeautiful BokehAmazing colorsSharpCons:More expensive than 1.8 (how much does full-time manual focusing, construction, quiet auto-focus matter to you?)Lacks IS (I know it is not a huge deal but I think it could be helpful)Should include a free lens hoodThis is my first lens besides the kits lens that comes with the T2i so I hope this review might be helpful to those deciding to branch out beyond the kit lens. The lens is amazing just not perfect... maybe I had too high of expectations (or more likely I am just an ignorant novice photographer). Nevertheless, as soon as I took this thing out of the box I told my wife, "I am never using the kits lens again". (I have had this lens for a couple of months and did put the kit lens on once to take an indoor group picture because there just wasn't enough room at 50mm... however as soon as the picture was taken this lens was back on my camera.)First off this lens is amazingly solid (makes the plastic kit lens feel like a toy). I swear it doubles the weight of my camera (not in a bad way)... I now understand the reviews which said that the T2i feels cheap.I don't do a ton of videography but like taking an occasional video and was hoping the quiet auto-focus would eliminate the annoying sound picked up by the internal mic when focusing... it doesn't (it might be slightly less but still just as annoying). Nevertheless the silent auto-focus is very nice and makes the kit lens sound like a semi (that might be too drastic but you get the point).Before this lens I was still familiarizing myself with the camera and only shot in the basic modes. If you have no intention of branching out beyond the basic modes you may want to hold off on purchasing this lens since most of the benefits come with learning the manual modes and using a low aperture. Expect a little bit of frustration as you try to learn the advanced modes and get non blurry photos that are completely in focus. It can be frustrating but well worth the learning curve. When this thing hits the photos are beautiful the bokeh is awesome, the colors pop, and everything is perfectly sharp.I thought the full time manual mode would be incredible no longer having to flip a switch on/off. I was wrong... maybe I am stupid but searching the web I found other people would try to manually focus in AI Servo. Don't be an idiot like me and others. AI Servo focuses continually so you have to change modes to manually focus (unless you want to grind against the gears). Maybe it is just me but it would be nice if the camera could tell you were manually focusing and disable the auto-focus regardless of what mode you are in. Don't get me wrong the manual focus is nice just not as perfect as I thought it might/could be.The low aperture although very helpful will not do miracles... I find myself desperately longing for a flash (I hate the on board flash) in some lighting conditions. The low aperture helps a lot but is only one piece of the puzzle. The low aperture does more for bokeh than it does in eliminating the need for light. If your primary concern is crappy lighting ... get a flash. If your primary concern is crappy quality (sharpness, bokeh, color) get this lens. Or get both (which I plan to do shortly). Some people state they no longer need a flash with this lens which may be true for some but I find in my horrible lit apartment it is almost impossible to get decent pictures without using one even when the lens is stopped down to 1.4.Part of me really wished this lens had IS (except for the increase in price that would go along with it) it really would make this great lens incredible. The kits lens although having far worse image quality and color is a little more forgiving with the IS. I think this may be why some people complain about non sharp photos. I have found the camera can take amazingly sharp photos even when wide open at 1.4 but it requires a lot more skill (steady hands or a tripod and spot on auto focus). A random tip I found helpful when taking pictures of my daughter was to use AI Servo but to track her movement for a second or two before taking a picture. It gives the auto-focus time to properly track her constant movement and results in a ton more sharp pictures than taking a picture immediately after focusing.I also purchased a filter (included for free with purchase) and a lens hood. The filter is close to a waste of money and I could only see myself using it if I was in a harsh environment and seriously worried about particles getting into the lens since it destroyed image quality. The lens hood is amazing (I bought one of the non name brand hoods)... I could be wrong but I think it helps the lens auto-focus quicker in some lighting conditions. Additionally, it looks good and provides a decent level of protection without loss of photo quality (pick one up).Purchase Price: $346.00 Brand New
I use this on a Canon t4i.I'd really, really love to give this lens 5 stars but I cannot because of the autofocus, which can be a little hit-or-miss at f/1.4. And let's be honest, you are looking at this compared to the 50mm f/1.8 lens because of that extra f-stop. But with such a wide aperture, if the focus is a little off it can make an entire image blurry. It tends to happen for me more the further away something is; close up shots are usually pretty crisp but beyond a few feet it's a coin toss as to how well the autofocus will work. At smaller apertures, the little bit the autofocus might be off matters a lot less, and I get some very good shots stopping down to f/2-f/3.2.With all that said, I actually do like this lens quite a bit. 50mm is a great focal length for urban photography and indoor shots, especially because it is small and light, and you can really do a lot with the wide aperture. You can take some incredible night shots thanks to the f/1.4 aperture because it just takes in light. (Again, just make sure it's focusing correctly.) The depth of field you can achieve with this lens is insane.If this lens got damaged or stolen, I would probably not by another and buy the 50mm f/1.8 instead, simply because the autofocus makes it hard to justify the price for an extra f-stop I don't often use.
Love the light-weight feel of this lens and the short, compact body makes my overall camera feel smaller and easy to grab on the run. I'm still learning to best optimize the blurring because it seems a bit inconsistent. Sometimes I get some really amazing shots with interesting blurs on the edges and sometimes it looks a bit flat with minimal blurring on the edges. I use it mostly to take photos of food so the shots vary depending on whether I'm shooting something small like an apple or something bigger like a plate of pasta. The smaller objects tend to lend to more blurring. But am having fun so far experimenting and seeing the results. Does work nicely in low light but not great for shooting portraits of people because you have to stand far away.
I bought this mainly as a video lens for my Canon 60D because of the reviews and general recommendations of the HDSLR community.Sharpness and low light performance are the main reasons I was excited for this and it did not disappoint. I can use this lens indoors with natural light and still get great results.The lens itself feels very solid and almost weighty compared to the f/1.8 version.As someone new to HDSLR video I found this lens taught me about shooting with incredibly narrow DOF, something I hadn't really encountered with any of the kit lenses I've used in the past.
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI love this lens.  There are only a few lenses under $1,000.00 that are available for the digital canons and also capable of really top quality performance.  This is one of them and a big step up from the standard zoom that came with my Rebel XT.  It is exciting to be able to shoot in low light conditions again (I had a F 1.2 lens for my old AE-1 film camera).  I even shot some great stuff at night.The focal length is a very useful one and I LOVE the bokeh but sometimes the short focal plane is a little too confining.  For detail shots you have to switch to manual settings and stop it down to get enough depth of field to keep your subject all in focus.
I purchased this lens because of my disatifaction with the Sigma being so soft at 1.4. This lens is $150 less than the Sigma and performs much better wide open. I highly recommend staying with Canon wehn considering the 50mm lens, save money and get better results.
Build quality is much better than the Canon 1.8 50mm, of which i have broken two now.  Optical quality is great, and 2 extra stops of light is always welcome.  Worth the extra money.
I'm new to the DSLR world.  I use this lens with my Canon T1i which I bought at Christmas.  All I can say at this point is the just like moving from point-and-shoot to DSLR was a significant jump in quality of even the most basic picture, this lens was a similar jump over the 18-55 kit lens in terms of picture quality.  The first picture that I quickly took without a lot of thought looked like a magazine cover.  I'm still trying to work on my skills with the narrow depth of field which is both awesome and dangerous at the same time.  I bought the 1.4 over the 1.8 for quality and I'm glad that I did.  The lens is sturdy and I'm sure it will serve me well as I improve with it for years to come.
A great alternative to the f/1.8, well worth the additional cost.  Takes great shots, excellent bokeh and super crisp images.
Purchased it from Amazon last Summer to shoot indoors without flash. It works under most conditions. In really low light, the focus may get slower.
This is a great lens and I would recomend anyone steping in to photography get this lens you wont regret it.
I have only played with it a little, but I love the results.  Awesome depth of field on clsoe ups and I love howit pulls seemingly non-existant light in to the photo at low F-stops.  Very pleased with the purchase.
Nice, sharp, bright, fast. But the darned thing focuses slightly in front of the subject.I was using the AF to get close and then switching to manual focus to fine tune, but then I decided, hey, why am I doing this for $360? Its not my imagination. I ran a test with a tripod and three focus cards on sticks. Very disappointed.I assume you can adjust it, but that should be the manufacturer's job.Thanks be to Amazon, they accepted a return at less than 30 days and gave me a refund.Canon should hire Amazon's Customer Service Manager. You have to like Amazon. Canon Customer Tech Support actually told me that I had to be wrong. Blame the victim.Amazon is, I think, the best customer service and support organization out there.BTW, I now have my second Tamron lens. Top quality performance and a six (6) year warranty. With Piezo drive their technology is ahead of the prime manufacturers.
I had a 1.4 on my film camera and really missed it. On my digital i had a 50mm 1.8 so I upgraded and really like it.
Something people don't realize is that not all lenses are created equal as neither are all camera bodies created equal either. Unfortunately machines just don't always put the camera together exactly as they are supposed to as well as the lenses. I found that I had a problem with me Canon T2i body that it was out of adjustment and trying the lens out on the body really made it pronounced and on other bodies it was still a little off as well.So I sent all my newer lenses and camera body off to Canon and had them check them all. Each lens I sent to them needed adjustment as well as the camera body had to have some work done as well. Yes it did cost me bit for the shipping but once I got it all back and the free adjustments/warranty service turned out to be outstanding.I now have an incredibly sharp 50mm lens and the body works phenomenally now as well. All in all, when in doubt send it off to canon for adjustment and you'll more than likely end up with a lens you really love. There is no reason you can't get your lenses adjusted every few years to ensure proper focusing and sharpness, It'll pay off.Get it, enjoy it and love it.
This is a great lens and really gives you great shallow depth of field. However if you're new to DSLRs, I'd suggest going with the cheaper 1.8 50mm lens first as it's about 1/3 of the price and still gives you fantastic images.
I own and operate a start-up photography company and have rented the F/1.2 on several occasions. Its a great lens but for the price its hard to swallow when you need to spread your funds as far a possible. If you have the money buy the L-series. If not, don't hesitate to purchase this one. I can barely justify the benefits of the L-series in comparison to the F/1.4. Its a bit smaller and lighter, but that's not a bad thing when you are already toting around several pounds of equipments all day. As far as quality is concerned you can look at comparisons all day but I can guarantee if you are good at your craft your clients will receive a final product just as good as what the L series would produce
I bought this lens to replace the 1.8 version.  The focus time is much quicker, the build quality is much better, and I haven't had any problems with it so far. The 1.4 to 1.8 aperture range is not getting a whole lot of use, as it's kind of hard to use; the DoF is SO shallow that it takes a pretty steady hand. But it's quite sharp on the portions that are in focus, and the bokeh is VERY nice on the background.Caution--it's a little long on a crop sensor camera. Other than that, there are no negatives.
I've used this lens to take photos of my baby and dogs and the results are fantastic. I am an amateur but now look like a pro photographer. The wide 1.4f aperture allows you to shoot bright looking photos without using a flash. It also, when wide open, has a great background blur effect. Zooming with my feet is no problem, but 50mm does seem close up so its hard to use in small rooms or tight spaces.  Focus speed is lightning fast and quiet. So glad I bought this lens over the 1.8f nifty 50. The build is solid.
I bought this lens over a year ago for my wife... it was the lens which hooked me on photography and started a very long, expensive road of purchasing lenses that cost more than some cars I've owned.But not this lens... reasonably priced, and it has earned its spot next to the other lenses in our collection, some of which cost 3 to 8 times more.  The build quality can't compete with any of the L-series lenses, but the images that it can produce definitely give them a run for their money.  When you factor its relatively small size, light weight, and focus speed, it's easily the best lens for the money, without question.I just had to pay respect with a review for the lens that got me hooked on photography, and then more specifically, very fast glass & primes.  There's just no substitute for the low-light abilities, bokeh, and separation of subject from the surroundings you get.
Works great. Amazing for indoors and lower light.  Cant beat the price. It should be a must have for everyone.
One of my go to lenses, I absolutely love it!!
This is an OK lens. If you need a low light lens at an affordable price, this is a good lens to have in your bag. The bokeh you can achieve is tremendous. Even in outdoors shooting, you can get a soft bokeh from subtle back lights.Highly recommended for your first 1.4 lens at a great price.
Bought this lens for the Canon 7d. I've loved it so far. For me, the price and quality represented a good midpoint between the 50mm 1.8 and 1.2 (which I suppose was Canon's goal). The lens is a bit soft at its widest, but I really only use that for extremely low light, and shoot mostly at 4.0 or 4.5 if the light allows, where the lens seems to be sharpest. As this is mounted on my 7d, the focal length is closer to 80mm (78mm to be exact, I think), so it's not exactly wide, but I knew this before purchasing, so no complaints there. Build, for the most part, seems very solid. It's got some heft, and no plasticy feel to it, still would really want to put its durability to any stress test unless necessary though. Overall, it's a great lens. If I had the money, I would of course go top of the line with the "L" series lenses, but I don't, so this made for an excellent compromise. Recommended.
This lens has been a big disappointment. While sharper than the kit lens I didn't even get a year before the focus ring broke.  Apparently this a common problem and the slightest bump will mess it up. I thought this would be an affordable lens for studio work but not the case. If you are looking for an affordable prime go with the f/1.8. That way when it takes a crap in a year you're only out $125 instead of $400.
i love this lens. Really makes your model look a lot prettier :) Be careful when you are using it with aperture and getting close to the object ...
this lens was ordered as new but came with a LOT of dust inside on the elemenst. Also was slow to focus.
Wife just LOVES this lens!  She went from an 18-55 to this and is just in awe!  I watched a coupe reviews on the 1.8/1.4/1.2 and for the money, the 1.4  is where its at (for us at least).  Very stout, and well put together lens.  Every photographer should have one of these in their bag.
I just bought this "baby" on Friday,next day I was shooting indoor swimming event.What I could see in the viewfinder I could not believe myself...I was shooting w/ISO 800 using 1/500s and 1/640s speed and shoots are great. I could not believe my own eyes. Shoots turned out superb.I would recommend this lens to everyone,very well money spent.It is very good in tied spots and very fast.I love it.
I'm a semi-professional photographer, and this lens took my photography to a whole new level.  Having a prime lens is something that I highly recommend if you don't have one.  This lens in on my camera 95% of the time because of how great it is in low light.  Even in highly lighted situations it's amazing because you can get ultra fast speeds.I've heard mixed reviews about the 1.4 V 1.8.  Here's my opinion.  If you just want good family pictures as an amateur photographer then go with the 1.8 because you probably won't notice the difference.  However, if you shoot video or are like me semi-pro to pro then the 1.4 is the way to go!Just one more note, this lens is very sharp once you get into the f/4-8 range.  The focal point is very small at 1.4ish.  However, the added speed that you get with it more than makes up for it.  Anything below f/3 will be more &#34;stylized&#34; for effect.  I definitely recommend this lens, and wouldn't take as great pictures and videos without it!
Canon makes three 50 mm lenses at three different price points.  The 1.4 & 1.8 are regarded highly relative to their cost.  A major difference between the two is overall quality of the build.  The less expensive 1.8 is very light and uses a plastic mount, no distance window and an older, slower, AF motor.  What I like about the 1.4 is, while it is light, it feels more solid, uses a quieter ultrasonic focus motor, has a distance window, more aperture blades and a more durable metal mount. It is also faster.So far using the lens, it performs very well.  Image quality is very high, great dof control, and images are very sharp.  expect a "glow" or halation wide open but this is common I think with the other 50mm options.
This bad boy loves to eat light. It sucks it in like a vacuum. the results? It can give you nice images in low light conditions when other lenses give you grain. Oh yeah and of course it will give you &#34;THAT LOOK&#34;. You know the one I mean. One thing in focus while everything behind it it is out of focus. It just looks gorgeous at 1.4! This is a must have for shooting low light conditions like wedding ceremonies.  It has an EF mount which makes it EF-ing awesome!
With the 50mm f1.8 lens available for less than a hundred dollars, why spend so much more to get the f1.4?  The answer is, you may not need to.  It all depends on your seriousness, budget, and how long you need your lens to last.If you want a "starter lens" for shooting at 50mm (or with prime lenses in general), the f1.8 would be a great buy.  50mm is a very useful and intuitive focal length to spend some time with, because it will portray the world through the viewfinder at about the same distance as your naked eye on all of Canon's consumer-priced dSLRs with the 1.6x crop factor*.  (*Updated after extensive discussion in the comments.)  So you could buy the f1.8 cheaply, regard it as a "play with it" lens, and get a nice introduction to "prime lens quality."  The f1.8 will seem like a substantial step up from kit lenses and most consumer-priced zooms, and amazing bang for few bucks.So if the f1.8 is such a great bargain, why would the f1.4 be among Canon's most all-time popular lenses?  It's that the f1.8 can take the great shot within certain conditions, but the f1.4 delivers within a much wider range of conditions.  In other words, "You get what you pay for," and we'll save the best for last.Affordable-but-Solid Contruction:  The f1.4 will likely have a much longer life than the cheaper plastic build of the f1.8, and retain more resale value.  It's an investment, rather than a commodity.  And it'll be more certain on your camera and in your hand.  (My first one finally needed some calibration, after 80,000 shots and extreme wear-and-tear from frequent swapping with my other primes.)  Users sometimes report the front glass falling out of their f1.8s.  For the f1.4, the main issues revolve around the Micro USM focus motor, which is not as sturdy as true USM.Focus Versatility:  The f1.4 lets your camera autofocus, and then lets you tweak further by hand without flipping a switch - that's called "Full-Time Manual Focus."  The f1.8 requires switching back and forth between auto and manual focus.  The f1.8 is famously noisy/buzzy during autofocus, has a bare-minimum focus ring, and no distance scale.  The f1.4 will autofocus more reliably, especially in dim light, though it will fail occasionally when starved.Resistance to Abberation:  Chromatic abberation (fringe colors) and barrel distortion are evident-but-low for both lenses at wide apertures - that's "prime lens quality."  But in comparison tests, the f1.8 is more susceptible to vignetting (shadows around the corners), halation (glowing around the highlights), and lens flare.  For instance, lens flare within the f1.4 tends to be more tightly controlled - "in focus" - whereas a bright light source is more like to blow out the whole shot in the f1.8.  All these factors improve when stopped down, but lag about a stop behind the f1.4.Color:  However, if the f1.8 catches up at f/8 to the f1.4 by many standards, it rarely catches up to the f1.4's saturation.  The f1.4 has "proper-to-strong" color richness at all but the widest apertures, while the f1.8's shots are much more likely to require postwork.  (I do, however, get better saturation from my 24mm f2.8 and 100mm Macro f2.8.  The 50 f1.4's saturation seems good-not-great by comparison.)"Headroom":  The engineering of both lenses lets you choose the tradeoff between "most possible light" or "most possible clarity." It's by design that you can choose "more light for less crisp," or stop down for sharpness.  *Samples vary*, but the average 50mm f1.4 should consistently "get down to sharp" more quickly, "sharp enough" by f/2.0, "very very sharp" by f/2.8 (often exceeding the professional 24-70mm f2.8 L when wide open), and delivering "unreal sharp" by f/4.  (I saw insane "specks of mascara sharpness" at f/3.5 from my first f1.4.)  Again, the f1.8 will probably lag about a stop behind that curve.My second 50mm f1.4 performed even better than my first, right out of the box, "marginally sharp" at f/1.4 and increasingly beyond reproach by f/1.8-2.  (At f/1.4-1.6, it suffers only from halation and some light fall-off in darker areas.)  So if extreme sharpness is necessary for you, shop with a strategy that will let you return your lens or get it calibrated if not up to your needs.  My guess is that my first one was more typical out of the box, but it approached the performance of the second after calibration.(It's also worth noting that the premium-priced 50mm f1.2L is drastically more sharp (and better performing generally) at wide apertures, but *less* sharp at f/2.8 through f/8.  The f1.4 is a better "walkaround" performer than the f1.2L lens that costs four times as much.)Regarding light return specifically, my own experience in lens-swapping baffled me, until I read other reports that the f1.4 exposes a third of a stop brighter than most other Canon lenses.  It's brighter in the viewfinder generally, and really IS a whole stop "faster" than the f1.8 at maximum apertures (i.e., the same net exposure at half the shutter speed).  If you're willing to sacrifice some clarity, that extra stop can make a huge difference when you're challenged by moving targets in low light.(For instance, shooting "wide open" for performers in dim venues.  Faster shutter for less motion blur.  More light for better color.  And the edges may be soft at 100% magnification, but *relatively* clear compared to the out-of-focus background.  That "illusion of clarity" isn't as likely to print very well, but resizes very snappily for the web.)So the f1.8 can certainly produce some stunning images, particularly in general daylight photography OR tightly-controlled conditions OR stopped down, but is less adaptable to challenging circumstances that the f1.4."The Best for Last...":Now, with both these lenses, you get the advantage of marvelously wide aperture, which can be used for a tight focal plane that lets the background (or foreground distractions) fall quickly out of focus.  This is of course a cornerstone of creative photography, and both lenses give you plenty to explore.  (In practice, even f/2.8 delivers a pretty shallow depth of field in close-up shots, so these wider lenses give you even more room to play.)However, there is such a thing as "blur quality," called "bokeh," based on the number of aperture blades within the lens.  The f1.8 has five, and the f1.4 has eight.  The f1.8 will portray out-of-focus lights more pentagonally, the f1.4 more roundly.  (In focus, those same lights will be eight-pointed stars with the f1.4, ten-pointed with the f1.8 - odd numbers of blades double the number of points.)  But most importantly, the blur from the f1.8 can be rather "choppy," especially at wide apertures, while the f1.4's is consistently more "buttery smooth."In other words, there's more to quality than sharpness - there's also quality where your shot is LESS than sharp.  And this is where the f1.4 becomes "a favorite lens" for some people, even at over three times the price of its diminuitive counterpart.Make no mistake, the f1.8 would make an excellent "starter" lens.  But the f1.4 is an exceptionally *serious* lens.  Are you still learning to love photography?  Then $80 is a fine price to pay for a lens you might outgrow.  Or do you already love photography?  Then $300 is a worthy price for a true investment that will reliably pay off.  So they're both bargains, just buy what's best for you.(Addendum - Canon also sells a 50mm f2.5 Macro lens around $250.  If you NEED macro, it's reportedly pretty good, and for general purpose as well.  But it's a) not even as fast as the f1.8, b) more difficult to manually focus than the f1.4, and c) not as creamy in the bokeh, with six aperture blades instead of eight.  And Canon's 100mm version is drastically more practical for macro work, and better performing generally.  But the 50mm Macro does become a contender, at a "middle price," if what you really need is one decent lens to do as many different things as possible, though none of them as well.)
I bought the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens about 3 years ago. It was OK and did a descent job of capturing low light images (small clubs/concerts) but it has lost its ability to focus. If I auto focus, I have to back far away from my subject for it to lock on and if I switch to manual focus, the focusing ring just spins and does nothing. I have not dropped or handled this lens roughly, it just seems to have give out and quit working. Even when it did work, it was never tack sharp but I shoot with all L lenses so I know this isn't a fair comparison but I have seen other images this lens produces and mine never seem to compare. So I must have bought a soft copy along with being poorly built. I am being generous giving it 2 stars. I dont think I will replace this lens and I cant see paying $1500 for the f1.2 L version either although I would to have it.
Better build quality than the f/1.8 and incredible price point with many of the attributes of the f/1.2 at a fraction of the price - this is my new "go to" lens when I want a lightweight, fast prime.  It isn't the sharpest lens wide open, but stop it down to f/2 (and beyond) and you will be amazed.  Great bokeh combined with fast AF for just over $300?  I call that a deal any day of the week.  As long as you aren't expecting "L-series" results I suspect you'll be pretty pleased with what Canon has to offer.  Add the extension tubes for some incredible macro capability as well.  I really enjoy this lens on my 5D.  Highly recommended!
So, its deff not the f/1.2 but if your a good photographer and need a decent lens to take beautiful pictures then this is a good starter lens till you can save up to get something nicer. I don't find it to be as sharp as some of my other lens but with photoshop I can alter my photos.
I have been using this lens for about a month. Here is what I like about it.1.  The USM gives me better auto-focus performance.  Worth the price diff between the f1.8?  ... I'm guessing not, but on the other hand, candids of two active boys might be helped by a speedier auto-focus.2. The f/1.4 gives me a noticable margin for low light situations3. The f/1.4 version is slightly better built and does produce better bokeh than the cheaper f/1.8 models.Here is what I dont like1. I have noticed that the lens is very soft on the wide end between 1.4 and 1.8. There is some kind of "flaring" around the bright spots.2. I have taken identical photos with my L17-40 f4 and dont see this. Although the 50/1.4 is a lot faster than my L lens.. I am sending this lens back either to Canon for calibration or to Amazon..3. The ring of the 50/1.4 appears to be loose. I dont know if this is supposed to be this way.. however for an expensive lens Canon should construct this lens like a tank. but no.. it appears to be cheap.4. The 50mm/1.8 is only about $70 so it's hard to beat. I find the picture quality is around the the same as my 50/1.4.
If you've been shooting standard 4.5-5.6 lenses that have come with your digital camera you don't know what you are missing. I am a Canon user and have been for decades because of the quality of their cameras. While Nikon has improved in the last decade, we've invested in Canon lenses and and as a result have stuck with the Canon SLR bodies for use in our newspaper/magazine business.I had wanted a good 'what you see is what you get' lens and this is it. The quality of the images this lens provides is exceptional and while the 50mm f/1.4 costs a little more it is definitely a case of 'you get what you pay for'.I would recommend this as one of three lenses you should carry in your bag.
Why get a prime (fixed-focus) lens? Because they usually beat variable-focus ('zoom') lenses in performance and image quality. And if there is one prime lens you should have, it should be a 50mm one. This is because the image you get is pretty much the same as the eye sees it, making taking pictures very intuitive. The images you can snap with these lenses are just great.Yet, even with prime lenses there are huge differences even at the same focal length. Canon currently has three different lenses at this length: the f/1.8, f/1.4 (the one I'm reviewing here), and f/1.2L. They have vastly different prices, and the question is if the difference shows. The f1.8 lens is a very affordable (it costs less than a high-end circular pol filter), very good fixed-focus starter lens, and is already very sharp. So, is the f/1.4 at almost quadruple the price worth it?This rather depends on what you intend to do with it. Generally, image quality of the f/1.4 is better than the f1.8, and the bokeh (background blur) is much, much better (although this seems a trivial point at first, try it at low light, and you'll easily see the difference). For me, however, the most important advantage it has over it's more affordable sibling is the much improved low-light capabilities, and the incredible sharpness this lens exhibits at f/1.6 (and even stunningly at f/1.8 and above). You'll wonder how you ever got by without it. For example, at f/2.8 it really puts to shame my (much more expensive) 17-55 f/2.8 lens (at 50 mm), which is renown for it's image quality.As a lens, I enjoy its small size and light weight. It feels nice and much sturdier than the f/1.8. I don't know if the f/1.2 is worth the additional price, as I never felt it necessary to try it out -- there just may be a reason why this lens is one of the most favorite for professional photographers (which I am decidedly not - I am still an amateur). The capabilities of this lens lie past my current capabilities, and I happily await the time when I graduate to the L. Until then, this lens hits the sweep spot between starter and professional. There is no better prime lens, and if you have started with primes, make this your next one.
I use this lenses as my primary. There is a lens that fits every photographers personality. This is one of the most comfortable lenses I've used. They are very fast, great for low light situations. Great value for the price.
I love this lens. Dreamy bokeh wide open at 1.4. Just buy it.I only chose this over the cheaper nifty fifty because I prefer metal build of the 1.4. Either are great 50mm choices.
Unfortunately, I figured out just how BAD my copy was, outside the return window. Horrible CA and complete focus mess. Couldn't even micro-focus adjust it, as it would bounce between +15 for close-up subjects and -10 for far away ones. I attempted to use this exclusively at F1.4, otherwise why buy this lens? If you can't afford the gamble and return game, stick to the F1.8 version. It's MUCH more reliable.
If you have a good SLR camera you must have a prime lens. And 50mm is the first. I have 85mm and 100mm macro, but they are not as useful as this one even on full frame camera. Among 50-s are cheap f/1.8 and an iron bridge cost f/1.2 L. This one is a gold middle.
This lens, the Canon 50mm f1.4 promised to be a really good lens. Well, maybe it is if the AF didn't stop working shortly after I spentalmost $400 to own it. I started noticing that all my images were blurry no matter what my settings were and then I couldn't even findfocus with the MF chosen. I have been shooting with a Canon DSLR (actually had three of them) over the last six years and never had a problem likethis with my other Canon lenses or my Sigma and Tamron lenses. Canon should take this one back to the drawing board. Apparently, I am not alone asI see many others have reviewed this lens here and at the Canon web site and found the failure of the AF system to have happened with their 50mm f1.4 also.Wish I had known about this before buying this lens.
As an amateur photographer, my design work and my cats are my most frequent subjects, and this lens has performed admirably photographing both. I'm not used to working with such a fast lens, or a prime for that matter, but after a bit of a learning curve (Oh, right, I CAN shoot at 1/800!) I've been able to get some pretty great shots. The lens seems sharp, and the performance is solid. And you can't beat the price.
OVERVIEW:You can read any number of reviews about the 50mm 1.8 and how it's the greatest thing for the money, which it is, but this 1.4 isn't a chump either.As I removed my 50mm 1.8 and put on this one, The first thing I noticed was the build, it doesn't have that cheap look and feel and it's a bit bigger and heavier. The USM  and full time manual (in Auto-focus mode you can easily manually override the focus)is a great feature that adds to the value as well. As far as the double brightness in stepping up to the 1.4, well it certainly doesn't hurt, well not usually. You might find times where 1.4 gives you just too shallow of an image on a subject too close, and if you're pointing too close to the bright sun with that extra wide aperture it might play some tricks on you, but these are all things you work out for yourself as you learn.REPAIR:I'd really like to comment on the issue that seems to come up frequently with this lens in that some people say that a medium bump to the side of this lens can cause the focus to fail. Well, I got news for you, it happened to me.But if you're concerned about this or if you have a 50mm 1.4 stuck between 10' and infinity, it's not as bad as you think. The motor didn't fail, the sensor didn't break, but the inside of this lens is the same material as the outside of the 50mm 1.8, cheap shiny plastic. The tolerance is pretty tight in there and a small bump in the right place can easily bend the plastic piece inside and cause it to have too much resistance to let it spin and focus smoothly.Yes, I did disassemble my 50mm 1.4. I do not recommend anyone try this without the full intention to take it completely apart, sand down the interfering parts, clean it and put it back together. You'll need a clean work place, a small screwdriver set, plenty of patience and I encourage you to video tape the process so you can put it back together correctly. Also this is a prime lens, don't try this with a zoom lens.... WAYYYYY more parts that you'll never get back together properly nor aligned.I realize that many people are not as mechanically inclined and patient as I, so I will not post how to do this here, I do however encourage you to go to your nearest camera repair shop with the knowledge that your problem is not a catastrophic one. My first time (with nothing but very concise and detailed illustrated instructions) took me 2 hours and I had a perfectly fixed 50mm 1.4 that I had thought was ruined.
The 24-70L was my primary lens on my D60 for the past few years. Photography is an expensive hobby and I can't afford many upgrades so I chose a prime lens over a new body. Wow! This 50mm 1.4 has been on my body for the past few months. I've rarely touched the L lens. Maybe my 24-70L is defective like I've been reading in those reviews?? Prime lenses are so sharp! I can't compare it to the 1.8, but I'm glad I chose the 1.4. Feels sturdy enough to take my camera everywhere. I do a lot of hiking and needed the durability. It makes me want to sell the L lens and buy another prime.
Before I purchased my EF 50mm 1.4 usm lens I heard only good things about it.  I was thinking about going with the EF 50mm 1.8 but the reviews said that it was not as good.  I had a chance to take many pictures with this lens and can't believe how much fun it is to shoot with.  There is nothing like a fast lens.  At F 2.0 everything is razor sharp.  You can shoot without a flash in poorly lit rooms and still get usable photos.  This lens really captures a lot of light.  I think everyone should have one of these in their camera bag.
Took some photos with this lens and I absolutely love it. As told you are the mover with this lens, not the lens turning.  And you have to get a little close to the subject, but the results are amazing.
It's a good lens but limited on capabilities like some other lenses but really good for the $$
I have been using the Canon 50mm 1.8 II lens for about 2 years now and have been happy with the picture quality.  However, as many people describe, that lens tends to self-destruct, even with careful handling.  Instead of replacing it with another, I decided to upgrade to this guy - and I'm glad that I did.Others have reviewed the features and advantages of this lens.  The only thing I'd like to add is that the USM makes a bigger difference than you might think if you've never used a lens with a USM/HSM before.  Focus is very fast and silent.I don't regret starting with the 50mm 1.8 II - it reassured me that having a prime lens in my pack was worth it.  I would say that this lens is on my camera about 1/4 of the time, but it's well worth having if you take portraits of people or pets.
First of all I am not a professional photographer but I took thousands of pictures over the last past years.I bought this lense especially for low light situations where you don't want to use a flash.Well, that said the lense arraived yesterday and I took my time to get familiar with it.I think its a good lense but its just not working for me and my Canon D60.In every light situation whenever I want to use the aperture fully open the pictures are not in focus.This only gets better around F2.5 and above... well, for this I didn't buy it.This lense is on its way back...I will upload some test pictures for you to compare.Next thing I will try out the cheaper F1.8 version.
1/26/2011 - I love this lens. I started with the "nifty 50" and liked it, but wanted a faster lens (I typically shoot night events such as DJ shows in bars and clubs and the 1.8 wasn't quite fast enough for the low light conditions). Added bonus- not only is this lens a bit faster, the color richness is noticeably better in all lighting conditions. This lens hasn't left my camera in 3 months, it's definitely worth the added cost.5/19/2014 - I still love this lens, however buyers need to be aware that the lens is known for being something of a problem child after a year of solid use. First year I had it, it was amAZing. Over three years later and I rarely bring it out anymore due to auto focus issues. They started up here and there about 2 years after I got the lens, but it was only in low light conditions. Now the lens has started giving me problems in daylight as well. I've asked around to other photographers I know and apparently this is a common problem with this version of the lens.
Buy it. This lens absolutely is a must to have. It is one of my favorite lens, specially for portraits of people.
This is my favorite lens I've ever owned for a taught me so much about how f-stop and shutter speed work together to create beautiful photographs. This lens is amazing the quality shines through its perfect for portraits I love it so much. And having an f-stop of 1.4 is just so useful if you can afford it it's worth every penny. This lens is perfect for taking portraits a.k.a. photos where your subject is clear but their backgrounds are blurry if you shoot at 1.4 or 1.8 the depth of field looks beautiful. Down below I will describe how new photographers can get the most out of this lens.If you're new to digital photography or are on a budget check out the 50 mm f/1.8 lens below as it runs for around $100 and is a great place to start for new photographers for those on a budget.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens - Gray MarketHere I'll explain how the f-stop or aperture priority works on digital SLR cameras. Basically the aperture is a circle inside the lens that as you go up in your f-stop from 1.4 to 1.8 to 2.2 to 3.0 and beyond it shrinks the size of this circle in the lens. The shrinking of the circle from a higher f-stop allows less light to pass through to the sensor. The lower the f-stop i.e. 1.4 allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds in low light situations because the circle in the lens allows more light to pass through because of the lower aperture. Here's an example say are in a well lit room and you're shooting your child (yes that sounds very weird but it's a funny joke anyway). Generally indoors you need to shoot at 1/60 of a second with most lenses they'll instantly autofocus at their lowest f-stop which would be about 4.0. But with this lens since it can go down to 1.4 on the f-stop you could shoot the same picture at 1/125 shutter speed. Resulting in about the same light but avoiding any motion blur that plagues low light photography. Now needs to be noted that as you drop your f-stop you lose depth of field. I.e. how much of your photo will be in focus and how much will be blurred. It's the effect you see on portraits where the person is in focus but the background is blurry.Now I know many people will probably shoot holes in the foregoing explanation of f-stop but I'm not a really advanced photographer but I get how shutter speed and aperture priority work with each other. Buying a lens like this can only help somebody understand how both are related and work together.Here's what I recommend that you do:1. Enable manual mode on your camera this mode allows you to set both the aperture for the lens a.k.a. the f-stop and the shutter speed a.k.a. how long the shutter is opened while taking a photograph.2. Drop the aperture or f-stop to 1.4 on this lens3. Set your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second4. take a picture5. Look at your photograph notice how much is dark and light about it how sharp it is etc.6. Go up to the next shutter speed 1/90th of the second or 1/125 and take another photograph.7. now compare both of the photographs you took8. to change the shutter speed again going up another step taken other photograph now compare all three photographsIf you continue to do this adjust shutter speed while knowing what your aperture is you're going to notice how shutter speed affects the lighting of your photographs all you need to do then is start changing your aperture and repeat the process of stepping through your shutter speeds eventually you'll understand how the aperture works in correlation with shutter speed. I became a proficient photographer using manual controls in less than a month just by doing this simple practice. I would recommend starting outdoors on a well lit day because then you will see how you can adjust your aperture and your shutter speeds to really make good photographs.That's the reason I recommend this lens so highly as it helps you as a beginning photographer to create photographs because the lower f-stop helps you experiment and instantly see your results.Thanks for reading it this was helpful please click the button so others can see it.If you have any questions leave a comment on this review and I'll get back to you if I can help.
Like many reviews (especially the highly ranked one from 2005), I have to say, this thing is sharp. It's also well built and feels like you're really getting something for your money. Metal mount, thick lens cap, smooth focus, all the things you'd want in a nice lens. However you'll read this in every review here. As for my situation...My only hesitation with the lens was if 50mm would be too long for my crop sensor. Sigma has a 1.4 30mm that would have fit the bill as a 50mm on an APS-C but I got a nice price on the Canon so I couldn't say no and I don't regret it. I will admit though that sometimes it's a bit of a pain if I have to take a couple's portrait and I don't have enough space to walk back. With that in mind, it's great for single person portraits on a crop sensor. So if you plan on eventually upgrading to full frame...you really can't go wrong.
The auto focus doesn't work on mine out of the box. I thought it was something I was doing but I asked a friend pro photog and he said it should auto focus. I can get it to work by manual focus but I want both features!
I wanted a 50MM lens for my arsenal and found this Canon lens to be a fine product at a great price. I wanted to get the 50mm f/1.2 lens, but three times to price for that little increase in performance, just didn't seem practical.
This lens worked perfectly for indoor photo shoot.  Had some great shots taken of my granddaughter and turned out perfect.  Wonderful in low light conditions.
I deliberated quite a while if to buy this or the less expensive f/1.8.  I finally got this one after seeing a good deal for a Canon Refurb version.Bottom line:If you like the 50mm FOV, you should get this lens because it is very well made, a stop brighter (2X the light!) and USM for wicked fast focus.I consider this my evening and indoor lens. Folks, I have taken shots with unbelievably low light and this lens locks on instantly and just is amazing on my Canon30D.I do not own the f1/8 but it definitely is a GREAT BUY but consider the build and trust me, when in really LOW light, an F/1.8 will not cut it unless you lower the shutter speed.
I bought mine used from a coworker a week ago.  I have used it daily and I am very happy with the lens.  Built-in flash is evil to me, but the wide 1.4 aperture means I will rarely need to use my flash now.  I LOVE the blurred backgrounds, especially when taking photos of my family/people.
I've owned the 50mm f/1.8 and while it worked wonderfully and is a great lens for the price, it's plastic construction is not as sturdy as the 50mm f/1.4 and it broke after about a year and a half of use. I accidentally dropped my camera from about 2ft high and where as this might usually just cause some damage to my protective filter on another lens, the 50mm f/1.8 popped open like a jack-n-the-box. Googled and came to find out that this is a common occurrence with that lens. For my replacement, I bought the 50mm f/1.4 and I have been more than happy with my purchase. It's quieter, has great bokeh, and a nice solid construction with a metal mount. It is my go to lens more often than not and rarely leaves my camera.
This lens is always in my bag - it's a great little performer at an affordable price, very sharp, great contrast, very fast.  It's also small and lightweight, so easily pocketable when you don't want to carry a bunch of equipment around.  I have several L lenses and this non-L rivals those for image quality.  Highly recommended, especially for photographers looking to going beyond their kit lens, but maybe shy about shelling out the really big $$$ for L lenses or other prime lenses.
There is a reason why this lens is the workhorse of the industry. The 1.4 is sure fast in low light. Couple that with the ISO 1600 on a Full Frame, you can tackle pretty much any lighting condition near complete darkness with little noticable noise. The bokeh is surreal (almost fluffy), the butter smooth USM focusing is dreamlike. If I were forced to choose one lens and only one lens, this would be the one.
So disappointed in this lens.  I ordered this over the f1.8 because I wanted the "better" of the two lenses and didn't mind spending the extra money IF I got what all the great reviews were saying.  After reading the reviews and the comments about the f1.8 getting stuck on some cameras, I chose this instead....with regret.  The box was not sealed with any tape or anything so I'm not sure if I got someone else's return or what.  But this lens right out of the box had auto focusing issues.  Out of 50 pictures, I may have produced 5 ok ones (meaning, mostly in focus).  For instance, just trying to focus on my husband's face, it would look like his whole face was in focus, blurred background but when I would put the picture on the computer it was way off and I couldn't find anything in focus.  I even switched lenses and used the same settings for both camera lenses, I compared the results side by side.  The ones I took with this lens came out less focused and over or under exposed.  The kit lens came out clearer and more sharp.  And, no I did not drop the lens.  I was very careful with it.  No matter what i did...auto focus or manual...the camera wouldn't focus right (kept trying to focus, making that noise...which I thought was pretty loud by the way since it kept doing it so much...but after several tries ended up focusing on something else I wasn't trying to focus on or nothing at all)...most of the pictures were blurry.  Am I a professional?  No.  But I have no problem with my kit lenses for my T2i (other than the lenses not being too good in low light)...my outdoor pics come out really good.  And if the lighting is good, my other photos come out good too.  My macro shots turn out really good.  Pretty sharp actually.  As sharp as the lens is going to get anyway for the kit lens.  Do I take a fantastic shots everytime?  Of course not.  I'm a novice.  But usually I can figure out what I did wrong or know how I can make the shot better and I try again with success.  But I know this f1.4 lens that got shipped to me had to have been experiencing focusing issues.  It just didn't make sense that I couldn't get it to focus right for almost all of my shots.  I bought this because all the reviews say (or most say) this lens is great for low light situations and some even say you don't have to know alot to get good pictures so I know it's not me.  I wanted to use this for a wedding I was attending but ended up taking my kit lenses and took a lot less pictures...because the reception was poorly lit and it I increased the ISO on my kit lens and adjusted the Aperature and Shutter settings, they just had too much noise in the photos to be of any use.  So I only took pictures in lighting that was good.  I had such high hopes for this f1.4 lens and wasn't too happy that I had to go through the trouble of returning it.  5 ok pics out of 50 does not warrant a 400 dollar purchase.  Thinking about buying the f1.8 instead and trying that.  One good thing....Amazon gave me no trouble with the return and was prompt in sending me an email to say they refunded my money.  I don't understand why this box wasn't sealed though...maybe none of them are?  I know if I purchase lenses elsewhere there is a piece of tape across the box so they know if you open it or not.  Not so with this purchase...hmmmm.  Maybe I got a lens that one of the other negative reviewers sent back.  I'd like to see if I can go to a camera store and look at this lens again just to be sure.  It doesn't make sense to me that there are a lot of good reviews on here about great, sharp pictures and I can't even get one sharp photo.  Not one.
I purchased this lens because I really wanted something for really low light shooting. Problem is that this lens is soft when used wide open which kinda defeats the purpose of having a f/1.4 lens. It might work for you but I will just stick to using my 24-70L.
I really wanted to love this lens, it takes great photo's, its light and fast as hell!  The problem is a known auto focus design flaw.  I had it repaired with Canon twice, the first was under warranty but the 2nd time it was not. It would go about 14 months before it failed, its just a bad design, google canon 1.4 50mm af failure and you'll see.  if you get this lens, get the extended warranty!Canon service is top notch though and i was lucky enough to live near their Irvine repair center that helped.My recommendation would be to skip this lens.
Great lens. You get what you pay for. Sure, you COULD get a CAMERA for this price, but not a good one, and this lens in itself is worth it.From the seventies, the 50mm lens was considered the normal lens, as it represented the human field of vision better than any other lens, and so I grew used to using the normal lens. In the DSLR now, the 35mm is closer to a normal lens, but I still like going with the fifty mm, which is now just a hair more telephoto.This is the 50mm to go with.Excellent sharp lens. Right out of the box you can feel the difference in quality with the more accessibleCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. This is a solid lens, well manufactured of high quality materials. In the street as well you can feel the difference, and just get in there and shoot.Some folks like to crop in camera with a zoom, pulling in and out to compose. I prefere just walking up closer, and backing off, just to have a fine quality lens like this. It is what we learned back in the seventies, just walk closer, and works now. THank goodness for this lens. My latest shots over at flickr show the great work this lens does at low light and no light situations. This evenining here in Ciudad Juarez I am going to a charity zombie walk (yes, you read correctly) and hope to upload more soon under difficult lighting situations that this lens just takes in stride without thinking about it.Great lens. You get what you pay for. Get this.
As an amateur photographer, this lens makes me look like a pro.It quickly became my favorite, trumping the kit lens that came with my Canon 40D.Bravo Canon!
Title says it all. Brilliant when the focus hits. Too often, even on a recent body, it doesn't.I've owned two of these lenses, one from the late 1990s and one from 2011. Optically, there's little to complain about. Both copies are sharp in the center from f/1.4. From f/1.4 to f/1.8, there's a fair bit of halation, a gauzy low-contrast glow around objects. This improves portraits, but won't win awards in instrumented testing. From f/2.8 onward, it's very near the best performance available from any lens. Maximum performance is f/5.6 with crop bodies and f/8 with full-frame. Flare isn't much of a bother. Nor is field curvature, where the plane of focus that runs perpendicular to the lens bends at the edges. I've never bothered with, nor felt the need for, the lens hood for this lens. Even lens caps are superfluous with such a recessed front element.A point of technique: depth of field is very shallow at f/2 and below. Focus and recompose, where you focus with the center point and then shift your view before you take the picture, will ensure slightly out-of-focus pictures. You need to select the correct focus point for your composition. The 10D-50D, 7D, and 5D series all have a joystick to make this easier, though the lack of outer cross points on the 5D and 5D II may negate the benefit.The reason I'm giving this lens three stars is the focusing system. It's ostensibly USM, but by way of some hack method that's physically brittle, middling to slow in any light, often inaccurate, and more often inconsistent. It's a world apart from the 85/1.8 and 100/2 of the same vintage. By some great stroke of fortune, and after three rounds with Canon Jamesburg and Canon Irvine, I finally managed to make my first 50/1.4 match my 40D. It was my go-to portrait lens for years. It was accurate, fairly consistent, and not that fast. My hit-rate at f/1.4 and f/1.6 was about 75%. With a 7D, for whatever reason, it was less consistent. The second one, despite a round with Canon Irvine, wasn't ever consistent or accurate on my 50D. Micro focus-adjustment was of no help. My hit-rate was closer to 40%.An update: Roger Cicala at Lensrentals recently tested multiple copies of this lens with a still target and center-point AF on a 5D II. AF missed by a measurable amount 40% of the time and 20% by a noticeable amount.The problem for crop users is that there isn't a comparable portrait lens in this focal length. The 50/1.2 is expensive. The 50/1.8 has less accuracy and middling build quality. Sigma's 50/1.4 misfocuses outside of the 5-15 foot range. If I can't trust a lens, the other attributes pale in importance. For lack of alternatives, it's worth rolling the dice with this 50/1.4, but be prepared to take a lot of refocused safety shots below f/2. My response was to move to full-frame bodies and the 85/100 USM. The 85/1.8 is compelling on a crop body if you're partial to the extra working distance.
Great lens, worth the money.  Very, very sharp, amazing low light capabilities, great bokeh, smooth and fast auto focus.  What more can you want?
I bought this lens for my son from Amazon and he loves it and everything went fine and according to schedule.  I notice that it is also sold by Adorama.....  be carefull with them, they offer no way (that I know) to track pacages, do not respond well to email contacts  and DO NOT meet their shipping schedule. I am still waiting for items I ordered and PAID  expedited shipping for,,,,,,,,,,,,never again  Adorama....
This lens rocks! I wish I had bought it years ago and now it stays on my camera the majority of the time. Buy it, you won't regret it. It's a bit pricey but well worth it.
I've owned the 50mm 1.4 for the last 4 years. Over those 4 years I've used about 20+ other lenses, including the 85mm 1.2, 16-35mm, 70-200mm and the 24-70mm. I truly can say that the 50mm 1.4 has always be my favorite. I don't think I would even be able to recommend the $1,200 jump to purchasing a 1.2.Though the 50mm is not the BEST lens I've ever used, it'll still be my favorite due to sharpness, compact size, ease of use (I always shoot manual focus) and durability.I had one issue with my last 50mm 1.4, someone who borrowed it jammed the lens. It was a strange and odd issue, but I just sold it AS IS to a friend who could fix it and purchased another one. You can't really beat the price.
This lens is quite fast. It captures pictures in low light wonderfully on my crop camera. I'm sure the performance would be even better with full frame. This is the only lens I use if I know I'm going to be indoors at some point. I'm not a pixel peeper, but the picture quality is great. I am sure other reviewers with far better training than I have provided adequate descriptions of the picture quality.At any rate, the focus mechanism looks to be quite delicate. The barrel extends from the front of the lens when focusing. This lens is known to have some problems with backfocus or soft focus that I would guess are a product of the barrel being knocked when extended. I wouldn't carry this lens without a hood. I bought an inexpensive third party hood from Amazon and it works great.
You get what you pay for in this thing. Takes awesome pictures with the right photographer. Wish it would focus quicker and be a bit more quiet. Other than that, gets the job done.
I've been taking pictures for years, but only in the past two years began expanding my knowledge. I have a variety of lenses, but wanted something that would be great for portraits and came across this beauty. I did a little more research and realized that this was the lens I wanted/needed. It has a beautiful bokeh and depth of field, and a nice, wide aperture. I would definitely recommend to ANY canon owner who's looking for a wonderful lens. You can use it for nearly anything, though I primarily use it for portraits.
I got this lens a few weeks ago and I think it is fantastic...it is really sharp (as are most lenses, let's be honest) but what I really love is the creamy bokeh I get from this lens...I don't really care for the ability to focus while still in Autofocus as I am adept at using Manual Focus but it is nice to have...I use it with an SL1 and the black and white pictures I have been getting are awesome...It makes me feel like a pro!  It's very lightweight and I can switch between another lens and this lens pretty efficiently.  I have absolutely nothing to complain about with this lens...It is nice that it stops down to f/1.4 but I find it is sharper at f/1.8 and above (most lenses I have ever owned are sharper at least 2 stops higher)...I definitely would recommend this lens...
Many people are deciding between this lens and the 50mm 1.8. The question is whether it is worthy it as its retail price is three times that of the 50mm 1.8. I had experiences with both lens. First of all, the quality of this lens is much better. This lens is also noticeably sharper than the 50mm 1.8. The f/1.4 also makes it a low light performer. I would say save money for this lens.
I bought the canon 50mm 1.4 and while it takes nice pictures and has a fast focus it miss focus too many times for me to be happy with. I have a canon 6d and have a little above moderate knowledge on photography and I know my camera very well. I always focus on the eyes and yes even with the center focus and the canon 50mm 1.4 sometimes does not focus accurately wide open and the center is kind of soft with noticeable light fall off in the corners and lens distortion which the last two are not a big problem because I shoot raw and easily fixed in lightroom . Now the canon 50mm 1.4 I bought brand new in amazon some time ago and take very special care with because I know the USM motor is very sensitive and gets damaged with any little bump and if you twist to hard on a filter you can damage as well . So I protect it with a lens hood and a B&W (007m) UV filter . So thats my background and with that being said I still like the lens and it's great for low light. Now that lens left me with wanting something better something that did not make me lose my mind when I got the perfect picture with the perfect natural light of my beautiful 4 year old daughter and the autofocus did not focus properly and now the perfect light is gone my daughter won't sit still now ect  I know some of you share my frustration. I recently bought the 50mm macro 2.5  strictly on the review of Ken Rockwell's site and was he right . This lens is excellent for portraits and close up photography ! It's phenomenal blows the 50mm 1.4 right out of the water the auto focus is accurate wide open and the eyes are tact sharp and also everything else thats in focus. Now I will add the autofocus is a little slow and the depth of field is very shallow so you have to be careful as well but it's extremely accurate. There are no chromatic arbitration no lens flare . Now I'm basing this on that I just got the 50mm macro 2.5  on thursday and shot with it on saturday for an early mothers day BBQ I did with all the family and today I'm looking at all the pictures and processing them and they look great . No need for a lens hood on this one because the way it's made the lens element its pretty deep in the housing. I strongly recommend the 50mm macro 2.5 vs this one I hope this helps I know it would have helped me when I was shopping for a reliable 50mm .
Great fast lens at 1.4, and a LOT cheaper than the 1.2 L version of this 50mm lens. I stepped up from the 1.8 50mm ($100) lens and couldn't be happier. It is not an L lens, so it is not weather resistant like the L lenses, so you have to treat it with more care than usual. taking it to Burning Man got some playa dust inside this lens pretty good, so I had to get it professionally serviced whereas my L lenses stayed secure and clean. But at $800-900 cheaper than the L version, you can't go wrong! This is a GREAT lens and I HIGHLY recommend it.
The bokeh that this glass makes is AMAZING. I have used the 1.8 plastic 50 mm and to be honest I think that is very very good. For most people that should be good enough. With 1.4 50 mm you need to know what you are doing. In a portrait you could have the nose in focus and the ears are out of focus, its depth of field is that shallow.Amazing glass, if you have the money go for it.Other glasses I use:Canon 24-70mm 2.8Canon 70-200mm 2.8 ISBody- Canon 30D
Lense is fast and perfect for portraits.  The quality of the lens is unbeatable for it's price, the 1.4 built I believe is better than the 1.8 lens.
A while back I purchased the 50mm f/1.8 lens, and I've enjoyed it very much, but there are a few things about it that bugged me. For one, it's very light, plasticy, and flimsy feeling. Also, the focusing motor is very loud and slow. Additionally, it doesn't really have a good mount for a hood. Finally, the focus ring is very touchy - the full motion of the focus is only about a quarter of a turn, so you have very little room for fine tuning.So I looked into this one, the f/1.4 50mm. First off, it focuses very quietly and quickly. The physical focus meter is handy to watch to check how the USM AF motor is working. Also it takes over a half a turn to get from 0.45m to infinite focus, which provides way more room for fine tuning the focus manually, which also makes it easier for the autofocus to achieve fine focus - and of course it has a real focus ring, unlike the f/1.8 lens - and the full-time manual focus is handy as well.The lens has more weight and has a real hood attachment, and photos just come out better than the f/1.8 - better focus and more saturation and contrast.As for the aperture, going from f/1.8 to f/1.4 is definitely not as noticeable a step as going from f/3.5, but it definitely does allow for better low-light photos, although focusing any closer than infinite usually results in an unusably shallow DOF.
I decided to give this lens a try after reading all the great reviews.One problem I have is...I like to use the center focus spot and then recompose. Many times I have locked the focus by pressing the shutter down halfway, then I recompose, then I press the shutter all the way down to take a pic and then my camera tries to focus on something in the background. This is very frustrating. Once I lock focus the camera should take a pic with the current focus setting no matter where I point the camera. This lens has caused me to miss a few really good shots. None of my other lenses do this.Sometimes I have to lock the focus, and then switch to manual so I can be sure the lens will stay focused on my subject. I shouldn't have to compromise like this. Did I get a defective lens or is this common with all the Canon 50mm 1.4 lenses?Even though I am having a few minor problems I still love using this lens because it is so light and the I.Q. is really good. I love having an F1.4 if I need to use it. (I rarely go below F2.0 because that is where this lens starts to get a little soft) This allows me to get a really shallow depth of field (this helps make ordinary subjects become extraordinary)and also it helps keep the ISO really low, which greatly improves image quality.This focal length (on a small sensor like my 40D) is a little long for a walk around lens but I find myself carrying it around anyway. I just hope there is always room to back up.A few days ago I really wanted to take a pic of store front but there was no room to back up so I took three shots and merged them in Photoshop CS3. It was a little extra work (about a minute for Photoshop to put them together) but the extra time was worth it because the final image came out great. And, with plenty of megapixels to spare. Whenever I combine pics in Photoshop I get pictures that have more megapixels than my camera is capable of producing.One big plus for this lens is that it doesn't give you severe neck pains after using it for many hours. This lens is so light you don't even feel the extra weight on your camera.I hope I can solve my focus lock issues because I would love to only have to carry this lens around with me all day long.I can't wait to do some portraits with this lens. I have seen some examples on the internet of people using F2.0 for portraits and the quality is amazing. The huge aperture throws the background out of focus and puts all the emphasis on your subject. Love it!! Just be very careful where you focus because if the very shallow depth of field. You could get a nose in focus and blurry eyes.
It's a fast focusing lens, but you have to get a STM series if you don't want to hear loud clicks on your audio track from the lens servo-ing. I have a 70D and it was quite disappointing.Takes really nice pictures though, especially since the vignetting and chroma aberrations are auto corrected on this camera.
My first lens after the kit lens since I wanted something for low light (presumably, that's the main reason someone is looking at this lens). It is sharp, fast, focuses pretty well and fast even without much to focus on (small object on a white wall), and it obviously works better than zoom lenses. I use this for people in doors as well as for taking pretty much any pictures indoors. I used it outdoors as well to get sharper images than the kit lens offers.Many of my favorite pictures have been taken with this lens in places no other lens would have worked. No regrets. The build feels pretty solid (why I didn't get the 50mm f/1.8... I wanted it to last for several years).Updated: Still going strong in December. I used this for Christmas Eve when everyone was opening up presents. It was difficult in the low light with so much movement but I was able to capture images (without flash) that I would have never gotten with either of my other lenses (the kit lens and the 24-70mm f2.8L). As I typically do, still did some noise reduction (shooting at ISO 800) but that's a small price to pay. When my sister's wedding comes around next month (indoors), this 50mm prime is the lens I will still turn to over the other lenses. It is about 3 times as fast at f1.4 than at f2.8 (ex, 1/200s to 1/60s, where it is 1/60s in both the 50mm f1.4 and the L lens).
Seriously, this has been an amazing first lens. We went from a Kit lens to this lens, and the clarity and the way it takes pictures in low light settings are just amazing. And the price is unbeatable. Don't go for the 50 mm f/1.8, invest a little more money, and go for the f/1.4. You won't be sorry!
This lens is a must have for taking portraits.  The f/1.4 represents a good compromise between a good value lens in the f/1.8 and the fantastic, but very expensive f/1.2 lens.  Go with the EF 50mm f/1.4 and you won't be sorry.
Used a 50mm f/1.8 before, love the upgrade. Definitely recommend this lens to others looking for a 50mm, essential lens.
The lens I got focuses properly at any light conditions but I hear the internal parts moving and it's really annoying. When I lift camera, I feel that movement and shaking lens gives obviously worse sounds.
This is a great lens for shooting anything up close in super detail focus for the  canon 60d camera but not sure what else you would want it for.
This Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is awesome.  The first test photos of my dog laying on the grass blew me away with the clarity. Everything good the pros say about this lens is true.
If you need a lens for your new Canon SLR this is the one to get. A friend of mine that is a professional photographer recommended that I consider buying this lens and she was right. It gives you a great control of depth of field and you can shoot in very low light with out a flash. The lens is solidly constructed without adding too much weight to your camera.  Overall this is one of the best lenses for the money and has become the lens that I use for most of my shots.
I have been researching which lens to buy for a while and this keeps popping up as the &#34;go to lens&#34; for many professionals. I am clearly just an amateur, but would love any help to take better pictures. So far I am not disappointed. Blurs the edges just like a professionals photos. I am still learning and playing, but you won't go wrong having this lens in your collection.
I used to have a Nikon D90 with a 50mm 1.8 which was sharp but this lens with a Canon 5D is all that but also magical- the Bokeh is creamy and dreamy which is what I wanted and why I switched to Canon and Full frame.  Build quality seems great and focus is pretty good considering the 5D is known to not be great for autofocus always! I am fine art photographer working mostly in medium format and this lens convinces me that I could leave film eventually....
I am noway a photography pro, I am a parent mostly limited to taking pictures of my kids, documenting every stage of their growing life. I had the 50mm 1.8 for more than 5 years, I jumped on this when the price got lowered recently. All I can say is WOW! the difference is amazing for a casual photographer! Really impressed with the quality of low light indoor pictures. If you are in doubt and in the same category as I am, get it, you will not regret it!By the way, I was able to sell the 1.8mm for almost the same price I bought it 5 years ago, right here at Amazon.
I absolutely love this lens.  I have L lenses as well and this is still a favorite of mine.  For $300 buck range....you cannot go wrong with this lens.  Tack sharp, great for low light, yum yum yum!
I love this lens. This was my first uprgade from my kit lens and I chose this based on reviews and pictures I saw shot with this lens on flicker. My only complaint is that I wish I had purchased a more versitile lens like a 24-70mm first as the functionality is limited to unbelievable portraits, but that would have also cost me almost 4 times more. I would say this is a fantastic purchase.
I prefer this lens quality to my 24-105L no doubt. The picture quality, especially in the highlights, is far superior. I don't see the need to buy the 50mm f/1.2L unless I were doing video. Awesome lens.
A very useful lense, works well. I'm happy with my purchase. Good for portraits, I use it a lot in my photography hobby.
It seems as if the mark of a professionally taken picture - at least to relatively untrained eyes like mine - is the use of a shallow depth of focus. This lens is truly superb in both the clarity and crispness of the pictures taken and, more importantly for my purposes, allows me to capture more of the indoor world that lenses with smaller maximum apertures are unable to, at least without resorting to flash or holding with a VERY steady hand. I have a newly born daughter, and I am able to take such wonderfully beautiful pictures of her (and the hordes of relatives swooning over her!) without any effort at all. The autofocus is a definite step up from the 1.8 version of this lens and the extra stop down provided by the 1.2 ensures that I'll get crisp shots in low light (both lenses tend to be a little soft when fully open, so a picture taken at 1.8 on the 1.2 is noticeably sharper than a picture taken at 1.8 on the 1.8, if that makes sense).While many experienced reviewers go into the details of why this lens is so beautiful, I offer my opinion as a near-novice to other near (or complete) novices in saying that you (i) definitely want a 50mm in your collection, as it will quickly become your most used lens and (ii) the better and faster focusing mechanism on this 1.2, to me, makes the heavier price tag worth it.
I shoot mostly portraits of my family, but this lens has also come in handy for photojournalism.  It is sharp enough at 1.4 for nice portrait work and at about 2.0 or higher is the sharpest lens I own - and that includes a 70-200 f4L.  It's a touch flimsy for any sort of professional use, and I'm always worried about knocking it against something when it hangs from my shoulder, but if you're looking for a good piece of fast glass without breaking the bank, this is definitely it.I bought a warranty from squaretrade along with it.  I haven't needed it yet, but all of the poor reviews about its durability convinced me it was worth $40 for a warranty.  I reallly am amazed at how sharp this lens is and having the flexibility of going to 1.4 is amazing, especially when I'm trying to shoot a fast moving four year old inside.
I wanted to step a bit further into the primes and got this, used to have a 50mm 1.8 and it was decent but too plasticy feeling and soft on the corners.  This one is a bit nicer.However I wil say its a little noiser on the camera (5DIII) then say my 70-200L or 24-70L.  I also notice the Micro Adjustment on this is very coarse.  Such as every one step of MA adjustment is about the same as like 5-8steps on the other lenses I listed.  So its very hard to get a fine fine adjustment like the other two lenses.
Most photographers love the 50mm lenses made by Canon.  And they generally are very good.  I loved my f/1.8 model.  And the reviews on this f/1.4 are generally very positive.My experience isn't quite as Utopian as many others', though.  This lens isn't quite as sharp as I was hoping it would be.  It doesn't focus quite as quickly as I was expecting it to.  It also doesn't focus nearly as close as I would have liked it to.But don't get me wrong... it is still a very good lens.  An excellent choice for general purpose photography on a full-frame or 35mm body.  And an equally excellent choice for portrait work on a crop-sensor body.  But honestly, I'm not sure it is really worth the extra cost over the f/1.8.  Image quality really isn't any better.  And focusing speed, while better, still doesn't approach the speed available on the ring-type USM lenses.  And the minimum focusing distance is the same.I'm not sad that I upgraded.  My old lens got a great new home with a college-student-poor budding photographer.  But if, for whatever reason, all of my gear disappeared and I had to start over again, I just might have to go with the f/1.8 again.  The bang-for-the-buck is certainly higher with that lens than this one, and it is considerably lighter and smaller to boot.
After having used this lens for a few months and seeing the results it produces, it is easy to see why so many photographers wouldn't be without it.The build is very solid.  Ultrasonic motor and metal mount give the lens a very proffessional feel.  Granted, you can tell the difference between this lens and the much more expensive L version, but as far as picture quality goes, the difference is not so obvious.Bokeh you obtain with such a wide aperature is terrific for portraits, at aperatures from 1.4-2.0 there is some softness to the lens which gives portraits a bit of a "dreamy" look.  This is desired from many, but I don't particularly care for it.  Nevertheless, shots become extremely sharp after 2.0 and continue to improve to f 8.0.As far as whether you should purchase this particular lens or the less expensive 1.8 model, it really comes down to personal preference.  Budget is an important issue as you can get one for less than $90 and the other for around 330. The less expensive one has a plastic mount, which wont last as long, and it just feels less solid.  It also has a comparitavely loud and slower autofocus motor than the 1.4, and the focus ring is nearly non-existant.It took me a while to choose between the two, mainly because of the cost,  but finally decided on this one, I have not been dissapointed.
This has got to be my favorite portrait/low light lens. I first got the 50mm f/1.8 (Nifty Fifty), I loved the bokeh it produced but was annoyed at the cheap build quality, terrible focus ring design, loud and slow auto focus motor. I was told that the 50 F/1.4 would solve my problem if money wasn't an issue.I'm so glad I decided to upgrade because it was definitely worth it. The bokeh that this lens creates is silky smooth, and it's now a even better low light shooter at f/1.4!If you have the money...don't hesitate to get the f/1.4, it will make you look, feel and shoot like a professional compared to the toy-like feel of the f/1.8.
My favorite lens, :).
Probably the best dollar value you can get in a medium telephoto lens. I was torn between it and the 85mm 1.8 for a portrait lens. Given the 1.6 focal length multiplyer I have on my current digital camera I went with this lens.Great lens, wonderful for portraits and people shots in general.  Good low light performance.  I think the extra money is worth it as compared to the 50mm 1.8  Of course each person has to decide for themselves, with the wide range of zoom lenses available that give very good performance it can be hard to justify a single fixed focal length lens.  I wanted it for portraits and am very very pleased with this glass. I do and will be using it a lot so it makes the decision easier for me.It is a bit soft at 1.4 and that is by design. It becomes sharper rapidly as you close down the aperture, by 2.0 it is sharp by 4.0 it is unreal. That is the only way to describe it, unreal in it's clarity.At 1.4 you can capture all those low light art shots you never could before.  Don't need much of a light bulb to give you a good exposure with this lens wide open.Enough, don't want to ramble. Great lens,  would be a bargin at a much higher price (don't read that part Canon).
Even since I got the lens, I have been using it all the time, for indoors and outdoors, for portrait and landscape, under the bright sunlight or in a low light, and on moving objects or a still targets. I can't remember how many times people have asked me what kind of camera/lens I use, because they really like my photos. I'm not even that close to a being a pro, but it really is all about the lens I'm using.  It is fast, it produces sharp images, and it produces very nice bokeh. If there is one lens I'd have to recommend to anyone, this will be it.I read the reviews on the 50 mm/f1.8 before, and I also bought it just to try it out because it's so cheap. Although the 50 mm/f1.8 gives pretty good images, there's something about the bekeh it produces that I don't like. I ended up selling the lens after using only a few times. There's a big difference between the 50 mm/f1.8 and the 50mm/f1.4.There is nothing I don't like about the 50 mm/f1.4. The wider aperture is my favorite part for shooting portrait. In terms of weight and bulkiness, to me, the lens plus the hood are considered portable and light. For the past 2.5 years, I have carried this lens in my medium-sized (woman) purse, along with my EF-S 18-200, and take them everywhere I traveled. Most of the time I don't bring my camera bag because it's too bulky, and the lens is doing just fine. Maybe a little scratch on the hood, but otherwise it still looks and works as new.Bottom line is if you can afford this lens, definitely pick this over the 50mm/f1.8, and you will have no regrets. Now I'm considering getting the 85 mm/f1.8 to compliment this lens.
I've had the lens Canon 50mm f1.4 I believe is one of the best. Clear lens and a magnificent building. I refer to all interested in this type of product.
I have all the STM lenses and use them with the Canon 70D. For me so far this 50mm F/1.4 USM is the most sharp lens I own, better than any of the STM lenses that come as option with the rebels and 70D.On the downside this lens is much louder than I thought it would be. The STM lenses are truly silent in comparison. I thought this was the better USM version,I guess its what is called micro USM and I assume its not as good as the true USM. Anyone that is wondering how the STM compare to this type of USM, there is no comparison. The STM are much, much, better as far as not making any noise while recording. I was so used to the STM I forgot how much better the internal focusing of the STM lenses really are. This lens does hunt far more than an STM, at least on my 70D.On the upside once you learn how to use this lens the final still pictures can be so much sharper and the bokeh a million times better than anything the current STM lenses can give. I wish I could afford an internal focusing USM lens the quality of this lens, now that I am used to the STM I just hate all external focusing lenses.I will use this for portrait, but for any video it's any of the STM lenses for sure.
Seems like this might be completely counter-intuitive, yes, but I find this lens to be the best all-purpose lens, and it stays on my camera 90% of the time. Sure, you have to do some walking because it is prime and doesn't zoom, but the wide aperture and low cost deliver such great day, night, indoor, and outdoor photos.----FOR PHOTOGRAPHY---Pros:- Wide aperture- Bokeh is incredible and smooth, providing an intimate photo. Very limited chromatic aberration- Very sharp to about 2.0/1.8 area. This is incredibly low for such an inexpensive lens.- NO FLASH. Kids always hate flashes, and as a photographer, I hate flashes because it makes photos look unnatural and they often lack intimacy and seem pretty removed from the subject/planned, rather than candidly capturing the emotional events in people's lives.The aperture allows very fast shutters in basically all lighting conditions.- USM motor, quick and silent- Very nice opticsCons:- Lower fstops can lose their sharpness if you're not careful. Further, you often do not even notice the reduction in sharpness until after you have transferred the images to your computer.- 50mm is restricting, especially on cropped sensor cameras. I wish it were like 40 or so, but the price is so great.--FOR VIDEOGRAPHY--Pros:- Wide aperture- Makes your videos look PRO! Can create full feature, quality films. People will be so surprised that you can create such amazing footage. While excessive bokeh is not necessarily the correct or best thing for films, it is a loaded effect, making people feel like your footage is better quality than it actually is. This lens is so awesome for wedding videography, as it can create very sentimental footage and great detailed shots.- Low light use! No lights required.- Super lightweight!- Easy to focus with the USM and stop-in focusing, allowing you to adjust anytime.- Nice optics, and you can create GENUINE LENS FLARE easily.Cons:- Sometimes the depth of field makes focusing hard, but you just need to pay attention and use Magic LanternOVERALLA very good lens. I always keep A BACKUP incase I break mine while on a job. Basically has become my primary lens, and I rarely take it off my camera. Paired with a Rode and magic lantern, you can create pro footage so easily!
I really like this lens. Focus is quick & sharp. Can't beat it for the money. Try pricing the Canon f1.2 lens and you'll see what I mean. For a huge premium all you get is a tad more speed and questionable improved sharpness. You will get slightly improved weather resistance but for most of us that really isn't a big deal.
What can you say, other than it's 4 times cheaper than the 50f1.2L.  Not an L, but a great bright fast quiet lens, small and optically superb.  On a crop camera it's a 80mm portrait lens.  Super.
Novice user of DSLR cameras.  bought for my Rebel T1i.  I wanted to get the clear portrait shot with nice blur background.  This lense does the trick with the autofocus.  I went to a store to try out (i would recommend doing that first).  I would have bought it there but they would not honor their online price so I bought online (15% difference which I thought was too steep,maybe 8-5% would be ok).  Also, did not try other lenses, its was about $300 so I didn't want to get spend too much time on the research.  Happy with the purchase.  I know this lense is not landscape but I wish it was a little wider so I don't have to carry two lenses.
i'm no professional, but i love photographing our family vacations and my kids' activities.  while my 2 kit lenses were great for most things, i struggled to take good photos indoors (gyms, auditoriums, etc).  This lens has solved that problem.  i was immediately able to take better photos at basketball games and indoor soccer games.  action shots coming out much clearer under what i consider difficult lighting.  this may be the first of many better lens purchases for me in the near future!
I've been playing with this lens on a Canon 40D for a couple of weeks now.  Yes, you can get a 50mm f/1.8 prime for a quarter of the price of this lens, and yes, the f/1.8 is a fine lens for general mucking-about. But *this* lens...  *Whoa!*Frankly, I'm surprised this lens isn't part of the L series at double (at least) the price; the glass is spectacular, the build quality is top-notch, it's *fast* and silent in auto-focusing, the bokeh for portraiture (should you choose to do any portrait work with such a short lens) and close-in work is beautiful...  I could go on. Even just picking it up to mount on the camera is a joy; it just feels so... Excellent in the hand.This, friends, is what a Canon prime lens is supposed to be like.
F/1.4 -- need I say more? I suppose, for sake of the review, I do.The lens is sturdy and has the feel of quality. The photos come out great to the outer edges. The large aperture allows for tremendous depth-of-field versatility. Speaking of versatility... Although this lens is the ideal portrait lens, it is easily flexible enough to capture brilliant landscapes as well. The large aperture makes dusk, dawn, and night time shots easier and most of the time the tripod doesn't make it out of the case. It also has allowed me to take shots of beauty pageants and clubs in minimal light without having to succumb to the graininess of a high ISO setting or the poor lighting given by a direct flash to the face. Did I mention the large aperture? Finally, the price is right. I would be happy with this lens even if I paid twice the price. Thankfully (for my marriage's sake) I only paid the listed price.
I hesitated buying this lens for years, because of the negative reviews.  It's currently my favorite lens for my 5D3.
I actually rented this lens from Adorama for a shoot last week. Was able to take shots at even 1.4 without issue, very few unfocused shots. hit rate was about 95%, and i was very pleased.I ended up purchasing the lens this past tuesday. And while the first couple of shots & bob atkins tests went well, in the field- just regular walkabout tests- the autofocus went from fine to WTF very quickly. I began to wonder if it was my technique, but I do much better on my 85 1.8, which is known to have blazing focus speed/accuracy. But this was just bad. At one point theres 10+ shots with focus off.Reference shots full body/ poses of 2 prospective models ALL came out blurry, even at shot speeds of 1/160. I couldn't believe it- I think the lens has real issues bas 2/3 feet.  So im going to go ahead and order this lens from amazon so i will have more than 7 days to evaluate. Current version is being returned to ado. I dont have time for this :(
I love everything about this lens.It's lite, huge aperture, great depth of field, well build, This is what I mostly use all the time. You can also use it as a nice macro lense when turned backwards :).It is pricy but a great investment.
The lens has totally crapped out after 50 or so photos and 14 months on the shelf with some other lenses.No AF and will not adjust the aperture, So basically it is dead and send it in for $150 repair with the threat of it doing it again or just eat it. I think I will eat it. I am so mad at Canon.Bewareupdate:I did send it in and canon fixed it for the flat rate. Has worked flawless since. It is the sharpest lens I have.
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasAmazing Portrait Quality at about 6 feet from subject. The cost is abot 4 times more than the 50mm f1.8 lens. I think this lens is well worth the money.
I always tell my friends who are DSLR beginners that the EF50mm F1.4 is the lens you could tell yourself "you can shoot like a Pro". When I first picked up this lens and took pictures of my wife at my cousin's wedding party by the beach, she felt in love with me again. And I felt in love with this lens. I did consider its F1.8 little brother; however, I am a strong believer of "you get what you pay for" in photography gear. Well, maybe there are a few rare exceptions. This is the lens I told myself, "hey I can shoot like a Pro". During the film era, I inherited my dad's Canon AE-1 and saw the action of the FD mount version of this lens. I don't think Canon has changed the lens design much. When I got into DSLR, the EF50mm F1.4 has renewed my interest in photography and I cannot stop shooting.After my transition to the more serious L zoom lenses, I actually put aside of this lens for a while simply because of its focal length. But whenever there are night activities, I always come back to it. However, you cannot be lazy with this lens. First of all, you have to zoom with your legs. Secondly, the USM may hunt and hesitate a little bit when your subjects lack contrast. In such situation, you have to use the focus ring to override the lens AF manually. This is the exact reason why you want to get this lens instead of its F1.8 little brother. Its little brother requires throwing the AF/MF switch, which is not very convenient and you might lose your composition while looking for the switch. Unless you are tight in budget, I don't see why you want to settle for less. The EF50mm F1.4 is also a better built lens. It is quite sharp starting at F2.0. Wider apertures are a bit soft. However, they are still entirely usable. At F1.4, one has to be very careful about the focal plane because of the extremely thin depth of field. On an APS-C body, it might be not that bad. But I recommend using a tripod or lean on something stable when you use the lens wide open. The small area that is in focus may get blurry if you have shaky hands.Unfortunately on an APS-C camera body, this lens would result in an 80mm focal length which is too long to be considered as a normal lens as in the good old days of film. This is the reason why I don't use this lens a lot these days especially I have the L zooms to tinker with. Optically at F2.8, this lens is actually better than my EF24-70mm F2.8L. I wish Canon could make an equivalence of the Nikon AFS 35mm F1.8G DX. That would definitely make my day.
If you are debating which one to get, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 or the Canon 50mm 1.4, I can save you the agony. I bought both and did a side by side comparison. At about 3 feet I placed a product with text label and the Sigma was clearly out of focus (the text on the label was blurry) whereas the Canon was dead on focused. It is so different that a kinder garden kid can tell you which one is better. Don't waste your time like what I did. I had to try them myself to be convinced. Just to set things straight, I am not a Canon fan and I started out with Nikon, ended up with the Canon Mark iii which is the camera I tested with. Yes, both lens are at the exact same setting 1/200 F1.4 with same ISO and spot focus. Can somebody here just buy both lens and do a review next to mind to second and third my finding and end all the reviews that people spend hours going over comparing the Sigma. I really feel there are too many reviews for such a major difference in quality. Also about the Bokeh, the 2 lens are very close with the Sigma more out of focus on the background, don't know if it due to it was simply back focus or something. To sum this up the Sigma is not really usable with the out of focus problem no matter what. Too bad I could not compare the Canon 1.2 with 1.4, may be after I have saved $1500. A few more of these type of comparison, I think I probably turn out to be a Canon fan boy, it is beginning to look that way from the way I sound.
Disclaimer - I am a photo enthusiast on a budget. However, this lens is worth every penny! When I started getting into photography, I read that you should invest your money in &#34;glass&#34; (lenses) rather than the body since bodies are constantly updated. So after a lot of research, I decided to buy 50 mm f/1.4 as my very first lens!Its super lightweight, has GORGEOUS bokeh, very fast... The best results are achieved, of course, in natural daylight. But even indoors photos look great provided that you have some good light. I got used to &#34;zooming with my feet&#34; pretty fast, and 90% of the time having just this lens was not a problem. A few times I had to take a photo of a group of people and that was a little tough - getting everyone into the picture required walking backwards and we were in a very small room.One other challenge with this lens is taking photos of small objects. Ideally, I would have a dedicated macro lens for things like that. However, even when I am taking photos of tiny earrings, the lens photographs them nicely. I just have to go into Photoshop and crop the picture so that the earrings take up a larger portion on the total image.Since buying this lens, I also got Canon 24-70 mm 2.8 L. This is another great lens, but it is way heavier and bulkier than 50 mm f/1.4, so a lot of times I I end up taking the prime lens even though I would prefer to have a zoom lens with me.
Love this thing at 1.4 for low light shots. The focusing is a bit noisy but I mean, the next lens up from this one is 3-4x as much $. Also, auto focusing in low light can sometimes be a bit hit/miss and a bit frustrating if you're relying on it. For $315 shipped though, this thing can't lose.
I was debating to get the f/1.4 and the f1.8 and I'm glad i got the f1.4. It took some time to get use to but once I got the hang of it, my photos had turned out more interesting. It feels really solid in my hand (I shoot with the Canon 60D). The clarity it produces is amazing, I take this around with me everyone now.
It's either the 50mm f/1.2 or 50mm f/1.8. This lens falls in the middle with good quality and good price.
This is an awesome lens that has elevated the level of my pictures.  The pictures are just amazing. I am currently using this with my Canon Xsi.  It is well worth the price.
I have been using the zoom 18-55mm that comes with my canon 350D f 3.5 and with a Sigma 70-300mm apo f 3.5, and the difference it's incredible I really enjoy the posiblities of this lens and quantity of light allow me to take portrait pictures at night without problem. I really recommend this one.
This lens is wonderful.  We are new digital slr owners (20D), and we were amazed at the difference in quality between the lens that came with the camera and this one!  The ability to go down to f 1.4 and the excellent optics make this lens a must-have. The indoor basketball shots are great.
I'm not a zoom guy.  I much prefer Canon's line of prime lenses due to their speed, sharpness, and lighter weight in comparison to equivalent zooms.  I own Canon 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2.8L macro, and 135 f/2 primes.  I also own the 17-40 f/4L and 70-200 f/4L but both of these don't see much use.  I generally keep the 50mm on my 6D as my default lens choice and swap to other lenses as needed.While not a perfect lens, it's pretty good especially at the price Canon asks.Pros:- It's light, compact, and easy to handle- AF is reasonably fast.  It's not the fastest but I've never had issues locking in- It's a great focal length on full frame cameras- Sharp, especially in the center where it matters- at 1.4, it's very very fastCons:- Should come with a lens hood but that's not Canon's way- Bokeh is just ok.  It's a little harsh for my tastes and doesn't match that of my other primes, especially the Ls- Colors are just ok.  Again, doesn't really match the L primes
For SLR's w/ 1.5 crop factor this lens is gives you a 75mm which is great for portrate work.  You can stay out of the models face like you would with a full frame SLR and an 85mm lense.  Well worth the extra cash above the canon 50mm F1.8 and a hell of a bargin compared to the Canon 50mm-L F1.2 which is three or four times as much as this lense.  A must have for Rebel, 10D,20D,30D (1.5 crop factor CCD's).  A good value for the 5D and other Full frame crowd - But you probably make your living with your lenses and would pay the premium for the "L".
I've used the Canon 50 1.8 and this lens, the 50 1.4.This lens is much nicer to use. And the pictures are simply nicer.  Nicer bokeh. Nicer, silent, accurate autofocus. Better build quality ... not great (Tokina's and L lens have great build) ... but better enough. The lens is light, and that's helpful if you've got a bag full of heavy 2.8 zooms. From experience, I can say that this lens will focus in conditions where a 2.8 zoom can't.Scientific tests may show that the 1.8 version is just as sharp. And it probably is. If you want bitingly sharp ... that happens to be cheap (landscape shooters perhaps) ... that's the lens for you. But the 1.8 sounds like an unpleasant rat when focusing.The 1.4 is quiet. The focus is fast, accurate. Beyond simple sharpness, it renders images in a pleasing way ... particularly important for portraits. If you're fairly serious about photography and you need to lens that can handle a variety of situations elegantly, this is the lens to get.FWIW, I happen to use this lens with one of those collapsible rubber hoods, but no filter. Besides shielding off-axis light, it offers a measure of physical protection, both in the bag and in use.
This lens is my favorite lens. I wish I could use it all of the time, but I have a Canon 60D and my 35mm is a better FOV for the cropped sensor. Someday I will get a FF camera and this will be on it all the time.
I recently upgraded from a Rebel Xti to the Rebel T4i and am very, very happy with the upgrade.  I sold my Xti along with it's "nifty 50" f/1.8 lens. I kept my other lenses and replaced the Canon f/1.8 II with this f/1.4 lens.  I'd say that the cost difference between the two lenses is well worth it. The bokeh is smooth and creamy.  This lens is fantastic and can make anyone look like a professional photographer! It's limited FOV, however, means that it can't be the only lens in your kit.  Fantastic for tack-sharp "in your face" type closeups and portraits as well as a good "walking around" lens.  It's a fantastic tool for what it is designed for, and as I said, worth the money over the f/1.8.  That being said, I also rated the f/1.8 5 stars for its value and usefulness.  You really can't go wrong with either lens, though I prefer this one in my toolbox.
I currently have a Canon Rebel T1i and needed a better lens for low light and portraits.  In doing research I considered the Canon 50mm f1.8, the price seemed great, but it just did not look to be a good longterm solution.  I decided to invest in the f1.4 and I am SUPER happy I went that direction.  The lens quality is far far superior to that of the f1.8.  This lens is now staying on my camera at all times.  It takes a bit of getting used to the depth of field and focusing, but its worth it.  I take a lot of indoor shots and not having to fight lighting all the time has been great.
Awesome lens! Makes everything look gorgeous, but I think that I overpaid because it's about a hundred dollars cheaper now than when I bought it... nevertheless, if you're not to serious about it, I would pass on this one ad go to the f1.8 lens and play around with that.Regardless, I use this lens all the time and it's the one I just keep on my t4i because it hardly lets me down. Also, this lens makes videos looks BEAUTIFUL!
I'm very very glad I got this lens. I do wish however that I saved a bit more money to get a 35mm version for filming. Having such a large aperture is wonderful. Great light and depth of field. Pushes me to really practice on focusing though. Having such a narrow depth a field makes getting a tack sharp image harder. Love it, thank you!
I purchased this lense with the primary intended use of capturing indoor performing arts action shots, like my daughter's clogging.  Some of these places are poorly lighted, so having an aperture of f/2.8 or wider is crucial.  Most of these shots are done using a flash module, so I don't actually need an f/1.4 for the exposure, but instead for effective autofocusing.  This lense is better than the "nifty 50" f/1.8, but for a prime, its performance is not all that impressive.  I compare it to my Tamron 28 - 75 f/2.8 and when shooting both lenses at f/4 with flash, the image quality is about the same.  Both lenses cost about the same.  I think I am going to send it back, just because it adds almost nothing to my photo capturing capabilities.  It does fall short on those indoor action shots where I'm shooting wide open at f/1.4.  I know there is very shallow depth of field at that aperture, so only a single performer may be in focus.  The problem is, that almost never happens, even when shooting people standing still in line side-by-side.  How is it I can put the center autofocus dot right on a person on stage with a fairly fast exposure (such as 1/200 sec.) and still he/she and everyone around them is blurred?  At some distance, the focus should be perfect.  For example, at 50 mm, f/1.4 with the subject 15 feet away, the depth of field is about 1.5 feet, plenty of room for a human being.  When shooting large groups from at a distance of 50 feet, the DOF increases to 17 feet, enough room to accomodate multiple human beings.  Why I'm not seeing somebody or something in focus in most of my photos using this lense, I don't know.
I bought this lens when I started to get really serious about portrait and beauty photography, and I will never, ever regret getting it. This is a lens that will leave my camera very few times.The quality of this lens is superb. The exterior is plastic but feels very sturdy, and you can feel the heavy glass inside it. The focusing ring is big enough that manual focusing is a breeze, and being a USM lens, you can half-press the shutter, auto focus, manual focus and fully press the shutter. Not that you would need it, 99% of the times this lens will focus fast, silent and accurately. Also of note, this lens does all its focusing internally, so you will have no problem using graduated filters, since no parts rotate on the outside. Another upside to this internal focus is that there are no moving parts outside that could introduce dust on the lens, and I believe this is what saved my lens when I woke up one night with my house flooded, my photo bag floating around the floor. My 18-55 and my 55-250 were both filled with condensation. My 50mm was absolutely dry inside.At 50mm (80mm on APS-C cameras), this is a perfect portrait lens. Bokeh is delicious, but I rarely use it at full aperture because 1.4 has extremely shallow depth of field. I have used this for portrait, beauty, fashion, boudoir, even macro with some extension tubes. It has always worked wonders. Sharpness is amazing, vignetting is pretty much non-existent (at least in APS-C cameras), and I have seen no chroma aberrations in any of my pictures.The only downside I can find is that sometimes, when taking close up shots of models' faces, it can introduce a bit of distorsion, making the face seem rounder than it is. For that, I am getting the Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, and I'll let you know how that one goes when I test it.The f/1.4 maximum aperture on this lens is AMAZING. Indoor shots benefit greatly from it, even at f/2.0 or f/1.8. Focusing can be tricky at first because of the shallow depth of field, but it is well worth it and the bokeh it produces is beautiful. Also, having a fixed lens is something any aspiring photographer should have, because &#34;zooming with your feet&#34; is something everyone should learn.Do note that on APS-C cameras, the fact that this is an 80mm lens makes it not suitable for large groups of people, since you would have to be really far away from them to get them all into frame.All in all, this lens is a terrific purchase, well worth the (surprisingly low) cost. If you consider the Canon 50mm f/1.8, note that they are both excellent lenses that will provide very high quality pictures. The main differences are the build quality, the bokeh quality and the slight edge the 1.4 has in low light.
I love all my canon gear. I have a 50mm 1.8 and upgraded to this as I have progressed in my photography. Unfortunately, I have had the same sort of trouble the other reviews have stated. At this point I only have had trouble with the focus under f2.2. Every shot lost in two photo shoots and I had not realized until after researching on the internet as to why.No trouble with the AF failing as of yet, but I'm pretty disgusted that I have to redo two shoots - wasting both my time and the models time.  Shame on you Canon!
It isn't has the same construction of a L glass, but deliver images sharpen with low CA and good retention of colors.. it isn't same quality of 50L, but cost lot of less money...
I bought mine in 2005 to use with myCanon EOS Digital Rebel 300Dand it quickly became my daily lens.  Even though I had the kit zoom lens I used this lens for more than 80% of the pictures I was taking with the camera, and I ended up selling the kit lens to my sister when she bought a Canon body.  It's sharp from around f/2.2 or so, and opens up to f/1.4 for low light usage.  It's hard to handle the depth of field wide open, but if the choice is that or no picture at all, I'll take the chance.  The focus motor is fast and reasonably quiet.My one problem with this lens is the construction. The focus barrel is external and subject to shock, and the motor is delicate. For me this combination meant an expensive trip to the depot, and the repair cost a quarter of what I spent on the lens in the first place.  I use a hood now, but I could have bought five of theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensfor what I've spent on this lens so far.  Even with the plastic mount on the thrifty fifty, I don't think I'd have knocked five of them out of commission yet.That said, I have used the thrifty fifty and between its noisier motor and lack of full-time manual focus I find it a less desirable lens than this one, and if I had to make the decision again I'd probably still buy this one.  I'd just make sure to get (and use) the hood to protect that fragile focus mechanism.
This lens has all the sharpness you could ever ask for all the way down to F2 or so.  Makes an excellent portrait lens on your Canon DSLR.  Note that with the 1.6x "cropping" associated with most SLR's, this effectively is an 80mm lens.  Makes a very nice walkabout lens at a party too, especially when coupled with any of the Canon Speedlite flashes.  I recommend getting the lens hood, although the Canon hoods are absurdly expensive.
This is a great lens. It makes nice bokehCompared to its cheaper brother, Canon EF 50 f/1.8 II, Canon EF 50 f/1.4:* feels more solid,* more accurate,* it is sharper
I had only one lens which came with the Canon T2i, the 18-55mm.I want to make an indi movie. This is the first lens I bought because an article I've read online about filming with T2i, and they recommended  it.When I've received it and had it in my hand, instantly felt like a rolex, like an expensive diamond, like a piece of art,  I've connected it and shoot a few pictures, the results were mind blowing!I went out in Miami at night and filmed some people in front of a club.. it looks like a Hollywood movie, absolutely outstanding, I will keep this lens for the rest of my life, I hardly recommend it!!!!
A high-quality, fast Prime that has been great for both video and stills.  This has become my go-to lens for product photos and DSLR video.You can't beat Canon's quality & value and Amazon's prices & service.
I have had this lens for about five (5) years.  It is a good quality lens that is very usable at f2.8 and up.  It provides very high quality images and is solidly built.  I have had much more expensive lenses from Canon such as the 70-200/f4 and the 17-40/f4.  While those lenses provide a variable focal length and higher quality build, they are at most equals or slightly inferior in regards to image quality.  I see a lot of people buy kit lenses and I want to cry.  This lens is a great alternative and a wonderful lens in its own right.
Focus ring didn't work on manual when I got it. Amazon wont replace with a working one. DO NOT BUY THIS LENS, INTERNET REVIEWS SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. EXPENSIVE LENS NOT TO WORK. However call canon up and they will have UPS ship it to a repair facility and back for free.
I originally rated this as a good lens, but it just stopped focusing on auto after a year of using it. Really disappointed. It served me well until now but will never buy it again because it is obviously poorly made. I've had my 24-70mm for several years without any problems.
No need to say all the great things others have said about this lens. I'll just say its now my main lens and I'm still in shock over how nice it works in low light. Worth every penny!
Lens takes wonderful pictures and is A MUST if you plan to do portraits.  I would give it 5 stars, but our first one stopped focusing after 2 years (known flaw that was common a few years ago).  Couldn't live without it, so ended up buying another one. So far so good.  Won't buy a third if this one breaks, but it was definitely worth a second chance.
Very nice lens as promised on time and great pics. First shots were in a dark room of a pale blue light reflecting off a glass, awesome!
I am quite happy with this lens.  It's reasonably sharp and lightweight.  Build quality could be better, but the 50mm f1.4 is noticeably better built than the 50mm f1.8.  The f1.4 has additional aperature blades over the 1.8, which gives more pleasing bokeh.  On a 1.6x crop camera, this is a nice portrait lens.If it felt a little more solid, I would give it five stars, and Amazon won't let me give it 4.5.
With 524 reviews as of the time of this writing, there really isn't much more I can add that hasn't been said. But I am so completely impressed with this lens that I just had to write something anyway. The difference in quality of photos it takes over the 50mm 1.8 is jaw dropping. It truly blows that one away and is completely worth the cost difference. The build quality, full time manual focus, bokeh shapes and it's low light abilities are things I never knew I needed until I had it in my hand. Don't get me wrong, the 50mm 1.8 is a spectacular value for it's output quality but the build quality, slow focus, no full time manual focus, and even the shapes of the bokeh just do not stand up to the 50mm 1.4.If you have the money and are trying to decide between the 1.8 and 1.4, there is no question to me... get the 50mm 1.4. It will hold its value and your photos will thank you. Every person that sees the photos it takes can't stop talking about how amazing they look. Of course the photographer's skill set has a lot to do with it but they are more like the gas where this lens is the sports car that will get you there in style.
My expectations were pretty high, having rented the f/1.2 a week before I purchased the f/1.4.  I will admit my expectations were unreasonable, but this lens just isn't as sharp as people report.  Even at f/2.8 it's not great.  But, for the price you pay to be able to get to 1.4 for some low light shots, I would still buy it again.  It feels toyish and you might as well get the plastic fantastic 1.8 in my opinion.  While it's not as good as I'd hoped for stills, it's really blowing me away with video.  Night footage with this lens is unbelievable and gives you that indie look with really shallow dof and a ton of blur around the edges.  It just has that hipster vibe that you were hoping for in the 50mm.  But again, the stills aren't super sharp even when in focus.  The bokeh is smooth and some of the shots look beautiful, just don't expect the "tack sharp" reviews you've read.  If you really want that, the f/1.2 has it, but for a price.  This 1.4 is still worth $400 for the look you want, so stop reading reviews and buy the thing already!
This lens takes absolutely fantastic photos. I've used it with both a Rebel and a 40D with amazing results. So why only 1 star? Within 1 month of the warranty expiring the auto-focus abruptly died. Seems to be a common problem with this lens (check out the flikr reviews). Anyway, great lens... that will need to be replaced often. If you wanted to keep purchasing a good lens, this is the one for you.
We looked for a long time and read a bunch of reviews on lenses that could be used for portrait work. We finally settled on the Canon 50mm F1.4 for the job. Couldn't be happier with the lens and couldn't be happier that we didn't over pay for it. We bought it through Amazon and they came through once again with the good service and best price point.
I would definitely recommend it over the F/1.8 USM, it's a solid lens with great performance. I suppose the only thing better would be the F/1.2 lens but combined with the price, this is the best value lens out there at 50mm.
I was buying it for improving quality of my T5i photos. I have had 1.8 by canon (plastic fantastic one). It really did it's job.And worth mentioning I've bought a Canon 6D, where this all started to make a value.From the improved things in comparison to Canon 1.8 version are:SHARPENS!VINGETING (especially at low aperture values)Many other minors...In general buying this one is like obtaining a &#34;masterpiece photo ON mode&#34; for your crop sensor camera and a must have for full frame.
This is one of the best lenses that I own and for the price, that is just unbelievably great!I shoot with a Canon 30D FYI.-The bokeh in the background is heavenly.-It focuses fast and crisp; relatively quiet too.-No image stabilization is needed.-There is slight distortion and loss of focus at extreme low apertures (~&lt;2.5).-Great for all around image taking, but be sure that you wont need to have the ability to shoot wide angle if this is all you are carrying. It goes without saying that as a prime you are stuck with 50mm. Even though I know this, I have found myself frustrated a few times trying to pull out to grab a quick opportunistic shot and realizing I can't.-If you can find this for $360ish, you are good to purchase.Hope this helps!
Fast to focus.  Very nice bokeh.  Edge characteristics (color, vignetting and focus) also good for the price.  Carries the traditional Canon quality.
When I worked as a photojournalist many years ago, 50mm was the "standard" lens in that it came closest to a real world perspective, especially for street photography. That is no longer always true because of the field-of-view crop of many cameras. Canon's popular digital Rebel and its successors, for example, have a 1.6X view that turns a 50mm lens into an 80mm lens. The 1D MARK II has a 1.3X view that makes it a 65mm lens.So, if you're looking for a standard lens today, 35mm probably is closer to the mark on those cameras. And Canon has a couple of options there - a 35 f/1.4 that is great and expensive and a 35 f/2 that is a good value at about $250.If you're still looking for a 50mm, however, there now are four options from Canon: 50/1.2, 50/1.4, 50/1.8 and 50/2.5. Here are the pros and cons of each:50/1.2 is the newest, fastest and the most expensive at about $1,600. It is an "L" lens, which means it is more durably constructed than any of the others. The image quality is a cut above all of the others, especially at wider apertures. If money is no object, you'll probably want this one. But most of the rest of us have to ask the question whether it's 5X better than the 1.4.50/1.4 is maligned by some for the softness of its images at f/1.4, but for me its a good, compact, low-light lens at a terrific price ($325). And the lens gets sharp quickly as you stop it down. It's sharp at f/2 and very sharp by f/2.8 with good contrast and colors.50/1.8 is a step down from the 1.4 in speed, image quality, build quality and the smoothness and noise of its autofocus. But it is a big step up in value - a decent lens for about $80. If you're just getting into digital photography, this is a great lens to learn on until you get a better feel for the lenses that you want/need.50/2.5 - this is a macro lens, although you can use it for general photography, too. I wouldn't recommend it. If you're doing macro photography, spend a little more for the 100/2.8, which is a sharper lens that gives you more subject distance. If you're looking for a standard lens, you'll appreciate the wider aperture of the 1.4.All that said, of the 50mm Canon lenses, I think the 50/1.4 still offers the best mix of image quality and value.
I wanted to buy  50mm f1.2, but after talking to fellow photographers and reading reviews,  I am glad that I purchased EF 50mm f1.4 .It's much lighter than f1.2  and you cannot beat the price difference. But if you photograph often  in very low light, then save up for for  f1.2The lens produces clear photos with  amazing sharpness even wide open at f/1.4Overall a must have, great performance, great build quality and I highly recommend this lens to all photographers.
Great quality for your first prime lens at this price. I use it as a portrait lens, would not use it for group pictures. Next lens would be a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM.
A GREAT PRODUCT WITH VERY GOOD BUILD QUALITY.THE 1.4F GIVES A VARY GOOD ADVANTAGE SPATIALLY IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS.DEFINITELY A MAST HAVE FOR A BUGGERING WITH DSLR.
I purchased this lens because I wanted to experiment with depth of field.  After my first three pictures I am not disappointed.  The lens seems to have the ability to place the background in a blur with a nice sharp subject in the foreground all that with little work.  Just what I wanted.  I was concerned that the sensor size in my 7D with a 1.6 crop factor might limit my ability to achieve the blurred background, but so far I'd say at least with this F1.4 lens I have no issues.
Please don't take the Amazon star rating too serious - every lens has its pros and cons that I wouldn't want to squeeze into a single one-dimensional figure...A quick note about me: I have been into SLR cameras and lenses for more than 20 years - as a hobby in the beginning and professionally later. Maybe because of my technical background I started testing my own lenses quite a while ago. I have a (no longer so) little test lab of my own where I do 6 different image quality tests (after taking a lens out for a while).The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is Canon's medium-budget 50 mm prime lens that combines good image quality with a compact and lightweight form factor. It has a precise USM motor that allows manual override during autofocus operation but it's an older generation model that's a little slower and noisier than modern USM motors. The lens is solidly built but of the outer parts only the lens mount is made of metal. The very low f-stops available (good maximum aperture) make this lens ideal for available light photography and portraits. Due to its high resolution at higher f-stops it's also suitable for landscapes (not so much on APS-C cameras where the effective focal length is 80 mm). Even wide open the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM has an impressive resolution but color fringes ("chromatic abberrations") both in focused ("transverse CA") and in blurred ("axial CA") parts of the images are a problem with this lens. Distortion is also an issue if the lens is used with a full frame camera. While corner shadow ("vignetting") is present it does fade with higher f-stops (narrower apertures) and there is no curvature of the focal plane ("field curvature"). The aperture shape is circular and creates even-looking bokeh.The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM costs more than three times as much as theEF 50mm f/1.8 IIbut (unlike the high-end offeringEF 50mm f/1.2L USM) is still affordable for most. The surcharge is paid for a better autofocus motor, higher built quality, a properly sized focus ring and of course a better maximum aperture of f/1.4 rather than f/1.8. I would have hoped that the image quality were also a step upwards but it's very similar to theEF 50mm f/1.8 II(which is probably good enough anyway). In real-life applications however the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM will likely deliver better images just for its superior focusing operation. If you are on a tight budget you'll be more than happy with the lower-cost offering but if you can easily afford it the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM will be a nicer lens to use.A much more detailed review of this lens together with all test shots, sample images and technical data is available on my website LensTests_com.
I am an amateur who uses a Canon Rebel XT (350) and up until this lens purchase, I have been using a 28-135 lens with IS.  I am most interested in capturing the moments of my family's lives, so that means taking a lot of indoor shots, which could occur at any moment during a day, or at special events like parties.  I like my 28-135 lens, but wanted to improve the quality of my indoor photos. I absolutely love this lens.  I love that I can take many more photos without a flash, I love the clarity, and I love the bokuh when one of my kids or wife is the center of the composition.  It is taking a little adjustment to using a lens without a zoom, but I think it will be worth it.
I'm still getting the hang of it but the big aperture is awesome! Creates stunning images. I'm shooting with a Canon 6D and this is the only lens I have so far.Update: so a couple months into it and i'm getting the hang of shooting with such a big aperture. For a beginner, you really have to realize how little will be in focus between two different focal plans a couple feet apart when you're shooting wide open at 1.4. So if you have two subjects and they're not standing exactly right next to each other, both won't be in focus unless you bump the aperture up a little bit.
I am not a photo nerd. I bought a simple DLR body, and I added this. I travel the world for fun and use this take pictures. I use this to take photos of people in the street. At night I mount it to a tripod and take long exposure photos that make the cities look amazing. I don't know how to use this lens. Yet, I take pictures that are the envy of all my friends...then again it might just be the Maldives.
The lens is great in terms of sharpness, color, contrast, distortion.I have to say I'm disappointed with its bokeh wide-open. When used wide-open, the lens produces disc-like bokeh, where the rim is brighter than the center making blurred edges sharper. Some other lenses I own/owned have much better (not-edge-heavy) bokeh: Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS, Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L, Sigma 30mm f/1.4.You should get 50mm f/1.2 if you want real good, truely creamy bokeh. This one is just ok, despite what all the reviews say. 50mm f/1.2 also beats f/1.4 in terms of resistance to flare.I also owned 50mm f/1.8. That one has smoother bokeh, when used wide-open. However, it produces elliptic (some kind of asymetric) out-of-focus regions, which is not that great either.One bit of advice: the real use of this lens on x0D, x00D bodies (APS-C  sized sensor) is portraits. Don't expect a general purpose all-around lens. Buy it if you need a good portrait lens.
I use this lens for portrait.Is very good product in relations of the price.The aperture is amazing.Very recommendable!
*Update*  Just tried DxO Optics Pro version 5 with this lens and 5D body.  The results are simply amazing.  Thought about upgrading to 50 1.2 lens before I tried DxO.  Simply awesome.  Download demo (dxo.com) to see what I mean!!!Some of the greatest photos ever taken were done with the 50mm lens.  Some say it is boring but I find it awesome and so darn flexible.  It has tons of speed for low light capturing.I bought the Canon 5D because of this lens. The full frame makes this a true normal view.  The pictures I have taken are simply amazing.  Recently, I took pictures of my daughter's friend birthday party at an art zone place indoors.  I didn't use a flash at all and shot in RAW.  All I could say was WOW when I opened the files.  I'm hooked to this lens.  Never disappoints..however, I do wish it had a ring USM instead of a micro.Those with a crop body - xt, xti, 10d, 20d, 30d etc may find it tight and not so flexible.  It would be a great portrait lens and still plenty fast.  However, if you need a normal view so to speak, I'm not sure Canon makes a prime lens for the crop body at this price/quality.  The Sigma 30/1.4 may be a better option.Full frame users have something special because background blur is simply beautiful.This lens is a steal for 300 bucks that no zoom lens can match in terms of contrast and sharpness especially by f/2.8
I bought this for my college-student daughter as a gift, and it has quickly become her favorite lens. As reported by so many others, the f/1.4 is really worth it for creative work.
You can't go wrong with this lens. It captures plenty of light, can be used with auto-focus, and gives tremendous image quality. Build quality is impressive, much better than the 1.8 option. It's worth the money.This should be an essential lens in your arsenal!
This is a prime lense that has a really short depth of field (although after you start working with this an f1.2 will be on your wish list). It really is my workhorse lense for cinema and I also have the f4.0 24-105 which is good on the fly, but when you are setting up a shot, this lense really does the trick. You'll have to move the tripod back and forth (not telephoto), but really shallow depth of field when you want it.Oh, and give Adorama your email for the one year warranty extension. I was a trying a steadicam rig and my 5d with this lense hit the tile ! The AF didn't work after that and when follow focusing on a cinema rig it would hitch. 6 months after the Canon warranty expired, Canon still fixed it free because of the Adorama extension !Nice. Great lense.
The lens is great!  I'm using it on my EOS 20D, and the shots are beautiful.  At the wide open setting (1.4), the depth of field is amazing and provides an absolutely outstanding boquet.  This lens is definitely worth the difference in price over the 1.8.  The boquet is much better. A little advice:  avoid using the auto focus on your camera when using this lens... its too easy to catch any little thing in front or behind what you are intending to focus on, and you WILL see a difference, with just a small difference in depth.  Manually, the lens will provide you with perfect shots every time!  And its well worth the extra few seconds to make sure the shot is composed correctly!
I own 50mm f1.8 and this 50mm f1.4. The f1.4 is not worth in price if f1.8 is existing.Many test were performed personally. The f1.4 time to focus is not better than f1.8 (almost same time); the IQs are almost the same; f1.4 is much heavier; f1.4 has slightly better in color, higher built quality and silent focus.For those pros in f1.4 are not my favorite to count on lense. Many reviews mention this lense is not advanced than f1.8 (I hope read them early). I recommended to buy f1.8 and save the extra. Good luck.
This is a nice fast lens, but not build very well.  They have a flaw in the way the mechanism works that often fails.  the repair costs over $100.  If you buy, be very careful not to adjust when the auto feature is engaged.
Don't buy the cheap $80 lens many people get, go for the metal version with the bigger aperture. I was debating which to get and I am glad I got this one. It makes for beautifully blurred backgrounds and excellent low light photography. I shoot for my college newspaper and use this every time I shoot basketball, because gym lighting sucks!It helps having a prime lens, you focus more on dof and composition. You have to position yourself for the shot though, which means I sat underneath the basket.It's quite fast to focus.It's not as sharp as I'd thought. But sharper than my kit lens. You soon realize a lot about sharpness is just stopping down and editing.
canon lens at its best!  great for DSLR video  11 more words are required for this to actually go through.
Bought this for my husband for his birthday.  Very nice lens and it was recommended to me by a friend who is a photographer.  Came fast and packaged well.  I will probably order another lens from Amazon in the future.  Gave it 4 stars because I should have ordered a high powered telephoto lens but that was my fault.
About me-- First time DSLR owner (canon t2i). Got this lens as the first lens instead of kit lens. Since i am a newbie to DSLR photography my review is not going to give you too much technical detail. However this may help someone who wants to get some basics about this lens and deciding between kit lens vs. better quality lensPros-- Excellent portrait photos- Great bokeh , stunning quality.- Amazing low light photography.  Fixed aperture of F1.4 gets the maximum light for the photos hence a great low light lens.- Easy focusing,  USM (ultra sonic motor) makes focusing silentCons-- Remember, this lens has no zoom option, has a fixed focal range of 50mm. But if you crop the image you get a good quality result- Ok day time photos, but I have taken some great pics especially in the shade- Pricey $350 but you can save and use at least $100 to $150 if you do not get the kit lens and just the DSLR body- I guess these kind of lenses do not come with IS, but sometimes I feel the images may get blurry if your hands are not steady. But IS may not be essential i suppose with a fixed focal range and fixed aperture lensConclusion-- Although this lens is awesome but I feel for your first lens you may want to consider Canon 15-85 mm (F3.5-5) IS USM lens which will give you a greater zoom range, USM, IS, wide angle ability minus the fixed aperture option. I am considering this lens but it is expensive, so may be in the next few months. From most of the amazon reviews I think one should not get the kit lens and mix and match the body with better quality lenses. I feel most of the people eventually end up ditching/selling the kit lens and go for an upgraded lens, so why not get an upgraded lens at the time when you buy the camera.
This lens is not cheap, but it is one of my best lenses. Very versatile and great performance in low light. May be awkward to use if one is used to zoom lenses since it is not a zoom... Overall, worth the money.
As a major enthusiast, but fairly new to the SLR world, I LOVE this lens! It's an all around fun lens for portraits and creative depth of field shots. I highly recommend.
Excellent lens&#8230; sharpness is awesome!I shot wedding photography i used it and love itI definitely recommend this product
I've used this lens many times before I decided to purchase it through amazon. I would have given it 5 stars, but the way amazon boxed and shipped such a delicate product was a bit unbelievable. I could hear the canon box rattling around the bigger amazon box as soon as I picked up the package. They placed some inflatable wrap in there that was deflated so failed at its purpose and the canon box was actually opened! After investigating and testing it out, everything seemed ok.Now, the lens is one of the most awesome prime lenses you can buy. The F 1.4 is incredible, the pictures you can capture in lowlight without flash. The bokeh is amazing too, and if you want eye catching portraits, this is the lens to use! Its not only for portraits though, you can get creative with this lens and take pictures of almost anything. Because its a prime without the ability to zoom, it will make you move, crouch, squat experiment to get that perfect shot, something that is bound to make you a better photographer. I shoot with a 50D and have shot with a wide variety of lenses including Ls but this has to be one of my favorites!
I can't even think of how many thousands of photos I've taken with this lens, and my opinion is always the same: this lens is incomparable.  I shoot portraits semi-professionally (with a Canon T2i), and when I want to travel light and get best results, this is the lens I bring.  The prime factor takes a little getting used to, since you have to move yourself rather than zooming, but it really doesn't take long to adjust your thinking.  The image quality is great in all lighting situations: the wide open aperture gives you the flexibility to get good results in low light if necessary.  The aperture will also take your portraits to the next level (a lower f/ number will blur more of the background).  In fact, I rarely shoot at the widest aperture (even for food photography), but it's nice to have the option.  The construction of the lens seems very sturdy: heavy enough to add a little heft to the camera body, but in no way a burden to carry around for long periods of time.If I had to recommend just one lens purchase to take your DSLR photos to the next level, this would certainly be it.
I've already got two 50mm prime lenses.  The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II and the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG AF Macro.  Why purchase another 50mm (see my review of the Canon 50mm f/1.8)?  Several reasons, 1) I never much cared for the plastic body of the Canon f/1.8 not very strong relatively speaking.  2) The Canon f/1.4 body (skin, superstructure and workings) are largely metal and as a result it's stronger and the tooling is considerably better allowing for more exacting focussing, etc.  3) The f/1.4 has USM drive while the f/1.8 is only standard and Sigma drives tend to be comparably unreliable when used with Canon cameras.  4) For image clarity and sharpness the Sigma lens is a hair better then the the f/1.8 but then again the f/1.4 is a hair better then the Sigma lens, (a hair difference in clarity and sharpness is a lot of difference to a pro).  5) The obvious, the f/1.4 has an f/stop advantage over the f/1.8 and an even greater f/stop advantage over the Sigma lens, allowing for a greater diversity of use in low light.  6) If your working as a pro it's wise to have backup lenses in case an often used lens is accidently damaged while on a job.  7) I've a total of six different Canon cameras to outfit for possible use with lenses while on some jobs, thus on some occasions all three lenses, may be used at much the same time, (hay, what can I say I was once a Boy Scout with the motto "always be prepared".... ~~~~~~ In the end, I can only add the f/1.4 has become one of my most used lenses and that I feel the lens well worth having, especially if your more then just a novice, even tough the f/1.4 cost more then three times as much as the f/1.8.  ~~~~~~ I must admit even know I'm considering even another 50mm; either the Canon 50mm f/1.2L which a few claim is sharper then the f/1.4 (unlikely) or the Sigma f/1.4 EX DG HSM AF, which after comparative test against other 55mm lenses by Pop. Photo. was said to be a hair sharper then all others... Yet again, Zeiss (best glass and almost entirely constructed finely tooled metal), is now making lenses calibrated for digital cameras with Canon EF bayonet mount and they have a 50mm prime (no AF), which was not included in the aforementioned comparative tests. ~~~  Happy trails to you until we meet again.
I own the Canon 50mm f/1.8.Very nice lens,sharp,good colors...ect,but it's like a toy, sooner or later it will brake(my feeling).The reason I bought the 50mm 1.4,it's for its solidity,a real lens(again,its my opinion).The 50mm 1.4 is sharper than 1.8,but i prefer the colors of the 1.8.I like them both,but I feel more secure with the 1.4
Got a really nice copy.  at f/1.4, it is still sharp unlike the others I've seen which is soft.  I am happy I got this over the 50mm 1.8.  The body of the 1.4 is really well built.  Nice solid feeling.  I debated on getting this or the 1.8, and decided to get the 1.4 based on its built.  Its 3x more, but I think its worthed it.  Read too many reviews on the 1.8, the lens just breaks apart after a few use.  I picked up a lens hood to protect and reduce flare.
SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THIS IS THE LENS I USE.VERY BRIGHT AND LOVE TO TAKE PHOTOS ON IT.THANKSAM ICELANDER
I bought this lens because I wanted a low f-stop lens to use with available light rather than using flash all the time. Most of my pictures are of my kids and dogs and I get blur with other lenses when shooting in natural light. I was also attracted to this lens because of the background blur effect the low f-stop creates.I've been shooting with the lens for a few weeks now and am very pleased in both regards. Focusing is fast, subjects are not blurred, background does have a nice blur. The lens is pretty compact and the metal construction is solid.I also considered theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8lens because of the lower price point but ultimately chose the f1.4 due to the lower f-stop and more solid construction (the f/1.8 has more plastic), but it would probably be a good compromise if price is a concern.
Allows me to take awesome DoF shots from fairly close range. That's what I wanted, and that's what I got.
I sold my 50mm f1.8 and purchased this as an upgrade. However, picture-wise, I see no difference but the price and the material of the lenses. It's heavy and seems to be more durable as opposed to the plastic/lightness of the 1.8. Honestly, I use my 85mm f 1.8 more than the 50mm f1.4. But that is my opinion and I am NOT a photographer. I just like taking pictures of friends and family.
I am having a hard time deciding if I like this 50 better than my beloved 70-200!  I know they are 2 completely different lenses but this little one is really awesome.  Super crisp photos.  I really am amazed.
At first this was a weird lens because it was always zoomed in (50mm). I was used to the stock lens (18-55mm) However once you get passed that its an amazing lens. Perfect for low light settings. I haven't gone back to my stock lens since I got this (6 months and counting). This goes great with the canon EX flashes. Videos looks soooo much better its crazy, especially after running through adobe premiere. Just need some nice lighting and i'll be set, only because I notice a little noise from there not being enough light. Highly recommend this lens if your looking for a low light solution.
One of the best lenses that I've ever purchased for obvious reasons. Do your research on this if you have a cropped sensor. Otherwise, you can't go wrong. :) Love the bokeh!
I've been using the 50mm f/1.8 for two years, and I upgraded to this one. It's so much heavier and sturdier than my f/1.8. The image quality is definitely better too.
This lens produces some great quality pictures.  Totally worth the money.You're generally not going to be shooting outdoors stuff with this, but if you want to get great shots of your friends and family, it's a good one to own.
This was a gift for my son the photographer.  He uses it  a lot and seems to love it a lot.
I'm a shooter and I'm looking for that film look for my videos. This lens is a good starter lens that will give you a nice depth of field!! This is the best lens to get with for your camera!!
This lens takes awesome photographs.  Chose this as my starter lens for the 60D camera I bought based on recommendations on this lens from a lot of online research.  Looking back I wish I would have bought the 60D camera kit with the 18-135mm lens for my first lens.  I find myself limited by the 50mm len's angle of view quite a bit and have to miss some shots.
This lens has been one of my go to walk around lenses for quite a while not since I had first bought it. The bokeh at f/1.4 is amazing. I have yet to try this with my 5D Mark III. But the lens is simply amazing on a camera like the Canon Rebel T2i (550D).This lens is very fun, and very fast. The pictures are very sharp.
I'm using this on a Canon 1Ds and find it to be perfect, as noted elsewhere when used around F4 it is the sharpness standard by which other lenses are to be measured, a perfect piece of glass, the best I've seen.  And stopped down to F1.4 it allows a focal depth of a few inches for singling out a subject within a field.  Great stuff!
I got this lens from Amazon and had been debating for a long time which one to get.  It was either the Canon 95 dollar "cheep" lens or go all out and get the Sigma 50mm.  I was hung up having to spend 500 on a Sigma.  The Canon I chose was listed here at 369 and that was my range (tax not included).  I started using it right away and was very impressed with the quality and crispness of the images.  I shot my son sitting in the kitchen using available light, no flash and WOW!  I ran the shots through Canon's Digital Professional Software and feel the shots are just sweet!  I am attaching the shot.  If this is what it can do and "I wasn't even trying...", then it has great potential.  Worth every penny!  Jim Enos
So far as I can tell with only a few shots under my belt image quality is the same as the 50mm 1,8. So why did I buy it? I a hoping the smoother, more accurate, focus and improved BOKEH justify the additional bucks. I did get it just before the XMAS sale went off and I got a gift card fom my son which made the decision to buy easier.I also like the idea of full time manual focus though I doubt if it will get much use except for macro shots where the very shallow depth of field makes focusing where you want tricky.I also like the idea of having one of the better prime lenses on the market today. Now I need to figure out what to do with my nifty 50. I may give  it to my granddaughter, a budding photographer..Update 1/27/2013I finally decided to return this lens. As others have stated it is not really worth the price difference over the Nifty 50 (IMHO). I ended up buying the Canon 40mm 2.8 Pancake Lens. I just got it two days ago and so far it appears to be a really fine lens. The Bokeh is fairly close to the 50mm 1.4 and it appears sharp even wide open from edge to edge. It was nearly $150 less.
I recently purchased my Rebel camera with kit lens and this lens. I purchased this lens specifically to do portraits of my family. I have not even opened the kit lens and have been using this one instead. The pictures come out beautifully with f1/4. Beautiful soft blurry background (bokeh). Everyone I gave the pictures to assumed I was a photographer which I am not. I highly recommend you get this lens if the portraits is what you are after. If it was lost or stolen, I would buy it again immediately.
This is a great lens and produces fabulous portrait type photos.  Did not work well for real estate photos as I needed a wider angle lens but glad I have it in my bag when photographing the Grandchild.
I can't understate the usefulness of this lens. Sure, it's not a zoom lens. However, it "sees" the world about the same as your eye (same magnification), so it's great for just capturing scenes as they were.But what's really outstanding is the F-stop. F1.4 is INCREDIBLE. This allows you to use shutter speeds many times faster than, cheap "kit" lenses. Even among the "L" series lenses, you can't find a telephoto lens with an F-stop better than F2.8, which means this lens allows you to take pictures in relatively low-light conditions that you simply cannot take with most other lenses (without getting blur).Plus, mount this lens on a tripod and take pictures in almost zero light and you'll be able to see things your own eyes can't capture. I was at the profile location of Mt. Rushmore at 3 am on a moonless night and couldn't see where the mountain was at all - pure black sky and mountain. I mounted my rebel xti with this lens on a tripod and guessed, and there was George Washington. Sure, you can do delayed exposures with other lenses, but this lens will do them faster or produce brighter results than anything but the "L" series F1.2 (if you want to pay double the price).Also, a better F-stop usually means better, faster auto-focus, meaning you get more good, clear shots.Finally, the booka. Go look at the sample photos taken with this lens. The blur you can achieve with it is stunning, especially if you compare it to a cheap lens you might have gotten with your camera, like the 18-55mm one. With this lens, almost anyone can take photos that look like they were taken by a seasoned professional - REALLY! Just get used to how your camera body sets the f-stop and metering (turn your flash OFF!!) get your exposure and ISO settings set to give you a generous amount of light, and start taking pictures. You (and your subjects) will be stunned by the results.
I was having a hard time with the lens focusing until I did some light reading and research.  Now I am good with it.
Every serious photographer should have one either default on their camera or close at hand. It has another stop of light than its 1.8 brother. During auto focus you can manually take over. However at 1.4 the DOF is shallow as hell. Easy to lose an important shot if you're running and gunning. Also, AF is also a little slow some times, sometimes it's right on par. (I'm still learning photography and it could just be my inexperience so I take my input with a grain of salt). I generally like to use this lens for composing shots slowly, this is a beautiful lens that produces great results when you take time to see, set up, and take a great shot. Also, it's my go to wedding lens.
I bought this lens on recommendation. I was nervous about purchasing a single focal length lens because on my old camera I used the zoom all the time. It has proven to be my favorite lens. Once I learned its limitations, I also learned how versatile it is.This lens takes awesome sports pictures. It opens wide enough to let in enough light for even a dimly lit gym. A side effect of this is that it focuses on only a thin slice. As a result, my sports pictures draw the attention to the action. While this isn't quite the "bokeh" of portraiture, it is effective. When the subject is near, I can get a true "bokeh" as the background.There are a few limitations to this lens. One is that it does poorly with pictures of the action across the gym. The athletes develop a sort of halo around any white in their uniforms. I don't notice this with outdoor photography, so I wonder if it has to do with the gym lighting? This lens also has an autofocus that is a little too slow for fast action. I have to be somewhat good at predicting what is about to happen, otherwise the action may not be in focus.However, lack of zoom is not a limitation. Instead, I've learned to be creative in where I position myself for pictures. I've also learned that when this lens is attached to a good camera, I can crop pictures and still get good results. In landscape photography, this is a great lens if I have a specific subject: a waterfall, a church, etc. It is poor for more general landscapes, especially if they are large. I live in North Dakota, so my landscapes are often large. In these cases, a wide angle or a zoom lens seems to work better.But, if you want one really versatile lens, this 50 mm lens is an awesome tool in your bag.
I have tried at least four samples of this lens and they all have had the same issue:  they are very soft at 1.4.  This lens gets much much better as soon as you go to 2.8.Eventually, I bought the Canon 50mm 2.5 macro lens and I can say that this lens is almost as sharp at wide open as it is closed down to the next stop and the remaing stops.  I am very happy with this lens.  Oh, this lens also costs less than the 50mm 1.4.
Just what I expected from a prime 50mm. Like others have commented, the main difference between this lens and the 1.8 is the price, and thus the build quality. I can tell that this lens has many years of life ahead of it. the only downside, but which can't be blamed on the lens, is that at 1.4, it lets so much light in that its hard to use on a bright day. would recommend this lens to anyone that is semi-serious about photography, or at the very least looking for a quality, versatile, lens.
I'm not a lens &#34;Techie&#34; so I'll dispense with all of the brainy issues and just say that this is a great lens.  I take a lot of photos and many are portraits or people scenes.  My results have always been crisp, clear and as close to natural color as I can imagine.  It's a stiff price for the f/1.4 so if you don't need the big aperture get the f/1.8.  It's a great lens, too.
I'm fairly new to photography, but after playing with the kit lens for a while I learned its limitations - and wanted more! Looking around amazon this lens and the f1.8 50mm prime caught my eye. After some deliberation I decided that I would go all the way and get the f1.4. As I have never used the f1.8 I cannot do a comparison, but I will say I am thrilled with this lens. It makes it so easy to shoot beautiful, natural looking portraits and has great low-light performance. I am not disappointed going all the way for this lens, it will be part of my kit until the day it dies.
The Canon 50mm 1.8 was the first prime lens I ever owned, and I think it spoiled me a little bit. Not in it's build quality, obviously as I think it's made out of the same plastic cracker jacks use, but in it's value for money. I still, to this day, with a bag full of L series glass, call the 1.8 the best buy lens you can get. Hands down.So when money started to come in a little more, I looked at an upgrade from my little 1.8. Because spending more means better right? 1.4 or even 1.2 are better! Well, I'm here to tell you no. The 1.2 is an amazing piece of glass at an amazingly high price. If you can afford the 1.2, buy it.. buy it several times so you can have a family of 1.2 lenses.. it's that good. But the 1.4? I simply don't get it. At close to $400, it's 4 times the price of the glorious plastic nifty 50 (1. but as best as I can tell, isn't even twice as good. The extra depth is nice SOMETIMES, but it's auto focus is nowhere near that of the 1.2 so you'll have a hard time putting it to use without a tripod or exceptionally steady hands. Realistically, how often to you shoot at 1.4 anyway? I seldom go below 1.8. Sure, it has more blades than a 1.8, but outside of photographers, don't assume anyone is trying to count the edges on your bokeh.As ridiculous as it sounds, the upgrade from your awesome $100 50mm 1.8 is the $1600 50mm 1.2. The 1.4 has the right ingredients on paper, but in the real world it will simply frustrate your wallet to the tune of $349
Great little lens. Better than expected. Just what I needed and the price was of value. And, I haven't had an issue with it in any way yet.
I bought this lens for my Canon 60D in order to take indoor basketball pictures of my kids.  It works great and people are amazed at the pictures it takes.  I have also used to for portrait pictures, but to a lesser extent.  I would highly recommend this lens.  Amazon pricing and delivery are hard to beat.
i bought this lense questioning myself - why should i spend any extra over the 1.8?well, i'm convinced now.  a lense i thought i would occasionally take out for portraits has turned out to be an absolute stock in the collection.  it actually comes out more than most zoom lenses.i'm using a 10d body, so the lense is effectively 80mm.  most of my shots are at night.  this is the only lense i can get consistent use out of without a tripod.  that's really saying something.  dead of night, no tripod, good pictures.  highly recommended.
This lens produces some of the sharpest, clearest and color perfect images that I have ever seen.  While it does not boast "L Series" designation, I usually forget that it is not in that same class.  Color saturation and sharpness are intense, and I have not detected any reduction in performance at the widest apertures.  I have found no negatives to this lens and the value is unsurpassed for the performance.  I have not yet experienced the AF problems that some others claim and hope that I don't.  This lens is a fixture in my arsenal.
This is an absolutely fantastic lens.  Every picture comes out looks professional.  The f1.4 is amazing!
This is my number one lens - you can make some beautiful portrait photos with it! Highly recommend getting it.
After owning the 50mm f/1.8 and reading many comparison reviews for this lens vs. the 50mm f/1.2, I opted to purchase this one.  It is my go-to walkaround lens and I love the fast auto focusing, bokeh, wide aperture and crisp images that are produced from this lens.Every new photographer needs one!  :)
okay so it does but for me this lens is my walking around lens, so much better than the 1.8, this has metal construction and I love the speed of primes
For around $300, you can't beat this lens.  It's sharp and great for low light.  It doesn't have quite the color or build quality of an L lens, but you're also spending $1k less.  This lens provides a fast option for a kit made up of f/4 zooms.  I used to have the cheaper f/1.8 and you can really tell a difference.  To me, this was worth the extra cost.
Absolutely a fantastic lens for the money - while it's working.  Like many of the other one star reviews, this lens simply stopped working before it's time.  I could not have been any happier and would have called this the best lens for the money - had it simply not stopped working.  Mine was the same problem as everyone elses, the Auto Focus just stopped working - even the manual focus broke.  I wouldn't risk it, but I must say before dying before its time, this camera is excellent indoors when shooting in natural light.  I wanted to buy another, but decided to read all of the lower reviews before that decision.  Turns out everyone has the same issue as mine.
Much better build quality than the f/1.8, razor sharp images. Can be hard to frame images if you don't have a full frame sensor, as it functions more like an 80mm lens. Fantastic low light performance as expected.
The classic question about this lens versus the next one down, with a stop less and twice the cost, is whether or not its worth it. My opinion is that it is.The very short depth of field at f/1.4 is incredibly dramatic. It's also a little tricky to use. There's a slight learning curve here to consistently get what you want in focus. I had to first set the camera to use just one of its focus points, and then use that, focus, and recompose. I'm still learning to look very carefully then at what I'm seeing in the viewfinder, and try not to move forward or back because what I wanted to have in focus will move out.But with practice and subjects that aren't moving, getting that focus right on the reflection in an eye is priceless. I'm using a 5D, so I have the full 50mm view, but remember that with most of the DSLR's you're going to lose some of that with the field crop.
I upgraded to this lens after having the 50mm f1.8 II for a few years.  They are both good lenses, but the smoother focus ring on the f1.4 is a great improvement.  The increased number of aperture blades improves the "bokeh" quite a bit too!
This is lense is my favorite! I would definitely buy this again! Perfect for detailed macro shots.I use it primarily for food shots.
I wanted this lens to take pictures of my toddler inside our home. I love the natural-looking results I get. It was exactly what I expected.
this is a great lens but overpriced.i bought it for night shots. it is very fast and the auto focus is fast which is great. thats what i expected.big problems with this lens:sometimes light reflects on your image and looks terrible. when taking pictures of bright light in the dark, theres a reflection of the light on the horizontal flip side.the autofocus doesnt work in low light even though this is really meant for night shots.the autofocus in low light but a little often doesnt work to your preference. it doesnt detect faces to auto focus on. many times it wants to focus in the background or an item in the foreground.the manual focus feels cheap and grinds. it continuously rotates even when you are at the minimum or maximum focus so it can be confusing.i used f2.0 in a concert and got great photos. it allowed me to use 1/60 shutter speed which is great. the kit lens(18-55mm 3.5/5.6) would only allow 1/8the image stabilization is not that big of a problem. all my shots are in focus as i expectwhen doing group shots, you need to step about 30 feet back to get 4 people in nicely. and for portraits, being 4-6 feet is enough for a belt to top of head shotthe price i think should be lower.
I bought this with the hope that it would be sharper than my 50mm f1.8 and I am finding that at f1.4 there is way too much chromatic aberration to have it be taken seriously as a professional prime lens.Pros:Fast focusSturdier body (than the Canon 1.8)Light weightPrecise focal distance indicators.Cons:SoftSeems to have issue if photographing text.
This lens is great for portrait shoots and low light shoots.I even used this lens a few time for video.Great all around prime lens
Its good quality , but a little over priced for what it is.a little close on crop camera , but i like it
great lens especially for portraiture! I use this lens over any of my other len's. The price is great and the quality is surprisingly good.
Highly recommend this 50mm over the $125 Canon 50mm f/1.8.  The autofocus motor is MUCH quieter, build is more robust, the light gathering capabilities are so much better, the depth of field can be razor sharp, the bokeh glorious.  However, this lens tends to be finicky about focusing.  Mine did better with manual focus than autofocus - have since upgraded to the Canon-mount manual focus Zeiss 50 1.4 which I wholeheartedly adore.
This Lens does an amazing job for portraits! Very sharp images and nice blurred backround. Would recommend to anyone looking to do any kind of portrait photography. Would not recommend for landscape or sports or anything like that.
I bought this mainly to do a newborn shoot for my nephew and everyone loved the results. Produces beautiful photos - I love the Bokkeh effect you get from the 1.4.I am an amateur photographer by all means, but this lens would make you second guess it.
Runs rings around inexpensive starter lenses. Well worth the investment for the attributes it provides during tricky low light shooting situations. Great for creating wonderful images based on shallow depth of field and swiftness of focus. Mechanically sound, it's optical assembly adds to the value of this charmer.
This lens is great.  Takes very sharp photos even in low light conditions. Perfect lens for portraits.  No wonder it is rated #1 lens.
Nice len, works well. Focus good. Have hade no issues as some of the other reviewers have had even with a lot of use. Only criticism of lens is plastic construction of lens body. Definitely an issue if you are a little hard on your equipment which I am from time to time and why I'm surprised I haven't had any issues. But for the price and overall picture quality I would recommend.
I take a lot of outdoor portraits, ive had this lens for 2 months and I love it. I would recommend this to anyone and would definitely pay more for this one.
Tried to use the micro adjustment feature on my 50d to correct but with no luck. This lens almost functioned like it was on automatic (which activates all of the focal points in the field of view) When on automatic the point in your field of view closest to the focal point sets the focus. The copy of 50mm 1.4 I received was awful/with horrible focusing issues wide open. At f5.6 no issues. At 1.4 beyond 30 feet it would back focus but at shorter distances it would usually focus beyond the focal point... was shooting aperture prefered with my focus point dedicated to the center point.  I can't imagine a lens performing this way after being on the market for almost 20 years. All I can say is must have gotten a bad copy. After using over 15 differnt automatic lens this is the first time I have ever experienced a QC issue. I tested this lens with my 50d and 20d with the same results. My canon F1.8 functioned far better with an occasional out of focus frame. This copy was off maybe 80 percent of the time!
50mm is a very versatile focal length.  For Canon mount you have a very wide array of options:$100 - Canon 50/1.8$370 - Canon 50/1.4$500 - Sigma 50/1.4$1500 - Canon 50/1.2 LWhile 50mm is a staple portrait lens, this particular 50mm occupies a unique place.  This is Canon's oldest 50mm lens still in production and to be honest, it's showing it's age a bit.  Compared to both the Sigma 50 and Canon's 50L, it's optical performance is notably inferior.  It also has a very fragile focusing system that will probably break at some point in it's lifetime (especially if it's handled roughly).  Mine broke about 6 years ago and at the time it was a $100 fix from Canon.  It's probably more now.Now, all of that said, for the price, this lens is still a solid choice.  For the extra $270 over the 50/1.8, you get 2/3 of a stop more light transmission, vastly better build quality, and substantially improved subject isolation capability.  So while expensive relative to the 50/1.8, the extra $270 is actually buying you a lot of additional benefit.When comparing against the Sigma 50/1.4 things get more murky.  The Sigma has clearly superior image quality (sharper, better bokeh) and equal build quality.  However the Sigma has fairly unreliable autofocusing performance.  You can trust the Canon to focus accurately - which is more than most can say with the Sigma.  If you can deal with the Sigma's quirks and have $500 to spend on a 50mm lens, then it's a better option than the Canon.The Canon 50mm F1.2 L is better than all of them, as it should be for the price.  One thing to remember about the prices of these lenses is that the law of diminishing returns sets in very rapidly. While the 50L is better in every way than the 50/1.4, it's not 4 times better and many would argue it's not worth the price.  For the casual 50mm user, the Canon 50/1.4 is a better bet.So at this particular price point, this is an oldie but goodie 50mm lens that's worth the money.
When used with a full frame camera, the 50mm angle of view is considered comparable to what you see with your eye - in other words, if you pull the viewfinder away from your eye, and then put it back, you'll see the scene in the same scale. That makes it ideal for creating a natural looking composition, though you may find you have to "zoom with your feet" if you're trying to photograph a large group. It's also ideal for street photography due to its small size, low profile and the fact that it looks far less imposing than a hefty zoom lens. Though technically not a macro lens since the minimum focal length is 18 inches, you can still achieve some very nice close-up images.Beyond the angle of view though, it's most commendable quality is the super-bright f1.4 aperture. This thing sees in the dark !  I hate using flash when photographing people indoors, and the f1.4 allows you to photograph in natural room light, particularly when coupled with my Canon 5D Mark III, which has excellent high ISO performance. At f1.4 you also get gorgeous soft bokeh which allows you to totally isolate your focal point, leaving the background to drop off into a pleasant blur. See the picture I uploaded for another great bokeh effect you can achieve from the 50mm wide open at f1.4.http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/customer-gallery/A2BAAKZHSUGCDP/ref=cm_pdp_imgs_allWhether you're shooting with an entry level crop sensor Canon DSLR or a top of the line full frame Canon camera, or something in between, the 50mm needs to be in your kit. Most people buy the f1.8 version, which due to its very low price, truly is the "nifty fifty"; but why not go ahead and spend a few hundred bucks more for a lens that you'll use often and keep forever? You definitely won't regret the investment !
I am so glad I spent the extra money on this lens instead of getting the cheaper 50mm version.  The lens opens up to a very bright f/1.4 aperture, making for great photos under difficult lighting situations.  I love this lens and take it everywhere.  It is great for portraiture, too, since the depth of field is so shallow when the aperture is open.  The background blurs very nicely.  This is a very sturdy, professional level lens and a must have for any serious photographer.
The latest 50 f/1.4 EF lens is the best performing chunk of glass that any photographer can buy for anywhere near the price. Granted, the 50 1.8 lens is awesome for it's dirt cheap price, but it is outclassed by the f/1.4 in all respects.Others have already raved about the virtues of this cheap (not really) lens, so I'll just agree with with the strong points, and lay out the broad picture on an open table.First, the 50 f/1.8 is usually a fine lens. It is dirt cheap, has better quality control than anything built by Sigma, and is super light weight. That being said, it does have issues with lens to lens quality, it is "only f/1.8", has a plastic lens mount, and is pretty slow in AF.The 50 f/1.4, on the other hand, can darn near allow you to see in the dark through the viewfinder, can focus in total darkness with the right shoe mount flash, records tack sharp images at most all apertures, has great contrast, is light in weight, small in size, has a metal lens mount, and is pretty cheap to buy.It is NOT an L lens in construction, yet it offers L lens optical quality. It does have a USM, but it is the "old style" USM, and is not as fast as the modern ring type USM lenses. Still, it is very fast, it beats the speed of the throw away f/1.8 lens to death, and is pretty darn quiet. Also, despite the majority plastic build, and lack of distance data for E-TTL II flashes (the f/1.8 also lacks this feature) the f/1.4 lens does offer a very responsive full time manual focus ring that works like a charm for manual focus, or just touch up in difficult auto focus situations.This lens is all that, and everyone should own it as their first lens. Zoom lenses included in body/lens kits are just plain junk (sorry), but this lens will stay in your camera kit for decades, no matter what camera body is in your future.People who are using 1.6 crop factor cameras like the 20D, 30D, and Rebel line should bear in mind that the 50 f/1.4 lens is effectively an 80 mm f/1.4 lens when mounted on their cameras. That makes the 50 f/1.4 an awesome portrait lens, and the aperture and diaphragm design of the f/1.4 make it unbeatable for capturing shallow depth of field shots with pleasingly blurred backgrounds.As fine a lens as the 50 mm f/1.8 really is, it cannot begin to compare to the 50 mm f/1.4 lens in terms of functionality. Buy this lens today, and it will be with you until the end, no matter what Canon body you use in the future. If you use a 1.6 crop factor camera today, this lens will become a favorite, and the best 80 mm portrait lens you have ever owned.As always, use it with the factory lens hood at all times (only about twenty five bucks), and use a UV filter that is multi coated on both surfaces at all times. Anyone who suggests that you use a cheap filter is steering you down the wrong path. No matter what lens you buy, always use a UV filter that is built at least as well as your lens. Cheap filters, and filters that are not multi coated on both surfaces are just plain garbage. The shame of it is that even Canon offers garbage filters for cheap, and many people who spend hundreds of Dollars on a lens claim that "If it's good enough for Canon, it's good enough for me". Nonsense. A cheap filter is just that. A good lens with a cheap filter might impress, but a good lens with a great filter WILL impress. Don't fall into the cheap trap.
I was torn between the 50mm f/1.4 and the L series versions.  I wanted a good lens but for no alot of money and thats what you get here.  I have fallen in love with this lens, is fast, sharp, the background blur is spectacular, and focus is accurate.  I've done some test shots and there are some things you should be aware of.  It take a much more skilled hand to keep the subject in focus at f/1.4.  Also this is not even close to a macro lens if your looking for a macro look at the 100mm f/2.8.  This lens is quiet but not super quiet.  Over all i love this lens and i am happy that i purchased it
I use this and the 85mm on my 7d and t2i for video work. This is my lens of choice for day to day shooting. I don't leave home without it.
Well, when it works, it takes nice shots. The large aperture makes for some pretty good bokeh for the price. However, most copies will not accurately focus throughout a range of distances (for example, mine was spot on until the subject got about 6 feet away, then it was extremely inaccurate from there to infinity). The autofocus mechanism is also failure prone and if it happens out of warranty (it WILL happen) it costs about half the value of the lens to have it fixed. You can sort of protect against the AF failure by storing the lens with the hood attached, but my copy failed while using this method. I'd go with the cheaper f/1.8, or the slightly more expensive Sigma 50mm f/1.4 if I had to do it again. Simply not worth the trouble and I've gone through three copies of this thing. All were not acceptable.
I love the simplicity of this lens and high quality pictures that it takes.  It's the perfect lens for shooting any subject that you can walk up to or walk away from.
I got a copy that had some severe front-focusing problems. I am getting it exchanged in hopes that a new copy will operate better. Will update this review once I get the new copy.
I bought a camera with a kit lens, and I figured I'd learn the camera's ins and outs before I began investing in lenses.  I still think there's wisdom in that decision, mainly because I've discovered what I like to shoot.  Having said that, though, I have bought three new lenses, one of them the "middle" EF f/1.4 50mm, thinking that I'd probably beat up the less expensive one and break the bank with the L lens.  I received the f/1.4 50mm today and shot with it all afternoon, and my opinion is that it's spectacular.  I can do everything from very creative work with closely controlled depth of field to beautiful action-stopping photos with the lens stopped down.  It's tack, tack, tack sharp, fast, and the color and contrast are so excellent and true that I've taken several like shots just to make sure the beauty of them wasn't some sort of freak accident.  I can't speak for the outrageoulsy expensive f/1.2L or for the heapo cheapo f/1.8, but this middle-of-the-roader is absolutely wonderful, and it just might become my very favorite lens of all.  I own two L's, but I like this one just as well.  I like the focal range because what I see in the view finder is nearly identical in size to what I see with my naked eye, so composition becomes a different and fun challenge.  Run don't walk to the "add to basket" button.  You won't be sorry.
I have been wanting & saving for this little guy for a while. Absolutely love having it. Great addition to my lens collection. Very fast delivery.
This lens isn't for everyone, but for those who want to fully discover the true benefits of a DSLR, this lens is a game changer.That said, to fully understand what makes this lens so great, you need to understand a bit about aperture.  Most stock lenses open to an aperture of about f/3.5.  This is a measurement of how wide the lens opening is, the lower the number, the larger the opening.As the lens opening increases (a lower f-stop #), the camera lets in more light giving you two important benefits:1. You can take natural looking photos in lower light, without needing a flash, higher ISO (which adds noise) or without needing to slow down the shutter (which adds motion blurs if you or the subject moves).2. You can get a super short depth of field, which allows you to focus your camera on somebody's face, while throwing the background totally out of focus, giving you a beautiful artistic look that can't be done any other way.Prior to this lens, my best lens was the classic Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, which is an outstanding value at only $100, so I wasn't willing to pay about 3 times that for a 1.4.  I'm glad I did.  I took some shots the other day in very low light that were simply amazing.  As an added benefit, this lens also is built better and has a more solid feel.If you are new to artistic photography, this lens or the f/1.8 are a must have.  My best advice is to practice for a while before you use it for critical shots however, because shooting with such a short depth of field takes practice to get it right.  It's easy to accidentally focus on somebody's ear and the rest of their face can actually be out of focus.  Target the eyes first, because  the depth of field (the area in focus) can be just inches at times.  Even if you get the hang of it, when you are shooting a subject that is potentially moving or if you only have seconds to shoot, don't use this lens or you'll miss your shots as you try to get it in focus.
Great lens with VERY sharp video and pictures. I use a 1.6 crop sensor and its a little close for an every day lens though.  I just bought the 24mm f2.8 and now with these two lenses on my t3i I feel like I'm covered for almost all my situations.
I sold this lens then re purchased it a week later.  The image quality is just to awesome to get rid of.  I thought my 24-105L would be good enough.  But for indoor photography you can't beat the 50mm. This lens is too awesome for indoor children photography.  Even better on a full frame.
Obviously there are a ton of reviews already written about this lens. Normally I wouldn't even bother throwing my $0.02 in but having owned all 3 of the current Canon 50mm lenses I felt there might be something I could add to the conversation.I started with the nifty-fifty, the 50/1.8 ver 2. It was good optically but the AF was useless in low lighting and it was built like a toy. I used it for about a year until the front element fell off one day for no apparent reason.Next I got the 50/1.4 and I truly fell in love with it. Because 50mm is my favorite and most used focal length (and because I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to lenses) I thought it would be a good idea to invest in the 50L so that's what I currently own.I adore that 50L but truth be told if it was lost, stolen, or broken tomorrow I would replace it with the 50/1.4 and wouldn't feel that sorry for myself. I suppose that's the highest compliment I can pay the 50/1.4. It's sharp, its AF is quick, and unless you're shooting directly into the sun without a hood the color and contrast are fantastic.Of course it can't shoot at f/1.2 but to be perfectly honest, I rarely shoot the 50L wide open and isn't all that sharp at f/1.2 anyway. It's a luxury I could live without.The only significant advantage of the 50L is the build quality. The 50L is built rock solid. It could be used as an effective paperweight during a hurricane and you could probably bludgeon to death any potential muggers with it if you were so inclined. The 50/1.4 is by no means is as fragile or cheap as the 50/1.8 but you'd have a hard time using it as a weapon. It's strong enough to handle day-to-day professional use but it leaves a little to be desired. Of course if for some reason it does break down, you can replace it 3 more times for the cost of one 50/1.2L.This lens, along with the 85/1.8 are probably the biggest steals you can find in the Canon or Nikon lineups. Like I said, I'm kind of a lens snob but I would have no qualms breaking out one of these on a shoot. If you need a 50mm lens, buy it.
Better than the f/1.8, not as good as the f/1.2 L, and f/1.4 is still pretty darn fast. No technical issues with photos. It has a micro-USM which is not the ring variety found on more expensive lenses. I see no problems. It focuses quickly and accurately. People who criticize this lens for its photo quality or focusing speed, well, they just have too much time on their hands and I'd bet that if you gave them a f/1.2 L with a gold band instead of the red one they'd still find fault.
I debated whether to go with the 50 f/1.8 (which I'd borrowed from a friend to try out) or this lens - and after having decided to purchase this lens 4 mos ago, I can absolutely say it's the best lens I now own.  The cost-to-quality ratio of this lens is off the charts - the lens' wide aperture allows it to shoot in low light with the warmth of a lens costing much more.  It's also capable of producing gorgeous bokeh.  As a novice photographer with an interest in portrait and lifestyle photography, I can't say enough good things about this lens - absolutely fantastic.
I started with the 50mm f/1.8... and that is a great lens for the price.  But the focus speed and build quality on this bad boy compared the the 1.8, is night and day different.  I have a 5D Mark II and a couple L lenses, but this prime lens lives on my camera 85% of the time...  Keep in mind 5D is full frame, so I get a great FOV indoors.  On a cropped sensor this maybe too great of a zoom for indoor uses... behaving more like an 85mm prime...  consider the 35mm prime if you're using a CMOS sensor and want the look of a true 50mm prime....
I have a Canon 60D and this lens replaced my broken Nifty-Fifty 50mm 1.8. This lens is fantastic. Sometimes, you need to zoom with your feet by moving around, but the images it captures are beautiful.
If you are someone interested in available light photography - that is without relying exclusively on flash for photographs - then this lens should be regarded as an essential optic to be owned not only by professional and serious amateur photographers who use Canon autofocus SLR equipment, but indeed by all Canon owners. Not only is this lens much better built than its slower f1.8 sibling (Hint: It has more metal construction in the lens barrel to ensure years of excellent performance under every imaginable condition possible.), but optically it is a much better performer. Canon has done a fine job in developing excellent lens designs for their more expensive lenses, and frankly, this lens is no exception. I have seen excellent reports from Popular Photography, Shutterbug and elsewhere confirming the fine optical qualities of this lens. Indeed, if I'm not mistaken, Popular Photography's lens test of 50mm normal lenses a few years ago showed that this lens was among the better performers. To put it quite simply, paying more for this lens than for its slower f1.8 sibling will be well worth the additional expense. If I owned Canon equipment, then this lens would be an important part of my lens kit.
This has to be my favorite lens I've ever bought, The 50mm lens on a crop sensor camera turning it into almost 80mm lens making it close to "the perfect portrait lens"
i figure i'm expecting too much, so i gave this a 4 star anyway. with all the shots i saw on the net prior to buying i thought it would be a bit crisper in the admittedly low light conditions i shoot, night street photography. but i'm sure i'm being too hard on the lens.they are good pix, but you do need to shoot according to photography formula to avoid blur, meaning 1/80th at least on a crop camera and probably 1/50th on a full frame (i've just shot on the t2i). i did get a few sharp ones at 1/60th, but 1/80th seemed to be the break point for being happy with most of your shots being acceptably sharp.again, admittedly i was shooting almost all the way open, but it was the shutter time that was differentiating the blur. i shot at 1.6. at 3200iso handheld on a t2i it wasn't bad at all, i just was hoping for more. unrealistically i'm sure as i was comparing apples and oranges to some very good zoom lenses, the canon efs 17-55mm 2.8 image stabilized, which could out do this at f 3.0 at 1/30th of a sec with a steady hand, fully telephoto. the tamron 24-70mm 2.8 image stabilized (VC) was even better than the canon zoom, allowing me to go to 1/25th at 3.2 (originally wrote 3.0, but corrected after 'photomike' brought to my attention...thanks) fully zoomed out and beat the sharpness here.but apples and oranges. i got this to stick on my t2i body and use as a second take anywhere camera, and i'm sure it will do fine as that. and i'm very sure the daylight shots will sing. the night shots were acceptable given the conditions.as for everything else, nice compact, not too much autofocus hunting in the dark. feels a bit light, but i like that, probably not a lens you'd take to cover a war. can't get too close with it for macro type stuff, but not really what i was interested in.i must comment however on the purity and sweet/true, clean image it presents. i'm used to correcting shape distortions in photoshop since all my shooting, other than this, has been on zooms. the tamron 24-70mm 2.8 VC was very nice, not much correction needed, but i'd still do something. this canon lens, however, really offers such a pure image i can't see any  correction needed on most of my shots, unless it's adding creative alterations. very very nice.
This has been the best investment I have made... the quality of this lens it's great, especially at f/1.4 to get that nice soft glowing look and at f/4 it's wonderful. Every photographer should have this lens in their arsenal
Love this lens. Came quick and I've yet to stop using it. Very sharp. Looking at the 85mm next. Great for video work
I was pleasantly surprised at how sharp this lens is, but was upset at the amount of Lateral Chromatic Aberration (color fringe) between f/1.4 and f/2 when zoomed in on my computer full frame.  At F/4 it seems to sharpen up quickly though, and shoots consistently good shots from there on out.Would recommend.
Want awesome DOF? Buy this lens now. I have owned my 50mm 1.4 for almost a year now, and the versatility and glass quality from this sub L series is superb. Unless you have to sink almost 2 grand on the 1.2 L series, I would highly recommend this lens first. I wanted a lens that I could capture pictures of my daughter in low light situations, which I am in most of the time in our home. Got what I was looking for. Great lens for the money, you won't be disappointed adding this baby to your collection.
I have been very pleased with this product and as always, extremly pleased with the great service, price, and ease of using Amazon
There is no substitute for the &#34;nifty fifty&#34;.  And this one takes great images.  But it really does get soft on the fine details when you have it wide open.  I was disappointed about that even though I had read about it in some reviews. But it is still a great lens and the autofocus seems to work very fast very consistently.
I spent a considerable amount of time considering 50mm lenses for my camera. There were three major contenders, including the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L, and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. My original desire was for the EF 50/1.2L, as it creates a much more pleasing bokeh, and has the higher quality L-series build and weather sealing. Having a larger collection of L-series lenses than non-L lenses, I couldn't imagine the EF 50/1.4 being a very decent lens.After trying out a friends copy of the EF 50/1.4, I had to change my mind. This is a very solidly built lens, and while not f/1.2, at f/1.4 you still get a TON of light and a very thin DOF. Background blur (bokeh) is very nice and creamy, even on an APS-C sensor, and while it does not have that unbeatable quality of the 50/1.2, it is sufficient for the vast majority of needs. Build quality is good, with a metal mount and plastic casing. It feels solid, unlike the 50/1.8, which literally feels like a toy. The focusing ring is a bit "rough", its not as liquid smooth as an L-series focus ring. This is probably due to the type of USM, which is not ring-type USM that you get on L-series lenses. Despite the rougher feel, the focus ring works perfectly and has very little play. Overall, I think this is a superb lens, and should meet the needs of the vast majority of people looking for a fast, well-built, nifty fifty. Unless you demand the absolute best quality and highest performance regardless of cost, it is very difficult to justify the 50/1.2 for 5-6 times as much.It should be noted that the AF performance of this lens is not great, especially at close distances that make your DOF extremely thin. It is pretty slow, a little noisy, and even when you know it should lock, it might hunt back and forth throughout its entire focal range a few times before either locking, or just giving up. At greater distances and with subjects in higher contrast, AF locks pretty consistently. If you need AF that locks on every time for any distance and lighting, this lens probably isn't for you. I recommend pairing the 50/1.2 with a camera designed for high performance AF (such as the 7D or 1D IV), a combination that will give you a much higher success rate.As for the Sigma, as I hear it is a superb lens, with quality optics. I chose not to go with Sigma as I understand they reverse-engineer the Canon command protocols. There is no guarantee that new Canon bodies will always work with a Sigma lens, and I prefer my purchases to last as long as possible. I am certainly satisfied with the 50/1.4, however if you don't mind the off-chance that the Sigma will not work with a future Canon camera, it is a decent competitor.
This here lens is a BANG FOR YOUR BUCK sensation, simply amazing. Super crisp details and creamy soft bokeh (even at f/4)! On a cropped sensor like the Canon 7d it comes out to an effective 80mm lens. Insane focal length for walking around (think hikes) and portraits. I had a kit lens on my camera for a bit (17-135) and really frustrated with what I thought was the camera, to the extant that I was pondering selling it! I go out with my 50 1.4 yesterday (which I had not used in awhile testing other lens) and decided to try only jpeg shots with it (I always shoot RAW). When I uploaded my photos in Lightroom 4.4 my jaw just dropped at the how nice they were without any touching up or anything! As is, photos looked STUNNING. Professional looking pics at a GREAT PRICE. The only nit pick I can think of is you'll need to master down focusing. The Depth of Field is thin on this lens, hence the nice Bokeh. Wide open will give you about an inch to play with, for group shots I suggest F/4 and up. If you have the Canon 7d then your good to go. ;)
I used to have other lenses. i sold them.This is now the only lens I own and use.For what I do, it is perfect.
I shoot with a canon 50D and i recently upgraded from the canon 1.8 to the 1.4 and let me tell you, Its a world of difference. Much sharper images with the 1.4, much faster and quieter focus (the 1.8 is insanely loud for those of you who havent used one) and the build quality is wonderful. solid. heavy. It really feels amazing. especially while comparing the two lenses. Every photographer needs this lens. The 1.8 is a great entry level lens, especially on a tight budget but I definitely recommend saving that hundred dollars and putting it towards the 1.4. Its worth every penny.
I bought this lens about six months ago and I gotta say, it creates one of the most beautiful images. I also own the 24-70mm 2.8 L and the 70-200mm 2.8 L IS, but I often find myself putting on this lens over the other two when taking portrait photographs. During the summer, I took a trip to China and this lens was on my camera about 75% of the time. It produces really sharp images and the bokeh is just amazing. The images are less crisp at 1.4, but still sharp and anything above 2.0 is simply amazing. I have a canon xti so the actual focal length becomes about 80mm with the crop factor, which is great for me because I don't have to get too close to my subject. This lens is totally worth the price and it is light and compact so it's really easy to carry around. If you want to take portraits this lens is for you! Now, stop reading reviews and go get one.
I love the 50mm 1.4! I have only had it 2 days and have used it a lot. the color, sharpness, and all around usage for this lens is just what i needed.
I've decided to write this review after owning the lense for at least a year. My wife purchased this lense for me as a gift and for the first few months, I had no idea how to harness its true abilities. Here's what I've learned and contemplated:The legendary Nifty-Fifty... It has long been touted the best and "normal" focal length for portraiture. Typically, it is the first lens to purchase after buying a DSLR.So why pay 3 times the price for a 1.4 vs the other Nifty 1.8?In terms of light, you're getting roughly 2/3 more light and results in faster shooting.The depth of field becomes far more shallow than the 1.8.You get the amazing, dreamy bokeh effect that is unique to the 1.4.The AF USM micro motor is faster and much quieter. Not quite as fast as a full size USM, but very close.At f2.2 and higher, it is tack sharp, however, I would say that the 1.8 comes very close.It feels better and more significant. I dislike the fact that Canon decided to change the 1.8 mount to the fantastic plastic.It's still tons cheaper compared to the Canon 50mm 1.2L.Now some people have written issues with focusing. It could be very possible these users received a bad lens, but there are a number of other factors to think about while shooting with a bright 1.4 lens.As great as Canon's bodies are, there's a minor issue with this lens and I haven't quite figured out if it's my body (Canon 60D) or if it's a common isssue with bright lenses in general.With that said, I noticed anytime I tried to shoot anything beyond 8 feet away with the aperture wide open at 1.4, the results were blurry 95% of the time. This was even using the center focus and adjust method, which I rely on heavily. It still had a tendency to front focus. I tested this theory by locking the focus, then very slightly, manually adjusting the focus a tad further out. I was able to obtain a nice clear shot at 1.4. But chances are, because the depth of field is still somewhat shallow and shooting wide open can make everything look soft, you're not going to get that nice sharp image you would expect from a prime.Most professionals know that you shouldn't mess with shooting wide open at far distances with a normal focal length lens, cause at that point, you may as well switch to a telephoto lens. But like I mentioned above, it is possible to refocus by guessing. The downside is that no one can rely on a guessing game. As far as what you can see in the viewfinder almost always looks well focused with subjects beyond 8 feet. It is nearly impossible to tell when the subject is truly in focus. If you decide to use this method, you'll begin to learn how your camera reacts to different situations. But keep reading and you'll see there are much better ways of tackling the problem.The problem lies in a lot of crop-body shooters. A lot of times you have to scoot back quite a bit to fit everything in and sometimes forget to raise the aperture.Don't feel defeated because this lens isn't perfect at all situations. No lens is.So when you're shooting subjects 8 feet and further, try this instead:set the aperture between 2.2 to 3.5 to 5.6.That may sound confusing, but here are the scenarios:2.2 Just capturing an individual (or low light situations)3.5 Capturing a group of people (or being in well lit situations)5.6 Capturing some landscape (or in bright daylight situations)You can even push it up to f8 and beyond but I can't see much difference beyond 5.6 most of the times.You'll notice a vast improvement in clarity for all your picture taking regardless of the subjects distance.Don't make the mistake I made by shooting everything wide open, just because you can. The beauty of bright, prime lenses isn't just the fact that they can shoot wide open, but it's also that they're amazingly sharp with higher stops, while providing luscious bokeh.You might say, what's the point in getting a 1.4 if you're going to set it at 2.2 or higher?The real point of having a 1.4 is truly to unleash the artistic expressions as a photographer. Once you feel like you're ready to move up to another level of shooting beyond typical shots, this requires you to have patience and have a subject that is relatively near (in general I would say 8 feet or closer). Don't be afraid to get close! Always focus on a persons eyes and snap away. (I recommend you learn how to use the center focus and adjust method)If you can truly master the 1.4, stepping up to the 1.2 will be a much easier adoption and you'll embrace the reasons behind the price jump.I would avoid using a tripod if possible as shooting with primes can require you to move all over the place to find the perfect compositions.Last, but not least, there is one other trick to getting semi sharp images at 1.4 beyond 8 feet and that is shooting it in live mode. Because it no longer relies on the phase detection and more on a pixel to pixel basis, it's able to get a pretty good focus on whatever subject it's pointed to. The only downside obviously is that the focus takes a long, long, long time... Unless of course you've adopted the Canon 70D.Thanks for reading! I hope this helps.
This lens was much appreciated by the person who received this present.  It arrive on time and was packaged appropriately.
This is a must!!  If you want a cheap but addictive lens this is it. Is better than the f1.8 because it has a metal adpater and the autofocus is very fast. I love it.
I'm relatively new to Digital Photography, and to be honest, I don't think, before this year, that I held I've owned a decent camera since my college photography classes.  After reading reviews, comparison shopping, experimenting with in-store models, and harassing my photographer friends; I finally settled on the Canon T2i, buying it as soon as it became available.  Unfortunately, I was only able to purchase the -Body Only- option, and picked up the Ef 18-55mm non-is lens at the shop for (...).  I played around, learned all of the settings, followed some guides, got pointers, and in the six weeks I owned the camera, I learned the limits of the lens.  I was ready to upgrade.My needs aren't exactly unique; I require a lens that's fast enough to shoot in available low light without a tripod.  The really tough decision was do I go with a zoom lens with IS, or do I go for a wide aperture?  I read every review I could find on the non-L series lens options. I settled on a few top picks, and decided my goal was to get the best lens I could for under (...).I called around, and finally found a camera store that had most of my choices in stock.  They were eager to help me decide and allowed me to try out each of the lenses both indoors and outdoors. I snapped a few shots at various settings with each of the lenses, and popped the raws into photoshop (thank you adobe raw 5.7 beta) on my laptop. This is what I learned, first hand:Because I had some idea what to expect, I started with theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras; from the reviews I had read, It seemed like the logical choice; it had a lot going for it, and it blew away the 18-55 I had labored under for weeks; as many reviewers have pointed out, the AF, while quick, has some difficulty in low-light, even worse in live-view mode. Not a big deal, good range, I would have been happy to stop there.  The zoom was great, and the wide end, while tighter than the 18-55 I was used to, was still plenty of room to frame environments. Versatility, without question, was nice to have, but ultimately not my goal.Then I slapped on the 'nifty fifty', theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensunder (...) toy.  First impression, it was really light; especially after the 28-135mm; and it felt flimsy, fragile, I was almost afraid to handle it in the store. Still, after the 28-135 I was shocked at how much faster I was able to crank the shutter speed.  Who needs IS when you're shooting in a fraction of the time.  What amazed me was for the price, the images I was getting were sharper than the (...) technological miracle I had just tried out. Taking it off made me nervous, but I was happy once it was safely back in the hands of the clerk.Appetite whetted, I tried out theCanon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Digital SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR Cameras; compared to the nifty fifty it was like I had a whole new camera. Focusing was insanely fast, and being able to make minute adjustments by hand while auto focus was enabled was vital; although after a couple shots I realized I didn't want to use the auto-focus at all. The 60mm Macro was the most fun I'd had with the camera ever.  Getting within inches of my subject to pick out detail, and still being able to capture full scenes with little difficulty, fast enough to use in most lighting conditions, it was the immediate front runner. Without question, the images were nice and crisp, and didn't have any of the typical softness that I'd already built presets in photoshop to deal with.  The only thing stopping me here was the fact that it was an ef-s, and that meant it would be useless if I upgraded to a full-frame body.And then I slipped on the lens I had come for, theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. It was the only one in stock, and for (...).  At first, the difference wasn't necessarily obvious. In fact, I found myself unfairly comparing it to the macro, complaining silently about not being able to get up on my subject and dig for detail... but the real beauty of this lens became apparent when I turned toward the shadows.  In conditions that would have had me reaching for a tripod with any of the other lenses, I could open up to 1.4 and still blast away at 1/60 at Iso 100. I needed this lens. To hell with IS, forget the insects and grains of rice I wouldn't be taking pictures of anyway. This lens stayed on my camera the whole way home.  I haven't really figured out how to take a bad picture with this lens, although to capture something stunning really requires a mastery of focus; because at F1.4 the focus is razor thin if you're close.Subsequently I have tried some of the other primes in this class, but I find the 50mm to be the most 'natural' on the crop sensor of the t2i. I really did fall in love with that macro, and while I might not go back for that one, I'm definitely going to start exploring others.  If the 50mm isn't available, and you're shooting on anything between a rebel and a 7d, the 60mm macro is a good choice for a similar price.  As far as the zoom lenses go, there are plenty of reviews one way or the other to be convincing; but when I finally do decide to get the 'walk-around' lens, I'll probably go with an L (theCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameraslooks nice), because I don't think I'll be able to trade down image quality for reach.
Granted, I am a very amateur photographer, but this lens is amazing.  The build quality is great.  The photo quality is outstanding. This lens really makes portraits pop, and in low light it really makes the colors pop without having to use any flash at all.  I have used the f1.8 as well.  There isn't a huge difference in picture quality.  There is a noticeable difference in build quality though.If you have the money I would buy this over the f1.8.  The f1.8 is amazing too considering what you get for your money.
I use this lens to capture candid portraits at parties and events. It performs exceptional in low light and I use it without a flash. The colors are vivid, skin tones are warm, the DOF is razor thin and bokeh is dreamy. Focus is not very fast, but good. Stopped down a notch or two it is sharp.I also use this lens for astrophotography with great results.
Seriously.  It's yummy and the pictures are scrumptious.  Does the average non-photothusiast need this?  $300+ isn't an easy amount to forfeit, but it can easily take a enthusiast to a lover in 1 frame.  If you haven't used this before and want to try before you buy, the good folks at lensrental.com will kindly assist.  Otherwise, this may be the only lens you need - swear.
I've been using DSLRs primarily for videography for the past couple of years.  In that time, I've been through a few lenses.  I've had the Canon 50mm 1.8, the Canon 28-135mm USM, the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and the Canon 55-250mm.  While the Tamron was the best all-around lens I've used, I always found myself going back to the 50 1.8.  Something about primes.  But as time went by, I started realizing the inherent flaws.  First, on a crop sensor, the 50mm is a little too tight for most purposes.  Low light is good, but not great.  And the lens body itself...lets just say its more than lacking.  The focus ring on the 1.8 is on the front, and it barely qualifies as such.  In manual, it is almost impossible to get any accuracy.  The whole thing just reeks of cheap.  All that said, its $100, and for that money, it does an admirable job.Flash forward.  I've sold the 50 1.8 and the 28-135 (not at ALL a video lens) and I'm looking for something new.  I wanted a prime and I started pricing them out.  Beyond the obvious "Canon overprices every lens" I found a lot of the low to midgrade Canon primes (the 28 to 35) were lacking the clarity and contrast I was looking for.  So I started looking at the 50mm 1.4.  After using the 1.8 for so long, I had adapted my shooting style to accomodate the focal length on the 60D, so that was less of a problem than I originally thought.  The kicker was: do I want to spend $350-$400 on a lens that is pretty much a slightly more durable version of the 1.8?  I bit the bullet to make my own judgment.Frankly, I don't know why I hesitated.  Yes, the 50 1.4 is plastic as well.  BUT the mount point is metal.  The focus ring is nothing short of a revelation compared to the 1.8.  That isn't to say the focus ring is GREAT, but at least it IS a focus ring.  Is this lens slower to autofocus than any other USM?  Yes.  But is this lens sharper and more contrasty than most lenses?  Yes.  Does it utilize the incredibly useful feature of simultaneous auto and manual focus?  Yes.This whole review may make it seem as though I'm torn in some way.  I'm not.  This lens has flaws.  For some reason, the front element protrudes when focusing.  It IS slower than expected.  It can be a bit noisy.  The build leaves much to be desired.  But all of that means little.  At the end of the day, you put a lens on your lens and you want to be "wowed."  Typically, that is reserved for L lenses.  That comes at a premium, however.  I can safely say that after using this lens for a while that it is the best value lens you can buy from Canon.  Is the 1.2 sharper?  Sure.  But for $350-$400, this thing will blow you away.  Count on it.
This is the forth lens I had so far for canon eos. I loved it when I first got it because I took so test shoot in the street and the picture look must sharper than my other three lenses. The shallow deep of field is great. from F/1.4 to F/22 aperture, what can't you do? last month, I tried this lens on the sub-way station, and the lighting is just dam dim. but you know what? I can hand hold my camera and still get a 1/125s shutter speed in F/1.4. I snap shot people in the station and the auto focus worked quietly and fast. The picture is sharp.I am not rich at all, but I never hesitate on choosing a F/1.8 or a F/1.4 because F/1.4 is what I know I need as a serious photographer. You really can't compare a 1.8 to a 1.4, not in the price and not in the built-in quality.
This lens is an amazing value.  While it lacks some of the build quality of the 50mm F1.2L, it is as sharp,very compact and nearly as fast.  This is really a must-have in anyone's bag.
This is the lens that will make you look like a pro. When people say, I saw this picture that had this kind of effect in it, you'll be able to say, "Oh sure, you just chnge the ....... and they come out like this." - Seriously, read your camera manual, buy this lens and experiment a bit and you WILL be amazed at the images comming out of YOUR camera. This is not an exageration. This lens is a serious tool with amazing versatility.The first thing I noticed about this lens wa the huge size of the rear glass compared to my other lenses - f1.4. The next was the bokeh, nice, nice, very nice - dreamy indeed. This lens has good color reproduction, is built solid.This lens added to a package of 6500 Kelvin CFL light bulbs produced my first completely color accurate images - images requiring NO computer based color manipulation or other adjustment. That's major. It would be nice if you could get in closer to objects than the 18 inches or so that this lens requires but color accuracy and sharp quick focus more than make up for it.I really disagree with the build quality compaints or perhaps canon has made some adjustments. My copy of this lens feals rock solid. Not only that but check out ebay. People are buying this thing used for $35 less than it sells for brand new.After recently experiencing a free repair from Canon on another lens under warranty that they could easily have charged me for, I highly recommend buying only the USA legit lenses. The warranty coverage is SERIOUSLY WORTH EVERY PENNY. When you start to rely on a lens you really don't want downtime. Perhaps Canon would have covered the Grey market version as well but why find out. I need the lenses I own, don't you?Sometimes the focus does get lost, especially when shooting against a background without any real focus points (like a light tent), it's somewhat understandable though.This is a great lens at 300 bucks. Buy it and throw any kit lenses you may have directly into the trash. This is a very nice lens.One issue though that has recently come up - when the weather turned colder, the autofocus started slowing down and then after three weeks locked up refusing to work no matter whether the lens was warm or cold.. No matter as Canon's excellent factory service will repair this at no charge. Canon does not guarantee anything to work under 32 degrees f (Pretty sure about this with respect to autofocus across the entire line)
Very Good lens at a very good price.  Nicely built and light weight.  Go here to see it in action: [...]
Image quality is fantastic and it is really worth the money, unless you won't get a bad copy. Mine has lot of focusing issue and the hit ratio is 1:5. Returning back.
I used this baby outside on Thanksgiving on a few subjects and let me tell you..I am AMAZED by this lens! I am so in love with it that I don't even want to use my 18-55mm. I want to use it so bad whenever my schedule is free. It makes indoor photos better. The amount of light that goes through it is awesome. It is a bit soft indoor but I suppose the right lighting can help with that. This is just what I was looking for, the bokeh is beautiful, and the clarity is sharp and crisp. Still getting used to the fixed focal length - I'm used to zooms. But since it is my first fixed that just leaves me with practice! Overall, I LOVE this lens! I am definitely glad I made this purchase, and it got shipped fast! Thank-you Amazon for giving us such a wide variety of products!
This is my lens of choice. I absolutely love it! I am a beginner photographer and it did take me a little time to figure out the settings so that my pictures weren't blurry. Once I did, I loved it.
Quality low light lens used on my new Canon 6D under 300 dollars and delivered quickly. Love love me do
This lens is cheap, but it's perfect for a beginner trying to learn the basics on portraiture photography. The lens is very fast and the bokeh is beautiful. I totally recommend this lens before upgrading to the superior big brother, the 85L
I purchased this lens [...] few weeks ago. I have a high expectation from this lens after readinga lot of good reviews about it. After opening the box, I have realized that this lens is built so cheaply as comparingto the other "L" lenses I have. Well, I should not compare this lens with the other L lenses. However, afterhooking it up, I can hear rattling sound when it tries to focus. It supposes to be a USM lens that only dogs can hear themotor spinning during the focus. I wonder if it is normal at all. So, I go to  [...] to find a baseline to compare.It turns out that the other people's 50mm f1.4 focus so relatively quieter than mine. I am not satisfied with this productat all for many reason after all. 1) USM motor ring is prone to be broken if you don't handle the lens gently.2) It does not come up a hood and/or a case for the lens and you need to pay $20+ to get a Canon hood or a few bucksto get a generic hood from ebay. Cannon should include it in this product. Anyway, I sent it back for a refundbut I doubt that I will get a replacement lens that will meet my expectation for the money I paid.
When this lens first arrived, I was more than pleased with the results. Even with a fixed focal length it became my go to lens for almost every situation. Within a few weeks of arrival I shot an entire session using f/1.8, and every image came out clear and crisp. After taking only a few thousand pictures over about 2 months, the quality quickly started to deteriorate. Now I am completely unable to focus (in auto or manual) under around f/2.8 or so, and even higher for subjects more than a few feet away. I'm hoping I just got a lemon, but i've seen other reviews showing this problem, although after more use. Will be sending to Canon, hopefully they can repair the problem.
I've been shooting professionally for the past 6 years and remember back when I was using the old kit lens and 50mm 1.8 with my Rebel XTi. haha I really enjoyed my 1.8 back in the day, but the build quality and operation of the lens was so poor that I no longer brought it with me in the bag, and then I also stopped shooting that focal length all together. Seeing that I shot almost only cars for this time, 50mm on a crop body has limited use. I sold the lens, and continued on with my life and work.Fast-forward to 2011 and I was no longer on staff as a photographer and became freelance. I had to open up what I shot and began shooting landscape, portraits, and bands. I have a 85mm 1.8 that quickly became my favorite lens of all time and decided it was time to move on the 50mm with USM. If a lens doesn't have full-time manual focus, I won't even consider it these days.First impression: well-built. It's a fairly small lens that has tight tolerances and an appropriate weight for the size. Sliding it onto my 7D, it felt solid as the connections mated on the camera. Focus on the 7D is already on of the best for any dSLR, but with this &#34;bright&#34; lens, the camera can really snap onto anything very quickly. Of course I took the first shot at 1.4 and started laughing at the dreamy background. Finding how to work with the 1.4 has been a pleasure. The aperture is very good at isolating a subject but I find myself using it at 2.8 a lot because at that aperture it may be the sharpest lens I've ever used, and my back is filled with L.Overall, $300 makes this a 100% no brainier to ANYONE with an interest in photography. It's fun and it's nearly perfect.What would I improve? Probably the fact the front element moves outward (at least it doesn't rotate) under focus. I wish it were an internal focus...but can't complain for $300.
Light, compact and relatively fast lens.  This is a good starter lens to get yor feet wet with shallow depth of view.  There are known problems with the reliability of the autofocus motor.  Within 1.5 years the motor died in my first lens.  This lens is getting a little old and there are better options available.  I have yet to try, but the sigma 50mm 1.4 Art is getting great reviews, albeit almost 3x more expensive and much larger.
I gave it 5 stars because it's a solid lens and it takes gorgeous pictures! But it's not as useful as I thought it would be, and now I'm back looking for another.I was looking for a lens that would work for low light mostly indoor portrait type pictures. Something I could crank wide open. It does that! But I didn't realize how limiting 50 mm would be in indoor situations with my Canon t3i- this beginner DSLR user thought it would behave like my old film camera.  Nope. With the crop factor this lens behaves more like a 80 mm zoom. I find myself wishing I got something wide angle. Or I can run out and buy a new camera body, I guess.
Once I used 50mm f/1.8, I fell in love with what larger aperture can create in photos. I loved that lens for while then I decided to upgrade to this with a bit larger aperture. The price is affordable, especially if you buy it used.The difference is only 0.4 in aperture, but boy that creates even more amazing photos! Bokeh is beautifully and effortlessly done, and the subject stays crisp sharp. I love its small size, easy to haul when traveling as I often do internationally.Though there's one more step up lens out there at 0.2 larger aperture, the price difference is simply too enormous for me. My budget is tight and I cannot afford $1200+ for this next step up lens. I would if I get into portrait business but mean time with my pet portraits, this lens is more than enough. I would rather spend $1200+ to add 24-70 f2.8 L instead!This IS a keeper lens for your camera bag, and you won't want to let this lens go for a long time!
In the years that I've owned this lens, it has easily become one of my favorites.I originally purchased this to go with my old Canon 20D. It was my most expensive lens purchase at the time, but in retrospect, worth every penny. Its low-light performance and shallow depth of field allowed me to experiment and learn a ton, ultimately taking my photography to the next level.I've since picked up a newer 5D and some fancy L Glass, but always find time to use my trusty 50mm 1.4.I've considered upgrading to the 1.2, but my satisfaction level with the 1.4 so high, that I feel like the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Really nice lens, takes some time to learn. The pictures are really clear and the color looks nice. This definitely is a nice lens I would recommend it.
This is the only non L lens I have and I love it. There is no better lens for the money. I use this on both my Mark II and Mark III and it is amazing in low light situations. It's tack sharp wide open and the bokeh is very nice. I was originally thinking of getting the 50 1.2 L, but this one is just sooo much cheaper. I'm happy I went with it.
Pros:* Superb sharpness in area of focus* Nice smooth bokeh/blurring on shots with a shallow depth of field* Has amazing color accuracy* very lightweight* at f 1.4 you can slow down your shutter to 1/40 and produce excellent shots in dark indoor type areasCons:* Occasionally has a bit of trouble focusing when too close to the subject in low light situations* The amount of bokeh at lower f-stops can take a little getting used to* Lens cap is a pain to put on while the hood is attachedOverall: An amazing lens that captures incredible images. Highly recommended!
As with many other reviewers,  I already owned the EF 50mm 1.8 - But I quickly found that this lens is far superior! I will leave the technical specs to others (done very well and in detail by multiple reviewers), but I will say that as for the picture quality, particularly as regards to achieving amazing bokeh, it is far superior to the 1.8. I am an amatuer enthusiast, and I've found that with this lens my images are more polished and definitely more professional looking. I highly recommend this lens!
I don't thrilled about this lens. The pics look good on the camera and computer folder when I uploaded them, they look clear & sharp but wait when you print pictures on the paper, in real..they are completely aren't looking good, the face model on the portrait is crack, broken & they're not clear as a appearead to be on the computer. So don't get fooled by this lens. The 50 mm/F 1.8 has also had the same problem.I had read reviews before about this lens that don't perform good and I agreed with them after I found out when I printed the pictures I took and It really dissappointed me. Not worth it for the price.
Like many, I'm just an amateur photographer.  If you are using the standard 18-55mm lens that accompanies the Canon EOS Digital Rebel kit, you've probably discovered how slow the lens is.  With a f/3.5-5.6 aperture, the lens is better suited for outdoor photos where natural lighting is available.  With indoor photos, I've found myself using the built-in flash repeatedly, thus drowning out a lot of the natural color.  This was particularly true with photographs of people.  Thus, I sought out a high quality lens, high speed lens -- this is definitely one you'll want in your lens collection.  The 50mm size best simulates a person's visual perspective, so it tends to avoid the type of distortion apparent in wide angle photos.  The distortion is rather minor, but more pronounced when you use 28mm or wider.  If you are accustomed to using a wide angle lens, you need to be forewarned that your perspective appears extremely narrow when using a 50mm lens.  Be sure to take a look at a 50mm lens in person and make sure that you are okay with it.  Overall, Canon quality is unsurpassed and my photos come out clear and much brighter as a result of the lens' speed.  I've tested other brands and occasionally, you face incompatibility problems.  Often, you end up wishing that you didn't buy an off brand anyway, so I've learned to avoid long term regrets about why I didn't buy a dedicated Canon product.  Life is too short -- save up your money and buy top quality equipment.  You won't waste time second-guessing your decisions!
This lens is great. I've been doing portraits and just random snapshots and it makes every picture beautiful! The only downside is the lack of ability to zoom. Other than that it's a great lens!
I love this lens. It wasn't sharp as a tack when I first got it though. I had to have Canon calibrate it and there was something they needed to fix.But now it's great!Even before they fixed it I like it a lot.Almost painterly in low light. Primes kind of rule!
A great lens, much better than the f1.8. Has a great feel and the pictures are fantastic.If you need a starter prime, this is the one. Don't waste money on a cheaper one, spend a few bucks extra and feel like you got what you paid for.
I was ecstatic when I got the f/1.8 50 mm lens because it allowed me to get a lot of those bokeh shots that I saw my other photographer friends get when they took shots. Honestly though, I bought this lens on a whim and I don't regret it all. Previously, I took great pride in my 55-200 mm telephoto lens, but the f/1.4 is now inseparable from my T3i whenever I go out. A fantastic lens!
Another nice lens
I'm a noob, and bought a T3i with a canon 18-200 lens (I thought I was only going to buy one lens).  After reading some articles about learning to shoot with a single lens to improve my photographic technique, and needed a good/fast lens for low light conditions, I was dead set on buying the 1.8 version.At the shop I tried them both, and found that the 1.8 was louder/slower in focusing than the 1.4.  Being a noob, I could tell a big difference in picture quality, but because of the noise (ie. shooting at children's events could be distracting), and speed, I felt that the extra couple hundred was a good investment in a better lens (ie. I didn't want to buy the 1.8mm, only to want the 1.4 6mos later).I find that the 50mm is on 90% of the time (most of my shots are portrait type of the kids/family), and definitely don't regret my decision... will likely stick with this lens until I'm good enough to understand why I *need* the set of L lens :P
Turns out this was covered under the 1 year warranty from Canon. They fixed it and had it shipped back out to me in TWO days. They gave me no hassle, and were very pleasant throughout the process. Because of their understanding, and spectacular customer support I'm throwing this back up to 5 starsThis is my favorite lens, and I'm so happy to have it back.Obviously the AF Failure issues are in fact a potential reality for this lens. Again, I recommend extended warranty just in case.**1- Star Rage Review**The image quality is fantastic but the lens is virtually useless to me now. Not only did the Auto Focus stop working within 2 months, but now my manual focus has failed as well. I treat my lenses with the utmost care (this is an expensive hobby after all) and there is not a single thing that merited these failures on my end. I'm incredibly upset.The focus ring doesn't seem to be catching whatever it needs to catch for the adjustments. I read the reviews and the dangers of this scenario seemed slim to me so I took the chance and got burned. I don't make a lot of money so this really hurts. I couldn't be more unhappy. I hope to god they stop charging so much for this lens (I know it's not THAT expensive comparatively) because these issues are completely unfair to the consumer.Word to the wise, if you need this lens make sure your covered.**Original Review**This was my first purchase beyond the kit lenses that came with my Canon T3i Rebel.This lens took a big fat s*** on my 18-55mm kit lens. The shutter speeds I can put out on this with a nice low ISO are FAR superior to the kit lens.After using this lens only a few days I've already taken shots that have completely jaw-dropped some friends and family. My photography game as a hobbyist just jumped 20 notches.Don't even hesitate. The price is right, the lens is tight. Buy this.
I love this lens! BUT after not even 6 months of use (well kepted) it stop autofocusing. Save you Money DONT BUY this lens.While it worked, I was very content with the result but now what, its broken not even half a year later.Do your research when spending this much money.
This is a great lens. I'm not a professional but I enjoy taken a lot of pictures. I have a Canon 40D that came with a zoom and I needed a faster lens. This was the answer to that. I still think I'm going to need a fast wider angle lens to take pictures in my house. But they are very expensive. I'm going to have to leave with what I have for some time.
I needed to replace my originally 50mm 1.4 because it was dropped accidently by someone over the weekend.  I ordered a new one and it arrived broken.  The lens box was NOT protected at all in the shipping box from Amazon.  It had some bubble paper on only one side.  The lens was rattling inside when I opened it.  Gave it a quick test run and photos were blurry and AF struggled to lock.  I put my 580ex speedlite on and the shots were still not tack sharp.  Hoping the replacement lens they are sending arrives in NEW and WORKING condition.  The lens arrived without a packing slip too which is odd for Amazon.
I've heard (and read) many people putting this lens down, but the fact is, for the price, there is nothing wrong with this lens.  It has full time manual focus, which if you've used a non-usm focus motor you probably know is annoying to not be able to tweak the focus when the auto focus fails.  The 50mm 1.4 is whisper quiet which is something that I can't live without now, the 50mm1.8 ef noise is just annoying.  As for image quality, stopped down to F2.8 this lens offers stunning images.  Below 2.8 the quality is not always great, but the mere fact that you can go to F1.4 and get very nice images makes this lens more versital than many zooms in terms of the shots you can get in low light as well as the bokeh and subject separation you can achieve with background blur.  Really, in terms of images, you don't see the differnce over a SLR and a point and shoot with small apetures, but the differnce is dramatic with a large apeture lens like this.  It is more of a portrait lens with a 1.6 crop camera, but I like the length for candids, and on my film camera it is the classic focal length.  Highly recommened.
The 50mm 1.8, MKII was wonderful. For the price, you cannot do better. However it was somewhat toy-like and I recently upgraded from an XTi to a 5D so I wanted to to upgrade that lens as well. I'll tell you that there is a difference -- to me it is mainly in the bokeh quality. There is such a thing as the quality of bokeh and this lens' bokeh quality is amazing. It's also very sharp wide open at 1.4 (for me, I've heard people dispute this but I think they're being way overcritical). I was trying to decide between this and the 1.2, and I'm glad I got this. The 1.2 bokeh quality is out of this world, but this one comes damn near close enough for me! It's also light without being toy-like. Highly recommended, this is my new everyday lens
I can't say enough great things about this lense.  I have 2 Canon L Series lenses that cost 6 times as much as this one.  This lense provides equal quality to all of them.  Unbelieve price for such a great lense.
This lens is the best 50mm lens Canon sells (in my opinion). Currently Canon sells three 50mm lenses; f/1.8, f/1.4 and the f/1.2. The f/1.8 lens is made from plastic and I have damaged one previously with no effort The f/1.2 is way over my budget ($1,000+) to spend on a fixed lens that have many equivalents. Everything in between is what makes the f/1.4 such a great lens. It's a solid construction, OEM brand, quality glass, lower price point and in the middle between the two others offered. The photos I can shoot with this lens are breathe taking and priceless at the same time. Note: there is rumors that Canon is going to discontinue this lens sometime 2014. If  you are in the market, I would highly suggest picking this lens up if you don't want the plastic f/1.8 or to pay over $1,000 for the f/1.2 lenses!
It gets the job done. Fast, sharp, and a great price. This lens goes everywhere my 7D goes, but is mostly used for studio photography that I work on.
This has become my new favorite lens on my Canon MK5DII and for many reasons.  What I love most about this lens is the 1.4 Aperture, obviously!  Indoors it gobbles light and makes pretty amazing photos and the bokeh is unreal.  I am a big fan of the Aperture but also the 50mm is the perfect distance for me.  I've been dreaming of owning this lens for months now and I finally got it for Christmas and I am ooh so happy.  I find it perfect for portrait photos of my children as it works great in closer distances.  You're close but not in their face like I may be with a 35mm.  I also find it the perfect distance for outdoor landscapes as it fills in just the right amount of the scene I want without backing up.  At this point I can't think of another lens I wanted more than this and I am so happy with it for the many uses it has, I haven't started fantasizing about my next lens yet which is saying a lot since I began dreaming about this one after buying the 70-200 L. :)
I have no complaints with this lens.  I found that this lens may not be as sharp as the cheaper 50mm 1.8 but is bokehlicious!!!  This bad boy is coming along with me on my next vacation.
UPDATE:This used to be my favorite lens for all the reasons that other reviewers have stated. Basically it takes sharp, professional-quality photos, and is very handy in low-light situations.Unfortunately, the autofocus (AF) failure issue is all too real. I pulled it out of my bag after a couple months of non-use (I hadn't needed a low light lens), and the AF immediately failed.  Manual focus still works, but that is little consolation.I've done some research, and this problem is very, very common, to the point where it seems like Canon should just issue a product recall.  And of the people who paid Canon to fix it, a high percentage report a repeat failure within months of getting the lens back!I love my Canon 40D and my other Canon lenses, but the fact that Canon continues to sell this lens with an inherently flawed design that nearly guarantees a predictable failure, often with minimal use, is very disappointing.OLD REVIEW:PROS: Super sharp images, great in almost any lighting condition, fast, sturdy build. 50mm focal length is a good compromise for most intimate shooting situations.CONS: 50mm too close for some situations, need to aim carefully (difficult to autofocus correctly without careful targeting).
Focuses fast, and gobbles light.  A must have for professional looking portrait work.  Amazing for infant photography.  Works great in all applications.
My husband bought me the newest Rebel for Christmas 2012.  My old Rebel is 8 years old and the sensor was not very good.  The new camera came with a Canon zoom but isn't very fast.  I bought this lens right after Christmas and love the 1.4 ap!Very fast!!  Also, very light.  I look forward to shooting in low light conditions, and can't wait to capture images that would not have been possible with my old camera and lenses.
I read and view a lot of review about this lens before purchase it, and the pros are right, its a great lens, excellent sharpness, great DOF and an amazing lightness, i always wanted a luminous lens and i got just what i needed, i have some pictures with this lens if you want to see in the album "Sesion improvisada" [...]
I can't say enough good about the Canon 50mm 1.4.  This is such a fun, versatile, and high quality lens, that you will almost never want to swap it with anything else.  I do a lot of photography just walking around Seattle with my camera in hand.  The 50mm is the only lens I need to bring.  Whether it's low light effects, macro, portraits, or skyline pictures, the 50mm performs.There are certainly other prime lenses that better suit your specific needs for one specific type of photography, but this is the lens that you never need to swap out!
I agree with almost everything the other reviews have said, all good. Just one little thing, my brand new lens has a quite loose focus ring. You can feel there's a bit of "free room" between the ring and the lens. My Sigma 170-500 DG (not EX) has the exact same problem, giving MF a bit mroe work than it should. But my Canon 70-200L and Sigma 10-20 EX don't have any of it. MF rings on those two are rock solid. So this fact alone makes a little bit suspicious about this 50mm's longevity. Hope I am wrong. Or maybe my sample is the exception.P.S. Now it's 2009. Since then I have acquired quite a few Canon lenses. I'd say the focus ring on this 50 1.4 is far from the worst on a Canon Non-L lens. In fact the only non-L lenses that have a reasonably solid  focus ring are Canon 17-55 IS, which is priced as an L anyway,and the 100mm f/2.0. So now I now, lousy focus ring with no lens hood is the rule of the Canon game. Poor me :)Also, I did some semi serious testing on Sharpness and CA, this 50 f1.4 isn't as sharp as I thought it was in the beginning. In fact the Canon 35mm f2 and 100mm f2 are both better. My 50 f1.4 only gets great around f6+. At f4 it's just acceptable. But when it's sharp, it's border to border sharp, all the way.
I previously owned the 50mm f/1.8 I was somewhat pleased with it. However, the bokeh is better on the f/1.4, much sharper, and fast.  I highly recommend this Len, I may just buy another one!
Great lens, great quality, fantastic price, the perfect upgrade from the &#34;kit lens&#34; the 18-55 EFS lens, great lens for low lighted situations
I Adore this little lens - it always yields a nice crisp image, and performs beautifully in low light situations. I use it for portraits, detail product shots, and low light photography, and have never been disappointed.
Right before I got this lens I thought that the best lenses were ones that offered, say, 28-105mm or 70-300mm or some other kind of broad zooming. Why would you be stupid to get a fixed-focal-length lens when you could have a large range even cheaper?Well here's why. This lens. f/1.4. Yes, there's f/1.2 but it's $$$ expensive. This one is definitely worth its price. For the sharpness. The colors. The bokeh. The speed - both of focus and the fact that you can get a higher shutter speed when the aperture is wide open. A lens that helps me not use a flash is my friend.With the megapixels going these days, you can make up for the zoom by cropping. Or walk closer or further away. Granted, you're not going to get many shots which require a 17mm lens but what you can fit to this lens will be nearly perfect.This was the lens that rejuvenated my interest in photography. The kit lens (17-55mm) on the Rebels nearly killed it.Be sure to get a hood and a lens filter (high quality, a super multi-coated, no less). Besides reducing unwanted light from sharp angles, they will also gladly sacrifice themselves should you fall or bump your lens.
I first bought the 50 f1.8 lens and it is a pretty decent one but then I tried a friend's 50 1.4 and sold my old one to buy this.  It is a huge improvement over the 1.8 in that the AF is quick and accurate.  I had problems with the AF on the other lens; it frequently hunted in low light.  With the Canon 50 f1.4 you can take great photos in rooms with very little light; I have taken everything from pet photos to portraits of children and outdoor scenes with this wonderful lens.  Because it is small, it's easy to have in the camera bag at all times.  A real bargain in the Canon line-up.  I also own the 3L, 135L, 24-105L, etc and use this one frequently.  Buy it.
At this point, this lens has such a strong backing that I'm just another voice in the wind.*If you want this lens, GET IT. You will NOT regret it if you want a fast, sharp, well-built investment in glass.*Keep in mind that when shooting with APS-C cameras (7D, 4/5/60D, T1/2/3/4/5i, SLi) this is a wonderful PORTRAIT lens, that gives you a head-and-shoulders frame at five feet, while on a full-frame camera (5D1/2/3, 6D, 1D3/4/5/X/C) it is a stunning STANDARD lens, with a full-body frame at five feet.It is well-built: the body is made up of a solid plastic that has survived a few bangs and falls already. I have it insured, so I have the peace of mind of not worrying about little things, but remember to put a cheap UV filter on it. *A scratched filter costs a LOT less to replace than a scratched lens. Buy a filter with this lens!*It is FAST: The USM is quick and snappy. It is the older version of Canon's USM, so it will 'hunt' in low light if you place a single AF point onto a black background or surface. Get around that by focusing on a lit subject and then recomposing, using either single shot AF or AF-lock.It is BRIGHT: or 'fast', but I didn't want to get confused between AF and aperture. If you are upgrading from a zoom lens, whether it's your kit 18-55 or your professional 24-70 F/2.8, you will INSTANTLY notice how bright and clean 1.4 is. It GOBBLES light at nighttime and indoors, and coupled with the high-ISO performance of almost every Canon DSLR right now, you can get stunning shots with this lens in the toughest of conditions without a flash. And, because of how fast it is, the depth of field (amount of your subject in focus) is razor-thin. You will find that someone's nose pores will be visible while their eyes will be blurry, which might ruin a shot for you: always confirm that what you want to be in focus, is. This is a VERY powerful tool for creative or portrait photography.It is SHARP: focus, movement, light, camera shake, and shutter speed all can alter the sharpness of your photo, which is the most important facet, but the fact is that this lens will not hold you back if you're looking for the sharpest photo possible. It is RAZOR sharp when stopped down, and center sharpness is stunning all the way to F/1.4. Anything from F/2 and up will be sharp all around, at at F/5.6 the entire frame is sharper than a lot of L lenses. The only reason people pay five times as much for the Canon 50mm F/1.2L is because they either need the build quality, aperture speed, or consistent sharpness. You can easily get equally stunning results from this lens, at 1/5th the price of its niche L brother.And, for creative photos and especially video, it creates wonderful creamy BOKEH. If you're looking at this lens you probably know what 'bokeh' means: all it references is the quality of the out-of-focus areas of your photo. Your subject, whether a face or a sign or a car or a person, will be sharp and in focus, while at F/1.4 the area from a few inches in front of and behind the subject become a wonderfully pleasing blur.Now, as far as competition goes, this lens competes with the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 and Canon's own 50mm F/1.8. The Canon 50mm macro lens doesn't count as a 'fast fifty', as at F/2.5 it is an entire stop slower than the other 50's.The Sigma is a better and newer lens than the Canon 50mm F/1.4, with better sharpness wide open and barely better bokeh. However, it costs slightly more, and it doesn't have the support of Canon software, hardware, and editing plugins. Their results are nearly identical, and bokeh is a personal preference. You will be perfectly content with either lens, though Canon's autofocus has been reported as being superior to Sigma's, with quality control issues and failing AF on early models of Sigma's 50mm's.The 50mm F/1.8 is well-known for its optical quality and fantastic value. However, it is also made up of plastic, and as such, it WILL break. The focus ring is also miserably bad for video. So, if you have the extra $200 to spend, GET THE 1.4. The build quality, USM focusing, and proper focus ring will last you years, wheras the 'nifty fifty' will last you until you drop it, or the cheap AF dies.Now, always remember that your lens is a creative tool: this one is a fantastic and versatile tool, but you still can't expect it to do anything it's not built to do. For example, while F/1.4 is a wonderful tool, you will find yourself missing focus at times. Stop down to F/2.8 not only for more accurate DOF and focus, but better sharpness. And, if you want stunning detail, or you're in bright sunlight, stop down to F/5.6 for nearly perfect sharpness for when you have a lot of light, a flash, or are set up to do portraits. And, when you need stunning bokeh or fast shutter speeds, crank it open.So, in conclusion: this is a wonderful lens that is sharp, fast, well built, and has excellent optical qualities when used right. If you think you want it, get it, and you won't be disappointed.
Such a great lense for a really nice price. Im very happy with it and it make my photos look great!
I own a t5i with 18-135 mm lens. It is my first DSLR and I mainly use it for close up and portraits so I decided to buy the Canon f1.4 lens. I am a novice in the world of photography with very basic skills but even I can not fail to produce amazing images with this lens. I highly recommend it!
First of all, my rating is 4.5 stars and not 4 (Amazon allows only full star ratings though).Cons:* I deducted half a star because the focus ring is clumsy compare to my L lenses, 40mm STM, and 85mm 1.8 (so it's not just because it's not an L lens).* Sometimes it has a hard time focusing in low light.Pros:* Excellent low light capability* f1.4 aperture allows you to expand your creativity. It gives dreamy bokeh. Yes, it might be soft but the effect is interesting.* At f2.0 everything is sharp (At f4.0 to f5.6 I think is the sweet point for sharpness)* 50mm focal length limits your choice but also forces you to think with creativity (Maybe this is not really a Canon lens pro but a general pro for the 50mm).* Great for street photography* Lightweight. I've started with L lenses. For me to work with a non-L lens, I've learned to appreciate the value of carrying light!Notes:* If you're considering the 85 1.8 for street photography, please don't. It's not the best focal length for that, though I've seen people who've managed to make it work* If you're considering the 50 1.4 for head and shoulder portraits, please don't. It makes your subject look enlongated and out of proportion.Question #1: 50mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4?If the the 1.4 has a clumsy focus ring and the 50mm 1.8 is even clumsier and plastickier, then stay away from 1.8.Question #2: 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.2?If you have the money and willing to carry huge weight, go with 50mm 1.2. The goal with 50mm 1.4 allows you to develop and expose your creativity. It's not about sharpness everytime (though the 1.4 is sharp when stopped down).
I own 3 50mm 1.4 lenses from different manafactures. This Canon is bar far my favorite, I kept it even though I no longer own a canon camera. I use it it on my other cameras with an adapter and never fails me. Great lens
This is an excellent lens for the price! Prior to owning this lens, I owned the Canon 50mm 1.8. Although the 1.8 takes exceptionally sharp photos, I was always a bit concerned about breaking it (the 50mm 1.8 is completely plastic, except for the glass elements). This lens is built much more solid, including a metal foot and more robust housing (although it's still plastic on the outside). Photos from this lens are just as sharp as the 1.8, but the bokeh and contrast is quite a bit better. You can't go wrong with either the 1.8 or the 1.4, but if you have the extra $200+ to spend, you won't regret owning the 1.4.
Just got it a few days ago. So far I am happy that it allows me a more open aperture at f/1.4 for low light conditions. I can shoot indoors with a lower ISO and no flash which decreases noise. It creates a much better background blur effect that I could get with a kit zoom lenses with f/3.5 at best on my Canon 60D or Canon Xti. I am still playing with it outdoors to see what effects I can get for portraits etc. But overall I am happy with the construction and quality.
I was looking for a portrait lens for my Rebel XT (my backup camera) and kept coming back to this lens. But as I had previously owned the f1.8 version I was somewhat leery of it.I'd been using the marvelous Canon 85mm prime but it was just too long for indoor work. I kept reviewing my work done with zoom lenses and found that I spent a lot of time around the 50mm area. I read a lot of reviews by other folks on this lens and as the feedback seemed to be pretty favorable I decided to give this lens a try.I spent the first day it arrived taking a hundred or so shots with it and loved every one of them. I've since used it at a concert where it gave me some stunning photographs.While the build is clearly not 'L' quality it is head and shoulders over the f1.8 build and well worth the amount charged for it. As long as I am careful with it I suspect this lens will be in my bag for a long time.I'll be using this lens on my XT and my 40D for years to come.Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon ES71II Lens Hood for EF 50mm f/1.4 SLR LensUpdate 02/15/2008 --After several weeks extensive use of this lens I find that I love this lens even more. It's great for product or stock shots, landscape and a great walk around lens.This lens has a shallow DOF so you have to pay particular attention to your focus point but that is the only 'problem' I have had after 1000 or so photos.I bought this lens for my Rebel XT and so far I have not been able to get it off the 40D to try it on the XT. This lens has a fast AF, produces great color with excellent image quality.Buy this lens when you can you will not be disappointed.
This is a terrific lens for a 50mm general purpose with good bokeh at 1.4.Great upgrade to a 50mm 1.8, also a good lens.  I have had both.This lens has a solid build quality. Highly recommend if you need a fixed 50mm.
An amazingly short depth of field is possible with this lens. It's surprising how little a 1.4 aperture needs.The focus ring is more precise than the kit lens.
This lens takes amazing portraits.  It is sharp, you can use available light, you can get great background blurring which is creamy and the colors are beautiful.On a cropped sensor camera like my Rebel XTi, it isn't so good for landscapes - the 20mm 2.8 or 35mm f2 are much better, and for trying to get more distant details the 85mm f1.8 is great.  I have forced myself to shoot with this lens at times because it is so good - but I find that it works best as an amazing portrait lens.  And that isn't so bad.If eventually I get a full-frame sensor, this lens may well stay on my camera as much as the 35mm f2 does.If you are looking for a great, multipurpose lens on a cropped sensor, buy the 35mm f2 - even with its funny sound.  But on a cropped sensor, this 50mm f1.4 will give you awesome portraits -- or you're doing something very wrong.
This was my first lens purchase other than the kit lens I got with my 30D.  I've been using it for over a year now, and couldn't be happier with it.  It's solid and fast, and is a real workhorse in low-light situations without flash--e.g., taking food shots in restaurants.  Produces great portraits with beautiful bokeh.
The first lens I received had a defective auto-focus.  It couldn't focus on an object consistently if you turned the focus ring in different directions between photos.  Half of my portrait photos were ok, more or less, but the others were a fuzzy mess.  The lens' sharpness was also less than ideal.I sent the lens back to Amazon and bought a new one from a local camera store.  This one works pretty well.  It focuses correctly and the photos are usually sharp.This lens seems to be pretty nice if you get a good copy but my experience leads me to believe that Canon's QC isn't what it should be.  That first lens never should have left the factory.
I use a Rebel T2i and I don't have an external flash.  With this lens, I have found that I don't need a flash (most of the time).  It is so great!
I purchased this lens for my Rebel XTI.  It's cold here in the Mid Atlantic region now and I've had limited opportunities to use this lens thus far.  Over the weekend I attended an indoor motor sports event.  At the risk of appearing to be a redneck, it was actually a monster truck show at an indoor sports arena.  I hadn't planed on using the 50mm lens as I had my 18 to 55mm f3.5-5.6 that came with the camera which at the wider end would give me a greater panoramic view of the venue and the participants within the arena.  My problem with the zoom lens was that there was not enough light even at ASA 1600 to freeze the action.  On program AE (P) the shutter speed was down around 1/15 and any motion came out blurred.  I tried using the built in flash with poor results.  The built in flash just doesn't reach out far enough to illuminate the action approximately 75 feet away.  I switched over to the 50mm 1.4 and set the camera for TV and the shutter speed at 1/125.  I shot over eighty photographs (without flash) of the event with spectacular results.  The aperture ranged from a wide of f1.8 to about 2.4.  Some of the photos were slightly blurry, which I attributed to camera shake but the majority came out fine.  This lens is well worth the price if you do any shooting in natural light and need the faster shutter speeds.
Usually I do not write reviews but after thinking all night whether to return this lens to Canon after buying it yesterday I decided to keep it but post some comments for others and Canon. Being a canon user for 10 years and having a bunch of lenses including 50/1.8 II and some L lenses I think I have something to say.I bought it for 5D Mark II body because focusing on 50/1.8 II is not great while shooting video and it's is noisy too. I had really high expectations for this lens: USM motor, build quality.Well it is just not there. The USM is not the same as in 100/2.8 Macro lens or some other USM lenses I own. It is silent but definitely not fast and it won't be able to catch my 1,3 old son. The build quality is also quite low and I do not see it to be really better than 50/1.8 II. It is a pity. Focusing ring is ok but not very smooth (at least my piece) either.I am not giving it zero stars only because it does nice pictures which is the most important thing but I just wanted to let other people know that it is not as good as it could be.I wish Canon filled the gap between this lens and 50/1.2 (too expensive, too big). I wish there was a proper 50/1.4 made from metal with fast USM motor. I would not mind paying few hundred dollars more.Martin
I am not a professional photographer but I want my photos to come out looking good. I hated taking indoor photos becuase I *hate* using a flash. After reading about the Canon 50mm 1.4 lense I knew that I had to buy it and try it. I purchased it about 6 months ago and use it more then any of my other lenses. My photos come out sharp indoors as well as outdoors. I love that I can take a photo and have a beautiful bokeh. If I were given the choice of owning only one lense to use this would be the one I would choose.Mary
Okay, let me start off by saying that although this lens is great, it is not perfect. I feel like the construction could be better. The focus ring wobbles somewhat, as does the end of the lens (to a small degree) when it is focused to infinity. Autofocus can also be somewhat unpredictable under certain situations. And finally, f/1.4 is really not that sharp. Pictures taken at f/1.4 may or may not be usable (depending on the situation). But they won't really impress. Of course, all of these problems could probably be improved upon by making this lens an L-series (and Canon does indeed now make a 50mm f/1.2L). But, as is the case with the new Canon 50mm f/1.2L, this would certainly increase the price by a factor of 3-4 (or more). And for many of us, putting up with a few hitches is well worth it when you consider the (relatively) low cost of this lens and its (very) positive attributes.So what is so great about this lens? First and foremost, it is sharper than some lenses costing MUCH more. Yes, f/1.4 is not very sharp. But this is alot to ask even for an L-series. Furthermore, even by the time you get to f/1.8, sharpness has improved literally by leaps and bounds. And once you get into the 2's (and above), things are INSANELY sharp - from edge to edge! Simply by tossing that piece of garbage 18-55mm EF-S kit lens and putting this one on, your DSLR will go from taking pictures that look maybe just a little better than a good point-and-shoot to professional looking. You will suddenly find yourself going back and reshooting all those pictures that suddenly look like garbage. You will also find yourself finding creative ways to use this lens for as many different pictures as you can (rather than using other, less sharp lenses that might have a more appropriate focal length). And you will even find other people telling you that you should become a professional photographer because your pictures are so good! It's really THAT good. There is a reason why even many pros prefer this lens over some more expensive lenses. And this is it.But sharpness is not everything. Contrast and color saturation will also rock your world. I have not yet tried a lens that is THIS good. Zooms? Forget it! L-series? Well, I have never really tried one on my camera. And even if they are better, let's not forget the price. I should also note that, although the 50mm f/1.8 mkII comes close to the 50mm f/1.4 in terms of sharpness, reviews have shown that it doesn't come close in terms of contrast or saturation. This lens is simply as good as it gets in this price range.It's just too bad that 50mm is not a more useful focal length on an APS-C camera (where it is equivalent to 80mm on a full frame camera). Yes, it finds good use on my camera. But if it was truly a 'standard' lens on my camera, I would probably seldom change lenses!
Have only used the lens for a few weeks but it does a great job.
I purchased this lens just before a recent trip. I wanted a lens that was good in low-light. Wow - is it GREAT in low-light. I was able to take many great photos that I never could before. The negative of this lens is that I don't have a full-frame sensor in my camera... thus, it is more "zoomed" in than I wish. Frequently, I can't get far enough away from the items I am shooting to be able to use this lens. However, I am really glad I have it, and probably used it for 5% of the photos on my trip. The photos are REALLY beautiful. My next purchase will either be a full frame camera or the Canon 24mm f/1.4 L series Wide Angle Lens -Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens.
I bought this lens to take indoor portraits of my nine-month-old daughter using available light.  I was tired of the harsh photos produced by the built-in flash on the Canon 20D or Digital Rebel. A bounce flash improves matters great deal, but I wanted to see what could be done with a fast lens.The Canon 50mm 1.4 gobbles light. It opens up a world of indoor photography that is not possible with a 4.0 lens. The 50mm focal length combined with available light produces natural-looking results. It is exactly what your eye sees. Shadows and highlights are intact.  It is a revelation if you're used to the harsh drop shadows and evenly-lit faces produced by flashes. This is a jarring step up in quality from snapshot to "wow"As noted, focus is soft at /1.4 and begins to sharpen at /2.0 to /2.8. Not a bad thing, though. Some of my favorite pictures have been produced with the aperture wide open. The depth of field is so narrow at this point, that the subject's face is in focus, but the shoulders start to blur.I use this lens with a 20D. The balance is perfect, the combination feels very professional and responsive. Operation is very simple. Move the camera into aperture priority mode (Av), look though the view finder and adjust the aperture until you see the shutter speed is faster than 1/30th a second (30).I agonized over the 1.4 vs. the 1.8 versions of this lens. The additional stop does provide more shooting options. Often I'm shooting at the edge of acceptable shutter speed, and juggling both aperture and ISO. Many reviews comparing the two talk about build quality, focus motor speed/noise, etc, but the bottom line for me was the extra stop was totally worth it. If you want to shoot indoors without a flash, get the 1.4.  If you simply want a nice sharp lens at this focal length, the 1.8 is for you.As a father, my only regret is I wish I had this lens earlier. From one parent to another, I'll tell you the price of the lens is irrelevant, as the pictures it produces are priceless.Now, go make a backup of your photo library.
If you are looking for the perfect portrait lens on  a budget,  here you go!-  no need to spend $1200 for a f/1.2 lens for the casual photographer.  this lens is built dramatically better than its 1.8 plastic brother, and takes down-right fantastic images.-It is a little to much length for being your primary lens on a crop body camera, but for full frame folks, this truly "nifty-fifty" does work very well.-did anyone mention that you can take photos in extremely low light?.. well, you can! 1.4 the unfamiliar, is about as much aperture as you will ever encounter for less than a grand!.-do yourself a favor, and give it a try., if you don't love it, you can always get your money back on re-sale.... they just don't lose value.
Nice, reasonably priced prime lens.  The big advantages of this lens are the small size, fast speed and shallow depth of field f1.4.  This lens lived on my camera for a long time and was my main lens for photographing my daughters around the house.
i am a huge fan or 50mm lenses on film for a normal lens and im a fan of 80mm lenses for portraits as that the perfect for making beautiful faces.i had the 50 1.8 for years but as soon as it broke i jumped on buying this 50 1.4! finally i owned the greatest fifty canon makes. the canon 50mm 1.2 if good but struggles with focus speed (not sure why its an L) but thats ok cuz this 50mm 1.4 is great super sharp from 1.4 and on.  some people think the corners are not sharp at 1.4.  and i say to that well duh. the depth of field at 1.4 is only inches shallow.  and corners in portraits are no where close to that few inches or in focus area. so its not soft in the corners its out of focus in the corners. i have never shot anything with this lens and said man i wish the corners were sharper.  when im watching people in the gallery looking at a 20x30in plus print say hey i wish they corners were sharper. they are super sharp from 1.4 and get sharper from there. by 2.8 its a little easier to keep a whole face in focus.  great bokah and super fast focusing.  i believe if they just made this out of metal they would have an l lens. its probably the sharpest lens i own.  but i have no clue i dont pixel peep charts. i peep at 20x30 print made with this lens verses prints made with my canon 24-105mm L lens and i am sure no one in the gallery could point out what lens was what.awesome normal lens on a full frame camera aka 5dawesome portrait lens on a 1.6 crop aka 7Di love this lens so much on full frame that i want to find a nice 30mm 1.4 lens for my 7d for a normal lens.
I bought this lens used and in non working condition (no automatic focus) for almost nothing about 6 years ago. After a few months I decided to repair it. It is still working great and one of the few f/1.4 lens that can be purchased at a very reasonable price.  It does tend to hunt in very low light.
I've owned three of these, all bought new.  If you look over the reviews, you'll notice numerous positive raters have gone through more than one copy.A common theme with this lens is it's AF failure rate.  The 'micro' USM is pretty much the first one Canon built to allow FTM (full time manual focus override) in 1993, and like many such "1g" products, it's inherently flawed.  Compared to my other USM lenses, the manual focus is 'rough', so using it for video can translate vibration into the shot.  The main problem though is that it can (and does) fail without warning, and when it does, it locks up the focus mechanism (as in you cannot manually override the focus with anything short of a hammer).  As a professional, I'm loathe to continue to use a lens that WILL fail again at some point.The other issue of course is the somewhat substandard optical performance.  As others have noted, anything short of f2+ results in unpredictably soft imagery.  In my experience that varies; f2 -> f2.5 is the maximum usable aperture to acquire critically sharp imagery (and depends on the individual lens). This was of little consequence to me prior to '08, as it was pretty much still the best available for less than $2k (and, frankly, I don't need 50mm @ wider than f2.8 often enough to justify the cost of the 50/1.2L).Now, Canon has some competition in this class (with something other than a MF lens).  Unfortunately, I had bought my most recent copy a couple of months before Sigma came out w/ their 50/1.4 HSMSigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, the Sigma is WORLDS better @ f1.4 -> f2.8.  and it's only about $500!The 50mm prime doesn't represent the spot it used to in a photographers bag.  Digital, and new fast zooms, has changed it's necessity and it's role.  It's now a specialty lens, one people buy for portraiture, and for extremely low light.  Essentially, the element (it's wide open speed - f1.8 -> f1.2) that made it a necessity in the days of film is now the main reason people buy it.  Unfortunately, this holdover is long in the tooth, and seriously needs revisiting by Canon R&D.;  The characteristic that sells it is very weak, and the AF is ready to fall apart out of the box.  The Sigma isn't perfect, but what they got right was it's performance WO (where you can't get with a zoom), and equipped it with a modern AF system.  Maybe Canon should be looking to them for a bit of guidance.
Having has the 1.8 before and getting some very clean shots and smooth bokeh . The jerky focus on one assignment had me urging to throw it in the trash . A gold statue in a low light room with the frame as midday sun window frame . Could not focus . This gives much smoother bokeh , focus is the USM silent and tack sharp..
I recently upgraded from the 50 1.8 Mark II to the 50 1.4.  I find this lens to have a nicer rendering when used wide open, smoother bokeh, and I like the build better (though its no L quality lens).  It works well on both my 5D Mark II and my T3i.  Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
To me, this lens is just okay.  The IQ is good, but I don't know if it's $250 good (the price difference over the 1.8 version). The build quality is definitely better - it's one of the reasons I bought it, after my 1.8 practically fell apart in my hands one day. I don't find the AF any better though - it hunts in lighting where other lenses work fine, and the colors just seem flat. Maybe I just got a bad copy, and need to send it in before the warranty is up, but I find myself forcing myself to use this lens to justify the purchase. Plenty of people love it, though, so I would recommend trying before you buy, or buy it somewhere where you can return it without issue if you end up not liking it.
This is one of the best portrait lenses that Canon makes. Very non-forgiving and sharp.
Wow, what a lens! However, I probably won't order from Ace Photo again. The lens was packed in a deflated bubble wrap case which sent my heart beating like mad- I thought I'd be dealing with a broken component for sure. Luckily, Canon's box was packed well and my lens suffered no ill will...Do not hesitate to buy this over the f/1.8! The pictures it paints brought tears to my eyes.
The 50mm is a great "walkabout" lens for a high megapixel camera with its low profile and low light abilities.  A 28mm-135mm kit lens is not a substitute.  Professionals do a great job explaining what you can do going from a cheaper 1.8 to a 1.4, but let me explain why I went this way.My camera: The Canon EOS 7D.Why the 50mm?  Other than its the focal length field of view that is similar to human vision, I plan many indoor, low light shooting; family photos, mostly.  I am not a fan of flash photography and look more for the natural, pure moments.  I don't plan to invest in halogen lighting, therefore I need a fast lens to compensate.  Because its a fixed focal length, its the most appropriate for "point and shoot" excursions.  True, we'll use it like a camera-phone, but the images will be more fun to play with.  There will be times where a wide zoom lens is too much, too bulky, and too heavy.  This is perfect to snap a photo and use editing to zoom or crop.Why the Canon brand? Not planning to own many lenses, I'll be satisfied with my 28mm-135mm and a 50mm for a long while.  "Compatible" brands always come with a caveat to justify the lower price.  Not wanting the risk, I stuck with Canon.Why 1.4 over the 1.8?  The reputation of the 1.8 build quality was enough to seriously consider the 1.4.  For a little more money, we get a faster lens, but it takes considerably more to move from a 1.4 to 1.2.  But the core reason is for low light.  I use the Auto mode to gauge the initial settings my 7D calculates as a starting point.  If you ever capture a moment using a 1.6 aperture, you'll know you went somewhere the cheaper lens could not take you.  A faster lens gives you the opportunity to be more creative in portraits.Results: Read the expert's advice on aberration or distortions.  I can say, with an aperture of 1.6 or 1.4 your subjects may be very soft in low light.  You may see the differences in focus in a distance as short between the tip of a nose and the cheeks.  (Further critique is more appropriate in a review of the camera)Final words: If you plan or had already invested considerably in photography, have fun with it.  The more fun you have the more you'll learn.  Get the tools that you'll have the most fun with.  Push your limits.  With this "simple lens", you'll need to leverage the usefulness of aperture, shutter speed, focus techniques, white balancing, and ISO.  There's no more fun or effective way to learn than by pressing your right index finger: "snap".
No chromatic abberations under any conditions. This is pretty good glass for the money. It makes me wonder what the 1.2 will do, other than the shorter f ratio.Overexposure is easy with this lens, however.
I bought this lens because I wanted perfectly blurred backgrounds behind sharp subjects. I was nervous about not being able to zoom in on a subject and I wondered if 50mm would be ample, but still I wanted the 1.4 aperture. After having had this lens for 4 months, I know I made the right decision. I am getting the most amazing, butter smooth blurred backgrounds! Every shot amazes me! This has become my favorite lens. I regularly get AMAZING shots of my kids, objects around the house, and upclose floral. The lack of zoom turned out not to be a problem, as I have learned to "zoom" with my feet. If you're wanting to easily achieve beautifully blurred backgrounds and butter-smooth bokeh, this may be the lens for you. I find this lens is best for indoor and outdoor portraits.
I use this the majority of all my video shoots especially in lower light areas! its crisp and sharp my clients love the results and I have no complaints1 it does exactly what I thought it would do for the job, I am looking forward to getting the 1.2 once my budget allows! LOVE THIS LENS!!
A remarkable lens for a remarkable price.  Rivals "L" lenses.  It gives the shots a great look, the shallow depth of field works really well.  It's hard to imagine a better lens for this kind of money -- and it's better than many lens that cost a lot more.
If you're looking at this, then you've probably decided on a 50mm or so prime lens, likely because the kit zoom lens is both slow and not very good quality. Here are the options for Canon:Canon 50mm f/1.8 (version 2): It's inexpensive, very fast compared to any cheap zoom and exceptionally good for the price. On the down side, it's cheap feeling, noisy in focusing, and difficult to focus manually. You should buy at least this.Canon 50mm f/1.4: A little bit faster, but that's a less important trait these days with good digital high effective ISOs. More importantly, it's robust, easy to use, with full-time manual focusing (you can just grab the ring even when it's autofocusing), and good image qualitySigma 50mm f/1.4: More expensive than the Canon lens, but slightly better image quality wide open. It's a tough sell since the quality change isn't huge. But if the extra money and Sigma logo don't bother you, then go for it.Canon 50mm f/1.2: Big money for that extra light-gathering ability. If you need this for photographing in a club, then you'll buy it. If you don't need it, it's too expensive and heavy to compete with the lenses above.Another, used, option, the original Canon 50mm f/1.8 EF lens was sturdier and better built, but they're only available used and possibly abused. I own one and am happy with it. I have shot with the Canon f/1.4 as well and that's the lens that I'd buy today.
I have now had this lens for about 2 months and it took me awhile to get to understand how to use the lens correctly. I am new to DSLR, being a Point-n-Shoot guy for many years. I was taking photo's, but not understanding why the results were not to my liking, or what my eye was seeing. I called CANON support and asked a couple of dumb questions and they set me straight, or at least put me on the right track. Now my results are very good, depth of field is much better and the photo has a full photo of focus when I want. I like the low light capability it has and because it is a fast lens, it is very flexible. OH I almost forgot, I mainly use Shutter or Aperture Priority for my settings, and I manually set my White Balance. I use the lens with my T2i CANON and now I am not afraid to keep it mounted all the time.
Say goodbye to your flash! This lense absorbs light for great pictures. I can take photos without a flash that I would never have attempted with the stock 18-55mm lense. As an amateur, I read the above reviews and purchased this lense. If you do the same, you wont be sorry. Please see the photos I posted and decide for yourself.
The whole reason I purchased this lens was for shooting in extremely low light like museums & concerts, plus shots using only ambient light.  It's proven to be well worth the money!  I took it to the Air Force Museum this weekend, and it's truly amazing!  Even in very low light I was still able to maintain a decent shutter speed to eliminate shake using about ISO 800.  Color & contrast are good, and I didn't notice any light fall off shooting wide open, even on a full-frame 5D.Before purchasing this lens, I had the EF 50mm 1.8 II which was ok I guess, but the build quality and quiet USM of the 1.4 is well worth the extra expense.  Image quality is visually better with the 1.4.The only reason I gave this lens 4 instead of 5 stars, is Canon's continued policy of not supplying a lens hood with their non-L lenses.  Otherwise, I am very happy with it.UPDATE 8/18/10:  This lens rarely gets used anymore.  I have been spoiled by Canon's "L" series line, and the image quality just isn't that great with this one.  Granted, on a crop-frame camera like the 50D or 7D it may do just fine, but I'm using a 5D Mark II which is notoriously hard on lenses of less than "L" caliber.
I'm a amateur photographer looking to break into the bussiness or even just do side work for some extra cash, I borrowed this lense from a buddy from work and I just fell in love with the build/quality it produces.Even though my photoshoot was canceled because of a health issue I was able to take a few pictures with the lense and I was just amazed by the sheer quality.Since I borrowed I had to give the lense back but about 2 weeks later I'm getting around to buying it this past weekend... WAITING SUCKS!EquipmentCamera Body = Canon Rebel T4ILenses = Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6Flash - Canon Speedlite 430EX II
I paid $360 for this lens and for a year and a half I had no regrets whatsoever. The images are sharp and clean with no CA or distortion of any kind really. What sucks is that after a year and half the AF motor has given up, and now Canon wants another $150 to repair the defective lens. I suppose if you used this lens mostly for portraits this wouldn't be a huge concern because you could always focus manually. I, however, used it for street photography, so by the time I would finish accurately focusing my shot is long gone.
This 50 mm 1.4 lens is so superior to what shipped (the 18-55mm) with the Rebel XTi (which I just LOVE), that it makes the 55mm seem like a toy lens.  I'm very familiar with lenses from my 35mm days and this lens looks and feels just like a fine 35.  It has a narrow depth of field but that can be corrected with camera settings. We're not talking snap shot photos here.  This is probably being read by camera buffs who know just what I'm talking about.This is providing me with profession results.  A few years ago, who would have thought this possible from a digital camera? Technology....It is very fast and for most situations, it is the perfect lens.  The 1.2 might be better if you can see to spend the bucks for it.I'd suggest buying just the body of the new Rebel and than adding this lens, if it is right for your situation.  I just wish that I had done that.
Listen closely, you will NOT be able to replicate the same type of images with anything in this price range. Its perfect for bday parties and low light situations. An aperture of 1.4 allows you to completely own the low-light hours while producing tremendous bokeh behind your subject. I've compared images against my 24-70m 2.8 at 50mm at 5.6 (where the 50 prime is the sharpest) and its comparable everytime. Any photographer will tell you to keep a handful of primes in your bag for  best image quality when "zoom" is unavailable. All for 369 dollars!  You cant lose- buy it!Using this lens on my Canon 7d
I read and re-read all of the reviews on this (f1.4) lens and the less expensive f1.8 lens and almost went with the lighter-weight f1.8. This one is heftier but because of that it feels a LOT more solid as if it will last the life of my camera body (Canon T1i)...perhaps longer. All of my blog followers have noticed a significant difference in the shots from before I had this lens and after, mainly because of the significant difference between the lenses. This lens, when cranked down to f1.4 has a VERY narrow depth of field, meaning that up close shots of subjects will focus on very little, like an eye or a nose, with nearly everything else being blurred out. Opened up, the 50mm shoots great shots with plenty of depth of field. I threw on a UV filter for outdoor shots and the shots come out great.Overall, I am extremely happy with this lens. I am not a professional photographer (although I occasionally get paid to take photos) but am not a n00b either. But still, take this review with a grain of salt. And if you choose this lens, chances are, you won't be disappointed.
I spent about a year researching which fast lens to get and once I had the money I chose this one.It's a fine lens. People love the pictures I take with extremely narrow depth of field.So what's not to like? Quality control!?!?! The first copy I got had a bubble in the glass! How can a piece of precision optical glass ever make it past quality control with a bubble in the glass? So I had to go another 2-3 weeks without the lens...missing a chance to use it in a photoshoot.Other then that, the focus ring on both copies were loose. I really expected it to feel more solid.Also a 50mm on a crop sensor is too much zoom in some situations. It definitely makes me want to save up for theCanon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras. A wider angle for indoor shots and hopefully much higher quality.This fits perfectly in theLowepro Lens Case 1 (Black)with the lens hood attached(both ways). Don't waste your money on the Canon lens pouch.
Greta deal, so I snatched it up.  What a great deal and high quality lens this is.  it even makes my horrible photography skills look good.Highly recommended
...so anything short of an L-series lens I'm looking at with disdain. Ha!That said, if you can wander around with a 50mm at f/1.4, you're going to have a LOT of options and a lot of fun! I recently obtained a 5-month-old kitten, and had a great time opening the aperture and turning simple snapshots into fun, memorable images. Good times!For a fixed length, I can't see spending the extra jack to upgrade to the f/1.2 (although I admit to having never used it before!) unless you have a great (read: professional) need for a 50mm.
Bought this for the Digital Rebel (300D).  50mm translates to 80mm because of the 1.6 crop factor.  Not an issue for me but something for the potential buyer to be aware of.  Lens works great - solid build, sharp focus, quiet motor - no problems encountered so far.
I love this lens.  It is incredibly versatile for night photography.  Wide open you get great bokeh.  On a Canon 60D it is an excellent portrait lens.  It is not very sharp wide open, but for portraits usually too much sharpness is not desired either.  It does not seem quite as sharp as my 35mm f2, but both lenses have different uses.  I mostly use the 50mm on my 60D as a portrait lens at wider apertures and the 35mm as a street photography lens (normal focal lens on crop sensor).  I just ordered the new Canon 6D and look forward to testing them on a full frame in the coming days.It is reasonably well built - particularly considering the price.
Love, love, love this lens.  Read the reviews before I made the purchase and I have to say the reviews were right on. I had broke my kit lens that came with my Cannon Rebel T3i and this lens does so much more than I had imagined.  I'm not sure why anyone would want to use the kit lens other than for the wide angle effect, but heck, those are a dime a dozen and won't break the bank.
I debated on buying this lens for a long time but am doing some home studio work and needed a fast, short-range lens and decided to go for it. Wow, it's nice Construction is what you might expect for this lens. It's not a L-series. But what matters to me most for this one is whether it's sharp and this definitely is. It's as sharp as my 70-200 f/2.8 L zoom and that's saying something. I know my way around Canon lenses pretty well - also have bought the 85mm, 70-200 f/2.8, 24-105, etc - and can definitely say this is a great lens, especially for the price. Highly recommend.
I use this for architecture--exteriors of skyscrapers from a moderate distance. On a digital camera, it's also a great portrait lens. The slight barrel distortion that others have mentioned can easily be corrected in Photoshop--if you even notice it. If you're shooting digitally, it's not a problem to correct. Frankly, it hasn't been a problem for me. Great lens.
The canon 50mm f1.4 USM lens is a good lens to use for many thingsas a walk around. And few other things that you would use, The USM is fast and quietwhen focusing. Good at taking group shot to portraits from waist to head. (Never close up shot of person they won't look good!!)The lens is small and light to carry in your camera bag. Originally design for film cameras many years ago. It has never changethrough the years and all ways give good pictures.When you buy this lens you will not get a lenshood, you have to buy it separately. That's what I did when purchasing here.It is well built and has metal lens mount, so it will last for many years. I enjoy using this lens in most areas.
I'm not a professional but I do love taking photographs.  I guess you could call me a hobbyist.  I have a Canon 60D that had the kit lens and I wanted to take pictures with a shallower depth of field and I also wanted a prime lens to help improve my overall photography skills.I have to say I'm very happy with this lens. At f/1.4 the depth of field is very shallow allowing me to keep my subjects in focus while blurring out the background.  I considered the f/1.8 as I could get it for $250 less but my goal was a larger aperture opening and quality lens build.  I'm glad I spent the extra, I'm very happy.
Razor sharp depth of field, razor sharp focus.  A great portrait lens for my Canon T1i.  A cheaper option than the 1.2 50mm
I got this because I take a lot of pictures of musicians in bars, and therefore there is a lot of low light. This lens allows me to get nice bright, crisp pictures, and still allows me to use a fairly quick shutter speed. As all of the other reviews say, it's worth the money to buy this lens. It'll be one that I use most of the time.
Works very very well under dim light and night scene scenarios.  Easy to carry in the bag because of its light weight and small size.
I don't currently own one of these.  I owned one for about 2-3 years with my Canon 40D and really enjoyed it.  It got me hooked on primes.  After getting a Sigma 30 and Canon 85, I wasn't using it much and ended up selling it.  Over time I gradually wanted it more and more.  I purchased one finally and, a few days later, a Canon 5D2.  Not sure what lenses I would want after jumping to full frame, I decided to return the 50.  Some of the shots I got with the 5D2 and this lens in those few days are some of the best I've gotten from that 5D2.  This, like the other non-L USM primes, is a great value.  Now I would love to add one of these or the 50 f/1.2.  The fact that this lens can be considered next to the L version is a testament to how good this thing is.  I have not owned the L, but I have owned the f/1.8.  I would pick this every day over the f/1.8 "nifty fifty" variant.  This focuses faster and better, has far better build quality (including the metal mount)  and cleaner bokeh.  Not to mention 2/3 stop faster.  I would recommend this lens for anyone wanting to get into fast primes who hasn't already.  It's a great general purpose focal length to get a taste of what fast primes are all about.
This is simply a fabulous lens -- it's almost never off my Canon 40D.  I looked at the 1.8, which came highly recommended because of the price, but then I noticed comments that said it would probably last a year, because of the build.  So I looked at the 1.4.  This lens works well in so many conditions, it's sharp, has beautiful DOF, I just can't say enough about it.  It's my first prime lens -- like a lot of people, I was attracted to the zoom feature of other lenses.  But even though with this lens you have to zoom yourself, don't let that stop you at all.I'm an intermediate level photographer.  I highly recommend this lens for anyone around my level.
I really enjoy using this lens. It is becoming my new go-to lens for everything except distance shots. Great depth of field thanks to the 8 blade bokeh. Definitely recommend this over its cheaper brother. Works amazing in low light and takes super vibrant picture on 1.4. I cannot comment on the durability because I have not had the lens for long. It seems to be sturdier than my tamron lenses.
Amazon had the best price for this lens, better then Best Buy....Also was able to receive the lens sooner then Best Buy could ....5 Stars for Amazon !!!
I find myself needing a tripod 98% of the time while using this lens on my 5D Mark II as the shutter speed (I primarily shoot in Aperture priority) is usually pretty slow unless in high-noon daylight. The focus seems to do a lot of searching and (at times) while searching, it won't focus in/out as far as it can.It seems to stop short of focused before it gives up and goes back the other way. I find myself (maybe 15% of the time) manually focusing and then letting AF do its thing. the results I get from the lens make it a good bang for my buck but if I got these results from a $1000 lens I would be sending it back.
As sharp as the 24-70mm L f2.8 II.  at 50mm, if not better.  The 24-70mm lens is  $2200.-+.  This was $300.- at 2014 Jan. new.  Color (and contrast) maybe not as good as the 24-70mm f2.8 II. on landscape pictures. But still pretty good. That is the only lens from Canon, that is not an  "L"  lens in my bag. (It is very light).
I am a wedding photographer and used this to get shallow depth of field shots.  Great results from it so far and I don't see any need to go with the 1.2
This prime lens is my primary lens. It's much better and rugged than the 50mm f1.8. Built well and many think that it's the best Canon 50mm out there. The next upgrade is the 50mm L 1.2 or the outrageously expensive 50mm L 1.0
I have several L series lenses but I have to say that I am so in love with this lens and can't figure out how I lived without it before!
My husband gave this lens for my birthday because I asked for it. I had great expectations but the autofocus did not work from the very beginning. After some research, I found this is not uncommon. I don't understand why a great name like Canon has a lens on the market with well-known autofocus issues. I sent it back.
It is very nice for portraits. It's a specialty lens that gives the subject a soft appearance. (Three more words.)
Is the Canon 50mm 1.2 L Series worth $1000 more than the 50mm 1.4? Final conclusion was: No, it is not worth it for me. But it might be for you. Here's why and how I came to my conclusion. I have also included some photos I took with the 7D and the 1.4 lens.I have been able to work with the 1.2 before, and was ready to buy my own. Buying the 1.2 was quite a leap, but I knew it would do the job. I researched the 1.4 hoping it could be just as good but for a lot less. What helped me come to my final decision to purchase the 1.4 was a website by Jim Arnold - [...] It has examples of the same shots using both lenses! I was worried that I would want the 0.2 difference in the lens, and I would miss it with the 1.4. But I must say that is not the case at all! This site has a ton of examples using the different lenses. He includes photos taken at f1.2, f1.4, and f2.8Bokeh on the 1.4 - One of the photos I added shows the bokeh of the 1.4. The 1.4 has 8, the 1.8 has 5. The 1.2 has also has 8 blades but produces a little bit smoother bokeh. But when I tested the bokeh on the 1.4 I was not disappointed. The difference was not all that obvious.Why not the f1.8 lens? I would say it's a great starter lens - so if that is what you want then go for it! But I have had friends who have owned this lens to only have it completely fall apart after only 1 year. The 1.8 AF is loud and slow. The 1.4 has a much sturdier build than the 1.8 with better auto focus and less noisy. From experience I would say that the 1.4 can even focus better in low light than the 1.2.The 1.4 is lighter than the 1.2 and feels better on the camera in my opinion - weight feels more evenly dispersed.For shooting video with 1.4 - it focuses better in low light than the 1.2, making shooting a low light scene easier. The 1.4 makes for some pretty footage.1.2L cons - size, weight, high price - And not all that different from the 1.4.1.2L pros - beautiful bokeh, sharpest of these 3 lenes, well made1.4 cons - bokeh not as good as 1.2, but better than 1.8. A little less sharp (but I haven't noticed that personally)1.4 pros - good price, quality, not too different than the 1.2 in picture quality1.8 cons - plastic build, slow and noisy AF, choppy bokeh with 5 blades over 8 in the 1.2 and 1.41.8 pros - great price, great starter lensI enjoy my 1.4 lens VERY much and I am glad I chose it over the 1.2. You need to decide what is important to you when picking a lens. In my case the $1000 price difference just did not make the 1.2 worth it. The 1.4 is a very professional lens and one I will be using a lot.
this is one of my no L series lenses, I do recommend it, very good lens and you need it within your kit
This little lens does it all and then some. Yes, pricey, but it captures great pictures on my 50D!
I use this on my 40D- it's awesome. sharp. very bright, vibrant colors. creamy bokeh. shoots in low light. fast. puts my kit lens to shame. can't imagine what an L lens will be like when I win the lottery one day and can afford one :) LOVE THIS LENS!
Love this lens. Bought when wife was pregnant to take pics of our family as they grow - everyone comments on how fantastic our photos are! Take some time to adjust to the short focal length, this is just a short learning curve. Low light shots are awesome and this is so easy to use well.
Review is focused on people using crop cameras; full frame users can ignore this review.I tested the canon f/1.4 50mm lens and found it to be very fast and sharp. At f/2.8 however, my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 fixed aperture zoom was just as sharp as this lens. I soon found the 50mm to be too restricting on a rebel xt and returned it. I bought the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 instead, and it is really the ideal 50mm for crop cameras. I am aware of quality issues with the Sigma and the fact that it is a DC lens, but its worth every penny if you manage to get a good copy. Unless you exclusively take portrait shots, or are switching to full frame pretty soon, this lens is always going to keep you feeling limited. Pair the sigma up with the cheaper 50mm f/1.8 and you will have an excellent pair of lens to start off with.A suggestion to all large aperture lens users. It is best to set the focus point to center only, focus on the object and then frame the shot. Using multiple focus points in the f/1.4-2.0 range is asking for trouble.Current list of lens I use with my Rebel XT (never bought the kit lens):Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (wide angle/general purpose shooting)Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (low light, DOF shots)Canon 50mm f/1.8 II (portrait)Sigma 70-300 f/3.5-5.6 APO Macro (occasional macro/telephoto)
The Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 is a fantastic lens! I love using it when shooting products, though I don't like using it for portraits, I prefer my 85mm f/1.2 to do that job, but overall this is a great lens and it's every photographers favorite and worth owning.
Great lens. Maybe not as crisp as the L series, but a good value. I would purchase it again without hesitation.
Can't beat a classic 50 mm lens with a fast aperture. It's well made, as you would expect from canon. The 1.4 is fantastic  and gives a nice soft, dreamy background.
Like many have said, the Canon 50/1.4 is a fantastic lens, a great bargain. But like many others have also said, the autofocus loves to break, rendering it a manual focus-only piece of glass. Mine's not broken all the time - not even most of the time - but when it does refuse to work, it seems to do it at the most inopportune times. If all you're doing is taking pictures of the kids, go for it - just remember to always rest it on its back, never with the glass facing down. That's how it gets injured, or so they say. But if you need it for weddings or other blink-and-you-miss-it events, you can't trust it.It's a 5 star lens if they ever fix this issue, but until then it only gets two.
I am a professional photographer with a wonderful selection of L lenses, with all of these professional lenses, this lens continuously impresses me with how beautifully it works.  It is an incredible bargain for the price.  I am comfortable using it at professional shoots and love the standard focal length on my full-frame bodies.  The bokeh is beautiful and it is one of two standard lenses every photographer really needs.
This is an awesome lens but a little on the expensive side compared to the cheaper alternative (f 1.8). But definitely comes with a difference in the body and the quality. The only problem is that you cannot stand close to the object and take a picture. This is not a problem because i know that is the specification before i bought this lens. If i had a lot of $$$, i would gone for a lens that had a lower focal length. I would definitely recommend this lens for portrait photography.
I am an enthusiast who is in the process of moving into the semi-pro category.  I bought the lens in 2012 (it is now spring 2014) just before spring portrait season was about to ramp up.  The focus was fast, and the images were generally very good.  I was able to get shots in low light on my APS-c sensor and I was getting sharp subjects with creamy backgrounds as intended.  I will say that in the two years I have had the lens, some of my favorite pictures have come through this piece of glass.So why only 1 star? Because I have taken care of this lens.  It sits in a well-padded, very temperate cubicle in my high-quality bag.  Because I am only semi-pro, the lens doesn't come out all that often, and the majority of my shooting is with my kit zoom lens.  Given all the love and fairly little use, one would expect this lens to last.  One's expectations would not be met.  I pulled this lens out for a nice self-portrait that I needed for a website.  I dialed it in to f2.  I focu?  foc?  FO!!!  No focus.  The ring moves.  The lens is stuck.  I don't have my picture.  By the time I get the lens back from service, the blooms will have fallen off the trees.  I will not get my shot.Fortunately this didn't happen with a client in front of me.  Most days, you only get one chance to make the shot.  I took my shot with the KIT LENS for crying out loud.  If you buy this lens, know that even a spare body won't help if your focus ring is in rigor.A quick web search for "canon 50mm focus stuck" reveals that this is a VERY common issue with the lens.  My contact with Canon revealed that they were glad to take more of my money to fix it.
This was my favorite for a long time until I got the 85mm 1.8.  other than focus being a little inconsistent at times, this is as good of a lens as any.
If you have an SLR camera (film or digital), you need to have this lens.  It allows for faster shutter speeds in low light, allowing you to shoot in natural light instead of using your flash.  This lens gives you wicked bokeh that has a nice roundness to it, as opposed to the boxy vignetteting bokeh on the f/1.8.  The weight of the lens adds to the stability of your camera and reduces blur that might be cause by shake with a lighter lens.
This lens is capable of incredible photos, period.  This is a reasonably priced lens that is very fast and VERY crisp.  On an old 20D it is stunning how sharp the (relatively) tiny 8MP pictures turn out.  On a 7D it is truly amazing.  I shot back-to-back with a L-series 50 f/1.2 and there was no visible difference in picture quality in a variety of conditions.  The L-series USM was slightly quieter but no faster, and nearly five times the price.
This is a wonderful lens with great image quality, very fast, and very good build quality.  No complaints.
Probably my favorite lens.  This definitely is used more often than any other.  It's not great for indoor as you have to stand back quite a bit.
There is a tendency, especially among those who have started recently with SLRs, to rely heavily on zoom lenses. However, even the best zoom lenses are slower and less sharp than a good prime lens like this one. More importantly, prime lenses encourage good composition and many people who use them end up taking better pictures as a result.Don't make the mistake of thinking a lens like this, for being fixed, is inflexible. Quite to the contrary, with its stunningly fast focus and its ability to work in low light conditions, this lens will produce worthwhile pictures in conditions where an f.3.5 or f4 zoom would be a clunky alternative.Some of the other reviews here emphasize the usefulness of the 1.4 aperture in taking indoor sports photos, or other specialized applications. This may be true, though it seems to me that a lens like this should not be thought of as a specialized tool, to be used only in especially low light conditions or where narrow depth of field is needed. It serves beautifully as a general purpose lens.I have not used Canon's less expensive 50mm f1.8 lens; it is my experience that you never regret getting better glass.
Bought this to do low light portraiture work and won't use anything else. The low aperture potential is outstanding and the images are sharp. I debated between the 1.2 L and this and decided to save some money. I think this is the right decision because an extra .2 doesn't offer much. The only thing you have to look out for is setting the f/stop too small and limiting your DOF to the point where your images turn out poorly. This should be in every photographer's gear bag.
Better to have one right on the time to buy a Canon camera . I love this one , it can handle good in low light room .quick and quiet focus . Make sharp and nice pix .
I bought the cheapo 50mm Canon for my daughter and while it takes great pictures it's slow and noisy so I got this for myself and I really like it. It's certainly heavier than the cheaper model but I don't mind much. I use it on a T4i so it's not really a 50 and I find it's a bit too zoomy at times for indoors use.
I am new to DSLR photography but this lens is absolutely amazing. It is very fast at focusing, allows a lot of light, and is very versatile! I wanted to purchase a lens that I would be able to use when walking around and take pictures the way I see them. This lens does exactly that. It is perfect for all sorts of situations and provides a great blurry background. It is also very handy when taking videos because it allows you to really highlight your subject and blur the &#34;noise&#34; or unwanted visuals. I would highly recommend this lens for newbies and professional photographers. It is relatively cheap for such a great lens and has many uses.
I've had this for 6 months now and for the price it can't be beat - this one or the 1.8 are awesome for people who can't afford "L" lenses.However, it is sometimes slow to focus & focuses and then un focuses itself. Sometimes you can't wait for it to get it right. I just used it for a shoot and I was annoyed at the number of soft images I had to toss.It does create stunning images but I tell people to get the 1.8 - it's the same build & blur for a fraction of the price.
When I started photography 16 years ago I purchased a Canon A-1 that had a 50mm f/1.4 lens.  For my first 6 years of photography that is the only camera/lens combo I used.  That was many cameras and lenses ago (I currently use a 5d mark II) but the 50mm f/1.4 lens is still a very practical and versatile lens.  It is very light, focuses very quickly and quietly.  I have since sold this lens in favor of L series zooms but sometimes do miss the simplicity and brightness of this lens.I would recommend this lens for anyone learning photography as it is very versatile and makes you really focus on framing (compared to a zoom lens).  Also, the image quality is so much better than all the 'kit' lenses being sold with all the Rebels.
I really wanted to like this lens.Pros...Quiet autofocusFeels well builtMetal mount8 Aperture blades vs 5 on the F1.8. They are not rounded blades though like a lot of newer lenses have.Cons...2 Copies back focused with my 5D (Mk1), even though my 35mm f2 and 50mm 1.8 Mk1 focus perfectlyFocus ring is mostly smooth but seemed to have rough spotsNot as sharp as the 1.8 MkII (While testing on a 7D, on a Full Frame camera the sensor isn't quite as demanding so from what have seen it's sharp enough for even the 5D MKI)All in all I decided to keep my 50mm 1.8 Mk1 which is similarly sharp (MkII gets a bit sharper when stopped down, it's the same wide open).If you need a 50mm go cheap (1.8) or check out the Sigma 1.4. The canon 35mm F2 is an excellent lens as well. Just wish it was updated to have USM.
Great lens capable of a razor thin depth of field pictures (good for portraits)achieving very sharp focus. Takes experimenting and trial and error to get familiar with its characteristics (can easily get out of focus), but once you've mastered its characteristics, you will be rewarded with tack sharp, super clear pictures, with beautiful creamy bokeh! As a prime lens you have to be ready to use your feet to move near or far from the subject to achieve the focal distance desired.  This is quite cumbersome for photographers like me spoiled by using too many zoom lenses. I however always carry this lens in my camera bag, for you never know when the right opportunity to use it comes about.  I don't mind lugging it in my bag since it is light weight, small, and does not occupy too much space.  Its large aperture makes it a fast lens too, enabling it to take pictures without flash even when there is low light. A good value for the quality of pictures you can achieve. Highly recommended!
This was my first prime lens, I considered getting the f/1.8 but read a lot of reviews about it not being very durable. So I decided to go with this one and I love it!Pros:Great Quality ImagesBeautiful BokehDurable/Sturdy DesignFast Auto focusStatic SettingsCons:Limited Focal length (Far and confined areas)Small Learning curve for aperture and distance
I really had a hard time deciding between this lens and the f1.8 lens.  I decided that I wanted to take a step into a higher quality lens than the entry level standard zoom and telephoto that I had already.My first impression upon receiving it was that it is very solid feeling.  My other lenses feel like plastic and weigh very little.  This one feels like it's been constructed solidly, everything is tight fitting, and the finish is much more professional looking.Once I started using the lens, I could not believe the results that an amateur, like me, could achieve.  At f1.4, I don't have to worry a whole lot about my backgrounds, because the DOF and bokeh produced by this lens is incredible.  I've now had this lens for about 2 months, and learning to use it has been a lot of fun.  If you ever take a look in my camera bag, there's about a 95% chance that this lens will be on my camera.  It's my new favorite lens and not having a zoom doesn't really bother me anymore.
Mine was just fine until it broke... AF quit working.  Get ready for that blinking dot in your viewfinder, it's the only thing that will be in focus.  The MF quit working too, so now I have a fast prime stuck in one focus length forever.Buy the sigma 50mm and think about the 3yr warranty, or get the 1.8 canon and realize that the plastic housing is the only cheap part, not the AF!The only positive is that I bought with amex who briskly refunded the purchase price just shy of 2 years after the purchase.Another negative: this is now $70 more expensive than when I bought it 2 years ago.  Looks like canon is happy to take our money and not update their product in the meantime.Seriously, do some research and consider that a pretty high percentage of these lenses will fail.  Is it worth $350 anymore?EDIT: This sat around at my house for a very long time, then I got a bit ambitious; search on youtube for this lens and you can find a few video walk-throughs on how to fix it yourself.  It took me a couple hours (going slowly and correcting a stupid mistake I made) but I was able to fix it myself--it works great again.  I sold it and bought a sigma 50/1.4, which has its own set of front-focus problems despite 2 returns to sigma with my camera for recalibration.  Hard to find a great 50mm 1.4!
Be careful not to cut yourself, this baby is SHARP!  I own a few really nice canon lens and even though this one is NOT an L lens, it takes really sharp photos.  I have the canon d60 so there is the magnification to consider; (the 85 is a bit too long for me for indoor use).  Just Amazing, but with a Very Narrow Depth of Field. Like another reviewer said, there is a learning curve on this lens; but wow, I finally found the lens that works best for me.
This is a great lens for the buy supper sharp and extremely fast for photos. I am primary using it for video and I am initially very pleased with the quality, sharpness and low light abilities. This is a great option for under 400.00 dollars where as the 1.2 is a 1,600.00 dollar lens. With all the new canon's going to extreme ISO's who need the 1.2 at more than triple the price of the 50 1.4. Overall, I would highly recommend this product for the beginner to pro photographer looking to add to there arsenal of lens.
I was debating between this and the faster 50mm 1.2 and decided to go with this for the following reasons:1. Price (is the extra f stop worth another $700? I did not think so)2. Sharpness (this lens does better overall in sharpness tests, less flare and distortion)3. Focus speed (the auto focus on this lens is faster than on the 1.4)I LOVE this lens. The fist night I got it I was taking hand held photos of a single candle and they came out great. VERY happy with it and would unequivocally recommend if you need a fast lens for low light situations.
I have a Canon T2i camera and wanted a great f1.4 lens for it. Received the lens a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I've experimented a lot with it (I just got into manual shooting this past summer and Im learning new things every day) and Im very pleased. Great for closeups, landscapes.etc. VERY versatile. Im keeping my fingers crossed Santa brings me a 7D for Christmas this year. If I can take amazing photos with the rebel and the 50mm 1.4 lens I cant wait to see what the 7D and the same lens combo can do.
As soon as I got this lens I took it for a run at Balboa Park. It helped produce some amazingly crisp and clear photos. Continually impressing me more and more with each shoot.
This lens is reasonable all-around, but image quality is on the soft side, especially with the aperture wide-open.I bought this lens for nightlife photography.  The softness, combined with the lack of IS, makes for poor low-light shots with few keepers, although more daytime shots are acceptable (but still soft).  Thus leading to my 3/5 stars "ok" rating.  It may be fine for shooting in other settings, but I shoot flashless / low-light frequently, on my EOS 60D, so I've been searching for suitable lenses for that purpose.Comparing this lens to theEF 50mm f/1.8 II: the f/1.4's build quality is much superior, and the motor smoother/quieter.  The f/1.8II produces images that are a little sharper/brighter vs the f/1.4's softness, but also suffers from lack of IS, and focus-hunts somewhat.  I might characterize the f/1.8's images as "harsh".Comparing this lens to my preferred (and similarly priced)EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: the 85mm is notably sharper, producing vibrant images, with a smoother/faster AF.  But the effective focal length of 136mm (on APS-C sensors) makes it less useful indoors, and the minimum focus distance of nearly 3ft doesn't allow for close shots.  Would love to see an 85mm IS model.For my low-light goals, the much more expensive35mm f/1.4Lwould likely work better, but the cost is a hurdle.This 50mm f/1.4 is Not Recommended for low-light shooting, but may work for general purpose photography where image softness is desirable.
Get it. You will not regret it.Every Canon DSLR owner should have at least two lenses. This is one of them. Its a great entry level lense at a decent price comparitively. This is one lens where the alternative off brands are not desirable. don't cheat your self. Get it. You will not be dissappointed.Anyone with kids should have this.Anyone doing talking head and close up video should have this.Anyon who loves photography should have this.If you ever have seen a beautiful shallow depth of field shot and wished you could take a picture like that now you can. Even a novice will love this lens.I use it with a Canon 60D for family pbotos and professional video production for my business. I have also used this lens with the 60D as a webcam (special pc hardware required). Shorly put, I would make this purchase again.
Definitely worth the purchase.  It has a fast aperture, and crisp colors.  The focus gear feels smooth and I can accurately pull focus, especially for video.  Because of its internal focusing, I was able to mount a tulip sun shade and it wouldnt swivel.  The Bokeh on this lens is great and much more realistic than say the 50mm 1.8 .  all in all a great purchase if you dont want to splurge for the 50mm f1.2
I purchased this lens a month ago and it hasn't came off my camera since!  Definately my best purchase to date!  I purchased mainly for portraits but have found its use extends far beyond that.  Took some great landscape shots with it as well!  Love love!
I bought this lens almost a year ago, and I love it! It works great for low light as well as portrait photography. It is also very solidly built, and does not feel cheap. (It is much better built than a kit lens) It is not all that sharp at its maximum aperture, but that is expected. I would recommend this lens to just about anyone as it is very versatile.
im no professional photographer, but i do love taking some pictures especially my sons'....i tried a couple of lenses before but the 50mm definitely did the best job..
To give a honest review you have to use the lens and I have never had it on the camera or the other two lenses I got for it.It is a Rebel T3i and it only has for pics shot with the zoom lens that came on the camera. But with all the bells and whistles I think I am going to sell the whole thing and go back to a better point and shoot as soon as I find a buyer.
I have a 30D and my wife wanted a DSLR for her anniversary.  I have a collection of nice Canon lenses, including this one.  When she got her Rebel, this was the lens she ended up stealing from me.  She uses it 99% of the time.  On the Rebel, it makes for a fairly small package and exceptional pictures.  The focus speed is fast, and the image quality is comparable to L-series zoom lenses.The only real downside is having to use your feet to zoom in closer to an object.
I had very little experience with shooting with low F prior to using this lens.  It has transformed my portraits and given them a dynamic richness I was looking for.  The F 1.4 allows me to use a lower ISO without using a tripod.  The F1.4 requires focus to be on the eye balls when shooting portraits or you will have the tip of the nose in focus and the eyes may be out of focus.  You can't shoot two people at once on this low as one will be fuzzy because of shallow depth of field.  I use it also to shoot video and have found it to work fine.  I think if you were shooting in utter silence you might hear the motor but I am not worried about that for my shots.
I'm new to SLR cameras, but so far this is my favorite lens.  The pictures come out sharp and clean. More so than my zoom lens. I have used it for portrait distance, closeups, and even for landscape shots with good results.  Very good in low light.  It's an easy lens to carry around attached to the camera.  I highly recommend this lens.I had heard primes were better lenses and in my limited experience it seems true.
i just have an old rebel XSi (crop sensor). this lens is both relatively cheap and one of the sharpest lens you can buy. faster and quieter zoom than the dirt cheap f/1.8 version.particularly excellent for low light indoor shooting because of how fast it is. downside is it is a fixed lens so you can't zoom in/out. I almost always use aperture priority mode (Av) thus allowing me to pick the depth of field and letting the camera automate the rest. with Av you have to use a spot autofocus to target exactly what you want to focus on as it will blur the rest of the picture slightly. i almost always use 1600 ISO indoors. partly because i never use flash to get better colors and clarity as direct flash tends to wash things out especially faces (another option is to get an add-on speedlite flash + light diffuser but that is bulky. advantage is this allows zoom lens to become usable indoors and is what wedding photographers use almost always).realize on a crop sensor it gets you close to the target. consider 35mm if you want more in the picture, but i like the headshots. if you are doing indoor sports i would recommend the 85mm f/1.8 cousin which gives better zoom for closeup action and is just as awesome indoors.i don't typically go below 1.8 indoors unless i'm desperate as sometimes the depth of field is so dramatic, part of the person you are targeting is out of focus.one of my highest recommendations for lens indoors without flash. the pictures are stunning (and that is perhaps an understatement).
The lens is very fast and produces sharp images under a variety of available lighting conditions.  its compactness cuts down on the bulky look of the camera.
Definately one of my favorite lenses. Especially on the 6D as really takes amazing photos in dimly lit situations without flash.As many many reviews on the net for this lens and my experience is similar - great lens, usm focusing and better build is why I bought this over the 50mm 1.8. Auto-focus is fast and I also enjoy manual focusing on it too - nice speed to focus change.Slightly soft wide open and that is both a good and a bad thing depending on desired outcome. In the dark it rarely matters. It does sharpen up nicely as the f numbers pass 2-2.8.All in all this lens comes everywhere with me and definitely recommend it to canon shooters
Looking for a way to take low-light indoor shots without flash, I considered the much more expensiveCanon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, and if money were no object, that would have been my choice. Maybe someday. For now, I'm very happy with the results this is giving me -- and I'll just have to cope with zooming in and out by adjusting my feet!
I recently upgrade from the Canon 50mm 1.8II while it has its obvious upgrade (1.4, USM, better builds etc.) I dont find the pictures that much different besides flare resistance. overall its a good lens and a good valueLike I said if you're on a budget get the 1.8, or if you have the cash or are planning on keeping this lens for 2-3 years just get the 1.4.
I absolutely love this lens and my love for it has grown since I've had it.  It is perfect for portraits for blurring the background. It is great for lowlight situations.  It is perfect as a travel lens.  On my full frame dslr canon 6d, I kept this lens on for three weeks during my trip to Asia and didn't take it off. I never found the need to use any other focal length.  If I really needed a wide angle shot, I just used my point and shoot.  I was amazed by this lens as an all around travel lens.  I did not want to bring my big L lens and did not want to buy another zoom lens that I wouldn't really use.  This was just perfect.
I have this on my Canon 5D Mark III as a all-purpose walk around lens.  The perspective is fantastic and the depth of field wide open is wonderful!
This Cannon Lenses is definitely worth of every penny I've spent. I love the quality of picture, it came out is just what I was looking for. I love this product!!!! And fast shipping!!! Thank you!!!!
This lens Is Very lightweight which is good if you are moving around a lot. The prime focus is very very sharp. I think that is my favorite feature about the lens. it is easy to operate and fast. For the price I feel like I got more than I paid for.  I own a 200-mm L, and a 24-70-mm L lenses, and an image stabilized 17-85-mm EFS that are wonderful. The affordable 50 mm canon lens still gets pulled out of the equipment bag regularly. Good buy, fun lens!
I absolutely love the f/1.4 50mm lens! It is a great substitute for the f/1.2 if you do not have the grand + to spend, like me. It was received on time and in perfect condition.
I bought this lens some years ago. After some use and testing I found I had to stop it down to about f4 to eliminate the softness (not an option in low light), and make it useable. The AF did not seem repeatable as well. I sent it along with my 20d to have them adjusted. I did not know who was at fault the camera or the lens. Upon return, the lens focus was better, but I still had stop it down to about f2.8 to make if work.Since then I purchased the 85mm f1.8, which I am very happy with. I have not used the 50mm 1.4 lens in about 4 years. I only keep it because I might shoot video one day. and I'm in a situation with plenty of light it would be OK.As I read the Fred Miranda reviews as I write this, some suggest this the lens would work better on a full frame camera like my 5d.Maybe I should not expect it to be as good as the 50mm f1.2 L lens.
Set the lens at f/1.4 and you will be rewarded with precise isolation of the subject matter at portrait distances bathed in a buttery bokeh with some halation. You won't get that similar bokeh with the more expensive Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. Getting the precise isolation of the subject matter with the camera hand held would require you to stay as motionless as possible. Otherwise, you would start to get off-focus issues.The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a great choice in low light situations. I like the dreamy effect at f/1.4; a special quality.  From f/2.0, the images are jaw-dropping sharp edge to edge on my full frame EOS 5D. No present Canon mount zoom will match the 50mm's resolution at this focal length.Non L lenses do not come with the lens hood. I purchased a Canon OEM hood online for $25 USD.  Nothing beats the versatilty and build quality of an L glass zoom. So far, this is a great lens for street photography and close portrait work.  It's usually the first lens I would grab for general work.
I like this lens (AMZ,6/08, $218.xx). I use it on a EOS 20D and recently on a Rebel XS. I can get a perfect shot of a completely dark room with the pop-up flash. This is the lens that makes the SLR act like any "Snapshot" that I have used over the years, but with amazing IQ. Actually reviews better than the 50mm f 1.2 L lens. On another note, why the Rebel XS? At $409 (AMZ, 1/10) it has more features than my 20D at 1/3 the price. The 20D is now selling for more than I paid 4 yrs ago, so it must be a desired product. The 7D is on my wish list, waiting for a price drop.
I had a 50mm 1.4, build quality was better then my 50mm 1.8 but not as nice as my 85mm 1.8. Has beautiful bokeh but is just too soft for my taste. I guess I got spoiled with my 50mm f1.8.
This is not a professional quality lens but it is reasonably fast and will work well for the amateur photographer.
I got this lens in the mail the same day my friend got a new puppy.  So, I borrowed the puppy and did a photoshoot in my studio.  This gallery [...] has two of the shots from that photoshoot.  I was very happy with the results!
Amazing lens, tact sharpe, typical Canon build quality. This is a necessary lens for every photographers arsenal. I keep finding new and better ways to use it. It has become my go to lens.
I purchased the 50mm f/1.4 after myCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lenshad an unfortunate encounter with the ocean. If you're deciding whether to buy this lens or the 1.8 I'll summarize my thoughts here...Pros:-Slightly better image quality & bokeh-Not made of plastic, feels sturdier-Extra 2/3 stop allows for more light and shallower DoFCons:-Much more expensive-Autofocus is slow and unreliable, which means that actually using the extra 2 stops can be a risky proposition-Some reduced sharpness due to AF issuesGenerally speaking, I love the 50mm focal length and both the f/1.4 and f/1.8 are excellent choices for portraits, low-light shots or anything that requires a shallow depth of field. Between the two of them, however, I don't feel that the relative benefits of the 1.4 are significant enough to justify the $200 price jump from the 1.8, and in hindsight I wish I would've just bought another 1.8 instead.
fits right in between the 'thrifty 50' and the L series 1.2 lens at 4x the price.It leans more towards the clarity and the feel of the L than the 'thrifty 50' because of the USM and the 1.4 aperture. Plus it feels solid in the hand and on camera.
This lens is amazing and everyone should own this lens.  I try to use this lens as much as possible.  It's not a wide angle lens so it doesn't work well when you are trying to fit a lot into the shot but it works really well for everything else.  This is a superb lens and it'll make all your shots look amazing.
I've been using it for about 3 years on cropped sensors of Rebels and 40D. I like this lens. It is very compact, has useful focal length and is capable of beautiful results. However the chromatic aberrations are too strong especially in out-of-focus areas. Canon's standard converters try to hide some of CA but there are substantial limits to this approach. Also this is a problem for users of other raw converters.Finally images taken at below F2.0 are too soft and lack contrast ... so I use F1.4-1.8 only in emergency.Overall the best compact 50mm lens for Canon but I expected more from a normal prime at this price point.
I bought the lens because of the great reviews and lower price then an &#34;L&#34; lens. I wasn't disappointed.I did notice the auto focus is a tad slow but not enough to make a difference in most cases.I get some lens flair from the UV filter I'm using if there are floodlights or sun in the background of the subject. I did not notice this in the viewfinder but it shows up in you images. Keep this in mind if you use a UV filter.  I suspect this is the problem I will get a lens hood and remove the filter next. I will report back if this works.
Good product for a good priceIt is for any one who love taking picturesArrived in good conditionLove it
I'm not going to spend a lot of time writing this review, because as you can see there are already many thorough reviews on this lens.  I can say that I'm very glad that I spent the extra money on this lens.  I did try the 1.8 and felt that this lens had a better build and would last me longer.  I didn't want to have to upgrade later because I already know that photography is not just a passing phase for me.  It's so fast and works great in low light conditions.  My friends are all impressed with the quality of photos that I get with this lens and that's worth it to me!
As a college student I am on a very tight budget when it comes to camera gear, so I was initially planning on getting the substantially cheaper 50mm f/1.8. After trying out both, however, I ended up going with this one and am glad I did. There are a few differences, including higher build quality and a slightly more appealing bokeh, but the main difference is that it focuses much more quietly and much faster than its cheaper counterpart. This is essential for portraits or street photography where you need to capture a fleeting moment without making the subject acutely aware of the fact that they are being photographed. Even in a studio setting when the subject isn't jumping around and you're not trying to be sneaky, I find a non-distracting lens can do wonders for making the subject feel more at ease.The lens is also AMAZING at using available light, making it a great choice if you find yourself shooting indoors. Additionally, if you're using a non-full-frame camera, 50mm is the focal length that most closely resembles natural vision, and is quite versatile as a general walkaround. For something that can't zoom, I find I can take a variety of different pictures (macro, portrait, landscape) without feeling the need to switch out for a zoom.
A great alternative to the Canon f/1.2 lens for a quarter of the price. Highly recommended if you cannot justify going for the f/1.2
This Lens is a million times that of my f/1.8. I LOVED that lens, but now with this f/1.4, everything seems so much clearer. It is a lot more sturdier, and not made of plastic like the f/1.8. I can't wait to test it out some more, in different settings. Thanks for the Super fast Shipping Amazon!! As an early graduation present to myself, this was the best service I could have asked for.
This lens is sharp, and has great color! If you are debating between the EF 50mm f1.8 and this lens, I would recommend that you spend a little bit more and buy this one because of:*Better bokeh*Sharp*performs wonderfully fully openI have some really great lenses, but this might be my new favorite. If I could have afforded it I would have bought the f1.2 instead because the L version of this lens is spectacular. But for the money, this is an amazing lens and a great stepping stone to the L version.
I wait much time to see if the price dropped and finally when I bought it just two days then the price dropped by 15$ thanks to amazon.It really disappointed to me :( THats why I give it 3 stars and also the quality is not as I have read and I knew it is the same as 18-55 maybe my lens is better
Tis lens took the best shots at a wedding that I was paid to shoot...better than my L lens.  I've used it in many low-light situations, and it always delivers.  Just be careful wide open.  If you're not on top of your focus point, you may be soft where you want to be sharp.  1.4 means a tiny field of view, so you need to mind where you're focusing.  Other than that, absolutely nothing to complain about.
The 50mm f/1.4 Canon lens is a great choice for both casual and professional photographers. This lens obtains crisp images with little flare even at the maximum aperture. The lens's f/1.4 speed is also perfect. Highly recommended.
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasI'd had this lens and used it constantly. After 4 or 5 years of being treated to Maine's cold winters/hot summers/sand, fog, and seawater ... and dropped after all that ... it was obviously time to replace this little workhorse with another of the same. Great low light lens for basketball, close-up work and when you want to get the shot but not draw attention to yourself. Good quality, no aberrations. The fact that I immediately replaced the lens should let you know I consider it a necessity in my camera bag.
This lens is just awesome. Used it on my shoot this week end Just wow. So crisp and very detail.Can take picture on very low light. I would recommend it as a must have lens.
I bought this lens for low light photography well the plus is it allows more light in than my EF70-50mm F.8 IS lens or my Sigma EX 18-50mm F.8 but it hunts in dark spaces in AF that is the minus. It will lock but by then it is usually to late. When shooting near wide open if you can't focus fast and accurately in concert photography you are sunk. I often use MF instead of AF. I can't use flash so I am forced many times to use MF. It is however very well built not L series well built but compared to the F.8 version it is a tank. It is also crystal clear too. So for me it is a trade off. The hunting in the lowest light is why it does not get the Th star.
This is a good lens. I have extensive experience with the new Nikon 50g lenses and both are superior to this lens in color, sharpness, contrast, AF speed, build and focus accuracy. Obviously, Canon shooters don't care about Nikon lenses, but it's worth knowing what the competition offers. This lens is old - the AF is slow, noisy and unreliable wide open. The color is decent - it's doesn't offer what really good Canon glass is capable of, but then this lens is only $330. A lens hood is not included, so that has to be bought separately. This is a required accessory - this lens is prone to flare. Sharpness and contrast are also OK - wide open, this lens tends to be a little soft and dull, but you really have to step up to a 35L, or something like that, to get great performance at 1.4. Stopped down at 2.8 and greater, the Canon 50 1.4 is very sharp. Build is appropriate for the price range - the AF doesn't use a true ring motor, so reliability is suspect. Wide open, the lens AF can be a bit erratic - though this is endemic to lenses with DOF this shallow.Bottom line -  The Canon is not a bad lens - for the price, you get very good performance, but it could definitely be better. Unfortunately, in Canon mount, there are no great offerings at 50mm that don't have compromises.
When I bought my 70D, I decided it was a good time to upgrade my lens set as well. As I'm only an enthusiast at the moment, I couldn't bring myself to spend $1600+ on the 50mm 1.2 that Canon offers. However, this lens was much more affordable and I couldn't be happier. Upon receiving I immediately attached it to my camera and set out to take some pictures of the local neighborhood. I was very impressed with the quality of the images produced. I even tried taking some pictures similar to some I had taken with my 1.8, and was very satisfied. For portraits, I was able to get a more smooth, blurry background that allowd my subject to stand out that much more. And the lense is fast to focus. I was shooting some local kids playing and never once had an issue with not getting clear images. If you are looking to purchase your first 50mm or upgrade your 1.8, but like me don't have the money to get the 1.2, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is definitely a great lense to add to your lens set.
This is without a doubt the lens I grab first when heading out to a portrait shoot.This lens has been reviewed accurately a few thousand times online so I won't give the lengthy version.  But the highlights:This lens is extremely sharp for portraits but gives an incredible background blur for a fabulous professional look.Many people compare it to the f/1.8 at under $100 and wonder why you would spend over 3 times as much for this one but the reason is simple.  This lens is built like a tank.  The f/1.8 takes very good pictures and if $350 isn't in your budget, it's a good alternative.  But if you can afford the price difference, go for the f/1.4.  It performs beautifully, even in very low light, and will last forever.I use this lens on a 20D and a 40D body to take professional portraits, and I love the results.  You won't regret adding this lens to your collection.
it's gives me a shallow depth of field and crispy focus in low light specially when i do a manual white balance the result is amazing picturei used it in both Photography and Video field. I recommend any photographer to buy this lens, the price is reasonable.
really great low light Portrait lens. quality build, and light weight.  It is becoming one of my main lenses.  I have a Canon 85mm that I use for Portraits as well.
Why spend the extra $300 over the f1.8 equivalent?BOKEH baby, BOKEHshoot this puppy wide open and verify your focus for critical shots.the 1.8 has greater DOF AND has like 5 blades so the circles of confusion look like el cheapo pentagons - trust me, this was intentional. Plus that f1.8 used to be like $80 for years and now it is more like $140 so... part with your cash and tell your little brain the extra $$$ is worth the half stop. It will make you feel more important and justify your existence as a human being, i promise.the resolution/distortion compared to the 1.8? >>>>the 1.8 wins at most apertures.&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; Sad but true but I'd take smooth creamy gorgeous bokeh over a small loss in lines-per-milimeter resolution targets any day. (unless I planned on shooting resolution targets, that is)FREE TIP: what sets YOU apart from the other million point and shoot shots at a typical wedding? BOKEH - wide open blurrrrrr. Get it, do it, don't look back.Oh yeah, get the hood. I know it suck to have to buy it separate but you need one. It WILL increase global contrast and make the colors look better, even on a cloudy day. Plus it helps protect the glass it you don't use a filter (like me) and have a couple cameras dangling around your neck while running around. There are cheap knock offs available but the canon one has flocking on the inside that will make you feel special inside. I found mine for $15 used.One thing to add: 1.4 has full time manual focus. 1.8 does not. I don't use manual much because I don't trust my eyes, especially with the tiny tiny dim viewfinders you get on prosumer cropped sensor DSLRs.IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you use the focus-recompose with this at f1.4 you are going to FAIL. Especially on a cropped sensor which makes this an 80mm f1.4 lens. The DOF is so slight any movement of the camera sensor plane will destroy your intended focal plane. do a search on the subject for more info, please.  I ruined almost an entire wedding, seriously. Not enough time to check critical focus at a wedding so I just blew through it like i do with a 28mm f2.8 lens. FAIL FAIL FAIL. BTW: you shouldn't be using focus-recompose method on any lens really, especially if you want enlargements but even at screen resolution you can tell. critical focus vs non-critical = night and day.want more info on the comparison? check out this awesome shootout: www (DOT) photo (DOT) net/equipment/canon/ef50/
works well.  not as fast on the focus as I'd like, but then again it's not a $1700 lens either..
I have used the Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Prime Lens for several weeks and to sum up my reaction to it, all I have to say is that the lens has not left my camera since it arrived.  I am pleased with all aspects of the performance of this Canon lens.  It brought me back to the days when I used a fixed focal length lens with my first film SLR, an Exakta, from the 1950's.  I continue to be impressed with the fit and finish of the hardware, the AF system, and the glass.  I know that some reviewers have questioned the durability of this product, but I have not had the slightest indication that it will not go the distance.  As an aside, I was very impressed with the delivery time provided by the supplier Adorama.  One day after I ordered the lens, it arrived on my doorstep in perfect condition. Kudos to Adorama!
I am new to photography and wanted a better lens for my XSI because the kit lens performance wasn't any better than my Canon point-and-shoot.I spent a good deal of time reading reviews of lenses and it came down to the Cannon $100 F1.8 or the $350 F1.4. Finally I selected the F1.8 and when I received it I took 8 or 10 pictures and they were just great, better than I expected. So naturally, I immediatly ordered the F1.4 figuring that it must be better yet. A few days later I had both lenses in my hands and I started taking lots of pictures with one and then the other and then compared them side by side on my big 24" computer monitor. Zoomed in and out matching color, focus sharpness, and bokeh (background blur).Many of the F1.8 were sharper than the F1.4 but the F1.4 was a little better in indoor low light and of course bokeh. My conclusion was that they were about the same in overall picture quality but the F1.4 had much higher quality construction and the focus motor was much smoother and less noisy than the F1.8.If you can afford the extra money get the F1.4. However, if you just can't spend that much you will be very happy with the F1.8. Or, you can do what I did and by them both.I added two pictures to the F1.4 photo gallery of the same subject same F stop etc. with the F1.8 and F1.4 and I think you will agree that there is not much separation between the two lenses.
** Not for wide-open use **  Very, very poor wide-open **I purchased this lens to help take indoor basketball shots of my kids.  The courts are typically poorly lighted so a low f-stop is needed to stop the action.  I mounted this lens on my Canon D60 and went to the game ready for some great f1.4 action.  The shots we outrageously soft.  So soft every shot looked poor and out of focus.  Whether the kid was shooting a foul shot (not moving) or racing down the court (moving fast) the show was terrible.  After some research on this lens ( google Canon f1.4 wide open softness ) you'll see many people agree the f1.4 classification is more of marketing value than photo value.  Yes, I know all about narrow depth of field at low f-stops.You just can't use this lens for much below f/2.5.  So, why spend over $300 thinking you are buying some advantage for low light?Buy the cheaper, plastic f/1.8 lens for about $100 and spend the rest on a better lens with a more honest, cost effective f stop rating.Very disappointed with my purchase and Canon.This is a great site which sums up this lens' shortcomings -> [...]
I got this product from Amazon last week.  I have a Canon 30D with a good number of lenses, including several form the L series.  My favorite by far is the 24-70mm 2.8L, a great sharp lens that covers a very nice range that allows to go Ultra Wide or moderate zoom in addition to the standard range.  The 24-70 is one of the favorites of pros all around the globe.This is a much more affordable lens than the 24-70mm 2.8L (at less than $300 is a great deal vs the $1,300+ that you pay for L series glass). However, I decided to go to a couple of social gatherings with the 50mm installed on my 30D.  And let me tell you, I didn't miss the 24-70 at all.The 50mm 1.4 is very sharp and takes great pictures.  In social gatherings it allows you to shoot great portraits of people or small groups (for large groups you'd need a wider lens).  It is ultra fast to focus and can either work on a shallow DoF or with everything on focus nicely.  The lens is very light, so you can be at social gatherings without a huge intimidating glass (like the 24-70) and without torturing your neck.I highly recommend this for social occasions, portraits, shoothing kids and other family oriented shots.  I do not reccomend this to shoot buildings as you will need a wider lens.  For some group shots it can be a bit frustrating too as you have to move somehow far from the group, allowing room for people passing to interrupt.
I'll start by reiterating what other reviewers have said.  This lens is amazingly sharp and one of the fastest focal ratios in the Canon lens lineup.  Its metal mount and rugged construction make it well worth the added expense when compared to the f/1.8 version.  The effective 80mm focal length on D10, D20, and 300D cameras make it the perfect portraiture lens for people not willing to shell out for an old 50mm f/1.0L ($$$!).I do a fair amount of astrophotography and this is truly the test of optical quality for a lens.  Trying to resolve point sources of light on a black background will truly bring out any aberration and coma that are present.  With this in mind, I tested this lens on a star field and looked at stars in the corners of the frame while stepping up the focal ratio from f/1.4 to f/5.6 and found that it is more or less fully sharp by f/2.8.  Many lenses I use for astrophotography only get as fast as f/2.8 and I have to step them all the way down to f/5.6 to get rid of the aberration.  This lens can operate extremely fast and still be optically wonderful.  Most terrestrial photography won't need to worry about this, but you can rest assureed that your photos will be sharp as tacks from f/2.8 on up.
I haven't used it much yet but so far it feels and operates just fine. Pictures look very crisp and sharp which is what I was looking for.  I haven't had any of the problems that others have reported.
The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.4 lens is well built. Its metal mounting looks as it will hold up longer than some of their cheaper lens. Picture quality is very good used on a Canon T1i. Auto Focus is quick, and works well. Manual focus is smooth. Very happy with the lens overall
Okay, a lot of people spend way too much money for something and then justify it afterwards by telling how great their purchase was.  To tell you the truth I purchased the 50mm 1.4 believing the hoopla about the need for the extra heavy construction and extra light gathering of the 1.4, but it is not worth it.  I've had my one 50mm 1.8 for 12 years taking tens of thousands of photos with no problems-no haze, no noise, no repairs, and no dust inside the glass.  The 1.8 has always focused spot on and with great detail.  The 50mm 1.4 came back focusing which can be addressed in my 7D.  However I have never seen the need for 1.4 and at 1.8 the two are close enough and from 2.0 up I see no real difference.  If tens of thousands of shutter actuations with this one 50mm 1.8 isn't a workhorse over a 12 year span then I guess I don't have a heavy duty lens in my 1.8.  Save yourself the $250-$300 and buy the 1.8 instead of the 1.4. Buy the 85mm 1.8 or the 24-70mm 2.8 instead if you want a higher priced better lens.  Adorama has a review of these two lenses also that is good reading. I do like the bokeh a little better on the 1.4 though.
This little thing is AMAZING!  I get some of my very best pictures with this lens, the bokah or blur is just buttery and beautiful, it was everything I hoped it would be!
I got it for 40% here then my local best buy. It was in a good protective box. If you want to take great portrait shots this is the lens to get as other are more expensive and the kit lens is not that good.
This is currently my main lens I shoot with. I absolutely love the quality of this lens and the 1.4 aperture is fast enough for most low light situations. I upgraded to this lens from the 50mm 1.8 and couldn't be happier with that decision. The only thing to be aware of with this, as any prime lens, is you may have to work harder to get the shot you want. Because my last two camera bodies have had "crop" sensors, this 50mm lens goes from being 50mm zoom to feeling like 80 or 100mm. 8/10 times I go to shoot I've intuitively positioned myself closer to my subject than I'd like to be. It's great for getting intimate portraits, not so great for shooting kids for example. I'm ALWAYS having to back up to get the shot I want. Still, that's a personal preference and as far as quality (especially for the price) I have no complaints on this lens!
Overall the lens is amazing and worth it for anybody committed to photography but the lens does has its limits.  It's fantastic in low lighting and is a perfect lens for indoor photography.  Outdoors is where it has it's limitations.  If your doing night photography you can't go wrong but I would not suggest it for a walk around lens.  The fixed length limits your choices way too much.  I would suggest the 24-70 f2.8L for a walk around lens.  Most importantly the price is perfect for those who are looking for a great lens at a great price.  If you have kids make sure you get this lens.  Don't bother with the junk in the kit.
The lens itself provides beautiful photos, but the auto focus is not rugged at all since it broke after 3 months of very gentle use.  My camera bag fell from 1 foot high (completely closed and padded), and all of my other lenses were just fine.  This one, however, would never work again.I can't recommend it until they bring it up to the same rugged standards as their other lenses
I bought this after debating about the cheaper Canon version. Now that I have it and have used it, I am glad I got the more expensive lens. It's sharp and when compared to zoom lenses, it it really sharp. I saw the reviews on the cheaper Canon lens and after reading a few, I figured I should get this one. If you are debating, get this one, you won't be sorry.
I like the lens for one the price is great and I don't believe that I would benefit by having the F1.2 which is 3 times as expensive. This lens meets all my needs.
I purchased this lens by the reviews on Amazon already. I use this lens on a Canon XTI and it is everything the great reviews have said.Very fast, even in very low light.Extremely sharp, Great color.I have been very happy with this lens and would highly recommend it as a must have prime lens, you will not be disappointed.
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is a great lense.  I got some terrific pictures but am still learning to use it.
This was my first Canon SLR lens.  I now own several EF lenses and have also had some older manual focus SLR lenses as well.  This one probably has the worst build quality of them all, though image quality is definitely top notch.After the warranty expired auto-focus failed without warning, requiring an expensive repair.  Mind you I'm very careful with my equipment.  It was always kept in a Pelican case when not in use and never abused. This lens uses the so-called "micro-USM," which means the focus motor is attached with a cheap plastic gear, not part of barrel the way the ring-USM mechanism works.  It had to be replaced.The manual focus ring also feels very cheap.  You're better off going with the f/1.8 "plastic fantastic" unless you're willing to spring for the f/1.2L.If mine breaks again, I'm not going to bother replacing it.
This lens has amazing possibility and range of creative growth for any photo artist. My first impression was not that good since I was not getting good results on my first night shooting but them I realized that the automatic settings do not work for this type of lens or any other for that mater. You have to control things to get the max results you want. And we are not talking about focus since that is pretty good in all lighting conditions. Not as good as the 1.2 lens but way better then the sigma copy not that that is a bad lens its an improvement over my 70-200 tamron 2.8 lens. Most non canon lenses have a glitch in them. I think it is a glitch in the focal dot interference. For the sigma at some points the lens cannot lock in on one af point and keeps isolating between two af points for ever. This makes the lens go back and forth and not stop to lock on a focal point. This is a rair occasion but it is never the less present. This is sad for the lens has great optics. The canon has some problems focusing in low light conditions on white surface. I notice this when trying to take a shot of my bulletin board at home. The calendar print out on there gave a hard time for my camera. But fixed it by putting the af point on a larger black font on the print out. That gave it a chance to focus. The colors are amazing with the filters that you can buy for 100 on amazon. There is a filter kit that has all the needed filters made by polaroid. I got the 77mm ones with step down rings I can attach to any lens. Most of the L lenses come with 77 mm so that is why I chose that size. Only one lens surpass that size is the 82mm wide angle. As far as the af motor I can not comment on that yet. I only owned this lens for 5 days.
I bought it in 2002 and used it several times andkept it stored in a bag in a dry and cool place.It was well taken care of.In 2009 the AF just stopped working.It would not have surprised me if I had owned and if the AF would have diedon the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens...but on the Canon 50mm 1.4?I Donated it.I now use manual focus 50mm 1.4 lenses.I will never again pay so much for a Canon 50mm lens of any kind. It's notdurable and it's not reliable.The Canon 28-135mm did the same thing.Two very expensive lenses.One by one as they die on me, I'll be replacing my Canon equipment with something morereliable.
This lens does exactly what Ive read everywhere.  It takes awesome portraits.  It is a little pricey and that is exactly what I thought, however if you want to take really really good portraits out of the box this is your lens to do it with.  I am just starting out in photography and this makes almost every photo I take look like a pro shot it.
This lens is great. If you love your 50mm 1.8 this one is even better, it gives you the same picture quality (beautiful bokeh) plus an extra stop of light but what really makes this lens a great upgrade from the 1.8 is the USM focusing. The build quality is much better also, is not plastic like the 1.8
In five years I've gotten three autofocus kills on a 50/1.4, and another that was dying when it was stolen. Good news is they're simple to open up, so the AF fix is only $100ish, vs. almost $250 when the AF in my 24/1.4 packed it in.Is the 50/1.4 a huge step up from a consumer zoom? Absolutely, especially in low light!But it's another largish step beyond this veteran to "L" lens build quality, AF speed, quality control and wide-open resolution. Then again, for a grand+ more the "L" primes have a lot of price to live up to, this is a very useful lens for its modest cost.Especially if you're the type that's gentle to your equipment--if gear you bought 10 years ago is still EX++, you'll be fine; if everything you get ends up BGN- inside of six months, not so much.
Great lens! Fast focus! Outstanding in low light.  I have been wanting to get a 50mm lens for awhile and decided on this one, made the right choice.
I was convinced to purchase a 50mm and I won't ever go back! I wish I could have afforded the L series of this but this is seriously comparable!
I mostly use this lens for low-light and portrait, and it is amazing. For low-light, having a lens that's fast is a must, and this one can shoot concerts amazingly well. Boost the ISO and open the aperture and you'll have some amazing shots.What is really excels at, though, is portraits. The soft bokeh and quickness of the lens capture really amazing shots. It can be a bit soft when you use it at f/1.4-2.0, but even then when you nail critical focus it's amazing.The only downside is that when the aperture wide, it can be a bit difficult to notice where critical focus is. A combination of tweaking the focusing ring and using auto focus will get you there, though.
the latitude that the 1.4 aperture gives is absolutely top-notch. Obviously, the L-lens would be that much faster but considering the cost differential, Canon's 50mm 1.4 prime lens is a must-have for anyone wanting to take photography seriously.And for those of you walking around with a 24-70 or other zoom lens - you'll really love  the weight difference!Despite the fixed focal length, this could become your primary lens very quickly. And there is an added benefit - it will force you to get closer to your subjects. If you've been using your longer zooms to get away from getting up close and personal, you'll see an immediate improvement to your photos, particularly your portraits!
I purchased the 50mm f/1.4 through Amazon. Prior to buying, I did a considerable amount of research and recall reading comments that this was the favorite lens of many photographers. It has become my favorite as well.My primary questions at the time I bought were: 1) Do I need a 50mm since my zoom lens covers the 50mm focal range? 2) If I do need a 50mm, why not just by the f/1.8 at a fraction of the price?As to the first question, I don't "need" this lens unless I want to be able to take tack sharp photos in low light without using a flash. That's the capability it delivers. In my case, I like to photograph dogs and shooting a flash in their face just isn't the way to go so having this lens makes all the difference. In brighter lighting this lens delivers remarkably fast shutter speeds and gives me the option of shooting photos with beautiful bokeh. For those new to photography, that's the area in the photo that is out of focus.The second question is harder to answer because I have never owned the f/1.8. I've been pleased with Canon equipment so I assume it is a good quality product. The difference in speed is significant; the f/1.4 lets in nearly twice the light as f/1.8. One thing I've learned is you pay dearly for speed!The MTF data for both lenses is available on the Canon website and the Luminous Landscape website has a tutorial on how to read MTF data. I'm sure there are others but they use the 50mm f/1.4 MTF chart as the example so half your work is done for you.As for reliability, I haven't had a problem with the lens. However, any product can have problems so I always buy using my Amazon VISA which doubles the manufactures warranty at no cost. You don't have to do anything except keep your receipt. If you want more detail just call the 800 number on the card. They also sell extended warranties at a very low price. I don't buy them, however, because I figure if it works for 2 years its probably going to be fine.I've noticed that while the price of Cameras tends to decline but the price of a good lens tends to hold or go up. I could sell this lens used for more than I paid for it a couple of years ago. I'm not interested in selling however. This is the only f/1.4 lens I will ever be able to afford and the last lens I would consider selling. I love it!
A must have prime lens for any photo enthusiast! The focus is crystal clear and the bokeh is amazing! The sheer number of reviews of this piece of glass should be indicator enough of how good this lens is! It has a solid feel and carries nice weight to it. I've never held the 50mm 1.8 or the 50mm 1.2 but I imagine the build/weight is somewhere between the two.
This lens is great; perfect for low light, good auto-focus,and great build.  I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to shoot in low light and get crisp shots.
Like most other reviewers, I contemplated buying this lens for a long time.  For me the concern was with the fact that I had never owned a prime lens before and I was worried about being limited to the one fixed focal length...would I find myself wanting to pull one of my zooms out of the bag all of the time to get the shot?Now, after owning this lens for a couple months I can say that concern is gone and I find that this lens is attached to my Canon 50D more than any other lens I own.  This lens is simply amazing!I was also concerned about the APC sensor size "crop factor"...much has been made about that with regards to lens focal length.  I just don't see the concern with this lens.  The quality of shots that you can capture far outweigh the fact that this isn't a "true 50mm" on an APC sensor size digital camera.  I suppose I can see the point made by some people that this not a great indoor "walk around" lens (because this is essentially an 80mm lens on an APC sensor sized camera), but all you have to do is step back from your subject a bit and you are fine.  Also, the low light capabilities far exceed other any other similar lens which is a huge plus indoors.  A good photographer wants to "fill the frame" anyway.  I have loved this lens indoors.The depth of field this lens can achieve really opens up the creative possibilities.  However, I have found that the images lose some sharpness wide open at f1.4 and as a result I have resorted to shooting at f2.0 when I want to open it up.  I swear you could focus this lens on a pin head and I am amazed with the bokeh (background blur) produced.So far, the only negative I have is when I have switched the lens to manual focusing...I have had a hard time getting it to focus correctly.  In all honesty though that may just be me and my skill level right now.This is truly a must have lens for any photographer at any skill level.  Your creativity will soar and your shots will amaze...I promise!
The Nifty Fifty (Canon 1.8 50mm) is still a great buy considering the price, but you don't realize what you're missing until you step it up a notch.  The quality (build and optical) of the 1.4 is vastly superior.  You can even open this one up to 1.8 and it'll be better quality that what you can get out of the Nifty Fifty at any aperture.  It's a little soft at 1.4, but by f4 it's sharp as could be.  The focus ring, when coming from the Nifty Fifty, is a major selling point.  Wide enough for normal fingers and moves freely.  I didn't use my Nifty Fifty all that often, I find this lens on my camera quite frequently by now.  In fact, between this and my 100mm Macro, I hardly put my telephotos on anymore.  Next up, 85mm.
Many good and bad things have been said about this lens already, so I'll provide a narrative instead about my experiences with the 35L and 50 f/1.4.I wanted to improve my composition as a budding photographer, so I borrowed a 35L to use on my T3i crop for a week. I was quite impressed by its build quality and AF! The contrast, bokeh and IQ were excellent from f/2 upwards. Even at f/1.4 - f/2, the 35L on a 1.6x crop was acceptable for casual portraiture. I knew that the 35L was very versatile on a full frame body, so I bought a Canon 6D after a couple of months. At the time of the 6D purchase, I felt like the 35L was &#34;not worth the price&#34; and it was &#34;too old of a lens&#34; so I went ahead to try out the 50mm hoping that it would be &#34;just as good&#34; as the 35L.Wrong thought process!I'll admit, the 50mm certainly has good contrast and IQ from f/2 onwards. However, its build quality, bokeh and AF were certainly not on par with the 35L. Plus its IQ below f/2 was lackluster (hence 4 stars).What about the 50L? It felt great in store, but I already had a great experience with 35L on my 1.6x crop. Plus, my ambition was to shoot occasional night shots, group pictures, casual landscape, environmental portraiture and lifestyle in the near future - which the 35L excels at. I wasn't planning to shoot much at 80mm cropped much; I already had a 55-250mm EF-S on the T3i that covers the range for now.Although the 50mm is a spectacular lens, I bought the 35L in the end.There are two morals from this story for those who are on the fence between lens X and lens Y:Moral 1: If you're invested into photography, don't be afraid to shell money out for great lenses. They will last you a lifetime!Moral 2: Think hard about what you want to shoot in your journey - you'll be much happier in the end.
The images I have taken of my kids blow me way. They are bright and very sharp. The money is absolutely worth it. The kit lense is going to the trash bin. The difference in images is like day and night. You have to move around though to get everything in the picture. No wide shots. Excellent in dark areas even without flash
This lens definitely offers "L" quality pictures when the aperture is turned up to 2.8 and above. The quality peaks at 5.6F. Offers nice and beautiful bokeh (but not round). The construction is good, especially when compared to its 1.8 counterpart. Auto-focus is fast and very accurate.The Bad: Bokeh are not round. Not a great fan of purple halo in large aperture settingsQuick comparison to Sigma 50mm 1.4* Sigma controls the purple halo better* is too heavy* slower focus (probably twice slower)* very slightly better bokeh than canon* the quality of pictures are very similar* does it worth the extra 100 bucks? From my view - nope.Other lens to consider:* Canon 50mm 1.8 (cheap and good)* Cannon 50mm 2.5 macro (if you are into semi-macro)* Sigma 50mm 1.4 (Pricey)* Canon 50mm 1.2 (Too pricey, not worth the extra grand IMO)
I had intended to use this lens as a general-purpose lens with myXTi, but the conversion factor of the XTi makes this lens effectively 80mm, which is more of a telephoto.  The fact that it is f1.4 at its widest makes it a great indoor lens.  I can take photos in nearly any indoor lighting situation without flash.  It has very narrow depth of field at f1.4; you can see examples in the product images.  At 20 inches the depth of field is something like 1/2 inch.The construction is sturdy.  I appreciate the built-in focus meter, since I like to shoot at night and it has a good infinity reference.  The full-time manual focusing is very useful as well, since the depth-of-field is so narrow.  If you're trying to get eyes into focus it's invaluable.
Guess most people know how good this lens is. The only cons I see -1. hunts a bit in low light to achieve focus.2. The manual focus ring is kinda rough - but this is in comparison with some of my other lenses - a coupla L lenses and the EF 100mm f/2.8 - all of them have a smoother focus ring.But the images make up for these shortcomings. Overall - I think a good buy.
This is the best canon 50mm f1.4 available for portrait photography to very low light shooting. I used in crop camera worked beautifully.
I purchased this as an upgrade to my 50mm 1.8. It takes super sharp images even with my old digital rebel.
I got this lens for Christmas. I bought the 1.8 when I was just getting into photography, mostly because I didn't want to shell out a bunch of money for equipment I may or may not get into. But, I did. Soon enough, I realized the 1.8 wasn't the performer I needed. Was happy to get this for Christmas, already did some engagement photos with it, and they're lightyears better than they would have been with my 1.8. The focus on the 1.4 is just so much better! I haven't had it very long, and if my feelings change, I will update my review.
I had just used the kit lens that came with my dSLR and I was often frustrated by either having blurry shots or having to use the harsh flash. I wish I would have had this before the birth of my first son so I could have gotten non-blurry delivery room photos. I won't make that mistake for our second child!I bought this lens about 9 months ago and it hasn't left my camera since. It's fixed focus, so you've got to do some moving around to get the right shot ("zoom with your feet!!!"), but once you're in position, you *will* get the right shot. The lens is super fast so you can capture amazing action outside or take some great low light shots indoors. I don't think I've used the flash more than a dozen times in the thousands of photos I've taken since I bought it.If you've got a dSLR, you have to get this lens or at least the f/1.8. Our fancy cameras are just being wasted with the f/3.5 lenses Canon includes in the kits.
Very poor quality. It died on me twice, each time on an exotic trip - horribly disappointing! Both auto and manual focus stopped functioning. Canon fixed it for free the first time, the second time it was no longer covered by warranty. I probably took just 300-400 shots with it total! It appears that a lot of Canon products - unless you buy the most expensive ones - are having quality problems. (My lens was made in Japan, BTW). The Toyota syndrome? Would like to buy it again, hoping that I may be be lucky this time - but do I want to risk spending over $300 just to see it die somewhere in Burma or Borneo while getting ready for one of those on-my-god shots, which is exactly what happened to me TWICE?
I ordered this lens for my Canon 60D. I have shot with this lens in very dark rooms, near dusk with no inside lighting. No flash, handheld and the pictures are amazingly bright and sharp. I love this lens! I also own the f1.8 version (~$120.00) and this lens blows it away in terms of build quality. It's solid and I love the feel of the metal body and construction. The f1.8 version is very lightweight and flimsy feeling (all plastic) although equally impressive in low light. For portraits, the f1.4 has incredible bokeh, much better than the f1.8 version. I have a feeling this lens will be on my 60D alot! Can't wait for my upcoming vacation! Is this lens worth the current $400 price tag? ABSOLUTELY without a doubt.Oh! Please remember, if you are going to use a filter for protection or whatever reason, it accepts a 58mm filter. PLEASE do not buy the cheapo Tiffen or equivalent filter. You risk ruining your pictures. I recommend B&W;, Hoya, or Heliopan.This lens DOES have full-time manual focusing which is fantastic! So, if you have it set to auto-focus, you can still safely turn the focus ring to fine-tune your shot without damaging anything.It does NOT come with a bag or hood. Just FYI.
I got this lens with my new Canon 7D. I love the pictures it takes. Perfect portraits even in low light.It's a quick focus and a very useful focal length for individual shots of people. The 7D is not a full-frame camera though so this is too tight for my original purpose (I want to take pictures of groups of friends at parties and not have to use a flash). This would be GREAT on a full-frame camera, but on a crop frame camera it acts like an 80mm lens... far too close for my applications. I'm going to have to get the 35mm 1.4L to do what I want.For the price, you simply cannot beat this lens. It takes beautiful pictures that are crisp and brilliantly colored even in low light.It has a fast focus so pictures of children and animals who don't like to stand around waiting can be snapped super fast and crystal clear.
This was my first lens purchase. I bought a 60D, body only, and decided this was the perfect lens for photographing my toddler. I'm so happy I went with this lens. My wife is constantly amazed at the shots I get. I borrowed a friends kit lens (18-55mm) to compare and the difference is unbelievable. Shooting with the 50mm makes me look like a professional photographer (at least, to my untrained friends).The only con is that, in tight spaces, it can be very frustrating on our cropped frame cameras. It can be very difficult to capture the scene without backing up quite a bit. But getting such a wide aperture on a lens with a shorter focal length gets really expensive. So, I don't regret this lens purchase as a great starter lensI highly recommend this lens. Especially if you're interested in easy and amazing portraits.
Good build quality, great image quality.Could have more metal in the construction of the lens, could be weather sealed (but that would of course cost a lot more).
Disclaimer: I am strictly a hobbyist, and a broke one at that. As much as I would love to dish out all of my money on L-lenses to get the best pictures of events and my family, I have to budget wisely.With that being said, I started off like most with theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensabout a year ago. I held this lens near and dear to my heart because you can't have more fun nor have a better performing lens for $100. It pretty much always stayed mounted unless I needed the IS or wide angle from my 18-55mm kit lens.I finally convinced my wife to let me sell theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensto help fund theCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. This thing is SHARP and FAST! You can of course expect softness when wide open at f/1.4 (and great bokeh!), but at f/2 and above, the lens is still fast enough in low light and is sharp as a tack.Compared to theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, you get a few noticeable pros:1) f/1.4 (of course!) - Faster and lets in more light (bokehlicious!)2) Better build quality all around - metal mount, weightier (ie. heavier in a good way)3) A legitimate focus ring4) USM - faster focusing and allows for full-time manual focusingCons?1) Apparently some people have had trouble with bad copies. Mine works fine!2) 3x the price of the 50mm f/1.8If you can afford it, go for it. You won't be disappointed.
Nicer than my 1.8 but think I should have bought a macro b/c I like getting up close.  Awesome aperatures though, very shallow depth of field!
I was on the fence for months, deciding between this f/1.4 lens and the Canon f/1.8. I ultimately decided I'd go with this one, both for the reputation of the superior build quality and the focus gauge.Currently, it's my favorite lens in my kit as it takes the most wonderful pictures even in low light. Unfortunately though, it's not ideal for most situations with the 1.6x crop sensor bodies. Most of the time when I've gone out with just this lens on my camera, I find myself backed up into a wall just to get medium shot of someone or something across the room. I am now inspired to pick up a full-frame sensor body just to take advantage of the awesomeness that is this lens.Yes, I think there just might be a 5D Mark II in my future (can you IMAGINE using this lens for HD VIDEO? Oh man)...If you're looking for a great comparably priced portrait lens on a crop sensor body, check out the Sigma 30mm 1.4... I've used it and it's also a very good, very sharp, very fast lens... and wide enough to get great portrait framing from a few feet away.
I totally love the lens.  It has been reliable for the past year.  Canon has pretty much admitted that their lenses have focusing problems... That's why the D50 camera body now has memory auto focus adjustment so you can adjust the autofocus and have the camera remember the lens to automatically adjust the focus.Actually though, my lens always focused perfectly.  The color and clarity are superb.  You can't beat a prime lens (no zoom) for picture quality.  This 50mm lens is not suitable for candid photography around the house if you are shooting a Rebel or any other camera with the smaller sensor area because of the "crop factor" associated with the smaller sensors- you can't get far enough away to frame a good shot.  But for posed portraits and macro, I'm totally satisfied with this lens.  Hopefully I will not fall victim to the build quality problems that other reviewers have noted.  It seems to be quite sturdy enough to me.
Excellent material, definitely a big step from other regular lenses (i.e. 18-55mm) . I just loved the 1.4 f. Excellent choice :)
I'm using this wonderful lens with a 5D mk2. It makes wonderful bokeh and is very sharp even wide open. Great lens for general outdoor shooting, it's small and light so you can always have it with you. This is the lens that every photographer should have in his collection. You can see a little distortion and vignette but it's easy to correct in post processing (one click in LR for example). LOVING THIS LENS!!!
Pros: 1.4 Aperture- Shallow DOF (Depth of Field) = great background blur- Low LightUSM (Ultra-sonic focus Motor)- Fast and good AF- Micro-Motor USM is inferior to Ring USM, but it's still goodFTM (Full-Time Manual Focus)- So you manually adjust focus even when AF is enabled.Cons: IS (Image Stabilization) would be nice, but I haven't seen any lens this fast (F/1.4) with IS.Focus is not internal, so the front actually moves in and out with focus.Some CA (purple or green) definitely noticeable on test charts (but not in my real images)Other Thoughts: I recommend buying the Canon hood with this lens and also a quality filter like Hoya or B&W.;This will extend the length of the lens by a little, and allow you to stabilize the lens by holding the hood against your hand.More importantly, it will prevent you from inadvertently interfering with the focusing element in front as it moves in and out.The shallow DOF is stunning. No point-and shoot I've seen can deliver this, BTW. You can easily create some pretty cool effects with this.I much prefer having IS, which allows you to use a slower shutter because of the IS of course, and IS would be nice.However, although I do have other lenses that have IS, that only works up to a point. In a dimly-lit restaurant, for example, my excellent EF-S 15-85 zoom lens could not go faster than F/5.0 at 50 mm, and there was no shutter speed that could give me a clear hand-held shot. But with this lens I was able to shoot at F/1.4 at 1/15 of
If your a professional photographer or a filmaker with a dslr.  AMAZING describes this lens! I got my lens in one week. amazing picture quality.. for any review that said they suck well theyre wrong because either they got a faulty lens, their camera sucks or they just plain dont know how to use this lens.  so i'll say it again AMAZING LENS!!!
Canon is simply the best. I didn't buy this for me because I have a Samsung NX 20. I bought this for a cousin of mine who owns a Canon Rebel t2i, and he showed the shots he made with it, and I can tell you they were amazing. Great, go for it..
I've been using this lens on an APS-C body (7D) for a year now.  This lens has been reviewed rather extensively, so I'll try to keep this short and make a few points I think are valuable.First, f/1.4.  It's awfully nice to have a lens this fast, whether it be for depth of field or shooting in low light.  It's worth mentioning that if you're planning on using this lens to shoot indoors at extremely wide apertures, you should be aware that although you may get the shutter speeds you desire, you're going to have to work very hard to nail the focus, especially with moving subjects.  f/1.4-2.8 or so produce extremely shallow depths of field, and getting it right is not a walk in the park.  This isn't a fault of the lens.  You should simply be prepared for what it means to shoot at these apertures.  (I get the feeling a lot of folks buy this lens to shoot people with indoors without a flash, and it's no cakewalk.)  Also note that the lens is pretty soft wide open, is good by f/2 and is pretty much a tack by f/2.8 and above.Second, the auto-focus.  In low light at wide apertures the AF on this lens isn't great.  It hunts quite a bit and takes some time to acquire focus.  This is probably partly because the DoF is so shallow, but I feel it's also partly a shortcoming of the lens itself.  If you put a protective filter on this lens make sure to get a good quality multi-coated one.  I noticed that the already spotty low light AF is worse with a cheap filter.Third, build quality.  This lens is about par for the course for Canon non-L lenses.  The overall build quality is good.  I wish the front element didn't telescope with focus, and the AF ring feels fairly cheap in comparison to, for instance, the EF 28mm f/1.8 or the EF 20mm f/2.8.  Overall it's OK though, and nothing to be particularly concerned about.Finally, the functionality of this lens.  I cannot comment on performance on full frame bodies, but people looking for the "nifty-fifty" field of view on an APS-C lens really need to take into consideration the 1.6 crop factor.  This lens is essentially an 80mm lens on an APS-C body, which puts it into telephoto territory.  Keep this in mind if you're planning on using it indoors, as you may not be able to get wide enough.  An excellent solution to this problem is the EF 28mm f/1.8, which is similar in size and weight and also is a fast lens.  The 28mm becomes a 45mm on an APS-C body, putting it closer to the traditional 50mm field of view.  On the flip-side, this lens becomes an excellent length for portraiture on an APS-C body.  So if you're shooting on an APS-C body consider what you really want to use this lens for, and then decide if 50mm is still the right focal length for you.Overall a nice lens.  AF is OK, not great, as is build quality, but considering the image quality and price point there's nothing here that should really turn you off.  If the focal length works for you, go for it.  And keep in mind you're going to have to put in some work to get results at f/1.4!edit 6/25/12:  just a quick note - since writing this review i've moved to a full frame body, and this lens has really come into its own.  it's fantastic on a full frame, just an absolute tack.  i love it.  build quality still leaves something to be desired :)
Hello,I had the nifty fifty (50mm F1.8) for a long time, didn't really get a reason to upgrade until one day, on impulse just got this ... don't regret it for a second.This this is awesome, it's focuses way better, faster.I has great quality, great colors and really really pretty bokeh (after all that's what you get this for).Highly recommended ... just get it, it'll put a smile on your face.Cheers.
After researching this lense, I quickly decided to acquire it.I must say I have a regret..........That I did not grab it a LONG time ago!!I've had the 50 for a couple months now,and it has not parted ways from my cam body at all..and after a rather large event this past weekend, where I was shooting w two cams, one w the 50 sans flash, & one w a 28-135 tele w' flash....I ended up ditching most of the flashed pics,but am busily cranking out large prints of 3/4 of the pics acquired with the 50..................Something to think about while reading thru info/reviews..... I come across statements sprinkled thru-out various forums about people raving about their kit lense is good enough and look at the pictures they got with them,... and why anyone would ever spring for expensive glass is beyond their comprehension....A little comparison.Carpenter Joe builds houses w a $10 wood-handled hammer,a 12 inch ruler, and a shovel.Carpenter Jim builds houses w a $50 composite hammer, a measuring tape and a power augerCarpenter John builds houses w a $200 air powered hammer,a laser level, and a backhoe.Their houses all get built,,,but I'll leave you to decide who's house is finished first, with straighter floors,ectect...Tools may not make you a better carpenter  ( or photographer ) but they sure can help!!!....And really,,anyone who has ever built something with a hammer that sends shock waves thru their hand w' each blow, and the head falls off after every 20 nails..vs the person using a airgun...one of those folks is going to enjoy their work a WHOLE lot more,,and that always helps improve workmanship and quality,,would'nt you think ?Cheers~Julius Kuziemski
I returned this lens.  It just will not take a good picture without a tripod.  Just about every picture we took was blurred.  I do not like using a tripod with action pictures.  I am glad we returned it.
I mainly purchased this lens to use for video.  I have the 70D, which is known for good auto-focus when shooting video, but this lens is just too jerky when auto-focusing while shooting video and it has a hard time locking in focus, especially when you've got a very shallow Depth of Field.When shooting stills, it does a great job.  Works wonderfully in low light and is able to give you a really nice, soft background when shooting portraits.Wish it had image stabilization, but for the price I can understand why it doesn't.
Many people may already realize this, but I'm sure some other entry level DSLR owners have forgotten that their camera's sensor size effectively make this an 80mm lense. With an APS-C sized sensor you can still get the superb image quality and bokeh that full frame sensors get, but the cropped sensor means you will have to be about 35 feet away to capture the full body of a standing adult.
I couldn't decide between the 55 mm and 85 mm lens.  I wish I had gone with the 85 mm lense.  It definitely has more bang for your buck.  Good quality, good service.
Purchased the product and tested it intensively.  With flash, photos have pretty good focus but without flash none of the photos were in focus.  The "bokeh" is good but paying so much on top of my 18-135mm 3.5-5.5 was not much different if yoy know how to take your shots. In short, this is not worth the money.
great lensvery sturdy and awesome picturesyou would not be disappointed at all with this product.love the lens
this is really fast. Very quick in focusing.excellent photos in dark.handyI love this lens.I found this very good in portrait photography
I've owned the Canon f1.8 (MKI original) in the past and like many people, the f1.4 lens feels more rugged, sturdier and of course has much softer bokeh that's pleasing to view.  Canon's entry level f1.8 is sharp but the focus wasn't always spot on and one light drop caused the body to crack years ago.  I ended up shipping it back to Canon which they warrantied the damage for free of charge (and very fast service).  People may question why they should spend a little more for the f1.4 but after you shoot with one you'll understand why!Pro's:- Very sharp especially at around f2.0-f2.2- Rugged unlike the 50mm f1.8 version- Quiet AF motor- Compact- Smoother bokeh than the f1.8- Can shoot in low light without using a flashCon's:- Sometimes at widest aperture AF tends to hunt- Is not f1.2L but not a deal breakerI hear people talk all the time that shooting f1.4 isn't as sharp or it's a hit or miss.  But if you go back to the basic lesson on DOF (depth of field), the distance between the camera and the subject you're trying to focus could become out of focus by a change of 0.01 feet.  That's all it would take for someone shooting 2ft from the subject to have what looks like a blurry image with this lens.  With portrait I would try stopping down to f2.0-f2.2 to still get a beautiful bokeh but keep the eyes in focus for head shot portrait.  Of course if f1.4-f1.6 is a must either hold those hands steady or use a tripod/monopod.Now speaking of bokeh it's GORGEOUS.  It'll make you smile and perhaps squirm like a little high school girl.  The bokeh compared to the f1.8 model is a night and day difference.  Because of the 8-blade design on the f1.4 versus the 5-blade design on the f1.8 model, the bokeh is smoother and blends the background nicely on the f1.4 putting better focus on the subject.Sure, there's the f1.2L with an enormous glass and makes you look pro but you honestly won't be disappointed with this lens.  I've read too many complaints of not-so-sharp results with the f1.2L.Shooting at dusk even indoors is amazing.  During the day outside, I find myself using ISO 100 often and even considered getting ND filter for sunset/sunrise.  You can easily shoot 1/8000 sec during the day to really freeze and capture say a water fountain.  The lens is pretty much on my camera 95% of the time now unless I'm doing wide angle shots.*** Note on Crop Body ***If you're debating whether to get this between the 50mm or the 85mm f1.8 then personally with my x1.6 crop body 50mm is perfect.  If I had a full frame body of course then I would choose the 85mm.  A head shot & above the waist shots are perfect without having to stand back so far.  But don't expect to do a full body shot with the 50mm on x1.6 crop in a small room.  Even with my daughter who stands at four feet, I had to step back at least 12' shooting outside just to get her in frame.  Not something you want to attempt in a house without backing into a wall.In either case, buy it, enjoy it and see the difference!  Much better than the bokeh seen with the f1.8 for design reasons too.  And at night, it makes it even better as you can shoot with ambient light if there's enough versus having a lens with maximum aperture of f2.8.  Don't quibble over the price.  If you've been shooting and understand basic photography the f1.4 will only enhance your photos and experience.  It really is worth the extra $250+ over the f1.8!
Perfect lens for the newbie. I learned so much about photography from this lens. It was the first one I purchased for my 7d. I started because I just wanted to take great photos of my baby growing up and ended up getting paid for amateur sessions many times. Which led to my word of mouth business. :)
GREAT lens !  I can't say enough ! The pictures are great even in low light.I put 3 stars under economical because of it's price.  The 50mm f/1.8 is halfthe cost.  But I love the extra stops, really comes in handy.
This lens has taken my photography to a new level.  It's versatile and great quality. I wish I had started out with this lens and saved myself a lot of money along the way. This lens belongs in every photographer's collection.
Seemed to back focus on my 5D3. I didn't get an acceptably sharp picture until around f/4. I sent it back.
I really enjoy portrait photography, so this is a great lens for my t4i. I borrowed my friend's 50mm 1.8 before purchasing this and the difference in quality is well worth the extra money in my opinion.
This is like the Beatle's White Album of lenses.  Excellent picture quality.  Everyone probably should have one of these in his/her collection.
I have used this lens for a few months now and I really like it. I can't imagine a situation where I would need an aperture more than 1.4, but I am not a pro photographer.
Getting into photography, it's easy to see that a 1.4 aperature blows away the kit lens.  We use this for family photos and portraits and you gain almost 2 stops from the stock lens.  This is our new goto lens on our canon T4i.  The construction of this lens is significantly better than its f/1.8 counterpart (it's made of metal vs plastic).  I'm absolutely sure this will last for the next few cameras
I have a Canon Rebel XS and this lens is just amazing. I really wanted to be able to take pictures with the blurred background (bokeh) and this lens was the key. My children have never looked so adorable. I'm not a professional by any means. I just want to be able to take good quality family photos so I wasn't paying a photographer big bucks. This lens has given me that ability and at a really amazing price. Great purchase for an amateur.
I purchased this lens via B&H since they had a much better price at the time ($399 -$100 instant savings plus no tax and free shipping).  Total price to the dorr $299.  I had previously purchased the f1.8 versin of this lens and wasn't really impressed.  This lens and its sister lens are definitely not cut from the same cloth.  The f1.4 lens is crystal clear and works well  for low light shots as seen in the picture I uploaded of my dog staring at the Christmas tree.  All lights in the house were off -only the tree lights were on.  This lens produces great bokeh effortlessly.  Any professional or amateur photographer should have this lens in their kit!
Pros:-great bokeh-coloring is awesome-clear focal points-decent price-quiet and fast motorCons:-tempermental focusing systemI originally purchased the cheaper 50mm f/1.8. I regret that big time. This one is worth the $200 extra. It's awesome in low light and with portraiture. It really allows the photographer to picture the world as he sees it. The motor is quiet. The first lens I bought was loud and had trouble focusing on auto mode. This one is still a little finicky with focusing. You have to be sure of exactly the spot you want focused. It won't just auto focus in general. I believe that is just a feature of the large aperture. I personally love the fact that I can focus on one spot and lose the rest of the background in milky, iridescent bokeh. I believe this is a strong lens for details rather than a broad focus. Well worth the $300.
THis lens is great. I had the 50mm that was made of plastic and could only open up to 1.8 but with this lens being able to open up to 1.4 is awesome. The shots are fantastic and the motor is great in Auto Focus, but i find it works better for me to use it in manual. I like that the focus ring is in the middle of the lens. My other 50mm was at the end of the lens and I sometimes caught part of my hand in some shots. The focusing is very smooth, and the lens has good weight to it. It doesn't feel cheap, very solid. It is a great lens to use in low-light conditions, and I have been VERY happy with almost all the shots that I have taken from this lens. I don't regret purchasing, I highly recommend it!!!...
After reading a number of on-line reviews, I bought this lens a few weeks ago straightly for its low-light photography capability.What I have gotten is a little more than I have bargained for.  The pictures it produces have made a casual hobbyist like myself look like a pro, at least in the admiring eyes of unsuspecting acquaintances.  Now only if I have the heart to mumble-jumble a few far-fetched jargons, I might have a new packing order firmly in place.  When paired with my Rebel XTi, the 80mm effective focal length and wide apertures make it an ideal portrait lens.  It is also compact, light-weigh and solidly built, has fast and acurate auto-focus, and most importantly, has superb optical qualities.  The best part is I have gotten these without breaking the bank nor does it break my neck hauling it around.However, despite its low-light capability, the very attributes that make this lens outstanding for portraits, i.e., narrow angle of view and shallow depth of field at wide apertures, make it an odd choice for in-door group photos.  Also if you are taking action shots, the 80mm focal length may not be long enough to provide a safe distance to avoid mishaps.  Instead of being a distal observer, I have found myself an unwilling participant in the middle of the action ducking the camera from the ever-curious tongues of my Golden Retriever and her playmates.  No wonder zoom lenses are so popular.What else is there not to like about this lens?  Not much unless you are a proud owner of one mammoth of an expensive L prime lens.  Well, it does come with a free hood and that wonderful soft leather pouch, doesn't it?
Best lens I've got for my camera!! Love it for the price I paid!! Helped me understand the physics of photography and made me a better photographer!!
This 50mm is amazing. I truly love it. I debated a long time between the 1.8 and the 1.4. In the end, I figured I'd never replace it again so get the 1.4. I love it - the images it makes are staggering. Still - it's pricy compared to the 1.8 - but not to L series lenses. I think it's worth it. I read online it had barrel distortion wide open - and it does if you really study the image - but that's perfectly OK with me for the 1.4 shallow depth of field. Normal people will never see that at all. One drawback you may not think of is that beautiful wide open 1.4 aperture is not available to you if there is much light. It's so fast it's easy to overexpose - even with 1/4000th of a second shutter. It takes awesome portraits - awesome landscapes. This is a must have lens in every EOS owner's bag. Don't get the 1.8 and wish you got this one. Get this one and start taking great photos.
This lens is another one in my cache of Primes. I love the wide angle I get with this lens. Specially on my 5D Mark II. I can really exploit the wide angles with this lens. Pictures are sharp, its fast, lighweight and absolutely clear. Its light comparison to 85mm 1.8 but excellent for all my outdoor photography. A must buy.
This is a very sharp lens above f2.8.  the focus is quick and accurate as well as silent.  Great bang for the buck lens and is sharp in the corners unlike some competing brands.  At 1.4-1.8 its a little soft but it clears up around 2.0. By f4 its amazingly sharp.Please note that this lens has a Micro USM and is more delicate that other canon lenses.  Its best to move the lens to infinity focus while being stored.  I haven't had any durability issues but I have read this is a very delicate lens.
I currently own two lenses for my 40D. This an a $1200 Canon 24-70 f2.8L.  This lens by far gets more use for me.  I like the compact size and I am very happy with the image quality.  The 24-70 has proved too large, heavy and imposing for my main style of casual shooting.  I am very happy with my purchase, and this lens has opened me up to the joy of prime lenses.  I am a casual hobbyist still in the learning phase and I found that being preoccupied with the constant zooming on the 24-70 distracted me from concentrating on using my other camera settings correctly. I ended up with leaving it on auto settings all the time and was never happy with my photos.  Taking the zoom distraction out of the equation is really helping me learn to focus on my exposure, f-stops, ISO and other important features.  I think it's also helping me slow my whole process down and think more about composing my shots since I am doing the work of moving around instead of the zoom doing it for me.  This has turned out to be a great learning lens but I think it also produces great quality images.  I don't see a huge difference between the photos taken with this vs. the $1200 lens!  I'm not saying the L isn't worth it, but if you are still learning and/or don't have a huge budget, this is a great lens.I also love the 1.4 - it's great for indoor shooting with low lighting.  I get shots with this that I couldn't with the $1200 2.8.One note that everybody already mentioned but that I didn't truly listen to and absorb before buying is the crop factor.  On the 40d crop body, this lens really can sometimes be a little tight.  It does get limiting sometimes.**Update 8/13/13**  after using this lens for a while on my crop sensor 40D, I have decided that it is just too tight to be practical/useful as one of my main lenses.  There are far too many situations (especially during indoor shooting around the house) where I find myself frustrated that I am unable to get everything/everyone in the frame.  I am going to trade up to a 85mm 1.4L which seems to be a better focal length for my crop sensor camera - it will be closer to what my eye sees so hopefully I can get everything in the frame!  I am just a casual shooter, not a professional and just like fun shooting with friends/family but I want good quality photos at the end of the day.  As I mentioned, I was happy with the quality of the images (color, bokeh) especially for the price.  But if I am ending up frustrated every time I attempt to use the lens and not being able to frame the pictures the way I want then it's useless.  For someone like me who does mostly casual indoor portraits/family/pet photos, this lens would probably only be useful for the long run as one of your main lenses if you had a full frame camera. I dropped my rating from 4 to 3 stars because the lens is good but does not work for me.
I got an Rebel a few years ago with a Pentax variable zoom lens 85-200 of 3.5-5.6 and was happy.  However I didn't know all the wonders I was missing out on!  After taking a class I found out what my camera could really do and what things like aperture really meant.  This lens was recommended and after receiving it all I can say is wow!  Really I think one of these or at least the 50mm 1.8 should be in everyone's camera bag.  You can take great pics in lower lighting, subjects are very well defined, and edges are crisp.I'd recommend this lens to anyone who wants a good point and shoot lens for just about anything.  I thought I'd miss the zoom but with how good things look I don't miss a thing.  This is now my daily carry lens and the other sits in the bag.  Well built lens that produces great pictures, and you have a lot of choices on how to take your pics.
I have used the old lens for years and this lens puts it to shame, my next lens will be the Canon 28-135 IS 11, cant wait and well worth the price.
At 1.4 this lens is really tricky to get the plane of focus right where you want it.  It's helped me learn to move around my subjects more instead of relying on my zoom to get in and out.  It's more expensive than the $79 2.0 50mm, but it's a lot more solid and should last a long time.
What can I say? This lens is like a stable in most videographers camera bag. It gives great image quality, nice color, nice sharpness, great bokeh, small, light-weight. Honestly there's nothing not to like. You need this lens in your bag!
The lens really makes all the difference in the world when it comes to photography. I shoot with a T5i and love the picture quality when using this lens. The only drawback is the fact that it is a prime lens. It's great for protrait shots and closeups but for most general users, the use of this lens will be light.
I used to have the 50mm 1.8 and sold it before as it makes so much noice and hunts so much for auto focus back and forth on the low light. Months later, I was able to get the 1.4 and it blows the 1.8 away from it's quality build. USM feature on this lens is great, and it make the photo sharper when using it rather than using it in manual focus. I use it on my full frame for portrait and group shots indoors. I would only recommend this focal length outdoors for group shots on a crop as it is very long. The compression and the bokeh is amazing on this wide open compares to 1.8. If you are just starting up, and if you have the funds, go for at least the 1.4. If not, and you want to experience primes and this focal lenght, then you can do the 1.8. One thing I can say though, 1.4's build is very sturdy that 1.8 which seems like a toy when you hold it. Good Luck!
This is a great all around lens, great for doing boku in photo backgrounds. Also a good portrait lense and the build quality is awesome. People complain about the weight but I don't see any problem with it.
I received the lens yesterday. I spent a few hours testing and calibrating AF microadjustment on 5DMkII. It never gave me acceptable level of focus/sharpness at f4 or below. Throughout the whole aperture range, the images are much softer than my 24-105 f4L in side-by-side comparison. I did not like the color as much as any of the lenses I have. Overall, the images I get from this particular lens were disappointing.I believe I received a bad copy, because a prime lens cannot be this bad and I have seen very nice results by other reviewers. I wanted to exchange with another copy but Amazon did not gave me the option as the product was "being reviewed" and temporarily unavailable at Amazon. I do not know what it means, but it makes me wonder. I give a 3-stars (neutral) as I believe I received a bad copy and the return process has been easy so far. If I were to evaluate the particular copy I received, I would have to give a 1-star.
This lens takes beautiful pictures!  Images look clean and bokeh is soft and buttery.  Well built for the money.  I'm thoroughly satisfied with my purchase.
i'm not giving this item 1 star because it is not a bad item, but since it was impossible to leave feedback for Adorama I'm leaving it here.Canon EF 50mm f1.4 feedback: ***1. it takes good shots - it's a 1.4 lens after all - not bad2. many people say that this lens doesn't feel cheap compared to other lens, but it's not true - it feels very light and cheap to me3. the focusing ring is very loose - hard to believe you'd be counting on it to focus withAdorama feedback: *1. it shipped with a 10-day delay when was marked as "In stock" when I ordered it2. it came completely off focus - 12 inches away from where I'm aiming3. no option to leave Sellers Feedback anywhere4. no option for replacement - it's good I can return it thougha similar thing happened with my 85mm prime lense i got from amazon/adorama - it came off focus, i replaced it and the new one came off focus as well - go figure. and no - it's not my camera - tested on 30D, 50D and 7D.
This is a great lens - perfect for close shots and it really pulls a lot of light into the picture.  It's been great for pictures of our new son.
Dont use it alot after bought it. But after a few shoots. It gave me a clear and bright color a want for a portrait. The focus is perfect. Give me true colors even though My camera is not a highend one
I am absolutely smitten with this lens!!So glad that I took the plunge with this, even though I had never tried a lens such as this before. I currently use a Canon Rebel xs and intend to upgrade the body significantly in the near future, which is why I went with this lens that can be used on both the Rebel xs and whichever full frame I decide to upgrade to. A bit of a learning curve with the 'focus with your feet' bit, but I am simply amazed at the improvement in portrait and low-light shots. I wore the camera/lens all night at a concert and it wasn't uncomfortable or too heavy.Definitely will be using this lens daily! Will post some of my first shots in customer images.
I'm a photography hobbyist, and this has been on my wish list since FOREVER. I decided to get it because I felt I was ready for a more professional lens. I used a 50mm 1.8 for a while and it was good - but this one is definitely a step up. Everyone has commented that my photos look even better than before! I use a little Canon T2i (I'm a small girl, all the big cameras are too heavy!!)Because I'm a musician, most of the shots I take are of musician friends performing or for their headshots/group shots. This lens really does it. Works well in low light and has beautiful bokeh effects! Definitely one of my best investments yet.
Great lens for portraiture and landscape photography. I love the autofocus and manual focus options, and I've been taking photographs in lighting situations that would deliver darker photos with another lens. Definitely a lens worth purchasing.
The lens itself, when it works, is great.  May still seem a little slow focusing in low light but it generally does a good job.  However, about 9 months into using the lens, I was at a wedding and noticed that it was no longer focusing reliably; all of my photos were coming out blurry, and it was clearly the fault of the focusing mechanism rather than any movement on my part.  The only solution was to try and try again to focus at the wedding.  So I've sent this in for repair -- unfortunately although the problem developed under warranty, I was delayed in sending it out and so I'm being charged $133 for the repair -- but I thought that others would appreciate knowing that it required repair less than a year in.  This is also my second Canon lens repair -- the first was with an 85mm lens where the focusing mechanism would get stuck and I'd have to fully rotate out the manual focus strip.  Is there something unreliable about Canon's focusing mechanism, since two of my three prime lenses from Canon have had focus issues?
The Canon 50mm 1.4 was my first "real" lens. It was the first lens I used with my Canon 5D Mark II, and the lens on which I discovered how aperture can open up a whole new world. I would HIGHLY recommend this lens for anyone looking for a GOOD starter lens. However, I did notice a few downsides in my time (1+ years, almost daily) using it at weddings, portraits, and daily life.- It has trouble focusing in low light situations. Don't even THINK about using any AF point but the center point in a low light situation, and even then, you can only hope for an image will be close to "spot on" in focus.- I ADORE this lens as a portrait lens where the frame includes a subject from the shoulders up. It's fabulous- if you get the focus spot on, and in ideal lighting, it's perfectly ideal. Who needs the 50mm 1.2L? BUT once I begin to venture further from a subject, the chances of the image being in focus DRASTICALLY, drastically diminish. In fact, I wouldn't dream of using this lens below f/2.2 if I am trying to capture a full body portrait. It simply can't focus that sharply.-The internal focusing system on my lens was flawed from the start, and had to be sent back to Canon to be "fixed" TWO SEPARATE TIMES. Don't get me wrong, the 1 year warranty and customer service with Canon are great. But it's rather inconvenient to have a broken lens- especially when it would simply stop working at important moments such as a first kiss (yes, this happened). I can't say if this is a general issue with this lens, but the build of the lens doesn't seem too sturdy or like it's meant to last through years and years of heavy usage...Bottom Line:- Excellent STARTER lens. It introduces learning how to use a fast, wide open aperture for a GREAT price and (though sometimes tricky or inconsistent) fine, quality images.- Not sure it can withstand the demands of usage a professional photographer would need it for. This was the case with me, and I upgraded to the 50mm 1.2L.
This lens is very sharp! Love it! I am semi-pro and this lens is a MUST have! It captures everything! IMO this is as good as L glass (for a fraction of the cost)!
This is the standard lens for any camera.  It's FAR sharper than any zoom (!!), and allows more light in for low-light photography.  But, it's unnecessarily expensive.  I wish Canon would stick to the basics in their basic lenses and not rip off the advanced / professional photographer when all they want are the basic lenses (28mm, 50mm, 135mm etc.)for very sharp photographs.
For relatively a small price you can get a great lens with a wide aperture 1.4.  The lens construction is not the best quality, mostly plastic and the focusing mechanism is fragile. But it you take care of it, it should last you a long time. This lens is great for low light photography, outdoors photography and portraits.
When you use it, better f/1.8 or more. picture won't be so sharp at f/1.4.  but still you'll enjoy SLR camera taste with it.if you want picture at f/1.4 sharper, better go  EF f/1.2L 50mm USM if you can afford.
I bought the Canon 50mm F1.4 lens for my Canon 20D for specifically low light situations.The sharpness of this lens is fantastic but I don't find it equally as contrasty.The built quality is very good but not exceptional.The F1.4 max aperture is not all that useful because the depth of field is miniscule.  I tend to use the lens at F2, F2.8 or F3.4 a lot.The focus speed is nearly instantaneous.Sometimes I think I would have saved myself a bundle by buying the F1.8 lens at 1/3rd the cost.Its a very good lens, but I didn't give it five stars, because of contrast issues and very good but not excellent build quality.Having said that, I would recommend this lens to someone who needs a really fast 50mm lens for low light situations.-- Terry
This lens is pretty fantastic! Due to the fact that a 1.4 aperture has such a shallow depth of field, the lens will not deliver very sharp images while wide open. If you stop down to about f4, your pictures will be tack sharp and you still have great low light capabilities.
This was the first lens (outside of the kit lens) that I purchased for use with my Canon 60D.  Since then, I've added two more lenses, including the 24-70mm f2.8L, but I still find myself reaching for this 50mm regularly.I had used a friend's 50mm f1.8 prior to purchasing this lens, so I was familiar with the focal length.  The big decision I had to make was whether to pick up the f1.8 for around $100, or spend almost 4x that much to step up to the f1.4.  Ultimately, I opted for the f1.4 because it felt significantly more well-built than the f1.8, and for the added 3/4 of a stop.  Add to this the full time manual focus and the smoother, less geometric bokeh, and for me, the decision was simple.One thing to keep in mind, is that if you have a crop body (basically, anything other than a 5D), there is a 1.6x crop factor that you'll be dealing with.  Meaning this 50mm lens on your APS-C crop body will actually approximate a focal length of 80mm.  While this is a great portrait focal length, you should definitely consider whether or not you would prefer a wider or longer lens for your specific photography style.
This lens will give you a half-stop above the f1.8 version, as well as a metal mount, somewhat more solid construction, full-time manual focusing, and a distance scale.  The color and sharpness are excellent and, as tests available on the web reveal, beat the f1.8 version, particularly at the corners.The lens is somewhat soft wide open, though you do get the use of f1.4, which will get you shots you might otherwise miss.  It does well at f2, but needs to be stopped down a minimum of two stops (to f2.8) before its true sharpness is revealed.  By f4-5.6 it's blindingly sharp, enough to serve as a measure for all other lenses.This lens does not use a true USM ring motor, instead using a slightly noisier, slower, and less accurate micro motor with a full-time manual clutch.  People with 10Ds (such as myself) have reported focus problems, and mine seems to miss focus under certain conditions more often than my more solidly constructed lenses.  Apparently, 1-series cameras with superior focus systems work much more pleasingly with the 50/1.4.Despite these issues, the 50/1.4 is an excellent lens.  On a camera with a 1.6x crop factor (10D, D60), this makes a wonderful portrait lens.  One just needs to keep these quirks in mind.
I love this lens! If you film, don't fall prey to the 1.8....it's garbage. This is a MUST HAVE. I fell in love with this lens while shooting a commercial for scrapbook dot com and i had to buy it. I haven't taken it off my camera since! Go here to see what we were able to accomplish with this lens... [...] Thank you!!!
You will not find better bang for your buck. Period. Every true photographer should have this in their bag, especially portrait photographers and folks that can't pony up the megabucks for the F1.2. It's EONS ahead of the 1.8 and the value is far ahead of it's big brother F1.2 and despite comments to the contrary, Canon lenses are still the best lenses for Canon cameras.
Disclaimer: This rating is for the lens I got from Amazon and not the lens in general.At first I thought there was some learning curve to using this lens that I wasn't privy to then I remembered that I'd used the 50mm 1.8 and never had to question whether I'd needed learn to focus properly at wide apertures (I've been shooting for over 7 years). Forget about accuracy at 1.4, but even at 1.8 and many times at 2.0, I couldn't match the cheaper 50mm 1.8 in terms of ratio of shots in focus (and I had to manually set focus points each time). That's too much work.Also, this lens does not do out-of-focus well. The image quality for distant objects that are not in perfect focus is just off. Not in a creamy bokeh kind of 'off' but a poor resolution grainy kind.There's no point in owning the lens if I can't trust it to nail focus and there's no point in buying a more expensive lens if it won't focus as accurately as a cheaper one.Lens returned.
The 1.4 seems to have a much easier time finding focus in low light, but I immediately noticed that it's slower to focus compared to the 1.8 when travelling across the full focal range. The 1.4 also settles into focus a little more casually than the 1.8, meaning that it fine-tunes the focus for a little bit longer. On the plus side, the full time manual focus is incredibly useful to have, and the focus ring is miles ahead of the 1.8. Optically the 1.4 seems like a huge improvement; there's a sizable difference between the two apertures when shooting wide open.  It's not as much of a bang for the buck as the 1.8, but I definitely recommend it.
I am a cinematographer and needed a very low light lens for my T2i, and man did this guy do the trick, and much much more, great lens for low light video shooting, if you are in need this will be your friend indeed!
I love this lens!  It's my favorite lens thus far and my primary lens for most occasions.  I got it for the depth of field capabilities and couldn't be happier.  It does well in low light situations and is wonderful for macro and portrait shots.  I love the control system for manual focusing.  I don't generally use auto-focusing but did try it and it works ok.  It was a little slow when I tried it but not much of a problem for me since I don't really use that feature.  Images in the focus point are crisp and everything else has nice smooth bokeh.  If you use f-stops below f3.5, the depth of field is really shallow so be careful to get your focus point just right or else everything will be out of focus.
This was the first prime lens that I bought after purchasing aCanon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lenstwo years ago. This lens has served me well in the years that I've had it. It's been especially great when I've shot concerts and live events in which I couldn't use a flash. I highly recommend it if you need an inexpensive, but good quality lens for low-light situations.
The 50mm 1.4 is a good value for the money.  It shoots in less light than the 50mm 1.8 and is better all around.  The focus is a bit more accurate and consistent, the contrast and color are more reliable as well.  That should be no surprise though, you're paying for an improvement over the 50mm 1.8.  It still leaves something to be desired if you have L quality taste, but if you're coming from the 50mm 1.8 you'll find this a fantastic lens.  I get 30 percent or so more keepers with this than the 50mm 1.8 due to more consistency in focus and cleaner more consistent color.  If you own the 1.8 you should appreciate this as an upgrade, but if you own L glass you will probably find yourself wishing for something even better eventually.  The AF is not really fast enough for great action performance in low light like the 85mm 1.8, but some will still shoot with it with a few less keepers and reach.  The design is relative to it's price so I can't fault it for some of the extras that come with more expensive lenses.  Still a useful lens until Canon upgrades the USM and FTM focus to the real deal in a value package.  This lens is Canons only lens to supply FTM (full time manual focus) with a conventional focusing motor.  Those that followed went to ring USM and perform slightly better for it.  The 50mm 1.2L is Canon's next step above the 50mm 1.4 and is several times more expensive, so the 50mm 1.4 will hold it's own unless Canon does decide to give us an updated Mark II version or a 3rd party steps ahead of Canon to fill that gap.
This is by far my favorite lens from Canon. The quality is excellent. It focuses fast, and produces amazing images. Its construction is solid and its size makes it easy to add to anybody's camera bag. For the life of me, I can't figure out why you would spend the extra $1000 on the f/1.2 L version, unless you are shooting in near pitch black or like throwing money away. Sure, it's lacking the L series red ring, but is that really worth another grand?
I previously owned the f1.8 version. My copy was ok, but often times was soft focusing, so I upgraded to this f1.4 when it went on rebate/sale and holy cow!  So much better in every way.The builds quality is night and day- this feels like a real lens, and is mechanically smooth. It's consistently tack sharp, focuses fast and the bokeh is so much smoother. Easily worth the two, three hundred dollar difference. Very pleased.
I rented this lens. I wasn't sure if I wanted this lens, or the 40mm pancake. (Canon 40mm EF f/2.8 STM Lens)The reviews are largely spot on, about the smooth bokeh, fast focusing, sharpness, performance in low light situations, and more... This is one really good piece of glass! Enjoyed using the lens as a walking around lens.The only nitpick I have is that the lens doesn't have IS. This isn't a big issue, as the camera can compensate with a fast shutter and/or larger aperture opening. In fact, this lens is so sharp, that there was some blurring in some photos around an area of high sharpness. Something tells me I need to dial up the aperture a stop, or use that DOF button in Live view...One negative about this lens is that it's, um, tad bit noisy. I use my camera to take photos of my pets, and they were spooked by this lens. The 40mm pancake won them over.If you're in the market for a prime lens at a decent price, you can't go wrong with this lens. I just find the 40mm pancake to be more suitable for my needs.
This lens is a lot of fun to play around with. It takes excellent pictures and the 1.4 aperture creates jaw-dropping pictures in dark scenarios. For an amateur photographer, this is a really cool feature.Unfortunately 6 months after owning this lens, I realized that the macro focusing was no longer working. I own the Canon hood and a UV filter for this lens so I was taking great care of it. I had to pay $11.50 of my own money to mail it to Canon for a repair (at least the repair was covered under warranty). I don't know if there are other options out there for a 50mm/1.4 but this lens has a poor design and reliability. When the lens returned, the focus ring seemed smoother than I ever remember so maybe I got a lemon.I've read other reviews from people who say that it can easily be damaged. I recommend adjusting the focus ring to infinity before storing this lens. If it is focused at the macro level then the focus barrel protrudes far and is thus vulnerable to damage.
I've been in and out of photography for many years. I've recently compared the Canon EF f1.8 and f1.4 lens with each other (I currently own both) and made comparsions to the excellent Canon 28-135mm IS lens.The f1.8 lens is very good as well, but lacks the build quality and lowest level light gathering power of the f1.4. Additionally the f1.8 lens has a 5 vs. an 8 blade iris and accordingly blurred point light sources tend to be pentagon shaped instead of round.When compared to the 28-135mm IS lens, the difference is notable at the edge of the lens and in depth of field. Also stabilized (IS) lens reduce camera shake but do not freeze action. Accordingly, the f1.4 lens is superb for baby friendly flash free indoor photography.Bottom line is that the f1.4 lens is about as good as it gets. It has superb low light capability, is light weight, has razor sharp images and deep depth of field, produces great contrast, is very well made, very quiet and fast focusing.
I had the 1.8 which was not sharp until about 2.8. .. This one is not as sharp at 1.4 as I would like, but it is really sharp at 1.8.  Not sharp enough wide open only because I am a pixel peeper.  For basic web shots etc it is great wide open, just not when blown up to 100%.  No problem focusing. Much faster and quieter than the 1.8 nifty fifty and no problems with the build quality yet.  I have had it about 6 months with moderate use. The nifty fifty 1.8 is still a better buy, but if you really want to get that background out of focus, especially if you are using a crop sensor camera, this lens will fill the bill till we can buy the 1.2. If you can afford it, buy it.
This nice little lens has refreshed my OLD rebel XT so I can take a try at taking some better pictures with a newer lens and man does this little lens do the trick!  It is all in the lens!  The clarity of low light pictures, the focus of the pictures is greatTaking photos is now my new hobby. All I do is walk around and try to get better at taking pictures with this thing. My old lenses that came with it weren't even close to the pictures this lens can take.A must have for anyone looking for a lens without zoom and never having to buy anything else (unless your a pro)
Definitely worth the investment. I agree with all the reviews on other sites and on amazon.Package came in with a clean and new lens. No dust, no nothing.Pictures come out great so far and It's been a blast!
I started out cheap with the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens.  It is fine for basic shots in average conditions but falls short in contrast and sharpness compared to my zoom lenses.  That lead me to get the Canon 50mm f1.4 lens.  Wow!  Sharpness is fantastic.  The crispness, color and detail are unsurpassed with this lens.  I am very pleased with this lens and wish I had just spent the money for it to start with.  I also found this lens focuses faster than the f1.8 lens.  I am using it on my Canon EOS30d.
Pros:Way better than the nifty fifty. I wouldn't recommend the nifty fifty any more after shooting with this. This one has a better build, better auto focusing, better and sharper IQ, better indoor pics, way better build. If you're contemplating between the 1.4 or 1.8, don't be a cheap skate and get the 1.4, but if price didn't matter, of course the 1.2 would be the best out of the bunch.Cons:Canon's overall DSLR's lenses and accessories. They are like Apple. They charge premium prices even though clearly, they are not the best and don't offer the best.
Fantastic lens. Very versatile, build quality is impressive for the price. Optics are great. Very sharp even at its widest. This is now my primary lens - I keep it on my camera most of the time.
Like many owners of Canon's 50mm F1.8 lens (the original version), I have found that for over a decade it has delivered outstanding performance in a variety of situations.  It's amazing that a lens so compact and lightweight, can produce such outstanding results, particularly in lower light situations.  It's great where lighting conditions are constantly changing, like at a rock concert, and it does a really good job at shooting a fast moving indoor sport, like basketball.Although I had no complaints with the F1.8, I decided to consider upgrading.  Canon's other two offerings at 50mm are the F1.4, and the F1.2L lenses.  I looked at the 1.2L, but after its price shot up past $1500, it moved out of my price range, so I decided to go for the F1.4, and so far have been pretty satisfied with the results.As most are aware, a lens needs to be used with a SLR with enough capability to fully realize its performance.  Using this lens with a 7D, seems to be a good fit, as the results have been very pleasing with the 1.6X crop factor, particularly shooting basketball.  Using the camera's zone focus mode, you will still need to concentrate and work to keep your subject in the frame, and hit the shutter button at the right time, however if you are able to do this, the lens can produce some high quality results.  You may not need to be fully wide open very often, but it's nice to have it available if you have to.  I haven't done a lot of portrait work with this lens, but it certainly seems capable of producing good results in that application, as its ability to focus in close up situations is also quite good.  Focusing appears to be pretty darn fast, and as you would expect, the USM is silent.Build quality is certainly an upgrade from the F1.8, with a metal lens mount ring and more solidly built body, that has about 50% more mass, with an increase from 52mm to 58mm for the F1.4.  The manual/autofocus button remains small but is relatively easy to operate.  The manual focus ring has Canon's typical saw-toothed rubber ring around.  It's about 0.4" wide, and fairly convenient to operate, although a little loose for my tastes.  The lens comes with no accessories like a pouch or lens hood.How well a particular lens works for you depends on what you intend to do, what kind of camera you have, and various other personal factors.  In my case, while the 50mm F1.4 doesn't produce results that are phenomenally above the economy grade F1.8, if you do your part you can get some very good results and a higher percentage of in focus "keepers".  The extra 2/3 stop gives you a little more room to play with, and helps to make the upgrade worth the cost.
I use this lens 90% of the time.  I love it so much.  The 1.4 is so nice for less-than-ideal locations (though really, I love shooting in dark places.)It's simple, it feels great, and the first time you use it you'll never want to touch that 50mm 1.8 you bought when you first got a DSLR.  It's so much easier to focus than that piece of plastic (though I've shot some footage I loved with that lens, so I'm not trying to bash it too badly.)Throw some ND on this thing, and you can get amazing footage in broad daylight.
One word for this lens... Fast!I shoot a lot of indoor sports, no flash, and I just couldn't do it without the 1.4, keeping it at 1.4-1.8. Even on my Xti, I just bump the ISO to 800, and I can freeze the action. Nothing comes close to this, at this price.This camera also offers a stunningly shallow depth of field when you want it. Of course, this means you have to be extra alert to where you are focusing.I recently bought a 28-135, so that I could zoom in on my daughters soccer games, and to be able to take wider indoor shots. A great lens, but when I took it to a night game, it just wasn't fast enough, and any movement was blurry. Not a worry for the 1.4 of the 50mm.My only caveat... as I alluded to in the above paragraph, it's not wide enough for kitchen/living room pics, on a cropped sensor. At least, not for anything more than a profile pic.Two more points:1) Remember, this is not a zoom. So what you see is what you get, you can not zoom in on someone, to take a candid picture. You'll have to get close enough for them to notice you. Cropping in post will only get you so far.2) If you want to save some money, the 50mm 1.8 is unquestionably the best bang for your buck. If you decide you don't want to spend this much for a prime, at least get the 1.8. I have a huge library of beautiful pics from that lens, and it also did a great job at freezing the action in poor lighting. (Why jump to the 1.4 then? Extra stops let me go even further in the dark, it's a more solid lens, and IMHO, it produces a nicer bokeh - go to flickr to compare, and see if the upgrade is worth it to you)
Looking forward to receiving this lens---have already used a friends lens with superb results 5 stars without a doubt Do not hesitate to buy
So, I bought this lens over the cheaper f/1.8.  I certainly read the somewhat mixed reviews that spoke of the focusing motor failing relatively quickly.  I figured by now, improvements would have been made that fixed that.  I am sorry to report, that 19 months into owning this lens, spending most of the time in my bag, and never having dropped or banged it around;  it is focusing inaccurately at any distance over about 8 feet.  I have a 5Diii, checked the micro adjustments, cleaned the contacts, ...  And it is definitely the lens that is having an issue.  The problem has gone from seemingly random failures, to consistent in the last 2 months.  So I am in the situation where I send it in for a non-warranty repair for around $150, or buy the 50mm f/1.8 for about the same price new.  Yeah, it is a bit of a step down in image quality, but...  This isn't my go-to lens and I could live without it.  But I do like to use it in low light venues where I am close to the action (music scene).  I would highly recommend thinking twice, and paying attention to the mixed reviews on the professional photography sites.  Most of the long-time serious amateurs recommend staying away from this lens just because of the lack of longevity.
I'm not an experienced photographer by any stretch of the imagination. So I can't comment on lens performance. But I'll say this, the difference between this lens and the stock (kit) lens that came with the Canon T2i camera recently purchased, is like the proverbial day and night. Fit and finish on the 50mm 1.4 USM is absolutely superb in my book. I can only imagine the quality of the 50mm 1.2L lens. I'll need to rob a bank to afford that one...
Great portrait lens! Exactly what I was hoping for, great control over images. I've had friends ask me to take photo shoots with their kids and/or pets since they have seen the quality images that can be made using this lens. The depth of field effect really gives the photo's a great professional quality.
I'm relatively new to DSLR photography and was very excited to receive this lens after reading many favourable reviews.  Not only is the 50mm 1.4 lens compact (as compared to zoom lenses) and sturdy, but it gives even the amateur photogrpaher the ability to take professional looking shots!  The super wide aperture (1.4) is especially helpful in low-light, non-flash situations; however, the image may be a bit too fuzzy when fully opened but by 2.2 the images are quite a bit sharper.  Highly recommended if you take lots of portrait photography (i.e. kids, pets, head shots, etc.).  I love using this lens so much that it's on my camera probably 75% of the time!
I use this lens for portrait photography on my Canon 5D mk II and it is amazing. Many of Canon's great lenses cannot be had for under $1000 but for under $400 the user is getting a tack sharp picture and great low-light performance that is hard to beat. Sure, you could by the 50mm 1.2 L but it is currently $1600 and the differences between this lens and the 50mm 1.2 L are extremely negligible and for the money, I would get this model every single time.Most professional photographers swear by Canon's L series lenses and I agree with them 99% of the time, this is that one percent of the time that my opinion may be in the dissenting column. For a fixed 50mm, don't bother spending money on the L series, get this one.
A great lens, I like it and I am satisfied with it.Pros:The depth of field from this lens is amazing.  Very beautiful images.Its a good lens, and simply put.Cons: (rather than cons, I want to say that these are really nitpicks)The focus ring is a bit too long for me (too many turns).  When I try to manually focus while recording video, I just wish it was shorter (lens turns).If the minimal focus distance was a bit shorter, that would be great.  I find 0.45m a bit long.Not sure if its the camera of the lens, but the focus is a bit slow.Overall, very good.  I think its a must have for Canon DSLR.
Others have written pretty extensively about this lens.  The praise heaped on it is well deserved, and I won't go into depth about it and risk repeating what everyone else is saying, except for the following points.Without spending more than $1k, it would be tough to find a better deal.  The 50mm f/1.4 USM works really well in low light conditions, and does have a really fantastic bokeh.  I use this lens most often to shoot food in restaurants with available light, and the images can be pretty stunning.The so-called "thrifty-fifty" is also a decent lens, but the quality difference in construction between the two really shows.  The thrifty-fifty feels a little cheap compared to the f/1.4 lens, and is noticeably smaller and lighter.  That makes it useful for some situations, such as when you want to pack light, or have a smaller profile on the camera.This is the lens that practically lives on my camera.  Although I have many other lenses, I've found that this is the most-used lens in the kit, and it's easily my favorite.
Great EF 50mm f/1.4 lens.My test:Comparison between this Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 prime lens and Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom lens.Finding Result:SPEED:I set both lens to 50mm focal length, apperture 4.5, ISO 100, EV compensation 0. On a tripod, aim at same object, test at the same time for same sunlight intensity. Finding: Same speed 1/125 per camera meter reading. So speed is the same. This is good. Optical scientific make sense. There should be no different in light flowing for the same setting.BROKEH:The EF 50mm f/1.4 giving more noticeable due to its wider aperture for shallower depth of field at f/1.4 at 50mm.The EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 giving less blurring due to narrower aperture, max at f/4.5 at 50mm, more coverage distance for depth of field. Then again, optical scientific make sense.PICTURE COLOR AND DETAIL:A subjective of opion depend on individual. I find picture color in this EF 50mm is more pleasant with or without polarized filter. Detail different is not much noticable between the two lens, even I zoom up large in computer to see the different.LOOK AND FEEL:A subjective of opion depend on individual. I like the EF 50mm f/1.4 due to its lighter weight, more apperture stops for more controlling from 1.4 to 22. More shutter blades for smoother blending.I find the EF 50mm f/1.4 inconvenient that I need to do moving to get to the picture frame I need, or when shooting something I can not move to reach such as squirel on the tree, fruit on tree, ...This EF 50mm f/1.4 lens is great general purpose, walk around lens, great detailing picture taken lens. It is about 75% of time attach to my camera.
There are a number of reviewers who complain about focus issues with this lens. In my enthusiasm to get what many have said is a great lens, i omitted to read the bad reviews. It turns out to have been a mistake. Most of the complaints are about the focus failing after a few months. Others are about the lenses failure to focus properly at all, both in autofocus and manual focus. That's the problem with the lens that I received. On receiving the lens, at first it hunted before settling on the focus, but that soon disappeared.After taking a number of pictures and finding that none of the photographs were really sharp, it was evident to conduct a test eliminating all other possibilities.After setting up the camera on a sturdy tripod, using a 7D, and taking a series of photographs of static objects, using a remote trigger the proof was clear - there is a problem with the lens. On my return to the US this lens is going back to Canon.Now it is a matter of habit to look at the 1 star ranked comments. It seems that recently Canon's lenses are getting more than their share. It also appears that they are too quick to blame the consumer.Perhaps they can take a leaf from Olympus's book. It seems that when a company gets into financial difficulties their attitude towards customers improves. One hopes that does not become necessary for Canon.Update------There is a solution to the poor focus, at least for owners of the 7D (and possibly other bodies). There is a feature called AF micro-adjustment, found in the menus under Custom Function menu at C.FnIII-05. Select option 2 - Adjust by lens. Press the INFO button, and this allows one to compensate fot the poor calibration of the lens.To assess the level of adjustment, attach a piece of lined piece of paper to a flat wall. Set the camera on a tri-pod perpendicular to the wall. Focus the camera manually (preferably with magnified live view) and then test using to autofocus. Adjust using the micro-adjustment until manual and auto-focus are the same.Then lens being reviewed balanced out at +17, nearly the limit of the adjustment.The lens, once focussed produces great pictures. It's not the responsibility of customers to do quality control. That this is not an isolated instance does not reflect well on Canon.Update 2--------Sent the lens to the Canon Factory Service Center. The service was prompt and efficient, and the lens was back in under a week. The lens is much better, but not at the level it should be. The auto-focus quality is worse than manual focus. It's also worse than auto-focus withCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lensand auto-focus onCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. That's not something to rave about.
I am not a professional photographer.  However I have always had a knack for taking pictures.  I was out to dinner with friends and one of them was taking closeup photographs of his tiramisu and candid shots of individuals in our group.  Later he texted me one of them and I couldn't believe how great it was.  I asked him about the lens he was using and it was this one, the Canon EF 50mm.  We are both medical residents, too poor to buy expensive lenses, but it seems the expensive lenses are not necessary for great results--for the amateur or hobbyist photographer anyway.  I purchased this lens and asked my daughters to prepare for a photoshoot outdoors at sundown.  The results were amazing!  I highly recommend this lens for beginners.
Previously owned the 50mm 1.8 lens, This product is an excellent upgrade from that lens.It is worth the extra $250 from the 1.8. You get 2/3 stops more light (altho i barely use the lens at 1.4), the image quality and sharpness is outstanding at f/4.Its also a great walk around lens because of its form factor. Its construction is really high quality coming from the 1.8 version.Also recently used this lens to make a music video, the video quality was crystal clear. The focus ring was perfect for focusing during video.Only disadvantage is that it doent come with lens hood, but i recommend buying one on Amazon, you can find one for less than $10.Overall I recommend buying this lens only if you are a serious photographer, otherwise the 50mm 1.8 will do just fine.
This lens will give you stunning pictures and video. Well worth the price.It should have come with a lens hood though.Come on guys.
Bottom line: just get the 1.4. you won't regret it.Don't let the L-snobs fool you - there is VERY LITTLE difference between this lens and the 1.2L. The only major difference is price, the red ring, and sharpness (and you'll never guess who the winner goes to...) I have owned all three lenses and am here to do a biopsy on all of them.Canon 1.2L - good lens, but not for the value. This lens is over a thousand bananas and shows a lot of chromatic abberation at the 1.2 - 1.8 range. And, to be honest, it is REALLY soft up to 2.0. If I spend over a grand on a lens, I don't want softness up to 2.0! However, it is built like an army tank and the L-geeks will eat it up. 3/5Canon 1.4 - by far the better of the three lenses. Only above three-hundred dollars at the time of writing this. The SHARPEST of the three, surprisingly. At 1.4, however, the 1.2L beats it when stopped down to 1.4, but go up to 1.8, and the 1.4 is the CLEAR winner. Pictures on the 1.2L at 1.8 are soft; on the 50mm 1.4 non-L, they are very sharp, and stopped down to 2.0, it is EXTREMELY sharp! And it might not be as well-built as the 1.2L, but it sure is very strong! I banged it against a wall and dropped it once, and it is STILL working flawlessly! Well done Canon! 5/5Canon 1.8 - another great lens. Once again, soft at 1.8 and up to 2.8, but after that, this lens is almost on par with the 1.4 and is SHARPER than the 1.2L! Doesn't have the lower light capabilities of the 1.2L or 1.4, but for the value (under a hundo), this lens is an amazing value. 4/5I have tried multiple copies of the 1.2L, and even microadjusted it to my camera (I shoot with a 5D Mark II). There simply is no comparison: the 1.8 is superior, and the 1.4 is the absolute best. Along with my 70-200mm 2.8L and 16-35mm 2.8L, this is my dream team that will travel the world with me.
I wanted to compare the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 so purchased this.  The contrast is one of the first noticeable differences to me, and I really like how much more vivid the exposures look.  IQ is the same for me, but the improved contrast makes it appear like this lens is better.  Construction is much improved and solid, and it does not have the loud whir that the 1.8 does.  No problems with the AF that others have lamented.  I am a satisfied customer.
This lens is one of the best I own!!!!!This lens has a wide open aperture at 1.4 allowing for great nighttime shots.  The only downside is it won't zoom.  It's worth every penny regardless.
Great Lens for low light and it is a fast lens.  Too bad there is no Zoom with that lens.  Great product to have with your other lenses.
This was my first lens that I purchased almost 4.5 years ago for my then new Canon 20D (which I am still using).  I found the 18-55 very constraining in terms of being able to take photos indoors of my daughter and capturing her in action.  I thought about getting the 1.8, but finally decided I would take the plunge and buy the 1.4 instead.I immediately fell in love with the effect provided by the lens with the shallow depth of field.  As I learned to use the lens I found out about Bokeh which is a term used to describe how smooth/soft the out of focus background area is in a picture.  This is driven by the shape of the aperture, the more circular the more pleasing it is and this is often achieved by having more blades for the aperture or shaped blades.  The biggest hurdle was learning not to use 1.4 for every situation due to the shallow depth of field. For portraits with the 1.6x crop factor on the 20D this has been great and is often my go to lens for most situations.  After using this for several years I ended up getting the 85mm 1.2L II lens and enjoy that as well, for the same reasons.  It is a good thing the 50mm 1.2L wasn't available when I was shopping or I might have ended up with that instead.Even having the 85mm, I find that having the 50mm is a very convenient focal length for a general carry around lens and for pictures indoor where space is limited.  I found after using a lens of this quality I couldn't go back to the original 18-55 that was included with the 20D, though I have since had a chance to use the newer model that has IS and found that to be a big improvement.  All in all if you are looking for a good lens that provides very nice pictures, I can certainly recommend this lens, especially after the number of years of use I have gotten out of it.
************************Update*****************************I recently purchased a 1Dx (full frame sensor)  I have to say that the FF sensor has made me fall back in love with the 50mm focal length.  The DOF became more manageable, the focal length is perfect rather than a bit too tight and you get that "normal" look to your photos.  I still wish the lens did all of it's focusing internally and it was a bit sharper but Shoot it wide open to get that dreamy bokeh or stop it down to 2.2 or better to get very good sharpness for the money at a still faster than any zoom lens aperture setting.Anyway, the point of this quick update is.  This is a great lens, especially for the price, but on a full frame sensor it will be one of your favorite lenses.  Ever since I got the new body this has become one of my most used lenses, where before on the crop sensor I'd reach for my 28mm f/1.8 way more often.************************************************************************************************************The 50mm fixed focal length lens has always been one of my favorites.  I had several FD mount lenses in college, an EF mount 1.8 version and I currently have my second 1.4.  I sold one back when I had a film camera and bought another years later for my DSLR.  I've had this one for 3 or 4 years now.So... the lens is very good, it's reasonably sharp and is a cheap way to get a that nice background separation we all like.  I only gave 4 stars because I feel the lens could be sharper and the build quality is good but not great.  It's a definite improvement over the 1.8 version but to get the real L series quality you have to spend way more.  I guess I just wish this lens was closer in build quality to it's L series cousin.  Unfortunately, the reviews for L series version really doesn't seem exceptional by L series prime lens standards either so really the 1.4 is probably your best bet as the slightly faster 1.2 aperture doesn't seem worth the money to me.  Now 1.0, that's another story.  Legend status.Having said that it really is a good lens and the real problems you have to be careful with are generally user error.  For one, on a 1.6 FOVC camera this lens becomes quite long  (80mm equivalent) and also wide open you end up with a razor thin DOF when at indoor distances.  This often results in a sharp nose and soft eye, or sharp eye and soft ear.  Also, the stuff that is in focus wide open is only reasonably sharp.  Having said that, stop down to 2.2,2.5,2.8 and then lens becomes much nicer and much more forgiving with the DOF, but you just gave up 2 full stops of light when you are at 2.8 and are creeping into zoom lens apertures.  So stopping down helps but then you might ask if your money would have been better spent on a 2.8 zoom.  Either way, stop down and now you'll have a whole sharp face and the overall sharpness improves quite a bit.  I guess what I'm saying is, you really need to keep an eye on exactly what you are focusing on because the DOF is not forgiving and will many times look good in the viewfinder but soft when you get it on a large screen.Otherwise the AF is nice, what you'd expect from the USM line of lenses, it's reasonably fast and quite but not on par with an L lens.  It is what it is, better than a kit lens but not L, typical of Canon's gold line lenses.  I'd be really nice if they had one that didn't move the front element to focus.  Oh well.I think the reason this review has a bit of a negative feel is that the EF mount 50mm lenses just don't live up to the quality feel I got from the old FD mount 50mm 1.4.  None the less, you want a cheap way to get in the bokeh game and shoot artistic photos.  This is definitely it.  The only cheaper alternative is the 1.8 version which for the money is unbeatable, if it was any cheaper they'd be sending it to you in the mail with a free 1 month AOL subscription.  I mean, $125 for a canon branded EF mount lens.  I paid nearly that for a 12mm extension tube, there is no glass in an extension tube, just a metal ring with electrical contacts.  Anyway, I digress.  If you are interested in the 1.4, I think it's well worth the money but being a fast prime lens you have to be aware of it's limitations.
I love this lense. It is an excellent portrait lense. I use it anytime I am around my grandchildren. I sit on the floor near them and shoot away. I can blur the foreground and background with a very narrow depth of field. I can shoot three pendant lights from a 45 degree angle with the first one blurred, the second on tightly in focus and the third one blurred. The large aperture makes all the difference in a photograph and a stunning photograph. You can make the subject definitively stand out. There are all kinds of creative photography uses for this lense. Provides a very clear and professional look.
I bought this lens mostly for its incredible sharpness and optical qualities. Its very fast maximum aperture (f/1.4) was only a secondary consideration. I took it on a photo shoot yesterday and was not disappointed. I took nearly 200 pictures with it. The sharpness, clarity, and color saturation of the images it produced are on par with my best "L" series lens, which cost considerably more than this one!Please be advised, however, that sharp, crisp images require an aperture of f/4.0 or smaller (higher f numbers, up to f/22). Opening the aperture more than f/4.0 results in softer images. At f/1.4, the images are very soft, much softer than I am willing to accept. To maintain image sharpness and overall quality, I found it best to increase ISO as needed in order to avoid using an aperture wider than f/4.0 (or use flash).Also be advised that this lens has no IS (Image Stabilization), meaning that the shutter speed should not be slower than about 1/50 second. If you go below 1/40 second, blurry pictures can be expected.Finally, note that this lens only functions as a 50mm, "normal" focal length lens on full-frame cameras. If your camera has a 1.6 crop sensor, as mine does, this lens will be the equivalent of an 80mm short telephoto lens.In summary, if you want a lens that takes incredibly sharp, clear, crisp images at apertures of f/4.0 and higher (up to f/22), this lens will make you very happy. But if you want a lens that produces very sharp, high quality images at wider apertures in dimly lit, available light situations, you would be happier with the 50mm f/1.2L lens, which handles low light conditions much better. But that lens costs about 4 times as much as this lens!
sharp, good color & contrast, especially at aperture f2.0 or above. It is soft at f1.4. It is OK with 4x6 prints, but the softness will be obvious with 8x10 prints. Stopped down to f1.8 or smaller, it is sweet.
depending on your price range...buy either the 1.4 or 1.8the 1.4 gives you more flexibility in low light and a better build quality.50mm is much more practical than the 85mm...35mm would be ideal.
First, let me just say that Amazon gets a 5 star rating for their shipping. I use Amazon Prime, and couldn't be happier with it. Everything arrives in two days, for free. In 95% of the cases, no tax either.Now the lens itself. I am a pro photographer and owe it to anyone who considers buying a prime lens to WARN you: if you are buying the lens with the intent to use it between f1.4 and f2.8, there is a high chance you will be disappointed. Both this version, and its high-end sibling, 50mm/f1.2L are surprisingly VERY SOFT lenses when the aperture is wide open - definitely NOT what I expected from a normal prime lens. Some online reviews and Canon representatives at trade shows call them "dreamy", to me they are just plain soft. I have tested two f1.4's and two f1.2's. To me both are unusable, unless you shoot with a closed aperture. My tests were outdoor fashion portraits on a bright sunny day, with plenty of light to let you focus well. For comparison purposes I took a few other lenses with me - my Canon 70-200/2.8L, my 24-105/f4L, and my prime 100/2.8L Macro. ALL of them had better sharpness than the two 50mm primes at their maximum wide aperture, my 100mm/2.8L macro being the sharpest, with the most pleasing bokeh.Auto focus is far from perfect - the lens keeps searching for a while, but is really not that bad after all - especially at that price range. The 50mm/1.2L has a much better auto focus system.The reason I decided to keep this lens my underwater photography. I shoot brides and models - at f8 - f11 - and do not need the narrow depth of field there. The lens performs as expected. Everything is tack sharp there. 1.4 allows for more light to pass though it than most other lenses, and in underwater conditions - where light is scarce - that is critical. Considering it's not that expensive, it's a keeper. I chose it over the 1.2 because it fits my Ikelite housing and the existing port I have for my f2.8 fisheye, so I won't have to invest in extra underwater equipment.
I love this lens it looks wonderful on my Canon 5D Mark III.  No problems whatsoever.  If you are using a crop sensor camera such as the 60D or 7D look at the sigma 30 f1.4
I've had this lens for a little over a month now and it is a huge improvement over the 50 f/1.8 II. The f/1.8 served me well for a few years, now I have passed it on to a friend when I bought this lens. The f/1.4 has very nice bokeh for portrait work. If used outside in bright light you will definitely want to buy the hood, this lens is very susceptible to lens flare. The full-time manual focus with the micro USM is very nice, although it is not quite as smooth as ring-type.
Nice lens, and full metal mount, unlike the 50 mm f1.8 II, which is plastic.  I wanted the lens for field work, and it has worked well.  Also, very fast, and great for low light.  I am shooting with D20.  I believe it is work the extra money to step-up from the f1.8.  Also, auto-focus is much faster with USM lens vs. the non-USM.
My Canon EF 50mm f1.4 arrived at my doorstep via FedEx shipping direct from Canon.  I looked for a deal on this lens from Amazon but could not find a price comparable to Canon's refurbished lens for $319.  I got additional discount for specials they had going and final charge was $283 with a 1 year warranty and free shipping.  I jumped on the deal.  Now about the lens... first thing I noticed right out of the box is Canon's new center pinch lens cap design.  This is a nice change from the former cap especially when the lens hood is in place.  The body of the lens is PLASTIC!  Which is one reason I was hesitant to drop roughly $400 on the lens as a new item.  I'm not cheap but I am frugal.  The f1.4 is what I was really after.  I have Canon's EF 50mm f1.8 and it does well for newcomers at super cheap price but make no mistake it is a cheap loud lens. Auto focus was so so and the switch that controls auto focus  or manual is super stiff.  As a semi professional I just needed something better but not Canon's f1.2 which was way outside my budget.  I looked at the 3rd party options from Tamron and Sigma but most people that have reviewed those lenses in the 50 mm format seem to complain about auto focus.  When in doubt stick with the manufacturer.  So I just settled in for a wait on a good deal.  Well the lens certainly delivers on sharpness, quick focus, contrast and in my case price.  I am very concerned that if this lens is dropped from a height of 4 feet or more on a hard surface it may not survive. Therefore handle with care.  That being said I really like this lens and it allows me to get the depth of field I am looking for in a small package.
Using this lens with 5DMIII with all &#34;L&#34; lenses except this one!Quality of images excellent at f5.6 and above, wide open images OKNo autofocus issues so far......but at 1/4 price of 50mm f/1.2 it was worth the gambleAdd a red ring and better autofocus and this lens should be an &#34;L&#34; lensPictures at f/5.6 better than my zooms: 24-105 L, better than 17-40 LCouldn't justify buying the 50mm 1.2L unless the price drops or if the rumored f/1.8 L is released
I bought this lens mostly for portraiture work and it serves that purpose very well. It is excellent in low light situations indoors and you can take faster shutter speeds outdoors. It provides excellent bokeh effect. I believe it pays to spend the extra money on quality lenses because you will have better satisfaction with the results. Now I prefer a wide angle lens for general walk-around purposes and I use this one for people shots.
I love how crisp and clean the shots are with this lens. The colors are vibrant, and the details are amazing. i definitely recommend this lens.
Excellent DOF. Happy medium between the super plastic f/1.8 and the super expensive f/1.2. I love my shots taken with this
I love this lens! High quality glass and the f/1.4 is a great plus. Also, the front element doesn't rotate so it's easy to attach filters. Highly recommended!
After using my FD 50mm f/1.4 for nearly 20yrs, and borrowing my friend's EF 50mm 1.8, I finally bought my own "Nifty Fifty" 1.4.  Not much to say that hasn't already been said.I won't say that you HAVE to have this lens in your camera bag, but it is just SO MUCH FUN to shoot with... how could you not?
The first time I used this lens I found it was out of focus. The picture I took with this lens were terrible. I took it to repair and now it back to normal.
This is a fantastic lens.  It's great in low level light and performs excellent in all conditions.  The one thing to remember is that since it's a fix focus lens, meaning no zooming capability, then you have to make sure you have enough room to back up in order to get the view you want.  I actually won a photo contest with the lens and continue to use it for all my family photos.  I even took some photos for a couple of my friend's kid's first birthday and they were quite happy.  I'm not a professional, but definitely think it's worth it if you want to be able to take pictures inside without the use of a flash.  Highly recommended!
Well, i'm not a professional, but after some experimentation it is actually a nice little piece if you on close-ups
This is the first time I'm writing a review for a product that I didn't buy directly from amazon.com. I bought this thing from another online store which sells it way cheaper.The product comes with a transparent round plastic casing that has the canon label embossed on the lid. The filter/dioptic is heavy as the ring is made of metal and from what I've read, there are 2 glasses in the 250D/500D as compared to the 500. I bought this thing because I wanted to try out macro without buying a prime (non-zoomable lens) lens and to try it out on my 55-250mm lens.At first, I didn't know how to use the attachment so when I first tried it on, I thought I'd made a mistake on buying it and was really frustrated on how blurry the images were. However, after a few minutes, I figured out that I was using it incorrectly.The attachment makes my 55-250mm move closer to the subject, which I couldn't do before and was limited to a meter distance from whaat I'm shooting. It makes the subject appear to be bigger because as I move closer, I can adjust the zoom and magnify the shot. It even improves the bokeh effect.A great buy, compared to buying a dedicated macro lens and it makes you maximize the lens that you already have. Of course it doesn't beat the quality of a dedicated macro lens, but as I've mentioned on one of my reviews, no one would really sit down and scrutinize the pictures I've taken. This thing does its job period.
My wife bought me one of these in the 77mm size years ago & so when I got some quality 58mm lenses, I had to get another to fit them. The close-up optics are extraordinary IMHO. I like taking macro shots and with these, I've never felt like I needed a macro lens.
I use it with a S3 IS.First shots were totally out of focus and I was kind of disappointed. I had to read more on the way how to use it. First was how to get the maximum magnification and then the correct way to focus.Basically, if your not an expert, the learning curve is big.Focus and max. magnification: go to 12x zoom, manual focus to the minimum distance and then move the camera until you get the correct focus. The working distance would be around 35cm, and the magnification is good for shots of bees or bigger insects. DOF at F8 is a little less than 3mm.Now I am using a tripod and getting very good photos. Using the 12x zoom and the close up lens I get better shots that using the supermacro.
I wanted to get my feet wet in macrophotography, but didn't want to buy a dedicated macro lens.  Maybe that will come later.  I tried extension tubes, but they were awkward and lost a lot of light.  The Canon 500D Close Up Lens got rave reviews on several photography forums so I decided to try it.The lens screws onto the front of your regular lens and works best on telephoto and zoom lenses.  I used it on a Canon EF 70-300 USM IS DO zoom (58mm thread, other sizes are available) with a Canon 30D DLSR and used it on vacation to take photos of flowers at a botanical garden. (Note: it also fits many lenses from other manufacturers.  I first read about it on a Nikon forum.  All you need is a lens with a 58mm filter thread.)I found the lens easy to use and I was very happy with the results.  It's small and fit easily into my camera bag, where I would not have had room for a dedicated macro lens.  Note that as with all macro lenses, the depth of field is VERY shallow, so correct focus is critical.  Even then, you may find parts of the subject out of focus if they are even a few millimeters closer or further away.  This is an important point to be aware of.If you do a lot of macrophotography, then a dedicated macro lens (such as theCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lenswould probably be a better choice. But for the occasional closeup work, the 500D is a treat.
This lens is so much fun to use! You already know it's manual focus, but the MP-E designation might confuse people. It just stands for 'macro photography', but this lens will work with EF or EF-S lens mounts equally well. It should probably be designated as an L lens for the quality of images it produces. Everyone raves about this unique lens, and I do too. But I'm going to try something different. Instead of talking about how good this lens is, I'll give some notes on use to help give potential buyers an idea of what to expect from this lens, and the best accessory products I've found for getting images with a high production quality.You need a macro rail to nail focus because handholding this is very difficult without the image stabilization that's on the 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro lens. You are also fighting against effective apertures at the different high magnifications this lens can achieve. As you fight these higher effective apertures, you also have to contend with diffraction that will make the images less sharp. The upshot of all this is that by the time you're at 5X magnification, you should be photographing at f/2.8, which means you are probably going to be focus stacking. I have discovered after a lot of use with this lens that 4X magnification at f/2.8 is the peak sharpness and that 5X magnification at f/2.8 (effective aperture of f/16) has slightly more detail but is less sharp. These low effective apertures mean that you'll either be taking the photographs at a calculated exposure time in Bulb mode, or you'll be pushing 30 seconds of exposure time. You will need a flash if you want to have reasonable exposure times as well.A very well priced macro rail is the "Velbon Super Magnesium Slider, Macro Rail" which is much more reliable than the stuff offered from Cowboy Studio or Neewer. The reason I don't recommend the stuff from Cowboy Studio or Neewer is because they will flex with the weight of your camera as you move the lens in and out along the rail which will cause misalignment of your images when you're stacking them, and that defeats the whole purpose of attaching a macro rail to your tripod in the first place. The cheap focus rails will also wobble a lot more.Next you should get some photography stacking software. You don't need stacking software if you want to take abstract looking photos, but if you want your subject in focus, you need to stack your images. Photoshop can do basic stacking, but it isn't very good with this advanced lens and will give you weird halos in the final output and you will also have patches of blurry areas among the sharp regions. Zerene Stacker is what I recommend as the best software I have found for stacking images with this lens.Finally, you should think about what kind of flash you want to use with this lens. You can either light with a TTL cord and a standard speedlight, or you can use one of the macro flashes that attach to the front of the lens. I think the flashes that attach to the front of the lens produce images that look the best, but I personally think the Canon macro flashes are too overpriced. I recommend getting the "Meike MK-14EXT Macro TTL ring flash for Canon". It's almost identical to the Canon ring flash in terms of functions, but it produces images that actually do look identical. It's also at a much more reasonable price.Also, there is the option to go beyond 5X with this lens using the Extender teleconverters and Extension Tubes. Both work. With a 2X Extender, you can achieve 10X magnification which is insane, but you're going to be focus stacking like crazy for that photo. Diffraction of light also causes a hit to 10X image quality in the same way that 5X takes a hit relative to 4X magnification. And Extension Tubes will help you go a little beyond 5X with less impact to image quality than the Extender would create.Okay, after reading this review, I think you'll know everything you need to get started and you'll know about all the accessories you should have to take great photos. There is a great online community for people getting started in macro photography at Photo Macrography Net. Visiting that website should help people figure out what they're doing.
I finally got this lens, and they are simply amazing!Their physical size is somewhat deceptive when they are at 1x, because once you zoom in, the lens are really long.They are also quite heavy, so hand-held shots are complicated because of cramps.What you get in the box:- Lens- Lens cap- Tripod ring- ManualWhat didn't come in the box (but should have):- PouchWhat must be used:- A filter to protect the lens because of the narrow space between the front of the lens and the subjects, to avoid scratching it. (58mm)- A macro ring flash or external (potent) light.[...]
This is an incredible lens!  For anyone who wants to shoot up to 5x, this is the lens to get.  I am amazed how sharp the images are.  Having tried all manner of bellows and extension tubes, this lens is the ultimate choice for this type of photography.
I had to knock one star off of the rating because this is lens is so difficult to use. It is definitely not for the point and click crowd. But once you get the hang of it, it's produces beautiful and stunning images. It's borderline microscopic photography, as you'll see details you can't see with your eyes.Great images, but there's a lot of caveats...First off, this is a manual focus lens in the old-school sense of the word. Meaning there is no focus ring and you adjust the focus by moving the camera or subject backwards or forwards. This wouldn't be that big of a deal except, as noted elsewhere, the focus distance is amazingly short. It's time consuming to manuever everything into place and get focus on the bit your interested in.Also, you have to really stop down to f16. This produces two problems. 1) you need a lot of light on the subject. I'm using two 1000w strobes in soft boxes, which may be a little overkill, but not by much. 2) dust on your sensor is in razor sharp focus. This is a big problem, so make sure you know how to clean your camera sensor.Finally, this is not a lens for running around and shooting. You need a tripod and you probably want a remote control, because the process of clicking the button will probably introduce some (if not a lot) blur. It's super sensitive to movement, so if you have the shutter open for any length of time, make sure there's no wind or the table doesn't shake minutely as you walk across the floor.Bottom line is if you have the time and patience you can tease amazing images out of this lens. You don't need to be a professional, but you do need to understand the difference between professional images and point-and-shoot happy accidents is the time and thought that goes into creating the image. This lens will reward time and thought.
Almost everyone who used this lens is raving about it for good reasons. I really shouldn't have to repeat previous reviews, so I'll just say that this is the most amazing macro/micro lens accessible to normal consumers and photo enthusiasts that can provide greater than 1X repro ratio. However, it does have some issues that people should be aware of before buying this lens:0) this camera will *not* go into infinity, it is a macro/micro only lens1) this is a MANUAL FOCUS lens, meaning there is no focus ring but that you need to move the entire camera back and forth to focus, so either you need to have a very steady hand under bright sunlight, or you really should get a camera bracket. I use Manfrotto 454 with a sturdy tripod. If you're one of those young guys not used to the wonderful world of manual focusing and knowledge on uncertainty management, this lens will take some time to master.2) as with all macros, you really should get a macro dedicated flash to get the best quality to minimize shaking, and to maximize light. Forget about e-TTL2!!! Your results will be very inconsistent. Set it to manual power, and learn the power settings. You'll learn something about exposure, and save time in the long run.3) to minimize vibration, a remote is necessary4) the sweet spot is around f/8 at 1X-2X, but even at that f-stop your depth of field is still too shallow. I highly recommend using depth of field stacking (just Google for focus stacking) software. At f/11 up to f/16, your pictures will become soft. I rarely use f/16. It's not f/16 at 5X anyways, and every little speckle of dust on your sensor that was invisible at f/8, will show up at f/16. Therefore, DoF stacking is necessary.5) When you set to 3X-5X, the screen will be very very dark. Therefore, I highly recommend using a bright external light source for focusing. This also means you really need to crank up your macro flash to a really high level. At 3X-5X, f/16 is no longer f/16 anymore.For 1:1 repro ratio, I usually prefer the legendary Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR along with the R1C1 kit and SU-800 since it's a lot easier to setup and to shoot (VR and Nikon TTL are amazing), but when I need more than 1X ratio, Canon MP-E 65mm is the way to go. The build quality of this lens is just as good as gold rim Nikon lenses, and the sharpness just as equal as Canon L-lenses and gold rim Nikon lenses.As for flash, I actually don't have any of Canon flash systems. I'm on a mixed Canon and Nikon system so instead of purchasing yet another piece of flash equipments, I mount my existing Nikon SU-800 to my Canon body, and connect to my two Nikon SB-R200 flashes via SC-30 cables. This means exposure is completely manual, but that is perfectly fine because when you shoot macros, manual exposure will give a much more predictable and consistent result than e-TTL2 (which will change if you move the subject in and out of the center, as TTL is more center-weighted than matrix metered). The only problem with SU-800 is that it shuts down automatically if you don't use the flash for a while. But for most people on a single Canon system, get a flash dedicated for Canon will more than suffice.Overall, I love this lens. It requires knowledge, a lot of setup time, and patience to use. Having that said, this is an amazing lens. It's a bit expensive, but you can get amazing deals on Craigslist or eBay from frustrated people who don't fully understand how to squeeze every little performance out of this extremely difficult to use but amazing lens. If you need to shoot jewels, diamonds, grain of rice, or similarly small things, by all means buy this lens, and KEEP IT because it's a niche lens that is unlikely to depreciate in value like camera bodies and common zoom lenses. For more than 1X, the MP-E 65mm is the only choice you have short of going to expensive multi-thousand dollar microscopic equipments. If you think you need it, just get it.
This lens will help you produce incredible, one of a kind shots.  It's not the easiest lens to use a it's manual focus only, but once you learn to master it, the results are incredible.  Highly recommended for those who want to create awesome macro shots.
This was a gift. Yay me! It's really fun. No, it isn't the easiest lens in the world but, that's alright. Photography should be fun and challenging shouldn't it? Yep, it should.- It's a great big hunk of glass. A little expensive. Not bad if it's a gift though:) It's also a bit heavy. Doesn't bother me. I really like it and can't wait to get some snowflake pics. Anyway, if you buy it you know what you're getting yourself into. I think you'll like it:)
First, the caution. This is absolutely NOT the first macro lens you should buy if you think you might be interested in small object and small-scale nature photography. But if you get a standard macro lens like Canon's superb 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and learn the challenges of close-up photography from that one, it is possible that this would be the next macro lens you should consider acquiring once you find that you have the patience for close-up work.A standard macro lens is usually a prime (fixed focal length) lens with extended focusing capacity in the nearby range that will let you get an object:image proportion of 1:1 -- that is, a 36 x 24mm sensor will record a frame-filling image of a real world object of the same size. In some instances, such a macro lens may cooperate with an accessory extension tube to achieve the 1:1 ratio or in some cases take you a little beyond it so that the image is larger than the photographed object. But an extension tube on a prime lens shifts its entire focusing range, so that you lose the ability to focus at infinity while the extension tube has granted you the power to focus more closely at the other end.The MP-E 65mm lens is a dedicated macro lens with NO infinity setting and whose farthest focusing distance -- only a few inches -- permits no proportion less than 1:1 reproduction. Extending the lens body effectively gives you an image that is 5X life size. At this setting, a bee's face fills the entire image frame.Illumination is a problem in extreme close up photography because less and less light is available to record larger and larger images of small objects. In distance photography you would simply open up the aperture or go to a long exposure, but in macro photography large apertures have terrible depth of focus and longer exposures are not indicated because of the potential camera motion that may occur even on tripod-mounted cameras. The trick is to use macro flashes (another expense!) that will pour a lot of light onto a subject in an instant. This allows you to use a preferred small aperture. Shake and blur are defeated by the brevity of the flash.This lens is not an autofocus lens, but that is not a limitation. In macro photography you want to focus manually -- either by turning the ring on the lens or moving the entire camera body forward or back by a millimeter or fraction thereof. In usual practice moving the camera is easier. The aperture remains under program control, however, and a macro flash will dump the correct amount of light for the aperture you have chosen.For the professional macro photographer and dedicated amateur with sufficient patience, there is no other single solution out there that lets you easily take the kinds of pictures you can get with this lens. It is always possible, of course, to reverse a standard lens on the front of a cloth bellows and put your camera body on the other end, but then you lose any automatic functionality whatsoever and are obliged to do a lot of exposure calculations (or go through a lot of trial and error exposures) to get what you want.For recorded images up to five times life size, it is hard to beat this lens. But to repeat my original caution, please don't use this lens to introduce yourself to macrophotography. This is the lens you should graduate to after learning the ropes on a less challenging lens. And it wouldn't hurt to read a good introduction to macrophotography so that you understand the problems of reduced light levels and depth of focus that come into play.
I used to like this lens, but coupled with the newer Canon bodies I am in love. The newer sensors have good sharpness at higher ISO settings so doing outdoor photography without flash is easier. I can set the aperture to F16, speed to 1/200th of a second and let auto ISO do the rest. Also with high frames per second I can hold the camera at arms length near the subject, guess at the focal distance, and hold the shutter release down. Admittedly the composition borders on random, but some truly amazing shots of bees and other insects can be taken this way when trying to compose the shot/focus through the lens in the ordinary way just would not work. You cannot ask a bee to hold still.The extremely shallow depth of field on this lens even at F16 is a blessing and a curse. The subject will always pop from the background and the bokeh is exceptional. The curse is you have to pay a great deal of attention to not only the spot you are focusing on, but the entire plane of focus. If I am shooting a flower, for example, I usually want to have the focal plane match the plane of the flower. This means lots of fiddling with camera/tripod setup and sometimes it is difficult to get both the focus and  the light acceptable at the same time. This lens rewards and requires lots of experimentation, but there is nothing else like it.
I have read all the reviews about manual focus etc... It didn't seem as difficult as some made it out to be. You definitely need patience and a good image stacking program would be helpful as well. There are plenty of long reviews out there about the technical end of the lens. I love it and would buy it again if the need arose.
I love this lens.  I am a semi-professional photographer.  If you do macro photography, this is a must have Canon lens.  I use this lens to photograph maker's marks on silver.  Image viewing a silver hallmark, the size of one-third of a pencil lead tip, resulting in an amazing 22 inch image.  It is a specialized lens that will not suit most photographers, but I LOVE it.
I NEED HELP FRIENDS, i own cannon 50d mark 2,cannon mark 2 70, i have been using and have been using 100 mm canon macro,i love macro photography,i have descovered it in the last few years. thats why i bought this lense. i wanna take pics of not only the bee,but the bees eyes,if u know what i mean. now im in tears cause i cant seem to focus it on anything,i mean im a old man with a old dog and camra and a wondeful lense. i read all your reviews and still cant focus it,is this too much lense for me? am i stupid or what,i love photograpghing small things and ive tried and tried with this lense,could someone please give me 5 small steps to do so i can focus it. i have altymers so reading the manual wont help,please,just 5 steps i could right down. or if u think its beyond my cappbilities just tell me, thank u all much
This is a great closeup macro for magnifications of 1-5x. It is a manual focus lens and takes skill and patience to use. At higher mags the light through the viewfinder is very dim (5x at F/16 camera setting is equivalent to F/96) so an external focusing assist light will be needed. Properly used the results are fantastic.
I've had this lens for many years.  It performs very well and does things that I haven't seen in any other lens.  I suppose you could take a conventional macro, add a bunch of extension tubes and achieve the same result, but I've never tried that.  Although clumsy to use, it works a lot more conveniently than using extension tubes.  I find that the extreme magnification requires significant skill to freeze the motion blur, if you do not use a flash.  A nice ring flash will make things a lot easier.  To see some nice sample photos, go to ediblefrog.com/topics/froguser/the_incredible_canon_mp-e_65mm_macro_lens
Very powerful macro lens.  Not for your average user. However, if you are a serious macro photographer, you do not want to miss having this lens in your arsenal.
This is a completely specialized lens that does its job better than any other standard camera lens out there.First the bad news:You cannot use it for general picture taking.  There is no focus ring, you have to either zoom in and out or physically move the camera to focus.  External light is an absolute requirement.  I prefer the macro twin light (for the separately positionable heads), but multiple speedlights, studio lights, or a ring light could work as well.  Because of the difficulty focusing doing the majority of work on a tripod with a focusing rail would save lots of frustration, though I have found that for handheld work swaying back and forth very slightly and then timing the shot for the area of sharpest focus works, though it takes practice.  There is almost no such thing as depth of field with this lens.  In test shots of rulers I have had the depth of field so shallow that the front of a mm marking is in focus while the back of the marking is blurry (not the next mm mark, the same mm mark).  Finally, your subjects can enjoy no privacy with this lens.  You can not stand at a distance and take photos.  For black widow studies that I have done I have had to be within an inch of the beautiful critters.  Because of the difficulty focusing this means that if your subject moves even the smallest fraction of an inch you have to set up your shot all over again.Now the good news:No other lens can do what this lens does.  In order to get magnification like this (up to true 5x) without this lens you would have to attach your camera to a microscope, and that is a heck of a lot more difficult than this lens, and nearly impossible in the field.  If you want to get in close, nothing else will do.  When I want to take nice closeups of flowers I break out the 100mm 2.8, but if I want to fill the frame with the smallest details of  the bugs on those flowers, the 65mm is a miracle worker. . . . . A fussy, temperamental, irreplaceable miracle worker.
Unbelievable Macro lens! Only drawback is you cannot take normal photos with it. But the 5:1 Macro is breathtaking. Am having TOO MUCH FUN WITH IT!
I been told by people that filters cause problems for this lens. Here is my expert judgement. You absolutely must use a filter for this type of lens. This lens gets up close and personal to subjects. Any particle will attract to the front element. This would require you to wipe it clean every second. There are filters that are thin and with 007 nano coating that repel water and particles from the front to keep it clean and maintenance free if only for your photo session. The thiner the filter is the less optical interference you get. Other wise you will have all kinds of dust problems. This is a fact. I have a 50 mil lens that I use with tubes and a 40 mill lens and the 40 mill does not have a nano coated uv filter yet. I had all kinds of dust in my pictures. None on the 50 mm in weeks of work. Tons on the 40 just after hours of work. I just purchase the 40 mm lens. There is no way the brand new lens is dirtier then the lens I never cleaned and used for about 3 to 4 years. Nano dust repellent filters do work.
Before I proceed with the review, I want to advise everyone considering buying this lens to ponder your macro-photography skills. This lens requires that you know a great deal about what you're doing.To begin, I'll talk about the focusing -- or rather lack-there-of. This lens doesn't focus like a traditional lens. No. Instead, you have to set it to the reproduction ratio you want to use, and then focus on your subject by moving the lens back and forth. True, you could move the 'focusing ring' to focus on the subject, but by doing so you will be altering your reproduction ratio -- not to mention the lens itself moves in and out, which could scare away living subjects. Again, that was just a word of caution.Moving on now, the lens itself is very heavy. It comes standard with a tripod ring -- a big indicator the lens is one heavy beast. When you zoom the lens in or out, the front element moves. If you zoom all the way in -- at 5x reproduction ratio -- the lens doubles in size. Alas, this is the only problem I have had when using this lens. When you're using 5:1 reproduction ratio, it's very hard to use a standard wireless flash. Managing the lens' weight and flash placement can get tricky. Canon sells a flash system specifically designed for this lens, but it's rather bulky and expensive. Instead I bought a Neewer Slave Flash, and used the bracket from that to support my regular flash.Aside from the problems with weight and size, this lens is amazing. It takes stunningly detailed pictures. The choice of reproduction ratio is what distinguishes this lens from any other macro lens. The build quality is also quite good, but definitely not 'L' series quality.This is the king of macro lenses at this point in time, but only if you know how to use it.
I got this lens a couple years ago and use it extensively.  It is well constructed and easy to use with any Canon EOS body, though it must be focused manually.  This is the only tool I know of that enables easy *field* photography above 2x magnification.  I have stalked the tiniest insects and peered into the hearts of flowers with this astounding lens, and my images are crisp and clean every time.  It comes with Tripod Ring B (same one as several other Canon lenses use, just in black), which greatly aids switching to a vertical format without having to reposition everything.Buy the MR-14EX ring flash with this, as it is impossible to see *anything* in normal daylight conditions at 5x.  Its focus lamps frequently help in obtaining sharp pictures, though even they can't provide enough light to help you much when the lens is stopped down.  A focus rail is also helpful--I use the Velbon macro slider since it moves in two directions, not just one.  Tripod use is essential, as 5x magnification only covers an area about 5mm by 7mm, and a macro rail will greatly aid focusing.Since first penning this review, I have worked at using this lens with the 2x Canon teleconverter.  This combination can be used, but one must be careful to not stop the lens down very far as diffraction effects quickly degrade image quality.  Instead, compose the image with the lens wide open, and use adjacent f-stops to add just a touch more depth of field.  With this setup, the object being photographed is too close for the Canon ring flash to illuminate, so you'll want a standard flash attached to an accessory cord to provide sufficient lighting.  With the zoom racked out to 5x, one can achieve photos less than 2mm wide on an APS-C sensor, or somewhere between 15x and 20x.  I recently photographed a cluster of spider mites this way.Over the last several years, focus stacking (digitally combining many photos to extend depth-of-field) has become practical.  If you plan to do extensive work with high magnification subjects, it is worth investigating Zerene Systems and Helicon Focus for their software, and Cognisys for an automated focus rail.  But this is expensive and specialized gear to most people.The biggest advantage to owning this lens is that I travel less to do photography--I spent several hours on my patio this winter photographing white flies, moss, spiders, and anything else that visited the potted plants there.  Plunk down in a field and *stay there* a while, and you'll start to notice the small things around you.
I recently acquired the Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens for the sole purpose of getting in real close to the features printed on US Local stamps from the 1800s, since there are an abundance of multi-variant forgeries that need to be identified against a reference original stamp. A focusing rail, such as the Jamco brand, is essential, as the lens needs to be brought forward and backward to manually focus at the different magnifications. DOF is not an issue with stamps, obviously, but targeting in to a focused image across the stamps' surface while attempting to get into the minute details within design lines and lettering, forces the use of the rail frequently. Also, a Neewer macro "flash" ring is quite sufficient for a paper-only non-reflective surface/even with the common glazed papers often found on these type of stamps. A great lens for documenting in this very specialized field, esp. when I want to sell the forgeries to collectors under the correctly identified number and letter in my reference books. I have posted 2 images of the portions of a legitimate vs. a fraudulent stamp, to give an idea of the level of detail, for comparison, revealed at high magnification.
Like a microscope going from life size to 5 times larger than life. The higher the magnification the more shallow the depth of field becomes.Be aware this lens is only for macro. at 1x (actual size your subject must be about 4 inches away from the lens, at 5x 1.6 inches.) The lens has no focus ring. You focus by zooming the lens or moving the camera on a focusing rail.You will need to always use this with a tripod to get the best results. Also a focus rail is very helpful. There is a good one for about $40 on ebay. Search for "Macro Focusing Rail Slider for DSLR" and order one shipping from the USA and not China. I have ordered from China and it sometimes takes several weeks to arrive and I had one item that never showed up.If you shoot outside you will also want a ring light flash which attaches to the lens. This will run you from $200 to $500. You will probably end up using the smallest aperture f16 to maximize the area in focus (which will still be quite small).When shooting things so small at high enlargements the slightest wind or vibration can ruin your shot. I was shooting in my home studio and could not get a clear shot. I was using a remote shutter release so I was not touching the camera. Then I realized the slight air movement when the heat was running was enough to move the butterfly I was shooting and blur the shot. Also just moving my foot on the floor from one spot to another flexed the floor just enough to blur the shot. So it takes practice to get good shots.This is probably the best lens available for macro photography.
first off, this is NOT an easy lens to use.  when you are at 5x , your focus point is about the between the size of a pin head and 1/2 dime size.  That being said - you can get some absolutely STUNNING photos.  It takes patience and practice, practice, practice.  A macro flash is a MUST for this lens - especially at 5x -- because you need to be at f/16 to get any DOF at all.  I have not purchased this lens - I am currently renting from local camera shop.  I've had it 3 days, and I am addicted to it.  I keep finding more and more things to gigantize.  It is also must to have a good tripod and a trigger release.  Pushing the button on the camera could EASILY move your subject out of focus.All that being said - this is an AWESOME lens.  I will be saving my dimes and nickles up so I can afford not only this lens, but the  MT-24EX flash as well.If you have the cash and like to play with macro photography - you will NOT be disappointed with this lens.
I mainly use this lens inside the studio, so I use studio lights to control the lighting of a subject. The higher the magnification, the more lighting is needed.I use a tripod to photograph and either move the subject in focus, or change the magnification from the magnification ring of the lens. I set the aperture to f/16 (smallest aperture for this lens) to make sure I get maximum depth of field and sharpest result.The magnification mechanism works by increasing the distance between the glass and the film/sensor. So if you move the magnification ring fast enough, you can feel some air flowing, just like the bellows. I used this lens on a Canon EOS 10D and forgot to clean the shutter chamber from dust, the magnification movement from 5:1 to 1:1 pushed some of the dust particles on the sensor, so make sure you clean the chamber.
Excellent special purpose lens. Better than expected. Caution: with large magnifications there is very low depth of field, especially that you need to use large apertures to get a good sharpness.
The list of cons is long.1)The lens is light starved. A ring light or other "Macro Flash" is almost a necessity2) It has an amazingly thin depth of field which I did not think was adjustable.3) No focus ring.  Nope, ya' set the magnification you want and move the camera back and forth until the picture is sharp.4) It is heavy. Which is why it comes with a built in tripod mount on the lens itself.5) It is expensive.6) It is very limited in its application.  You can't focus out to infinity so it isn't the best thing for recording your trek through the wilderness.  In fact it doesn't focus much farther away than 10 inches.  So it's out of the question for your trek to the Supermarket either.  And if you want a portrait of little junior you'll get a nostril at a time.Waaa Waaaa WaaaaWas wrong about the no fStop adjustment.  The camera does control it.  Having said that, the depth of field is still amazingly shallow.  If your subject requires more depth and is stationary (This won't work on a live moving subject) you can do focus stacking using several exposures at various focal planes and adding them with software like Helicon, or CombineZP.Pro1) Takes amazing photos if you have the will to master it.
One of my motivations in getting into photography had always been  doing macro photography.  I'd been delighted with my Canon 100mm Macro lens, but wanted to get in even closer.  So I ordered the Canon MP-E 65mm f/ 2.8 Macro.  I have to say I was so intimidated by it on arrival, I almost sent it back.  It sat on my table for six months.  Finally I put it on my camera, put some honey on my porch railing,  and began to photograph wasps and ants.  (Aided by the Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash, which for me is essential for this lens.)  I was truly amazed at some of the results I've gotten, amazed as well at some of  the things I've learned about the creatures I'd been shooting.  (Like discovering a parasite-ridden ant.) The MP-E 65mm / Mt-24EX combo is heavy and awkward (and with the 24EX, seemingly fragile) but don't be intimidated.  Play with it a little and you'll love it as much as I do.
The Canon 500D close-up filter/lens is not a replacement for a macro lens. If you need true macro capability, then buy the right lens.That said, if you find yourself in situations where you just can't back up far enough to focus with the lens you have mounted, the 500D can help you get the shot. I've used it on multiple lenses from Canon (attached to my 5D Mark II), Olympus (attached to my OM-1, E-410, and E-520), Vivitar (attached to the 5D Mark II and the E-520) and Sekor (attached to my Mamiya AFDii) using a set of step-down rings as needed.This is definitely a heavy chunk of glass, so it's going to add some weight to the end of your lens. Be careful when screwing it into the filter ring on your camera; I recommend that you remove the skylight/UV filter on your lens first, if you're using one. I haven't noticed any real loss in terms of exposure or sharpness that I can definitely attribute to the 500D. (When I'm using the 500D, it's generally in a somewhat lower-light situation with the aperture open fairly wide, so I'm bumping up ISO on digital cameras and I expect a fair amount of the image to be somewhat out of focus.)Treat it as you would any other photographic glass: handle with care, keep your fingers off the glass surface, and clean it with the right tools (e.g., Lens Pen, microfiber cloth, soft brush, dust blower, etc.). Definitely keep the case to store the 500D when not in use.
Crystal clear and sharp. No problems there at all (Canon makes decent lenses just like Nikon). I use it on a Nikon 70-300 VR with a 67mm-72mm step-up ring. Images are amazing on my D90. The focusing distance is ideal for bugs and the magnification is UNREAL! However, the narrow depth-of-field is a bummer. I knew this when I bought it but I got it anyway - and I'm glad I did.
This lens has revolutionized the way I do garden photography. Teamed with my 18-300 mm Nikkor lens, it's all in one package. The only drawback that I can see is having to take it on and off, and sometimes it fritzes with the focus on the Nikkor. It takes some getting used to, but the results have improved over the course of three days, and I think it will be a powerful tool for me. Thank you, Canon. I can only wish that Nikon would re-introduce its own version of this very handy, lightweight, cost-efficient alternative to the long-zoom macro. I also wish there was a way to post photos so you could see what this can do.
make sure you remove the filter before using. This is a great product and my understanding is Canon will dis continue this product. I recommend buying it before the moment is gone.
It really does the work it is advertised to do... and it really does it well!!It's Bokeh is very good and very pronounced (just as a macro lens would) and it does soften images just a bit (it's Ok for my standards).. The lens is quite heavy and realy picks up handshake though, so it will require a tripod for sharp images...It produces  amazing close ups that I wouldn't have been able to do with my nikkor 18-200 VR lens..Bottom line: If you have the money to buy a macro, then please do and forget about this lens, but if you are somehow in a budget, then this little piece of glass really shines!!! Highlly recommended!!!
My apparatus:  Canon T3i, 18-200 zoom lens.  I setup up a ruler and tripod to test the magnification and focus length.  Using full zoom (i.e. 200 mm), my field of view is .7789 cm.  Keeping the camera in the same location but adding the 500D, my field of view is .6117 (about 21.5% magnification).  My focal length was about 15 inches.  Adding the 500d also allowed me to get about a half inch closer to the measure, yielding a field of view of .5884 cm (or a usable magnification of slightly less than 25% to having no 500D).Is it worth it having to hassle with putting this filter (quasi lens--beefy filter) on/off for 25% magnification? Hindsight, I wouldn't do it, unless I was going to shoot a lot of maximum macro pics with that lens.  Save the money and buy a true macro lens, otherwise it's a little spendy for marginal improvement.  Sigh.  Anyone want a 500D used once?!
After considering extension tubes and finding macro lenses so expensive, with Nikon not making a close up lens any longer, someone in a forum mentioned this close up lens.  It works superbly and is of high quality.  Works great with my 18-200 vr zoom lens and the photos are focused and crisp.  Autofocus works great with the product.
I use this on my Nikon 18-200mm lens.  It does a very nice job, but remember this a "magnifying glass".  Don't expect this to turn your lens into a Macro.  The 500D is a nice option to have if you need to travel light and would like to have the option of coming in a little closer to your subjects.  It won't bring you as close and give as nice a bokeh like the Nikon 105mm macro lens (for example), but then it's merely a fraction of the weight and size of the 105mm.The build quality of the 500D is excellent and it comes in a nice clear plastic, padded case.Addendum May 31, 2011I've never revisited my own product review and stumbled across this one.  After re-reading my old post I decided to add this after having used the lens for a bit.  A recent review posted by Jeff Burkey questioned the value of the 500D on the 18-200mm as it only increases magnification by 21% (something like that).  Now, I do partially agree with Jeff's logic.  I can get fairly close to my subject with a standard Nikkor 18-200mm on a Nikon D90 and capture an image with enough resolution to crop in 21% thus giving the same effect of using the 500D, without apparent denigration of picture quality (to me at least).  I post process all of my photos to improve their quality (sharpness, contrast, saturation, etc.) so now days I rarely find the need to use the 500D on my 18-200mm.HOWEVER, the usefulness of the 500D really sings on my Nikkor 70-300mm.  The addition of this lens enables me to focus at very close distances, otherwise I would have to back up quite a distance from the subject.  More impressive is the magnification which is wonderful.  Enough to make a material difference in what I can shoot and thus make the 500D useful for me to carry again as long as I'm using the 70-300.I do use pro grade FX glass, but haven't tested the 500D on those yet.  When ever I'm in "pro" macro mode I use the Nikkor 105vr 2.8 macro, which can deliver vastly superior results.
This lens works nicely for close-up images. Its easy to use and is very clear. It is just that little extra you need for some shots. This is one lens I carry when out looking at an area I haven't walked before, you never know when you might want to shot something close-up and this lens makes it easy and fast. My everyday lens is a 18-200 so it gives a great range when out on a walkabout.
I bought this close up lens after reading what Bryan Peterson said about it in this book on closeup photography and the mixed reviews I'd read.  I have tried it out on my Nikkor 18mm - 200mm lens.  At first I followed the instructions and used it at 18mm.  This gave little if any benefit over using my lens with at 200mm.  That explained the negative reviews of this closeup lens.  I then ignored the instructions and zoomed the Nikkor lens out to 200mm with the close up lens on and that made a huge difference.The lens does not fit on my 70-300mm lens, so I have ordered a stepup ring for that lens.  I have read a couple of reviews that say the close up lens is excellent on that lens.The main reason I bought this lens is that it will be easy to use when traveling.  I cannot take a big macro lens on overseas trips, but this close up lens will fit in my pocket in its case.
These lenses are more useful than many people think. The Canon 500d for example changes the focus of the lens at infinity to 500mm or about 20 inches.  However if you focus your lens to minimum focus then depending on how close your lens can focus you might end up with say a 12 inch minimum focus or even less if your lens is close focusing. The 500d magnifies 2x which means for example if your lens will focus to 1/4 life size normally then with the 500d you can focus to 1/2 life size, etc. These lenses work very well with a zoom in the 70 to 300mm range. With a zoom you can vary the magnification by zooming in or out. This is an advantage that you don't have with a true macro lens because they are prime lenses. And because you can zoom you have less need of a focusing rail. The image quality is quite good with these lenses  if you use a good lens to start with. They are easier to use than extension tubes and don't reduce the f stop like an extension tube does. You can use them in combination with a macro lens or extension tubes. They are easier to carry around than an extra lens. Canon also makes the 250d which focuses at 250 mm or about 10 inches at infinity and maybe goes down to 6 inches depending again on how close your lens focuses. The 250d is 4x. Also Marumi makes good quality achromatic closeup lenses in 3x and 5x in various diameters (330 and 200mm at infinity). In addition you can find used Nikon achromatic closeup lenses on e-bay in 1.5x and 3x magnification. Closeup lenses are not too useful with lenses that are less than 50mm. With a 50mm you can use a combination of an extension tube and a closeup lens. John Shaw's book "Closeup in Nature" has a lot of useful information about closeup lenses. He has had photos published in various nature magazines that were taken with two element closeup lenses (Nikons I think) so don't get the idea that professional quality photos can not be taken with these lenses. Amazon has separate reviews for each filter size which is a mistake since they are otherwise the same. I would never get rid of one of these because you buy a true macro lens. It is good to have both. Some of the older macro lenses only went to 1/2 life size so in combination  with the 500d you can bring it up to life size
i really did not know what to expect when i got this "lens" i have been truly surprised. i have taken about 500 shots, 50 keepers so far. mostly leaves and seeds. it is not what i call a true macro lens. but it beats having my bag on me at all times. i went for a walk and had it in my pocket. put it on my 70-200 and it did an outstanding job. does not work so well with the wide angle lens eg 17-40. bit of  a learning curve, but once you get the idea, it does do a good job.for the money, it is well worth the investment.
The Canon Close Up Lens is a great addition to your collections of lens, if you have one of those L lenses with 77mm , Canon also has the 250D, depending on your lens, please check first.The Close Up lens is perfect for shoting flowers, bugs, fishes or items you want to sell on ebay :), putting the lens might require some AE +1 compensation, just try and make some test shots before going out, also if you have IS, turn it on.Overall, i like the lens, better than my extension tubes.
Purchased as a gift for someone.  They use this to improve their closeup ability when unable to get in closer than where they are.  Although this person shoots Nikon, nikon has stopped making close up lens.  As with other canon equipt, this filter lens is well constructed.  The 77mm was purchased with idea that it could be used on all lens using the appropriate size step-up rings.  There has been no problems doing this and rings are much less expensive than buying different size filters.
This turns your long zoom into an effective macro lens.  It is good for when you want to get tight focusing but don't have the luxury of close quarters working distance of a traditional macro lens.  I have used this effectively.  It is definitely an occasional use tool.  I have probably used it 6 or 7 times since I bought it.  Even though this is a Canon product I use it on my Nikon lenses.  It really doesn't matter, it would work on any lens that takes 77mm filters.
An inexpensive alternative to buying a $1000 separate close up lens.  Works well.  If I find myself shooting more close up photos, I might get the L lens, but for now this is a great alternative, fits my 70-200, 24-105 and 300 f4.  Also fits great in my Lowepro filter pouch.
When I purchased the 70-200mm F/2.8L IS lens, one of the things I found out quickly is that it has a very long minimum focal distance. (almost 9 feet).I heard about the close up lens which allows you to focus much closer.I finally found a used one and purchased it.  It does exactly what it is supposed to. Minimum focal length with it is about 1 foot or so.You do have to remove it when you want to focus away again.Well made from lens quality glass.. but OUCH the price.
Takes really good close-ups. Not really a substitute for true macro but, for other than hard core macro shooters, it's close enough; light, inexpensive and very sharp! Use it with a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 and it does very well.
Superb optics to shorten the working distance for close-up work, very little color fringing and no visible distortion. Nice piece of glass.
Love this little guy.  Yeah, it's more expensive than the cheap ones you find at some camera stores, but this "lens" has a double element, takes sharp pictures, and is oodles better than any other close up filter you can get.  I use it with my Nikon D80--you  need to purchase a step-up ring, as this is designed for Canon lenses, but they're cheap and simple to use.  Two thumbs up, five big stars.
Really fun, high quality with no image degradation, and no loss of light (as you get with extension tubes).  Really enjoy using this on my nikon d5100
Easy way of getting a great Macro zoom. Stuck it on my 70-200VR f/2.8 Nikon lens & suddenly have a great super quality macro lens. Highly recommend.
The Canon 500D 77mm Close Up Lens does the job for getting really close to your subject. Highly recommended for macro if you have a telephoto with 77mm lens or you can use a Step Up adapter. I use with Canon 7D DSLR and Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom the combination works great, it shorten the working distance for close-up work, from 1.8 meters to 0.5 meters, DOF is very shallow, so a high f number is recomendedWorking distance: from front of lens to subjectFocusing distance: from sensor / film plane to subjectDOF: deep of field
This is a wonderful closeup lens.  It easily ranks with the Nikon multi-element closeup lenses.  I use it on my 24-105 and don't have to carry a macro lens with me most of the time.
I love this close-up lens. It adds macro-like capabilities to a regular lens, without the extra weight of a dedicated macro lens. Overall, I usually grab a dedicated macro lens, but if I'm hiking, this is much easier to add to my 70-200, or 80-400 Nikon lenses (both 77mm lens front) and I get the zoom and macro capability in one. The biggest difference is in DOF. I get better DOF with a true macro lens, since they were designed to do just that.
Wasn't sure if I could justify the price of this adapter lens, Its heavy, but the quality I get in close up shoots is worth its wait in gold
This turned my 70-200 into a superlative macro lens on par with a dedicated macro.
Hello,Got this because I didn't want to carry yet another lens with me and I have a telephoto I use all the time.This is isn't terribly light, it's a sizable chunk of glass, still way lighter/smaller then actual macro lens.Quality of build is awesome.Quality of photos is great as well.Note that you won't have infinity focus (at all), furtherst focus is a few feet, but now my 70-200 becomes a fair macro lens. With 2x extender it becomes quite good macro lens.Note that it's a bit easy to get dirty and harder to clean then just lens filters.Recommended to anyone who wants to play around without paying or caring too much.Cheers.
I use it on the Nikon 28-300mm, in the telephoto end. The images so obtained are crisp and sharp. Happy with this filter.
I purchased this for my Nikon 70-200 f2.8 vrii so that it can double as a "macro" lens.  Instead of spending another $1k for a 105 f2.8 macro, this close up lens works great for my 70-200.  Without this, my lens need a minimum of 5 feet to focus.  With this, I can go in to almost one feet and zoom in at 200mm and take very sharp pictures.  I do not have a real macro lens to compare, but it works good enough for me.
For that, I'd need a macro lens or extension tubes (or stackable filters). This filter has great glass and the edge is brass. Makes it a little heavy.
I bet if you are considering buying the 85mm 1.8 you came across this lens and thought to yourself why is the 85mm 1.2 so much more expensive? Is it sharper? Is it that much better?Not necessarily. This is a specialty lens, and that's one reason I don't own it (I also can't afford it, lol). Photographers who buy it are aiming for a specific look that's created with 1.2 aperture. The look this lens creates tends to be very sharp at center and smoothly moves to dreamy blur towards the edges. It's that very special effect that you see in some of the top fashion photography that photographers seek in this lens.Other than the special effect that the extra stop offers there are few basic differences. The 1.2 produces more contrast and saturated colors, but it isn't anything beyond what you can replicate in Photoshop. On the other hand the 1.8 focuses faster. Also, the 1.2 extra stop accounts for the huge size and weight difference. The 1.2 weight 2.3 pounds!! vs. the 1.8 which weight slightly under 1 pound. I am guessing that due to this weight difference the 1.2 focuses slower (much heavier and bigger glass), but that's just a guess.Keep in mind that the 1 stop difference in aperture accounts for the stark difference in price. Both lenses are designed differently (element count for example). There are many other lenses that serve as an example of big difference in pricing due to only 1 extra stop. Take for example the 16-35 2.8 and 17-40 4.0; one stop difference doubles the price in the case of the first lens.I hope that you found this information helpful in deciding if this great lens is for you or not. As for me, I decided to sacrifice the extra stop in aperture and go with the 85mm 1.8. It represents  a better value for me plus if I ever need a higher aperture I would just buy the 50mm 1.4, which provides an 85mm field of view on my 1.6 crop factor camera. Defiantly a lower quality lens, but greater value for me!Ps. many fashion photographers own both lenses (1.8 and 1.2). They use the 1.8 most of the time along with the 135 2.0 (another great lens!) and only pull out the 1.2 when the job calls for its special effects.
Best lens I have! I have a few prime lenses and this is very sharp.Very heavy but that is not a n issue for me focusing is kind of slow but I use it for portraits so is not an issue.Can't go wrong. V2 is faster but more expensive.Can't go wrong with it.
Pros:  tack sharp,incredible bokeh,low light abilityCons:  none so far given the upside of the lensPros:  Fabulous image quality, clarity and color rendition. Smooth OOF areas a.k.a. BokehBig, manual focus only works with shutter button partially depressedPros:  Fabulous bokeh, contrasts, and color. Pulls in the light.Cons:  Sure it focuses slow like everyone says, but not enough to be a problemPros:  optical quality, solid feeling lensCons:  for some, the price and weightPros:  Image quality, BOKEHCons:  Not dust and water sealed. Does not transmit distance information to camera for ETTL II flash use.Pros:  Image Quality [sharpness, color, contrast, bokeh], this is it, one of the best lenses made.Cons:  Some purple fringing at wide appertures can be seen in extreme highlights [shiny objects]Pros:  sharpness, weight (good balancing on pro bodies), amazing background blur ability. super-bright view through viewfinder is addictive - F2.8 zooms look dark like hell compared to it. Great build qualityCons:  price (but large aperture is never cheap). lens front extends during focusing, although not much.if your a newbie here's some infoA lens is "fast" when it has a low f-stop... ok so when you have a smaller number the apature is bigger which allows more light through, so this means you can up the shutter speed. and still have enough light reach the sensor.ok so lets say you have an out door shot if you have say an f/4 lens the shutter speed could be 1/250 of a second and you would get a good exposer. Now this lens can only go f/4but if you in the same outdoor setting, had an f/2.8 lens you could jump to 1/500 of a second and get the same exposer. and freeze the action mmore effectivly, this i believe is why it's a "fast" lens.ok have fun and get it done
I can't explain how much I adore this lens, and how worth the money it was. I own a 13 year old copy that still looks and functions like new. That's really saying something about the build quality of this lens. I you invest in this lens not only will you be taking your photography to a whole new level, but you will have a lens that will last you your whole career.The optics you'll see from this lens are just outstanding, something I can't get from any other. It gives an ethereal look to every picture. The colors and especially sharpness wide open are spectacular! I am blown away by this lens's performance. No need for the mark ii for me.They warned about problems with the shallow dof...I never really have problems with it on my 6d. As long as you're familiar with working with a 1.2 aperture, there is nothing that will throw you off with this lens. The 1.2 is a pleasure to work with and when mastered gives simply amazing results. This lens can see in the dark. I've had people marvel over how it made the image "look so bright." it just sucks the light in!If you don't own this lens, you don't know what you're missing!
I love this lens but boy howdy is it HEAVY. I just sold my Mark III due to its massive bulk, I traded down to a 6D, but when I add this lens I need two hands to navigate it.  But...and this is why I bought it, we are talking SHARP.. We are talking FAST. I basically do available light shots, I almost never use flash and this lens is perfect for that.We are told in other reviews not to use for macro, but with heavy cropping, I get some very nice sharp shots of bees, bugs and flowers closeup. I havent used it for portraits, but other reviewers say the lens is perfect for that.If weight doesnt bother you, this is the lens for you.
Ease of focusing depends on the camera and one's visual acuity;not so easy for me and a Canon 20D with standard focusing screen.However, images obtained with correct focus can be highly rewarding.Extender, extension tubes and ring flash are worthwhile accessories.If Canon made a zoom with tilt+shift, it could be my primary lens.
I do a lot of flowers and scenery. The tilt and shift lenses are often thought of as primarily for architectural photography, but the 90mm Canon f2.8 TS EOS lens has gained a good reputation for its close focusing and portrait applications, areas that are of interest to me.So far, I'm pleased. I'll upload a favorite flower shot as an example.What surprised me more than the versatility of the manually focusing lens is the color saturation--far greater than some L primes and as good as Leitz lenses. That says a great deal about the quality of the glass.
This is the ideal product photography lens for small to medium sized objects on a full-frame camera. I guess I don't REALLY need the precision focusing abilities that this lens provides for posting product shots on the online auction site (you know the one), but I find that the quality of the image makes a big impression and brings in higher sales if it looks professional--plus I just enjoy playing with what this lens can do. This is not for a one-off product shot where you snap a quick photo and throw it up on the web. You take your time with this lens and get the composition just right. I don't use it for anything gimmicky like miniature or other effects and I rarely even use the shift function, as these days perspective correction can be done just as easily in PhotoShop. In fact, the way I use the lens, the viewer would never even realize that a tilt was used. That's because I just use it to maximize the focus on the surface of products; what the viewer sees is a product that might be set on an angle yet the whole visible face of it is in focus.For precision accuracy, this is best used with a tripod and live view, although I have managed to take a few shots hand-held with the lens tilted. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it. The other pluses besides the tilt and shift functions are that 1) The lens has no light fall-off (vignetting) wide open (unshifted), 2) It focuses nice and close (not as close as a macro, but suitable for small objects), and 3)It's one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes (again unshifted) and remains sharp when tilted. This may even be the sharpest of all the Canon TS-E lenses.I use this on a full-frame camera; on APS-C it's going to emulate a 144mm lens which is too long to be useful for product photography, particularly in my cramped home studio. The 45mm TS-E would be better suited for APS-C sensor cameras, although it isn't as sharp as this lens. The only drawback of this lens is that it is not very convenient to use in a less controlled environment such as walking about in nature; I would probably reach for an autofocus macro lens in those situations before this lens, even though the tilt and shift might be desirable. It's not very practical to stop and set up each shot with a tripod when you're on a trip with companions in tow. I won't deduct any points for that though because this lens does what it's designed to do very well.
Before I start the review, let me state that I am a professional wedding photographer and my review will be from that perspective.Having the TS-E 90 is, in my opinion, the equivalent to having a fish-eye lens. Once you get to a certain point in your career (or expensive hobby), you start to look for ways to trigger more creativity and give you that feeling you got when you bought your first L lens. Like a fisheye, this lens allows you to create images that stand out from the crowd. Of course the effects are different, but the reasoning behind the purchase/owning the lenses is the same: to give you more creative control.This being said, the tilt-shift lens allows you to do several things that really make your images POP:1. You can tilt/shift the lens to make a tiny slice of DOF which really makes your subject stand out. This is not tiny like an 85 1.2, but tiny more like a Lensbaby (but better). I use it to make the bride's eyes really pop out while giving a super-soft dreamy look to her dress and the background.2. You can tilt/shift an image to make the subject(s) look like they're  miniature. (If you haven't seen this before, Google tilt-shift photography) Although initially this seems gimmicky, and it is if over used, you can really utilize this feature to make some stand-out images. Whenever I employ this technique, such as a shot of a ceremony from a high vantage point, the bride and groom inevitably compliment the image and are amazed at how unique the shot it.3. Finally, you can also tilt/shift an image of architecture (for me, churches) to stop the vertical lines from converging at the top. This makes buildings look like they should. Although this seems like a small benefit, the difference a tilt-shifted building makes is that much more professional than one that is not. It's another quality that makes clients compliment the image without really knowing why it's so good.To conclude, while this is an expensive lens and is certainly not for everybody, I feel that if you can justify the price, it will most definitely be a great addition to your bag.
When I purchased a used lens copy of this TS-E lens, I was already familiar with tilt/shift lenses by using both the 24/3.5 I and II TS-E versions. The design of the 90/2.8 TS-E is the same one as formerly used in the 24/3.5 TS-E I lens. Advantage of this old build style is its metal lens body and better knobs to turn compared to the new 24/3.5 II TS-E lens. The TS-E lenses of the older style on the other hand lack the option to rotate easily tilt and shift perpendicular or parallel to each other. I preferred with the old version of the 24/3.5 I TS-E lens to have the tilt in parallel to the shift which is a 90 deg turn of the lens mount against the front part of the lens (manufacturing setting for the old type of Canon TS-E lenses is perpendicular tilt versus shift). This can fairly easily being done by unscrewing the 4 tiny screws in the corners of the lens housing, turning one of the two parts 90 degrees counter-clockwise, and reattaching both lens parts against each other. I prefer this position because it is more useful in landscape and especially with the 90/2.8 TS-E for macro photography to increase depth of field by tilting the lens.The 90/2.8 TS-E lens turned out to be surprisingly sharp even when fully shifted in either direction without any visible vignetting which was a major issue in the first version of the 24/3.5 TS-E I lens. This 90/2.8 TS-E lens can easily compete in sharpness with my very sharp copy of the newer 24/3.5 TS-E II lens. I also tested this lens with my full frame infrared camera with cutoff at 715 nm, and it worked flawlessly. Merging three photos taken in both shift directions and without shift works easily without any remaining distortions or problems for the post processing software to merge the photos.So far I only used this lens for landscape photography, but I am sure it is excellent for macro and close-up photography, too. Since it is a manual focus lens like all other TS-E lenses, I recommend finding a good used lens copy for a reasonable price. Canon will likely update this lens in 2014/2015 time frame with a new model which likely will be able to rotate tilt versus shift more easily (as in the 24/3.5 TS-E II lens).  I am not convinced that I would benefit from a new lens model of this already superior lens in image quality. I am glad that I am now owning this lens - definitely a keeper and one of my sharpest lenses.
This lens is great for shooting product photography. I use it for food, shoes, bags, jewelry, and a lot of things. Sometimes, I add two macro rings and get fairly high magnification (like 1:1 or half life size) but the image quality is still very good, with almost zero  chromatic aberration thanks to the true double Gauss design. However, when doing product photography, I want to have independent axes for tilt and shift. This lens ships with cross-axis configuration, which I changed to in-axis, which is a bit more useful, but frequently, I want 30 or 45-degree between those axes.I also use it for corrective portraiture, when shooting headshots with people with round face, double chin, or some other difficult features. Since there is no autofocus, this is not the easiest thing to do, but people who are really conscious about their facial features will usually cooperate with me with this slow working lens, when I tell this is one of the best but unknown tricks anyone can use, combined with lighting technique, etc... If the model has no such issue, I prefer to shoot 85mm with AF.I took one star away because I can't change the axes of tilt and shift independently.Incidentally, TS-E 45mm is terrible at anything like half life size, and it gets a lot worse with tele converter. That lens is good for bigger objects.
This lens is a macro, a short telephoto, a portrait lens, and a landscape lens that offers new creative possibilities.  Because depth of field can be manipulated as in a view camera, this is proving to be my most versatile lens in my bag, in spite of the fact it is "just" a 90mm prime lens.  For macro shooting, even with an extension tube, additional depth of field possibilities open up with the tilt.  The lens is a fantastic straight-on prime lens for portraits.  I find entirely new possibilities for landscape shooting.  And hand-held shots are no problem at all, even with maximum tilt.  Though it is strictly a manual focus lens (the AF does not work on this one) the image in the view finder is so bright I have no problem manually focusing. Because of the extreme depth of field capabilities, my wide angle lens gets used less now that I have this lens to play with.  I love it!
I finally have all the paper I need for my prints for my photography class, this is expensive paper. If I could go back I would buy the 25 or 50 sheets instead.
Timely delivery, well packaged. Completely new and ready for use. No shadow images or accidental exposure. Great paper quality. 100 sheets really lets you forget about not having enough paper and print at your leisure.
Ilford Multigrade FB is great paper to work with, but Amazon ships it out looking like the boxes were overstacked for far too long.  The boxes should NOT be worn looking.  The contrast is diminished when the paper is compressed for extended periods.B&H; ships pristine boxes of Ilford, so if you need to order online, buy there.
Nothing to say about this product except that it is exactly as stated in the description.  Very well worth it.
But it did it's job. Just don't expose it to open light like an idiot (unless your intentionally solarizing the film or something).
I have been using Ilford paper for 8 years now. What else can I say, it's the best. Highly recommended.
Love it.
This is a useful item to widen the field of view for my Olympus E-3 camera t-mount.  I have used for both sunspot viewing (using filter on my Celestron SCT-8) and moon shots.
Using a single design for all the different C series Schmidt Cas telescopes seems like a good idea but in the end this simply makes stuff smaller and brighter and adds an odd contour to the field of view.  If you look through this with a star far out of focus you can see the deformation of the airy disk.DOES get enough extra relief to use DSLR cameras with a C series telescope.  Wish one was made for Orion Mak-Cas!
If you want to do any imaging on a non HD Celestron C series, you need this corrector.  F/10 is too slow to do imaging of Deep Space Objects. F/6.3 while not very fast, at least puts you in the ballpark of being able to have reasonable image capture times. If you don't do any imaging, and strictly do visual observations, then just get higher mm eyepieces.
Screwed on perfectly to my 6inch SCT and cut exposure times in half when doing astrophotography.Also, obviously give you a wide field of view, which again helps with the wide field astrophotography.  I wouldn't recommend this for visual use, because I don't think it really adds anything
I am sorry that I did not buy this accessory two years ago. It all began with a used Celestron C5. Then I bought a very nice used Nexstar 8SE and thought wow, I should have done this go-to thing sooner. After a year or so, I moved up to a new Celestron CPC925 and decided to explore video astronomy with an inexpensive Samsung SBC-2000 security cam. Most SCTs have a focal ratio of about f/10 (focal length divided by aperture) but a camera works better with a faster (shorter focal length) scope. The usual way to do that with a video camera is to screw on a small .5x reducer. So I bought on of those for $35 and was just amazed at the detail and colors in the Dumbbell Nebula. Then someone over at Cloudynights.com suggested that try adding a f/6.3 reducer (stacking reducers). So I bought the f/6.3, screwed in on the back of the CPC925, replaced the visual back and diagonal, mounted the camera (without the .5x) and stayed up until 2AM looking at the Orion Nebula. Before heading for bed, I pulled the camera, put in a 20MM 68 degree APOV eyepiece, and had another "Wow!" moment.The Celestron f/6.3 reducer-corrector really brightens the image, widens the field of view, improves contrast and detail, and flattens the image improving the look of stars near the edge of the field of view. Many people leave them on all of the time except when looking at the moon and planets or other high magnification situation.There are other and cheaper reducers on the market and they do work. However not all of them offer the same degree of improvement at the edge of the field of view. Rod Mollise writes "...6.3 r/cs are one of the best--if not the best--SCT accessories to ever come down the pike" and "I'll put it this way...the 6.3 rarely comes off the rear cell of the C8."
My husband loves this lens and I'm glad that I finally got around to rating everything I bought over the last 3 years. It's an excellent addition to his slowly accumulation of telescoping tools and he loves his new hobby.
For astrophotography, there is a good deal of vignetting though.  Post-processing with software such as photoshop can usually lessen the severity of this.
This is a quality focal reducer that fits perfectly and works exactly as advertised. I now have two telescopes - a long focal length (f10) instrument for high magnification of planets and a shorter one (f6.3) with the lens attached for wide angle views of nebulae and deep sky objects. I would recommend this reducer lens for anyone with an SCT.
The Celestron Reducer is a great way to get a wider view of the sky with your Celestron SCT.  For instance using a 24mm Panoptic on a Celestron 6 will give you 1.1 degree view.  But with the Reducer the view expands to a very nice 1.7 degree view.  You do lose magnification in the process.  But to view nebulas and large star formations that really does not matter too much.  What you are looking for on those subjects is wide view, and the Reducer helps you there.  If you are looking at Jupiter or Saturn, you want to take the Reducer off so you can increase magnification.
I have enjoyed this lens especially for astrophotography.  The main issue I had was I could not focus with this lens installed unless it was put in the right order.  I found I had to place it as close to the camera as possible which meant I had to rearrange how my camera and assembly was arranged.
Makes it far easier to get pinpoint stars.  Should've bought this a while ago.Thank you for the prompt service.
If you're using a slow scope and you need to speed it up for some astrophotography, this reducer will work wonders on your shots! I use it even when I'm not shooting to get a wider FOV out of my F10 8SE. With long exposure AP, there is some vignetting near the edges as to be expected, but it's not that bad and it's very far towards the edges. Overall, this is a necessary addition for anyone interested in AP.
This is a must have for all SCT owners at least if you plan on viewing planets only, changing the focal leght to 6.3 make your set of eyepieces to work as a seccond set and is excellent for DSO observation.
I have adapted my 5&#34; planetary maksutov telescope into a more practical, f/7.6 deep sky telescope. Note that I use a (currently rare) adapter to attach the focal reducer to a non celestron telescope.  I see more sky, and I can switch out my focal ratios depending on the view I desire
Was somewhat taken back when this arrived "Made in China" having owned the Japan version in the past.I can't see any difference in optical quality. Using with both a C5 & C6 OTA's, star images look tight to the edge.You are nearly turning both these smaller OTA'S into rich field scopes with the f6.3 focal reducer. Open star clusters look great and an added advantage is GOTO searches are more successful with the wider field of view that at f/10.
I have a C8-SGT (f10) scope, and I purchased it to increase the scopes FOV ( and also reduce the mag per EP) so I could see the complete objects (some of the objects are very wide, and I was only seeing a portion of them with a 32mm wide field EP).The increase FOV does come with a price, called coma....  But, its not a deal breaker.Again, I wanted increased FOV to be able to see the complete object without purchasing a 8&#34;Newton scope at f6 to do it!!  So this option gives you 2 scopes in one...
I have an old orange Celestron C8 telescope.You remove the part that holds the star diagonal/eyepieceand screw this on the scope. Then reattach the piece thatholds the star diagonal/eyepiece. Also works great withthe Celestron T-adapter for photography purposes.
Works exactly as advertised.  I ordered this mostly so objects like open star clusters fitin the whole field of view and to brighten up objects in my severely light polluted sky.
I bought this case to use on my ATV, riding the very dusty and often wet Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Moab, UT.I set it up tonight, heading out tomorrow for 4th of July holiday.  I like everything about this case, especially the sturdiness and the easy way to remove the "Pick n Pluck" foam pieces.  They are small enough to make fitment easy.Got my Nikon Coolpix 820 in it, filter adapter, hood, and 2 filters in it.  Also an extra set of batteries, lens cleaning tool, microfiber wipe, and extra SD card.  I was even able to accommodate the neck strap.I would have liked level 2 to be a level 2 and 3 so I didn't have to go so deep, but my first time.  So I just siliconed some pieces back in the bottom and got the effect and protection I needed.Be sure you measure very carefully and they have some measuring ideas on the Pelican web site.I searched and searched and could not find any product close to this.Great job Pelican.
An excellent product. Have bought another of the same model. This color was very pretty and is very easy to visualize
This case is a handy size for a camcorder took it with me to Montana and after using the case a week I was hooked.  If you take the time to measure how much foam to take out of this case you will not be sorry.
Bought it to keep the dust out of my camera when I wasn't using it at burning man. worked great.
This is an excellent watertight case.  Before use, I tested it in water overnight and there were no leaks.  I was able to customize the foam interior to hold a DSLR with a midrange kit zoom as well as a couple of cases for spare memory cards.  I would definitely buy a Pelican again.
I would give this 5 stars, if not for the one flaw that this case does have.  This case is rock solid and as advertised in terms of protecting your valuable products.The Good:I bought this to protect my $600 video camera and accessories on a cross country road trip in which we spent a lot of time outdoors in all the National Parks.  The road trip was 12,000 miles and 8 weeks long and the pelican case absolutely did its job, not only protecting it from physical trauma, but also protecting it when left in the car in 95 degree heat.A couple notable examples of the amazing protection were a hike 10 miles down into the Grand Canyon with a 3 night stay.  The sand on the hike was like powder and got absolutely everywhere, except inside this case, the case also protected against the bangs and bumps that will be inevitable on that type of outdoor excursion.  The other more tangible example was that I chucked the case with my $600 camera inside down a huge hill in Badlands National Park in South Dakota, and the camera didn't even flinch, it completely protected everything inside.The Bad:The one weak spot on this case is definitely the latches that snap down to close it (I will add a picture shortly so you can see exactly).  It takes a good bit of pressure to snap the case closed, which is fine because it makes it very secure when closed, but it puts a lot of pressure on the thin spot on the latch, which eventually caused this latch to crack.Luckily this was after the road trip was over and didn't compromise my equipment, but I called Pelican and they were very responsive and sent a pair of replacement latches right away and said it is pretty easy to replace yourself.  It is definitely not easy to replace as the pin holding the latch on is embedded in the thick plastic so there is no way to unscrew with a wrench or needle nose pliers and even if it was sticking out a little bit, the pin is round so it is nearly impossible to get a solid grip on it.  You definitely need specialty equipment to replace this, which I still haven't found 3 years later (granted I haven't needed the case as much since the road trip).Conclusion:All in all, the case is as advertised, all but bulletproof and I love it for that, unfortunately the rugged construction quality of the case makes it very difficult to replace the latches, hopefully I will have an update on how to replace them if I ever figure it out.
These pelican cases are amazing. They are extremely durable. I use it on my boat to keep my cell phone and wallet
This is a great sized box to fold either the video camera or the digital camera in. will work well when traveling.
Using to keep my DSLR camera safe while kayaking. Cubed foam allowed me to create perfect shape to hold the camera tight. Would recommend for keep expensive equipment safe and dry.
Pelican cases are virtually bulletproof. If you have valuable goods you need to haul to the top of Mt. Everest, down the Colorado River, into the middle of riot, etc., the Pelican cases are the best way to go.A retort to some of the criticisms:Yes they are heavy, that's what makes them so strong and waterproof. You want light, get less protection or hire NASA to build you a titanium case for a $50,000.Yes they are more expensive than cheaper and less effective units. You get what you pay for.The foam falls apart with heavy use. Guess what, the rubber on the bottom of my shoes wears away when I walk. What a surprise!Sarcasm aside, I'm an outdoor enthusiast. Since I started using pelican cases on outdoor adventures, I have not damaged any of my electronics; before Pelican cases I lost three cameras alone! Best investment for expensive goods out there.
I got this case specifically to house my GoPro and all of it's accessories. It does the job perfectly. It's got 2 layers of foam inserts for extra storage and safety. Haven't run over the case yet with a car or dropped it, but if I do, I know my stuff will be safe.
great quality. looks and feels durable. i'm yet to test it in actioin though.  nice color.  i use this for my canon 30d with 50mm lens attached with room for portable battery charger, a mini 3&#34; tripod, a couple of spare batteries and an extra CF card. still haven't taken it out yet tho I only wish I bought one of these for my cameras back in 2006 when I started frequenting beach trips.  There were a few occassions when I didn't bring my camera fearing the elements would mess up the electronics especially in salt water so I didn't get a chance to document some spectacular places we saw.PS, I read a few people complain about their case being &#34;too small&#34; and penalizing the product's rating because of that which I think isn't fair--Pelican has many sizes available to fit a lot of different needs.  We need to pay close attention to the case dimensions  and consider the fact that you need atleast 0.5&#34; padding for light items, 1&#34; or more if heavier.Buy it now coz the only regret you'll have is probably that you didn't buy it any sooner!
Pelican cases have an excellent reputation. I had been looking at them for some time to protect my camera & equipment during whitewater rafting trips. I was able to purchase the product thru Amazon for about 1/2 the suggested retail price. I wasn't sure how the foam worked for custom fitting my equipment, but found the foam had been pre-scored into 1/2&#34; rectangular pieces, which allowed for ease in fitting the foam to my equipment using a sharp pocket knife. The pre-scored pieces worked great! The case easily accommodated my Pentax DSLR camera, telephoto lens, spare batteries & memory cards. The only change in the design I would like to see them incorporate would be some tie down points molded into the case on the sides, so I could strap it to my rafting frame and be able to open it without having to loosen the straps. As an alternative, I am using a caribiner connected to the handle. I highly recommend this product!
Got this for a Go Pro and all it's accessories.  Was losing track of all the Go Pro accessories and saw this on a U tube video.  Got a great price on Amazon.  Watched a couple of the utube videos on the best way to customize the foam and then took a stab at doing it - was a little nervous about it coming out looking miserable, but it actually was a lot easier than I expected and am happy with the results.  So now I am not losing the accessories and can grab it and go.
Big enough to put my DSLR camera inside, small enough that it is isn't taking up too much room. Seals well and is well made.
Wow! I'm impressed with this case. My GoPro fits in perfect and it has plenty of room for the accessories. Oh! Did I mentioned that I received my package in 3 days for free!
An Extreme case for the very rough stuff and for when you don't what your stuff broken.Made in the U.S.A. Waterproof Air and dust Proof. (03/03/2010) After two year and two months the latch broke Pelican will fix it under there lifetime warranty But the shipping cost there and back cost me $22.00 which makes this less of a good buy.
The 1300 replaces my ancient 30cal ammo box that I've used for decades for personal items (rubber seal has cracked, no longer a tight seal). I'm trying to replace all metal boxes used on my raft. The 1300 has a comfortable handle, and holds various day items (sunscreen, gloves, aspirin, sunglasses, tools, etc.) easily.
I recently got some new calibration gear at work, dropped it twice the first day I lugged it into the field and decided I needed a solution.  Initially the price point of putting my gauges in flat was starting to scare me when a friend suggest I stand them up in a more square case.  Enter the 1300!  I put a pair of gauges, and some digital instruments into this case without any problems.Pros:&#8226;Cost (much lower than similar storage spaces, such as Pelican laptop cases)&#8226;Pluck system was two tiered, which let me get creative and do some tools diagonally.  Additionally, with care you can pluck by hand, or if you're doing a lot you can easily pull a piece out to make sure you've cut through all the way with your scissors.&#8226;Tough and professional looking.&#8226;Bright orange case is easy for me to spot later after I set it down somewhere, get distracted and walk away.Cons:&#8226;Doesn't do the dishes! Really... for the price I cannot find any fault in this case.
I have several of these pelican cases and they last forever and are very tough! 1 2 3 4VJO
For protection of field instruments, it is hard to beat Pelican cases. I used the 1300 case to house a software defined radio (SDR) receiver, antenna connector, 12 V battery and amplifier for investigating radio frequency interference. Everything is protected while traveling to a remote site.
An excellent product. Have bought another of the same model. This color was very pretty and is almost camouflaged in sandy areas
I used this case recently to transport handguns on a trip.  It was perfect for two handguns stored vertically, plus slots for 4 magazines and a smaller slot for a pocket knife.Super rugged.  I used Master 141D locks which fit extremely well.
Pelican says it all.  Great case, durable, rugged.  Does have the &#34;pick and pluck&#34; foam.  I customized the case for a single DSLR--Nikon D7000 with the 18-200 zoom lens.  Left plenty of foam around the camera.  The Peli rode on a kayak for a five day trip.  Would not have trusted the camera in anything less.  The &#34;black box&#34; also has a little mystique to it.  I suppose you could eliminate much of the foam and manage to pack camera, additional lens and a couple of small items.  Again, I chose to allow for impact and only carried the camera with zoom lens, plus an extra battery.
It works fine and was delivered on time. It's got me looking at other Pelican cases. Yes I would recommend this to other outdoors persons!
Here in the deep south, we have a screwed up weather pattern. Tornado Season From January to late Spring; Hurricane Season from Summer to mid fall; And then Tornado Season again till the end of the year.So, I needed something to store medications and first aid items for if we have to evacuate during a disaster. This Pelican Case is perfect. It keeps all my medical items dry and safe when heading to the car when leaving. I can also be assured that if, Heaven Forbid, we don't make it out in time or the car gets totalled, that the meds and such will be safe.Great case. Great price.Recommend for first aid items. Will eventually order another for flashlights and lanterns.
perfectly, with:24-85mm zoomspare battery72mm filter in caseone could remove some additional bits of foam for odds and endscase is plenty deep to have camera strap sit on top of camera
If it's valuable. You want quick access and still know your equipment is safe, this is for you. Photo equipment went down the white water river without a trace of damage or water leakage. Great price performer!
bit conspicuous but can take a kicking on tour, I just wish the damn thing was bigger, then I'd be happier, also it should look less fancy and not have those finger pinchers by the hinges
I bought this to keep my Nikon D3100 safe while kayaking.  It's just big enough to fit the camera with the 55-200mm lens, the 18-55mm lens, and the battery charger.  It's tight, but it's all in there and well protected.  I set up the Pick N Pluck foam to hold the camera with the either lens and then have the other lens in vertically.  It's really sturdy and I'm sure will protect my camera while out in the elements.  I really like that they sell the Pick N Pluck foam by itself so you can use the same box for different model cameras.  Great product and well worth the money.
Getting the job done. The case is serving it's purpose for my GOPROS. the case is very light and durable.
With no foam in this box it will hold 15 fifty round boxes of 9mm ammunition standing upright perfectly and keep them air and water tight.
I purchased this case to house and protect my Qualcomm GST-1600 Satellite Phone (Globalstar) with its AC and DC chargers. It fits just fine and furnishes complete protection from weather. Perfect size!
I love the case; I mainly use it for when i'm travelling on an airplane; i can throw 2 lenses and 2 flashes in this case and stuff it in a duffel bag and not worry about them. The fully customizable inserts are definitely a plus and case all around just rocks.  At a shoot i def used this baby to stand on and it handles all 160 lbs of me like a champ.Highly recommended for travelers who don't have a huge rolling case and just wanna bring a few pieces.
Very solid construction, solid feel. Has already taken a few drops and tumbles with barely a scratch. The customizable foam inserts are great, can fit anything you place in it perfectly.
Just big enough to hold my Canon 5D Mark III with a 200mm L-Series lens attached (hood in reverse), but not much else. Maybe a few small accessories will fit in the corners (batteries, cables, maybe a charger). Case seems bulletproof, though I have yet to test its waterproof claims. If I can find a suitable strap, I may get another one. If only the 1500 series was similarly affordable!Pros+ Affordable Price+ Compact, Lightweight+ Holds a DSLR with Lens+ Solid, WaterproofCons- A little smaller than I had hoped- Pick 'n Pluck foam requires some planning, dividers may be a better choice- Wish it came with a strap or harness
Excelent product, amazing quality! This IS excelent to keep my two Gopro heros whit all the accessories (2 frames, 2 diving covers, flotally, etc)
I purchased this to house all my gopro 3 gear and it has worked out great and allowed me to customize the cuts and where i store all my gear inside and it was the best price i could find.
This is no more a DSLR case than it is a wallet, a cell phone case, or a lunch box. I have a DSLR and maybe for a crop sensor with just a medium zoom lens would this be appropriate. Given the inherent lack of flexibility to squeeze a second lens or a flash in, I would go with a larger model. End rant.This case happily surprised me that it's internal height from bottom foam to top foam was perfect for a 3.5&#34; internal hard drive to sit on it's side. The width of the case from front to back perfect for the length of the drive. By removing a 2x11 section of the pick and pluck foam from each of the two layers, it was a perfect snug fit. I could have fit six drives if needed depending on drive thickness, but I decided to leave a little more padding around the sides and who knows if new drives will be thicker, so I went for 5.The hasps on each corner to secure the case with a lock are not large enough for most standard padlocks by a small margin. Since most locks with thinner shackles are generally very poor quality and hard to find, I'm going to have to improvise. Yes, anyone could easily pick this case up and walk away with it and cut through the side of the case if they wanted, however in cases where it's not a matter of theft, but protecting what's inside from casual walkers-by or nosy-bodies, a pair of fat padlocks is a nice deterrent.Back to the foam, if I were putting anything oddly shaped in, the foam could really be an issue. The versatility is there if you plan carefully but your still locked to the grid of the foam. Always go smaller than the item. You may need to make an octagon for a round object, but if it's a little small it will hold the item snugly and look as if the foam were rounded. Sometimes you may not even need to remove any foam, but just separate it for thin parts of an item. I'd still like to see an option for the full block foam for this case. Small, heavy items also compress this foam more, so no lead ingots in here.
I use these for equipment at work, and they're just the best for keeping things secure and shock-protected.  Worth the money.
I purchased this to hold my new D3200 camera and so far I'm very happy with it.  Thankfully I haven't had to put it to a real test but the D3200 with either the 18-55 or 55-200 lens fits and there is still space to make pockets for the other lens, battery charger, and a few cables if you don't mind having to pull the top layer of foam out to get to the cables.The only down side with the pick foam is that you can start getting thin sections which are easy to tare, this can be fixed with a dab of superglue but it is a little frustrating.
what can you say the Pelican product is always a great product they want you to write 18 words written or less kind of stupid cause of the world my back is the but just trying to explain to you that this is a good product and you don't need 18 worst say great product somebody with some brains out to get in charge and get rid of some the dumbasses are running the show by the damn product is worth every penny
Very durable case. Works perfectly for my GoPro camera and all of the accessories. The only reason I gave it four stars is the pick and pluck foam inserts that came with the case. It works reasonably well, but It's not a very durable solution for a two layer case. I replaced it with Kaizen Foam by FastCap....WOW what a difference!
After dropping my 2-day old camera in a live well, my son felt I needed a little more than a cheap cloth case.  This case is heavy-duty and I don't think a truck running over it could crush it.  Love the pull out foam so you can customize the case to your camera, batteries, extra cards, and other things you want to keep safe & watertight.  Only thing that keeps it from getting a 5 with me is that it's a little heavy and won't fit in my purse.  But other than that.  It's a great case.
amazingly resistant and very easy to custom, its just a little small, not for a pro camera but still very useful and resistant. the pick&pluck is superb and really easy to cut
Great case.  Got a 1300 case with foam and it's perfect for what I need it for (DSLR case).  These things are rock solid and I feel a lot safer traveling or moving my camera around in this than one of those chintzy foam cases.  I'd drop this thing from a 2nd story window and not be surprised if the contents came out alive and well.  Easily customizable to your item with the 1/2 inch square pick and pluck foam.  Took me less than 30 min to completely pick and pluck all the foam and get it just how I wanted it.What I have in there now:Sony DSLR-A230 camera with 18-55 kit lens attachedBattery chargerSpare battery75-300mm Zoom lens50mm portrait lensUV and polarizing filterAll this stuff fits in there just fine with at least 1/2 inch of foam between items.  You'll be hard pressed to find a more durable and protective case for your camera, and this holds all the items that you'd need during the course of a normal session.  It might get a little tight with those lenses if you were using a full sized body camera, but for a smaller body it's just fine.
Great pelican box! After I bought this one I got three more for my DSLR bodies. They ship great and I can lock them. Good stuff Pelican!
But with amazons great customer service it was taken care if I ended up settling with a nanuk 915 that I think was an upgrade
What a great case!  The "pluckable" foam allows for customization to the shape required - very cool.  Very happy with this product.
The Pelican 1300 is perfect for my needs. Built like a tank and very fairly priced on Amazon...I give it a big thumbs up!
The 1300 cases are a great value for their cubic volume, the dual layer trays are very helpful for stashing my calibration gear.  Also note they're a lot cheaper than the flater cases for a similar volume.
I've been using Pelican cases for some time now and have always found the quality to be superb. I'll always use Pelican.
The 1300 is a solid, well dimensioned Pelican case.  Its width and height are compact yet it's very deep (a major plus).  As with all Pelican cases it's virtually indestructible.  The one draw back in this particular model (or my particular example) is the very loud pop of the latches when both opening and closing the case.  I guess it is what it is. The latches are double jointed which do indeed seem extra secure.  The Desert Tan color is much better in person than in photos; it's more of a khaki rather than a grotesque flesh color. The "pick-n-pluck foam "is divided into two stacking pieces which makes it versatile for storing both tall and short objects easily.  Solid case and with typical tough Pelican quality.
What can you say...Its Pelican the only case I will ever buy for my equipment needs. Great quality and at a great price. Planning to buy another case for my T2i
I have several pelican cases, and wouldn't buy any other brand. I picked this cause it was deep enough to hold an SLR upright and just large enough to put it in with the lens still attached and have room for a flash and battery with 1 inch of space around the edge.
This one will go into rotation duty serving as protection and storage for whatever I'm messing with at the moment.Laptop on a camping trip, alternate clothing in the car through the work week or gadget box for weekends at friends houses. Like a suitcase you would find in a tank only tougher than the tank! I have other cases for stuff like my DVD portable and my Canon cameras. Pelican cases are the standard by which all the other products are judged.
What a wonderful case! But what else would you expect from a pelican! The case worked beautifully, snaps like a dream, keeps my items safe and secure. There is no better the pelican!  I wouldn't buy anything else for my fragile equipment.
Has the pick and pluck foam.  The middle layer of foam is thick enough that you can use it in a two-sided setup, but things in the bottom of the case will be difficult to get in and out, as the foam wasn't setup to be easily removed and replaced again and again.  (To do two-sided, pull the pick and pluck a little, and use scissors or a knife to cut it off part-way.)
I bought this case for my Nikon D5100 and my Hero 3. So far it has survived falling off of a 40ft bridge into a river, being thrown across a river while i was hiking and shooting pics. and a trip from the states to japan back to the states and now south korea. Fantastic case. is water proof, seems near indestructible. Love it
Awesome case! Love it. Houses all my GoPro cameras and supporting monitors with ease! Would recommend this to anyone looking for this size case.
There's a reason Pelican cases have nearly universal 5 star reviews. Tough, durable, well made, great features, and still made in USA. These are just some of the reasons to buy and use Pelican cases. I got this 1450 case to house some expensive test and measurement equipment and all of them fit with a bit of room to spare still for one more item. The toothpicks to outline your item are a neat trick, but since the Pick-N-Pluck foam is 1/2&#34; squares don't expect it to literally &#34;absorb&#34; your item. Even so it's easy to fit what you need in the case. Just don't get giddy like I did and pluck out the wrong side of the toothpicks. I'm pretty sure this case will be around even I'm gone, even if I happen to drop it off a roof and a truck drives over it. Can't recommend Pelican cases highly enough!
Unbelievable for any one living outside the US. A gun. It does not look like a camera or so. Are you, over there, mad? I am afraid so. The Newport tragedy happened one year ago, nothing is been done. Stop this madness!
I used this to transport a Synology DS212+ via FedEx and hand carried on an airplane for data delivery.  It works great, feels solid and fully protected the device during transport.The foam was easy to pluck and create slots for my device and power adapter.
Perfect protection for my WWI pistol I needed to safely transport across country. Excellent protection for whatever you out in it!
There is no case better than a Pelican case.  With it's many uses there is nothing like it.  Love the water tight seal perfect to imprint my odors to towels for my dog's training.
I use this Pelican 1450 for my Nikon D90, 3 lenses...18-105mm, 80-200mm and 35mm lens plus SB600 flash.  Plus I have a little room left over for extras.  My equipment has been stored in the case for over two years and you won't find a single scratch on it.  At first I was carrying this case around with me, and recently started carrying a backpack instead because the case is very heavy to drag around.  Besides it being very heavy the case is well made and I feel that it's the safest place in the house for valuables such as photo equipment.  I would recommend.
I am using this to store and carry an astronomical camera into the field. Sometimes the case gets knocked around. But the contents are always safe!
I just received this case after almost buying it at west marine for twice the price. Sturdy construction and foam cells easily accomodate my canon 5d w/ 24-105 lens, canon wp-dc47 waterproof case and my new s110 canon digital camera. Still plenty of room for cell phones and other items. I do a lot of boating photography here in Florida and this will protect my gear. This is not my first case from Pelican...they have incredible customer service!
This was a warehouse special, which I think is a refurbished or returned unit. The delivery was very good, and the case is exactly what I needed for the transport of my portable HF radio. There is not so much as a scratch or any other indication that it is no new. I would recommend the warehouse specials to anyone looking for a similar item. The price made it a very good offer.
Easy to configure to my equipment. Very strong and dependable latches. I highly recommend this case!
Great case, absolutely love it! The 1450 is the perfect size for my Nikon D5100, vertical battery grip, two batteries, lens filters, and a shotgun/top mount microphone. Still have more room to work with, but I left it with plenty of padding all around this way. I highly recommend this case if you are traveling, or live in Florida like I do, and am constantly surrounded by water.I bought it in the orange color to match my kayak. Glad I did, because it will surely standout wherever I set it, so I can easily keep an eye on it.
While the F-2 is widely regarded as a great bag, this one clearly works better. It's a bit bigger and more importantly, made of nylon which cuts the dust and fluff that would otherwise get into my lenses. This pack is padded, but not overly so. The interior walls are made of the soft Velcro, so you can attach dividers anywhere you want. Each end pocket is large enough to hold two Canon 550EX flashes.
I needed something that wasn't a backpack yet big enough (read "tall enough") to hold everything, including my 300 f/4 IS (upright.)  Initially tried an F-2, but despite that being a substantial bag, it wasn't even close.  So it was an F-7 or a J-1.  I will state that I like Domke and I prefer canvas, but now that I own the J-1, I am glad I chose it.It's the Grand Canyon of camera bags.  I can now carry a 1DmkIII, the 300 f/4 & 70-200 f/2.8, plus my 135mm, 50mm, and 16-35, all hoods, the 580EX II, plus misc. crap in one bag.  Don't forget the Domke Shoulder Pad - it barely makes the weight tolerable, but it works. I do not recommend this as an "all-day" type of carrying solution.  I tried it once for about 4 hours and my back was screaming for another 4 after.  But it does exactly what I wanted and it's sturdy and roomy; it has the side pockets that gobble up quite a bit of accessory equipment (the side pockets have padded inserts as well - use them or not - I personally prefer the added protection on the ends if the bags bumps something.  Simply put, the J-1 lets me bring everything to the party if I choose to.  I just prefered the easy on/off the shoulder style of this type of bag over a backpack.  Strangely enough, I was concerned that the F-2 would be too big and too long when I started this search, meaning I would be bumping into everything and everybody, but that hasn't been an issue even with the increased size of the J-1 - it actually conforms to my hip much better than I anticipated.  The way the bag sort of wraps or hugs is a typical Domke trait, btw.I still wish Domke would build in some stretch on those inserts!!  But at least the J-1 has the 4-way type that has velcro in the center so it can be pulled into two halves.  And I like this insert better that the 4-compartment unit on my F-6.  So my only complaint is a snug insert offering across the line - add some S-T-R-E-T-C-H folks, it's OK and it will be a welcome update to an otherwise wonderful line of equipment.The J-1 is highly recommended.  And buy the Shoulder Pad - it's a must have!!
This is my 3rd Domke bag.  I have the F2 and F3 bags.  When I sold my 17 year old Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8 and replaced it with the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, I needed something taller than the F2 so that I could store the lens vertical.  In addition I needed a bag to that would hold the gear I needed to travel including a flash and flash bracket.  This is what I chose over the Lowepro Magnum 400 AW.  It was over $200 cheaper.No bag is perfect for everyone or even for a single person in every situation.  This one is a little big, but I do like the ease of gear selection for the most part.  To really make a bag yours, you have to customize it and there are options to do that.My biggest gripe is with side pocket flap design.  1st, since there is big Velcro patches, the plastic buckles are unnecessary.  Some might like the added security, but they get in the way.  Also, the way the top of the flaps are sewn, it is hard to get the flap to cover over top the corners of the pockets near the bag which will allow rain into those pockets.  Also the top flap should come down to cover that area to some extent but it doesn't.  This isn't an all weather bag like the Magnum AW, but every bag should provide minimal protection in misting and sudden rain situations.
This it my first Domke bag and I'm impressed with the quality of the bag itself. It does feel like it'll last for a really long time. I'm just a bit disappointed that its not as big as I had hoped.Usually in my camera bags, to be specific, my old and broken (thrown away) Tamrac Pro 12 as well as my current bag (Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650AW) are capable of keeping what I usually carry. A Nikon D3, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 and SB910. As well as my water bottle and poncho. With the Domke, I was only able to stuff in my 24-70 and 70-200 in the partitions given, and I placed my D3 in one side and the 14-24 and my poncho in another. I had to carry my water bottle by using a water bottle holder on a belt. The side pockets are just nice to fit 2 SB900s, but it is a little squeezy which is not my preference as I like a little wiggle room.I guess higher quality pictures should be used and the description should say that it fits a minimum of X no of lenses or a disclaimer like "4-6 lenses depending on the type of lenses used". This bag would more likely be my location shooting bag, head out to the studio or my street and even my landscape bag. Being able to carry all 4 flashes for wireless lighting, as well as off camera cords, remote control, couple of other small accessories.Overall, I'm still happy with it but this bag would unlikely see the light of day with certain assignments as I like to have the strap over my chest when shooting, but with the anti-slip (which is extremely good by the way), I'm unable to swing the bag to the back or the side to keep it out of the way or to change my lenses. But for events and journalism kind of shoots, I'd stick to my stealth reporter which by far is the most suitable bag (though not my favorite or most comfortable bag) for those jobs so that mainly my water bottle would not be bouncing around when hanging from my waist especially when I need to run and am likely to stick to the stealth reporter until it's no longer produced.
For me this is an ideal camera bag. Finally a bag that I can get all my guff in. It is nice having everything together so I can just grab and go when needed. This bag can get quite heavy so I recommend getting the optional postal foam shoulder pad. Worth the price. This should be my last bag to buy!
This bag takes Canon 1d Mk lll, 70-200LIS 2.8, 24-105LIS, 17-40L 4.0, tamron 90mm 1.2 macro and canon 1.4X extension with no problems along with (2) canon 580EX flash units and assorted polarizing lenses, cleaning equipment, manuals, and tripod attachments.  What else can I say??  I know,  it's heavy (not the bag, the equipment). To carry this much stuff, you need the Post Office strap.
This is my 2nd Domke bag and is overall a great bag. Quality is very high and the nylon protects your equipment from rain and is resistant to stains. When I put all my equipment in there, which includes several lenses and 1 or 2 bodies, I feel confident that it's protected. As is usual with Domke bags, it's light on the padding, but comes with an insert that is highly configurable and two padded inserts for the side pockets, both of which are extra spacious to accommodate a flash unit or medium zoom lens.What's even better, I've found that it can take my 13.1 inch laptop in the main compartment! I wrap it in some Domke lens wraps and put it in the back and am still able to fit a 5D (w/o grip) and all my lenses in there.Get this with the backpack strap and you can carry all your gear around for much longer than with just the shoulder strap.
I'm pretty sure I've used almost every black and white film that Amazon currently offers. I'm not bragging, but with Amazon prime there's almost no reason NOT to buy film from here - I can get a single roll delivered in two days, without paying local prices.Now, on to this magical film. There are two things that you should know about me that will help you understand why I love this film; the first is that I don't like shooting anything over ISO 400, preferring to stay in the ISO 50-150 range, and the second is that I shoot with well-built cameras. Don't read that as expensive, because I'll shoot with anything from a modern SLR to a flea-market find. Throwing this in a Canon A2E or even my old 50's Voigtlander produces incredible results!The grain is fine - it has a presence but it definitely does not overpower an image. With such a nice grain, you can easily push this film to ISO 200-400 and still have it look fantastic. If you are looking for a sharp film with some excellent contrast, this is definitely it. The film is a little less forgiving in the dark room the first few times around, but get a couple of rolls under your belt and it is a dream to work with!Despite being more expensive that other films on Amazon, it is well worth the price premium in my opinion, and I highly recommend it. Paired with a nice lens, it can create magical images.
I bought this roll of film from K&M Camera through Amazon.  The actual roll was in good shape and arrived promptly, but was on its month of expiration (I bought the roll in June 2014, and the expiration date was June 2014).  Save your money and buy your film from either BH photo or Adorama; they've never pulled this junk on me before.
This film must be used in one month. (Expires in one month)This is what we in the film world call (short date sale) and a product like this is a discount itemand you charged double the current going rate for this product!Amazon charged me $8.97 for this.Warning Amozon ships SHORT DATE FILM and charges double the going rate to boot.Expires in less than a month from purchase date.
I've shot with Fuji Acros 100 in 35mm and 120 formats, and the results have been great! The film offers good contrast, and the negatives are easy to handle.
As of today, July 2009, there are a number of ASA 100 speed films on the market. Kodak has their Tmax100 and Plus-X, Ilford has their FP and Delta varieties, and Fuji offers Acros. I have tried them all but keep coming back to Acros as my main B&W; film. The two most outstanding characteristics this film displays are low-grain and excellent shadow/highlight range - dynamic range - which lets the film keep detail in the darker, shadowed areas without the brighter areas becoming overexposed blobs. This is a fine balancing act and this film does a great job of it. I especially recommend developing this film in Kodak's Xtol developer, with a 1+3 dilution. The film's sharpness is superb with this combination.The biggest drawback to this film is price. It usually sells for more than the Kodak or Ilford offerings, but it's worth the extra cost.
These binoculars don't appear to be built quite as heavy-duty as some of Fujinon's other (more costly) models, so I think they would need to be handled with some degree of care. And, I'm not real partial to the individual eye focus controls, but this type of focus setup is very common on most Fujinon models (I'm sure I'll survive that little inconvenience). But, they still have the great, high quality, optics that Fujinon is so well known for. The compass is nice for anyone who wants to have one handy (or for those people who need one), and it seems to be quite accurate (at least my compass is). I haven't found any real need (for me personally) for the reticle (just yet), but I can see where it might be very handy for other applications. The large exit pupil size (7.1mm) makes these binoculars great for use in darker conditions, and they give some stunning views of the night sky (lots of stars!). It also has a tripod mount, so with an adapter & a tripod, a person is ready for longer periods of comfortable viewing, as well as having a steady view. I'm very happy with my set!
Review of the Fujinon Mariner series 7x50 WP-XL (without compass) and WPC-XL (with compass)Both binocular models are the same unit. These were the least expensive Fujinon binoculars on the market before the Offroad Series, but are far from entry level for performance. I've owned these for about a year prior to this review, and have used these at Broadway shows, in the mountains North Idaho and Alaska, at sea (on a cruise), birding, stargazing, and in the rain. The binoculars perform extraordinarily well, and are in my opinion one of the better 7x50 binoculars you can buy under $200.Here are some facts and observations that are typically not included about the binoculars on seller's sites.The body color is closer to grey than the blue displayed in pictures, and is a hard composite. The only rubber parts are those that are colored black. The binoculars' prism was affected in one of the tubes per a boating supply retailer after performing a drop test. To that I say it must have been some drop, because the binoculars are sturdy. The composite body makes the unit light which means longer viewing in an unsupported position, and they float in water. The prisms are supported in a metal bracket internally, and you can safely assume that they are bak-4 at the given price and brand.The optics can become ever so slightly distorted at the extreme edges -as do all binoculars without an additional field-flattening lens -usually found in the high end models. Looking at an object with intense direct sunlight coming from the same direction sometimes causes a hazing effect with the sun just out of field of view.The optics are fully-coated. Fujinon verified this after I read from four major retailers that the optics are multi-coated, and five others that they are fully-coated. The coating looks to be a slight purplish color which means that Fujinon opted to increase the brightness of the green/yellow wavelength for ocean goers. In multi-coated lenses there are usually a few more coatings that reduce the reflection of the other major visible wavelengths -each additional coating decreasing the reflection of its compliment. Plain uncoated glass reflects about 4% of the light at every surface, and even the yellow/green compliment will have some positive effect on reducing reflection in the other wavelengths. In theory, and assuming that like most binoculars this one uses six lenses with one coating on each side, light transmission will be under 86% (a single coating reduces light loss down to 1.3% per surface, so (.987)^12=.8546).The focus is individual, so instead of adjusting for every distance, I adjust to 30 meters for bird watching which gives a nice crisp image from 30 meters and on. The eye relief is good enough to where I can keep my glasses on without folding the cups over. For viewing objects closer than the focused distance, you can slightly move the binoculars away from the eyes.The bottom line is that these are great binoculars that present a bright, crisp image, don't fog up, are waterproof, and float. For the complete fully multi-coated binoculars with a field-flattening lens, expect to pay over $600 for a reputable brand.
The name "mariner" in the product title would suggest that these binoculars are suitable for marine navigation, especially since they have an integrated digital compass.  However, I knew I was in for trouble when I opened the box and read the instruction manual, which listed the accuracy of the compass at plus/minus 5 deg.  An error of 5 deg. in marine coastal navigation could place you miles off course, and after comparing the binoculars to a hand-bearing compass and a GPS, I found that the error was actually closer to 7 deg.  So, if you want a pretty good pair of binoculars with a novelty compass for fun,  then these would be fine for you.  If you plan to use them for navigation purposes, they are unusable.
NOW I can really see all the wildlife, especially the birds.  I've been suggesting some good binoculars as a birthday/Christmas gift and I finally got them.  Just wish I had them years ago.  Wonder what I've missed!  They're great.
Great boating glasses.  Just the right power.
The view is sharp out to about two-thirds of the field of view, which is about average for binoculars of this price.  The seven degree true field of view is also standard for 7x50 binoculars.  This translates to an apparent field of view of 49 degrees, which is again average, but certainly not wide-angle.  The rangefinder reticle is sharply defined in the view and easy to use.  The best feature of these binoculars is the built-in compass.  The degree numbers and markers are very large and easily read at the bottom of the field of view.  The compass has a slow, even swing when the binoculars are turned, and, at least from my viewing site, the magnetic compass appears accurate.  Furthermore, the compass is well-lighted in normal daylight.  If you insert the two batteries as directed, a push of the light button gives the compass card a dull red glow for easy reading at night or in darkened conditions.  Some may find the supplied floating neck strap irritating as it is a little cumbersome.  The one-piece rain guard fits well and tight over the eyepieces and the attached lens covers likewise fit tight over the objective lenses.  The individually focused eyepieces focus smoothly.  The polycarbonate body is lighter than expected for this size binocular but appears sturdy.
I've used Quantum Battery products for over 15 years.  This battery works and does what it is supposed to do.  My only gripe (which is why I returned it for a refund) is that you have to remove the battery door from the flash unit (Canon 430 EZ II), insert the battery cable adapter, and tighten a tension screw that is supposed to hold the plug into the batter compartment.  As I mentioned, this works, but have a cable coming out the right side of the flash gets tangled up with my right hand when I need to make adjustments to my camera.  The recycle time isn't any better than just using some NiMH rechargeables.
The absolute worst thing is for your batteries to die while shooting.  This little box will keep your speedlite going long after your batteries would have started to wane.  Low batteries will give you a slower recycle time and inconsistent lighting.  Not to mention that it saves you money in the long run b/c you buy fewer (if any) batteries.  Sorry Enegizer Bunny.
I photograph a lot of High School sports so I need to be able to fire my flash quickly. Batteries just don't afford me a quick enough recycle time. The Quantum1 Plus I is exactly what I need. Plenty of power and fast recycle time means I can get more photographs properly exposed, which means I have more photos to sell.It's worth every dollar and more!
As expected works very well. If you use it heavily it give you low battery warning, just give it a break and it will come back to power.
I have used Quantum batteries for the better part of my 30 year photojournalism career, and have used the Quantum Battery and +1 for over 10 years. These batteries are VERY reliable, and durable, and give me evenly delivered performance each time I use them. They are made with a rugged simplicity, and their modular connections make it easy for me to change flash hardware and simply get a different adaptor cable to fit it to my battery.I wish the cells lasted longer than 1.5 years, but then again, mine get a LOT of work.  I am about to have my older set refurbed by Dasaga PhotoGraphic in Oklahome City, and look forward to Sam adding another year or so to my older battery kits.Quantum Battery +1 is on TOP of my pro photo flash hardware list!
I received the projector just fine. It works good. It was packed so that there was no damage. It is really great!
A high quality product.  Directions were excellent.  Operates perfectly.  Auto-Focus is excellent.  My old carousel projector finally gave out after 42 years of use.  This one appears to be just as well made, and should still be around long after I'm gone.  The box it was delivered was marked as fragile-handle with care (which I guess is code for UPS to damage), which they did.  Happily the projector was not damaged, but probably only because I purchased the carry case, which provided protection for the projector.  I suggested to the Seller that bubble wrap around the entirety of the unit might be beneficial.  Delivery was on time, and the Seller followed up after shipment and after delivery.  Outstanding!
Purchased approx. two months ago. I have about 200 slides to view. Slide projectors are hard to find at a reasonable price. Tis one far exceeded my  expectations. After  I  got used to it, which took about 15 minutes, the ease of use wasGood. I projected the slides onto a wall in my living room. Some slides were poor quality, due to the canes use and the lack of expertise by the camera man! Myself!I did, however , get the slides in order , put reference marks on the edges , and enjoyed seeing then again! The slides are  over 40 years of age.Great purchase!
I have loved photography from an early age and so I have the ubiquitous box of slides.  It has been a few years since I have looked through them since my original projector bit the dust from old age.  This one saved my collection.
Gave this as a gift to my grandfather after his broke. He is extremely happy and it works great!
Got this used and it works well. Enjoying going back to the past by looking at old slides. Your have to be from an older generation to appreciate this equipment tough. Slow, some noise, and you can't do a &#34;selfie&#34; .
I just received the Ektagraphic slide projector I ordered from SLIDE CENTRAL (used but refurbished) and I have to say that it is fantastic.  The quality is outstanding and everything works perfectly.  It arrived on our front doorstep almost as  quickly as the email announcing that it had shipped.
I ordered this product from slidecentral last week and it came very soon after! It was impeccably packed and neat. Very easy to unwrap and set up. Everything worked to my standards for a classroom setting and has come in handy already. The seller also sent a conformation immediately to my email and also let me know when it shipped! THanks so much for everything. I recommend this seller to everyone.
Back in the 1970's, about 75% of the photographs that I shot were slides using Kodak Ektachrome film.  So I have about 1500 slides.  I had an old Bell & Howell projector (with the inline tray feed).  It finally bit the dust in 2012.  I researched slide projectors and the Ektagraphic III ATS was perfect for my needs.I could not be more pleased with this projector.  For years, it was the top slide projector used by corporate America and for good reason.  Reliability and near flawless operation.  My children's friends had not really experienced slide viewing and they were amazed to see these images and their depth.  Anyway, I strongly recommend this slide projector.
I;ve got a lot of slides from my younger days.  Then technology advanced.  No more film...just digital ones and zeros.  So, what do you do with hundreds of old slides?  Especially when your old slide projector bites the dust.  You find a new one on Amazon...and all is well.
I like the projector- it came in handy for my needs. Only problem there are two slots where the slide always gets stuck.  I will have to see if that can be fixed.  The projector was delivered very quickly.  I was very excited about that since originally it was scheduled to come after my relatives were here.  thank you for the promptness.
This was a Christmas present for my son and he was very happy to receive it. He was delighted that it came in a case
When you have a wonderful image on a slide nothing will distract fromthe image.  Being able to view your work on a slide projector  is the way togo , the built in slide viewer is definately a plus.  I strongly recomend thismode of viewing slides.
The best part about this lens is definately the price, and don't let it fool you, Images look great until you start pixel peeping (the art of zooming into 100% and looking for defects such as chromatic abberation, etc) If you have photoshop, and a canon EOS body, you should be able to make some great images with this lens.
Bought this lens back in February 2006. I am an hobbyist photographer and used this lens often.  I take care of my equipment, everything is kept clean and in a Canon backpack case.A couple months ago it started to get noisy when zooming.  Now it will not zoom at all.  At the time I paid 80$ for the lens, it would cost me 100$ to have the lens fixed.  I have 2 other lenses that I got around the same time, a Canon and a Tamron that are still working.Have heard from others that Sigma's have lost their build quality, will not buy another Sigma lens.
I bought this lens as a replacement to my kit lens. I use a Canon XT as a backup to my Sony Alpha so I bring it on less important photo ops. I just took it on vacation with me to Florida and took alot of great shots with it using just autofocus. It's nice lens to have when you want to take something manageable and more responsive than a compact point and shoot. I'd definitely recommend it.
I received the wrong lens.I needed to use the Amazon A-Z guarantee to get a refund from 47th street photo. FYI, 47th St. delivers fast but they do not honor their return policy, so if you order from them, I hope you get what you expect!
Pretty decent lens.  Reminds me of the standard 18-55mm that came with my T3i. I wanted a cheap middle of the road lens that could do 2.8 for low light.  Haven't used it for video yet.  Get used to the manual focus, resolution is better to me, that using auto focus.  But for the price the lens is worth it.
I am very very low budget photographer at this point, where ever I can squeeze money for something bit better stuff than I have, I buy it, but I read about it first. Sigma 28-70 has not much going on review wise and I don't know why. Even with little review, I took my chance and purchased it because of a job I got. I have a Canon Rebel XT Digital and first impression with this lens, horrible (!). I took some samples compared with my 50 mm 1.8 Canon lens, 18-55 kit lens and results were not that good. I put it back into box and was ready to return. When the job day arrived, I thought I should give it a try in real life and maybe it works better in real life than tests and start shooting with it all night under fluorescent lights. Unfortunately my kit lens wasn't fast enough and 50 mm was not wide enough for the job, I basically didn't have other option.After I got home, and saw the results, I totally changed my mind about the lens and decided to use it as my prime. With ISO 800 and around 2.8-3 stops I had pretty good shutter speed for fast moving kids around in not so lid location.I am posting a few photos of my son that I took, and you be the judge. I think you wouldn't believe those images came from this lens. If you are not so picky and low budget, this is a companion for your 50 mm 1.8 lens... I am going to get a better lens in the future, I have my eyes on Tamron 28-75 for a very nice price but I still keep the Sigma 28-70 for all around use... and yes it has glare problems :( which can be worked out. I gave 4 stars, because honestly it does good job for the price :)
I was hesitant to get the lens because it was so in-expensive. I've been happy with it based on how much I spent, actually I was pleasantly surprised by the results I am getting from it. It does a good job with indoor photos which I was looking for when I bought it. It does have a tendency to take hazy pictures if shooting with back light I have found. I basically needed an effective lens that gave me some zoom options but was fast enough to capture kids indoors or in low light and this has done just fine with that. It's not the same quality as more expensive lenses but it does a great job considering the price.
I was searching for an inexpensive but fast 24mm or 28mm wide angle lens primarily for shots of the night sky when I found this. For about $85 including shipping, this lens turned out to be much better than the standard Canon kit lens -- sharper, working better in low light conditions and giving you a wider field of view. And this is much cheaper than a 28mm prime lens. I've gotten some fairly sharp photos from this lens and was surprised to find it allows moderately fast auto-focusing in even dim lighting. The lens also allows you to get within two feet of the subject.There are a few drawbacks, however. This Sigma is extremely susceptible to lens flare requiring much more care than you may be used to. The lens hood is attached to the staionary lens body and isn't at all useful at the lens' widest settings where the front of the lens is at it's most the forward position within the hood. Minor drawbacks also include that when the lens hood is reversed, zoom isn't accessible. The focusing motor is also louder than my other Canon and Tamron lenses.All in all, though, I'd say this lens is a real bargain for $85. Note that I'm using the lens with a 35mm Canon EOS Rebel Ti (non-digital).Post script - After using the lens quite a bit over the past weeks, I've really come to appreciate its ability to work in darker locations than typical inexpensive zoom lenses. In bright sunlight, however, lens flare still remains a major problem and shielding the lens with my hand has more than once lead to fingers framing my photos.
Got this lens for Fathers Day. I love it. It is well made, and based on the other reviews I am seeing in here, mine is much quieter than others with little discernable motor noise. (At least as quiet as my Canon lenses)As compared to the typical kit lens that comes with the Canon DSLR's, this lens is much crisper, and shoots well in much darker conditions.This lens will be my standard lens for the majority of my shots going forward.Great gift! I am very happy with the lens.
This is a great film for your 4x5 large format camera. Contrasty, makes a solid image. There's a million and one words that have been written about T-MAX, so I'll just say that my particular experience with the film has been great. This is my go-to ISO 100 B&W film.
Tmax 100 in 4x5 format is truly superb film. Shadow detail is rendered well and highlights don't block up. Tones are beautifully rich and the grain is sharp and fine. Surely as close to perfection as any large format film comes.
seeing the progression of cameras from film to scanner left me a bit cold &#8230; i have a couple of Nikons but the price, the over complication of the controls, the overabundance of menus and the lack of actual ability to control the process in camera (like we used to) and work with the limitations of the scanning mechanism, made me dig out my 4x5 ( a Horseman from Japan and a wooden pinhole from Europe) and my 6x7's ( a Mamiya and a Pentax) and go looking for film again &#8230;Tmax is a solid B/W film but the fifth star would have gained if they still made the slower speeds &#8230; 100 is fine for everyday but for some purposes, the 50 or even a 25 would be better by far &#8230; thankfully, Ilford have that &#8230; but this sis still a very good fine grain B/W and you won't be sorry you got it &#8230;
This film responds well to + and - film development.  My old favorite was Kodak Tri-X.  This just blows that away.  It does take getting used to though.  By that I mean figuring out how it responds.  But you have to do that with any film.
This film is fantastic for any of you large format or pinhole fans. I've been using this film for several years with great results. I've used both Ilford and TMAX developers and both have yielded amazing results. If you're looking for that incredibly smooth crisp large format look in film, this is the best (and maybe the only) film to use. It's very easy to load, and is plenty stiff enough to make loading and unloading a breeze. It is also sturdier than you'd imagine, being able to deal with a little fumbling in the film room without scratching easily.
I love the Lee foundation.  It is much easier to use than Cokin and provides a stable holder for their filters.
I can't believe I have been shooting landscapes all these years without these filters. Learned about them in a landscape seminar and WOW they make such a difference in camera.  Farily expensive but worth it. I can't wait to get more of them with other features and colors
It's necessary to purchase this to use the Lee Filters. Maybe you could use other brands to hold your Lee filters, I don't know, but wouldn't try. Ithis is an Excellent quality product.
I am sure if you are trying to get one. You probably seen enough review about it. It's a LEE filter kit. Just get it if it's availble. Some people have to wait months for it. If you are luck enough to get it, you can turn around and sell it for almost double on ebay.
I've had one of these for years, with several graduated filters, and 2 of the adapter rings to fit various lenses. Note that if you buy a large enough adapter ring, you can then theoretically use cheaper step-down rings to fit your smaller lenses. Also note, there's a brass screw which is part of an assembly on the side of the "Foundation" including a spring and a small brass wedge which combine to hold the adapter ring in the Foundation. This, unfortunately, does occasionally come unscrewed on its own, usually in your camera bag, leaving the 3 pieces potentially separated until you re-assemble. Doesn't happen every day, but every few months of dinging around in your bag. So keep the whole thing in its pouch or a plastic bag when not in use. GOOD NEWS: If you do lose these parts, they are easily ordered from Lee directly. I called them the other day, phone was answered immediately, and in 60 seconds they took my name and are sending me the wedge piece which I finally lost in the field (I still had the screw and spring). All at no charge to me. More than I expected, so THANKS to Lee for standing behind their product. I'll put some "loctite" on the threads this time and maybe it'll stay together.
Just getting started using this filter holder with a graduated ND filter, but find it very easy to clip on/off the adapter ring, and I'm very happy with the results I am getting.
I like it as an filter holder for all my 77mm lens. It does however create vignette on my 24-70 mm zoom at 24mm focal length.It should have design a little better to avoid this vignetting problem.
I reviewed the Circular Polarizer that's used in this system as well. Again, I would not recommend this for the casual photographer; however, if you have a passion for photography and want to expand your horizons, I would recommend this product. I love the Lee Foundation System. I have purchased several filters (other than the polarizer). It is a great tool to enhance your photo's pre-production. You have to be a little careful as the holder can pop off your lens pretty easily. But, as far as quality of the product, it is well made sturdy and easy to use. The filters (if they are backordered, and often are) can be a little difficult to get your hands on, especially The Big Stopper. I have been waiting for mine five months now. But, again, it's a well made product. Everything is made by hand in the UK. You are not paying a lot of money for junk. You are paying for a really nice product. I would whole heartedly recommend this system and the filters.
It latches on to the adapter and that is simple enough task and it does it well. It does not come off easy. So if you are having this drop off, you are not latching it right. Once you put it on, you should give it slight tug to make sure you got it right or you may lose your expensive filter if it drops off.
Do not pay attention to the Product Description, YOU NEED ADAPTER RINGS.  I'm certain that the holder is exactly as it should be, however, the product description is wrong.  I spent a considerable amount of money (since I also purchased filters) with the intent of using them on a two week excursion and now I will not be able to.  The product description states:Product DescriptionThe Foundation Kit is a slip-on filter holder that is designed to avoid vignetting. As this holder slips over the lens, no adapter ring is required.ADAPTER RINGS ARE DEFINITELY REQUIRED!!!!Even the instructions included with the holder says that adapter rings must be used.  I am extremely disappointed in Amazon.
Many places had the holder in stock, but not the adapter ring.  By ordering through Amazon, I received the filter holder from one place, and the 77mm adapter ring from another. That was an easy order, even though it cost double the postage.  Everyone else whom I contacted was out of one OR the other. By ordering through Amazon, both reached me in time for my class which begins October 7 with Brenda Tharp.I love this adapter ring and filter holder, which is so easy to use and so well built.  I like that it is not plastic, but metal. And, I like that it will take Lee filters, as well as Singh-Ray simultaneously.I would love to know if and where I can purchase the 4x4 glass Lee circular polarizer filter, without purchasing the kit, MFR# ST1SET. I can purchase the kit from B&H; Video, which is fine.  But all that I need is the Lee 4x4 glass circular polarizer (which itself is square) and can be used at the same time as the other filters because of its shape fitting into the holder.  This is the reason I purchased the holder.The 4x4 size circular polarizer is available with the rest of the kit, for a total of US$280. But, I cannot find if the 4x4 size glass circular polarizer is available alone.
This piece of equipment was a nice addition to my camera. It works great at holding the filters in place.  It's very pricey for what it is but from I've read, Lee filter systems are the best. I started to by the cheaper Cokin system but I was afraid the quality of filters wouldn't not be as good and I didn't want to buy that only to be disappointed and have to by the Lee system anyway.
What a great solution for your flash. I use a Canon 580EX II and it works great. This has a soft box, an 80/20, a silver reflector, a gold reflector and an easy carrying case. very nice and simple.
This works great. I use this and a Sto-Fen. Sto-Fen is better in some instances, especially if speed is needed or switching from plain flash and diffused flash is needed quickly.But if you plan to keep a bounce / diffuser on through out shoot, then this does the job.As far as the velcro tabs go on Flash, don't do it.Get the Velcro strap for it, orI think a Sto-Fen (do an amazon search for it) that you trim the top off and stick Velcro stickers to the Sto-Fen would work better than strap.It would be more stable and less prone to slipping.Also in those times that you need to prep everything and start shooting quickly. You could get the mod'd Sto-Fen on faster than the strap and get shooting in half the time. Yes we are talking seconds faster but that could mean the difference of a great shot or no shot.
I now use the ProMax system exclusively for all of my indoor shots.  My favorite for indoor shots with low ceilings is the 80/20.  It helps achieve a more natural exposure than direct flash and fills about 95% of the shadows that regular bounce/direct flash produces.
I use to use a piece of white paper, rubber banded to my flash...this works much better, and looks more professional.  Very easy to use, though the directions could be a little clearer on how to attach the soft screen diffuser.  (It goes over the front, which I saw from on-line photos.)  I can't wait to use the gold deflector to see what the "outdoor" effect looks like.
There are two parts to this system.  The first is theLumiQuest 80-20 LQ-102.  That is the brilliant light modifier that sends 80% of your light up to be bounced off a (hopefully) nearby ceiling and directs the remaining 20% forward to fill in under-the-eye and under-the-chin shadows.  That part costs $20.The second part is theLumiQuest ProMax Accessory Kit.  It's for times when you don't have or don't what to use a nearby ceiling and allows you to send all the light forward (or in any other direction you can aim your flash) as a surprisingly large light source.  It includes three modifiers, gold, white, and silver to "tone" the reflected light and also a front diffuser if you feel the need to smooth the light out even more.  It costs a bit under $30.Together they work wonderfully to provide lots of lighting options.  Also, unlike some other popular diffusers, everything folds down into a flat, easy to transport package.  Also, together they cost less if you buy them separately than if you buy them together.  I don't know why, that's just the way it is.  I felt it worth my time and helpful to others if I pointed out how good a value this is AND how you can find it as an even better value a few clicks away.While we're at it, take a look at theLumiQuest UltraStrapas a must have companion to this diffuser.
light, compact, easy to use, and it works as advertised.  What more can I say?
This is a great item to have for any flash work.  It is completely collapsible which makes it ideal for storage and transport, and works just as well as some of the other plastic type diffusers (think Gary Fong).  The ability to bounce 80/20, diffuse, create silver, or gold...makes it very versatile and all fits into a slim folder when not in use.It can take 30 seconds or so to change out faces and/or change configuration, which is why it doesn't get 5 starts...but is a minor thing.
you will love the way the lumiquest system works on your flash.  cuts away all of the harsh flash, dispurses the light for beautiful quality photos.  RECOMENDED BY GEORGE
I had been struggling with bounce flash issues for some time before I decided to bite the bullet and deviate from the standard "bounce flash accessories", and the fact that this one looked like a space ship did not help the issue, but I'm so very glad I did.Panda eyes (or raccoon eyes) are a problem when shooting and bouncing a flash. Light bounces on a ceiling for example, and then falls straight down onto the face. The falloff most often seems to be hindered by the brow bone, which in turn, acts as a shade, which then creates a shadow in the eye socket area. Voila - you have instant panda eyes.I have learned from experience that nobody likes to look like the living dead and no amount of post processing will save a photo that does not have enough detail/information to pull out of it. Sure, you can cheat and add some "catchlights" into the subjects eyes, but that only acts as a band-aid. It won't take away the fact that your "bounced subject victims" will still look like they have been up for 72 hours straight. Quite literally, not a pretty picture.And then along came Lumiquest Pro Max 80/20 bounce flash device. I decided to go whole hog and get the Lumiquest Promax System (complete with bounce cards, silver, white, gold, diffusion screens etc.) but what worried me was a) the bulk of having all these extra gadgets on my flash (as if a huge flash was not cumbersome and obtrusive enough) and b) the fact that it looked like something out of a science fiction movie. But after seeing the results, I was sold. Hands down, this was one of the best investments I had ever made for my flash photography assignments.The 80/20 does just that - 80% goes up and gets bounced onto whatever "ceiling" and the 20% then gets deflected onto the face of the subject. And sometimes, 20% is all you need! The result - an overall pleasant glow around the subject, as well as a nice uniform illumination on the face. NO MORE PANDA EYES!!! The colored inserts (along with the white card), give a wonderful extra punch, without the knockout of a bare unit. The diffusion that covers the grid is similar to what a diffusion box would give you. Perfect soft diffused light, just enough to illuminate the face.I was also very thankful and excited when my futuristic bounce accessory saved the day during a wedding in a church where the ceilings were 200 + feet high. Unless you have a gigantic power pack strobe, there is no way, a regular "bounced flash" will save you. I pulled out my 80/20, attached the gold insert (it actually covers the grid on the inside), and presto!! A soft warm glow that was perfect for the wedding photos, and yet, unobtrusive enough to not get people rubbing their eyes from the "atomic bomb flash" of the larger Metz flashes...So yes, this Lumiquest diffuser looks a bit strange to some, and impressive to others (to my surprise, not many photographers use this), the results speak for themselves. Don't expect this system to light up an entire room, or be able to light up a group of more than 10 people  @ more than 10 feet away, but  in situations where all you get is one chance to get the "perfect shot", this accessory is simply perfect!
I've been using this thing for about 3 months now, and it has really gone a long way toward making my photos look much better when using my flash. With using a straight bounce flash, the shadows can look a little off. When using a straight bounce card, there sometimes is no difference over pointing the head directly at the subject. This is a nifty little outfit because it comes with the diffuser, as well as the white, silver, and gold reflectors to focus more light forward if there is no ceiling to bounce off. I really like using the gold for portraits taken against a sunset, it really balances the skin tones and matches with the warmth of the sunset. Maybe a bit on the pricey side, but still a must have in my opinion.
This really is one of the best speedlight modifiers out there.  Easy to use, easy to fold up and pop into a pocket when not in use and provides great light!
Good product reasonably priced.  Takes a bit of getting used to for figuring out how to handle the flash exposure.  I increased about 1/2 stop and does well on most subjects but distance is critical.  If you are taking pic's on the fly, plan on bracketing or else fixing the exposure in your software later.  I like this product and once I got the additional strap for fixing it on the flash it is easy to use.I found that I had to adjust the angle a bit by experimenting with the position of the side flaps to get the optimum flash bounce.  I would recommend taking quite a few pics in various light ranges to figure before you go into a serious shooting.
I like it!!  I still have a bit more figuring to do with it, but I like it so far.  Glad I made the purchase.
I currently have the Lumiquest promax system and two sto-fen omnibounces in my bag. The lumiquest gets the most use out of any light modifier I have owned. First off, I love the image quality achieved when I use the 80/20 bounce, with and without the diffuser.  The gold card I use outdoors for fill flash (nice effect) the white card I use a lot in doors with high ceilings and the silver card I use in real low light to give sharp highlights (weddings). This is a great modifier that does the job of so many other tools that would never fit in a camera bag. When you're through with the Promax, it folds into a wallet and goes right in your bag. SWEET! Well worth twice the price.
This bouncer's included inserts make it extremely versatile.  It does a great job of spreading and softening the light to help eliminate harsh shadows.  It folds flat making it easy to pack into a small carrying case or bag.  Be sure to buy the stretchy velcro UltraStrap LQ-126 to keep it firmly attached to your speedlight.  Don't even bother using the included self-stick velcro tape, it will leave a sticky residue on your speedlight!
The 80-20 setup alone is great.  It does a fine job of allowing a lot of bounce flash from the ceiling and a small amount of light shot forward that nicely wraps around subjects and lightens the shadows.  The surface area is reasonably large.This does not waste the light going upward which will be diffused from the ceiling - unlike the STOFEN plastic cap which is supposed to be pointed straight up in the typical usage.  The STOFEN does a good job, but the 80-20 here does it even better, IMO.  The main tradeoff is that this will look a little dorky compared with the STOFEN cap.  You see STOFENs on press photograhers' cameras because, I think, it is unobtrusive and simple whereas this is a bit more elaborate and would be more annoying if all photographers used it at a press conference.So this does a better job than the STOFEN but looks dorkier.  How knows? - it might scare small kids.  (And no where near as dorky as the Fong Dong.)The other pieces of the "system" are handy - can set it so that the light does not shoot upwards (high ceilings or not white) and can be further diffused with a soft plastic cover on the front.  Because of the wider surface area in that case, should do a better job.  Also has plain white, sparkly silver and sparkly gold to push all the reflected light forward.I did an acid test with this: took the 80-20 mounted into a dark bathroom, stood right in front of the mirror, focused and the Canon 430EX figured the exposure using infrared, and took a shot pointing at the mirror directly.  Know what?  It did a great job.  The bathroom is nicely lit up with no hotspots, and I am not washed out at all in the photo.  The reflector of the 80-20 is showing bright white of the flash but is not glaring.Oh, and when you point it at someone's face who is close, they don't get washed out at all and the background is nicely lit and no red eye.Buy the cinch strap that Lumiquest offers so you don't have to attach those sticky-backed velcro fastener pads to your flash unit.Note: when shooting portrait-mode, this system will not bounce off the ceiling unless you reattach the 80-20 piece in a way that isn't the best.  The Fong Lightsphere and STOFEN diffusers don't have this problem.
I'm pleased with this purchase, however I am not so pleased on how its mounted or installed on the flash units. You have to stick Velcro to the flash so that Lumiquest can be fitted or mounted properly...I also got the Opteka Universal soft box diffuser and it came with a better velcro fastening system and a very strong Frivtion rubber band (that I use) with the Lumiquest...I have more than one flash, so it means that I need to stick velcro on all of them, which does not look good!!!The instructions say that there is an optional Cinch Strap (LQ-117) that will secure the LumiQuest better!! (It's a small note - piece of paper - printed on both sides - very poor!) .. I honestly think that this should be part of the package!!LumiQuest Cinch StrapThis item has better mounting than the Lumiquest!Opteka Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other External Flash UnitsOn the other hand it does what it promises to do.. The pictures are enhanced greatly and the reflectors are easily swapped and ready to be used. I am very happy with the pouch (a black -light - smooth leather pouch)It has an attachment - semi-clear soft plastic to make it a very handy softbox..I really recommend this item for people who use flashes alot and want professional photos.
I absolutely love this product.  It performed well above my standards.  The flash adapter easily attached to my flash unit and I immediately saw drastic improvements in my photos.  Wish I had purchased sooner.
The product works really well. Would reccomend for flash photography. Would reccomend purchasing the strap that goes around the flash.
When I first got myNikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, I was blown away by the results when I bounced it off of the ceiling.  I was a bit underwhelmed however when I used a plastic diffuser similar to theSBM Supreme Light Diffuser for the Nikon SB600 and Olympus FL-36 Flashes, and since there isn't always a ceiling handy, I was looking for more.The Promax system is more--much more.  First off you get the 80-20 bounce, which augments ceilings by shining 20% of the light more or less directly to complement the 80% that bounces off of the ceiling.  This was a very pleasant bonus.  What I really needed were the included inserts, which deflect the light forward in a manner much more pleasing than a direct flash.  This works great whether there are available ceilings or not.  There are three included, and I've kinda found myself using the silver one more than the white one (yet to try the gold).They all have a modest light penalty, but don't read too much into this, as the flashes that this kit is for are TTL flashes, which automatically adjust for this.  Want an even more diffuse lighting effect, well there is a translucent plastic (vinyl I believe) cover that velcros on.  This works beautifully, but at an even greater loss of light (see above).The kit comes with velcro bits that tape onto your flash, but I didn't bother with these and went with theLumiQuest Cinch Strap.  If you already own a decent flash for your Canon, Nikon, Pentax,  Sony, or Olympus SLR setup, you're really missing out if you don't give this kit a good look.The only real negative is that the documentation is well, almost non-existent.  My SB600 came with quite a tome of a manual, and I had lots of ideas of what I could do before I threw some batteries in it.  Here, well you'll see how to set it up, and then it's up to you to experiment.  It may seem a bit frustrating at first, but it will pay off.
This kit includes a flash light modifier for practically every condition you can encounter. Includes a small folder case which holds all the included modifiers. It is very handy as a place can be found for it in even the smallest camera bag!
I will just say that I second the higher rated reviews with the exception of one thing about the system I received. The diffusion screen has the hook part of the velcro built onto tabs. The top tab of my diffussion screen simply will not connect. It is as thought the hooks are defective. Only one end of it comes close to locking in but it pops off.  The other three tabs connect although you can tell they do not grab well. The small circular hook patches on the other inserts actually hold better than the entire hook surface on the large tabs of the diffussion screen.I would have liked to have seen the diffussion screen be made of fabric rather than plastic with better velcro hook surface.Other than that I love the system. I will keep it and probably try to make my own fabric diffusser.
As the one with the biggest camera, I am always asked to take pictures in all the social/family events and holidays. It is mostly indoor with very poor light, so I have two options: 1) to push the ISO in my camera and use f/2.8-f/3.5. In this case the pictures are noisy, DOF is very shallow (sometimes it is good, but sometimes it is not good) and the shutter is still around 1/40sec and if there are energetic kids it is not going to work... 2) to use flash. But most of the time it looks bad. Direct flash is bad and bounce light can also leave bad shadows.When using the 80-20, the pictures just look great! And the nice thing about this kit is that you can also use it as a full bouncer or as some kind of softbox.If you are using the flash, this gadget will upgrade your photos!
I bought this diffuser for situations where the walls, I want to use to reflect the light off, are coloured or far a way. Although the area of reflection is not very large to produce the best soft light you can get from a portable diffuser, but it still delivers good results, at least better than using your flash without it. The Gold reflector accessory that comes with it works good too. The advantage of using the Promax against the likes of GaryFung dome is you direct the light towards your subject only and will not reflect the light from walls behind you with unwanted colour cast.
Great binoculars!  Several members of my family have the same one.
After a month of research I ordered the 820EDs sight unseen due to the fabulous reviews accross the internet (I read hundreds of reviews and postings.)  The image is astounding, and yes, there is a 3D quality!  Low light view is incredible also.  Some things to be aware of are:  The design of the 820ED changed 3 years ago and does not match most pictures you see on the internet.  Go to the Swift Optics website to see the actual binocs you probably will be getting (the Amazon pics are all of the old style--which in my opinion are better looking then the new design.)  Also the Close Focus specs say 12' minimum, but my eyesight resulted in a 20' minimum (and I don't wear glasses.)  I contacted Swift to get answers to these design and close focus questions and they answered my e-mail within an hour; so customer service IS paying attention.  Note, I have used these for less than 24 hours; but I would recommend them 110% at this point.
First off, let's be honest.  What most birders are primarily concerned with when they buy binoculars is the quality of the view they get when they put them up to their eyes.  This concern was, I'm sure, the motivation for the creation of the (essentially) now-defunct web site "Better View Desired."  (Steve Ingraham, where are you when we need you?)I recently purchased (April, 2013) a pair of the current version of the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 ED porro-prism binoculars (mod. 820ED).  In 33 years of birding, I have owned many binoculars (none of the German "alphas", though) and have never been as impressed with the view as I have been with these.  As soon as you put these to your eyes it feels as though you are "within" the view, not just looking through something at something.  The oculars are large and easy to acquire as you put them up to your eyes.  The view is very bright and sharp.  I wear glasses and had no problem with attaining the full field of view.  The eye relief was just fine for glasses.With the great satisfaction I felt with the view provided by these binoculars, I wondered what all the hoopla is with the German binoculars that cost 3-6 times as much.  On the basis of objective testing, were the "alphas" worth it?In an attempt to eliminate subjectivity as far as possible, I turned to the binocular tests at allbinos.com.  http://www.allbinos.com/rankings.htmlFor comparison to the Swifts, I chose the "king of porros" (the Nikon SE 10x42; the 8x model had not been tested), the "best of the best" (the Swarovision EL 8.5x42-roof) and a very highly rated bino that's not one of the Germans (Kowa Genesis 8.5x44- roof).I culled from allbinos.com's test criteria, only those parameters that dealt with the optics of the binoculars (e.g., transmission, astigmatism, distortion) and then calculated a score for each bino (out of a max. of 88 points) and a "Dollars per Score Point" rating (based on the lowest price I could presently find on Amazon for each bino).  You can see the all the details of the tests at albinos.com.  But, as you can see from my summary,  below, the Swifts compare very favorably in all optical categories to the other, much more expensive,  binoculars.  And as far as value goes they far exceed the others.Swift 820ED 8.5x44 Porro:  61.5/88 Points (70%)  Price:$435-  $7.07 per PointNikon SE 10x42 Porro:  78.1/88 Points (88%)  Price:$819-  $10.48 per PointSwarovski EL 8.5x42 Swarovision Roof: 80/88 Points (91%) Price:$2,459-  $30.73 per PointKowa Genesis 8.5x44 Roof:  71.4/88 Points (81%)  Price:$1,385-  $19.39 per PointThe Swift binoculars fit well in my average-sized male hands, feeling not much different than a full-sized roof-prism bino.  I've heard complaints about the twist-up eye cups and I don't see the problem.  They are firm rubber and they twist up easily, staying in place by means of several "click" positions (detents).I've also read complaints about specks or other flotsam on the interior optical surfaces.  I see none of this in my pair.The only notable negative I have found is the ocular lens covers are not one piece, nor attachable to the strap.  An aftermarket rain cover from Eagle Optics is recommended.These are great binoculars with a great view at a great price.
I love these binoculars. They are very easy to use and light weight. The only disappointment was that the lens caps and eye cup caps are not attached to the binoculars so they can be easily dropped and lost. All in all, these binoculars have made my birding experience much more enjoyable.
My wife is a serious "birder" and has owned several pairs of binoculars, but none ever quite "did the job."  After hours of research I decided to buy her the Swift 8.5x44 BWCF Audubon Waterproof ED Binoculars for our anniversary.  Wow!  Unbelievable clarity, and the image is almost like going to a 3D IMAX.  I would unconditionally recommend these to anyone who is looking for an outstanding viewing experience!
I purchased these binoculars because I wanted binoculars with a wide field of view so that I could quickly find warblers and other small, quick moving birds.  These binoculars fit the bill.  The construction seems good.  Focusing is a little stiff but should loosen up with time.  They are medium weight. In the field lighter is better, so there are some binoculars that are better in this regard.  These binoculars are sharp both in the center of the field and surprisingly close to the edge of the field (given that the field is so wide).  The ED glass contributes to good color saturation.  The binoculars are also bright and this is useful at dusk.  The lens caps are not particularly useful.  They are simple individual caps that fit tightly and one doesn't want to be taking all of them off and putting them on in the field. I just take them off and leave them at home.  Overall these binoculars are excellent value for their price and are particularly useful if you need a wide field of view coupled with decent magnification.
These are the best binoculars I've ever used. I bought them almost 5 years ago, and they've been in the field many hours. I use lens-cap keepers for the eyepiece caps but leave the larger ones off. I use a harness-type strap, and don't notice the weight even after several hours in the field. I often have to read multiple leg bands in dim early morning light. The color accuracy and ability to see clearly in low light make a big difference. I definitely recommend these binoculars and would buy another pair if I had to replace them. Oh, I've reached the age where I have to wear eyeglasses. The eye relief is more than long enough. (The "shooter" in my username refers to cameras. :> )
I run with a fairly average crowd so the binoculars that I have used are average. I now live in the Great Northwest where the wildlife is spectacular so I wanted something that would do viewing a fair turn. I researched how to get the best quality binocs for the best price. These had all but one of the high-end benchmarks and they were hundreds of dollars less. By far the best binoculars I've ever used. Crystal clear, great magnification, easy focus, many more great features. I will not regret spending on these.
I have been a birder for thirty years and find these excellent binoculars.  The 8.5 is actually noticeably closer than a pair of 8.0's that I also own, but still much easier to hold steady compared to a 10.0.  The field of view is excellent, as is the light gathering.  Objects seem to be right in front of you.  Unless you can afford high-end Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovski binocs, you should buy these.A drawback some might be that they are a bit heavy.  And Swift would serve its customers a service by providing a solid case, which they used to do.  But I have returned several other highly rated binoculars in this price range.  These are the best I have found
I've had these binoculars for over one year.  I use them mainly for birding.  My previous binoculars were my almost 25 year old Leitz Trinovid 10x40's.  The Trinovids were excellent binoculars in their day but they are definitely getting long in the tooth.  I'll keep them because, let's face it, I'll never be able to afford the current Leica binoculars.I tried several brands before settling on the Swift Audubon roof prisms.  What I found was that some binoculars excel in some areas but fall short in others.  Of those I tried, the Audubons were the most comfortable to use with good depth of field, brightness and sharpness.  Oddly, the Audubons do not really seem to excel in any area--they simply provide a combination of attributes that make them pleasant to use.I give these binoculars my highest recommendation.  Unfortunately, the only way to tell if a binocular fits your vision and handling characteristics is to try them.  That's impossible when ordering online so be sure to order from a place like Amazon--a place that will take them back if they don't work for you.
The Swift 8.5 x 44 HHS Audobons are fine birding binoculars at an affordable price.  They offer a clear, sharp image without going to the price extremes of the three big brands.  They are easy to use, although the focus wheel could be larger for easier use.  The rubber armoring gives them a solid feel in the hand without being excessively heavy.  The 8.5 magnification is just right for birding.  It is not so big that it becomes hard to hold the image steady as is the case with 10s for me.  The 44 front optic allows a great field of vision and plenty of light for dawn and dusk birding.  They are also nitrogen purged.  I am delighted with them.  They were reviewed by Better View Desired, which is where I learned about them.
I own 6 pairs of binoculars and, for the money, these are the best.  Ligtweight, bright, sharp.  I particularly like the LEFT eye dipoter adjustment.
General Impressions:I've used these binoculars for nearly two years in the field and for use as a student in two birding classes.  I carry them on hikes for a closer look at birds I'm trying to photograph. Even after several months of regular use these field glasses continue to offer firm and precise adjustments and have held up well. As far as I can tell, they are no different than the day I received them from Amazon in 2009.Adjustments:Rotating eye cups adjustments for use with or without your regular glasses.  The body tubes have textured rubber grips that make a firm grip possible and add to the secure feel of these binoculars. The focusing ring was stiff at first, but after a month of steady use this adjustment became easier without becoming 'loose.'  There is a dampener that allows the body tube adjustment to separate smoothly while remaining stiff enough not to allow your setting to drift together or apart during use.Transporting/Carrying Case(s):Swift includes a very nice soft leather carrying case that comes with a shoulder strap.  However, since I do not enjoy having anything around my neck, shoulder or swinging around my torso when I am hiking I needed to find a more convenient and comfortable solution to safely tote my binoculars. The Swift case has a belt loop on the back of the pouch but it is fixed and can not be opened to attach to a pack or at alternate locations on a photographer's technical belt such as Lowepro sells.  I decided on the Lowepro SlipLock Pouch 30 for a perfect fit. I modified the Lowepro pouch by using a craft knife to cut off the drawstring hood located under the flap. Now I can open and draw out my binoculars with ease and have minimized the possibility of scaring the subject away.  CAUTION: if you use a carrying case with a utility belt, make sure that the lid on the case is secure and that you don't pick the belt up upside down, so as not to accidentally dump your binoculars out on the floor as I did! :) Amazingly, the Swift Audubon held up just fine to this abuse. Fortunately, I didn't have the eye cups open when I dumped my instrument out. Ew, the sound of those binoculars hitting the concrete was on par with hearing your kid's head hit the floor after falling from a shopping cart. Well...maybe not quite that bad. :0Performance: Comparing the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 with the Barska 10x42 Waterproof model, the Barsk requires additional fine adjustment through the focal length giving a slight bokeh effect on images just a few feet in front of or behind your subject. The Swift Audubon is capable of a brighter overall image (guessing as much as 10-15%) with the ability to stay focused on a subject through a broader depth of field. This ability frees the user up from having to make as many adjustments as the subject moves around.  By the way, if you are looking for reasonable quality and build in a pair of binoculars offering an excellent value, the Barska 10x42 Waterproof is not a bad choice for under $100!Concluding Thoughts:I am very happy with this pair of quality lenses and have yet to find myself in a situation where I think or say to myself, 'I sure wish I would have spent the extra cash and purchased those high-end binoculars.'  I travel with some serious birders and hikers and we occasionally trade binoculars; my thrifty Swift purchase stands up and continues to hold up to the very best of them. You may purchase this item with confidence.
I've had these for a few years now. I bought them because we were going on a trip to the amazon and the galapagos islands. They have totally spoiled me for most other optics.  They have a sharp bright image, and are a delight to look through.  They are a bit heavy, but anything as big as an 8.5 x 44 will be heavy.  They are not as good as the big 3, but they are comparable, and don't cost $800+
I did a lot of research before purchasing these for birding. They seemed to be the best value for good birding binocs at the time I purchased them. You can spend a lot more money (I have never tried the pricier ones), but these have been very good for me. They are easy to focus, easy to transition from glasses-wearer to non when sharing, and so much better than cheaper $100 binocs. They are brighter, for example, and very sharp. If you wear glasses beware of the eye cups made of rubber that fold down for non-glasses wearers. They eventually break at the fold. These are screw-type eye cups that are very sturdy and easy to use.
Although the DSC-U60 has almost none of the features one has come to expect on a digital camera, it does what it does flawlessly. What it does is snap simple, hi-resolution photos in any environment without fail.It has no zoom lens. What you see in the viewfiner is what you get, period. You point, you shoot, that's it.It is (or at least mine is) really, truly waterproof. This is an absolutely essential feature for me, and is the raison d'etre of the DSC-U60. If you don't need a waterproof camera, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you kayak, canoe, fish, or camp, it's really cool to have a camera you don't have to worry about getting wet. I've killed a number of cameras on river trips, and probably lost some great photos as a result. This puppy has been in rivers, lakes, and hot tubs, and hasn't skipped a beat.The lens is great, the electronics are great, and the resolution is superb. Although 5 or 6 MP is becoming standard these days, the DSC-U60 takes extremely sharp, clear photos, good for printing or viewing on-screen.If you need anything more or less than a waterproof point-and-shoot, you will be disappointed. This would be a really poor choice for a general-purpose camera. There are better, sharper, and easier-to-use cameras out there with way more features for much less money.On the other hand, if (like me) you really need an indestructable camera for simple, high-quality snapshots, you couldn't ask for more.
I really like the Sony DSCU60 digital camera, it's special to take it to the beach and take pictures under the water. With 2.0 megapixel it's not for pros but the quality its great for point and click cameras. The only con: no audio with video recording but for 150$ I think its ok
I have had this little camera for about 6 years. Bought it in Puerto Rico at the Post Exchange on impulse. A friend had one and I liked it and when I saw one I grabbed it. Absolutely the best, simplest, most durable camera ever. I have dropped it off cliffs, out of a moving car, had it in mud and under water (much farther than it says it should go) and it has always functioned flawlessly. The shape is something folks have to get used to but I like it.It takes great family and vacation pics and has been put to the test. I use it often in the garage to take photos of my hobby cars. But like all things, when some company discovers they made something fantastic, they discontinue it. I have been searching online to try to find another one of these since mine is beginning to wear out. The switch is going bad, and it is covered in greasy finger prints and now showing considerable wear. I am worried it will die and I will have to get something that is just adequate.Great job with this one Sony, a fantastic, rugged camera I have really enjoyed. Shame on you for discontinuing it. :(
I love this camera.  Great for one hand use if necessary.  Rugged plastic construction.  Unfortunately, they never replaced it with an upgraded model with higher resolution camera.  Sony memory card is expensive in comparison to other memory card formats, which is my only complaint.
The U-60 is a gem. I bought it for water sports and to have a small rugged carry-anywhere digicam (I also have an Olympus C-700 for more technical and telephoto shots). I keep it in my pocket and often get those &quot;I wish I had a camera right now&quot; spontaneous shots that I used to miss. It's fast to start, easy to understand, very user friendly, small to carry, and gets decent resolution pics. It goes surfing every time I do. Especially fun and useful is the &quot;burst mode&quot; that takes five shots in a row. It addresses that frustration of &quot;shutter lag&quot; and &quot;shutter timing&quot; that can happen with digital action shots. More info:PROS:Small, cheap, rugged, easy to use, good software, good battery life, decent resolution, well waterproofed, cheap batteries, burst mode, battery-saving lowlight LCD mode, card reader unnecessary.Cons: No viewfinder, tiny LCD, no opt. zoom, burst pics are only 600x400. (although I adjusted to all these shortcomings and didn't miss them!)For it's intended use, it excels.
I have had one for over 10 yrs and saw this one online. I love it for its simplicity and it takes excellent pics! Though no tele-photo or the extras one purchase with other cameras. But if one know how to use software, that is not an issue.
I  have a 19ft boat that we take out into the Gulf to go snorkeling and boating. I needed a pair of binoculars that could withstand the saltwater environment for spotting. The binoculars have worked well so far, but I do have one complaint. The individual eye focusing, meaning you have to focus each eye, is pain. I preferred the singular focusing mechanism on previous binoculars. It takes me a lot longer to focus on an object.Comes with a very nice case and stores easily. Nice quality optics with low refraction.
I should have paid attention to how big these are and their weight. They work great. They are just a little heavy for me. Also the eye covers are a little cheap and I already plan on the getting lost somewhere.
This product was reasonably priced and is very water resistant and does not cloud up. I received it fast and am happy with it.
These have held up so well and just plain work. The image is so clear I can't believe people pay so much more for binos.
Will be using this binocular while on patrol with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Have been needing a waterproof Marine Binocular.  And, the price was right.
good grip, big eye relief, and exit pupil make scanning the seas or landscapes in a bumpy ride easy.  the focusing takes getting used to, but i guess not having the single knob mechanism makes these more reliably water tight and sturdy in general.
For the price this is a decent pair of binoculars.If I lost them , I could replace them but there are better ones out there.I use the for spotting birds while fishing offshore, so they could fall in the water.  They work for me
These are awesome, still havent taken a dip in the lake to verify waterproof and they can float but I hope they do.
Actually I had purchased the predecessor to this model approximately 24 years ago.  They were repaired under warranty once at about 10 years, when I made the mistake of leaving them in my boat with a black tarp cover, in the New Orleans summer sun for 3 months.  Everything in the boat was baked, and the binnoculars developed a fog inside.Then in 2005 Katrina flooded my St. Bernard home with 12' of water for 3 weeks.  The Bushnells had seeped storm surge seawater and dissolved gypsum sheetrock inside.  This time Bushnell simply replaced the old warriors with a new modern set.I think I have put these optics through 2 rather unreasonable trials and Bushnell has stood by them, no questions asked!  I am very impressed with a company waranty like that and intend to show my loyalty to Bushnell in return.  Good stuff from good people.
PROS:No fogging.  Be aware that you must focus each eye separately - this eliminates the middle focus ring that then moves each eye cup.  That means more places for water to get in.Bright and clear with sharp focus.7x50  - 7x means 7 times magnification, and 50 means 50mm lens size.  7x is the MAX for hand held especially in a boat.  You could even lower that to 5x for a boat where the action of the waves makes if difficult to keep the image still.Solid build quality.CONS:A bit heavy / large.  But this is the price you pay for large lens that let in lots of light and are very clear.No middle / center focus ring - each eye must be focused one at a time.Your hands / arms will tire quickly.Strap - could be longer by 12" or so and softer around the neck.  You can easily replace or modify the strap.TIP:place hands as close to the end as possible to keep the image steady.
I'm a boater (as if you havent guessed by the name hehe)These do me very well, I'm pretty careless as well I will have to admit and a few bangs etc and not even a markGreat invest for reading upcoming signs etc
Very decent optics... sure, I'd have like to have had a pair of Steiners, but then if these go over the side, I won't have nearly the issue I would have had with some really high cost binoculars. These resolve pretty well, do a good job of light gathering (so far I've calmed &#34;ufo! ufo!&#34; fears of my comrades by being able to clearly see the running lights on a low-flying airplane in the evening.
It's not as powerful as it ought to be but okay. The lens covers as well as the eyepiece cover should be tied with a piece of something to the main body of the scope to prevent them from getting lost or misplaced.
These binoculars are great.  Lightweight in price and in your hand, they are by far the best deal out there.  Ideal for backyard birdwatching and birding in the wild, I plan to buy a second pair just to keep in my car.
View of the eagles in flight was perfect! I recommend if looking for casual use.  If looking for very long distance this might be too weak for long distances.
Went to my first opera and these were a must have! lightweight and easy to adjust.  Could see their faces from the balcony
i was very pleased with these binoculars; they are a gift for my 7 year old grandson.  they are perfect for him - lightweight, easy to use and adjustable, also the material covering the binoculars allow for a good grip.  Magnification is very good and clear.  Excellent value.
I ordered my own binoculars because of the difference in my wife's and my eyes.  Sharing binoculars can be a pain because you have to adjust them each time you hand them back and forth.  The view is crystal clear.  The focusing mechanism is smooth and easy.  This was the perfect match of quality and price.
I bought these for use at football games. They are lightweight, easily focused and inexpensive. The only drawback in my opinion, is they aren't wide view. For the price, you can't beat them!
We bought these binoculars for our recent vacation and they worked out great. They are easy to work and you get a good, clear view of objects. They are light weight and easy to carry with you.
I have expensive Nikon binoculars that have disappeared on me for the moment so I wanted to get something cheap to have while I hunt those bad boys down.  These Bushnell are fantastic.  Strap was easy to attach and focusing is a snap.  Best of all, I searched on the internet and found a great price at Adorama Camera in NYC for $31.63 and was able to order online (it was the last pair they had) and picked them up so I saved on shipping and got them right away.
What a great deal. Just thrilled by this purchase. Crystal clear. Im a big fella and the eye cups are not to small. Very glad I picked this pair, considering buying another. Super compact! Great carrying case. Best binocs ive ever owned. You could enjoy bird watching  of distances up to a 100 yards. Only draw back that isnt even remotely big enough to take a star off for is there is no tripod screw hole just in case you wanted that option, which i do, but oh well! So worth the money!
These were a Christmas gift for my son who wanted them for Scout outings.  Perfect size, quality and price.  Highly recommend.
I'm a beginner bird watcher and I bought these for my new hobby. They work great and are compact enough to take to the beach or hiking. I keep them predominately on my back porch which abuts the bird refuge behind my house. I also purchased a neck strap that is more comfortable then the one that came with the binoculars. The neck strap provided isn't necessarily uncomfortable unless you plan on having the binoculars around your neck for an extended period of time.
I have owned many binoculars over the years.  These Bushnell binoculars are well-built, solid, and will probably work for most people. They're not quite as portable or light as my 8 X 21 TASCO binoculars that finally broke after many years of service, but the Bushnells are more powerful.I am very near-sighted [-8.75 (right eye) and -8.25 (left eye)].  I was able to focus on objects that were within 100 feet or so.  Distant objects, however, were out of focus.  Using the right eye lens diopter adjuster I could get the right lens to focus on the distant objects.  The left lens, however, wouldn't focus (I ran out of adjustment room using the center focusing wheel).  I just couldn't get the two lenses to both focus on distant objects.I you are very near-sighted, beware of buying these binoculars.I had to return these binoculars.  I'll need to find others that have more flexible focusing capabilities.
I would say these are great binoculars for someone on a budget! They are durable, lightweight, compact, have great optics, and are comfortable to use. I've had mine for over a year and just bought another pair as a gift for a friend who is getting into birding. While the recommended birding binoculars are 8x42, I think these are sufficient and I have done a LOT of birding with them.
I am not a Binocular Expert just needed something to take to the Shooting range. These are really Small ha didn't expect that but first impression are good. took them to the range and worked great for me, for the price it is a great deal.
These binoculars are the same strenght as ones I already have.  They are good but not what I really needed.
Love these little babies.....ordering another pair....my wife took these for her bird watching and told me &#34; You need your own pair so we can watch together&#34;. Need I say more?
Not the best I have seen but it's good enough for the money,  I like that it has a wide viewing range
Having lost or broken several pairs of expensive compact binoculars in the past, I was determined that this time I was going to get a product that wouldn't break my heart or my wallet when it was gone. When I opened the package I was impressed with the hefty feel and rubberized coating of the Powerview.  The optics are crystal clear and light gathering capability seemes to be excellent.  These binocs should be fine for everything from birding to ballgames to spying on the neighbors! As for the price, as clumsy and forgetful as I am I should have bought two!
Good value for the money.  They did fog up at times which was frustrating.  But other than that they were great.
It's true that the small aperture means they won't work well under lower light conditions, but that's their only drawback. They are rugged and have very sharp optics. The image is sharp edge to edge. Wow! The price makes them a real bargain.
GAVE IT A 5 RATING BASED ON CONVERSATION WITH MY GRANDSON WHO WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE BINOCULARS.  HE HAD USED THEM AND FOUND THEM EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED.  HE TOLD ME THEY ALSO CAME WITH A LANYARD AND CASE WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED AS PART OF THE PACKAGE!
These little binoculars are just the right size to throw in a purse or small bag for a day out. Great for taking just about anywhere ... but not what you need if you're a serious birder.
Mechanically very sturdy and the optics are adequately sharp. Design does not allow the strap to be conveniently wrapped for storage or carrying without the case. They are the right power for opera glasses but are a little bulky for the purpose.
I have 4 pair of binoculars for various uses including astronomy.  I needed a quick and compact solution for my wife to use for backyard birdwatching and light stargazing.  These binocs are small, light, and perfect.  I purchased this pair for her but I have the exact same pair on my truck for my use.  For the cost, these provide a view that is very clear and comparable to more expensive models.  We pack these for vacation to the mountains also and are great for wildlife watching.
Gave these as a gender neutral git in a Christmas exchange. The recipient loved them and her husband was trying to find ways to swap out his gift to get these for himself.Good for birding or concerts, not too big, will fit in a purse easily.
I got these as a replacement for the same Bushnell binoculars I bought 15 yrs ago before they were made in China..I used those everywhere, outdoors, sporting events, you name it. These don't measure up . The eye cups are so small that I can't use them with my glasses, and since the vision in my eyes are different, I can never get a sharp focus. I was in the hospital when they arrived, otherwise I would have returned them immediately.
We are very pleased with this pair of binoculars.  They are small enough that our 5 yr old can hold and focus on her own - and she can independently pick them up and watch the woodpeckers in the yard. Even though her hand is not real steady, she hasn't complained about what she is seeing.  We are brand new to the world of using binoculars but they really came in handy when using them from our ceiling level seats to have our girls see Hannah Montana up close.  They are so clear and compact even in the dark.  The only problem I see is the lense caps will probably be lost fairly quickly as they are very loose fitting.
bought these for my husband, he loves them, nice quality, crisp clear pictures, just the right size to take into the woods and easy to carry around in your pocket, great value
The Powerviews are a cheap pair of binoculars, and the adjustment wheel feels cheap when you turn it.But, for the price, the lenses are surprisingly sharp and clear.These aren't like my Leupolds, but I was looking for a decent performing and cheap, backup pair of binoculars.The Powerviews fit the bill perfectly, and were exactly what I was looking for.
I use these for bird watching. These bins are very light, the perfect size and weight to carry with you all the time. Good magnification, very clear image, and they come with a case.
Man these binoculars are awesome. Very very clear, compact and not a bad price. I got a pair for my bug out bag
they're practical for small events or small venues. Subcompact very light. now it tells me I need to add more words so here are a few more.
I bought these for my husband on recommendation from others to replace his huge binoculars. He took them on a hunt right after Christmas and called me from another state to tell me how great they were.
These are great compact, light-weight binoculars. The optics are clear, and the focus of one eye can be adjusted separately to compensate for a difference in vision between your eyes so I don't even need to wear my glasses when using these binoculars. They come with a pouch, neck strap, cleaning cloth and lens covers. The binoculars are easy to carry with the belt loop on the pouch or even in a pocket.
I bought these to replace an old pair of compact 7x25 binos that my brother broke and these fit the bill.  They're lightweight, compact, and wear well around the neck.  They are also surprisingly clear and bright for this price point.  No complaints on them so far, but I do need to see how they do in wet or foggy conditions.  I plan to buy another to integrate into my survival kit.
Ditto
Bought two pair of these for gifts.  Great size for camping and hiking.  Comfortable grip and easy adjustments.  My kids love them.
Worth less than the $8.00 (after redeeming my otherwise useful Amazon dividend) I paid. Images don't coincide. Eyecups too rigid so I cut them off. I hate to give it away because it might spoil somebody's desire to look at far away objects. Get a good 7 1/2 X 26 instead.
bought this to keep in my truck and also to carry with me on hiking and hunting trips. Obviously, the optics won't keep up with a pair of binos that several hundred dollars, but for my purposes, it should do just fine. The optics are surprisingly clear and easy to focus.Cons:Not waterproofDoesn't have Bushnell rainguard (works great in my rifle scope, but it also costs ten times more than these binos)No lens caps for objective lensCheapo  lens covers for eyepiecesFor the price though, you get more than you pay for with these.
I bought these to keep in the car for emergency wildlife sightings. They're a great size to fit in the holder on the back seat of my SUV; quick to grab, lightweight and adjust easily. The case is good enough, and so is the strap. They've already helped me confirm that, yes indeed, that was a trumpeter swan.They are so convenient to use I may take them when I go out west to visit friends. A helpful pair of binoculars at a good price.
The Bushnell Powerview 8x25 work very well for stage performances, small and light weight, clear image. Better than the barrel shape binocs, not much distortion, not too powerful.
These Binoculars are great for watching the birds in my yard.  I have several bird feeders and I like to watch the bird to see if we get any new ones and we did this year.
Lightweight and very clear.  Good value for the money.  Focus is very easy to do.  I would recommend this to everyone.
These are absolutely great binoculars you can focus on items a close a 7 ft or so. Very clear sight picture. I have poor eye sight and use them to see smaller print on the television as well as some football and basketball. A tad heavy but not bad and they more than make up for it in usability.
I have owned several pairs of larger and more expensive binocs, however, these definately hold their own against them all. I needed a smaller pair for when I wanted the near-performance of a larger pair, but not the bulk. The last compact pair I owned were 10 X 25 that did not feel as good on the eyes and in the hands. I prefer these because they are clearer and less "telescope-ish", giving a noticeably wider field of view. I highly recommend these unless you have big hands with fat fingers! :)
We tried several pairs of small binocs in this range, including Olympus and Pentax models, and liked the Bushnells the best.  They focus easily with one hand and have a clear image.  8x is perfect for birding because it offers a wide field of view but also sufficient magnification.  Brightness doesn't compare with larger optics but very good for 25mm. Rubberized all over, so they seem pretty durable.  I have to fold them almost completely to fit me, so if your eyes are very close together, they may not work for you.  Not sure how well they'd work with glasses. These can't compare with bigger, costlier binocs, but I rate these 5 stars on the basis of their combination of convenient size and weight, image quality, and value.
Bought it for viewing birds at feeder just outside the window.  Works great easy to focus and use.  Works for longer distance also.
This was exactly what I wanted... Not too strong, but I can keep them in my purse for a quick look whenever!
For the cost, they worked quite well for distance viewing on a cruise. They were easy to adjust and fairly lightweight.
I purchased these for my son for Christmas. After reading all the reviews I think it's was a good choice for occasional use. He liks them.
I wanted a decent pair of binocs I could let my grandkids borrow without having to fret about them breaking or losing them.  These are decent and well worth the price. Better than I expected!
Bought this for a trip to Costa Rica.  Great price, compact, reasonably good optics.  Next time I would have spent more.
Clear and crisp focus. Excellent range. Convenient size. Fantastic value and great for birdwatching. Bought this for an amateur birder, he loves them.
Got these to replace a dropped pair of those $20 pocket binoculars. I mainly use them for backyard birding, so I needed a close focus and not too much magnification. These Bushnells are quite a leap from the old cheapies. Brighter, clearer and easier to focus. I did not realize the value of this model until I scored a free pair of Kenko 8x32 waterproof bino's on Amazon Vine. I'm reluctant to report that my eyes can barely see the difference despite the price. Bushnells $35 vs. the Kenkos @ $232. The Kenkos are certainly a fine piece of workmanship, but I just can't see the value in them. The main difference to me is the ease of finding the sweet spot for centering my eyes on the eyecups. The 8x32's are a bit brighter in challenging light, but in most situations, you may never see the difference. These Bushnells are a rather amazing bit of work for the price. Buy without hesitation.
I wanted a small, fairly high-powered set of binoculars to toss into the car for our road trips.  Got this and was amazed at how clear and powerful they are.  Easy to handle and to adjust.  My wife loves them and I do too.  You can buy more expensive ones and they may be worth it, but I don't see how.  Save some money and grab these.
This product may be beautiful if they come and aren't in two piece.  The box they came in was beautiful without a dent or the look of being dropped so I didn't open them.  I ordered in late April and thought I would use them as a fathers day gift.  It now says that I can't return them because I am past my window of return!  These look like they would be really nice if they had not come broke in half.
As the owner of several Zeiss glasses I must say these little,lightweight and inexpensive glasses are more than worth their price.  Very impressive. Perfect to stuff in your pocket or hang around your neck for the morning walk-which is what I use them for.I believe you will be very pleased with what you get for your money. I would highly reccomend them.
Got this for the Father-in-Law. Scored a lot of points. I don't think there's another set out there for as good a price and quality as this. Buy
Did some reasearch on binoculars, got too much information, needed a basic model to look far down the street and at sights around town.  Was a good model to choose.  Solid and good optics.  Not too expensive.  Waterproof design was a plus for me since I live in Florida and we have very humid summers.  No complaints.  Might be too low power for real serious viewing.
These are perfect for my boyfriend when he goes out on the boat! He's been asking for a pair but I wasn't sure what type to look for. Well, here it is. These have been the best binoculars he's had so far.
I have used these binoculars for about 2 years now. I use it for hunting. The optics are ok. What is impressive is that this pair of binoculars are tough and water-proof. I have dropped them in a creek on one occasion and they have not failed. Now that's what I call good quality.
Wonderful and well built binoculars. If space and weight is an issue and you need waterproof binoc's  look no were else than these.  They are absolutely great. Optical quality of the lens are superb.
I just received these today, and tried them out around my yard. I have only owned 1 other pair of binoculars that a friend gave to me years ago, and they are big, old, and have fairly poor view quality, possibly do to their age. These Bushnell 10x25s have much better view quality even though they are very small.The Bushnell's  do seem rugged, solid, and focus quite well. The 10x magnification of these binoculars also seems about right for my needs, and the very small size and light weight is a great benefit for the places I plan on taking them (i.e. birding, hiking, kayaking, etc.). The field of view also seems like it will be big enough, although a wider view would be better, but this small of binocular doesn't get any wider that I'm aware of.Now for the "minor" issues. These binoculars do not close-focus at 12 feet as advertized, unless my eyes just won't focus that close, but I don't think its my eyes. About 24 feet or so is more like it. I don't know if that will be a problem for birding as this is mainly why I bought them. For most bird ID it shouldn't be a problem, but for very small birds such as warblers in close quarters it might be; again, I won't know until I try them in the field.Secondly, a fairly trivial issue is that the case that came with these binoculars is useless. They fit in so tight and with the rubberized armor of the binoculars (which is nice) it is very difficult to get them in or out of the case. I have lots of camera type cases laying around that will serve this purpose quite well, but they should have at least included a case that fit properly.The only other thing is I wish they came with lens caps. I don't like lens caps in the field (on my camera lenses) as they are annoying, but the package seems incomplete without them. I don't know if I would use them but I'd like to have that option.
I"ve got 50 year's experience with good binoculars and wanted a knock-around, inexpensive pair that was waterproof, fit in my pocket like these clamshells, and had good optics (obviously). I've generally used Nikon and Bushnells, so I started with those. While these H2O binocs are usable, and actually better than similarly priced Nikons, they are heavy and the optics are not as good as what I finally decided on - Vortex Typhoons - which are a GREAT binocular for the money. I was amazed at the quality of the Vortex over the Nikons and Bushnells.
At first I wasnt overly happy with these Bino's, I just couldnt seem to focus them correctly. I found it irritating that I couldn't see as clearly as I could when using a pair of the same brand/type which are the 10x50 instead of the 10x25. That is until I was slipped and fell while walking across a stream on a wet log in the forest. I turns out I landed on them and popped one of the oculars off the frame. I was sure they were toast but after forcing them back together they now work better than when they were new! Sounds crazy, but they are very durable and very water proof. By the end of the hunting trip, all the guys with the bigger binocoulars told me they wish they had gotten this compact pair instead.
These were decent for what we paid. We bought these for use on a recent safari and whale watching excursion. They got the job done, but were no substitute for a really good pair had we wanted to use them more frequently.
I ordered these bino's for the archery range, and perhaps some smaller bino's for hunts and hikes.  They are probably adequate for all of the above, but I would recommend a more powerful bino for spotting past 50 yards.  They are easy to adjust and seem to be a quality product.
These are terrific binoculars.  Can't praise them enough.  Get the rubberized, waterproof kind as metal will stick to bare hands in the cold.  I own 2 sets of these camo H2O binoculars and find that both sets keep their fine adjustment  focus with no problem.  Whoever said they go out of adjustment was totally incorrect.  My two pairs work well in the daytime, thru early morning fog, thru heavy rainstorms, at night for viewing planes, thru just about any condition imaginable with no problems in the focus or the adjustment.  Today I spotted a plane thru these but could not see it with the naked eye.  I like the rubberized eye cups as well.  Very well thought out product.  The range of these are great for such a compact size.  Also, they are very lightweight.  Who wants to lug around a heavy set of 10X50 when these do the job quite nicely.  A police officer friend of mine would use these on stakeouts as the palm sized profile of these binoculars would be so small she would not be spotted using them.  She recommended these to me as she used them for years with very good results.  The price is quite reasonable as well and well worth the money. She paid full price!  Comes with a nice case as well that is snug fitting but made that way for a purpose.  The lenses are polymer.  If you do get your lenses accidentally scratched use a dab of furniture polish on soft cloth on the scratched lens and rub lightly and the scratches will blend in and you can't tell where they were scratched. (A trick told me by someone who knows all about binoculars and yes, it works!)  Best to use an optics cloth for cleaning them or an optics brush is even better as it will not leave any scratches at all.  I do like the fact that they are totally waterproof. Nothing like dropping your lenses into water and end up with an expensive paperweight!  This will not happen with these.  Would highly recommend these.
I purchased these for my wife just before our trip to Alaska. While there the strap holder broke off causing the binoculars to fall from her neck. They were fine but then she had to carry them in her hands the rest of the trip. The optics were fine though.
These binoculars are incredibly clear and fold up very small.  They fit well in my 3-day bugout bag, but if you don't have room in yours then it would definitely fit in a vehicle emergency kit or a houses bailout bag.  Haven't yet tested the waterproof feature but it definitely feels sturdy enough to be dropped, so barring a manufacturer defect they should be waterproof as described.
This item is small, compact and perfect for a nice hunting or scenic trip.Great for long distance viewing. Not to great for close ups.It's waterproof, fogproof and Camouflage color are all a bonus for its price.A must buy!
My goal was to have an relatively inexpensive pair of binoculars to have with me in my canoe whenever I paddle.  This pair has filled that need admirably.  For my purpose the waterproof feature was necessary.  The small lens lets in plenty if light during the day so that has not been a problem; I suppose there is a point towards getting dark that these would not work well but a better larger lens pair would, but certainly not at this price.  I would like a slightly larger field of vision, and perhaps more weight would make holding them steady easier, but as noted for my use these are fine; mainly getting a better look at birds in the distance. Small and light makes them easy to keep around.
I know nothing about binoculars when I made this purchase for a trip but really had much higher expectations.  After not much use they got out of focus and my husband and I just couldn't figure out how to get them to work normally again.  Wouldn't recommend.
this is a great set of binoculars with clear sharp viewing.  lightweight and durable and at a reasonable price.  i would recommend these for someone looking for a compact binocular.
They live up, and the price is really good considering what you get. I really don't have a single complaint. I use them all the time and the kids even get ahold of them once in awhile, but they're tough. Being able to adjust for different vision in each eye is a fantastic feature! ...Oh, actually here's a complaint. The case was crappy. I just threw it out and out them in an old compact camera case.
Put your money down.  I don't think you'll get a better pair of glasses for the price.Great Birding Glasses for the scrubs.  8x42 are better in lower light but 10x42 is a better at spotting birds that are far away.I bought 2 and feel great about the purchase.
I really like these.  They are nice and clear (for the $$), relatively light and seem very durable. The only negative so far is that the focus wheel has a lot of resistance when focusing near the close focus distance.  Other than that I am very satisfied.
These are the first binoculars we've owned and purchased them for a cruise to Alaska.  They were used during cold, damp weather and didn't get any built up condensation.  They are lightweight and easy to pack for travel.  They were easy to operate for seeing distances or enlarging objects that were slightly closer.  I would recommend them to anyone that doesn't have a lot of money to spend because in my opinion they are worth more.
Small in size, lightweight, big in viewing.  Plenty of power to bring up close those far away sights.  Excellent quality.
I bought these for my boyfriend for Christmas last year. He loves them and uses them for hunting. They are not the top dollar brand but they work.
These binoculars have wonderful clarity and a nice compact size.  They come with a neck strap, lens covers and a case.
Got these for my husband for Christmas and they are brillant.  They are lightweight, clear and he loves them.  Yay.
I bought these for birding and other nature/wildlife viewing.  The strength of magnification is okay, but they do not focus as well as I had hoped for.  There is a very small sweet spot for focusing the left lens.  I'll buy another brand next time.
It is what I was looking for; They are not expensive; very clear images; for bird watching and nature trips they are great!If you need some information about trips to Ecuador & Galapagos; Amazon rain forest; bird watching let me know; That is why I bought this camera; because of this trips I do.[...]; sale1@terrandesecuador.com or follow us in facebook as: Terrandes Adventure Ecuador.Gustavo Cabezas
I purchased this product for sports events and it does a great job.  I have a wide field of view and I can adjust it to a closeup view without without losing the steadiness of my view.  I used it during the 2009 Steelers Bronco game in Denver and I did not have a problem condensation.
I'm no hard-core bird watcher, but I bought these anyway to replace a cheap old set of 8x32's I had received as an upgrade to the hand-me-downs I received from my father. Honestly, I couldn't tell a difference. Yeah, they're nice. But for occasional use, I can't see spending the $80+. Returned these to Amazon.
Very nice binoculars at a great price. My wife has always had difficulty with seeing birds on our nature walks. These binoculars deliver a crystal clear view and are easy to adjust. Very quality construction. They feel like they will last for years.
I'm an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, and after reading many reviews of various water-resistant and water-proof bino's, it was obvious that the H2O's were a good choice.I've used these many times over the past two months and have consistantly been impressed. They've never fogged up, and although I haven't had them submersed yet (not really sure if I'm looking forward to that!), I have used them in rain while out hiking, and I trust they're completely waterproof!These are kind of heavy for backpacking uses, but for a 10x42 pair of bino's that are waterproof, you really can't go wrong with these. Maybe they could've included a nicer, or slightly larger case with them. It's sort of hard to jam them into the back and take them out without the lens caps coming off each time.
great binocs...a little bit bigger and heavier than I expected. (my fault)Great view and very comfortable to use
Perfect size also light weight. They are fog proof, as claimed, which is important where we live and how we use these binoculars.
They are all they are advertised to be.  I am not all disappointed.  Making a zoom version is the only improvement I could suggest.
This is a good set of Binocs, wanted somthing small and tough, to throw in the saddle bag or take to a concert.  Sweet Deal they came with a promo of a free smaller &#34;pocket&#34; set
We use these for bird and wild life watching from the house mainly.  They are very easy to handle, focus and scan.  Field of view, magnification, and low light vision are all exellent. These are far and away the best glasses I have used.  I don't think you can go wrong with these, either performance or value wise.  As usual our Amazon Prime account provides great service and value.
These binoculars are exactly what I needed and exactly what I expected after reading about them and researching on line.  Excellent quality (a bit heavy but well made).  I am using these for bird watching as well as on my boat (which was the main reason I needed waterproof).  So far, so good.
I can understand some field biologist saying they need Swarovski binoculars and none of those should even be reading this review. For all else, I can easily recommend this product. I had used porro prism binocs earlier but these roof prism ones are so much more convenient and lighter to carry during hours of treks. And I personally tested the waterproofing claims of this product when I dropped them into shallow waters during a kayaking trip - I wiped all the water off and it was good to go in moments.There are a couple of issues though - these lenses fogged easily enough during early morning cold temperatures. Dont know if there are any better fog-free options there but that feature isnt its best strength. Also, the neck cord Bushnell packs it with looks really cheap - I would bet my binocs will definitely outlast it. And thats a concern when all that is holding the binocs from falling down is this band.Overall, a very good deal - I bought the 10x42 H2O when they came down to about $48 in Sep 08. So, it was a brilliant deal I got. But I'd buy it again if something happened to my current one and I had to pay $85 for new ones.
I was looking for a pair of roof-prism binoculars like this, for hawk and bird watching. I had looked at Swarovskis, but they were way out of my budget, nearly a thousand dollars for this resolution.These binoculars are crystal-clear, with sharp focus. The 42mm lens lets in lots of light, lots more than the 35's I've been using. I wear glasses and the twist- up- and -down eyecups are a blessing. There are also attached lens protectors for the 42mm, nice because I always used to lose them.For the price, these can't be beat.
very nice and easy to use. At high magnifications the image resolution is great and brightness is good as well.
I've gone thru other binoculars in the past, and these are the best I've found, particularly for the price!  Very nice and compact... I use them frequently for nature watching.  Very clear and with very good magnification!  Recommended!
This binocular is very handy indeed, you can enjoy watching sport games using it, it has the capability of bringing far objects close to you.I wish if it has a zooming feature.
Just what I wanted. Small and light weight with some power. Feel very good and works smooth.
Absolutely great
I purchased these binoculars to keep in my hiking backpack.  I don't intend to use them for astronomy, or reading small text from a mile away.  I just wanted some binoculars that could help me identify wildlife or terrain from a greater distance than the naked eye.That being said, I'm perfectly happy with them.  They focused nicely for me in both eyes, and the alignment of the two tubes was right on providing me with good depth perceiving binocular vision.  I've bought cheap binoculars before that turned out to be useless except as a double sized monocular.  Not a problem with these.They fold up to be very compact and store nicely inside my pack.  The only real downside is that the objective (light gathering) side of these is pretty small so you're not going to be using these in the darker moments at the edges of daylight.If you're just looking for a handy little package to extend your vision for casual daytime use, then these are great binos.
These are perfect for my 10 yr old daughter.  She love these binoculars, they can fit down in her purse with no problem.
its good have not used it much but it seems to be pretty decent for just looking around. Price is not bad either.
For the price I can't say much... it's just a &#34;toy&#34; for my daughter that want to &#34;spy and watch birds&#34;.... but for real use the viewing angle is to short and very difficult to find the &#34;target&#34;.If you want a real binocular, go for one with larger lens.
I purchased these from amazon due to the very high ratings compared to other similarly priced binoculars.  What a waste of money.Magnification works cleanly for about 100 yards, blurry after that.  What a shame, considering they advertise 383 feet.  Adjustment round is stiff and difficult to turn.  I have to take them away from my eyes and really work at them to focus, so a lot of guess and check. This makes the binoculars useless for finding a close bird fast, which is about the only thing you could use these for.  Only use I could see is opera glasses or for peeping at your neighbors.
Couldn't have asked for more for the price. I bought these for my 3 and 4 year olds to play with. They are definitely cheaper and more functional than toy binoculars. Small size is a plus.
It has a good size. Handbag ready. Can not rate it five stars yet. Will use it tommorow in a concert
Bought this pair of binoculars for nearly pocket change. I took them to Alaska on our recent cruise and was very pleased with them. I carried them in the pouch they came in attached to my belt. I barely knew they were there till I needed them.
In my line of work / play I have found this item to be my best weapon. I can plac it in my front shirt pocket and or pants. It gather light at dusk/night revy well. I use it for hunting and work. I have to clean my lenes about 2-3 times a year and I have not had any scratches in several years. Just on of my best pair of eyes!
I bought these binoculars because there were in my "products viewed by other users" section while I was shopping for a set of backpacking binoculars.  They are compact, lightweight, and work.  Good product for the money.  No regrets.
These lightweight binoculars are crystal clear, adjust well to each eye and seem surprisingly well made at any price. I lead school groups through a nature reserve - view birds, whales, other wildlife, rocks and plant life. Will be recommending them to all of my fellow volunteers.
Great little binoculars for the price!  How can you go wrong, I bought multiple pairs so I can carry one in the glove box of all my vehicles including my motorcycle and little Yamaha scooter.  They also work great for my grandkids, they're the perfect size for kids and if they get damaged you're not out a lot of money but they are very sturdy and they haven't been able do damage them so far.  They're small enough to fit in my shirt pocket so you can always have them with you when hiking & hunting!  I love them, good quality optics for the price!
Got these as a gift for my dad and he was surprised at first and then started using them and loves them.
Great little set of binoculars for my 8 year old son
The Tasco 8x21 is a valued standard in this class of binoculars. Light weight, decent optics, easy to handle, and space saving. Anything from camping, keeping a pair in the glove compartment, to letting the kids play with them, they hold up to just about anything. 5 stars!
this item was ordered for my wife so that she could do some bird watching and it has proved to be more than what it was described.  She now enjoys the really close up views of all the birds and can tell everything about them.  She says it makes it look like they are sitting in her lap now.  Excellent item and works great.
Works great. Compact and light weight. Fits easily into a pocket. A good little product for a nice price. No complaints here.
I adjusted all the settings, up, down and sideway and the image is still blurry. I can't even read the license plate of the car across the street. Yes, I adjusted the eye piece and the focus knob in the middle.
I bought these to keep next to the window to spot hawks, moose, bears at our house in CO. You can see a lot from a long distance. I think I'll have to buy a few more pairs to keep everyone happy during Moosefest '13. They are also great for spying on the posh fishermen from the private club that keeps us off the river at the bottom of our lot. The magnification is so strong I can count the individual hair plugs on their balding heads.
For the price this can't be beat.  Very solid look and feel for such an inexpensive pair of binoc's.  Granted they are not for everyone, especially those wanting higher magnification.  But, they are a wonderful buy and they easily exceed the "You get what you pay for" rule.  Only drawback was the case, upon arrival one of the velcro patches was almost falling off.  Nothing a little needle and thread didn't fix.
I ordered two pair of these so I could attend two concerts with a friend of mine, and one pair worked fine but the other one had lenses out of whack and was blurry.  You couldn't adjust it in no matter what.  I wish I had known that (my friend thought it was her bad eyes) because I would have returned it right away.  The shows are over and I am kind of stuck.
Arrived on time and intact; the product was as described and performs as expected.  Optic quality is good and worked in a variety of conditions without complaint: snow, rain, and low light.  I've always enjoyed Tasco products, but again, as with the monocular I purchased, the eye cups, much like a camera viewfinder, the eye cup helps the user with focus and zoom, without this it becomes tedious to focus etc.  I always purchase after market eye cups for my cameras and bi/monoculars because they lack this requirement and until it is corrected, I won't  give five stars.
I've only owned these for a few days but I have to say I'm more than satisfied with my meager investment.  Here are the high and low points I've found already.  Longevity can't be gauged at this point.PROS:+Solid steel construction!  This floored me.  The `bridge' and both tubes are made from solid metal, making it slightly heavier than it looks.  (Quality heavy)+The tubes are covered in good quality high-impact synthetic rubber.  Same stuff you find on the high end binocs.+The unfolding hinge is firm but not overly stiff.  No shake or flimsiness there.+Some of these cheap ones have mis-aligned prisms.  Not here, clear as a bell.+Good light in dark areas despite small lenses.  About as good as a human's normal night vision.+Very little `camera shake'.  The perfect combination of lens size and magnification for stable viewing.CONS:+Rubber pieces over either end of the barrels can be pulled off rather easily.  Cheap glue... you might want to use some light rubber cement to re-secure them.+The focusing mechanism connects through holes in the barrels to the lenses within, which move forward and back in the ends of the tubes.  This mechanism is rather exposed to the elements, and definitely not waterproof.  Don't let your finger slip into the end of the barrel; you can easily touch the greasy interior.+Due to this less-than-precise focusing mechanism, you might need to re-adjust your diopter now and then to get perfect images.+Contrast is slightly washed out in bright sunlight, and at night street/head lights produce large X-shaped flares, nothing too distracting though. (if you're used to wearing glasses)+The neck `strap' is less a strap than a thin string that could be used to saw your head off should someone grab the binocs while they're around your neck.  They're also connected nearly half-way down the set so they tend to flip up with the eyecups against your chest when you move around.  (the small mounts can be unscrewed from the body however if you want to pocket them, which they do easily might I add.)The Pros far outweigh the Cons, making this a FANTASTIC set of cheap binocs.  Highly recommended.
.... And I love it too; very good when going for birds watching or to see a concert. Not heavy and easy to carry around.
Simple easy to operate smaller binocular is very useful for me to locate my inventory in the large warehouse, especially for small product labeling for items locate on the top of the racks. Very pleased so far, simple to operate.
Purchased these affordable binoculars for a trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was great for standing on our balcony and being able to see some of the animals across the savannah. Also, they were cheap enough that I handed them to my toddlers and wasn't too worried about them.
Good starter binocular, well made but small and light, suitable for bird watching or sport event. It came with a pouch but no lens cap.
The optics are awful, there is a kind of "rainbow" effect that is incredibly distracting when looking through them.Also, the glue is not dry, when I first was moving the parts  of the binoculars, a plastic bit slid right off the end.I have used toy plastic binoculars that work better than this piece of junk.Even for the low price, these have bad optics and poor construction.
Nice set of Bino's for the money.  These have decent clarity and hold their focus relatively well.  Sturdy build so they should hold up for a while.
I bought the Tasco Essentials 8x21 for spotting hits on targets. The compact size allows for a convenient carry. Also comes with a nice carrying case that is belt mounted. These puppies work great. Light, easy to use. They work. I paid the equivalent to lunch money for my pair. I couldn't be more happy. Has a Limited Lifetime Wrranty. Come On!
This arrived in a timely manner.It is compact enough to carry on my hikes and works fine. The viewing area is smaller than I expected and the next purchase of binoculars will have a larger viewing area but I realize that that is due to the compactness of item and is not a defect.I am quite pleased with is and would recommend it to others.
I bought them for my great grandson's and would recommend the for any one as a gift for a young boy.
Starting from the outside it has a cool rubberized finish which looks like it would protect it in the event of a drop (not that I want to test this theory).  It comes with a neck strap that's a little flimsy for my taste, but I think I'll use some extra paracord I have laying around to replace it.  Last is the case it comes in.  Nothing special but for the $11 I paid it's impressive they come with a case at all.  Looks like it'll mount up to your belt if you want to take it on a quick day hike or boating trip.The binocular itself is really compact which is nice, but it is almost wide enough for me to use comfortably.  To the item's credit I'm a big guy with a big head.  The adjustment is smooth and the zoom is decent.  clarity is pretty good too.  If you need a long distance set this isn't the one for you, but for a semi-disposable set to take to the beach or a ballgame (ie good chance it'll get lost or broken) this set is perfect.
These are good little set of binoculars. I figured yeah I could buy a $100 set and might get 10 years out of them if I don't lose them or they get stolen before then or I can pay $10 and some change on these little binoculars and if I had to buy a set every year for 10 years I still have spent the same amount of money. Fortunately these last longer than a year as long as I can keep up with them so I would definitely go with these instead of a more expensive pair that might get dropped in the woods first time you take them out. Oh they would make great stocking stuffers around Christmas.
It fits nicely in my small Hip Bag for my EDC. Nice rubberized finish and built rather robust. Great set for the price meaning you can lose it and not really care.
Compact and inexpensive. But, for someone who wants to do more in depth bird watching and spotting, they are difficult to use, have to bounce around a lot to find things.
For the price, this is a great little pair of binoculars.  I bought them to take to nighttime concerts, and have been very happy with how well I can see the stage under low-light conditions.  They are very compact (they fold in), and come in a handy carrying case that can hook onto a belt or slip into a pocket.
This was a nice sized product and my mom loves it. The only issue is that there are some dark spots in the corners when you look through, but the main focus was great. I good product for the price.
I bought these for my husband for Christmas. He loves them.  Great price for what you get. He uses them in the woods for hunting, and has had no complaints.
These binoculars are great.  They are small enough to carry with you in a handbag, easy to use, and are good optical quality for the price, actually great quality for the price.  Unlike some other binoculars I have used, these do not have any collamination issues and provide a full picture.  12x zoom is nice for getting up really close to your subjects. overall a really good buy
I purchased this for all around general use and for the compact size. I did find silicone grease around the end rubber caps left over from assembly difficult to clean. However this was a minor inconvience as the optics are sharp and clear. The neck strap is thin (slighty larger than a shoe lace) so some may find it irritating around a bare neck. The supplied carrying case offers additional protection for travel or stuffing in my gear bag.
I bought these binoculars to replace a very similar set of Tasco 8x21 compact binos that I got about 10 years ago - but recently lost while hiking in eastern Arizona.  I have larger binos at home, but wanted something very compact and light in weight that could be carried in my pocket or backpack.  I ordered this set (Tasco 8x21) as well as a more powerful set of compact binosBarska Lucid 16x32 Compact Binocular (Camouflage)from Amazon.  Delivery of both sets was very quick.  This Tasco set is quite bright and clear, and the adjustment thumbwheel is tight and accurate.  I like this pair for carrying in my pocket while hiking as they are just about right for spotting birds that are in bushes and treetops along the trail.  Their small size makes them ideal for carrying in a jacket pocket.  They're also a nice handy set to keep on the table by the window where I watch hummingbird and seed feeders.  I rate them 5 stars because, for their compact size and especially at such a low price, they are really quite decent binos.
It wouldn't make sense to pay more $ for a different set of binoculars.  These worked out perfectly for going to Falcons football games.
I'm suprised at the quality for the price.  I think I may buy more for gifts.  Four more words required.
Cant see as far as I thought you could. Its ok  to give  a kid as a gift but not what you might want to use for far away surveillance.
We got these for our young daughters and have been pleased.  They are much nicer than the plastic &#34;kids&#34; binoculars.  They do not magnify as much as a nice set, but they are fine for kids.  These are small and lightweight, so would also be nice for an adult to take to a game, bird watching, etc.
I bought them for my 9 year old grandson and they work great for him, will need to get another for his sis.
I am not a regular user of binoculars so I was amazed at the power and clarity of such a small unit as this. It is perfect for traveling and use both indoors and out when normal sized and heavy binoculars are cumbersome. Follow the instructions upon first use and if carried and stored carefully, they'll always be ready and accurate when you need them for impromptu on the spot usage. I've seen a lot of people in the past who struggle to see using their own binoculars. If they would only read the simple instructions on how to focus. What %%#*$*! The Tasco Essentials 12X25 are perfect for me at a great price.
These were bought for travel since they are very compact. The sighting is excellent for their size, and will be an asset for our trips.
What can I say? A total waste of money. Don't buy it. There are better choices out there. Save you money and don't wast it on this junk.
I brought these for Wrestlemania 29 at MeLife Stadium. Worked as expected. Once adjusted the image was good. I watched several minutes of each match through them. There is really no zoom so what you see is what you get but for a sporting event or concert in a stadium these are a good choice for the money.
I've had a pair of small, lightweight Simmons 8x21 binoculars (Mossy Oak Model 25100 made in Korea) for about 25 years. They are lightweight yet rugged and very durable, and easily fold up to fit in a shirt pocket.  The optics are excellent for their size. I've used them when hunting, hiking, and for carrying in the car. Never had a single problem with them.Recently I thought I'd buy another pair of small 8x21 binoculars so I looked on Amazon and found these Tasco Essential 8x21 binoculars which were a little cheaper than the Simmons 8x21 binoculars, so I ordered them. That was a big mistake.When the Tasco binoculars arrived today, I was hugely disappointed in them compared to the Simmons binoculars that I've had for many years. The Tasco binoculars are only slightly smaller and slightly lighter than the Simmons binocs, yet the Tasco binoculars look and feel like a cheap toy compared to the Simmons binoculars. If your eyes are wideset, then the Tasco binoculars may not be usable to you at all since they are very limited in how far (wide) they will open. They will barely open wide enough for me and my eyes aren't particularly wideset. I wish the Tasco binocs would open a little wider to make them more comfortable to use. Also, the optics are not as good as the Simmons binocs.I guess I'll keep the Tasco binocs since they were so cheap and I don't want the hassle of sending them back, but if I had it to do over again, I'd spend another few dollars and buy the Simmons binoculars. Live and learn.
I bought 3 of these for my granddaughters vacation.  it prevented disagreements about whose turn it was to look at the grand canyon and all rest of the west they visited.  the price was right for this.  the quality is good -- especially for kids.  they look very impressive, not like the fancy colored plastic most of the less expensive ones are.
Excellent product! Shipped fast and as described. Works wiell in the deer stand and has excelent glass uality! Would recomend
Not exactly a $200 set, but for the price they work fine.  Grandson is using them for Boy Scouts and for what they are looking for when using their compass and using reference points, they're just fine.
My old 2&#34; reflector telescope just died, and my daughter needed to complete an Astronomy 205 lab, so I ran out to a big box store and bought this handy-dandy little pair of binoculars. I love the view! We were able to see dozens of stars in the Pleiades cluster, 3 of Jupiter's moons, and even a tiny little cloudy object that was the Andromeda Galaxy. The craters on the moon were quite dramatic, too.Pros:* 10x magnification with 25mm objective lens yields excellent visibility.* No problem with my eyeglasses. I just removed them, adjusted the binocular focus, and voila, they became my glasses. Close your right eye, set the focus for the left eye, and then make any adjustments for the right eye with the diopter.* Easy to carry and light.* Inexpensive and sturdy enough to give as a gift to an 8 year-old.Cons:* 10x magnification means you need to prop your elbows or hands to keep a steady view.* No tripod adapter.If I had paid $100 for these, I would rate it 3 or 4 stars. But for $10, it's a 5-star value.
The tasco binocular is low priced, works well, views clearly and feels well made.There is nothing to dislike.So I would recommend this product.
Got these as an inexpensive pair for the country living room. We have a large back area overlooking a woodsy area and a ravine.  Tons of birds and while not a bird watcher wanted a pair to check out the bird activity for us and our visitors without a huge investment.Handy to keep on a shelf, cover keeps from getting them dusty.  Easy to adjust and very good image.
You look through them, things are bigger. I bought these mostly for casual birdwatching and stadium use, because they are very small, compress down to a smaller, pocket size, and were cheap. For the money they are pretty good binoculars, but for the size and price you should know what you're getting. The aperture is small so in low-light situations there is a significant decrease in quality, but the focus is very fine so you can get a good image most of the time. I think I probably bought the best pair of under-20 binoculars I could have found, but at the same time there's a reason why a good pair of binoculars can easily cost 20 times that.
I can see through it.  However, there seems to be tint of a yellow haze in one of the lenses.  Tried to wipe it off to no avail.
Good sharp image although tend to lose focus a bit . Easy to carry- fits in a pocket.  An excellent buy at the price.
Gave this to my 6 year old son for Christmas.  He loves it!!  Its a good size for him, not too big and not too small, and seems to be built well enough to stand up to the torture test it will invariably be put through over the next year or two.  I looked through them and thought the magnification and clarity was great, although I don't have much to compare to so take that with a grain of salt.  I can definitely see myself steeling these away sometime to take to a race or two since they seem to work well and are a nice portable size.
Tasco essentials Binoculars is one of the best buys I purchased in a while. Made to withstand wear and tear outdoors, even includes a case and lens cleaning cloth. The optics are very good for the price. Excellent price!!
These are great for basic binocular viewing for the average person...Viewing is crisp, adjustments are realistic, small and travel-worthy. Some people expect these binoculars to see through to the next universe...they are not. Good for casual use.You can see about a 1.5-2 football fields across. And you can't beat the price!!
What I was looking for to add to my Bug out Bag  and it does not take up a lot of room.
These are small, lightweight and easy to use. They are perfect for sporting events, theater, or anywhere else you need to get a better look than you can with your naked eye. Better yet, they are priced right.
i purchased this binocular to aid me at work. so far its a handy tool to have and I really love how neat it is. would purchase again.
LOL Just wanted to get a reaction but they came sealed BNIB with original pkg & UPC scanned as worth $25! The compact form is super while field of view is excellent!
My 7 year old wants to be a spy/explorer and this was perfect. Great quality for the price. Nice addition to our nature center walks.
I bought these for my son.  At the price point, I didn't expect them to be world class, but they aren't very clear even when focused.  The feel well built, but the clarity of the optics isn't very good at close range or at distance.  I would spend about $30 and pick up a pair of Nikons and take a pass on these.
These are quite nice for the price.  I did not expect much but have had good luck with Tasco products.  Purchased these and the matching monocular for each of my kids.  They simply love them.  I have high-dollar glass and I would describe these as a great value.  Don't expect what you get from good 10x50 or larger binocs.  These are compact, lightweight, and decent compact glass and I do not have to worry about a pair getting damaged or dropped.  I will simply buy another.
I recently purchased these for a little family bird watching trip.  They worked perfectly and were inexpensive enough that every member of the family got there own pair.  They certainly are not the bet binoculars that money can buy, however they are a good value for the money.  Plus, there compact size makes them easy to carry.
Anything less than junk for $12 is worth it.  These binoculars are not junk.  This item is even smaller than I thought, which is a good thing.  They are perfect for observing the wildlife in my back yard from the comfort of my family room - just the right amount of magnification, and easy to focus.  At this price, I might consider a couple more to keep with my camping gear and in the glove box of my car.The case is nice enough - closes with Velcro and can be attached to a belt.  A lens cleaning cloth is included.You can easily spend $80 on binoculars this size.  I think I would rather have 6 pairs of these.
I bought these for my daughter(10 years old) to use on an Alaskan cruise.  Realized they were perfect.The 8x magnification was perfect.  Easy to find things and enough magnification to see the whales, iceburgs, and eagles.  And at this price you can't go wrong.My digital camera and video camera both have 30x digital zoom, and I'd always go back to the binoculars to get a clearer steadier view.
I was looking for some bins to go range shooting with .  This are compact, cheap and do the job nicely.
Due to their compact size, I can just throw them in the car and have them on hand for any need. Great for sporting events. They fold up into a small padded case so they are pocket size, and have a belt loop to attach at the waist.
These are worth about what I paid. I was a chaperon on a school field trip and had a small group of boys with me. I wanted to have some kind of theme to make us different from the other kids.. So I got them these binoculars and some frs walkee talkees. We had a great time..  they like the radios much more that the binoculars.
No complaints at all. Compact, seem well-constructed and the viewing range/focus is pretty great. Will see how they perform while attending my music festival.
I planed to use this binocular to viewing wildlife in Alaska.  Unfortunately, I saw nothing with it.  At first, I thought it might be my problems of eyes until other people handed their binocular to me to catch a moose.  I realized I waste my money on this binocular although the price was not that high.  If you see nothing with it, why trouble to buy it.
For the low price, these are fine. I needed something for bird watching with my young grandson. I do not have to worry about him dropping or losing these. He loves having his own binoculars.
I bought these for my son and they are perfect.  I love that they come with a carrying case and the price was great!
Very compact inexpensive binoculars. I would suggest buying a set to keep around in a car or backpack to have all the time. good clear zoom and lets you see far enough to know whats out there. just remember they are about 12 dollars. I cut the neck string off because is was just annoying and in the way.
Tasco offers several models, all look alike, some offered by Amazon at different price points.  Can't tell which is better.  Chose this because it was a bit cheaper than the others, and don't know if I made the right choice.It is not as good as its predecessor.  There is too much play in the center adjustment which makes accurate focusing a bit difficult.  The old one was more precise - maybe it was one of the more expensive ones?It will do for what I need it, to go to the theater, and is small enough to not be bothersome or heavy.It is okay, not any better than that.
I got these for my son.  I had bought a pair of binoculars for him at Christmas and his sister broke them.  They were cheap plastic, but fun for him.  I then went looking for a replacement.  These were a couple bucks more and are 10x the quality. I would definately recommend them for camping/ sporting events.
LOVE THESE.  I WISH THEY WERE A TEENSY BIT SMALLER, BUT THEY'RE FINE.  GOOD CLARITY.  WILL USE THEM AT ALL THE BEARS GAMES!  :-)
I ordered these after I sent back a more expensive pair and the tascos are much better quality. Comes with neck string and a small carry case with a belt loop on the back. Good deal for a good little product, would recommend!!
This is a great binocular.  I own expensive large pairs, but use this one almost exclusively.  Good quality lenses for a very clear image.
Good for bird watching in good light.  Small enough to keep close by.  I bought for my granddaughter and was impressed with the quality.
For the price, these are a decent pair of binoculars. I bought them for my 11 yr old son and they are easy for him to adjust and focus. We use them for birdwatching, but as we are beginners these binocs works just fine, I suspect experts would need better ones. But, the view is nice and clear, they are lightweight but feel like they are good quality.
Having only used 7x40 and larger binoculars, I was surprised by how small this is - it fits in a pocket.I bought it for my 5 year-old boy to use when searching for owls while hiking through the forests (one of his favorite activities)I wouldn't consider it for "adult" use (sharpness, field of view, brightness are not great).All in all - if you set your expectations realistically (think of it as a toy) then you'll probably be happy with it.Recommended.
Wanted something to keep on the boat just in case it became necessary to spot something or someone afar. Should have spent more on some better binocs but the price was right for these and they are very compact and lightweight. Good value!
I wanted a small set of binoculars for a concert which I haven't been to yet. Will up date then. But just checking these binoculars outside, I like the quality of vision. No problems w/ blurriness or difficulty in focusing the image. Folds up small, has its own soft cover case. For bird watchers who want super close details & markings, I don't think this would work unless you were very close to the bird. But for my purposes, it's top-notch. And you can't beat the price. Solidly built & doesn't feel like it's cheap.
4 stars because they are very inexpensive, and for the price do a decent job. But don't expect miracles. Perform well in good light but noticeable drop in image quality in low light as expected with a smaller objective lens. 12x magnification means you really need to hold these steady. I find I need to rest one or both elbows against a fixed surface to get a stable image. Having said all that, build quality seems good enough and once again, you can't go far wrong at this price point. My daughter loves using them for spotting birds in the back yard, and they are light and compact for carrying on a hike.
Exactly what I was looking for: sturdy, well made, good quality, compact binoculars. I don't need them for a "serious" use- I live over a highway and like to see what's going on down there sometimes, and they are great for camping. Nice and compact, good focus and adjustability - and the price was right.
these binocs are great,with a clear field of view.you could spend a hundred more dollars and still not get any better product!
Excellent and light to carry with decent resolution. I like the product. It does what it says, arrived in good condition and able to use it for my purposed.
Really effective, nice and comfy, very easy to carry; it has a long reach in distance, you can adjust image and focus very well but i think image detail can be better.  For what i paid this is a very good overall choice.
According to most of the other reviews, these are a great little pair of binoculars for the money.  However, I found it very difficult to get them in focus because I wear glasses.  Maybe I just don't kow how to adjust them properly, but I found them rather inadequate.  Better instructions for novice users would have been a lot more helpful.  I bought them for use at the opera, but I'm just not sure they will be very helpful.
Great buy for the price and I like them a lot.The rubber coating is nice and also comfortable around the eyes.It is easy for me to identify plants and birds at around 50 yards.  I'm no bird watcher, but at 25 yards, I get great detail and makes it easy to identify different species of hawks and other commons if detail is needed to differentiate.Can read signs easily on a highway at ~300 yards away with these, but I also have really good eyesight.So glad I didn't drop the extra cash on some of the other monocular/binocular models I had my eyes on as this does just fine for my needs.Great basic tool for enhanced viewing in the field, when camping or whatever your needs may be but it's a no-brainer that $15 binoculars are no substitute for $200 binoculars...unless you're a zombie already...in which case there would be a much greater demand for braaiiiins..
I expected something really cheap, since I was paying so little, but I was very surprised by the excellent quality. About the only thing I would beef up is the strap. The item itself is very well made, if you aren't looking for something costing five times the price, and they feel substantial in the hand.I bought these for my mother, who is a nursing home patient, in order for her to occupy her time in looking out the window at the birds (and the construction men; as she says, she may be old but she's not dead, lol.) I needed something that was strong enough for her to be able to drop without breaking but light enough for her to hold comfortably. This fits the bill. She's had them for a few months and must have dropped them (from wheelchair height) at least 6 times. They are still holding up beautifully and show no signs of breakage.I really appreciate the fact that they aren't cheap plastic. There are actually cheap plastic kids ones that are more expensive than this! Great value. Keep in mind, however, that they are very compact; you aren't getting a big binoculars. That, actually, was best for my situation. I couldn't ask for more.
I was looking for a compact and tactical binocular. I really enjoy lurking in the dark while watching people and this fits very well in the pocket of my trench coat. I can watch people so good with this! I really get some good watching in!
Not good as i expected, but it worked anyway, so next time i'll choose another item to replace this one.
I bought these binoculars so that my wife and I would each have a small pair for looking at birds when we take our morning walks.They feel very substantial, the focus adjustments work well, and the clarity is very good for an inexpensive pair of binoculars.  There are better binoculars no doubt, but for the money these work very well.
I'm pleased with the quality of these.  They emit a strong, unpleasant chemical smell, though.  Not that big a deal for my purposes, but I wouldn't want to use them daily.
I used to take my expensive binocular on vacation. The weight restriction on checked luggage, coupled with the possibility of it being stolen or damaged made it difficult. I didn't want to take up that much space in my carry on either. This model is a nice compromise. If you lose them, it's not the end of the world.
Thrilled with my purchase! Days before concert and purchased for only $11.95 with free shipping (direct from Amazon, order over $25), needed ASAP so invested in O/N. Arrived beautifully, promptly and extraordinary performance at the concert. Easy to use and even includes instructions to guide you in case you are a first time user like me. Could not ask for better quality in build or image! Exactly what I was looking for and for an even better price than expected! Compact, slim, lightweight, resistant, weatherproof... I could go on and on about its wonders but I will just tell you if your looking for compact concert binos you will not regret this investment. Read up with the manufacturer to confirm specs meet your requirements first to buy with confidence. Amazon mistakenly listed these from Bushnell when I purchased, this is Tasco's "father company", as advised on Bushnell's site but for information on this product go to [...]; both companies are new to me but I am now a solid Tasco fan/cust. and will be purchasing another set of binos for my dad's b.day next week.
I purchased these for a concert I will be attending with my son. After testing these out on our ranch I'm sure they will be perfect for what I need them for.
for the price and size of this little unit it certainly is worth it's light weight...I can carry it on my hip or in a pocket...
Decent binoculars at a great price. Optically clear and no worries if you lose them because they were inexpensive. Good adjustability on focus.
I had modest expectations for a set of $12 miniature binoculars but even then I think I might have been asking too much from these binoculars.  No matter what I tried I couldn't get them to focus.  Standard adjustment process: cover right objective, use center dial to focus left objective on fine resolution target.  Check.  Cover left objective, leave center dial untouched, bring right objective into focus using only eyepiece correction adjustment.  Check.  Uncover both objectives; target should be in perfect focus -- %&*#$?!!!.Viewing one objective at a time it's obvious these have a LOT of image degradation and distortion off-center; anything you're viewing that's not in the exact center of the image is un-viewable.  Might've just received a bad pair that got by Quality Control; Amazon made it right with a refund.  On the other hand, I also bought a pair of 8X21 Bushnells for a couple dollars more (Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular) that work beautifully and are worth twice what I paid.
This little thing is not bad at all. I just wanted for the track, what this little thing can do makes me happy.
much more than I expected for the money...love it!Great focus and very good resolution.  I bought this for a child but higher grade than the cost would lead you to think.
The binoculars are nice. But I was hoping for lens covers.  But they will serve my purposes and last a very long time.
The binoculars were small and difficult to keep in focus. I plan on buying a larger pair soon. I will research for size, power and fit before purchase. The low price should have been a red flag for quality of binoculars.
I bought three of these for our family when we go camping. they work great and are fairly inexpensive in case one of my children loses them. They are also very durable and I like that they come with a case and lens cleaning cloth. This item shipped on time and in good condition.
Amazing quality at this price point. I own several binos and these have by far the best cost/performance. Optical clarity just as good as my much more expensive (overpriced) Steiners. Great value in a portable bino and highly recommended.
His grandma, my sister, said this was the 7 year olds' favorite present. Put on his new boots and headed out the door.
Brand new, product in great condition just as promised. Great item for the price. Would consider other purchases in the future
Compact, lightweight, nice little carrying pouch. Great for the opera. We will order another so DH and I don't have to fight over who gets to use it. ;)
Enjoyed using it at outdoor concert.Lightweight & easy to use.Focused easily.Was able to see more details.Easy to store and to carry around.
Can't beat the price & quality - need I say more ? The do have a funky odor (petrol or something) but the work ! There wireless too !
These are very good binoculars for the price.  They have a solid feel with the rubberized coating and are easy to focus.
These work as advertised.  Nice and portable, with clear optics and good focus capability.  The 8X power helps to keep handshake to a minimum.
Good disposable emergency travel binocularsI bought these binoculars to leave in my SUV as an emergency backup when I forget my excellent Nikon 7216 Action 8 X 40 Binoculars.  They are much lighter and smaller and I can leave in my map holder on the door or even in my pocket and forget I even have them which leaves the old saying binoculars are only good if you have them with you.  And that's  where these binoculars shine they are very tiny and very light.They do bring things in close and after a little bit of focusing and adjusting width you can make things out if you have plenty of light. The little case they come with is pretty decent as well.Now for the bad parts.  The eye relief is pretty bad, you will have to prop your eye glasses above them and or remove them to use.  Also they are pretty dim which of course a lot of cheaper 10x25 binoculars are.  The strap is a small little string that does the job but is pretty thin.  But hey for the price go ahead and purchase a couple one for your coat pocket and one for your vehicle oh and maybe one for your camera bag.These would be a great pair to have children learn on as if they drop or abuse them its no big deal.Pros:Nice caseSuper small sizeSuper light weightDisposable price tagGreat learning binocular to hand to small childrenCons:So so focusingJust Ok low light abilityJust Ok opticsNot water tight or resistantVerdict:Purchase as disposable emergency travel binoculars and or as a toy for children to learn birding with and no more.12-3-2008 Update:Went to the store and tested a lot of different small bincoulars trying to find a pair that are almost as good as my Nikon Action 7216 8x40's and found the perfect one.  If you need small and want a good view and a good price get the Nikon 7508 Travelite 8 X 25mm V Binoculars.  They are: light (8.9 oz), fit the hand well are well made and very bright in the viewfinder for their size.
These had nice enough magnification, and more clarity than than similar priced set we bought at the same time.  The 12X made it a little more difficult to hold steady for image clarity, but I think it was worth it for the extra zoom.  They are contoured and textured just right to fit my biggish hands.  So don't let the small size scare you away.  They even had a nice storage pouch.
this is not a pair of swarovskis, or ziess; and they cost less than either of these brands would leave as a tip at their favorite restaurant.  lenses have a touch of distortion around the edges, but not enough to ruin the main image.  they focus well and survived a week long elk hunt in the hot, cold, wet, snow.  not the greatest light gathering capabilities, so they wont double as night vision, but they do only have a 25mm objective lens.  they wont let you see the ticks on a coyote's back at 800 yds, but they will allow you to see the coyote, which is all you really need.  and with the money you saved by not buying the european optics, you can afford the rifle and ammo to shoot that 'yote, AND the truck that took you to where he was gonna be.  or you can donate the left over money to a charity and feed 4 families for a year, since you dont need it anyways if you were actually gonna drop $2500 on a pair of 10 power binoculars.
Nice binoculars for the price, use them for work daily. Clear, easy focus, perfect size, fit anywhere. Love the rubberized housing because I work around water and they aren't slippery if my hands are damp.
This is only good for short distances.  Tried to use it to whale watch in Alaska while on a cruise. Should have bought an expensive one. Well, you get what you pay for!
i love them i keep them in the car and there pretty clear and you can see pretty far with them plus there cheap! but nice binoculars!
I already owned a couple of these and keep one pair handy, in my (perpetually pre-loaded) travel bag, because you just never know when they might come in useful (and these are small and light enough to haul around easily).  My wife and I were recently at the coast, just in time for the migrating whales (greys, humpbacks, and a few other species) and I was able to whip these out and enjoy a ring side seat from my balcony.  The folks on the neighboring balcony were thrilled when I loaned them ours, elsewise they'd have missed the show.  For &#60; $9.00, it would be a shame to miss such a show (and that counts whether you're into whale watching, bird watching, or scoping out the neighbor sunbathing...).  Good quality optics (and excellent for the price).  Grab a set or two.
I bought these for my niece and nephew when we went camping together, they loved them! They were a good price for a pair of binoculars that they can play with and won't break my heart if they lose. They had a blast looking for birds and bears, it was a  big hit!
I bought this binocular for my 9-year old great-grandson, remembering how much my first binoculars meant to me. I was impressed with the quality and the clarity of the image for so inexpensive a binocular. While the limited field may not make these the ideal binoculars for an introduction to birding, they are just fine for seeing what's on the feeder and beyond.
It was good price for the quality of magnification. Downfall was the leash, which is too thin hurting my neck and already disconnected.
I got it for my dad because he had an old bincular. He accident broke it and I bought it to suprise for him. He love it!
bought this for my son, one of the lenses fell out within 4 days, plenty of time to return right, well sometimes we are busy and I guessed wrong on how long it would take.  Well now my son has a mini telescope with an extra hand grip.  Also the stop broke within those same four days.I could also try their limited lifetime warranty, but I have to mail it in and pay $10, what kind of joke is that, it's cheaper to buy a new pair.I guess I could give it more stars, it super cheap and it works, but I'm bummed out for my son, he was so excited, and I'm bummed out on amazon right now, of course I'm sure its not their fault everything is in writing, but hey, I'm not happy and I'm hungry so I better eat something before writing any more reviews.
Buy the Tasco 8X21 binocs instead. These are okay but not as clear as what you will see with those.
.NOTE: IF SPACE IS AT A PREMIUM THEN CONSIDER THAT THESE PUPPIES WILL FIT INTO THEIR 3 X 4 X 1.75 INCH SOFT CASE!.I wanted to see how suitable the inexpensive Chinese-made binoculars are for gifting and for spare sets to have around for nature outings with kids etc.In February 2010, from Amazon.com I purchased a set of:TASCO ESSENTIALS 8x21 @ approximately $13BARSKA LUCID 10x25 @ approximately $15BUSHNELL POWERVIEW 12x25 @ approximately $18For a baseline I compared these units to a tried-and-true set of NIKON VENTURER II 10x25's that we purchased back in 1989 for a stadium concert at Grant Field by the World's Greatest Rock `n Roll Band. Although we own quite a few sets of binoculars, those old NIKONS purchased way-back-when continue to be my "go to" set both for birding around the house and for field trips. Nothing I saw from the three sets that are the subject of this review would change that and I am not a "binoculars snob" by any means.Read on...[BTW, the current equivalent of my 20+ year old Nikons would be the NIKON 7278 Travelite VI Binoculars]EASE OF USE: My baseline Nikons are a porro prism design while all of the sets in this review are roof prism design. In the real world, I find that my Nikons get me "on target" faster every time better than any of the roof prism binoculars we own. This could just be me but I think a lot of other people are the same way - whether they have quantified it or not. BOTTOM LINE: If speed matters, as it often does in wildlife viewing, you may want to spend the extra bucks for a porro prism design. HINT: On Amazon.com as of right now there is a set of PENTAX 8 x 21 binoculars with porro prisms for less than $50 AND WITH Super Saver shipping!IMAGE BRIGHTNESS: Again, with the porro prism design having an inherent 12-15% advantage in brightness, my Nikons "see" better all the time and at dawn or dusk there is no comparison between them and the sets reviewed here - they are WAY BETTER! [read up on this aspect at the famous online encyclopedia!]IMAGE SHARPNESS: I found that all three sets here pretty much held their own with my Nikons - perhaps being only ever-so-slightly less crisp. What this means is that for viewing something that is more-or-less static - say a rock concert or an opera - all of these sets will do the job - and inexpensively at that!DURABILITY: I have had the three sets for about a year and a half at this writing and have not had a problem with any of them from either the standpoint of wear and/or breakage or from misalignment of the optics. Besides being more compact, the one great design advantage of roof prism binoculars is that the optics stay in alignment better that with the porro prism design.CONCLUSION: No doubt you noticed that I am rating three different levels of magnification in this review. Sorry about that but I determined going in that I wanted to see which of the three magnifications in this test worked the best in the "real world". Here's what I found:1. None of these binoculars get "on target" as quickly and as unconsciously accurately as my Nikons; I suspect that this would still be true today were someone to spring for the roughly 5 to 8 times more expensive current equivalent of the Nikons that I have.2. Of these inexpensive sets I far and away prefer the Bushnells and I believe that one can get the Powerviews in all three magnifications. When discussing magnification power the general rule of thumb is that the lower the magnification, the less "jittery" the image. What I found in these three sets was that the 12X Bushnells were every bit as bright and crisp as the 8X Tascos and 10X Barskas and I had the benefit of higher magnification to boot! If I were trying to sort a Downy from a Hairy on our suet feeder I'd definitely grab the Bushnells if I couldn't lay my hands on my Nikons! [Birders will get that LOL!]3. While all of these Chinese-made binoculars are relatively high quality and provide great "bang for the buck", if you plan to use your binoculars often, you might want to go with a set of Nikons for what I myself consider to be the very best cost/benefit optimization of ergonomics, optics, and durability. If you just need to save some bucks but want to go to the occasional outing where the stage will be far away, these little jobs are more than equal to the task!PS - I wanna see the butterflies [and other bugs etc!] My next set of binoculars will be the Pentax 62216 Papilio 8.5x21 binoculars with the fabulous C.L.O.S.E. technology!
Given the price, I wasn't sure about these.  They are great!  Exactly what we needed - small and compact, powerful, adjustable and perfect for travel!
I ordered these small Binoculars to look across the field by my home. My husband walks early. When I get dressed I use the Binoculars to look out over the field and when I see him I start my walk to meet him. If I didn't have the Binoculars I couldn't find him beyond the road to meet him. They are wonderful.
I liked very much and my child too. If you want to take a good binocular, from a good price to your child, take this compact binocular.
Purchased a few for safari. compact, lightweight-easy to pack and carry. Good magnification without a lot of shake. Just right for animal viewing.
Worked great, but not particularly sturdy. I bought a pair for work and they were great while they lasted (about 3 months). Dropping them on pretty much any hard surface more than once will dislodge one or both eyepieces and strip the threads out of the barrels. I was able to epoxy mine back in place once, but after that...
total waste of timesuggestion for ppl like me, dont waste ur time, spend the extra money and get something that will allow u to actually see objects at a distance.
The overall quality impressed me.  At $13.00 I was expecting something similar to the plastic toy binoculars sold at one of these dollar stores.  Constructions seems to be a hard rubber.  The strap is merely a string.  Focus is very good.  Durable and lightweight.
They are bit smaller than I expected. They work just fine,and feel well built. I am happy with my purchase.
I bought these for my boyfriend to take to football games.  They are not high quality whatsoever, which I was expecting by the price, but they didn't even seem to focus for him.  I think this would only be a good gift if they were a stocking stuffer for a young kid wanting to play in the woods or something.
I bought these for my daughter as one of her birthday gifts and she loves them!  I was amazed to see just how magnetized everything is for such an inexpensive set!!!  They're adjustable for little faces and are great for adults, too!  And of course it has the wheel for fine-tuning what you're looking at.  We can't wait to take them with us on our next beach vacation as we love to look for dolphins from our balcony.
The binoculars were much smaller than I expected. Hard to adjust for use. Unable to use with glasses. Small enough to fit in pocket or purse though and come with a case. Have not used. Mostly, it just wasn't what I expected, would like something larger & easier to adjust.
We got this for our toddler when we go on hikes, he loves it.  They are small, light-weight, rugged and great value.  The plastic ones 'designed' for toddlers are not worth it, they're almost the same price and distort images.  These do the job well and our son will likely still be using it when he's into his teens.
As the title of my review states, I'm giving these five stars based on their low price and their performance in daylight. I assume some of the negative reviewers got defective models. Mine worked fine.Initially I found it difficult to look through the eye pieces without my eyelashes obscuring the view, but once I got that mastered I was able to calibrate them and focus them perfectly. They even come with a cleaning cloth. I bought them along with an $80Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism BinocularThe image on the $80 Bushnell H20 was brighter and more vivid, but the image on these Tasco Essentials was just as in focus apart from being a darker and less vivid. This was in full sunlight, however. In low light such as dusk you really start to see why these are so cheap, as everything is darker through them, so they aren't much use at that point. In general daylight, however, they focused very close by, so I could focus into my garden just 10 feet away.Another advantage to these is that they are very small and compact and light. They would fit in a purse with ease, but there is no case or protective cover for the lenses or eyepieces.I do not recommend these for little children. My 5-yo could not seen anything through them because the positioning has to be just right, but an older child would manage, and the size and weight are perfect for little hands and arms. Just keep in mind that 10x25 makes for an image that shakes easily due to the high zoom, which may quickly frustrate children.Overall I'd say these are handy for the casual user who wants to gawk or peer at things in the backyard or at events in the daytime.
These arent going to let you spot something a mile away, but for a set of 10x25, this is a good pair. The range I would say these are good for is seeing something maybe up to 200 yards off with fairly good detail. If you want a pair of binoculars on the cheap and dont care if they wont bring you face to face with the moon, buy these.
These are great.  Very small but not on clarity.  Very well made with excellent optics.  Perfect for carrying around with you.
My daughter was turning 6, and wanted her own binoculars, and I wound up getting her these.They are small, light, and surprisingly clear, especially considering the price.  The focus takes a little fiddling to get it right, but who is better at fiddling with things than a 6 year old?She's happy, I'm happy, and I got her just what she wanted, without paying a lot.It even comes with a pouch she can have on her belt, or in the car, to protcect them when not in use.
I bought these a couple years before I started wearing eyeglasses full time.  They work great for hiking and hunting, as long the lighting isn't too dim.  Being so small and lightweight made them perfect for carrying along "just in case" you needed them, versus carrying the 1.5 - 2 pound beasts.I primarily wear glasses now, full-time, for astigmatism.  These binoculars do not have the appropriate eye relief for eye glasses wearers, but I have no problem using these without eye glasses, thanks to the ability to individually adjust the focal length on the right lens.  This lets me focus the binoculars until things are crystal clear on the left side, and then tweak the right eye focus to match.
great for looking in my neighbor's window at night, when I am dressed like a ninja and climbing trees under the dark cloak of night....hahaah  actually I got these for whale watching/hiking, and these little suckers don't work too bad, one thing I like about these is the size, I live in so cal and go hiking a lot.. I dont' really want to carry around huge, heavy binoculars .... so a little pair like this is nice =]
These things are great for backpacking or just having around the house.  The 10X multiplier is powerful and gets you zoomed in on most everything you want.  The compact size is great for saving space in your pack and the unit is easy to focus and get a sharp view of your target.  I may pick up another pair since my wife wanted to hog them for much of our last trip.
I wanted a small pair for keeping in my fishing tackle bag for quick access to view wildlife, boats and land. These fit the bill and don't cost a fortune. Very well made and easy to set focus. Comes in a nice cloth case.
I bought this for my son's 3 days science camp trip. The lenses are good. Very clear. But after coming back from science camp trip, it was started disintegrated. First the adjustable side lenses came out. It was due to the glue was not strong to hold the adjustable lenses part. Then the hinge part was broken by itself. So fragile.  It was made out of poor cast iron. Within a couple of weeks of use, it was ended in the trash can. I would not recommend to it anyone due to quality of reliable issue.
These are ok for amateur use.  I wouldn't stake my life on them.  They were cheap enough to replace if they don't work out.  As always...you get what you pay for.
I purchases as gift for elderly friend....uses to look at birds and things...seem to enjoy them and uses frequently with no problems or complaints...
So, during a recent downpour over the course of 3 hours these became quite waterlogged. The product seems to work however now has steam buildup under the lens. This distorts the picture however for the cost, who really can complain. Seems to lengthen sight to a decent field of view. For birdwatching it works well.
Got some 1-1/2 yrs ago...they were good. I got some new today at WalMart. The outside glass and coatings still look like they should but the view has a lot of barrel distortion and is fuzzy outside the middle of the view. The center is still good color and pretty sharp but the rest, on both sides, has gone downhill.  I'd say they are still worth the 10 bucks, but not so thrilling anymore. Handy for grab-n-go or looking at street signs in the city. Not quite as useful for birds or footbal as they were. Maybe quality is drifting out of the $10 class.  The Bushnell 8x21 is excellent, but I hope they didn't drift down too.  If you can, inspect the cheaper binocs now before buying.  The reviews might be obsolete.
I bought these at Dick's Sporting Goods about eight years ago, under the Tasco name but without the "Essentials" tag. Apart from the pattern of the rubber armoring and the carrying case, it's the same model.I think 8X is the optimal magnification for most users; high enough to see what you want, not high enough to be too shaky. The 21mm objective lens lets in a lot of light, considering I have other 21mm optics of this price range (these were about $15 at Dick's eight years ago) that aren't as nice. Clarity is great. Durability is great. While the pair I have are older and feel sturdier, I also have the black version of these very "Essentials" model. They're still really nice for $12. The camouflage pattern on mine has worn off over time, and they now look tan with a little bit of brown left over. It doesn't affect usability.The binoculars come with instructions, a lens cleaning cloth, and a fabric carrying case with belt loop. The case is low-quality, but it does the job of keeping the binos clean until you're ready to use them. It closes with a Velcro strip. The whole thing comes in a nice box, ready to wrap up if this is a gift.
If you need a set of compact binocs for occasional use I would recommend these. Not the optics quality of the Bushnell's, but I keep a pair of these in my farm truck for spotting unwanted predators, etc. If you want something for watching a hockey or ballgame your eye's will fatigue fairly quickly with these.
I was undecided which set of binoculars to order, but I read the reviews on the Tasco Essentials and they were pretty good. And for less than ten bucks, I figured what do I have to lose?The fact is these little guys are great; for sporting events, or for whatever.Why spend fifty bucks or more, when you can get value at this price?[...]
I have binoculars and telescopes in sizes from pocket opera glasses to monsters that need to be mounted on motorized tripods, and I know that any 8 x 21mm optical instrument, regardless of price,  has one unavoidable limitation.  It can only have a 2.6mm exit pupil, which means that it will not perform very well in twilight conditions, and will be pretty much useless at night.  As a result, unlike some reviewers, I was not at all disappointed with the performance of the Tasco 8x21mm binoculars I received.  Optically, they did all that could be expected from a glass of that design.  Build quality was acceptable; they're certainly not in the class of a Leitz or Nikon, and for that reason I couldn't quite rate them five stars.  I was satisfied enough, however, to buy three more to hand out to my Boy Scout grandsons.
They're a nice little pair of binoculars for such a low price. They're compact and easy to carry (the case that comes with them fits nicely on a belt), they seem quite hardy, and the optics are fine.  I'm not an expert on binoculars, so I may have low standards, but I'm pleased with them.  My two complaints are that a) the limited eye relief means you have to take off your glasses to use them, and b) the diopter adjustment ring too easily turns and needs to be readjusted.
When will I ever learn?? You get what you pay for. If you want a pair of binoculars just to say that you have a pair, buy these. However if you actually need to magnify  a long-range view past your living room couch, cough up some more money and buy a pair with much more range than this item. It really is a well-built item from a well known company and is compact and appears to be ideal for a bug-out bag. That is where I am putting them, and will purchase a stronger pair for every-day use.
I bought these for my 10 year old daughter because she likes to play spy.  They are the perfect size and even comes with a little carrying case.
These are a good value for the money.  Includes a carrying case and lens cloth.  Works well and is compact enough to fit in my bug out bag.
These are cheap in every way, but feel like the real thing for my two year old.Optics are terrible, think of what it would be like to look through lenses smeared with vasaline and you have an idea of the optical quality.These are toys, not anything that you would get uitlity out of.
It's ok for the money. focus is not very sharp. eye piece is not comfortable for long viewing. The small size is easy to carry any where.
Compact but very useful.  Good qualtity.  Took it to the beach for whale watcching.Price is right. Fits in luggage easily.
Save your money. These binocs can possibly be used for seeing a bird sized object to about 20yrd distance if located exactly in the center of the field. If moving the field of view just slightly it gets all distorted, like looking through the bottom of a glass bottle. Can be used as an alternative children toy to the even more useless toy binoculars in plastic, but not for much else.
I work in athletics so that's my use for these binoculars. I bought two pairs and they're exactly what I was expecting and hoping for.
these binos were good, overall, considering the price. they somehow didn't seem to be 8 X the image size, but they were clear enough, and easy to use/adjust....they do come with a 'string' to hang around your neck, so if you will use this feature, you might want to buy a strap a bit more substantial, to replace the 'string'....i wouldn't trust this string to not break, or to hold....the storage pouch is also pretty flimsy, and doesn't completely enclose the binos (there is a bit of space at the top, when you have closed the top (a velcro closure), but it is adequate, if you just want something to cover most of it...then again, as mentioned, these are not exactly high quality and pricey, so if you consider the price, compactability, and that they are reasonably 'clear', i think they are worth it! i will be keeping these, just to have something adequate, that is more 'portable'. the image is not what i would call 'excellent', but pretty good....hence the 4 stars, instead of 5; however, overall, these are a good buy, and i would recommend them, just for something portable, and a pretty decent image, and their price definitely won't break the bank, so that's good too, isn't it??? (btw, i also bought tasco 10 x 25, which i thought were a bit worse in quality of image, ability to 'focus' clearly, and were quite a bit larger in overall size...also, they were harder to hold still than the 8s; expected, but in the end, i felt the 8s were worth keeping....the 10s were not...i reviewed those as well) hope this helps....
Brought these with me as a pair of pocket binocs on a trip to Kenya.  very durable and everything I was hoping for.
Decent field of view for such small size. Once we marked our focus settings with a silver marker, it was easy to share binocular.
I bought this as a gift for my husband and he LOVES these binoculars. They are very sturdy and easy to focus/use...you get what you pay for PLUS some more, IMHO. They are the perfect size for him to carry in his pocket when he's off at a football game or on a nature hike. Stable viewing and looks like they'll last for a long time. I would definitely purchase this product again.
This is simply the best tiny binocular that you can buy for under $20.  Images are crispy, it is very easy to focus.  You can also compensate the difference of vision between your eyes because you can rotate the right eyepiece.  Although diameter is only 21mm, I've got better images than those that I get with another more expensive binos I have (they are 10x25).  Because they are 8x21, images are very stable (when magnification goes higher, for example 10x or 12x it is very easy that with a little movement of your hands the image shakes).  The material is also very comfortable and provides a very good grip.  With daylight, it performs as well as my 8x42 does, this last being heavier.  With less light, images are very acceptable, considering the small objective (21mm).  They are also extremely light so you can take them always with you.  Very good binoculars.  100% recommended.
it's almost impossible to get these tiny binoculars to adjust so you can see through both eyes.  25mm is too small for any practical use and trying to use them will make your eyes hurt.
I bought two of these as gifts and was told these worked great the people I gave them too love them!
Hard to use, very complicated to adjust and focus. The holding cord is inadequate for the weight of the binoculars and it helds them in an weird way. Not fun at all!
I purchased these to monitor the woods around my home. They worked great and were nice and light to carry.
They work great and for a very long distance every thing is still really clear. Use them a lot while camping.
This was a good small compact set of binos to pack in the woods to deer hunt with not blurry at all anyone that said this is blurry its called users error
These binoculars are a great value. I just keep them in my living room to watch animals when they show up in the field behind my house. Light transmission is adequate, and the image is pretty sharp.I also have a pair of expensive Leupold binoculars that I use for spotting and hunting, but this pair is so handy and compact, I use them just as often as my nicer pair.
I picked this up just because the amazing savings amazon allows me left me under budget and I didn't have a pair of bino's to pack with me on day hikes. For the price they are study, sleek, and powerful. If you are considering a pair just click already.
the unit i received showed double images which make the binocular useless...  no eye adjustment/focus could bring the two images together.  build material was acceptable.
These binoculars have reasonable magnification and optics. But the quality of construction is poor. I am especially disappointed by the diopter setting mechanism. It is supposed to turn only by a certain angle but because the upper rotating cap was only glued on by a weak glue to the inner barrel, it now turns endlessly without any hindrance. So it is impossible to maintain the same diopter setting across uses.
This is exactly what I was looking for. The material quality seems good, and they work well. I just wish they came in a hard case. Minus one star for that.
These little binocs are great for most people's use.  They are compact and lightweight.  They are wonderful for hikes, concerts, and general use. If you are a birder or someone demanding great precision, these may not be for you. This is my second set and I would certainly buy them again. They are easily adjusted and focus well.  For the money, these binocs are a very good deal!
Lightweight and compact (fits in my handbag without the bulk), these binoculars do what I want them to - allow me to see.  I have used them at sporting and concert events.  Very much recommended.
The short of it: This sub-$15 pair of binoculars functions as well as a much more expensive pair I'd purchased earlier.I'd purchased a few of these as gifts for nephews and nieces. The idea was to give them a camping kit including binoculars, whistle, pack, canteen, etc.. For less than than $50 per kit, I had to make some choices about pricing.The Tasco Essentials 8x21 is a very good pair of bargain binoculars. It is decently bright despite the small lenses, folds compactly, is easy to grip (rubberized) and focuses decently. At only 6.5 oz., it's light enough to toss into a day pack and small enough that it's no bother to carry it everywhere.The downsides are the same with any bargain binocular. I.e., with such a small lens, you'll need lots of light. The carry lanyard is fixed; this is not normally a big deal, but the cord itself is thin so wearing it would likely abrade your neck.Sure, you can buy a much better pair of binoculars for three or four times the price, but this one is worth the price.
Very happy. Clear, easy to use, small enough to fit in my jacket pocket. Works as well as my more expensive binoculars. Very pleased.
The Focus feature broke on Day 2. Binoculars are pretty useless when you can't focus. You get what you pay for.
I had purchased two binoculars.  One large and the Tasco Essentials.  The Tasco is small, but powerful.  I have to steady it against something to view detail.  It may be a little too powerful for plays or concert, but if you can steady it, you will see a lot that you cannot see with the naked eye.
I bought these based on price and reviews and I have to add my voice to the discussion.  This product exceeded my expectations.  Excellent value for the price.  Perfect for sitting on the back deck watching the birds.
Good construction, comes with a caring case, cleaning cloth, and information. the image is crisp and clean, the distance is good.
Received shipment promptly. These Binoculars were purchased to carry in Auto and work fine for this purpose
I gave up a much larger pair of binoculars because they were too awkward to &#34;bring along&#34;  this pair is much smaller ( about 4.5 x 4.5 inches) and they retract to an even SMALLER size about (2.75 inches wide x 4.5 long).  They retract by hinges on the bridge which allows the 2 monacles to roll towards each other under the bridge.I am not a serious field & stream gal, but this pair is great for me - the CASUAL camper/hiker/backyard-birder.
I bought these for a ballet.  I found myself frequently adjusting the focus which became annoying.  It also &#34;shook&#34; quite a bit even with my elbows supported by the chair armrests.
I use it for checking down range rifle target shots and it works great. It also comes with a nice neoprene case and neck strap.
These are small enough to keep handy but powerful enough to see what you want.  I use them for bird watching.
These were cheap, and camo so I said &#34;what the heck&#34; Im glad I did! They are so easy to grab and take with me when ever I head to the woods! My friend wanted them so bad, I had to get him a pair! They are 8x but it really brings things in close!
These work well and are tough so they seem like they will last. They are a great size to take on a hike in my backpack for casual observations.
I was worried these wouldn't work because they were very affordable but they have been great.  I like the small size.  Great for my 4 year old and me.
You just can't expect to get a decent pair of binoculars for this price.  With that in mind, these are ok for very simple applications.  I bought mine to use at the shooting range so that I could check the holes I made in my target without having to wait for everyone else to stop firing.  They work fine for this.They have a very shallow depth of field.  If you focus on an object, everything more than 1" further or closer will be out of focus.  If you are thinking of taking these into the woods to look at birds in trees, or perhaps do a little peeping on your neighbors,  forget it.  These won't do the job at all.The construction feels surprisingly sturdy and the action and focussing are nice and smooth without any slop.Ranked against real binoculars, these would struggle to earn 1 star,  but when considering value for money, I give them 4 stars.
I ordered this item in May for bird watching. Did not get to use it until 1st weekend in June... past the return time frame. Each of the sides of the binocular work very well, but independantly. On a person with 20/20 vision, if you focused the right eye, left was out of focus. If you focused the left, the right was out of focus. The result was similar to trying to bird watch after doing 25 shots of Jaegermeister.
These binoculars were just what I had hoped for. Very decent quality and compact enough to keep in my glove box for impromptu birdwatching. I wanted something I could have right at hand but I could tuck out of sight easily. These fit the bill!
This was purchased for a gift.  Bought each of our 3 grandchildren one.  It was a hit.  Took them to the zoo/park and they had a great time bringing the wildlife up close.  They also take the Binoculars with them hiking and camping.  They are small enough not to be a bother and the quality and ease of using makes them a 'must-have'.  Though the kids ages were 4, 8, and 10, these would be fine for anyone regardless of age.
We have a cabin on a lake and I was hoping these would be an inexpensive way to see across the small lake. Not so much. They don't do much for me.
Grandkids love it.  They are bird watching and using them when they go camping.  Perfect when they are getting out of baby toys and they feel a little more grown up!
Don't let the price fool you, these are very good binoculars.  I just like to see things in a distance more clearly, since I have a lovely mountain view.  These fit my needs perfectly and I can highly recommend them.
I bought these for those long race tracks like at Pocono. Color is great. Magnification is perfect for what I use it for. Strap is sturdy. I can see the 42 go all the way around the track now and see wrecks at turn two. I would buy these again. Especially at the price. Can't beat it.
These are a small cheap pair of binoculars whose 25mm primaries actually provide a pretty bright image for binocs this size. None of the moving parts feel loose or flimsy, and everything stays put once adjusted. A good, clean image from a small pair of binocs that are cheap enough to leave in your car and not freak about them getting stolen (in the cheap-enough-to-replace way, NOT the obviously-too-cheap-to-be-worth-stealing way).
I have found these binoculars easy to carry and use in the field on birds and nature in general. Recommended.
I use them in the park at sports events and to watch birds. My kid thinks they are way cool!
Sure, they're pretty poorly made and will break if you drop them, but they're functional and cheap enough for you to leave them in the car and take them when you go for a walk. Lose them and you won't cry. Excellent for the money.
Recipient has been asking for &#34;opera glasses&#34; for use at our loca symphony performances for ages. Hoping these will fit the bill. They seem just right now, but first test will be Jan. 13. A little hard to get the focus just right when trying them out. I'm expecting they'll work well for actual use.
For the price it is good enough. I bought it for some backyard bird watching (real birds) and it serves the purpose. Seems to fog up quite easily, lens gets cloudy or hazy so I clean it before I use it every time. The magnification is reasonable and the clarity ok as well. Not a bad deal for the price but definitely not the same as a proper pair of field binoculars (that's why they can be so pricey).
These are very good for the purpose of &#34;close up&#34; viewing of objects not too far away such as performers. The price is decent and the binoculars are well made and easy to use. The only thing is that for one who was accustomed only to full sized binoculars used for viewing distant objects they do take some getting used to.
Just what I expected cheap priced bino's that are fine for my wife to look at stuff from the cabin
Got these for my mom for the holidays so she could bird watch.  She loves them and says she can see up close!!
We got these for our 10 year old son who loves to play Army. He loves them and we steal them to take to the ball games too.
at this price point they are very good binoculars. they are lightweight. i use them when hiking and kayaking.i would purchase again.
I have a fairly nice collection of optics, for different occasions and needs.  However, I was lacking a cheap pair of compact binoculars I could toss in my cars glove box, loan out, or abuse without feeling guilty.  The Tasco Essentials 10x25s are just what I was looking for.  They function decent enough - it's quick to focus, are adequate in the daytime, and fold up super-compact.  It's fairly well built, considering the price, and feel like they can stand up to a modest amount of wear and tear.  They won't replace my nicer binoculars and spotting scopes, but - for the price - I won't feel bad if they only last a season or few in my car.
I bought this as a gift to be used st ball games.  I already had a set.  Works very good for sporting events.  Compact, lightweight and functional.  Excellent buy for the price.
I thought these were great until one day after only 3 months, a lense fell off for no reason.  I've tried everything to repair it on my own and it's not possible.  I called customer service and they expect me to pay shipping to mail it back and then send a check for $10 for return shipping.  That's more than I paid for them!  Total waste of money.
We've purchased 2 pairs of these for our son.  They are much more practical than the Toddler Tough by fisher price.  Our son uses them all the time.  We cut the cord off it it obviously and don't let him use them outside without us (so he doesn't look at the son) but he uses them indoors often.  They are the perfect size and a great price too.
These binoculars are a terrific value.  I purchased a pair for my husband a couple of years ago and he uses them as opera glasses.  This year, for Christmas, I purchased 4 pairs, for three grandchildren and a neighbor's son who parades as Indiana Jones.  They will all enjoy them on different levels.  The price is right and the product is good.  My only complaint is the thin cord attached for carrying.  Awhile back I was given a pair, also by Tasco, but it was a different construction with a hand loop on the case.  Truly a better design.  However, I would definitely order these binoculars again as a gift.
I am actually buying these for young kids birthday party presents so they can begin to learn about the outdoors. MUCH better than the cheap plastic toy ones. Let's get these kids outdoors and enjoying nature!
These binoculars are very hard to focus and don't have a great zoom range. You get what you pay for with these. if you are looking for higher quality binoculars, spend a little more money and get a better one.That being said, they work decently for close range(under 150 or 200 ft) viewing.
well designed, but watch out for climbing to high elevations.They work well tho. can see a lot. light weight as well.
I bought these binoculars for my granddaughter so she could enjoy birdwatching and exploring on her own.  These sure do fit the bill.  They're easy for her small hands to handle and they're powerful enough to make them really fun to use.  We've even taken these to the theatre.  Again, they are small enough to carry easily and they worked great.  I find myself grabbing these for the theatre too.  You can't beat this pair of binoculars for the price.
As they say, you get what you pay for. I used to have a much bigger, better and, of course, a whole lot of a more expensive binocular. So this one is nowhere near that better one, but it's a lot cheaper and does the job. It's lighter, too, which makes it easier to hold with one hand only. It's made to be used at closer distance, so you can't expect to spot a fly miles away with it. It's not that comfortable on the eyes, but again, I don't use it for longer than half a minute at a time, anyway. It comes with a case and a lanyard, which is good. They're quite cheap, but you still get those for the money. The lanyard holds the weight of the binocular and there's no risk of it falling.Again, for the price (22 BGN here), it's pretty good.
I ordered these as a gift for my wife to use on the beach and she likes them.  They seem to be good quality and fold up nicely to minimize space.
This is a great value pair of binoculars.  Images look good and they focus easily.  We are not birdwatchers, or any other hobby/profession that needs great binoculars (spy?).  We just wanted a nice pair to take on vacation for sightseeing, etc.These will be in our bag for a trip to Costa Rica in May, and I have no doubt they'll let us see some incredible wildlife in ever better detail.  Great value!
I bough these to have on a trip to Europe since they are small and light weight and east to carry.  I have tried them and they appear to be good quality binoculars.
Not so much for sporting events but the size, stick in your pocket....we bought if for the US open in Merion a tight course and you can see several holes from one tee.  We needed a more powerful set. But for the play, the night before it was great.
My son received some kids' binoculars a couple of years ago and he frequently used them to look at birds (we live near a bird sanctuary and have all kinds of feathered friends flying around our neighborhood).  The binoculars were very weak however, and I started looking around for better ones.  I chose these and gave them to him for Christmas.  When he opened them up, I thought I had made a big mistake - they seemed so delicate compared to the big plastic ones, but he loves them.  They are so much stronger in magnification, they have a little neck strap, and they are just the perfect size for his little hands.  Because he likes them so much he is careful with them.  I am very pleased with these.
But these work great for what I want...I was just looking for something small, inexpensive, and not a total piece of crap.These are tiny, were cheap, and seem pretty well put together.  I wasn't expecting military sniper spotting equipment, but for $10... awesome.
I like these binocs due to their small size.  Size and weight are a challenge for travelers these days and these binocs meet my requirements for size and weight.
I haven't actually used these &#34;in the field&#34; yet as I purchased them for an upcoming safari. I've never used binoculars before, so took advice from fellow reviewers.  They seem to be exactly what I was looking for - easy to focus, not too powerful  (just right for me) but easy enough to site in on an object without a 'shake' factor, and compact enough to fit a pocket in my safari vest. I will review them again after my trip and give a &#34;field report&#34;.  Right  now, I would say they are definitely a very good buy.
For the size and price of  this item - it's what I expected.They're handy, they fit in your pocket, and have avery nice carrying case.
These glasses come in handy for a variety of reasons other than bird-watching - which I enjoy - but a lot of times things are happening just far enough away that I wish I had a pair of binoculars and these are just the thing!
10x is not very strong. If I could do it over again I would have spent a bit more and got a stronger pair. Otherwise the quality was good for the price and I would buy from this seller again. Fast shipping.
A fine product for a great price.  Not going to worry if kids damage or lose them.  Probably not for optics afficiandos, but a great leave in car/ casual travel pair.
I got these to take on vacation to Alaska. Needed something light, and functional yet not a big deal if lost or broken. These satisfied these requirements. By the way they actually work very well.
After buying these binoculars you'll probably have a phrase similar to mine: "That's all?"Now maybe I haven't looked though a pair of binoculars in awhile and I was thinking this was going to give me a substantial viewing advantage over regular eyesight. Fact is, this just makes it feel like you are 12 inches closer to whatever you are viewing. Forget about trying to focus in on seeing anything 30 feet or less in front of you. And, anything past 60 feet gets kind of washed out.So, if you're looking to see anywhere from 30-60 in front of you with not much concern for clarity and detail, then these might be the binoculars for you. I can say that these seem pretty durable though and for the price you really can't ask for much.All in all, these are great for something to keep as a spare for when you're in a crunch to see something a little better 30 feet away. But if you're looking for a decent pair of viewing optics for anything that matters, I'd spend a little extra money and search elsewhere.
The binoculars are smaller than I expected, which actually suits my needs better since I will take them out hunting. They fold to an area about the size of a deck of cards and roughly as thick as two decks.The picture is very clear and the zoom level seems accurate (I can read a license plate from about 200 ft).It is easy to use the focus wheel and the directions explain how to use an additional focusing wheel (built into one of the lenses) to get an even clearer picture.Lanyard comes securely attached. Comes with lens cloth and a very nice neoprene case that can attach to your belt.Very pleased with my purchase. Shipped quickly.
knowing and using Tasco products my whole life I was a little concerned when I read some of the "bad"reviews.decided to take a chance and go with them anyway since my experience has always been good and the price wasso low.glad I did, I'm very happy with the binoculars!
product is very compact, portable and easy to carry. it comes in a small case, which fits onto your belt. the vision is very nice and accurate, and the price was very low, but of fine quality.
The only thing even remotely clear was in the center of one lens and that was only for a while. The outer parts of both lenses were a complete blur.  This is some of the worst I have seen.  The lens could not be cleaned due to a heavy grease lining the walls.  Luckily this came from Wallyworld and they are taking them back in droves noting that folks cannot use any moisture on the cleaning rag due to the transfer inside and the resultant permanent fogging.
I may buy a few more of these!  They may not be perfect compared to the more expensive binoculars, but hey, these were the right price and they get the job done!  Excellent value.  No problems.
Good quality, relatively clear image, lightweight.  I would recommend these to anyone who wants small optics for car or hunting coat pocket.
We got these for our kids for 'nice' binoculars so they can learn how to treat them. I was surprised to see how well you could actually see through them. They look nice too which adds to my kids being nice to them.  If they keep it up they will be on to Leupolds before they know it.
I bought these for my wife and she loves them. They are easy to carry and it has a good zoom.
This little compact binocular has really impressed me with it's clarity and viewing area.I don't even use my clunker binoculars any more.
I bot these for my 8 year old Grandson, for his "Coyote club" at his private school. They go into the woods for a few hours every week (who does that anymore ??!!), and build shelters, start fires w/sticks, and identify wildlife. He's worn them everyday since he got them. Worth every penny !!
We're going on a trip down the pacific coast, and I wanted some binoculars that weren't too expensive.  These have arrived and they are great.  Very clear image.  We are also going to use them at the NHL and baseball games we regularly attend.  One of them was delivered damaged, but Amazon immediately shipped me another pair, and had UPS pick up the broken pair.  Couldn't have been easier!!  For $10, you absolutely cannot beat these binoculars!
I own TWO of these.  I like them because they're small and they work fine.  Nothing special.  Nothing especially expensive about them either.I put my first pair through a LOT of use before buying the 2nd pair for another tool box.
Very well made. Very good magnification, very compact. Cost surprisingly low.If you need something for less then optimum light conditions then you need bigger lens.I have 7X50, for example. In low light it makes a lot of difference, in day light - almost none.
excellent, comfortable. light, small, excellent vision, good price, practical, good accuracy, superb approach fits very well in the eyes, i love
These binoculars are very clear and durable. Very easy to use to the point of not needing instructions. Rubber coating and has a good amount of weight to it. Definatly aids the eye, and has a decent field of view. Let's adequate light it. No zoom but will allow to focus and see a good distance. Meaning yards father.  I later returned them because they were not for their intended purpose. It's a great product and I'd recommend it to Anyone who is a beginner.
Very good product.  It is exactly as described on Amazon.  It is not the best made, but serves the purpose for a very inexpensive set.
I bought these so that I could inspect my roof without having to climb up there. They do a great job for that. They have a wierd fuction where to adjust each eye there is a separate knob which is a bit annoying but for the price I'm not going to hold that against it. It is my first pair of binocular so I'm not sure if all of them work that way...They are clear though and compact so they are easy to carry with you. Overall saisfied with this purchase.
I got this for my 4 year old daughter. She loved it and the binocular is great at such a great price.
Recently went to see Hal Holbrook perform his one man show as Mark Twain. We have a great performing arts center here and decided I had the choice of paying $100 plus for a seat in the orchestra section or get a ticket in the back of the balcony and pay a whole lot less. The seat in the "nose bleed" section would allow me to attend many more performances at the center or I could pay for the better seats and only be able to afford a couple of shows a year. These little binoculars were purchased to be used for just this purpose. They allow me to feel I have paid more for the seat I am in than I really did. They are fit in your pants pocket small, very light weight and the quality of the optics are fine for this use. They have a fairly narrow field of view, not a problem, we are talking about a stage not a football field. I would not consider these every day, outdoor use binoculars. I have my football binoculars which are large, heavy, zoom, and heavy duty build. These little binoculars are small and light enough that I just carry them in my computer shoulder bag and save the large binoculars for the more rough and tumble events. These little binoculars are perfect for what I purchased them for.
I believe I bought 6 for my family. Use them for stage shows. They are small and compact and fine to view principals of the show. Fits in my pocket. Price is right.
good solid product that does what it says at a fair price.  A good purchase all around and I would recommend these to anyone.
within an hour of using them at a concert, one lens was always out of focus.
its good for use for short destance .. but you can't use it for then 5 mnts . due headech feel
I bought this for my friend, for the opera, since he goes quite often. I also bought a pair for myself, to see an opera together. They are very lightweight (can hold for long periods of time without arm getting tired) and easy to adjust. We sat all the way in the back of the opera, at the very top, but I could still see details PERFECTLY, from the expressions on the faces on stage, makeup details, even bits of marking tape on the floorboards of the opera stage! I was very pleased.The binoculars come with a very nice, sturdy mini bag (that velcro's shut) and a cleaning cloth for the lenses, along with a warranty sheet. Very good value, very satisfactory quality. Would purchase again for a friend, if need be!
My first child, who had a much more expensive pair stolen recently, said, "Wow, Dad, these are much better than I thought they'd be.
The item description is very accurate with these binoculars, you cannot go wrong for the price on these here at Amazon.  Also they come with carry case and strap.  Rubber comp, easy focus wheel works well in one hand, lightweight and waterproof, I have had no fog or water issues with it while using in rainstorm. Would recommend to others to buy these anytime.
The order arrived on time and was packaged appropriately.  The product was as advertised and fits my needs.  They are small, convenient, light weight and fit nicely into the small protective cover when not in use.  Works for me!  Thanks!!
These binoculars get the job done well. I have been using them on my daily walks to view deer and birds. I think they are pretty clear and bright for compact binoculars. These binoculars come with a neoprene case and a cleaning cloth. I think they are a great deal for the money.
My husband and I always sit in the first balcony at the Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio.  We wanted to see the stage better.  We are delighted to have such a good view for such a sweet price!
CLear depiction of object viewed. Very small . All prior good reviews were supported. There is a building going up near my job and I can see them working clearly. I intend to take them on my Costa Rica bird watching trip.
For the price these are not bad binoculars.Granted I have not had them in the field yet.But they are not bad
My daughter has some toy binoculars she likes, but she's five and is old enough for a real set. These are smooth with good optics and their folding mechanism is great for smaller sets of eyes.
My grandaughter is just starting to do some bird watching so this was the perfect Christmas gift & she can't wait for the weather to clear so she can go outside to put it to use.
While they were inexpensive, the quality is very good.  Our grandson thinks they are great and for a first set of binoculars, they are a good buy.
I got this for my son as a toy.  Couldn't go wrong for the price.  When they showed up I was quite surprised.  Tiny and clarity way beyond what I imagined.  Wouldn't use them in the field for work but would be good at games.
These are amazingly clear for the price.  They would be ideal for a child, or to leave a pair in your car / truck.
I wanted small and light binoculars for my laptop bag. These work just great, and if I lose 'em, so what...
I really like these binocs.  Theres only 2 problems with them and its probably not what you're thinking.  First they use a primary focus knob and a single eye focus for differing eye weaknesses.  The problem is with the fact that its only one eye that can do the fine adjusting.  My right eye is stronger than my left and its the right that focuses.  So I can get my right eye really sharp but my left is a little out of focus.  Youre supposed to use the large focus knob to get your weak eye into focus but there are times when you cant (like looking juuust close enough to need the binocs but not far enough away to be able to focus... a drawback of a fixed power magnification).  But its just a problem at those close ranges... anything over 25yd its fine.  It would just be nice to be able to tweak both eyes.The other issue isnt with the binocs themselves its with the case.  The soft neoprene case is nice but the belt loop that they put on the back will just rip off the first time you snag it on a branch and then youre sweet little collapsible binocs are gone.  Some reinforcement  straps that go all the way around the case would eliminate this and not cost a whole lot more.As for the positives of it they are a good magnification so that I can read peoples license plates across the parking lot in my apartment complex (50-75yds).  The image is good, not too dark, which was a concern with 25mm objective lenses on a 10x magnification but its not a problem.  They fold all the way up and the rubberized exterior feels good and sturdy in the hands.  These will be perfect for the range, hunting, or just left in the car.
works gud i can only see so far.. guess its wat a few bucks will buy u anyway. i like it
These are really a great price for what you're getting.  The image is clear and they feel like they will last for a long time if properly cared for.  The focus is intuitive and allows for separate eye focusing.  They are super compact (even more so than the picture leads you to believe) and come in a nice little case with a lens cleaning cloth.  Perfect for travel or a spare set of binoculars.
Bought a pair of these from a big box outfit yesterday.  Took 'em home and pit 'em against the legendary Tasco 8x21 set.1.  The 8x21s were much more pleasing to look through2.  The 8x21s are clear throughout.  The 10x25s are barely clear in the center and terribly fuzzy and distorted beyond the center point.3.  Of course the 10x25s are higher powered, but I believe I could still make out a whisker more detail with the 8x21s.4.  Eye relief is similar on each, but since the outer edges of the 10x25s are distorted, they have, essentially less eye relief and thus the 8x21s have a wider field of vision5.  The 8x21s are more compact6.  My 8x21s are every bit as clear as my more expensive and much larger and heavier Barska Atlantic 8x32s.  The only benefit to the larger pair is the larger field of vision7.  The Tasco 10x25s might be the worst pair of binoculars I have ever had the displeasure of peering through.  I returned them within about an hour of purchase
I bought this to take to the theater.  It's a great product at an even better price!  They are solid, yet small and light weight - easy to put into a purse to take along.
1. compact size, very easy to carry around;2. good quality, very clear vision under normal conditions;3. simple design, very users friendly;4. decent price, hard to beat!
They work great are very compact and soft rubber. They came in a nice soft case to. I packed into my bug out bag, but seem to keep taking them out to use! For the money great quality and compact. Of course at this price not long range or wide range of view. They work great for spotting things and getting a bit of a closer view. Better than others in this price range, would buy again.
I wanted a simple pair of binoculars to be able to see the little squirrels, so busy in the field next door.  Now I can tell one from the other, and keep up on their progress every day.  These are definitely not for serious observing, but for casual squirrel/bird/deer watching, they work well.
These binoculars aren't the absolute sharpest around, but they do work pretty well. They're small, light and get the job done. You just can't complain for $15. Seriously, for that kind of money these could be total stinkers, but they're not. If you want amazing optics, go elsewhere and spend 10-20x more. If you want something to shove in your pocket for birdwatching, concerts, spotting at the gun range, or whatever, these are great.I only have one complaint. Damn they smell bad! They smell like the inside of a musty closet with years of accumulated mothball stench. And they're right next to your nose when you use them. My unit is brand new, so perhaps the smell fades with time. I'd still buy them anyway, but it's definitely distracting. The nice neoprene case they come with also smells.
While these little bitty Compact is the word binoculars, you can see out of them, so basically they are basic binoculars. I just thought they'd be bigger.  I have a feeling I'm going to have to invest in Bushnell's.  But, they do work, just kindof small!!
These are great little binoculars for the price. Lightweight, compact (without the case, I can throw them in the cargo pocket of one pair of my hiking pants, and they fit great) and easy to use. I bought these before a recent trip around the southwest (Moab region, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, etc.) and was glad I had them at many times. They do take a little adjusting every time you bust them out, but for the casual user these work just fine.
I got them for my daughters field trip to the forest and they were perfect. At $9.99 I would not be upset if they got lost or damaged. I have used them myself to inspect my roof and they were good for that too.
I ordered 3 binoculars Bushnell Powerview 8x21, Tasco Essentials 10x25 and Barska Blueline 3x25 opera glass. After comparing them during day and night. I decided to keep Tasco and return the other two. I think the 25 view glass make a difference for the light to get in the right way comparing with the 21. Both the Tasco and Barska are very clear without light interference. Barska is very cute and elegant. It is great for ladies who also like some fashion when going to opera. But the 3x limited its power. I wanted something that can see the bowing of violinist when go to concert and sit in the back row. Neither the Bushnell nor the Barska fold all the way. They create bridges. So they are not super compact. Barska comes with a cheap pouch looks like leather but not. Both Bushnell and Tasco come with nice fabric cases which can be attached to belt. The Tasco can be fold all the way to be super compact and not easy to break by accident as the other two have gap between the tubes. The Size is a little bigger than the other two just because it is 10x and the tubes have to be a little longer to create the power. Both my kids are loving it. We tried to look at the moon tonight. It is unbelievably clear and beautiful. Barska was still clear but small. The Bushnell just could not provide a good image and there are some polarized lights look like cross going through the moon. I am going to order more of the Tasco Essentials 10x25.
These little binoculars are a great value and very well-constructed.  I purchased them specifically for concert and theatre use, which they are well-suited for.  I wear eyeglasses and find the binoculars compatible with glasses.  The binoculars came in a small paperboard box (about 4.25" x 2.25"). Included are a felt-like carrying case, a neck strap (thin cord) and a lens cleaning cloth.  I'm very pleased with the binoculars and plan to purchase more as gifts.  They arrived at my door in two days (with free shipping!) with my amazon prime membership.
Bought for a river cruise.  Came in handy and we plan to use again! Lightweight to hang around neck, and could see everything on shoreline we were looking at.
I needed these to be able to see the finches at the feeder in our backyard.  I need glasses for distance detail but I rarely wear them and they are usually in my car for night driving.  I bought these to keep in my kitchen and I can see the birds at the feeder well with them.  My feeder is about 70' away.
Well packaged, very sturdy and solid binoculars. Works great and zoom can be adjusted. Very clear viewing and grippy material on binoculars so you won't lose your hold on them.
Good field of view and clear picture. Quality is very good, folds up nice and small and it's very rugged getting bounced around in my drag bag.
I live on the beach, so I bought these so I can better see the dolphins, whales, sea lions, boats, surfers, etc. and it's great for that purpose. Adjusting them took time, but the manual was very helpful. Now that I know how, I can set it really quickly or just grab them from my beach chair if I was the last one to use them. These are a fantastic deal. I'm no optics freak, but for the general population, these are stellar.
Bought these for a trip to the Galapagos and they worked perfectly - very light weight, compact and easy to carry.  Yes, you can spend several hundred dollars on precise, fancy binoculars, but these were very inexpensive and more than adequate for bird/turtle viewing in the islands.  We were very impressed with the quality for so little money.
The comparably priced Bushnell is better (I own that also). The right eyepiece focus motion on mine has extremely poor motion. When turning it, it has all kinds of friction grabs and very loose gaps in its motion. (kind of hard to explain). The loose gaps are where the right eyepiece is so loose that it very easily goes out of focus. This problem is very pronounced. I would definitely return it, but it's not worth the effort. I won't buy a cheap bino online any more. I'll go to the store and check it out first. That would be my recommendation to others before taking a chance on this piece of crap.
I bought these binoculars after reading so many positive reviews about them, and they do not disappoint.  They're perfect for backyard bird or butterfly watching.  Images are sharp and clear.  I needed something light to hold because I am recovering from a broken shoulder, and can't hold anything heavy for long.  These are PERFECT for my needs.
I purchased 3 of these for an opera visit.  We were sitting up really far from the stage.  The view was sharp through the glasses and I was pleased with the compact size.  I felt that I got a really good value for what I payed and the reviews for this one prompted me to buy.  I wasn't disappointed.
Verry happy with these binoculars purchases them for work to view sku numbers on boxes stored of er 12 feet high
My little grandson loves them. He has been bird watching in the country around Greenville SC....his dad likes them, too. Really nice binocs for the price.
I bought these because of the compact size. Well they are small, but impossible to focus. I spend more time trying to get the object in focus then I spend enjoying the object. Definitely would not recommend these.
I can't believe the quality you get at this price.  They have made this style so long they have it down perfect!
I don't think you'll find a better pair of binoculars for only $12.  These have a sharp focus and are fairly well made.  The optics are better than other low end binoculars in this price range.  8x21 is a good compromise between good magnification and minimal shaking.  The 10x25 binoculars are harder to hold steady.  The Tasco 8x21 monocular is good too, but why not get these for almost the same price?
It was delivered with some kind of film on one the lenses that impaired the vision.  It could not be removed using the cleaning methods described in the owners manual.  Sent it back.
I just wanted a cheap pair of binoculars for backup use on hikes.  I got what I paid for.  Unfortunately the quality is so low that I seldom use them.  They were too cheap to bother sending them back.
Great buy. If you are looking for simple, inexpensive and compact binoculars with decent lenses this is the one for youProscompactinexpensiveindividual eye adjustmentdecent lenseszoom adjustmentConsstrap in just a simple cord
I was looking for a lightweight pair of binoculars to have with me in the car, on hiking trips, and to use with the kids and I couldn't resist how cheap (cost) these were.The biggest issue with binoculars for me was never having them with me b/c they are so heavy/clunky.  I also have young kids so I wanted something that would be easy for them to use.  This is why I got a lower power/easier to stabilize and a compact one/easier to hold.It took me a while to figure out how to focus the lenses.  One is fixed and you use the center wheel to focus it and then you dial in the difference with the one lens that has an adjustment.  This is different than I remember for my old binoculars that I used to have.  I initially thought that one lens was broken before I did this.  I used them at my office which has a view of the San Francisco Bay Bridge this AM and they are great.They come with a carrying case and string attached to loop around your neck.  The one thing that I was surprised is that in the picture the camo seems to be more desert oriented whereas the actual ones I got are more greenish.  I only got camo b/c they were cheaper and it's a bit interesting.I did look at the Bushnell version of the compact binoculars but I hated the logo being plastered all over the product.  I don't want to be a billboard for a company.
Although these binoculars are small and lightweight they are powerful and easy to focus. They are perfect for hiking.  I love them and bought another pair for my mom.
I wanted small and light to take backpacking.  These seem to fit the bill so far, although havn't been on a trip yet.  Hope they hold up.  They seem to be clear and actually do a pretty good job from my front porch.
got this for my grandson for his sixth birthday....he hasn't stopped talking about it!!! :) Has looked at everything from the birds in his yard to the  birds nest in his neighbor's tree
I was looking for a binocular that was small in size, so that it would be easy to carry, and give me the close up capability I needed. This product gives you both.
The Tasco Essentials 10x25 compact binocular optics are very good for the price I paid for it ($ 9.95) but the black material is rubber with a very strong rubber smell: it makes me nauseated, really.  And yoy are obliged to inhale the smell because you have to keep the binocular ic close proximity to your nose.  The other Tascos I bought several years ago did not have this type of odor.  It could be Tasco used cheaper materials to lower its price.As I said the optics are good but that smell bothered me very much.  If you are not sensitive to these odors then the binocular is for you.
These are easy to adjust for perfect &#34;looking&#34;.  I am slightly nearsighted, and these give me 20-20 vision, when properly focused.  The strap around the neck is a bit annoying, but I can replace it with a more comfortable option.
After reading some of the reviews left for this item I was a little hesitant.  However, I took a leap of faith and purchased them.  At first I could only see through one side of the binoculars.  After reading the directions I was able to quickly correct the problem.  For a compact binocular they work great. The binoculars get 4 stars only because I have to readjust them every time I take them out of the carrying case.  If the case was big enough to hold them in the adjusted position they would've got 5 stars.
Cute. Lightweight. Incredibly low priced for what they are. IF you can get them set up right for your eyes and IF you don't mind a very small field of in-focus viewing and IF you are not hyper-critical of sharp,clean images you'll be well rewarded. For the price they are certainly something to talk about. Toss them in the truck. Ya never know.They ARE worth the price and would be great for kids. But I wouldn't call them "real" binoculars. Yep, I'd reccomend them, just for the entertainment value for dollar spent.
This item is so perfect first because it folds up and secondly it does not take up much room in your purse.  Focusing was great.  It brought Prince up close and personal!! They where great for the concert.  I am sure they will be good for other outings as well.
THESE BINOCS ARE JUST THE THING TO HAVE IN YOUR CAR WHEN TOURING BEACHES OR WILDLANDS, PERFECT FOR STUDYING THAT UNANTICIPATED VIEW OF A SUBJECT WHEN YOU NEED THEM.
I bought these to get an up-close and personal look at the many variety of birds visiting my balcony garden. I really am able to see hummingbird detail, as well as rabbit detail in the distance of the courtyard. Good buy!
So I ordered one of these and one of the Bushnells with the same magnification for about the same price.  These work well; the Bushnells were constructed so poorly that I'm having to send them back.Since these are mass-produced in China I'm sure that quality control is poor, so each set will have different characteristics.  But as far as mine went, they have a looser focus than the Bushnells.  The Tascos were properly collimated while the Bushnells weren't even close.  The Bushnells were so far off that even fiddling with the set-screws didn't fix them.  These Tascos also seem brighter than the Bushnells though the light gathering through such a small optic is such that you're not going to be using them at night.The string-lanyard that's permanently attached to the binoculars is pretty lame--I cut mine off with scissors.  The carrying pouch is decent and goes on a belt if you so desire.For the price I paid these are good binoculars.  I have a feeling they're a little on a delicate side since they're cheaply made and seem like they will mis-align or break if dropped or bumped hard.You might consider ordering two different pairs and then sending back the one that's less well 'crafted.'  I'm very glad I didn't just order two of the Bushnells as I originally planned, because these are better.
There's nothing overly special about these binoculars, you basically get what you pay for which is affordability.  They are compact which is great for hunting. 10X zoom isn't that great though, if you are really serious about visibility in the field maybe invest in a better brand with a higher zoom.
Purchased as a gift for 4 year old.  He was able to hold it to his eyes and with a little help was able to focus it for items at a distance.  Nice magnification - better than a cheap toy.
went to the beach and forgot to bring our binoculars. We like to watch things in and on the ocean.  This product fit the bill perfectly - low price point is the number one feature. magnifying capacity works for &#34;fun&#34; activities, not recommended for serious binocular use (however, that was not why we purchased it). By serious I mean if you need hunting or artillery spotting binocs, get a better pair. But, for fun like a football game, etc. these are great. Come with appropriate case and look stylish for the price.Would definitely purchase again if had the need.
I got this for a cruse to Alaska and it worked great!I thought it would be a little stronger but it worked fine for the trip.
I can't say these are great but you can see ok with them really noting special try something else if you can.
product was as described. comes with case and rag for lens. nice little pair of binoculars for the price. Will add more info with use.
Good set of binocular for the cost. My whole family uses them. Easy to carry and use. I would recommend this for any one.
Maybe I got a lemon.....looking through the binoculars, you get a double image; like the left eye monocular was not pointing in the same direction as the right eye monocular. No amount of adjusting both lens's or the right monocular would fix this. Into the trash these go........gonna have to dig deeper in the wallet to get a pair that works.
Good binocs for the price. Can be used for sky watching as well in non urban areas. A better option than a cheap tasco telescope I bought with it actually.
I had to return the first one due to misaligned sights.  I was getting double vision no matter how I adjusted the lenses.  The new ones are a lot better.It's a great deal for this magnification and aperture.  I took it to Yellowstone and was very happy with the performance.  It's bright enough even for basic astronomy.  One star removed for the mixed quality, otherwise, the one I have is easily 5 stars.
I paid $35 bucks for this, given the price, they are GREAT, hands down, sharp image, fair build, cannot ask for more.  Having said that, these inevitably forced me to compared them with my old paid of zenith, which served me well for over 25 years.  The Zenith were heavier and more sturdy, this are lighter and compared to the zenith feel a lot cheaper, I doubt these will last as long as the zenith under same usage conditions, but please do not take me wrong, everything nowadays is made in china or some other fifth world country, but I doubt you can get anything substantially better than this for the same price. buy it without hesitation, but do not expect top of the line.
Great value its amazing how good these  are. I  can see the deer  and turkey playing in the back pasture.
I guess for the money they are okay, but I should have paid a little more and gotten a better pair. But overall I got what I paid for. Came as described. Strap on case already broke.
For this price they are excellent, focus is easy but requires a light touch. I could see person walking in their yard, across a cornfield at a house, I can't normally see with my naked eye. the moon hasn't been out yet but looking at stars is going to be great I think, as long as you can stabilize the binoculars. X10 means your handshake is going to effect what you see and my star viewing was very shaky freehand, but much better when I leaned on a tree or car roof. They feel sturdy and who doesn't worry about dropping any Binoculars. The carry bag and neck strap are pretty flimsy so if your concerned buy a stronger neck strap and just use the bag to keep dust off. other wise these seem to be a great value.
Great value for the money, heavy duty. Me and my son like to look at the moon and stars at night, and of course daytime use to look at nature.
Great quality on these binoculars assure high fidelity viewing able to see more than with lesser quality binoculars. Get one and be happy.
Awesome set for the price. Now if I can only get my hot neighbor to move a little closer to the window .....
The first two binoculars were flawed.  The first had a plastic burr in the lens which created a black line when looking through them.  Sent them back for exchange.  The next pair, the whole entire lens on the left was disconnected.  Amazed me.  Send those back and finally received a new pair.  Very happy but lucky I guess.
I was going on a hike and wanted something to see about and decided to buy these binoculars and they are GREAT.  Sharpe, easy to carry, easy to carry and all over lovely.  Get them you will not be disappointed plus they come with a handy bag to carry it around.
I got this hoping it would be better than an old 20 year old pair I had but it wasn't any better or stronger.
Up Front: These binoculars are not Nikon quality.  But they weren't $400 either.I purchased these on a lightning deal for $20.  They work great for how I use them--watch the bird feeder in my back yard from inside my house.They are reasonably sturdy, focus quickly, and have decent light transmission characteristics.These binoculars are not military or commercial quality, and they are not marketed as such.What they are, is an inexpensive set of decent binoculars, and for the price, nothing comes close.If your life or livelihood depends on binoculars, keep looking--these are not for you.If you are in need of a decent set of B-nocs with reasonable light transmission, easy focus, medium weight, and all at an inexpensive price, look no further.
Bought for my wife who uses them to watch wildlife at the lake! She loves them! She keeps them with her in the boat while fishing. Always seeing something new or unusual. I would recommend for anyone. She loves them!
I have been using these around the house for over a week now. I've been such a dork and actually wearing them around by neck which I have found to be quite comfortable if I sling toward my hip. (Like an old lady slings her purse). I wanted something better than the compact Bushnell 8x21 binoculars that I had been using for viewing birds in my backyard. I can see low lit areas very clearly with these allowing me to see details and colors of birds that I had not been able to see before. I have a very small head and these binoculars fit me well. They are lightweight. I am a small, female who has broken both wrists and I can hold them for about a minute. I was worried after reading how 10x would result in a shaky image. This has not been an issue for me.  I have never used expensive binoculars but I can't imagine how they could be better than these. I am very happy with this purchase.
I bought these binoculars primarily to get a better look at the hawks and occasional bald eagles in the neighbors tree. I was amazed at how clear these are. Also good for spying on the neighbors when you are wondering what the hell they are doing.
I have used these on many camping, floating, hiking trips. It's a little big and heavy for hunting but they work in a pinch. Great sight for a great price!
I can't figure out how these can come at such a low price !! The optics are great and the quick focus is great. What the advertisement didn't show is that these come with a carry bag which is a little bonus. I truly Love these.
Great for bird watching. Easy to carry, light durable and very clear. adjustments are easy. I will recommend this to any one
great deal on deal of the day.  nice lenses, clear optics.  not top of the line, but at the price point, good deal.  these have been relegated to my little boy to play with.  if he breaks it, no big deal...but im trying to teach him responsibilities in taking care of what you own.
I needed an affordable pair of binoculars (binos) for surveillance and with my profession, we are not made of money.  Amazon is the only place I will by the non-name brand items.  This is because of the product reviews.  Amazon as usual, has not let me down with these binos.  They are affordable and I have not had a problem with them.  It is easy to focus and the view through them is extremely clear.  All my co-workers were hesitant when I told them I bought &#8220;Tasco Binos.&#8221;  When they looked at the quality of the binos and the distance you can see with them, their opinions changed.  We all like that the binos are coated with rubber.  VERY durable and they appear to be very well made.  Before buying these binos on Amazon, I would never expect to get a good pair of binos for under 40 dollars.  Well&#8230; I am here to saw these binos are GREAT and worth every affordable penny.  I don&#8217;t care what country they were made in, this is an awesome pair of binos and I recommend them to anyone.
I know very little about binoculars but am very pleased with these. They seem fairly light compared to some and easy to manage. They have kind of a rubber-like finish so they are safe to set down just about anywhere. The image is very clear and the field of view is certainly large enough to suit me. Focusing them is easy although I think a paddle, rather than the circular knob, would be a little bit nicer. For the price, them seem like a really good value and I'm really glad I bought them!
This is a fantastic binocular for the price. It comes with a shoulder bag to carry it in, 4 lens covers and a strap to carry it around your neck. It's light weight and is very clear. So clear that I often look at stars using it!
While this will not compare to expensive models of binoculars, they are pretty good for a spare. In fact, for the money it's a pretty good set. It does have a carrying case, which makes it even a better deal.
Well, I found out. Like with all things, you get what you pay for. And what I got for $20 was a $20 pair of binos. I'm VERY glad I didn't pay the &#34;everyday&#34; price for these or I'd have been pretty upset.As others have reported, the eye pieces are loose. Not that there's a screw loose, or they're not fully seated as a manufacturing defect, but rather this is a DESIGN defect. They are attached as they were designed, but the eyepieces (including the entire lens assembly) is loose. As a result, they will not hold the right eyepiece focus. You have to adjust this EVERY time you pick them up because they are so loose the eyepiece moves readily just from handling.Also, the field of focus is quite long. The CLOSEST object I can focus on is 40 feet. Not bad if you're scouting for moose in the Klondike, but not very useful if you're watching hummingbirds in the back yard.Lens caps are also quite loose. This bino does not come with a case, only a neck strap. And I find my lens caps randomly dropping off quite frequently.My final complaint is the sealed clamshell poly packaging. Difficult to open and impossible to preserve the integrity of the packaging. Doesn't Amazon have some kind of policy that was supposed to eliminate this type of packaging?It's not ALL bad though... the center zip focus seems to work well. It's firm and smooth. Overall design is aesthetic. Rubber coating is comfortable in the hand and grips well, even with wet hands. Weight is moderate. Not the lightest pair I've ever had, but not overwhelmingly heavy either.In summary, if you're looking for a good pair for years of service, probably should pass on these. If you're just looking for a cheap pair for very casual use, maybe for $20 flash sale price, give these a shot. I think these are ideally suited for older children and very casual users. Great gift under the tree for that 12 year old's first hunting trip for example.For me, I'm stuck with them, but will keep shopping for a pair that may cost a few more bucks, but will deliver better quality as well.
I purchased five of the most inexpensive 7 x 50 binoculars that I could find on Amazon for birdwatching and stargazing here in Panama. Ordered them all ahead of time and had them delivered to my stateside address. Knowing that problems with inexpensive binoculars are common, I expected some of them to be out of optical alignment. Collimation was definitely off with these and I was seeing double.But in all fairness three of the five pairs of binoculars I bought were also out of alignment.  The best of a group was the inexpensive Bushnell Falcon and the Celestron Up Close G2, both at the time, around 25-30 bucks. The Bresser Hunter binoculars were just slightly out of culmination but my eyes were able to compensate.Not so lucky with these and the Barska X-Trail binoculars as the culmination caused me to see double as well. So all I can say at this point is buyer beware...you get what you pay for. Lesson learned is binoculars are one thing you probably want to testdrive in a brick-and-mortar place before purchasing.
I bought these because they were such a great deal. Buyer beware.  The binoculars are very heavy to hold.  I returned them.
Bought these for a Christmas present for my husband and my brother-in-law...I opened it and used it to look around my living room. I looked at my Christmas tree, from a good distance away and it was crystal-clear! I know they'll be used for much farther distance, but from I could see with what I tried out, they are awesome! Fast delivery too!
We ordered two of this model, and did have to return one because of faulty optics. We had read other reviews, and knew that there was a potential to get a bad one. This is a nice value for the price; we do find it more difficult to keep steady while adjusting the eyepiece than an old binocular of another brand that we've had for many years. It is likely we paid more for that pair though. All in all, we think this is a good buy.
I took these on a cruise and they worked great. they're not to sensitive like some other ones I've had. they re not so heavy that my arms get tires of holding them up. The view was bright and clear. I really like these binoculars.
Exactly as promised. We ordered as a gift yet plan to purchase our own soon! Great buy! Would recommend to anyone!
Great magnification, but way to heavy.  i had to return them as they felt awkward to hold and very heavy for me. So bad i could not use more then 2 mins.  Very unsteady as well.Again all of this might just be me.  The price is good but for me it is useless.
I got this on a lightning deal , and I have to say, I am pretty impressed with the optics for this low price . Definitely a good deal !
they have plenty of zoom. a bit big for a bug out bag but if you can manage they are worth it. very nice material and rubber coated for a good grip.
As part of a vacation package to Las Vegas I received tickets to see The Lion King, however the promotional tickets are for the very lsat row of the theater only.  I started to look into opera glasses, but at $30+ it didn't seem worth it for a one time use.  Standard opera glasses are 3 x 25, I found the 8 x 21 binoculars to be very helpfulTasco Essentials 10x50Binocular.  The increased mangification meant that I couldn't watch the whole show through the binorculars, they did not allow me to see enough of the action, but they captured light in the dark theater very well. The ability to see the expessions of the performers as well as the make-up and costumes was most certainly worth it.  For less than $12 they were a perfect alternative to opera glasses and I look forward to using them more in the future for concerts, sporting events, and hiking.  A great compact binocular at a very competative price.  Comes with a small slip case to store and protect.
I originally had a pair of 8x40 Tasco binolulars and I tore the eyecup from folding up and down from sharing.  I sent it to Bushnell and they could not match it, so I glued them and bought two more, the new seen even better than my old pair.
These binoculars are good for someone too little to really know what they do.  They magnify yes, but there is no adjustment for the eyes.  They are plastic but so far have withstanded several drops on the pavement.  But overall no one wants to play with them since they are hard to use without being adjustable to head size. They are dollar store quality.
Very great price but can not get both lens looking at same thing.  Always have two different images which makes them useless.  Will attempt to return.
Outstanding. We use it , even at night, to follow the activities of the small creatures in our back yard.
You cannot beat the quality of these $30 binoculars. They compare well, if are not better, than those 5 times the price. The picture is clear and sharp; the focus can be adjusted quickly and the focus wheel is smooth. I was pleasantly surprised. There was plenty of light being delivered through the lenses when I tested these binoculars one late, stormy afternoon.
We own a pair of very compact ZEISS 8x20 binoculars, with all plastic housing,but the optics, in comparison to the 10x50 TASCO, is "all glass", so we hope.The price ~ $450.-The TASCO "10x50" at less than 10% of that price, beats the compact ZEISS for bothnight-time viewing (which is to be expected with 4 times more light coming into the eye)and for daytime viewing. It beats it "HANDS DOWN". Note though, the TASCO "10x50"is of course much heavier and larger.We have not (yet?) seen any problems with the TASCO plastic parts. Alignment of the opticalaxis is good, the focus drive is smooth. The lenses show no disturbing chromatic andspherical aberration. The field of view, 122m at 1000m, is exceptional!(For comparison on older "East German Army" surplus which we hadpreviously owned featured the same 122m for an 8x (not 10x) magnification.)I am giving the TASCO only 4 stars because of the expected lack of "field-worthiness".But then we do not expect to do alligator watching in a humid Northern Australia swamp.For $2,000, i.e. the cost of professional quality binoculars, I can buy decades' worthof 10x50 TASCOS. Good enough for us.
I purchased these for my 11 year old grandson so he could watch the constellations, go birdwatching and hunting with family members, etc.  My husband and I were extremely impressed with the quality of the product.  My husband said that they would last him a lifetime if he takes care of them.  He also said that he could tell very little difference between a pair costing several hundred dollars than these in relation to performance and quality.  We are quite happy with the purchase, and my grandson loves them.
I have 3 sets of binocular's that I use on the boat.  One day, I was trying to see an object 1/2 mile away onshore.  I went through the other two pair not being able to tell what I was looking at.  Then I pulled these out, the cheaper of the 3 pairs by far....and was able to see it.  10x50 is really the ideal power for a general use binocular, and these are very good, especially for the price.
I am very surprised with tasco!!  These are better than i expected and they are good quality.  I recommend and would buy again
I was looking for a pair of binoculars that had good distance, brightness and were compact enough to bring to the beach and on the boat. After comparing several I chose these due to good price for the features listed. Once I received them from Amazon I was impressed by the build quality and lens covers that did not fall off. At the beach these things performed well being able to see a clear bright image that made far away images look like they were really close by. The case that came with them has a shoulder strap and makes it easy to take these anywhere. Good value.
How this set of Binocular's is getting a 4 1/2 star rating is beyond me. Tasco is the bottom of the barrel, has horrible glass quality compared to most all other brands available. Not only is the glass quality horrible, but the binoculars themselves are extremely cheap feeling. I compared this to an extremely old set of Leupold binoc's, and some cheap $40 Bushnell binoc's, both of which were far superior in every aspect. I got these for free with a purchase of a scope a while back, can't say I'd have spent a dime on them otherwise. Do yourself a favor, and don't be cheap! spend $20 more and get yourself a set of Bushnell, or Nikon binoc's, you won't regret it. The people talking these binoculars up so high have obviously never used a decent set of binoc's.UPDATE: First weekend of hunting season, I used these for the hec of it. Well they got moisture on the inside & completely fogged up(mild rain outside) which rendered them totally useless. Needless to say I tossed them down the middle of a ravine & have since replaced them with a worthy set of binoculars. Again do yourself a favor and do not go cheap.
Face it, at this price point, for any 10 X 50 under $100, you aren't going to get  superior optics, but I'm blown away with this pair of binocs.First of all, look at the price. This is the cheapest pair of 10 X 50's which isn't a toy. Tasco doesn't have a great reputation for great optics and ironically part of that reputation comes from selling binoculars which are under $100! But then, you can't expect budding enthusiasts to shell out $1000 for a new pair of binocs for something they don't know if they'll like or not.What I can say is that I've tested this against a few pairs of binocs under $100 and this is definitely the best pair so far, bar none, and it's the cheapest pair. The optics are sharp, it was easy for me to focus and it isn't too heavy. It comes with a thin neck strap, a cleaning cloth (which I won't use) and a nice but thin case. I won't worry about the accessories too much because they're just extras.Update: I continue to be very happy with this pair of binocs, using it for anything from stargazing to birdwatching. First, for stargazing, this is 10X power so I'm mainly using to it look at constellations and the optics are very sharp. There is no reflection of any kind inside, even with lights outside, so it's very good for that. For birdwatching, I'm amazed at the clarity and sharpness of the lens. It brings the objects in view very close and without any distortion. I just love this pair of binocs, I strongly recommend this for anyone looking for a 10X50 pair of binocs.
Excellent product for a reasonable price. I bought this primarily to look at the birds in the trees around our home. While I would love to have a pair with more zoom power these will do most of the time and they are considerably more affordable.They come with lens caps for the front and back, a strap and a storage case. Not bad for the price.The image is clear and bright and that is what I care about the most.
Lightweight, easy to hold, good optics.  These binocs are a good value for the price.  Good for bird watching in your yard.
You can not go wrong with these binoculars. For about 30 dollars these things compair to a much more expensive pair. They do there job and are easy to use! Even comes with its own case! Would buy again and again!! Worth the money and no worries about dropping or lossing! That the way it should be just enjoy! Highly recommended!
I remeber as a child having a 50mm tasco telescope and truth be told i loved that thing. It was on a alt/az wooden mount and the optics were great for what it cost back in the 90s. I also remeber having Tasco 8x21 folding roof prism binoculars when i was a kid. I use to take them everywhere with me and they too where surprisingly good litte binos. I remeber going to my first Alabama football game in 2001 and using those little binoulars. Felt like i was on the field with thoose binos and the image was crisp and clear. Fast forward to 2013 and it has now become clear that Tasco is not what it was 15 years ago. I have an old pair of telstar precision optics 7x50 binoculars that have now finally worn out after 50 years. So needing a new pair i thought why not go back to that company that spawned so many good child hood memories. I bought these for mainly astronomy and casual bird watching. I even got a tripod adaptor for use with my telescope tripod. I recieved my order promptly but was unable to use the binoculars that day due to rain. The next afternoon i took them out at sunset. As soon as i placed them up to my eyes i noticed 2 hair line fractures in the prism on the right side. There was also one significant stress fracture that was large enough to scatter incoming light. Turns out that due to the fractures in the glass they are worthless for night time viewing due to light scatter. I decided to give Tasco another chance and Amazon sent a replacement in 48 hours. The replacement was defective as well, due to mis collimation of the prisms. I was unable to adjust the indiviual eye strength on that side for my eyesight. I got dizzy from trying all i could to adjust them so i gave up. Sadly Tasco is no longer a brand that i will ever buy again. I did like the design, ease of use but bad quality control.
My daughter got these for xmas, they are great. Clear and good quality. Focus is easy to adjust and they work great. comes with a holder and strap.
You cant beat the price or value. Their not cheap stuff. They focus quickly and do the job. The case is light weight  and flimsy but you'll have them around your neck. They work great. as good as 100$ plus binocs
I use for marine life watching within a few hundred yards of shore. Works great for a good price. I can share it with gawkers along the shoreline and not worry about some accidental damage to an expensive pair.
I bought these binoculars for use as a beginning backyard astronomer. They seem to be a good bargin for the price. Focus at all ranges is fast and images at all ranges are clear and crisp with no blurring. This is true both for landscape and celestial observing. Images are perhaps not quite as bright as they would be with a Nikon or Leupold, but for the money, they're a great deal.
Get out of town, these were on lighting deals for 19.99 so i thought what the heck. I know the importance of high end optics and coatings. for 50 bucks these would be a steal. they are sharp sharp sharp. the focus is great. dont know yet about fogging. if you made it to my review you have went to far, just buy em
I recently started using binoculars for astronomy. Although I ordered a much nicer pair to use most of the time, I also wanted a pair to leave in my car for nice nights and cheap enough to not worry about if I brought it along for birdwatching when traveling. At $25, I figured it was worth a shot.Immediately I noticed there is noticeable distortion along the edges of the field of view and a fair amount of chromatic aberration (color separation) compared to my other pair, but this is only something that would bother me if it was in a photo. Subjects in the center of the image was still crisp and bright, and details can be distinguished far away.I wear glasses so I was a little concerned about eye clearance. Thankfully it has plenty if you roll back the eyecups in the front (there is still 1mm or so of rubber holding it away from your glasses so it doesn't scratch your lenses). There's not enough eye clearance when used with glasses to see the entire image, but it's still quite usable with only the distorted edges being cut off. It does in fact have a tripod socket so with a cheap adapter you won't have to hold them in place.I'm not terribly thrilled about the zip focus- The lever-focus system makes large focus adjustments with a small turn making smaller fine adjustments tricky. Additionally, the plastic rods that move the lenses while the binoculars focus are a little flimsy and things do get slightly out of focus when you press them against your eyes.That being considered, this pair is great for astronomy (bird-watching too). I live in a suburban area and I can see hundreds of stars with these binoculars (few with the naked eye) so it's a great tool. I can see slightly more faint objects with the more expensive pair, but if you're not willing to crank out another 50-75 bucks this is probably one of the best pairs in this price range and its certainly not junk.
Collimation out of whack after a few months.  Never dropped it or mistreated it.  Very good image and comfortable to use when new, but seems to be poorly made.  It was after the Amazon return period and the cost and effort to ship them for warranty repair isn't worth the hassle.
The previous pair we purchased (different style) gave us some trouble.  These operated just fine.  Simple without a whole lot of flash, but they get the job done.
These are perfect for astronomy. Large aperture, good optics, perfect price! Very rugged, comes with a neoprene case, and tight fitting dustcaps. Love the fold down rubber eyecups for use with my glasses. Highly recommend.
bought these as a gift and would have like to got a pair for myself, they felt heavy /solidly made. nice for the price i got them on a lightening deal.
these are really large, be prepared for that. The optics are OK, can certainly focus on things that are fairly far away, close in they are of limited use.
great price, was a present, son n law loves them, he has used them several times, so i am taking his word since this was a gift
Very impressed on the quality and price of this binoculars, which in the important issue work sturdy and reliable. (words apart  for the neck cord and the caps for the lenses; made of cheap material... but who cares when they come with such great binoc's
The Binoculars are excellent for the price. Good as far as construction quality. I bought these for deer hunting. It was my first year of deer hunting. I just wanted to be able to view out further to see if anything was on the approach. There is a little bit of cloudiness with them. It is not very noticeable. Moving parts have a firm grip so when you adjust the binoculars they will stay in position. This is a great purchase for someone that was to see a little extra detail from a distance or just to do some star gazing with binoculars. I looked at Jupiter and was able to see a few of its moons. They weren't very bright but they were viewable.
I was on vacation to Florida and realizing that we had a wonderful view from our condo, it was obvious that a pair of binoculars would be useful. Having a good pair at home I searched Amazon for a cheap pair and came upon these for under $30. When they arrived I was amazed at the quality of the product and the great view that I got from them, way more than I expected and equal to the more expensive one I had left behind. I totally recommend them.
For the price, the optics are quite good and the focus is reasonably smooth.  My only complaint is that the closest focus distance is surprisingly long.  Don't expect to use these for birds in the yard unless you have a really big yard.  But out on the water, where the distances are greater, they work very well.  I ended up buying a second pair for work.  The image clarity does not compare well to brands costing six times as much, but that's to be expected.
As the King of cheap optics, I proclaim this binocular the best you can buy for a pittance.  Well made and well worth the price.  I have looked through glass that costs a hundred times as much, but they were not anywhere near a hundred times as good.  Excellent backup glass for birding or checking out flimsy swimsuits at the beach.
The key phrase in my review title is "for the price."  They are not really that great overall.  If you are looking for good binoculars, you will need to spend some money and get something else.  But if you want some quite decent binoculars that you can toss into a bag and not worry too much about, this will do the job.  I wanted some super cheap binoculars and the 10x25s worked great for me.  The great thing is that for the cost of children's play binoculars I was able to get some that a grown up could use.  Are the optics perfect?  Nope.  I notice some mild distortion along the edges, but nothing impossible to work with.  I liked these well enough that I might consider getting the 10x50s.These are what they are:  nice but very inexpensive binoculars.  If you want serious binoculars there are lots of good alternatives, but they are all going to cost a heck of a lot more money.
Didn't want to spend too much on a focus binocular. Got this at a lightning deal and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this thing. I'm not an expert on lens quality but I'm really happy with this pair.Quite heavy, which is expected.Gets a little shaky, but considering the magnification its alright.
I gave these to a very young fella who called the 'Bi-moculars'.  So cute.  These are heavy and strong with a carrying case, with straps.  A great deal too!
These binoculars are a great product for a great price!  I priced them all over and couldn't find them less expensive for this type of quality.  Our 9 year old grandson just loves them!
I had been looking for a decent set of binoculars for a reasonable price, and this product fit the bill, I am very pleased with the cost and quality.
my 7yr old grandson is so happy with these I guess I did good thanks to all the help from customers service at amazon and there staff are wonderful highly recommend this product.great servicehappy nanaS.Taylor
Good value for the money. The view is clear and bright and the focus adjustment is easy to operate. The field of view is not as wide as I had expected, so it is not all that great for following action scenes. But, for $20 they get the job done. A case would have been nice, or at least a carrying bag.I just have a few minor gripes. The lens caps keep falling off and there is nowhere to store them while using the binocular. The instructions do not indicated how to attach the neck strap. I haven't been able to figure out how to attach the straps properly. Also, the straps are hard to attach because of arthritis in my hands. I will need help and would have appreciated some instructions.
They are not the top of the line. However, for the cost, they are fantastic.I work in a high rise and they are very handy for taking a look at passing ships or latest shenanigans downtown.I can easily make out hull numbers of ships as they pull out of Bambridge. Also, I can make out country flags as ships come around Magnolia.
These binoculars are fine but they are much heavier than I thought they would be.  They also contain no case, so if you are looking for something to transport easily, these are not for you.  My husband says he can use them on his boat and they are good for viewing the night sky.
The quality of this product is outstanding. I can't believe you can produce this binocular at this price. Great value.
This model is definitely the best binocular that I have ever used and owned. I have gone through a few. The size and weight are both good. The focus, light and clarity are absolutely the best I've ever had. I allowed many people to use them and they have all said that these are the best they have ever used. I have use them prodominetly for viewing sport activities (football/basketball games) and they are a must to have when trying to close to the field of action.Beyond pleased with this item!
I got these at $20 on Amazon's deal page. They're basically worth what I paid. The optics aren't as clear as I was hoping. It is rather well-constructed, with a good focus mechanism and nice sturdy albeit plastic and rubber body. It's too bad I get a double image. It will still be fine for the kids to use for birdwatching in the summer, but not much else.
I bought these for a Racing event in the Nevada desert. We were conducting sweep and search and rescue for the event. These bino's came real handy. They focused very well and were a great 'All-around set'.
These are not great binoculars but they are good for the price. I despise the plastic case, the thin plastic neckstrap and the plastic lens caps, what would it cost to make it a bit more sturdy, a dollar or two? And what is your first impression of the bino's, cheap carrying case then a strap that would look too small on a pocket camera?The clarity of view is fairly good, and the field of view is good for 10x binoculars. They feel sturdy and they are ergonomically well set up. They have a rubbery texture that is good when it is raining or you are in fog. The low light performance was ok, I was able to spot deer at dawn in fairly heavy cover. All in all, I got what I paid for and a little more.
In spite of the tendency to promote high powered binoculars, the 7X35 wide angle remains the handiest size.  Reasonably light and compact, and fine for daytime use.I'm not a binocular connoisseur, but the Tasco binoculars defined the detail on quail in my yard just fine.  I felt no eyestrain while using the pair.  The focus is very quick and easy, a great improvement over the old kind, where you turn and turn a wheel.
This binocular is excellent. It is light weight and easily adjusted. I wear glasses and could use it without them. I am very pleased with this product.
We bought this binocular for our next trip. It really worked out great for our trip. It is a good investment.
We are so happy with these binoculars.  We have a lake in our backyard that has a ton of turtles...we watch them all day long!
Well worth the money.  Clear and easy to focus.  Durable and at a great price. I bought these to use at my house to identify birds uses the feeders.  I have smaller more expensive binoculars that I take out into the field. I have been surprised at how much I like these and wouldn't hesitate to buy these again.
I bought these binoculars as a supplement to my 10X25 compact binoculars, and have used them while hiking and bird watching.They are light weight, the view is pretty clear and the field of view is excellent.  I wear glasses and can easily use them with my glasses, and without eye strain.  I didn't have the pleasure of dropping them on a hard surface or in water, and doubt they would survive it (they are not marketed as water proof, water resistant or shock resistant) but I didn't want to pay substantially more to have these features.  These binoculars are so inexpensive that if they are destroyed, I will just buy another pair.
I bought these for my young 10 year old grandson. I was looking for something decent but considering his age was not going to spend much money. I only looked through them a couple of times but they seem to be good. They aren't to big and bulky and seem to be pretty clear. Can't say how long they will last particularly in 10 year old hands but definitely seem good for him. From what I could tell from limited use even if you are an adult looking for a reasonable pair of binoculars at a low price these seem good. Pretty light weight, grip seems good, and overall function seems good. Lens covers are tight on one end and loose on the other, bag is nothing special but what do you expect at this price range. With a little care should be good for the casual user for a long time.
Mother-in-law loved these. She feeds birds and loves watching them. She's getting more different ones and now she can see them in the trees which are farther away from her feeder.
I've never owned a good pair of binoculars before, and I think this are a good starter set. I'm planning on using them at the Shooting Range, and I think they will work out great.
This is a very good pair of Binoculars, especially for the money I now have three different models 7x35 8x40 and 10x50
Waste of money. You're better off squinting with your eyes. These binoculars barely magnifies. Do not buy. Go for higher zoom.
I started out looking for a replacement case for an old set of cheap binoculars. When I saw the reviews for this Tasco unit (at only a few dollars more than a replacement case) I decided to go for it. Was I expecting something comparable to $400 binoculars? NO! Was I expecting the quality and sharpness of these binoculars? NO, again! For the money, I don't think you can beat these. I use these in my job working the scoreboard at a minor league ballpark. The clarity and ease of focus is great. The other guys that I work with were amazed at how good these are, and especially for this price. One of them is ordering a few pair for gifts. I highly recommend these.
We got them for an upcoming trip to Alaska, but have used them for other things, including a Saints game.
Bought these Binocular for plinking at the gun range. These are great. I bought mine when it was on sale for 15 dollars. Have since took it on trips and very happy with it.
I take this on day hikes and love using them. I have nothing to say but positive remarks. Highly recommend them!
For the price, they work very well.  Fog proof so far and have been very dependable to boot.  I recommend for basic needs.
Good viewing
I didn't expect the quality of my nikon binoculars (nikons are awesome), but expected better even at this price.Bought for the wide view and even this doesn't seem to be anything special.  Disappointed.
The FOV on this site is stated as 500 ft @ 1000 yds. On the binos, the print says 480 ft. My own careful measurements were about 40 inches at 335 inches if I remember correctly. Looking at the pointer stars of the big dipper (side of the bowl opposite the handle, 5 degrees), these binos saw both stars with 60% left over, so 8 degrees. They could not span the whole bowl. 8 degrees is only 420 ft @ 1000 yards, significantly less than advertised. Most binos over state their specs, so don't write these jewels off yet.One of the lens caps is loose enough to fall off, right out of the box.Other than that, everything else is perfect. It focuses fast and clearly and is a true 7x. It is flat and distortion free. I can see far away cars and light up buildings at night very well with with these, indicating that the brightness is very good. The outer 10% gets a bit dimmer because it is bk7. The depth of focus of these binoculars is about 20 feet at 40 feet. This gives a very nice 3D effect. The housing feels and looks very rigid yet light. They do not look or feel cheap.They are $32. I tested a pair of $80 Nikon 7269 10x50 against them. The Nikons claimed a 6.5 degree FOV, but where only 6 degrees. The Nikons near focused at 12 feet, butter than the Tasco 14, even more impressive for a 10x. The Nikons were a bit lighter in the evening, and a lot larger. The Nikon lens caps attach to a strap. But are all these improvements worth paying over twice the price? I think not.I just got these today, so I can't comment on longevity.The two eye pieces are large. I can move my eyes left and right around them and still see a large view. The $15 GSI binos I looked through required perfect eye placement to avoid a black shadow cutting off the view. These are easy to look though. I do not wear glasses. The exit pupils are not perfectly round though. They are brightest in a square area and light shadows outside the square to finish to circles. The Celestrons are the same here, except the Celestrons actually have smaller, brighter exit pupils. I think 6mm vs 4mm. Strange.As I aim angled light through the front lenses, both of the two reflections I see are colored. The eye piece also has one reflection that is colored. All are light blue, indicating single coats. The actual view is true color. The $15 GSI 10x50 I returned had one colored and one white reflection in its front lens. I don't remember if the eye pieces had colored reflections.The zip focus is fast and easy. I have to remember which direction to go for maximum speed, but if I know the direction, I can focus on anything in 1 second. Very sharp focus.I definitely saw a big improvement in quality by switching from a $15 10x50 up to $32 7x35. I recommend these binoculars, but I just want people to know that the field of view is only 75% as wide as claimed, but that other brands I looked though false advertised even worse than that.I think I will return the Celestron model number 71174 to my local target. 5.13 degrees just barely enough to see the pointer stars of the big dipper if I point them in the correct direction to start with. I'm not happy with the 6.8 degrees of these Tascos, but it will give me a chance when I search for M82 and M81. I'll still use both tonight. I really want a true wide view, but I'm getting tired of wasting money on shipping to find a manufacturer that does not lie.
For the money these are good general purpose binoculars. They focus easily and work well for people like me with eyeglasses.UPDATE: 7-2011, binos still fine however, the rubber eyecups that fold in/out for eyeglasses or not have rotted off, just crumbled.These binos are kept inside on a shelf and not subject to sun or weather, although not in a case.
Excellent for marine use ! The 7X power puts you in the right magnification zone for being on the water (any magnification larger and it's too unstable to view due to the wave action). It's recommended that marine use binoculars are to be 7 X 50 but, don't let these little binoculars fool you, they are 7 X 35 WA (w i d e  -- a n g l e), so it's almost as much viewing power as a 7 X 50 marine Binocular but, it takes up a lot less real estate on my small boat (15' Boston Whaler). Small, powerful, crisp image, compact would best describe these glasses. An excellent entry level binocular for Birding, field, or Marine use. Surprising clarity. Just don't drop them !
These binoculars are heavier than I would like and do not allow images to come together for persons whose eyes have degraded with time. For users with better vision than me I expect this is a good product. They are ruggedized to some extent and that helps protect them from accidental dropping.
Very nice item... It was a present for my son and he loved it... We were hicking last weekend and it worked perfect..
en 2000 compre estos binoculares, aunque funcionan ya tiene las huellas del paso del tiempo y de tantas salidas. Me decid&iacute; comprar un nuevo par y estoy muy satisfecho con estos binoculares, me parece que el dise&ntilde;o ha sido mejorado, el tama&ntilde;o es perfecto, el peso razonable, son compactos, ni tan grandes ni tan peque&ntilde;os. Si eres una persona que utiliza binoculares casualmente este modelo te servira mucho. He disfrutado buenos momentos con estos binoculares en mis viajes. Los recomiendo.
I like this binocular. It is very easy and fast the focus setting and image looks great. The focus setting using only one eye (right eye) is a very good idea as it increases the setting speed and it is very important when one is in the wild live.
The product is built well and the right diopter adjustment is tight but moves well. The problem is the right barrel view is only good near the center of the field of view; the remainder is out of focus. The Bushnell Falcon 7x35 (about the same price) has good field of view for both barrels; its right barrel does not have an issue--you can see to the edge.
These are the first binoculars I've ever owned and work decent for the price I feel.  They come with a protective pouch and 4 plastic caps for each of the lenses. The magnification is probably fair for the price point and the item does have a nice quality feel to it. These are not the most powerful binoculars, but if you are looking for something to take a closer peep at with and make out the details from a far, these will work out great for you.  I was even able to make out the craters on the moon.  There are probably smaller binoculars out there that work just as good,  if not better than these. I only say that because these are full size and I feel that for that size they should be more powerful. Not really a negative, just something I wanted to point out in case someone wanted something that was more portable or would take up less space in a bag or something.
After having these binoculars for over a year now using them in all kinds of environments and no fogging up and super clear line of sight.  For the price you cannot go wrong, these are super durable, look great, have carry case and strap with them, and give you great magnification to look through.  I would recommend these to others.
These binoculars were a gift for a bird watcher. My young bird watcher has had many hour enjoying them. I would recommend them for anyone out enjoying nature at its finest.
It is big, blurry, and images of 2 eyes are not aligned (returned this one). Recommend: Pentax 62215 Papilio 6.5x21 Porro Prism Binocular (bought and kept this one)
I did my research before buying.  I am very happy with these binoculars - especially at the price.These are wide angle binoculars.  They are roughly one third bigger field of view than conventional binoculars.  I have not found the 500 ft at 1000 yards field of view in any binoculars at this price.  I have splashed water and mud on them and while not advertised as waterproof, I have not had any problem.  If I do - so what!  They cost about $25!These are not generational optics you can expect to hand down to your children's children (but don't be surprised if you do!)
Only used it a few times. The last time I tried, all lights come on but, just black through view finder. (No lense cap. :))I just wished it would have lasted a little while longer.
I have only had these for a little while now but I've given them some good use in most night time conditions and I'm very happy with it.The use of the unit takes a bit of getting used to, and the focusing takes a bit of practice but I now am able to get good results. The option of variable strength infrared is great and allows for good highlighting of smaller areas.I have found that it is best to know your approximate range and set up the focus to be used within that range limit. My best results have come from the monocular set up on the tripod and swiveled at intended subject area, keeping the eye at the right distance from the eye piece is needed for the best viewing.The unit seemed new and worked well straight from the box (with batteries, I have been through two sets but they have lasted ok...I always have a spare set with the unit).Shipping was ok, not as quick as I would have liked, but I was kept informed about progess, and it was through the Xmas/holiday period.Overall I'm happy with the product and the service and if I ever get the money to go up a couple of generations of night vision I would buy again. My only reason for giving four stars is because I know that there are better/higher levels of night vision available and I don't want to give the immpression that this is the best....but for value this is great quality and fun.D
i tried this and did not like it.  not much magnification and very little night vision.  slightly blurry and hard to see anything.  also, the one eye trick is not one i have mastered.  i returned these and got a pair of night vision binoculars.  very happy now.  yes, three times the price, but i actually can use these.
Very well made and high quality Gen 1 Night Vision Monocular. I have used this both with and without the dual IR light source to see deer in my woods on both moonless and moonlit night out to 75 yds or so. Very good quality for the price. Good for home protection too.
I don't know why they say that these are restricted for CA. I just bought a pair from fry's electronics in Anaheim CA last year. they work as advertised.
This cam is awesome. You know how in scary movies where someone is being filmed in IR their eyes light up real bright? Well... Imagine being parked in one of the most remote areas around... Big Bend National Park for example... Sitting on an overlook with the sole intention of testing this thing out... Turning it on after your car has sat for a bit to let things settle... And then you turn it on and see some eyes coming through the brush not so far away, and along with the eyes the full silhouette of the fox they belong to!That is how this thing worked for me. Watched rabbits eating, foxes searching, and javelina moving around at night too. In short, with a full moon in a dark area, you may as well be looking through a green tinted camcorder in daylight. This thing will see everything that the moon casts light on! With the double IR light, the throw is far enough to where it makes it fun to use this thing since you can ID whatever is running/moving/looking at you in the dark. The price isn't bad either. I bought both the single and double IR versions of this item, the double has a smidge more throw/range to it. Given the choice, I'd opt for the double every time based on the small price difference between the two... In reality though, both are comparable, so if you need to save some bucks go for the single version.
I see some feedback of people comparing this device with other brands or models, ex-military comparing with things not available to the civilian, etc ...Let's be realistic. Bushnell is a mid-range brand, their products are well made and they do perform as indicated, they sometimes perform better than indicated and it is the case for this one.It can be used for distances up to 50-70 yards maximum. The built-in infrared light will light up to 50 yards or so. The lens are clear enough, although of a mid-range quality and the focus is a bit picky to obtain. But for the price I paid ( $200some ) it's a value-for-money device. Do not expect to spot a bad guy in a dark alley at 200 yards, it won't work. Don't use this for security if you need better performance it is not designed nor priced for it. But if you are looking for a unit that is well made, light, small enough to be portable, that you want to spot wild life within a 70 yard radius, this will do the job very well.
I am really enjoying this purchase.  As other reviewers of NVDs have stated, this is not a military class unit (unless you are comparing it to a 1960 era unit), but for $200 who cares.  I have about an acre of land and I can check out the whole yard without a problem.  It is more solid than the picture gives it credit for, and is comfortable to hold.  I would recomend this unit to anyone who just wants an NVD for recreational purposes.
The title really says it all.  While I didn't actually buy mine (business gift), it's something I'd have paid for if I had a need.  It's an excellent unit to keep in your pocket in case you need a better view of things, or your "usual" night vision optic is out of whack.That being said, anyone looking to buy this needs to know two things:Firstly, this is a night vision device, not an infrared device.  While, yes, infrared devices are "technically" night vision devices, this is a standard, light-amplification device.  It is an incredibly good one for the price you pay, but it does not do what an infrared display does.  You cannot walk into a pitch black room and see everything with a heat signature.Secondly, this is a low-end night vision device.  That is not to say it is not good, but it is to say that it is not excellent.  For the price, it is a fantastic value, but if you compare this to other units starting at $600 and going up from there, you will be very disappointed.  That being said, don't do that.This is an excellent device for most hunters, and certainly sufficient to just go out and tool around with because you're bored.  If you need something of "professional" quality, this is the wrong device for you, and honestly... why are you shopping on Amazon and not a proper dealer?
I have the Nova 2 which is identical to this but smaller. The bag itself is okay. I can fit an SLR body plus 3 lenses and small accessories. It is not waterproof but it comes with a plastic cover which can be used to keep rain out. However, none of that matters when there is a seriously weak link. During my first trip with this bag, the clasp that connects the bag to the shoulder strap came undone twice within 3 days, dropping the bag to the ground and damaging some of my lenses. I examined the strap to see what the problem was and apparently it is a design flaw rather than a defect. The 2 clasps at the end of the strap that connect it to the bag are narrow and made of plastic. They can easily be twisted out of alignment, making an opening through which the connecting rings on the bag can fall through. I did not overload the bag, abuse it or misuse it, yet it failed to do what it is supposed to do: carry my camera equipment safely. I had never dropped any of my photo equipment prior to this. I sent an email to Lowepro's customer service department, calmly explaining what happened and requesting that some sort of compensation be made for damage caused by the faulty design of their product, but they simply ignored my letter.I would not recommend this bag or any Lowepro bag to anyone who value their cameras.
This camera bag is a perfect fit for my Nikon Coolpix P80 Digital Camera. I can fit the charger for the camera in the front pocket and still have extra room. In fact I can also fit my digital Samsung Camcorder in with my Camera. This is a really great bag. I was worried that it would be larger than it looked but the bag is very compact.
I really like this bag as it is versatile, and allows me quick access to my gear. The bag comes with a number of dividers that you can use to partition the bag to your own liking. There are more than enough of these dividers for almost any configuration (i.e. you'll probably have some to spare), which is a nice thing.I'm using this bag configured for a Canon 450D (with a 17-55 lens attached), 2 additional lenses (a 50mm prime, and a 100mm macro), and a flash. There is still enough space left for a couple of 58mm filters in the main compartment. A field lens cleaning kit, additional batteries, and computer interface go in the outside pockets. The bag is high enough to hold Canon lenses of up to 100mm while attached to the camera, but is too small to hold my 70-200mm zoom even if not attached.The bag is designed to be opened from the top, which is really nice, as you can easily access its contents with one hand while holding the camera with the other. During rain, this is a bit of a disadvantage, as water can easily get into the bag while the top is open.Even though you could attach this bag to your belt I have found that it is a bit too heavy to cary it that way when loaded with a camera and three lenses. Luckily, the bag also provides a shoulder strap (I have use the shoulder strap to carry the weight, and belt leash to keep it in place. It works well that way), and has a handle on top so you can pick it up like a normal carry-on. I mostly use the bag slung over the shoulder. With the top open it is sufficiently deep to prevent anything from falling out accidentally during movement, and the top flap, even unzipped, can be brought down to sufficiently close the bag to prevent unwanted access. Although this is a nice feature, it becomes a slight hassle when you quickly need to open the bag blindly or with only one hand to change the lens or filter.The bag's outside walls sport nice padding (which, importantly, extends to the bottom, so you can safely store the camera with lens attached, lens facing down). The top opens after you first release a clasp, and then open a zipper that runs all the ay around, and provides a convenient seal against light environment. Should the rain become too hard, the bag also provides a poncho you can drag from the bottom over the whole bag while still allowing relatively easy access.I like the fact that all clasps (except the front flap lock) and zippers are made from metal, making the whole package very rugged. Revealing just how much design went into this is the small leather flap that hides the metal of the inside zipper to protect your camera and lenses from contact with it.After some unsuccessful rummaging with one hand during shooting trying to find a particular filter I have realized that this bag is simply too big to be used that way. Initially I tried to place the filters in the (nice) elastic webs that are on the outside of the bag, but that simply never felt right. I now have a separate small quick-access belt pouch (from Op/Tech) that holds my filters, and use the bag itself only for the camera and lenses. That way I can quickly access filters and lenses with a minim of hassle.All in all I'm very satisfied with this bag, and can recommend it to anyone with a DSLR and more than one lens. The only thing I wish this bag had were lashes to strap on a small tripod.
The Nova 3 is the second Lowepro product I have purchased and, once again, I am very pleased.  (I also own a Lowepro backpack)  The Nova 3 is well constructed, has moveable internal dividers, includes heavy duty zippers and hardware and has a very classy appearance.  I can carry my Nikon DSL camera and three lenses, (70-300, 50 and 28-200) as well as an extra battery, SD cards, lens filters, notebook and pen and lens cleaning supplies.  I especially like the comfortable shoulder strap design and can count on the bag not slipping from my shoulder.  This is a top-notch product, offered at a reasonable price and affords me the knowledge that my camera equipment is safely stored.
Great camera bag holds everything I need to take photos plus. Would recommended to anyone who carries cameras and lenses.
I bought this camera bag to hold my Canon SX10 IS & accessories.  I find the bag to be too large. I bought the bag based on the reviews, but should have been more careful about 2 things:1) Check the product dimensions. This bag is pretty bulky in my opinion. I wanted to carry the camera and a change of batteries.  If you are looking to hold all of your accessories also, this will be a good fit for you.2)  Check the return policy of the shipper. I bought this from seller DBRoth and it turns out they charge a 10% restocking fee on returns, so I'll be keeping this bag instead of finding a smaller bag from them.The good thing about this bag is that it is well padded and will protect the camera. There is also more than ample room (I don't have an extra flash or extra lenses though).  It seems to be well constructed.I just don't like the boxy shape and size of the bag. It seems like overkill for me. I use the camera to shoot wildlife and I'd prefer something smaller that would fit only the camera and 4 spare batteries.  This one is kind of bulky to carry in the woods.  It would be ideal for airport travel.Anyways, depending on your use, this could be for you. It wasn't right for me, but I might as well keep it rather than pay the restocking fee.  Will be looking for a smaller bag from a different seller.
The case is well designed and well made.  I would recomend it to any one.
This is my 3rd Lowepro bag and even though it's small, it maintains the high quality of its larger siblings. I currently fit a Canon 20D with grip, a 28-135 IS, an 80-200 L and a Sigma EF500 Super flash plus all the batteries and cards I need. It took a little work but everything fits, albeit a little tightly. Overall, I can easily recommend this bag!
This product is great with my D700 and my D200 combined.  It holds both bodies, and is tall enough to support both of these with the battery grip included.  There is also enough room for my Nikon 20mm/2.8, Nikon 18/55(these two have to be stacked on top of each other, a divider is provided), and my Nikon 70-300.  I can also throw my Speedlight SB-800 on top.  There is great room in the front or sides to put all of the memory cards you want.Overall, great product.  A little too much though for just one camera and one lens.  Go for something smaller if you aren't carrying several bodies and lenses.
The Lowepro Nova 3AW Camera bag is the perfect size for taking the Canon sx10is on an extended trip.  There is plenty of room for the camera, extra memory chips, a battery charger and even the instruction manual without being heavy or bulky, although it's probably an overkill if you're just going out to shoot a few photos on a day outing.  The hidden rain protector is also a great feature, although it's somewhat awkward to put over the bag. I would have prefered a rain protector that was completely detatchable, although I would then probably lose it.
Space for the camera, manual, extra batteries and all cords you need to download photos off the camera.  This bag is big enough for a small SLR or an SLR-like point-n-shoot.  It seems to be well made and has a nice feature that allows you to protect the bag with a waterproof cover that stores inside one of the pockets.  Pretty cool.  It also has a nice loop on the back of it that would allow you to put it on your belt.  I've used it in combination with the shoulder strap, and the combo makes the bag very secure and comfortable to wear, even if you have to jog a bit to get to the best location for a shot.
I mainly wanted a belt-looped camera case for my Nikon P80.  This beast came, and I knew immediately it wasn't what I'd thought it was.  This was one of those mail-order items that it's too much trouble and too expensive to return.  It will have to do, but if one wants a case for their compact camera there are probably more streamlined versions that would be better.  This one is huge.
Bought this bag for the Nikon CoolPix P80 and fits great. I was very impressed on the quality of this bag! Really, all I can say is it really is a GREAT BAG.
Lowepro as usual contiunes to produce good quality products. Very happy with the bag - adjustable compartments make it great, was able to get my camera, video recorder and accessories in it with no problem. I purchased it for my camera only but was able to get everything into one bag.
Overall, it's a good bag, but I had an unfortunate accident with it early on and my camera fell out (no damage). Yes, it was 90% my fault, but I do think the bag's design contributed.
Good product and I cna hold my Canon 50D with one extra lens, external flash, cable, charger, and lens hoods into this bag
This bag is great. I have it stuffed with an XSI with lens, additional telephoto lens, external flash, extra batteries and charger, manuals, memory cards, small cleaning kit, wired and wireless remotes, hand and shoulder straps, etc. I chose this over a backpack for ease of access when carrying. I can just rotate the bag around, unzip it, and pull the camera out vertically. Nothing spills out. The front pocket is nice that it pivots open in a way that items don't fall out of it either, even if it's packed with stuff. Very well contructed.
Really good quality. Big enough for my D200 with 17-55/2.8 a few more lenses flash and some other staff. But not big enough to wish it smaller:)
This is a well padded bad.  It is as compact as possible but does hold my Canon Powershot SX10 camera and it's cables.My only complaint is there is no pocket or place to put the Canon manual for this camera.  I'm not happy with this.  I copied key pages and folded them into a packet small enough to fit in one of the side pockets.
I can't argue that the dimensions were available, but it seemed as though it would be large enough for a day outing with a camera and an extra lens.  Not so.  My 50D, battery grip, 17-55 lens nearly filled the space.  I was not able to add another lens in the bag while the camera was in it.  A flash would fit in the remaining space, and some small items such as batteries, filters, and the like.  It's a sturdy little bag, and I think it will serve some use as an accessory bag (with a couple of smaller lenses - forget a large zoom) if I don't put a camera in it.  I like the construction, etc., and will keep it - perhaps also purchase a larger bag from Lowepro.  I certainly cannot fault their quality.
Looking for a small bag for your SLR?  Well I'd suggest a Nova 1 bag instead, as this will be too much for your uses.Looking for a large bag for two or more SLRs?  Well this bag is too small.If you however have a SLR, 2-3 lenses and a flash, it's just right.  I carry my Nikon D70s (with a battery grip attached), 18-70, 70-300VR, and 50mm lenses as well as a SB600 flash in this bag.  Any of the three lenses can be attached, and the other two can go along for the ride.  The flash cannot fit attached to the camera, but it fits when you disconnect it.  I even can throw in the AC adapter, extra batteries, extra compact flash cards, and a memory reader.  All of this fits with the top securely zipped shut.  The whole setup is a rather large and heavy affair, but it works well as a carry on.  It seals well, so it's very weatherproof as is, but there is a raincoat thats stowed in the bottom that covers it even better (I don't think I want to be in a rainstorm that necessitates that).  The one thing that can be an issue is that this bag is too much if you're just taking a camera and one lens.  I still have a Nova 1, which serves this function well, and the dividers that came with the Nova 1 came in handy, as this bags allotment was sufficient for most uses, but not mine.
I bought this bag because my new DSLR was far too big for my old camera case. The Lowepro name comes highly recommended among people I know who are serious about their photography and photography gear, so I was happy to find a great price on one second-hand at Amazon.Having used it for two weeks now, I can say I would be just as happy if I had paid full price. There are numerous compartments for every sort of photography gadget, not to mention the customizable main compartment with its velcro dividers. The strap fits over my shoulder quite comfortably even when my bag is loaded down with gear..and believe me, it can hold a lot of gear.  All the zippers and fasteners feel very sturdy and durable, and the zippers operate smoothly.  The bag is well padded and I am confident it will protect my camera and lenses as well as any other soft-body case out there.In summary, I think I have found a brand that I plan to stick with as my collection of hobby gear grows.
I can't comment on the other Nova bags, but the Nova 3 has a very rugged strap attachment.  It's a metal D-ring and a metal clasp.  Zoom in on the photo and you can see it. Overall, this bag is very well constructed and has lots of adjustable internal dividers to customize it for your equipment.  It may be larger than you need for a small camera, but I think it's just the right size for my DSLR (Pentax K10D) plus battery charger, cables, and a short telephoto.  There is still room for one or two additional lenses or an external flash.  Overall, a good buy.
I tested this lens agains latest Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S at 70, 44 and 28 mm.at apertures 2.8; 5.6 and 11.I used the D800 back.At all settings throughout all the field Nikon had much much (!) better sharpness and contrast on the details. (when observed 400% magnification).However at 50% magnification or less the difference was not significant.However at the price about $300 for a used lens, vs $1900 range for Nikon's they are in completely different price groups, so if you can't afford Nikon, you can go for Tamron's. It will be a fair compromise.
First of all, I will say this is an excellent lens. I will not say it is perfect, but to be perfectly honest, nor is the canon 24-70.I have had this lens for about a year and a half, long enough to know how to get the best out of it, and let me tell you, you can get some fantastic results from this lens if you really get to know it. Great sharpness, but not wide open, range, fantastically light and very cheap.Lets consider the optical characteristics. I should preface this with the statement that I use this lens on an APSC, so I cannot comment about the sharpness at the edge of the frame for full frame. Although, there is some decreased edge sharpness on an APSC, it is not that noticeable. If you place high priority on the edge to edge sharpness on a full frame, I would probably be tempted to get the L. Also, if I wanted to shoot wide open all the time, I would also again, probably go with the L. However, and this is important, if you stop down, even a little, the results somewhat dramatically increase. I often shoot at about f/3.2 and the results are good, which is about 1/3 stops down from open, f/3.5 the results are tac sharp with a little loss of contrast that is better by f/4. The interesting thing is, if you consider the centre of the frame at f/4-5.6 it outperforms the L, but only at the center, the edges remain much softer. It takes a little while to master the optical characteristic, but it is well worth the effort to learn, because in the right hands, it is incredibly optically impressive for such a reasonable price. Not quite the same, but for very roughly a third the price, it delivers optics that are only a very small fraction worse.The zoom ring is fairly smooth, and I must say a little smoother than the highly praised tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, but certainly not as smooth as the L. Focussing is nicely weighted, again not fantastic, but certainly better than what many lenses offer. The build quality is a little plastic, but this contributes to the fact that this thing is light. Damn light, and fairly small for a f/2.8 zoom. I mean, if you use this on a body like mine, the lens camera combo is about the same weight as the L series lens on its own. The XR part of the name is a size reduction. The major competitors, L and sigmas 24-70, weight 1.5 and 2 times as much. I can hang this lens + camera around my neck quite comfortably.Now the autofocus can be a little temperamental in low light. Tamron would make a killing if they were to add their new USD + VC on a lens like this. Although, I think Tamron is optically better than the sigma version, the autofocus is not only a little slow and noisy, it can be a little inaccurate for fast moving objects. The sigma and canon variants both has their own patented HSM and USM respectively for autofocus. I have shot fast moving models with this lens, and unfortunately, the number of misses creeps up to be a little inconvenient compared to when I have used the canon version. I should say however, put a flash with an AF assist beam, like my 430EXII, and viola, the focus issues are far less apparent. It is only when shooting without an external flash that the inaccuracies really bug me.A final note on the range. I got this lens primarily for portraits on an APSC, which is a good range. For portraits on an APSC, this equates to ~45-120, which ranges from a "standard" focal length to a short tele. Any shorter than 28mm and you start to introduce distortions, and a FF equivalent of 100mm is a classic portrait range. The difference between the standard 24-70mm is gaining that 70-75mm range and loosing 24-28mm. As a walk-around, the 24mm hurts you more than you the 5mm you gain at the long end, but for portraits, I would rarely shoot under 28mm anyway due to distortions.In short, if you get to know this lens, the results can be fantastic. It's quite outstanding that this lens holds it's own against the L for the price tag. On a budget, the price to performance ratio runs rings around the L.
I went through two of these to avoid spending the $1400 on the Canon 24-70.  The first one had zoom issues- you had to turn it VERY hard to get the barrel to extend.  The second copy seemed OK, until I took it to my daughter's Kindergarten graduation and snapped about 200 photos.  When I got home my wife looked at them and asked why they were all kind of blurry.  And it was true.  They were not terrible, but almost every picture was very soft.  So I set up my camera- a new Canon T2i- on a tripod and compared the Tamron to a Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime, vs a Sigma 18-200mm zoom.  Every time, using the same camera and lens settings, the sigma and Canon returned pristine pictures, all in focus with outstanding color representation.  The Tamron just didn't measure up.  Small details were fuzzy in the Tamron pics.  You may get lucky and get a good copy, but I think, as others have said, you get what you pay for.  The Sigma I have is OK, but it too just does not come CLOSE to the quality you get from a Canon lens. I guess I will have to go for the Canon 24-70 or 24-105...big increase in cost, but I don't want to be wondering if all my pics are bad until I get them to a computer.  Having 3 small kids makes many situations once in a lifetime, and I don't want to get burned again.
I purchased this lens because I couldn't budget three times the cost for the Canon equivalent. I particularly wanted this lens for use in photographing weddings, as well as photographing wildflowers using the shallow depth of field offered by the f/2.8.It's a great lens for photographing flowers, and I'm pleased with the outcome when using the lens at f/2.8. I'm not so thrilled with the quality of images when shooting landscapes though. They seem a little soft at f/11 and greater. I haven't had the opportunity to use the lens for portraiture in low light situations.I do want to mention something that occurred after using this lens for an entire day. When I put on my Canon 24-105 L glass lens the next day, I started getting error messages that my camera had lost communication with the lens. This was my FIRST time ever receiving a message like this, and the only thing I had done different was use the Tamron lens.I cleaned the contacts and so far, so good. Then I read in an online forum that some Tamron and Sigma lenses come out of the factory with some sort of oil (?) on their contacts and this can cause problems. I certainly didn't want to destroy my 7D by using a *cheap* lens, so this was a concern. The contact cleaning seems to have done the trick. I hope it doesn't occur again.All in all, it's a good lens if you're on a tight budget. But if you can afford the more expensive L glass, go for it. There IS a difference. I'll try to remember to report back again, after using the lens for portraiture.
First let me say my first copy of this lens was totally bad, soft at just about every everything under f/8.0. My second copy behaves very well.I'm using this lens on A Pentax K2000 (K-m in Japan), that has the same sensor as the Pentax K200. I have several other lens but my best lens is a Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 and I define sharpness, color and contrast in light of the quality of this lens (one of the better 50mm primes).at f/2.8 it is soft, at center or corners depending on the focal length. Still, testing also shows potential for smaller images after sharpening, especially at the shorter end. My Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 gives much better images at f/2.8.at f/4.0 everything improves a great deal, especially center sharpness but there are still signs of some softness at the extreme corner at some focal lengths. My Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 is still better at f/4.0.at f/5.6 this lens can go "mano a mano" with my Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 and at times I think the Tamron does better. I suspect that both lenses are exceeding the resolution of the camera sensor at this aperture. The fact that this quality at this aperture is so consistent across the full focal length gives the Tamron many points.at f/8 the lens acts a little strange. At some longer focal lengths it is as almost as good as when used at f/5.6 while in the shorter end we get lost in quality. Totally usable and still good at f/8 but the lost of quality is unexpected on the short end, better than f/4.0 at center with no corner softness on the short end but not the same quality as f/5.6.at the longer end sharpness is excellent from f/5.6 - f/7.1, very good from f/8-f/11 and still good from f/13-f/16 with little distortion to talk about.Macro is very good at 75mm f/8.My biggest issue with the lens are as follows: my first copy was bad and too many people write similar experiences. That is not good quality control.My second issue is that from an expectations point of view, at least on my Pentax K2000 camera, the lens seems like a good constant f/4 lens with a f/2.8 in case of emergencies. I would avoid using the f/2.8 aperture if possible (remember, I have a Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 lens and used to very good quality at f/2.8). Now, since I paid $400 for the lens and that is more or less what Sigma would charge for a similar lens and 2/3's of what Pentax would charge for their Pentax SMC-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL SDM (that is a little soft at the long end but wider on the short end) this is a good buy.Were it not for the quality control issues getting this lens would be a simple "YES". As it stands, I'm like, think about it and be ready to test and return if necessary. If you get a good copy you will find it a good value.If I could I would give this lens 4.5 and not 5 stars for the quality control issues.  On the other hand the pictures look really once yo get a good copy.
Got a Tamron 28-75 lens to upgrade my kit 18-55 IS on the Canon XSi. Paid $200 off of e-bay for a used one, and I never thought how good of a lens this is. It came with a hood and hoya filter.I knew that this is a fast piece of glass, but it gets as close to Canon L-series 24-70 f/2.8 as you can. Great low light performance, low noise unless you use 800 iso and greater. I have yet to take it outside for some sunlight shots and will post some pix later.One thing to be aware of - this lens is heavy, althought not as heavy as Canon's L-counterpart, but the weight balance is now messed up on my XSi. If you have a Canon 50d, or a 40d, this lens is just perfect weight-wise.I took some great sports shots w/out flash, and cannot say enought about Tamron after that!The lens is solid-built. One other negative is the zoom ring rotates the opposite way of Canon.For a $200 lens, this is a perfect buy. Was also considering Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, but saw many negative reviews. Get a Tamron if you are looking for a solid, cheap, all-around lens.
I use the nikkor 24-70mm ED 2.8F lens the bought this one. After shooting with the nikkor I felt I was downgrading.
I bought this lens for low-light work, but it almost doesn't disappoint.  The copy I received is sharp, but it still does a little hunting in low light situations where I felt there was enough light.  The build quality is good, but not weather sealed like the Canon L-series. The zoom ring is nice and tight where I really don't need the zoom lock so I sometime forget to set it with no worries.  Overall a great lens.  I am very pleased with it.
stopped focusing a couple hours after I used it. quick customer service and I returned it and bought a sigma. bad egg I guess, but that seems to happen a lot with tamron, or so i have read.
i have been using the lens & clicking 1000's of photos. the major difference between nikon 2.8 lens & tamron 2.8 lens is the tamron under exposes all the time half stop. it is like a 3.5 lens. but at one fourth of a price it is a very good compromise. i love it..
Read almost all 250 reviews and decided taking the risk was worth it.Wrong.IQ was great on the photos that the lens focused on.After about a day of shooting, the lens just stopped focusing on my D90.Just stopped.Did all the tricks that I could think of to kickstart it back to life, (took it off, reattached it, switched the camera on, off etc) but the lens just behaved erratic from that point on. Really sad. I loved the lens. Sharp, light, relatively cheap. Goddamn it Tamron, get your act together.Not sure what I am going to replace this with. I don't feel like giving $1800 away to Nikon. Sigma,even the latest HSM lens seems to have iffy reviews. I don't understand why this is such a struggle.Lens on the way back to Amazon.Update Aug 2012:From sheer lack of practically priced alternatives, I ordered another Tamron 28-75 2.8 from Amazon. This time, I was in luck. It has been a few months now, and it works great. It is light and very good quality...sharp sharp pictures....great IQ. I am not a professional photographer (what I do pays more:)), but I get fairly picky with quality. So there.
Arrived yesterday. Did a quick test to make sure that it worked with my NIKON D3100. Mounts on camera just fine, and AF works too. I took a few indoor shots at night and immediately noticed the difference in low light results compared to my 18-55mm kit lens. Due to the zoom and the focus range, I have found that to be a great walk-around lens but due to unsatisfactory low light results wasn't entirely happy. So wanted something with a better aperture & in fixed aperture category without breaking the bank. This lens should be a good (and affordable) upgrade. Will share more pics once I have had a chance to shoot some more.
I bought this lens for my Nikon D5000 to take photos of my kid doing her gymnastics routine (competitions, parties in the gym, etc).  I have free reign while on the floor so I can move where I need to to line up the shot.  Despite that freedom, 75mm just wasn't long enough for some of the shots.  Not the fault of the lens IMO, but wanted to let everyone know I stayed at 75mm the entire time so most of my shots (and this review) is based on pix taken at 75mm at f/2.8.  That said, I'm a newbie to the SLR realm.  It's my first SLR and bought it so I can take low-light indoor shots, hence the Tamron 28-75mm purchase.First, the reason for the low rating is b/c the autofocus is frequently 'off'.  It either front focuses or back focuses in almost half of my shots.  I enlisted some semi-pro SLR enthusiasts to help me determine this so it's not just me blowing smoke.  I can verify this claim by looking at my photos in the Nikon Capture NX software.  On there it lets me highlight the focal point in the photo as how the Nikon D5000 sees it.  The focal point is always in the middle (I use center AF) but the center is almost always out of focus, despite what I and the software say.  Since I'm always at f/2.8 for the low-light action shots, there's not much room for error b/c of the shallow DOF.  It could be b/c of the slow autofocus.  It's not dreadfully slow, but for fast action sports it's best to look elsewhere if you're relying on AF like me.Silly me, I thought the focus problems were due to only action shots (slow focus not keeping up), but I was wrong.  Even with pictures taken of stationary objects, it will tell you at the time of the shot that you're focused on the center, but that'd be a lie if the frame is full of many different objects.  The camera says the center is locked/focused, but after looking at the picture immediately afterwards, the focal point will be off to the side on some tree just peeking into the frame.  Conversely, when using the Nikon 18-55 kit lens all of the photos are tack sharp, no focus hunting, no OOF shots.  I realize the kit is f/3.5 so I changed the Tamron to the same f/3.5 setting and it still couldn't get the shots in focus.  Sending it back/forth for warranty work is too much of a hassle, especially right out of the box so I just sent it back to Amazon.I was lured to this lens by it's low price, but what's the point if the pictures are out of focus?  I say there's no value in that type of lens, plus it's too slow for action shots.  I've seen fast (friend's Canon 24-70 f/2.8 USM lens) and this lens has a long way to go to catch up with the USM, HSM, SWM lenses out there.  FWIW, the quality of the lens seems top notch, better than my new plastic 55-200 Nikon lens I just bought.  When the lens did focus, the images were incredible.  Despite my rant, I took some beautiful photos with this lens, but only half the time.My hunt for a new low-light lens continues on though.  I have to say f/2.8 wasn't the silver bullet I thought it would be for low-light gym shots.  To keep the shutter speed sort of high (at least 1/200 to freeze motion) I had to keep the ISO set to 1600 or higher so the photos are a little grainy.  Still usable, but I would say barely.  Instead I'm going to look for a 1.4 or 1.8 prime lens to take in more light so hopefully I can lower the ISO to 800 or 1200.Hope this helps the average joe looking for a low-light camera/lens solution.
Ordered a refurbished copy of this lens and was blown away by the pictures it produced. Good quality wide open, and stellar past f/4. Would buy again. My only gripe = plasticky, outdated, "third-party-lens" feel. Although constructed well; it just doesn't have that professional feel, and for the price that's a non-issue. However, my Sigma 17-70 had a aluminum barrel and it inspired a little more confidence than this lens...however the Tamron blew it out of the water with the image quality and constant aperture.You won't be disappointed in this lens. Paired with the K20d, it really shows off that huge CMOS sensor.
I purchased this lens about two months ago for my Pentax kx.  I took it to a recent trip to Cancun, use it on a couple indoor activities with friends, and to a visit to Cincinnati Butterfly Conservatory. So far, I am pleased with the results obtained, but I am still learning how to use it to its full potential.What I like so far:1. The constant aperture helps with indoor activities and when trying to play with low DOF effects.2. Sharpness is good at 2.8, and it gets real good after F4.0. Handheld shooting still gives acceptable sharpness with low light.  So far I have done most of the shooting with ISO at no more than 800, mostly between 100 and 400.  Overall is better than the kit lens.3. Color saturation is very beautiful. On some shots the subjects look like coming out of the frame or picture plane.4. I like the bookeh it creates.  Like I said, the constant aperture makes it very versatile to play with DOF and makes very good effects.5. Lens construction looks and feels sturdy.What I wish was better:1. Focusing can hunt in low light with busy subjects.2. At times it does front focus or back focus when light is poor.  Takes a bit of getting use to adjusting position or selecting the focus location manually. This is what I normally do anyway so it is not a big problem for me.3. It is heavy which probably can be alleviated by getting a neck strap with a bit of padding.4. It is bigger than other  mid-zoom lens options.  For example it is longer (when closed) than my Sigma 28-300, which would be considered a super zoom.As stated earlier I am still learning how to use it.  Sometimes I forget about the shallow DOF  at 2.8 and some of the subject is not sharp. This however is a user fault (me ;o)) rather than the lens.  I suppose the more I practice, the better pictures I will produce with my new lens.Before purchased it, I considered the Pentax 16-55 and the Sigma but I chose this one because:1. The additional long end zoom (75mm). Ended sacrificing a bit of wide angle for the longer zoom.2. The sample pictures I saw on a comparison made by DP review between the Pentax, the Sigma, and the Tamron.  Not all the pictures were better, but the difference was not as great to justify exceeding my budget.3. The fact that it is a full frame (I know my camera has a cropped sensor but the larger image circle helps control vignetting).4. Overall cost. I really wanted to spend less than 500 dollars and this lens fit the bill.Hopefully this helps you in your search.  I will post some pictures to share.  Thanks!
I already had a Canon 17-40mm lens for my 6D as well as a 70-300mm, but I needed a general-purpose &#34;walking around&#34; lens. The 28-75mm range on this Tamron fit the bill, and the reviews were generally good.I have to agree with them: this is a great little lens at a very good price. Focus is fast and accurate, and relatively quiet. DoF when wide open and at close range is very narrow, as expected, but lets you get images that might otherwise need extra light or extra-high ISO with the associated noise issues. The lens is well-built but not overly heavy. Manual focus, when I need to use it, is smooth but not too loose; this is the 'feel' that I prefer so I don't move past the right spot too easily. Image contrast is good, and images are realistic, without being overly warm/cool or saturated.Unless I know I'm going to need the more extreme ranges of my other lenses, this one stays on the camera.
This lens is a great buy. It is a fraction of the cost of the Nikon equivalent. With such a great discount you have to expect somewhat less performance. However, this lens still does a great job.This lens is very sharp above f/4.0. At 2.8 is tends to have a some chromatic abberation (CA). You will be able to see this a bit at 100% zoom levels in some pictures. It is not bad, but it is present.I've also noticed that the lens has a bit of edge softness when I'm shooting in a high-light setting (i.e. outside or when I'm dousing a subject in studio strobes). The photos are perfectly metered (I checked the camera's meter against my handheld light meter) and it just seems that when there is a lot of light, the elements in the lens ghost the edges. When I realized that this wasn't CA but was more like internal flare from the elements, I decided to experiment on how to fix this. What I've found fixes this is shooting a stop down. I typically just set myNikon D7000to shoot one stop lower than metered when I use this lens in a high light setting. I've noticed that I don't get the edge glare and then I can easily add the light back by adjusting the exposure inAdobe Photoshop Lightroom 3. This might sound like a lot of work, but if you automate the import settings in Lightroom, you never know the difference.Even though I've just talked at length about the softness issues of this lens, I need to point out that the issue is rather minimal and most people won't notice it. I had some prints made after getting this lens (without any corrections) and I could not notice the softness. If you are seeking a perfectly tack sharp image, get a prime lens. Less lens elements means less interference with the light.The zoom range of this lens is very nice. 28mm on a DX sensor is really like 42mm on a full frame and 75mm is actually 112.5mm (113). It is still a nice zoom range though. I shot a wedding a few weeks ago and I used this lens about 85% of the time. The only other lens I used was an 18-200mm zoom to take longer shots and get the more wide angle looks.The auto focus is not as good as in a Nikon lens. This does not mean the auto focus is not good. It just means that Nikons are a little quicker, don't hunt as much, and are a little quieter. That said, this lens still focuses well. It is not distractingly loud; even in a quiet room. I can hear the motor because I have my head up against the camera. However, when I've asked no one else can hear it really. I am still very satisfied with the auto focus.The construction of the lens is plastic. It does not have a cheap feel nor does it feel flimsy. The plastic body keeps the weight down which is nice. After carrying this thing around for 8 hours, I was glad it didn't weigh twice as much.The lens hood is nice, but it is a little stiff going on and coming off. I'm always a little concerned I might snap it.The rear lens cap is worthless. I replaced it with a Nikon rear cap and never looked back. The front lens cap is great and it works just as well as the Nikon brand.Overall, I would purchase this lens again. I have been very happy with it. At less that 1/3 the cost of the equivalent Nikon lens, I believe this product performs quite well. If you train yourself with this lens, you will produce very nice photos and be happy with it.-Cheers!
So you know where this review is comong from, I am an amateur. I have a Canon XSi/450D, and about 1.5 years of DSLR experience.I thought that the new kit I got was so difficult to learn, but it turns out that my kit lens was just not so good.The fact that a petal hood is included makes a nice plus, and the lens cap is the type you squeeze together from the front, so it's easy to get on/off with the hood in place. I leave it on 99% of the time. Good protection.This Tamron was a great choice for an all-around lens.Usually wide enough, and can zoom in for nice bokeh in the background of portraits.The sharpness(especially on a crop sensor) is outstanding from f/4 on up. At f2.8, it's a touch soft for me, but still very usable up to 8X10" prints. Much sharper wide open than the "venerated" Canon 50mm 1.8 II, even at f/2.8. I sold my "nifty fifty" after getting this lens, becasue it is more flexible, and I never liked the shots I got between 1.8 and 2.8 anyway. Too soft.In professional reviews, this lens is sharper than the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L! I have confirmed that in a store on my body. I compared their L to the Tamron with a magazine full of text. The text (especially away from center) was MUCH sharper with the Tamron than the Canon L! Much.So, 1/3 the cost, and half the weight. The canon lens is weather sealed, and moslty a metal chassis. If those two items are important to you, then get the Canon. Otherwise, the Tamron is the way to go.I also considered the Sigma 24-70 f2.8, but the weight, filter size and flare resistance were all better with the Tamron.This lens works great. My only caveat is that the zoom movement is opposite to the canon lenses, which is a little disconcerting when you switch, but not a big deal.
I've had the Tamron lens for about a year now.  When I first got it I was thrilled with the bokeh, color, and quality of the images. But after a little time went by, I discovered that the lens is only sharp when I use the center focal point to focus. It is both difficult to focus and soft (back focusing) if I try to use any of the outer focal points.The solution is to focus and re-compose, and while I don't mind doing that, sometimes when you're at 2.8 and zoomed all the way in, the movement required to re-compose creates an out of focus image.This has been my go to "walk around" and "family snaps" lens, but because of the focusing problems, I would never use it in my professional work.It is a really good consumer lens, far better than a kit lens. If only it were as sharp on the outer points as it was in the center, It'd be perfect.  Sadly, I've had to replace it with the Canon 24-70mm 2.8L.
I don't have "L" lenses to compare it to, but Tamron is sharper than my Canon 50/1.8 . The colors are great. It's a truly great lens at very decent price.
I have purchased this lens expecting to use as my standard lens for event photography.At first I though it was an adjustment in the camera, but doing all possible adjustments I was not able to get a sharp shot.I'll put it for sale and will go for a Nikkor instead.. Dissapointing.
When I sold my Rebel XS and made the jump to the Canon 5d Mk II, I knew I would be using the option for my 17 - 55 EF-S lens and I was left with only an empty pocketbook as well as my 3 EF lenses (a 100mm 2.8 Macro prime, a 50mm 1.4 prime and an 70 to 300mm EF lens).Though full frame offered me a much wider view with my 50mm 1.4, I really wanted something a little more versatile for the proverbial "Everyday Lens".  I tried the Canon 28 to 135 3.5 - 6.0 F lens and like it quite well.  However, I wanted something a little faster so I started looking at the l series 24 to 70 f2.8 lens.  It quickly came apparent that it just wasn't financially feasible so I started looking at third party lens options and have eyed this lens for a little over a 9 months.  I finally took the plunge this week.Pros:  regardless of what I have read in other reviews, this lens seems to focus just fine (and as quickly as any canon lens I have used).  The pictures are sharp and when using faster F ratings, I find the "Bokeh" to be completely fine.  It is built well, feels solid and is not too heavy.Cons:  Well, the first thing I did was to put the lens on, set it to 2.8 and set it to 28mm.  Lets see what it can do!  Snap..  Vignetting.. Point elsewhere, Snap..  Vignetting.. Granted, I realized my ISO was set to 6400 and I was utilizing AV mode (And was getting very high shutter speeds).  So, I set the ISO to 400 and tried some lower shutter speeds..  the Result, vignetting that was less extreme (although still vignetting).  I set the F up to 4.0 and snapped a picture and everything was fine..  Likewise, at 2.8, I zoomed in a bit more and vignetting seemed to disappear the farther I zoomed in.I contacted Tamron via email to ask them about it and they were very quick to respond.  I sent them the high shutter speed shots and they reviewed and recommended a lower shutter speed of course.  They even offered to have me send the lens in for inspection.  I was extremely pleased with there response time and willingness to assist.I am a professional videographer with a love for photography.  I never really higher out for photography sessions but have done a bit of peripheral work when videographing events.Overall, Even with the vignetting issues, I find this lens to be completely acceptable especially considering the price range of it.  If I shoot at f4, I am fine and for the most part, this will be fine for my needs.  In all fairness, when I open the pictures in Photoshop and apply "Lens correction", the vignetting experienced at 2.8 pretty much goes away so though it requires a little more editing, It is still acceptable to me (as I would do lens correction any way on any 28mm shots).I had the opportunity to try the Canon L Series 2.8f 24 to 70 lens and It did not vignette at all.Conclusion:  If you are budget minded and don't mind Lens correcting when shooting at 2.8F 28mm, then I believe you will find this lens to be a good buy.  However, If you shoot wide quite a bit at 2.8, you may find the vignetting annoying. If you shoot at 4 and need a solid and cost concious alternative, I would definitely recommend this lens.Please note, I have not tried this on an APS-C sensor but I would have to believe that Vignetting would not be an issue on a camera with this Sensor.My sister purchased my Rebel XS so I will try it on it and post my results when I complete testing.Cheers!
This lens performs very well, it's a little soft focusing but other than that I really like it.  I would purchase other tamron lenses in the future.
I've used a ton of different lenses and this one is the one that I like the most besides my friend's canon 24-70L lens. The shorter lenses like the stocker 18-55 isn't very zoomable but does have a wide angle aspect. The digital SLRs with 1.6 or 1.3 crop factors benefit greatly from the 28-75mm lens for uses where ultra wide and telephoto is not required. This is a very useable walk about lens. the fast 2.8 aperature is very helpful.For the price, you can get other canon or non-canon consumer grade lenses that may have a bit more 'reach' than the 75mm reach of this lens, BUT, they have either much slower lenses (harder to take low light situations without a tripod) or even with image stabilization (that this one doesn't have) or the image quality is far less.You will be VERY surprised with the quality of this lens. I have never been one to blindly buy a lens just because it is a Canon lens. Even some of the "L" lenses are easily comparable to the off-brand sigma or tamrons.
I played lens lotto, taking a chance on getting a good copy of the Tamron 28-75 2.8 in Nikon mount.  Apparently I hit the jackpot, because this lens is great:  sharp wide open throughout the zoom range, renders out of focus areas nicely (better than the Tamron 17-50 VC in my opinion),  has zippy focus even in low light, and has a perfect zoom range for me.  Some will want more on the wide end, as 28mm is not very wide on a crop-sensor camera.  However, as I enjoy taking portraits more than landscapes, I find the zoom range ideal; plenty wide for me.  I can get a good group shot indoors, compose a wide variety of portrait shots with stunning head and shoulders captures at 75mm and still get PLENTY of landscape scenes in at the wide end. I purchased this Tamron as my vacation lens.  I was tired of carrying around a 70-200 2.8 and two primes (35 and 50).  This lens will probably, however, live on my camera most of the time.
I have used this lens for many months on my Canon T2i and I have to confess I am not impressed.I bought it to use as a walk-about lens to replace my Canon 28-135 (filled with dust after years and years of use).  I am a serious amateur and usually take portraits and landscape images and I was excited about the f/2.8 since my Canon has f/3.5-5.6.  However, I didn't realize how important the Image Stabilizer was in my photography.  With the IS on in the Canon lens I can handhold shots at the widest aperture in fairly low light and get focused shots.Not so with the Tamron.  If you shoot at f/2.8 you better have your image focus dead-on since that wide aperture gives you no safety net.  A bit of movement forward or backwards and your main focus is going to be soft.  So I end up bringing up the aperture to 8 or so (which negates the purchase for the f/2.8) and then I don't have enough light to hand-hold the lens to take the shot in anything but really bright light.  It is really frustrating...Perhaps I received a bad copy of this lens because I don't find it very sharp even in bright light.  And I seem to have more noise with this lens than my 28-135.If you are a serious amateur who loves to take photos of their friends and family in anything but bright light and also want a lens to drag around on your trips, I would suggest checking out the 28-135 or 18-135.  I am going to purchase one of these lens as my new walk-about lens.  I really regret spending the money on this Tamron.
I have had this lens for over a year and still have yet to have any issues with it.  It is tack sharp, provides lovely bokeh and can even be used as a faux macro on the 75mm end.  I got this lens when I was still a hobbiest shooter and have since gone pro, 2nd shooting weddings and doing child/family portraiture.  This is my go-to lens, especially for outdoor work, as I prefer fast primes indoors.  I still haven't found any reason to upgrade to the canon 24-70L.  I rented it and didn't see all that much difference in quality.  My next purchase will be the 70-200 and I am hoping to have the same great luck as I did with this one.
Well I am kind of a slow shopper/researcher when it come to my camera and lenses. I take my time read reviews visit the camera shop try a few out think about it go back try them out some more. This lens made that an easy process by having great reviews and tested perfectly in my visits. I have had the lens a while now and I use this as my primary lens for traveling or walking around and doing street photography and it is extremely reliable. I have had no regrets at all with this lens.The Awesome- Price - About 1/3 the price of the Nikkor lens.- f2.8 that is constant over the entire zoom range- Minimum focus distance of 0.33m allows you to get close- Very sharp images in the center at all times and most of the time on the edges- No noticeable vignettingThe Good to Okay- Plastic but feels solid- Did not notice any lens creep- Good Auto Focus SpeedThe Wish List- Image Stabilization- The add on parts are not so good. Lens hood still allows a lot of flaring and the back cap does not fit well.
I mentioned 'budget' in headline, please note that sometimes 'Budget' doesn't mean a compromise on quality. Quality of pics i get is top notch. Compromise is just on focal range, lack of IS, lack of weather sealing and probably less life than L lens.I got Canon 24-105 L F/4 IS lens with my Canon 6D (Full Frame) which i could never love since i mostly shoot indoors and take pics for my young child for which i need faster shutter speed keeping ISO in limits.With a full frame, i can use higher ISO without much issue. So, on paper 24-105 F/4 IS L is a formidable lens - 24mm wide while allowing decent zoom range, image stabilization, weather sealing, constant F/4 max aperture. It was focusing well. I don't know why but i could never fell in love with it.I purchased a used copy of Tamron 28-75 F/2.8, used it side by side with 24-105L and finally sold 24-105. This Tamron doesn't really complete with 24-105L, instead it competes with 24-70 F/2.8 L.What i Like:1) Very much usable at f/2.8 and get very sharp at F/3.5.2) Nice colors3) Good for portraits. Yes, i also use Canon 135 mm F/2 L so i know what is quality and sharpness.4) It is tougher than my expectation. It may not be built as a L lens but for me, it survived a 2 feet fall on hard marble floor without any kind of damage. No, i won't drop it from more height to add spice to this review :)5) Small size and light weight with this focal range make it excellent walk around / general purpose lens.What i miss:1) 28mm is not really wide enough, those extra 4 mm on wide side matters. For wide angle situations, i need more switches to my 17-40mm F/4 L which is also an excellent lens. If this Tarmon had 24mm, i could be switching less often.2) Although i don't really miss extra 30mm on tele side as compared to 24-105mm L, that extra focal length can give you more flexibility.3) Lack of IS. IS comes handy for shooting videos and hand-held low light situations specially when shooting still life.4) Obviously you shoudn't expect built quality of a L lensIt was a difficult decision to purchase this Tamron mainly due to auto focus accuracy issues. With my Canon 6D allowing Micro AF adjustment, i got the courage and purchased a used copy on ebay. I know that ebay is full of lenses which need focus adjustment. My copy needed some good micro adjustment but finally, i am able to get perfectly focused pictures from it.My advise to you is to be cautious in buying this lens if your camera doesn't have Micro AF adjustment.Lens i own:1) Canon 17-40 F/4 L2) Tamron 28-75 F/2.83) Canon 50mm F/1.44) Canon 85mm F/1.8 (might sell soon just because i am using it very less, else it is very good for portraiture)5) Canon 135mm F/2 L6) Canon 70-300mm IS USM (will sell it for 100-400 L)Out of above all mentioned lenses, if i need to do a family vacation with just 1 lens, it will be Tamron 28-75 with little regrets!Tamron also makes 24-70 F/2.8 VC (image stabilization) but it is costlier and uses 82mm filters. I have most filters at 77mm and don't wish to incur the expenses of upgrading to 82mm at this point of time, else after using this 28-75, i feel confident with Tamrons.
I bought this lens for doing candids at a wedding. I wanted some reach yet a bit wider angle for group shots. This lens fit the bill perfectly on my Nikon D90. It's built like a tank, so obviously a bit heavy, but I'd rather have that than a cheap lens. The images were sharp and the bokeh was decent, the only thing I was a bit displeased with is the auto-focusing tended to be a bit slow. Other than that, it's an excellent buy.
I was excited to get my hands on this lens and spent the last 3 days taking pictures of everything and anything. In Arizona there is no shortage of sunshine, so these pictures were under "ideal" light conditions.First few shots taken from the office window looked pretty fuzzy. I set the camera to full auto and they seemed better. Over the next few days I experimented with various settings and found the lens rather hit and miss with focus. Items that should have been obvious point of focus were not always so. A few "difficult" images of mesquite tress came off with nothing in focus. Comparing to the stock lens, and similar pictures I'd taken with an EF-S lens I'd had, I was rather peeved with it's out of focus images. It was much slower than a canon USM lens and had real trouble in low light finding a focus point too.I was impressed with indoor shots of fruit using flash, very detailed.People have remarked on the focus ring turning while you hold on to it, which it does, but you learn not to. The reverse thread is also something you pick up on quickly, so neither of these are an issue I feel.Also found when comparing photos with the stock 18-55mm my canon XTi came with there was a distinct red tinge to the outdoor pictures taken with the tamaron lens. Nothing photo shop won't fix but a bit strange. Both lenses had B&W; UV filters.Conclusion, I may have had a bad lens, it did work well when it could focus. Build quality was also quite good.It's going back and I am going to spend a few hundred more and get the canon. 6 year warranty was nice touch, but I'd probably stick with a fixed focus Tamron lens on a future purchase.
What can't I say about this lens?!  I am extremely happy with this piece of glass. Perfect for portraiture work, great depth of field and very well constructed.  I had been eyeing the Nikkor version of this lens, not bad at all and totally worth it, but for the quality and the price, the Tamron was simply too good to pass up!  28-75mm at 2.8 for a reasonable price, you would have to be crazy to pass this lens up.I was looking to purchase a decent portraiture lens, not sure exactly what would best fit my needs.  I asked everyone on the forums, friends and pro shooters and a really good friend let me take their 28-75 out for a spin and it was exactly what I was looking for.  Now I can confidently say that I have a lens I like just for portraits.  If you are semi-pro or pro, I think you will be very happy mounting this on your camera.
crisp clear photos and great price compaired to other prices. love my tamron lens will buy more for sure love it
This lens is exactly what I needed to replace the generic lens that came with my Sony A55.  While that lens was great in and of itself, it was eaten by a monster during our last move.  I purchased this with the express purpose of taking pictures while at school and while I didn't get to take those pictures for various reasons, I have taken lots of other pictures with it.  All of the pictures have turned out great and I love them!  I now have two Tamron lenses for this camera and they both work perfectly!Would highly recommend with no hesitation.
I've had this lens for about two years and it's served me OK (for the price).This lens has focus issues. I can't recall if it's always been like that or if it got like that lately. The point is, had I known that I would be somewhat unhappy with it just 2 years after purchase, I would have saved my money and gotten a Cannon instead.
Good lens. Great pics and clarity. Solid feel and good addition to my collection of lenses. Will be using it as my prime lens.Bharesh Dedhia
I got this lens as used through Amazon market place for D700, from KEH. It didn't come with a box, manual etc, but the lens looked like a new and works perfect.Tamron 28-75 2.8 is one of the most popular 3rd party lenses and I'm pretty sure everyone reading the reviews on this page already have read a lot of other 'eviews on the web. I did that too, and here're my impressions from about couple of month of readings of reviews on the web.1. It's light and compact2. It has decent center resoulution, but borders are soft especially in wide aperture'.3. sample variation (QC not so good)4. AF is slow.5. Cheaply made, too much plastic.6. Still pretty good lens considering its price (1/3 of Nikkor 24-70)Here are my experience regarding the points above.Before that, I'd like to let you know that I'm using this lens with Nikon D700, FX format camera. This lens on DX cameras will give you much better experience.1. Yes, it's light and compact. It's the lightest mid-zoon lens available for Nikon on the market. 1/2 weight of Nikkor 24-70 and 2/3 of Sigma 24-70.The size and weight of this lens make it a perfect solution for people who need a compact lens for everyday use, but don't want to constantlychange prime lenses. Probably the weight of this lens combined with the bodies like d300 or d700 is the maximum weight to carry for someone with other bags to carry. Nikkor 24-70 combined with D700 is almost 4 lb.2. Resolution is pretty good, IMO, especially at wide end. Reviews on the web point out that this lens suffers from border softness, but I'm using this lens on FX format camera and no problem on border sharpness from f4. At f2.8, center is still pretty good and border sharpness is not usually important for the shots taken with f2.8. However, mine is quite soft even at center at around 50-70mm focal lengths, even at f4. It's not terrible, but still noticeable. It can be just mine because most of reviews on the web says center resolution is excellent for all aperture and zoom range.3. I haven't tried other copies.4. I disagree with this. Mine is BIM (built in motor) version, which is konwn to have a slow AF, but mine focuses pretty fast. I have no complaint about Af  speed. Compared to 50mm f1.4D which is known to have a fast AF, Tamron 28-75 is not siginificantly slower than 50 1.4D. Again, it's for my copy and there may be sample variation.5. agree/disagree. If someone have seen Nikkor 24-70, it surely is cheaply made. It uses a lot of plastic, which makes it light, but I wouldn't say it's cheaply made. Also, lens mount is metal unlike some other "cheaply made" lenses.One gripe is that the zoom ring is little loose. If you don't lock the zoom ring (at 28mm) and walk while holding the camera, you may fine the zoom ring at around 50mm.6. Yes it is. Even if you don't consider its price, it's still a reasonably well performing mid-zoom lens. It may be the only solution for a compact mid-zoom lens for Nikons. If you can give up constant f2.8, there might be other lenses to consider, but if you need a compact mid-zoom lens with constant f2.8 for Nikon, it's for you.Even if there are some weaknesses, it's 1/3 price of Nikkor. I recommend this lens for amateur photographers who look for a compact mid-zoom lens.If you are a professional photographer, probably you wouldn't even open this page : )
I really wanted to like this lens and on a independant product site on lenses  this had a good review.  Some others on amazon have rated it highly. The lens certainly has a solid build on all exterior surfaces. I tested the lens outdoors in sunlight, cloudy days, indoors with and without a flash. I shot with a variety of shutter speeds, f-stops, and modes. In the end though when looking at images at 1:1 the were unacceptably soft.  The images may have been OK for the web or small prints, but for a lens in this price range I was expecting more.  The time estimate for the lens to be recalibrated was longer than I wished to wait. I may have received a lens with QA problems or some other type of processing problem. I am currently looking at other lenses.
Great for the price. Solid Macro shots. Auto zoom is a little slower than normal but I never use auto zoom anyway!
I've purchased this Tamron lens back in 2006 and it has been my favorite go-to lens ever since.  My brother in-law is a prime Canon L lens snob (lol), but even he gets amazed with some of the photos I've taken with this versatile zoom lens. I don't mind the plastic construction at all since it ends up being very light-weight and it has been perfectly sturdy over the years. I find it amusing that the price of the lens has been steadily increasing over the years, but it's not surprising given its performance and quality. I have several primes of my own, but I hardly ever grab those other than for specific needs such as for wide angle or for telephoto. This lens will give you the L glass performance at a fraction of the price. Please see my hummingbird photos  for examples.
I added this lens to my collection because I was looking for a general walkaround lens to replace the 18-55 kit lens.  I was looking for better sharpness and better low light performance and this lens really delivered.  I took some outdoor photos of an egg toss (around dusk) and it took tack sharp photos with beautiful color throughout the images.  Focusing was quick and the zoom range really hits that sweet spot - if I want ultra-zoom or ultra-wide for specific circumstances I can add those lenses later.  Lens also has very good bokeh when you open up that aperture.  This lens held its own indoors, but I routinely rely on my Canon 50mm 1.8 for fast shudder speeds in very low light.
I bought this lens for a wedding based on the good reviews and the fact that it will get down to 2.8.  I have also used the Canon L lens and a Sigma lens, both roughly the same features.  While the lens is fine, it's no where close to my Canon lenses.  Canon's are so much crisper and more clear at all ranges.  Overall this lens is okay but just that, okay.The lens feels cheap and very plastic.  The focus is very quiet even though it is not an ultrasonic motor.  Turning the zoom is stiff and also feels like plastic rubbing on plastic.  The photos I took came out fine and I did appreciate the wide aperture.  Next time I'll remind myself to stick with Canon.In the end I'd say this lens is decent for everyday use and much better than other within it's price range.  I think Tamron needs to rethink some parts of it and then they'll have a true winner.
This is the perfect all purpose lens it covers everything i would need. The picture quality is outstanding I highly recomend this product
Just bought from AllAboutElectronics through Amazon. Never touched it before, chose based on on-line search and my foto needs. Not as bulky and heavy as I was affraid it would be. Nice feel, good balance with Pentax K2000d. About 1/2" longer than kit 18-55mm lens and a bit wider. I was shooting very fast running pets, haven't noticed much noise during focusing. One needs to get used to slight resistance of the zoom ring but the controls layout is very user-friendly. Very fast focusing, excellent colors even under cloudy conditions at 5-6 pm, SHARP! First impression that the image quality is close to 1:1.9 43mm Limited... Not cheap but worth every penny!
I have always used just Canon lenses.  After a Canon broke on me after a year and a half and was out of warranty I thought I would try this.  It is a very nice lens with good quality and the 28-75 is so universal that I don't use my 70-300 Canon much any more.  The 2.8 Aperature is very nice at the full 75MM.You will like it.
There are lots of reviews for these I wouldn't recommend it for a full frame DSLR but for the 7D and the Rebel line, this lens excels!
This was my first purchase of a Tamron lens and I've been extremely happy with it!  The qaility of the photos I'm now taking is simply amazing.  I've used the Pentax equivalent of this lens and Tamron does every bit as well for almost half the price.  Very impressed and pleased!
I purchased this lens as my "walk around" lens. I wanted something that I could keep on my camera most of the time and use it in many different scenarios. So far I've used it outdoors, indoors with flash at a party, around the house, in our sunroom....it's very versatile! The photos are very sharp as well. I'm very happy with this purchase!
Bottom line: This lens is what I like to refer to as "Good Money Spent". I am very impressed with the clarity and color balance in both natural and indoor light. This full frame lens is nearly a perfect match for the 24 mega pixel A850. It is a little heavier than the standard issued lens (18-24 DT) but it's not heavy and it will be great to travel with. (I posted several pictures of various flowers on the amazon site. The originals are better)The one problem that I do have is the auto focus. It can have trouble locking on when I'm within 18 inches of my subject. But then again, how often is that going to happen.
It doesn't work as well in low light as I'd like but that's a limitation of F2.8.  Okay for indoor sports so far (volleyball, basketball) but not the same speed and quality as my Canon 85mm f1.8.
Hi,I bought and used this lens for a wedding shoot and then some outdoor family portrait shoots.  The results were not good.  I'd say about 80 percent out of focus.  It would've been less but I shoot fast - point, compose, lock focus, tune holding the focal point, shoot.  And I fire three times per important shot, or bracket depending on the sit.  I'm sure if I refocused after composing I'd have a better shoot but, and here's the but ~ I paid 500 bucks for a lens to work.  Not for a lens to miss all the time.  The kit lenses never miss.  Is this lens better than the kit lens?  Absolutely!  When this lens does hit it's amazing.  But if you're doing fast photography were you can't recreate or pose the moment then this lens isn't very good at all.  I'm actually returning the lens and I'm going to try the Sigma.  Why?  I like pain I guess.  Ultimately I know only the 2K Nikon lens will work, but again, wth, the kit lenses for a few hundred bucks are very good.  Why can't they make a lens for a few hundred more that really works?  And before anyone flames me I have to say my experience with lenses is relative.  I don't think you need to spend 7K for a camera kit.  One of my favorite cameras is the D40 with decent lenses.  My clients love the photos, I've gotten over 80 referrals directly due to that camera.  It's easy to use and it almost never misses.  The photos are exactly as intended without PS'ing.As for this Tamron, it's okay and it's beautiful all at the same time.  When the focus is on oh my  what a beautiful photo.  If you're on the move though and shooting in the moment, don't trust it at all.
Given the price, this is an awesome "all-round" lens for regular people and even low-level commercial work.  I use this lens constantly for it's versatility.  My picky eyes can see that the bokeh isn't as good as a prime or a more expensive lens, and the image gets a tad blurry at the edges when zoomed out, especially at f/2.8, but normal people don't notice that stuff.  Bottom line, if you're a hobbyist that can't afford a lens over $550, or just want a better lens than that stock piece of crap that came with your camera I highly recommend this lens.  If you don't want to juggle a bunch of lenses, even if you're shooting indoors or outdoors, this lens won't let you down.
Received this lens a couple of days back and have been playing with it since.I own an SLTA57 and there were only a couple of options to complement the awesome 10-24mm from Tamron and my next purchase, a 70-200mm/f2.8. I currently rely on the Sony 55-200 and the Minolta Beercan for telephoto ranges but wanted slightly more range for portraits than the Sony 50/f1.8.The 18-55/f3.5-5.6 stopped cutting it for me some time back. What I was looking for in the lens was sharpness across the frame, good color saturation and noise control. I have DXO and Lightroom so distortion and vignetting could be accounted for somewhat.I am glad to say that this lens delivers on all parameters. Yes, it's not the sharpest fully open at the wide angle end but that's not where I, or most people, would use this lens (and I have the 10-24 as I mentioned). The sharpness and colors at the long end wide open are very good, as can be seen in one of my sample images. The constant aperture really shines through when capturing pics of slowly moving objects, like my baby, even in limited light.I have another sample image where I've used the level guide in my camera to get what should be a relatively perfect horizontal shot with parallel lines (buildings) on both ends of the frame. Barrel distortion is almost non-existent to the naked eye at f/8 and 28mmQualitatively, the lens is hefty but not a pain to hold for longish durations. The hood is a good accompaniment although, it goes without saying, don't use it anywhere close to wide-angle end with the onboard flashI got a B+W filter with the lens and I can tell the difference in image quality between this lens and the beercan where I wasn't so generous with the filter, so definitely get a good quality one.As for potential competitors, the CZ16-80 (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SAL-1680Z-16-80mm-3-5-4-5-Vario-Sonnar/dp/B000JE5CKA) isn't constant aperture and is almost twice the cost of this lens. Ditto on the cost front for the Sigma 24-70/f2.8 (http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-24-70mm-2-8-Standard-Nikon/dp/B001NEK2QO) with the Tamron supposedly better in low light than Sigma.If there is one gripe I have about this lens, it's the fact that it's a bit noisy when hunting for focus. It doesn't hunt for long at all, so the problem isn't the duration. It's just that you're likely to encounter some issues with the AF noise if you're shooting video through the DSLR, especially if using the onboard mic. I didn't find it too intrusive so won't ding the lens too much but it does bring the rating down a star.To sum up,PROS:1. Sharp and relatively distortion free2. Good low light performance3. Haven't noticed zoom creep so far4. Very affordableCONS (minor):1. AF noise2. Doesn't come with a soft carrying case (I'm just picking on Tamron because Sigma offers one)
This is the best "general use" lens I've seen. It's a definite upgrade to the kit lens that comes with most XTs. It is versatile, sharp and a pleasure to use.You won't be disappointed with the flexibility and quality of this lens.I'm not normally a person to buy an "off" brand. But this tamron is fantastic!!!
little slow on the focus, but it's not an ultrasonic so I can't really complain. Nice Bokeh though! Nice glass
I purchased this lens because I wanted a faster lens with a decent zoom range but did not want to spend $1,200. After reading many great reviews on this lens I bought it. So far I am very impressed. Auto focus is quick and accurate, not loud either. Pictures look very sharp and accurate. It is kind of a large and somewhat heavy lens but that really doesn't bother me. It is built very well with high quality materials.Update 8/21/12: After using this lens for a few months I am still extremely happy with it. It has tack sharp focus and has been producing great photos for me. I'm also extremely impressed that it pretty much never misses focus. If it does than it's due to my error. My Tamron 18-200 misses focus all the time. Not sure why that is.Anyway, this lens hardly ever comes off my camera. I love it!
I've owned this lens for a few months now. It is very sharp at all focal lenghts. It is plenty sharp at f2.8 but sharper as you approach f4.0. Other aspects of picture quality are also very good. Color and contrast are nice. Distortion, CA, and vignetting are non-issues. Focussing is fine to me - fast enough and quiet enough. I don't miss IS on this lens as pictures come out well focused, sharp, and clear most of the time. In terms of picture quality there is no comparrison between this lens and the kit lens.Build quality of this lens isn't too great, however. The zoom ring is somewhat stiff, although it seems a little smoother now after being used for a while. I personally don't mind the light weight or plastic.I highly recommend this lens if you need a zoom lens with this focal range.
Well, I like others, did not want to like this lens. I wanted an excuse to buy an L series lens, the 24-70. I rented it just to SEE if I liked it but I expected that it would just take "ok" pictures and that I would still want the Canon. That said, I REALLY liked this lens. I had it for a week, I shot 4 portrait sessions - a newborn, 3 month old, 4 year old, and a maternity session. I was so happy with ALL of my photos, great bokeh and the colors were so good! The quality of this lens really helped cut down my editing time. I shot a session in the morning and by that afternoon, i had 70 something pictures to give to the client because all I had to do was a few minor adjustments and we were good to go. The lens was really sharp and just the right amount of DOF, I could center focus on the eyes and the whole body of the kid I was photographing would be in focus with the background just blurry enough. I pretty much shot at f 28 the whole time but I did some landscape photos with various other apertures and was pleased with those photos as well.I haven't used the 24-70 Canon lens, so I can't compare directly with it, but I have friends that use it and comparing my pictures with theirs at similar apertures and subjects, the Tamron held it's own.  I am just starting out so I can't justify the $1400 for the Canon right now but I plan on purchasing the Tamron and maybe a Canon in the future. I am super happy with this lens!
I've had 4 of these lenses and while I don't consider myself a perfectionist (as if that would be such a bad thing) I do have a full-frame camera.  I really wish Amazon would pre-qualify lens reviews by camera type because if you use a FX camera you are looking at something entirely different and alas, more critical than someone who uses DX.  With that out of the way, this Tamron is pretty good in the center starting around f/4.  Things improve at f/5.6 and I think almost anybody would be satisfied with the center at f/8.  The corners on full frame, well, that's a different story.  Assuming your Tamron has equal sharpness in all four corners (some do, some don't) you can use f/4 but 5.6 is better.  The best seems to be around f/8 and at this point, things are close to what you get with the Nikon 24-70.  So in summary, if you have a D700 and don't mind stopping down you can get very good, although not quite spectacular results from this lens.  Of course, the situation is much better if you use DX format or if what you photograph does not require absolute sharpness in the corners.  You may have noticed I didn't even mention using this lens at 2.8 but if you don't need the corners or perhaps want a slightly softer portrait, sure.Build quality seems fine to me and keeps weight and cost down.  Honestly, if you are tough enough on your lens for this to be a concern, just get the Nikon 24-70/2.8.  Then again, you could buy almost 4 Tamrons for the same price.  One last item; every Tamron 28-75 I've had has a distinct red cast.  A strong red cast.  This is better than having a green cast I suppose but contrary to what has been written, it is not simple to remove because there is simply too much of it and things start to go cyan if you try to get to neutral.  The good news is that the red tends to be flattering so if you don't obsess over color accuracy my advice is to leave things alone.So, while it is not super sharp on full frame unless stopped down, it's pretty good, reasonably priced, much lighter/cheaper than Nikon's excellent 24-70 and much better than anything from Sigma.  A pretty good deal.
You can get excellent sharpness and great soft backgrounds with this lens. It's quite a stunning thing to see photos with this lens shot with a little XSi. Once you have enough skill to get your modes set right you can be shooting portraits, animals, flowers, product shots (I do a lot of that) and a ton of other great stuff with this bit of glass.If your shooting a crop body like I do, you'll need a wide angle lens for those landscape and indoor shots where this thing doesn't get wide enough. I use a Sigma 20mm f/1.8 for those times. It's a great standard lens for crop bodies, the sharpness and depth of field effects you can get from opening up that big 1.8 aperture are stunning.But this Tamron zoom is no slouch either when it comes to bokeh and sharpness. Stop it down to 4 or so and in decent light it will give you excellent sharpness, contrast and color. I find I seldom reach for the 20mm except when I want to get right up next to a flower or insect or maybe a piece of jewelry in a product photo, open the aperture and get really smeared backgrounds.You can do that with the Tamron. But the Sigma seems to produce the better backgrounds in those situations. You just have to get real close and personal with the camera.Last fall we were camping at a local reservoir in central PA during the height of the fall colors when I found a huge spider in a fully formed, quite beautiful web. It had recently rained and the web had a lot of those nice dewy droplets on its filaments. I was able, with this Tamron, to get very close to spidey and web, choke off a lot of depth of field and soften the water and multicolored trees in the background to a beautiful palette of color with only hints of shape. That was one of the best series of shots I've ever taken, and it was with this lens. Stopped down a bit to give more form to the background and spidey was in a whole new light.This lens works for weddings and birthdays, school plays, picnics, tourism, whatever.If you need more zoom than this, maybe you should buy a telescope. I can see needing a wider lens than this, but if you can't zoom close enough, shoot RAW and enlarge. This zoom range is perfect for 90% of my image composition within the range it shoots.It's much easier to compose than with my 20mm Sigma prime. Any prime lens will have you walking around, backing up, moving in, trying to get that frame right. The payoff is unbeatable sharpness and speed per dollar.However, this 2.8 zoom lens is plenty fast, and very sharp as well.I bought this lens a couple years ago for under $400. The Sigma prime cost more than that, and I only use it for about ten percent of my shots.This thing is so far beyond the price in terms of capability, that I will buy another one if this one ever breaks.Recommended.
Everyone always compares 3rd party lenses to Canon's L series.  We can't all drive a ferrari.  For the price, this lens overperforms.  I wouldn't trade it for any of the comparable Canon or Sigma lenses.  This lens is enhanced for digital cameras but usable for film cameras - an excellent choice when upgrading cameras in the future (5D for example).  Its sharp and its contrasty.  Only negative is its a little louder than my Canon USM glass.
I purchased this lens to use with my new Nikon D3200 for shooting indoors in low light situations.  Mainly this would be in auditoriums when my daughters were performing on stage and I could use a flash.  My friend had lent me his Nikon f2.8 17-55 and I loved it, but it was out of my price range.  After considering buying the lens used, I discovered this Tamron lens and decided to try it out.  I shot over 1,500 photos with this lens so far and the performance has been very, very good.  Color and sharpness are both excellent.  To my unprofessional eye, most of the photos look just as good as the ones I took with the Nikon lens.  I like the Tamron better because of the extra range.  55mm is just too short and requires me to sit way too close to the stage.  This lens allows me to sit a few rows back and still get relatively closeup when zooming out to 75mm.  I also shot three hours of HD video with this lens and the results were acceptable.  Some issues with autofocus due to lighting on the stage, but overall very good.  This lens is a great value for personal use for low light shots.03/21/13 - just a quick update.  I've increased my rating to 5 stars due to the incredible performance of this lens.  I've now shot well over 3,000 photos with this lens and it's excellent.  I took 1,500 photos of my daughter's performance in West Side Story at the high school auditorium over two nights and got some amazing shots.  The stage lighting plays havoc with the sensor, but since the lens has to be on manual (due to the bright white light from the autofocus) I just have to remember to change the focus dot when the actors move around.  This lens is a fantastic bargain for the prosumer photographer with a limited budget for equipment.
I've used a  Canon 24-70mm L lens and this lens is sharp and is just as goodas the canon 24-70L Lens but cost far less.
Now let me say first and foremost that I am NOT a professional photographer by any means, but I am a decent amateur photographer and read up on this lens for months before I pulled the trigger and bought it.  My only regret...I wished I would have done it sooner so that I could have enjoyed it longer.  :)  The reviews on this site were extremely helpful along with the images people have uploaded taken with the lens.  After reading this lens review [...] and the ones here, here is my own.  I own the Canon Rebel XSI.Cons:* No IS (Image Stabilization).  At first I thought this would be a problem but it's really not.  What it does do is make you really take your time and make you a better photographer.  I do wish it came with it for that "just in case" moment but the lens is sharp enough and heavy enough you can overcome this very MINOR thing.*A "tad" noisy.  Yes it can be a bit noisy but it's not as bad as what I had read on a few reviews.  Very minor but compared to my 18-55 kit lens I did notice it but it's not enough to take away from the image quality of this lens.*Focus can "hunt" sometimes.  But it's a very rare thing I have seen in the 200+ images I've taken so far with the lens.  Out of all of those images it's done it to me twice.  That's it.Pros:  Everything else.The "cons" i noted above are more of a hey you need to know type of thing but they are NOT enough for you to not think about buying this lens.  I have used it in low light, sports shots with my daughter at soccer, nature shots, sunsets, sunrises and they have all turned out just fine.  Would I have liked to own the 24-70L lens?  Sure.  But at 1350 vs. $381.  Not even a 2nd thought.Read the reviews on here, read the SLRGEAR review and then buy this lens.
This is my go to lens when working events, out side of my portrait lens.  This have enough focal length to cover most of the area shots and group shots.  You will still need to bring a longer lens on most events as the 75 doesn't cut it.  With the 2.8 aperture is wide enough for most situations, I still need my 50 1.4 for some tasks.  The images quality is wonderful and I have no complaints I don't want to say this is L glass level but I haven't seen a reason it couldn't be.  The focus is fast and this lens performs like a work horse.  The price was also a great reason to pick up this baby.
likes:feels very solid, well constructed. constant 2.8 aperture. when sharp, its very very sharp.dislikes:front focus/back focus issues. fortunately the k20 has lens microadjustment capability, which helps very very much. very heavy. nitpicking, but i wish it zoomed out to 18mm. 28 is inconvenient for group shots.Bought for wedding purposes, and it's definitely helped. When its sharp, its amazingly sharp. The "bokeh" is great. Some shots at 2.8 (set to center point focus) were about 10 feet off (closer to me), which is completely ridiculious, but when they were nice it was worth it. I wouldn't buy this for a camera that doesn't allow you to adjust the autofocus settings.Update: I've had it well over a year, and it's easily my most used/favourite lens. Very flattering for almost everyone, most situations. Even on old manual cameras (k1000). On the k7 the focus is dead on, requiring no microadjustments.
I'm basing this review entirely on hand held macros I took of flowers in my back yard. The flowers were tack sharp. Color was uniform even to the edges. Great boca. I almost didn't post this since I couldn't see how to attach the photos to substantiate my opinion.
I recently started wedding photography, and this lens does the job. It does a great job in low light. I am very pleased I purchased this lens, it was well worth the money.
I purchased this lens for use with my Canon 40D with the intention of it being my carry around everyday lens. I had a Tamron 18-50 in the past that was a terrific lens. Unfortunately, this lens does not live up to the past Tamron lens. Picture quality is a bit on the soft side, and the focus is a bit slower and mis-focuses more than I'd like.Overall - I feed the build quality is very good. The range is pretty good, I really like the 75mm at the long end, although wouldnt complain for a bit more on the wide angle side. The large aperature makes for a very shallow depth of field for excellent portraits and low light shooting.On the cons side - the focus is slower and misses more than other Tamron's i've used in the past - and is nowhere near as nice a good Canon lens with an ultrasonic motor. Pictures are a bit soft, which is fine for portraits but not as good for landscapes or archetectual shots.Either way this is a solid lens and for the price I am very happy with it.
I didn't realize how much of a difference buying a new lens would make. With this lens my photos are 10x better then the box lens. With this lens everything so clear and bright. Other f/2.8 lenses are close to over $1000 with this only being $500 its a must! I mean Yes it isn't build like a rock like some are, but if you don't have $1800 for a new lens get this one!
I really enjoyed using this lens... But when I used the equivalent lens with VC Vibration Compensation I have to say I cant go back.  This lens is great if you are using a high ISO or using a tripod.  I do a lot of video work I it is still very valuable to me.
Overall this is a very good lens but I wouldn't say it merits a 5-star rating.  I've found in a couple of situations (in bright light) where chromatic aberration was a real problem.  For the money, it's a great lens.  But to me a 5-star lens would be the Sony/Zeiss offerings and the clarity they provide.  Of course, those are significantly more money.  Just bear in mind if you're looking for a CA-free offering this is not the best lens - but if you are looking for overall good value (especially in lower light or natural lighting) then this will probably work very well for you.
If you want a walk around lens and on the budget, this lens is offer that.  There are some forum even compare this lens with the Canon 24-70L glass.  This lens is 1/3 of the price compare to canon, and for IQ, I can say they are not much of the difference.Would recommend this lens
Over a year ago I settled on a Canon Rebel XT digital SLR, but reviews said the Canon 18-55mm kit lens wasn't up to snuff. One of my main considerations was taking action photos in poorly lit high school gyms for my daughter's volleyball team. The Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 filled the bill. At roughly $350, it was the fastest lens I could afford with a reasonable zoom range. In 2005 I took at least 1500 indoor action photos at F2.8 to f3.2 at around 1/250th without a flash. This year I made every game and took nearly 5000. The Tamron lens continues to perform as well as it did when it was new. With an Epson Photo R1800 printer, I've printed 13"X19" enlargements for the girls, with no loss in quality. An advantage of the no-flash shooting is that you're less obtrusive, and officials will allow you to get closer to the action. It's also a great way to get a lot of candids of facial expressions and quieter moments between action without an attention getting flash. I highly recommend this lens for the purpose I put it to. There are better lenses out there, but they cost a heckuva lot more. In a little over 1 year I've taken nearly 10,000 photos of all types, and the lens is still going strong!
So far, so good.  Fast focus.  Sharp images.  Not too loud.  Very happy with it, and it is better built than the kit lens it replaced.
When I first bought this lens I thought I made a mistake. I couldn't get sharp images and I was thinking I may have a dud on my hands. But after really working with it and finding out what settings work I have mastered it. It's fast and very sharp at around f8. It has beautiful bokeh and is extra nice when used outside. I still prefer my Canon 85mm f1.8 and Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 over this but it is a great lens to carry around.
After I bought I realized it is not wide enough for me, when shooting events indoors, but when using it outdoors, there is wonderful color and like to use this as my street lens, because I can not afford the Nikon version close to this. I will keep this lens because it does produce wonderful pictures for my needs.
I was on the fence about getting this lens, thinking perhaps instead I'd keep saving my money until I could afford an equivalent Canon lens. Glad I ultimately decided to get the Tamron lens. I'm a serious hobbyist who shoots with a Canon T3i, and this lens has produced some stellar pictures. It's not image stabilized, so very low-light situations can be tough, and the images are a bit soft at the far ends (28 and 75 mm), but everything in between looks tack-sharp. I've printed several images already at 8X10 and 10X12 and have been delighted with the image quality. Would recommend this lens to anyone looking for a great mid-distance, affordable lens that allows you to shoot a wide variety of shots.
Very good image but noisy. It doesn't have a ultrasound motor, so it is very noisy when it works. when I tried to record video, I could hear a focusing noise.
I have used this lens for two years, on backpacking trips, vacations, ball games etc.  Probably well over 10,000 pictures.  It is a very nice lens and better that the stock lens that you would get with the camera.  It is not the high end, but does a great job for the price and has held up under tough conditions.  I am pleased with it.
In a word, this lens is FANTASTIC!  It's billed as an affordable alternative the the venerable Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and having shot with both, I can say this lens hits on all cylinders!  I am a professional videographer and photographer and I have had a chance to compare these two lenses side by side.  I will say this: while the Canon lens is technically better in terms of shot clarity, falloff and color faithfulness overall, the difference DOES NOT merit the nearly $1,700.00 difference in price.  And at many aperture and ISO settings, this lens actually beats the Canon!  It feels solid in my hand and gets shots and videos that look fantastic!For those lucky souls out there with an unlimited budget, stock your bag with those shiny lenses with the pretty red ring.  But for the rest of us, this lens will make you look like the pro you know you are without giving you the big pro sticker shock!  A great lens for a phenominal price!
I couldn't get over the focus ring moving with AF.  Funky and distracting and unnerving sometimes.  Optically it was OK, with some CA.  A good priced lens, I ended up going for the much more expensive Canon 24-105 f4 -- slower but with IS, it's a match for this lens, albeit 3x more expensive.
I'm an amateur photographer looking to occasionally produce a great image for my company website or to take the better than average vacation pics. I picked this one up for less than $400 for a perfect condition used copy and it has been worth every penny. the glass is great, the quality of the images is fabulous, and the 2.8 iris allows for some beautiful depth of field. It's not the worlds greatest lens by any stretch of the imagination, but even though the zoom is limited, it covers the best part of the range on my crop sensor camera, and has quickly replaced my other lenses as my standard walkaround.
I have other lenses that occupy this range. Though they also are excellent they dwarf this lens and that is a good thing. Sometimes I get the feeling that other reviewers don't know what they are doing. The sharpness of this lens is tack on and huge prints from a Nikon D700 file required little preparation for print. If you need a walk around; buy it. For me everything about the lens was intuitive. This lens will remain of the D700 at the ready and will be taken off only when I need a different focal length. Enough said. I have two of these; one in a Nikon Mount the other in a Pentax Mount and both perform perfectly. I, however have noticed over time that those who have complaints are Canon folks. I know not the cause for sure, but I would defy anyone to go through my 11 x 14 an 16 x 20 prints and determine that those photos were not taken with Nikon Glass. I have and will continue to recommend this lens to those who ask me about it. Just for the fun of it I will shortly mount via adapter on my Fuji X PRO 1 and give a test that way.
In 2005, one of my beloved Canon lenses suffered an injury and was sent to the ER. Knowing I wouldn't have it back for at least a couple of weeks, I went ahead and order this Tamron to use with my 20D (at the time).Pros:Super light weight, considering fixed f/2.8 aperture.Very compact.Nice build quality.Tack sharp corner to corner (on APS-C), even wide open.Cons:The zoom ring rotates the *wrong* way (with respect to Canon.On full frame 35mm, there is some corner vignetting at 28mm.After getting a 5D in early 2006, this lens didn't get much use. This is primarily due to the introduction of the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. This lens is simply more versatile than the Tamron, especially on a full frame camera. But you know what? The Tamron is still sharper than the $1K+ Canon L lens.If you're on a crop sensor (APS-C), a great lens duo, especially for travel, is theCanon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRsfor the wide stuff and thisTamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Camerasfor the normal to telephoto stuff. That will give you a range of 10-75mm, or when converted to 35mm equivalent, a range of 16mm to 120mm. Which is a damn fine focal range for travel, and relatively lightweight at that (not to mention very sharp throughout). If you need to add a third lens, the natural choice would be to get theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. Sure the 2.8 versions and IS versions are nicer, but you'll also add quite a bit of bulk.
This lens was suggested to me by a friend. And it was a little more money than I wanted to spend but buying it was way worth it! The photos I get from this lens are great. The main reason I got this was because I needed a lens that could take good indoor action shots. And it really does take wonderful shots! But this lens also produces many other great quality photos, not just action shots! If you are debating on buying one like this that is a little cheaper, I would definitely say spend the money and get this one. I don't think you will regret your purchase at all :) Overall very happy with this product.
I've tried this lens for over 2 weeks now, it hasn't left my camera since I got it. The image quality is great with this lens and I've kept it at 2.8 most of the time. It's a great walk-around-lens, it performs well in most situations and takes amazing portrait shots, so far I have been very happy with it, very sharp and excellent color reproduction. I thought the lens not having image stabilizer or as Tamron calls it, vibration compensation, would be a problem but it turns out is not an issue like I thought it would be. You'll enjoy this lens even with it's minor slow focus problem sometimes, I still give it 5 stars because it's not enough to be an issue. As always ordering from Amazon was a great experience with timely shipping and reasonable prices.Good luck on your decision!
The Tamron 28-75 lens takes great pictures and is everything I expected and more. I use this lens for portraits, low light situations (the constant 2.8 aperture is the deal maker), and in situations when I need a quick auto focus. I also use the Tamron 18-270mm lens, which is great for travel and all around use, BUT slow auto focus from about 150-270mm. and MANY times won't focus at all-especially in low light, causing me to miss many shots- switching to manual focus. I really appreciate the Tamron 28-75 quick auto focus- especially in low light situations. (Hoping for a 18or24mm-85or100mm lens with a constant 2.8 and quick focus for under $1000.-- DREAM ON!)
Not having the change to spring for the Canon "L" equivalent, I did my research and decided this would more than suffice.  Having used it for some recent photos, I can say it was a good decision.  Build quality seems quite good and the zoom mechanism has just the right feel.  Sharpness at normal aperatures is very good and even at f2.8 is not too soft on my Canon 20D.  Should make a good 'walkabout' lens and even a credible portrait lens at 60mm+ (although it is hard to beat the portraits taken with my 50mm f1.4).  There is a little autofocus searching under dimmer light conditions, but not bad and certainly not a problem for normal landscape photos that I like to take.  Comes with a short hood, unlike many Canon lenses.  My first Tamron.  Nice job Tamron!
I really like the lens but it has focusing issues in automatic mode. But the pictures are pretty crisp! Glory!
This is a spectacular lens.  When I compare it to my 24-70 "L" Canon lens the Tamron is every bit the equivalent at the same aperture; only, it is 1/3 the price and lighter.  Yes, the focal range is a bit different than the Canon and the lens body is plastic(actually polycarbonate--which can be stronger than metal), but for 1/3 the price I can drop it, replace it and still come out $400 ahead compared to the Canon(I sold the Canon after I bought this lens because I no longer used it.)
I love this lens.  I use it for photographing indoor volleyball.  I can usually fill the frame with action when I am on the same side of the court as my daughter.  The 2.8 opening allows me to usually use a shutter speed of 1/400 or higher depending on the type of indoor lighting with an iso of 1600 or less.
I use this lens on my Canon 20D...This lens seems to be my best all-purpose walk around set-up...Very versatile and sharp.
I've had this lens for over a year now. I've been shooting as a hobby for over 30 years, using all kinds of high-end manual and AF lenses. This lens is one of the sharpest I have ever owned, and for considerably less money than L-series lenses. My 50mm f/1.4 is not noticeably sharper than this lens, I'm not even sure it is sharper. I shoot under all kinds of conditions with this lens and always get spectacular results. I've never felt that I should have used some other lens for any given shot. I'll still stick a prime lens on the camera in certain situations, but when I'm using this lens I never have the feeling that I'm giving up quality for convenience. The reviewers who have bad things to say about this lens just got a bad example (it can happen with any lens) and should exchange it or send it back to Tamron for correction.
*In a matter of full disclosure, I bought this lens used on craigslist. Apparently, it has been used for a while. But I don't care because this is an awesome lens. And yes, I switched from crappy Canon EF-S 18-55 kit lens.*This lens is crazy fast! Never had any problem with auto focusing (it's been about a month of extensive use). AF is blazing fast (can't compare to Canon L glass cause I don't own any). I find the best results @f/4, but in ambient light I sometimes shoot @f/2.8 as well. If you switch from a slower lens like I did, you will be amazed with the quality of the pictures and ability to keep shooting with ambient light.I mostly shoot portraits with an off-camera light and LOVE this lens.Awesome lens. Simply awesome. Highly recommended.
Would generate an error on pairing with the Canon EOS T3i.  Assume this unit was defective.  Had no issues returning it.  Will likely buy something different.
*******PLEASE READ UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW TO LEARN WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH MY LENS AT TAMRON***********I bought this lens after reading so many positive reviews from Amazon customers.  However, I did note on a multitude of websites such as slrgear.com, dpreview, and photozone.de that these lenses have quality control issues.  These websites all had to use multiple lenses from Tamron before receiving one that worked good enough to test.  When the lenses work, they are great.  Unfortunately, I RECEIVED 3 BAD COPIES!!!Lens 1------This lens, though tac sharp, was completely unacceptable.  Randomly, with all camera settings the same, the aperture would get stuck and overexpose pictures to the point of a white out.  When this happens, I would have to zoom in or out and return to the same position, then the lens would work again.  Then, after 20 more shots, the over exposure would occur again.  Needless to say, I returned it.Lens 2------This lens blurred randomly through out different points in the zoom range.  I tested it side by side with Lens 1 and Lens 3, the blur was outrageous and f2.8 to f5.6 was incredibly poor.Lens 3------This is the lens that (unfortunately) I decided to keep.  This lens has the least amount of issues.  Unfortunately, I did not notice its problem until too late, particularly because the error with the lens is not readily noticeable and I suspect the way it behaves is probably the same that so many customers have not yet noted and are not examining their pix close enough to see this behavior.  The behavior/issue is this...Lens 3 between 28mm and 45mm focal lengths has a left side blur at the lower left quadrant of the pix.  It is most noticeable in peculiar and very particular settings.Setting 1 - shooting less than infinity focus at a 45 degree angle downward at a target low to the ground (example, my cat on the floor).  I am holding the camera standing up, aimed down at 45 degrees.  The cat is center.  Take the shot, review, and the carpet is completely blurred on the left side.  Stopping down to f8 helps, but it is still very bad up to 5.6 stops.  Who expects to shoot at f8 indoors at close distances any way???  You should be able to shoot at f4 minimum, let alone f2.8.Setting 2 - same 45 degree angle shooting scenario, this time outdoors in a landscape shot of flowers focus less than infinity.  The grass, just like the carpet, is a complete blur on the left lower quadrant. Shot at f4 to f8, blur still persists at any setting, just a little better at f8.  Then again, I should easily be able to shoot at 4 stops, instead of stopping down to 8 stops.Setting 3 - This is the most critical for the issue really becomes very evident when shooting at infinity focus from 28-45mm at 2.8 to f8 stops.  I shot a row of trees straight on at f5.6 to f8 (and just to test, I stopped down to f10 to f16 which did not make a difference).  The trees were blurred on the left, and more so, the grass was completely blurred into a green slur.  This happens every time.Setting 4 - shooting low to the ground (about 2 to 3 feet off the ground) aimed down range about 15 feet or more.  Again, grass on the right of the pix is clear and sharp, left side is a total mess.Now, with extreme inconvenience, I have to mail in my lens on whim of hope that the blur can be fixed, though so many have complained Tamron was not able to fix their blur issues.  I have had the lens for a little over a month, and now I am stuck.  All I have to say is this:  If my lens does not come back fixed I will NEVER, EVER give Tamron another dime or even a thought of their products in the future.  It is completely unacceptable to have purchased 3 of the same product and have 3 outright defects where all the lenses behaved differently.  This lens is just glass, no special features are packed into this lens (like image stabilization or an internal IF motor). At 450 bucks, their is no excuse for this poor quality.  I might have paid only 300 bucks and still not be satisfied with this lens, especially after going through such a long drawn out process of having to test 3 lenses, and ship 3 lenses, and type this review with no 28-75 lens to be found in my house for they are returned or sitting in the repair shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tamron has no quality consistency at all, and I would advise anyone who has a Tamron lens to double check their pics by doing infinity focus tests..basically, take a picture of a tree sitting by itself in the yeard 25 feet out, aiming the camera in a 45 degree downward angle and at the trunk right where the trunk meets the ground and another shot at the tree straight on. Then observe grass in the photos.  This is the best way to do a "real world" test, not a flat chart test, to see if the lens is acting appropriately. Keep in mind, portraits, pet photography, and action photography are not going to show corner softness or de-centered sharpness for the very center of the picture (human face, the pet's face, etc) is the only thing in the plane of focus.  Architectural and landscape photography are what demands corner to corner sharpness and I have a hunch people are not using this lens for such, thus so many good ratings.  I do see this lens as being a good portrait lens and that seems to be the primary (only) use for this lens by so many using it that are ALSO into extreme photography.  This lens just does not yield good results in any other condition.Also, as quoted from Photozone.de regarding test results of the Tamron 28-75 (a professional photography equipment test website): '...it should be mentioned that this is the 2nd tested sample of this lens and both showed centering defects - this is worrisome. The build quality of the lens is decent but nothing to rave about. If you can live with the rather odd zoom range within the APS-C scope the lens is worth a deeper look - assuming you can get a good sample.'Other websites had the same findings concerning quality control.  On a positive note, they all had the same findings when it came to a good copy of the 28-75 lens - tac sharp results at f4 stops through the entire focal range, if not at f4 stops, then at f5-f5.6 stops.  Overall, you have to roll the dice, or be patient and send your new lens in for repair or replacement once you get it.  This is NOT how to run a business, but it seems to be the market standard for photography equipment. Canon and Nikon (and sometimes Pentax) users all have the same complaint.  PATHETIC!OTHER POOR QUALITIES-BASED ON ALL 3 LENSES USED-----------------------------------------------1- This lens colors photos with about +15% amber.  I have to tweak my white balance on my Pentax K-R to get the proper color (with a Pentax K-R, +4Blue, +1 Green).  I actually used a 4th Tamron 28-75 on a Canon T2i, the results for poor color were worse, on top of this, the T2i did not have but one customizable white balance setting where the K-R can be changed on every preset (just one reason I chose the K-R over the T2i, though the T2i is a good camera - I am not reviewing cameras here and do not want to disrespect Canon or Canon users).2- Poor manual focus ring - it has extremely short travel making it very touchy to manually adjust focus - barely touching it quickly puts you out of focus again3- Often miss focuses4- Not a 2.8 lens.  Count on f4 stops maybe, if not, 5.6.  However, 2.8 stops can be used to add nice soft focus effects, so it has its advantages - but this is not per specs and not using the lens as intended.5- Lens glass is very sticky and attracts particles.  My Pentax lenses are smooth thus clean easily and do not attract dust like this TamronNOTE:As entry level as my Pentax K-R kit 18-55 DA L lens is, it performs nearly as well as this Tamron lens in some, not all, settings.  Since having problems with the Tamron, I acquired a Pentax 18-55 AL II which improves on the sharpness of the 18-55 kit lens and the color and contrast is much better.  To this point, the AL II has proven better than the Tamron and has a more useful zoom range allowing more wide angle shots while also allowing for better focusing, a quick shift focus ring so using the AF/MF button is not necessary, and the focus ring has longer travel that is far smoother and more accurate than the Tamron 28-75.  Additionally, my Pentax 55-300mm, while not RATED as sharp as the 28-75, easily outperforms the Tamron as far as consistent sharpness and focus accuracy, and from 70 to 270mm little difference in sharpness can be made compared to the Tamron at its best settings.  The Tamron 28-75mm is RATED sharper at any given stop, but I can almost not see a difference.  Honestly, I would rather have a consistent performer than have a lens I cannot use at all from 28-45mm when advertised to be 28-75mm unless I want to intentionally blur pix all the time!!!  I did not buy a 45mm-75mm lens, I bought a 28-75mm lens and expect it to work as such.  Not a big expectation for 450 bucks!!!I gotta say, buying a camera lens is the hardest thing I have had to do in my 3 decades of shopping - quality control and poor performance really plagues this market.  It is not limited to Tamron, though I am extremely disappointed with them.  All I can say is I hope you have better experiences than so many of us who have not!!!***UPDATE 12-20-2011***Concerning my 3rd Tamron lens for Pentax which I chose to keep, as you recall in my review above, I had a lower left quadrant blur in pix taken at 28-45mm focal lengths.  I sent my lens in for repair on the 32nd day of ownership the first week of November in which I was told policy is that first time for repair customers must pay shipping - so I did.  I was told there was a 5 day turn around, and I did receive the lens back timely, but WITHOUT REPAIR.  I called Tamron immediately and resent photos showing the blur.  Rep 1 dodged my calls and emails for a week.  I called again, getting Rep 1 again, I refused to speak to him since he has been dodging me, and asked for another Rep which I then proceeded to deal with.  I sent pix to this Rep, Rep 2, and he did immediately confirm there is something wrong with the lens based on the pics I sent in.  I was sent a shipping label and told to return the lens, and told they will definitely be able to repair it this time and that there is a 5 day turn around.  So, I shipped the lens on December 8.  On December 14, I receive an email that they got the lens, but UPS confirmed its delivery on December 12.  Okay, I will deal with the lag, maybe Tamron is busy.  So, another week goes by, the lens has been there for 7 business days, I call and nobody from Customer Service at Tamron has contacted me to this point and nobody knows the status of my lens, just that they have received it.  I then demand a call back from a manager.  So, rapidly, a manager did contact me...now the bomb....the Lens as of December 15 has been sent to JAPAN!!!  I was informed I will not see it for more than 2 weeks - now I don't have my lens I bought 2 months ago for Christmas.  The only reason why I kept this lens was due to the fact that within the Amazon returns window of 30 days, the first 30 days I had the lens, I contacted Tamron to tell them I had a 3rd defective lens and they said they can just calibrate the lens if I chose to keep it.  Keep in mind, the only reason I went this route was because I already purchased 2 outright faulty lenses and so many people have said this is a great lens so I wanted to give Tamron a chance.  WOW, what a HUGE mistake.  I was never told I would have to pay for shipping for calibration of a new lens which should be working to begin with - I guess I should never have assumed otherwise.  Also, I was told prior to deciding to keep the lens that the repair facility is in New York (NOT Japan) and turn around times are 5 days.  Another LIE.I explained my situation kindly to the manager I spoke with and requested I at least get a refund for the shipping costs of $15 for the first time I had to send the lens in.  This manager upheld all remarks I have heard back from Customer Service Reps to this point, "we at Tamron do not pay for your initial shipping to have a lens repaired - the customer has to pay the first time"  Okay, so, the lens is brand new, it should not have been faulty to begin with, but it is the customer's responsibility???  WOW. And now they see they are at fault, but will not refund $15.  SO, I demanded a full refund of the lens for it is brand new, it is out of the country for which they have chosen to do after lying to me the repair facility is in New York, they possess all the paper work, the box, the lens and it is out of my hands - I told them I don't want it back.  I was told they do occasionally refund entirely in this situation.  WOW AGAIN.  They would rather refund me $460.00 for this lens than just $15 for my initial shipping to have this lens fixed that should have been functioning to begin with.  You think they would give a 10 percent discount on future purchases, refund a portion of the amount paid for this lens, offer a new lens, do SOMETHING to promote their product and take care of the customer while making them feel good about a product that was purchased from them....NOT so...they just take the lens away from you and propose to give a refund.  Amazing, to say the least.I kept this lens past the 30 day return window at Amazon in good faith that this is a good lens according to reviewers.  I kept this lens in good faith that Tamron would stand behind their recommendations that I should keep the lens and that they could just calibrate it to fix it to the condition the lens should have been in to begin with, and within 5 days.  You think they would promote their product by returning it to new condition within a reasonable time frame and fix it at the location they said their repair facility exists.  You think maybe they would replace the defective lens with a new one.  NOPE!  Wait for MONTHS, get a run around, or just don't use Tamron products...***UPDATE 2/6/2012***Tamron did in fact conclude the lens was not reparable and refunded me in full for the amount I paid for the lens from Amazon.  As difficult as this has all been, it is very credible to them since they backed up their warranty/quality guarantee.  This does make me feel more trusting towards them for possible future considerations of their products, though at this point, I will still not buy from them.  Shockingly, it has been 5 months to the day since my fiasco with the 28-75 lenses began!!!
After reading all about this lens I was excited about getting it, however I'm not so excited anymore.  I was in denial when the pictures weren't coming out sharp.  But that's it, the pictures just aren't sharp.  Then I took a picture of a gopher in a grass field, with center (spot) focus dead nuts on the gopher and guess what?  The grass about a foot behind the gopher is in perfect focus.  Now I have to send the lens in for  warranty work.  Can you say "hassle".  Right now I'm wishing I'd have bought the Canon 28-135 IS USM instead.  The price is about the same, the focal length is better and the IS can get you into some of the same places the constant 2.8 apperature can (not all).  Anyway, I'm very dissappointed.
This lens, when paired with the image quality and image stabilization of the Sony A65, is an excellent tool for creating photographs.  The effective zoom range is incredibly useful (as long as you aren't trying to do wide angle photography), the lens is sharp, and the 2.8 constant aperture allows for a lot of flexibility.I've used the OM-D EM-5 with good lenses, my brother's 5D Mark III, the Sony RX100, and many other modern marvels, but I think the A65 with this lens is easily the best bang for the buck.
Purchased this lens used recently and the first thing that I noticed was how small & light it is. Looking at the pictures in the computer even with direct comparisons with other lenses, it still amazes me that this is a f/2.8 lens. Mounted it on my D300s & it became even smaller! I literally could not feel the change of weight before & after I put it on. Bought the lens primarily for the purpose of a fast walk-around/travel lens & some macro. This lens has many great reviews about it's sharpness comparative to it's price and they are right. It has been giving me great pictures & the focal lengths have been almost perfect, because of it's weight, you will definitely feel less strain on your wrist. I guess the only thing that kind of bothers me a little bit is it's build quality, because of the lightness, it's not as robust even compared to the Tamron 17-50 2.8 VC. The plastics feel different & you really need to handle it with care. The version of the lens that I got is the "screw drive" motor and for me at least, the focusing is surprisingly fast & accurate. Speaking of screw drive, I seldom see people researching about this lens ask the question "does this have a built-in-motor?" One thing that helps is, look at the labeling on the lens itself. If the very long Tamron name is written in gold against a black background or "band", it doesn't have a BIM & it's the screw drive. If it's written in black against a gold band, it's the BIM version and it's compatible or will autofocus for entry level Nikon DSLRs. I have read somewhere that the screw drive version is much faster & quieter during focusing, I do not have a way of comparing that to the BIM version. Hope this review/observation helps for those who are interested in this great lens by Tamron.
This is a great lens, and I use it almost every day. Great for indoor shots and low lighting. I miss the wide angle, but to me, it's worth the trade off. I am having a bit of trouble with the connection to my D90 body. Occasionally I get the "f--" error message and have to readjust the connection before I can continue shooting. Could be the camera or the lens - both are new, and I need to get it checked out. Other than that, I love it!
The sharpness of this lens is awesome! And the size and weigth are very comfortable. It is the only lens I use now.
I just sold my Nikon 17-55mm 2.8 that I used on my Nikon D7000 and replaced it with aTamron 28-75mm 2.8, and I'm really glad I did!  I primarily take candid and portrait shots and found that many times with the Nikon I wanted more reach at the long end.  Also I could not justify the cost of the Nikon - especially as I do not earn a living from photography - but I consider myself an advanced amateur.  I sold the Nikon and purchased the Tamron 28-75mm, the Nikon 85mm 1.8d for portraits, and the Nikon 35mm 1.8 for candids.Now to the Tamron - the performance of the lens has been amazing.  Image quality, sharpness, color rendition, and auto focus have all been stellar.  I found the focal lengths to be a lot more usable for my purposes.  The lens is made from a high grade plastic, I consider that to be a plus.  The Nikon 17-55mm and the 24-70mm are too heavy unless photography is your profession.  You can put the Tamron on the camera and shoot all day with absolutely no fatigue.  I've found myself be able to take photos a lot quicker - chasing my 2 year old daughter - as the Tamron is a lot lighter weight than the Nikon.I'm not a pixel peeper - but I can unequivocally say that the lens is excellent and I'm as happy with it as I was with the Nikon.  I would buy this lens again with absolutely no hesitation. I have not experienced any problems whatsoever with focus / blurry photos.
All I can say is WOW! This lens is AMAZING! SO CRISP!! This easily compares to the high end lenses. Take a look at the little girl and boy in the baskets I uploaded to Amazon. Those are the pictures I took with this lens. WOW!
This review is for: Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras (Model A16M)Purchased this lens Tamron 28-75MM F2.8 about a month ago to use on a full frame Sony A99 camera. I'm very satisfied with it's performance, image quality is very good and focusing on my camera body is fast and accurate.Considered the Tamron 24-70 F2.8 which has received glowing reviews since introduced a few months ago but decided to researched other alternatives and glad I did. The price difference between the two 28-75MM F2.8 & 24-70 F2.8 is remarkable, the former being $500 and the latter $1300.Optical performance tested on DxOmark shows the 24-70 F2.8 to have only a 1 point advantage over the much cheaper  24-70 F2.8. That and the fact that image stabilization is not available on the 24-70 F2.8 for the Sony/Minolta mount made the decision easy. Although the Sony camera offers built in image stabilization my Minolta film cameras do not. If the customer is paying for it why not include it Tamron?I highly recommend the Tamron 28-75MM F2.8, It's a bargain and offers great performance.The Tamron 24-70 F2.8 for the Sony/Minolta mount is overpriced due to the lack of image stabilization, I would recommend the Sony/Minolta buyer to not purchase this lens until Tamron adjusts the price accordingly.
Well, many reviews very so right - it IS a great lens, given it is $1,000 less than Canon's 24 -70 L, which I had 3 times and each time had to return for quality issues. Tamron lens really does the trick - sharp, good go-around lens with 95% time great colors. Sometimes it's off - in 5% cases, due to low light mostly, but it is not f1.4 or f1.2 and it is $400 give or take - so it really worth every penny - to me, at least. (I also have $1,500 worth Canon 70 - 300L IS and some other Canon lenses, so it is not that I only buy "cheap" lenses - but like that one a lot).
This is a great lens. I use a cropped sensor and this works perfectly. It's built well and takes great photos and videos indoor and outdoor. The only complaint is that it's a bit heavy but who cares.
I use this as my primary go-to lens. I produce wedding films and my team and I are tough on our equipment. These lenses stand up to our abuse and perform very well! Very sharp at around f4, but very decent at f2.8, in fact we shoot wide open all the time. The throw on the focus is long enough to be accurate, but short enough to make quick rack-focusing possible.When using auto-focus for photography it works pretty well, fast, accurate on our 6D and 5DII bodies, even in low light.
This lens in incredible for the price. I often shoot with pro Nikon snobs that talk about how much better the 24-70 nikkor lens is... but when they look at the results side by side and realize I spent $1200 less they they did... they stop talking.Pros: Sharp, lite weight, inexpensive.Cons: A little slow to focus, more fuzzy in the edges than the Nikon, pronounced vignetting on FX camera bodies.
I waited 6 months from the first time I used this lens to put my review here. I was about to give it a 5 star after a few weeks of using it because it was focusing real fast except for extremely low light condition and the images have been clear. Also focus has always been right on the spot, no back/front focusing issues. The bokeh is wonderful but then I started experiencing F-- error on my D90 just like what some reviewers have said. The error can be fixed by simply turning the camera on and off, sometimes ones, sometimes twice then it comes back to normal.At first I said to myself that the error doesnt happen that often and I can get used it eventually. But then it happened again, and again, and again.It was not a problem having the F-- error on my Nikon while doing a regular portrait photoshoot because the clients can stay at the same spot and I can just pretend that I am making some lens adjustment while turning it on & off. The real issue came to me on 2 weddings where I missed on some would have been great shots. Imagine bride & groom kissing for a few seconds and my camera just would not focus and would not react when I hit the shutter? I go to the routine of turning it off and back on but this time I had to do it 3 times and once it was fixed, they smooching of the bride and groom was over.I want to give this lens only 1/2 star because of its on & off great performance but 1 is the least amazon would allow.This ends my used of ANY, I mean ANY TAMRON LENS...................
I have never bought a non-Canon lens because I just love the look, feel, and optical quality of the Canon line particularly the L series lenses.  But I kept reading glowing reviews about this lens.  On multiple websites.  So, I went out and took a look.First impression:  the build quality is not as good as a Canon L series lens.  Duh!  It costs about 1/4 as much for goodness sake.  This is a plastic lens - not metal.  But I must admit that the build quality was pretty darn good.  Better, I think, than the Sigma lenses I've seen.  Fit and finish was very nice and tight.  I'd give the build quality a 4/5.  Not bad.  I figured I could live with it.Next, I put the lens on my camera.  I'd read reviews complaining about the speed of the focusing.  It may not be quite as quick as my 200 f2.8 L series lens but it was pretty darn good and for my purposes, plenty fast.  A 4.5/5I'd read reviews complaining about the noise and the fact that the AF was not USM.  I thought the AF worked very quietly.  Not at all distracting and barely discernable.  Noise - not an issue.Then, I took pictures with the lens and I was absolutely floored!  How in the world did Tamron manage to produce a lens that performed so well optically for such a reasonable price?!  Beautiful contrast, excellent resolution, gorgeous colors, and extremely sharp, particularly above f2.8.  But, f2.8 is very good as well.Obviously the first comparison that comes to mind is between this lens and the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L.  I would say, I kid you not, that this lens is in every respect optically the equal of the Canon or better than the Canon.  I could not believe it.I tested this lens directly against a brand new copy of the Canon 24-70 f2.8L.  Method: I tested both lenses on a tripod @ F 2.8 and 8.0 @ 28mm 50mm and 70mm. Target limestone wall 9.5 feet parallel to the sensor plane. Remote release employed. No mirror lockup. Center and all four corners were evaluated to my naked eye on a monitor using 100% crops. Both lenses were new copies received within the last 7 days.The limestone wall lent itself perfectly to evaluating sharpness and subtle contrast and color rendition. There was enormous detail present in the wall with subtle colorations present.Findings:28MM F8: Tamron definitely sharper in the center and corners28MM F2.8: Tamron definitely sharper in the center and corners50MM F8: Tamron slightly sharper in the center and very slightly sharper in corners50MM F2.8: Tamron slightly sharper in center and equal in corners.70MM F2.8: Canon sharper in center and at corners. Incidentally noted was inability of Tamron to focus as sharply as I was able to achieve with manual focusing.70MM F8: Tamron sharper in center with Canon slightly sharper in corners.Some have said that there is less flare with the Canon, but if you use the lens hood that should not be a problem.  I didn't notice excessive flare in my copy.Admittedly there is significant copy to copy variation in both the Canon and the Tamron, but my findings convinced me that at 1/4 the price, and with the Tamron weighing 1 pound less than the Canon that the Tamron was the lens for me.  Optically 5/5!!I cannot recommend this lens highly enough.  It is the first non-Canon lens I have owned and I am thrilled.
A great lens for the more serious photographer, achieving the highly sought after f stop of 2.8 and with image stabilization.  A great choice for those that don't enjoy spending twice as much to have a white canon L series lens!
Let me start by saying I didn't want to like this lens. I've been a Canon lens purist since my first camera. I've always considered second party lenses to be inferior and not worth my time. Recently, however, I acquired another body (EOS 1). I wanted a dedicated walk around lens for it, since I'd been alternating my 24-70L between my digital and this new body. Unfortunately, my funds are a bit limited at them moment, so I wasn't able to purchase another 24-70L as I would have liked. So I began an extensive search for a lens that would fit my needs AND budget.After a while, I started leaning toward the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5. However, although I got close to purchasing one several times, I just couldn't pull the trigger. It seemed good enough, but I just wasn't convinced. Then just by accident, I read a review of the Tamron. The review went on and on about the performance and sharpness of the lens. I thought it was all just hot air. Then I saw a second review that stated the same thing. I became intrigued. I started my research. I went to several different sources and a clear picture began to emerge: this is a lens that a lot of people really like. This is a lens that consistently gets compared to my beloved 24-70L, and consistently holds its own--or even out performs it. At first I thought it unfair to compare it to the 24-70L, but then I saw sample images. I saw sharpness tests. I was impressed.So I took the plunge, and I'm so glad I did. As soon as it arrived, the first thing I noticed was that it did not feel like a cheap lens. I had expected it to be feather-light and almost flimsy. Instead, it feel substantial. It also came with a lens hood.I threw it on my 400D and fired off some shots and took a look. I was very happy with the results. The color reproduction was great. And so was the sharpness. Just for my own edification, I set up my tripod and made some test shots with the Tamron and then the same shots with the 24-70L. The first go 'round was done at f/5.6. I made exposures at 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm with each camera. I had a friend rename the files so I wouldn't know which shots came from which camera, so I couldn't claim bias either way. I then examined the shots. It didn't take nit-picky scrutiny to see the differences. After I selected the photos I found to be sharper in each group, my friend gave me the exif data on each one.Here is what I found:First Impression--At 25% magnification on my screen, all the photos looked fantastic. This puzzled me because I figured I'd be able to spot the 24-70L right away. I really couldn't tell the difference.Then I zoomed in to 100% and the fun really began.28mm--The difference in sharpness was very pronounced at this focal length. One photo was the clear winner, and that was the Tamron, particularly in center sharpness.35mm--Again, one of the photos was a clear winner, and again it was the Tamron.50mm--For the third time, the Tamron's sharpness outperformed the Canon. I was beginning to really develop an affinity for this little baby.70mm--At this length, the photos were pretty comparable. I picked one, however, and, to my surprise, it was the Tamron once again.-----After these tests I felt like a heretic. I had preferred the Tamron lens over the Canon in each trial. Granted, there are more I need to do, from wide open to fully stopped down. But this initial test has made me very happy.I have seen no evidence of CA so far, and given Tamron's claims, I would have been surprised if I had.The AF is a touch on the loud side (no USM), but it works well and is accurate. A bit of noise from the AF is nothing to complain about when one sees the results in the photos.It's not weather sealed like the 24-70L, but that is not as important to me as to someone who is out in extreme weather with some regularity.Finally, given the fact that this lens is just a third of the price of the 24-70L, and given that I am so impressed with the results, I'd have to say this is one of the better purchases I've made in a long, long time.I know all Tamron lenses do not perform this admirably, just like all Canons are not "L" class. However, I will certainly add them to my research when I have a new need for a lens.
If you own a Canon EOS camera and don't already have the Canon 24-70mm L lens, count youself lucky and run out and get this lens.  For below $400, you will get the equivalent legendary optical performance of the L lens (without the weather sealing and USM of couse), whatelse are you waiting for?I got a couple pictures above to show the quality of the lens, too bad the size of those pictures are small.  You really can't go wrong with this lens, look it up on the internet, you will see nothing buy singing praises for this little lens.
It works well, just didn't realize how loud it could be at times. Works pretty well, even in moderately low light. No complaints besides the noise.
Love everything about this lens! Its sharp, quick to focus and all around excellent. Only downfall is the weight of it, its a beast
I did a ton of research before I purchased this lens, and figured that this is probably one of the best lenses for the price! It feels sturdy and gives you amazing photos! Most of my photos have been crisp with awesome color to them. I am very happy with my purchase. I'm not sure what others mean when they say it feels cheap. It has some heft, its not metal but its a great buy for the price for sure!!!
I really needed (wanted) a versatile lens that would perform well in low-lighting situations.  I typically use my 50mm 1.8, however on my 5100, you really need some distance to work with when trying to get more than a portrait shot.  Since I couldn't spring for the Nikkor, and love my Tamron 85mm, I decided to give this a try.  I can't tell you how pleased I am!  I was able to clearly capture people dancing at a very low-lit reception on ISO 800 using rear curtain sync (bounced) at 1/50 without issue.  Without this lens I would have been forced to bump up my ISO to 1600+ and lose quality.  This is now my carry around lens.
save your money and get Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC USD instead of wasting it with this one, the image quality is not that great like a typical old tamron lenses
Before I start, I will preface by saying this is a very good lens for $500.  If you use a crop camera on most any brand, the optics will be good and performance will be at least satisfactory.  Focus on this lens is moderately quick and accurate in my experience.I personally used this lens a while back on a 1D Mark II (1.3x crop) and liked it.  It was smaller, lighter, and much cheaper than the Canon counterpart and I was happy.  That was, until I went to a full frame camera.  What I discovered was the entire left side of the frame was soft on a full 35mm sensor.  This was very disappointing for me and I ultimately sold the lens for the Canon version and was much happier.Now, I don't discount all of the glowing views here on the lens.  What happened was that I received a faulty copy and had no idea until I went to use it on a full frame camera.  On a 1.3x crop or smaller (most of the cameras on the market) I never would have known.  That is one knock against this Tamron vs Canon or Nikon pro lenses - quality control.So the Canon 24-70L is $1300 vs $500 for this lens.  What are you giving up for $800?- Full frame image quality is better and more consistent on the Canon- The Canon is much better built and sealed from the element than this lens- The rubber, focus rings, lens coatings, and surface finish is superior on the Canon.Do these things matter for the average amateur who just wants to take nice pictures?  No, they don't and that is what makes this lens excellent.  It cuts back on some of the expensive manufacturing techniques and higher end pro features and leaves the very good APS-C image quality that this market demands.  The F2.8 aperture also makes this lens versatile in lower light situations.Basically, if you are recently starting off in DSLR photography and you want a good walk around lens with the flexibility of upgrading to a full frame later on, this lens is a strong candidate.  It's better all around that the "kit" lens that camera with your camera, and the price tag won't break the bank.  There are "crop specific" (DX or EF-S) lens which offer greater zoom ranges than this lens, but at the cost of aperture and full frame compatibility.  In that regard, this is a unique, affordable lens still worthy of consideration.
This is a great lens! This is my new primary lens at the cheaper price it can't be beat! Tamron makes exceptional lenses I will buy all of my lenses from Tamron!
Very easy to use and light weight. Its range makes for nice indoor shots of real estate especially in tight spots that require clarity and wide field of view.  Excellent lens.JB Photography
Well first of all let me start off by telling you that I purchased this lens from Amazon for my Canon Digital Rebel XT. This was my first dslr and was looking for a replacement solution for the 18-55 kit lens.I was researching the Canon 28-135 and this the Tamron 28-75. I had  taken a look at both of them in-person at my local camera shop. The build quality of the Canon did seem a bit better but the Tamron by no means is a pig when it comes to quality of craftsmanship. So after taking a look at both of these lenses, I decided on the Tamron and I content with the purchase.The good:1. Nice build quality2. Not too heavy3. Has a zoom lock4. 2.8 throughout focal range although it seems as though mine is not as sharp at 2.8 vs the slower speeds but this is to be expected.5. Tamron rebate came super quick6. 6 YEAR warranty7. Included a petal shaped hood8. Metal mount9. Overall nice focal range (would have preferred a bit longer, but this will do just fine for the moment)10. Amazon had it in stock, free shipping and no taxThe bad:1. At 2.8 doesnt seem as sharp as it possibly can, but this can be remedied by sending it to Tamron for calibrating (hey i have 6 years to send it back)2. Nothing else!Overall I really enjoy this lens. Ever since I got this lens, I do not use my kit lens at all. Focusing is pretty quick and spot on. Some complain of the lens being loud, but to tell you the truth, its not loud at all but not super silent either. I am happy about this purchase and will continue using this lens as my main walk-around lens. Perhaps later, I will send it back to Tamron for calibration, but overall is a really nice lens at a even better price.Hope this helps.
Have had this lens for 30 days or so. Used it for portraits and macro type of photography. Its not a bad lens for the money, would have been nice if it had VR, but with these optics and VR feature, expect to pay much more.Used this lens in three different types of scenarios, i will say i had about 80% keepers. I ran into certain situations to where i had enough light, a nice steady hand, but the image still didnt come out as sharp as i wanted. when i slightly overexposed my shots, this lens was awesome. I was also shooting in hard lighting situations, with the mid day sun (too harsh) and indoors. I was able to get some really nice images shooting indoors at wide open (2.8).AF seems to work just fine, i read some reviews about hunting issues...i have yet to experience such issues.The build quality seems fine, granted its no Nikkor, but it seems pretty tight. I wouldnt go out on a safari expedition or anything with it, but it will survive normal day to day use with absolutely no issues.I highly suggest this lens for portraiture photography and macro photography. I took some really nice shots coupled to my D3100 and also tried this lens with a SB700.WB seemed a bit off when shooting..left a different tint than what i am use to shooting with Nikkor lenses. Nothing way out there to where i wasnt able to fix it in LR with very slight adjustments. a grey card will help aid in such issues, but again, its minor and nothing worth worrying about, especially if you shoot RAW images.I uploaded some example photos taken with this lens, again, pretty impressive for the price of this lens (photos by Jesse Martinez).As you can see in the pics, the Bokeh with this lens is really good..actually very good.If you are on a budget and looking for a nice daily lens, or even for portraiture, this is a great choice especially if you dont want to spend 1800 on the Nikkor equivalent. Granted the Nikkor is slightly better (not by much at all) but this lens will go a long ways for the money, especially if you want a nice lens for macro and portraits.I am not too sure how well their customer service is, as i have yet to even deal with them, but i was able to call and get a hold of somebody within minutes when i registered this lens online. Rumors say they are accommodating to most, as long as you have the original sales receipt.Tamron did well thats for sure.:Update to my review: Owned this lens for a year now..has been dropped once, still works as good as new and its still producing remarkable images! Tamron did very well with this particular lens. Im even considering their 70-200 f/2.8 over the Nikkor equivelant.
This was my second of three Tamron lenses that I evaluated it had horrible front focus issues wide open at 28mm and at 75mm. Stopped down to 5.6 it was fantastic as well as razor sharp. Even manual focused it was razor sharp down to 2.8 but I didn't buy a manual focus lens now did I.For all those that are evaluating this lens once you find a good one it is mint. I don't bother swapping out my 50mm f1.8 anymore its that good.Amazon on the other hand was a pain in the but to deal with for this particular return. It was within the 30 day return window and they charged me a restock fee. I sent it back as a defective lens which it is/was. I had to call back 6 times to get the re-stock refunded and finally they issued me a credit on an alternate credit card...This was rather unacceptable. The reason as explained to me by the customer service was that the return refund was within the 30-day window however due to return shipping the item came back as out of window. This is not a big deal to me a bit of a hastle uyes but I will certainly continue to do busioness with Amazon they are great to deal with.
I was a little hesitant to buy this lens.  My Canon 5dMKII requires a lot out of a lens, and I had been saving to buy a Canon 24-70mm "L" for it, but I found I needed something right away.  The Tamron was in my budget, and with Amazon, returns are rather easy, so I figured I'd try it out and see.  I also already have the Tamron 17-50mm in my bag for use on my back-up camera, so I knew that Tamron could make an excellent product.I do a very simple test on every lens I purchase.  I line up a row of books on my bookshelf so that they are all even, set my camera on a tripod, square it to the bookshelf and level it, use a remote release, enable mirror lock-up, and fire away.  I take shots at 28mm, 50mm and 75mm, from f/2.8 to f/11.  I take one series using auto focus, and one where I focus manually.  I then view them at 100% on my calibrated monitor and see what I've got.I'm happy to say that I'm not saving for the Canon anymore.  I know a lot depends on the quality of the copy you receive, but I guess I got lucky.  Edge-to-edge sharpness is outstanding, even wide open.  My Tammie has a tiny amount of edge softness at f/2.8 from 50mm to 75mm, but every zoom in this category does.  It's not noticeable at normal viewing or printing sizes, and it goes away once the lens is stopped down to f/4.  I was quite shocked to find that, set to f/4, it was as sharp as both my 50mm f1.4 lens and my 70-200mm f/4 "L" lens, at the same focal lengths and f-stops.  For sharpness, I couldn't ask for a better performance.As for distortion, the Tamron has some minor barrel distortion at 28mm.  It's not bad, and easily correctable with my camera's software.  Pincushion distortion at the telephoto end is well controlled and not noticeable in most cases.  Again, where it can be noticed, it is easily fixed.  If you use a crop-frame camera, such as the 40D, 50d, 7D or any Rebel, distortion won't be an issue.  Neither will the minor edge softness I mentioned above.  Chroma aberration and flare are both very, very minor, and better than my Canon lens.  Color reproduction is excellent, with no sign of color cast (at least on my copy).If there's one issue, it's with the auto focus.  My 5DMKII has a micro adjustment to correct focus errors, and I needed every bit of it to correct a front-focusing issue.  I may send it back to Tamron for a quick tweak, but I certainly wouldn't return the lens for replacement over this.  In any event, with a 6-year warranty, I have plenty of time to decide.Conclusion:  The Tamron 28-75mm is an excellent addition to the camera bag, but you should test the lens as soon as you receive it to ensure you get a good copy.  Amazon's return procedures are very easy, and Tamron's customer service people seem friendly and helpful.  Should I decide to send in my copy to adjust the auto focus, I'll update this review and let you know how it turns out.  In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy using this sharp little bugger.Edit:  Well, almost a year into ownership now, and I've decided not to send in the lens for an adjustment.  The micro adjustment on my Canon 5DMKII has worked fine, and the lens is spot on when using my other camera, a Canon XTI.  So the front focusing is obviously camera-specific and not an issue with the lens.  Since the micro adjustment feature has nicely corrected this, I am extremely happy with this lens.
have shot with this for 4 years now, bought at $395 and am happy to see amazon offering a great price after 3 years of inflation, one year of stagnancy.it's really the one lens (aside from the canon 2.8 17-55mm image stab, which is twice+ much as this, but complements it) that i can say will bring no regrets. spelled n-o-n-e.have 3 shots that show a range of work in the image section (clickable at top of page), no.s 139, 140, 141. my pro use is 141, for headshots with fill flash and some perfecting oriented raw/psd file photoshop...tho that shot did not need much, just perfecting for the client. no. 139 has some tonal photoshop and other basic work in raw/psd, but casual, about 30mins worth, and is a casual very low light indoor shot of kitty sitting by a very bright window...really shows this camera taking on paradoxical conditions. did need a little photoshop to really balance the tones/light out, but it delivers such good material to work with in extreme light conditions. 140 has only some photoshop to bring out colors in sky/sea, some sharpening, but shows this lens in another situation, a scenic ocean pic.point is, across the board the lens can hang well. love the 2.8 across the range. only thing i might say is that the sharpness needs a little photoshop pump uP...if you look at most of the added images in the gallery, they seem to have a touch of, if not softness, then a slight lack of punched right on sharpness. but it's a nice quality, and likely 90% as good as you'll get with a zoom...and also easily fixed in photoshop or other simple pic adjusting software, and one will always be sharpening a bit anyway, so not at all a negative.no reason not to get this lens. all, or virtually all, reviews on this lens had it beating the canon 'L' version of it for mucho mucho more $...the only drawback being this has a plastic barrel. i say, just don't play handball with it. probably the best lens out there in this zoom range, and a no-brainer price.
I was a fool to have believed that the kit lens(18-55mm f/3.5-5) from the 350D was enough, but I was more than a fool when I thought the "nifty-fifty"(50mm f/1.8) was the only lens I needed. The kit lens was only a "so-so" lens at best. And the nifty-fifty was hard to take pictures when I must be standing at least 5 feet back to capture my subject. The 1.8 of the nifty-fifty was brilliant but having almost everything except one small spot in focus is not worth my "Kodak moments." I needed something more versatile, something efficient and cater to the budget photographer like myself.I scoured the internet for a lens that could be titled as the "King of the Walk around Lenses." Many lenses were nominated by photographers across the net. Lenses such as the Canon 17-40 f/4L, the Canon 17-85 IS USM, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, the Canon 50mm f/1.8(Nifty Fifty), Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, Canon's 28-135mm IS USM, and much more. A good walk around lens must have versatility, which for me meant a decent zoom range. Something that a prime lens like the "oh so perfect" 50mm f/1.8 nifty fifty cannot satisfy.Here I shall digress a little and talk about the nifty fifty. It's definitely a great lens, a lens that is extremely affordable, approx 80USD. It is outstanding in low light and again, it is CHEAP. Many people love this lens for its value per price, myself included. That is why that the 50mm f/1.8 was my very first lens besides the kit lens. I began using it all the time but always found myself stepping back, way back, in order to achieve a good composition of the subject at hand. This annoyed me a little and I decided to continue my search for the best walk around lens.Back on topic now, versatility is important, zoom range is important. Something like the 17-85 IS USM, 28-135mm IS USM definitely interested me. These are definitely not as expensive as the other lenses out there, especially the L-line. I was holding back because the prices on the mentioned Canon lenses were still quite steep; they were as expensive as the camera body! I could not come to grip with a lens that costs as much as the body, here I would like to mention I'm new to SLR photography. Price was a major factor for me and the zoom range was important as well.Along with zoom range, another aspect of versatility included the lens' ability to be useful for indoor or night photography. This is the reason why I bought the nifty fifty in the first place. I took more interest in the lenses that had a larger aperture; something about f/2.8 just screams sexiness to me. Well with these criteria in mind, I started to really look at the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L. This lens has received epic reviews from every photographer. Its built quality and its pictures are perplexingly amazing. My versatility requirement has been met at every angle. When I look at the price, my jaws dropped and suddenly this lens just became a lens beyond my reach.As price is a huge factor in buying anything these days, the price of the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L scared me away. But through my meticulously investigation into the 24-70L lens, I came across a small group of people who had found an alternative.That alternative is what I am really reviewing here: the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.Advantages of this lens are the best part. This lens is incredibly versatile, good zoom range, great for low lighting shots. It was the perfect alternative to the beloved Canon 24-70L. The major factor that really pushed me into buying this Tamron was the price. It was a HUGE bargain. The Canon sells for more than a thousand dollars while this Tamron is in the very reachable range of 350USD.Now there are only a few sample images by fellow amazonites so I was hesitant in believing what others were saying about the quality of the pictures. And there weren't many in depth review on this lens either. I also heard this lens has to seek focus for an image in low lighting areas. I took the plunge and bought this lens anyways.To my surprise, this lens is tremendously useful. The 28mm is decent enough for landscape. The other end at 75mm is quite good for portraits or just typical zoom images. My pictures were very sharp comparing to the kit lens and the nifty fifty. I have taken pictures indoor during a cloudy morning, indoor night time with halogen lights in the room, outdoor nature, and outdoor people. This lens produces exceedingly sharp pictures.The constant f/2.8 was the best part. I can shoot rather well in low light. For some ridiculous reason, I walked into a national park as the sun was setting, so when I was a mile in, it was already dark. My Tamron was able to still take pictures at ISO speeds of 800 and I thought, "Wow, I couldn't do this with my other lenses." With that said, there is one minor annoyance. This is not a USM obviously, so it does take a little bit of time searching for that focus. In extreme low lighting, like that of a hike after the sun has set, it was impossible for me to obtain autofocus. I guess this is true for all lenses so it is not that big of a problem here.The Tamron's build quality is quite sturdy. This lens was very strong from when I was playing with it. The 28-75mm is much heavier than the kit lens I received with the 350D so I was still getting used to it. When this lens sits in my 350D body, I couldn't really hold the camera if my hands were only on the camera. I needed to place my left hand on the barrel of the lens in order for a good feel. Mounting this combination onto a light weight tripod gave me moments of fear. The top of the tripod would start tipping forward. When I tilted my camera vertically on the tripod, the tripod tipped to the left. Of course adding weights to the tripod solved the problem but be warned that this is a real lens that has a good weight to it.Comparing to the Canon 24-70L lens, which weighs twice as much and cost three times as much, this Tamron is a steal! Even though this lens is not that well known, I love its ability to compete with the 24-70L. I especially love the price of this incredible lens. For those that are hesitant to buy this lens, please don't be. It's an excellent lens with good quality.To sum it all up, the price, the zoom range, the large aperture, the built quality, and again the price make this lens the best "bang for the buck" lens for a Canon SLR. I love the ability to just take photos in any situation while producing sharp pictures. This lens claims the title "King of the Walk Around Lenses" in my book. And last but not least, a good walk around lens will definitely encounter battle scars so the low cost of this lens would not take a week's worth of pay to buy another one. Two thumbs up, five stars, top 10 rating from me.I am sorry if this review was too long, I just love this lens.Update(2006-07-12):Just came back from a 40 day backpacking trip through Europe. I brought this lens with me along with Canon 50mm f/1.8. The whole time, I only used the Tamron. It was heavy to be strapping the 350D around my neck walking around in 85F heat but i managed.The lens performed commendably! It was truly a great walk around lens because when you're out, you're going to be out all day. So from morning to night, my lens was able to capture every moment I wanted to remember. Though I did find myself saying "I wish I had a wide angle lens" almost everytime I visited a museum or a church, I still recommend this Tamron whole heartedly.After my long trip, I have learned that no single lens can truly claim to be everything you need, but with this Tamron, you'd have a blast with its sharp pictures! When I was in museums and churches, people were flashing about with their cameras while I took all my photos with my amazing 2.8 aperture so no flash was neccessary, capturing the true lighting on the subjects. People were just amazed and asked "Wow, you don't need a flash?"Hope I can update every one out there with my experience on the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8Update 12/13/07: 1 year later......The lens is great, I did a lot of portrait shots over the year and with the 2.8, it made the subject stand out from the background. But I guess I'm still a beginner at photography. I looked back at some photos and realized my portrait style cannot be applied to taking photos of objects. Extending the focal range, I had tried to capture a car from a distance but my shaky hands and the f/2.8 made everything blurry! I have to review my basics and use a smaller aperture.Still a great lens, for its price, it's definitely unbeatable.I have now added a Canon 10-22mm to my collection, which is extremely fun to play with.UPDATE 4/28/2010: 4 years later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG can you believe I'm updating this review 4 years later? Well it's because I LOVE this lens!!!!! I've shot a lot in the past 4 years with this lens, and I've grown into loving portrait photography even more. This lens is AMAZING performing portraits, great depth of field with the 2.8 at 75mm. I usually turn up the f-stop to 3.5 or so, 75mm, lower EV -1, and shoot in raw so I can edit the brighten up the photo later on in photoshop. The lens is still very sturdy, I've traveled to Ecuador, Hong Kong, South Korea, and throughout the US since then.This lens was so cheap back then, now it's about $440.. wow... what happened?!
It's no 1800.00 lens, but so far it has been a great choice to start out and upgrade later.  Works well with the D800 for the $$.
This is a nice lens. I think tamron makes good telephoto zoom lenses for canon and for the money they are worth a look at. No they do not feel the same as canon l series lenses or even some of the midrange lenses from canon but they are capable of taking very nice,sharp images.I think the lens is a good value for the money and a good deal.I like to buy my lenses from a store and handle them before I buy them. lenses have motors and sensors and it is actually a complex piece of gear so i like to make sure my model is working properly before i buy it. This could be a lens you have on your camera all the time if you like taking pictures indoors.You need to see and handle all camera gear before you buy it on amazon or not.There have been reports here and other places not just on tamron products having issues.Go look, even if the nearest pro store is 200 miles away it maybe worth it to go and examine your model.
This is an excellent lens. All my pictures are sharp. Amazon shipped it right on time,
IDEAL WALK AROUND and FRIEND OF YOURSMONEY SAVIERMY BELIEVE JAPANES TECHNOLOGY'S TYPICALLY ARE PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER , AND DIFERENT COPMANYES SHERE THEIR SECRETS ..TO SUPPORT NATIONAL MARKETING IDEAS ..28-75mm autofocus zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum apertureEXELENTLY meet performance characteristics of digital SLR camerasMinimum focusing distance of 13 inches; rotation-type zoomSmaller and lighter than most fast zoom lenses; weighs 18 ouncesMeasures 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches long; 6-year warrantyDO NOT THINK TOO LONG !!If you are here you are not the only one who use it ( proudly ?!!!)
I spent considerable time reading reviews on this lens before I bought it. Most, including professional, were positive. I use it on my D5000. For some weeks it performed very well and I thought I had done a good deal. Then it begun to lock up the autofocus. I see in some forums and other reviews on Amazon that this has happened to many others. Unfortunately, I did not see those reviews in time before I bought the lens. I have temporarily solved the problem just as the others have: turned the camera off and on and disconnected and reconnected the lens to the camera. Then it works again for a few pics until I do something like change the zoom, then the autofocus dies again. Tamron says I should send it to them for a check up. I don't know if it will be worth the hassle and the shipment cost. I expect it to be just as lousy after the eventual repair. It is not an expensive lens, but I agree with the other reviewer that says you should still expect it to work properly.Update: After a year I finally got so tired of this problem that I simply took my Leatherman Wave diamond coated file and carefully filed a little on the contacts. I used this type of file to achieve very little abrasion in a controlled way and without risking any dust. I have now used the lens occasionally for some months and it has, so far, worked fine. It is optically and mechanically a pretty OK lens. I have a Sigma prime 50mm 2.8 that takes more "crisp" photos. Anyway, I am now happy to be able to use it (trust it) again, and I would upgrade my review to 3 stars (=satisfying but not great).
I'm a professional photographer, I read the good reviews and I decided to buy it; since I can't afford a Canon red line at this time. Several friends of mine, also photographers, told me not to buy It, thanks god I'm so obstinate and didn't listen to them. This lens is just AWESOME!;  Image quality is nothing to envy to a red line one; Extremely sharp, even at 2.8 maximum aperture, lovely bouquet in a robust, good built structure. I shot two weddings, a pregnancy and a model shoot, and in every case I was impressed with the amazing performance and quality. As a weakness, the lens hood generates a weird vignette; nothing that you can't solve, just take it off and enjoy this beauty. It really worth it!
I am very pleased with the early results I am getting with this lens.  I am using it on a Canon Rebel XT. With the 1.6 multiplication factor this lens is effectively a 45 to 120mm lens which covers a very useful range. The f/2.8 throughout the range allows it to be used zoomed out in low light situations.  I find the sharpness throughout the range to be very good and the Macro really allows you to get in close.  This has become my walk around full time lens.
As an amateur photographer I wanted something nice, but affordable.  After lots or research and reading reviews I decided on the Tamron.  I am very pleased with this lens and the quality pictures it takes.  I've used on several different occasions both indoor and outdoor and it has made me smile every time.  Thanks Tamron for a great lens at an affordable price!
I purchased a used copy of this lens, and have been very happy with it!  I use this lens on a Nikon D90, and it connects with the Nikon camera just fine.  Other lenses I have shot with include: Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 85mm f/1.8, Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 (discontinued older lens), and Nikon 24mm f/2.8.Pros- lightweight- zoom range is perfect for everyday use and portrait use- fixed minimum aperture required by the advanced hobbyist or pro- sharp- beautiful blurry bokeh- fast, fast AF, quick response overall- PRICE!Cons- Plastic body (cheaper, less durable, but also lighter weight; I think I'm okay with the trade off)- I think my 50mm f/1.8 is faster and sharper, but not by much. This should be expected since it is a prime lens though!I really was expecting this lens to be slow, or soft because of the price point. But since I can't yet afford the amazing Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, I had to find something in a similar zoom range that I could afford.  I had looked at Sigmas, but the reviews were spotty. This lens holds true to other reviews - you can't get better than this for the price. I expect this lens to be on my camera most of the time. Couldn't be more happy with this purchase.Update 12/10/10You can't go wrong with this lens at this price. It still gets five stars from me after several months of use and professional shoots in various lighting conditions. Some reviewers have given it four stars for not being a "perfect" lens, but that's like giving a great Toyota four stars for not being a Lexus. Sharp, great color, great bokeh, great mid-range zoom length, great fixed aperture, seriously happy. It has replaced my 50mm f/1.8 to live on my D90 most of the time. I would still use the f/1.8 if I needed to shoot no flash in low light, as it is wider and faster.
Cannot compare this to a Canon 24-70 L, I'm sure the Canon would be much greater. But this is coming from someone who has been using an 18-55 as their zoom lens. It is performing greatly for me, and I prefer it over my 50.
I just received my Tamron 28-75mm yesterday and fired off some test shots while walking around the house and yard.Wow is all I have to say...This is definitely going to be my walk-around lens.------I did a ton of comparison shopping between various lenses in a similar focal range -- 16-50mm, 17-70mm, but I eventually ended up picking this lens because I need the 75mm more than the wide angles.  I also compared lots of numbers at various web sites, although not on Pentax mounts.GREAT picture quality wide open and only gets sharper if you stop it down.  I'm cursed to be a pixel peeper, but I would not hesitate to use this lens at f/2.8 at any focal distance -- it's just that good.  Vignetting is almost unheard of, which isn't surprising since it's a full frame lens and I'm shooting with a Pentax K200D.Zoom feels good and snug -- I don't see myself using the zoom lock button any time soon.Manually focusing feels okay, but a bit of a "geary" feeling as you turn the dial, and it's considerably smaller grip than the zoom grip.  Still, it's fairly snug and doesn't have any play in the turn action, so it's decent.Build quality seems pretty good for a composite lens body.----------I have no problems recommending this to anyone that would like normal to moderate telephoto action .  Very crisp images and great color / contrast and a fast f/2.8 throughout.Only one small complaint - Shadow visible in images when zoomed out using onboard flash, even after removing the lens hood.  I guess I should stop being cheap and get a real flash :)Tamron has an excellent lens here and the price is a steal.
On my full frame 5d there is a significant amount of vignetting, but that was rather expected being so much less expensive than the canon 24-70 L.  Bought it because i am on a tight budget, and I dont regret it. Even with the vignetting- its still woth saving the 600+ dollar difference.
I researched this lens heavily & everything looked great. Then I found a rebate that Amazon didn't list on the Tamron site for $30 good through 4/30/06. I grabbed it when Amazon did a price drop to $356.19 - (pie/2 discount)= $350.60 & I just received my $30 rebate from Tamron to make this a steal of a deal. I was ready to buy this lens $374.94 & with the $30 rebate its still a bargain. I shot my mother in laws wedding with it & having that 2.8 aperture really came in handy with the available lighting.
I won't go into a lot of details of this particular lens, as previous reviewers, in my opinion, have "hit the nail on the head".  This is my first third party lens, after doing research for several months on the net reviews, in looking for a new all around everyday carry lens. I have enough Canon glass, which are very good, but this particular Tamron lens beats/matches my Canons in nearly every quality category.  Plus, this lens is lighter...and costs much less! Yes,this is a keeper.
I've been using this lens for almost a year now, and if you are looking for a high quality lens on a lighter budget, this is a good choice. The focus is nice and tight, the images are clear. The zoom is a good mid range that should fit most of your needs including decent macro, until you really need to graduate to very large telephoto zooms or extreme wide angles for bigger projects. If you're looking to just stick to one lens, this is probably the right range for you. This is also about the only safe bet on quality if you're trying to match a lens not made by Canon to a Canon camera.
I compared this to the my 50mm f/1.8 Canon lens (the $100 one). I zoomed the Tamron to 50mm and did some comparison shots at f/2.8.  The Canon lens was much much sharper.  So much in fact, I don't even want to take any more photos with the Tamron.  Based on this experience, I'm upgrading to all L glass lenses.  I'll upload my comparison photo which is an up-close shot of a green pitcher.The lens is a good value and I took some good photos with it.  Although, with a 1.6 crop factor, it seems to always be either too zoomed up, or not zoomed enough.  I think this lens is targeted at the 1.6 cropped market but the zoom range isn't very useful so that's why I give it two stars.  If you know that the zoom range is what you want and this is how much money you have, it's a decent lens.
this is a great lens. has lots of options. i bought it to go with the body of a canon T4. this is the first step to having a camera that professionals use.
This lens was one I bought prior to starting to acquire L series lenses. I have replaced all other non L lenses with the exception of this lens. It is also the only nonCanon lens I own. I compared it to a friends 24 70 L and the difference in sharpness and color did not justify selling this and replacing it with the 24 70 for the extra expense.  If money was no object then sure just go for L lenses, and I may eventually replace this but currently I still grab this lens more than its share and I am in no hurry to change.  It is smaller and lighter than the 24 70 for a walk around, and there is something to be said for a lens with less of an investment when out for the day.  I have shot entire weddings with this lens on a Canon FF 5D II with phoenominal results. On the last with 600 shots about 95% keeper rate and the shots are razor sharp. You can zoom in to 100% and they are still sharp and clear. I have a friend who uses this lens in her studio on a classic 5D as her portrait lens, which is how I first heard of it.  I highly recommend this lens for IQ and value.
This lens takes beautifully sharp, bokeh intense photos.  Great for pictures of your dogs, flowers, birds, kids, etc.  Colors are beautiful with in depth detail.  I used it to take some pictures of show dogs and got some really gorgeous photos.What it isn't so great at is action shots.  It takes a little too long to focus on a moving object.  As a portrait lens I would give it 5 starts.  I only dropped it to 4 stars because of the action shot limitations.
I ordered this for use on a DX format camera as I was already an owner of the Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 so that I could fill out my overall kit range a little better than by using the 17-50mm f/2.8 made for DX format cameras. Overall, this lens is on my camera a significant amount of the time I spend out taking photos. I read all of the reviews associated with this versus the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and I even rented that lens for a weekend, but I couldn't justify the price over this one.Quality control is a little bit of an issue with Tamron, but I happened to get a good one the first time. I've seen many stories associated with people returning lenses, sometimes two or three times, before getting good ones so I feel lucky in that regard. That said, this lens is nothing short of fantastic. No, it's not the Nikon 24-70mm, but it's REALLY good especially considering the price point. I'm really impressed with the color rendition here. A little bit of CA, but nothing that can't be easily handled, but it's extremely sharp. My copy of this lens is only marginally worse about CA at the wider focal lengths, but I can say that it's not much of an issue overall. Sharpness is more than enough to produce very crisp images from a D5100 or a D7000, which mathematically makes it even better for the lower resolution cameras. It's good at f/2.8 with really crisp images coming in at about f/5.6 and it really shines between f/8 and f/11. Corner sharpness will suffer a bit a wider apertures, but I don't think people shopping for this lens are going for absolute corner sharpness at f/2.8. That said, the bokeh isn't bad either.On the downside, I don't see much other than the autofocus being a bit slower than I would like. I'm used to current Olympus M4/3 models where AF is beyond incredibly fast. Evidently the new Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is much better in this capacity from early rumors but I won't make any judgments until I have it in my hands. So we're left with great image quality and acceptable autofocus. Nothing more and nothing less. I can definitely live with that. Four stars.
I bought this lens as a lightweight alternative to my nikkors, to use basically as a walkaround lens. The lens, being mostly plastic construction, is very light, compared to other f/2.8 lenses of the same range. The optics are fine and it is fairly sharp wide open at f/2.8. So, it's a nice lens, especially for the price, but the autofocus just too slow!I have 2 other Tamron lenses, the 17-50 f/2.8 and the 90 macro.  Both of those are AF-D screwdriver lenses that use the AF motor in the body and both are much faster to focus than this lens with the built-in motor, especially in lower lighting conditions.  I was really disappointed with the AF performance of this lens and returned it immediately. I usually like Tamron lenses, which are usually a good value, so I sincerely hope that Tamron fixes this lens so that the internal motor operates more in line with the speed of other lenses with internal motors. As it is, I think I could focus manually faster than with using the motor in this lens.
I've used this lens as my primary "walk about" lens for the past 3 years on the Nikon D200 camera. Given the price to quality ratio, this is one outstanding lens. It is sharp, fast, with offer what I wanted most a constant 2.8. I would highly recommend this for anyone, especially those who need a good everyday lens without having to pay a large sum of money for.See more example of this lens in action at photographybykevin.net. Most of my pictures were taken with this lens, especially the flowers collection.
Like most reviewers I did some research and read nothing but good things. This lens is physically a lightweight, but can hold it own optically with the heavyweights. The build quality is not completely to my liking. I have a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX and a Tokina 12-24mm f/4 and both seem to be built to higher standards.The Tamron's lightweight and optics make it a nice addition to my kit. The AF is fast and accurate in decent lighting, but it seems to hunt a bit in low-light. The only lenses I have used that have high performance in low-light are Canon's USM (L and non-L).Aside from the build and lackluster low-light AF performance, this lens is a nice alternative to the higher priced Canon 24-70L. If you are on a budget and want constant f/2.8 with high quality images, look no further than this. If you are a lens snob and are bothered by the feeling of plastic in your hands, this is not for you.
I previously ownned the Nikon N65 film SLR camera with a Nikkor lense and then a point and shoot canon powershot. This time around when I decided on purchasing a digital SLR I wanted to make sure that I get better sharpness, color and depth without spending an insane amount of money. After looking at the reviews for the same Canon L lense I was very keen on purchasing but it was too expensive. Then I spoke to a few professional photographers who recommended the Tamron lense. The reviews on amazon were great as well.I have been so happy with this lense. I have taken low light shots, fast action shots, potraits etc. Every situation this lense with the canon rebel camera has given me outstanding results. I dont find any problems with the focus or anything else. Very heavily recommend this lense - you will not regret your decision.
This lens has been my go to lens since I purchased it.  I take it with me on vacations, I use it for photoshoots that require me to move around, and I use it for everyday activities with my family.  I got this to use in conjunction with my 50mm 1.8 prime lens.  I am able to get more versatility with this lens, and I can capture more in my shots.  Even though this isn't a Canon brand lens, I am overall very pleased with the quality of the photos that this lens produces.
I've been using this lens on my Canon 60D for several weeks now and it is rarely off my camera!  It's now my "go-to" lens.  The only thing I've noticed is that it's not as sharp as my prime lens, especially when I want the close-up shot.  With that said, I highly recommend this lens for folks like me who take pictures as a hobby.  If I decided to step into the professional realm I would probably step up and purchase a Canon 24-70mm.
I've been shopping for a new lens for quite some time now. I got my 20D a few months ago and I finally settled on this lens. I did my research on this lens. I have heard nothing but good about it. I've only tested the lens for a couple of days now and I am totally amazed with the quality of this lens. And the price is right too. The lens is fast and sharp. The build of this lens is excellent... it fits well in my hand and the weight is not too light [junky] and it's not too heavy... it's perfect for keeping on the camera at all times. The images captured by this lens are just "wow". I don't think I could have found a better zoom lens for my 20D. This is the lens that I am going to always leave on my camera. I couldn't suggest a better one.
I'm a Nikon only user and a lover of primes. I was really worried about getting an off brand and also after reading mixed reviews was prepared to be disappointed. I've only had it for 2 days and played a little, will write updates I'm sure but so far it's as sharp if not BETTER than some of my high end Nikon primes. For this price the lens is a MUST.
Don't even think about it; just get it now! I own one Canon L zoom, a non-L USM zoom, and a 50mm 1.4 prime. This is my first non-Canon lens, and it may be the sharpest of them all. I had heard that quality control was a problem with third party lenses, and if that is so then I hit the jackpot on the first try with my copy of this lens.The autofocus is smooth, quick enough, and quiet. The lens feels less sturdy than my L, but definitely acceptable quality.If you really need a mid-range zoom and can live without the red stripe, this lens is a steal compared to the $1000+ Canon 28-70L. I cannot compare the IQ of the two lenses, as I have never owned the Canon version. However, I'm pleased with the quality of my Tamron, and I'm even more pleased with the 600 something dollars I saved by going with the Tamron.
Didn't buy this at Amazon, but ended up returning 3 bad copies in a row before giving up.  The first had severe softness at 75mm.  The 2nd had severe BF at 28mm.  The 3rd had slight BF at 28mm and softness at 75mm.While testing I saw flashes of super sharpness (75mm on 2nd lens and 50mm on 3rd lens).  If Tamron could figure out what's wrong w/ their design so it can be more consistently manufactured, they'd have a real winner.I did wish the range were 24-70 instead of 28-75 though...the Sigma 24-70 uses a ridiculous 82mm filter (they should stop at 77mm or the filter prices get ridiculous).
HAVENT USED IT MUCH YET BUT SEEMS TO BE PRETTY GOOD PRODUCT SO FAR.  COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF PRICE WAS A LITTLE CHEAPER.
I'm a pro photographer with over 30 years experience, and no, that really does not mean much to many because so many pro photographers have such varying views, some bias on a lens manufaturer or simply not willing to be objective because of the old buddy comradeship legacy,,, and I'm not saying most are that way, but enough.... but to someone pro or novice looking to make a substantial investment in a lens, this review may mean something.First what is the difference between a pro photographer, novice or amateur?...It's really all about time investment or experience...yes, there are many amateur photographers out there taking as good photos as I do...the difference is consistency....and consistency is bred from transcending quality from thousand of photos taken over time until you reach a razor sharp perception...In other words, I may take a thousand photos and only keep 5 or even less.  I'm looking for image perfection....and to me, great photography is ONLY about image quality and nothing more.I shoot with the Canon 7d, Canon XSI, Canon XTI, all great camera if you know how to use their controls...My Canon lenses include 70-200 F/4L(beautiful sharpness) I/S, 400 - F5.6L(razor sharp), 50mm 1.8 (very sharp), 50mm 2.5 macro (unbelievably sharp) 10/22 Super Wide angle(extremely sharp for such a wide angle)Lens Testing: Like most of you I read the reviews, how they were done and see the results, but remember, lens testing is not an exact science and many factors come into play, especially if the lens reviewd is not a great copy.  I put very little faith in lens testing reviews, but enough to make me want to do my own research.My own lens testing:  My testing is done in the field period.  I shoot in various weather conditions and circumstances and they all challenge me in varying degrees.  Shooting from the hip, shooting off the fly, shooting at night, bright sunlight, rain, cloudy, cold or hot, moving subjects or even from a moving car...doing weddings, private sessions, children playing etc, etc:...so for me the true test of a lens is to satisfy my appetite for "impeccable image quality" in all circumstances.Enter the (Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS)...and remember, you must have a good copy or send it back, or get it fixed.  You won't be sorry!!!I put this lens through my own tests and it surpassed all my desires and hopes, actually exceeding most.  It's as sharp as any lens I have, even sharper than the Canon 70-200 f/4L, as sharp as the 50mm 2.5 macro and 400 5.6L.  For many photographers the standard of excellence depends on Photodo.com and its lens testing results on the MTF scale...Anything with a 4 is an excellent lens.  The 50mm 2.5 macro is at 4.4 on the scale, which shows its incredible image quality.  Not even many of Canon's best L series lenses make it to 4.4.  The Tamron 28-75 lens is not rated on Photodo...I don't know why, probably because if it were, why would anyone spend many thousands on L lenses rated less than the Tamron.  I really don't know the reason why, but I can assure you that the Tamron 28-75 is on par in image quality with the 50mm 2.5 macro as well as any other L series lens Canon makes, but only proof in the field will prove that to you...and if you're wondering about comparing the Tamron 28-75 and the 24-70L canon...make no mistake, the Tamron is every bit as sharp...but how do the other factors stack up for or against the Tamron?...The Tamron is fast, it's detailed, it's clear from corner to corner at all apperatures, at least my copy...and it's quality build...So, is there anything negative about this lens?....why does there have to be?  It does everything I need it to do, especially produce some of the finest image quality I've ever seen...Unbelievable portraits, natural rich colors, perfect contrast and much more...but the amazing thing about this lens is its price.  I purchased my copy for 500 bucks and I could have spent 3 to 4 times that for other lenses which do NOT exceed this lens quality...and yes, there will be others who will disagree with my evaluation and that's ok, but one thing no one can disagree about.  The Tamron 28-75 is much more bang for the buck than just about any other lens out there, but the proof is not in this review...The proof is based on your own standard of shooting and testing it yourself.  Once you do, then you decide if this review is spot on or not!!!!!...and if you don't like the lens, it's simply .... send it back!
I primary bought this for low light set up, but the output on this is very bad.Day light pictures are good, but then I have my other lens for that....I wouldnt recommend this.
I bought this lens and after a week returned it because of the poor quality.  It had difficulty focusing.  Three different times my camera locked up with a busy message when trying to focus.  All of my pictures turned out blury and out of focus.  The pictures were taken at 2.8 ISO 100 with a high shutter speed on a bright and sunny day.  I expect some blur with 2.8, but I always point the focus dot in the corner of the eyes so I would expect at least the eye to be sharp.  I ended up taking the lens off and using my $100.00 50mm which far outperformed the Tammy.My advice: Save your money until you can afford the Canon 17-55 or 28-105.  You'll be replacing this lens within a year if you buy it.
I  absolutely love this lens!  I live in a crowded city in Mexico and shot pretty much everything except landscapes.  This is a perfect walk around lens for my purposes.  Image stabilization would be nice but not for twice the price.
I noticed a improvement in the quality and color comparing this lens over my Canon 18 55mm kit lens. I have only use it a few times but am farily sure it will be my main lens from here on.  Tamron Autofocus 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon SLR Cameras
Was a little bit leary of buying anything other than a canon lens but this works PERFECTLY.  PLUS I saved a lot of $!!!
I bought this lens after reading all of the wonderful reviews on various websites. I find this lens to be SUPER sharp and has wonderful contrast. Plus, it goes down to F2.8 and is great for low-light situations. Some people criticize the build quality -- but hey what do you want for this price? Who cares if the body is plastic -- I like that because it is much lighter and great for walking around the city taking pics. It is not too heavy around your neck. The range is perfect as an all-around lens. It's also nice for people getting into macro photography and I've had some really nice results with that on my cropped frame camera (Rebel XTi). I feel like this is a great choice for a smart-shopper who just wants great results and is less concerned about paying extra money for the Canon brand name.
I just upgraded to this lens from the kit lens that comes with the canon t1i. I'm quite happy with it. fixed 2.8 aperture no matter if you are on 28mm or 75mm is simply cool. You get to shoot photos in conditions where you'd normally need a flash (of course, 2.8 is not the best you can get...for example, get the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 if you'll be shooting in low light conditions).This thing is heavy, and kinda big compared to the normal kit lens, but it's very manageable and easy to work with. It's easy to focus as well.I'm not an expert, and haven't used many lenses, but I like this one.
This lens is absolutly amazing, great picture quality, fast focusing (not as fast as canon 24-70) but very fast for the price, I just got this lens 3 days ago and I'm loving it.
I have very specific needs for a lens of this focal length for the Canon 1DIIn for which it was purchased.  My business does a lot of event and youth sports/school portraiture.  For this, the lens has exceeded it price point.  Center sharpness and color are a good as any Canon or Nikkor I own.From a purely technical standpoint, when testing the lens, it does show softness at all corners- particularly on the top left.  On a 1.3 crop of my Canon, most softness is cleared by f5.6, with the exception of the top left, which never clears.  Center sharpness is outstanding down to f2.8 through the focal zoom.  In practice, for my applications, no weaknesses are visible.  Images are exceedingly sharp.Only those who are more interested in testing than shooting will be dissapointed.  In practical use, it is simply an outstanding value.
I bought this lens based on the wonderful pictures I have seen with it. I am a pro photographer, 100% of my income comes from photography. This lens would fill a great spot in my gear except that the build was horrible! The zoom ring was so stiff it would not rotate but instead &#34;jump&#34; from say 35 to 50, returned the next day. Amazon(who is always awesome) overnight end me another to try, when I received it had the same issue! Before I contacted amazon again I called tamron USA, where they informed me that yes this sounds like a defect and would be fixable under warrenty. The issue though is I would have to pay to ship it to them! They made a defect product and then wanted me to pay even more money for them to fix it!! Needless to say, I simply returned it to amazon.Image quality=amazingCustomer service for amazon=amazingBuild=poopTamron customer service=poop
I *really* wanted to love this lens, but I was NEVER able to get a clear image from it (not an issue I have had with the four Canon lenses I own). The way it fit on my Canon 7D also felt slightly off - like it wasn't creating a perfect connection. I sent it back. It did (apart from unsatisfactory sharpness) perform decently in low light. I think it would be fine for, say, real estate photography, but it was disappointing as a family photography lens.
It's professional, high quality, has some weight to it, and the pictures it takes are out of this world. I hardly need photoshop! Its an excellent investment.
Hey guys,Well i am a beginning, self taught, photographer. I am currently going to college so that means i CANNOT spend $2000 for an amazing nikon 24-70 or 70-200 vr II. I was in this situation. It is easy for someone with $2000 to spend or a professional photographer to say oh just get the nikon 24-70. I do agree with them that the nikon 24-70 etc. is going to be better, but for your money you get the best value with the tamron 28-75. For $500 this is a great deal. I have had this lens for about six months now and taken around 1000 pictures with it. Here are some pros and cons.Pros.Only $500.large constant f2.8 aperture.great picture quality.works on full frame camera.lock mode on camera to prevent lens creep(this only works in the lowest focal length setting).comes with petal hood to prevent lens flare.internal auto focus, it is the nikon af-s equivalent and CAN autofocus on d40's and d60's.light and small size.67mm diameter=cheaper filters buying a 67mm and 77mm have a big difference in price especially for top quality brands like b and w.good feel to the manual focus ringCons.zoom isn't smooth throughout the whole zoom range, slightly sticky at the lower end.okay build quality.third party brand(i'll talk more about this later).some odd flaring situations.okay auto focus(much better than non on a d60).awkward zoom range, not wide enough for a good landscape(plus the 1.5x crop factor on my d60 which comes out to the lowest of 42mm)I love how tamron put an internal focus motor in the tamron 28-75. This is a life saver. Of course there are times in low light situations or doing macro work when this does not apply; but in everyday shooting this comes in handy. I would love to purchase a d90--it has a built in auto focus motor--but then again it's $750 new. I would much rather buy a tripod or adobe lightroom than another body.As a beginning photographer one might not realize the benefit of having a CONSTANT f2.8. It does not change during the zoom range. This is great for shotting in the gymnasium, portrait work(for bokeh), and action shots(you can get very nice shutter speeds of 1/1000 and still have a nicely exposed image).Some people believe that just because it has sigma, tokina, or tamron on it that it's going to be horrible. This is not true do not listen to those people. Yes third party companies are known for a slight worse quality control when compared to Nikon and Cannon. But, with those brand names you pay about four times as much. It's your choice. Make sure to test your lens as soon as you receive it. Make sure it doesn't back focus or front focus and that the image quality is good. If there are problems send it back to tamron. They have very night costumer service from my experience. Don't think of buying a tamron as taking a chance. This is a great buy; don't let the name deter you.The flare generally speaking is very well controlled. The petal hood helps a lot. But i ran into a few situations where my pictures had quite large lens flares. I was shooting in the snow on a very sunny day and i was very low to the ground looking up. This is probably why it happened as when i took a picture looking at the sun at an angle there was no flare. I had sun spots when i was shooting directly into the sun but that was a special situation. Generally speaking it preforms well with lens flare.The autofocus is okay and just not quick enough for basketball or other fast sports. You may want to manual focus during sports, but i got good sharp photos when i shot some basketball games. Up to you.Overall.Great price, 4 times cheaper than nikon.great image quality.autofocus's on d60's and d40's etc..constant f2.8.great beginning lensLast note. The only reason why i gave it four stars was because, of course, the nikon is better. Heres the way i look at it. There are three categories. Good image quality, good build quality, and low price. You can only have two. The tamron has good image quality and low price. The nikon has good image and build quality. Good luck on your decision. Hoped this helped.P.S. I am going to put up a few pictures i took to give you an idea of the image quality etc.
I own a canon 24-70 2.8L which seems soft no matter what you do with it. It's been serviced recently and that made no difference. I've also used the new 24-70 ii which is an amazingly sharp zoom, but costs $2,200. Tonight, while shooting a wedding, the videographer let me use his old tamron 28-75 2.8 since my 24-70 was misfocusing. I could not believe the image quality of this lens. It is sharp, VERY sharp. I feel like it's even sharper than the 24-70 2.8 II. It's seriously that good. My wedding pictures came out fantastic. I'm ditching the canon and buying one of these, or maybe the 24-70 VC if it's anything as sharp as this lens. The most impressive thing is that these can be had for about $350 used.
I'm giving this one star because it is useless on a 5D Mk II.  This may be a good lens for other bodies and cropped sensors (although not wide enough for cropped sensor cameras for my taste).I bought this for my Canon 5D Mk II.  It vignetted very noticeably at all focal lengths indoors but pointed at the sky outdoors seemed OK.Took it back to the camera store, and they put another copy of the lens on a different 5D Mk II and it vignetted too.  It was very noticeable.  The camera store guy, who is not a rookie, couldn't figure it out after playing around with it for a half hour.  He put a call in to Tamron.So even though the lens seems sharp, it was a big disappointment.  I was hoping this would take the place of buying the 24-70 L lens.For now, I'll keep using my primes which are great.
I use this on my D800 as my run and gun lens.I had low expectations, and am very pleasantly surprised at the quality of this lens. The AF is very fast, and the clarity of the lens is excellent, especially considering the price.I prefer primes to zooms, so while it's not as good as the Nikon 24-70, it costs far less, for 95% of the result. Build quality is very good, and the main thing is, I've shot good pictures with it!UPDATE: The more I use it, the more I like it. Its a VERY sharp piece of glass, with great clarity. Has become my go-to lens.
This tamron is amazing, is very handfull and very sharp, itl fits well in my canon... look for a good and not a high cost lens... this is the one.!!!
I purchased this lens because of its highly positive reviews and to replace or implement the kit lens that came with my Canon Rebel XT. The lens is a good performer, especially in low light, but if you're satisfied with the kit lens on your Rebel, you may want to use that lens for awhile before making the move to a more expensive lens. The Tamron, while sigificantly better in build quality and features, is not an extreme improvement over the kit lens in my opinion. And be careful when purchasing over Amazon. The price was great -- better than any other site. But when I opened the box, I discovered that that touted 6-year warranty was for Japan only, not the U.S. If that's important, you may want to look elsewhere, or opt for the more expensive one on Amazon. I believe that the higher priced lens has a U.S. warranty, but you may want to check first to be sure.
This is the lens that I always keep on my camera by default. It zooms out a good amount and in and is the perfect all in one lens. I use it mostly for DSLR video  shoots and this is great for interviews! It is very clear and does decent in low light. Highly recommended if you want the professional look but can't afford the Canon!
I bought my first in September 2004 and a second in 2011 after I gave my first to my girlfriend - and missed it.As great as it is for still photography, it is stunning for video with my D7000. Be very critical of the makeup of any woman you shoot close with this lens. Unlike with stills, on videos, you can't retouch out bad makeup, subtle zits etc. And this lens will make them painfully obvious. Have older men thoroughly wash their face with a washcloth to remove dry skin flakes this lens will reveal in videos.It does suffer from "lens creep" from the 28 to 75mm length if you let the camera hang around your neck. On a DX format camera, the 28mm setting is just the equivalent of a 42mm on an FX format.Seldom referenced is the fact that this lens works well on full-frame (FX) cameras. So if you eventually go to a full-frame camera, this lens will work fine.It's a great street shooting lens. I love it. This lens, with my 11-16mm Tokina and my Nikon 35mm f/2 make a great travel set for the Nikon D7000 and D300 I use on business shoots. When traveling on vacation, I also pack an 18-200mm for outdoor shooting; the 28-75mm Tamron is my indoor/museum lens, because it's a fine macro, too.
Like other posts I read before purchasing this, you can see the softening at the extreme ends of the lens but other than that I think this is a great lens alternative to the more expensive L lenses.  I have a Canon t3i and it works great on it.
I bought one, and it came, and it was a bad copy. Focus motor was very loud, and missed focus 100% of the time. I contacted Tamron, who said their service department was running a 6 business day turnaround time, plus shipping both ways, so I simply returned it to Amazon, and got a second copy. This copy also had focusing issues, but I decided to bite the bullet and send it in for warrantied service.Turnaround time was about what I'd been quoted, and 100% covered, with no hassles at all.I got my lens back and it's quiet, smooth, and perfect. Even wide open at f/2.8, photos are tack sharp, and beautiful. Contrast is nothing to write home about, but it is not bad by any means. Plus, with your contrast slider in Lightroom or ACR, you can get whatever contrast you like.I love this lens.If you have the patience to get a good copy, or send it to Tamron to be calibrated, do so. You won't be disappointed.
I must have received a bad copy as this thing sounded like one of the Transformers while trying desperately to auto focus on something. So loud it was embarrassing! It was also extremely cheap feeling and It was only sharp at F8. A real JUNKER!!!
This lens from Tamron is a very good lens, however when you draw it out to f2.8 at maximum zoom the lens can be a bit soft on the focus. Set the lens at f3.5 or f4.0 and you a back to very crisp. Tamron's long warranty is a nice draw, but this lens needs refinement to make it tack sharp at all aperture spreads.
The first thing I did was take a whiff of the lens after un-boxing. Boy it smells good. Mounted it and took first shot... Fantastic lens, this one. Sharp images.
This is my first fast lens I have. Amazon shipped to me one day earlier than they promised. Tamron lens gave me the first impression: the best workmanship. It is made in Japan! The finish is very good. Fit is very nice and tight. I'd give the build quality a 4/5. I could live with it.28mm f8: sharp in center and corners28mm f2.8: sharp in the center and corners75mm f8: pretty sharp in the center and sharper in cornersI will come back for more comments after having more practice.Michael
I'm a novice photographer and for me this was not only a steal but a huge upgrade.  Seems on par with the standard Canon line of lenses in terms of construction.
I was skeptical about the rave reviews and have had mixed luck in getting sharp copies of Canon and Sigma lenses but decided to give Tamron a try.  I tested the lens on both a full-frame 5D (comparing to my Canon 24-105mm L lens) and on a cropped-frame XT (comparing to my Canon 17-85mm IS lens).  I was very pleasantly surprised that once stopped down a little, this Tamron lens is ultra-sharp and the focusing is right on for both near and far objects.  As carefully as I tried, I could not manually focus this lens any more accurately (even in the bright viewfinder of the 5D) than the autofocus and in most cases my best manual focus attempt was much softer than autofocus.  Not only is the lens sharp, it has the same eye-popping contrast that is sometimes found on the best L-lenses.  Details in the image have a 3D quality not usually seen in "cheap" lenses.Comparisons:28mm:The Tamron has usable sharpness wide open at f2.8 but gets super sharp in one stop down to f4 and slightly better by f5.6.  It is just as sharp in the middle as my excellent Canon 24-105 when wide-open at f4 but not as sharp near the edges on the 5D.  At f5.6 both lenses are essentially equal over the whole full-frame on the 5D.  At 28mm on the XT the Tamron sharpness greatly exceeds the Canon 17-85 lens at f4.5, 5.6 and f8 over the whole frame.  The Canon lens is not soft, but the Tamron is just eye-popping sharp.50mm:Sharpness of the Tamron at f2.8 is less than at 28mm but still usable on smaller prints (maybe 8x10).  Sharpness increases greatly by f4 and is almost as sharp as the wide-open Canon 24-105.  Again, at f5.6 both lenses are essentially equal over the whole full-frame of the 5D.  Comparing to the Canon 17-85 on the XT, the Tamron is slightly sharper at f5.6 and gets sharper still at f8 over the whole cropped frame.75mm:Here the f2.8 is quite soft in my opinion (maybe ok for a 4x6) but gets much sharper at f4.  At f4 the Canon 24-104 is still definitely sharper but gets only slightly sharper at f5.6 while the Tamron gets significantly sharper, almost matching the Canon L-lens.  At f8, the Tamron equals (maybe a tad better) the Canon sharpness.  My copy of the 17-85 is strongest at the long end.  At 75mm f5.6 it matches the Tamron sharpness and contrast but does not improve as much by f8 where the Tamron sharpness pulls away.Overall, the Tamron appears to be an outstanding lens for either full-frame or cropped-frame (if you don't need wide angle).  It does not have IS but does have a usable and fast f2.8 at the wide end.  It becomes very sharp by f4 for 28mm, by f5.6 for 50mm and by f8 for 75mm.I suspect that the Tamron is similar or better in performance to the Canon 24-70 L which weighs twice as much and costs 3 times as much.  The Tamron matches the 24-105 across a full-frame when both are stopped down a little.  The Tamron is about the same size as the Canon 17-85mm lens, costs about $200 less, but seems to have superior optical qualities, especially at 28-50mm.  It also provides the f2.8 option for increasing shutter speed to freeze motion.  The 17-85 is much slower (f4 to f5.6) but gets wider and slightly longer and has IS for static scenes in low light.  It's a tough choice which depends on the camera and intended usage.
I purchased this lens two weeks ago from a reputable online merchant for less than $400.00. I have a Canon T1i with the 18 - 55 mm kit lens and the Canon 55 - 250 mm lens.I compared the Tamron to the above lenses and my friends Canon 24 - 70 mm 2.8 L lens.The L lens was a little sharper, focused instantly and was completely silent. The Tamron was sharper than my Canon 18 - 55 mm kit lens. From 55mm to 75mm I would say the Canon 55 - 250 mm is a little sharper than the Tamron.The Tamron focus speed seems fine to me and I can tell no difference is the focus speed or sound than that of my two Canon Lenses.I have noticed that my pictures are slightly darker with the Tamron versus all three Canon lenses mentioned above when using the same camera and lens settings. In addition, my Canon 430exII flash does not do as good a job with this lens as with all the Canon Lenses. The pictures are a little too dark.I'm happy with the Tamron and consider it an improvement over the 18-55 mm kit lens but it's not quite at the Canon L level. I've taken some really sharp pictures with the Tamron and it will be the lens I keep on my camera. However, if I'm shooting indoors and need to use a flash I will use my Kit lens.
I bought this lens to shoot MMA above the octagon and its incredible. the clarity, the speed, the autofocus motor in this makes a ferrari look like a bicycle.! Super quick super smart and does the job perfect, at first thought it was on the high side but its worth every penny and maybe more!
Having Pentax cameras gives such amazing opportunities for using a great variety of lenses...Altho we have 4 Pentax DSLRs, I also purchased one for my daughter when she was in school. We bought 4 older lenses for her from an individual (and she taken great shots with those!), but for our use have only purchased Pentax lenses. However, Pentax does not have a lens in this range at this aperture, so I agonized over which lens to get! However, after reading countless reviews and looking at so many picture comparisons, I decided to go with the Tamron--and so far, I have not regretted it. Altho we have not really had much time to use it, what we have shot with is is quite impressive--even with the on camera flash.(with my go-to 'kleenex' diffuser, lol!).  As other reviewers noted: shooting with on camera flash and lens hood will give you a dark shadow from the hood. I have gotten crisp, lovely images thus far. Have not used it on a 'shoot' yet, so will probably update this after we do. For now, we are delighted with it and are even considering a second one!REVISED OPINION:Well, After a major relocation, we finally used the lens on a 'shoot' for a wedding. If I had known then what I know now, I doubt that I would even have purchased this lens, and probably will never purchase an 'off-brand' lens again. Now, having said that, I don't have the closest 'equivalent' Pentax lens (DA 16-50 f2.8, which is selling now for a smooth grand on Amazon...[Pentax Series 16 50mm Digital Cameraswhich is DOUBLE the price of the Tamron), so I cannot speak as to whether or not it would have performed better. BUT, around the same time I purchased THIS lens, I also purchased the Pentax DA 50-135 f2.8, and it performed with stellar results. I felt that we needed one fast lens that was more of a wide angle and one that I could zoom with--and I thought these two would be the answer, and save $500 in the process. Wrong. The images from the Tamron were soft, soft, soft...and, to add insult to injury, more often than not, the lens focused crisply on the object just behind the subject--SO disappointing and frustrating to have a subject out of focus and the statue just behind them as sharp as a tack! I have had to work crazy long hours 'rescuing' those images in PS5-often without much success. I am just sick about it. Granted, I paid almost double for the Pentax lens (even in used but pristine condition)via Amazon Marketplace, but if I were getting paid my 'work' salary per hour for the hours I have spent at the computer trying to 'make' good pictures out of these, I could've bought a half dozen Pentax comparables and had money left over! My Pentax lenses have never failed me, so Pentax, you have made a firm believer out of me. I will stray no more, LOL!!!For outside shots and those in good light, this lens is very, very nice, but I probably would not chance it again shooting a wedding in a dimly lit venue, unless I had another shooter using a different wide angle lens, as well. For an outside wedding? Absolutely! I think it would perform nicely--altho that back focusing worries me. I hadn't noticed that happening outside, but I haven't used it a whole lot outside, as I shoot mostly close-ups outside. I am usually shooting with my Pentax 300mm outside--my 'go to' lens for shots of hummingbirds, dragonflies, etc., which I love to shoot. I get some stunning images with that lens, and probably use it more than any other lens I own, altho I love, love, love my 'baby'--the Pentax 100mm f2.8 macro, which delivers every time.In conclusion, perhaps most of you are simply better photographers than me (which is entirely possible--if not probable!:-) and you can get it to 'do right' in low light. If so, I'd truly love some advice on how to fix the issue of 'back focusing'. I very briefly read that you can do some adjustments to remedy that problem, but I've been glued to the computer for weeks on end trying to 'fix' the resulting problems and haven't had a chance to even explore any remedies! Just jyi: the lens was on a K10D for the shoot, while the Pentax zoom was on a K20D, and this is my updated 'two cents worth', for what it is worth :-)
I got this lens used for less price.I have taken some night shots without flash at f4, 1600 ISO on Nikon D7000. I am very much impressed.It may not beat prime lens quality, but almost near to that quality and way better than kit lens.pros:Good color contrastSharpQuality shots with Low light/no flashLow price with quality imagesto go lens for partyzoomConssoft at f2.8 until we reach f4focus hunt in less contrast subjectsfront/back focus issuesIf you would like to get budget zoom lens with pro quality pictures. This is it.
We have heard about this lens and now that we have one it proves to be a good addition.  We use it on our Mark II Canon product.
I recently purchased a Canon 60D camera, and decided that I needed a wide angle zoom lens that would go slightly telephoto with a cropped sensor camera, to compliment my 17-50mm Tamron lens.  I went to a local (well nearly local) camera store that stocked both Canon and Tamron lenses.  It was a bright sunny day, and I shot a number of pics in RAW, both indoors and out with both this Tamron lens and the $1,425 Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM.  I took pictures at varying zooms, and of varying aperture preferred shutter speeds at ISO 100, outside, and ISO 400 inside.  In all, I shot 37 photos.  When I got home I loaded the photos into Adobe Lightroom and examined them.  The first thing that struck me was how similar the results were from the two lenses.  Upon closer inspection, in the fully zoomed (70mm) position the Canon exhibited a very small amount of barrel distortion that the Tamron didn't even at 75mm zoom.  Similarly, the Canon exhibited more edge distortion than the Tamron at each of the lens' widest angle (to be fair to the Canon I was comparing Canon's 24mm to the Tamron's 28).  This totally confused me.  Then all was made clear upon reading reviews of the Tamron lens from various web sources.  It seems that this Tamron lens is a no-go for full frame cameras like the 5D or film 35mm cameras.  On cropped sensor cameras, however, because of the physics of the optics, the lens projects its "sweetest" image onto the cropped sensor.  The result is that the photos are amazingly free of distortion.Of course, if you are an L-series snob using a 7D or lesser cropped sensor Canon camera, you will probably buy the Canon lens (but you probably buy Monster Cable for speakers, and $1400 power cords), no matter what the reality actually is.  On the other hand, if like me, you are trying to maximize your purchase power and obtain the highest quality possible, you would be an idiot to choose the Canon lens over this one at this cost differential.  If you are a 5D or other full sensor camera user, you should do some research because this lens is probably not for you.  For $500 you get a whole lot more than you are going to expect from this lens, even some very usable macro capability.In the short time I've owned it, this lens has ben on my camera more than any other lens I own.  This is the perfect compromise between wide angle and telephoto in a comfortable f2.8 (full range) zoom lens.  You won't regret purchasing this lens.
Just got the lens yesterday, and let me tell you without exageration, that this is one hell of a lens. I own a couple of L canon lens. This Tamron lens beats all of them in sharpness, clarity, contrast and deep color. This will be my go to lens all the time. AF is really quick , quicker than my canon lens. For price and quality, get this lens, you will not be sorry, and will raise your experience a couple of notch. Good job Tamron.Bythe way, I am using this on my 5D Mark2, perfect combination.
This lens was bought after my wife had already bought and used a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor, and while we love the pictures that come from the Nikkor we really needed something that would enable a little more range of use. This perfectly fit the bill and at a price we could both live with.The lens itself seems a little more bulky than it's Nikkon counterparts, but it feels sturdy which so far has been an acceptable trade-off. The pictures taken look great and we have been pleased with it everytime we upload photos taken.We are currently using this with a Nikon D7000 and have had no issues with the lens itself or the auto focus feature.This has become our everyday lens.The only issue we've had is this: We currently use a Tiffin UV filter for everyday use and recently had an issue where the filter would not unscrew from the lens. I ended up having to use a set of pliers to remove the filter and damaged the filter in the process. While I'm not sure whether this was a defect with our lens or our specific filter I haven't had any issues changing that filter previously. An easy fix as we were able to find a replacement filter for les than $10, but something to keep in mind.
Superfast and tack sharp lens for a very, very reasonable price.  While it does not have VR like all the newer lenses, it is fast enough to make that a non issue in most cases.  Since I learned photography before VR was even a dream, it is easy for me to adapt.  Love this lens.
The Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 delivers sharp pictures regardless of which focal length or aperture size you use.Pros----- Sharp Closeup and Portrait ShotsThe lens is capable of capturing amazing details in closeup and portrait shots. I use an XSi with this lens and it unquestionably sharper (albeit only by a hair) than the kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) that comes with my XSi.- Constant f/2.8 F-StopI love the f/2.8 constant f-stop. It take most of my shots during my hikes. A wide open aperture is a  definite plus because I take a lot of my shots (i) handheld (which necessitates a fast shutter speed to reduce handheld motion blur) and (ii) in lowlight conditions (which necessitates a wide open aperture such as f/2.8)- Solid BuildThe lens definitely has a good heft to it. It doesn't have the light and plasticky feel of the Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.Cons----- Zoom CreepThe lens has pronounced zoom creep (which means the lens barrel extends under its own weight when the the camera is pointed downward). There is a zoom lock, but it's for locking the barrel at the 28mm position only.- Slightly Slow AutofocusLike the kit lens of the XSi and T1i (Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6), the lens has a little trouble autofocusing in lowlight conditions.- No IS (Image Stabilization)There is no image stabilization to counteract any potential handheld motion blur. You would have to compensate with a faster shutter speed. (The rule of thumb on shutter speeds is the shutter speed should be at least the reciprocal of the focal length. For example, if the focal length is set at 28mm, the shutter speed should be at least 1/28th of a second; if the focal length is set at 75mm, the shutter speed should be at least 1/75th of a second.)The lack of IS is definitely a concern for handheld shots if you need greater depth of field (DOF means both the background and foreground are in relative focus), which is accomplished with a smaller aperture size (a smaller aperture translates into: less light to the sensor => the need for a slower shutter speed => potential handheld motion blur).- Len CapThe lens cap is a little tricky to put on the lens (you have to squeeze the spring-loaded sides first as you put it on the lens. Once on the lens, it doesn't always stay on; mine sometimes pops off on its own while in the camera bag.Zoom Range Considerations-------------------------The 28-75mm is the focal length specification on a full frame camera, such as the5D. But on a camera with a 1.6 crop sensor (e.g. theXSi,T1i,T2i,XT,XTi) the focal range is in effect 45-120mm (1.6 * 28 ~= 45 and 1.6 * 75 = 120). This lens would thus not be best suited for wide angle shots on a camera with a crop sensor -- that's an important consideration if you're getting this lens for a camera with a crop sensor. Still, it is quite useful as a walk-around lens, especially if you're primarily taking closeup shots.---This lens is a good lowlight lens. The lack of image stabilization is compensated by its constant f/2.8 f-stop (which allows for a faster shutter speed to help reduce handheld motion blur). All in all, it's an impressive lens that delivers very good image quality.
Definitely not the best lens out there, but for the price it is great even on a full frame.  at 2.8 it's not sharp, but once stopped down to 3.2 it is very good.  I use this as my walk around lens on both my 5Dii and 450D, and results are very consistent.  Although I did have to get the focus calibrated when I first got it, it was front focusing for quite a bit.  Once calibrate focus is generally spot on, although it is slow compared to more expensive lens from canon.
I use this on my Canon 1.6 DSLR.  It is GREAT!  Fantastic range, fantastic price!  I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE WARRANTY!!  I got a grey market lens, and that was a bad mistake.  only because I sort of caused a mechanical defect that would have otherwise been covered by the warranty.  Great lens, though
I've been using this lens for two and a half years now on my Rebel XT. I love it. About 90% of my photos are taken with it. The image quality is excellent, the focus is reliable, and it weighs half of what the Canon 24-70L does (and is a third the price!). I recommend this lens enthusiastically to everyone with a DSLR asking for a good general purpose lens. It's a great deal.
Been using the Canon 24-70 L USM, for product photography since 2004 and I have always accepted the results as being the best available, tripod shooting with an aperture setting for studio conditions between  f4 -f12.  However for the weddings and other types of shooting conditions it is a heavy lens.Having read numerous reviews from actual  Tamron  2.8 28-75 (no stabilization) users, I decided to purchase one and try it out.  There are a lot of reviews with details available elsewhere on the web, so keeping things short I found the following.Much cheaper, much lighter, picture quality sharpness, color rendition just excellent, focusing perfect on front or back focusing test (better than the Canon ) focusing speed a midges slower,  focusing noise not bad enough to worry about.  Under poor light conditions  the Canon focusing speed would win, simply because it is a larger lens, but not by very much.  Buy this lens, or the stabilized version you won't regret it.
My copy delivers biting sharpness and snappy contrast over the whole focal length range and focal distance at F/4 or above.  As expected, F/2.8 shows a little softness plus the propensity for misfocus on my 40D.  The macro feature is tremendously handy.  So is its downsized construction.  It is my perfect lens for studio portraiture or street candid shots.  With the use of 3 LD lens elements, CA is so well-controlled that I cannot detect any PF or color fringes around high contrast edges at any focal length or F-stop.  What an optical achievement!  I have had no problem obtaining top-notch A3-size prints that show unbelieveable, edge-to-edge clarity.  The only shortcoming that holds this lens back is flare problem.  Ghosting or flaring is quite severe when a strong light source lies within the frame.  I wonder if Tamron has cut corners by not applying the best coatings to its lenses.  Reflections from lens surfaces are quite bright and conspicuous - not the deep purple or green hues that I usually see in Pentax SMC and Nikon lenses.  Despite this weakness, the Tamron A09 is a well-rounded high-achiever that certainly lives up to its reputation for being a cost-performance champion!  Highly recommended.
I just got this lens today and as soon as i hold it in my hand i did not like it. As it is my first day i cannot comment on the sharpness of the lens but it feels like a toy, a kit lens that would be sold with nikon D40. it is plastic it is light the zoom and focus feels like a cheap lens.The built in motor of this lens is so that it can auto focus with D40 and D60 (the only two nikons, as of today, that do not have an internal autofocus engine) it is not even close to either AF-S in nikon of HSM in sigma, both of which are autofocus systems that are much faster than the internal focusing engine of the camera. i would believe if this lens did not have autofocus motor a high end camera like nikon D300 could focus it even faster than it does now.so if you are a user of nikon D40-60 than this lens is for you. it is light, not too big and it will autofocus with your camera. but for people who use the heavier cameras and are used to heavier better built lenses would not like it.as i said in the beginning of my review i have just received this lens and i am not reviewing the picture sharpness or color accuracy. The glass on this lens may be great but if that so it would be the lightest good glass there is because i own many sigma and nikon lenses and i have returned many, none of the other lenses i have are neither as light or poorly built.this lens cannot even be compared to any EX sigma lens on built quality.
Just got the lens in this morning and took a few test shots, unfortunately not much "photographic material" around my place of work so had to make due with what's out there.Luckily enough I just tested yesterday the Nikon 85mm 1.8 so I had something handy to compare it to.Both lenses were used on a D90 in full manual.First impression is that the lens is very sharp even wide open (if you know what you are doing, if not tough cookies) and gets slightly better stepped down to 4. AF is fast, not lightning fast like in some of the Nikon's but is expected since it costs a fourth of the price of her more famous counterpart the 24-70/2.8. Worked fairly well in low light (not pitch black) conditions and hunted at at an acceptable rate (maybe a sec or two, no longer) still have to try it later on with the SB-600 and see how that works out.Shooting in natural light had no problem focusing quickly and spot on, managed to track a moving car with no problems, not sure it will do the same for sports or wildlife, but that's not what this lens is made for. If you need to shoot sports and birds look elsewhere (and be prepared to fork out a couple grands for it).Bokeh is nice an creamy at 75mm f/4 and does not deteriorate by zooming in at 28mm, better than the Nikon 85mm for sure.The lens is made of good plastic, has a nice feel to it without making the camera become too front heavy, or even better not heavy at all. Still feels solid with no wobbling and the zoom and focus ring move smoothly, the focus ring is very precise and well dampened. The mount is metal and shows no resistance while installing it (which cannot be said of the 50mm 1.8, or at least my copy). By the feel and looks it can take a good amount of abuse, if you don't take extreme care in handling your equipment.Overall is a nice lens for the money, definitely worth it if you're not making a living out of photography and cannot afford (or justify) $1,800 bucks for a lens. Due to the zoom range and by judging from the bokeh this will make a damn fine portrait lens in the right hands.
I ordered it used as a cheaper alternative to use as a portrait lens since I have a 1.5 crop factor, and wanted to be able to take advantage of the potential to use the 2.8 aperture throughout the focal lengths.  I had questions of the seller beforehand, which he was prompt in answering.  However, neither the ad, nor incidentally, Tamron's rebate page mentioned that this is technically, a macro lens.  I found that out when I saw the box.  It's not a 1:1 macro, however.  What this means, is that I will have to buy  a softening filter in order to use it for human faces, unless I am looking for a rugged look - which it will give being what it is - every hair you have on your face will show in close-up shots if you don't use a filter, or reduce clarity in photoshop.  Beyond that, it works just fine and ran me about $450 less than Tamron's newest addition.  Also, be aware that this does not have vibration reduction/image stabilization.
It has decent performance even at f/2.8 and sharpens and improves contrast immediately on stopping down. The build is solid with nothing loose or cheap looking. On APS-C cameras it might not be wide enough for some cases but it works for my intended purpose. Also works well indoors for parties (even without flash).
This lens just fails to freeze motion, even though you are using a higher shutter speed. Also, the white balance is off on most occasions. If your subject is moving even a little bit, then your image will turn out to be blurry. 95% of my images turned out to be blurry. The rest 5% were extremely sharp. F2.8 was unusable.
Es mi primer lente de la marca tamron, no entiendo porque critican su construcc&iacute;on porque es de mejor calidad que los nikon y ademas es hecho en Japon, su ventaja &uacute;nica de 2.8 en toda la distancia focal lo hace super util en condiciones de poca luz, es compacto y los colores son excelentes, sin nombrar la diferencia de precio versus su competencia, funciona perfecto en mi D90, super rapido autofocus y silencioso, definitivamente lo recomiendo y de ahora en adelante simpre voy a considerar a Tamron entre mis prioridades al selecionar un lente.
For half the price of the OEM Canon 24-70mm 2.8 lens, it does exactly the same thing. So why spend more? this is a MUST for cinematographers & photographers!
OK, so I bought this lens over the weekend to replace the 18-55mm kit lens for my Canon 450D/XSICompared to the lens kit:* Sharper* Better contrast* Colors are a bit warmer* F2.8 kicks [...], pretty smooth bokeh* Camera looks better with this bigger lens + lens hood =)* Substantially heavier, although the build seems pretty solid* I do miss the IS on the kit lens every once in a while* The rotation direction for zooming in/out is the opposite of the kit lens (I'll get used to it I guess)* It focus hunts especially in low light =(
tamron has long been known for spotty quality control.  a sample might be total trash or as good as the best canikon can offer.  i took a chance purchasing before i could see/test it.  it seems there are very few places around the us where one can see/test tamron lenses before buying.well, it appears i got a lower quality sample.  it required good daylight/flash to be sharp, and even in bright daylight images were sometimes distorted.  more on the distortion later.  i purchased this lens to be my "low light" lens, but this particular sample wasn't up to par.the "distortion" i mentioned earlier came in several forms.  first, when taking a picture of text (for testing) it wasn't sharp fully across the image.  the center was fairly sharp, but looking even slightly off center revealed softness.  i have an aps sensor camera, and since they only see the center image of the lens, they are supposed to be immune from most of the corner softness.  also, around high contrast parts of an image there appear to be tiny "halos" or grain in the image.  by high contrast i mean from the chin to the neck on portraits, or black text on white paper for testing.turning the flash on did help, but why buy an f2.8 lens if you are going to need flash everytime?  i also tested at different apertures, but mainly at f2.8.  i suppose i simply got a bad copy of this otherwise price/performance leader.  note that i mostly saw this distortion by pixel peeping.  if you don't care to enlarge to this degree then even poor copies of this lens like what i got will do just fine.  if you don't enlarge this much, then an advanced point & shoot is more your market anyway.don't let my misforture scare you away completely from this lens.  if you get a chance to test before buying and are pleased with the results, then by all means this lens is a bargain.  however, buying before you can test online is very risky.i returned the tamron to amazon, which was a painless process.  i am waiting for the sigma 18-35 f1.8 to be released in sony mount.  this new lens is getting great reviews online.  hopefully this lens will be exactly as advertised, and be my "low light" lens.
I spent quite a bit of time researching what sort of lens would give me the very best value as a budget but sharp, high quality walk around lens for my new canon 70D, and this lens just kept coming up. Side to side comparisons between this lens and the far more expensive Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L lens were very, very comparable, and in fact in some cases the tamron even bested the L series super lens from canon. With 2.8 all the way through, and supposedly just tack sharp, i was super excited to get this lens, and thus far it has definitely met and exceeded my expectations. At full focal length there is great bokeh with the nice, fast 2.8 aperture, and at less than $500, for this level of sharp image quality, it was a no-brainer. Awesome lens. Will update in the future after i have had a little bit more time with this baby.Edit:Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to keep this lens... I've really liked it, very sharp photos all around, good build quality (lots of little details, like the lock button to prevent the lens from creeping down as it hangs from your neck, as other zoom lenses i have used have tended to do... lots of stuff like that) overall it really is a great lens for the price, especially for that fast 2.8 aperture all the way through... but i kept getting some sort of electronic communication error between the lens and the camera (a 70D) whenever i was trying to shoot video... sometimes it would function properly recording video for maybe 30 seconds, sometimes several minutes, but every time it would just stop recording and give some error like "ensure lens is properly attached". This wouldn't do... so i packed her up and sent her off to Tamron in New York for repair. Then they told me that i had purchased a "gray market" lens, and refused to service it whatsoever... so i have my hands tied. For the couple of weeks that i have used it, it has been great... but i'm going to have to send it back, i need it for video too, not just wonderfully sharp photos. Not sure if i will try another one yet, this time from an authorized seller so i can actually get it serviced if i have to again... or if i will go for another brand.
I love this lens, my pictures are 95% of the time in focus, great for early evening pictures as well. I wish Tamron could do a 24mn -75 f2.8, I kind of miss the wide angle missing part, very happy with everything so far.
I considered 3 lenses in my purchasing decisionNikon 24-70  (1900)Sigma 24-70  (900)Tamron 28-75 (500)Obviously this is the cheapest, but as an advanced amateur and not a professional, I could never justify spending almost 2 grand to my wife, and the reviews drove me to the Tamron. I specifically bought this lens to take child photos (my niece is 1 and my wife is 4 months pregnant with our first) and I must say I couldn't be happier. The shallow depth of field is gorgeous, the focus speed is not quite as fast as its more expensive counterparts, and while not particularly loud is loud enough I might turn it off if I was taking photos of a sleeping baby, but certainly cannot complain. As to sharpness - it is gorgeous with incredibly sharpness in eyes and faces with a beautiful soft background. Furthermore, on a crop sensor this becomes a 42-112, which for me happily splits the range of the 27-70 and 70-200, ideal for close up to medium range child and people photography. Here's my quick pros and cons:Pros:Price - 1/4 the price of Nikon, 1/2 the price of sigmaSmall and (relatively) light, without feeling cheapQuick, accurate autofocusIncredibly sharp with a wonderfully shallow depth of fieldExcellent focal range, especially versatile on a crop sensorCons:Plastic rather than metal constructionCan be in Autofocus or Manual focus, no auto/manual switching as with many genuine Nikon lensesLens hood and lens cap are far lower quality than Nikon counterparts. (Easily replaced, but I can say this is where I find the cost cutting to have the most noticeable effect.)Overall, I do not expect this to last as long as a Nikon 24-70 would, but as an advanced amateur who shoots regularly but not daily it meets my needs and gives me access to features (shallow depth of field/ low light  performance) I didn't think was accessible in my budget without significant compromise.
I got this lens with the idea that it would perform better than my Canon 55-250mm for portraits, and I was disappointed when it didn't.When I first used the lens, I shot wide open. Thankfully I was just playing around, because the lens is very soft wide open, and it's not exactly pleasing. at this point I was kind of dissapointed, so I decided to do a quick portrait shoot with both the Tamron and my Canon 55-250. I Set them both to the same focal length (55mm) and shot both at the same f-stop (f4.5). The results were the same, both fairly sharp. Every F-stop I tried bellow f4.5 with the Tamron just got progressively worse.At that point it was pretty much a no brainer, I returned this lens. It's OK, but it's not any better than either of the inexpensive canon EF-S lenses in terms of sharpness (at any point across the focal length), and the wider aperture isn't really all that usable. When both the 18-55 and 55-250 have IS which can compensate for a few stops, they actually end up being the better option in low light since the Tamron only starts to sharpen up around F4.5-5.6.
This lens is not as good as other Tamron lenses I have, even the 18-270 3.5-6 which beats it in my opinion in low light. Like most lens it preforms well in bright light but that's not why I bought it, the f/2.8 is the selling point for me. At f/4 it's good but at f/2.8 the images are soft. I do like the weight but the build quality is a little on the cheap side. I have had it for a few weeks now and will be returning it.
which version of this lens is better the one with the built in motor or the non built in motor?
This lens is very fast, accurate and is more than what I expected. When looking at the comparable Canon lens and price. I am very happy with this lens for portrait and macro work. Exceptional image quality and very responsive.
When you get a properly calibrated copy of this lens you will discover that it can be quite sharp at f2.8 from 28mm to 75mm, nearly as sharp as the 50mm f1.8. If you get a soft one, or one that is never exactly in focus, send it back till you get a good one.I like this focal range for shooting models within talking distance, as any lower and you inviting softness with the wide angle, and making everything seem larger then it is suppoed to be.
I really like this lens.  I have had some trouble with it, however.  Every once in a while it will freeze and give me an F-- error (that is the how the actual error dispalys, I promise! :).  I have sent it in to Tamron, and they were very helpful, however, even after getting it back, it will still sometimes give me this error.  It is occasional, but when you're just about to get that perfect shot and it happens, it's quite annoying.  I would have to say Tamron was easy to deal with and the lens takes excellent pictures.  I am happy and would still recommend this product to friends.
I love this lens. The clarity of my photos are amazing! The bokeh when wide open at 2.8 is awesome too! You can't go wrong with this lens.
I have been using Tamron lenses for 5 years. This was for my full frame body, i use it to shoot weddings. Excellent lens, its sharp and 2.8 gives you the blur you need. Tamron 6 years warranty is amazing they fix your lens for free in 3 days.
I love this lens; I bought it as an all around lens for general purpose photos, but more importantly to capture pictures of my daughter's tee-ball practices and games, which can be in the waning light part of the day, the early morning, or the mid-day sun.  It provides very bright pictures, is fast and easy to use, and has nice clear optics.  Works well on my Digital Rebel XT.  With my camera, the focal length is 44.8 to 120mm (.6 conversion).
The Tamron 28-75 has become somewhat of a legend due to its phenomenal image performance for the price.  Yet, when you take price out of the equation, this lens still holds its own surprisingly well against the top-dogs from Canon and Nikon costing anywhere from two to four times the price of the Tamron.  So far, I've found this lens is consistent with what I've been hearing across the Internet: image quality is at a professional level.The lens looks and feels like most Tamron lenses I've seen, plastic but reasonably well built.  The zoom ring is at first a little snug in operation, but I suspect it will loosen a bit over time.  The focus ring rotates during automatic focus operation, but that's really a non-issue in my view of things.  However, everything still feels generally solid and of quality construction, in contrast to the loose and rattling lens barrels, zoom and focus rings of the Pentax "kit" lenses: the 18-55 and 50-200.  Autofocus operation with the 28-75 is a bit on the noisy side, but I've found it to be fast enough so far.  What's most important, it's been spot-on in typical shooting situations (a welcome relief to the Pentax DA* 50-135 f2.8 I had to return due to poor autofocus performance and resultant soft images).  Some comparison shots between this lens and the Tamron 18-250 taken in the 28 to 75mm range show that the 28-75 is clearly a sharper lens and maintains that sharpness nicely boarder-to-boarder.  The 18-250, my basic walkaround lens, is a strong performer in that lower range, but it is simply outclassed by the 28-75.  Contrast and color saturation is also superior to the 18-250.  Interestingly, color tone with the 28-75 looks to be ever so slightly warmer.  I've found that CA (chromatic aberration - purple fringing) is present in some rare shots near the boarders such as with the edges of overhead florescent lighting in a gym where that lighting is overexposed in contrast to the rest of the picture, but I haven't seen it appear in many other situations where one would expect to find purple fringing.  At f2.8, I've found that this lens still produces impressive images, especially at the long end, but not quite up to the sharpness at f4.0 and higher. So far, I haven't really noticed any issues with vignetting or distortion.The 28-75 is also a full-frame lens, meaning that it is designed for cameras with a 35mm film frame-sized sensor, but it will also work on the smaller APS-C sensor of the Pentax D-SLRs (dedicated APS-C lenses such as the Tamron 18-250 will not work properly with a full-frame sensor).  The positive of using a full-frame lens with the APS-C sensor is that the smaller sensor benefits from being more in the lens' "sweet-spot, " that is, the potentially softer/distorted boarders seen by a full-frame sensor for a particular lens are just outside the reach of the APS-C sensor.  Kind of makes one wonder why all D-SLR lenses aren't full-frame.Considering the limited lens options for Pentax D-SLR owners, especially higher-end products, this is certainly the lens to have.  While the Pentax APS-C factor of 1.5x, and an effective focal length of 42 - 112.5mm is perhaps not quite wide enough for some shots, it does, however, work great for general use including portraits and low-light interior shots without flash. A nice surprise I found with this lens is that it has an aperture ring which means I should be able to use it on my old Pentax ME Super film SLR for a true 28-75mm focal range.  As I continue to be impressed with the 28-75, I'm hoping that the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8 due out in a few weeks will be in the same league as this legendary lens bargain.
Having heard of some many "soft copies" of this lens, I was a little concerned when I purchased it. I shot 2 test rolls right after I got it.I couldn't see any distortion, and the images were very sharp. In one of the test shots, there was a street sign. When printed as 4x6, it was just a white patch less than 1/8 inch wide (height was 1/4 of the width). But when I looked at the high resolution scan, I could read the street name!Highly recommended.
Got it quick after I ordered it.Quality and cheaper compared to the branded one and does the same job as the other one, I guess
I'd been told to get a Tamron lens - I was a bit worried. I tend to stick with brand names, and this was a lens that wasn't a Canon. But a few photographers had told me of the high quality of this lens so I got it, and I'm very glad I did. I can definitely see the difference between this lens and my other walk around lens - this one is much sharper and the photos require very little editing. And with the much lower price, I will definitely be looking to purchase a Tamron again!
A few things to add to the other good reviews -I tested this lens against my older 28-70L (not my less old 24-70L) and the Tamron won. I would not have bothered adding yet another good review except that I noticed two things about the differences between these 2 particular lenses (and presumably the 24-70L too):1. The Tamron really is noisy (compared to Canon USM lenses). Which is fine if that's what saves $900.2. When I did some comparison pictures at 12 feet and wide open aperture, the Tamron's shots were in focus at the subject, with a gradual transition to out-of-focus back toward the camera and a quick transition to out-of-focus towards the background.  My Canon 28-70 lens was just the opposite - a quick transition to out-of-focus towards the camera but the background stayed very much in focus.  WOW that is interesting. Because if I am shooting someone at mid range I DO want the background to go out-of-focus as fast as possible, and I don't really care about the foreground, so for me, the Tamron is better.Has anyone else noticed this?  Maybe it is because while zooming from wide to tele, the Tamron barrel goes out and the Canon barrel moves in (they are opposite of each other in the way the barrel extends during zoom). I don't know, but I'd love to hear from someone who might know.One more thing, I think the lens is attractive, and I really appreciate the comparative lightness vs my 2 similar Canon lenses.
I wasn't sure how I would feel at first about this lens the lens hood felt a little cheap and plasticy but after using it I really like it. I have always used Sigma and Canon lenses so this is my first Tamron. I bought this to be compatible with my new Canon 6D. Takes some great macro even though I wish had much longer telephoto. So far so good :)
This lens has moments of glory, accompanied by long stretches of bad photos.I generally get 1 non-blurry, very sharp shot for every 3 to 4 blurry ones.Best uses are portraits and still life, such as food photography.Worst- sports, as the auto focus is slooooooooooow. Any activity with little light and fast moving people without a tripod.It's a cheap 2.8, great to play around with for the hobbyist. But when I did portrait sessions last fall, I always brought by Nikon kit 18-55 lens with me in case the Tamron couldn't handle the light or focus properly.
Most people are super picky about their photos, etc. I'm a videographer and photographer, but Video is first on my list. But as a photographer as well, professional photographer, the person behind the camera, the person behind the lens make photos work. The person who isn't lazy and does some post editing, etc.So this lens, IMO, shoots as well as any. I'm sure their are small differences we could all nitpick, but to the common customer, they could care less.So for me, the photos are very good, and if I want something better than very good, then I'll spend a few thousand for that.
Before I decided to invest my hard-earned nickel in this lens, I did thorough research. I was tempted more than once to shed my coins for an "L" series Canon (24-70 F/4) since the raving reviews fly right and left. However, I knew what I wanted and I knew my realistic budget and expectations. After reading a lot about both lenses I decided to give this Tamron a try. With the rather inexpensive price tag I figured I didn't have much to lose. Well, to my baffling surprise, this lens delivered quite a punch! Great colors, great bokeh, great contrast and great sharpness. Zoom creep is almost non-existant, the auto focus is admittedly slower than Canon's USM, but fast enough for most situations. In short, I think this lens delivers the quality of lenses costing four times as much.My only minor concern is that the manual focus can be tricky and touchy. However, if you're well-versed in manual focus with other lenses, you shouldn't have much a problem getting used to this great lens' focus sensitivity.Definitely a keeper.
I was cleaning out my paperwork and just discarded my warranty information on the Tamron 28-75mm as it is just out of warranty.  I do landscape photography as a serious hobbiest and the lens has been my standard lens for countless trips.  It has jostled around in my pack and been outside in the grit, heat, cold, and damp conditions for many outings.  Twice my tripod has blown over in the wind with the lens attached and one of those times the fall broke the protective UV filter on the front of the lens, but did not seem to immediately damage the lens itself.  My paperwork shows that at about 4 years there was a problem with the lens and I sent it in for warranty repairs.  It was fixed at no cost and returned quickly.  You can read about the image quality from other reviews, which I would agree with.  As for sturdiness, I have definitely put it through it's paces and think the lens has done well for it's price.  The six year warranty is a nice feature and Tamron service was quick and easy when I did need some warranty work.
Excellent price, great quality and faster than expected delivery. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT AND VENDOR. I intend to take this as my only lens on a trip to SE Asia
I'm using this lens on my Nikon D600 and very pleased with the performance, very sharp and great value.I recommend this lens for those on a budget.
This lens is a good alternative to a comparative Canon lens. Although it dosen't have IS or USM it's performance is good. I can't find a canon lens that can compare for the money.**Update**After having this lens for over a year now, I am very pleased with the results from this lens. This lens is acceptably sharp in the corners on my APS-C digital at f/2.8, but on my film camera I can't get it to clean up in the corners until f/4. So i'd still suggest this lens for the money compared to the Canon 24-70L. Hopefully Tamron will add VC (IS) to this lens as they have to their17-50mm f/2.8.
I needed a mid range f/2.8 zoom and checked out a bunch of them before purchasing this Tamron.The lens is extremely sharp and the f/2.8 speed is just what I needed for stage and concert photography. It focuses fast, and never misses a lick.Other than saying that I am more than happy what else is there?
I am a wildlife photographer and my "walk around" lenses are not other folks normal lenses .... I.E. 300mm, 400mm and 500mm. I have a Canon 17-40mm lens that I use for landscapes, etc. but I needed (wanted) a lens in this focal length for general use and a fast lens in the f/2.8 range. I rented the Canon 24-70 a couple of times and really liked it, but was having a hard time with the price of that lens. After reading the reviews on this lens I decided to give it a try ... After all I could return it if not pleased.I am not one to shy away from expensive lens purchases but I am so happy with this Tamron lens! All I can say is WOW! It is great and every bit as good as the Canon. I am a loyal Canon user so for me this is really saying something. It is not as heavy or as large as the Canon equivalent lens but works perfectly on my Canon 7D and 1D MarkIV camera bodies.This lens will not be returned and is in my camera bag (or on one of my camera bodies) every time that I go out. At home it stays on my 7D for quick "around the house" images of the grandson or whatever .... so very pleased.
Purchased this lens for my full frame Sony a99. It's a great alternative to paying a huge price for a lens (Sony brand and Zeiss). This is my second lens from Tamron (and am purchasing a third). It's a joy to use. The shots I've gotten have been better than &#34;good&#34;. Some have written that it's a bit slow to focus....I haven't noticed it. Plus, if that's an issue with any lens, do it all manually. If you have a chance, try the lens before you buy...and think you'll be more than pleased with the results you get.
Great lens all around. I like the price, lightweight, fast aperture and sharp. I use it a lot for event photography. The focus could be a tad quicker. I use it on my Pentax K-5.
It didn't arrive when I expected it but in all fairness to the seller and shipper, we have some pretty nasty ice and snow storms across most of the states.  Great packaging.  Fast lens, sharp images.  I'm happy  although lens zoom is pretty tight.  Tighter than any lens I have ever owned,  Hopefully with use it will loosen up a tad.  If anything changes, I will update as needed.Well the lens is still tight, photos are not tack sharp.  The lens kit that came with it takes sharper images, so it's not user error or my 60D.  Can't return it (30 days) have passed.  Save up a bit more and buy a better quality brand and product.**updated 11 May 2014**I really hate this lens.  I hate that Beach Camera would sell me a lens with no serial number which in turn has no warranty.  Shame on you Amazon Prime for not honoring me request for a return and refund!  SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!
I'm a long time Pentax user and for some reason passed over this superb lens.  Instead, within this focal range, I opted for the Pentax DA* 16-50/2.8 lens.  While that lens has outstanding construction, is weather-sealed, and whisper quiet (SDM), I was never satisfied with that product.  I went through 2 copies and ultimately felt the 16-50/2.8 was too soft, quirky, and with decidedly poor CA.  It was the lens I wanted and tried to love because I felt it rounded out my outfit perfectly.But this review is about the Tamron 28-75/2.8, not the Pentax lens it replaced.  I absolutely love this lens - images are tack sharp and CA and distortion are well controlled all through its focal range.  While not weather-sealed and all-metal like the Pentax, the lens is well-balanced and movement well dampened.  This is a full frame lens with an aperture ring which I consider a positive.I use this lens both professionally in the studio and for portraits, interchangeably with the Pentax DA* 50-135/2.8 (another outstanding lens).  It also makes for an excellent general purpose, walk-about lens - especially when the use of a prime lens isn't ideal (e.g., stationary seating, etc.).On a last note, I waffled between the 28-75 and the 17-50 2.8 lenses, both from Tamron.  For me, the additional length is more useful.  When I need to shoot wide I usually reach for the DA 15/4.Currently this lens is used with a Pentax K5.  I would buy this product again.
This is a good lens for certain conditions, it focuses fast when the light is good to great, but it has a hard time focusing when the light is low. I have missed good shots because the lens would not focus in a place like Chuck y Cheeses and church where the light is not that good. Yes my 20+ year old Nikon 28mm-105mm f/3.5 micro focuses in the very same light, other than that it's a very good lens.
First of all, this lens is fantastic. There are a few reasons why, and I will go over them, but if you are looking for a great walk around lens that is nice and fast, look no further. This lens is heavy, built well, and produces wonderful images.Visit Tamron's site to download the lens guide PDF: http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/prod/2875mm.asp#ad-image-0Let's get down to brass tacks, the pros and cons of this lens. I will tell you why I like this lens and how I use it.I am a working photographer. I earn a living shooting weddings and events in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This lens helps me earn money because it produces great results in a wide range of applications. To be truthful, I push the limits of both my camera and the lighting situations I find myself in and would consider my knowledge at an expert level.First there must be a basis for comparison. Lenses are not created equal, and the price of a lens is volatile, that is to say that once a professional level of optics are attained, very small advances in performance can come at a very high cost.Therefore, I consider the Category, Sensor Size the lens is designed to work with, Distortion, Chromatic Aberration, Aperture, and Price, in that order.CATEGORY: Constant f2.8 28-75 Full Frame Lens.This Lens is competing with other Lenses with constant aperture at f2.8 with a focal length between 16-75. TamronDoes offer a weather sealed version of this lens for around $1100. It has a pezio drive and is directly competing with the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Lens. You can find these two lenses here:Nikon: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-17-55mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Nikkor/dp/B000144I2Q $1399Tamron: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-17-55mm-2-8G-ED-IF-Nikkor/dp/B000144I2Q $1099SENSOR SIZE:No, the lens does not have a sensor in it, but it is made for a Full Frame camera. You can use this lens on an APSC sensor size, which is good. Some even believe that you will have better results using a FF lens on an APSC sensor because of the crop factor pulling the sharpest part of the lens, the center area, into focus and discarding the edges of the lens.DISTORTION:Distortion, This is a legacy designed lens. This is important because the lens was designed when cameras did not have built in line correction and micro correction. Moreover, this lens was designed when the average consumer did not have access to programs like DxO Optics Pro 9 and Light Room (both of these programs have built in profiles to correct lens distortion on specific camera bodies).This is important to you because it was designed when the lens had to be good optically because corrections in post production were very difficult. This lens Hit the market in the  at least 2003.This lens has some soft areas wide open at 28mm. They are mainly in the edges of the lens. Center is tack sharp. This is not a bad thing though, remember that an aperture of 2.8 should give a very shallow depth of field, and an extremely narrow focus. Therefore one would expect the edges to be soft. I absolutely love this. DXO optics has tested this lens and approves of it. But don't let someone else's numbers confuse you. All their numbers mean is that it is a great lens for the price. I'm sure that someone will begin comparing this statement to some $4k plus lens, but remember, this lens is not competing in the $4k arena. It does, however, hold up very well.In my use I have seen very little to no distortion. I take portraits of individuals and groups, so I would not expect to see a lot of distortion. If I were taking photo of buildings, any distortion the lens has would become more apparent.CHROMATIC ABERRATIONSo far I have seen nothing that I would say detracts form the image. The Lens is prone to flaring when pointed toward direct bright light, like a sunset, but what better of an image to get than a silhouette of a bride and groom with a natural lens flair? For me its great, maybe not so much for you.APERTUREThis is an f2.8, constant throughout the zoom range, right? Yes. but do you know what that means? Are all 2.8's equal? The answer is both yes and no. To make this simple, aperture is nothing more than a mathematical ratio. it actually looks like this f 1:2.8, We just drop the &#34;1:&#34; and display it as f2.8.So now that you know it's a ratio, what is it competing? It is comparing goal length to the diameter of the aperture, or how big of a whole the aperture has at a known focal length. To find out how big your aperture is in MM just divide the focal length by the current aperture. So a focal length of 100mm at an aperture of 2 would be 100mm/2=50mm. This means that your aperture would be physically open by 50mm at a focal length of 100mm.This is important because, as ratios are always comparing aperture diameter to focal length, they should be constant across different lenses. So you could say that a 50mm prime at an f2 has an aperture diameter of 25mm. The example above showed that a lens with a focal length of 100mm at an f2 would be 50mm in diameter. This is correct, but would be costly to build and quite heavy. Instead many lenses have an articulated aperture, which is to say that their maximum aperture changes throughout the zoom range. you will usually see something like an 18-55 f3.5-5.6. That means that on the wide end of the lens the max aperture is 3.5, so 18/3.5=5.14mm and 55/5.6=9.82mm.This lens example from above is almost always going to be bad in low light, and would probably be a kit lens. The Tamron Lens that this article is about is a 24-75 f2.8 which means that the max aperture on the wide end is 24/2,8=8.57mm and on the zoom end the aperture diameter is 75/2.8=26.78mm.  Let's compare them:Common 18-55 f3.5-5.8  Max Aperture diameter wide angle: 5.14mm  max aperture zoomed in: 9.82mmTamron  24-75 f2.8  Max Aperture diameter wide angle: 8.57mm  max aperture zoomed in: 26.78mmBigger diameter aperture is better because it gives you more usable light in low light situations, it also gives you more control on depth of field.PRICE: It's $500. This is a steal for this lens. It works in many situations and gives you the most control over your creativity- considering the alternatives, it is about  or less the price. I have truly enjoyed this lens and you will too. My suggestion is to buy the body of the camera you want- do not buy a bundled lens- and get this lens as your walk around lens.Check out samples with this lens and others buy visiting www.RobertHammPhotography.com
The standard in Nikon for this focal length used to be the Nikon 28-70 2.8; now it's the Nikon 24-70 2.8.  This lens is as good as either of those, at 1/5th the price. It's a fine lens. If you can afford the (very overpriced) professional Nikkor 24-70 2.8 by all means do so. If you are a normal person wanting a great lens at a normal price, there is nothing else better than this lens. The Sigma 24-70 HSM might be comparable, I have not tried that lens.I have both this lens and the Nikon version. I use them on my D700. I use both of them. I find no image quality difference between the two cameras at all. There is some improved sharpness in THIS Tamron lens when stopped down to 4.0 -- the Nikon isn't as sharp until you stop down to 8.0. There is also some light corner softness in the Tamron that you don't get in the Nikon. That is about where the image quality differences end. The vignetting, bokeh, and depth of field abilities are virtually identical. Where the Nikon excels is in flare reduction and the slightly wider angle at 24.  In reality, with a walk-around lens, you don't miss much between 24 and 28mm in real-life day to day shooting.Physically, the lens is well built. It's noisier than the Nikon in operation -- you hear the whirr as the autofocus does it's business. The Nikon is whisper quiet. As an event-shooter, I don't hear anything from my cameras, so for all practical purposes its a none issue for me,But where this lens really excels is in the light, easy to carry build. The Nikon D700 is already heavy -- adding another two pound lens on top of that with the Nikon version is a backbreaker for walking around....literally. I find I get right shoulder and lower back pain when using the Nikon lens on my D700 for more than an hour. As someone who shoots thousands of photos over the course of 3 or 4 hours at alumni events, the Tamron is the lens that goes with me every single time. It's light, not intrusive, and has superior image quality.Image Quality, for me, is what it's all about. And you get that in spades from this light, versatile, high IQ lens.
I got this lens to expand my range from the canon 50mm 1.8 MK1. It's big, heavy, and as sharp as the 50mm. I really can't tell the difference between this lens at 2.8 and the 50mm at 5.6. I use a old 300d with the the crop sensor, so if there are problems on the edges, I'm missing them all. Good color, good depth. It hunts for focus here and there, but it's not really a problem unless the light is real dim. I'm impressed. Once you get used to the extra weight, you don't notice it. I just use the 50mm 1.8 if i'm shooting at night by lamp light.
I own a Nikon D50 with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD (IF) 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 lens and Nikon Speedlight SB-600. Overall, my pictures were great, but I needed a lens with a larger aperture, because the indoor shots always turned out too dark, even with the flash. I put up with that setup for a few years and finally decided to make another investment in this lens. I really like the Tamron lens I had for its compact size and zoom capabilities, so I researched Nikon and Tamron lenses. The Nikon lenses were not as compact, so I went again with this Tamron lens. My indoor shots now turn out great! I may never need to take the lens off, except if I'm outdoors and need to zoom closer than the 75mm available on this lens. Then I'll switch to my old Tamron 28-200mm zoom. The constant f2.8 aperture is great!
This is my first experience with a lens, other than Canon and my last.After the many great things I read about this lens, all over the internet, I got a bad copy.I was hoping to be able to use it for a walk around lens, for small items.This lens had a very plastic feel to all of it.I tried it for one day, and I could not get it to focus for a macro shot of a flower.I own 2 high quality Canon macro lens and have the ability to take excellent photosThis lens was a big disapointment to me.  I returned it and bought the Canon 100mm macro lensIt took some time for it to be credited back to me.  Amazon said they would pay the return shipping cost, it required a phone call, to "discuss this", to get my shipping costs credited
I purchased this lens several months ago for my Nikon D700 and after comprehensive testing took it on several photo-trips. To date I've shot almost 2000 images with this lens. The review below is based on the sample of the lens I currently own. Due to possible sample variations other samples may be better or worse than mine.The pros:1) This is a very sharp lens at all apertures. Specifically, it is UNIFORMLY sharp across the entire frame at any aperture (with one minor exception noted below and that may be a sample variation). Distortion is controlled rather well at all zoom settings. The lens reaches its peak optical performance by f11 at all zoom settings.2) Although the lens is not designated as "macro", the close-focusing capability of this lens makes it a good choice for some macro applications.3) The lens is very well built, light-weight and compact.4) Considering its current price and outstanding optical quality this lens is an exceptional value.The cons:1) At apertures wider than f11 there is a ~ 1mm area of the unsharp focus on the extreme right side of the frame (camera in horizontal position). This is completely gone by f11. I do not consider this an issue, since the area in question is very easy to crop out. I am noting it here for the sake of completeness.2) At 28mm to 35mm zoom range I encounter frequent AF errors, but since the focus is constant over the entire zoom range, I focus at 75mm, turn off the autofocus and zoom to compose and shot. Otherwise, the autofocus performance is average and unremarkable.I have taken one star off to account for the two "cons" above.Summary:This lens is at least as good as or better than comparable Nikkors at a fraction of price, size and weight. I highly recommend this lens for all general photographic applications.
I use this lens with a Canon Rebel EOS T5i and it produces great pictures.  Before purchasing I read reviews from a few different sites and this lens received great reviews and is half the price of the name brand lenses.  I like to save money but not at the expense of preserving memories; this lens has not disappointed me.
I'm using this with a 5D Mark II, and for the price it takes pretty amazing pictures (compared to the 1400 dollar 24-70 Canon lens).Pros:-Significantly cheaper than the Canon equivalent-REALLY good bokeh; all bokeh spots should appear fairly round at f/4 and below.-Decent for video if you're using a tripod, covers most of the useful focal lengths for video applications. The focus ring is pretty smooth, so you can get by with out a follow focus mechanism if you need video in a pinch.Cons:-Zoom isn't terribly smooth, so don't try zooming while taking a video (but it doesn't have IS anyway, so hand held video is out of the question if you don't like shakiness).-No IS, but I haven't seen one on any lens with this focal range. With f2.8 at all focal lengths you almost don't need it (and the inertia of the lens and the 5D body provides cursory stabilization).-Noticeable vignetting at 28mm and f/2.8 when using it with a full frame. The Sigma lens does it too, but the Canon lens does it significantly less. It's the tradeoff for saving $900 over the Canon lens.-Some distortion around the edges at f/2.8 and 28mm.
Razor sharp, makes 6mp pix look as good as they can get, compared to a lens 3x as expensive.
I purchased this lens to pair with my Canon 6d. The bokeh is amazing and creamy, while remaining tack sharp at f2.8 consistently. AF is much better than the kit lens, but slower in darker situation than Canon's L lens (comparing the Canon 70-200 2.8). For the price, this was a excellent compromise for 1/4 the price of the L series. I'd recommend this product to anyone, this glass is superb. But if you can afford better glass, invest in Canon's 24-70 2.8... For some reason that red line around the barrel makes Canon lens shoot better ;D.
I just used this lens for a fathers daughters dance. It preformed great. It is cheaper than the nikon 24-70 and pictures are sharp. I printed the pics straight from my camera (d7000) and the people loved them and I didn't have to touch light room 4.
The Canon 24-70 maybe good but way too expensive. This is an excellent alternative! Still very sharp and fast.
This lens is great, I've had it for about a year now. It's really sturdy and well built; no fear of any parts breaking without abuse. Really the one annoying thing is that the autofocus is noticeably slow, and it also sometimes painfully hunts for even easy targets. Don't know if the hunting issue is due to the lens or the Canon 60D.I'm posting a review because I just did a sweet spot test that I think will help...I didn't have this info when I bought it, and after reviewing it, I'm still happy I got it.This lens performs best at f/8 thru f/11, and is good between f/4.5 and f/16. Outside that range, it gets just a touch blurry, and when wider than f/4, there are some actual defects in addition to more severe blurring. The jump even from f/3.2 to f/2.8 is noticeably hazier, and horrible to a decently trained eye, but I guess you shouldn't be shooting at your lens's widest anyway. In terms of zoom, this lens seems to maintain its sharpness throughout and overall is pretty good.I won't make any conclusions because I'm not a lens expert, but I'm still happy with my purchase a year later. I just wanted to post some data that might interest people. Happy shooting!
I am a hobbyist, not a professional.  I have a Canon 50D, and I usually spend around 500 on lenses depending on what my need is.  For instance, I dont have a telephoto because I cant find a decent one for under 750.  But I shoot off and on and its just a hobby for me.  When I was looking for a good, walk around lens I was not expecting this high quality for the price.  The constant 2.8 is so nice, and its a super sharp lens from 24-70.  Everytime I take this lens out, I wind up with some of my favorite shots.  An extremely versatile lens.  Check out my Flickr to see some examples:[...]
I can't say enough about this lens. It's economical and produces amazing images. It's almost never off my Digital Rebel XTi.
i use it with my XTI and T1i. needs lots of light for sharp photos. when light is adequate, photos are wonderful. fast focus. good all-around lens.
My photographer was skeptical about buying anything not Nikon. She's a finatic. I told her to try this little lense out. It's within budget and has awesome reviews. We've been shooting with it (2-6 hours/day) for a couple of months and she couldn't be happier with it. And I couldn't be happier with the photo results. We use it mostly for indoor shoots. But the few times we've taken it out it's clarity is really brilliant.
Been using this bad boy for about seven months now.  Great value, gorgeous pix.  Only neg so far: the switch from manual to automatic focus is becoming stiff, I'm afraid that one of these days it will snap off.Otherwise, if you had to choose between this lens and the stock lens, BUY THIS LENS. Otherwise save up and get the 24-70 2.8 Canon.  Crappy lens = the best buy to ruin your pix.
This is my favorite lens right now. I do a lot of portrait photography and this lens is really the optimum lens for every photo I take. Sure, you can go for the Canon 28-135 or 17-85mm lenses, but those range from f/3.5-5.6 and in not-always-that-sunny Pittsburgh, it's important to get that extra amount of light--which helps when the shutter speed is slow so I don't need the image stabilization as much.All around, this is a GREAT lens!
So many comparisons are made between Canon and Tamron, and often people will say they bought the Tamron version of a lens with the same or similar focal length to a Canon lens because they couldn't afford the Canon lens.  And in some cases, the Tamron is indeed not as sharp as one of the Canons.  Well this lens is the exception. I just sent back a new Canon 24-70 f4L IS lens after I compared it with this Tamron at f4, using all focal lengths.  The Tamron was sharper and had way less (if any) vignetting as compared to the Canon.  I paid 1199.00 (which was a very good price)  for the Canon L lens and there was absolutely no justification in keeping 2 lenses with such similar focal lengths when the Tamron was better on all accounts.  The only edge I saw the Canon having was sharpness at 24mm as compared to 28 on the Tamron - it was a little sharper at f4.  But the rest of the images showed the Tamron was better, plus you get f2.8 and yes, there is a huge price difference especially if you wanted to go 2.8 on Canon.  I have had mine for many years and I wasn't sure how well it would do when I went full frame, but now I know it's perfect on full frame, however I do miss that extra reach I had on my 7D APS-C.  I have always loved this lens, it's one of the sweet-spot lenses in their lineup that will never disappoint.  I have one in the Sony mount for my Sony Alpha cameras also.
I could not afford to purchase the Canon 24-70mm so I purchased this lens. It is very nice. It gets the job done and it is fast.
This was my first non Canon lens purchase, granted the other lenses I've owned has been cheaper Canon lenses (kit lens, 50mm and 28-135mm).I've never owned an L so I can't compare it to those but here are my impressions:Price: Can't beat it, its a 2.8 like the better L lenses out there and for a fraction of the cost. Love it!Noise: Really can't say that its that noisy as I've heard people complain. Again I have not owned an L's so in my limited experience with lenses, its not noisy, nothing I'd consider loud enough to disturb a wedding ceremony or anything of the sorts.Focusing: It's as fast as my 28-135mm, so not bad, its fast enough to catch my kids running by, get them in focus and me snap the picture.About the focusing, I did notice mine had a bit of trouble with front focusing, but works well now when I've got that taken care of.I really haven't had opportunity to test it in the conditions it was built for but so far I've been impressed with it.Its not really bulky, it seems solidly built even if its not L quality.The pictures I've taken so far has been crisp and clean and bright, really I cant complain, again a great lens purchase. I can't wait for them to come out with a 70-200mm 2.8 version so I can buy that as well.If you are a pro with L's in your camera bag you might or might not like it. However if you're a serious hobbyist or working-to-be a pro then this is a good start for a fraction of the cost of an L. Its a nice lens and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I know nothing about camera lenses but my daughter-in-law had it on her wish list and she is a photographer.  I sent it to her for her birthday and she says it's great.  I'll have to take her word on that.
This is really a sharp/fast lens, But my experience with Amazon is bad about this deal...1> the first lens i received was producing ghost effect at F/2.82> I received a quick replacement but it has some spots seen on the glass ...This is bad.. Dont they do any QA inspection...I am going to ask for replacement/refund ... again... its pain...Let us see
I have owned this lens for 1 1/2 years.  I had been using it on canon 350d.  I recently upgraded to 400d and at the same time sold this lens to finance the highly touted canon 17-55 IS f2.8 (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-Lens-Cameras/dp/B000EW8074/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6960612-1229664?ie=UTF8&s;=electronics&qid;=1185209810&sr;=8-1). The only 2 areas that are better from canon lens are the much faster auto focus and image stabilization.  In sharpness, etc, tamron beats canon handily.  Maybe I was lucky by getting a very sharp copy, but it was unbelievably sharp. The guy who bought the lens from me was comparing the lens with his canon 24-70L (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-24-70mm-2-8L-Standard-Cameras/dp/B00009R6WT/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6960612-1229664?ie=UTF8&s;=electronics&qid;=1185209771&sr;=8-1) and tamron beats it from 28-50mm.My only problem with the lens was that it was not wide enough.  If the focal length fits you, this is the lens to get.I also have the highly praised 70-200 f4L IS, and again tamron is sharper.
This by far is my favorite all around lens at the moment! I use it mostly for my portraits but never the less it does everything. I've shot with this during weddings and the images are sharp, crisp and clear! ITS A MUST HAVE!
I love love love this lens. I have gotten some amazing shots from this little guy, sometimes I forget to use my 50mm f/1.8.My only complaint is that sometimes the images are a little soft when shotting wide angles, but for the price, you really can't beat this lens.PS I do shoot with a CROP sensor, which I've been told is the best type of camera to use with this lens. I have hear this lens does not produce as good of shots on FULL sensors.
Have been using it on my D60 for two and a half years. It is light weight to take around. The zoom range is very good for people and portrait photography, but too long for landscope photography.The focuing speed is slower than AF-S. On my D60, some times I can not focus well even the light is enough. The focusing ability may suffer from D60's 3-point focusing system which is not precise, I think. Tried on D5000, it focuses much better. The image is pretty sharp. An external flash is recommended for taking indoor photos.The image taste is very different from Nikon lenses. It is warm. Nikons are bluish and cold. I also prefer Nikon's clarity.The lenses is made in Japan (if anyone concerns), the construction looks a little weak. Your camera may get F-- error, or stop auto focusing. Do not panic, just take off the lens and put it on again. You can repeat the process several times. I got twice or thrice at the beginning, after that everything is smooth.I think it is a good choice for entry level or family users who wants a f/2.8 zoom lenses.
I bought this after reading the reviews, which suggested it was the best value for the money on a mid-range 2.8 zoom.  It weighs and costs a fraction of the Nikon equivalent, and on areas where I expected it to be lacking, like focus speed, it is surprisingly fast compared with my 70-200 VRII.  Yes, VR would be nice, but the effect is much more noticeable as longer focal lengths, and the image is fairly crisp.  Overall, not bad, and something you can certainly walk around with without straining your back.
I own a Canon 20D and agonized over purchasing the Tamron 28-75 versus other lenses including Canon.I'm glad I bought the Tamron, because for the money it's an excellent lens.I use the 28-75 as my primary lens as it's great for portraiture and general photography.I love the contrast, color rendition and flatness to the edge of the frame.  I've worked with Canon lenses, but for some reason the look, feel and the results of the Tamron really taps into my photographic gestalt.If your thinking of going for the Tamron 28-75, I'd say go for it with no reservation.-- Terry
I am sure there must be better copies out there but I was not impressed. The pics it took were amazingly soft which I did not expect. With some pics it appears the problem may have been focusing. As some reported its low light focusing was atrocious.Also the 28-75 was not to my liking but that of course is personal preference. I kept putting on the stock 18-55 IS. I also missed the IS feature with the Tamron lens.In the end a good copy may have been ok but the stock 18-55 IS delivers decent pics with IS and does not cost an extra [...] bucks.I returned the lens. Maybe I will give one another go at a later date but will most likely take the 17-50 Tamron instead.
I can start out saying all the pro features about this lens but so many people have already done so. I just want to say this is such a nice lens and preform just as great as the 24-70L and it's a 3rd of the price! I'm so glad I gave this lens a try. I was saving up for the 24-70L and have rented it to test and I did fall in love it. But when I saw this Tamron lens, I've got to say, I'm saving my money for something else!I so highly recommend this lens, you will not regret it!I hate leaving such a short review for such a great product but I also really don't want to repeat most of what have already been said, just 5 stars.
Affordable lens.  Decent quality for the price.  It can be a bit noisy but overall I am extremely pleased with the tamron lens.
Seems to work just fine...  I use it on a Canon Rebel xs body..  took some time - trial and error to set the Picture style to fit the lens I have a different setting for each lens I use.. and I shoot at ev -2/3 all the time with it..  It is extra sharp with strong contrast and saturated colors..  What more can you ask for..  The only lens I can compare it with in the same focal length is the kit lens and this blows it away...  I also use the Tamron 70-200 2.8 and they are similar lenses at different lengths...
Like many folks, I was looking for a good walk around lens for my Rebel XT and the L-series lenses are not an option for me.  Like other reviewers here, I looked at the non-L lens options from Canon, but their reviews seemed hit or miss.  Then I discovered the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens.  The only reviews that found it lacking were those comparing it to the Canon 24-70mm L lens - hmmm, if the only lens that could beat it was an L lens at 3 times the price, perhaps it's a good lens...I ended up buying the Tamron and have not regretted it in the least.  It works great as a walk around lens.  It's lightweight with a good multi-purpose zoom range.  It's perfect for portraits and indoor shots.  When out and about, it works well for those times you don't have a specific shot in mind - it's got enough zoom for people shots, enough at the wide end for casual scenic shots, and can handle most light situations.At my work, we purchased a Rebel XT and the Canon 24-70mm L lens, so I had a chance to compare the two.  The main difference was the color.  The Canon's color was very cool, while the Tamron's was warm.  I found the Canon worked much better for studio shots with planned lighting.  The Tamron worked better for wildlife and natural light settings.  The Canon was a lot heavier than the Tamron also.In the end, if you just can't justify the cost of L lenses, then the Tamron 28-75mm is your lens.  The IQ is topnotch and the price is affordable.  The Tamron warranty can't be beat, and they include a quality lens hood.Having been told that "you're better off waiting a few years until you can save up enough for an L lens, instead of buying a non-L lens", I can absolutely say that it's not true.  I would have waited 3 years to be able to afford the Canon 24-70mm L lens - in those 3 years, I have gotten many excellent shots because I went with the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens.  I would make the same decision today.
Pictures all turned out yellow and low light performance was bad. I saw many other reviews that mentioned these problems, but I figured it was subtle (it wasn't). One explanation I read was that Tamron uses a dark, yellowish coating on the lens. After a lot of experimentation I ended up deciding that the automatic white balance wasn't working with my canon t3i. I could manually set the white balance, resetting it in each lighting situation, and the yellowness was reduced. But no way I could do that every time I take a new shot. I also found the lens would not focus when the light was too low. With indoor lighting conditions I got a lot of blurry pictures, and they were typically slightly dark (when compared to the same shot with my 50mm set to 2.8).I recommend you take the bad reviews and complaints others have had seriously. I am a complete amateur and figured the complaints were subtleties that only professionals would notice. I think just about anyone would notice the problems (especially the yellowness) that I did.
What a wonderful lens.  This has become my go-to walk around lens.  I, like many others, was debating between this and the canon 24-70L.  Clearly I bought this, and I'm not disappointed by the cost to quality ratio.  Would I prefer a 24-70L?  Absolutely!!  However, is that lens worth an extra $1000 to me?  Absolutely not!!  This is a wonderful lens in its own right, able to create fantastic photos that are crisp and vibrant.  It was my first non-canon purchase, and I am very happy with it.  I only wish it was 24mm on the low end like the canon.  I find myself shooting at 28mm all the time, while wishing I could go a little lower.Bottom line: If you are even CONSIDERING this lens, go ahead and get it.  You're not looking at this page if you can truly afford the 24-70L.
I don't normally write many reviews for the products that I have purchased but I had to write about this lens. I am a photographer and like most who have reviewed this lens, I didn't want to drop the money for the Canon L lenses just yet. I have been reading the reviews on this lens for months and for some reason it kept calling me back. So after months of speculation, I went ahead and took the chance on this lens... and man, am I glad I did! I waited a few weeks before I wrote this review because I wanted to have a few hundred photos under my belt. This lens is everything it advertises to be and more. It is so sharp, even down to 2.8. It gets even better at higher f-stops. Like most have already stated, it produces great colors and I have taken great outside shots of my daughter right before I wrote this. It is definitely worth the money and the savings from the L series. I would definitely recommend this lens!*leaving 2 cents at the door*
I've heard of a few instances where people have acquired a 'bad copy' of thislens. My copy was superb. For 3+ years this lens has produced the sharpest,most awesome images for me on my XTi. Mostly amateur but plenty of prowork as well.
Tremendous quality for the price.  If you are looking for something that is an excellent quality lens without dropping $2300 for the Canon L glass this is a pretty nice quality lens.  I bought it as a back-up lens for my Canon L glass and the image quality  is just as good as far as I can tell.  It's considerably lighter than the Canon lens and while I wouldn't go so far as to say it feels cheap I think most of the lens is made of plastic sans the actual lens glass.  When zooming you turn the barrel in the opposite direction from all Canon lenses which is a problem when switching from one to the other especially when you have trained yourself for 10-years that one direction is for zooming in and the other is for zooming out.  If this is your only lens and you plan on buying Tamron lenses from here on out the zoom direction probably won't be a problem.
I had a specific need for a 28-70mm, F2.8 lens.  Having owned lenses of this specification by Tokina and Sigma, and finding that neither was a very good performer, I had some reservations about purchasing another non-Canon lens, particularly since I had no previous experience with any products by Tamron.  After doing some research, and reading a number of glowing reviews at different reputable photo related forums, I decided to take a chance.  The cost differential between the Tamron (including rebate at the time), and Canon's 24-70mm L series lens was a major factor in the decision to buy the Tamron.Used with a Canon 20D, I'm pleased to report that the Tamron produces very good results in a wide range of shooting conditions.  The lens is well-built, relatively light, and comes with a small lens hood.  Auto focusing is sharp, fairly fast for most applications, and relatively quiet.  In lower light situations, the Tamron replaces Canon's 28-105mm IS as my general-purpose lens.There are reports that some of these lenses have focusing issues.  Another comment is that the auto-focus is slow, which may be true, particularly when flash is not used.  The lens does not produce the greatest results shooting basketball in a gym, or in a variable low light situation, such as a rock concert in a club.  However in most normal situations, performance is excellent.  If you need an F2.8 zoom in this range, do yourself a big favor and give this excellent value due consideration.  In addition, Tamron is very efficient at processing rebates.
I bought this lens to fill the mid-range zoom niche for my Canon 5D.  Seems as sharp and contrasty as my Canon L lenses.  Bokeh is very good.  The only down-side is that its widest setting is only 28mm, instead of 24mm like the Canon 24-70mm L.  Other than that, it is much cheaper, much lighter, and takes fantastic pictures.  I've not second-guessed this purchase once.  A superb lens!  Best bang for the buck out there.
I  had to consider, Quality, Value and Durability-This lens has it all. Delivery was fast as usual. Much has been written about this lens and I AGREE with every thing that is positive. Can't afford the 24-70 CZ Sony version and would Love to have a bit wider (24) but honestly, I don't find myself wanting the extra width. Have used for almost All of my photographic assignments and after 5 months of use No Complaints.
IntroI heard how sharp this lens was and wanted a backup to the beautiful, sharp,and well-built Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC model that I have. I am an advanced amateur and do shoot a few weddings, events, family portraits etc and I wanted a backup (or something I could consider a contender) of my workhorse should some mechanical mishap or accident happen. I did not buy this lens on Amazon, rather I purchased it from a private owner (professional photographer) in almost brand new condition for $350 USD. If you look around mostly online you can get this lens a lot cheaper used. Just beware, as I found out, you have no warranty if you buy from a second party!Currently as of this writing I shoot Nikon with a D700 and D90. In the comments section I will post a URL so you can check out some sample pics I took with this lens so far. Amazon doesn't allow urls in the body of reviews for some reason.The GoodI love the 2.8 aperture. I don't know if I will ever shoot another lens that doesn't have a constant high aperture (low f stop number) available. I love the sharp pictures. I lucked out and it appears to me the lens I purchased and tested is indeed sharp and the focus is right on the money. Great IQ.I have or had three other lenses by Tamron and all are sharp and I am a fan: 24-70 2.8 VC, 70-300 VC zoom, and the old 90mm Macro (sold, great lens, super slow). I recommend any of these lenses including the 28-75 being reviewed.The bokeh is decent. Not wonderful, but not bad IMO. Bokeh can be an opinionated issue.It is very lightweight. It hardly adds any weight to my D700. This is a good thing!The BadI never had a problem with my Nikon D700 and I owned it for about a year. When I put on this Tamron lens, I shot a few shots and the auto-focus froze and the buttons on the camera (play, menu, info, etc) would not work. The LCD wouldn't come on. I have a grip. I monkeyed with the Nikon grip buttons and everything came back. I am blaming the grip (official Nikon) and not the lens necessarily, but it was weird and hasn't happened again yet. Just thought I would mention it in case anyone else experienced this.The day after I purchased the lens it seems the zoom lock slider button is broken. It will engage in the lens, but when I try to engage it back up, it just sits there and doesn't "snap" into place and freely moves back and forth. Not a big deal and I may eventually just put a drop of elmer's glue on it to keep it in place as I doubt I'll ever use it.The zoom is very stiff. I have used it and tried to break it in by moving it back and forth zooming excessively 28mm to 75mm and back again. It seems to have loosened up somewhat. This seems to be a big complaint about this lens.The hood easily cracks. The hood that comes with it has a big crack in it. I don't know if I did this or if maybe it came like that and I am just noticing it. However it does appear kind of flimsy and weak in the spot it cracked in. I ordered another on Amazon for around $22 (taxes + shipping) OEM. We'll see how this one does.Slow focusing. This lens does slow focus and hunt in low light. It is supposed to be a fast lens. In low light don't hold your breath. It however has been acceptable so far in my limited testing. Just not fast nor super slow. Just slow enough.Summary and RatingI like this lens. I have liked all my Tamron lenses. I especially love the Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC lens. It is much bigger and heavier, but the build is no comparison. The focusing is fast on the 24-70 as it has a USM motor. Finally weather sealing and VC is the name of the game. If you can afford it and are on the fence, I would HIGHLY recommend the Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC. This is my workhorse. But if you are looking for a cheap walkaround lens that has great Image Quality, this lens is el cheapo with outstanding IQ.This lens is light, constant aperture with (did I say great image quality), and will work on a DX (crop sensor) and FX (full frame) body. The build is average at best. Although I experienced some problems, YMMV. I also purchased this lens semi-new so it was used once or twice. For all those factors I am giving this lens a 4 star rating. I would highly recommend it to the hobbyist, occasional to advanced amateur and maybe semi-pro. You can't beat the image quality for the money and that's the most important thing, as long as the lens works ;-) . Semi-Pros and Pros, weddings and sports, I would probably look elsewhere or have this available as a backup or secondary lens. The slower focusing and build worries me.
I tested it from F2.8 to F22 (28mm, 50mm and 75mm). I am satisfied by the performace.
I have tried using lenses w/ a focal length of 18-55 in a typical house and found that I rarely was using the very wide end, but found that I was often lacking reach.  There are exceptions to this of course, but generally I've found this to be true.  And of course being indoors during the holidays, lighting usually isn't too plentiful so I knew that having a 2.8 aperture would come in handy so I could shoot with higher shutter speeds and not worry too much about motion blur.  I've been shooting with the Tamron 28-75 for a few years now and wouldn't be without it now.  It's sharp (even wide open), has good colors, and focuses fast (not so much on the k10d but on the k20d, the k-x and k-7 it does great - yeah, I know, I have too many cameras).One other application that I've found for this lens is as an integral part of my everyday kit which generally I want to cover focal ranges from 12 to 300 mm.  So with the Pentax 12-24, tamron 28-75, and the Pentax DA55-300, I've got my basis covered.  I usually will throw in a prime in my bag, but since the tamron takes decent shots from pretty close (there so called macro), it's not always necessary to bring a dedicated macro prime lens and allows me to bring a fisheye or a lens w/ special characteristics (like the voightlander nokton for it's signature bokeh or the pentax 77 for awesome bokeh and portraits).Really the only time I don't seriously consider taking this lens is when I know I'll be dealing with bad weather in which case the lenses I'll bring will have weather sealing.  I've used many lenses and still find this lens full of great characteristics without a lot of downside.  I'd recommend it in a heartbeat!
I use this lens on Canon Rebel T3i. The picture quality is very nice and I don't have any major issues with the build or design (and price relative to the similar native Canon lenses). I bought it with intention of using it for wildlife photography (i.e. succession of shots of fast moving subjects, often in low light conditions), but it turned out not to be the best for this purpose.1. Focusing takes awhile. The motor is rather loud and sounds somewhat screechy.2. The camera has an option called "AI focus", when the lens automatically adjusts the focus on the moving object. Alas, it does not work with the Tamron lens.3. I don't think there is any kind of image stabilization (definitely nothing as nice as Canon IS series). Consequently shooting with slower shutter speeds is more complicated.
I bought this one from Amazon not knowing that any of their vendors would sell grey market.  I cannot register it with Tamron and there is not warranty.  I could have found this lens for less money.  Not happy.However, since I should review the lens, it is okay.  Just not happy that I bought a new lens that is not covered by warranty.Addendum:  Amazon effectuated a return for me so that I can look to replace this lens.  Should I find one in my price range that is a US model and covered by warranty, I will use it and add to this review.
I am someone who swears by Canon and would not buy any other lens.  Tamron has made me swallow my pride with this lens, I have to admit this is one gorgeous piece of glass, especially for the price and the 2.8 aperture.  Comes with a hood, body kinda feels a little cheap, but to me, all that matters is the quality of the pictures and I am completely satisfied, thoroughly impressed with the quality of the photos.Very sharp images at 2.8, through out the zoom range.  I even took a portrait with this lens at 65-70mm 1/250 @ 2.8, ISO 400 with my EOS 3 (35mm)...one of the best portraits I've taken.  Incidentally, this is the first photograph I clicked with this lens and I have to admit that I am floored.  Honestly, I am toying with the idea of buying one more for my 20D.Gorgeous background blur, which is one of the factors that impressed me the most and the DoF is good enough to focus the subject completely.  I like to focus on the subject's eye and have enough DoF to cover the entire body (depth) of the subject rather than blurring out any part of the body.  This lens serves the purpose and would give the portrait a really professional feel.The other factor that impressed me is the minimum focusing distance - I took some macro shots in a tide pool in Point Loma / San Diego and I am thoroughly impressed with the sharpness @ 2.8 as well as the distance.  I think I went as close as 7-8 inches ( did not measure, as seen by my friend) and was happy with that too.In short, if you are toying with the idea of buying the 24-70 2.8L (which was the case with me) and want to leave that for an upgrade, you wont regret buying this lens.  I think I will wait for the Canon 1-2-3 rebate for the 24-70 2.8 and will still keep this lens as a part of my kit.5 stars, must buy!-----------------------------------------------------------------------UPDATE ON 17 MAR 2007-----------------------------------------------------------------------Decided to go for an upgrade to Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and conducted amateurish tests side by side at various focal lengths and apertures, all else being the same.  Ended up returning the Canon and decided to keep the Tamron.  The Canon was certainly a good copy, tacccckkkk sharp, but couldnt beat the sharpness out of the Tamron.  The Tamron came out much sharper across wide open apertures (centers & edges, as examined by the naked eye at 100% image size) and equal sharpness between the two lenses at f/8 and above.  Stunning image quality in both, the Canon locked the exposure much more consistently than the Tamron (which moved a half a stop or so while trying to focus).  The only two areas where Canon beat Tamron was(1) Canon focussed silently and much more smoothly compared to the Tamron(2) Build quality, Canon is really built like a tank, cant think of any other word.  Tamron feels cheap and plasticky when compared to the Canon.Finally, I didnt feel like I was getting much value for $800 more, as my Tamron was already giving superior, TACK sharp image quality.  However, for 1/3rd the price, 1/3rd the weight, I decided it was too pricy and upgrade and returned the Canon.  Go Tamron!-----------------------------------Update on 23 Nov 2007-----------------------------------Almost 2 years with this lens, couldnt be more satisfied.  this lens has never failed me during multiple trips in extreme conditions of heat, cold and extreme (S California wild fire) winds.  No dust or other issues.I did notice that images were soft after f/16 due to diffraction, but I do not think that is the lens' fault.  Images at f/22 and f/32 are very soft and unacceptable for professional prints or enlargements above 8x10 when shot at 8MP (20D), but that was more my fidgeting to see what happens at those apertures.  I almost never use anything narrower than f/13, so it doesnt concern me.  Overall, very satisfied with this purchase, this one is a keeper even if I buy the 24-105L or 24-70L.
this is the best lens ever! I already shot a wedding, a portrait shoot & a couple engagement shoots & I'm so happy I got it!the quality is superb! Very good in low light, very sharp & fast!!!here is the session made completely with this lens only: [...] those are very low rez previews. I can't even describe how awesome the prints look like!
Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasI bought this lens for my Nikon D700. This is a full frame lens. The max aperture 2.8 is available on all focal lengths. Tested this at various focal length/aperture/shutter combos under different light conditions.Here are my observations:Pros:1. Awesome value (price/performance). Nikon and Sigma equivalent costs more (nikon way too much).2. Decent walk-around lens covering key focal lengths of mid range zoom3. 2.8 aperture available at all focal lengths4. Relatively fast and quick to focus5. Great DOF (min aperture 32)6. Pleasing blokeh effect (shallow DOF)7. Usable sharp picture at  2.8. Stop down to 4.0 and you can get realy sharp pictures8. Surprisingly decent close-up performance at various focal lengths (including 28mm). I was able to shoot a 2" x 2" object at 28mm at a distance of about 6-8". This was taken under room light conditions with flash from nikon d700. The pictures were sharp, and usable. (Will post pics later)9. Less weight compared to other lenses in this class10. Price, Price, Price !!Cons1. Sometimes hunts for focus. This could be my camera setting (I have set focus priority for shutter release. I have to change this setting and try it out)2. Nikon and Sigma will be better built lenses compared to this (obviously you pay a premium for that built)3. AF can be perceived as noisy by professional and hard core photographers. I am an average joe. It did not bother me as I was paying more attention to the picture quality. May not be suitable to take pics in a quite setting without drawing some attention to yourself.I would highly recommend this lens for anyone who is looking for decent zoom with excellent picture quality and on a budget.I returned Nikon 50m 1.8D lensNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Camerasbecause I was not satisfied with picture sharpness at wide aperture. I needed to stop down to 2.8 or 4.0 in that lens to get reasonably sharp pics. This lens gives me good sharp pictures at f/2.8 50mm. So I traded that lens for this, so that I can also get some basic zoom for about 250$ more. I am not a professional photographer and do not want to start a religious war between prime lens and zoom lens. Obviously prime lenses are better. For an average customer who wants to take pictures around house, kids birthdays, soccer games etc. this lens is a good bargain.Also, I bought this elsewhere for about 120$ cheaper than here. You may want to shop around to save some $$$.Good Luck !
I shoot with a Nikon D700 and mostly use my 50mm 1.4, however I wanted a nice walk around lens for shooting my family and the occasional wide shot.  This lens works nicely for that, but I do have issues with focus from time to time.  This lens likes to back focus just a bit when zoomed all the way in.  I also can't shoot at 2.8 and get sharp images.  This lens has a sweet spot of f/3.5  As a mom I think this is a great lens for taking snapshots of my kids, as a professional I would much rather have the 24-70mm f/2.8
I found the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens to be of fine quality.  My images were very sharp at all f stops accept 2.8.  The quality of the images I exposed were as good as most of the higher priced lenses.  I have some more I want to do to test this lens.  I have several Tamron lenses and they all preform very well. I would recommend this lens to anyone needing this focal length.  The constant 2.8 is great in low light.
The Bad:When I first got this lens (to use on my Canon 5d Mark II), I was extremely disappointed with the sharpness. Whether I focussed manually or via auto focus the pictures appeared too soft. It didn't seem to matter whether I was shooting at f/2.8 or f/8.0. Every picture was unacceptably soft and I send it in to Tamron for servicing.The Good:Picture Quality: After I got it back from the Tamron Service center, it was a whole different story. I now see why this lens has such glowing reviews. The pictures are now sharp. Even at f/2.8, I get sharp pictures with a pleasing bokeh.Video: I also like using this lens to shoot 1080p video. The fact that the focus ring is smooth and quiet means I can manually focus while I shoot video, without the sound of turning the focus ring being too distracting. The sound of the focus ring turning is still there, but it is not too loud.Overall Impression:This is a great lens for almost a third the price of the Canon equivalent and is a great bargain. Both my pictures and video come out great with pleasing colors and sharpness.
This was my first semi-pro lens, I have a Canon T2i and this works great with that! I bought this because I wanted a fast lens to do portraits with, and this is just perfect! Before I got it I was debating whether I should get this model, or the wider one (17-55mm f/2.8 Di II) but I thought if I was going to spend $500, I might as well get a lens I could keep when I move to a full-frame camera. Color quality on this lens is great, sharpness as well. It 'feels' professional. Also, I didn't know this when I bought it, but it also comes with a lens hood. All I needed to add was a UV filter and I was set! Highly recommended for a great, fast and affordable lens!
I've had this lens for a while, but only recently did it get a real workout.  I shot a wedding with it a few days ago, so now I feel as though I have the knowledge to give this lens a rating.First thing I noticed?  AF is a little slow.  I came from a Canon 5d mk II with 24-105mm f4 lens, which is a killer combo.  This lens was seated on a Nikon D600.  There was a distinct difference in focus speed (a difference I cannot in good conscience attribute to the D600, as its AF system is far superior to the 5d mk II).  Although this didn't cause me to miss any critical moments (it was just fast enough), it was unnerving at times.  There were two instances where the lens absolutely refused to focus.  They weren't critical moments, so it wasn't particularly bothersome; I simply zoomed in and out until it focused.  But it's something of which to be aware.The lens exhibits what I would call a less than moderate degree of chromatic aberration.  In other words, it does decent in this regard, but is certainly not perfect.Flare is handled fairly well, though again I would say the lens does a decent but not excellent job in this regard.Sharpness is very good.  It is possible to get fairly sharp shots at f2.8, but stopping down to f4 yields excellent results.Distortion is not something I'm concerned with.Overall the lens is a solid '4'.  The optical quality is certainly more than worthy of a lens of this cost, and while the build quality is not the best, again for the cost it is appropriate.In my humble opinion, if 28-75mm is a range you can live with (I cannot; this lens will be sold in favor of a Nikkor 24-120mm f4), then there really is no reason to look anywhere else.  This lens is absolutely excellent for the cost, and should be a no-brainer for the amateur or semi-pro looking to dabble in fast lenses.Highly recommended.
On my D600, it was unusable at apertures larger than f/5.6.  In any high contrast area there were large chromatic aberrations and coronas from f/2.8 to f/4.  It's not sharp enough for the 24mpix sensor.  It focused fast, but had a hard time actually finding focus because the lens is just not sharp enough for this camera.  I'll give it the benefit of a doubt... it might just have been my copy, because I've seen some very sharp images shot with this lens and a d600, but I'd save your money and get something else if you have a more modern dslr.  In short, this lens was REALLY soft.
Love this lens. It's been sitting on my d800 for quite sometime. My only gripe is that there is some vinetting that's going on unless it's just my filters. All in all it's a good all around lens to cover a decent range and the images come out sharp.
I got the tamron 28-75 specifically for low-light indoor shots at concerts and such, situations where you need a 2.8 aperture to shoot "wide open" to get the fastest possible shutter speed--sports and action. i shoot with the d80 and also have the nikkor 18-70dx, the nikkor 50mm 1.8 prime, and the tokina 24-200 in this focal range.have to say, i've definitely been impressed so far with the tamron -- just shot a concert at the fillmore auditorium and boy, did it come through with flying colors. the real test of sharpness in real-world conditions is when you can crop 40-50% without losing detail. yup, the tamron does that fine. it's great at 2.8 throughout the entire range (but obviously even sharper stopped down to 3.5 or 4), has minimal chromatic aberration and pincushion distortion (no zoom will ever be completely free of these), freezes motion even at the relatively slow shutter setting of 1/60, is lightweight, and has a decent build quality (it's not tank-like like the tokina, but not cheap either), focuses fast in all but pitch darkness (especially with a sb-600 speedlight and the d80's burst setting), and has a nice zoom lock feature to prevent lens creep. it also has a semi-macro feature that focuses to 1:3; not a dedicated macro but a nice thing to have nonetheless. unlike the tokina, the aperture dial is ergonomically situated and doesn't get in the way.the 28-75 is considered a "pro" lens (look for the "SP" designation), and the price (under $400) is right, unless you want to pay 3x as much for the nikkor 2.8 equivalent. while optimized for digital (Di series) it can also be used for film, and if nikon ever makes a full-frame dslr, it can be used on that too -- unlike the nikon dx, tokina dx, sigma dc, or tamron Dii lenses.the only downside is that sometimes i wish it was a little wider, say 24mm, but then it does go to 75mm. ultimately, that's why i chose it over the tamron 17-55 which is very similar and has been extremely well-received by the nikon crowd. wish there was a 16-70 or 16-80 f/2.8 out there, but there isn't yet and if there was, it would probably be pretty expensive. anyway, this tamron has proven to be a versatile performer that has met my needs thusfar--great for indoor concerts but also sufficient for portraits -- i'd rate it as a hair sharper than the 18-70 and almost as sharp as the 50mm nikkor, which is saying something. i wasn't sure about tamron before purchasing, but i'm glad i chose this over the sigma 24-70 EX, which is also a 2.8 but has a weird filter size (82mm). a bonus was that the tamron uses the same filters as the 18-70 dx, so i didn't have to invest in yet another set of filters.perhaps the previous reviewer got a bad copy or just needs to review the camera manual again (particularly A and S modes and ISO and WB settings if intended for low-light shots), because this is anything but a one-star lens.
I am thoroughly pleased with this moderately priced lens.  For an outlay that does not break the bank, I am amply rewarded with sharpness and superb color rendition.  I own three Tamron lenses:  this one, the 90mm macro, and the 70-300mm macro zoom.  I would call the 90mm the sharpest and put this one at a close second.  Given the fact that the 90mm is a legend, that's high praise indeed.  If you're concerned about quality but can't stomach the cost of a Nikon or Canon standard range zoom, try this one.  I rented a copy and was so thrilled by how it handled, and how well it balanced on my Nikon D50, that I ordered my own copy after only a few days of use.
It works well on my D7000. No problems to speak of. Pretty accurate AF but just a tad slow. Don't let that stop you
Love this lens. Its now the default lens on my D40. The portraits are awesome. Mostly I shoot at 75mm with f9 or f11 and love the resulting portraits. f2.8 has come to save me in some low light scenarios as well.
I chose this product because so many people in the wedding business recommended it for low light situations. The 2.8 aperture was nice but this lens was not sharp. Every single one of my shots was the same. Very soft in the center. Even my mother who knows NOTHING about photography and lenses noticed it. I sent it back. I've heard some people say that they bought this lens and it was sharp....I guess it's hit or miss....good luck!
I was shocked to see this lens with a low average score. Obviously the initial reviewer either had a bad lens or doesn't know the best practices of his camera. Well, it's his loss, cause this lens is one of the best I've used and my all-time favorite of my current kit.I decided to give this lens a try after having good luck with other Tamron lenses and checking out the quality images my friend got with the same lens on a Canon camera. It was on my short-list for awhile, and I was thrilled when I finally had a chance to buy it.Pros:* size and weight - this lens is great if you want to travel and don't want to sacrifice quality. it is light, as are most Tamron lenses I've tried, but well built and easy to work with.* color and sharpness - no problems with sharpness here, and color is superb. I find this lens provides better quality than the Tamron 18-200 that I started out with, and far above the Nikon 18-70.* bokeh (out-of-focus background rendering) - beautiful, which can be said for every Tamron lens I've used so far. they handle the bokeh perfectly and produce some of the best results when shooting shallow depth of field.* price - this lens falls at a nice price compared to similar Nikon models, and it covers more range than some of the 2.8 Nikon lenses.* zoom lock - I love this feature on the Tamron lenses. I always lock it when I'm not shooting or before it goes back in the bag. I hated pulling the Nikon 18-70 out and having it fully extend every time because the sides of the bag just barely held onto the lens hood.* will work with non APS-C size cameras. Nikon doesn't have a full-frame digital available yet, but who knows what will happen in the future. If they do release one, it's nice knowing you can use this lens on it as well. Same if you want to shoot film now and then, since the "digital only" lenses cannot be used on those cameras.Cons:* 28mm is not at all wide on a APS-C size sensor, which all Nikon models currently use. I would prefer 18, 20, or at least 24mm. My wide angle is a Sigma 10-20, so that leaves quite a gap in the wide range, unfortunately. It does go up to 75 rather than 70, but I've found that if 70 isn't enough, 75 isn't enough either, in most cases. I'd prefer that extra range on the wide end instead.* auto-focus can hunt in low-contrast situations. again, this is a trait I've found with all my Tamron lenses, and it is easily overcome by switching to manual when needed.That's the long and short of it. I don't think I will ever need to replace this lens, and for now it is the default lens on my camera whenever I go somewhere. Great performance all-around, nice bright image in the view-finder, and a nice price from Amazon. I would recommend this lens to anyone looking for a higher quality over their original kit lens.
There are two different types of people.  Some people like to carry a lot of stuff with them wherever they go, you know, just in case.  Others, they like to travel light and make do with what they have.If you are the latter, then this case is for you.  What I like about it is the nice snug fit and the high quality feel.  It's the prefect size for the camera, a spare battery, and a spare memory card or two.  You won't be able to squeeze anything inside the case after you put the camera in there (maybe a memory card), but there are two mesh side pockets that are just the right size for batteries and spare memory.  They're kinda tight at first, so you have to "force" the battery in, but it's all for good reason since I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose a rather pricey battery anyways.The strap is a nice size (not too wide, not too thin) and it's highly adjustable from a snug, right under your arm fit to a loose, over the shoulder fit.  There's also a button latched strap to place it on your belt.Overall, an excellent product...depending on your needs and expectations.
It is great for my Sony Cyber-Shot.  I can put an extra battery on each side and an extra memory card inside.  The camera fits nicely without being tight but not a lot of extra room so it still fits in my purse or small backpack.
two side pockets for batteries (and you need it for the V1). pocket inside for memory stick. tough material. it is a bit snug when carrying a battery though.  but otherwise looks great.  best case out there for the V1.
This is simply the best bag for the Sony V1.  And some of the reviewers are wrong-do they own this bag even?  It has TWO MESH SIDE POCKETS as well as AN INTERIOR POCKET (for memory stick).  The side pockets are perfect for the spare batteries.  The material is of High Quality.  Get it.  You won't regret it.
This is a case that fits the DSC-V1 cybershot. Compact, and easy to carry on.
I bought this umbrella after seeing some exceptional portraits of groups of people that were taken with this umbrella. Those images just blew me away so I knew I had to try this for myself. It produces soft, filtered, broad lighting for more than one person. Very easy to use and setup, lightweight, seems quite sturdy as well. Get some sandbags for your tripod because this thing is like a sail if the wind is blowing even just a little. I couldn't be happier with the quality of light or the durability of the product.
This umbrella makes your subjects look really nice, but its BIG. This makes it an indoor use product. It also means that you need to have a lot of weight to keep it from falling over. Another problem is that your umbrella bracket needs to be able to deal with the weight. And finally you should use it in a place with high ceilings even when your light stand is only 2.1 Meters (7 feet). Because its an umbrella you can certainly travel with it but keep the previous in mind.
For the price, I'm not sure you could get better. These are just what I needed. I got two to use for large groups at weddings, etc. I had previously been taking softboxes, but being collapsible, the umbrellas are much easier to transport. They fit easily into my photogenic lights. I haven't tried them with my speedlights but I'm sure they'd fit those umbrella adapters as well. The only thing is that because they are so big, you are definitely not going to want to use these outside on a windy day. I'm not sure sandbags would be enough to hold 'em down. ;-)
It's so shiny of a white its almost silver. Other than that it is excellent quality. Would definitely buy again due to price. Though it might be worth upgrading from 8 to 16 segments for a smoother reflection flash because you get hot spots in each of the 8 panels (as with most umbrellas), but this one seems a little worse than my 43 inc, maybe because its more silver-y.
When my umbrella arrived, unfortunately it was significantly damaged and unrepairable. The spokes and slide mechanism were bent for some unknown reason. I did contact the vendor, and within a few days I was able to get a refund. I will say however that the cloth appeared to be durable and of good quality.
The first time ever buying a higher priced Photography umbrella and it comes to my door in a flimsy box with no protection at all.  This may not be Wescott's fault, but Amazon will not replace this item.  I am told to send it back and wait 4 weeks for refund.  I do not need a refund, I need a photography umbrella.  If you buy this product, you should know that Amazon does not take any responsibility for the condition it arrives in.  They will tell you that their policy prevents them from helping you, but who creates these customer unfriendly policies.  Amazon does. This low rating is less for the flimsy and overpriced umbrella, and more for Amazon.  They will quote policy when you have a problem and not help.  I still need a photography umbrella, so I must drive 2 hours out of my way and spend twice the money for it at the store.  Is that covered in the refund I will get in 4 weeks.
What can I say, Westcott makes good quality umbrella's for flash photography.  This is no exception!  Very nice build quality and provides a great shoot though light modifier.
Build quality of product is impressive , having purchased a few umbrellas recently this one is the best of the lot, the fit and build of the removable black cover also impressive, comes off easily for shoot through situations (my primary use). an excellent product.
I bought this for my group shots, this is a big friend, very big. For weedings and family shots is great.
One of the best umbrella that I ever used in diffusing my lighting set up. Because of the size, it's more than what you need even for group shot in a tight studio.
Very nice, best 1st light modifier for beginner and for good for  pros too. Very versatile modifier at different distances.
Gives a wide area throw of light and is super useful in flooding just the area needed to make a shoot happen. sturdy construction and gives the right translucence for shoot thru and reflective lighting.
This umbrella is great.  Yes, it's very big but that's not bad.  I used it to shoot a large group and the photos came out great.
I just received the Westcott 60" umbrella. Problem is it is not 60". I had the same problem with the Westcott 43" which came up about 5" short. Overall It's a good quality but dam call a spade a spade. It's a good deal for the money but had I known about photoflex 60" I would've spent the money on that. I may send these back and spend the extra 12 bucks and get an actually 60". I wonder if they lie about the size of their male members as well
This is my work horse umbrella.  I use this for just about everything.  I use this all the time while on location and in studio.
I purchased this to replace another damaged unit and was quite surprised to see more plastic in the construction than I was used to. Initially I thought this would be a bad thing, but it turns out the plastic is quite forgiving in many situations where metal in other umbrellas I've used has bent, sometimes to the point where I haven't been able to repair them. I use the umbrella as a shoot-through and for that purpose it works quite well. The reflective surface on the inside bounces a lot of light that I wish was getting diffused through the umbrella, but this is a preferential thing and I can't fault the umbrella for it. Overall I'm quite pleased and will likely be picking up another one or two to match it.
It's pretty easy to bend the metal arms that hold the umbrella, but other than that this thing is amazing. I use it for all of my newborn shoots, it works like a dream.It's enormous, so if you're in a smallish room, forget about it...
Decided to try one of these in our studio, we needed an easy to manage fill light. The build quality is solid, good light colored skeleton on inside and a very solid stem. A very non directional soft light with a Photogenic 1250C, but for my use its lacks a little punch. The white satiny material produces a wonderfully soft light and lacks a little more specularity. I am sure this is great for a lot of people, just not what I was expecting. I will keep testing and post an update in a month.
Point to point across the diameter it's 50" not 60". Edge to edge, it's actually 45". The "oh but classically they're measured around the circumference" stuff is best ignored as what's of primary importance is the size, followed by bouncability and translucence. If you were to accept that misleading blather about measuring the circumference, every umbrella will wind up being a different size in the field and we might as well dispense with measurements altogether and start describing them in such terms as "Nice", "Not so nice", "Really nice", and "Meh".Shooting through eats 1.5 stops of light. Shooting bounced with a single speedlight eats 2&2/3 stops. Using a naked Alienbees fills the umbrella better and shooting bounced then eats only 1& 1/3 stops.  It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever that these products are listed without that sort of information.Nice construction.
Westcott makes some great modifiers, but this "convertible" umbrella did not live up to the name.  First, the size is not that much bigger than my 43" Promaster convertible umbrella.  The interior black skin does not have any reflective material, this in itself causes the umbrella to eat up about 1-1.5 stops of light when used in the bounce configuration.  Overall my promaster performs much better in both bounce and shoot through.  The white "satin" finish on the Westcott is one of the least translucent umbrellas i've seen, it loses about 2/3 stops of light more when compared to a similar 60" umbrella.The build quality is nice so far, it's been thrown around a bit with no bent ribs.
Black cover removes easily, great size for wide light coverage. Easy set up. Great value for the price. Haven't used it on location yet .
It's a big, reasonably priced, convertible umbrella. It works. I like that the black cover is on a grommet which is actually attached to the fabric. I have another umbrella where the screw cap that holds the center of the fabric is easy to lose due to not being attached.
I use this umbrella with a Linco Flora (also available from Amazon) 6 bulb fluorescent lamp holder. It would also work very well with a strobe lighting. I chose the Wescott brand for the umbrella because it is dependable quality. However, I did not choose the Wescott Spider lamp holder because the price is exorbitant, ten times the cost of the Linco Flora (see my review of the Flora here on Amazon).I recommend this umbrella for studio and location use as the key light. The large 60 inch diameter provides a very soft light and wide illumination.
Good quality and great size. I have used it with my 580EX II triggered with cybersyncs and with the wireless controller in ETTL mode built into my 7D. I have also used it with my Einstein 640 strobe. Very versitile since you can use it in reflective or shoot through mode. You can also collapse it down to control the lgiht better for more of a softbox effect.
A well-constructed, reasonably priced light modifier.  Being able to use it in either bounce or shoot-through configuration makes it very versatile.  I am a little worried about taking it outside, for fear of strong winds, but it should be fine if you use sandbags on your light stand.  The build quality is quite good and should hold up to reasonable use.The light quality produced by this umbrella is soft, due to it's large size, and looks quite nice.  At full spread in bounce mode, it spreads the light out quite a bit.  For more controlled and directional lighting, you can partially collapse the umbrella over the flash, producing a light similar to a small softbox.  In shoot through mode, the light even softer and it can vbe moved much closer to the subject.I highly recommend it!
This is a very sturdy umbrella and the cover is very easy to remove/replace. The struts that hold it open are strong, the main shaft is solid yet light. The opening mechanism is quick and easy to use. It comes with a clear plastic sleeve to keep it clean and allow it to travel well.It's not 60". Tip to tip, when open, it's just about 51" across. The only way you could call this 60" is if you measured the struts while the umbrella is closed. In this state they are 30" long. Of course we all know that when it's open the struts are bent to form the umbrella shape, so the 30" struts open out to make a fantastic 51" umbrella.Know the size up front so you aren't disappointed and buy this great 51" umbrella. Hey we all add a couple inches when we advertise on the internet, right?
Pretty nice and big. Very well constructed. Removal and install of black cover is easy.And I think the money is well spent. Shipping is fast, too.  Hopefully this will last quite a long time.
I really do like this umbrella... a lot!It's nice and big, provides great soft light when used a shoot-though, etc.The only complaint I have is regarding the "spokes" within the umbrella.On my second time using this umbrella outside, a nice gust of wind came along.After the wind did it's thing, I was left with (3) bent spokes.After the shoot, I ended up trying something to fix it.I got some "wire type" hangers.Cut (3) lengths.  Placed the pieces on the inside of the bent spoke.Then I used duct tap to secure the piece.It looks a little bit "ghetto" but I am still able to use this umbrella.It's a little embarrassing when your gear does something like that,in front of a client....but I guess we are measured by how we handle situations like this.Don't let the client see ya sweat!!Enjoy!
look the picture that i just upload.I just got the umbrella and I am not happy!They lied on the title no matter how you get the tape around there is no 60 inches!Just so you see why I'm frustrated here is the example... Why will I pay $39.99 on a 49 inches (supposedly 60) if a 48 inches is 14.99. HUM??? See for your self!
for a 2 way winder, this one's at a good price, but you often get what you pay for...it feels a little plasticky and cheap, but it does the job and hasn't ruined any tapes yet.  hopefully it won't, and it will save my camcorder from all the back and forth.it's nice that this one goes both ways, too, as most of them only go in reverse.
Works as expected. It isn't supposed to be precision crafted swiss timepiece but it works dependably and does exactly what I bought it for.
The winder worked well for the first year or so.  After a while, the tapes stretched and I was apprehensive about placing some valuable school, wedding, and athletic tapes in the case.
I've used this few times so far, it stop pretty gently compare to my previous rewinder, this is the most needed feature I need I and I really like it,
I bought one of those a few months ago for not having to do the fast FF / RW in my expensive Camera. I experienced the SAME problems several guys reported before: HARD to operate buttons - STUCK buttons - Tape jam etc. etc. It simply SUCKS and I threw it in the garbage -angry - after it RUINED a recorded tape !!! DON'T BUY if you love your tapes !!! I would also have given it 0 stars, but one is the lowest choice...
The rewinder works great, both forward and backward.  Will save on therewind mechanism of my camcorder.
The unit features both fast-forward and rewind via a switch.  It has an auto-shutoff feature both ways.  It's noisy and a little slow, but it is also small and portable.  Others have reported that the unit as a "soft" stop where the machine slows as it reaches the end of the tape.  This is incorrect as far as my unit is concerned.  It also is quite difficult to take apart as I had a defective Fujifilm tape get stuck when the dust cover malfunctioned.  On the plus side, it at least allowed me to disassemble the unit and reassembly was easy.  The unit functioned fine afterward with no apparent damage or decrease in service.It runs off common batteries (2xAA I think) and the batteries last awhile.  There is an input for an adapter which is a plus.  It doesn't come with the adapter, however.For the price of $30, it should have a soft stop and be quieter.  Easier and safer disassembly should be a feature regardless of the price.
The unit works as advertised, however, I've encountered an occasional significant problem -- occasionally in ejecting a mini-DV cassette, the cassette door mechanism jams, crunching the tape.  When inserting a tape, the outer cassette door cover opens to enable the camcorder heads to read the tape.  There is an inner door mechanism which slides to hold the tape in place when the cassette external door is closed.  Apparently, the inner door gets pushed off its track when being ejected from the Winder, which results in the inner door crunching the tape.  I figured out (with no help from Lenmar or JVC, the tape manufacturer) that the cassette inner door can be GENTLY pushed back onto its track with a pair of needle-nosed pliers,but it takes patience, keen eyesight, the right tools, and a new cassette to compare the mechanisms.  To Lenmar's defense, they offered to send me a new unit.  But I do remember some other reviewers saying their units crunched tapes.  So, if you're technically astute, go ahead -- but have a pair of needlenose pliers handy.  Or please recommend an alternate unit which doesn't have this problem!
Better than dealing with Konica-Minolta - better description, better price, better shipping, and you know that you are dealing with a company who stands by what they sell.  A pleasure doing business with you, Amazon.
Have to order this as I moved and the piece was somehow lost.. It is perfect to print photos from the camera through a computer to avoid utilizng the expense of having the prints made through Rite Aid's photo dept. or a private camera shoppee!
great cable for the dimage camera.  it helped me be able to down load pics to computer and my tablet
worked perfectly with my camera. so glad I got it.. Now I have two so I can keep one in my car at all times
This transfers my digital images to my computer from my older Minolta camera. I am pleased with it's performance.Just shows that older camera can still work well.
The packaging, a tiny white paperboard box inside a corrugated cardboard box the size of a shoebox, was bizarre, but I've been perfectly happy with the product.  Furthermore, the price was the best I could find AND the description clearly said that this cord would work for my camera.  Very nice.
Of course everyone knows Manfrotto (aka Bogen) make great products and certainly this rapid release is no exception. I've tried the RC2 style and never quite felt like the camera was securely lock in place while the RC0 just feels much more secure. I do agree with an earlier reviewer that it would be nice to have some form of feedback that will assure the camera has been properly locked into place as there are times that only the front half is locked in while the back end remains out. This may well be an operator error issue as it seems to happen less and less the more I use it.Also worth mentioning are the leveling bubbles that come on the bottom half of the holder. Although my D7000 has several ways to check levels, it's nice to have something low tech like a bubble level to insure proper alignment.
I have my own Bogen headgear tripod that I bought it in 1978 so I will need this new compact adapter of Manfrotto 625 RCO Rapid Connect adapter with 030-14 plate for Dolica TX570B150SL ultra compact tripod with Professional ball head that I will order very soon because it is very compact much easier than bulky Bogen headgear tripod. Both are well made much better than any brands.
I ordered this to go on my Glidecam. Unexpected benefit is that this is heavy, so it's great extra weight for the topdeck. As with all Manfrotto gear it's well made.
I've tried a number of quick release systems over the years and keep coming back to this one. I have several cameras, tripods, monopods and a homemade shoulderpod, and wanted a nice "system" way to move the cameras among the supports. I've tried QR systems from Arca Swiss, Really Right Stuff, Gitzo and Manfrotto/Bogen.Each system has its advantages, but this unit (and its earlier-generation ancestors) has become my universal mount. I like the current version with its embedded spirit level. I now have 3 or these adapters: 1 mounted on a Really Right Stuff ballhead, one on a Gitzo head, and one on my shoulderpod. I also keep plates mounted on each of my camera bodies and lens tripod mounts (those nice expensive rings that are available for some tele lenses).Good points:- Reasonable weight- The plates grip the camera well and don't rotate- Very solid- Reasonable cost, especially for extra plates- Hold the gear very well.- Easily mounts and/or adapts to every kind of ballhead and other support I've triedMy only quibble is that you need to be careful that the plate is truly locked into the tripod. Without care, it's possible to think you've locked the plate, but in fact it's not completely inserted...possibly causing the camera to fall off the tripod (this happened to me twice). But if you check and make sure the plate's properly locked on, all is well.I just wish Manfrotto would make a simple right-angle adapter with two of these, so I could easily change from portrait to landscape as I can with a RRS bracket.
I have a few set-ups that are quite heavy--12 lbs. or more--so the older RC0 system with 3/8" tread works really well for that.  I'm so glad that this adapter has a safety release since the older heads I have using RC0 do not, and I've a few near-disasters as a result.Also, the integrated bulls-eye level comes in handy when it is not obscured by the equipment above it.
I had an old Beseler enlarger that was gathering dust and I decided to turn it into a copy stand. I removed the enlarger head, added a small metal plate to the bracket that the enlarger head was mounted to, and attached this adapter to the center of the plate. After a fresh coat of paint, the finished product looks great and functions as anticipated. Total investment (including the adapter): $120.00. A comparable copy stand would have cost between $480.00 and $620.00. I'll probably get one or two more of these adapters for other projects I have in mind.
Since purchasing and installing this piece of equipment my photography sessions have become more productive.  Now all my camera/equipment mount attachment points are the same and it is easy to freely swap cameras and other equipment between those mounts (four).  There is also a 'loose' adapter plate in my camera bag now to use in case something new or different is needed for a particular shot.
I bought this primarily because I had to take off the head, a Manfrotto Hydrostatic Ball Head, on my Gitzo Traveller every time I put my tripod in my backpack/camera bag. The added height and width of the head was just a little too much to fit comfortably.  I also wanted to save a little weight, my bag usually weighs about 15 pounds, and I'm trying to cut that down wherever possible while maintaining the same functionality of everything.I went with the Gitzo head without the quick release plate frankly because of the cost of the head and additional plates. I already have two heads that use the Manfrotto RC4 plates and 5 plates, and I really didn't want to invest all that much more money in the expensive Gitzo plates.  It turns out it is really simple to attach a camera to this head, just loosen the ball and screw the camera on.  It does take a moment longer, but not much with practice.I realize this is way over the rated weight for the head, but the heaviest rig I've put on  it so far is a D700 with a battery grip containing 8 AA NiMh batteries, and a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens.  It worked better than I expected, with just a bit of droop when letting go of the camera.  With a D300 with no grip and a lighter DX lens there is no problem at all.Where I did have major problems was shooting some action shots the other night in portrait mode with the D700 combo, the head absolutely refused to keep the camera level, instead the arm eventually rested against the bottom of the slot no matter how much I tightened it down.  Thinking back, I could have probably shortened one leg of the tripod so the arm on the head was level at the bottom position.  Instead, I think I'm going to have to use my old head if I'm using a heavy rig, but that doesn't detract from this head in any way.One thing I really don't like, however, is the lack of a separate panning knob.  I've tried leaving the head a little loose on the legs so I get some leeway to shoot panoramas, but just a little rotation loosens it up enough so that it wobbles, and in less than 120 degrees or so it seems as though the head is going to come off of the legs.The bottom line is that you have to be aware of the limitations of this head and decide if the size and weight advantages will offset those problems.  For me it will probably do so about half the time.  Notice that I've left price completely out of this, if you already own or are planning to buy Gitzo legs you know all about the prices of the equipment vs. the quality.
I bought this ball head to mate with a Gitzo GM2541 Series 2 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod. I wanted to stay with the Gitzo brand, but wanted something basic. This ball head fit the bill and exceeded my expectations.The ball head is much more substantial than it appears in the images. Very well built, the action is smooth, and no creep with a Canon DSLR and Canon 300mm f/2.8L lens or smaller.All my other tripods, heads and supports are Manfrotto, so I've attached a Manfrotto 323 RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. It looks great together and looks OEM.This is my first dip into Gitzo products and I'm hooked. Quality ball head at a fair price.
Gitzo G1177M Magnesium 1 Series Ball HeadI purchased the Gitzo G1177M for use with my new Gitzo GT1541 tripod.  My main priority for the set was small and lightweight.  Although the ballhead may be the smallest, and possibly the lightest head Gitzo makes, I'm beginning to think I should have spent a bit more and got a head with more features, (even if a little heavier).Although the G1177M does what it is intended to do, hold the camera steady at any angle on the tripod, I'm not sure I made the right choice.My old, ancient, heavy tripod had two twist handles at the top.  These independently allowed smooth camera movement on either axis.Being new to ball head use, I did not know what to expect.  It doesn't take much force to tighten the ballhead but the locking lever seems a bit small.Also, there is no slightly loose, easily movable setting.  It's either locked solid or completely loose. You can't pan in one direction and have it held steady in the other direction.  I'm aware that Gitzo makes heads that do allow panning.Again, this is my first ballhead so I did no know what to expect.One last thing, to tighten the 1/4 20 screw into the camera, one must turn the movable portion of the head.  In other words, the screw itself does not turn independently.For those knowing what to expect from a ballhead this may be fine purchase.  For those needing pan capability (I don't) this is not the one.I would NOT buy this product if I had to do it over again.  It is Gitzo's least expensive head for a reason.
Just some quick thoughts.. I love this little guy.  It is rock solid in holding my Nikon D7000 + 17-55 2.8 lens on my Gitzo GT0531.  I thought I would upgrade to a really right stuff ballhead with more features down the line, but I haven't felt the need to upgrade after using this little gem.  It's simple to lock down and pans nicely.  The price is not bad and you can often get it on sale after a rebate.  Just a personal preference, but I'm not a huge fan of quick release plates and mounts, so this ballhead is great b/c it is so simple to loosen the ballhead and just spin it onto the camera.  It takes all of three seconds.  It's rated for 8.8 lbs so don't buy this if you're using massive lenses.. but you know that already.  For what it is designed for, it works Very well.  Thanks for reading.
Ball heads are primarily designed for still photography requiring fast free form adjustments: loosen the tension knob while looking through the viewfinder, move it any direction and lock when satisfied with the composition. If you need axis restrictive adjustments--e.g., panning--get a two-axis head with separate locks for vertical and horizontal movements. Save for shooting video, I find composing with two-axis heads too slow and fussy.I bought the G1177M "classic" ball head in 2004 and, jointed to a Gitzo G1028 carbon fiber tripod, carried it to the ends of the earth and then some. It has been the ultimate travel combo: ultra light, easily stowed in a carry-on, simple to use, tough as nails and rock steady with a DSLR and medium sized lens.Most of the metal parts are magnesium for strength and minimal weight. The ball housing sports an attractive baked on enamel and, after ten years of use, has proved to be surprisingly chip and scratch resistant. The bottom is tapped for a standard 3/8 inch tripod mount thread. The top platform has a 1/4 inch bolt for mounting a camera.A single large knob is used for locking the ball. There is no separate tension knob. To mount a camera you loosen it and turn the top platform until the screw is snug. The platform is large and textured for a sure grip even in wet weather. Not elegant compared to a quick release system but simple to use and hard to break.This is only a 9 OZ head and designed for light duty loads of 8 or 9 pounds max. So it will probably drift if you hoist a 1DsIII and super tele onboard. I found it ideal for shooting waterfalls and coastal waves with my 5D MKII and 24-105 4L IS USM. One to five second exposures were pin sharp. It was equally excellent with my EF 70-200 4L IS USM.I love using this simple little head once the camera is onboard. However mounting and dismounting is a PITA. All that screwing@#! So, yeah, the only thing missing from the G1177M is a quick release (QR) system. Gitzo makes an accessory QR platform but it costs as much as the head and I'm not fond of their QR plates. So I bought a Manfrotto 332 RC2 quick release from Amazon and installed it on my G1177M. The platform is easily removed (a single nut) and the 332 RC2 mates directly to 3/8 inch bolt on the ball stem. The result is a beautiful Italian-French hybrid, i.e., a Gitfrotto head. It looks handsome--like original equipment--and works like a dream. Being somewhat of a gear geek, I also auditioned an Arca Swiss quick release clamp, the B2 Pro from Really Right Stuff. I must say this quick release is the best I've ever used and I used Locktite so it ain't ever coming off my Gitzo.The G1177M is ideal for the weight and space conscious traveler desiring a minimalist head for still photography. Video shooters and panoramic buffs need not apply. It is at its best mounted on a light carbon fiber tripod such as a Gitzo G1028 or GT1541T. It makes no sense to mate such a petite head to a big bruiser tripod. After nearly 10 years of travel and landscape photography, I can say the G1177M has served me well. Yes, it costs a Benjamin but the quality and weight reduction are worth it. With the addition of the B2 Pro quick release, I expect to squeeze out another 10 years of use. And maybe I'll miss fewer Kodak moments with quick release!Update: I added 4 photos to the user gallery showing the G1177M with and without the Manfrotto 323 RC2 and Really Right Stuff B2 Pro.
This camera takes awesome pics for the value, but you will make up for it with all the batteries you will need to purchase!  I took this camera to a car show after having it for a couple months and took a 10 pack of batteries with me, I used all 10 batteries up within 2 hours and only took about 80 pictures!  True you could get rechargable batteries, but you would still have to carry all of them around with you.  I would reccomend finding another camera that is better on batteries, one that you could get away with not carring a small energizer plant in your pockets!
With the price of digital cameras now within reach for most people, it is tough to decide on which one to go with. I am nothing more than a casual user of cameras, and am not in need of one with loads of bells and whistles, nor can I justify spending an arm and a leg on one. The HP 635 was the camera I decided to go with and am so far very pleased with it, despite a few technical flaws.The biggest selling point of this camera is that fact that it is one of the most user-friendly on the market. The intuitive design and menu system makes operating it right out of the box very easy, and you will be shooting pictures in no time. Everything function is controlled by a series of buttons on the back of the camera. There are four function keys (even one for printing, if you have the camera hooked up to a printer), a flash and video control key, and 4-way navigation keys with an "OK" button in the middle, like the ones found on DVD remote controls. The menus appear on the LCD viewfinder and are easy to navigate. Adjusting the picture quality, setting the color scheme, and deleting pictures in the memory are just a few of the functions made easy with the menu system. The camera comes with 16 MB of internal memory, but it can be expanded using the memory card slot. Everything you would expect from a digital camera is here, making the HP 635 a great value.The pictures themselves are excellent quality, even at the lowest image quality setting. The optical zoom (which I recommend over the digital zoom) and auto focus allow you to get the best quality pictures with minimal effort on your part. What pleased me as well was the imaging software that came in the box, which takes no time to set up and is easy to use. The images take no time to be downloaded to your computer, and the imaging software provided helps you re-size and edit your pictures quickly and easily. The USB cable is provided with everything else. In terms of functionality, this camera has been nothing short of stellar so far.Having said all the praise, there are a few flaws that might dissuade people who would use this camera frequently. For starters, the battery life is horrible. Since the camera has a high-resolution viewfinder and moving parts for the optical zoom, the batteries don't last very long. If you are taking pictures a lot, you will probably have to replace the batteries every 1-2 days (I am not kidding). The minimize this, avoid using the LCD viewfinder too often, or playing with the optical zoom too much. The other flaw is that the 16 MB internal memory doesn't hold much, especially if you are taking pictures at the highest quality. It can hold 12 pictures only on the "Best" setting, while having it on the lowest ("good") will allow you to hold 80, which is better. If you insist on the best quality, you will have to buy an extra memory card.Since I am not a heavy camera user, I had few beefs with the HP 635. The abysmal battery life and small capacity are slight turnoffs, but they hardly make me regret buying this particular camera. If is well made, easy to use, and reliable. For first time buyers, I highly recommend it for both the value and functionality.
I tried this camera for 1 month and in the over-all I believe it's a great value. Nice pictures (I use medium quality, wich gives me pictures with great quality and the capability of taking 17 pics with the internal 16MB memory). It has a lot of functions that allow you to take pictures with different lighting conditions, or you can allow the camera to adjust the settings automatically. It takes video, although poor, but works for those tiny moments you wish you had a video camera.The two things I didn't like about it are in first place, battery duration... with a regular pair of alkaline batterys, it lasts a week, if you use it daily. So, I recommend using rechargeable batterys and the AC adapter for the camera. Second, I wish it could have more internal memory, but you can solve that with an extra memory card.As I said, in the overall it is a great camera for the price.
If you're having a problem with the battery life, judging on other reviews, you aren't the only one.  This camera does work decently when the batteries are working.  It takes video with sound in addition to the pics.  If you have a HP computer and printer like me, the software loading pics/video is even easier.Here's what I have found is a way around the battery problem:Keep 3 sets of rechargable batteries. (I use rayovac IC3 6 total)The moment you put the batteries in the camera, it starts sucking power whether it is on or not!  IF I limit my viewing of pics already taken and take pics without the screen on, the batteries will last about a day (40 pics).Leave the batteries in the camera overnight.  By the next morning, the batteries will be dead or close to it.  Take the old batteries out, and put new charged ones in while the others charge.  The reason why I keep 3 sets is in case I use one up too fast.Hope that works!
This an acceptable digital camera, not much more. It's a solid value if you find it for less than $75 or so, but I personally would pay more for a Kodak or Olympus with similar specs next time around.Pros:-Low price-Reliable 3X zoom-Good outdoor capabilities-Reasonably logical navigation menus-Excellent USB connection and PC photo download/edit softwareCons:-One of the worst battery-eaters I've ever used-Poor color saturation: certains blues and greens are way off and can't be corrected-Dumb firmware programming: Forgets all settings when switched off (even with batteries installed) and occasionally bugs out. There is also an error in the brightness modulation.-Pretty poor for closeup work: misinterprets light levels and more often than not can't capitalize on its 2 MP power.Overall, it's a good value if you pick it up cheap enough, but next time I won't look for an HP camera any more than I would a Kodak printer.
I was suspicious of this camera when I read some initial reviews of it online. Now having tried it in person, it confirms all the bad things I've heard.The biggest disappointment was that a 3 megapixel camera could take such poor pictures. Consistency is the key here. This camera cannot take consistently good pictures. You have to constantly change the settings to get a half decent picture. If I wanted the hassle with the guess and check, I would have bought a [$$] digital camera. What this basically means is, wait until this camera drops to the sub [$$$] price range.The pictures always come out over exposed or underexposed, and they're usually grainy and blurry. It's a nightmare trying to figure out what settings will allow you to take good indoor pictures.With other cameras, especially the ones canon and fuji make, if you have lighting problems, you turn your flash off, hold the camera still and hope that the available light will make a good photo. With those cameras, it usually does. This camera has something wrong with the processor or software, and instead of taking the picture, it tries to compensate by delaying the exposure time to 2-4 seconds, which washes out the picture completely. I know it's inanimate, but I still call it stupid.Outdoors, however, this camera is fine. In fact, you should use this camera strictly outdoors and always with flash. It's a daytime camera and does well to have diffused lighting. That's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. If you somehow end up with this camera, use it outdoors.It is pretty small, but not small enough that I'd want to carry it around. Load time is not quick enough for a snapshot and quality will be bad 2 times out of three. If I want a camera to carry around, I'd get a disposable.It does have a video feature with sound, but the quality is worse than motion captures on similar products. It records in .mpg format, if that's a plus for you, well, good for you.Again, a disappointment if you pay more than [$$$] for this camera.
Takes great pictures, but however it is a little bit expensive and it could use some more memory. 4 stars for PhotoSmart.
I bought this camera for a friend of mine about to have a baby.  Well I opened it for them this weekend to show them how to use it etc..  I was HORRIBLY dissapointed.  The screen is the worst!  It appears to have about 4 pixels and has got the lowest refresh rate I've ever seen.  It's quite hard to see what you're taking a picture of, and you must stabilize and sit still for a moment before you can use it at all.The picture quality... Well I only have my own camera to compare it to.  The Elph SD100.. which has the same resolution as this camera.. so I expected the picture quality to be similar.  Not so!  The pictures just seem so lifeless compared to my other camera.  It also seems like it doesn't compensate for lighting as well.Construction seems cheap.. it weighs about as much as a plastic disposable camera.  I can not believe I wasted about $230 on this junk.  I bought it before it was released thinking it was the latest and greatest from HP.  Little did I know.. this camera was intended to break price barriers... NOT performance barriers.One thing I will say.  It is easy to use.  Very very simple design and interface.  (too simple.. no good toys for the serious picture taker)  If someone writes up a good review for this camera, it has to be that they've never used a quality digital camera before.  Period.  This thing is a dog!  If you're looking for a cheap camera for a VERY simple point &amp; click type person who doesn't mind buying stock in Duracell.. and none too computer savey.. this camera will do.  But I seriously wouldn't pay more than $100 for it.
I agree with other reviewers who found this to be a well-priced, but underperforming camera.  I received this camera as a gift, and decided to keep it to supplement at Kodak DX6490.  Of course, there's no comparison in terms of quality and performance (or price), but the standout features of the HP are worth mentioning.First of all, this is a nice pocket camera, except that the sliding lens cover (&amp; power switch) is altogether too easy to open.  On a couple of occasions, I've downloaded pictures of the inside of my jacket pocket.  Other than that, the size is right.The camera runs through batteries like a Suburban runs through gasoline - if you buy this camera, get it with a recharger &amp; several spares.  The battery indicator on my camera is also a little fickle - I don't know that I've every seen it showing a full charge.  Of course, the LCD display can be turned off to conserve battery life, etc., but it really is quite quick to consume juice.The picture quality is excellent for the size and price.  I really have no complaints with the digital zoom's quality, but its performance leaves a lot to be desired.  The digital zoom is slow, and the control is unwieldy.One other irritating feature is the USB port on the side, which is covered by a fairly rigid piece of rubber.  This makes connecting the camera a two-handed operation - and it can be a little bit frustrating to try to connect it in a hurry.  I imagine that the Photosmart dock would be preferable, but my DX6490 came with a dock and I'm not in a hurry to buy another.I haven't used the software yet, since the Kodak software works so well, and iPhoto on my Mac works beautifully with both the Kodak &amp; HP, but the rest of the HP imaging suite (image editor, scanner &amp; print software) works pretty well when it isn't leaking memory (HP has a fix for this, but the download is huge &amp; I can't be bothered ordering the CD).Overall, this is a nice camera to keep in the car, in a pocket, or in a briefcase - but it's not the camera I would choose for challenging or critical photography.
This camera is great for those nonprofessionals out there.  It takes great pictures and the movie mode is awesome.  It's very lightweight and easy to use.  For the money and quality you can't beat this HP camera.
When i use the camera, it feels really cheap and boxxy. The button feel like toys and the reaction time on the lcd is quiete slow. But when you transfer the pictures onto the comp, it comes out out pretty good. It just he style and feeling of the camera that makes crappy. But overall it will be ok for the average user.
I've had this camera for over a year now, and I only have a couple complaints about it. First of all, the screen is very small and the quality is not very good. You can't really see the pictures very well, and they look nothing like they do on your computer screen or when they're printed out. Also, the body is not very sturdy. I recently dropped this camera and it completely shattered and is now useless. However, if you use it properly, it's a nice little camera. The pictures always turn out well enough for me.
this has to be the best(low budget)camera i have ever put my hands on. light wieght, good quality pics, and a nice price.it's such a good camera that sombody stole mine. i got it forb-day and had it 4 days when it was stolen. well if you can hold on to things better then me then this would be a good camera to buy......
I like it because it has a timer and takes video and good pictures.  The battery does wear out quickly so turn off the flash.  But other than that it's great!
I purchased this camera after having a cheap Fuji digital for a few years.  I wanted to upgrade.  Took pictures in all kinds of light, and all the pictures were of poorer quality than my old Fuji camera.  I took it back, and got a Kodak digital for a few dollars more, and it has beautiful pictures!  Also, you Have to use rechargable digital batteries.  Regular batteries last for a few pictures only.  The lens in the camera is stationary, so I think it will never focus as nice as a movable one.
If you're looking for a camera with lots of creature features and super clear pics, look elsewhere.  This is a basic camera, with the right amount of features for the price.  It's a good starter camera, but do not expect to use alkaline batteries with this one.  You WILL NEED 2100mah or better AA NiMH rechargeables.  It does have decent battery life with a set of those, but for all day shooting, I'd recommend carrying at least an extra pair of these batteries.  The software that comes with the camera has good features for a beginner.  If you're looking to do professional pix with this camera...FORGET IT.  If you want something that will take acceptable pictures for digital storage or email, then this camera will fill the bill.  It does decent 640x480 video with audio, with a 256MB SD card, it will give you about 20 minutes (provided your batteries do not run out first).
I won't pretend to be an electronics guru, but in comparison to the results I've seen from other digital cameras, the pictures I've gotten from this model are sub-par.  Actually, it is quite a disappointment since I purchased this camera on the day my nephew was born so I could get some shots.  Had I researched it more, I probably wouldn't have wasted my money.Fortunately, I dropped the camera, broke the housing unit and now I get to buy another, better camera!
The HP Photosmart 435 is a fantastic camera.  It has alot of features (5x digital zoom, video cam mode, 3.1MP) and is a great little camera for the price.  First off the 5x digital zoom is a sweet touch, and while using the maximum zoom is not recommended, it still works great up to 3.1x zoom.  Second the video cam mode is awesome nice clarity, and perfect audio qualtity round off a smart addition to the camera.  As far as the picture quality the 3.1MP is EXACTLY as advertised.  I use advanced photo editing software, and speaking from over 4 years of photography experience the photo quality is quite close to 35mm. I can enlarge the pictures to 8x10 with no visable loss resolution.  So, while not the best digital camera on the market today it is the best digital camera out right now for the price.  Oh, and don't forget to buy the docking station.  Directly connected via USB is great, but the with the docking station you can transfer images and video in an instant.
This is an excellent camera especially for the price. I have gotten pictures at least comparable to my 2 35mm SLRs. It is very compact and easy to use BUT YOU HAVE TO READ THE MANUAL and not simply start taking pictures without knowing what HP recommends.I have sent a number of pictures via email that are as sharp as can be and that is with the lowest of the three quality settings available. Sending the pictures to an email is extremely easy with the excellent software provided with the camera. The Photo Editor feature included in the software works better and easier than an editing program I downloaded from a leading manufacturerI have taken close up pictures in the house that are excellent in detail and color. The outdoor photos are also excellent. When using the zoom feature, I adjusted the "quality setting" to the hightest level and got a nice clear picture. It was only on the lower levels that I got the pixilated shots.It is small, fitting easily in my hand or a pocket. I do recommend that you also get an AC power pack as it will recharge batteries in the camera and can be used while transfering images to the computer thus saving battery life. Rechargable batteries are also recommended.Another plus for this camera is that it comes with excellent software. The Photo Editor feature works better and easier than an editing program I downloaded from a leading manufacturer.Perhaps the negative reviews are from photo geeks who have outrageous expectations, but for a normal user, this is a really good digital camera.
This camera drinks battery juice like an alcholic drinks beer. Piece of junk that takes horrible, low-quality photos. Not even worth $50 new. One of the worst digital cameras I have ever used.
If you care about the memories of your pictures, don't buy this one. The quality of the pictures that we took on our New York City trip at Xmas is absolutely awful. You never knew if you should turn flash off or on to get a decent picture of sights. If you zoom on a person, the pictures is terrible quality, very pixely. DO NOT BUY THIS! You can do better with another $50 elsewhere.
i have had this same camera for about 8 years, dropped it on concrete floors twice and it still works! it's easy to use and takes nice pix and has a really good zoom.  If you are finding the batteries are wearing out quick you need to get the Energizer advanced lithium, they last with a lot of camera use for about 6-8 months.  i'm buying another one before i can't find one. all the new products break in a year.
I got this little nice camera for a very low price. I was supposed to be happy and eager to used but there is only one word to describe this product: Dissapointment. I started using it and I noticed that you can only get good pictures when you're outside and there's bright sunlight. When you take pictures inside the quality is just awful, and the flash it's not the best in the market. Don't use the Zoom! or your quality will drop to not even 1MP. I don't know really how can this camera be 3.1 MP, it doesn't even get close to that. I have a 1.3 MP Olympus and the picture quality can't be compared. So I would recommend this camera to those only living in desert areas where there's always sunshine and to people who do not take pictures inside, if you match this criteria you'll have a good camera for low price, but if not don't even think about it.
This was my first digital camera. I bought it because I've had good luck with other HP products, notably printers and a scanner. I will admit price was a major factor in my decision to buy it: $80 after the rebate. So far I haven't been disappointed.The PhotoSmart 435 is gloriously uncomplicated and, I think, rather handsome. It avoids some of the stylistic excesses that clutter up some of its competitors. And it has a few surprising features for a $100 digital camera.At 3.1 MP, the PhotoSmart 435 has a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536, which is enough to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints. It has a minimum resolution setting of 640 x 480, but I've never used it.The LCD is on a par with other slightly more expensive cameras, and is just large enough to compose pictures and easily navigate menus. In Live View, the LCD records through the lens, rather than the viewfinder. To conserve power, it goes to sleep in a short time.It also has 16M of built-in memory, which allows for up to 13 high resolution photos. You'll probably want to buy a larger memory card. It can take 32M, 64M, or 128M Secure Digital (SD) or Multi Media Card (MMC) cards. The built-in memory is disabled as long as a card is in it. But when you're out somewhere and have filled up your memory card, you can remove it and have 16M of memory again.Since it has no optical zoom (digital zoom is pretty useless), it is limited to snapshots. It does best with outdoor shots anywhere from a few feet to infinity. In fact, it produces surprisingly good pictures under those conditions. It does less well with indoor shots, especially without the flash. It doesn't do close-ups.The accompanying CD includes some useful software - HP's Photo and Imaging software, Memories Disk Creator (Windows and Mac capable), and Hemera's Greeting Card Creator (for Windows only). I didn't install it because it duplicates software already on my iBook.Downloading pictures to the Mac is simplicity itself. Just plug the camera into the USB port, turn it on, and iPhoto opens automatically. There's even an option to erase the pictures from the camera when the download is finished. Turn the camera off and unplug it. Some digital cameras show up in the finder as a drive which has to be ejected before unplugging the camera, but not this one. The camera comes with a dock insert, but I haven't found it necessary to use that either.Power consumption is predictably heavy. It went through the supplied alkaline AAs before I'd taken a dozen pictures. With rechargeable NiMH batteries, it did much better. I use the Monster Cable MB 4-DCRC, sold by Amazon.The PhotoSmart 435 is designed with the amateur photographer in mind, and because of its simplicity, it succeeds. If you accept its limitations and are looking for an easy-to-pocket snap-shooter, you can't go wrong with the PhotoSmart 435.
hp has finally begun to make some cool cameras. hp 435 is an entry level digital camera perfect for those who are new to digital photography.At 3MP its a great and the camera looks veyr (nice). Its small, pocketable and works fast. The image quality is excellent and the shutter lag is minimal. You can even make your movies using it!Once again to summarize the hp 435 is an excellent bang-for-buck camera. Thanks hp!!!
I love doing product reviews. I like to think, while writing one, that I am actually talking to someone, telling them about the product in question. And as a reviewer, there are some companies whose products I love to review. Hewlett-Packard (HP) is one such company. I have had a long and happy relationship with every HP product I have used and reviewed over the last decade. So it saddens me when, after testing the HP Photosmart 435 digital camera, it came time to write this review.The Photosmart 435 is a 3.34MP digital camera that you can also use to take small Quick-Time movies with. While not a large camera, the Photosmart 435 is by no means tiny. It fits easily in a purse, but not in the pocket of your pants. (Unless you are wearing cargo pants.)The camera is not stylish, but rather plain and boxy. This works for me, as I don't always want to call attention to my camera. It does not look expensive, and at $149 (US) it is not. If anything, the design reminds me of a 110 Film camera I owned in my teenage years. It has that feel in my hands, very familiar.Operation is simple. Slide the lens cover, which doubles as the on/off switch, and take a picture. There are a variety of options, from picture quality, shutter speed, flash, red-eye flash, zoom, and most of the other features every digital camera sports. So far so good.The Photosmart 435 has 3.34MP resolution at its highest quality setting. As I already own a 3.1MP camera (The Kodak DX3900) I had an idea what to expect in image quality. In fact, I was expecting somewhat better looking photos with the Photosmart 435, being a higher resolution camera. I was sorely mistaken. The image quality, most times, is decent to good. However, the quality of the pictures is not at all consistent. I found that out of ten pictures taken indoors under normal lighting conditions, eight of the ten photos would be of decent quality, while the other two would be very poor. I don't know why the image quality is so unpredictable with this camera, but after extensive testing, I would personally not use this camera.Also like most digital cameras, the Photosmart 435 has an image display viewfinder. The 1.5-inch LCD is used to set options, review pictures or movies, and can be used instead of the optical viewfinder. For those who hate looking through the tiny optical viewfinder when taking pictures, the image display viewfinder is a much better choice.The problem here is the quality of the Photosmart 435's 1.5-inch LCD display. It is far and away the worse I have ever used. In live mode, the display is a green and blurry mess, all but unusable. In picture review mode, it is somewhat better, but still far and away sub-par to any other digital camera I have used in the past.One of the biggest disadvantages is the zoom. There is no optical zoom on the Photosmart 435, but rather digital. A digital zoom is always sub-par than a optical zoom, and that is true here as well. The 5X Digital zoom works as advertised, but any picture zoomed became pixilated and not at all sharp. After playing with the various settings, I found that if I had to zoom up on an object with the Photosmart 435, it simply was not worth taking the picture.Taking photos of objects in motion, even a slow walking cat, really showed the Photosmart 435's shortfall. After taking pictures of a cat in both normal and action shutter speed mode, the pictures were blurry and unusable.The big test, however, came when I gave the camera to our eight-year-old daughter, Brittaney, and told her to take pictures around the yard of anything she wanted to. The conditions were very cold, around thirty degrees and frosty, but the sun was very bright and the fall colors look beautiful. Brittaney took a total of 17 pictures. One of the first problems I noticed was that every other picture had a nice close-up of a finger. Because the lens on the Photosmart 435 is receded, it is very easy to block the lens with your hand while taking a picture. Camera's that have a lens housing that sticks out some, extends from the camera body itself, usually prevents this. The pictures she took, about ten, that was unobstructed by a finger, came out blurry or the camera had too much light. Different setting made no difference.The Photosmart 435 does come with 16MB of internal memory, so you will not have to run out and buy extra storage. However, today, 16MB will quickly prove too small. It is nice, though, that the 16MB is internal, not a card that you will toss out when you upgrade to a 256MB memory card. This is great if, by chance, you fill your memory card up and still need to take a few pictures. I wish more digital camera's would have internal, built-in memory. Unfortunately, you can use one storage device at a time. If you have a memory card installed, the internal storage will not work. The Photosmart 435 takes the smaller SD / MMC Memory cards, not Compact Flash.The Photosmart 435 ships with its own software solution, HP Director, which you can use to store and transfer pictures. While the software does work fine, I preferred using iPhoto. The Photosmart 435 works perfectly well with iPhoto, as expected. But if you use the Photosmart 435 to take video with, you will need to use the HP Director software to capture that file from the camera, as iPhoto will not work. Also, the HP software does not find the Photosmart 435 when running Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) but does under 10.2. If you do buy this camera, look for an update to their software if you are running 10.3. As I type of this review, there is no update for the HP software. In fact, I have not seen anything on the HP website that indicated you can download updates. The only option I have found is to order a CD-ROM.The video capture feature is more gimmick than anything. The clips are small, grainy, and not worth using to record your important memories with. But it is fun! My kids liked the ability to capture video and audio using the Photosmart 435. I have less worry letting them practice being the next Spielberg with this camera than I do turning over my Canon Camcorder to them. All the video recorded can be used in iMovie, so this is a neat and fun way to let kids learn the basics of shooting video and editing in iMovie.Unfortunately, the Photosmart 435 is a sub-par digital camera. The price, at US $149, makes it inexpensive. Simply reading the specifications in its documentation would sounds like a great deal: 3.34MP, internal 16MB of memory, able to capture video and audio, a 1.5-inch LCD, the ability to use an optional dock, and an optional AC adapter, and more. The reality is that the Photosmart 435 has horrible power consumption (I used three sets of batteries in one week of testing, a total of around 100 pictures!) sub-par picture quality, and a near-useless LCD display.I am disappointed with the Photosmart 435. I expect much better from HP. I am hoping that the next HP camera we review will better meet my expectations of quality HP products. The Photosmart 435 does not feel or operate at the expected quality of an HP product.MyMac Rating: 2 out of 5Tim Robertson
I bought this camera, It would turn off by itself sometimes. I could deal with this but after 4 months I decided to get a new one. I like the image quality was good so that was a advantage. Also the easy to use software was an advantage. It was so so simple to use so i bought the same one the. Big Mistake. I bought it 7 days ago. This one was even worse. the LCD would go white after about 2 minutes of being on. The pictures came out so dark and the Night Mode made pictures that were not even close to the original. I am getting a Sony camera which it suppose to be really good camera.
Good for quick and easy shots at parties and such.  It's not a tiny little camera and obviously not pro material, but the quality is reasonable considering the cost and age.  At 3MP, it is a good choice for someone who wants snapshots to post online or wants only smaller-size prints.  I'm the world's worst about fuzzy pictures and this camera is fast enough to offset my shaky hands.The only real drawback - and it's significant - is that the lens cover slides open too easily.  Mine opens inside the camera case.  Considering that opening the cover also turns on the camera, that means battery drain as a side effect.  Presumably everyone uses rechargeable batteries these days.  Even so, I'd recommend keeping the batteries out of the camera until you're ready to use it, or you'll find that you don't have enough power to snap anything.
The camera battery was a little pricey compaired to other battery's we buy but it works great and got here fast.
The battery works as expected. It charges and holds a charge well. It compares well to my stock Canon batteries but at a much lower price.
I only use it when the OEM battery runs down because it is larger and sticks out further, but it holds a charge for a very long time.  The battery that came with the camcorder only lasts slightly over 20 minutes and the Lenmar has never gone dead during use.  I can still use the rear viewfinder with it also without it being a problem being larger.  Also Lenmar is a more well known replacement battery rather than an unknown brand.  I am happy so far.20 months later, it is working great.  It is a bit bulky when on the camcorder and in my small case, so I mostly use it as my backup.  Every time I needed backup, the battery was fully charged -- even after sitting months dormant.
I wanted another battery for when my other one was charging. This one works great. A little bigger than the one that came with the camera but ok.
I have been using this battery for my ZR950 miniDV camcorder and it works great and lasts much longer than the one that came with the camera. Of corse this is because it is about twice as big as the included battery, and on my camera it would get in the way if I used the viewfinder, but I only use the LCD screen and it is not a problem. The price is much better than what I would have to pay at "Bestbuy" or any other store. I think they were selling it for $80.
Good replacement battery.  Things wear out and you must have a good battery.  Works just as advertized.
When we first got the Canon video camera the battery would not last more than about 15-20 minutes when shooting video using the flip-out screen or about 35 minutes using the viewfinder. With the Lenmar LIC2LI2 that has more than doubled because with the flip-out screen I can now use a whole 60 minute tape before the battery icon starts flashing. It does take longer to charge however.
In the process of converting slides in trays to digital and wanted to store slides more efficiently.  Good quality boxes, shipped on time.  Although a little expensive for storage, the item met expectation and I would recommend for those looking for long-term storage of slide material.
I now have 4 of these boxes and they hold all my slides in a same compact manner.  The product meets all that the ad suggests.
Bought the single box thinking it was the complete system ( I should have known better by the price) The description is misleading I feel. So now I have 1 box that cost $15 to store 360 slides.There are no instructions or pictures that show how to use the index tabs (It really shouldn't require instructions but in this case it does)I feel like a dope not knowing what to do with the tabs since they don't fit in any direction. In addition what's with the slits on the inner box are they there for a reason?I guess If you just want a box for storage it fills the need.
I bought this item to store my grandfather's slides which I was recently given. I will use it to store the originals after scanning them to digital. It is a bit pricy but is well made. The inserts included seemed easy to use to me - a larger insert with wings can be semi-folded into a "C" shape that serves as a temporary divider / slide-keeper-upper as slides are sorted into the unit. The acid-free tags can be put between rolls or other sets of slides with the end folded over to form a tab which can  be written on, preferably with pencil to avoid anything acidic so close to valuable slides. The side walls of each unit have tabs which can be folded over to hold slides up in that way if the box is not filled.Overall, I am pleased with this purchase as it will save a lot of space. Anyone out there want a bunch of empty slide carousells?
This is a great system for storing lots of photographic slides.  I was a little concerned after reading the other reviews, but the boxes are very thick and they have metal protection on the edges.  Definitely an archival box.As far as the dividers go, you get 1 "T" that fits the grooves on the inside of the box to prevent the slides from falling over while you are working on then or if a box is not full. You also get a small pile of thick dividers so you can label the various sections of slides in the box.  Just measure 1 slide and fold the divider over the top of it backwards so you have a label you can see when you open the box.  I don't know what the other reviews are complaining about because these boxes are better than they look online.  Yes-- you need to know if you can store them and they won't fit on a bookshelf.The only downside for me was the shipping cost, which I felt was excessive.  I have Amazon Prime so it pains me when I have to pay extra for postage, and the shipping and handling for this item isn't cheap so I will deduct 1 star for that.  I would not like to have to take the train in to NYC and carry these home with me either, so shipping for me was the only way to go.In fact, I love this box so much I am ordering another one despite the shipping and handling fees.  We have thousands of slides in our house and it is time to look over them and get the ones we need to archive out of the plastic sleeves because we need the space.
This is getting me started on an old project of organizing 100's of slides.  I had hoped it would be easier to slip them in and out and catalog them but it's mainly safe storage without easy access.
The boxes and built sturdy and are a great  way to store all your valuable slides. Very high quality product.
This product is exactly what to expect in containers to store large numbers of slides.  I have over 3,000 which are being converted to DVD but I will keep the slides.
It's pretty much what I expected, but it sure took a long time from when I ordered this product before it was delivered.  One box wasn't enough, but two boxes would be too many.  Let the editing for what is archived and what is tossed begin!
I am impressed with the hardiness of the cardboard used for this product.  I did not like paying the steep shipping charge.  Also, I just noticed that there is a larger version which I wish I had ordered.  I underestimated the amount of slides I needed to store so will be ordering one or two more of this size so that they stack well.  Overall, this product does what it is supposed to do.
Needed to get my hubby in the groove of putting tons of slides in order.  This is working perfectly!Going to need allot more though.....
I had looked extensively in photo shops as well as the larger electronic stores that sell photo equipment and there was no such product on the shelves.  This storage box is perfect for consolidating slides into categories and keeping them safe in a secure container.
The divider box may have been nice, but the little pieces of cardboard had no instructions of how to fold.  I contacted Adorama and they also could not find anything.  They were good and refunded my money.
I got this as a gift for Christmas this year (2010) and I was so happy to finally have a way to get rid of all those little black plastic slide boxes. I was happy right until I opened the box and found that I was going to have to make 20 smaller boxes to hold my slides. The outer box is a very nice archival quality box and the little boxes you have to make yourself are made of good quality paper, but they are sized just a little too large for 25 slides, and just too small for 37 slides so no mater what size roll of film you shoot you are going to end up wasting a lot of space in the box if you are trying to keep your rolls of film together. The reality of this is that you can only get about 500 slides into the box. I have a feeling that once I have 500 slides in the box I will have to make my own dividers so that I can make better use of this box. Amazon sells metal slide storage files, and I say get one of those, I will next time.Update 4/15/2011I bought the metal slide storage boxes, and I like them a lot better than this box.
This is the second box we have ordered and were very happy with it.  Should we need more we will certainly order the same from you again.
Though the box is of decent quality, the small containers for groups of slides are thin gauge cardboard- much less than a low grade manila file folder, lack a raised back to label them, and need the help of some transparent tape to stay in place.  This item is very overpriced but there are few alternatives for compact slide storage.
This archival storage box is a rigid box to safely store the memories in the slides taken many years ago.  Recommended to those who need or want to keep the orignal images for long term slide storage.
I don't know what I was thinking when I ordered this item.  It really is just a cheap paper box, with paper dividers that need to be folded just so.  Think origami.  Actually, that would be giving a bad name to an honored art.You can pickup something at the dollar store that will do better than this item.  As a matter of fact, the box that it is shipped in might do better.  See if they can just ship the box, and save the $13 bucks on the product!
What can I say.  They are glassine envelopes and they fit 8x10 prints well.
These are as advertised and great for protecting your photos.  I will buy again. I can't submit this until I add 6 more words. So there you go!
these are hard to find but perfect for protecting fragilepaper documents. the glassine never sticks. i am happywith my purchase.
Very happy with these envelopes. Easy and fast transaction. Very good communication. I will purchase from them again the future and I have recommended them to others already.
Just like they said they would be. Just exactly what I was looking for. Also, it didn't take long to receive so that makes me happy!
This is my 4th Kodak digital camera. I have been pleased with the previous versions and bought this because I knew the interface world be familiar. While it has been a good camera, it seems Kodak has eliminated a couple advanced features. Additionally, there are cameras out there that do the same things with similar features, & resolution but are half the size. The lens is commendable & the use of two AA batteries is advantageous. the SD card appears to be the leading media for digital cameras, Kodak is wise to stick with this technology.  Originally, It thought the dock was a great perk, but it became more "clutter" around my computer, however, when I thought I could put it in a closet, I found I could no longer charge the batteries without it.  As I write this, I am awaiting a new digital camera - a Canon Digital Elph.
I bought this camera about 3 weeks ago and I love it. It is so easy to use. I was taking pictures 5 minutes after I took the camera out of the box. This is my first digital camera and I could not be happier. I am not going to repeat what all the other positive reviews have said. My only complaint I have is with the included Easyshare software. It makes transferring of pictures very easy, but your restricted to the Kodak picture format. Also this software will override any default .jpg or .tiff viewers you may use. The picture editing software is ok, but there are better programs out there. My biggest complaint is the e-mail feature. You can e-mail, but you can not use Outlook. You must e-mail via the Kodak program which goes through a Kodak mail server. It takes a long time for the pictures to be sent. I e-mailed some pictures and it took over an hour for my friend to get them.  So I would recommend not installing this program.Finally as other have mentioned, you do need to buy a memory card. I recommend 256MB,which on the second best picture setting 3:2 MP, I can get over 300 pictures. The best picture setting 4MP gives you about 270 pictures. I used and printed on both settings and I could not tell a difference between the two settings.  As for battery life- it is very good provided you do not use the quick view feature ( see the picture after you take it). Without the feature I could take over 200 pictures on the rechargable battery. With the feature on around 150.
For years I have resisted going digital due to price of a new camera and what I preceived as a difference in quality.  I am now a convert!  I love this camera!  I kind of bought it by accident because of where I live I only had a few models to choose from and this was one of them.  It takes awesome pictures!  It is so fun to use and easy too, I didn't even read the instructions until I had used it for a couple days, and then only to see if I had missed anything.I have uploaded my photos (highest resolution) to several different websites such as ofoto, shutterfly and photoworks and they have all come back looking as good or better than regular print film.  I never realized how much fun it would be to take tons of pictures and then quickly delete the ones you don't want.  The battery seems to be lasting quite well also, I bought it in June and haven't changed it yet.  As with most of these cameras you need to buy a memory card so you can take lots of pics at once.The only drawback it has is that it doesn't have much of a "grip" so I always make sure I have the cord wrapped around my wrist in case I drop it.  It does feel a bit "plasticy" on the controls but that is normal for most things these days.The dock works great and if you don't have the extra power outlet to plug it in you can plug the camera directly into your computer and it downloads just as easily.This has been an incredibly positive experience for my first digital camera and I highly recommend this one to anyone who is looking for one in this price/performance range.
Good camera works just as my old one and takes great pictures I wised I could still buy this model
I purchased this camera for $299.90 + tax and had it for 2 weeks before I returned it.  I originally owned a Sony DSC-85, 4.1MP digicam, but sold it because it was too complex for point-and-shoot purposes and too bulky to carry around easily.  The Kodak DX6440 addressed all the issues I had with the Sony, except it could not match the photo quality.  But then again, the Sony was $600 when I purchased it, twice as much as the Kodak.SIZENot a subcompact like the Canon S410, but a good small size nonetheless.  Would be very easy to carry with you on trips, but too big to put in your pant pocket.BATTERY LIFEFantastic.  Easily shoot around 200 photos with a good pair of NiMH AA rechargeables.  The framing of the optical viewfinder does not capture what you think you are, so LCD use is recommended except in a pinch and your batteries are running low.  AA alkalines are NOT recommended by Kodak.  Also, the docking cradle can only charge the battery pack that came with the unit.  I contacted Kodak and they would not recommend that any other battery, even it's own higher capacity battery packs/AA's be charged in the camera, using the cradle.EASE OF USEThis was a monster factor in choosing this camera and it did not disappoint.  All the buttons are well laid out and clearly labled and the LCD a pleasure to use.  The menu layout is easy to understand and the "joystick" makes navigating a breeze.  Connect it to the cradle and hit the transfer button and the images get copied over to your computer automatically, without having to futz with the memory card/readers or USB cables.  When you select any of the shooting modes, the LCD shows which mode you are in so in case you are unable to remember what the icons were for, the LCD tells you in plain English.ZOOM4x optical zoom with 3.8x digital zoom(can be turned off).  Works fine, except it works in stages so framing came be difficult and therefore, you need to shuffle the feet a little to get the framing just right.LENS CAPNONE!  Lens caps are an annoyance.IMAGE QUALITYSo here is one of two reasons why I decided to return the camera.  Though very good, I expected it to be even better, especially with all the positive technical reviews I read before purchasing, including a good review on Consumer Reports.  My pictures just did not seem that sharp, especially when compared to my older Sony DSC-85.  I'm not a camera expert and did not run any type of special tests other than comparisons with my previous cameras and other comparable cameras on the market.  I think for those who want to print 4x6 or 5x7 prints, the Kodak DX6440 will be more than adequate.  Even 8x10's should turn out well.SOFTWAREKodak's EasyShare software is easy to use and does a pretty good job of organizing your photo collection and does very simple edits like red-eye removal.  You'll probably want a commercial-grade application though, if you plan to do much more than view your photos and make basic edits with it, like Microsoft's PictureIt or Adobe's Photoshop Elements.ANNOYANCESThe second major reason for returning the unit was the mode dial is very difficult to turn and feels terribly flimsy.  To go from the OFF position all the way to Macro mode takes quite a few clicks and you need to hold onto the camera firmly with your right hand as you turn the mode dial with your left.  I was concerned that I might break this flimsy mode dial at some point.  Since the DX6400 doesn't have a dedicated power button, you'll be using this mode dial constantly.SUMMARYThis is a really nice camera for those who want an easy to use camera, that is easy to carry around and has very good picture quality.  It's a great value.  But for those who might be like me, a little more picky about the quality of the photos and concerned about the flimsy mode dial, move on to the next camera on your short list.
At first I liked this camera and was wowed by its ease of use and 1.8&quot; LCD viewfinder.  But after about two weeks of heavy use, I've come to regret my purchase, because the picture quality is just not as good as I first thought.While the pictures have good color balance, they are overly sharpened.  In everyday language this means you'll see jagged lines in your pictures, and main subjects (such as people) look as if they stand out from the background in a faux 3D effect.  Pictures taken with the DX6440 also tend to be very noisy, even on a sunny day, resulting in lots of video-capture-like artifacts.  This is especially true when you look at people's faces on screen.  This is quite disappointing.Please note that I'm not saying the pictures taken with this camera are bad.  If you get an offbrand product like Argus or Samsung you'll get truly bad pictures.  Compared to those the Kodak gives good results.  The pictures are acceptable and make nice prints here, but when compared to cameras in teh same price and megapixel class from Canon, Casio, Fuji, Konica Minolta, Nikon, and Sony, the DX6400 cannot hold a candle in terms of picture quality, period.Ultimately this is a point-and-shoot digital camera.  You turn the dial to Auto mode and just snap away.  There is a semi-manual mode called PAS (&quot;program, aperture priority, shutter priority&quot;) that offers limited manual controls.  You cannot, for example, set both aperture and shutter, so pro photographers shouldn't buy this camera.  Also, you'll have to turn the (flimsy) mode dial all the way around to get to the PAS mode, thus discouraging even a semi-serious photographer like myself who enjoys setting manual settings.The best feature on this camera is probably its 4x optical zoom, and zooming in and out is pretty fast.  The lens is supposedly designed by a top German optical company, so it's too bad that the digital signal processing circuitry inside the camera does not retain images in top-notch quality.Some annoying cons/quirks are:- No case is included.  This is the most disappointing aspect of the package.  They give you a dock and two special batteries (one chargable included with the dock, the other non-chargeable included with the camera itself), but no case.  Not even a cheap one.  Kodak, why???- No independent playback mode.  By this I mean you have to turn on the entire camera in order to play back pictures.  It's plain silly to let the lens mechanism go to work if the user just wants to review a picture or two.  This is part of what I meant earlier by the smart engineer/dumb interface designer thing.  Kodak: take a look at Canon's products.- As mentioned before, the mode dial is just a stupid interface idea.- You operate the camera with your right hand, but the interface controller (a joystick) is operated with your left hand.  Kinda awkward.  Make that very awkward.- You cannot set compression level.  You can only set the resolution (4, 3.5, 2 and 1).  It would have been nice to be able to set compression level.  (Of course, I'd have set it to the lowest compression anyway.)- Internal memory (16MB) and flash memory card are not treated as one integrated unit.  Get this: when you are using the memory card, you cannot even review pictures in internal memory, unless you manually set storage mode to internal memory.  But then, you won't be able to review pictures on the memory card.  Again, very dumb.Ok, summary time.  The quirks I listed above mean I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this camera.  This comes as an ultimate disappointment to me because I always wanted to buy (and keep) an American-brand digicam.  (HP digital cameras suck, period.)  The Kodak's picture quality is disappointing with video-capture-like artifacts.  The camera is very easy to use, but in the end, you'll be better served by excellent offerings from Canon, Casio, Fujifilm, Nikon, and Sony.  Take a look at Canon S410 (4MP) or the Casio QV-R51 (5MP); both have top-notch picture quality.
I enjoy simple things.  This camera is awesome.  Point, click, and download.  The color printer that came with my camera produces the most wonderful pictures.  I purchased the Kodak 6490 at the same time I bought this one.  I figured I'd better get familiar with the basic camera before I attempted using the higher priced, more bells and whistles camera.I have been so pleased, I returned the 6490, without even opening the box.  Whether taking a pic of my new grandson or taking pictures of a house being demolished, inside or outdoors, I couldn't be happier.Buy it try it, if you don't like it...take it back.
I bought and immediately returned this camera.  I have no doubts that it's one of the better cameras out there - which is why I'm still giving it four stars.  But the Amazon.com review is wrong!  Amazon's review states: &quot;Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultrafast USB 2.0, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. When used with USB 1.1 connection, transfer will slow to USB 1.1 rate.&quot;That's not true - direct from Kodak's tech support: &quot;Kodak digital cameras do not operate at USB 2.0's Hi-speed(also called High-speed) rate of 480Mb/s.  Kodak digital cameras will continue to operate at the USB Full speed rate of 12Mb/s.&quot;Just a word of caution.  You can certainly buy a $25 (or so) card reader and get true usb 2.0 connectivity, but if you're going to do that, why pay for a camera with a dock (that by itself sells for somewhere around $60)?  Consider alternatives like the Canon A75/80.
This camera packs a LOT of features into a small footprint!  One of my biggest fears (before I bought it) was whether or not indoor photos would come out ok.  Some reviewers complained of dark photos;  no way - not unless you're taking long-range photos inside a dimly lit large area.  This camera does a fantastic job taking pictures - indoors or outside.I also recommend these two items (just search on these product numbers):  Samsonite camera bag B00004U4MT and SimpleTech memory chip B00006JI6U.  The camera bag fits the Kodak 6440 so well, it's almost as though it was made for it.
Quick background on my purchase/purchase decision process:My price range was around $299, give or take $30 plus tax.I am going to EU soon, so I wanted the flexibility of being able to use disposable batteries, so that ruled out several brands. Both the Sony & Kodak cameras in this review can take Lithium, NICAD, Nimh, or the disposable "digital alkaline AA" style hybrid batteries that have been coming out.Both cameras were within my budget. I also should mention until doing some heavy research I would have never considered Kodak as an option. Sony or Canon were the sure finalists in my mind. Then I read several reviews on the 6000 series Kodak cameras, decided to see what the deal was with Kodak and was amazed at the quality I saw.So I had my final two contenders: Sony Cybershot P72 and the Kodak 6340. I know this is a 6440 review so please read on.After comparing the pros and cons of both cameras for over a week, and not being able to make a decision based on the pros and cons list I had compiled, I decided to drive down the the store and look at each one on final time. AFter a few hours, I finally decided on the Kodak. Here is the key factor why. The main difference in taking pictures with both units was that most of the Sony picture modes and cool ISO tricks were all software driven. That meant if I wanted to snap a picture quickly, it couldn't be done as easily with the Sony unlerss I left everything on auto, and as good as auto is, sometimes it isn't good enough. I had to dig into the Cybershot menus, set up for the shot by selecting several submenus and then take the picture, hoping that what ever I wanted to take the picture of was still there. With the Kodak, 90% of all the mode settings (night, portrait, landscape, action, manual ISO override) were all on the outside wheel. The flip of the mechanical wheel on the outside and I was ready to snap pictures be it night or day (or twilight).So there. All things considered, that was the deciding factor for me. I want to take a picture nearly as fast as I can think "Damn, I wish I had a camera right now", and the Kodak lets me do that.Once I decided on the 6340, I actually upgraded to the 6440 for two reasons. One, I was going to buy the Kodak dock for my 6340 which was going another $80, bringing my total to $380. I thought, "Why not just buy the 6440, it comes with 1) a dock 2) a rechargeable battery 3)it is 4 mega pixels instead of 3 on the 6340.So that's what I did. I went the way of the 6440 and have been super impressed.Hope that helps out some.Other mentionable features while doing drive by shootings (with a camera, not a gun):Pictures file names are different depending on what mode your in. For example, regular pics are labeled 100_01 while pictures taken in picture quick bursts (like 3 in a row) are named 100B_01. So you can tell just by looking at the file names if the file is a regular picture or a a burst of pictures. Very handy when all your pics start to fillup your computer.Kodak uses SD cards. This is handy cause they are not proprietary Sony mem sticks. I also have a Pocket PC with an SD slot, so if I forget my cameras USB cable, I can put my SD card in my Pocket PC and move them to my desktop that way as well.Get the family into the living room, not the computer room.The video out slide show lets me not only look at my pictures on a TV, but I can watch the videos I took with the camera as well. Very cool. Oh, as a side note, video format is Quicktime, which I prefer instead of low quality avi files.Menu system seemed to simplistic at first, and it is. It's easy. However, it is way customizable then I first thought. That means I can keep it simple or get complicated if i have the time.I can send pics I take to specific folders on the SD card instead of having everything in one folder. I can also import my email address book into the camera, letting me tag pictures to send via email when i get home and connect it to the dock.Outside screen is the best I have seen for this price range. Ask anyone, they will tell you the same.Flash quality is very respectable.Negatives? Of course there always a bad side, but it's not to bad. It would be nice (in order to save battery power) if the lens would not engage or turn on when you just want to review pictures instead of take them. The Sony does this, and I bet in the future Kodak does as well. Battery? If you use the realtime view, flash etc., the battery life isn't great. a few weeks of poking around will yeild the best practices to get the most life from usage. Again, disposables can be used with this camera, so getting caught without a charger doesn't mean you have to stop taking pictures.  Also, switching between modes takes a few seconds, which seems like eternity when I want to take a picture.Hope this helps.KevinAmazon since 98
I happened to see this while I was browsing for accessories. I can't believe it is still available. I bought mine back in, I think Spring '04. I'd had an older digital and it was time to upgrade.  After much searching and reading, I settled on this camera. I have not been disappointed. Even though it is 4 megapixels and I have it set down to about 3.2, I get beautiful, clear, sharp pictures-still. The difference I have found is in the lens. The German made Schneider, Kreuznach lens (not sure of the sp here)makes a world of difference in the picture quality. I've looked at newer camera's (more megapixels) and of course noted the lens type, but to tell you the truth, this little 6440 gets such great quality I can't quite justify getting a new one.Even on it's normal auto setting I am able to catch action shots of my granddaughter sliding and swinging, even water mid-air. I haven't even bothered with the action setting.The only complaint I have, and it really doesn't qualify as one, is the telephoto shots are blurred- I get around that when editing in zooming and cropping, and when I take several shots in a row (not needing burst) the shutter speed slows down. A good choice still for a point and shooter and for great vacation pics.2008--I still have this camera although I have looked at newer models with higher megapixels. I worked out the telephoto thing, I have to hold still, and then it usually turns out clear and sharp. In comparing it with the newer models this camera is still outstanding. Just on auto it takes crystal clear, sharp and detailed action shots. I recently went to a Pow Wow and caught beautiful action shots of the dancing, everyone commented on how professional they looked, like a postcard. And I'm no photographer. And the color it captures is wonderful. I friends and relatives who have picked up I think the Z1012, and mine is better. So other than he low pixels not making good enlargements, I'm not giving it up.
I had 2 digital cameras before this and I must say I didn't use them much. When I did, my husband the techie in the house had to hook it up, download and it took forever. Therefore, they sat unused for a long time.This camera is WONDERFUL for even a first time digital user. The dock is a one-touch wonder. I took the pic, put the camera in and touched ONE button! It took me to the site where I can keep them in albums, share online and order prints. I really recommend this if you've never used a digital or are looking for something that is so easy, you won't have to think about it at all.Affordable as well!
I went around and around and around on digital cameras until my friends and relatives couldn't stand it any more.  I bought the 6440, and am very well pleased. It is not only a good value, but it's a really great camera for its size, as well.  This would be an excellent camera for the techno-timid (or for people like me who just want to take pictures with a minimum of fuss).I was focusing on an affordable 4 MP camera with better-than 3x optical zoom and a comfortable grip, plus it had to be small enough to fit in an average-sized purse along with my PDA, wallet, tissues, coupons, etc.  If I were carrying a briefcase, rather than a purse, the camera had to fit in there, as well, and contribute as little as possible to the "lug factor." Anything much larger than the 6440 went off the list for this reason alone.The 6440 not only competes well in its price range--it competes well in its size, with an excellent range of features.  Friends have commented that the colors really "pop," and the clarity of these photos has sold me on digital photography.  I have taken a variety of pictures at night, in interesting conditions, etc., and I have been ecstatically emailing and blogging these photos left and right--they all look fabulous.What really amazed me is how well Kodak thought out the ease-of-use features.  Somebody in the Usability department over there deserves a bonus this year. When you switch a mode (such as from "sports" to "night"), the name of the new mode flashes on the screen.  The mode-setting dial is clearly labeled, and the order of modes is very logical. Review, share, delete, and menu all make sense and have idiot-proof features integrated so you don't blow away your collection with a fumble.  The "joystick" is comfortable, and intuitive in its various states. The dock is very well thought out; transferring photos and recharging pictures is painlessly easy.Finally, the software that comes with this camera does an absolutely admirable job of organizing photos with very little pain, and the editing capabilities, while rudimentary, are more than I need and fabulously easy to use. Sizing down, saving Web versions, e-mailing, and cropping are all a snap (pun intended).I almost returned this camera, though, because of its battery door.  It's a flimsy piece of plastic that screams "break me."  On the other hand, based on my photography habits, I may never have to open that door again.  Fully juiced, the camera would easily last me a two-week vacation (though as one reader noted, the ability to use over-the-counter cheap batteries in a pinch is not to be underestimated).  Hopefully "Son of 6440" will have a better door. (I don't see the 6490 as the successor, as it's too large for a purse.)(As for storage, I just ignored the 16mb "feature" and bought a 256 SD card.)Finally, this may be a feature found on a number of cameras--I wasn't looking for it when I shopped--but I was very impressed with the adjustment tool on the viewfinder that allowed me to tweak the focus.  If you wear glasses or have aging eyes, this feature is really nice.
cinco a&ntilde;os con este producto, hasta que le llego el momento de cambiarlo. Precioso desempe&ntilde;o del equipo, fotos fant&aacute;sticas. Lamentablemente el dock si es muy malo, se arruino a los dos meses de tenerlo.
This camera and the printing dock are fantastic! A friend received a Kodak camera (different model) and dock recently for her birthday and couldn't stop telling me how wonderul it was. I bought this pair earlier this year and hoped I'd be happy and that they would be easy to use. Boy, am I and are they!This camera is goof-proof! Every setting turns out great photos (provided I hold up my end and frame the subject properly) and even videos! I love reviewing my videos of the ocean and hearing the waves crashing on the shore. I didn't buy it for the video feature but it has come in handy a number of times since I don't own a video camera. It's fun and easy to make little videos of my kittens as they bounce and bump around the room and then to share them with my friends and family.I can use four or five different brands of photo software on my computer and the software that comes with this bundle is adequate for basic storing and editing. For more advanced projects I prefer to use one of the others. At times I wish there were fewer steps required to retrieve the photos from the camera, edit them and get them into the proper albums but that's a minor concern compared to the major convenience and pleasure I get using the dock for instant printing.I chose this camera after researching just about every digital camera available at the time in the 4.0 mp and under $300.00 range. I was especially attracted to the camera's multiple options -- night, landscape, portrait, closeup, sport and auto as well as PAS for manual settings. I found few inexpensive digital cameras that allow both automatic and manual picture-taking.I especially like the camera's ability to focus on subjects just a few inches away from the lens and these photos print out sharp. I couldn't find another digital camera in this price range that could get closer than 18" where this one lets me get within 3 or 4 inches of my subject. Oh why did I wait so long to get a digital!!Another feature I like is the fast shutter speed. I often take pictures of cats and if you know cats, they pose one second and are gone the next! With this little camera I get great shots I never could get before. Another great feature is that I can change the setting to not display what the lens sees on the screen in real time saving battery power.The DX6440 is simple to figure out even if you don't read the manual or if you've lost it. The on-screen instructions make it really easy to operate the camera. However, without the instructions the little buttons on the dock can be confusing, especially when they start flashing on and off all by themselves! What are those little guys trying to tell me?The dock really works great and it's super-easy to download the photos to my computer. With the push of one button -- woosh, the photos are transferred and the memory card is empty (you can choose to set it this way or keep the photos on the memory card). The printer dock is very compact and about the same size as the charging dock alone. It takes up about the same amount of space a phone does so my desk stays clutter-free. I'd recommend getting the camera with the printing dock together and skip the other dock altogether.The Kodak film/paper is more expensive than having the photos developed at the drugstore, but the convenience is terrific. Fourty 4 x 6 pictures from one package for about $25.00.About a month before getting this bundle I bought a pretty basic multi-function inkjet printer mostly for faxing and B/W printing that's not suitable for printing quality photos. By purchasing the reasonably-priced Kodak dock I didn't have to spend a bundle to replace my printer or invest in a much larger (and much more expensive) photo printer.Not only do my photos look professionally-taken and developed, the Kodak developing/printing process makes the photos last way longer than anything printed with inkjet -- even on photo paper. The pictures don't fade and when wet, the colors don't run or smear. They look just like the ones developed at the drugstore!Another great thing about this bundle is now I always know where my camera is -- on the dock, ready to go!I love the convenience of the dock being able to recharge my batteries and print photos. I never have to remove the memory card so there's no chance of losing it. Also I never have to wonder if the battery is charged and ready to go. It always is!The camera is compact and easily slips into my purse or jacket pocket. The travel bag and electric plug adapters (sold separately) come in handy as I often travel outside of the U.S. They make it easy to recharge my batteries where ever I am.Unless you already have a superb photo printer, buying this bundle is a great idea. It's one of the best investments I ever made!
I've been using this camera for over a month now and am completely satisfied with every aspect of it.I shopped around for quite some time, finally narrowing my decision down to the Kodak DX6440 and the Canon PowerShot S400.Both are 4MP, which is more than enough for home-use.What gave the Kodak the edge in my mind are the following:The Kodak takes regular AA batteries, while the Canon does not.  This is important if you find yourself in the middle of some National Park and the rechargeable battery dies.  AA batteries are easily found at even the smallest souvenir stand.The other thing that won me over is the dock.  The dock is always plugged into your computer.  No retrieving USB cords from a drawer or closet.  Simply place the camera on the dock, push a button, and your pictures transfer quickly and easily.  Plus, the camera batteries will commence recharging!  And, most importantly for our household, WE ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THE CAMERA IS.  I can't tell you how many times we'd forget where we put our previous digital camera.  Now there's no excuse for putting it anywhere other than on the dock next to the computer.Those are the two main differences between the DX6440 and the Canon.  They both produce stunningly clear photos.  The close-up mode on the Kodak is amazing... I've taken pictures one foot away from my subject, with flash, and they turn out as realistic and sharp as can be.Last, the Kodak EasyShare software is easy to use for organization and simple photo effects (like cropping and red eye elimination), as well as emailing photos to others.For home and family use, you will not be disappointed with this camera!
Buy the camera, good lens, nice interface, but skip any docking station or software that says &quot;Kodak&quot;.  Mine quit &quot;recognizing&quot; the camera after a month and nothing; reloading software or upgrading from Kodak's site, has made any improvement.  Now I am left with laborious manual processes of mining pix out of the camera.  Hey, if you hate Bill Gates, just buy this software... you'll wind up kissing his Microsoft feet.
I bought this camera with the 6000 dock in a package maybe 6-7 years ago. I was leery about buying one with a relatively low megapixel count, as I am a committed film camera photographer. I expected to use it only on rare occasions. However, I was really pleased with the quality of the pictures blown up to 5 x 7. I have not tried any larger. As a matter of fact, I find in certain circumstances this camera does better than my Canon professional camera simply because it lets less light in than my big camera. So beach pictures, for instance, come out better. Pictures I took of my young grandsons "shaving" in the bathroom came out better with this camera than my big one. I am really pleased with it. and you can store nearly  100 pictures on the camera at the same time. Amazing.
Even though the DX6440 is no longer being produced, I figured I would write a review on it anyway. I purchased the camera in 2003 and used it for a solid 6 years before retiring it.Even after buying a newer, 12MP Kodak camera, I still look back at the pictures I took using the DX6440 and am blown away at the quality. The color accuracy, exposure, and dynamic range of the pictures produced by this camera cannot be matched by even modern cameras under $500. The photos are simply amazing. The lens is of high quality with no noticeable abberations. Many of the sub $500 point and shoots Ive seen suffer from vignetting and color accuracy issues which drive me crazy.If you can find a used DX6440 in good condition, I would highly recommend getting one. These cameras are great for landscape and scenery shots.
This is a great camera. I upgraded from a 2.0 megapixel and was amazed at the picture quality. I've mainly used it as an auto point and shoot camera, but there are 7 other shooting modes as well as manual mode. This camera has mostly everything someone should want in a digital camera.Most cameras in this price range come with a 3x optical zoom, the DX 6440 comes with 4x optical zoom. This may not seem like a big difference, but it is when you are trying to get just the right shot.The only drawback, which does not lower its ranking, is its not that small. Many of the cameras in this price range are considered pocketable. Although this camera will certainly fit in many pockets, it is by no means mini.
It works, but getting the mount to attach properly to a light stand (or other mount) is VERY awkward.
GOOD PRODUCT WILL USE FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTERS 2ND BIRTHDAY. WILL POST PICTURES OF THE EVENT
The item was very interesting. Didn't get any sort of instructions but I guess it didn't require being a genius either. The only challenge I had was in attaching it to a stand, the holes were a little bigger than the stand's diameter. Otherwise, it held the reflector strongly.
As expected this work good. it works with a pair of clamps on each side. Its solid.
I bought a 40" reflector and needed a holder to keep it angled to the subject. The light stand attachment was a little awkward at first but i guess it caters for every possible size to make it universal. Attaching the reflector takes a little getting used too due to the size. I recommend when selecting this holder to not exceed the 32" reflector size or have a very sturdy light stand. It can tip over without weighing down the light stand. If you have the $$$ to spare go for the boom with reflector attachment and counter weight. Much more usefull in a studio setup. As for portability yes it will do if you have a small to medium reflector.
I ordered this, hopeful. I'm dubious of anything cheap, especially anything related to photography. The bracket housing that attaches to the light/reflector stand has brass bushing press fit into it.  This pulled out upon first use.  I didn't even come close to tightening it, let alone cranking it too tight.  When I contacted the seller about replacement, because I didn't necessarily want a return, the only thing I got back was a PDF form to fill out and mail in via snail mail.  Really now, what century are we in?  They said they require no RMA to return.  However, I'm supposed to send it back to them freight prepaid.  Thanks Adorama.  Nice of you to send me a defective product then make me pay to return it.  Especially when all I want is for you to send a replacement part.  Not the whole thing, just the piece that broke.  This item does still work, so I do not plan to return it.  But I can't lock it down to the stand.  The slightest bump or breeze and the reflector will move.  I am, however, still on the look out for a quality product that will not break so easily and cost an arm and a leg.
when i first set this up i thought it would be very helpful when i didn't have an assistant. but it fits pretty loose and if it's windy outside it moves around a bit. this kind of defeats the purpose of having something hold a bounce light on a subject. this piece did not come with instructions so maybe i set it up wrong but i felt like it isn't worth the money if i cant get it to work properly.
It took me a while to figure out how to use it, but it's great.It's definetely stable with smaller and bigger reflectors.I would recommend this product.
This holds my 42 inch reflector perfectly, but it's very confusing with little directions on how you need to attach it to a light stand or tripod.  This piece is just the bracket that holds the reflector, it does need to be attached to something.  It doesn't really fit my light stand very good, so it's pretty wobbly.
The reflector clamps and extension tube all work as desired.  However, the adjustable clamp for attaching the extension tube to a light stand (or similar rod) broke upon first use. It is a double clamp for tightening onto two poles, (bracket and stand). Now only one side tightens and I have to use tape to position and secure the other side.
Does the job.  Seems to work just fine except a little cheap.  The whole thing was squeaky when adjusting and did not feel very solid.  I was afraid it might break at some point with too much tightening and had ordered the Manfrotto reflector at the same time.  I tried both out and was so much more pleased with the Man, that I decided to keep that one instead.  Unfortunately for me, the restocking fee on the Adorama reflector (since I had it for too long) was about half the price of the thing so I'm currently stock with both.
I like these straps as they sort of make up a "neck strap" system. In addition to these straps, I also have a bona-fide Tamrac camera neck strap. I like the quick-disconnects these straps have, and you can change out the straps with the disconnects.When I put the camera in the backpack, I like to disconnect the neck strap and roll it up separately and store it in the backpack.  The quick-disconnect system allows me to easily do this.If I am keeping the backpack on when I need the camera, I will connect the backpack  straps to the camera. The advantage is that they put the camera's weight on the backpack straps - not your neck. This is far more comfortable if you are out in the field.However, a surprisingly number of Tamrac's backpacks have the D-rings that allow use of these straps.  It seems as if fewer and fewer of their bags have them. Neither my current Evolution 8 or my old Adventure 75 have the D-rings.However, I have retrofitted each of these bags by finding inexpensive NON-WELDED 1.5" D-rings at the local JoAnn Fabrics store. I can usually find a spot on the backpack strap to put the D-rings. The non-welded ones are needed as using a pair of vise-grips, I can bend the flat side of the D-Ring open just enough to slip it over the backpack's strap, then again using vise-grips, close the D-ring.Even though the D-rings are not welded, they are stiff enough that they will not come apart under normal use.This also allows use of the backpack straps on non-Tamrac bags as most backpacks will have a spot on the straps where you can insert the D-rings.
These work great with the Tamrack strap. they are durable, built strong and have worked well for me for about 5 years. This is my second pair so I can keep a pair on each of my packs.
I do quite a bit of hiking, hunting, etc - all things outside where lugging around a large pack for the camera is possible, but doesn't make that much sense.  As such, I've tried a wide variety of ways to make it easy to get that quick shot while also protecting the camera.  I have pouches I attach to my backpack belt for my lenses and the camera itself.  The problem was I found myself hanging the camera around my neck as I was hiking and my neck would get sore quickly.I found this and decided for ~$20 it was worth the try.  To be blunt, it is probably the best thing I've bought for hiking with the camera - including all my lenses.  This attaches to the camera via clips which appear to be sturdy enough to last for a while.  There are two clips to attach to "O" rings on backpacks.  Mine didn't have those, but a couple of "D" clips used for climbing got to the same end result.I tried this out in Zion National Park.  We were climbing across rocks (didn't necessarily follow the path...) and this worked great.  First, it places the weight on my shoulders, not neck (it did bump against my chest but not enough to bother me).  Second, it is at the perfect level (there are adjustments that can be made - although minor) to grab quickly to get that shot of a fleeting bird, deer, moose, etc.  Third, it takes seconds to disconnect and stuff into my holster bag - while also taking much less space since there's only a couple inches of strap on each side after it is unhooked.I highly recommend this to anyone who hikes with a DSL camera!
Got these for a five day Grand Canyon backpack trip.  They kept my Canon T3i close and handy.  Very secure.
I sent two emails to the company, and did not get a response from either address:mailboxN@tamrac.comJCyr@tamrac.comMy message speaks for itself!MichaelJesselyn T Cyr, President & CEOTamrac, Inc.9240 Jordan AvenueChatsworth, CA 91311(818) 407-9500Hello,On April 25, 2012 I purchased two sets of Tamrac Camera straps.They were:Tamrac N-11 - Backpack Camera Straps - Black, andTamrac N27 Black Boomerang QuickRelease Camera Strap (Black).On September 10, 2012 while on a photo shoot overseas, the strap came undone [from the camera eyelets], and the camera and lens fell to the ground, broken.  By 'came undone', I mean that on one of the two camera-side sections, the looping webbing had worked it's way out of all the plastic and metal 'brackets' and slid away from the camera eyelets.  After the incident, I saw that the webbing continued to slip and needed to be re-adjusted every few days.  The strap clearly is not to be trusted.The lens never functioned again, but, since it had a noticeable audio effect on the camera when removing and replacing it on the camera I was reluctant to do much further testing.  The camera appears to function, but I have not had an opportunity for thorough testing of it, either.  (I just returned home yesterday).  [In late October, 2012, the camera is at Nikon in El Segundo, CA]The camera is a Nikon D7000, it suffered some scratching and a broken rear LCD protector, and possible, but as yet unknown internal damage.  The lens is an AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G  DX VR ED.  Both items were selected for this work due to their light weight, making this failure all the more ironic.  Both items need to go to the Nikon facility for testing, repair or replacement.I trust you will handle the shipping to Nikon, and any payment they require for their testing and determinations, as well as two new, more thoroughly tested sets of straps.  Never in my long career have I heard of a camera strap failing due to the webbing sliding through all the looping in the brackets.Thanks for your assistance,Michael
Basically these help you have your cam at the ready whenever you are hiking/backpacking/etc. There is no reason to not have these if you are doing these things anywhere that elusive wildlife might be present. If you want to make sure you have a chance of taking a pic of the animal that showed up for just a moment, it won't help if you have to dig through your pack.If you have your cam right there, you significantly improve your odds of taking a good picture. This thing holds my T1I with Canon's 100-400 L-Series lens near my chest with no prob. Durable enough to stand up to Big Bend National Park on multiple trips to South Rim without showing any wear. Get it. You won't regret it.
Very strong.  I can carry it with my APC-DSLR body with 24-70mm 2.8 zoom lens without any issue.  One of my favorite strap as it can wrap around the camera body for more steady shots
It's OK but it doesn't feel like it wraps closely enough to my hand to make me feel totally comfortable. I definitely can't release my grip on the camera and expect the camera to not fall to the ground. It definitely is convenient with the quick release but I wish it had more material and connected to the tripod screw
I have 3 of Canon's larger white zoom lenses. This strap is the perfect size to use as a handle on the funky lens cases that Canon provides. Not only is it a convenient way to grab the bags for transport, but do to the quick release clips, the small handle can be replaced with a shoulder strap if needed. Seems to be mixed reviews on its use as a camera strap though...
Since I already own a number of Tamrac straps, this was a no brainer.  I have quick releases on 3 cams and 2 binocs which allows me to carry less straps to handle a number pieces of equipment.Tamrac is my choice of straps.
It's a short strap that you hold with your hand instead of around your neck. It's not to steady your grip while shooting.I use it with a DSLR Holster just to hoist the camera out of the bag.  A neck strap is too much to stuff in around the camera each time I put it away.I plan to have aPeak Design Capture Camera Clip PEAKCAMCLIPinstalled on the bag strap to hang the camera on during shooting.The build is on the cheap side, but I think it will last under light use.
First of, I agree with the previous reviewer: this strap is not a tight fit. That is why I like it. I don't need the strap to fit my hand. Actually I like it loose so I can shift my hand and fingers between the regular shutter and the one on the grip in vertical mode. I only use it around my wrist when I walk around and switch positions. It's an added insurance of sort for me.I also have a second hand Nikon strap (about 30 years old) just works like this one but better made this Tamrac - better plastic connector, narrower and stronger strap, etc. But this Tamrac strap gets the same job done. Like the Nikon, Tamrac has a shoulder strap that connects with this short hand strap.I especially like the quick connectors on the strap: when I don't need the grip and put the camera on a tripod, only a short stem of the strap is left on the camera, so less struff get in the way. And the little stem is quite useful when walking around with the camera in hand.But I don't need the long strap because I also carry a Tamrac bag (System 6 mostly, but if necessary I have a System 12). Just love Tamrac stuff, reasonably priced, very endurable, plain looking, light weight, but extremely functional.
I have used this strap on several cameras over the years. It is a high quality strap and binds the camera nicely to the hand.
This strap is SO much more comfortable than the cheap straps that come with cameras. And, it detaches easily if the photographer is using a tripod instead of handheld photography. It's still hard to believe that camera manufacturers aren't including straps this good on their cameras that cost hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars.
This removable strap is just what I needed to get the job done.  It is comfortable and easy to remove and reinstall.  A very good addition to my camera bag.
This bungee-style strap is great. I never use the manufacturer's straps, always find a better option. This is one of my favorites. It makes your forget you've got a heavy camera on your neck when walking. Brilliant design and make.
Used this strap for 2 years. Had an incident where the strap came undone on the quick release. My 60d fell from neck with a 50mm to concrete. Ended up bending the strap bracket (that came undone as an irony) and shredding the nylon strap between the concrete and camera strap bracket. Sent it in to canon and cost 300 for repair and shipping.Now- I cant trust the strap anymore and looking for a more secure strap.
I have been using  Tamrac boomerang straps since 2000, for heavy Canon bodies and substantial teles, for wildlife and birding photos.  The straps do a great job of distributing the load, and it takes them a long time to wear  out.
The connectors to the camera seem very secure, with a plastic non-slip buckles plus metal buckle &#34;keepers&#34; to catch the ends giving lots of notice if it's slipping, but the quick-release buckles are bulky and presumably if one breaks the camera falls (though I have no indication of any weakness here).  The boomerang shape works well for distributing load, but I find a straight thinner neoprene strap (e.g. the OP/TECH USA E-Z Comfort Strap) is less awkward and provides enough comfort for me (with the added metal keepers from the Tamrac strap).  So for me the quick-release is not worth its disadvantages.
This strap works great with heavy cameras and distributes the weight much better. I was worried about the size, because it is wide, but it works.
Tamrac N27 Boomerang QuickRelease Camera strap takes the pressure of the camera off my neck. The camera feels almost weightless and the strap is comfortable to wear.  I take my camera on hikes and this camera strap allows freedom for my hands, keeps the camera ready for great shots and keeps my neck from being strained.  You can also wear it on a shoulder and the wider neoprene strap keeps it securely in place.
Comfortable to wear, live the quick disconnect. Way better than the OEM shoulder strap in my opinion. I would recommend for a full size dslr
I own three of them.  Nice stretchy material makes your camera feel lighter.  Nice tiny pockets for memory cards.  Easy to put on and take off the camera.  A very good purchase in my opinion.
Great strap that makes me confident about my asset hanging from my neck and/or shoulder.  It's much more comfortable than a stock Nikon strap, and it is much better for someone > 6 ft. to wear slung over neck and shoulder.  It detaches with nylon quick buckles, making going from strapped to strapless quick and simple.
This strap is by far the most comfortable strap I have ever purchased. I use it with my 5DMKIII, 70-200 lens with BG and at the end of the day I can still move my neck.
I bought this to go with my new Nikon which is substantially heavier than my old one.  I have a similaiar strap on my old camera but the Tamrac N27 is far superior.  More comfortable around my neck and is much more sturdy than I expecedt.  The part that goes around your neck is very wide and soft affording the user a much more comfortable experience.  All in all a great neck strap.  I will NEVER use the one that comes with a new camera again.  I throw them away as the first thing.
The Tamrac strap is a nice change from the stock strap that came with my Nikon D70.  I know others seem to like the stock strap, and it's fine, but for me, after carrying the camera around awhile with a zoom lense attached, it starts to wear on my neck.  The Tamrac feels comfortable and cool and it has a level of give or stretch in the fabric which is nice.  The stock strap was rougher around the edges and scrapped my neck more than the Tamrac does Haven't had a chance to take advantage of the quick release feature yet.
I was tired of having my camera strap getting in the way when I was using my tripod and cable remote.  This strap is lightweight and easy to disconnect.  It has short connectors to the camera, so they really don't get in the way.  Good value for the price.
This strap is totally indespensable for heavier bodies and lens (like Nikon D7000 and 24-120). The only gripe I have is that the blue fabric comes off a bit from the neoprene layer after some use.
It fits good, but the inner part came a little lose and it started turning (and it shouldn't).I believe I have to tight the tiny screws that keep the to pieces from spinning.
I bought this adapter with a Celestron Ultima 80ED so I could use it with my Canon EOS. The adapter is pretty well built and solid and I recommend it 100%. I'm giving 4 starts only because it does not come with instructions. You may say "why this guy needs instructions for something so simple? Is he dumb?". No, I'm not dumb :-)  The adapter has some screws and marks that I could not figure out what they do or what they are for. I tried to move them to check what was the difference, but didnt find out.But its a great piece anyway. I'm sad I'm not going to use for long, because the Celestron scope, on the other hand, is a piece of crap and I'm selling it (coz I'm not in US to return it to Amazon). You may take a look at my review for it.
However, like 2 other reviewers have mentioned, it is a 2 rings system and the internal ring can come loose.  I've had this for a year and used it a few dozen of times and the internal ring did came loose on me a little after a year.  Fortunately I have a tiny flat head screwdriver to tighten those 3 screws and everything is working again.  I don't really understand the purpose of having this 2 ring with 3 tiny screw system.  It seems to do nothing but cause headaches.
I had my doubts about this product due to a lack of info about the mount and how it is used. I'm new to photography and had a telescope already so I picked this up. It fits perfectly but I haven't used it yet. Worth the money and time for shipping. If anything is wrong, its probably my fault.
At a garage sale I found a telescope that also acts as a powerful manual focus zoom camera lens.  The only need was this adapter.  It mated the telescope to my EOS 7D.
Okay, so I bought these 3 items from Adorama:(1) Canon XSi Camera.(2) T-mouont.(3) ETX Camera Adapter #64.I was very excited about connecting the Canon XSi camera with my "Meade ETX-90 AT" telescope but the experience with T-mount didn't turn out to be very pleasant.So here's what happened:If you look at the T-mount picture carefully, you will find that it's really made of 2 rings. One EXTERNAL ring which attaches to the Camera (like a lens) and then there's an INTERNAL ring which you screw it in the T Adapter. (other side of the T-adapter screws to the telescope ofcourse). That text printed on the ring is actually printed on the internal ring. The internal ring is embedded in the External ring and it almost looks like a single piece (and it's suppose to function like a single piece too).So, when I tried to screw this T-Mount to the ETX Adapter #64, it just didn't go in smoothly and after couple of twist-n-turns, it just stopped and didn't go in at all even though i could see on the T-Adapter that there's more space available for it to go in.I was very careful about making sure that I don't screw it wrong but after many tries, I had to apply a little bit of pressure at which the internal ring came off.Now when I tried to put the internal ring back in the external ring, it became loose. I thought I broke it. I ran to my local Camera shop and the guy over there pointed out the 3 holes on the external ring which are used to tighten the internal ring if it becomes loose. He didn't had that tool to screw it tight so I had to go to another Camera shop to get it tightened.That guy on the second shop was a professional guy and he not only tightened the internal ring, he actually twisted and turned the T-mount onto the T-Adapter many times (forcefully) and applied some machine oil to make it smooth. He screwed and unscrewed the T-mount on the T-Adapter atleast 8-10 times to make it much smoother and made it go all the way into the T-Adapter.It was a long ordeal but everything came out well after a lot of leg work.Now I am able to put all of it together and just took couple of shots from my apartment window. I am still new with this but I am hoping it will all be worthwhile.This T-mount wasn't of the best quality but it's working now.
... you never know what you're gonna get.  I order one and it was great (Bower Brand) and promptly ordered another and it was a different brand and literally fell apart in my hands trying to install it.  2nd one was a total piece of junk.  Neither were made in Japan like the picture indicated.  Buy somewhere were you know what brand you're getting.
Mounts easily onto my 50d. Meade adapter threads in and easy connect to my Meade ETX90. One small problem - focus on telescope is hard to get to. Bought flex shaft and seems to work OK even though it bends 90 degrees, but must work to get exact focus. Best luck using "live view" mode at x5 or x10. Also, be prepared to get a really smooth tripod head. Mine cost $100+ and is nothing but trouble.
This is strappy, it replaced scrappy which was a very crappy shoulder strap, ever since replacing scrappy with strappy, my should has been very happy that it's not getting some Nylon whatever dug into and seperating my shoulder. This doesn't slide, it's build very long and adjustable (which leaves a lot of extra just dangling away) but, as a strap it's a very very good purchase.
I almost ended up buying a new laptop case instead of this, but the only problem on my previous case was the strap.  This strap actually cost as much as a laptop case and I wasn't sure if I wanted to shell out the money.I'm very happy I did. I've had this strap for about a month, and have been loving it.  It's sturdy and made out of durable material as well as comfortable.  I couldn't ask for more in a laptop strap.  Perfect
Should have bought this strap first.  Hugs the shoulder and stays in place.  Great soft strap especially when carrying a camera with a heavy lens like the Canon 70-200mm L series IS lens.  Highly recommend this strap.
I needed a replacement for the crappy strap that came with my laptop case.  The existing strap hurt my shoulder (minimal padding) and kept slipping off.  I was desperate and paid the high price for this strap, not sure what to expect.  But I needn't have worried- this strap rocks- great padding (and longer area of padding) and a "grippy" surface on the inner side that never slips off.  The hooks easily open and close if you need to use the strap for something else.  I'm happy I bought this.
I purchased this strap to replace the strap which came with my newly purchased camera bag because when removing the strap, one of the plastic clips broke.  This Lowepro Deluxe Shoulder strap has metal clips and is 100% better quality than the strap that came with my camera bag. The padding on the shoulder part and sticky side (for want of a better word) to stop it slipping is superior.  I am extrememly pleased with it.  Good communication with the seller, and I would definitely deal with them again. Thank you for selling such a good product.
works just fine for WAY less $$$ than the name brand.  No apparent difference in life or charge time.
this battery is just as good as the canon standard battery, and lasts long. I am very pleased with it.
Both our regular and back up Canon batteries died, they were so bad, they got to the point that they only could hold a charge for about 2 shots between them.We bought two of these Lenmars for less than the price of a single OEM Canon battery.  So far, I've had the batteries about a month, they charged right up in the Canon charger that came with my S230, and they are working fine.  I've not had to recharge them since I initially charged them when bought them, but I haven't taken that many pictures (less than 100).  Nevertheless, they are working great.  I also believe that their capacity is higher than an OEM Canon (1000 mah Lenmar vs. 850mah for the Canon).I've had bad experiences with other generic batteries, but these seem to be a good balance of price and performance.  Good luck.
I've had my Cannon S400 for over 8 years. I needed a new battery since its life was now only good for a few hours. I purchased this Lenmar battery, and after charging plugged it into my camera. The camera gave me a "CF reader error" almost immediately. I tried using my older battery, but the damage was done. within a few weeks the camera died entirely, to the point the lens did not even retract.I guess its an excuse for getting a newer one, but I'm just frustrated I spent my money on this crap.
I just bought this battery. I have shot 50 pictures, a few with flash, on one charge. Much better than the other off-brand versions.
Hard to find battery that works fine as a replacement for this old point and shoot, and was half the price of some other vendors.
I purchased this battery about 3 weeks ago as a backup for my S410.  It's too soon to comment on whether this battery will take as many charge cycles as the OEM, but subjectively, this battery has taken about as many photos on a charge.  It has gold contacts and the construction quality and finish is as good or better than the Canon. It doesn't come with a contact cover, is made in China, and the warranty is 3 years, not 2.
*UPDATE 11/09/13* Battery still works, I'd say this camera gets "light" usage.-Review-It fits in my old Digital Elph (310?) camera fine, charges as expected.Seems to last as long on a charge as original, and still takes charges and photos as expected after many cycles.OEM batteries cost much more, and I have always had good luck with the generics.
Works as well as the original OEM battery.  I would not hesitate to buy another.
These batts are for a relatively older camera.  The first set I bought were from a different web site and were no good.  Wouldn't hold a charge.  These appear to hold a charge. Worth a shot based on pricing.
The stock battery in our S230 finally gave up the ghost, and we bought a pair of these to replace it.  They are really inexpensive, and work perfectly.  I highly recommend them.
Very good battery at an excellent price. However, the battery does not fit the original battery charger. It does fit the charger that came with this replacement battery; we bought the kit.
This battery works great at a fraction of the original battery cost. Bought two and still paid less than one of the original. works just as good as original.
This battery fits the application perfectly.  As advertised, the capacity is larger than the OE battery and I can definately tell.  I've purchased several of these in the past and would recommend to anyone looking for a spare battery.
Arrived on time and appears to be well constructed similar to OEM Canon battery.
Due to a mix up, the vendor didn't ship the product on time.  When I contacted them and told them I needed the battery for a trip, they got it to me in two days.  The battery itself is great.  I needed it for a Canon Elph S230, and could find batteries nowhere, except at a battery store - which wanted $35.00.  This one is as good as or better than the original.  Mine lasted for around 10 hours of intermittent picture and video use.  On an average day in France and Normandy, I would start and stop the camera 10 or 12 times and take between 100 and 150 pics.  As with the original battery, constant LCD use will use the battery up more quickly.  Be aware that if you will be out for a really long day of picture taking, you may want to take a spare.
I bought two batteries on October 31 for $14.13 each and see that the price has dropped to $6.96. We have used both of these for over a month now (we use it alot since we take lots of pictures and movies of our new born). So far so good and works like the original. You can't beat the price. I am careful when buying compatible products, this one I would say is okay to buy instead of the original which costs $45.
It's a battery, that works as it should. It is not expensive. Buy a couple.
Bought two.  The first worked for the first two uses.  The second was left in the charger to be ready for use - it was, uh, useless.  The first wouldn't take a charge the third time around.
What can I say, it's a battery.  And for less than the Canon name brand I think it was a good price.  Only time will tell if it has the same longevity.  My purchase experience for this transaction was good as well.
I bought this brand before and it lasted 2 years.  So trying again -so far so good.  It has to be fully charged then drained and charged again for optimal performance.
Not all rechargeable batteries are created equal. I have used many different brands in different quantities of rechargeable batteries, with various mAh ratings and found that Lenmar performs. It outlasts many major brands that claims a higher mAh rating without spending $$$ on the name. Do yourself a favor, if you purchase batteries use them right away and if they don't last long (within reason), return them. I've wasted a lot of $$$, hopefully I can save you some.
I bought this after market replacement battery for my Canon S200 as a back up to the orignal battery I got with the camera.  I had hoped that I could use it in the field to swap out batteries when I took lots of shots and used up the battery charge.It worked for a while, but now the battery won't hold a charge, whereas the original Canon manufactured battery is still going strong.  It holds a charge just fine.  Pay the price and buy the original, and stay away from these knock offs.
I needed a padded bag to hold my SLR camera body and lenses in my suitcase for compact travel.  This XL bag works great for that purpose.  I can squeeze my camera in with the 17-55 lens attached, too.  However, I don't want to damage the bag by doing so.  It also wouldn't protect the camera enough while traveling if the lens is attached.  Great neoprene bags, however, the medium bag was more than large enough for my 55-250 lens and didn't need the large bag, which I purchased for that lens, along with the medium bag for my 17-55 lens.  I also purchased a neoprene camera case to protect while walking with my camera around my neck and not taking photos.  Keeps sand out of my camera when at the beach.
The Zing bags are wonderful.Great protection for cameras, video cams, etc.One problem: it would be useful to know the sizebefore the purchase. I have ordered several of themand now have several that are the wrong size.Please update the listing with measurements and maybeexamples of contents.
This pouch is quite stiff.  I was hoping to use it to protect my camera inside of my purse, but this pouch is far to rigid on it's own to be put into a purse.  So, it didn't work for my purposes, but it is a great cushion/padding and I'm sure would work great for others.
I didn't see the dimensions on the description, so I posted them in the title.  Also, the bag will adjust shape, so is larger than 1.5 inches, as needed.It works for me, since it will hold a Voigtlander Bessa R3A rangefinder camera, a couple of extra lenses, an angle finder, and a couple extra rolls of film...all of which fits in the Zing bag, which I in turn carry in a larger bag on the street.
Light, offering good protection and of a good size.  I can easily put my Panasonic GH1 with a 14/140 in it for protection when traveling.  I also use the small lens pouches - just as great.
I bought a blood pressure cuff that came with no case. It is a really nice cuff, however, I had nothing to store it in. I got this case and it is working just great.
I dropped a Nikon n90s four feet onto hard pavement and the only reason it survived without a single nick or dent is because it was in a Zing pouch!!The neoprene really absorbs the sharp G-forces like nothing else.These bags are worth their weight in gold!!!
This is wide enough (about 7 inches across when flat, or 5 inches in circular diameter) to accommodate a modest size camera. This is very suitable for micro 4/3 Olympus Pen and Panasonic cameras. It even takes my Olympus E-P2 with the viewfinder still on and with a 40-150mm telephoto lens mounted. Useful, as there are no cases made by the manufacturer for these cameras.The neoprene material is soft and not very protective. But it's OK. Best used to protect the camera inside another, larger, bag. Or you can place the case directly on your belt, but it would be a bit heavy with a camera inside.
I got this bag to stuff my Olympus OMD-EM5 into when traveling ultra-light.  It's virtually a perfect fit even with bigger lenses. The pouch even has a belt loop if you're so inclined to use as an add-on to a bigger carry system.  For me it gives just enough protection for the little OLY and cinches nice.  If I could I would give it six stars.
This product is great for avid DSLR users. I use it with my Canon 60D to take photos and video and it holds up quite well. No dangly straps in the way or around my neck, and the wrist strap is a great backup just in case you lose your grip. It's easy, quick, and reliable.The only thing holding me back about this product is the fact that it didn't ship with all of the parts necessary. I had to contact the product provider in order to get the screw for the bottom of the camera, and the metal piece that clips the camera to your belt. Even after contacting them, it took them about 2 weeks to get me the tiny screw and belt clip piece. Wasn't too happy with that part, but as you can tell, the product was great nonetheless.Hope this review helps!
I had the same problem with not getting all the parts with this product. How lame! I purchased a few camera straps since I figured I'd probably be picky about comfort. Neoprine is definitely comfortable. Instead of returning it I decided to work on it.I went to the camera store and purchased a retaining screw. I put that through the hole on the strap, there's no reinforcement on the wide strap, but it's sturdy stuff. Then I worked on the wrist strap. It was insanely difficult to get the thick end through the tiny buckle, but I finally was able to, and it is functional, fortunately my wrist is skinny enough so it isn't too tight. I attached the neck strap to the ring on the strap.The strap isn't the ideal shape for my hand, but it's the best for me that I've found so far.
Although the description and packaging clearly state that a screw for the tripod mount AND and a belt clip are included, they were not ... not on the first one, not on the replacement.  The elastic safety wrist strap portion also has no means to create a wrist loop as pictured on the packaging, and if it were somehow looped back on itself, it would be rather small for my medium-smallish wrist, nevermind a hefty man's wrist.  I have to suspect that there's a part to that missing as well.I use other Zing products and like them, but the quality control for packaging this one is abysmal.  Too bad I'll never find out whether the product itself is any good.
This Zing strap is ideal for the following reasons:1) It's foam, not hot sweaty leather... Comfortable and cool...2) It has a REMOVABLE wrist strap, and believe me if you are king kong, it might not fit but it is elastic and full expandable... Removable is nice when you are in a crowd and do not want to lose your camera to a fleet footed theif...3) It has an eyelet to attach a neck strap, WONDERFUL!!! No more taking off the hand grip and attaching the neck strap, now you can have BOTH whenever you want!4) Adjustable for most cameras.Now for the mildly not so good:1) Attaches with a loose wing nut so no using your tripod as it shares the same socket... NBD to unscrew, just don't lose it like I did LOL... (On my 2nd Zing)2) There is some lame metal hanger to attach your camera to hang on your belt/somewhere else, just picture your dslr hanging from your belt LOL) oh no no no, threw it out pronto.All minor knocks on an overall EXCELLENT product, just buy it!
I purchased this item and when it arrived at my house, it was missing the screw part to connect it to the camera and the belt clip.  I requested a replacement and when I received it, Same Problems!  So I give up.  I returned both and bought one from somewhere else.
Never felt very comfortable with my SLR bobbing around on the end of a neck strap, especially with a longer lens attached. This comfortable neoprene hand strap snugly and securely attaches your hand to your SLR leaving you ready for the next shot. The strap does offer quite a bit of support allowing your hand to relax a bit while carrying a heavier camera. The Zing Action Strap works well, offers some relief for your hand muscles and provides some security for your equipment.One end of the strap attaches to one of your SLR's neck strap hooks and has a small built-in D-ring you can use to attach a neck strap to instead. The other end of the handstrap attaches to the bottom of your camera using an included 1/4-20 screw installed in the SLR's tripod mount. The screw does not have a 1/4-20 socket, however, making tripod mounting with the handstrap a problem. The Zing SLR Action Strap also includes a detachable elastic wrist strap as insurance in the unlikely event you should ever lose your grip.There are, however, a few downsides to this handstrap. The usefulness of shooting while wearing this strap will depend in large part on the ergonomics and layout of your particular camera. I doubt it would work very well on a smaller profile SLR such as the Rebel XT. The neoprene material doesn't offer much ventilation and can make your hand sweat. The Zing hadstrap isn't designed to be able to use the handstrap mounting points of a Canon battery grip. And the handstrap must be partially removed in order to mount your camera to a tripod unless you replace the included 1/4-20 screw with a retaining screw that also includes a 1/4-20 socket on the bottom (such as the Standard Adorama Retaining Screw).I've found the Zing SLR Action Strap quite useful and still use it with my old SLR but it simply doesn't offer enough mounting options to quite make it essential equipment.
I ordered the universal camera bag because the dimensions read: "Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4 x 1.8 inches"  which would make it the same size as my other bag. I wanted to have options for wearing different colored clothes (I like to match.)**ACTUAL DIMENSIONS** : 6.5 x 4.5 x 2.8 inchesThe bag is considerably larger than what I expected. My partner made me give it up for a camcorder bag instead of returning it. It is a nice bag - just not the dimensions listed at all. 1 or 1/2" all around makes a HUGE difference when it comes to camera bags...
I ordered two of these cases for two Kodak EasyShare DX4330 cameras that I keep for my granddaughters to use, and was very pleased with them. The front pocket is large enough for storing extra batteries and the cameras fit snugly in the main compartment. The only reason for not giving five stars is that on one of them the closure strap is sewn off center, but not bad enough to bother with returning it. For the price this product is a good choice to protect your small camera.
I have been looking for a case big enough to hold my camera and a few items and small enought to fit in a large purse or carry.  This case does just that!I have a Nikon coolpix 8200 and the camera fits, along with space for my charger and cord and memory cards.  The case seems to be very well made, especially for the price.
I bought this for my Nikon P7000. The camera fits easily yet snugly, and the storage area in the front allows for an extra battery and memory card. The bag is well made (ballistic nylon) and has good padding. I can easily use it with the strap that came with the camera extending out, so carrying is easy. There are also hooks on the side so you can add a carrying strap.This WILL NOT work for a DSLR, but for a compact digital, including the more expensive ones, it is fine.
More than enough room for a Cybershot T77 if your looking for one... It also has room for batteries, memory and more...
Targus DBUV02 Universal Video Case - Black/Platinum TrimI don't plan to use this for a Video camera...as designed for. I wanted a bag to put all my electric gadgets in.Here's what I got in it.Canon Powershot Digital Camera and Case with 2 extra memory cardsGarmin Nuvi 360 GPS and Case with DC and AC chargers, suction cup arm, and vent mount and portable antenna and one memory cardSamsung Blackjack PDA/Smartphone with AC/DC Chargers and memory card + adapter1 pack of cigarettes, 1 pack of zig zags, 1/4 oz of 'tobacco', 2 bic lighters, 1 multi colored pipe, 60$ in cash, my keys, and some twisty ties (for keeping the cords together :x )ALSO: What this ad doesn't tell you is on the very bottom of this bag are little hard rubber feet. This will help elevate your bag just slightly off of the ground. Obviously this comes in handy if the surface you're going to set it on is a little wet.I'm 5'10 and the shoulder strap allows the bag to hang right above my waste. The should strap includes a thick pad. Speaking of pads. This bag has a lot of them. Which is great for keeping your items protected and still. The bottom compartment is separated from the top by a removable velcro bottom. This is also nice cause it allows me to tighten the contents in more snug if I so choose.$21.00 isn't a bad deal either. I'm very satisfied.
I had been reading reviews for some other cases for the DS and they complain the case is not big or comfortable enough around the corners.  So I measured the DS Lite and went from there.... Purchased this case and absolutely love it.  I have maybe 10 games that I carry around in it too.  I can also fit the AC adapter, no problem... you will not be sorry if you purchase this for the DS Lite.
The product safely holds my camera and all its accessories with ample storage space without looking too bulky. Very good quality.
I purchased this case for my video camera. It is quite large. My camera and all accessories fit in it. It is made of a good material and won't wear out anytime to soon. I would recommend it.
Its really big this case but was perfect to put in the batteries, memory and cable. Really good. I have a Sony Cibershot W1 5mp. If you have the slim ones it will be a little Big.
I have a JVC HD camcorder that I use to film birthdays, holidays, vacations, and similar events.  I also use it to film my public performances and instructional videos, so I need a camcorder bag that will carry the camcorder, 120v power supply, 2 extra batteries, cables, and a 20-foot extension cord.  And this little bag does it!It has lots of little pouches and elastic loops in the pockets to hold everything in place.  And the flap allows me to slip the legs of my tripod underneath and free up one hand while I'm toting my equipment around.Excellent bag for the price and very well made!
A nice case but too small for the digital camera I purchased. The delivery was prompt and had no problems returning the case.
I have an Olympus camera and this case works great. I can fit all my stuff in it.
The case was well constructed and the right size for todays small cam corders. There are plenty of small storage compartments for accessories. A shoulder strap is provided to allow for easy carrying. I believe this an excellent value.
i wanted an inexpensive bag for my Panasonic Dmc fz 100 camera and this one was just right. I keep an olympus t-con-17 tele-conversion lens with it and it all fits nicely into there.  The bag is quite compact for all the options it has.  Good product!  Would buy from this company again.
This bag holds well my little camcorder, and has room for all its extra accessories. Good quality and price. Recommended.
This camera case is perfect for a small camera with room for memory cards, batteries, etc.
Nice product!!!  But it is too small for my Canon Powershot S1 IS.  I just don't understand why these suppliers don't tell us the measurements of each case, it sure would save us and them time and money.
I needed a case to hold my digital camera as well as all its accessories. This case fulfilled all of my wishes without being too big and clunky. Now when I travel I don't have to worry about my camera being damaged or forgetting an essential charger or connector.
My iPhone with Otter Box fits, but the case is way to big for it. Although for a camera it's an excellent case.
.For a long time I have needed an all purpose bag to carry a few essentials that must be always with me.  Most bags I found were too large for me to have them strapped to my body all day.  Some were too small to hold the items I need or lacked sufficient pockets to allow the items to be separated from one another.  Finally I found this case.The Targus Camera Universal Case fulfills my requirements.  The PDA I must have always with me fits nicely in the inner camera pocket.  My cell phone, a vital tool for any unforseen emergencies, rests securely in the front zipper pocket.  My mini stopwatch alarm (used for timing medicines and exercises) slips neatly in an inner compartment of the front zipper pocket - or can be attached to the shoulder strap when in constant use.This Targus case is well constructed, nicely padded, and is made from quality materials.  As a bonus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.I recommend the Targus Camera Universal Case.  I works well for most digital cameras and is perfect for my needs.
Plenty of space for cam,, battery, mem cards,,,ect..Very secure...Targus is always on target..
small, friendly, and very practical. all of this for few bucks is a really good deal.
I have used this charger consistently for over a year and have had great results.  It is handy and the batteries hold their charge well.
Save your money. Batteries dead after 3 mos. I only gave it one star because amazon does not allow 0 for amount of stars
The charger is running a bit hot. It actually melted the battery label. It doesn't seem to damage the battery, but honestly I am a little concern. No problem so far.
I actually bought a camera on E-Bay in December 2006 and this charger came with it.  It doesn't work and the batteries won't charge.  I can see how you can use for AA and AAA, but I had similar difficulty as others noted above regarding customer service.  Apparently customer service has 'special' hours because they never answer the phone.  When they do, you end up in a loop where a recording says you can't leave a message.  Nice touch!
This was my experience with Sakar and their Digital Concepts CH-1800 Battery Charger:1.  After opening the package and reading the instructions I charged the set of batteries. A few days later the batteries were dead so I set them in the charger and plugged it in -- but it wouldn't work. I reread the instructions and tried troubleshooting, but eventually realized the charger was broken. I've owned 2 or 3 Sakar products before and have never had problems with them, so I figured I'd just contact them and request a replacement instead of returning it and buying a different charger.2.  It took 3 phone calls to Sakar customer service to get them to send me a new one. (The average "hold time" for their 800 number was about 15 minutes, and I was put on hold a half dozen times -- so the process took a good 2 hours. All of the reps that I spoke with were unpleasant and lacked any kind of customer empathy.) They told me that I'd need to mail the defective item to them and then they'd send me a new one. Oh, and that I was responsible for the shipping costs.3.  A month and a half later, the replacement charger arrived. After verifying the instructions with Sakar I repeated the same set up and charging process -- and after only one use, the replacement charger broke as well. At this point I decided to just get a refund and buy a different charger, so I contacted Sakar. They refused to give me a refund and said my only option was to ship the (2nd) defective charger back to them and wait for them to send out another one. When I pushed back a bit, the rep actually said to me "This is our most economical model, so -- you get what you pay for."At that point I hung up, drove to Walmart, bought an Energizer charger for a few bucks more, came home, and then threw out / recycled everything in the house that had Sakar's name on it.-------------------*UPDATE (NOV 2012)*Although the Sakar charger has received a few positive reviews, it looks like others have experienced the same problems that I had. I doubt that all of these units are defective, but is it worth the risk?(PS: I still have the other charger that I bought after giving up on Sakar. Years later it still works great.)-------------------
This was a good deal for the batteries alone--that's why I bought it. However, after 36 hours, the lights were still on the charger, indicating that it was still charging (or not, as the case may be.)I unplugged it. I checked the batteries--they were fully charged--and threw the charger away. I've got others....
Third time using it, I thought the house was burning down - acrid smell of burning electronics brought moments of sheer terror trying to locate the source... it was this cheap little recharger, melting in the outlet.  I'm not going to even bother trying to get a refund - not worth the trouble.  Spend a little more money to get something reliable - and not dangerous!
I bought 2 of these at once. Neither one worked right out of the box.The batteries only give 1.3 volts at a full charge. Not enough in most applications. Plus, I thought I would charge them a little more and see what happens...  24 hours and the bats. are HOT! HOT! Bad product. No tele # for service. Charger is model v-80. Product is made in China. Imagine that. More hassle to return them so I'm keeping 1 as a reminder. NEVER AGAIN.
I've bought two of these and they had performed flawlessly.  For this price I can't complain.
Charger may come with new house, the ad says they do not have an auto shut off thats not bad for the price but the ad also claims overnight charging but the instructions show 18 to 20 hours. Who knows where you will be in 20 hours? who would buy them if they knew it would take 20 hours as that is not over night.Perhaps over night is Alaska. i think that I will stop buying electronics online as the ads can be deceptive. This too bad because amazon is a great company.
There's no automatic shutoff. The batteries can be dramatically overcharged and may well explode. They were too hot to touch when I unplugged the charger... After that the charger was thrown away.
I was able to get this for less than $5 shipped and it has been amazing.  I use the four batteries for my Wii remotes and they hold a decent charge.  They last well and have held up well so far (over a year).Only downside is the long charge time (20 hours) but you just have to be vigilant and be sure to unplug the charger.  For those people complaining about the batteries not lasting, they probably have not taken care of the batteries.  Charge only when completely drained, charge for the recommended time and you will have no issues.
Amazon should update the tech detials of this device b4 bringing this item in friday sales. The device that is shown in picture is different (model) than what Amazon is actually selling to its customers. The device is only compatible with AA type of batteries (cannot be used for AAA battery types) and comes with only 1 year warranty instead of 5 years mentioned in tech details. The charging time for batteries is upto 20 hours (2300-2500mah) depending upon the type (mAh)of rechargeable batteries used.Despite all these facts I am rating this device 4 stars, because for a "Dirt Cheap" sale price of under $7 (with free shippping) you are getting a battery charger plus 4 AA type rechargeable batteries, with no separate adapter to carry on (wall mount).
The included instruction sheet lists the charging time for these 2,500mah NiMH batteries at *18-20 HOURS*.  The charger doesn't even have a voltage shut-off, so it keeps "charging" them even after they're fully charged.  So, you don't know when they're fully-charged, just wait 18-20 hours.  Of course, continually overcharging NiMH cells will shorten their operational life span (unlike Li-Ion or NiCad).I also have to note that the cells are too wide.  I tried to put them in my XBOX 360 controller, and they would barely even fit.  I had to push so hard to get them in that the plastic coating is scratched.  I've never experienced this problem with batteries before.  I measured the diameter of a Duracell AA cell at 14.0mm, while the diameter of these cells is 14.3mm.Between the oversized batteries, the outrageous charging time, and a charger that doesn't indicate completion, don't buy these.  They suck.
The AA batteries were purchased for a camera flash, well, 3 flashes. The initial impression was they were holding a charge and doing the job. I read some really horrible reviews about the charger so I used a couple of known working units. I charged and discharged the batteries 3 times(like you should to condition the batteries) and was quite pleased by the performance. I'm a professional freelance photographer and shoot sports. Being a freelance, I have to purchase my own equipment so I try to save some $$ whenever possible. The batteries held up right after a charge but if they are charged and sit for more than a day or so, they start to discharge. After about 3 days, I got about a 75% capacity out of them. Bottom line is that they are inexpensive but should hold up for most applications. BUT...charge them as close to use as possible.
Hi, This battery charger does not charge AAA battery's and is hard to charge the enclosed AA battery's due to the load design. All battery's must be loaded from the front. The battery's themselves are somewhat OK and for what Amazon is selling this for it's ok to buy it just for the battery's and throw the charger away. Please also note that the battery's seem a bit wider then normal and you may have a problem with some devices. I guess I would have to say...stay away.
Got tired with repeatedly purchasing alkaline AA batteries for our two digital cameras, and not being very satisfied with the battery life. So before embarking on an out-of-town trip (a national softball tournament) where we'd be taking hundreds upon hundreds of photos, I purchased these 2500mAh rechargeables.  Got great performance from them (maybe double the amount of photos than using regular alkaline batteries?).  The charger is nice & convenient, but the charge time seems kind of lengthy.  But, if you plan well, it's easy enough to recharge overnight and get plenty of shots from a single charge. I'm guessing I was able to get around 500-600 shots per charge with them from my point & shoot digital. That was with a considerable amount of zooming in & out, although I rarely used the flash and the LCD screen. Use of the flash/LCD will definitely affect battery life.
Basically the set is so cheap that it is still a good deal if they did not give you the crappy charger with it. Less than seven bucks for four batteries and a charger is a joke.The charger runs a tad hot and does not warn when fully charged but if you charge overnight and unplug in the AM they seem to hold their charge well.Good deal, we bought 4.
I bought my charger 4 years ago when I purchased my digital camera and I am still using it along with the original batteries.  I use them quite frequently, I am very impressed that both the charger and batteries have lasted this long.  The batteries hold a great charge too.
Batteries charged ok and work with no problem.I bought it for the batteries (great price forAA's) inspite of some negative review for thecharger. I did not encounter any problems withthe charger as others did.
Found this item to be of adequate quality for the money. One drawback. It does not shut off automatically. You will have to remind yourself to remove from the receptacle within 24 hours or the batteries and unit will become hot. Feel I got my monies worth..
THIS IS A GREAT BATTERY CHARGER!! IT CHARGES YOUR BATTERIES VERY GOOD. AT FIRST I WASN'T TO SURE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT BECAUSE I HAVE A KODAK 6.2 EASYSHARE DIGITAL CAMERA AND DRAINS BATTERIES BAD. I TRIED IT OUT AND IT WORKS PERFECT. I INSTALLED MY RECHARGABLE BATTERIES(INCLUDED)AND I HAVEN'T RUN OUT OF JUICE IN ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS! AND THEY ARE STILL GOING. IF U HAVE A DIGITAL CAMERA OR ANY OTHER PRODUCT THAT DRAINS BATTERIES BAD CHOOSE THIS BATTERY CHARGER. P.S. IT'S ALSO A REASONABLE PRICE. MOST BATTERY CHARGER'S ARE $15 DOLLARS TO $20 AND UP DON'T WAIST YOUR TIME AND MONEY GET THE "DIGITAL CONCEPTS OVERNIGHT AA/AAA BATTERY CHARGER.
I have asked Amazon to no avail to correct the claim that this unit charges both AA and AAA batteries.  There is no way to fit AAA batteries in this unit and no mention inside the package of the ability to charge AAA batteries.  Amazon just got it wrong, so I returned mine.
4 AA rechargeable 2500 mah NIMH batteries Alone are worth The Price of Admission .Thats only a couple Bucks per Battery !!! I charge these using my 1 hour mach Charger.. ASIN: B0000ABSQ0
Very poor construction, the legs come off the head very easily as the screw threads are weak and strip easily.Also you can only tilt the camera up and down, not left or right also so its very limited.
NOT A BAD TRIPOD FOR THE MONEY BUT,LEGS FULLY EXTENDED ARE KIND OF FLIMSY AND NO LEVELING BUBBLE.
This tripod has a really good folded and extended size, pretty big when extended and small when folded.  The clicking mechanism isn't that good.  It's hard to fold and extend, and may move a little when you're using it.Update:  This tripod lasted for about a year of very little use and then completely broke down.  Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Better spend a little more on a good quality tripod.
I was surprised when this tripod arrived in a 9" box.  legs are made just like an antenna can bend VERY easy be careful.  while im not a fan of the quality of the legs the size of the item once you go to put it away is appealing
I bought this at Staples, and came here to see if anyone else had the problems I've had with it.I can tighten all the screws except for the one that keeps the camera upright. What good is a tripod when I'll have to hold the arm to keep it upright at all times?I wish I still had the packaging it came in, I'd return it toute suite. Don't even bother with it. Defective defective defective.
I am a long time attendee of the Burning Man festival in Nevada. I love going each year, and since I got my Lomo, it always goes with me. When you spend a week in a city full of neon, LED lights, art cars, and things on fire...you NEED a Lomo. Nighttime shots are amazing, and captures the surreal quality of this event to perfection. Daytime shots are crisp and lovely, with the desert sky a brilliant blue.It took me a year to 'eyeball' the distances for good focus, but now that I have a handle on that, most of my pictures come out amazing...and even the blurry ones look good!If it weren't illegal or immoral, I would sleep with my Lomo.
This is the mothership of all Lomography and one excellent purchase.  The manual settings are easy to learn, and well documented with the enclosed instructions.  After you have that down, just point, and shoot from the hip.  The color saturation is like no other camera you have experienced.  And it takes a good beating, though care is of course recommended.  I never go anywhere without this little beauty.
Lomo got a lot of ink in late 2000, early 2001, so I bought one for about a hundred pounds in the little Lomo gallery in Clerkenwell, London.  The camera was easy to use and a natural for me. I like available-light photography and took some nice shots in elevators and the London Underground, in the World Trade Center concourse in New York, and street scenes everywhere.I had it with me in Hoboken on Sept. 11, 2001, and shot a roll or two of the smoke-plumed downtown Manhattan. ALAS! Only one frame came out. I tried another few rolls--no dice. Apparently the shutter is stuck. I am stuck myself...on whether to throw the thing out or fashion it into some clever objet d'art.  What do you do with a dead Lomo, anyway?We all have to kiss frogs sometimes, and this is one of mine. A nice Rollei or Olympus for the same money would have been a better buy, and I think that will be my next point-and-shoot purchase.
Simply put, the Lomo Compact never leaves my side.  With it's tiny size and that great metal lens cover, I have it in a bag or a pocket at all times.Why?  What makes this camera so special to me?  Simply put - it's the images.  I have no formal training in photography whatsoever, but I am able to shoot some of the most amazing images that I have ever seen with this little item.  Surely, I shoot a few blurry and screwed-up pics as well, but the unpredictability is part of the charm.  After you drop off your film, you can almost always expect to have a few images which are absolutely mind blowing.  Using the camera is easy to grasp, although not too easy - so you still feel a sense of accomplishment after you "master" it.  In my opinion, it's a perfect item for a beginner.With all due respect to my Amazon peers, the reviewers who feel negatively about the camera are missing the point.It's not made with the precision of a Canon or Nikon.  It doesn't have the sharpness of a Zeiss or Leica.  It's not the correct camera for someone who really wants to learn the technical in's and out's of photography.But that's where the magic is.  It's made in Russia by hand.  The images it creates are beautiful and completely dripping with soul.  Colors are super-strong, contrast is huge, and (defect or not) the vignetting effect is very cool.  Outside of that, it's small, cute, easy to use, and has this awesome mechanical-oil smell.If you want a normal, super-reliable Japanese cam that takes nicely exposed, in-focus shots every time, then pick one up.As everyone else said, they generally have more technical features for a better price.  If you want something truly unique, utterly beautiful,, and (at times) a little temperamental - then go for the Lomo.  You won't be disappointed.
Using a Lomo to take snapshots used to be fun and a bit of an underground thing, though it was more popular in Europe.  Suddenly, there's a new marketing campaign and this activity is now called "Lomography" which means Lomo can jack the price on these little cameras to ridiculous heights. I got mine two years ago when the money I paid was just a little higher than I'd have preferred for a camera of this quality, but it was on the high end of reasonable.  Lomo's current prices are terrible for what you get.I've had two rolls out of about 6 or 7 that have been bad for some reason.  The last one was because the film somehow jumped the winding mechanism.  All the time I thought I was advancing the film, I wasn't.  I lost a lot of decent photos from my last vacation because of that.  I was using actual Lomo film, too, when it happened.Also, the shutters in these things love to break.  I don't know if it's particular manufacture runs, or a certain climate, or temperature sensitivity... I don't know at all.  All I know is these cameras are notorious for going into the shop for repair.When it was about fifty to seventy-five bucks cheaper, this was a great little hobby camera.  Now it's just overpriced and trendy.  Pass it up and get a cheap digital instead, if you're looking for the same sort of carefree hobby photoplay.  You'd be amazed at how much experimentation you can get out of one, and how much more willing you are to take photos than with a film camera since you don't have the developing costs.
This is a very unique camera that can revolutionize your idea of what a snapshot is. This camera is easy to use, and with some patience and a still hand, can take unrivaled photos in any situation, even in pitch black!I highly recommend this camera, although I got mine for $105 on eBay new... you may want to check out a cheaper source such as this.
So far, I like this camera. The only shortcoming I see is that there isn't a place in the bottom of the camera in which you can mount it on a tripod. That would come very useful in low light situations when you're trying to achieve certain effects.
Love this little guy. This is a toy camera, so it doesn't really have many settings to play around with, and the pictures come out pretty unpredictable. It includes a bunch of tiny color gels so there's many choices for what color the flash will be. It's also pretty interesting looking. A few people have picked it up, inspecting it for a second before realizing it was a camera. Tiny complaint is that sometimes the film advance and color spinner get a little stuck and need to be fidgeted with, but it hasn't posed to be much of a problem.
As far as 35mm cameras go, this one's pretty good. It takes quite a great deal of patience and delicacy, but with this camera you can take some pretty good snappies. Way better quality than digitals plus some rockin ass effects!
love the camera however the box was obviously worn and very ratty so much so that when unwrapping for christmas the camera practically spilled out of the box. Niece didn't seem to mind but still would've sucked if camera got broke right during christmas unwrapping.
Two quiet revolutions in photography--the Lomo and Diana/Holga--added a new level on how artists view their work. Unfortunately, so many seem to think that by simple buying and using these devices, they will make instant art. Now a whole slew of cheap hunks of plastic sold at inflated prices are flooding the market, feasting upon this followers mentality.If you really want to experiment with color-flashing, buy color filters (or scavenge for random tinted transparent materials) and experiment on the flash of a decent camera--or if you are into plastic, then get a holga. This process will not only teach you so much more about what processes produce what effects, but you'll actually create something new, you'll be using a creative process. This thing is not a creative tool, it is an unimaginative $3 hunk of plastic being cleverly marketed and sold for an astonishing price that sucks any creative possibilities out of the user.
The Colorsplash is a really cool little camera.  It's definately a specialty camera and isn't meant to take family vacation photos, but adds some really neat dimensions to artistic lomo photos.  It's easy to use, well designed, and the packaging is cool.
This sorry cheap excuse for a toy camera broke before I could even get one picture developed. Plus, this is not a real Lomo. Fake, low-quality and lame.
My camera stopped working after a week and a half.  I had to send it back for a refund which I was glad to receive...IT's difficult to use and poorly made.=( too bad, nice idea...but just poorly constructed, won't last long!
I got this camera for my friend for her birthday about a month ago. We have had so much fun with it ever since. It takes the coolest photos. I have and Oktomat and a Holga which I love, but this one is fun for taking out on the town or to a bar. It's unique look is also a good ice-breaker/conversation starter. I'm back on Amazon to get one for myself!
this camera is so fun yet simple, the colored flash gives you so many options and i love it. its well worth the $70. i also love the long exposure feature the results look great. i definetly recommend this camera over some of the other lomography cameras because its so versitle.
There aren't many &quot;basic&quot; cameras out there for &quot;artsy&quot; photos.  This one is not high tech at all, instead its made of plastic and has a plastic lens and manual feed.  The color filters make it interesting but I question if it is worth the $70.  Fun though, and being a part of the LoMo revolution is cool.
If I could give this camera 0 stars I would, it stinks. My story on this camera is a way too long one to explain. All I have to say is that I am very mad that I wasted (...)on a piece of crap. If you listen to me you will be better off!
The Color Splash is like photographic rock and roll.  I love the long-exposure with colored-flash style - it's really cool.  You end up with a bright, colored subject against a glowing background.  If you wave the camera around with the shutter open, you can place these crazy streaks of light behind your subject as well.  There's no other camera that can do this, and its white body is dead sexy.As another reviewer mentioned, a tripod thread would be nice, (Lomo, can you hear me??) but I can live without it for the time being.  Be sure to use 400 or 800 speed film - that way you'll maximize your flash range.  Also, get close when you use the purple or red filters, they block a lot of light and your shot can be really underexposed if you're too far away.
I got this for Christmas and have used it several times.  The results have been terrific!  With some experimentation, I learned that the red filter is very strong so I use it less than the others, but it has been great for taking pictures at parties and concerts and clubs and bars.  Rock and roll photos!  I lost my little packet of filters, and the wonderful people at lomo international sent me two replacement packs for free!  Customer service is great.  I do not like the skin bag, however.  It is inconvenient and gets in the way.  After having it block the lens on a roll of film, I just ditched it altogether.  Otherwise, I recommend this camera fully.
give good protection from slight bumps. It is the same material used in wet suits so it is not too thick. Dropping the camera is still likely to cause damage to the lens or camera, or both.
I ordered the hood hat for my Samsung camera and it is working great. It is especially helpful to have them for the lens as I lost the lens cap to one of my lens shortly before I ordered this hood.  It's working well keeping my lens protected!
Great idea, I throw these things in my camera bag and when I'm switching lenses fast, its easy to throw them on. Handy
I'm using this on my Fuji X-E1 with 18-55 zoom lens.  The hood hat fits, although it's a tight fit.  I can't say whether or not the other larger sizes would fit better.  This hat fits on very securely, but please note that it does take two hands to put it on.  I wish it were easier to put on, but then I'm also glad it fits so tightly that I don't have to worry about it falling off.
I wanted an easy-to-use cover that was not an easily misplaced plastic disc. I use this size on my SEL55210 and SEL24F18Z over the stock lens hood and it fits nice and snug, I would suggest the addition of small tabs to make it slightly easier to put on.
This was an awesome product.I always lose my lens caps, guess what...I lost this too.Only got to enjoy it for a a day or two.If only it had a cord maybe then, I would still have it.
Fits per perfect on Nikon 18-55 Cheap kit lens.  I should have ordered the whole set.  A fabulous product.  Bravo!
Hood Hats are a very handy way to protect a lens especially when out shooting.  It is light weight, crush-able, easy to store when not needed, and when in place cushions your valuable lens while keeping it clean!  There is likely one that will fit each of your lenses!
At first I loved this printer, it is simple to use and can be used alone or through your pc.  Unfortunately the photos never dry.  At first I thought it was because I either framed them or put them in an album before they had a chance to dry.  I then printed some and let them sit out to dry for weeks and the photos never dried.  Any photos that I have framed eventually stick to the glass, particularily the darker spots of the photo.  I even got a new printer from HP and still encountered the same problem...has anyone else had this problem? (Yes I am using the correct HP paper and ink)
Follow-up to my earlier review (not on Amazon yet): at my local Rite Aid drug store chain, I can give them my flash memory card and it's only 21 cents per print for the whole card.  If I select pictures at the photo counter, it's only 29 cents per print.  At other drug stores (Walgreens, Duane Reade) it's only slightly cheaper, and they often offer rebates.  All these stores offer quality guarantee, plus they use real professional paper.So basically if you get the PhotoSmart 245 (or the cheaper 145 model withou the color LCD preview) you are paying a huge premium for convenience -- and if my experience is any guide, you won't actually get any conveninece because the printer jams too easily.  Plus there's the question how long the print will last before fading.For my hard-earned money (I'm probably far less paid than most of you guys who shop on Amazon.com) I'll stick with my local drug stores.Of course, I'm talking from an urban-centric point of view.  If you live in rural areas where getting to a digital-ready photo shop is not easy, this may make sense.  Just beware of the printer jam and possible fading problems.  Amen.
I gave this printer to my Brother for Christmas 2 years ago. While I was visiting him last week in Montana, we printed out the pictures I took.  they turned out better then regular film. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I plan to buy myself one.
I bought this printer to use with a Nikon Coolpix 4300 digital camera in a medical work envioronment.  We print pictures of before and after surgical procedures and we keep a copy in the record and send one home with the client.  The details are fantastic and always leave quite an impression!  The printer takes up very little space and is very easy to use.  We don't even have it connected to a computer.  We leave it chairside in the procedure room, though it's easy to pick up and move if we need to.  I have not had any problems with paper jamming, and I love being able to put 1,2 or 4 pictures on one sheet of paper.  I've tried to keep track of how often we will be replacing the ink cartridge and have found that I can get about 100 prints out of a cartridge (which are about $35 apiece) and we use the matte HP paper.  Very well worth the money and prints beautiful pictures in a short amount of time.
this is not as good as the one i used to have. the pics do not come out as good.
This printer started giving me the infamous "invisible paper jam" error after about one year...I would give this product negative stars if I could. It is absurdly overpriced.I've been subjected to HP's crap products both at work and at home...and in my opinion, "HP" is just another word for "junk". DO NOT BUY.
This is a dandy little workhourse that will generate countless 4 x 6 photographs from your digital camera with no hassle or fuss. The HP 245 is a small, tight little package that you can easily pack away and take along on trips.The HP 245 really helps make the "digital darkroom" a reality, even during trips. I take mine on my boat together with a small laptop computer, and can generate high-quality 4 x 6 photos right on the spot, after taking shots with various digital cameras. The HP 245 has a built-in CF card reader and also reads various other popular media and you can easily print directly from the CF card or other media even without the laptop too.  The color LCD allows you to simply insert the CF card (or other medium) and simply select what picture you want to print--without the computer.  This also means that you don't need to bring a card reader along if you have your HP 245 since it functions as a digital media reader.My HP 245 installed effortlessly on my IBM Thinkpad notebook computer (IBM TP 600E) running Windows XP, and is now my main printer for 4 x 6 photos and of course is the only printer I take along on trips. It is great fun to go on trips, take photos, and then give friends nicely framed photos the next day, or later the same day. Frankly, I never realized how much fun it was to have a printer along on trips. Most printers nowadays are big and bulky. This one is not.The quality of the prints from the HP245 is excellent -- it uses the Type 57 tri-color cartridge which is the same cartridge that several bigger printers use.  The photos are crisp, bright, and professional.  This printer produces very decent 4 x 6 prints that look great framed on one's living room table, wall, or whatnot.I also have the HP145 which is exactly the same except that it lacks the color LCD which allows you to view the pictures without a computer, although it will print out a little index of thumbnails for you to select from.  When I needed a second printer I went with the 245 because the cost had come down.  Either is excellent.
I have had this for about a year - great looking results, especially if corrected and printed from a good software package.  The stickiness problem seems insurmountable.  I have tried several different papers and drying times up to 3 weeks, but they will always stick to photo album transparent material (have tried several brands).  I wish HP would sought this problem out - also occurs with prints from other HP printer models.  Finally bought a Cannon Selphy dye-sub printer which does not have this problem.
This camera is more than adequate for the price range. I had to return it, however, because i have Win2K with SP4. Apparently, the software does not work with this service pack. I then tried to access the updated software on the website. After about a half an hour i finally downloaded EasyShare 3.2 (the problem i have is documented on Kodak's site). This version gave me a different error. I asked Kodak for help via e-mail (which, incidentally, they try to hide on their site along with separate drivers). Their e-mail said contact within 24 hours, they never got back to me until i called an 800 number. Bad customer service, rude person on the phone, not worth my trouble. I have never had software from a new product just refuse to install until this camera software.If you don't have Win2K with SP4 and need a handy, little camera with enough features and ability for most picture-taking, i think it's a decent camera. If you have any problems whatsoever, return the camera immediately instead of trying to get it to work.
I've been a lousy (but dedicated) photo hobbyist for more than 30 years. Highly complicated cameras are great... but I always find myself doing most work on point-&amp;-shoot cameras. Last year, when my 1960s-era Fuji started to fall apart, I spent $20 on a Fuji Smart Shot 35mm.I was all set to drop $400 on a digital camera, so that I could finally move into the 1990s, as well as post &amp; send photos without having to scan them. I got overwhelmed by all the questions, though: how many mp? what memory format? how much zoom? optical or electronic? movies? audio?I was all set to give up the hunt &amp; stick with 35mm, then I was buying office supplies &amp; the CX6200 was on sale.Sure, hardly top-of-the-line. Sorta fragile... like my Fuji.My biggest -- &amp; so far only -- gripe is that the Kodak doesn't have any sort of lens cover. I mean, come *on*, people, a camera that can't even take a rubber lens cap???In all, if it only lasts a year, I figure the 6200 is a good investment. Between buying film &amp; having it developed, I spend at least $80 a year, only to discard more than half the photos as necessary waste in getting what I want. It's a good camera for point-&amp;-shoot use, yet also gives me a little flexibility as far as image quality, &amp; the redeye-reduction feature has thus far been perfect.Accessorize!! I'd recommend that you get a decent memory card (the 64mb seems to strike a nice balance for me between cost &amp; storage), a NiMH battery kit (or a Kodak dock if you find a good price), &amp; a $10 case. The Kodak software has its minuses, but I'd say to skip the cutesy bells&amp;whistles, just buy an inexpensive USB reader.
I really liked the camera, small, easy to use and afordable, but for the price,  I would buy the Easyshare 6230, that cames with optical zoom, records movies with sound and have more memory(16mb instead of 8mb).The only complaints I have for the camera are that it doesn't record movies with sound, doesnt't have a protection for the lens and the back lcd is too dark in dark places, making you have to guess where are the things you want to take the picture.But for the price, it is a great camera...
boughtthis cam for my girl,works fine i guess... no bells no whistles, but 2 be real this take great pics for 2 mega pixels
I purchased two of these for Christmas.  I kept one for myself and gave one to my son and daughter-in-law.  We are all enjoying this cool camera and having fun sharing pictures via email.  It is simple to use and I was impressed with the picture quality.  For the money this is a really good camera.
I used to own Kodak's previous 2MP digital camera, the CX4200 (only available used now).  I bought a CX6200 thinking I could get the same 2MP quality AND video capability for an even better price.Unfortunately, while the CX6200 takes good photos, they just aren't as crisp as the 4200's.  The CX6200 doesn't have a real lens cap, to begin with.  It only has a clear piece of plastic covering the lens, and this cover cannot be removed or replaced.  ....Which means 1) photo quality suffers because of the filtering effect of this plastic and 2) if the cover is scratched or discolored, you can say bye-bye to picture quality.  In picture comparisons, the 6200's photos seem to have more &quot;noise&quot; than the 4200's pics.The 6200 apparently does not have an auto-focus lens, and it shows.The 6200 also does not have the incredible close-up-photo ability that the 4200 had.  The 6200 takes decent close-ups, but once you get closer than 18 inches from the object it starts to get a little blurry.Video Quality: Really grainy.  I wasn't expecting much, but this was about the minimum I was hoping for.  There is all kinds of noise (by noise I mean red/green/blue-ish pixels the camera inserts to fill in picture information), the video is in barely compressed QuickTime format, and the maximum video length is 30 seconds no matter what size memory card you have installed.  Oh, and there's no sound.  Even without sound and with such mediocre quality, a 30-second clip will cost you over 7MB.  This capability is only good for very casual clips in perfect conditions.Those are most of the Cons.  PROS:- Pretty good battery life--at least as good as the 4200 (using 1800mah NiMH).  As with all digital cameras, you MUST buy rechargeables.  Good battery life in video mode as well.- The camera is just slightly smaller than the 4200, thanks to the rounded corners, and is very portable (but it may be a bit heavy).- The LCD is as bright as advertised.  Definitely an outdoor display.- The directional buttons are separate buttons, unlike the 4200's pad, which was clumsy to use.- The pictures are good quality, sufficient for basic photo taking.  Colors are pretty good and it adapts well to changes in light.- The camera allows you to take photos in black and white, and sepia, as well as true color.- In addition to Good, Better, and Best quality settings, you can take wide photos at 3:2.It's not a bad machine, but you're definitely only getting what you pay for.
I was looking for a digital camera for my almost 12 year old.I've had digital cameras for years, and expected to find something simple, like an older model I had. Very hard to find!  Only other simple models I was finding were strange brands I never heard of (and suspected wouldn't last long).My alternative was a film camera - I don't want to get into thecost or hassle of getting film developed any more.So far, quite happy with this simple little camera.  2M is quite large enough for what he'll use it for.  Tonight, he was photographing the sunday comics...  8-)
Santa Claus was very inspired to give me this present!I enjoy a lot taking pictures, but I am not a pro and I often feel uncomfotable with high-tech devices. This camera is perfect for someone wishing to take simple pictures and make short length movies with an easy to use camera.Even if has only 2.0 mega pixels, the quality of the pictures is very good and so are the colors. Transfering pictures into the computer is very simple and the camera is so small and light, that it fits into a pocket.Just make sure you buy good batteries and an extra memory, so that you won't have to transfer the pictures too often to your computer. I promise you will have a lot of fun.
This camera takes images with great color HOWEVER, the images are perhaps the WORST of any 2MP camera.  They are grainy, noisy, poorly compressed (large files but poor quality).  This camera also uses up 2-AA Batteries within about 35 shots- not good!Look elsewhere for a camera.
This is a good camera, simple to use. Easy to use menu, easy to use camera. I was able to take all kinds of pictures without using the cd manual. Problems with the Easy-share software...it won't work. I would recommend, especially if using XP, to just go to the website and download the driver only, not the easy share software. Use other ways of pulling the pictures off the camera, it should show up as an extra drive. Don't even use the cd, but be sure to download the drivers first. It is easy to use, and fun too. The screen works great and the camera is a good size.
For a hundred bucks you can't beat this little camera.  It's up and running within minutes of leaving the box, and setting it up to transfer the pictures to a computer was very simple (in fact, user error was the only misstep in the entire process; make sure those cables are snug...).The picture quality was surprisingly high, which is a nice bonus.My only quibble is the internal memory isn't very roomy (8 pictures on &quot;Best&quot; quality, 30 on &quot;Good,&quot; which is the lowest).  But, media cards are getting quite cheap nowadays, and since I planned on purchasing one anyway, it's not that big of a deal (the 128 MB card will hold 149/595 respectively).Overall it's a nice beginner digital camera -- enough options to take good pictures, not so much that they'll overwhelm the user.
Purchased this for my daughter and niece both under 12.  This is a very easy to use no frills camera at a great price.  If you are looking to replace your camera with a new digital camera - I would shop around.  I prefer Canon.  However, if price is an issue and ease of use - this is a great little camera.  Pictures turned out better than I anticipated with only 2.0.
I have always been interested in photography and like to experiment. I have a small camera which fits in the palm of my hand and wanted to get something bigger and inexpensive. Since I am a regular shopper at Amazon, I decided that there is where I would go to look for a camera. On receiving the Kodak Easyshare 6200, I immediately started to experiment. The Camera is very easy to use and takes great pictures. The software is also very user friendly as long as you can get it installed on your system. (I had problems at first. I have shown the camera to some of my friends and very soon they too will be ordering the Kodak Camera.P.S I hope that Amazon can start shipping directly to Barbados. In that way many more orders would become a reality.Llewellyn IfillBarbados
okay from the beginning. The internal memory in the card allows for 8 shots. Yipee! So I have to spend $30.00 on a card. Plus $7.00 shipping. I bought this because my Olypus was back at the factory. I should have waited for the Olypus to be returned (which it has been no charge, in 3 weeks) In my opinion, the photos are terrible worse if you use the kodak software. They are dark, the camera has to &quot;charge&quot; the flash between photos, (which seems to take forever). The monitor is dark. The only good thing that came of this is a bought the camera printer dock. The can work with any digital photo on file. Beautiful shots! No more going to the store to have a print made. Oh yes before I forget. I had to buy a card reader because my computer would not &quot;see&quot; the camera while on the dock. If I plugged in the camera directly, fine it saw it. Final thoughts,my late father would always say: &quot;you get what you pay for.&quot; Wise words from years from years ago. My first olypus digital lasted 5 years. My son is in New Zealand and he is still using it sending me beautiful photos. This is a &quot;kiddie&quot; camera. I let me 6 year old use it,without fear because if it breaks we lose nothing. When you start with nothing you have nothing to lose. Heed my advice, spend some money if you want some decent photos. I would not even recommend this to a teenager because they are way smarter than us adults.  That's all from videomanmark, a amazon.com pro seller.
We've enjoyed our EasyShare camera and have already taken hundreds of pictures. The pictures aren't high quality but do look good on the computer and in small prints. For the money it is worth it.
1st off, price.  This camera is less than $100 bucks for 2-megapixels.  Is 2MP enough you may ask?  Yes.  At least for the avg. joe that wants to take pictures to store on his computer or for fun.  I've used this for the past 2 weeks and I love it.  My brother can't stop asking me to borrow it.  The picture quality is great.  It takes pictures at 1600x1200 (I think this is 8x10).  I don't really plan on printing any but the usual 5x7 or 4x6 will come out just fine.  The video quality however is mediocore.  What do you expect from a cheap camera, the best of both worlds?  Nope, I bought this primarily for the camera feature and it works wonders.  I have a digi-camcorder for my videos anyways.  One other thing is I didn't like the fact that it doesn't have a lens cover.  I'm afraid to scratch it but I keep it in a case.  I know Logitech came out with a cool wallet digi-cam but it's 1.3MP and it's around 70-100 bucks.  I'll take the 2MP.  This camera is very simple to use as I learned all the features within 5 minutes.  I'd recommend this camera for the simple enthusiast!
Is it wrong to be in love with your digital camera? I can't even start to explain my deep feelings for my 'Kodak Easyshare CX6200'. Maybe it is it's sleek body and smooth design. It could be the way I feel like I'm always in charge in the relationship and it goes with me everywhere. It's not ashamed to be seen with me in public. And it never makes me look well, a little hippy in my pics I email my friends from my trip to the beach. It could be the way it looks at me with complete admiration. It never gets hostle and makes a great listener, but it does get a bit gassy around the holidays, but all the same wheter it's wrong or not it really is my soulmate.
That's what it is. If that's what you want, then buy it. Mine didn't come with the sometimes-mentioned memory card. Got it day after Thanksgiving for $80, though. Photos look great on the computer screen (Sony 15&quot; LCD). Haven't seen prints.Problems are:* No carrying case or lens cover* Viewfinder is off significantly from the lens. About 20% of what I photograph is out of the viewfinder.No lens cap is just cheesy. There's no excuse for the latter. Hence the 3 stars.
This was a great camera, easy to use and the flash was just bright enough my dog didn't shut her eyes when I went to take a picture, however I think it's been discontinued, they now have something a &#34;little bit better&#34; because after I lost this gem, I went to buy the same model, but it wasn't available.
I wanted a decent digital camera to keep in the car for a minimum cost and this one is the best buy I found. It is simple, takes good pictures, fits in a pocket and has some features that make it a pleasure to use. For Macintosh OS X users, if you download version 3 of the EasyShare software from Kodak's web site it is as good or better than Apple's iPhoto software and interfaces with the camera in unique ways. I am very happy with it, but highly recommend buying rechargeable batteries or buying Kodak's dock which comes with rechargeable batteries.
I bought this to go with my lomography fisheye and holga cameras, and it's pretty cool . . . except you have to remove the flash from the hotshoe to wind the camera since it's so low-profile. I was also hoping to use it with my DSLR, but the guy at the camera store told me I could totally fry the camera that way, since this was made for a film camera. That might have been completely untrue, but after spending around eight hundred dollars for a camera, I'm not eager to take any chances.I don't regret buying the flash, though. It works well with my film cameras, even if it does take a little more work between shots, and can be fired manually with a digital camera.
i bought this flash to take some fun photos w/ my nikon d70. it fires a lot of flash so most photos can tend to get blown out w/ color. i recently put it on my holga120n + instant back, and even though the color film is meant for the brightest of days (fp 100c), this flash can ad some clarity w/ indoor shots. highly recommended for how inexpensive it is...
The color does not distort the picture as much as I would like, but you can still see the color in the photo. The 15 seconds it takes to wind up the flash is not that big of a deal. I do think it is overpriced, though. It's just a bit of plastic. Maybe you're better off improvising to get different colors.
Don't forget you can use this thing on any DSLR or film SLR witha hotshoe or with a synch adapter. You can also put a standard camera on 'bulb' and fire the flash manually using a bunch of different colors. Just reduce the aperture say 4 stops and fire the flash five or six times in different locations and different colors. Since you can see your results on the screen it's a really powerful little addition to picture taking. Also don't forget you can just use a slave trigger to make the thing light up a backdrop or use it as a hair highlight on a flash stand along with more traditional studio flash units. Yeah - it's no different from a colored gel on a studio flash unit, but it is more portable and it's cheap enough to tape on a stick on location where studio lights are out of the question.
I bought this specifically for my Holga 135 but because of the low-profile of the flash, it doesn't fit on the Holga 135 - the winder on the camer is too tall. My other Holga has in integrated flash, and my Diana comes with a flash, therefore I am not able to use this at all. I wish I knew about this problem before I bought it. This is the second Holga-related mis-match I've bought. Kind of a drag.
Great flash for analog cameras. I'm still trying to figure out how to have the camera just right so there's enough light but not too much to wash out the entire image. It's a bit of a pain to always have to continue charging it for every photo too.
I bought this flash as a replacement for one that broke a year ago. The color gel changing mechanism is very delicate and can get jammed easily.Also it would be better if you had the option to change more that 2 of the filters to colors of your choice, you're pretty much stuck with yellow and blue as half of your color choices.That being said, this is a very fun flash to mess around with. Great for creating trippy multiple exposure effects.Goes great with any camera with an adjustable shutter speed, not just those with hotshoes.I reccomend this flash to any photographer, just be careful whith the color filter changing, and adjust the color wheel gently.
I'd seen someone on Flickr that had recently gotten one for their D200 and looking at the results raised my interest. The price is what cinched it for me and after using it a fair bit today, I was delighted. It looks a bit weird on my D200, but it works great, on camera or off.It's one of the most fun photographic tools I've ever laid my hands on, not to mention one of the most inexpensive. The cost:fun ratio is very much in its favor - get one, you won't be disappointed.
I just got this, and it's too much fun.  I don't own a Lomo, but I'm using it on my Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras.I do recommend that you remove the battery when stowing it in your bag - it's too easy to turn off and on.  Other than that it's a neat toy for the $25 I paid.
I've had this flash for over a year now. I use it all the time and it's a lot of fun. I mostly use it with my LCA. That said, it is kind of a piece of crap. It's broken a couple times and I've had to take it apart to straighten out all the little filters when they get crunched up inside. It is currently being held together with gaffers tape.If you just want to have some fun taking colorful film pictures out at a bar or a party or something - I would recommend the Colorsplash camera, although it will probably break, too. Just keep your receipt, most lomo products have a one year warranty. The Colorsplash camera is a lot of fun and a lot less complicated than the LCA/Colorsplash flash combo. Especially if you're drinking.
This flash is wonderful in concept. However, mine makes a terrible high-pitched squeaking noise when the power is turned on. The build seems cheap: lightweight plastic and crummy electronics. Half the time it fails to fire, which is a huge PITA when you're shooting film.
This is a terrific flash, It hooks onto any standard hotshoe flash. If you have a Lomo LCA this is a must.
There is a difference between basic functionality and cheaply made.  Lomography is all about the former but some manufacturers, including thos ewho make the Colorsplash seem to think it infers the latter.  However,if you want a cheap, poorly designed flash Colorsplash flash will fill the bill.The poor quality and design quickly become apparent - the internal colored lenses aren't fixed in place and detach easily. I was forced to take mine apart to repair it two days out of the box.  There is only one slot for adding one of the extra plastic color gel filters - the rest are internal. Add to that the charge time is similar to that found in throwaway cameras and the drain on the battery is significant - resulting in even slower charge times.One would be better off spending a bit more and purchasing a standard flash attachment especially if  you are going to be doing a lot of flash photography - many of these hot-shoe flashes come with hard plastic color lenses. The other option is to use color filters. There is a filter adapter and color filter set available for the Holga that is less expensive than the Colorsplash.The bottom line is if you want reliablity and durabilty, look elsewhere.
I'm a big fan of Lomography and have two of their cameras.  However, this item shipped broken to me--the color gels had shifted, and one of the slots to put/change the gels hadn't even been machined properly.  When I called the NYC Lomography store for instructions on how to fix it, the thing fell apart.  I have a replacement on its way (this was a gift), but this one really is for diehard hobbyists who don't mind spending money on something made like junk.  Now, I've played around with these before and when the flash WORKS, it's lots of fun.  However, changing the gels can be a pain and if/when the two "preset" gels slip, they are almost impossible to reposition without taking the whole thing apart (as I had been instructed to do) which results in lots of small, fragile parts spilling all over the place.
Simple product that does its job very well. It fit the tripod like it was made for it (it was). I'm happy with it.
It's precisely what I needed to complete a tripod that I found at a great deal because it didn't have a plate. Thanks!
I order this to replace the original - the rubber foot area on the new one is even better than the original.
Designed to work with legacy tripod and that it does.  Better made than the original.  I would recommend without issue.
Replaced a missing mounting plate for a tripod acquired at a thrift shop. Now have a great tripod for a bargain price!
I bought this product about two years ago for use with a Bogen tripod. It has performed flawlessly and I continue to use it weekly.
UPDATED 1/8/2012This item is very well constructed and fits perfectly in every way possible.  The issue is that since it's so long, it threw off my optics to the point that I could not focus.  This was only a problem when I used my telescope's traditional eyepiece port.  Using my telescope's rear camera port, and with some dis-assembly of the tube and T-ring, it did end up working out.  Not all telescopes have a rear port.Telescope was Meade ETX-80.
It is a well built unit and is of very good quality.  the reason for 4 stars is that it was too long for my 80mm refractor, but it worked fine on the 90mm mak.  on the refractor it was right at the edge of focus,  almost but no play after that.  Unfortunatly the 80mm is the one I bought it for.  I'm keeping it because it will be handy later.
Bushnell adapter for 1.25 Inch digiscoping:The adapter is sturdy and has provision to insert any 1.25" eyepiece before mounting in to the T-RING. This product is nice and has adjustment facility for holding the eyepice inserted as well as adjusting the length if not getting focusPros:-> U can insert any eyepiece in to it and then attach the adpter to the camera(tRING)-> U can unscrew the bottom part and use it directly with the telescope if you dont wanna attach any eyepieces-> The 1.25" hose is pretty fitting tight. Hence care has to be there while handlingCons:-> The screw in the tube makes it difficult when it comes to thread with the camera adapters. The screw will not allow you to thread this to full tight thereby allowing chances of making this to lose focus-> YOU HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE RUBBER SHEATH OF ANY 1.25" EYEPIECE BEFORE INSERTING IN TO THIS ADAPTER. Otherwise, the eyepieces wont fit in.Overall, this is a nice adapter with cheaper price when compared to the native brand ones which dont have the provision to add additional eyepieces. The adapter is bit heavy and should be carefully handled avoiding any overweights to the telescope.
Product works grate with my Rebel XTi cam. Good pricing but I waited for a week and half as I opted for the Free shipping. It perfectly fits my Telescope. This is durable and I recommend this to any one who required it.
Did not fit as advertised.  Looking at other options to use this or get correct fitting one.  It was supposed to match my SPECIFIC telescope made by the same company
There is a threaded portion in the end that goes where  the Barlow eyepiece goes that seems to be missing a component.
Works great, at first I couldn't reach focus with my dslr (tube was too long), but all I did was simply unscrew each end of the adapter, remove the extension tube, and then screw the two ends back together without the extension.  I am now able to reach focus.  FYI, you may need needle-nose pliers to get the camera side t-mount threads off of the tube, but they'll for sure come off.
With this adapter and a few other pieces of equipment we're able to get photos of heavenly bodies, and I mean the ones in the sky.
I have an adapter for my phone that was supposed to work with telescopes and binoculars. Sadly, the adapter is too large and did not let the phone mount properly. This fixes that problem. YMMV but, my iPhone can now be used with my universal telescope mount so I can take pictures of the night sky. Happy Happy!
Nice build, fits my Canon 18-55 and 55-250 EF-S lenses. Both lenses have a 58mm filter size.Size is just right, not too wide or long (about 3 inches long). Definitely helps in protecting your lenses instead of using glass filters and removes glares from the sun when used outdoors.
Another overpriced piece of Canon plastic, but fits my EF-S 55-250mm perfectly and offers a lot of protection and reduction in glare.  Can also be attached to the lens in reverse for storage.
Pleased with the quality of the lens hood & excited that I received it so quickly.
If you are looking for the correct lens hood for the EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SLR lens or the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II lens, then this is it. The construction is spot on and there should not be a worry that this won't attach to the specified lens. It can be attached to the lens in reverse for easy storage. Both aesthetic and functional, this hood does the job it was intended to do; protecting the lens from stray light and stray fingers.
This is a straightforward accessory for anyone needing to cut out glare when shooting outside. I haven't been able to use it yet in the winter, but looking forward to taking it with me to baseball games come spring. The hood easily mounts to my Canon telephoto lens.
Great lens hood. Perfect for long telephoto lenses. I've even tried it on my 18-55mm. Though it fits, Some of the hood is visible in some shots. Spend the money and get the hood designed for wide angle lenses. Otherwise a really great product. Typical Canon quality! I'm someone who takes my gear everywhere with me. And this hood is no exception. It's goes eveerywhere with me. Great product! I recieved product quickly in sealed package. In perfect condition. [...].
Nice and light. A pleasure to used on those sunny days in Florida.  I would recommend this hood to anyone.
So useful when shooting in those stadium lights at a game. Night shots aer hard enough but with this you will get better shots that aren`t washed out by stray lighting.
Much more than I had expected.  I think that the price is about twice as much as it should be,  but its okay for now.
Lens hood was exactly as advertised. Purchased and received within days. The lens hood fits perfectly and is a nice added feature to the lens.
The hood works nicely, especially when one wants to elimanate side light from hitting the lens.
Use it religiously with the Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens. Will not use a lens without a lens hood. This hood is not flower shaped, because the lens has a rotating front.
Bought this hood for use on my Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS lens.  I was using a hood made of cardboard from a pattern available from an online website of free lens hoods. But the Canon ET-60 hood is more durable with a more secure fit. Of course it wasn't free but the price seems to be lower than the smaller hood for the 18-55mm IS lens. It is a little difficult to get the lens cap off with the hood on though.
This works very well with my 55-250is.  It had better for the price!  It even works on my 18-55is kit lens at longer lengths.
It's a lens hood, what more can I say. It works fine for protecting from glare but at about 75mm focal length it does cause some vignetting on the corners of the frame. I hardly use it, I find my hand is just as effective at blocking the sun.
This was one of my first lens hoods that i bought, and it has been working fairly well. The material feels pretty decent. it has saved me a lot of photo shop work on getting rid of unwanted lens flare. So all in all i would would say if your looking for a decent lens hood this would be a good one to go for.
The ET60 fits the affordable Canon 300mm lens but if you're using it with, for example, a Rebel 300D or XT, it will also fit onto the standard 18-55mm lens -- however, when fully zoomed out, part of the hood is visible, creating somewhat of a circle in the frame. I happen to think it looks really cool, gives it a fisheye sort of feel. In regards to the 300 use, it seems to work pretty well and I use it at all times --  bright sun or late afternoon. As most people probably have said, lens hoods in general not only shade the lens from stray light or weird angles of the sun (which often, without a hood, makes the photo hazy or grey) but it also provides protection for the lens itself and filter. It's not much money if you're into photography, and it makes your lens look awesome. If you're a beginner and purchased a 300mm, you don't really need to get the hood. Keep it as something to look forward to once you've got some experience. Either way it's a nice piece to use.
A good hood for the 18-55 or the 55-250 lens (58mm threads). I had a much smaller one and it didn't always do a good job of keeping glare out. This one does the job without vignetting at all focal distances.
I was looking for a lens hood for my 55-250mm, and 3rd party ones are around 13 dollars too so I thought I might as well get the original Canon ones for an extra couple of bucks. Turns out to be a worthwhile investment. The plastic is solid and it fits my 55-250mm perfectly and easily. Not in use? No problem. Just reverse mount it for storage! It doesn't take up much or even any additional extra space when kept in reverse with my lens.
Although Amazon's information for this lens hood states for EF 75-300mm, I ordered this ET60 lens hood for my EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II per Canon's website. Fits perfectly. Bayonet mount. Reverse fit for storage. High impact plastic with some flex (as long as you don't step on it.) Made in Japan. Excellent fit and finish, even so, less one star for being $30 clams.
I decided to buy a lens hood for my 55-250mm telephoto lens for my Canon DSLR EOS Rebel because on sunny days, I would get darker blue tints in the corners of the picture.  This appears to have worked, but have not used it enough yet to know how well yet.  I would have liked to have had a shorter lens hood, but few, if any, other options are available.  The nice feature about this lens hood is that when you are not using it, you can screw it onto the lens backward to save space in your bag.  The lens goes on and off with some firmness, but better too tight than too loose I always say!
It fits and is fairly sturdy, which can't be said of many third-party lens hoods. It would be nice if the price was a bit lower.
Just got in mail today. Works great this is my 2nd one, for another lens.  Someone said was not a Cannon hood, mine is or I would have sent back
I picked this up for my EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS after having a few odd photos out on a sunny day in San Fran.  It works as expected and the price is right.
Don't leave home without one.  This one went on my Canon T2i with Canon EF 75-300 Lens, fits perfectly and looks great.
I bought this as a gift for a amateur photographer, and she loves it.  She uses it on her new SLR camera and gets beautiful photos!  The price was good and the delivery time was much quicker than if I had to go out and purchase it.
Quality plastic and fits easily and securely onto my Canon 55-250mm lens.  The hood does not interfere with the lens even at its widest view.  A circular hood is necessary, as the hood will rotate when focusing, preventing the use of a tulip hood.Worth the extra money over the cheaper names.
The item came on time and came as described. Very satisfied. Great little addition for my canon 40d. Great product at a great price.
This item does exactly what it is intended to do--protect the lens and shield the lens from extraneous light.  Fits the Canon 75-300 lens perfectly.  Worth the investment.
I hate that it's not included with the lens like my Sigma and Tamron lenshoods.  And I kept telling myself I didn't really want or need the hood and that lenshoods are DUMB ANYWAY.Then I gave in to my avarice and bit the bullet and bought it....and really like it.It looks good, fits good, reverses nicely, isn't so large that it makes it diffcult to carry in a lenscase or camera bag, isn't rigid so it even absorbs a little shock if you bump it on something.I'm still refusing to buy the lenshood for the kit lens, though, I mean come on, I have SOME dignity. :)
I'm using it on the 55-250mm EFS lens and it fits perfect and does it's job.  My only complaint would be that it is a little tricky to remove when you put it on backwards for storage.
I bought this when I bought myself my new zoom lens.  However I don't actually use it as much as I suspected I would.  The product itself is great, and there is nothing wrong with it, I just don't feel it improves my photographs by enough that it's worth the extra bulk.  Maybe I'm just not a good enough photographer...
This lens hood is fine.  Perhaps there are better but this one is priced okay and does what most normal people would like.  I reverse it for storage and it is always there ready for quick access.  When reversed it does not interfere with control of the Canon 250mm IS telephoto nor does it interfere with the removal or installation of the lens cap.  Don't remember using it on the short lens.  I find it not inconvenient to be sure and remove the lens cap before installing the hood for use.  It would be very close and probably impossible to do with my fingers when installed. I have never had it appear in any picture at any focal length but may not have used it with the standard lens of the Rebel XSi.
I paid extra for the Canon name...and it works and fits so well. Long enough to protect the lens and looks like a million.
Goes on easy and does what it's supposed to do.  Although Canon should include these with every lens....they are trying to make more $$$.
Fits perfectly out of the box.  Does what it is supposed to do with out hassle.  Hopefully it lasts the life of my lens.
This item is a genuine Canon part, and it works perfectly for the 75-300mm lens.  It is easy to get on and off, and also makes you look a little more pro when you have it on.  I don't have any negatives at all about the hood.  The only thing I would suggest:  When the lens hood is on the lens, it makes it difficult to get the original lens cap on and off.  I would recommend investing a few dollars in one of the lens caps where the pinch mechanism to remove the lens cap is in the center of the cap instead of on the outside of the cap.  This would make it easy to get the lens cap on and off.  With the original cap, I have found it easier to remove the lens cap before you put the lens hood on.  That shouldn't be a deal breaker, b/c this hood is very easy to remove and put back on.  Other than that, the product is exactly as described and works just like it is supposed to.
Even for a telephoto zoom, this lens hood is a pretty good size, sticking some 3" out past the lens.  However, it is very lightweight, durable and will protect your lens from the occasional bump that always seems to happen, especially with such a long lens on your camera.  It is rather a pain taking it on an off whenever you want to store your lens back in a case, so I suggest getting a longer lens case and just leaving it on.
Also fits 18mm to 55mm kit lens, but causes vignetting under 24mm. It works really well on the 55mm to 250mm, and also very well on the 18-55 as long as I stay over about 24mm.
What I received was not "Canon" product as pictured, it was just stamped ET-60. Product quality lacking, was a hassle to try to fit to lens, even then it was not a good fit. Check with seller to be sure your getting a hood that is stamped "Canon ET-60 Japan", the couple dollars extra is worth it! It was "Utley" useless!
Works as expected, helps to keep glare out, saw improvement in quality of photoseasy to take on and off for storage in camera backpack.
I bought this lens hood for my Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens after experimenting with a few cheaper ones. I am upset that I wasted as much money on the cheaper hoods when I could have just bought this and been happy.  As for the hood itself, it is a great hood, no issues with vignetting, a great fit and sturdy build.  No felt lining, but for me it works out great because there is a lot of dust her in Afghanistan where I'm deployed and the lack of felt makes it easy to clean the hood.  As for shipping, Amazon is amazing and got this to me in 8 days, which is exceptionally fast for a APO delivery.
This clears up all kinds of secondary and third level lighting problems I never get flare any more from lights or the sun. My contrast is greatly improved I notice a huge difference when it is off the camera . I notice the differences during the day or under bright lights like at a hokey rink or a basketball game. This is great you will love it for the money you cant beat what it can do for you .
I love my new lens hood. It fits the telephoto lens and my 18-55 mm lens just like the other reviews say. It's so easy to get on and off. I would recommend changing the lens to "manual focus" when screwing the lens hood on or off, but I'm just paranoid that I'm going to somehow mess up my autofocus function if I twist it too much.
I have had no problems with this lens hood!  it is attached to the 75-300 USM 58mm lens
Hood fits my 75-300mm canon lens. No issues. Locks on with a twist. Does not wobble or feel loose. reduces glare effect on my pictures.
I planned to buy a hood and was going with the cheaper one, but then I planned not to. This hood has an excellent finish, when attached to the lens (using with EF-S 55-250IS) the lens and the hood seem to be a single object, has the same black finish as the lens. the inside cup of the hood has a nice mat finish. Clips very nicely. Can also be applied reverse if not using it. I would recommend this clip type over the screw ones.I was surprised to see that this was made in Japan.
$23.00 for a molded piece of plastic is a rip off. But also attaches to lens just fine.
Product is as stated, a lens hood. Nothing too special. Fits lens well, Reverses and again fits lens well. Hasnt cracked anywhere since the 1.5 years of owning it.
This hood is light and strong.  It has not affected the capacity of the other wide angle lens I have and has helped to greatly improve the quality of the pictures I took since I began to use it. I love it! --Otto
Especially since I love my Canon Lens Hood for My 18-135 Lens. This was a Big Let Down for Me. Goning Search for a Better One!
I received the item extremely quick, which is great, however.. it isn't as the picture shows. The description reads "by Canon" & not "for Canon". The picture also shows a genuine Canon lens cap that reads "Made is Japan". This is a replica & not a real Canon product so hence the price. It only has ET-60 stamped on it & no where does it read Canon. Not a huge deal but I really think that the description & picture should be revised. For about $10.00 more, could have ordered it from Adorama Camera.
Highly Recommend,,I tried All the 3rd parties and this one Fits Perfect!! & you can store it Backwards for Storing. We'll Satisfied. This was for my 55-250mm,,
This is a solid piece of actual Canon equipment.  It serves its purpose well and is a good value for its cost.
This is my only Canon-branded hood. All the other hoods I have purchased are third-party hoods but I decided to buy this hood specifically because this hood was priced a lot better than the other Canon brand hoods I've looked at (but still much more expensive than third party hoods. I also wanted the Canon branded hood because I useCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasin bright sunny environments a lot.Overall, I am satisfied with the hood. It's easy to install and remove onto the lens and can installed backwards for storage purposes. The interior has a matte-like finish which helps block reflections that may occur inside the lens. Since the hood slides onto the outer ring of the lens you can still use filters and lens caps while the hood is on.The hood is of course wider than the lens but I haven't really had a problem storing it my camera bag.I also think that the hood looks great and gives a much more professional appearance to the budget 55-250 lens.Overall, it's great. Is it necessary to have a hood? Yes. It adds protection to the lens from bumps and dings and also helps improve contrast and reduce flares. Is the Canon hood necessary? Not having experiencing the third-party version of this brand, I wouldn't know but I have to agree with other reviewers that the Canon brand hood is a bit pricy for what is basically a bottomless plastic cup. You can't go wrong with this lens but price-wise you can probably do better.
After many attempts to locate lens from local retailers failed. I found and purchased from Amazon .com.Works very well on my Canon EF 55-250mm Zoom Lens.  Have gotten much better pictures using lens hood.Very satisfied with purchase and product.
The lens hood is used by my son, and I have heard no complaints, so I am pleased as well. Thank you!
I purchased this hood for my Canon Rebel XSi.  Does a great job!  Easy to store (put it on backwards) and provides just the right amount of light protection.If this hood fits your lens, get it.  You will enjoy it for sure.
I first bought a couple of third-party hoods for $2 a piece, hoping that it would work and I will save some money. But, neither of them would fit my Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 II lens. The third time, I bought this original Canon hood from Amazon, and it just fits right - both straight and reversed. Lesson - do not waste money on third-party hoods!
It's a lens hood. It does what it should. I like all Canon accessories for my rig so I didn't even consider any others. I hear the off brands don't have a perfect fit like the Canon lens hoods do. If you want all your brands the same go for it. If you're not into brand matching, maybe, consider a cheaper off-brand version.
I like lens hoods as they provide great protection for your lenses with a relatively small cost. The Canon ones are worth the extra money I think.
What can you say about a lens hood. It works, goes on easily and keeps the sun out! Of course, going on easily, is a big deal when it comes to these things.
This hood is not going to stop flare in certain conditions...but then again no lens hood will.Timtfarrisphotography.com
Works fine on the 55-250 IS - no vignetting or other issues affecting image or usage.  It is a longer hood as should be expected for a 250 or 300 lens.  The hood lacks the felt lining of some of the higher quality Canon hoods (contains only the matte black in the inner area).  Reverses for storage - obstructs only part of the zoom ring at the wider end and the lens is still usable.  The focus ring is obstructed but this is almost always the case with reversed hoods.Users state this hood also fits the 18-55 IS kit lens - this is half-true.  The lens hood will fit the 18-55 but vignette at wide angles.  Therefore, it is not a valid lens hood substitute for the 18-55 IS.  I own the proper 18-55 lens hood which is probably 1/4th the length of the 55-250 hood and does not vignette.The hood will also obstruct the zoom ring on the 18-55 kit lens when reversed.  This is not a major issue by itself but just notable.One last note:  75-300 users beware that this hood only works on the newer renditions of the lens (IS or USM).  *Older 75-300 lenses are not compatible.*
Made by canon, so it fit perfectly! No issues whatsoever. This is exactly what I wanted for my new camera.
I bought this because I was not entirely happy with my other hood. This works great for me so far. Another reviewer had said it works for the EF-S 55- 250 lens also, so I took the risk and bought this one.ProsIt fits really well on my lensReversible so I can just leave it on my lens when I pack my cameraConsMaybe it's just me but when it is reversed on my lens (for packing) and I have to put in on, I have to zoom out completely before it can twist itself off. Its a bit of an irritant.Overall a good buy.
Its as described Its a lens hood made by canon I have no problem with it. Its the real deal.
I received this pretty fast. Although some people reviewed that it was not an original Canon lens hood, I must say that the one I received is original. Fits perfectly in my 75-300mm lens, so I'm pretty much pleased.
Most pro photographers say that you should always use your lens hood, no matter what. An it does make a difference. Being a Canon brand lens hood, it fits my lens perfectly. It also fits backwards on the lens for convenient storage.This was the designated hood for my canon ef-s 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 lens, and it works perfectly. I would recommend this to a friend.
Paid $25 for it brand new.  Red marker is useful for aligning hood for quick installation.  Inside petals have a matte layer to prevent internal light reflections into the lens.  Cheaper aftermarket hoods may not have this additional matte layer.  You will not be able to use the stock lens cap with this hood installed so think about upgrading to an aftermarket center-pinched snap-on lens cap and most will come with a very useful tether string so you don't misplace the lens cap.  In addition, you will not be able to use the internal flash on the 450D/XSi with the hood attached to the 18-200mm lens because the upper petal will cast a shadow anything above 80mm zoom.  Maybe the 40D/50D does not have this issue?  An external 430EX or 580EX flash being mounted higher may eliminate this issue.
Great lens hood that easily flips around for storage right on the lens. My UV filter and lens cap work well with this cap. Appears well made and I would suggest this for anyone shooting outdoors or where spot lights are lighting events.
This hood does what it's supposed to. It's made out of a solid plastic and goes well with my Canon 60D. You can flip it around to store it. I can also set my camera with external flash down while the hood is attached without worrying that the hood will break under the weight.
Item NOT as PICTURED, made out of VERY HEAVY Plastic, with NO Reverse Thread, threads ok for use, but not for storeage on lens, inside of hood is NOT Flocked, but Very Reflective and Shiny, Will Produce Ghosting in Flash or Sunlite Photo's, Cheaply Made Generic Knock Off.I have bought a few of these Generic Lens Hoods, and this one is the "WORST YET"!
This was truly a life saver during our vacation to Normandy, France. From time to time there was a light drizzle as we toured Battlefields and Vacation sites. The Hood kept the moisture off the lens, ensuring some fantastic shots! Of course, the hood also served as a lens cover and it was easy to store in my carry on bag during our flight.An excellent product AND well worth the $$!
Great looking hood and protects the lens well.  I leave the hood on 100% since I don't cover my camera and place it in the bag togeter.  A bit pricy but hey, it does its job.
Not sure about how different is this one to the original canon piece but this one works as i expect it to work. Fits right.
Nice to have specially when you are outdors - it protects the lens when getting banged around hanging from your neck. Be careful with obstruction shadows when used with a flash.
There are two small compression clips that are supposed to engage the lens mounting protrusions.  However, the clips ride up out of their mooring during installation and must be pushed back down every time before attempting to mount on the lens.  Either a poor design or poor execution.  Works fine IF you remember to push the clips down first
The lens hood works well at preventing flares and protecting the lens, but with no instructions, it was a bit tricky learning to mount it on the lens correctly.  This is specially true when reversing it for storage on the lens.  While you can leave a UV or other filter in place when using the hood, it drastically reduces its effectiveness.  Since the filter is at the end of the lens (not recessed like the front element of the lens) light can still reach it and cause flares.  The lens cap can still be used with the hood in place, but it is tedious to remove and replace it unless you have very small fingers.  Overall, I like the product; glad I got a geniune Canon lens hood and not a knock-off.  The shortcomings are relatively minor and can be worked around.
I bought this for my husband.  He requested it specifically because he said that it does a great job of blocking the sun from the lens.  He misplaced the one he used to own at my home in another state.  We moved here, and never found it when we were packing.  He ordered another one of the very same kind because he like it so.
Ordered this one with standard shipping (free). All other items ordered came within a week, but I wanted this more than any of the others, but came in very late. It took more than three weeks, which I feel it is an in ordinate delay. But my rating is for the product and not for  the shipping. Compared to the original, it feels flimsy, feels cheap plastic, but looking at the functionality, nothing is close to it. It does everything that the original hood does, and price, nothing to match against. Fits nicely, no problem, covers the unwanted light, I was able to very easily make out. When not in use, I turn it around and fix it on the lens. Also if you want t o orde it from this retailer, please make sure to have enough time between you ordering and wanting to use.
This lens hood has a good fit and when properly locked in place affords good protection from glare and stray light sources. Good price. Would recommend hood and seller.
The cap came with no damage and it was well packages for a long travel. It fits as described and works very well.
This lens hood does what it's supposed to do. It was a little tricky @ first never having experience with one before, it kept falling off easily, but now I know how to put it on properly after many uses. =)
This is a Canon product that fits perfectly onto my 18-200 mm lens.  It screws onto the lens easily and snugly.
Yes exactly what I expected, not a knock-off like so many of the other models advertised on the internet and at a price way below what the Canon Store and Canon Retailers were asking.
Very loose on lens hood position but tight in storage position. Doesn't take much for it to twist and show up on your photographs. Looks like I'll be spending the big bucks for the Canon hood.
Not quite sure what to say about the lens hood...it does what it supposed to do however when you use it you can't use the lens cover which was very disappointing to me.  I assumed (shame on me) that I would be able to snap the lens cover on after shooting my photos but in order to do that I have to remove this lens hood so it now becomes a choice of what do I really want to use????
exactly as described, just what I wanted.works perfectly to help protect my camera lens. fits perfect. not much else to say.
Works perfectly for the 18-200mm lens.  However, you will not be able to put the lens cap on/off easily with the hood on UNLESS you also have a UV filter, which extends the lens out a little bit.
This works.  Still think that Canon should include lens hoods for non-L lenses though like some other manufacturers since they're good for keeping off stray light and protecting the lens.
This is a great product. I was going to buy a generic hood lens but I'm afraid that it won't last long or break for any reason. The price is a little high for a hood lens. I'm surprised the  lens i bought did not include a hood but oh well.I'm happy with the product and service. Thank You.
Excellent lens hood, VERY solid construction.  Don't be fooled by lower priced imitators - pay cheap, get cheap.  Pay for quality and you'll get quality.  No problems encountered so far!
The Canon lens hood for my EF28-200mm SLR lens is just what I was looking for.  I had been looking at one for over a year, but did not want to pay the full retail price.  When I saw it at the discounted price on Amazon (through Adorama), I jumped at the purchase.  The lens hood is well constructed.  The product was shipped quickly and was received in perfect condition.
Every lens should have a hood not only to prevent glare and lens flare but also for protection from drops and getting banged around.  It's a small price to pay for such expensive camera lenses. I highly recommend it.
Using this to cut out glare with my Canon 18-200mm lens. Works well for me but the only drawback is I cannot fit a 77mm CPL on it with a converter as this is a 72mm lens unless I take the filter out everytime I put the hood on (and to take it off). So I've to buy a 72mm CPL instead while most of my other lens (some L lens too) uses 77mm.
Great quality and you should have one for all your glass.  Helps with flare but mainly protects the lens.  Combine it with a good quality UV filter for the best protection.Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasis not the sharpest but is a good travel lens.
This lense hood works exactly as needed to permit rapid removal and installation w/ or w/o filters. I am using it with a polarizing filter and it works well.
I like it. It perfectly fits in my camera, I get the sufficient light I need and it adds professional looks to my camera.
Well yes it is cheap plastic, but that's what you are paying. Isn't it. It fits nicely on my Canon 18-200mm lens. Yes it does feel that the plastic is cheap, but that's what you have paid. In case you are looking for a nice built quality product then I am afraid you would be disappointed. But then you would have to pay little more extra to get that.
Again, I got this for my Canon lens!! It's great hood, but just over price for it.
I lost the cap to my Canon 50mm f1.8 and even though it is a cheap lens, I wanted it replaces to keep it clean. Fits just as the one that came with the lens originally does, as expected.
Fits my 18-55mm Canon lens with UV filter perfectly. Original Canon product. Arrived in perfect condition. Never disappointed with Canon.
Fits my Canon 50 mm and 35 mm lenses perfectly. Very happy with this inexpensive purchase. Would recommend to anyone.
I bought this lens cap for my Canon A-1 and it was a perfect fit.It also looks just like the original.
Expensive for what it is. But what am I going to do? I can't go without it...
I had lost one of my lens caps and needed a replacement.  This was a perfect and exact replacement which fit perfect.
Rule of thumb is you can never go wrong with OEM items (if you like the manufacturer in the first place). I lost my original cap one night when I was in a river side. Instead of buying some cheap no name cap, I bought this one, and man, I love it. I feel that its better than original lens cap that came with lens. Its thicker, has better grip then original one. If we are spending $400 for the lens then why hesitate to spend $11 for original cap.
This is a nice Canon lens cover. Fit my Canon Lens perfectly. Highly recommend! Must have for your canon camer and lens.
Fits nicely on my lens. It's nice to have extra lens cap especially when it's like the original. These can get a little pricey for a piece of plastic but when you have a brand name on it like Canon, that's expected.
I lost my lens cap and paid the stupid tax of replacing it. This fits perfectly.
The lens cap is a standard Canon item and so does the task it is supposed to very well. What was outstanding is that such a small item was sent in a very large envelope so that it was most unlikely to become lost in the post.
Lost a lens cap, needed a lens cap.  This is the lens cap that I needed. There may have been a less expensive no-name cap, but I wanted the real thing.
Got it to replace the original for my Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. Lost it at a photo shoot.Anyone with one of these lenses will be the first to admit that this lens is ALL glass on the front.Same quality as the original. Original Canon equipment.
I'm a little obsessive compulsive, so using a Canon, I need the lens cap to be canon as well. Outside of that, this is just a regular lens cap that does what a lens cap is supposed to do.
You know if you need this cap - you have a 35-135mm Canon lens and you lost your lens cap.  It's an exact replacement, functions same as the original, not expensive.  Do it.
Originally ordered a 77mm cap and received a 72mm in a different order. This new purchase corrected my faulty order from the last time. Very happy with this BRAND NEW item.
I lost my lens cover while on vacation, so I turned to Amazon for a quick fix.  I received the item sooner that was promised, and it is exactly what I ordered!
It's like 10% price of the OEM new cap. It fits my lens well but as a used one, it's too loose that sometimes it falls out. As a protection, it's enough.
I recently purchased some other lenses for my Canon, and it didn't come with a cap, so this fited perfectly. I only took a star out because of the shipping cost. I ended up paying just as much for the shipping as I paid for the caps. If you can get them through Amazon super saver shipping it would be better.
When you lose the one that came with one of you lenses it's your only choice.
This is a true Canon OEM product.  No complaints or issues.  I would not use anything else with my EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM.  I bought it as a spare...
It's Canon. It fits. It covers. It protects.What more do you want for a review?OK here's +4 words!
Received order exactly as desired.  No problems or difficulty.  Lens fits perfectly.  What more could I have desired?  Nothing.  Thanks!
It's good, works nice, does the job, looks good.  Of course, as soon as I got it I found the one I thought I lost, so this is my spare.  $7 for this seems excessive, but at least it does the job.
This is the lens cap that came with my Canon Powershot ProSeries S5 IS.  The only thing it has been good at is falling off.  I like to carry my camera around my neck.  Even there, the lens cap slides off way too often. Although it is convenient to just turn the camera on without having to remember to take the cap off, the lens becoming scratched and ruined is not convenient at all.  If at all possible, avoid this lens cap.
It fit on my lens perfect. I ordered 2 so I had a spare so if I lose one again I'll be all set.
An original lens cap was lost long ago while on a photoshoot, and I fear is still out in the wilderness alone and cold. Maybe it is buried under some mud in a puddle while others just ignore its existence it is forced to brave the elements and fight for survival.Thankfully, Amazon had a replacement in stock! It's just like the original, except this one is loved, cared for, and given a warm camera bag to sleep in.
Well, I lost my lens cap down a sewer, so I just purchased a cheap generic 72mm cap. That was a mistake, the generic cap is difficult to put on and off,  especially with the hood on the lens.My new rule, buy genuine replacement caps :-)
Originally, I purchased a cheap cap replacement from a vendor. ($5 bucks including shipping)When I got it, and tested it for 5 minutes, I had to return it. The cap was really hard to get on and off the camera quickly, the edges inside (touching the lens) were rough, and it just felt so cheap, and that it could possibly scratch the plastic part of my lens.So I spent $6 more ($11) for a canon cap.The difference is night and day.The fit and finish is much better (just like your original one), much easier to put on and off, etc.I give it 4 stars, because it costs $11 for a piece of plastic....On the other hand, it's just $5 - $6 more than the no brand cheap pieces, and it is much much better than those.
This lense cap was just as it was advertised and the shipping was very quick.  A smooth transaction.
I have been lucky not to have had to replace the original lens cap before this as I'm bad about leaving them lying about.  This one I lost on a hike when I broke my arm in a fall.  (my camera was ok)The replacement arrived quickly and fit perfectly.  I can put it on and take it off with the lens hood in place.  I may order an extra for each of my lenses,  just to be safe.
I didn't have a lens cap for my EF 28-135 IS USM lens and that bothers me even though I have a UV Haze filter on it.  So I ordered this one.  Being a genuine Canon product it fits perfectly.
Everything was exactly as expected and described.  Fits perfectly as expected.  Never buy generics, so not worth the gamble on fit and quality.
This is a smart buy to protect your lens. I lost my old one and for less than $10 this is a no brainer to protect a $1,500 lens...
I bought this lens cap to replace a lost original cap.  It fits like and looks exactly like the cap that originally came with the lens, which is exactly what I wanted.
Don't buy one of these - buy 10. I lose mine constantly - they'll be discovered someday with all of our missing socks, being used for tiddlywinks by Bruce Lee, Elvis, Hoffa & Morrison.
Great, solid, stays on easily. Definitely worth the higher price than the less expensive ones - those don't stay on and will annoy you!
Just wish it had center squeeze buttons.  Hard to reach those outside buttons when the hood is on.  But I like the OEM metal cap with the CANON name on it.
A lens cap is a lens cap.  Got here in the right time frame, fits my lens.  The most critical thing a person needs to have is a good UV filter. You can scratch the filter and replace it fairly inexpensively but scratch a lens and its toast.
It's a lens cap. A real canon lens cap. It covers your lens like it's suppose to. Not sure why this needs any type of review.
I mainly use this when taking landscape shots where I want to either make the clouds pop or liven the sky up some (remember it works best 90 degrees from the sun.)  I also put it on when shooting highly reflective vegetation or waterscapes that would otherwise cause blown-out highlights.  One other little secrete is to use this when shooting waterfalls since it will allow you to shoot at slower shutter speeds thus increasing the wispy waterfall look.
What is Canon thinking?  Buy an nice-expensive Circular Polarizer, mount it on my lens and then find the lens cap won't fit (no threads in the front of the filter).  I will return this item and search for another.
Good quality and easy to use. A must have for those 'certain' lighting conditions. Especially useful when shooting cars or through glass. I do not keep this filter on my lens full time as I opt for clear UV filters for daily use but great to have when you need it.
Polarizing filters are used to eliminate glare on non-metallic surfaces like glass or water. They can also be used to increase the contrast and color saturation of your image. I use my polarizer not only to eliminate glare, but also to make skies a nice shade of blue or to get some "pop" out of clouds.There are so many options to consider when purchasing the Polarizing filter for your needs. For instance, linear vs. circular, film or digital versions, or quality vs. price.If you are making use of a TTL or auto-focusing system, Circular Polarizers are designed to work with those features. Linear Polarizers has their uses, but they are manufactured differently and may not work. Unless you are certain, just get a Circular Polarizing filter.There are some digital circular polarizers on the market. I am not sure what makes a cir-pl lens better for digital as opposed to film. I use a Canon 20D Digital SLR and see no problems caused by using a supposed non-digital filter on a digital camera.Most of the time, when it comes to filters; you get what you pay for. Does that mean you need an expensive polarizer? Of course not, just be sure to get the right filter for your needs.  What ever polarizing filter you get, make sure it is color neutral to prevent unwanted tinting.  Spending more on a color balanced filter will save time in post.  If you need multiple filter sizes, consider saving money by using step down rings.Currently I use the Hoya Pro1 filters, as the Canon polarizing filters I previously owned were without question bulkier and heavier. The weight might not seem like much, but when you stick all your items in a backpack all the extra bits of weight add up quickly.  I can spend a good amount of time with my equipment on my back so this is a big concern for me.  When it came down to the images, at times I would see a browning tint on my photos. The tint is easy to clean up in Photoshop CS2, but I don't see that problem with the Hoya Pro1 filter.Overall, I would recommend against the Canon polarizing filters.  I originally thought, "it is Canon, it must be quality."  Since then I have replaced all my Canon filters.  This filter works, but comes at a cost of disadvantages to other similarly priced filters.  Consider spending the extra money for theHoya 72mm Super-HMC Circular Polarizer Multi Coated Pro 1 Extra Thin Glass Filterinstead.PROS:Can be used for film or digital camerasEliminates internal reflections and ghostingCONS:Bulky and heavyNot neutral color balanced
Great glass BUT it cannot accommodate a lens cap - so keep a hood on (hard if you have large fingers and are using the Canon) or run the risk of scratching it.
I am not sure what makes this so expensive but I guess there has to be a reason. I bought this for my Canon SLR and it has been a life saver when taking pictures at the beach in bright sun. It works great and the pictures come out cool and crisp.
This is only the second one I've bought in more than 35 years simply because the first one lasted so long (although remember the element must be replaced annually).
I took off two points because of the high price - $100 for a 1&#34; brush seems excessive.  Also, it's kind of hard to quantify the effectiveness of the polonium element, which is supposed to create a static charge when brushed across the surface to be cleaned.  That charge the dust particles stick to the brush.  For me, an old (expired) brush seems to work almost as well.If you have lenses and developed film to clean, a brush is mandatory.  Blowing off the dust with a spray can or a rubber syringe doesn't get the particles that have stuck to the glass or the film by static electricity.  Some of this &#34;bonded&#34; dust can be disloged mechanically by spraying with a &#34;dust spray&#34; can, or by using a rubber &#34;bulb&#34; device to create a jet of air against the dusty surface.  In principle, the StaticMaster brush neutrailizes the static electricity &#34;bonds&#34; and creates a temporary bond to the brush bristles.  The brush can be made dust-free again by brushing it against a clean surface, like a thoroughly cleaned desktop surface.  This charges that surface and moves the dust from the brush to the surface.
I used a new Static-Master brush for cleaning slides prior to scanning. I tried several different techniques for cleaning my slides, including using a plain soft brush (no polonium). Honestly, I could not tell a difference in the effectiveness of the various cleaning strategies I used. Definitely not worth the extra cost for StaticMaster.Like any brush, this one cleans off loose dust and lint, but does not remove years-old specks that are stuck to the film. The specks are a far greater problem on many of your old slides.Definitely not worth the extra cost for StaticMaster.
After careful observation, this product is amazing at removing dust, particularly loose dust, from the surface of a slide.  If you are scanning slides yourself, you need this product.  I pass the StaticMaster over both sides of each slide I scan.  This product does not remove fingerprints, scratches, or spots caused by something other than dust.
I use this but would like a protective cap for it. That's why only 4 stars.
I have used the Static-Master 1" brush for over twenty years, and been very satisfied with its performance.  Until I purchased one for myself, they had all been supplied at work.  When I received mine 'new' I was surprised to find that October 2010 was the 'shelf life' or 'use by' date.  The radioactive component of the brush decays as it emits the alpha particles that make it so effective in eliminating static electricity from negatives.  Unfortunately, there was no information online to indicate what the 'use by' date on the item was.  I look carefully afterward and could not find anything.  With the cost of the product, I was chagrined to find that my $ 60+ purchase was going to "expire" in less than 9 months.It would be more honest of the seller to indicate during the purchasing process what the shelf life of the product is.  I would hope that for the price, you could get at least a year or two of use.
Great product - used them for years. My local supplier doesn't have them any more so I thought I order through Amazon from Adorama Camera. But... $26 - fine. $7 shipping? I don't think so!
I first learned about Static Master in photography school and have been using them for 16 years now. I think it is a superior product for lens cleaning. Works like a dream. I like the fact that the cartridge is replaceable (they recommend yearly) and you can just mail the old cartridge back to the company for recycling. Highly recommend!
I had been using this product on and off for many years. The most recent I own is a 1". Worked OK. HOWEVER, when I went to replace the polonium strip, as I had done a number of times in the past, I was shocked at the new price for the strip.I have NOT ordered a new strip.Needless to say, it now resides in the bottom of my gear bad as just another ordinary brush.
I've used these since the early 1970s. They clean dust an dlint off slides and negatives better than anything I know.  The price is a shocker.  They used to cost almost the same as other brushes.  I'm scanning a lot of old slides and negatives and just couldn't get the dust off like I could with a Staticmaster, so I bit the bullet and bought another.
This is to replace a former identical item which I lost.  It works very well to remove dust from camera lenses and slides. The radioactive insert must be replaced occasionally.  Previously the company sent me a reminder card at the appropriate time, and I could send for the replacement part. Now they suggest that I go to a camera store to get the replacement insert. I prefer the previous plan.
For digitizing negatives this works great. I've used a couple over the years. Kind of pricey, but unique item, I think.
This works as it should, it is small enough to tuck into pockets, and can be used on any electronic device's glass screen.  Yes, it was designed for a camera lens, but it is useful for other items!  This one stays in my purse, and when I pull it out on the airplane to dust my iPad or iPhone screen, my seat partners often ask what I am using!
Takes dust off slides well.  I like the product well.  If I ever need another I will purchase another brush.
Used this to clean negatives both before making prints in the darkroom, and before making slides in the digital lab. Did an excellent job cleaning off most big dust, and kept it static free for quite some time.
Like the other gentleman said, this is an inaccuracy, it is only ONE brush, and not a set of brushes. I was disappointed.
A good product, works effectively to dispel dust on negatives-- difficult to find traditional darkroom items.  I will use it often.
Found it to be effective is cleaning dust and other matter from the slides that have been put away for many years.  I do recommend this item for anyone who may be considering scanning photos, negatives and slides.
This gizmo works great!  My B&W filter (great as it is) seems like a magnet for dust.  I tried lens cleaning solution, a blower and a lens cleaning microfiber cloth - to no avail.  When I brushed my lens with this - presto!  All the dust is gone.  If you have huge fingers this might not be the brush for you.  I have large fingers, but this brush is fine in my hand, and it's good that it's small so it doesn't take up too much room in my already overcrowded camera bag.
First off,I ordered this based on the photo posted with this. Notice how it shows 2 brushes and the top one seems to be wide. I ordered it to scan medium format negatives and transparencies.The brush I received was no bigger than a cosmetics sample brush(smaller than a tube of lipstick) and does not do the job on big negatives. By the time you brush off one side,the dust has flown back to the other side.A total waste of time and money for this particular item.
I bought this to clean dust from old negatives and slides. It really works well. Highly recommended. If you have dusty films and want to clean them easily buy one of these little brushes. I use it all the time prior to scanning old negatives and slides. Cheers!
Surprisingly, the brush seems to remove dust as claimed.It arrived super promptly, which made more valuable as I was considering fancy, expensive products to remove electrostatic particles. Plus, it showed me that my liquid film cleaner actuall adds dust to my slides and negatives. And, I did use lintless wipes.
I bought a frame for a set of calendar pages that need to be changed every month.  Despite some of the other reviewers saying that theirs arrived scratched, etc., mine are perfect.  The frames make it very easy to change the picture.  I really like them.
this is perfect for the 11x14 poster i dearly needed framed, it was cheap and fits the bill perfectly. i have no complaints whatsoever but can easily see this being received by others with small cracks in it since it's plastic. you get what you pay for, just return it and hope the next one you get isn't as bad, right?
I purchased several of these frames for my wife's artistic endeavors.  They are very nice frames.  There is no distortion in the plastic and they are crystal clear and blemish free; the watercolors we currently have mounted are displayed at their best.  The cardboard underpinings seemed a little chintzy, but worked well to support the paper.While not part of the product review, Adorama Camera is a top-notch retailer; they packaged the frames well and shipped them very quickly.
I bought this frame to put in a photo of my favourite male celebrity. This frame is great for storing some stuff there too as long as they're lightweight as a feather. I found this box frame a great place to hide something, a confidential letter, so this frame came in real handy.Only issue: the back is a piece of cheap cardboard that can wear away if you take photos out and put it in too many times to a point where one would eventually have to throw it away and get another one, which is costly, but this frame is not available in any stores in my home town and find myself having to buy my stuff on-line, my frivolous stuff, that is. I would much rather buy my stuff from local stores to support the local economy and found buying from stores is cheaper because one has to pay for shipping on top of the cost of the item when one buys stuff on-line, which can cost two or three times as much as when buying stuff from stores.  Example: the Maybelline expert eyes brow and liner pencils, which I've used for years, are no longer in stores and buying them on-line is the only way I can get them. The price of them in a store was $4.93 at Walmart plus tax, which was less than $6, but after buying them on-line I found them to cost as much as $25 or $30 including the shipping and tax.Only thing to get from stores these days is food, drink, over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
The frames I ordered came on time, well packed and protected for shipment.  I am very satisfied with this product.
Looking for this frame and of course the first place I look is of course Amazon.found the frame for 10.00 with prime shipping which I am a member. Clicked on it and the price changed. was not longer a prime and wanted 9.50 for shipping and of course no gareentee that you will get it in time unless you wanted to pay another 20.00.After reading the reviews I realize everything happens for a reason so If it had free shipping I probably would have ordered it and gotten a damaged frame.. buyers beware
Does the job but definitely a cheap frame. You get what you pay for. I will continue to look for a replacement frame for my picture.
Its a nice frame, I just did not like the back which is made of cardboard, it needs something a little more sturdy.
I have some vintage and antique spice tins that I like to display, but I was constantly cleaning and dusting them.  I put a few of them in these frames and they look fabulous.  Some of the tins are too deep for the frame, but I just used some decorative tape to seal the frame up and it worked great.
Used these frames to hold my wood mounted stamps, work great, stack easily without damaging the stamps and fit nicely in my storage units.  Would recommend to others  who have wood mounted stamps that need to be stored.
They are cheap and scratch very easily, so put your pictures in them as soon as you unwrap the frame, then get it to your display area immediately.  Also, I had to crop about 2mm off each picture because the frame is just a wee bit less than 8x10.
I have clippings, cartoons, postcards, etc. that I like to switch around and display.  These frames are easy-to-use and inexpensive; the New Yorker covers fit nicely.
Broke after 2 weeks. Need I say more? Flimsy quality and took a long time to get it shipped.Oh well...
Inexpensive, does the job well. Promptly delivered. But delivery charges are more than the cost of the frames!
As an amateur photographer and stravel writer, I also print out selected  5x7" and 8x10" photos taken on my travels on my HP Photosmart printer, and mount them on walls around the house.  I've found these clear plastic 8x10" box frames are the perfect, easy -- and inexpensive solution to being able to rapidly and inexpensively mount and display a rotating selection of photos, without spending a great deal of money for good frames and matting, or having them in cheap looking variety store frames. Like most frames, these can easily be hung either horizontally or vertically, and I can put two or three additional photos behind the one on display.  Every few months I rotate the photos on display by simply pulling off the cardboard back, taking the one on display out, moving it to the back of the stack, and displaying the next photo in line. It's quick and simple. The only problem I have encountered with these is that they can be easily scratched, and until I realized this, I had badly scratched several of them. They also show fingerprints, but those can be easily removed. I've replaced the scratched frames, and am now much more careful with the plastic frames, for example,not stacking them on top of each other.
They look cheap but they are... so I guess you pay for what you get!  They're good for kids though.
I've taped alot of these together to make wonderful wall hangings that only require one or two nails.  Made a valance over a large window, too.  Love them.
This frame is made of plastic and its not the best quality in the world, but for the price I think its perfect!  We bought a bunch and we were careful not to scratch them as one reviewer suggested.  They look great on the wall, they give our pictures an extra pop without distracting from them.
i love these frames/\\.  i have several sizes.  they are the easiest frames to fill and hang and i think the pictures pick up more light on the wall without the shadow that is cast by a frame edge around your picture.
I ordered three of the 8x10 frames and I was very disappointed that they sent me damaged frames. The first one I opened was fine, the 8x10 of my brother's cap and gown portrait fit perfectly in the frame. The second frame I picked up was cracked in the corner really badly. So I right away went through the process of returning it back. Then, after I packaged the second frame to send back, I checked the first frame again and there were scratches I didn't notice from before. So I checked the third and there was scratches on those too. I really like the frames, but I'm extremely upset for them to send something damaged. If it was not damaged from before, they sure didn't packaged them right. It's a plastic/acrylic material, so they should have packaged it better to prevent damage. I would not recommend buying from them, unless you want damaged frames too. Doesn't matter if the frames might look great; this seller doesn't seem to care if your product arrives okay.
This is a cheap plastic frame. It was purchased for an 8x10 landscape photo. It works great because it does not cut the picture off around the edges, but it does not stand by itself. It does come with a &#34;kick stand&#34; for a portrait photo but not for a landscape photo.Also when I removed it from the packaging, plastic pieces fell out. It is still intact for the most part and for the price I paid is not worth the hassle of returning. It will work for now.
Great picture frames.  I used to use these frames all the time until I couldn't find them anymore.  Then Amazon had them and I was so relieved and delighted with the quality and ease of ordering & receiving them so promptly.  Thank you.
I thought the Box frame was 'perfect' as received.But when I mounted an actual picture... the 'mar mark' (2&#34;) shows up. :-(Material is fragile!Next time... --I'll go with glass as in: Umbra Document Frame,--which cost much less and, as GLASS, is a Quality product.
Perfect match to all the other frames I have on my wall.  Seems to be very well made and should last a while.
I had been making more enlargments of my photos since 1986. But I could not find an economical way to display them-and I live on a modest budget. I had tried mat boards, cheap wood frames from the discount store. But then my mom who worked for a doctor in the suburbs brought home this discared plastic box frame of his. Apparently they like photography, too. Of course, it was in junked condition. But I figured that if it was good enough the suburbs, it was good enough for me! (Just like Jack Van Impe and the FRANKLIN ELECTRONIC BIBLE!). I had wanted to frame a nice picture that I had enoarged to 16X20. And I called an ecomony frame store in the suburbs. And they wanted at least $70.00 to put my picture in a frame. So, I bought one of these types of frame. I have 11X14 and 8X10 enlaregments of my photographs in these plastic box frames hanging all over the walls of my living room and my study room! This sure worked well for me!
The clips were extremely difficult to place back and the glass ended up breaking into pieces as I was trying to replace them! I'm lucky I didn't get a cut ;-(
The glass in this frame is way to brittle and break's the moment you try to put your picture into it.  I ended up just painting the matting black and tacking my picture into the frame.
I have used over a dozen of the MCS 11 X 14 frames with a white mat with an opening cut for 8 1/2 X 11 for my self printed digital photos. Look very distinguished hanging on the wall of my office or the hallway at home. Would be five stars but the frame is not quite deep enough for a mat backing-the glass keeps popping out!!Good price and excellent look make these a bargain-particularly for an amateur photographer like me with lots of images to frame!
Judging by the original picture thumbnail when I searched for the frame I thought I was getting one of the MCS frames where you press the glass into the narrow black frame. This is actually just the glass and backing with four metal clips to hold it together. I'm not a huge fan of it, as I like the aforementioned type of frames much better. It looks minimalistic and it's nice enough, but it doesn't flow with the rest of my frames and I'm afraid of the clips popping off or the glass breaking. It's not bad enough to return it but I wish they would change the thumbnail picture to show the true item.
This is a great quality frame, and it is doing exactly what it is was supposed to do, frame my authentic Robert Downey Jr autograph.
I chose a 5 rating because the frame met my needs.  There is nothing about this frame that I dislike.
I bought these locally at my craft store in a variety of sizes to put up a bunch of family photos on my son's wall. The horizontal 11x17 is the worst one--the metal prongs pop off with barely the slightest touch. I can barely even get it to hang on the wall because the pressure of touching the frame (prongs) against the nails make them pop off (for some reason, hanging it vertically works a bit better--maybe because there's only one prong to hang from?). But anyway, after some finagling, we finally got it to stay up (some prongs appear to hold better than others, so we rearranged them until it worked). But then tonight my toddler barely escaped injury as he touched one frame which then bumped the 11x17 and both came popping off the wall and crashing down around him. Sorry, that's not going back up on his wall. The 4x6s seem to be quite a lot sturdier and the 8x10s are still somewhat okay, but the 11x17 is completely useless. I'm only giving it two stars because hanging it vertically seems to be somewhat better than useless.
The clips that do stay put don't for very long. I found these frames were too cheaply made to work for anything that needs to be framed and hung.
The clips don't attach well. both frames I purchased came apart and broke within a short time after I bought them. I have some older similar frames that are much better quality.
The frame came in perfect shape, and it looks great on the wall.  It's just what I expected.  Glad I found it.
I ordered 3 frames in order to hang 3 photos that are one large landscape, so it was important not to have a frame interrupting the flow.  These frames were just what we needed.  They are easy to use, although not as easy to hang as a regular wall frame (in my opinion.)  The photos look great and we are pleased.
This isn't anything fancy and probably wouldn't be great if you were to use it for anything else but with poster art, but for my needs, this is perfect.  I like that it is real glass and doesn't take away from the art.  I love it.
It is a great size for me to display my photos.
I've used these Itoya Profolios for years, for many different purposes, and they're the best portfolio I've ever seen. They're designed so that your artwork (or whatever you're displaying) is the center of attention, with no frills or tacky nonsense. They **feel great**, with smooth pages that turn very nicely.I've used them for photos, artwork, and when I was a chef and used to print out recipes and need them in a protective covering for use in the kitchen. They took a real thrashing and help up extraordinarily well.Now I want them for my kids' paintings, since they love keeping and looking at their own work.
This portfolio is perfect for my daughter's art pencil drawings.  Durable so it should last for a good long time.
Bought this item in order to store my daughter's certificates and artwork from school. Everything looks so beautiful and organized. I love it!  Wish you could add sleeves, but it works!
This Portfolio is very user friendly.  I ordered one for my 8.5X11 photographs and then ordered one for handouts from my art class, then re-ordered one for photo's of my completed art.  I will probably be ordering another one soon.  I am very happy with this purchase.
I was instructed to get and use these photography portfolios, and all I have to say is that I am really glad that I have made this decision.I will always recommend this product to any photography enthusiasts...I was very glad to deal with this seller.Thanks.
I know that this portfolio is more like for pictures or arts, but I needed one for my work/school portfolio and this was the best one I could find. I actually like it because it you need to add more documents or picture there is a black sheet between. You can take one or switch all three out. The black sheet acts like a seperator making it more easier to get the document/ire out. Overall it is a very fine product at a good price.
This art portfolio is very well made and I love them because protects my art work and is so nice to presented for viewing without anyone putting fingers on. Also for photos or even important papers. Protects all of them . They come in different sizes and delivery was very fast. I will be ordering more and recommend to use them and protect your art or photos,etc.
I needed a portfolio for my new designs & these worked great!I like that these are designed like a notebook.  My older portfolios have zippers & are bulky.  These are not bulky, which is great because it easily fits in my bag.I had some designs kept in a binder where I used acetate page protectors, but these portfolios are even better because the acetate has a closed bottom & you don't have to worry about the work sliding out of the page. (as happened to me, then I'd have to tape it...don't have to do that anymore) :)The price was pretty good too.These are helping me to organize hard copy prints of my designs.Great product, Thanks!
Bought this to store all of my pictures from photography class.  Easy to slide pictures in, made of good quality and has a professional look to it.  Will buy more in the other sizes.
This is a great portfolio holder. It looks professional, the quality is great, and the colors are as described. I highly recommend this portfolio.
It's not bad but not great a little flimsy but it was cheap so I am not upset -It has lots of pages
I use this to keep track of items I have designed and also use these for keeping important papers. Good quality for the price.
This is exactly the type of portfolio I was looking for to store photos of my son. Nothing too fancy, but still good at a great price. I liked this so much that I ordered another along with the 11x14 size.
I keep buying more of these portfolios.  Just the thing to display photographic prints, and so inexpensive that you can have separate portfolios for every subject.
for less than $10 you have a wonderful portfolio to make anybody's pictures look professional. There is ONE pocket inside, behind the front cover, and each sleeve have a sheet inside already which makes slipping in the pics hassle-free. great buy for price and value!
I have a friend graduating with her Bachelor's Degree and this is perfect for her portfolio. I made one when I graduated and it is classy and stylish. I felt like a million bucks walking into my interview with all of my papers handily organized in this attractive portfolio.
I wanted/needed this since I was printing out photos from my college.  It's perfect for my minimal use to store and to show off my favorite printed photos.
I can't say that I am an expert on art portfolios but for the price I don't see how you could beat this item. Very good quality.
I love the profolio excellent for art and photo collection and display!I have been using these for 20 years they are the best.
I have a big collection of Profolios in various sizes. I have no issues with them, and use them both for presentation and storage of various drawings, prints, and pastels. They travel well, and I use one as a portfolio of my work to show to my students and prospective clients.
I purchased the Itoya ART Profolio 8 1/2 x 11 to use as a sample book for my handmade paper (Poppy Hill Handmade Papers).  It's absolutely perfect for that use and they look very professional.There are plenty of pages to display your work, and it is very easy to slide your work in and arrange it in each side of the sleeves.  The black paper inserts provide enough friction that the pages don't move around inside the sleeve.It's very easy to create a label for the spine and insert it into the portfolio too.
I would recommend this portfolio to anyone wanting something somewhat attractive. It is plastic but the price is right and it's exactly what I wanted.
I have purchased several of these Itoya Profolio storage portfolios in several sizes, and I have always been happy with them. They come in many sizes and with varying numbers of pages, but the most common items have 24 two-sided pages that hold 48 items. The pages are polypropylene and the inserts are black acid-free soft heavy paper, so that these display units are ideal for archival storage. The covers have a large sleeve around the spine so that each "volume" can easily be labeled and given other identifying information. All-in-all, this is an excellent product that fills a specialized need.
This is a qualit portfolio that you cannot go wrong with. I plan on buying more.
I first purchased these to hold my collection of 8 x 10 photographs of my children. They are great for that.  Then I purchased a few more to hold artwork done by my kids.  Each child has their own portfolio.  It's a nice way to neatly hold on to their special art.
Great for my grandchildren's art work. Then I can show them off to people and the kids can peruse them whenever they like.
Bought this for my son so that he could store photographs of his trip to Europe.  He loves it!  Stores 48 8.5"x11" images.  Archive quality. Light enough to carry in his backpack.  Yes, I could have spent four times more for a fancier portfolio, but this fits the bill!  Price is right, too!
The sleeves are soft and hold my images in  place without excessive glare. It even has a pocket folder on the inside the front (would have liked to have on in the back cover, too) to store extra things. The matte cover is nice and doesn't scratch or show fingerprints. Very professional looking and gives a good impression if you have visual presentations or even to store professional-grade  photos.
I was using it to store some of my 11x7 prints for display.  Problem with this is when people start flipping the pages a lot, the prints plus the black page in the middle of the sleeve would start coming out.  I have to keep pushing everything back into the sleeve none stop.  Had to buy a larger one to hold the 11x7 prints in the end.
A great quick and easy alternative, I just wish the cover didn't get scratched / scraped and ashy looking so easily.
I collect memorabilia, and any item that is paper, a letter or a photo, anything flat, gets put in one of these Itoya portfolios.They are great on many levels, see through sleeves so you can inspect item without touching, and sturdy plastic covers, along with acis free construction, so the papers you put in here arent harms decades from now, sounds weird, but it happens.Artwork, news clippings, patches, if its flat and you want to organize and store it, these are great, I've used the 8x10 and 11x14, own four of each.Cheap and Good!
I help my friend sell crafts and prints of her artwork at various shows and conventions.  Each of her Itoya display books are very rugged, having survived many shows and being rifled through by thousands of attendees, easily lasting a year or three.  The sheets stay crystal clear, the outer cover resists all kinds of abuse, and they're very attractive.  We recommend the Itoya Profolio series.
It was a sdecent folder, I thought all of this folders were going to come in, but no lol but HEY they take care of my pictures GOOD! :)
These look sleek and are quite durable, if you buy a bunch then you're whole set of art will be neatly organized in a uniform fashion that won't be too expensive.
Just what I expected and used it already for what I had intended. Better than what any store has to offer.
This was purchased for a portfolio/art display for a craft school application.  It was perfect.  Comes with black paper, used a scrapbooking adhesive roll to stick pictures and descriptions of work.  He was accepted!
Exactly what I needed to store my artwork! Holds the designs firmly in place for easy storage and easy viewing.
This is an excellent display book.  I have several and the spine label makes it easy to find the correct one.
Nice portfolio that displays photography pictures beautifully.  Perfect size for traveling.  People really enjoy looking at pictures in this portfolio.  Highly recommend it.
It's a really good book for the low price. I used them to send prints of my artwork to schools and companies that don't return portfolios. The plastic sheets are a little wrinkly and tear easily, but it's still really good considering the price.
I keep my photos and ads in them.  Great to keep as a history portfolio.  Easy to carry and protects your work.  You can buy many and catagorize them as well.  For sure will purchase more.
This is a great presentation book at a great price.  I'm a photographer and  I bought several to display my photos as a look book for my photo work.  I also have a book for my son and his head shots and his work.  This is flat, doesn't take up much room in my bag.  great buy!!
have purchased this product before,  i need to get a larger size next time, the product itself is great, functional, and i feel good about storing all my paper , photos, prints etc. in the preserver pages. the file is easy to catalog thru, pages are clear and i know the storage of my art is in good shape every time i open the folio.
I had a couple of professional certificates and college diplomas just sitting around in their individual envelopes so I decided to grab this for just consolidating them in one place. It worked perfectly for that!
I purchased this for my daughter's photography class project final.  It was perfect for what was needed and the project was given an excellent review.
Itoya's display books have polypropylene pockets with acid free paper inserts, and are designed for safe archival storage of printed material such as photographs, prints, magazine pages, documents or laser jet prints.  They are available in various versions and sizes (from 6 to as many as 100 pages), the cover is of hard flexible plastic, with a sleeve on the spine where a label can be inserted.I have used Itoya albums similar to this product for many years, mainly to store photographs and inkjet prints.  There has never been an instance where a print has gotten stuck to the plastic pocket, or damaged in any way.  This includes photos that have been autographed by a Sharpie.  So have no fears about the safety of your precious photos or prints.  The size of the pockets is approximately 8.6 inches by 11 inches, which is perfect for holding standard 8.5"x11" prints.  When displaying an 8x10, centering the photo, and attaching it to the backing paper using Scotch removable tape works well.The 48 pocket size holds up to 96 prints, which can get pretty heavy.  A 36 or 24 pocket version, lighter and much more easily manageable, might be something for Itoya to consider.  While Itoya does make other display books with different colored covers and pages, this item appears to come only with a black cover, and black backing paper.  Additional color options might be nice, both for esthetics, and for color coding your albums.  Some versions have a clear display pocket on the front cover, which would also be a nice option for this product.  When it comes to where to purchase, check your local office supply wholesaler first as you may get a better price.
Perfect and safe holder of your art work or pictures.  Well made and I like the smaller size.  It allows me to get smaller copies of my artwork for future reference.
I bought several of these to hold medical paperwork, magazine articles and photographs. Not super sturdy, but they work great for organizing your papers and photos. My daughter stole one from me for her ticket stubs and high school memorabilia - so I'll most likely be buying more!
This was perfect for storing my photos.  Lies flat and doesn't take up a lot of room. Will be buying more in the near future.
I collect sketches from comic artists at conventions.  Usually, they work on 9x12 paper, and I've had a tough time finding an easy way to store them -- 8 1/2 x 11 is too small, 11 x 17 is too big.  This is JUST perfect.
This book is awesome! I bought it for my 12 year old Grandson to display is story boards and artwork. It is solid, and easy to use and very professional looking. I am very pleased
I love being able to keep all of my kid's art in one place.  It is well constructed and price was reasonable.  I will be buying more!
Really love these display books.  I get a lot of movie swag and they store well in these folders.  I have 3 different sizes of these
This same portfolio goes for twice the price at my local art supply. So price was very good through amazon.I received it quickly. It does the job.
This portfolio is great for the student or for someone wanting a simple, easy, fast, and economical way to present your images.  I use them for shows as a catalog of previous works.
Someone in the reviews recommended getting the 9x12 if you had 8x11 prints, but that was too big. I should have just gotten the 8x11 but oh well. I know I can probably return it for a smaller one but ended up I keeping my bigger than necessary portfolio book and I am happy with it. The photographs stay in place and the plastic has not ripped like other have mentioned. I really like this book and it's a good price.
I collect small art prints (5x5, 7x7, etc.) and this portfolio is absolutely wonderful for my needs!  I can't frame every piece right away, so this portfolio is a sharp way to make them into a coffee table book of sorts.  I just use the picture corners to hold them in place and boom!  Enjoyable, affordable, well-preserved art!
So, I have to first thank all those who provided previous reviews. Their insight helped me decide on this purchase. Yes, you need to be cautious when inserting your photos into the sleeves - just be patient. Other than that, what do you expect for the price. I found the product and Amazon's delivery perfect for my needs.I have huge amounts of photos - slides to digital, digital images, etc. and wanted to see my 'art' in glossy prints, which I had done locally at a print shop. The size I chose for these was 8&#34; x 12&#34;. I purchased the 9&#34; x 12&#34; Art Portfolio and really liked the results. Images were clearly visible through the plastic sleeve. Good grief - I'll probably buy more.
It was very difficult to find a photo book that would fit 8x12 photos. This product did it! the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that the  book itself feels kind of flimsy. Other than that I love it.
This is a nice portfolio. I got it for my daughter to display her artwork and photography. She was very pleased with it. It is simple but does its job.
Seriously? What can I say about an industry standard portfolio? I own Itoya portfolios ranging from 4&#34;x6&#34; to 13&#34;x19&#34; and there isn't a single thing wrong with them. As long as they're around, they will have my continued business. Thank you for making a perfect product.
These are not high quality by any means but they serve their purpose. I just needed something to hold my 8x12 prints and these fit the bill.
The label pictured on the side doesn't come off, and it's just cheap flimsy plastic that scratches easily. I ended up getting something different.
good product, but i cannot use it for what i needed it for.  the pages are welded to the back, not removable, which for some strange reason i was hoping they would be.  I need a book of only half a dozen pages or so, so this is out of the question, b/c I don't want the extra pages hanging empty in the back.  BUT, this is a very well made, classy looking product!  I will find another use for it, for sure.  Thank you.
I use this for professional art, and bought one for my granddaughters drawings.  She loved it and it made her drawings seem very precious and important, as they are!
I suck at taking care of my art work and when I finally gave in to get portfolios, I got this. It makes me feel pretty professional and everything is a lot neater now. Just gotta buy more to finish organizing the rest of my artwork.
This is really good , and i comfortable for in and out of the book, it has more sleeves and im able to keep everyhting in this portfolio
In retirement, I have returned to one of my passions: drawing. And although my original purpose in creating drawings was to give as gifts to family and friends, I am now in the process of pursuing art as a second career. I needed something more secure than the cover and back from a used art pad to protect the drawings which will become part of my portfolio and the Itoya Art Portfolio serves this purpose very well. I will be buying additional Itoya Art Portfolios as my collection grows.
The spine was cracked and broken on this when I received it. I haven't used it yet, but getting it broken is a testament to its quality.
and simple. I have two of these. One has mostly drawings and paintings on water color paper. As it's getting towards the end I'm wondering whether they'll all fit because it's bulging at 3/4 full. It works great for thinner or a mix of different paper weights.
I'm using this book to keep my grandson's pre-school artwork, etc. Couldn't find anything like it locally (keep in mind I live in Anchorage) but this does the trick.
I bought this portfolio for my daughter to display her fashion designs, and she loves it. It is nicely bound and there isn't too much glare off of the pages.
I have purchased several of these in different sizes and I'm very happy with them. They provide attractive archival-quality storage and they each hold 48 sheets or large photos. There are two different styles. One is plain cover with bound edges. The other (shown here) has a sleeve at the spine for convenient labeling, and has extra pockets inside the covers. I prefer the second style, but it depends on how you will use the Portfolio. I do recommend this item highly!
For kid, no complaints
I thought I ordered a smaller presentation book, but I actually like the longer size of this one. I had an interview for a post-grad program at an art/fashion school and I nailed it! The presentation book made everything look polished and professional.
This is exactly what I needed.  I was looking for an option to put all of my printed advertisements.  Perfect! i ordered another
This is a great way to display the art from my 9 x 12 sketchbook! It looks really classy and professional
I ordered this for my husband as an xmas gift.  I would order again.  He seems to be very happy with it.
With 24 sleeves, there are placeholders for 48 photos/documents/certificates etc.  This fit my requirement perfectly.  Excellent value for the price!
For the price it isn't bad but the it feels pretty flimsy overall and I didn't like that you cannot remove the border from the front cover.
Very sturdy, small porfolio that will work well to present drawings and photos of my paintings. Very happy with the workmanship of this product.
It is exactly what I was looking for. It looks classy in interviews. My only complaint is the pages tear quite easily so you must be rather delicate when putting everything together.
The price was great!  It is exactly what I need putting together my portfolio while looking for a new job!
The book is sturdy and the pages are clear. It makes your pictures/photos stand out! Perfect for my business to display my photos to clients.
Recently, we took a beautiful train journey through Switzerland. Our photos were stunning, but making 4x6 copies, or even 5x7 copies just didn't capture the gorgeous views. We had so many awesome 8x12 photos to frame, that we would have run out of wall space in our home - really the beauty of the scenery took our breath away!  So I purchased 2 of these Art Portfolio Presentation Books and turned them into reasonably priced, very beautiful photo albums.We like the 8x12 size for photos. There is less cropping needed and it covers more width of the view.  We also made up some 8x10 copies. The Itoya-Portfolio Presentation Book met our needs for displaying our 8x10s and our 8x12s.  With places like Costco charging such reasonable prices to develop large prints, and with the great price of these portfolio books, I'll be making more display albums using this method. I hope they always stay available from Amazon. It's a good product for photos plus for art work.
The quality is excellent compared to may similar Portfolio's I have seen.  The cover is plastic as pictured but that is part of what keeps the price reasonable. It also is part of what keeps this durable and protects the products.  I use these for both protecting & preserving both original artwork & collectible original advertising/advertising photographs.  I needed something that allowed me to enjoy the photography I was collecting but preserved & protected it also.  This nicely fit the bill.  This item comes in a variety of sizes.  This is great as some of my items are either original proofs or from older or foreign magazines.  Sometimes these are beyond the standard 8x10 size.  I have this portfolio in 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, and 9x12.  I am able to protect my products, easily view them, & share them with other collectors/buyers.  I plan on buying more of these to protect my original artwork and investment in my collection!
I found these hard to find, I don't know why that would be.  They are an excellent product as a very reasonable price.
thanks alot..great storage for my fashion illustrations , i will be purchasing more from this buyer in the future..this product is very durable and versatile... these portfolios will be used for years to come..
I just got my Itoya Portfolio yesterday and I got it together last night. So far, I think this is a high quality product, for a wonderful price! It is made of a durable plastic. The inside sleeves seem to be attached to the binder securely. I've had similar portfolios in the past and they have ripped out and made them ugly. I love the black paper that comes in the sleeves, great idea!! I got the 9X12, because my drawing pads were all this size. There is an inside pocket on the front inner flap that can be used to hold extra resumes, should you take this to an interview and they request a resume to keep from you, but it can really be used for anything. This portfolio is a basic, simple, understated design. I've only had for 2 days and only have a few works in it as of now. I hope it holds up once I get it filled with my artwork!!
Simple, accessible, useful.  I use this to hold important documents that I need to have visual access to quickly, so I can flip through, as well as convenient to bring as a portfolio for an interview or administrative purposes.  It's held up well, and the simple clean design makes it very presentable.
I love this thing :) makes it easy to carry around my art to show and sell. It holds up good too.
Itoya Products are always great, well made and suit fit all my needs.  Have used them for years and would recommend them to anyone as a top quality product.
This is a quality and professional looking and functional way to protect your art prints yet keep them in pristine displayable condition
As a journalist/reporter, I use this to cut my printed stories and slide into the portfolio without having to tape or glue them. Can take in and out for easy access too. I'm ahppy with the purchase.
This makes a perfect portfolio, it's not too big and awkward to carry around, but it's not too small. Easy to put pictures in and take out, exactly what I wanted.
My daughter is an artist and finds this portfolio just the right size to protect and display her odd sized canvases.
It actually went beyond my needs, the gallery said they had never had anyone turn in such a nice and impressive portfolio.  While I'm sure my art helped the portfolio itself lent to the professional look of the presentation of my work.
I needed one of these bad boyz to showcase my artwork. Im trying to gain an aprentership for tattooing. Its inexpensive and decent quality.
I like the nice generous size of this portfolio and that there are black inserts included-fits even the biggest prints of my work.I really really really wish that the outside didn't have a clear plastic pocket over the spine of the portfolio, it became scratched so quickly. That doesn't look professional at all. Pretty disappointing.
I needed a display book for the new drawings my 89 yo mother is doing.  But I didn't want to put them in any old scrapbook.  These books are slim, trim, and hold her picture for any one to look at.  I bought 4 so far.  Will definitely buy more.
This is perfect for my artwork definitely worthwhile for any budding or experience artist if you don't want to store your work in cramped place only to see it crumble or torn to bits
I bought two sizes and have a larger size.  I love these profolios.  They are lightweight and yet they protect your artwork well.
Only complaint is the black paper provide is very flimsy and if you're not careful it will bleed onto your works if you glue them down onto it. Though, the actual portfolio is great quality and very durable and professional looking.
It is a nice place to store your work. I will be using it quite often. It looks very professional
Not crazy about it.  The plastic sheets started splitting soon after I started showing portfolio around.  Too bad the cover was nice though
Bought this for my niece who is an art major in college. Reccommended by her professor but ever bit as god as the one I sed to use and at a better price! Shipped immediately.
While this is a great light meter, as are all Gossen meters, I would not recommend it to anyone. Operations such as ISO changes are by menus that are selected by holding down the lower button for what ever time the little meter wants, sometime a couple seconds sometimes minutes will go by (no kidding here). This sometimes works, but usually only when one has time to wait for it. If sitting in a chair playing with the thing this is fine, but out in the field when checking light conditions and different speeds, this is extremely frustrating. I junked mine and size be d... I'm going back to my old analog Gossen F meter or maybe just forget off camera incident readings and chimp from the camera meter.
Nice meter, but the features on the new cameras make this item not so much.  I haven't used it 5 times since I bought it.
Gossen makes some nice meters, I have many of them.  The only real value of this meter is its very small size... but as mentioned, the settings are not intuitive, but workable.  But most importantly the readings vary widely when compared to Gossen and Sekonics higher end meters.  If your shooting neg film, this is fine, if its chrome, I would get a larger, more accurate meter.  And remember, all these meters are only calibrated to one color temp. light...mostly around 5000 - 6000 deg. Kelvin.  (very hard to get the makers to give you this info)  Some of the older Sekonic flash meters are actually calibrated to 2300 Kelvin.  Why does this matter?  Because if the color temperature light you are in, does not match the meters calibrated source, the readings can be way off.  This is true of all the meters though, not just this little guy...chrome (slide) film has very small exposure lattitude, so exposure readings are critical.  I have better luck with the little Sekonic, as its all manual, which I prefer in these type meters.
For it's size I love it. I shoot with the same ISO and I'm looking for a quick check of the light. I shoot weddings, so I NEED to be fast and get it right the first time.I gave it four stars because their are better meters out there that do a lot more for a lot more money. I had no problems with its functions. I was able to change my ISO just fine.I don't use all its functions, but that fine. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you're looking for a small simple meter you can't go wrong with this meter.
I bought this leather case 5 months ago, it looks good the only problem it has and for me this is the main thing..... it open by it self when attached to the belt, my camera fell twice but lucky enough it was on the park!!
This case is very easily accessable, and really helps proctect the LCD and the rest of the camera while for example, mountain climbing. I was up in the mountains and actually almost scraped the camera on a piece of rock, but the case was there and I only ended up with a scratch on the case and really saved my camera. This item is really great and it is everything as it is advertised.
When I first got my EX-S500, it spent every minute of every day in my pocket, the screen got a little bit scratched up so I decided to search for a protective case. Throughout my search I saw numerous third-party cases and stuff, but I want something made for my camera. While the case makes it more difficult to carry the camera comfortably in your pocket, it looks good, and the magnet that keeps the case closed is pretty strong. It hasn't fallen out yet. I definitely reccomend this case for this camera and any other Exilim series.Additional Tip: For extra security, look for a small 6-8 inch lanyard that comes with CD players and attach it to the camera and then loop the lanyard around the beltloop of the case.
Fits snugly and has 2 slots for extra memory cards - just what I needed.
The case fits the camera perfectly and is easy to use. It has a belt loop, not a clip, which is good and bad. The good part is that the loop lies flat against the case and adds almost no extra bulk. The bad news is you have to undo your belt to "wear" the thing. Since the whole package, camera and case, is no bigger than a fat wallet, it is easy to just put it in your pocket. There is a tiny, tiny, pocket that could hold a couple of SD cards or a few business cards, but not much else. That is fine, too, if the idea is to keep the camera handy and small.
Comfortable to wear. Easy to quickly remove camera.  Secure magnetic clip.  Spare memory for two SD's but not enough room to store them in an SD case.
This is a fabulous, sturdy and compact case for my Exilim and the leather is buttery soft.
This case is perfect for my Casio Z75 camera.  It has a slot for my extra battery that I always keep charged and fits nicely in my purse.  I never leave home without my camera!
This is not a goog option for the Casio EXZ750 7M pixel camera, it almost does not close. Hate it!
The case is very thin and elegant. It's made on very soft black lether with 2 pockets for SD Cards and another one in the front for business cards or ID's. The interior is made on soft cloth that protects the camera and the LCD.The case closes using a magnetic snap. I read on another review that the camera could fall down if it was not properly closed. I did my tests above my bed (safety first!) and I found out that even in the case that the magnetic snap was not properly clicked but in touch with the other metalic magnetic componet you can upside down the case and shake it without the camera falling down.You can get out your camera very fast using only one hand. Last but not least the price is great!
I bought this case for my girlfriends camera (ex-z70). Leather is soft and feels good. Its not bulky but yet has enough cushion on the inside to keep it safe if dropped. I dont know what else to say.... its just a case.It fits and looks cool and i have nothing bad to say about it.
I have a casio exilim EX-S500 and works fine for me. Beautiful case, no complains...
Why Casio doesn't include a case with an expensive camera is beyond me, but this aftermarket purchase was well worth the money.  My EX-Z1000 fits perfectly in this nicely padded case.  The little magnetic snap hasn't popped open unexpectantly yet, yet it opens readily when desired. The belt loop is large enough to fit almost any sized belt.Decent price, free shipping, good quality product.  What else can I say?
You spent money on a good canon camera. Now you have to protect it, not to mention how to carry it properly. This is it. Inexpensive, good quality and it looks good while protecting and holding that camera investment. It is a must. Get it before the camera falls out of your hands
This case fits the camera perfect so it doesn't fall out, it is also nice and small so you can actually keep the camera in it.  2 spaces for extra memory cards are a nice touch!
This is very well made leather case built to protect slipper slim point and shoot camera. I still have it and use it with my point and shoot inside.
I wasn't really worried about this purchase because it's a negligible price to pay to protect a $200+ camera, and it's leather--note that I paid about $15 through Amazon.I was most happy about two things: the fact that the case is actually black, and that it snaps closed instead of using a magnet.PROS:The leather is soft to the touch, yet nicely reinforced in the appropriate places.  Even my ex-clothing store manager wife noted this as well thought out.The business card pocket is plenty big enough to actually put a small stack of business cards in.  I can't think of why you would keep business cards in your camera case, though I guess it's better than simply keeping them loose in your pocket if you're in the habit of carrying your camera everywhere (and this one is so small that you just might).  Most leather card holders are too tight for even one business card.Again, the case is black--not that greyish looking color in the picture.  Perhaps they should have used the camera the case is made for to take the picture.It snaps closed instead of using a magnetic fastener.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks magnets are not a good feature in a case for electronics that have digital memory.CON:They could make it easier to clip onto a belt without having to unfasten your belt and slip it through the loop, though I really rather have it this way to prevent the case and camera from being accidentally knocked off my belt and lost.  Personally, I'd never wear a camera case on my belt (who am I--Batman?).I suppose if it didn't leave any portion of the camera itself exposed I'd feel more confident stuffing it in a backpack or briefcase with other loose items.BOTTOM LINE:  This is both a quality and stylish case for your Casio Exilim camera that will protect it well.  It goes just as well with jeans and a t-shirt as it does with a suit, and it's priced low enough on Amazon that you should easily choose this over a case that might look nicer online but  features lower quality materials (such as pleather or vinyl), design, and craftspersonship.
This case is nice.  It is leather and black.  However it is very simple, and should not cost 25 bucks.  But whatever, I guess it is better to protect your 2-300 dollar camera than be cheap about buying an overpriced case.  At least the case is not as bulky as most camera cases.
camera fits just right, easy to get in and easy to get out.magnetic snap will keep the flap locked but easy to open quickly.still a nice small and thin profile to slip into your pants or coat pocket.priced just right, order one when you order your camera, you won't regret it.
Overall, it is nice case. (1)The color is black. I personally prefer the greyish look in the picture. (2)Feels great. Really nice leather.
Found the case to be a very good quality case and worked well with the Casio s770 camera we purchased. Case was not bulky and fits in small purse well.
I purchased this case for my new Casio EX-Z1050. LOVE IT !!  Nice leather and quality. Shipped to me in the original packaging. It fits this camera perfectly. Must have for the Exilim cameras.
I used it for my Casio, then for another camera, and now for my Canon.  I've owned this for six years and going!
Since this cover is designed to meet the needs of many cameras ranging from 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick, it obviously is a little thicker than their previous renditions (for the Casio S-600).  However, it still is the thinnest case available, so from that standpoint does everything it ought to.  Build quality is quite good.
Buttery soft leather fits snuggly on my EX-Z1000. I only wish the sides of the carrying case were at least a half inch or taller to offer it more stability in case the magnetic snap is unintentionally opened. No accidents yet, even when carried on my belt - but ever since I once cracked the screen on a cell phone, I've been extra cautious with this camera from the beginning.If you plan on carrying an extra SD card or two in the space provided for business cards, then they will have to be without their protective case.  I use expensive high end cards, and I'm not willing to take that risk.  So, for longer outings, I'm going to stick with my TAMRAC 5204 with a Velcro closer and roomier pocket for my cased SD cards.Ah, but at restaurants and birthday parties I will be packing it in my Exlim case, because it is as breathtaking as the camera it protects.I recommend this case for people that take care of their equipment.  It offers moderate protection against damage and excellent protection from scratches.  It even fits my Gorillapod Mounted camera, which is very, very important for tripod users.
Funtional, handy but the button is not easy to lock, so you get worry all the time, when you have it on your belt.But price wise is the best, so maybe you are paying for what you are getting.
Perfect fit for my EX-S500.  Couldnt find any other third-party case that fit as well.  Well made, no complaints.
Last Christmas was a Casio Christmas in my household.  I got a Casio EX-Z850 and my wife got an EX-Z700 (which is exactly the same physical size and shape as the EX-Z600).  The Z700 and Z850 cameras are similar in size and the Casio website indicates that both cameras use the same EX-CASE1 case.  The Z700 is slightly thinner than the Z850, so I wasn't sure how this case would fit both cameras.The answer is that the cases are made of genuine soft leather.  I ended up buying my wife the brown case and I got the same model case in black.  Her Z700 camera fit very nicely into her brown case from day one.  My Z850 was slightly snug in my black case at first, but within a couple of days, the case stretched the small amount necessary to make it fit perfectly.So in the end, the final fit for both cases with their respective cameras was superb.The case is lined with a soft felt-like cloth to protect the scratchable surfaces of the camera.  The belt loop was already smashed relatively flat to the back of the case so that it is not very obtrusive.  (I have no intentions of wearing the case on my belt, so this was a good thing for me.)I was after a case that would offer "light" protection to the camera, and this case is exactly designed for that.  While not weatherproof or extreme-impact proof, this case does provide excellent protection from scratches and a certain amount of protection from small to moderate falls.  For my wife, she can now toss the camera into her purse without worry of other items such as car keys destroying the camera's large LCD display.As a side note, I also purchased a package of two Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Screen Protectors and trimmed them down to fit the LCDs on both of our cameras.  The screen protector is tough, thick, self-adhesive, and textured to help remove glare from the otherwise very glossy LCD screen.  Coupled with the leather cases, I think that I can count on having scratch-free LCDs on our new cameras for years to come.
Fit is a little on the tight side with my new z850, but that's what I wanted. The magnetic clasp is fine as long as you make sure it "clicks" closed. I drop mine into the case upside down so I never accidentally hit the power button (opening the lens inside the case could damage it). Happened to me once, but the camera seems to be fine though.
Works for the outside case to give some protection to the view screen.
This little leather case allows the Casio Exilim to be snugly secured and protected from damage.  The case is light yet durable and would protect the camera easily if it is dropped.  There is a pouch in the case that will easily hold a spare battery.  The latch on the case is magnetic - just slide it into place and it stays in place.  There is a belt loop on the back of the case but I have not used that.  It fits in my jacket pocket without any problems.  Excellent design!
The case is small and compact but offers fine protection for the camera.  The design is pretty niffty as is has opening for the camera loop to be on your wrist.  Latchappears to be ok, but I need further experience with it.
This sleek and elegant leather holder for Casio Exilim cameras cushios the camera against rough handling. Part of the sides of the camera are exposed so it will not protect it from water. It fit my EX-Z70 perfectly. There is a samll pocket to hold a spare SD card, but it will not accomodate the card's protective case. A belt loop is provided.
I incorrectly thought this was a case that fit on the camera, not a case to put the camera in, on my belt.  The camera is only carried in this case and is removed to take pictures.  That would have been at least acceptable for use, but after the camera too easily fell out of it on the blacktop parking lot, I don't use it on my belt any more.  The sides of the case are too shallow and elastic, and the cover is held by a clever magnetic catch that doesn't work too well.  The camera endured only a very small nick, but I was lucky.  Apparently there are no cases to fit on the camera; not even Casio makes one.
Bought this for my Exilim S-500 and its exactly what I wanted. Camera fits inside perfectly, and for the price, I am very happy with it.
This case was exactly what we were hoping for.  An elegant leather case for our new Exilim EX-Z850 camera.  This case is very compact so you can still keep the camera in a pocket.  It fits the EX-Z850 like a glove.  Others have complained that you can't fit a bunch of memory cards, spare battery, charger, etc in this case.  Why buy a slim compact digital camera and then keep it in a big fat case?  There are camera bags that suit that purpose.  This is a small case to protect the camera and it does a fine job.
I was very pleased with the quality of the camera case I received. My camera fits perfectly in the case and is very secure when I carry it.
Not meant to be a skin, but it is a high quality case for the camera.  Looks classy and professional.  Can get it for less than $20 including shipping and handling.  I got it for $15.  OEM case made to fit.
This camera case is absolutely everything I wanted. It has a belt loop (which I sometimes find handy) and the case fits my Exilim Z1000 perfectly. The magnetic snap lock works well too, and it just looks nice all around. Excellent!
Unlike what the Editorial Review states, this item does not work with Exilim EX-Z3/Z4/Z4U digital cameras unless you want to squeeze your camera in!While the manufacturer description does not list EX-Z items as compatible, I based my decision to buy this item with the new EX-Z4 on the Editorial Review ... I was wrong!On the other hand, this item is very elegant and well designed for other Exilim models from S1 to S3 including M1 &amp; M2.
This is such a silly thing but I'm currently enrolled in Photo 1 and our instructor has only one cloth for 14 students insisting that we did not need to purchase these because they were &#34;so expensive&#34; A new or well cared for cloth works brilliantly but we are now 8 weeks in and the use is really showing on the cloth at school and I'm grateful to have gotten my own now I won't need to share!
I bought these cloths for my photography class. They worked great at cleaning both my film and my prints. I would buy this again.
Maybe I'm a little fastidious, but I've kept an Ilford Antistaitc Cloth in my camera case for over 30 years.Just the other day, I was inspecting my collection of 1970's era Canon FD lenses, and they are beautiful like new.I figure if a guitar player can wipe down a $20 set of strings after each session, why don't photographers bother to wipe down their expensive gear after use?The Ilford Antistatic Cloth is not something you would use on optical glass, but it is perfect for metal assemblies, especially if you use your equipment hard in dusty or inclement conditions.These cloths are not cheap, but they last forever. Furthermore, they are perfectly impregnated with some kind of chemical treatment that has proven to me to be perfect to protect high quality metal surfaces, but there is no residue or problems like you would have, for instance, with Armorall in automotive applications, or WD-40 that is useful in general purpose metal protection.Younger photographers and cinematographers may not know the Ilford brand name, because this British photographic brand, like Kodak in the U.S., is associated with silver based film imaging and chemical processing. Ilford is a great and storied brand deserving of highest respect.Highly recommended!
Does a good job of cleaning my glass table which attracts dust.  I keep it handy to wipe off the dust without creating a static charge.  I purchased this cloth along with another brand, both seem to work about the same so pricing will be the deciding point when it is time to replace the cloth.
This is an excellent product, my only complaint (but it is large@!) is that it is so darn costly and I cannot find a way to purchase them wholesale or in bulk.
Have been using these for nearly thirty years now (is that possible??). Since they are one of the very first products of it's kind I ever started using - I don't have a lot to compare it to - but it cured my dust problem in the darkroom almost immediately from the first use. I also learned early on - DO NOT TRY TO WASH IT! or it will lose it's magical properties. If you soil it then get a new one... great and functional, dependable product.
I have used this product in the past for my camera lenses, negatives and slides with good success, however for this application I've only given it 2 stars. I refinish aluminum castings in the rebuild dept of a major vacumn cleaner company. It is a very dusty and dirty process. In the winter the dust from the polishing and buffing leaves a film of dust on the surface of the plastic safety glasses due to static electricity, obscuring my vision requiring cleaning of the safety glasses every hour (or more) or so. I had such good success with the Ilford Antistatic Cloths in the past to clean my camera lenses, negatives and slides that I thought I would try this product. In a word... ok, two words. Didn't work. However what did work amazingly well was "Novus Plastic Polish #1".Plastic polish, Novus #1, 8 ozOne application of this product and I had NO issues with static induced dust accumalating on my safety glasses. I reapply every couple of days or whenever I have to clean  my safety glasses due to smudges, handling, etc. Worked far beyond my expections. So in the end, if you are working with some sort of plastic (not camera lenses, negatives or slides obviously) and have problems with static induced dust issues on plastic surfaces give Novus plastic polish #1 a try.
I got this to clean my Canon lenses andnegatives while taking Black and WhitePhotography. Works perfectly and brightorange color makes it hard to lose.
I've been doing film photography for 5 years and have always used these to keep film clean of dust. Nobody I know has ever been sure if these are actually &#34;antistatic,&#34; but these cloths will certainly remove any dust/hair that clings to your film.
I purchased this for my negatives. Didn't scratch a single one. Love it. Am also using it for my scanner bed.
I bought this to help with photo scans.  The good news is that it does its job very well.  The bad news is that whatever they put in the cloth has a very strong fragrance.  Not only does it smell, but it embeds the smell in my fingers and makes my hands burn.  Plus, it leaves my fingers feeling like they've been coated in fabric softener.  Not fun.
very very nice super sharp  no grain film will keep on trying more films I also recomend ilford plus 4
I have always used Kodak BW film up until now.  This film has surprisingly great contrast.  Love it.  Get it.
Have really enjoyed the film and getting back to film photography. You forget how much fun it is developing and waiting to see what you captured.
Still somewhat grainy, but I love the way Ilford film looks. They are my go-to for black and white, and have a large community spanning many websites.
Delta 100 is one of my go to films. The other being Kodak Tri-X 400, which sadly might not be around too much longer.Ilford has produced a wonderful film, which has very minimal and fine grain once processed. It always picks up a very wide range of blacks and whites to produce a beautiful tone. When it is a bright and beautiful day outside Delta 100 is in my 120 and 35mm cameras. Even enlarging to 20x20 the grain is uniform and subtle.Hope that Ilford sticks around for the long haul and continues to produce fine film and paper for traditional photography. One of the best there is in this portion of the industry.
Sharper than a benchmade, crisper than cheddar on a slice of green apple. This is the stuff pros are made of. You already know digital sucks donkey, and now your picking out real film. If it's a holga you got, you done messed up or are a hipster. But if your a areal photographer, there'd be no point in you reading this review. It's 100asa black and white made in england, dont worry it's bloody perfect.
I have been using this film for probably about 10 years. It is the best B&W film in my opinion. I shoot people, objects and landscapes with it. It has a lot of contrast and that is why I like it.
Ilford is a reputable company that has been around a long time. Couple this great product with the same brand of developer and fixer and you have an unbeatable combination for spectacular images. Long live film!
Can not rate this product , as it was purchased as a gift .  Beleive it was well received though .
A good fine grain film. have not used all of it. It came in good condition and the price was good. It was just what I needed. Thanks
I've shot film for a number of years in school and as a hobby. I bought this film for my wife (she's the medium format shooter in the family) and it works well. I'm not a fan of the Delta 400, but the 100 is fine. It's a little low-contrast for my taste as compared with the 125 variant (HP4+), but it's an easy fix. I think the Delta has a little more tonal range overall similar to Kodak Plus X (125). For a slower black and white film with a good tonal range and slightly subtle contrast, Delta 100 is a good choice.
This film can create stunning photos. I only enlarged it to 8x10, but there was still very little grain. With good negatives I was able to get amazing shadows and highlights that were smooth and absolutely stunning. A great film. Quite simply you CANNOT get the same shots with digital as you can with film. They just don't work the same way. You will get more and smoother tones and there is just no comparison between a good film and a good DSLR. The medium format film is great because it's MUCH smoother than 35mm.
Even in these days of really fine DSLR cameras, one can get much finer resolution using low ISO, medium format film.  Ilford is hard to beat.
This film is decent, but I don't think the grain is as fine as on comparable kodak films. I feel this way after using several dev solutions.
I love Ilford and all Ilford films. I use Delta 100 whenever I need to do studio or outdoor shooting, because the grain quality, tonality and contrast are all excellent.  I've done several projects with this film, and have never regretted using it. It takes a lot of work to develop black and white film, but the silvery tones and depth of contrast are worth the extra effort.
loved this film- i know that nowdays you can edit photos to make them black and white, but i'm old school.  i did find out that you have to take or send this to an actual photo shop- not places like walgreens or walmart or kmart- they aren't equipped to develope any film that doesn't say c41.  so check your rolls of film for c41 before having them developed.  it will ruin the film and you will get NO pictures if the developer doesn't have the capability for that type of film.
I get a lot of Ilford film to shoot and its always performed really well for my needs.  They are a great company with top of the line products. I recommend the film to amateurs and pros.
When it comes to black and white film, there are plenty of good brands out there.  Ilford Delta is one of the best.  This 35mm roll is cheaper than the 36 exposure roll, and honestly it is a lot easier to fill up.  With 36 exposures it takes me a while to fill the roll, and so it takes longer to see the results of my photography.  I personally like the size of the 24 exposure roll of film, and highly recommend this film.  I have used Kodak Tri-X in the past, and it similarly delivers great results.  The comparison between the two is hardly noticeable.  The only difference I see if that Ilford has slightly better contrast, which is why I use it.  I would recommend this film to anybody, along with the Kodak Tri-X.  The choice between the two is purely based on personal preference.
We develop this ourselves and find it forgiving all things considered.  I use B&W photography to introduce my grandkids to chemistry and science.  Developing in a small spiral box is pretty easy and the kids can go out and take picts with old equipment then come in and see what they did.  Some picts are striking.  Adults just don't have the low elevation eye of a 10 year old.  I learn so much.
Ilford is excellent and I love both the film and the paper. That being said it's a bit pricey when ordering through amazon. B&H is much cheaper. $3.99 a roll for 100 and $3.79 for 400 sp/d. The paper tends to be a better deal too but mostly if you order boxes with 100 sheets or more. Great products though.
Love the tones of this film. The low grain makes for large clear pictures with almost zero grain. The negatives are solid and easy to work with too.
I used to use Kodak for all of my traditional film photography needs but eventually switched to Ilford once I tried it. In my opinion, nothing compares to this film and the manufacturer (Ilford) continues to be the only film company out there who takes its traditional film photography customers seriously. Good luck finding Kodak papers anywhere, let alone in different sizes and sheens. Ilford continues to tailor to us photographers and hasn't strayed yet. Kodak on the other hand, in my opinion, has really sold us out in favor of the digital photography folks and most recently, the injet photo printing markets.Anyway, this film is amazing, the grain is perfect, and most importantly, the consistency in roll after roll is exactly the same which is a huge relief for us wet darkroom folks where you literally have once chance to get it right in the developer. Highly recommended!
Shot at 1250, developed in Diafine.  Night shoot, high contrast.  No blown highlights, great shadow detail, grain like Kodak Tri-X Pro shot at same ISO.  Actually, at 1250 with Diafine, it is just like Tri-X...
Ilford has a long tradition of making great film stock and this is no exception. 3200 speed film at 120 size has a very good grain structure and very close to 400 speed 35mm film in look. I love it and use it on a regular basis.
What else can i say - it's fantastic low light film that produces great images with the yashica TLR - obviously there is some grain present, however if your goal is lomography and images that have an artistic flair you will love this film - if you are familiar with film this will not come as a surprise anyway
This is by far my favorite black and white film. I use it in my Mamiya m645. It makes it easy to shoot in low-light, and the high grain is just gorgeous. I get rich, deep blacks and nice whites.
Oh my god, this film is faster than Andretti on crack. I'm actually scared of this film. It's not even my style. But if you love grain and fibre and shooting REALLY fast or at night with no light, then dare, dare, dare to try 3200 asa. I did it, and it looked like contrast bleach explosion black and white ultra-grain thick crunchy gravel.But then again I think 400asa is too fast for my lifestyle. I like 160asa and I'll dare do 400asa for skateboarding, but I avoid 800asa like hard drugs.Basically 100 asa is aspirin 160 is a cornona 200 is a glass of white wine with your mother 400 is a shot of jack and reuben sandwich, 3200 is full on speedballing while running an I.V. of tequila through your brain stem and eating meth by the handfull.But if your a hipster kook, i hope you and your holga get hooked on this stuff and your found dead and friendless in an alley.
Impressive film. The Ilford data sheets give recommended developing times for a wide range of ISOs from 400 to 12500. I've been shooting it recently at 1600 and developing in Xtol with a water rinse (no stop) - it performs great. I've also shot at 3200, but the grain is much more prominent. That's a matter of taste, though - I think the development times are accurate for both ratings.As for usability, it's nice that there is a pull tab to unravel the film during loading so you don't have to dig under the tape with your fingernails. Also, the foil opens on using tear-guides on the ends rather than in the sides as with Kodak 120 film. This can make it easier to keep the foil intact and re-use it to protect the exposed film. Also, the box helps with this, but having them individually packaged in little boxes makes it harder to pack them in small pockets sometimes.I'm not sure if it's something I'm doing or a problem with the film, but I think the emulsion might scratch more easily than the Tmax that I typically use - as if it's a little softer after washing. I use a cheap-o rubber squeegee, but I haven't had this problem with my other film. I don't see this as a reason to discontinue use of the film at all, though. Besides not having another good option at this film speed, it's easy enough to modify my behavior to address the differences between films.I will definitely continue using this film and recommend it to anyone for medium to low-light situations.
This is actually an ISO 400 film, according to Ilford's product spec sheet. It can be PUSHED to ISO 3200 with special processing.I shot it at ISO 1250 and developed it in Diafin.  No difference between it and Kodak Tri-X that I an see.  I cannot discuss how well it does when developed according to Ilford's guidelines for ISO 3200, as I did not use it at that speed.
This film is awesome to worth with at night. Develops beautifully and works well, especially in the city at night.
I love to shoot in low light with no flash.This film is perfect for that. I've pushed it to one stop with great results.Great contrast and tones.
I was an 35mm photographer for 30 years. For low light conditions Delta 3200 is the best. I've gone digital, but I have yet to achieve anything like what I got with this stuff. I may have to go 35mm at night.
I love this stuff.  It's kind of a jack of all trades film for me, very flexible.  This is a push film, you can shoot it from 400 all the way up to 3200.  I shoot this a lot at 1600 in the day with a red 25 and maybe stack ND.
I've tried nearly every black and white film still available from Kodak and Ilford.  I always end up back at Delta 3200.  I don't shot enough volume such that I can load a particular roll for a particular day.  I usually have to choose an ISO, and then commit to that over several days.  I don't shoot enough during the daytime to be able to commit to ISO 100 or ISO 400, so I usually settle on 3200.  I prefer the grain of Delta 3200 compared to pushing other films to ISO 3200.The drawback is that since this is such a sensitive film, shooting in the daylight becomes problematic.  (I favor large aperture lenses.)  You should use a colored filter to increase contrast in black and white, but this is often not enough.  Using an ND filter is strongly recommended (though you can get by with a polarizer.  It does much the same thing for less.)I'll buy other rolls of film if I know that I have a special event in mind, but Delta 3200 is what I stock to keep on hand.
I recently shot a roll of Delta 3200 in various light situations, indoors and outdoors, around my hometown of NYC.All I can say is that this film produces some extraordinary images. The grain of Ilford's 3200 is beautiful and surreal, the tones are also beautiful....the composition is up to you though!! Approach shooting 3200 in a different way than any other film, color or B&W.;I used a red filter on all the shots and in some shots, stacked a 2 stop ND filter, especially outdoors in bright light. I would recommend being careful about your metering and EV as to not blow out highlights....which such a light sensitive film is quite susceptible to.Gotta get more. Highly recommend!!
I used this for an art project with my 120mm film camera.  Great contrast, extremely little grain, and beautiful black and whites.
This film is cheap, easy to work with, looks great, and shoots well in any light.  I shoot it in my Mamiya RB67 and process it at home, and I've never had a problem with it.  It's a great film for beginners and veterans alike, since it's both easy to use but very good looking.  This is my black and white film of choice when I'm shooting medium format.
Have a Holga camera and need this type of film in it. Ilford always seems to make some good film and works well.
Took nice, clean, crisp pictures on my Holga.  Easy to use, inexpensive for 120mm film. What more is it supposed to do?
Half decent film. i think the kodak BW films have much better results, even when using ilford dev! I can't see how this film is so popular...
In my opinion Ilford is certainly one of the easiest films to use. We regularly buy ISO400 b/w film for use in ourHolga 144120 120N Plastic Cameraand always get good results when we home develop. Definitely Recommended.
I chose this for price and quality, reading other reviewers. it turned out to be a great film, if you're shooting b&w, you know you need this! I'm not going back and just stick with this brand!
This is my favorite black and white film for 35mm cameras.  It looks great and is easy to work with.  I can't say enough about it.
Action, lower light or overcast, this is a versatile film for your camera needs. Portraits or landscapes, capture all you images on a great piece of film
This is wonderful black and white film. It tends to develop about 1/2 to a stop slower than advertised so I tend to shoot this film at a 1/2 to full top over exposed on my Minolta X-700.  I love the grain on this film.  Love the look of this film.
Great product at a great price. It developed nicely for my daughters first try at working with film. Highly recommend.
Just getting into film and learned that HP5+ requires special, D76 or Microphen processing. That means, it cannot be developed at places like Wal-Greens, CVS, etc.The XP2 (as previously stated) is a typical C41 type however.Hope this helps.Cheers :)
Well folks, I don't know about you but I am stocking up on my favorite films, and FAST. I couldn't find the HP5+ PRINT film on Ilford's website, so I'm not sure if they have stopped making it, or maybe it's just not featured. Either way, it's a good time to stock up, and film keeps past it's expiration date.The Ilford HP5+ is an EXCELLENT all-around film, with fine grain, sharp images, and most of all it responds very well to push-processing. There really isn't much more you could ask for in a film. It currently is priced very closely to other Ilford films of less quality (Delta comes to mind) so for this price and free Amazon shipping, you better swoop it up quick!PROS- Fine grain- Sharp images- Beautiful contrast- Easy to develop- Responds well to push-processingCONS- Only comes in 400 (although it works well in all lighting!)OVERALLGrab a roll, shoot develop and print it, and you will see the amazing difference this film makes! Definitely recommended to any photographer, but I challenge you to bring this on a special shoot that you want to make prints from...you will be amazed!
I didn't know what to expect from this film.  I haven't shot black & white film in over 20 years, and then it was with Kodak.  HP5 has a pleasant grain, and a slight sepia to the prints.  I like it a lot and will order more for my next vacation.  I use film for special shots, but mainly shoot digital.[...]
This is a wonderful 400 speed film that does not underexpose. Grain is visible but this in itself creates a different look.
I found a couple of rolls of this film in my son's things from a high school photography class. They were one and two years past expiration. I love processing film at home and scanning the negatives. I used a vintage Fujica st701 camera, shot both rolls and processed them with leftover D76 chemicals assuming it would be a waste. They turned out great! A bit grainy for old film, but quite satisfactory.
I bought several rolls of the Ilford HP5 Plus - which were listed as products sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com directly *up until a couple of days ago*  thus this is not suppose to be reflection of the current Amazon merchant, as this product is currently listed as.My issue lies  with the integrity of the film itself -- a couple of the rolls arrived with the cardboard box open.  While dated with an expiration date of 2016, there is no real guarantee that these film are fresh (and were not substituted for old or expired film).I use to shoot film but since switching to digital, I keep a few inexpensive rolls of negative film for the simple purpose of running a few rolls through my film cameras throughout the year (i.e. maintenance).  So even though I am questioning the film I received in this last order, I know -- based on prior experience -- that Ilford HP5 Plus are a great b&w; film and I snagged these at $3.75/roll.
Remember to always test a roll with the developer you use, at different ISOs 25 - 50- 80-... This film has a very very nice grain and a very nice silver tone when used with Adonal. Dont use it with Diafine, its a total Failure. Will try to develop it with Xtol, Caffenol, Tmax, Silvermax and Ilford developers. Also with adonal but on stand development.This film is a like a Kodak Trix 400 with the resolution of Delta 100 maybe more, Its too bad amazing stoped selling them really cheap and they are really expensive now almost 10$ a roll!
This is one of the top 120 films I have ever used. Spent a month in Colorado shooting landscapes with it. Amazing, but bring a tripod!! Pushes good.
You got it.Very cool black and white film.It's slow so you'd better bring a tripod.Definitely worth a try.
This is, as far as I know, the slowest readily available b&w film.  Very fine grained with excellent dynamics and character.  More Strand than Adams, if you know what I mean.  Physically quite sturdy with a nice scratch and dust resistant surface.  Wipes clean with an anti-static cloth and ready to scan.
I recall with fondness shooting Kodak's Panatomic X 35mm while in photojournalism classes in college. Years later, when I graduated to shooting medium and view camera format, I discovered Ilford films, and consider Ilford Pan F Plus to be a worthy successor to the old ASA 32 Panatomic. Too bad this type of film is rapidly disappearing, along with the expertise to use it, I fear. Try it while you can and experience true fine-grained black and white imagery.
Updated Review April 2012:Now 5 stars instead of 4.  I started using distilled water in my developing and fixinig (I own a $150 distiller), and I eliminated the grain clumping issue.  This is an older formula film that is more sensitive to my crummy water.  The reciprocity failure is actually a benefit, and allows long exposures in broad daylight.  I would use Delta or TMAX at dusk, when this film loses too much speed on long exposures.When scanned, this film has ASTOUNDING resolving power on a 6x7 negative, better than TMAX or Delta films.  40x50 prints are very sharp, much sharper than my Canon 5Dmkii.ProsI use this film on a Mamiya 7ii.  A wonderful film with smooth old-school tones and fine grain.  This film has very long midtones, smooth blacks, and crisp highlights.  It really gives a different overall feel than modern films, and doesn't need much editing if you scan your film and print digitally.ConsContrast may be high for some situations, but this helps eliminates most editing when scanning.  In dull lighting, it may look too muddy.  Long exposures loses film speed (but good for slow water shots).  Crummy tap water will create grain clumping.
We've been trying different emulsions with a one bath monobath type developer and have good results with this film. A mix we refer to as "reagent 3" has been most successful and can be seen at [...]
This film packs a wallop. Incredible grain with a large range of contrast, this film at 120 is excellent for shooting either landscapes on a tripod or studio/bright light condition portraits. It's very precise, though, and doesn't quite give me the exposure leeway that Delta provides. But if you nail it, it's absolutely gorgeous.
First of all its not one that shown on picture. Its white boxed PanF.Secondly - all four rolls were stone dead. As in - clear film. Meaning that they were  stored improperly - overfrozen or overheated, so emultion lost its ability to respond to light. Considering that at the same time , using same chemicals i got through at least 10 rolls of Kodak TMAX and Fuji ACROS, i'd say its a pretty safe bet, that culpit was in fact that film. Which is pity - Ilford was always my preferred choice in B&W.; So while film is good.. getting it like that and here - might be issue.
I'm a huge fan of low grain films, this one does the trick. Works well for out door day shooting.
Shot at ISO 80 with Diafine. Excellent results, fairly low contrast, NO GRAIN in a 40MP scan.  Will use for portraits.
This is by far the cleanest film out there. Now, I love a good grain, and it is one of the reasons I still shoot film, but for portraiture that needs to be clean this is THE WAY to go.PROS- Did I mention how clean it is?- One of the few decent b&w; ISO 50 films left- When exposed correctly, developing is comfortingly rigid- Can be pushed relatively well- Well priced- Intense sharpnessCONS- Slight lack of contrast makes shots that aren't well lit look out-dated.Overall this is a VERY nice film. In this digital age, people see grain the same way as digital noise (which it ISN'T), so if I am going to shoot film for a client this is the one I'll be using for sure! Highly recommended!
I have been involved in amateur photography for about 30 years; I still use a K-1000 becauseit is a solid camera and I have accumulated so many lenses and filters. I have purposefullyunderexposed and then "pushed" this film successfully and easily. If you want to shoot B/W for anythingor shoot a landscape and then blow it up to 36X24 inches with virtually no grain, this is IT.
ASA 50 means fine grain.  Although when scanned the negatives lose a bit of resolution.  We debvelop with kodak d76 weak solution to get finest possible grain.  It is truely microscopic and when hand printed looks a bit like ansel adams quality so long as the picture is not printed too large (over16x20. The problem is that printing your own is getting harder and harder to do and professional labs that don't just scan using their multi thousand dollar fine scanner are darn near impossible to find.  Anyhow for the best possible B&W photos this film fits the bill.  Just go slow with the developing.3 +1 minimum mix.
FIFTY ASA!!!!!!!! I can't believe this stuff is legal. It's so testy you either better be shooting at the sun or using a tripod that weighs more than a Japanese pop-singer. The detail is ludicrous.  Please dont waste this high quality stuff on a point and shoot. It deserves to be exposed through some really nice glass. I'd hate to see this stuff in a Nikon. (just a lil' jab at the Nikon afficiando's, I'm a Contax man myself (zeiss or die bitches!!!!).The sharpness is absolutely terrifying. IT's like taking a folding razor to jello.
I'd like to start this review off with an admission - I am pretty new to shooting film. I've run through plenty of the cheap film that you can get at your department store and I thought that I'd try and get away from that stuff and get something that great reviews and was going to be more of a challenge to shoot with.I set my FT2 light meter to ISO50 and started shooting away. 36 exposures later I went and dropped the film off at the local lab and waited my two business days for it to be completed. When I went to go pick it up every single one of the pictures was WAY over exposed. Now, I'm not an expert with film but I think that the remedy for this would be to change the light meter on my camera to maybe ISO100 and run another roll through.Even though all of the pictures were way overblown (Thus making the scans look like they'd been sitting in the sun for the past 30 years) I could immediately tell that once I get a properly exposed roll of this through my camera it's going to look amazing. I'm just bummed that I followed what my light meter told me and it cost me thirty bucks with no usable pictures.I will update this review with pictures when I get a chance to run another roll through my camera.
Its good, it really is good but 50 iso is crazy low for me, so I pushed it some just 1 stop to 100, i might try 200. but 100 worked for me.
I've always loved the grain of black and white films. There seems to be something old-fashioned about the grain. My heart is always with Ilford black and white films (the Fujis don't work for me, and the Kodaks are TOO grainy). When I decided to shoot Ilford Pan F 50, I expected to be disappointed because of the low ISO and expected very low grain.I got what I expected: low grain. What I also got were shots with AMAZING contrast and GORGEOUS shades of gray. This is officially my new favorite black and white film. I also get even more dreamy depth of field with this. And if I want grain, pfft, I'll just cheat and add some in Photoshop.5-star film!
I got this because you can no longer get Kodak BW400CN and this was the only C-41 120 format monochrome film. While it performed quite well in exposure, it did not produce the look I was going for. I have nothing against this film, or Ilford, it is just an artistic thing. I have two rolls of this sitting in my film fridge for when I need that look, but for now they are waiting. If you are shooting a lot of film and are looking for something slightly different in the look of your B&W; photos give this a shot, it might not be my look, but it could be yours. If you shoot film you know what I'm talking about.If this film gives you the look you want it would be a 5 star film for you.
This is a great film and give good grain and great contrast, however, tread carefully if you plan on using this with your Holga.  Holga's light leaks and relative slowness of the shutter ( usually add a great surprise when the film comes back from developing)  may get you t really washed out/blurry pictures like I did - not a big deal, it's just for fun - but be warned.I did use about half of this roll at sunset and night and the 8 or so I got then came out great.
I used this film for many projects including work in the Middle East. Sharp and very tonally rich 16x20 prints. Continues to be my favorite.
We still do an occasional medium format B/W assignment and find this film handy with our Pentax 6x7 or the Hasselblad cameras.Very easily processed as &#34;color negative&#34; in C-41 chemistry.  Good grain and high enough ISO.
Great film and great quality.  Love running this through my Yashica and Holga cameras.  Nice beautiful artistic true B&W shots.
I expected a metal box to have some strength, but I think if these were dropped they would be bent out of shape. The inserts that hold the slides are worse, the thinnest possible vacuum formed plastic, like something to be used once for a shipping package, not archival storage.
The box is metal and essentially indestructible. The filing system is not a per slide system but allows you to group slides together and/or file slides in paper, or glass mounts. I have used these trays for a number of years and am very satisfied with them. I do wish there were a way to identify slides a little better than what comes with the box.
Not worth the money. Very unsatisfied with this product. Basically a metal box with flimsy plastic &#34;chocolate candy&#34; type separators to hold slides. Apparently the design was changed because previous models had metal dividers to separate and hold slides. Anything to save a buck. Product being returned.
Like many others who have reviewed this slide file, I had bought my first Logan slide file some 30 years ago and now have four.  The one I just received from Amazon was painted a different color (a metallic blue rather than a metallic gold) but otherwise identical.  It is by far the best slide storage and file box I have ever found.  Several people have commented on the plastic insert with dividers and called it flimsy.  I have a different view - these inserts are the same as the ones supplied in my old Logan slide files and they have lasted 30 years of handling without any tearing, ripping, splitting, or other problem.  I prefer them to metal dividers that came with a different style old box - no flakes of paint or metal - and they space more efficiently.  If I were still taking slides (I'm not), then I'd continue buying these Logan slide files.
If you truly value your slides and want to keep them safe, I don't think there is a better system out there than the Logan Box.
I needed this item to store a large number of slides that I've been scanning to digital. The box is sturdy and should hold up well overtime. The plastic trays that the slides fit into are a little on the cheap/thin side, but I don't see an issue with that unless you'll be moving slides in and out of the trays frequently. The metal case is nice, my only issue with it is the box is apparently not lined up perfectly. It closed perfectly before filling it with slides, however, now one of the latches closes snugly while the other is pretty loose. Not a huge deal though as I'm not worried about it opening accidentally. Overall it's not a bad item, you might find better for more money but I'm happy with mine.
The Logan LG1500 serves the purpose it was designed for ... slide storage.  The external metal case is made reasonably well though not perfect since latches do not always line up (to be expected at this price).  The internal slide holders were a disappointment.  Instead of rigid plastic trays, the trays are made of cheap plastic insert material best described as the same type of plastic trays used to separate candies in a box of chocolates.  They will not stand the test of time.  All in all, it meets the immediate need; however, it is a disappointing solution for the price.  Probably would have been better served by the cheaper achival quality slide archive boxes found in such places as Adorama.
This product works very well to organize slides. The only negative is that the slide trays are not made of metal but of a pliable plastic. Otherwise it would be a 5* product. I hope the trays last as long as the well-constructed metal case. As far as I can tell, the product is manufactured in America, which is very important to me.
I am taking a different point of view then some reviews about this product. It is made sturdy enough to keep prying people or children out (if you add locks which I did) and it is not so light weight material to fear it bending with ease. I would not drop it or otherwise toss it around. It is for slides after all! And as such is not designed for such abuse! I bought it specifically to keep my children out of these slides/transparencies which date from the 1970's-1980's. As such I believe I have nothing to be concerned about with this storage box, it will keep them out and the photos safe within.
I have used these boxes for more than three years. They keep your slides organized and clean. However, these boxes are expensive.
Quality product provides secure storage for slides.  Price is somewhat high for what is provided though.
I've been buying the Logan Double Decker Slide Storage boxes since the 80's. I just bought 2 last week (April 2014) for a club I belong to. The quality has gone down.The upper part of the latch that is riveted to the cover no longer has the tang that  sticks downward and fits into the top of the lower part of the latch that is fastend to the hinged door. The tang held the upper & lower parts of the latch in place so the lock could be easily flipped up. The hinged door seem to have some sort of snap to it so it stays up now instead of falling open all the time, like on some of my older boxes. Now when you flip  the locks up you have to either spring them sideways a bit or push the cover to the left or right so they snap in place....The plastic trays are very thin blow mold (black) plastic. The bottoms are so thin they are buckled throughout the individual pockets the slides drop in.  One actually tore open when I tried to straighten it out......cheap & thin......The top tray has a warp to it so its bowed upward in the center. Plus the plastic wasn't trimmed properly to fit in the upper tray. After I trimmed the L & R side edges I found out the metal edges of the upper tray are shorter and don't come up over the trays to lock the tray in place. When you pull out a tight grouping of slides you will have to hold the insert inplace or the insert will come out of the upper or lower  tray.Paint & finish is ok. The handle seems a bit harder than the plastic handle used in 2005 when I bought "12" Logan 1500's. Plus I also bought about 15 750 capacity insert trays to convert my 300 count boxes to 750..This was when Logan was in Chicago, now they are in Bartlett, IL..Can't the insert trays be made some other color other than "black"?  They used to be grey and they were lite yellow in the 80's.I've got almost 20 of theses boxes now and If I need anymore I will try to buy some 20 year old Logan's someone may be selling on Ebay or at some estate sales..I also wish there was a choice of colors. The Blue finish is ok. The other colors I've purchased were Charcoal Grey and Gold. But given the lack of slides being taken now the demand for these storage boxes are  nil..
The tray hold 600 slides each not 750.  All of my slides are from the 1950s, 60s and 70s but for the most part the holders are identical.  Not sure how you get the 'extra' 300 slides in the box but didn't work for me.
We shot 35mm slide film for years.  This slide file is a great storage as they are put into the computer.Have 4 files now.  Last one had a broken spring in one latch.  Latch still locks.
This compact yet large slide file is just what my husband needed since he is still shooting Kodachrome slides.  Many slides fit into it and it stacks nicely in a closet with other files.
I have no clue what the people that wrote bad reviews on this case are storing their photos in, this is a really nice case. Granted the holder inside the case that keeps the slides together in sets of up to 28 is a bit flimsy, but other than that this is a nice sturdy case. Their are only three ways I know of to store slides, the boxes they come back from processing in, a cardboard box, or a metal case. The plastic cases the slides come back in take up a lot of space, cardboard is flimsy and tears over time, this case is metal and has a plastic divider in it. It isn't bulletproof, but it is nice and sturdy.Overview: The outer shell of the case is all metal with a vinyl handle, I noted no unpainted areas or rust on it. The slide divider is thin black vacuum molded plastic, it feels cheep, but really it is a nice solution for storage. The piece of paper is just that, a loose piece of paper that you can either lay on the slides or as I did use some double stick tape and attach it to the under side of the lid. The one drawback I noted with this case is that the divider is segmented for sets of about 24 slides so if you shoot rolls of 36 there will be a lot of wasted space, I shoot rolls of 24 and get 24 to 29 (yes 29) slides per roll so this case works well for me holding about 750 slides, I can fit about three months worth of shooting into a single case and then I just write the dates covered on the front of the case with a marker so I can see it when the case is on a shelf.I tried this box and would avoid itAdorama Archival 35mm Size # 400 Slide Storage Box with Divider Boxes, Holds 400 Slides, 11 1/4" x 6" x 2 1/2".The metal case holds twice as many slides and is far sturdier and requires a whole lot less assembly. The assembly savings alone can justify small price difference per stored slide.I have tried other slide storage methods and this case simply works the best for my method of shooting and storage.
I paid approximately 30 for this and am disappointed in the quality. Made of flimsy sheet metal (and I do mean flimsy), the whole thing boasts of asian quality throughout. The top cover doesn't close correctly, latches are poorly aligned, and the paint finish is.. well, un-finished. The white paper you see attached to the pictured unit must have been glued-on by the photographer, because it sure as heck doesn't come that way. Avoid this, unless you just can't find any better.
This box is a little dissappointing in that the metal is so thin that the box will twist and the latch comes open.  I expected a more substantial construction for $25 bucks.  The slide holder insert is very cheap thin plastic, and the index sheet that came with it is just a loose piece of paper and not attached to the inside of the box top.  This is about what I would expect for around $9.95 or so.  I'm glad that I did not purchase the double-sided box by the same manufacturer.  I can just imagine the lower half falling open and spilling all the slides on the floor.
From 1962 until the late 90s, I used conventional 35mm film photography and recorded almost all of my images in the 2" x 2" slide format. I would estimate that I have about 7000 slides altogether. Maybe more. I used them mostly in teaching college-level geology courses. Well, now I've converted over to digital photography and I get a lot of additional images from Google image searches.The problem is, I want to sort out and save all my old slides, just in the event that I have need for them in the future. Most of the slides are presently stored in Logan Slide Files, just like the one pictured and recently I tried looking for a few additional trays. Well, it was quite a search. Nobody, well, almost nobody, carries them anymore. I finally found a couple and then thought of looking online. Alas, they still live online if I need any more (quite probably), but they're rather expensive for what you get.The Logan tray is flimsy and poorly made, but I don't see the need for anything much better. All I need is a place to store my very-seldom-used old 35mm slides and these trays work splendidly.Gary Peterson
I have a few thousand slides that needed to be consolidated to smaller storage from slide carousels.  These are great.  I bought several of the single level boxes based on reviews saying they were flimsy, but i disagree and the double level box would have been fine.  Sturdy and made of metal so they will last a long time.  Glad i bought them.
For any kind of photography that does not involve the use of either extremely large lenses, or more than 3 total lenses, this is the ideal camera bag.  I reach for it more often than any other pack I own, including very high quality backpacks like the Tamrac Expedition 5.  With the hip pack/shoulder bag combination, you can easily access all of your gear while walking, not even needing to stop, and all of it is upright and will not fall out.  You are not forced to set anything down on dirty surfaces and can reach for gear with one hand.  For longer pack trips, such a bag is also very easily placed inside a standard backpack, which is again difficult w/ larger models.  I highly recommend this bag, or other similar types from Tamrac, if your normal activities meet the above conditions.  If you often utilize super telephoto lenses or are a photographer who finds joy in carrying around a vast array of lenses, this one will be too small.  Most of my pictures are taken w/ a Nikon D70s, and either a Nikkor 18-200 mm AF-S VR zoom or my wide-angle 12-24 mm for landscapes.  This bag easily carries these, all accessories, and an additional lens such as an 80-400 mm zoom.  Resist any temptations you might have to go with a backpack.  The reason for this is simple logistics. It turns out that in terms of carrying a camera, a backpack is just about the most difficult apparatus to use efficiently. In order to access your SLR, you must essentially remove the pack and place it on the ground. This is then followed by accessing your camera, which generally has to be set down in order for you to re-shoulder the bag. Quite an unpleasant, time consuming and burdensome process especially when the ground is covered in snow or mud.  Go with a LowePro or Tamrac hip pack/shoulder bag like this one.
I had a hard time deciding on a camera bag.  I have a Nikon D40 and 70-300 VR lens.  I wanted something I could grow into and but not have too much room either.  I looked at some of the backpacks but bought this instead.  I am glad I did.The bag has enough room in the main compartment for my camera with the 18-55 lens attached and also the 70-300 VR lens.  The ability to carry it as a shoulder bag or around my waist is great!  I am leaving the two side lens cases detacted for now until I have more lens.  BTW, the 70-300 VR lens will fit in the side canisters, although it is snug.The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that I would make storing the waist straps better.
This has been my main bag for a long time. I have a Canon 20D with the kit lens (18-55), 28-135mm, a 430 flash, and a bottle of water between the main compartment and the 2 side cans. This still leaves plenty of room in the front compartment for additional cards, batteries, filters, and stuff.However, when I added the battery grip, the camera was too wide to fit in the bag.  My 77mm "L" lenses are a tight squeeze into the cans even without the lens hoods.Fully loaded, the bag can get pretty heavy and pretty awkward to wear around my waist.  I have run with it, but I often feel like I might need a bigger butt to help support it.  I think that this is about as big a bag I can ever wear around my 33" waist.  I usually just sling in over my shoulder with the nice padded shoulder harness.I give it a 5 because for what it is, the bag is very good.  I've dragged it to many places and the bag is still in very good condition.  Zippers are smooth and don't catch. The material is very strong and I am confident about the cushioning the bag provides. When wearing around my waist I cannot feel the contents of the bag when I'm walking or bending over because the cushioning is good. The waist strap is thick and comfortable but can be tucked inside a sleeve in the back when I'm just using the harness.  I also like that I can just click the bag closed when I don't want to have to zip up the camera compartment.
This bag is absolutely perfect for what I wanted in a camera bag.  My priorities for a camera bag were for most of the weight to be placed at my waist so that there would be less downward force on my lumbar spine.  The weight would exert downward pressure starting below my low back which is ideal when carrying heavy equipment.  This is extremely important for anybody who already experiences low back pain or is interested in preserving for as long as possible the health of the lumber intervertebral discs and lumbar facet joints (which will become arthritic with time and spinal axial loading).  I also wanted the bag to be easily accessible while walking or on-the-fly.  I wanted to have maximum freedom while holding my camera or just being able to use my arms freely while carrying the camera in the bag.Traditional backpacks and the single-strap Lowepro Slingshot backpacks place the weight of the bag onto your lumbar spine and so these were out of the question.  If you ever carry heavy equipment, you'll understand how important it is to have the weight start its force below, rather than above the low back.  These backpacks also do not give as much freedom on-the-fly as a waist pack or fanny bag like the Lowepro Off Road.  Even the Slingshot bag with its single strap is not nearly as convenient to use on-the-fly as you have to spin that bag around and then spin it back.So packs that are tied to the waist or "fanny packs" are the best at preserving the health of one's low back, and also the best for on-the-fly use.  However, have you ever tried to carry a traditional fanny pack with 10-15 lbs of weight?  Well, it can be done, and the Lowepro Off Road will let you use the bag purely as a fanny pack.  It will, however, look odd and bounce as you walk.  I'm 5' 8" and 150 lbs and it feels somewhat large but manageable when used as purely a fanny pack.  You will certainly get some stares from others who see this large luggage hanging from you.However, the beauty of this bag is that it is actually probably better when NOT used as a pure fanny or waist pack.  I have this bag on tied to my waist with the really easy, large, and durable waist clips.  About 90% of the weight is attached to my hips and so my low back is spared.  The other 10% of the load is off-set by my using the included comfortable shoulder strap.  Using the bag in this manner with both the waist strap and the shoulder strap may sound odd, but in fact it accomplishes 2 things:The bag no longer looks odd.  It looks like you're carrying a regular, handsome and sporty bag with a shoulder strap that also happens to have waist support.  But the bag no longer appears to be an odd, oversized fanny pack, but an acceptable and handsome shoulder bag.  Yet, because of the waist support, you get all of the conveniences of the fanny pack, including lower lumbar spine strain reduction and ultimate freedom to use both your arms without having a conventional shoulder bag fall off.The other purpose of using the shoulder strap with the waist strap besides making the bag look conventionally handsome, is that it does provide some support while you walk or run.  Without the shoulder strap, the fanny bag would bounce up and down quite a bit.  Again, I'm 5' 8" and medium build.  If you're significantly taller and heavier, the bag may not bounce as much and may not look as odd without the shoulder strap.I can load and unload the bag on-the-fly without stopping.  My camera equipment is available easily whenever I need it quickly and my arms are free.  I own a Nikon D40X with an 18-135mm and SB-600 external flash which fit easily in the main compartment with a lot of room to spare.  There are probably still 3 inches of room in front of the mounted 18-135 mm lens on the body.  There is even space still left over in the main boxy compartment to fit my Sony HDR-SR7 high definition hard-drive video camera!  On each side of the main box-like compartment, you have 2 more cylindrical containers which are also removal and can be replaced with other modules from Lowepro.The build quality is excellent and the design is truly unique as I was not able to find any other design similar to this.  This is such a well-designed bag that truly takes into consideration all of the priorities I listed: low back-sparing design with waist straps, ability to have the camera available without stopping to remove a backpack or even rotate/spin a Slingshot, and the ability to make what would normally be an odd-looking large fannypack transformed into a handsome shoulder bag in disguise (since it really still functions as a fanny bag).I cannot recommend this bag highly enough.  Even if you don't experience chronic low back pain, I think this bag is very important in helping you get as much mileage out of your low back before you develop osteoarthritis of your lumbar spine (which will inevitably occur as we all age).
The outer lens packs are much too small.  My zoom lenses have too large of a diameter to use the lens cases.  If I put my short portrait lens in the cases then I have to fish them out, since they only open on the top. As a result to make my system work I have to mount the big zoom on the camera, the 3 smaller lenses in the small outer lens tubes, flash and hoods in the center with the camera.  If the pack had adjustible size lens tubes or even larger ones as options, I could make this work.  I need to be able to strap around my waist.  Terribly limited organization options.  I think I will go spend time at a brick and morter store with my gear and send this one back.  It just doesn't work for a small modern slr kit
I had couple other bags which all cost about the same and did not last vey long under my abuse. however this one has survied almost 5years. traveling all over the world. I did broke one filter in south america, but without this bag i may have broken the lenes. easy to take your camera in and out. ready to shoot in seconds anytime. can hike for days with it.Good for a good size body three professional zooms and a medium flash.Wish the lense pouch is slightly wider for my 24-70L lense, and bag itself is a inch deeper for the 70-200L on the body.Highly recommend.
I like the bag for its simplicity of camera carrying equipment whether off shoulder of around the neck with a waist belt. Overall its a little big but you can carry a bunch of other stuff in it and its also plane compatible, so therefore you can carry a little more personal stuff on board as well, it fits my 2 lenses and the nikon d 80 well, so its a good bag for taking around on the holidays, did i mention thats its a little too big.... overall its a good investment worth checking out well thought out for the semi pro camera person or wannabe.
These worked great in my Kodak camera, I bought two sets to swap! So far so good, hope they last as well as the factory supplied battery did.
This battery, though relatively inexpensive, is required for the Kodak Battery charger to work.  This is apparently because of the plastic "connector" that mounts the two batteries together - the connector has a shape that is recognized by the camera's connection to the Kodak battery charger, thereby allowing the Kodak charger to charge the battery.The problem with the nickle-hydride is that their ability to hold a charge varies greatly from battery to battery.  A previous one we purchased failed to achieve a full charge in less than a years time.  The last one lasted about two years before failing to keep a charge for more than a few days.  This new one holds a charge, but we have not 'exercised' it enough to determine how many pictures it will produce on a full charge.  As the camera is really just a back-up for a newer Sony, no problem.As an inexpensive replacement for our KAA2HR Kodak battery, it appears to be satisfactory.
I ordered two of these things put on in my camera to change and it did not seem to be charging. So when it took it off the charger the camera was hot. I pulled the battery and it was so hot I couldn't hold it. Thinking it was just that one battery, I tried the other one with the same result.
While I saw a number of negative comments, this battery set worked just like the Kodak brand and I saved a pile. VERY happy.
I've had these for a number of months now and they have held up quite well. I would recommend them!
arrived in short order and fit. What more could you want. cheaper maybe. But I knew the price to start with so can't complain
Fast delivery great batteries. I had used these before and got excellent results with them. would recommend them to any one looking for replacement batteries for their camera.
Purchased in advance for a trip....brought on trip and zilch..no power! Tried charging on a chance I should...still nothing. Upon return from my trip I was passed return window. What a bummer! I would not purchase!
The listing clearly showed what I was purchasing which is just what I was looking for. The ordering was simple and and the batteries that I needed arrived very quickly. I could ask for nothing more.
These 60s sure spread the light. I like these plastic rods better than the old style which seemed to get bent easily.
I've been using some soft boxes with continuous lights and some 33&#34; umbrellas, and they've produced good results, but I wanted something bigger. This thing is a BEAST. I mean, okay, it's 60&#34; - you know this, you order this - but until you see it, it's hard to comprehend how BIG it is.Anywayyyy, this umbrella bounces beautiful, even light and it's very high quality. My 33&#34; umbrellas are name-brand and still don't feel as thick and nice as this.BUY IT. You'll love it. (and as far as my future goes, I don't know when I would use my 33&#34; ones again).
Very sturdy and solid build. I want a couple more now! Highly recommended for the professional or amateur photographer. Works beautifully.
I have three of these. One is the earlier design with metal ribs. The other two are the newer design with fiberglass ribs. The fiberglass ribs give it a whole new feel in durability and strength. They also flex when you drop the unit, not bend and later break. I know because I just replaced the metal one I had that did just that.The material is also very durable and heavy while the entire unit feels of quality.There are cheaper brands out there, and if all you need is something for a studio that doesn't get repackaged much, then they may and probably will work for you. If you need quality, these are probably the best umbrellas you can get. I have Westcot umbrellas too, and these are built better than they are. Note however the Westcot brand is a quality brand too.Photoflex umbrellas have really come out on top in the quality department. A really nice product.
I have been using Photoflex products for decades because they have consistent great quality! A &#34;GO TO&#34; brand to look for!
This umbrella does what it is supposed to do...opens without much effort, feels sturdy, holds its shape and folds up easily.
I use this basically as a reflective umbrella for wedding photos and studio shots.  Is large and gives a very soft light to subjects.  It doesn't have the metal bows so it's tough.  I take very good care of mine so as not to get dirty, keep it in the heavy clear bag it's delivered in.  Would recommend this to any photographer
Very well built worth the cost!  I chose this based off many reviews and I'm glad I did. This a larger unit at 60&#34; make sure you get the correct size for your application.
I have used this umbrella now for over a year, shooting high school senior portraits.  It throws out a wide area of soft, diffused light.  After over a year's use, it looks practically new.  Excellent quality and good bang for the buck.I'm using it on a 10 ft light stand with an Alien Bees AB800.
Just received the Photoflex 60". The construction and materials are fine. Compared to my Photogenic 60" umbrella, I really like the Photoflex. The Photoflex has more reflective area; it is bigger. And the umbrella design is excellent. I definitely recommend the Photoflex 60".
It works great. Perfect size for quick viewing.
I wish it had more magnification, but it's a good little viewer.  I was happy with it.
This slide viewer in my opinion is an overpriced piece of plastic and sheet metal junk. Every thing with the exception of the light bulb is slip and contact fitted and cheaply constructed. The battery contact points are very flimsy and the batteries slide off the contact points too often.The viewer, as stated, is overpriced at $23.00. It's worth about $10.00 max.
It was a perfect viewer to view old slides that I am considering converting to photos, I was able to review a large amount quickly, it isn't the right medium to share slides for viewing but that isn't the reason I chose to purchase it, it worked well and was inexpensive.
Just what I needed to review several thousand slides before getting them digitized. Easy to use. Arrived on time. Good.
This inexpensive slide reviewer meets my needs perfectly. It is well constructed, takes up a small amount of space to store and the slides are clear and sharp when viewed. Happy with the product CA :>)
Perfect little viewer, used for viewing old slides, to choose the ones that would be put on a CD.  It's lightweight, so it couldn't take any kind of abuse.  But it'll only be used for a short time, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money.
I need to view some old slides before cleaning and then scanning to digital files. The fits my needs perfectly.
This is not the best way to view slides. The picture comes and goes and it is never consistent.
The viewer did not work when I first tried it. When I opened it to make sure I had installed the batteries correctly, one of the battery contacts broke off! It reminded me of when "Made in Japan" was a euphemism for lousy products. Unfortunately, this one was made in New Jersey.
So glad to find this viewer.  We tried to get one th a t was about fifty years old to work and gave up.  Then I found this viewer.  Easy to use and even found replacement bulbs too!  Great deal.
This is the same item I bought years ago and the price is right. It works perfectlyand allows perfect viewing of slides. It makes viewing avariety of slides quick and easy. I'm most happy with mypurchase!!!
This viewer gives a clear picture and enlarges the slides enough to let you enjoy the entire scene and in my case decide which slides I want to transfer to DVD.  The placement of the viewing light is a little difficult for my stiff fingers.
I bought this reader for the thousands of negatives I have and need to go through. It doesn't work for negatives at all. The light is bright, but it fails for what I needed it for.
I can't give first hand experience as I ordered it for my 85 year old father.  But he says it works fine and he's not mad at me for ordering crap.  That's saying something.  So it must be a real buy!
Had a big project ahead of me that entailed looking through several hundred slides and no way to look through them. This was a good, inexpensive solution. One caveat: This may be a product that you only use once in a great while. All batteries leak over time (worst offenders are Duracells). If you have any battery operated appliance you only use once in a great while, remove the batteries between uses.
Really fast shipping on product.  Allows me to review slides and provides a clear picture....really great!  Just what I wanted!
If you're looking for a decent, no frills slide viewer, this one will do the job.
This viewer, on 2x AA batteries, was mission perfect for categorizing about 1000 family slides for photolab slide-to-CD scanning.  Roundhouse guess, about 150 slides and hour.  Tough to beat.
This was not what I expected. Pictures were clear, but not big enough. I should have ordered a larger viewer.
This was just what I wanted- was looking for a small, hand-held viewer, modestly priced, so that I could view some old slides that I wanted to organize.  Fits the ticket!! Thanks
Just what I needed a view  finder for some OLD SLIDES I found at my fathers house.  Now I can figure what ones are good and turn in to digital.
Perhaps I will use this in due time, but for now it just didn't meet my expectations and needs.it is probably going to be fine when I get in the right mood to use it.
I had quite a lot of old, old family slides to go through.  Before investing in a slide projector, I wanted to see if it was necessary.  This little gadget was perfect to see the slide.  I requires two aa batteries and you're good to go.  You can only insert one slide at a time but that was fine with me.  Of course the screen is small but it lights up nicely so you can see exactly what you need to see.  Cheap price for a pretty good viewer.
I need to review and weed out unwanted slides from my old collection before having them put on a DVD.  I don't need a new slide viewer so I purchased a used one, but this one is like new.  The original box it came in is less than perfect but certainly didn't affect the look or quality of the slide viewer.  I'm very pleased with my purchase.
Enjoyed using this to screen some of my father-in-law's old slides from when he was stationed in Europe.  Easy to use and easy to hand around for grandchildren to see, too.
This product did not live up to expectations.  The light bulb did not work and after replacing it one need to reset the light buttton.  I would be cautious when ordering this product.
This slide viewer is an excellent and convenient piece of photo equipment for reviewing 35mm slides whereever the person is who is doing the reviewing.  It is small enough to take in a suitcase, it runs quite awhile on two AA batteries, it includes a bright light and shows the slides in briliant natural color.
Great viewer for slides.I have 3,00 slides but no large projector. Wanted something small so I could view the slides and pick ones to get made into prints etc. This product works great for viewing the slides.Purchases a replacement bulb  - but have not had to use it yet. Have had this product seveal years now. Good value.Not a big screen but satisfactory to see the slides.
I got it and it's a piece of junk. It didn't work and the construction was nothing but junk. Very poor quality.
As mentioned in my review on the Gagne Port-A-Trace light box, when it comes to viewing slides, being able to hold them in your hand and viewing them with a single slide light box is the way to go.  I really enjoy using this instrument.
Work in a library archives and several boxes of slides were donated to our collection.  This little viewer is the perfect way to quickly look at and identify the slide to be cataloged.
Simple and basic - this item does exactly what you expect and the price is good.  I've just gotten it, but I looked through a large box of slides with no issues.
This is a great little viewer. The slides are easy to insert and remove. The lighting is more than ample to get a good view of the subject matter. The batteries are easy to install and replace. The unit is small and light of weight. Perfect for those times when you want to see some slides for sorting or for evaluating.The price is right and the product performs as expected. Can't ask for more.
No features such as a stand for easiy desk top viewing. Battery compartment falls apart when replacing batteries.
Just what was needed. Can't imagine any other viewer at any price being any better.
I found this product to be exactly what I was looking to find. I had one of these many years ago and I didn't think that they were still made until now. I am a very satisfied customer. Bravo!
This little slide viewer is perfect and is just like it was described.  I am a very satisfied customer and highly recommend it.
I bought this based on reviewers that also have hundreds of slides that need a quick review. I have slides that were both my dad's and my granddad's. I just want to go thru them quickly to determine what I want to keep. This was the inexpensive solution. Metal and cardboard slides can both be viewed. Works great and reasonable price (21). I bought the charger (15) but I perhaps I should have just used rechargeable batteries. I'm just getting started so maybe it was a good buy but the power cord cost almost the price of the viewer. I have some beautiful photos of the NW. Anyone know if it is possible and not cost prohibitive to have a slide enlarged (transparent not print) so I could display it with a backlight on my wall? These slides are beautiful backlit. It gives a 3D effect to the mountain scenes which I think would be lost in print. Thanks for your reply.
This item DOES fulfill its function of helping viewer view slides easily. However, it is shabbily put together and I had to change the angle of one of its parts to get it to work. That will probably will bear constant attention a long as it lasts.(I refer to a weak metal holder in the battery compartment.} It is hoped that products will improve over years of use by the general public, but this item has never improved and is over priced for its manufacture and successful lasting function
The viewer works great...just like I remembered it.It gives me the opportunity to view slides from the 1960's to decide whether I should get prints made.
When it works, it's not bad. But it works so erratically I can give it only one star.I installed the batteries per the instructions. I pressed down the switch and slide together per the instructions. The light goes on about 1/3 of the time, and never stays on. I have a hard time believing something so simple could work so poorly. I tried to make it work for about 15 minutes, and gave up and returned it for a refund.I'm just going to have to accept that you get what you pay for, and something so cheap is not going to work that well.
Well I have a lot of old slides and I wanted to get a quick look at them to see if i wanted to scan them into my computer. I was looking for an inexpensive way to do this and this little viewer did a pretty good job. The screen is only two inches but for the price it worked out fine for me.  Shipping was fast and no problems with the purchace.
This item works exactly as I expected it to.  It is adequate for the screening of slides that I am sorting through ...it does seem to go through a AA battery relatively quickly, but I just popped in a rechargable one so it was/is really no big deal.  Clear view.  Viewing window is small, but is exactly as described.
I had a duplicate Pana Vue many years ago.  And todays is just as good as my old one.  Nice Job
Did the job for my project.. Fast delivery and worked fine
Received ahead of time. I had over 300 slides to sort through and log. It was helpful to remember all the trips and where we traveled when and where,
I had been given many slides from many years ago of my family.  This product gave me a very clear and sharp view .  Even though the slides were old, they showed up very brightly.  I appreciate the return of my past and this product helped a lot.
I bought this viewer to view several on my slides taken years ago.  I was expecting the slide viewer to illuminate my slides larger than 2&#34; x 2&#34;.  I would not purchase this size again!
My father gave me about 2000 slides before he passed away.  I am slowly scanning them into my computer.  This little device has made it easier for me to get rid of the slides I don't want.  I didn't think they made them anymore and was very happy to find it on Amazon.
It does not magnify the slide pictures at all.  I was expecting a little magnification.  It's very hard to tell any details in the photos with this viewer.
I had received one prior to this that worked perfectly.  This one does not light up and I have ordered another one.
I found a few boxes of old slides and didn't have anyway to look at them.  Went to Amazon and found what I was looking for.  This works great.  I also bought the transformer to go with it so I don't have to use batteries/
Just got it.  Works great for viewing individual slides.  Does not seem like it will break easily.  Will repost if my opinion changes with use.
I ordered the Pana-Vue 2 viewer because I liked the idea of a built in light; however I was extremely disappointed in this product.  It was difficult to get it to work after putting in the batteries; you had to get the lid on so that it went under a small bit of plastic and it took numerous tries to do so.  If you have a slide that has a group of people on it they are very small.  Only 4 people were on one of my slides and the view was not good.  I have another slide viewer that probably cost a dollar, but you have to hold it up to a light to view the slide; but the view is much, much better than the Pana-Vue 2.
Bought this for my Mother and she loves it. Simple to operate, easy to move around.Not much more to say but we highly recommend this viewer, especially if you have years of slides to weed through.
I need to go through hundreds of family slides and put them in some sort of order.  This is exactly what I needed!
This little viewer enabled me to sort hundreds of slides to get them ready to put on a CD.  It worked just fine, was inexpensive and made the job a snap.  I very much recommend it for anyone with a lot to sort who doesn't want to spend a lot of money doing it.  Also it was simple to operate and use.  Put two AA batteries in it and you are ready to go.  I probably sorted a thousand slides and it's still going strong.
I needed a simple way to review and cull old 35mm slides for scanning and conversion to digital format. This little gem was cheap, easy to use and dependable. Can't ask for more.
Good portable viewer for editing  slides. I use a light table for gross editing followed by this slide viewer to decide what is interesting  enough to scan for future treatment. Saves a lot of scanning time.
Probably like many drawn to this product, I am in the process of reviewing and transferring old 35mm slides to digital format.  Being able to pre-screen hundreds of slides before having to waste the time and effort in scanning.  I actually remembered having a hand held battery operated viewer when I first started taking slide film (it was the cheapest way to do color at the time). I had a Bell & Howell (cube) slide projector (yes I am that old) so this little gem will save me countless hours by allowing me to transfer only the slides I deem "priceless" to digital format and worth the effort to restore.  The Pana-Vue is simple, light and quick.  It gets the job (of previewing) done for me with nothing extra needed, no extra whistles or bells.  Just drop a slide in the slot press down and view, then decide "in the save pile or in the trash pile"? Simple, it was all I needed or wanted and the price was right.  I had one of these beauties and used it for years, until it literally fell to pieces, that was after many years and many moves around the world.  So I was pleased to see and purchase another one.
I burned out my Pana-View Transformer and a couple of batteries because of cheap design and poor reading on my part.  After the damage, I read the warning about always having to remove the viewer batteries before plugging in the transformer.  I should have caught this limitation but it was on a small printed foldout strip, in five languages.  I'm an electrical engineer and have not run into a situation before where you had to remove installed batteries before you can use a power adapter.  This in my opinion was purely in the interest of cost cutting since it is a simple design change.  If you only intend to use the viewer without a transformer, or purely on a power adapter, then there is no problem. I was also disappointed of the fact that the image is smaller than I expected.
So easy, so quick to use in a moments notice to review a slide.Price is good for the workmanship.
I had one of these viewers previously, however it did not last long and I replaced the bulb but still did not work, but it is quick and convenient to use so purchased another.
Perfect travel size viewer.  A little hard to get the back off to insert the batteries, but once you get it, it's fine.
After inheriting boxes and boxes of slides in carousels, my husband and I were determined to sort through them.  Not only was setting up the projector and screen an inconvenience, but extracing from the carousel the few slides we wanted to keep was difficult.  Many years ago we had a single slide viewer but it was misplaced in a move.  This slide viewer was not much different than the old viewer except it seemed so much brighter.  Looking at nearly 3000 slides and sorting them was a breeze with the Pana-Vue #2.  I also purchased the transformer to eliminate the need for batteries and frequent battery replacement.  I look forward to using the Pana-Vue as I work through another large slide project.
I have the task of going through my father's slide collection to see whether there are pictures in there that should be kept.  There are hundreds, maybe even thousands.  This small unit has allowed me to go through these slides quickly as I have time, and sure beats setting up a projector to see what we have.  It serves its purpose just as I hoped it would when I bought it.
I needed something to look at slides to figure out which ones to get printed / scanned. This little thing was great. The picture quality was great and large enough to see a nice view of each slide.
I use to have one of these units long ago so I could view my slides before using my slide projector. I know that I jumped the gun on this one, because I had four boxes of slides that I wanted on DVD and didn't have a way to seperate them. When the slides come back I will be able to pick out which ones I want, and according to subject matter. This unit will difintely alow me to do this. A very good, inexpensive unit for my needs.
This viewer is perfect for weeding out that box of old slides that exists in almost everyone's closet.It's easy to use, the screen is large enough to identify everything.The price is right, it arrived ahead of schedule and we are delighted.
The Pana-Vue 2 viewer has worked extreamly well for reviewing our old 35mm slides.  The viewing screen is large enough to visualize the content of the slide, and make determinations as to which slides are worth scanning into digital format.
This small siide viewer was just what I wanted and ordered.Thank you for the choice and variety along with a price comparison.
I wanted something that looked at negatives. This does not so I returned it. Can not find anything with good reviews.
I purchased this slide viewer to go through about 500 slides that had been stored for years.  It was easy to use,  I was able to review the slides quickly, and choose the ones I wanted to print.  It was an inexpensive way to spend a couple hours taking a trip down "Memory Lane."  I would recommend this product.
I am glad I purchased this slide viewer as it prompted me to purchase a more expensive one that scans and converts slides to digital format.  This little one is very convenient to have on my end table and check out old slides while I'm relaxing and watching television.  Although the photos are very small and some can be challenging to discern, for the price of the slide viewer, you can't beat it.  I have a magnifying glass on my table and for the very busy slides, that solves the problem.Packaging was quite sufficient to protect the merchandise and it was shipped and received promptly.
Easy to use but some of them weren't clear.  I had one but it cracked and I wanted a replacement.  For the money it is a good investment.
Definitely worth the price.  The Pana-Vue #2 does exactly what it is suppose to do.  Easy viewing with clear picture on the screen.  I ordered the extra bulb and power adapter but  so far I have not needed to use them.  I have already viewed around 1,000 slides on the first set of batteries.  This product works exactly as described even better.  I am viewing five to six  thousand slides to prepare them  to be transferred to DVD's for easier and more enjoyable future family  viewing.
My uncle recently passed away and left hundreds of slides. I did not have a way to view them so my husband bought me this slide viewer and it was wonderful. It was nice and easy to look at the slides and see all the beautiful things he photographed over the years. I Loved it.
Having found a large amount of old slides from a deceased relative I had difficulty in locating a viewer in any retail outlet. Found a good selection on Amazon
I purchased this as a gift for my father to replace his original Pana-vue that was borrowed and never returned. He was very happy with it since it was a spot-on replica of the original slide viewer from way back when. It's built with thin plastic and has a cheap feel, but it does what it's supposed to do, just like the original. Only difference from the original is this product doesn't have a wire kickstand to prop the screen at an angle.I recall another review saying the photo was misleading and that the image is not magnified to fill the screen. There is a magnified lens window at the front, so the slides do get enlarged when viewed, but it doesn't fill it like a TV screen obviously.If you're not looking for some newfangled, high-quality build product or you want to replace an original pana-vue, this is a great buy.
Not a good value for the price, have had a problem with the light staying on. With the transformer that you have to purchase seperately the price adds up.
The Pana-Vue #2 slide viewer is adequate for its size.  It does a fine job considering that it is small and relatively inexpensive.  The company shipped this product quickly and in good shape.
This will give you an idea on what slides you want to save and on what slides to discard. Good for the money
Great, inexpensive device for sorting out slides from our visit to the 1976 World's Fair in Montreal.  We want to convert them to a DVD for viewing.  Serves the purpose perfectly.
This has made life so much easier. Basically idiot proof and I love it.  I wish I had bought one of these many years ago. Highly recommend.
I rated the Pana-Vue #2 slide viewer as a three star because there's not much to it. It's just a plastic container that illuminates the slide. There's minimal magnification and I think it is overpriced for what it is. However, I needed something to be able to see the hundreds of slides I am scanning and that is basically what it allows me to do.
for checking out the family ancient collection, probably should have got one that loads, but this works well enough to review before digitizing
This was to replace an earlier version (same model number) which died because I'd left batteries in it and they leaked and destroyed the connective metal.  It's actually not quite as good as the old one which had a flip-out metal stand to improve the viewing angle.  You still view one slide at a time my slipping it in and pressing down.  I believe they now have a version that will do more than one at a time--which could be a big advantage.  Still, it does the job--if you only want to view a few slides.
We had about 300 slides to look at from 45 to 50 years ago and it did a good job , and met the job.
While it was just like it was described it could be better if the light came on automatically when the slide is pressed down.
Perfect for what I wanted. It's hand-held, you can use it while traveling; it's easy to go through a pile of slides quickly! I'm very pleased. Great for the price.
This is a great product for transforming a closet full of slides from my early childhood on.  It is easy to use and works like a charm!
I bought this for my Mother who has macular degeneration. It arrived and wouldn't work, the bulb fell out, wouldn't snap onto the plastic brackets. Needless to say I'll be returning this.  Looks like others had good luck with this item, but mine was a piece of junk.
I have a bag full of slides and this viewer was certainly adequate to use to determine which of the slides I would get printed.
Overall, it's an ok item to buy. It allows you to view those negatives much better.
This certainly works in the sense that you put a slide in and it lights up and you see the slide, but the light is not all that bright.  Considering that it is cheap and basic, however, no complaints.
The Pana-Vue is an excellent product for reviewing slides.  While a bit small, it provides a clear and bright picture to view.  It's well worth the price.  I purchased it to view and select slides to be saved from a large batch of about 600.
The Pana-Vue #2 is a decent no-frills slide viewer that offers the ability to view slides but does not offer a lot of functionality.  The specs at the time of my purchase indicated Product Features of:  * 2X magnification on 1 7/8" screen with folding stand.  My unit did not come with a stand.  The illumination provided by 2 AA batteries isn't really enough to provide the viewer with a good clear image but is sufficient for those who need to pre-view a number of slides prior to scanning them into a digital archive.  You can evidently buy an A/C adapter/transformer for this unit but at nearly $20 shipped, I question the value of that investment.  There are other models out there that likely deliver more bells and whistles.  For basic needs, this viewer does an acceptable job.  It is made of plastic and will likely break easily if dropped onto a hard surface.  It's cheaply made and some what cheaply priced.
Almost worthless.  Batteries and bulb partion keeps falling out..  The tab that turns on the bulb when the slide is insertedd rarely works properly..  All in all, it simply is not worth anythng.
Very satisfied.  Item as pictured and described.
The viewer was fine for my intent of reviewing old slides to have prints made.  Obviously, the view area is modest but for the price it was suitable.
Small, light and compact, this hand held viewer is easy to use and a quick and simple way to see and sort slides.
Provides 2x2 image of whole slide PLUS mount.  So very little magnification of 35mm slide.  Bright enough to identify image but not large enough to judge quality.
The product works well.  I have lots of slides and trying to sort them takes this type of product.  Good!
This is a good little viewer.  I have many old slides and wanted to take a good look before I did the conversion.  It met my needs and did the job.
This is great for sorting old slides from reals and boxes for conversion to DVD.  Sometimes the mechanism to light it up is a little hard to push and blinks.
Along time ago, there used to be slides that you put in a slide projector and you could view your pictures that way.  Now, thank goodness, that process doesn't work.  But a few of us still have some old family slides that we have no way of viewing.  Thanks to this product, we can.  The Slide Viewer is perfect for this.  I'm glad I was able to find it here on Amazon!
I have thousands and thousands & thousands of slides to go through so was looking for a small viewer to sort out which ones were good to scan. Nothing fancy, takes two AA batteries, replaceable old fashion style flashlight bulb. An old school item, low tech, seems I had one back in the day..., which probably sold for a few bucks.  It fits the bill, actually quite heavy for being made of plastic.
Perfect for what I needed it for..........and that is to see my old slides and maybe make photos out of them.  It's not very big but if you just need to check out some slides...........it's great.
You will love the simplicity of viewing your slides with the Panavue.  The light is activated at the same time you depress the slide.  Great for going through a large quantity of slides to sort or just enjoy.
I am pleased with this slide viewer.  It allows me to look at the slides with a large enough screen so that I can sort my slides out.  It is high quality with a low price!
This product has been the perfect tool for my project of reviewing an old slide collection.  There are faster, more expensive ways of sorting thru slides, but this hand-held, easy-to-use, little viewer is getting the job done for me.  I highly recommend it.
I had a lot of my dad's 35mm slides lying in various states of disrepair, some of the shots in the collection were priceless. Scanning everyone of them would have them impractical and I needed a way to pick out the really good ones. This slide viewer had a backlight, was easy to work with and had sufficient magnification to perform the task at hand. The best compliment I can give to the product would be that its light weight and convenience enabled my father-in-law who is 75 to spend the better part of his summer reviewing every slide using this viewer - he must have reviewed more than a 1000 slides - so thats numerous clicks on the button that lights up the slide. I still have a few thousand more to do and look to be using this slide viewer again. The only thing better on this device would have been a button that scanned the slide to a jpeg!
Small, easy to use viewer. I have batteries recharging all the time so battery life is not a concern. Have slides in boxes and once in awhile I need to go through a few and find the one I need. Because this is small, the light is bright, I can see what is on the slide and slip it into the box where I keep my slide. Did the job.
If I had ordered a little bit bigger one, it would have been better.  It works well and has been very useful.
I bought this lens Last year on the Tamron Student program.  Its a nice lens.  My first one had a problem that showed up in the first 3 days, it would not go from manual to auto focus.  So I had to replace it.  A hassle but still worth it.  I liked the lens a lot and only sold it off to move up to the much sharper Canon 180mm L 3.5.  If you are looking at a 90/100mm Macro or the 180, get the 180, its so much nicer.  If you cant afford the Canon L series, get the Tamron!  Its tons better than the sigma junk!  And the 180 gives you some distance between you and the object, very nice esp if you are shoot an insect!!!!  I have some images up at Tamron.com  and if you have a tamron lens you can post images there too!
it has been my dream for a loooong time. finally tamron made it possible with great price & performance. lens is as good as nikon when it comes to sharpness. focusing a little bit slower & a great macro power!!!must to be in the kit. 3.5 at telepohoto & 5.6 at macro photo!!! good price & amazing performance
I was a little worried about buying a Tamron lens because I have not purchased one previously. I am sure glad I took a leap of faith. Fantastic auto focus capability and very easy to switch to manual focus. From every focal point your subject is brought into a clear, sharp and well defined image. I am using this lens on a Nikon D300. This lens is everything it is advertised to be. Don't spend the extra bucks on a higher priced lens you will be waisting your money.
even tho this is my first macro lens, i have already taken fantastic pictures!! this lens would zoom close up into an flower, insect,  or any other small things with great detail!!. i love the picture quality.i have to say though i can not compare it to other macro lens out there due to the fact this is my first one. but i could say that its is quite heavy, its long with the hood *this may be a good thing because you could get closer up without scaring the bee or butterfly away*, and the biggest problem with it is that the A-AF is really slow... like REALLY.... you must have alot of light for it to correctly focus it on something. but it dont really matter because you prob would just manual focus it because its faster and more sharp. EITHER WAY i really do love the lens!!
Image quality is just astounding. I love the pics I took with this lens.When I purchased the lens I realized that the focus was a little forward, but as it's a macro I'd only be using manual focus.All was going well until it started to auto focus when both the camera and the lens were in manual focus mode.I have returned it today and miss it already.
And the price is right too.  I usually don't like Tamron lenses but this one is an exception.  Can be almost as sharp as the Canon 180mm and is good enough for this fussy-about -sharpness person.
Pros:Extremely sharpSmooth focusingLighter than a Canon L lens (easy to lug around)Nice rubbery tactile focus ringCircular polarizer rotator ringLonger distance for 1:1 macroBlack (doesn't stand out like the Canon)Has a Lens collarVersatility (180mm also good for portraits)Cons:Slowest autofocus ever on a lensLighter than a Canon L lens (less resistant to impact/mirror slap)Depth of field 1-2mm!As you can see, the pros far outweigh the cons. And the cons are really menial in nature, except for DOF. In macro shots, you rarely need autofocus, and the lightness of the lens is both a pro and a con, higher shutter speeds and you won't need to worry about slap. If you can, use a monopod with this lens, or even a tripod, although that's hard when you NEED 1:1 and your subject moves. It's better to use improvised support and breathing techniques for stabilization than a tripod. You never use autofocus really in very close up shots either. DOF is razor thin. Literally, 1-2mm is all that is in focus at f/3.5. Stop down to f12 with a flash for best results on bugs and flowers, otherwise you could have one eye but not the other, or the top of a stamen, but not the root of the stamen stalk.Now about those pros. This lens is extremely sharp, as with most Tamron lenses. I can pick out a hair on a spider with this thing. That's the end of that. It has very smooth focusing, not gritty in any way. Manual mode rocks so much, but if you really desire to use autofocus, all you do is pull the lens focus ring forward (or pull it back, I don't remember, never use AF). It's a pleasure to hold because it's light and the focus ring has a nice texture to it. If you attach a circular polarizer (72mm btw, they can get expensive, I recommend B+W) then you can rotate it with the lens hood on using the polarizer rotator ring on front, which is amazing if you choose to do so. This thing is 180mm, so it has a longer working distance for 1:1. With my 28mm macro, you have to get 3 inches away for 1:1, with this lens, it's 14 inches, son! No more wasp, bee, hornet, spider fear! It's also black and gets less attention drawn on the street. It has a lens collar like many other long lenses. I also have the option of using the lens collar or the camera mount for a 'pod since it's so light, but I still prefer to use the collar since it could stress my EF mount if I don't. This lens is also good for portraits because it can focus to infinity, and it has a good f/3.5 aperture.Worth every bit of the cash paid, and though camera bodies switch every year or two, lenses take decades. Put your money into a good lens.
I was planning to buy the Nikon 105mm macro when I came across this Tamron. It appealed to me because the longer focal length allows shooting farther away from skittish subjects. The increased working distance means also means you are less likely to cast a shadow on the subject. I couldn't justify paying three times as much to get the Nikon 180mm macro and the reviews indicated that the Tamron was just as sharp. Some reviews talk about the autofocus being slow, but I find manual focus better for macro work, so that wasn't a factor. The Tamron is also lighter than most lenses of this focal length. That makes it nice for hand held shots.
Maybe some of the negative reviewers got a bad copy of this lens, or Tamron has improved it... but the autofocus is *very* quick even in indoor low light, the working distance is fantastic, build quality is excellent, and the optics (the important part!) are amazing.  Sharpness and color rendition are superb, even from just some hand-held shots.  In terms of image quality this is on par with the Canon 100mm macro which is my favorite lens.  Or maybe it was....  (and it should have been an L-lens and cost twice as much!).This lens is sharp wide open in its DOF, and even one f/stop down it's crisp enough to resolve the tiniest filaments on a tomato vine.  Bokeh is also very nice, smooth, and natural looking.  This will probably be paired with me olde 5D almost permanently.
This is an awesome macro lens.  Optically, it's amazing.  And the ability to focus so close at 180mm allows you to capture some amazing macros.  Or, if you prefer, you can use the focal length to shoot from a little further away and still get pretty good close ups.I haven't had the problem that a few other reviewers have had with focusing.  It doesn't have its own autofocus motor, so it depends entirely on your camera's screw drive.  I've used this lens on three different Sony alpha cameras (A550, A77, and A850), and have had no problems.  (Perhaps the other reviewers were using very old cameras?  I have no idea.)I find Tamron lenses to be amazing values generally, and this lens is no different.  Highly recommended!
Being an involved amateur, and loving macro photography (the first picture I ever sold, back in the '70's, was a macro) I wanted a good macro lens for my Nikon D80. The Nikon lens, however, was close to $1800. Couldn't justify that price past my wife. So I bought the Tamron . . . and I love it. Yes, it's a bit heavy, but I'm in a wheelchair so it is easy to steady. I would recommend a mono- or tripod, but the quality is clear and it's mechanics clean. It's not "champagne on a beer budget," but it is a quite nice Merlot. I would strongly recommend this lens to the advanced amateur or, actually, the professional looking to really get down into their photographic subject.
This is my first non-Nikon lens and I'm sorry I bought it. While the lens is OK, the focus mechanism is incredibly, painfully, agonizingly slow. The focus mechanism must make three full revolutions to go from closeup to infinity, stopping and stuttering all the way, and passing the focus point until you attempt a second squeeze at the focus. I'm shooting with a Nikon D700 body and I'm accustomed to near instant focus with the high end Nikon lenses. I needed a longer Macro lens to go along with my 105, and the Nikon 200 was not available at the time I bought it. It was also listed as quite pricey in the wake of the Japan Earthquake. I gave the lens 3 stars because the image quality is decent, but it would have been a 4 star had the focusing mechanism been screwed down more tightly so that three rotations were not necessary to go from closeup to infinity.
While the Tamron 180mm "3.5" is in fact a great lightweight lens, with nice Bokeh, the lens automatically stops down (at least the Canon version that I purchased) to f/5.6 at 1:1 even in Manual Mode.I have older manual Macro lenses: Like a Proxitel 90MM 2.5 (1:1) Macro, and a 180MM 2.8 Sigma, and while the Sigma is very heavy and only does 1:2 "Macro" magnification, the aperture stays at a constant 2.8, all through the focus range, with maybe a small amount of fall off (1/8 stop)... This Tamron 180MM 3.5, does not! And I was very disappointed to find this out after buying it. While this may be a common practice for modern lenses, (apparently for better DOF) There was absolutely no forum or product description that ever said this. I had to call Tamron and speak to a technician directly, to verify.So here's the deal: The lens (Canon version) forces the aperture closed (Even off the camera turning the focus ring) down from 3.5 at infinity, and down to about 6', then it steadily closes down to F/5.6 at the closest 1:1 focus range. You can see this happen by holding the lens in your hand, and manually turning the focus ring while looking at the Aperture blades from the rear of the lens. They close down automatically!!The Tamron Technician said that the lens does this for both DOF, weight and cost factor and that most lenses also do this but the Canon L series, not as much... Maybe an F/4? (I don't have the Canon L, so I can't verify). I also took it to a Tamron Dealer, and they are both befuddled and astounded by this! And whatever the reason, it's still a 5.6 at Macro!This means you need roughly twice as much light at the Macro range and you CANNOT rack focus for video, anything under 6 feet!!!! Unless of course you light everything for 5.6. Or, yes. you can auto the ISO, but that still shows up visually, and there are loud, audible and abrupt clicks as the aperture stops itself down.I bought it for indoor use as well as lower light and video, and needless to say: This unfortunately, is a deal breaker.I'll try to post a video, hopefully on here, but if not able, on youtube.
This lens is a good value for the money.  You can use it as general telephoto lens and Macro lens.One issue that you should think about is the front filter holder of this lens rotates in order to be convenient to use filters that need rotations while the hood is on.This is helpful when you need to rotate a filter with out having to stick your hand inside the hood or remove the hood to use these types of filters. But if you use this lens mostly for Macro work and you use any type of flash that attaches to the front filter holder of the lens the flash wight causes the front lens element to rotate and makes it impossible to set up the flash in exact location.  Otherwise it works OK.Update:  10-17-2012After using it a while longer the images are so sharp it has won me over and I am giving it a 5 star.  As for the front filter rotation,  Gaffer tape has been my friend. Also I forgot to mention earlier that this lens at close focussing range is a f5.6.  That is not an issue for me since I use f8 and higher to get a better DOF.  But if you are going to hand hold this lens with ambient light for Macro photos it may be an issue for you.Hope this helps.
I am using the lens with a Nikon D80 Camera.As its been reviewed by others, it is a well-made lens. If you don't mind the extra weight (usually you will use the tripod so I don't think the weight would be an issue), this lens is highly recommended. Just be aware that the lens is a little bit slow when it's in AF mode. I mostly use the manual focus when doing macro so that was not an issue for me.I have tried Tamron before and after using the 180mm Macro, I could safely say Tamron is one of the best companies when it comes to lenses. When you weigh the quality verse the price, Tamron differently would be a winner. No wonder most of its lenses are award winners.Thumbs up :)
I think this is an o k lens, I'm not sure why some of my photos are blurry.I'm an amateur so what do I know.I would recommend this to anyone looking for this type lens.Molly
The copy I had didn't autofocus correctly, it had a back focusing problem. But even ignoring this, the autofocus was so ridiculously slow it was practically unusable. As someone else said, you could go get a cup of coffee while this thing focused.PROS:- Very sharp, even wide open- Good build qualityCONS:- Unusable autofocus- Quality control issuesIt could be used as a manual focus lens, but for that, there might be cheaper options available.
Less than half the price of the Canon L version, with reports of the Tamron being superior optically.My experience with this lens so far:180mm is an excellent working distance for small objects, flying bugs, timid birds.  AF stinks and is noisy.  I never use it.  There is no focus lock.  MF rocks, and the big fat focus ring is easy and fun to use.  I'm a handholding ninja, but many people might feel more comfortable putting this on a tripod or monopod.Color and contrast are excellent and natural.  Sharpness is great, as would be expected.  Bokeh is so-so.  DoF is razor thin, of course getting thinner as you get closer to 1:1.Not sure if this is made new anymore.  Aside from a similar Sigma version that came out, this lens stands alone as an underrated precision dedicated tool at a bargain of a price.Lastly build construction is so-so, but the lens is light.  Hood is good.  Collar is a bit small.  CPL rotating ring is a nice touch.Overall a sweet bang-for-the-buck macro lens with a perfect price point and very pleasing performance.
I am professional photographer specializing in botanical and nature photography. I bought the Tamron 180 lens after many years of using the equally great 90mm macro. I love the 90mm but was looking for a lens with greater working distance and better ability to control backgrounds. The 180mm has proven to be excellent optically as well as ergonomically well designed. The light weight, for its size, coupled with the very intuitive af-mf push-pull design are great in the field. I work at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. For images taken with the above lens, please visit [...].Regards
This is a superb lens, with a good solid build and a smooth manual focus. Because it's made from polycarbonate rather than metal, it's also surprisingly lightweight. The tripod collar is easy to remove but solid. The filter effect control is a nice convenience.The automatic focus is not particularly fast, but this is not much of a disadvantage since most photographers use manual focus in macro work anyway.Highly recommended.
This is a very good lens for macro and working in a studio setup, however don't count on the autofocus to work very well. I have a Canon 100mm macro and love it. The AF works reasonably well 50% of the time when shooting in a well lit area. This is good as you can free up one hand to hold a light modifier. The Tamron 180mm, perhaps its a bad copy, doesn't lock the focus with auto.  The 180mm is great because of the added working distance to the subject. Compared to the 100mm macro which works at about 4-6 inches from your subject from the front lens element, the 180mm is closer to 16 inches which is perfect for a flash or reflector to provide more light. I like the way Tamron shifts from auto focus to manual by shifting the focus ring either forward or back. It is convenient versus finding a side switch.  I give it four stars because it's well packaged with the hood, carrying case, and tripod ring and is very sharp when using manual focus. If you are fascinated with manual focus macro photography and use a sturdy tripod(required for the 180mm) and perhaps even some strobes, this lens is for you.
I bought this used "like new", and it really is JUST like new. I'll just summarize all of the pros and cons.cons:Slow/loud autofocus. It hunts. A lot. More and more the closer you get.Heavy and telephoto, so it requires a tripodMakes loud click when you switch autofocus/manual focusNo matter how hard you try, the focus is going to shift when you switch from auto to manual.No image stabilization, which ended up being a being a bigger problem than I thought (long exposures on cheap tripods degrades the sharpness because of the minute motion blur exaggerated by 180mm focal length, even with a shutter release).pros:sharpness/contrast/saturationmagnification (1:1/6 con crop-sensor, 1:1 on full frame)solid construction qualitycomes with tripod collar/ case/ hooddoesn't extend when focusingmin aperture f/3.5smooth bokehconclusion:I love this lens. It's heavy and difficult to use on-site, but I am glad that I bought this lens instead of the 90mm. I love it. It's an amazing piece of equipment. Also, you've probably heard that the 90mm is sharper that the 180mm but the difference is tiny. the 180mm is a VERY sharp lens even when opened to f3.5. If you do more than point-and-shoot, invest the extra money into this one, rather than give into the temptation of the 90mm.
I have always enjoyed macro photography and I have been doing 'okay' with my 18-200mm zoom lens.  It would get me close enough that I could enhance the photo in photoshop and I considered the results acceptable but certainly nowhere close to perfect.Finally I was sick of 'acceptable' and I wanted to move into perfect.  I spent countless hours researching lenses by all sorts of various brands, spending an amazing amount of time on the famous Nikkor macro lens.  After doing careful analysis of reviews and careful examination of the resulting photos I had a very difficult time seeing the difference between it and this Tamron's resulting photos.  Ultimately I decided to go with this lens because I was buying it directly from Amazon and I could return it if I was not pleased with the quality.  If it worked then I just saved nearly 3 times the cost of the famous Nikkor lens.Photo results:I have now taken hundreds of photos with this lens and I can certainly say my photos are perfect.  The clarity and detail I have obtained from the lens is outstanding and I am truly pleased with the results.  I do not see any distortion or pixel loss at the edges of the photo and it captures the colors in correct detail.Usage:The lens is easy to use overall.  Changing between manual and autofocus is a real breeze by simply sliding the ring back and forth however I did find this to be a pain at time.  I would get the subject in focus with manual setting and then switch to autofocus in an effort to squeeze that last bit of 'perfect' out and in doing so the camera would move.  This would result in the auto focus now going through the entire range which feels like forever but is actually up to about 5 seconds in time.  If you were trying to capture an insect, animal, or something alive and moving you just lost your shot as you waited for the lens to seek.  In the end I kept with manual focus to prevent this from happening.Weight:As one would expect this thing weighs a lot.  I would certainly not recommend letting it hang off the body without holding the lens itself.  Also, if you are going to be using a tripod with it then use the ring mount provided.  You will get better shots and you don't have to worry about it damaging your body.Conclusion:While the seek time on the auto focus can be annoying it is overcome by all of the other pluses of this lens.  If you are wanting to get into macro photography or you are needing another lens to add to your macro collection then look no further!
I spent countless hours researching for a good macro lens and basically had it narrowed down to the Sigma 70mm, Tamron 90mm and 180mm. I read complaints about how close you have to get with the 70 or 90mm lenses and decided that any extra distance I could place between myself and shy animals and bugs would be nice (this lens is supposed to be able to focus at 18.5 inches).The lens arrived wrapped in a plastic bag (with small packet of desiccant) and placed in the provided lens pouch (and in the original box). I was glad to see it packaged this way because Amazon did a poor job filling the shipping box with plastic cargo pillows.The first thing I noticed immediately upon unboxing is the provided lens pouch is not made of neoprene but seems to be made from high quality nylon (possibly 600D?) and about a 1/4 inch of extra padding was stitched around the entire pouch. I was happy to see this because I really don't think neoprene offers much protection and I can't stand the smell. The case is very well made and has a dual drawstring system to close the lens pouch. Also, it has a nice handle to make carrying easier. Unfortunately, there are no hooks, d-rings or loops to easily attach it to your bag or to attach a shoulder strap.This lens measures about 7.5 inches long with both end caps attached and about 3.5 inches in diameter. Of course, length and diameter will increase if you have the lens hood or tripod mount attached. BTW, the lens hood is huge (which is a good thing) but it will add an extra 4 inches to the length of the lens.I am using this lens with my Sony A57 and upon mounting it to the camera body I noticed it's a little loose. This is something I find very common with Tamron lenses and is worth a 0.25 point deduction from the overall rating. No, the lens is not going to fall off and no, it's not going to break any connection between the lens and the camera, but I think this is something that Tamron needs to address. I will say that this lens has much less movement than my 17-50 and 70-300 Tamron SP lenses. For the price, I would expect a more precise and tighter fit.This lens is made mostly of plastic, but does not feel cheap. The fit and finish is perfect and the large focusing ring is awesome! The focusing ring has a nice rubberized (and textured) band and rotates smoothly in MF mode. One thing I found odd (or at least very different than any other lens I've used) was the absence of a AF/MF switch. Instead, you need to grasp the focusing ring and pull it towards the front of the lens for AF or pull it towards the camera for MF. The ring locks in place nicely and should not move out of AF or MF unless you really want it too. AF performance is definitely lacking (as most reviewers indicated) but it does work and when it locks on, you get a perfect photo. I prefer to use MF because I find controlling the focal point to be much easier and faster. If you switch the lens to AF and the focus is not close, it will cycle through the entire focal range, but if you switch the lens and the focus is close, the lens may focus within a fraction of a second. It really depends on the environment, but overall, I found AF to be lacking and it usually cycles through the entire range which takes a few seconds. This is worth a 0.25 point deduction because it would be nice (in some instances) to have AF that works fast.At the font of the lens, there is another ring that allows for FEC (filter effect control). This allows you to very easily rotate a filter with the hood attached (otherwise you would need to remove the hood, rotate your filter and reattach the hood). I really like this feature (even though I don't use filters) and anyone who uses filters can benefit from this quick and easy way to rotate their filter.The tripod mount is easy to remove/attach due to its hinged design. It fits in a predetermined groove and there are markings on the mount and on the lens itself so you can be sure your camera is square/level. I plan on keeping the mount attached to the lens most of the time because it's comfortable to hold and can rest in the palm of my hand when taking photos without a tripod.I really enjoy taking photos without a tripod simply because I don't have to lug it around and I almost always have a very steady hand. However, for macro shots, it's nice to utilize the stability of a tripod because the slightest movement could cause your photos to turn out blurry or the area you thought was in focus could shift to another area of the image. This is the first lens I've used where I noticed this happening. I actually thought there was something wrong with the lens because I would MF an object and when I was ready to take the photo I would notice it was out of focus. Now that I know what is happening, I have been able to effectively correct this without a tripod. But by all means, if you have your tripod with you, use it.Before I forget, I should mention that this lens features internal focus. This means that the lens barrel does not physically extend or contract when focusing (unlike your typical zoom lens). This feature is nice and can greatly reduce the amount of dust that is capable of making its way into the lens.So far, I've just been able to test the lens on inanimate objects inside my home as we are preparing for winter and it's just too cold outside. I will be taking a trip to the southwest very soon and hope opportunities for some great outdoor macro shots will be presenting themselves.Overall, this lens is great. Optical quality is top notch and so far I have not experienced any issues such as chromatic aberration, vignetting or distortion. I've added some photos to the product page and plan on adding more in the near future.0.25 point deduction for the lens mount0.25 point deduction for the AF performanceOverall rating is 4.5 stars out of 5
This case is made of quality leather and the fit is perfect for Casio EX Z850.  The front compartment will hold an extra battery or memory card.  I especially like its compact design and sturdy construction--perfect for a belt application.
It's a bit small for a Casio Camera. If it was just a bit bigger by a quarter of an inch, it would fit perfectly.
I ordered this case for the casio camera I got for my daughter for Christmas.  It came very quickly, even during the holidays.  So I can honestly say that I was very pleased with the company I bought it from.  However, the case is a bit too small for the camera it is supposed to fit!  I can get it closed - if I stretch and strain!  Since it is leather we are hoping it will stretch out a bit and get easier.  Since it is so tight there is definitely no room to put anything in the small pocket.
Every other reviewer of this bag reports a different fit!  That should tell you something.  Too bad I didn't read these reviews before I bought it.  If you're smart enough to read this, don't buy this bag.  I got it for my Casio Z850 as it was "suggested" at check-out, and I cannot snap down the closure.  I don't have anything else in the case, (just the camera,) and I still cannot shut it.  I feel ripped off.  I have to go out and get a real case now, as this is going in the trash.
Very handy, comfortable and protective. Magnetic seal is a great idea. Center hole for strap and pocket too. Maybe a little too bulky. All in all, very good.
Protects like it should and it's easy to carry around. Little pricy but the camera makes it worth the price. Would recommend to everyone who spent >$200 on their casio camera!
I just bought an Exilim EX -Z60 and the case is too small. It's quite a nice looking leather case, but useless to me and it will cost $2 for re-stocking fee and $4 to ship back for a $10 case. Too, bad I also paid $8 for shipping so overall it's $18 down the drain. Maybe if I put the camera in the dryer it will shrink and then fit nicely into the case.Per the back of the case package it says it fits Exilim S Series and Z series. So they are big liers.
It is a high quality case (full marks there). However, I have 2 issues:a) I cannot help being stupefied at the large size of the case, when you consider it is meant for Casio exilim cameras, of which I believe mine (EX-Z850) is one of the thickest and I still don't need such a chubby case. The case effectively doubles the size of the camera, which is a huge turnoff for me. That extra pocket in front is a complete waste because I have a 1GB card and don't expect to want to carry around anything extra. I returned it and bought myself a "CASE LOGIC TBC-1 Compact Digital Camera Case" which is available on amazon, but $2 cheaper at Circuit City (no wait, no shipping). I'd recommend this case over the Casio, even if you buy it on amazon for convenience.b) Humungous as it is, it is still too short for my EX-Z850 for the magnetic clasp to close over it reliably. I'm fumbling for 20 seconds before I can get it to shut reassuringly.
Yes, the genuine pouch is a more expensive than the $10 cheapies you can find but I think it is totally worth it. With the genuine pouch, the compact camera sits snug in the pouch and the total size remains very small. That's why you bought a compact camera to begin with.You need to be aware that camera pouches are consumables. It only last a couple of years. You can either buy a replacement pouch, or it may be time to buy a new camera.
Exactly as advertised. Good quality and workmanship. Just do not expect to carry more than the camera and a spare memory card.It fits my EXILIM EX-Z750 perfectly -- keep in mind that being leather, this case will likely be a little tight initially and stretch into shape after a short period of time.
Camera fits perfectly. And it is gender friendly my husband has no problem carrying it around.
Good quality and design but it will not fit for EX-Z120.
This is an excellent and very functional case to use for the Canon SD cameras. It has an extra pocket and can hold the camera and extra battery and SD cards. This makes it more functional than the Canon case and it is excellent value for money. If one is very brand loyal the exilim logo is not that noticeable. Canon should get Casio to make these with a Canon logo
I owned another CASIO camera for a year and did not find a case for it. The camera worked great but did not look so hot after being dropped and getting smashed against something.With this case my new camera has a good chance of looking good and working a long time. The case fits a little tight, but that is leather and it will work out as time passes. At this time with the extra memory cases in their pouches, I have to pull the cover down so that the magnetic snap will catch. Once it catches, it stays due to the dimple in the middle.I am not sure what the need was to put a strap hole in the top. When the case is on your belt (belt loop) it is not easy to put the strap through the hole. I would have left the hole out in favor of preventing rain from hitting the camera. I will have to remember to cover that hole in the rain.4 stars - Good product for the price, I wish the belt loop was a heavy duty clip.Update 12/2012. I still have the camera and the case. The case has done it's job and the camera still looks nearly new. The stretching of the cover to allow the magnetic snap to work took it's toll on the snap. The base piece had to let go about a year ago. Strangely, the magnetic snap seemed to become more magnetic and gripped stronger which was part of the reason it failed.Great product and I wish the manufacturer would branch out to other similar items for Cell Phones.
If you thought this case was too large for your taste, you might want to consider another case made by Casio, Casio EX-CASE1 Leather Case with Business Card Holder Style for Exilim M, S, and Z Series Cameras.
Bought this for my Casio Exilim EX-Z1000. Perfect fit for everyday use at home. Downside: will not protect camera from dust and other fine particle.
I gotta say, this is a well built case. It has internal pockets for SD cards and cases, and very soft padding for the camera itself. It features a handy belt loop that keeps it near to hand at all times. The only thing I must warn is that you make sure this is the right case for your camera, because if it's not, your camera may not fit, it is designed very specifically for cameras of a specific size, any bigger and the case will not close fully.
I thought I really needed this so I could step and old ring flash on an old lens and only came to the conclusion that the ring flash wasn't going to work with the right film speed any ways. Regardless this cheap piece of metal worked and will be useful down the road later; just like all the other step rings I own.
For just over $5, this item delivers.  Unlike some of the other reviewers, I use this product to mount 52mm filters on a larger 62mm lens.  There is nothing too difficult about that.
Cheap and works for what I needed it for.. Used this to help reverse my 50mm and couple it to the front of my 105mm macro.. Nice product, works as intended!
This adapter has 52mm female threads and 62mm male threads. Some adapters have the oposite, so be sure that you are getting what you want. It is very well made.
The lens screw perfectly to this adapter, its made of metal, and is not bulky I really recommend this product
I thought this was the adapter that will connect my 50mm 1.8 II to the front of my 28-105mm just like the other reviewer described and the seller. Just a waste!
The threads are correctly sized, the finish is durable, it does what it is supposed to do.  What more can I say?
I did purchase the Bower ring but received from Adorama a generic, no-name one. Hence I am reviewing the one I got, which is not very well made (wobbles when mounted until you really tight it) and when cleaned with a cloth, it left black marks, so the finish is not great either. For the $4 paid it is not worth returning to (maybe) get the Bower one... So careful which vendor you purchase from, some seem to think it is fine to switch brands without telling you - then it is up to you to go through the trouble of replacing it.
I bought these so I could use my 58mm filters on a smaller 52mm lens.  They were inexpensive and they work well.
I have a Canon 60D DSLR camera with 3 lenses. Two of the lenses are 58mm lenses and all the filters I have fit them. I recently purchased a 50mm fixed focus lens that takes 52mm filters. I was going to by 52mm filters for this lens but when I discovered this adapter I decided to spent the $3.88 to see if it would work. If it did then I wouldnt have to spend money on new filters. It arrived today and I tried it out. It works perfecly! Its a great little adapter that saved me alot of $$ by not having to purchase filters for my 50mm lens.
The step up adapter ring fits very nicely. Threads are very clean and feel factory perfect. This is the perfect solution to avoid buying two sets of filters for my cameras. I could not be happier. For the price there really is no risk here.
I use this adapter all the time. At times its hard to remove it but that's expected just need to make sure that you don't tighten it too much when you put it on. Otherwise the quality is outstanding
You want something like this to just work.  This one just does.  Fit and finish are excellent, the sizes are clearly marked on the rim, it's inexpensive.  What's not to like?
What can I say? These things are cheap but do their job of making a larger filter or screw-on hood fit a smaller lens.
I bought this to use my 58mm polarizing and neutral density filters on my Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens without having to buy a whole new set of 52mm filters for it, especially when using it in combination with my other 58mm-diameter primes. It's just threaded metal, so I couldn't justify springing for a high-end version, even though I certainly understand that some pros will appreciate the expensive higher-quality brass step-up rings with anti-reflective paint.
great thing that saves u a lot of money. this way i use my 58mm filters with my 58mm and 52mm lenses.  everything fits and screw smoothly.
I ordered from A&R PHOTO VIDEO INC and received a black metal step-up ring that says "52mm-58mm" on it. It does not say "BOWER" on it as in the picture. The ring seems to have solid construction and fits my lenses and filters just fine.
Good product, I use it for a lens hood that coupling a professional lens on a video camera, normal use, good quality,
This all metal ring, fits very well on my canon 50mm 1.8. I never had any thread issues, it fits pretty smooth and quickly. Also the filter gets screwed on pretty smooth. Very nice for the price, actually more than worth the price.
I have a bunch of 58 mm filters that I wanted to use on a 52mm threaded lens.  This solves that problem.Don't go the other way, or you will interfere in the image.
Great item for the price, does a great job for a lower price for other items that do the same thing.
The Canon SX40 is a great camera, but the lens is threaded for 52mm.  58mm is more versatile - more accessories are available in this size (such as lens hoods).  This adapter works great.
This step up ring does NOT thread very well, it feels very tight(at least on my Canon 50mm 1.8, it may work better on a different lens). I think it just not machined very well. I got some Fotodiox step up rings as well as some macro coupling rings for some reverse lens work a couple of months after I bought this one and they work very well, very well made, and made in the USA.
I don't know what to say other than it works as designed. Price was right and delivers. Would buy it again.
I prefer to buy filters in large sizes for my large lenses, and step down for my small ones.  This was one of the least expensive adapters I found, and it works perfectly well for what it is.  Granted, it is tricky to get a polarizer screwed on to it and then the ring screwed on to the lens, but that is true of ANY adapter ring and not all of us can afford the Cokin P system.  ;)
This adapter allows my favorite lens to really go the distance.  I was able to use a 58mm wide angle attachment piece on my Nifty 50 lens with no issues thanks to this little gadget.  It was cheap, it works well, I can use all of my 58mm lens extras on my Nifty 50 lens now and have saved money over having to buy additional filters and add-ons in both 58mm and 52mm size.  This is a permanent fixture on my lens meaning I put it on and don't take it off because I just never know when I'm going to need a little extra!
Excellant product. It does what it was intended for and is of very good quality. Not much more you can say about an adapter ring.
Product does what is expected.  Step up ring from 52 to 58mm. Fits camera perfectly and also my existing filters.
Works as advertised.  What can i say it does the job and I've had no problems and do not expect any.
Worked great for making sure that my lens would fit my camera. Not much else to say other than its a metal ring.
Picked up a decent camera a year ago and in learning how to use it, a few items were acquired for the camera bag.  At this point my lenses come in three diameters with one 58mm telephoto, a pair of 52mm's and a 40mm pancake.Purchased a polarizing filter for the 58mm but the seller didn't have any in 52mm size.  At that point I was content to wait till a good price came along on a 52mm filter.  Then I found this adapter and picked it up.  It works.  It'll last me until a 'steal' of a price comes along on the 52mm.It's a little difficult to work with but my fingers aren't as nimble as they once were.Will it again if it fails or becomes lost.  Simply because of having in the bag increases available variations.Bower Step-Up Adapter Ring 52mm Lens to 58mm Filter Size
A simple solution for using a filter from another lens that doesn't fit your new one.
Excelente material, bastante rigido.Y con el puedo usar todos los filtros y mi teleconvertidor de mi otra camara en mi nueva Nikon.
Perfect all metal ring made to the right specs.  Looks like it can last for many many years of abuse.
Pros: works as advertised, sturdy, screws on/off smooth, no threading issues so far, can't go wrong with the price.Cons: absolutely none.
Threads match up well with both the lens and the filter.  Seems to be as sturdy as one would expect for a little plastic ring.  Well worth a couple bucks to avoid buying/hauling multiple sets of filters.
Having 58mm lenses and 52mm lenses, I only need to have 58mm filters to use on both sized lenses. This adapter saves you money and also save you space in your camera bag.
I purchased this for my Canon 50 mm f/1.8 so I can use my 58 mm products with the lens. The quality of the item I receive was good (it holds up well). I have been using the adapter for over four months and I have no complaints about it.The adapter works as intended and now I can use my macro tube or other accessories with my lens. Keep in mind that you may need to buy a 58mm lens cap unless you want to remove this adapter to use the 52 mm cap that comes with the 50mm (unless you don't care about dust and things of that nature).For the few bucks that I paid for this, I would say it is worth every penny because I have had no problems with it and it works great.
It does what I needed and is a great price!  I'll probably end up getting another one for my other lens.  It is a bit difficult to get off at times, but I think that's fairly common to this sort of thing.  Be VERY careful not to over-tighten or it will weld itself to your lens.
Wanted to use 58mm filters on my Nikon 18mm - 55mm kit lens and 55mm - 200mm telephoto. This product works great. I was initially worried by some of the reviews stating how poor it was built, but I haven't noticed anything wrong with it yet.I have repeatedly taken a heavy wide angle filter on and off it with no signs of damage or wear to either.
Two cameras.... one set of filters.... use the adapter to save yourself buying every filter twice. Nuff said, have fun shooting.
I got this so I could save a bit of money by buying filters in 58mm for my telephoto and adapting them to my prime with a 52mm thread. It's well made and the threads are smooth... not much more you can say about it.
Not the highest quality step up ring around, but for the price, it gets the job done. Better to break this than an expensive one.
First off, let me say a kind word about how awesome One Call Camera is. They shipped this adaptor ring to me (free) in less than 24 hours and I could not be happier with their service or the price. The Bower ring is an excellent quality, all-metal adaptor that fits snug on my lens and holds all my filters perfectly. It's very easy to change the filters now, due to the precision quality threads and low profile. If you decide to get one, make sure you order from One Call, you won't be sorry.
Works as it is supposed to work. The one thing I cannot measure is the durability of the product as I have only had it for a month and have not used it daily.
It is exactly what you ask for and it delivers. I like that it is real metal and not plastic.
I bought this because I accidentally purchased a 58mm Hoya multi-coated filter for my nifty-fifty 50mm lens that has a 52mm filter size...DOH. anyway, after getting the ring, everything fits just fine.
NOT a Bower; unfortunately a no-name converter- not the one shown in the picture with "Bower" on it.  I took off one star because of the misrepresentation but also another one because it is not very smooth when attaching to my Hoya HMC UV filter.  Still, it is metal, does its job and will probably last.
Seriously! This is not a comment on the product. But be aware of how this item or any other for that matter is shipped. I ordered this and it was shipped using the US Postal Service 1st class...it was mailed. And it was delivered but not to me.Now they are tracing it but it's going to show delivered.I have had so many items lost by the Postal service. I received an item and when I got it I couldn't remember ordering anything. Checking the address i saw that the real address it was to be shipped to wasn't even close to the name of my street or house number.I took it to the post office but if I hadn't and they did a trace, it would have simply showed it was "delivered" like this shows.The fact that this is inexpensive doesn't make it okay. I ordered it because I needed it.From now on I won't order anything that will be sent USPS, especially if it's just mailed 1st class. I strongly urge others to consider that. It only takes a careless delivery man to mishandle it. And that is always where the process fails...in getting it from the local office to the house. Think of Tom Hanks' character addressing Fed Ex employees in the movie Castaway.I have never lost anything from other shipping companies.
ii used this to adapt a hoya IR filter that i bought for my G9 to my canon 50mm 1.8 on my xti - works fine, no problems. don't over tighten filters - they may become hard to remove.
There were no directions on which measurements to get for this lens adapter ring, so i'm very disappointment that I wasted the money on the wrong product.
This ring works great and allows me to use all my 58mm filters with my 52mm lenses (like the Canon 50mm F2 which has a 52mm filter size). I ordered this one a saturday night and got it tuesday...can't complain
Works as a step-up ring for filters or lens hoods. The build quality feels decently solid. It does what it's supposed to without any problems.
The product does exactly what's required. No complaints about it from me. Build is sturdy and looks like it will last a long time.
I ordered, and thought I would receive a genuine Bower brand ring; however, that is not what I received. The ring I was sent was a lighter metal and not as good quality as the Bower brand. The one I received will do the job for now, but I am a disappointed buyer. I'll be finding another dealer to purchase the real deal. When I order a name brand, that's what I expect to receive.
What a great adapter ring for my Nikon lenses. All aluminum ring threads nicely on the lenses and the filters also thread nicely without locking and binding. Can't beat the price either. My only con is that it is made in China. I suppose I can't complain since the price was right.
I'm not sure if I actually got a "Bower" product because the word Bower is not imprinted on the adapter. The ring is very light and made of metal. Attaching the adapter to my camera is not a problem and neither is attaching filters to the adapter. As others have noted, it's important not to overly tighten the filters so that detachment will not become an ordeal. I also have to be careful when attaching something with metal threads to my camera's plastic threads.For the money I can't complain. Buying the adapter is much less expensive than buying a new set of filters.
I never owned this specific piece, however for  the price qoated its the deal, I own a adapter bought with doubke price. Its a mandatory, if u need to cutdown fikter cost..
It screws right onto my Nifty Fifty Canon lens & the filters screw into it.Don't forgot to order a 58mm lens cap like I did.
Step ring keeps me buying new filters.  Always better to go big on the filter and step down to your smaller lens.
I was in a hurry when I bought some filters recently. As a result, I got the wrong size. Thus my need for this step-up adapter. It works perfectly and the price absolutely cannot be beat.
I read that Adorama sent generic adapter rings instead of the Bower ones shown in the image and description, so I purchased the product from A&R Photo Video Inc and they ALSO sent a generic adapter ring instead of the Bower one. It is very unethical when a customer sees the description and picture of a product, trusts the store that they will send the one shown officialy, and the store sends a different one that the customer never chose to buy. There cannot be a distrust between customer and store, but in this case there is one, so I will never buy again from A&R Photo Video Inc.
This 52-58mm step-up ring is a very good step-up ring. It's made properly, it's smooth, and the threads are smooth as well. I don't know what else I can possibly say about a step-up ring... Oh, I know! It has a black anodized finish...!
Good quality metal.  Nice and smooth finish.  Works great with my older wide angle camera adapters.  I will definitely buy the Bower brand again.
Having more than one good adapter ring is a must when you carry more than one size lens for one camera.  This works perfectly.  I had cheaper ones, but had issues with the threads.I've used this one exclusively since I received it.
My philosophy was to buy the best accessories first before sinking dough on a brand new camera. Thus, after much researching, I decided to purchase the Nature Trekker AWII.The construction is really rugged and, though I haven't tested it, supposedly can withstand all weather conditions. There is an all weather cover stowed underneath the bag that doubles as a dry spot to temporarily keep your gear.The main compartment is cavernous and the velcro styled compartments can be reconfigured with ease. The bag easily holds my XTi body, a 70-200mm White lens, a 17-40mm wide angle, a 100mm Macro, couple of filters, a polarizer and 2 lens caps. No sweat there. The camera sits snug inside its customized compartment and is well insulated from the elements outside. There is another zippered compartment to store manuals, and other small bric-a-brac.The bag is supposed to come with a tripod cup and a DayPac. It didn't. I had purchased it through Amazon and even after a circuitous Customer Service feedback, I couldn't reach the seller. In a futile attempt, I mailed LowePro directly and they were prompt in sending replacements. Excellent service there.The tripod holder sits either in the front or on the sides, depending on your choice. The holder and the straps for the tripod are really robust and it could support my Bogen system without trouble.I only wish there were zippers on the side of the bag for keeping small and easily reachable items like my CF card holder, etc. But no complaints otherwise. Worth the money
I use this bag as permanent storage for my photo gear.  It usually holds a Nikon D200 with a 70-200 f/2.8, along with 2 or 3 smaller lenses.  Also in the bag are a light meter, SB-600 speedlight, batter charger and cable, memory card case, and some other misc. items.The shoulder straps are fully removable.  I took them off, and attached the included (but not shown) single strap.  This makes it easy to grab and go, when you are not going on a full hike, but rather a trip to the park.  Unfortunately, the hip straps and padding are not removeable, which is why I only give it 4 stars.It is well padded, and well built.  I have no worries about any of my gear getting damaged as long as it is properly stowed.I have carried this bag on airlines several times with no problems.
After using this bag for several months in the field, Im completely satisfied with the built quality, materials and padding, that makes you fill your equipment is well protected. Although is a little bit bulky has the capacity to easily carry all my equipment without extra bags. If you are looking for a bag that can handle rough use and room for big lenses this is the one. Completely recommended.
Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II is a BIG backpack camera. The main purpose of the camera is to store or transport your complete set of gears to one location to another. It also contain removable day pack, which you can use to store your daily items, such as clothing, books etc.What special about this bag is the amount of customization and adjustments that you can do. It also has so many features that is useful. The bag has many rails in the side so you can expand it by getting compatible modular products. This bag is designed to fit your body like glove. It is especially important because you might end up carrying 20 lbs of gears or more.Built and DesignThe built quality of the material is impressive. It is made from high quality material and will withstand harsh environmental condition. The design is pretty good looking, it does not look like a camera bag, instead it looks like usual backpack for hiking. This is a good to deter a thief.Ironically, because of the size and weight, this might not be ideal for a long walk, but if you want to carry most of your equipments, you have no choice but to use this kind of bag.Compartments and CapacityThe main compartment is fully customizable, and deep enough for you to place your professional cameras like Canon 1D series or Nikon D3. It barely fits pro camera with battery grip like Nikon D300 or D700. The inside flap is useful to store memory cards, small notebooks and other accessories. The front compartment is quite spacy. You can put in your clothing, small notebook (14' or smaller) or other supplies.The bag can hold typical professional DSLR camera system. The typical load show in the picture above are:* 1 Advanced camera with battery grip and 70-200mm f/2.8 + 1.4 tele converter attached* 1 Back-up or second DSLR camera* Up to six medium sized lenses (wide zoom, prime lenses)* 2 External flashes* Small to medium sized tripod (can be attached in the back of in the sideWhat is the negatives about the bag?The bag is heavier and bulkier than average camera backpack. I wish that I can remove some elements like waist belt for light weight travel but I can't. The bag is not flat and square like Think Tank Photo Airport series. So it is quite cumbersome when you want to store it.ConclusionIt is a great bag if you travel  and walk a lot with your equipments, It is a very customizable and provides optional rooms for expansion. However, you won't able to walk comfortably when the bag fully loaded (25-30 lbs) for a long time. So keeping a balanced load when hiking / walking is essential.Please visit my website for more reviews.
My kit includes a Nikon D50 body and a few primes as well as a 70-200VR f/2.8 lens which is pretty long. It also includes a Gitzo 1348 and a ballhead. The backpack is heavy when empty (easily more than the sum of all my kit). It seems that Lowepro equates protection with weight. It was important that the backpack stow my tripod and it does not. The tripod support is a joke and I would guess that it would only support the aluminum tripods. It is the way that the tripod is strapped in that is the problem. The strapping for this could not support any decent tripod. They flop around as you move with the pack on - and I mean a foot side-to-side without too much movement from you. I prefer to not have the 70-200VR lens on the D50 when it's in the backpack and wanted to store the D50 with my 50mm lens on. Impossible. But I did get it to fit without a lens. So the D50 body sits without a lens and the 70-200VR underneath it. And I wedged in the separating panels they give you to pad between them. There is a daypack in the outside pouch. That pouch gives a little room for a pair of socks and very little else. For its depth (not length or height), it holds no where near what you would think. Do I feel my kit is secure? Yes, no question. Would I buy it again? No. Holding my tripod for hikes in Bryce was very important and this pack absolutely fails at that. If I did my research ignoring the tripod question, I would not have setled on this backpack.I am rating this backpack 3 stars even though I am unhappy. The reason is that if you ignore the claim of holding a tripod, it's a decent secure backpack that should be made of lighter material.
The pictures of this bag that you may see on the web are a little deceiving. Initially, I thought that this could be a pretty good bag for carrying my gear on a day-to-day basis, but when I received it, I was shocked to see how large the bag is. Don't get me wrong - the bag is wonderful - I just wasn't expecting something this large.The inside of the bag can be fully customized as everything is attached using Velcro, so you can move the dividers around or remove them altogether. The picture that is shown above gives you a good idea of how much space you'll have. I can easily fit my 20D, a 70-200mm lens, the lens hood for it, an 18-55mm lens, a Speedlite 550, and several other things in the bag.A nice surprise that I found with this bag is that it includes a small day pack. The day pack is a little bit smaller than a normal-sized backpack and is designed to carry food, small bottles of water, etc. It can be attached to the camera bag or carried standalone. Another nice feature is that it has a built-in rain cover. You just open a zipper at the bottom and the cover comes out and wraps around the bag. You pull a string tight so that it fits neatly over the bag. Finally, the bag can hold a tripod, but I have not tried to attach one yet.All in all, this is a wonderful bag, but if you need something  for day-to-day use, the Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Backpack might be better since it's a bit smaller.
This is the bag I wish I had owned back when I was in college and riding the Smoky Mountains on a motorcycle.  Its size is both a blessing and a curse.  It holds a ton of stuff and protects your gear quite well and is about as close to waterproof as you can get without a cover. It's much too large and heavy to carry on your back except for short distances (from your bike to your tent).  The carry straps are wonderful when used to carry the bag, horrid when you don't because there is no place to store the straps...they don't tuck into the bag or anything.  So, the straps either get in the way or must be anchored to keep from flapping in the breeze if you carry this bag on a motorcycle, or you can (egad!) just cut the damn things off.  I use this bag for storage now.  My wife made me sell the motorcycle.Strange as it may seem, as large an heavy as this bag is, it includes a detachable auxiliary bag for a jacket and/or a few personal items and the aux bag has its own straps! Strange as it may seem, there is no rain cover included. There is, of course, the main pocket where most of your photo gear goes and another large pocket that would probably carry a small laptop computer, although it's not designed for that. There are several interior pockets for doo-dads and a hefty built-in support to carry your tripod on the outside. The bag is part of the AW system so you can also attach lens bags to each side. And if that's not enough, there are miscellaneous pull-tite straps all over the thing.If you choose carefully what you carry, this bag will carry a DSLR with two lenses (any size), a backup body, filters, tripod with head, a small camp stove, extra clothing, your tent, your sleeping bag, and food for a couple of days. On a motorcycle, you can strap the tent and sleeping bag to the bike and carry even more in the bag. Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?Pros:* Top quality construction, top of the line materials* Water resistant* Lots of room for everything* Lots of add-on possibilities including Lowe-Pro lens carriers* Best bag for motorcycle camping and photography* Bargain if you can find a used one* Good bag to carry in an automobile* May be large enough to carry a pinball machineCons:* To large and heavy to be carried* No place to store carry straps* Because of bulky straps difficult to be used an airline carry-on* May be large enough to carry a pinball machineBottom Line:  This bag should have been advertised as a motorcycle bag because there is no other practical use.  The straps are horrid not because they are poor quality, but because there is no place to put them when not being used and they are not used much.  In spite of all this, this bag is extremely well made and is made of the finest materials.  Would I recommend to a friend?  If he plans to strap it to the sissy bar of his motorcycle, yes, absolutely.  Otherwise, no.
This is a great photo bag, with a couple of caveats.The bag is larger than I expected, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. There is plenty of adjustable room for my Canon 40D SLR with attached 17-85 lens, and my Sony TRV-240 camcorder. I also have the video light for the camcorder, lens hood for the 40D and all the cables, batteries, tapes, manuals, etc., with room to spare.The biggest downsides to this bag, in my opinion, are its weight (12 lbs. empty) and the fact that you can't totally remove the harness system and just make it into a "suitcase". I don't plan on going hiking with the bag -- I just wanted a sturdy and safe bag to store all my gear in, and I found that in this bag.Other than those two points, this is a great bag which I would purchase again.
This pack is no longer made by Lowe and is one of the best designs they have ever made. Much more rugged, compact and "outdoor" oriented than many other designs by Lowe. I especially like the array of the pockets on the inside flap and other features such as harness adjustments.I have an older one and it has gone the distance with a few repairs.
This product is just what I need and was looking for when it comes to serious day-hiking trips where the destination is where the picture makes its debut! If you're looking to carry a lot of gear into the woods comfortably, and are protecting thousands of dollars in equipment this bag is well worth the cost! The all weather cover that nicely stores in the bottom of the bag is well designed and positioned. It's easy to cover, and has just that feel of a bag that is designed for ruggedness. This bag handles my D200 with battery grip attached, as well as a Nikkor 70-200mm f 2.8 lens without any issues, it comes with a nice zippered off section for other supplies you may need such as filters, manuals, reference sheets and so forth that seems to work very well without adding a lot of girth to the over all bag. The included day pack is also a bonus for storing an extra set of clothes, food, safety gear for hiking (mole skin, first aid kit, etc.). And the front separate zipper area holds my 13.3" macbook very well in a sleeve as well as its power adapter for using it as a carryon for plane travels. Keep in mind if you have any tripod attached, this bag will not suffice as a carry on. Other reviews mention that using the tripod on the side tends to throw off the balance, while this is true you still have the major functionality at mounting and carrying the tripod on the front center, making it balanced. First thing you would need to do with this pack is set your harness, which it comes with a small piece of plastic to unhook the carrying harness to allow you to adjust it. Being 6'3" I had to set mine at the highest possible height, but it makes the pack feel like its not even on you once you have it set right. If you need a pack for serious hiking, where you're going to find a breeding pack of bears, or just a hiking access only waterfall that you're setting to get the picture of, this is it! It also works well for everyday storage of gear so all you have to do is zip it up and go when you are ready. If you are wanting something for more everyday photo shoot gear bags, or if you dont have insane amounts of gear that you need to protect you may want to consider theLowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack (Black)or for the slightly heavier loadLowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW Camera Bagboth work excellent! And allow for an easier means of transporting small amounts of gear, the slingshot 200 will even work for most small day hikes where only a couple lenses are needed, and as with all lowepro AW bags, the all weather rain cover is inclusive!**Update 1/24/2013**Getting close to 4 years with this bag at this point. I have purchased many additional carry solutions from standard hiking packs for wide angle only days, and the pelican 1510 for trips up rivers and out in the ocean where wet weather is a major concern. This pack is still my number 1 choice. Quality really speaks loud for this bag. Last year my partner picked up the updated version, and while its nice, I felt they really reduced the quality behind their product and turned it into a cheaper solution rather than anything else.Now this pack carries my Canon 7D Gripped with a Canon 500mm F4 IS hood reversed, a Canon 300mm F4, 100mm f2.8, 17-40 F4, and 50mm f1.4. As well as my 580exII speed light, soft flash box, and Beater Beamer. As well as a few allen tools for adjusting gimbal supplies, and my Canon 5D Mk II. The bag with this much gear is a bit heavy, but I have yet to have any real issues getting it onto even small jets to fly on location for shoots. I have been able to use this bag as a carry-on both domestic and international. From Canada / New York, to Hawaii. From Arizona to Panama. Still have zero complaints other than they do not seem to produce this anymore. If you can find one used, it may very well fit the bill nicely for you.
I searched for camera backpacks to pack up both my D70 and T2 Rebel EOS, and I finnaly settled on this pack. At first, I was somehow doubtfull because of the price. Wel, I received the pack and it is simply awesome!!!It's a big pack, it is actually filled with both of my SLR's, a Nikkor 18-200mm, a nikkor 35mm, a canon 50mm, my nikon flash (SB-800), about 10 filters in its boxes, cleaning supplies, cables and it still has room to spare (It will accept about three more lenses!!)The backpack is really sturdy and very well bult. I've seen people complaining about it's weight, but the weight is just a consequence of it's toughness; it really comes down to being a personal choice: a light pack that won't hold up in the long run, or a beeffy pack that WILL protect your camera gear! And that's the whole point of buying the pack isn't it?Highly recomended!! worth every dollar I paid for!!As a previous reviewer said, this pack IS bigger than you think it is!!PS: I forgot to mention that this backpack has a great ergonomics design. Even though the pack is heavy, and when it is loaded with camera stuff, even more so, thing is that it actually distributes the load over your shoulders through waist like no other backpack! However, it is not easy to find the correct adjustments, so you must play with all the different adjustments (shoulder harness is movable, shoulder straps and load stabilizer straps) in order to find your own ergonomic sweetspot...
It's larger than I thought and i bought a used one so the zipper didn't work as well but it's a great backpack if you have loads to carry. I do so that part is great. I have to have the zipper replaced by a seamstress, but I love the backpack other than that.
I am a serious hobbyist and have collected more and more equipment and realized that although I had several bags, did not have one large enough if I was going on a long trip and needed to take everything.  I have numerous other bags from small enough to fit my Canon 5D MKll with grip attached by itself to a bag that will carry that with an extra lens and flash.  This particular bag has an adjustable torso which works wonderfully for me as I am 6'1'' and most of the other large bags I tried were too short meaning that the waist belt would ride too high.  I could tell that wearing those bags would become uncomfortable in short order.  I find that this bag is also a great place to store all my gear in one place and depending on where I am going, can either take that with me or grab the items i will need and put them in one of my smaller bags.  I was joking with my wife and finally understand why women want various handbags.  There isn't one perfect solution but for a hearty carry-everything-you-got bag, this fits the bill perfectly.
I must have looked at about 50 bags before i found this one.I would of givin this backpack a five star but it is a bit to heavy and when you got it full your not going hicking up mount fuji with it( about 30 pound fully loaded) But it is a great bag to keep all your stuff together and of cause if your driving between shoots. this is what i keep in my bag(Canon 40D with battery grip,16-35 ,24-70 and 70-200 lenses,STE2 580 flash, charger,some filters and cleaning kits and of cause some extra batteries)The design of the bag is good ,Good sholder and back support.I would recomend this but at the same time if you do not intend to carry as much stuff in it then you should look at next size down from lowepro.But as anyone should do before buying a product go and take a look first before you buy.
I first purchased the Photo Trekker AW in 1999. I found it to be a great bag for carrying both my digital and medium format systems over the years. The first gen bag allowed for mounting of the tripod on the back as opposed to on the sides. I really liked that idea. The AW cover however was not a great design as it was difficult to tie down once it covered the whole pack. Plus it wasn't really effective for repelling water as it got easily soaked and the miuisture would come right thru. It does a decent job for sand however. I had to retire my first pack in 2008 when one of the main zippers broke.I purchased my second Photo Trekker AW in 2008. I noticed that the tripod holder had been removed in that particular model which was not great, however I took the pieces from my old bag and attached it to the side of the newer bag, so problem was solved. The AW cover still suffered from the same issues in water repellancy and tie down that the first model had. The rear pockets were much larger and easier to access in the newer model however which was a plus. The shoulder straps I find were too thin, especially when carrying aheavy weight for a long time. I routinely carry my 40+ lbs of gear way into the back country. It does look like the newest model has wider straps though, but I haven't tried it to see if the comfort and fit has improved significantly or not. The sipper teeth have split on one of the main compartment zippers, so it will be retired soonThe Photo Trekker is a great size. It can fit in the overhead bins of almost every plane I've taken it on (and thats a lot!) - but sometimes I need to make sure the two external pockets are empty. Inside it holds my standard system: A Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, two 220 film backs, FE-701 prism finder, Sekor 50mm, 110mm, 210mm, 250mm and 37mm Mamiya Lenses, Arca Swiss B1 ball head, Nikkor 70-200 F2.8, Nikkor 35-70 F2.8, 4 Singh Ray filters, hoods, cable releases, Cokin filters, Memory cards and a few other bits and bobs. I usually carry my D2X with a 17-35 F2.8 on my chect using a Lowepro Top Load AW bag.Overall, I love the size of the bag and the protection it affords.Cons are the zipper quality on the main compartment, the tie down and repellancy of the AW cover and the comfort for long distance heavy loaded travel. Yes though, I'd likely buy a third.
This is a spacious photo backpack, easily carrying a couple of long telephotos, SLR bodies, with three or four shorter lenes as well and smaller accessories. Additional lenes, accessories can be attached to the sides and front with Lowepro accessory pouches, though, by adding these, you might end up with more weight than you would want to carry very far. For comfort, I recommend limiting the tripod to be packed to under 26' length and 5-6 lbs. maximum.Even loaded, the pack carries well with a wide firm waist strap transferring much of the load to you hips.This is a serious backpack and may be larger than you first imagine.
The case protects the camera while in my purse quite well. The battery charger came in handy by the second day when the batteries that came with my camera ran out. The batteries recharge within a few hours and with twice as many as needed by my camera I can always take photos.
There is nothing defective or wrong with the kit. The case is nice (except that you will only be able to carry camera and maybe another card). The main issue is the batteries and charger which are very generic (nothing special). I would recommend not going with the Canon batteries and instead purchasing another readily available brand. In the end you will probably be much happier and will have saved money.I agree with most others that Canon really should have included these items with the A80.*Also... if you are purchasing a Canon camera and expecting it to be made in Japan... watch out! They have been switching production to China mid-stream. Mid-2004 all the A80s were showing up with Made in China labels. Many displays show the one made in Japan, but the box you get will probably contain one made in China. It may be perfectly fine, however just be informed.
Everything works with my camera just like it said it would.  Only negative was that the secondary vendor also sent me someone elses order, and although I emailed them several times and call once I could never get a response as to what to do with the extra item.
This accessories kit gives me rechargeable batteries, saving me tie & money.  The other accessories are items I would have had to buy separately for at a higher cost.  A good purchase.
This "kit" is not worth its current price.It's not much of a kit to begin with; it's only 2 items.First off, you should skip the overpriced canon batteries and charger altogether.  Canon doesn't have a patent on NiMH batteries.  Older Canon manuals seemed to indicate that you have to use Canon rechargeables, but that's simply not true.  While NiMH batteries are a definite must for battery hungry digital cameras, there are better options out there which are completely compatible with your camera.For half the price of this kit you can get a charger and batteries that charge in as little as 15 minutes, and have a higher mAh rating.  I'd recommend the Energizer 15 minute kit.The canon case is quality, and an excellent choice for your camera.  A case is not something you should cheap out on: it is an absolute necessity.However, when this case is available separately for less than ten dollars (currently $6.39!) on amazon, you should really just buy it separately and choose a better charger.
I use this for my Powershot A510 and it works well.  The battery charger is nice and compact, except it only charges AA batteries, but that's okay for me since I only use it for my digital camera.
Although I purchased this kit for the Powershop A620 sometime ago, I am now using itfor the Powershot A1000IS. The new camera is smaller so there is more room in thecase now. The charger really came in handy for trips outside the U.S.
This kit is priced way too high. If you shop around you can find other NIMH battery chargers for a lower price and the batteries that are included often have a higher mAH rating. Some of the chargers even have a quick charge mode so you don't have to wait overnight for them to charge.There are also camera cases for specific model cameras that should fit those camera much better. The case for the Canon PowerShot A400/A410 is (at the time of this review) priced on Amazon at just under $6. It fits my PowerShot A410 camera perfectly and is well worth the price.
Batteries hold charge for a long time and the recharging is simple and fast.  Outstanding portability.
I think it's a bit of a rip-off to make you buy this separate from the cameras.  The case is attractive and well-made, but all it holds is the camera and maybe some extra batteries, although I suspect 4 extra AA's will be a tight fit in the one pocket in front, or in lieu of batteries, an extra compact flash card.  My A70 came with 4 rechargeable AA's.  They should really just put the case in with the camera and either include the charger too, or let people fend for themselves with buying some other manufacturer's battery recharger.  Seems like a ploy to sell battery chargers to me.  I could have bought a charger with batteries for the same price as this kit.  I only bought this to get the case.
This bundle package includes a battery charger, 4 rechargable batteries and a soft camera case. The case is a must to protect your camera and the ability to recharge the batteries certainly comes in handy.Though I am happy with each of these products, I would recommend buying them individually on Amazon. Currently you can purchase the case for around $6 and the batteries and recharger for about $38. So you save a few bucks and get the same thing.You may also want to consider purchasing a different compatible battery and charger brand and economizing there.The case is quite nice, at about 4 by 3 it doesnt take up much space. There is a tiny mesh pocket in the front to hold either batteries or a memory card. Velcro closure keeps your camera secure. The back has a belt loop.The battery charger plugs directly into the wall. Its a sturdy plastic holder with a plug that folds in or out. Charges only double A batteries.Overall, good to have for the camera but shop for the most economical way to buy them.
Se puede llevar algunas cosas extras dentro del estuche, buen dise&ntilde;o de Canon. El cargador nos indica cuando la bateria esta cargada y es bastante rapido y efectivo.
I bought this bundle for my A75 and it's a great product overall. It has all you need to carry and power you canon A-series digital camera. The batteries are great and you can shoot for couple of days with them without needing to be recharged. The charger is nice and very portable, though I wish it had a power cord instead of connecting directly to the outlet.I didn't give five start because, as someone already has pointed it out, I think at least the batteries and charger should come with the camera. However, at this price it's a good value and a must for canon A-series digital camera owners.
These things are available individually and of equal quality locally, esp. the battery recharger.  A Panasonic, higher rated in the reviews, would have served equally.  However, they are as advertised and arrived in a very timely manner. I'm criticizing my shopping!!!
The litmus test of a good product (typically) is it's availability (not always, but in this case, for certain!). Well, as I attempted to find the A Series accessory kit, I became incredibly frustrated with the following messages: &quot;Out of Stock,&quot; &quot;Backordered,&quot; &quot;Arriving Soon.&quot; Whether my theory of &quot;everyone with an A Series wants one&quot; or whether Canon just doesn't produce enough of these these kits is really irrelevant; if you own an A Series, this kit is a must.First, the compact case is a streamlined and perfect fit; not a bulky case. And, every camera, particularly these expensive digitals, must have some kind of protection. Okay, preliminaries out of the way, the case is just the cherry. The real beef to this kit is the charger and NiMH rechargeable batteries.Depending on your use of your camera (and disregarding its powersaving features), AA batteries do not have abundant life. My solution is to have an extra set of non-rechargable AAs with me at all times (which can be conveniently stored in the front pouch of the accompanying case) while using the rechargables. By using this scheme, I'll always be prepared when taking photos. After I get home, I pop the rechargables in the charger, which is very compact and can be plugged in nearly any convenient outlet, and use the non-rechargables. To recharge all four batteries is something less than 4 hours; not bad, all-in-all.At the price, this is an accessory kit that all A Series owners should strongly consider.
I bought the Cannon Powershot a570is 7.1MB with a 4 Optical Image Stabilized Zoom for my granddaughter without seeing one myself. I had it shipped directly to her in TX. She did not know so it quite a surprise when she it arrived. She is very happy with it and has taken hundreds of pictures in just over a month.In addition, I purchased the Cannon Powershot A Series Accessory Kit which she is also very happy with.She loves the camera and accessory kit. We both would recommend these to anyone looking for an inexpensive, easy to use, and not cumbersome digital camera that takes great pictures.
It is not the GE battery as pictured in the advertisement, however it did fit my phone and charged...will see how long the battery lasts. Was happy to find it via this Seller and Amazon...landline batteries are becoming more and more obsolete. Thanks to both the Seller and to Amazon. &#10084;&#10084;&#10084;
I researched buying the GE version of this battery, and the price was outrageous.  It would have made more sense to just buy a new phone.  Luckily I came across this battery replacement and it has worked perfectly for both of our cordless phones.
You are hard to find a better price for these and it's cheaper than a new phone!
Now my phone holds a charge for a much longer time without needing to be placed in the charging dock.
I ordered at the end of 2011 and it arrived with a bad connector.  After cutting the shell apart and soldering in one wire in the pryed open terminal and insulating the wires with heat-shrink performance in the telephone was restored to new --- for about six months.  After that the battery pack didn't last any longer than the other two phones which had their original batteries for several years and before I had it in there for a full year it died comletely.Internal construction (cut the plastic cover) is good, so all I can determine is the battery cells must be of poor quality.  That and the effort necessary to "rework" the connector cost the review a star.There are lots of reviews better than mine, but I wonder how long they waited before evaluating the product and what the reviews would be a year after puchase(?).  Just to compare though, I bought two cell phone batteries years ago from a different vendor and they are still going strong... .  Your milage may vary.
It is difficult to find all the different size batteries in these cordless phones. Most Discount stores only carry a few, but on Amazon I was able to find the correct one and get a discounted price.
We had replaced the battery on our Motorola home phone several times and the replacement batteries seemed to die early deaths each time.  I was beginning to think it was the design of the phone that was causing it but this battery has given service now for quite a while and that's better.
Although 1 or more sources claimed otherwise, this battery does NOT fit w Vtech TM-311 phones. Amazon was nice enough to pay for shipping them back & gave a full refund quickly & easily. Go Amazon!!
As I was looking for a circular polarizer, the "Hoya" brand kept coming up in reviews.  I'm using this filter on a Lumix G3 and it works well to filter atmospheric haze and punch up the contrast in sky shots.  The price is very good.
Circular polarizers always useful. .a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
Comparable to some more expensive CP filters, only one issue - the ring moves a little bit too easily - can easily move when accidentally touched. Otherwise it seems to perform more or less equal to my B+W filters. Leaning towards these Hoya filters in the future due to their price-to-performance ratio.
Performs as expected for the price of the item.  I have owned many other polarizers over the years and only one or two were better than this one.
I ordered thisZeikos ZE-CPL46 46mm Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Filterbecause it was so cheap and the reviews were good. The next day I ordered a much more expensive Hoya - Filter - circular polarizer - 46 mm from Amazon. Well, I have tried both filters and can't see any difference between them optically. The Hoya seems to be made a little better. The Zeikos was a little lose and not quite as tight fitting on the adjustment collar. The Hoya threads were just a tiny bit longer which made it easier to get on. I took pictures with both of them. I can't see any difference. They both look good. They both did a good job of eliminating glare and give the pictures greener greens and make the sky more blue. I like them both, but the Hoya is staying on my camera because it is better made and easier to get on and off.
When I bought this filter, I was not at all entirely certain that it would fit my camera correctly because of some of the reviews I'd read.  But, also because of some of the reviews I'd read, I thought that it indeed might fit properly.  Yep, it fits properly, screws onto the lens correctly and tightly, and does not cross-thread the lens threads, as some other reviewers had suggested.To put the filter onto the camera lens:  (1) turn the camera ON  (2) extend the zoom lens OUT, which will give you plenty access to the lens threads,  and (3) CAREFULLY screw the filter onto your lens.  (Just because it really DOES fit correctly, doesn't mean that you can't cross-thread it if you're not careful!)The filter does cut down on glare from the sun on bright days, but I mostly bought the filter to protect my good Leica lens.
Solid, well-built, quality glass...not sure what else needs to be said.  It's a good price point for a good product.  I use it on my 20mm 1.7f Panasonic and it functions exactly as I need it to.  I recommend it.
The bottom line first: This is the best polarizing filter out there for around 30 bucks or less.I was looking for a polarizing filter for my S2 IS camera. And there are many filters out there at very cheap price. Some just around 15 bucks or less. And some are very expensive at several hundreds bucks for dSLR users. I didn't want to pay more than 50 bucks for a polarizing filter, but I didn't want to waste even a cent on a useless stuff. So I found this filter. It seemed to be a very good deal since it is a circular filter and it has warming effect. I bought it and I was impressed. All outdoor pictures look really good; the color is deep, water is clear, and clouds are all well shaped. Most nonmetal reflections was filtered out. You should remember that the best effect happens when your camera at 90 degree to the sun.I doubt that those hundreds dollars filters will be much better than this one. They are certainly better but the difference must be very little in everyday pictures. If the professional one can filter out 99% of reflections, this polarizer must be able to filter out at least 96%.
This polarizer not only cuts the glare but warms up the colors slightly for a very pleasing but realistic effect.
I got a Sony SLT 55 and needed a new polarizer. Chose this one.  Wish I hadn't. It is the correct size for my camera lens but it vignettes at the corners something terrible. Not sure why. Wish I could send it back but it is too late.
I am loving this filter. I purchased this for our trip to the beach. It really make a big difference. My only problem is I went from bright sunlight to inside lighting a lot, so I had to keep taking it off and putting the clear filter back on. I don't like my lens uncovered for fear of scratching it. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to warm up their outside shots.
Update 9/8/12:The more I use this filter, the more I like it!  As a Nikon user, you may have noticed that even when your camera is set to the correct white balance for your shooting conditions that the picture still turns out cooler than you would expect.  I thought maybe it was just me and that I preferred my pictures to be warmer, but I have seen other people comment that Nikon cameras and lenses turn out cooler pictures unless you tweak settings.  Frankly, I think it was easier to just use this polarizer and kill two birds with one stone and since Moose Peterson helped design the filter you can have confidence in it.  Absolutely great and a must have for Nikon users that shoot outdoors.This is a filter that was designed with the help of Moose Peterson, famous wildlife photographer.  The reason why this filter rocks over just a circular polarizer is that you have a built in warming filter too.  Yes, you can change the tone post-production, but this filter will save you that step, which I really appreciate!  For a circular polarizer under $50 you can't find better quality than this one.  It deepens the color of the sky in bright daylight photos, cuts glare/reflections from water, leaves, buildings, etc.  Love, love, love!!
If you have a DSLR and take photos outside you need this filter! I had gotten this product only after trying a knock off, I was not happy with that product. The Hoya Moose filter was suggested to me from a coworker. He felt that for the money it was one of the best filters he has been able to find. I have been VERY happy with it and look forward to another season of photography!
I bought one of these second hand to use with my digital camera.  Works great, just like any other polarizer.  This filter combines a warming filter with circular polarizer.  For a digital camera you don't really need the warming filter, you can shift the color temperature in post processing with your photo editor software, but it doesn't hurt anything.  This is not a multi-coated filter so could produce reflection artifacts under certain conditions but I haven't noticed any problem.  If you haven't used a polarizer before, it can help darken blue skies and also dramatically reduce glare from shiny foliage, water, glass, glossy paint, almost anything shiny.  This makes colors appear rich and increases sky contrast between blue sky and white clouds although the sky effect varies depending on your orientation relative to the sun but you soon learn how to best use it.  Polarizers are the only camera filters I ever use.
This is a nice filter for the money. If you are looking for the milky effect of slowing down water in broad daylight you need the 400X. This filter is great for early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not so bright. Or If you are just looking for a couple more stops of light for DOF then this will help, especially for portraits.
Great Filter. I'm using it on my 18-55mm lens, fits perfectly. Pictures come out great. Great quality too. Filter has durable and sturdy feel to it. Not cheaply made.
I bought this filter for waterfall and long exposure photography, and I have to say I am disappointed with it. It does cut the light by about 3 stops, as advertised, but the photos come out very gray and unsaturated with color, even if I set my camera to Vivid color mode. It also feels much lighter and flimsier in construction than other Hoya filters I own. Consequently I now just use a polarizing filter for the shots that need the reduction in light.
Item arrived on a very good condition, works great as its my first ND filter, fitted smoothly on my Nikkor 18-55mm lens and got great results with it...it stepped down the lens by 2 stops or 3 at the max..not bad for me :)
This Neutral Density filter works just the way I expected.  It offers a 3 stop reduction in the light entering your lens.  I have already given this filter a try and I'm happy with the results.I shoot a lot of portraiture, and I prefer to shoot at f/2.8 to get that silky smooth bokeh in the background.  Unfortunately, there are times when I am forced to shoot outdoors on a bright, sunny day.  That's when this ND8 filter comes in.  When I can't lower my ISO and crank up my shutter speed enough to give me the right exposure at f/2.8, I slap on this baby, and it cuts down just enough light to shoot.  Every portrait photographer should keep one of these in their camera bag for this kind of situation.
Best for viewing eclipse!
Just getting the hang of it; this filter truly does filter out most of the visible spectrum, so if your camera sensor is IR sensitive (easy test&#8212;point an IR remote control at it and see if you can see the LED) this is what you need. You'll need to experiment some with white balance, exposure, etc.I've been using B+W filters mainly for years now, but this Hoya does seem very well made. It screws on smoothly.
I just got interested in infrared photography. (I'm an amateur.) I did some online research and got a book. There are basically two ways to get this type of image: have a digital camera converted to IR-only (expensive), or buy an IR filter (cheap). The down side is that exposure times can be longish. At ISO 200 and f/8 on a bright sunny day I'm exposing at about 8 seconds. In late afternoon sun it's more like 30 seconds to a minute. Not all cameras are alike, so experiment by bracketing: 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 seconds, etc. Then see what you got, at the camera or at the computer. Line up and focus your shot on a tripod first, then carefully screw on the filter and do the exposure sequence. (Adjust your focus to that tiny red dot on lens for IR-infinity if necessary.)A word on IR conversion. I've not done this but there are places that will do it for you. It's not cheap, but it allows you to make short, even hand held exposures. And, you should consider what you might do with that camera when the thrill wears off... You might consider buying a conversion camera from someone who has recently lost interest! I'm happy with the filter and I'm guessing so will you be.
I really enjoyed this filter - recently used on a nikon d40 i got some really interesting results.  I recommend this for anyone interested in trying out IR photography, i found the whole process surprisingly easy. this filter's optics were very clear and gave great results, i cant wait to try it again
As long as you have Photoshop I would absolutely recommend this lens for your DSLR camera (I have a Nikon D3100). I've taken some really cool pictures with this and it's a lot of fun to take the red/orange radioactive looking image and turn it into an icy blue and purple image. It's like taking pictures of an alternate universe.
I am going to take a class this weekend. To get instructed on getting the best pictures I can. Will update this to tell you how they come out
This filter blocks nearly all visible light. Consequently, it looks opaque and black to the naked eye, though if you hold it up to a strong light source, you will be able to see a dull, deep red image through it. The R72 is one of the most common filters used in infrared (IR) photography. If you get really serious about shooting in IR, you may want to look into having your camera modified to remove its built-in IR-blocking filter, but even with that filter in place, some cameras can be used for IR photography, given a suitably long exposure. (Incidentally, what we are talking about here is "near-infrared" light, which, although invisible to our eyes, behaves very much like normal light in the way it reflects off objects. This is not the same as seeing heat as light, which involves a deeper portion of the IR spectrum.)I have used this filter with an unmodified Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera and a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens (the original version from the 1980s, not the all-plastic one made now, which may or may not take the same size filters). The camera's auto-focus capability works perfectly with the filter in place. In direct sunlight, I have found that with the camera on a tripod, an exposure of about 15 seconds at f/5.6, ISO 400 produces a good image. After that, what to do is a matter of creative judgment; the picture obviously won't be in natural colors (that's the whole point of shooting in IR), so you can adjust white balance however you like. I often exchange the red and blue channels, as well. Sometimes I reduce the end result to grayscale, sometimes not.Now, one may ask at this point, if we are photographing infrared light, what is all this talk of red and blue and white? The answer is that the camera's sensor, though designed primarily to pick up visible light, is also somewhat sensitive to IR. However, the camera cannot distinguish between IR and visible light. The IR that it senses, it records (incorrectly) as shades of visible light (mostly red). This is what we see in digital IR photography. We are seeing, in colors we can see, an image made from light that we cannot see directly.IR photography is a lot of fun and at times it provides a strange sense of discovery. It is strange and sometimes thrilling to see our familiar world in such an unfamiliar way. The Hoya R72 filter is a good choice for IR work.
I like it... but currently I must push my camera to the limits and have long exposure times... I have not yet been able to fully dismantle my Sony Alpha to fully take advantage of this filter (remove my camera's built-in IR blocking filter).  I will probably attempt to do so again in the near future... If I can get the built-in filter off my camera then I'll be able to take some breathtaking photos with this product.  Until then the photos are just... interesting, not breathtaking.
Great filter for digital Infrared photography. It doesn't block out all visible light if that is what you want, but if you're going to go into that level of infrared it would be better just to get your camera modded for IR photo as the ir filters in most cameras would make it virtually impossible to take pictures in a timely, under 30 second manner.
Infrared photography is difficult at best, You have to compose, focus, and setup, before adding the filter. Then take many shots hoping you get one that looks great. Pictures look nice in black n white but so far haven't got that &#34;tack sharp&#34; picture. Fun to play with, but can be frustrating at times, but well worth it.
Received a Hoya 52mm RM-72 infrared filter, as advertised, at a great price.  Now if I could just figure out how to get decent pictures on my 5D MK II, I'd be all set. ;-)
I bought this to get my feet wet with IR photography.  It works on my Nikon 18-55mm kit lens.  It gets the job done at a good price for an IR filter.
This is a good filter for infrared photography. I was pleasantly surprised when my camera meter still worked with it. I use this filter on my Nikon D40. You have to compose and focus before you put the filter on. It isn't as infrared as I thought it would be. For the ametuer, this filter is good. To get a really true infrared picture, one would have to spend a lot of money on a higher-priced filter.
This works very well on my Nikon D40 and kit lens.  I can almost hand-hold this but it does require about a 1/2 second shutter on a clear sunny day so a tripod is preferred.  After taking a picture you will need to do some post processing with software like Gimp and a RAW editor.  There are plenty of good free ones out there.  Take your pictures in RAW mode and after you download them to your computer in your RAW editor set the white balance to a green item in the picture.  Then swap the red and blue channels.  This will allow for a blue sky with all the flora appearing a ghostly white color.  For more instructions Google for "IR workflow".Here is a picture I took with my Hoya 52mm filter ordered from Amazon.com:[...]
Works quite well for digital infrared photography, where more IR restrictive filters would result in insanely long exposure times - provided the camera is sensitive enough to use them at all.  Haven't yet used it for film IR, but I can certainly recommend it without reservation for those thinking about it for digital IR.
If you want to be a little more creative with your photography, you should consider getting an infrared filter for your digital camera. You can search the web to get more details on how to use it, but my 16 year old son jumped in an just started using it and created some very interesting photos. Typically, the filter requires a longer exposure than normal, but it still depends on the amount of IR light that's present. Color images will have a reddist color, but if you are able to change the color setting on you camera to b&w;, you will see some great images.Hoya has always produced high quality camera filters. Choosing a smaller filter size, like 52mm, is quite an affordable way to try IR photography.
I'm dreaming years with the opportunity to try infrared photography. At first, I considered to buy a cheap filter, but in the end I chosen this one because I have other Hoya products and I don't have any complain about the quality. It looks expensive, however the final reasult will be a lot superior and in USA it's not overpriced (here in Brazil it costs 3x the american price).
Image quality does suffer a little, but that is the price you pay for this kind of a filter. If you want high quality IR photos at high resolutions, then you should convert your camera instead.That said, it does what it is meant to do with no flare on my 50mm f1.8. Make sure you bring a tripod and remote switch with you, as the filter requires long exposures even on bright sunny days.
I took me a little while to figure out how to use this, but once you get it down it is a lot of fun.  I would recommend using a tripod and using a longer shutter speed.  That gave me some really neat pictures.
I use this filter with my Nikon D60 and it does a super job on IR pics.  If you are new to IR photography, this is the filter for you!  FYI, I shoot it in bright daylight using the same 90 degree rule you would use with a polarizer.  Generally, I set the camera on manual, close down the aperture to about F22, set the white balance to auto, set the shutter speed to 30 seconds ( yes, 30 seconds, so you need a tripod ), ISO to 1600,  pre-focus with the IR lens off, lock the focus, then take the pic.  At 30 seconds, you're going to want a less breezy day, but the long exposure gives you those wispy, eerie, clouds.  You're going to get a REALLY red image, but that's ok, you can tweak it in PS or iPhoto or even the viewnx program that comes with the D60.  You can manipulate the hues and saturations, contrasts and tints in these programs to get your desired effect.  I don't think you really need a more expensive IR filter when this one works just fine..........
This is my first IR filter and honestly, it does exactly what it's supposed to.  The images come out very clear.  The quality definitely feels solid, typical Hoya quality.  The only wish I had was that it came with some sort of travel case, but that's OK.  All in all, a solid investment that I'm glad I paid for.
This is great lens for infrared photography. I took a couple photographs with  this lens, great photographs, even I am very new  on infrared photography. But keep in mind, the picture you take comes always red, and you have to work on photoshop , to get the best result. This is the way how infrared photography  works.
No distortions from the filter but isn't what I expected. Very difficult to work with in reality. Must use a tripod and long exposures to get a viewable image.
it takes some time to figure out exposure, and aperture settings but, with a digital camera, you can master it in a day or so.Gives beautiful photos too
I am very happy with this filter. It meet all my expectations and then some. It works just as advertised with my Nikon D-3200 camera.
There are a number of IR filers with a cutoff below 720 nm, but it seems the Hoya are the best, in terms of price to quality ratio.Amazon has, so far, the best price on this filter, so I'm very pleased with this purchase.
I bought this filter for a trip to Scotland. It worked very well with myCanon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoomusing theCanon LAH-DC20 Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58E) and Hood (LH-DC40) Set for the S5 IS, S3 IS & S2 IS Digital Camera. I set the Effects setting on my camera to Black & White and used long exposure times (1 to 3 seconds depending on available light). I used a tripod, and the shutter delay (2 seconds) to get crisp images. The LCD screen showed a very accurate representation of how the photos would turn out.
I used this filter on a Canon XTi (slightly IR sensitive sensor).  Have to use quite a lengthy shutter speeds and very small f stop (number, not aperture).  Really nice product and very durable (already dropped it).  If you buy it for a digi cam, just do the IR test first to see if it's IR sensitive!
I originally purchased this filter for my Olympus 500UZ and took some amazing photos.My ex sat her big butt on the Olympus (may it rest in peace) (or rather pieces.. lol)I now own a Nikon D-3000, and with it's advanced technology... it filters out IR light.So needless to say, this filter removes all light except IR and my camera accepts all light except IR.So as it stands... black photos.Like I said, with the right camera, it works great. I got shots of a solar eclipse, welding, sunsets, etc.Check your cameras specs before purchasing.
I've had other infrared filters, but this was my first Hoya. The RM72 works perfectly with the Sony DSC-V3 and neutral density filters to give me a digital infrared camera.
This filter was purchased for use with a Panasonic LX3 digital camera.  It mounts via the Panasonic LA4 adapter tube, and a 46 to 55mm step ring.  The LX3 camera has some very nice Black and White film mode options.  I wanted to create some of those Infrared effects I'd seen from speciality IR modified cameras.  Most digital camera's are to a degree sensitive to IR even with the IR blocking filter.  This R72 does the job quite well.  Very much pleased.
I used this filter on my older digicam and it worked great. This new one is also wonderful; the hitch is that I had forgotten that my older camera gave a true preview of the scene while my new dslr does not - so I was shooting blind (you can't really see through the filter, you're not supposed to either.). Not the filter's fault at all - after getting the gist again of shooting with infrared, this filter does a nice job.
Excellent multi-coated 3-stop filter at a very nice price. Use for water shots and also for my Fuji 35mm f/1.4 lens with steep-up ring when it is too bright to shoot at or near wide open. It's a must have lens along with a quality circular polarizer
Just received this in the mail and have had fun playing with it.  I really haven't had a chance to go out and photograph the little waterfall in the park, as that is the main reason I purchased it. That said, so far it has worked exactly as I have expected it to with that I have done so far.I do want to note that there was an extremely tense moment for me when I attached a lens hood to the front of my ND filter and had a VERY difficult time getting it back off.  I thought I was going to be stuck with the lens hood forever...but it eventually came off.  I would suggest being very careful attaching anything to this filter.  That is the reason I give this 4 instead of 5 stars.
If you like to use a slow shutter on waterfalls and moving water then an ND filter is a must and this one is excellent. Threads are well cut and the filter gives me no problems with vignetting on a 12mm lens.
I am very happy with this product.I use in on bright sunny days and have not had problems with lighting since I've used it.I would recommend this filter to others.
This hoya filter is just what I wanted. I received it quickly and it is as described. Thank you, I would recommend this filter
I've been testing this filter since is arrived. If you need to take light out of a situation (beaches, etc) and keep a nice bokeh, this is what you want.
I did take some shots about and hour or so before sunset which could be the reason it worked as great as it did. Whether or not it works just as great when the sun is at it's peak, i'm not quite sure but nonetheless when I did use it the results came out great! Took a 2 minute long exposure shot of the water fountain in my front yard no problem and it looked amazing! it felt as if i took a 2 minute long shot at night as opposed to the daytime. I'd recommend this to someone who wants to experience with ND filters and not spend a fortune at first.
The filter performs very well. It is quite neutral. It gives an eight stop production. In wet weather, it does not appear to be very water resistant. It fogs up quite easily and cleaning with a microfiber cloth only results in streaking. You need to use and alcohol cleaning solution to properly clean the lens. I'm uncertain if using alcohol solution on it will cause damage because there's absolutely no information provided with the packaging. Although this may be a unfair complaint against the product, other manufacturers have better coatings that do not fog up and resist water and clean up better with microfiber cloths
Purchased so that I could shoot prime lenses outdoors with x-sync at 1/250 sec and this does the trick even at f1.4 I will mention that I will be placing an order for yet a darker filter as this only works under overcast/cloudy skies or in the shade - not in direct sun - but then why do I want to shoot in direct sun anyway. I have used Cokin filters for waterfalls & long exposures and they are deplorable - even before they get all scratched up (which takes a day) they rob your images of clarity & correct color. So far this is pretty true gray!
the product was perfect, didn't show up in the time I needed it but the product itself has no flaws despite a cracked case and works like a charm
After doing tests with this item I find it has a pink tint.  Gray sidewalks, for example, appear to have a pinkish tone to them.I'm disappointed with it.
Nice filter and feels like solid quality. It is not quite as dark as I thought it would be but it still works fantastically.
I own several other Hoya filters so I was confident in what I'd be getting in this one - and I was right.  The glass is a good-but-not-great quality but the threads are clean and sharp, creating an evenly-aligned snug fit.  The coating appears clean and consistent for what I paid.  Well worth the affordable price.
It's a 4 stop ND filter... Works fine. Works fine for 20-30 second indoor exposures. Outside... Not so much. It does however work good for shooting in the middle of the day when you have zero shade.
Hoya is currently my top trusted brand for filters. They are always clear and provide great results. I've tried other, cheap brands or generics, but have had problems with warping and clarity. Hoya filters are always top notch.
this is just what I expected. My boyfriend bought a nicer ND filter and his results are better, but for the price you really can't beat this ND filter.
I was going for the B+W one but considering the filter-to-lens cost ratio (Canon EF 85mm f/1.8), I jumped on the Hoya one instead. I don't see any reduction in image quality. Like a user said, I use this to shoot wide open outdoor with fill in flash. You can see the photo attached.
Hoya makes filters at various quality levels, or so I read in other reviews.  This filter appears to be very good in quality and works flawlessly when used with a lens shade.
Not a lot to say here, aside from the fact that it's as good as other Hoya filters and produces three stops of filtering. Recommended.
The difference in my pictures is phenomenal with this filter, especially when shooting sunsets or very bright snow. Hoya has yet to disappoint me. Also, very prompt delivery and excellent, protective packaging. Highly recommended!
This is more of a warning than a review, but if you own a Nikon camera, the auto focus may not work. I tried using this filter with a polarizing filter and by itself, and camera could not focus in the  auto-focus mode at distances from 3 feet to long distance and the camera would not take a picture. Then I removed the filter and the camera worked perfectly--same result with Circular Polarizing filter (CPL). You can use this filter in the manual focus mode and it works fine, but I like personally the results better when just using a CPL.
Guess I'm not good at using it
Using this with a modified Sigma SD14 to capture IR photos. Works great, fit is good, build quality is very good.
This is AWESOME!!! I dont regret spending the money on this at all! So easy to use, just look online and make sure your camera is sensitive to infrared first. Mine was for my S5IS by Canon. Works great and I've got alot of cool photos! See how cool infrared is: [...] go to my gallery and look in the folder for infrared.*EDITED NOV 29th 2009 to add: I also used my IR filter on my Canon A70 and now recently do all my IR with a Nikon D40. Both Canon's were great, but the clarity and control for IR is much better in a DSLR. I'll never regret buying this filter. I'd go insane without it! IR is awesome and so is this filter!
This a great quality item.  You can't waste money here if you really want to improve your photography by moving into the infrared photography world.
i've not had much time to use this.  i'm still learning, but from my limited experience it works just fine for me.
A slight learning curve with this filter has led to some absolutely stunning and remarkable photos with my Canon G7.  Tripod is a must since 15 second exposure times are the norm in full sun, but the wow factor is incredible.  Color photos appear as olive-tones for the sky (again, G7) and the silver/gray for the foliage.  B & W is just grayscale.  Very cool filter if you want to try something new.  Quality tripod will help immensely with windy days.  Beware of sun-flaring when shooting towards the sun as this is not a UV or polarizing type filter.
This filter performs excellent in bright light. It is what I would call a fair weather filter. On a recent shoot in the Oregon mountains where there was lots of Mist and rain as well as water splash from the trees, it quickly got water spots on it. The coating of these lenses does not repel water very well and when cleaned with a microfiber cloth alone left streaking. The streaking resolves when using the proper alcohol lens cleaner.That is probably an unfair complaint against the filter. However certain other filters by other manufacturers handle the wet weather conditions a bit better.  As far as the infrared performance of the Filter,  it performs flawlessly. I am particularly pleased with the construction.
The Hoya 58mm RM-72 Infrared Filter is a very well made high quality infrared filter. The picture quality using this IR filter is stunning. I have used it in various harsh lighting conditions in black and white and color pictures. The results are outstanding. I recommend purchasing this IR filter to add a great artistic tool to your photographic gadget bag.
Took me a couple sessions to get a handle on how to use it, but it works exactly like it's supposed to.  (Hint:  Bright sunny days work well because it requires a lot of light.)  Not all modern cameras take to an R-72 filter because nowadays most image sensor have a filter to block IR.  But if your camera can do it, then you can get some really cool images with this filter.
I bought this filter because I was trying to get a feel for infrared photography with buying a dedicated camera for the job.  Main problem is there's very little information on how to use it.
I purchased another brand before and when my well designed camera bag fell on the ground, it was broken to very small pieces. This one seems much better in quality.
I use this with Ilford SFX film and get really great IR results from it. Would highly recommend this product
i do not really know the difference because i haven't used any other cheaper or more expensive ones, but this seems like to fit right in the majority of amateur photographers so i got it. and it works. what more can i say very satisfied when it works.
After reading reviews all across the web, the concensus was that this is the best all-purpose Infrared filter for photography - digital photography in my case.  It is also a reasonable price.  I ordered mine and got it quickly, and tried it out right away.  The user photos above are ones I took when I did some of my first tests.On a tripod and with the proper settings, this filter does what it is supposed to and does it well.  It darkens the sky and lightens the foliage (Woods effect).  It gives images an otherworldy appearance that many find appealing.I know that I will be using it quite a bit for my nature photography.  Thank you Hoya!
This filter comes in a wonderful plastic protective case, and I cannot tell you how much I love it already.  It is truly made with excellent quality and I highly recommend this filter to everyone!
I like alot this filter, I use it with a Nikon D300, with a 18-55mm and a 28mm, with excellent results, I have to use an addapter for my lens, 58 to 52mm.I had use another IR filters like Marumi and Polaroid and the results where better with this filter.I recomend it.
This is well constructed and the quality is good. It is a good addition to my collection. Have order another for my 67 mm.
I ordered this from Adorama through Amazon. Service was very quick, I received my order the next day, even though I only selected ground.The filter itself is exactly as it should be. The threading is smooth and the filter is easy to screw onto my lenses without any hassle. Having had no other experience with IR filters, I am giving this a 5 stars. The filter came in good condition and works well. I have used it a little, but need to experiment more with IR photography.I currently own a Canon Digital Rebel XT, and for digital IR, it works as well as it should. (search around the internet for reviews on how your camera will perform with IR)
I'm impressed with the build quality of Hoya filters. This infrared filter is of the same quality as other Hoya filters. I really like the creativity that this filter provides, but the customer must be aware of a few things:- A tripod is absolutely necessary when using the IR filter; on the brightest day it still takes a good 4 seconds of exposure before a picture is noticeable.- Once the filter is attached, you cannot use the viewfinder or LCD screen to sight a composition of the picture you want. A suggestion for this is to compose the shot you want to take and then add the filter. However, this is cumbersome if you want to take more than a shot or two, in which you'd need to constantly attach and remove the filter. Another idea is to use the hotshoe as a sight (as in the sights of a gun).- There is a great book entitled, "Digital Infrared Photography," by Cyrill Harnischmacher, that details the theory, practice, and methodology of IR photography.- This filter is very specific for very specific outcomes. It is a great tool that widens photographers' creativity, but among the field of photography it is extremely limited in its breadth.- This lens can turn a boring hedge of vines, branches, and leaves into an unbelievable art form. It adds something to an otherwise bland scene.Overall, I really enjoy this lens, though I don't use it too often.
Great product works as advertised. I would recommend the Hoya 58mm Infrared Filter to anyone interested in doing Infrared photography. I read lots of reviews on various infrared filters and the Hoya seemed to have the best reviews. So far I like it.
Ive had good luck with Hoya filters and this one does the job! The filter case that came with it is useful as well.
Super cool effects from using this simple filter. There's a little learning curve, but once you get it figured out, you get amazing shots.
One of my top 5 purchases for digital photography! Love it! Make sure you get the right lense, the kit lenses will not work; you'll have a burn out in the middle of the shot. Pick up the cheap Canon 50mm and shoot away. Lots of fun!
I have used this for about 4 months and i love it. Works great no problems at all. Only way to do infared without modifying your camera. Loads of cool pictures can be taken with this.
I was skeptical about the warm tones this would produce looking artificial.On a safari trip, this provided the perfect amount of polarizing bringing out the best colors and contrast in the high sun.The coating is exceptional as well, comparable to much more expensive filters.
First off, it does what it says. Well made time-saver, no need to fumble with two different filters.I highly recommend it!
I love this filter! It makes a HUGE difference in my pictures. I have a Canon t4i with a Tamron 18-270 lens. Great for concerts and outdoor activities, the two places I have used it most.
I ordered this filter due to Hoya's reputation.  The construction is just fine, but I was a little disappointed with the amount of light blockage that results in its use.  I find it to be of not much use except in very bright light conditions.
Great quality , works as advertised. learned about it from watching Moose Peterson on B&H. Would highly recommend to anyone doing landscape and nature photograpy
If you're going to invest in a filter to enhance your photos, you are better off with anti-reflective coated optics.  The backside AR eliminates internal reflections and gives a sharper image than regular filters.  It is the difference between purchasing a Maui Jim sunglass with backside AR that eliminates reflections from your eye and paying $250- $300 and going to Wally World and buying some acrylic-lensed piece of junk for $29.95.  The might both be polarized, there is a huge difference in optical quality.  Quality counts!
I bought this c-pol filter thinking this was the super-hmc version, because that's the closest sounding product name shown on the Hoya site. This gets confusing when you try to do price comparisons between different retailers. Hoya HMC filters have 12 coating layers, while this has 7, which places it in their "Standard" line. This important bit of info was not provided on the product page. I expect better product information when I pay $60 for a lens filter.In terms of the actual product, it looks well made with a reduced profile that does not cause vignetting on my 18mm Nikkor lens.
I found this polarizer to be difficult to rotate.  Other than that it was fine.
For years I have preferred Hoya to other high quality filters, including B&W;, but I just bought a new 67mm and 77mm extra thin HD polarizing  filters from an authorized Hoya  dealer  in the U.S. but the first time I used the 77mm polarizer behind a collapsable lens hood,  gently extending the hood caused the rotating ring to separate. The snap ring that fell out and holds the two sections together is very thin and weak, and I suspect is  insufficiently strong enough to be reliable.Concerned for the strength of the 67mm, I attached a lens hood to it as well, and to test it, I applied a firm but not higher then normal pressure the filter might experience in normal use, and it also easily separated into three pieces.  Thin design is difficult to use and $175 for this is just plain more then it's worth.  Unless you need a circular polarizer, (many digital and video cameras don't need a circular polarizer to focus or meter properly)Unless you really need the thin filter or won't attach anything to the front filter thread I would look elsewhere,  and  I would opt for a quality learner polarizer as they are typically less expensive and provide better results
This filter performed flawlessly on a recent cruise to Alaska. Water and glass reflections were almost completely eliminated. The thin design allowed me to keep my UV protection filter on while using it without any noticable vignetting. The only problem I  noticed - the outer ring is very thin, which can make it tough to operate.
If you're planning to use this polarizer with a hood on, especially a deeper one, this is probably not a filter for you. For whatever reason Hoya only serrated the outer edge, and the front part is absolutely smooth. You won't be able to turn it unless you can somehow squeeze your finger between the hood and the filter edge.For a few dollars more you can get B&W; multi-coated filter like this, whose maker put a little bit more thought in the design. B&W; also seems generally better built.The coating on my copy of this Hoya doesn't actually reach the very edge of the glass on one side, and when I look closely I can see a gap in coating where the metal ring meets the glass. The gap is tiny and it doesn't actually matter in the photos, but it does leave a bad impression.Optically I haven't noticed anything obviously wrong with it. It's still a multi-coated polarizer, so guess it's an okay value all-in-all.
The polarizer is definitely thin, and does its job well. My only knock is the lens cap, you can't leave it on with the lens hood on, and you can't reverse the lens hood with the cap on. The cap's lips are thick enough to prevent this. I like to walk with the camera in a ready position, but with the lens cap on just in case while walking with the camera facing down nothing like a small rock can jump up at my lens face.hth,/rob
Hoya it's a serious company. This lens filter is great. I've been using it for three years. Never regretted the purchase. Very satisfied. Slim and easy to use, like I am expected.
I've only been out with this filter a few times, but the excursions I took it on were at a lake so I needed the control of a polarizer for the reflections. It worked great for the type of shots I take, and on one trip it was cloudy so it was especially useful in that lighting.
I shoot film sometimes, and there's no white balance adjustment like digital. Stacking both a polarizer and warm filters produced vignetting with my Pentax 645 45mm wide angle lens. Now I can put this filter on and get the effects of both a polarizer and warming. It's not as warm as an 81c or Tiffen 812, but there's a noticeable difference-see my comparison photo I posted. It's not multicoated, but I don't spend the extra $$$ for MC filters anyway. Image quality has been great for me so far with this filter. I also use this on my smaller lenses with a step up ring adapter. I always use generic 67mm screw in lens hoods with it. When the hood is mounted to the front of the filter, it's so easy to rotate the polarizer. Just grab the hood and turn. But it's best to turn it clockwise to eliminate the chance of unscrewing the hood or filter.
This is a well-made polarizer that I recently used on a photo trip to Colorado.  It's thin, so there's no vignetting even at wide focal lengths.
I debated about buying a CP for a while mainly due to high cost of the good quallity ones.  However, after trying this polarizer for a while, I am very pleased with the purchase and I think it is worth the money.
I love this filter! I use it with all sunny photos with my Sony Cybershot DSC-H1.  The color accuracy is tremendously improved and removes the blue hue so typical of most digital cameras in the moderate or low price range.  A more expensive Canon or Nikon probably wont require a filter like this one, but if you have the large lens, large format CCD like the Sony DSC-H1 then this filter will balance out the hue tremendously.  The color accuracy will vary, depending on the light level recieved in auto modes, so a little color balancing may be needed in post-processing (either black or white, or both) on your computer, however, this filter corrects most problematic color and flaring problems associated with digital cameras.  The DSC-H1 is prone to contrast too high on it's own, but this polarizer corrects that and helps bring out the details in clouds and boldens the reds and browns.  You will find you will have to actually raise the midtones in post-processing to make the photos more realisitc, but, I'd rather have to do this than have every photo ruined by over-exposure.  White colors might turn out to be slightly sepia, but that, too, can be corrected, or you might find that the occasional sepia shift is a little "artsy".  Either way, it's all good.  In short the filter keeps you from over-exposing (in most cases), re-balances color in most photos and makes digital photos look more like film.  It's defintitely worth the money...and oh yes...it is a circular polarizer because when I can see through it in a mirror and then flip it over, it goes dark in the mirror, indicating a true circular polarization.
It took me a little while choosing a CPL.  And I am so glad that I ended up purchasing the Moose's Filter a CPL and warm 81A in one.  My friend liked it, too.  I enjoyed the color saturation when used properly and boy, this is my most used filter when I'm out shooting for sunsets, boats on the shore, reflections in the water, and a lot more.Have fun and enjoy the colors!
I am a huge fan of this filter-it stays on my Minolta 5D/28-75mm f2.8 lens almost always, except when shooting indoors. I tried a few other filters, both by this manufacturer, and the other leading filter makers, and this one was the best. Had the best color reproduction-truly seems like the combo filter does exactly what it says it will.If you are after one filter to shoot landscapes, this is it.
What you have here is a combination of an 81a warming filter and a circular polarizer.  Unlike a conventional circular polarizer, it will NOT mute reds, orange and yellow colors.  You can really make fall colors "pop",  especially when you are trying to photograph a reflected image.  I will also help when making photographs in some Southwestern locations to accentuate colors.  While a bit "fat",  it will NOT cause vignetting like you would get if you "stacked" filters to achieve the same effect.
This filter is a more subtle and somewhat more difficult to use filter.  The filter will produce good results after you get used to it.
I don't take this filter off my barrel when I'm outdoors. You can rotate to adjust the effect if you're looking for a little reflection in your shot, but generally you go for the full polarized effect.This filter gives my shots clearer air. I understand that's because it filters out light noise reflected off dust in the air. It can't get all of it...nothing can. Your clearest shots will usually be just after a rain. But if you don't have a rainstorm handy, a circular polarizer will get you a long way there. This one, made from a warming filter's glass, solves the polarizer's problem of the bluish tint polarized images get.So by getting the Moose's filter, you're getting color-corrected polarization. Super.My outdoor shots include a lot of covered bridges, horse barns and Amish country scenes. I make mental notes of locations I want to shoot, then try to go out after a good shower, in the morning, in the evening, whatever gives interesting light with good air.The Moose's filter has done wonders for many of my photos. I haven't taken any with/without reference shots. I just note that with the same equipment I am getting more good photographs. More than any other camera accessory I own, this little filter has improved my shooting.Highly recommended.
Why choose a Moose Warming CP over a typical Circular Polarizer?It basically helps eliminate that "bluish" tint you can get sometimes with a traditional polarizing filter. It still can be "rotated" to change the amount of effect, but the tinting has a "more natural" feel to it. At least to me.the quality of the filter is much higher than the cheap CP's you'll find at Walmart or BB and it is robust enough you can get years of use out of them with no problems.When it is sunny out, I tend to leave my CPs on.I use them with L-series lenses on Canon equipment in the 58mm, 72mm, and 78mm sizes.
I love this product for warming up a number of pictures. It's also a good alternative to a UV filter for lens protection, as I find it's generally useful for all of the landscapes I typically shoot.
When an item has a dozen reviews and they are almost all 5 stars, sometimes you wonder.  That said, I am so glad I bought this filter.  I am really digging the more mellow look of the photos.Not harsh like other CP filters I have used.
Ok, I have a Moose Filter and a Tiffen. When I wat natural outdoor, the Moose is my filter.
Bought this filter based on a recommendation..works great!  Took this on a 22 day 'exhaustion' tour of Europe, snapped over 6000 photos.  The filter really helped, especially with anything outside and the sky.  Like other amateurs, I don't think I know much about filter quality (and use) so depend on pros to comment on for people like me to follow.  In this case, I got a winner.  I hate the price but again for the improvement in my shots, it was worth it. Yikes! Photography is like being a drug addict.  All you need is money to help your addiction along.
I've owned one of these for years - actually, I have owned several in different sizes. It is fabulous for darkening the sky and bringing out the richness in foliage.Alas, I dropped a filter pack in the harem of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, and lost my 72mm, 77mm and 52mm Moose(s).Fortunately, I had a 67mm Moose on my 28-75mm f2.8 Tamron XR Di and a 77mm B&W; polarizing filter on my 11-16mm Tokina at the time.I just ordered a 72mm replacement Moose for my 18-200mm Nikon VR lens, even though at 18mm, it "j-u-s-t" begins to vignette a bit at the corners. The 77mm was not very usable on my 11-16 because it definitely vignetted at the 11mm range.Reason? Moose filters come in a thick mount. Keep that in mind as you look for filters - especially for full-frame digitals that will "see" the edges on a wide angle lens.By the way, I looked for a replacement filter in Istanbul, and could find only a Kenko filter. While using it for the first time a few days later in Tel Aviv, I sensed difficulty in getting a good image, and upon taking it off and re-shooting, the problem was obvious: The Kenko was junk.I don't like filters to begin with, and never use them. I use lens shades to keep fingers and dirt off my lenses, and dust them frequently with a nikonsportoptics brush. I just don't trust putting a $50 piece of glass in front of a $600 lens, and expecting any good results. When using this or any polarizing filter, remember it will have little or no effect on the sky unless the light is at right angles to the scene.
Great combination of CP and warming on the market. In the olds we would have to layer multiple pieces of glass on the lens to get this nice clear and warm feel to our images in the camera.
it does what they say it will do-
I had this on a Canon EOS Digital Rebel 6.3mp with a 28-135mm lens. I can say this works ok but it's not great. I tend to have a hard time keeping the picture looking natural and not over processed. It seem to cause many pictures to become overly dark especially with pictures including large bodies of moving water such as a river or waves in a ocean/lake or areas with shadows. I know the camera is old so that likely could be one source of the problem. Either way for the price this is still a good filter.
Getting back into photography after many years away, and this is the perfect first choice for an ND filter, especially if waterfalls will be your subject.
I love this item ,It's Hoya! what else can I say ? perfect in every way as usual with these guys.
I'm a part time professional photographer with an ever growing client list. I prefer out door work although I do some indoor work to. I prefer using the sun and reflectors as my primary lighting occasionally supplementing with speed lights. The Hoya ND8 is  my primary go to piece of glass when shooting in the late afternoon . Always reliable with no vignetting on my Nikon lenses. Always sharp while reducing my f stops to accomplish the desired results. Can't go wrong with a Hoya filter .I've used other filters in the past with mixed results. Not anymore. I pack all Hoya in my bag now knowing I can be confident in whatever bright Spot I want to shoot. I take off the protective UV filter whenever I use my Hoya's. It insures no flaring or distortion. I hoped this review helps you make the right decision for your needs. I Expect quality every time I snap a shot that's why I use Hoya  ! The price is is peanuts for the results you get .
Excellent image quality, good anti- reflective/ scratch coatings, and durable build. ND8 is the best filter strength without needing a tripod or compensating with higher ISO settings.
shooting photo in the sunlight is made possible you have one of these.  great if you like to shoot wide open.
This is a quality filter. I have always use the Hoya brand and this one didn't disappoint. Very happy and would buy again.
Given as a gift, but the recipient really enjoys using the filter and is satisfied with the results.  Have not heard comments of any shortcomings.
This ND8 (3-stop) filter is for my large 85mm lens on my digital camera. The filter is color cast free, and flare control is excellent. Thanks to the multi-coating. When I put on this filter, I know I am getting exactly 3 stops (unlike a variable ND filter with no stop number label.) I can shoot wide open in bright sunlight. It is an awesome filter. I can recommend it to anyone looking for a great ND filter.
I tried a cheaper off brand infrared filter and couldn't get that signature look (white trees, etc.) because it let in too much visible light. The Hoya worked first shot. Lesson learned.Basically you do this.1. Put filter on lens.2. Take a picture of brightly lit green grass or leaves. My camera took 30s exposure, f2, ISO 100, but it depends on how sensitive your camera is to infrared.3. Set a custom white balance using that image.4. View finder is useless because it's so dark, but I could use my LCD to frame and focus my shots. Funny enough, even without the visible light, auto focus still seemed to work okay.5. Take the shot.6. If you shoot in RAW, Adobe tools won't work with the RAW. They don't allow such an extreme white balance so make everything red. I used the Canon tools to take the raw and convert to TIFF. JPG out of camera would probably be fine since it bakes the white balance in, but I didn't try it.7. Take the TIFF into photoshop and use the Channel Mixer to swap the red and blue channels. Then use the curves or levels to adjust to taste.
I have been wanting to try infrared photography, and I thought for a long time that I would have to convert one of my cameras to so.  But with this filter I was able to create images, in no time flat.  Just make sure you get focus before you put the filter on, then turn your auto focus off.  You are going to need to be in manual exposure.  It may take a few tries to get the proper settings, but once you do, the rest is easy.  This is a great tool to add one more dimension to your photography portfolio.  There are cheaper filters, but I wouldn't save a few bucks on an inferior product.  Hoya is a proven brand, that I have always gotten great results with.  I used a Canon 5D mark III.  You may want to see if this infrared filter will work with your camera
this filter is exactly the same as the RM-72 filter which is only about $45. As explained on various sites "the RM72 and R72 is the same filter from Hoya. Named differently for different parts of the world". So don't pay the ridiculous price these people are asking
I've been wanting one of these for a long time. Finally, decided to spend the $$$ and buy this wonderful filter.Tips: Manual focus, manual WB (cooler 2850K...experiment!) ISO 400-1000, slow shutter .5-2sec, LOTS of SUNLIGHT!Fits perfect and does a marvelous job.
This is an excellent filter. Received quickly. I shoot mainly infrared images, and this filter works best, allows some color in, so faux color processing is excellent.
This a well made, good quality infrared filter. It looks virtually black when you look through it. In order to use the filter you need to:- mount the camera on a sturdy tripod;- focus on the subject;- put the filter on the lens;- switch off autofocus .. if you leave autofocus switched on the camera may start hunting when you press the shutter release;- switch off any vibration reduction / image stabilization system on the lens or camera .. they introduce movement when the camera is mounted on a tripod;- try a test exposure - when shooting at f16 and ISO 100 I start with a 180 second exposure .. if you try ISO 400 then an equivalent time would be 45 seconds- activate the shutter release using a cable release or the camera's self- timer mode to prevent moving the camera.- check the image on the back of the camera and if necessary try other exposure times. When trying other exposures it's worth bearing in mind that if the image on the back of the camera is too dark and you double the exposure time you are only increasing the exposure by one stop.Straight out of the camera the image will just be red and to get an interesting picture you'll have to manipulate it in Photoshop or GIMP or your image editor of choice. There are loads of web sites that will show you how to do this - just google "infrared photography tutorials"
Back when most people were using film, a warming filter was much more common than they are now.However, A polarizing filter is still a wise investment for any photographer. A circular polarizer cuts down on glare by being rotated. Digital filters (post-processing) can never really duplicate this effect.The Moose Peterson filter combines the circular polarizing with a warming effect which makes it appear not so "cold".I find this really helpful as I tend to convert most of my images into Black & White it helps to make the sky dark and adds some drama.I liked the 72mm version of this enough that I picked up a 77mm version also.
I like it but I find that it's not as warm as I'd like on most occasions.  I'm sure it's warm but it just doesn't seem to be that noticeable to me.  Good quality product  and great polarizer but falls short on the warm end.
I almost bought this filter years ago but didn't because I didn't like the idea of a filter changing the color cast, but my polarizers tend to cool my pictures and this brings them back to life even before post processing. The warming isn't too strong at all, and usually it looks beautiful, not disgustingly red/orange/yellow at all. Now and then it is a bit too warm but it's easy to correct in post processing. I usually tweak warmth a bit then anyway, and most of the time I love how this filter makes my shots look. The polarizing is great and overall it's a solid filter. I actually like how it's not a super slim mount because for one, I use it on my 24-105 so vignetting isn't an issue anyway, and 2) it's easy to grip the threaded outside part to remove it. They can get stuck on the lens sometimes but I haven't had that issue with this one yet. Good product for sure.
excellent solution - one filter instead of 2,  reduces vignetting and inter-glass reflection - recently used it for Fall Color shots in mountains with clouds in background - and it makes a huge difference
Many people don't understand polarizing light, so they expect more from these filters than they can deliver. Polarizing filters depend upon the angle of the light essentially being at right angles to the axis of the camera lens. When used with a very wide angle lens, the likelihood of that light being at a uniform angle to the axis is about nil. As a result, when you look through the viewfinder, and rotate the filter, you should expect to see non-uniform darkening of the sky, when used with a wide angle lens. However, once the light hits trees, fields etc., it is scattered -- so the inconsistency of polarizing effect is much less pronounced. The issue is solely in sky. You may be able to reduce that effect by shooting at a different angle to the source of light (sun) - but that probably won't include the scene. Even if you fix the aperture and shutter speed, you can't shoot multi-image panoramas with a polarizing filter.Other points: It will do very little at mid-day at times of year when the sun is dead above you. Or when the sky is overcast (although the Moose will warm the cold light of that day). Or when the sun is at your back.Having said that, the Hoya Moose filter is the most satisfying I have used in nearly 50 years of photography. The warming effect is simply beautiful. I bought mine (62, 67 and 77mm) before a trip to New Mexico last winter, and whether shooting from the ride up to the Scandia Tramway or Ghost Ranch where Georgia O'Keefe painted, the results were consistently spectacular. I used it on a 17mm F3.5 Tokina ATX-Pro in the Southwest, and again in Israel, and whether shooting old rocks or old temples, the effect was a blow-away. I ordinarily detest putting a $70 piece of glass in front of a $700 lens, because the risk of inter-surface reflections cutting contrast is pronounced.* But when the light was right, that Moose was on the lens most of the day.If you've never used a Moose, you will be astounded at how it can turn rather ordinary scenes into extraordinary. In environments like the Southwest, where pollution is minimal, the effect is to intensify edge sharpness. Texture, landscape tone, and general details will "pop" if the light is right for a polarizer. Just understand that, by blending an 81A with a polarizer, it will "warm" snow -- so be prepared to cool that down in digital postprocessing.I just got a new 18-200mm Nikon VR lens, and debated whether I should get a new 72mm for it, or a cheaper adapter for my 77mm. I decided that to use the lens shade, I'd buy another Moose.If you've been persuaded to buy one, leave me a comment after your first shoot -- and tell me how happy you are!*Consider that, when you keep a skylight filter on your lens to "protect" it. It may "protect" you from getting getting the best deep-shadow detail your lens can deliver. And if your lens gets hit from the front, the filter shards will wipe out your lens, anyway...so use a lens shade to "protect" your lens from fingers and dirt.
Hoya's always good glass to buy if your in the middle of a professional line , pictures are soft with clear colours
This Filter is incredible! I almost didn't buy it due to the price, but I'm glad I did. If you are into outdoor photography, you have to buy this filter. Not only does it reduce glare and enhance color, but it produces a cleaner looking picture than my cheaper polarizers.
solid, works well I bought the 77 mm size which fits a lot of my lenses and also bought step-up rings so that I can use this filter on other lens sizes
Excellent built quality and definitely a must have for nature and landscape photography.  I have one on my three main lenses (even though are the same diameter).  Highly recommended.  Having this filter on will safe you significant post processing time.
Soil construction and I have had no problems with this filter. But I might go wit ND8 next time since a ND4 is just not dark enough for bright day light to get a nice mist look to the water. Good thing they can be stacked one on top of the other.
Perfect filter. Great for long exposeres. I used during night shoots and some portraits. I recomend. Nice building quality. Love it.
I recently bought this filter for my outdoor shoots and it's proven to be an asset thus far.  Did an engagement shoot and a model shoot on the beach and the images were amazing!  Being able to control all of that harsh sunlight is a must so this was a no brainer for me.  I've been a fan of Hoya glass for some time now so it was an easy choice where quality and price is concerned.
It does what it says it does, with no impact on photo quality.  But it only buys you two stops, so you better need those two stops.
I have used Hoya filters for many years and have always thought they make a quality product.  This ND filter is no exception.  It is well made and the thread pitch is precise to match those of the lens.  Screws on easily without trying to cross thread like some of the cheaper brands.  Good quality glass makes this a bargain compared to the competition in this price range.  I would rate the performance of this filter with that of filters costing much more.It is easy to cut corners on filters but do you really want to put a $15 filter on a $1,000 lens?
This was a great xmas present for my son-in-law who is a great photographer. He was very happy with the quality and plans to order additional filters of this type from Amazon.
This is my first lighting set and I'm very happy with it. One other reviewer complained of the lights giving the wrong colors. Shoot a white card first and adjust your white balance off of that and you shouldn't have any problems. I uploaded a photo from one of my shoots (auburn hair, polka dotted dress) and as far as I can see the color seems fine.Regarding instructions, this came with several sheets of assembly instructions but I found it pretty intuitive and didn't have any issues getting it set up.They could be built a bit more sturdy since they are intended for mobility but I think as long as you take care setting up and breaking down they are plenty strong enough. I would recommend getting a dimmer switch and a diffusion screen for the 5 inch boom light though.DP5 5 In. Diffusion ScreenDC-1 Dimmer Control
I would like to have seen it constructed out of heavier material but I also guess it would cause the price to go up.. But tell ya what, I love my equipment!!!!!!!! Does a great job and  I would order from this company again...
Well, I finally got to use my Smith Vector Boom kit and lights. It arrived very quickly. Thanks to amazon for speedy delivery. The contents were in perfect condition. No missing parts, no broken light bulbs. Assembly was a breeze. I mean easy! It must have taken me no longer than 20 minutes to put together. The instructions were very simple and basic. Not much can go wrong. What I love about this product is the portability factor. It is very light, yet sturdy enough to be moved about from setup to shoot to packing away. The case it comes with is awesome. I do alot of video shoots, so the ease of portability is a must and this product delivers. To quality of the light output is very impressive considering the price. The bulbs produce a nice bright and vibrant picture.The kit includes a light setup chart which is nice if you know little about lighting. This kit will give you the tools you need to experiment and produce beautiful results. I highly recommend it for any newcomer to the world of lighting. A great inexpensive yet excellent quality product.
These lights came in quickly and were great for filming a green screen shoot. The case is great too, because you can wheel it around.
If you a serious about making YouTube videos or DVD products to sell you have got to step it up. This is a very cost effective way to accomplish this goal. Check out our YouTube channels to see the changes.SomedayGroup and SpeakersKoop and soon CancerItsaGoodThingIGotIt!David A. Koop, Bestselling AuthorCancer - It's a Good Thing I Got It !: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man
This item has come in handy for webcam productions at our client's offices ... they are pleased with this item.
Well, im starting with studio photography and i found in this kit pretty much what i was looking for, nice black hard plastic case to carry it, good materials quality, excellent to start a studio.
I bought a Smith Victor Kit KT800U and recieved it 2 weeks ago. This kit has umbrella for thelights but they did not send with the kit the mounting parts to attach the umbrella to the tripod. Icalled and told them this and they said they would send it to me using ground shipping which took aweek to get here.I get the part to attach the umbrella but they did not send me the screws to attach the part tothe tripod they onoy sent me the mount. So I called again and told them, they said they would send itto me again using ground shipping so another week before I get the part. I aksed if they could sendit overnight since I have this kit for 2 weeks and cant use the umbrellas with it and I must waitanother week to get another part.They actually got angry with me when I was begging that they send it to me since I have familyvisiting this week and wanted to use the kit to take pictures of.The kit cost $285 US its not the greatest kit very cheaply made but I knew this when I bought itand it was fine for me as I did not have much money to spend on it but the service is amazing BAD,and unprofessional to say the least.
I just got this product today, and at first glance, it seems like it's going to be an excellent tool for learning studio lighting. Based on other reviews, I thought it might be cheap construction; it's actually not bad. One reviewer said that theirs did not come with instructions. Mine came with two different instruction booklets: one for the boom setup, and one for the regular light stand setups. Maybe his/hers was a bad shipment. The instructions provided with mine did the trick, and I had the kit setup in a matter of minutes.
We've used the kit for two shoots and it is well designed.  For the money, it is a great value.  However, for those who want to use it with a modern HD video camera, some extras are necessary.  This is because newer HD cameras and camcorders are very sensitive to light, as compared with most older SD models.  Consequently, it is very easy to over light your subjects when doing video shoots with this kit.For this reason, you should definitely get the SV DP5 5" diffusion screen for the back fill.  We originally bought one DC-1 dimmer control for our kit.  However, we found that even with the umbrellas, we were still over lighting our subject due to the high sensitivity of our Sony HD camera.  We removed the umbrellas and bounced the light off the wall to finish the shoot.  However, we've order two more DC-1 dimmer controls to give us the ability we want.
This kit produces great lighting once set up but the construction could be higher quality for the same low price in my opinion.I got the kit and it only contained instructions for the boom assembly for the hair-light, nothing for the confusing ball joints that hold the light fixtures. After figuring out how to assemble these, they are just okay. Occasionally I want a  certain angle and the ball head joints cant support the light fixture once the umbrella is open.The tripod style light stands themselves are decent quality.Smith-Victor needs some quality control in their packaging department to make sure all instructions are there. Reading other reviews mentions their terrible customer service.I ordered this from Amazon via Adorama Camera. Both Amazon and Adorama are EXCELLENT to deal with and will continue to do business with them.
KT900 3-Light 1250-Watt Mini-Boom KitThis kit should be an embarrassment for Smith-Victor.  I decided to purchase this expecting it to be entry level equipment.  It is not.  I have seen SV lights and expected a modest version of their equipment.  The stands may qualify.  They are functional.  However the rest of this kit is garbage.  The lights are nothing more than shop lights from any home store painted black.  I would be very surprised if they are rated for the 500W 0r 250W bulbs which are included.  Those bulbs burnt out within 5 minutes of operation.I would recommend you take your money and buy one decent $200-$250 light, rather than waste your money on this kit.  I have purchased items online for over 10 years.  This is the most disappointing product I have ever seen.  I am getting a RA from Adorama to return.I am also a little upset with Adorama as a result.  I don't expect a ocmpany with their reputation to sell products this cheesy.
Very beginner user only, with that said, the light kit for the price gives you what you need, the poles extend nicely, bit on the cheap side, but work for what they are trying to do, the lights setup is bit confusing with little instructions, but works well. The Boom extend out far, but needs a sand bag to keep it from falling over. Comes with 2 400 bulbs that don't last long, and the light is too soft, but it's very very bring.  The case is very nice, and has wells. I recommend this for armature use only.
KT900 3-Light 1250-Watt Mini-Boom KitThis kit arrived quickly. It had every thing in the box correctly. I took a chance on this kit since it was my firt light kit. You learn by doing! So I learned that it can get the job done but you have to find just the right adjustments in the light placement and your camera settings. I have a kodak z812 but if you have a better camera then you will have more fun I am sure. Play with the lighting set up and try different positions and start with one light only! The biggest problem will be a orange tint on the subject, thats what you get using hot lights! Thats why strobe is preferred. However, you can eliminate this two ways... one, use your photo software on the computer. Two, get that light close to the subject about 2 feet from the face and you will get true light and a great photo. It's just like placing a softbox right next to the subject. It takes alot of photo test shots to find the light you are looking for on your subjects. Good Luck. If this is all you can afford give it a try or if you have a SLR digital try a one light set up instead  with a mono light and a flash trigger on your camera or a flash strobe with an umbrella. It is better to get one good flash strobe and add on later.
I purchased this light kit to serve as a full-time travel kit for my photography business. The carrying kit is awesome because it's a hard-case on wheels. Gotta love that! The downside to this is the mini-boom is not the easiest to put together. It doesn't quite fit on the tri-pod as tightly as I would like it to fit. It swivels a lot if you're not careful. Overall a nice kit if you're looking to leave it in a studio for 3-point lighting. Price is right if you're just starting out and you are looking for a cheap way to light in a small studio.
I am very pleased with the KT900 kit I bought. I am a matuer photographer and it really has improved my photos considerable. To use house lamps and a flash for good photos is just not the way to go. I encourage anyone who is looking to get a light kit to start with this model.It also works well for my green screen use when I do chroma key for video.The only thing you may need to be careful of is the back light will tip over if you over extend it. You may need to snad bag the base so as to avoid knocking out your talent.
I was very happy with the product.  It serves me well.  Fast delivery, good service by the vender.  I got the project done and it will serve me well on into the future.  Great travel storage case, Heavy plastic unit.Good quality light stands.
Being photography is a hobby of mine I really enjoy picture taking. After many years I still use my Canon 35mm, which still works great. Doing a lot of camping & hiking I was looking for something where I didn't have to lug around all of my multiple lenses & stuff for the Canon. More of a one camera fits all situation. After much research I decided on the Kodak 6490 camera, which in the end am very happy I did. The problem with digital SLA cameras would put me right back in the same situation with dealing with dealing with multiple lenses & flashes. I've had this camera for over two years. It has worked great since day one. About the only thing I don't like on the camera is the on switch, which is a round button, which you must turn. Sometimes in colder weather it has a tendency to be hard to turn. As for the camera itself the 10x lens is great. For those who didn't know Kodak was one of the first to come out with 10-12x lenses. It allows you to zoom in very well from a distance, I was quite surprised. Very comparable to my 250-500 mm Canon lens. The built in flash is good for about 25 ft. I'm not fond of the Kodak software but then again I use another program for my pictures. At the time when I bough my camera Kodak had a bug in the software. The only real problem is if you wanted to download pics you must allow the software to open at computer start up. I simply turned mine off so it wouldn't start up in the computer start up functions & opened it when needed.  An update is now available which to my knowledge fixed most bugs. All I really use the camera dock for is charging & downloading the pics to my computer. Battery life is very good. If you're smart & conserve battery power I've been able to get well over 200 pics. Speaking of the battery one main reason for buying this camera is because it came with a rechargeable Lith. Battery. I'm done with the alkaline & NIMH batteries which didn't last long for me. Rechargeable Lith. batteries are the only way to go for long battery life & many pics, which if you check many cameras today it is still very hard to find even in high price units rechargeable Lith. Batteries. As to picture quality, no problem, but remember pic. quality only depends on how good the printer can produce or the developing lab. The Kodak printer produces good picture quality, but the paper refills are expensive. I have mine developed at Costco who has the best price & decent quality. With all this being said my son purchased the 7590, which is the next step up from the 6490. It offers push button on & off button & has many more added picture features, so this would be the one I would go for. Still two years later I'm very happy with my 6490 & made the best choice.
I've owned this camera for about half a year and I've taken around 1500 pictures with it. Like many others, I did extensive reviews on digicams before I bought the Kodak DX6490 so there are a few things I expected.-Excellent 10x optical zoomThe lens are amazing in taking up closeups from far away. At around 6x and above, you will need to prop the camera on a surface or use a tripod for sharp images though.-Excellent night shot abilityThe DX6490's night focusing ability is better than most cameras due to it's hybrid focusing system. This enabled me to take very sharp images in dark places. In addition, the EVF worked very well in low-light conditions by turning into black and white and amplifying the light intensity.-Ease in software useI'm running Windows XP and I have no problems with the camera dock, which I find to be convenient as both a charge and transfer dock. The one-touch transfer works with little/no problems and the EasyShare software allows me to organize my pics easily.-Not so good fast action photographyThis camera isn't very good in capturing fast action as there is about a 1 second delay for AutoFocus to lock on. (If it's already AF, delay is around 0.3s). In addition, blurring occurs if you don't use sports mode or PASM.-Misc commentsPurple fringing is very minimal in pictures. The camera is rather big (stable yet bulky) so finding a case is a little hard. The 2.2 inch LCD is very nice(unlike some Fuji digicams I used before). The casing is plastic and the lens is a little loose (it's supposed to be). If you hook up an AC adapter directly to the camera, it won't charge the batteries. There is no full manual mode- only pseudo manual mode where the camera always controls one aspect.-Final commentsWhat I commented above are just some parts of the camera. Overall, it's worth every penny I paid for it ($400). The camera snaps very crisp and vivid photographs and is relatively easy to use.
Having previously bought a Kodak digital camera several years ago, I was a little reluctant to purchase another Kodak.  But we needed a new camera that was easy to use, high resolution, USB compatible, with large storage capability, and with the ability to take extreme close-ups.  The 6490's 10X optical zoom was a convincing factor, as was the price.  Prepared for disappointment, we charged it up and started taking pictures.In summary, the performance is excellent.  While the camera is a little too big to serve as a &quot;pocket camera&quot;, this is the only drawback I can find.  The pop-up flash works well, the settings are easy to understand and manipulate, the macro lens selection does a great job bringing objects into focus, and the resolution is truly incredible.The only thing we haven't really tested is the ability to capture moving objects.  But for all of our detail digital imaging needs, this camera has exceeded our expectations.There is no question that when I get around to buying a digital camera for home use, this will be the one.
This is my second Kodak camera, my old camera had only 3x Optical Zoom, but I was looking for bigger zoom, therefore, (...)The Kodak DX6490 really surprised me on many fronts, with a 4-megapixel CCD, a high-quality Schneider-Kreuznach 10x optical zoom lens with much lower than average distortion, a capable autofocus system that works down to very low light levels, and an electronic viewfinder system that likewise works very well in dim lighting. Its exposure system spans a range of control from fully automatic to fully manual, and an external flash sync connector permits use with external flash units.According to me with the four-megapixel, 10x-zoom DX6490 though, Kodak takes a large step toward bringing their excellent color technology to the "enthusiast" market. Even in light of the large lens this is a compact camera, the DX6490 has an overall body design similar to a number of other long-zoom digicams on the market, with a generous handgrip on the right-hand side, balancing the large lens on the left. It definitely won't fit into your shirt pocket, but the DX6490 is small enough for larger coat pockets, purses, backpacks, etc., and comes with a neck strap and rechargeable batter and dock.Pro's:--Great photo quality and excellent colors10X optical zoom lensLarge, high resolution LCDElectronic viewfinder actually useable in low lightMany manual controlsFlash sync port for external flashHybrid AF system for low light focusingVery easy to useEasyShare system makes it very easy to share and print photosNice playback and movie modes
I had a Kodak camera before and really liked the ease of use.  I was looking for something with a better optical zoom and this camera delivers.  I opted for less MP to get a better zoom and it was worth it.  There is a trick to taking a good picture you have to point tap the button wait for it to focus and then snap the picture.  So if you need to take a picture fast it will probably come out a little fuzzy.  I have 128SD card and it holds about 180 high resolution images.
PROS:4 megapixel CameraOutstanding Image Quality, thanks to theSchneider-Kreuznach Variogon 10X zoom lensElectronic Viewfinder shows full frame of actual picture (SLR-Type Viewfinder, or "what you see is what you get")Viewfinder automatically shifts from color to black &amp; white to enhance ability to see the subject in low lightSecure feel with large grip allowing one handed shotsSurprisingly small, easily fits in one handAllows full left hand support under the lens for steady, clear telephoto shots.User Friendly, Intuitive controlsExcellent Pop-up flash gives outstanding coverage to 16 feetExtra large 2.2 inch LCD (Giant size)LCD is easy to see even in bright sunlight (Indoor/Outdoor LCD Display)Dioptric adjustment for variations in eyesightFull Automatic Program, or choice of Aperture and/or Shutter priority modesFast and precise Auto-focus systemChoice of automatic Portrait, Sports, Night and Video modesMacro mode to 4.7 inches in wide angle16 MB Internal memory storage, plus MMC or SD storage card capacitiesSimply and easily shares photos by email, printing, or archivingBattery good for about 430 photos before recharging.Software compatible with Windows 2000 and later, and MacCONSAverage shutter delay speedProprietary batterySoftware not compatible with Windows 98As for the CONS, the shutter delay is common to all digital cameras and takes some getting use to.  With time, you can better anticipate shots, so your active 3-year old is still in the frame when the camera writes the photo to the memory.As for the battery, I would prefer 4-AA batteries as they are easier to find/replace.I have Windows 98 and simply hooked up a card reader to my PC and gave up trying to use the software that came with the camera.  I understand folks with Macs and Windows XP have no trouble with the software.CONCLUSION:This is my 3rd Digital Camera and the closest yet to my SLR cameras.  This is certainly the best digital camera I have used, with the best overall performance of any of them.  The photo quality makes you look a terrific photographer :)If you are a "shutterbug" who prefers to take manually controlled photos, then keep looking for a camera.  This camera is designed for people who are more interested in taking photos than learning all the technical stuff about their camera.  If you shoot a lot in auto mode, this is an excellent camera, that will also allow you to maybe later learn a little about manual adjustment through aperture versus shutter priority settings.
I bought this camera to replace my Sony Mavica and have been utterly delighted with it.  The 10x optical zoom is excellent, the controls are easy to see and use and I honestly can't think of anything negative.  I'm older and like the feel of the larger size.  It fits my hand.  I don't need a micro camera that fits in a pocket so this is a good size.  I get amazing quality photos with room lighting, even if dim.  So, I'm thrilled with it.
I just bought the Kodak DX6490. It remided me of my old and faithfull Kodak Retina IIIc. The leather case, the feel of the camera, the Schneider Kreuznach lens. A wonderfull camera. Congatulations to Kodak for going back to a great tradition.
I am not a photographer by profession, but a Costume Designer and Author.  That said, this camera is absolutely perfect for my work.  I use it for the pictures for my web site and my latest book.  I love the fact that I can take very close close-ups, great for the 'How to' books I write.I'm still learning all that it will do, but I love it already!  This is my second digital camera and my second Kodak digital &amp; I couldn't be happier.
After exhaustive research of specs. and reviews (an educational process in itself).  I decided to purchase the DX6490 over the 5-6 MP Olympus and Nikon cameras.  Why?  Because the 10x zoom and highly rated ease of use appealed to me, an intermediate user without professional aspirations.  After I shopped and received it I found the camera easy to use to take pictures.  However, I found that the software provided and the manual (nothing much useful about the software) were not useful in transferring the pictures to either Mac nor PC.  I found the camera dock a silly sort of doo-dad that took up extra space without much utility.The frustrations I have with the camera are two:1) when the AC-DC power source is plugged into the camera (without the dock) it does NOT charge the Li-Ion battery!??  So the docked camera (turned off) is the only way to charge the battery without the use of a separate batter charger (extra).  A but ridiculous.2) The camera accepts ONLY SD (memory) cards, NGO Microdrives or SmartMedia, etc. .  Again, a little silly.  I get the impression that the camera was designed in two or three different rooms simultaneously, with no communication between or among them.One other nice-to-have on this chunky little camera would be a better ergonomic design in order to handle it:  to hold it in your right hand and take pictures requires that you hold it (primarily) with your thumb and middle finger while you operate the shutter with your index finger.  The problem with that is in case you want to use that great (and it is great) 10x zoom, you have to use either your thumb or index finger (although using the index finger for that is pretty clumsy)  If they had put the zoom control where the jog dial is, it would have been a lot easier.That LCD display and the Electronic View Finder are VERY nice.  The LCD is about the biggest one on any digital camera.  the EVF is great even on really snowy bright days (even I can use it well despite my visual impairments).So I still like the chunky little bugger a LOT, but be prepared to put in some time online for the software mess and buy the additional battery charger and batteries.  Buy a case that will accommodate the camera dock (although I would like to take it apart and reduce it into a simple plug in.  Just in case the dock connection on the bottom of the camera turns out to be a problem (gets dirty and shorts out or gums up), get an extended warranty.
I bought this camera shortly after the birth of my first child, which was four months ago. I am SOooooo glad I did! This was our first digital camera, so I wanted to make sure I got one that was easy to use. After reading many reviews, as well as the opinions given in Consumer Reports, I decided on this camera (along with the dock). I couldn't be happier!One of my favorite features on this camera, as compared to other cameras, is the large viewing screen--it is so much easier to tell if you like the pictures you've taken with a larger screen, and also easier to view pictures when you are outdoors.Most importantly, though, I love how simple this camera is to work. My parents have a digital camera that I still can't figure out. However, with the Kodak, I didn't even have to read the instruction manual. Everything is very self-explanatory, and using the buttons to accomplish a change in picture quality, color, etc. is a piece of cake.I didn't think I would use the feature that allows the user to take video clips, but as it turns out, I use it all the time! I have a 256 mb memory, so I can get a fairly long video out of this great camera.I really could not be happier with my purchase. If I had to find a complaint, it would be that, like all other digital cameras, it does not have a large enough memory on its own. It's not that fun to buy a nearly $500 camera, only to have to then spend more money to be able to take a decent amount of pictures. Other than that, though, I'd recommend this camera in a heartbeat!
I had the camera one day and returned it to the retailer from whence it came. (...)I didn't take a bunch of pictures with the camera but for the most part general use image quality was excellent - but here's the reasons I gave the camera a three our of five stars. I was very disappointed with the macro capabilities on a camera of this caliber. Both my old floppy based, Sony Mavica FD-73 and my Sony TRV740 Digital8 video camera did a much better job of getting in "I-can-see-that-honeybee-breathe" close to the framed subject for still shots. The fact that a video camera whose obvious task is NOT taking still shots out classed a camera whose job is to do just that is inexcuseable in my opinon. Checking the manual of all the cameras confirmed my suspicions. You could get about 4 times closer with the older cameras and get a sharp image according to the self-professed specs. So if your going for detail on small subjects? - this camera isn't for you. If all you're shooting are people pics and vacation shots? For the most part you'll probably be pleased with the picture quality of this camera.At first the camera's compact form factor was nice too - but I found my hands becoming a little cramped while holding and operating buttons and switches even over the few practice shots I took. Over an extended photo session I suspect this problem would only become worse. I think this average size guy would trade better ergonomics over the small form factor.Another gripe. It seems, at least on my unit, the cradle end of the AC plug was loosee-goosee and didn't want to stay attached.  Don't know if this was a quality control problem or not.Finally, I found it difficult for the camera to lock-focus on a subject. Shooting the sitting cat with his constantly turning head was an excercise in frustration.  Not a problem with my other cameras at all. The Sony's autofocus system is apparently much more adept at such photographic tasks.My suggestion is to get hands-on experience with the camera if you can just to make sure that it fits both your hands and the needs of the subjects you intend to photograph.
My 35mm Fujica is 35 yrs old and our Minolta 35mm isn't much younger. With all the differant camera's on the market now, it's hard to make a decision without a lot of research. The customer reviews on this site and a couple others are excellent tools for the novice. We decided to not limit ourselves to one of the "simple" inexpensive models, but to buy a good camera with features we would use. After narrowing the field to 4 differant cameras our decision was based on reviews and going out and handling the differant models. We chose the Kodak DX6490 for a couple of reasons. First the large view screen, it's almost twice the size of most of the screens on other cameras we looked at, and its color and clarity is remarkable. The camera, while it looks a little strange, fits comfortably in the hand and the controls most commonly used are easily accessible without a lot of fumbling around. The 10x optical zoom is of course a big plus, and the 3x digital zoom is just icing on the cake. The flash is very good and we especially like the red-eye feature, it really works. The manual is very good, with lots of pictures and diagrams and arrows pointing at the differant controls, and for us technology challenged individuals that is a big plus.We have had the camera for only a short time, but have taken quite a few pictures, getting familiar with the use of the controls and lcd display. Hard to adjust to a sreen after so many years of looking thru a view finder. Of course you have the option of using the electronic view finder also.One of the features we really appreciate is the "sport" feature. It allows you to take stop action pics. We travel a lot on our Harley and take a lot of pictures while going down the road. This feature enables us to do that with this camera. We had been told in the past that digitals were not the best choice for this activity, but this one really does the trick, even close shots of our riding companions come out sharp and clear. The "burst" mode also does a great job while moving.As another reviewer commented, we added a 256mb memory card and now have the capacity to take over 200 pics at highest resolution, using it and the internal memory as well. Thats a lot of pic's. We will probably get a spare 256mb for long trips, when we do not have access to our computer.The camera dock that came with the camera is very easy to hook up and use. We really like the one button transfer and I have found that I can even use it with several of my other photo programs, downloading directly to the program I want to use.We had never done video's before, but this little camera does a pretty good job. The sound is a little sub par, but not bad considering how small the microphone is. There is a learning curve on how to smoothly move the camera while "filming", so you don't get that choppy motion, but that will come with practice.This camera has too many features to discuss em all in 1000 words or less, so I've tried to touch on the one's that we commonly use and were most impressed with. Just the fact that we can now take excellant digital photo's while moving down the highway is worth the money spent.I have and will reccommend this camera to all my friends and family as a keeper. May have to get another, so I don't have to fight "whats her name" for camera time. Buy it, you'll like it.'NUFF SAID.AN UPDATE...We've had the camera over a month now and are still very pleased with it. As several other reviewers have noted you do not need to use the easyshare software. We have it completely installed on one of our computers but only installed drivers on the other. Actually find it easier to use without the easyshare software. I already have several photo programs that are do a better job of manipulating photo's and are actually easier to use. Still a great camera and recommend it to everyone.
The 6490 is a compact jewel of a camera that will be simple enough for the beginner and robust enough for the serious craftsperson. It sports a wonderful 10X optical zoom and multiple focusing options.There is no manual focus, but the autofocus is quite accurate and quick.Color rendition is the best I have seen.  It outdoes my Nikon 4500 in color accuracy.  The built-in flash produces beautiful skin tones with none of the frequent blue or cyan casts so often seen in digital cameras.Though 4 megapixels isn't the maximum now, this is the best under $500 camera model I have found.I own a Canon 3 megapixel camera, the Kodak 3400, the Kodak 5000,  and the Nikon 4500 cameras.  The Kodak 6490 has quickly become my camera of choice.My only quibble is that it uses SD cards and I have gigabytes in Compact Flash cards.  But, even though I have to buy new cards, this was a worthwile purchase.
I use my Mac for all my digital images (I really like iPhotos)  When I got the camera I was afraid I would have to use their software to get the pictures off of the camera.  I was very happy to find that it works well with iPhotos (you only loss the use of the share button, if that is important to you, keeping all my pictures in one place was more important to me)  The images are great quality for home use.  I use the burst mode (take up to 6 pictures in less then 3 seconds) to get action shots (start taking just before the picture I want, and keep going though till after and hope for the best)  In Pasm mode you can change the shutter speed and other settings.  The LCD is good for reviewing the pictures you just took and deleting the ones you don't want to keep.  It uses the standard SD card for expanded memory (one reason I would not get a Sony since they don't support SD cards)  The 10x optical zoom is what got me to get the camera, the greatest in all the cameras I looked at that made use of the SD care standard.
This product is perfect for anyone who wants to just go out and take great pictures. The camera can be easily operated with little use of the owner's manual. Everthing is simple to find and use. The 10x zoom on the camera is second to none and the 'through the lense' viewing option is wonderful. The battery on this camera is outstanding for how long it will last and recharging is a snap. The only thing that I wished worked better is the flash. To me it needs more power. Other than that, the camera is great.
I wanted to wait a couple of years before buying a digital camera where I would get the benefits of price reduction, features, value, and better than average (over 3.2mp) MP quality.I found the Kodak DX6490 very easy to use, and packed with features I would use, such as the MPG recording (limited to the size of your external SD card), which allows you to email clips (very cool!!).Things I like about it are the internal memory capacity of 16MB, which I haven't found on any other digital cameras in the 4.1MP range.  Good battery life, excellent picture quality outdoors, compact and fun to use, cool design, large 2.2&quot; LCD display (can't find that on most digital cameras), good software, 10x optical zoom, and as I mentioned before it records video clips.Battery life has been excellent and I would take quite a bit of pictures (75-120 pics at times) between docking the camera again.  However, there is no recharger aside the base (docking station) the camera comes with.  So, if you plan on going on vacation, you'll need to take it with you (power cord, base, and the USB if you're going to want to transfer your pictures to a computer).Manually controllable &quot;EasyShare&quot; is kind of an oxymoron. Generally, its feature set is useful, but it has some annoying gaps.My old PC is running on Win98, and for the most part transferring pictures via the docking station works seamlessly, however there are a few glitches such as the wait period for the card to be read and the freeze-up of your PC while the camera's i-share is being used to read the pictures on the memory card.If you have a 256mb card for instance, and you've packed the card with 300 pictures, each time you want to update the new pictures to your PC, it will read all the pictures on the card, which does take a few minutes.  This is the one thing I don't like about the Kodak DX6490 and the docking station.  I just think it is very annoying to have to wait for all 300 pictures so that you can get the most recent pictures you took to come up and be transferred to your folder.If you have a PC or a card reader then you should be ok, and again you'll be limited to the transfer/read rate of that reader.Convenient external controls provide quick and easy access to frequently used functions, such as the self-timer and the continuous-shooting mode. When you enter a mode, the camera briefly explains it on the LCD.Overall it is a good 1st time camera, and I give it an 8.5 out of 10 rating.  It could be a 10, but I think that would push it into the $699 price range.  You can buy this unit for about $420 at most retailers.  Costco wholesale warehouse sells it for $419.99 now, and 3 months ago it was selling for $469.99.  So, there is hope that the prices will drop as the technology improves.  If you're sick of it after a couple of years and you want to upgrade, you can always get rid of it here on Amazon.com, or eBay.
This digital camera from Kodak has far exceeded my expectations. I have used Kodak and Sony Digital cameras for three years now and none of them can compare with this new model from Kodak. This camera employs the Kodak Color Science chip which is a marvel itself. I purchased a 256MB SD memory card which claims to allow you store up to 190 images at the highest quality. I took 105 pictures and then went home and docked my camera to download the pictures. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I had only used 60MB of the available 256MB! For 105 pictures! As if that wasn't reason enough to buy this camera, with the added memory you can take a full 15 minutes of digital video. Gone are the days of the 60 second video clips.To top it off, the battery life of the Li-ion battery is amazing. I wanted to fully discharge the camera's battery before taking to use at a family gathering. In my attempt to deplete the battery, I took six 15 minute videos by placing the camera on the table and just pressing the shutter. After 90 minutes of filming (on an already partially discharged battery, the camera batery still wasn't fully discharged. I then charged the battery and used it to take over a 100 pictures WITH the flash indoors. When I was finished, I still had two of the three green status lights lit. What are you waiting for? This is the camera to buy!
Pluses:Fantastic OS X support (the EasyShare software is very iPhoto like in execution).Huge LCD and a wonderful Electronic Viewfinder (with excellent low-light capabilities for framing shots that would otherwise be impossible with other cameras).The easiest learning curve I've ever seen for a digital camera in this price range.A thorugh and easy to follow instruction manual.A top-notch german lens and 10x optical zoom.Acceptable video recording.Hot shoe for an outboard flash.Minuses:Lack of manual focus control.Lack of TIFF support (camera is JPG only, but this probably won't matter to 99% of the users who buy this product).A little small for my hands (o.k., though I'm a big guy, I might be reaching on this one).Conclusion:I was prepared to buy an Olympus 740/750 Camedia, but, after looking over the DX6490, I was sold on the Kodak's simple design and thoughtful control layout.This model is for the person looking for the easiest digital camera to use in its price range. A great camera for my wife, who doesn't know enough about photography to miss the manual focus, but still a great camera for me- as it offers enough control over shutter speeds and aperture for tough shots.If power + ease of use is the right combination for you, you owe it to yourself to check this camera out. That said, shy away from the Canon A60/A70 series- they are hard to figure out, comparatively, plus their manuals might as well be written in Greek.-Steve(n) Marra
Just wanted to clear up some errors in prior reviews. First, several people commented on the Kodak Software and some of its limitations.First, you do not need to use the Kodak Software except to load the drivers for the Camera/Dock. (customer from Riverside take note, you may not need to return your camera)Second, with Windows XP, once the camera is in the Easyshare Dock, you only need to push the button and camera connects to the PC as another Storage drive. (You'll see it show up on &quot;my computer&quot; as another Hard Disk Drive). Once it is connected you can use Windows XP to copy all the pictures to anywhere on your one of your disks and edit it with any photo program that supports JPEG files.
I had been looking for a digital camera for a while, and I have to say Kodak was not one of my brands to look at. However, talking to the salesperson, I was convinced. He literally told me how to do nearly everything in 15 minutes. This is one of the easiest piece of electronics I've ever owned, and it is more flexible than most other digital cameras.You can shoot in automatic mode or have the option to manually adjust the shutter (the aperture is then adjusted auto.) or manually adjust the aperture (the shutter is then adjusted auto.). There's also three settings you can use for action, portrait, or night time and the camera will automatically adjust the shutter, apeture, etc. for you.And the screen to view your photos is huge! It must be the largest one I've seen on a camera.I did take a few mintues at home to read the instructions on how to download the photos onto my computer. Everything was set in about 10 minutes and worked without a problem.I highly recommend this one. Kodak has a winner here.
This camera is so easy to use, all these options and I can find em all easily. (I think)  Way to go Kodak.Very good low light capability, with an infrared viewfinder that lights up as it gets darker, so you don't need a real glass one.  I like to take night pictures without flash if possible and it just doesn't work without a regular viewfinder or without this feature.Real buttons for the main functions, no wading through menus, like preview that picture you just took and then delete it or zoom in on it or pan it.  The flash comes on with a flip-up or the flash or goes off with a click-shut.  The user interface on this camera is A+.  Very intuitive, very good.I just took it out of the box, I'll have to get back with quality details.
I bought a digital camera years ago, before I knew the difference between a good camera and a bad camera.I have been shopping for a GOOD dig camera for a year now. I didn't want to buy a camera, just to find out it didn't have the features I would use and need every day. Yet, I WASN'T sure exactly what those features were. I knew the resolution was important and also the mega pixels, but what about all the other options out there on the market?Then one day, while in Circuit City, my husband went to one part of the store while I went to another. I didn't realize that he was checking out THIS camera upon the reccomendation of one of his co-workers. He (also the salesmen) showed me the camera, the zoom, the screen size, and how easily it finds into the hand. Then, they showed me the SHARE button. I was sold on it! (I have yet to use the SHARE button, but am entirely happy with the camera, none the less).This camera takes pictures that make you re-live the moment. Our family went to a waterpark recently. I took over 100 pics. When I came home and displayed them as a slideshow. It took your breath away, beautiful colors. You could see every droplet of water from my children splashing.A friend of mine is a SONY SNOB. Only buys SONY products. He has a mid-range Sony dig camera (I am not sure of the meg pix or the model # of the camera). We were at the SAME event recently and exchanged pics. His were dull, sometimes fuzzy looking. But the most noticeable thing about his pics were the color. They just didn't have the clarity of the pics from my camera.I ordered the camera from Amazon, as I am a loyal customer. If you really want to know about the camera before you buy it. Do what I did, try it in the store. You won't regret it.
This Kodak DX 6490 is my 5th Digital camera; my 3rd Kodak. I have had it for over a month now.  I like the sharp pictures, the ease of use, the 10X Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens and the large 2.2&quot; display. I did have to look around for a case to fit this size camera, but there are several out there, including a $9.99 Wal-Mart large camera case that I'm using. The camera is small, (about 15 oz) but not exactly pocket size. (It will fit in a large loose pocket though). The large display makes is easy to show off a picture to family and friends. Pictures can be tagged for instant emailing.  Even an email data base can be stored on the camera.  The lens cap is attached, not easy to lose as with some other cameras.  There is one other really cool feature.  The camera has an auto-orientation feature that rotates the pictures if you take a vertical shot. I love this feature; instantly the picture appears correctly oriented on the display!  For a gadget freak like me, that's great to show off.Every menu item has text explaining how to use the setting.  This is great for novices and can be turned off once you know the settings.  The modes are: automatic, sport, portrait, night, landscape, close-up, program (aperture priority, shutter priority) and manual.  The pictures are mostly very clear and the colors are great.  I take a lot of cat pictures and as another reviewer pointed out; you can see individual hairs on your cat!  The zoom is fantastic, the best I've seen in a digital camera. The flash is adequate for close range; most digital cameras don't take great indoor pictures beyond 10 feet unless the room light is bright.  There is an external flash attachment.  Outdoors the pictures are wonderful, even with the zoom.The dock is good for novices; I would prefer just a cord for recharging.  I use Windows XP and I prefer to remove the memory card and download the pictures with a card reader. Either way there is flexibility with this camera.  There is a slight 2-3 second delay between pictures, but it's not bad.  A burst mode is available that can take 6 sequential pictures.  I don't use the easy share software; again if you use Windows XP it will handle your pictures.  There is some occasional red eye with this camera, but not much.  All digital cameras seem to have it.  I returned my previous Olympus camera because every picture I took seemed to have red eye.  I use Photoshop Elements to fix red eye, crop and fix any contrast and brightness.  Rarely do I have to adjust the contrast with this camera.My only complaints would be the battery and the shape of the camera. Only one time the battery ran out.  Usually it will take hundreds of pictures. I will probably buy a separate battery for emergency; I take a lot of pictures.  Holding the camera does take some getting used; now I now find it easy to hold, it's just the 10X lens protrudes more than a 3X lens. Buy this!
I chose this camera over all others as my first digital camera, and I have no regrets! One of the main reasons I bought it was for the 10X optical zoom.  I like to shoot animal and nature shots, and all other digital cameras in the price range at the time were worthless for that. Just remember to read in the manual how to turn off the digital zoom, or it will wreck all your zoom photos. Digital zooms in all cameras are nothing but worthless parlor tricks.  (And if you think you might not need a 10x zoom for the photos you take, you may want to wait for the DX7630 that is coming out later this year.  It has some outstanding features, but only a 3x optical zoom.)The DX6490 also comes with a dock, which is just very appealing to some of us. It has a Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens--and do remember the maxim: &quot;A camera is only as good as its lens.&quot; The lens cap is lousy, but that's a small matter to me. It uses the compact SD or MMC memory cards.  My 128MB Kodak card, with a 5 year warranty, will hold 96-280 photos! You just pop it in the camera, forget about it, and never have to buy film again! (What is there to complain about that???) The camera also uses a Li-Ion battery, which has never run out on me, and I don't do anything to save battery power. And it can be recharged at least 300 times.The Kodak EasyShare software has got to be the easiest and most useful photo software on the market. You create folder names and list e-mail addresses on your computer with the software, and then download them into the camera; then, you can mark photos before or after you take them with addresses or folder names, and as soon as you put the camera back on the dock, the photos go into the correct folders, or are ready to be e-mailed to who you want them to go to! E-mailing is simple.  You can also e-mail videos, but no one I know has a ISP who will accept them! Ordering prints of your photos online is also simple, as well as editing the pictures.  You can even do fun things like turn your photos into comic book pages or coloring book pages.Printing photos at home and burning them to CDs has also been no problem at all for me with XP on a Dell.  The Kodak software instantly recognizes my Iomega CD burner and my HP printer, and controls the whole process.  I don't even need to use the Iomega or HP software. I can burn hundreds of photos on a Verbatim DataLifePlus CD is less than 5 minutes. You just choose the photos and choose the burn speed. And printing turned out to be much easier than I thought.  You just pick your photo, pick the size you want, and pick the paper. There are 3 choices of paper--Kodak Ultima, Kodak Premium and Other.  When you choose Other, it tells you you can't use any other paper.  Nonsense! How would the software know what paper you have in your printer? I printed a nice shot last night on HP paper; I just chose Kodak Premium paper as my choice. If you're using thick paper like 10 mil., just choose Kodak Ultima. I am using Kodak Ultima, too--I highly recommend it, but use what paper you want.My prints are beautiful, my photos are beautiful, my CDs look like something that would cost a whole lot more if I had to pay someone to burn them. The Kodak DX6490 has changed my life!  It's added a lot more fun and creativity to it. And anyone who thinks Kodak does not make some outstanding digital cameras is living in the past, and choosing to do so!  Look at this camera! And go to Kodak.com and look at the DX7630!
What I like very much about this camera is that it is a &quot;real camera&quot; for a tight budget. I'm 42 and don't expect my cameras to be tiny. This one is easy to hold and has enough girth to have one helluva focusing mechanism.For the money, this is a wonderful camera. Its 4.0 mp is helped substantially by the big lens; it's clearly superior over cameras with tiny lenses. When the camera focuses properly (and it doesn't always, particularly if one doesn't have time to compose the shot first), the photos are crisp and enlarge easily.Okay, now for the more annoying qualities. The software isn't great, but then again I haven't been crazy about the Powershot software either. I use the dock printer and an HP printer, and the software does work with both printers in a variety of configurations. I wish it wasn't so clunky though.The focusing could be more user friendly. Sometimes I would like to take quick shots, but it isn't easy to do that with this camera, because one has to wait until the image focuses first. This takes longer in low-light conditions. And there is, as with all low-cost digital cameras, a substantial wait time between shots. Plus there is a lag time after pressing the button, which means my young kids easily dart out of view before the click.The large display is great. Note that in bright sun, you might have to shield the display from glare to read it properly. Either that or shift to looking through the view window. This is easy to do.In my experience, all low-cost digital cameras are inferior to film cameras in terms of speed. My problem is having an imagination and tastes more commensurate with a $1,000 camera. This camera is a good value for the $420 I paid for it at Costco. I will not feel bad about giving this to my husband in a few years when I buy my digital Canon EOS.I like the dock/printer dock feature, although don't do what I did and get the camera with the dock included if you plan to get the printer dock. Not sure I should have gotten the printer dock, though. It's convenient but quite expensive to operate. My advice: buy a nice full-size HP color printer and cut the photos out yourself. The HP printers cost the same and are far more versatile!!! I have two kids and keep albums for both of them, so needless to say economy is important.Best and most economically, put the images on a CD and have a lab process them for you. The photos will be hardier and fare better in albums. The home-made prints never look as good or hold up as well. Not yet.Small gripe. Can't find a car adapter for this camera, so bought a universal adapter, which means you either buy the Li-Ion battery recharger or plug the whole camera dock into the adapter. I'm going with the recharger. We go tent camping so getting to electrity isn't always all that easy to do.I'm seriously tempted to get the telephoto lens kit (does it fit this camera?) as this camera does not take the best close-up images. The images are okay if one doesn't have journalistic expectations. Kodak also offers a rather expensive wide angle lens. I'd love to see a review of how these lens attachments work.All in all, an excellent camera for the money. The zoom and large lens are the prime reasons to get this camera. Nice flash, too. I recommend it.
I am a first time user of digital cameras but a long time user of 35mm cameras and I am very pleased with the performance of this camera.It produces extremely sharp pictures and although I have read about purple fringing in some other reviews I cannot see this in any photos I have taken. Some photos have blurring if there was movement in an otherwise motionless picture but that comes from using the auto feature in a low light situation and that can be easily resolved with this cameras long list of other features.The only real drawback I see, and it is kind of minor, is the auto focus. It seems to me to be a bit slow and I have several times missed a picture waiting for it to fix on a subject. I am used to a 35 mm and focusing on the subject myself so this is a bit strange for me. I have also noticed that it will sometimes fix on something other than what you are aiming for but again you can change the focus point to some degree too and this may result in better focusing and less lost pictures.Overall I am quite pleased with this camera and the pictures that it produces and also you can use the pictures with any other editing software as long as it supports jpeg images and you can save the images from your camera in the same ppi that they were originally taken, someone wrote here that all pictures were saved at 72 dpi, pictures are saved in ppi ( pixels per inch ) and printed in dpi ( dots per inch ) and you can change the resolution on the camera and your printer so you should check this and you can also check this by looking at the properties for each picture and it will show you the picture size 2304 x 1728 for example.Anyway enough talk this is a good camera and it takes really good pictures but I do suggest you read the manual.
Although I would not consider $400+ a small amount of money, I would have to say that this camera offers a lot of bang for the buck. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to operate this camera, and even if you are a rocket scientist, it has a PASM mode just for you!!I believe that Kodak has accomplished a very user-friendly interface for the photographer to work with. The instruction booklet offers very useful tips, and using the EasyShare software is a breeze. I shopped everywhere for a camera, and the two things which I focused on were megapixels and optical zoom. With 10x optical zoom and 4 megapixels, it is exactly what you need to be a serious photographer and also a semi-serious photographer. This camera also has many other great features. It is great for traveling and has many modes which are useful in different situations (i.e. closeup, portrait, landscape, night, etc.).The video mode is particularly useful when wanting to take small clips and such. This camera also has burst mode(several frames per second), timer, and flash settings which give you several easy to use options when determining just how you want to take that perfect picture. The option to use saturated color, black and white, and sepia is also a useful aspect which allows for very classical shots. Another feature that I found to be very convenient was the tagging feature, which allows for tagging a picture to be emailed to a friend or family member when you hook the camera up to your computer. The ability to switch between the view finder and the HUGE, &quot;easily viewed in all lighting situations&quot; LCD screen was also useful.If you are looking for a seriously cool camera to wield while traveling, attending birthday parties, or even just having some fun with your friends, this is a versatile, state of the art option for a middle range price.
I am extremely pleased with this camera. It takes excellent pictures, is light and well built and has a host of great features. The 10x optical zoom is very handy for shots you would never get otherwise. The ability to output slide shows to a television has proven to be a great way to review your shots while in a hotel room on trips. After hundreds of photos it has had no problems and I'm still exploring all it's capabilities. My wife liked it so much she bought a second one for herself.
I don't have a frame of reference....but these are nice binoculars. Having 4 lids for the eyepiece and lens is much....especially when they aren't connected. The optics are good....these are heavy though.
Bought it to my brother in law and so far no complains.  Used it once, and had the opportunity to check that lenses are clear, operation is very simple.
My husband is planning on attending his first pro football game in November and had been talking about buying binoculars to take with him. I purchased these for his birthday and he was more than pleased with them. He's already used them several times. We both found them quite easy to use
These binoculars are amazing.  The optics are flawless, and extremely clear.  I highly recommend these binoculars.  I mainly use them for astronomy.  They allow you to see the rings of Saturn.  Awesome buy.
Once you have the correction set for your bad eye (if any) and get the focus right at most any range, these almost never need refocusing for nearer or farther objects.  Are they the best thing on the market...no, but for the price they are hard to beat.
I read the other reviews and they are right. For the price, these are great and they do not weigh to much. I am small and that was a concern of mine. I did not want to have the binoculars on a tripod all the time & these work pefect to star gaze or nature watch.
These are EVEN BETTER than I thought they would be.  Big and bright, easy to use, easy to focus, nice case.  Bought them for an Alaska cruise, but using them no watch neighborhood birds, too.  WELL worth the price!
My eyes are tired old eyes. but I must say the binoculars worked for what I wanted it  to do.It has given me great joy to see the far off things brought up to my face. I am charmed with it.
Great binoculars, no complaints at all about it.The feel of it, the images, the weight, all of the excellent
These are low cost low end binoculars but work well for what I need and I don't have to worry about losing or breaking something that cost hundreds of dollars.  I use them for hunting and they work well for that purpose.  I wouldn't want to spend all day glassing with them but more checking what species of ducks are around or how many points a buck has and they are great for that.
These glasses are really great for hawk watching. They are a bit heavy and are hard to keep focused at distance from shaking handsbut the view is great for the price..
useful for viewing stars, landscapes and wildlife. Very bright and clear images up here in the mountains of the RMNP.
Good value for the dollar. I use them at the Park and to watch wild life in the woods around my home.
I was looking for a binolular for my Summer crusie to Alaska. Many reviews said that Olympus Trooper 10x50 DPS is a very good binocular. It gives you very clear and stable image; easy to control and adjust; and relatively cheaper. So I bought it. I am very happy to have this binocular. As the reviews said, I can easily get the clear picture, no double image with colorful edge. This is a really good binocular.
I used to be able to tell which boat (Alaskan Commercial fish boats) it was when it was only a speck on the horizon.But as age takes its toll, I'm losing that ability, but with these glasses I can see these boats and even read their names
First of all let me tell you I am a nikon fan. Usually for optical products I buy nikon. I already have a Nikon Monarch 10x44, which I am quite happy with, so I didn't expect to buy another binoculars. The other day I was at bestbuy and they have a few binoculars on display, since I was waiting to pick up my daughter, just to kill time I started checking them one by one. Most vivitars, bushnells are quite crappy, image is dark and not aligned properly. One of the vivitar was so badly out of alignment, I got a headache after watching it. But when I picked up this olympus, I was shocked to see how great the picture is. And it was only $40. I decided to get one home to compare side by side with my Nikon Monarch.When I get home, I found I can't tell the difference between this Olympus and my Nikon(optical wise). I asked my wife to try(without telling her the price of course), she tried and concluded she likes the Olympus better!I'd say both are very good, high quality binoculars, but with Nikon priced at $250 and this one is less than $50, there's really no competition. The only thing Nikon outperforms is the size. The nikon is roof type while the Olympus is Porro, Nikon is significantly smaller and lighter. But image quality wise, they are very very similar.The only minor thing I can complain is, the covers are not permanently attached to the body like most high end binoculars, so my kids can easily lose them.
These binoculars are a significant improvement from the &#34;cheap&#34; ones I was using.  I watch my backyard birds as a hobby/past time and can now see not only further and clearer, but due to the amount of light the optics allow in, I can now spot miniscule details in the birds which help me with their identification.  The distant images have a 3-D-like effect which I find really cool. Working the optics near and far feature is very easy, and I find that the broader viewing area makes it easier to find birds I spotted without the binoculars.  The weight is comfortable enough when I am looking through them for prolonged periods of time.  If ever I venture out on walks for my birding hobby, the neck strap will come in very handy.They were more than what I initially planned on paying, but after doing my research about binoculars, I found these had a lot of the features that could improve my birding experience.  Worth every penny in my opinion.
Purchased these for watching the America's Cup.  Lightweight.  Good image quality.  Focus is good (I'm near-sighted).  Leave them in my vehicle for those just in case moments when I see something interesting.  Would buy again.
Excellent binoculars.  Very easy to adjust, and great optics. Includes a useful carrying case and neck strap.  A real bargain for the price.
These are very good binoculars when all factors are taken into account.  They are not perfect, but the optics are great.  I seen no obvious spherical, nor chromatic aberration so obvious in cheap binoculars.  Brightness is great in low-light conditions, which is a plus in terrestrial viewing.  The only area of concern that I have found is flare when looking at something such as a star or planet, and the object is proximate to a bright source of light.  That is not likely to present a problem in most cases even if it is a minor irritation.  All in all I think that value for dollar, these are solid, decent binoculars.  They will have to do until I have money for Zeiss binoculars, and they will do well.
I bought 2 pairs of binoculars.  Both were fairly inexpensive.  These were a little more expensive then the other pair.  They both work great, but this feels very well made and works a little better.  The Bushnells that I bought were pretty good but not as good and felt cheaper because they were, but still worked fine.  I would spend a little more money and go with the Olympus binoculars.  They are very sharp and I don't see how they could get much better for any price for what I am using them for.
If you are looking for a really good Binocular, this is not it. The product is cheap and the distance range is limited. Made in China.
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because of the provided neck strap.  Magnification is clear and easily focused.  Great binoculars except for the strap.
Let's face it. You can pretty much spend as little or as much on binoculars as you want. Take these two for example: theTasco Essentials 8x21 Binocular (Black)or theCarl Zeiss Optical Inc Victory RF Binoculars (10x45 T RF).Sticker shock, huh?That's ok, though. The question is not about budgeting for a pair of binoculars, since there's a pair for EVERY budget. The downside of that is that there are just so many to choose from.I wanted to upgrade from a pair of very old 7x32 Tasco binos to a pair of 10x50 max. I figured anything over 10x would require a tripod. I don't have a lot of money to throw around, so I settled on these.They serve their function well, but they don't feel anywhere near as rugged (as described) as any other pair of binoculars I've ever handled. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking them on anything more strenuous than say, a day hike.I found that with other binoculars, I could focus using the center wheel, then adjust the right eye piece to match the clarity and I would never have to mess with the right eye adjustment again. With this pair, I'm finding that I have to refocus both with every third or fourth use.One of my major complaints about these binoculars is the fact that the lens covers are not attached. If I want to get a quick look at something, I don't want to have to fumble around finding somewhere to put the lens covers. Sure, I could modify them, but it bugs me a little that I have to.The case is horrible, in my opinion. It is soft sided vinyl with a Velcro closure. This will provide scratch protection but NOT impact protection. As for the closure, if you're bird watching or scouting game, you should probably already have them out because once you rip the Velcro open... bye, bye birdy, so to speak.The other thing about the case is the strap. At full extension, when I wear it cross shoulder style, (think Sam Browne belt) it's right up under my arm. Very uncomfortable.As long as we're on the subject of straps, this one has a soft(ish) nylon strap, adjustable, about 11mm in width. The edges are pliable and sit very comfortably around your neck. The strap also has a much more reasonable length adjustment. There is such a stark contrast in binocular/case construction material that it just screams "outsource".Far from being top of the line binoculars, they still deliver a crisp, clear, undistorted view from edge to edge, even in very low light.If you can spend more for a pair of binoculars, then by all means do so. However, if you're on a budget like me, I think you'll find these are a very good value at this price level.I had to knock a star off because of the unattached lens covers and the dismal case.As the title indicates, if you are willing to accept the shortcomings I mentioned, then I would definitely recommend these. I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon. Modifying, yes. Upgrading, no.
For several years I owned a pair of Bushnell binoculars that I just didn't get along with. Nothing I did improved focus (yes, I followed the directions) and for some odd reason I seemed to suffer from double vision when looking through them (again, configuration was correct). So I finally gave up and invested in these Olympus Trooper 10x50 binoculars. All it took was a couple of seconds to make them perfect for me. The optics are clear and bright, focus is a piece of cake to obtain, the magnification and range are great and they fit very comfortably and securely in my hand. The carrying case is padded and well made. My one criticism (maybe) would be the strap, which although strong is thin and not so comfortable to sling over the neck or shoulder for longer periods of time. But I don't think the quality of these binoculars can be beat for their very reasonable price.
I purchase these to set out on my deck and watch the birds at the bird feeder. I can see much more details on my feather friends. I can even use it with my glass on.
I ordered these after reading the stellar reviews on this site.  Got them in yesterday, and here is what I found.1. Very lightweight unit.  This is because it is made of cheap plastic.  Has no heft to it at all.  I am sure that the lenses are also plastic.2.  Chinese made.3.  Distortion around the edges when sweeping back and forth.4.  Feels very fragile.  I doubt that it would survive a three foot drop onto carpet.5. Everything just has a cheap feel to it.Where oh where are the good metal frames of yesteryear?Conclusions:  These are good binoculars to let the kids play with. Thats why I gave it two stars.Other conclusions: Who on earth wrote the other opinions here? Either employees of the company selling these things or people who never actually seen any other binoculars.
I acquired a second telescope and this lets me share my finderscope (and my eyepieces) between both.Telrad is such a great finder for me -- both of mine are dobsonians.
I had to take my original base and cut it in half, and mount each half backwards on top of my telescope to maintain balance.  The scope rings were in the way of the center area.  I purchased a spare mount which I probably don't need, but I love the Telrad aiming and ease of assembly.
I PURCHASED ONE OF THESE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT WORKS GREAT EXCEPT IT IS NOT VERY STICKY IT KEEPS FALLING OFF THE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE MOUNTS IS THAT THEY HAVE SCREW HOLES PREDRILLED FOR YOU SO YOU CAN TRUST THAT A COUPLE GOOD BOLTS WILL DO THE JOB GREAT!!
Probably one of the finest finders on the market.  Made famous probably 30 years ago and still going strong.  I was glad to see the Telrad system still available.  The dealer was exemplary and had it to me before the phosphor in my monitor faded away.  Great Amazon service once again........
If you love your Telrad, use it on more than one telescope by buying extra bases for your other telescopes. Unless you are precise, or lucky, you will have to realign (collimate) your Telrad to each telescope after you move from one to the other. A good idea if you use only one of your telescopes at a time, or if you have a few "GoTo" scopes, and just use the Telrad for initial alignment.
I have tried to used many different star and planet finders with very little success. This one looked kind of large and clunky, but when I mounted it and tried to find a star. it was easy to see and totally accurate. I bought this mounting base to use the Telrad on my second scope.
a little difficult to view.. but works great when you have the right angle. bigger than expected but fits well
I have another of these and they work great as star finders. They are alittle bulky and od overwhelm my SCT scopes, but they do the job better than the included non lit cross hair ones.
The Telrad finder is simple and easy to use. Makes spotting stuff, star hopping, aligning and guiding scope manually really quick and easy, esplly if you have a dobsonian telescope. I have an 8" Orion XT8i with the 9X50 finder scope. Performing the 2 star alignment for the intelliscope is a little difficult initially with the finder scope, but I was getting pretty used to it. More than alignment I wanted the telrad for star hopping and I think it is the best finder out in the market. As in other reviews, I wish if the size was made a little smaller, there seems to be so much of useless space inside the rectangular box which houses the red LED and batteries. The size also increases weight which can mess up the balance of the scope, esplly if you are using heavy EP. Nevertheless, it is a must have for any scope with a dobsonian mount larger than 6". Also the 4 inch riser is a must have, as to find objects close at zenith, it gets quite difficult if there are no risers. I saw the problem in a star party and order both the finder and the riser in one go.
I use this every time my telescope comes out.  Bulky and not as spiffy as some of the smaller offerings these days, but easy to mount and use on even small telescopes.  Use it on my family/kids scopes also, as it will take a fair amount of abuse.  Buy additional bases and you can use one for a number of scopes.  The fact that these come off the base makes them great to travel with as the telescope does not have the bulk of a spotting scope protruding from it, or the need for a realignment when it comes out for use.
You really will want a reflex sight like this for almost any telescope. It's much easier to aim at a point in the sky when you can see it aligned straight and with the full context of the sky around it. From there you can move to your optical sight or go straight to the scope for narrowing down whatever you want to aim at. I don't know why telescopes don't just come with reflex sights instead of optical ones; you usually don't even need the optical sight, just the reflex sight and a low-magnification eyepiece.The Telrad comes with a base and double-sided tape that makes it easy to install on most telescopes (small scopes may have issues; it was fine on my 8" tube, though), and you can swap the main unit between bases to switch it between scopes. Aligning the sight is easy, and it seems to hold alignment well; over several years I've never had to realign mine.There are a few negatives, though. It's absolutely enormous, for one, with a lot of wasted space. There are more compact reflex sights from the likes of Orion. And there's no external indication that the LED is on; it might have been nice to have a little light on the outside of the unit to just let you know it's on. It's very easy to just leave it on, draining the battery.
This works as advertised, but the brightness level adjustment is a little too sensitive in my opinion.It's also much larger than it would appear to need to be. That being said, it's probably the best non-magnifiedsite available. at a reasonable price. As much as I bang this thing around on accident, I sometimesthink about mounting my Eotech 512 on my telescope!
I'd really recommend this. It makes locating stars and parts of the sky so much easier. Very reliable as well.
I've used this one time and it fogged up really badly. However before it did I could see that this should make starhopping and alignment much much easier. If I can I'll update this when I've gotten more time under my belt with it.
I work in a high school. The students aren't the best at aiming the follow spots. Once these were mounted on the spots the students have hit their marks. We love them.
I'm an Amateur Astronomer for little over two decades and have used this product on all my scopes, (along with a powered finder) from day one... and I still use it today for aligning my telescope ON or hopping bright and dim naked eye visible sky objects......Made of a very strong, durable type plastic. It comes with the Talrad removable finder and a permanent mounting base. The easy installation base w/foam sensitive tape included (measure and mount base with care 'cause once it's on, IT'S ON!) Mounts rock solid no movement or vibration. Easy alignment at night in the backyard or in the field.Fits almost all larger scopes with outside tube diameters of at least 6" and up. The finder is in the 6-7" length range. This is a fairly large, heavy, bulkier quality finder. Works with a 9 volt battery, on/off/dimmer switch for fainter objects. Emits a red three circle bullseye alignment target on a clear view screen. It's very useful, easy to use and the scope is just naked without one. Easily removable from it's permanently mounted base. With extra bases mounted on more then one telescope, the sight can instantly be removed and installed onto another.......Optional 2 and 4 inch height "risers" and "flip dew cover cap" are available to keep the sight window from fogging up on humid evenings/enviroments. I would purchase and mount this on a $200...OR EVEN A $20,000 telescope IF I had one! ......Don't necessarily consider this your primary finder, but a secondary -visible object or star hopping and a must have help and backup finder to your primary powered finder, though you won't find me without one on my scopes.......... ~cek
This is the best finder I have seen. It it easy to use and makes aligning my scope a simple task now. The LED intensity is adjustable, so you can use it to sight even faint stars. FYI, this is rather large and bulky and when you mount the base with its included double-sided tape it is on you scope permanently! Luckily, you can purchase additional bases to allow you to use on more than one scope. You can also purchase one and two inch riser bases to allow it to fit on your scope without taking your other finder scope off. One warning--take the Telrad off your scope before viewing the Sun or you will burn the reticule! This finder is worth the cost.
I have a Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ, and the finder scope on it is absolute rubbish. The scope is decent, but I was never able to get any real use out of the factory finder.Went to my local shop and they suggested one of these babies. It took me 5 minutes to install (including looking for batteries) and about 20 seconds to calibrate (the three axis alignment screws are very sensitive and quite intuitive) -- which I was able to do in broad daylight.I tested it out after dark, and sure enough, it was true and I was looking at stuff all over the place!
A couple years ago, I bought a new Orion XT8 dobsonian telescope.  It came with a straight magnifying finder -- WOW was that impossible to effectively use.  The very next day, I ordered the Telrad and easily attached it when it arrived.  Looking for my targets in the sky instantly became 100X easier and more enjoyable than before.This product is a must have for any amateur astronomer (and pretty much 100% of all amateur scopes that I've seen among the astronomy club members have one of these affixed).  Its not only a must have, but its the very first add-on you will want to do for your scope if you've just bought your first scope.  Its far more important than buying lenses, or buying filters, or "go to" controls or anything else.
So far I have only been able to use the Telrad in my fairly light-polluted back yard.  It has been useful, but I think it would be a lot more helpful in a dark-sky site.Before I received this I struggled a little in finding what seemed to be simple objects (ie stars in Ursa Major) using my finder scope alone.  With the Telrad, it is now a cinch to go straight to any bright object without a fuss.  I really can't wait to take in darker skies where I am sure I'll be finding things left and right with this attached.I do think it is a wonderful tool, but I have to admit there are a couple of things that make it a pain:1)  The Telrad, always seems to be the first thing on my scope to fog up.  You could purchase a dew shield or make your own (which I did) that makes it last a lot longer before getting nearly useless.2) It is bulky.  I really wanted to mount it between my spotter scope (which I still use for fine-tuning) and my focuser but the thing is so big even on an 8" dob that there was just no room there so I ended up having to put it on the opposite side. Not idea, but workable.3) The screen could somehow be a little clearer.  If you are trying to find a faint object, sometimes even though you can see it when looking straight at the sky you just can't see it through the Telrad screen.Really these gripes are minor and there are plenty of threads on how to modify your Telrad to overcome these issues.  Overall this is a great product and should certainly help budding and seasoned astronomers alike.
I got this as a replacement for a finder scope that broke off my 10&#34; Spacehunter. Works so much better than the original scope. The adhesive stuck it right in place where the old scope attached. So easy to use once calibrated. To calibrate just center the telescope on a large bright object that's easy to find such as the moon then adjust the telrad finder to be center on the object.
This item works as expected.  Much easier than trying to look through a finder scope.  It does however take a little bit of practice seeing the led created red  target projected onto the glass.  Instead of peeling off the paper to stick the base on to my ota permanently, I found some thin rubber feet at he home depot, stuck them onto the the paper you peel off of the telrad base, and made a valcro strap to loop around the base of the telrad and the ota.  Works fine, now I can mount it on any scope temporarily without having to purchase extra bases.
If you own a telescope of decent size then you probably already know about Telrads.  They are a must have for any scope large enough to accommodate them.  I am using this one on my 10&#34; F5 Newtonian/Dob.-Dave
This product made my telescope incredibly more user friendly.  I would recommend this to anyone using a non-goto scope.  If you know even just a few constellations, you can find many objects that you could not find before.  The variable intensity is worth it alone.
This is the best investment I've made for my dobsonian scope.  Prior to this, it was a royal pain to find objects in the sky.  Now all I have to is find the object in the telrad and it's in the middle of my eyepiece.  Installation was a breeze and sighting in the telrad via the three adjustable screws was quick and painless.  I can't give this device enough praise.
Perfect to pinpoint your telescope. I have a 8inch Meade didn't come with a finderscope so i decide to get the telrad Perfect Date.. For each other.
I have used Telrad finders on all of my telescopes since 1995. The late Steve Kufeld designed this amazing finder using technology from the Norton Bomb Sight from World War II. The finder is easy to install and use to locate both near and deep sky objects with your telescope. The finder scope uses a red light projected on a diagonal glass to help you locate objects in the sky. Since installing my telrad, I have not used a finder scope. Indeed some of the largest telescopes in the world use telrad finders at least for rough finding.Sky and Telescope's pocket star atlas, designed by Roger Sinnott has a scale that uses the telrad's field of view to locate obvjects in the sky using the chart and a telrad. It really is a must have device for the amateur telescope maker as well as the amateur telescope buyer.Weaknesses include succeptability to dewing, difficulty with the glue that adheres the mounting bracket to the telescope (You could however screw it on) and a propensity to forget to turn off the light when not using the finder. The light is of such low power however that it will take a very long time to run down the batteries.Francis J. O'Reilly
Second one for me. A must have for pointing telescopes of all kinds. A little big, but always reliable. The pulsing unit available is also a must have. Takes five minutes to install. Makes pointing at fainter naked eye stars sooo much easier. Telrad and pulsing unit arrived at/before expected ship date. Way to go Amazon, and Adoroma.
I have read and heard about Telerad Red Dot finders for years but never thought them worth the bother or the expense.Shows how little I know.I have two Meade GOTO scopes and one Celestron and have been using the supplied finderscopes with no real complaint  but in my old age I guess have found it more difficult to get and keep the finder scope and the telescope in harmony and as a result have had some frustration.Do I decided to try this unit out and ordered one for my Meade 7" Mak.It works PERFECTLY"It is easy to adjust as you go along and as a result, my initial alignment was done and over in three minutes and everything was spot on and dead center in the scope, making for a most enjoyable viewing session despite a moon that was so bright you could have played a night baseball game beneath it.My other scopes will soon be equipped with an identical finderGary Hutchinson
A great sight for a telescope....along with the Telrad charts...makes finding objects easy,fast and fun.........
This is probably the best telescope finder product on the market.  It allows one to point the telescope in the objects general area by using the Telrad to point to close stars.
To all novices like me - this thing is a must especially if you have a Celestron scope with built in red dot finder. The red dot finder is practically useless for finding anything apart from some bright planets.Alignment of the Telrad took me a total of 2 minutes for me - 10 seconds to align the finder and rest of the time earlier to center the object (in my case, a distant stop sign) in the eyepiece. Moreover, almost all star charts and planetarium softwares like Stellarium and Skytools have a Telrad bulls eye simulation, thus making it easy for locating DSOs.
I ended up loving this thing even more than I expected. I had planned to use it simply as a finder for goto telescope initial alignments but I discovered that it mounts in the perfect place to get a perfect feel for where the telescope is actually pointed in the sky after going to an object. Simply lift my head up and look through the Telrad. It becomes a much better experience to see exactly where the telescope is pointed with a 1x view too. Ahh so that is the point I'm looking at!
As many new astronomers have discovered, finding an object to look at can be the most difficult part in the hobby. Due to the small field of view most telescopes provide, a wider field of view "finder scope" (essentially a small telescope) is used in conjunction with the main viewing telescope in order to find the desired object(s) more quickly and easily. However, this may not provide enough assistance for the beginner and they become frustrated and lose interest.This is where the Telrad, and other so called "Red Dot Finders", come in. It is not a telescope. It only projects a red dot, or in the case of the Telrad, a series of concentric red circles, into the sky, letting you know where your telescope is pointed without restricting your field of view at all. This provides you with a much better idea of where you ARE looking and helps your get your telescope pointed where you WANT to look. Just move your telescope with Telrad mounted to it until the red circles are projected over the part of the sky, or object, you wish to view and then look through the telescope eyepiece. More times than not, you will find the desired object within your telescope's field of view on your first try. It gets you "into the ballpark".The Telrad can be adjusted left/right and up/down so it is aligned with the telescope it is mounted upon. This is critical and a good feature.It runs on a 9v battery which seems to last quite a long time (battery not included). There is a switch which allows the user to dim or brighten the red circles, making them easier to see.My favorite design feature of the Telrad is that it can be removed from the base (which attaches to your scope with double stick tape) so you can use the same finder on multiple scopes without having to buy a whole new finder. You just buy an extraTelrad Spare Mounting Basefor each scope (trust me, once you get into this hobby, you'll end up with more than one!) and move the finder from scope to scope. Some folks don't like messing up their scope with the double stick tape. It depends on what is more important to you; easy to use telescope or pristine telescope finish.Another good design feature is, unlike many of the other red dot finders, such as the Orion EZ Finder Deluxe Reflex Sight (my second favorite), the Telrad can be mounted to nearly any telescope.The only drawback I can think of is that the Telrad is on the large side compared to other red dot finders. However, when compared to most finder scopes, it is on the small side.
Steve Kufeld took his place among the stars many years ago, but his contribution to the pursuit of astronomy will never be forgotten.There are some things that someone really into skywatching needs to have. A planisphere, a decent pair of binoculars, and a red penlight will get you going, to be sure. Then after a while you might find yourself ready take the dive for a good telescope, and if you're on a budget you get the joy of deciding whether to get a smaller "go-to" scope or give up the electronics in favor of a bigger aperture, as in a Dob. Then if you're like me and you got a light bucket and find you have problems sighting through the tee-niny finder, well...take it from pretty much everyone who's posted to this product: The Telrad is just what you need.It's simple. Mount it, align it, and you're in business. Sight in on what you're looking for through the Telrad and pow! There it is in your eyepiece. Yes, it really IS that simple. I've located lots of Messier objects with it I would've had fits with otherwise. And a lot of the work is done for you...just Google "Telrad Charts" and you'll find enough stuff--treasure maps, I call 'em--to keep you going for a lifetime or two.Yes, it does fog when it's humid. So do the telescopes themselves. You learn how to deal with it, or you spend more money. I deal with it.There you go. A genuine "essential". If you own a telescope, your enjoyment of it will increase exponentially with the purchase of a Telrad.
This is a have to have addition to your telescope sighting system. I don't even take the lens caps off my optical sighting scope anymore. A riser of at least 2&#34; is a highly desirable add on to make it more &#34;user friendly&#34;. It's super easy to use. Alignment is a breeze and battery life is great. For the price it can't be beat and if you don't have one you definitely need one.
These Telrad sights are Awesome! I was worried I would have problems getting it lined up but it was unbelievably easy.  First I just stuck it on as straight as I could by lining it up with some covered up holes on the telescope tube.  Then I took it outside, at night, and lined up the scope on Jupiter. Then fine tuned Jupiter to the middle of my eyepiece.  Then just use the three adjusting screws on the Telrad so that it also has Jupiter in the center circle.  Presto it's all lined up!!!  I moved the scope to another part of the sky and then moved it back to Jupiter using the Telrad and.....TADA....Jupiter was in the center of my eyepiece.  Awesome man!  I even moved the whole telescope and then used the Telrad again to sight Jupiter.  So easy.  Just the week before finding Jupiter in my eyepiece was driving me to distraction.  This Telrad is a great stress reducer/frustration remover! Oh yeah....I'm just a beginner at using telescopes.  I'm sure the experts dont get so flustered finding their stars.  But if your a beginner like me buy this thing!  And...buy a laser cullminator if your going to clean your mirrors. I bought older telescopes and the mirrors were a mess.  The laser cullminator makes lining them back up a cinch.
I purchased an Orion XT6, and it came with the default Orion EZ Finder. Needless to say it was pure garbage. Looked online to see what others were using and found this. I set it up, did the adjustments, and now what took me several minutes to find takes me mere seconds.The bulls-eye reticle is fantastic. You just point the telescope at an object, adjust the mirror, and then from then on what you point at in the telrad will be in your telescope. Simply an amazing product.
The Tel-Rad is the way to go for a finder. The ONLY fault that I can find [and it didn't rank high enough to deduct a star] is the dew. I understand that there is a shield for that but, alas , it isn't perfect either. That said, I love my Tel-Rad and highly reccomend it.
The title says it all! The finder is completely a must have for any telescope. The great advantage is being able to use both of your eyes in parallax to actually view the sky through the Telrad and move to your object.
This is no streamlined, compact piece of gear.  It's best used on Newtonian or Cassegrain scopes with 6" or larger mirrors.  If you have the space, though, it's a very useful accessory.  I would definitely recommend it to people who want to use a scope to interest children in astronomy.  It avoids the frustration and discouragement of searching the skies with narrow field of view optics.
I've got this mounted to an Explore Scientific Comet Hunter (150mm Maksutov-Newtonian reflector).I paid under $40 for this and it has been the best spotter scope I've had to date.It mounts using sticky tape and has two alignment screws. Mounting and alignment took about a minute using Jupiter as a target.The open center ring makes finding your target easy and allows for star-hopping to deeper space objects.The variable intensity makes it usable for planetary viewing, as well as DSOs.The unit is bigger than I expected, but I still found room for it inside the scope case. It dismounts, and the mounting plate is fairly small, so the scope also still fits in the case.
Having tried an assortment of other "red dot" and optical finders, this is the one for astronomy.  All of the others are a compromise, too bright, too heavy, too dim, difficult to adjust, unable to maintain alignment when removed...  This really is the best!
I bought this because of the rave reviews here. It's not a bad finder, but it's not particularly good either.  Might end up sending it back.First off, the thing is bulky, REALLY bulky.  It is actually larger than the (monster) optical sight I was replacing. It is also made out of a cheap brittle plastic.  The glass window sticks out, and is not particularly well supported.  First time out and I almost broke it bringing my 10" dob back through the garage door.The second issue is that it has a narrower angle of view than some of my cheaper LED finders.  This means you have to get more in line with the sight, which is a bit of a pain.The final issue was the illumination control.  the rings don't light up until the control is over 3/4 way to max.  Then it gets bright ridiculously fast, and casts many extra rings at full brightness.  I think they made a mistake when building it.The final problem has to do with it being outside in the daytime.  The manufacturer warns that sunlight shining on it can damage the unit.  They couldn't improve the design to prevent accidental destruction?On the plus side, the alignment mechanism is very well thought out.  It was a simple matter to align the sight and it didn't require any tools.  I also like the fact that the brightness control is a simple to use lever, and gives a solid click indicating it is on/off.  Lastly, as someone who is forgetful I appreciate the fact that it uses two AA batteries instead of a lithium button battery.Ir almost seems as if this unit was designed by two people.  One was an astronomer/engineer and the other one was an idiot.EDIT: Have been using this finder, and numerous others on other telescopes, for the last 3 months. This finder is growing on me, especially the not needing tools to adjust it.  My listing of the drawbacks still apply, but the pluses have come to dominate over the minuses.
I have an Orion 8XT with a 6X30, and usually I have to "translate" what I saw on the finder scope to the map. I get rid of this finder scope and replaced with my new telrad; I just have to look up, align my eye and thats it... what I see is what I get. Also I bought the Dew shield +... was hard at the beginning but I just had to relax my eye and my back and the stars just appear in the red circle!
With a little bit of improvising you can mount this on a smaller scope.  It is big, but its extremely easy to use, and to zero your scope.  The dinky finder scope included with the c90 is a throw away item.  Pretty much useless due to it wont hold a steady zero and constantly needs adjusting.  I had originaly bought the telrad for my Celestron 8 starhopper dobson, a really good beginner scope but heavy and fairly impossible to use for astrophotography.  I have the c90 on the heavy duty Celestron AltAz mount,  Im shopping around for a decent equatorial, either the CG5 or the Ioptron smartstar Tm Pr 8419 for when I venture into astrophotography.
Everyone that owns a telescope needs one of these..Easy to attach and alignment was simple..Works great..Real time saver..I highly recommend this product.
I have had the Telrad Finder for just a little while and after mounting it and doing a simple alignment found to to be spot on and easy to use locating deep space objects I had never seen before.I am very pleased with the Telrad Finder!
only gripe is the instructions are pretty terse, but the product is great! easy to attach, too. I recommend it highlty.
I was looking for a right angle finder, and looking at it you would think it was a right angle finder, but it isn't.  It's also very long, which was surprising.  Since it wasn't what I was looking for I haven't used it.If you can get by with a straight through finder that's very long, then it looks like it would work pretty well.
I have recently purchased another telrad sight.I have many telescopes that i use these on i do not dismount them as that would take time from my viewing pleasure i just get another because the price is rite.I enjoy these also on my robotic scopes as well makes alignment a snap who eve thought this up was very smart indeed the best sight i have ever used and seen.I generally use this mount along with a auto laser guidance system on my larger scopes (every one likes seeing the laser cut through the night sky and point at what that i am looking at while at star parties)but i truly use this sight more than i do the laser sight because its ease of use,this is truly the best sight out there in my onion.tahnk you for your time,Leo
Despu&eacute;s de haber sido sometido a la frustraci&oacute;n del uso del Starfinder incorporado de f&aacute;brica en mi telescopioCelestron 31045 AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescopecon el que encontrar lo que buscas es un reto, mas que una tarea simple, el Telrad Finder Sight, de una forma sencilla y muy intuitiva es la v&iacute;a para disfrutar mucho mas de la b&uacute;squeda y observaci&oacute;n de los objetos estelares. Este dispositivo ofrece una instalaci&oacute;n muy rapida (no m&aacute;s de 5 minutos). La calibraci&oacute;n del mismo es precisa y no menos rapida que su instalaci&oacute;n.Ventajas:- El uso de dos bater&iacute;as AA, que pueden ser o no recargables.- Facilidad de instalaci&oacute;n y calibraci&oacute;n.- Impresionante ahorro de tiempo de localizaci&oacute;n de estrellas y planetas.- Intensidad ajustable de la ret&iacute;cula de gu&iacute;a iluminada.- Puede ser utilizado durante el d&iacute;a agreg&aacute;ndole la tapa protectora de humedad / espejoTelrad Dew Shield for Telrad Finder- Ahorro significativo de tiempo de localizaci&oacute;n del objeto que quiere buscarse.Desventajas:- Este dispositivo deber&iacute;a venir incluido como equipo de norma en cualquier telescopio.- Es incre&iacute;ble lo in&uacute;til que es el Starfinder incluido en muchos telescopios de marcas reconocidas.- Pudiera ser mas reducido el tama&ntilde;o del dispositivo, sobre todo a lo largo, se nota que sobra espacio cuando lo abres para cambiar las bater&iacute;as.- Las bater&iacute;as no est&aacute;n incluidas (algo de poca importancia realmente)Finalmente me encuentro muy satisfecho con el producto, lo comprar&iacute;a de nuevo y ya lo estoy recomendando a mis amigos.
First, although I am fasciated by astronomy, I am a stagehand. I use this as a sight for followspots. Magnets on the bottom and you have a MUCH, more portable unit. It is tiring to use through a whole show, but it does work.
I bought a 6" Orion Dobsonian so that I could encourage my 7-year-old's interest in the stars and planets.  I love the scope, but found the red dot finder that comes with it to be almost useless.  I have no experience with telescopes, but talked to a friend who is very active in his local astronomy club and he recommended this.I couldn't be happier with it- I attached it to the telescope, aimed the telescope at a distant tree, and aligned the finder with the telescope all in about 2 minutes.  Then waited for nightfall and was able to instantly go to any object that I wanted to see.  This is so easy to use that I was able to teach my 7-year-old and her 5-year-old sister how to aim the telescope with it.If you're having problems aiming a telescope, this is the simple solution.  The only downside, as others have mentioned, is the size of the device.  That's not an issue on my telescope, which is about 5' long, but it could be an issue wtih small telescopes.To further enhance this, find star maps designed for it.  Some are available for printing on the internet, you can also order them from the company.  Having the Telrad's "targets" on a map helped me quickly and easily find a couple of Messier objects that otherwise would have eluded me.
Here's the short version: This finder scope is amazing and worth every penny.Long version:I got a Celestron 114EQ as a birthday gift and I could basically find the moon.  Anything else was an exercise in patience rather than astronomy thanks to 'finder' scope on the 114EQ.  The first time I turned on the Telrad I was dumbfounded by how much easier it was to operate and adjust.  For anyone wanting to spend more time looking AT objects instead of looking FOR objects, get this finder scope.  My backyard has several street lights shining onto it and I'm surrounded by pine trees that completely obstruct my line of sight.  I have to frequently pick my scope up and move around to different parts of the yard for line of sight which previously killed the whole experience for me.  But the Telrad lets me move anywhere, acquire my target in about five seconds and keep on viewing.  If you're looking for a replacement finder scope you cannot go wrong with this guy.Other thoughts:The finder scope is large.  Especially on the 114EQ the base will not fit on the tube without modification (the base is long enough that it has to cross over the tube mounting rings).  I debated what to do but in my impatience I just used a miter saw to cut a section out of the middle of the base and put the two base pieces on either side of the tube mounting rings.  The finder scope only attaches to the base at the very front and back of the base so I wasn't very worried.  It worked fine.  I believe Telrad sells risers and/or extra bases if you're worried about cutting the base due to space constraints.Thankfully, the finder scope runs on AA batteries as opposed to the Klingon watch battery in the 114EQ's standard finder scope.  Which is good because my standard 114EQ finder scope died in one night of use because I forgot that I left it on.  The Telrad is much easier to check for on/off and the batteries are much easier to replace.Before purchasing I read some complaint(s) about how the power switch arm for the Telrad has an unnecessarily long sweep, say 360 degrees, but you only get useful sight illumination out of the last &lt;90 degrees.  Even if you want to pick at straws and actually complain about this 'problem' after an hour or so of use I actually appreciated how faint you can make the projects site rings.  Again, I live in the suburbs with several streetlights shining into my backyard but even after finding some shade and adjusting to as much night vision as possible you can really go after faint stars or planets by making the scope rings very dim and not overpowering your target.
This is a great finder sight. Installed on my Orion 8" Dob.Easy to align. Put any object in center ring, look through eyepiece,dead on center.So much easier to use than red dot finder. You see your target, not cover itup with dot.Buy it, you will love it to.
It works and many people love these... but beware that it won't even fit on a smaller scope tube. I ended up returning it and buying a green laser pointer which I'm 100% impressed with. You need to find the special bracket to mount a GLP (from Orion).
Must have for the telescopes. I have used these for years now and really keeps things simple.Charts are easy to find to accommodate this.
This is an incredible product for the beginning astronomer or seasoned pro. Almost every one I know has this mounted to their telescope.
I have used all sorts of telescope finders. The Telrad is my favorite 1x telescope finder because:1. It has a glass window which is optically superior to the plastic windows most 1x finders use. You can see dimmer stars through a glass window than you can through a plastic window.2. Because the Telrad has glowing circles of 0.5 degrees, 2 degrees and 4 degrees, it is easy to measure distance across the sky from a bright guide star to the celestial object you are looking for.3. The Telrad has a bright setting for bright city skies, and a dim setting to preserve your eye's dark adaptation under a dark rural sky. This helps you both find and observe dim objects in the night sky.4. The Telrad weighs less than a magnifying finder, so it is easier to keep your telescope balanced.5. The Telrad is well suited for all telescopes, except refractors. For refractors I suggest theOrion EZ Finder II Reflex Sightor the Orion EZ Finder Deluxe Reflex Sight.What is the down side to the Telrad finder?-Although it is light weight, it is much larger than most 1x finders. It is about 8 inches long. It takes up a lot of room in your eyepiece case.-A magnifying telescope finder, either straight-through of right-angle finder not only magnifies, but gathers more light than any 1x finder, which is limited to what you can see with the unaided eye. I find this is only a small drawback, because once you are close, you can usually find a dim object more easily with a large telescope than you can with a small finder.Overall, in my opinion, the Telrad's benefits far outweigh it's drawbacks.At star parties, I rarely see more than one finder mounted on huge dobsonians costing many thousands of dollars. More often than not, it's a Telrad. There has to be a reason.It's really all you need.
Works great.  I was worried about parallax but the circles were well focused at infinity. Easy set up.You can actually look through the beam splitter at the circles as well as the reflection of a (bright) object making it easier to use when you are looking at objects high in the sky.I use it on my 8" Meade.Cons:Minor - Something other than two sided tape for popular telescopes would be nice.Great value.No complaints
I purchased the Telrad to add to an Orion Skyquest XT-8 Dobsonian scope.  Given that the Dob mount is made for manual star hopping and tracking, ease of hopping around the sky is critical.  The Telrad is fantastic!I mounted my Telrad between the focuser and the finder scope and back just a bit.  The Telrad allows you to easily find a bright star and locate other objects relative to it.  The brightness of the red finder target can be adjusted easily.All in all, this should be the first thing you add to a scope like this.  It greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the scope and overcomes some of the inherent issues of using a Dob mount.
The Telrad Finder works very well for what its design to do.  My beef with this finder is the enormous size of it. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS HUGE!  The unit is 8.5" Long by 4.5" Tall at the sight. When you open the unit to put the batteries in you see a cavernous body of wasted space.  I'll need to take my Camera mount off just to fit trhis unit.  If your scope is less than 15" long (ie ETX 125 is too small), I would pass this finder up.  It's strictly for the BIG BOYS.  I did some measuring of the wasted space and it could be re designed down to 4" x 3" with absolutely no loss in optics or finding ability.  If you have a small personal telescope, I'd search for RED DOT finders.
I have several different devices to help point the telescope.  Finder scopes to laser pointers.  This Telrad is by far the most useful.
With my 12" Dobsonion this is the finder I always use first. It is best used with both eyes open - one looking through the reticle window and one above or outside the window. Just centre it on the object or expected area of sky and then move to your magnifying finder scope. Find the fuzzy whatsit you're looking for, centre on the cross-hairs, and then look in your telescope. A three-part process which is fast and usually easy. The Telrad is just brilliant. I can't imagine trying to find objects using the finder scope first. That would be much more challenging and time-consuming. Since I intend to replace my finder scope soon with a right-angle finder scope (to save my neck) the Telrad will be essential then as you can't really use a right-angle finder scope for searching the sky. Some accessories like premium eyepieces, detailed star maps, etc, can enhance your observing but this does more than enhance, it simplifies everything.
Very easy to locate items in the sky and aiming my telescope has never been easier. Perfect fit to my 8&#34; Dobson
I have to say, I really dig my Telrad. It's soooooo much nicer to use than the stupid little red dot finder that came standard on 10&#34; Dobsonian telescope. The Telrad stays adjusted (which was a big problem with the red dot finder) and is super simple to click on and off as needed in the dark. I was going to buy a 9x50 finder scope to compliment it, but now I see that that's not really needed; I'm just going to stick with the Telrad. As a side note, the Telrad is quite large (but lightweight) so pay attention to the dimensions if you're looking into mounting it on a smaller scope.
Telrads are incredible. Not too much else to say really. They are easy to use, easy to mount using the adhesive strips on the unit, and they are easy to align with nicely sensitive adjustment screws. Batteries lasts decently too. This easily improves pretty much any telescope. The Telrad is practically a necessity for observing.
I am so glad that I bought this product. As a very amateur astronomer I enjoy taking out my scope and just looking around. I have no 'to do' lists, I just wander.I find that it's difficult for me to always bend and twist (and shout) while trying to peer through a reflex sight. It certainly looks absurd to see my cheek almost welded to the scope tube trying to sight in a target whilst trying to move and step around the scope base.When I received the sight I found the instructions a bit vague. The sight itself is quite large, homely looking, and very low tech. It uses 2 large strips of permanent tape to mount onto the scope tube. All this was a bit of a let down until I decided to use it. Since I have a 16" Dob the Telrad size didn't matter. I cut the 2 adhesive strips in half so that if I wished to use the Telrad on another scope I wouldn't spend hours getting it off. It runs on AA batteries and the battery holder is a bit cheap. Putting the whole thing together had me asking myself "Is it really this simple?" Yes, it is. This makes me rethink my need for whiz-bang, shiny, and expensive tech toys.Upon using the Telrad I was just amazed. No faint cross-hair that pops in and out of view. No narrow viewing angle. I can actually stand by my scope and peer over into the Telrad at a bright (and adjustable) target circle. So many frustrations just went away. This tool is easy to use and a steal. Please consider buying the Dew Shield Plus as it gives it even more versatility.
The Telrad is an easy to use 1x (that is right one power) reflex finder. I use one with my Meade 8&quot; LX200 telescope. The advantage of a reflex finder is that you can aim the telescope at the area you see with your naked eyes. If I had one of these finders when I started out with my first telescope, I would have spent more time looking at objects than looking for them. It can be used as a complement to the &quot;minature telescope&quot; finders, or with a &quot;Go-To&quot; scope as the only finder. How does the Telrad work? it projects three concentric rings of 4, 2 and half a degree on a transparent window that you look through. The key to using it is to point the telescope at a bright object, then align the reticle (rings) to be centered on the object, and then use the rings to point the scope where you want to observe. The biggest advantage is if you aren't on a target, you can see which direction you need to move the scope without having to make the mental calculation... is my image reversed/upside-down, etc.? The one drawback is that you can only use objects (stars) that you can see with the naked eye. That makes it less useful in light polluted areas. The one thing about the Telrad that is a pet peeve, is that it is large. Also, in damp locations, it is suseptable to dew. There are a number of simple solutions to this. Since installing the Telrad on my LX200, I haven't used the 8x50 finder that Meade sells as standard equipment.
I have this Telrad. It is big which might be a problem on a small telescope. On my 20in Obsession Dob scope its great. Most times I don't even need my big finder scope. The variable intensity red circles work great and to me battery drain is not great. I keep mine on all night long while observing. A complaint I do have not necessarily with the the Telrad is living in Florida with high humidity I get lots of dew on my telescope accessories. Sometimes my Telrad gets very hard to use because of lots of dew, then I use a hair blower and in a few seconds the Telrad is perfect. ( Just bought an electric dew buster to  be installed for less dew on eyepiece).A word of caution and advice. Get a white sock to put around your Telrad if you are are not putting a cover over your scope in the daytime (like I sometimes see at star parties). You don't want the sun's direct rays to damage the reticule of the Telrad. I also have a sock to put around my secondary mirror holder and a big wooden light weight cover to protect the primary mirror plus a full cover for the telescope. Telescopes are expensive ...you got to protect them from the elements especially the sun.Ive had my Telrad for a few years and have never had a problem with it. Take care of it and it will really help you easily center a naked eye star. The screws with the Telrad allow easy adjustment of the Telrad. After a minute looking through the Telrad and  looking through the eyepiece you slightly adjust the Telrad and lock it with the screws. A star in the Telrad bulls eye is usually CLOSE to the center of my eyepiece...not too far out. Only have to adjust the Telrad once per evening. Most times  if the Telrad is not bumped it does not need adjustment for another evening.  I get this done, than use the Argo Navis for goto ( star in bulls eye of Telrad and  same star in eye piece with Argo Navis goto is usually almost dead on) with the Servo Cat for tracking.As an amateur astronomer of over 40 years I find the Telrad Finder Sight is a great telescope accessory I would not be without. 5 star. I didn't buy my Telrad from Adorama Camera but have bought other stuff from them. Good company and had no problems.
A wonderful astronomy tool. I'd recently purchased a Celestron C8 Advanced SGT. Multiple star alignments for tracking had been a little frustrating as it was difficult to actually get pointed to the correct alignment star in my light-polluted environment. With the Telrad, moving my equatorial mount to the correct location to actually get the star in the finder or eyepiece became very much easier.Telrad Finder Sight
I can't write enough about how efficient and effective this sight is. I mounted it on my Meade 8&#34; LX-200 and the improvement over the supplied 8X50 spotting scope was dramatic.It makes the process of setting up the scope's GOTO capabilities a breeze. I bought the Dew Shield + but haven't had a need for it yet. The shield stays out of the way in normal conditions. If you have multiple scopes, get extra base(s). It even works well when moved between them.
I was a complete amateur telescope owner.. I read some reviews on the Celestron 114eq and nearly all said to invest in the Telrad. Only too one evening to realize they were right.. The Telrad Finder Sight is so simple to use and setup it was incredible.I did cut a 2&#34; piece out of the mount so my OTA can be moved in all directions freely..Just measure and cut the piece out..make sure the 2 parts of the mount are lined up straight and the right distance apart. Anyone can do it.
Two important ideas about the Telrad: where to place it on the telescope, and how to use it without yoga classes.I am an old man (68) new to Astronomy. I love my Telrad, but I had to read many blogs before I found the sweet spot on my Z10. I put my Telrad right between the focus control and the finder scope. Just enough room to fit, near me, right where I work. To do that I had to file 1/4 of an inch off the side off the detachable Telrad bottom stand. This makes the Telrad easy to use. Now on my Drum thronePacific Drums and Percussion 700 Series Drum Throne(telescope seat) I can tilt my head down toward the scope, place my ear on the scope and look up the Telrad and move the scope, then effortlessly shift to see through the eyepiece. No fuss, no getting off my chair, all effortless.This works well except I don't take yoga, I should but I don't. This means that the higher the scope points the harder it gets. This is where the second idea comes in. I also noticed that when my target is straight up, rather than looking through the glass along the scope tube -(and taking a class in yoga) , I can look down at the outer top of the glass on the telrad, and in the glass see the reflection of the stars! My head is now 90 degrees different than from the other 'correct way'. This is especially useful for Jupiter when it was high over head. It of course requires a star bright enough to reflect off the top of the glass, but many stars are that bright, so it works well for me.I considered the 2 inch and 4 inch risers, but they make it difficult to move my telescope from the house to the back yard. I would have to remove them and then put them back on. Why go to the effort if it is not necessary. I also thought about a dew shield with mirror, but again moving it down the hallway through the kitchen and out the back door, it is big enough already. My Telrad never moves, and I can set my scope in the backyard in 3 minutes. Just remember to double check the off switch each time you move your scope.Remember you love the beauty of the sky, don't make too much of a project of getting your scope ready and then putting it away. Design it all for ease of use.
I got my Telrad finder for Christmas. In March, I took my 6x30 finder off of the telescope. This is a "must have" device! I can hop around faster with this and some Telrad charts, and see more objects than most people can with a computerized mount. Buy one, it's worth every penny.
Works well and does exactly what it is suppose to do. Might want to consider getting the mounting riser too
I would not order this paper again. The paper arrived damage along with the tub. I can't use it for photography at all.
The only problem I have with this is the color was really more cream that white. Since there was no description about what kind of white#28 was.... it was disappointing. It's more an eggshell, cream or off white its definitely not white white.I would suggest to the seller to provide swatches of the different colors/#'s of "white" they provide and post it with each different white background so you can accurately select the correct color you need. Since I'm photographing dogs for a rescue its not a huge deal but if this had been for paying customers It would have gone back. The paper quality was fine the packaging it came in was fine. The tape used to hold the roll together was a pain in the butt to get off but not a huge deal.
I was a little skeptical on this product because of the cheap price and the lack of reviews. But it is just what it says it is, and I am really happy with my purchase. I would definitely buy this again!
THIS WORKED OUT WELL FOR OUR NEEDS, WAS DURABLE ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO BEING MOVED AROUND SOME AND TO A LITTLE WIND FROM THE HVAC IN THE BUILDING SO IT DID IT'S JOB.
Great quality, very thick and strong. I just used it with a motor cycle on top and was moving the tires around a bit and the paper didnt even tear once, very happy with the quality. The color is a bit on the creme white color and if the lights are a bit far, the color would start to look a bit grey. Nothing a little photoshop can't fix.
Its not really white. Its more off white, kind of white, almost white, wish it was white. I would say it is more ivory than anything....hmmm....maybe not even ivory, sort of yellow white.
Good quality paper at good price.  Shipping costs a little bit, but hard to beat the price even with shipping.  Paper fits on 1.5" pvc used with my home built frame.  It does what I need it to.
This works very well as a backdrop.  If it gets dirty where you stand, or rips a little, just cut some off and start over.
I've got my money's worth.  I've used this paper as background for portraits and was able to over expose it and cut the subject off.  Also, I moved the lights away until I made it look a dark gray.My only complaint is the lenght that might not fit in your car but it wide enough to place a whole family of 10
The size is great but it's WAY to thin for a back drop, might as well use a bed sheet. It could probably be use if you want to paint it and make it a darker back drop, but it's still to thin, the light goes straight through it.
Very sharp, and with intangibly better feel of the images compared to the cheap telephoto lenses.  This copy has a dead-on focus, which is expected here, but rarely happens with the cheap ones.  Pleasant bokeh.  The colors are slightly on the warm side, and there is a volume, almost 3D feel in the images.
This is my upgrade lens. I used the 100-400L IS lens for birding before this lens. I use this lens on 7D with or without TC's.Pros:- Well built- Weather sealed- Sharp wide open- Bokeh is amazing- Mind blowing colours- Very good resolution- Very fast on 7D- Almost noiseless focus. The IS kicking in before the shutter is completely pressed is the only noise I hear- Glass coating looks very good- Amazing piece of glass- I purchased this lens after Canon announced the version II lens. By this time, the price is pretty much mature and stable and reasonable for this kind of lens- Works very well with the 1.4X version II TC- Works very well with some loss in AF speed but high image quality with the 2X Version III TCCons:I can't really think of any. I mean it's heavy as it's a f2.8. But that's expected for this focal length and f stop.
I could give it a 5 but nothing is perfect. The EF 300 is still a heavy lens although you can handhold it in good light. This lens is very sharp and you won't be disappointed. This lens works well with the Canon 1.4 and 2 x extenders so it gives you some options in terms of possible focal lengths. This lens is just incredibly sharp and if you can afford it, well worth the expense.
The biggest factor in making this purchase was the F/2.8. I had thought about the F/4 version but losing the AF with a 2x TC on my 20D was the deal breaker for the F/4. That and I knew I'd be always questioning myself later on down the road.I just can't believe how sharp this lens is even wide open. The weight can take some getting used to and having a grip on your body helps out with the balance of it.One word of warning though, if your a hobbyist and decide it's to expensive to buy, never rent one. If you do, chances are you may not be satisfied with any of the other offerings once you see the results from this lens.
I'm a professional photographer and using this lens to give me some extra power for outdoor game photography.  I often shoot from a standard sized football/soccer field from the end zone and can capture clear full-body sized action images when the players are in motion and from about 50 yards can capture good quality upper body/torso shots using the combination 1.4 extender with a 300mm 2.8 telephoto lens.  Occasionally, I will use the 2.0 extender with the 300mm 2.8 lens when I want to get some upper body/torso shots about 75+ yards away from the opposite end zone.  The image clarity and focus speed aren't noticably impacted by the extender vs lens alone and I would highly recommend this combination as an affordable option to buying a more expensive telephoto lens.
Love the Mark 2 version of this lens.  'Sweet' ain't the word folks.Tack sharp image.  Ultra-fast precision focus.Totally hand-holdable, even with a gripped DSLR.Get it.Now.
This is a beast of a lens that can create some incredibly sharp images. Bolted to my Canon 7D (an APS sized sensor) this works out to be a 480mm f2.8 (35mm equivalent) lens. I have never seen images this sharp in my life.My primary use for this lens was football, night games. I now completely understand why professional sports photographers own this lens; it worked as easily in daylight as under stadium lights.I'd like to share bit of advice for the person considering this lens for football photography. This is probably way more lens than you want. With an APS sensor, like those on a Canon 7D, 60D, or the Rebel digital line, the telephoto is really too extreme. I found myself backing way off to get decent pictures, more like 30, 40, or 50 yards. The 200mm f2.8 USM with no image stabilization is an inexpensive (compared to this lens) alternative. I would guess that the 200mm f2.0 IS lens is more expensive but probably just as amazing as this 300mm. The 70-200mm f2.8 IS zoom is probably a good lens, but likely gives up some sharpness.You absolutely have to use a monopod with this lens, at nearly 6 pounds for the lens alone; it is hard to imagine holding the camera steady enough under stadium lights. And then let's not talk about the muscles required to hold this thing up. I did discover why professionals put their left hand on top of the lens instead of holding the monopod handle; it is much easier to aim this beast and the weight adds stability to the lens.The focus is wicked fast. I imagine the camera body has a little to do with this speed, but the combination of super fast motors, focus limit switch, and huge light gathering is a major benefit. This speed is a good thing and a bad thing. Whenever a ref ran in front of the camera, the focus is so fast; it almost acquired focus on the ref. The bad part, I don't normally take pictures of refs, and would prefer the players to stay in focus. The good part, if a player is moving fast in any direction, this lens keeps up with focus perfectly.How sharp is this lens? In daylight, I took a waist up picture of a person, essentially filling the frame. I can count the hairs on their arm. An image of a waterlilly, filled about half the frame, with a 3 inch dragon fly on the flower. I can count the barbs on the bug's legs. There is absolutely no chromatic aberration, no blue fringing around white highlights.For something this expensive, even if you have the money, it is a really good idea to rent one of these first. This is a very special lens. I've never seen sharper images and faster focus. But it is a beast; you certainly won't have to lift weights at the gym after lugging this around for three or four hours. It is also a very good idea to read the owner's manual, there are some buttons and switches that are just not intuitively obvious.It appears that Canon has announced a replacement for this lens, lighter weight and a third setting for image stabilization. If this lens goes through a price reduction, it will be a steal (the new lens sounds like evolution).
I frequently shoot motorcycles on the street and track. Last racing season, I rented this lens several times and fell in love with it. It has fantastic sharpness and great reach--which can be augmented with the 1.4x teledapter or the occasional 2.0x. (Throw in a camera with a 1.6 crop, and you've got a looong lens.) The two mode IS and the relatively light weight make this a great lens for doing pan shots. For setups where steadiness is required, the central monopod/tripod mount helps maintain the camera's balance although having a heavy camera (1DmkIIN or a 20D with a battery grip) helps.This lens was worth every penny.
If you're looking at this lens, you're ready to spend some serious dollars. Is it worth it? Short answer, yes, but I'll elaborate.I've shot with a variety of Nikon and Canon lenses for about 25 years. The 300 f/2.8L IS is without a doubt the sharpest lens I've ever had, and it is unbelievably consistent across every aperture. With the 1.4X Canon extender - other its becoming an f/4 lens - I could not see any appreciable change in its performance. Unbelievable.I got my introduction to image stabilization on the 70-200 f/2.8L IS, and it is even more useful on the 300. I handheld consistently crisp shots at 1/60 and sometimes at 1/30. With my old Nikon 300 mm, anything below 1/250 was out of the question and 1/500 was a good idea. The whirring of the IS is a bit louder on the 300 than the 70-200.When shooting action in AI Servo mode, the autofocus was as fast as on my shorter prime lenses.In some forums, people swear by third party long lenses that they say produce as good an image at less than half the cost. All I can say is that their experience probably reflects the limitations of their skills rather than the comparability of the lenses.With the 1.4X extender and my 1D Mark IIN's 1.3X FOVCF, this becomes a 546 mm lens. On a 1.6X FOVCF camera it's a whopping 672 mm.Here are some other Canon alternatives and why you might want to go with them instead of the 300 f/2.8L IS:- Canon 300 f/4L IS - less than half the price; it is lighter and has a built-in lens hood that doesn't require assembly; you lose a stop, and while a very sharp lens, not in same class at the f/2.8. good choice if you don't have the money for the f/2.8 or want to spread it among other lenses.- Canon 400 f/2.8L IS - a longer reach without losing a stop but the price and weight increase significantly; not really hand-holdable; lens of choice for outdoor sports action.- Canon 500 f/4L IS - if you want to shoot birds, you'll need the extra reach. It's cheaper than the 400 2.8 but a couple thousand more than the 300. Sharpness is comparable to the 300.- Zoom lenses (70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS; 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS) Cheaper, lighter and more flexible but a serious compromise on image quality vs. 300 f/2.8L IS.Best argument against the 300 f/2.8L is that you won't shoot often enough at that focal length or you want to buy more lenses for the money.I'm saving my pennies now to add the 500 f/4L IS for bird and other wildlife distance shooting. It will take a few years.
Let's get this out of the way at the beginning.  This lens is huge, heavy, and VERY expensive.  The price is very hard to stomach, but when you take a while to realize the technical brilliance and attention to perfection that went into designing and manufacturing this lens, it becomes apparent that it's worth it.I owned this lens for about two years and shot sporting events (football mainly) and weddings (ceremonies).  It essentially has no optical weaknesses.  Sharpness is exemplary at any aperture, from corner to corner on a full frame.  It's sharper than your sensor, which means that teleconverters work VERY well with it.  On lesser lenses (zooms), teleconverters rapidly degrade image quality.  On this lens, they don't.  Besides resolution, other areas of optical performance (bokeh, CA resistance, color, saturation) are all startlingly good.  If you can't get a good picture with this lens, you have no excuse to blame your equipment.Functionally, this lens is a handful.  Being so large and so heavy, careful technique needs to be used to get optimum results.  I personally recommend a monopod for most work with this lens, though handholding can work for brief periods if you are strong and well balanced.  The focus limiters work great and are highly recommended if quick focusing is critical (sports/wildlife).  Build quality is tank-like.  This thing is built to take a 3-4 foot drop onto concrete without damage.  Even if you find copies of this lens which appear all banged to hell, odds are they are flawless on the inside and function perfectly.This is a top-shelf professional tool built to last decades, not years like most consumer products.  If you can get past the initial price, then the rest is photographic nirvana.
I shoot track & field, cross country, and nature photos with this lens, and the sharpness and the image quality are unparalleled.  After 4 years I'm still amazed at what this lens does.  Flawless.
What a lens!  Expensive an slightly heavier than I expected with my IDs Mk III but even with a 1.4 extender the speed of focussing necessary for bird photography  and the sharpness exceeds the 70 - 200 mm 2.8 IS lens and gives you over 400 mm reach.If you believe bird photography is about the bird then  this is like holding the bird in your hands at arms length.
If you're considering this lens then you must already have, or can get the means in which to pay for it. With that being said... GET IT!! I waited and am kicking myself for doing so. Sure the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L series I bought at the time is still a GREAT lens, I just wished I'd have had this for the last 3 months. Esp if you add a 2x canon tele-converter. or if you have one of the camera's with the cropped sensors. I can tell you that my 5D loves it. The pictures as stated before are tack sharp and when you crop for that KILLER shot whooo baby. If you have any doubt, I would suggest trying to rent one first, but I tell you..... if you do rent one, you will end up buying one. It is simply that good.
I've had mine for a couple years now, then added 1.4, and gets mounted on the 1DsMkII when at the race track usually.Quite the beast when this set-up has to be toted around.A quick 60 second sample at Youtube of Iowa Speedway will show you how far from Tv camera operator up on crane about 250 feet comes in tack on the mark.Actually I was trying to capture the view he was seeing of the race on his camera's monitor.But I forgot in the heat of the race about screen scan, where shutter has to be about 30th of a second to get full scan of monitor.So never forget this in the future.This lens has so many built in features, that its' a machine by itself.UPDATE JAN 20 2012Wow, this guy has increased to $6000.00 since I purchased it.Glad I got it when I did.
Love:- Sharp wide open and that is what counts (sharpens nicely with software).- Sharpens more when stopped down an f-stop (outstanding resolution).- Fast auto focus (fastest I have seen).- Solid build (switches and rings are precise without play).- Replaceable flat front glass which protects the adjacent UD element.- Autofocus stop buttons.- Dust and water resistant.- Programmable preset focusing.- Removable tripod collar.Like:- Optical image stabilization (wish it had the newer 3-4 stop version).- Hard case (good for storing lens in your house, vehicle or airplane).- A good way to meet nice strangers (especially the ladies) who approach and raises questions about the lens.Dislike:- E-145 lens cap (will dislodge if lens is carried in the field with the hood reversed).- Paint will come off on the barrel at the ET-120 lens hood contact point.- Need to buy Canon touch up paint to repaint lens hood contact point on barrel.- Not a dislike but the strap's buckle can scratch the prism housing (position the buckle close to the lens away from the camera).- Weight (not really hand holdable and needs at least a monopod).- Cost (but it's faster and sharper than the Canon 300/4 versions).This is the sharpest and fastest autofocus lens in my collection.  The 70-200/4 IS is a close second.Please refer to my uploaded photos.
I bought this lens for sports photography.  TheCanon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasis the classic sports photographer's lens, but it's almost twice the money and twice the weight.  This was a compromise, and it's one I don't regret.Even so, this is a pretty heavy lens.  It may be hand-holdable for some, but not for me. I almost always use a tripod or monopod, or brace it against something.  With a monopod, it's easy to handle; I routinely use it to photograph 3-hour baseball games, and don't get tired.Because it's so heavy and bulky, it's not the kind of lens you bring with you casually.  But I've found myself using it for a lot more than sports.  Photographing flowers, say, to get that beautiful bokeh.  I got some nice photos of the moon with it during the last eclipse.The sheer size of this lens does attract attention.  People are always coming up to me and asking if I'm a reporter.  The results are worth it, though.  You'll get shots that are simply impossible with a lesser lens.(I have not had any problem taking this lens, with monopod, into spring training games and minor league baseball games.  They will hassle you at some major league stadiums.  If you want to photograph big league games, theCanon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerasmight be a more practical choice.  It's much smaller and lighter.  No image stabilization, but is far easier to hand-hold.)UPDATE: I've since had a chance to use theCanon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Telephoto Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, and it may be an even better choice for sports photography.  It is smaller, though just as heavy.  The extra speed makes up for the shorter length, especially for night games.  You can also use an extender and get almost the equivalent of the 300mm.
This is the best canon lens I own to date.  I prefer the 300mm f/2.8 over the 400mm f/2.8 lens based on weight & size for my specific need.  The 300mm does not require a monopod, the 400mm in my opinion always requires a monopod or tripod.  My main usage is capturing high school and college sports, typically softball and band.  I use this 300mm and the 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens  90% of the time.  The 400mm f/2.8 lens at ~11.8 lbs is over twice the weight of the 300mm f/2.8 at ~5.6 lbs.  I much prefer to carry the 300mm and the 1.4 canon extender for those few times I need a closer shot.  My camera body, the 300mm f/2.8, the 70-200mm f/2.8, a fish eye lens, the canon 24-70mm L and a book all fit very comfortably in the Temba "large" camera shoulder bag as I walk to any high school / college sport activity.I take many sport pictures at night, still I find the the 300mm and 70-200mm lens are my favorite, even over the 200mm L f/2.0 Canon lens which is dropping in price.  At time of purchase, it cost $1000 more than the 300mm f/2.8 lens. I strongly recommend renting the 200mm f/2.0 canon lens before making a purchase.  It's a nice lens which has great reviews but I'm not convinced this was a wise purchase based on price / performance.If I had to pick one of these 3 canon lens for general outdoor sports: 1) 300mm f/2.8  2) 400mm f/2.8  3) 200mm f/2.0, it would be the 300mm hands down.  Of course, this is ratings for my specific need.
As good as it gets.  Fast AF, image stabilization (that works), great color & contrast, and works well with the 2X extender making it a 600mm f5.6.  It is expensive, but if you need a fast super telephoto with unbelievable image quality this is it.Can be effectively handheld for short periods, but best used with a tripod or monopod.If you check around you will find that this lens holds its resale value quite well, although most people that do part with this lens will later regret selling it.There are only a few on-line vendors I trust when ordering something of this cost.  In the 10 years I've ordered from Amazon they have always not only honored their return policy, but on one occasion when the manufacturer was slow to help with a defect Amazon agreed to a refund well after the 30 day return policy had expired.If you are unsure, try renting first.  As another poster mentioned, other lenses will pale in comparison.
I am not a professional photographer. I bought this lens from Ebay, used and without IS. The lens is very fast, sharp and sturdy. I like it very much. I used this lens to take pictures of deer in my backyard. But the lens is very heavy. You cannot use it without a tripod or monopod. However, I have a question and I would appreciate if you could spend a moment to share your valuable experience with me. Does this lens require a UV filter and a Polarizing filter? I bought two of these filters, each 110mm in size, thinking that I could install them at the front end of the lens. But there is no thread in the rubber-molded rim at the front end of the lens. I checked the Amazon specification above and noticed that a 52mm dropped-in filter is mentioned. (Nothing mentioned about any 110mm filters). Logically the only location for putting a 52mm filter would be at the back end of the lens. Discussing with a filter supplier in England, I was informed that there is a 52mm gel-type filter at the back end covered underneath a screwed-plate. This 52mm lens may have been put in there by Canon when the lens was built. I bought the 110mm filters from this filter supplier, then he asked me whether the 52mm gel-type filter is available in market. Now I have two problems to solve: (1) Do you use UV and Polarizing filters with this lens? If so, how do you fasten them to the lens, and (2) Is the 52mm filter available in market? and where to get it from? Thank you.
THIS IS THE BEST LENS EVER!  WHEN YOU THINK YOUR 70MM TO 200MM ZOOM IS GREAT, TRY THIS ONE. FASTER AND CLEARER.  PERFECT & FLAWLESS.
...but the lens I bought just before this one was a 600mm f/4 IS L.  Given that I'm the kind of gung-ho photographer who still handholds his 600mm, I can call this lens light too!I consider f/2.8 to be the single most important factor in buying a lens.  If a lens isn't f/2.8 it needs to have some special quality to make it seem worth buying.  I bought the 600mm first because I was tired of how far away the lions were at the zoo.  I have a 100-400 IS L, so I knew it needed to be longer than 400mm.  Once I had the 600, though, the koalas were too close.  The 300mm seemed to be the perfect lens to try next, since I could bump it up with the 1.4x teleconverter to get double duty out of it.I honestly was expecting it to be larger and heavier than it is.  All in all, I'd have to call this a very manageable lens.  Far heavier and more expensive than the nearly-free 75-300mm, but well worth it.The big problems with a lens like this is depth of field.  Shorter slower lenses have more of it.  It is a little frustrating how little DOF is available at f/2.8 and 2.5 meters.  On the other hand, that is also a major selling point.You just can't beat this for sharpness.  By all accounts it is the sharpest and fastest auto-focusing lens that Canon makes.  I can't prove or disprove that, but it is sharp and it is fast.
This was advertised as a Hewes brand reel, it was NOT a Hewes Reel, it was a cheaply made Japanese brand that does not work well at all.
This is a top notch reel. Made of quality stainless steel for durability and made of thicker metal than other brands to help prevent bending. Has a very easy clip to assist in rolling your film up. I've tried the Adorama reel and it paled it comparison. I would definantly recommend this product to anyone looking for a quality reel.
This is a replacement for the reel that came with a tank I purchased.  The tank is good, but the reel wasn't (I think Chinese made).  Anyway, this reel is heavy duty, and film loads easily - though loading anything in a changing bag takes some practice.
After some practice, this reel makes it easy to load a film. I'd definitely recommend this item. I already bought another one.
These stainless steel reels are what has been used in wet darkrooms for many, many years and are still the best you can buy. Nowadays, companies are making the cheap plastic reels and plastic tanks which in my opinion, aren't as good as the stainless steel. I've used both and the stainless steel tanks and reels always seem to work better for some reason. This one works very well. I've loaded a few dozen rolls onto this thing and have never had a problem with any of my rolls of film coming loose or falling off the reel.
Unlike many generic reels, this one just works exactly as it's supposed to -- film simply goes in on the first try. The prongs that hold the film sprockets are ingenuios too. The twelve dollar difference between this piece of engineering and inferior generic alternatives is well justified.
I bought this reel used... I am happy with the pre-owned Hewes 35mm reel, the previous owner took good care of the reel, and was able to ship with original box.  I would buy used again.As far as reels go, the Hewes photographic equipment is alway high quality, if given a choice in product name I will always buy Hewes first, this is why I choose to buy used, because their equipment is so well made I can not see anyone abusing it to where it could become useless.redkey
Over several decades I've used various kinds of reels for developing 35-mm film and finally tried these from Hewes.  They are by far the best of the kinds I've used.  Near the center of the reel is a piece of metal with two little prongs that fit the sprocket holes on the film; when you spool the film onto the reel you latch the end of the film onto the two prongs and the film is held nicely in place.  Since getting the Hewes reels I've processed a half-dozen rolls with no problems, and for me they are faster to load.  Highly recommended.
I have the 1inch one and purchased a heavier camera body. The 1.5 inch is amazing, very sturdy and looks great!
I ditched my Canon 7d strap for this easy to use Domke.  I also own this strap in black.  For weddings and professional work, I use my black strap with a black Domke bag to remain more low-key.  When I am street shooting for fun or out in the wilderness, I equip my camera with this tan strap.Many people have mentioned that the quick release swivel hits their bodies and that they are worried of it scratching their gear...this has not been an issue with my equipment.If you are a fan of Domke, this strap will live up to your expectations of what you need in a strap.  Its strong enough to hold your biggest lenses!
Much more comfortable than the factory neck strap. I let my fiancee try it on her D7000 and it hasn't been returned...guess that's a good sign. I've since turn to a different type of neck strap, but I'd still rate this one highly for the short amount of time I had it and for my factor in my fiancee's reluctance to give it back. 1 star off for the metal swivels...would have preferred no swivel.
Just as most people will, I have replaced my OEM provided camera strap with an aftermarket strap.  I hated advertising my camera brand and the Nikon strap being made of nylon had a throating thrashing friction when whipped too quickly.  This Domke strap feels great and I noticed immediately the wider width spread the weight.  This strap also has quick release clasps and the strap appears to adjust way past what the OEM strap would (good news if you're a larger guy like me).I don't care about padding but can appreciate the wider width since I use a heavy telephoto.  I recommend this as a proper replacement to any OEM branded strap.
As I advance and mature as a professional photographer, I find myself gravitating to all products Domke. This change is really evolutionary as I discover that the simplicity and minimalism of Domke products really lend themselves to professional use. Camera straps are no different.I have owned nearly every camera strap and camera strap system out there includingBlack Rapid RS-7 Camera Strap (Black),Crumpler Industry Disgrace Camera Strap IDE001-B00000 - Black, and even "systems" such as theOpteka MCH-25 Multi Camera Carrier Harness Holster System for DSLR Cameras.  While many of these have unique or vertical applications, for day to day shooting (though, not for me anymore), I always prefer the simplicity and minimalism of the Domke Web Strap.The construction of the Domke Strap is exactly as their camera bags. The strap has the famous Domke non-slip as the straps on their camera bags. Build quality is impeccable and by every account, this strap will last a lifetime (research Domke Straps lifespan online).  The swivels are top quality USA constructed and despite trying to get it to fail, I could not. The strap is extremely comfortable to wear and the more I break it in, the more comfortable it gets.  The strap is adjustable enough for large men to small women.  In short, it's everything you need it to be an more, while not being too much. It even easily fits into any camera bag.I seriously recommend you give up those bulky camera straps and gimmicks and come on over to Domke.  You won't regret it.
I purchased this strap and also the thinner, 1" strap for my DSLR.  The 1" strap was too small, but I have used this for over a year and it works great!  It still grips very well and handles wear and tear with ease.  It also easily disconnects from the camera without having to unweave it.  Recommended for anyone with a DSLR both for the comfort and support as well as the fact that it stops you from advertising your camera manufacturer everywhere you go. :)
The only thing I can say about this is that it works as it should. It's definitely well built.Con: Seems a bit price, but you get what you pay for.
The pro light is great for lighting backgrounds and other things. But it is a lot nicer to have these barn doors to get more precision when you use it. Great quality.
Works just like a OEM product.  Perhaps it is oem.  I can't tell the difference betweenthis product and the one I purchased with the pro-light 10 years ago.
This is not a complicated item and should always get 5 stars. Still, it was good to receive it in excellent working order
These barn doors are a pan to close all up evenly, but the way they are built you can cut off any spill light from the lowel pro light anyway needed
This film is a bit more touchy than the black and white film. Just be cautious of your cameras settings and the lighting in the surround area.
this is another product where the review doesn't matter a whole lot as there aren't any other choices. it's color film for your old polaroid. i like it but i think i still prefer black and white. totally a personal preference though. one thing to note about this film versus the black and white.. it wants a LOT of light. you either need a flash or lots of sun to work with the stuff.
I was that disappointed when I opened it. Time to buy a new camera, I guess.However, Fujifilm must be complimented for keeping the market open when Polaroid bailed due to silver prices.I recommend this product for cameras the film is appropriate for, merely because a Polaroid equivalent is astronomically gouged out.
Old Technology works perfect even after its expired. This is going to be a product of the past but does the job even well after months of expiration.Haven't got any 2-5 year expirations yet so I can't quite review those lol. I'm sure you will only see a little bit of color fading on development as long as the film hasn't been exposed of course.
I own a land 320 camera which I use this film for.I get fantastic results with the color vs the black and white film. I've really had no issues, and the price on amazon is pretty reasonable compared to brick and motor photo stores.
works as it should. I really like the colors contrast and depth of this film. 5 more words were required to leave this review
The price on the film was so low that I expected it to be outdated but it was newer than I expected.  The color is great and I'll use it up quickly enough the outdating does not concern me.  I appreciated the great price and fine service.
This product can be used for the polaroid pack film series, although it is hard to pull out. I don't know if it's because the cartridges are made of plastic opposed to the original metal ones that polaroid used to make or if it's supposed to be like that. Anyways, I got my film from Mel Pierce Camera! Even though it expired 8 months ago it still works just fine.
I use this film mostly for 4x5 preview, and the occasional lift or transfer.  Polaroid films lifted a whole lot better and you can be more creative with it.  Thanks to Fuji for still making it, just wish they still mad the 4x5 version.
Works well in my 1960-vintage Polaroid Model 100-class film pack cameras. Works out to about a dollar a print. I'm using it for a fine art photography project. Good color and saturation. Develops in 2 minutes at room temp. WIsh Fuji made film for the other Polaroid models. Third party film is available for those models but is very expensive and colors unpredictable (which can be a good thing depending on your objective!)
Digital, yeah it's great, but there is nothing like a print in your hand that you can give someone to take home.Polaroids are great because you don't have to hand over your camera so others can see the photo, they are bigger than the screen on the camera, and there isn't that viewing angle problem. You can still scan these photos, but you can also send a print home with someone that doesn't have e-mail.I use this film in my Polaroid 210, and my Polaroid Super Shooter Plus and it works great in both.
This is not a flaw but the inherent quality of the Fuji instant film. I spoke with a knowledgeable sales rep in a store today.I didn't notice it at all in the warm late afternoon light but when I exposed an image in a shaded area it really stood out as very blue-ish. If you are a novice: this is quite normal. Tailor where / what you shoot accordingly.Wouldn't it be SO nice if they hadn't discontinued their B/W instant film! So sad!
I got one good print.  The rest came out blank!!!???  I was disappointed as I expected better results from the Fujifilm FP-100c film.
Of course, with 100speed film, you already know plenty of light is required. As long as you have this, photos shot on this film will be vibrant in color, crisp and clear! You won't be disappointed!
I bought this film for my nephew for Christmas. It's just what he wanted he couldn't be any happier. he took pictures that night and they came out great!
Fujifilm, please keep making this sweet ambrosia that is more that fit for the gods! It is scrumptious!I run a music podcast and for artistic purposes I use film, since all the cheap labs closed over the past year locally I had to search out for something other than 35mm that would fit my budget and still give me the look I was looking for. I ran into a plastic Polaroid 104 and picked it up for $10. Searching around the internet I found this film, ordered it up and boom! These prints are HUGE compared to puny 35mm and with work you can get a negative so you have best of both worlds. An instant print and negative that you can play with later if you love scanning all within my budget!I also use Fuji Instax series film and Impossible Project Film as well, there is no replacing an instant print! I know have a small stable of Polaroid camera's and love the results! Keep up the good work Fuji!
I've been buying this film for many years and thank goodness the price is still reasonable.The Fuji FP3000 black and white film has become very pricey and I personally have some problems forking over the $$$'s for it.I may just sell the rest of my Polaroid Pack cameras if the film prices go up any more!
I am using this to replace the old Polaroid Color Pack 108 Film ASA 75 in an old Polaroid 350 as well as a Polaroid ProPack Camera.  The 350 has settings of 75 or 3000 and the ProPack 80 and 3000, so I am using 75 and 80 respectively.  I expected to have to compensate heavily with the lighten/darken controls but little compensation was needed.  One thing is that developing time as related to temperature is CRITICAL!  Example 90 seconds at 77 degrees and 120 seconds at 68 degrees.In the ProPack which has very limited shutter speeds I didn't have to compensate in bright daylight or indoor full flash.  However in shadows outdoors I did need to lighten a bit.  The 350 has a good light meter and wide range shutter so I set it on 1 tick lighter and it worked well in all environments.Color rendition is WAY better than I remember from the old 108 film and sharpness is excellent in the better lensed camera.  Exposure latitude is very narrow, so watch exposure and developing times.  If you do I think you will be pleasantly pleased with resurrecting your old pack cameras.
I got this film for a Polaroid Automatic 250 Land Camera that I found at this odd shop down the road from my hotel. This film is 100 speed, and the land camera only has the speed options of 75, 150, and 3000. You just have to adjust the darkness knob to accommodate this superficial incompatibility. The film works great, exactly as it should. There are methods of negative reclamation you can read about online, if you are into that sort of thing. This stuff is obviously better than the Polaroid film you can find around online, usually those are expired NOS boxes. Now all I need is a flash for indoor shots!
I use the FP-100C for proofing exposure and checking lights with my Hasselblad and 4x5. The exposure latitude is pretty narrow, which can be a challenge if you're shooting the film for its own sake, but it's perfect if you're proofing for negative film - if the instant film looks good, the neg will be perfect.
If I spend any money on Fujifilm, it's to buy this product. It's a steal at $7-$8 per box. You get 10 exposures, and I rarely have a problem with any of them. I have probably taken at least 140 photos with this film over the past two years, and they always come out with excellent color and develop quickly. If you have never shot pack film before, buy this.Each photo comes with development times as they relate to temperature so you know how long to wait for a good photo.
I wrote a previous review and was actually contacted by the seller because I noted that the product was not in its original box. I purchased three cartridges of film and they were shipped in a timely manner. This was a couple of weeks ago. I finely loaded a cartridge yesterday to test the film before an upcoming trip. I inserted new batteries and went into a closet to insert the film. I have used this product several times and know how to load cartridges and frequently service my cameras. I tried to make a couple of portraits and was shocked to find the first five frames exposed nothing at all. It was similar to throwing money in the trash and I was really getting agitated around the fifth frame. I put the camera away until I got back home. did one more test in controlled lighting to get the same results. I wanted to make sure it was the film and not my camera so I took out the old cartridge, and again went into a closet to insert a new one. Went back to where I had set up my lights had someone test the new cartridge and it worked fine. I am pretty upset I had a bunk first cartridge as this film really isn't cheap and I planned on taking all of it to a third world country where I was going to give the pictures out as presents to people willing to let me photograph them. Not too happy right now...can only hope the final cartridge doesn't yield results similar to the first one when I am overseas.
I've only used 5 shots, in a polaroid back on a bronica sq b. It's functional, the colors look great. I've only used their bw film in the back previously, but I like the color more. One thing of note though, make sure you don't peel the film a part until at least the minute or so it requires to develop.
great product, great shipping
but be warned that it did not work with my Polaroid EE 100 Land Camera as I was led to believe after extensive research on the web.
In camera shops cost $27 through Amazon $9, what more can be said except that seller shipped immediately.
Not much to say here since most people who buy this know what they are buying. I never shot instant as a kid because it was so expensive. My parents bought me a cheap Polaroid Swinger for my birthday without ever considering that I wouldn't be able to afford the film on my $0.25 per week allowance, nor did they consider that was the entire reason for the Swinger to exist. That is, to extract a kid's allowance or after whining the parents would kick in. Mine didn't budge.With that history behind me I hadn't thought much at all about this format until I bought a Mamiya RB-67 outfit last summer that included a Polaroid back. And now that I'm firmly lower middle class I figured I could afford to buy some of this stuff and try it out.It's not cheap at about 70 cents per image but it's fun and the image quality is excellent. Much more interesting than digital and just as in the past, people love to get a......sorry Fuji.......Polaroid of themselves.
I recently discovered an old polaroid land camera in my closet. I heard polaroid quit making the film for it, but found out that this film was compatible with it, so I was super excited! I had never operated this type of polaroid before, so pretty much all the pictures I took with the first pack I got turned out dark or black, but once I figured it out, the pictures I took turned out so well! I recently took my camera along with me on a beach trip, and the pictures turned out wonderfully. They had that nice vintage feel to them, like they'd been plucked out of a 60's photo album. I am so glad I discovered this film and will be getting much more of it in the future.
I love this film. It has gorgeous colors (less so in low light), and it's just so fun to use. I use it in my Polaroid Land Camera model 104, and my polaroid 600SE. The feeling of peeling apart that image and having an immediate physical print can't be beat!
Using this with an old Polaroid 340 Automatic Land Camera that I picked up at a re-sale shop, the quality of the image far exceeded my expectations (both film and camera). This film has great, deep colors and an excellent contrast range. This film requires almost double the exposure time compared to the B&W 100 but that just comes with the territory. I am equally impressed with the images produced on this color film as I am with the black and white.
The only option for your Polaroid and Keystone Packfilm cameras, but it's a GREAT option!Wonderful true and brilliant colors!  They make fantastic prints that people love.  You can also put two stamps on them and send them as postcards.  The negatives are recoverable, too, as long as you wait at least 2 minutes before you pull them off the print.  Use some bleach on the black back and you've got a negative that you can use in your slide scanner or your enlarger.  Check out online video sites to see how.
Like another reviewer, I bought this film after reading several other reviews stating that the film fits the camera.  It does not.  What a shame, I was looking forward to being able to use the camera, if only for nostalgia's sake.
Loved it!
I use this and the 3000b for my land cameras and I love em. I have a 250 a 101 and a 440.People do appreciate the 100c vs the 3000b more(There are just very few people that I know that appreciate black and white ). The colors are wonderful and is very nostalgic. The joy I bring to people when I take a photo of them, the anticipation and the wait for the film to get ready and finally the reward of capturing a moment in life. The smiles I get is just wonderful and very rewarding.
I started off buying one just in case I got a lemon (based on other reviewers). When first using it I thought there was an issue with the film (turns out it was the camera - light leaks). Overall I plan on fixing my Polaroid EE100 light leaks and have purchased more of this film. Since I don't have access to a dark room it's fun to be able to wait for the photo to develop. I highly suggest purchasing this film from Amazon and buying up to $25 worth so you can get the free shipping. Plus it's better to just buy in bulk individually than the already bulk. Do the math and you'll see how much you save.
Got this for my 360 Land.Film was fresh and shot well after I got used to the development times/temperature process.Honestly took me two packs to get it down, but once I got a feel for it I was good to go.Only drawback is the amount of waste generated. Great film though!
I really hope this film sticks around forever. I use my Polaroid all the time. The colors are bright and do not fade. I make $5 a picture going around at bars taking pictures of drunk people. In two pictures, this film pays for itself! Do yourself a favor and put down your digital camera, go to your local flea market or online, and find an vintage Polaroid. Then, order some of this film. You'll be amazed on how much cooler instant photography is.
The reclaimed negative seemed to have ~50 lp/mm on my scans. This is about triple what fuji's spec sheet says so I assume that figure is for the prints only.The colours are a bit flat. This makes it difficult to use for landscape/abstract photos, but it works well with humans.If you scan negatives, you can always increase saturation in post, but I wish it was there to begin with.I shoot this on a field camera with the Fuji PA-145 back.It was a little difficult figuring out how to load it, but that's a one time thing.The price is very good for sheet film. Normally I spend $1+ per shot just getting one monochrome negative developed. Instant print + negative + colour for the same price is a good deal.As you probably know, its easy enough to reclaim the negatives using bleach.Also as many reviewers pointed out, the chemicals are caustic. For some reason they don't seem to irritate the hands, but they do irritate other parts of the skin. So don't touch your face after touching the chemicals.
This is a great film and it's at a great price. I love how the colors pop and are very true and realistic. My only complaint is that often I end up ripping the tabs as I try to pull them out, but anyone who uses pack film knows that this is just something that happens with any pack film. I use this on my Polaroid 450 and it's my favorite film for it, also the only one that I can get for it.
I am using this with a Polaroid back on my Hasselblad cameras.  I tend to let the pictures over expose for 10-15 extra seconds for better color rendition.  The only downside I see, is set up related.  Obviously, with mine, the print is only two and a quarter square.  That is rather small for a picture, (contact print).  But great for checking set up before you burn through a roll of film!
This is a marvelous film, especially when you use it with one of the folding Polaroid cameras. I have an Automatic 250 and get just gorgeous color and crispness from that camera on this film. Land may have thought the SX-70 his crowning achievement, but those old folding packfilm Polaroids have the SX-70 beat for image quality any day of the week -- and this FP-100c is just a wonderful flim.
When Polaroid quit business a few years ago it was, fortunately, not the end of instant film thanks to Fuji. In pre-digital days I used a lot of instant film in 4x5 and 120 formats for proofing. These days it is my art medium in an old Polaroid camera. Yes, the old cameras still work and this film fits those cameras. At a about a dollar per shot I have to be careful what I photograph but that's good! It makes me really think about the photo I'm taking.
This stuff is so much fun to shoot. Once you start you just can't stop. And the colors are so much better than the old polaroid.
FujiFilm worked just fine and did the job well. I would recommend this. Buying bulk helps out and its good to have many in stock.
This film is excellent. In my experience, nicer than most of the 3.25" x 4.25" packfilms that Polaroid produced. The colors are very good, the contrast and sharpness are also excellent.This film, if you're not already aware, is for pack-film style cameras. Check "The Land List" online if you're not sure what your camera uses. This film will fit many Polaroid Land cameras, and it does a great job as film in general.I've had about the same success rate as most Polaroid films, you might get a few bad shots here and there, but overwhelmingly this film works just fine. AS LONG AS THE EXPIRATION IS NOT TOO FAR OFF. Spend an extra dollar or two, buy from a reputable source (Amazon, BH Photo Video, Adorama, Etc.) and you should get some film that will work reliably.$6.50-$13 is the reasonable range for a pack, and that's cheap for instant right now.If you're new to analog, take your time. You'll have some problems, you'll lose a shot here or there, but the slowness, the deliberation, that's what this sort of thing is about.Get some of this film, get some lovely results, and get some more. I've used it for years, expired, new, and I've had almost universally good experiences with the Fuji films.
It worked perfectly and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you have the right camera, this is for you.
This film is from heaven.  It is so nice being able to use my Land Camera 250 again.  The color quality is very good, nice highlights and contrasts.  If you have a pack-film Polaroid camera then this is a must have.  Remember the art of photography?  You can relive it with Fuji instant film.
just purchased an old polaroid camera for my daughter.  Never thought we would be able to find affordable film.  thank you
This is WAY cheaper than the Impossible film and has much better color. Unless you find the peel-back film a major inconvenience, then I would recommend shooting the Polaroid film pack cameras with the Fuji FP-100c film over the SX-70's with expensive film.My only bang against the film is that it tends to darken a bit after developing, so be sure to overexpose a little.
It was my first time using this film for my Polaroid Land Camera 100. With only 10 exposures, i felt that buying just one pack wasn't enough. However, the product did arrive on time as expected. After doing a bit of research, after the first exposure, I started getting the hang of using my polaroid camera with the new film. I'll be purchasing more of this film for sure.
Got this film for my polaroid 420 land camera. This film takes beautiful full color pictures! Thank you fuji film for keeping pull and peel film alive!
Very  happy with the purchase of this Fuji Film, it worked on my camera real good. Was able to take pictures with ease, very easy to use.
We have ordered this product many times for our passport camera and 99% of the time it works great.  Only once was the film sheets stuck together, like they got too hot in transport.  That was an easy exchange for us with the no-hassle returns of Amazon.
It should have 5 just for the fact that Fuji still makes it and at an unbelievable price, but I just don't like the colors at all.They have a blue tint to it(from all 5 packs I've bought), sometimes I wish it was faster than ISO 100, I'd love 3000 but beggars cant be choosers!No matter the colors it's still really fun to shoot!
Great item...in a good price..got it at the day i wanted and i enjoy my pictures learning more about the history of photography///
It works flawlessly with my Polaroid 210 camera and my Vivitar Instant Slide Printer. I use the film regularly for transfers and other alternative processes. I just love it. Plus, there is something timeless about shooting it at parties or gathering. Yes, you can click away with your phone, but how many time do people actually print any shots?
title says it all.I chose this product [have purchased before] and bought it again. Since I use my holga I really need as much light as possible due to the 100 ISO.
I think this film is better than the old Polaroid.  I am using it in a converted old Polaroid 100 and 350.  Works great and I have even used some of it with an adapted old Cokin and Focus kits which cover the lens and the light sensor.  Fun to play with and the throwaway material can be used with bleach to recover a true negative, too.  Nice product and about $1 a shot, a little less per bulk buying.
I was searching for film for my polaroid 600 and this was one of the first items to pull up. I didn't see anywhere that they were compatable, but I figured, why else would this show up under the search? Anyways, I was pretty bummed when I came and I found out I couldnt use it. Bummer.
Fuji's FP series of peel-apart films are head-and-shoulders above their old Polaroid counterparts. Color, contrast, resolution, and ease of use are all better than I remember Polaroid being. Only complaint is that there is no negative with the FP films, but so long as the photos keep coming out razor-sharp and colorful, I'll get over it.
After reading some reviews that said this film would work in Polaroidcameras that took 600 series film, I purchased it....It 'does not' work....the thickness of the film cartridge is much thickerthan the 600 film cartridge, thus it 'will not' fit in cameras that takePolaroid 600 film.
I'm not going to write the usual review here, because lets face it.... people don't buy this format of instant film anymore just to get photos with the best image quality or the cheapest photos. Though perhaps some customers would be owners of legacy systems that still need this film to keep doing what they've been doing, if you're reading this then you're most likely interested in film photography for some sort of artistic reason.I originally bought this stuff for test exposures using Polaroid backs for Hasselblad and Mamiya medium format cameras, but later I decided to buy an old 1967 Polaroid 250 Land Camera off of eBay for $60 to see what I could do with whatever of this film is still being made. Best purchase ever!In the process of messing around I found that people were able to actually reclaim the negatives from these peel-apart films by using household bleach to dissolve the opaque black anti-halation coating on the non-emulsion side of the negative. (The negative is the part that you peel off and normally throw away because once it's been exposed to light and transferred its dye to the print its intended job is done. The thing is that it still has a negative image and you can still use it in an enlarger or film scanner if you can just get the thick black coating off the other side of it.)So now I basically take some shots on these, keep the negatives rather than toss them out, let them dry, then use bleach to remove the anti-halation coating on them. To see the process, do a search for "Fuji FP-100C Negative Reclamation". There are a bunch of videos on youtube and there's no generally agreed-upon "right way" to do it.The best tips aren't well documented anywhere I know of, so here's what I've learned so far:- UsingClorox High Efficiency Bleach Gelor some sort of similar "gel" type bleach works much better than regular bleach, but you can use standard laundry bleach or even bleach-based cleaners likeTilex Mold & Mildew Removeras long as the cleaner contains a high concentration of bleach. Stuff like Goo Gone, Goof Off, etc does not work.- If you want to get all artistic, you can use a paintbrush to brush the bleach gel on certain areas of the black coating, wait, then rinse the dissolved area away to get interesting borders around the negative. As you might imagine, other techniques are possible as well.- People use various methods for keeping the bleach off of the emulsion, but I find that if you slap the thing emulsion side down on a wet piece of glass and squeeze the water out from under it (sticking it to the glass) then it's rather hard for the bleach to get under the negative to damage the emulsion. Just make sure to start rinsing the bleach off from the middle of the negative so you don't flush water, and bleach, under the negative while you're trying to rinse the top off.- you MUST let the negative dry before doing anything, otherwise the emulsion comes off too easily.- After you initially let it dry, it seems that it's probably better to remove the black coating before washing the excess developer reagent "goop" off of the emulsion side. So use bleach, wash black stuff off, then wash the emulsion side off to remove any excess goop. Assuming you let the negative dry after peeling it off the print, you should be able to rub the emulsion with your finger under running water to get the reagent goop off.- Bleach will definitely cause the emulsion to come off. You can intentionally apply bleach around the edge of the emulsion to cause this to happen in a somewhat controlled manner to get a border effect or whatever.- After rinsing the negative off really well, it's best to dip it in photoflo to prevent streaking/bubbling during the drying. I actually don't have any photoflo so I've been messing withFinish Jet-Dry Drying Agent, Turbo Drywhich is a very similar non-ionic surfactant.After all of this is done, you have a negative that you can use in a scanner, enlarger, contact print, etc. The quality isn't exactly perfect but it's better than you'd probably think.Have fun! I hope Fuji keeps making this stuff!
I have been purchasing from this vendor a number of times but have been through 4 packs of film where the first 4 images are dried out. the film is not expired. Not sure what is going on.
FP 100 works with many many old polaroid cameras. New film, old cameras. Propacks, Square Shooters, Colorpacks, etc. Keep real photography alive! At roughly 70 cents per shot, how can you go wrong?  10 shots/7 bucks. Wow.
I love this film!Its easy, fun and beautiful.Grab an old polaroid land camera and fire off a few shots, make sure you use it in daylight or with a flash as its not great in the dark!Get some before its gone people! Support film!
I recently started playing with a Polaroid 104 pack film camera I had discovered in my grandparents' basement 20 years ago.  It sat on a shelf in my garage this entire time, until a few weeks ago I decided to see if it would work.  New battery and a pack of this film and I was off to the races.  The photos come out beautifully.  Initially I was worried about timing the development of the photos, but have seen that you could probably wait 2 or 3 mins and the photos still come out fine.  Recently bought a 5 pack to hopefully provide a summer's worth of photos!
I did go thru 3 packs of this trying to re-learn how to use it with my old Polaroid 450 (I still don't have it) But if you have trouble as well, here are some hints, reinforce the dark sheet tab with tape, do the same with the single Polaroid tabs until you learn the &#34;touchy &#34; process. The one time I was able to use a complete pack (in my 100) the film was exceptionally beautiful!
The colors from fuji are great, really brings things alive.This is now my favorite way to take photos.The cost per print I consider very low for a finished project, and in the end it will actually get used, unlike iphone photos.By soaking the print in hot water I've been able to do emulsion lifts and move the photo onto other surfaces.Just wish the 100 speed black and white wasn't discontinued.
Got the film very fast on &#34;Prime&#34; service and dated early 2015 (it's 3/14). This is almost exact replacement for the old Polaroid 664 color pack film. It uses a plastic frame, rather than metal, but otherwise is almost identical. Hope Fuji keeps making it since Polaroid bit the dust several years ago.
excellent film, easily as good as the original Kodak, and 2 more exposures per pack.  I will buy more of this product.
Used in Polaroid land camera 430 works okay but is only good for good sunlight or flash in that particular camera and its expensive...
It works great with my Polaroid 101 landfield camera.The colors are nice and it's the cheapest I found so I am very happy about it!
I made a mistake in ordering this film, I thought this will work with my Polaroid Land Camera One Step Sonar. Unfortunately, it didn't work. It's my fault in not checking if it's compatible with my old Polaroid camera. Nothing wrong with this film it just not the type for my camera To Amazon's credit,although it's not the suppliers fault Amazon re=imbursed me by crediting this amount for my future purchase. I appreciate the good customer satisfaction guaranteed policy of Amazon.This is the reason me and my wife have been a regular customer of Amazon.com
I have recently become very interested in instant photography.  At first I thought my only options for film would be the expensive "experimental" film through Impossible Project or expired Polaroid film on ebay, I was wrong.  After reading several blogs and forums online I kept noticing everyone talking about this Fuji peel apart film.  I bought a Polaroid 250 Land Camera on ebay and ordered 2 packs of the FP-100C.  I am so glad I discovered this film!  The quality is outstanding.  It has been so much fun taking pictures and pulling them out of my Polaroid camera, waiting about 120 seconds and peeling them apart.  I am so impressed with this color film that I am going to order the black and white version next.  So, find a great Polaroid Land Camera and buy this film now!  HAVE FUN AND SAVE FILM!!!
I have no idea how good the film is. It was purchased thinking it would fit a Polaroid camera. I did not realize it would not until after I opened the package.The descriptions for the Fuji films lack clarity. Non of them specify which cameras they work in.
The Fuji film is a replacement for the old Polaroid packfilm, so we have the irony that cameras from the 60's can still be used but newer Polaroids are stuck with the poor quality "Impossible Project" film.The package uses a plastic cartridge rather than the older metal, but so far I haven't had any problems because of it. My issues have been this is ISO 100 for a camera that uses ISO 75.  On my particular Polaroid despite being a faster ISO at default values my shots appear slightly under exposed.  This is easily fixed by leaving the "light/darken" setting always at a lighter value than normal, but I don't know if it's a quirk with my camera of the film.A few tips if you've never used this type of cartridge before:Clean the rollers after every use, chemical goop gets on it and can both gum it up and also keeps it from being a smooth surface to press out the developer.When you load it there should be a black paper tab sticking out with several white tabs beneath it. Pull out the black tab carefully and smoothly--it is prone to tearing but long as you pull the whole thing out you're okay.A white tab with a number on it is left--this also tells you what shot number you're on. After you take your shot pull on this hard until it tears off.  Done right the actual film unit itself will be sticking out just above it and can be pulled out in a smooth stroke.  I originally thought the tab pulled it out all at once and ended up ruining a pack trying to figure it out.If the camera double feeds or jams, open the back and check the roller carrier.  There's a metal wire loop that is supposed to latch into a hook on the camera back.  If it's come loose it's not tensioning properly.That's about it; the price is very reasonable even compared to 35mm as you don't need to develop the shots, and you get a long lasting glossy print.
This is a great price, and is just what I need for my camera. I use Prime so shipping is free and quick.
I bought both the FP-100 and 3000. But the picture came out interesting. I loved the result and its a hell of a lot cheaper then SX-70 or 600 film and you get 2 more shots than the others. I used a Polaroid Land Camera 104 with a external flash for indoor use. The used was expired but even expired film gave a very interesting faded look.
I bought this film since it work with my Land Camera 100. The cartridge was easy to put in the camera. One thing that I had to do is keep an even pressure as you pull out each developed film and the first black tab. If not the black tab will rip. The color of the developed photos was superb. The only problem that I had with the film is when I pulled out the ninth frame it tore the tenth frame out. I would definitely recommend this film and seeing it is the only 4x5 film that is still for sale.Pros:Color of PhotosLow cost (Compared to Impossible Film for other Polaroid Cameras.)Cons:None
It was not clear from the description if the film would work in my Polaroid models. It didn't, so it was a waste of money.
This was the first time I used this type of film. I had a little trouble loading it at first. As long as the lighting is good, the color is rich and vibrant.
This is really great film, first of all it's not for your normal 600 polaroid camera, it's for packfilm cameras. I currently use it with a Polaroid 450 camera and it's good stuff. Much better color than polaroids film and seems to hold color better if you lose track of time and let it develop too long. I've shot about 5 packs of it so far and love every pic, I tend to use fujifilm over other brands anyway whether it's 35mm or 4x5 and always seem to get great pictures with the stuff, buy it you will not be disappointed.
The FP-100c film is great for my Polaroids 103 and 340. I'm very satisfied with the results from the film as well.
I found a Polaroid Super Shooter at good will and am thrilled that I can find affordable film for it. This film works wonderfully in bright outdoor light, though it is not ideal for indoor pictures. If your camera takes polaroid type 100 film, you can't go wrong with this film!
This is a great substitution for the demise of Polaroid. I use this to proof my medium format shoots and often times, the robust colors come out so nicely. I'll even sometimes scan the instant photo. A great buy. And nice to have around for parties too.
This film is great for what it does. It is a one trick pony and the last of its kind.
I SAW POLAROID FILM FOR SALE ONLINE AT $40 AND MORE...THIS FILM DOES THE TRICK AND AT A FRACTION OF THE COST..ARRIVED QUICKLY AND I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!
Didn't fit the camera I have. I could have bought the wrong ones but the specs were correct.So I can't really make an honest review of the product quality seeing how it didn't even fit in the camera I have.
First off, Fuji mades the peel-apart film with more consistency than Polaroid ever did (there is no "box-to-box" adjustment necessary). Fuji doesn't have the variety (as of right now, FP-100C is the only film still in production). If your exposure is right, this film is very forgiving of overdevelopment. Colors are good, not quite 669, but very objectively accurate. Chemicals spread and lift off more consistently than the original. And you get 10 shots (as I recall, Polaroid gave you 8).But here are some tips to save you time and money.1.  If you have an automatic pack camera and are getting underexposures, tape a piece of ND 0.9 gel into the photocell (from the outside is fine). The cells go bad over time, there are no new ones, and you will get radically better performance.2.  Depending on your camera, use this rule to overcome the film's reciprocity characteristics: if it's overcast, add one small mark of exposure ("lighter"). If you're indoors (again, natural light), go one large mark lighter. This is important because with an f/8.8 lens and 100-speed film (set the camera to 75 color), the camera is always using shutter speeds that are in the danger zone for reciprocity error.3.  If your camera is working properly, you can use the 75 setting for this 100-speed film. This film dries darker in a huge way; so don't judge prints for fine-tuning exposure for a couple of hours.4.  Finally, since this film has a plastic housing that can get distorted by the camera back's spring pressure, fan the tabs and make sure they rest outside the chamber where the cartridge sits (when you insert the cartridge). Then, holding the cartridge down in the chamber, gently pull out about an inch of the black leader (so the narrow part and the "shoulder" are out). Then close the back and finish pulling the leader out. This eliminates 100% of the problem with torn black leader paper and stuck first and second prints.Have fun while this product lasts!
I wanted to test out an old Polaroid 100 camera and this film was available at a great price. I picked up a pack and it works just as I expected it to. I think it looks better than the original Polaroid 669 film with the typical Fuji saturation. If I decide to continue playing with the camera, I'll be buying more!
I'm really impressed with how compact this system is.  The case included is pretty nice, and there's even room for a few extras.  I'm surprised at how sturdy a $130 system could be, but it is.This is probably not great for a studio setup, but for someone on the move, it works well.  It took me about 5 minutes to set it up the first time (that included unpacking).  Now I can get it done in under 3.
I have no complaints about this backdrop stand.  I have had it for several years and have no need to upgrade or look at anything new.  It has a nice, portable back to transport it, it sets us easy and fast.  I do lots of weddings and portrait sessions on location, so this stand is super handy.
The JTL B-909 support system works perfectly. It is easy to put up in just a couple of minutes. The carrying case is great. I will buy more products from Adorama.
This works great for what I need to do...take interval "studio" pictures of my children.  It takes about 5 minutes to set up, including attaching the background to the top.  It works great just as is, probably would make things a little easier if I had some of the accessories.  It is very sturdy and held up my large fabric background well.  It packs up into a small bag, so very portable and easy to store.  Obviously if you are a professional this is not for you.
I bought this stand to take with me to on location shoots. I was pleasantly surprised at how durable and heavy duty it is, especially for the reasonable price. It's lasted me almost 3 years and taken all kinds of abuse and it's still in great condition (trust me, I'm not careful with it). The carrying case makes it really easy to take along, and the poles are sturdy enough to hold up heavy paper and fabric backdrops without having to worry about knocking the whole thing over. It's the perfect portable stand.
I've had these for about 4 months with no issues.  They work great.  Nice an sturdy.  Solid construction.  Good buy.
I've purchased this product recently and I'm quite happy with it! I've used it on locations and in my home studio, it's a great support, easy to put together, sturdy and light, you can carry it anywhere!
After almost a year of ownership and usage - I can happily and heartily recommend this backdrop stand!When broken down in it's bag, it's light weight, easy to carry and move and store.When you set it up - the stands are air cushioned and sturdy, the cross bar breaks down into 4 pieces easily and smoothly.I've had kids swing from backdrops held by this stand, without any ill effects.So - strong, light, adjustable and flexible - not much more you can say about something that does it's job, and does it very well.
It really is very small.  But the pictures are poor and the framing is very difficult.  The software is good.
I had a similar problem as a previous reviewer: my rechargeable battery petered out a few DAYS after the warranty ran out. Luckily, after a ridiculous dance with customer service, they sent me another one. Within a year, the new one would not hold a charge either.The pictures are really not very good - they're actually worse than my camera phone! The camera on its own holds very few pictures (like, 28 or something), and the flash is a cartridge-type thing that snaps on the camera. Only the camera fits in the case, so you have to find something to do with the flash.Unlike the previous reviewer, my camera did NOT cost $30 - it was more when I purchased it - but even at $30, it is not a good buy. If your kid wants a camera, buy them a kiddie digicam. If you're looking for something inexpensive, surely there are better choices out there!
My mom got this camera... wow a digital camera right? Wrong, not just any digital camera, but one the size of a credit card, and with the thickness of about 5 credit cards. To simply put: that is bloody small.But as in all things, when something is too good to be true, it often is. Though it is very conveniently small and portable, you will notice that there are no other cameras this small on the market. Why? The camera can only take pictures up to 640x468 pixels. If you know anything about printing and digital cameras, that is absolutely horrible. You can print 2x3 inch pictures... but what good are those? Anything bigger than that and you can enjoy crappy-quality photos with a lot of noise and off-the-walls lighting problems.The camera boasts an Auto-Brite system, which personally, doesn't seem to do much. Other than that, it also boasts being able to hold up to 26 640x468 images, and more with smaller-sized images. That is totally bad, but considering the size of the camera, it's amazing it can hold anything.The biggest problem with this camera is no LCD display... which is understandable with this size. Creating something this small, makes great conventionality, but sacrifices the most important things about a camera, being able to take a lot of images, quality images, being able to see the images so you can keep taking more or taking a picture again. With this camera, it's just hopelessly aim and click, or make sure you got the perfect set-up, and if it's bad, you will never know until you upload it to your computer.The camera itself is bad at picture-taking. Lighting is horrible, and colors are all over the place. Worst of all, half the pictures even with the steadiest hand, come out horribly blurry. I also noticed after using this camera for a while, the quality seems to go down a little with time. Not a good thing. Also, the lens can get crooked, resulting in things becoming very off-center.Simply put, even for 50 bucks this isn't worth it. It's not worth even selling... Any person who wants a quality digital camera needs to be willing to spend at least 300 bucks, not 50 bucks. You're better off buying a one-time use camera... you can at least get at least 81 quality shots with those for this kind of money...
Pros: -Very good outdoor shots (or indoor with natural light)-Incredibly small (I keep it in my wallet like a credit card)Cons: -Indoor shots had some off-color results on occasion-Low capacity, no card slotOverall: I do not regret getting this camera, but I would recommend buying the next model up. The next model solves the problems of this one by having an sd/mmc card slot and a detachable flash (and of course a higher resolution).
I bought this camera because the price was right. Obviously you're not getting a quality camera, but what you will get is a great camera for kids to begin learning about photography.Some of the pros:*Size*You never have to replace the battery...just plug it into the USB port and it recharges.Cons:*Size of pics are small (great for emailing, but horrible for printing)*It doesn't fit enough hi-res pictures on the camera
This is a great little camera, and I've attempted to upload 10 colorful photos so you can see the wonderful job it does.The ideal shooting situation for this camera is OUTDOORS, SUNNY DAY.You also must get used to having a steady hand. That means when you depress the shutter, you need to really concentrate on keeping your hand still--it's easy to inadvertantly move the camera at that precise moment, so just try and be aware of that. And practice makes perfect--don't be discouraged. Have fun with this camera.  It is capable of taking some lovely photos.  Please don't be so quick to blame the camera.Any movement, either in your shot, or from you, will most likely produce a "blurry photo".Altho, in my sample photos which I hope will show up here tomorrow, or when approved, you can see a NYC yellow taxi in-motion, yet the photo is still fine....maybe not absolutely perfect, but I'd call it fine.Here's who this camera is meant for: The person who wants to be able to email a photo; & to always have a camera with them that is not bulky or a pain to take along, for that unexpected "camera moment", like the squirrel standing on the rim of a garbage pail, eating a green pepper--got it! I carry this little camera with me just about always. It's tucked in my purse.Regarding INDOORS, I know I won't expect great shots, but I have gotten some that were fine simply because I was able to turn on some indoor lights.One of the reviewers "A Kid's Review" mentioned the camera not working after about a year.  VERY INTERESTING, because, I had that problem with THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT!  But, it broke a few days AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED  Bah-Humbug!!!  And I paid $100 for that camera when it first came out in 2003!!!  Oprah had it on her show "Gifts to give Groomsmen".  And that's when I bought it....a while ago.But, I bought the camera again, because I LOVED IT SO MUCH. And the second time the camera was selling for only $30 or so!!Well, I think this camera may only last about a year, because I just sent the 2nd one back, since it started to freeze up.  But, it had never held the full battery charge properly.  So, luckily, the camera starting konking out about 2 weeks before the warranty was due to expire. The Oregon Scientifc guy was nice on the phone, and I should be seeing my third!!! camera in the near future.  A free replacement since it's under warranty.MY ADVICE:  Great camera.  Good for emailing photos. Best photos are taken under OUTDOOR, SUNNY DAY CONDITIONS.But, keep a close watch on it as the warranty nears the one year mark...and if it's acting a bit weird, like freezing up, not holding battery charge fully, or anything else, call Oregon Scientifc and arrange to send it back per your warranty. They'll give you a # for sending back the camera---you must get that #.  And do it BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES!!If you are wondering if this is a camera for "all-around usage", I'd say no.  If I was going to an important event, say a wedding, indoors, I'd want a camera that could handle indoor shots, without my wondering about it.But, for my everyday, outdoor & "surprise moments" it's just GREAT!!!  Oh, and it's easy to download the photos onto your computer via the included software & USB cable.Until I'm able to spend the $400+ for the 7.2MP camera I'd like to get, I am THRILLED WITH THIS CAMERA, truly, I am.  And I know that whenever I do have that "all-around" camera, I will still be using this little camera--it's so easy to always have with me. I LOVE THIS CAMERA!
This paper came in a large cardboard tube. It was well protected.FYI It's longer then most cars can handle.The paper is more dark grey then black. Still comes out nice in pix. I was looking for a pitch black paper like the black shown in the image. It is not this. Still worked for Portraits and Headshots...The paper will show annoying depressions when u unroll it if you leave it stored horizontally. If you are keeping it somewhere, stand it up. Once you rip the bottom (assuming you extend it to the floor under feet) you can easily unroll the fabric (from your backdrop stand.) I used little office clips to stop it from unrolling all the way. If it unrolls, this can be a pain in the ass to rewind. Using two people usually helps it from getting crazy...A good safety razor for cutting paper can be purchased for a few bucks from a local Staples or Office Store. WAYYY Easier then using scissors.This one if for people that extend it under the feet of the model. If it's more of a permanent install then a mobile deal, cutting several sections for feet and stacking them can save u on labor later to unroll it. I cut 4 or 5 "floors" and stack them. As they rip, I tear the top one off and it's brand new again. Simpler then unrolling for me.Hope this helps.
The paper is thick enough and is pretty dark.  Works much better than a cloth and the length and width are just perfect.
Good seamless paper. I bought both the black and the white and they both help me make great pictures.In hindsight, since I generally only shoot individuals, I might have gone with the smaller rolls of paper just for ease of use and changing out, but no complaints about this product.
It's paper. It's black. Just as I expected.Some reviewers have complained that the paper is not "pure black" or "true black". I would assume that these reviewers are not lighting their scene correctly. Paper, even black paper, is a reflective surface. This means that any light spilling onto the paper will change the color of the paper (turning it off black or greyish). To get pure black, you will need to control your light spillage. This is true for this paper or any other brand of paper.[...]
Great purchase at a great price! Adorama was quick to ship and the product is just what it says it is! Would definitely buy again!
Thick and strong paper. The black could be a little darker but not complaining about it. Very durable and 12 yards will last a while.
I wanted paper that was FLAT black, this paper creates a lot of shine. I can use it when I want shades of gray in the background, but  it is not usable as a black backdrop for me.
Item arrived in the giant tube. Packed very good.Upon removal clearly seen the back ground has 4 feet of rips and tears from the bottom up.  I did not pay for this to be tore and ripped. I need every inch to be usable&#8230; Burned again by Adorama Camera.B & D Seamless and many others should really consider dropping Adorama as a retailer, Adorama does not do a good job at representing most of the manufactures they carry.
I returned this product for a smaller roll because I needed something more portable.  Paper is of good quality.
great price! doesn't seem to tear. I am happy with the product. I would recommend it to anyone want cheap seamless paper
Great background paper for my studio portraits. Nice and thick and withstands several uses before tearing. Second time I buy.
It is backdrop paper. I rated it a 4 only because it is a little too reflective for me. Not a good thing. And they should never tape the roll. Maybe a rammer band, or shrink wrap. I lost 2 ft of paper when trying to untapped the roll. Otherwise it is what you would expect.
Exceptional and sturdy quality makes these paper rolls ideal for repeated and frequent use.  I've been using these 2 rolls for a year now, and they look just as good today, as they did new out of the box!  Rugged and seamless, these paper rolls are high quality and photograph very well.
Two things: first, B&D sent this promptly, which I appreciate; I would definitely buy from them again. Secondly, this background paper is perfect for studio needs and despite its size is very easy to handle.
This paper works great as a backdrop.  If something happens to it where you stand all the time, just cut off that section, and roll more out.  12 yards is awesome!
I own two Hoya R72 filters. They work well and the quality is Good.  I've shot a few pictures with the 67mm R72 on my Nikon D70 and after some trial and error (to figure out the appropriate exposure comp level (about +1.7 - +2.0)) i can set up and shoot away.  It's a little easier on my Canon G9 (58mm on a lensmate adapter)  due to the live view and the ability to set to B&W on camera.  You should have an idea about what you're doing before using an infrared filter or you're gonna be really confused like some of the other commentors here.
The Filter arrived on time. I have used it now for 2 months without a problem. It produces great infrared photos using my Nikon D300. There are no instructions so you must know how to take IR photos or learn how to. There are plenty of resources to learn from.
I had been wanting to try to create Infrared images for quite a while. One route was to have my Olympus E-510 DSLR camera adjusted to take only IR shots at the price of hundreds of $$. And the fix is irreversible. So, I decided to purchase the Hoya RM-72 filter and give it a try. Turns out that it works almost as well as the fix for my camera and for a lot less $$. Now I can take IR shots and normal shots with the same camera with just a few seconds adjustment. Just what is perfect for me.
There is a learning curve to this filter and I suggest doing a little reading on infrared filters before you decide to pick on up. They are a lot of fun once you get the hang of them and you get some amazing effects.Be ready to use a tripod, this filter blocks a LOT of light. Start with a really slow shutter speed and work your way up. It's similar to shootingat night. I would give it a five, except for that learning curve.Animal Portraits With The Digital Photography Of John Crippen: Learning Photography With Animals
I looked at other filters a lower prices, but opted for the Hoya due to their reputation for quality.  Waiting for spring to see how this compares to infrared film.
I bought this filter a couple years ago, after reading about digital infrared photography in several acticles and webpages.  I have used it on a couple different zoom lenses and it works, after some fiddling and setup on the camera.  You will not be able to just screw it on a lens and snap away.  You will need at least a tripod, relatively long exposures and some post processing of the images but it's not that hard with all the free info available out there - just do an online search on "IR" or "infrared photography".  This filter got me interested in IR enough that I just converted one of my old digital SLRs over to full time IR.
I order these tapes in bulk for a project and it comes as promised. Delivered on time.  Have had no problems with the tapes so far and have been using for a while now.
Out of all 50, there was perhaps one tape that may have malfunctioned, but it's not for sure. These tapes work great with the Panasonic DVX100b.
El Producto esta excelente, por su precio y calidad. Soy realizador de comerciales y cuando no se usan las tarjetas (p2 card), usamos los tapes, y funcionan como esperamos.Depende la calidad que requieran, es confiable trabajar en ellos. Lo recomiendo.
I have used these tapes in a professional capacity and have no complaints. I used them in a Panasonic camera (DVC30). I don't know if they would work as well on other brands of cameras though. I did get a little video degradation once in a while with these tapes for a few frames of video but I am not sure if was was due to the tape, or the camera, or because I had used other brand of tapes (Sony and JVC) in the camera at intervals.I plan to buy this product again in the future. Can't beat the price!
We've been using these Panasonic tapes (and the higher end ones) since 2005. It is advised not to mix brands of DV tapes as the lubricants of different brands can cause head clogging (particulary Sony). So we made the choice back then to use Panasonic brand tapes. They provide consistent quality. It's more cost effective to buy them in qty like this. Even though we have HD cameras that record to solid state, we still use our SD cameras for some work, and these tapes have never let us down. Plus, they are nice for archiving footage.
I am hobbiest turing professional and was constantly in need for some media tape and was fedup paying ridiculeous prices at BB as it is the only retailer that carries these in stock.....so I bought these and stocked up....best quiality for high def video's...I shoot everything 1080i and this fit the bill perfectly....Definatley a good and smart buy.....
Good tapes, I use each four times to the record masters for video editing for Community Access Television boroadcasts. They hold up fine. No dropouts after multiple uses with normal routine head cleaning about once a month.
I have used panasonic tapes for a while and the tapes have been excellent.. I have not had any issues... buying experience was good as product was shipped on time and arrived promptly..
Bought this three times now.  I am using this as my single-source for this product.  I'm a happy repeat buyer!
I bought a case of them and they work great in all my cameras.  They are a true 60 minute tape.
I purchased this for my business.  I have utilized these in the past and currently I do not see any problems in using them again.
I purchased this cradle 5 years ago for my Fuji Fine Pix A340 camera.  It still works great, and has eliminated all need for purchasing batteries.  Both it and the camera have been an excellent choice.
This was a great little charger, for me. It did something I have wondered why all rechargeable batteries don't do. Virtually every double A-sized rechargeable battery I've ever seen puts out 1.5 Volts, and the rechargers recharge them to 1.25 Volts. Some cameras won't work on 1.25 Volt batteries. This Fuji system used 1.75 Volt batteries that would recharge to 1.5 Volts. Why aren't all rechargeables made this way?
It works. It does what it's supposed to do.  But it's there all the time. It would have been much better as a simple plug in charger without eating up space.  My seller was superb no complaints there but the unit is a pain in the tail, just looking at it all the time ticks me off.
As I stated previously, I had lost my cradle adapter.  I found it on the fuji website, its $5.99 to replace and $6.00 for shipping.Go figure!
This is a must purchase for the camera.  The cradle keeps the camera charged and the light tells you when the camera is completely charged.
Is great for holding the camra while downloading pictures to computer and changing the batterys
I was constanly losing power when I downloaded pictures and then I would forget to recharge the batteries when I wanted to take some pixs later on. This cradle only charges the battery but give it power from the dock so you dont waste battery power when you download your pixs....It works great as a PC camera with this dock! Highly recommeded!!
Along with one of my Finepix cameras, this accessory is of fine quality and performs flawlessly as a charging cradle, even without the plastic insert.
After just purchasing the FujiFilm Finepix A210 camera, I decided that the cradle would be a great complement to it.I had researched which batteries were the most dexterous for power-intensive digital devices. After some browsing on the web, I decided that the MAHA Powerex 2300 mAH NiMH's were the best choice.The cradle arrived from Amazon today and I was shocked, after reading the manual - to find that Fuji says that other consumer-brand NiMH batteries either a) will not work with the cradle, or b) are not recommended to be used with the cradle.There was no in-depth explanation given, other than that the manual recommended only the Fujifilm NH-10 NiMH's be used with the charger and camera. What gives? Is Fujifilm forcing you to buy only their brand of batteries in order to make use of the cradle, when there are other batteries which have proven to have more longevity?My second problem is with the cradle's design. The camera itself comes packaged with a cheap, and somewhat flimsy plastic adapter/housing for the camera to sit in. Don't be deceived by the picture above - the holder seen on top of the cradle does not come with the cradle. It is only sold with the a210 camera or other appropriate model.Rather than just make the adapter/holder a part of the cradle, it's a separate accessory - and makes the unit seem chinsy and not &quot;solid&quot;. I would rather slide the camera into something that feels like a glove around the camera while it recharges. You are not afforded this with the cradle, because the plastic holder does not fit around the camera with a snug fit. Instead, when I find myself trying to put the camera into the cradle, I have to wiggle it around a bit in order for the bottom of the camera to mate up properly with the male plug which connects from the adapter to the camera body.Overall, it's just a very poor implementation in concept and design.Thirdly, the USB cable which comes with the cradle is only about 2 1/2 to 3 feet long!Remember - the a210 supposedly features a webcam mode. Unless your computer tower is in the direct vicinity of the cradle, you're probably going to have to move your computer in order to get the camera/webcam where you want it to be. a 3-foot usb cord is simply not long enough for most webcam to pc configurations. 6 feet, even 10 feet would be much more ideal.I had wanted to put the camera/cradle on the other side of my monitor near the light source on my desk. Unfortunately, I can't do that - the usb cable simply can't reach. 6 feet would have been perfect. Alas, I'm out of luck. Now I have to move my tower just to put the camera and cradle where it should've naturally been able to be placed. You might say - &quot;Sure, well just go buy another USB cable.&quot;It's not that easy. The cradle requires a specialized usb cable, because the connector on one end of this cable is a proprietary design, something I've never seen used with other digital devices.Those are the three biggest problems I've found with this cradle. I really do hope that it is possible to use other NiMH batteries with the cradle, if not - Fujifilm has just forced you to continue buying only their batteries for your Finepix camera, and their offerings are certainly inferior to the MAHA Powerex's in terms of longevity. Many sites around the internet offer comparison graphs revealing which batteries are the best performers, and the Powerex's are #1.So I have to say, shame on you Fuji, for misleading your customers. Your cradle's charger should be compatible with any brand of rechargeable NiMH batteries which are ideal for use with the Finepix a210 - not only compatible with your brand of rechargeable batteries.Proprietary usb cable connector on the short included usb cable, proprietary rechargeable batteries - shame, shame.
It is ok.No longer have that camera for that cradle,purchased another Fine Pix much lighter and modern.Fine pix are simple to operate.
Ok, Yes it is 5mp, but what good is that when it takes bad pictures. In low light the photos are SO dark, and when you use the low light setting or night vision setting, then it is so blurry it is impossible. Same situation when taking pictures indoors. It is a 35mm lens adaptable digital camera, but the problem with that is that when you screw the adapter on then you really have no light!!!!  The adapter blocks all light unless you are facing the light and it is sunny outside, even then..I have a Telephoto lens and also a wide angle lens and they are not cheap lenses. I also have all the UV filters and so on. Not to mention that the thread on the camera is PLASTIC ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE CAMERA, MEANING THAT ONCE YOU STRIP IT THAT'S IT. the entire camera is made of plastic,  mine has not broke yet but it is just so cheaply made to have to pay so much for it.This would probably be a good camera for someone who just wanted to have a digital camera that was easy and does not know about lighting and shadows and so on. As far as adding lenses to it to improve, that is out of the question.Just research and know what you are getting.
I finally decided to go digital, and got this camera right in time for the Memorial Day weekend. I couldn't be happier. I'm using the second best level, and the pictures are incredible, very, very crisp. I ordered some of the pictures online, and also blew one up to 10x8 using the Kodak machine at the local grocery store. They all came out beautiful!One thing that worried me, however, was that after a while the camera wouldn't turn on by itself when the cap was on (I had to turn it on and off 2 or 3 times). But that wasn't a big problem, as it worked fine if I took the cap off manually. I have also noticed that you have to be extra careful not to shake while taking pictures inside, as they can get a little blurried. But that didn't happen at all with the pictures taken outside.The other negative for me was the software included. I installed it at first, but noticed it overrode my Windows XP photo viewer -- and the annoying thing is that using the Kodak software, there was no arrow to go back or forward to view another picture on a bigger scale. I removed the software, and am doing fine downloading my pictures using XP's scanner/camera automatic detection, and fixing them with an editing software I have used for a few years.Despite all the little problems listed above, for the price, you can't find a better camera. But shop around -- the day after I found it with a $50 rebate at an office-supply retailer...
Before buying my digital camera, I did tons of research. I wanted an easy to use camera, easy to use software, without breaking the bank.  My Kodak DX4530 did not disappoint me.  I've had the camera for 3 months now and it's taken great pictures. It's so easy to use, my 12 yr.old uses it all the time.  The one button delete and review is great.  The software does an excellent job enhancing the photos and taking out red eye.  All you do is plug it into your computer and the software quickly downloads all my photos.  It doesn't get any easier than this Kodak!  And with the one touch printing, it produces beautiful, detailed colored photos, using Kodak's Premium photo paper.  If you want a camera that takes great photos, without having to be a technology wizard to operate; this camera's for you!!
I just bought a new camera today, and while linking this page to show the old one to some internet friends, I figured I might as well review it ...Man, I am SO glad to be rid of this thing.  I mean, sure, it takes satisfactory pictures, I love the docking station, and it's lasted this long (and is still in decent shape), so I guess my dislikes are just a matter of being picky.  Anyway, I hate the d-pad control on this model.  I thought I hated d-pads in general, but I have realized that it's THIS d-pad that I hate.  It really sucks.  And it's about shot after 4 years of use.  I hate that it has a lens cap instead of the lens that automatically shutters itself.  I hate that it's so bulky.  It has terrible hand-feel, it's difficult not to stick your fingers into the shot.  I hate how long it takes between the time you push the button and the time it actually takes the picture.  I hate that you can't do any editing through the camera (I had a sony previously, and you can crop, take pics in sepia, black and white, etc, you can brighten, etc, etc, right ON THE CAMERA).  And I hate that the editing software sucks so bad (am fully aware I could use something else, and I readily admit that I do not know how). I hate that it takes TERRIBLE close-ups even in close-up mode (I know you love the highly technical terms I use).  I hate that my mother-in-law's cat knocked my sony off the top of her entertainment unit 4 years ago, and THIS is what she replaced it with as my xmas present.I just really hate this camera.It works though.  I guess that's something ...
I bought this camera on Amazon and I couldn't be any happier. I bought a refurbished one that works flawlessly, so it was a great deal. The quality of pictures is great, the ease of work, everything. A great value and great Amazon service.
Bought this camera last month to replace my 2 megapixel digital camera, and am very pleased so far.  I take lots of family snapshots, indoors and out, and do some touch-ups and tweaking with photo editing software regularly.When I need to crop my 4530 photos, they still look sharp and in focus (which I couldn't say about my last digital camera).Easy-to-use, lots of features, no complaints other than the short videos this camera takes are blurry.  I'm not too perturbed with that, though, because I didn't buy this for the video feature.  A great camera at a great price.6/6/2006:  I wrote the above almost 3 years ago and still have this camera.  It's still going strong with no problems.  Highly recommended.
Bought this 2nd hand (used) for my granddaughter to become familiar with photography.  Easy to use.  MP lens is adequate for outdoors and indoor with flash for still photography.  Basic, digital camera.  No complaints as it serves the purpose I intended it to.
Fair camera for the price. I have found out that a close up of something that has text is blurry. I have a college with a similiar Cannon product. When I compare the pictures side to side the Cannon wins out. I have had a brand new out of the box Kodak 4 MP camera that I gave to a relative. After 15-17 pictures it kept saying the battery was dead. With every NEW battery replacement it kept saying the same thing. My faith in Kodak products is going down hill
Let's see here...5.0 Megapixels3x Optical Zoom Lens3.3x Digital ZoonSecure Digital Card CapabilityKodakAnd this camera is $299? This is the best value you'll find for a camera of this quality, with these specs, for under $300. With the auto mode, you just let it do its thing. No fiddling with settings, no worries other than point and shoot. Perfect for those just getting started with digital photography.The other modes and manual settings really show what this camera can do for the more experienced digital user. With night mode (for capturing the subject and the background), landscape mode (for distant scenery), macro mode (for objects 4-24 inches away), and sport mode (for subjects in motion, perfect for my shots at West Virginia football games), the DX4530 offers a myriad of options and capabilities for every kind of user. The video capability also comes in handy, with the ability to capture video at a resolution of 320x240 WITH sound. The max length varies depending on available memory.In addition to the included features, the DX4530 allows the user to expand the features with add-on lenses available from Kodak, like the Telephoto Zoom lens and the Wide Angle lens. Both of these are moderately priced and of the typical high Kodak quality.Make sure you grab a pack of NiMH rechargable batteries and a charger, because this is like most high powered digital cams...it eats regular alkalines for lunch, and it's very hungry! Also, the 32MB of internal memory is a nice backup for when your memory card is full but not as a main means of storage, so make sure to grab at least a 128MB card to make certain you can have all the pictures and video that you need!Overall, a fantastic value and the same classic Kodak quality that has come to be expected.
I love to take pictures, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on a camera. I bought a couple of different types and took them both back for a refund. I came on Amazon to see what viewers had to say about particular cameras and this one had high ratings and a good price. I have NOT been disappointed.I took pictures of my son's ball team this past Spring and the actual league photographer offered to buy the picture from me! Several parents thought that the pictures were professional! I also took some pictures in my garden this summer and it took very vivid, very sharp details of my subjects. I even captured a bumble bee hovering above my blue salvia.I tend to have a shaky hand and the pictures still turn out beautifully. My 9 year old used the camera to take pictures for a school project. His pictures turned out so well that the judges questioned if my son had any help taking the shots himself. My Mom and my neighbor are both thinking about buying this camera because they have been impressed with the results.I recommend this camera for any amateur. Pictures even print clearly to an 8 x 10 photo, but 4 x 6 is my favorite. This camera is just large enough that I can get a good hold of it. This helps with my shaky hands. My indoor pictures have been just as great as my outdoor shots. The camera instructions were written clearly and I have truly enjoyed this camera.
My husband and I have never owned a digital before, so over several months Amazon reviews were very important to us when making the choice for our first digital camera.Thank you Amazon, thank you everyone who takes the time to send in your reviews.We got our camera, opened the box and learned everything in one night.  Fun, fun, fun. I am very comfortable with this camera and feel pretty confident using it.  The software was helpful and fun too.WE LOVE THIS CAMERA!
Outstanding camera!  Even took it to Iraq on Day 1 of the northern invasion.  Took pictures with the camera up against the Night Vision Goggles, came out clear.  Don't know what that other guy is talking about who rated it low....poor photographer or got a lemon.  The internal memory is awesome as well, it is aways there so use it as a back-up. You can select which memory source you want to use ie. internal or flashcard.  Rec you get a 256mb memory card, then you don't have to worry.  I don't have the docking station, nor do you really need it.  It has a USB plug that is very easy to hook up to your computer to download photos.  Software they send you is a little awkward, during set-up, when it asks &quot;do you want it to start up auto&quot;, say no...or it comes up in task manager running all the time.  USE THE LITHIUM BATTERIES, no normal Akal batteries.  Easy to use and nice size.  It's a Kodak, they've been doing this photo stuff for a little while, wouldn't you say?
I have had this camera about 2 weeks now and I can honestly say there is not a single thing I dislike about it.  I took it on a trip to Estes Park, CO and the pictures came out fantastic.  The detail is amazing and the color was spot on.I've also had no problems with the indoor quality of my pictures and what I don't like I can easily correct with my photoshop program.The unit is lightweight and fits nice in the palm of my hand.  It has 5 seperate modes (auto, sport, night, scenery and macro) and it even takes Quicktime Video!I specifically purchased this unit becuase of the Kodak name and the cameras ability to accept SD cards.  I think that CF (compactflash) is on the way out and I already had a SD card for my PPC.The camera hooked up to my WinXP machine without any trouble and I was transferring photos and video within minutes.Where I think this camera really shines is the Kodak Easy Share software.  It lets you unload your camera, create albums, modify the photo (very basic stuff though), and even order prints online!  I've already taken advantage of the online ordering and the quality is fantastic.  I highly recommend you have a broadband connection though, since the file size on &quot;best&quot; setting is rather large.Dont be afraid to try this camera!
I did extensive research on 5MP cameras and this one was consistently the highest rated for its class -- especially the price, ease of use and quality combined.Best for: Novice to experienced amateurProduct Uses: Family / Travel / Special EventsDigicam Design: Point and ShootPicture Quality : Very High, 5.0-megapixel CCDPrint Sizes: 8x10 and largerMac and PC/Windows compatible + software.According to imaging-resource.com:  "Kodak's EasyShare digital cameras excel in user-friendliness,  and offer good image quality in addition to their convenient setup and compact  size. The DX4530 updates the line with a larger, 5.0-megapixel CCD that captures  high-quality images with good detail. Although exposure control is fully automatic, the DX4530 performs surprisingly well in a variety of situations, and offers a few preset scene modes for shooting in low lighting or capturing action shots.  A range of manually-selectable longer exposure times extends the camera's capabilities  as well, without getting too complicated. If you're looking for a lot of pixels  combined with ease of use, all at an attractive price, the DX4530 would be a  good choice."Also why it's great for novices to experienced amateurs:  "Although the DX4530 offers only fully automatic white balance, Kodak's Color Science technology does a superb job of producing  accurate color under almost any light source.""The DX4530 squeezes into larger shirt and coat pockets, and comes with a wrist strap for carrying. The camera's compact design includes a retractable lens, protected by a removable plastic lens cap (a tiny strap tethers it to the camera body so you won't lose it). Though exposure features and overall setup are similar to previous EasyShare models (most notably the DX4330 model), the DX4530 boasts a larger, 5.0-megapixel CCD for capturing high resolution, print quality images, as well as smaller image sizes better suited for distributing via email."Another review at Steve's Digicams concludes: "The DX4530 is an entry-level yet high resolution camera with a quality 3x optical zoom lens. This is a perfect camera for anyone that wants to easily capture sharp and well saturated pictures, indoors or out, with little or no prior experience. And with an average street price of $350 or less you won't need a bank loan to purchase one." It shoots "gorgeous prints" and "The bottom line on the DX4530 is that it captures very good images in a variety of sizes suitable for email use to wall-size enlargements. It's easy to use and is priced within the budgets of many consumers that previously would have only been able to buy a lower resolution camera.A world class lens and powerful 5.0 MP combine to give you huge, stunning prints up to 20"x30" (50x75cm)KODAK RETINAR Aspheric All-Glass Lens with 3X optical zoomBright indoor/outdoor displayProgrammed scene modes and creative settingsSharing is one-touch simpleVideo and audio captureAnd as Kodak shows on their home page: "J.D. Power and Associates ranked KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Cameras "Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the $200-$399 and the $400-$599 price ranges."This is one of those cameras that will provide great shots and last for many years to come at a great price.  The kodak site (and many others) retail it for $299, camera only.  Because it's not the newest of the brand new, you can get a great deal on it in comparison to those that are the cutting edge, just-released models. Other 5MP cameras in this price range are nowhere near the quality, design or output.The DX4530  makes for a great holiday gift that's not so hard on the wallet.  This is one sweet camera especially for those who don't want to have to spend a lot of time reading tiny print, learning a million geek-tweaks -- it's easy to take it out and start shooting.  Great for grandparents, newbies and bargain-hunters.
I have had this camera for about 3 years now and I am still very happy with it. I take this little camera every where I go and am constantly taking pictures, my kids automatically turn and smile when I call their names lol. I am still using the original battery that came with the accessory package, I charge it on the cradle when I think about it...lol. I love the fact that the lens cap is attached so that I wont lose it and the fact that the viewing screen can be turned off to provide more battery life. The pictures come out just awesome, I have compared them to pictures taken from a friends 8.0 mp camera and there is no distinguishable differences that either of us can see. I have had several cameras before this one and this is by far been my favorite. The pictures I took of my daughters tee-ball team came out better than the pictures the professional photographer took with his high dollar equipment. My six and ten year olds are able to use this camera and easily take outstanding photos, I would recommend this camera for anyone.
I had this camera almost two years and foolishly bought a Canon A95 5 mpx camera.  Sure the Canon has slightly sharper pictures but is terrible in low light.  The Kodak 4530 takes great pics under almost any conditions, simple to operate and I took it out of the drawer and am delighted to return to this terrific camera.  Highly recommended for anyone and at a great price if you can still find one.  My Canon A95 will just rot away in the drawer, I guess.  My next camera will be a kodak, I'm pretty sure.  PS  I shake a lot when I take pics so I always use the "sport" mode for a faster shutter speed.  Majority of pics are great and I can see the quality of the shot in the LCD.  My Canon had an artificially enhanced LCD that makes every shot look good, so you have no idea if your shot was good or bad. The Kodak has a true LCD that does not lie.
This 5.0 digital camera takes perfect photos and the ease of use is great.  I also bought the optional camera dock and it  makes it easy to download photos to your computer, but is way overpriced.The only thing I dislike about this camera is the VERY cheaply made plastic exterior.  I would have been willing to pay a bit more for a more substantial casing.  It was made in China though, and I'm finding goods made in China are very cheaply made.Kodak's warranty service is unacceptable to me.  I attempted to get warranty service and found through their RECORDED message that they repair camera's with used parts.  If your camera needs replacing it will be replaced with a re-furbished camera.  If Kodak decides it isn't covered by their warranty, they will let you know the cost of repair.  If you decline having it repaired, you will be charged $45.00.I send my photos online to Ofoto (Kodak) for developing.  I receive the prints by mail very quickly and the look is exceptional.
I bought this camera as I replacement for mine that broke while I was on vacation, bummer.  I love it because it takes wonderful pictures of flowers and my animals....it is one of the best.  I wish Easy Share Software was still available and I would be in 7th heaven....thanks for a great product.
Let's face it, most people want a camera that is easy to use. This was my first criterion in looking for a digital camera. But I didn't want to compromise on much else either: megapixels, flash flexibility, close focusing, size and weight. This camera can be used right out of the box, with plainly labeled buttons and knobs. But I tried all the features too, like zoom, no flash, night photography, close-ups, mixed lighting. My results show that this camera has the right mix of technology and ease of use. The software to bring the pictures to my Mac was also simple. The video recording capability was fairly good - not tape quality but lots of fun. Be sure to buy a 256MB memory card to supplement the 32 MB installed. I can take 500 good quality photos with the one chip. My 8x10 prints were super! Let this be your next camera.
I got this camera a few months ago, and absolutely love it. The picture quality is outstanding, and it's extremely easy to use. I swore I'd never get a digital camera until I could get a 5.0 MP, and I'm really glad I waited!I've had lots of people tell me the Kodak camera docking station isn't necessary, but let me tell you, it sure is convenient to use, one button, and the pictures download to the computer. The best part is it's always charged and ready to go, no dead batteries!You won't go wrong with this camera no matter what your photo taking experience may be!
This is a great camera. Had it for 3 years now. Always got great photo's and video. Very easy to use. The colors are very vivid on this camera. We are about to upgrade to a higher MP. I wish I could get the exact same camera only with more MP's. This camera will be passed down to my 5 year old. He can even get great photo's with this camera. Use with a Lithium battery and you'll be golden.
Alright, so this camera is not the worst, but it is not the best. I bought this about 2 years ago. This was my first digital camera, and for that purpose it was good because it is pretty much idiot proof. I have used this camera a lot over the years, and here is how I feel about it now that I have become more familiarized with the digital camera world.a.) this camera is a big large & clunkyb.) aside from the different shooting modes (landscape, motion, etc.), it doesn't have any special features, it's a pretty plain point and shoot camerac.) I feel that the color on the pictures from this camera comes out a bit pale/bland and I don't think that they are as clear as pictures that I have seen from similar cameras.d.) the lens cap! I hate the lens cap! I usually just throw my camera into my purse with or without a case, and the lens cap always falls off! It's not a big deal I guess, but it's something small that has really annoyed me with this camera. If you want my opinion, unless you're buying a SLR camera or something like that, stay away from the lens caps! They're just plain annoying.That's about it. Like I said, this camera is mediocre. If anything, I think it might be decent for beginners.
I got this camera about a month ago; I am a big photography nut and am very literate with both SLR cameras and digital.  My father bought this camera for me, and although it wasn't as "high tech" as the cameras I was originally comparing, I must say that I am fairly pleased with the Kodak.The internal memory is nice because you don't have to buy a memory card unless you take several dozen pictures at a time.  It will hold about 24 pictures taken in the highest quality setting.The controls are simple and easy to understand; many digital cameras overwhelm the user with difficult, confusing, and seemingly endless menus.  Unless you like being able to control the shutter speed, aperature, and other manual settings, you'll enjoy how simple the Kodak makes digital photography.  A big plus is that the camera includes a brief explanation for menu items so that the user isn't confused about what abbreviations stand for.Some people have mentioned the blurring that takes place; blurring takes place with most cameras because the shutter speed is generally slower with digital cameras.  And the shutter delay is VERY good with this camera; several digital cameras that I have tested have had horrible shutter lag.  The Kodak's delay is minimal.The dock is nice for convenient recharging; once you're done taking pictures, just put it on the dock.  It's also nice for transferring pictures.  Put the camera on the dock, push the "Kodak" button, and your preferred program automatically opens for downloading.  One downfall I've found is that the software is not compatible with Mac OS X, which I have, so I've had to use iPhoto for downloading pictures.  (Which is fine, since that's where I keep pictures anyway.)  (UPDATE:  The software is now compatible with Mac OSX.)In short:  pros of this camera: ease of use, simple menus, convenient recharging, internal memory (no need for memory card).  Cons:  short battery life when using LCD screen for picture taking; lens cap has a tendency to come off when bumped slightly (bad if you're carrying it in a bag).
I wanted to get a camera that was good enough to keep up with technology for the next couple of years. I then came upon this camera.  It has 5 MP max resolution, but if you want to save space or you have a small card, it can be lowered all the way down to 1.2 megapixels.  The camera comes with 32 MB internal memory, which is very nice, like if you are on a trip and you card gets full, you can easily switch to internal.  I got this on Christmas, and it did not come with a memory card, and no stores were open.  But i was still able to tqake 16 5MP pictures.  The next day i went to target and got a 128 MB card for $60. (Not the best deal but i was anxious and had money to spend).  This camera uses Sd/MMC cards (secure digital/multimedia card).  the Kodak Dock is nice but it is not necessary, especially for its $80 price tag. Just but rechargeable batteries and charger for $20.  I would reccomend the Kodak Easyshare starter pack along with this.  It is $35, but it has bettery pack, charger, and a bag, and some other accesories.This is as of 12/25/03 (This exact product)IncludesUSB Cable (Kodak Easyshare Dock is nice but it is not necessary)Kodak DX4530 5MP Digital CameraVideo Cable ( for slideshows on TV)Product manual ( i suggest you read this)Kodak Easyshare software ( nice software, with a simple, but effective and fun editing program.)5 sheets of trial photo paper.Other ads and papers reguarding registration.AS i conclude, i have one last thing for those interested in it's 10X zoom.  optical zoom(3X) is the actual lens zooming in.  digital zoom(3.3X) is just the camera enlarging the pixels.  What is done with digital zoom is something that can be easily done on a photo editing software.  So if you're paying over 5-10 dollars for just extra digital zoom, id not.  The optical is what you really want.Overall, i have been EXTREMELY pleased with camera, and i would recommend it for anyone.  The movie mode is very nice, although you can't zoom while it is recording.  But, what more could you ask for, hopefully you aren't buying this to make a movie.  My only complaint is that the movie mode is slightly blocky, but is still fun to play with.  This camera is very user friendly, and i would say it could be used easily by 10 years old and up.  The manual is easy to comprehend and read.  Kodak also has a good support staff, and my camera came in perfect shape.  Thank you for your time, and i would strongley suggest this camera for anyone.
second digital camera, first was a gift, DX3215. only 1.3 MP though. this is a very good camera if you do not want to deal with shutter speeds, or whatever those things are! very good deal for only $300!!PROS: QUICKSTART 2 seconds!, get to use old dock from camera, good with recharging batteries, battery life is very good, much better than what you usually get, can use AA and not have to buy special batteries,  beautiful images, zoom excellent, also make videos long enough to fill up your space (no 1 minute caps, like others), if you do not have the dock it comes with software and cables to hook it up, very fast loading onto computer, camera looks good too!CONS: lens cap falls off, would have been much better with a shutter, however when you turn it on the cap immediately falls off so no worrying about missing pics (i guess thats how they created it), 35 mb internal memory, holds about 21 at 5mp so should get at least a 128. i am getting a 2 256's ($60 each), 35 mb about 1 1/2 minutes of movie, no zoom on movie (but this is a camera, not a recorder)
I just got this camera, and so far it's great.  Don't buy it here, though.  WalMart has this, PLUS a docking station, PLUS a travel kit for $198.
I got the Kodak DX4530 as a Christmas gift and so far I am impressed.  I see many people have complained of low lighting problems, but all the pics I have taken in low light have turned out fabulous.  I must admit, I am an amatuer photographer and only use it for vacations, special occasions and my 3-year-old nephew but so far my pics have turned out great.This camera is extremely easy to use.  I never even had to open the manual and was taking pictures immediately!  The software is a breeze and I am very pleased with this camera over all.I will say the lens cap is a pain in the butt and Kodak should have made an automatic.  The only other thing negative I have to say is that the green light is right by the viewfinder so its hard to see when taking picutres in the dark.
fail product. i don't even know why i bought it. it broke 2 days after i bought it . poor quality
needed the cord to plug in to do any thing with it. Will have to get another cord to try to get it wright.
I had purchased the Kodak DX4330 3.1 mp camera about a year ago and I can't say enough about how good a camera this is.  So when I saw that Kodak came out with a 5mp camera (DX4530)using the same body and docking system that the DX4330 uses, I ordered it in September. I figured that this camera must been sensational with the 5 megapixels.When I got the camera and used it for a few days I noticed no real difference in the picture quality then the DX4330 in fact on indoor shots the pictures came out a lot darker.I spoke to Kodak and they told me that it was possible that I could have a bad sensor, but they weren't sure.  So I emailed them an indoor picture taken with the DX4330 and the same picture taken with the DX4530 so they can compare and find out if something was wrong.They reviewed the two pictures and told me that the picture from the DX4530 was darker than the one taken with the DX4330 but it fell in the acceptable range.  THEIR acceptable range not mine.They also said that some cameras may be built a little different than others.So I sent the camera back for a replacement.  I received the new DX4530 a couple of days ago.  Took some indoor pictures with it and found out it was no different than the one I sent back.So I am sending this one back and getting a refund.To bad, because as I said the DX4330 is a great little camera, what happened to Kodak technology with the DX4530?
Just a quick note: the lens cap attaches to the camera via a string, and is a real pain.
I love this camera, I've had it just over a year. It's the cheapest 5 megapixel I could find with enough features. Perfect for novices but also has a few other tweaks you can handle on your own for more control. The only drawback I can find is that it doesn't have a continous shot mode, that would be nice for catching a baby's many expressions. But otherwise all the other settings are wonderful. The easyshare software is truly easy, upgrades are free and simple online, I recommend at least 256MB SD card for more picture taking, I also recommend rechargeable batteries and not using the LCD screen for taking pictures, just for reviewing them. The batteries last REALLY LONG if not using the LCD screen. I take this camera everywhere and have used it for everything from ebay pics at low resolution to printing 11x14 and higher images with perfect clarity. Ofoto.com with kodak perfect touch processing is the best so far, I've also tried samsclub.com, walmart.com, and snapfish.com with varying results. ofoto is the best but they are more expensive. samsclub is the cheapest but not consistant results so far.
I bought the Kodak 5 MP camera as an up grade for my HP 320 2MP camera.  I notice another person here mention that he was displeased with his Kodak because he couldn't tell the difference between his new 5 MP camera as compared to his old 2MP camera, so he returned it.  My experience is the same as his - at first.  If I take a picture of my room with both cameras, I cannot tell the difference at all at casual glance simply because the 2MP camera I have does such a wonderful job of normal picture taking.  I really recommend people who just want normal pictures and don't want to part with a lot of dough to stick with the 2 MP cameras, because it costs half of what a 5 MP camera costs.However, I must stress that there IS a difference between the picture qualities of the 5MP and the 2MP camera.  It is just that the difference isn't that obvious, and you have to look very carefully to see it.  The 5 MP camera is definitely better and if you look at its pictures long enough, you will notice it.  The main reason I bought this camera is so that I can take close-up pictures of dishes I cook so that I can show off my cooking to friends.  Without a doubt, the 5 MP camera takes clearer pictures of close objects, but this is not to say that the 2 MP camera can't do it.  It just doesn't do such a good job, but it does do an acceptable job - a friend said the shot of my lasagna with the 2MP camera made her mouth water.  The 5 MP cameras don't do a perfect job of it either when compared with the professional pictures I see in cook books, but it is better by about 20%.  You have to be picky to see the difference.Overall, the Kodak 5 MP camera has the following major benefits over the HP 2 MP camera:1. It has a lens cap.2. It does short little movies.3. It allows you to delete pictures selectively from within the camera.  This is a very nice feature when you go on trips because then you can get rid of messed up pictures and not take up as much memory space.4. It has a close up option for objects between 2 to 28 inches.5. It has a night option to allow you to take pictures in the semi-dark.6. It has a sport option to allow you to take pictures that are moving.  (The HP camera does a fine job of taking pictures in a moving vehicle, however.)7. The LCD screen is clearer and brighter.8. There is a TV plug-in that allows you to look at the pictures from the camera directly into a TV (I can't imagine why anybody wants to do that, but it is an option)9. It has an easyshare button to send pictures directly to printers, but I find this option pointless because printing pictures costs a lot (ink and photo paper), so why wouldn't anyone look at the pictures on the computer first and choose the best ones before they try to print it or email it?There is one drawback to the Kodak camera package:  the software that comes with it isn't half as powerful as the HP software.  My main complaint is that you can't crop a picture completely at will.  What's worse, when the picture is cropped, it still just as big as the original one in memory, and even if you shrink it, it is still humongous and slow to send.  For example, I have the same picture cropped and shrunk to identical size (about 5 by seven inch) by the two programs.  The resulting pictures look identical, but the HP software's picture is 43 kB whereas the Kodak one is 304 kilobytes!  When you have a dial-up connection and have a lot of pictures to send like me, you will find the Kodak software very irritating.  I can't believe they call themselves "easyshare" when it isn't easy to share at all.The conclusion is that if you are stingy and uncomfortable with dishing out a lot of dough, you are better off with a 2 MP camera.  It does an excellent job of point-and-shoot.  If you like to have a camera that does everything and you don't want to be caught with a cheap camera, the Kodak one is the way to go.  Don't be surprised, however, if you can't tell the difference.A word of warning to those who wants the 2 MP camera:  My HP 320 has a very high customer rating at Amazon.com when I bought it six months ago.  Since then, however, I notice that HP came out with a newer version of HP320 that Amazon is selling.  It costs only half of what I paid, and the customer rating isn't as good either.  I cannot speak for that new model, but I can say that my HP 320 takes perfectly clear pictures.
I have had one of these cameras for years and will put the picture quality up against my professional digital camera any day. For a point and shoot, I have never found one easier to use or that takes better images.  After years of bumping around in soccer bags, pocket books, etc, mine finally lost the shutter motor.  I have ordered another as a used model from Amazon and can't wait to continue taking quick and easy shots.  If you can find one of these, get it.  They are awesome.
If you don't know what an F Stop is, have no idea how shutter speed effects your photograph, or don't know aperture from temperature then this camera is for you. Kodak's Easyshare is your basic &quot;turn it on, aim and shoot&quot; type camera. All it takes to operate this camera is the ability to insert a battery.The picture quality is amazing in normal lighting conditions, but does suffer a little in low light without some user knowledge or a tripod. The camera has a few features that you can tweak, such as small exposure adjustments. My favorite feature on this camera is the movie mode. Having mini movies with sound is such a joy when you want to show people something, and a still picture just doesn't cut it (like baby's first steps). I almost find I am making more movies then taking pictures these days.I was initially unhappy at the ease of use, since I am a photography junkie that loves total control of everything. However, as time has gone by I find that I am getting exactly the types of pictures that I want to get, but I don't have to do all of the thinking anymore. If you don't mind letting the camera do most of the work then look no farther. For price, quality, and ease of use I would give this product an A+.Lastly, I would recommend that you purchase rechargeable batteries and a charger, and also at least a 256k memory card.Happy photographing.
The Kodak DX4530 was my first point and shoot camera. For the most part the camera is simple to use and the 5.0 megapixels is good enough for anyone who just wants to take quality pictures. The downside that I had with the camera, is when I was on "Live View". Being on Live View allowed me to view my subject through the LCD screen instead of using the viewfinder, and the Live View setting drained a lot of battery power, especially when I was in Macro and Video mode. I highly recommend rechargeable batteries. Other than that, the camera is perfect for the beginners.
I bought this camera 5 years ago during a Black Friday sale for $140, and its best some of the best money I've ever spent on any piece of electronics. Rarely is a tech product good enough to remain useful nearly 7 years after its debut, but I still use this camera all the time.The camera takes beautiful shots, especially outdoors. The optical zoom is great, and always provides a clear picture when employed. The flash is good, though you do need to be careful about redeye. The facial recognition software is great, and for the time this camera was made, was absolutely fantastic. The image stabilizer is really great as well. It was one of the first camera's Id used that let you focus by holding the shoot button down half way, letting you take instant shots with no delay. (If you dont realize this, your shots will take forever, and will always end up blurry, I think many buyers dont realize this).5MP is more than enough for most people, I end up shrinking down most of my photos anyway. A few people mentioned interior photos are too dark, but if you give the camera a second or two to adjust, or manually change settings, Ive had no problems at all.The camera is exceptionally durable. After my friend crammed a broken SD card in the slot, the sd reader rarely works, but I can't blame that on the camera. It spends most of its time getting crushed under text books while my backpack is being thrown around, and the though the plastic cover for the LCD screen recently cracked (the screen is still 100%) Ive never had any problems whatsoever.The only downsides are only a few downsides. This is a large camera. Though not oversized for the time, modern consumers will find the camera very bulky and a bit heavy. It's comfortable in a pants pocket, but its the only thing you'll be putting in that pants pocket.The other big downside is the battery. While it claims AA batteries are usable, they really aren't. You need to buy http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-MAX-CRV3-Lithium-Battery/dp/B0000632T3 or equivalent. When I first bought the camera, these were expensive, which was a major downside. Now however, they're only about twice the price of 2 double A's for the Duracell brand, and they last a for a long long time. I can count on my fingers how many times Ive changed the battery in 5 years. I dont have any experience with rechargeables on this camera.The only other improvement I can imagine is allowing longer video clips. Each video clip is limited to 60 seconds. This is enough to make it useful, but it would be great to be able to record for hours to an big SD card. You also cant zoom in or out whithout stopping your video shot and starting again.Overall a great camera. If you happen to come across one I'd still recommend it against most new cameras for the price. The camera feels more like a film camera than a digital camera, and this could be nice for not so tech savvy people.Then:-------------------Overall: 10/10Picture: 9/10Durability: 10/10Features: 8.5/10Ease of Use: 10/10Size/Weight: 8/10Now:-------------------Overall: 7.5/10Picture: 8/10Durability: 10/10Features: 7.5/10Ease of Use: 8.5/10Size/Weight: 4/10
I am a pretty die hard fan of film, so I was very hesitant to buy a digital camera. My opinion was finally swayed when I recently went on a trip to Ireland for a wedding. My sister had the digital camera and I the film. I was so delighted to be able to see her pictures right away that I decided to buy one of my own when we got home.I chose the Kodak brand because 2 of my family members have one and rave about them. I agree. They are easy to use for everyone. This one was $279.99 when I purchased it and I couldn't be happier. It is quick, has great quality and I LOVE the features. I really like the option of being able to choose how many MP you want to use up for each picture. That makes it simple for email and prints. Overall I have no complaints about this camera. Enjoy!
Got mine right after Thanksgiving and haven't had a lot of time to experiment with it.I took it to a concert, and the photos in the low light didn't turn out very well, but I'm not sure that I've mastered how to use it in low light.  "Regular" photos turn out great.  I don't care for the software, but I think it's because I'm used to the one that came with my WINDOWS package.I got the docking station and love the convenience of uploading without a cable.  Way kewl on that.
Memory slot on this item did not work. Thus, can only take around 20 pictures with internal memory built into this camera. When I tried to add a memory card to this camera, this memory would work.
When I decided to buy my first digital camera recently I was quite dazed by the number of choices.  I checked magazines, Consumer Reports, etc...there were so many to choose from and what's more...digital cameras seem almost obsolete as soon as they come out.I was stunned by the number of different models available from such big names as Canon, Fuji, Kodak, HP, etc...I finally decided on the Kodak4530.  My choice was based on Consumer Reports ratings as well as the Kodak name.I'm pretty good with tekkie stuff but this was my first digital camera.  No problem.  This was one easy to use camera and really no different from a standard film camera.On the menu you can select from 4 grades of quality although beware that the higher quality makes the file size quite large if you plan on uploading or e-mailing it.The quality of the pictures is just fantastic.  sharp as glass...took a picture of our two year old playing with a garden hose and you could see the drops of water just frozen in mid air...clear as day!The camera can take short videos as well as pictures and comes with such features as zoom, red eye reduction and more.The 4530 doesn't have some of the bells and whistles of more high end cameras but a 5.0 mega pixel camera at under $300 is a great deal.  I highly recommend it.!
Let's start with the negative first to get it out of the way. This camera does not take good dim light zoomed shots from a distance (as in from the back of a theatre to the stage). Everything else about this camera is great. It is easy to use, and well-lit or flashed photos are beautiful. The picture settings do help in different situations. The action setting is so good that I was able to take blur-free pictures of my cat jumping in the air after a string. Other settings include night shots, close up, and distance. You can also adjust the flash for red-eye, fill, or turn it off. Due to the delay from the time you press the button to the time the picture is taken, hold the button down slightly prior to taking the picture. When you do press, it will snap instantly.The movie mode is actually nice. I didn't think I'd use it, but it's great to have when you want to capture more than just a picture.As an added bonus, the software that comes with it to retrieve and view your pictures is very easy to use.I highly recommend this camera, but you should also get a memory card so you can take more pictures.
This camera has been perfect for my wife. I wanted to get her into the digital world, and retire her 35mm camera. She began using this camera right away, with very little trouble (she still has trouble understanding the various flash modes, but I'm confident that she'll grasp the basic idea soon). I like the feature that automatically rotates the image when you shoot in portrait mode (holding the camera sideways) so when you review the images they're all oriented correctly. The buttons and dial are very easy for my wife to operate (one of the things she didn't like about my Sony). The only thing I didn't like was that it came with lithium batteries instead of rechargeables. I bought a travel kit (which included a case, rechargeables, and a travel charger) instead of the recharging dock for now. Also, I wish the battery strength indicator was always visible. Over all, my wife is very, very happy with the camera and the resolution is excellent. My wife also loves taking videos, but I have to keep reminding her that it's for "short" video clips - it's not a camcorder!
... a good and inexepensive solution -- don't start pulling your hair out!!  Get an SD/MMC card that fits right in the slot in the side of the camera, and a twenty-dollar USB SD/MMC card reader - you're good to go!!!  Check the owner's manual for instructions on transferring photos from the camera's internal memory to the memory card, then put the card in the card reader and voila!  ADDED BONUS: you will now be able to take more photos at a time - you can fill up both the internal memory and the card's memory.  This is a great little camera by the way, and I would still buy it again.
Camera is small, light and easy to handle. It takes ok pictures, nothing great but acceptable. The kodak software is awful. Half the time it works and half the time I have to delete the program and reinstall. Maybe I am spoiled by my Sony camcorder that also takes still pictures where the camera and software work very well. Have had the kodak since Oct 2003 and find it only marginally satisfactory.
I bought this camera because it was one of the lowest priced 5MPs at the time.  The two major complaits I have about the camera is that (1) it takes blurry photos and (2)the lens cap continually comes off.Unless your arm is as still as a table top, many of your photos will be blurry.  I took several photos on a trip to Asia that looked great on the display panel (even when I magnified the image) only to find that they were actually blurry when they were on a computer screen or printed when I arrived back in America.The lense cap can be taken off with the slightest touch.  It continually came off even while it was in my camera case.The other features on the camera are fairly nice.  The menu is very user friendly and the movie making mode is okay (although the camera sometimes rotates the movie 90 degrees, and I haven't found a fix for this yet).  But regardless, the camera takes blurry photos, and I cannot recommend it to anyone.
I noticed an amazing difference for nature photos be before and after using the polarizer.Note that there is a two stop drop in light collected, so this is not suitable for night photos.Amazon service was outstanding as usual, item delivered on time and as promised.
I went out and put this filter on a 70-300mmVR and took some animal shots at the zoo and it came out pretty good, Very nice filter, Although it was made in philippines and not japan, It still gives you a color correction and glass protection, Good filter for the money, I love the construction quality of this filter. So far I owned two made in philippines filter and they are serving me well. So for those who are looking for where this filter made from? I don't think it matters where it made from as long as it's the same company!
It makes a world of difference in my photos.  The coating(s) are uniform and the filter factor does not impact on low level photography.  The only tradeoff when using any lens accessory that needs manual adjustment is the removal of the lens shade.  But, that is a small price for the results.
Admittedly, you get what you pay for with photographic equipment.  Go cheap and it shows.  But for my work, I honestly haven't needed a good CP filter in years.  So I decided to get this one to play around with before spending considerably more.And I have to admit, I really like this thing.  The filter is clear, edge to edge and doesn't show any distortion or decrease in sharpness (one of the problems with cheap filters).  In fact, out of the tests I ran it through, my only complaint is that it will likely increase the odds of lens flare if shooting outdoors.  So bring a lens hood.
Not much to say other than it was exactly what I ordered and arrived without issue.  Works just like a polarizer filter should.
Works fine when it works, but it fell apart into two pieces after just three uses.  I treat my stuff with kid gloves, too.  I don't know what went wrong, but that was $60 down the drain.
Received this quickly and it was just what I wanted. Good value . Good product. I would recommend this.
It is not what i expected. Not as I expected. But that is all you can get for the price! :)
The polarizer was good and send without any delay. I would surely return to Amazon for that as they often have good prizes.
The  circular polarizer is the single most important filter you could ever have. I keep it in my camera bag no matter what kind of shoot I'm getting ready for. John Crippen, Photographer & writerScenic Photography Using Examples from the California Central Coast: A Visual Guide to the Central Coast and Digital Photography
I bought this to use with my new cannon camera.  It not only protects the lens but is fun to use.
Pictures look great. It is stupid to require a certain number of words for a simple product so this is filler
Great for the money. It does a fine job in reducing glare and providing the circular advantage of the filter.
I am not an expert, just got into photography 6 months ago with a Canon XSi. Really wanted to play with a polarizing filter and had heard good things about Hoya.First off - Hoya makes lots of lenses - this is their cheaper range (I thought Hoya was Hoya.).  I like that the lens rotates to adjust the effect, and the effect is good.  However, filter has a fair amount of vignetting at the corners (I had heard people talk about that term and learned what it was immediately when I saw my first pics with the filter :-)This lens is made in the Philippines not Japan, and it isn't their regular or premium product.  I was expecting a regular Hoya lens based on the limited description, but if I could do it again I would get a better filter.Don't get me wrong, I like the filter and it works (beautiful sky in all of my pictures!) however unlike my cheap UV filter, I think it matters on the polarizer to get a higher quality.  Since I now use this on 50% of my pictures (or more) it would probably be worth spending the extra $30.
Bought Hoya filters before and didn't disappoint.  Great with bringing out the blue in skies, or tuning in a rainbow to get the richest colors.
We use this polarizer with our Nikon D90.  It does what it is supposed to do very well.
It does what it's supposed to and gives you beautiful blue skies and crystal clear water. It stands up to the Hoya Quality that I trust.
With my current architecture class in photography, this filter was absolutely a necessity for taking photos of buildings outside where glare on windows are an issue.  the quality is awesome for the price.
I am an amateur photographer. I am trying to experience new things in photography. I found this initially too costly and settled for Zeiko CP. I didnt find major difference in the pictures. Then I bought Bower CP from frys. Still not much of difference. Then I took the big leap to buy Hoya ( found from photography blogs ). Went to Yosemite on a cloudy and sunny day and starting shooting pictures. The very first picture came out very brilliant. It has an amazing effect on the clouds and blue sky. it sharpens the clouds beautifully and separates the sky nicely. The picture still says in my  mind. Overall a very good product. Please don't settle for $10 Circular polarizers. You will not appreciate the colors of a CP in those cheap ones.
nice quality filter, surface is kind of a adherent to dust, i keep cleaning it whole day but does the job very well...
I bought this because I needed a new CPL for my Tamron lens. I liked my previous Hoya CPL for my Sigma lens but have sold that long ago.I thought spending a little more money would increase the polarization and quality. The build quality of this Circular Polarizer (CPL) is mediocre. I bought this to compare with a B+W CPL.Upon comparison, there are noticeable differences. Contrast on the Hoya is slightly heavier than the B+W. Polarization effect of the Hoya seems a little stronger than the B+W. The B+W CPL has a lighter contrast. I do not like this at all.The quality of the Hoya CPL is mediocre. The polarization effect seems to be better than the B+W.Hoya = Better polarization, better contrast, darker (could be good or bad), mediocre quality, rotating ring is somewhat loose and spins easily unlike B+W. Feels and sounds like cheap plastic.B+W = Decent and subtle polarization, lighter contrast, not as dark, very nice build quality, rotating ring is smooth and does not spin that easily (which is a good thing). Feels like glass and metal.Search on Amazon for: B000KZD6VKI just wish the Hoya CPL had a better build quality.
Great filter for the price.Why put a cheap filter on the end of a nice lens?This will not degrade your lenses performance.
I've used Hoya brand circular polarizers in the past and I've found them to be fine for my level of photography.  This type, however, tend to suffer from vignetting on the newer, wider DSLR lenses (this one is on a Nikon AF-S DX 18-135mm lens and vignetting occurs below 35mm).  Not sure if there's a polarizer that would alleviate the problem, that I can buy used, in the $20 range.  Good product for the money.
I have the X20 for about a week now - and it doesn't dissapoint me.  This is my 2nd digital camera. I choose it because it's small size, and the fact that it uses regular AA batteries so you'll always have a backup for power.Picture quality is good, though the flash lacks power; indoor flashes do look a bit pale (compared to Canon A20). Outdoor seems to overexpose a little bit. Outdoor shots can be hard because the viewfinder is missing.For my goal - point and shoot - very good camera. Don't expect top-of-the line image quality - but for it's size it's definitely acceptable
I bought and then lost this little camera on a trip to Tokyo, Japan. It is quite a lovely little digicam that looks cool and works well. The positives are that it is lightweight, easy to use, easy to transfer photos, simple to handle and the quality of the photos is great for a 2 MP camera. If you are looking for a camera that will take large-print pictures, this is not your camera because come on! don't spend money on a 2 MP camera if you want 5 MP quality. The options for taking the pictures are very fun to play with. With a large memory card, you can store a large amount of snapshots.The drawbacks include short battery life. The camera just drains the two AA batteries too quickly. The setting have to be reset everytime the camera is turned off. The shutter release time is bit slow.Buy this camera if you only wish to spend under $200 on a digicam that takes nice, but not exceptional, quality pictures. Definitely shop around and if you can afford the extra hundred, look into getting a higher MP camera. This probably would make a nice gift for a teenager or child. Minolta has the sleekest designs around.
the Dimage X20 is the little brother of the Dimage Xt. the main differences between the two are resolution (2MP for x20, 3MP for xt), the x20 does not have an optical viewfinder, the x20 uses AA batteries.pros:- 2MP resolution, 3x optical zoom.- about the same size as the xt with dimensions of 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.9 in, weighing in at 4.1oz.- generally good photo quality, low noise levels.- automatic white balance performs well.- AF locks rapidly and decisively in good light.- short shutter lag in good light.- fast startup.- fast shot-to-shot speeds.- ability to record in movie mode until memory card is full.- all metal body feels solid.- 1.6&quot; LCD is bright and fluid.- uses non-proprietary AA batteries (i highly recommend rechargeables). this means that in a pinch, replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store.cons:- some purple fringing.- corners are soft.- some vignetting.- above average barrel distortion.- some redeye occurrence.- no manual controls.- no optical viewfinder - this makes it tough when you use this camera with bright sunlight.- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.- no AF illuminator - this would really help shutter lag when using this camera in low light.- scratches easily.- 8MB SD card provided is inadequate so add $$ to your budget to buy more memory.- only 2 AA non-rechargeables included; again, add more $$ for some rechargeables and a fast charger.the X20 is a great looking ultracompact camera but the quality of the images you take could be better. if you want a pocketable camera for web photos and small prints, consider the X20. if you want larger prints and like the design of the x20, try the DiMAGE Xt. if you want manual controls, you'll have to find another camera altogether, as none of the X-series cameras have them.  i would recommend the optio s or casio ex-z3. for even better image quality (in a slightly bigger package), also consider canon's sd100.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
This was a cute little camera... at first.  But I really didn't think the zooming in  nor the zooming out was good at all while using the pictoral.  It was hard to get the thing to focus properly.  When using the video portion of the camera, the zoom in feature was great.  But when you zoomed out, the distance would decrease significantly.  We have had ours for about 3 years, and now it makes a little flicker of a beep when you try to turn it on, but it will not operate.If you're going to get a digital camera, make it  a good one... stay away from this model.
I bought:the camera (Dec 2003),a 128mb card and the $9 travel case and i couldnt be happier ! I love my new camera .Literally ,after just opening it and turning it on i was taking pictures .And the same for saving them on my computer.This camera has everything: A zoom that doesnt show, lens cover, size: Super SMALL even with the carry case, fast start up, Video w Audio,webcam,etc. You can read all the great features above but overall its the best buy i have done in a long time because it is very well built ,SMALL!, and also very stylist so everyone will notice this great gadget.That little mirror on the front is excellent for pics w friends.The shutter lag is the only thing i have against it(about a sec tops).But not in a bad way because i still LOVE my new mini cam.And Minolta is a very good company.The delivery was EXC and the camera 10x more !!Great Buy !I researched for about 6 days for the best ,Cheapest and smallest cameras with  lens cover and video and etc ...And i really think i found it !Must have:Rechargable batteries and charger .(also 128mb card and a case!)update (Dec 19, 2005): a few months ago, my camera stopped working. It started showing weird lines in the screen and now it is black and it doesnt take pictures. I believe the light chip died. It lasted for 2 years...
In Feb 2004 I purchased this camera and was well pleased with it. However, by the end of 2005, the viewing screen suddenly went blank and would register no images although the rest of the camera (the menu, functions, modes and flash) were responding fine. I set it aside and finallly found a service advisory regarding this product and 150 other digital camera and camcorders thatt use image sensors manufactured by Sony's semiconductor group. The glue holding the CCD and wiring can decompose and disconnect the image sensor, causing distorted or no images. To request service for this model Konica Minolta, call toll free 1-888-473-2656 (I was unable to get through on this line repeatedly), or 1-201-574-4000. Tell them you know about the service advisory. They will email you a service form and ask you to send in the camera. I can't rate this product because I am just mailing my camera back tomorrow. Manufacturers are claiming they will repair the problem after the warranty period is ended.Here is the website that describes the problem: [...]Defective models were sold by Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Minolta.
This camera looks really nice, takes good pictures, and is excellent value for money.  On the downside, the little tune it plays when you turn it on is annoying, non-rechargeable batteries get used up very quickly (so buy rechargeable ones), and most significantly, it is very easy to mess up the camera if you get any dirt (or sand) into it's workings.  I took mine to the beach once, didn't do anything particularly reckless, but a couple of grains of sand got in, and the zoom no longer works at all and the lens cover won't close.I would still recommend this camera, but just be careful with it...
after lots of research and thinking i decided to buy this little gem, it performs better than i expected (only because some bad  reviews i read), picture quality is excellent, ease of use is great, the only &quot;bad&quot; thing about it is the lcd and only outdoors in a bright sunny day, almost can't see what's in the frame(maybe i should increase the brightness?? )...It feels very solid, not flimsy at all... did i said that the picture quality is excellent? well it is, it put to shame a friend's Sony 5MP monster...  and shutter lag hasn't been a problem, my favorite feature is the multi-frame, lots of fun with that one... :-)
Bought this camera in September '03 and it was fantastic! I could put it in my jeans pocket and take it out with me everywhere on my travels. It took fantastic shots even in low light and the print quality was superior to some cameras even over 4 megapix. Disappointingly, it quit in the middle of my European Vacation in July '05 with a black screen that never went away. I can view the pix on the memory card but can't take any new pix.Sadly it seems that this problem is par for this camera. It dies about 2 years later. Be Warned!
I have owned this camera for a few months now, and am essentially satisfied with it. The small form factor means that it goes in my pocket, on my bike, wherever I might want a camera, and I carry it more often than my compact 35mm. The internal lens is great because it has 3x optical zoom but no need for a lens to stick out or move in and out. You can actually take a clear picture right through a screen door by placing the camera directly against the screen (try that with an exposed lens!)However, there are many aspects of it that could be improved. First, the time to focus is slow, at least a second or two. The camera is quick to "wake up," but actually taking a picture is much slower than a film camera, and therefore I often miss quick action shots. Second, the menu interface is poor. Navigation is hit-or-miss with the small directional buttons, organization is apparently arbitrary, and there is no way to force the camera to stay at ISO 400 speed. You can set that speed, but turn the camera off and you have to press menu, enter, down, enter, up, enter, and menu again to set the speed and return to picture-taking mode. It's a joke. At least the flash mode can be set without entering the horrible menu system.The final gripe I have is that the pictures look very digital. They're reasonably sharp, especially for a camera with such a tiny lens (unavoidable in this form factor), but the colors seem a little warped, as if the RGB sensors were misaligned. This mainly shows up as a textural aspect, but if you zoom in it becomes obvious. A digital camera can only capture colors that are combinations of red, green, and blue (roughly half of the whole spectrum), so you will never get something that looks as good as film (which covers the whole spectrum). However, the Dimage X20 seems worse at this than most.One feature I like very much is the TV output. Even if you have no access to a computer, you can display a slide show to a TV using the included cable. Very convenient. Another feature that may not matter to you but is nice to have is macro (close-up) photography. The Dimage X20 can focus on something 3 inches away, compared with 18 inches for most cameras, enabling you to take pictures of small items like insects. This camera can also take video, but only at a fixed focus, and the quality is pretty bad. I don't use the video feature except in bright daylight with a subject that isn't moving much.Battery life is also good. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries (US$2.50 each at Wal-Mart), and they easily last for 150 pictures or more. Even better, when they run down to 25% you can just recharge them and always have a full battery. I much prefer this to the proprietary batteries that many cameras have. Yes, they last longer (typically they are Lithium) but if you are going to be away from a charger for two weeks the universal availability of AAs cannot be beat. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to lay out $40 each for replacement batteries that can only be used in one camera.To summarize, I am pleased with my Minolta, even with its limitations. Probably I will get a digital SLR as an alternative to this camera, when I want to be able to easily set exposure time and all that stuff.
I wear glasses and press against the viewfinder as hard as I can to help keep the shot stable (I shoot birds at 700mm). The first thing my friend and I did was to compare two identical lenses/cameras etc. - one with, one without, the extender.Result: - the image appeared the same size, and the extender slightly blurred the image. In other words - completely useless.
This does help.  Esp those of us with glasses and a large face.However it does NOT fit all EOS bodies.  It does not work on the 1D and 1Ds Series.  I found this out the hard way when I took the one form my 5D I had sold and tried to put it on my Mark 3.  No luck!  Luckily with live view, its not too big of an issue now.  I have one on my back up body, the 40D and also on my IR converted camera.
the build quality is good,but i ordered this my mistake, I should have orderd the ep-ex15 II,Please make sure that it's compatible with ur camera. I have rebel xsi.these two eyepiece ep-ex15 and ex-ex15 II are not the same and each are compatible with different cameras..but it's my bad didn't read the description well..
All I really expected to get was a little more space between the eye and the camera body. It works perfectly for that purpose.
The product is nice, but useless.. it's resting in my backpack since I bought it. It makes the viewvinder so smaller you cant check focus and other caracteristics of the image.
Now i don't leave my sweat allover the screen like i usually do, would suggest it to all my buddy's that shoot shots ;-)
For such a small item, there is much debate over whether or not it is useful. After using it for a year on a Digital Rebel, I can confidently say that this extender does three things:1. This makes the eyecup more convenient by spacing it away from the camera. You'll still rub your nose on the screen, but you won't have to jam your face up against the camera so hard anymore. Maybe people with small faces don't have this problem, but I do.2. This reduces the size of the view. If you have trouble seeing all the corners of the view in addition to green info display at the bottom of the view, this makes it much easier to do so.3. The reduced size of the view can aid composition. By seeing a smaller view, it gives the photographer a increased grasp over the "big picture", so while details will be harder to make out, larger aspects like lines and shapes became easier to frame.This was great for me, but what I found when switching to a newer camera is that the extender no longer helped me. So now it's back on the Rebel, where it continues to make that camera easier to use.The upshot of all this is, if you believe this extender might be useful for you, it is cheap enough to be worth the shot. It's hard to say whether or not each person will end up using it with each camera, but sometimes I find it provides benefits that I would miss without it.
This item is great and give me that extra extension that I needed on my camera when adding my eyepiece to it.
No more nose prints on the LCD screen! Excellent field of view through my glasses! Looks good.However, be sure you have enough space in your favorite camera case to allow for the half inch or so the extender adds to the back of the camera. My Canon 6D fits in two large Case Logic cases. But, it will no longer fit in a lightweight, minimalist, foam and nylon case that I rarely use.
I wear glasses and this item makes it possible for me to view without having my nose pressed against the viewfinder. It does exactly what it is supposed to do. I highly recommend it for all individuals who wear glasses.
This item is great for allowing your eye to be a little farther from the camera back.
I wanted to get this because I wanted to increase the distance between cheek and lcd screen. Bad idea. It REALLY shrinks the viewfinder. Extremely annoying.
I bought this item, it works awesome! Keeps your nose from smudging the screen I cant recommend this highly enough, I also recommend you buy a Eye cup too. mine fits left or right side!!!
I found this great. My face no longer smudges as much as it use to, barely at all now. Yes you do not see exactly how you see with it off but you know what I still see perfect and have some amazing shots. There's a youtube vid on how to take out the glass if you get the fish eye view. I left it as it.
Yep, it extends the eyepiece out a little bit ... which helps those of us with noses not smudge the lcd display ... but it also distorts the view in an annoying way.I use mine on occasion ... but not all the time.
Buy this if you have a Canon D60, avoid the EP-EX15 II model as it is small to the camera body.  This one fits perfect and seems to be a part of your camera body original design. I wear glases and this makes a huge diference. I have no problem with magnification but that has a walkaround too if wou will.
I guess I'm what you'd call an amateur photographer since I don't sell or publically display my work.  I've been at this for 25 years and so I have a few opinions about camera accessories.  After reading the reviews I was a little skeptical in the value of this piece, but considering the low price figured it was worth the risk and I could sell it on eBay if I didn't like it.Well, I'm glad I did purchase it. Based on my experience the eyepiece has only one negative: it narrows the framing area.  This was observed by others and so is no revelation.  I use the eyepiece all the time now and hardly remove it from my 10D, except to attach it to my AE1-P.  What for you ask?  It gives me space between my face and the data-back accessory.The primary value I've found is it performs as intended: to provide spacing between my face and the back panel of the camera.  I've not had any issues with it becoming loose or loosing the rubber eyecup, probably because I don't remove it with any frequency.So would I recommend this extender?  Sure, no problems here.  For the price and value I've gotten from it, it has been worth the $18.  I wouldn't however recommend spending a lot of cycles on making this decision. If $18 is not a lot of money to you, then you have to ask yourself: Is the penalty for being wrong severe? No? Then go for it.Update: I've been using this extender for 2 1/2 years now and have an observation to share.  After some time I noted the extender, when bumped downward against my chest or other object, does begin to work loose.  I've had it come off twice now and fortunately found it both times.  So would I still recommend this piece?  Uh, yep.  Still love, still use.  Still using it on my 10D and now on my EOS 1v and Canon FT QL.
this eye piece has made taking pictures so much faster and easier. i wear bifocals and this allows me to focus much faster and better. would certainly recommend
This gets 1 star for the simple fact that it doesn't seem to fit my Mark II body properly.
If you have glasses and are tired of smudging your display with your nose, here is the answer. This is an absolute must. I can't believe I went this long with out getting it sooner.
This extender provides just enough space between your face and the back of the camera to keep the LCD screen clean... something I appreciate since I was constantly cleaning mine.  It has some effect on what you see and how well you see it in the viewfinder, but I did not find this a real impediment.
I picked this up for my Canon 60D &#8211; even though Canon lists the EP-EX15 II as the model for the 60D, this one fits the size of the viewfinder much better (the 60D has a wider eyepiece than the Rebel line, which the EP-EX II fits).  It extends the eyepiece just the right amount, keeping you from having to constantly mash your face up against the screen on the back.  Unfortunately, it also shrinks and distorts the viewfinder image with a cheap plastic lens.  It's simple enough to remove the optics, but then you are basically looking at the eyepiece through a tunnel and it's much harder to see the camera info.  Ultimately, I just can't see myself really using this.I wish the eyepiece on Canon DSLRs was just a little longer and more comfortable &#8211; it's too bad this wasn't the answer for me.  If you really need to get your face further from the back of the camera, give it a shot, probably without the optics.  Otherwise, I'd say pass.
It's rather impossible to review a product I never received. Sounds like a good concept and if quality were involved I would endorse this product.  Instead I am endorsing the San Diego County landfill.
A good price on another Canon product from Amazon, I would highly recommend this item to anyone with a Canon camera.
As I read all the reviews about this product, I realized that we AALLLL had a common problem with our Cameras and this particular product.For me it was simple, I dismantled the eyepiece , took the lenses from the inside, trimmed the metal plate on the inside ( in order to hold the plates together stiff ) and mounted it on the Camera - Canon 5D Mark II - , end of story  works great this way.But such an oversized eyepiece should have been standard on such Cameras.If you want to do the mod like I did, don't forget to trim the metal plate and mount it back as it were on the inside , otherwise your eyepiece will be loose and it will fall, so keep the plate and it will be stiff in it's place.
I, like others, removed the plastic lenses from the eyepiece so the view is like original eyepiece. That is very easy to do. I still at times touch the screen with my nose but not near as much as before so it has helped quite a bit in that regard. I wear glasses but have found it quite easy to use this eyepiece. Like others have said and I agree it's fairly expensive for no more than you get but what in photography isn't.I would recommend it.
Pleased with my purchase, it is real canon product, you can not go wrong with a real product instead of cheap imitations.
pros: keeps my nose grease off of the review screencons: none. fits snug, works fine.shooting with a canon 40D
Excellant accessory.  Keeps smears from LCD. In the climate I shoot in, this is important.
I love this item I wish that they made a longer one, my nose still touches the back screen. My item came in the time stated and as ordered. Jerry
The point of the EP-EX15 is to increase the "eye relief" so that glasses wearers can see the entire frame.The problem for glasses wearers is that the glasses themselves prevent us from getting our eyeball close enough to the existing eyepiece to allow us to see the whole frame.  Just imagine standing back farther from a window - you can't see as much of the outside view, right?Anyhow, the EP-EX15 takes care of this by providing the same function as one of those peep-hole lenses you might find in an old motel room door.  You might think of it as a wide-angle adapter.So, the EP-EX15 works just as advertised.  But the problem is that because you now have such a wide view, the image appears far more distant and small (just what we wanted, right?).  And because everything now looks smaller, it makes it virtually impossible to do critical focusing.So you just can't win if you wear glasses.  With the EP-EX15 in place, you can see the whole frame - that's good.  But you also can't see any of it well - that's bad.This is not a fault with the EP-EX15, it does exactly what it's supposed to do.  It's just that this turns out to be a less than satisfactory solution.The real solution is to be able to get your eye closer to the camera's eyepiece.  And to do that, you either need contact lenses or small glasses lenses/frames so that you can mash your face right up there and get your eye in close.For those people worried about getting nose grease on the back of the camera, I say:  Who cares?  The plastic stands up to nose grease just fine.  Don't worry about it.  What's more important:  Being able to properly see to frame and focus or having the back of your camera remain pristine?  The grease wipes right off with your shirt-tail anyhow.So if you're just worried about nose grease, I'd say just don't worry about it.  And if you wear glasses, I'd recommend trying the EP-EX15 before you buy it.  Most people find that the EP-EX15 stays in its box in a drawer.  So if you want to try one, just look around.  There's probably someone who will give you one :)
On time and everything I was needing. Dealer was a GOOD,  up front  to Their word . I am very happy with eyepiece.
I noticed this product was getting mixed reviews... it was either lauded for keeping one's nose off the LCD, or reviled for shrinking the viewfinder's image. For those of you not familiar with this product, it inexplicably shrinks the viewable image in the viewfinder for seemingly no good reason. The instruction manual states "This will INCREASE the viewfinder image by 0.5"!  Hmmm... when has cutting something in half been considered an increase?!?!Anyway, I found some people recommending modification of the product to make it more ideal and functional, and that's exactly what I did. I took a tiny Phillips head screwdriver, took the eyepiece extender apart, and removed the 2 plastic lenses. Once reassembled (its really easy, don't be afraid), it did, in fact, keep my nose off the LCD and I can still see the viewfinder as it were before, mostly. I wear glasses and found it necessary to adjust the diopter dial to get the best focus (no small feat as this device covers the diopter dial!).Overall, if you're willing to put some work into it, this product works. Given what one has to do to make it work the way it should, however, it should only cost $5.
This extender will not fit the Canon T1i as it is advertised to.  Very disappointing as I have found no option.
The purpose for buying this item was that I have a greasy nose.  I was hoping the eyepiece extender would keep my nose from bumping the LCD.  It kind of works, if I make a conscious effort to keep my nose off the LCD.  If it were about 5mm thicker, you know, stuck out 5mm more, it would probably work.As for the craftsmanship and working part of the eyepiece extender, that works excellently.  It contains its own lens inside to make sure what you see is what you shoot.
Unless you like to smudge up your screen then this product is for you.  Backs you up just enough so that your face is not right up against the camera.
Tried and discarded. another item joins the ranks of failed camera equipment in my dead camera junk bag. One day in 2101, someone will go thru my shed and find these obsolete camera items and laugh over their quaint qualities.
I believe this would be a great product because i've used a Canon 30D 40D and now 7D.  I would very much like to have one but this will NOT fit a 7D.
Works as described.  Wouldn't take pictures without it.
This made taking photos with my EOS Rebel Xti a lot more comfortable. I would recommend this if you find yourself feeling smashed against the back of your camera!
The product is of good quality but it makes the image so small that it is hard to see what is in your viewfinder.
I've used these for years to extend my eyepiece so I can view my subject more easily and leave less oily face marks on my LCD. However, they cone off so easily and I've lost more than 6 of them in the past 6 years. I bought a couple of inexpensive generic rubber eye cups for a few dollars each and compared. I'll be using the eye cups from now on.I've had to buy at least 6 of these because they get bumped, fall off and lost. I've switched to rubber eye cups and wonder why I didn't do this decades ago.
I purchased this extender so that I could be more comfortable looking through the viewfinder. 5/8ths of an inch doesn't seem like a big difference, but it is enough to put some space between your face and the camera.Having your face pressed against the camera is a good thing, as it helps to stabilize the camera reducing camera shake.  However I find the 20D very uncomfortable without the extender.  My discomfort comes more from how the eyepiece cushion rests on the eye and not so much from a smashed nose.  The extender doesn't prevent the camera from pressing against my nose, although it clearly doesn't press as much.  My face still is in contact with the back of the camera.  The eyepiece cushion feels more comfortable pressed against the eye with the extender in place.To install, you remove the eyepiece cushion from the camera, slip on the extender and then reattach the eyepiece cushion to the extender.The extender does reduce the magnification in the viewfinder, but not enough to be an issue for me.  The extenders can be purchased with your eye glass prescription strength in mind so one doesn't need to wear their glasses when using the camera. This particular extender does not correct vision.This extender stays on my camera at all times.PROS:Gives your nose some breathing room.Adds comfortCONS:Reduces magnification in the viewfinder.
this is a product that all who have a dslr can benefit from installing this simple yet very useful product easily on their camera.
I would heartily recommend this product to everyone who has a Canon camera. It it a wonderful addition to my camera.
View is too small and not enough light with this eyepiece.  It does extend the eyepiece to keep your smeller off the display, but you will sacrifice by having a much smaller and less accurate view in the viewfinder.  It is easy to add to the XTI and take it off again.  The build quality of the eyepiece is very good.  It just wasn't worth the amount of loss I experienced in the viewfinder.  I ended up taking it off my camera and it now occupies a cherished spot in my camera bag.  Maybe someday I will add it to my camera and take it off again just so I don't feel guilty for buying it and not returning it.
This is a pretty nice extender, sure it makes your viewfinder seem a bit smaller and a little harder to see the focus points in low light but once you get used to it then it isn't so bad.
I've lost two eye cups using this thing, so having to replace those I'm spending money unnecessarily. It currently does not sit on my camera and instead in a drawer where I will never find it again. It also makes the viewfinder ridiculously small. Not worth it, even free.
Fits snuggly. Helps getting your face off of the camera and reduces tilted shots because of a tilted face trying to squeeze into the viewfinder. I deducted 1 star because the internal optical magnifier inside is problematic. As soon as I did what others suggested to do about removing the piece I was happy with my purchase. I purchased this with theHoodman H-EYEC18L HoodEYE for 5D and 5D Mark II DSLR Camerasand together they have improved my framing. Well worth the money for both.
I put this on my Canon 5d Mark I. The distortion is to great and flares in the optics make it unusable in my opinion. I suppose if you really needed a way to get those extra few millimeters away from the back of the camera, it might be worth it, otherwise skip it.
I had problems mashing my face against the back of my 5D2 for framing and composition. I got this because I thought moving my face back a bit might help me, and it has.When it comes, it has two little plastic lenses in it that &#34;zoom out&#34; your view of everything inside your viewfinder, for people with glasses (I'm assuming) and I didn't like that, so I removed them, and now it's just a tunnel into the viewfinder. It rattles around a lot now since the innards have been removed, and the clips that attach it to the body of the camera aren't the strongest, but I've noticed my composition has improved now that I have the new perspective, so it's all worth it to me.
As a part-time professional photographer, I had high hopes for the EP-EX15 eye extender when purchased. My nose and cheeks tend to oil up whenever I press anything against them. My Canon Digital Rebel's LCD screen is my bread and butter determiner on "when I have the shot" and can go on to my next pose, subject or client and my goal was to have that viewing area oil free!Unfortunately, a microfiber cloth eyeglass cleaner for around 2 bucks with a spray bottle of Costco eyeglass solution seems to work best for me.With a larger nose than another reviewer - the extra spacing actually helps my framing angle - but mentioned by others - I lose some framing area using the EP-EX15. Tough trade-off! Worst of all - although it works better than NO Eyepiece Extender - oil and sweat still cover 1/2 of my LCD area.If you decide to keep this unit on your camera long enough - you will eventually lose all or part of it. I've gone through two rubber eye cups (lost who knows where -- oops - found one under the bed yesterday) - and must reseat the eyepiece extender at the start of every photo shoot - as it doesn't lock down tightly enough and tends to migrate up and off the eyepiece mounting bracket.For a time - I actually used the EP-EX15 without the rubber eye-cup and got better framing results than with the rubber attached.It is one of the cheapest accessories you can buy for the Canon Rebel. I still use it - and reframe most of what I do in photoshop anyway.This is not a sterling endorsement of the product - if on a tight budget - live without it. If you're a large nosed, oily cheeked photographer - try it out (what's $18 bucks anyway) - but keep the eyeglass cleaner handy!
It does extend the eyepiece, but at a huge price.  The viewing is far worse than the stock unit and in my opinion not worth the purchase.
I rate this item "5" because it does exactly what it's supposed to do and does it well thank you but all I wanted was a rubber cup because I wear glasses and this ain't it but that's not its fault.  If I was rating how much I LIKE it, I would rate it a solid "1".
It is a very useful item and simple to be installed,,, why not submitted with camera itself as one of the accessories. ?
I use a Canon EOS 1Ds 11.1mp and wear glasses. The extender was supposed to help me see through the view finder but it doesn't fit properly, a design flaw on the part of Canon. The eyepiece has a triangular protrusion on the back which slides in a grove just above the diopter wheel. I assume that this is to keep it from rocking back and forth. Unfortunately the extender does not have this protrusion, nor does it have a matching triangular groove for the eyepiece to slide into. This results in an ill fit for the eyepiece and in order for it to go into the locking grooves, it must be forced. Even then the triangular peice causes the extender to stick out on the left side putting an unnecessary straing on the eyecup. I have contacted Canon and they have never heard of this before but are researching it. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this flaw.
Awesome. Keeps from mashing your nose against the LCD.. My wife will sometimes use my camera and she used to get her makeup smeared all over the back of my camera. This definitely prevents that. Great product. A must have for any D-SLR owner.
I purchased the eyepiece extender for my 50D to prevent my nose and cheeks smudging onto the LCD screen due to oil.  Yes, it did help, but not significantly.I guess you can't really complain considering the price of this canon accessory.
Yes, it does provide a bit more eye relief, and can make it easier to see the whole frame (by making it smaller), BUT there is a major problem with this.  The eyepiece lens surface will not be as deeply couched in the rubber trim when you use this, and the result is a lot more reflections flashing around in the eyepiece when you have light behind you.  This is especially a problem when you are wearing glasses.
I both this for my Canon T1i, it said it fits all EOS cameras, but a small list of them,the part is about a 1/8" to 3/16" to wide to slide down on the eye pice, I like to find one with a longer extender on it.
What can i say , my nose don't hit the screen anymore and I can use other adaptable views with this as well... Yeah its a great buy at a great price..
I read good and bad reviews about the eyepiece extender. Some don't like the loss of view. I myself forgot I had it on the next time I used the camera (T1i). It does keep my nose off the LCD panel and that is what it was intended to do. For that I would recommend it. If you are concerned about the smaller vf image you might want to pass on this. I figured for the price I had little to lose. It works for me.
I don't own this, but I want to make one statement. . . Having your face plastered against the camera is the way you are supposed to take pictures. The more contact you make with the camera reduces shake, which is a good thing. Cameras are designed the way they are for a reason. I am not going to get this because its not that hard to freggin whipe the lcd off once in a while, also the smaller size would also be a hinderance.Someone also stated that because they are right handed, their right eye is their "sighting eye". Your handednes has nothing to do with which eye is dominate.I just don't get the point of this product.
What can I say; Canon should make their eyepiece stick out this far to save us having to buy this thing.  Buy it, and get on with your life.
I bought this eye piece for my canon T3i. This extends the eye piece so your nose is not smashed on the LCD screen or in the case of the T3i, the door to the screen. The existing eye piece comes off, the new one goes on and then you put the old eye piece back on. It was a simple process and I'm happy I bought it.I am a novice dSLR user.
This eyepiece really helps to promote comfort.  If you are like me and take lots of pictures, then you will appreciate this addition to your camera.  Not only does it help in fit and feel, but it also allows me to take better pictures as I feel like the eyepiece makes me focus in better and longer.  Well worth the money!  And as usual, Amazon comes through with timely delivery service.
This little item does what it's suppose to do with a some cons depending on how you look at hit.  It will extend your eyepiece by about 5mm from the original position which will help reduce those oil smear from the lcd screen.  This will help you find a better position to take your shot since it you won't have to push your face in contact with the camera body to actually see your subject.The extender will reduce the size of your viewfinder by about 20-30% which can be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it.  Pro if you want to see the whole view faster since you'll see the image on the viewfinder at a reduced size, meaning that you can evaluate the shot faster. Con if you need to see a magnified image on the view finder to see the detail before taking a shot. (not really a con for me, that's what the LCD is for :P)Better comfort overall.
The extender moves my face away just the right amount - no smudges but also not so far out that it is obstructive.
I wear glasses and my prescription is too strong to correct with the standard diopter adjustment. I have to press my eyeglasses against the eyepiece warping them in the process. On top of that, my eye still sits too far from the viewfinder screen to see it all at once. Sometimes this means that I miss important information like a shutter speed set too slow to avoid blurring or the fact that my flash unit isn't quit ready yet for the next shot. Or I miss seeing a portion of the scene that I would have liked to completely include or exclude from the shot. The Canon EP-EX15 Eyepiece Extender solves this by showing me the entire viewfinder screen all at once. And I no longer have to keep adjusting my viewing angle or smashing my nose to do it. Ah, that's much better.
I am a professional photographer, and graphic designer I use my cameras daily.  This is a simple device designed to keep your camera just a little more extended past your nose and eyeglasses if you wear them.  This prevents getting face oil on your camera screen and makes it MUCH more comfortable to use your view finder.  Small accessory, but I love it.  You can even get your optometrist to install a prescription lens in it if you want.  It cost me about $47 for a prescription lens.
This adapter does not even fit on the Canon XS.  It is too wide!  Misleading title for item.  Should read fits most EOS!
When you're shooting an event, it becomes tedious to have to take time and clean your LCD screen every time you want to preview your shots. This extender keeps your cheek and nose further away from said screen, thus keeping it from being fouled by skin oils and (not to put too fine a point on it) sweat...It does NOT change what you see in the viewfinder and the image in the viewfinder remains bright.Highly recommend the item.
I bought this thinking it worked for the XSI.It doesn't but it's really hard to find that info.I sold it to my friend that has a Canon D40.The model for the XSI is EP-EX15 II (2)That one works good.
So you say "I can't get my eye close enough to see through the viewfinder."Lets make it easier and extend the eyepiece closer to your eye.
I wish this had been included with the original purchase of the camera.  It makes using the viewfinder much easier and more comfortable.
The extender works well for extending...and allows me to get close without smashing my big nose. The issue I have with this extender is that it doesn't come with a pad for the eye, so you use the one that came with the camera. As a result the tolerances aren't correct and the pad continuely falls off the extender...I've considered gluing it to resolve the issue. This could be solved by including a pad with the extender or by making the attachment to the pad more than a pressure fit.
I thought I was buying this because I lost my eye cup. I was dissapointed to find that it was only an extender not a larger eyecup replacement. I like how it brings the eye piece out, it is more comfortable to shoot with, however I feel like I am going to loose the whole unit when I am walking arond with my d60 hanging over my shoulder form the neck strap.bottom line it does what it says, but it stays in my bag most of the time.
When I ordered this, the description didn't include a statement that there's no rotating ring to adjust the orientation of the star pattern. Most star filters (even cheaper ones) have a rotating ring similar to that found on circular polarizers, so I assumed. I didn't take a close look at the product image, my bad! The work-around is to loosen/unscrew the filter slightly to rotate.Otherwise the star pattern is nice and works as expected. Obviously there will be increased lens flare when pointed toward a light source -- that's a given.
The Hoya 6 point star did it's job in making my Christmas light pictures look amazing!  Good quality and threads on easily.  I have had some filters in the past that did not thread correctly but Hoya makes a good product and I highly recommend it.  Now I want to get the 4 and 8 point star filters!
This filter is the answer to my problem.  I could not get the results I wanted with the camera.  It arrived before promised in a proper protection package  -  new condition  -  exactly as described
This filter does a great job.  I was shooting photographs of a candle light dinner in December and really liked the light beams it brought to the candle flames.  I am trying it out at the Rolex 24 car race this weekend.  It will be interesting to see how the headlights of the cars look at night.
This item does exact;u as I expected it to.  It fits, it give the proper star burst effect.  I am happy with this at this price.
This 6 star filter is fun to use and makes for some very cool pictures.  Great for shooting the stars or a beautiful sunset.
I bought this filter just to add some pizzazz to a few water shots and some portraits. It works like a charm! I have owned the star 8 filter. I like the star 6 better. The effect is just slightly more subtle but it makes all the difference in the composition of the photo.
Tiffen lens tissue is the best available for the average consumer.  As other reviewers have said, this IS the tissue that used to have the Kodak label.  Tiffen was the supplier, and now they sell it under their own name.  Even the package has the same product description verbatim as on the Kodak package: "A soft, lintless paper specially prepared for cleaning lenses, filters, and other highly polished glass surfaces.  Safe for coated lenses too."You will not go wrong if you buy Tiffen lens cleaning paper to clean your camera lenses or your glasses.  It will not make scratches.  I also use it as an absorbent material for my clarinet playing to wick away moisture from the clarinet pads (it works great and is a lot quieter than regular tissue paper).If you're looking for an alternative product, try the company ThorLabs and do a product search for cleaning tissue.  ThorLabs manufactures optical components for research and industry. They also sell their own lens cleaning paper, and the price is comparable to Tiffen: less than 2 bucks for 25 sheets.  Who knows, maybe Tiffen is their supplier, too :)  The lens paper by ThorLabs is intended for use in research-grade optical work with delicate microscope objectives, expensive focusing lenses, specialized filters, and other components. The Tiffen paper is probably just as good, too, if it's not actually the same product.
I've just bought a $1,000 lens and need cleanup tools. This camera lens tissue does its job. I can easily clean up the lens by applying a really slight force on the lens.
I expected to receive a "Kit" of Kodak lens cleaning cloths per the clearly posted picture on the item ordering page.  I only received one lens cleaning package.I paid $1.99 for the product and $6.94 for shipping.  I expect this amount of shipping is required for a full case as shown in your product discription, which is why I am sure you made a mistake by only sending one sleeve of lens cleaning wipes.  Based on how thin the wipes are, I would expect a whloe case of them to cast you as the distributor less than the $1.99 I paid for the entire case.Outrageous, frivolous, and downright THIEVERY!!!
Do not look at the pic, It is completely missleading. You only get a tiny little booklet of paper, worth maybe $.50. This order cost me $8.53 total and what a waste of money. I could buy local for way less. I thought I'd be getting a a kit a described in title "Kodak-Lens Cleaning Kit." I say, DO NOT BUY!
The use of expendable tissues is the only way to clean highly polished lenses being sure it won't be harmed. I just can't trust any kind of wiping cloth to be absolutely clean at the moment it touches my cameras' lenses. And these specific ones work greatly with cleaning fluid, not melting at all when soaked up. No lint, no fibbers, no marks on the cleaned surface.Tiffen used to make the great Kodak tissues, those well known trusty ones that everybody loved. These are exactly the same ones, same size, same material, same quality, on a white envelope with Tiffen's name on it.Only drawback is the slight difficulty to draw one single unit from the envelope at a time. Frequently two of them come out together, sometimes a few o them get disarranged inside the package and the thing becomes a bit disorganized. Not a big deal, it's just a pity to sees this fine material loose it's good look. I wish it worked like the regular paper tissue boxes, pick up a tissue and another one sticks out. That would be the perfect usability matching the perfect material.Highly recommended.
arrived well before the estimated arrival date. nice and compact for the camera bag. ready about this type of cleaner on another site and the price here was hard to beat.
I was expecting a entire box of these things picture is very miss leading i paid for 2 of these things and it is such a rip off .If you do buy this you get one of the things in the box in the picture...UPDATE... I am very glad tiffin updated their picture after i posted my own. now people will not be confused. i changed my rating to 4 stars now
These sheets are good for more than just cameras.  I used them on my binoculars and I can see much better through them.  Small package fits in bag.
This is the same KODAK paper we have all known and love for cleaning delicate lens surfaces. No lint, no scratching, just plain honest safe cleaning of those precious lens surfaces.
They are what they are.  There is not really much to say.  I use them to clean my lens and they work.
The size of these tissues are a little larger than some tissue packs so you will only need one to do the job.
I use this cleaning tissues all the time, even for my eye glasses. I carry them all the time on my camera bag, take no space at all even in my wallet.
I have used many different brands of lens tissue over the years. This is the ONLY tissue that works as fast as it does & does not leave a residue. U pay a little more but it is worth it. Because of its cost u won't find it just anywhere so stock up!
I use these to clean my lens filters. I use the pricey filters and these work very well. Easy to use.
Great bag very solid bag I am pretty sure it will keep the camera protected in worst conditions but still I would consider a cheaper bag before buying this. There is a pretty good canon bag out there I am pretty sure it will fit any other camera as well. Laptop compartment is way too tight practically useless if you have a standard 15'' laptop.
This is an extremely well-made bag with exceptional padding. There are almost infinite ways to configure the removable, padded inserts in the main camera compartment. The laptop section is extremely well-padded, but is not practical for my laptop, as I have to push and pull to get it in and out. I occasionally use that pocket for carrying my Manfrotto monopod.The bag is large and very heavy when fully loaded, so I do not use it for everyday shoots. It does provide the additional shock protection and security I need when travelling.I currently have it configured to hold a Nikon D40 with 18-55mm lens attached, a Nikkor 55-200mm lens, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28, chargers and cables for each camera, and an IOMEGA portable hard drive. I store the camera manuals and spare memory cards in the interior zippered pockets.
This thing needs a manual!  I ordered it after realizng that my laptop and my camera were never going to get along in normal briefcases, backpacks, or photo bags.  I started searching the net for combination camera and computer bags and this is where I ended up.  The bag arrived today and it exceeds expectations.  The product description did not communicate to me that there is a roll-up waterproof cover that comes out of the bottom of the backpack to cover and protect the backpack in the rain (why doesn't my backpacking pack do this????).  The product description does not do justice to the wealth of pockets that are on the front of the bag.  About 85% of the depth of the pack is consumed by the camera equipment compartment.  The remaining 15% is dedicated to the laptop compartment.  Not a problem unless you were hoping to carry 2 laptops in that compartment.  Can't wait to trave with this.  This is going to be great!!!
Bought this as a "refurbished" item - but looked brand new to me.  Great functionality.It can fit in two DSLRs (D90+D300S) and my most frequently used lenses (Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8 VR II, 35mm f1.8), plus a SB600, and a 13" McBook without any problem (it might fit a 15" notebook, but I didn't try that).  It also has a front pouch that can accommodate a tripod, and it even has a cover to shield the bag against water.  It has the perfect size to fit in an aircraft cabin.The bag is very well build, and is a bit heavy even without any gear.It is overall a very good bag.
This is a really convenient way to move my 2 SLR bodies and I can fit about 6 lenses in. It's very nice in general, good protective capability and very convenient.The Good:There is a lot of good thought behind this backpack. It designed  to be a camera backpack, not just a backpack you can put your camera in. For example, on the pouches opposite the main chamber, the zippers have covers to prevent them from scratching up your gear. Another good example is that the main chamber is deep enough that all of my lenses except my 200mm fit in horizontally, allowing me to fit more stuff in! My main camera goes into the bag attached to a lens that has a 67mm filter diameter and a lens hood on it, and they fit in without any problem whatsoever.Neutral:The body of the bag does not change shape no matter how much you have in it. This bodes well for protective capability but it's actually kindof annoying when the bag is not completely loaded. If you're carrying 1 old manual nikon with no extra lenses, or two canon 5Ds with 8 lenses and a laptop, the backpack is the exact same shape. This is a touch annoying because it can feel like you have a large foam brick on your back when lightly weighted.Not that you'd probably want to lug one, but don't try to put anything other than an ultra-mobile laptop into this bag. Trying to put a mobile-desktop style laptop or anything thicker than about 1.5" into this backpack will not be a happy experience.The Bad:This is a computrekker - it's meant for carrying your laptop with you and it's designed with that in mind. It actually feels quite imbalanced when you have the camera chamber filled but leave your laptop at home.Finally, the straps are short. I do a lot of photography out on my motorcycle and this bag barely fits over my motorcycle jacket, and I'm not exactly a huge guy. Without the jacket it's ok with the straps out a bit. But if you're on the larger side of medium-large, this backpack might feel too small on you.On the whole its a nice backpack, pretty expensive but not when one considers how much stuff can be put into it simultaneously and that it's a good protective bag. It's not the best backpack in the world, but being my first and only SLR backpack that might just be the way of all of them.
Lowe (who KNOWS ergonomics when it comes to packs) has a real winner with the computrekker. I also own the SlingShot 100. Why own two bags?I bought the computrekker first then realized:It's too big for a field bag. In the field, quick access to my gear is cumbersome at best. You have to take the bag off to get to the stuff. Photo-ops don't wait for you to take the bag off and get the camera and the lense and flash.Also the tripod attachment system is a bit complicated to untangle once you get your tripod on. I don't use the 'beaver tail style' fold down holder.I'd redesign it closer to the ice-axe handle loops on expedition bags. I just use two adjustable tension bungie straps to hold my lite carbon field tripod.The computrekker carries everything I need when I TRAVEL on mass transit or car. Cameras, lenses, flashes, tripod, cables, cards, batteries, books, magazines, ALL fit wonderfully and are well protected. And it easily rides with me on an airplane. No need to carry separate laptop and camera bags.But when I get to my destination, I transfer whatever I will need for the day in the field to the SlingShot 100. The slingshot doesn't have a tripod holder, but I just drop one leg through a loop on the bag and secure with smaller bungee.===Update June 2008:After at least a year of using this back it is still holding up well. I have to say that I have actually taken it on hikes to falls and cliffs. And again, it is not that well suited for backpacking. It is still great for transporting stuff when traveling (planes, trains, autos), but into the woods I'd leave it at the hotel or in the car. Besides I would not carry my laptop into the woods. Just bring more memory cards and have a camera with a large LCD.========UPDATE JULY 2008So, I'm selling this bag. It is still in great condition and a top notch performer. I have my eyes set on the LowePro Rover. I am going to Kauai in October (the wettest place on earth) and I want total waterproof protection for my gear. This computrekker will serve some lucky buyer well!
This is a great bag. It has been well thought through for traveling. This bag basically has 4 sections for storing things:1. Furthest back is a compartment for the laptop. This is a well padded section which easily fits my 13" macbook.  I also like to carry my MB in a neoprene sleeve for extra protection once I get to wherever i'm going, and this all fits nicely and snugly in the section with about 3-1/2 inches underneath (or on top) to spare, for carrying the charging brick, power cords and other small items.  A lot of people have bigger notebooks, so for an added point of reference, I was also able to fit a 15-1/2" Sony Vaio - also in its neoprene sleeve, 1-7/8 thick x 14-7/8 long x 11-1/2 wide.  This fit perfectly as well, but if you have anything bigger you will have difficulty closing the zipper and I wouldn't recommend this bag for you.2. The next compartment is the camera gear section. This is where the bulk of the storage space resides. Dual full zippers, pull the cover completely open. This is nice. I don't like to keep my Nikon D90 on the bottom like in the picture, so I rearranged the very stiff velcro dividers so my D90 faces down on the very top.  This makes it easier to get the camera in-out of the bag for me without having to completely open the zippers. The longest lens you'll be able to store using the depth of the bag is about 5".  For other longer items including my sb600 Speedlight you'll need to lay them flat.  The inside is softly/smoothly lined and fully velcro'd except for about 7" across the top (under the handle). But with the nice two long pads, and the 9 short pads that came with (my bag at least) you'll have lots of flexibility to mixing/matching which arrangement works best for you.  There are also three big zippered compartments in this section inside the cover;The top one is actually two separate ones side by side and one big one underneath.  Each have soft suede little flaps to cover the zipper pulls. Inside the sections each are lined with a rubbery waterproof material, so if you stored something inside that leaked, it won't drip into the camera section potentially ruining your expensive gear.3. The next two compartments are on the outside-front of the bag.  The top one has a dual zipper pull, which zips about half way down the front of the bag.  This section however goes deeper inside, to the bottom and fully to the sides of the bag.  Inside here are a couple of sections for your ipod, cell phone, pens, wallet, car keys etc.,  and the sides will expand ~3" for books, papers etc. ** NOTE here:  I have flown on many different airlines, from the small commuters to the bigger Boeing or airbus jets.  This bag has fit nicely under the seat in front of you on every one, or in the overhead bin in practically every one of them for me (except some really small 1x1 commuters).  Dependent upon how thickly you load this section, you "may" have to remove the laptop to get your bag to fit.  Personally I have an ipod, phone, a Kindle, a newspaper and perhaps a couple of magazines, a pen, car keys, and haven't had much trouble at all. Just a note, not a problem really, just a testament to how well the bag has been designed size-wise for air-travel.4. The next compartment on the front of the bag has a big velcro flap with about a 7-1/2 x 8-1/2 section.  Nice and handy/no fuss (non-padded) access for easily reaching for airplane tickets, passport, loose change, etc. in a hurry.5. Three other noteworthy items; there is also a heavy duty flap on the front which unfolds extending about 8-1/2" with a pocket for hooking the bottom of your tripod (or other long item) into. Coupled with two bungee types of connectors - 1-half way up the front of the bag, 1-on the top of the bag, allows you to lash your tripod to the backpack.  Nice idea if you need this, but obviously two things to note due to this geometry, 1- you cant stand the bag upright with the tripod attached, 2-you will need to unhook the top bungee to get into the camera portion of the bag (you can still access the laptop portion).The next noteworthy item is the "AW" portion of the bag.  AW means All-Weather.  Underneath the bag is a velcro section which contains an attached elasticized waterproof poncho for your backpack.  It completely covers the bag except for the back straps, so you can still wear it as a backpack.Finally this is a backpack, so there is also a waist strap (for transferring carry weight from your shoulders to your hips), and a chest strap for keeping the padded shoulder straps and load weight balanced on your back and pulled in from the bony corners of your shoulders. Also there are three buckles to keep the bag cinched tight front-to-back (one on each side) and on the top keeping the camera and laptop sections cinched together as well. There is also a really nice rubberized and easy to grip handle on the top to carry the backpack bag style, and two loops (one on each side) for hooking things onto (like a water bottle holder, or handheld item, flipcam, gps, phone, etc...)Last comments..  I like this bag for what it is. When you open the box, you will first notice the weight. It is a very well engineered and fully padded tech friendly backpack, with high-quality zippers, that will not fall apart anytime soon.  It lets me consolidate my computer & camera bags for travel, so it does what it does very well.  With airlines cracking down on carry-on items, this bag is perfectly maximized size-wise to fit on-board so I don't have to worry about hand checking one of two bags.  This bag is bigger than it looks. It will hold a LOT of gear which is terrific. But it will get HEAVY.  Be aware of this.  I like to carry everything to where I'm going and unload the laptop and chargers etc. so the bag converts nicely to a day pack as well for out on the trail etc..  If I'm just out sightseeing etc.  I usually just carry a camera and maybe one spare lens, so I also bring a less intrusive messenger type bag with me usually (carry-on, or in my checked luggage).  There are a lot of competitors in this hybrid compu/camera bag space, this isn't a comparison to those bags because I'm certain they are equally great, so choose yours, but for me and for the price I have no desire or need to trade this bag for anything else, and would absolutely buy it again.  Good luck, and happy picture taking!
I have the LowePro Computrekker AW (not the Plus model) and the Tamrac Expedition 7. Both are excellent bags, but there are important differences.Fully loaded the Computrekker holds a Nikon D300, 70-200 or 300 f/4, 24-70, 12-24, 70-300, filter stacks, extension tubes, 1.4 and 1.7 teleconverters, SB-800, and a HP DV2000 laptop. The Computrekker has a large exterior pockets with capacity for accessories like the SB-800, a Wimberley Sidekick, and room for more. The laptop pocket is moderately large and located against your back, providing plenty of protection. The laptop pocket is better for a thin laptop - the limit is my 1 1/2 inch thick Dell.  Interior pockets can be configured to your specific gear.  Padding is adequate, but the bag is not over-padded.  I am able to fit this entire bag in most overhead compartments, but occasionally I have to remove the laptop.I find the Tamrac Expedition 7 to be a bit heavy and bulky in comparison to the Computrekker. The Expedition 7 is a couple of inches deeper, so it will hold several lenses like the 24-70 vertically. That lets me carry both the 70-200 and the 300 f/4 lenses, as well as everything outlined above. The added depth increases the capacity significantly. The laptop pocket is okay, but smaller than the Computrekker. That pocket is also the only one big enough for your flash and a Sidekick, so with a laptop those items would need to be attached to the outside of the bag or put inside the pack with lenses. The Expedition has a bit more padding, but it is most noticeable on the waiste strap and on your back. The extra padding adds a lot of weight and bulk. Of course, you can use the MAS system to add external pouches but that also brings added bulk.  The padding and ventilation against your back is a little nicer than the Computrekker - but at the expense of more weight and bulk.  The small wing pockets for batteries and memory cards are not very function - and in my opinion just silly.The Computrekker is my choice of a good, light weight bag.  As noted by others, it is easy to overpack.  The Expedition has better padding, but it is at the cost of added weight and bulk.
If this is the size and format solution you need, it's a great backpack. It is my primary main bag at this point, and when I travel, is what I carry on the plane with me. As a backpack such as when hiking, though, I don't think it's the best solution. For that, I use a ThinkTank Speed Freak. Because this bag holds a computer (up to a Dell 8600 size), it is a great travel solution if the camera part is big enough for you. I can get a (all Nikon) D200, D70, 70-200 f2.8, 12-24 f4, 18-200 VR, SB-800, CP8400, spare batteries, chargers, filters, and a few other accessories in the main compartment. I don't put anything in the ouside pocket to get on a plane, as then it's too thick for the overhead. This bag will fit under the seat in every plane I've been in, including commuter's. It will fit in every overhead except the commuters. These appraisals are with a computer in the bag, too. You WILL get flagged by TSA, as there is just too much stuff in a bag like this. But I've never been delayed, just had them look through it for 1 or 2 minutes. What I've heard is if you have a lot of stuff, and it's NOT organized in a bag like this, that's when you may have more trouble. If you have more equipment than I do, possibly the Plus version would be better. But, keep in mind that one will be too big for some airlines for a carry on, especially international. Also, this one is VERY heavy when fully loaded, so the Plus would be just that much heavier.In terms of what the bag is "intended" for, backpacking or hiking, I at least would not use it for that. I want more instant access and you have to take this off to get at anything. When full, this bag is VERY heavy, and if you were hiking or backpacking you DON'T need that much equipment. If you think you do, you will simply be very unhappy IMO. Further, you won't take a computer on a hike (well, I certainly don't), and the computer pocket just adds thickness (at least 2 inches even when empty) if not carrying a computer.But as a primary storage solution and travel solution, I like this bag.The AW cover is fine and well designed, but since I don't use it for hiking I probably will never use it. But it's nice to know it's there and it takes up literally no room.It's made very well. It's been on at least 6 trips and looks brand new. It's very excellent protection for the computer and the main compartment (altho' the ouside pocked isn't padded). The straps are comfortable, and up to the task when fully loaded. The dividers are very flexible, and you should be able to make it work for any equipment that will fit inside. I have never received any hassle from TSA when carrying this bag full of gear.I also have a LowePro Sideline shooter (smaller waist bag that I've actually outgrown), and that has been a great bag for me, too. Just to say that bag has been through the wringer, and still looks great and works great. Lowepro makes quality stuff.Would I buy the Computrekker AW again? For travel, probably. Although for that I might consider one of the rolling options by Pelican or Lowepro instead, altho those are all larger and that I wouldn't like. I would also consider the ThinkTank Airport bags instead, too.This is a great bag if it's the right style for you. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the design or construction of the bag. Just think about what you really need before you buy anything, as there are a ton of great choices out there, of which this is certainly but not the only one.
I am quite satisfied with the CompuTrekker.  I purchased it because I wanted a more compact and rugged carry-on for both my laptop and my SLR with extra lenses, and the product does this very well.  I packed my camera, two extra lenses, a small camcorder, charging units for both plus a few small accessories.  My laptop also fit, but I was a bit concerned that it was a bit tight.  However it worked well.My only complaint is that strapping on a small, compact tripod onto the outside seemed cumbersome, and in the end I left the tripod at home.  I will experiment some more with ways to secure it with the somewhat confusing elastic cords, and if I can do that, I will revise my rating.Bottom line is that I am quite satisfied that the pack does what it is supposed to do, even if  adding the tripod is a bit problematic.
I'm a bird photographer, with all that implies. Binoculars, big lenses, tripod and flash extenders. And I do a lot of remote work, with all that implies. Backup camera bodies, backup lenses, multiple batteries and often a solar charger. And a laptop computer with assorted cables, because you can't really see what you've shot on a camera's screen. That's a lot of stuff. I want and need a seriously big bag, that will still meet size restrictions for airline carry-on (no way I will check camera gear) and carry comfortably on my back. Places I go, wheeled bags are worse than useless.This bag comes very close. I can stuff in everything except a backup super telephoto and a tripod. The total comes to about 45 pounds. (Don't tell the airlines.) Even at that weight, the bag is very comfortable on my back, even over the course of a long day. The slip-pocket for the laptop is very well padded and pretty secure. Even though it's closest to my back, the laptop doesn't create pressure or chafe points. It's true that you can't get into the pack without taking it off, but that's not a problem for me.There are a few problems. I had the zipper for the main compartment fail on a trip to the Amazon. Not good. I used duct tape the last three days. Lowepro was great about replacing the bag, and the new one's zipper has held up just fine. But I'd like the design to have a couple more snap straps to hold the upper flap closed. The tripod carrier isn't very helpful to me; I carry the tripod and active camera and lens on my shoulder.On the plus side, the integrated rain cover is excellent, and holds up just fine in tropical rainstorms, wave spray in rough water and my buddy's spilled beer. The pockets on the inside and outside of the flap let me organize the smaller bits. The hip belt accepts carriers for water bottles and bear spray or bug dope. And I can't emphasize enough how comfortable this pack is on my back.Bottom line: it's not perfect, but it you lug a lot of gear in the field and still want a carry-on eligible bag, this is the best product I've found.
That sounded negative to begin with.  I'm just stating the obvious.  This backpack is one heavy duty that could take it so much in.  First off, I use this in rain, snow, wind, fog, and it excels in all areas.  Even dusty areas and what not.  It can pack alot as seen in the picture, place extra memory cards, air blower, filters, lens cloth, several lens, camera, or two camera bodies, one telephoto, and the comparts where the camera and lens are store is adjustable.  I use this when I need several lens available on a wildlife or landscape shoot (yes I carry this on strenuous hikes too).  It has a cover in one of the zippers and when it rains, you could use that to cover your backpack.Its like your own portable storage on the go and I do carry this on planes from time to time as I don't like to check it in with my luggages.  So many good things about it.Bad? Well, can you carry the weight on your back of the things you're packing.  I really can't think of anything negative about it.  Other than its bulky so, as heavy duty as it is, on other days when you just need a few lens, carry a lighter bag to keep the turtle off your back. J/k.
This backpack works great and protects well, there is enough room for a Digital SLR camera, several lens, including a telephoto lens, filters, even batteries,memory and cleaning supplies. Can be used to store these items when not in use as well.
No camera/laptop hybrid bag is perfect. But this one comes darn close. It is made extremely well, and it is comfortable when loaded up. It is perfect for traveling and event photography. The number one reason I bought it was to be able to travel and carry my 15" mac book and camera equipment in one bag. My mac book has a hard clam shell case attached to it for added protection. And I was concerned that it would be too bulky. But it slipped in the laptop compartment just fine. This bag will also be just fine for carry on. After searching online for days looking for a camera / laptop bag, I'm really glad I bought this.What I loaded this bag with: Mac book 15" laptop, Canon Digital Rebel XTi, with a standard lens, zoom lens, and wide angle lens. I can fit my battery charger, extra batteries, memory cards, AND my sony mini DV camcorder with all of its accessories. Nice!
A bit smaller than I thought or hoped for, but it fits a lot of stuff.  The owner too really great care of it.  THE BEST service ever&#8230;.  Highly recommend.
VERY comfortable even when fully loaded.  Holds things securely and dry.  Won't travel without it!  Highly recommended!
My mom is a professional seamstress and I don't think she'll ever have to repair this bag like she has done to my other bags. I load this thing up to the brim and carry it often. I use it for camcorder gear (including the Panasonic HVX200) and serious audio recording equipment, usually with a laptop, including the 15" Macbook Pro, which is fairly large for a 15". This LowePro backpack can handle a lot of gear and a lot of weight. It's really a backbreaker, but it can hold up and feels comfy. As much as I'd like the larger wheeled version, the CompuTrekker AW is about as big as you can go that'll still fit under an airlines seat in coach. I've never had a snafu tucking it under, and it barely clears allowable footroom. Of course, it'll fit in the overhead, but these days you never know if there'll be any overhead space available, but rest assured you're entitled to underseat space and this backpack will fit.Unlike many other bags, the laptop compartment is in the back, so it's super easy to slip it in and out without having to open up the bag itself. Just watch out laying this backpack on its back, then all the weight is on the laptop. That's a small compromise for having such a convenient laptop compartment.The tripod feature of this backpack is useful, just a bit strange when you put the bag down, as the tripod extends beyond the bottom of the bag. I carry a Manfrotto, so you know this bag can hold a lot of weight.The flexibility of the internal dividers allow for various configurations, especially with the HVX I can only put one vertical divider.
Lowe advertized that the unit would hold a 17" Laptop. It did not and was returned.
The Lowepro CompuTrekker AW is a great bag!  When I first received it, I realized it was much larger than I expected.  However, once I started using it, I realized that it is designed very well.  I enjoy photographing/video taping my baby daughter.  I'm able to fit my SLR with a few lenses, video camera, digital camera, film, and all the associated accessories with ease.  I currently don't use the laptop slot, but I thought that would come in handy for holding books/manuals/maps/etc.  When I do eventually go into digital, I'll have that space for a laptop.  The straps are extremely comfortable and the tripod holder is a nice added touch.  I hope not to get caught in severe weather, but it's nice to know there is the all-weather (AW) built-in cover.Overall, the bag is well-designed.  It is well-padded, has enough pockets for accessories, and comfortable.  The only drawback is the size, but then again, you can't really go smaller to carry what I carry.  If you want to shave weight/size, consider the standard mini-trekker without the laptop pocket.
The camera compartment is this bag is good, holds an EOS 20D with an attached 70-200 f/2.8l IS USM, and room for more lenses.  There is also enough clearance to permit the battery grip.  If you plan on using this with a laptop I would not recomend it.  If you have a widescreen laptop (ie Dell Lat 800/810, Insp 8500,9500, etc) the zipper barely closes, with one corner pushing out on the zipper, necessating the Computrekker AW Plus.  If you have a smaller laptop, you should be okay.  However, unless you have an ultra-thin laptop, the compartment isn't thick enough-- it's tight enough that the screen will be pressed into the keyboard, scratching the screen.  Also, the corners of any laptop could come in contact with the zipper area where there isn't padding.  If you drop this case, your laptop could get a cracked corner.  This case isn't an all-in-one solution to the laptop & camera combined.  Again, it's fine for camera/lenses, fits decently, doesn't scream camera inside.  The laptop compartment however could be used for folders, papers, etc.
My Backpack arrived 1 day before my scheduled workshop so I packed all of my photoequipment... including a dedicated flash and a macro flash an Epson 2000 photo capture unit, batteries and misc. photo equipment.  This workshop was a field workshop on the ocean, sand dunes, lighthouse locations...you name it.  Being in my70s and out of shape I thought I was in trouble with the weight of all these items but the way this backpack was built the weight distribution was perfect even in the climbing and traversing the dunes and tide pools. I used all my lenses from wide to 100-400, 70-200 canons.  The weight was there but so was the distribution and thought out straps. Had a tripod too!
This backpack is the ideal size for a photographer during an assignment, there is no need to carry huge packs on wheels.In this pack I can carry 2 or 3 bodies, 2 Flash units, extra batteries for all, 3 lenses; in a separate compartment I can carry small items, such as small screwdrivers, a swiss army knife, memory cards, etc. A separate, padded zippered compartment can be used to carry a 15" laptop or, a compact monopod instead.Other backpacks of this type are usually too small ot too big. This bag is exactly the right size for most photo assignments.
When I bought this, I didn't realized that that was another for pro sized SLRs (Plus). When I got it & tried the camera in it, the top of the camera stuck above the sides of the open bag. I turned the camera on the side, so that the grip is now what was sticking up and this actually makes it sit a little lower. When the bag was closed, you couldn't really notice anything protruding. The padding in the cover seems adequate to protect it. I looked at the 'Plus' online & realized that its dimensions would take it outside what was allowed by airlines for a personal carry-on, so I decided to just stick with this.Now after making my first trip with it, I am glad I did. The airlines are getting stricter with having you put the carry-on up in the compartment & your personal item under the seat. Since this bag is my personal item, that's where it had to go and it barely fit. It just made it. I am sure the 'Plus' wouldn't.I feel vindicated that my choice for not exchanging it was correct.Might be something you may want to consider if you have a pro sized camera.
I purchased this bag because I travel a lot internationally and I usually need to carry my laptop, but want to carry my SLR as well.  In the past, I have carried my laptop in a backpack and the SLR separately in a Lowepro bag.  This worked, but I was always nervous about having the camera separate, especially when I arrived in foreign cities at night and it felt obvious that I was carrying an expensive camera.  Plus, I was worried that some day, one of the airlines would notice the two bags and forbid me from carrying both the laptop bag and the camera bag onto the plane.  To overcome this, I tried putting both the camera bag and the laptop into a large backpack, but if it looks big, the airlines will notice and twice last year I was asked to take things out of my backpack (Istanbul airport and Milan airport, both on Lufthansa).This bag by Lowepro seemed a good alternative.  I also tried the larger, Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Camera Backpack, but that bag seemed way too large to get away with carrying it onto the plane.I can fit my Dell Inspiron 1500 15 inch laptop and my Canon 40D with the 100-400 lens and the 28-135 lens.  I could get a third lens in as well.  I was also carrying other electronics such as hard drives, power cords, GPS, palm, etc and all fit snuggly into the adjustable compartments in the bag.  The laptop fits really tight into the bag, much snugger than I would like.  I would say that my size laptop is the absolute maximum size that will fit into this bag.Computers and SLRs and all the supporting cables, drives, etc add weight quickly and once the bag is fully loaded, it is really heavy.  If the airline ever weighed my bag, I am certain that I would be well over the limit for carryon bags.  However, that is my over packing and you don't need to fill up the bag just because you can a lot into it.The bag is comfortable to wear for a short time, but if you have a lot in it including a laptop, it sits really poorly on your tail bone which gets painful after a while.  Other backpacks that I own have additional padding at the bottom of the bag to avoid such problems.  I am surprised that Lowepro did not do a better job at adding padding where it was needed and adding channels to allow for airflow along you back.  However, without the laptop, the bag is really comfortable.  The handle at the top of the bag is placed so that the bag is balanced when you carry it.  However, this means that the handle is not convenient for hanging the bag.  A second handle or loop would have been nice just for hanging the bag.The first time that I used the bag, I loaded it up and then put my reading materials in the very front pouch.  This expanded the bag so much that it would not fit into the bins on the Lufthansa, Airbus 330-300 on which I was flying.  I had to take my laptop out in order to get the bag into the overhead bin.  For the next flight, I packed less in the bag, but still had to take the laptop out.  The problem is not the size of the bin, but the lip of the bin which does not allow the bag to be pushed in if there is something long and hard at the back of the bag such as a laptop.  Something to consider.Overall, I bought the bag to carry it all and it works really well for this purpose.  Everything fit snuggly and all of my equipment arrived safely.  I think that Lowepro could have done a better job with the design of the bag, however.  Plus the inconvenience of needed to remove my laptop means that I will keep looking for other bags.
This is a great little backpack!  Well, It is a little thick, but heck look what your carrying!  You have your camera gear plus a laptop.  I have a 15" Macbook Pro and it fits great in this pack!  Plenty of dividers and pockets for your camera gear.  The protection of the laptop is very good, I have had no issues with that.  Please make sure you get the proper size of Computrekker!!  There is a larger model for your 17" laptops.
First, i think that this backpack is great, the construction is good, the size is good, and it is comfortable to wear.  I really wanted a travel backpack that would fit all my stuff ( computer, pda, etc...), not just camera equipment.  Sectioned backpacks are the best, i will never go back to the "black hole" type.It was difficult to make this purchase without trying the backpack, but it has been working out just fine.  I have tried several 15.4" laptops and they fit.  The only issue is the limited one outside pocket and i think they could make this backpack a little more "adventure" with useful added straps that you can clip things on.  The outside pocket is big and can fit books, food, clothes, etc. It was difficult to tell from any pictures i have seen on the internet.  There are these bungee straps on the front and top of the bag for the tripod; they should have a hide-a-away pocket or be webbing straps.  I don't think this will be best choice for snowboarding or mountain biking, due to the large boxy size.I have not flown with the bag, but i hope i can squeeze it under a seat.  It is a little pricey but there are very few good backpacks that can hold almost everything you need.  If you need more storage or have a big laptop, get the Plus.  I feel in the end this will be my everyday backpack and travel backpack, and I would suggest this backpack to everyone.
I bought this backpack for a trip to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks to use with a Canon DSLR. I primarily intended to use the backpack for airline travel, but it also worked well on hikes. I generally unloaded equipment that I didn't think I would use for the day. However, on one day I kept it fully loaded since I didn't want to leave the equipment in the car (checked out of the hotel). Even fully loaded, the backpack was comfortable to wear on hikes (although heavy). I like the extra straps which kept the backpack from sliding off my shoulders. The shoulder straps are quite thickly padded. When fully loaded with equipment the backpack ended up at 35 pounds.I didn't try the tripod mount so I can't comment on this feature.The bag is kind of bulky and doesn't compress when unloaded. However, I was able to put it under the airline seat fine. It provides excellent protection for equipment.The laptop pouch will work fine for a thin and light notebook  but anything much larger won't fit. I was worried about compression of the notebook but it seemed to be OK.It is a bit inconvenient to unload a lens but the backpack allowed me to take a 70-200 telephoto lens with 2x extender attached. I would have missed some wildlife shots without the backpack. When hiking I left the SLR around my neck or in a toploader bag because I didn't want a delay to unload the camera.The only enhancement I would like to see is a few more side/front pouches. The large front pouch tends to get cluttered so it can be hard finding items in there.This is a great bag if you want to bring some extra lenses and a notebook for digital storage. I considered the bigger brother to this model (Plus). In the end, I decided that the regular version was better suited to travelling and hiking.
After seeing this bag in use by a friend I gave it a try... Very nice bag! I love the fact that now I only have ONE "carry on bag" where I use to have a camera bag and laptop bag! Lowepro as always been a good name in camera bags! And I love the access to my main camera/lens with just opening a bit of the top cover... Nice!Steve
This is a great bag.  I use Rebel XTI with attached battery grip (growing to a 50D shortly).  Has plenty of room for my 70-300MM IS attached to camera. I usually also pack 28-105MM and a 50MM.  With all of the above still has plenty of room for another body or 2-3 lens.  Padding is great, however this bag is very large.  I wouldn't recommend buying if this were going to be on your back for a long time (2+ hours), however it fits in the over head compartments on air planes and can still hold an extra set of clothes and/or a light jacket, as well as all cables/charges extra batteries etc.  The built in dust/rain/wind guard is a great plus, also adds extra padding to bottom when not in use.
Ask yourself if you really need the laptop slot this bag provides. Because it does add a few inches to the thickness of the bag, whether or not you are carrying a laptop or not.  Because of this, the bag looks bulky while you are wearing it, more bulky than the Lowepro Minitrekker, which is basically this bag, minus the laptop slot.  Further, you may even be able to fit a laptop in the Minitrekker if it's a smallish one.Aside from the above, this Lowepro and other Lowepro models are great photo backpacks. Very sturdy and made with quality materials that should last a very long time.
This is a great mic to have for your next project.  When used side by side to high end mics (Brand name withheld), you get the same sound.  Unless your shooting a very quiet scene for the next blockbuster, you won't go wrong with this one.
I have an ag-hmc40 HD camcorder. It is a fairly small professional camcorder compared to a normal DV cam.  This mic is about 11" so it is just about the same size as my camcorder. It makes the camcorder look a bit small, but this camcorder is no consumer cam so I'm not too worried about that. The mic picks up EXTREAMLY good audio in basically any condition. It comes with a shock mount which I do suggest using due to it's length.  It does a great job cutting out all of the "noise" and distortion. I would suggest this to a friend.
Given the price, one can't expect stupendous performance from this mic; and it is a sold performer. However, volume levels from this mic into a Zoom H4N are very low; recording a regular two shot dialog scene, the mic has to be basically inches from the subjects speaking at normal volume to get good solid levels (between -12 and -7 on the Zoom's recording meter). Using this mic, I always have to boost any audio that comes from the Zoom by at least 5db in post, if not more. Either that, or I have to turn the Zoom's levels up to 100, and that still doesn't get me into that -12/-7 sweet spot. This is my first shotgun mic, and I'm assuming more expensive mics might have slightly higher gain performance...but I dunno. As others have said, this mic's directional performance is very good, and does isolate other sounds that are not in its directional path. As a beginner's mic, its performance is satisfactory. It's better than nothing in most cases...but seems designed to be quickly outgrown by anyone whose skill level continues to develop. If I'm doing something wrong, and there is a way to wring more performance from this mic/recorder combo, please comment here.
I bought this mic in Nov, 2010 for $152.00. I couldn't be happier with it. I'm a film student and the quality of this mic is great. It is a very strongly directional (cardioid) mic and gives me better results than mics twice its price (or more). Also, the included shock mount with extra bands was a nice touch. Mine came with a nice zip-up leather case for everything with it too. I used this and an adjustable painters pole for a short film project and it did excellant.For any of you all who are interested, I used this with aBlue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preampand a netbook/audacity to and had great results in combination with a Canon T2i. The only problem I had  was that at times my recording was a little bit quiet. However, I'm not sure what part of my setup was to blame.
Used it for a small short film, and other events. Works like a champ, its my first shotgun mic everytime. Just remember to turn off the switch when putting it away, I always forget.
You can spend loads more for a medium sized shotgun mike, but this one works fine.I got it to remotely mike a wedding outdoors and the sound was perfect.The mike was about 20 feet from the wedding couple and we picked up every word, loud and clear.They were amazed that I had got the whole thing recorded without a hitch.You probably will need a mike stand - get a photographers tripod for this one. It has the right screw.
As a beginning filmmaker I purchased this microphone for use with theSony HDR-CX160 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black). After beginning to use it I realized that the volume was extremely low upon playback. When I increased the volume in editing it was still very clear and sounded good, but it did have some white noise. I do not know whether this is due to the microphone or the input on my camera, but that is an issue for me. I still give this product four stars because I am able to raise the volume when I edit footage and it does end up sounding great, it's just a little extra step. Also, I like everything else about this mike; the shock mount and the ease of use.
Did a lot of searching and reading about mikes. Eventually settled on the Azden Barrell Shotgun Mic With XLR Outputs. It seems to be well built and solid. Metal, not plastic construction. I had to by an XLR to mini stereo converter to get it to work with my Sony camcorder, the first adapter did not work, the second one works perfectly. The sound quality is not as great as I had hoped, but is definitely acceptable for my needs. It is a fairly large mike. I have also found that it is not as directional as I would have liked, picking up a lot of side noise. Otherwise, limitations aside, I think it is a good mike.
I took this to Europe with me to film a documentary.  It worked well.  I've used a bunch of shotgun mics.  I like this.  Not more or less than others I have used, but it is def. a lot cheaper.If you are on a tight budget then get it.
I bought this to use with my Canon 7D, using an XLR adapter that I had.The volume was way too low, making it worse than the built-in mic and essentially useless. I sent it back.
I like the sound of this mic the features are excellent and it is easy to use I know a new version is out but for overhead capture and on camera the sound quality is quite nice please review my YouTube channel " JKAGOSO"  for some samples of the Videos I have taken using this mic on the HMC40 & the HMC80 camcorders
I really liked this mic, but I couldn't get over the lack of tonal qualities in the upper range. People refer to this as &#34;warm&#34; in other reviews I've found, but you can &#34;warm up&#34; the audio of a better mic by reducing the 3-5K range using EQ if that's the effect you're going for.I liked this mic OK, but honestly a shotgun microphone just isn't a purchase you will need to make repeatedly. With proper care, it should last many years even if used in a production type setting. For this reason, I find it silly to pay *almost* as much as a far better mic and settle for less. I ended up returning this microphone and going with the Rode NTG-2. The NTG-2 just has so much better tonal qualities around the vocal range. I'm not saying get specifically the NTG-2, but I am saying consider some pricier options because I believe they are well worth the extra coin.
For the money this is a very good consumer external camcorder mic. There are better (pro grade) mics out there, but not at anywhere near this price.A couple notes to budding videographers:1) Shotgun mics don't "pull in" sound from far away. Shotgun mics isolate the sound around the sides and behind the microphone so that the sound coming directly into the microphone from the front is more audible. Built-in camcorder mics don't do this. They accept sound from all directions.With an external shotgun mic, if someone is 30 feet away, they will still sound 30 feet away. You just won't hear nearly as much of the surrounding ambient noise and reflections, and will hear more of what's directly in front of the mic, even if 30 feet away. The sound will seem more pronounced since side and rear noises are subdued. Given that, someone standing only a few feet in front of the camera, especially if shooting outdoors, will sound fabulous compared to using the built in camcorder mic. The external mic will make the video seem more professional because the audio is better. Really.2) Video always seems to "look" better when it has good audio (and you don't shake the camera too much of course). Do yourself a favor, and get an decent external mic for your camcorder and you'll be amazed at how much better your videos look.
As an amateur filmmaker, I was searching for a great LOW COST microphone to pair with my zoom h4n for sound to my Panasonic gh2 (dslr camera)... This mic was the best solution... As others have said, the sound quality won't blow you away but its a great starter mic... cant beat the quality for the price... Eventually I hope to move to the near $500 Sennheiser ME66
Now I can't say I've ever actually owned a shotgun mic, but recently I started buying some equipment, and after a lot of research this was my best bet within my price range. I bought this used but it was still in perfect working condition. I'm sure if you have a bigger budget there are better mics out there, but if your on a really small one as I am, you can't go wrong with this thing! (Provided you make sure to buy it from a reputable seller). It comes with a shock mount which claims to be universal although I can't really see how it would fit on anything but the hotshoe of my camera (or if I rigged something together).I plan on running to Home Depot one of these days and putting together a DIY boom stick for this thing. If I figure out a way to use the stock shock mount with it I'll come back and edit this to help others out. (Getting a good shock mount and boom stick seem to be a lot more expensive that finding a decent mic... :/)
I'm very please with this mic. It sounds good and does a much better than expected job at blocking sound that is not directly in front on you. I use the mic outside for action video in often windy conditions. The low pass filter works very well. I added a deadcat but still need the low pass filter in windy conditions. The included mount works great on the HMC150, the mic is never visible in the shot even with deadcat at full wide angle. Get an 18 inch XLR cable if you have an HMC150, it is the perfect size for my camera. Glad I didn't go smaller.
Bought this for use with a panasonic ag-dvx100 and I haven't been disappointed--the audio quality I've captured is much better than that with the factory mic.  I wish I had seen the two-barrel version of this earlier...oh well.  It takes an XLR cable (well that should be obvious from the description) so a buyer should be clear that they have 3pin XLR jack on whatever equipment it is they are recording into.  This is a decent mic for $150, it won't blow you away but neither will the cost.  Comes in a little pleather pouch, with a foam windscreen, shock isolating mount which screws into the hot shoe adapter and is better in design than the one standard with my camera, as well as some replacement rubber rings for the mount.  The mic takes two AA batteries if I can recall.  It has an off /on switch, and it has a cardioid/super-cardioid switch.  Pretty basic....I'd like to mount this on a boom eventually...
I use this in videography, mainly for interviews in noisy environments. The directionality is a plus.I've also recently used this with a Tascam DP-008 digital recorder with excellent results.
I selected this mic due to the reviews I read on here and have not been disappointed. I have used this as a companion to my professional camcorder and the sound is great. If you're shooting a Hollywood feature without a Hollywood budget this mic is a great choice.The only thing I am not happy with is that it did not include a short xlr cable. I had to purchase one separately.
I bought one as a step up from a brokenAudio-Technica ATR-6550and it's a step up in every sense of the word. One, it works, and that's a big plus. It also sounds pretty excellent and does a great job picking up what's in front of it and not what isn't. The self-power is great, and when thrown on a homemade budget boom pole rig fed into my Zoom H4N it produces some pretty great recordings of dialog or what-have-you. The only complaint I have is that the shockmount (which is of decent quality and gets the job done) isn't articulated, and the fixed shockmount forces you to get needlessly creative with your boom positioning. It's a great mic though, and an awesome way to get into location dialog recording. Highly recommended.
The Bescor MP-101 is a wonderful remote motorized pan/tilt head. At an affordable price, it provides low noise, very smooth pan/tilt functions.The only drawbacks I've found with this pan/tilt head is that all equipment that pertains to it is proprietary in nature, and thus is outrageously expensive.Also, when installed inverted, it malfunctions. That is, it seems that the motor is powerful enough to pan/tilt a 2 - 3lb. camera when installed normally, but not powerful enough to pan/tilt a 2 - 3lb. camera when installed inverted. We encountered this malfunction with all 3 of the units we ordered, and found that the only remedy is to install them in an upright position.
Good price good ac adapter.  Arrived right on time and seeing it matched to the pan head works great.  Would buy it again.
This adaptor works fine in shoot situations where electric is available. I purchased it because I was unsure if the batteries in the pan head would last through a shoot.
As the title says this is a must have if you are buying, or already have, the Bescor motorized pan/tilt mount. Unless you have lots of batteries and a money tree in your back yard.
We mount the power supply to the tripod so the cord is long enough when the camera does its 360 degree pan. Works good
We bought this and have used it several times.  It does keep the pan head working with or without batteries.
We mounted this our crane and got decent footage from it.  As mentioned at the title and from a few other review's the tilt is OK... Still very usable and for the price can't be beaten.  We used a Canon 7D with a 24-105 with a HDV-Z96 mounted to the hot Shoe and it' seem to handle the weight... Long term... That is unknown
The device works better with dc power supply. For small camcorder this device is great for interviews. Enjoy it it makes filming easy
It works. Your motorized head will be more responsive and the speed controller has a lot more of a variation from slow to fast turning with A/C current vs D/C. I'm happy I guess.
What was the manufacturer thinking? They know bloody good and well this product will likely be used on a camera jib. Even at my ProAm crane's shortest configuration, I still need an extension cord for the converter which is so heavy it can't be placed on the jib's arm without adding more counterbalance weights.We really need a way to avoid using batteries, but I might just as well use them since this cable is useless on my jib as it is. It's just too short.The bit of the adaptor that runs out to the motorized pan head needs to be at least 10 feet to account for rotation of the pan head, and the arm, while the converter needs to have a heavier cord that goes down to the floor and then into the converter which can be plugged into power extension.As is, I've now got to go look for an extension cable adaptor so I don't have to mount the heavy adaptor to the jib.This was poorly thought out.UPDATE:I've found a way to mount the wall connector to the upright on the center of the jib, but this will only work if the jib is an 8 foot jib (5 ft on camera side.)Any bigger jib and you need extensions, or just go on batteries.
Works perfectly. Just wish it wasn't as expensive. Could probably save yourself some money if you would manually hunt up an adapter that provides the right voltage and current.
We use this extension cord with our twelve foot crane and jib setup. Good quality construction and outer jacket material. So far, it's survived a lot of field use. I'd like to see a snap lock design to keep the cables from accidently pulling apart.
Allowed me to use a pan tilt head on my video boom. A bit longer than I needed.Attaches easily and works fine.
When I strapped on the Bescor Pan Head, I needed the extension cable to make sure my students could operate this from the distance needed. Make sure the velcro ties keep the cable from dangling.
We used this to make an end zone camera for the high school.  We have had no issues with the product and it works great.
Humm, reviews on cables confusing me... It works fine, didn't have any issues as of yet.  The endpoints seem solid and it should last forever.
I had to get this due to using it on my ProAm 12ft crane but it has lots of other uses too.  Imagine being able to hook up your camera to a tripod and be able to sit down or be more remote.  Shooting your kid's school plays is a breeze since you can minimize your signature and have just the camera out there.  Less angry teachers or gestures to move it.  Add a remote monitor and your in total control.  I am very happy with this.
This controller extension cable is great. It worked with no problems.It will allow me to run my motorized pan head on my 12 foot ProAm jib crane, and perhaps even longer. I got some double sided carpet layer's tape and permanently attached the controller to the weight end of my jib. Sine I'm just using the 8 foot configuration indoors for training purposes, I simply kept the bulk of the cable in it's factory wound configuration to keep things nice and organized.I'm glad this cable is as long as it is. When I upgrade to a larger jib, I'll already be set, but by then, I'll likely be using a much more expensive pan head. :)
Good product. Decently made. Plastic is really strong, the outer plastic stays together well if you don't abuse it. Good bang for your buck. I'm a bang for your buck shopper.
This is good little portfolio to easily carry and around and display.  The stiff covers are nice as well.  Well constructed.  I would buy more of them.....already have the 8x10 version.
i was looking for a little photo book didnt want anything to big or bulky just needed something small to put a couple photos in an that was it. an it did the job it's nice an small fits alot of photos and is a great product and would reccomend this to anybody
My local photo shop sells these for a bit more than Amazon, so your already winning compared to retail pricing. this brand is great archival quality. being a photo student who buys the 8x10 versions all the time, I come here and to Itoya for my needs. I save money and have a trustworthy product. they are not fancy, but for me, this is an easy way to toss a book full of 4x6 photos from my overseas tour in bag and go when its time to share them.
It works for the purpose intended! Shows pictures nicely. Feels durable enough to withstand use!I put it on the waiting room table so customers can look at my work and it gets a lot of use and page turning.Can't complain at this point. Have had for about 3 mounths!
I have purchased several Itoya products in various sizes. They are inexpensive and nicely designed.My only issue is with the shipping cost. The 4x6 presentation book is now $2.99 but shipping is $4.79. And ordering 2 doubles the shipping cost! I would advise ordering direct from one of the sellers to try and reduce the shipping charges.
Working in the comic book industry has led me to some neat product ideas, marketing, and more. Itoya products are a presentation/protector must if you want your work to look professional and stylish at the same time.This 4x6 is great for professional photography prints, holding smaller sketches or sketch cards, etc. I even keep on with me during family reunions for photo trades. It keeps items rigid and safe.If you are contemplating a different product over ANY Itoya, don't. Itoya is the best and you won't regret your purchase.
My pictures look great in them. I got some for my son, who goes to the Art Institute of Philadelphia with me.Thanks!
not much to say except it works the way it is supposed to and the vendor sent in a timely manner.
The item received was the genuine Cannon charger that originally came with the camera. This what was promoted and what I was expecting. It arrive as promised and in the Cannon packaging.
It was great to be able to replace my camera's battery charger (same model that came with the camera) and not have to buy a whole new camera.
After all these years, I am still using this charger and it hasn't given me any problems. The foldable prongs are great for traveling and storing in tight spaces. No problems what-so-ever.
I went the (thinking it was cheaper) eBay route- for about $10 more  I got a new one here and it WORKS. eBay is nice, but when it comes to stuff like this I learned my lesson. I've never gone wrong ordering from Amazon, in fact I just ordered an OEM NB-3L battery for my SD500; tried the Radio Slop route and it won't go over 20 pictures. Again, shame on me for trying to go cheap.
This is a replacement because I lost the one that came with the camera. It works as good as the original. I have no complaints.
This is indeed what comes with the camera, and it works great. It charges batteries quickly and is amazingly compact. The prongs even fold down so it is about the size of a deck of cards. It is simple and functional.
This product is everything you want it to be: inexpensive, functional, and compact. No glitches, no problems. Simply put, I woudln't go with any other device like it.
I bought this after we lost the one that came with the camera. Works just as well as the original.
Bought this because I had to, not because I wanted to. Another example of how battery technology has really not advanced.
I purchase this for my old SD110 Canon elf, I love it, it looks great for used charger, and they send me a sd memory card of 1gig...I love it, great and fast shipment too, I'm going to tomorrow and I got this right on time...Needless to say my battery is already charged.
I did not realize that the Canon digital camera that I ordered through Amazon came with its own battery charger.  I attempted to contact J&amp;R Music World to get a return authorization, and after many phone attempts, I gave up.  No one would answer their customer service phone.  I then attempted to get this authorization via their web site (as they recommended), and I sent them all pertinent details with the return authorization request.  They ignored my E-mail and never responded.  I will never buy another item from them.  I am now stuck with an unneeded battery charger and out the $44.78 charged by them.
I have had this charger for years now. I am happy with it. Durable. It is very convinient for traveling and every day use. Feels solid but light enough where you don't feel like it's a flimsy product.
Simply put, if you need this for your Canon lithium batteries, either because you want a second charger or the first one is lost or broken, there is not a good substitute. Works perfectly at it's limited function. Although it was overpriced by Canon, Amazon's price was the best I could find.
This is an absolutely AMAZING little camera!!!!  I have owned several 35 mm cameras in my day, from SLR to point-and-shoot, from high-end price to disposable.  This Casio camera outperforms them all.  You can just take it out of the box and start taking pictures, or you can take pictures with features in this camera that otherwise only a professional could attain.  The clarity on the photos is great - better than any 35 mm I've ever seen.  The camera is the perfect size...small enough to take everywhere, and big enough that you don't lose it.  I am so thrilled!  The only downside is that you have to download the complete operation manual from a computer, and it's MANY pages long.  But really, I was able to play with it pretty quickly without the instructions, and when I did download the manual, it only confirmed what I'd already figured out on my own.  The screen is small but really shows the true colors of the final print.  I can't say enough good things about this little camera.
i've had over 10 different digicams up to an 8 mp nikon for $1m. i was looking for an upgrade for my wife, and i was drawn to casio because my son has one of the real thin, large lcd exilim models that is very impressive. the r40 is discontinued, but readily available on the used/refurb market. other than the thicker body (still less than 1") and smaller lcd (good enough) this model is a real quality peice. metal, not plastic, 4mp, 3x zoom, lots of good features. takes sd cards, and has some built-in memory. takes real clear, good color pics which can easily be printed well to 8.5x11 and even to 11x14. you can get them used or refurbed in the $125-$150 range. my wife loves it, so i got another for my daughter, and another for myself when i don't want to lug around my primary nikon.
I purchased the Casi QV-R40 digital camera two years ago, and I have not encountered any problems with it thus far. It has very nice picture quality, and ease of use. It comes with two rechargeable batteries and a battery charger, which are both very nice bonuses. The charged batteries will last a long time, but, I did buy a spare pair, in case one pair is charging, or one pair runs out of juice, simply put in the other pair. I would definitly reccomend, along with buying an extra set of batteries, to also buy a memory card that stores more pictures. I always use the highest quality of resolution, and normally take pictures one right after another. So, for me, the higher amount of pictures was a must. This is an excellent camera, and I would recomend the Casio QV-R40 to anyone looking for a digital camera.
I bought this camera just before a family vacation in March 2004.  I wanted to do more research before I went digital, but the pressure was on to act before the trip.  I found the manual to be useful and the camera to be VERY easy to use.It takes great pictures and the small size is a plus.I'll look to Casio when I buy my next camera.
(...)P>Well, for starters I'm not an expert on digital cameras (I've owned them for awhile, but I'm a casual pic taker); however, I did a great deal of online reasearch before purchasing this one.  I felt this model gave me what I needed in the price range I could afford.  I was a little nervous though - as I couldn't find user reviews anywhere (just the pro reviews - which were very helpful).First off - Bad News.... there is virtually no paper user's manual.  The GOOD NEWS though is they include a digital users manual on CD ROM with the camera (it's very in depth).  The REALLY GOOD NEWS is you can download the user's manual before you even buy the camera from [...] (I did this, and by the time my camera arrived - I felt like a pro using it).The camera is not "chinzy" feeling (like some others - Fuji for example) - it's solid built and just feels like quality.  It's small, but not to tiny that it's difficult to use.  The LCD screen is a good size (and you can zoom to view pics magnified from the LCD.The camera does everything it promises.  I adore it.The bells and whistles are fun (though many of them not necessary for someone like me).  I love the 10 second delay shot.  This way I can get in the pic myself.Regarding battery life:  Keep in mind - I always use the LCD screen and flash (so my batteries wear down faster than other people's might).  I'm getting about 50 or so pics per charge from the Sanyo Batteries that come with the camera.  I'm getting about 24 pics per charge from the Kodak 1700 batteries I purchased.  I'm happy with this.  The batteries charge rather quickly - and with 3 sets - I'm never stuck. These NimH AA's are pretty inexpensive - so it's really no big deal. I do wonder if my lack of pictures per charge wouldn't be improved with a "better" charger (the one that came with the camera is fine....but I bet it isn't top of the line).Here is something someone might want to know (particularly someone unfamiliar with digital cameras).  They say you MUST (MUST MUST) use an AC adapter power whenever connecting the camera to the computer to transfer pics etc.  This is NOT included with the camera.  So - add about $30 to the price of this camera pretty much since you must buy this "accessory" :) (The camera is STILL WORTH IT).I used my camera to take a full week of pictures in an extremely dim lit setting (halloween theme week).  (...))Yes - another tip:  In really really dim lit settings (almost dark) your camera might give the "red" sign (meaning it's not focused) - take the pic anyway (all mine came out in focus when this happened to me)The camera is great - I'm very glad I purchased it!!
I really like this camera, it is small enough to be discrete in your pocket yet packs a powerful punch. If you look at price to performance ratio, this camera excels. It doesn't cost that much yet for the price you get a fully functionally quality digital camera. At 4 megapixels I can't complain. I took this camera around during my day to take random pictures and to see how the camera performed. I took pictures in a restaurant and outside, both pictures looked good. I had it on highest setting and it does not differ too much from other 4 megapixel cameras. The LCD screen is average size, not too big but good enough to see without strain.I used AA alkaline batteries just to see how long they would last. Since it was recommended not to use them as they drain quickly I wanted to see for my self. The batteries lasted the whole day (I took around 70 pics) and I never had to change batteries even with using the flash for half those pictures. The charger also can charge other name brand AA and AAA batteries and those worked great for me.Again, I don't know why casio does this but the videos that you record do not have sound. Why? I do not know. Nonetheless it is a camera and not a camcorder but if you're not going to have sound, might as well not even bother with video at all and use those resources towards something else on the camera. The camera does take a couple of seconds in-between shots but not long enough to lower my rating. The newer version of this camera, the QV-R51 takes much longer (probably because it is processing an extra megapixel of info per shot)than this one.Overall all, even though there is a newer version of this camera, it is significantly more expensive than this and the performance of that camera is not worth the price (all you get is a bigger LCD screen that drains the batteries quicker and 1 more megapixel of resolution). This camera on the other hand is a spectacular deal in price for the performance you receive and the portability. I definitely recommend this camera, it sure hit the sweet spot for me.
This camera is simply perfect.It is tiny, cheap, and most importantly takes amazing pictures.I use an HP 8550 Color Laserjet and these pictures print out crystal clear on full bleed 8.5 * 11 prints.  The clarity is superb.The only thing that I would improve is being able to manually adjust the shutter speed.ITS A GREAT BUY!!!
I've finally found a very reasonably priced 4MP digital camera that I like and my wife will use!  We both like the 20 best shot modes that include a on screen detail description of each so that you understand how to utilize each mode. The menus are self explanatory and very easy to move through. It also gives me some manual override features that I like.My only con so far is that pictures using the digital zoom appear pixelated on a 4x6 print from a photo lab.  I would not expect it so noticeable on print this small with a 4 MP resolution.  The only other surprise is that there is no sound with the video.One option I did like was being able to resize a picture to a smaller resolution.  This is great when your memory card is full and you don't won't to delete any of the pictures to be able to take another picture.Remember this is a $200 camera.  Personally, I think the QV-R40 is easily the best value for the dollar.
This is my second digital camera and I'm glad with my choice. This camera has so many pros and few cons that it is worth for you to try.Some of the pros are: Robust aluminum-alloy body, excellent image quality, 4.0 mega pixels, 3x digital zoom, small shutter lag (2/10 seconds), lens retracting completely into the body, flash with red eye reduction, handful preset shooting modes, video mode, two AA-size NiMH 2100mAh batteries and charger included, and many other etceteras.The only cons I found were: 15 fps video clips with no audio up to 30 seconds each (audio recording would have been great), lack of exposure controls other than program AE, lack of a video output port.This camera gives an impressive performance and quality for a great price, and definitively you won't regret on buying it.
I'm not a camera expert but I know what I like, and after spending three years with a Digital Elph where the indoor photos looked yellow and 2/3 of the pictures were shaky, I finally bucked up, shopped obsessively to find a new one, and picked this up.I'm very happy so far:-Indoor photos are great - skin tones and colors are normal;-The colors in outdoor photos are wonderful;-The flash ends up working really well (I've been using it to take pictures in very dark rooms and it's doing great);-Almost no shakiness;-The video capability - which is an every-once-in-a-while for me - is just fine.-Battery life is excellent - though the camera sometimes thinks the battery is low and shuts off.I wish the flash refreshed a bit faster, mostly because I'm impatient - and I don't know how any of the complex settings work, because they don't ship a manual and I'm too lazy to read it online, so I'm missing out on something good - but so far I highly recommend it.
This is a very good camera for the price. It comes with handful of features which we may not find in this category of cameras especially in this price range. It takes very good pictures too.Things I like:1. Very fast response in power on and autofocus2. Amazingly, it supports AA sized batteries (which we cannot find in compact size cameras)3. Sleek and Compact metal body4. 20 programmed best shot modes. Especially, I like the coupling shot(combining shots of two people in to a single image) and pre-shot(recording a shot on to an existing background). It also supports user-setup best shots (up to 999).5. Album creation from the camera itself.6. Calendar, World time and AlarmThings I don't like:1. Pictures look noisy on flat surfaces such as wall or sky(though the prints came out well even on 8x10)2. No voice for video recording.3. No video out for viewing pictures on TV.
Pros:1)Takes great pictures outside and in situations with alot of light.2)Pictures taken with flash look good, although more "white" than realistic.3)Looks really cool.4)Compact.5)Very sturdy.6)Easy to use.Cons:1)Any pictures not using the flash or in high light situations (sunlight, etc) turn out blurry and are pretty poor.2)The flash takes FOREVER to recharge.  Approximately 7 (SEVEN!!!) seconds for the flash to recharge.  This is what really kills it for me.  I have a 1 year old and want to take pictures quickly, 3 seconds or less charge time like my old Kodak CX4300, a $129 camera!
I bought this camera as a Christmas present for my wife.  We've taken hundreds of pictures with the camera and had few problems (no problem that wasn't the result of an unsteady hand).  The pictures are clear and sharp.  The owner's manual is... extensive (175 pages), but once you learn a few basic things, operation is no problem.  The navigation keys (on the back) have a up/down/right/left/set arrangement, with some of the key features (i.e. selecting between &quot;best shot&quot;, &quot;manual&quot; and &quot;movie&quot;) on the left and right keys.  I'm guessing the previous reviewer was having problems with this &quot;feature&quot;.  Best shot works great and allows you to pick from a list of about 15 caned settings.  Battery life is excellent (unless your using regular alkaline).  The manual states explicitly to avoid doing such, and is only a fall back option (in case you can't charge your regular batteries and really don't want to miss a picture).  The camera uses secure digital media.  I get about 140 max resolution picture on a 256MB card (on one charge) with battery life to spare.  I would recommend buying a &quot;JumpDrive Trio&quot; from lexar to transfer your pictures to the PC.  This will save camera battery power AND allow you to use your secure digital media as a USB thumbdrive.
This is a good little binocular for carrying in the car or in your pocket when out in nature.  Good clear image.  Great price.
This is good for close range in bright day light , however its very dim even before dark and with long distances , may be more than 3 to 4 hundred meters it is soft and your eyes will cause you a headache .
I purchased these binoculars to give as Christmas gift.  I was well pleased with the quality of these binoculars and the price was quite reasonable.
i'm a photographer...with tons of gear from canon, minolta, zeiss, leica etc.  I think I'm fairly critical when it comes to the quality of optics.I choses the for concerts mainly.  I wanted a pair that I didnt care if they got lost.For the money, this cheap-o set of binoc's is damn good.  I compared them to the Nikons ($65), the Meades, the Bushnell's and a few others.  I wanted something nice and small for concerts but didnt want a piece of junk that I'd hate to look through.  These binoc's have a metal focusing plate on top, smooth and tight focusing center-roller, heavy rubber covered lens barrels and they're very light.  they have adjustable eye pieces for those with difference prescription eyes/contacts/glasses. It has a very thin nylon string as the neckstrap...feels like a shoelace...probably it's biggest fault.  It comes with a decent case with belt loop and velco closing flap.
Problem is the strap pulled out within 2 hours of walking around w/ them hanging from my neck. Stripped the insert. They are compact and rubber coated. I'm not familiar w/ optics and quality, but I know when lenses suck. These don't.
I mainly chose these binoculars because of price point, size. The positive reviews gave me some confidence in the quality and Celestron is perhaps best know for their telescopes, so I did not think they would be that bad. The glass is rated BK-7 which is not the best but is very good. To Focus the binoculars you close your right eye and adjust the center focus adjustment while looking through the binoculars with you left eye. Once adjusted; close your left eye and adjust the Diopter (near the eyepiece) while looking through the binoculars with your right eye. Then you got it. Once you have done this; you should just be able to adjust the center focus depending on the objects distance. The 10X magnification is great with slightly steady hands. My wife was also impressed with the quality feel of this binocular. I do not recommend if you wear glasses, as the eye relief is extremely close (about 10mm?). They have a better optical quality and construction than a Tasco and Simmons binocular brand I own. I would say the optical clarity is impressive for the cost of this set. 10x magnification in a fairly small size. Water resistant. Great optical quality. Replaceable cost if lost, stolen or damaged. A GREAT value that will magnify your surroundings, Without breaking your bank account. I do not regret my purchase and certainly recommend. I'm actually trying to purchase another set. Thanks.
Just received today, are perfect for the money ($12.88). I like the rubber coating that makes them seemingly more durable and weather resistant. They are fairly comfortable on the eye sockets, easy to adjust, and fairly powerful. They are lightweight and very compact, and suitable for carrying (in the case) on a belt. Only minus is the neck string is very thin and the attachment to the binocs is questionable. There are also no lens protectors, but I never use them because they are a pain to keep track of, anyway. Overall I think they are quite high quality for the price.
I bought two pair of these, one for my grandson and one for my wife to watch birds, when I received them I liked them so much I'm going to order two more pair for hunting and one to keep on the boat. Don't be fooled by the price the only thing cheep about these are the lanyard but I can live with that.
I got a pair of these because I was thinking about taking up bird watching, but I didn't want to invest a lot of money in something I might end up having no interest in. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of these binoculars given what I paid for them (less than $15). They probably won't compete with a $100+ pair of binoculars but for the price, these seem like they'd be hard to beat. Build quality is solid and the optics are reasonably sharp. So far, I can find no fault with these and have been using them for about a month.
I wanted something for a gift that was nice, fairly compact and reasonably priced. This was a gift for my Son -in- Law. he likes to go hiking so these worked out just right and they fit the glove compartment of his Chevrolet Blazer just fine and do not take up the whole space there.
These are nice. Small, lightweight, compact. Pretty good clarity. Very nice to have in the glovebox of my car or in my backpack.
I got a pair of these Celestron binocs, for my day-pack.I got a (similar price/specs) pair of Bushnell, for my 3-day pack.This celestron model is smaller, lighter, clearer, brighter, better !!The Bushnells were 25% more expensive, heavier, bigger, and had worse glass.These are easier to mount and focus ... they stow (and deploy) better (than my Bushnells).These Celestrons also focus very close ... much closer than most binocs.They really feel good, in the hand and to my eyes.  Ergos just rock !NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL ! ... Compact, light, rugged and VERY affordable.Nothing not to love.  Especially at this amazing price.  Even the case is just great !I SO wish I had got two pair of these ! ... HEY ! ... I think I WILL get a 2nd pair !(And pass my Bushnells along to my 18 yo daughter, for HER pack).Great job (on this model) Celestron !  Thanks !
This is a great pair of binoculars! Easy to focus and easy to use. It comes with a well made carrying case that has an attached loop on the back of the case (Velcro closure on the front), an attached lanyard on the binoculars, and lens wiping cloth. The binoculars would easily fit into a purse or bag. We bought 2 pairs and my husband, who used binoculars a lot when he was in the military, likes this one as well. This is a great product at a great price!
This was a very well made product, well worth the price which was very reasonable. Nice quality. Very pleased with this transaction.
These binoculars never really worked. You have to adjust manually and it's really hard to get the correct setting, if you change your position slightly you have to adjust them again. It just gives you a headache and dizziness. Save the money and purchase a better item, these ended in the garbage.
These binoculars are fantastic for the price! I just bought them to use to look over the back field from house when my husband has our good expensive ones. My husband looked in them & said they are better than his expensive binoculars. Very happy with them.
I bought these a few years ago and so far they have preformed well.  Light to carry even down the Grand Canyon. Deep in the Petrified Forest wilderness. Can focus far or to 15 ft. Nice carring case with mine too. I will buy another when this fails.
I bought this pair of binoculars for our 9 1/2 year old grandson to use, mainly, when camping.  This is a nice set of binoculars and I think he is going to really enjoy using them.  It has a 10x zoom which is fantastic for this price range product!  I would recommend these to other consumers.  Also, very affordable.
These binoculars are decent and do the trick. I brought this for my 12 year old son and he enjoys using it.
I have to say that these little binoculars really surprised me. For what they cost they really are a great bang for your buck. I purchased a couple of these for a concert but my girlfriend and I keep grabbing them to check out the wildlife that frequents the neighborhood. I have to say that I am really pleased with my purchase and I would recommend these to anyone who wants a small set of grab-n-go binos laying around the house. These would also be awesome for a kid. Not expensive so if they break, no big deal, but really deliver so you don't have to worry about offending the kid you are offering them to. I'm giving these 5 stars because they are a delightful value. Probably going to end up purchasing a couple more to give to friends.The only con: the lanyard as mentioned by others, but I don't really use it.Update: still using these a lot, but one small gripe: There is some grease (inside the barrel) that makes its way from the internal focuser onto the lens. For example, when you go to clean the lens, every now and then you'll get a nice smear of grease across the lens that was picked up by the cloth at the edge. Kind of a pain to clean after.
For a entry level binocular this is simply an amazing value.  We have purchased 8 pair so far for friends and family.  They make terrific gifts.We compared the ($10-13 from Amazon) Celestron 10x25 Water resistant UpClose Roof Prism Binocular to our Nikon Binoculars ($120) of the similar construction and specifications (10x25).  The Celestron compared favorably in every aspect except one.  The Nikon can focus closer.The Celestron can focus in to about 18 feet but not closer.  For many uses this is a non-issue.  But for birding we often hope to get closer.
Thank you my friends for your big product arrived to me on good time.  I am glad with you.  I will to buy more very soon.
I regret taking these along on a trip.  White reflections, especially on the right side, block the image and I also see a haze around the edges which further limits the view.  Highly annoying to try to see the image past these shortcomings, even at the ten dollar price I paid.  As far as I am concerned they are useless at this point.  Only one star for the case, which I'll be able to use either for the pair that I hope to find to replace these or for my GPS unit.I purchased these from a local retailer based on my good experience with the Celestron 15x70 binoculars thinking this might also be a good pair in this category at a good price.
We are very pleased with these binocs.  They are light, good -looking and sturdy.  We would recommend them for anyone looking for binocs for sporting events or for the car or hikes.
Nothing fancy here. They do what low-price binoculars should do. You'll be able to see things which are a decent distance away (maybe two city blocks) with relatively good detail, but beyond that things get pretty blurry. Haven't used them for star-gazing or bird-watching, so I'm not really in a position to talk about that. But if you're just trying to get a better look at something far, but not too far, away, these are the guys for you. Super portable too! Which is always nice.
These binoculars are an absolute surprize. I didn't expect the quality and clarity for the low price. The other reviews were right on about the good deal. There are no caps though which I always manage to lose one anyway and it is my opinion that the case is sufficient. A GREAT BUY!
Good price and good quality. Comes with a belt case for easy carrying on hikes. Let's see how long they hold up.
It's about time I wrote my review of this lil bad boy. I've owned it for more than 4 months and if I had to summarize in one word, it would be THRILLING. This thing is the ultimate lil scoot you can buy.&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;Top speed is roughly 14 mph if you can find a clear enough road. Don't hope for more unless you weigh less than 160 lbs. Range is about 5 miles on rough pavement with hard acceleration and no kick assist. Alot less than the claimed 12 miles, but then again, no scooter can do that and weigh just 22 pounds. If you kick-assist, coast alot, keep the throttle at 80% (read: 12mph) and use regenrative braking, you might hit 6-8 miles of range. THIS IS VERY GOOD for a lil scooter. (Don't buy if you weigh more than 210 lbs)&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;The ride is SIMPLY FUN FUN FUN!!!I can't tell you how exhillerating it is to ride downtown Chicago and feel like a million bucks. People drool when they see it and it's a great conversation starter. Wonder why? Cause it looks so DAMN Good!&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;The biggest problem is the lack of company support. Quite frustrating, but atleast there are a bunch of people on Forums that can help (sometimes).There's a new model on it's way but if you can find one for a good price, GRAB IT and GO!!!
I could have posted a glowing review up until 3 weeks after finally getting my 1500. ... But when I got it, oh happy day! Fun while it lasted...I've emailed and called Go because my Motorboard just stopped working about 17 days later as I recall. ...
I haven't seen quality like this in a long time. From the aircraft aluminum, to the military tolerances with each element of the scooter, this is one beautifully crafted piece of machinery. Very impressive. I could stare at it for hours. :-) However, considering this level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, I'm very surprised the company didn't include some kind of suspension - even if it was just inflatable tires to absorb some of the shock. Even on relatively smooth surfaces, the shaking and bumping are very evident; so much so, that some of the screws became loose the first time out. But, in defense of GO!, most scooters of this size and shape do not have suspensions, so any uncomfortableness (is that a word?) experienced on this scooter is not unique.The scooter is plenty fast and easy to handle (with a little bit of practice). The documentation says that the scooter will climb a 10% grade. This is probably true, but I haven't tested it yet. I do know that I live on a hill with a 20% grade, and the Motorboard conked out immediately, so don't expect it to climb Everest.All in all, a very satisfying purchase. I'll post an update in a few weeks.
Would have been nice to try my own. Would not hold a charge right out of the box.  Customer support / warranty support is non-existant from Go Motorboards. Shipping costs lost!  I would not recommend buying this until they resolve their quality issues!  Make sure you try YOURS before your buy!
23 pounds seems light on paper, but it gets really heavy if you have to carry it for extented period of time in a packed bus or  in places where you have to carry it.  I got myself a large Hakuba Tripods bag and the motorboards fit in it perfectly for carrying it around.The wheels on the motorboards are like those in rollarblades, just much bigger.  Very tough and hard.  Only ride this board on a smooth surface.  Even riding on a normal road feels very rough and bumpy.In shorts, the good - very fast, powerful, and compact.  Speed control is very precise.  Easy to setup and easy to fold-up just as advertised.  Fast charging and the battery seems to last forever.The bad - the ride is rough which is expected since the wheels are rock solid and "relatively" small.  The handlebars are not very high which is also expected.  But the speed controller and the mechanical brake trigger are positioned parallel to the ground.  I'm 5'10" and i feel my hands are in a very awkward position to be able to hold on to the handlebars and have my fingers on the brake and the speed control.  If only they have an extra lock hole so that I can twist the controls into a more comfortable angle.  I feel like getting a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from riding it like this.UPDATE: Just looked closely on the handlebars.  I think I can adjust the angles for the brakes and controls like those on a bike.  So the controls are not that bad afterall.  :)
Came with a bad battery pack.  Was sent a second one that died two weeks later. Now Company will not respond to phone calls or e-mail. Now have a dead scooter sitting in the living room and no way to repair it.  F-
I have been very happy with my purchase (which was rather spontaneous).  The 1500X is a real joy to use.  I ride it to work and back (NYC) about 2 miles each way.  (It generates stares and polite questions.)  Battery is good for two round trips (8-9 miles).  Who needs a Segway when you can get this?  Positives:  Fast acceleration and top speed, very durable and solid-feeling construction, dual braking system, very sleek looks, a lot of fun, affordable pricing, will keep rolling powered at slow speed (good for walking pace through sidewalk crowds).  I cannot tell if the regenerative braking actually makes a significant difference to battery life.  Negatives (and here I'm just being picky):  The company seems to be just starting, so despite the instructions I see no way yet to order replacement decks or wheels (the Go website is bare-bones) -- hopefully that will come soon. The instructions have all sorts of doom-and-gloom messages for riding through dirt or water;  I have been very careful not to, but I wonder if in testing they had durability problems with the wheels and motors, hence all the dire warnings.  Wheels get dirty and you have to clean them for good acceleration.  The friction lock-nut for the shaft tends to loosen up and rattle on bumpy surfaces.  Although probably considered light for what it is able to do, it is still fairly heavy and awkward to carry in tight places so you will prefer to push it when not riding (although is pretty compact overall). I hope they make a sling/backpack carrying case for it.  The scooter does not give me a 15-mile range.  I would say more like 8-9 miles in New York City (mostly flat terrain, with intermittant use).  It gives even less range if you are using it for one long, fast ride.  My charger seems to have a loose power cord that I have to wiggle to get it to charge, otherwise the finishings and labels are fantastic.  The battery runs out with little warning (jumps right from OK to MED to LOW), leaving you to push-scoot home.  You can feel every bump on the sidewalk, so rough pavement or bricks are wrenching, but you do get used to it and learn to seek smooth surfaces.  Overall, it's a fantastic product and I'm having a great time with it.  I highly recommend it for fun or if you have a scooter-friendly commute of 5 miles or less.  If you are going to use it on the sidewalk, please be courteous and preserve good will by slowing down when passing pedestrians.
I just got mine this week and I'm a bit of a scooter fan.  I have a gas powered scooter, and it has always been a pain to keep it running, even though I bought it brand new.  I bought this one because I work on a University Campus and live across the street.  So far, it has been a lot of FUN!  It does pretty much everything it says it does, and it's very quiet.  Extremely portable.  Part of me wanted this thing to have bigger tires and a suspension system, and an optional seat, so I could navigate more terrain, or ride in comfort, but that would have killed alot of the portability.  Portability is one of the biggest assets of this scooter, you can pick it up and take it to your desk with no problems at all.  If you go with those other things Id like to have in a scooter, you need a place to securely park it wherever you go, cuz hauling a 60+ pound scooter in and out of buildings would be painful.  I've got a feeling this scooter and I are going to have a lot of fun for quite a while!
These batteries operate just like the OEM, both in the camera and in the charger.They are a good value for the money.
Really wish Amazon would remind you to rate batteries after you have had them for one year. So far this battery is fine, but I do not use it the same way I do my other camera's. I use it for product photography that end up on ebay. I do not do long shoots with it so It will take a while before I can give a fair review.For the price, it does the job. I bought it to have an extra as one of my batteries was going dead fast. Now I have a spare to cut open and convert to lithium-ion when I find time. Not sure why Nikon does not sell a lithium-ion to replace this. Then it would be worth the $100 plus per battery.I give it a solid buy over the Nikon, as Nikon brings nothing new to the table that is better than this. I also hear goods things about Lenmar batteries so for less than $30.00 why not. Now if Nikon started selling lithium-ion that would change the recommendation.
Other cameras have come and gone but I still hang on to my Nikon D1.  Maybe just for sentimental reasons.  I have other more modern Nikon DSLRs with superior specifications but there is something about the D1 that I just can't let it go.  I was down to my last original battery and needed a spare.  This battery is identical to the original as far as I can tell.  If anything the difference is this one holds the charge a lot better (maybe because of the age of the original one).  In any event, the price was right, the dealer shipped quickly and I am very satisfied with it all around.
I purchased a couple of these after I purchased a pre-owned Nikon D1 body. The previous owner complained that there was something wrong with the camera and that it would not record to the flash card.  Upon receipt of the body, I sent it off to an authorized Nikon repair facility and had the completely check the body out, clean the sensor, adjust it back to factory settings, and repair the rubber grips on the entire body.  The called me and said that the biggest problem that they had with the body was the fact that the battery was so weak that it caused the body to do crazy things and they recommended a new battery. I purchased these batteries and by the time the body got back to me, I had the batteries and had charged them. Now, the camera looks, feels, and acts just as it did when it was new.  Lenmar produces a number of different batteries for different cameras and since I had some experience with them from other Nikon bodies, I thought it was a good inexpensive solution and it turned out to be a winner!!!
All I want to say is that this battery lasts more than original battery. One charge I am still using it for few days now. I am going to order another one as a backup soon.Buy this if you have a D1x, you will be happy :)
This is my second purchase of this battery.  I purchased the first one more than a year ago from Adorama.  I decided to purchase another one from Amazon as backup.  The first one I purchased is still going strong after several thousand releases.This battery is better than the original Nikon battery.  I seem to get about 650 exposures per charge, on average.  I do chimp some as well, but only about 1/5th of the time (or so).  I had been considering doing a Lithium Ion conversion of my old Nikon battery, but this one is good enough that I decided against it.This battery is worth the extra money over the cheapest ones on the market.  Highly recommended!
I ordered several of these batteries. I actually like them better than the Nikon brand battery. They seem to work just as well and they don't have the frustrating latch on the side. The construction seemed solid too.Overall, if you tend to go through a lot of batteries I'd recommend these without hesitation.
I purchased this battery after using one of the non-Cannon batteries.  The latter worked fine for awhile but, in about a year, gave out and would not recharge.  I've never had this problem with a Cannon battery.  They keep on working.  They're worth the small difference in up-front cost.
This is a replacement battery for our original camera battery which has died a slow death.  Considering the first battery lasted about 4 years, we are hoping for the same from this one!
Excellent value for the money.Its a genuine Canon product at half the cost. fantastic deal. Worth every penny. Highly recommend.
The battery holds a charge well and lasts for a good number of exposures. The shelf life of a full charge is long as the camera is not used very often.
At first I thought these batteries were good, but then I realized that they wouldn't hold a charge. I used them in my Canon SD 550 took a couple of pictures, then when I pulled the camera out again, a few days later, the battery would be dead.  I bought two so that I would always have a charged spare but my original battery that is several years old works better still.  I got stuck with paying the shipping both ways, so I am not happy.
I'm not one to usually buy anything after market or knock-off, so buying anything but a Canon brand battery wasn't even an option for me.  The battery charged quickly and has held a charge thru 50+ pictures and some video.  This is the first replacement I bought since buying my camera in 2003, so I'm hoping to get about 3-4 years out of this battery as well - so far, so good.
As expected from an original part, it works very well. It works exactly like the one that came with the camera.
The package is genuine, with all the canon labels, but the battery does not have the canon logo molded on the plastic.  it is the same as the after market battery, which takes less than a handful picture before the camera shows &#34;low battery&#34; sign!It is NOT a true canon battery!
I've bought THREE different NB-3L aftermarket batteries for my Canon SD500 and none of them will actually function properly...they indicate fully charged but when put into the camera they immediately show as "discharged-replace battery pack". I even bought an aftermarket charger thinking that might be the problem...same result. I've given up on the 3rd-party batteries, I'll get this Canon brand unit and lick my wounds.  (Yes, the Canon is overpriced but since they seem to have engineered the camera to only work with their own batteries I'm kind of stuck...has anyone else had this problem?)
I ordered this battery so that I would have a 2nd battery for my camera. Since I've owned this battery, I no longer worry about running out of steam. With a 512K memory card and a 2nd battery, I've gone through 2,000 pictures and printing without hardache.
My wife and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and took over 1000 pictures... You definitely need an extra battery. You don't have to worry about your battery running out cuz you know you have an extra in your back pocket.  (Just don't forget to charge them both beforehand!)
With my new battery I can enjoy using my Canon Powershot SD550 just like I did when it was new.  The battery holds a full charge!  It makes such a difference to have a new battery that works properly.  My son had bought me an off-brand replacement battery for the camera.  When I used that one, the "charge battery" light would be lit up after taking just one or two pictures!  After about 10 pictures, the camera would shut itself down just as I was trying to take a picture.  That's why I ordered this new, genuine Canon battery, and I am so glad I did.  It makes all the difference and my camera works like new now.
Don't work at all for some reason, I wish that I can return it, I wish that I can switch to the one in working condition.
My camera's rather outdated, so I wasn't sure if I'd still be able to find this great rechargeable battery.  I'm headed to Scotland next week and wanted to have a back-up battery so that I could shoot for twice as long.  I was surprised to find that this battery model is still available and it works like a charm.  I highly recommend this product!
This battery pack has worked very well.  I would recommend it even though it is priced slightly higher that other "generic" batteries such as Mercury.  The latter battery failed to perform after just a short time.
I purchase this for my old SD110 Canon elf, I love it, it looks great for used battery, and they send me a sd memory card of 1gig...I love it, great and fast shipment too, I'm going awary tomorrow and I got this right on time.
It's hard to justify spending money on something like this but if you take a lot of pictures with your digital camera, it's really nice to have the backup battery! This is a good quality battery and I haven't had any problems with it.
I love having an extra battery for my SD500 so that I always have one completely charged when I'm out on vacation and take tons of pictures.  This lasts a long time.
I have been using this product for years. It came with a charging unit.It is small, including the charging unit. It fits in just any carrying case.Easy and handy to use.  I now use a new Canon camera that uses a differentmodel battery.  If you need the Canon NB-3L--I recommend it!!
I ordered two Canon NB-3L batteries from Amazon.  After making it clear that I did not receive mail delivery at my street address, Amazon sent them to my street address anyway.  The Post Office sent them back to the shipping address.  I contacted Amazon via e-mail and was assured that this would be rectified.  A month later I have no further communication from Amazon, no batteries, and no credit to my account.  How could this be much worse?  I run a small business and could not get away with this kind of behavior and expect to keep returning customers.Rich LooseOrgan, New Mexico
our firm uses our PowerShotSD500 camera daily and often takes long videos of our work for our clients and material processing. long battery life is very important. we have over a dozen of the Canon batteries. Pleased with them all.
Excellent product, and still holding a great charge, even after a year.  I recommend having 1 or 2 spare batteries if you use your camera even moderately.
WAS great fit for camera.Nothing more to say as niece had it and the camera stolen out of her auto.
ordered and received in timely manner.  It was a back up battery for an overseas trip.
Works great, but it is pricey. I don't know if the tiffen or other brands are just as good
Great Nikon quality, that should say it all. Bought one for my D7000, very happy with the quality of the product.
I'm a nature photographer, and some times the colors change in the picture when an UV filter is used (flowers, the sky, etc)... Sometimes I want that doesn't happen, so I bought this filter. This is an excellent filter for genuine Nikon lenses. I'm happy with the purchase because it fits with my AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm DX lens. This Nikon filter is very clear and I haven't noticed any difference in overall picture quality. In addition, it's a very good protection for my lenses. Keep in mind that this filter is not UV.
I use this filter to protect the lens of my camera. It is made of quality materials and does the job.
I am a Nikon fanactic and think they make some of the best products in the world, so when I bought a new dslr and lens, I just figured I'd put a great filter on it, instead of a cheap one.  I think the glass and coating on this filter are top notch.  I can't tell any degradation of photos and can't even tell it's on.  I notice no flare either.  However, the construction of the frame is subpar for the quality of the glass.  When I first got it out of the case, I heard a small "clink" and when cleaning it later, I found out why.  The glass is held in by basically a snap ring.  If you don't know what this is, look it up on Wiki.  I used to work a a pro photo lab, and even the cheap filters we sold there were held in by a ring that screwed into the frame.  If the glass was loose, just tighten the ring... easy fix.  The glass in my filter sometimes rotates on cleaning and is so loose, it will clink if moved back and forth.  I think I can easily fix this with a little epoxy, but man, should a $40 filter be this cheaply made?  I also have purchased two 77mm ones costing more, and they are constructed exactly the same.  I also have several Hoyas and a B+W.  The Hoyas seem constructed better, but I'm not sold on the optics yet.  The B+W is actually an ND filter ($100) and is of superior build.You get what you pay for... kinda.  Great glass, suspect construction.  (Oh, I can't see this filter holding up for years to come after cleanings).
This filter is very good in my judgement. It is thin and perfect clear. Does not change the picture color, or quality. Never noticed lance flare created from the filter.I would recommend this filter!!!
love it..sharpened up my photos right away..fits tightly and screws on easily...that is why I bought the Nikon product...I knew I would be happier in the long run
Cuando uno se gasta tanta plata en un objetivo original, se debe invertir un poco m&aacute;s de dinero para agregar un filtro que le aporte seguridad al lente. En este caso, recomiendo este art&iacute;culo porque no altera la imagen ni la luz... Antes hab&iacute;a comprado filtros de otras marcas y m&aacute;s baratos, pero distorsionaban las im&aacute;genes y los colores. Recomiendo siempre un filtro Nikon en lugar de otras marcas...
I bought a nice D90 Nikon camera about a year ago, and some 3rd-party lens filters from Zeikos thinking they would work just fine on my new camera. What a mistake that was! It took me about 6 months to figure out the horrible picture quality wasn't anything to do with my camera, it was just the horrible filters I was using! Then I bought a complete set of lens filters from Nikon. HUGE improvements... if you own a Nikon, don't use anything but Nikon lens filters!!... sure you'll pay more, but you'll get excellent photos, just the way they were intended to be.
I decided to purchase this filter as I was not happy with the minimal color cast that the "Tiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter" was leaving on my photos. I purchased the Tiffen filter due to the fact that it was less than half the price of the Nikon filter. The thing is every time that I looked at my photos taken with the UV filter on I was always slightly let down. The colors were always a little more vibrant when I took photos without the filter. Almost no book I read or photography blog I looked at advised using your lenses without a protective glass on front of the lens. My lenses are not as expensive as the professional ones are, but they are not cheap either. So I started looking for a different filter to cover my lenses and as I use Nikon I decided to try those. There is some debatable optical functionality for the UV filters but nobody uses them for their UV characteristics. They are used as lens covers that's it. When I laid my UV Tiffen filters side by side with my newly purchased NC (neutral color) Nikon filters on a white sheet of paper as advised by other reviewers of this product I was awed by the clarity of the Nikon glass. I honestly put my finger immediately on the glass as I thought that it fell of the rim and got lost somewhere, leaving a massive fingerprint on a beautiful clear glass that took me a while to clean up. It is that good. I wish I bought it from the beginning, now I have two useless UV filters sitting in my bag for no reason. I tried to save money and ended up paying more. (which is a classical story that you'll keep hearing from photography hobbyists when it comes to buying accessories)
THIS IS A MUST HAVE ITEM, IF YOU OWN  ANY OF THE NIKON DIGITAL CAMERASAND HAVE THE PROTECTIVE HOOD OPTION, HOWEVER THE NIKON FILTER IS WAY TO OVERPRICED, THE HOYA VERSION OR THE TIFFIN WILL DO JUST AS NICELY AS THIS OVERPRICED PROTECTIVE PIECE OF GLASS
For my Nikon lenses I only trust Nikon protection filters, They do  a great job and do not distort your images.
I've been unimpressed with most of the other NC filters, with more flare than I like and a thicker bezel that sometimes causes a little vignetting. I use the Nikon filters on all my lenses when I am outside or likely to get muck on them. They have virtually no optical degradation, and are mechanically excellent. I have found that the Nikon filters seem to be a little less likely to get stuck on the lens. If they do, wrap a rubber band around the filter to provide a better grip for turning.
I got tired of fiddling about with Tiffen/Tamaron/Vivitar type of UV/Skylight filters and bought a whole set of these NC filters.  They are expensive, but they are awesome.  They are really, really clear and have slim mounts.  I have figured that if I am using good quality Nikon Glass, my images deserve the best filters for protection as well!!!  So no more economizing on filters for me.So I now have them for my 70-200VR, 70-300VR and 18-70 (all from Amazon).  The local Nikon shop had them in 52mm for my 35mm as well.Nikon should really make these as part of the lens kit...
and Nikon is one of them. If you own Nikon lenses I suggest you get this if not B + W or other quality name brands.  With the Nikon NC filter, I see no yellow tint as opposed to my HOYA filter.
Expensive but does the job flawlessly.  I have one on each of my Nikon lenses.  They're literally so clear it looks like there's no glass in them...
I bought this filter for my Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S lens to protect it from any bumps it can get when moving the huge zoom barrel. I must say the glass on this product is fantastic. I bought a cheap $3 filter and my pictures were coming out brown and blurry and I got scared because I thought it was the lens (I bought it used). Once I received this filter, the first thing I did was inspect it for any discolorations and I was amazed to see that the filter was so perfectly clear I thought they forgot to put the glass in it. All in all, this filter works perfectly and its great build will definitely protect your camera lens.
I have a Nikon Neutral Color Filter on all my glass. This is the first line of defensive against lens scratches when you don't have your lens cover on. I don't recommend getting a cheap third-party neutral color filter. I noticed the tint is a little different on those and my photos were definitely affected. If you are thinking about buying a Nikon Neutral Color Filter, get one and don't leave home without it.
not sure how to use this except for back ground features x x x x x x x x x
Edit 9/10/11 -- Please see sample pics. I posted a pic showing the reflection caused by this filter. For some reason my sample pic has been voted helpful by 95% of people who saw it, and this review has been 40% helpful, so I wanted to add this note to be sure to go look at accompanying picture.--I could easily replicate conditions where having the filter on the camera would create slight "ghost reflections"See gallery for example shot. Once filter was removed, ghost image disappears.Don't think a good multicoated filter would show this kind of aberration.Basically makes this useless when you wonder anytime you take a photo of something bright in the frame you are worried about losing the shot forever.
This product is a Nikon Lens Cap.  Too bad Nikon didn't produce this lens cap with a tie-on string so that when it comes loose, you don't lose it. I was using my DX D70 at a parade and thought I had snapped the lens cap on tightly - but it fell off so had to buy a new one.  Very satisfied with the purchase and shipping was very quick!
Ordered this for a friend. There is not much to say about this product as it is an original Nikon cap and hence of great quality and perfect fit.
I inadvertently ordered the wrong lens cap for my husband's camera.  CowboyStudio went way beyond customer service in finding the lens cap to fit our camera.  They were so helpful and courteous.  If I need anything further related to our camera I'm going straight to CowboyStudio!!!
Works right; quick delivery.  No problem.  I had previously bought a no-name lens cap and that was a mistake.  Always falling off, and then not staying on the lens.  Not again.
I love the newer Nikon pinch lens cap design for my 35mm & DSLR so much that I have replaced all of my medium format lens camera caps with this type of lens cap. The pinch-to-release design makes it usable even when you have the lens hood deployed on your lens. Get the official Nikon caps if you can. Once, I ordered some extremely cheap version online, and I received knock off versions and they have a small hole drilled in them for a secure string. I don't care for the hole in my lens caps since it defeats the purpose of using the lens cap. You can also feel the difference in construction and solid spring in the Nikon versus the fake version.
Lens caps get lost, broken or wear out.  Replacement caps are cheap and lenses are expensive.  Replacing a lens cap on a Nikon lens with a Nikon lens cap is a "no brainer."  These are "original equiptment" and do the job perfectly.
I'm working through my lens collection replacing the older rim-clip lens caps with the newer center-clip model. Lots of choices from different suppliers, and some have been very good, but nothing fits and works like the Nikon product. I need the kind of quality that can stand up under frequent use, and this lens cap provides that. It's worth paying a little more for the real thing.
It's a Nikon Product, if you order the right size for your lens it will work.  Like an idiot, I lost mine, ordered this from Amazon, it was about 30% less than in the store.
A lens cap that seats easily and stays on tight, with simple grip and snap action.
Lost the original cap to my D7000, got this as a replacement. Looks the same and fits, so everything is fine.
This lens cap was a replacement for one that fell off and was lost while walking around--a problem I've heard others complain about with Nikkor lens caps.  The squeeze release gets the lens cap off quickly and gives a good hold while removing it, but doesn't engage reliably.
The seller was very fast in delivering this product. As I had lost my original lens cap, this was much appreciated.
I bought this lens cap to replace the one that came with the original lens to my D90.  This is the lens cap  [....]says came with the camera, so I bought it. It does fit and fits as well as the original.
I bought it cuz I lost the OEM cap that my lens brought.What can I say? It's the original cap for Nikon lens. It's perfect. It protects very well the lens.I think we cannot find best cap for Nikon lenses.
Some of the cap replacements are either not made by Nikon, or the picture shows a Nikon cap but that is not actually what you're getting. This product is exactly as pictured, it is a Nikon replacement cap.
....oh, I guess it's as good as the original (that I lost) because it *is* original Nikon equipment.  Still..., I like it.
I like Amazon a lot, but their Search and Description functions are pretty lame. In particular, they seem to conflate reviews based on the item description without regard to seller. This may make sense if the items are, in fact, the same. But when items are being counterfeited, as are Nikon lens caps, the reviews become confusing. Some folks claim they got counterfeits, others got genuine ones. So let me be clear about MY order:This item from A&R; Photo Video arrived in good time, in a sealed, Nikon-labeled plastic envelope, and seems identical to caps that came with my lenses. It is clearly of high quality. Of course the envelope could also be counterfeited, so I can't guarantee anything, but if it is not genuine, it certainly is good enough quality for picky me. The price is about half that of other sources. I'll buy from A&R; again when I lose another dang lens cap.
Great lens cap one of the best and i got the order in quick delivery--this cap is durable and i love the pinch feature to add and remove---it stays on until you take it off
I lost my lens cap and decided to order the original brand one. The item looks as shown on the picture, fits perfectly and it was delivered on time.
What can I say? This product replaces the lens cap for the Nikon 18-70mm lens and works well. I actually found the one I lost after buying this and keep it in my camera case. A good idea to have a spare in case I lose it again.
I bought a used Nikon lens that had one of Nikon's old-style lens caps--the kind with two small pinch areas on either side of the lens you have to press in to release the cap--and hated not being able to operate the cap while the lens hood was on. So I bought this cap.Definitely my favorite cap ever--I've had Nikon and aftermarket caps with many different attachment mechanisms, and this is by far the easiest to use, since it has a wide area you can grip--both on the outside and inside of the cap.
It's Nikon quality.  Can you say more?  This was purchased along with the LC-52 because I thought I had lost the original LC-67.I also purchased the Fototech buckle lens cap holder which accepts caps for both my Nikon lenses.  I was constantly fumbling with lens caps when using my camera and was certain I was going to lose a lens cap eventually.  So, I bought the extra LC-52 and LC-67 with the previously mentioned buckle--which is a fantastic little gadget that will almost guarantee I won't lose a lens cap now.
i ordered this cap when i lost my original one.  it's a perfect fit and locks tightly to the lens.
I lost my original lens cover a year or so ago. The local camera stores told me I couldn't get an official Nikon replacement. The one they sold me never fit quite right. It would fall off easily. This one is exactly like the original. It fits snug and doesn't come off when removing the camera from my travel bag. I wish I had ordered two. Will keep watching for the shipping cost to go back down and purchase a spare.
New factory lens cap.  arrived on time and in perfect shape.  Needed new one to replace orginal which I lost.
I lost my NIKON D80 snap on lens cap. I saw  AMAZON was selling it at a fraction of it's original cost. I did not hesitate a moment and bought it and cannot be happier when I received it in 3 days. Thanks AMAZON.
Fits perfectly, no problems, just like it should be.  What more can I say?  It is just a lens cap.
Bought this from Superclass and it is a counterfeit Nikon lens cap, it is not the original one as pictured in Amazon.com website.  The one I received has a square dot on the "i" in the Nikon logo, which suppose to be a round dot.  I believe a lot of people did get fooled by it.  If I wanted a generic, I will buy a generic lens cap as described by other honest seller on Amazon website for a cheaper price.  And if I want a counterfeit Nikon lens cap, I can always get it from ebay or swap meet for a fraction of the price.  Amazon should investigate this seller, I believe a lot of buyer has been deceived by Superclass counterfeit product.  Buy from other seller, but then, I wonder how many of them are genuine Nikon product.I returned and repurchased the lens cap again, this time is from Amazon.com instead of other seller, and yes, it is the real deal, original Nikon cap. I will not change the star rating so that other who read the review will know where to buy.  Amazon is just a little bit expensive, but worth every penny than getting a fake one.
I ordered this cap to replace a generic one (that kept popping off) that I got with my lens I bought on ebay.  This lens cap fit perfect and the quality is superior to the one I had.  If you are not sure which size you need, have a look on your lens for the symbol  with a number next to it, that will be the size you will need to order.
It fit perfect on the Nikon lens that came with my Nikon D90.  Just as pictured, says &#34;Nikon&#34;.  Will probably buy another one soon.
What's to say...it's a replacement of the lens cap I lost on a sheep farmin New Zealand.  Did, however, purchase a cord that attaches to the capand keeps it with the lens...won't lose another one!
I had no problems with it. It fit perfectly just like the original. Also the strap that came with it that attaches to the lens cover will help keep me from losing it again.
I ordered the wrong size last time but this one fits so I guess it does the job and I can cover my lens and have an extra just in case now.
I had lost the original cover for two of my Nikon lenses and needed a replacement.  This cap fits perfectly. It is as good as the original. Purchasing through Amazon instead of directly through Nikon saved money.
This is the original lens cap that comes with your Nikkor lens. I need a replacement LC-67 for my Nikkor 16-85mm VR.The lens cap pictured isn't accurate. What you get is the newer center pinch lens cap that comes with your Nikon lens.It comes in a Nikon package and functions just like the original cap.
Given the cost of replacing a lens cap with one made by Nikon, one expects it to fit properly and this does exactly that.  Yes, you can buy one which is not made by nikon and pay alot less.  I don't know about  you, but when I spend in excess of $600 and up for a lens, I would prefer that the little bit of plastic on the end of it fits perfectly and I'm therefore willing to pay the extra for one made by the manufacturer.  Needless to say I now also have lens cap keepers for this one as well as for the others.
This is the exact cap that came with the kit lens on my Nikon (and that I dropped into a lake).  Great product, would recommend.
Of course it is! It's NIKON! I'm never without enough lens caps. I've taken to banding them to the lens so as not to lose them.
Perfect product.It matched the original lens cap. I was 100% satisfied. I would recommend this product to anyone needing an extra or replacement lens cap.
I lost my previous version when it was flung off the top of the tall viewing tower in Niagara falls, and despaired a bit when the local camera shop said I would need to get a cheap knock off.. but low and behold, he was wrong.  This cap is perfect, easy to use, hard to lose!
Not much of a review I can give other then the cap fits as it should and appears to be good quality.
Bought this to replace my stock lens cap that i lost. It fits perfectly and works the same like the original. Also fast shipping.
This lens cover is exactly like the one that came with my 18-70mm kit lens.  I had several sales people try and sell me a different brand saying they could not get this cap.  I'm very happy with the transaction.
I have a habbit of loosing these while out mushroom hunting in the wooks.  I purchased a couple of these so I always have one on hand.  They are exact replacements for the original lens caps I continue to loose.
This is the only cap that is worthwhile on your Nikon camera!  It is always a good idea to have a couple spares though.
I bought this to replace the one for my Nikon 16-85 VR lens.  It fits perfectly and is the real deal.  The picture shown here is flat-out wrong.  This is the modern "pinch" version of the lens cap.  RJB.
I bought this as a spare for my D7100 setup.  It works as it should, holds secure, and does just what it claims at a good price.
This item was recommended as being easier to use on certain Canon lenses than the Canon lens cap.  I found this to be true.
Fits very well, looks great, and it protects my lens/filter. Good value, highly recommended, just confirm the size you need before ordering.
Lost my lens cap a few months ago and needed a replacement. Fits tight and looks just like my other Nikon lens caps...really think this one is the real deal...great price on top of it!!!
The LC-67 Nikon snap on front lens cap 67 mm is the right cap for your Nikon lens. Just buy it.
After buying generic lens caps that don't fit, I'm thrilled with this one, it holds tightly just like the original.
the product is what i wanted it to be. the shippment was slow though. overall, it's a good shopping experience
It's made by Nikon. What else can you say. Excellent quality. The 'pinch' design makes taking it off and putting it on a cinch. I have these for all of my lenses. The only way to fly!
It worked great on my lens! I don't have to worry about losing my lens caps anymore! Note: If you are kind of persons who is (like me) lose the lens cap usually? Go ahead and buy several of it and you should be fine!
This lens cover is a replacement for my Nikon D80 (18 -135mm lens). Fits perfectly. I will have to be more careful this time as my last one fell off.
If you are like me, you really can't afford the 18-200MM VR Lens.  Besides, the VR lens is sold out everywhere at this time.  This 28-200 lens is really spectacular.  Forget about people talking about barrel distortion, keystoning, etc.  The images really speak for themselves.  The human eye can accomodate small optical errors.  Besides, who cares?  The images from this lens are simply astounding.  The lens is lightweight, very compact, sharp, and is an amazingly good value.I simply cannot find anything wrong with this lens.  Just buy one and you will see.
I bought 28-200 G today to compliment the 50mm and 18-70 kit lens. I had some hope that the lens would be "good enough" and I'm very surprised at just how good this small lens is. I also tested the 24-120 VR. Call me crazy, but it seemed soft to me. When I got home I looked at the tests and the results from the VR lens were actually fine, so I think it was just the viewfinder. What really killed it for me was that 120 was just not enough reach (for me) for a really versatile walk-around lens. I took the 28-200 home and did some tests. This is a very nice lens. I found images very close in sharpness to the kit lens wide open. The near instant focus wasn't there of course (and missed!), but otherwise this is a lens that does a lot of things well. Focus was spot on and I tried some test macro shots fully zoomed in, also very nice. It's small and light and feels quite sturdy. At under 300 dollars it's a bargain that gives you all the reach you need in most cases. I couldn't see the point in waiting for the 55-200. It's simply starts too high for a walk-around all-in-one lens. I did more tests and shot a detailed object with the 28-200, 18-70 and the 50mm 1.8 all at 50mm at F6. The 28-200 was sharper than the kit lens! Samples may vary of course, but there's little doubt that the little 28-200 is nicely designed item that will also handle some macro work. Nikon also has a new 55-200mm on the way, but on a DSLR it'll be poor for a walk-around. I plan to add the 80-400 VR soon.As others have said, the 28-200 may be a lens to live on the camera most days. If you're looking for a very nice all-in-one for that vacation or casual use, this lens delivers. Now if they make this lens a VR with the S motor we'd really be cooking!Capt Robert B
I bought this lens for a used Nikon D70 that I bought on ebay, and it's been a good lens. I have only had a couple of instances where it threw up an error, but all it took was a removal and reattachment of the lens - and even then that hasn't happened very often. It has given me good pictures (although I'm sure I could find some flaws if I were more versed in resolution issues and such) as I use it for pictures of flowers and old cars around my home (Helena, Montana). Of course, I'd love to have the high-end newest Nikon and a high-end Nikon lens, but then, I don't have $6,000 (or more) to shell out. This lens fits my needs great.
I have owned and used two copies of this lens.  The first was remarkably sharp, at all focal lengths, just as other reviews had led me to expect.  Unfortunately it was a used copy with a significant undisclosed flaw on the front element, so I returned it.  The replacement, although cosmetically perfect and identical in every other regard, suffered from completely mediocre optical performance.I have no way to tell which was the outlier in terms of performance, but certainly, one was very good, and one was not particularly good at all, so it seems that there is at least some significant sample variation among these lenses, and a prospective owner might be well-advised to thoroughly try a sample of this lens before purchasing it, in order to ensure that it performs well enough to meet his needs.Miscellaneous notes:- The "good" sample I had was capable of producing images that were very sharp at almost any focal length and aperture.  While some lenses might have an edge under some conditions, the 12mp sensor of my D90 did not reveal any flaws that concerned me at all: I would have been happy to use it at any aperture at any focal length.  It was therefore superior in image quality to any other telephoto zoom I have owned or used, including Nikon's 55-200mm VR and 70-300mm VR lenses.  I'd give it four stars, not five, due to other disadvantages mentioned here in comparison with other available lenses.- The "bad" sample I owned had significant visible aberrations at almost all apertures and focal lengths.  It was fairly sharp at f/11 across most of its range, but still not perfect, and needed to be stopped down all the way to f/11 to give even that level of performance.  At f/8, f/5.6 and wide open it was significanly soft over large portions of the image area, worse at each aperture through the maximum.  I'd give it two stars, which might be a bit generous.- This lens does not have VR.  Unless you intend to use the lens on a tripod all the time (more on that later), or shoot only in good light, I would urge any buyer to consider a lens that does have this feature instead.  VR really does work superbly to allow the use of moderate and even slow shutter speeds at long focal lengths, and I would no longer consider buying any telephoto lens without VR unless I had some very specific requirements or intended it only for tripod use.  VR really does allow you to get photos you could not get any other way, and is probably more important for most uses than small differences in sharpness.- Both my samples had a fair amount of wobble in the barrel, which is a double-extending design.  This doesn't bother me except that wiggling the barrel while looking through the viewfinder at long focal lengths causes the image to move around significantly in the finder.  This is a problem for tripod use, where it is desirable to have the camera, lens and tripod head act as one very solid block of mass in order to damp vibration.  Physically de-coupling the camera and head from the front of the lens (and consequently, from the image plane) invites imprecision.  At very high or low shutter speeds this will not be a problem, but in the range of 1/focal length - 1sec or so, excessive vibration is almost guaranteed by this design.  I would consequently avoid this lens for critical tripod use.- This lens has a plastic lens mount.  I wouldn't worry about this at all.  Like the newer 55-200mm VR, the plastic mount contributes to a very nice, low-friction feel as the lens is mounted and un-mounted, and it seems likely to virtually eliminate wear on the camera's own lens mount.  The only potential problem is in using the lens with a very heavy camera, if you are in the habit of picking the camera up by the lens.  I doubt this would be a problem for most of the smaller cameras, but if using the lens on something like a D3 one would want to be careful to avoid this.- This is a high-contrast lens.  It uses three ED-glass elements, which undoubtedly contribute to this and allow the lens to render colors more vibrantly than even some other very good lenses I have used (my 35mm f/2 and 85mm f/1.8 primes come to mind).- This lens has very good close-up performance.  At 200mm it is good enough to allow a Matchbox or Hot Wheels toy car to nearly fill the DX frame, sufficient to obviate the need for a dedicated macro lens for some users.- Be careful not to confuse this lens with the "D" version.  The "D" lens does not focus close and is not this lens' optical equal.  I don't believe it uses any ED elements and it has much slower focus.  It sells for considerably less, except when a buyer gets confused as to which lens he is buying and pays "G" money for a "D" lens.  The "D" has an aperture ring, the "G" does not.- Unfortunately, Nikon does not really offer a telephoto zoom that does everything I want, at any price.  If you can live without VR and get a good sample, this is optically the best among those I've used, and the extended range at the wide end is very useful.  I could recommend it quite highly, with the important caveat that, apparently, not all samples are up to snuff.
I was looking for a do-it-all lens after I bought my D70 and took a chance on this lens.  At $300 it's a great bargain.  Yes, the focus is rather slow -- and noisy -- but photographic quality is still good.  For anyone starting out from scratch with a DSLR with a limited budget, I highly recommend this lens.  Then you can use the money saved for an ultrawide lens like the nikkor 12-24G, Tokina 12-24, or Sigma 10-20.Note, however, that if you can afford a $700+ lens, you may wish to wait for the upcoming Nikkor 18-200G VR.
I've used this on both DX and FX format cameras.  On a DX (Nikon D300) it is very sharp and the images have very  nice contrast.  On a full-frame FX sensor (I was using the D800), the outer edges of the image are not so crisp as the center portion.  This is a common problem with zoom lenses in general, especially at the wide end of the zoom range, and the D800 is such a high resolution camera, that it can exaggerate the flaws of any lens.In fact, this lens is significantly sharper than some of my other fixed focal length lenses (i.e. non-zoom).Ken Rockwell is right, this lens is under appreciated and now that word has spread, its value has gone up.
Nikon has discontinued this lens, which is a shame.  It is lightweight, sharp, and makes a perfect walk around lens for any full frame (FX) Nikon DSLR like the D700.I bought mine used, for more money that it originally sold for new.  Ken Rockwell gives this lens very high marks.For DX Nikon DSLRs there are many versatile and sharp zoom lenses, so I doubt that many DX shooters will buy this lens.
If you want to get an ultra zoom, which despite their problems in quality arr useful if you want to carry only one lens, most people's first choice is the Nikon 18-200mm; if you can find one and afford it.  The second is Tamron's 18-250mm lens.  The last is one of the 28-200mm (Don't touch the 28-300mm lenses) like these.  This Nikon is by far the best.The reason why they're 28-200mm is because they were intended for film; where 28mm was a wide angle.  For digital, with the automatic cropping because of the small sensor size, 28mm is at best normal.  You will miss the 18-28mm range, so it's best to either have the cheap 18-55mm handy or get a 12-24mm if you can afford it.This lens does gives good pictures, with barrel distortion at the wide end and occasional low contrast pictures where the back light overpowers the image, a problem I've seen in several ultrazooms.  However, for most shooting conditions it gives what you need.The only real limitation to this lens is the zoom motor, it's the old style drive gear using the camera's internal motor.  It's slow, somewhat noisy like a small can opener, and D40 owners are out of luck.  The lens won't work on this camera.
Considering its compact size - great pictures.  Good lens when traveling light. I also own the 70-200 and 70-300 but this one is most on my camera.
Great lens in great condition. I didn't get a lens cap or a back cap with it so I had to purchase those separately which is annoying but overall the lens is solid.
I've owned this lens, previously; however, I was using it mostly for slideduplicating.  It was excellent in that regard.  I've used newer macro lenses in longer focal lengths; and admittedly, they are worth more than the extra bucks it costs to purchase these newer lens designs/optics.  All the same, this lens' limitations in full functionality with current cameras are its only true drawbacks.  I've had a chance to use it, again; and I must say it's better than I thought.  In the past, photographers would purchase top notch close-up lenses in various diopters to avoid the cost of buying an expensive macro lens.  Today, (for Nikon mount, anyway) this lens has to be the best alternative.  Actual macro photographs (unless, you're doing moving videos) tend to be made with slow, tedious, meticulous, and tricky setups.  Yes, newer features like rear LCDs make it easier; but generally speaking, you're going to be exploring uncharted waters.  There's no real reason to be in a hurry to cross the lake.  This lens could deliver exceptional results for a fewer bucks; IF you don't mind paddling a little bit.  Also, make sure you have some compatibility with your particular camera.
Sharp, Contrasty, amazingly priced. This is a lens that will last a life time on DX or FX, film whatever. Its build is unlike the new Nikkor's in a good way. I can't say anything bad about it. One of the best lenses made; period.
This lens is just fantastic. You can get it cheap, I got mine free as a hand-me-down. It is widely regarded as the sharpest lens nikon has ever made. Although I have not used nearly enough nikon lenses to validate this, I can say that it is ridiculously sharp. When it's stopped down to f/8 or so the depth of field is fairly wide and you aren't losing any sharpness to diffraction. If you want a macro lens or just a great manual focus FX/film lens, this is the lens you want. I shoot with it on a DX camera and am very happy with it for macro and just general use.The one thing to know about this lens that could be both good and bad is that it goes from infinity to the closest focus distance in about 330 degrees. That means that it requires almost a full turn of the focus barrel to focus this lens from shortest to farthest. This feature is great for macro and precise focus adjustments, but horrible for follow-focusing or moving subjects (even more so than other manual lenses).
Purchased second hand. Manual focus. Crisp images.Pleasing background blurring at wider apertures. At narrow apertures, the 7 blades are readily apparent on blurred circular highlights.There might be some scratches on the glass. I'll need to shoot more at various apertures with bland background. With the close up shooting I've been doing, only once or twice have I seen something that looks suspicious. But even if there are some scratches, like I say, they've hardly been noticeable thus far for the subjects I shoot. And for the reasonable purchase price, I'm not complaining.
I bought  this camera and read the manual and loved all the feathers  It was awesome.I spent two days going over the book and taking shots and I remember when it first came on a warning  came on and after that I would take pictures of the DVD player Two Towers movie and they were awesome and all the pictures I took were awesome but then it started rolling when I pointed it at my tv screen and the LED got bright and dim and for no reason and there was nothing about this in troubleshooting in the users manual and then the battery went dead and so I recharged it and went to bed and in the morning after only a few pictures taken the battery went very low again and only after 4 or 5 pictures and I was so sad because I am not a pro by any means but I own a 3.2 nikon and it did not do any weird stuff and I have had it for almost 2 years and I loved that camera upgrade and I could have bought the nikonD100 or the top of the line cannon SLR and have all the lenses it would ever need/flashes too. But I loved this camera and all the features making it my perfect upgrade.I am not a pro by no means but I felt it must be defective when I charged it and went to bed and got up and took some more yet,only 4 or 5 and the battery was shot again????!!  I would buy that camera again because I loved it so much and I never owned a minolta but I loved everything about it . I took pictures only inside and at night and in the day and they were fantastic. But the rolling on the tv shots and the light and dimming on the LCD and then last but not least a battery going dead after charging it only after 4 or5 shots made me conclude it was defective. This was also in auto mode and I checked my other digital nikon and it did not do any of these things and as sad as I was to return it,There was no answers in the manual for these problems. If anyone reads this and has some kind of answer please speak out to me because I loved that camera and have missed it ever since the return also I if it was defective and does not eat batteries I would most definatly purchase it again. I do not no the difference between camera shake and built in stabilation but I would take the chance on re-ordering that camera again Since the problems I listed were nowhere in the manual whih I spent two full days on what else could I do but I still love it and would love to have one without the problems I have stated above. Lastly, Does this camera eat battery power that fast?? I love that camera and I have read them all so please let me know if that is a real problem. AS for the rolling pictures of the Two TOwers DVD it only happened on the minolta and my nikon was fine. If there is any help out there I want to buy this one again. GREAT CAMERA. Last what are the silver metal things on the front side of this camera for&gt; I forgot I hope some one reads tis because I am with the possitive reviews I think this camera and all features ROCK! I loved it and I as I said looked at all the camera's on site and this is the one. JosieRyder@aol.com
I've had this for several years, bought it when it first came out. I like it very much, it took the place of 35mm film SLRs that I'd used for years.It is complicated to take maximum advantage of it's potential but it takes great pictures on the auto setting.I really like the electric contacts that determine if your hand is grasping the camera. If not it shuts off so battery isn't drained.Two features that make me reduce its rating. It is very difficult to tell depth of field if you are using it's manual aperture and the photos are vignetted if you use a filter and I like to keep a polarizing filter on all lenses that can be fitted.Decent size, not too big. But I do borrow my wife's pocket Canon for ease of use and portability
This camera is my favorite. The pictures have outstanding clarity, and the camera is easy to operate. It can practically take pictures on its own!! I use it alot for puppy pics, and I can't tell you how easily I can capture the pups in motion...there's not the normal lag time of a typical digital, so I can capture the moment as it really happened instead of the formerly seen blank view...or the view of a puppy's tail!! It's a Minolta...of course!!
I purchased this camera a year ago. I love the fact that a lot of the settings can be changed without going into the menu. The anti-shake feature is very helpful as I am a senior citizen with severe arthritis of the shoulders. Holding a camera steady is a challenge at times. This was the main selling point for me.I have used the camera for scenic shots, portraits, weddings and flowers with insects. The pictures are fantastic.Highly recommend.
Cannot say enough about this camera.  Have it for the past 4 years and I absolutely love it.  Takes great pictures (250+) on a single charge.  Has many advanced features, so don't spend the money unless you are going to use all the nice features.  Even though this camera is easy to use, I would suggest this camera for advanced users to make the price worth it.
I am using this 5 megapixel camera for about 1 week. My thorough research of review sites (the best is [...]) convinced me that I should go with DiMAGE G500 and I was not disappointed. Everything seems to work very well: the pictures are sharp in various conditions, color rendition is accurate (although somewhat on the cool side; try to play with white balance), it is easy to use and the resolution is great. On the latter aspect, follow Minolta instructions in the manual and you will be pleased with the results. The biggest file size is about 1.5 MB, which is quite all right with modern computers. Awesome sharpness, depth of focus and detail! Red eye for me is always a huge problem since my pupils are naturally dilated. However, at point blank range the flash with red eye reduction produces very nice pictures with only a slight red visible. The pictures are best viewed in QuickTime viewer; Photoshop darkens them a lot. However, simply tweak brightness and contrast and it will be OK. Did not have a chance to try the supplied DiMAGE viewer software. The learning curve is short when you print the 127-page manual (only supplied as pdf. file; customer service also a problem) as it has all you need and provides nice recommendations. When buying more memory, consult Minolta compatibility chart ([...] Not all cards are created equal; to avoid problems with bigger memory, use Panasonic or Toshiba SD cards. Do not buy a card reader since the camera connects seamlessly to a USB computer port and all works well. I did not care that much about fingerprints although they are in fact all over the place. Overall, I am very impressed with ease of use, style, size and (!) picture quality and can heartily recommend this little pocket-size gem. Lately (2 months use), I got some disappointment about the viewfinder and saw the same complaint in another review. On wide angle, the lens side becomes visible in one corner of the viewfinder, which I have to use in bright sun (initially thought it was a defect). Also, there is a big discrepancy between the picture sizes in the viewfinder and on the screen. Fortunately, the screen picture is bigger so try to use it as much as you can.
I've used the Fugi FinePix S1 Pro, Nikon Coolpix, and Minolta Dimage 7i.This camera will suit your purposes well if you:1. want to shoot on the fly using automatic controls2. have a steady hand (as shutter priority doesn't exist)3. require a compact camera4. you want 8x6 prints5. don't want to pay a lot, esp. since better cameras will be out in a couple of years (as technology goes...)6. you would be willing to sacrifice a few extra features for a good all around shooterThe color is really good on this camera- other cameras have had a problem capturing a good red. However for the picky, the optical lens could be of better quality.If you like to have a decent amount of manual control, I would say try the Dimage 7i- which has a lot more features, but a low battery life.  That camera also has a better menu. The cost is twice as much.I wanted this camera to just have good quality images I can use to compose into composited art photo stuff. Not pro portaits.  This camera has a high enough resolution to crop out things you don't want to use while still retaining a large, good quality image.Its a great value and I would recommend it to any family for general purpose use.And as a tip, if you are shooting somewhere and run out of media card space, you can take your digital media card to many Walgreens stores, where they now have a Kodak Digital Picture station that will burn your raw images to a CD-Rom for about $4.00.  That way you can go out and reshoot immediately without erasing too many images- you can worry about deciding what to print once you're back home.The Kodak machines read all formats: SD, CompactFlash, CD-ROMS, Smartmedia, Memory sticks, etc.
The DiMAGE G500 is a stylish and versatile camera, packing high-quality 5 megapixel images and powerful imaging controls in a compact body. The G500 can be easily slipped into a pocket, purse, or fanny pack. And weighing a mere 7 ounces, this camera will not be a burden, even on long backpacking trips.Despite its small size, the DiMAGE G500 is packed with great image-making features. The camera gice the photographer total creative control.  Color saturation, contrast, and sharpness can be controlled to create the picture you want. You can shoot full manual, aperature priortiy, shutter priority, or use the program modes.  And a maximum 9X zoom ratio (3x optical, 3x Digital) provides powerful photographic potential.  The lens is equivalent to a 39mm - 117mm zoom on a 35mm camera.  Both Memory Sticks and SD Cards can be used alone or in combination. When both memory card types are used in the camera at the same time, up to 640MB of data can be saved depending on the capacity of the cards.  The camera has a fast start up time, so you won't miss the great shots, and even has a macro mode.  You won't be dissaponted.
I can't say enough about this camera. I researched a load of models before buying it and have had no regrets. I've used Minolta film cameras for years and the G500 is a great addition for anyone. The 5 megapixels are astounding. I took a quick snapshot of a flower in my wife's garden and it came out looking like it could be on a poster or calendar.The only feature I wish they had was a better battery meter. The one it comes with isn't precise enough to give you an accurate estime of how much battery time you have remaining. With that said I purchased a 256 meg memory card and can store more images then I know what to do with.It's also incredibly small but very solid feeling. Yes the metal case gets fingerprints on it but so what? You can easily remove them with a cloth. One issue I have had to adjust to was the lens cover which slides to the right side of the camera and being right handed my fingers tend to cover the lens as it extends from the camera. I would occasionally brush the lens and leave a fingerprint it but I learned to open and avoid leaving smudges.
i've researched Canon 400S Elph, Sony Cybershots, Minolta F100 - all that jazz (see dpreview.com, cnet.com and steves-digicams.com for thorough reviews) and nothing pocketable held up to this Minolta G500 (Olympus left out for consistently poor image quality and construction).  Why is the G500 the best?For starters, 5MP vs. 4 - not always the main concern, but it's easily the finest 5MP in its price range.  Sure, Sony has some new 5MPs out that are only about $50 more (although the ones as small as the G500 are around $100 more)  but they feel cheap, have inferior reviews, and lack the picture quality of this Minolta.  The only real competition for high-res digicams that are highly-pocketable is the Canon Elph 400S, but this Minolta is at least comparable in every respect, and of course it has 25% more megapixels.Makes fun camera shooting sounds when you snap pics.  Gorgeous displays and intuitive controls.  Quick and easy... start-up with cool green light on front.  Zoom very quick - zips open and shut.  great weight to it - not too heavy by any means, but feels solid in your hands - nice ergonomics.  I spent $350 - nothing else around that price point compared.  Buy it.  Peace!
I have read in some of these other reviews about the delay in taking pictures.  There seems to be an easy way around this that I have found takes away this one issue in this otherwise nearly perfect product.  When you are about to take a picture simply depress the shutter button part way.  Do not press it all of the way down so that it takes a picture, just part way.  This will prime the camera and you will be able to take a picture instantly when you want.
I picked this camera up for my wife's use and as a general purpose point and shoot. It's small size, good resolution, and ease of use appealed to me and I'm not disappointed. The camera has a solid weight and feel to it. As a bonus the rechargeable battery seems to have a good capacity. Pictures have good color. Red eye even with reduction pre flash was sometimes a problem. This camera also has a hard focus that brings out every pore in your subject. I found myself sometimes applying some softening in image editing. I used Corel Photo-paint for editing instead of the included (basic) software. I haven't used the 30 sec. video or audio recording features.The one unforgiveable negative is the tiny 16MB memory card included (only holds about 6 best quality images). A camera with this kind of resolution should have a memory card bundled with it that holds at least 24-36 images (64MB). I purchased a 256MB SD card with a more than adequate 100 image capacity.I found the kiosks at some discount stores great for prints @ 29 for a 4x6. I haven't tried any larger prints yet.Overall a good buy.
One of the worst low light focusing i've encountered. As to the &quot;lowest price of the season&quot; that Amazon claims, actually is one of the highest at $339. I got mine 4 months ago $312 at Buydig.com and currently sells $290 elsewhere although it seems discontinued. Pity for Amazon used to have better prices.
I was happy with the product and it works just fine for want I want it for.Delivery time was good.  Price was fair.
I just got this camera this month and I love it.  I have another Minolta digital as well (good quality) and this one is small, you can fit it into a pocket, its lightweight, easy to use and navigate the menu, battery life seems to be good, and it has a quick start up so you don't miss opportunities waiting for it to be &quot;ready&quot;.  You can also snap a few shots in a row without much delay at all. Takes great quality photos, the 30 second video is great for quick shots of the kids when they say &quot;Look at me!&quot;
The comments of the reviewers led me to purchase this camera, and I was very pleased with the camera and its results. The colors are stunning, the depth of focus is nothing short of amazing. The finest resolution photos occupy approximately 2 megs of space on the SD card. The menus are intuitive. Transfering photo files to your computer is a snap, first time, every time. Even after the technology inevitably becomes outdated, this camera is destined to become a display piece on your shelves. It really is a beautiful design. If another 1/4 inch had been taken from its thickness, it would be a true work of art. The elegant leather Minolta G500 case, sold separately, is a must to protect the exquisite finish.
This camera works beautifully. It is very simple to use. Close up images are clear and without glare; the red eye reduction works well, too. Nice!
PROS:I originally bought this camera when 5 megapixels was top-notch (when it was over $500).  I've had it for about 7+ years now. I also have a Canon Rebel SLR but tend to use the Minolta on vacations due to the size...and the picture quality is very comparable.  The zoom feature on this camera is incredible (I zoomed in on an airplane while sitting on a beach on the French Riviera and the picture looks like I could touch it). The video is great too, though you can only take 30 seconds at a time.  The videos are created in AVI format and are easily played and emailed.I read other reviews where people complained about fuzzy pictures, etc.  I have NEVER had that problem.  In fact, that's why I won't buy a new one.  I just keep buying new batteries for this one.  I've bought other cameras for my kids that were higher megapixel w/larger screens, but they suck!CONS:It's not as lightweight as some of the newer cameras and the screen on the back is smaller compared to the newer cameras but I have never taken a bad picture with this camera.  The only time I have had issues is if the camera is in night mode and there's ANY movement.  You almost need a tripod or you'll get streaks of light in your pictures from the movement.  But on the flip-side, you don't really even need to put the camera in night mode to take pictures at night.  It takes great photos in auto-mode due to the flash.
I purchased this camera back in November.  Yes, I had to buy a card, and batteries, but I was extremely happy with it.  The LCD mechanism is different, but it didn't bother me.  Takes beautiful pictures (and I am a beginner.)But...this camera is built out of plastic, and after only a few months, I am having mechanical difficulties.  I had to send it in.  The mechanical switcher quit working, and there was a crack in the battery door hinge.The optics are great, movie quality with sound (that the Olympus C740 didn't have) but the plastic construction leaves a bit to be desired.  We'll just have to see how the warranty repair goes.
No complaints, it's an excellent camera, after use this model you won't use the point and shoot cameras anymore.
TRY TO GET THIS CAMERA TO TALK TO YOUR COMPUTER!  8 hours of fiddling, calling Minolta, calling Microsoft, and going through 2 card readers and the camera will NOT talk to my 2 year old HP laptop with Window XP!  I now have to sit down with a computer instructor in two days to see if I can resolve this problem.  For a camera that is supposed to be compatible with XP, IT ISN'T!
I had a Minolta Z1 for 7 years and purchased a second one because I liked everything about the first one.  I use them heavily and am thrilled with the quality of the pictures I get.
A friend of mine saw this on TV and bought one.  I played around with it some, and thought it was a nice little camera.  It definitely has some good points.  Its light, its loaded with features (you practically get bored reading the list of specifications its so long), and it has a bigger zoom than most of the other entries in this price class.Unfortunately, I noticed some missing items while reading the specs, that downgrade it, at least some.  File types for one, most of us use computers to change, view, print and modify files, so having a number of file types supported helps.  JPEG is about the only standard format supported by this camera.  Next, I would have figured by now the makers would have gotten the message that we don't like digital cameras with a throw-a-way memory card.  I really think today's digital camera should come with a minimum of a 32 Meg card, or larger.  This one has only a 16 Meg card; it won't take many quality pictures without downloading.I really liked playing with the 10X zoom. You could get a clear image on some really distant stuff.  I did need to set it down on a rail though to get a steady shot.  One of the reasons, I would wait for more of the new models to come out is to get the Fuzzy logic type of steady cam I have on my five year old camcorder.  It's only a matter of time before it shows up on these medium priced models.The camera looks really great, and has simple enough to use controls.  A special feature lets you see the LCD through the viewfinder.  Different from the digital optical views you sometimes get mixed results from.  One thing I was impressed with was the resolution in the viewer screen.  Too often these things are very blocky, but this one was clear.  The flash really lights things up well, and the redeye reduction actually works!I'm not a professional photographer by any means, so I can't comment on all the optical specifics.  Suffice it to say, that the camera is probably not intended for the professional. It's easy to use, has a great long range zoom, but I think its lacking in some important areas.
This is a great camera, I also have a Canon EOS with traditional film so I do know have to use a the functions a SLR camera give. so when I did had to choose my camera, y want a camera with functions like a SLR, i didn't want a pocket camera.but also this camera is so easy to use that I can borrow it to my mother, and she can use it in mode AUTO.
I bought this camera about 4 months ago and have taken about 1500 pictures with it thus far.  I've taken it on trips to DC, Philly, and London.  It's been windsurfing (though it stayed safely on the beach), and cross country skiing (where it got to go along for the ride).  I also use it for documenting projects around the house, and as the PR camera for my Toastmasters club.The major technical cons with the unit are:1) Noisy auto focus - the videos do in fact come out with a clicking sound in the background.  In fact they have disabled the zoom feature during video+sound capture mode seemingly for this very reason.2) Movie mode auto focus is less than optimal and frequently loses focus.2) Sub-optimal lens - Unfortunately this lens falls far short, and on many occasions the chromatic aberration problems have shown up.  It is most evident in shots where the light levels are greatly different between different parts of the shots.  For example, in a shot of bare tree branches in the winter against a bright sky, the tree branches will show up purple.  Other than the chromatic aberration problem, it appears to be a good lens, on 21st century standards (cheap plastic lenses with sub-optimal optical characteristics being the norm nowadays).3) Lack of a remote shutter release capability - it is very annoying to be taking long exposures and having to use the 10 second timer function to keep the subject from blurring.  Seriously, how do they possibly expect us to make use of the slow-speed synch function without one???  On a positive note, the long exposure shots came out beautifully using the timer.4) Macro mode is largely unusable due to the difficulty of the auto focus of handling these subjects, and the difficulty of accurately focusing on a subject on a low resolution LCD screen.  It has a 1:1 display function when you are using the manual focus mode, but even this is not really useable.  Fortunately since it is a digital camera (and film is free!), I usually get the focus into the ballpark, then take a series of shots moving the camera through about 6 inches fore and aft of where I thought it was in focus.  One of those shots usually turns out in focus and I can guiltlessly toss out the rest of the blurry mess.5) The built in flash is utterly useless.  At 15 feet in a poorly lit room it will take a picture, but they will likely turn out blurred due to long exposures, grainy due to the increased gain, and overall pretty poor.  It does have a hot shoe mount, but see rant #1 for my experience with that.6) The clear plastic back over the LCD does not appear to be replaceable.  This also doesn't appear to be the case on any other camera available today, and it does appear to be made of lexan or something fairly resistant to scratching, but it is only a matter of time before it becomes unusable due to this design flaw.I have a few rants with the system as well:1) Apparently Minolta changed their hot shoe mount sometime between the mid 80s when my Minolta Alpha-7000 was purchased and now, and as a result none of my expensive digital flashes will work with the new camera.2) People can't seem to figure out how to use it.  I usually end up out of all pictures I take, which is disappointing because I usually bring this camera on vacations and trips.3) Movie capture is in QuickTime only.  Unless you're in the 1% of the population who can afford a Mac, the player for these movies is buggy and has an annoying popup ad every time it starts up.  It does have a conversion program that comes with it so you can put it into a format you would be able to pass onto friends without being embarrassed.4) The battery cover is pretty chinsy and I expect it to have duct tape on it before not too long.On the pros for the unit:1) It usually takes excellent pictures if you know how to use it.2) For the price I think you would be hard pressed to find a better camera.3) The SLR like controls make it nearly seamless for me to transition between my SLR and this camera, as well as allowing me to practice techniques using the same modes.  With this camera I can get instant feedback and adjust settings to get the perfect shot before it disappears.  This ability has allowed me to get some stunning sunset shots I would normally have missed.Other notes:1) While RAW format pictures would be nice, it still takes pictures good enough if you turn the compression all the way down.  With the resolution cranked and the compression at a minimum, the 3.2 shots come out to between 1.2MB and 1.6MB each.  With a 256MB memory card, this is the setting I usually leave it on, and I have never run out of memory.2) The auto focus on the system overall is pretty good.  It is fast, as long as you are patient enough to wait for it to settle down.  It has a very difficult time with low light situations and I frequently find myself using the manual focus mode.  An illuminator would help greatly, and they do have one on their hot shoe mount flashes.Also, make sure and look at this camera in person before purchasing - it is much smaller than it looks (for good or bad).Overall I would buy the camera again.  For the price it takes very good pictures.  I don't expect this camera to last as long as my Minolta Alpha-7000 has, but I do expect it to get more use.
Over 50% of the photos I have taken are blurry.  According to the instruction manual, when the dot in the view finder turns white, the picture is in focus.  This is only true if blur is your focus of choice.  I have taken still shots, motion shots, shots with flash and without with the same poor focus results.My current digital camera is an Olympus also with a 10x optical zoom which is my desired zoom minimum.  My only complaint with the Olympus is the delay time between shots.  I had such high hopes for the Minolta as the write time and refresh time is so good.  And that did fulfill the promise, but again with out of focus pictures.I am returning the camera and will continue my search for a camera that will deliver the features promised.
I got this camera a week ago. I'd been shopping for a compact replacement for my bulky Kodak DC5000. I had considered the Canon A70, but then I saw this Z1 and took the leap.It's a little bigger then the A70, but the 10x zoom, ergonomics, and unique viewing system really appealed to me. I'm glad I got it. I'm very pleased.The camera is feature rich. You have control over everything or you can just go with AUTO. I haven't even tried the MOVIE features yet.The picture quality is, IMHO, excellent. I've taken a lot of pictures of my dog, and the color and detail are very good. A close examination reveals exceptional detail in each hair on her coat. Snapping action shots is great because the camera is fast. The auto focus is fast and the recovery time for the next shot is fast. The camera is very light weight and ergonomic so holding it and setting up a shot is a pleasure.The unique SLR-like viewing system is very natural. Nothing out there comes close unless you're looking at a digital SLR for $1000 &amp; up.Yep, it's only 3.2 mega pixels, but I'll take the 10x zoom over an extra megapixel since getting a good shot, more often then not, benefits from a little detachment (with people, as well as dogs :).I've seen criticisms about the camera's use of plastic, and comments like the NY Crank Yanker's below on picture quality &amp; steadiness and low light issues. Hey, the camera isn't for Ansel Adams. It's not a Leica, or a Hasselbad. As to the plastic materials, I think this contributes to the camera's light weight and ergonomics and to some extent it's price point. Nevertheless, for features/performance/price ratio, this camera is an excellent value and a real joy to use.
the minolta dimage z1 is an affordable and capable entry into the 10x optical zoom camera class.  but there are a couple of watch-outs to consider.pros:- 10x optical zoom - this is the main selling point of this camera (make sure you get a tripod or monopod to hold the camera steady at 10x to prevent blurry shots).- 3MP resolution.- generally good image quality.- good redeye performance (better than competition).- uses a passive AF system that theoretically speeds up focus times at all light levels although low light focus speeds were not as fast as expected.- has several burst mode options that should appeal to sports photographers.- allows a great deal of manual control.- fast start-up.- minimal shutter lag.- fast shot to shot times.- external flash hot shoe - but only compatible with minolta-based flashes.- support for optional wide-angle lens.- bright, hi resolution 1.5" LCD display (smaller size than competition, though).- has intriguing Switch Finder system reflects the LCD image to the viewfinder so you see what the CCD sees.- movie mode supports VGA quality (640x480) capture at 15 or 30 frames-per-second plus the AF system operates continuously during movie mode ensuring sharpness.- non-proprietary AA batteries used. this means replacement batteries are as close as the nearest convenience store (i recommend rechargeables though).- not the most compact 10x zoom camera: 4.3 x 3.1 x 3.2", but one of the lightest at 10.8oz.- for the price, has a solid feature set.cons:- noticeable purple fringing in high contrast and night shots.- soft images with details having over-processed feel.- some barrel distortion at wide-angle.- does not support RAW or TIFF formats.- build quality suspect as evidenced by lens rattling and a battery door that feels like it will detach easily.- the feedback when using the Switch Finder system does not give the solid feel that is confidence building - will this system last?- the passive AF system does not perform very well in low light.- the supplied 16MB SD card is inadequate. be prepared to shell out a few more bucks for more memory.- add more $$ to buy more rechargeable batteries and a charger (only disposable batteries are included).the dimage z1 is a good value (for the feature set) in the 10x zoom camera class but two areas of improvement are: noticeable purple fringing and suspect build quality.  if this camera holds up well, it's a very nice value.  but if it breaks prematurely, you're out several c-notes.  in the 10x optical zoom class, also consider the olympus c-740 and c750 as well as the fuji s5000.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
My husband bought this for me for Christmas.  He was well intentioned and excited about my surprise, however I am the resident techie in the house and as soon as I picked it up, I thought &quot;Uh oh&quot;.It rattles and feels like cheap plastic.. You paid how much?  I have a cheaper 1.3 mega pixel Olympus that has more stability and is a lot easier to use.I wanted the zoom features.  My daughter is in the chorus and getting a clear shot of her with my other camera was impossible.  I am hoping that it will be better with this camera.. hoping.The video clips are grainy and dark.  The audio has a lot of clicking.The software is complicated and insufficient.  What ever happened to instant fix?  Do I want to know about white balance, and hystowhatever?  No.. just give me a damn camera that I don't have to spend hours editing the pictures through the computer. I tried to get images from the camera through the software and it can not read the camera.  I am using my photo printer software and windows to upload the pics.I have had the camera for 4 days, and have changed batteries 3 time already.  The door to the compartment was originally easy to operate now has me scared to death that I will break it.I have been reading the book and it sounds pretty easy, but when I try to implement the instructions for a clear picture or video, I am left with foggy out of focus video.Tell me.. please.. those of you with glowing reviews.. how are you getting those nice &quot;TV QUALITY&quot; videos and Sharp crisp pictures?  Sincerely.. advice would be greatly appreciated.If you are looking for a simple point and click camera that will get you great pictures with ease, don't get this one.I am going to stick with it because I just read the return policy for the store hubby purchased this at.  It has to be Mint in box in order to be accepted back.  Hello.. how am I supposed to know if this camera is functional unless I take it out and use it? If you are going to buy this camera, please make sure the store has a flexible return policy.
This camera has more color quality to it than most. To find a good used one is always a miracle so thank you seller !!
Another amazon.com idiot.... that wont take this down:(The camera is powered by two AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.31 x 3.05 x 3.15 inches and weighs 10.8 ounces (excluding battery)).Camera uses 4 AA batteries NOT 2Remanufactured Minolta Dimage Z1 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom
I bought this camera a couple of years ago, and had problems with the auto focus. About a year ago the battery cover wouldn't close all the way due to a broken tab in the cheesy cover. Well I just sent it in to be repaired, and guess what they want $150 to fix it. That's almost half the price of the camera for a 10 cent item and probably all of 15 minutes to fix. I won't be getting it fixed (I'll tape it shut), and I won't ever buy another camera from Minolta. Let the buyer beware. Stay away from Minolta unless you like spending your money on repairs.
I've had this camera for about a year. I love the zoom and it takes nice pictures, but recently the micro (close up) feature stopped working. I sell on eBay, so this function is a priority to me. It will not focus and there are mechanical sounds inside that don't stop. So, for just one year of occasional use, it's over. I have to go out and buy a new camera. I spent about $400 on this camera and that means I paid about $33.00 a month for the use. Too much!
If you were unable to get sharp pics with this camera, then you've done something wrong. Pics are VERY sharp. I'm formerly a professional photographer who has used some of the best cameras ever built.The Z1 is a CONSUMER camera packed with a lot of features for the money. Construction is fair and this is not a TOUGH unit like a Canon G3 or G5. The lens is of very good quality at this price point and can deliver crisp images fully zoomed in. I've zoomed in to 40X with the digital kicked in and gotten sharp images HANDHELD. But the truth is that even with image stabilization extreme zooming is hard to keep steady. The fellow who said you need 4 mp or more clearly knows little about cameras. You can crop fine at with a 3.2, unless you have a printer that does posters! Focus works great on manual settings as well, but the camera lacks a focus light which can give it some trouble. The Z1 can also shoot good quality video, above and beyond what most others can do. It has a great display, among the best I've seen and is easily balanced. B&H; sells them every day for 329.00 and it has utterly replaced my G5 for day to day shooting. It's an amazing value.I'm sure Minolta will come out with a better version soon...and I'll probably buy it!
I've been using three major brand SLR cameras for the past few years.To satisfy & explore further stages of my increasing interest in photography I decided to move on to digital level. I started to look for a good digital camera. I wanted to have at least 3MP with zoom & other basic functions. Since my knowledge about digital cameras were limited, I researched a lot, starting with Steve's Digicams ([...] reading almost all the reviews posted on various sites on the net and trying out almost every possible camera on display. After reading all the reviews and observing the market prices I went for this model. Dimage Z1 looks and feels like a real SLR camera. Perhaps this may be the main reason that made me buy this model. However it turned out to be a ideal choice for me. I can't explain how easy it was to zoom in on distant objects to take a sharp, bright & clear picture without a tripod. This is one fine user friendly camera with too many features to mention, yet simple to use. Excellent battery life ! I love this camera !!! If you've time check out my photos located at[...]
I have had this camera now for over a year and have taken pictures of grandkids, landscapes, concerts, etc. and have always gotten beautiful results.  The video mode worked great at an Anne Murray concert my husband and I went to - picture and sound both had good quality.  My son took it to Florida for his vacation, and was happy with all the pictures he took there.  I agree that when you have 10x zoom you can't get a good focused picture, but other than that I have no complaints.  In fact, my grand-daughter is graduating next week and is planning on taking digital photography in college, so I bought her a Z1 to start out with.  As for the simplicity of use, I had no problem using it right out of the box and I am certainly no "pro" (my last camera was a 110 pocket)!!!  For the money, I think this camera is super for the amateur photographer.
This is such a great little camera! I've had it less than a year and I've taken some pretty nice pictures (you can see a few on "share your images".The battery door is flimsy, hence the 4 stars, but my pictures have turned out very nice. Like most Americans, I wanted to upgrade just to have something more expensive and I'm glad I did but this is a nice compact piece that I can go just about anywhere with.I loaned it to a coworker for her trip to Kyoto, Japan during the Cherry Blossom Festival, I'm sure her shots came out great and she'll be upgrading to digital:)You'll like the easy use and, unlike another review, it's not difficult for others to master.The price Amazon is offering is way too much. Look elsewhere, I got mine on eBay for $124.oh and another 'con'! I lost the lens cap and they no longer make them:(
I got this cam for Xmas last year. The only problem I had was with the view selector not letting me switch to the viewfinder from the LCD screen. Minolta fixed it, and I got it back SOONER than they estimated!! Definitely get xtra memory cards, 16 MB just ain't enough. I got a 512 mb card for mine, now I can take up to 5,000 pics (yowza!)before having to empty the card!! This cam is packed with features ( 10X OPTICAL zoom!!) The black and white/ sepia tone modes are cool, and the software is very nice too. Picture quality is excellent. In my opinion, you can NOT go wrong with this camera. I don't see a need to upgrade anytime soon, but if and when I do, it'll be another Minolta.Invest in a set or two of NiMh batteries, a bigger memory card, and a card reader, and you're all set for some serious picture taking. Five stars all the way!
I see some negative reviews, and I don't share the same feelings.Its not the usual standard case, and it should be obvious due to its design that it emphasizes easy access over complete protection.Think of it like a holster on your belt....I grab the wrist strap, pull the cam out of the holster, and I snap away. No other design allows you to take pics this quickly and easily. No fuss, no fidgeting.I believe it DOES prevent scratches, most importantly to the LCD, but probably to all of it.  Despite some of the camera being exposed, the exposed body is still recessed into the case, so it would take an unnatural occurrence for a scratch to happen on the exposed area.....and I would bet it protects against a drop about as well as any other average case.It will NOT protect in rain, so it this is your reason for a case, LOOK ELSEWHERE. The design alone should make it OBVIOUS its not for water protection.ALSO,  my Casio ex-Z750 fits very snug, so, at least in my situation, I can't see it falling out. I can hold it upside down and shake, and it stays there....a thinner camera may not hold as well, so thats a notable reason for caution.
This is a great little case for the Casio Exilim EX-Z40!  It fits the camera just right and snug that you don't have to worry about it dropping out.  This is a perfect case for people who don't want to be carrying a bulky case around their shoulders, as you can just hook it onto your belt or just slip it inside your pocket.  After all, one of the reasons you purchased a Casio Exilim was for its conveniently small size and portability.
Mine fell apart. The clip's pin must have snapped and slid out, because if that's not the case, then they designed the case very very poorly. Last week I almost lost my camera after not hearing the case fall off, and went hysterical. (It later turned up.) You'd figure name brand stuff would have some quality. After dealing with the thing falling apart and putting it back together, and over again, I finally lost the little metal pieces the last time it fell off my belt, and now I'm in the market for a new case. I really liked this one because it attached to the belt and was designed to complement my Exilim Z-70. I initially liked it so much, that I might give it another chance. Caveat Emptor.
Like the title said, for the price and the design of this product, it is just whatevers. If you are thinking about it, google imagine it and see if the design really makes much sense.
I own the Casio Exilim Z4U.  This case is too big for the camera and the clip isn't as good as other clips I've seen and used.  I am much happier using an iPod case to carry my camera as it fits much better.
The EX-CASE3 holds my Casio camera securely, and the camera has never dislodged itself without my help.  I don't often make use of the belt clip on the back, so I would prefer if the clip were removed and the whole case was made slimmer.  However, the clip has stayed tight for the years I've had it, so I can't complain.
This is my third camera (second digital) and I think you should grab this one for the price.This camera has a lot of options, so it may take a while to get used to it. Don't give up, patiently try out the options and once you get used to it, you'll appreciate each of the options.I'll first talk about the plusses.The obvious ones are 4M pixels and 3x optical zoom, ultra sleek design (by far the best looking camera I've seen), dock availability, super fast startup and capture time. Here's a brief mention of other features.1) Large LCD screen for its size. This really helps for focus and also for previewing the pictures.2) Best shots mode: Though it takes a while to get used to different modes to figure out the best possible setting, once you remember that, you're in tune to take great pics. I got fantastic pics of my campus on a cloudy day. The scenary mode allows you to capture intricate landscape details even in the borders.3) Long exposure: You can take night pics with the long exposure mode (upto 4 seconds), the picture quality was awesome.4) Fits in my shirt/coat pocket, no bulky stuff to carry around, can travel with your hands free.5) The superimposing feature, where you and your buddy can take pics of each other with a scenary and merge the pic with both of you in it, sounds like a cool feature (if you're not an Adobe pro). I haven't had a chance to try it though.After mentioning the coolness factor, please read this also.For indoor pics, the flash is not powerful enough for objects that are say about 10ft away, but for closer objects it's good, or if the room is well-lit also, its good.Make sure you choose the correct white balance. OK, this is a feature you'll have to test out if you're not a pro. Especially, if your room has fluorescent lamps, there is a special setting and I did not get good quality pics with the default setting.The US version of the camera does NOT have MOVIE mode. I don't care for it, if you do, you should look for other cameras. There are cameras which have movie mode for this price.And yes, if you're planning a long trip you have to carry the dock for recharging (you save on battery costs though).The 10M memory bundled is inadequate, additional memory is a must, I bought a 256M SD card which costed me about 80 dollars.
I had an Ex-Z3 which I sent back as soon as I heard that the Z4 was coming out.  After all, the Z4 is supposed to have 4.0 M resolution, better battery management, and 60 sec. movies and all at the same price. BUT...after having waited till it became available and then doing some research apparently there is a BIG difference:  the US version does not support avi movies as did the Z3.  The rest of the world does not have this problem, just US.While I had the Z3 it was great, but not outstanding. I appreciated its compact size and the avi movies.  Picture resolution and color was good, but color was not as good as the Olympus C-2000 (2.0 Mp) I traded up from.  The flash is weak, but it is a smaller camera,  so what do you expect.  The main selling point is the size, because if you don't carry it around, what good is having a high quality camera?
This Exilim EX-Z4 is a great little digital camera!  It's about the same size as the Optio S4 from Pentax; in fact the Z4 uses a Pentax lens, so it's possible this is OEM'ed by Pentax?  It's slightly heavier (half an ounce or so) than the Pentax, but, on the other hand, the Z4 has a 2" LCD viewfinder!  It's just a beautiful viewfinder.  The camera works pretty fast and is always ready at your service.  The 3x optical zoom is wonderful, and just plain awesome in such a tiny package.  I picked Casio because it has a bigger LCD and also it's just a bit cheaper than the Pentax counterpart.
This is a great, very small, pocket camera.  It has served me well, I have now had it for a year, and find it to be very dependable and  accurate.  The pictures are either awesome, or grainy, one of the two.  They're pretty much always great with the occasional lemon, but thats probably due to me not focusing it correctly.  The LCD is great, 2 inches, but sometimes looks like there's that "snow" on the screen which is weird, but it still functions.  My only HUGE gripe with it is this:  When you look through the viewfinder (the glass viewer, NOT the LCD) the image you see in there is smaller then the actual image that comes out.  So if you took a picture of a ruler, looking through the glass it would be say six inches, and you snapped the picture.  It would really come out showing about 10 or 12 inches! not the picture you thought you took, however the LCD is accurate.  Its great, buy it if you want a really nice small camera for the price.
When I got this camera, I was really impressed. The size is great (just bigger than an Altoids tin), the screen is huge, the zoom is 3x optical and you can choose not to use the digital zoom, the camera is very easy to use and set up, the review function was better than other cameras I've seen, since you can really quickly see your photos, store your favorites in the camera's own memory, and use a '&quot;calendar&quot; function to see what photos you took on any given day.But... I took about 50 pictures in a variety of conditions. Upon transferring them to the computer, I realized they generally looked terrible. They looked like what people's worst ideas of digital photos would be: lot of &quot;noise&quot; - like really grainy film, things not in focus, etc. I also uploaded them to Shutterfly, as I've done with 400+ other photos, and had them &quot;developed&quot; to see if the problem was somehow with my monitor, but no, the pictures are unaccpetable for any kind of camera: film, digital, or otherwise. (Oh, and Shutterfly had difficulties uploading several of the photos, for unknown reasons.)I bought this camera because of the small size, the &quot;cool&quot; factor, and its features. I also bought it to improve on my current 1-megapixel camera. My 1-megapixel camera (Fuji Finepix 1400) takes vastly better pictures than this camera. I'm returning this camera and am scared off of all Casio digital cameras now.
I've had the camera about 1 week now and love it.  So many features /and controls you've got to read the manual to use/understand them all! I doubt anyone will use them all but it's nice to know they are there.  The camera is very easy to personalize if you like.  Takes GREAT pictures (digital zoom is basically worthless although it is on most cameras).  Most liked features: Small size, large 2"sreen, very versital.  Dislikes: only one so far... it is too easy to "format" your memory card by accident(which erases all pictures on the card even if they are protected).  It should require more than one push of a button to do this.  I wrote to Casio suggesting a prompt "Are You Sure?". This has happened twice... once by me learning the camera and once by someone familar with digitals checking out the camera.  So be careful!  Oh and it should come with a case!  Not having movie capability was not important to me.  Only improvement I'd like to see is ability to direct connect to TV for viewing of pictures on-screen (my daughters Olympus has that feature!)
What I mean is.. this camera works GREAT for people like me who just want to take pictures at family events and parties, not for people who are heavy in to photography and want alot of control over their camera.This camera is tiny (about the size of a credit card, but 1/2" thick) so it fits easily in to a jeans pocket or coat pocket.  It's incredibly easy to transport.  It's also incredibly easy to operate!  It turns on super quick, you flick the switch to picture taking mode and hit a button.  There aren't 20 million buttons and switches on this camera, so even a novice like me can easily operate it.It has some faults - the zoom feature takes HORRIBLE pictures - so don't use it!  It also doesn't take very good movies.  But for taking pictures at family events, or taking pictures of a new baby, or new puppy (in my case!) it works GREAT.  I absolutely adore this camera and I use it all the time!  I highly recommend it as a camera for digital camera dummies like myself!
Things to like about this small camera are the many feautures, the large LCD screen and battery life, docking station is a plus for ease of use.  BUT, the camera has problems with color balance in most modes, flash shots come out weak and with a blue tint over the full frame.. Color saturation is not up to a Cannon or a Nikon by any means of viewing, including the finished print. As an outdoor snapshot point and aim its fine, but look at Cannon or Fuji (VALUE) FOR A BETTER DEAL in the $300 price range.
I bought this little diddy for my parents for Christmas.  Part of the reason that I chose this one was the ease in using since my parents are not gadget smart.  They have taken some really awesome pictures but the main fault that I see is the digital zoom.  Once you pass the little red line that indicates the change from optical zoom to the digital zoom, you end up with really grainy pictures. So don't buy this or any camera for the added digital zoom in my opinion.  Although I will say that my parents were unable to really notice the grain difference between the optical and digital zoom until I pointed it out.  I have borrowed this camera for a vacation and found that if I didn't go into the digital zoom it worked great.I did hand the camera over to a guy to take a picture of my hubby and I and it turned out really grainy.  Since I didn't have time to question the man about his technique, I have no idea what happened.  It was an indoor picture and over and over I have heard the theme of bad indoor pictures.  When using the flash you have to be just perfectly distanced from the subject or you will be under-lit or over-lit.  (Dark and grainy or whitewashed and spooky)  I have seen a very slight amount of red eye that most people don't really notice when looking at the pictures but that's just me.I love the fact that the Casio doesn't require hours of lessons to start out using it.  Otherwise it would have been a horrible camera for my parents.  The black and white photos are really incredible too.  I grew up with film that was only color and never got accustom to looking at a subject and determining whether the composition would do well in black and white or not.  I believe this camera is a great way to experience the best of both color and black and white.  In fact I have had some shots in both and the b/w look the best. Since no camera is perfect for everyone I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars, but it is definitely very close to perfect.  Add movies to it and I'm sold...again.
the Z4 is a little thicker (still 1/2 as thick as the Canon cameras) but it has some important advantages over the S3.  first, the location of the lens on the S3 is a pain and your finger will get in the way (this makes the Z4 easier to use).  Second, the obvious difference in MP (the S3 is a 3MP and the Z4 is a 4MP) means that the picture will be sharper when you print it.  Third, on the S3, the battery cover is a little weak compared to the Z4.  Fourth, the Z4 has a built in speaker that you can hear all sorts of sounds (good quality too).ok, now that you have read my first paragraph, i will tell you that i LOVE both of these cameras.  they are very light, easy to use, relatively cheap and the feature's are very powerful.  i have owned the Canon S200 &amp; recently the S300.  they both weight just a fraction of the S300 &amp; are easier to use (in my humble opinion).YOU WILL LOVE THESE CAMERAS!
it would be a definitly 5 stars IF it could record movies. DON'T GET ANGRY AS I DID. Know that this camera DON'T RECORD MOVIES AT ALL! That's the American Version (with the "U" at the end) and I don't know why they make it that way. Did not find any advantage compared with the same camera, without the "U" at the end (international version).Buy the international version instead.I feel embrassed I got into this bad deal. Great camera (REEEEEALY great) if I did not have this expectation. IT'S A TRAP, not clearly advised at all. Only reading BOTH manuals would give a sure about what I realized and I'm telling to you.
Take a credit card out of your wallet right now and look at it.  This camera is the same width and height as the credit card and a little less than an inch thick. And it's only 4.55oz including the battery! And it has 3x optical zoom!  Amazing!I don't use the software because it so easily works with Windows XP.  As soon as I plug it into the docking station and hit the USB button, a dialog appears on my screen asking me what I want to do with the camera.  I choose to open a folder to view the pictures as thumbnails.  You can even have Windows XP automatically do this every time.  I then select the photos and hit cut (Ctrl-X).  Then I paste them to my hard drive.  It's that simple and it's fast.You will not be disappointed with this camera.
I've had this camera with me every day for almost two years old and I still love it!  I have a toddler and an infant whom present me with constant photo opportunities, so I carry this camera in a small bag in my little purse.  This camera has freed me up (where film and larger digitals didn't).  I can (and do) take pictures all the time (just over 6000 in 21 months).  I would advise people with larger hands (especially men) to get a hold of a model (store/friend) as the buttons are pretty small, but for most ladies, it works great.
I've had this camera for about three weeks and have taken about 500 photos.  The photos are terrific.  The camera is a joy.  I chose it due to its small size and large screen.  Compared to the competitive products, the 2&quot; screen is wonderful. My kids jump to see how each picture comes out and crowd around this little marvel.  Battery life has been great.  My only criticisms would be the software that came with the camera (both the casio and the kodak) is poor.  You are much better off with a copy of acdsee.  I would also like the ability to use a small travel charger and not need the cradle all the time.  finally, the cradle is not usb 2 compatible, so I use my USB 2.0 card reader.  I debated between this and the elf and have no regrets about my choice
I am not going to talk technical &amp; features, other reviews covered most aspects.I think it's helpful to mention that I contacted Casio directly re the support of .avi file format (movies) in the Z4U version (US version), and I was informed that a law suit filed in the USA prevented them from shipping the camera with that feature within the states, and that they may offer free firmware update online when the case is closed so that EX-Z4U supports avi's. For those who wonder, EX-Z4U is exactly the same EX-Z4 without the movie support, therefore, if you were able to get your hands on a Z4, then go for it.I also purchased a SanDisk 512MB SD card which gave me the liberty of shooting photo as much as I needed without the fear of running out of memory.Both are great gadgets, I'm going to add the fifth star when Casio fulfills the promise and offers the software update
I trust my camera gear, rifles, handguns, optics, EVERYTHING to be 100% safe in a Pelican!!! I would put baby Moses in the 1400 and float him down the river again and not worry for a moment!!!! I have 6 different Pelican cases. Love and need them all!!
Best box out there.  Snaps tight, metal lock tabs, water tight.  The pluck foam leaves a bit to be desired.
This case was ordered to hold some medical equipment that must travel with me on my about two-weeks-per-month business travel.  The good part is that this case will probably survive falling into a black hole.  The bad part is that it takes up half my carry-on suitcase.  But that's what you pay to have protection for expensive equipment.
Great price!!! I'll purchase more for gifts!!
I don't use this for a camera, I cut out pieces for my handguns.  It is very ideal, and I love it.  Would highly recommend!
i got this one in DT too, love the color even the Missus wants me to switch a bit ;)i bought the 1400 for my Finepix 9000 , not enough space in the 1300 if you want to add some smaller stuff and keep the foam !Foam was lugged easily, camera sits tight, room for a sling, batteries ,cardholder etc. even i didn`t plugged more of the foam !very secure, that`s what you expect from Pelican anyway !
I bought my first Pelican case almost 20 years ago.  I traveled with it all over the country.  I've used them to carry photographic and video equipment while whitewater kayaking, catamaran sailing, rock climbing, etc.  It sat in the back of my whitewater kayak on hundreds of river trips, and never once leaked, even after a few swims out of my boat.  I once had the 1400 case in my backpack carrying a camcorder while riding a motorcycle.  At about 120 miles per hour, the zipper on my backpack opened, and the case fell off the back of the bike.  The case slid about 100 yards down the road, and had no more than a few scratches.  The camcorder was completely unscathed.  I'm still using my first case (I haven't even replaced the O-ring, which I don't recommend), and just ordered my third case.  I'm currently using one to store two GoPro cameras and the various accessories for them.  I couldn't imagine a better product for my needs.
Holds 4 BaoFeng handhelds quite nicely. It doesn't get any better than this case. When they say water proof they mean it.
Might have gotten a little over-zealous with the case, but I LOVE IT. I've always wanted one of these bad boys.
I've been using these slave units for over thirty years now, they are very useful for fill light and back lighting.In the old days of film, it was imperative to use a flash meter and maybe take a Polaroid to check the exposure, but today we all use, or have, digital cameras that give us instant feedback, thus enabling us to check, exposure, shadows,highlights etc.They won't allow TTL flash compensation but so what.
I found these slaves to be much less cheaper than the Morris or JTL brands.  We purchased these to work in a 'dreamlight' that we built.  They work great and arrived in great condition from Adorama.  However, be aware that the colored caps that are sold separately to go on these do NOT fit.  I have not been able to find another set sold by Adorama that is made for these that would have fit.  Curious.
This slave flash performs surprisingly well for the price, plus the benefit of the bulb socket which provides great versatility.
I'm an amateur artist / hobbyist photographer primarily doing studio work. While I am not getting paid for my work I am no less serious about the results, I just can't always pay for it. A couple of these and a CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Trigger Receiver and Adorama Color Filter Set for the AC Slave & AC Master Slave Flashes, Red, Green, Blue and Yellow, which both work perfectly with this lamp, give me a lot of flexibility for under $100, half the price of a flash for my camera.
I had to cover the plastic cap above the sensor with small strip duct tape becuase it was not getting the correct signal from the master flash.Now it work perfectly every time. Otherwise it would not flash at all.
This product is designed to hang a light from a drop-ceiling when shooting on location. It does exactly that. Avenger's reputation did not disappoint.If you want to hang anything other than a film-industry light from this clamp, you might be disappointed, cause it wasn't designed with that function in mind.
I use these to hang lights in my video studio. They work great and are easy to move around. Great purchase.
The scissor clamp attaches easily to any drop-ceiling metal channels, the things in the shape of an upside-down "T" that the panels lay on. Just slightly lift up the panels to reveal the metal channel and open the scissor clamp to fit it along the channel. Close the scissor clamp over the "T" and turn the stud to lock the clamp.I've used it to attach super mafer clamps (Super Mafer and Pin) and studio lights with 5/8" receivers (Kupo Baby 5/8-Inch (16mm) Receiver for 3 & 4 Way Clamp, KG005912) to the ceiling in office spaces for digital film shoots. With enough of these you can create your own studio grid in any office.This Avenger product is nice and sturdy.
These clamps just work.  If you want to hang something in the middle of your ceiling, they are the only way to go!
I ordered this clamp to attach a small speaker. Details said  "used to mount a small to medium size light fixture from a drop ceiling frame. It terminates in a standard 5/8" (Baby) stud"  There is no threaded end on this thing. Just a small Horz. hole. I just can't figure out how this is used and more importantly what it is used for.  If there was a 5/8 thread I could at least attach something to it.  Too much hassle to return. I may have a shop drill and tap the Stud.
I've been searching for something like this for a while and when I saw them I immediately purchased them.  They are just as described and good quality.  Great product.
Used in the basement with drop ceiling. Nothing makes more difference in table top and portrait than being about to add a top/separation light. Used with umbrella swivel it's flexible and easy to carry around in the bag for location work. Get two.
If you're shooting on location these are great to have in your light bag. I never leave home without packing at least teo, just in case.
does its job well, I have no complaints about it. I hang my photogenic strobe with it, works great with a softbox on it.
Got this to add to my arsenal in my DoP kit and I'm glad I did.  It's well made, works perfectly and was competitively priced.  I usually get all my film gear from B&H or Abe's, but I've recently started ordering some items off Amazon, both cheaper and more expensive ones and have yet to be let down.  I definitely can recommend this one!
I thought that it's a very good product. It's very sturdy. It was exactly what i needed for this flag set. I needed a few of these and the price was affordable.
This clamp was better than I had expected.  It is very solid and very strong.  I added a 6 inch pin and now my C-stand can hold my 8 ft octabox off the ground.  Fast shipping, great satisfaction!!
Very Solid and super smooth handling with the hand screws. Holds everything tight. Solid Product. Used with the Pearstone boom holder and fit perfectly
Excellent quality, using it with the Kacey bracket for Elinchrom Quadra and works very well, very well made. Recommended. AAAAAA+++++
This will be my 3rd D200.  I also have the Matthews and if this is a 5 star the Matthews is a 5+.  However, it costs a little more and I don't like it that much better.  The biggest difference is the Matthews has notches and this one doesn't.  Sometimes notches are better, sometimes not.  I have avenger c stands and a roller stand and everything they make is pro quality.  The D200 is no exception.  Buy with confidence you are getting top shelf gear that will never need replacing.
This is a decent grip head, but I now I understand why you typically see MSE (Matthews) and American Grip on most professional shoots. If you want to read a fair yet critical review of this grip head... this is it. I own all three brands, and here's the difference;Pros:2-position choices for the stud-locking knob. This is a big plus.No teeth involved in locking the rotation of the knuckle (like American Grip).Lightest weight full-size grip head available... READ MORE ON THIS... it's BARELY lighter than MSE.Cons:Locking handle/knob is much smaller, and much less ergo than the competition.The rubber T-Top is (quite literally) a band-aid for this small handle design.THE CLAIMED WEIGHT OF THIS GRIP HEAD IS WRONG... This head is over 3.5 ounces heavier than stated.I bought these heads unnecessarily because I expected to save nearly a quarter pound on each stand... but as it turns out, this head is only 1/3 of an ounce (10 grams)... lighter than my MSE heads. I was expecting ten times the weight savings. A quarter pound weight reduction at the end of the thinnest riser is significant... 10 grams is not. While this is a nice bit of kit... notice I still gave it 4-stars... the problem is without saving weight, it's inferior to MSE for the same cost.So... how much do you want to know about grip heads? I own several brands... here's the breakdown;American Grip makes the most durable, robust grip gear. Their grip head is no exception. Ironically, the American Grip C-stands are much lighter than Avenger C-stands, but the American grip head is heavier by 3.84 oz (or 109 grams), 734 grams... about the difference I expected the Avenger head to save me. Aside from weight, the other con with American is the stud-locking knob is centered, which limits it's "lock" on various stud lengths to only one spot... whether the stud is long or short. American also uses a brake-type disc to aid in locking... with no teeth involved... and I prefer the easy lock and fine adjustments this provides.MSE makes some of my favorite stands, and their grip head is also a joy to use. MSE's head is not as overall robust as the American Grip head, but it's very close... and 3.5 oz lighter than the American. MSE's head is 635 grams. Both MSE and American Grip have big, fat handles for locking the knuckle. This is good for "spinning down" the head with the flick of the wrist... and makes use of the heads a pleasure. MSE has the stud-locking side of the knuckle off-set, so it can fit any size stud, like the Avenger... that off-set stud, and the wonderful quality of MSE stands, is why I added them to my kit. Those two features are why I'd recommend an MSE head over Avenger. When you use an MSE head, and lock it down with that big fat handle... you'll understand my disappointment in the Avenger's lack of weight savings.I still feel like there should be an option for a lighter-weight grip head... for the jobs that don't need a super-robust, heavy knuckle. The misleading weight spec on the Avenger grip head is the only reason I bought them. If you're about to buy this head, I think you may prefer the MSE grip head for the same (or lower) cost.
I use this grip head with an extension arm and the Flashpoint Softbox when photographing my jewelry.  When using this product together with the other two items mentioned making sure the lighting is where it is needed is no problem.
I've tried a couple of different filters and the B+W's have not disappointed me yet. I love that the ring is made of metal and not some cheap plastic. I actually got a filter stuck on a lens because I accidentally left my lens in a hot car and altered the shape of the filter's ring. This is a wonderful filter!
Like all B+W hoods, this is more expensive than competitor brands but is terrific glass.  I have B+W hoods for all my lenses.
I always use this kind of product because they helps me to protect my gear. there will be always some guy trying to touch your camara this willl help you to proctect against that!
It's a lens filter so not too much to say. Seems to do everything I expected it to do. Good quality box. Filter appears to be well made.
really good quality UV filtergood packaging , decent quality on the closer look inspectiontoo bad i changed my lens before this came to me So i won't really be needing this any moreProbably will give away as a gift
B+W always has fine optics. I find their filters a little more difficult to screw onto the lens than other brands, but once it's on, it's secure. Absolutely no issues with the quality. I've also never had the glass fall out of a B+W filter, as I have had happen twice with a Hoya filter!
It was like taking pictures with no UV lens, it made no difference when I took comparison shots. I ended up going to the local camera shop to get a Hoya, it cost much more but made a huge difference in quality of my pictures.  I felt like this lens was a waste of money.
I always choose B&W filters for their quality of construction & performance. You may pay more for this brand but it's worth it.
I usually use Hoya HD UV filters on all my lenses, but I recently switched systems and debated whether I even needed filters at all. Sure, one lens would flare a lot wide-open, and the filter eliminated it completely. But did I ever have a need for protection? Not really - I guess it was for more of peace of mind.Fast forward to my new system (micro four-thirds), I bought a 46mm and 37mm filters. The 46mm slightly increases flare, while the 37mm has huge artifacts and greatly increases flare. These are single coated filters, so I didn't expect much. I'm just leaving them on for protection, and will take them off when taking important photos.The best part of the filters? Super clear glass and a great metal frame. That's about it. You sure get what you pay for, even with legendary B+W filters. I think B+W should just eliminate their entire cheap range and stick with their quality stuff.
While it is expensive, go with theB+W 62mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010version instead with the MRC coating.There are two aspects to a protective filter, one is the degree in which the filter does not give any ghosting, minimizes flare, while keeping an optically pure path.This and other multi-coated filters will do this fine, such as hoya, sigma, b+w (not tiffen, bower, and brand x)The next step is durability.I have several sigma filters, and while they are optically great, the coating on them is very fragile, i.e., they gets knicks in the coating from even a bit of dust it seems, maybe some wind blew a bit of sand, but very fragile.I have not had the couple hoyas long enough to tell, seem better than the sigmas in terms of durability, however from reviews i have read it is an issue.I did some research into the MRC coating that some of the B+W filters have, which the manufacturer claims is harder than glass. I have this same type of coating on a pair of eyeglasses and it is the first eyeglasses i have had that do not get scratched (over 2+ years).Basically, if you want the filter to still be in good shape over time, then get the hardened coating instead, which for this filter is theB+W 62mm UVA (Ultra Violet) Haze MRC Filter #010(Notice the MRC as part of the product name), it cost about $20 more, but what to do?
When I took the filter out of the box and held it up to the light, I thought it was scratched, but there was a "fold" or flaw in the glass of the filter, a little more than half an inch long.  I returned it for a refund.  The original shipping was $7.95.  The return shipping was $5.81.  Had I bought it straight from Adorama, their shipping would have been $5.00.  I'm out $13.76 for shipping on a defective product from a company that has a return policy stating, "Please wait 8 days from date we received the package for us to process your return."  Also, I question the legality of Amazon's practice of charging credit cards for third-party items when they're ordered and not waiting until they're shipped.  The moral?  Watch shipping and return policies when you buy a third-party item from Amazon.
The build quality of the filter compared to sunpak is superb. For optical characteristics I searched the internet to get the transmission curves. Both hoya and b+w are very good. I preferred the transmission characteristics of b+w. It cuts out UV well and attenuation starts just after the visible region ends. For Hoya the attenuation starts a bit earlier. I did not do the tests myself.I got the filter from adorama. The filter arrived with some paint missing on the outer and inner rim of the filter. Closer inspection revealed one of them was a scratch made with someting sharp. The glass is in excellent condition and the build is also good. So I did not go to the customer service to complain about it. I expect  a new product to be flawless. Along with it I also bought a 52mm b+w from adorama. It was in perfect condition.The item arrived in time as posted. It arrived in a well packed box by usps.I was charged shipping for the 52mm filter and given free shipping for the 58mm filter though they were ordered together and they arrived in the same box. (Adorama said free shipping for 58mm and about 5$ shipping for 52mm.) Usually if items are grouped together the shipping rates are lower.
The brass feels really high quality material and very easy to attach to lens.  Extremely clear filter without any glare.  It will stay on the lens forever.
Really bad quality, you get blurry photos, I had to use my 100-400 canon without it to get nice sharpen photos.It looses the sharpen on the enter of the image.If the seller can return my money back, I want it back, too expensive for something that's useless
I've been using B+W filters on my lenses since day one, no problems! great product
When people get super worked up over their UV filters I get upset, it's most likely only their to protect your lens and there is no reason to over think it. If you buy a cheapo filter, expect flare and chromatic aberration. CMOS sensors are sensitive to UV and often use it to determine WB and color profiles, so filtering it out will have some effect in that regard. Shooting RAW and adjusting in post is a better option anyway. This problem will exist wether you buy a $150 cokin, or a $20 tiffen.B+W on the other hand are a good, mid-range price filter with low aberration, and a small enough profile on the lens. In Macro work, I take the filter off, simply because their is no need for it, and it helps my d7000 focus. Regardless of B+W's large thread ring profile, the glass is quite thin, and produced minimal flare. Theyre easy to clean and a great touch of protection for your lens.Check out their X-Pro line as well, especially if you shoot outdoors a lot.
I was using an Quantaray Pro Digital filter and getting green spots from flares even with a hood. The lens was a Canon 70-200mm f/4L and it can flare sometimes without a hood, but the Quantaray filter created strange artifacts even with the hood. I switched to this B+W filter and no problems since.I have switched entirely to B+W for all my filters except for some Cokin specialty filters which I don't want to buy for each camera and lens.
I'm giving it 3 stars because since purchasing this item I've come to realize that there are less expensive products that do the job just as well. So I paid too much. But it works exactly as it should. No problems.Good product
Nice added bit of security to protect my lenses.  I'm not convinced that it helps image quality on digital cameras, but it appears to be enough of a quality filter that it won't harm your images, either.  Buuuuut, I found that it wasn't as useful at night because I saw flares and reflections in my shots.  Recommendation is to use during day (but not in combination with anything else like a circular polarizer) and keep an eye out at night for image artifacts and act accordingly.
I use B+W on all my lens.  Learned the hard way, buy the best...so easy to clean and the pictures come out crisp as if no filter was used.
it's good. and protects my lens. but it will be nicer if it's muti coated. but then again. no complain for the price.
I have been using this filter for about a month now. I have had no issues till date. Screws into the lens without any problem and haven't noticed any distorted pictures yet.
Seems high quality, but haven't tested it in any extreme situations yet.  So far can't tell much difference in my pictures between this and the Tiffen filter I had on my lens before.
Let me start out by stating that I'm a professional photographer and I only buy B+W filters. However, I have two experiences to share. One is regarding the type of filter and the other is purchasing from NY based companies. Rest assured that I have based my rating on the filter and not the merchant.Regarding the filter:I've rated this particular filter as only 4 stars because it is not one of B&Ws; MRC filters which deserve 5 stars. Basically, their MRC filters have multiple coatings that reduce reflections (like most glass elements in your lens) while this particular filter does not. I highly recommend MRC filters especially when using high quality lenses. If you've paid a small fortune you don't want to skimp on the filter as the old "Weakest-link-in-the-chain" analogy definitely applies here. I found this out the hard way when I decided to save money and skip multi-coating on my second pair of glasses. When watching a movie I could see my eyes reflecting back at me via the uncoated lenses I was wearing!Regarding NY based electronics retailers:I accidentally ordered this exact filter (I assumed I was ordering the MRC version) on amazon through the third-party seller, cambridgeworld1 on January 30th of 2011. Luckily, amazon sent me a cancelation notice yesterday (2/4/11) explaining that it was due to the item being "out of stock". However, as I write this review, cambridgeworld1 is still showing this item as in-stock. So... what's my point?After 10 years of purchasing camera gear from several NY based merchants, I finally narrowed down my orders to one establishment - B&H; Photo Video. The reason for this is that I've found almost all of the NY based photo stores that I've dealt with (6 or 7 of the majors) to engage in somewhat less than honorable business practices in one form or another. And I've been purchasing camera gear from NY since 1994.Now, B&H; is not perfect. They're not the cheapest and they close down too often for my liking (religious observances, I believe.) but I never have to worry about sketchy claims regarding product availability or pricing like some of the others. However, a few years ago, in my pursuit of the perfect merchant - yes, I know there's no such thing - my gaze turned to amazon and I've never looked back. Until now!Foolishly, perhaps, I've ignored my past "direct" experiences with amazon's third-party sellers due to amazon's great customer service. However, this recent order has made me rethink that practice and it's partly amazon's fault by not providing an avenue for leaving third-party feedback regarding cancelations. If I'm wrong on this one I'd appreciate someone pointing it out.If I'm correct on this feedback issue then it's rather disconcerting. Just think about it! You're a third-party seller that decides to show a product as available that isn't (I'm not saying cambridgeworld1 did this as I have no way to know). But you do so because you know that if you happen to get the item in stock then you'll make a sale. If it doesn't arrive on time then you simply cancel the order at the last minute and avoid a bad rating from the buyer even though you've left them hanging for a week.From now on, I think I'll order from amazon as long as it's directly from them or the third-party seller is B&H.; If not then I'll order directly from B&H; or walk into my local Samy's Camera here in Los Angeles.ckEDIT: I just received a call from cambridgeworld1 today (3/10/11) stating that the item was back in stock and available if I was still interested. That's 34 days since they canceled my order! Why is this significant, you ask? Because I've checked on this item several times over the past weeks since I posted my review above and every time they showed either 1 or 2 left in stock.
A very high quality piece of glass and highly recommended.I've used several different filter brands over the years; low to high end. B+W is the way to go for serious protection and filtering with NO degradation of image quality.
Nothing special but it does what it needs to do. I wanted this to protect my glass more than anything.  I usually take it off when shooting indoors but a few times I have forgotten and I really can not tell that it is on my lens.
I bought this filter for my Nikon 1 camera and it provides good protection with minimal distortion. Great Quality and good price! Craig S.
The filter initially struck me as pricey. But I did some research and took a chance on it.Very well made and crystal clear. I got outstanding photos as well as lens protection. There's no noticable lose of picture quality whatsover.Get it if you can afford it. You won't be sorry.
I prefer B&W filters over any other.  That's because they do it right .. nearly EVERY time.  I have a number of them for various applications and choose them over other brands at every opportunity.
I'm an amateur photographer and this is the second filter I get, they are great for protection I keep getting a weird glare on different light situations, like little balls that get reflected between the lense and the filter.However, for the fact that it will probably take the blow for the lense if I were to drop it I guess its a great buy.I got it on my olympus 45mm 1.8
The best photographic filters made and I have a lot of history with 20 some previous B+W purchases. I also highly recommend the B+W Pol. filters.
Anyone who purchased B+W knows that it is one of the top brands out there when it comes to filters.  This UV filter does the job perfectly.  It protects the front element of the lens while maintaining excellent image quality.  I have dropped my lens several times and this UV filter protected it completely.  The filter does not get stuck like other filters and it is easy to remove if needed.  However, it remains in place when needed.  With some filters, over tightening causes the filter to become stuck to the lens and it's a pain to remove.Highly recommend this!
I always buy B+W filters for all my lens and so far have loved every one of them. This one though doesn't live up to my expectations. It's small, 43mm, to go on my Canon EOS M 22mm lense. The fit is ok, but it adds a lot of length as in it's threaded section is of a standard thickness, which on a lense this small adds a lot, and since it makes the lense cap sit so much further out, I can see it putting unnecessary pressure on the focus drive since it moves in and out. Very slight pushing on this and you can see it moving. In a bag I can see this added length causing the lense to be forced too far into itself.And then there's the flare. I was in a concert venue last night during a band practice and pulled out my camera to test it's low light capabilities. There was LED lights back lining the stage but not aimed anywhere directly at me. There was horrible flare in the camera, and it wasn't just because I had it at the perfect angle. As I angled the camera around the flare moved all over but never went away. I thought it could be the camera period so I removed the filter and all flare was gone. Angled it around and nothing. Put the filter back on and there's the flare again. As I walked the floor I continued to pick up flare from different angles.I truly believe it could be just this filter's size, I don't know. I do know filters of low quality do flare easily thus why I bought this over the many cheaper options. For this size, this was the most expensive. I've shot on my 5D with other lens with filters in this same venue with less of a problem. (yes, at the right angle any lense or filter will flare in this environment, but not like this.) For me, this filter doesn't cut it for the price when looking at the thickness and flare issue.
I bought this for my new canon lens and I haven't experienced any problems which affect my photos.  The build and glass quality are excellent.  I'm looking to purchase a neutral density filter soon and will lean towards the B+W.
I buy it mainly for protection of my lens.  If you really want good quality filters with no optical quality loss, get the Nikon NC filters.
This filter is beautifully crafted and. the single coating is very nice. The thin ring and the engraved lettering testifies to the craftsmanship of this product
The filter does just what it is supposed to do - protects the camera lens.  It fits well and goes on easily.  I did have one case of reflection causing double-exposure kind of shot - but it was interesting, if not what I'd had in mind.
The b+w filters work very well, and this one is no exception.  There is no adverse impact on image quality.  It is very well made.
I bought this B+W filter for about $25 on Amazon after much deliberation.Should I get the cheap TIFFEN filter, the better HOYA filter, or the original PANASONIC filter, for my Lumix FZ-35?The tiffen filter is cheap but many people says it it not of great quality - this is not a multicoated lens, so it may affect image quality. The Panasonic filter is perfect but just way too expensive. The HOYA seemed just perfect, only $20 bucks, I can't go wrong, but then I noticed a lot of people saying that it gets dirty fast and is hard to clean/is delicate - This turned me off.Then I came across this B+W 46mm UVA Haze filter. There were only 5 reviews but the users swear by this product/brand. I was convinced enough to but it and I am very pleased with the results. It is not as delicate as the HOYA and performs well, no distortions or imperfections. The packaging might make you think otherwise but as soon as you pick up this filter you see that construction is solid; high quality optics in a brass ring that fits my LUMIX FZ-35 perfectly. Two things you need to know about this filter.1) like all filters it will change the final picture taken somewhat. If you understand filters, this is a no brainer. But in most cases this is for the better, this filter will bring out more details in bright and/or reflective surfaces.2) This filter, though well made has a very thick and heavy ring, like I said earlier, it's brass not plastic. I am not sure if this will affect zoom speed but make sure it can fit the clearance left when your zoom lens retracts, so that you can put the lens cap on.All things said, this is a great filter, no regrets. You have to decide the best filter for your camera and needs but in general, cheap or expensive, a UV filter is essential since it serves second duty of protecting your precious lens. Much easier to buy a new filter than a new camera!
Refurbished a sweet canonet rangefinder, and 48mm is apparently a really weird filter size. Found this on amazon, cheered, bought it, got it, put it on, and bam, vintage glass is now well protected.If you have a strange 48mm lens, get this.
I absolutely love my B + W filters. They are very protective and I haven't noticed any loss of quality in my Photographs. Please be aware that I shoot for personal pleasure and not for professional publications.
I have purchased filters made by Tiffen, Hoya, Heliopan, and B+W.  B+W filters are made by Schneider optics, the same company that now owns Century Precision Optics.  The Century lenses are the best out there, and the B+W filters meet the top standards as well.  The metal frame on the filter is very solid and strong, I once had a Tiffen filter that got bent when trying to attach a wide angle lens onto it.  And, trust me, I did not force it.  The B+W is much heavier and more solid, the glass seems to have more quality and density to it as well.  As for the performance, it is much clearer than the competitors and definitely performs better under high-resolution situations.  No color distortion or image quality distortion whatsoever.  From now on, B+W filters are the only ones that I will buy.  I just wish that Amazon carried more of them.
This is a great filter for protecting your lens and also getting rid of some flare. During the daytime you get no ghosting or artifacts. It's construction is also really great and the filter is just durable in general. It has a metal ring, which is great compared to some of the cheap filters that have plastic rings. It makes it feel expensive and nice, even though it isn't as expensive as some of the filters with MRC and other coatings. As for the actual glass, I've found that it will scratch at times, but is relatively durable. I've used it in sandy environments and it hasn't scratched as much as other cheaper filters. If you are going to need it to be more durable I would probably go for the same B+W filter, but with the MRC coating.The only real issue that I have had with this filter is that it creates some ghosting at night when there are street lights in the frame, and the filter with the MRC coating really does a good job of preventing this. This is the only flaw that I have found in this filter and is the reason why I am giving it four stars.I would highly recommend getting a filter for all of your lenses, not even because of the flare that it will reduce, but because of the protection that it adds to your lenses. If there's a rock or something that suddenly flies at your camera, or even if you are just in a wet, sandy, or windy environment, it'll be better for it to damage a $20 filter rather than a lens that costs hundreds of dollars.Also, I'd highly recommend avoiding cheaper Tiffen and Bower filters because they are not of good optical quality and will noticeable reduce the quality of your image. B+W is a great brand and I would highly recommend their filters, especially those with MRC coatings.
ok its a B+W lense filter what more do you want? They are simply the best filter out there. A little more than others but the quality is exceptional. I would rather spend a few more bucks and get something worth it than just waist money.
I bought this filter primarily to protect my Canon lens.  While I haven't evaluated it for it's filtering ability, it meets my needs very well.  Amazon pricing and delivery is hard to beat.
It's a great filter, built well and the lens cap fits unlike one of my other 77mm filters.. I will buy another as I need one for another lens.
This is a great filter. I bought it more to protect the lens than to filter anything, and it does a good job at that.  The glass is very clear, so I have not seen any negative impact on my photos.
This went on easily and doesn't alter visible-light photos in the least.  I generally use a polarizing filter in sunlight, so it's main purpose is to keep my lens safe.  It is well-threaded, front and back.  It is front-threaded, so you can "stack" filters if you wish.  A very well made piece of equipment that does exactly what it's supposed to do:  Protect my lens without being noticed.
I tested a few shots with and without the 37mm filter. Under scrutiny, I find no affect on sharpness in anyway but it gives a little warmth to your photos. The glass is slightly tinted yellow, so it will add a slight warmness to your photos. I also see slightly more color contrast with the filter on. This may be a good or bad thing depending on how neutral you want your photos to be. Personally, I like it because it's on my portrait lens. I didn't test this shooting into the sun or lights, so I cannot comment on any flares or reflections.
We had 3 different filters1. B+W 49mm UV Filter (010)2. B+W 49mm UV MRC Filter (010M)3. Hoya 49mm UV(0) HMC FilterAll were for the NEX5N lens, and we finally choose B+W 49mm UV Filter (010) the single coating one due to below reasons.#1 vs #2, both are B+W but coating different; however, we get the same result of the reflection. 010M is a little better, but not much you can tell.  If weather sealing isn't the concern, 010 is better from price point of view.#1 vs #3, the result of the reflection is the same, and price is similar; however, Hoya multi-coating one is hard to clean.In this case of 49mm filter for len protection, B+W 49mm UV filter (010) does have out of standing quality as 5 stas
I could write out a few paragraphs about how great this lens filter is, but other here have already done a superb job, which is a big part of why I purchased this filter.With filters especially, you get what you pay for.  What's the point of spending $$$ for professional quality glass if you're going to stick a Wal-mart grade filter on the front of it?You know if you're in a position where it's a benefit to you to spend good money on a filter.  If you are, this B+W is an excellent choice.
I stay with B&W for their high-quality filters. Why put poor quality glass in front of the fine optics in your lenses?
This is my first B+W filter, didn't figure out the other MRC model's difference, so ordered this one.Very well built, made in Germany, kind of heavy for such a small size filter, feels solid and robust, precisely engineered and manufactured, nice and sexy glass surface. No problem to keep the lens cap on it. I totally trust this filter and completely don't worry about it.Ultimate filter, highly recommended.
I needed a filter to protect the front element of my Canon 10-22mm lens.  So far it has worked perfectly.  I also have a B+W polarizer for my Schneider 300mm f5.6 Symmar-S and it also is flawless.  I recommend all B+W filters!
This filter works great with my Fuji x100s!  It fits perfect with the camera hood on as well.  Image quality is not affected at all no flavoring etc.. Highly recommend!
it seems like a decent lens.  a lot of peole have complained about there being a &#34;ghost&#34; on it but i haven't seen that yet... i'm going to test it out again today so we shall see
You can tell when you hold this filter and screw it into position that B&W is seriously committed to high-quality products.  Makes me think of BMW.  Except you never have to take this little guy to the shop for a tune-up.  Images come out with greatly reduced haze, much sharper, and no measurable impairment of any kind.  Highly recommended.
In my experience, neither the photographer nor the audience  can tell much- and most times any- difference between a picture taken with a UV filter v. one taken without. Why then would I give this product a 5-star review then?Simple.  I added this lens filter on to myPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 12.1MP Micro Four-Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Lensin order to protect the lens.In that vein, and for the purpose that I purchased this lens for- I graded the lens on two categories: durability / build quality and the transparency of the lens.So, for durability, this product get 5 stars. It's well-built, and it's got a very solid feel in the hand. It makes a very subtle but nonetheless  noticeable difference in the weight of your camera, so if you're looking to minimize camera weight, this may not be the lens for you. If you're looking to protect the investment in your hard-earned camera lens at any cost, however, this is definitely for you. Also, the lens cap on the Lumix will still fit on the filter, which gives the filter props.Secondly- this product gets 5 stars for lens transparency and the way it doesn't get in the way of the pictures you want to take. The only difference in pictures taken with the lens is that it doesn't appear to prevent lens flare- or perhaps it adds to it. I personally love the effect of lens flare- particularly during sunsets and sunrises, and with a  wide open aperture. Asides from the lens flare- which due to personal preference I consider a boon rather than a detriment- though, there is no other difference in image quality that I have noticed.In short- this filter is the strong, silent type. It feels like it could take a beating while leaving the camera lens immaculate, and it does so invisibly. It's everything that I could want in a filter, and as such it never leaves my camera.
Look no further than B+W.I had a Tiffen clear/UV filter that came with a lens purchase and thought it wasn't a big deal since it's objective was for protection. &#34;You always get what you pay for&#34;, and I didn't pay for the Tiffen...
Very high quality glass. Strong build. Decent coating, I haven't noticed much different flare control compared to the lens without the filter. Should be good at protecting the lens from daily abuse.
I recently got a new camera body so I pulled out a lens I haven't used in quite a while. I was appalled to find it had a cheap UV filter on it. I try to only use B+W filters for one very compelling reason; theirs are the only UV filters I've ever seen where you can look at it straight on and not see the glass. It looks like an empty ring if there are no lights reflecting off of the surface. They make a better UV with coated glass but I was trying to be frugal and decided this would do for now. I was surprised to see they haven't increased in price in 20 years. I paid $80 for a coated UV 20 years ago and now it's $3 cheaper. I think this filter was $50 back then. I have several B+W filters I've picked up over the years, including a circular polarizer and some color filters, and not one of them shows any signs of age or has developed any problem.This filter not only protects your lens but it protects the lens' edge to edge sharpness, color and contrast. It doesn't affect the picture quality at all and it does a great job reducing haze in landscapes.
for the price I paid I would have expected better.  I returned it. I went with the hoya for a lot cheaper.
It's a B+W filter what more is there to say, except they are pricey.  I owned oneand gave it to my brother when I sold the lens that it fit.  I also use Hoya, Pro1 Marumi MCand Vivitar Series 1 which are all excellent filters.
The B+W Clear UV Haze filter/single coating serves the purpose of protecting an expensive lens. Obviously, for producing a better quality photo, a multicoated filter would be better
Sturdy, clear, high quality glass. Not cheap, but worth the price. I finally figured it out: there's no point in having expensive lenses covered with cheap glass filters, so I spent the extra money and I'm very glad I did.
I've being doing photography for forty years.  In my opinion there is none better than B & W for making camera filters.  The size is harder to find in most brand.  If you want something that will last for years and provide you the best optical quality, then buy B & W.  I learned long ago that it does not make sense to spend hundreds or even thousands on a good lens, and then degrade that quality by putting a cheap piece of filter glass in front of it.  Be smart and spend your cash wisely.
I have this and other size B+W filters and have always love them for their quality. The price was also very good for this filter.
If you want the best filter/protection for your zoom lens, this is it.  I get non-distorted shots, which excellent filters contribute to.  Good filters make all the difference, especially with a zoom lens.
After using other brands, started using B+W and hooked.  Best of the best, just get it.  You won't regret your investment.
The uv filter screwed right onto my Nikon lense, no problem.  Feel better having added protection of my lense.
Excellent value, perfect fit and has helped with the brightness of the pics.
So good that my wife didn't even realize there was a filter on her new lens!  Would buy again.  Fits securely and is crystal clear.
If you are going to buy a UV filter its probably to protect your lens. You will want something that is made well and will not cost almost as much as the lens itself. This lens is the perfect balance between price and quality. I use B+W filters for all my Canon L lenses. They are built extremely well, they don't smudge when dirty like some other brands do, and they do not degrade image quality. B+W is definitely one of the best brands out there.
B+W filters are the best!  I purchased this filter to use on my Nikon 24mm-120mm and it is a great fit; clear and sharp.  No problems!
No problems.  Just hard to give something 5 stars for something that does it's job by not being seen.  Obviously, very good quality.
I bought this filter for my new 50mm f/1.4 lens. Great for daytime shots, but creates ungodly flare at night. It mirrors streetlights and even bright stars onto the opposite side of the picture, so all my night shots look like there's UFOs flying around in them. If you need to point the lens into bright lights - which always creates problems - you'll need to remove this filter lest it compound those problems.
If you've spent more than a little $$ on a lens it makes sense to use good filters and B+W makes great ones. I recently upgraded to a Nikon D7100 and upgraded my Nikon lenses as well and didn't want filters that would affect the quality of pictures so I also purchased B+W filters for them. As soon as you hold one you know that construction is top notch and they use optical glass so you get a perfect image. The MRC coating they use seems to be excellent as well. I  don't think you can go wrong with purchasing a B+W filter.
These filters are great. This one is good for the price. The only downside is that there is no multi-coating. But that means you can clean this uv filter with just soap and water.Check out the hoya hmc around this price point, hard to clean though.
I made a mistake when I bought this filter, because I was searching an adapted Filter to my new SLR Camera and Lens. But my new lens is 67mm and not 52mm. I prefer save the filter in my photo equipment because I don't know when I will need it or will sell it. The most important thing was I made mistake but both the quality and b&w brand are excellent because right now I have the correct b&W filter and is perfect.
Rock solid, Zeiss glass, well made, no gunk on the glass (like with Tiffen and some other cheaper brands I have bought).Thread is good. Comes in a nice case (although, mine stays on the lens to protect it).Price is more than cheaper filters but, you get a good filter and not as expensive as Heliopan (which is also excellent).
Excellent B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Single Coating (010). I am very satisifed with the prodict and the service.
High quality filter with beautiful glass and fitment.  They stay permanently mounted on my lenses unless I put on a polarizer or ND filter.
I tried using these in bright sunlight, against window glare, against a bulb and under low light conditions. the results were mediocre and the filter did not do much.. had a negative effect in low light, while I was expecting it to act neutral. I ordered its bigB the B+W HAZE MRC, and everything changed to my delight, under the same conditions..  packaged this one and returned it to Amazon.
got this for my video camera SD100 panasonic because things keep getting into the lens when recording (snow, sand, etc). abit dissapointed with it because i get lots of chromatic aberations, false colours, problems with focusing. use it on manual mode only else your video will look crazy. maybe i should get the thin version.
It's perfectly clear. It feels rock solid. The threads mate perfectly with my Canon lens. The OEM lens cover snaps in securely. It has stood up to the abuse of this amateur as he's chasing his kids around on hikes, outings, and sporting events. It's definitely more of a lens protector than a filter, but overall, I'm very happy.
This item does what it should, protect against UV rays and protect my valuable lens. I would reccommend this to a photographer in need of such.
Not much too say. For the most part, it does it's job when you can't tell if it's on or off. Or when it takes a beating in place of the outer lens element. But I haven't tested that feature yet ;)
i got this filter for my canon 200mm f/2.8 .. i initially got the canon 72mm filter for it not convinced i should invest more in a protective layer of glass.. but i noticed that the canon filter was more prone to haze.. i can even feel that its not very clear if you look through it.. but when i bought another L lens i got a B&W 77mm filter with it and it was perfect.. i can instantly tell it is clearer and less prone to flare and haze.. the B&W is also slimmer . i replaced my canon 72mm filter with a B&W. the difference is noticable in image contrast .. you can even see better through the filter into the lens than with the canon mounted.. its also alot thinner ... if you are thinking is 40 bucks alot for a filter that basically does nothing : yes it is .. if somethin hits the front element or you are in bad weather you would freak out .. you pay the extra money to make sure it does exactly nothing..
Bought to protect my more expensive lenses.  Saved my lens from multiple little fingerprints during candid photo sessions of curious toddlers.
B+W makes really high quality lens filters. It really is worth the price. Do not put cheap plastic in front of your expensive lens. If you want protection, use this stuff. With all lens filters, there are times where it increases sun flaring and light reflects off the lens will bounce back to the filter and then back into your image making images flat and overexposed, so you should only use this filter when you really need protection, like if you are shooting in snowing, dusty, rainy environments.
This is the first time I use B+W UV filter and I have noticed instantly that the glass element is well secured in brass rim. In comparison the Nikon UV filters have loose glass elements and can move around. Secondly, the filter is a lot easier to clean than Nikon filters. Good products and will certainly purchase it again for new lens.
I bought this filter to protect the surface of my H-PS14042 Vario lens on a Panasonic Lumix GF6 camera.  I am not even sure a UV Haze filter does much else on a digital camera.  The filter doesn't seem to make much difference in how my photos look, but it should keep my lens clean and take a whack if there is an accident.  suffice to say, the filter is doing what I wanted it to.The filter is well made and fits my 37mm lens perfectly.  It is made in Germany. The brass mounting ring is as thin as any on the market and according to the manufacturer it screws on from threads at the back instead of the front like other filters.  I must admit that I have no idea what that means or what it does for the filter.It holds a lens cap nicely.  And it is a solid, well made filter.  There are cheaper UV filters out there, but I bought this one because I thought it was the best of the bunch.
I find that B&W Lens Filters are My Favorite to use on all of My Camera Lenses ! Their Use enhance My Pictures in Terms of Lens Flare and more seriously , to positively Protect  These very Expensive Photographic Tools , which are Serious Investments in My Hobby Pursuits ! Cost is relative of course , but I choose B&W every time ! R E Keay
I purchased the B+W filter to protect a 50mm lens that I use on my Leica M9Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Steel Gray, Body Only), and although there are less expensive filters available, I wanted a quality filter from a reputable company.  The light constituting the photo that you envision has to pass through all of the glass contained in the lens and the filter before reaching the camera's film or sensor, and this filter does its job: it protects without diminishing the quality of the image.  I highly recommend it.
I always recommend these for any lens. Please consider getting one. They are outstanding and the best for a reason. :-)
Fit well to my lens (m4/3, Olympus 14-42).Clean and clear, no harm to the picture.So far, so good.
For this price, I think this filter is worth it.  It build with metal, so you can feel the quality, plus it is light and very tough to protect your lens.
I am a big fan of B+W products. I had bought one filter earlier and was very impressed with its built quality. So without much thinking and research I just went for this one for my 18-200MM Canon lens.I must say B+W didn't disappoint me this time too. It is clear as crystal and protects my lens without degrading the pic quality.
B+W did not disappoint with a quality filter. Simple but with great protection for any lens. Don't expect a multi-coated hi-end glass but this filter is built well and does the job.
B + W is a serious company, and of course this filter is great. I use it for three years. Never regretted the purchase. Very satisfied.
I really cannot say that his filter is worth two to ten times what other similar filters are worth, but it is very clear and substantially heavier than some other brands. It certainly isn't going to hurt to have this filter, and based on what others have said about the quality, I believed them.
The filter was shipped not in fancy packaging but securely . After put in use and found out that was like new , no signs of flaw , scratch or anything . Very quality filter .
Biggest reason I bought this was to protect my lens, but it's way the heck better than some of it's cheaper classmates. Most of my work has me out shooting run 'n gun, but I'll take it off in controlled settings and if I'm using other filters.
Good quality, decent price, does what it is supposed to: helps cut haze and protects your lens.
I bought this with my high grade Olympus lens. It's just what I need to protect my lens and make my captures UV free. Looks and feels very professional.
I have been a user of the cheap Tiffen filters. When I bought my first over $500 lens, decided to try something better. B+W was an obvious choice from reviews and how correct they are. When I opened the box and took the filter in my hands, for a moment I thought that the filter just had the ring and didn't have the glass. The glass was that clear.I must say that being single coated, I do get the occasional glare. Should try out the multi coated one for my next lens.In short, if you are buying a good lens, don't spoil it with a bad filter on the front.
B+W is by far the best lens filter/ lens protector out in the market now!  If you're gonna pony out the $$$ to buy quality L lenses, it should go without saying that you should put a lens filter on your investment.  Definitely would recommend and buy this again.
Either drop al the &#34;required&#34; for ratings or leave me out of it .  Some items are just what they are and I am not into creative titles and pseudo expertise- It's a major brand filter and unless I receive it cracked or scratched I rely on the manufacturer's reputation like everyone else.
Seems like a great lens, no problems indoors or out.  I shot about 200 photos so far with zero flare from this lens protector.
What can one say about something as mundane as a UV filter?  While more expensive than other brands, the B&W; multi-coated UV filter does far more than protect the lens from dust and scratches.  It does a serious job of cutting down glare and flare on the lens from point light sources too.  The quality of B&W; filters is Top Shelf!As for my purchasing experinece... it was above and beyond!  The filter arrived quickly and packed well to preven damage.  All in all, this Amazon.com experience gets a 10 from me!
Good filter, good protection, does the job.  IMO its better than the multicoats because its so much easier to clean.  All B+W filters I have purchased have always been of the highest quality.
I chose to go with B&W because of the name and reputation.  Single coating I think is fine for digital.  Don't skimp and buy a cheap filter when you spend so much on your camera/lens.
I only buy B+W filters if I can help it, the Germans know their glass.great filter to just leave on your lens for everyday protection
This B+W UV filter is top quality. It's a must for a pro quality lens. You can tell the effectiveness of its multi-coatings by just looking into the lens with the filter on. I use these on all of my portrait lenses.
It still is an option to skimp on filters but not me. This is a high grade glass, a bit pricey for my taste, but you pay premium for quality.
i prefer b&w over hoya, cause it cleans quickly and remain clean for months unlike hoya that i have.
this lens doesn't feel that helping with the image quality under sunshine or anywhere.I suspect that it might degrade the iq a bit actually. But as a protective lens, it is ok
B+W UV filters are fantastic. I'm not a fanboy by any means, and there are a couple other brands that will do a great job. I do feel B+W has an edge on the other top tier competitors. They do cost a bit of coin, but they are well worth it... They are the cream of the crop.I use these UV filters simply as lens protection, since digital cameras have integrated UV filters, but quality still matters. Cheap UV filters suffer from flaking coatings, ghosting, poor light transmission and clarity, poor build quality, and too much thickness. Cheap filters are... Well, they are cheap. The B+W does NOT suffer from any of those issues, or from any issues at all. They are durable, well built, the coating is tough, and they are super clear.As for thickness, the B+W UV filters are nicely thin (for a fully threaded filter rim). You'll find less problems with light vignetting on wide-angle lenses, and in general when stacking filters. But if you do need a ultra thin filter to stack with or on an ultra-wide lens, you will need one of the ultra-thin specialty filters which are of course more expensive and which will likely lack threads on the front.
Put two prints, say 11 x 14, side by side. One with a good UV filter, one without. You simply cannot tell the difference, with star-effects, lens flare, or, especially, image quality.What I get in return for putting a good UV filter on my lens is protection for a $1000 - $2100 investment I'd like to use for 7 - 10 years. It is easier to clean, as I don't worry about scratches or the long-term effects of alcohol on optical coating, etc. It also protects the front element from breakage, as I've seen several times just this year among a half-dozen local pro photographers.Speaking of pros, our local paper's five staff photojournalists all use them, as they put more wear and tear on lenses than even wedding photographers.Please, we don't need lectures or debates about UV filter vs lens hood, swivel-screens are evil, film vs digital, pop-up flash vs none, and on and on. Different gear suits different needs.This page is for reviewing the quality of UV filters people want. Does this B+W work invisibly without adding flare or reducing image quality? That's what I want answered.In my opinion, from the many difficult shots I take at events where people are in tents with morning or afternoon sunlight blasting in at all angles, from the sides and behind mostly, B+W works great while protecting my front element AND the rim of the front of the lens.Plus the B+W's seem a tad easier to wipe clean, less streaky, than the HOYA's I used to buy. This is what I put on all my L-glass now.So, go out and shoot, and leave the ancient debates for those times when the weather is lousy and you are stuck in a bar in southwestern China with nothing better to do!
absolute quality addition for our cannon t3.  very happy with this lens cap. has the feel and look of exactly what we were looking for.
I used to purchase $30 filters for my lens thinking how could the more expensive filters be that much better. I was wrong. There is a noticeable difference in the quality and picture quality when using these filters. I am not a professional photographer but I did buy 2 "L" series lenses for my Canon 50D and used these filters on them. Highly recommended
Use B + W on all my lenses.  No reason to ever use anything else. Always a reliable product and trusted.
I've been using this filter for nearly three years on my Nikon D70, and it has been fantastic. No scratches, super high quality with a nice weight to it, and the photos look fantastic. I liked this so much that I purchased a B+W Circular Polarizing Filter as well. At the price Amazon is selling these for, there is no excuse not to buy one.
Doesn't impact images in any way, positive or negative.Sure it helps with haze, but photoshop is far more apt at handling haze than a general purpose, coated, piece of glass.I bought it mainly for the brass ring (non-stick) and quality of the cut/grinding of the glass.It's as clear and anti-reflective as you can get for $80 and I look forward to buying several more as time goes on.
One of the best filters and protectors on the market!  It's a must to protect one's lens with a good UV filter.
I look at it like this... There is a lot of filth and danger out there.  This filter is a lot like a condom for you lens, only it also helps you perform! :)The old adage is very true for this filter, "You get what you pay for."  Hoya makes a good filter too, but B+W is noticeably better.If you own an "EF" lens or an "L" for that matter, isn't a protective barrier the protection of your artistic tool.  I say absolutely! There is only one catch... This tool allows your photos to look amazing, provided that you know how to take a photograph in manual mode.
The quality I expected from B&W
If you spent good money on your lens, don't ruin your pictures with a cheaper filter. Need I say more...
I'm not a pro, but I consider myself an advanced amateur. I like to have the top of everything if I can afford it. These B&W filters are by far the best I have used in terms of glass quality. The difference may be small compared to a cheaper filter, but I feel better knowing I have the best.
I bought the 37mm filter to use with my Olympus 45mm f1.8 MFT lens, Crystal clear glass does not stop down my lens, while providing it great protection.I got the one with a black ring and not silver, so although it looks a bit odd on my silver lens, I cannot complain about that.
Purchased the 58mm version of this to protect the lens on a Cannon S5 IS (I am of the old school of protecting lenses).  The construction is as solid as a rock and the filter element is crystal clear.  I went with the B&W because of the brass outer ring.  This filter will mate to an aluminum Lensmate adapter (highly recommended).  Aluminum to aluminum can seize.  Aluminum to plastic will bind (under certain conditions) but brass does not have that interactive problem under normal (non-maritime) conditions.  Therefore, this filter can buffer between the Lensmate adapter and anything I want to screw into the female threads of this filter.  Brass and B+W are a good thing (so Martha would say).
B+W, enough said.
Why would I put a $20 filter on my $1200 lens? Wouldn't make much sense. I buy B+W filters for all my lenses. Never had any issues. Just pure quality.
I bought this filter for my sister's Nex 5R.  I am just an amateur , but I was still able to tell this is a quality product when I received it.  The coating on the filter looks even under light reflection, and it has some weight to it, which made it feels solid and not made with some cheap material.  Can't really tell the different it makes on the picture quality since I am no professional, but I do believe it's a quality product and going to offer good protection to the lens.  Overall, I am happy with the purchase.
I purchased this for my Fuji HS50EXR super zoom to protect the all-important lens from potential damage.  Some people may be put off by higher price tag but if you can afford it then I think it will well worth your money.  The filter will help picture quality by eliminating UV haze for more pleasing looking picture.The filter screwed on easily on and off to the camera.
I used to think all filters were the same - especially when it came to simple UV filters, but after getting one B+W filter, I'll continue to purchase this brand into the foreseeable future.
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters. the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass). Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them.  I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly! If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens! In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up!  I prefer the MRC, but even their entry level one is ground glass, so you still get a great quality filter at that price point.You need a UV filter on all your lenses, as it helps to protect your front element, as I have seen many lenses saved when bumped or dropped by the UV filter.  If you are outdoors shooting or around kids or food at all, you have to have a UV filter no matter what!  The B+W does not degrade your optical quality from a quality pro-series lens, like a Canon L Series, where a lower grade window glass filter would, like all the Tiffen, Hoys, etc.  Even the Canon filters are not ground glass, and thus why I dont use them!  Just be aware if you are using good filters, you can't blame a bad image or blurry shot on the glass or filter then, you will have to own up to actually taking a bad picture every once and a while...  :)
Good value for the price
I use to use another brand of filters, but I noticed that they're a bit flimsy. B+W makes quality products. Their glass is smooth without any dimples unlike on other filters that I've noticed. The rim holding the glass is hefty. It feels really well made. Once you pick up the filter, you will notice a considerable difference in weight if you were to compare it to other filters. I have accidentally fell on my lens before and without a doubt, I would of smashed the lens if it wasn't for an UV filter. Even if it was another UV filter, I'm pretty sure my lens would of been heavily damaged. Some people prefer not using an UV filter for DSLRs, but I do a bit of traveling. I'd rather be safe than sorry. It doesn't really change the quality of photos or light balance. Of course, by adding more material in front of the lens it will affect it just a bit, but It's not noticeable unless you're just that anal about it. B+W does cost more than other brands, but I highly recommend it if you don't mind spending the money.
it works  and does not affect the  workings of my macro lens . It goes on  lens and allows for staking with no  problems.
High quality, easy to put on. For the quality and less glare, I always go with B+W filters on my cameras.
Not much to say except that it fits well, works with the lens cap. looks strong. what can i say, its a uv glass filter, cant get any better than that. :)
Not just a great filter, but a superb lens protector as well. I do not use any lenses I buy until I put one of these on. I don't even unpack them until this filter arrives.
Good, solid filter.Bought this for my Canon 50mm 1.4.Can't go wrong with this B+W
There are already a ton of reviews here. And I read a lot of them. Optically this is flawless. But the nicest thing about this PROFESSIONAL grade version is that it is easy to clean. The cheap versions (I have had plenty) take a lot more work to make spotless. Spend a little extra and you won't regret it!
I use only Canon L lenses, and not one of them is touched unless and until one of these babies is on it to protect it.  Why invest all that money in such precious glass if (1) you run the risk of scratches or dust; or (2) you ruin great sunny shots with an unfiltered lens ?These filters are coated; very important.  Filters lacking optical coating can cause lens flare and impact contrast and sharpness, especially when a strong light source is present.Yes, these filters are a bit on the expensive side, but when you spend $1,000-$2,000 per lens (and more), the cost of the filter is minimal.  The peace of mind this little lovely gives is priceless.
Came fast and works fine no complaints.  I have 4 or 5 of these and they are all perfect.
Expensive, but, effective.  I use it on my Canon 70-200 L-series lens.  No degradation in quality, as far as eye can see (get it?).
Works just as you expected, protect your lens without negative effects on your pictures.I owned a couple of cheaper lenses and I noted the difference since I received this one.The glass quality is really notable, and as the description indicates, it's very easy to clean, if you need to, because you can use it for a long time without the need to clean it (as need to do on my old filters)As many internet reviews indicates, you can't go wrong with B+W
Over the years I've learned I can count on B+W pro filters for the best glass. They cost more, but I feel they're well worth the price.First I'll say this: I love my lenses, but as soon as I add any glass to a lens, I'm no longer shooting with the lens I bought; the lens I know and love. At least with B+W pro glass, I never feel I'm losing any clarity (as opposed to using the cheaper, well-known brand "X").If you've ever had a lens damaged (or a filter) by a grain of sand or salt or a small pebble (e.g.) blowing at high speed into your lens, then you know the feeling. It's a great feeling when the only item damaged is a UV or plain glass "filter." It's a horrible feeling when you see an indelible pock mark on the front element of your lens. (Should I spend the money for the repair? how long will I be without this lens? etc.)Unless I'm shooting in a very controlled environment, like a studio, I always have some form of B+W protection in front of my lenses.
B+W always has quality optics and this is an excellent choice. I found by trial and error that one should almost always spend extra for multi-resistant coatings and B+W threads.
Great filter by B&W. Multi coated to cut down flares. High quality to use with a high quality lens such as the one on the Fuji X100S camera lens.
Took it out of the package and left solid in my hands. Manufacturing was perfect. Looking through it, I could honestly almost not even tell it was a slab of glass between the metal ring. Extremely clear. Good price, you won't be sorry.
Works well and has a good build quality but I think its kind of pricey. but cant complain about it
The only reason that I got this filter was to protect the somewhat protruding front element on the otherwise excellent lens of myFujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD. In order to mount the filter, you need to get an adapter, for which Fuji charges what I think is a disproportionally high price, so I got a considerably less expensive clone,Fuji Finepix X100 Filter / Lens Metal Adapter Tube And Lens Hood 49mm, which works fine. I did not want to compromise on the filter, though, because the best that it could do was nothing, and the worst would be to introduce flare or otherwise degrade image quality.As far as I can tell, the B+W filter does exactly nothing, which is just what I was hoping for.
I am using this on the new Tamron 70-300mm which has a high IQ (contrast, sharpness, clarity,...), and is thus a good fit for a quality filter like this.The MRC coating gives much greater durability, which is a problem with many filters without it in that normally the coating needed to reduce flaring and ghosting are fragile and easily damaged. I have some sigmas, that look great out of the box, but get nicks in the coating easily.During the brightness of day, and not in a place to get glaring, this filter may offer little over a cheaper version (as long as the cheaper one is optically clear), but that is not the light that photographers typically work in. Rather we like sunrise, sunset, magic moments of how the light strikes things, and at this time you want to get the maximum effect and no loss of clarity.Another thing i notice about this filter is that it does not seem to collect dust on it. I am not sure if that is something about the filter or not, but on my other filters (hoya, sigma) dust seems to stick to them easier, while with this filter it always seems spotless.I live at high altidude, where a UV filter actually does some good - besides of course protecting your lens.For many, it is hard to justify this amount of money for a filter, but if you have a nice lens, then get it - fiqure it in as part of the cost of the lens from the beginning, not as something you have to do after the fact (that is how i came to grips with it).AND the MRC (hardened coating which the manufacturer claims is harder then glass) is 100% worth it, particularly for a workhorse filter such as a UV protective filter, that is always in use.
I have one of these and also one of B+W XS-Pro UV Haze MRC Nano filters.B+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (010M)Construction and clarity is excellent and I've not experienced vignetting on a 70-200mm on a cropped sensor.  I will be experimenting on a full-frame today and will update if there are issues.While this filter is fantastic, for an extra $30-40, I prefer the XS-Pro Nano version, even if vignetting is not an issue on your camera/lens.  The nano coating noticeably less reflective when comparing off camera.  Some of this will translate to better contrast in the final image.  If you have the extra money, and you probably do if you're looking at filters of this quality, get the nano:B+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (010M)
I'm extremely pleased with the results achieved when using this filter. High end DSLR cameras really don't need filters, the camera takes care of that but when you own a high quality lens it must be protected. This filter does it!
This filter is of outstanding quality.  I use it on my Olympus E-Pl-1.  It is a little more expensive than some of the other brands out there, but the quality of the glass makes a world of difference to me.  Excellent product, item shipped and arrived quickly.
I put mine on my amazing Canon glass and have never taken it off again.  The dust and particles in the air never touch my lens glass.  This was a "very worth it" purchase.
I once use Hoya filters but found them difficult to clean.  Hoya's also tended to bind together making it difficult to removed stacked filters individually sometimes.  Especially if they have been left stacked on for a few days such as when the camera is put away.  I switched to MRC B+W filters when I began upgrading to Canon L lenses.  I can tell you the change is worth the extra cost.  I have experienced less flaring with B+W. I have not noticed any perceivable degradation of image quality.  The filters are significantly easier to clean and they don't bind to each other or the lens. B+Ws screw on and off smoothly. These filters seemed to be slightly heavier than Hoya filters, perhaps its the better glass.  I have them installed on each of my EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM mk II, EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM and a new EFS 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM.  I would not consider another brand other than B+W or perhaps Helopans for high performance lenses.  I would also recommend the B+W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer if you are looking for a Polarizer.  The Kaesemann is particularly more difficult to find, but its hands down the best circ polarizer I have ever used.
Being this is the first lens filter I have ever purchased, I have nothing to compare it too.  It seems high quality and that's what I wanted.  It needs to protect my Canon 100-400mm L lens and my Canon 24-70mm L lens so the store where I purchases the camera and lenses told me to only buy the very best filters for those lenses. I bought 2 of these filters for those 77mm lenses and one of these filters for a 62 mm Tamron 18-270mm travel lens for the wife's camera.
I bought this filter to protect my Fuji X100.. it works as expected, and the MRC helps with solar flares etc..
I love gear and I love pre-purchase research.  However, I don't research lens protection any more.  These don't degrade my photos (I'm no pro).  And more importantly, knowing it's there means I worry about one less thing when I am shooting / handling my gear.  Just got a new lens and ordered this filter without any hesitation.
perfect protector and no effect on the lens like if there is nothing attached on it.its glass is very good and no scratches have effected it even I hold my camera without the cover of the lens while I move around shooting pics
I haven't been able to see what difference it makes yet but i was impressed with the level of quality that it appears to have. I would definitely say that its worth its price.
For amateurs it's very tough to decide if you should go cheap on a filter. I know because I was that guy.There's a rule with photography: the moment you start dealing with glass, picture quality will be affected with what you choose.B+W makes great filters and they take pride in their quality. This is the 4th filter that I've gotten from them and once again it arrived flawless. When going with cheaper alternatives like theTiffen 77mm UV Protection Filteror *gasp* theZeikos ZE-UV77 77mm Multi-Coated UV Filteryou are sacrificing a couple of areas.There will always be glass quality that you should be concerned about. Chromatic abrasion is an example that when dealing with glass anything in between your sensor and the subject can affect quality. With "cheapies" you may not notice a sharpness decrease, but "shadows" around your subjects may occur. This is something that would not be enough of a concern if you are just taking pictures of your kids and want to protect your lens. If that's the case then get the Zeikos, but if you're going to try and do anything professional enough to be critiqued, then spend the money.The other factor to consider is thread quality. My first lens was a kit lens and I threw on a Zeikos. The thread was bad and it took forever to put it on. Heaven forbid if I ever wanted to take it off to switch filters or anything. This is what I was used to though, so when I got my B+W filter and it threaded effortlessly, I never went back.To summarize, if you want to take pictures professionally, spend the money and get this one. If you want to just protect your lens, don't worry too much.
rugged and thickadds a feeling of safety when using my lens.much much much better than a Tiffen when it comes to reflections similar to my panasonic uv filter but this is built better.it does add length more than some filters
The package was sealed but upon opening the lens had alot of lint on it as if it was used.
Great UV Filter with no color cast and minimal flaring and IQ loss. I primarily use these as a protective cover so they live on my lenses.. I once had a friend drop my camera and luckily the glass on the filter broke and not the glass on the lens! Can't go wrong with B+W, even through they are the most expensive filters out there. I never had any problems with the threads binding up as with some other brands. I haven't had a chance to compare to Hoya or any of the other filter manufacturers, but these are great if you can afford them.
I use this on my Canon 70-300 to help protect the lens from scratches. B+W makes the best filters just for this purpose.
I am an amateur photographer, taking pictures as my hobby. I purchased this product last month and it has never left my Nikon D90 18-105mm lens. I have several other lens that I put on top of it without affecting / moving it. It is easy to clean (I bought the lens pen kit) and it does not even need frequent cleaning at all.It does not change anything on the picture captured. This is only for protection of your lens. I would rather spend $50 on a lens filter like this than hundred of $ if my lens attachment glass gets scratches or marks.How does it compare with other clear filters like Opteka? It is sturdier and just looks more well-built when I compared it (my friend has an Opteka).Great investment and I highly recommend it!
I paid a great deal of money for this filter considering the wide range of lower priced ones available and on top of it I purchased it from Amazon directly in order to be assured I received what I was paying for.  In this case it appears that I received a used filter for the price of a new one.  It came in what appeared to be new retail box, but upon opening it the interior plastic case was not sized correctly for the filter and so it sloshed around inside the box and the box interior was filthy forcing me to thoroughly clean a brand new filter.  I wanted to leave &#34;vendor&#34; feedback but you apparently cannot do that when you purchase something directly from Amazon.  Be careful about this one.  Perhaps it was just a fluke, but maybe not...
I usually use Hoya brand filters but this one was in stock and I needed one asap so B+W was the way to go. I'm pretty impressed  with it. Fits my 50/1.8 lens fine. Transaction was flawless.
I can't say for sure whether or not this filter does much for the photos. I live in Maui so have been getting a lot of vog which is why I bought this filter. I figured vog is similar to haze so the filter would be able to do the same light reflecting adjustments of air particles. My photos are clear but I'm not able to get the amount of saturation I was hoping for. I've also paired this with a B&W circular polarizing filter and the photos do come out slightly better. I wonder whether or not I could have obtained similar or better results without the filters during post-processing in GIMP (competitor to PhotoShop).
I bought this filter along with a Tokina 35mm Macro, nikonmount. I attached it to my lens and I can say, that it's very clear. So clear, that you don't know if it is part of the lens itself. When detached and looked through, you won't even notice there is glass between your eye and the object you're looking at. So clear is this fine piece of glass.I really recommend this filter to anyone. Cheers from Suriname.AKOGAN
If you are going to get UV filters, get good ones (and yes, that means more expensive ones, generally speaking). There IS a difference. Unless you are of the school of philosophy that is against UV filters no matter what, I would definitely recommend this. This is my default UV filter choice (B+W Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating). I've used others, and decided to stick with this one. I think I have about 6 or 7 of them (in various sizes) and all of my lenses have one of these on them. Whenever I buy a new lens I buy one of these to accompany it. The 72mm is the most recent one I got, and it works great like the others. I mean, if you try really hard you may see difference between filter and no filter, but I've not found this filter to actually make a photo noticeably worse (maybe I'm just not a great photographer to begin with, haha).B+W's glass quality is pretty awesome, and while I do remember hearing that they don't actually block that much UV, that doesn't bother me anyways - with DSLRs, the real reason is to protect the lens. UV blocking is really more of a film camera thing.I do know of a couple other brands that are also pretty good, and if you really have the time and energy you may find a better price/quality ratio in another choice, but you really can't go wrong with this one.
well it is an excellent lens filter with no effect at all on picture quality and minimal light reflections because of the multicoating .. only cons :  packaging was not sealed and filter has dust on it but no scratches , also the 58 filter was packaged in a 77 mm box and imagine the filter hitting the plastic box edge every now and then .. hoya packaging much better and hence the low rating .. bought from adorama photo shop
I was amazed when I popped open the box and inspected this UV filter for the first time to see glass that, at least to my eye, was perfectly clear.  I had to take a close look at an oblique angle to even see there was any glass there at all.  Mounted easily to the stock lens of my Sony Nex-5N.  Images reveal bluer skies and even a little more clarity on distant objects outdoors.  There is a little extra flaring when shooting something bright such as a lamp, but that is to be expected.  I really only wanted something that would provide a physical barrier to protect my lens and have no negative impact on my shots, and this more than does the job.
I'll keep this short and sweet. I never have a flare with this filter. End of story. It is like it isn't there at all. It is also very easy to clean with the MRC coating, not prone to streaking. Don't buy anything else if you are serious about photography.
I'm not really that interested in the UV haze nature of these filters although they do seem to cut through the haze nicely. I was primarily interested in protecting my lenses and didn't want any distortion. I own three of this brand in different sizes and about to buy a fourth. Unfortunately, the first filter I bought was defective and did not fit on my lens properly. But Amazon exchanged it promptly... shipped out the replacement before I returned the defective one. The subsequent filters have been fine, fitting easily. I didn't want to take a chance with cheap glass on my lenses so I'm happy I bought these.
I own several B+W filters and I can tell you that, for the money,  they are as good as anything you can put in front of your lens. I love these filters. You will also!!!!!!!!!
There's a big debate if you should use a UV filter or not. Especially with digital cameras not being sensitive to UV light the way film was (there are exceptions). Many (like me) want the physical protection a UV filter provides. Consider it a clear lens cap.A cheap filter with cheap (or no) coatings will give you nothing but trouble. With digital, the sensor is more reflective than film ever was, so the coatings are even more important to resist the reflections. So, if you're going to have the protection of a UV filter, you need a good one, like this one (or Heliopan). If you're not willing to make this kind of investment in a quality UV filter, then yes, you're better without one.
Overall: I bought the 49mm size. I have no problems with it. It's high quality and doesn't introduce any visible artifacts that I could tell.Pros:+ High qualityCons:- Expensive if you just want to protect your lens
I did some simple tests to determine just how much this filter degrades an image. Took shots with the filter on and with no filter on and compared results under extreme magnification. I was pleased to find that there was absolutely no visible difference that I could detect. Well done, B & W.What about Tiffen?Because Amazon usually includes a free Tiffen or Hoya filter with every lens, I usually get it for one reason only... to protect my lens until my B+W filter arrives. Once the B+W arrives, I throw away the Tiffen. Please don't be an idiot that spends $500-$1,000 on a new lens who then puts a $6 filter on the front. There IS a difference and it is clearly visible.
I brought the filter for my 50mm 1.4 nikkor for protection.this UV filter improve color and contract.
Truly Amazing, Before ordering I was bit confused whether this glass piece will ruin sharpness of images and brightness as well, But it turned out amazing. Infact now I have a glass piece cover on lens so not worries of dust. Go for it rather than Canon's $390 one. This one will save you 8 times priceThanks
In short, the filter is unusable. The filter came with some dust on it. My attempts to clean it only led to more dust on the glass. I tried everything I could think of but I cannot get the filter clean of dust.
This is my first filter from this brand and I know it will not be my last! Up until now I have been buying cheap filters from Best Buy since it is just to protect my lens. This is my first experience with a *good* filter and right from the box you can feel and see the difference! The filter is heavy, the glass is thicker but still incredibly clear, the mount is solid and goes on and off my lens easily without sticking or wiggling. It *feels* well made. Holding this in one hand and one of the cheap ones from Best Buy in the other and you can definitely feel a difference in weight and materials. I got this for my 70-300mm lens but will definitely look at replacing the rest of my filters with this brand over the next few months. They are more expensive but you definitely get what you pay for!
B+W filters are the best I've used, bar none. The don't create any image distortion from what I've seen. The screw-in threads feel extremely well engineered and mount on silky smooth for every Nikon and Fuij lens I've ever put them on. These give me a lot of confidence to walk around with my camera cap-less. I've missed many shots having to remove a lens cap and search for a pocket to place it.
This one is probably my 4th B+W UV filter... they're awesome!  They are built rugged yet they don't get in the way of taking a picture.  Having one on every lens I own gives me the secure, fuzzy feeling of being protected against minor scratches and the like.  These are pricey, but remember -- if you just bought a $1000 lens, why put a $20 filter in front of it and get the effective usefulness of a $100 lens.
I have used other cheaper filters and can tell you this is the highest quality one out there.  If you use a cheaper one on your lens you can tell there is some image degradation because the glass is not that high of quality.  With the MRC coating it makes it that much better.
I'd rather clean my UV filter than my lens, and it adds a bit of protection, keeping them pristine.  With B+W quality it doesn't affect the image quality.  The actual UV protection is a throwback to the film days, but depending on the lens, the filter may complete the weather sealing.
Does what I need it to - protect my lens.  It's heavy and you can just feel that it's good quality.
I was looking to protect FZ28 lenses against various element. Fits great (flush), no side effects, something I should have considered a while ago...
Nice coating and I am very happy with it so far. It is better than the cheaper filters as far as not reflecting light. Seems to clean up nicly as well. I would say it is worth the extra money!
Glad I bought B+W brand just to test it and I did the right thing. It does the job. No Image IQ degrade. You get what you pay for.
My photography teacher recommended these and that we get rid of our lens caps.  If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the best and affordable classes are at the Harvey Milk Photography Center.  Great teacher is Andrei Riskin.
At first I have a doubt because this lens costs more than average. Since I have Canon Rebel T4i and read forum that people recommended to pay a bit more for better protection so that's why I go for it.I would definitely recommended.
I give these filters 4 stars just due to the fact that it costs so much. They do the best job out of all the filters I've used and I've switched to them because I was seeing glare in some other products. It's not pleasant to carry around an expensive lens and remove a bad filter at every shoot. These lens help me shoot fast and clear instantly without hassling with the lens.This filter isn't cheap but I've seen nicks here and there and thankfully this is much cheaper than the lens itself. If you have the money get the protection, otherwise find something cheaper.
It is solid. The glass is super. I don't see any side effects in images. Strongly recommended.
This is a B+W multi coated pro series filter.  What more can I say B+W filters are among the best out there they are expensive but you get what you pay for.  especially with B+W products!
Fantastic filter. Fits my Canon 10-22mm lens perfectly with no binding on threads. Tried another brand first, but that one would not thread on properly.
I've got one of these on my X100s and it is fantastic. I normally don't consider B+W because of price, but that's not an issue at 49mm. Supremely clear, easy to clean, and no ghosting to speak of in most situations. I will definitely spend extra for their 77mm filters in the future.
If you have a good piece of glass in front of your camera why ruin it with a low end filter? The B+W 58mm filter is superb and I love it. I have it on my Nikon 50mm 1.8g lens and the image quality is like shooting through your lens naked. B+W 58mm filter is a solid and screws on easily. The packing is also very good as it comes in a hard plastic case that can really take a beating.
I received this item right away, even though it was holiday time and other shipments were running slowly.  After reading many reviews, I thought, since I spent a lot on my new Canon lens, it deserved to have the best lens protection I could find.  So far, so good!!
This filters the stuff that your camera sees. It does it at a great price and with enough quality and not too much hippity hype. What more do you need? Get one. You should have one in front of every lens. This one fit perfectly on my Fujifilm X100s. It will fit yours, too.
The B+W filter protects my Canon 35 f/1.4L lens while maintaining all the quality of the lens. I use B+W filters on all my Canon lenses and I'm perfectly satisfied with their performance.
Works perfectly. Sure makes my photos and video look great while protecting my lens.The perfect value for my Canon lens.Thanks!
Good quality filter, however, it does impart a slight loss in the quality of the pictures, ie. a slight loss of saturation and less contrast.  Also, if you use this with zoom lens and taking pictures with distant scenes with haze, dont expect miracles since I did not see any differences in haze reduction!  I'm thinking that may be I dont have to more $$$ than I did on this filter, may be a Hoya UV filter should suffice if I just want to protect your lens...I'll get the Hoya UV filter next time and see if it provides the less of a picture quality loss. I was a little disappointed with this filter since there was some very positive reviews on this filter. FYI, I'm using this filter for my 70-200 F2.8L IS USM and 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens. Since these are expensive lenses, that is why I spent more money on this filter, however, from what I read, Hoya also makes excellent high quality filters and less expensive.
A great way to protect your lens and not hurt the quality of your photos.  I basically put it on and forget about it.  There have been a few occasions where it's gotten dirty to a point where I have to remove it to clean it but that's when I'm thanking God that I have enough sense to use it and not have to clean my lens (which is always harder).
I bought this filter for one of my Sony Alpha lenses based on the number of reviews & the 5 star rating and I'm definitely happy.  I just took vacation in Las Vegas and of course all my outside pics had a nice blue sky thanks to this filter.  I'm no expert but this seems very well made compared with my (also well made) Sony filter for my other lens.  *It was nice to save $25 though.
I bought the B+W 77mm UV Haze MRC filter to use with my Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and 70-200 f/2.8L IS II lenses. This filter cost about half as much as a B+W circular polarizer filter I use (mainly with the 24-70 lens). The 77mm size fits several of Canon's lenses.The optical quality on this filter is very good. I have a difficult time seeing any sort of image degradation (such as softness or increased chromatic aberration) with this filter. It does its job at filtering out UV light, which can create a blue cast on images. As far as haze reduction goes it depends. The filter will help if haze is being caused by UV radiation. But it won't help if the haze is caused by pollution (more common). Ultimately most will be buying a filter like this for lens protection. It's a lot cheaper to replace a scratched or cracked filter than it is to replace the front element of a valuable lens.There are two drawbacks with this filter. First: it can be tricky screwing this filter on the front of a lens, especially if you're at a shooting location away from a flat, stable surface. The filter can get stuck too. It doesn't screw on anywhere near as easily as my B+W circular polarizer. Second: this filter doesn't appear to have any front threads for attaching other items such as an adapter for a macro ring light.
YOU BUY A GOOD CAMERA AND GOOD LENS, THEN YOU HAD BETTER BUY A VERY GOOD FILTER OR YOU HAVE WASTED YOUR MONEY.
The German filter fits Fujifilm X100s perfectly -with genuine Fuji lens hood and adaptor. Remove the outer ring of the camera lens first. B+W is Schneider-Kreuznach... people who brought us great optical products for nearly 100 years.
This filter does a great job of UV filtering as well as provide protection to the lens itself. Much easier replacing a scratched UV filter versus a scratched lens. I would recommend this to anyone
Cheap filters are good for cheap lenses. When you're already shooting with glass that's prone to flaring, reflections, and other problems associated with inexpensive optics, adding an inexpensive filter to the front won't hurt your images.But when you're using a high quality lens, such as theEF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM, there is no excuse for not using a high quality filter such as this to protect your lens. Why compromise the precise coatings and optic design in precision lenses with cheap filters?I've never experienced any issues with this B+W filter, and I wouldn't consider using anything less for high quality equipment.
These lens protectors are exceptional quality and feel really heavy duty. I would buy these for future lenses in a heartbeat.
I have a 35L and 135L lens and use this filter as protection for my L glass. The price seemed expensive for a filter but I was pleased with the quality upon arrival. I haven't noticed much a picture quality change aside from slight CA, but nothing a lens hood couldn't fix. Would recommend for anyone worried about scratching an expensive lens
It fits perfectly, quality is excellent. I bought it for my 100 2.8 IS L.Woth every dollar! Highly recommend.
No complaints with the filter or shipping from Amazon.  It does the job as promised and is nicely built with a solid feel.
Yes, the construction of the B&W filters ring makes it easy to get on and off - I'm thinking it's brass, not another cheap material.  My one little gripe - as others have noted it does seem to attract dust and not want to surrender it.  I purchased a Kinetronics StaticWisk anti-static brush and now I don't wrestle with the dust any more - that little brush wipes it right off!
Expensive but you have to have for such an expensive lens. I LOVE MY LENS. WIDE ANgLE IS GREAT.  It's like a telephoto with cropping.
The quality of this filter is excellent, like several other B+W filters that I have purchased over the years. I will continue to buy their filters even though they tend to be more expensive than many others on the market.
I keep UV filters on all my lenses to protect the front elements- while I do keep lens caps on when lenses are in the bag, this provides a freedom of mind when shooting that allows me to focus on photography and not babying my lenses.All of my UV filters are B+W MRC. These filters are solidly made with high-quality materials. The glass is top-notch, and provides no noticeable degradation of image quality. They don't seem to increase flare much- I personally enjoy a healthy dose of backlit-portrait-sun-flare, but these filters don't add to it. Nor do they detract from sharpness, contrast, or saturation.Highly recommended purchase to protect your lenses. Especially in smaller sizes (58mm filters cost a lot less than the 77mm filters I often find myself needing), I have no hesitation going straight for B+W whenever I add a new lens to my collection.
High quality piece. Works well with my Canon 70-200 f4 lens. I also have the B+W circular polarizer which I am equally happy with. I much prefer B + W to Hoya and most other brands.
This has saved me some major head aches ,I dropped my lens and it hit the filter which broke but the lens threads were not harmed in any way. I unscrewed the filter and purchase another on the next day. Lifesaver. Can't say that I have noticed any difference in the quality of my photos. But it is good to know I have a layer of protection for my lens.
Had to replace my other B+W filter - the same as this - because the lens got bumped and the filter was ruined. But it did exactly what it should have...the filter took the brunt of the impact and the lens was completely unscathed.The build quality of these filters is second to none and the optics are genuine quality. No regrets about paying for this filter - sure there are cheaper filters - but why chance it?
This is an optical glass supreme!  Screws right on to my Canon T5i 58mm lenses just fine.  A great piece and not expensive.  Save you lenses.  Wrap them up with this!
I've purchased several brands of lens filters in the past but the B+W filter outperforms every time. In particular, I have not seen any other lens filter which can bead moisture and roll off the glass. During times when I have to quickly clean the element, a simple swipe with a moist cloth does the trick. Other lens filters would leave behind water stains and smears. Overall, get this brand if you can, you won't be disappointed.
I bought the B+W 58mm Clear UV Haze for my Canon T3i to replace the cheap rocketfish that I got at BB to temporarily protect my lens.I am absolutely stunned by the picture quality difference, just by changing to this lens filter. I primarily use it as a lens protector, but it really shines as a filter also. When I opened the case to the filter and held it up, I couldn't tell if there was actually glass there, or if it was a empty ring. I had to resist the urge to put my finger on it to see. Amazingly clear filter!  My only regret is that I used the RocketFish filter for so long.Do yourself a favor, and get a real UV Filter like this one. Protect your lens while preserving image quality at the same time, no brainer!
been using B+W for all my lens, no effect on picture quality.  Fit and finish of the filter is top notch.
I bought it to use it on a Canon 15-85mm. Could not really see a difference in image quality with or without this filter. But that is ok, since my main reason for buying it was to protect the lens.If you're buying expensive lenses you're probably doing it for image quality. So when you buy a filter like this one to protect it, you don't want it to affect the lens image quality. In that way, this filter does what it is supposed to do.
Bought this filter for protection of my new Olympus zoom lens for my OMD EM5.It is solid quality, certainly does not detract from the final image, and has been one of my favorite brands of filters for many years.This one is no exception. I think when they have an approachable price, they cannot be beaten!
I thought filters were there to protect the lens from damage...but once you use the cheaper ones on a good lens, you will notice the degradation of the filter on your images, whether it be colors saturation, ghosting, or lens flare, it was hurting! B+W makes a fine filter that prevents scratches and marks on your lens without hindering its image quality. No more ghosting in my pictures if a light source is within the frame. I would say spend the money if you have an expensive lens that you want to protect as well as preserve your photo quality. Otherwise, stay with the cheap stuff for standard protection.
Got a great buy on these quality filters on Amazon from an individual seller.  They were used but like new.  I've owned B&W filters in the past and know they are high quality. Very pleased.
I'm lucky enough to own some of the best lenses made, and when it comes to protecting them, B&W; is my first choice. In addition to UV filters, I also use B&W; for their polarizers and ND filters.The filter is obviously high quality, threading easily and securely onto my lenses with no binding or looseness whatsoever...this tends to be my number one complaint with other brands - they either don't go on smoothly, don't stay on securely, or are difficult to remove (especially in cold weather). Not so with the B&W.;From an optical perspective, although I don't have any exacting way to measure it, I certainly don't see any degradation in image quality from use of this filter on my lenses. Colors and contrast seem identical with and without. One thing I do with filters is to inspect them by looking at reflections at a steep angle. If you look at the reflection of a bright object with lots of straight lines off the filter, some brands reveal a bit of rippling or color difference, and sometimes it's different with the filter mounted on a lens. I've never seen this with any B&W; product.For ultra-wide angle lenses, B&W; makes a line of thinner filters that won't cause vignetting, however I only use them when absolutely necessary as I find it difficult to attach lens caps or hoods to the thinner mounts.If you have thousands of dollars invested in your lenses, the cost of a high quality filter seems like a no-brainer.Highly recommended.
Let me first preface this statement by saying I am a novice photographer.I purchased this for my Fuji X100S. I also bought the Metal lens hood for the camera. During normal operation, I kept generating an error message from the camera telling me to shut down. After doing some moderate research I discovered the following:* 1st step = attach the Lens hood adapter ... 2nd step = screw in the UV filter ... 3rd step = attach the hood.I was attaching the filter onto the camera and then the adapter + hood ... DON'T DO THIS!!!This configuration did not give the FUJI lens enough clearance. Basically, when the lens adjusted, it would bump against the filter and send the error to shut down.Hope this helps.
The multi-resistant coating does a justice to your expensive glass. I had been swapping my polarized and UV filter between a couple of lenses and finally decided to get one more UV to stop the frequent swapping that puts both the glass and the filters at risk. The other UV filter I have is the same brand but it's the entry level one.As soon as you drop this in front of the lens you can see the difference, deeper blacks and crisp highlights. Definitely a keeper. I wish I had never bought the entry level one and have two of these instead. Why put a $20 filter between your "L" series lens and the world? Try this filter, you will be satisfied.
all my L lens have a B+W uv filter on them. Hands down these are the best filters out there.  the 10 m has a a greenish tint on the filter which is the multi coating; the 7m does not. I've used both filters  and have not seen a difference in my photos due to this hase.  good luck.
I bought this along my favorite Hoya super HMC to compare them, I am astounded by the finishing of the B+W, heavier, better finish, looks really sturdy. The coating is comparable to the Hoya super HMC, I cannot tell the difference, is it overprice? Yes. But I still believe that it is worth the money. I ended on my Fuji X100s.
When I read other reviews of this filter, I knew it was worth paying a few extra dollars for the quality of metal and glass. What I didn't realize is that a trip to WalMart after my purchase would reveal that this product was cheaper than an inferior brand made of all plastic! Wow! It really pays to shop around! And they say you get what you pay for!
Excellent quality.
I got this B+W 37mm filter to protect an Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens. I hesitated getting it since it cost more than the other protective filters in this size but decided to take the plunge because it is the only multi-coated UV filter (that I could find).I'm glad I chose it. The construction is top notch. The black rim is made of brass, not aluminum as the cheaper filters are, so it screws on and off smoothly. And the optics are excellent. I'm glad I spent the extra money and plan to buy more B+W filters in the future. They are worth the extra money.
B+W filters are the best! Can't even tell it's there! If you're going to spend money on a quality lens, you need B+W filters. Do not get Tiffen - they are cheap for a reason!
You can tell by the hand feel of this filter that it is good. It mounted perfectly on the lens I bought it for. I am very pleased and looking forward my next landscape shoot with it in place. It only makes sense to put good quality glass on an expensive lens, and this is the best price I have seen online for this particular filter.
This was my first really good quality filter. I bought it to protect my new investment...a Canon 100mm f2.8 lens....it's fantastic, I could barely tell there was even any glass in it ! I'm very happy with this filter and would recommend it to anyone !
I only buy B+W UV MRC filters. They're heavy duty, have a great MRC coating, and so anti-reflective you can barely see it when it's clean. Carl Zeiss and Leica UV's are wayy overpriced and don't have as good a coating as the MRC, esp if you get the Nano UV's, they're the best. The only problem I have with B+W is that they have the UV info, etc. on the face which both hides and distracts from the writing on my Leica lenses.
I thought about buying (and have had) other UV filters, but I never want to regret that the once-in-a-lifetime photo could have been better with the proper lens filter. I chose the B+W and have no regrets. Besides, just about everything Germany makes is of the highest quality!
If you have a Fujiilm X100S you need this B+W UV filter.  Don't put a cheep filter on that beautiful FujiFilm lens.  Get the best and the price was right.  You won't regret it.
Working in photography for too many years to remember, the need for a high quality Haze, Skylight filter to protect my lens glass is paramount.  Think about it, would you rather replace an $85 filter on the front of your lens of a $1,200+ "L" lens.  I'll take the filter option.  Shooting sports, mostly American football, my gear gets hit, dropped, kicked and abused.  I've had to replace a few filters over the years, but never a lens.Anything you put in front of the lens is apt to lower the quality of your image.  Using top quality glass filters is key to minimizing the loss of quality while maximizing the protection of your precious lens.B&W; is a leader in this space.  Most professional I know use their filters and swear by them.  You can go the cheaper route, but don't expect first class results with second rate glass.
Protects my lens.  Filter seems pricey but gives little to no distortion to pictures and saves the cost of the lens if accidents do happen.
Quality built. Excellent glass. Worth the bit more one pays for it. Gives me confidence that my lens is protected and my images won't be distorted.
The filter fit and works well.  I have not seen any image issues.  What else can I say about a UV filter?
It attached to my lens easily, and it is working very well.  I think it is a very useful addition to my kit.
I wouldn't go without this lens cover.  I like it the way it protects my expensive camera lens and so I'm, happy right now.
Great build-quality.  Brass threaded ring does not bind on lens. High quality B+W UV glass does not degrade image quality.
i love the 68mm one i have this one was the wrong one sent but exchanged it and love the other one i have good price for it too.
I am a big fan of having a protective lens on all my filters.  This one also has a UV coating, so even better!  It costs a more than the many cheaper lens out there, but I have had problems with cheap protective lens in the past, and when you spend a lot for a good lens, you can't go cheap on the protection.
To be honest I bought this filter after reading many reviews that stated it is noticeably better than other brands because it uses higher grade optical glass. Well, no doubt it looks great. But I have other much cheaper filters by Canon and Tiffen. They both look great as well! I have a Canon 5D Mk 2, with L series lenses, so I have a good reference point. Maybe there is some freak condition where the sun is hitting the filter at some special angle that this one preforms better than others, but to be honest I haven't come across it yet. I've shot in everything from harsh noon sun to sunset and it looks the same as the Tiffen and the Canon filters. I say save yourself the money and buy the Tiffen or Canon. It looks the same!
Very solid construction compared to Hoya filters that I've owned previously.  And with the multi coat I cannot detect any artifacts or picture degradation.  Used on lenses on a beach trip and worked quite well.  Not the cheapest by a long shot, but you get what you pay for.
I replaced the $18 UV filter on my 4-1/2 year old lens that had plenty of nicks on it with this one. I suspect that the deformities in my prior filter were affecting my images, but I haven't noticed a difference yet. At least the damage was on the filter and not on my still pristine lens.
This filter is being used on a Nikon D90 and the picture quality is great. The product is definitely well made. The ring is metal and the filter is glass. When I picked up this filter up, I was surprised how heavy it was; I don't mean this in a bad way. Impressed with B+W's quality. I mainly use it to protect the Nikkor lens, but the picture quality is great with this filter installed. I'd recommend this product to anyone looking for a good filter for their DSLR.
Gotta keep those big front elements protected. This is the only kind of filter I put on my Canon glass. I've dropped a couple lenses over the years and these things save your bacon for sure.
I don't take my lens out without it. Great product. I actually keep an extra around just in case.
B+W makes great filters.  I have them for all of my Nikon lenses.  I strongly recommend using these to protect you valuable lenses.
This filter has excellent sharpness with absolutely no color casting. The frame is deep enough to use normal lens caps, as well.
First and foremost, this Filter sold regularly for $140. but I got it on sale from The e^Basement for $78 and some change. The filter wasn't due until today through next Wednesday.delivery speed: ***** 5 starsproduct quality: ***** 5 starsease of use: ***** 5 starsI got the product promptly and in great condition. The box had no flaws and the filter was manufactured flawlessly. The twisting part of the filter was quite brisk to turn but, that is because it helps from the thing turning too easily and ruining your pictures.I took several test photos outside with the clouds and EVERY photo gave me crisp, sharp and dark blue skies and the clouds tonality was flawless. EVERY shot. F4 - F22, all shots look spectacular. I'm glad The e^Basement sells tiffen and this should be a testament of their knowledge of selling quality products. the photos were a tad dark but a little longer exposure would take care of that. so really a non issue there.If you are looking to buy a quality filter at a price that won't require a mortgage itself, then Tiffen filters are the answer. Oh, I also own a Tiffen .9 Neutral Density filter as well. So I know about the tiffen quality
I purchased the Carry Speed threaded magnetic filter attachment for my Sony RX100. This was the first filter I bought for it. Not because I needed UV filtering, but mainly as protection for the lens of the camera. As it would be attached most of the time, I wanted something that was really clear and wouldn't affect the quality of my pictures.The filter comes in a nice package, and is well supported. Taking the filter out, I noticed the glass. Rather, I didn't notice the glass. It looks liked I was staring through the middle of a metal ring. This thing truly is clear. It feels very well built. It has not affected my pictures at all (which is exactly what I wanted).It is a bit noisy when I mounted it on the threads, but I think that is more the fault of the Carry Speed adapter than the filter itself. If you are looking for a good protective filter for your camera lens, this is hard to beat.
What can I say about B+W filters that has not been said before me? Are the expensive? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes.I have tried lesser filters and there is a difference. The UV filter is the finishing piece on all my lenses and the optical quality goes through the lens back to the camera sensor. A high quality filter, such as this one does not add flare or contrast to or otherwise degrade your pictures like a cheap filter will.If you have a twenty dollar lens, use a twenty dollar filter. If on the other hand you have a better lens, why skimp on the filter? Heck, this filter would probably make a twenty dollar lens look good!
I always used B&W UV filters on all of my film camera lenses. This one is for my Panasonic LX7 (digital semi-compact). Had to buy their 'filter adapter' but these things were necessary and useful purchases. The B&W 37mm UV filter fits perfectly on the adapter. It does not cause vignetting, even at the widest 24mm setting. It is in the B&W 'F-Pro' mount, which is thinner than most and lessens the chance of the aforementioned vignetting (that doesn't happen). The lens retracts and zooms as normal. You can put the extra lens cap that comes with the filter adapter kit on the B&W filter and retract the lens when you turn the camera off or zoom with no mis-fitting ill effects. As always, these filters are crystal clear and as good as any you can get in my opinion. I consider the lens on my LX7 properly protected now.
If you are using a $1200 lense, you want a filter that won't distort. B&W makes highly superior filters. You'll pay a little more for this filter but you'll never have to worry about the quality. I purchased mine to protect the lense from wind blown sand and possible bumps. I've been more than please with my photos with this filter.
I use this mostly for protection of my lens.  There is no deterioration of the picture and no extra reflections.
This is likely one of the best UV Haze filters I've ever bought for a camera...  if not the most expensive of that type.  However, quality and precision do cost a bit more and when it comes to optical glass, you'll generally get what you pay for.The application for this filter is to fit on the lens of a FujiFilm bridge camera and essentially provide protection from dust, fingerprints and other errant contaminants.None of my older 35mm film camera filters are a 58mm size, so it was time to go shopping.  Had I seen the B+W clear protective filter before buying this one, I would have opted for it.  That said, I am very satisfied with the performance this filter provides.It is definitely multi-coated glass as reflection and flare are virtually non-existent with this filter.  That just happens to be exactly what I was looking for!
Don't leave home without it.  This is a good quality product and will protect your lens.  The first thing I do is put one of these filters on my lens when I take it out of the box.
B&W filters are still made in Germany and still precision ground optical quality glass, unlike just about every other filter out there.  That kind of quality is expensive.  But if you like to put protection filters on your lenses (some people don't), B&W is one of the best.
There isn't much I can say here, you get what you pay for... B & W makes the best filters and it is what it is...
You can't go wrong with B+W products.  This is the haze filter which does have a very slight yellow cast.  B+W does have a perfectly clear filter with Nano Coating for a few dollars more and those are the filters I have started to use.
Why spend hundreds of dollars on good glass and use a $5 filter.  Bite the bullet for this high quality filter, you will not regret it.
I've done a LOT of research on this subject and I've concluded that these filters are the absolute best buy for this price range.Some will argue that filters affect the quality of the image overall. I have yet to see this happen after conducting my own tests using my favorite lenses. These filters do not adversely effect image quality. Maybe if you're a NatGeo photographer, you will notice a slight hint of ...something, but for most of us out here, there is no difference worth mentioning. Given that, why would you NOT protect your high priced lenses??
I purchased this filter to use on my Canon EF 70-300 f/4 - 5.6 IS USM lens for several reasons. First, I wanted to make sure that I was not adding any distortion to my photographs through the use of a &#34;protective&#34; filter to avoid damage to the front element. My photos seemed a little soft, so this was an experiment. The second reason was to avoid unwanted flare introduced between the filter and front element. I haven't experimented with the flare yet, but I do perceive my images to be a little clearer. The threads mated easily on the lens, and the filter felt solid with a little more weight to the glass than the previous filter I employed.
B&W's multi-coated #010 UV Haze filter isn't cheap, but it is of superb quality -- as clear and smooth as can be. I have never seen flare or other image artifacts that were attributable to this filter, whereas I have seen flare caused by cheap filters. If your photography matters to you, top-quality filters are worth the money.
B&W filters are always top notch, and this one is no exception. I am very happy with the quality of pictures I get using this filter.
excelente filtro. no afecta mayormente a la calidad de imagen y cumple la funci&oacute;n de proteger el lente de posibles da&ntilde;os.
Great filter; fits my lens perfectly and you can't tell it has a filter but I feel more comfortable knowing its there protecting my lens.  The construction of this filter is ideal; you can't see any undesired reflection when using it, in fact i forget its there but its always good to know its serving as a barrier between my lens and possible scratches.
Nothing to dislike.  A quality, solidly made filter, threads fits perfectly on my lens, glass is flawless & will protect your lens unlike the cheaper & flimsier filters.  As some other reviews have indicated, the image of the ad is misleading in that the glass appears tinted or polarized, which it is not & a UV Haze filter should be clear anyway.  Though almost identical in price, the B+W probably surpasses the Hoya Pro1D in quality.  Highly recommended.
Nicely weighted.  Stays on camera well.  Easy enough to clean.  Doesn't seem to affect the pictures in a bad way at all (like some reviewers stated).  Was received new, not used (again, like another reviewer stated).
I don't know why they didn't make a suitable case for this haze. The UV haze is just moving around in the case. But it doesn't matter. It's still my favorite and guaranteed UV haze brand. I've got 77mm and a 72mm, the 58 is perfect as well.
Delivery of product from seller was very fast . Outstanding service! Product fits well on my EOS XSi. Lens protector looks solid (and heavy) compared to cheap lens for less then $10 t Amazon. Can't complain about quality - German lens manufacturer are still the best.
Everyone else was not joking when they raved about this filter. It's true, you get what you pay for. You can tell in its weight, in its quality, in its everything that this is a great lens filter. I opted for the B+W filter over any other because I didn't want to bother or waste time with second best. I love that as soon as I opened the filter, it had that sensible weight to it. It fit perfectly with my Sony NEX 5N and with just a simple twist it was ready to use. Overall - high quality filter that you can't go wrong with.
Much better construction than the Hoya (other than Pro 1) and Tiffen filters I've owned.  Image quality seems identical with or without the filter.
Filters available. It's easy to clean, barely affects the image, and protects very well. If you're going to put a filter in front of your lenses, make it a good one. You don't want a low quality filter to turn your lens into a lousy one.
pricey but nicely build. BW is one of the best UV filter maker out there. Very well made, unlike the cheaper alternatives, it has much less or none glare from the filter. Strongly Recommended.
It is a good idea to use a filter to protect the front element of camera lenses. The key choice is to buy a filter that is multicoated so that more flare or reflections aren't added to the image. This B+W filter is one of the best priced multicoated filters available.This filter is worth every penny of the premium price compared to other not coated filters. The brass ring is heavy and coated with a beautiful matte black finish. Because this is brass, the filter screws without binding onto a lens.The anti-reflective coating on the lens is important to maintain maximum image quality. Not coated filters reflect light and add extra bright spots in an image (especially back lit or images with a light source visible). Those reflections reduce image resolution in all cases.Compared to the much more expensive Heliopan filters, the B+W perform equally well. In my testing of extreme flare, the B+W performed the best between Tiffen, Hoya, and Canon.If maintaining the best resolution your lens can produce, this is the right filter choice.
B+W filters are noted for their exceptional build quality and optical performance. Their filters are also thin which makes light pass through easily with little alteration--it's good for wide angle lenses too. With the discount from amazon, who would want to pass?
Sure, you can find a cheaper filter... but this is one of those cases where you do indeed get what you pay for.  B&W filters have rightly earned a reputation for quality workmanship and optical clarity, and this one is no exception.  The coating performs beautifully.  I have several of these in different sizes and am well pleased with all of them.  If you've got a high-end lens, don't diminish your image quality with a cheap filter.  And it goes without saying that if the front of your lens takes a bump, it's easier to replace a $50 filter than it is to replace the front glass of your lens.  Recommended!
The reviews on this filter speak for themselves. This filter is top-notch, from optical quality, to build quality. The negative effect on photos is nonexistent.I honestly only use UV filters like this to protect my lens, but this filter is a fashion statement in itself.I will but B&W; in the future, over other brands I have bought (Hoya, Opteka, etc.)
Let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of B+W. I also own their circular polarizer MRC and 10 stop ND filter which are both fantastic. I bought this for my Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and believe me when I say that lens is SHARP. But I do see a very slight degradation of image quality with this on no matter how clean it is. I think when this (or any) filter is attached you will lose a bit of that wow-factor. I think this would be a great product on something like the 18-200, but for the high end primes like the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 or the Nikon 24mm f/1.4 this will negatively impact your photos.
As many others have said, this is a great filter! I purchased this to protect my lens and have found the photos that I take outside are better after screwing this on.
I use these filters (I have several) to protect my expensive optics plus for their haze filtering properties. They're not the least expensive, but I haven't detected any distortion or any aberration. They definitely meet my needs.
Just what I needed. No visual abberation, flare or shadowing problems.  I can recommend this filter highly.  I'll order other filters that are as good as this one.
This is a superior German product.  I use this with my Nikon 18-200mm lens.  Sure, you can buy a cheaper filter but you have to ask yourself why you would spend a lot of money on your lens and then use an inferior filter.  It really doesn't make sense.
I drop this on the camera and it broke not the lens.I want to give it one star (it broke) but instead I ordered another one, so far so good
Bought B+W filter after reading several reviews and researching and finally understand why people rate B+W over all other filters.  I have the filter on all my Canon L lens and quality of photos are exceptional.  No regrets!!
I put this filter on my 24-70mm EF L version 1 and have used it for less than a month. No visible flares or reflections from the glass. Not sure if it's worth buying such an expensive filter, but since I have three L lenses at 77mm ring threads, I might as well have one good filter that I could change over to the other lenses if need. Although everyone tells me to keep it on and never take it off. I mainly shoot indoor, portraits and events. So no real shooting straight at the sun or anything like that.
Best filter you can buy at any price. Its heavy, invisible, and wipes clean on the first schott. It's a great product that is worth the money, like a prime you'll have forever.
The best UV/Protection filter I have ever used.  High quality brass ring, excellent optical glass, and spectacular coatings.  Looking straight through the filter, you cannot even see the glass.  It is easy to clean and comes with a nice storage case, though I typically leave the filters on my lenses all the time.
Nikon stopped making their UV filters, so I had to buy a B + W.  It fits, what else can I say.
I added this filter to my Pentax FA50 f1.4 lens. Great way to protect the front element and it does not detract from the great image quality.
This B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M) lens cover is pro quality and will not compromise even your most sensitive photo.
Purchased this filter primarily as a layer of ablative armour for the forward element of my new Canon 70-200 f4L, so my requirements can be summed up in a single line:  Do not mess with my pictures.  To my rather surprised pleasure, this filter delivered on that promise nicely.  I can tell no difference in any photographic regime between filter-on and filter-off conditions.  Admittedly, I have not tested it hard yet in bad lighting that would typically produce lens flaring, but in the typical course of my use, I could not tell you from the images resolved if the filter was in place or not.The fit and finish are also extremely good, the filter feels "solid" in hand, probably due to the mass of the brass ring, as opposed to the aluminum common on most other brands.  Fits the lens perfectly, of course, and the stock Canon cap fits in place on the filter ring as it would on the original lens.I'd definitely buy this one again, and there's a good chance I might, as it's purpose is to die gloriously in defense of my expensive, hard-to-repair front lens element.
When I bought my camera I bought both a Tiffen and a B+W filter just in-case there was really a difference.I started noticing strange flares and reflections on some of my photos when using the Tiffen filter. Having seen comparison photos in other reviews I decided to test. After extensive cleaning of the lens and filters, I put the camera on a tripod and swapped out the filters. The Tiffen created quite a few obvious spots and halos. At night it caused reflections. Without the filter it all went away. With the B+W I was able to produce some very small spots in the same situations, but nothing noticeable without pixel peeping. I plan to replace my Tiffen with a B+W even for my cheap kit lens.The extra $24 I spent on the B+W filter over the Tiffen was worth it.My only complaint is that it has a big MADE IN GERMANY label on it. Everyone thinks my lenses were made there.
B&W has been a quality standard in photographic filters for a long time.  The price here is good... don
What else is there to say about B+W filters - as with others this UV Haze filter is solidly built, fits perfectly, and feels like it adds another layer of weight and protection to my lens.  The metal and glass makes this filter feel super high quality and there is no doubt in my mind that I want to only use filters of this quality on all my lenses in the future.  Great buy and worth every penny, even if it was a few more pennies than some alternatives.
I bought this recently and am using it on my ef 28-135mm lens on my Canon 40d. Fits perfectly and no more worries for my lens. Just to clarify, this is exactly the "MRC" version. just that amazon has a slightly different title as multi coated 2c. I never take out the filter off my camera except when I am using it with flash indoors. The lens flare is noticable when used with flash indoors since there is too much bright light reflection from the walls closeby. (But this is unavoidable with any filter that is out there). B+W UV MRC is regarded as the best by all and I certainly agree with it.
We are very happy with this product. It was shipped quickly, was safely packed, and we are happy with the filter.
Works well with my camera.  Clear and clean.  Well made. Why pay more?  I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
B & W filters are simply the best of all those I use.  Optically they do not distory or muddy the picture.  The coating resists scratches and doesn't come off with repeated cleaning.
After having people tell me yes I can put a protective lens on my Olympus E-PL1 and others saying no way, I want out on a limb and ordered this one.  It fits perfectly.  Now I can take pictures without worrying about scratching the lens.
I have purchased a lot of B+W filter and attachments in my 50+ years in the world of photography and I expected very high quality from this company..  I got it.
I have purchased several B+W filters of various types and sizes.  After reading many reviews and deciding that I should have a quality filter to use on a very expensive new lens, I cringed when I ordered my first B+W polarizing filter.  Just as many past reviews have stated, B+W is quality all of the way. I consider myself an advanced amateur  and I can certainly see the difference in my scenic photos when using these filters.  I have since given away all of my other filters (couldn't sell them) and will use B+W filters exclusively.  Well worth the cost.
This fits my Olympus 12-40 f2.8 perfectly, and causes no vignetting at the extreme wide angle setting.  I've tested the lens with and without the filter and see no difference in sharpness or color, but it sure makes me feel better having it on, especially since I live next to the ocean.
This is my first haze filter, so please consider that with the comments I write.  The product appears to be excellently made, the glass is immaculate and there are no imperfections to be detected anywhere.  It screws on easily and securely to the end of my Canon 40D with a 28-130mm kit lens.  The lens cap fits on over the filter very well too.  For all this: 5 stars.My experience with this filter might be the same for any UV filter, so dont take this necessarily as an assesment of the filter's quality, just as a synopsis of what I am experiencing with my Canon 40D camera with a 28-130mm kit lens in combination with this filter; heres the info, now you be the judge:a.) the images are darker - I've been told to expect this, but its even darker than I hoped.  The colors seem to have blue hues strengthened:  all white objects have a light-purple tint.  Take filter off, it goes away.  The reds are deeper in tone, again, probably more blue added.  Obviously the light metering and color balancing in my camera is now off-balance with the added filter.  This can be custom adjusted in the camera software to compensate via white balance, or post-processed afterwards to fix it.b.) any haze reduction is nearly imperceptible, or maybe I am only just telling myself I can see a small difference to justify the cost?  Perhaps the built-in UV filter in the Canon 40D was already doing a good job so a supplemental UV filter doesnt add much benefit?  My shots of the Alps (plenty of haze) show no difference in clarity, neither forground nor distant.c.) my autofocus is slightly off now too for close-ups.  Both the kit lens and the filter are very clean, so I dont know why I am having this effect when I attach the filter.So for the side-effects I give the experience I am having with a UV filter a 3.  I am sure the quality of the lens is very good and if you are an experienced Photographer then these symptoms may perhaps be exactly what one should expect.  Obviously for my set-up some tuning of the camera needs to be made if I am going to continue with this filter.  Your experience might be similar so consider this review carefully and use only what information it can offer.
I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix LX5 and I'm learning to use the many features of the camera. Living in the high desert plains of Southern Utah I am lucky to live close to places famous for incredible beauty - like Zion National Park. It also should be famous for the haze that frequently billows up over the canyon, at times making it a little difficult to capture the best shots. When I searched for a way to help "fix" the haze problem, this lens came up as both highly recommended by professional photographers but also modestly priced in comparison to others.As I am just starting out on my photographic journey I want to make sure I get the very best tools for my budget; this lens seems to fit the bill for finely crafted and good value for dollars spent.
Had a Hoya UV lens and it seemed to be fine after a few years of use. Decided to try out the B&W; lens and very happy with the quality. Feels superior to the Hoya and the glass is crystal clear. I purchased one for my Nikon 85mm f1.4 and am in process of purchasing one for my 16-35mm f4 lens.I was pleasantly surprised that the price dropped by about $8 dollars from one purchase to the next. Debating whether to swap out the Hoya for one more B&W; for my 28-300 lens. Yeah I think I will swap out the Hoya- the B&W; appears to be that good.
For the price, I expected much more.  Remember that this filter retails for over a hundred bucks.  This is the 67mm 010M filter I'm talking about.  I've got two of these in 67mm, one in 58, one in 40, and one in 37mm, so I have a fair bit invested in these filters.My Olympus zoom lens fell onto the floor with this filter screwed to the front.  Now mind you,- it fell onto soft berber-style carpet- it was inside a neoprene case- the (original Olympus) lens cap was on- it only fell about one footThe filter shattered and filled my lens case with tiny shards of glass.  Actually, half of the filter shattered, and the other broken half hit the front element of the lens and scratched it!  I would have been better off without the filter at all.I don't think the filter is responsible for withstanding every kind of abuse, but this was not much of an impact, and in my opinion have been nowhere near enough to break the filter.Incidentally, I checked carefully and there's no part of the lens cap that could have contacted the center of the filter.  The lens cap has about a 3mm deep plastic ring around the outside so any pressure put on the filter could only have been around the outside edge, at the filter threads.The way the glass shattered, it looks like it was under a great deal of stress from the way the filter is constructed.  It didn't just crack... about half of the glass turned into tiny shards no more than 6mm long.  There were so many shards of glass and even tiny powder-like bits of glass that I just threw out the case as hopelessly contaminated with glass shards.I like the optical clarity of the B+W filters and it truly is easy to clean like it's supposed to be, but this has made me wary of paying the price for the B+W name and I'm not sure I want to replace this with the same brand now.
Costs a lot but it doesn't seem to hurt my pics and if it keeps me from scratching the actual lens (Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L II IS USM Telephoto Zoom) then that's great.
Used on Nikon 18-200 VR lens.  This filter is a solid piece of camera equipment.  What surprised me was that it fits more snug with the lens cap, then the lens itself.
I purchased this filter as protection for the lenses' glass. I was impressed with the weight of the metal ring and the apparent quality in its production.
this cuts down on the UV and haze in addition to protecting the lens. It's easier and less destructive to clean a filter than the actual lens. B + W produces quality products. Quality is always more costly and with expensive camera lenses, quality protection is paramount. This filter does not distort the color or decrease clarity.
Really happy with this filter, well made great quality fits awesome on my fuji x100s lens.  You can see how many people have recommended it you won't be sorry.
I used a Hoya UV filter on my Canon SX40 to protect the lens.  I always found the Hoya hard to clean and it always seemed to hold a film.  I took a photo class at the nearby Pisgah Wildlife Center.  The instructor commented about filters and that any resulting photos will only be as good as the quality of whatever glass is in front of the camera, including filters.  How basic and common sense this comment was!  I decided to bite the expensive bullet and get a top of the line filter.  This B+W filter is amazing.  It is easy to clean and it is so crystal clear that it sometimes is hard to even see there is any glass in the filter housing.  Guess you do get what you pay for.
this is a wonderful filter.clean your front element, place this filter on it, and now you never have to think about it again.  the thread fit is very good on both ends of it.the canon 67mm cap fits on the front of this filter perfectly.  there's even a slight raised metal lip so that the cap doesn't sit against the filter glass.well engineered, and worth the money.
I owned many B+W filters, this one for my Canon 5diii 70~300mm, they are well well made, does not add anything on the photo that I can see, any lens I got I ordered one of this to protect the lens, highly recommended.
B+W, ProMaster, and a lot of Tiffen filters really are the only way to go.  For this lens I just wanted basic impact and first element protection, I wasn't worried about actually filtering UV.  The coatings are nice, thorough, and reduce reflections quite well.
Spend a few more dollars for this B+W filter.  Greatr protection & no degridation in performance.  Bought cheaper ones before and you can see the difference over time.
B + W are my go to filters for quality. This is a replacement for one that broke when the camera fell off a chair landing on the lens. Filter broke, lens is fine. I'm not sure a cheaper filter would have protected the lens.
This filter goes on each of our Nikon lenses as the primary filter and rarely comes off.  The colors 'pop' with this filter and resulting pictures are incredible.  It also scews-on precisely, lens cap attaches well to it, and this filter is more resistant to scratching or damage than comparable filters. These filters are at the higher-end of pricing, however, you could spend even more but would not get a better product. I put alot of time into researching filters, and this is the one folks.
Very well made filter. I usually use Nikon filters and am exceedingly happy with the quality of this one.No hesitations buying another B&H; filter, and like the feel of this one over some of my Nikons.
This is beautifully made. It seems to be better made than the lens I have attached it to. Heavy glass and solid looking metal make it seem to be worth the price. Proudly made in Germany - printed on it in big letters. Perhaps use a smaller typeface next time, B+W?
I love this B+W 37mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M), I will refer this component to my friends.
When I bought my Canon T2i I received aTiffen 58mm UV Protection Filteras part of the package (here on Amazon). After using the Tiffen for over a year I noticed a lot of pictures had lens flare or light reflection, even when I was not pointing the camera in the direction of the sun.  I replaced the Tiffen with this B+W and so far have not seen any lens flare or reflections in any pictures.  I'll update the review if that changes.
I found these a total waste of money. The polarising filter glued itself to the UV filter & could not be removed. I bought a cheap Starblitz Uv filter for 22 euros which worked pefectly. I eventually separated the filters & tried the polarising filter on my Hoya UV filter. It glued itself immediately to the UV filter & cannot be removed!! I did not have this problem with previous Hoya filters.It got 1 star only because  I clicked that by mistake!
With this filter you can't go wrong. The glass is great quality along with the ring. The threads are cut right and don't cause problems.
I took over 800 pics since I purchased and installed this on my Sigma Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm Fixed Lens and I think I only had 1 pic come out with any glare.I was in St. Augustine Beach for 7 days and took shots of the sunrise each day, very happy with how clear this filter is.Do yourself a favor and don't put a cheap filter on a good lens.
I put this new filter on my new Sony Zeiss 55.. f1.8 49mm for the Sony a7 .The quality is better than expected, every filter I buy from now on i will try to get the B+W Brand
This is my 3rd.  I don't even notice it on the lens.  I suppose it is supposed to improve the picture but I am not sure I can really tell.  My main reason to have it is protection.  I lost my first 2 from a collision and a drop.  My lens was saved both times as this took the hit.  Best purchase I every made for my lens.
As many other reviewers stated, this is an exceptional filter. Guess what? They are all spot on! I needed to protect my Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f / 1.8 Lens for my Panasonic GF2 and I am very pleased with B & W. When holding the lens it feels like holding a crystal to light, you simply can see the clarity. I went sledding/tubing last week and my lens got a hold of slope, but it was undamaged due to this heavy duty lens. Buy it, you'll be satisfied. You get what you pay for, don't go cheap on filter that will protect your expensive lenses!
I too wanted a filter for my Panasonic TM700 and decided to buy this one and see what the quality was like. I am extremely happy with it - build quality is excellent and (as far as I can tell) glass is top quality. I have used cheaper filters on my DSLR, and they are OK but I think from now on I will spend the extra money.
Have been using this filter as protection for my canon 24-105 lens and it does the job.  It protects the lens and I have not noticed and more dust (as other have) than what would normally stick to the lens.  No noticible image degradation.
I keep this on my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens all the time unless I'm using a circular polarizer or ND filter.  If your using a quality lens don't scrimp on the filters.  Highly recommended.
B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M): Very nice, looks like a lens not a cheap filter. Would buy again.
Filter works as described and is backed by great build quality from a great brand.Second B+W filter and would purchase again!
I bought this filter after owning a number of other filters, both uncoated and multicoated. When I took this filter out of the packaging, I could tell it was exceptionally well-made.  The glass is clean and the case is metal.  I will not buy another brand of filter anymore.
I recently bought a Canon EF 24 F1.4L II professional prime lens that costs me an arm and a leg. I was a little weary about the front element getting knocked around although I sometimes have the hood on. Let me tell you this, I use to have a whole bunch of Hoya UV filters for my other L lenses, but B+W is much better. At least to my eyes, I do not see any degradation in image sharpness. This UV filter at least gives me some peace of mind.
The clearest filter I've ever used.  Excellent resistance to flare and for shooting on the beach near sea-spray, it's very effective at minimizing sea spray from sticking to the glass.
I use this on my Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G and it's a great product. There's no added flare, and now I don't have to worry about cleaning the hard-to-reach inset lens. Also, my lens's threads are plastic and now that I have this filter on, I don't have to worry about stripping them. Because I won't be removing it any time soon!
As many photographers, I have invested a significant amount of money in my glass (two L Canon lenses and one Canon prime). I bought an appropriate B+W filter for all three lenses to make sure that if anything happens, the lens will not be scratched. I think these filters are a good investment to protect your other investment :)The filters are super easy to install and you can still put a lens hood on top of the filter.
Got mine shipped so fast.Thanks Amazon.The product quality is unknown.The filter glass seems to be intact, however scratch marks are definitely visible on the metal ring.part of of logo B+W is scratched.This item must be a refurbished one.
It has excellent optical quality and the coating is so good that it seems that there was no glass in there. Totally recommend it if you have an L lens and you want to keep the optical quality of it untouched.
I decided to spend a bit more money for a UV filter because from reading reviews on other cheap ones I saw everyone complaining about the filter change the quality of the pictures.  I purchased 2 of these and haven't noticed any difference in my pictures. No glares or anything.
I have mounted the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM between this filter and my Canon 7D, and it is an excellent, unnoticed (optically) addition.  If you have an expensive lens like this, you really ought to spend the money to get something at LEAST this good (IMHO).
If you are going to spend a lot of money purchasing a good lens why not protect it with a great lens filter. I am really happy with this choice of filter and I would purchase another one when I need another filter.
Folks, I have gotten pretty good in recent years and have moved around in the world of top outdoor photographers. These guys do not use UV filters. Digital cameras are totally unaffected by UV. B+H is really good, but mostly for a polarizer or a neutral density filter. Want to protect your lens? Use your hood or buy one if your lens did not come with a hood. Every layer of glass you put in front of your lens degrades the lens.Check me out. Go to the forums. You will find what I say is true.Ironically, the scummy photo stores will try to sell you a UV filter of a low brand quality. Often they make more on the filter than on the camera.
It took me a while to get around to accepting that all UV's aren't created equally.  This 62mm lives on a Sigma 30mm 1.4, and I absolutely love it.  Since your UV spends most of it's time on your lens, unless you need to run another filter, or want/don't want a certain glare effect (this lens resists glare fairly well, but no lens is exempt), it is important that is not only be able to protect your precious glass, but that it allow your lens to retain and take advantage of it's full potential in the process.  These B+W filters are superb and now reside on most all of my kit.  If you're shooting on a cheapo 50mm 2.8, it's probably not worth it, but with even mid level lenses, the difference is night and day. This is a great filter and definitely recommend it.
These aren't really necessary for modern lenses with good coatings.  It's one more item to get smudges, thus one more thing to clean (plus you have to clean both sides since it's a filter).  People should not be afraid of cleaning their lens, it's made for it.  The haze reducing function is meaningless in digital, only helps with film.  There is a tiny tiny effect from rejecting more UV but the visual meaning of that in your photographs is negligible.  The one thing I will use this for is if I'm going to be shooting in sand or dust storms or other abrasive environments.
b+w filters are great. i purchased this to go on a new canon 24-70 L lens. it works great excellent quality glass no issues on the lens at all. no shadows at full zoom like some filters will give you.  i have this lens and filter mounted on a canon EOS 5D Mark 3
it's better than what I have now. I think I can get better qulity of photos. of course, the price is very good!
This is a 77mm filter. Obviously you paid good money for your lens, so why get a $20 lens with cheap window glass that will just degrade your pictures? Sure, any filter will protect your lens from dust and scratches, but why not get one that actually reduces haze and helps your images?I would say that this particular filter is great, but it should be the cheapest you should go when buying a UV filter for a nice lens (and most 77mm lenses are pretty nice). Some people would say that this one is not good enough, but I have 2 of them for different 77mm lenses, and they work great.I learned the hard way though. I bought a canon 50mm prime lens and figured the best thing to get would be a canon UV haze filter. Bad idea. I got so many strange light reflections at night and if anything, it just made my pictures less clear. I ended up removing that piece of junk and my picture quality suddenly improved. Since then, I will only buy quality filters from names like B&W; and Hoya. Bottom line with optical products - you get what you pay for. So why put a $30 filter on a $800-$2000 lens? You might as well not use a filter at all - and get better results.
Bought this lens to fit my Canon 24-105 lens and it fits perfectly.  The camera lens cap clips onto it easily.  I bought this specifically to use when traveling to protect my lens. It is also great when shooting at the beach or near water.  Easily wipes clean with a microfiber lens cleaner as well.  I did not find it altered the quality of images and was pleased with the outcome using this filter.  Definitely worth spending a little extra money on the filter when using expensive gear.
There's a reason B+W are one of the best filters there is. Albeit a little expensive they are phenomenally well built and have served me well till now.
I haven't used all the different brands out there, but I did previously bought a Zeikos set. Originally, I thought the Zeikos UV filter did an okay job protecting the lens, but the UV didn't do much; in fact, I couldn't see any difference in the pictures I took with and without the filter. The lens kit (the kit included 3 filters) cost under $10.00After more research, I came across this B & W filter. the $48.00 for one UV was a bit of a sticker shock, but still decided to fork out $48 for the B+W filter. For $48.00 and all the positive review (at that time, there were 245 5-star review out of 284 reviews) , I had very high expectation of this product. When I received and opened the package, I was ... WOW . . .First, this UV filter is truly remarkable. I held this up next to the Zeikos and up to the light and there is no comparison. The uniformity, UV filter, clarity, quality and durability of the B+W filter was amazing. the UV filter is far superior than the Zeikos. I didn't even need to take any pictures to tell me these are better. I even put a drop of water on the B & W lens and it was so easy to clean, just a few wipes and it didn't leave any smudges.I took some pictures without the UV Filter, then a set with the Zeikos, and another set with the B+W. The Zeikos and no filter the pictures were indistinguishable. But there were noticeably positive difference with the pictures I took with the B+W filter. I showed the pictures to my friends and family members as a blind test, and all picked the ones taken with the B+W filterLike some of the other reviewers, my initial impression was someone must be posting bogus reviews. It can't be all that and no way this is worth $48.00. I am so wrong, it is worth all that and much more! From here on, all my future filters will be B+W.. Excellent!!!! Truly Remarkable!
I was looking for a UV filter to protect the front element of my brand new expensive macro lens, so I wanted one that was top quality. Doing research, it always came back to B+W being the top of the line, so I decided I would spend a bit more to ensure quality. In the past I have only used Hoya multi-coated filters with satisfactory results. On those, my personal testing showed any image degradation was essentially nonexistent, but just noticeable under heavy scrutiny. Pulling this B+W filter out of the package, I almost worried for a second that the glass had fallen out of the frame. The glass was that significantly clear. Under normal room lighting conditions, I couldn't see any reflections off the filter unless I caught the reflection of a light bulb. I tested my lens with and without the filter, and I wasn't able to find any differences in image quality. The threads sat very nicely, and I have had no issues whatsoever. A good filter (for protection purposes) is the one that you don't even know is there, and this one definitely meets that criteria. If you spend a lot of money on a nice lens, I think it is worth it to spend a few more bucks on one of these excellent filters to protect your investment.
This was a great item to attach to my 18-200mm $800 lens!  keeps the sand/dust/random bits of cotton from getting on the lens to include your finger prints.  Has a nice heavy weight to it! awesome product! Please dont wait till its too late to get something like this!mike R.
filter ring print as "MADE IN GERMANY", not "gebildet in Deutschland". Not sure it was made in Germany, or, an OEM made in China?
I needed a good quality filter for my Nikon 18-200 DX lens. At first I was convinced by one of the other reviewers that this would vignette on my lens, so I looked into the 'slim' version of this filter. The slim version doesn't have any front threads however, so that was out.I work at a camera shop, so today I went in and threw this filter on an 18-200 on a D300. No vignetting. Simple as that. I went outside and took several test shots of the overcast sky, blank walls, etc. both with and without the filter and could not tell the difference. This is good news because I want this filter but also still want to be able to use my Nikon lens cap. Maybe the other guy was noticing the natural falloff that tends to happen with any zoom lens this wide...FYI: I checked this filter with a polarizer stacked on top of it and that setup DOES vignette at 18mm. This is easy to fix as all you have to do is remove this filter and then attach the polarizer, but that may annoy some people.
This is my third b+w filter and this one too works great. Fits the sigma lens perfectly with no problems at all.
I have ordered a total of three B+W 40.5mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M) B + WThe are very well made and fit perfectly on my NIKON lenses..Prompt delivery, good price, that's all that one can expect.Thank you!
You can feel the quality as soon as you pick it up...  Solid brass ring, top-quality glass.  I use this with a Lumix LX-3.It might be a bit of overkill for just a UV filter, but what the heck.  It's really nice.
I prefer B&W filters, even those primarily used to protect a lens, for their optical and mechanical quality. Mechanical quality is in the smoothe fitting metal threads.  They are dependable to always seat well on a lens or with another filter mounted on top. I don't find that with other brands. And, the optics have superior manufacturing processes.
I just received this filter today and looks pretty damn good and clear. It feels like it's of great quality, although just feeling from the perimeter, and fits nicely. Im glad I bought from this company and didn't settle for a cheaper brand, especially since it's going on my L-lense. Went on my 24-105mm
I was curious about why the price of these are so much more than most. I asked around and learned that the glass is top quality materials and the metal is best quality. Im happy with this and the price.
B+W filters seem constantly superior in fit, finish and reliability with minimal light falloff and distortion. I typically pay a premium to acquire superior optics. I cannot put cheap, distorting glass in front of a 1000 dollar lens, nor fail to protect it at all.
This is a good quality filter, if you don't wanna go cheap on your image quality this brand is the one to go.
easy to remove if using another filter, cuts some lens flare and keeps the lens of my camera protected, thanks
Works as expected.. have not tested to see if it show up in the pictures.  I hike and need to protect my glass.
My primary use for this filter is for lens protection. I was unhappy with the Canon UV filter as there were areas of bare metal on the one I purchased. I am very happy with the B&W. No shiny bare metal spots and a noticeably better build quality all around. You pay a bit extra but it is well worth it.
It match "RainbowImaging 49mm Filter Tube Adapter + 49MM Vented Curved Metal Hood for Leica X1" perfectly. I recommend to buy both of them if you want to protect your lens from water and dust.
I originally wrote a positive review for this product but now after having owned a few of these for over a year (with frequent use) I can report a very different side to these filters that many users will not notice until some time has elapsed.First I would like to mention that I am particular about my photography equipment and take steps to keep them clean. These filters were purchased with the intent to keep expensive lenses from getting covered in dust or damaged in regular use.These UV filters (and presumably others) work fine initially, but there is something the many positive reviews do not mention - these things are dust MAGNETS.That's right. I don't know what it is about these filters, but once you take your lens cap off you're going to have bits of dust and other airborne contaminants landing on there and getting stuck.A few specks of dust on the lens itself is no big deal - it will not even show in your photos, but the dust that sticks to these filters WILL show up on your photos if your photos have any kind of light areas.If you take a picture of the sky and do not have a perfectly clean B+W UV Haze filter, you will see black spots on the final exposure.I have tried to clean these using cotton cloth, microfiber and even methanol with no luck. By contrast I can keep my lenses clean with a simple puff of air or a wipe with microfiber. Even if there is some dust on my lens it does not show up in the photo as it does when it's stuck on the UV filter.The quality of the glass that these UV filters are made from is also questionable. When I hold the filter up to a light, I can see many imperfections in the glass that appear as frosting. These imperfections are in the glass itself and cannot be cleaned. I have several of these filters and all of them exhibit the same flaws.UV filters do not provide any benefit photographically as digital cameras are not susceptible to the coloration issues that UV light had on film.UV filters can and do diminish the quality of your photos by placing inferior glass in front of your lens. It's a catch-22 -- you paid good money for a lens to take nice photos, only to hamper it by sticking a filter in front of it. With this filter on your lens, every photo you take is like no different than shooting through a window. Contrast and fine detail both suffer.These UV filters will cause "ghosts" and other optical anomalies at certain angles that you will not experience if you remove the filter.In the end it's your call if you think it's worth the extra money to make your camera take worse pictures under the false notion that the UV filter offers some kind of "protection". Let's face it - if you drop your lens, the possibility for breaking it will not be reduced by having a UV filter on the front.UV filters DO NOT keep your lens clean because they themselves attract dust and dirt, in addition to being optically inferior to the glass used in the lens, so the net result is a photo that would have been better with no filter at all.Save your money for something more useful like another lens, a good flash or a quality bag to carry your gear. These filters are a WASTE OF MONEY.
I purchased this product as a newbie. I read quite a few reviews and discussions as to whether or not it's needed. I keep it on my 17-55 lens most of the time for protection sake. I honestly can't say that I notice any difference when it's on or off. It is a bit of a hassle taking it off (unscrewing it) and replacing it with another filter. It's not something that happens instantly, so hopefully there's no hurry when you're making the change. Someday I'll have to compare some pics with it on and off to see if there is any difference in sharpness, etc.
This is a good quality product.  I ordered the wrong size so I had to return it, but its a good product and was shipped very fast.
I always use a UV filter in front of my lenses to protect the lens and to lessen to blue cast that appears in the image shot in daylight conditions. Since anything that you put in front of the lens will affect the sharpness of the image it is imperative that the optical quality of any filter be the best B&W provides this quality.
I have fooled around with cheap filters before and finally broke down and bought two of these. Wow! What a difference in image clarity! Well built. Made in Germany. They have a real heft to them and just work! B+W coated is the only way to go.
Just bite the bullet!!!  If you are reading reviews you must be like me and debating...is it really worth $70+ dollars?!!! If you got a cheap lens and don't care, don't but it. Honestly if you spent some $$$ on your upgraded lens with some high end glass, why cheap out on putting the first lens that allows light through your new Lens to be less than great.  I cheaped out of Rocketfish, Tiffen, Vivitar, and yes they work but in certain lighting conditions (eg sunsets or indoor shots with strong lights) you get flare/ghosting/green blobs..etc.In reality, UV filters don't really do much (In my humble opinion) on digital cameras besides protect your lens.  If you are cool with lesser quality, then buy the others (I have em' on my lower end lenses just because its better to protect it than not IMO)  But on my L lenses, just got my first set of B+Ws and loving it so far!  BIG DIFFERENCE from Tiffen to B+W.
Finally, a UV filter to protect our expensive L lenses that doesn't negate the quality of the pictures! I had cheaper models that consistently produced &#34;ghosts&#34; (light reflections) in the images because they didn't have a quality coating. This one does.Yes, it's expensive, but $70 is a LOT cheaper than a L series 70-200mm 2.8 lens. If it gets dusty or foggy while in the desert or in a cave, I can quickly wipe it off with napkin - or even a shirt sleeve - and still get the shot. If I scratch it I'm just out the $70, not $2k for a new lens. Highly recommended!
I bought this filter to protect the fabulous Fujinon lens on my X100.  While I was sold on the idea of getting some basic cover for the front element and cutting visible haze, I was concerned that  a cheaper filter would degrade optical performance with flare and non-parallel glass elements.  I needed the promise of precision manufacturing, good glass and high performance coatings to feel confident about putting this on a favorite camera. This filter is heavy in the hand and appears really well built. It screws on and off the lens easily with no binding. Images taken before and after the filter show no degradation. Job done - wallet lighter!
I have B+W filters on every lens I own.  They are worth the extra few bucks.
B+W filters have a reputation for quality and value.  This UV filter lives up to that reputation.  I've tried less expensive filters and have been severely disappointed.  There is an axiom in photography that one should buy the product (tripod, camera body, filter, whatever) that one can't afford; otherwise there will be additional purchases until one finally gets the best one. Buy the best filter, even if you can't afford it, so that you won't experience distortion, vignetting, loss of quality. B+W filters are among the very best.
I bought his filter because of the milti-resistant coating, the price is high but ibelieve it's worth it, yes i highly recommend this filter
My two cents:- I got this to replace the Rocketfish 67mm filter I had bought for my Nikon D90 with from Bestbuy which had a AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. The Rocketfish filter for some reason seemed to tax the autofocus system (it seemed to have a harder time getting the AF lock). Without the Rocketfish filter the D90 was able to focus pretty decisively. With the BW filter I was wary of facing the same issue, but was pleasantly surprised by the fact that the AF worked just fine, no issues like I had with the Rocketfish 67mm filter. Not only that, the pictures seemed to appear a lot sharper as well. Again I don't know if this could be because I got a bad Rocketfish filter, all I know is I am returning it and staying put with B+W. To paraphrase the sentiments of the reviewers before me - "Don't be penny wise and pound foolish".
what can i say a best lens deserve a best filter amazingly built package was good one hung ups for me is they don't provide a cloth for it to clean. i got amazingly crisp pics ...but i guess not due to this bec. i got a best lens ...it does interfere with the lens ....amazing...mabuhay
Received this from Adorama (which is an authorized B+W shop).  I wanted to see what all the hype was about..  I've been using a Hoya filter on my Tamron 17-50, and was quite satisfied..  Taking the same picture from each of the filters made me realize that the B+W was in fact slightly clearer/sharper when I pixel peeped..  When only the best will do..  :)  The other thing I noticed was the B+W filter was also heavier, which was nice.  Without a doubt in my mind, I will be ordering B+W MRC #010 UV from now on when I buy new lenses..
Love it, going to use it in Yellowstone!  Works great on my new lens along with my lens hood!  I like to use the multi- resistant coating for outdoor shots.
I purchased this filter, as always is the case upon new lens purchases, as a protector. There is no known issues with this lens to date.
good quaility!
I am always very pleased with B&W filters. The quality is superb for the price paid. I will continue to purchase their products.
Threads in real nice and secure and cleans easily. Good quality. Would recommend to buy next time. A bit more expense than some, but worth it.
I'm no professional photographer, and I was very hesitant in spending the extra money on this filter just to protect my L series lens. However, shortly after receiving in the mail, I gotta say it felt very "real" versus its tiffen counterpart. To top things off, the glass itself is top-notch and you can surely see the difference between the two in a side-by-side comparison of your shots. Very crisp and very clean!
This is the real deal, not a plastic ring with thin glass.  Yes it costs more than some, but compared to the cost of a lense it's worth it...
While I don't normally comment on something so mundane as a filter, I feel this one is worth a few words.The multi-coating on it is quite good, the ring and seating also good.If you are going to use something to protect and in this case enhance your lens, this is one to go with.Used on a Sony 16-50 power zoom on a NEX 3nl.
I got three of these to protect three of my Canon lenses.  The quality of these are great and it is a smart investment.
The filter had noticeable dust on it straight out of its plastic case.  Poor manufacturing/packaging practice.  Otherwise, it appears to be a nice filter.
The optic quality in this glass is amazing! If you hold this filter up you honestly cannot tell there is glass in it. It looks like an empty metal frame. The frame is brass and is of very high quality. This is well worth the money!
Got this to protect the lens of my Olympus.  Have always trusted B+W lens filters to protect all my lenses.  Can't go wrong with B+W.
Does what it supposed to do, cut UV haze and protect the lens. Quality is better than most filter threads are good and glass is tight in the holder. Many are not. You get what you pay for, like so many products.
Super clear and robust. Just what I was wanting in a filter. Solid construction and quality glass. Done and done.
Nice quality construction and packaged so perfectly.  Not a speck of dust can be seen within a 5 mile radius of the item (exaggeration but you get the point)!  Threads on smoothly and fits nice and tight.  I will definitely order these for any future lenses!
Never, never, never buy a lens without a filter. Thank God I follow my own advice. I cracked one of these accidentally when setting my camera down and immediately ordered another one. Better to crack a $50 filter than a $1000 lens.
I've had this filter for a few months now, but worth it. Sure the price is a bit steep for a consumer, but if you bought a good lens, you might as well put a good filter on it.This one doesn't disappoint! I bought a Canon 100-400mm L lens (77mm) and a Tamron 180mm Macro lens (72mm) and wanted only the best for my precious investments. I chose B+W because they had brass rings. They really do go on with ease, unlike my kenkos that are aluminum. This one also has some amazing coating that cleans so much easier. I have never had to use a microfiber towel on it, just a lens pen's brush lightly brushing away very fine dust. Other haze filters degrade image quality just a bit for a softer look (good for portraits I guess), but this B+W filter makes bird feathers and flower pollen pop with sharpness, as if my lenses didn't even have a filter on them. Simply wonderful glass and worth every bit of $130 that I paid for both 77mm and 72mm filters. Soon every lens I have will have a B+W filter.
Ordered this item for my nikon 70-200mm f2.8 lens.  I had the lens in my camera bag on the kitchen table and my wife picked up the bag to put it away, not realizing the bag was unzipped and open.  My $2400 lens fell out from the tabletop approximately 3 ft to the tile floor landing on the front edge of the lens.  Glass everywhere and my wife was extremely sorry when she came in and told me she had broken my prized lens.  I went to see the damage and my heart sank upon seeing all the glass, but upon further examination I found the only thing broken was this UV filter.  The brass ring was bent a little bit but with careful effort I was able to remove it and clean the front of my 70-200, the lens is perfect and no problems with it's performance.  I bought another B&W UV filter to replace the one that was broken.  I don't know if another brand would have fared as well, but I do know that this one saved a very expensive lens!  I now have one for each of my lenses and wouldn't exchange them for any other brand.  Thanks to B&W for a very well made filter!  Thanks to Nikon also for a tank like build on their lens!
The 46 mm UV filter / cover did not the camera it was recommended for my DSC-RX100M2.  A complete loss of $31.25
I bought an &#34;L&#34; lens and this filter was recommended.  I thought the cost was rather high for a clear UV filter, however I didn't want to put a low grade filter on my first L lens.  I &#34;assume&#34; this is better glass and did not take the time to research it.  It does feel heavier then other 58mm filters I've had.  I like it very much and it feels quality, however I don't have enough knowledge to recommend it.  My bad.
I didn't buy this filter to protect my lenses, but rather, enhance my video footage while shooting outdoors.I shoot with a canon 7D and specifically bypassed the L series glass for the superior Carl Zeiss older (leaded glass) lenses.  Among these are a 35mm Jena fleck, a 50mm planar and a 35mm-70mm (OM Zuiko).Because I primarily shoot video and work within an incredibly unforgiving 8 bit color space, I want my in-camera footage as perfect as possible.  The contrast of older German glass is beautiful and this filter preserves all of the deep, rich blacks.I did an incredible amount of research and testing, and was going to commit to Tiffen filters (primarily because of Shane Hurlbut's line of WATER WHITE nd filters made for neutral color casts).B+W filters are without question the sharpest, most neutral, and well built filters I've used.  They are the only filter I will foreseeably buy.OH - IMPORTANT:I purchased this filter after purchasing a B+W UV/IR filter because of the research done about ccd sensors their IR software filtration that leaves a slight blue cast on images.  The UV/IR filter is supposed to correct for that, but I found that it definitely left a slight warm-tone that was not accurate to true-to-life.  This filter works perfectly.  Perhaps it is because the blue color shift affects ccd sensors more than cmos sensors (Canon 7D has a cmos)?But I'm not sure about this and must further research...All-in-all, the B+W UV Haze filter is the best filter I have used for my work.
Bought this to protect my new Sony SEL35f18 prime.  The lens cap goes on like before and the lens hood works like it always did.  Recommend if you want to protect your expensive prime.
I bought this filter, used it recently in Cozumel and it rocks!  Yes it is pricey, but you definately know you've purchased a quality item when you get it in your hands.  Has a very good, solid feel to it - purchased mainly for protection of my lens, and am very happy with the purchase.Would recommend!
I am really impressed with this filter. Very nice quality. I will purchase this brand again in the future. Thanks
This is a high quality metal filter.  Good glass.  I am using it on a Panasonic 20 mm 1.7 lens connected to a Olympus E-PL2 micro 4 camera.This filter is a must during the Summer of 2011 with it's high , hot and intense sun.  This filter helps reduce the haze giving the photographer those crisp shots they expect from their equipment especially from a high quality lens like the Panny 20mm.The filter stays on my camera lens most of the time.  It does not degrade the photos  in any way.
No need to say anything about B+W filters,they are simply the best!Love my B+W filters,they are expensive but you got what you pay for
This UV serves as a lens protector for the great Fuji X100. No distortion noted and does not affect luminosity of the camera.
The B+W clear uv haze filter is one of the best you can buy, I am definitely happy with my purchase even though it was delivered with scuff marks around the rim of the filter.  Amazon credited me for the damage.
I have put one of these on every lens I own - cuts glare if outside and the MRC causes any spray or dust to easily wipe off.  They also ensure that any accidental bumps scratch the filter and not the front lens element.  Highly recommended.
This is a great filter, if you put it up to the sky and look though it you can hardly tell there is glass in the frame. Much clearer than your average filter.
There's no point buying a good and expensive lense if you're just going to put a cheap, low quality filter over it.These German engineered filters are expensive, but they're also the best.
B+W filters are always well made out of quality materials. This thing feels substantial, is made of brass and multi-coated glass and cleans easily. Great for protecting that lens from scary, scary scratches.
This is one of the best filters that I've used. In fact I am buying my 2nd one for my 28-300 lens. There is no glare unless you're shooting in obvious sun facing conditions. I bought several filters which I ended up returning due to how much glare and hallow on the shots. Tested on the same positions with and without the filters. This BW is outstanding. Performs as if the lens was without filter at all preserving the image quality intended by the lens manufacturer
Excellent product, very solid fit and I am extremely pleased with this product. I was a little suprised by the weight, but this was not a negative in my opinion, just speaks more to the quality of the product. I've shot several hundred photo's now and found this to be as others opined; high qaulity, easy to clean and results in crystal clear shots (several hundred since purchasing this). The case is of equal quality and will most likely consider the B+W products my default when considering purchases in the future.
I put it on my 24-105mm, and I haven't taken it off. I bought it to protect, and it appears to be protected. Lovely.
My requirement was to have a lens protector that wouldn't degrade the image quality. This filter delivers it. It has excellent build and optical qualities and has the additional benefit of improved outdoor images due to UV filtering (well, that is the main use intended by the manufacturer).
well made and threads perfect and is clear with no distortion.. using it on a panny 20mm f1.7. good protection
Outstanding optics & quality of manufacture.  It's pricier than the Tiffen I scratched & seems better built than the Hoya I have for a different lens.  No hesitation in recommending this filter.
Just open the box and take it on my camera. Well, it is of very good quality, which is very satisfactory. The only flaw is that there is some dust on the edge around the lens, maybe as the result of mistakes in production. Hope it would not influence.
I had tried to find a filter for my EF 300mm f/4L IS USM and the first two I got ended up causing problems in the final images, like ghosting etc.  I finally heard about this filter from the digital picture site and decided to try it out.  It works great!
With an expensive new camera and a different lens size, a new UV filter was essential. If I'd needed to pay full price for this filter (lens protector), I would definitely have had second thoughts. But since it was a Christmas present, what the heck. I don't have the tools or the inclination to do the forensic inspection necessary to test whether the additional quality beats out other filters at half the price. I do find, though, that trying to fit a Polarizing filter (also B&W) to the mount on top of the UV filter is very fiddly; more than once I have thought I had attached it only to have to catch the polarizer as I righted the camera. Definitely not to be tried with gloves on when the weather is cold.
A filter should be the first thing on a lens.  I am very satisfied with the performance of the filter.  A proper filter will block enough UV to let into the lens and this one is excellent so the color do not any adjustment when I do post processing.  About the only thing I have to do when uploading pictures to the internet is resize them.
Lenses are expensive. This filter isn't let the dust get on the cheap part not the expansive one.I know that that this filter is supposed to remove UV, but I don't think I have ever lost a photo due to UV. Plus photoshot can fix color casts anyway.OTOH, I have experienced dust.
Again this is probably the most expensive UV Filter I've ever bought,  but i can tell you that it is worth the money.
Bought this filter for my new Leica V-Lux 4, which takes a 52mm size filter.  Excellent filter as always.  Well-bulit, quality German product.  B+W is the brand I usually go for because I've had great experiences with it.  Protect your lens with a filter.
I use the B & W UV glass filters on all of my lenses.  They do tend to be expensive but so are my Nikon Lenses so the match-up is needed!  You cannot go wrong with these products.
I highly recommend this filter to protect your front lens element, I have owned two of these since 2009 and have not had any problems with scratching.  The glass in this filter is top notch, when the glass is clean you cannot even seen the glass unless you hold it at a very steep angle, it just looks like a black ring so it does not impact your pictures.  It does seem to collect dust fairly fast but since I have had this on all of my lenses since I purchased them I can't tell if the lens collects dirt as fast.  The only problems that I have with it in fact is that the lens still seems to get dust collecting on it even with this filter always and if you tighten this on very hard it can sometimes be very hard to get off but that is so it will not fall off.  In may of 2011 my camera(a 5d with battery grip and flash) fell off my 3 1/2 foot desk at work onto the floor and landed strait onto the front of the lens. The filter glass broke and the brass ring bent and jammed onto the camera lens, I tried for days to get it off and could not so I took it to a Canon repair station.  I waited for 15 min and they got the ring off and check the lens with their camera and said everything looked fine.  It may have been a pain when it broke but if this was not on my camera i would have broken the front element on my lens, it may seem overpriced but I will gladly keep one of these on every one of my lenses just to protect them.
I have many B+w filters and this is one of them sick on my 16-35mm f2.8. Difficult to see the difference between with and without the filter.
Been using this off and on for at least a year now.  I like the MRC and the fact that I can use it on my camcorder.  High quality and there is a difference when its not in use.  For your investments especially when it comes to expensive equipment find a brand that would produce good results for photo\video.
My pictures came out very clear and with so. Much color.  This was a great buy. I highly recommend  it
The B+W 010M UV filters are superb image-quality-wise. I acquired this filter to use in a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens. In that lens the filter starts to feel a bit thick, which is not the case in larger lenses like the 77mm version of it in a Canon 24-105 F4L or a Canon 100mm f2.8L. If you are seeking a filter for a compact lens you may wish to look for a thinner filter, like the B+W XS-Pro filter line.
A must for all lenses..A very nice, heavy & seems well made lens protector.I would never use a lens before installing one of these first.
With items such as optics and filters, the buyer does have to take quite a bit on faith.  Any filter produced today will produce excellent results and differences among various brands and quality levels are virtually all invisible to the unaided eye and require highly specialized equipment to discern.  Such is the case here, but still rates 5 stars for the quality of workmanship, neutrality, and function it promises.
It is B+W what more can you say.  I have ones by Promaster, Tiffen but they don't compare.  If you really want to treat your photos to the best look no further.
Works just fine with my Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens.  Doesn't appear to affect optical quality. I'm not a pro, but this brand was recommended by a pro, and I'm happy with it.  I would buy again & recommend to others.  Works fine in conjunction with Canon EW-73B Lens Hood For 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS EF-S and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lenses.
If you have a high end lens you want to protect, this is the filter you want. I have it on my Canon 135mm f/2 L series lens. Does exactly what is supposed too. Protect your lens but ruin the quality! B + W MRC is the only way to go.
B+W glass is well-built and reliable. I use this UV filter for a Canon 18-135 mm STM lens. Protect your investment on good glass with well made filters.  B+W lenses fit the bill. Would recommend
Nice product doesn't affect IQ. I only use B&W filters on my lens and have never had an issue with IQ.
Overall it functions as stated and does the job. Minus one star for how thick the item filter cap. For the cost, I can't complain. I'm sure if I wanted to pay more, I could have found a slimmer filter
I would have wanted to know if Amazon.com is an authorized B+W dealer.  I would have wanted to know if Amazon.com sells grey market merchandise.  I would have wanted to know if The filter I purchased is grey market.  The filter I received from Amazon is a very different color than my other B+W UV  filters.  I don't purchase filters from Amazon.com any more.  I am looking very carefully into who sells grey market and who doesn't.  Jean
I wish I had just ordered this filter in the beginning. These are really expensive and cause you to pause when you need to outfit seven really expensive L series Canon lenses. This is not the place to try and save some money, especially if you do any professional shooting.I originally went with HOYA top of the line MRC filters which are a bit less expensive. Unfortunately, if they get dirty, it is almost impossible to get them clean again - especially if the dirt on the filter is oily like finger prints or skin oil. No matter which optical cleaning solution you use they will leave a very slight haze on the filter and this is after almost 20 minutes of cleaning. Not a good thing to happen during a shoot when the talent and crew are standing around waiting for you.I then tested the B+W non MRC filters, these are good as long as no light source is in the frame - you will have ghosting especially at night. For about 30 additional dollars you get the MRC version and this is at the top of the filter hierarchy. I had previously worked in Motion Pictures and the B+W coatings are far superior to all the different brands I have previously worked with doing film.Finally, I bit the bullet and ordered a bunch of the B+W MRC filters. They are perfect and clean very easily. I am slowly but surely replacing all my other filters with these exceptional filters. I also use one of their circular polarizers (had to sell a kid to afford it) but it is amazing and produces great results at the right angles.Summary: This is the top of the line absolute best filter for UV haze protection that is easy to clean, durable and very high quality construction. The only downside is they are very expensive.
Granted it is just a simple filter but this filter helps protect my very expensive Canon L series glass and because it is multi coated it helps with reflective glare and haze that would otherwise ruin some very special memories. If you are not going to buy this particular filter, definately buy a multi coated filter. Why spend big bucks on quality glass and not take advantage of everything that expensive lens offers by going cheap on its protection, it is a no brainer in my mind.
Only the best filter made for lens protection. Only best glass filter for UV protection money can buy highly recommend!!!
This definitely reduces the glare and unwanted reflective light. I tried my camera without this filter and the pictures were just as beautiful however, this filter has for some unknown reason helped speed my lens in acquiring the focal Leigh in automatic focus mode. My personal opinion is that this greatly enhances the total package, ie Nikon D3200 w/ Nikon 16-85f/3.5-5.6 AF-S ED VR Nikkor Wide -Angle Telephoto lens.
it is heavy weight but it was worth it to carry around.the pictures came out really well and it works!
Good sturdy, heavy construction worth the price. Crystal clear pics and still no scratches. Have become a big believer in B + W and have been ordering from them ever since.
The difference in quality is absolutely noticeable. I purchased this for protection. I shoot in harsh conditions and wanted to protect my investment. Being an amateur photographer I purchased a cheaper alternative when I first purchased my lens. I noticed light ghosting and attributed it to my photo taking skills.I happened to crack that filter and decided to do a bit more research before purchasing a replacement. ANYTHING you put in front of your lens will degrade your image. This filter really limits your ability to notice anything at all. I have no ghosting on my images now.If you spent good money for a body/lens why would you cheap out on something that might be in front of your lens for your pictures? Don't limit your photo taking potential for a few dollars. Its like slapping a cheap cool air intake on a Ferrari.
i wasnt sure there was any glass until i touched it. it is very clear and heavy for its size which may mean its durablebut 1 star off for the price
Fit perfectly on my X100s, now I leave it without the lens cap and ready for actionLike itNo flare so far
B+W makes quality filters.  This one has a thin enough rim that it does not cause a lot of vignetting.  The filter has a front accessory thread, which makes it easy to put the lens cap on the filter.  The multi-resistant coating provides protection without interfering with the quality of the image.  This filter saved my lens when my camera fell onto the deck.  (Shame on me for not having the strap around my neck.)  The filter took the hit, but the lens was intact.  I bought this same lens to replace the sacrificial one.
This is a great filter, a little pricey than others, but you get what you pay for. I would recommend it to my friends anytime.
B + W or the highest level Hoya filters are on dozens of our lenses. Except for super wide angles that don't have actual threads you'd by foolish not to add the very best UV filters you can buy.These are certainly in that category.They've saved many a front element over the years.Prior to digital I always used Skylights but now UVs are the only option.To paraphrase a common shoe brand: just do it.
I wanted a high quality filter for my Canon L lens. This is my second B&W filter and I'm very satisfied with it. Will buy this brand again without hesitation.
B+W are the only filters I buy now. The fit and finish is always perfect, and they offer great protection and enhancement for my growing collection of valuable lenses. I also like the small sturdy foam-lined plastic case in which they are shipped which offers great protection while in your photo bag. The only suggestion to the B+W designers is to allow an easy way to mark the exterior of the case so that you can easily pull the right filter out of your camera bag when out on a shoot. I stuck a labeled Post-It note inside the cover of each my filters so that I don't have to open each case to see what's inside.
I had been a solid Hoya filter user since way back in the dark ages of film photography, but this filter has made me a believer in B&W for one reason only: it's much, much, MUCH easier to clean. Filters, even out of the package, almost always seem to need cleaning (I don't remember that being an issue in the old days) and cleaning the Hoya HDs is a chore. A chore as in, I spend 15-20 minutes or so making sure I have everything cleaned from both sides of the filter. Now, maybe I'm slow, but the point is, with the B&W, it took about 5 minutes and it was done. (This is done using a combination of a Lenspen FilterKlear and microfiber cloth, with some gentle air for any lint that might be there.) I can only assume it's the coating, though whether that makes it better optically or not I don't know. I do know that I see no difference in the pictures I take, so to me that makes it a non-issue. From now on, I'll be firmly in the B&W camp.
thin screw in metal edges prevent any  filter edge encroachment on the image. Prevents lens flare. Have had very good results with B+W filters and this is no exception.
I have high-end Canon Lenses and originally installed Tifen UV filters on them.  I don't really need UV protection, but put the filter on to protect the costly lens.  I had been very disappointed in the quality of my pictures.  They always seemed washed out and the color was flat.  Sort-of like taking a picture through a glass window... I never used my lenses without a filter on them, so I never thought about the filter being an issue until I read some posts online about problems with Tifen glass filters.  The more I researched, the light went off in my head.  I did some test shots with the Tifen on and off.  It was a night and day difference.  My $1500+ lenses were not garbage after all.  This is when I found out about B&W and the MRC Filter.  I bought one and did a similar test.  If anything, the photo is better with the B&W installed than it is without it.  I was sold and ordered a B&W UVA/Haze with the MRC #10 coating for every lens I own.  I will never shoot without it again.  I learned my lesson the hard way.  I hope by reading this you don't have to trash as many pics as I did.  B&W's are costly, but so are the lenses you are installing them on.  Don't cheap out when it comes to lens protection.
Fits fineWorks fineWhat can you say about a clear filter other then it works. Get one for your protection
Excellent quality UV filter made in Germany.I use this filter mainly to protect the front glass element on my Canon L lenses.This lens is clear with no tint at all. The multi-coating resists smudges and flare.Some people say that UV filters are not needed on a digital camera, it degrades the photos. Not this filter, this filter will not degrade photos at all. This filter is easy to clean with a lens pen.
Top of the line filter. Looks and feel very solid. Not a surprise with B+W products... Make sure to carefully handle and place the filter on the lens without ever touching the glass. Might be very hard to clean. Other than that, this is to me a bargain for the quality. Don't even think of buying something $10 or $15 bucks less expansive: any lens is at least hundreds of $$ so why looking for something barely less expansive that will protect less and alter the quality of the pictures? Go for this one, it's a winner by far. And this after a LOT of research... Enjoy!
Use it on the Zeiss 100mm Macro.  I was very afraid that any sort of glass in front of that beatiful lens is going to do no good.  Surprisingly this one works OK, without any noticeable interference of the IQ.  /Overall great product.
You get a nice lens for your camera, you need to protect it from scratches and other damage. This filter won't disappoint. Well made and easy to install.
I bought this filter because I shoot at the beach a lot, and we all know salt spray is not good for cameras. This is much easier to clean than a front element, and is very high quality. Unless you are shooting in a very flare-prone situation, you will see no difference in image quality unless you really pixel peep. The brass threads make this filter much easier to take off than other brands which do not use a brass ring.All in all, a very good product if you need some basic protection for your front element. We aware though, that this will not stop things like flying rocks or a drop. Other than that though, very good value.
The multicoating works very well at eliminating glare.  It's as if there isn't a filter there at all.  The metal ring is really solid.  You can tell just by the feel of the filter that it is better than the cheaper models.  Much better than the Hoyas that I have used in the past.  I'm definitely making the change to buying B+W in the future.I'm just a photography student, and I'm definitely not the type to waste money.  I feel like I've wasted my dollars on more economical filters.  Do yourself a favor, buy good filters in the first place, they'll last you the length of the lens!
Great buy and worth the money to protect your expensive lens from damage. I would rather buy another one of these than have to fix the optics on my Canon 70/200.
B+W filters are simply the best. If you have to ask why, you clearly haven't held one in your hand. The difference in the physical weight, materials and craftsmanship are simply obvious vs. all the rest when you pick one up. Go to a local camera store and ask to hold one. You'll understand. The optical quality is excellent as well.  It also won't bind up/you won't ruin the threads while putting it on your camera (something that has happened with other brands, even with the gentlest of thread pressure.
B+W filters are great. With lens filters, you always get what you pay for. Do not settle for cheap inferior filter if picture quality is important to you.
I have been buying B+W filters for some time now, and I am very happy with them. This filter quality is on par with the other products of B+W.B+W filters are quite expensive, but they do not affect the quality of the images, as others do. I can only recommend them. I would suggest buying only Multi-coated filters, because the noticiably reduce glare. As others have said, do not put a cheap filter on a nice lense, it will just ruin your images.
I bought this filter on the mood of having a good protection for my 50mm Canon lens. I read good reviews about it and was waiting with really good expectation my filter. Can tell wasn't what I was expecting, was even better. The built quality feels so good that you want to kiss it (I did, lol). The filter is heavy weight and heavy duty. The UV protection and the anti light reflecting are real things here. Couldn't be happier with this filter. Very recommended to anyone wich invest big money on lenses and want to protect them, JL
Very high quality filter - got this for my LX7 - did not notice any vignetting or reflection. I personally have always used a uv filter to protect my lenses.
This is the second B + W UV Haze filter that I have purchased, my other is a 67 mm.  I have  purchased less expensive filters in the past, but since I have been using the B + W filters I have seen a great improvement in the quality of the photos that I take.  This is do I am sure to the quality of the glass that is used to make the B + W filters and the manufacturing process.  I have read time and again  "why purchase an expensive lens and then put a cheap piece of glass in front to it", I totally agree.  I would strongly recommend these filters.
I am not sure if I am doing something wrong, but... with this thing on my lens, in pictures with bright light source in center and near edges, I do not see any flares in the image.Will post update if that changes.
This filter is perfect for protecting the front lens element.  It is barely visible, very clear and an additional safety valve.
I was concerned that this filter might interfere with my 24-105mm bayonet-mount hood. If it was a screw-in hood the point would be moot, but the bayonet mount is a different animal. I am happy to report that this filter does not interfere with the Canon hood. Yay! My only quibble is with Canon in that they REQUIRE a filter to ensure lens sealing. This is stoopid! If you pay for L-series glass, it should be sealed as constructed. But, I don't have a big issue with using a UV filter. Bottom line: Expensive, but worth it.
I put this filter on a Tamron 17-50 I bought recently. The clarity is astounding. I gave it a quick and dirty torture test, including high and low contrast shots, with and without flash, even shooting toward the sun. There was little difference - at least that I could see - between images with and without the filter. In fact, the images with this filter may be better than without it. They seem to show a bit more contrast and less fringing. It even resists condensation when coming in from the cold. I have kept filters on all my lenses after a wildlife shoot where my 28-135 was attacked by a goose (who was obviously aiming at my face!), leaving scratch marks in its outer lens coating. However, I purchased mostly cheaper brands like Sunpak and Tiffen. Being a pixel-peeper, I could see that they were actually reducing clarity and causing flare in some situations. So when clarity counted, like weddings or natural light shots, I had to remove them - which rather defeats the purpose of using them in the first place! Not so with this filter. I can honestly say it will never leave this lens. If I end up trading the lens, it will end up on one of my others. Just try it and find out for yourself!
I chose this item because cheaper filters did not seem to stand up to regular camera usage. The threads are well cut and fit the camera lens snugly so it will not come loose and the glass itself is mounted securely in its durable mount. I would buy from them again because I was impressed with its' quality and very nice fit on my camera lens.
If you have a nex, you need this or one like it, right now. It protects a $250 lens. Whether it makes photos better in the digital age is debatable, but preventing lens scratches is not debatable.  This seems like a very high quality filter and for a few bucks more than cheapies, why mess around? Lens cap fits on it fine, but with this you dont really need to worry about it.Highly recommended.
Since ending up with a dodgy couple of Hoya UV filters with ghastly green ghosting, I have only bought B+W, no fuss top quality. A new lens purchase recently meant that B+W was the obvious choice
Perfect pair with the voigtlander lens I bought for my leica camera. I've been preferring this brand over any other brand of lens filter for my lenses, even for my nikon lenses too.
They arrived promptly, are free of any defects, and will do their job of protecting the objective lenses of the Canon 10X42 I IS binoculars I bought them for.
My filter arrived dirty, and with a piece of paint stuck to the glass.  Considering the extra expense of ordering a supposed high quality item, if I could rate this item a -1 I would.
Possibly the best clear filter out there, made in Germany, perfectly clear and distortion-free. Excellent protection for the front element of your expensive lens.
This is a great filter for protection purposes, and when I have it mounted I can't even tell the difference. One minor things that others have mentioned is that it does tend to attract a little bit of dust. The truth is, however, that dust close to the front element does not affect picture quality, so there is no need to obsess over it. I am happy with my purchase and would consider buying more filters from B+W in the future.
Whatever your filter needs, B+W makes the best.  End of story--with one more comment:  DO NOT use cheap UV filters on your expensive lenses as you will reduce a super lens to mediocrity.  B+W may cost a bit more but the glass is flawless and doesn't degrade your lens one iota.
I mainly use this to protect the lens on my digital camera. I debated buying one because I'm pretty careful with my electronics, but I figured I would give it a try, and could remove it if there were any issues with lens flare or anything. I've taken over 1000 pictures so far, both indoor and outdoor, sunny and dim light conditions, and have not had any issues. I'd recommend this to anyone.
Comparison tested this lens filter for the same shots with a bare lens on a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens. Did not appear to have any added flare, distortion, and did not lose contrast or saturation as compared to shooting without a filter. I've tried out Tiffen filters, and they are junk. Lots of flaring, contrast loss and more. I'd never put one on a lens.Bottom line: the filter glass is at least as good as my lens glass. I only allow a filter on my lens if the quality of the filter is high enough where it doesn't interfere with the optics of the lens. In this case, I've got a $50 filter on a $500 lens, and it works out.Minor scratches on lens glass don't tend to affect your picture much unless you use an ultra-wide lens. However, when you want to sell a lens in order to upgrade, your buyer may be skeptical of minor lens glass abrasions. This is where your filter comes in handy, IMO, and is the main reason I would use a filter.
Perfect to go on Sony 1650-2.8 lens very tight fit. Will also help to keep the optic lens from getting scratched.
B+W makes the best filters out there in my opinion. Back when i was a pixel peeper I tested B+W against Hoya for image degradation and flare with side by side comparisons. B+W always came closest to a bare lens than Hoya in my eyes. I have these filters on all of my L glass. -1 for being outrageously expensive.
I bought the B+W 77mm clear UV haze filter first but wasn't happy with the glare. The multi-resistant coating is like night and day. Worth the extra few dollars.
This is a great quality filter.  No vignetting on my 24mm wide-angle lens on 1.6 crop-factor camera, eliminates ghosting when taking portraits of fire and eliminated all UV haze.  Easily removable from the lens (did not bind up).  Exactly what I expected from B&W.  It's much more expensive than competing models but if you have great glass, you want a great filter.
Protects the lens, doesn't add artifacts to pictures, and cuts haze. It does just what its supposed to.
This B&W 72mm UV glass filter is a must have. B&W makes high quality filters. Provides great protection for my Canon 28-135mm lens attached to a Canon 40d. It does not affect the quality of my photos. Attaching the lens cap w/ the filter is no problem. Very snug fit. Worth the extra cost. Don't settle for the cheaper filters. Multi-coated glass filters are the way to go. Hope this helps.
If you're shooting with 77MM glass, this is a MUST HAVE in your bag.  Excellent quality as you would expect from B&W, and provides the &#34;wow, that's a really nice photo&#34; quality to your shots.  Don't waste your money on anything else, especially Canon filters; it's one thing they've never gotten right...
Probably not necessary to buy a top-notch filter for an average lens ... the quality of the lens is only so much ... but if you are using high end lenses, you do not want you filter degrading image quality.  On the contrary, you do not want to put a cheap filter on a high quality lens.So, if you are using high end lenses, use a high end filter, and the B+W here is a perfect filter for your Canon L lenses.
Bought this for my EF-S 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6 IS TEL, I purchased the lens and wanted some protection for the glass, I was worried that when I took pictures I would get a halo effect like with some other filters. I guess in the end you get what you pay for. The filters multi coating does not affect photo taking or give halo effect like with some other cheap ones I have bought before for other lenses.I liked the product so much that I ordered 2 more (58mm) for my 55-200mm lens and 18-55mm, also I like that its not a pain to clean the filter, if dust or finger prints get on it.Would definitely recommend to fellow photographers.
This is a great filter.  High quality.  Threads on very nicely.  No change in image quality with this on that I can see.I feel much for comfortable wiping dust off of this then the actual lens.  I put this on a Nikon 5200 with the 18-55mm lens.
Good item it seems strong and well made, crystal is hard, view thru it has no negative effects and fits the lens exactly
Highly recommend this filter. I bought this on the basis of other reviewers and they are correct. It works as intended and doesn't lower the quality of the picture. It protects my expensive lens and is easy to clean. Highly recommended.
I use B+W filters on all my cameras. Ive never hada filter with defects unlike others Ive tried.I havent found any vignetting with the filter mount.It probably depends on your lens configuration.
We own a Canon xTi and have used it heavily for about two years.  Because of this filter our lens, a Tamron, has been saved from multiple falls and possible breakages from those falls.  We had to purchase a new filter because of a fall.  The filter did what we had hoped it might; it took the brunt of the fall and dissipated the momentum.  If it only did this, I would be happy.  But the filter helps to keep the lens from getting scratched by the dust that gets blown in Oklahoma.  It does not distort the image at all, making it the perfect all-around filter.  I would recommend this filter to anyone looking to protect his/her lens from usual wear and tear.
Would never attempt to open a lens box without a filter at the ready to put on it.  Can't beat B+W.
Some of the people who bought this complained about the "dust" and finger print on it... well, I guess I am lucky, no finger print on mine, there was some "dust", but easliy removed with my blower. No issue so far, no flaring... I will come back to "complain" if the coating wears off quicker than expected. :)
Nothing more I can say. This is a perfect product! Though it is more expensive comparing to other UV filter, but it's much more worthy to buy this one.I use it to protect my nikkor 50mm 1.4D lens. There is not so much price difference between an additional $10 filter or $38 filter.However, a $10 filter will ruin your photo and make your photo look like taken by 50mm-1.8D. Then WHY NOT insteadly  spend only $100 to get a 1.8D lens?Buy a filter like this for your lens. Or you just go and buy a cheaper lens without filter.
Well, this is my first UV filter, I have a Canon EOS 60D with 18-200mm kit lens. I read some reviews about UV filter and decided to go with B+W. The build quality of this filter is great and so work it works nicely, I have nothing to complain about.
using this filter forNikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLRlens and I do get the quality I paid for. The multi-reflective coating helps to prevent the internal reflections and provides a great protection for the expensive lens. I do believe that it reduces the amount of light by about half a stop, however, I couldn't verify my doubt.I did put a lot of thought before buying such an expensive filter, but now I feel that it was worth the investment.
This filter is well built and worth every penny. I bought the 67mm and it threads well to my gear. I use it in conjunction with my Sigma ring flash for dental photography. I always feared saliva, sneezes, really any bodily fluid making its way to my lens. This product relieves some of those worries.
the quality of this filter is great. I bought it for my Nikon 50mm 1.8 and it works perfect. the feel of the filter it top quality. does not feel weak or cheap. its worth every penny and recommend it.
Excellent quality, and it does the job I expected. Everything, from ordering to receiving it went very smoothly. I will be ordering B+W filters from now on -- no more lightweight junk!
While buying my Canon 17-55mm lens, I knew I had to get a filter that would do the job of protecting my lens from scratches, dust, etc.  And there were so many to choose from, but this one kept catching my eye.  The price was a little higher than I wanted to pay, but the reviews were outstanding and I just really felt that if I was spending a lot for a nice lens, that I needed to pay the price to have a good filter to protect my precious lens too :)  And after I paid the price and received the filter and put it on my new lens, I've never felt better about a decision.  Wipes clean easily after smudging, not one to scratch, this lens is awesome and such a huge help when I'm outdoors or indoors doing sessions.  It never comes unscrewed, which helps tons, and it completely makes me feel better about having my lens protected at all times from the outside factors.  Save, spend, and be happy with the B+W 77mm UVA filter!
I now own this filters (77mm) as well as two that has XS-Pro and nano coatingB+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (010M). I would recommend going for the XS-Pro instead of this. After comparing the two types of B+W UV filters I decided buy the XS-Pro due to the following:1. It's slightly thinner (so it does not cause vignetting even with my 28mm lens)2. It's nano coating is useful... it is very easy to clean3. It allows filter to be on it unlike some ultra thin filtersHow I tested both types of filters? Sorry to be crude but I put finger prints all over the filter, and some saliva to simulate real time dirt/oily fingers and water. Cleaning the filter with tissue paper or cotton cloth (instead of lens cloth). It took me about 10 seconds to wipe clean the XS-Pro, and took me almost a minute to clean the Non-XS-Pro and still have some murkiness on it. When out in the field, I think this is important.
Fast shipping and more importantly, a great quality filter.  Definitely better than buying the cheaper ones out there.  I will be purchasing more for the other lenses I have.
Quality made, quick receipt from merchant.  Haven't noticed too much of a benefit...but I am sure as spring comes and colors are back in bloom, I will.
This is my first filter I have ever purchased and I love it.  The quality of the materials is superb. I use the filter mostly for the protection of the lens; however, I have also noticed my pictures are coming out more clear and with less flair around the edges.
What can I say, this is a very good UV Filter that does its job without getting in the way of the photograph.  It protects the lens and from the hundreds of shots that I've taken already, doesn't seem to create any noticeable artifacts on the images.  Works well and a good investment for protecting your expensive lenses.
I bought it for my 900 USD Canon 24-105 L. The coating is top notch (the glass is almost invisible, no reflections) and the build quality is incomparable.
No more Tiffen filters for me.  Only B+W or Hoya filters.  Don't cheap out on the filters.  You spend hundreds of dollars on lenses so why put a cheap $10 filter on it.  I learned my lesson by taking a class at BetterPhoto and the advice I got was "get good filters".  My instructers were 110% on.
Want to protect your expensive lenses without making a difference in image quality...this is the brand....worth every penny...I am sure it may make a small difference...but the naked eye cannot tell...at least mine cannot
Don't have one? do you need one ? you decide . They do work as described an they protect my &#34;L&#34; lenses
Love that the filter housing is made of brass & not aluminum. Machining is excellent, lens coating is the best, & performs great.
Works well at keeping dirt and dust out while not effecting image quality. Clean glass, easy to wipe off without big streaks, and the threads were nice and tight. Perfect for my stock lens Canon T3i.
This filter feels and probably is sturdy due to its build and seeming good quality. It performs wonderfully. Do buy
Let me first clarify. I am NO CAMERA PRO. I don't have those professional SLRs where people would spend over 10k or more on. I like taking photos but I can't afford those cameras.So my review may not be as informative, or as accurate, or as particular, as most veterans would like it to be. I am sorry :(Really great filter. It had some dust/dirt on the glass itself when it arrived, but after some cleaning it was nice and clean!Had a scratch on the metal ring too but meh. I didn't really care much about it since the scratch wasn't on the glass itself.This seems to be a problem more on the handling and distribution side than the manufacturing side.Overall my pictures looks better and I am really happy!Definitely will recommend this. I was considering this over Hoya and Marumi and Tiffen as well but I went with B+W.Hoya is made in philipines for some of the models so I was kinda skeptical about it.Marumi had very little to no reviews and I am not a camera pro so I didn't want to risk it.Tiffen seems to have a lot of issues based upon the reviews on Amazon so I didn't want to risk it either.I have a Nex-5 and since I already spent $700 on the camera, a $40 filter to protect the lens seems reasonable to me.Yes there are better filters out there, but it just doesn't fit into my budget. I really can't afford filters in the 3 digit regions.For most people this particular model will be good enough. Very good actually.
It fits perfectly on to my lens. I have tried &#34;cheaper&#34; brands in the past but they did not have the quality or fit as perfectly as this. Highly recommend!
The filter is built like a tank.  I have some Hoya HD filters and this one easily feels more durable.  Also the filter is crystal clear.  They Hoya HD UV filters I have are also very nice in this respect but I think the B&W looks even clearer.  I don't know how much of a difference it will actually make on the photos though.  I will make the B+W filters my filter of choice going forward as long as the price differential is not too big.
Non-binding..multi-coated, beautifully made UV filter. Well worth the price. Compliments my Sony 35 1.8e!!! Looks as though no filter is on..!
i bought this filter when I purchased the Sigma 70-300 F/4-5.6 DG OS Lense,  The filter is clear and of great workmanship.  I have always used B and W and I always willThe combo price for the filter, lense and shipping where even less than buying it from B and H.
This filter is high quality glass and screws onto the lens easily. I am very satisfied with the filter. It does not influence the auto-focus of the camera. I had a cheap filter before and that filter did influence the auto-focus of the camera. I only use B&W filters on my Sony A77 lenses.
Again you get what you pay for so after purchasing several lenses in various kits I decided to purchase a higher quality lens and it sure made a huge difference! In the long run I have spent 4x the money on various lens kits that didn't work so I am very happy I finally bit the bullet and purchased a higher quality lens. When I say didn't work I mean I was getting severe lens flare, rogue colors in the photos, foggy and unclear photos.I purchased two of these lens which right out of the case is clear and scratch free. Photos have a much richer look when this UV lens is attached, especially photos taken outside. The photos are clear, bright, correct colors captured and an overall better looking photo.Of course the the secondary main reason for the use of this type of filter is to protect your camera lens from scratches, falls, etc.I highly recommend this filter from B&W.; Please be careful when purchasing because there are fakes out there being sold. Go to B&W; website and learn how to tell if its authentic or fake. I have purchased (3) B&W; lenses from Amazon all of which have been authentic.
This is a great product. You can tell immediately the quality of this filter as it weighs more than cheaper variants. The glass was perfect and I love it.
What a solid, high quality product. As soon as I can afford it, I'm putting one of these suckers (or the equivalent size) on every lens I have. Does not hurt photo quality AT ALL! Great protection for my pricey glass. It fits like it's supposed to be there. Very Solid and part of the equipment. I couldn't be happier with it.Buy this yesterday; don't even waste your time on a cheap equivalent.
I have purchased one of these B&W; haze filters for every single lens I buy.  It gets here the same day as each lens I order and goes on starting day one!  I never take it off any of my lenses, unless there is a special need, like putting on a different filter like a circular polarizer ND filter or something of that order.  Other than that, they stay on.Not only do they add a small extra layer of protection to some of my $2500 glass, they complete the weather sealing on most of my weather sealed lenses, keeping microscopic dust from getting in my lenses.Highly recommended!
B+W MRC UV filters are best filter I've ever used, is using, and will be using for all of my lenses.  No change in picture quality with and without these filter for indoor shots.  For outdoor shots in sunny day, picture with UV filters are better with less haze.  The 52mm filter works perfectly on my 55mm f/1.8 lens, no vignette wide open on full-frame camera.
I bought this for my Canon 70-200 f2.8II... works perfectly. I didn't experience any vignetting like others complained. Very Satisfied with this product.
I bought this filter to go on my new Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens. It is incredible. I have a cheaper UV filter on one of my other lenses and you can tell the difference. I use it primarily as protection for my expensive glass. Absolutely worth spending the money on a high quality filter when you've already spent the money on a high quality lens.
This filter is great!  my photos are actually clearer since i started using it.  Nikon D80 18-200 VR lens.
Bit expensive but worth it. It protects your expensive lens from scratches and bumps.Fits perfectly and help maintain quality of the picture softening the flare and bright light.
I'm an amateur photographer, using a Nikon P7700 ...which I love...and a Sony NEX 7...which I also love.  I used to have a 35mm SLR back in the old days, but arthritis has precluded the use of a DSLR.  I even purchased, and returned a bridge camera which I couldn't use because of its design and weight.  Anyway, I'd previously had a Nikon NC filter on my P7700 and unfortunately, always had to deal with vignetting. Being the amateur that I am I didn't realize it was from the filter!Unfortunately, the filter got stuck on my lens and it was quite an ordeal to get it off.  In the process it got really banged up and even though my camera guy said it was fine, I decided to buy a new one.  After a great deal of research, I decided on the B&W.;  I realize from the price here on Amazon that I'm not getting their top of the line...just go to B&W;'s web site and you'll see what I mean.However, since I'm not a professional, and I'm not dealing with hugely expensive lenses, I think this will do just fine.  I haven't used it yet so I can't really speak to how well it performs, but I don't expect it will be worse than the Nikon NC filter.  I use filters mainly to protect the lens, as I think most people do, although I am thinking of getting a polarizing filter for my Sony NEX7.  Speaking of which, I just purchased the B&W; for my new Sony 50mm lens.  It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm looking forward to receiving it.Oh..did I mention the B&W; filters are made of hardened glass, with a brass fixture which is supposed to keep it from getting stuck on your lens?  My only concern is the MRC,because some are very difficult to clean.  If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate hearing from you.  Also,I purchased the 010M size because it has front fittings,so one can attach another filter or a screw in lens hood.  My lens hood for my Nikon fit very nicely.I only hope my Sony lens hood fits with the filter, otherwise I might have to return the filter.I hope this helps anyone trying to decide...
B & W has a reputation for being the best for use on high-quality optics so I did not hesitate to get this for use on my new Sony 16-50mm f:2.8 lens.  I am no expert on the technical aspects of optical science but the results I am getting with this combination have been pretty incredible.  An inexpensive Tiffen filter might be just as good optically but I figure the extra coatings on this B & W will make it more resilient out the real world of dust, ocean spray, rain, etc.
This filter is crystal clear, has a metal mount and a very precise screw fit. This compares in every way to other filters I own that have cost significantly more.
Didn't realize I didn't have one on this camera until recently.  Feel a lot safer now - inexpensive protection for expensive lens!
I own 9 B+W filters of various sizes and I would not put any other glass on my 'glass'There is visually nothing negative added to images shot through a B+W filter vs w/o one all together.77mm is the most common size for Canon red ring L lenses.
I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet.  But it seems to be doing what it should - protecting my Canon 70-200mm f2.8L SI and not effecting the the photograph.
Very sturdy.  Feels expensive.  Well-made. Hefty.  Fits my Canon lenses firmly.  My lens is well-protected with this filter. I am quite happy with my purchase and would buy this brand again.
I bought the 58mm B+W for a new Canon 50 1.4 lens. I make certain my new lenses get a new, high quality filter when I first open the box. It fit perfectly and has the look and feel of a professional quality product. With all of the UV filter choices available it can be confusing... but there are several names you can trust. One of those is B+W. This filter matches its designated &#34;Pro&#34; name in build and function. The body of the filter ring is brass not plastic and the multi-coated glass is very clear and distortion free. The M/C also provides easier cleaning of the filter glass.While $10-$15 more expensive than the lowest price filters, the B+W is one of those items you pay a bit more to have confidence that the glass in your big investment (the lens) is fully protected! And the last thing you want is a cheap filter degrading your images with distortion from poor glass quality. So spend a few extra dollars and rest assured the B+W is worth it. And you'll get the best price on Amazon!
Good value and rapid fitting. I keep this on the lens of my Fuji x100s, most of the time. Recommended seller. Great, solid storage box.
just like with movie dvds where reviews are not only about movie itself but about the dvd as product i am rating not as much the B+W filter as what i received from Amazon.The tiny box with filter was freely sliding in much bigger outer box. i think this is unacceptable for optical products. also i found big hair inside the filter under the ring which hints that it may be returned item.The filter itself seems ok, although i was getting some glare on pictures of the lamp despite multicoating and it was worse than without the filter. but i do a lot of travelling and take pictures when sand is flying around or from a car so will need some protection for the lense.
These B+W UV filters are very high quality, I guess for this price they should be.  The glass and anti-reflective coating appear to be as good as what you get with most front lens elements, and the photos I have shot through this filter are all excellent, with no unexpected color aberrations. The metal ring is very thick and heavy, and the threads are nice and smooth, however, I have noticed one problem: When I attach my CPL filter on top of this UV filter, it goes on very smoothly, but then becomes stuck and is VERY difficult to unscrew and remove when I am finished.  I had to quickly learn not to screw the CPL filter all the down, but to leave it a half-turn loose.  I don't know if this is an issue with the CPL filter or the UV filter. If your lenses are expensive ones, like Canon "L" series, or Pentax DA-Star series, this B+W is the UV filter you want to put in front of the lens to protect it. Please don't put a $5 UV filter in front of a $1500 lens. Those cheap filters have little or no anti-reflective coating, and some of the worst ones probably cause color shifts.
Got this for my canon EOS M.  price was very good and it does the job I expect it to...protect my lens.  i have the same filter in both 67 and 77 sizes for my pro glass and did not see a reason to crimp on my smaller body.  Pictures look like its not even there.  packaged well and arrived on time.
You buy an expensive camera and lens's that cost  hundred's and thousand's I have,, and then to put a cheap filter on it,,,,,,,, I have many B+W len's filter's these are high Quality item's made with shot's glass the finest in the world,,,,,,,when you get them in the box seemingly they are alway's needing cleaned,,, haven't figured that one out yet,but still I will buy no other's in spite of the cost.
First thing I do when I open every new lens is slap on a B+W.  Got one on my 24L, 50L, 24-105L, 17-55/2.8, 70-200/2.8IS L.
Being a B & W filter, this should do a wonderful job. The price was rather reasonable (but still not cheap)compared with top of the line filters but I don't see any difference in quality of the image. I now buy only B&W filters.
I always purchase B& W filters when available.  The coatings are very solid but at the same time I've never found one of their filters to have an unintended effect upon a photo.  Screw threads into the lens are very well machined and once the filter is screwed in tight, it wont be loosening when you take your lens cap or sun shade on and off.
I recently started buying B+W filters when I buy a new lens and have no regrets... They are amazing and do a much better job than their less expensive competition.  I use my camera to make a living and would highly recommend using B+W filters...
The purchase and delivery process was uneventful. The pictures taken with the filter on look good. However, it is difficult to clean the dust and tiny broken fibers off from the filter as they stuck on the corner. I don't even know where they came from.(probably from the new camera bag?) I had to use a rocky blast to do the job.
Use this filter to protect the lens on my X100s.  First B+W filter I've bought and I'm very impressed with this product.  Packaged well and crystal clear right out of the case which is good because I have confidence that it will not interfere with the optics on my camera.  I will definitely buy from B+W whenever I need a protective filter like this one.
Don't waste your money on multiple coatings on cheap glass.  Start with the highest quality glass.  Good reasonably priced UV filter.  Don't compromise on filters on your good quality lenses.
This simple piece of glass saved the front element of my Nikon 85 1.4 from being impacted by a random nerf ball (accident) when I was shooting for a magazine.  Wonderful glass, did its job and paid for itself in one moment.Don't think twice about getting and using this filter.
But I probably would be happy with one half the price also.Who knows whether this type of product would be better than a Hoya which I am also happy with.
What can one really say, clear filters protects your lens. B+W makes a high quality filter that I have used for years.
Seems pretty sturdy and threaded onto the end of the lens pretty easily.  Not bad for the price.  Would recommend.
I like the heft/strength  of this UV filter. I bought it for my 300mm focal length lens.Hope I never drop the lens but if I do hoping this will give that end a fighting chance!
I purchased this filter after using the cheap Rocketfish filters you can pick up for $8.99 from Best Buy. The bottom line is this, with cheap UV filters you can visually see that there is another piece of glass sitting in front of your lens. However when you use a pro quality filter such as the B+W UV filter the glass is completely invisible. Every time I look at the B+W filter it always entertains me that it looks as if you are only holding a black ring in your hand with no glass.I use this filter on my Leica D-Lux5 w/ lumix adapter and it is a small price to pay for the protection of my ridiculously expensive camera lens. I know a lot of guys on here are leaving reviews and referencing its use on their DSLRs however I would also highly recommend using this filter on compact digital cameras that do NOT have a removable lens such as the Leica D-Lux or Lumix LX series since damaging the lenses on those cameras require a trip to the repair shop.And yes, everything else people are saying is true. Holding the filter in your hands you CAN tell it is top quality, and the brass construction really does feel better when installing. Highly recommended.
This filter is very popular according to other reviews, and thus I purchased and received this one today. I found it really awesome so far.
Doesn't look great with the thick rim on a high end [wide angle] lens. But the optics are great so far. Hope it stays.
You really shouldn't purchase any other UV filter for your camera than the B+W UV filters. They are well made and reasonably priced. As a little experiment, walk into your local camera shop (if your area still has one) and ask about filter prices. Usually they will show you something that's half the quality and twice the cost.
This was such a good cheap effective piece. I bought it and Im super happy with it! thanks for providing such a good replacement guys!MA@marcvsstmarcvs on instagram!
I have a 77mm B&W; UV on my Canon 2.8 17-55 and works amazing.I bought this filter for my Panasonic TM700 HD cam and I'm just as happy.I've purchased tiffen, hoya and all the rest in the past and was neversatisfied with build quality (always felt cheap).This brand of filter is like BMW's, a person really doesn't understand the difference until you own one.After that, you'll never buy another brand.Hope this helps!
So far I am testing the filter in hard conditions - in Sahara desert and it is good. For the money I payed I have no complaints.
This is an outstanding lens filter. It's easy to attach in your camera lens and doesn't reduce image quality. You won't even realize that it's there. So far I haven't had the chance to test its protective abilities, but at least for now, I now I'm one less prone to lens accidents.
B+W has always made great lenses...I bought this lens as  a protector for my larger lenses.  Optics are very good.
B+W is made in Germany, hence the price is 4X than a Tiffen that is made in USA. There seems to be no difference between these two brands, but for the price of one B+W 4 Tiffen can be bought and replaced much often.The reason is simple, a protector filter serve the purpose of protection in that no worry of scratch. However even normal use will wear off the glass surface hence replacing from time to time is needed.Does B+W offers better resistant and better 'clean' glass than others? maybe 10% more.It is still personal preference when deciding the purchase.
Only used for lens protection but any glass you put in front of the lens needs to be of the highest quality and that is what these are, very high quality filters
This item is perfect for what it does.  It has very nice, solid construction.  One should feel very confident that it will provide the protection one desires.
Like anyone else, I bought this filter to protect my lens. However, there are UV filters and UV Filters. This one is a perfect filter, without flaws both in the surface or in the lens itself so there is no distortion.It might cost a bit more but it is worth it. One might buy a cheap UV for protection but affect the quality of the image. So, think of it as a good investment.
love it and it is exactly what i ordered and at a great value, thank you so much for the sell
Very good quality and well-made.  It appears to be very durable and will protect my lens without hindering the images.
my purchase showed up on time, and the filter meets my expectations. The build quality is good, it fits the lens nicely, has more room (larger lip) for the lens cap to rest on.However, I have used less expensive filters before, and can't tell why this filter is twice the price of others that do the same thing. but again, I'm not a pro photographer.although this is a good filter, my next purchase will be the less expensive variety.
The perfect match on my Canon 18-150mm STM lens.  I see no change in the quality of my pictures and that means its perfect.  Also, it works better with the lens cap than the Canon lens.
I only purchase good quality filters as lens protectors and this B+W is the same high quality filter I have used in the past. I have several of these...one for each lens I have. I have used other brands such as. Hasselblad & Calumet and this is just as good. It is a notch above Tiffen in the UV department (clarity, color).
I was torn between this and the Hoya HD filter for a while. The Hoya seemed very tough, and very HD (heavy duty). In the end I chose B+W simply because I've had other B+W that lasted me a long time.
Does the good job I'd expect from B+W.  This went with my new m.zuiko 17mm F1.8.  Pictures turned out consistently clear.
this is for another lens the first one works great and the service from the company is equally as good
This filter was install purely to protect the lens. It has no noticable effect on the pictures which was my concern, any added glass can cause distortion, reflections or loss of light.I have not noticed any issues and would recommend the model to anyone.If you are buying a 77MM filter, you are not putting this on a cheap lens, DO NOT pay big $$$ on a lens then scrimp on the filter!!!
Have tried several brands over the years, but B&W filters are the best.  Not cheap, but well made, high quality and no degradation of the images.
The Germans always do everything right with optics.  It is also a cheap front lens protector if you whack it on something.  It will happen someday.
High quality &#34;Made in Germany&#34; filter.  Meticulously finished and packaged appropriately.  Have installed on my new Fuji X100S and I like the way the black ring contrasts with the rest of the body's metal-finished parts.  Filter literally disappears when the lens hood is installed.  Perfect for my needs.
I recently purchases a 100mm macro lense and wanted to be sure I protected this lense. I did some research and chose this product. It seems to be working well. Very satisfied with this purchase.
Solid. Precision. Definitely reduced flare and good clarity. Worth the price. And it's a fine looking addition to my lens.
I bought this to go on the new Olympus micro four thirds m.Zuiko 12-40mm Pro lens.  Made no sense to put a cheap UV protector on a $1,000 lens.  I've had inexpensive models in the past where you could actually notice a slight deterioration in image quality when they were installed (usually reduced contrast or a slightly hazy feel).  I took a series of images with and without this UV filter and compared them closely with the sole purpose being to see if it had a negative impact.  I can tell zero difference.  Which means it is doing its job.There are endless arguments on the 'net about the merits (or supposed demerits) of using a UV filter as a protector.  I'm much more comfortable cleaning the face of the filter vs the lens itself.  I do *not* want scratches on the lens that I then have to live with.  The filter can easily be replaced.  And it can be removed to be cleaned if you need to get aggressive with it.  IMHO, to protect a good lens from casual mishandling (not dropping...), you need a good UV filter, and this fits that definition.
Generally I don't use UV filters on my lenses. Why degrade an excellent L lens? I bought this one to go on my Canon 100mm F/2.8 L IS macro lens for a trip to Ecuador. Since I would be running around the jungle without a lens cap on I wanted this filter as a layer of protection. B+W always makes excellent filters using Schott optical glass. I am an optical engineer and this will have a much better wavefront than cheaper filters if tested on an interferometer.
Protect your lens without interfering with your exposures.  Spend the extra few bucks for a top notch filter.  You spent all that money on a lens, why degrade it with it second-rate filter?
I'm pretty sure these B & W filters are clearer than real life....I'm serious....When I took this out of the package..I felt like everything else I was looking at was dirty :) Works great on my Nikon lenses !!
Not much you can say about an every day UV haze filter.  It is performing as expected.  I have a circular polarizer on order, so the UV filter may start spending more time in my camera bag.
This is the only brand of filter I buy.  And although they are a little ore expensive than some other filters, they are optically very clean, and do not interrupt the capabilities of my gear.  Why buy expensive lenses then put a cheap piece of glass in front of them?  These were highly recommended filters at our local, high-end camera shop.  Simply nice glass!
You can't go wrong with B+W filters. Top of the line construction, glass and multicoating.I have been using B+W filters for many years.  Highly recommended.
B+W 72mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating is an outstanding lens filter.  As a UV filter, it helps protect the lens while filtering out UV light, reducing haze and improving clarity under some conditions.  However, the main role of a UV filter like this is to protect the lens from water, wind, dust and scratches.  B+W's filter does all of that, also improves shots by reducing haze and ghosting, all while not sacrificing any light transmission or producing negative effects.  The circular screw-on filter is narrow enough so there is no vignetting, yet wide enough to still fit a lens cap (if still desired).  Mine stays on permanently on my Canon L-lenses to further protect the lens for damage.  Highly recommended!
I combined the two orders in one above, but I love my new filter to go with my new macro lens. I have the tripod and case but could use a longer lens in the future. Great price and wonderful service. Thanks again
I've used B+W lens filters for years--the quality continues to be excellent-these are ground flat and add no optical artifacts to your images while protecting the most valuable part of your gear--your lens!
I'm not going to get into the debate of filter vs no filter and how filters are not pure. That's for other people to discuss. What I will mention is that this filter is one of (if not) the best UV filters out there. Comparing images between filter and no filter shows up almost no difference. And that's what you want from this. The main function is that this acts as protection for your front end. I rather scratch this than scratch a $2,000 lens. If you're going to use a filter don't cheap out. Lower end filters will cause color shifts and vignetting. Highly recommend a UV filter on any lens you have.
I put this filter on a pancake Canon lens and I am happy with the results. This is a very clear, well put together filter, recommended.
I bought this filter for my Fujifilm HS-30 to both protect the lens and to avoid scratches to that lens. It fit with no problems, something I would fully expect from a B&W filter. Totally satisfied.
This is a great filter. I don't give many 5-star reviews but this is everything it should be. Great filter and slim, which is great if you're worried about vignetting. I'm wearing this on my Canon 24-105 f4 L and there is practically no vignetting at 24.
Does just what it is suppose to do, absolutely nothing. No ghosting, no glare, no distortion, no washing out vibrant colors. All of the b+w filters are exceptional. When I order Canon L Series lenses (24-70mm f2.8L II, 24-105mm F4 L IS and 70-200 f4L IS), I order the correct size b+w filter right away and put it on as soon as I take the lens out of the box. It protects the lens glass from everything. The threads are smooth and if you dont get the slim filter, lens caps fit.I laugh when someone spends several thousand dollars on a lens, $4k more on a camera and put a $5 filter on the glass. Do you really want to put a piece of house window glass in front of a fluorite or ultra low dispersion lens and a full frame CMOS sensor?  Good luck getting good results. Even photoshop wont be able to save you.
I got this filter for my Canon EF-S 17-55 USM as it's known to be a dust sucker.  The threads are good and the filter feels solid.  I did some testing and I cannot discern any decrease in image quality between having the filter on or not.  Overall I'm happy with it and will keep it on the front of my 17-55. :)Update 01/27/2012:I sent back the 17-55 due to build quality concerns and ordered a 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM.  This lens also has 77MM filter threads, and this filter does a great job of finishing the weather-sealing on this lens.
I have never been disappointed by a B+W filter.  Some other brand(s) may have equal optical characteristics, but always their aluminum rings get stuck.  With B+W brass rings, it is never a problem.  Also, B+W coatings are not excelled by anyone.
The filter is perfect. However, I give 4 star because I received a open-box filter at first time. There's obvious dust and some other things on the filter. Thanks to the kind answers from amazon, I confirmed this is not any usual situation so I replace my filter. Amazon is the best online retailer who can do return/replace so easily.
The only problem I had with this filter is that the mounting ring is very thick. I put this as the only filter on my Tamron 24-70mm lens, and the filter was so thick it prevented me from mounting the lens hood.
I've never used a cheap UV filter, but I can say that this filter has made a big difference in the picture quality from my Cannon T3i with EF 24-70mm lens.  I'm very happy with this purchase and I've ordered one for our 50mm lens as well.
I bought this B+W UV MRC filter together with my first lens a Nikkor 16-58mm for my Nikon D300 camera from amazon.com. The build quality of this filter is really good compared to my other filters from Hoya and Tiffen.  I would buy the same UV MRC filter once I have my Tokina 11-16mm UWA. This is for protection of the glass from scratches and UV, first and foremost.
I use B+W Clear UV Haze filters on all my camera lenses to provide UV filtering and impact protection for my lens investments.  The quality of the glass and the brass ring is exceptional.  I install these on all my lenses before use and the filter remains on the lense except for cleaning.I recommend using these filters on all your lenses.
As usual, B+W never compromises quality.  This filter works wonderfully on the OPTEKA 650-1300 lens.  No distortion.  And just perfect.
Great filter and a bargain at the price I paid.  Don't waste your time with cheapo filters.  Cheap filters ruin pictures.  I've noticed my outdoor photos are much cleaner.  Excellent quality from B&W as always.
Ok, so this filter is a little more than other filters, but after spending 700 bucks on a lens well worth it!
This filter is exactly what I expect from B+W -- optically superb with great mechanical quality. Don't overlook the fact that B+W filters use brass rather than aluminum. Unlike aluminum, brass doesn't gall and weld in place if some sand grains get between the threads. I do a lot of work in dusty environments so this is of particular concern. If you've ever had to saw a filter off a Nikon lens, you know what I mean. Hoya's top-end filters are optically quite good as well, but I prefer the B+W filters because of their brass construction.
One of the best u can buy ....everyone said what it deserves , no issues whatsoever with B+W  , i tried other sizes all r of first grade
Decent UV protector for my new Canon 5d Mark II. Mainly for lens protection. Don't see any issues with it. But way too expensive for a piece of glass with chemical coating.
they have always been tops and always use on my high quality lenses.  Cost a bit more but worth the money in dicey lighting situations.
When you purchase a product labeled "new", you would expect it to arrive with all factory seals in tact.  That was not the case for the filter that was sent to me.  The factory seal had been cut open and the plastic container which holds the filter had all sorts of dust inside.  The filter was in fact what I had ordered, but required extensive cleaning before even being close to usable.
I bought this piece to protect the main lens of my Canon EOS 7D. It fits well. I simply use it for that purpose and I haven't tested it for anything else.
Simply put, there are more affordable options that provide more than adequate if not equal optics for the money. But if you swap filters often enough you'll probably find that B+W's filters have less issues with flex and, more importantly, soft (i.e., easily damaged) threads like those sold by Tiffen and Hoya that I've experienced in the past. Cross-threading a filter is NOT my idea of providing nice treatment to any of those expensive lenses of mine, and having done that once or twice in my lifetime I've sworn that I will always do my best to get the best-made filters available to protect and use on MY glass, even if it costs a bit more. Any filter can be damaged, but I've had great experiences with B+W products and until they prove themselves otherwise unworthy, will continue to use them again and again.
This is the 3rd B&W; lens that I've purchased. I used this one on my Sony 50-210mm E mount lens and achieved excellent results.Last week I took the best photo I've ever taken using this filter on my Sony NEX-6 with the 50-210mm lens attached. It was taken in poor light with the stops wide open. I can't see using a cheap filter on a quality lens. Buy this and you won't regret it.
I keep this on my 67mm lens at all times to protect it and it works great. It is a lot cheaper to replace this than a lens that costs hundreds of dollars.
Price does matter when it comes to filters. This isn't a cheap of glass that does a disservice to the lens that it's protecting.Nice low profile that hasn't caused any vignetting. Haven't noticed any flaring or internal reflections.Great build quality.
Clear and very nice.  I thought this was exactly what I was going to get. I will buy more from this maker.
A bit expensive but why settle for less. Get the best you can and keep using it for as long as you can. Keeps the lens protected. Has replaced the lens cover actually. I just keep lens cover in the bag and I never have a moment where I look at the viewfinder and see darkness.
This seems to be a really well-made lens.  The only problem is that the ring is so thick that on my camera I get vignetting in the corners of most of my photos. Next time I would definitely choose a lens that's thinner.  I'm using a Nikon D200 with a  Nikkor 18-200mm lens.
Excellent filter to protect your lenses.  I love the feel and built quality to the filter.  It is a little more expensive than other companies but I think the build quality is much better than others.  In terms of details about the glass itself, I'll have to defer to other websites that specializes in those kinds of tests and reviews.
I am no expert.  My friend who's a professional recommended B+W filters for the value, and this one seems great to me!  Bought it primarily for protection of my lens.
I needed a protective filter for my Nikon VR 28-300mm lens and this was the choice. It's not the cheapest you'll find but certainly not the priciest. It's a high quality filter that competes with the pricier ones for less. Unlike cheapo 20.00 filters, it doesn't negatively affect my photos so if quality and value matters, the B+W 010M filter is a great choice.
It is super clear that I couldn't tell if it is on or not, on the lens. Something to be expected from B&W Germany
Stays out of the way, protects my expensive glass, have not thought about this filter since I put it on for the first time and that is a good thing. I thought about it once, when I was meeting a cute photog and out of nervousness put my lens upside down on the table. Thankfully the filter was on it.
I don't know that much about photography, but after reading the comments about this filter being good with long distance shots, I invested  in it.  I have gotten great long distance shots with seemingly less haze than I had previously gotten without this lens.  So to me it speaks for itself.
Pros:- Great build quality, made from brass- Does not bind or jam- Made in Germany. This is a big plus for me since I grew up in Europe and am a tiny little bit biased LOL- Uses original lens cap and hood, can leave it on 24/7- Impressive 10-year warrantyCons:- A little difficult to clean. I didn't see this from other reviews but I found it very tedious to clean. Ended up using my Oakley sunglasses microfiber bag and it worked like a charm.- A little high for just one filter, but I had to get 2 for the above 2 lenses :(Others: I always use the lens hood that comes with my 24-70mm f/2.8L and the 70-200 f/2.8L so wasn't terribly concerned about using this filter for protection. But just in case something should get past the hood.B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)
I'm not enough of a photo enthusiast to know if this product is doing anything other than providing protection for the main lens. Works fine as protection and doesn't seem to steal much light.
That is one expensive filter ranked number 3 in test review. Nice coating and very easy to clean. could have bought a Hoya HMC which has better ranking for less money. No regret for paying more for it, I like its built quality.
great filter, excellent build quality. Not only does this do what its suppose to do but it also protects my lens which is 10x more expensive.
Bought this filter mainly to protect my Canon L lens. Shot so many pictures with it & the image quality is simply outstanding.If you want a good filter that will not only provide you with high-quality images, but also protect your lens, then look no further. You will not be disappointed.
I purchased this filter along with a Canon 24-105L lens.  Knowing that I had an very expensive high end lens, I did not want to put a lesser quality filter on it.  I had used B&W filters before and found them to be absolutely pure.
I ordered two filters. Both arrived ASAP and both were excellent products - I just had to send the wrong size back/order the correct one. The company was extremely helpful with my mistake.
Feels substantial in my hand. Packaging is first class. Glass is immaculate. So far no issues from IQ side. My most expensive filter. I shall acquire more for my other lenses.
For some reason, I thought this filter would be more slim than it actually is. Not sure why, but it's not thick either. The entire filter is made of really high quality materials (it better for the price!) and comes in a nice and sturdy box should you desire to keep other filters in there. Just a few twists on your lens and you're rocking and rolling with a new B+W HV filter. The glass itself is super duper quality and does not affect the IQ of the pictures. I don't think it will necessarily give you &#34;better&#34; IQ as marketed but it does provide some nice protection so the actual lens doesn't get damaged.If you're looking for a super slim filter and willing to bite the wallet a bit, then check out the Cokin slim filters. Those are really slim.If you're wondering, this is the same dimension as the Hoya 46mm HMC UV filter that's $10 cheaper and still very good quality. I've used it on my Panny 20mm for over a year, no issues with it.
I have used B+W filters on my large format camera lenses for years and years.  I pay thousands and thousands of dollars to get the very sharpest lenses possible.  Why would I ever use, or even consider using, a filter with glass that is less than that quality?  Every piece of glass you put in front of your lens elements degrades the image by that much.  Cheap filters don't even make sense.  I will not compromise on what goes on the front of the lens.  Sure they're expensive but they're also better.
I would have to say I'm really pleased with this lens filter.It is super heavy duty & you can feel that as soon as you pick it up & screw it on.It didn't have any smudges on it or anything, perfectly clean.I just am sad that it is so expensive, I can't afford to buy more than one for all my lens'.I'm going to have to end up switching screwing this on my lenses till I can buy another.I think for the quality I am willing to spend the money, but if you are looking for multiple filters for protection you probably want to go with a cheaper alternative.
all 5 of my lenses are covered by B&W. i have enjoyed German made products for their sheer quality and if that's you, then you will appreciate this relatively expensive filter. it feels so good as the brass of this filter meshes with that lovely latest lens, that you won't care. tell you what, get the cheapy and screw it on, and then replace it with a B&W. buy it from Amazon and you can effortlessly return the one that you don't like or think too expensive. if you like the best, this is it.
I am a Nikon semi-pro photographer.  And when in doubt, I always choose Nikon brand.  However for my new 85mm Nikon portrait lens I saw an attractively priced B + H UV filter with high marks and said, okay, give it a chance.  I am not one to diminish Nikon but the fit is better than Nikon's own filter.  And the optics are flawless.  If I were purchasing UV filters for my big boy Nikon lenses again, I would pay the (small) extra and go B + W.  This is one area where a 3rd party has the edge over the OEM.  All the superlatives are true.  This is an exceptional UV filter. In the future, I'll leave the lenses to Nikon and buy the filters from B + W (on Amazon ...for the best price).
If you want something a bit better than Vivitar, Tiffen, or Hoya but not as much as Heliopan (the best!), B + W is a good option. They are well made.I have been a SLR then DSLR photographer for 37 years. Also medium and large format too.I think using a clear or UV filter is a good idea for protection. Not all out dropping a lens on camera on concrete from a window or even your car roof. That will destroy a lens with or without a filter. But rather for incidental spray (camel spit, water, etc.) and scrape and bump damage. Rain, keys, brick walls, crowds, travel, etc. The filter and the metal rim can take all that and even be mucked up. But the lens is *behind* that minor stuff.But a direct hit on the center, with or without a filter, the lens and the filter will *both* be toast.Pros will say do not use or they do not use a filter. Hey, if your gear is not your gear or you are a top pro with $$ or it is owned by a publisher, company, school, etc. you work for &#8211; no problem. If it breaks, they can just go buy another $200 to $2000+ lens. But freelancers and hobbyists cannot!I say, compromise, use a good filter with good glass that is not too expensive. B + W is a good medium pick.If you still have the kit lenses, just use Tiffen or cheaper brand filters or, none at all. Those lenses are cheap anyway. But if a lens is good or expensive, use a UV filter for minor protection of the front bezel and element.
This is one high-quality filter. I was really surprised by the physical weight. I saw the weight in the description, but it still feels heavier than expected. That being said, this is by far the best filter I own and it compliments my Tamron 18-270mm travel lens quite well. I am so impressed with this 62mm B+W that I just purchased a 55mm filter for one of my other lenses. Until now I have only used Quantaray Pro filters and have never had an issue with them. However, there are no longer stores near my area that carry them. I am very glad I purchased this B+W filter and highly recommend it.
I like this product is very very good, but the black color kind of scratch, i want to change it, but lets see
This filter is a little more expensive than a lot of other choices, but it does the job of protecting my investment, my favorite lens, without adding distortion or haze so I can easily justify the purchase. It attaches smoothly to the lens without a snag and I am able to use my lens hood without a problem.It does what it is intended to do, perfectly.
The product fits smoothly into the lens.  It may be pricey, but I think it has a lot to do with the quality of the pictures I took using this filter.
Very well made product, and for me very easy to clean. this is all I have ever used so I guess I am a little bias. I have used friends cheaper versions to test on my 7D and EOS 5D Mark II and feel that they dont even compare. if you take every day photos then dont buy this (get a cheaper version). If you want the best chance of taking the perfect pictures without having to worry about flare and protecting your lens and easy clean up then I say this is the product I recommend.I f your worried about price... GO RENT ONE!!! before you buy it.
B&W is a quality name you can trust... My 3rd filter from them...  Though, it may be more expensive than others, let me say you get what you pay for so don't skimp when it comes to filter as it's well worth the extra money...  Your photo's will thank you for it..
I own a DSLR with several lenses and filters for them from Sigma, Hoya and Canon.  Recently I purchased aCanon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD 10x Image Stabilized Camcorder with One SDXC Card Slot and 3.0 Touch  LCDcamcorder and along with it a 43mmB+W 43mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)to make sure that my HD lens is always protected.The lens comes neatly packed and impresses right out of the box.  It is built of high quality material and feels solid and appear ultra-clear.  I compared videos shot with and without the filter and couldn't find any kind of negative side effects using the filter.  So far so good and I'm pretty happy with my purchase.
I never had expensive equipment before so when I got one, I want to protect it.  Most of the cheap filters you see at the store is just that...cheap.  This thing is super clear and I'd imagine protects the lens pretty well with the least distortion possible.  Excellent quality.
If you want the best. Buy B+W period. Coating is A++, threads are utlra clean and accurate. What more can one say?
There are certain products that you use over the years and always go back to because of it's top quality.  You don't even look at other products.  B+W products are engineered into that category.I recently transitioned from all pro grade Nikon gear and bodies to the Fujifilm line, starting with the X100s. As 49mm was not a common filter size with my previous gear, I purchased a B+W.  As usual, I was not dissapointed.  Unlike many other filters, the B+W has some weight to it that makes it feel substantial in your hand (brass ring versus aluminum). The build quality is perfect.  Unlike aluminum, the brass ring and threads prevent binding, making it easier to remove and put back on.As there has been, and always will be, great debate as to the impact of filters on a final image, many are concerned with placing an additional layer of glass between the subject and the lens front element.  After wading through the debate over twenty years and being on both sides, all I can tell you is that B+W filters do not affect image quality in my opinion.  I experience no distortion with their crystal clear glass.  There is no color cast and white balance remains unaffected.Hands down, the best engineered glass and construction on the market.  Worth every penny.
This filter fit perfectly on Canon L 70-200 77 MM lens. There was no decrease in photo quality and the already superb photos stayed that way. The shipping was timely and the product arrived well packaged.
This is a high quality B+W product. The filter is clear as air and easy to clean.It does protect your expensive lenses and cuts out UV light and haze.
Why are you buying this?  So it can be the thing to take all the dirt, scratches, etc. while your lens is safely protected.  You do this because you want the best pictures your lens can offer.  In particular, ease of cleaing is important.  Multi-Coated filters are always harder to clean streak-free than standard filters.  Cleaning this filter is a breeze.  Comparing this to my Hoya, Pro Digital, Promaster, Tiffen filters I have used, this one wins simply because it can be cleaned so easily.
thanks for good product that enable clear images and less aberration. it screwed on right. no dust penetrate during use. easy to wipe with soft cloth
Why risk damaging the front element of you lens?  Just for the piece of mind that your lens it protected put filter on your lens.Some Canon lenses that are splash and dust proof aren't actually sealed until you mount a filter on the front.
Great glass and coating, in a solid slim package. Easy to clean, enhances photo's and protects the front element of my expensive lens. What more would I be looking for?
I've had a filter on every lens I've ever used for 30 years, but lately was considering others' advice about another piece of glass in front." I've never dropped a lens or a body, never had damage a filter might have saved, so I was really on the fence. Balancing that was a new $1500 lens. I purchased this, it arrived in pristine sealed condition, I cleaned with a lens chamois anyway.Then I put on VR, placed an aerosol can 15 feet away in dim kitchen light, took a shot without filter at 3200 ISO and put on the filter. The shot WITH the filter had better color, better contrast, and NO LOSS of sharpness reading ridiculously small lettering. Bear in mind this is tiny print at full zoom, available light, 3200 ISO, hand held. 2 identical shots and I prefer the one WITH this B+W filter. Needless to say it'll be on there all the time and since I anticipate using this lens (Nikon 70-200/f4) in clubs, with drinks, beer, crowds, smoke etc etc... even if it had slight sharpness falloff I'd probably still go with it. As it turns out I could tell NO difference except color seemed crisper and if anything micro print was actually slightly sharper.Thank you B+W & Amazon :)
I love it.  On a Tokina 100mm macro lens and Nikon D7000, the filter imposes no drops in f/stops, no color cast on images, looks and feels high-quality glass.  I'd buy B+W filters again.
I recently bought two Hoya filters and found them very hard to thread and one seemed to arrive with some dust.  Bought this for another Nikkor lens and difference is night and day. Highly recommend.
I knew from my experience with SLRs years ago that a UV filter both filters out ultraviolet light and protects the lens, so when I made the jump to a DSLR (theCanon EOS 60D and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, along with an SD card I also purchased this UV filter.Here's how I look at it: it doesn't matter how good your camera or glass is if you put a cheap filter on the lens.  All the light entering the camera has to go through the filter.  Higher price doesn't always mean higher quality but in this case it does.If you've got a $10 filter on your $1000 camera (don't forget to include the cost of lenses, camera bag, flash, extra battery, books) take a few pictures with the filter and then without the filter.  Compare the pictures, see if there's a difference.Of course, maybe you don't have a filter yet - then read what others have written about a cheaper filter.  The best-selling 67mm UV filter at the time of this review is theTiffen 67mm UV Protection Filter.  That filter is 1/3 the price of this filter, really not that much money considering how much the camera and lens cost.  Some of the problems with the cheaper filter: ghosting (light reflected between the lens and the filter, due to lack of coating), filter arrived dirty, filter gets stuck on lens, lens cap doesn't fit.I'm completely happy with this filter - it fits great, it has no negative effect on the photos even when shooting towards point light sources, and the lens cap attaches very securely.  If I had a fancy sports car I wouldn't put cheap tires on it - it's the same with my fancy camera.  Why handicap it and degrade picture quality to save $30?
Quality look to the glass. Solid feeling to the metal ring. Screws on well. No complaints as a protection to the lens it covers.
First B+W filter I have purchased. Amazing quality. If you haven't looked at this line of stuff, definitely worth it.
This is a nice looking filter.  I've never purchased a B+W filter in the past but I'm impressed with the quality.
I am not a professional photographer, but I can say that this is an excellent filter.  I highly recommend it.
Great fit and finish for my Sony Nex 5N. This filter does not get in the way of the lens cap or the operation of the camera.Is this filter better than those costing 1/3 the price. I don't know, but a $30.00 filter on a good camera does not sound like a lot of money to me.
This is German engineering at its finest. You will pay the price, but your installation threaded ring is metal. I will only buy B+W filters!
I switched the B/W Haze  for these and Iam very satisfied with the results. They are expensive, but I do not have access to other cheapies that may be better neither do I have time to try them all. Compared them with Hoya, Tiffen. Could have bought the Hoya, however cleaning the Hoya's is a pain. the tiffens are not worth it unless one is using them for lens protection. Heliopans are expensive and do not perform as well as the B/W. B/W are really good with the UV segment although they are not my choice, when it is a polarizer or a Gradient I am going after.. Hoya and Tiffen are pretty good in that perspective.
There seems to perpetually be some discussion regarding filters, no filters, expensive filters, cheap filters, on and on. Well, I personally believe in using filters, and going with branded, but cheap.Well, maybe not anymore.I've personally used a 67mm Tiffen UV protection filter for about 4 years. I recently purchased a EF-S 17-85 IS USM, and decided that instead of just buying another 67mm Tiffen, I'd invest in a B+W MRC filter and see what all the hype is about.This review is not about the physical protective characteristics of the filter, no review is done on the MRC coating of the B+W.The two filters are physically very similar, both are slim filters, and both feel very nice in the hand. The B+W has brass lettering (the filter itself is made from brass) while the Tiffen is aluminum, with enamel lettering. Both are very well built. The B+W is somewhat better labeled, with labels that are less likely to get damaged located on the inside of the filter ring. The Tiffen has slightly rougher knurling, and i lighter than the B+W, but the feel of the B+W is slightly better.When it comes to filters, we're most concerned about filter flare. I have noticed slightly better color depth on the B+W, but this is somewhat subjective and easily corrected in post-processing.If you choose to use a filter, the B+W is worth it. If you're not sure if you want to use a filter, I personally will continue to use my B+W. While i understand small scratches on my 70-200 are minor, I value the resale value of my lens, and I also work in the rain, with sand, and accidents happen - you will touch your lens one day. I would personally rather accidentally scratch my filter than my lens.Additionally a common cause of scratching is cleaning your lens with a speck of sand under the cloth. This can happen to anyone, and again, I'd rather scratch the filter than the lens.Also take a look at the images I've uploaded. I have also posted this review with the Tiffen.
This is a very expensive piece of glass to protect your equally expensive lens.  Considering the size of this filter, buyers of this filter are using very expensive lenses and this filter does offer piece of mind.  It is very smudge and dust resistant.  Also, scrubbing this filter down to clean it is more reassuring than heavy cleaning of the lens.I haven't noticed too much of a haze reduction as the product claims.  There is no picture degration in 99.9% of the pictures.  The .1% of the time is when you aim your camera at the sun.  There's a possibility of flaring when pointed at the sun.
Perfect.  What I expected from B + W.  Was recommended to me by a professional photographer.
I have one of these B&W; UV filters for all my lens.- The clarity and fit is exceptional. it doesn't change the image quality at all. Don't cheap out on lower quality glass.- Offers excellent protection against lens damage and is super easy to clean- Lens cap fits perfectly over this, but i often leave the cap off when shooting pictures out and aboutFor about 20-30$, it can protect an investment worth hundreds. Highly recommend for all your lens!
I put filters on all my lenses to protect them from drops, dirt, and dusts. Due to the price concern, I have been using Tiffen and Hoya filters. Recently I found that the Tiffen filter is the cause of flares and light reflections on many of my photos with 50mm f/1.8. I replaced the filter with B+W filter. I then shot several photos using B+W filter that the Tiffen filter has problems with. The B+W filter do not have those problems at all. I cannot tell the differences between the photos with and without the filter. I also have some lenses with Hoya filters. They work pretty well, too. But they do have problems in a very few occasions with much lesser extent than the Tiffen filters. B+W filters do not have any problems in all the cases. I guess you get what you pay for. Through this experience, I strongly suggest people don't go cheap on filters. Money cannot fix the problems on precious photos you cannot retake. Compared with the money you pay for the lenses, filters are relatively cheap. So get B+W or at least get Hoya filters.
As usual, a fantastic filter, really heavy, well built, and crystal clear.  Worth the extra!!  Why spend 700 on a lens, and put a $5 filter on it?!
This is an excellent multicoated filter.  It is well made and fits my 18-200mm VR lens.  My lens cap stays on the filter better than the lens itself!
I used to by cheap filters that cost about $10 to $30.  These filters will create ghosting effects in your lens when you point your camera at a light source.  Ghosting is when a refection of the light source appears as a ghost some where else in the image.  Often this ghost falls in the worst place at the worst time and is nearly impossible to remove.  The ghost is often small too and so you usually don't see it until you don't have time to take the shot again.  These more expensive B+W filters don't really have a problem with ghosting.  If you don't believe me, buy a cheap filter and get screwed, then you will come back and spend more money like me and buy one of these.
A word about UV Protection:As Digital sensors aren't are not susceptible to UV damage as past emulsion based film was their use for this as a specific reason alone is fairly needless.But what trumps everything in my opinion is image quality and lens protection. Cheap filters can cause haze reflections and ghosting all of which can compromise if not ruin a good image.The other the issue of importance is protection:It's a no brainer. Even under most warranties cracked lenses aren't covered and repairs and replacement can be crushing. As an example even under warrantee my Panasonic HMC40  Video Cam would cost 1200-1600 bucks to replace the lens - that's more than half the cost of the camera.A while back I dropped my Panny FZ200 which is under full warranty a lens replacement would have set me back $280 and taken a month. Luckily I had a Panny DMW-LMC52 protective lens on which shattered, had to remove the ring with a pair of metal cutting pliers and luckily the lens and the threads were unharmed.This is why a Protective lens is priceless so if unfortunately you bang your camera it's better the filter is shattered or scratched and not your lens.All glass has inclusions and the cheaper the glass - the more inclusions. These filters may offer some protection but they'll muck up your images especially at higher resolutionsAs for the B+W the metal is beautifully machined, screws in effortlessly and stays put. More important is that the optical quality glass is 100% crystal clear and pristine. It's heavy, German engineered and built to last.The filter arrived in it's full sealed retail packaging, A hinged plastic case and encased in a sturdy foam interior.Highly Recommended
Superb quality multicoated protection for an expensive lens.Much better than the non-multicoated filters; worth every penny.
B+W makes good quality lens filters. I own a Hoya and Tiffen but I'd hve to say construction-wise, this is the best one. Very sturdy. When buying a UV filter, it has to be multi-coated. There's no point purchasing one that less than 2 coats. The only con for this is its not as easy to attach compared to other brands.
This is a high quality and very well crafted, German made filter. I made the mistake of buying a cheaper alternative only to find the cheaper alternative had lens imperfections (small chips in the glass actually), so I tossed it and bought this. I learned my lesson again unfortunately. Don't cheap out when looking for top notch optical accessories for your lens (this went on a Canon 35-350 L) and you will actually save money in the long run.
I purchased three filters for my current lens: 50mm (for portraits), 18 - 55mm (for snap shots), and 55 - 300mm (for outdoor activities)Buying new lens is like toys for adults for their cameras. The only thing is, our lens isn't $10. Protecting our lens is important if you don't want to damage your lens and continue to take great pictures!I recommend buying a filter such as this one by B+W. Comparing a cheaper filter versus this one, you can really feel and see the difference between the two. I like that sense of security of not having to worry about my lens getting dirty or scratched and that if it does, all I would have to do is just clean the filter rather than potentially damaging the lens if not cleaned correctly.Also, why skimp out on a few bucks to possibly not fully protect your investment on your lens? Is it worth spending $30 to protect your lens than scratching your $500 lens? Yes.
I bought the 67mm and 46mm filters for myCanon EF35mm f/2 IS USMandOlympus M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8 (Silver) for Olympus and Panasonic Micro 4/3 Camerasrespectively. The rims are heavy brass and very smooth turning and strong. The clarity is top drawer with no apparent flare, reflections or distortions of any kind.Although B+W describes this filter as having a "new thinner Pro mount. No vignetting," don't be fooled, it's still pretty darn thick and heavy duty. No vignetting on my moderately wide primes albeit an ultra wide might. I prefer the lighter and thinner Hoya aluminum rims but B+W coatings are superior: more scratch resistant much easier to clean. Getting a cleaning streak off a Hoya Pro is a grand PITA. If you shoot in mist you need to clean your filter every few minutes and a streak on a wide lens just won't do. I highly recommend these filters!
You can find UV filters that cost a lot less than this one, but read the reviews for the bargain-basement filters and you'll find stories of flares, ghosting, and other optical problems.  Some of the really cheap ones are not even well-constructed, which defeats their main purpose of providing protection to your lens.  I bought this filter because I already owned the same one that I keep on a different lens, and I don't like to swap out filters every time I swap a lens.This filter is rock solid and has great build quality.  In the three years I have used the one I already owned, it never caused any distortions or exhibited any optical problems.  It's even more expensive than the Nikon UV filter of the same size, but I still paid the extra money to get a filter that I knew was well-made and reliable.
This is an absolutely wonderful filter, however, my review is aimed more towards my experience with B+W / Schneider Optics.I've spent over $1,000 on B+W filters and while they are one of the best, their customer service as well Amazon's has let me down and I will never buy from them again.  Rarely do I ever return anything and in this I case I simply wanted an exchange.  The problem is that the UV Haze filter I received had scratches but I didn't see this until it was too late - the return window time frame had expired.  Obviously I had faith in Amazon and B+W that the filters I received were new and didn't bother to put everything that I buy under a microscope.  However, mine had scratches and upon calling Amazon they told me to send it to B+W. which I did and spent $10.00 doing so.  When B+W contacted me, they indirectly said that the scratches were of my fault.  I thought in business the customer was always right?  I told them I only clean my lens with an air can and nothing else and gave them a suggestion that perhaps someone bought the filter at Amazon used it for a little bit and returned it.  Just my luck I probably got that "returned" filter with the scratches on it thinking it was new.  Anyhow, B+W was very adamant on their stance and this is particularly disappointing on a filter that is only $100.  Had they agreed for an exchange, I would have continued as a committed life long customer to their products, which I have been until speaking with their customer service rep today.  If you are reading, B+W/Schneider Optics, you can change the course of my loyalty.  Also, I am very disappointed in Amazon.  I have bought many things and spent a lot of money with them to have it boil down to something like this.
I am a &#34;quality oriented&#34; person and I would say I am thoroughly impressed by the quality and even the price of this product, especially from Amazon. If you are like me, who wouldn't mind spending on quality products, get this and only this. Otherwise go for the Hoya filters.
and that is not a bad thing. I ordered this filter to protect my Fuji X100S lens from debris, dust, scratches.My style is &#34;street photography&#34; it doesn't seem to degrade image quality. I will keep this on my lens forevaaaa or til it goes bad :)
Good balance of quality product and reasonable price. Thin filter to prevent image vignetting, high-grade "MRC" scratch-resistant, water and dirt repelling coating, strong metal ring.  Although any filter will protect the front glass element of a lens from damage, if you have a high-end lens, purchasing a lesser quality filter effectively lessens the quality of the lens.  Obtaining a the B+W at a discount price makes the purchase even better.
Every since I was introduced to B+W filters I have purchased one for each camera lens I have purchased. Sure they are more expensive than other similar filters. But, considering the number of times my camera lens have come in contact with some solid object, the filter has done a marvelous job of protecting the camera lens. I wouldn't use anything but a B+W. It is worth extra cost and provides great &#34;insurance&#34; for my lenses!
I bought the B+W UV filter to replace one from Tiffen that was just awful for a Nikon 50mm f1.4G on a Nikon D700.  The B+W filters are excellent, introduce no discernable extra flare or distortion.
These are really, really easy to clean! They have no visible effect on pictures, even in the bright sun (still use my glare hood though). Very expensive, but worth every penny. One of these will go on all of my lenses from now on.
The quality of B+W 52mm Clear UV Haze filter is very good. It installs smoothly and is clear. It adds a level of protection from accidents. Glad I purchased it.It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.PROS:- Very good quality- Screws on smoothly- High-quality glassCONS:- None
This keeps my lens as safe as possible without taking away from or adding to the picture.  I brings the sharpness in and helps create some of my best shots.
A bit costly, but if you're paying for lens that needs a 82mm filter, it deserves one that keeps the image pristine.
I don't care much about the UV filter aspects (which I think is less of an issue with digital photography anyway), but use it to protect my lens glass from scratches and dew.  I take astrophotography pictures, which puts the highest demands on the optics. So at first I was very skeptical leaving this filter in front of my L lens during exposures. But very detailed comparisons showed now degradation in quality, just a minimal reduction in brightness (after all, it is one more layer of glass...).  Thread can lock up a bit and can become difficult to get off.
Sold by Amazon so no issues in ordering and delivery :) The product itself is reputed. I was considering Hoya 72mm DMC PRO1 as it was cheaper but after some research found out that Hoya filters are a bit difficult to clean (leave streaks) that reminded me that indeed I had similar issues with earlier Hoya filters that I owned so finally went with this one.
I am very impressed with the quality of B+W material and craftsman ship.  The lens filter fit my nikkor lens perfect and my lens cap attaches just like it did with out the lens filter.
Bought it for my zoom lens.Pros: very good quality (metal and glass), seamless fitCons: none so farIn general - money well spent!
For my camera this is a must have on every single lens in my camera bag. Not only does it effectively filter out much of the haze and glare from sunlight, but it protects that valuable lens from scratches. Much easier and less expensive to throw the filter out and get a new one then to replace the lens.
Great filter I always use a haze or UV filter to protect my lenses good filters for good glass especially when using my L lenses for my canon cameras.
I am satisfied with this product and the Vendor. I would recommend this Vendor to everyone.
Great lens cover BUT are you getting this for a FujiX100s then you had better get an adapter ring otherwise it will not work.
easy to keep clean and no degradsation of.images.  great product. Prompt delivery and in perfect condition.I think this is one of the best filters to protect the lense without causing degradation of images.
I bought this B+W lens filter in same transaction with the Canon 6D with the 24-105mm f/4L lens kit. I love the camera and the lens. However, the B+W UV filter appears used. I say this because the lens came very dirty (still haven't got all dust/hair or markings off it), also there is normally tape or a seal to close the items factory blue box up with to show that it hasn't been opened before, it did NOT have that.  At first I was just so happy that the the $2,800.00 + portion of my order was in excellent and new condition, that I was going to let the $70.00 portion of my order slide a bit.  But that's not right, I paid a premium expecting new and I deserve to get it as a paying customer.Update: Within 30 minutes of writing an email to Amazon - I just got word that they are shipping me a new replacement filter. That is fantastic Customer Service!!!!I now couldn't be happier with my experience.Thank you Amazon!
I spent the money for quality optics and this filter is really good quality. Multi coated, things don't seem to stick to it and no issues.
Fits well; threads on and off with ease. Cleans easily and B+W optics are among the best. Expensive but worth it if you can afford it. Look for the best price, there is a big variation.
Good quality filter. Arrived with no scratches or dings. Fits snuggly, but not so tight that I can't remove. (Had that issue with other filters). Should provide adequate protection and allow light to come in normally.
I bought this to use with a Fujifilm X100s.  The filter performed well, pictures were fine.  But the camera case is too restrictive to allow the filter to be permanently attached.  Not a knock on the filter, but rather an incompatibility issue caused by the camera case.Delivery was on time and well packaged.
I have 3 58mm prime lens and a couple of other brand, less expensive filters. After much reading, I decided to spend a little more and give this one a try.  It is lovely.  It is so crystal clear and when on my new Canon 28mm f/2.8 IS lens, I cannot believe the detail this produces.  Well worth the extra money.
I purchased this filter to give added protection to a new lens.  I have a dozen other filters similar to this, to protect each of my lenses.  B+W makes excellent high quality filters and I would expect anyone that cares for their camera gear to do the same.
perfect filter for my new pancake lense. I've always tried to get the best quality filter for my lenses. B+W is up there!!
Works as described, keep on lens always found no difference with it off. Screws on smooth, very well made.Recommend yes.
had to return this one ONLY because I ordered the wrong size.. but would recommend it to others..ordered 2 of the correct size just like it and love it
When I first got into DSLR photography two years ago, I bought a number of inexpensive ($10 - $15) filters because that's what I could afford.  After reading many reviews about filters it began to dawn on me that the inexpensive filters might not be helping the quality of my photos.  Although this filter is far from top of the line, I can notice a significant difference in picture quality in a number of situations.  I am happy with the results and will continue to buy the best quality filters I can afford in the future.  If all B+W filters are this well made I will probably give them the first look when I am in the market for a new one.
This was purchased to replace the cheap filter I had gotten when I originally purchased the lens it is used on. Replaced because I noticed under certain circumstances that I was seeing ghosting on images taken with the lens that didn't appear when the old filter was removed. These are made of optical glass not just plate glass cut to size. multi-coated and otherwise made to fit quality lenses.
Fits both of my Sigma lenses; always good for scratch protection. The quality of the filter is superb. Colors are perfect.
B&w filters are very expensive but are not rated better and some are rated below other last costly options. In normal shooting best to use no filter at all. Any additional glass added to front of lens can create a reduction in picture quality. Haze filter may protect front of lens but will not help if camera is dropped. Best used to remove if large amount of Haze in air. Can buy much cheaper filter such as tiffen and you will not notice a difference in picture.
There are many filters to choose from but if you have a high quality lens on your camera why would you degrade its resolution by placing cheap glass in front of it?  B+W may cost a little more but you're getting quality equal to the very best lenses.
This product fit easily on my 400mm Prime L lens.  It really takes a lot of the overexposure sun out of the picture.  I should have bought it earlier.
As always, I purchased a B+W filter for a new lens.  I can always trust the quality of any product by these folks.
Slight ghosting though it claims it won&#8217;t&#8230;it really does unfortunately. Can&#8217;t really complain other wise though as it is a rock solid piece of glass and does as advertised.
I have bought Tiffen and Quantaray filters in the past (it is what was suggested by the folks at the brick and mortar that I bought my first lens) and was OK with these filters until I saw the quality of the B&W.;  They do not even remotely compare.Yes, the B&W; is more expensive but if you spent good money on great glass and then cover it with a filter that does not do it justice, where did you waste the money.Highly recommended.
If you're spending hundreds of dollars on a decent lens, you HAVE to protect it with a good UV filter that won't degrade your photos.  This B+W UV filter is perfect for that purpose.
Absolutely necessary to protect your lens, they are big investments!Just purchase lens cleaning clothes and clean the filter only, never touch the lens and never take this baby off your lens.
Why put a questionable filter in front of your best glass? I know I paid more for this one but it's working superbly and I don't have to wonder whether it's compromising the quality of my photos.
A perfect piece of glass.  Don't buy a $1000 lens and then turn around and use  the cheapest filter you can find -- that's just stupid.  Pay the extra money and get these filters.
Good quality filter/protector.  Looks nice on my 17mm.  Took sample pictures and does not hinder picture quality at all.  Very clear.
After a very disappointing experience with another major filter makers product quality (Hint: their name rhymes with "Hoya"), I decided to try one of these puppies from B&W.; I figured "if they're good enough for Schnieder professional lenses, they're good enough for my 105mm Micro-Nikkor". I was NOT disappointed this time! Essentially, the filter is 'invisible' in practice, with nearly zero internal reflections and no ghosting under any conditions. The brass mounting ring fastens to the lens firmly and smoothly, without binding or 'stiction', and offers excellent protection against moisture, dust, and any reasonable impacts. The Nikon lens cap fastens securely to the filters front threads.In my opinion, there is simply no better 'UV' or Haze protection filter for your precious lenses than B&W...not; from any other manufacturer, and not at any price.
I believe that high quality glass ought to be matched to high quality accessories. And as one, this filter was the logical match to one of my premium lenses (Sony 135mm STF). It works well, by getting out of the way when it doesn't need to influence, and does its job that it needs to.The filter is, as expected, superbly crafted and arrives in a nice little box. At $49.50 that I paid for it on Amazon, with free shipping, I would call it a steal. The filter is standard thickness, so if you're looking to put it on a wide angle lens and especially with a full frame camera, you may want to check into vignette issues although, I'm not sure if any other in the class would do any better.Highly recommended.
This hasn't left my lens since I bought it nearly 5 years ago. I primarily bought it to protect my lens, but have learned of its benefits when taking photos outside. Photos seems as sharp with the filter on, so it pretty much stays on all the time. Don't leave home without it!
Great lens filter.  Had it for almost 2 months.  All photos taken thru it are sharp and clear.
I have not had to clean the front element for months. The water beads off and dust just not gets attached. It is like a magnetic dust repellant for your lens. Works great.
Protects the end of the lens away from the camera from dust and dirt. Has UV coating, put it on and forget it
This is the UV Haze filter that you want for your better 77mm lenses.  I bought this one specifically for my Nikon 24-70 F/2.8 lens, which is one of my best lenses.  This filter has anti-glare coating on both sides which is what you want.  There is no point in paying for a top-notch lens and then having your photos ruined by glare or inferior optics deriving from a cheap filter.  Obviously the main purpose of this filter is to protect the extremely expensive glass that is integral to your lens.  If you scratch this filter it is easy and relatively inexpensive to replace.  Not so the lens optical components themselves.  I always use a quality UV filter like this one to protect my lenses.  RJB.
After losing my lens cap in Puerto Rico during a Caribbean cruise, I could only find a Canon lens cap as a temporary replacement for my Olympus E30 camera.  When that replacement cap continued to fall off, I realized that there was a problem with the Tiffen 67 mm filter.  After some extensive research, I found the Tiffen filters fewer threads made it nearly impossible to keep any lens cap installed.The B+W filter was highly rated for its quality in my research and I found that to be the case as well.  My new Olympus lens cap is now firmly attached.  What a difference a few extra threads can make!
Nice craftsmanship, it's a well made filter there isn't much else to say it does it's job. I just put it on and forget it
In the past I used budget lens filters.  I'd make due with the average sunpak that sufficed just fine to protect the lens.  I never understood why filters got so expensive.  That was until I ordered some L glass and decided that if I was going to pay well over a thousand dollars for my lens, I could spend a buck more to protect it.  this filter is FLAWLESS.  In fact, the glass is SO CLEAR that you cannot see it when you hold it up.  The only thing that gives it away is a fleck of dust at the right angle.  Owing to the fact that it is so clear you can't see it when holding it up, if there is any light loss, it is certainly negligible.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this filter.  The quality of the ring is wonderful and it is relatively difficult to induce glare.*UPDATE as of 7/29/12*I have recently ordered a second filter for an 82mm lens.  These are VERY worth the money.
bought a bunch of these for my lenses to replace the ones i had on,  instantly noticed the contrast was better and the colours brighter.You can't go wrong with these filters.
Is the best lens filter in comparison with those filters before this I purchased, I would like to recommend it~
I ordered this along with a lens I bought. The price was right. It did the job. I  have no idea if it is &#34;good glass&#34; but it works fine for what I want.
The filter arrive quickly (Amazon Prime) and was in perfect condition. Put it on my new Canon 24-105mm IS USM lens and it will stay there for years. Interestingly, I have a friend who was attending an expensive photography class and the instruction was going on about how you really don't need a filter on your lens. The class went out for a field shoot, someone bumped my friend, the camera dropped and the filter cracked but saved the lens. Canon also says a filter completes the weather sealing on the lens. I've heard all I need to hear about why a filter isn't necessary. I put good quality filters on all my lenses and B&W makes very good quality filters.
I use this for my Canon Vixia HFS 100  and it completes the look. It's very well made and worth every dollar. If you have an expensive or favorite lens/camera don't settle for a cheaper version.
it is working fine on my lens. It fits well on my Tamrom 18-200mmm. It sure is pricey but you get what you paid for.
I wanted something to protect the lens on my Fujifilm HS50exr.  It arrived as promised, was well packaged, clean and clear.  So far I have noticed no significant flaring or color aberration.  I'm glad I spent the extra bucks and chose B+W.
ship soon.love it.l.caryy it everywhere with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 in a messenger bag.I don't need to worry about my lens now.
I have always used protective filters on my lenses.  I had been a loyal Tiffen user for a long time but for the past couple years I felt the quality of some of their filters had been bad.Recently I purchased a new lens and ordered the Tiffen UV Protector per usual.  Unfortunately I immediately noticed that my images had really bad glare in low light situations.  I knew Tiffen had better quality (or supposed)filters so I "upgraded to their Digital Ultra Clear protective filter but got the exact same issues...I had really bad glare in low light.After some research and recommendations from other people I found B+W MRC filters.  I purchased this filter and immediately put it on my lens when it came in.  After several test shots (I have a room in my house that could reliably generate the same glare with the Tiffen filters) I could not find any glare at all!!!Lesson learned...multi-coated is the way to go and even though they are higher priced...B+W MRC are very good quality that will not impact image quality.Do NOT put cheap filters on your lenses...I used to and will never again.
Based on research I purchased this item with the main intent to protect my lens on my D7000.  Also didn't want to reduce image quality with cheap glass.  Construction is high quality.  Would buy from this manufacturer again.
This filter came with my 70-200mm f/4L that I bought used from another photographer. Did not think much about the filter till one weekend I was at a soccer tourment and my camera bag fell out of the car not once but twice in a two day span.  I have a Kata Rucksack, my gear sits on the bottom of the bag so if the bag drops there is a chance of gear damage. The first time the bag fell out of the back of my car nothing happened. The second time it fell out (husband didn't catch it in time), it fell just right where my lens was sitting. The only thing that was damaged was the filter, the lens was still in mint condition. When I took the filter off was impressed how thick the glass was and how much it weighed. Did some research and found out that they do this to insure the weight is on the filter and not on the glass.  The two glasses have some distance from each other this way if your lens falls the filter will break and not the glass on the front of the lens.  Which is exactly what happened for me.  Have tried several filter brands and this one by far is the best way to go. Yes it maybe expensive but which would you rather replace the lens or just the filter?Will only be buying this brand for every lens I ever purchase in the future.
B+W make excellent filters, and I use them on my glass that allows me to do so (300mm+ lenses typically do not allow you to screw on a filter on the front).  I use it strictly for protecting the lens.
The item is very clear - you can's feel if it's there. It's heavy and feels steady and it fits perfectly with my Canon T3.
The filter does what it advertises.  It's saved our camera once by taking the brunt of an impact.  The filter shattered and our lens survived thanks to this little beauty.  If you're going to spend a lot on a camera lens, then add a filter like this.
I have bought both the 58mm and 72mm variants of this filter. Partly because I heard great things about them. Partly because I have made great shots with them, without depreciation of quality. Just remember this: one great filter means that you avoid purchasing two or more crap filters later.
I ordered two B+W filters from Amazon. They came in one shipment. Since they were small items, I took them with me for my oversea photography trip.When I opened the items, the 46 mm filter was obviously an used one with the metal rim scratched and discolored. As my return date would be over the deadline for return and I had to use the filters, I simply did not bother to return it. From the previous reviews written by other customers, it seemed that Amazon did ship used items from time to time. I would advise customers to carefully check expensive items they received carefully to avoid getting used items. Amazon should also be more careful checking the items before they ship.
Seems to be a very high quality filter from B+W.  Useful for general lens protection without degrading lens image quality or altering exposure or color-temperature of the image.  It fits on my Sony NEX-6 kit lens (the 16-50mm lens) fine.  No issues so far.
I had been using Canon 50mm 1.2L with 5D Mark II for years.  I am wedding photographer.  The Canon filter is just fine.  But in some extreme conditions like back light and reflection form surround objects, it just fails.  Check out my picture comparison and it tells the whole story.
I did my research on filters because I wanted the best clarity with no loss of sharpness and this lens is all that. Its made of glass and brass and doesn't hurt sharpness or shutter/aperture speeds. I was going to get the Hoya pro HD but read that this was made thinner and slightly better.
Having the multi coated glass was an upgrade from my plastic filter I had on. I am happy with the performance of this filter and the safety it provides for my lens.
Arrived on time (as compared to the estimated arrival date), good price, arrived as described.
I purchased this lens filter to protect my investment in the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens, which I primarily use for outdoor walk-around photography.  I prefer to have the salty air where I'm located, along the coast, eat away at a lens filter than at my expensive lenses.  I'm very happy with the build quality of the filter itself, which features a solid brass ring that easily screws on/off the lens without mis-threading.  I also like how it adds some rigidity to the end of the lens while still permitting the use of a standard flower lens hood and standard lens cap.The UV filter also does a great job at reducing lens flare when shooting into direct sunlight and just generally working as advertised.
This filter is a superior product. If you spend big bucks on a DSLR do not lower the quality of your images by putting inferior filter glass before the lens.
This is a very good investment for your lens. I have a Canon 2.8L 100mm macro lens, and it fits very well. I was also able to fit an adapter on this to accept Canon MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite flash.Worth the money.
Great product. No noticeable difference in picture quality.  Would highly recommend this to put on your lenses for protection.
Excellent quality. I'm using it with the Sony 55-210 zoom and there's no change in image quality with it. It's nice and robust too. I'm very happy with it.
B+W is quality product hands down. Perfect fit with the x100s along with JJC LH-JX100 Lens Hood/Adapter Ring + a 49mm sony lens cap with Gariz Genuine Leather XA-CFSBK Camera Cap seals the deal.love the gold lettering on the black metallic ring. gold + black = the new age fashion.
Never thought I would spend 30 bucks for one filter but reading all these reviews can be confusing to say the least. I've always used UV Filters but this is the first time I had to really think about it. Been spending lots of money lately on camera gear and with filters ranging from 4 bucks to around the same price as the lens it frustrating. I carefully removed it from the case to find a spec of lint or something on it. I blew it off with no problem. First time handling a lens filter as if it were a diamond. I looked closer and looked like some oil deposits or something on it. I began to frown and started thinking about the hassle of maybe sending it back. Started questioning if it is really worth it to spend that much on a filter despite knowing there are filters over 200 bucks. So, I grabbed a polishing cloth and was sold finally. Just the feel of the cloth sliding over the multi-coating convinced me that this filter is different. Polished it up and screwed it on with no problem. Will update if there are problems but so far I am happy.
This filter is was no good to me. I shoot with a dslr and uv does not effect it. I thought I would use it to protect my lens but I get glares, specially when shooting around light. With todays cams, this is a complete waste of money..
Why did I chose this rating?It is a high-quality, sturdy and well-made UV filter.  No perceivable loss on image quality nor reflection artifacts (believe me, I am super picky).What do I like about the filter?- Strong construction.- No quality compromise.What do I dislike about the filter?- Too early to tell, I will update if I find any disadvantages.Who is this filter for?- I have UV/Skylight filters for all my lenses.  I don't necessarily use them all the time, but they are worth the investment when you need to go out and shoot on harsh conditions.  If you invested on a high quality lens, don't buy a cheap filter.
I use this on my 100 mm macro L f/2.8 and it's the only filter where I see zero reduction in quality. Hoya and Tiffen are both really good, but you can see a very small reduction in quality when you use these filters. B+W is the only filter where even when looking well past 100% magnification, there is zero reduction in quality and that's from f/2.8 and well past f/22. I'm not saying I'll never buy Hoya again, it's just that my first choice is B+W for the sharpest of lenses.
I bought this filter purely to protect my lens so there's not much to say about &#34;features.&#34; I've always bought B+W filters because of their quality so it's safe to say this one hasn't been disappointing for the purpose it was purchased.
Quality product built to last that provides protection for my camera optics without distorting my images. Built with sturdy materials and excellent glass.
With nearly 300 five-star reviews, why should I add mine? I've used lots and lots of filters of all makes, and this one is the best I've used thus far. It's well-built, good quality and well worth the extra money you'd spend on less expensive filters.These days, with all the digital imaging tricks you can do, what's the big deal about using filters? It probably does reduce the haziness in some situations, cutting back on glare a bit, but nothing I couldn't probably fix in an image editing program, right?Well, first of all, it's always good to get the best picture the camera can capture. A UV filter can help reduce glare, so that's a plus. But a poor-quality UV filter can cause issues of its own. Some are hard to clean, the coatings are uneven or the glass is not very good. It may even cause more glare, completely nullifying the supposed advantage.The B+W filter is what you'd want in filter like this. It's the easiest to clean of all my filters, almost completely transparent, nearly glare-free itself and cuts glare in the environment.So why get one at all, anyway? The best answer is simple: to avoid cleaning the front glass of your lens as much as possible. Cleaning takes care, but even after years of care, a lens may show scratches. Clean your lens, clean the B+W UV filter, pop it on and then only worry about cleaning water spray, child's fingerprints, dog noseprints and everyday dust from the filter, one that's easy to clean and clear as air.And its lots cheaper to replace a filter than a new lens.
The glass quality is something which can be compared to the optical glass quality used in lenses. You can actually notice the ghosting or flaring missing when you mount this in comparison to other cheaper ones. I had a Zeikos set in my kit so far but after using B+W they are going to rest until in case of any emergency.For getting a UV one my purpose was more for safety as for one of my friend the UV saved his 18-105 in a free fall taking most of the impact.Overall a wonderful product recommended for putting up in front of optical glass.
I used this to click few snaps in room illuminated with cfl bulb. reflection of light on the image gets covered well
Love this filter, I like to purchase good quality filters, this brand is top notch.  Just what I&#34;ve come to expect from B+W.  Thank you!
I just use this to protect my lens. It doesn't impact the photographs in any way and does a great job protecting the lens. I actually dropped an expensive lens heard a smash when it landed. I saw broken glass and figured I was hosed. Thankfully it was just the filter. I had to pry the filter off with pliers but the lens was perfect. So lucky....and so glad that I have one of these on every lens I own.
Excellent Filter and very well constructed. IT goes on very easliy and fits well. Keeps my front glass element protected from dust.
B & W filters are one of the best out there.  UV, Polarizing, neutral density, if you value your high end lenses, then put good glass on them!
I think this will be the last lens filter I will ever buy! I think this is the best on the market! I'm putting B+W on all my lens!
This is a great filter that does its job.  The build is very solid, it doesn't appear to introduce any new ghosting into the image and it keeps my lens scratch free.If you care about your lens by a UV filter for protection.  If you care about your images, buy a B&W; UV Filter!
I have tried "cheapo" UV/Haze/Lens Protector filters and they visibly degraded the image.  I have several B+W filters in various sizes and they're wonderful - they protect the lens and do not affect the image at all. I like the Multi-Resistant Coating on these as they tend to repel dirt and water.
Worth the price $$. Great build quality and optical glass. Don't buy the cheap ones and you'll see a difference.
I previously had a cheap single coat UV filter, and the differences were obvious today when I used both.  You get what you pay for, and this reduced haze, glare, and ghosting a lot more than the other cheap filter.
I previously got cheaper (typically Tiffen) filters for my expensive lenses but for my wide-angle (Tokina 11-16 f/2.8) I wanted something less prone to flaring.  Though there's sometimes a little bit extra flare than with the lens alone, this is much better and I think it's easily worth the price difference because a filter isn't much good if you have to remove it whenever you're shooting toward bright lights.
The glass and coating on the filter is exceptional, very seriously looks as if there is nothing there at all until you catch a specular reflection.However, the outside of the case it came it was worn and dirty, and the inside was also dirty with particles in it.  There were numerous particles on the filter which I blew off.  For this price and reputation, I expect a pristine product, not something that looks like it was picked up off the ground from a machine shop.  The box was sealed and everything, so clearly there some quality control issues.  Just make sure you inspect the filter you get, if you can clean it, great, if not, don't fuss with it and just return it for a new one.  I also ordered a 52mm of the same filter and it came in pristine condition.  So who knows what happened.
Build Quality is Amazing! So Amazing that I switched out all my filters with these B+W Filters! Expensive but worth it if you have the money!
its totally worth it, it does a great job protecting the lens. Great build and a very sturdy professional product
After quite a bit of research over several weeks I chose to purchase this B+W filter.  Probably the most influential article I read was on Lenstip.com.  The article may be somewhat dated (2009), but the depth and concise nature of the article convinced me this filter was top-drawer.  The only higher rated filter was the Hoya, but after reading some negative reviews pertaining to quality control or possibly &#34;bait and switch&#34; problems, I went with the B+W.This filter is obviously a high quality product from the minute you pick it up.  Build quality is exceptional and I was truly amazed by the  clarity of the glass itself.  I had to angle the filter in several orientations to see the glass at all.  At first glance it's hard to tell there is anything inside the outside ring!Of course the main purpose of this filter is to enhance your photographs.  I am not a professional photographer so I don't have experience with other high-end UV filters, but based on the comparison photographs taken with other top-rated filters, the B+W had an obvious reduced amount of added flare (if any).  Personal preference might direct someone to desire some flare from a filter, but I personally did not want this &#34;effect&#34;.After using the filter for more than a month now it never comes off of my Nikon 18-55mm DX VR lens.  This is my go-to lens for my Nikon D90 and my go-to filter.  Basically, I never take it off the lens unless I want to shoot with my B+W CPL polarizer filter by itself.  What I notice mostly is that the colors and clarity of the shots I have been taking are phenomenal.My Grandfather was a professional photographer since the '30s and I have been taking pictures from the late '60s.  I have used very high end cameras, lenses and filters over the years and sometimes the pictures are exceptional with the right combination of equipment and overall conditions.It might be excessive to imagine spending $40 or $50 dollars on a UV filter compared to some for $10 dollars or less.  But, I have to say that with my Nikon D90 and a relatively cheap &#34;kit&#34; 18-55mm lens, MOST of the pictures I now take are exceptional.  I have rarely seen this level of quality in photographs on a regular basis.Just to note, I use this 72mm filter with a Goja 52mm to 72mm adapter ring.(another very high quality product for the $3.99 price).
Good packaging and defect free.  Protects the lense from dust, dirt and scratches.  Should last along time. Works well stacked with other filters.
This filter is a simple protection device for an expensive lense.  It will protect the lense from dust, grime, fingerprints, and minor accidents with other solid objects.  That being said, there are dozens, if not hundred's of filters out there meant to protect your camera lense.  Some are good and this one is great.  What makes it great, B&W only uses the finest glass products and has a coating on the glass to further reduce glare and increase contrast.  This filter was low cost insurance for my lense without affecting the optical quality of that lense.
Product came in original packing.  It has a brass ring and it won't get caught in wrong threads.  Easily removable plus it is made inGermany.  Good and reliable product for the price.
Best filter construction I have ever had!  Love it!  I have primarily used Hoya, but this construction is clearly superior.
I've used B+W filters on all my high end lenses. They do not compromise the optical quality & protect the expensive glass from salt mist & sand --- things which a lens hood does not do well.
If you have an expensive lens and want to protect the front of it, do yourself a favor and DO NOT purchase a cheap UV filter. The photos you shoot will only be as good as that first piece of glass (or *shudder* plastic) you have fitted at the end of the barrel.The first thing I noticed when I took this lens out of it's plastic carrying case is that it looks, when holding the edges, as if there is nothing in the center of the ring. The glass is invisible and this is a darn good thing. This means that your photos will lose some haze and if you decide to leave the lens on, your other photograph's quality will not suffer in the slightest.The MRC coating makes it easy to keep clean and water beads off of it nicely and cleanly.Highly recommended. My next filter will be a B+W without hesitation.
I have purchased inexpensive filters before.  I am not sure that I can tell a difference when looking through my camera, but this filter fits perfectly on my canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens and feels very well made.  The glass is flawless.  I would recommend this product, but you may want to try an expensive filter first.  You may be just as happy.
I bought two of these for lenses I got earlier this year.  I use this model filter in different sizes on all my photographic lenses and I'm very happy with the overall quality of them and would recommend them to anyone.
All the other positive reviews are accurate.  Great quality filter.  Expensive, but worth it for an $800 lens.  Arrived quickly.
Being a Canon L lens, I just imagined how much grime gets on a lens which is constantly cleaned. With a quality filter, photos stay great and I would sooner clean a filter constantly over the expensive glass on the lens. Most of my shots are in the outdoors where dust and dirt are everywhere. Tip: Carry a soft paint brush and dust off the lens/camera before changing anything.
A nice filter, heavy and very clear. Not sure if it's worth seven times a cheap filter, but quality often cost a lot more.
I purchased this B+W filter for my Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens. I've bought Hoya in the past but was persuaded to try this based on reviews here and elsewhere that noted the excellent quality. It was a little cheaper than the corresponding Hoya. Now with it on my lens: it's high quality glass, and the housing is solid and threads easily. The lens hood threads into the front without problems. So it's just what I needed to protect this lens. Very pleased.
Well built, easily threads and provides stacking threads for a circular polarizer.  If you pay good money for a nice lens, protect it.
I have long used Hoyas (some 30 years old fromm father) and the last 10 years or so, had several Tiffens. The extra money for the B&W MRC series is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  You simply won't find a better filter anywhere. We can debate the extra merits of the Nano coated versions (I dont use), but even if you have a mid grade lens, put a great filter on it so it can reach its maximum potential.
Not much to say. Keeps my lens safe and it does not seem to have any negative effects on the image. Great for the pancakes where the front glass is always so exposed. Yet to see that it is a dust magnet like other people have noticed.
High Quality and an Amazing Price!!! Fit perfect on my Fuji X-E2 58MM lens. I will recommend this product 100%
B&W are one of my favorite filter makers and personally I have never had a problem with their products and they have only protected my equipment as well as making sure I get the real shots I desire or what I am actually seeing without side affects that often occur with cheap or non-multicoated filters.  Shop around, read reviews and even look at them in photo stores, compare etc.  I paid about 1/2 of what I would have in a store by shopping online.
It's hard to get excited about a filter that is supposed to protect the front element of your camera lens, but so far, this one is transparent and I never notice it - perfect for everyday use.
I have several of these - they are very transparent and perform very well.Exceptionally high build quality. They are price competitive with the equivalent Japanese units.The brass ring does not bind or seize on thee aluminum lens threads.
I recently got the Tamron macro zoom lens and needed a filter to protect it.  Though some said that you do not need a filter, but most professional photographers recommend you to get one just because it is much cheaper to replace a filter than repairing an expensive lens when the unexpected happens.  After reading a lot of reviews and articles about filters, the best to get is the ones with UV Haze protection as well as multi-coated. Among all the brands, B&W is highly recommended by professional photographers.  Having considered all factor, I finally decided to get this UVA Haze MRC filter.  The craftsmanship is amazing, when I picked it out from the package, I almost believe that the lens  is not there because it is so clear and transparent as if there is noting inside the ring.  It is easy to put it on the lens too.  Overall, I am very happy with this product and its quality is close to perfection!
These filters are well made. I have a few of them on a variety of lenses and they function perfectly. I notice no degradation of image.
Provides good protection to the lens and doesn't affect the pictures at all. I have been using BW filters for the last 2 years and I'm very happy with the result.
this filter is decently sharp and B+W is a top notch filter maker. I am pleased with my purchase so far.
I am only am amateur photographer so I'm not familiar with all of the brands, but I've used this for months and it is a very sturdy part that fits perfectly. It isn't the cheapest for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, but it seems a very good value overall.
Gives protection, a little expensive, but if you have a $[...] lens whats anothder [...] bucks!? I'd much rather be safe than sorry....
I usually get Hoya brand top of their quality of models but I think the B+W brand is even better. You'll pay a little more but they appear to be worth it.
The only reason I docked a star is because of its price...I feel like it could be $20 cheaper than it was listed at.  Other than that, it's a solid piece of highly transparent glass.  What more could you ask for?  Definitely the clearest and easiest to clean filter I've used.
Outer box's seal was opened, inside plastic box was cracked... looks ok thought.Looks like a returned item.Would have given 4-5 stars if not for the opened item.
Spending a little extra money to protect your camera lens is a must!  I combine a love for hiking and outdoor activity with photography.  Given the potential risk to the lens, I feel a lot better knowing that I have done due diligence to protect my investment while retaining quality photos.  When you think about spreading the cost over the years that you will use the lens, it is an incredibly small price to pay for protection, quality and peace of mind.  I have bought several of these filters and have been found them all to work exceptionally well.
This UV filter is great, thanks to the brand B+W. Try to put this in an angle to reflect light -- perhaps that light above you. You can see it's pretty faded, thanks to its awesome antireflective coating which optimizes light transmission. Easy to clean thanks to multi-resistant coating.
B+W quality.
It does not cut down too much on the light to my zoom lens.  I am happy with the purchase.
Glass is crystal clear and doesn't affect the quality of the photos i take. Taking out 1 star due to very high price but other than that, its perfect
I was quite surprised of the quality of the filter. I used HOYA before and was quite dissapointed with it, compare to the B+W, its, well you really cant compare. the quality of it vastly superior to the HOYA, and some TIFFEN (spelling?). i am happy with my purchase.
I normally don't use filters but I purchased this to add more water resistance to my Canon L series lens.  I read that Canon recommends filters to increase the water resistence on their water and dust resistant L lenses.  I haven't noticed any photo degradation from the lens and the glass looks very clean and it feels like quality glass.
Filters are the best insurance for your lens and B+W is a high quality filter which does not distort the photos. I dropped my camera with an 18-200mm Nikon lens. It dented the filter but saved the lens. I can't stress the importance of having this protection on your lens. I replaced it with another B+W. If it had been plastic, the lens would have been damaged. I don't mind paying the extra for quality.
Invisible as it should be.  Great quality filter.  I own a couple of these for my kit and prime lenses.
This is a replacement for one that shattered when my camera accidentally dropped.  The B+W lens protects my more expensive lens glass and helps keep dust out.
works well, pictures are as sharp with it as with out it. Affordable lens protection. I leave it on lens all the time.
Don't cheap out when buying filters. If you want the best image quality from your lenses, use these or none at all. I used Tiffen and Hoya for years before switching to these, I was surprised at the difference. You won't be disappointed.
One can feel the weight difference and super clear optical glass. No flaring of street lights when using this fine filter. It is very close in transparency to not having a filter on the lens. Highly recommend this quality German optical product.
It's simply the best filter I have ever owned. Also try their pol-filter. It's a knock out:-)
This is a high quality piece. It is made from a thick brass ring, and looks and feels right. I have had 4 different brands of filter, and will be buying B+W from now on. And of course it does not in anyway detract from image quality, it is on the front of the lens and it is perfectly clear. I do notice though a 1/3 stop difference in exposure. As in the filter cuts 1/3 light. This actually works out well in bright daylight, and I do not use filters for indoor shooting so the cut in light is no problem. I use filters outside where dust and sand and etc can get on the front of the lens.
Perfect fit.Does not lose any F-stop.Hardly notice any colour casting.Bought six of these for different lenses as protection.Very happy with this brand.
The glass rattles when not mounted on a lens.The situation improves when mounted on a lens.Could be a potential build quality problem since no other of my B+W filters do so.
I have used B+W filters for decades.  I was in the wholesale photographic equipment business for over 20 years and even when I sold other brands of filters I bought B+W for my own use.  I have used them on some of the best optics available on the commercial market; Zeiss, Leitz, Rodenstock, Schneider, etc.  The fact that this filter is multi-coated is a big deal.  It really makes a difference and improves the quality of my photographs.  I use this filter on myCanon 85mm f/1.8 lens.I would never buy another brand of filter as, in my opinion, B+W is the best.
We got this for a new lens.  Not sure if its worth the premium price but so far we're getting great shots.  Might have to take it off if there is lots of side glare etc.
Arrives in case. Extremely clear glass. Well threaded. Sturdy brass frame for high use photographers. Have had multiple filters over a few decades. Only purchase B&W now despite the cost.
You just can't go wrong with B+H filters! Great value, you get what you pay for! I have never been disappointed with B+W filters even with four more words required!
Expensive and worth it.  Top quality construction. I managed to smash my first one somehow but the lens below and the threads didn't suffer any damage.  Beautiful craftsmanship.
I bought a Canon T4i and wanted a filter to keep finger prints and dust away from the lens itself. There are many cheaper UV filters but I don't want to take any chances. Photos of my baby are priceless. Recently I went to lake Tahoe and accidentally had some snow on the filter and lens. It was easily removed and I don't think I have seen any smudge on the filter. I'm not a pro photographer but I want something of excellent quality that hopefully will last.
B+W makes very good quality filters, and this is no different. I purchased it to protect my Nikkor 70-300mm, and it fits great, is clear, and doesn't interfere with the image quality.
Built with quality materials. Not flimsy and thin like filters from other vendors. Recently used it to film family vacation trip to Disney on a partially sunny day. It performed well in sun but did not degrade image quality when cloudy nor will filming indoors.
Nothing proves the adage that you get what you pay for quite like lens filters.  This thing is solid and well worth the money.  Let's be honest.  If you're willing to spend several grand on a camera and lens, why would you put a $25 filter on it?
It was worth it going for the MRC glass.  You can compare it to other filters and see the difference.  Holding them up to the light side by side and seeing the reflections you can see how the non coated lenses look like mirrors compared to this.  You will not be disapointed getting this filter.
I bought this filter when I bought the lens. I put it on, it fits, it works, it works really well. It keeps dust, dirt, finger prints and scratches off of my $900 lens. The lens hood still fits, the lens cap still fits, I can screw another filter on top of it, it works.No vingnetting was added; if you experience vingnetting it was there before you put this filter on and will still be there after you take the filter off. It's in your lens not this filter.
Bought this for the 135mm f2 lens. No difference in picture quality on or off it. the multi coating makes sure there is minimal flaring and I get reassurance from the sturdy brass ring around and in front of my front element. Highly recommended.
B&W makes the best filters on the market. They feel well constructed, and the MRC offers great protection. Worth the high cost.
I really don't see any difference compared to a no name protective filter.I suppose I didn't do any test comparisons.
B+W makes awesome lens covers. You can't even tell it is on there.  And I mean you can't tell when you are looking at the video you shot, or even if you are looking directly at the lens from a couple inches away. These things are quality.
Very nice filter.  Placed this on my Canon 24mm-105mm F/4 L.  Does not distort the picture in any way.  Highly recommended!
I owned cheaper filters before.  I have to say, B+W receives good review for a good reason.The filter have a good finish and very clear.  Without being technical, I think anyone can see the quality of the filter by just looking at it.A few dollars more than other brands, but I recommend it.
Don't buy cheap ones. This one works very well. It keeps your focusing accurate! I have to get rid off the cheap ones to get the best focusing result
it does what they said multi coating is very good and build quality is very good i love it i would recommend it
Not only did this arrive quickly, but it was packaged nicely.  It felt like opening a jewelry box, as once I opened the box and gingerly retrieved this glass and held it, I noted the weight... it's serious glass.  It's solid, heavy and I knew right away that it was a good purchase.  It has threads on the inside so that you can screw it over the camera's lens and the fit is perfectly (I got it for a Nikon 85 mm f/1.8 lens..)
Product was securely packaged and the B+W 77mm filter (clear UV haze with multi resistant coating) fit snugly over my Canon lens.
I bought this to fully weather-seal my lens. The glass is so clear that it looks like there isn't any glass at all if you look directly at it. The price is somewhat high though; I would've been happier with the purchase if it was around $50 instead. I'm just glad that I can take my lens out in wet/dusty conditions now with less worry.
The coatings work as advertised.  I really like the brass ring despite the weight.  I think these are a fine reasonably priced alternative.
These B&W filters are expensive, but well worth the cost. It goes without saying that the glass, coatings, machining and finishing are all top-notch. This filter is going on my Canon &#34;L&#34; Series lens, so I wanted a good one.
I'm usually of the opinion that putting anything on top of an excellent lens is a dumb idea (except effect filters of course) but this filter has changed my mind. Excellent construction, and after several tests I can see no visual difference with this on the front of my L series lens. A steal at this price. B+W rocks, plain and simple.
I have been trusting B+W filters for a couple years now and i've never had a problem. They do what they're supposed to do, and don't cause much flare or ghosting or anything to that effect.
the threads are bad ,wont screw on to lens.later bought another brand and went right on to lens proving to me it isn't the lens threads that were bad..one star because I cant use it at all and it was a lot of money.
These lens filters are a dust magnets and are almost impossible to clean.  I ordered two 77MM and the thin 82MM for wide angle. I've had them for over a year now and I'm giving up on them. I use a lens brush and rocket blower for dust (FOR THE FILTERS ONLY) and lens tissue for spots and smears.  But there is no way to get these filters clean.  They are dust magnets and it's probably static electricity. Using a flashlight while cleaning, I can see dust being knocked off with the lens brush only to reappear on the filter.  I even saw a bigger fiber brushed off the filter only to be drawn back onto the filter as if the filter glass was a magnet and the fiber was a piece of metal.  I can't properly clean these filters before a job and I can't keep them clean onsite. These filters are only supposed to be used for suspect environments like clubs or for weather sealing.  But they're unusable! I figure like at least 2x the dust than using no filter. I'd suggest a lower performing filter that can be kept clean. Some filters (not this one) have special coatings to help.
B+W filters are arguably among the best available for photographers seeking perfection.  Well worth the often small incremental cost over other brands.  Durable!
Great construction. Outdoor photos of the fall color at Yosemite did seem a bit more vibrant, but I did not take any photos without the filter for comparison so I can't say for sure - but it certainly doesn't hurt and offers a little piece of mind. I can't give it 5 stars just because of the price. Personally, I would not spend this much to protect a less expensive lens but for these pricier lenses, I feel better having it.
This is my third B+W UV filter. The fit and finish of this series of filters is outstanding.  Filter screws on  easily to all my Canon lenses and the lens caps fit perfectly.  These filters are a bit pricey but well worth the money.  So far, I have not been able to detect any vignetting or image degradation due to these filters.  Will definitely purchase more of these filters for any future lenses.
Fantastic quality for the price. Primarily bought this to protect my lens with a filter that is very clear and of good quality.
I keep this on my lens for protection and for that it does the job. From what I hear about modern lenses you don't really need a UV filter like you used to, but again, for protection of my expensive lenses, while still keeping my photos looking good this seemed like a great choice.
I want to recommend B&W; filter products every time I get a chance.They are well-made and the optics are excellent
I had two lens one is 16-85 VR one is 70-300VR both use 67 UV from B+W! In my point of view this is really expensive for me even I am not very professional but I heard this UV is the best one frome many many people so I think I have to get one to protect my lens. If the price can cheaper that would be prefect!
Expensive but top quality.  Leave it on my 55-300 zoom all the time.  Some experts say it is not needed.  I think it helps with flare and does not detract from image.  Provides protection to lens.  Easy to keep clean.  Do not have to be cleaning front element of lens all the time.  I'm in the camp that favors use of UV filter PROVIDED it is of top quality with multi coating and I like the nano coating also.  I think in the future most lenses will have it (nano).  Useful.
Product was delivered as promised and works, a little on the expensive side but you get what you pay for and replacing a lense would cost even more.
Purchased this after reading many good reviews - and they were all correct. This is an excellent filter, and the B+W product quality is exceptional.
I have no reduction in quality on my Canon XSi.  Quality of this filter was as promised-- you pay for what you get.
I have a lot of glass to protect so I have one of these on each and every single lens (a 50mm f1.4, 100mm f/2.8 macro, 24-70 f/2.8L, 70-200 IS f/2.8L II, 16-35 f/2.8L). So far the quality and durability has been superb. The brass rings are also nice on B+Ws so you don't have to worry about binding up.Don't skimp on your optics if you has good L glass or an equivalent!
UV filters generally are bought not to remove haze as much as to protect your lens. This does the job and won't cost an arm and a leg.
If you would like to keep dusts off your lens, you should get one. It's a bit pricey for dust protection but for me it's worth it. Flare control is excellent due to the multi-coating. It repels dust too so that I spend less time blowing dusts off the lens or filter.
The brass frame is solid and well built.  However, the MRC - a Special Scratch-Resistant coating scratches with ease, contrary to the description on Amazon.
Pros:First of all, it feels really good in hand. I've played with other brands for quite a while, like tiffen, hoya/kenko, and the really cheap zeikos, and this was my first B+W product. It is well made with high class material. Your hand will tell the difference immediately.Secondly, the MRC really works. It looks like the glass is not there at all (of course there is still reflection if you look from a lower angle). Once again, I believe the product is #010M, not #010. Amazon has the wrong info.Cons:The water/dust resistive coating is not quite as advertised. It catches dust as easily as other brands (and my glasses). I heard that even keys could not scratch this coating, but I don't want to try this myself, even though I believe good glass must be harder than keys (Mohs scale 7 vs 4).It is also a little pricey... well, at least for me. I'm using it for my Tamron 18-270, and it definitely costs more than 10% of the lens value...
I like the B+W material. It feels very nice. It doesn't affect the quality of my pictures. I hope b+w makes more filters in that size.
great UV filter. I love it. the only thing is that the price is a little bit high compared with other brands.
Can't go wrong with B+W. Clear and quality construction. As expected. Offers uncompromising protection for your front lens element !
The B+W is the way to go!!it is durable with solid ring !glass is amazingly clear , you would not think it even has glass , SOOOO clear.I love it .
The filter arrived in 2 days as promised by Amazon, intact and undamaged, but the plastic box was cracked/compressed in the corner as the filter was shipped in a wimpy envelope. Not happy.About the filter. The filter is beautifully constructed.  It is definitely heavier than the similar (58mm) hoya HMC and also an old Tiffen I have lying around.  The reflections on the front surface are very close or identical to the Hoya, and significantly superior to the Tiffen.  The threads are smotth and the filter went on the front of the lens very smoothly.  Better than the way the Hoya does.  I can't tell any visible differences in regular photos with or without the filter. That's good.Now the bad. The filter arrived dirty, with spots and a film on it, perhaps some sort of oil.  It certainly needed a good cleaning before installation and that's unacceptable, and therefore the loss of a star.  All my Hoyas have been clean from the factory.  The reason I purchased the German filter was because I wanted a German filter in front of my Zeiss 50mm planar f1.4, that's all.  Although it is better built than the Hoya, I can't tell any differences, and will perhaps stay with Hoyas in the future.  However, Hoyas do tend to scratch, and if this filter holds up long term, I will certainly pay a bit more for them.
As always, B+W has one of the best filters.I have 5 filters from B+W. they all perform well.highly recommended.
I've heard some professionals say not to use a clear or haze filter because it's not good to have anything extra in the light path of the picture, and also because even very large scratches and cracks are barely noticable because the lens is so far away from the functional focal length. But, I'm trying to take pictures of my two kids, who want to be behind the camera as much as in front of it, and I prefer the extra protection. This is a very clear, barely there kind of filter, and I haven't noticed any degradation in image quality. I would be a little wary of very cheap filters because their glass is probably too poor, but I didn't want to spring for something too much - this was just about the right near entry price point from a reputable company.
I bought this and the lens is made of glass...I think the product is from germany...it's really great quality...I accidentally dropped it when I try to put it on my camera the first time...I thought it was broken....but it didn't even have a scratch....very good quality.
b+w filters I have found are one of the best. Glass is clean and the quality of the ring construction is great.
There is no other better UV filter out there...period.  You will not be disappointed.
I love this because it means I don't have to worry about carrying around a lens cap (which I always forget to take off!) This protects my lens and so if it gets scrtched I just replace this =D
This is a quality filter.  It isn't cheap but neither is the lens which it is now attached.  When you spend top dollar on a lens, you don't want to cut corners on the filter.
Actually it is my second time to purchase it. Both worked great. For the beginner I need more time to know how good it is, :)Amazon offer good service.
I have come to the point where all I buy is B+W filters because I know that they are quality. I have tried the other &#34;name brands,&#34; but none come close to being as invisible as this one. I would definitely recommend the MRC for any digital users, as it is worth the extra money to make sure that you reduce glare as much as possible. You pay hundreds/thousands for your lens, don't ruin the quality with a cheap quality UV filter!
B&W makes GREAT quality camera products, and you can't go wrong with this Polarizer.  Clear crisp pictures everytime, I love it for pictures on the water, etc.  It turns/rotates independent of your camera lens which is an added plus for super clear pics.  I highly recommend it for cutting the haze and glare on those super sunny days in the snow, at the beach, or anytime you are on the water taking pics, works great.
Was better than I expected!  Turns a bit stiff, which may lead you to refocus picture after the filter is adjusted.  But this really depends on your lens.Over all fantastic picture quality.  I find that I have to photoshop alot less with this filter on.
Highly recommended. This thing blows away my $30 filter I used to use. I almost am too nervous to use it though because of the price but am very happy with my purchase. I know there are more expensive filters out there but this is the best bang for your buck in my opinion.
Top quality filter, you will know just by holding it in your hand.
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters.  the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass).  Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them.  I have 2 of these, and I love them.  I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly!  If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens!  In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up!
I have a 24-105mm L lens and a Tokina 12-24mm wide angel lens and  needed a polarizer filter of high quality. This is a superb product and it does what it is suppose to do.  I have to mention that I was quite impressed by Amazon and the seller(DBROTH Camera) of their quality product and excellent services.
Works just as you expected, produced the effect you're looking for without negative effects on your pictures.I owned a couple of cheaper lenses and I noted the difference since I received this one.The glass quality is really notable, and as the description indicates, it's very easy to clean, if you need to, because you can use it for a long time without the need to clean it (as need to do on my old filters)As many internet reviews indicates, you can't go wrong with B+W
I bought this based upon recommendations, and I feel it has been every bit worth it.  It really cuts down on the glare in pictures and thus allows for better detail in the pictures.  I would recommend this to any photographers.
You get what you pay for, so with such a steep price tag you certainly get a great filter here.  Fits perfectly in all of my 58mm Canon lenses and the difference it makes when trying to cut reflections or add some saturation is astounding.  If you haven't shot with a CPL filter before, you will be amazed.
Made well, a good fit and provides good polarizing effects. A little too expensive, but I assumed here was a case of you get what you pay for. I was not comfortable going with the cheap brands.
AWESOME.  AWESOME.  AWESOME.  Worked like a charm and survived some rain and mist while I was out shooting.  Easily cleaned with a microfiber cloth.  I recommend B+W filters to anyone debating what brand to choose.
Extremely well built, easy to use and returned great results. Cloudy skies are much more dramatic and glare is drastically reduced. Was great paired with aCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8LandCanon 400D.
I really wanted to like this filter. The build quality is superb and it handles perfectly. However, the images I got with this filter left much to be desired. I expect a certain loss of sharpness when using filters, but in my experience, the results with this filter are unacceptable. I used it on two different lenses, an 85mm prime and the other a 55-250mm zoom, and the disappointment was exactly the same in both cases. Perhaps I got a bad copy, because considering the price of this filter and the stellar reputation of B+W, I expected something truly great. Sadly, I was disappointed.
I received this 58mm B&W polarizer in a nice sturdy case which fits the quality and assembly of this filter. I have only used it a couple of times but seems to perform well in saturating colors. This ia a replacement for a shattered competitor filter that was dropped while on the lens. I will probably upgrade to B&W filters in the future for the build quality. Thanks Amazon for the continued good service.
I won't go into the basics of why you use a polarizer--you should already know that if  you're buying a polarizer.I've used Canon, Tiffen. I upgraded to B+W because of the better quality glass and metal. You can tell the difference in the feel, weight and clarity.In the future with a little more money, I'll step up to Singh-Ray.
Top notch in every way.  More expensive than the competition and well worth the extra cash.  This is what I bought after trying Hoya (previously reviewed) and gave up after two sub-standard filters had the same issue.  B+W is the only brand I'll buy from now on.
Almost all my camera lenses have B+W UV filters on them, so I have very high expectation on this CP when I ordered from Amazon; however, after trying it in the field on my Canon 5D MKII in a sunny day, all pictures came out w/ very un-even dark blue sky. Not sure if it's me or the camera, but I have tried different brand CP before and I have never have this type of un-even color in the photo before. Maybe I just have a bad copy.
Well made, good quality filterEveryone who has a camera capable of holding filters should have a Circular Polarizer (this one is a good one), a Neutral Density filter or two (different densities) and a graduated neutral density.
The difference between this and the cheap-o polarizing filters is pretty dramatic. Skies are bluer, clouds are whiter and have more definition, trees are greener. I hated spending so much on a filter at first, but I don't regret splurging on this one now that I've seen the difference that it makes. No sense in getting a nice camera/lens and then putting a crappy filter on the end of it!
I almost feel like I purchased a different product than the one that has received so many other rave reviews.  I couldn't wait to see how much this filter would improve my images, how the colors would pop, how professional my work would look.  For the most part, however, I couldn't see any difference at all compared to using a UV filter.  The only instance in which I could see a noticeable change was when I was able to remove a reflection on the surface of a pond.I know how to use the filter, how it should be oriented to the light source, and I spent a whole two days shooting with nothing but this filter.  I tested it over and over and over, rotating the bezel bit by bit just to make sure.  Nada.Major disappointment, major waste of money.
I love this polarizer and I really love that it fits so many of my lenses for my Canon cameras.
I have circular polarizers by a few other manufacturers (Sigma, Hoya, and one that has no name on it that came with a used lens I bought), and of the lot, I like the B+W the best. Its optical quality is excellent (one takes this for granted with B+W): no visible distortion, with good multi-coating to reduce flare. It is also wonderfully well constructed. It screws into place on my lens very smoothly. The rotating ring is damped a bit more than the ones on my other polarizers, requiring a little more effort to turn -- not so much as to be difficult or annoying, but enough to give it the feeling of a very solid, precision-made instrument that won't drift out of position by itself.B+W filters are not cheap, but they're the best.
Right now my lens kits consists of all Canon L-series lens. B+W products were highly recommended to me. Although one may consider B+W's prices on the high side, Amazon sure takes the sting out of buying this superb product. Used in conjunction with a step-down ring, you can reduce the need to buy all of the different sizes to match up with each lens.My go to lens for landscape/outdoor photography is a circular polarizer. When used effectively, you can greatly saturate sky colors. In addition, superb in glare situations.For me this is a must have in any lens/filter kit. And B+W is the way to go.
I bought this filter after owning a number of other CL Polarizing filters. When I took this filter out of the packaging, I could tell it was exceptionally well-made. The glass is clean and the case is metal. I will not buy another brand of filter anymore.
Filter works great. I do, however, have to be aware of corner shade vignetting when used with my very wide-angle lens (15-30mm zoom). Correct exposure needs to be monitored via histogram, even when used in non manual mode. Both of these items are characteristics of circular polarizers and not unique to the B+W filter.Is the B+W filter worth the higher price of other filers, e.g.,  Hoya or Tiffin?  I'll have to use it more to make that judgement.
My story: Started with cheap polarizer. Used it for years. Then I bought this one. Now I know what a REAL polarizer will do - EVENLY COLORED  SKIES! The cheap ones give uneven color in the sky. Yuck. Just skip the cheapie and go straight for the good stuff.
It's exactly as advertised. I found the Kaesemann rings to stick sometimes. Haven't seen that problem with this. the build is sturdy and the rings are easy to turn without affecting the focus.
I bought this polarizer, used it recently in Cozumel and it rocks!  Yes it is pricey, but you definately know you've purchased a quality item when you get it in your hands.  Has a very good, solid feel to it - AND the results are outstanding!Would recommend highly!
I use B+W UV Haze filters for lens protection.  I recently got this CP to enhance my landscapes. As expected of B+W, the glass is top notch and the rotation is 'just right' (not too tight, not too loose) so I can spin the orientation with my my left thumb or forefinger.
This is a very precise, quality machined bit of work.  While just about any polarizing filter will work, this one adds NOTHING to the picture - no ghosts or other artifacts.  Best I've seen and used.
What a dramatic improvement in daylight photography!Pros:1. It's solidly built.  It has heft.  You can feel the quality.2. It works.  You look through the viewfinder, turn the filter, and be amazed at how clouds pop, the blue sky becomes richer, and the color contrast improves.3. Helps the amateur photographer improve his gameCons:1.  It's a bit pricy, but you get what you pay for.Summary:I'm glad I decided to spend a little more and buy this (versus the Tiffen that I was contemplating for half the price).  I've read many reviews on this item regarding it's quality and the reputation of the brand, and I see what others are talking about.  My daylight photos, especially those that include clouds and sky, now look phenomenal.  A definite &#34;must have&#34; in your camera bag.
Great quality in B+W and no complaints with this filter.  It is lubricated so you can turn it and the oil made it onto on of my cleaning cloths.  I guess this would happen with any circ. polarizer.  Slight vingetting on wide angle (10mm-17mm) lenses.  Get the slim one if it will bother you.
To keep things simple, its a great product.  Quite expensive but, its an MRC and its b+w and they have alot of great products.  I shoot at different times of the day and find this very helpful to have this.  As it brings vibrant colors to the sky and to the overall image.  There may be other alternatives but, I have several other sized filters and results are pleasing.
Ultra high quality. Does exactly what it should, and that is polarize without distorting your images (at least as best as anything can). Metal rim and threads are also great.It's a bit hard (practically unrealistic) to handle the rotation of the polarizer when you have a long hood on, but that's no reason to reduce the rating. Every filter I know is like that.
Never stinge on lens filters especially if you have good lenses. You cant go wrong with B+W really. Its very highly recommended, its my second filter from them...
Quality filters really make a huge difference. I was using a cheapo filter before I bought this one. Before I even put this filter on my canon 7d, I could feel the difference in quality right away. This polarizer filter is definitely not made from cheap materials. I will definitely buy a B&W product again. Save up because this filter is worth the price. I'll be posting photos of before and afters soon.
I've owned 5 different B+W MRC filters and all have been excellent. This filter is no exception. The polarizing capacity is very strong with this filter and it does an excellent job of reducing glare, reducing blue polarized light in the sky, reducing reflection, etc. Build quality is very high and the level of rotating friction feels just right.The MRC designation is your cue that this filter will not produce ghost images when used on digital SLRs due to an anti-reflectivity coating put on both surfaces of the glass. Hence the large increase in price when the MRC designation is present.
The oily coating can be frustrating, so don't mess with it unless you know how do deal with those. It looks fantastic. The threads have not worn a bit, and are easy on my lenses. Easy to take on and off.
I've used filters by many manufacturers, including Nikon, Hoya and Tiffen on my Nikon pro lenses. B+W filters are far and away the best. Superb quality glass and great craftsmanship make these a must for any serious photographer. Yes, they cost a little more, but why would you put a second-rate filter on a $1000+ lens?You can't go wrong with B+W.
Tried this on my new Canon 6D, fit perfectly. Well made, no issues with threading or fit. With B&W you get what you pay for. Would recommend this product  without any hesitation.
I've been using this filter primarily on my Carl Zeiss 24-70 f/2.8 on my Sony system.  Image quality through the filter is superb.  No complaints there.  It's heavy and sturdy, rotates well, cleans easily, and resists scratches.  My complaints are that its sheer weight makes it tough to stay properly attached, and that there is no mark on the filter to indicate the orientation of the polarization (I put my own on there with a dab of white paint on the outer ring.  It makes quick adjustments so much easier).  Perhaps my usage is atypical, but when I keep this filter on my lens, with the camera stowed lens down in a cushioned shoulder case, and ride horseback or hike vigorously, the filter routinely falls off the camera, lens cap and all.  I tighten it down completely, but it always falls off.  My B+H UV filter stays on without a problem, but this polarizer is just so much heavier that the bouncing forces it off the threads.  Like I said, probably not a typical usage, but good to know just in case.
This is exactly what you would expect from B+W.  Used on a Nikon D5100, my wife and I were stunned when we used this to take pictures of some fall foliage.  Leaves went from relatively colorless in the bright sunlight to deep and rich reds and yellows.  The sky became that kind of blue you love to look at.  Works wonderfully well, easy to adjust and install.  We were taking this off and on as we moved indoors and outdoors for various pictures without issue.  Highly recommend.
The B+W filter shines in the area of build quality and optical perfection.  I really, really like the brass material over aluminum because the filter spins on and off my lens with ease when compared to aluminum.  In post processing I was floored by the performance of this filter.  First time in the field it can be difficult to see what the image actually looks like on the back of your camera versus a nice computer screen.  My images were vivid, sharp, and lush in color; nothing less than what I expect from a polarizer.  Plus, I was shooting with a fast 50mm prime lens so I did not worry too much about vignetting.Filters are a nasty subject of photography in my opinion.  Why?  Because filters are expensive, can greatly impact your image (good and bad), and may leave new photographers with information overload.  I declare this as I am the new kid on the block with limited knowledge and funds.Through researching I began to see a common trend: Heliopan and B+W are some of the best for high-end while Hoya is the best of the low-end.  I already owned a couple of Hoya filters due to low cost and pretty good quality, and this filter is my first B+W.  On that, I definitely experienced a difference, but without saying Hoya is a terrible line of filters.Final thoughts, if I spent a ton of money on a good Canon L series lens then expect me to purchase a Heliopan or B+W filter for it.  For anything else I probably will continue purchasing Hoya's top of the line filters.  If you are still unsure, compare this filter to a Hoya 58mm Pro1, note the $30 difference in cost, and splurge on the B+W if you never owned one before.
I didn't want to spend so much on a circular polarizing filter but after doing some research and reading many, many reviews of many different products, this is the filter I deemed most fit for my money -- even though it was much more than I wanted to spend. So far the results are fantastic (I've needed this for awhile) and I'm very happy with the build quality.It comes in a very durable hard plastic box, big enough for the filter but only just so it doesn't waste space. There are two decently thick foam pads under the filter, which appear to be intended to "sandwich" the filter inside the plastic case but were both placed on the bottom when I received it. Either way, the filter was snug and I've moved one foam pad to "sandwich" the filter when in its case, not being used.The filter arrived perfectly clean, with no finger prints, scratches or dust, even though the box appeared to have already been opened. Overall I'm very glad I spent the extra money on a higher quality circular polarizing filter and it certainly shows in the product.I've added a photo I took right after it arrived in the mail and I opened it.
It works fine. Not the best! If you getting this to protect your lens, yes, it works great for the there are cheaper options for you. If you looking for a really really nice polarized lens, you will most likely be disappointed.
I read one other review on Amazon complaining of a residue and smearing on the filter.  Since there was only one complaint and it was two years old, I didn't hesitate to order this polarizing filter.  I can't report on the performance of this filter because I have not been able to use it yet.  It had smears and some kind of residue on both sides that has resisted all efforts to clean. I've tried all methods recommended by B&W; and the residue remains.  I'm going to make one more effort to clean it and if I can't get it clean, back it goes.  I can't say how disappointed I am.  I purchased B&W; precisely because of their stellar reputation for quality.  To allow a filter to be shipped out in this condition is inexcusable.Update 10/1/11 - I'm not sure if it was residue or defective coating.  Either way I returned it to Amazon.  I have to give Amazon credit for the ease of their return policy.Update 11/22/11 - Please see comment number one below.  The review at digital-picture com explained all.  I changed my rating to five star based on my error.
An expensive filter.  Can't argue with that.  But it's well-worth the money.  If you're going to put a piece of glass onto an expensive lens, you want that glass (filter) to be of the highest quality.  That's just what this filter is.  It has a multi-resistant coating which most filters don't.  The filter does what it's supposed to do.  It removes reflections from the light and gives more intense colors, gives a blue sky and enhances the clouds.  You get the best effect if shooting at a 90 degree angle to the sun.  Move around a little until you get the effect you want.  If you're shooting outside, a polarizer is a necessary for the best quality shots.  And this B+W polarizer is of the highest quality glass.  You will know that as soon as you pick it up and compare it to another filter you might have.  I highly suggest this polarizer.
As I have mentioned in all of my other B+W filter postings, this is one of the top filter manufacturers in the world. The glass is top quality Schott Glass and the ring is made of brass to help prevent seizing.In general, this filter is designed to help eliminate reflections and glare, remove "blue-cast" in photos and, in so doing, it can help increase color saturation. Aside from the basic UV/haze filter, the polarizer is likely the filter you will use most frequently. If you are going to spend good money on a lens, spend the extra money and get good quality filters.For those that have not used a polarizer before, the outer ring will rotate the glass because there is an optimal angle for it to work - you may need to experiment with the filter attached, or do little research to get the hang of it.Note: This is NOT the SLIM version, so if you use it with a wide-angle lenses there is a potential of Vignetting. On the plus side, because there are threads on the outside of the filter, any standard lens cap (not included) will work and stay attached a lot better than the one on the slim filter.
I use it for photographs of cars and it works wonders for reflections in windshields! I've also used it for blown out skies and other things but really amazes me how it rids the car windows of reflections.
recently i bought a nice little 35mm lens for my nikon dSLR.  i bought this filter, and i am amazed at how it handles light and colors.  i live in england, so i was happy to buy a filter that would repel water for those times when i'm shooting in a light rain.  all in all, this filter is a gem.
Ever wondered how some pictures get that really dark blue sky in them? It's really as easy screwing on a MRC Polarizer filter, and while you're at it you might as well use the B+W.Polarizer filters increase the saturation as seen by the camera which helps to make the deep colors you see in photo books. Additionally, a Polarizer filter will remove haze from outdoor shots making them sharper AND will cut reflection from water, windows, and foliage - something you can't do yourself afterwards with Photoshop.Keep in mind that using a filter like this will decrease your light by two stops and that you have to rotate the filter every time you move to ensure you're getting the right effect. Also, you have to use a filter like this only under the right conditions. Most of the time you won't need it but when you do it will make your picture A LOT better.Since you're attaching a filter to the end of your lens you're introducing the possibility of degrading the final image. While you can use a B+W (or a Heliopan) filter with any lens BEWARE of using the cheap filters you find at your local camera store. If you're taking pictures that are important to you it is absolutely worth the extra money to get a good filter for your lens.
As reported this is a high quality filter which is easy to clean.  Also, the filter's depth is significant when mounted on another filter (e.g., UV filter), so bare this in mind if the total filter depth will create a vignetting effect in your setup.
I have spend hours on the computer using photoshop to edit my pictures. Many of them have glares from the sunlight or unsaturated colors. So when I read about the cpl I was told to buy a more expensive one for better quality.  I love the results of it. It will definitely cut some hours off of editing and more taking pictures of glare free! It fits great on my Canon EOS Rebel XS and had great service of fast delivery and well packaged.
Got it at a truly great price.Works with phantastic results on my Canon glass.Use Hoya and B+W only due to good experience, build quality, very good coatings.Never a problem so far with any of these - and I have a lot and use them regularly.Highly recommend.
Quality filters were purchased to primarily protect two Nikon lenses, but the appearance and clarity is perfect.  The filters arrived in less than 3 days.  A happy camper.
no sense buying great lens to cover with bad glass. Give this a few turns on your camera lens for the right look, and snap. really solid filter. I waited to buy this rather then buy cheaper..
This is a very good filter which I use exclusively so all of my Automotive shoots as it really helps to control the reflections on cars' bodies and windows. Coming from B+W of course it's also of very high quality, I ended up scratching it by mistake while cleaning it once and yet the results are still stunning with no obvious effect to my photos at all.
I'm using the B+W 58mm Circular Polarizer Filter for the Canon EF-S 18-55mm (kit lens) on my XSi/450D. I couldn't be happier with the results.This filter eliminates glare to make blue skies bluer and greens greener. It works particularly well, for example, for foliage in direct sunlight. Without the filter, the details in the foliage are muddled by the harsh reflection from sunlight. With the filter, the foliage shows more definition and the color tones of the foliage are more pleasing to the eye. If you're into landscape photography, this lens is a must.The filter is made in Germany. The build quality is simply top-notch. It comes with a protective plastic case.It has two brass rings that move independently; one for screwing the filter on to the lens, and another for rotating the filter to adjust the amount of polarization. For lens that don't have internal focus (IF), the movement of the lens barrel during focusing will throw the polarization out of adjustment. If you're using the filter on a non-IF lens, focus on your subject before making the necessary adjustments on the filter.---I'm really pleased with the difference the B+W filter makes in landscape/outdoor photography. It may be pricey for a filter, but trust me, it's well worth every penny!
The polarizing offered by this polarizer is excellent... 5 stars.  What has not been five stars is that this polarizer likes to bind up and get stuck on my lenses  (brand new canon L's)....  and believe me i put in on VERY lose.  This might not be that much of a problem except of the front part of the polarizer spins (it is supposed to).. and the part your supposed to grip to take it off is literally about 2-3 mm wide.costs to much for this problem...
Very good filter! I got this one for my daughter, but I have had the same for years, no complains!
I am quite pleased with this purchase.  This filter is high-quality, feels extremely solid, and the polarizing effect is apparent.I am using it with my micro-four thirds kit as I purchased the 52mm filter. I do not see any picture degradation.  There is a very slight ND effect, with little impact to color balance.
I bought what I thought was a premium product.  The filter arrived with grease on the lens that wil only smear and not come off.  The manufacture agrees it is from manufacturing and is defective but will not pay return shipping.
There are a number of things you can do to modify a digital image using digital image editing programs.  Lots of special effects may easily be added after the image has been made.  But polarizing filters are almost magical.  You see, they cut reflections and glare, and provide images with more rich colors, and for everything except metal, reduced glare and reflection.  These are things that can be difficult or impossible to do, no matter how good you are with a digital image editing program.Yes, the filter is costly.  Magic never comes cheaply.  In fact, the filter is made to rotate once installed so there are extra moving parts not found on most filters.  Then there is the high-quality coating that helps with flare caused by the filter.  There's a cost for this too.  But when all is said and done, it's worth every last penny of the cost for the results you can get.The circular polarizer is necessary for single-lens-reflex (SLR) cameras that use auto-focus and metering systems because many of these cameras' systems would be adversely affected by linear polarizing filters.  So if you have a recent, auto-focus, through-the-lens metering camera, you probably should be using a circular polarizing filter - check your camera manual if you are not sure.This in my experience is the most useful filter available and worth every penny.  Unlike the Skylight or UV filters sold because "you need to protect your lens" or "cut UV-haze".  Just remember that todays modern lenses have very hard glass, hard lens coatings, and that almost no UV rays pass through glass and today's multi-coated lenses.  Unlike the polarizing filter, the Skylight and UV filters are a waste of your money unless you are truly shooting in a very hostile environment.  Save the money you would have spent on these profit makers for the camera store and buy a filter that will actually make an immediate difference in your photography - a polarizing filter!
Please read below about my problem with cleaning the glass surfaces of  different polarizers. Two polarizers cleaned very easily; the other four, including my worst-rated B+W polarizer, just wouldn't come clean! Using all approved methods of cleaning them, the smears just wouldn't go away!After having problems with the ability to clean filters' surfaces, and needing to buy 2 polarizers (I always have a spare) for my new Canon 24-105mm pro lens for my Canon 5D full-frame SLR digital body, I ordered several different polarizers in 77mm size for testing: I'd keep the winner. All of the polarizers named in this review had front threads for filter stacking and lens cap attachment.My problem with cleaning the polarizers' glass surfaces: When a drop of rain or some spray from a garden's water fountain landed on the polarizer, I could spend 10 minutes wiping the filter and all I did was move smears all over the place; I COULD NOT get the glass clean!!! When shooting into nighttime street lights, the sun, or other light sources, the smears really hurt image quality. It was like shooting through a dirty window.My tests involved putting a wet fingerprint and some saliva (sometimes you try to blow dust from the filter and you end up depositing some spit on it!) on the front and rear faces of each polarizer. The Hoya HD MC 8-layer placed 2nd easiest to clean: Five seconds of cleaning with a cloth and it was good as new.Number 1 winner was the Heliopan polarizer ($153.00): it almost cleaned itself! HOWEVER, it was not a thin-ring mount, and it heavily vignetted the corners of my lens at 24mm.The number 2 winner, the Hoya HD MC 8-layer is a thin-ring design so any vignetting is a minor problem (it's as good as it's going to get).In third place was the Hoya DMC PRO1 polarizer.In fourth place was the Heliopan SH-PMC.In last place was the B+W Multi-coated which was absolutely terrible (as bad as my previous Nikon polarizers which I returned to Nikon who refunded my purchase price (thank you, Nikon!).Since the Hoya HD MC 8 layer polarizer is extremely easy to clean, is a thin-mount design, and has front threads, there's no reason to consider any of the others. Unfortunately, this polarizer is the most expensive of all the polarizers I tested (6 including Nikon's); however, unless you lose it or break it it's a one-time purchase, and you need clean glass to make good images.
I don't use my 58mm lenses much these days, but this is a nice one on those rare times when I use my smaller lenses.  Definitely helps me take better pictures.
B+W 58mm Circular Polarizer MRC FilterWell made what with the brass ring construction, but it was ineffectual.Test shots were taken both with and without the filter mounted on my Canon G12.The test shots were taken outside, mid-day, of the land, and sky, around my home and included photographs facing East, South & West to test the sky darkening function of the camera - results shown little or no polarizing effect.I also tested the filter, hand held, to test the elimination of reflection from a number of sources such as automobile windows, painted surfaces, etc - same results.Last I tested for color enhancement properties of the filter on the grass, trees and flowers - same results.I have used other mfr's polarizing filters on another camera I own with much better results.Last I'd advise that you test any polarizing filter you may wish to purchase before spending money on something that may not perform to your satisfaction.
I do think that this filter gives my photographers a remarkable color and clarity.  I would advise anyone looking to purchase one to spend the extra few dollars and buy a high quality circular polarizer.  I bought a less expensive one first and ended up buying this one later anyhow.  You end up saving money by purchasing a higher quality item.
Highly recommend for any outdoor shooting.  jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl jkl
This isn't the cheapest, and it's not the most expensive polarizer. I'm glad I got this one -- this filter rotates pretty smoothly, and it's not at all annoying in use. I'm using a Canon DSLR with auto focus lenses, and I've found that it's easier to switch the lens to manual focus while I'm rotating the polarizer, so I'm not rotating against the AF servos.
This B+W Circular Polarizer exudes quality.  The glass is crystal clear, the action is silky smooth and the polarizing effect is fantastic.  It is worth investing in a quality polarizer...don't waste your money on a cheap one.One suggestion: only use a photographic lens cloth to clean the glass, otherwise it is very difficult to remove smears on the coating.
The filter arrived quickly and works exactly as advertised. Does a great job of reducing reflections and glare as well as deepening the blues in the sky.
Not much to say about this except it's very well made.  The fact that it's brass means it had a nice feel/weight to it and smoothly goes on the lens/uv filter.  The polarizer itself is very nice too.  I have owned cheaper polarizers and UV filters but have swapped all of them out for B + W because they really do make superior stuff.Also, I have a canon 50mm f1.4 and 100mm f2.8 macro, both of which take a 58mm filter size so it does double duty.
This is a fine filter, but I like the Hoya HD2 better. The Hoya just doesn't seem to pick up fingerprints and dust at all.
Spend the money and get this filter. I have been using all levels of filters for years now and B+W filters are some of the absolute best. The quality should last you a lifetime if you provide even just a modest amount of care to them. The effect is very noticeable and rotation is very smooth.
I returned my item because it has some scar on the coating, and it's their last one in stock, so I didn't really have chance to use this filter. But I hold and watch it, it looks very high quality, sturdily built.
I love this filter. It was a great companion on my trip to Washington, DC to get some great shots of the monuments and the US Capital.
Compared with other polarizers I've used this one is unusually dark and the modifier ring doesn't produce as much of a change in tone as I'd like.  I rarely use it and would frankly replace it given the opportunity.
B&W makes the best filters on the market. They feel well constructed, and the MRC offers great protection. Worth the high cost. Remember if you are using a polarizer, that you should try to use a tripod.
The filter is solid and has a very nice finish.I am not a professional photographer, just an enthusiast.I had used cheap filter before, and the difference is not very noticeable for me, probably because I don't pixel peep and is still learning.  But the feeling of knowing this won't fail on me is probably the main reason I would buy B+W in the future.Not sure if its worth the price, but after investing 1000 dollar on lens, I think its worth it.
Over-rated product, nothing outstanding about this compared to similar and decent products, but they cost less. If you like this particular German manufacturer, you can buy it. If you wish to save money and go with another decent filter, save your money. I have used a bit less expensive, decently-rated Hoya filter (Hoya 58mm HD Hardened Glass 8-layer Multi-Coated Digital Circular Polarizer Filter), and found no significant differences between them, at least not worth the extra cost for the B+W filter. To me the B+W produced a bit dramatic effects even with continuos but slight adjustments, making the shots look somewhat artificial.
At last I can use the old filters I have from when I was still using my film cameras. I can also use my new filters for my new cameras. Very convenient.
Superior construction, superior mechanics, superior optics.I have had Hoya and others and B&W; is better.If you are seriously looking for a polarizer, get this one.
Excellent quality construction, no noticeable distortion, threads onto lens easily, adjustments are smooth as silk. Recommended for folks that are looking for quality accessories.
I purchased this B+W CP filter to use on my Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 . The fit is tight, but east for me to remove when i need to. It rotates smoothly and is extremely well built. After using it several times, I was so happy with it that I purchased the UV filter.  I have not noticed ANY loss in image quality. My images are still extremely sharp with fantastic color. If you need a circular polarizer, you cannot go wrong with this B+W CP filter. It will keep the images looking stellar. I highly recommend it for high end lenses.
The polarizer really makes colors pop. I also think the construction and quality is great.....is so strong. I have 2 Serie L Lenses of Canon and this is the best invertion for that.... donn't go with the cheap..
I find that the B+W filters are easier to clean. Smudges and dust come off without much effort. The filter feels like it is better put together too. The quality is there but is the price worth it?
I've not noticed any artifacts or problems with this filter.  It threaded easily and does the job mostly as protection for my more expensive telephoto lens for my Canon.  I highly recommend this.
I originally bought the &#34;slim&#34; version of this filter, but it didn't work for me since I could not use my lens hood and remove the pinch-type lens cap at the same time. This one works perfectly...
It is very important for me protecting my lenses, sometimes I expose them to rough conditions. B+W makes the job and still gives me the good optics of the lens.
You get what you pay for. Why spend $1500 on a Canon L series lens and then put a cheapo filter on it? You paid big bucks for a lens so you could have the best image quality available, didn't you? So then why put a cheap $10 piece of glass over it to distort or cloud your images? This filter is rock solid. The weight and feel are heavy duty and the threads are precision. And if your lens is a Canon L series lens than you know the weather sealing on it doesn't include the front element unless you have a filter on it.  And it's also a good insurance policy to protect the front element from accidental scratches. But those aren't the reasons I bought this filter.  I bought it because I was tired of UV haze washing out my photos anytime I was down at the lake or out on the coast. This filter clears up the images beautifully.
Used in front of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens and Canon 40mm EF f/2.8 STM Lens for protection and reduce haze, they are permanently installed, they perform well without undesired effects
I only buy B+W filters and this filter is one of my favorites to protect my favorite glass.  You can't go wrong with B+W
Good quality filter. Purchased a cheaper one from Walmart and it fell apart.  Very well made.  I like B+W products.
Works great, easy to put on, and the quality of the protector is great.  I buy a lot of B+W products.  Good products, good brand.
I bought this filter to use on my new 50 mm f/1.4.  The glass is clear, it's made well and it fits the lens perfectly.  It's the first time I've actually used a filter and I went back and forth between B+W and a few other brands.  I decided to spend the few extra dollars on B+W and it was worth it.  I'll definitely purchase this brand again.
it works
Thin enough not to cause vignetting on a Canon 17-40mm at 17mm. I expect it will be as durable as all the B&W filters I already have. I'm sold on this brand.
this filter performs very good  , it increases saturation and sharpness giving a wow to my pictures ,  it's easy to rotate to get the desired effect.
This B+W filter is just like all other B+W products, it is built solid and functions as it is suppose to.
I purchased this pricey PL filter in a 52mm size for use with a Compact System Camera. It cost me $65.00. I have a camera bag suitable, in size, to the CSC.Unfortunately, this relatively small filter came in a large, 90mm square case that will not fit my camera bag. The case measures 90mm square and will hold a 78mm filter. The snap-on end cap for the 52mm filter is 60mm in diameter. So, I will now have to buy a filter that I do not need in order to get a case that I do need. Very frustrating and wasteful! I figure about an hour of my time and about $15.00 in additional cost. The square case is also difficult to open, making it slow to get the filter mounted on the lens. I have seen round cases, with twist (screw) tops, that are very easy to open. Marking the square case, using a permanent marker, with an arrow on the latch size will help somewhat. You at least then know what side to be tugging at.The filter may be of excellent quality. But, I don't know -- it has yet to leave the house.I would like to see filters come in round cases that are matched in size to the size of the filter rather than a 78mm case being used to hold a filter than needs a 60mm case. As cameras are downsized with the mirrowless movement, camera cases will also be downsized. Furthermore, why would anyone want to waste space in any camera bag? Note that the filter has no front threads, so a filter stacker cannot be used. And, it is not a filter that stays on the lens like a UV or 1A filter.So, B+W, please pack your filters in cases that are not overly large and will not waste space in a camera bag.
As I have mentioned in all of my other B+W filter postings, this is one of the top filter manufacturers in the world. The glass is top quality Schott Glass and the ring is made of brass to help prevent seizing.In general, this filter is designed to help eliminate reflections and glare, remove "blue-cast" in photos and, in so doing, it can help increase color saturation. With this being a slim mount you have the added benefit of being able to use this filter with wide-angle lenses and not get Vignetting.Aside from the basic UV/haze filter, the polarizer is likely the filter you will use most frequently. If you are going to spend good money on a lens, spend the extra and get good quality filters.The one negative with this filter, and all slim filters in general, is that the lens cap is just the "slip-on" type and it will fall off almost immediately.
Nice polarizer filter. I am always using this on my lenses when out in daylight. Great quailty. Drops your exposure down several f stops.
Pros:It doesn't show up at the edges when I zoom all the way out like full size filters.Cons:Supplied lens cap is junk and does NOT stay on.Filter is very hard to turn.Subjectively I don't think I'm getting as good a range of polarizing effects with this filter as compared to my old filters.
I think a polarizing filter is a must for outdoor photography. Polarizers add a punch, especially clouds and sky, that cannot be duplicated, even with the magic of Photoshop.It is a must if you are shooting water in the sun, often lets you see below the surface of streams and shallow ponds.This particular filter is built thin enabling it to be used with a wide angle lens without vignetting. I have used it with a 10-20 mm lens with excellent results.Always use filters whose quality matches your lens - this filter is excellent and  will suit the very best lenses.
Review is for Adorama and not the filter.Thanks Adorama.  Just what I wanted, a dirty filter from a box with a broken seal.  So was this filter removed from the box so it could collect dust for a month?  Or was it actually sold to a photographer who used is on an dusty outing then decided to return it?You also botched my Speedlite and cold shoe order so why should I expect anything different?
Decent polarizing capbility.  I needed a filter for a wide-tele zoom, and this product addressed the vignetting issue.  The downside is the slip on cap; it slips off readily, hence the downgrade rating of 4.  One definitely requires a tether for this cap ... before the first trip.
&#2951; Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150; Highly recommended with warm fuzzies!This is the fourth B+W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer that I own.  These filters are expensive, but they are worth the extra cost, especially under adverse conditions outdoors where lots of dust, moisture, and temperature changes are prevalent.  Unlike B+W's standard circular polarizers, which also have the Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC), these Kaesemann ("encased") filters have a better premium-grade polarizing foil and these are completely edge-sealed for maximum durability under extreme climatic conditions due to changes in temperature and humidity.  Since circular polarizers are mainly useful during mid-day outdoor shooting, and because I do a lot of backcountry nature and landscape photography that often involves many hours of daily hiking, I always purchase these B+W Kaesemann filters because they are one of the very best for outdoor shooting in environments ranging from hot and humid rain forests to below-freezing climates while hiking above timberline on a snow-covered mountain.For mid-day outdoor shooting, this filter will add a huge "WOW!" factor to your photos.  In fact, a circular polarizer adds more obvious visual benefits than any other kind of lens filter that you may use.  Colors really sparkle, especially on landscape shots where the reds, blues, and greens really pop compared to photographing outside in the mid-day sun without using a circular polarizer.  Circular polarizers remove specular reflections caused by sunlight bouncing off of surfaces and they enhance the saturation of colors in your photos.  So when colors are being desaturated by some degree of specular reflection, the colors will be enhanced.  Not all scenes contain polarized light, but usually your skies will look more blue, the plants will look more green because the foliage is not reflecting light, and flowers will look prettier.  Yes, you can increase color saturation using post-processing software.  But this circular polarizer naturally adds saturation to the colors.  And some people over-saturate the colors during post-processing.  Along with getting richer colors in bright sunlight, a circular polarizer can also dramatically filter out the glare and reflections that are bouncing off of water and glass, allowing you to photograph through the water and glass to see more of the stones and fish below the surface of a lake or the objects that are behind a window on a sunny day.  This can have a startling effect: for example, without using a CP filter, you may just photograph a reflection of yourself holding the camera pointed at a storefront window because most of the sunlight is causing the window to look like a reflective mirror; using a CP filter, you can photograph all of the items that are actually on display behind the storefront window.If you want to use a polarizing filter and your SLR camera was purchased during the past 30 years, you should probably use a "circular polarizer" instead of a "linear polarizer".  Linear polarizer filters interfere with the beam-splitting metering that is used in most modern SLR cameras, resulting in underexposure.As with other kinds of lens filters, to save money, you can purchase just one of these polarizing filters that will fit the largest lens you have, and then use step-up rings to mount the same polarizing filter on your smaller lenses.  However, since a polarizing filter is frequently used for landscape photography using wide-angle lenses, you may get severe vignetting if you stack multiple step-up rings or if you are using a wide-angle lens.  Since I switch between three camera bodies and eight lenses, I just decided that it was better to get separate polarizing filters instead of using step-up rings.  My first B+W Kaesemann circular polarizer was a 77mm size, quickly followed by an 82mm purchase.  And then I later also purchased a 67mm and finally a 72mm filter for my other lenses.Unlike other stationary filters that do not move after you screw them onto a lens, a circular polarizer filter has a rotating lens element that filters light to different degrees of polarization.  To use a circular polarizer, you just rotate this filter in either direction while looking through the viewfinder until you like what you see as being the best adjustment.  If you are using a wide-angle lens and pointing the SLR camera at a landscape scenery shot, as you rotate the CP filter, and depending upon where the sun is, you may see the color of the sky slowly shift from lighter blues to darker blues as you rotate the CP filter.  If it is early morning or late afternoon and the sun is at a sharp angle closer to the horizon, you may not see much of a difference as you rotate the filter ring.  I personally prefer a light to medium amount of polarization from my CP filter use; this is somewhat analogous to wearing light-tinted or medium-tinted polarizing sunglasses.  It is possible to get a deeply-colored dark blue sky by turning the CP filter to maximum polarization, but this can often look too unnatural.  There may be situations where I have resort to maximizing polarization because the landscape still has too much glare, such as too many glistening reflections coming from a lake in the foreground of the landscape scene.  If you are photographing a snowy landscape in the mid-day sun, you should try photographing both with and without using the CP filter.  The CP filter will improve the look of the sky, water, and plants in a snowy landscape, but it may also remove the sparkling glitter effect of the snow, which may either enhance or detract from your photo.The brass filter mount is very rigid, and unlike some filters with aluminum filter mounts that can bind and be a hassle to screw or unscrew, this B+W Kaesemann CP filter is easy to put on and take off.  Because I am sometimes repeatedly going outdoors, indoors, and then outdoors again and wanting to photograph both inside and outside, especially while touring foreign countries (e.g. photograph around the outside of a building using the CP filter and then photograph the inside of the building without the CP filter), I do not like to screw this filter too tightly because I want to be able to quickly put it on and quickly take it off as needed.  So I just use a very light amount of torque when I screw the filter on, and I stop turning the threaded filter mount onto the camera lens the moment that it no longer continues to easily screw in.  Even though I can rotate this filter clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the desired effect, I always rotate the filter ring clockwise (which looks like a counterclockwise turn when viewed from the perspective of looking through the viewfinder) as added insurance just in case my fingers are also grabbing the filter mount so that I am not inadvertently unscrewing the filter from the lens if I was to rotate the filter ring counterclockwise.  It can be disconcerting to think that you are rotating the filter to adjust the polarization if your fingers accidentally grab the filter mount and you are actually unscrewing the filter from the lens.  If you have never used a circular polarizer before, it is worth the time to practice screwing/unscrewing the filter while you are still sitting down at home to get a feel for the amount of torque needed to screw the filter onto a lens and balance that with how easily you can unscrew the filter to quickly take it off.Compared to cleaning the glass on lenses and other lens filters, I think that something about this B+W filter's "multi-resistant coating" makes it a bit more prone to smearing and streaking when cleaning with fluids.  If there is dust on this filter or on my lens, a few good blasts from my Giottos Rocket Air blows the dust off.  But if there is more stubborn dirt or fingerprints on this CP filter that requires wiping, the surface of this CP filter can be a bit finicky in getting both sides of the filter totally free of any smears or streaks.  To remove fingerprints or dirt, I use a microfiber cloth or lens tissue dampened with isopropyl/rubbing alcohol or water, I lightly wipe in a circular motion, and then I quickly dry off the fluid using another clean cloth or tissue.  It seems that some of the fluid can streak if it is left to dry by itself on the surface of the CP filter.  Sometimes, I am still left with a few streaks on the filter glass, and if I clean that area again, I can wipe off the streaks.  Because these B+W Kaesemann CP filters are more of a hassle to perfectly clean compared to other filters, I really try to avoid getting my fingerprints onto its surface, and I always remove the lens hood when using my fingers to turn the filter ring.  Some people leave the lens hood on the lens and reach their fingers down into the hood to turn the CP filter, but that increases the risk of touching the CP filter's surface and getting fingerprints onto it.If you are using this circular polarizer with a wide-angle lens (e.g. about 25mm to 28mm or wider) or fisheye lens, since the angle of polarization varies continuously with the angle from the sun, and wide-angle and fisheye lenses can cover such a huge field of view, there is a possibility that you may end up with a sky that is unevenly polarized, and the sky will have a strange gradation of colors ranging from dark navy blue to pale light blue.  The sky will be the darkest at a 90 degree angle from the direction of the sunlight.  When using a lens that covers a very wide angle of view, the direction of the sunlight changes across the scene, resulting in varying degrees of polarization.  This transition of sky colors may happen laterally, vertically, or diagonally.  If this color banding is very severe, you can sometimes see this uneven polarization through the viewfinder and attenuate the effect somewhat by turning the circular polarizer.  But at other times, you may not notice this uneven polarization while looking through the viewfinder.  The shifting sky colors may become obvious if you review the photo on the camera's LCD screen, but if you are shooting during mid-day and the LCD screen has a lot of glare, you may still not notice this problem until you look at the photos later on the computer screen.  This odd-looking shift of blue colors in the sky can be evened out a bit using some creative post-processing, but this is mainly an issue with wide-angle lenses, and it may become very obvious when using ultra-wide-angle lenses or fisheye lenses.Also remember that all circular polarizers lose at least one or two stops of light exposure, like using a neutral density filter, and details in shadow areas will be diminished, so you should not use this filter when shooting in conditions of low light, overcast skies, and indoor environments (which would not be helped by this filter anyway).
Quality is superb! Glass and frame gives you the feel for its price value. Highly useful when sun is way up and shining brightly. It serves like shades to your eyes and prevents too much glare. It helps add contrast to your photos.Do not apply too much torque in threading this onto your lens as it may be difficult to remove since its front element rotates.
I was only able to use this filter for a couple weeks after purchasing it but the photos were excellent, especially for landscape photos.  Unfortunately the camera with Canon's 10-22 wide angle zoom lens was mounted on a tripod and fell off lens first onto the cement in a parking lot.  The impact shattered this filter and jammed the ring on the lens but after using a pair of pliers to break the rest of the glass out of the filter ring, then lens still worked good as new.It hurt to lose this filter and rip it apart with a pair of pliers, however it probably saved the lens from sure destruction.  The glass and the film are both very sturdy as it took quite a while to break the glass out of the ring even with a pair of pliers.
Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but in life you pay for quality. This is a great polarizing filter, made of high quality glass by a company you know you can trust. If you're considering buying it, you should definitely do so.
I gave this filter 5 stars because it deserves it. As soon as you hold this filter in your hand, you'll know, immediately, you are dealing with quality. As you rotate it, you'll feel the smooooooothness. The picture quality?? Well, you've read all of these comments here about this product. Look, if you're putting this filter on a lens you're planning to keep and use a lot, get this filter. Pay the money. I didn't want to either. You should have seen me sitting here contemplating over my computer. I just said "...fu____!", and press the button. I'm glad I did.
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters. the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass). Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them. I have 2 MRC, 1 Kaesemann, and 1 "plain" or Normal one, and I love them. I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly! If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens! In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up!  I prefer the MRC or even the Kaesemann over the entry level one, but even their entry level one is ground glass, so you still get a great quality filter at that price point.
I use to use another brand of filters, but I noticed that they're a bit flimsy. B+W makes quality products. Their glass is smooth without any dimples unlike on other filters that I've noticed. The rim holding the glass is hefty. It feels really well made. Once you pick up the filter, you will notice a considerable difference in weight if you were to compare it to other filters. The polarizer's quality is considerably more noticeable compare to other brands. It gives you a more natural feel. Pricey, but I highly recommend it if you don't mind spending the money.
I'm suffering from a bad case of G.A.S.  If you're new to photography and don't know what this means, just wait, you'll learn :-)Nicely made product.
Great polarizer. If you spend more, you're possibly just paying for a cool name on the  side of your filter. Now, the Kaesemann part is a splurge; it only makes the coating last longer. So, Kaesemann is really a solution for a problem that does not exist. Still, I like itPersonally, I don't know of  a better polarizer on the market.I don't really know what to say other than it works perfectly. Go ahead and spring for this, you know you've been looking at it and wanting it for months. You've looked and studied too long, just buy it and be good to yourself.
I have this on my 70-200 f4 L IS lens, and this filter brings an added and interesting dimension to the images.  Costly, but well worth it for the quality that it brings.
Expensive, but one of the best if not the best polarizer out there.  Used it all summer on my Canon 7D with my "L" lenses and worked great.  I'd buy it again.
Superior glass, heavy duty  brass frame, and nicely damped action, but be careful when handling.  The moving parts of this filter contain oil, which is good for the moving parts that slide aginst each other.  It assures that the parts will have very little wear over a long period of time.  Unfortunately the oil is also present at the end of the camera side threads.  If you touch the oil and inadvertently touch the glass, you will have quite a time trying to get it off.  This filter's multi-resistant coating isn't very resistant to this oil.Removing the oil from the glass will take multiple cleanings with an alcohol based lens cleaner.  Don't try submerging the filter in clean water because this will wash more of the oil and other fine particles from the metal which will deposit, guess where, on the glass.  I think the best solution is to carefully wipe the oil from the exterior surfaces right away before using the filter, good luck.
I have dropped this filter on concrete without it even scratching the metal ring. Optics are crisp, the polarization is smooth. I love this filter.
My first purchases of lenses were accompanied by filters that were as cheap as I could get.  After all they were mainly for the protection of the lens.  That works fine if you remove the filter before you take pictures.  For example, you see kids playing and you want to get the shot.  The scene through the viewfinder is foggy.  Oh yeah, you forgot to remove the cheap filter.  Off it comes and the kids are gone.  Okay not all your pictures are of moving or moveable objects.  Here is a lovely scene of mountains and a glimmering lake but the reflections on the water are too distracting.  What is wrong?  Your $20 polarizer is not working.In my budget this is not a cheap polarizer.  It is well constructed by German technicians, it does exactly what it is supposed to do, and it serves the purpose of protecting my expensive lens at the same time.  The question is not how much money are you willing to spend, but how much do you want to take great pictures?  If you use this filter and your pictures are still no good, whose fault is that?
I love Polarizer lens.  I have now bought one for each of my lens. Now I am ready to shoot any time anywhere.
Not an inexpensive item.  You get what you pay for with B+W filters.  while expensive the discount price for this filter was good so it was a good deal versus full price in a local camera store.
I bought this filter to go with my Canon 24-70 L lens.  This is an excellent PL filer to go with L lens.  When you have a high quality lens, you must get a high quality filter.  Don't sacrifice quality with money.  Photo is forever.
This filter is very nice, but mine came with a smudge on it! hard to clean. Not sure if it is worth the extra money.
The quality of course is excellent because it is a B+W, however, it is thick and heavy.  I expected it to be thinner and lighter.  Now a day, being optically great is not the whole story, it needs to be light since everything seems to go smaller and lighter, especially for people who travel a lot and hike long hikes.  I returned it.  I think the top models from Hoya is providing that, I will take a look at the  Hoya instead.
This filter performs phenomenally, producing beautiful dark blue skies and increasing contrast.  So far it feels like it is well constructed.  Close examination of pictures taken with the filter show little evidence of vingetting or chromatic aberration.  All in all this is a very good filter.  I'm shooting with a Nikon D5000 and the 16-85mm lens.
If you're considering this filter, you probably already know what it does. Polarizing the light reaching your camera sensor (or film, I presume, but I've only used this on digital) will serve a few purposes. It can make skies bluer, if you get the adjustment right, and cut down on glare from foliage, water, or other reflective surfaces. That said, you have to know how to use it. Using it on an ultra-wide lens (wider than 24mm full-frame equivalent) can lead to a color gradient across the sky, because of the different angles of light you're capturing (and filtering out). You will have to spin the filter to adjust the direction of polarization to get the desired effect.Now, this is probably one of the best circular polarizers out there. B+W's black brass mount is very durable, and less likely to get stuck than an aluminum mount. But because the filter spins, there is only a small, textured area to grip to screw/unscrew the filter. I got mine stuck (on a B+W MRC UV filter) for the first time last week. I got it off by hand, but it would have been much easier with a filter wrench. This is inherent to the design of any circular polarizer, though, so I didn't deduct any stars. The multi-resistant coating is a must: I've noticed no additional flare with this filter, and the glass is clean and smudge-free as the day I got it. I tend to shoot in more challenging (wet, dusty) environments, hence paying extra for the Kaesemann: you have to determine your usage to decide if it's worth the extra sealing provided by this tier of filter. However, this filter has stood up to a lot for me, so I must say I think it's worth every penny!
When you want to splurge, this is the CP filter to buy.  Weather proof and excellent glass. Try to buy B+W when I can - never had an issue for over 30 years.
Awesome lens, works great,  very good sharp picture.  Very smooth lens movement .  This of superb quality with a decent price.
German made! What else is there to say regarding optics and so many other well engineered products? It works as expected and is worth the price! Your photos are too valuable to trust another brand.
I am an amateur photographer typically only taking pictures of family. I took some pics of my kids recently on an outing to Half Moon Bay in CA and boy did they come out great. I used one shot for a card designed by minted.com and received so many phone calls from friends and relatives wanting to know what professional photographer I used. I owe it all to the polarizer. It has really made a difference is the quality of the shots.
Arrived on time; the filter is has exceptional build quality! The images and the polarizing effect is spot on when used appropriately.
I will say this is the best CP filter I've ever used. My previous is the other B+W CP. The only real difference I've noticed is in the sky colors, where this one captures it more accurately (the other had a tendency to purple the sky during certain rare conditions).I think the gushing reviews might be in part people justifying what they paid (which seems to happen in the photo community a bit too often). I got it as a gift, so no remorse here :) I probably would not have bought this with my own money, but I'm quite happy to have it. Is it worth the extra $50-100 over the top hoya/other B+W? Well, if you need the absolute best then this is probably it. If you want something great but not excessive, the others will probably work fine for you. I could be missing something as I've only used this filter for a couple weeks now, but that's my take.
You can't go wrong with B+W filters, as they are the best you can buy in my opinion.  We no longer use any other kind of filter.
This is a great piece of glass. We ordered it last minute for an automotive shoot that required a Circular Polarizer. Worked perfectly and had the same optical quality as our L-series lenses. Clean, well packaged, highly recommended.
The build quality is top notch as always.  The polarizing effect, changed by rotation, was smooth without any mechanical sticky spots.  As with any filter that requires rotation, you will likely have to rotate the bezel clockwise during adjustment otherwise you tend to unscrew the filter instead of changing the polarization effect.  Just be careful you don't over tighten the attachment as its not very deep and it hard to grip for removal if you have large fingers!Since this polarizer was going on my 24-70mm 2.8 and 77mm is the largest filter size...I also purchased B+W adapters for my &#34;smaller&#34; lenses.  Its cheaper than buying polarizers in multiple sizes.  B+W filter adapters allowed my 77mm filter to fit my 67 and 62mm lenses for about $15 each!
Just having received this filter without opportunity to use it yet, it was extremely annoying to find it previously opened and heavily smudged on both sides.Needing to painstakingly clean my new purchase is ridiculous.  I'll live (...lol..) but come on!I assume this filter will perform well but this is my only chance to express my irritation so it gets a one.
If you are big into optics and photography, then you may know the reputation of Schneider Optics. They manufacture some fantastic glass and apply wonderful coating to give you exactly what you want without degrading your image. I've used cheaper filters in the past but they all fall short of the performance of B+W. The construction is a solid brass ring with Schott glass.Sure this lens is a bit prices but do you want to polarize your incoming light or not?!  This lens has impressed me over and over with how well it eliminates undesired reflections and perpendicular rays.  Skies are bluer, foliage is greener, rocks have more earthy tones; there is so much that is possible with this filter.Highly recommended.
I've had polarizers and other miscellaneous filters fall apart on me many times.  I've also used many filters from crummy brands that make your photos look not sharp.  This doesn't have those problems.One day when a Hoya polarizer fell apart while it was attached to my lens I decided I needed to up the quality of filters I bought.  After that day I only bought Rodenstock filters.  However... Rodenstock is hard to find in all sizes.  So, I started picking up B+W and have not been disappointed.  This is not my first B+W filter and it certainly won't be my last...I say it won't be my last because right now my wife has been using this awful Tiffen CP that makes her photos look notably blurry.  It's so bad you can see it when you just look through the viewfinder.I definitely recommend these for people who prefer high quality gear that won't fall apart and won't degrade your photo quality.
This Polarizer is great, excellent shades and has made for some awesome pictures. I would recommend it to anyone who likes photography.
This is a great polarizer filter that I have own.  The quality is excellent.  I would recommend this product
Shooting help videos for iPad apps and needed to get rid of hand reflections on the screen. This works well. A bit expensive but when you compare to what is spent on all my other gear it is reasonable.
This is top of the line glass polarizer for a Canon lens.  It work perfectly and deliver professional photographic results.
I'm completely delight by my new C-polarizer for my new lens. Up until now all my lens had been the same diameter, so was able to share, but the new lens was a few millimeters different. After reading several reviews of polarizers and actually learning more about how their made and their qualities, I chose this one and it's flawless.
It is the best CPL you can buy from the market. The quality is super good. Made in Germany.  The effect is significant!
Hard to write too much thrilling about a filter.Threads are good. Thickness is reasonable. Turns smoothly, but not too easy. Optically superb. Not much else to say!
I would recommend this to any prospective buyer.  Like many of us, I've gone the really cheap route before with polarizing filters and like anything else - you get what you pay for.  This time I paid a bunch more but this filter is well built and it's a quality item.  Looked after, I'm sure it will provide many years of service.  Highly recommended.
I am a believer in a good glass filter to use on my $2500 lens. What a beautiful job this filter does. I would highly recommend.
Don't get me wrong, this filter is top notch, i just wish they did without the double screw system to attach. I couldn't get this thing for the life of me on a shoot. The shoot was indoors so it just made the pictures come out faded and it also required a lot more light enhancer to achieve the pictures i wanted. I emailed the company to get this fixed asap because the 70-200 was basically my main lens that I use. 4 days later they responded with a staple email :"Hi Jiraiya,I'm sorry to hear about your filter / lens sticking issue.I am pasting an FAQ from our website that discusses how to unattach two filters from each other but I'm sure the information can also be used in your case.Please let me know if you have any further questionsSincerelyPaul35. What are my options when two filters get stuck to each other?Option 1:Try a filter wrench. Even pressure is the key.Option 2:Take a rubber mat (the jar opener type is fine for this purpose), and place the filter(s) face down on the mat. If one of the filters is a polarizer, place the polarizer face down. A rubber mat on each side is even better. With the palm of your hand (wear a white lint free glove if only using one mat) press down into the mat while rotating counter clock wise. Use REASONABLE and EVEN pressure so as not to damage the filter, pressing ring, not glass. This pressure should keep the polarizer mount from rotating.Option 3:Contact John Sioringas of our Schneider West repair department:[...]"Sooooo....yeah the cursed filter is still on my lens and they problem has not been resolved as of yet. My only other lens is a wide angle so I'm pretty much unable to take most work until this is resolved...Thanks B+W!
I bought a cheaper polarizer and was not happy with the quality of the picture.  This lens works very well with very clear glass and a good polarizing affect.  I didn't like the price but you get what you pay for.
I make very little use of this product that I wish I would have got a cheaper solution. It's great and quality is there for sure, as it does what it's designed to do and do it well. The ring rotates smoothly and without catches, and it also has that nice metallic heft to it that you can associate with something costing $150+ when it's really just a piece of glass.I recommend the product to those that need this sort of product (you should know who you are), but for my use, I think it's over-kill (especially to the wallet). So I think people should ask themselves whether they need this or if they simply want it?
Absolutely top notch. It is excellent quality and the images it produces are what one would expect from a top quality filter.
It is harder to clean this than the cheap filters as zeikos or vivitar, you should make a video o add info about how to clean them, once I was more than a hour trying to clean them, using detergent and alcohol, water, tissue, cotton T-shirt, microfiber, etcetera...
Cheapo filters = cheapo results.  My previous polarizer was only about $10 - and took HORRIBLE pictures.  This one works EVEN better than expected.  Its VERY rugged.  Takes PHENOMENAL photos and it's very resistant to dust.  I can simply use my puffer ball to clear of the dust and it's like new again.  If I'm in a rush I can blow on it and works the same!  Cleans so easy!  That alone makes it work the investment in my opinion!
An excellent filter of good quality, works well. This item surpasses the normal filters of this type, and it is worth spending a little more to get the better quality. I would recommend this to any photographer .
A beautifully made product but complete blows auto focusing on Panasonic GX1, GF3, and G3 cameras with Panasonic 45-175 and 100-300 teles at the long end of the zoom range.The problem exists in all focus modes except in IA mode. So it may be a firmware issue. I will try a Panasonic polarizer and report.
Some times you can go cheap with camera equipment and sometimes you cant.There are polarizers out there for under $5..... so you think in your head &#34;why the heck would i even think about spending a hundred bucks on this thing&#34; I will tell you why .Because the quality you can feel from the second you take it out of the package.Its metal instead of cheap plastic, and made of great stuff.It makes my pictures rock! if you need a polarizer buy this now or save up and buy this one later, Or buy some cheap junk but expect your pictures to reflect your choice....
This item was not what anyone would call a bargain, but it is a quality product. It is made of quality glass. It screws onto the end of the lens with ease and rotates until you find just the right effect. It can turn a flat looking scene into one where the colors pop and there is more depth. If you rotate it just right a normally blown out sky can attain a deep blue. It will not take the place of a Graduated ND filter, but does help with the sky issue.
Good product...job done good, but expect a little sharpness reduction and a little change on the colors accuracy. Used with L range lenses from Canon.
The polarizer absolutely delivers in all the areas I expected. It's easy to use, stays where I set it, I can put the lens cap back on, all that is good. Unfortunately it gives my shots a little bit of fuzziness, like a very gentle frosted glass effect maybe. Depending on the subject matter it's less or more noticeable (much more so on geometric things like buildings). I hadn't expected this, and spent some time seeing if my focus was off, but no, taking the polarizer off made the fuzziness go away.
Really needed this on my lens in Africa..made a big difference for a lot of shots.  Fits nice and is handy.
Great CPL filter and I didn't find the problem with unscrewing as in other reviews.I bought a Hoya HD before, it seems to me this B+W lens provide finer adjustment.
B+W is the best. Kaesmann is the best B+W.  A Polarizer is a must for outdoor photography.  Why use anything else on your expensive lenses?  If you want your travel photo's to pop, this filter is a must. Highly recommended.
I live in the Phoenix area and do a lot of outdoor shots of the kids. In the summer the light is very harsh and bright. This filter really cuts down on the glare and enhances saturation.
Hands down the best polarizer I've ever used.  Very solid construction and outstanding glass.Why spend thousands, or even hundreds for that matter, on a lens and then stick a sub-standard piece of glass on the front.  That makes absolutely no sense to me at all.  Your image is only going to be as good as your weakest link.  And a shoddy filter is a weak link indeed.You really do get what you pay for and this is no exception.  It may seem a bit pricey but it could very well be the last one you'll ever have to buy...just make sure you get one that fits your largest lens and step down from there.
I purchased this circular polarizer to go on a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 MKII with the realization that it makes no sense to put a mediocre filter on a high quality lens.  This should hold true for any lens.  Why degrade your image quality any more than you need to with a low quality polarizer?The construction of this filter is high quality and I have had no issues even with a lot of use.  The images it produces are uniformly high quality, and I recommend this circular polarizer to anyone who is in the market.
There is not much that needs to be added to the positive reviews already available.  I did not notice much discussion on vignetting with this filter, though.  While the description states that the filter can be used at a focal length as wide as 24mm, I have found I can get to around 20mm with no visible vignetting.  It does become an issue wider than 18mm but could possibly be addressed during editing depending on the subject. If you tend to shoot on the wide end, there is a slim K&auml;semann from B+W that should let you go much wider without vignetting.
Great price and it works, I have owned this for three months the image quality is great. I also have had no problems with the threads, it screws on and off very easy. I have read other reviews that talk about striping threads or getting stuck on their lens, I have never had any problems like that. I also read about the cleaning is difficult, no more then cleaning any of my lens. This polarizer is solid performer, easy to clean and get on and off the lens.
Wow. This is unbelievable. What a quality product.  Even the box it is packaged in seems of higher quality.  The filter itself is weighty, and the glass is perfect.  It threads on like its made of silk.  I know it's expensive, but invest in quality, not repurchasing, something I learned long ago and has been reinforced since.  I have a few cheap filters from our initial digital SLR investment and there is no sense in comparing, the difference is readily apparent, both in photographs and obvious quality.  I will never again buy any other brand of filter than B+W.  I save until I can afford to purchase the best item available, and there isn't anything out there better than this CP filter. This is my fourth B+W filter purchase, equal in price to a non L lense purchase but worth every penny. You get what you pay for.
I've been using this polarizer for my Canon EF 70-200mm L lens for almost a year now. It is simply a great item, as long as you don't screw it on too tight. Or else you will find yourself working your hardest just to take the thing off. Just putting it on roughly 95% of the way is just fine for setting this up.
I bought this for my wife as a gift... paying this much for a filter seemed wrong but i went with the reviews ,  they werent wrong.  Very happy with this product
a first class,professional quality filter.image quality is outstanding!works exactly as advertised.build quality is excellent.renders colors that are very pleasing.the perfect solution to those extreme bright sunny days.you wont be dissapointed.
This is the first filter that I have purchased for my 16-35mm lens and I am so happy with the results. It cuts glare whether inside (like at an automotive show) or outside (landscape photography). Simply turn the lens to achieve the results that you are seeking. Colors are definitely more vibrant!
Its well made and serves its function well. Tad bit expensive but if you have invested in an expensive lens then it doesn't make much sense to compromise that with a cheap filter. I stack it up with a Hoya 46mm 8x ND multi-coated (made in Japan) filter that gives me about 4-5 stops in all. They make a good combination.
I just received this polarizer in the mail today and I am blown away by its effectiveness. This is the first polarizer I've ever owned so I'm not an expert, but I think it is definitely worth the price. I will upload some photos for demonstration.The polarizer itself feels extremely solid and well-built, and looks beautiful for what it's worth. It is extremely easy to use, and fun to experiment with. The rotating ring spins very smoothly.I highly recommend this product for any photographer, especially if you do landscape photography. I think it is a terrific investment.
After doing extensive research on CP filters, reading all the reviews, and agonizing over spending extra money, I decided to go for the Cadillac of CPL filters - the B+W Kaesemann with MRC. And I couldn't be happier with my decision. The optical quality is superb, and the polarizing effect is essential in many sunny, bright scenes.I had upgraded to a 77mm 17-55M Canon lens months earlier, but still had no filters for it. An upcoming Mediterranean cruise, in which I would be doing most of my photography in the harsh light of midday, was the impetus to proceed with the purchase. After spending many thousands of dollars on a cruise, I didn't want to come home with bland, washed out images. I also justified the extra expense by the fact that the 77mm, with the use of an adapter ring, could be used on any of my lenses (since 77mm is the largest lens that I own).Attaching the filter was a bit tricky, as it is designed to rotate freely once screwed on to the front of the lens. I was concerned that I was going to rotate it right off of the lens and that it would fall to the ground and get shattered; but after a bit of practice, I can get it on and off the lens quickly. The storage case is handy and ensures that it wouldn't be scratched or soiled.My only criticism, for which I would take away 1/2 star if that was possible, is that it is really difficult to get the dust off the filter. I can wipe away all smudges with a lens cleaning cloth, but then am still left with a little drift of dust particles that will just not come off - I can move them around on the filter, but simply can't lift them up !  So I just try to push the little dust motes to the very edge of the filter. If someone else has discovered the secret to lifting the dust off the filter surface, I would sure like to hear it.So, after doing the research, just go for it. You won't regret this purchase. It's a filter that I will use frequently for years to come.
Build quality is 10/10optics quality is 10/10Not much else to say, I was hesitant about tossing over $100.00 for one filter, but glad I did.  It is light years above my tiffen (which I am selling right now for literally 1/4 of my price I paid to just get rid of it) thats how happy I am with this filter.  Spend the money, your photos will thank you for it.
Wow!  So this is how the pros get all those phenomenal outdoor photos.  This polarizer gives you the freedom to cut a good deal of the reflected light out of your shots, which saturates colors and reduces contrast in a way I didn't think was possible with a single exposure.  Literally every shot I take outdoors looks so good, with great saturation and amazing dynamic range, it's as though I spent hours carefully compiling an HDR image from a dozen exposures.  This photography hobby just keeps getting better and better.
Based on reviews of this and less expensive filters of this type I decided to go with the "best". I didn't want to get a basic model just to wish I had a better filter. I didn't waste my coin on a spendy clear filter just to protect the lense. The polarized lense is supposed to enhance the photos so I decided not to waste time getting a less expensive filter. Spending $1100 on a lense deserves a great porized filter. I'll keep it on most of th time since I live in sunny Arizona.
B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer is extremely well built, I mounted on my Car Zeiss 24-70mn the color saturation is beautiful. Highly recommended.
My experiences with B+W filters are not positive.  This one does not stay on my lenses properly.  During motion, the filter routinely falls off, in spite of being completely screwed on.  The opposite has happened where the filter got stuck on and I had a heck of a time getting it off.  It also scratched very easily.  I'm done paying top dollar for filters that turn out to be disposable.
This should be the polarizer that sets the standard by which all other polarizers are measured!  The feel is ultra smooth when turning the front ring.  And reflections are very well controlled by the coating B & W applies to the glass.  Very happy!
Strong quality,does the job,lose about a stop or two.I still haven't seen the merit behind using this glass versus half the price of Tiffen glass.
Steep in price however with the great quality this filter is all you want if you need a polarizer filter. I'm using it on 24-105 Canon L lens on Canon 5d Mark III. Can't be better. Recommend.
This filter is exactly what I expected. After reading may reviews, I decided to break down and spend the extra dollars on this filter over some of the cheaper quality ones. I am not disappointed with my choice.This filter is made of both high quality glass and metal. The rotation of the filter on the lens is smooth. Absolutely not issues.
Odds are, you are interested in this filter because you want to use it on an expensive lens.  Rest assured you will never question if this polarizer is 'good enough', because it doesn't get a lot better.  I'll have this for the next decade, or longer.
Don't have one? do you need one, only you can decide, not cheap, but I am protecting &#34;L&#34; lenses. Get it.
This is a great filter for the outdoors middle of the day photographer or even at night shoots with a great flash. This filter makes all the colors pop and your pics will never looked overexposed. Skin tones look very natural. A little pricy but you get what you pay for!!Highly reccommend this filter.
Mine also came with some smudges that had to be wiped off... not sure what the deal it with that.
I could have purchased a much cheaper polarizer but I wouldn't get the results and overall satisfaction with a B&W you get what you pay for in this type filter!
Whenever I'm shooting outside, this is the first filter I reach for. It sharpens every shot where the haze and glare of the day get in the way. Of course you may want that natural light, depending upon what you're shooting. But the quality of this glass seems to be quite excellent.
I haven't really used it much, but based on my usage, it enhances by landscape pics by dimming the bright sky relative to the ground. Was shipped quickly and I received it on time.  I will definitely recommend this product to a friend.
This  polarizer is also made from shot's glass  it is exactly what I needed but I still cannot understand why they are alway's dirty when you receive them in the mail
What more can I say, it is a B+W....  High quality, does a great job equalizing or blocking harsher sun light and was well worth the price I paid for it...
For the money (not cheap), I was a bit dissatisfied with this polarizer. Discovered it cuts down lighting 1 1/3 stops (on my Canon EF-S 17-55mm lens) and also discovered it does not revolve as I am used to most polarizing filters doing. Most significantly I do not see where it neutralizes distracting reflections all that well. Not worth the money, in my opinion........paying for the name.
Everything that you have read or heard about this is true. German quality just like their cars.Everything is built to a price and you get for what you pay.Highly recommended. Buy Hoya if you don't want the best and are happy to throw away, lose or damage them.
I have 4 canon lenses and mark5DII and mark5D III. 16-35 L f2.8, 24-70 II L f2.8, 70-200 II L f2.8, and fixed 300mm II L f2.8,  I own 4 polarizer, 1 for each lens, got tired of switching a few of them. I use the polarizer A lot. If you around water, put it on, Landscapes, 90 degree bright sun.... endless applications. Used at yellow stone National park to shoot the steam pits, could zoom/focus down into the pits and get great pics. Example, I tosed a dime into my pool 4 ' deep, took a picture of my pool and w and wo polarizer, with lens I could zoom in on the dime and READ the marking on it, littlt help for the 70-200 II f2.8. Got to have these available for you outdoors shots. Buy a good one if you got  $2,000-$7,000 into a single lens  don't put a $20 filter on it (even a uv). If you just doing shots to send friends on your phone, cheaper lens and filters are just fine.PSI find  people that havepolarizer on their cameras and DO not have clue hot they  work. 1) It does nothing facing the sun OR turned directly away( light directly at you back). They work best 90 degrees from the light source.2) You need to spin the out side dial (the polarizer is 2- parts, look at it closely), face 90 degree to the sun, shine on a glarry water pond and turn the out side ring as you view the image in the viewfinder watch you will see the shinney highlight come and go as you rotate the outer ring and change the polarization. I try and always turn the outer ring as to install/tighten the filter, not giving the filer a change to unscrew from the camera and DROPPING it. But either way is fine.I am surprised at the number of people I meet  that NEVER turned the ring(or even knew it rotated )
[Vignetting Effect]I bought this filter for my Canon wide angle lens (17-40mm), which is used on a full frame camera (Canon 5D Mark II). One of my main concerns is the vignetting effect on wide angle lens. I am glad that it does not present on this filter.Vignetting effect, or dark corners, is a common problem if you use a regular/non-slim UV filter on a full frame camera. I found that the dark corners start showing up at 30mm or below with my Hoya UV filter. So this problem is not limited to wide angle lens only.While I was researching the problem, I found that the slim filter will solve this problem. However, many people complain about the narrow thread problem of the B+W slim filter. It is hard to snap the lens cap (very loose) and many people ended up loosing their lens caps. Therefore, I decided to give this filter a try. I am glad that I've made an excellent decision. The vignetting effect does not present at all!Here are the lens I've tested on Canon 5D Mark II, and the vignetting effect is zero. Notice that I attach the filter directly onto the lens (i.e., there is no UV filter in between the lens and the UV filter):Canon 17-40mm F/4 LCanon 70-200mm F/4 L IS (via step-up ring)Canon 28-135mm  (via step-up ring)FYI, I found that the difference between with and without this filter on Canon 70-200mm F/4 L IS is quite small. Unless it is necessary (e.g., I want to get rid of the reflection from the window), otherwise I don't use this filter with this lens.[Cleaning]Some reviewers said that it is not easy to clean this filter. Personally I haven't experienced this problem. I found that it is very easy to clean this filter.Overall, I highly recommend this filter if you are using an ultra wide angle lens.
Not much more to say about this filter, smooth acting great picture quality with no vignetting, would recommend to anyone, are they more expensive sure, are they worth it, I think so.
I am very satisfied with this purchase. It is heavy weight which gives you an idea of it's quality compared to the cheap ones. It is priced good for the quality. I will purchase more of their products.
After purchasing some new, faster lenses I needed a new polarizer in this diameter.  My experience with B+W filters has been good in the past and this one continues that trend.  The glass is optically clear with no distortion, no color cast is added and the brass ring screws on smoothly.
B+W is the best.  This is a great polarizer.  Buy the largest size you think you will need and then buy step-up ring adapters (e.g. 52mm to 77mm) so you don't have to buy multiple sizes of specialty filters like this.
The product arrived before the date promised and in excellent condition.  The filter provides the dimension I needed to take better outdoor photographs.
The filter I received is very hard to rotate.  I almost returned it, but it appears to be otherwise O.K.  I will make it work for me.
Used this for our trip to Hawaii...it really brought out the blues and green of the islands. A nice addition to my photography equipment
This is a high quality filter.  I have purchased other brand filters for one of my other lenses and they feel cheap by comparison.  Since I got my first L-Series Canon lens as a gift, I didn't want to get a cheap filter.  This filter is well worth it and reflects the quality of the Canon L-Series glass.
B+W filters are always well made and this is no exception. I bought this to use on my recently purchased Sony RX1.  It works great and I have nothing negative to say. Don't put cheap filters in front of your expensive glass.  If you can afford a nice lens, get nice filters as well!
i received the filter from a third party vendor , Adorama,  it came with the original package , when i opened the filter box, there was a finger print smuge in the center,  when i tried to clean it up,  it moist the whole filter and stayed more then 15 minutes trying to clean it completely,  this filter is not that easy to clean it, i have other Hoya one and i do keep them all clean every now and then, with same cleaning method that i use, but this one gave me hard time till the job done...i installed this on a Nikon 70-200 VRII ,  and it looks well made and tight fit , i dint try it yet in day light ,  but I'm afraid when it get dirt would affect the image quality  ...
Excellent CPL. Tried my brothers. Haven't bought one yet but will buy one soon.  Tried on my 5D Mark II with great results.
I like it, perhaps because I paid for it from my own pocket for no commercial purpose what-so-ever, to simply satisfy my photographic hobby.  Also this is my first CPL, and the reason for choosing this over any other brand was simply asking the questions if would I use a lesser known brand of glass on a L-lens for which I paid a fortune?  It is a stupid argument but then again I reasoned that if I am picky enough to pay for an L-glass maybe I should not ruin it by placing a sub-standard glass in front of it.  I hope I am right.  Maybe someday I will be able to test the difference in some measurable way under some controlled conditions.  But for now I can say that the effect of getting rid of the reflections at right angles to the incident light is very significant, clearly visible by upon rotating the glass.  Sometimes I even think that the polarizing effect is too much (to my eyes) and it may even look somewhat unnatural; the leaves are way too green and the sky is like a dark Tibetian sky (not that I have ever been to Tibet, for full disclosure).  I guess if the price is justifiable or not can only be judged by the buyer in the end.For the moment all I can say that I haven't had any issues that I can complain about.  The screw mount is smooth and it never got stuck even though I put it in pretty tightly.  I didn't buy the regular version and not the slim one, and I get a nice grip on the filter.  I have not noticed any color casting, reflections or aberrations upon pixel peeping.It is MRC coated but I did notice that getting rid of finger prints can be a pain sometimes.  I use air puffs, follwed by kimwipes and then some chiamo cloth but it needs some good circular motion rubbing with gentle-light pressure.
My title says it all.  If you spend L-series money on lenses, why not get the best filters?B + W and Heliopan are made by Schneider Optics and are the best money can buy.It's an expensive filter, but it will be the last 77mm circular polarizer I'll ever buy, unless this one is lost or damaged.  It's nice to know that I cannot upgrade from this product.
I got theB+W 58mm Circular Polarizer MRC Filtera few months ago. I was so pleased with the results that when I got myCanon 17-55mmlens, I opted to go with a B+W again -- and B+W did not disappoint. This K&auml;semann filter works as claimed; it increases color saturation and reduces (and in some cases completely eliminates) reflection.This filter is a marvel of engineering. The build quality is simply top-notch (the filter is Made in Germany).This Filter vs A Non-K&auml;semann Filter------------------------------------I debated between this filter and the other B+W filter, theB+W 77mm Circular Polarizer MRC Filter. According to B+W (Schneider Optics), the K&auml;semann uses the same MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating) technology, but it's one-up on the non-K&auml;semann filter because it uses  "high-end" polarizing foils. To quote Schneider Optics:"The \"high-end\" polarizing foils of the K&auml;semann-type filters are neutral in color, they have a higher efficiency than conventional polarizing foils and they are cemented between high-grade plano-parallel optical glass."Another advantage the K&auml;semann filter has over the non-K&auml;semann filter is that it is edge-sealed to protect the polarizing foil from humidity.Since the K&auml;semann filter is only a tad more expensive (as of this writing), the choice between the K&auml;semann and the  non-K&auml;semann filter was a no-brainer for me.Tip---A common advice photographers give regarding filters is to pick a filter that fits the largest of your lenses so you can use the same filter for your smaller lenses as well (by usingStep-Up Rings). Since step-up rings allow you to use this filter for your smaller lenses, this could be the only circular polarizer filter you need for *all* of your lenses with varying filter thread sizes (77mm, 72mm, 67mm, 62mm, 58mm, 55mm, 52mm, and 49mm).---If you have a high quality lens, you shouldn't scrimp on the filter because your pictures will be only as good as your lowest-quality lens component allow. This filter may be pricey, but it's well worth the money.
A quality lens filter for a good price. Does a great job and wish I had only purchased it sooner!
I purchased this along with a Canon 24-105L zoom lens and did not want to sacrifice any quality.  I had read a tremendous amount of reviews on polarizers and quickly realized that with buying such a high end lens, it did not make sense to put a lower quality filter on it.
I have used B+W filters for many years on my large format cameras.  It only makes sense to me that you would want the very best glass available on the front of your lenses.  If you pay $2,000 or $3,000 for a lens because of the sharpness and contrast characteristics of the glass, why would you then put a $10.00 filter on the front of it.  Your image will only be as sharp as the worst piece of glass the light passes through.  One of the things I like most about these filters is that the filter ring itself is very precise, and in my experience they thread on and off easily.  I have B+W filters that the anodizing has literally worn of the filter ring from use and they screw on and off as easily as the day they were new.  Having read some of the really negative reviews on this site about these lenses I think it really comes down to the user.  If you have a high skill user you will get high skill results and vice versa.  These really are excellent filters and I would recommend them to anyone who is interested in really good results.
This is  a quality built product Don't see a great deal of change when rotated. That may be on me.
This has to be the best circular polarizer out there. Cuts out the unnecessary light and easily allows you to run 2 stops slower shutter speed during the day.
This filter is well made and does a great job in bringing out definition in a washed out sky. It also cuts down glare and refections. The filter does cut down a lot of light, so be prepared to bump up your ISO even in bright daylight condition.  As many people have said in their reviews... you spend hundreds or even thousands on expensive lenses for your camera... don't go cheap on what you are putting in front of that lens.
Until now I had only used relatively inexpensive polarizers such as those from Tiffin.While the mid cost ones are not that bad, this one seems much more refined with significantly less light loss and better blocking of specular reflections. (Though I haven't tried putting each one on the camera to see what the exposure meter says.) You will find this filter to be significantly better than the mid quality ones and below, but whether or not it's worth the money is pretty much only going to be about how large of a percentage of your budget it consumes and if that amount is too much.If you've never used a polarizer before I would say skip this and buy one of the cheaper ones (Tiffin is a good brand) and use that for a while. Then if/when you upgrade to this one you will be able to appreciate the difference and understand what you're getting for the money.Polarizing filters are absolutely essential for outdoor photography and this one is excellent. If you don't buy this one then at least buy one of some sort, unless maybe you absolutely never take photos outdoors. Whatever you do though, don't buy some &lt; $10 filter off of eBay or something; that's worse than throwing your money away as you'll damage the quality of your once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity photos.
I originally used a h*** filter that was 69.00 at my local camera shop, and thought hey, all polarizers are the same. They are absolutely not. I became so enraged after an important car show and all my photos came out fuzzy. All my friend's photos on the same camera, same lens, but he has a B+W MRC pol - his images were dizzying sharp. Yes, these remove some of the color saturation, but when used correctly along with your dslrs' settings, provides images that have a soft glare reduction, while maintaining the sharpness found when shooting a bare lens.
This was my first time purchasing the highest quality level polarizer from B+W - I already have some of their other polarizers, but not the Kaesemann. Wow. Just.. wow. If you shoot outdoors - if you shoot buildings or autos or water - and especially landscapes - you NEED this polarizer. I love my other B+W polarizers, but these are top of the line for a reason. They are smooth as silk and the photographic results are nothing short of amazing. I want this polarizer for all my lenses, and I think I will eventually sell the ones I have and replace them with the Kaesemann version. I mean that sincerely. Buy at least one of these, maybe the largest size lens you have and get some stepdown rings so you can use it your smaller lenses as well. You'll see!
It's worth the extra money to purchase a really good filter for your lens or lenses. B + W delivers consistently good stuff.
I don't believe in putting a UV filter on my lens to "protect" it.  The fact of the matter is your lens is made of glass and UV doesn't pass through it with the modern multi-coating anyway, so the UV part is pointless.  The coatings are very hard so damage to the glass is pretty hard to achieve.When you put a filter on your lens you are sacrificing some sharpness so you don't want to do it unless you are going to get something significant in return.The circular polarizer offers several benefits:- Protects your lens (well as much as a "do-nothing" UV filter)- Cuts reflections on non-metallic surfaces- increases the brightness of colors- intensifies the blue in skies.The B&W; filters are very high-quality glass, have superior coating, and the best construction.  You will pay a LOT more for one of these filters but with careful handling it will last you a lifetime.  For color photography, no other filter has as much bang for the buck!
I am rating this five stars for build, and performance. I used it for the first time yesterday for some prom pics and it really brought out the colors in the mid afternoon sun, as the 3pm sun tends to wash out colors, it was clear how well this filter performed from the very first shot. B&W is quality and if you can afford this item, get it!
The reviews told me that this was a good polarizing filter. Talk about an understatement! This product blows away the competition. It is excellent at reducing the glare factor on green leaves, which is great since I am a nature photographer, but it also makes the sky much more dramatic. It makes colors POP! It works best in bright sunlight. I can't wait to see it this summer!
When it comes to filters you can either buy a few cheap filters and hope that they're up to standard OR you can just bite the bullet right away and buy from a reputable brand. Having experimented with cheaper filters at the store or with friends' gear, I feel that you end up spending the same amount anyway and you really never get a great quality from low-cost filters anyway.I have theHoya 52mm Digital-HMC Circular Polarizer Multi Coated Pro 1 Extra Thin Glass Filterleftover from my film SLR days. While it is a good filter from a decent brand and given it's not in the same price range as the Kaesemann, it's shouldn't be compared. All that being said, it does not hold a candle the Kaesemann polarizer. When I twist the Hoya around you can see the polarizing effect. Glare is reduced and some color pops but with the Kaesemann, wow! At the same angle, viewing the same object, the Kaesemann eliminates a lot more glare or reflection and the colors are much deeper.I can't really find anything wrong with polarizer. For a filter it has some heft to it but nothing really noticeable. The build quality is great. Unlike the Hoya which is a thin glass filter, the metal ring is much thicker you have a bit more room around the metal ring to twist the glass (and not get any fingerprints on the glass itself). Having a thick metal ring does pose some concern for vignetting. However, I have the 58mm size polarizer and I'm able to use it on my Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras,Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasandCanon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswithout any vignetting issues.This filter does put a fair dent into one's wallet. However if you really want the polarizer effect in your photography, this is the way to go. Highly recommended. No regrets so far.
Advertised as new but sent the used one, scratches are clearly visible on the box. I am ordering a replacement for this because the product is best...
This is one of those things that will make people jealous of your photography skills.  I keep this on pretty much full-time when I'm shooting outside.
As others have stated, its a well-built product that produces excellent results.My biggest complaint is the multi-coat sucks up every bit of dust in the air and is the biggest pain in the world to clean.  I use a combination of an air rocket, lens pen and microfiber cloth and there are always swirls of dust, debris or microfiber particles left on the filter.
This is quite simply the highest quality filter you might need.  If you spend $2,000 on glass, you want to protect it and you don't want distortion of any nature.  This accomplishes both.
This filter is fantastic. I'm using it on my 5D mkiii with 24-70 2.8L lens. Images are very rich in color and contrast. Highly recommended.!
Not as I expected. The cheap polarize filter I used with my film camera worked better. Unfotunately I sold all my old equipment.
I have two different lens filters from B + W and I am very happy with their products. They are more expensive, but the quality is amazing. I have purchased the cheaper filters and you can tell the difference in quality.
Once you have spent big money on a lens, DO NOT SCRIMP on the filters.  B&W; is the highest quality I have seen and I no longer buy any filters other than B&W.;The polarizing filter is a must have for a photographer.  It brings down glare and brings up the color in the sky.  On days where the sky is boring, SOMETIMES this filter can save a shot.  It stops down your light by about 2 stops.  I use it with aCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR CamerasThe Kaesemann is recommended as it is weather sealed.  If you have a lens that is not weather sealed this helps, and if you have a lens that is, this just adds another level of protection.The brass fitting of the B&W; makes it easy to screw on and unscrew.  Some other filters tend to bind, I have never had this problem with the B&W.;I have never owned the Hoya, but through the lens it is VERY similar (no preference), but I have heard good things.  Still, I will never buy any filter other than a B@W.Highly Recommended.
Why put a questionable filter in front of your best glass? This one will never leave you wondering whether you're getting less than you could from your photos.
Great glass and it worked wonders in the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks. I used this filter instead of ND filters.
Buy this B&W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with confidence. Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for. There is nothing else on the market that even comes close to this Quality & nothing else to ad to the description of this High Quality Filter that others haven't already mentioned. Simply the best Filter money can buy!
Arrived on time and in condition promised, seems to be a great filter so far.  I have not used it too much yet, but am satisfied with the photos I have taken to date.
Like it says an awesome piece of glass period mounted on an L series Canon lens is A match made in heaven.  You get what you pay for period .Rogerwilco357Go blue
Went on a cruise Inland passage. Used polarizers leaving SF through Golden Gate. It was sunset got great shots. Worth the exspense
This filter was a bit more expensive, but I like the quality and for what I need.....it is fine. Any time you stack more glass on top of your lens....you lose a bit of clarity...but unless you are an eagle...you probably won't see it with this filter.
Ordered this filter for my Canon 5D and it awesome. The quality is great and the pictures come out just they way I want them too. I would definitely recommend this filter.
very good polarizer...I made the mistake of getting a lesser quality polarizer once. The polarizing effect is pretty strong and it has minimal impact on contrast.  It is so unobtrusive, I have actually forgotten that I had it on my Zeiss 100mm F2 lens a couple times.
Polarizing effects not as intense as some polarizing filters I have previously owned but also requires less exposure compensation. Extremely nice, quality feel when adjusting polarizing ring. Polarizing ring also stays put once adjusted. Threads on easily with a quality and precise feel. Lens protective cover attaches easily. I like it and intend to keep it, but I personally prefer a more intense polarizing effect and am willing to sacrifice the added loss of light transmission as most times I use a polarizer it is in very well lit conditions.
After trying several CPL filters of varying brands and attempting to buy one for "cheap", I came to the conclusion that the "You get what you pay for" rule is in effect here with CPL filters.  This filter is by far the BEST of all the ones I've tried.  A bit pricey, but the image quality is bar none.  This is one I'm settling with.
Since I discovered the magic of circular polarizers, I buy them for all my lenses.  The B+W Kaesemann type is special in that the polarizing film is of better quality and the edges are sealed, preventing degradation over time.  It isn't all that much more than the "regular" style so I splurge.  The Multi-Resistant Coating does work to keep dirt and water off the filter surface, and I like how I can still use a lens cap with the filter on.
Pricey but if you are at the level that requires it you will be very happy. It is a 5-Star piece but I dropped a star because of its price.
After many hours of researching over several days and weeks, I came to the conclusion that B+W was not only a VERY high-end manufacturer of lens filters, but that it might be one of the best overall, and specifically for a Circular Polarizer.Some of my information came from Lenstip.com.  One thing that impressed me was the lack of flare the B+W had.  I might have even considered the slim version of this filter which was rated #1 overall, but I opted for a different approach which, so far, has saved me some money, and might reduce or eliminate problems with vignetting or homogeneity towards the outer edges of any filter...even though this filter was exceptional in both of these categories.My initial lenses which I wanted to use with this filter are the 18mm-55mm Nikon DX VR and the 55mm-200mm DX VR.  Neither of these lenses would be considered exceptional professional equipment, but I wanted to plan for the future where I might start using more expensive professional lenses and didn't want to have filters which would limit the performance of the lens.I chose to purchase 52mm to 72mm filter adapters from Goja (great quality BTW) for the two lenses above and then get the best filters I could afford in the 72mm size, as opposed to the native 52mm size of the lens interface.  I was new to this concept, but a few of the more professional photographers have said this concept is a good one (It is interesting that I have seen very little information on this approach).I didn't want to start investing in 77mm or 82mm filters since, like most things, the &#34;extreme&#34; practical limits of any product usually sky-rocket the cost.  My reasoning was the 72mm size was a sizable upgrade to the 52mm lens and adapting the 72mm filter to the 52mm lens would effectively utilize the most perfect inner section of the filter.  Additionally, I reasoned, any vignetting would be eliminated unless it came from the 52mm-72mm adapter ring.  And, then additionally, it would probably be no problem to stack two filters such as a UV-Haze and the CPL without concern for vignetting.Please understand I am not a professional photographer.  Most of the above just seems logical to my engineer brain although my Grandfather was a professional photographer and I spent many many hours developing film in a dark room and have taken 1000's of pictures throughout the years.Bottom Line:  After using this filter for several hours of overall use and over the past month or two, my impressions are as follows:-build quality is gorgeous--it feels like quality, and if there are any issues with threading and un-threading the filter into the lens (as a small number of reviews have mentioned), I have not experienced that since once threaded into the adapter ring, it stays with it and never comes out.  The adapter rings are inexpensive and seem to screw and un-screw with no issue...so I would rather take the chance of wearing out an adapter ring's threads than an expensive filter's threads.-picture quality is gorgeous--obviously this can be subjective to any degree depending on the specific requirements or desires of the user.  I can only say the effect of the polarizer is, in my opinion, very natural and obvious.  There is no flare that I have seen in more than 100 pictures with my Nikon D90 using both the 18-55 and the 55-200 lenses.  And possibly any benefit of having the 72mm filter on the 52mm lens might be imagined, but it seems to work perfectly and looks good too.-operation--the filter polarity adjustment ring is VERY smooth...I can't imagine it would make a difference if it were somehow &#34;better&#34; or smoother.I considered other brands, but some issues with quality control and other things swayed me away from them.  The B+W is not cheap, but the level of confidence in the build quality and picture quality easily justify the extra cost.
I only buy B&W filters.  They are super high quality and work really well.  If you have not used a Polarizer, you should for many many of your photos.
If you are looking for a polarizer filter that has a substrate guaranteed not to separate, even under a great deal of heat, this is the best high quality selection.
Let me start off by saying I am a hobbyist when it comes to photography.  I use a Canon 60D with a 70mm 200mm f/2.8 lens. I needed a filter for a auto race coming up in Baltimore,MD. So I started researching filters and filter companies.  After a while I became overwhelmed with all the choices and features.  I finally decided to go with  B+W Kaesemann 77mm circular polarizing MRC filter after reading positive reviews on amazon.com.  I was a little scared because the filter was on the pricey side. But sometimes you get what you pay for.  I did some test shots and must admit the shots had great depth and color. I am really pleased with this filters quality and the quality of the images it renders. I would definitely recommend it if the price isn't to high.
If you shoot waterfalls or waterscapes, this will cut the glare out.  Not much light reduction, but then it's not an ND filter.It stays welded to my 17-40mm.-Mike
I'm highly impressed with the quality and effective results of this polarizer. Saturated the blue skies as they should be, removes most of the reflection from water surfaces and glass (best when used at a glazing angle of approx 10-15 deg). I've shot a pic. with a 15mm fisheye and this polarizer hand held in front it. You can see it in the picture section. The difference between the polarized section of the filter and the non-polarized sections is so clear. You can even see the pebbles in the water thru. the polarizer. Also check out the difference in the sky color between the polarized and non-polarized sections.I'm a hobbyist and like this product for what it does. Worth every penny. Yeah.. i know.. it's too expensive... Appropriat price for something like this should be below $100, even for a 77mm. The manufacturer makes a huge markup on this. But then, B&W; quality speaks for itself.  Guess.. that extra money spent once is worth it. Just buy it and then forget about the price... though I haven't been able to forget it till now. ;-)))
The polarizing effect seems to be very weak and it only works within a very narrow range... rotate the ring a couple millimeters away (accidentally) and there is no more polarizing. Not sure why everyone lovers this brand/model so much... I am not impressed.
I love using this on my old lens with landscape photos! The reason I no longer use this is because I upgraded my lens to an L model one and it uses a larger filter size. Anyways, this filter is great and it helps a lot with saturating the sky and removing glare from water. The coating helps a lot too, any fingerprint, water, and dust can be removed from the filter pretty easily. If you have a 58mm filter size lens and you love taking landscape photos, I'd recommend it! But just as a note, the lens do cut out 1-2 stops of light so a tripod is highly recommended for your camera when using this.Here are a list summary for the lens:Pros:- Easy fingerprint, water, and dust removal.- Very good polarizing effect.- Saturates the skies well and removes glares from water.Cons:- Cuts 1-2 stops of light. (This happens on every polarizing filter).- Many L model (top quality) lenses uses 77mm.
If you're a nature photographer like myself, you need a really good polarizer.  It helps with the sky, with the water, etc and the it allows you to push your photos that much closer to where you wish them to be.  I've used plenty of different makes over the years and this is my favorite and for good reason.  It has been tried, tested and used thousands of times over the years.There may be cheaper options out there but they aren't up to this quality.  Do yourself a favor and fork over the extra cash.  It's well worth it.  Do make sure you get the right size for your lens. Construction and quality is tops!
I got this because someone else had it, and it seemed to make a huge difference in pictures. I put it on my camera as soon as it came, and I can definitely tell the difference. The only thing is that it screws onto my lens, it keeps turning. It never seems to be on tight... I put my UV lens cover on top, and it tightens just fine. So I'm not sure if it supposed to tighten all the way or not. Either way it works very well!
No question on quality - easy to attach to my 82mm lenses and no problem rotating to the correct viewing angle.
Is it expensive? Yes! Is it worth it? Yes! If you want the best then just buy the best. It still amazes me that people are willing to spend thousands on great lenses but then put a $20 filter on it...come on now!
I have two 58mm filter size, Canon lenses that I use this filter with.  It fits great.  The construction and quality is definitely top notch.  I definitely got what I paid for.A lot of life happens in between the &#34;magic hours&#34;, so get this polarizer and increase your number of useable shots.  I'm not saying that you are going to get gallery quality shots at 3PM, but maybe you can get a 5X7 to give to Grandma that you aren't embarassed to put your name on.Most importantly, remember that this is just a filter and in order to get the most from it you have to use it properly.  In other words, study up on proper techniques for using a polarizer, and then use those techniques in the field.
Gives crisp accurate color renditions. This is the best filter brand on the market. Do not settle for less.The results will show up in your photos.
Got this for my Cannon 5DIII.  It is a good polarizer lens.  Excellent quality and works great. If you are looking for a lens to diffuse the light on bright days, this is a good one.
I did not know how good this filter was until I tried a cheap filter on another lens.The 15-85mm zoom lens I have on my Canon T2i produces very sharp images. It's my favorite lens. I'm happy to say that when using the B+W polarizer on it, the clarity remains. I do a lot of outdoor shooting and the polarizer makes objects more defined and colors richer (especially blue skies), but you need to know how to use it. The angle you are to the sun determines what position you rotate the filter to.You have to actively rotate the filter to use it properly, using it with a lens hood that attaches to the lens and not the filter itself will cause you headaches. Getting a lens hood that screws onto the filter will add the benefit of not accidentally touching the filter surface while you are rotating it.On another lens someone gave me a Rocketfish polarizer. I put it on, took some sample shots and looked at them on my computer. The image quality was poor. I took the filter off and retook the same shots. The image quality shot back up to excellent. So I can tell you without reservation that a more expensive high quality filter does make a difference in image quality.There may be a cheaper filter out there than the B+W that has good image quality. I've not sampled a range of different priced filters, but you can't go wrong with this one.
The skies are much bluer when using this polarizer and makes all my photos look nicer.  I highly recommend all B+W filters.
This polarizer works well and produces the effect I was looking for.  Also I made a mistake and bought the wrong size, Amazon handled the return without problem.
I'm not a expert photographer but I do have many years of experience with Cirucular Polarizers with my SLR's. I know how to use them and which brands are crap. When I got my Canon T2i everyone recommend this filter. This is one of the few brands I am not familiar with. The price is pretty high but with such high reviews I thought I would give it a try. Well after a full day of testing it I can say it works just as well as many lower priced C.P.'s, but I really didn't get the wow factor I was expecting. The general colors in my pictures looked good but really no better then other filters I've used in the past. This filter is constructed very well but in my opinion I think that is all you are paying for. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but in my option start with a cheaper filter and if you feel the need then upgrade to this.
If you want to get a CPL for your 77mm lens, look not further. B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating is the way to go. I have seen the regular B+W 77mm CPL and the color rendition and tone are so inferior than this one.You get what you paid for! This is true with this product.I am so happy now. I don't want to take it off from my lens because it is that good. I am double stacking it with B+W UV MRC filter so I get a little bit harsh vignetting on the corners. I will take off my UV filter and see how it goes. But regardless the vignetting, the result is so satisfying.CPL will give you the kind of results that you cannot get from Photoshop. period.
This is a marvelous polarizer.  Easily the best one I ever tried.  Previously, I had the Nikon CP II, and this was good too.  I think it had a slightly warming effect to though that I did not always want.  I like this B+W kaesemann filter better.
This B+W CP filter is of very good quality and produce very vivid and saturated pictures. Create a small vignette when used at 24mm on the 24-70mm f2.8 canon lens. circulating ring is very smooth. Just one thing to note is to make sure the CP filter is on tight enough: I was doing some landscape shots and was adjusting the whole CP filter.I unknowingly screwed off the filter when adjusting.
I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking to take landscape photos. I went on a Yellowstone trip a month ago and It was perfect. The skies would not be as clear and blue if I hadn't bought this filter.
Although at the beginning i had a hard time seeing the effect of the polarizer due to the auto exposure, I finally managed to see the results.They are not so visible however compared to a non digital camera.
Have B+W filters on all my lenses because the quality and function are perfect.  I would like to try more expensive lenses as a comparison, but they'll have a lot of ground to cover.  Exceptional difference with/without lens
Pictures have great contrast (when filter used correctly).Smooth rotation.Small teeth - useful for removal installation grip.Hasn't scratched yet - but I'm careful with my stuff.A little tough to clean, but that's probably the same for all coated filters.I've seen other polarizers (more expensive ones...) that aren't so dark - but on a sunny/partially cloudy day (when you'd be using this anyhow) - it helps cut the extreme brightness.
These B&W filters are to me the apex of lens accessories.  Normally $200.00 for this filter, I paid less than half.  The best product, sharp pictures. Hands down one of the best deal out there.
B+W is now my go-to filter manufacturer. This filter is solid. Glass is excellent and I have no worries putting it on my Canon L series lenses, the MRC works as designed and the brass construction insures no binding or shredding of metal on metal connections.Be aware that B+W filters have issues with extreme wide angle lenses, I have seen clipping of my photos at 28mm with this filter. I would suggest the thin version of this filter if using WA lenses.
Not much to say. The polarizer works as advertised and provides a great effect on photos, especially in bright outdoor settings. Pricy, but it doesn't appear I'll have to ever buy another polarizer filter again.
Pretty pricey, but this is a very good polarizer filter.  After spending a good amount of money on my 7d and lenses, might as well spend some more on a good filter.
What you pay is what you get. It is a quality filter and much better than Hoya products. Highly recommend to other buyer.
You probably dropped top dollar for a lens, so don't cut corners on you filter or CP.  This is an excellent product.  It isn't cheap but you get what you pay for.
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters. the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass). Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them. I have 2 MRC, 1 Kaesemann, and 1 slim one, and I love them, HOWEVER the slim one you cant put a normal lens cap on it, and that is a major pain!!  I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly!  But the Heliopan slim model you can still put a normal Canon lens cap on it, as I have done it many times on my 17-40mm F4 L series lens before I got the B+W.  If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens! In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up!  I prefer the MRC or even the Kaesemann over the entry level one, but even their entry level one is ground glass, so you still get a great quality filter at that price point.
To be clear, circular polarizers as a class provide you with functionality to get shots you might not be able to get any other way.  They can be used to increase the saturation of the sky or (my most common usage) to help cut through light bouncing off reflective surfaces (water or glass).  It's one of the few filters I think are still useful in the modern photographer's bag.There's nothing wrong with this filter.  It performed just fine for me.  Where it let me down was when it came time to put it on that first lens that didn't come with the camera kit.  Lenses come in different diameters, and this one is 58mm.  58mm is a very common size for entry level lenses, and can be found in some higher end lenses as well.  However, a much more common diameter for higher end lenses is 77mm.  So when you buy that next lens, you may find yourself needing to buy another circular polarizer as well.I would recommend buying a 77mm circular polarizer instead of this one, and then buy a 58mm-to-77mm step-up ring.  Given the increase in diameter the added thickness won't cause vignetting, and you'll have one filter you can use on almost any lens you may buy in the future.  Save money by only buying once, but do spend the money to buy the highest quality at the size you buy.
Love they quality and this one is of the same high quality as I expected. Like the way it is packaged also--simple and pro.
No vignetting at 16mm on my Tamron 16-300 lens, used on Nikon D5300.  Have had similar filters from B+W in past.  Quality product.
It is great tool but the cap keeps falling off. It has nevertheless given great images for the last year.
Works well. Not as good as I have expected. It still can not remove 100% of reflection on the windows when trying to shoot something inside the windows. The lens cap is not easy to use. It falls off super easy, especially inside my camera bag. I have to remove both CPL and UV filter to remove CPL from my lens, which is not so handy.
I can understand that this filter wont hold a common cap, lets say a Nikon original 72mm cap, because its very slim. But for me, the fact that the B&W cap that COMES WITH THE FILTER doesn't works neither is A FRAUD. What a joke !!! B&W must alert you for the fact that there's NO cap that holds on it. BIG desing mistake. Big shame. If you need a CPL for continous outdoor use, DONT BUY THIS SLIM CPL.
Bought this to use on a Sony 18-250 (I have the Nikon 77mm and performance is very similar). On my lens, I take the hood off, adjust the CP, and put the hood back on for the shot. Since I use this filter for static subjects no big deal. Yes the filter cap is a little underwhelming but who cares. The fact is this CP works very well and does exactly what I need it to do. I think this unit should work very well for most lenses. If for some reason you can grasp the rotating ring put a small rubber band around it, but even I'm a senior and I don't have any issues with it. I see no corner shadows at 18mm on the Sigma.
How to choose? There are so many competing polarizing filters on the market. Some cost so little that I was suspicious. Some cost more than the camera on which I wanted to mount it - too much. I chose this one because of some name recognition and a mid-range price. I am disappointed. It does not filter glare nearly as well as the last one I had, years ago. It also seems "spotty" portions of the image have glare reduction and portions do not,
This filter works great, but, it is hard to get off. The ribbed part to hold on to is so small. If you tighten it very much you can hardly get it off. Also it does not have clicks or numbers and it will move on you easily.You have to keep checking it that it has not turned without you knowing it. It works great but these other areas could easily be addressed. It was not cheap by any means. Are you listening B and W?
A polarizing filter is an essential accessory to keep in your bag. The thin mount lets you do wide angle images without vignetting at 18mm (in my case) on a digital sensor not full frame. This one comes with its own lens cap because of the thin mount. Yours probably will not hold. The cap says Schneider (an optical glass company known for high quality glass), so I expect that this filter is made with this glass. Of course, the B+W name is also a name known for high quality filters so I wouldn't expect anything less. Priced at a resellers price, (at the time that I purchased it),  I feel that this filter is a real bargain. I would recommend it highly to anyone looking for this level of filter.  Here is the link for the product.B + W 62mm Circular Polarizer Wide Angle Slim Mount Coated Glass Filter
Maybe I just don't get it.  This Polarizer works differently from previous circular polarizers I have owned.  Sometimes it works and the results are dramatic, however most of the time there is no polarization even though conditions dictate that there should be.  It is advertised to work w/ a 24-105MM lens which is what it is attached to, however I still get vignetting at the 24mm setting.  Expensive lens protector at this point.
SOLID.  Significantly better than the Hoya that I was used to working with before.  It cuts down on the reflections and boosts the contrast significantly.  If you buy a cheaper filter than this, you risk getting serious color shifts and reflections.I do wish it was thicker around the edges, but you get used to it.  If the filter feels loose after a while, it's because it is!  You have to tighten it from time to time (easy to do in like two seconds).
B+W is a brand with a reputation for quality.  As I have started taking my photography more seriously I decided that I needed a few higher quality filters.  The slim stature of this filter makes it great for wide angle shots where vignetting can be problematic.  The only issue for me is that you can't stack another filter on top of this one because there is no threading, but all in all I rarely need to do something like that.  I highly recommend this filter.
I recently purchased a Nikon D600 with the 24-85 mm kit lens and it's 72mm thread.I enjoy hiking and landscape photography and this seems like the perfect kit for this.Polarizer filters can be a problem when used with wide angle lenses but this one works great!The thin filter design (considering that it is actually two filters that rotate against each other) is just what is needed.In case you haven't used polarizer filters, they only work 90 degrees to the light source which is easy to figure by just keeping the sun over one shoulder.The other thing to know about polarizers is that because they are so sensitive to the angle of the light, they don't work well with ultra-wide lenses which take in too much of the sky so that combination produces bizarre looking sky.When shooting at say 35mm focal length on a full frame camera or narrower, the polarizer really improves the landscape, cutting through distant water in the atmosphere and darkening skies into rich deep blues.Polarizers can also be used to remove reflections and glare on shiny objects and water.One thing you need to know about this polarizer is that to make it so ultra-thin, there are no female filter threads on it. This means you can't attach a lens shade to it via the filter threads. Fortunately, the butterfly lens shade that came on my Nikon 24-85 kit lens, passes over the outside of the polarizer and locks into the bayonet normally. I can either (very carefully) put a finger inside of the shade to turn the polarizer (but not touching the filter glass!) or, when I'm using my tripod (which I do, most of the time) I can remove the shade, then adjust the polarizer then re-attach the lens shade before shooting.I consider a good polarizer to be a necessity and this B+W Slim-Line Circular Polarizer is worth every penny!
A high-performance, high quality filter. The results will speak for themselves: exceptional depth and clarity for most outdoor photography. One of the best available.
The first one I purchased worked like a charm, even though the custom B+W lens cap would fall off while stored inside my camera bag (FYI a normal lens cap will not fit over this filter) thus the filter apparantly received a few scratches from scraping other equipment inside my bag.  Now, after shelling out an extra hundred bucks to replace the first one (which was almost brand new) its identical replacement has a colder blue cast in the glass... They don't even match!!!So, besides the useless lenscap which never stays on, I seriously question the scratch resistance of the glass and B+W's quality control, hence the two different colored filters I have sitting right in front of me.  I know B+W is supposed to have a great reputation, but my own opinion has been swayed.  I just hope I don't have any problems with the return of this item.
Purchased this in hopes of not having to spend the hundreds for a better quality filter. Well end the end I ended up returning it. It was an OK filter, but I could see a strong polorization spot in a lot of the photos. This only happened with the wide angle zoom lens wide open. While that was kind of a pain, the most annoying part of this filter was definitely the cap. The cap does not stay on at all and I am still not sure why they even bothered including it in the package. Disappointed. If you can afford a better filter I would suggest looking at other models.
This filter is indeed quite slim, and I have no doubt that it helps control vignetting.  However, what we could not discern from the description on Amazon was that you cannot put either a &#34;pinch&#34; type or screw type lens cover on it.  After you screw the filter onto the lens, the exposed rim on the face of the lens is extremely thin, just a tiny fraction of an inch, and that rim is unthreaded.  No place to put a lens cap.  So I returned mine.  Perhaps the manufacturer could include a recommendation for a lens cap option for this filter??
I am a nature photographer and I have used this polarizer a LOT since I got it.  I love that you can &#34;dial in&#34; the desired effect.  It really works well for shot at the lake and when doing stream shots.
I had to return this filter, but only because I made the mistake and wanted a clear/skylight filter.  Anything that B&W makes tends to be high quality.  But, of course, you get what you pay for.  I did use the filter for several shots in bright sunlight, and found it to be very effective against glare, if that's what you are looking for.  I strongly recommend it.
I needed a "Slim" polarizing filter for ultra-wide lenses with 82mm diameter. I faced the following problems:1. The cap is useless and will fall off almost instantly2. The filter itself will pop-off the lens at least once a day... I tried to be extra careful and i have many filters and this is the only one with the problem. (BTW: I used it on a 10-20 mm / 3.5 Sigma..)3. For the price, I expected a nice pouch instead of the cheap bulky box!The positive:1. It is slim: Works well on an ultra-wide lens2. A polarizing filter that does the job3. Glass and frame look well built
I just don't know about the ease of use.  I've used it several times, but it's so slim that it is hard to adjust it with the lens shade on.  I'm thinking I should have splurged and got the non-slim B+W since most reviews for that one say that it works fine with wide angle lenses.
This filter does the job, and seems to have superior optics, but there are a couple of design problems:- Because it is so slim, it's hard to turn the rotating element without also turning the knurled area that screws/unscrews the filter. You have to remember to always turn the element clockwise (counter-clockwise from the shooter's point of view), i.e. in the tightening direction, to avoid unscrewing the filter.- As others have mentioned, this filter will not work with your existing lens cap, nor, astoundingly, does it work with the enclosed lens cap, which falls off at the slightest touch.If you can live with these problems, you'll enjoy this fine product.
This is a very fine, thin filter.  The thin construction diminishes the chance of vignetting due to the filter rim.  It is made of quality glass and does its job.
Now here's a product that embodies quality. The only "must have" filter for a DSLR. I've used this extensively on my D90 and the product positively reeks of top quality workmanship. The thinness of the polarizer ensures that you don't run into any vignetting at all. To get a feel of the effect of this CPL, press the DOF button and rotate the filter (after fitting it on, but naturally) till you get the results that you're looking at; the 90 degrees to the sun while using this filter is the kind of stuff that I'm not even mentioning cos that's elementary regardless of whether you're "my dear Watson" or not.
I have used this product for 3 weeks now to take pictures of hybrid flowers I and my wife collect. Under the sun, it provides great contrast. It fits well on my Nikon 18-200mm lens.
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters. the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass). Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them. I have 2 MRC, 1 Kaesemann, and 1 slim one, and I love them. I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly! I like the MRC the best of them all, the slim one is a pain since you cant put a normal canon lens cap on it, but the Heliopan slim one you can... If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens! In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up!  I prefer the MRC or even the Kaesemann over the entry level one, but even their entry level one is ground glass, so you still get a great quality filter at that price point.
I wanted to bring out a deeper blue sky, This filter did the trick! You get what you pay for, I'm glad I bought this one!!Used 1 month.
When I am out in the field shooting it is nice to know my pictures will be glare free.  Try it.
So good, so perfect!Ring rotation is so smooth and nice.Build quality is excellent!Pictures of sky and water are perfect!I bought it for my 15-85 USM IS and it fits perfect!
I always choose B+W filters for my cameras. This polarizing filter like all B+W filters is high quality. Its a must when taking photos at the beach or shots in the snow. I also use a B+W UV/Haze/Skylight filter to protect each of my lenses. Some of the "experts" say they don't use skylight filters because they increase flare? I've been in photography over 30yrs including shooting weddings and can say that skylight filters are a good idea to protect your lens. I also always shoot with the lens hood on to guard against flare.
B+W 67 mm Kaeseman Circular Polarizer Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) Glass Filter.  Very useful to eliminate glare from water.  Also good for sky.The Kaeseman version is weather sealed.  B+W is a great brand for filters.
My first trip out of the house with it was late afternoon, probably not the best use of this lens.
I believe this is the best product on the market for both quality and value.  A must have for any photographer.
excellent  product ! outstanding performance'....increases the quality  picture specially in sunlight conditions..I  the building is top notch..buy it ..Will not regret
I have been happy with this polarizer so far when taking pictures of blue skies. The polarizer really accentuates the rich blue of the sky. The advertising material suggests that you won't see a significant change in f-stop with the polarizer on. However, I noticed that there is a significant difference in the f-stop, particularly in overcast or low light conditions. Some pictures I took with the polarizer on came out blurry when the camera adjusted for the lighting by keeping the shutter open longer. Fortunately, I tried all of this out quickly enough. Just to warn  you.
It is just what I want. I can took good pictures with it. I recommend to other people to buy.
Very hesitant to buy this for my April 2011-purchased Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens due to the reviews that said it basically doesn't fit the threads correctly.  I've had extremely good experience with Amazon's terrific customer support in the past, though, so figured if it didn't fit, I'd just send it back with no problems.  Luckily for me, it did fit my lens just fine!  Took a minute or two to get the threading correct, but once I did it fit & threaded with no problems.  I don't know if someone somewhere started either making the filter's or the len's threading to better specifications, but it does seem to fit my lens that I received with my recently purchased camera.  Cheers!
I took the B+W Circular Polarizing filter to Copenhagen Denmark this spring.  It added so much zing and pop to the photos I took on the canal boat tour.  Good filters....not Photoshop....are the real secret to professional looking outdoor photos.  Oh no, now you know the secret!  If you like blue skies with white clouds, or shooting around water on sunny days, then you owe it to yourself to try using a good circular polarizing filter.  This one has earned a permanent place in my camera bag.
After seeing the subtle polarizing effects in my shots with this filter (clouds, water, other reflective surfaces), I probably could have gotten by with a lower priced circular polarizing filter. But I wanted the least light attenuation and best image quality, so I went with this one. This polarizer can save a lot of time with the post processing of some dSLR images. I'm quite happy with it - it's easy to adjust (unless the lens hood is in place, then it's a bit trickier, but no fault of the filter) - front rim lip is ridged for gripping, and filter turns easily (but is not too loose). I noticed a 1 to 2 stop difference with the filter in place, depending on the amount of polarizing adjusted in,  but I'd only hold 1 stop against the filter since the glare you're trying to squelch is unwanted light anyway. The inside of the housing is threaded and so will hold lens caps that rely on this threading for attachment. Service and shipping was excellent, great transaction!
Well I picked this brand for the positive feedback it gets about durability and resistance to dust and smudges. This first order showed up with the manufacture package already opened and the filter had dust and smudges. I started first with my lens brush to remove the dust from one side. The brush left new smudges on this filter that it never did on any of my other equipment. I then tried cleaning it and it only got worse for both sides.I returned the item same day, a few days later I got a new one. This time it was not opened and it was clean. I don't know how well this filter works yet due to overcast. And I'm scared for the day I have to clean it for any reason. I really hope this one performs better because my Hoya filter cleaned perfectly every time and cost half as much.
If you're confused as I was, here's a tip:This is the regular circular polarizer with Multi-Coating. The Kaesemann circular polarizer with Multi-Resistance Coating is the other itemhttp://www.amazon.com/Kaesemann-Circular-Polarizer-Coated-Filter/dp/B0000BZL8W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s;=electronics&qid;=1222740876&sr;=8-3It seems that the Kaesemann has a higher quality reputation, and since they're priced almost exactly the same as of now, I would buy the Kaesemann one.
B+W filters, along with Heliopan, are the finest. This features outstanding construction, great optical quality, MRC coating to resist flare. Why settle for less? Everyone needs a polarizing filter, not just to make clouds pop out against the sky but to improve color saturation of an entire scene.If you are not experienced with polarizing filters, learn proper use and you'll find this invaluable.UPDATE: July 7, 2014Several years later and I still stick with B+W MRC filters. Just ordering one for theSony Alpha a5000 20.1 MP Interchangeable Lens CameraI received from Amazon today. The camera will be my new pocket camera (well, vest camera, in myFilson Travel Vest. I'm retiring mySony DSC-RX100/Bnow that Sony has an APS-C mirrorless camera that's only slightly larger. Back to the filters, my advice remains to avoid compromise on the first thing between the scene and your capture.
A superb quality filter with first rate polarizing capability. Very fine fit and finish. Purchased for my Canon L lens, 2.8,100mm, IS macro. Why would you want to put a 2nd rate, $20 filter with marginal optical quality on a first rate, high quality lens with superb optics; thus degrading the potentially excellent image rendered by the lens. B&W filters are an wonderful choice, but of course they are not the only ones of that quality available.
I have a D90 w/ 18-105mm lens and this C pol does the job well. I was worried about vignetting with the polarizer being not the slim one. I find that even at 18mm I had no vignetting at all. I didn't buy the polarizer at amazon, but this is the one I got from some where else.The cleaning of the polarizer is good and easier than I though, even though it took a couple of minutes. Just make sure you read cleaning instruction from B+w website to make sure you don't mess up the coating.I compared image w/ and w/o the filter on and I could not see any image degrading problem. (if there is some it must be minor since I couldn't see any.) So far I had the polarizer for a couple of days. The sky is a nice blue (if done correctly) and color of grass/tree are greener. I love the way how the clouds look's sharp,white, and clear.Overall I am very happy with it. Pricey yes, but I rather skip the problem with a cheaper one. The filter seems very good quality, heavy, and looks as if though it will last a while with proper care.In my opinion, if you don't like the way how it performs then a circular polarizer is not for you(not the b+w filter fault.) But I can tell this much, it seem like I have a new toy now. =)At first I was confuse about which filter to buy (heliopan, hoya,or b+W, but now I know I made a good choice...not that the other are not good. Just that this one is a good one also. My only word of advice is to look at picture of others using a polarizer, if you like it then you can't go wrong with this one(unless you are using a UWA lens then the slim.) one more comment, After using this one, it makes me wonder what makes the Kaesemann one better hummm maybe one day I'll get one.
It makes reflections in photos a thing of the past, yes Photoshop can eliminate glare but nothing like real time viewing. I do miss a little dot on the side to show where to point to sun. Quality lens filter
Used extensively for trip in Dominica, with high humidity, spray from waterfalls and sea spume, etc.  Can't say I really noticed the "multi resistant coating" doing a great job...filter surface didn't seem any easier to clean or wipe than my basic, non-MRC ND filter, and it did pick up oily sheen from sunscreened fingertips accidentally hitting it.But the optical quality seems good, and the polarizer rotation is fairly smooth; those are the important parts, really.I will say I wish it was packaged better: it comes in a plastic case with a thin foam sheet for padding on one side, and the case is slipped into a cardboard box.  BUT the case still doesn't "lock" shut that well.  Amazon's packaging was slightly sub-par (a couple pieces of that air-cell stuff in the box) for this particular order, and of the two polarizers ordered (one for me, one for a friend), one was half out of the case and risking getting scratched up in the cardboard box.  Doesn't seem to have...but a simple expedient of rubber-banding a piece of bubble wrap around it, or even just shrink-wrap atop the cardboard, should have prevented this.  Maybe my beef is more with Amazon's packaging in this case than with the actual filter product itself, so the 4-star review is just for the MRC not giving me the 'wow, water droplets roll right off' feeling he marketing mantra lead me to believe.
B & W filters are heads over the less expensive other brands when it comes to quality- you may pay more but you get more.
A good circular polarizer is mandatory for any photo equipment bag.  I have one for each of my lenses that have different diameters.  A polarizer enhances landscape photography by removing glare and increasing color saturation.
This filter worked great.  Actually using it on my kit lens 24-85 with d600.  What it does to vegetation is amazing.  I have some of my best shots with that cheap kit lens and this polarizer
B+W products are of hight optical quality, retain natural color and give protection to lens. I have Canon L lenses of different sizes as well as the prime stnadard 50mm F/1.8 Mark 1 lens, I have all different B+W UV and Polaring filters for them all.
I was in the wholesale photographic equipment business for over 20 years.  In that time I represented several German lens manufacturers including Schneider, Rodenstock and Zeiss.  I have always used and have always recommended the use of B+W filters as they are made with the same quality glass and use the same manufacturing standards as the fine lenses that they were used on.I am now using Canon DSLRs and bought this filter to use on a few of my Canon lenses, including my 18-135mm.  It fits just fine and is very secure when threaded onto the lens.  Even in this digital age I still highly recommend B+W filters.
Great value, you get what you pay for! I have never been disappointed with B+W filters even with four more words required!
An excellent product and filters colors just right.  My photos are clear and the colors are vivid.  I highly recommend this product!
It is always worth it paying the extra money for B+W filters -- their construction quality is fantastic compared to the competitively-priced alternatives. I have quickly become a big fan of their DSLR filters.
I have just received this polarizer and it seems well made.  However, it does not thread well into my Cannon UV filter and I fear that it will fall off when I circulate the lense.  The front disk for circulating the lense is so small that it is somewhat diffiult to turn with my large fingers.  I assume it will be easier to circulate once I have turned it several times.  ACB
I had originally purchased the MRC version and returned it as I could not stomach the $157.00 price tag. I was lucky enough to find a used version the regular B+W 77mm CPL on Amazon Warehouse deals for $80.00. I noticed NO difference in quality in the glass and my photos.Save your money unless you are in extreme conditions and need the extra coating then I would pay the difference and get it.
I admit that I've choke up over the initial pricing of the filter. But after some careful research and serious meditation, I caved-in. Seems to be a real, excellent, German-made product.
This is an awesome circular polarizing lens filter.  I bought it in the fall of 2009 for use on my Grand Canyon & Sedona, Arizona trip.  It did not disappoint.  Since you're interested in this 77mm filter size, you are probably using a higher end Canon lens like an L series.  Maybe a 17-40L, 24-70L, 24-105L, 10-22...? You get the idea.  Spend the money on a great CPL like this, it will increase image IQ rather than being detrimental to it.  You've already tied up between $500-$1500 on your lens, don't go cheap and hurt your photos.  You'll notice a huge difference in your landscape photos- clouds & sky will be more vibrant and reflection will be taken away.  You can thank me later!
I bought this to use with my Sigma 10-22 super wide and I couldn't be happier with the results. I was recently shooting in Arizona and SoCal with this and it really made the pictures pop with sky color.
I use this filter primarily around water. It is great for shooting Manatees, turtles, fish, etc.. in shallow water. You simply turn the filter to achieve the desired effect. The filter works!You may want to use it in bright sunlight to increase contrast.
As usually, I received this product very quickly and in perfect condition. I have found this warming polarizer to be all I had expected and readily recommend it for anyone looking for a polarizing filter. What more can I say?
I recently purchased this filter and used it this past weekend while visiting the TN Aquarium.  It was a bright and beautiful day. The river near by and much glass in the buildings, this polarizer performed  with  clarity and enriched color. Ring rotates with ease.
Really nice - able to do long exposures in midday sunlight. The build quality is very decent and I am satisfied with the results.
This is a very dark filter. Almost like a welding lens. It's perfect for taking direct pictures of photos of the sun.
I can get more creative like making people disappear during day time. I love them. Good color glass even with long exposure, colors are true.
This filter is very solidly built and it is doing what it is intended to do: give you enough density to extend exposures during daytime. I uploaded a picture showing a pyramid during bright daylight, which appears to be completely empty, when in fact there were about 15 people on that structure. The exposure was 3 minutes, during which everyone keeps moving and "disappears".One downside is that the filter vignettes on some lenses, due to its fairly broad rim. Again, see image. Can be fixed by cropping the image, but needs to be considered on framing the shot.
I've used those variable, dual polarized, &#34;nd&#34; filters in the past, but the color banding across the frame was always frustrating.  After picking up this filter, there was no going back.  In a pinch(such as with not so great weather when removing and replacing the filter isn't feasible) some cameras may allow you to use live view to frame your shot.  With my K5, I've done that a few times.  Just boost the ISO manually to 25K or above, open your aperture up, and you'll see through the filter.  Then go ahead and change your settings back to what you want.You'll likely have to shoot RAW with this filter so that you can change your WB in post-processing.  Even if you lock in a specific WB prior to screwing on this filter, you'll probably get a minor color shift that's not easy to modify if you only shoot jpg.
I also own the Hoya ND400. The color balance on the Hoya seems much better. Build quality on both is very good, but the B&W has a real heft to it that makes it feel substantial. Hard to evaluate some aspects of this, since it is pushing the camera to extremes. But I do notice more Chromatic Aberrations with this filter that are easily correctable with image editing software. Images are still sharp with this filter, unlike some of the Chinese knockoffs I've bought recently.
I've been wanting a 10-stop ND filter for some time now. But since I'm a portrait photographer and only dabble in landscapes, I struggled with spending $200-$300 on a filter. I took a chance and ordered this since it was only $99 and happy I did.It's well constructed and the threads fit nicely onto my pro lenses. Used it for some long exposure sunset shot at the beach and was really happy with the result. The filter does not degrade quality of the shot at all. My shots were still tack sharp and it introduced very little, if any color cast. Two things that are highly important to me since I spent tons of money on buying quality glass.Very happy with this filter and would recommend to others.
I like the bronze threads on this filter, makes it worry free (no binding).  Great filter for long exposures during the day (making people disappear when you take architecture pictures, among other uses).
Truly a great quality neutral density filter. I own this and a set of a Tiffin of varying degree, and there's just no comparison in quality &#8211; but the price is steep.
The filter does a wonderful job and I have not noticed any issues with color rendition (nothing that cant be easily corrected in post processing).
First of all. This filter DOES NOT produce any kind of purple hue (if used correctly) The word for it is simply called &#34;inexperience&#34;You absolutely have to close the eyecup peice that you look into before an exposure. At night this is not as needed. In the day 30 seconds is A LOT of light! Light will enter the eyepiece and reflect down into the sensor. It will then come out of the lens and be reflected straight back yet again to the sensor. This making a purple hue across a large portion of the photo. If you do not believe me shine a flashlight I to your cameras eyepiece and watch what happens during an exposure. Filter or not.And second. This filter is made to make daylight turn to night. So common sense would tell you that you cannot see past the filter when attached to your lens.I successfully shoot 30 sec at f8 and ISO 50 during a cloudless bright day. I read that someone's 5dmk3 could not focus when this lens was attached and I have to say my nikon d800 focuses perfectly and effortlessly with this filter attached!So please fellow photo friends! Don't be noobs! Cover those eyepieces!  This filter is absolutely amazing!
This is a fantastic ND filter for any photography level (beginner to professional). B+W has an incredible reputation for a reason...outstanding product.
This was my first B+W purchase and I have to say that it is made of good build quality.  The feel is solid and works as described.  I would highly recommend.
I tried to use this for some video footage but the camera had a really hard time finding focus points, so I manually had to use it. I also would say that it seems to be darker then even advertised. I really think that it might be useful for a photographer but for video work just go with a variable ND filter.
I was buying this primarily for my Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 but also planned on using it for my Nikon 24-70; my apprehension wasn't due to B&W, but rather to go with the thin line version that costs another $40 or not.  In all of my Googling, finding thickness measurements seems to be the 'white elephant' of filters.  I first did order the thin line, and just wasn't sure I needed it.  For those that have used them, I think they're a pain in the neck to handle (you also can't put a lens cap on them).  I returned it for the standard filter, and as it turns out, is the same thickness as my Nikon NC that I use to protect both lenses; I haven't been able to detect any vignetting, and even if I did, zooming to 12mm on the Tokina would solve the problem.
I love this filter and i got fantastic out of this world photos from using it. Research on how to use it and it will blow your clients minds away!
This is a must of long exposures, i bought a non B+W ND filter in trying to save a few dollars, big mistake.  The quality between this and the other filter is amazing.  Why this verse a variable ND, i figure that you know how may f-stops you have here but in a variable, it's more of a guessing game, especially at super high ND filters.  I am very pleased with this copy and now try to do loads of long exposure photos.  well worth the extra money and lessons learned.
The price of this unit is not too bad for the camera I have, get the job done, and look good too
You'll probably need to focus before putting this filter on your lens, and you might even need to manually set the exposure, but if you want a long exposure, this will get you there.  And, most importantly, it doesn't visibly degrade the image in doing so.
Quality construction, excellent glass, properly coated, worked great in helping me shoot sunsets in Hawaii last week.
As good as a ND filter can get - there's no color cast, density is perfectly even, no distortion or vignetting on any of the lenses that I've tested it with, and it's spot on in terms of calibration at exactly 6 stops.
This is exactly what I was expecting - great quality and fine workmanship. Like all the other B+W filters I own, this one does exactly what you expect it to do, and just keeps on doing it. There is no indication that corners were cut or compromises made. It just works as specified. The filter's brass threads even protect your lens threads if you try to crossthread it.
I've used much lighter filters before, but they just didn't have the impact I was looking for.After taking this on three shoots I can say that I'm very satisfied.I've have no issue with color cast or white balance. Filter seem to have no impact on sharpness.I'll address the many complaints of color cast, by reminding users to cover their view finder to prevent light from leaking in. I've have no issue with this.Tip: My t3i has pretty good live view even with the filter installed, I was able to access a pretty clear image for composition and manual focus using live view (using the 10x image zoom for manual focusing). This enabled me to work the entire day without removing the filter.
I have had great results using this filter on my 12-24mm lens - no vignetting, and with landscapes in deep shade forest areas, I have been able to take exposures as long as 4 minutes.... very dramatic water effects.
I got this, like everyone else, to do longer exposure shots during daytime. Some had noted a tint to the lens (not truly neutral), I noticed that as well (slightly reddish-brown). While it's absolutely fixable in post, I'd prefer truly neutral and skipping that step. The other issue of sorts is that the viewfinder is almost unusable with this on. So, I had to go through a multi-step approach of setting up the shot, then adding the filter and hoping I didn't change the focus and/or zoom of the lens while screwing this thing on (I was mostly using a Canon 24-105 which extends when zooming).
Tried it out almost immediately at the beach in the middle of the day. Got a 30 sec exposure. The color was a little off but easy to correct in post processing. I shoot RAW
I bought this product about 2 months ago but didn't have much time to use it until this past weekend.  The product works great and is exactly as advertised - a 10 stop reduction in the amount of light.  Realistically though you actually lose a little bit more than 10 stops, so it's always a good idea to check your histogram.  I have found that an overexposure of about 1-1.5 stops produces just the right effect.  When used at sunset the slight coffee tint makes the sunset color ("golden hour") look very beautiful - see the photo above of Honolulu Harbor.  I've also shot the partial solar eclipse in Honolulu using two of of these stacked on top of each other (because there's only a ~6 stop reduction in the infrared, two are needed so the IR light won't fry the camera).Pros:-Excellent optics that barely affects the acuity of your photos.  Some other filters are not manufactured using very high grade glass, and will slightly affect your image.  Remember that the more glass (filters) you put in front of your lens, the worse it will affect your images (only at 100% zoom).  The B+W ND3.0 (10^3.0 = 1000X reduction, which is close to 2^10 = 1024X or 10 stops) filter doesn't affect the acuity much at all.-The high quality brass rings are definitely useful especially with cheap aluminum step up rings.  These brass rings are really easy to thread on and off, whereas the cheap aluminum rings it usually takes me 10 seconds before I can get it to thread onto my lens.  It just makes life that much easier, especially with putting on/taking off filters (see cons).Cons:-Because it is 10 stops, you cannot focus (auto or manual) with it on, so it's necessary to compose and focus, screw on the filter, and then take your shot.  Fortunately these aren't really (or at all) used for sports or other situations where speed is a necessity.-Price - let's face it, it's almost $120 at the time of writing, and it's not pocket change to most people (or photographers for that matter).  But you get what you pay for - it is a high quality piece of glass you can put in front of your lens.IMPORTANT: If you see a color cast on your photos (mostly on the Nikon D800 it seems like), it is NOT the filter's fault!  The filter does not and can not introduce a purple tint one on photo, and not the next.  The photo I posted above did not have its white balance levels changed.  To explain the tint, we have to remember what long exposures can do to sensors.  Most people use long exposures when the lighting is very dim and they have to expose longer to get a properly exposed scene.  So during this time there is barely any light out, and that *includes* IR (infrared) light.  So for example if you're taking a shot of the stars at night, the level of IR light is so low, a several minute exposure won't reveal any IR light.  So what happens when we reverse the situation?  If you were now to take a photo in broad day light, with an exposure of several minutes (thanks to your 10-stop filter), the amount of IR light (from the Sun) is intense enough to be comparable to the scene you're exposing.  Why?  Because your B+W filter is cutting down the amount of optical light through your LENS by an appreciable fraction (0.1% to be exact), the IR light entering through your VIEWFINDER will now be much more comparable!  Now, you may ask, what about the IR light coming through the lens?  While that does exist, the B+W filter actually also cuts down the amount of IR light, by around 6-7 stops in fact (I got this info from a published transmission curve of all of their filters).  So the 10-stop filter cuts down 10 stops in the optical and 6-7 stops in the IR.  The only logical conclusion is light leaking through the viewfinder (manufacturers do provide a viewfinder cover for a reason).  I hope this clears up any future misconceptions about this (extreme) filter.
Great quality. I like it much better than a 10 stop nd filter. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
This is my third B+W filter, and each of them sees regular use. I decided I &#34;needed&#34; the 10-stop filter after attending a Digital Photography course at Stanford in which one of the photo projects was daylight long exposures. The instructor provided many examples of disappearing people and vehicles, smooth water and other fun effects that can be achieved by stopping light. My first outing with the 10-stop filter was a sunset on the edge of San Francisco Bay, and the effects achieved with shutter speeds between 30 and 60 seconds were just stunning !  I could capture the full range of color in the sky and on the water with no blown-out areas.The coating is of high quality - I could see no defects anywhere. The filter screws on and off easily. This is important since you will need to remove and replace it frequently during a photo session, as it is impossible to focus or compose with the filter on, even at high noon. I keep a micro fiber cloth in my pocket so that I can temporarily wrap the filter and stick it in a pocket while moving or setting up the camera. Fingerprints are really hard to remove, so try to handle only by touching the rim.
I used this to capture motion during the day.  Produced clear pictures with no distortion as always from B+W filters.
This filter is of high quality.  It's a heavy chunk of glass.  There's no color cast that I can see.  It threads on the lens nice(maybe a little to tight) and just works as intended.
I can't see myself using this filter very often, but when I need it, It really does allow me to get images that I could not get otherwise.
I have been  using it in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel and Cancun (Mexico) for a few days with great results. The movement effect  of waves and clouds are great. Exposures of almost 1 minute at midday at 32 Celsius. I bought before a couple of Tiffen nd .9, combined the pics are amazing, like dream of 3 minutes exposure under the brighter and hot sun of the mexican caribe.Don't think two times just do it.
As with all B+W filters, the quality of build and the glass is unsurpassed in this one.This filter is very dark and it reduces light by 6 stops, meaning that a lot more light will be needed to expose the image. The reason you might want this filter is for the creative ability it gives with long exposures. For instance, on a bright day, you can't get the "whispy" effect in a stream if there is too much light, and by having a longer exposure you will be able to do that. Also, if you are doing night photography and need a longer exposure for car trails etc., this would help as well.
If you want to take long exposure, with accurate color and light filtering, this is the way to go. Also good for high intense light applications such as welders and such.
I purchased this to shoot long exposure shots of waterfalls. Since first taking up photography, I've come to trust B+W to produce quality products and I'm yet to have a distinctly negative experience with anything they make. Rather you may come across a quirky product from time to time, but nothing that is outright bad unless there is some form of defect. That said, I've been pleased with this purchase with one caveat: do not use this with a super small aperture as there can be weird light artifacts. In my experience, the hard limit is f/16 with the issue sometimes happening there, but always happening at smaller apertures. This issue is known and if you dig a little bit, you'll find mentions of it here and there. I should note that given the brand name, it surprised me that the issue is there, but ultimately it's not bad enough to warrant me replacing it with something else (though I do have a Schneider variable ND filter that &#34;goes to 11,&#34; I don't use it for this type of photography and my wallet doesn't want to pay for a Lee system...also my back doesn't want to carry a Lee system along with all the other stuff I take with me). Just keep it to f/14 and faster and you'll never have an issue. If this means making a 30 second exposure into a 10 second one, then I either wait for cloud cover or so be it. If I can't work around this particular limitation, I can sometimes compose around where the issue typically occurs with mine and get some usable shots after cropping.Anyway. Aside from that particular limitation, I have nothing to complain about. It's not a deal breaker, but I can't give this five stars as a result. After identifying the problem I've been able to get pretty much exactly what I wanted out of this filter.
No problems with this ND.  No image quality issues. Does the job allowing me to shoot wide open or low with strobe during days or bright gray days!  Recommend this and the brand!!
Love it, I use it more often than my CPL.No color cast, even for 6min exposure!Creates magical feel to pictures with moving water, can even get reflection off waves.Small and easy to carry around everywhere i go.The only shortcoming (not that there's much to do about it) is that it's hard to compose with it on, so you'd have to compose, meter, focus, lock everything, switch to manual, and put it on.Update 10/15/13: I did notice magenta/ red color cast at long exposure when i took the same shot with and without the filter.  Not sure if it's coming from the B+W ND, or the the B+W UV filter I'm using with it.
I don't use ND filters a great deal, but when I do I like to know that I will get the results I am looking for and that is exactly what the B&W line of filters give the photographer.
B+W has done it again, this is a big blocker at an affordable price. It is not a light filter, you hold it well in your hand will not slip from your fingers. Also it is thicker than your regular ND filter. Most important, it does a great job blocking the light.
Finally found an ND filter which does not exhibit color shift, very happy with the product  performance and price.cannot wait to take it to the Florida beaches.
OK ... this is a good product that I bought so I can do long exposures in bright early morning or late afternoon light so the water has a cool blur look to it ... FYI- BUT with my Nikon D800 (not sure with other cameras) there is an issue with IR contamination (called Schneider optics to inquire about what I was getting and sent sample images) about which is a red fringe in my highlights and areas of shadow (I live in Hawaii) on longer than 4 sec exposures.  I cannot really remove to my liking in Lightroom or Photoshop CC so had to get a UV/IR cut filter (not tired as yet) which then limits how wide angle a lens you can use (35mm).  B&W images are ok or an easier fix but color is a challenge.
Very disappointed with this filter. I was expecting a lot less colorcast than what I got. Go with Lee filters and get the bigstopper!
If you want any combination of high light handling (e.g. filming welding), wide aperture, and/or long exposure time, this 10-stop ND filter works very well indeed. You will need to focus before putting it on ideally as there's basically no way you can see through the dark (and even the 5D3 autofocus can't). But I have shot color charts with 30 second exposures and been thrilled with the results. Very well done.
I bought this in order to do long exposures during daylight. I downloaded an app Photopills to help calculate my needed exposure length and hyperfocal distance.Paired with my Hilti range finder (PD-4 and PD-30) to find my subject's exact distance, the app and filter enable me to take some pretty awesome images. I am still learning, but it is a lot of fun.Highly recommend this filter if you are wanting to take long exposures during the daytime or of brightly lit objects.Package came fast and as expected from amazon. Filter wasn't dirty upon arrival as with other filters I have purchased. Solidly built.Completely satisfied, thus far.  Happy shooting
I am by no means a good photographer and have had little experience with doing long exposures, but it sure was fun to try.  I am glad I watched a Scott Kelby video before using this though.  I probably would have figured out that you need to prefocus and then put the filter on, but it nice knowing ahead of time.  You can't see anything with it on.  I think that is the only drawback, a lot of putting on and taking off of the filter, I was worried about dropping it.  But I did get some great cascading water shots.
It works as advertised!  The price is right for sure. I like the casing it comes with.  It can be tricky cleaning it unless your lens cloth is pristine but for the most part, so long as you don't have big splotches, a little lent won't impact your shots.If square 10-stop filters were affordable, I might opt to go with one of those... the main reason being with any screw on filter that stops complete light, you can't compose or focus with it on, naturally.  That means taking it on and off each time which is a hassle.  You'll want to put it in your pocket or do anything but hold it in your hand while you recompose and focus because it takes 2 hands to do that and you don't want to drop $100 worth of glass.  But with quality glass square filters, the glass is much more flimsy and easier to chip or crack.. and storing them is no fun.  But it is easier to just slide them up to recompose and focus.With that said, I think the more I use it and get used to doing very long exposures, the happier I'll be with this filter!
Added this to my ten stop and two stop filters.  This is a great filter.  B and W is top notch.  Nice part of this filter is that my 5D will focus with this filter on camera.  Excellent product!
This filter was purchased along with an ND 1.2 filter. I wanted to get photos of waterfalls and water moving without the static effect that takes place when shooting under normal light. The neutral density filter reduces the amount of light getting to the camera allowing for longer shutter speeds. Because of this, the water turns into a soft blur while the rocks and foliage stay well focused. Quality appears to be quite good. I would recommend this filter to any photographer that wants to expand their ability to create unique and creative photography.
I got this 10 stop filter to do long exposure shots in full daylight.  While it did exactly what is was supposed to (knock down the light level so I do could long exposures in direct sunlight), it introduced a horrific magenta colour shift to parts of the image.  If it had been a uniform colour shift, it would have been easily correctable in post, but because of the non-uniform shift, it was entirely uncorrectable.  After doing some reading online it looks like this has something to do with IR.  I bought B+W without doing any research because of my respect for the name and prior experience with their products.  Shame on me for not doing my homework.  This filter is completely worthless.  My only regret (aside from buying it in the first place) is that I no longer have the original packaging to return it.Long story short: DO NOT BUY!
This was one of the best filters I have yet seen.  Too bad I couldn't use it as the filter size I ordered was too big for my lenses.  I had to return it and I have yet to hear things back from the merchant.  Filter is in excellent shape, brand new, and received in very timely manner.  However refund process is taking long time.Thank you,RichiPhoto
I love shooting landscapes but it's always been difficult for me to manage my time so that I'm at a beautiful location just as the sun is either rising or setting. This filter gives me the flexibility I need to shoot at anytime during the day and capture beautiful long exposures. There's no degradation at all to the photos and things come out looking like a dream.I consider this an essential tool for anybody interested in shooting landscapes (specifically with running water). I can't believe I ever shot without this filter, it opens up a whole new world of photography.
This is a nice neutral density filter that feels very well made. I've used it several times, and it does exactly what you would expect - darkens the image to allow a long exposure, without altering the colors. Really fun to use!
I wanted something dark so I could take long exposure daytime pictures (e.g. of the beach, waterfalls, rivers, etc.).  Holy smokes is this thing dark!  5 seconds at f/11 was marginally long enough to give the picture true brightness, even though I was shooting into the sun.  Speaking of the sun, you can literally stare at the sun through this thing.  I value my 20/15 vision and I would not usually recommend staring at the sun, and I still don't, but the point is this filter is dark.  It's a good filter - B+W is a great brand, but I think I'm gonna need to buy a ND 2.7 or 2.4, maybe even a 2.1.  If you want to take very long exposure pictures in bright daylight, such as 30&#34; exposures of a nuclear blast, then this particular filter is for you.
I got this filter with fingerprints on the lens. i cleaned it with new cloth  which i got from sunglass hut. I was suggested to buy this for landscape photography. Today we have rain. so i am unable to test the lens. i am giving this 2 star rating because of the fingerprints and dust on the lens. After testing this glass on a sunny day i will update my review. By the way this one sold by Amazon LLC. I uploaded the lens with fingerprints and no  seal on the back of the box. without seal every one can open that lens from bottom of the box.
B+W makes the best filters. Rugged. Flawless glass that screws on and off easily. This 10 stop filter works really well for long exposures in the bright sunlight. It's worth paying a little extra for these. Plus their resale value holds nicely.
Very impressed with the performance of this filter.  It has taken my photography to a different level, check me out on www.flickr.com/theo0023/photos/ and see my album collection under b+w filters.  Excellent piece of craftmanship and highly recommend this to any creative photographer.
In bright day light, this is a must to reduce large quantity amount of light instead of using small aperture to perform under same light condition; however, they are not quite the same. With the filter, under the bright light condition with large aperture to create special effect.[...][...]
First class product, as expected from B+W.  This brand earns my investment as reliably precise and meeting expectations.  Performance on lens just works right, every time.
I am using this filter so I can use my F1.4 and f2.8 lenses wide open in broad daylight. There is a unique look to a photo with very shallow depth of field (without super telephoto) in bright sunlight without it blown out.Works great. There is a cooler color shift, although easily corrected in post.I also tried it with studio lighting. Cool results. However, so dark TTL indoors that the camera could not AF, so I had to assist it with an led spot flashlight.Shooting video in daylight with it works well also. Word of caution: the cooler color shift in video with this filter may not be color corrected the same as photo since there is no raw data. I had a difficult time color correcting the video without it looking unnatural. Unless that's the look you are going for.I was shooting with Nikon D800, prime lenses. Midday direct sun and under shadow. Daylight balance.Your results may vary.Great filter, great build.
This B&W 6-stop neutral density filter helps you make pictures of softly flowing waterfalls and streams such as those you see from professional photographers.  By reducing the amount of light let through your lens, it allows you to set longer exposure times (with a tripod, of course) with wider apertures.  The B&W filters are top-quality, very nicely made, and thread smoothly on and off your lens as needed.  Highly recommended!
Used this ND all through Yellowstone and loved it, tooks some nice pictures of waterfalls and geysers and the only issues I had were because of my own inexperience with long exposure shots using a ND filter.
Awesome Awesome AwesomeAllows you to take great shots during daylight hours. Golden hours are great, but sometimes you can't catch it.Do a google on 10 stop , tons of examples and tips on how to perfect it.  Recommend you always download this app called ND TIMER (ie. iPhone/ Android) so you can get a better idea of shutter times.P.s. prepared to buy extra batters, bulb mode reduces your battery life FAST.  Also , one thing to keep in mind. You have to always focus and compose your shot first, then screw on filter. Can be a pain in the _______ but hey, who said photography was EASY !  Have fun
very nice ND with a drawback ... it's a bit hard to clean other than that is just superbyes buy it.
I used to purchase filters in the lower price range and decided to upgrade since I was using a better lens. I am very impressed with this filter and will use it for the life of my lens.
I bought this filter to be used with my Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8.When I shot into light, there are flares or ghostings in my images.  At first I thought it might be the lens causing the problem, but the flares/ghosting disappeared once I took the filter off.  I tested it against various other light source and confirmed that this filter has flares/ghosting problems.It is a bit disappointing for a $80 or so filter to have this problem.Set the aside the flare/ghosting problem aside this is a solidly build filter.
Bought as a lens protector more than anything else. I've always bought B&W and this one was no exception.
This is the best filter I have used. It beats Tiffen, Hoya, Costar.I have not ever used Heliopan so I can't compare it to that.
From my handful of test shots, it's not bad, and the ship time wasn't too slow.  I'm happy with the quality and glad I gave my L glass a nice protector that doesn't degrade my image.
I've used a variety of brands of lens filter over the years.  B&W is extremely consistent in quality and performance.  They are thin & lightweight with quality metal & glass materials and craftsmanship.  Optically each filter does what it is designed to do without impacting lens sharpness or adverse effects.  You get what you paid for with B&W.
I bought this to protect a new Canon lense, and it works well so far.  The filter arrived in good condition.  There have been no issues with distortion or other problems with pictures.
I just wanted something that would protect my 24-105mm Canon lens and not affect the quality of my photos. This works just great for what I needed.
Good filter that fits nicely on my Canon 17-40 wide angle. Only downside is that, being a slim fit, doesn't allow for the Canon lens cap to fit on the lens any more--B+W does include a rubber lens cap that fits on to replace the canon one, but it doesn't fit quite as securely. Guess that's just the price to pay.
This B+W UV filter definitely feels like the most solidly well-built UV I've seen, especially with the heavy metal ring.  No plastic flex here, and the threads feel perfectly engineered, gliding smoothly onto the end of your lens with German precision ;)I bought this to assure myself that I wasn't wasting any bit of my Canon L lenses' image quality because of substandard UV glass. This is pretty much the best you can get on the market, so if you can justify the cost, it's a no-brainer :)
The filter is great. Super thin. If there was anything that I would gripe about it would have to be; there are no threads on the filter (most likely because of the thinness of the filter) and can't attach the original lens cap. Because of this, users have to use the B+W cap which is just a slide-on that has come off many times while taking my camera out of the bag. Overall, the product is nice!
I just started using this filter on my new Canon 24-70/2.8 ii, and so far, so good!  I haven't had a lot of trials with it yet, but I'll come back and change my rating if I have any issues.
I Needed the slim line because I use a full frame cam. The original Canon cap will no longer work with the slim line. B+W includes  a cheep replacement cap for this filter but will not stay on. Falls of in the bag all the time.  You can not stack a 2nd  filter on top of this as you have no threads.  BW makes nice filters and the quality of this product is great if you can live with the cap issue.
I have a few of these. They are great from an optics point of view. My only complaint is that once you put them on the lens, the original lens cap won't fit and you are stuck using the slip on cap that comes with the filter. The slip on filter doesn't stay on the lens well and tends to come off in the camera bag. Maybe there is no choice for these slim-line filters, but it is annoying.
Superior coated glass and slim brass ring make this filter a top contender on my ultra wide lens.
I bought the the "B+W 77mm Slim-Line Clear UV Haze Filter w/Single Coating" for compatibility with my Nikkor 12-24 f4 DX.  As I had hoped, it does not seem to cause vignetting with that wide-angle lens, as a thicker filter design might be expected to do.  It also comes with its own lens cover, which is a nice afterthought since the standard Nikon lens cover will not work with the slim design.  All in all, this filter lives up to B+W's excellent reputation in this consumer's opinion, and I recommend it for similar applications.
My photos through the filter are clean and sharp.  I hate that their slim mount means no front threads to attach my Canon lens cap.  They included a cheap plastic cap, but that always falls off so I don't trust it.By comparison, the slim mount Nikon circular polarizing filter I got does include front threads.I have these filters on a 17-40mm lens so I thought I needed the slim mount.  But next time I wouldn't bother with that, or would check that it includes a front thread.
When you buy anything, cost is relative. I chose this B+W filter because my experience with my other B+W filters have been superb. I just purchased a Canon L lens, and wouldn't ever want to chance my photos with anything less. Besides, the filter is made in Germany--Germans make the best products!
If you have expensive glass mounted on your camera then you need a professional grade optical piece of glass in front to protect your lens investment and give you undistorted images.  For me the added expense of this filter is well worth it.
I purchased this filter because it is supposed to lessen distortion at the edges of the image.  I put it on the new 16-35 Canon lens and have shot about 100 pictures with it, and I am impressed with the performance.  It is a pricey filter but worth it.
Just good, can't find other words. well, expensive is another word, haha. I like B+W. this one does not design the place to attach lens cap.
I have protected and enhance my lens, thanks to the people who built this and it's thinbut i have faced a little problem with the ring it self it get noisy and some times stuck.
The slim-line is extraordinarily thin, which is a nice feature for ultra wide angle lenses. The filter comes with a flexible plastic lens cover, which turns out to be needed because the filter is SO slim, it won't take the lens cap from the lens.  (A Tokina 12-28mm in my case.)That's why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5... if the description had made this clear, I might have chosen a different B + W filter and seen if it had any impact on pictures, then gone with the (much more expensive) slim-line option if it did.
It's a filter. It works like every other B+W filter. I got it for my 16-35. I guess they fixed the cap because I haven't had a problem with mine. The cap is snug, or at least, snug enough. No problems with flare or anything like that.
I have this filter on my Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8. Like every B+W filter, it feels high quality. The only thing is that because this is a low profile filter, you cannot use the regular canon lens cap. instead you have to use a flexible plastic slip on one it comes with. It works ok, but falls off if you brush against it and you must remove it to reverse or remove the lens hood. I wish they could find a way to let you use the stock canon cap, but otherwise, this is a great filter. I can't tell a difference between shots taken with and without it.
Once I opened the package, again I thought; &#34;Cool, a removable filter cover of it's very own.&#34;This filter is very thin.  It has it's own filter cover for that reason.  The stock lens cover will not work or at least mine does not work (Tamron 24-70mm).That said there is a trade off with this lens filter.  The trade off is you cannot have your lens hood in place and remove the filter cover.  It matters not if the lens hood is reversed for storage and it detaches itself, upon lens removal from your bag, falls back (if you are lucky) into the camera bag when you remove the lens (hood reversed).In a hurry?  Working fast and changing lenses during a shoot, not minding where the filter/lens cover is it could potentially become lost, stepped on, ground into the dirt all with out being aware that it's gone missing.  If the filter cover is in place and the lens hood is set to photograph you cannot remove the cover, rather you must remove the hood first and juggle to not drop the cover in the dirt or on the floor.One solution is to not place the filter/lens cover on the lens when placing it in the camera bag.  The caveat there is a dirty filter front increasing work in post.I have tried not placing the lens hood on the lens and I have the exact same results as I do with the lens hood reversed.  The filter cover works itself off the lens when extracting the lens from the bag.  Loosening the surrounding dividers of the bag is no help.What I have not tried is boring a very small hole in the filter cover, attaching a very thick thread or string through the filter cover in a loop and having a Chatty Cathy type of filter remover.  Hummm... could that possibly work?  I am open to sensible suggestions.Filter performance?  No vignetting at any range or 'f' stop.  Cuts the UV at 8,000 feet (2438 meters) nicely.I can live with the filter cover's peculiarity but other buyers should think of another filter if you think this will be a problem for your shooting style.At the price of this filter I would think there would have been more thought behind supplying a filter without the ability to attach the stock lens cover easily.That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The filter is great but the slip on cap just doesn't work in the field or in my camera bag. It is always off the filter. Time for a new cap design that grips the filter.
Not much to say about this filter. B+W makes the best filters hands down. They cost a pretty penny, but I'm not about to put a $15 filter in front of a $2,000 lens. Slim filters should be used on wide angle lenses to avoid vignetting around the edges. Only downside about slim filters is that lens caps do not work because the filter itself is too thin. This filter does come with an end cap to cover the filter. It's not great, but it does the job.
I purchased several of these so all of my lenses would have the same filter for color consistency. I use these mainly for protection and have decided never to take them off. If there is any image quality loss from these it is very minimal. They are hard, due to the thin ring, to add filters to but not impossible. If you use filters like this make sure you have the same type across all of your lenses or you will get color shifts.
Seemed like a good quality item, but the lip on it is not big enough for my stock Canon clip on lens cap to grab. But I guess that's what they mean by slim. I returned it. Wanted to use my stock cap.
I use this high-quality (expensive) filter on a Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L lens.  Everything is great except the annoyance of (1) the Canon factory lens cap will not work since this filter is so thin (needed to avoid vignetting), and (2) the cap that comes with this filter does not stay on the filter.  Some may whine that these are complaints about the cap and not the filter... true... however I am now spending time figuring out how to protect my investment in this filter since the cap that comes with it is inferior.  If anyone has found a solution to this specific filter I would appreciate learning what worked for you.USE THIS LENS CAP, IT STAYS ON:  Kaiser 206985 85MM Slip-On Lens Cap
I replaced a different head on my tripod.  This one is just right for my new camera.  Easy to install and use.
This is a well-made head, and worked fine on a road trip out West.  The only thing I'd like changed is that the ball tightness adjustment knob has a narrow range between completely loose and completely tight; a little room for friction without complete looseness would be nice.
I got it about a year 6 month ago. Used it very lightly - 10 times perhaps and the rest of the time it was either in my garage or in my car. When I got it out for a next shoot I noticed that quite a bit of grease leaked out out of head. Good thing it did not ruin anything else, since it was pretty sticky. It still works at the moment, but once grease is gone its days are numbered. This is by far the least amount of use I have ever gotten out of a head.Other than that it is a bit heavy for the specs. I guess this is what you get for not going with a reputable brand... It is amazing how many times I have to relearn this simple fact.
With my 7D if I try to shoot vertical the ball just slowly lets the camera sink.
The Giotto MH-1002 is my first ball head.  I love it, it's awesome!  I bought this because I bought a tripod without a head.  My other tripods came with 3 way pan heads built in.  When I bought a tripod without a head I had to look for a separate head.  I wanted something that provided the best value that I could find.  I narrowed my search to ball heads because of the quick adjustments and fluid movement that they provide.  The Giotto MH-1002 performs great, and didn't break the bank.  It's so easy to make quick adjustments and feels like a well made tool.  I wish I could replace all my pan heads with this ball head by Giotto!
I wanted to use this as a leveler, to be mounted between my tripod and my tripod head. However, it simply is not up to the task. No matter how tightly I tightened the locks, still the tripod head would slip any time I tried to pan, especially if I tried an up or down pan. On the other hand, it is a very nicely finished ball head with good controls, and I plan to keep it for my still cameras.
Used in conjunction with a top-of-the-line Joby Gorillapod - a great combination - Used for Nikon D300 with small-to-medium lenses. Get a bigger head for a regular tripod upon which you plan to put a heavy DSLR though. 13 pound rating is a bit exaggerated - it would probably hold it if you cranked it down real hard, but I wouldn't trust it. If you can afford a 13 pound camera - get a better head for it.
I like the separate panning capability with the lock that other relatively small heads don't seem to have.  Also, this is surprisingly strong for such a small size.  Bought this for my monopod but may also use it on my tripod.  (This head is an overkill for the gorilla pod, which is being marketed as a companion offering here on amazon.com.)
As many other reviewers state, it DOES hold up camera with heavy lens well. I was using it for my 5Dmk2 and 24-70L, the head held up fine(I think other users state this one should hold up 5D plus 70-200F2.8 with no problem). two securing knobs work really well, and panning on this head is really smooth.Its not as versatile as the more expensive heads with quick release plate and easy tilt function. If you are looking for a basic ball head for your large size tripod, this is worth considering.There are quite a few models that Giottos sell. Buyer should calculate out the camera weight with the most heavy lens + flash you have. Then visit Giottos' website which has a list for you to compare weight limitation and features.
First of all, there is no way this ballhead supports 13 pounds, it is actually rated at 6.6 pounds...it is written right on the box.  And I think the 6.6 pound rating is way off as well.  However, it is a great ballhead for smaller cameras like my Panasonic G1.  The Giottos MH-1002 has a really nice look and feel to it, appears very well made.  The independent panning lock is a great feature...the actual panning movement is a bit stiff, but works smoothly enough...the stiffness may not be a negative, it may keep your camera from wandering too easily when the panning lock is not tightened down.  In my opinion, this ballhead is a great size for micro-four thirds cameras, and probably for smaller DSLRs with standard lenses.
I don't remember how I found this originally, but it's an excellent addition to a gorillapod, which otherwise lacks any ability to move the camera other than reconfiguring the tripod. I'm sure there are far higher quality ballheads, but this has an excellent fit and finish. I used to use it with my D70, and now use it regularly with a Nikon D7000 and the Nikon 18-70 lens. No slippage, and it's never once flopped over.
I don't know why people don't like Giottos stuff, this head seems to be fairly nice for a small one. I bought it to replace a Trek-Tech magnetic ball head, which I don't like.
I bought this to replace the Sunpak 620-020 2001UT Travel Tripod Quick-Release Mounting Plate. By removing the entire mounting plate and attaching the Giottos MH1003-310 Small Ball Head I was able to have an extremely different photography experience. Instead of fumbling around with the mounting plate and handle I could easily align my camera within a fraction of the time. By using this Ball Head I was able to save a ton of cash on an expensive tripod.
Good head, good cost to value relationship. However the description says it has an independent Panning lock. Nope .. it does not the MH-1002 does ... but this baby doesn't. I question the 8.8lbs ... from my experience it's more like 5 lbs. That said ... if the description was accurate I'd have no complaints. If you expecting the lock and capacity ... better look elsewhere.
I had a new tripod with a slide locking mechanism to hold the camera. I was looking to replace the slide lock head with a tripod head that screwed into the bottom of my cameras. This item was a good replacement. When you have a camera screwed into it though you must be careful when you loosen the holding knob and have a firm grip of the camera. The camera flop down hard if you don't.
I use this head with a gorilla pod and a Panasonic fz30.  I holds steady even with tcon-17 added.  Good stuff.
This is simply the best UV protection filter, money can buy IMO... Incredible contrast and no extra flare at all BTW...
This is one of those cases in which you pay more you get the bestExceptional and sizable difference. Heliopan 707711 77mm UV SH-PMC Filter is by far the best on the market. Besides, the feel of it and its build is far superior.
High quality product. World's best glass to cover and protect your Nikon ( or other brand) lenses. Looks and feels great. Well worth the price.
This certainly looks like a nice piece of glass.  I got it for haze reduction and to protect my Canon 24-105 f/4 L lens.  The only problem is that the front edge is so thin, I can't get my lens cap all the way on.  It goes part way on but kind of wobbles.  My other B + W filters (67 mm and 58 mm MRC UV filters) don't do this.  I'm planning to order the B + W 77 mm filter instead.  It seems like, if you're buying a filter for almost $100 to protect an $1100 lens, you have the right to be picky.
Seriously Heliopan glass is flawless.  This filter has saved my lens more than once.  I'd much rather spend a couple of hundred than have to fix or replace my fast lenses.  Amazon periodically has these at 40% off, so when you see that, jump on it.
I bought this lens to improve the wide field ability of a Canon HF100. It works just as advertised and it is a good value relative to the low cost. The lens will not allow good usage of the auto focus in extreme zoom mode but you are not buying it for that anyway...Very little geometric distortion and no fish eye like appearance.
I purchased this item as a gift for my son.  He picked it out so I would know the exact item he wanted. He was well pleased.
I bought this lens for my Sony XR500 HD Camcorder. Although it seems sturdy enough, the lens seems to degrade the quality of the vid slightly. But of course, I'm not spending $150 to $200 for a higher quality one, so for the money, it's ok.
This lens is the biggest pile of do-do I have come across.I had VERY  low expectations, but it fell massively short of these expectations. The bottom of a coke bottle would so a better job. It is hard to describe how pants this is. The centre could not resolve an elephant at 100ft, and the edge (where not vignette-ed out of existence) is even worse.OK- I am new to video- coming from a still photo (Canon L /Hassleblad/ Contax) background, but by no objective measures could this be regard as anything other than a paper weight.Never have I had such low expectations of a product and it fall so massively short of them - the feeling is like buying a Trabant for a laugh and not even be able to get it to start so you can give your friends for a spin.If you consider buying this - take $30, wipe your bottom with it, and flush it. You will get a better use of $30.A pitiful piece of glass.
The lens seems very well made, the bag which it comes shipped with is a cheap pleather material and not very high build quality but that's to be expected.  It is not as wide as some wide angle lenses but helped get some peripheral shots in the city of New York that would of looked more 2 dimensional with my standard Dicomar lens.
Pros.  Works as advertised gives you twice the field of view. You can now film and take pictures in small rooms. Very low price.looks good on the camera. Mic an flash not blocked by lens. Comes with covers for both parts of the lens. Along with a small bag for storage.Cons.  With the lens on the camera it has problems focusing on maximum zoom.
I'm using this on an Panasonic HDC-SD9 camcorder.  Projecting my footage on a 98" screen, I can see no reduction in resolution using this lens.  However, there is some barrel distortion that may be distracting, and there is vignetting at my camera's widest setting, which limits this lens's usefulness.
Bought this for my Canon FS100, could have spent more and gotten a better lense, I guess... but for my purposes - its perfect.
I recently purchased an HDV camcorder and noticed the widest angle really wasn't all that wide; nowhere near what I was used to with my SD camcorder.  Since I had already blown most of my budget on the camcorder, I thought I would take a $25 chance on this lens.It was definitely money well spent.  I use it primarily with my camera at its widest angle and then screw this on the front to pull out even farther.  It's not a fisheye, so lines don't curve much except on the extreme sides of the image.  Also, I can get closer in to small subjects like fish and our pet hamsters.There are a few things to be aware of in HD though:1) If you use digital stabilization, you may need to turn it off.  I found that as the camera jumped around with pixel stabilization, the edges would be viginetted, but not consistently, and it was slightly distracting.2) While I can zoom through with the lens on, in HD it lacks detail; like you're shooting portrait photography.3) Near bright lights, you will gets some internal glare.I have tried this on my old SD camcorder and it works just fine.  Kenko doesn't say this will work with HD, so it's not like they are claiming something that's not true.  I found it a low cost alternative (it seems like anything with the prefix "HD" on it commands a huge increase in price) and as long as you use this lens within limits, it performs beautifully.
The edges curve in, and the colors are messed up.  BUT it's cheap and you are back .5x.  Not a waste of money, but close.
it is worth the price paid for it, but was hard to find elsewhere.  Nothing extra special to get a higher rating, nothing wrong to get a lower rating.
Call me self-indulgent, but I wanted a nice useful strap to complement myFujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD. After looking at all the options, my brain collapsed from strap overload. While in the sanitarium, I came across an article by Ken Rockwell who apparently has never had an indecisive moment in his life. He unconditionally recommended this strap and specified in no uncertain terms how to install it and wear it. I blindly followed his advice and am very happy with the result. Sure, it's thirty-five bucks for a length of nylon webbing, but it's the only genuine Leica bit in my kit, and only the discerning will notice the black on black Leica logo. Plus, the Wetzlar people have had eighty years to work out how to properly hang a rangefinder from your neck. This is the strap Cartier Bresson would have used, maybe, if he'd hung around and decided to go digital.It really does look good, hang well, and it's unobtrusive.
QUESTION: It's a camera strap - how much better can it be?ANSWER: A LOT.I use this strap with my Fuji X100. I was dubious about paying $35 for a strap until I spent a little time with it. Now I consider it fairly brilliant. It makes the included Nikon/Canon/Fuji straps seem like rubbish by comparison. What I like about this Leica strap:1. Fabric is a supple, foldable material. When you set down your camera onto a table or whatever, the strap folds alongside it.2. All black - doesn't attract attention to itself.3. Rubber shoulder pad is grippy and also bendable/supple. The strap continues through the pad as an integral design element, instead of clumsily looping through it.4. Connection ends are cleverly designed, reasonably easy to use, and ensure a clean & solid connection to your camera. No excess fabric dangles from the ends.5. Strap design ensures there's no excess material dangling off the ends - it's a streamlined affair.6. Strap is a nice length.A lot of complex design engineering was invested into making this strap so simple.
This strap is way over priced you are paying for the name Leica, I bought this strap for my fuji x100s after reading several reviews from people saying it was a great addition to the fujix100s including bhphoto/adorama and so called experts blogs.  After getting it I opened it and it looks cheap, feels cheap, and other than the system for how it attaches to the camera is cheap.  I would have given it 2 stars had it not put a huge scratch on the side of my brand new x100s on installation.  Save your money and go with something actually worth 44 dollars.  Major disappointment.
I picked this strap up a few months ago and it is an extremely nice, flexible strap that stays out of your way. In most circumstances it is certainly worth the money but there is one big caveat regarding this strap. Because of its' design it will not fit most of today's cameras with the type of strap lug that requires the strap itself to be fed through the lug. This strap needs to have the type of camera lug which accepts a clip. If you need an example of the type of strap lug needed for this strap go to this site [...]. The round lugs on the Pentax K1000 are perfect for this strap, with or without the triangular looking clips you see on the K1000 SE.Accept for that one caveat, this is a wonderful strap and I love it very much. It is comfortable but stays nicely out of the way when I'm using the camera. I would love to attach it to my Canon G10 as the two would be an almost perfect match (and the G10's strap is so lousy) but, without undoing the strap, I can't make them work.
Like everything Leica, it is expensive. The rings are industrial strength and the lug covers not only lock the rings in place but protect your Leica from unnecessary wear. If you want everything &#34;Leica&#34;, then there is no other choice...
I got this for my Sony A7 and it works well for that. It is certainly better than the strap that came with the camera: thicker, supple nylon with fewer potential failure points.The special D-ring clips are ingenious but a bit confusing - after you slip them on the camera lugs, they flip over and introduce a twist. It took me numerous attempts to counteract that and get the strap oriented correctly. (I'm sure I'd get my brain around it eventually if I wanted to take the strap on and off a lot, and then it should go pretty quickly.)Quick adjustability is a definite plus with this unit. If you want to shorten or lengthen your strap frequently, this may be well worth a look for that.Overall I deduct one star for value. Sure, it is a superior product, but after handling it, $50 just seems like too much for what this really is: a couple of wire clips, some nylon webbing, a rubber pad and a few plastic fittings. (Some thread even pokes out from the stitching like you might expect to see on, say, a $5 strap.) Next time around, I think I'll go a cheaper, simpler route.
I&#34;ve has dozens of cameras each one coming with their own straps, I also bought lots of the most popular after market alternative straps, and this is the best one I've owned.-it's light.-it's durable-it dosesn't fall off your shoulder-it doesn't get in the way of your photography-it's got a discreet design-it's the best.
I struggled to find a good strap for my Nikon D7000. Read about this one as a possibility so gave it a shot. Absolutely love it...even though it is thin, it supports the weight of the camera with large lenses well, and does not slip down your shoulder.
It's neither soft or cushiony. It's grippy rubber, so it's great to use as a shoulder strap. It's pretty uncomfortable as a neck strap. Can it be done? Yes, I used it around my neck for days but I had a jacket. If it's against your skin, good luck!
I have been using Leica straps on my Nikons as far back as the film era. This one is carrying a Nikon D-200. A huge improvement over the wide, brightly logoed, largely useless and amateurish OEM strap.Well-designed, sturdy, possibly with a lower carrying capacity than the UPstrap, but at least the pad doesn't tear up clothes.
This is the second time on two different cameras that I decided Leica strap was the correct choice. Leica has a strong reputation of making a strong and great strap. It was the correct choice for me. It's on my latest Nikon camera, D7000.Thanks Leica.
This Strap is Positively Great ! I do not consider the Cost Excessive ! The Design alone is Simplicity Itself ! Highly usable on Many Other Brand Cameras , which I have done so Myself ! The Less said the Better , because there are No Negatives to Report ! R E Keay
It's just a strap, but you can tell that a lot of thought went into it.Instead of the typical split ring used by other straps, this one uses a D ring with overlap only on the flat side and a significant gap between the ends.This makes attaching and detaching the strap to the camera lugs much easier and will preserve your fingernails.It also has a two-piece failsafe adjustment system.Each end is secured by the D ring lock and a buckle.If either piece were to break. The camera would still remain safely attached.Also, the way the buckle is attached, there's no extra fabric at the ends. Very neat.The pad is very grippy. This is:a) Good if you like to wear the camera on one shoulder. (It won't slide off)b) Neutral for wearing on your neck. (after all, your neck wouldn't let it fall off anyway)c) Bad if you like to wear it across your chest. (because the camera won't easily slide to shooting position)So, totally worth the "Leica Tax" if you are in either the "a" or "b" categories. Not so much for "c".
The strap works great, is comfortable, very practical, a good length, and stays put on many different types of clothing.  A bit pricey for a simple piece of nylon and rubber, but for a high-end camera, it can be justified.  Shipping was incredibly fast - thanks!
This great strap works perfectly on my Fuji X100s.  The great "sticky" shoulder pad keeps the camera snug on my shoulder and the hooded clasps are bomb-proof.  I knocked off a star because $40 is a lot to pay for a strap and at least 10 of those dollars are probably for the Leica name.  But if you want a caddi, you have to pay for it.
Great Value for the price, original is always better than replace parts, Yes i would recommend this to anyone on the site
This is an excellent lens cap for protecting 67 mm lenses.  It fits very well and tightly on the lens.  It is easy to install and remove.
This product arrived fairly quickly after purchase. The free shipping was great, and although there was a minor shipping issue, the seller rectified that right away. This cap does have trouble staying on sometimes, and I wish it had the cord to connect it to the camera, but overall I am very satisfied with both the product and the seller.
This nikon lens cap fits perfectly on my 18-105 lens.  Of course, I lost the cap that came with the lens and needed another one. I recommend purchasing this cap for your 67mm lens.
Glad to find back the same cap for my lens. Fit well and much tighter than my previous cap. Hopefully the tightness will help to prevent it from falling out again. Great buy and fast shipment.
This is a wonderful lens cap. It snaps on just like the manufacturer promises. The only problem is you could lose it just like you lost the one that this one is replacing. So buy two or three, cause you will lose it again.
Just like the original with all the Nikon qualities.  Fits nice and snug. Always great to have a spare!
Lost the original cap while travelling. Bought this one which looks no different that the one I had before. Good protection for the lens while not in use.
It's a lens cap.  It does the job.  But don't be fooled by the picture in the description.  This is not an official Nikon Lens Cap.  I purchased this item thinking it was so, but did not receive the lens cap in the picture.What I received was a lens cap that, instead of saying Nikon in the middle like the image shows, actually says 'Designed for Nikon'.Just be warned that you are not purchasing a Nikon lens cap, but a lens cap designed FOR a Nikon lens (whatever that really means).That said, the cap fits just fine, and allows operation with a lens hood, but I can't be sure that it will always stay on securely.  Time will tell.
It fits, as you'd expect being the real (Nikon) article. The price on amazon was reasonable. I have no complaints.
Ordered this lens cover to replace my original cover that was misplaced.Shipped fast and fits perfect.  Original Nikon quality.
Everything is fine about this replacement cap; it does what it's supposed to do but this is NOT an authentic Nikon product as pictured.  The cap you'll receive says "Designed for Nikon" front and center. The price of this one varies by seller.  I paid $8 a week ago and see that it's now $3.  If you aren't picky about the brand name thing, this'll do. Otherwise, you can get an authentic replacement cap on the Adorama website for about $12.
Always wanted a 2nd cap, lost one before and worried about my lens. this isgreat product at a great price.
Got this to replace my cap for my crappy Zeiss cap. I do have other Nikon caps so I knew this would be the ticket. It puts the Zeiss (a $1800 lens I may add) cap to shame.
Not Nikon, cheap knock-off, passed off as original Nikon cap. Spend the extra three or four bucks to get factory Nikon cap with free shipping! (shipping was more expensive than this cap)
cheap and solid. Fit my D90 camera. Would definitely recommend this if you are considering getting a replacement or having another for backup.
The product arrived on time and as described.pros: The cap fits well on my D90 kit lens.cons: since this product is not made by Nikon, the lettering will fade over time. But it does not affect the performance of the lens cap, it's just not aesthetically pleasing to look at.
I did'nt realize it was such a bargin for the 'real thing', until I needed a second one, and had to pay 2x...
However reason why I lost it, is that it is completely detached from the camera. Normal for today's cameras you might think, but then I have a Nikon lens cap on my old camera, that has a little loop on the frame where a band is securely connecting it to the camera body. I am not sure why lens caps are designed without security these days, maybe because lenses are constantly changed and lens caps come in different sizes, but it surely would have prevented me from running around rural Poland for a week with a sock over my camera.
This is the OEM lens cap. Looks, feels and smells (ok, just throwing this in to see if you really are paying attention) like the original. You can debate whether that's a good or bad thing, but it works and looks right.I think that Nikon should have lens caps that attach more like the lens on the camera. That would be a more positive connection. With this spring loaded type, if you don't get it in just right, it can fall off. This is a pretty minor quible.
just like factory had no issues with this cap replacement. I would recommend buying this to any one I know
the lens cap was cheaper here and easier to find than on any other website.
This little guy puts the cap where it belongs.  Sticks right on the end of a lens - where it belongs.  Used on a D5000 kit lens.
I had lost my original lens cap so I purchased this one - it fits perfectly. I also bought the stretchy cord that attaches to the lens cap & allows it to hang from the camera so I won't lose it next time!
If you have a nikon lens and use the sun hood on it, you need this lens cap. I lost my original and bought a replacement of another brand and type. If you buy a cap that only has release buttons on the outside edge of the cap, you will not be able to get the cap back on with the lens hood in place. This cap has release buttons on the inside front of the cap as well as release button on outer edges. A MUST have item!
67mm lens cap replacement. Works will lenses like the 18-135mm or the 70-300mm VR.  Not sure what size is your lens?  Look at the rear of the lens near where the end cap will go.  You'll see a bunch of letterings and numbers.  The last number is your filter size.
THIS IS A ITEM WHICH IN MY OPINION, IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE AND TO PROTECT YOUR EXPENSIVE NIKON GLASS
If you own a digital camera with a lens cap cover and you actively take a lot of photos, you are going to lose a cover.  I bought a couple of these to keep in my camera bag for that very reason.  They fit are a perfect fit and securly snap on the camera.
Just what I was looking for without the hassle of going to multiple stores to find they don't have the item I wanted.
This lens cap is very similar to the Nikon one that was lost.  However, it does not say Nikon on it.  But a good price!
She loses everything it seems, if this cap had a little hole for a lanyard so it wouldn't get lost, it would be perfect
This excellent lens cap is not an official Nikon cap.  It's a fake, but a very good one.  It fits and works just like the Nikon cap, and costs much less than real Nikon caps.The caps I bought at least, are nearly indistinguishable from the real caps.  The paint on the front saying "Nikon" is an ever-so-slightly different font.  There's a tiny (&lt;1mm) hole on the edge and an included string for tethering (I don't use it).  The Nikon cap says "LC-67" on the back and this one doesn't.Compared to the real Nikon caps, they feel the same, fit the same over the lenses, and have the same pinch mechanism that makes Nikon caps much better than other brand's caps.  I use these on my Mamiya 7 lenses because the Mamiya caps are loose and annoying in comparison.Recommended.  You can get about five of these for the cost of one legit Nikon cap, and they're just as good.  Shame on Nikon for charging so much for their own replacement caps.
Fits kit lens for D70 and most Nikon kit lenses since.  No issues at all the cap clipped on and stayed on.
This cap was made by a third party, contrary to the description and picture of a Nikon-made item. The sign on the cap says "Designed for (in small letters) Nikon (in large letters)". After I complained, the seller immediately apologized and issued a refund, allowing me to keep the item.It is a fair deal, but if you are not looking for a deal, better buy an authentic Nikon lens cap at about twice the price from a specialized photo store.Update: The cap worked similarly to the authentic product after all, so I am giving it 3 stars instead of 2.
I ordered a used Nikon 18-70mm zoom and it came without a front cap. I went to Ritz and bought a cheap quantaray cap, but the tabs stuck out too far to use it with the hood on. Should have spent the extra few dollars for the Nikon one, it fits great even with the hood
What can you say?  It's a lens cap.  It was cheap and I received it very quickly.  Perfect transaction!
Quick and easy replacement for the cap I accidentally melted in the car. Buying was easy and shipment was fast.
A new replacement lens cover for a Nikon. Perfect fit, great price, just the thing for people like me who lose their originals.
The Paterson Universal Tank is very easy to use.  Once the film is loaded to the reel, inserted into the canister and the agitator top is clicked shut, the canister is light tight. Liquids can be easily filled and drained without worrying about light leakage.  It comes with an agitator spindle but I think most people prefer to shake it the old fashioned way... I certainly do!  Mine came with two reels instead of one as stated...
This is the second time that I have developed film.  The first being with an old stainless steel tank and reels from the late 70's.  This Paterson system is much, much easier.  After 15 minutes of practice, I was able to load both reels without any problem.  Simple to use, no leakage problems.  Highly recommended.
I use this tank regularly for developing black and white 120 film.  The reels are very stiff at first and difficult to adjust to the 120 film size, but you get used to it.  The tank itself has measurements written on the bottom so you always know the right amount of chemicals to use.  The film loads easily and the instructions are pretty clear. The lid seals tightly. Overall I am very satisfied!
Use this all the time for my photography class. Camera stores in my area are selling it for double the price, but it is the same exact object. This is great, perfect for dark room photographers.
The lids on these things are kinda wonky.  I wish they made an audible &#34;snap&#34; so I knew when they were sealed.  Something... I just don't feel like it's easy to get a good seal on the lid when you are quickly trying to move from say developer to stop bath.  I don't see why this would be a hard thing to do.It's nice that this one tank lets me process my 35mm and 120 film using the same reels.
Paterson tanks are without a doubt, THE tanks to use and have been for a long time now. It is made of highly durable plastic, and is coated so that it won't retain any of the chemicals used (can destroy your processing!)PROS- Light-proofing system is recognized as the best on the market- Film loading ball-bearing system is beyond easy (I practiced twice before a real roll, and got it in one!)- Comes with agitating rod for multiple styles of agitation during processing- Adjustable reel for 35mm, 120mm and three other film sizes. Easily snaps into place.- Will not lock if seal is not proper, forget leaks they won't happen with this tank!- Maybe it was just luck, but I received two reels with my order?CONS- Sealing lid is a little tough to press down when you are using time-sensitive chemicalsSo this set-up cost more than my stainless steel 35mm and 120mm tanks combined, however in my opinion it is totally worth it! The ease of use makes it a pleasure to use even in the dark, and I have never had negatives stick together (unlike my stainless teel tanks...ugh).ADJUSTING THE REELOnce you know how, this is VERY easy. I didn't have instructions with my purchase (an oversight I was assured) and there really aren't any resources on the web. To adjust the reel for 120 film etc, hold both sides of the reel and turn clockwise with force. You will hear a squeak and a click, at which point you can pull the halves apart to adjust. Once you have it at the desired width, turn the opposite way to lock, again waiting for the squeak and click! And you're done!If you're still developing film in 2012 (good for you), join me in using this excellent set-up for great results every time.
Still the best tank for BW film processing.  This is a small tank for one reel.  I usually process more than one roll at a time and this is perfect for the odd roll.
It is perfect for developing the negatives.  Excellent, and low cost.  I love it, and it does an excellent job.
It's a nice size and easy to use. The reels are a little difficult to take apart some of the time though, so it hurts the hands a bit. Other than that, it's a pretty nice product. So many pieces though, you have to keep track of a lot.
This tank is little changed from when I was a high school student in the Sixties. It's my favorite--compared to steel tanks, and the reel is one of the easiest to load your film onto; thread it past the entry point (you have to trim the tongue from the film end)  and twist back and forth to wind the film onto the reel. To use it for different sized films (say 120 vs 35mm) you simply adjust the reel to accommodate your particular film size. A detent on the core of the reel sets it in place for the new size.You'll be doing this in the complete dark. I never rely on a home darkroom as I can't get it dark enough no matter what. So I use aChanging Bag. This bag is lightproof and lets you load your film into the tank. Afterwards, the tank is lightproof and the developer, stop and hypo pour into the top through a light trap and you don't need a darkroom to process your film. You just need a good timer, a sink, a funnel and a thermometer. I generally keep the chemicals in a large plastic tube and do everything in another plastic tub, as spilling the hypo is a disaster.The plastic lid snaps on to create a seal so you can agitate your film properly. It takes a bit of practice to get this on and time your film. Half minutes can make a difference in development, so if you learn how long it takes to pour and seal, you can have your stopwatch pre-set to account for the time difference (count one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand) until the lid is sealed and then you know the number of seconds to deduct from total development time.
Some people prefer the stainless steel, but I like the plastic tanks with the ratcheting spools.  I have no problem loading these in a dark room, and I get consistent exposures.  I bought one for myself so that I won't have to walk all the way to the lab every time I want to develop a roll.
35mm film is easy to load. 120 is a bit more difficult since it doesn't have sprockets.Works great though, I do recommend using 2 reels at once to save on materiel/cost.
This is a great universal tank. Basically leak free, easy loading unlike many other brands,and if you wear out the cap over time, one can be replaced for very low cost. I wouldsuggest buying this tank and also the single Paterson 35mm tank as well.
Used in my photo class & it worked very well. I still have it for when I make my own dark room to develop my films (which I'll always use). Very good condition, as advertised.
Perfect tank for at home developing of C-41 and B&W films if you so choose. Has two speed loading reels which are easy to use in the dark, and comes with everything you need for the developing tank. Can fit two rolls of 35mm or 1 roll of 120 film in the tank at one time. Will also accommodate sheet films. I've processed around ~15 rolls including 35mm and 120 and this tank still holds up strong, no problems whatsoever.
I bought this for purpose of developing my own black and white film. All the parts that are shown in the image came. There were no scratches or cracks so that was good. It does a pretty good job for the price. The sealing lid doesn't go on easily so that was something I didn't like. I like how it came in a set.
I have used this product and this is my experience with it. Your mileage may vary.The developing tub has a red plastic ring on the top that is glued to the black tub. My unit leaked between that glued joint. The lid seal was perfect, and there was no leakage there.As I'm using the developer, flipping it over during the developing process I'm thinking, "wow, there's a lot of water dripping off of this thing". Once I got to the Blix (which looks like iodine), it became quite obvious that it was in fact a leak, and even more obvious from where it was leaking.I'm not saying this is a bad product - I was able to finish my film developing, albeit a drippy, leaky process - but the product's quality control and assembly procedures need to be reviewed. I've returned it and will go with the Adorama universal developing tub instead.Edit #1I got the Adorama Universal tank and it too leaked. Now I'm thinking, "WTF? Do all of these leak?" I really like the design of the Paterson tank better than the Adorama tank, but the Adorama spools are an improved version of the Paterson spools. Back to Amazon I go to purchase another copy of the Paterson tank. Thankfully, the third time is the charm and this Paterson tank is leak-free.I've updated my review to four stars since the spools are better in the Adorama kit: there's a shelf that makes threading the film in the dark much easier than the Paterson spools, especially 120 film. So now I'm using the Paterson tank with the Adorama spools which fit the tank perfectly.
Sorry to those of you calling it ok, but it's really not. I kept it for a couple weeks and returned it. I've never returned ANYTHING to Amazon, but this was not the best $200 I've spent.I guess it's ok if the picture wouldn't be sharp under any circumstances, likes kids on a ride at a theme park. But for anything else, nah. Good range at 70-300, but slow focus and slow apeture.Sorry, can't recommend it. The price isn't the issue - the pictures are. If they are worth taking, they are worth being good. This won't help you with that.
I disagree with Jeff Kershaw's review, in that it's very unfair to compare this lens to a L series lens, as those lens start at over $500 due to it's very specific high-grade optics manufacturing process.  To compare this lens to a lens that starts at over 4X the price is like comparing a Honda Civic to a Porsche.  Like the civic, this Sigma lens is well rounded, good for beginner and consumer SLR photographers, and maybe some "pro-sumer" on a tight budget, or even students.  For the price, this lens is a bargain, as I've been doing a lot of research before buying this lens (price range in the $130-225 for telephoto).  What I liked most about this is the APO lenses, which prevent reflection inside the lens which creates "ghosting" (inverted light ghostly shadow that appers on your image) which is usually apparent in nightshots.  During the day APO lenses decrease those "purple fuzzies" (chromatic aberration) you see against high contrast (like a bird's wing against the sky).  Granted this lens is no Porsche like the Canon L series, but for the price range, may hit the spot for some folks.  I mainly use this camera for macro photography and taking photos of the Empire state building from my roof, which is 24 blocks away.  This lens is definitely better quality than the Canon 75-300 USM III f/4-5.6 which is usually considered the benchmark for this price range telephoto.Also note that there are different versions of these lenses (despite close naming), so be careful about what you buy.  The is a APO DG version with Macro specifically made for digital SLRs which is what is listed here (the "official" name of this lens is: 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro), and a non APO version of this lens which is a bit cheaper (but not worth it at all).  Also there's ones listed as APO II which is the "older" version, which I don't know the quality of, but know that it is older than the model listed here.
I like this lens, the Macro mode is quite useful for it let you stay a comfortable distance away while still captures nice close up shots (see the shared picture samples above).Pros: cheap, light, good sharpness and constrast stoped down (f/8) especially below 200mm range, 200-300mm is softer, but usable.Cons: need to be very careful about the shooting technique, at long focal length, the small aperture makes the lens very susciptible to camera shake, steady hands and high ISO and fast shutter speed will be the key for long focal lengths.  Definitely no match for the canon 70-200mm family, but then those at many many times more expensive.  Soft wide open, especially at 300mm focal length.  For the 300mm focal length, you really can't find anything this cheap and offer reasonable performance.
I bought this just to carry around when I didn't want to carry one of my bigger L lenses. It seemed to fit the bill for a small light zoom. But alas not! It is slow, unsharp and generally not very good. I used it maybe twice and now it sits on a shelf collecting dust. The price is cheap and in this case, you get what you pay for. Maybe for a beginner, just starting out without a large budget for glass, this could be ok.  I warn that you will want to upgrade within some time, if quality matters.  I recommend a pass.
I bought this lens as a long range zoom for my Canon Digital Rebel. It is an excellent value for the money and gives you incredible range! It comes with a lens hood and also a very nice padded case too.even though it does not state it here, the lens is actually the Macro Super II. this lens has a red ring around the top and comes in a gold box with a red stripe on it. make sure you get this version because it is the latest model.there really is no better value for a long range zoom than this lens.
This is the EF mount version,Equivilent to a 110-480mm if used on a EOS EF-S camera body such as canon 1000d,works well and since this is only 40mm less that the 500mm miror lense then this is a way better alternative,full control over exposure settings through the lense unlike the miror version,58mm filter thread,auto focus but no is,also has a macro on off switch,well worth having in any ones collection.
I bought this for my brand new Canon lens and set the factory canon cap aside. I like to use the lens hood (for protection and to block light). With a hood, the "factory" canon caps are a pain to put on and take off. I can't stand them. This style is a far better design. Love em! If you're a Canon/Nikon freak, sharpie out the word Tamron and write Canon or Nikon.
Good quality and doesn't scratch the lens like some cheap ones! Also I love the caps with the pinch on the inside cause it's easy to remove with lens hoods on
I purchased this for use on an old screw on lens which I purchased from ebay. The original lens cover lost its mojo and this works very well as a replacement. I love center pinch caps like this, and it works well.Not much else to say, it is a lens cap, it caps lenses, and it does that well. I would buy one again.
Well not much to say about this, it's a lense cap and does what it's supposed to do when you need it too. I would recommend it.
This lens cap fits ok at my nikon 300 f4 (older version), in order to replace de semi-leather cap provided by Nikon
It's handy to have spare parts to the camera, because these are the little things that disappear very quickly. You can never have too many of these
Lost my lens cap for my Tamron 18-200mm lens and was a perfect replacement. A tad pricey for a lens cap so I'll make sure not to lose this one.
These pinch caps are far better than the cruddy kind that pinch at the edges. Buy one for your Tammy if you have the old kind. Makes a nice difference every day.
The lens cap was exactly what I needed, but I wish these things weren't so expensive to replace. I guess photo equipment is typically expensive.
the cover fits my lens with no problem at all. I bought it for a spare as I sometimes loose them when out in the field taking photos.
Exactly what I was looking for, fits perfect, came right on time with good packaging. I couldn't ask for nothing better.
Tamron Caps are a must have for any lens unless it has a Nikon one on it, plain and simple! I only give the Nikon one a bit of an edge due to the fact I like the inner grip a bit better. Its strait where these are curved. I use the outside edge 9/10ths of the time so no biggie really. Not worth paying twice the price for the Nikon. Both stays on the lens and don't fall off with the slightest bump like Canon, Sigma and the others I have tried. Can't believe I'm doing a review of a lens caps, but with the price of lenses it is well worth adding to the cart to make sure it's well protected. Got lenses make sure they have Tamron Caps on them unless it's Nikon. If your Nikon Cap gets lost replace with Tamron and save some cash for same protection and stay on power.
The item is perfect. Brand new and high quality. Actually its an OEM item and not a cheapo. Highly recommended for Tamron lens users who also lost their cap.
I had a Nikon lens cap on my Tamron and lost it somewhere in the Caribbean. Eve though I have a filter over my lens I always feel better if I have a cop on the lens as well. I purchased a replacement while traveling and when I got home I realized I paid way too much compared with the price on Amazon. Great lens cap.
Good lens cap.  Fits my Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon Digital SLR (Model A17NII) very well.  Am using it as a spare.  Quality seems good.
This cap actually fits tighter than the original cap over a filter.  I lost the Canon cap as it didn't fit the filter as tightly as it should have.  Better grip sections/buttons for taking it off and putting it on too.  No issues with this cap.
Bought this as a replacement to a lost lens cap. I was glad I went with the brand name as I think it helped the resale of the lens. The finish & build quality is very good and overall I was pleased with it.
No attachment point for a lanyard so im always shoving it in my pocket if I have a free one.Then I forget where its at and have to search my pockets. Not fun.
Was worried because it's an older camera, but it is exactly what I needed to replace a  lost lens cap. Fits perfectly.
Buy original equipment as it is designed for your lens and it works great.  I considered others but bought this for a spare.
After losing my original lens cap, I finally ordered this one and it fit perfectly! Just what I needed! Recommended to anyone who loses theirs or just needs a spare backup.
THis is a good guality and perfect fit camera lens cap. THe price was aslo fair. Deliver was great. I purchase almost all my camera accessories and equipment from Amazon.
You might be a Nikon or Canon fanatic, but when it comes to lens caps nothing beats Tamron. VERY easy to mount and dismount when having on a lens hood.
What more is there to say?  The lens cap fits perfectly and has never even threatened to come off, as I would expect.
The wife loves how easy these tamron caps are to use. I've replaced all of her stock lens caps with these.
All a lens cap has to do is fit,  not fall off and have enough strength to protect the lens.  This meets all three criteria.
I do not have a lot of spare income and I wish to protect my Tamron lens as much as possible. This is a necessary extra item to have if you own a Tamron lens.
It works, does what it is supposed to do. No problems. Stays attached to the lens. Yep, it is still there.
It is as good as the original, and it's a perfect match for the one I lost on vacation last June
I bought this to go on my Sigma 10-20mm.  Sigma and Canon both have lousy lens caps.  I love the center-pinch on these Tamron caps.  They're much easier to reach ... especially with the lens hood attached.They're not as nice as the Nikon branded caps, which also have the center-pinch design but they're good enough.
It fits my lens replacing the one I left sitting somewhere.  Make sure you order the correct size for your lens.  Exactly as shown . . .  not much more to say
Perfect fit to my Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD. It keeps my lens protected, it never gets loose and it is easy to remove.
I lost my cap, and got this replacement, this is not a knock off it is tamron and made from japan. The cap fits securely over the lens and I have no complains
Original replacement product. Great quality. Perfect fit. Exactly what I expected.What more can be said? Four more words required. Done!
I wanted a Canon brand. This a probably better. Only wish it had a cord!But I can stick it in my shirt pocket, so no prob. Really clamps on tight with out damaging threads.Nice and substancial!
fits my tamron 60-300 lens  Olympus mount i have had for 15 years. great replacement lens cap for the price.
Can't say too much, just a replacement of a lost cap.It's from the factory, so it's exactly the same as the one that comes with the lens
What can I say about it other than it fits well and protects.Does exactly what I wanted it for.Nice product.
These Nikon and Tamron 'pinch in the center' caps are perfect when you have lens hoods installed.  The Tamron's quality is the same as Nikons.  Save the $$$.
I purchased this for a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens that I purchased used.  The lens didn't have a cap and this one works great.  I have purchased several Tamron lenses brand new and the caps are all identical.  The brand name cap was a little more expensive than a generic brand, but overall sill less than $10.
This is a great lens cap. I used it on my kit lens and it is easier to use than the more expensive Canon brand lens caps.
Like some other users, I bought this to put on my Canon lens. I have it on a 24-105mm. Works great with the hood. It's too bad I have to buy an off-brand cap to go with my nice Canon lens, but I'll go with what works. In this instance, Tamron has it figured out.
I've tried three types of lens caps but this is my favorite. It is easier to grip than my Sony supplied cap. I am able to get a quick firm grap on the outside edges to remove or install it when I don't have the hood installed. With the hood installed I can easily use the inside grips too. I was happy to find this 77mm to go with the new lens I just purchased.The Sony lens cap looks like the same design with a pair of grips in the center as well but they are slanted and it is too hard to get a good grip on them.The Sigma lens cap also has a similar design but the outside grips are slanted and harder to grip. The Tamron cap has a nice hard edge that is raised providing for a good grip. The inside edge of the Sigma and Tamron are roughly equivalent.This may seem like a lot of text for a review of a lens cap but it is a crucial piece of gear and, at least in my case, it is put on and taken off very often. I like to keep my lens covered most of the time.
IT' A LENS CAP!! WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? I AM SURE IT WILL DO THE JOB AND PROTECT THE LENS THAT I PURCHASED FROM YOU !! WHAT I REALLY LIKE IS THE "SQUEEZED-CLIP" TABS THAT REALLY KEEPS THE CAP TIGHT OVER THE LENS!!  JIM D SMITH
i lost my lens cap on vacation.  i managed to figure out the size i needed and took a chance and ordered it from amazon for about $7.  Certainly cheap enough.  It came quickly and it was the exact replacement for what i lost, so i was happy.
We lost our original lens cap at the beach and ordered this as a replacement. It is a perfect fit for the lens and fits nice and tight to prevent scratching or dust.
I was so glad to find this available when I lost my Tamron lens cap. I had to read the lens specifications to determine that this was the appropriate lens cap & it fit just fine.
I lost the cap to my Tamron 18-270 on a recent hiking trip.  Replaced with this cap and it fits perfectly.
Replacement for lost Nikon cap.  Seems to fit even more securely than the Nikon cap.
Nice Cap! it is the Original one, i mean just look like the one that comes with the lens. I lost my lens cap so have to buy another to replace it. and it fits nicely just like the original one!Jin
I lost the lens cap to my tamron zoom lens. Luckily I found this on ebay for a fair price. Fits all my tamron lens.
Other lens makers should steal this design.  It's much easier to take on and off than the caps from Canon.  The construction also feels sold. I'm tempted to replace all my Canon caps with these.
...Do not buy *if* you also bought the Tamron lens (AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD), as it already comes with this accessory included...Also, if you use a lens hood (as I do), you won't use this cap at all.
I greatly prefer these lens caps to those that come with canon lens. They are much easier to remove when the lens has a lens hood in place (particularly telephoto/ long zoom lenses with deep lens hoods)
It doesn't fall off.It doesn't fall off.It doesn't fall off.It totally does what it is supposed to do.
Product does what it is designed to do.  It grips the lens threads firmly to keep the lens hood in place.
I'm a Canon shooter but I HATE the Canon front caps. I like the Nikon and Tamron caps the best because they have the center pinch designs, which are great so you can take them on and off even when the hood is attached to the lens. WHY doesn't Canon do this I don't know. Anyway, I like the Nikon ones the most but they cost a bit more, but Tamron ones are nice and cheap and still better than the crappy Canon caps.
The releases work outside and from the front. I originally got one with a Tamron lens. When I needed a spare it was an easy choice.
A simple pinch style lens cap that snaps on correctly and protects the lens. Works great as a replacement, or in my case, as a lens cap after using a step-up adapter
I was very concern that I lost my lens cap, so I bought this one. It end up being very solid and well build. Aso it grab perty good to my lens and due to several options to detach the lock is really easy to use!
This arrived without any issues and just like the original that came with the lens. No issues with this product.
This is a fine lens cap. My only issue is that it is not a quick snap as you have to squeeze the tabs to put on or take off.
I lost my original lens cap and this is a perfect replacement. What is there to say, it's a lens cap. Not much to add.
I bought this when I got my Tamron lens as you can never have too many lens covers. I'm always using them but now have 2 and haven't lost either, yet.
Like many people, I wanted a lens cap that could easily be removed or attached with the lens hood in place. I was a little afraid that there might be clearance issues on my 17-40 (front element gets close to filter threads while zooming) but those fears appear unfounded. I have also used it on a 24-105 and 100-400. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I wish the part I pinch to release it were a little deeper for better grip. Women with long nails may have trouble getting a firm grip on it.
This lens cap is very useful if you don't have this gadget, fit perfectly in the len, I recomen you.
Not much to say about a lens cap. It does what it is designed to do. It fits like it is supposed to.
This replaces the one I lost. Important for me to keep track ofthecovers to protect my lens. Works perfectly. Easy to attach and to take off, as sturdy as any lens cover you might have.
this was the cheapest i could find for lens size i was looking for, works great doesnt fall off like my tokina lens cap did
I loaned my camera to the in-laws and they misplaced my lens cap. I simply looked on my UV filter to see what size the lens was, typed that into the Amazon search menu, and this popped right up. Easy peasy and I'm so happy to have a lens cap again.
Good purchase, no dissapointment...works as listed.works as expected. .no shipping issues. needed this for a lost tamron lens capwill recommend this for others.
what can i say? it is a cap and use it on my canon lens because if i lose it, it will be cheaper than replace a canon cap
Great lens cap. Easy to use even in cold / bulky/ awkward situations. Holds a good grip (unlike other "generics"). I highly recommend. Sounds silly to say that about a lens cap, but it's true.
I bought a couple of these to replace a lost cap for my Tokina 11-16 f2.8. The previous, stock cap had fallen off while I was hiking up a mountain somewhere in the I-90 corridor. As a replacement, these Tamron caps have served me very well:- I have not had one fall off my lens while hiking- They fit snugly and securely- The release mechanism is easy to operate even with a lens hood attached- There's some irony in using a Tamron cap on a Tokina lens.For the price, go for it, and buy a few of them.P.S. I also use step-up rings in conjunction with 77mm filters as a system to use a handful of filters on all of my lenses. These caps work well with those 77mm filters as well (slim and normal).
Nice lense cap.  I like having a backup lens cap on hand.  I liked the fact that this was available so I could get one with my lense without having to find one later.
After losing my original Tamron lens cap on vacation, this was a necessity.It feels slightly different from the original, and slightly easier to grip. It's a perfect fit on my 18 - 270 mm zoom lens, and easy to work with. The cap's design allows you to grip it from the edges, which is easiest, or by pinching the releases near the center. This makes it possible to attach and detach the lens cap while the hood is on. A clever design, and a nice cap.This is a MUST HAVE if you lost your original. Good price for OEM replacement, too.
good product. reasonable price.There must be a better way to attach a lens cap than with the loop.
Lost the original - Bought this as a relacement for my Tamron 18 - 270 lens - inexpensive, arrived quickly, it fits fine and is easy to put on and off.
I lost mine in Hawaii, I thought a replacement cant look as good as this one did. The time fram that this came in was fast.
Why doesn't Canon change their design to this cap I don't know.  All I know is this is great for people who keep their hoods on the camera.  I have a big enough pack to where I can always keep my hoods on the glass.  Since I have a 24-70 F2.8 and a 70-200 F2.8, both have decently sized hoods and with these Tamron lens caps, I can keep the hood on and take on/off the caps.These are cheap enough that I find the convenience helpful.  If the current stock caps don't bother you, then you have no use for these.
Hesitated replacing my front lens cap as felt might be a waste of money.  Only thing can say with certainty is wait wasted a lot of productive time.  Being able to quickly remove and replace cap has speeded my handling.  Tamron makes an excellent product.  Canon owner but have several Tamron lenses so not worried about public image.  Anyone heisitant about purchase get moving.
This front lens cap is well made, a good fit, and not readily lost. Cheaper generic lens caps have none of thee characteristics.
This is a Tamron OEM product and works as you would expect it.  Not much else to say.  After all....it's just a lens cap.
The Tamron lens cap is a big improvement over the Canon lens cap that came with the camera. It stays in place very well. It can be easily removed when the sun shade is attached.
got it as a replacement for a cap that fell off.  have been using it for a while now and havent' lost it... i think that speaks for itself.  Very fast delivery as well.
I ordered this because I lost the cap to my 17-35mm lens. It fits just as well as the lost one (as sexpected), and seems to be very high quality/genuine and secure. The plastic is much thicker than my Canon lens caps so I feel confident that it will be very protective. I only wish it wasn't so expensive.
This is a must have for anyone who uses a lens with a hood.  The Tamron center pinch cap allows the user to place/remove the cap with the hood on.  In most cases the hood makes it difficult to remove a traditional "edge pinch" cap.
I prefer this lens cap over Canon's because of two simple things. First, it's a tad thicker, so you can grip it more easily from the sides. Second is the pinching mechanism that also lets you take the cap off from the top, so if you have a lens hood on it's easy peasy. Not much else to say! It's built well and hasn't let me down.
While the Tamron lens cap is not as nice as the front pinch Nikon caps, it is the best available for my Nikon 300mm lens - 82 mm.  This cap was made in Japan.  It fits much better that the Chinese-made Nikon cap copies.  Beware of these cheap Chinese copies which fall off.  Got it at a better price than it was recently listed for on ebay.
This is a great lens cap. I had to find a replacement after losing so many of my lens caps. This one fits perfectly onto my lens and I can slide it out easily when I use my lens. I went back and bought a few more of these for backup!
I have a 18 - 250 mm lens from tamron and this fits perfectly. I like the build quality and the sheer simplicity of use.
I have been trying to find the right size all over town but this is perfect and as described.  Should of ordered extra but thanks....awesome service.
Just like the original that my girlfriends dog chewed up. Can't say the same about the new dog I had to replace her old one with though.
What can I say...it fits like a charm, and now if I lose my original I'm all set!  Great price, and definitely worth having around as a spare.  I am using it for a Tamron 24-70 mm.  Love it.
This is the lens cap Canon should have made for the SX20 IS instead of the flimsy, fall-off cap that came with the camera.  This lens cap is sturdy and stays put.
This lens fit great and I got it for a great price.  Would recommend this item to protect lens from scratches.
Just as described and quick shipping.  Thanks This is exactly like the original one and I feel it is always good to have a spare just incase.
Bought this lens cap because of the center pinch mechanism (I have a len hood). Good quality and snap right in. Will recommend this for anyone.
uhm.... its a lens cap... it works. JUST MAKE SURE IT THE CORRECT SIZE! i made that mistake, got the wrong size.
Should be more careful where I put lens caps down at weddings... so glad I could order a replacement for my 17-55 mm Tamron Lens! Perfect Fit!
this replacement lens cap fits perfectly and i have no trouble with it staying on. 5 stars because i'm satisfied with the product :)
A great replacement for the one I lost. I like leaving lens hoods on and you need to use the center pinch type cap to remove them easily. Also advertises my lens brand when it is installed.
After loosing my lens cap I had ordered this and it is the same as the cap that the lens came with.
This is a great lens cap.  It has a snug fit and is a great backup cover when you lose your original cap.
I believe the lens cover will work fine but be aware....the shipping charge is almost the same price as the lens cover, more that a book or video!  As for the purists, this is not a review of the item except as regards to cost....important to some of us.
The cap is so easy to use. It is easy to remove and it stays on the lens. Nice product.
I bought this as a get-my-feet-wet tripod, because I didn't want to spend $100+ on a "real" tripod. Yet, I was surprised at how nice it ended up being. The "chest pod" idea works better than you'd think. It feels like a quality product, definitely a brand name tripod. It's lightweight and compact. And getting a ball head is a nice bonus. Really the only downside is you won't be able to get those eye-level, bigger height shots. But as a starter tripod or one that you want to take while hiking, traveling, etc., this little guy is great!
I bought this table-top tripod specifically for low angle time-lapse shots and it works beautifully. It easily attaches to the bottom of your camera w/o any need for a tripod head. It takes about 5-8 seconds to screw on and the same amount of time when taking it off. I was able to mount my Canon 5DMKII w/ 16-35mm without any issues. When I put my 70-200 2.8 however, it couldn't really support the weight. All in all, this is a fantastic buy and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to shoot low angles or wanted to be stealthy with a steady camera.
The Slik Tabletop Travel Tripod is a super value and also a very nicely made and designed mini tripod. There are who knows how many -- hundreds? -- of cheap travel tripod models on the market. Many of these look good, thanks to advances in manufacturing that allow for zoomy looking features made of plastics, but they don't last and are flimsy in real world use. The Slik Tabletop has a solid quality feel and is very nicely thought out. The weak spot on so many small and inexpensive tripods is the head. Most of the cheap ones use flimsy, usually plastic, tilt and pan heads that are not only awkward to use but usually involve a hassle to attach and detach the camera. The Slik Tabletop Travel Tripod has a very nice ball head. It's easy to attach to most cameras -- I know there is going to be someone out there who has a camera that is an exception -- and I have had a great experience using this tripod. Both for travel and for table top shots, like eBay photos and so forth, it's been a great tripod. RECOMMENDED.
The best feature I see is the center pole with a suction cup that adheres to the surface and holds  it steady. It is rugged and  handy,small of course, and can be carried easily for those &#34;on top of the car,table,etc&#34;  occassions.
Won't stay up on an open end, but will (as expected) over an extended leg.  Feel like a quality product, as well - very sturdy.
I just wonder how people rated this 5 star! I would not rate anything 5 unless it is exceptional in quality & feature along with competitive pricing. This tripod fails to meet expectation that is published in the product description. It can't hold my D90 with 18-35mm lens in vertical position, no matter how hard I tight the screw. There is no bubble leveler either. So it does not deserve anything more than 2 star.
This tripod is very small - which is an important feature, as space is a consideration while packing for our next trip. We will be on a tour, and will need to keep up with the group. Less time and perhaps even less personal space for tripod set-up. I plan to position this against my chest for extra stability for my 18-300 mm lens.I recently took a workshop on flower photography, and the instructor used this tripod whether standing, lying on the ground, or squatting. Takes some practice, but I still have a couple months. Satisfied with my attempts so far.
I took this on a sightseeing trip to New England last fall. It worked great on shots that needed stability and fit in a bag too small for a full-sized tripod.
I felt the need for a tripod more portable than my full-sized one, but also needed it to be smaller than a &#34;travel&#34; tripod.  This tripod is sturdy, and folds small enough to fit easily in my backpack camera bag.  I rarely use it, but for those instances when I need a tripod but my full-size one isn't there, it's perfect.  So it goes with me everywhere the camera bag goes.  There was one instance when I wanted to take a long telephoto shot of a village on a mountainside, and I normally would brace the lens against a wall or post.  I used the tripod instead, and because of it, got a rock-solid clear photo.
this is great to use if you have small compact camera.  tried it on my 30D with 18-55 seems to work ok, but if shooting downwards.. the head will creep.other than that.. this is great to use on other compact cameras.
This little tripod is serious business.  I have a Canon DSLR with a big Tamron A007E 24-70 zoom (82mm filter), together almost 4 pounds;  that's a lot to ask of a tabletop tripod, and far more than my previous &#34;pocket&#34; tripod could handle.  The ball mount is absolutely rock-solid, even with all that weight, and as long as the lens is more or less aligned with a leg, the whole assembly is rock-solid as well. With a slightly lighter rig, I'm sure it wouldn't have to be aligned.Comes with a black storage bag.Bonus - the ball mount can be removed and attached to a standard tripod or monopod with 1/4&#34; threads.  I've been meaning to buy a ball mount for my monopod - now I don't have to!
I am very pleased with this tripod.  Works great, rugged, light, and fairly small in length.  I carry it on the side of my camera backpack for occasions when I don't want to lug around my full size tripod.  There's cheaper tabletop tripods on the market, but sometimes you get what you pay for.  Well worth the $30 I paid for it.
I purchased this "little guy" for my spotting scope, because the stand that came with the scope was a bit wobbly. This stand was great! Not only did it adjust enough for me at the rifle stand, but it was very sturdy and stayed on target as I delivered shot after shot down range. I'm glad I bought it, and of course it arrived very quickly to my house.. Nice product amazon.
Of course it's a great little ball head scope for photography or videography, but those were not my intended purposes.I got it specifically to use with my spotting scope when at the rifle range.  Shooting at 200 yards, it's darn near impossible to see where the rounds are landing on the target (or OFF the target) without the use of a spotting scope.  So I bought a relatively inexpensive 20x to 60x variable power spotting scope which came with a tripod.  Unfortunately, the included tripod is a full-length model and is terribly cheap.  I'm almost afraid the included tripod isn't stable enough to not tip over and damage the scope.Since my local rifle range has wide concrete table tops at each shooting station, there is plenty of room to put down a shooting mat and set the Slik next to it.  The stability is OUTSTANDING and the range of adjustment in the ball head is perfect.  I have great confidence in this lightweight, compact tripod to keep my spotting scope safe and secure -- AND keeping it focused on my target without drifting away.
I needed a tripod that would fit in my camera bag with ease. A professional photographer buddy of mine, suggested this unit. I love it. It makes those long exposure shots easy when you don't have a steady hand. Get this, you won't regret it.
Tiny, rugged, stable. The ball socket makes leveling your shots a one step process instead of a two or three. I keeps this little guy tucked away in one of the lens pockets in my camera bag, and take it everywhere. Have yet to use it where the suction cup would come in handy, but I've successfully wedged it into trees without much hassle.Although it looks silly you can also use the tripod while shooting hand held, by bracing two of its feet against your chest. Gets things a lot more stable that the traditional "press the camera into your face as hard as possible" method.
Simple and straight forward, does the job.  During our last vacation, this tripod was small and light enough to carry in my pocket (a little bulky) or give to my wife to hold in her purse.
This is one fine fantastic tri pod. I would recommend this tri pod in a heartbeat!! it supports 26 pounds gets down to about 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches from the ground. Its as solid as it gets. ONE LITTLE POWERHOUSE!!!
finds spot in my pack for summer mountain wildflower picture taking when the manfrotto is too tall even collapsed. fitted it with quick release so i can go from one tripod to another quickly. it is too small for dslrs fitted with longer lenses but works with my 60d and 100mm macro carefully balanced. best for compact cameras and bridge cameras.tripod of any kind/size is first accessory a photographer should get
Solid build, light and handy.  Rock solid stable.  Can use it for a camera, video cam or spotting scope, it comes with a pan head if you prefer it for video.
I purchased because of the good feedback. I can add that this mini tripod is very well made. Legs are 3 1/8" long & extend another 2". Top of the legs to the head is about 3 7/8". The neck extends another 1 7/8". The head swivels Left to right and it tightens in place. Bottom of center rod has a suction cup & bottom of legs have rubber feet. Will hold all point n' shoot cameras. Long lenses on SLR's will make top heavy. Great for using the self timer. Fun for setting up mini HD cams on table.Only con is the head is a screw top. Would be faster with a quick release head.Other then that the Slik mini tripod should be in everybody's camera bag.I would recommend this to any & all.
This little thing holds a D600 with an 80-200 2.8 no trouble. Easily fits into the camera bag. A great travel tripod.
This tripod is almost perfect. It fits everywhere. I would prefer it a little heavier so it could support my D7000 with the Tokina 100mm Macro more stable when I turn camera to vertical position and the mass center displaces off the tripod column. But still it works fine when you compensate this situation extending the two legs closer to the camera, so the column inclines towards the opposed leg and the mass center re-aligns towards the center of the tripod.
This really is a very stable tripod for use on a table or other surface. The ball head is tight and the legs adjust for minimal surface variations. Supports my Nikon body with a 70-300 lens at extension as long as I position one of the legs under the lens. Very light and easy to pack in a corner of my bag.
December 14, 2013 Update.4 Years since I wrote my first evaluation I still have the tripod.  It is so well made I expect it will last forever.  Since writing the first evaluation I have used it with several cameras, including a Canon 60D, most often by bracing the legs on my chest.Recently I purchased a Canon Vixia camcorder and am making considerable use of the tripod with it.  It has made a big improvement in the videos I shoot, they are much smoother than before.  Bracing the legs on my chest and turning my body, as needed, I avoid the ups and downs, camera shake, etc, that you can't avoid when the camera is hand held and you are looking at what you are shooting on the screen.  Also, I am much better able to keep the camera steady on a level plane than when shooting hand held.I will be going on a 7-day cruise on the inside passage on the west coast of Alaska in a few months.  Because this is said to be very beautiful country, and because part of the time we will be sailing among icebergs and glaciers, I expect to shoot a lot of video.  This tripod is going be getting a lot of work.ORIGINAL 2009 REVIEW.This is a great little  tripod.  Small enough to be carried in my camera bag and versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations.  I have a Canon SX10IS, which is about the size of a dslr.  The small tripod that I had previously was not able to give proper support because the legs did not extend out far enough.  The camera would tip over when on the tripod.  This is not a problem with this tripod.  The camera is very secure.  The instructions that come with the tripod explain how to use it by bracing it against your chest.  I have tried this several times and it is very effective.  In low light situations, for example, using the tripod in this way makes the camera much more stable so there is less likelihood of  blurring due to camera shake with low shutter speeds.
It's a sturdy tripod that easily supports the weight of my DSLR. The legs and head are easy to adjust, and hold firmly in place once locked. The suction cup at the bottom adds stability on flat surfaces, and the carry pouch is a nice added bonus.
Excellent tripod, it holds both small cameras and DSLRs. The ball head is smooth and strong at the same time (too bad it doesn't have a quick release lock).  It's up to Slik standards.
I carry this tripod in an external pocket in my camera backpack. It has been quite useful several times. It is well made and I have had no problems with it.
Very sturdy.  Holds my Lumix FZ200, with lens fully extended,  very well.  It is too large to fit in any of my pockets, but I plan on carrying it in a small backpack.  I have only used it at home, and have not traveled with it yet.
I used this on my Sony SLT-A57 with a pretty heavy old Minolta lens. It held still easily. great product.
But, I don't care for the ball head that won't lock for panning. It would be a better product if it could.
it is a good tripod, stable and elegant. It is easy to carry in your bag without wondering where it will fit. however forget putting a long lens on your camera: chance are it will overwhelm the tripod and fall forward, now wide angle(short by definition, it is very good.
Nice little Japanese designed (but Chinese manufactured) little tripod.  It adjusts smoothly and locks up tight.  I bought this for use with a spotting scope and it has proved handy for my application.  Tripod arrived on time and was well packed.
I use my Canon T3i with Sigma 18-250mm lens plus Sigma 2x extender on this tripod, simultaneously.  (yes I'm a multi-super zoom enthusiast)  Since my lens combination is so long, I need to make sure the lens is directly on top of one of the legs to make sure the tripod does not tip over.  The tripod must be on a flat surface with my heavy configuration.Build quality is very good.  The tightening screw is able to securely hold my camera configuration.  Lighter cameras should have no issues with this tripod.
This tripod is well made and convenient in terms of size and use, but I feel that it doesn't really support my camera as well as I hoped.  I have a D80 with the 18-135mm lens and it takes a little adjusting to have it positioned so that it won't topple or collapse (depending on how wide the legs are).  I am keeping it, because when I do have it set up properly, it works fine.  Also, I am sure that it will be more that adequate whe I use this with a camcorder or a smaller digital camera.
I've had the Slik Travel tripod for only a couple of weeks, but can state that it's  a great tripod!  I have a Canon SX10 is, which is a heavy point and shoot, but the Slik holds it w/no problems, even stays stable at 90 degree shots.  I was worry about buying it b/c of the weight of my Canon, but was/am amazed at how easy it holds it w/out falling over.  It's super easy to use, fast to fasten to the camara and is indeed travel worthy.  I've yet to use the "chest shot" thing, but love the fact that the suction cup adds even more stability/security when mounted on a smooth surface.  The build is solid, and I expect to have it for many years.My only gripe (very minimal) is that it's bigger than I had thought b4 buying.  I was under the perception that it's a small tripod, but it's quite big for a "table top" type.  I was used to using much smaller (and lighter) ones for my older Canon Powershot 640, so when I got this Slik, it surprised me.  However, when u consider its well built quality and ability to hold heavier cameras, being bigger/bulkier isn't such a problem.  Besides, I like feeling secure that my camera won't fall over, which would be the case for my smaller/older tripod.Finally, the price I paid was excellent considering the quality--only 29.99 including shipping.  In my humble opinion.Highly recommended camera product, esp. for those who travel a lot.
Very stable and with my spotting scope it is perfect. Well built with alt of quality. The ball head makes alignment easy.
This tripod is affordable, very sturdy and it can hold my full frame DSLR camera with no problem. It even comes with a small carrying case. I recommend it.
I have been more than pleased with this little tripod since it arrived; it's more than I expected given the price.  Aside from its obvious uses, which it serves well, it can help an old man like me steady my camera by placing its legs against my chest while shooting.  Its ability to stay planted with extreme camera disequilibrium is impressive.  Very well made.  Worth every penny.
I opened up the box and pulled it out. It has a decent amount of weight for how heavy it is. Feels well built. The tightening knobs work well. Feels solid. Has not loosened no matter what angle. I use it for my D7000 with various lenses and it works great.
Finally a tripod that will hold a heavy camera, is steady on a flat surface and is easy to use as well as setup. I recommend this one as first class all the way.
Great product. I have been looking for a small but sturdy tabletop tripod for quite some time for my Canon DSLR. This one fits he bill perfectly.
Pros:Solid constructionAdequate footprint to support a larger DSLRSlight (not quite 2 inches) extension in the legsSimple but effective cork protected camera mountSmooth ball headStorage BagCons:No notch or lock for legs in the open positionSupport post and suction cup use limits any height adjustment.Overall this little tripod delivers.  Even with a good sized DSLR and lens combo, the support was solid so long as the lens is set up to hang over one of the legs.  The Ball Head is small and has a limited range of motion without lining up the slot in the head and although the clamp is pretty basic, it worked well and kept the camera solid any place I wanted to lock it in.I have used a couple of table top tripods in the past that have left me wondering if they were good for anything heavier than a point and shoot - feeling like they might give out and leave my camera in a pile at any moment, but the Slik instills confidence, particularly when the center post is adjusted with the support cup firmly against the table... rock solid.  Of course, when it is configured like this you have eliminated any height adjustment which is one of my "Cons".My only other complaint is that there should be a lockout or at least a notch to hold the legs in their full open position.  I found that moving it around the work surface the legs wanted to shift or collapse a bit.  With the soft rubber caps for feet, it doesn't necessarily settle into a full open position on its own.  Small complaint, but I guess that shows how much I enjoy this little gem.Worth the money, highly recommended.
Guys, I shoot all the time and all the time I shoot. I love the street and most of it when the night comes with all its sparkling lights and colors. Finally, with the Slik Mini-Pro, I am able to shoot the most unique photos in most complex and restricted places. Sure, if at least the Pro camera is allowed to be used and I use Nikon D200. I have no worries of taken the Slik Mini with me and highly recommend it to every beginner, advancer and pro. It can be used with the external flash as well due to the standard size bolt. Love it! Use it! Recommend it! Getting few more for self and presents! PS..I have JOBY Pro for $60 as well, but when it comes to solid stand still need, it is only Slik Pro! [s.alexander, miami, fl]
This is great for tabletop work, and can be pretty handy on trips if you don't want to lug around a full-sized tripod. The ball head is very versatile, allowing an infinite number of camera positions. The entire tripod is impressive, and feels really well built. It is mostly metal, with some very sturdy looking plastic lock-rings. The ball head makes for an ifinite amount of camera positions, and it locks very securely. It will certainly hold in place a much heavier camera than my Canon T4i. This is a quality unit! Buy it--you won't be disappointed.
It's a Slik!! When I pull this baby out, people marvel at its size and heft.  This is a solid tabletop tripod that holds my heavy Canon 5D MK II securely even when shooting vertically in gusting winds.
I gave a five star because it's strong, compact and just what I needed.I would advise anyone to get this product.
Based on the pictures, I thought this was a little larger than the product I am currently holding in my hands. Even so, I took it on a trip to record some live musical performances and it worked perfectly. Unlike full tripods (this gets about 12" tall), it's INCREDIBLY sturdy. It has rubber feet and a suction cup, but even without the suction cup, it's almost impossible to knock over. I felt comfortable enough to leave my camera unattended on a speaker for awhile. Easy to use, even for people that are brand new to photography.
I recently discovered that I had lost my original Slik Mini Pro ball-head tripod, which I had owned for over 10 years.  Looking for a replacement, I found this updated version: the Slik Mini Pro III (which is the same tripod but with an updated ball head).  This little tripod is one of the most versatile pieces of camera equipment I own (besides my cameras).For a tripod, it's compact size gives it a huge advantage.  I never take my larger tripod on vacations, because it's much too bulky.  On the other hand, I take my Slik Mini everywhere, as it's small enough to fit in my backpack, luggage, and even my jacket pocket. I've taken it to multiple continents on multiple trips, and it has never failed me.  A very sturdy tripod, with expandable legs and a raisable center column, it's the best compromise I have found for stability, portability, convenience, and size in a tripod.
first run of 4x5 film --- had the appropriate texture that i expect and demand from photographic negatives  my current favorite film
Ilford has maintained their high standard of quality as others have dropped the silver in their filmsit doesn't seem that Ilford has.
I am new to LF photography and having a blast.  The ILford HP5+ sheets work well for me because I amnew to all of the analog processes and I am using HP5+ in all other formats as well.  I am not experiencedenough to comment on the finer performance details of this film.  I haven't quite achieved the extremedetail I am seeking in the LF yet, but it is likely not the film, but lenses, focus control, etc...
I've been using HP5+ for about a year now and love it. The film's latitude and characteristics make it great for most shooting. I've managed to use this film in just about every lighting condition imagineable and have yet to be disappointed.
Does the job exactly as expected. The image on the page is a bit misleading since it's actually 4 x 5 sheets, but I took the &#34;chance&#34; and wasn't disappointed.
Ordered this on Amazon, used of course, from Sell_your_own - got the camera, but no power supply.  Not sure what I'm going to do about this.  SUCKS TO BE ME I Guess
I have loved these products ever since I first saw them. The picture is clear and the colors are great.
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY any X10 products. Their customer service never answers any emails and there is no phone number for this company. If you can find one, please let me know what it is. When the program is working, it works ok at best. When it stops working, good luck with getting customer support for help.
I have three of these cameras.Two of them have been working for over ten years, trouble free. The camera seems to last a long time and the power supply seems to have about a ten year lifespan.As a basic surveilance camera you can't beat the X10.
The x-10 cameras are very small, and of limited resolution. They are CMOS sensors, not CCD, so they should be very cheap if you look around. For the price, you can put adequate video surveillance in a storeroom, porch, or nursery etc. You can have remote video for a trivial amount, when you possibly couldn't afford a CCD system. A "real" CCD camera system is a much bigger investment, and should give a better picture; but you are going to see the same thing with both cameras, so the x-10 isn't that bad!
As a computer and Audio Video Tech with over 10 years of experience. I tell you go read the Forums in x10 even though the forum has been mostly deleted . You will know the hard hidden facts about this junk.I had paid nearly $300- for a x10 camera kit for a client to install. The software is incompatible to all platforms. Has major glitches. Hardware , the cams are third class quality and so is the support. If you have nothing to do in life and want to sit and waste time on trying to figure out defective products then this is it.Don't buy anything wireless from x10. Go Wired if you must. But then the software will not support its own hardware. So go figure ! or just stay away from it anyway.
Works like as designed - range okay too!Thank you to the seller.the best aspect of this type of device and the mini-color video lens and the audio....I can even hear the rusteling of my back yard bushes.So, hooray for looking at my backyard and upper deck, which does it a little bit for 'security'
I bought some X10 Cameras and they had serious interference. X10 Tech could not provide a solution so I had to send them back.I had to pay return shipping even though the X10 Cameras would not work properly. Every other company I have done business with will pay return shipping if their product is defective but not X10.I will not purchase anything from X10 again.
Great bag for my SLR-like camera. Plenty of room, pockets. Loved that you could zip or clip closed. Too big to put on belt. Protected camera in Africa from dust and rain. Very happy.
This bag is perfect for my H5 "pro-sumer ultrazoom" camera.  It should fit any similar camera or a small-medium SLR (as long as it doesnt have a huge zoom lens).  It is a very very well thought out item.  Plenty of room for my camera, lens adapter, tiny tabletop tripod, a couple spare AAs, and a spare memory card.  It looks fine for men to carry too: I was a bit concerned it would look too much like a purse, which it doesn't.  Includes plenty of padding to protect the camera, without adding too much bulk.  Similar priced bags I have looked at in stores dont compare, this is much nicer.  Includes a waterproof cover that fits into a small pocket built into the bag.  Has an adjustable padded divider inside that allows you to keep accessories separate from the camera.---------------Edited to add:Still a great bag for my ultrazoom camera and accessories.  If you are using a Sony H or Canon S 12-15x zoom p&s;, it is exactly what you need.I just bit the bullet and bought a good DSLR setup.  I bought a Canon D20.  the D20 will not fit this bag at all with EF-s 18-55is lens.  It can be crammed in with the "nifty 50" prime lens, but it still doesn't fit well.  This bag is really not usable with a full size DSLR.  The D20 is a bit bigger and heavier than the Rebel line (xt, xti, xsi), so those might be usable if you don't have a very large lens, but full size SLRs are a no-go.
This case is very well made, lots of room and compartments to carry batteries, filters, etc.  However, the case is not "Micro" as the name would suggest.  It's quite hefty and a little over-sized to carry just a power zoom camera, such as the Canon SX10 which I own.  This case is big enough to fit the SX10 and an external flash unit, for example, though this bag is really not quite big enough for a full size DSLR.  As for ease of use, this case has a kind of flap on the inside of the lid that needs to be wiggled into position every time in order to close the zipper -- not so well-designed (great weather-proofing, but clunky to use).  So, if you need to carry just the camera, and extra batteries and card, I highly recommend the Case Logic DCB-66, which I also own.  That thing is just the right size and has a much more practical design (see my review for that product).
This camera bag is just incredible. There's room for everything I need for my camera ... batteries, USB cable, remote cable, etc. while remaining so small. It doesn't feel like I'm carrying much more than the camera itself, but it's padded, weatherproof and convenient. I also love the fact that it comes in red.
This is a handy bag. It's only major drawback is that it looks a bit camp, like a handbag. It's not a very manly bag, but if you can take the jeers and catcalls from those sons-of-bitches, you'll enjoy it. The main pocket comes with a pair of dividers that can be used to split the bag into segments; the official way of using the bag involves having the camera body near the lid, with the lens pointing downwards, although in my experience this tends to make the bag top-heavy unless you have a couple of other lenses in the bag as well. However, it's easy to remove a divider - they're held in with velcro - and fit the camera sideways, with space for a lens.The main pocket is big enough to fit a Canon 1DS-sized camera with a small prime lens on the front, such as a 35mm f2 or a 50mm f1.4, with hollow space for batteries etc. If you have a smaller body there is just enough space for a mid-sized zoom and perhaps a second lens stuff in the side, although it might be a tight fit. If you have a larger zoom, e.g. Canon's 35-350, you'll need to carry it separately. If you're doing the shopping you can just about get a can of something and some noodles into the main pocket. There isn't space anywhere on the bag for a bar of chocolate, and even if there was, it would melt and become squashed.There are several pockets around the bag, and a compartment near the bottom that holds a waterproof cover. This pulls out and goes over the top of the bag, leaving space for the straps but preventing you from opening it. Fair enough given that it would be raining. The straps feel a bit flimsy - they're made of plastic, they rotate freely, and I imagine they will break first. The only other problem I can think of is that the zippers are very noisy when you walk around; they jangle conspicuously, and it is hard to muffle then with gaffer tape. Also, I'm not fond of the big LOWEPRO logo on the front, which will surely attractive unwanted attention. And it would be nice if there was a way to wear the bag with the top unfurled, for quick access to the camera, but the design of the lid prevents this. And it would be great if, when I open the bag, Scarlett Johansson pops out, and her brain has been completely wiped and re-programmed to love the first man she sees, which would be me.Nonetheless the bag feels generally thought-out. The pocket inside the top flap is padded and has a cover for the zipper so that it doesn't scratch your camera. The front pocket is just the perfect size to store a copy of "Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung", and so if you ever find yourself lost for instruction you will never be alone. You have been alone for so many years.
This bag is perfect for your basic digital camera, with room for other things like your cell phone, sunglasses, etc. if you are going somewhere for the day and don't want to carry a lot.  It is also good for plane travel, since it will fit nicely into your carry-on and still be protected.  I would definitely recommend this bag.
I originally bought these motors to allow hands-free tracking of the planets with my CG-4. What I didn't expect was the excellent planetary images it was capable of aiding in. If you're looking for an entry into AP with the planets and the Moon, look no further.The motors are a breeze to install, allowing more time outside tracking your favorite objects. I bought 4 Tenergy Centura rechargeable D batteries to power the setup which last many days before needing charged. The Dec and RA motors are placed on the brass shafts that the slow-motion knobs are attached to on your mount. On the CG-4, this prevents you from using the slow-motion controls to starhop. The Dec motor has a clutch which can be loosened so you can manually track in Dec (up and down). The RA has no such clutch, so the coupling will need to be loosened with an allen wrench if you hope to manually track in RA (left and right). Also, be aware that this setup cannot slew. It only tracks, and even at the fastest setting (8x, which I use when imaging), you can barely tell it's moving. For quickly pointing at an object, you will need to hold the telescope tube with both hands and aim it at the desired target.These motors also open the door to beginner astrophotography of the various solar system objects. With accurate polar alignment, i've been able to take upwards of 3 minute subs. I'm sure it's capable of more, but this is as far as i've gone.Whether you're looking to keep Saturn centered in the eyepiece, or you want to try your hand at planetary imaging; there's no doubt these motors are more than capable. At $100, they have already more than paid for themselves.UPDATE: 2/25/14 - I've since upgraded to the Advanced VX mount, but have returned to update this review. First, do not buy the batteries I recommended. Long story short, they provide 4.5V of power when the motors require 6V; even when fully charged, it still isn't enough. Instead, I bought a cheap 6V power adapter (6V 1A AC Adapter to dc Power Adapter 5.5/2.1mm) which worked like a charm. I commented on this review with a link showcasing the best images I was able to take on my CG-4 with the motors bought here. Even though i've moved on to a bigger mount, I would still recommend this product in a heartbeat.
I got this motor drive for my first equatorial tripod. I got it a few weeks back to get the annular solar eclipse, and after I figured out a few important basics, I was easily able to capture the eclipse on my video camera. I am excited today, because it is the only transit of Venus that will occur in our life times. I have the camera trained on the sun mounted to this tripod outside my window. It looks beautiful.I have the drives mounted on the Celestron CG-4 and I have the CG5 universal mounting plate to attach my camera. On the camera itself I have a telephoto lens, and a 3.0 neutral density 1000x filter, and I'm shooting at 1/8000s with f/9.6. You can easily see sun spots in fair detail and if the eclipse is any indication, the final video will come out very nice.The motor mounts are a necessity for an equatorially mounted tripod, and once all the said and done, this setup is a fraction of the cost of many other equatorial mounts, and it is very well built. Next, I intend to get a nice telescope to mount on it and get some star gazing done.Back to check on the transit...Here is the video taken with this equipment: [...]
Work well and as advertised, but each motor connector/circuit borad connector is open, exposed, and fragile.  Should have enclosures around each motor unit.
I purchased these dual axis drives for my newly arrived Celestron Omni which rides a CG4 mount and tripod. They are quality brass and chrome pieces with no difficult requirements for attaching to the mount gears. Once in place and the batteries are turned on the RA drive tracks precisely even at a rough north alignment. Both drives respond quickly with minimal backlash and smooth movement when viewing through the eyepiece. The control box is the standard Celestron model provided with the older G5 and C5 series but it's a fine unit with N/S directional switch, 2x, 4x, 8x tracking speeds and with a bit of velcro sits nicely on the side of the tripod. Watch wrapping the phone cables when re-orienting from north to south, it would be great to have coiled cables with these but everything is quite functional.Good Viewing!
This motor combo kit works as intended.  They don't tell you in the write-up that the DEC motor doesn't work right out of the box if you have an older CG4 mount. The instructions do mention that a call to Celestron Support would be required to discuss additional parts needed for the early mount. I managed to build a small 90 degree angle mount, and replaced the factory 5mm x 20mm screws with some 5mm x 30mm. The RA drive works fine on the older mount without modifications.
Mechanically the unit seems to work quite well. The gear on the DEC axis didn't perfectly align but still works. The buttons sometimes take a second or 2 to respond probably due to the scope not being balanced perfectly. There are 3 speed selections. 2x, 4x, and 8x. It automatically starts tracking when you turn it on at 1x. That should be good enough. The better the scope is aligned the better this will work but so far I haven't been able to see anything without a little drift. Not the fault of this motor drive.
The system seems to be working very well so far. I would have preferred they used stainless steel or aluminum for the bracket which holds the RA motor to the base. I liked the clutch used on the DEC motor but wish there was one on the RA motor. The only way to slew fast is by releasing the main brake on the RA axis and this movement is hard to control precisely. If there was a clutch on the motor like the DEC one then you could use the control knobs which turn the worm gear for a more precise control. I would also have appreciated some kind of hanger clip on the hand control box so it could be hung from some spot on the tripod. I will have to invent this myself.
I hooked it up to a mount that it was not meant for so I  had to do some minor fab work in the way of a bracket added to my mount. I think it turned out pretty good. Because of what I needed to do to connect to my mount I wish the instructions where a little more in depth, but I knew that starting out. I can't wait until I get some good seeing weather to have a real go with it.
I purchased this for my CG 4 Mount and it works exactly as described. One thing to know if the battery start running low it will fall slightly behind. I wound up with that DC adapter &#8211; second small battery in order to keep it tracking properly for astrophotography. Over all I am pleased with my purchase.
I just placed an order to replace the motor I have on my scope.Don't ask what happened to the last one.I am a bit physically challenged and this motor made my viewing sessions much much smoother.  I like being able to climb down, get a different eyepiece and still have the object centered by the time I climb back up.The other item that I think every back-yard viewer should have is a telerad.I can't imagine giving either accessory up.Sally
I purchased this to make viewing easier and it does.  The kit attaches quickly and tracks the sky very well.  I would give it five stars but for the following. Although the quality appears good, there is one issue I would change. The connectors where the cables connect to the motors are uncovered. It basically is a small circuit board out there in the open and could get knocked off if you hit it in  the dark or bumped it against something while moving the mount. These need covers which I will make myself down the road. Also, I taped the wires together part way up from the hand controller to help eliminate tangling. The motors are very quiet. I had to put my ear up close to hear if they were running. I used alkaline D cells to power it but I plan on trying high capacity rechargeable NiMH batteries. I am not sure if the voltage drop will make any difference in the tracking rate. If the rechargeable batteries work good at initial charge they should provide better tracking stability than alkaline batteries since the voltage drops off very little on NiMH batteries right up to the end. Standard Alkaline batteries start dropping voltage immediately and will go well below 1.25 volts which may affect tracking.
No Cons, it does what it is design to do. I like how the plugs folds into the device for when I need to pack it with me, and I don't have to worry about carrying cables to attach this to a nearby outlet.
Great product. I know it is the full price. I lost the original to water damage and seriously considered buying a cheaper one.  I spent thousands buying the camera. Why try to save twenty dollars by purchasing a cheap knock off that could possibly damage it. I am glad I bought the original with no worries.
This charger was purchased because the onboard charger on our camcorder (Optura 20) quit working.  This does the job very nicely.  It is compact enough to fit in the camera bag and cahrges the standard battery in a little over an hour.  My only complaint is that the plug for this folds out from the back of the charger.  It is sometimes difficult to find an outlet that I can fit this into.  This is especially an issue if there is already a wall-wart (trnasformer) pluged into the same outlet.  It will share an outlet with a standard plug if it is in the lower position.  It also works ok with most extansion cords and strip outlets.
This charger is great, and well worth the extra 20 or 30 bucks it costs over a knockoff.1.  it is small, it plugs right into the wall, and the plug prongs fold in.2.  there is no brick on the end of a cord to truck all over.  no cord at all actually.3.  you know it is quality, and wont damage the expensive batteries.you spend 40 or 50 bucks on a battery, then go to ebay to find the cheapest POS charger you can find.  they dont charge as well, as quickly, and with some batteries, they just dont charge at all.  This charger charges all batteries I have to a much better charge, and is 1/4 the size.  This one is small enough to go right into my camera bag.  love it.
I have four Canon batteries and I need two chargers to keep the batteries in condition.  Works just as it is supposed to work!
Works with all 500 series batteries not just the ZR80/85/90 Camcorders. I ordered it for the ZR-65MC and it's easy to use and carry. Fits  perfect in the camera bag. Charges quickly and flashes an LED to signal how much of the charge is complete.
Great charger.  Full charge within 90 min's to fully discharged battery.  The light code info provides the battery status and the electrical plus swivels in & out of the rear of the charger.  Good space saver and insertion, removal of batteries couldn't be easier  Got mine for %36 thru Amazon.  Great price for a great charger.
My G2 charging mechanism stops to work and couldn't charge the batteries anymore.  I'm upgrading to DSLR soon and this can still be use for my future toy.
Ordered this to replace a cheap one I bought online. This one is top of the line and for being a used item, it looked brand new and works excellent. Great deal for me.
Its by Canon, so what can I say? Awesome product made by Canon! No regrets! Does its job & battery last long underheavy or light use.
I had to get myself a second charger as once I purchased the battery grip for my Canon 30D, I needed to keep a pair of batteries charged to replace the used pair in the camera's grip.  I found this to be the best option when shooting weddings and other lengthy events.With a powerstrip, I was able to charge the two batteries, plus a couple other rechargeables for my other equipment, and this charger is actually one of my favourite.  Where as most chargers I've seen merely have a red-light which turns green when charged, this charger has a blinking red/orange LED which blinks quicker and quicker the more charge it gets.  Once the light is solid, I know my batteries are ready for use.  :)  It charges quickly too.  The charge is usually done well before the batteries in my grip die, so I always have power to shoot the wedding or other event.  I just wish my flashes had batteries like this. ;)Still, I am happy with my chargers, I am happy with my camera equipment and most importantly, my clients are happy with the the memories I capture for them. :)
This is a factory replacement. It works as well as the original before I accidently plugged mine in upside down. This shouldnt have made a difference but it did and I'm glad that I was able to find it here at a good price. Also had to buy a new battery. Dont plug the charger in upside down.
Yes, its much more expensive. However, after loosing my original one and buying a 3rd party one I ruined 2 batteries. The cheaper options aren't worth it. Use this OEM charger.
I looked at all the other ones that were not made by Cannon, and the reviews. I just have never had a problem with Cannon, and have always bought the Cannon attachments, and have NEVER gone wrong. The only reason I had to buy this one was because in moving I misplaced my extra one. I take a LOT of pictures for eBay and cannot afford to be without one, so went with what I KNOW will work.You want the best &#34;no hassle&#34; product, just stick with Cannon!!
I had to replace the lost one and this canon battery charger is perfect one for my camera power shot pro 1. Good product, high price.
Works great.  My camera requires two of these so a purchased a second one.  Excellent service sending it to me.
I left my Canon battery charger in Austin one weekend while vacationing and panicked.  I ordered this duplicate backup and it arrived quickly and just in time for my next shoot.  Thank you!
Lost the previous one. So I bought another one for less than the original price and it works just as good.
This is a great charger for my Canon G5 camera battery. It only took two(2) hours to charge the battery. The only thing wrong is the colored indicators are a bit deceptive. They are only there to represent what the flashing LED represents. There is only one LED that flashes at varying speeds to indicate the level of charge. It does charge much faster than the charger you have to plug into the camera though. That could be a bad thing because the charger you plug into the camera charges more slowly. But if you need speed and portability this is the charger to get.
This was a replacement as the first was misplaced. I have had no issues with this product in the past. Canon rocks!! Overall experience was great and product arrived in a timely fashion. Go Amazon!!
I bought this as a replacement for the one I lost.  Just as described.
I got this as an additional battery charger a few months ago and it works great! It is the same battery I got with my Canon EOS 50D camera, it is not a knockoff. :-)
I'm actually here buying a replacement for the charger that came with my EOS 20D. I was always very happy with the charger. Because it was dual voltage I took it to Europe, and it worked just fine. But now that I'm home it doesn't work any longer. It seemed to adapt just fine to the higher voltage in Europe, but won't re-adapt to the lower, domestic voltage. Maybe it didn't want to come home from Florence, but vacations end. Chargers shouldn't end with them. Probably a fluke occurrence, but I'll pass it on.
Its simple to use and compact. It does fully charge the battery for use in a reasonable amount of time.
Very nice bag that is fine for a $200 or $300 Camcorder.I bought it for my new HD camcorder but, adding a shotgun mic all but made it too small and now that I want a wide angle lens, it is definitely too small.Again, nice quality and small enough to travel with....IF you are not going to need more than an extra battery and a couple of tapes
This is a very nice, small, video camera bag.I was lucky to get this as a gift and I have other Canon camera bags.I really like Canon camera bags, they seem to be well put together, long lasting and sturdy.This bag is just as good.This bag is primarily designed for small video cameras.It can also be used for small PowerShot cameras too.It's a pretty sturdy bag and feels like it'll last for a long time.It's made from thick vinyl, nylon and a rubberized, leathery feeling, vinyl covering.It has 4 zippers and a hook and loop closures for the main compartment.It'll hold 1-2 small Vixia camcorders, USB cables, a battery charger or power adapter, extra batteries and memory cards.Good padding all around with strong zippers and zipper pulls.The bottom is padded well and the material is thicker than the rest of the bag.Has a removable shoulder strap.The interior is a soft, lint free and fuzzy.It shouldn't scratch anything.Also has 4 loops, 2 on the back and 1 on each side, possibly for belt or some other way to carry.On the inside of the cover there's a zipper pouch for extra storage to carry cables or other items.It's not a large bag and it's not for DSLR cameras.It's a good little bag.The difference between this bag and the Canon SCA-70, is the SCA-60 has a removable shoulder strap.Here's some specs / dimensions:Weight 10.5 ozLength 9 inches.Width: 4 inches.Height 6 inches.Zippered main compartment.Zippered front pouch.
We bought this bag for our Canon Vixia HF 200 digital video camera. It is well made and has enough room for the camera, the charger and a few extras.
This canon camera bag is the right size for my camcorder and all of the attachments that came with it.
This camcorder bag is NOT leather.  Contrary to the description provided by Amazon, there is no leather used in the contsruction of this bag; it is instead a "pleather" type material that dosen't seem like the strongest stuff to be used for the bottom of a bag holding a $600+ camcorder!I wanted to use this for my new Canon HF100 camcorder, but there isn't enough room for the camera, adaptor/charging cord, wide angle lens and extra battery.  The bag bulges at the seams with all contents crammed in, so not sure of its durability.  I'm taking a trip to Ireland for 8 days, and don't want the bag to be more of a burden than it should be.
Buying a bag online instead of in a store where I could test the fit was a bit unnerving since so many cameras are made and bags are "one size fits all" to a certain extent.If you have a camera anywhere near the size of the smaller Canon camcorders (HF200, HF20, S100, S10, M300, etc) rest assured this bag is perfect.Great padding, good customization of division, good amount of extra pockets and room for related items you want to bring along, all in a bag that really is quite small and portable.
Got this bag for my Canon HFS100 camcorder. Fits perfectly and has an adequate amount of padding on all sides. 2nd interior pouch stores my cables, and would probably accommodate a spare battery easily. Outside pocket is for thin items like an SD card, DV tape, or lens cleaner. Double-zipper on top secures it closed, though it's not easy to do with one hand. Shoulder straps are nylon with hard plastic clips. Exterior is a combination of a leathery-material and fabric, with a semi-rugged textured bottom. The Amazon description indicates it's real leather...I'm not sure about that. It's close, but it feels fake. It should protect against light splashes of water, but I would be hesitant about anything more. Very sturdy, well made, and looks good. For the average person who doesn't carry a lot of accessories around, I would say this bag is ideal, especially at the price. But enthusiasts will want a larger one.
I got this case for my Canon VIXIA HF200 and I love it. It holds enough accessories for most of your all around needs. The double zippered opening at the top has a zippered pocket underneath ideal for storing USB cables on RCA cables. It is small, but can hold cables comfortably. The main compartment is padded nicely on all sides and comes with an adjustable divider that is held in place securely by velcro tabs that run the length of the divider. The main compartment is fairly roomy. Along with the camera, it can hold the following accessories: a wide angle lens, an external shoe mounted microphone, a spare battery, a battery charger, a mini-tripod and a composite cable. Enough gear to get the casual user through any situation. The interior lining is lint free and doesn't leave little pieces of thread on the equipment. The front pocket has two small mesh pockets mounted on the main body of the case. It's a good place to keep memory cards, microfiber cloths and the camera's remote control. I also keep an HDMI cable in there, but that's just me. The front pocket is there to provide a convenient place for small items, not as a place for real accessory storage.The exterior of the case is nice, the top, sides, handle and parts of the front are made with high quality soft black leather. The remainder of the front is made with a nice, soft gray synthetic fabric. The 'Canon' logo is small and tastefully sewn on the center. It very subtly says 'This is a camera bag' I like it. The bottom is bottom is made of a rubberized plastic with a textured pattern. I would venture to say it is moisture resistant, but not totally waterproof. The sides feature plastic "D" rings to attach the adjustable carrying strap. The strap is removable and can be stowed easily in the front pocket. The back side of the case has an interesting feature: a pair of nylon belt loops sewn directly to the leather. This can be used in a variety of different ways, as a means to attach it to another bag, in conjunction with the carrying strap as a kind of 'fanny pack' or directly on a belt. I've never used these loops but it's nice to have the option.This is a great product, at a great price. I highly recommend it.
Great looking case that fits my Canon camcorder perfectly.  Equally important, shipping was prompt.  A big thumbs up for this item.
This Canon camcorder leather bag is really good, high quality, easy to use and looks sexy! It fits my Elura 100 perfectly and all the needed accessories. It provides not only convience to me, but also extra protection for camcorder. Highly recommend!
This case hold my Elura 100 and accessories perfectly. Not too big, not too small. Plus it's well padded. The movable divider lets you snug the camera to one side while making room for accessories on the other. Tip: The upper flap will hold two Mini-DV tapes in it's zippered pouch, which adds an extra layer of protection up top!
A good quality bag for the Vixia HF20.  Lots of space for cables, cards and an extra battery.
This Canon camera bag is perfect.  The size is exactly what I need and holds all my accessories.  The quality is wonderful and it is easy to carry around.There are compartments for all the little extras and I never have trouble finding anything I need.  It has a hand strap, as well as a shoulder strap.  In addition, there are belt loops so it can be carried on your waist.  Very compact, yet roomy.It is very attractive to look at and has the Canon name displayed visably on the bag.  Good things come in small packages.I am very happy with my choice.
I was hesitant to purchase this product based on some of the previous reviews and the web site images. However, it turned out to be a very nice product. Materials appear to be a mix of leather and nylon.  The bag is opened via a top flap with parallel zippers. A  pull handle operates both zippers at the same time. I found this a little unorthodox but I can live with it.The main compartment is divided into two sections and there is just enough room for the camcorder, an extra battery, power supply, power supply cord and remote.  A zippered front pocket is big enough for two A/V cables. This pocket also has two small internal pockets for small items like memory cards.
THIS CASE IS SO WELL MADE, AND JUST THE RIGHT SIZE TO GIVE THE CANON ELURA, A NICE SNUG PADDEDED CUSHIONED FIT. PLUS SECONDARY COMPARTMENTS FOR ALL THE ACCESSIORIES THAT YOU NEED TO CARRY FOR YOUR VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY........
I was worried in the beginning because the pictures I viewed don't let me know if it works with my new camera (Canon HF S20) but it turns out a perfect fit. It's a small bag which let me storage the camera, cables and the extra battery in a compact way without compromising size or weight. The materials are good with making a excellent presentation.
I purchased the case for my Canon Vixia HF200 camcorder. I also purchased the Canon VL-5 light which is designed for this camera. The HF200 and the light fit perfectly in the main (center) zip up area. There is a velcro separator that keeps them from touching. The side zipper has plenty of room for an extra battery, SD drive and a cable to show off you movies on the go.
I bought it about 2 years ago for Canon HD camcorder. I think it's perfect with use, very good quality.
I love this camera's optical zoom.  5x, in a travel camera!  They should all be like this.  The digital zoom is also impressive.  In a kayak, at 50 feet being rocked by waves, I could still capture and center a bald eagle staring at me (albeit it took a couple tries, but who cares with digital)!  What's the minor issue?  The optical zoom is a little too quick so that framing a shot with small changes is very difficult and there is a very significant delay between shutter click and image capture with the digital zoom (however the image stabilization works tres bien).Would I buy another?  In a heartbeat.  Would I ask Pentax to fix the little bugs?  Of course.If I had free will with the rating it would habe been 4 3/4 stars.  Enjoy.
So far my photos seem ok, I'm no expert but I've had several digital cameras and some have taken pictures too dark or washed out. This one takes nice pictures, the color is good and indoor photos are as good as any film camera I've had.I got a fast 512mb sd card and it makes a huge difference in the speed of taking pictures, even smaller jpg is noticeably faster, tiff is about 10 times faster. (I had a Sandisk 512mb prior, now I have the Sandisk Ultra... big difference and worth the extra cost)The camera is not as sleek as the canon's I've had and love and it doesn't seem as rugged, though that might just be the feel of the finish. It is a little larger than many 5mp cameras but not heavier. I like that you can zoom in movie mode and the length of the movie is only limited by the size of the card.The biggest problem is the view finder is way off if you're taking photos of something within 15 feet. It gets better as you go out, but closer shots have to be done via the screen to get the actual shot you want. The battery seems to last a long time. I don't take that many photos, maybe 50 a month, but I'll go a month of showing the photos and letting it sit in my hand bag and not have to charge the battery.I've had mostly Canon Powershot and loved the small, sleek and rugged feel. But the more I use this camera the more I like it. I've had real good experience with Pentax customer service too.
I can't say a whole lot that hasn't been covered by the other comments here... the Pentax Optio 555 is really a great camera.  I agree with the reviewer who immediately turned the digital zoom off -- it's really kinda silly to mess with digital zoom on a digital camera, since you will probably be able to post-process the images.  I haven't found the cash yet to upgrade from the memory card that comes with it, but it's definitely high on my to-do list.  I've never seen a camera that's so easy to use right out of the box but also has so many great features.  Even the novelty features continue to amuse me almost a year after getting the camera.  The 3D photo mode is really fun to play with, and the panorama assist makes it really easy to take panoramic pictures.  And yes, it includes software to stitch the images together (semi)automatically.  Lately I've been taking lots of night pictures -- it's really amazing how well this thing soaks up ambient light to take bright night shots WITHOUT the flash.The ONLY complaint I've got is that in a really saturated environment the auto-focus doesn't work very well.  A friend of mine got married recently and the auto focus refused to work at all, but I must admit the ENTIRE room was this hideous olive color, from the carpet to the fabric wall covering, and of course the completely mirrored ceiling only made the room twice as green.  Add to that the weak yellow light coming from the chandeliers, and it was understandably tough for the camera.  Finally I just switched to manual focus and put it in the continuous shoot mode and then I could just pick and choose the shots I liked and delete the rest.A couple of reviewers mentioned that the camera doesn't hold up well... I dunno about that.  Mine's been bounced around on a speedboat, fallen off a table, jerked around by the strap, and survived perfectly intact.  Maybe I've just been lucky, but I think that it holds up really well to "normal" wear and tear AND the occasional accident.I almost didn't get this camera because I really hate being locked into proprietary rechargable batteries.  I'd normally rather go through a bunch of AA batteries because I always worry that in 2 years the company will discontinue the battery and my product will be useless.  I've been pleasantly surprised, the battery has held up really well.  I've had the same battery almost a year and it still works for a few days with several hours of use each day between recharges.  It also holds a charge really well if I don't use the camera for a while.  And though someone complained about the 3 hour recharge time, I'm used to charging my previous [Kodak] digial camera and my camcorder overnight, so 3 hours is a HUGE improvement.(...)
This is billed as an upgrade to the earlier Optio 550, and when my much used & much appreciated 550 went over a cliff with a grad student (the student survived, the camera, alas, did not)I went straight out and ordered a 555. Good news/bad news.  Good news is that I find the 555 has all of the things that I loved about the 550 -excellent resolution, remarkably good automatic exposure even in very weird lighting situations, the VERY nice 5x optical zoom that has allowed me to get some really good "up close & personals" with my study birds, and downright AMAZING batery life (I took my 555 off for a week in Wales, filled up a 256 Meg card with pix -many using flash- & STILL had plenty of battery when I got home.)It also seems very rugged & forgiving (although I am keeping it away from cliff-diving grad students!.  SO, what's the bad news?  To be honest I don't see much of a difference bewteen the 550 & the 555. The lens is still slow coming out, there is still a noticeable lag between pressing the shutter release & the picture actually taking, so this definitely ISN'T the camera that you want if split-second timing is critical.  Other than that however I would say that if you want a really light-weight high resolution field camera with a good lens, look no further (DO get a big memory card however, you will be eating up a lot of bytes very quickly).
I have taken a look at several digital cameras, from friends, work, etc.  (I have to add that I'm basing this review on the Optio 550 which is very similar to the 555).There are some great features of this camera, and a few drawbacks.The good:-The 5X zoom is fantastic.  It's hard to find a 5X zoom 5MP camera that is portable and where the lens fully retracts.  I don't need the 5X often, but when I do it's great to have.-Good night photos.  I'm not saying they are better than the other cameras, but the night photos are reliable.-East light adjustment settings.  Digital cameras do their best to figure out the light settings, but sometimes if the sun is behind your subject it will make your subject too dark; similarly too bright for overly sun-lit objects.  The Optio 555 lets you quickly adjust the light settings without changing to any menus.-SD card.  I prefer SD cards, because they are smaller and cheaper than everything except CF cards, which I find too large.  The complaint about the proprietary USB cable on another review is easily circumvented by a faster and easier card reader.-Long battery life.  I can easily take about 130 pictures on one battery charge.-Focus.  Fast and reliable, except in the darkest environments.-Durable!  I dropped the camera in a river (well actually I fell in the river with the camera - it was in fact in the Ardeche River which is very lovely at least) and the camera was back working more or less within a week.-Light enough.  Some other cameras have the air of durability (though they really arent) because they have heavy steel bodies.  This doesnt help the camera, and in fact can hurt it by transferring shock into the more sensitive interior.Bad points-Long turn-on/turn-off time.  It takes forever for the camera to turn on - by that I mean 3-5 long seconds.-Recharger is annoying.  I hate carrying around the recharger; i'd rather have either AA batteries or a direct plug-in.I don't know the model well, but my next purchase will be the Pentax 5X zoom/5 MP that is smaller, but I am sure has similar strengths (and weaknesses).
Outstanding camera with tons of options and flexibility.  Photo/color quality is superb.  I researched many cameras before adding this one to my short-list and then finally selecting it.  Note: it's almost small enough for an oxford shirt pocket but frankly it's a bit too large.  However, the small leather Pentax Optio belt pouch (sold separately) works out very well and makes it easy to carry anywhere.  I really enjoy my 555.
This is my fourth digital camera in as many years.  Overall, this is far better than the Olympus Camedia line and the Sony DSC-W1.  I haven't had the opportunity to work with Cannon's, and I think that would be the closest contender for wht you can get in this camera.The pluses of this Pentax are the crisp, extremely accurate colors, which are, if anything, on the bright side.  But mostly they are spot on.  Secondly, the flash is fast and powerful and most importantly, the focus is extremely fast and accurate even in the flash mode.  By contrast, the Sony DSC-W1 is much slower in terms of 'locking-in' the focus in low light settings, as is the Olympus Camedia C-50. As a result, you have to be much, and i mean much steadier to get a good flash shot with the other cameras in low light settings (less so with the Olympus).  I am not - i like to whip out the camera when my kids are doing fun things and shoot three or four quick shots indoors, and my Optio shots are consistently great, while the Sony's are such a blur that many getdeleted.Another plus is the battery.  While I had selected the Sony b/c i thought i would prefer the simplicity of being able to recharge AA's anytime, or buy replacements, i found the Pentax battery extremely long lasting - something like their promo literature says, along the lines of 500-600 shots.  since it is lighter than 2 AA's, the camera overall is lighter than most running on 2-AA's.I will say, however, that it is a bit of a hassle having to carry to Pentax battery charger, when if you use the Cannon or Sony you just need to take the standard AA Ni-Mh charger, which i take along anyway for flashlights etc.  So now i often have 2 chargers, and thats a pain.Another big plus is the very quick record time for the typical full 5 mp high resolution photo.  My very unscientific method of using my watch stopwatch indicates its about .3 seconds, which was definitely faster than the Olympus or Sony.  However it compares to other cameras, its the fastest I've ever experienced, and i've never felt slowed down even in some river rafting action moments.The next thing I really like is purely subjective - the size of the lens is at least double the diameter of any compact 5 mp camera.Now that is completely subjective, but my engineering background tells me that if you double the amount of glass that light passes through, you have reason to believe you will be improving the optical clarity of your images.  somehow, for all the pictures i've blown up to 5 x 7, it seems like the Pentax photos are crisper with better color - could this be why?Another plus - excellent closeup features.  With 2 macro settings, I have always been very pleased with every kind of closeup.The drawbacks are all important to me - but when it comes time to pack a camera, unless i need the wide angle lens of the Sony DSC-W1, this Optio is hands dwon my favorite.Drawbacks:- Movie mode is an embarassment to digital photography!  try playing 320x240 on your computer and you will get eye strain! The movie looks like a moving short-cut! Check out the Sony or Kodak (and possibly some Cannon's) - they offer a resolution of 640x480 which is essential if you want to enjoy any movie clips on your computer.- the proprietary download cable is another insult designed simply to make you buy another Pentax product.  Again, take a lesson from Sony, which uses the standard mini-USB to USB cable for downloads rather than the Pentax-proprietary to USB cable.  If you lose that cable on the road, you have no way of downloading your photos and you are jammed until you can mail order another from Pentax.  If they would only have the courtesy to let you use the standard cable as Sony does, you could go to any electronics store, or use a friends.  Plus, if you carry a portable hard drive or some such thing that uses the mini-USB to USB, you will already have the download cable, while with Pentax you must carry 2 cables.-limited wide angle viweing.  the Sony has noticably better wide angle viweing, something like 28 mm, vs something like 35-50 mm in this camera, Sony also has a screw on wide angle adapter which this camera does not.- its time for Pentax to update the viewfinder.  I'm sure they are working on it, but at least another .5 inches would help this camera ALOT.- increase the size of the font of all the info in the viewfinder.  All the newer cameras with the larger viwfinders using larger font  as squinting to read critical information is just not fun.Thats my take - this camera is far better than some of the competitors, and I hope Pentax is listening and will make some improvements, as i love this extremely functional camera now, but can't wait for the next model!
I already have a Canon SLR film camera but it is too costly to keep because of costly film prices and hassle to get pics. So I bought this camera after an extensive research on the digital camera. This is my first digital camera as well. I was very pleased with the feature sets and picture quality of this camera. Easy to use for novices as well.I was dispointed though because this camera is only good for static objects (or non-movable objects). For me the camera is of little use because I bought this camera to take pics of my 1 year old son. Unfortunately this camera is "too" slow to take pictures of a moving objects. If you don't have to take much pics of moving objects, then I would recommend this camera otherwise try Canon S400 or S50. I heard they are good for moving objects as well.
I got this camera to replace an Olympus C4000 that was too slow focusing and bulky for my needs (shooting my toddler). I have had it for about 9 months now and still think its great. One reason I bought it was the price (under $200) and the reviews I saw on the web (like dpreview.com). It is small enough to go in your pocket. It can be used in the rain without fear of damage. The fireworks shots I took , a couple can be seen in the user images for this camera, where unexpectedly good and done HANDHELD without a tripod using the fireworks program! There are a couple of cons, but minor and are to be expected for a camera of this type, ie. weak indoor flash (fix with software), sometimes takes long in low light to focus, no lens protection. But in all, would buy and recommend again. Make sure you invest in NiMH batteries and a charger and you will be all set! Happy shooting!
I bought one of these cameras about five years ago and took it hiking and kayaking in Montana, then made a big mistake in 2008, when I "upgraded" tothe latest Pentax all weather camera and gave away the 33WR.The new camera has no optical viewfinder and uses propietary Li-ion Batteries which are very expensive and don't retain a charge for more than a few days; the 33WR is powered by two AA's; I use Sanyo Eneloop NiMH AA rechargeables and they stay charged for months, besides costing a fraction of what you pay for Li-ion.Throgh Amazon I was lucky to find another Optio 33WR and I know it won't let me down in the midle of nowhere.
I am new to Digital cameras, but have been shooting film in a variety of formats and systems for over 30 years.  After much research and agonizing compromises, I waited and purchased this Pentax Optio 33WR.  It is small, but fits my small hands well. All the controls are nicely defined and laid out. I began using the camera prior to consulting the manual because the camera is logically engineered. The manual is well done and thorough, and Pentax also spells out the accompanying ACDSEE software - not needed if you own a Mac. You can also download the manual and specs for this and many Pentax cameras directly from Pentax's doc site - free, prior to purchase if you want to study this.  The specs available are quite accurate.  Output is great! Sharp lens, fast focus, accurate exposure, and it fits in my pants pocket.  It has a lot of flexibility for a P&S and a fair number of manual features if you need them.  Nicely sealed, all weather unit. solid feel! Lots of positives! Negatives are: Came with 2 inexpensive alkaline batteries instead of lithium versions -  I replaced them, but one can find power for this camera anywhere.  The camera comes with an 16MB SD memory card which is good for about 8-10 hi-res pix, so I replaced it with a 64MB version ($34).  All-in-all, 4 stars may be conservative because I like it and it is nearly all I need and want.
Bought this now obsolete used camera to replace one we had a few years ago.  It is a good little rugged camera for outdoor field work.
This camera and its companion the 43WR have three features I want in a camera that I can take with me wherever I go. It has an optical viewfinder, uses AA size batteries and is weatherproof. It doesn't matter if it's raining or you're riding down or hiking up a whitewater river, you can still take pictures. Also, it easily fits in a shirt pocket. It is my "I always take it with me camera."
I can be rough on cameras so I wanted a digital camera that could take at least a little abuse. I considered the Olympus Stylus 300/400 but didn't care for some of the reviews and the kind of batteries they use (I'm a rechargeable AA fan). What I read on the Optio 33WR was impressive, it has more mode features than I'll probably use (even a specialty mode for fireworks!) Although not quite as easy to use as the Kodak 6330 I feel this is offset by the extra features of the Optio 33WR. Since the Optio 33WR is "immersible" it *should* be able to handle rain and splashing from white water rafting and other water sports (I'll find out the hard way next summer) which greatly appeals to me. Taking pictures is easy and the 3.2 megapixel results are great even for 8x10 prints. Pictures are easy to download to your computer w/the included USB cable and the ACDSee photo-editing software is surprisingly easy to use as well. With a 256MB SD memory card I can take over 100 max quality/resolution photos and battery life is very good. It's small enough to drop in a pocket yet controls are large enough to be easily used. However, the Optio 33WR is not *quite* perfect... A docking bay w/battery charger for downloading photos would be nice and very convenient, I can't locate the optional AC adapter *anywhere*, a *slightly* more powerful flash (adequate as is) would be good, the power on/off button is a little too close to the shutter release for my comfort and the camera strap can dangle in front of the lens/flash when holding the camera at 90 degrees for more vertically oriented shots. Despite these minor quibbles I'm *very* happy w/my Optio 33WR and recommend it to anyone looking for a good digital camera that isn't afraid of the water. I give it 4.75 stars out of 5.Added: I found a suitable AC adapter at Radio Shack (...) and the ACDSee photo-editing software that comes with the 33WR does a good job of lightening/brightening photos that the flash couldn't quite handle.Added: The Vivitar DF200 Digital Flash looks to be my choice for better flash performance: It takes AA batteries like my Optio 33WR, "learns" the camera's flash characteristics for better results, tilts/aims for more lighting options and comes with a mini flex tripod & a special bracket for attaching to the tripod hole of the 33WR.EDITED 5/04: The Phoenix D91-BZS 4-Stop Digital Slave Flash looks to be even better than the Vivitar (even comes w/a camera bracket). I now have the Optio 43WR which is nearly identical to the 33WR except for slightly greater resolution (no big deal) and a much-improved movie mode (640x480@30fps instead of 320x240@15fps) which I really like. However, it requires hi-speed memory to achieve 30fps and the SanDisk 512Mb Ultra II will provide 7.5 minutes of movie recording time at 640x480@30fps. If the movie mode isn't that important to you then I suggest you stick with the 33WR and less expensive memory.
What a pain to have to write this. I loved this little gem, but it died the second day we had it. It appears to be a fine piece of equipment, but I had to send it back. I'm going to buy the Canon S400 instead. The Canon is a tiny bit larger and hopefully will last longer than two days.While examining the menu options a grinding sound came from the speaker and my wife turned the camera off. Then it would no longer respond to the on/off switch. I called Pentax and it was indeed a dead puppy. There was no software reset or anything of that nature. I opted for a refund.
I've had this little gem for a year now and use it daily. The size of the camera and the quality of the pictures makes it the best investment I've ever made in a camera. I have tried other larger, more technical digitals in the past few months, thinking I would like to upgrade my little Optio, but always come back to my faithful little friend. It goes everywhere I go, weddings, outdoor shots, even my son's rollerblade competitions and I've never been disappointed. It's so easy to use, I've had no problem with the battery life as long as I keep my eye on the LCD and it shows me when it's getting low on energy. It doesn't take that long to recharge...just a matter of my knowing when.The only thing I wish it had was more optical zoom.
So I figure I might as well give my thoughts on it. I don't have much to compare it too, but I really appreciate this camera, and I continue to feel, looking back, that this was a great buy.Firstly, I used to play with the white balance, and could never get it right, but my wife discovered the easy mode on the camera, and ever since, I've had only great color. I have no complaints at all about color, resolution, etc. I find the quality much better than film cameras, and that's all I needed.At first, the battery life was great, but after about a year and a half, it started to go. By now, I get like 60 pictures on a battery.The one thing that annoys me is the occasional lag between when I press the button and when the camera snaps the picture. I think this is normal of digital cameras, but I can't help being annoyed by it. Fortunately, it's not too bad, and doesn't happen all the time.Of course, size is great. I got a leather case for it, and stick it in my pocket.The camera seems to work like new. I had no problems with it at all, which is of course nice.All in all, very happy with it.Bruce
OK, so you can't have it all.  Well, I almost have it all with my new Optio S4.  The size is the selling point, bar none.  I took it with me everywhere today (first day with it) and snapped tons of photos.  It's great to be able to take it with you anywhere for anytime photos.  I upgraded from my old stalwart, my Sony DSC-S70.  Even though my Sony was only 3.3 megapixels, the picture quality was much sharper than my new Optio.  Obviously, given the small size of the Optio, there had to be room for sacrifice, but the photos just don't seem like they are 4mp quality.  Size was the obvious primary concern for Pentax...and what a slam dunk the design is!Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier with my purchase, but products always have room for improvement.  I can honestly say this engineering marvel has very little room for improvement.  The battery life, myriad of settings, simple manual, and compact charger earn a solid 4 stars in my book.Bottom line:  Buy this camera.  You will take more photos than you ever imagined (read: get a 256MB card and extra battery for true shooting freedom).  One more thing.  Shop around.  Got mine online (not Amazon) brand new... Also got my 256 San Disk card ....  Deals like this are impossible to pass up!Get it. You'll thank me later!
Compared to the older Optio S, the S4 features 4 megapixels (vs. Optio S's 3MP), and weighs in at only 3.5 ounces vs. Optio S's 4.1.  In short, the S4 is another truly AMAZING digital camera that's no bigger than the Apple iPod.  If there's one consumer-grade digital camera you get this holiday season, the S4 should be the one.  (If money is object, choose the S model.)
The Pentax Optio S4 is a superb camera; the fact that it's an ultra-compact camera as well makes it even more amazing.  I researched and tried out many different compact digital cameras before settling on the Optio S4.  I travel quite a bit and was looking for a camera that I could slip in my pocket without sacrificing too much in the way of quality images.  What I found in the Optio S4 is an extremely compact camera that sacrifices nothing with respect to image quality.The resolution, edge-to-edge sharpness and color rendition rivals or exceeds that of larger cameras, much less other compacts.  It's exposure metering is precise and handles backlit and mixed lighting scenes with ease.In terms of size, the Optio S4's closest competitor is the Casio EX-Z4.  The Casio is a bit slimmer, but it's taller and wider and the Optio S4 outperforms it in resolution and edge sharpness.  The Casio uses a folded lens system, which is innovative but detracts from its optical performance. Also, the Casio (at least the US version) does not offer a movie mode, something the Optio S4 does very well. The Optio S4 is so small it will fit inside an Altoids breath mint tin!Battery run time on the Optio S4 is quite acceptable and there are a number of built-in power saving features you can elect to activate.  As with most of the compacts, internal memory is small, so plan on buying a SD data card along with the camera.  A 64mb or larger card would be a wise purchase.Overall, the Pentax Optio S4 is a superb 4 mega pixel camera in a compact package.
I first bought the casio Exlim did'nt like the dock system!So I bought the optio 4.The Quality of the Casio is much better! Made in Japan vs Philippines (BUT) the camera is still very good!You can order the Casio Exilm wallet type case and it works fine! You can find at a lower price at other dealers..OH yes!It has software included but,I found Kodak easyware MUCH more simple and looks great when you use full screen.You can download from Kodak websight..
I have had this camera for 2 months now and I am very pleased with it.  I first could not believe how Pentax put in a 4.0 mp in such a small size.  It is unbelievably small!  It is the smallest digital camera out there.  Zoom is great.  People who broke this camera simply did not handle it carefully enough.  You get the best bang for the buck- cheaper than many of 4.0 mp digi cams out there on the top of Pentax rebate- I got the check in the mail in about 8 weeks.  Picture quality is great.  It also has amazingly many features such as sound/video recording, 3D photo, and multi-colored photos.  If you want a small, compact, point and shoot camera, this is the choice.
pentax had heads turning when they introduced the optio s because that camera could fit into an altoids tin.  well, pentax has upped the ante.  they've managed to a full megapixel of resolution without increasing the size of this amazing camera.  the result is the optio s4.pros:- yes, it still fits in an altoid tin! the main selling point of this camera is its small size: 3.3 x 2.0 x 0.8 in, weighing in at 3.5oz.- relatively high "wow" factor.- average four megapixel resolution.- good reliable metering.- low image noise at low ISO settings.- fast autofocus in well lit situations.- very good macro performance for an ultra-compact.- wide range of focus options including manual focus!- histogram display in live view and play modes.- allows decent manual control for what is billed as a point-and-shoot ultra-compact.- no color cast from flash.- fast startup time.- solid build quality - stylish aluminum case.- bright LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating.- shooting priority during play mode.- doubles as a voice recorder.cons:- some chromatic aberrations.- some vignetting visible.- moderate barrel distortion at full wide angle.- average photo quality with soft edges.- images noisier than competition.- the right most button at the top of the camera is the power button. right beside it to the left is the shutter release button. for me, the more logical button placement would be to have the shutter release button on the far right.- no AF assist light.- some redeye occurrence.- poor shot to shot times - very disappointing.- metal body scratches easily.- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.- longest shutter setting is 4 seconds.- only 11MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.- below average battery life and the battery is proprietary so add more bucks for a spare.like its predecessor, the optio S, the S4 is an amazing camera, providing a wide feature set in an ultra-compact package. it is simply the smallest camera with its feature set available today (10/2003).  it is very similar to the slightly bigger casio ex-z4. so why only four stars? opportunites for improvement would be: better shot to shot times, a longer shutter setting (max right now is 4 seconds), and an AF assist lamp.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
I had the very first Optio S, and I could not find many things about it to improve upon, except for the battery door hinge, less barrel distortion, and more megapixels. Well, the next generation Optio's have 4, 5, and 6 megapixels, so take your pick. The biggest selling point for me has always been the size. These cameras fill niches that a bigger camera frequently cannot. It is ideally suited for street photography, travel, candids, and snapshots.The Optio S line is tiny and inconspicuous. Your subjects won't often realize that you have a camera in hand. The Optio S4 fits inside an Altoids tin just like the first model, and it should always be that way. I would like for them to make an even smaller camera.  An average-sized hand can conceal it quite nicely. I love the picture quality, even though there is barrel distortion and vignetting, but the kind of photography that I pursue often benefits from it. If I want to do architecturals and mural-sized landscapes, my medium-format camera or 4x5 view camera is what I use. Like I said, the Optio S fills a certain photographic niche, just as a large-format technical camera would for architectural photography. And like all cameras, this one won't make you a better photographer; that takes STUDY and PRACTICE.If there was any other camera that came before the Optio S; that comes closest to it in terms of character, rendering style and other intangibles, I would say it was the Pentax K-1000. If you know anything about the K-1000's cult-like following, you would know what I mean. It's like the K-1000 was reborn as the Optio S. The Optio S is the digital K-1000.
I bought this Pentax Optio S4 after being frustrated with my Sony digital camera.  The Sony was just too big and a pain to carry; therefore, I never used it or took it on trips.  With the Optio, ther is no reason not to take it with you.  It is so small, takes great pictures, is easy to use, and the owner's manual is great. Definitely THE gift of the season!
I use film for most of my work, also I already had a 4 MP digital camera that was not getting a lot of use do to it's size. I wanted something for snapshots that I can carry with me non stop and take all those goofy Kodak moments. Controls are well placed and accessible. Since camera is so small, buttons may feel little cramped for users with big hands. Many cameras if powered on accidentally inside the case or pocket will try to open up and therefore break lens mechanism. Pentax on/off switch is very secured and if by any chance you still open it up by mistake and lens is blocked camera will not power on. I think this is an excellent feature since camera is so small and canaccidentally turn on when it's tossing and turning in your pocket.Some people complained about slow write up time to the memory card. I haven't experienced that so I can't say anything bad. It took me a while to learn how to take picture properly. It is a small camera so you have to me more careful about camera shake (aka pay more attention to shutter speed). Also since controls are so small they are not as sensitive so in order to take a pic you really need to press the shutter down.Pros:-SIZE! SIZE! SIZE! It really doesn't get any better than that. Small body that fits into Altoid tin.-Picture Quality. It's excellent for JPEG. File size is anywhere from 2.5 - 2.9 MB in the 4mp , least compression mode. It would be nice to have a TIFF there. But to answer everyone's question: yes I printed very nice super sharp 8by10 images out of this little wonder. 8by10 is all I want, if I need to go bigger I buy a better camera or use film.-Flash. Very powerful and superb even in comparison to my other bigger cameras.-LCD. Super sharp and detailed.-Battery Life. I was super skeptic about battery life but after week or so of use I can say it hold its charge and last very long time.-Ease of playback, deletion and control access. Very intuitive and well placed.-Build in memory. It's nice to have a backup 11 Megs just in case.Cons:-Placement of LCD monitor. If you try to use viewfinder and monitor is on it will blind your eye for a bit due to proximity. It is not a big deal outdoors but in dark environments it causes a bit of problems.-Viewfinder is small and cramped.-Picture quality distortion along edges. They come out a bit blurry there. It is much better than original Optio S but still not perfect-No 400 ISO. Really disappointing for low light photography. Also 200 ISO is very noisy.-No focus assist light. Makes it hard to take picture in the dark.-Zoom can have few more steps.Now you have to remember that I(you) bought this camera mainly for it's size. If you want tiff mode, superb quality pics, big zooms I think you should go for a bigger and different camera. But if you want something that will be always with you for snapshots, candits and travel photos I think this is an excellent piece of equipment. I keep my in my pocket all the time, I use it for work, pleasure and hangout. I take it kayaking, hiking and climbing. It's a snap shot camera with surprisingly powerful features, nice image quality and average zoom. My set includes an extra battery (not used yet), petax leather case, 512 memory card and Ziploc bag. And true, it is so small I misplaced it twice.
This camera is small, light and easy to take along anywhere. The 4m pixel resolution is plenty for your average amateur photographer to take snapshots on vacation or when out with friends. I've printed out many photos taken with this camera and they come out sharp. It may just be the printing process, but the prints come out with better colors from this camera than they did with my film camera.
Wish it was a bit cheaper it is a piece of plastic after all but after buying some aftermarket crap that didn't work well at all came back to the original cap and haven't looked back since
I got this item to replace the one I lost there are no camera stores around here that carry them any more
Not much to say except always keep a cap on your lenses to protect them from moisture and dust, and to protect the front element. This is just like what came with the lens originally so it is a perfect fit.
Bought this little guy to sell a lens with the &#34;authentic&#34; lens cap. Was able to kick up the price of the lens with this guy. When I got it, I kept this one for myself and just added an older Canon cap to the lens because you never see a cap without scuffs, haha.
package came on time and and look like my original one. must buy unlike the picture it looks new. the one that came on the mail for me did not have the &#34;FOR&#34; canon. so seems legit enough. fits perfect like my original one.
As advertised! Fit is good and protects your glass !!! Would buy again or suggest to others. Great price for this size lens cap.
What can I say about a lens cover? It protects my 77mm wide-angle lens. It fits perfectly and looks just like the original one that came with the lens! I am very happy with it and I sure hope I don't lose it (again)! The price was very good and it was very promptly shipped and delivered.
I was super happy to get this lens cap as quick and as inexpensive as I did. I would use these guys again without a doubt.
I ordered a 77mm for my lens and I received a 72mm cap. I literally opened the package, saw that it didnt fit, and threw it in the trashcan. Waste of money, but o well.. please be aware and make sure you get your 77mm cap.
i looked on ebay and wowwwww you can get x3 for the price of this one.. dont make the mistake i did
I got this as a replacement for the Mennon White balance lens cap 77mm. I found the Mennon lens cap to be hobbled by annoying design defects.
It works great!  I have different sized lens filter sizes and this was the perfect solution.  The price was very reasonable. Thank you.....
Definitely check your seller before purchasing.  Amazon is now blocking me from stating which seller I purchased from to help others get an OEM lens cap.  It seems like amazon is starting to get too big for their own good...Lens cap I received was OEM & fits perfectly on my 17-40 Canon L lens as well as B&W; Circular Polarizer filter.
This is not a real canon product. Falls off easily and is nowhere near as durable. What a waste of $10.
As other buyers are indicating, some sellers ship the non-OEM, knock-off version of this cap. Seller "iGet it FAST" (Utley) is one of them. Do not buy from this seller.To quote another review "The back of the cap says "For" Canon, indicating that it was made by a 3rd party.The finish isn't quite as good as a true Canon cap. The plastic isn't shiny on the back side, and the chrome Canon logo doesn't have as nice of a chrome plating as my other "real" Canon caps.Be sure and ask the seller if you're getting a true Canon cap before you trust this product, because you can get these knock-offs on flea bay for about 2 bucks."
It is pricy but it does fit like a glove.  Off-brand is much cheaper.
The cap I received is definitely a true Canon lens cap, and not a fake/replica. I've purchased a fake cap before, and the quality is noticeably different. The Canon cap that I received is significantly heavier and thicker plastic, and the pinchers on the side are much stiffer.
100% real Canon "OEM" lens caps are unexplainably expensive, but they are perfect for my expensive lenses.  I keep a few 77mm spares on hand in case I misplace or lose one of them.  77mm is the right size for these lenses (and probably others, but these are the ones I have that need the 77mm size):* Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM* Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM* Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
I was unfortunate (i.e. stupid) enough to let my wonderful Canon lens drop out of my backpack onto a very hard surface.  The good news is that the original lens cap absorbed the fall and took the damage, instead of my lens.  I'm a whole lot happier spending less than $10 on a new lens cover than I am spending over $1,000 on a new lens!  This lens cover is made by and for Canon lenses and is a perfect replacement.  It fits like it should and functions like the original.
The old lens cap missed a small piece at the edge. This one matches my lens perfectly. The quality is pretty good too.
The Canon front snap on lens cap is included with the purchase of your EF lens. If you happen to lose the lens cap, you need a new one. This protects the front element or your UV filter from damage while your lens is not in use. To save some money, look for an off brand version. There are no special parts to this cap. However, don't risk damage to your lens that will end up costing more than a replacement cap.PROS:Protects your equipmentCONS:Expensive for a piece of plastic (but you gotta have protection.)
It's exactly like my original Canon lens cap. Great Canon quality and it protects my 77mm lens as it should.
If you have a UV filter on your lens, as most of us do, this cap will not fit.  At least, on the Hoya 77mm UV filter.  If I take the filter off, it fits the lens but it is a real pain to have to take the filter off each time you want to put the lens cap on.
I lost the lens cap for my Canon 24-15mm lens off the side of a boat while trying to shoot planes in an airshow. On the bright side, I got the shots. This replacement (which is, from what I can tell, a Canon product and not a knock-off) works great as a 77mm replacement. I've only had it for a few weeks, but haven't noticed any issues.
Dropped a lens cap in the river an needed an replacement, preferably OEM.  This is a Canon OEM lens cap, just as advertised.  As you'd expect, it works great.
Is this lens cap worth the $15 or whatever that I paid for it? Probably not. Are there much cheaper generic equivalents out there for a third of the price that would do equally well? Definitely.Getting this lens cap or a cheaper, generic equivalent comes down to a simple question: can I afford to splash out for the genuine Canon replacement? All the lenses I buy these days are L-series, and it seems silly to spend $1000+ on a lens and then buy a generic replacement lens cap.Pros:- Genuine CanonCons:- Expensive compared to generic equivalent
I didn't want to take my chances with generics, so I paid a little more and bought it from seller who guaranteed it was authentic.  It works as it should.
This was a great cap. I don't know if it's a hit and miss for the real or fake cap, but I definitely go the real deal and works like it should.
This cap is outstanding.  The Canon embossing on it is absolutely first class, and it actually fits on the lense.  I tried a Nikon one, but that was far too big, the Pentax one looked to old school - and the little felt bag I had for my old Kodak box camera was completely in the wrong league.I would suggest that you double check that you want a lense cap, and not the actual camera before purchasing, but with Amazon's awesome return policy, if it's not what you're after, then you can return it.
Thought I lost one of my lens caps and had to get another.  I found the lost one so this is just an extra which is probably a good thing to have on hand. Works perfect.  Cant tell from original.
Can't beat it for the price, unless you really want an official lens cap.  says "for canon" or something on the back, but works just as good as the actual cap. a good buy
Fit perfectly!!!  Lost this cap during a football game shoot!  But later to find out that it had only been held hostage underneath the seat of my truck!!  Now I have two!  One to use on the lens and one for a cup coaster!
Good as the original because it's the same item that came with the lens when new. Price sure was better than what we were finding in Anchorage AK. too.
It happens to all of us.  Somehow I lost my lens caps to one of my favorite lenses.  The best price, from a reputable seller was from J&R through Amazon.  The order came right away and was correct.  Now the front of my lens is protected once again.
Hard to give it a rating less than 5 stars....it does what it advertises....it caps the lens.  Would never buy a substitute product when this one is available.
The lens cap arrived by UPS, I capped the exposed glass, and it was that moment when I was finally at peace.
To this non-expert, the lens cap sent by &#34;tolnylelele&#34; is as described--functionally identical to OEM.  It snaps solidly in place, and looks pretty darn much like the original.
Mine was lost by mistake, and eventually found this one on Amazon. It was pretty mucht the same as the original one.
I lost my lens cap at one point.  The cheesy generic replacement I bought kept falling off and created yet another loss.  This one is more like the factory fit.
they arrived quick and in just like new shape, better than a trip to the local photo store. Easy fix to replace a lost part.
This item is very well mad and comfortable against my hand.  The problem is that I have a different brand battery grip.  I should have read the other reviews before ordering because the need for a Canon battery grip was not mentioned in the description of the item.  Lesson learned - research thoroughly before purchasing....Still trying to find a way to attach it... Yeah, I know - sad.
this does exactly what I wanted it to do, it removes the large neck strap and allows me to take pictures with one hand
A bit difficult to install, and the fact that Canon neglects to add instructions for it's installation just makes it worse.  Still, you can readily find instructions if you do a search for "Canon e-1 strap installation", or simply refer to a Canon EOS 1D series camera manual.The strap itself is made of a good quality leather.  Once you install it, it provides an excellent way to hold your xxD series camera.  Just realize that in order to use this strap, you must have a grip installed on your camera.  the xxD and Rebel series do not have the required "point of attachement" below the cameras - these are only present on the grips themselves.
Well made reliable product. I always replace the neck straps with a hand strap. Neck straps are generally uncomfortable for me so this if a far more practical way to carry my camera when I'm shooting.
Good price and quality.  It won't fit when you have a neckstrap attached though.  I don't want to have to switch between the two.  I want to be able to use both.
So far I'm finding this hand strap very useful. When doing a shoot with the 30D+battery pack, you need as much grip on the camera as you can. I've always worried about my camera slipping out of my hands when I working the contorls.Also as others have said, you will need the battery grip in order to use this strap. Also, you will need to have some patience in figuring out how to attach the strap especially if you want to keep your neck strap attached. A better design for both the neck and the hand strap would include a way to snap and unsnap the straps very quickly. After spending about 20 minutes figuring out a way to securely attach the strap, it will be while before I take it off.
Sorry guys but this is a POS......Sorry I bought it....No reflection on the seller or Amazon...They are both great...Canon needs to revise the design!!!!
this canon e-1 hand strap is a must have, for any photogapher, light or heavy, the strap helps in making your camera easy to hold and makes your hands relax more. I bought 2 of these for my 1D's for my trip to florida, i have no regrets.it doesn't have a manual on how to put the strap on thought.
You should know this is for battery pack and EOS1 cameras only, from the other reviews.Also know that even though I'm just a normally built 6'00 guy I find the strap too small for my hands, to fit at all the strap has to be at maximum length, which means that it is not safe to rely on it holding together (since it uses standard friction-loop connections which are safe only if their is plenty of strap beyond each end of the loop).So if you have biggish hands this is going to be a problem.
I'm using the Canon 20D with the BG-E2 battery grip (a must in order to utilize this hand-strap) and this is a very nice accessory to have.  It not only gives me a much better sense of security with my shooting, but it is very comfortable.  Sometimes I use it as a padding for my palm instead of use it as a strap.  It's just a GREAT product.  Definitely suggest getting it if you have the BG-E2 (or any other) grip attached.
Very well made I purchased this and then got the RS-5 from Black Rapid so I dont really need the hand strap to much. Was a little difficult to install but overall another cool gadget to have
Canon 2344A001 E1 Hand Strap for Eos Rebel Series is high quality item,why I ordered a cheap one b4,I do not know. It looks great and it feels great. If you are Canon owner why not to use Canon product.I like it a lot.
I would have thought Canon would have made a better quality product. This feels cheap and seems as though it may come apart very easy. However, I do have to say this is the only product that I purchased from Canon that seems to be of low quality. Everything else is amazing.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has a D series camera. (10D-20D-30D etc.)Just the fact that you don't have to carry a big-bulky-unit around your neck is a plus.The instructions can be a little complicated as others have stated.  Come on canon, you guys can definitely illustrate it a little better.  Also once you finally get the strap on, adjusting it basically takes undoing the whole thing and starting over.Overall though a good accessory.
This was a pain to install -- and it only "works" with the battery pack attached.  This is relatively useless in Portrait view as you have to take your hand out, and move it out of the way before you can use the shutter release on the battery pack in Portrait view.  Limited usability, it's a pain to install factors make this a waste of any amount of money.
I use this handstrap with my 20D when I have the extra battery pack attached and it's great.Highly recommended.
I wouldn't be without this. When I first bought the 20d it was my first digital SLR and I spent a few weeks adding and removing the battery grip and this strap. In the end I settled for using both and wouldn't have it any other way. With the battery grip and hand strap in place I find the camera much more secure and comfortable to hold. That's all there is to it, that's what it does and it does it well.On the down side, and it's a small and transient down side, actually fitting it to the camera and getting it adjusted to the exact right length for your hand is a bit fiddly and you'd sort of expect it to be insecure. I think the trick, security wise, is to make sure the bottom strap goes through the center buckle first, then it is locked in by the top strap which is already held securely at the junction with the neck strap (if used). I also don't like the attachment to the neck strap, I don't like having a fairly sharp edged piece of metal where it can rub against the chasis of the camera in normal use.I use this on a 20d which typically has a 24-200 or 80-400 lens attached. You can only use this if you also use the battery grip, or buy a third party plate which attaches to the tripod mount and provides the lower mounting location. But since I always use the battery grip I don't have an issue.If Canon read this, you could do with a better solution for the attachment and adjustment on an accessory of this price, you normally pay close attention to detail and it's a bit lacking here.
Doesnt come with instructions on how to lace it correctly.But after twittling with it, i got it on and it works perfect.Love how its soft, and creates assurance that i dont have to use the neck strap because it is stiff enough as is to hold the cameras weight as my hand is in between the strap and camera.
I use this with my Canon 20D with battery grip. I love this strap. You can carry you camera around all afternoon and it takes most of the weight off of your hand.
This strap, used in conjunction with the BG-E2 battery pack / hand grip on a Canon 30D, holds the hand firmly against the camera - in the landscape orientation only. Sometimes, it seems a bit too tight. The material quality is very good, but it arrived with about 1" burst seam. Canon assumes that this product will be purchased along with the battery pack, so the installation instructions were placed on the back, lower, left portion of the battery pack instructions. They are not most intuitive.
I have an XTi (400D) with the BG-E3 grip. I bought the handstrap because I wanted to securely hand-carry the camera. (I find the neck strap rather uncomfortable.)The hand strap works fine, but because of the relative geometry of my hand, the camera, and the strap, my fingers end up nowhere near the controls when my hand is securely under the strap. That is, with the strap securely over the back of my hand, my fingers are near the lens, not the camera controls. This is not very workable.A minor issue is that this thing is pretty tricky to tie/untie, and the instructions are in the BG-E3 pamphlet -- the strap does not come with one.Another less minor issue is that the neckstrap and handstrap are connected when tied properly, so it's a hassle to remove one or the other without dealing with both.
This strap has great quality and gives you a great feeling of a secure grip on your camera. Unfortunately it can only be used with the Battery Grip installed ( it's a chore to put on and take off)and I travel with my camera gear in a Pelican 1510 carry-on case that requires I disassemble my equipment into components in order to accomodate all the gear.If you plan on having the BG on at all times I highly recommend this stap.
The Description says for ALL EOS cameras and that is NOT TRUE.It will only work with cameras that have the Battery grip installed.Not even sure the camera I have (Rebel XTI) Can use a battery gripMaybe it will look good on the wall but for my needs it is USELESS!!!!!And I have had good luck with Amazon UNTIL NOW!!!
The item is a very poor quality strap. Yes, it does fit the Canon t3i, but paying $15 for this is absurd. I just saw one of the pictures posted by a user where he/she clearly indicated the quality differences between the original Canon strap and this version. It should definitely not be advertised as being a Canon strap because it is not.
A handstrap is a great addtion to any camera system.  You won't believe the stress it will relive from your hand/arm especially when using bigger cameras and/or heavier/longer lesnes.It could be better if the strap was more robust or padded, but still this is great overall.
I have never used a camera strap around my neck as they are literally a pain in the neck. While the hand strap is a bit of a pain to use in setting up your settings - the strap holds your hand in an awkward position to dial and punch buttons - once you're set it keeps your camera at hand and ready to shoot at a moments notice, just what I want.The thing that REALLY gripped me about the BG-E8 is the strap set up. Once the strap is in place it wraps around the bottom of the battery grip which makes your camera want to fall over onto the lens when you set it down. What to do? A little investigation showed that there is nothing between the strap securing pin and the outside of the body of the grip, so it was a simple matter to funnel the strap thought the side of the grip and securing pin recess - that is if you're not afraid to drill a few holes in your grip.Simply drill a row of holes along the inside of the securing pin's recess and the outside of the grip, square them off with an X-Acto knife and feed the strap though. Now your camera sits flat on the grips base and doesn't flop over when you set it down.
The addition of the dual battery pack accessory is required in order to use the hand strap (the strap will nor connect to the camera without the dual back). The dual battery pack is a separate accessory that greatly increases battery life but also adds weight to the unit.The strap is comfortable to use and I thought reasonably priced.  It keeps fingers close to key camera controls during operation and keeps the camera body balanced.Canon 2344A001 E1 Hand Strap for Eos Rebel Series
Some say this grip is not for large hands.  I disagree, my hands are large and I put it on my Canon T2i WITH a Battery Grip and it fits fine/works well.  I do recommend one of these, it makes taking photos so much easier.  Hope this helps.BTW, only gave it 4 stars as I'm not sure about durability ... yet.
I adapted this to go vertically (portrait mode) on a gripped canon 7D. It had all the parts I needed to do it included (long strap and 2 buckles), and it works out ok. I've yet to do a really long shoot on it, but it feels good in my hand. I shoot alot of basketball, almost exclusively in vertically, so this is a big help for me. It is also not in the way at all when hold the camera in landscape mode.
As an amateur photographer, this item has proved its' worth to me. It is very comfortable and gives me a sense of security for my camera, at any time someone could accidently bump into you; knocking the camera out of your hands. This item helps to prevent that from happening and is well worth having.
I just bought another two. These are fantastic. Please bring them back.1. They have just the right amount of snugness. The camera feels safe in my hand2. They are incredibly convoluted to put on.3. They are fantastic for gripped bodies.The E2, to me, gets in the way of my QR plates. I don't want my QR plates sitting further below the camera. I use the QR plates for tripods and my BlackRapid straps. Just having something in between really bothers me. Really does. Drives me nuts. This is about the only hand strap I like.
I do not know if I like using this product. I purchased an off brand battery grip that does not have the neckstrap anchor to attach this handstrap to. Therefore, I cannot use this until I spend the extra money to buy the Canon Battery Grip. Appears to be built well and I have seen many pros use this for the extra security and stability.
This could be a great thing if you could hook to the camera WITHOUT the battery pack! It is not worth the hassle to change straps depending on do I want the battery add-on or not. I gave mine away and bought a op/tech strap works a lot better fo me. Do your research before purchasing a hand strap and make sure what you buy is what you are expecting and not just a waste of time and money.
I can't stand using the should strap with my camera primarily because I feel like a dork with it on, but also because if I don't have it around my neck it always seems to get in the way.  However my wife is not as sure-handed as we'd like so we always kept it on.To be fair for readers of this review I use this with a battery grip installed on my T3i.The hand strap has solved these issues for both of us.  It's comfortable for both even though our hands are dramatically different in size.  It makes carrying and controlling the camera much easier and there's never a strap in the way.  Then there's the fact that I can securely hold the camera with one hand, always have it at the ready, and most importantly not look like a dork...at least not more than normal!Definitely recommend getting one of these.
It wasn't cheap for a bit of fabric and leather, but it is comfy.  I never take it off my 40D.  I am very happy I got this.  The leather feels very soft and smooth on the back of your hand.  Worth it if you shoot for long durations.
I picked this up locally after seeing it online. I was very excited to use it as I mainly used my supplied Canon strap to just wrap around my wrist. It works great, but can't make it as tight as I planned. If you make it tight fitting, you can't use your fingers to adjust any settings, only press the shutter. This is okay though, as the camera can still 'hang' from your hand when you're not using it.It came with no instructions though, and it was quite confusing for me to figure out how to hook it up until I found some instruction pictures posted by a thoughtful blogger.
The Canon Hand Strap is a welcome addition to my 40D and battery pack. It offers the ability for a bit more stability and comfort in handling. The set up allows the choice of hand strap, neck strap or both. The only thing that's a bit confusing is how it attaches to the camera. No instructions are included. I wrote to Canon and they sent me a pdf with well written instructions.
I hate the neck strap.  Always dangling in my way, snagging on the tripod.  Do away with it.The Wrist Strap is great.  You need to spend a little time adjusting it, but once you have it right it's great.=)
It's not a cheap hand strap since it carries the CANON logo.  I bought two of these & used them on my 5D & 40D.  Adjusting the length on initial installation is a bit hectic, though it stays once the adjustment is done.If I'm allowed to have a wishlist for Canon's handstrap, I hope they mark Canon mark as red or something.  I'm a proud Canon user, & I want it to be stand out when I carry my camera.  It does have embossed Canon logo, though it looks dull & dark that no one recognize it's made by Canon if you're more than 3 feet away.There's a couple of after-market products, though I would strongly recommend to use what is official Canon product.
A comfortable hand strap but it only works with the optional opteka or canon battery pack.Very hard to operate camera controls when wearing the strap.Very complicated installation due to poor instructions, Had to google installation instructions to figure it out.
Fine addition if you get a battery grip. Comfortable, just a bit hard to install the first time. If you have any doubts just look at google for Canon E1 instructions.
I received the Canon E1 Hand Strap a few days ago, and I'm very pleased. It is very comfortable, as some have noted, and really assists with holding your camera safely and with less fatigue. I am using mine on a Canon Rebel XSi with the mandatory battery grip.Attaching the strap is tedious, follow the instructions a kind reviewer loaded (image above) or that are included with your battery grip. Don't tighten the strap too much, you will not be able to adjust controls other than the shutter with your index finger. Your camera will still be stable as it cantilevers from the strap across the back of your hand.You can attach the neck strap simultaneously, as I did. By doing this you not only have use of the two straps, the neck strap also covers the small black attachment that connects it to the hand strap (so as to minimize any scratches on your camera). If you don't need both, just the hand strap, I would skip the install of this piece. When you look at the install diagram you will see which piece this is.All in all, I recommend this purchase and rate it 5 stars.
Another issue I'll add is that when you remove your hand from the strap to use the battery grip shutter release in portrait orientation, inevitably the neck strap falls in front of the view finder.  This requires using two hands and is not always convient especially outdoors in rainy weather, shooting at high camera angles. I did this for two weeks straight in a rainy Europe and it was very irritating. I like to have the neck strap left on with the hand strap so I dont have to return the camera to my sling bag for a while.  As others have mentioned, fast disconnect clips on both the neck strap and hand strap would be a nice addition. (read Canon call Rock Lockster) they furnish the clips for Lowepro camera bags.Update 7/20/2010I ran across a picture in a magazine of a photographer with the neck strap fastened to the upper left camera anchor point then the lower right battery grip anchor point as viewed from the rear.  This helps immensely to keep the neck strap from falling in front of the optical viewer. Figuring out the "lacing" configuration took a few tries but in the end all worked out.  I've upgraded the rating from 3 to a 4.
Great sturdy leather. Be advised that it does take some time to put it on. It took me about 15 mins to figure out the strap just right.
I bought htis accessory because I do not fancy pretty much the neckstrap. I hate to feel my neck aching after a while due to the weight of my 10D plus battery grip and lens. I rather to carry it in my hand instead. So I thought this handstrap would give me the extra safety feel I was needing.After receiving it I noticed it is only intended to be used with "grand cameras" , like the EOS 1 series (film or digital) or to those other series cameras that already have a battery grip attached to them. Fortunately that's my case in which I always carry my 10D with its BG-ED3. I tell this since a 10D, 20D, DRebel or 350D body does not have a strap eyelet on its base. Only their compatible battery grip has it.So be aware that this nice, safe and comfortable accessory could not be attached to your prosumer camera if you don't have the corresponding BG.
My opinion will probably differ from other reviewers.This strap works well IF you have the extended battery pack installed on the camera.As to be expected, it is quality and would be handy for those who like to keep their camera in their hand ready for action shots.Personally, I went back to the neck strap because, if using the hand strap, the camera is tied to your hand and that hand is unusable for much of anything else without putting the camera down. If you're out roaming around, the neck strap frees your hands up, reducing your fear of dropping the camera, eliminates the possibility of setting it down for a second and having it disappear and, with the neck strap, the camera is readily available.I have to give it a 5 star due to the fact that it does exactly what it was designed to do and quality made.Mark H
Works great!  Only complaint, no instructions.  Was able to surf the web to find out how to install.  Must have Battery grip or this will not work.
Great idea, but it would help if it came with some instructions for installing it. Especially if you still want to use the neck strap.
As the owner of a new Canon 40D - and BGE2 battery grip - I quickly found the metal bodied camera and two battery grip were much too heavy to attach a neck strap to the camera - (without dire body consequences).My lens of choice (until I recover from the cost of the 40D) is the 28-135mm IS f3.5 with a 72mm glass front element. THIS IS A HEAVY LENS, and the combination with the camera body would be a neck breaker using a neck strap.As a left handed photographer - the right handed hand strap is a perfect tool for my camera control. My strap is positioned and loose enough for access to the "on/off" switch for portrait shutter and camera controls, and allows very precise control of this heavy camera/lens combination.My fingers are long enough to reach necessary controls to include both the wheel and buttons above the shutter release on the 40D. I assume the 20 and 30D are similarly laid out.Yes - it requires a BG (Battery Grip) anchor point - and yes it took me a few minutes to figure the attachment arrangement (without resorting to instructions)... It was the ONLY POSSIBLE way it could work...I like it. It works. It's comfortable... and I wouldn't even think of using a neck strap on this heavy rig... worth the cost to have Canon imprinted on the pad... your choice...
i have the battery grip on my 50D and it got hefty hanging from my neck so i got the hand strap, works with my neck strap and battery grip
I've had the Canon Handstrap on my DSLR for a couple years now and absolutely love it - when I bought a 2nd DSLR, I made sure this was ordered alongside it.One thing to note is that it requires the battery grip for your camera in order to be attached (and if you don't already own one, I'd highly recommend one - that's the other item I buy with any new DSLR!)I find it most useful in crowded situations where you want to get a good grip on the camera - it can be a bit odd to use at times (switching from portrait to landscape, for example), but overall greatly improved the feel and grip you get on the camera (and I think this in turn affects how steady you hold the camera). I use mine in addition to the camera strap, but could easily see it being used by itself if you wanted to eliminate the neckstrap.A great little add-on for any DSLR, and well worth the (low) cost.Only downside (a big one, but only comes up once) is attaching it. It arrived in a clear bag with a canon label on top. No instructions, and considering the odd way it attached (and the requirement for the battery grip) this is a real odd thing to leave out. You'll want to do a search for "Canon E1 Instructions" to find how to attach it. Aside from that, I can't think of any other downsides. I've been using mine for ~5 years (and the other for ~3 years) without it showing any wear or tear.
I love this hand strap.  When you have a 5Dmk2 with battery grip, 2 batteries and a 24-70 or heavier lens it's a godsend. Comfortable to the point that I rarely attach my blackrapid (which I use only when I have a 70-200 attached).  The only negative is that it's hard to use the vertical controls in portrait mode when on the hand - minor complaint, you just get into a new mode of handling. Other than that, recommended purchase.
Having just purchased a battery grip for my 5D, I saw this strap being used by a photographer friend of mine.  It is extremely comfortable, makes holding the camera much easier and gives a sure, secure feeling.
Works great! Very comfortable, very cushy and padded... Looks small but is very comfortable and strong.. Keeps my cameras secure!
Comfortable. Does the job. Takes away that concern you might loose your grip.As many others have already said, however, I wish the thing came with instructions.
I hate neck straps.  Love this item.  As others have said, a little confusing to put on but the diagram posted in the pictures section is excellent.  Obviously you have the have the battery grip. Worth the money.
I love the Canon E1 hand strap; please see my photo with the RC-1 wireless remote on the back side of the hand strap. This is simply the best spot to clip the remote, it is out of the way and never intrusive.I originally had the hand strap on my Canon Rebel XTi with a battery grip, I have recently sold that camera and just today placed it on my 60D with a grip. To me there is no other way to have a grip without this hand strap. Also on the camera is a Tamrac camera strap (N-17) with the quick release, more often than not I do not have camera strap on the camera because I have my hand on or in the E1 hand strap.It is highly recommended that you get this Canon E-1 Hand strap.
This was easy to strap into my old 20D with a battery pack.  Doesn't work on my 5Dii since I don't have a battery pack for that yet.While using it, I found that the bottom part of the strap felt a little restrictive especially when I was holding the camera up to my head.  It also didn't feel as secure as I thought it would feel.  If there was a way for me to loop my thumb around the strap, it would feel much better.  As of now though, I have the hand strap as well as the shoulder strap looped around my wrist.
I ordered this hand strap to provide the extra margin of error needed when handling the camera by the battery grip without the security of the neck strap.  There are times when I don't use the neck strap (except for toting the camera on my shoulder, it's too heavy and large to have around my neck).The only complaint I have about this product is that it came in a plastic bag with a cardboard tab labeled "Canon".  There were no instructions included and it was not assembled in the way it installs on the camera.Fortunately two people have posted to this product page instructions for attaching the strap, including the part I most wanted - how to use both the neck and hand straps together.  Thanks to those folks for providing what the manufacturer failed to provide.I think the strap itself might benefit from being wider across the back of the hand - the load-bearing strap is very narrow and the pad helps but it would benefit from a wider section passing through the leather piece.
I'm really thinking of buying this, but I don't have a battery pack, so I know it won't fit.  However, I do have a tripod mount that has a loop on the screw.  So has anyone had any luck using the hand strap connected to the built in top loop and a tripod mount loop?That may be a cheaper work around than a rather expensive (and heavy) battery grip.I rated 3 stars even though I don't have this.  If it works with a tripod mount then it gets 5 stars.
Kind of annoying to install/attach/adjust but feels good and sturdy. Seems to lend stability and security. Does what its supposed to. Only improvement would be a better way to attach a next strap while using this.
I bought the Canon E1 hand strap because the off-brand one I was using had it's own plate that needed to be screwed in just to be able to hook-up both the hand strap and the neck strap.  I should have just bought the Canon hand strap from the beginning instead of trying to save a few bucks on an off-brand hand strap.  The Canon hand strap is also much more comfortable than all the others I've tried.
I have never liked camera camera straps that go around your neck.  So  I've owned several different hand grips for my DSLR's.  Some are difficult to install, some are difficult to wear, and some are just uncomfortable.  This one, however, is just about perfect for me.  The leather is comfortable; even without instructions it is easy to install; and best of all, it is easy to slip your hand into and use.  I have relatively heavy Canon Mark II 5d with some heavy lens.  The extra hand grip allows me to firmly and securely hold this camera. Im tempted to buy the same Canon grip to replace the awkward Pentax grip I purchased for my K20D DSLR.
Yeah, yeah, you need a battery pack to attach this.  Know what you're buying.  Its not a negative aspect to this product.  As far as the quality goes, this isn't as great as I thought (coming from Canon and not a third-party vendor).  It isn't cheap (as in 'price') as far as most hand-straps go, but its barely padded, not that comfortable, and it started to wrinkle where it has to twist when I try to adjust the top dial on my camera (Rebel Xti) after only a few days of use (and I have small hands).  So it could be that I am a freak with a short index finger (high testosterone levels or something), or that I like the strap to be very snug (the purpose of this is to ensure my rig doesn't slip out of my hand when it relaxes on the grip).  But I think its just kind of a junky strap that doesn't let you reach that top wheel on the Rebels.  Its probably more comfortable on the higher-end cameras where the wheel is on the back.I will say that its somewhat complex to attach (from what I see they all are).  There are NO instructions with the E1, and I'm sure more seasoned photographers can tie this on without looking, but I sure can't.  Its easy enough if you're a sailor or boyscout or x-sailor/boyscout, or some creepy hybrid combination I haven't even thought of yet, but I had to Google-up the method.  Not a HUGE deal, but theres no good reason to omit a simple instruction sheet.  Its kinda stupid I think, not to.  Even free crap at the fair comes with shoddy instructions.  I'm just glad I was near a computer and not in the jungle, when I had to install this thing.
The only thing I didn't like is this strap came with no instructions at all??? other than that it is a great grip I love it. it helps with the overall handling of the camera as long as you have the battery grip.
This product is very helpful while shooting my camera off hand for extended periods. The strap properly adjusted allows easy insertion of my right hand while providing a loose glove fit during shooting. The result is ability to have a relaxed grip on the camera without the chance of dropping the camera. I have one of these installed on each of 3 different Canon cameras. It does require installing an extended battery grip with has the required attachment point or a Pro Camera such as the EOS1 film or digital cameras which are already intended to accept this accessory.
Canon makes this hand-strap to go with some of their higher-end models, or some of the high end consumer dslr's when you add a battery pack grip - i added this to my xti setup when i put the bg-e3 on for longer shooting without needing to worry about changing batteries - the grip feels good, much better than the cheap one i had previously bought on ebay.if your camera has the ability to use this, or you add a battery pack to your camera and can add this on, it is a good feeling hand grip - if you are comfortable shooting without a neckstrap, this is the way to go!it does seem pricey, but the quality is worth it for a 'real' canon product.
It's a hand strap. You might love it, you might hate it. How should I know? I like mine fine.
the official canon stuff may cost a little (or a lot) more than some of the cheap knock-off stuff, but the quality is much better. i had an aftermarket non-canon strap before and this one is much better, feels nice around my wrist and seems a lot more of a positive grip which makes me worry less about my camera. i think its worth spending a few bucks more to worry less and have things that just work how they should.
I had purchaced this Hand Strap to give my neck a break. It works great, once its adjusted. But what I have found is a need for my neck strap back. So I am trying to find a way to add some sort of quick release to be able to quickly change back and forth between the two. But if your tired of hanging your Digital SLR with a larger lense around your neck this for you. It also is better when you tripod your camera. Neck strap is not in the way.Okay, its been a year since using this strap and I have to admit.... I love it. I would much rather carry it than have my heavy camera hanging around my neck. If your using more than one camera, then you better keep the neck strap.
I find added stability with this hand strap both with carrying my 20-D and with shooting. With a 100-400mm lens the camera is heavy and has more extended length than I am comfortable with when carrying the camera around my neck, I can see me in my enthusiasm bumping my lens against something when looking for shots or angles but with the camera attached to my hand, all I need to consider is how close is someone to my right. My neck stap is also attached so if I want I can use it instead. Walking or standing still or taking a shot, the camera simply feels more secure in my hand than around my neck.Not sure what people want to read with this one so let see if maybe... The straps themselves on this are nylon and adjustable. The piece fitting over the hand is good quality leather and thus, comfortable.
Every Canon body I use, I install one of these straps. It is a MUST HAVE item. Once you try it, you will never go without!
This item arrived well before the predicted date.  The description did not indicate it was merely a replacement strap for a complete assembly to attach to a camera.  Now I on a quest for a the connector piece so I can actually use the strap.
I like this hand strap on my EOS30D.  Can't keep the neck strap on the camera, but I didn't like the neck strap anyway- always got in the way.  I can carry the camera around with the hand strap for an hour or so.  And if my hand gets tired, I just put the camera back in the gadget bag and carry that on my shoulder.  The aux battery pack is required to use this hand strap.
This helps me keep my camera off my neck during weddings and I get more shots.
I don't like having straps hang from my neck.  With a camera bouncing with each step it gets even more annoying.  This hand strap was just the ticket to offload the weight and make me feel secure that I could hold the camera without the neckstrap.
I was browsing through camera accessories and found this hand strap. I don't favor the neck strap because it gets in the way when taking photos. So I received it as a present and was excited to use it. I opened the package and thought that there was an item missing. How do you attach this to the bottom of the camera? So I found that reading previous reviews, I discovered that this hand strap works with dslrs with the battery grip. I was a little annoyed, but I found other hand straps with the right items to attach it securely to my camera.
Works well giving you a very stable grip and balance particularly with heavy lenses.  Only complaint is it came with instructions at all - had to search the net.
My eyecup for my Canon 1D Mark II was finally worn out and cracked all the way through on the bottom right corner. Also the rubber eye cup was all warped and just plain ulgy.Time to get a new eyecup. I got this one, and as soon as replaced my old one my camera looked so much better.Just glad these things are easy enough to replace with out any tools. Just squeeze on both sides and slide up on the old eyecup,  and slide down and snap the new one on. Couldn't be any easier. Fits great, looks great. Couldn't ask for any more.
this eyecup is good and it made in japen. the quality is good and it woeking in the canon id mark ii n and caonon 1ds mark ii.
Bought a used Canon 1Ds MK II a couple months ago and went camping and lost the eyecup once and luckily a friend found it.Sadly, recently I went hiking and again lost the eyecup and it was gone for good this time.Found and bought this replacement and it is perfect! Would buy again if needed.
These eye cups have a knack of just disappearing overnight. I've lost a few over the years. This one is obviously made by Canon so it fits and works perfectly on its' designated cameras (in my case, a 1DMkII). Just be careful not to let it slip off again... works and feels like the original piece.
Thanks canon or whoever priced this eyecup. Replaced a worn out eyecup on my Canon 1D classic and love it!
It's good to have an extra if you have the Canon 7D.  Excellent price.
Bought 2 of these eye cups to replace a ripped one I had when I bought a used 1Dsii It's certainly on a different level of quality to that of my other eye cups, I was a bit surprised, but then again anything for a 1D model camera should be a different quality I suppose, anyways, Slips on stays snug, I have a back up just in case
This slides right in where the old one did.  We lost the old one dropping our 1D in the camera bag one day.Just like the original!
Great to be able to order without going to a camera shop. Once you know you particular lense diameter very easy to screw on to your lens. Pennies on the dollar for the protection it gives to an expensive lense or any lense. Does not affect picture quality.
Cheaper products were available but I wanted a filter with the same quality as the lens it was going to protect.
This filter has its main utility in protect lens from the external damages, i think it is necessary for all camera users.
Works for the job it's suposse to do. Price is good.Much better than some of the cheap options around.Don't bother buying expensive lenses if you are not using a good filter like this that won't interfere with your photos.
This is the worst UV filter I have ever used.  I bought it for a new lens primarily as a protective piece, and since the filter is not coated, using this filter ruins almost all of my outdoor shots with nasty green reflections.  Before I purchased this filter, I did not really know that UV filters could produce such awful results since I just buy them, screw them on, and forget about them.  This particular Canon brand UV filter is absolutely worthless.  I have since removed it, and am going to purchase a different filter.In short, don't waste your time with this filter.  Purchase another brand for your lens.  Canon generally makes awesome products, but they really missed the mark with this one.
This Canon 58mm UV Protector Filter is excellent, I will refer to my friend to buy this filter. Thanks so much
The glass is of quality and and the metal ring feels durable. Able to screw on to lens and attach hood without any problem. Genuine Canon product.
What is there to say?  A UV haze filter is first and foremost a lens protector that in addition, provides some additional optical utility.  It does the job it's intended for.  It's a workhorse filter like the UV filters I've had on every one of my camera lenses since 1977.
I think it works just fne, I have never used any other kind, so I can not compare it. It does it's job.
I have never used a UV filter before. I wasn't sure I even needed one. Everyone should have one for every lens they own. I don't use it for its UV effect, I used it to protect my lens. Not that I am careless with my camera but I love the security of knowing that if something gets scratched, it will be the filter not my lens.
This filter protects the lens without changing any of the optics.  Very good investment and good deal for the price.
The filter is exactly what I expected and the fit is purfect, with the lens cap fitting the filter as expected.
Works like it should. I've bought several of these to protect my real glass. Put it on and forget about it.
When you first look at it, it doesn't seem sturdy, but you will change your mind once you take it out of the box, i would say it even has better materials than my rebel xsi.The packaging is good too, it comes protected in a plastic box and some padding.Finally i recommend buying this filter if you are starting with photography. It is cheap and it gets the job done, protects the lens, absorbs some dust, and it has little UV protection, do not buy this filter if you are expecting high uv protection.I rated it 5 stars not because is the best filter among every filter, but because it complies with what i was expecting, cheapness and protection.
The Canon UV filters look and fit fine.  Most importantly they protect the lens from fingerprints, dirt, scratches, smudges, etc.
Easy to clean. Fits perfectly. Does what it is supposed to do.I'm glad I went with a Canon brand filter.
For the money, the Canon brand filters are okay. But, note they do not have ANY reflective coatings on them. No coatings = funny reflections (e.g., subtle green spots), less sharp focus, and reduction in transmitted light (i.e., less light gets to camera). I would seriously consider getting, for example, a Hoya brand UV filter (all Hoya filters are coated) - it IS worth the extra money. I shot with Canon brand UV filters for a long time before I made this discovery - I was shocked that the Canon brand filter would be of low quality. Or, buy one of each and see for yourself. Your lens(es) has lots of fancy coatings on it, and you negate them by using a filter like this.
This filter doesn't fit for Canon SX20IS. Don't buy it if you have this camera!!!
I bought this for my Canon Rebel XSi and it works great.  I am not a professional photographer so I don't know about image distortion or color stuff but I haven't noticed a difference between pictures with and without the filter.The product arrived on time and in excellent condition.
The Cannon filter has a threaded ring made of cheap, soft plastic.  Not recommended.I recommend the Hoya 58 mm multi-coated filter.  The Hoya filters are high-quality filters, with threaded metal rings & embossed edge lettering.  Made in Japan to the highest standards, for the professional photographer.Note:  I'm a collector of vintage 35 mm SLR (film) cameras.
The title says it all. As long as the filter is clean, no irregularities, no distortions and offers a decent UV protection, it is a must have for the protection of any lens.Just make sure you examine the filter very closely before attaching. Clean and remove smudges, lint, and dust before attaching to the lens.
These filters are OK for the price, that's pretty much it...  As a filter, they somewhat block glare, but the sharpness is compromised and sometimes the camera will even try to focus on the filter itself if a spot is there.  The build quality is another story.  The plastic ring around the glass isn't tight enough, so it leaves "wiggle" room for the glass to click back and forth (about 1mm in either direction), I'm not sure if this is normal or not.  Not Recommended... buy yourself a multi-coated Hoya filter, they're the best of the best.
Simply does what it was designed to do.  Protects my expensive glass with cheap glass. I believe Canon wouldn't put their name on a bad filter to protect their good lens.
I own 3 Canon camers(G2, G12 and 60D) and all have genuine Canon UV protector filters.  Fit and quality is great.
not a lot to say it is a filter that protects my lens and the price was right. Hope that helps
All I was looking for was a something to protect  the lens and not affect the pictures and this does that great.
This was exactly what I needed. I didn't buy it for the UV protection, but for the non-lens-cap required. It fit perfectly; it screwed right on.
I prefer buying Canon products after having been dissatisfied with other brands of photography products. It is worth paying a bit more for the extra quality.
Can't go wrong with the clean crisp lens filter from Canon!!  Must have!  Use it to protect your lenses and also capture clean, reflection free pictures.
The 58mm UV haze filter seems to work ok.  It fits just fine on my Canon EF 50mm lens.  I haven't noticed any artifacts or quality loss.  My only beef with the product is that I also ordered the 72mm filter for my Canon EF 28-135mm lens.  The 72mm filter appears to be made of metal, whereas the 58mm filter appears to be made of plastic.  If they're both Canon, why not go the extra distance and have them all metal?  As a result, the 72mm filter feels much more substantial and of a much higher quality.  While I doubt the functionality is compromised, it just changes the feeling that I'm getting my money's worth.
They switch the canon filter with another name brand filter.Well they obviously made me mad about the item once i received it.I dislike that they went ahead & had the balls to send the item out the way it did.no recommendations I had to buy mine from Canon which was the smart choice it is beauty.
This is the first time i have been using Cokin products and will still have to get used to it.I think they are the best from what is out there on the market, but still not perfect.I have noticed that on my 24-105mm lens when going down to 24mm I see the black edges of the Cokin frame. Not ideal for pitcures.
I brought this filter holder to use on my D90 + Tokina 11-16/2.8.It's something that cut two of the three slots of a regular P series filter holder, and it only hold one filter. There is no adaptor ring come with the holder, so you have to prepare one yourself. Build quality is solid, but don't expect too much.I just received the package and did simple test. On 11-12mm, obvious vegnetting, especially on 11mm since the four corners are totally dark. On 13mm and above, hard to find vegnetting. In my opinion, it's completely safe to use it on 16mm and above on DX format. Acceptable on 13-15mm. For those who intend to use it on FF format, you can calculate the equivalent focus.Hope my review helpful.
So glad to have the low profile frame available.  I have a substantial investment in filters that fit the P-series frame so starting over with the larger frame series to accommodate my lens with 77mm lens thread was not an option.  One suggestion to anyone just starting with the Cokin frames--buy the Cokin brand adapter ring.  I tried an off-brand and found that the flange was thinner than the Cokin brand and did not provide the correct tension, allowing the frame to swing around loosely.REVISED 10/3/13:  There is a snag with this new frame--Singh-Ray Polarizers for Cokin frame will not work because the concave curvature of the regular P-series frame is missing on this low-profile version.  The convex curvature of this low-profile version blocks you from touching the edge of the S-R polarizer and being able to rotate it within the frame.
I've got the standard holder and the wide angle holder.  I use a Nikon D300 - the crop factor and angles will be different with non-Nikon cameras and with FX Nikon cameras.  The standard holder vignettes badly on my Tokina 12-24 until 14-15mm.  The Wide angle holder shows just a tiny hint of corner vignetting at 12mm.I use both the standard and wide holders.  The standard holder accomodates up to 3 grad filters - and I often use two.  But for wide angle images the vignetting was a problem, and the wide angle holder resolves most of that issue.The holder will vary with other lenses.  It depends on whether the design is for FX or DX format, the camera manufacturer, and the specific lens design.  My coments related to this specific combination only.Workmanship is fine.  The holder is durable and cheap to replace if ever lost or damaged.
You don't want your filter holder to add ugly vignetting to your shots, do you?  Thus you need to have this item in your bag because the regular Cokin P Filter Holder (3 threads) adds tons of vignetting anytime you shoot below 28-30 mm.  I got one but still experienced some issues using it:- Below 24-26 mm, there still is vignetting when one has to slightly tilt the filter holder to match the horizon line :(- Edges of this item are so sharp, one could injure one's hands, especially when doing those waterscape shots in cold weather!  I'd recommended to smooth'em with sandpaper or...to shoot with gloves but you know how inconvenient it is :(- Because it holds only 1 filter, well, you can't combine others--obvious but...true :(Turnarounds:i. If you have not purchased filters yet, I'd recommend to avoid the P size and go for Z or X sized filters.  Even better, don't use a filter holder, hold your filters in hand like the pros!  Takes a bit of practice though.ii. If you already own P size filters, and if you can afford it, go for a better design/built--can't tell which brand but figuring out yourself shouldn't take to long...
No problems. Unit was purchased to cover an 18-mm Nikon DX lens. No shadows or vignette at any lens opening. (Note that a DX lens has a narrower viewing angle than an FX lens -- don't know if the FX would be covered or not)
I bought this holder to use with my Tokina 12-24mm lens hoping that I could use the P Series Cokin filters and not upgrade to the seriously more expensive Z or X series.  On my Canon 7D, which has a crop factor of 1.6 (as opposed to the Nikon 1.5 crop) there was no vignetting all the way down to 12mm.  Problem solved!There is one sidenote, however, regarding the Cokin Lens Cover.  It does not slide all the way down to the bottom on this holder, leaving a small portion of the lens exposed.  I usually don't leave the holder on my lenses anyway, but this may be a concern for others.
I thought it would have been a better idea to buy this instead of hack off the first two slots of a regular cokin adapter because it shows up on my 17mm Sigma lens.  The build quality isn't as good.  The regular cokin adapter has nice rounded edges.  This adapter looks like it was cut w/ a sharp blade on the front (including the sharp edges) but is slightly different in the back; I fixed the sharp edges w/ sandpaper :-)I wish someone would make an inexpensive alternative wide angle adapter that goes closer to the lens w/o needing to buy an expensive $70 Lee filter holder...
Here are some tips to avoid vignetting (dark corner) on a full frame camera:With Canon 17-40mm - Filter size: 77mmAttach the lens holder directly to the lens. Don't use any UV filter. The vignetting effect will not be available even at 17mm.With Canon 24mm-70mm - Filter size: 82mmIf you attach the lens holder directly to the lens (without the UV filter), the vignetting effect will be available from 24mm to 35mm. The only way to avoid the vignetting effect is to place the glass directly in front on the lens (It is okay to use UV filter), i.e., without using the holder.Other thoughts:I think this holder is designed for the filter size up to 77mm. For 82mm, it is too tight, not stable and not sturdy. I won't use a P-series with 82mm lens.
I got this filter holder for my Nikon D90 to use when I am using my great Tokina 11-16mm really wide-angle lens.  Unfortunately, I still get vignetting when using this holder.  It works fine in terms of holding my square (actually rectangular) filters of the Cokin P-series size.  To avoid vignetting I took the holder off the lens and actually held the filter right up against the filter.  Got some great shots of my finger.  Ok, I did manage to get some ok shots without my fingers blocking the lens, but it was difficult.The other understandable drawback from this holder is that it will only hold one filter; precisely to avoid vignetting when more than one filter is used.  Other wise it is fine; not the worlds greatest construction, in my opinion, but certainly good enough.I did give it four stars as it does its job on lens with not quite so wide an opening.  It worked fine on my 18-200mm lens.Btw, I like the Cokin holders, especially the one that holds three filters, but I don't use Cokin filters themselves.  The HiTech filters are still fairly inexpensive, as filters go, and work good enough for me and better than the Cokin ones.  Use of the filters, like the neutral density gradient ones, really make shooting fun and better when you have a light sky against a much darker ground.  Give filters a shot if you have never tried them.  It will make you a better photographer. Do get some basic instruction on using filters, even if it is just a half hour of advice from a friend.Nick
I know that wide angle does see the sides of the filter holder. There is a SIMPLE solution: get the next size up in the filter holder. If you use A series, got to P series and so on.This is NOT an issue, just use a larger frame.No big deal.
If you need a filter holder, this gets the job done. A couple issues I have with it...1) On my wide angle lens, I cannot use the widest setting or the adapter will get in the frame. At 10mm (16mm on a full frame camera), the edges of the adapter show up. I have to shoot at 11mm. It's a tradeoff.2) The adapter does not conveniently pop on and off.
I took a long shot at buying this thing because of little or no online information about it.  Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what the bag is like so you don't have to aimlessly search the internet for its product features - like I did.I wanted a bag that was genuine (Canon) and that held all of my stuff so I wouldn't have separate bags for each individual item.  The CPB-100 case had plenty of room for all my digital camera accessories: camera (Powershot s70), printer (CP-220), cards (3 compact flash cards), battery charger (CB-2LT), all 6 of my manuals, printer cleaner, and printer charge chords.  And all of the items fit into a slot of some sort - they aren't randomly tossed into the bag.There are 4 compartments:  a very large, extra padded, zip compartment (with large, padded 2 slots) for your printer and some other large accessory (I put my printer chords here); a large, zip compartment with 3 sleeves (I put the battery charger and printer cleaner in the first, camera in the second, and 3 memory cards in the third); and a medium, front, zip compartment for books or flat accessories (I put my 4x6 printer card holder and 4 product manuals in).  There's also a small, velcro compartment on the back which I put 2 more small 3x5 manuals into.  I still have extra room (though not much) to place more accessories.The quality is very durable water-repellent canvas and the front straps appear to be faux leather - the front straps clip shut with magnet clips.  The shoulder strap has a padded shoulder rest and can extend plenty for your height.  The bottom has 4 plastic plates that keep it upright, and keep it from getting dirty, when placed on the ground.I fit the bag perfectly with my accessories.  I'd recommend the bag if you have close to or equal the amount of items I did - unless, of course, you want to haul around extra bags for some reason : ).  Good luck shopping!
I bought this bag for myself, and liked it so much, I bought it for my son, when I bought him the same photo printer I had.  You can store everything, more paper, ink, and directions to everything,.  Oh, also you can store your printer too!  love it.....
This is a very nice carrying bag for the Selphy printer, battery, paper tray and extras. Plenty of compartments to keep things seperated. The construction seems to be first rate. I'm quite happy with the bag.
THIS IS A GREAT PORTABLE PRINTER CARRYING BAG.  THIS IS THE SECOND ONE THAT I HAVE PURCHASED THROUGH AMAZON.  THE FIRST ONE I PURCHASED WAS FOR THE PORTABLE PRINTER, CABLES, PHOTO PAPER, INK CARTRIDGES, ETC.  IT IS VERY ROOMY INSIDE WITH LOTS OF COMPARTMENTS, AND IT HAS A COMFORTABLE SHOULDER STRAP.  BECAUSE I LIKED IT SO MUCH, I JUST PURCHASED ANOTHER ONE TO USE FOR MY CANON DIGITAL CAMERA AND ITS ACCESSORIES.  PERFECT!  I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS CARRYING BAG FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A NICE, ORGANIZED PORTABLE PRINTER BAG OR FOR A DIGITAL CAMERA AND ITS ACCESSORIES.
Easy to carry and lots of room for your Canon CP Printers.
a great price  and will reorder
Great bundle for the Fuji.
I like the value (price wise). Just wish the quality of the prints was more vibrant. I always loved the Polaroid instant prints, but in this century, I expected the film quality to be better. Prints a faded version of what you see on your phone, even after bumping up the brightness with any editing processes.
Love this. Great buy! I will buy more when I run out of film. &#128522;&#128522;
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my niece and she is very happy.  This film is certainly hard to find in stores.  Now we know where to find it.
it's good film man, stuff works well
I love using my Instax camera and the film size is perfect. Wish there were more included!
Ever want to get your picture right after you take it so you can give it to someone right away? Well this product is a blast from the past (For those who remember Polaroids). We first saw it at a kids event where the organizers made a photo booth. Both the kids and their families loved this as they, right away, got to take the picture with them. We plan on using it on our trip to Europe, for quick photos to give to new friends we meet. Of course you need to buy the camera that goes with this, but its definitely worth the money!
Great product, best price I can find! Ive looked everywhere and amazon prime offers the best value! Also the quality of the picture on this film is wonderful!
I purchased these hoping they would work with my Polaroid 300 Instant Camera even though they are Fujifilm. Thankfully, they did work and I got them for a great price.
Great value comes with two packs of 10 film cartridges doesn't get any better than that
Twin packs for the win.  They come out cheaper per slide than the larger packs.
This is a great deal! Excellent quality, my only regret is not ordering the 5 pack! I will definitely re-order!
I use these for my Mini 25 and they are perfect! Works with other Instax minis as well. Will purchase again
It shipped perfectly on time! and it's not bad for the price since at urban outfitter it was like 20 bucks and i wasnt gonna spend that much! so found some packs and deal on amazon for much better price and i love it! easy to use with my instax mini 8
Glad I got these with my granddaughters cameras because the cameras did not come with film.  The price is pretty good also.
We love our Fuji Instax camera but the film can be rather expensive.  This is by far the best price at 13.40 for a 20 pack.  We will continue to buy from amazon for this price!
I purchased my first Instax camera a little over a month ago. I got the Instax 50s camera for a trip and this is the film for it. It takes a bit of figuring out your preferred settings on the camera, but as far as the film is concerned... it is fantastic! Great vintage look. Great color! I am really in love with everything about this product! I thought the size might be a little on the small side, but I find that I really love the size. I purchase cheap card holder books here on amazon to put them in and they fit perfectly! EVERYONE loves these! Become an instant artist, and fall in love with these little pictures!
It's film, and it works.  The excitement is with what you get in the viewfinder.  Make sure the vendor give's you a few months before it expires.
My son got an Instax mini camera for his birthday, so we bought this pack to get him started. Super easy to insert into the camera and the expected quality of a Polaroid type photo. And who doesn't love a mini picture.
The film is relatively inexpensive compared to other instant film (around $0.67 per picture) and the cartridges are easy to install and use in the camera.
We got this for my niece who also got a camera, she being 14 had never really dealt with film cameras was in love when she got her hands on this. She is now obsessed with film and having actual photos in her hands to decorate her room with of her and her friends.
Excelent for my instant mini 8 fujifilm, great deal! and I loved it! I have so much fun with it! I use it to scrapbook and photo album of memories
Not bad, the pictures come out nice and crisp ! I have to learn how to use the camera intended for this type of film but the pictures come out nice ! It kinda looks like printable versions of Instagram photos. My only complain is for the brand fujifilm itself, only 10 photos per pack and the price isn't that cheap, but other than that good quality.
I have the Diana camera with the instant back and bought a ton of this film. Yes it's a little spendy but when my friends had a goodbye party moving across the country, nothing made a better gift than 20 small instant photos of their friends at their last party.  Sure you could take a bunch of pictures on your digital but this was a conversation starter and I did take a bunch of pictures on the digital and none of them came out as fun. Very good quality, quick mailing, good service!
I'm glad films are still made these days. These are the perfect wallet-sized films for my camera. If you love taking photographs on your mini camera, be sure to stock up on these films as they can get used up pretty fast.
It's film for instax. Does what it say. Not much design, it's standard film. You know exactly what you're going to get.
The polaroid 300 films are pretty pricey compared to  this fujifilm pack! TWO for just a buck or two more than a polaroid's SINGLE pack!
It's at a good price and I love itI'm definitely going to but my films from here all the time
Polaroid films are pretty expensive but this is a great price to get it at. It's worth my money and I would definitely buy more!
Photos are smaller than expected, but I still love how they turn out. Sometimes they'e a little washed out if it's too bright, but you figure out those sorts of settings when you play with it a few times.
I was thrilled to find this film available through Amazon.  Otherwise, my expensive camera would have been of no value to me.
Fast Delivery and nice price.
Ordered it to see if it would work with my Polaroid 300, rest easy - it does and it's cheaper. Used the camera at our small wedding (it was great, we now have a wedding box full of fun memories) and we've used it since for parties. Everyone enjoys it and with this film being cheaper, it's easier.
This camera was exactly what I wanted. The size is a little smaller than what a "Polaroid" would be but as stated, the size was exactly what I wanted.
Works perfectly with the camera. Recommend purchasing with the camera, guaranteed to have a lot of fun with this film and camera!
Fun!  Easy to use! The price is so much better the in department stores.If you have the camera stock up on this film
Amazon has a good price for this film.  You get 2 packs in one box, so a total of 20 pictures.  It works great for my white instax Mini 7S.
I've bought 2 Fujifilm cameras that require this film and the 2-pack for $13 is definitely the best deal. Don't be fooled by the 5-pack for almost $50 or the 2-pack for $18.99. If you browse through Amazon, or wait a little while, this $13 one will show up. Sometimes, it is not Prime eligible, but even when I bought it without the expedited shipping, it came in 4 days. My friends love the Fujifilm throwback instant pics and the mini pictures that make everyone look good! Get this pack; it's the cheapest!
this had a total of 10 in the box and i only had 8. was really disappointed with the manufacturer. i'm sure these are mass filled but they skimped 2 in there! grrr otherwise they work as described.
There are a few arguments against instant film in general, and then against the Instax Mini system specifically. While the image quality is better than many so-called 'toy cameras,' you can't go into the instant experience expecting tack-sharp, highly enlargeable results. I shoot film almost exclusively, and I shoot everything from tiny spy Minox cams up to large monorail view cams. Some cameras are methodical tools, requiring the user to iteratively run through series of movements, studying a sheet of ground glass until the image can be recorded perfectly on a sheet of film. And some cameras are just fun to use, full of limitations but full of joy. This is where instant comes in, and Fuji has done a pretty good job with their Instax systems. The other issue is in the divide between the Instax Mini and the Instax Wide. I personally think the Mini is great, even though plenty of people seem to think the images are too small to be practical. My opinion is that the Wide cameras, while producing nice large images, are too large and bulky to be fun. Which, again, is largely the point of instant for me. I use a 50s, which tucks out of the way in a bag pretty handily. So what to do with these card-sized images once you have them?I keep written correspondence with a number of people, and find that they're a great little pack-in for a personal touch. I suppose this was more a review of the system as a whole than of the film, so if you need a review of the film itself, here it is: there's only one emulsion for these cameras, and this is it. This film is useless without the system, and the system is useless without this film, and while there are multiple cameras to choose from, this is all you get for film. If you want a fun little instant system, I highly recommend Instax Mini. And if you take that advice, you're buying this film. I will say, in case it's a dealbreaker, that blues are strong on Instax - the images feel much cooler than Polaroid ever did. If you're looking for the crazy color palette of old Polaroids, you're not going to get it here. This again is a matter, though, of buying for an aesthetic or for the sake of something fun. And Instax is definitely fun.
Very inexpensive and you're able to get to packages of film! Very easy to use and I would definitely purchase this product again.
I was pissed about this product. I bought the exact same film at urban outfitters and it worked fine. As soon as I popped this film in every single one of my pictures came out pure white. I tried all different exposures and many different shots, but it was a waste of money. Do not buy this product it doesnt work and it ripped me off. I'm not buying from this seller again.
Great price, great service. I love instant photography and this fits into my budget. I will buy more. So fun!
My daughter got this camera for christmas last year and I had a hard time finding the film for it locally.Pictures are good and so was Amazon's price.
This film is a bargain. Fits the Polaroid mini camera and is less expensive than the Polaroid film. Have ordered this a couple of times from Amazon now and will probably order again.
The film is expensive but if you want nostalgia you gotta pay. It is easy to load and each pack is individually wrapped so you can chunk an extra pack in your bag.
Shipped as described. Right product for the bought camera Fujimilm Instax Mini 90 Classic.My daughter (15) did all the unpacking and installing by herself.
My daughter got the instax camera for Christmas and she absolutely loves it!  This is a great value pack of film, which prints immediately from the polaroid like camera!  Instant cool photo booth like pictures.  You won't be disappointed!
Good function but a little pricy. I may repurchase this since it is used up fast. Would recommend it to friends.
Wish it would come in more film but still love it and wish it would cost a bit less more.
Polaroid film is always expensive, standard twin pack film for the Instax Mini, some come with cute designs but this is the standard white, great film.
too expensive for what it is but works fine. pictures are not very clear though. still, they are nice little memories.
If you're looking for just the plain white border instax mini films, this is definitely the option to consider. The price is very reasonable for 20 films!
This product consists of total 20 films (2 packs, 10 in each).The film does what it does. I bought it for the Fujifilm Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera. The color comes out clean when before expiring(I do not have personal experience with old films of this brand but when I had Polaroid brand film the color would come out faded and orangely tinted when the expiration date has passed.) The film size is as big as a credit card including the space to write on. Which means that the picture size itself is smaller than a credit card.What I see a lot of people doing is taking pictures with their polaroid camera and then taking a picture with their point-and-shoot of the polaroid picture to post them up online... ironic.
Fits into our Polaroid Mio Camera perfectly, photos come out perfect for a Polaroid, any problematic photos is ost likely from user error
This product is what you would expect. I would recommend it to a friend and I will buy it again if needed.
I used it with the Fujifilm Instax Mini 7s. Best price I could find and it did the job! No complaints.
Where else can you buy this film that isn't super expensive in normal retail stores? Walmart never has it in stock, CVS and walgreens charge out the butt for it so I came to amazon and found it here. Would buy again.
i got it like just two or three days after i placed the order. I can't wait to use it - because I love my mini 7s! just in time for Halloween party!
Well theres not much to say, it does work on my camera fujifilm instax mini, the quality of the photo is really cool, i sure will order more soon, really nice and well it really works.
Turned out to be the wrong product, but it sure looked nice in its packaging.  I am sure that it would have worked great if I had the right camera to use it.  ;)
I don't really see how anyone could have a sour comment to leave about film...does what it's supposed to do.  lol.
great product! Never had any difficulty with it. I store it in different places and the pictures look great even when they are few years old.
This is where I found the cheapest and quickest deal for this film. Yea they sell them at urban and photography shops, but they're more expensive and sometimes sold out. They have 2 packs of 10 film, so 20 shots in total. Great for indoor pics and self shots, not so great for really sunny exposure.
I purchased this as a gift for my daughter's birthday and cannot wait to give it to her.  The items were delivered quickly and well within the expected delivery date!  Thanks...i will be back for more!
right on time and in perfect shape!  I haven't opened it yet, but hope to use it soon for my instax!
These Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film are great.  They are small enough to carry with you everywhere.  Although the camera is big itself, it is fun to bring around with you to family/friend gatherings.  To be able to print out your pictures instantly, you are able to share your memories with everyone at anytime without the hassle of bringing them to the photo center and having to wait!
This is the standard film used for the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8. Each film is credit card size, not too small, not too big. The quality of the photos come out really sharp & clear much to my surprise for having come from an instant camera.Overall: great photo quality in a cute little size
Cheapest I could find, my wife loves the size and quality of this film.  would not hesitate to purchase again.
Most of the time the photos came out pretty good quality which is what I like. However, about 1 out of 6 times they came out blank and did not result in a photo at all. I don't really mind, but for the price of each photo, a dud is kind of a bummer.
Purchased for my daughter's camera. It was nice to find a &#34;value pack&#34; of film and pay a little less.
If you plan to use your Fuji Mini very much, go for the larger quantity film packs for best value.
Cheapest one I can find out in the market. Quality not bad. As expected. I will be purchasing this product once I run out.
I love these and they are the best price I can find on the internet. Love that I can snap picture and scrapbook instantly while on vacation or traveling.
This film is super easy to put in and use on my Instax mini 25. The way to use this product is so simple.
works fine for what its worth good quality and ok price works for what it's needed for and came in on time.
My daughter got the Instax camera for Christmas. She loves it but the pictures run about $1.00 each no matter where you get them.
We love using this film in our new Fuji camera!  Simply put, it works great.We also did the math and found that it was cheaper to buy the film in 'twin packs' instead of the larger '5 packs' available through amazon.  Not sure if this is still the case - but it's worth doing the math before you make your purchase.
The paper is expensive but it's the only film the camera will take so I guess you pay for what you need.
Good quality but the fact that it cost 20 dollars for 10 films unless you buy 35 dollars or more then you'll get free shipping. ):
I used one, it was useful, and the price is not too high, really good. I will come to buy again.
Great deal for two packs of instant film. I have no complaints and I recommend this product. I use it for my Fujifilm Instant Camera (Instax Mini 25).
I had a baby shower for my daughter and did a photo booth using an instant Fuji camera I needed a lot of film for the game, it was a success! We took pictures and made a scrapbook for the baby pasting each picture on a page and the person in the picture had to write something to the baby.
I ordered this film since it was suggested with the Instax camera that I purchased.  I haven't tried a different brand yet, but this film seems great.  The box looked a little old when I received it but there was no damage or harm to the actual film (which is the only thing that matters!)  The instructions for loading were clear as well.  Overall, good film and easy to put in...I just wish it was a tad cheaper!
I wish these were less expensive in general, but having a printed out one-time photo is so much better still.
I found that this pack is the cheapest way to buy this film. I actually bought it for my Polaroid camera instead of a Fujifilm, but the film still works perfectly inside of it. I got the camera for Christmas and it has been a lot of fun!
I bought this instant film for my instant mini camera. and it is very high product quality to generate the photos quick.
Very nice. Very cheap. I like it. This price includes 20 pieces. I can try it and then buy more.
Great price for great film! There's not much more to say. It's easy to load into the Instax Mini 8 and makes great pictures :) This is the only film I'll buy for my camera.
Works great for the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 camera.The film is easy to handle (no risk of accidentally exposing the film to light when inserting it into the camera).The pictures turned out nice in terms of detail and color.There is no need to shield the picture from light when it comes out of the camera.It takes about 2 minutes to develop.The pictures are about the size of a credit card.The pictures that I took in December are still nice and bright, the color has not faded so far.
The film quality itself is beautiful and clear. Its also a great deal but you save more buying the 5 pack for $36.
The first 10 photos was a waste because you must take close-ups in order for the size to be relevant, literally.  In other words, taking a picture of 2 people, fill the frame up from side-to-side, ear-to-the-other-ear, in order to maybe see the noses and eyes.  Yes, it is a mini.
My daughter, Lillian, has the Fujifilm Instax Mini camera. She is 6 years old, you can imagine how much film we go through. It's hard to find this in the stores, if I ever do, it's much more expensive. You get nice shots every time, it's very easy to load.
good instant film.I dont know whether there is  anything else could be the choice for the mini 7s film?
Perfect with the Fujifilm camera I bought for my sister. She loves the camera and takes pictures with the family, boyfriend and friends. However, I do think they are somewhat expensive to how many pictures you can take with each packet.
I just love that I could take a shot and placer the photo in a party give away holder that I prepared for my grand daughters party guest.
Works fine with the instax mini 8. Good quality no problems so far. Good choice since its very difficult to find this locally at any store
We use the camera that takes this film at work.  We had trouble finding film.  Amazon came through again!  When we need more we will definitely order again.  My daughter used this same camera and film at her wedding instead of having a photo booth.  Guests were able to take their photo, put it into the photo album my daughter provided and write comments next to their photo.  It was a huge hit and far less expensive than a photo booth.
So fast!!! Great seller! Would only buy the twin pack again.  For the camera was for our daughter and the film goes fast with a happy go lucky spirit
Cute and Great quality!!:) I bought to packs of these and I'm definitely  buying more when I get my pay check :)
The pictures are smaller that regular instant cameras, but these are so  very cute.  The images are clear and sharp.
Huge hit for the wedding guestbook ! We put these with tape next to the guestbook and had people take their pictures
Good
This is the best deal around!
Great for instant easy to use pictures. Very Retro, like Polaroids We bought the camera for my MIL It's simple and not complicated, so fun for her to use..
We love this camera and film.  The film came within 2 days, and turns out great in the camera!  Totally worth it
I love these easy to use and pop into the camera! Great little wallet sized polaroid pics!I need to order more!
Good quality. works well on my instax mini camera, I've used nearly all of them and will buy more for future use.
This is my second time to order instax films here and I like it! I ordered two of these (total of 4 packs) and all had expiration date in the year of 2014. Last time it had some problem with my camera and the film didn't come out so I had to manually fix it and because the films were exposed to the light, three of the following films came out as white. Other than that, it works well!
So glad to see instant cameras making a comeback and the price of film not too expensive. Gave these as a gift and she was very pleased.
There is something nostalgic and magical about an instant photo. I love the size of these mini photos. Perfect to put in your purse or wallet to share later.
The picture prints out clear on this film. No haze or any issues that I can see. Just as described.
it's simple, classy and not to flashy! I recently ought an instax mini8 camera and the film is amazing,it's like a blast from the past, i remember always loving getting a polariod picture taken of me as a child. the only part is i don't like is the back,I'd love to write on the back of it so i can know what date i took it but there is some black peel on it. im not sure if i should tear it off because i don't want to mess up the photo. if anyone knows if i can please tell me. :)
the film is so small and i'm having a hard time seeing it. good for kids to play with but not for adult memories
At this price (13.75) it's a great deal compared to what you can find. Other than that, not much to say as you get what it says- 20 shots for your fujifilm instax mini!
This film works great with the Instax Mini series of cameras, I use it in the Mini 8. It develops fast, within minutes, and the results are great. You don't have to shake it or hold it up to light, or even shield it from light, some people think you do, all you do is simply take the photo and let it sit somewhere for a few minutes, and that's it!
A little pricey. But I like the instax camera you use it in. I only use it for something special that I want developed now.
I got a great deal on this Fuijifilm Instax Mini Twin Pack. This pack gives you a total of 20 films. You can also great your own caption below each photo. I will how simple looks and the quality is amazing!
Great product.Two packs to be used separately.Fits my Fuji mini 7s.Will buy it again when use up.
My Daughter was my pain for weeks about the camara and this pack.  She love it.  Opened the gift and started using it right away.
Perfectly packed for shipment from California. Twin pack consists of 2-10 Photo Film Packs (20 photos Total) This is for the Instax Mini Camera models, and these film packs take credit card sized photos (2 1/8" x 3 3/8" including border) Photo quality is excellent in my opinion. High expiration date for film, too, dated October 2013 - Very pleased with this purchase of extra film.
Along with the Wide Instax, Instax Mini film is the new standard in instant film.  The Polaroid 300 (which is a rebrand of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 7/7s) can also use this film.  The only noticeable difference on the actual print is that on the back of the photo, it will say Polaroid versus Fujifilm Instax.This film is not readily available in most stores in the United States.  Some niche photography shops may have film available.  The Polaroid 300 film is available at Target, and also works on the Fujifilm Instax Mini series.Each pack has 2 cartridges of 10 film each, totaling 20 shots in the Twin Pack.
I bought this for my daughter. She wanted a polaroid camera and bought one about 6 months ago. This film works with the camera and works great.
love using this film with my instax mini. Works perfectly. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is due to the price. Using the camera is expensive because of them film.
Compared to the other film packs this is a better deal. Doesn't make sense why the 5 pack is more expensive that this twin pack.
This product works perfectly with the Instax Mini 25 camera. It shipped quickly, and the two pack was a great amount to have on hand at my party, where I left everyone take pictures of each other.  I don't recall the film having great instructions on how to load it properly into the camera, but I was able to figure it out without a problem.
My 8 year old daughter has been begging for a camera (with film that comes out) forever.  I finally got her one and was worried that the film cost would be astronomical. This is a great value!
Great value for the money. Much cheaper than buying in stores. I buy in bulk then pass it out throughout the year
In love with the credit card sized photos! They are the perfect size! This goes w a Fujifilm Instax Mini. Loving having this camera!
I have a polaroid 300 and it is much cheaper to buy the film for the fuji instax as refills. It works just as well as the film for the polaroid 300. I was not expecting the shipping to be as fast as it was. It arrived within a day or two. The package was brand new and Ii have no complaints. I will definitely buy from this seller again.
What more to say than dont waste your money anywhere else. Best bargain on the Internet. Fun film and memories forever.
Small but great for traveling size. Love the vintage out puts it gives and great for scrapebooking and collages! Makes great DIY photos and event photo films! Love to recommend anyone who is looking for small but great traveling size films for fuji instant camera! I super love and adore these tiny films &#60;3
The film has two packs with 10 pictures each. The pictures come out very nice and clear. I would definitely buy it again once I run out!
Wife loves it! I would definitely recommend taking advantage of this deal. This is a pretty good product for this price
decent price.
No need to explain, this film gets the job done every time. Besides, it's the only option we have haha
Theres nothing really to review about film. This type of film is pricey and IMHO, over priced. I guess thats the price you pay for 80's gadgets. Love old film but knocked down 2 stars for PRICE.
i always run out of film and its really cool and i like instax cameras and if you dont well... bye
I have a polaroid 300, and this fits great, plus it's cheaper! I will always come back to buy this same bundle when I need them!
TheFujifilm Instax Mini Twin Pack Instant Filmcontains a total of TWENTY (20) films/exposures for your Instax Mini cameras (90, 8, 50S, 25, 7S). You'll get two cartridges of ten film/exposures in this twin pack.This film is NOT for the Fujifilm Instax 210, you'll need the WIDE version of this film.The pricing of these film is slightly higher than traditional shoot-develop-print film, but the "instant" film is increasingly coming back to popularity. Feeling nostalgic over polaroids? These are pretty much the same. Plus would you rather wait seconds for film to develop or drive to a photo studio to have it developed for an hour?Also, don't forget that there are different number packs of film; a20-pack, a50-pack, and a100-pack. Make sure you know how much your are paying for each single film by using this equation: price of the pack divided by total number of films in the pack (example: 13.40 divided by 20).The films above are plain white films and the cheapest. If you're interested on having designs pre-printed on the film there are a few designs likeRainbow,Rilakkuma,Stained Glass,Dalmatian,Shiny Star,Comics, Mickey and Friends, and Pooh.This system is great for parties, outings, and random occasions for all ages!Before everything, please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS if you haven't yet!Installation is pretty simple and easy. When the counter is zero, just open, remove old cartridge, align with yellow lines, replace cartridge, then shoot!
Subject line says it all -- can't beat the price with this twin pack! One concern I had when getting the Instax was the amount of money I'd have to spend on the film, but luckily I found this so I don't feel too bad about snapping away!
This film is great, its perfect for the camera as it is fujifilm and the camera is a fuji camera.  Good Price for it as well.
the pictures were working great everything in great condition and worked fine with my camera. was a great gift for my girlfriend she loved it cause it was great for her scrap book
Good Good
If you have the camera that takes this film then it is great! Works fine. Easy to install. Pictures are really small though. My 6 year old loves using it with his camera though.
glad i got a twin pack might need more since my wife loves to take pics of everything sicne shes a photographer
i have been using my mini instax camera ever since i purchased it.  i have the bigger one but this one is my favorite, i love the small size of the photos! the film always works great and the price here at amazon can't be beat!!!!
This film works great and is so much fun for the instant pics.  The size is somewhat small, but the quality of the pics is very good.  much better than the fils quality of these type pics I remember from the 70's
It came in way before it said it would and it's what I hoped for and more! It was a good purchase.
This is a great price on this film.  The film is exactly what you expect.  Instant film is so much fun and this price makes it easier to have around often!
Received it quickly and it's the film is for my Instax Mini as the description says. Took some pictures with it & they're good clarity & quality. I hope the other 2 film packs are just as good :)If any problems arise, I will update review
This is a good product. But the price is a little higher. Overall, it is good. Easy to use, and nice to work!
I bought this product from Bestbuy. It's just too easy to install on my Fuji 25 Polaroid, I don't even have step by step installation for you.This product come with two pack. One pack contain 10 film. You get 20 film totall. Make sure you take a shot every time you install a new film. The first shot is for the film to take off its cap.After the first shot, you now have 10 film to use.Picture quality is great, although it's also related to the camera you use.The film usually takes approximately 5 minutes to show the whole/ ready picture. After that, you can touch and store your picture whenever you want.Overall, I recommend this film.
This film is less expensive than the exact same thing at the local mega store.  Good product, good price, daughter looks forward to getting more!
I bought 2 of these, because I thought it might be a better deal than the 5 pack. But now I'm not so sure.
worked perfectly and is great, I just wish these film packs weren't so expensive.  Not very affordable, but they work great and come out nice.
What can I say??  It's film!  But seriously, this product shipped quickly and was in perfect condition when it came to my door.  The price unbeatable.  Amazon is the ONLY way to get this stuff super cheap.  My advice?  BUY lots!!!
great price on this film that is very expensive in stores.  shipping was fast.  so far film is working as it should.
We love this for parties and gatherings. We snap pics to share and give as mementos. The cameras are fun and get a lot of attention. People quickly ham it up for a picture of their own. The quality is good and the instant factor is fun.
You get more for your money, better than paying twenty dollars for only 10 pictures. I will be purchasing frequently.
Im in love with my fujifilm instax mini and the film have arrived always on good condition. They were also delievered quicker than expected.
This twin pack of film for the Instax Mini camera is a great deal--many other sellers (which are hard to find in the first place) charge much more, and Amazon is a reputable store with quick shipping to boot. I buy these in bulk since they take a long time to &#34;expire&#34; and have a reputation for selling out quickly. People flip for these pictures, they are 100% worth the cost!
It is great! I haven't use it yet, But it looks the same as I used brought from China. I will but it next time!
It is what I need. And this is the second time I bought it. I like instant pics so much!!
These are expensive, but you probably knew that when you decided to purchase your camera or if you're refilling. This is probably one of the best deals (twin pack). Quality is satisfactory and I've purchased a number of sets.
Works with the camera - what else can you wish for?Get plenty or film - it is fun to use!
Polaroids!  Fun, reminds me of old times.  the photo is small more for selcas.  Photo quality isn't stellar, but I doubt your are buying this for art like shots.
I love the size of these because they can be put into a wallet, or in my case used for a wedding guestbook page I designed to create a sort of scrapbook/guestbook. Highly recommend this size film for use with the Instax Mini Film Camera!
Great quality photos. Ordered them for my Polaroid and they work great. Good price as well. Will order more soon.
Recently bought the Fujifilm instax. I loved the camera because it's a fun camera to have with friends. Even though the films are a bit expensive, I still love it. :)
The film, which came in the package with the Instax camera, has such poor resolution I couldn't even recognize my husband in a close up picture.  Frankly, I think the company has a lot of chutzpah to even market this product.  A five year old might have fun with the novelty of taking a picture, but why oh why would anyone else?I suggest selling it at Toys R Us.
I would recommend this product becase as far as I know there isn't a choice for my camera. this is theonly size film my camera will use. the picture is clear.
Fujifilm Instax mini: Great pictures with this film.  Easy to use and conveniently packaged.  I would recommend using this product.
Great price!
They arrived perfectly and work excellent. I've used them and the quality is great. So pleased with Fujifilm and their products.
I found a Polaroid 300 just sitting in a box collecting dust at my office, and after exhausting the exposures left in the camera, decided to see what film costs for the thing. I found this Fujifilm Instax film, which offers similar quality for a decent bit less than buying the Polaroid stuff, and it's been working great! Now all my coworkers are jealous of how cool my office looks decorated with these pictures. Buy this and enjoy popularity.
Fun size for the kids to share with their friends and perfect for my wallet. Used it during a Christmas party.
The box the film was in arrived torn and opened, but the film was undamaged.  Love the film.  Pictures are clear and colors are awesome.
Where are the twins?  There are no twins in this thing.  I wasn't expecting the Olsen twins or anything, but I was expecting a set of twins none the less.
Thanks! Very reasonable price for the film, and makes the camera 10x more fun when there's film coming out. Definitely on my list of buying again.
These are exactly what I was looking for! They worked smoothly and turned out great. Will definitely, definitely order again.
Great film, great deal, all my pictures turned out great. I would definitely recommend purchasing this film on Amazon as at Urban Outfitters where they also sell it for the cameras it is A LOT more.
Works like a charm. It is fun and so exciting for the kids to see the photo appear in minutes. I used it to add pictures to each child's file.
Great product. We are having so much fun with these &#34;instant&#34; prints.  Very easy  and fast to load into camera.
Works perfect for my Fujicam 7s miniGood price, since this are always expensivewill by again when i need more
OK, you can not expect the film is beautifull like serious 35mm film.It's just for Instant film camera.Will I buy it more in future? Maybe, until I feel boring with it.
Great for my fuji. I was a bit afraid to buy a lot because of how some reviewers said that the film expires in a couple of months but it's not. Mine expires next year in october, which is a lot of time.
We used several packs of these to take pictures of guests arriving at our wedding. they worked as claimed, and now we have lots of old school looking photos
As someone has mentioned before this film is compatible to Polaroid 300 cameras.  So if you want to save a couple dollars on instant film you should definitely purchase Instax Mini film instead of the polaroid one.  Its cheaper and the quality is the same :)
not much to write about, ordered for 18.00, received the twin pack that came with 2 'rolls' that took 10 pictures each, taking a total of 20 photos for the MINI instax.
Film runs out quickly but decently priced
It's a instant film so by no means is it something highly amazing in quality, but it's GREAT for fun snapshots and times when you need a quick picture. The price is the best of anywhere I have looked and they're so fun! They come out with really good color too. Just have to be sure not to get to close with the camera, otherwise your photo will blur or you'll get light bounce back.
Easy to open and install in my new Fujifilm Instax 50S Camera.
2-25-13 -- The resolution on this film is not the greatest, but it is meant to be a party camera and works well for this purpose.  The film and the camera and accessories seem way overpriced though.
i love the slight vintage wash that this film has. the mini instax 7s is a hit wherever i go and everyone loves the fast availability of a photo if they want one. :)
When I got the film it was almost expired, though I did use it after the expiration date it still worked good.
That's cute and small but the quality of the picture doesn't look so good. But i think it's normal to all instant films.
Don't make my mistake. When you buy one just buy three. You'd go through these in no time. Even having a recurring order might be wise.
I buy the same product from bhphotovideo.com. It's $14.50, plus about $4 shipping. One Twin Pack gets you two cartridges. Each cartridge has 10 film strips. So buying this product (on Amazon or at B&H) will get you 20 photos.
This pack is cheaper than the ones I see at my local stores. It works pretty well. The ones you buy at the store are probably better because they're probably newer films. But these work just fine. And they're cheaper so it's not a bad deal.
The product is just as expected.I use it with my 50s.The film itself is pretty expensive, but pretty worth it.
Such a great buy to purchase this pack from Amazon.Best deal out there on film for my new Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera in PINK !
great product
When i bought it, its pretty cheap compare to other same products. It is great and they dont expire right away
good product, but a little bit too expensive. much much cheaper on the same quality if you can find it in China!!
Fujifilm has been great at continuing with instant films now that polaroid is dead and who wants to pay $20 for 8 photos through the impossible project? These are business card size and have a very clear quality, in true fuji instant tradition. If you're missing instant film but don't want to pay a super high amount for impossible project film, then you should definitely try the fuji instant cameras and film--you won't be disappointed!
Works just fine with the Fuji camera. Size of photos is kinda of small. Expensive to have film vs. digital - like the old days
the photos is not very big. But the color is perfect. use it in my travel trip. I am gonna buy more.
I absolutely love them! They are perfect! They look so vintage which I ADORE! These pictures fit any where! Seriously! I love that! & they are easy to place in camera.I personally have polaroid camera that prints out almost the same size pictures and I prefer using my Fujifilm camera because this film has better quality and the pictures actually come out clear, not fuzzy! No matter what time of the day! With my polaroid, the pictures don't always come out as nice as I would hope too and it's more expensive!Deff. would continue to buying from this seller! Great Price too!
Not much more to say than that.  It is just film after all. No big deal.  Came on time and in good shape..
The first photo I took in the camera didn't come out but after that the rest of them worked fine.
Perfect film. It fits the camera well. Easy operation. Also remember that the first shot is not a real film. Just a test.
My daughter usus this film and always asks me to return to this sight to buy since its a great deal.
It's a very good deal! I bought it to use with my Mini 8. My boyfriend took the other packet to put into his Polaroid. I will be buying more when I run out.
We started taking photos within minutes of the film and camera arriving.  What a fun way to reconnect with this type of photography!  This is certainly not the film to use if you want the clearest, sharpest images.  But for it's great for capturing spotaneous moments or adding instant photos to a journal.  I'm glad I got this, particularly as it was a gift for my wife.  She loves it, and I find myself drawn to it, too.
This one is the same as all the other instant films. It's a great product and I had no issues with it.
im glad i got fujifilm instead of the other brands. a dollar per shot is still pretty expensive but cheaper compared to 2 dollars per shot.
bought these twin packs for my Grandchildren.  they love them and have great fun taking pictures.
I have purchased 4 of these so far (and counting) and am very satisfied with the quality and clarity of the pictures. They are also extremely fun to pass out to friends. I use this with my Fujifilm Instax Mini 25 and have no real complaints. The pictures are a bit small, but are the perfect wallet size and works for parties.For anyone that remembers the old Polaroid pictures, these are a bit different. They start out white when you take the picture and slowly begin to fade in after about 15-30 seconds. No waving of the picture is required like with the old Polaroids. However, everyone still enjoys watching the picture come in.Another advantage is I end up getting better pictures than I do with my digital camera since I remind people that these pictures are permanent and cost money (little more than 50 cents a picture at the time of this post), which somehow makes people want to have it be a really good... or goofy picture of them!
i love it! because i love taking pictures with my little poloriod camera. I just wish it came with more film.
Just got my instax mini 25 and I love the size of the pictures. I just hate that the film is relatively expensive for the amount that come in each pack. Would love it to be more reasonable. I hate having to be a little bit more selective of what I take a picture of, but that's what makes this camera special isn't it. ;)
The mini fujifilm instax is the perfect size to take pictures that will actually fit in your wallet. Nice to carry around:)
This film came with the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 camera as a bundle, making it less pricey and a great deal. The picture quality is good as well.
We used these as part of our &#34;photo booth&#34; at our wedding and guests thought it was a ton of fun.
I use this film in my Fuji Instax Mini 7 camera.  The prints are small but I like that for mailing and glueing to post cards.  The film takes about a minute or so to fully develop.  Alternative to Polaroid brand.
I was cheated! The Carthage was suppose to have 10 pictures each but there were only 5 in there disappointed
Buying these on Amazon is about half the price as you would pay in stores. The product works great with the right camera and you can write on the border. Have fun!
This is a fun camera. Pictures aren't great, but it was a hit at the party! Everyone liked taking pictures and passing around the camera! Good fun and not to expensive.
this film was and did what it said it will do. But the picture Is about 2&#34; square. I would advise against this camera and film. The cost is about $1 a picture
Awesome!  My daughter loves her instax camera and the film!  The film works as stated and has vibrant colors as long as you are close enough to the subject.
The instant film is perfect, but I'm sorry I'm not a huge fun, I bought the Fujufilm instax for my girl friend and I need to buy three sets of these instant films, it's not cheap and the pictures is not comparable to regular cameras
My daughter goes through this film quite quickly!!  She loves the camera it goes with and loves taking pics with it, so I love being able to get the film at a better price online than at the local stores!!!  Thanks!!!
This is just the film we needed for my daughters instax camera. It was a good price and quick shipping. It is hard to find in store so i'm glad we can order off of amazon!
I wish these films can cost a bit less.  This works with the Instax Mini 25 series.  Love the camera and the pictures turn out pretty good quality but 1 pack only comes with 10 films.
We bought the camera that goes with this film for my daughter for Christmas and this bulk pack was the best deal on film that we could find!
I wanna it for a long time! haha  It works very well.I will keep using it! for sure! great !
great price, arrived quickly and as described. I take pics of random life events here and there and appreciate the instant photo feedback.
Works well with daughters Mini 8 Instax Camera. Great value for the double pack. There is another option on the site to buy 5 10 pks of film @ a discounted price also.
We've tried a few different versions of instant film and cameras in the past few years and this Fujifilm product is by far my favorite. The pictures come out much better than photos using the new Impossible film for polaroids and they're much cheaper.More fun than instagram, more real than digital. Totally worth it.
First of all, I dislike how the pricing of the film is always fluctuating on amazon, but I start buying these in bulk when the price goes down. The twin pack offers a really good value, since the single pack usually costs $9-$13 while the twin pack is often priced around $14. I just now bought 5 packs of these babies! Can't wait to get them for Halloween!The film itself is quite good. I get clear, sharp photos and it looks absolutely fantastic when you take pictures outdoors. I wish the film was a bit bigger, but it's perfect for storing in your wallet (so you can show off photos of your kids or whatnot) and for mini scrapbooks. These are a huge hit with kids and adults alike; I find that even camera shy people, such as myself, actually want to have their pictures taken--so that they can keep the photo!
TL;DR - you can take 20 pictures.Two packs of film, each pack containing 10 instant film pictures (the item's picture doesn't lie).  They are business card-sized; I bought it for my Fujifilm Instax MINI 7s.From my use, it is easy to refresh the camera with this pack of film; the instant film pictures are in a black case, but there's arrows and such on it (like, &#34;this side up&#34;, etc.).  The first shot is the cover of the case the pictures are held in (to prevent exposure).When I purchased this, it was about 14$; however, even if it's not 1$ per shot for me, I don't go around snapping with the camera like I'll never see the outside world again (that's why there's digital cameras).  This film can get expensive, I personally use it for moments that count (then I take second or third shots with a different/digital camera).
best value buy for the fujifilm instax mini camera. gave to daughter for a graduation present. Bought 2 because we figured she would take a lot of pictures on graduation day.
I've priced all the other mini polaroid films, and this one is the best price.  It's a 2-pack, so you get 20 pictures.  Seems costly, but the mini polaroid camera really is a cool gift for a kid!
Nice packaging and nice films! Good for it's price, but I think the 5 pack one is more worth it? Each one would cost less.
Pros:+ Works exactly as it should+ Comes with two packs+ Moderately pricedCons:- NoneExtra Info:Its film, not much to say. 5/5 Works as intended.
Got this together with the Instax camera. works well and have no complains. Highly recommended as companion to the camera
The film is great! The pictures come out clear and like someone els said you can write on the bottom. I use my camera for scrapbooking so the film is perfect for projects. Also the film is the size of a credit card and can fit in your wallet. Im sure this company my not like what im about to say but you can get this same two packs on ebay for $15.50. Just an FYI for anyone looking.
If you are going to get the instal Mini camera, you WILL need this film.Best to get a 5 pack because they go fast when you're having fun!
good price shipped quickly my daughter loves it.  works great, no problems...ordering some more and some different designs  definitely cheaper than walmart
I bought this for my Fujifilm camera and it worked perfectly. As it says, the pictures are mini but do the job and look really cute. Its easy to put in your camera and the pictures come out as expected for a instant film.
The pictures you get from these films are literally one of a kind. Expensive compared to the regular photos I usually take on a digital camera but it's fun!
This camera was a gift for my wife and I. This film is reasonably priced, but so much more satisfying than just another picture on your phone. Works without a hitch in the camera. And so many uses than just a picture (gift tags) pictures at the office, quick pictures for letters to loved ones, etc. Definitely stocking up on more of this soon.
Polaroid film is sensitive and is a total rip off. Its almost $30 for 8 exposures! This is about 20 for $20. Now thats a price worth paying.
I needed more film so why not buy in bulk. The film came just like the packaged ones in the store, just for a better price.
This film is great for my Instax camera. The quality is wonderful, and the photos always turn out with color true to what's seen through the camera lens.
Well priced for refill film, was a great gift, even with today great camera, it is still fun to walk away with a pic.
Very good quality.  Pictures come out neat and clear.Highly recommend this value pack.  You can write things in the bottom and share a memory.
I purchased these for my Mini 8 Fujifilm camera. This is the best price I found. These are addicting to take lots of photos so I highly suggest you buy two packs at once. I went through 40 photos in 2 weeks! Yeah they're that great.
Love this film. Has worked well for me every use. Recommend to anyone who likes instant cameras and especially for scrapbookers.
This was a good price and fast shipping from Amazon.  The Fujifilm Instax camera is always a big hit at a party, BTW.  Taking a snapshot and handing out photos makes everyone smile.
Have to have Fuji's Instax mini camera to use.  Pix taken VERY small and not the best quality but if you want fairly inexpensive instant photos, this camera and film will work for you but pricy for the results you get.
These packs come sealed in foil. They are hard plastic and are easy to put into Fuji instant cameras. They are also MUCH cheaper on Amazon than in any store I've seen them in.
The camera this goes with gave out grainy photos. Not as good as I would have liked them to be.
It SHOULD come with 5 in one box. But lately I'm getting them in bags that could possibly damage the film in transit and it's REALLY ANNOYING. I mean it works but this packaging is really ticking me off. One package always looks beat up and im not sure they will work right. I want them in the box. If things change ill up the rating.
Cheapest film.  Price was cheaper than bhphotovideo!  Shipping free too!  Expiration date was over a year away.  Buy in bulk for massive savings!  Thanks amazon!Note: ordered 10, received 9.  Amazon customer service never failed!  Sent an extra right away!  Great customer service!
I bought two twin packs of this film for the 'Fujifilm Instax MINI 7s White Instant Film Camera I just bought a week ago. As the camera, this film is easy to install in the camera. I had no issues with using this film or the delivery of it from amazon. Overall, this was a good purchase.
Pictures comes out crystal clear. Perfect for what I want. I bought this because I'm making a special project. These small perfect pictures are just what I needed.
Works fine with the Instax mini 8. It's a little pricy. I would definitely recommend taking an instant camera with about 20 sheets on vacation- it's tons of fun.
i love this film. i love the size of the photos. they're not super big but not super small. instant film is really fun
Face it. You don't have many options if you're looking at this item. Majority of the time, per print, the 2-pack sells at the best price over single or 5-packs.  I haven't had an issue with packaging or delivery with mine, and well, you'll enjoy the Polaroid experience enough to warrant the upkeep cost of replacing the film.If you're into cutesy frames, they do have others like Hello Kitty and Micky and Minnie or even patterns.  I personally like it plain and would rather make my own frames, but they do have some options readily available.If there's anything to be weary about, make sure your box and most importantly, the sealed bags inside, are, you know, sealed. These can't be exposed to light, and since most of the modern cameras today do a pretty good job at making it easy to reload, you really only have to worry about transit problems with the packaging.
If you have a Fuji Instax Mini camera or a discontinued Kodak Mio camera, this is the film for you!  The color is brilliant, the development is non-critical, and the pictures are usually acceptably sharp.  Do try to use the film while it is fresh; outdated film will occasionally deliver a blank picture, as opposed to outdated Polaroid film, which tends to merely deliver an unintelligible sticky mess&#8230;
Too stinkin' expensive!!!  I hope they lower the price so we can buy them as much as my daughter would like to use this camera.  UGH
Our wedding guests had a great time with the &#34;polaroid&#34; camera. The color quality of the Fuji Instax film, however, is soooo much better than I remember from my toy Polaroids from the 1980s.
Two packs of 10 shots. (20 shots total.)Slides right into the back of the camera no problem.Will be buying more for myself and probably getting a camera for my little sister.Too much fun.
This was shipped quickly and is of excellent value for the amount of film that you get. Instax film is never cheap but this is the best price I've seen for it (even on Ebay).
Nice picture, Nice color. really clear. I am satisfied about it and recommend it to everyone. go and buy it.
The goods has a good quality. And I just helped my friend buy it. She was very pleased with it.
This is a twin pack so you get 20 pictures total. If you have a fuji instax mini or a polaroid 300 this is the film to get. It works for both and is much cheaper in price than the polaroid film. Instant gratification.
I purchased this camera for my three year old daughter and she loves it.  We take pictures of her friends and the people she meets on trips.  The camera is much bigger than I expected and she has trouble holding it, so we help (a lot), but she loves the idea of seeing the picture immediately.  I've not seen a polaroid picture in many years but would guess the picture quality is pretty much the same.  That is to say that you're probably not buying this camera for the picture quality.  The camera has basic controls and there are some controls to change the quality of the shot.  All-in-all a fun camera.
My 91 year old father was devastated when Polaroid stopped making film.  Taking pictures is one of the things he is still able to do, and he loves it.  I bought this camera and some film, just to try.  Dad is one who hates change, so he seemed unhappy when it was first opened.  But, after a week or so, now he's a happy photographer again.  The picture is wider than Polaroid, and the camera is quite a bit bigger, but he adjusted.  Has a slight zoom, which I doubt Dad will ever use, and a built in flash.  My choices were between a digital and printer for him, or this.  This was definitely the better choice.  He would never have tried to learn to use even a simple digital, and it's enough like the Polaroid that he's very happy.
This was a gift - my 70 year old vision impaired mother loves it!  She can't operate a traditional camera so this was a perfect substitute for the old Polaroid she had.  It's a little more cumbersome than her old camera but she likes that each photo comes through the top rather than the front of the camera.  Great product!
I bought this camera from Samy's Camera store as a birthday gift for my dad and he likes it. You can brighten or darken pictures and change the shooting distance with the touch of one button and batteries were included. It takes very nice pictures and it is very easy to use. It is a nice replacement for his old Polaroid instant camera he bought back in the 70's. It is a very good product for its price.
I agree with what has been said, that this camera is bulky and large. But hey, weren't all the old Polaroid cameras somewhat large and bulky? You don't buy this kind of camera to pack in your pocket when you're on the run. The camera size got a few laughs, but hey, that actually helped draw attention to it and made the camera get more use at my party.Having said that about size, the Fuji Instax 200 is a great party camera. Put it out on a table at a party and encourage your guests to pick it up and snap away. Great idea - put a photo album next to the camera with pens and stickers and other scrapbooking materials and encourage people to instantly turn their pictures into a scrapbook memory for the birthday person or retiree or whoever you're throwing a party for.Picture quality is pretty darn good for an instant camera. At my party we had a Fuji Instax 200 and a Polaroid 600 in use and the Fuji pictures were much clearer, sharper, and more colorful. It is a very easy camera to use too. Just choose one of two distance choices, one of three light settings and then shoot. A few seconds later you have an instant memory.I find the film to be somewhat expensive at about $1 per picture. You can get it for about .75 cents per picture if you buy film in bulk. So far I've only found film online at Amazon and the Lomography shop. So plan ahead and order enough film to make it through a few events.Great camera. Not really for the "take it along on vacation" application, but if you're looking for that, Fuji makes a smaller Instax 25 (for about triple the price though).
This film is wide and fun and has for most intents and purposes have replaced my Canon 20D SLR as my go to camera. This camera is not compact at all and is rather bulky and definitely sticks out but I think it has great control and has good feel to it despite its obvious toy-like plastic build. It actually is pretty durable and has withstood a few hits with no cosmetic and most importantly technical damage. Loading the film is easy and it is definitely cheaper to buy than polaroid film. The flash isn't very strong though so you have to be very WARY of light when taking pictures.The wide format film makes it so worth it though.
i failed to realize that another adapter was necessary to fit this on my camera.... so i am unable to mount the lens to see how sharp it is... the quality of construction seems high... i would have waited to do the review but i have searched the internet for the adapter and it is unavailable... out of stock... i have no idea when that adapter will be available... if you are looking to purchase this lens make sure you have the adapter...update:i found the adapter on ebay and ordered it from japan... i notice that currently someone is selling the adapter on amazon from hong kong... i have since used the lens and i love it and it works equally well underwater.... the adapter is plastic and doesnt seem robust but on the camera it works well....
This lens offers some great functionality for the camera especially for close up work.  We have had it in the pool as well as around the area of the pool.  My only concern is that these expansion lenses may not be as tough as the camera and I have cautioned the kids about it not being as tough as the camera it is mated to.
I love having this in my bag. Fisheye shots are so much fun. I haven't tested this underwater yet, but it works great on land.
This lens is awesome. The quality of the pictures are wonderful. Great for outside and nature shots, but don't try to use the flash with this lens. Overall, I am very happy with it.
This is what I expected. It's good enough that Oly brands it. The camera has a setting specifically for this converter.This is a solid hunk of glued optics, so water is not an issue. This gives a full-frame image -- no tunnel-view vignetting.I use it for hiking in situations where it's impossible to step back for a wider view. Also improves underwater shots while snorkeling.Update: I've used this a /lot/ since I purchased it. The quality of both still images and video is /very/ good.Later Update: I still use this a lot and still like it. The weak link is the nylon-ish connector that bayonets into the camera around the lens and holds the convertor. It has a few tiny prongs that fit into the camera and get broken over time. I've never dropped the convertor as a result of this weak connector, but it does seem like a poor system for a camera designed for tough use.
TheOlympus FCON-T01 Fisheye Converter for Olympus TG-1 & TG-2 (Black)is a conversion lens for use with theOlympus TG-1iHS 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical ZoomandOlympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black)line of tough cameras by Olympus.  The cameras feature an amazingly fast f2.0-4.9 lens that allows for an equivalence (for a 35mm format) of a 25-100mm focal length zoom lens right out of the box.  The addition of the converter allows you to drop the focal length to the equivalent of a 19mm wide angle lens to give an impressive 130 degree angle of view without sacrificing any brightness, color or contrast.  The lens itself was designed specifically for the Olympus TG-1 and TG-2 tough cameras, and accordingly are solidly built.  The lens can withstand the temperature and pressure changes that the camera was built to tolerate, although I am unsure about dropping it from a height.  From personal experience I can say that it can be dropped in the bottom of a bag and carted around half the globe without worrying about needing any sort of padding or special protection for the lens, so it is well designed for rough use.  The three lens assembly is permanently sealed and waterproof to 40 feet, and enhances an already great camera for underwater work.  Minimal focus distance is just under 2 1/2 inches, so don't worry if those fish swim right up to you.  The lens does add about 4 1/2 ounces of weight to the camera, and requires a separate adapter to mount it on the camera.Using the converter on my camera I noted that it was easy to attach using the required adapter.  Photos were clear and sharp, with almost no chromatic aberration.  Distortion was present as expected on a fisheye lens, but was not extreme.  The photo was still full frame with no barrel distortion, and mapping seemed almost sterographic with little compression of items in the periphery.  Wide angle landscape photos were outstanding, with vivid (and true) colors; however, distortion was more noticeable with indoor photos (mostly due to bending of lines inherent in corners/ceiling).  Additionally, the size of the converter (roughly 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch) as well as its location near the flash means that the flash cannot be used without causing a significant shadow across a diagonal lower third of the field of view, roughly covering the lower right-hand corner of the image.Bottom line, the converter allows for greater flexibility and use of an outstanding camera blessed with a high-speed/high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and the DSLR-quality TruePic VI image processor.  Photographers of all skill levels should find benefits with this lens.  Highly recommended for TG-1 and TG-2 owners.
A must have accesory to an already awesome camera.Although the camera itself has a wide lens, equivalent to 25mm, there are some sceneries and situations that needs an extra-squeeze...Was able to take a variety of super wide-angle shots in winter Alaska, -20 F was no problem; remained freeze-proof and waterproof in the thermal waters i was dipping in, with snow covering the surrounding areas...Highy Recommended !!
I'll be using this lens on upcoming vacations.  The playing with it I did shows both the versatility and creativity it offers.  It's gotten some great group shots and some interesting landscapes in the late winter snows.  If you have to chose between this lens and the telephoto, get this one.
I am going to have a hard time writing 20 words because these things are some simple and they do what they say. They are plug and play and work as advertised. I could recommend these inexpensive things without a second though.
I ordered this from Adorama in December 2008.I use it directly on a Vivitar 285HV. It has worked flawlessly from day 1.
It works very reliably for my Sunpak Super 383 Flash as long as it can 'see' the triggering flash light. I am quite satisfied with this product.
Doesn't work w/ Canon speedlites. I contacted Wein, but they offered no help. It works w/ all other configurations/applications, but I bought it for a specific purpose & alas, it didn't work.
I have done lots of research trying to make the scenario work. Just got the peanut today and attached to Vivitar. It magically works! Fired 10 plus shot so far, haven't missed one.  Will see how reliable this thing is.
I received my camera today, apparently I got a used one, as the packages were taped shut. I made a 30 second video, worked fine, using the non-rechargeable batteries, then they discharged completely. I put in the Rechargeables and set it on the dock, the green light came on, within a few seconds, all the redlights came on. I checked all the possible issues listed in the manual and replaced the camera on the dock several times; with the SAME results.  Camera seems to work fine when it has charged batteries, or while on the dock, but I cannot use it right now unless it is on the dock, as the rechargeables won't recharge and the other batteries are totally discharged. Seemed like a nice little camera and I thought it was a Kodak, but it does say MADE IN CHINA once you look it over GOOD. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to work something out with the seller on getting one of the NEW ones he advertised, or just return this USED one; and go with an Olympus maybe. Cannot comment on computer capatibility, software or prints as I didn't get that far. What a shame, things started out well for the first 15 min. or so!
The camera is good if you want simple photos. You can shoot in color, b/w or reddish brown seperia. It has a time, you can view your pictures on your tv too.The bad parts is that it eats batteries (the dock is good for this) You cant really take close up pictures because it'll come out fuzzy. The video quality sucks. It's all grainy and the sound is awful. If you want a camera just to take pictures, and which is cheap. Go for this one.
I recently upgraded from my 1.1 megapixel camera to the Kodak CX6230, after carefully reading all that I could about it online. I had used my previous camera for 3 years without complaint, but wanted some of the newest features (optical zoom, USB transfer, etc) available on today's models, at an affordable price.The CX6230 has performed excellent. It took no time to learn the ins and outs of this camera, having switched from a different brand that I was using previously, and without needing to read the manual.The one thing that concerned me was the comments I read about battery life from another poster's review. Of course, having experienced my other digital camera, I knew that they are somewhat hungry when it comes to battery consumption. Using the normal alkaline batteries supplied by Kodak I was able to get 62 best quality photos, not including those that were immediately deleted while still on the camera (about 10-15 shots), and with very liberal use of the LCD monitor and zoom. Compared to my previous model, which used 4 AA batteries (the Kodak CX6230 uses 2 AA), the performance was very good. Now, I've put my own rechargable NiMH batteries in, and I expect to get about 1.5x more photos than I could from alkalines. So, all in all, I'm expecting about 108 photos from a single charge. Not bad at all, and at least in line or better than any camera in this class or price range.Photos look excellent at 2 megapixel resolution printed on 4x6 (4R) size paper, pretty much the same as a normal 35mm point and click camera would deliver (printed on a Canon XNU i320 printer with both Kodak and Konica paper). Transfer is both speedy and very easy with the included USB cable and Kodak's own software, or directly from Microsoft Windows.Overall, I think this camera was a very good value with exceptional quality. I'm very pleased with the CX6230, and the transition from my old to new camera was painless and pleasantly surprising.
I just got this camera as a Gift and I didn't expect with 2 mega-pixels the Pictures to be good. Boy was I wrong the pictures are awsome! It also takes videos like web cam quality(which is fine considering your not going to take a full length feature on it). Overall a very good deal and the SOFTWARE is EASY and SIMPLE to USE. (I have XP Home).
I bought this camera for my 62 year old mother and I expected more from Kodak.  The easyshare software is anything but, and the menu buttons and features are just not thought through. Usablity is such a problem these days.PROS:1. The dock is such a huge benefit, no cables to connect, camera sits on top of dock perfectly and after the press of the only button on the dock it transfers the files over to the computer, EASY.2. It recharges the battery while on the dock (*see below) so you don't have to spend money on batteries and don't have to fuss with a seperate battery charger.3. Picture quality is pretty good for 2meg, slow shutter but great color tone in daylight.4.  zoom is nice and zoom displays in viewfinder as well as lcd.CONS:1. Easyshare software is just awful.  Ofoto's own software or Shutterfly's is signifigantly easier to use.  Kodak's software try's to run ofoto's website within the program for an awkward experience.  There's no button to delete a photo, you have to right click which isn't easy for the above 50 crowd.  When you click the button to email photos the layout makes it look like a vote card in florida. Organizing photos was a nightmare and my mom continually got confused on where all her photos went.  blah.  Just use ofoto's own software or shutterfly, they're free and incredibly improved buttons and layout.2.  The camera's navigation controls are very bad.  The 'thumb stick' control makes it very easy to accidentaly choose a wrong option as the arrow keys are easy to press when you hit ok and vica versa.  My mom while trying to delete a photo hit the right button which loaded a different photo then pressed delete and deleted the wrong photo.  When you press delete kodak, it shouldn't be easy to accidentatly move to other photos, this is horrible.  how about just press the delete button twice to delete a photo.  It's nice to have the delete button there.  Make it work!3.  The rechargable battery pack THAT SHIPPED with the dock doesn't seem to charge fully with my camera.  The camera manual says the batteries should be used with the dock, and the dock says the batteries are not okay for the camera.  What's up with that?4. Share button on camera is useless.  So many menus after you press share, tiny lcd screen and bad thumb navigation just makes it a pain.  It's a button she will never use.conclusion:Better software, better buttons, and better navigation would have really helped.  If I did it all over again I'd buy a cheaper 2meg camera and a usb memory reader.
This is an excellent starter camera. IT has a decent megapixel count and will make very good 4x6 prints but do not expect it to produce clear 8x10 prints.This camera uses the 6000 series dock and you can find the printer dock easily.I have used this camera to do over 5000 artistic shots in my hometown and it has proven to be durable.  It uses the compact MMC cards that are very common to find and reasonably affordable.THe dock is a big bonus that makes interfacing with your computer painless.  The biggest plus is it will recharge the battery pack (included) and keep your camera ready for immediate use at all times.I have upgraded to a higher megapixel camera (still kodak) and was able to keep the dock for the new camera.  The dock is worth $100 by itself.The easyshare buttons are an awesome feature.  You can select which images to print and email (even who to email them to) as you take the pictures.  This s a VERY neat feature.The camera would be five star if it included a memory card with it... you will want to order one immediately... do not get anything smaller than a 64 MB the smaller cards are not as useful.
I bought the DX 6230 as a gift. Unlike other cameras, Kodak cameras are not recognised as a drive unless you install the driver. So you need to install the software on every PC that you connect the camera to. Imagine the inconvenience if you are on a trip and not carrying your laptop.As if this was not enough, the software shipped with the camera, Kodak Easyshare 3.1 would not install with Windows 2000 SP4. Now SP4 was released in June'2003 and I bought the camera in December'2003. Why is Kodak shipping older software?Kodak tech support gave me two options. Either roll-back to SP3 (yeah, as if it is a real option) or install the latest version of the Easyshare software over the web (18 MB). Note that the installer is not downloadable. It is a web-install. So any PC you need this software on, connect it to the internet and endure the pain.I wrote to Kodak asking what if my PC isn't connected to the internet (aka it has a 56Kbps modem). Kodak's solutions is that you must buy a $7.95 CD from them for the upgrade. If you are in a far-off place like me (Muscat, Oman) then add the cost of international shipping. And you think you paid for a working camera.The only viable option is to buy a SD/xD card reader. Still you will have to swap the SD/xD card between the camera and the reader and potentially damaging the card and card slot in the camera with frequent swapping.Why take all this trouble? Buy Canon, Olympus, Sony or any other good brand out there. I have a small BenQ 2.1MP camera and a Olympus C-750. And I am very happy with both.
I bought the Sony f828 second hand 2 months ago for SGD$650, which is about USD$430ish. I fell in love with it the first time I held it when it first came out, but it was way too expensive. Now it is mine!The f828 has come down in price, yet it remains very competitive in terms of appearance, features and results.All this previous brouhaha about "purple fringing" and "excessive graininess" was, in technical jargon, a load of bulldust.Perhaps one of the reasons people had criticisms about it was it's high price. If it had been originally priced 35% cheaper, in line with it's other prosumer contemporaries, maybe it would have fared better reviewise. But then again, Sony has always priced itself higher than other brands.Back to the present though. I've taken about 150 shots and I find it is an immensely versatile camera.It takes two types of memory cards (I have a 1GB Compact Flash and 2 GB Sony Mem Stick Duo primed and loaded), it has a gorgeous lens which focuses mega fast and has a very useful zoom range from wide angle 28mm to 200mm. This is far more versatile than the f828 replacement, the R1. In addition, I love having shutter speed control, manual zoom and focus, manual flash and tilting the handgrip so you dont have to hold the LCD screen near your eyes like a dork.The photos arent bad either. Sony has always had excellent colour and this is no different. I admit that it is not as perfect as a dSLR (I had a Canon 350d prior to this. Pic quality was awesome) but since i rarely print photos, this is not an issue. I usually store pics on computer, burning them onto VCD as backup. If I want to share, I post them online. A lot more "modern" people do that than people realise. Not everyone wants to print hundreds of photos which are the size of an A4 sheet of paper.Are there any gripes?A larger LCD screen might be nicer, though I really have no problems with the 1.8 inch one provided. Current digi cameras all have 2.5 inch though.As one reviewer mentioned, it does get a bit heavy if you carry it around for hours on end.The instruction manual could use some improvement. There were a couple of times it would say something like "press the blah blah button to use the blah blah feature" without actually specifying where the button was, or how to find the controls for the feature.But overall I like the f828. At it's current second hand price, there is no digi camera which has it's features, and you have to pay a lot more to get superior features plus picture quality. The Panasonic FZ-50 has double the zoom range, but no wide angle and some people still think it has issues with grain. A dSLR with a useable 28-200mm lens costs triple or quadruple the price. (eg a Nikon dSLR with a Nikon 28-200mm lens)I hope some people find my opinion of some use :) Cheers!
There much had been said about this camera's advantages and deficiencies already. I would say that it is the best non DSLR camera an the market. It is very well build, has very nice , sharp , versatile and fast lens.It is very capable camera as long as you understand its limitations, but there's no camera without deficiencies or limitations. The DSLR capable of producing better picture but it is prohibitively expensive to buy such wonderful lens with Sigma, Canon or Nikon. The similar setup will easily brake 2 grands limit.
With the admission that I'm biased to Sony because I hate the color calibration in most other digitcal cameras (which tend to be cooler in color, than the Sony-- which has been known to be a bit 'technicolor')-- its true that I would look forward to this camera simply because its got a bigger digital image and the color I like.  After getting one-- its better than just that.  The camera is truly a compilation of all the technology that Sony has developed to date as well as an advancement.  Its fast, has more responsive autofocus and exposure than previous models (I've owned both the V1 and the S85).  The color of the new 4 color CCD is impressive-- and it generally makes things look great.  As for overall image quality-- so far so good.  I've had good luck with both natural light and using the flash.  The only time you'll probably really notice that you're using a digital camera is in the dark-- when the image can get a bit powdery... like digital grain.  Then again-- there are so many tools present in the camera you can use to make your dark lighting situations  brighter-- that you may never have the opportunity to experiment without those in low light like I like to.
...and I upgraded to the Sony R1 when that came out.  While the R1 have me better image quality, I always miss the F828.  I still do.  As I look for my next camera, planning to a dslr, I still pine for a perfect version of an F828.  Basically that would be a larger info chip to make the image noise not so much an issue.  And, yeah, upgraded MP would be nice.  What I love about the F828 is its flexibility.  Versatility.  It's macro function is amazing.  That's probably what I missed the most going to the R1 (I kept the F828 with me on certain shoots just to give me the option to move in closer).  It is just an easy camera to get comfortable with.  Very light weight. Swivel screen is great.  Great performance with image quality that quickly deteriorates as soon as you push it.
I have owened this camera for approx.one month and have taken at least 250 shots +. The only bad photos out of the bunch were due non- auto program and my own incompetance. There is some noise factor @ 800 ISO but is easily corrected with &quot;Neat Image &quot;.Purple fringing DOES NOT exist on this camera. I have blown up 8 1/2 X 11 pictures and zoomed to the max and saw nothing. I believe Sony corrected the problem with firmware early on, but, the myth goes on.
This a fantastic equipment for those who love serius photography. I recomend this products 100%
I started out with a Sony Mavica years ago and now have this F828.  I'm not a professional photographer, but a constant one.  This camera allows me to take great photos of fireworks, holiday light displays, wild critters at night, pets, landscapes, people, sporting events.  You name it and the camera can capture it.  I love the multi-burst feature, which none of my previous cameras had.  The quality of the photos is outstanding for printing, too.  My only negative, and it's a small one, is that this camera is heavy to carry when on an all-day outing.  I know it only weighs a bit over 2 pounds, but after several hours it seems more like 6 pounds.
I owned the F717 for a year and then I upgraded to the F828.I have had the F828 for 4 months now and I have taken some very good shots with it.I love the new settings for color. You can have the camera display the "real" color or there is another setting that slightly saturates your images. This is called "standard" mode. I found I was always saturating my F717 shots via Photoshop so this is a welcome feature for me.Sony's new 4 color processing gives you more realistic color. I have compared may shots from my F717 an I like the color better on the F828.For the first time Sony has included another pic storage option besides their incredibly expensive memory sticks. You can now use compact flash cards. They are about half the price of memory sticks so you won't have to sell your car to get 1 megabyte of storage. You can use Memory stick and Compact flash together. There is a switch to go back and forth between the 2. This means you can theoretically have 2 gigs of storage before you have to change a memory card.Another cool feature is smart zoom. The camera is capable of 8 megapixel photos. I use 5 megapixels generally. Smart zoom will let you add to the 7x zoom if you are not using the highest resolution. It does this automatically. Very cool. So the lower resolution you are using the more zoom you can use.I love the night framing mode. Normally it is impossible to see your subject in the view screen when you are taking pics at night. This camera has infrared so you can see a black and white outline of your subjects when taking pics in total darkness. This really helps frame your subject. The pic you take however come out in color and generally it is perfectly in focus! Then, when you push the shutter button, the camera emits a laser beam on your subject. It lets the camera know the exact distance your subject is from the camera. I have taken some great, in focus shots in total darkness! Before this technology, night pics were never in focus!!!I have read several reviews and slot of people find faults with the camera. I personally haven't run into anything bad yet. But, please note I am not a professional photographer. It's just a hobby for me. I think this camera is perfect for newbies because the auto mode works very well!!!!Dave Moreheadtrumpet/arranging/composingDaveMorehead.com
I use this camera extensively for field work, and I work for an engineering company.  I travel a lot so I lug this beast through airports and rental cars -- I would not do that if it wasn't worth it!This is the Swiss army knife of cameras.  Over the years I've owned it I've added the remote commander (release cable), a pocket tripod, external flash, and macro lense.  Also an extra battery (I sometimes shoot for hours in the field and take hundreds of photographs, so an extra battery is handy.)  But all this stuff (including the charger & manual) fits into a regular-sized SLR camera bag, so essentially I have a full studio in one little camera bag.  I've used the movie mode to shoot digital video of street conditions and traffic operations (I strapped it to a bicycle once to record bike commuting conditions) in addition to the still mode.  The camera works great for portaits, landscape shoots, long exposures, indoor photos of public meetings -- you name it, the camera can do it. Enlargements from 8 MP are better than anything I've ever gotten with 35 mm and I put them right up there with photos from my Rolleiflex medium format camera (I've had them both done for comparison, and they both looked great -- different from each other, but great.)Downsides?  Well, it is heavy, but I've tried using the tiny cameras as well and they just don't cut it for me.  I'm too spoiled by the infinite possiblities of this camera.Purple fringing -- not an issue.  I've seen it a few times, but it's never of any consequence.  I've also seen it on 35mm slr pictures -- I think it's an artifact of particular lighting conditions with particular lense settings.  Big whoop.High ISO Noise:  I only go above 100 ISO if I absolutely have to, and if I have to go above 200 ISO, I reset to 64 ISO and just use the flash.  The 400 and 800 ISO settings are about useless in my experience -- there is tons of noise.  You can clean the noise up, but when the noise to picture ratio is so high, I find that the cleaned pictures have a definite "soft" look to them.  That's going to be good occasionally, but not generally.  For very low-light situations without a flash, I prefer to revert to 400 ISO film.  This is the major shortcoming of this camera, in my opinion.Durability -- let's talk.  I've had the camera sent off for repair once, after about two years of very heavy use (including getting dumped out of a bag into the sand while working in a Katrina rebuild job, and being strapped to a bicycle :-)  The mode dial switch on top got squirrelly, and two screws worked loose and disappeared out of the lense barrel.  So I bought a slightly larger bag (to keep the mode dial from getting bumped in the bag), I routinely check the tension on the barrel screws (they get loose occasionally) and I'm more careful about where I leave the camera.  I consider the camera very resilient for the type of conditions I put it through.  Will it last 50 years like my Rolleiflex?  I doubt it.  Will it last longer than other digicams?  It's already outlived two of my wife's Nikons.  I think it's going to be around a while. I would not be surprised if the camera outlived the digital storage media available for it.What I love about it:  I love the completely silent operation -- great for candids and taking pictures during public meetings, photos at family events, etc.The rotating back is great for the same reason -- you can shoot and no one even realizes you're doing it.  I've really come to love waist level shooting.Complete manual control -- let's me do everything I can do with my K1000 (except for infinite bulb control.)Infrared mode -- produces neat infrared photos with a filter, that in turn make cool B&W; pictures.And the lense -- what's not to like about a HUGE Zeiss lens?  Manual zoom control -- yes, the only way, feels like a real camera and not a toy. And no annoying "whirrr" when I zoom in and out.I could go on, but those are my favorites.  This camera is as big as a horse, as far as digital cameras go, but it's a work horse, and it definitely pulls its weight.  Not a camera for the faint-of-heart, but an excellent do-it-all digicam.
My company is primarily marketing, graphics and promotion; not a photo studio. But it's a significant, additional in-house service we provide. This met my particular needs for an upgrade from the F707...and, yes, I wrestled with the same issues people have mentioned here. So, this is a pretty detailed, often technical evaluation:ALL-IN-ONE VS. DSLR:*SLR mirror noise is intrusive in many of my shooting situations, i.e., arts events, rehearsals,*I don't need to carry the additional weight of extra lenses at live events,*Dealing with sensor dust could ruin my client's day.8MP NOISE:*Unavoidable with that many sensors on a 2/3" chip. I shoot ISO64-100, 200 if necessary. I can always clean it up with Noise Ninja if required. I'll take the extra detail.CHROMATIC ABERRATION (CA)/PURPLE FRINGING:*Unavoidable in digital cameras (that purple border around light sources such as bulbs, sun reflections). Pretty bad in this camera.*Solution: I post almost everything anyway. Photoshop CS fix with judicious use of the sponge tool is easy. Lots of solutions posted online.ALTERNATIVE CAMERAS?*Canon Powershot Pro1 was the only other competitor for me. But, had no live histogram, nonexistent low-light AF, and half the battery life of the F828. Nikon (8700) lens disappointing @ only 35mm equiv. wide, proprietary front filter mount. Olympus performance was dismal.*Sony R1 (10MP): MUCH bigger sensor/less noise. But, R1's 120mm zoom equivalent couldn't match the F828's 200mm (f2.8 vs. f2.0 wasn't an issue, considering sensitivity of different chips). R1 front filter is 67mm vs. 58mm on the F828, meaning fewer and/or more expensive accessory lens options for the R1 - except heavy, expensive proprietary Sony adapters. Disliked the top-mounted LCD on the R1.WHY THE F828 WORKS FOR ME:*Immaculate Zeiss lens,*Manual zoom,*Same (now) classic Sony swivel body for easy overhead/ground shots...solid, solid, solid,*Fast hologram AF,*Speed or framing (yes!) burst, bracket exp,*RGBe sensor solves the problem of overblown reds in previous models, excellent depth,*Expanded, though still easy, menu navigation/thumbwheel/joystick,*Both CFII media (I use 5GB) & Memory Stick (faster..I use ProDuo 2GB),*Compatable with standard 58mm thread accessories (filters, adapters, etc.),*Simplified single button delete on review or PB.And a note on Sony proprietary flash (i.e., the HVL-F32X):I use the Promaster DX5500 which may be the only other hotshoe mount that talks to the Sony. The advantage is x-axis rotation - which the Sony doesn't have - particularly useful in bounce flash situations.In short, the issue of whether this is a good product or not is moot.  Like "JohnBoy" Shultz (see below) would probably say, "It's a Sony!"It's a matter of whether it meets the user's needs. You're probably reading this because you're smart enough to research your puchases and evaluate a product based on your abilities and requirements. Despite a few shortcomings, I've found this an excellent "best of both worlds" choice.***************************************************************************March, 2011 Update:  Upgraded to a Nikon DSLR a year ago.  Regrettably, the Sony Alpha series didn't have the same bang for the buck.  And, even though only 8MP, the best endorsement I can possibly give over four years later is that I keep this gem as my backup camera.
I've had the camera for about 2 months now and have taken close to a 1000 shots.  I knew about the fringing and noise, but researched and found that these are problems in all digital camera (some worse that others)The shots I have taken have been great - colors vibrant, clear.  The only time I get a problem with fringing is using the extreme end of the comera's settings.Battery life is great, the camera is quicker than my other digital cameras (I purchased a Kodak DX 6490 right before Christmas and sold it to my sister in law because I was sorely disappointed, prior to that I had and Olympus C-2100 which I still own and really like)One word of advise when getting a camera like this (8 megapix) be prepared for some large files (3 meg per pic)  This adds up quickly - I will need a second hard drive very soon.
I've owned a DSC F828 for 10 years. It still takes rather decent pictures when there is enough light. Reverse mounting a 50mm lens on the end makes for some interesting macro photos. I've made it through 100,000 actuations with mine so I have a fair idea what I'm talking about.But here's the kicker: Your cell phone likely takes better pictures and videos than this now. The video mode in this camera is terrible by todays standards, it's extremely noisy and only 640x480. Don't expect to shoot in RAW mode it's too slow and encrypted. Autofocus is terrible by today's standards manual focus is electronic and difficult to operate. The &#34;night mode&#34; is worthless and uses an IR beam from the flash.The time has passed invest in something better.
I don't own this camera, but have been researching it online.  It seems there is disagreement among reviewers here regarding the alleged chromatic aberration (purple fringing) issue.The most thorough and objective online review site I know of for digital cameras is Digital Photography Review ([...]  As an aid to other consumers concerned about this issue, I offer the following quote from their review of this camera:"It's a huge pity but the DSC-F828 has a fringing problem. We'll call it 'purple fringing' but it's clearly a combination of chromatic aberrations caused by the interaction of the lens and the microlenses on the sensor and enhanced by a certain amount of blooming which carries the color out further than the original artifact.While worse at full wide angle and maximum aperture (28 mm equiv., F2.0) it is visible throughout the zoom range and at smaller apertures. It's clearly possible to take images which will never suffer from this effect, it does require either a strong backlight or sunlight reflection to become apparent. The issue really is that in a normal shooting situation you would have no real idea if the image had suffered until you return to your computer and view the image at full size.It's also possible to reduce the visiblity of these artifacts with careful post-processing, using specific CA reduction tools or simple color replacement filters. However there is no getting away from the fact that these artifacts should not be there."I've viewed about a dozen sample photos that illustrate this aberration, and I agree with the above assessment.  Also, I was not at all impressed with the DSC-F828's noise level in low-light situations given this camera's price point.  There is a lot of potential in this model (8MP, Carl Zeiss lens, etc.), but at the end of the day, image quality is what matters most in a camera.  Sony has consistently upgraded this camera about every 12 months for the last four years (F505 - Aug '99; F505V - Apr '00; F707 - Aug '01; F717 - Sep '02; F828 - Aug '03).  I'm going to hold off until the next iteration which should be due out around August 2004.  Hopefully, Sony will address these issues.
I love this camera. Once you learn the different shooting modes and features you'll be taking pro-quality shots. The night-framing feature is excellent for nighttime without the overbright characteristics of using just the flash. You can take roughly 300 pictures using a 1 gig compact flash card at 3264x2448 (highest resolution).I also purchased this with the Sony accessory kit. The extra battery, multi-coat protector lens, and carrying bag have been very useful from the start.Considering my old Sony F505v lasted me 5 years this one will probably last at least 10 more! A decade worth of high resolution memories is worth the price of admission!
Not to say this is bad choice, I owed a Sony F717. Was pretty excited about F828 when it was announced. As I tried it, the quality was not good as it is.Yes, it has a pretty attactive title &quot;8mpx&quot; wow! But what does it mean by 8mpx? 8mpx doesn't mean anything when the CCD censor is small, and doesn't give you a good quality result.Nikon D70 uses 23.7 x 15.6 mm CCD sensorCanon 300D uses 22.7 x 15.1 mm CMOS sensorSony F828 uses a 8.8 x 6.6 mm CCD sensorthe sensor is like the negative in film camera. the smaller the sensor, gives you a poorer quality output and greater distortion on the output. In this case, Nikon D70 gives 6.1mpx vs Canon 300D 6.3mpx vs Sony F828 8mpx, D70 wins hands down on image quality.F828 uses a electronic Viewfinder (VF). In another word, the VF is laggy. Another problem with F828 is has a slow Autofocus (AF). Yes, it is faster than F717, but it is way too slow compare to D70/300D. With laggy VF and slow AF, at the moment when you fire, most likely the subject already no longer at the position. Imagine when the moment the bridegroom kisses bride; or the speeding car passing by, noway you can get a good picture without an optical VF.if you considering F828, might as well consider top up a little and get a decent dSLR like D70 or 300D.
Ok, this isn't one of my usual hands-on reviews.  I ain't got the kind of money to buy all these cameras and test them.  But I wanted to give potential buyers some help...Should you consider an SLR-type EVF (electronic viewfinder) digital camera or an interchangeable-lens digital SLR for serious photography?  I faced this question and agonized over it for months.  I wish I had come across this brief and very helpful article by Popular Photography Magazine (I'm not affiliated with them in any way):[...]The article compares five current-model EVF cameras: Canon PowerShot Pro 1, Konica-Minolta Dimage A2, Nikon Coolpix 8700, Olympus Camedia C-8080, and Sony Cybershot DSC-F828.  It's a very easy read, and at the end the writers give you a helpful checklist for the EVF vs. d-SLR decision.As for myself, I'm going with a d-SLR since I want 1) high-quality lens, 2) lens choices, 3) little to no shutter lag, and 4) accessory choices.  Good luck!
I was on the process to buy a high-end digital camera.. So I started to look on the internet for my options. Finally it came down to the SONY 828 vs. the canon digital rebel. I finally made my decision to buy the Sony and boy , am I glad that I did that , not only it is an awesome camera for my needs but also it is a piece of beauty ... I will recommend it to any beginner who would like to jump on the pro-wagon .
This camera is great, it has a manual zoom ring that, to me, it had been missing from digital photography for too long.The colors are great, I've never gotten any purple flares or anything wrong with my pictures.  Many people have complained about it and recomend getting another camera, I recomend and exchange.  You will be happy with a working F-828.  Mine has been working for months flawlessly.Noise is a normal thing in photography, even 35mm photography has noise at any ISO, but since 35mm would be like a 20 (twenty) megapixel camera you don't notice noise on film unless you get a BIIIG picture, or zoom in on it a lot.  So noise is not a problem with the F-828.  In fact I like the effect of 800 ISO combined with Sepia.  Besides, if you print an 8 Megapixel image at 6 X 4 you won't notice noise even at 400 ISO.I've also heard people complain that at 28mm wide angle the image is distorted.  Of course it is, any camera with a wide angle at 28mm will distort an image.  It is mostly used for landscapes and special effects, some people will even use wider angle lenses.  Most cameras start their zoom at 35mm or 45mm which is less of a wide angle, thats why they have less distortion.  Portraits are shot mostly with zoom 80mm or above so that there is no sitortion at all.This camera is not Professional, but I consider it at least Semi-Pro.  The thing about Professional cameras is; they are serious equipment, so if you make a living out of it, get a Professional camera, but don't expect tu use a serious professional camera to fool around and play.The SONY F-828 can be treated seriously and taken seriously, but you can also use it for your normal life, play around with it, take video (at high quality I find it as good as any DV camera), it's great.It might be big but the bigger lens gives better quality, it might not be light, but weight helps me keep the camera steady.You can trim (crop) or resize pictures you have taken, the only thing you can't do (olympus does have this feature) is copy pictures between Memory Stick and Compact Flash.  Olympus can copy from Dx or Samrt Media to Compact Flash or vice-versa.  But that's just being picky.
This Camera is NOT being marketed as a PRO Digital SLR, if your a pro, buy a Pro Camera!..For 95% of us this an Unbelievable tool for under a grand...Shop around for Memory and It will come in at under a thousand dollars! I own the Sony F717...The Nikon 8700, this Camera, and an old Fuji 2meg...This Sony is the best of the bunch. I got the Sony F717, and loved it, wanted more Pixels for larger prints so I bought the Nikon...mistake!...I am one of the few reviewers who owns both so let me tell you the Image quality/Fleshtone reproduction/Ease of use/and auto-mode...is MUCH better with the SONY.  I gave my Nikon to my daughter. For a serious tool that you can set on AUTO, for most shots this camera is great. The F828 does a better job at focusing than the Nikon, I couldnt believe the shots I was missing with the Nikon, and the Nikon had a Blue cast to the portrait shots, and I still cant figure out why. If you are reading this and are not a pro but want excellent photos, especially of people, this camera is great!...review the Olympus 8meg...the Canon 8meg...or the Konica/Minolta 8meg...avoid the NIKON 8700, unless you just must have that name brand hanging from your neck...Digital SLR's are still stuck at 6megs which to me is an insult to the consumer, Most of us dont have the discipline to carry around all the lenses anyway, My film SLR with lenses has been in my closet for years since I bought my first Digital. Read the Digital Camera review sites, this camera is listed as one of the FASTEST and BEST cameras ever reviewed...BUY this with confidence...Hope this has been helpfull to most of the consumers, I was tired of the SONY bashing, when to me there is nothing better.
Before I relate my tale about buying this camera through Amazon (ultimately, I did not, not for lack of effort on my part) let me detail some of what I think is terrific about this camera.I had a DSC-F717 and that camera took remarkable photos. It was intuitive and pretty (silver!) and the buttons were all in the right places. In short order, I felt like a pro taking pictures with it and the results were really good (if you want, email me and I'll link you to some pictures. The only problem with F717 was it was a little cheap in construction so when it began turning on and off randomly (some problem in the hinge I think) it was time to look for a new camera.Since all my accessories are Sony (from the F717) it was natural to look to Sony for solutions. The F828 was the next level and the changes they made appear stunning.Gone is the silver. It is now a serious textured black. No one who looks at this camera wonders if its a toy. They may wonder if its a weapon of some kind but it feels good in the hand. It balances much better than the F717 and the key layout, although I'm still getting used to it, makes a little more sense. No more using software purely to delete pictures. There's a button for that. Same thing for White Balance. WB is the most important feature I've ever found on a digital camera and very few people use it. I use it before EVERY shot.  Before on the F717, I had to look for a button among a nest of buttons. Now, its right on top right near the shutter.Next among cool reasons to like this camera is the holographic AF. This (like the F717) camera prjects a visible grid of laser light to detail the subject being photographed. The focus is tight and pretty.  I haven't had a chance to play with depth of field but if its like the F717, it will be a strong suit.It is also very fast. I can now take pictures about as quickly as I hit the shutter. On the F717, it took time.The only negatives so far is that the camera is heavy. It balances well in the hand, but I have to find a way to carry it thats a little more comfortable. It will work out. I bought the bag (which I'll review separately and that I did buy on Amazon) and it fits into it well, but there's no pocket to hold the charger. Ah well, gotta charge at home and carry batteries.Last, I'd like to relate my experience in purchasing the camera.Amazon listed the camera as $454. This was listed in its main price, not through a reseller, auction or Amazon shop. I clicked buy, checked the pricing and hit Submit Order.  Surprise! It was a third party reseller named USAPhotonation.com.  I got a confirmation that said (pasted) "we're writing to confirm your purchase of the following item from USA PhotoNation: 1 of Sony DSC-F828 8MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Zoom [Camera](available to ship by 28-October-2004)Amazon Payments has charged your credit card (DELETED) for thispurchase, and the funds have been credited to USA Photo Nation."Having checked out resellerratings.com ([...] ) I basically saw that this company seemed to be a bunch of crooks. Out of a rating of 1 to 10 (10 being the best possible) they scored a .64 as rated by 43 people. I wrote Amazon who reassured me.  On Amazon there were no ratings. Apparently I was the first time they'd ever been referred business by Amazon.After a flurry of email exchanges between Amazon and myself, a few fired off to USA Photo Nation, which they never bothered to answer and over 2 hours on hold at their customer service number, they informed me that my order was cancelled and I could expect a refund, which I did get.Amazon seemed to wash their hands of it. I got my money back and the next best price on another camera was north of $900 and they weren't going to supply a camera at the price I was confirmed (by them) because, they said, it was the reseller who didn't deliver the product. I, on the other hand, had NO idea I was dealing with a reseller and would never have used that particular reseller after viewing their online ratings.I bought the camera at a Best Buy. I paid over double what Amazon assured me was the price and I'm pleased with my purchase. I'm a little angry at Amazon however. I've done a lot of business with them over the years and I think their relationship with the reseller does not absolve them of their responsibility to provide what they confirm has been purchased.So, for my review, this is a great camera, one that is heavier duty than my F717 and much faster. But if you are thinking about buying it through Amazon, I'd advise caution. Make sure it isn't a reseller or if it is, that they have reasonable rating for delivering on time what they promise.
Exceptional, fantastic, more than you can possibly expect for this price. It's not absolute perfection, but how close to perfect do you need to get? Michael Reichmann's reviews will tell you a lot more than I can in 1,000 words:[...][...]The only thing I would add to his comments is: get a polarizing filter! For $30 you can fix almost all chromatic abberation (CA)and blooming, which most consumers can't even find in these pictures. Thank you Sony for making a digicam that will take filters! And if the high-ISO noise bothers you and you can't avoid using high ISO numbers (why not?), buy Noise Ninja for $29 and clean it up quickly and easily. But these issues only come up when compared to professional digital SLR backs. You won't see the F828 compared to any other "regular" digital camera because there just is no comparison. This is, as of January 2004, as good as it gets. Unless you're willing to trade your car for a camera...
I owned the 717 model (5.1 mp) and thought it was pretty good.  I have used many types of cameras over the years doing weddings, portraiture, etc.  My favorite portrait camera was the Bronica ETRS which is a big, heavy medium-format film camera.  A few weeks ago I did a photo shoot for a bride using both cameras to compare results.  As I suspected the Sony produced quality just as good up to the 8x10 size.  I didn't try anything larger at the time, but I am told the 717 will produce a good 16x20 print.I saw the 828 advertised and decided to read up on it.  I liked what I read and since the 717 did so well I decided to move up a notch and get the 828.  It was love at first click.  Now I can make even larger prints if I need them, but with 8 mp I get beautifully detailed prints with magnificent color and depth.  It also uses the same battery and storage media.  Having done semi-professional work in the past, I highly recommend it for the money.  The "point and shoot" aspects of the technology make it easy to operate for the beginner and, if you want fancy, it has the horsepower to get you there, too.
This is a great camera--takes great pictures.  You can let the camera make all the decisions or take as much control of the exposure and focus as you want.  It also will record "movies" or sound associated with still pictures.  Add an infra-red night mode and now you know why I give it 5 stars!It's good for someone learning or someone like me, an ex-35mm SLR person balking at the high price of a new digital SLR system.
I have been using this camera extensively for two weeks, although it belongs to a friend. I suppose that may make me more objective than someone who actually owns one, because I don't have to rationalize having made a $1000 investment. I wanted very much to like this camera, and there are certain things that I love about it. However, there is no way that I could use this as my primary camera.First, the good. It is absolutely the coolest lens I have ever seen, particularly on a digital camera. The zoom covers almost any shooting situation I would need, from landscape, to portraits, to sports. The fact that you can zoom by turning a ring makes it far superior to the &quot;fly by wire&quot; zooms so common on digital cameras.The user interface is great. It is far better than other digital cameras I have owned by Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Ricoh. I was able to use just about every cool feature without ever looking at the owner's manual. It is very intuitive. It is much easier to use than a Nikon film camera as well.Mechanically, the camera is a gem. It feels about as rugged as my Nikon F5 (although it probably isn't.) It is incredibly solid.It is also very fast, both in the time it takes to turn on and off, and also in terms of delay when you push the shutter. For all intents and purposes, there are no delays at all, except sometimes when writing an image to storage, but even that is faster than on most other cameras. It is just a very responsive camera.Battery life is great. I never ran low, and only charged it occasionally.The movie mode is great. Easy to use, and good quality images and sound. It wouldn't totally replace a video camera, but it would be fine for occasional use.Now, the bad. All the negative things you may have read about purple fringing are true. It is not difficult to find a scene where this shows up in an unacceptable way.The white balance is really off in many scenes I've photographed. Snow looks medium grey. I know that I could probably do better on this if I read the manual, or post processed in Photoshop, but it is disturbing that with the default settings, it records scenes so inaccurately.It is not a great camera for available light. I was not able to handhold it for shots that could esily be done with my Olympus 5050. I think it is partly because of the aperature, and partly because it is an extremely long camera, where any movement is exaggerated.In side by side comparisons, some of the images from my 5 megapixel Olympus are superior to the 8 megapixel Sony 828 images, in terms of color and sharpness.Sony is really on to something here, and it is possible that some of these problems could be fixed in a future version. But I am not planning to buy one of these now.The weird thing is that now the bar has been set very high for what I would want from a user interface and lens. So even if I found a camera with better image quality (which wouldn't be hard), it would not compare favorably to the Sony in other dimensions. This two week testing period makes me want to wait a while for Sony to fix the issues with the 828, or for other companies to catch up to Sony in terms of other features.
When i reviewed the (then new) DSCF-505 sony cam, i said it was better than high speed film, but not as sharp as 100 speed. well, now you have enough pixels to fill a movie screen.movies are currently being edited with 4,000 pixels in the wide dimension, the 828 shoots 3264 pixels. for comparison, kodak #5201 high resolution movie film offers 80 pixels per millimeter. The image of a hollywood movie negative is about 24 mm wide, so the resolution of #5201 is about 1920 pixels, if used in a 135 camera the width is 36 mm, so it would be equal to about 2880 pixels.The camera also has features that make it easy to photograph unusual subjects, long exposures, macro focus.yes, you will see the blue fringing at the edges, but you will need to look carefully for it, and i only see it in very close or macro subjects. This is more likely a lens issue.The color is simply spectacular, especially in skin tones. everything except where to point is automated, but every adjustment can be made manually, allowing the advanced photographer complete artistic control.When considering the cost, think in terms of price per picture, the more you take, the less each one costs, since the media is reusable.Be sure to buy extra memory sticks, the file size of a typical image is 3 megabytes.
This is the end-all, be-all of cameras and when I saw it on Amazon for $454, I jumped on it and purchased other accessories.I got the accessories, and an email saying my order for the camera had been cancelled.  It turned out that the order was forwarded to USAPhotoNation, not Amazon.  It wasn't a zShops order, it was Amazon's own internal order.After looking more in depth, USAPhotoNation does this.  Sells cheap, cancells, gets you to call, and they try to sell you overpriced accessories.  Aparently there was some problem with part 2 and they just cancelled the order.Amazon was not willing to work out a deal or compensation regarding the price they promised and for which they accepted money.  I did get a full refund on the camera, but I still have the accessories which I wouldn't have purchased in a split order.As for the camera itself, it has a great optical zoom, takes pictures in low-low light, supports compact flash as well as memory stick pro, has a manual focus ring, and otherwise does all of the things that all of the other sony DSCs do combined into one.  It is a bit bulky, but it's well worth it if you're serious about photos.There are some reports of purple streaks, but this is generally lense flair.  A $30 filter kit will increase the crispness in odd lighting and will also protect your lense from dirt.The camera is a bit bulky, but this is to be expected with a decent optical system.  It's great for those of us with bigger hands as you can get a really good grip on it.So, I highly recommend this camera, but I highly recommend against using Amazon to purchase it.  Go to your local camera or electronics shop and pick one up there.
Ive been doing photography for nearly 10 years. It paid my bills at one point but now its more of an active hobby. Ive also given advice to many people as to what type of camera to buy. I have yet to have someone come back disappointed.I prefer film to digital but digital is cheaper. I didnt want a DSLR ( didnt want to pay 2k for one ). So I started looking at the 8M batch. I did a lot of research and read reviews at just about every site. In the end I went with the sony and I havent been disappointed.THE GOOD:- The pictures are crisp, colors strong and the lens and focusing are fast.- The 7x zoom range is versatile. The 28mm wide angle is especially welcome to us landscape photographers.- The macro ( close up ) is jaw dropping. You can get close enough to get the texture on a dollar bill.- The night framing function is amazing for taking pictures in little to no light at all.- The scroll button and 'joystick' for menu functions are fabulous and the menus easy to navigate.- The LCD and viewfinder and bright and clear.- The manual zoom lens is a VERY welcome relief from nasty electronic zooms.- The twistable camera body is fabulous if you need to shoot from waist level or at an angle above your head.- The camera feels fabulous in the hands ( and looks darn sexy ).All in all, the camera is wonderful for an experienced user. An amateur could benefit from learning on this camera as its very user friendly. The seasoned user will be right at home. The professional photographer might consider this a back up camera.THE BAD:- CA/Purple Fringe- Noise above ISO 200Yes, as youve heard these do exist. However, they can be prevented and or eliminated afterward.The purple fringe usually happens with big apertures. The 828 has f2 so its going to happen more often. This however, has been blown out of proportion. The PF will very rarely be a serious issue. Stopping down your aperture can reduce it. If that isnt an option you can greatly reduce/eliminate it in post processing ( photoshop ).The high noise at the upper iso's is a common problem in film as well as digital. Unless you are shooting 400+ you wont even notice it on a 4x6 print or on screen. Keep your iso low unless you need to capture something at high speed. There are also several wonderful post-processing programs that can reduce/eliminate the noise.Dont believe the hype about these two problems. A little knowledge goes a long way.FINAL THOUGHTSAn amazing camera that will produce amazing pictures and prints. Its very user friendly.I cant stress enough: This is NOT a digital slr. Anyone getting this camera expecting it to be will be disappointed. For the rest of us, its a wonderful addition to your camera family.
This camera is a good one. Ease of use, quality... good blend of form and function. Problem?  TOO EXPENSIVE!  Why pay a thousand dollar for a single lense camera?  Canon and Nikon has their real SLR digital cameras that costs the same, with the lense already!  This may be a good camera but let's face it, it is no SLR.  If you're willing to spend this much, go for the Canon 300d or Nikon's soon to be released SLR. Sorry Sony Fans! This would have earn more stars if not for its ridiculous price tag.
This camera I purchased in 2003 and was stolen in a home burglary.  Although there are newer, shinier, faster, bigger cameras, I loved this camera and replaced it.  The item I received was brand new, in better shape than the stolen one!  The pictures are sharp, and when I took a photography class, the instructor said this was the best camera in the room.  I'm a point & shoot photographer, but it was nice to hear.
I would have bought this camera at local retailer, but it was out of stock.  So I went home and started reviewing it more - of course I saw all the same reviews you have concerning the CA and noise.So I grabbed a memory stick and went back to the retailer for some test shots with the display model.  I put the pictures up on one of the PCs on display...the purple fringing around the overhead lights and reflected surfaces was horrible.Just to be fair, I took shots with the V1 and CD500.  Both had purple fringing in the same test shots, but not nearly as noticable.  I've read that most 5X and higher digicams have this problem.The salesman pulled out some pictures they took and had printed with a 4x6 photo printer.  And sure enough, once he knew what to look for, the CA was present in many photos.  There was even a photo (taken outside) of a salesman and a customer in front of a car that just had some installs.  At both points on the fender where the sun was reflecting - purple stars instead of the white ones you'd expect.I didn't really look into the noise problem.  I think Sony should try to improve the CA first.  ---Too many pixels on too small of a sensor.---Love the look, feel, and features.  But I also want acceptable photos without the extra work.
Sony has significantly upped the ante with the new F828. Not only has the CCD been upsized from 5 to 8 MB, but the lens zoom range has been increased from 5 to 7X. The wide angle end is now equivalent to 28 mm on the 35mm camera scale, which will be a significant advantage to people taking landscape shots or group pictures indoors. Test bench, indoor flash and non-flash outdoor images showed that the optics and CCD changes have resulted in improved image quality compared to all 5 MB models we've had in-house.The F828 is roughly the same size as the F717, so this isn't going to fit inside a small purse or shirt pocket. This is more like the size of a typical 35 mm zoom and is intended as a camera for those interested in high quality image capture. I'll be trying to find a buyer for my F717...
After all the buzz about purple fringe on this camera, I was a bit concerned as I began taking pictures with my Sony DSC-F828 in early January of '04. Now it's Mid-March, I've taken it a third of the way around the world and shot close to a thousand photos with it, and precisely ONE had even the tiniest purple fringe. What's more, the fringe ENHANCED that backlit photo.My personal theory is that Sony managed to improve the camera between the time the first review samples went out and when mine was built.On a recent trip lots of great and costly cameras were in heavy use by fellow travelers, including the new Canon Digital Rebel. So far as I could tell, none of those cameras got better pictures of that trip than the Sony, and most of them had to worry a lot more about dust and water, due to their interchangeable and add-on lenses.My one caution is that you can't use the 30 FPS movie mode with CompactFlash memory. That is only allowed with MemoryStickPro memory or a Hitachi CompactFlash hard disk. If that matters, get LOTS of memory, as even 15 FPS used over 100 MB in 5 minutes.One other suggestion: cover the rear LCD display with a clear plastic sheet (such as is sold to protect Palm and Pocket PC PDAs.)Highly recommended!Update: A useful firmware upgrade has since become available at Sony's web site.
The Sony F828 is an outstanding product for its price/quality/capability relationship. I have used all kinds of professional and semi-professional digital cameras over the years. Go ahead and compare it to a product 5 times its price and it will obviously come short. It does not replace a professional product, but for an ambitious amateur photographer and computer expert like me, who knows how to deal with the intricacies of a digital image, this is as good as it gets.The camera is solid, easy to use, identical in operation to all Sonys and works like an normal SLR. The image quality is outstanding, when you know how to use it and where the limits of CCD capturing are. If you have to work a lot in very low light conditions there is no substitute for highly sensitive film material.I flash everything and while the in-built flash is good, I would recommend to buy the HVL-F32X which is an excellent product and add-on. Learn to use the flash in every situation, even in bright sunlight to add clarity and to brighten the foreground against the background glare. I have used the flash for macro-photography and being able to shot with a hundred different camera and flash settings and then immediately check the outcome on my notebook is just incredible.I have used the ability to shoot a series of 7 images and it is simply stunning. This is the first time I have seen this work really well in a digital non-pro camera. I series-shoot everything now, then just delete the rubbish. With the CF and Sony slot you can have up to 2GB of images, in highest resolution this is 500 pictures! You do need 50 shots for ONE great photo.The zoom lens is excellent too and the camera is very pleasant and professional to hold. It has a great balance. The digital viewfinder as well as the LCD work perfectly. Color quality is typical Sony high-end quality and the color-tone is easily adjusted to your preference. One of the best features is the battery stamina (also typical Sony). With the standard battery I get 3 hours of continous use even when I use the flash.Overall, this is the first camera that truly substitues my previous high-end SLR set.
For reasons unknown Sony sold this dog before the bugs were worked out. The F828 has several very bad design goofs and as is I wouldn't buy one. And neither should you. Oh, but it looks cool!
I have seen the reports of purple fringing and noise. Here is what I've found. At high ISO settings (above 200) there is alot of noise (big suprise). I usally use the program mode and keep the ISO at 64 and my photos look great.I have not had the problem with purple fringing. I have tried and tried but I can't reproduce the problem.Is it as good as a $3,000.00 digital SLR? No, even though that's what it is constantly compaired to. The digital SLR that comes close in price is the EOS Digital Rebel. But by the time you buy a couple of lenses you are in the $1,500.00 range, that's 50% more and no you can't take a short video with the EOS. And the DSC-F828 color reproduction is better than the Canon.Is it better that other cameras in it's class? YES! I had a Fuji S7000 and had to return it, the photo quality and focusing problems were horrible. If you want to see purple fringing and noise look at a Fuji S7000 photo!The DSC-F828 takes crisp clear photos under all lighting conditions. It's Auto-focus is super fast and accurate. The camera body is solid. The lens has great range and the macro works great. The camera is EASY to use. You can use the infrared setting to take pictures in the dark without flash (yes they have noise) Or you can use the night framing to take a normal flash photo in the dark and they look great.Why 4 stars and not 5? The only drawback is that there is no black&amp;white setting. I like to see what a photo is going to look like in black &amp; white when I'm shooting. And the tech support is weak. I emailed tech support to see if they are going to do a firmware update and suggested a b&amp;w setting. I like to use an IR72 infrared filter. And they gave me a lame response. &quot;We aren't going to add new chips to the camera.&quot; Tech support should know the difference between software and hardware.If your going to freak out about a little noise or you want to blow-up a photo to a poster size you can use Neat Image to remove any noise, and it's free for non-commercial use.
Love the camera, shot over 700 images with it after i got is, and before i read about this purple crap. havn't seen any of the purple in my shots. maybe its because its winter, and i take indoor pics, or maybe its because i had it less than 12 hours when i bought a UV(0) filter on it. maybe that is the answer to that problem, and if it is, then its not a problem, anyone without some kind of fliter is an idiot. 15 bucks and the lens is much safer.the lack of BW does annoy me, but PS it to BW is easy, or shoot in nightshot with a red filter.  it makes nice IR pics, but i still need a darker filter to do anything outside, its still to bright.
After a recent awful experience with the Sony Mavica 350, I thought hard about whether to go with this camera or something like the Canon Rebel. Because I mostly use my camera outdoors in settings that cannot be driven to, I decided to go with this "all in one". Although it is somewhat bulky, it is lighter for me than carrying the kit I would need for a digital SLR.The Zeiss lens is astonishing. It certainly contributes to the camera's weight, but for me the improved image quality makes this "weight in gold", not dead weight. The lens combined with the macro setting, for instance, has helped to make some remarkable pictures.Add to this the bells'n'whistles of the multi-point autofocus (hey, I _make_ pictures; I don't pretend to be an actual photographer, nor do I play one on TV!), the night-shot system, and the slow-shutter noise reduction and I have been a very happy picture maker. It is also nothing short of miraculous, to my thinking, that this camera will take one of the new "Pro" memory sticks that transfers faster AND has huge capacity.Picture making is entirely something fun for me; I don't work at it. Consequently, if you are a "real" photographer, you would probably do well to heed the technical reviews at this site. What causes me to recommend this camera so highly is that it is easy to use, helps me make terrific images for the Web and printing, and represents for me an excellent value. I don't make that last point lightly because, for me, this was a pretty expensive purchase. But, just as I think every ounce is worth the weight added to my treks in the mountains, so also do I think that this camera is worth every cent.
This is a great little camera for folks who want hi quality photos and video capability in one camera. I got one when they were first released and thoroughly enjoyed it until I tried the Canon 10D SLR Digital. Now I have two 10D cameras.  I use  the F828 as a back-up video cam or carry it in my pack when I don't want the extra weight of the 10D. My main reasons for preferring the 10D are: quicker manual adjustments, more intuitive feel, better photos, multiple lens options, great tech support. If I could only have one camera, and wanted to take photos and vids, I would choose the F828. Otherwise I would go with the Canon 10D or 20D and get a stand-alone video cam.
I did some research as to which digital camera to buy.  After seeing the 8MP power of the Sony DSC-F828 and the Carl Zeiss Lens that offers both Wide Angle up to 28mm and Zoom up to 200mm I was hooked.  My first photos came out remarkable!  More than I could ever ask for.  The next text was on paper.  Using my Canon S9000 wide format printer, I printed out 13x19 photo with absolutely no flaws!!  I would definately recommend this camera to anyone, from the amateur to the experienced!  To view some of my work with this camera, please visit [...]
I purchased a Sony DSC-F828 as a second camera.  Here's what I found:Horrible at action shots.Picture quality is abysmal when going above a 4&quot; x 6&quot; in size.Lots of noise at most any speed.Easy to get your money back on eBay because everyone seems to want this technological piece-o-crap.For the money, the Fuji S7000 is a far superior camera...and I've blown up the 12MP JPEG images on that to 46&quot; x 52&quot; without the problem of noise or purple fringe in low light situations AND I've used those pictures for professional art gallery shows in Los Angeles.Sony needs to get their act together in the digital camera realm.  This model was rushed to the floor - and I think everyone expected something with far better quality and versatility.
I got this camera in November 04, and have had lots of time to play with it.  I have got some great shots with it.  I am far from being a pro, but who knows!  Maybe after I learn all of the settings and what they all do, I will look like a pro!I recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a great camera with lots of features for taking some great photos.
I have owned my 828 about a year now and I have been amazed at the bashing this camera has and still does take. Even to the point of 828 online clubs devoted to the pictures and defense of this amazing camera! And yes this camera is amazing. As I have stated in my other reviews I sell cameras for BestBuy as well as work as a professional photographer so I will give you the straight and narrow on this camera. Ready? The fringe thing-I have taken about 2000 pictures with my 828 and in only one of them was I able to reproduce the famed purple fringing effect, this was using a long shutter exsposure on a city street at night, 1999 other shots in as many situations and not a trace. I even tried pointing the camera directly at the lights in the the bestbuy store (you know what those look like!) and guess what? "Nada" I just got a great picture of the bestbuy ceiling. So the conclusion on fringe? Get over it, it is such a rare occurance that it hardly warrants concearn. Noise: here is where a tend to agree with most critics your pics will get mad noisy at the 800 ISO setting, but few digital cameras wont, hell even Canon's 20D starts losing luster at a 800 ISO setting and that camera will go all the way upto 3200!! So turn down the ISO and take your pictures or learn to use photoshop or something and fix them. I mean this is a DIGITAL camera right? The thing these bozos don't tell you is that removing ISO noise from an image is an extremely easy thing to do, again, get over it. Having addressed the two main gripes about the 828 what are you left with? Lets start with the four color CCD. I have said this before and I'm saying it now: The 828 has the best color of ANY digital camera out there today! If your into outdoor pics, close ups, night shots (turn that ISO down) your pictures and thier color will be amazing! By the way touching on low light pics and the 828, I do alot of long exsposure shots with the 828 and they are always top notch! Battery life on the 828 is an impressive 240-300 minutes on a full charge! (no kidding)The Lense- the biggest part of the camera and the biggest attraction if you like focusing your camera yourself (with a little digital help). The lense is a Ziess made with little to no barrel distortion (flower lense hood is included! BONUS!!) and quite versitile as far as the focal ranges it will cover, this also brings me to the cameras construction, this baby is heavy but damn! it sure feels good! The 828 is the 2nd largest in its class, so if your into pocket toys you best be looking at Casio or HP cameras (sorry that was mean) The 828 is really a SLR camera with a lense on it you can't take off. End of story. The body reminds me of my Sony F-707 wich I loved ( probably the best 5MP camera ever made) The tilting body is a Godsend for the pro and joe shmoe alike! The eye piece is among the best out there and id diopter adjustable, the LCD screen is a little small 1.8 inches but is extrememly clear and sharp so it works for me. The 828 like its little brother the V3 shoots on Memory stick as well as Compact flash type I & II, and unlike the V3 the 828 can use micro-drives (I have a 4 gig in mine) All the controls on the camera are well placed and easy to master even for the beginner. However I found i got slightly better pictures in the "P" mode than in full auto, but a novice should always start in the auto mode. The 828 boasts the same range of shutter speeds and apatures as the DSC-V3 (see my review) wich as I have said before I think is a sane selection of ranges! All your options are useable so play, play, play!! The scene modes are pretty run of the mill: Landscape, night shot, low light portrait, snow, tropical sun, and candle light. The white balancing features are pretty dead bang but watch out for the blues- I leave mine set to auto unless im shooting outside then I'm pretty safe. Sonys X-32 flash and this camera are a match made in heaven but thanks to the ACC port your old one will work too, but I can't stress enough the benefit of Sony's. Sony still has the on board crop feature. (other cameras do this but only Sony lets you  determine the resolution of the cropped image!I have just barely touched on the features and capabilities of this camera ( I don't want to use up all of amazons web space) so let me leave you with these thoughts. Currently I own and run the following digital cameras: F-828, DSC-V3, Nikon 8700, and the Nikon 8800, all four of these are eceptionally high rated cameras, out of all the 828 remains my right hand camera. I will say in all honestly this is not an easy camera to use, It will make you think about your shots, make you work for them. This is NOT a point and shoot camera, it was never meant to be (people who love this camera will tell you this) So why all the bad press? Well, with this camera Sony made an awful lot of professionals toys run of the mill, this camera broke down alot of technology barriers (still does in fact)So alot of people went on the offensive looking for the fly in the ointment, wich can be found with any camera on the market today. So why the fuss? this is a genuine technology breakthru people, the real deal, and there ain't no going back. I apologize for the lack of technical data in this review I love this damn camera so much I tend to spend more time defending it than specing it out! But the proof is in the pictures so with that I'll rest my case. Because the strongest feature of the 828 is the most important one "the pictures are fantastic!!" If you want an easy to use camera, move on. If you like to fuss with things and tinker or play with your camera, have fun with your camera, create with your camera then add this puppy to your shopping cart. cause this is your beast.I have heard Sony is working on a successor to the 828 I can only hope it is half the camera! Bottom line... don't believe the hype or sour grapes folks this is the state-of-the art and has been for nearly 2 years. Thanks for reading, good luck in pictures!!
My wife and I have been shooting the Sony system for several years.  We shoot professionally for a conference brochure print publication, inside shooting, no staged shots, using the artificial lighting in the hotel meeting rooms. We also do trade stock shots primarily of landscape scenes in Hawaii, so we push cameras pretty hard.  The 707 was fun, but slow, almost unusable for brochure work, the 717 was a big improvement and the 828 is truly awesome.  The colors are great, the operating system is fast, you will never lose a shot even with indoor sports, the shooting modes help you adapt to any situation.  The 8 Mega Pixel (MP) means you can take a full body shot and if you find you need a head shot instead you have plenty of resolution.  Sony has really worked on the layout of buttons and that is a major improvement, no more accidental white balance disasters.  And the control modes wheel appears to be more robust ( I touched the 717 wheel with some suntan lotion on my hand and it removed all the painted modes ).The 828 is my favorite digital and with 8 MP I can get the speed to print of digital with every bit of the quality of 35mm film at this point.  My wife prefers the Canon EOS-10D with the 828 as her second favorite and to be sure you can put some very fast lenses on that Canon body.My advice to you if you are considering buying is to avoid anything on the low end, if you get less than 5 MP your shots are not worth printing.  Don't scrimp on memory sticks either, you would be amazed at how fast you go through a 128M memory stick shooting 8 MP shots and we won't even talk about TIFF mode.And if you invest the money in an 828, really push it. Read your manual and see what this critter is capable of. Play with the nightshot mode, it really works!  Some of my favorite shots are from a shark tank with nightshot, it looks like I was actually swimming with the beasts.  Try to catch something fast like a bird with the burstmode; what a great way to fill a memory stick with a single button push.  Play with the AE lock, it really takes a picture with dificult lighting over the top.These are great days to be alive, who would have ever guessed we would have tools like the Sony 828 at a sub 1k pricepoint?  Now, I can dream about the 929 30 MP so I can do digital medium format work!
This camera was such a big disappointment, I am so frustrated with it.I have had this camera for over 3 years, and I just hate it.  The lens and the sensor size don't allow you to do much.I had the Sony DSC-F717 before the 828.  I loved the 717 at the time, but I dropped the 717, and though that I would go with the 828 as an upgrade to the 717.The 828 is not an upgrade at all, sure it has more pixels, but the picture quality is not as good and I have a ton of problems with purple fringing in my photos.I have shot over 10,000 pictures with the 828 and and over 10,000 with the 717.  It is my opinion that the 717 was a better camera, even at only 5.1MP than the 828 is at 8MP.One thing that drives me nuts on this camera is the fixed lens.  It is an average middle range lens.  It doesn't do wide angle, and it doesn't really zoom, so its not much good.Don;t waste your money on the 828, especially today where there are so many other better cameras out there.  Go with a Digital SLR.
This is my third f828. It doesn't mean the product doesn't have value. I use my cameras extensively. I have over 30,00 pictures most taken with th Sony f828. So I look for a good buyer from which to do my purchasing The last Sony was from a buyer that stated the quality of the product & he was not lying. I am very happy with my purchase & would buy from him again, if necessary. A five star rating for this seller
Manual zoom ring. Incredible close-ups. Movies and infra red imaging. Two different, seamless storage media. Very robust. Amazing picture quality.Yes there is, can and will be a lot of PF in your pictures ONLY if the subject is of something (such as sunlight reflections on water, or something very bright behind something dark) that will show PF. MOST SUBJECTS will NOT give you any trouble at all, which leads some people to write that PF does not exist for this camera. So sure there are a number of shots where I have some PF. I think most digital cameras would have some degree of PF shooting the exact same subject. Not a real problem for me.A small drawback is the manual focus. Being a long-term SLR addict I found the IDEA very hard to live with, but PRACTICALLY there is NO PROBLEM at all. Out of the 7000 or so shots I have taken using autofocus there were maybe 5 or 6 I had to discard.The small buffer for shooting TIFF is frequently mentioned. While this is fair enough and surely true I think it really only counts for the professionals but it's a non-issue for the average user. There is virtually no loss if you shoot in fine mode.If you are trigger happy be sure to load up on memory. I have a 1GB 40x compact flash and another 1GB memory stick pro for taking short movies (or just more pictures). This way I can make it through a 3 day long weekend hiking around Kings Canyon and come home with more than 500 high quality pictures (3MB files) AND some movies.- Use a filter (a neutral density or polarizer) in bright light.- Use fine mode instead of standard to consume less battery power.- Use manual focus (infinity) only if AF doesn't work (like on clouds).
Owned this digital camera since 2005. This is a great camera and still takes excellent shots outdoors. The lens is an extremely flexible and bright F2.0 to F2.8, 28mm to 200mm even better than  the RX10 which is F2.8 max aperture. Indoors in dim light the picture is a bit grainy when push to higher ISO, but still acceptable. I think the RX10 is the only fixed lens camera that has a lens that is comparable to the F828. When it is time to upgrade, I will switch to the RX10. For now, the F828 is still a dependable workhorse that churns out excellent photographs.To the previous reviewer, to compare this to a cell phone camera is a real disgrace. I have the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with a 13Megapixel camera, the picture can not hold a candle to the F828. Factoring the 7x Zoom, the F828 is a truly versatile camera.However, don't ever use this camera for video. It is terrible and SD only.Overall, 5 stars for reliable operation, longevity and aging gracefully!
This is the new replacement for Sony' venerable 717.  I bought it and sadly had to return it. while the feature set is great and the resolution is very good, there is terrible &quot;purple fringing&quot; in a majority of pictures which ruins the image quality.( see dpreview.com for their excellent review)  From reading experiences in the photo forums, it seems that this is inherent in all the 828's.  It seems that by cramming 8mp on to a small sensor, they went too far and the result is the ugly purple fringing.  Can it be processed out with photoshop?  sure, but who wants to do that with EVERY picture.  I end up buying the Minolta A1 and am quite happy with it  It produces excellent image quality, and has even more features than the 828.  If you want a Sony, get the 717 model- its really good
I have been using the F828 for about 2 months and have taken over 1,000 pictures. I do not use the auto mode, and take most pictures in program mode, but I use A,S, and M modes also. I definitely experience chromatic aberrations, usually purple fringe, but sometimes other bubbles and flashes of colored light. It's obvious to me, but people looking at 4X6 prints normally wouldn't notice it. On larger prints however, it would be obvious. It is fairly easily corrected using Adobe Photoshop. I've had maybe 6 shots where the aberration was so bad it was uncorrectable. Despite this problem, I enjoy using the camera. With a little practice, it's very easy to make adjustments; WB, flash, OEV, auto focus method, etc.
This is an amazing camera.  The quality of the pictures and the performance cannot be beat at this price or even for hundreds of dollars more.  Other reviewers have gone to great length describing the many features and benefits of this camera, so I won't do so here.  I just want to add my voice to the many saying that you *must* consider this camera if you are a serious, digital photographer.
This camera has served me well in professional as well as hobbyist capacity. The ability to shoot in RAW format, shoot at a burst rate with no lag is awesome. Lens is same as Canon releases today on the XTi. I've used telephoto lens from Canon and it works great on this camera. I have noticed that compared to my friend's XTi, the DR requires more work from the user to get the same quality, specifically in full auto mode there is a difference. The small view finder and small metering display, as well as the flash are all a let down when comparing to newer DSLRs. But, if you find one of these it will be much cheaper and still very useful. I've used this camera to place images into large 11X17 and larger movie posters and the images look superb. If you have 300 bucks dont hesitate, this camera is one of the best deals for the money. And the lens will still work for you when you upgrade to a pro model.
Camera quality is disaster. It badly fits in the hands, it unsteady and cumbersome to operate. The image quality is so-so. Mid-tones are very poor, color rendering as a cartoon film like. All colors are &quot;pop up&quot;, it is not a photography tool to my view. I have tried it against 5M Sony f717 and it blew it out of water in every aspect. Moreover, the &quot;stretched&quot; to 6M images from Sony are looking better. The 18-50 &quot;lens&quot; is so embarrassing that Canon should be ashamed to market such khe-khe, lens (with failing front element and unsteady focus). Some one has be really inspired by Canon's advertising movies to pay $1000 for such &quot;camera&quot;.  It new feels like came out of trash box.Before review it, I would recommend take it in to the hands and try along with something else.
I had been drooling over this camera for months, and recently I was able to purchase it.  In the area that I live the camera hadn't come in, and I was going to have to special order it.  Luckily Best Buy saved the day and thus...this review.  I have a great Pentax ZX-60 SLR that I have been using for quite some time (I love this camera as well) and had had a cheapo digital camera, so I was a little skeptical at how the digital rebel would perform.  This camera has given me some awesome pictures in the few weeks that I have had it.  Prior to owning this camera, I was considering becoming a professional photographer, and now I am truly hoping to become that.  The only thing that bother's me about the camera, is that it didn't come with ANY internal memory.  But, I talked my husband into getting the 1 gigabite compact flash card, so I am set.  It would be disappointing to recieve and then have to go and buy a compactflash card just to see if the camera works. Another great feature of the camera is the rechargable ion battery.  My prior digital camera took 2 AA batteries and sucked the juice out of them as quick as I put them in.  I took 92 pictures the other day with the rebel, and the battery hasn't run down at all.  One thing that I would recommend a buyer do would be to buy the camera bag that Canon has made to fit the digital rebel.  It's sixty dollars, but it comes with a UV filter (which is great to protect the lens) and an extra rechargable battery!  I could take a gazillion pictures with both of these batteries!  Anyhow, I completely recommend this camera to anyone who has some knowledge of how to use a 35mm SLR camera.  If you don't have the knowledge, the camera does have a point and shoot type mode, but why waste your money if you aren't going to use any of the super cool features that you are going to pay for???  J'adore le Canon Digital Rebel!!!
I've had my Digital Rebel EOS for over a year now and I couldn't be happier with its performance. I've added a battery grip, which provides heft and vertical picture taking functions, and the camera feels like a pro. I've also added a Canon 100-400mm USM lense that provides great close ups.I've used the camera on everything from weddings to wildlife to portraiture to product photos and am extremely happy with the results. Wonderfully clear pictures.To get optimum color, brightness and contrast for prints, however, you will need to use photo-enhancing software to take the place of corrections normally done by development labs for film photos.If I were to make a digital purchase today, however, I would probably opt for the Rebel Digital XT model which increases the resolution to 8MB and provides some updated light metering technology.Highly recommended!
Seller is awesome, Camera is a little heavy but durable, great starter for a youngster. My daughter loves it, she is able to use my telephoto lens in her camera. She is still learning how to use all the functions and settings but in time she will move to a more advanced model.Seller was very helpful and product was exactly what was described.
I have been using this camera for just about a month now and all i have is good comments on the camera. Every time i use it i learn something new, and come out with more interesting photos each time. I have been into my digital photography since the start. (Started with a Casio w/ no removable memory, no flash, or zoom) In the past i have prefered the Sony cameras, i went from the casio to the digital mavica with a floppy disk, then the cyber shot. Both of whiuch took wonderful photos, but were limited in their manual modes. I had been skeptical to the digital slr, but i got to use one and loved the control that was available. The 18-55mm lens that comes with it is ok, but if you want to do more sophisticated photos, then i would recomend stepping up to at least a 28-135mm lens. The write speed is fast with the Sandisk Ultra II 512 mb card (about 2 seconds) But the camera has a small internal memory and will allow you to take up to 5 shots sequentially before it writes to the card.Overall very satisfied, and highly recommend
I own a film rebel, so looking at the digital rebel was a natural choice to take advantage of my collection of lenses and accesories.  I have used the camera for about a month now, and it's simply great!It is similar to the film Rebel in many respects, as far as picture taking modes, and many creative adjustments.  It just has more controls for the digital-specific aspects of photography.  If you are comfortable using a film SLR, you will know how to use this camera right away.Also, unlike cheaper digital cameras, you have virtually no shutter lag or waiting between shots.  (Yes, the camera does need time to store the photos to the CF card, but it can buffer up four and wait for a pause to store them, and for my amatuer shooting, I never notice this delay.)I have not seen any red-eye defects in pictures when using the pop up flash with this camera.  I believe it pops up higher than my old film rebel, and higher than most cameras, so this is a big plus.There is only one thing I can fault this camera on. Transfering the pictures to a computer is very slow because it only has a USB 1.1 port.  So you might want to plan on getting a USB 2.0 CF card reader for your computer.I'm having a lot of fun with this camera!
This camera takes great pictures. I'm glad I didn't spend five times the money for a new one. I'm not a professional, just a mom who knows a moderate amount about photography and wants to stop paying portrait studio prices! Last time we went to have our pictures professionally done, they turned out so-so and cost us $90. At that rate this camera will pay for itself within a year or two. I have taken several pictures with this camera that look great. One picture of my boys I had blown up to 11x14 and it looks professional. I definitely recommend this camera!! You will have to buy a new battery though. The original battery lasted me about 10-15 pictures. I bought one for real cheap online and after 100 pictures it still shows a full charge.By the way, some older cameras like this one cannot handle a memory card (compact flash card) that has more than 2GB of memory. I am using a 4GB compact flash card with this camera and it works fine. It did not work with the Canon EOS D60.
For its time and price (at the time), a fantastic camera.  6.3 MP is more than sufficient for most amateur and semi-pro (non-studio) work, and this camera works very well with what really matters:  Canon's fantastic lenses.  Battery life on this camera is very good.  The "shutter lag" (between when you depress the button and when the camera actually takes a photo) is fairly well non-existent, and the only real lag I have is when I am shooting multiple photos in RAW format.  As most photographers know, the lens is almost more important than the body, and outside of Leica lenses, I don't think anything really competes with Canon's line.  The 18-55 lens that comes with this camera is sufficient for casual work...I used it at the beach, and on hikes with my dog, when I don't want to lug around my bigger, more expensive, higher-quality lenses.  But for $75 or so, you can have a 50mm 1.8 EOS lens, which will supplement the 18-55 nicely, particularly for night photography.My one complaint about this camera is its ability to meter light adequately in dark settings.  When I shoot RAW this isn't such a big problem, because I can fix it in Photoshop, but most everything I shoot inside, unless I manually mess with the white balance every time, has an orange tint that is interesting for the first 200 shots, and then is annoying after.  I think the more advanced EOS models that have come out since 2004 or so fix this color problem, and also help a bit with the lag between the RAW shots...but for the money, this camera is excellent, and far, far superior to, for example, Olympus' digital exquivalent (for a similar price).  The difference, as far as I'm concerned, is in the absolute advantage Canon has in lens quality.  You can use a high-end consumer body like this one, use a professional piece of Canon glass (lens) and take excellent photos.  I wouldn't invest in a system that doesn't also boast excellent lens quality.
After owning 6 different digital cameras including the Sony F717It seems that this finally takes the place of my existing Eos 35mm.Very impressive.
Yes, Canon was the first to make a digital SLR which is bordering on affordable, and yes, the product is very good (there are already plenty of good reviews as to what it can do; yes, it does a lot).But good value for money? PLEASE. You gotta be joking. Take that thousand bucks and see what it will buy you in film SLR department. Exactly: for thousand dollars, you will be the King of the Hill, you will have something awesome - like Nikon N100.The point I am trying to make that by buying this Canon today you are shelling out half of your money for its novelty value. Digital SLRs of the same class will be half the price in a year or 18 months, and you know it.I am not campaigning against digital - yes, it is the technology to which we will all move one day, but now it is simply too expensive for the quality that it offers. Rememember how the first DVD players used to cost like a second-hand car? And how they're now - only a few years later - retailing for the price of, like, lunch for three at a pizza joint?If you agree to pay a lot of money for novelty, this camera will not disappoint you. I will try to wait a little bit.
I've had the camera for two weeks and it has taken fantastic shots indoors and outdoors in various lighting conditions. Novices should consider this camera. It is easy to use with settings for auto, portrait, landscape, macro, sport and more. When you gain knowledge, you have full manual control. Unless you already have Canon EF lenses, buy the camera with the 18-55mm lens. It is a good choice and will get you started at a fantastic price. The portrait mode is great. It will focus on your subject with a wide aperture that will blur the background. The landscape mode does just the opposite. My foliage shots this year taken with this camera are the best I have ever captured. I have shot over 200 images without needing to change batteries, but I keep a spare with me. There is no compact flash card provided with the camera. You will want to get a large one, 512mb or more. If you take a few pictures while on vacation, this is not the camera for you. If photography is your hobby, then get this camera now. You will not regret it.Update: 1/4/2007After two years of heavy use, the shutter failed on my Digital Rebel. Fortunately, I had purchased the camera at Best Buy with their extended warranty. I brought the camera back and they replaced it with a Digital Rebel XT that I now use as a backup to my Canon 20D. If you are buying one of these cameras used, you should know that shutter failure is a potential defect. Try it before you buy it if at all possible.
The Digital Rebel seemed to be a wonderful camera, with the exception of one MAJOR problem. Using available light (no flash) with shutter speeds of 1/1600 or higher, parts of my images are blacked out (like the mirror is not moving quickly enough). The black area grows with faster shutter speeds. This occurs in any mode (AV, TV, M) you can shoot at these speeds. Does it on multiple Canon lenses (85/1.8, 70-200 2.8L). Dealer had no clue. Canon support returned camera saying they had fixed it and if the problem persisted to &quot;send the camera back with a lens.&quot; (did they have no lens handy to try on the camera?). Major frustration + cost of sending camera in + cost of being without camera. Canon Reps: I'll gladly change this to a much higher rating if &amp; when you fix the problem.
while the kit lens is great i highly recommend buying some higher quality lenses once you start to get used to using an SLR (Single Lens Reflex).  don't forget that one of the biggest advantages of this moving to SLRs is being able to take the picture you want, even if it means taking 3 minutes to set it up.  a point and shoot digital SLR can still take better pictures.the images that come off of this camera are mind blowing, you can print up to 16x20, with careful post processing.The photographer is more important then the equipment. But this camera can make you a much better photographer
I'm hoping for a Digic III chip before buying a new one, but for anyone looking for a camera they can learn and experiment at a cheaper price, the 300D is your best choice.It offers the same basic usage as the newer canons; the 350 and 400D's without the "fancy; seldom used" features. If you're looking for a cheap DSLR for point and shot, this is it.If you can find a slightly used one, this will be a good choice to start before buying the more expensive ones. :)Me, i've upgrade to a used D60. same 6MP sensor but more of a MID-Pro camera. I might buy a 30D some day, if you have the money and is seriously looking forward to photography as a hobby, the 30D will be your choice.Just remember, the camera body is only half the equation, you need good quality lenses too, case in point, my lense collection is 3 times as much as i spend on my camera body.
Well we were all waiting the tech is here at last a  SLR digital  that is  less than $1000 !it takes beautiful pictures and you can use your old lens timesX 1.5 for digital conversionCANON ROCKS WITH THIS MACHINE!
An incredible piece of equipment at an almost give away price.  I have no complaints and this camera surpasses what I expected.
I purchased the EOS 300 Digital "Rebel" mostly because of my positive experience with a Canon A80 digital. I absolutely love the A80 and Canon quality and customer service is first rate and wanted to upgrade resolution, FPS, and shooting flexibility. I was disappointed that even though I experienced a slight improvement in picture resolution, i found the EOS 300 Rebel just underwhelming in terms of design, function and ease of use. It felt heavy and awkward, and didn't seem a significant improvement over the A80. I also had a problem with the lens(an upgrade from the lens kit). The auto focus servo malfunctioned, only worked in one direction and the camera could not focus at all in low light. I returned the EOS camera and lens and bought the Nikon D70 and 18-70 lens kit, the other option for serious prosumer gear. WOW, what a difference and what a beautiful camera! Amazing image/color quality, fast auto focus, with low-light beam assist. The metering is dead-on precise, i can even get an accurate exposure with 30 second shutter speeds! Changing film speed, white balance, apeture, shutter speed is one touch controlled with dials at thumb and forefinger.  The menu works like windows with very easy to access and use.  The lens is a wider focal range and better quality than the Rebel kit. The D70 feels great in the hand: solid, lighweight with natural ergonomics. It was intelligently designed by people who use cameras, know digital photography, and not just an adaptation from an older model film camera.  Spend the extra few $'s for the D70, and especially now with the $200 rebate on the camera and lens kit.
I'm a photography novice and this is my first SLR.  It's been a great camera since I bought it 2 years ago; very easy to use and very powerful.  I can't see wanting a better camera when you're starting out like I am.  There are many better cameras but I can't justify the cost with how little I know about photography.The software isn't great but it does the job.  The only thing that's bad about the camera is that it makes you want to go out and start spending too much money on lenses and other equipment.  I'd say photography is a pretty healthy hobby though.. who doesn't want to go out and take great sunset pictures?
I bought this unit to replace one that was stolen from me. I can get better photos with this camera than my new T3i (Sad to say) The CMOS image sensor is just flat out good as they get. At 6.3MP I can produce better results than a 22MP in 8X10 format. I also bought the 8.0MP version as well. Same camera and sensor just higher pixel rate. They stopped using the CMOS sensor when they went to 10MP.
The quality of the images of this camera its outstanding! Its a bit heavy but it doesnt matter at all, its absolutely worth it carrying it! You can get the 1GB Memory card and it can handle almost 300 images or so. I am trully amazed of the quality of the images this camera can take. Its a beauty.
Bought this used camera for my son because he's taking up photography class and it's been used quiet a bit. It's an older model, but has gave him the experience he needed to become a great photographer! He's now good enough to sell this one and get a newer model -
I purchased this camera January 2005, my first digital SLR.  This camera works great most of the time, does everything it is suppose to for the price I paid for.  The few times it didn't work is in focusing.  Even though I know the camera is in focus, but the Digital Rebel just wouldn't take the photo kept zooming in and out of focus.  So I either 1) switch to manual mode or 2) turn the camera off and turn it back on again.  Either way, then it would immediately work like the camera it is suppose to.  The battery does drain quite a bit if you leave it on or on a cold day.  I shot a lot in darker, high speed sports related events.  And this camera has performed pretty well considering it is a beginner digital SLR.
Giving the number of stellar reviews this camera has received, I guess the Digital Rebel can do no wrong.I switched from a Canon Powershot G2, a camera with which I took over 14,000 pictures. I loved my G2 but it had seen way too much action. Plus, I wanted the luxury of interchangable lenses. My wife had a normal film Rebel SLR, so for sake of compatibility, I figured I'd stick with Canon again.One Digital Rebel and $2000 in lenses later, I'm happy to say that I'm very pleased. The quality over your average Point & Shoot cameras is significant. The Rebel opened a whole new door for me when it came to post-processing. I found myself encouranged to use Photoshop, putting some spin on otherwise poor photographs. Yes, the Rebel does have a significant learning curve, especially if you move away from the Point and Shoot settings. I had to learn nomenclature and settings, but figured it out eventually. The manual was fairly helpful in this regard.If you are worried about moving from a PnS camera system to the Prosumer side, don't be. The Rebel does have those PnS settings. The only thing you'll be sacrificing is Movie Mode, as the mirror occludes the sensor. Well...you might be sacrificing some cash as you discover the multitude of EF and EF-S lenses that Canon has to offer.If you do purchase the kit with the 18-55mm EF-S lens, be prepared to exchange it for something else. For the record, I purchased three lenses with this camera - a 17-40mm 4.0/L for outdoor photography, a 50mm 1.4f lens for indoor portrait work, and a 75-300mm USM IS for aircraft and wildlife photography. Just like the camera, each of those lenses has served me well.
Love this camera!  You would have had to pay double this amount 6 months ago to get these capabilities.  It is easy to use and takes great photos.  Get it today!  They'll be gone by Christmas.
Don't buy this camera. If your budget is limited, buy a point-and-shoot. The modern ones have nearly the same high-ISO performance. Or save for a 20D or better.Reasons to buy this camera:* It's cheap. $100 used.* It has fine image quality from ISO 100 to ISO 400, capable of prints up to 15"x20"* It's an EOS DSLR, so you can use Canon's lenses and accessories* It has a good gripReasons not to buy this camera:* Vastly superior cameras (e.g., 20D) are available for not much more* Automatic AF point selection is slow and doesn't work in low light* Automatic flash exposure is terrible* The screen is small, low-resolution, and not color accurate* The interface is antiquated and difficult to navigate* It's missing a lot of useful features like mirror lockup* It's a godawful slow body for continuous shooting or for raw* It has a lot of shutter lag* It's not capable of motion tracking with any consistency* It's slow in general for picture review, card formatting, and so on* It's not water resistant in any way; repair costs for water damage are over $200* The kit lens is garbage below f/8The only reason I'd buy this body would be to digitize slides, or for some other project that didn't require actually using it as a camera.
As I wrote in my review of the Canon s60, I planned to purchase the digital rebel...Well, I did and the camera is all that other reviewers say it is....super easy to use, superb photos, decent price considering the competition...The fact that I am shooting through the lens and seeing what I am capturing is well worth the extra money for an SLR.The main reason that I am posting this review (which really seems redundant to most of the other reviews of this camera) is to recommend two additional accessory purchases which I found invaluable:(1) The Sigma 55-200 lens specifically made for digital SLR.s. I bought this lens at B&H; for $139. It is very sharp, very light and compact and gives me a total shooting range (combined with the Canon included lens) of 18-200, taking me to over 300 in the  35mm format equivalent.(2) The Pelican 1400 Case: also at B&H; for about $61....The case protects the equipment far better than any case at anywhere near the price....It nicely holds the camera body with either the kit lens or the Sigma 55-200 attached...In addition it perfectly holds the lens that you are not using at the time, as well as the Canon external flash..I have the 420EX..This is about it...not a lot of wasted space..the case is now full and easy to toss in the compartment above my seat on the plane.. ..knowing my equipment is fully protected....The case also is easy to operate from when in my car.
I purchased my 300D in May 2005, when the XT was released and this 6.3 MP model's price began falling. I'd have to really pick this camera apart to tell you the downsides of it; disregard reviews by those who think this camera is not up to par -- of course it's not comparable to the EOS 1-Series or a 5D, so don't expect the same features or capabilities. The right user, however, can get similar results.That said, unless you are a professional photographer, I cannot imagine how the Digital Rebel could be inadequate for any amateur or semi-pro shooter. It's speed and megapixels have since been passed by, but it's still, especially now, a great buy.The kit lens will perform for you just fine, although most of my shots with the kit lens are at 18mm, landscape or just wide-angle shots. The flash works very well in most situations, even in extremely dark rooms. One guy complained his AF hunted in low light situations, even with flash...of course, what do you expect in a dark room? Use manual focus and grow up.Quality is great from ISO 100-400, although 800 can be somewhat ugly at times, and 1600 is basically unusable, especially if you're not shooting at f/2.8 or bigger.My main complaints: slow start-up time compared to the newer models (XT, 20D, etc) ... camera seems to be out of breath after continuous shooting; take 8 shots quickly and you may notice the camera needs to process info before it can shoot again. 2.5 frames/second is not very fast if you're shooting any sports.Overall, this camera has been incredibly reliable for me; it's gotten me front page shots on newspapers, magazine covers, calendars and websites. I used it so much that I blew out the shutter in 10 months; Canon fixed it at no charge and it works fine since. One minor problem: very rarely, it won't turn on unless I remove the battery and re-insert it.I've found the battery life to be fantastic. I can use it all day, even with flash, and still have some life at the end of the day. A backup battery in your bag should give you more than enough insurance for a day.I've printed at 11x17 with excellent results.With some practice, it's very easy to navigate. Menus and options are simple; changing the ISO or aperture is very easy despite what some have complained about. It's very reliable in fully-auto mode as well, especially if you're shooting with flash. A memory card reader is a must when uploading images.Overall: it's old news in the world of digital SLRs, but right now, a new or used model at such a good price is really is great value.
I love Canon Digital Camera's!!!!! They are easy to use,and the added features make it one of the Top Rated Camera's in the world!
This camera has one flaw and one flaw only. The auto white balance tends to make some image yellowish with the flash off. Everything else about the camera is amazingly good.The white balance with flash on is perfect. The batteries don't seem to die at all.  The auto focus is extremely fast. I tried (forgetting I had manual focus) to get something out of focus by moving the camera rapidly. Didn't work.The lens is high quality had has a pretty good zoom (3x BTW- took me a while to find that info) It has a switch on the side to go between manual and auto focus.The modes work as they say they do. All 12 are useful for different shots. Go into the auto mode and the camera becomes a point-and-shoot. Go into full manual and it becomes the camera that takes photos you find in magazines. Remarkably, it even takes perfect photos of people who always say they aren't photogenic (and aren't with any other camera).  People who blink when the flash goes off don't with this camera.It took me a few weeks to learn how to use the manual modes. The manual is extremely good, considering I used it. (I usually hate using manuals) The macro mode is so good, pictures often come out badly because the camera shows dust and dirt on the objects that you can't even see with the naked eye. I consider this good.The camera seems to be designed for right handed people, but I am left handed, and it doesn't feel awkward at all. I also wear glasses, and find taking pictures comfortable with or without them. (The adjustment just barely corrects for my poor vision, however)The controls are well laid out and make sense. The menus are easy to navigate, and deleting pictures is fast. The design of the camera is also great. Even though the body is plastic, it looks and feels more like metal. Not cheap at all. It looks great.And its pictures are just amazing. Amazing.If you are looking for a camera in this price range, get this camera.If you have any questions, feel free to email me at dzweben@mac.com, and I will try to answer them.
After all the press hype & the tech reviews, I bought one.  AND yes it is really true. This IS an SLR but it is digital.  It combines just about all the advantages of both, with very few of the disadvantages of either.  It is hard to believe (after owning 2 digitals and 3 chemical slrs!), that this is really true.  I will not go into details - ... What is soo great compared to the usual digital cams: enormous low noise sensitivity - even to ISO 800; enormous exposure flexibility and composure accuracy; fantastic lens choice; and a BRIGHT non digital SLR exposure composition screen- works in sunlight - its an SLR! There is NOTHING on the market that compares for the price. Buy one!16/10/03:  Just did a comparison between poster size enlargements of images from my Canon EOS 500 (chemical SLR) and my new EOS 300d. Very similar quality at poster size!!  There is a difference between graininess (chemical) and pixellation (digital). Overall the subjective quality of fine details at hi res is amazing similar. But all the digital advantages rest with the 300d!! The chemical SLR (35mm) is now dead!1/12/04:  There is a serious issue with all DSLRs: dust!  You WILL have to manage dust on the sensor of this DSLR - same for (almost) all other DSLRs!! Damm!!! Once every 6 months you WILL need a sensor clean. Until Canon et al find a technical solution.
well , i did not want to buy a digital SLR since ia m not a professional photoghrapher and use only automatic modes . Some sellers were pushing me towards the REBEL and i let them win. Adn i have it for 5 moths and i am very happy with it .This is fast , and all the pics are simply good with it . I have Canon G5 and some othere cameras but whenever i take photos i take only this . Since i have it , i only use this one.Not small but it worth it .I can catch the moments . I like to shoot faces , and i shoot when i shoot. No more closed eyes .ANd to be honest i was hesitating to get an 8MP point and shoot digital , but i am more happy with this . I got an eytra longer lense to it with image stablizator and that is even more fun. I feel like i am professional photographer , though i am not .I think if you wanna spend this much money this is the best choice. THough i also like my Vanon Powershot G5.
The one dissenting opinion in these reviews was obviously written by an "uninformed person".  This is far from a "Just for beginners" camera.  I've been shooting 35MM SLRs for over 30 years and digital for over 5 years.  This is the first affordable digital SLR... ever!... While it certainly lacks features compared to it's brothers the 1D and 1Ds and 10D, it is a worthy SLR digicam which is light years beyond anything in it's price class. Buy this camera with confidence.  It will be a classic.  Ignore the reviewer who gives no supporting evidence for his assertions.  Sure you can pay 2 to 10 times as much and get a DSLR that is better, but do you really need it?  This camera is perfect for 90% of DSLR users. Many of us are NOT beginners by a long shot!!  There are plenty of professional photographers using older and less feature packed film cameras and probably shooting better pics than that reviewer!
I've been both a serious SLR amateur photog for more than 30 years (still have my multiple Minolta SRT-101s) and into digital for about 4 years.  Frankly, I can't understand some of the low ratings for picture/color quality. This camera will function as a simple point and shoot right out of the box with stunning results.  Take a photo in fine setting, crop out just one third of that and you can make a stunning, lab quality 8X10, with perfect lighting (indoor-flash) and perfect color.  Add to that the flexiblity of using ALL Canon lenses on it and you have a real winner.
First off, I love this camera. Many reviewers have said all the stuff they like about it and I whole-heartedly agree with most of them. One thing I'd like to add is to note Canon's online digital learning center (photoworkshop) is a great resource for amateur photgraphers like me who are new to the digital world. There are over 20 great lessons to go through. You can access the site from Canon's main EOS webpage.I have had a 35mm Canon Rebel SLR for several years now and have been very happy with it. I bought this camera primarily because I can use the EF lenses I purchased over the years for my 35mm Rebel with this camera as well. And I'm glad I did. This camera works well with my other lenses. The only thing that's kinda a bummer is there is a 1.6 multiplying factor on the lens's focal length, so my 35-80 functions like a 56-128 on the Digial Rebel. It's nice to have the extra zoom, but it can be difficult to get all the subjects into a shot that is composed a couple feet away. The standard lens that comes with this camera was designed to compensate for this, but given our cash flow I'm perfectly content without it...maybe someday we'll get a wide-angle lens. In the meanwhile I'm excited about the fact that my old telephoto lense now functions with a maximum focal length of 480!!My only real complaint is that the only RAW support that comes with this camera is Canon's File Viewer Utility. The Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 cannot work with RAW files taken with this camera. Instead you would need the full Photoshop CS version to have that functionality and in order to buy Photoshop CS with this camera you would have to multiply your final cost by about a factor of 1.6. That's a bit pricey.To further frustrate me, Adobe's Photoshop Album, which is a great little program, also doesn't recognize the Digital Rebel's RAW files. So either I have to take pictures in JPG mode or I have to individually convert all my RAW photos using Canon's utility, which is powerful, but clunky and slow.But, if that's the only thing I really have to complain about, I must have a great camera...which I do. I highly recommend this camera. Maybe Elements 3.0 will work with the Digital Rebel's RAW files and then I'll have nothing to complain about.
I read every available review before purchasing this camera. I knew it was good, but didn't know how good until I got it in my hands.  All I can say is wow!!  I've been using Olympus digitals for about 5 years and have been very happy with their cameras.  My most recent was the C-50.I did own a Rebel GII, which took great pictures using film.  This Digital Rebel goes beyond that.  I was amazed at the colors &amp; the sharpness of the pictures.  I'm not the best photographer in the world, but this camera makes me feel like one.  I haven't taken a bad shot yet.The camera does have some weight to it, but it works to your advantage because there is less shaking when taking pictures.  Also, you HAVE to look through the viewfinder to compose your shot-not the LCD screen.  You can take 4 consecutive pictures w/o any delay, love that for action shots.  The first time the flash popped up scared me, but you get used to it.I have yet to find anything wrong with this camera.  The controls are easy to navigate, menu is easy to see.  It even rotates your pictures for you.
I have owned a Canon EOS Digital Rebel 6.3mp for several weeks now and love it. Fantastic pictures & features. I worked with SLR's for many years. Figured it was time to "move up" to the digital SLR and glad I did. This camera has plenty of features available, or you can just set it for "auto" and that works fine, too. Though an optional flash is not needed for most photography I wanted one for far shots and such. Canon makes several models dedicated to this camera, but I find them weak (220EX) or costly.  Shop carefully in trying to find a compatible flash. It needs to be "dedicated" to the digital Rebels. One that will work with AF (auto focus) or the SLR (film) Rebel may not work right.  I also received conflicting information from Ritz Camera, both on-line and in the stores. Bottom line, if you need a flash, shop carefully and ask all the right questions. Personally I have held off buying one hoping more models at a lower price come out. The camera does already have a small pop-up flash. BTW, the Tamron AF 70-300 Macro 1:2 zoom is a nice lens to buy with it, and priced nicely at Beach Camera. UPDATE 1/2010: Here it is nearly 5 years later, and my Rebel is still working great! It has never gone in for service and nothing has ever gone wrong with it. Of course, I take care of things. I carried a Mack 5-year extended warranty and have never needed to use it. I just purchased my second Canon dSLR, the XSi with 12.2mp.
I purchased this camera after studying several similar cameras and reading every review.  After comparing all the pros and cons of the many cameras that I was reviewing, I decided on this one.  I am extremely happy with the decision.This camera is a full size SLR camera, which is exactly what I was looking for.  I have big hands and the compact cameras just didn't fit well.  I wanted a digital camera that does everything the SLR cameras do.  This camera is the ticket.  I can practice all day long using all the different settings to get used to the camera, and I don't have to worry about wasting film.It has six settings for file size of the .jpg photos.  The highest quality (6.3) mega pixel is about 3 megs.  The smallest is about a 4/10 to 3/10s of a meg, which is a very good quality picture, even at the smallest setting.  I recommend getting the high-speed compact flash card for the camera, it's only about ten dollars more and you can take high-speed photos with it.  I take about 2-3 a second (1-2 a second using the flash), which is outstanding for a digital camera.I haven't experienced some of the problems I have read in other reviews, such as under exposed photos indoors; in fact I've experienced great indoor shots.  I had a few unfocused shots, but that was me, not the camera.I could go on and on about this camera, the most important thing, it's easy to learn, even for a beginner and is just about everything you will want in a camera (except for being tiny).  It's a great buy.
As most reviews say, this is a great digital SLR. The 420EX flash makes a huge difference in photo quality. With the 28-135 and the 420ex flash unit the camera is very heavy and I cannot see lugging it to Disney, you would want a smalller digital camera for that.[...]
Great camera.  Excellent picture quality, ability to use filters and lense from Canon and others.  I am very happy with this camera.
I just bought and used this camera for about three weeks (without the kit lens since I have several other Canon lenes already, which are better than the kit lens in terms of image quality). Canon recently throws a lot of rebates on this model (up to $300 rebate if you buy two other Canon lenses). This is an incredible deal. Is this the best entry level DSLR? My answer is "probably yes, but with some reservation on its features". Marketed as an entry level DSLR, it is reasonable to expect some tradeoff due to cost cutting. But some of Canon's design decisions are puzzling at best, which compromises its quality and functionality, without reducing overall cost (in other words, it could be done better without incurring additional cost). Here is my exprience.On the up side:The camera feels solid with the right weight. Originally I though it may feel flimsy and overly light since it is made of plastic (the feeling you get of Canon Rebel film camera), but as soon as I took that out of the package, I started to like its weight (not too heavy as you feel for metal-bodied SLR, not too light). Of course, it is still heavier (with lens attached) than consumer grade digital cameras.The camera's operation is much like other Canon SLRs. It has same lens mount (EF mount) as all other modern Canon SLRs which also means you can use all your Canon EF lens (or other third party lenses which conform to EF standard, I use a Tamron lens on this camera without problem). It can also use new EF-S mount lens which is what the kit lens uses. But since EF-S lens is relatively new and can be only used on this camera (and D20 which newly comes out), be aware of Canon's commitment to this lens format in the long term and prepare to throw away EF-S lenses after several years. The controls on the back side of the camera is different than most Canon's consumer grade digital cameras and film SLRs. So if you come from these worlds, there is something to learn, but not too much though.Image quality is superb. Not only it has 6Mpixel resolution, but the overall noise level of image is very low. At ISO 100, image is silk smooth. At ISO 800, noise is visible but pretty controlled. At ISO 1600, noise is much bigger, but still usable, especially you use some noise reduction tools to post processing such image. It surely beats ALL consumer and prosumer level digital cameras on the noise front. And the reason is it uses large CMOS sensor, much bigger than smaller CCD sensor used in consumer digital cameras. So if you are looking at low light performance, you have to use a DSLR like Canon digital rebel. Of course, the image quality of a DSLR also depends on what lens you use. Most of Canon's lenses should deliver better results than most consumer digital cameras.The builtin flash pops up high, which is good. Unlike the flash on film rebel, which pops up low and its light may be obstructed by some large lenses, this flash should work well for most lenses. However, see my comments below, it does have some shortcomings.Focusing is adequate as you can expect from a SLR. The seven point auto focus sometimes does the wrong focusing, and you can select focus point to overcome this. It is not superb, but not bad either.Now comes the down side:Compact flash write speed is quite slow. Even use a high speed CF card (I use Lexar 80X), it still appears slow and not utilizes the full potential of these fast CF cards. When you shoot 4 photos at once, you have to wait the camera buffer to be emptied to CF to continue. This takes somewhere from 10 seconds to 20 seconds depending on your CF card.No LCD display of image you are trying to shoot. Almost all consumer digital cameras allow you view objects in the LCD screen. You have to look closely though the small viewfinder window to track objects. This is a very convenient feature to have so I am wondering why Canon does not do this if it is targeting non-professional photographers.There is no flash compensation. Again you can find this feature on many Canon's consumer level digital cameras. Another disappointment.Metering is odd. You have to use the standard evaluative mode most of the times without any other choices. I'd like to see different metering modes available under all shooting modes. Occasionally, I feel some images are underexposed.Downloading images to your computer is absolutely painfully slow. It uses a USB 1.1 interface - why not USB 2.0 or firewire? The download speed feels slower than the old Canon G2 I have. If you shoot a full 2GB of images, expect several hours of downloading.Why a seperate battery charger? Old Canon G2 has builtin battery charger so you don't need to pull out the bettary to charge. Moving battery in and out every time it runs out is a hassel.So overall, I think it is a great camera, but if Canon can do more to fix/enhance these issues, that would make this camera an absolute hit. Also at this price range (I paid $750 before rebate) it is the lowest priced DSLR on the market.
I consider myself an aggressive beginner digital photographer.  Maybe I'm up to mid-level by now since this is my fourth digital camera, but since I don't use any of the manual controls and dont know a white balance from an f-stop, Im far from a pro user.With that said, man I have taken some pretty good shots with this camera!  I love it.  I carry it with me just about everywhere I go.  I look pretty nerdy carrying this camera bag around with me all the time, but you never know when you will need it and I am trying to make up for not taking very many pictures the first half of my life.  Ive had this camera for about a year, and Ive taken at least 2,000 pictures with it.  It's great, i enjoy it, thank you baby for getting it for me!If you have any kind of photo software on your computer, the Digital Rebel will work with it.  If you have some advanced software like Photoshop and iPhoto, it will sing!  Most of the photos, I simply import into iPhoto and from there, I can print to the Epson Stylus Photo 960 and get great results.  The 6.3 MP Digital Rebel takes such GREAT BIG pictures, that you can blow them up a little and not lose any detail.  You probably won't need to blow them up though because they are so big to start with.  At 100%, they are bigger than the largest computer screens.The difference in this and a smaller 4.0 MP camera (like my Canon S-40) is that you don't have to be so close to the subject to get a good picture.  From across a room, you can take a good shot, then zoom in when you crop.  It leaves a lot of room to zoom.I use a 256MB Compact Flash card and the camera shows to hold 71 shots at full resolution, though you may be able to get a couple more than that out of it.  So, if you get a 1GB card, it should easily hold a couple of hundred shots.  I would recommend an additional battery, a bag, and if you are really industrious, a larger lens.  I have a 30-200 (I think) and it only cost about $150.About the only thing I had trouble with, is that you cannot hold it out in front of you at arms length and see  your subject on the monitor before you take your shot like you do with smaller digital cameras.  It is because this is an SLR camera and you have to hold it up close and look thru the lens.  Dont buy this camera if this is a concern.  It does have a color monitor, but that is for reviewing the pictures after you have taken them and configuring the camera only.  Im used to it now and its not a big deal.
Ok, first off I have to say that I bought my camera about 3 days ago.  I have used it for several personal events, but I have not used it yet to do the main thing I bought it for, which is sports and action photos.I have read some great reviews about this camera, and overall I am very pleased with it.  But I do think that there are 2-3 items that I should address that annoy me about this camera, which I did not realize before buying.First, I came from a Canon EOS A2, which had most features that I ever needed.  About my only complaint on this camera was that the flash-synche wasn't quite fast enough for me.  But that was minimal.Now, with the Digital Rebel, I realize I am taking a step down in the EOS &quot;family line&quot; but I was hoping the Rebel would be upgraded as such with the features that it's predecessors lacked.  Some were, and some weren't.The first lacking feature is the inability to change metering modes.  The camera has preset metering modes in the different &quot;creative&quot; and &quot;preset&quot; settings.  I cannot change from center-weighted metering to full-frame metering in Tv (shutter priority) Av (aperature priority) or full program (P)  The camera presets the metering for each of these modes and does not give me the option to change.The same is true for Single Shot and AI Servo focussing.  I cannot tell the camera to focus on a moving subject, unless in the &quot;Sports&quot; mode, and then in this mode, I cannot set the shutter speed manually.  In Tv, the camera &quot;senses&quot; whether you are following a subjext or not, and focuses either single-shot or AI Servo, depending on the movement of the subject.  But I have noticed that it takes a small amount of time to detect the subject moving.  After this, the lightning-fast EOS focussing system kicks in and all is well.These may be minor features to most, but they are features I became accustomed to with the EOS A2, and that camera is several years old.  I was hoping this new and improved rebel would be more munipulative, but it is not.Overall I would still rate this camera at 4 stars.  The photo quality is outstanding and the ease of use is great.  The focusing still screams and I can use my former lenses.  I just wish I would have known about these other features before-hand.
I have had 5 digital point and shoot cameras all a little bigger and better than the last. This is my first SLR and I am not in the least disappointed. This camera meets or exceeded everything I expected from it. Very easy to learn, read the manual and use the web site tuturial and when the battery is charged your ready to go take pictures. I highly recommend this camera.
For anyone with a creative bone in their body, an SLR camera is the way to go.  And if you like snapping, and not developing, then digital is the only way to go.I recently got this camera and it has the feel and capabilities of many professional digital SLR cameras, but without some of the less necessary features, like color temperature control (you can select several settings for this feature, but it is not fully customizable as some other digital SLRs are).  For the creative, semi-pro photographer, this is the camera of choice.  Kudos to Canon for making a very fine product!
canon's competitors must be scratching their collective heads wondering how canon has managed to deliver a true interchangeable-lens digital SLR for less than a thousand bucks.  this is nothing short of a revolution in the d-SLRs world and it's hard not to get excited!pros:- can't stress this enough: value, value, value - a formidable d-SLR has landed south of the thousand dollar barrier.- 6MP CMOS sensor.- excellent resolution matches canon's own EOS 10D.- seven manually selectable AF points - fast and reliable.- 2.5fps continuous shooting speed up to four images regardless of resolution.- accurate color reproduction.- images virtually noise free at ISO 800 and below.- very little redeye occurrence.- good metering, although no direct control of metering mode.- good manual preset white balance.- shooting priority play mode - simply half-press the shutter during playback and you're ready to shoot.- supports RAW format.- excellent AF speeds, with virtually no shutter lag.- impressive shot to shot times - basically you can shoot as fast as you can compose your shot.- good selection of exposure modes.- orientation sensor for automatic image rotation.- playback magnification up to 10x.- allows computer controlled shooting with included software.- feels solidly built despite the plastic body.- easy to use, integrated controls and displays.- bright, high resolution LCD.- fully compatible with canon extensive lens line.- excellent battery life (but i still recommend getting a spare).- excellent printed manual and supplied software bundle.cons:- to minimize cannibalization of 10D sales, the 300D has been pre-programmed to have less flexibility (forced AI focus, forced evaluative metering, etc).- no spot metering.- low noise levels at ISO 1600.- no flash exposure compensation.- cannot fine-tune white balance.- make sure you don't open the memory door while the camera is writing into the flash memory or else you will lose everything that's left in the internal memory buffer.- plastic body with compartment doors that should be meatier.- LCD has no anti-reflective coating.- reduced continuous shooting rate and buffer size (2.5 fps for max 4 images) vs the 10D.- ISO sensitivity not displayed on viewfinder status bar while being changed.- no flash memory provided so add a few $$ to your budget to get at least 128MB.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.there's nothing in the market that can touch this camera today.  if you're shopping for a camera in the thousand dollar range, make sure you take a close look at the 300D.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
Awesome camera. Works flawlessly with Mac OS X, iPhoto. Also has full version of Photoshop Elements 2.0 inlcuded. Well worth it...
I just got my digital rebel and I don't want to put it down.First, of all the camera is pretty hefty. I actually like heft to my camera as the weight helps reduce camera shake.Second, the thing is so quiet it's scary. The noisiest thing is the flash popping up - followed by the mirror moving for the shutter.Third - image quality is a killer, and I love the ability to change white balance, iso speed etc.And like other EOS models this camera lets me have as much or as little control over the exposure as I want. I can go all point and shoot automatic if I just want to pop off a few shots of friends at a party, or I can go fully manual to give Ansel Adams a run for his money.6.3 megapixels - holy crap dude! There isn't much I currently do where I woudl ever need more than that, and if I do, I'll go rent a Hassie with a digital back or something.Auto-Focus is fast and sharp, and of course you can go manual as well. Transferring the image onto the card is a sub-second operation - nice auto drive feature.This camera has set a new bar for the digital camera market!
I promised myself that as soon as SLR digitals got below $1000, I'd get one.  I saw this at Best Buy and bought it on the spot.  (Should have waited and bought on Amazon cheaper).  This camera rocks.  I've used several so called &quot;point and shoot&quot; digital cameras by Olympus and Nikon and this one is much easier to use.  Auto focus is amzingly fast and accurate.  Auto flash detection.  Swapable lenes with my older film Rebel.  Battery lasts me well over 150 shots on one charge.  Amazing picture quality.Do not spend $500-$600 on some lower end digital camera with a fixed lens.  This is the real deal.  Look at the reviews...perfect!  This will be the last digital you'll ever need unless you go pro.  Buy it, Buy it, Buy it.
I returned the one I bought. The D70 takes better pictures and the new Pentax *IstDS blows it out of the water in size, build quality and mostly in superior photo quality. The 300D is faster and better than a point and shoot, but the photos have much more of a fake/processed look than the *IstDS.
I was doing very heavy research for a ~$400 digital camera last Summer when Canon announced this baby out of the blue. The prospect of getting a 6.3MP digital SLR for a little more than double what I was prepared to spend on a camera was a no-brainer for me. I received my Digital Rebel w/ kit lens at the end of September, so I've been using it for almost 4 months. I'm no photographer; I'm still learning even the basics of photography.First of all, I recommend the kit lens. It's great for wide-angle interior shots, especially parties and get-togethers. I was wanting for something with zoom, so I picked up a 28-200mm zoom lens, but I consider the kit lens to be my &quot;interior&quot; lens and use it as such.Adjusting to shooting through only the viewfinder was more of an adjustment than I expected, having used a point-and-shoot digital for 3 years prior. I'm getting used to it more quickly than I expected, though. I expect that, eventually, I'll consider it unprofessional to shoot with an LCD. On the other hand, there are situations where shooting from the LCD would be advantageous and helpful.Recommendations: 1) learn to use exposure lock to get proper exposure, especially in scenes with light and dark. 2) Always shoot in RAW mode for special shots, such as family portraits. Nothing is worst than assembling the troops, shooting what seems to be a good pic, getting it on the computer, realizing that it'll need a lot of touching up and noticing that your JPEG image loses detail and quality with every touch-up.Most sub-$1000 cameras teach you simply how to snap photos. The Digital Rebel teaches you *photography*. If you're a novice like me and this sounds intimidating, then sticking with a cheaper point-and-shoot sounds up you're alley; however, if you welcome the challenge, then this is the camera for you.
I have long been a Canon SLR user (since 1982)... owned the AE-1 Program then later the EOS.  When the digital age came, I still stuck to my old Canon's , I felt that the digital cameras just don't have the same magic as my old ones.  I've always wanted a digital camera but only if its an SLR... I couldn't afford the earlier models so I patiently waited for Canon to come up with a camera that I can afford.... I was glad that I waited... the Digital Rebel was really worth the wait.  Great resolution, easy to use (well not as easy as the old slr's)... a great camera from a great brand.  I saw the slr like digitals like the Nikon 5700 and the Sony... it costs as much as the rebel but it's nothing like a real SLR.  It's still a bit expensive, was hoping for a $700 price but I couldn't wait any longer so I got this one.  22 years of using Canon SLRs, I think I made the right choice.
I've been looking at digital cameras for over a year now and I have been holding off.  When this camera came out it got my attention.  I finally bought one three weeks ago when I was on a trip and I forgot my film point and shoot.Had I known what this camera could do I would have bought it three months ago when I could have.  The camera functions great in fully automatic mode.  The automatic &quot;creative&quot; settings and the &quot;manual&quot; modes also work very well.  The only thing you have to watch for are the focus points which will vary so keeping clicking half way until they are on the important points.  The camera with the stock lens is plenty sharp - and this is coming from a long time Nikkor lens guy shooting on F2's and F3's.Get a 1gig flash card and you will not believe how many large files you can get on a card.  Battery life is good for around 350 large photos with alot of flash shots, but you need a spare battery.  The 512 battery is less expensive and works as well if not better than the 511.  Do not bother to get a card reader - you do not need it.It took this camera to get a dedicated 35mm shooter to make the jump.  The only problem is that now I have a whole different series of lens to buy.  I got a great deal on the 75-300 USM III lens and I have been happy with it.  You can and will shoot more photos than you ever did with a 35mm - and I generally shoot with a motor drive - and you will be amazed with the results.  Do not rely on the LCD to decide if you want to keep the shot - wait unitl you get home.  You get a video out cord to show the photos on a television.  My only question about the camera is its long term durability as it is not heavily built - but then again I'm used to shooting with a camera that is known to be a real tank.  I looked at the Sony 828 but it is not a SLR and the feature set is harder to access - aside from the numerous problems that we have heard about that camera.Did I say that I was very happy with this camera?
Having stupidly broken my PowerShot G5, I decided I would take a step up to a digital SLR, just wasn't sure who I would buy from (Canon or Nikon). Decided on the Digital Rebel, with a Sigma zoom and telephoto lens. Even though I only received last night, I am very pleased with it already. I can only imagine the shots I will get and look forward to learning everything that this camera can do. Only one little minor thing I didn't like when I pulled it out of the box and that was a sound like something was loose, turned out to be the flash but this is not a big deal (other than trying to figure out how to turn the flash off LOL). Anyway, being an very limited digital user it seems a great camera for a beginner, but at the same time I can see that it can benefit an experienced photographer at the same time. Glad I decided to go with the Digital Rebel and getting some wonderful shots!!
its not the most advanced digital out there but  it gets the job done and economically to boot -count me satisfied
I had purchased the EOS Rebel Ti film camera one year ago and LOVED it. Everyone asked if it was digital and I said, "no, digital isn't up to my standards yet." Well, now it is! When I saw the Rebel Digital 6.3 megapixel I just *knew* the time had come to go digital. I am so happy with it! I bought it while on vacation this past week so I got to use it for vacation pictures. I bought a 128 MB memory card to go with it (it doesn't come with any memory card at all) and at the "Large/Fine" setting was able to take about 48 pictures before running out of room. At smaller settings I'd have gotten many more pictures out of the 128. But the camera comes with a cable and software to connect seamlessly with your computer, so since I brought my laptop along I was able to download my pictures and re-use the card. By trip's end I did buy a 512 MB card, but only in preparation for my trip to London next month, because I don't want to have to lug my laptop on my walks around the city.I also experimented with switching the lens from my Rebel Film camera to my new Rebel Digital. The digital Rebel comes with an 18-55mm, while the film Rebel comes with a 28-90mm lens.The lens from the film Rebel fit just fine on the digital Rebel, but I was unable to switch the other way and put the 18-55 on my film Rebel. Both lenses worked great on the digital. The battery that the Rebel Digital uses is the same battery I use on my Canon ZR45 MC mini Digital Video Camcorder. I would say it lasted 3-4 days of moderate use on my Rebel, which is much better than the 3 hours I get from it on the camcorder.Many of the controls on the digital Rebel are the same as on the film Rebel, which is to say, EASY and intuitive. What I like best about the Rebel is that it grows with you: you can use the auto controls to basically "point and shoot", or you can use the manual controls when you know what you're doing. The auto controls cover most circumstances you'll ever need: action, night, closeup, landscape, portrait, no flash, or fully automatic. The manual side gives you auto depth of field, aperture control, shutter speed control, exposure control, or fully manual. I've been extremely happy with the auto controls. Some day I'll graduate over to the manual side and try to dredge up from my memory what I learned 20 years ago in school.What I love about digital is that you can instantly critique your photos and delete the ones that don't turn out as well as you'd thought. But what sold me on going digital at this point is that with the 6.3MP the quality is such that I can enlarge my photos to poster size without losing quality. You just don't have that in a 35 mm camera except under the most optimum conditions. I wanted the flexibility to be able to take pictures under all lighting conditions and be able to use the ones that turn out great in any way I want. I love taking night shots and these cameras handle them BEAUTIFULLY. I'm expecting to be able to make posters and frame and sell them.I haven't yet printed out my pictures but they look absolutely fantastic on screen. I'm excited again about my photographic skills. This camera is everything I'd hoped a digital camera would be. It's also a very hot item right now so get yours when you can!If you purchase, I recommend getting a UV lens right away, as well as a memory stick.
If you've been using a digital point-and-shoot for a while and you want to upgrade, you couldn't do any better than this camera.  If you can operate a high-end P&S; camera, you can operate the Digital Rebel.  Simply choose your shooting mode (i.e. closeup, landscape, portrait, sports, etc.), press the shutter button halfway down to autofocus, then press the button all the way down.  First you'll notice how fast the autofocus function is: you won't have to worry about missing shots.  Then you'll see the photos, and you'll be amazed.  If you use the "Large/Fine" setting, you'll have files which easily be printed at 16"x20" without any discernible loss of quality ... try doing THAT with the photos from your 3MP point compact.But wait, there's more.You CAN use this camera as a fancy point-and-shoot... or, if you invest a little time and study, you can get creative.  The Digital Rebel allows you to control aperature, shutter speed, ISO  settings, white balance, autofocus points, etc.  It also allows you to use any Canon EF (autofocus) lens -- over sixty at last count.  Telephoto lenses, wide-angle lenses, macro lenses which allow extreme closeups ... you're limited only by your imagination, and your accessory budget.If you already own a film SLR and want to go digital, you're going to love this baby... especially if you own a Canon autofocus SLR.  You'll be able to use your old lenses, flashes, and filters, and you'll be saving money on film and developing.  Professionals may want to spend the extra $600 or so for the Canon 60D; it allows a bit more flexibility with light metering and has a more sturdy magnesium body which will better withstand the rigors of photojournalism ... but this is more than enough camera for anybody who isn't going to be using it to earn their daily bread.One last bit of advice: get this one fast.  Based on the buzz it's generated in various photo magazines, I'm guessing that the Digital Rebel will be flying off the shelves.  Buy now before you get stuck in backorder purgatory.
I simply wish to say that being a Sony owner while not being professional, I have been a follower of all MAVICA series cameras and when a dear friend, who is a professional photographer, asked me to try the first in the Rebel series, I was reluctant.  Now, I love the fact that his suggestion has played out for the best for me and my goals of becoming a professional photographer while trying different manufacturers and models within a reasonable price range.  You get them all when you participate with Canon with emphasis on their superior &#34;Camera Museum&#34; and the top drawer service in America for Canon being in Virginia with the very best in technical support and questions of all ten Rebel Canons that I am collecting.  Thank you for allowing a nonprofessional photography who is indeed a passionate enthusiast at this time be on the right track with Canon Rebel digital cameras.
Highly recommend this camera.  The Sony DSC828 inspired me to take a fresh look at digicams.  I'm glad I didn't wait for it to become available.What makes the quality of the D100 shots so much better than digicams?  I believe the #1 reason is the size of the sensor (the digital &quot;film&quot;).For example, the sensor in the Digital Rebel is 22.7mm by 15.1 mm.  The sensor in the up and coming Sony is only 8.8mm by 6.6mm.  That means that they have to pack all of the sensors in that much smaller of an area.  The result of the much smaller sensors is noise- random colored dots in darker areas of the picture.I've owned the camera for two weeks and on top of the nice lens that comes with it I purchased the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 Macro Super II lens (Sigma # 507101).  This is one heck of a combination and I am so happy I've spent the extra money for this camera and lens.My wife even loves the pictures.  She suggested we skip going to that portrait studio at the mall for Christmas cards this year and do it ourselves.  Taking the $60 out of those people's hands was worth the purchase price alone! :)Some people claim the plastic body feels cheap.  I think it does feel plastic, but does not feel cheap.  I've never owned a metal bodied camera so I guess I can't claim I like one or the other better.  But the body is certainly light.If I had one negative, I don't much care for the built in flash.  It tends to be on the dark side and cause red-eye since it's too close to the lens.  I bought a cheap Vivitar 2000 flash from wal-mart for $20 and I have to say it does a very good job.  In the future I'll get a canon TTL flash.
For a simi-pro camra this is the best I have came across.  Good photos, symple to use and good over all except battery life when taking mass emounts of photos, but that is why I have an extra one.If you can't afford the newest version this one is a good choice!
I bought a Canon 35mm Rebel SLR 8 years ago and loved it so much, I eventually bought two more Canon film cameras over the years, including lots of lenses and goodies.  But a couple of years ago, I wanted to make the switch to digital.  The Canon digital SLRs were out of my price range ($3K to start), so I purchased a Powershot G2 digital point and shoot, which I loved, but my lenses sat unused in my closet.Well, I fret no more as Canon came out with the much more affordable Digital Rebel for under $1,000 and I finally took the plunge.  A great decision.  Now I can use my lenses.  I have a 50mm 1.8 (word of advice - if you don't have it yet, get this lens - the best $80 you'll spend on your hobby), 28-135mm Image stabilizer and a 75-300mm zoom along with the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the Digital Rebel.  This along with the 380EX flash that I have had for 5+ years give me the arsenal to take good shots in most conditions.  You can set ISO to 800 or 1600 to get clear indoor shots or sports action, and the noise associated with these settings is much more acceptable to me than the 400 ISO setting provided on my G2.  And as far as portraits go, combine the 50mm lens with the flash and I've taken some of the best face shots in my life.Also making me happy is that Rebel takes the same battery as the G2, so I use my G2 battery plus the Rebel battery along with the two extras I bought), meaning I should never run out of power (what helps with battery life is that unlike the G2, you can't use the display monitor to frame the picture, you must use the viewfinder).  Plus the camera takes Compact Flash cards, again like the G2, so I don't have to spend on new memory.If I have a gripe, is that some pictures come out a tad underexposed even with the flash, but this is generally remedied in image software.  And I miss the movie mode in the G2, but certainly can live with it.After 4 months, all is well with the Rebel and I can't wait to upgrade in the future.
I am a 35 mm Rebel user and thought that I was ready to make the jump to SLR digital. The price of the Rebel digital was also great incentive. I have also had a ton of fun with my mother's Nikon D100. I was hoping that the picture quality of the Rebel would be comparable to the Nikon without the cost.I purchased the Rebel Digital a couple of weeks ago and it is already in the shop - re: back to back pictures of the same subject /same distance using on camera flash and also 420 EX flash resulted in very different exposures. First very light, next very dark, etc etc.Made no sense to me at first or to the guy at the camera shop. I was first sent home with the directions to wait longer in between shots to allow the flash more time to 're-energize'. This didn't sit well with me but I tried it - still no cure. After taking it back the second time they sent it to the shop. The camera guy took 2 of his own photos back to back and WOW I am not an idiot after all and away the camera went to Canon. Haven't heard back yet.After e-mailing Canon myself this is what they had to say:Please remember that metering is linked to the active AF point. If youfocus (meter) on a very light area of the subject, the camera willexpose for that area. As a result, darker areas of the same subject mayappear underexposed. Using the camera's AE Lock (or FE Lock, for flashimages) function should improve your results. Alternatively, you canmeter on a more moderately toned area of the image.Anyway, after kicking myself in the butt, I went back to the camera shop and requested a new camera body as I am not comfortable with having a camera less than a week and having it in the shop already. So they agreed and gave me another. Much to my surprise this one did the same thing (not as bad though). The guy told me that I needed the 10D his reasons were not quite clear. My guess is a combination of speed and exposure setting differences as well as autofocus ability? (If anyone cares check out the 9 point autofocus of the new 20D - Very Impressive!)Bottom line if you are not a SLR user you may not even notice these slight but to me very irritating differences in exposure so spend the money and have fun. For me, I am going to save for the 20D and hope for much better luck!!!!!Besides sometimes newbies, amateurs, even professionals just want to point and shoot and this camera just doesn't cut it. You decide if this is something that you want to deal with or not.Thanks for the time and good luck.
I purchased my Digital Rebel several months ago, and I am very pleased with the performance. Picture quality is the best I have seen from a digital camera. Colors are accurate, resolution is excellent.The only real drawback is the camera (as equipped) does not work well in low light settings. I suggest purchasing the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens for approx $70 for indoor use without flash.Also, I recommend a Canon telephoto with "image stabiliztion". As far as I can tell, only Canon has this technology available for the average user. It works exceptionally well - especially if taking pictures of moving subjects. I have used mine at several airshows, and can follow an object flying across the airfield at 300-500 MPH - yet still get perfect photos.There are several good options in digital SLR cameras, but considering the lens technology, Canon is the best choice for me.
Being a long time loyal Canan userI was happily on my third Canon digital point and shoot camera when my dear husband presented me with this Canon Digital Rebel for Christmas. I am absolutely in love with this camera.  I have not picked up my old SLR film camera once since discovering that I can do so much more with this Canon.  Perfect for the amateur photographer or mom and the kids, this camera allows the freedom to choose how much automation you want.  Takes fabulous pictures and a snap to use. This really is the best of both worlds.
I would have given the camera 5 stars but for the fact that I have found it difficult to extract the photos from the camera. I have a $150 digital Olympus that is So Easy to get the photos onto my pc from.Both of my PCs (one Win2k, the other WinXP) gave me different problems with the Rebel. With the latter, I cannot thus far get the photos off. The PC recognises the camera (after all software installed, rebooted etc) but show nothing when I dbl-click into it.
I've had this camera for a little over a month now.  It is my third digital (following a Fuji FinePix 1400 and the FinePix S602Z - which I still take along for size and the super macro abilities) and my 3rd Canon (having started with an AE-1 and then the EOS A2).  Having a nice arsenal of EOS lenses, the introduction of this camera made this purchase a no-brainer.  I love, love, love it!  Do spend the extra $ and get the SanDisk Ultra II 512 Mb memory card.  Once you use this speedy memory, there will be no going back!
I haven't owned a camera since 1989 or 99.  And it was a polaroid.Hey... don't smirk.... it took instant pictures of.... "what-ever".One day, I loaned it to a friend. (big mistake!)Her "spoiled brat" kids broke it....and she never offered to replaced it.(yea... I need more crappy friends like this in my life ).The next day, as I was driving to a wedding... I stopped at a Store 24and bought a disposible camera. Somehow....purchasing disposale camera's for special events became the "norm" for me.(But, I still missed my Polaroid's instant gratification).When I got married in 91, my husband brought his huge, heavy, Canon T70 SLR.I was terrified to use it.I thought for sure I would break it .... (just like my girlfriends rotten kids broke my camera).When my new hubby saw my apprehension... he shrugged and saidto me......"just point and shoot".So, I did.I was amazed at the clarity of the lens and how easy it was to focus.(i was instantly hooked).I ran around the house and yard... and shot the entire roll of film.When we got the film back (about a week later), I saw that I had taken several really lousy shots....but 70% of the pictures (I took) came out really good!!!!  I was very impressed by the picture clarity and colors of an SLR.(But, I still missed the instant gratification of my old polaroid).Two years later....My husband and I became "Master Gardeners".(Some people call us...Tree hugging, bug kissing, nuts).I heard about a contest that "Ortho" and "WalMart" were sponsoring.It was called :  "THE BEST GARDEN IN AMERICA".I grabed my husbands Canon SLR (film) camera and his camera books .and I studied them. Then I took about  200 pictures of our garden.And after a couple of days, I picked up the pictures..... choose the best picture and entered it in the contest.A lot of work....but it paid off.Yup!.... We won best garden in the North East!!!Since then, my husband and I have taken about a trillion pictures of our garden.10% are awful !!!, 20% are lousy!! .... 30% good!....and  40% fantastic!This January I sat down and looked at all our garden pictures.I always do  this in the dead of  winter .....cause the beauty of the flowers always makes me smile.But this winter.....I didn't smile!All I thought about was:..."Wow, I probably spent well over a thousand dollars in developing fee's for all the yucky pictures!"I have a dual G5, over 10,000.00 in software and hardware ....and I just bought (in my opinion) One of the best small buisness printers anyone can own. (It's the Canon I9900 printer).Then I asked myself...."Why don't I own a digital camera"?!?!After (literally) weeks of research on the web and reading consumer reports and going to large camera stores to ask a million questions......I finally decided on the Canon Rebel.All I can say is.....WOW !!!!!!!!This camera combined with this printer ..... is nothing less than amazing!(Not to mention the instant gratification I felt, after seeing pictures instantly appearing on the LCD screen)I am astonished that a complete novice (me) can put this camera in AF mode and take 95% Fantastic pictures!And it's great that I can simply delete lousy pictures.I can't wait to read about how to use "manual focus"!I bet my pictures will blow the cardboard off my album covers!I Hope this (long winded) review helps all you other novice people out there.[...]
I went digital 5 years ago.  My first was one of the very old Olypus digitals; no removable storage, just a cable to the computer, 120 low resolution or 30 medium resolution shots and then the memory was full.  The colors were always off, there was no zoom, and it was amazing that it worked at all.  No wonder I also bought a pocket 35mm camera to take &quot;real&quot; pictures since the Olympus' were so small, grainy, and colorless.  At least the 35mm had a datestamp option.  3 years later I bought the Canon PowerShot S30, then when I lost it (or had it stolen?) I replaced it with the S40.  The PowerShot S50 sold today is the same body style with more pixels and a couple of annoyances fixed.This camera is NOTHING like those cameras.  I had plenty of complaints about the S30 &amp; S40.  My biggest gripe was missing the shot.  I take pictures of children, especially at school functions.  I would line up a wonderful shot, push the button... and they would move!  They'd get up and walk away, they'd turn around, they'd crowd into the subject, I was missing 80% of my shots.  About a year later, the shutter would finally click.  So my hard drive is filled with so-so shots that would have been winners if that annoying delay hadn't gotten me... again!No problem with the Digital Rebel.  Press the button, focus is lightning-fast, then click goes the shutter.  You look through the viewfinder to frame your shot, not at the back on those hard-to-read LCD screens.  Several modes allow multiple pictures, just in case, such as in Sports mode. I am seeing such an improvement in my pictures since I got this camera a few weeks ago.  First of all, they are always framed properly, because I'm not dealing with sudden motion after shutter release, nor am I dealing with an LCD for a viewfinder, or a &quot;viewfinder&quot; that makes me correct for parallax.  Next, the colors are amazing.  Third, 6.3 megapixels... when would I ever want that much?  When I want to crop 80% of the picture and still print what's left!It is great to have a camera with some heft that still doesn't feel like a brick.  As everyone else says, get the kit lens.  It is 18 to 55mm, so a nice wide-angle lens for group shots, etc.  I find 55mm not close enough for shooting children; the S30/S40 I mention above has an 11-55mm range which I already knew to be insufficient for shooting kids. Thus I bought the Canon 28-200mm zoom lens and keep that one on the camera, only switching to the kit lens when I do big groups or a lot of similar portraits (that big zoom lens weighs four times as much as the body!)Yes, it is an amazing camera for &quot;under&quot; $1000.  Truth be told, I spent more than that on accessories; the 28-200mm lens was almost $500, with 6.3 megapixels you might as well buy the biggest flashcard you can, and that's 2 GB these days; you'll need a case, you really ought to buy skylight filters to protect those lenses from getting scratched, an extra battery is a really good idea... well, you see what I mean.Still an amazing camera, especially after dealing with those tiny toys for all these years.
Godfathers of La PunkThe Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel is low-priced and easy to use.  Within moments after turning it on I was taking fantastic photos.  The flash is strong.  The image is what you'd expect from an SLR (see photos).  One of the best deals out there.
I really don't understand the negative reviews that this camera is getting. I think some people need to read the instruction manual before using it. This camera is the best investment I have ever made. It takes beautiful indoor/outdoor shots. The settings are easy to use so you can take any picture with accuracy and awsome results. The lenses that Canon has to offer are the best. Wether your an ametuer or pro, this camera has everything you need. I must point out that if your a beginner, play around with all the different settings to get use to the feel of it. I am confident that everyone will enjoy this camera, and the many things that it can do whatever the situation.(...)
I have been using this camera for nearly a year now and have since purchased additional lens for it.  It takes very sharp pictures and I don't feel like I am limited by the feature set in anyway except for lack of being able to shoot RAW in some of the user modes.  The lens that it comes with is a good starter lens and takes good pictures but once you get addicted you might end up purchasing a Canon L and or Prime like I did. :)  This camera is great for learning photography with because you get to see your results very quickly!  This camera just takes great pictures and gives you all the control you need to get creative with exposure, focus, etc.  The plastic body is relatively durable although I wouldn't want to drop it but then would you want to drop a metal body camera either?!  Do not fear, even with a plastic body it has that solid SLR feel.  All my hard copy prints from the online digital photo lab look very sharp.  I even had a poster print done and it came out great.  Many people claimed that 6 Megapixal camera is not enough to make a good poster print.  After seeing the results I say hogwash.  The poster print I got back from the online photolab(Ofoto in this case) was a better quality print than any poster print I have seen at the mall poster store.  8x10 prints are simply stunning.  Take the time to go through the manual and learn all the features of the camera.  I can not really comment on the software that comes with the camera because I never mess software that they bundle with cameras.  I use a good card reader, Windows XP for my OS, Irfanview (which is free) for viewing and mild editing, and Photoshop(not so free) for any major editing.  I found the Sandisk Ultra II Compact Flash cards work very well and are worth the extra dough for the faster performance.  I wish I had RAW in all the user modes but I guess Canon had cripple something like this to convince people to shell out the extra dough for the higher end stuff.  Happy picture taking!
I am pleased with this camera.  I understand that the Rebel XT is clearly better but for the difference in price I thought I could make due with the original rebel.  I was right.  The rebel takes great pictures, the color saturation is perfect, there is virtually no shutter lag at all, as compared to my other digital compacts.  The continuous shooting modes work much better than any of the cameras I have used so far.  The battery life is excellent, and the  auto focus is usually right on.  For those instances when I want to focus on a specific thing, other than what the camera does, the manual focus couldn't be eisier! I have a website page with the pictures I have taken with this camera and the others mentioned below.[...]Previous camera experience:  Olympus C-765, Kodak DX7630, Fujifilm 550, Olympus D-580, and Casio Z4U
Had this camera now almost 2 months, took over 1200 pictures. I had some enlarged to 12&quot;x18&quot; and there is no graininess in the pictures. I showed them to people and they thought they were absolutely beautiful. In order to get a &quot;crystal clear&quot; picture (like regular 35mm SLRs), you should always use a tripod, even if the shutter speed seems fast as I can tell the difference between using the tripod and not using it. Only that way will the pics look very sharp. I'm sure lots of these reviews say you see a soft look but if you use the tripod you will see sharp lines, etc. My 3 second waterfall pics look as good as any I've ever seen. I'm sure that the graininess will start to show larger than 12&quot;x18&quot;. By the way, use the timer to get pics so you don't wiggle the camera when you push the button or buy the corded remote which works great as a timed &quot;bulb&quot; timer.As for the flash, well its not the best but for everyday snapshots it works fine. I suggest the 420EX by canon for a great flash.Plastic body isn't as good as the more expensive cameras but it is very hard plastic and feels extremely solid.The camera's lens that comes with it is good, not great but very capable for the extra cost of the camera.One of the drawbacks is the mirror instead of a prism in the more expensive cameras and also the mirror 'slap' seems louder and may cause more vibration, which could lead to less sharp pics. But I would say that is it. The camera is very formidible and I seriously recommend it to anyone.
This camera is my fourth digital. The single most annoying artifact of many digital cameras is shutter latency. Press the button, wait... Wait...snip! A second can be an eternity for many shots and sometimes the moment will never return, especially if you have children. You can't put a price tag on shots lost due to shutter latency.The Canon Digital Rebel has no perceptible shutter latency. Plus, the shutter is an electromagnetic release so something tangible, physical happens when you press the shutter button. This would be true for any SLR. The camera makes a satisfying 'kerchunk' sound when you take a picture, and that sound is real, not a sample or beep coming out of a speaker. With some digital cameras, there is little or no feedback indicating you took a picture at all.There are other aspects to this camera that make it ideal for capturing shots that may not last:1) a real power switch - not a soft switch that you have to hold down for several seconds before the unit powers on. Some cameras you also have to wait for the lens to pop out. Gah!2) EF lens zoom - quick, direct hand-held zoom adjustment - not a small lever that drives a motor that changes the zoom - almost worthless under many situations....and of course the shutter. All of this means you can reach for the camera, flick it on and snap a photo in seconds.Obviously, this is not a pocket camera. There are many good models that provide this functionality, I own one myself, but the features inherent to the 300D are mutually exclusive to that of a pocket camera. It is pretty hefty, too - it weighs more than my 35mm Rebel SLR.I've read some people bring the durability of the plastic body into question. Modern composites offer durability at a fraction of the weight of metal. And, there has to be something about this camera that feels less pro than Canon's high end offerings or else it would seriously cannibalize their sales.PDF manuals of Canon products are available at their web site. Go check it out before you buy.A 512MB CF card provides well over 120 pictures at large/fine mode (the top level before RAW) The battery pack provides hundreds of flash pictures before recharging.
I did quite some extensive research before commiting to the Digital Rebel. I wanted a digital SLR mostly for family photos but also for Astrophotography. I signed in a lot of forums were this camera was the most recommended in digital astrophotography (non-CCD) as well as the best cost-benefit as all purpose camera.I have intentions to modify this camera to take best advantage in astrophography. This means that I will carefully remove the included IR-filter in order to get better astrophotos. This means I won't be able to take terrestrial (all purpose) pictures as the photos will result redish looking without the IR-filter. As a consequence, I will probably get the Digital Rebel XT for family pictures.
I had an Olympus digital camera for several years but it started to frustrate me.  The two HUGE advantages the Canon has is that 1 -- there is NO shutter delay that makes you miss the shot:  the shot is taken as soon as you press the button and 2 -- you can buy high quality lenses that make the camera even more amazing.  Let me say I'm not a pro photographer or anything, but I figured out how to use all the features of this camera within a day or so.  It's very intuitive and fun.  Don't be afraid to step up from your non SLR camera.  Besides, you can still "point and shoot" in automatic modes, but it's awesome to be able to control just the aperature or just the shutter speed.  The pictures this camera takes are incredible!!!  I have to admit I've gotten gadget fever.  I'll make some recommendations based on my two weeks with the camera.1 -- buy a 1GB or bigger compact flash card with fast download speed.  At big megastores they are very much discounted.  Also, don't forget to REFORMAT the card every time you put it back -- my old cards always got "corrupted" and the way to avoid that is to reformat every time (just takes 2 seconds -- use the "format card" option on the camera menu).2 -- buy an external flash.  You'll notice that the internal flash tends to overexpose yoru subjects -- I bought the Canon 420 (or something like that) and it's amazing. My pics are TWICE as good3 -- I'd recommend NOT buying the kit lens and putting that money towards the exact Canon EF lens you'll need.  I bought one zoom and one prime lens and the quality is 10 times better. Plus, a 1000 camera deserves high quality lenses.4 -- don't forget the crop factor when you buy lenses!  It's hard to find this out on your own, but because of where the sensor is on Digital SLRS, you have to multiply the focal length of the lens by 1.6.  So, a 35 mm lens if you put it on this camera is equivalent to a 55mm lens, and so on.  Plus, if you have other non-digital cameras, be sure to be EF lenses only, not EF S which only fit on digital cameras.My only complaint (and this is nitpicking) on this camera is that I wish the finish were tougher looking and not quite so plasticky.  I like the Nikon cameras and upper level canon camera materials, but I understand that this is how Canon can sell a camera which is optically as good as the 10D for a lot less. On the plus side, it's nice and light.These are my thoughts after the first few weeks -- I LOVE the camera overall and now that I have two great lens, my pics look almost professional, not bad for a mom who doesn't know much about photography.
First of all this is a great performing camera. I got mine for a volleyball tournament and it was so fast. It capture action shots easily without that annoying delay time that happens with lower MP digital cameras. My photos came out SHARP...you really can see a difference between the superior quality taken with this camera compared to my film SLR (using the same lenses). I bought the Sandisk Ultra II 512Mb compact flash and use high resolution on the camera and had plenty of available shots to take. Plus with the option for deleting the pictures that you don't want, you can't go wrong. I also like the option of having the LCD screen off during shooting that way it saved on the battery...which lasted all day on a single charge!My only complaint was that b/c I was using the camera in the sun for two days during the tournament the paint where you grip the camera blistered then peeled. It got everywhere. I'm also concerned about the plastic cover for the connection ports for downloading. It seems a bit flimsy. But for the price of the camera (and the amazing quality of photos it produced) I'm okay with these cuts on the cosmetics end.Buy this camera. You'll be happy with its results.
One of the first to purchase this camera - I've used it over 22 months and really LIKE my decision. Purchased as a 35mm replacement - I was wary of this - my first Digital Camera. The stock "kit lens" is a more than an adequate performer. Coupled with a Canon "L" series telephoto, a battery grip and a 420EX and 580EX Speedlight that couples nicely with the dRebel - I was in absolute photo heaven!Rich color - astoundingly sharp pictures and manual controls to handle almost every situation - I've taken this camera around the world two times as a defense contractor. This camera exceeded my expectations in every department except the built in flash - which should be supplanted with the one of the previously mentioned Canon speedlights. These flash units couple seamlessly thru E-TTL on the Canon hotshoe or hotshoe extender cord for stunning flash pictures.With the purchase of a speedlight bracket - and diffuser hood - I've taken over 3,000 portraits at charity events and have had nary an unsatisfied customer. The BG-1 battery grip allows a second battery to couple with the first - never - never had I had or have to worry about camera power.Things I'd like to see improve:1) Tighter sealing on the internals - middle east dust has had to be taken out of portions of the camera I did not know existed. A more expensive and tightly sealed metal framed camera would probably prevent this.2) A much better pop-up flash unit.3) A 2.0 USB port - instead of 1.1 for faster computer up and down loading from the camera.4. Apparently - there is a shutter life limit (determined by picture count) that is NOT covered under warranty - shorter than the more expensive professional series Canon Cameras. May be cause for concern...My experience with this early model dRebel has been overwhelmingly positive. Have upgraded camera software from the Canon website and avoided problem operations others have experienced. Many improvements have been made in the Rebel XT an 8.0 MP camera - which also deserves a close look. If you want to make the leap from high level 35 SLR to Digital - come and join the fun!
Been into photography since I was 14 years old. Went from film SLR to digital P&amp;S 4 years ago, have owned two casio digital cameras (1997-1999) and a prosumer Kodak DC4800. I finally decided to jump into the DSLR market and did a months worth of reading reviews and comments. Finally bought one and I love it. Amazing Picture, great features, and definately more affordable than the higher up models (10D and 1D).Worth every penny.
I've owned three digital cameras before this (a very small Sony, a Canon G1, and an older Kodak), and have been impressed with instant feedback received by viewing your photo 2 seconds after you took it, but was always left with the feeling that I needed to be able to change lenses and have more control over the process.What I really wanted was my old Canon EOS 650 (35mm) camera to work with a digital camara back so that I could make use of my existing investment in lenses.  Well guess what, that is exactly what the Digital Rebel provides!Much to my surprise, all of my old EOS EF lenses work very well with this camera and I am getting much better results than I expected.  This is a huge improvement over my other digicams - better resolution, color, overall quality, and I am in awe of what I get with my long telephoto lens.A few notes.  First, buy the kit lens (18-55mm EF-S); for $100 you'll use the lense and it is an incredible value (certinaly worth 2 to 3 times the cost).  Second, if you take many indoor photos you'll want an external flash; I went with Canon's 420EX unti as it provides E-TTL exposure (essentially, the amount of flash is controlled by what the camera meters through the lens - a pretty amazing capability).  Third, get a good amount of memory, like 2 512K card; its relatively inexpensive and by taking lots of photos you'll learn more about the camera's abilities sooner.I am getting very long battery life (well into many hundreds of photos per charge), so unless you are headed off into the woods you may be able to hold off on purchasing a spare battery.In summary, if you are an old 35mm EOS photographer, this is a complete no brainer since you get to use your lens investment.  If you aren't, I'd highly recommend this camera anyway (and look into the Canon 70-200mm/f4 telephoto lense - its extremely high quality and a reasonable price).  Now smile and say "Canon".
I love it just wish could take better pictures. i just need more time .but i think i got the hang of it.
I was lucky enough to score one of these of a friend. It was but two months old and was as new.It is easy to use as a point and shoot, but also gives you all the capabilities to take your time over a shot and really take a truely beautiful picture.Canon products seem to have an extra quality to them that makes them robust and intuitive to use.
I'm enjoying this camera. It certainly offers great value for the dollar. It probably offers the right number of features and full user controllability. I've never used a camera in which ISO and exposure are so easily and quickly modified for each shot.Considerably smaller cameras do have larger LCD displays, though you don't need the LCD to view your subject. I wonder why, since many camcorders offer a "night shot" option, Canon could not also include that on this camera. I also miss the high speed connection that is standard on many camcorders. (Firewire, and now new Firewire 800, are faster than USB 1/2.) I recommend buying one of Canon's better accessory flash units.You can purchase many Canon EF lenses very inexpensively that work fine with this camera, especially the telephotos since they don't suffer from the edge clarity drop off that older lenses can produce on digital cameras. Perhaps it is better to wait for the newer wide angles. The lens that comes with the Rebel is fine.For years Consumers Reports has surveyed readers and found that Canon camcorders are among the worst in reliability. Since technology has moved both cameras and camcorders to digital, one hopes that the same problem doesn't afflict Canon cameras like this one.
I've had this camera for about 2 months now, but from the day I got it, I was off and taking some stunning pictures!  Even with all the features, I find this camera to be easier to use than most DC's I've played with and have owned (see below for list).  The size and price might be a bit much for some, but I really don't mind either.  I have HP R507 as my "pocket camera", but I always find excuses to take the canon with me every where I go!Picture quality:  EXCELLENT.  I'm a novice photographer, but with the benefit of this being digital, it's helping me learn a lot about photography that I didn't have the patience to wait for developing the film.  With the digital rebel, I don't have to wait to see how my "experimental" shots come out.  I've taken some cool over exposure shots of traffic at night, and it was VERY easy to do!  Other pictures I've taken come out as good as (if not better than) my Canon 35mm Rebel 2000.  I don't foresee needing/wanting to enlarge my pictures more than 8x10, and with the canon 80-200mm zoom (which becomes 128-320mm on the digital rebel wich 1.6x factor), I should be able to accomplish pretty much any shots I'd ever want.Features:  EXCELLENT (still camera only).  I don't believe in Video feature in DC's to be something useful, at least not until MPEG4 or other higher compression becomes more widely used.  Right now, you can only cram 20 minutes of 320x240 video into 256MB card (less if you go 640x480), so to me, that's not useful.  If you want to take videos, you really should get a video camera.  I especially like that digital rebel goes to ISO 1600 which makes taking night shots much easier!Battery life:  EXCELLENT.  As a test, I took enough pictures to fill a 512MB CF card, about 150 pictures, mostly with flash, some without.  Battery was still barely 1/2 down.  Included fast charger is a nice touch, it has an LED indicator to let you known that the battery is 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and fully charged.  So in a pinch you could charge just till 1/2 charged (15-30 minutes charge time) and then keep shooting.  But I don't think I'll be taking more than 150 pictures in a day, so I'm opting to not get the backup battery.Cost:  EXCELLENT (for me).  "It's soooo choice!  If you have the means, I'd highly recommend you get one of those" - Ferris Bueller.  For some, the price maybe a bit of a shock.  Personally, I don't believe in paying more than $200 for digital point and shoot cameras not when you can buy a nice 35mm SLR for $250.  But for a digital SLR, $799 I paid after MIR was worth it!Film cameras I've owned:  Couple of 110's, late 70's Ricoh 35mm - which I've forgotten how to use, Canon 35mm Powershot Waterproof, Canon point and shoot 35mm, Kodak APS point and shoot, Canon Rebel 2000 35mm.Digital cameras I own:  HP 318, HP R507 - good backup for Digital Rebel!Digital cameras I have experiences with:  Kodak 3.1MP, HP 635
As with any digital camera on the market, there is no &quot;perfect&quot; price/perfomance ratio. The DRebel however at the time it was released was arguably a excellent camera for the cost! The pictures (if taken correctly) can be amazing. And the manual control of the camera gives you a lot of artistic freedom I have yet to see in other cameras. Even though all my friends are dissapointed that one cannot look at the LCD there's assurance in the viewfinder because what you see is really what you get. Oh, and that wide angle lens... wow! You have no clue what a difference that makes in a small room! This camera is a great value! The only problem I had is that after 18,000 shots in 90 days the auto-focus went out, something that could be easily repaired by Canon but since the store I bought it from has a 90-day return policy I opted to return the camera and buy a Canon 10D.Some small annoyances I wish Canon will fix since Nikon is hot on their tail- The slap of the mirror is in excess. Really. Trying to take pictures in a quiet room can be very unnerving.- The Compact-Flash Read/Write borders on pitiful sometimes. Yeah I know the files are large but it really takes just too long.- You learn easily that the 4 image buffer isn't enough if you photograph action.- Uh, why on earth are the Aperature and LCD Light buttons about an inch away from my thumb? They need to be moved closer.- When ISO or WB are adjusted it would be nice to have that information in the viewfinder- it's annoying having to hold the camera down to adjust these two paramaters (no real excuse about the ISO!)I think that's about it. If you have NO investment in lenses I may suggest a Nikon D70 if you can afford it, should you think you will become a serious photographer. If you have any Canon EF lenses the D-Rebel is a great choice, especially if you cannot afford a 10D or a new investment in Nikon and the D70. If you barely have the cash for a D-Rebel buy the D-Rebel. Or if you want to be a casual user.I would buy a D70, however bought an extra 28-200mm Tamron Canon Lens so I will end up purchasing a Canon 10D. :)Hope any of this helps!
This really is a great camera and to really appreciate it you have to understand its target audience.  It seems clear that Canon has aimed this camera primarily at novices.  Its point and shoot are as simple as you will find on any consumer compact digicam.  Its creative setting should offer enough control and flexibility to keep most intermediate and advance photographers happy.  First though lets go over some of the complaints people are writing about the camera.1).  I can't set up my photo through the LCD-----No you surely can't.  SLR's are designed specifically to direct the light and image from the lens to the view finder.  To the best of my knowledge, there is not a true digital SLR which allows you to do this.  And there shouldn't be.  You can keep the camera a lot more steady and get a much better view of what your image will look like through the view finder then you ever could looking at an LCD six to eight inches from your body.2).  Complaint number two is just as silly.  Canon does not include a CF card with the camera.  I've yet to see a digital SLR manufacturer that includes any media with the camera.  Also when you consider that about the only card they could include without affecting the price much is a 128mb card with is next to useless in a camera like this.Now to some more reasonable complaints1).  This camera is slow to start up (compared to many current DSLR's by Canon and Nikon).  There really was not much that Canon could have done about that.  It uses the same first generation DIGIC processing chip and same 6.3mp CMOS as the Canon D10.  The D10 has similar short comings.  If you can't live with this (about 3 seconds from power up till you can take a photo) you might want to consider the new Rebel XT or D20.  You'll also have to decide if the extra responsiveness is worth an extra 200-300.00 bucks.2).  For continuous shooting you only get 2.5PFS and 4 frame bursts.  Much of this is also do to the DIGIC.  The D10 isn't much faster (though it does have a larger buffer (the images are stored in the buffer before they can be written to your media) which does allow it to continue shooting while the dRebel is catching its breath.  I was very much aware of this "Shortcoming" before I bought the camera and understand it as a cost cutting method (larger buffers cost more money) and decided to accept this short coming rather then pay an extra 200-300. bucks.3).  Canon has crippled the camera by removing many manual control features(through software-The camera is physically able to carry out many of these functions but Canon removed the ability by programing the DIGIC chip (the firmware) to disallow these features.  Clearly a business decision and one that make some sense.  You really would not want to release a low cost camera with all the same features as your higher end camera.  On the other hand, I really wished they would have kept some of the features they removed (like the ability for the user to adust the flash settings).4).  I can't shoot RAW images in the automatic settings.  I can understand this.  Most of the people using the fully automatic settings are probably novices.  RAW images cannot be printed from the camera directly to a printer.  RAW images require quite a bit of post shooting work before they're usable.  If some one that really does not know much about photography were to shoot a couple of hundred RAW images they would be pretty upset when they found out they could not print their images and didn't know how to change that.5).  The Nikon D70 supports higher ISO's then the Canon.  The ISO adjusts the camera's sensitivity to light (on film cameras it's the film speed).  My answer to that is that the D70 does not support an ISO of 100 and the dRebel does.  Personally, I would much rather have an ISO range of 100-1600 like the dRebel then an ISO range of 200-3200.  The higher the ISO setting the more digital noise you're likely to get and an ISO of 3200 would seem to affect you're quality considerably.  On the other hand, Canon's 100 ISO is perfect for bright sunny days.I'm sure I missed some other complaints though I'm not sure what they are.  To sum it up, this is a very easy camera to use even for a novice.  The controls to adjust your camera settings and image quality are very easy to use and very intuitive.  If you do understand photo editing are really want to shoot RAW images but don't want to have to manually set all the camera settings (aperture, shutter speed etc.), the P-AE mode only requires that you set the ISO which is  very simple (keep it as low as light conditions allow while retaining a high shutter speed).  My main complaint is lack of documentation for include software (particularly the File viewer App which is required for converting RAW images).  Granted downloading the PDF's from Canon's web site is not a problem but it should not be necessary.Overall, an excellent camera for its intended consumer.  The camera has all the image quality that the pros have come to expect from Canon's digital SLR's.  The auto focus is very fast and accurate (especially compare to compact point and shoot cameras).  The shutter lag is virtually non existent so when you press the shutter release it pretty much instantly shoots so you won't miss the shot (again unlike the vast majority of compact P&S; which seem to take forever from the time you depress the shutter from the time it actually goes.  One quick piece of advise whether you get this camera or the Rebel XT.  Get the 18-55mm lens.  For the money this is an excellent wide a angle lens, and it is only available with the camera.Edit to review.  I wanted to add that I was incorrect concerning lack of documentation for the software suite included with the camera.  The camera does indeed come with full and complete documentation.  In addition, for those interested in shooting RAW, Canon's File Viewer which is included with the camera is less then stellar.  If, like me, you can't afford or justify the cost for Photoshop CS or the any number of RAW converters out there (most that cost over 100.00) you can head over to Canon's website and download Canon's new Digital Photo Professional.  This is the RAW converter included with Canon's high-end cameras (and the dRebel XT).  It is a free download and is vastly superior to File Viewer.  It is much more intuitive, has a far better interface, is much faster and most importantly (at least to me) it allows you to perform corrections in real time so you can make changes on the fly.  It has much better white balance control, and allows you to easily adjust hue and saturation, and lightness and contrast all while the file is in a RAW format.  The only down side is that you cannot download the images to Digital Photo Professional directly from the camera as you can with File Viewer.  You must either download from a card reader, or download using another application (such as Image Browser (included with the camera.
When I received this from Amazon and went thru several test shots I was amazed at how good it really was.
This is a quality starter camera for DSLR use. I bought mine approx. 8 months ago, and since then have moved up to almost 9,000 photos taken. The image quality still competes with newer models, but noise is definitely a weakness. Also unfortunate is the buffer size of 4 pics in either JPEG or RAW mode. Even without shooting in rapid-fire mode, it's pretty easy to fill it up, and leave you stuck waiting for pictures to write to the card. Other than that, it works just fine.
When I saw a digital SLR below $1k for the body I knew I was going to buy one.  A friend of mine has the 10D and loves it (he's a pro) so I bought the Rebel.  I'm very happy with the camera.  It works exactly as advertised, but most of the time I use it as a point and shoot type camera.  That being said it's not the best point in shoot camera.  I always seem to be adjusting something to get the picture the way I want it.  Maybe that's the way SLR's are?  My Kodak DC265 is a much better point in shoot type camera (remember back when the DC265 use to be a pro-sumer camera?).  However, the ease of use and speed of the camera I believe makes up for it's short comings as a point and shoot camera (which it's not intended to be anyway).BTW I have the Canon 28-105mm II USM lens on mine.  I find myself wanting a wide angle lens and occasionally a macro lens.
This is the first affordable (i.e. &lt;$1000) slr digital camera and although there are some compromises, it produces excellent pictures. Some care is needed to familiarise yourself with exposure modes and focusing. The default settings tend to produce slightly underexposed pcitures, but this is easily corrected.The lack of spot metering in Program and Auto mode is irritating and can cause issues. Also note that the so called spot metering mode used in the &quot;creative&quot; settings is not as a good as that in, say, the Elan.Indoor photography is tricky due to the lack of true wide angle lenses. Your 35mm lenses end up with an equivalent focal length x 1.6 which effectively means the resolution (after cropping and enlargement) is reduced. Not too bad for smaller prints but a compromise nevertheless.The camera is very fast and shutter lag is minimal, a major issue with point and shoot cameras (from my point of view this is a primary reason - along with the interchangeable lenses -for buying a SLR digital)Despite its slightly &quot;cheesy&quot; appearance, it is well built and operates with a good quality feel.If you are Canon lens user/owner this is a no brainer at the price. If you do not have any lenses, look at the Nikon 100D and new Pentax before you make your choice.
You can't beat this camera for the money. it accepts all Canon EF lenses and lenses from other manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. it uses the same battery pack as the Canon G3 and also the same Compact Flash memory cards.It is very easy to use but will take some time to master if you are just used to shooting with your average digicam. but you will be very satisfied with your results once you get on to how to use it and the Adobe Photoshop Elements program that comes with it.the best part of this camera is the very fast autofocus. you will be shocked by how fast it is compared to regular digicams!you do all of your shooting using the optical viewfinder where you will find most of the important info like exposure, shutter speed, and aperture. the LCD screen is only used after a picture is taken for review. the LCD is not used for picture taking like with a standard digicam.another one of the high points of this camera is that you can use high ISO values without sacrificing image quality. this is very handy when you need to up the shutter speed for action shots or when shooting in low light.the camera has all the basic modes you need so you can start shooting right away and also the experimental modes so once you get the hang of it you can take more control of your shots.and with a DSLR you are never limited by a standard lens like you are with all other digicams. if you want to go out and buy very high quality Canon &quot;L&quot; glass then you can do it and use it! or if you can only afford &quot;standard&quot; lenses then you can just buy what you need. the bottom line is that you can build the camera system that meets YOUR needs! there are no limitations.and one last thing!!BUY THE KIT LENS!!!BUY THE KIT LENS!!!for one hundred dollars it is the cheapest and best option for a wide angle zoom you will find! so make sure you buy the camera with the kit lens.
This camera is worse than a VCR.  I think the guys at Canon stayed awake at night trying to figure out where to add another control.  Quite frankly, I don't like the camera, yet.  Maybe it will grow on me.  In automatic mode it takes good pictures occationally.  About half of the shots are under exposed especially if the subject has light colored clothes on or against a light background. It does ok on panaramics.  The flash pops up in bright sun light and goes off sometimes.  Sometimes it pops up but does not go off. Figure that out. I have not yet figured out how to get the thing to use a fast shutter speed even at asa 1600.  I guess the lens is just too slow. Some of the shutter speeds that it selects on automatic mode are as slow as 1/4 sec. I no longer even consider automatic mode except when taking shots of panaramics. Some of the inside shots are way under exposed even with the flash poping. That has got to be hard to do. I wonder how they managed that.I sure wish Miranda was still in business.
I bought this camera several months ago.  I love the features and I love the pictures the camera takes.  It has various settings and it is easy to use.  However, the flash is lacking!  The built in flash does not spread enough light on the subject matter.
I bought my DigiReb in Feb. 2005 and have shot literally thousands of photos with it since then, with few problems.  I added a Canon EF 28-105mm ultrasonic lens last year and have enjoyed the results, although I found early on that the new lens no longer allowed me the luxury of shooting on autofocus.  Okay, so, necessity forced me to learn to love manual operation of the DigiReb.Media cards - Generally, I've used and sworn by SanDisk 512MB CF cards.  They've never failed me, and have allowed me to reuse them many times over.  About a year ago I bought a Hitachi 4GB Microdrive media card and while I loved the storage space, I found that the processing time was far slower than a simple 1GB SanDisk CF card I also purchased.  Not so infrequently, when shooting with the Microdrive, I found that the card didn't record an image, but instead I'd see the dreaded "Corrupted data" message on the LCD where I'd hope to see an image.Let's also talk batteries.  I've noticed on cold days that the proprietary Canon lithium batteries for the Digital Rebel drain down quickly in cold temps - today's temps in DC were in the high-20's to low-30's.  And I do think that you are hardpressed to get through one day of serious shutterbugging (say, traveling through Tuscany, where you could easily snap off 300 shots) without going through one lithium battery and half of another.  Let's face it - when you're shooting on manual and trying to adjust for the light with a bright sky but a less than bright street scene, you want to check the LCD to see whether you need to adjust and take another shot.  And that means you're going to go thru batteries.Earlier today I went out for a hike at Great Falls Park, taking the camera along, with those frosty temps ready to drain the lone battery I took along.  I was able to capture a few early shots, and while the battery power quickly went from reading full to less than half full, the camera continued to work...except that it simply took blank images - all black...!  Battery was present, microdrive was loaded, lens cap was off, shutter depressed, photo seemed to have been taken, but nothing showed up on the LCD.  Not even a "Corrupt Data" message.  Only a dark screen.So, this afternoon I've purchased a SanDisk Extreme III 2GB CF card, have recharged my batteries and am indoors, with an ambient room temp in the low 70's.  Fired up the DigiReb, shot a handful of images, and...I'm still getting the black screen of death.  The DigiReb and it's flash are snapping away, but something's missing. (Downloaded the images to my laptop - no dice, nothing, but black screens.)If anyone else has encountered this problem, please let me know what you found out about the issue.It would really reflect poorly on Canon for this product to give up the ghost after just two years of service...That's why I'm giving this product only 3 stars.
Pros:Comes with battery and battery charger!I was able to use an aftermarket Canon zoom lens on this camera that fit my old Canon 35MM SLR!There is a popular BIOS upgrade on the net that will let you activate certian features found in the Canon 10D!Cons:Camera driver in Windows XP does not allow you to upload files.After I made certain complicated shots in the advanced shot modes, the camera locked up with error codes.  Turning it off and on fixed the problem though.The lens that came with the camera has a cheap plastic mount.  I am worried it will break with repeated lens switching.
The camera arrived in its original box, and its condition was like new. Very pleased with that. I bought it for my grandson who is just starting  the hobby. A very good &#34;starter&#34; camera that will take a long time to ourgrow.
Bottom line: THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA. It is a 6.3 megapixel CMOS digital single lens reflex. Canon's Rebel line of affordable SLRs is well known and very popular. This is an extension of that line. The camera is available with a new EF-S 18-55 zoom lens and also accepts any of the dozens of Canon EF lenses. It also accepts nearly all Canon EOS accessories, so the Digital Rebel can grow with your skills and become as versatile as you would like. As with Canon's higher end Powershot digitals, you can let the camera choose all the settings or you can make some or all of those adjustments yourselves. The Digital Rebel does not allow the fullest measure of creative freedom available in more expensive digital SLR's, but it doesn't need to. This camera is aimed at digital camera owners wanting the flexibility of an SLR and consumer level SLR owners wanting to move to digital. The camera is well made, light weight and well equipped with a battery and battery charger (Canon's great BP-511 lithium ion, which should last for hundreds of shots), neck strap, eyecup, lens and body caps, driver software and a full version of Adobe's Photoshop Elements 2.0.
I've owned two different Digital Rebel bodies, both the 18-55 and the 55-200mm lenses.  In my view, the D300 is the camera for anyone's entry into DSLR based photography. The images generated by this camera and either of the afore mentioned lenses are simply amazing.  When proper effort is put into learning the functionality and capability of this piece of equipment, you can expect images that are the equal of any 6 megapixtel camera on the market.  The lenses are not the equal of the top of the line canon glass, nor are they intended to be. They are entry level lenses that will allow you to get a feel for DSLR photography without investing thousands of dollars. A top of the line Canon lens on the D300 and on the higher end D10 generates images that are indistinguishable from one other.  I know this because I have both cameras, some of canon's finer lenses, and I've tested.  The D300 is an exceptional value and the addition of the $100 18-55mm lens is unbeatable by any manufacturer.
The Digital Rebel is an excellent digital camera that proves, to me at least, that 35mm film is rapidly dying as the medium of choice even for rather casual amateurs.  At under $1000, the Digital Rebel allows the amateur photographer to use the fine Canon autofocus lenses on a 6.3 Megapixel camera that can take superb pictures that are indistinguishable from film.  As of Spring 2004 six megapixels is more or less the standard for the best digital SLR cameras.The advantages of digital images are many.  First of all, the digital camera allows the user to check the images as they are being taken, and even delete the &quot;dogs&quot; on the fly, freeing up storage space for another try.  No more suspense, as was the case with film, about how, or whether, the pictures turned out. The CF cards that the camera uses will hold several hundred images depending on the type of file format that the user selects.  After a shooting session, the user can examine the shots in detail on a personal computer and determine which ones are worthy of printing.  Then we can either print out professional-quality photos on a PC printer (photo-quality printers are not at all expensive these days, although the ink is not cheap) or email the image files to any of several printing companies that will mail back prints in a day or two.  The convenience is incomparably better than film.The results are better than film as well.  Using any of several inexpensive computer programs, even a casual amateur can modify, crop, and make other changes to the digital images that surpass what could once only be done in a $20,000 chemical darkroom.  The &quot;digital darkroom&quot; has arrived!The Digital Rebel is positioned well below Canon's excellent flagship camera, the Canon 10D.  It lacks certain features of the 10D including certain metering options.  It is not built as sturdily as the all-metal 10D.  But build quality is not at all bad on the Digital Rebel, and I liked the ergonomics of the camera and the layout of the menus.  And the price is truly competitive, around $500 less than the 10D--a significant difference.For a 35mm photographer looking to make the jump to digital, the Rebel is definitely one to consider.  If one has an investment in Canon autofocus lenses, the Rebel may very well be the way to go.  Users who do not have an investment in lenses will also want to compare the Rebel to the Nikon D70.  The two cameras are priced roughly the same, and the feature set is somewhat different--the D70 provides for different metering options that may (or may not) make a difference to the buyer.Overall, the Digital Rebel is a hot seller for good reason--it can take stunning digital images, it uses the same lenses as Canon's more expensive 10D, and is priced for the serious amateur market rather than the semi-pro market.
Let me just tell you.. this is one Christmas present that will get more use than anything else that I've ever received!  The Drebel takes fantastic pictures.  If you want to see for yourself? Go to [...]  and see for yourself.  It's not my site,  it's a compliation of differnet sites that specifically used the Drebel.  What better way is there to judge for yourself.. as to what this camera can do?Even though this camera is a bit pricy for the &quot;normal&quot; person, I believe it's well worth it.. especially if you want to take better pictures.  The battery life is excellent, and can last you an entire day shooting.  Be sure to pick yourself up a high capacity CF card though.. because with 6.5 MP, this camera takes some large pictures.  But the pictures are rich with color and life!You get the one lens, with this particular 'kit', but you can pick up a variety of lenses that can go with it... so you can shoot closeup shots.. to telephoto.  You're not stuck using the EF lenses, strictly from Canon, you can use any lense, from any manufacturer, as long as they will fit the Canon EOS body.  When in doubt, be sure to ask from wherever you're buying the lense from!  If you buy online, call and ask!  (only deal with reputable online retailers or make sure you do your research first).. and if you're buying locally.. you can always bring your camera into the store with you to make sure.  Because of this versitility in who's lenses you can use, you don't have to spend high $$$$ on a lense.It's ability to take either type I or type II CF card is very good, and because it's not limited to the size of the card, you can even go with higher capacity things, such as a microdrive, if you want to.  (that saves some $ there .. as microdrives are a bit less expensive than CF cards).The weight of the camera, itself, is very comfortable.  It's not too heavy and Canon provides a good strap for around your neck. Of course, you start adding on telephoto lenses, and the weight is going to increase.. but it's doable.. besides.. that's what tripods are for ;)  It fits well into my hand and the buttons are in an easy reach position.The only thing really &quot;lacking&quot; on this camera.. is .. well.. if anything I would have a better instruction booklet.  Not that theirs is bad.. but for the average consumer, who wants to learn photography ...  what is aperature, etc....... the instruction booklet is a bit lacking.  Maybe it's suppose to be that way, but IMO, it'd be nice if it covered a little bit about that sort of stuff........... or maybe an additional insert.  Of course, that's why there's otherphotography books available too.All in all, I love this camera.  I've had a variety of digital cameras over the years, and this, by far, is my favorite.  So my New Years Resolution for 2004 is to learn this camera a bit better (not so hard to do), and take better pictures.I think I'm well on my way!
I have been intrigued by this camera since its release.  My old camera is a Canon PowerShot S30 (3.2MP).  I wanted to buy an SLR to advance my photography skills and capabilities.  When this beauty came along bearing a price tag under $1,000 and received prestigious acclaim I knew I wanted one.  But I decided to delay for a few months, waiting to see what competition would arise, and how quickly the price would drop.  That competition presented itself as the Nikon D70.  Ultimately, I decided to get the D-Rebel because the price-to-quality ratio is exceptional; the ~$300+ more for the Nikon doesn't seem justifiable for what I think are negligible factors.  Besides, my PowerShot has served me well and I'm used to the Canon system.I've played with mine in the field for two days.  Last weekend was my introduction day and I made a lot of mistakes -- camera shake, off-focus, underexposure.  Today I went back to the same spots [in similar weather] and received much better results by using my tripod, setting the exposure compensation to +1/3 (most of the time) and sometimes forcing a longer shutter than 'auto' suggested.  My photos went from dull to incredible with a few easy adjustments.  If your photos come out poorly always exhaust the manual solutions before blaming faulty camera construction.If you're moving up from a [Canon] SLR, many of the characteristics of the D-Rebel will be familiar.  If, on the other hand, you're used to a P&amp;S like myself some things will be awkward.  For example, using the viewfinder instead of the LCD monitor to compose shots; using the Main Dial and LCD panel to implement settings; and manual focusing.  My PowerShot allows manual tweaking, but it is usually easier to let the processor handle certain functions.  The SLR is different -- it invites you to play.I have read complaints about the camera's construction.  Indeed, it is an all-plastic body, whereas the D-Rebel's big brother, the 10D, is magnesium alloy.  But I think this will be an insignificant point for most people; the plastic body is sturdy enough to handle a day's work.  It has a nice firm rubber grip on the right side.  A friend has an EOS Elan 7 (n or ne) and the weight is approximately the same.I also know some people don't like the fact that the D-Rebel uses the flash as an AF-assist lamp -- particularly because once the flash pops it will take a flash exposure.  But the solution is simple enough:  push the flash back down.  The camera automatically re-evaluates the shutter speed, maintains focus and takes the shot.  You will need to have it on a tripod for the shot to be successful, though.After a lot of reading and searching for components to make up a great system, I ended up buying:  Rebel with 18-55mm lens; EF 55-200mm II USM lens; 1 Gb Sandisk Ultra II CompactFlash; 420EX Speedlite flash; Sto-fen Omni-Bounce diffuser (for 420EX); Tiffen 58mm Deluxe Enhancing Filter Kit; Samsonite Worldproof 3.2 Download SLR bag; Tamrac Small Lens Case.  (I wrote a review for the Samsonite bag.  I think it's fantastic for carrying all my gear.  I use the Tamrac bag when I want to travel light.)Here's a stupid mistake I made that I'd like to enlighten others to, so that they may avoid doing the same.  When I first tested the camera most of my shots were indoors and required the flash.  In many of those shots I noticed a black blob.  I thought maybe my flash was defective.  The manual says there are certain conditions where the flash may be obstructed.  My solution was simple enough:  two of my fingers were in the way.  With my PowerShot, I had become used to lifting my ring and pinky fingers away from the flash and lens so they would be out of the way... now doing it put them in the way of the flash.  Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.Here are two things I feel quite fortunate to have learned (i.e., stumbled upon), as I did not read this in any review.(1) When using a [Canon] digital SLR you need a &quot;Type II&quot; lens.  Lenses have always induced aberrations of light, which would create 'ghosts' and other weird things.  But 35mm film is produced with a coating that prevents them.  When you use a D-SLR, however, that coating is not on your sensor, so those light artifacts appear again.  So Canon created the &quot;Type II&quot; lens, where the aforementioned coating is on the glass.  The only problem is that there are only a handful of these lenses at this point.  Unfortunately, this dramatically weakens Canon's claim that you can use &quot;over 50 lenses&quot; on your D-Rebel.  While technically true, you probably wouldn't like the results.  (Popular Photography magazine ran an article about this, which is on their site.)(2) Don't fall for tricky CompactFlash advertising.  I bought several Viking Components CF cards for my PowerShot.  They always worked well and I almost bought a big one for my D-Rebel.  Then I considered the Lexar &quot;40x&quot; because they have a good reputation. &quot;40x&quot; sounds good, eh?  The Sandisk Ultra II works at 60x!  At the Large-Fine setting, this will save you one-third second of write-time.  That is big when you think about action photography.  The Sandisk card can write 3 images when the Lexar can only do 2.  The Vikings are worse; they can't even write one image/second!I am exceptionally pleased with my purchase -- not with just the D-Rebel, but the whole system.  It pays to do your research and decide what's right for you.  Personally, I think I put together an excellent 'amateur SLR' package that will allow me to grow and explore for a long time.  Hopefully you will feel the same with a D-Rebel over your shoulder.
This is an excellent D-SLR but it's not a point-and-shoot. If that's what you're expecting, you'll be disappointed. Although I saw immediately that this camera was capable of taking great pictures my initial results were admittedly inconsistent. Some of the problems others had complained of (underexposures, focusing on the wrong object, etc) were happening to me. However, I now get very consistent results. The camera didn't change of course; I've just learned to use it properly. It lacks a few features found on some more expensive models but the picture quality can't be bettered at twice the price. Read the manual, use it, read the manual again, use it some more, etc. If you're willing to learn it's idiosyncrasies it will reward you with beautifully sharp and detailed photos. By the way, if you don't like to post-process your photos (I don't mind) you can turn up the sharpness, contrast, etc quite a bit above the default settings right in the camera. The built-in flash works as well as any (and better than many) with little red-eye. Several external flash units will also work very nicely with this camera. The kit lens feels cheap but produces good pictures. Even so, I've added a few more lenses to my arsenal. The one I use most is a Canon 28-135mm, image stabilized. Image stabilization (IS) is a great feature for low light photography at telephoto focal lengths. To sum up, if image quality is your top priority and your budget is in the thousand-dollar range you cannot do better than this camera.
I have been shooting with a Nikon F100 for a couple of years and  have always owned Nikon equipment.  So far I have shot about 700 pictures with the Digital Rebel and I am loving this camera!  I am using the $100.00 lens and the pop-up flash so far.  I have been printing to a Canon 9000 printer and people are flipping over the quality of my pictures.  On an 8 x 10 glossy, I can see the tiny hairs on my 3 month old little girls face and her blue eyes jump off the print!  I went back to the camera store where I bought the camera and shot several indoor test shots with my standard $100.00 zoom lens and the new $800.00 Canon 17-40mm Zoom Lens.  I was pretty darn surprised by the quality of the "cheapy" lens.  The pictures were Very, Very similar.  About the only place I could see any difference was black type on a white backgroud or white type on a black background.  In these situations, the standand lens had slight glowing edges and was not quite as sharp as the expensive lens.  For me and most people, I cannot see where the $800.00 lens is really worth it unless your loaded with money.  The $100.00 lens really is quite good.  I have not had quite as good exposer with the pop-up as I did with my SB-28 on my Nikon, but that is really apples and oranges.  I would like some input from users that wave used a larger Canon Flash on the hot shoe.  The battery life on this camera is AWESOME!  Overall, I am very happy.
I bought this not real sure of what I would get since it was used. But I figured I would take a chance. Im glad I did. It does have some signs of wear but that was stated when I bought it. It works wonderfully and takes excellent pictures with excellent quality! Good, easy, camera for beginners.
This review will be really two parts: one for the amateur who has been using point and shoots, or has experience with film based SLRs; the other one for the prosumer or advanced amateur who is either going to digital from film Canon EOS bodies or is getting into pro-level digital shooting on the low end. For the former, the camera is pretty much all you need; for the latter, it is lacking key functionality, but IS workable.I'm in the latter category. I've done freelance photo work in the past, but not since the digital age began to take off in the late '90s. I've been shooting EOS cameras since the early '90s, and added medium format in the late '90s for wedding and portrait work. I'll be honest: I didn't like the idea of digital at first. Sure, the workflow improvements over film sounded great, but I wasn't seeing the quality of digital vs. film. I still am very much a believer that, at least for prints, especially big prints, film delivers a better overall picture quality. But the quality of digital SLRs since the release of the Digital Rebel is so good, the workflow advantages trump film in all but rare situations. I'll still use my medium format equipment for landscape and outdoor pics I'll print large and frame, but other than a pocket 35mm, I can't see using film much at all in that category, after seeing what I can do with the DReb.If you are primarily an amateur who is either used to using a Point and Shoot (film or digital) or who has used a consumer film SLR, you'll find this camera easy to operate and use to the extent you used your other cameras. I bought this without the lens, as I have other lenses and the packaged one didn't offer me anything, but for those without Canon glass, you get a surprisingly good lens with the kit. Remember, though, that the lens will only fit on the Digital Rebel, its successors, and possibly the 10/20D line of Canon EOS bodies.Shooting is pretty simple. Charge the battery, which is easy -- the charger blinks depending upon its charge. You can look at the charger with the battery on there and see where you are, charge wise. It doesn't take very long to charge the battery fully. Once you have the battery in the camera, you'll need a Compact Flash card. I recommend SanDisk Ultra II cards. You won't experience any write time problems over an above this camera's natural limitations. Then, set the ISO value (100-1600), set either the pre-programed mode on one side of the dial, or the traditional Program/Shutter Priority/Apeture Priority settings on the other side, and you are ready to rock. Remember that unlike many digital cameras, the LED on the back of the camers DOES NOT function as a viewfinder. Aside from displaying various camera options, it shows what you shot after shooting.If you want to use this as an advanced amateur/pro setup, you can, but know its limitations. I bought this in March and have been shooting all sports with it. I'm using a Canon L USM lens, and have gotten some terrific shots. But I've also missed some that have led me to decide to sell this camera and pick up a 20D. The problem I get into is focusing speed and zones. The 2.5 fps with only a 4 frame burst isn't as big a problem as it sounds. I can still get good action in the burst mode, but admittedly 5 fps with 22 or 25 (20D) bursts is much better. If you want to use this to shoot something like concerts or indoor events, you won't have the same focusing issues. You will have to deal with any flash limitations, but for that information, you will have to read another review. I'm not a camera flash guy under any definition.The only real problem I've had with this camera is that my shots are consistently underexposed by about .5-.7 of a stop. I shoot exclusively RAW mode (never shot JPG on this one other than first dozen or so shots) and it has been correctable when I convert the images. This is more of a minor irritation, and may not be noticable in JPEG shots. I've seen others using this camera complain of it as well.This camera is as good of a consumer camera as you will find. If a pro, or semi-pro, can make something function for his or her needs, you know the consumer can get everything they need out of this. I've been shooting since I was 8 or so, have owned umpteen cameras, and this one fills its market niche as good as any of them.
I ended up purchasing this camera for about $55, was the best deal I have ever made. Had a little wear n' Tear, but that doesn't stop my satisfaction with the quality of my images!I recommend this to someone who is wanting to get into photography, because I know this camera has already done that for me!I love Canon and look forward in using their camera products throughout the years!
I had an Olympus 5MP point-n-shoot Camedia camera I was pretty happy with for portraits. I was annoyed w/ the fixed lens that prevented me from taking good photos of wildlife. I have hummingbird feeders in my backyard and unless you've had the opportunity to work with hummingbird families for years, the sweet, tiny animals are skittish and don't often pose for you when you get too close. When my point-n-shoot stopped focusing, I took advantage of this situation by rationalizing this bigger purchase.What a joy it has been to use this camera. The 6.3MP is a significant improvement over 5 and the ability to take photos in manual mode cannot be understated. With the fixed point-n-shoot, the camera refused to shoot if it didn't "feel" that it was in focus... so it was impossible to shoot sunsets, lightning or other natural beauties in the "infinity" range of the focal length.The Rebel makes use of Compact Flash - the oldest, yet still the best technology for taking fast, high-quality photos in digital cameras.My less than perfect rating is due to the small memory buffer. You can take up to 3fps very easily, but if you click-click-click the shutter, it doesn't matter if Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and Elvis start doing a little soft-shoe right in front of you, by the time the Rebel finishes writing the recent 3 quick shots to the CF card, the shot of the century has already slithered back into the swamp by the time the camera is ready to be used again.If you're taking portraits, not a problem. A click here and there and you'll never notice the lack of memory buffer... but if you're shooting at a ball game or other quick moving objects, you're going to get frustrated very quickly.The flash is decent, but you really need a good flash like the 580 in the hot-shoe if you want a better even spread and avoidance of red-eye. A lot of folks shrug about red-eye since most affordable or free programs like iPhoto or Photoshop Elements have built-in correction for red-eye - but red-eye correction by one click is only available for humans. If you're shooting wildlife, forget about any software that has a one-click (or a million clicks!) solution for blue-eye in dogs, yellow-eye in cats, flaming-demon eye in bunnies or the variety of odd reflections you will get bouncing off retinas of various species. The best way to circumvent this problem is to avoid bouncing flash directly into the retinas of your subjects from the get-go. No more glare or odd reflections when you use a better flash.The ability to upgrade to better lenses is the crux of SLR ownership. The sky is the limit. Get a good wide-angle and a good, fast telephoto and you've got yourself set for some great shots.  This camera isn't going to take advantage of CF cards faster than 40x, so you can save money by buying the slightly slower CF cards, but I invested in the 80x cards so I can use them when I upgrade cameras.This Rebel has gotten me back into photography after a decade-long hiatus. The camera automatically detects vertical shots and turns them 90 degrees for you in the LCD window. It is quick and easy to adjust the ISO to "push" the film (so to speak) to take advantage of low-light situations, but you get the same grainy effects as you do when you push real film.With an ISO of 100 and using a 512MB CF card, you have 157 photos at your disposal - if you push it all the way to 1600, 104 shots on the same card. At 400, your shots are already compromized regarding print quality... but if Sasquatch comes-a-knockin' in the wee hours, you'll still get decent proof if you shoot at 1600.Having a background in film photography spanning 2 decades, I didn't even have to consult the manual for this camera to use it fresh out of the box. It handles in many ways like a professional film SLR, and unlike the point-n-shoots, there aren't cryptic settings that have no film parallel.For sunny days and outdoor shots, this camera is a sheer joy to use.
I got this camera about a month ago.  I have two other digitals that are great cameras but are so slowwwwwwww you just can't shoot action with them very effectively.  This camera, for the price point, is a good deal. For those used to film SLRs you won't feel like a fish out of water and if you've already got canon EF lenses they should all work perfectly with this camera body (it can also take the newer EFS lenses).  Because of the SLR like shutter system and TTL focusing this camera lacks some of the functions available on traditional point and shoot digitals--there is no preview mode, no movie mode, no digital zoom and no panorama/stitch mode; keep your old point and shoot (or buy one) for those functions.  &#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;This camera is fast! The responsiveness is nearly up to a film camera (I should know I've shot with film cameras for years).  This camera offers 2.5 fps (in full quality mode) or 4 fps (in lower quality mode) continuous shooting--no point and shoot that I know of can match that--this is truly a low end professional digital slr body. The 17-55mm lens that comes with it is great for nearby shots such as at parties or when your subject is no more than 20 feet away.  &#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;I suggest two other lenses for this camera that you won't want to be without.  The Canon 28-135 IS USM III zoom and the 75-300 USM zoom (also available with IS if you want to spend the extra money).  IS is a wonderful invention and gives you clear handheld shots at some amazingly slow shutter speeds (IS is a gyroscopic system in the lens that accounts for camera shake during the shot--really amazing what it can do).  The 28-135 lense is widely considered the best &quot;walk around&quot; lense for just about anything. The IS system does suck batteries so I'd suggest you get a couple of extra batteries right away (ebay has the best price for them).  If you can't afford a 20D this is the next best thing.  The Rebel is really a striped down 10D, so if you're waffling between this and the 10D--I've heard the differences aren't really worth the extra money.  The other big purchase you want with this camera is a 550EX or 580EX speedlight.  The Rebel lacks IR focus assist but if you have one of these speedlights the camera can use the IR assist on the flash unit!!!!!  &#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;I use my rebel to shoot Karate demos, lots of fast action, usually indoors.  I think the 20D would be a better choice for this (because of the bigger buffers while writing to the CF card) but the Rebel can hold its own fairly well if you think out your shots a bit more.  I'm really happy with this camera and I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to move up to a digital slr but doesn't want to spend ten grand doing it.  The camera has a few foibles and professionals might complain that some of the pre programmed modes are far too limited--but that's because it's cheap--the 20D will be more satifying if you've got the money for it.  Canon's running a pretty fantastic rebate until mid January, if you buy a Rebel and two lenses you get about $300 back just on the camera and around 50 bucks for each lens.  Yep I spent about $1600.00 on the camera and two lenses but that's quite a deal for all I got.&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;I recommend this if you don't have the money for a 20D, if you do, or are close to having it, wait and get the 20D.
There are already tons of reviews on the EOS 300d (Digital Rebel) but I do want to share my experience with the camera, so I will keep this short. I bought this camera about 5 months ago and I am in love with. I was not new to photography or to SLR's, but new to the world of digital SLR. I had previously used an ancient Minolta x-570, a "pro-sumer" 35mm film slr with a Vivitar 35-105 standard zoom lens. First and foremost this camera takes excellent pictures, very high quality and no distortion that I have seen. This camera is particularly good as a beginner's dSLR because there are so many options to use and learn. But until you are ready to take advantage of all the featues, you can use this just like a point and shoot. Battery life has been excellent so far: thought I would suggest getting an extra to have as  a backup for long days of taking photos.  I have also been quite happy with the kit lens, which I wasn't sure I would like since it is not as versatile as the lens I had been using on my Minolta. But the kit lens has proved to be a great learning tool: I have been able to take some great shots, while also learning what kinds of other, better lenses I would like to add to my setup.**The only issue I have had was a problem with a Sandisk 2gb CF card. After about 300 shots, the camera froze and stopped responding to that card. I was able to salvage most of the photos after the fact, but don't risk it. If you're serious enough to spend this kind of money on a camera, spend a little extra money on the Sandisk Ultra II line of high-speed cards.
I immediately put my Rebel through it's paces when I got it. I have to say, it's a dang good camera that takes dang good pictures. I work for a newspaper and submit photos to other papers, so I take alot of images. I have been surprised at the clarity and quality of the images I get out of this camera. I was photographing a swimmer today, which takes a certain amount of quickness to get a good image. I was blown away by a couple of the images I got. The autofocus hunts a bit sometimes, but you can turn it to manual so no problem. The exposure control is the only thing I would recommend they work on, even though I haven't had a problem with it. The EFS lens you get with the camera is not to shabby. I paired mine up with 420ex flash with a wireless transmitter and the vertical battery grip for more shooting time. The transmitter worked well for spooky shots at Halloween. I also recommend at least a couple 256mb flash cards. They will hold around 130 large normal images, which is decent. Anyhow I highly recommend this camera. I love shooting with it. It's a great main or backup camera.
We chose this camera due to the price point at 6.3 megapixel, and because we owned the 35mm Rebel - and love it. The 35mm lenses can be used on the digital, making the two a powerful combination. What I didn't expect is the incredible quality of the photos. I had a Sony 3.3 megapixel digital prior to this -so the jump in quality is substantial. However, comparing prints side by side from the digital (with my HP Photosmart 230 printer) and prints from my 35mm developed by a lab - the quality is substantially similar.I thought it would be a while before I could afford a digital camera with sufficient clarity to replace my 35 mm for most uses. This camera is changing my mind. The flexibility of digital (print only what you like, for example) and the quality of the images, makes this camera an excellent value for the price!
The reviews below pretty much say it all. This is a high quality camera at a very reasonable price. A few points to note from my experience.LensesI had a film EOS so I thought I did not need the kit lense and did not buy it. Lenses for film cameras do work with the digital kiss but there are two problems. Due to the size difference between the digital sensor and a 35mm film, the stated focal length of the film lens becomes about 1.4 longer when used with the digital camera. I.e. a 28 mm film lens becomes a 40mm lens when used on the digital Kiss. This means that I lack a wide angle lens for use with the digital. Secondly, while humans can accomodate for the fact that what it says on the lens is not the correct focal length, when using with a canon flash (I have a 380EX) the lens communicates its focal length to the flash gun based on the numbers on the lens not on the adjusted focal length. This means that the flash gun inturn adjusts its flash dispersion width to meet the incorrect focal length and so the exposures is out. One can adjust the exposure manually but the size of the adjustment does not seem to be consistent over the range for my "28" to "70" Canon zoom. So be wary when hoping to use your film EOS eqipment on your digital EOS camera. Buy the kit lens.Download SpeedA lot of people point out that the camera is a little to download. However it only costs a about 30 dollars (or less?) for a USB 2.0 adapter for the compact flash. I never download directly from the camera. I just change the compact flash and download from that. Using this method, download times are as fast as any other camera, or as fast as the media will allow.PixelsWhile 6.3 is a lot for any amature use. If you want to sell your photos then it is about the minimum. If you plan to turn pro then get the next version up if you can afford it.
If you are a photographer looking for a low priced SLR camera that takes quality pictures, this camera is for you. Its fast, easy to use, and an extremely long batterry life. I bought this camera 3 weeks ago and already shot about 500 pics with it. The quality is great!!! The best thing about the camera is the ability to take action shots. I had some of my friends jump and the camera was able to focus on them and shot pictures while they were in the air and the pictures came out great. Macro shots were perfect, with or with out the flash, I could not be happier, all the pictures were sharp and in focus. I wanted to edit some of the pictures I took with photoshop, but even the photoshop told me the pictures were perfect and did not need to be edited.There are a few problems with the camera and most of them can be solved with a few accessories. One of the biggest problems is pictures shot indoor are underexposed, the built in flash is not powerfull enough. But all I had to do was buy a flash (420EX works great) and the problem is solved. Second problem is that the camera is very selective as far as lenses. I have a Rebel2000 with a Sigma 200mm lens and the lens did not work with my new camera. (I kept getting ERR99 on the screen) So I guess I have to buy a new lens for it. Camera is also have a plastic body, but i guess for the price its ok. (If you want a metal body get Canon 20D and pay $500 more)Overall the camera has some minor problems with it, but for the price I am willing to live with it. (if want them fixed either buy Canon 20D or get some accessories) Personally changing from G5 to Rebel was great. This is my first digital SLR and I am very happy. Canon did a very good job with it.
We have a smaller digital camera, and an SLR camera.  how wonderful to combine the two!  this camera may have a few exra perks that we may not use, but we have already seen a huge difference in the quality of our pictures!  we've only had this camera for 10 days!
Replaced one I had. I have since upgraded to a 5D MKIII. This was a great camera and still is I use it in foul weather and such. I want to keep my 5D working in tip top shape as long as I can!
I have had this camera since Jan '05 and have so far taken approximately 10,000 shots while on trips and at weddings.Don't expect much from it and you will be happy. As an entry level DSLR it does what it's supposed to do in ideal conditions. I find it's strength is in taking people photographs in bright light, provided that they are not moving.Cons:In landscape photography this camera is lacking - both due to inadequate megapixels and it's inability to capture the natural blues and greens very well.Battery dies FAST. The battery I got with it hardly lasts a whole day of shooting, especially when shooting in RAW mode. I have yet to fill up a 1Gig card when shooting in RAW mode(Approx 150 shots) before the battery dies. Surprisingly when shooting jpegs, I get more shots per charge(Over 300) but hardly enough to last a day. I cannot tell you the number of times the battery has died on me while I was out on a hike. So I always carry a backup film camera (my trusty Elan 7).The viewfinder is very dim. When I look through my Elan 7 and then through the 300D, it is painfully obvious how dark the image is through the 300D's viewfinder. In indoor situations with low light this becomes a handicap, especially when having to resort to manual focus.Autofocus in low light for the 300d is terrible. When shooting indoors, the autofocus hunts and ends up focusing on something behind your intended subject. I have lots of beautiful photos of walls and sconces in the background in sharp focus while the people standing in front in the middle of the frame are an out of focus blur. This is despite having a 420Ex Flash on my camera that uses an infrared beam to assist with the focus.The 420EX flash is supposed to "talk" to the camera and adjust the power in order to ensure the subjects are not over or under exposed. However, with the 300d, this is a crap shoot at best and many of my indoor shots are over/under exposed.After about five months, the shutter button started sticking. I would click it and then it would remain depressed. The shutter button would only pop back up after I jiggled it a little.Another annoying thing about the camera is that the settings are displayed on the rear of the camera and not on the top beside the shutter button. And since there is only one thumbwheel, it is not easy to change aperature and shutter speed. For example, if you use the thumbwheel to change the aperature, then to change the shutter speed you would have to press another button while at the same time turning the thumbwheel. When you take thousands of shots over the life of the camera, this is a real annoyance.So would I recommend this camera:If you are a casual point and shoot person, it's an affordable entry into DSLRs that produces decent photos. But if you plan on shooting a lot indoors or want to take landscape photographs that can actually convey the colors accurately, look elsewhere.
Had it for a few days and it has fulfilled all the criteria of what I was looking for except one (but we get to that later).I wanted a 4MB camera with a good lens and a brand with a good reputation for good pictures. I also wanted an automatic camera, but one which I could control everything manually if I wanted. I also didn't want to have to worry about lens scratches or LCD scratches. I wanted a camera that could fit into a jacket pocket. Finally, I wanted a rechargeable Lithium battery.I have a Canon point and shoot film camera and was always impressed with the quality. As long as you are not getting into German lenses like Leica and Zeiss, Canon and Nikon are the best. I happen to be partial to the Canon but it is a preference thing.Canon has been tinkering with digital models for sometime so I figured they worked out all the kinks. And so far it's been great. The image quality is fantastic. I bought it for a magazine project and plan to blow up images to 8x10. I have been in publishing long enough to know what I have seen so far is going to look very good blown up. For vacation shots, etc. it is all you could want.But one should not mistake this camera for a vacationers point-and-shoot. It can be that, but if you know a little about photography, you can get some creative, unique and professional looking results from this model. It takes some learning because there are sub menus and settings but the basic principals of photography are intact.The lens folds away when the camera is off and the swing out LCD snaps, face in, to the body. This is the only model I know that has this and I read a lot of reviews where people were bothered about their LCD getting all messed up.All the online reviews about this camera (not just Amazon but CNET and others) are excellent (pretty much the case with most Canon models) and the price is right in there with the competition.I just wish the batteries were rechargeable like on other Canon models. Everyone knows these things gobble batteries. But realizing the rest of the camera was what I wanted, I figured some rechargeable AAs from Radio Shack would take care of the problem. Of course, I have the usual complaints about the small memory card but every camera has that problem. Memory is so cheap, when will the manufacturers figure out that their customers want more?
Canon makes the best digital cameras in this price range, no doubt.  I purchased this beauty before studying in Mexico for three months.  As a student, price was a large factor.  I wanted more than just point-and-shoot.I took 700 photos in Mexico.  The camera never missed a shot.  Photos all come out so perfectly you don't even need ot access the many manual options.  The only manual option I used was the black-and-white, which took black-and-white pictures and gave me control over exposures and the like.  My black-and-white prints look better than my friends', who used 35mm cameras.  My color prints, well I blew a bunch up to 8x10 and they are absolutely perfect, amazing considering I wasn't even using the highest-quality option!I love the swivel-screen.  When traveling alone, you can have the screen on the front of the camera and take a picture of yourself.  It was also helpful for seeing over large crowds.  The camera is NOT heavy, I don't know why so many reviws say that.  It's heavier than other digital cameras, yes, but I like that it feels SOLID.  I have picked up many digital cameras that felt flimsy.  This one is solid metal, very strong.  I love that it uses AA batteries, because if your batteries run out its always easy to find more.  If you use energizer e2 batteries the camera is very light.  Batteries typically lasted me 2-3 weeks, and I was taking hundreds of photos.There are a few cons to the camera.  The screen is hard to see in direct sunlight, and it feels a little too small.  Also, I find that the knob on the top to choose picture-taking options moves too easily - I often moved it unknowingly and then took a photo on the wrong setting.  I also find that the auto-focus often focuses on the wrong object.Still, I would buy this camera again.  My friends' cameras simply did not compete.  I had so many more options, and my auto-shoot's pictures were just better.  When we compared prints, you could not tell mine were from a digital camera but there's had imperfections.Buy this camera.  If not this one, stick with Canon.
Whether you're looking for a professional or amatuer digital this is a great digital camera for the price. In addition to 4 mp capablilties this little marvel also boosts a strong enclosure unlike other digital cameras in it's price range. It's a great value for the price. You can take simple point and shoot photos or play around with the limitless settings to capture the moment. I have not use the panoroma feature but it sounds interesting and I plan on learning how to use it as soon as possible. I just bought the camera yesterday and I was impressed with the level of detail once I view my photos on my pc (you can also connect the camera to your t.v. but I haven't tried this yet).This camera will not replace my 10 year old trusty Minolta automatic/manual camera yet, but once I figure out all the settings it might make some sense to leave the Minolta at home since I'll be able to blow up my photos to a large size.............sample photos taken with the A80.I looked at digital Fugi, Milolta, and Nikon and I loved the A70. The store had sold out (apparently so did many others!) so I had to spend an extra hundred. I'm sure I'll make this money back with the amount of film processing I'll save this holiday. I'm glad I got this camera over its predessor because it comes with the latest USB (faster downloads) as well as the latest compact flash card (32 instead of 16mB) although I bought a 128 (and will probably buy another 128). The 4mp photos require alot of space.I also tried a 30 sec (up to 3 minutes) mpeg and the camera was very intuitive. I took 70 shots in and outdoors and 3 small movies 1 hour after charging my batteries (not included - I bout a 30minute Energizer charger kit). The software for the photos is easy to use. The movie editting software doesn't appear to be that great. I don't plan on recording movies extensively with this camera, but it's nice to know this feature is available if I left my Sony Handycam at home.I look forward to taking many photos with this camera and recommend it to anyone whose looking for a camera that doesn't feel like a toy and will challege any photo enthusiasts out there with its many features and manual controls. To save a hundred go with the A70 - also a great product. The A60 will soon be discontinued I believe.
I use this camera for taking product photos and model shots, and it does both very well.Great detail for close-up and landscapes. The flippy screen is awesome, though I don't use it as much as I thought I would. Easy to use, easy to get good shots, highly recommended!
Great pictures, many features, overall easy to use.  The flip out screen was very convenient on vacation when having to shoot pictures over the heads of people in front of me.  I just flipped it out and tilted it.  Great camera!  The Powershot A95 is the more recent upgrade so you might want to look into this model as well.  Only drawback-- it is a little heavier than some other models since you use 4 AA batteries.  The perk to that would be that these batteries can be found anywhere (even out in the middle of no where) which can be a plus when on a long trip.  Love it!
Disclaimer: Before I begin let me say that I love taking pictures but am a total amateur and will not be able to explain the fine technical diffrences.I have had an A80 for 4 months now. I got it for a cheaper price than Amazon through bizrate.com at a NJ camera store. I made sure it wasn't one of the bait and switch stores through user rating and reviews. They did ask me to buy accessories but when I declined they just sent me the camera the next day. I had an A70 for about 8 months before I got caught in heavy rain and the camera CCD was damaged due to the water after giving me about 3000+ good pictures. So I went to buy another camera and thought of buying another brand and model. However after some heavy research I came back to Canon as I love the Photostitch and the other manual and photo modes. So I bought the A80 and here is the difference between A80 and A70 through the eyes of an amateur.A80 is heavier than the A70 and the corners are less well rounded. Its squarer and is surprisingly heavier than A70. But you get adjusted soon and I like the weight as I don't carry it in my pocket anyway.The plastic parts of A 70 have been replaced by metal in A 80 which explains the weight and it has a more solid feel to it and is more resistant to scratches.The flip out screen is a good addition and I have twisted it in another angle about 25% of the times. For example when you want to capture a group of people from the outside. Then you can hold it above your head to get the center of the group and still compose your shot as you can see the screen. Or when you are taking pictures of kids and don't want to neel on the ground. You can just lower the camera in your hand and twist up the screen. The same goes for landscapes. It does allow for more creativity in composing shots.The rubber flap which covered the outlets for your cable has been reduced to about 1/5th the size. And there is a better navigator button which allows you to scroll through pictures/menu etc. In the A70 the 4 buttons at the back also serve as the navigator buttons. Now they need not.And the on/off button which was very flush with the top in A70 is more raised in the A80 and more easily found in dim light. The picture modes have not changed much over the A70 except there are now 2 more modes C1 and C2 which can be customized to your liking.The biggest difference however is in the 9 point AiAf autofocus. I see that the indoor pictures taken by A80 on Autofocus are 'harsher' than the A70. Outdoors I do not see a big difference and the pictures taken in daylight are as clear as the A70 but the indoor pictures are quite different. The white is whiter than it was in pics taken with A70 in autofocus, if you know what I mean.Overall, I like the A80, especially as I got it for only a few bucks more than what I bought the A70 for (from Amazon). But I haven't quite figured out how to use it to its full advantage especially indoors. And I do prefer Canon A80 over what was available in the same price range.
This camera took the best ever photos but after two years just quit.  Never dropped or mistreated.  Camera store quoted over $100 just to see what was wrong with it.  That did not include actually fixing it.  So sad - it did take such wonderful photos.  Then purchased PowerShot S2 IS.  Images not as good as A80.  So sad.  PowerShot S2 IS quit after three years.  Changing over to Panasonic.
You just got to hand it to Canon to come up with the best package cameras in the market today. The A60, A70 and A80 provide huge feature sets at a very competetive price.Regarding the camera, my A80 let me just say that it performs admirably.I was initially choosing between the A80 and also the excellent  Canon S45, but decided on the A80 for the foll reasons:1. Superior handling - the A80 just FELT better to hold in my hand, due to its protuding grip, than the S45. However, i recommend you try both cameras out before you buy. You might prefer the S45 instead.2. Flip-out-and-twist LCD - The A80's real ace over the S45. Initially, i thought it to be a gimmick, but i found out that the LCD is really useful in everyday situations, e.g. taking photos of kids from a low level without breaking your back. BUT, the A80's LCD is also a bit dissapointing, as it has only a 1.5&quot; size and 67k pixels, compared to the S45's 1.8&quot; and 100k+ pixels. See for yourself, and decide if you are comfortable with the A80's LCD. I wear glasses, but have no problems with it.So the choice is yours. Both cameras are priced about same right now, i think.Back to the A80, here are its pros and cons:Pros:1. Good handling and feel, Sure , it may not be as small as a Pentax S4, but come on, the camera is more 'prosumerly' oriented. Is small size is what you look for, you'll HAVE to give up on many advanced manual controls.2. Good quality images. People in forums have complained about purple fringing and excessive red-eye on the A80. I find a bit of fringing too but it is not that noticable. And redeye? I've seen none of it even with flash shots.3. AA batteries seem to run on and on and on...... 2100 mAh cells lasted about a week with 30 or shots a day with LCD turned on.4. NO E-18 errors which plagued the Canon A60 and A70!5. Flip-out-and-twist LCD. Really useful.Cons:1. people say the the CF card door is flimsy, but in fact I find the Battery compartment door to be even more flimsy. I wonder when the springs will break off.2. Shutter lag: This plagues almost all comsumer digicams. I've learnt how to handle it thought, by adjusting my timing, but it still annoys me.3. A bit low quality LCD as i mentioned earlier. Some of you may find it to be a problem. It works fine with me.So, all I can say is that the Canon A80 makes a very strong case for itseldf in the 4 megapixel comsumer camera market. However, if price is a hassle, you can also try out the 2MP A60 or 3MP A70, good performing cameras in their own right. In the 4Mp category, also be sure to check out the A80's competitors i have listed below:1. Canon S452. Nikon 43003. Pentax S44. Kodak DX 64905. Canon S4006. Sony P92 ( a 5MP model)7. Canon S50 ( also 5MP)For the Canon A80, i recommed the following accesories, which should be definitely bought:1. 128 MB ( at least) Cf card. 256 MB is a good size.2. 2 sets of rechargable Ni-Mh batteries, (each set having 4 batteries)of about 2000 mAh and a fast charger.3. Camera pouch/bag. The Lowepro Z10 which i bought for the A80 provides a snug fit.
I shopped around for months and have had this camera now since February.  It has been fantastic!  I love the size (not too small or large). The features are so neat. I have even used the tilting lcd screen much more than I ever thought I would. It is great to hold over your head when you aren't tall enough- you can capture that shot without pushing through the crowd.I print my pictures through York- they have come out fabulous!  I haven't been disappointed yet and I've been shooting tons of pictures in all kinds of light- action and portrait.The AA batteries will not last long so you'll need a charger,but that was a very small investment.  I put in the rechargable batteries and took probably 500 pictures before they had to be charged again.
This is an excellent camera. The only reason I give it fewer stars is because of potential quality issues (yet to be determined). Canon recently changed all production for this model to China. The general perception is that Made in Japan is of much better quality. Regardless as to the truth of the perseption, it is very true that things made in China are made at a much much lower cost to thing made in Japan. So far my camera has functioned well, however only time will tell. I feel cheated since all my research (online, in stores, etc) was based on the Made in Japan version. People will tell you they are identical, however that is usually not the case. Even if the parts are the same the quality control usually differs.I feel cheated by Canon and retailers by this change. The main point is to realize that if you are ordering a new one now that it will be Made in China.
This camera takes terrific shots and is easy to operate.  The memory cards are affordable and the feature set is robust enough even for advanced photographers.  The swivel screen is a nice addition and I have used it more than I thought I would.  The only thing I would change would be to increase the display size to that of the competition (this kept me from giving it 5 stars).
So far I've taken some wonderful snapshots using the automatic settings. Using the &quot;functions&quot; and &quot;menus&quot; has been a challenge-- there are too many buttons: set, menu, function, display for a gadget that is, for the most part menu driving.
I love this camera!!! It took me a long time to get up the nerve to invest in a digital, but I have no regrets about this one in the least, and I am thrilled at my picture quality. A couple of things: I haven't tried it with lenses yet. A friend has the A70 and has used a macro lense on it; she didn't think it worked as well as it should... I don't know if Canon A80 will have similar issues, but the macro shots on the A80 without lenses are good enough I don't think I care! Plus, even the capability of using additional lenses on a camera this size and price blows me away. The flip-out screen is Worth It. Yes, that cute little addition is actually worthwhile. Go for it. The automatic setting on this is great -- I haven't improved on it (but will try the P setting adjustment mentioned in another review - thankyou!), but the landscape, portrait, and different color settings are great additions. I've only had this camera 9 months, but I have already learned a ton about photography, and this camera challenges me to keep improving! It has plenty of room to grow on! This camera is easy to understand, very adaptable, allows all the control one can expect in a camera at this level and then some -- and most of all, makes beautiful pictures even with no effort at all. Buy It! Buy It!
Like many other reviewers, I loved this camera until it recently stopped working.  It keeps telling me to change the battery pack and turns off after a few seconds.  This is after I put in new batteries.  The support center told me that it would be over $100 to fix and that if I send it in, I will be offered an upgrade to a reconditioned A530 for only $125.00.  I checked the Amazon price and the A530 sells new for $119.00!!  I guess I'll discard the A80 and try another brand.
I shopped for weeks to find an affordable digital camera that would perform well, and I found it with the A80.  It is a nice compact size, easy to understand, and performs well.  And you can purchase additional lenses for even more features.  I would recommend any of the "A" series Canons.
I have had this camera since 2005, and taken some of my best pictures with it.  To me it's very simple to use, and I like to play with the settings until I find something that fits my needs.  I fell in love with the "sports" mode (and I'm not into any sports really) because it was awesome taking pictures of my 3-year-old at the time.  The colors of the pictures are very true to the real thing, and the swivel LCD viewer is the best when you want to take pictures without being too obvious of what you're doing.  It's also a life saver for short people like me (5'2.5") because you can lift up the camera, tilt the screen and take pretty pics from above (again, also very handy with little ones!).This camera has survived lots of trips and many many many drops!  The top part started to come off a while ago (maybe a year or two after we got it and used it a lot), and the metallic cover of the shutter button completely fell off (don't know where it could be!), but even with all these issues, the pictures are still really great.  I have moved on and got the Powershot S5IS (which takes nice pictures, but I notice the color a bit off compared to this one), so I gave this camera to my daughter (now 7).  She likes it a lot, and sometimes lets her little brother (only 2) use it!  The pics are hilarious, but the best part is that the camera is still taking really great pictures and nice video (no zooming or image stabilization during video though) even after all these years.Hopefully I can get my new Canon T2i soon (need the money to get it, just a very minor detail!),but in the meanwhile I am having fun looking at the pics my kids take with THEIR camera.
I got this thinking it would be substitute for SLR.  I needed to decrease bulk and weight on trip to Europe.  It was successful for that but it lacks in ability to capture special shots.  It is ok for occassional user.  Operations not much different than SLR.  Close up and telephoto add on lens are a joke.  You can buy smaller cameras to accomplish decreased size, but go with SLR if want flexibility.
A80 is a great digital camera. From other reviews, you might have read its great features. I would like to address some issues that were mentioned in other reviews:1. Weight and Size:Depending on which digital camera you used before: if you used a heavy one before, this one is as light as a feather. But, if you used a &quot;credit card sized&quot; one, this A80 will be big and heavy. A80 is not very light, but not heavy at all. It fits nicely in a lady's palm. It will not fit into a shirt pocket. What'd you expect for a 4 Megapix camera?2. Speed:Not as fast as a SLR, but among the fastest group in digital cameras. It can be easily controled...another plus.3. Media:Compact Flash is the mainstream. Olympus uses XD. There is hardly any card readers for XD media. Although Olympus also produces great cameras, I don't want to touch XD since I'll also be using CF for my PDA and MP3 players.4. Power saving function:A70 has a bad function: the power saving function cannot be controled by the user. If you turn on the camera and not use it for a while, it will turn off automatically. A80 corrected this by putting in another function for you to turn the power saving on (not off!). You will never have to worry about it.
My only regret is that the Amazon price fell $55 in the 2 months since I bought it from here. But I suppose that's just the way it goes with technology (though a $55 drop in 2 months (about 17%) is a bit drastic even for technology).Technically, it's a great camera. Snap it up for $275, which is what it's going for now. Great pictures, easy to use.You should also get a case for it, and you should get rechargeable lithium AA batteries. And you need to get a 256MB Compactflash card - the included one is absolutely irrelevant, and is only good for about 20 pictures at the good resolution.
I love this camera.  I bought it for myself about six months ago.  It takes fantastic pictures, great video with sound.  I'm a (very) amateur photographer, but this camera has encouraged me to learn more.  It has so many features, and is virtually idiot-proof.  I love the optical zoom, the flip-out LCD screen.  Everyone I've used this camera around always asks to see it.  Both my brothers bought one after seeing the pictures I took of their kids after our last family gathering.  I give this camera my highest rating!
After using the A80 for about 2 weeks, I am very happy with my purchase decision.The nicest things about this A80 camera are:1) The canon lens give very clear pictures with good natural color [especially in day light];2) It uses AA type battery for power. Although the alkaline battery give poor power, the high capacity AA NiMH rechargeable batteries last at least 200 picture talking with LCD on.But in emergency situations, (you have choice) you can pick up some AA alkaline batteries in gas stations or supermarkets;3) Its metal case is good to hold and look at (most digicams, under $300) don't have enough metal on them.4) Canon A80 can allow us to get the lens adapter and matching lens to do wide-angle, closs-up shoot;5) Its 270 degree swivel LCD screen is very very useful when shooting pictures at some odds position, like shooting an object behind a crowd of people or fences;6) Its 4.0 megapixel resolution and 3X optical allow user to print good clear pics at least 8x11 size. for a camera under$300;7)A80 has extra mode like: aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual mode to shoot pics. They are very handy for advance skilled users to take pics in all different situations;8) A80 uses Compact flash memory card, CF card is the most popular flash memory card and you can always get CF card at very good prices online.I use windows xp to install canon A80 software and driver, never have problem to download or what so ever. If people blame on Canon A80 driver or software, they should fix up their windows xp before bashing the camera.My suggestion for all A80 owners: Get a CF card with at least 128MB capacity or 256MB if you plan to travel with A80 for days.Always use NIMH rechargeable battery to save money in the long run. You can get 4 AA NiMH batteries and fast charger from Walmart or Target for around $20.I owned Canon A40 before, I loved and used the old A40 for 2 years. But this new A80 is a gem, and the $280 I spent on this camera will give me years of pleasure.
I feel like I'm the last person to convert to digital cameras, but I'm glad I waited and found the Canon Powershot A80 at supersale price. I knew there had to be a catch, so I did my research and checked up on reviews by both customers and professionals. I wanted something easy to use, but not something cheap that would only last me a few months. My studies showed that there was no catch, this camera had the features I've been looking for but could not afford. This was definitely the right choice for me.The 4.0 megapixel A80 is the perfect camera for a beginner who does not want to look like one. In addition to its sleek style, it's easy to use (point and shoot) but also has features that I yet have to learn. I'm very impressed with the quality of the photos as they came out bright, sharp and vivid. I don't understand the complaints about the battery life (from many reviews) as I've taken over 100 photos during my vacation and I'm still on my first batch of batteries (love the AA batteries!). Just be sure to turn off your camera when it's not in use. I also enjoy the tilting/swivel LCD screen which allows you to shoot from different angles. All my friends seem to envy that feature in particular. It's also small enough to carry around but not too small that it would be easy to lose/misplace. It also has a movie mode with sound, but I haven't tried that yet.The only cons I have with the camera (but I can live with) is that the monitor seems too small and it's hard to see images in daylight. I wish it had more zoom as well. The CF door seems very fragile and each time I open it, I feel like it's going to fall off.Other than that, I highly recommend the A80 to those who are new to digital cameras but would like the extra features of a more advanced camera. Wonderful, brand-name camera for a low price. Look out for bargains!
The A80 is a wonderfully simple-to-use digital camera, yet has all the manual adjustments a semi-professional (or serious amateur) photographer could ever want.  I bought this about six months ago as a replacement for my Canon A40, which also produced amazingly good quality pics, but is only 2.0 megapixels.  The A80 is 4.0 MP, which gives you the headroom to create slightly larger prints, at least up to 8 X 10 with excellent quality.Canon has rethought the user interface on the A80, and the camera is simple to use.  The "Auto" setting works quite well for many occasions, but there are plenty of setting for special situations, or complete manual control if you want it.  There are even two user-customizable settings.  Forget the 32MB CF card the camera comes with- get yourself a couple of 256  or 512MB cards, and you'll be set for a week's worth of vacation snaps.The A80 uses a lot of battery power, so a set of alkaline AAs should be used only as emergency back-up. (It's also handy that they're sold in every store all over the world.)  But get yourself a set or two of Powerex 2300 mah rechargeables and a MAHA charger, and you will get 800-1000 charges on each set.  For about $50, you'll have battery power for at least five years!  Get your batteries from Thomas Distributing (easily found on the web)- they are good people and very knowledgeable and reliable.Using the camera with the LCD screen shut off saves a lot of battery power.  Good for when you're being touristy and don't need to review every shot.  The swiveling LCD screen is very handy for shooting over crowds, pets and small children, and the inevitable self-portrait.  Its nicest feature is that it swivels closed so the screen is shielded by the camera body.  Get some of those little plastic protectors anyway, for $5 the LCD screen will remain in like-new condition for years.The Canon A80 is an EASY-TO-USE camera, shooting EXCELLENT QUALITY pictures in AUTO mode, with complete MANUAL ADJUSTABILITY.  It is highly recommended for anyone.
I'm a total amatuer, but have been using digital cameras at work for several years starting with the Sony Mavacia with 640x480 max resolution and most recently using an Olympus 3.2MP camera.  I'd refrained from buying a digital camera, limping along with a point-and-shoot 35mm instead because the resolution didn't seem great and the prices seemed too high.  With the birth of our first grandson though, I suddenly felt the need to own a digital camera!  Without too much research I bought the A80 and I'm totally satisfied with my choice and maybe even a little pleasantly surprised by some of the extra's.  First, just so I don't forget--it takes great pictures!  Really great pictures...I feel like the only limitation is my own ability to completely use all of the available features.  If you're reading the other 50 plus reviews you'll see a lot of technical info, so let me just hit my own personal highlights.  It doesn't come with a bag...but I got a great small Samsonite camera bag with snaps and straps and pockets and zippers for less than $6.00 at Walmart.  Any digital camera will eat batteries--go rechargable.  The best I've seen are 2300ah NIMH batteries, you'll need 8 and a charger {Walmart again} which will pay for themselves in a month or two (and trust me, when you do break down and buy it you're  really going to kick yourself for all the money you've been wasting on regular batteries).  The memory card they provide is too small, but at the second highest resolution, it will get you started with 30+ pictures and act as a interim backup.  I like the 256mb size as an upgrade, and will eventually buy a second one as a backup.  Sandisk had a price for well under $50 and a lifetime guarantee--so the backup card could come in handy if yours ever fails!  The camera comes loaded with features, including manual shutter and aperture modes and more automatic and manual modes than you will learn to use in weeks if not months or years of ownership.  In the meantime, just setting it on Auto or Nite mode makes you look like a freaking genius anyway.  The flip-out LCD screen is one of those things that you don't know you need until you have it, and then you wonder how you ever did without!  It protects the delicate screen when not in use, rotates so your wife can take centered pictures of herself (instead of the off-center ones she usually got with a regular camera), and it is great for candid pics when you don't want to spook the subject by looking directly at them with the camera or when you want to alter the angle of your photo to get a bugs eye or birds eye view.  The USB connection to my computer is a huge improvement over the floppy disks the Mavacia used and even a full card of 256mb downloads quickly (plus you can upload pictures to transport them to another computer).  The included software for cataloging and modifying shots is adequate and actually quite an improvement over what I've seen in the past.  Considering that it's free, I'm not complaining.  {If I want better software, I'd rather choose what I want anyway.}  I started this review by noting that I'd been holding out for a high resolution camera with a decent price--I got that and more.  This is the perfect camera for an amatuer like me, and it will tide me over quite well until the price of a 10MP digital SLR gets down to under $400!  And best of all, the pictures of my grandson make a great screensaver slide show!!!
We love our A80, so when the LCD screen cracked after a fall, we were bummed. We decided to send it in to Canon through their online repair service system. It was GREAT! They charge a flat rate of $108 no matter what the problem is. They replaced the screen, and I just got it back today ... about 1 week after they received it. I wish I hadn't waited a few months to do it.
This camera is very good, the quality and presentation are nice and are elegant for few money, I recommended it thanks for all!!!!
First of all i want to thank Amazon.com for there reliable shipping. This is my first time ordering online and was hoping i could get my Canon A80 on my Son's Birthday, and Amazon didn't disappoint me. All of the good review for this camera are all correct and much more. I love the display view and also the type of shooting modes and functions. The 3 minutes video record is also good enough to manage all my clips, aside from other camera who only offer 30 secs clips.All in all if you're looking for the best brand and model + affordable price, i recommend you this Canon A80.
We used this camera for taking general purpose family pictures. Nice design and good feature set. At 2yr mark it completely stopped saving pictures to CF card. I can't find any information on canon site. Bummer, I was really hoping to upgrade to a EOS this year. Probably no more Canons for me.
I purchased this camera a few days ago and so far, it is really nice.  It seems well constructed, though it is smaller than I thought it would be.  I am by no means a photographer, but the auto modes seem to work just fine for me.  The camera seems fairly simple to operate, yet there are a good many functions for the photo enthusiasts.  The video mode isn't the greatest, but this camera wasn't made for high quality video.  The only thing that disappointed me so far was the fact that you can't get the date/time imprinted on the pictures.  If you use the software that came with the camera, which isn't the greatest, you can print out the pictures with the date/time below the image (like a postcard or something), but I would prefer it on the actual image.  Overall, though, I love it so far.
I've been very happy with my purchase of this camera.  This is my first digital, which I researched before buying.  I used to own a Minolta film SLR, which was also a nice camera.  But, this Canon for "normal" prints (5x7 or so) is about as good as that Minolta was.  And because it's digital, I'm saving $$ over a film camera.I expect this to be my "bread and butter" camera.  The everyday, pictures of the nephew and niece camera.  When I can afford it, I'll get a digital rebel.Also when I can afford it, I'll get a Canon printer.  Maybe two: one for the desktop, and a second portable one.  Seems to me that a portable printer with this camera is about as close to a Polaroid as the digital world has to offer.It will take you some practice to learn how to hold the camera steady.  Two tricks I've discovered.  1 - buy a little tripod.  For about $10 you can get an 8" or so tripod which is great for estting the camera up on a table or car or whatever.  2 - use the 2 second delay so that pressing the button does not interfere with the shutter's movement.  I'm not at all sure this "problem" is unique to this camera, I suspect it's true with most digital point-and-shoots.This camera is not very big, in fact it's smaller than many film point and shoot cameras I've seen, but I've found that some people prefer something smaller.  I'd suspect the Elf would make most people happy.
this error does indeed exist for those you that still doubt. i purchased this camera in july of last year and just last week, the camera lens stopped retracting and the screen displayed the dreaded "e18" code. approximately 2 months after the one year warranty ran out...so just about right on schedule so that canon won't fix it nor acknowledge the seemingly widespread existence of it. cameras shoudln't break this easily with normal use.
I bought this camera in December 2003 -- and I am so glad I did!  I have shot hundreds of photos with this camera -- and the best thing ever is NOT paying for the ones that suck.  (DELETE!)  I love the quality of this camera, and the size is pretty good.  I didn't get to hold it in my hand until I bought it -- and sometimes wish I'd opted for the Powershot just so it would fit in my pocket without a bulge (I'm sure my cargo-pants-wearing boyfriend would appreciate my being able to carry my own camera as well).  That being said -- the only complaint I have -- is that it takes too long to snap pictures.  I've missed tons of shots because the camera can't move fast enough.  A friend has an HP digicam, and if she presses it half-way it focuses -- and then presses again, it takes the shot IMMEDIATELY.  I really wish this one did that.  But now I know what thing to look for when I upgrade someday to an SLR-style digicam.
This camera is almost perfect. I have owned this camera for almost 2 years and it performs as promosed so far. It is a little heavier than other models, but the use of AA batteries is one of the best features! So no complaints.However, the image quality is a little weak when using with the flash. But I suppose you can't really ask that much at this price range and it seems to be a weakness for most digital cameras anyway. The flaxible viewing window is also excellent and Ii is clearly visible outdoors. Although the viewing LCD is a little smaller, but it also helps on the battery life, so again, no complaints. The image quality is in general pretty good under normal light conditions. The only drawback is that the nine-piont focus cannot be manually adjuested.Overall, this is an excellent and durable camera.
I purchased this camera back in 2004 for $350 from Best Buy.  It has served me well through the years, and while it still works I am now in the market for something smaller & newer and am having trouble finding something that I think will live up to its standards.One of my best friends liked this camera so much she bought a newer almost identical looking version of a Canon in 05, unfortunatly her lens shutter was broken by her kids a few months ago, but she too really liked the camera and will be inheriting mine if I ever can replace it!Pros:I love the flip out screen, this is not a feature you can find often on newer cameras, probably bc it requires a larger camera size.  Its really handy if you are someone like myself who doesnt like to ask strangers @ Disney World to take my picture.It runs on AA batteries!  New cameras seem to only run on the rechargeable lithium ion batteries (again to make the camera more compact), which normally I would prefer, but I am about to go to Europe for a month and I hear that finding a reliable power converter is difficult, so most likely I will have to take the Canon with me there.It has a viewfinder!! I hate that new digital cameras that arent SLRs dont have a viewfinder!  I may not be a photographer, but I dont wanna just use the screen either!Easy to use, although there are a LOT of features on it which I have never even tried to mess with.Cons:Battery life.  This I think is due to the age of the camera, bc I dont recall having such issue with it in the past as I do recently.Start up time.  It always seemed a little slow to start in picture viewing mode but now the camera is older it also is slow in picture taking mode & to view pictures takes almost a minute.Size, but for the time period when it was made, it was considered small then.It uses Compact Flash cards not SD.  Poor Canon made the wise choice back then to go with CF not SD for it's memory, this has since changed, but it sucks for people stuck with their older cameras to have to pay more money to get outdated technology.
Canon A70 was the biggest hit since it hit the shelves.So everyone had high expectations about Canon A80. I think everyone should be more than satisfied with Canon's new model. If A70 was the best compact camera in it's class, then A80 is the best of the best. If you try the camera I am sure you will agree with me.I don't want to talk too much about the techical issues, you can read it on the official pages and on several digicam review sites.Let's talk about what made me return to Canon, may be it can help you decide if you are new to digital photography or just have a dc of another brand and cannot decide.I had the following cameras in order: Canon A40, S40, S400 then switched to Minolta F200 and finally returned to Canon A80.I would like to explain to you why I went from one to another and why I think that A80 is the best of all.First, I need an entry level quality digital camera at a low price, I got the A40. Then I would have liked more megapixels in a more compact metal body, I got the S40. Then I went for a subcompact light weight dc with brand new technology (DIGIC) and fast performance (S400). Then I realized that I miss manual controls and need sharper pictures and got a Minolta F200. Finally, realized that F200 has a very high battery consumption and an extremely high noise even at ISO100. I bought an A80 this week for several reasons: I saw some pics and used some cameras of differend types, and think that Canon is the BEST in the compact middle-range category. All the reviews and tests I've read about A70 was positive, so I had no doubt that A80 will be even better. One thing I was unsure about is the quality of the LCD on A80. S400 had sharper and darker LCD, but A80's is still better than average and I think satisfies most people. Don't bother with the resolution of the LCD if you read different numbers on web pages, it is nice and clear.The flip-out and twist LCD is a big advantage to others: not only you can use the LCD when shooting over people's head or on the floor, but the monitor can be easily protected from scratches. I can't explain how big this advantage is till you see and try it yourself. Good work Canon!If you know Canon digicams, then you know how fast are Canons. A80 is no exception, this is by far the fastest camera I used beside my S400. If it is up to Canon, you won't miss an important shot!And there are all the things you've already read about: 4MP,3x optical zoom, full manual control, AF-Assist lamp (great!) etc, etc. You know it! :)Some questions and answers:- Shall I upgrade from A70 to A80?My answer is: YES. The more megapixel and the new flip-out LCD worth that plus. Also, the construction adds more quality feel to it (there are more metal).- Shall I go for A80 if I have no digicam yet?If you can afford, definitely. But consider that A60 and A70 are also excellent machines when you are on budget.- Shall I change to Canon from a different 3-4-5 megapixel compact digicam?Definitely yes. May be some other cameras are better in some issues than Canon, but all in all Canon makes the best consumer cameras to date. Usability, image detail, low noise, faster than average performance are important things and A80 has it all at a very good price.One very important thing: don't let you fooled by the sharp pictures of Minolta and Fuji. They have a very high noise that are annoying. I tried to remove the noise with some photo editing software, but the result was a washed picture in all cases. Some say that Canon has no sharp pictures. This is true, the competition may be sharper...BUT! you can always add some unsharp mask with the right software and make Canon images look excellent. Unfortunately, you cannot do the opposite with those &quot;sharp but high noise&quot; cameras. Keep these in mind always!Another thing: chromatic abberration and blown highlights. Yes, it's there. Not always, but there. And it were there in my S400, S40, A40 and even my Minolta F200 images as well. It is there in almost every compact digital camera. This is NOT an issue, though some are complaining about it continiously. No camera is perfect and no will ever be.Decision is yours. Take it in hand and you'll never want to give it away! :)
Great camera.  Good solid feel in the hands and the photos look great. I upgraded from the A70 and I'm glad I did.  I love the swivel screen - it's really useful.Pros:Feels solid.Great photos.Menu easy to navigate.Swivel screen excellent (but a bit small).Tons of manual controls.Cons:A bit heavy.  This camera is almost the same size as the A70, but it's significantly heavier.  Too heavy for most pockets in my opinion.LCD a bit small.  But this is not a huge issue in my mind. It's very clear and the swivel is great.Lag time a bit long.  You have to wait an extra second for the camera to actually take after you press the button.  However, I think the lag time is about average compared to other cameras that I've used.Despite my negatives, it's a great camera that I highly recommend.Dec 29, 2003... I wanted to add a bit more... I just got back from a two week vacation in Central America.  This camera did great! The quality of the photos is excellent.  The battery life is great.  I brought two sets of rechargeables  - the first set lasted 10 days and next set is still going strong.  It traveled well, it is sturdy... The more I use this camera the better it gets.
I know nothing about photography, but wanted a camera that had some 'advanced features' but was also very simple to use.  This is that camera.  The picture quality is wonderful at the highest resolution - you won't be disappointed.  Friends that see my pictures over the net (I've never tried to PRINT or DEVELOP any yet, so I can't attest to that - however, I imagine the prints should look exactly the same provided you choose a decent development shop?) usually say first - &quot;WOW, that picture quality is amazing.&quot;  When they know the picture is one that I took with a digital camera, I suppose they are trained to think this is going to be a 'so-so image.'In fact, many of the pictures that I take seem to turn out better than the original scene.  I don't know how to describe this, and it may just be b/c I'm not a camera or photo buff, but the camera sometimes seems to add a 'gloss' to the pictures that makes them seem more professional.  Point being, I love the images!As another reviewer said = &quot;Grab this camera, a camera bag, 8 AA NiMH batteris and a charger, a &gt;=128 MB CF card, some lens addons, a tripod, and a digital photography book, and you've got yourself a relatively complete digital photography setup.&quot;I purchased all these things for an additional $100 after I got the camera and I do feel now that I have a complete package and ready for any shot.Be warned though - this is not 35 mm and digital cameras won't be for a long time.  You can still tell quite easily the difference in picture type.  That isn't to say, however, that the picture quality is worse, but it is simply *different*.  I wish I could elaborate better.  Personally, I will always prefer being able to take 100's of pictures without worrying about film costs, development costs, etc to knowing that I'm shooting with 35 mm.
This camera takes pretty good pictures once you figure out its unique quirks.  Moving from one digital to another does take time to figure out the camera and how each camera will meter a scene.  In manual mode this camera can't take the same beautiful pics as my Olympus C-2100UZ, but if I tweak the settings to compensate I can get shots just as good (without the long zoom of course).  The automatic settings work extremely well, and I'm happy with them.  This camera has some unique features that make it stand out tall for me, being compact with a little heft it feels like a camera and yet fits in a cargo pants pocket.  The camera uses AA batteries which are a big plus for me, as these are very generic and I could always buy or borrow when I run out.  All the cameras in my house use AAs, so that reduces cost right there, and we never have to worry about one camera running out.  The flip out LCD has gotten me some pics that I otherwise would've never been able to take... very nice.But the camera does something else, that I never thought I could say of a many digital cameras.  It can take a licking a keep on ticking.  I foolishly one day was walking with the camera strapped around my wrist and the camera went flying through the air, a mere 2 weeks after I bought it.  It landed in the middle of the road, and I heard a crash and I had to look away as I thought there went a few hundred US dollars.  When I picked it up, there were a few visible dents and the camera looked like it wanted to rest in peace.  The body pressed basck into place with a few finger presses, and the dents remained on the edges, but the camera started with no problems to either the lens, internal electronics, CCD or the LCD.  That flip out LCD comes in handy at times like these to protect your screen.  The Canon kept on ticking!  For that alone, I'll give this camera 5 stars.
Then some dust got inside of the camera and it would appear in every pic with a light background. It is a solid performer , but not well sealed.
I got this as my first digital camera in June 2004.  Recommendation was from Ken Rockwell ([...]  Have been very very satisfied with it and it has produced 1000s of wonderful photographs for me.  4 Megapixel is all you need for 95% of the time and it has a larger sensor than most newer compacts, giving cleaner photos.It takes CF cards (interchangeable with my dSLR), 4 AA batteries (easily available anywhere, giving it more flash power & longevity) and fits the hand well.  I prefer it to my SD850 because I can also manually adjust everything.Two years ago, the CCD gave out.  Canon arranged to replace it free of charge (FANTASTIC SERVICE!!!), thus giving this old camera another lease of life.Its now my vacation/outdoor/rough use camera.Update Aug 2013:The camera is still going strong.  I fitted it with a 1.0GB card and gave it to my tech challenged dad for his summer vacations in Europe and the US. Explained how to change the batteries and to keep it on the Green Auto at all times.  He came back with 150 fantastic pics with virtually no mishaps.  My kids have also been using this to learn photography as it allows one to start in full auto and then progressively take control.  And no one has any problems with just 4 Megapixels!!!What a fantastic camera!!!  Canon, you really need to make more like these rather than all the super small auto cameras today!!!
I'm cheap, but I don't buy cheap junk... I just look for quality deals. After weeks of research, reading reviews and going to stores to look at digital cameras, I had no doubt about purchasing the A80. I really enjoy photography but my wife doesn't, so our main concern was to find a camera that would be simple to use for her, yet still allow me some freedom in composition. Unlike a lot of gadgets out there, I WILL use every feature on this camera. Compared to my old Fuji (digital), which I really liked, this camera is faster, a lot more powerful, the pictures are great, and if they're not, the camera will tell you what's wrong with it (histogram), so you can make adjustments and take your shot again.The only complain I can make about this camera is that the rubber cover for the USB/DC connection on the side of the camera is rubber and it is always sticking out. I'll probably just end up pulling the darn thing off.I think Canon really got ripped off on this deal. Either that or they really know how to do business, because they have one very happy customer who will probably come back again.
THE A80 HAS LOTS OF FEATURES FOR A COMPACT CAMERA.  I GOT VERY SHARP 8x10 PRINTS FROM IT.ALTHOUGH SMALL, THE ADJUSTABLE SCREEN IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLY ON MORE EXPENSIVE CAMERAS.
I was given a Canon A80 as a gift 2+ years ago. I actually used it happily for that time. Then, when I had been using the camera and downloading photos from the camera, suddenly I received a warning that there was "no memory card" in the camera. I had not removed the memory card. I wrote to Canon Customer Service, followed their detailed instructions for fixing the problem, but their directions were completely flawed and could not fix the problem. I see from others' comments that this camera only lasts several years--I believe Canon should build a product that lasts and doesn't have to be replaced so frequently.
As with most electronic equipment, price points make all the difference between relative consumer evaluations. That said, given the price point of the new(er) Canon Powershot A80 digital camera, most recreational users will not find a much better camera with the multitude of features for the price. And, consumers seem to be proving Canon right given the immense popularity of the A80, an enviable successor to the extremely popular A70.The basic A80 package comes decently loaded, but you'll definitely want to spring for a few goodies (upgrades). The basic package comes with the camera, cabling (A/V and USB), software (for photo manipulation), and a 32MB CompactFlash card.The first few items I purchased (actually concurrent with the camera purchase) were:- a 512MB CompactFlash card,- Canon A Series Accessory kit,- Canon conversion lens adapter (for peripheral lens transition),- Canon wide converter (wide-angle lens), and- Canon tele converter.While most recreational photographers will easily be able to get by with the standard A80 bundle, I would recommend strongly the Accessory kit and wide converter (which will require the conversion lens adapter). The Accessory kit has a custom-fit A Series case, but more importantly, it has a compact battery charger and 4 NiMH rechargeable batteries. Inasmuch as AA alkaline's life expectancy is relatively short, rechargables become a must. The wide converter translates into much better landscapes and group photos. The A80 comes standard at 38mm, while the wide converter improves this to an advertised 24.5mm, a significant improvement. And, while the memory upgrade and telephoto addition can wait, the others, at least in my opinion, really make the A80 sing.Some of the really cool features of the A80 include: the swiveling LCD (a fabulous addition to the A Series), a built-in lens cover (eliminating the need for a lens cap), and, of course, the infamous Canon lens expandability. For you skindivers, Canon offers a waterproof case, allowing you to take your A80 up to 40 meters underwater (advertised).For me however, the nicest convenience is the fact the A80 is PictBridge-enabled allowing direct printing to photo printers (supporting PictBridge-which most photo printers do these days). If you haven't seen the direct photo printers yet (printing directly from your camera to a photo-quality printer), take a look. They'll knock your socks off!Canon's software bundle appears to be at the head of the pack, which includes access and compatibility for both Mac and Win users. Mac afficionados will love this and feel less discriminated against to boot!The absolute only issue I have with the A80 is the lack of compatibility with an external flash unit. The onboard flash is...adequate.All-in-all, the A80 is a little hotshot in the mid-priced digital market. I am really enjoying this camera and, although I'm certainly not a professional, I always want to shoot the best photo possible as the moment is lost if the need to &quot;reshoot&quot; arises.
For a camera in this price range it offers quite a number of features, including those found on the more powerful G series. While it's probably too big to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket, it is nonetheless a lot lighter to carry around than the G series.I've taken a large number of shots with this camera, and I have been pleased with the results. The quality is very good, the only problem is that jpeg compression tends to obscure minute details, and it is missing the RAW/uncompressed images options. That is not much of a problem until you start to do a lot of editing of the photos, and each successive save as a jpeg results in further image degradation. This is exacerbated by the fact that the unit has a weak flash which means you'll use the higher ISO settings, leading to the use of noise reduction software.The pros of the camera:Relatively smallmany G series/EOS series featuresexcellent picture qualityconservative ISO levelsrelatively "smart" camera in auto modeflip-out LCDLens add-onsThe cons:no flash hotsync, so can't use a good external flash (granted some good flash units would probably approach the cost of the camera itself)smallish LCD, though not a problem for meTight viewfinder, I actually find it hard to use the viewfinder to compose shots, since it is not TTLmanual focus is a hasslemovies limited to 320x240; the A70 can do 640x480optical zoom limited to 3xlimited to f4.9 at full telephotopoor auto-white balancing except in daylight, but it does have a custom function for those who absolutely need white to be.. well white.bundled photo editing software is very limited. I think even Jasc Paintshop Pro would've been a better choice, if not some Photoshop variant.minor quibble:no raw image capture modeThere are reports that Canon cameras tend to blow out the highlights, but the fix is to use center-weighter metering instead of full metering.Grab this camera, a camera bag, 8 AA NiMH batteris and a charger, a >=128 MB CF card, some lens addons, a tripod, and a digital photography book, and you've got yourself a relatively complete digital photography setup.If you desire more SLR features without the hassle of interchanging lens, there are the Powershot G3 and G5 from Canon; C-5060 and E-10/E-20N from Olympus; F717 from Sony; and the Coolpix 5700 and 5400 from Nikon. The current crop of 8 MP cameras suffer from increased noise and image distortion, according to recent reviews.
After too many battery-busting Olympus digital cameras, my husband (a former professional photographer) and I (all thumbs) switched to the Canon A80. He likes the flexible LCD, so that he doesn't have to use the tiny viewfinder and can even compose from chakhra level (he claims the pictures come out better). I like the fact that I got nearly 100 shots off of one set (4) AA batteries and that the image quality is excellent.
I knew nothing about digital cameras, but after researching and reading many reviews, I decided on this one.  I was also considering a Nikon and the full Kodak package with the printer dock.One clear standout feature is the LCD screen.  I almost never even look through the viewfinder anymore.  It allows you to take shots with much more ease and more quickly than you would with just a viewfinder.Another thing that's good is that you can use the auto feature if you don't want to have to worry about any details, just want point and shoot, or you can switch to many other modes if you want more control over things, as you learn how to use the advanced features.  Thus, no matter how skilled you are, you can have great pictures.  I also like that there are all sorts of easy to use effects, like sepia and black and white, panoramic/stitch together.  You can be pretty artistic right away.  You can also take 3 min. movies with sound.The software is easy to use. You just install it on the computer.  The cables come for you to connect the camera to the a USB port, and when you do that and turn on the camera once the software is installed, it instantly recognizes the camera and asks if you're ready to download pictures.  Once you do, they are saved to a folder and you can view them, manipulate and edit them, and even send them directly to an e-mail message.  The program interacts directly with my MSN browser automatically.  You can also create little booklets and albums and cards and things with the other software that comes with the camera.  I can't wait to get a color printer cartridge and some photo paper to see how that works. You also get a cable to view your pictures on tv.BTW, a friend of mine has the Kodak system and is generally happy with the camera and quality of pictures, but said that the software often messes up on their system.I don't know if all software does this, but I like that you can take some pictures, download them, take some more pictures, and the software knows only to download the new ones even though the others are still on the card.Picture quality is typically excellent.  I took some very casual pictures of my son just fooling around the house, and I was amazed at the clarity and color that was captured.  His skin looked beautiful, and his pink lips and each long eyelash were captured stunningly, making me wish he didn't have on a juice-stained shirt.  He seemed to look better on the picture than I even noticed him looking in person.  I am sure that soon the house will have professionally developed photos of him all around it that I've taken.I'd highly recommend the camera to anyone who likes ease of picture taking and good results, plus the ability to grow as a photographer also.  You will not be disappointed.One thing that I was concerned about after reading reviews was that the battery compartment hatch might be fragile.  It isn't, you just have to follow the arrows telling you how to open and close it, because you have to slide a lever over and THEN lift, and there's a little spring so that when you close it, you have to push and then slide back over.  It is different than other compartments, but you have to follow the instructions, and it's not hard at all once you do it once.  Don't let that scare you.  It isn't flimsy at all, and it's not going to break easily.  You just can't be ham-handed with it and forge ahead without noting what you need to do first.I would buy the soft case for it, available for under 10 bucks I think on this site.  I didn't go for the full kit because I found a fast charger that was cheaper, and NiMH batteries from anyplace will do.  I have 8 NiMH batteries, and I keep one set charged and in the front pocket of the case and one set in the camera.  These batteries last a good long time, but using the movie feature can eat through them more quickly.I'm totally satisfied with this purchase.
I got this Canon A80 about a month ago. I was a little disapointed a litlle bit because of the pictures quality comparing to my Olympus (C5050). After trying many difference shooting modes; manual, Tv (you set the shuttle speed and the camera will select the proper aperture), Av (apeture priority), and Auto, the pictures are good but not great (pictures came out like the 35mm Canon Sureshot instead of SLR quality like my C5050). Yesterday, I set the camera on the P mode (program)and adjust the exposure compensation by +1/2, BANG!! voila the photos came out perfect awsomely colorful and details (very close to my C5050!!). This setting also works exellent with backlight; I use this mode a lot to shoot the travel photos because it give my kid faces more relaxing look (the flash fire up automaticaly!!). Mission acomplished!!! I just got an awsome back up. The Con. on this camera is the 9 point auto focus system; sometime it locks on the wrong subject; but this is only a minor thing, you can do the half click again until you have it right. I give this one a 5+ for the picture quality. This camera required a learning curve but so does my C5050. If you don't have one yet, this will be the great choice.
I have used this camera for about 3 years (i've taken close to 1500 photos and about 30 video clips) and its still the best camera I've ever owned! Durable and utilitarian, it satisfies all amateur photographic needs (takes zoom, panorama, night shots, b/w, sepia, self-timed.) The video function though limited & grainy is useful for short recordings. The screen is small, but that's a minor disadvantage. It's a little bulky, but still small enough to fit in your pocket (a big pocket), though it is heavy. The price is very reasonable. Battery life is only adequate (4 AA).Two absolute additional accessories and add-ins- the Samsonite camera case (see my other reviews) and a larger memory card (at least 512 MB). The 32 MB card that comes with the phone is useless.Highly recommended....
The Canon Powershot A80 has been used by my family since May 2004 when I bought it for $349 at Best Buy.  It has provided years of beautiful pictures that are sharp, clear, vivid, and color-accurate.  I compared its photos to two newer Canons (S2 IS and 1400IS) for indoors and outdoors photos--the A80 always had the best photos.This camera was a gift for my father's retirement in 2004--both parents enjoy using it despite being somewhat fearful of new electronics so it is easy to learn and use.  The LCD screen is only 1.5" but it is a flip-out so you can easily get strange angles.  The screen is tiny by 2011 standards so I wouldn't recommend this for people who are hard of seeing.Its battery consumption is normal.  It takes four AAs, adding weight to the camera.  The weight helps me hold the camera steadier.The only problem we had with this camera was a defective CCD sensor that was repaired by Canon free of charge.  Sending it in for repair was easy--Canon emailed a shipping label, we dropped it off at a FedEx, and it was mailed back within two weeks with a repair and cleaning service document included.  The CCD problem surfaced in 2008 or so--the LCD screen gradually showed more and more pink/purple blobs over the image.I would still buy this camera if 3X optical zoom was enough and you did not need Image Stabilization.
I bought this camera new in 2006 based on reviews at the time.  Since then I have a much more accurate review to submit.-Metal case is sturdy and looks great.  This is true.  I dropped the camera and the only thing that broke was the plastic, zoom thingy which snapped like a twig.-Takes wonderful, clear pictures.  Yes, if you can get it to turn on.  Mine comes on about 75% of the time.  The rest of the time the lens extends and that's it.  No display and no pictures.  I wrote to Canon because a lot of reviewers have had the same problem and Canon said that they had never heard of that problem.  There are now lots of reviews of people that have bought this camera and it wouldn't turn on.  Don't miss a photo moment because your stupid camera won't turn on!!  I missed a picture of a bear because of it.Right now my on-screen display won't work.  You should be able to choose between view standard settings, view detailed settings or off but mine doesn't work at all which means you don't have any idea of your settings, can't change your settings or use any of the functions.After about a year the zoom, set, menu, func. disp., and camera/play buttons became very hard to move or push.  I have a chunk missing out of my thumbnail right now because I took the camera on a project and had to switch between camera and play a lot.For the money, you can buy a much more reliable camera.
I am a mom of a toddler and also a scrapbooker so I wanted a camera that would take excellent pictures.  The Canon A80 is a bit more than I needed~ I am a point-and-shoot person and didn't care to get involved in manual modes.  The Canon is fairly small and easily fits in my diaper bag~ it is a bit heavier than some other cameras but this is due to the fact it takes 4 batteries, which are well worth their weight in battery life.  Even in auto mode I can take excellent pictures~ I've taken close up shots of my pets that just blow me away with how detailed they are.  The colors are gorgeous and true to life.  This is my third digital camera (had Kodaks before) and I can honestly say the quality of the pictures far surpasses the other two cameras I have owned (the CX6330 and the DX4900).I do have a few complaints, though~ first, the flash is a bit TOO powerful.  When I take pictures of my toddler (my main photo subject) I have often gotten shots where her eyes are half-way closed, resulting in a kind of 'drugged out' look.  It was suggested to me to turn off the red-eye reduction (a preflash which could be making the subject blink) and this has helped somewhat, but I still get an occasional 'drunk' look.  I have compensated by staying farther away from my subject and using zoom.  The flash output can be adjusted but ONLY in manual mode, which I find irritating (I think this should be something you can adjust in auto mode as well).  The only other option is to turn off the flash, which is not always possible indoors.My other complaint is the shutter lag~ there is a LONG delay between the time you press the shutter button and when the shot is taken.  This can be avoided if you press the shutter button half-way and do a 'focus lock' first and keep holding it half-way until you are ready to take a picture.  The problem with this is when you have a toddler that is on the move you don't want to be chasing after her and worrying about doing a focus lock; also often you have just an instant to take a picture before a toddler moves her head/walks away/etc and pictures have been lost due to this shutter lag.  While all digital cameras have some shutter lag, the Kodaks I owned were MUCH, MUCH faster than the Canon, with almost no lag whatsoever.  I wish Canon would improve upon this!  If Kodak can do it, I'm sure Canon can.There are a few ways to try to speed up the shutter~ by turning off AIAF autofocus system, turning off red eye reduction, turning off the flash, or going into manual mode (I learned on a camera site how to go into manual mode and program 'snap mode' which has a faster response time)~ however these all can compromise the picture, especially in low-light conditions.  It can result in blurry pictures.Aside from those 2 complaints, I am very happy with my Canon A80.  I've resigned myself to learning the manual stuff so I can have control over the camera~ I know once I am comfortable with the different settings I will probably be able to overcome the issues I've had, however I really would have preferred to stay in Auto mode.  It doesn't make sense to me why in Auto mode you cannot even adjust the color settings (vivid, neutral, etc.), however you can adjust these in the P mode or in manual mode.I seriously considered returning my Canon to get another Kodak b/c of the two issues above, but I honestly find the quality of the A80 far superior to the Kodak line.  I did a ton of research on camera review sites, as well as looked at many picture samples from Pbase Photo, and the Canon just takes breathtaking pictures.  As I'm growing in my knowledge I'm finding I'm taking much better pictures and working through the few problems I've encountered with shutter lag and flash output.Oh, one more thing~ the battery life is outstanding.  I use my camera a lot (!) and I am just in awe at how long it lasts before I have to recharge the batteries.  It is simply amazing!All in all, I think this is an excellent camera for both beginners and pros alike.
I've had this camera for around four years now. It's been taking excellent photos the entire time. The reason I got this camera is because the PowerShot series was (and maybe still is) the only series of low-mid-range cameras that actually have manual focus abilities. In fact, this camera has a full range of manual settings: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and of course focus. All of these work well, and are reasonably easy to access. It also has automatic settings, of course! The only annoying thing about it is the fact that the videos are limited to about 2min 30sec.The other awesome thing about this camera is a feature that's now VERY hard to find: The rotating LCD screen. You can take photos at any angle. The only cameras that have this now are the Powershot S5 and TX1, which are very large and very expensive, respectively.It's a shame they don't make a camera that's exactly like this one, but with updated higher resolution...
I did a lot of research prior to purchasing the Canon A80 digital camera.  I read a lot of reviews, many right here at Amazon.  I also looked into lens quality and the quality of electronics.  I read consumer report's test results.  The bottom line - as with most things in life &quot;you get what you pay for&quot;.  You can find cameras with more than 4MPs, however, my research indicated that the picture quality may not be as good as Canon's 3MP A70.  Digital picture quality is a mixed bag of tricks.  MPs are one part of the &quot;picture&quot; when determining what quality a digital camera is going to deliver.  I will give you my advice in each of four major purchasing catagories below.Retailer:  If you take nothing more from this review, please listen to what I have to say here.  The cheapest price is not always the best deal!!!!  In fact I would go so far as to say that the cheapest price may be the worst deal.  While searching for the best price on an A80 I called four of the cheapest retailers listed at sites like Pricegrabber.  EVERY store I called was either out of cameras (surprise, surprise) or the price quoted was only good if the camera was purchased in a overpriced package.  The &quot;cheap&quot; store would then proceed to try and sell you what &quot;they had&quot; - not what you wanted.  After four attempts at the cheapest price, I went back to Amazon and found a price of $359.00.  This price was $50.00 or more than the cheapest price, but they told me if the camera was in stock and gave me a delivery date.  I actually purchased through an Amazon affiliate.  I received the product on time and in good condition.Camera brand:  I touched on this above.  Again, the cheapest product is not always the best buy.  Don't be fooled into believing that MPs alone or a fancy zoom equate to good picture quality.  If you don't plan on spending in the $300 dollar range, plan on mediocre results.  Now...many people will argue that a $100 camera will deliver good results - it depends on why you are buying digital.  If you are buying digital to replace conventional cameras, why would you want anything but great quality.  You cannot go back in time and take another picture of your child at age 2.  I went digital to begin replacing my conventional cameras. Canon is not the only good brand, but it certainly rises to the top of the heap in the quality for dollars catagory.  I would stick to companies that make photography their business - Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta, ect.Camera model:  Do your research and have a clear picture in your mind of what you need a digital camera for.  A digital camera is like a computer - it's great when it works, but a nightmare when it doesn't.  Again, don't always look to the selling price as the determining factor in selecting a model.  If you stick with a major manufacturer you are less likely to get junk or poor service, regardless of the model you pick.Many people stress out over the choice of an A70 or A80.  I don't think you make a bad purchase with either product.  I decided that, for an increase of $80, it was worth the upgrade to the A80.  Your own budget may make this decision for you.Price:  I discussed this many times over.  Don't let anyone convince you that a $100 dollar camera takes the same quality pictures as a $300 camera.  Buy smart and buy for the long run.  Buy quality and service.  Do your research - read Amazon reviews and search the web for independent reviews.  Pick up a Consumer Reports magazine.My opinion of the A80 - Well...after about a week of playing with it and reading the manual(I'm not finished yet) I believe I purchased a quality product with features typically found on high-end cameras.  A word of caution - don't fool yourself into believing that you can move from &quot;point-and-shoot&quot; to this camera without first educating yourself.  I think many people foolishly believe that perfect pictures can be taken by simply pushing a shutter release button - not so in the real world.  If you educate yourself about the functions of camera parts and read Canon's manual carefully, I believe you will find the A80 to be an excellent product.I hope this helped.
I have always brought Canon products because I find them to be good quality products for the money. This camera is no exception it take superb pics (it is just awesome) and it is worth the money paid. Need a great digital camera try canon, you won't be disappointed.
There are many cameras on the market today. By saying that this is the BEST, is saying too much. This is an excellent camera and there are others that are on par. Just like in sports there is not ONE great athlete but many great athletes. I have owned this camera for 2 weeks now. I am a beginner at photography. I don't know how to adjust the shutter speed or what ISO is. It doesn't matter I will learn. This camera is full of features for beginner to vetran.Weaknesses from other posts:Flimsy memory coverSmall LCDPoor imagesWrist strapMust buy batteries and more memoryCamera is heavy1.)Duh of course you need to get rechargable batteries and a recharger and more memory. What do you think you are buying? A CAMERA, any camera you buy accesories not included. This would only jack the price up and with so many aftermarket parts consumers would rather choose thier own extras. I baught the 128mb cf card and the case with recharger for $100 extra. Oh well2.) The compact Flash case is not flimsy, IT SNAPS IN PLACE just fine.3.) Camera is heavy!! LOL this isn't a pocket cam. This is a 4.0 MP CAMERA, its got b*lls what do you expect some lightweight crap that can't take good pictures. Stop whining and go lift some wieghts or something.4.) NO neck strap. I agree a neck strap would be nice. Again you are buying a CAMERA, don't expect extras tacked on without a price jump.5.) Small LCD. That is the best one yet. You gotta be kidding me. The LCD is .2 to .3 of an inch smaller than other competitors. Can you really tell the difference? WHY did you buy a digicam??? SO you can take your pictures and put them on the computer to look at. So you can take multiple shots of the same thing and not worry, cause you can take 1000 pics and still have enough room. SO you can take your pics to a computer and ALTER them and PRINT them. DUH, an LCD is just to get an IDEA of what it will look at. NO LCD can give you a a full blown up picture. Stop saying it is to small. LOLI think this camera was well worth my money. The included software is decent. IF you like to manipulate your photos get Adobe or a better phot publisher.PICS LOOK SWEET. READ YOUR MANUAL BEFORE YOU WHINE ABOUT PICTUREs looking bad.Awesome camera go buy it. It isn't the top of the line and it isn't at the bottom but it perfect if you don't want to go broke and if you want to PUBLISH TIGHT LOOKING PICS> Thank you ; )
I've had this camera for about 3 months now, and while I agree with other reviewers that it can be a bit slow and you sometimes have to have a steady hand, I've gotten fairly used to using it and love it now. The bottom line is can it take great quality images, and the answer is yes, I love the quality. And the 8X optical, 56X total zoom is great too. I'd highly recommend this camera. A quick tip: when shooting indoors you should bias towards almost always using the flash, otherwise your images might be blurry (they look great when you use the flash). Outdoors when its sunny, there is no need for the flash and the shooting is quick and not blurry.
This is my second HP digital camera (the first was a Photosmart 730) and my second positive experience.  I upgraded because the 730 was a little feature-limited -- but it's also much cheaper.  I contrast this one with my nice Minolta film SLR, and quite frankly the HP is superior in every situation except action.First: ease of use.  I find that I can "set it and forget it" if I want to, though I'm the kind of photographer that fiddles around.  It works for fiddling too -- the only thing you CAN'T do is run a fully manual mode.  (You can set either aperture or shutter speed to manual but not both.)  There is an impressive range of options for flash, white compensation, focus, mode and more.  The zoom button is well-positioned and fits right under my thumb with my index finger on on the shutter release.  The flash release can also be operated by touch without moving your hand.  Buttons to adjust flash mode and focus (macro, infinity, etc.) are on the back of the camera and work very quickly.Second: zoom and lens.  I cannot say enough good things about this zoom.  When I change from, say, 2x to 6.5x, it takes the camera about half a second to refocus.  It works smoothly except for a deliberately designed hesitation between optical and digital zoom.  (I don't use digital zoom.)  One good thing is that the lens does *not* move based on the focal length.  As far as the lens, I get pictures of quality comparable to my SLR which has a Quantaray lens.  The lens sometimes gets a little cranky in super-humid or high-wind conditions, but I'm referring to near-gale and tropical level here, conditions that get to a lot of lenses.Third: size.  Yes, size, as well as shape.  It is very easy to hold this camera steady because it's big enough to wrap your hands around instead of needing to use a finger or two with a super-small camera.  In addition, the handgrip is perfectly positioned.  At the same time, the camera is small enough to go practically anywhere.  I take it everywhere I took the 730 without any difficulty at all, and it's actually a little easier to handle.Early reviews have indicated a problem with horizontal lines in the pictures.  I've never experienced this, nor has the camera ever locked on me.  I have heard that these were design flaws in early production models that have been corrected in later ones.Okay, now, here's the bad stuff.  No camera is perfect, including this one.First, if you want to take a lot of action shots: SKIP THIS CAMERA.  Processing time is waaaaaaay too slow for that.  I can planespot with this camera but only by predicting the location of the plane 2-3 seconds in advance.  Most of my work involves stills or low-speed action so I don't have a problem, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who does a lot of sports.Second, mine is a bit of a battery hog.  I do well to get 1-1/2 hours out of a single set of 2000 mAh NiMH rechargeables.  This is partly because of my tendency to leave the camera on (it has a 6 minute shutdown but that can be reduced; mine's on 3), but I usually end up changing batteries at least twice in a typical 2-3 hour shoot.  That being said, the fact that this camera uses standard AA batteries which you can get ANYWHERE -- same can't be said for lithium batteries -- means that power isn't all that much of an issue.Third, at 8x maximum optical zoom, this camera's not very forgiving about hand shake.  Get out your tripod unless you're in bright light.  That being said, zooms in general are less forgiving.  Many people get blurry pictures with this camera because they do not realize that you must hold your hands still for about a second and a half thanks to the longer-than-average processing time (see above about action).  I'm contrasting with an SLR so I'm used to holding still, but someone who isn't used to that will probably have problems.In closing I should emphasize that the 945 is NOT a digital SLR.  It does not have a TTL viewfinder and it does not have a hot shoe.  But it's got practically everything else -- including compatibility with a nice selection of add-on lenses -- and should fit the needs of everyone except sports fans, hardcore enthusiasts and trick/specialty photographers.  You'll only take mine from "my cold, dead hands."
I've owned this 2.5 years, and love the zoom, clear photos, close-ups, action settings, etc.  When it was new, I would have rated it 5 stars.  Now I'd give it 1 star, so I posted the average.Today HP's online troubleshooting concluded that the zoom lens motor seems to be faulty (slow to zoom, fails to focus after zoom, whirring noise during zoom).  After paying $450 for the camera, they offered to repair it for $180, or upgrade it for >$226 (slightly less than retail).  I will not buy another HP camera due to my extreme disappointment with HP's refusal to stand behind their product.When I pay $450 for a camera, I expect it to last many years, not 2.5.  This model is discontinued.  I've now read many other reviews from people who had similar problems with zoom lens failures.
I have been holding off buying another digital camera until the price tradeoff and quality was right.  This was a good deal for the image quality and ease of use.  The 8x optical zoom is a pleasure.  With or without the Digital Flash feature, this camera does an amazing job figuring out appropriate lighting situations and adjusting accordingly.  The macro mode delivers beautiful crisp close-ups.I compared many shots at 5MP between the top two compression settings and it's very hard to tell the difference, both are excellent.  It does not provide a "raw" format, however, but it does not seem necessary.I'm disappointed is the slow reaction times after pressing the shutter.  I knew this ahead of time, but you have to get used to it.  This seems typical of affordable digital cameras. The autofocus speed is less than stellar.  Also, the "burst" mode seems almost useless.  It's a good idea, but because of variable focus time and SD-card write times between shots, you have no idea what's in frame or whether or not it's in focus.  Again, only big-bucks gets past these issues.I took several hundred photos on the first day, at least half of which were action shots outdoors in fading light.  Most of them were surprisingly impressive quality and focus, only a few had out-of-frame or out-of-focus subject due to the shutter lag.Overall, I'm very pleased.  This camera will hold me long into the next generation of affordable digital cameras (I'm still drooling to replace my Nikon SLR, this camera does _not_ do that!).
I love the image quality, the features and functions. The viewfinder leaves a lot to be desired; lags and is of poor quality compared to other digital cameras I've used.What I'm troubled with the most is the speed at which this camera sucks up the battery! Batteries seem to be depleted as the camera sits. Other cameras I've used have a built in watch battery of sorts to retain date/time settings, etc. When the batteries die on this camera I need to reset the date and time. HP must have failed to include such a battery.As I said, I love the quality and other features, it's a powerful camera with an incredible zoom, and nice manual features, but it drives me nuts with the battery issue.
I must like this camera, because I actually own 3 of them now.  I bought one and really grew to like it, once I found out they no longer were making these, I decided to track more down bought another, then another.  Takes great pictures, accepts other len's with adapter, which most don't know about.  I have no issues with any of the three camera I own, I take them anywhere and am pretty rough with them, they have never failed me.  Wish HP would come out with another camera like this with more updated pictures.
Bought this camera to replace mine of the same model, that went missing a couple months ago.... it may be an old model now but wow, does it take great photos. I purchased a set of macro lenses for my first HP945 and the camera still takes the best macro pix ever. With my original camera I took THOUSANDS of photos and hope to do the same with this one. So glad I was still able to buy this camera, thanks Amazon!
Great camera Comparable to much expensive cameras. I bought this used and it came package like it was new. I don't thik it was ever used.
The seller was great five stars*****. He promptly shipped the camera and it was in almost new condition as promised. I was really impressed with the seller.This is an older camera, but I had one in the past and it died. I took some really great pics with it. Even though I have two new Nikon cameras that are much better is most respects, I always got great pics with this camera. When I go out for pics, I use all three cameras and choose the best shots.
I purchased this camera for a specific purpose:  to use with a 250 super macro conversion lens and rails in shooting macro refraction images.  Even using for single shot macros on a tripod, it is exactly what I wanted.
When I bought this camera I was looking for a decent MP digital camera with decent zoom.  I didn't want one of those tiny camera's, I wanted something that I could firmly grip and not fear losing easily.  This camera is hefty and suited my need in that way.  After about 1 yr the battery door broke; it still locks into place, but it doesn't attach to the camera any longer.  I haven't been terribly pleased with the long delay the camera has in taking pictures, often times I miss the shot due to the delay, and that's not using the digital feature, which adds even more time delay.  Overall I've been happy with it, I get many compliments on my photos, but to be honest it's not that much better than our first digital camera which is a 3MP with 12zoom and still in use without any issues.  I probably wouldn't buy this medel again.
This camera would make a great off-the-shelf camera for e-bay photography.  I have a Sony DSC-V1, a Canon A-80, and this HP 945, and the HP does the best job of focusing in on small details.  It also has nice white balance and good depth of field in Portrait mode.  All things considered, I find myself reaching for this camera most often.
I loved this camera as I too was reminded of my old 35 SLR.  The HP945 took beautiful pictures and the zoom was great!  I had this camera 3 years and couldn't even pretend to know how many pics it actually took.  More than I could ever count.  With that said, about 4 months ago the LCD began having lines in it which also came out the the pictures. IT was sudden. My huspand said it was "over use" LOL.  Anyway, called HP which couldn't do anything about it as it was 3 years old. Did offer me a discount off a new, diffrent model of my choice.  After reviewing the options I decided I was better off just looking into finding me something else.  I chose the FujiS700.  I was excited about this one too.  But two months after I purchased it, the LCD stopped working, went black.  As it was over 30 day's old, the place purchased wouldn't take it back so I sent it back to Fuji.  At my cost. Anyway, I'm back to looking for another camera while waiting for the Fuji to be fixed.  I should have stuck with HP.
my employer purchased this camera for our staff to use. After 6 months the picture color screwed up and was taking pictures with green and purple hues. finally it gave out and HP sent us a new one (same model) well 6 months later, same old problems. i'm going to recommend to my boss that we spend a little more money in hopes of getting a better quality camera. this camera is a waste of money and is discontinued now i believe.
I've just purchased this camera and I love it!  It takes me back to my 35mm SLR days.  It is not a light-weight camera, but feels solid.  Lots of features and beautiful prints.  The shutter speed is a bit slow so you'll need a steady hand or tripod.  But for the price and all of the extras it is excellent.  I also purchased the docking station and it works like a breeze.  I have an XP operating system and was able to set up in a matter of minutes.
I had one of these in 2005; it was probably the last "pro" camera HP made, which was right before genuine DSLR cameras got cheap enough for the average person to buy.It takes 4AA batteries and what was for the time novel SD cards, but make sure to use the older 2GB or smaller cards.Everything about the camera from powering up to the autofocus is bog slow, ISO 400 is noisy, and battery life isn't very long.  It has a movie mode at something like 288X208 with 10-15 frames per second, and if there is a burst mode I don't remember it.The photos I did take, under the conditions the camera works best, were good, but generally in the range of snapshots and portraits; forget about action.  It was popular enough at tone time to have a fan website, but that has long since shut down.The biggest concern to buying these today is they were prone to mechanical failures with the motorized lens, and as age and wear have caught up to them it's touch and go how long an example will last.
I got my Photosmart 945 about 8 months ago, having previously owned and liked an HP 912c.  If you're wanting to get something better than a point-n-click camera but not go all out to a prosumer/professional camera, this would be an ideal choice.  I recently got a Minolta A200 for my regular shooting, but still keep this one as a secondary camera.The 945 looks like a real camera, and fits your hand like a "real" 35mm.  If you've got big hands or used real film cameras, it'll feel just right.  (Note to manufacturers: quit making new cameras so small, and no more funky looking boxes with a lens stuck on.)  Even though it's made of plastic the camera has a solid quality feel to it, and that does make a difference in how you feel toting it around.The biggest advtantage for newer users is the menu system is very easy to use, linear and simple to figure out.  The menus are accessed by a simple four button ring switch with a cental button, plus: the menus have instructions!  That's right, HP put in little guides so if you don't know what white balance is you can find out right then and there.The pictures are very good, but are held back from greatness by being a little on the soft side.  You can set the sharpening up a little in the camera or fix it by editing in Photoshop.  FYI it's always better to start out a little soft than be too sharp.  For shots at low shutter speeds you have to hold it very steady. (or just put it on a tripod and use the timer switch.)It does have a generous 15 second maximum exposure for night shots, and I found out recently that this camera can pick up infrared, although I think most cameras can just people don't know it.  If you don't believe me, make a movie clip and point your TV remote control at the lens and start pressing buttons.Another advantage is this camera uses readily available AA batteries and dime-a-dozen SD cards.  However, as with nearly all AA cameras you're best to get NIMH rechargeables and use regular AA's only in an emergency.There are some faults, however.  The camera, or at least mine, is very slow writing to the memory card no matter how fast a card you have.  I think the hardware is simply limited.  It's happened a few too many times I take 2-3 shots, wait a second, then can't take another for 4-8 seconds until the buffer clears out.  Also, the movie mode is at the very small resolution of 288X208 and clips are limited to 60 seconds.  I was distinctly not impressed with the movies it made.Probably one of the unique features is the adaptive lighting, which I think they're calling digital flash now.  Basically it takes dark parts of images and lightens them, which can help if you're taking a picture of a strongly backlit subject.  It works, but you can also do the same thing in Photoshop.  However, a feature is a feature and if you're Photoshopless it can fix some otherwise bad shots.Overall I was satisfed with the camera, but felt limited by the softness (most people don't notice it) and the very slow memory writing.  I also didn't like the always-exposed LCD display, but so far I've kept from scratching it.  The lens cap comes with an attaching string to the camera.  (Thank you!)  It works on either a Mac or PC, and as a "professional" looking camera that can take AA's and SD cards it's a plus.
I also own an hp photosmart 945 camera. I've owned it for 2 years. Unfortunately I dropped it and my color got messed up. I called hp customer service to see if it could be fixed and the same thing happened to me that happened to others, they tried to sell me an upgraded camera. I was very disappointed in hp for not repairing my camera that cost me $500. I love the camera and have been very pleased with it. I've taken beautiful pictures with it, but I'd prefer to have it fixed than buy another one. I feel like hp doesn't care about it's customers, all they're doing is selling cameras. As I said earlier, I'm very disappointed with hp's customer service!Kim
OK, so I'm a techie. But my Mom is 80 years old, my wife's parents are close, and they wouldn't even think of learning to use a computer at their age. But, oh do they love the CEIVA's we gave them! Yes, I needed to set them up for them. It's not that difficult, but my Mom has me change light bulbs for her, too. At least once a week we upload pictures, and they are so delighted! It often prompts a phone call, &quot;the pictures are wonderful!&quot; Our family now has 4 of them (a sister and a brother, too), and they also love them. If your parents/grandparents use email, use it and bring joy to their lives by sending some pictures of your family every week. If they don't use email, get them hooked up with a CEIVA, and keep in touch with them with new pictures very quickly and easily! My Mom even had the CEIVA brought to her hospital room for her, when she was hospitalized for a week. Strongly recommend for keeping families close!
I bought this item for my father, right before the birth of my son. My father is far from a technophile, but even he could figure out how to use it, and even moved it to a new state and got it set up correctly. All of his friends comment on it, and have asked how they can get one. I am not sure why people are trashing it. It isinexpensive ($150) for what it is. The monthly service charge is a little high, but besides that it is priced far below competition. I think that people are expecting something for nothing. Also he had a problem, and the frame burned out after the warranty. My father called, and was polite and explained that was given this, and he would like to continue with Ceiva, but since it burned out he can't. They had him ship the frame in, and sent him out a brand new one, even though the first was out of warranty. You know why, because he doesn't sit there and cry and complain like the rest of the people on here. I wouldn't replace your frame either...
True, you must subscribe.  But if you are purchasing it for a grandparent or anyone who has no computer, it is still cheaper than internet access.  I look at it as an ongoing gift.  I purchased one of these frames for each grandparent, and I renew them on a 3 year basis, which is cheaper.  The grandparents LOVE getting up and checking the frame each day to see the new pictures I put on.  Since they live 900 miles away, it is a great way for them to see the kids growing and keep up with what they are doing.  They don't have computers, so I handle the controlling of the frame from mine.  It is really a wonderful gift!
I have purchased three Ceiva receivers over the past several years.I bought my first Ceiva for my (now) 97 year old grandmother when we realized that she was developing Alzheimer's. I liked the fact that I could use captions to jog her memory about names and faces. As her memory faded, I was able to alter the speed of the picture rotation to accomadate her needs. She says that all the residents of her unit want one. The nursing staff must look at the Ceiva too because they know when I put on new pictures.Next I got a Ceiva for my in-laws. They don't need captions to remind them of our names, but they appreciate the postcard option where we can write longer descriptions of the events in the picture. The photos are also good as thank-you cards. We take a picture of our kids using the gift, and have them write a thank-you card in the margin.My parents seemed a little envious of my grandmother's frame. Around that time, the Ceiva 2 came out. Setup was a little more complicated. The new frames allow the recipient to delete his or her own pictures. My parents have used this function to delete pictures they don't want. Everyone else loves the Weather Channel feature, but I discovered that they didn't when they twice deleted it from their frame. My parents really like new pictures. For when I am too lazy to do this, there is a picture rotation function. I like that the new frame holds more pictures than the old one.My inlaw's frame eventually ceased to work. (That one I bought several years ago from ebay) It is difficult to trouble-shoot the frames from a distance. My inlaws brought it back to me so I could interface with tech support. I was able to find the information I needed online and customer support was responsive to my email. I have not tried to reach customer support by phone so I can't comment on the phone support problems experienced by others.These frames do not have extremely high picture quality. However they are great for recipients who are not very computer literate. When my daughter leaves for college this fall, we will probably make photo CDs with PhotoShop, add an autorun feature and let her watch high quality pictures on her computer.
This product has a very specific role.  It makes the perfect gift for someone who is not very computer saavy.  If the person has easy email and internet access, it makes more sense (and is much cheaper) to send pictures to them through other means.My husband and I purchased this frame for his mom.  We had previously tried to give her a computer but it collected dust.  Since she loves pictures of the grandkids and we live several hours away, we thought this would be a good gift.The first step--plugging it in--was simple.  The frame needs to have a location with easy access to both phone and electricity, or you'll have cords all over the place.  Once attached, it starts displaying the Ceiva company information, including the customer service phone number.Getting the frame to properly connect and load pictures was more involved.  First, it needs to be registered at the Ceiva site (that had to happen &quot;off-site&quot; since my mother-in-law doesn't have a computer).  The website is where you load the pictures and set the guidelines for the frame (what times to turn it on and off and what number for the frame to call to load new pictures, etc)  Then you need to purchase a subscription which costs almost as much as the frame on a yearly basis.  Once that's done, it's supposed to be as easy as someone pushing a button (the big one on the base of the frame) and the pictures would load.Unfortunately, it didn't work at first.  Our frame took a few calls to customer service (luckily a circulating pre-loaded picture on the frame) and emails from us to correct the problem.  Telephone customer service was courteous and gracious to my mother-in-law.  Email customer service was slow and sometimes didn't respond directly, though they did take care of a separate problem eventually.From my mother-in-law's perspective, the solution was just pushing that big button multiple times, intermittently over the course of the day, until it finally connected.  I'm not sure it was the same solution from Ceiva's point of view.Once that was resolved, EVERYTHING has worked like a dream.  The frame revolves 30 different pictures.  On the website, I keep everything in an album so I know which ones she's seen.  My brother-in-law several states away can upload pictures onto her frame as well.  We can also send captions with the pictures or special greetings on Mother's Day etc.  She is absolutely thrilled, and I will probably be buying one for my grandmother (who is in a board and care home) this year.PROS:  Fabulous gift for the computer-less, can be accessed (on invitation/with password) by other loved ones to load their photos, easy to plug in, seamless operation once workingCONS:  Expensive cost of subscription (factor it into your gift giving), took some time and customer service input to get it connected, unable to edit/crop photos on website (do it before), cost of ordering prints of photographs for the receiver (we use a different company)
This is really a neat gift. My grandfather lives in another state (Oregon) and rarely sees his kids and grandkids. Now he is getting new pictures from all kids &amp; grandkids every night with his Ceiva Digital Photo Receiver. I mailed him one and all he had to do was plug it into an electrical outlet and plug in the phone line and press a button. Now every night it automatically calls the Ceiva website and retreives any pictures we kids have sent. He also gets new weather forecasts with his new pictures every morning when he wakes up. An incredibly easy way to keep families in touch. One note: I was worried at first because dad does not have a compuer &amp; &quot;that internet thing&quot;, but thankfully with Ceiva they are not needed!
Summary:Concept: Awesome.  I had an ailing Grandfather in an assisted living home who was able to enjoy memories (I utilized the album function to store lots of photos from his past) by watching his frame and never having to touch it.Customer Service: Average.  They attempt to do the right thing, but their lack of financial support for their poor technology (basically if the frame stops working after 30 days it isn't their problem anymore) is very upsetting.Technology: Poor hardware.  Even the 'Ceiva II' I have now purchased suffered severe rebooting issues before finally stabilizing.  And I highly recommend the extended warranty - though it is disgusting that you actually are buying for one year of protection...you aren't _extending_ any warranty they provide.Their Website for maintaining the frame is very easy to use and has come a long way in allowing lots of different functionality to personalize your frame.Cost: High (too high).  Now that they've come up with the Ceiva II the subscription rate is $90 a year.  Pretty steep.  Be sure that if you have technological problems with your frame that you demand the addition of weeks/months added to that subscription.My History: I bought my first Ceiva Digital Photo Receiver (the 'Ceiva I' as it is now referred to) in October of 2001.  Actually I purchased two.  Right out of the box one worked (after a bunch of hassle forcing it to dial-in repeatedly) and one did not.  Ceiva sent me a refurbished frame in replacement of the one that didn't work (though this refurbished frame worked great, it was disconcerting that they didn't send me a brand new frame).The two frames worked good for 1.5 years.  Then, the frame that was orginally okay out of the box suddenly stopped working.  Back and forth, we decided to get a new frame to replace it.  Ceiva was good about transfering the subscription we already had over to the new frame and adding a month of service since we were unable to utilize the frame during that time.Five months later THAT frame stopped working!  Ceiva claimed they had a rash of problems with a set of frames and said a little electrical connector should fix the problem.  They sent the connector for free.  It did not fix the problem.  My feeling is that this connector should've been sent to all customers who received those faulty frames because it looked to be a device to stop electrical surges...and obviously once your frame is dead, it isn't going to fix it.  Ceiva would not do anything to reimburse cost or swap frames.  I was out the money.  So, because it was a frame for my parents...and they were just about to have their first grandchild, I purchased the 'Ceiva II' to replace it.  Big problem there is that it meant my subscription rate went automatically from $60/year to $90/year.  OUCH.  Again, Ceiva was good about extending my subscription for the time I was unable to utilize the frame.Basically, Caveat Emptor.  The concept is great, but there are hassles in your future with the technology, and additional $$ to be paid out.
I had seen one of these on a freinds desk, and she raved about it. I thought the prices were high, until I saw a refurbished unit on ebay, so I gaave it a shot.Man is this thing neat. I liked it so much I bought two more for my parents and Inlaws, and they love it too.They get daily updates of the grandkids each morning, and order prints directly online of the shots they like.Limited computer skills are needed to set up initially, and none there afterI would definatily recomend this for anyone with extended distance families.
We got one of these for my Mother-in-law for Christmas, because she 1)lives in another state in a retirment community and 2)gets flustered just trying to use the TV remote, so email and web sites are out of the question for sending new pictures to her.  Of course there's still good old snail-mail, but we thought she'd get a kick out of the instantaneous gratification of getting pictures the day we take them.Well!  It turned out to give her a bigger kick than we expected.  Every time we send a new batch of pictures she calls us all excited about them and keeps asking, "But how on earth do you do it?"  The thing is: she doesn't actually need to know!  We are able to take care of everything from our end, from uploading pictures to even setting how fast the slide-show goes and what time the receiver turns off at night.  She doesn't have to do a thing, and that's a good thing because she really is very intimidated by technology.On the advice of another review I read here, we set up the receiver and the online account from our own home when we first got the Ceiva, and made sure everything was working properly before we drove to her home and gave it to her.  All we had to do was plug it in for her.  I did show her how to use the "next" and "previous" buttons but she doesn't even really need to know that - she would have been perfectly content if I'd never even showed her how to open the button bar at all.  She doesn't have to do a thing, and that was what we were aiming for.The coolest thing is that I think, while she likes the gift and the pictures very much, the best part for her is the way all her friends and neighbors gush over how neat it is and how they want one, too.One bit of advice: I would recommend that before you plug your investment into the wall, buy a surge protector - the kind that you plug both electrical and phone lines in to - and be sure to use that.  I am guessing that power surges are behind some of the comments I've seen here from people who say their unit "just stopped working" a few months after getting it.  After having our futzy phone lines blow out countless answering machines, cordless phones, and laptop modems, I never plug any electronic device into a phone line anymore without a surge protector.  You can get a very good one that plugs directly into the wall (no extra cords) for under $20, and it's well worth it.The only other thing I'd recommend for future versions of the Ceiva is Bigger Buttons.  The buttons themselves are very sleek and tiny, but they and the text labeling them are 'way too small for most Seniors to use, and it seems to me that the folks who get the most benefit from the Ceiva are in fact Seniors.Another thing:  what is all this whinging on and on about the paltry monthly online fee that is charged for maintaining your photos on the Ceiva web site to upload to the receiver?  I think it's a pitance and well worth the joy it gives to Mom.  We spend much more than that on our regular online access account, not to mention on long-distance calls to her - in the grand scheme of things I think it's a perfectly reasonable fee for the service.
My mother who is completely non-technical loved this product for being able to view my digital pictures. My parents were really enjoying it, when it just stopped working one day.We shipped it. A week after our tracking showed it was received, we received confirmation that they received it and that it would take THREE TO FOUR WEEKS just to assess the problem.Meanwhile,the expensive subscription to the service ticks away with no compensation for their faulty product.Customer support is the #1 downfall of this product by far!
I purchased a Ceiva about a year ago, and it works very very well. However! And this is a WARNING: After the mandatory three-month "subscription," which one has to buy in order to purchase the product, they kept charging the monthly fee to my credit-card account -- even though I signed up for three months only (the minimum), and also told them to cancel, and also had my credit card company "charge back" the improper charges. Despite all that history -- they have attempted to sneak through ANOTHER unauthorized charge ... perhaps they hope that folks simply won't notice. (...). It is shame, because the product does work well.
great brand for a great price clear view in day and night highly recommend. If you want that extra zoom i would suggest 15x
If there was a zero star to give I would give it. This product was barely used, maybe used it 5 or 6 times and just tried to use it tonight and it could not focus anything. It broke my heart to realize that the focus knob was just turning loosely and the lenses just would not budge.I cant explain it since I did not drop it and since I barely used it. So my advice to anyone looking for a product that will stand the test of time...LOOK ELSEWHERE!!! this one is not it
When I ordered these I was looking for a general purpose glasses that would give good variety of focal ranges. I took a chance on these because of price (not too much invested if they didn't work out) I am well pleased with these!A great product for the price. They work extremely well at all focal lenghts and I made a good buy.P.S I don't think you should write a review if your glasses arrive already broken.A bad Break for the buyer but more of shippers fault than product.
Amazing deal, how can you complain? Paid $20, shipping included for this pair. My father in law wanted a pair 2 weeks later but the price had already gone up. Also like the Orange accent, makes the piece look a little more modern and sleek. Work like a charm....We live on the beach and use them to watch space coast rocket launches and for star gazing.
I needed a pair of binoulars for my truck. These fit the bill. Inexpensive and they seem to work pretty well. A nice clear view. Easy to focus. The lense caps aren't much to talk about, but, I will probably lose them anyway. The case is more of a dust cover. Overall, a good value.
These are good binoculars. Apart for branding (CElestron) these are a decent instrument. If what you like is to view some stars and cluster, these are for you! good picture, high contrast for the aperture, and good weight..
I purchased the binoculars for my nephew who is into military operations.  The items are strong and will take some abuse.  Good purchase and the delivery was as quoted.  Good job.
Great unit, far better quality than most others in the $ range
These are very inexpensive so I expected everything to be made of plastic, BUT they made the arms that support the eyepieces extremely thin and brittle. Out of the box I notice an odd distortion that could not be fixed with focus and within a few moments the left eyepiece popped right off. I don't know if it was damaged in shipping or if it was a defect. Once it came off the first thing I noticed was just how thin the eyepiece support is.These might be good if you only plan to use them on vacation, you might consider them disposable because they are so cheap. Just be very gentle. I have other binos from Celestron that I'm very happy with, these are just a bit too cheap for their own good.
These are a good buy for fully coated optics, under 2 pounds and 10 x 50 magnification. There is a Diopter adjustment and a Tripod mounting screw hidden behind a cap. I was looking at the moon and I can see it so clearly I can make out the &#34;Banding Lines&#34;, as it's likely a manufactured object, believe it or not. As C/2012 S1 ISON is approaching which is no ordinary comet, you may want a decent set of these, portable enough to carry in case we find ourselves in an Exodus mode. Mine didn't come with the orange color, but a very sturdy set of binoculars.
Love love love these. I moved to central Oregon where there are views of every kind and being able to use these has only enhanced my love for this country!
Celestron UpClose 10X50 Binocular 71137 Wide Angle:These binoculars were a Christmas present from 2011, so, I had time to evaluate them for over a year.  Now, I do some photography when I'm on some vacations and field trips, it is nice to have a pair of binoculars to help with viewing.  I use these for spotting wildlife when I'm hiking and if I'm lucky I can come home with a picture of the fauna and flora of the areas I've been.  I find the weight of the Celestron UpClose 10X50 Binocular 71137 Wide Angle to be average for their size.  They are no heavier than some of the photographic equipment that a carry around with me. The lenses are quality ground and I do not see any distortion.Some of the product features are:* Fully coated optics, and BK7 prisms* Protective rubber covered body* Water resistant* Tripod adaptable* Full size porro prism design* Soft nylon  carrying case* No fault limited lifetime warranty ** 10 x 50 Wide angle - 7 degree Angular Field of View, 367 ft. at 1000 yards* eye relief 11mmThe binoculars are comfortable to look through because of the eye relief spacing between your eye and the eye piece lens.  They are Made in China and the quality is excellent with very good fit and finish. For binoculars in this price range I can say I would highly recommend them. To maximize your enjoyment of the binoculars, please read the instructions on use and care before using them.Adjusting the interpupillary distance (IPD):Since the distance between the eyes (specifically, the distance between the centers of the pupils) varies among individuals, the two eyepieces of the binoculars must be correctly aligned (adjusted).  This is called adjusting the interpupillary distance.  To adjust this distance, lift the binoculars up to your eyes (using both hands) and look through them at an object in the distance.  Move the two halves of the binoculars about the hinge until you see one clear circle of the image through both eyes.Adjusting Focus:Since most people have a variance of vision from their left eye to their right eye, you must adjust the focusing system.  Use the following steps to achieve focus:  Close right eye and look through the left side of the binoculars with your left eye at the same subject matter.  Rotate the center focusing wheel until the image appears in sharp focus.  Next, close your left eye and look through the right eyepiece (called a diopter).  Rotate the right eyepiece until the image appears in sharp focus.  Now, look through both eyepieces with both eyes open.  Since you've already adjusted the right eyepiece, use only the center focusing wheel to refocus on a new object at a different distance.Remember to wear your eyeglasses for nearsightedness when using binoculars as you may not be able to reach a sharp focus at infinity without them.Care and Cleaning:Binoculars do not need maintenance other than making sure the objective lenses are kept clean.  Dirty objective and/or eyepieces mean less light transmission and loss of brightness as well as unsharp images.  Keep your optics clean.  To clean the optical surfaces, I suggest using a good optics cleaning kit available at most photo or optical shops and follow those instructions closely.  Never attempt to clean your binoculars internally or try to take them apart.* Warranty:  Your binocular has the Celestron No Fault Limited Warranty for the USA and Canadian customers.  For complete details of eligibility and for warranty information on customers in other countries visit the Celestron website.Caveat:  Viewing the sun may cause permanent eye damage.  Do NOT view the sun with your binoculars or even the naked eye.
I purchased the 10 X 50's to use while hunting, I hunt in Germany and they come in handy for the distance, the price was good but I was disappointed with the quality, they have double images and they fogged up a lot and then they fell apart.  They have a nice field of view but again they fell apart and had to "screw" them back together. So, makes it difficult when you try to see an animal at 200 meters away. I am not sure that I would buy this product again.
These are super high quality.  Great optics.  Rotary controller is far superior to the rocker type used by some other makers.  Big, knurled knob so you can operate with or without gloves on.
AWESOME. User friendly and for people that wear glasses I recommend this product. We even got to see Venus infront of the sun:) We use this for wildlife mostly but nice to have on hand for other viewing. Not bulky, comes with case and accessories. WHEE
the shiping and service was great,,,the binoculars aren't.they have double images and look as though somebody has tried to fix them.the rubber is stretched and the screws are messed up.guess i'll just have chalk this up to buying online.
Easy to use. Fast to focus. I use for school astronomy Star Parties. I own 5 pair of assorted binocs, UpClose are my faves.
I love these binoculars, I take them everywhere and I highly recommend for the price, the quality is great - the only downside for me personally is that I find them too heavy to hand around my neck - but they are wonderful! I use them to look at summer constellations and for occasional sightseeing, they work perfectly
It's hard to believe that Celestron offers these binoculars at such a low price.  This is my second pair from Celestron through Amazon, the first being 7 X 35, also at a great price.  Based on the satisfaction of the 7 X 35's, I purchased the 10 X 50's to use with a binocular/mirror setup I have for amateur astronomy.  The binoculars are easy to use, have a nice field of view, and lend themselves to a quick setup for my purposes.  In my estimation, these binoculars work as well as some that are much more expensive.  Although there have been some negative comments about the quality of the product, I have not had that experience with either pair of binoculars I have purchased.  They seem to be well made, and you can't beat the price.
The right eyepiece has an adjustment that was impossible to focus. Unfortunate, because the view looked great out of the left side that had no independent adjustment on the eyepiece.
Update: After owning these for over a month, I finally figured out why they give the same resolution as my 7x35 binoculars. The focus wheel on these is loose. Lightly pushing on the eyepieces makes the wheel turn. So any time I try to look at Saturn, it slides just out of focus. The out of focus is not noticeable other than that I don't see more detail than the 7x35 shows. Also, sometimes I see slight double vision, though it is single most of the time. I've not had any headaches. Because of these two findings, I'm reducing it from 5 stars to only 4 stars.-------------------------------------------------------I bought a pair of Celestron wide view 10x50, model number 71174 from Target. Their price was $35. I can't find them anywhere online, but they look just like these ones, and I suspect they were only changed in name to this new model. They advertised all the same specs, including a 367 ft @ 1000 yds viewing angle. I don't want my inspection going to waste, so I'm leaving my report here.I looked through them and immediately noticed a lot of black around the viewing circle. I knew it was smaller than advertised, since 367 ft @ 1000 yrds @ 10x should have a viewing circle as wide as my peripheral vision. I then did a more detailed test, and found it to be only 32 inches at 335 inches. That is equivalent to 268 feet at 1000 yards, or 45 degrees apparent field of view, not the 60 advertised. I pointed them at the big dipper, and the two pointer stars fit just inside with 10% left over, indicating the field of view is 5.5 degrees, not 7, since the pointer stars (I read) are 5 degrees apart.The lens covers snap on securely, the field is clear and easy to focus, and the magnification is a true 10x. I could see the very center of the bulge of the Andromeda galaxy better at 10x than with my Tascos at 7x, in July with city lights in the distant background. When looking at light up buildings at night, and cars from side view, they do not seem to darken the image at all; if I did not know better, I would think they make the image a bit brighter or easier to see, same as the Tascos.I originally gave these 4 stars because their FOV is not as big as advertised, until I compared them to other wide angle binoculars and discovered they all were like that. I then gave 5 stars because of how good they are for the price.*I looked though a $99 pair of Barska roofs and a $99 pair of Bushnell zoom porros, and both had an apparent FOV of at most 45 degrees.*I bought and returned a pair of $15 GSI 10x50 porros that claimed 367 ft @ 1000 yards. Their FOV was actually less than half that. I could not fit the pointer stars of the big dipper in the FOV or figure out where I was in the sky.*I bought and am returning a pair of $80 Nikon Action 7269 wide binos, which also claim a 6.5 degree FOV. My tests in house and on the pointer stars of the big dipper revealed their FOV is only 6 degrees, better than the Celestrons. They are also at most 20% brighter, and have a near focus of maybe 12 feet. But they are also 0.7 inches longer. Although better, I don't think they are worth twice the price.
I picked up these binoculars to use as low cost spotting scopes for range target practice. The fit and finish isn't as good as you'll find on a high end pair but these aren't bad either. They feel pretty good in the hand and the image is bright and clear. I've used these now in both winter and summer and I am very happy with these binoculars.
I got my binoculars very quickly and they are great. I would recommend them to anyone.
This is one of the best binoculars you can buy! It has a great field of view, and the image looks better thru this binoculars than without it... just great, it is worthy and really cheap!
I wanted a cheap pair of binoculars for astronomy, something inexpensive that worked.  That doesn't always happen! However, I'm pleased with these binoculars.  Good viewing, easy focus, and at the price I paid, I won't be upset if I break or lose them.  Hopefully that won't happen!  Good optics, nice heft, but not too heavy to wear out your arms.  I'd definitely recommend.
The contrast was great. The weight is what you could expect from a 10x50. It feels quite sturdy and solid. Has underneath the cap at front, a thread-in for a tripod mount. One cool thing I like about this over others is the 2nd tuning adjustment for fine tuning. Haven't seen that on any binoculars (but I haven't owned many either). Alright, to the bad part. The fine tuning adjustment is actually on the right eye piece, so when fine tuning, you're twisting the rubber cushion on your eye socket. The 2nd bad part. The rubber eye cushions just have a edge to them that just kind of digs in. Does not feel real soft either on the eye sockets. It is rubber though, so I am sure there could be a fix to this. I might try smoothing down the cushions a bit. Also after reading online you can buy eyecups aka eye shields which are the rubber cushions. If you can replace these, these binoculars would be great. This is my first day of owning them.
It is a good lens hood and has a great quality. However, it is a bit pricy. If you compare it to competition, quality is better, but there the hoods are usually included and you do not have to buy it separately. Nevertheless, quality is better and it fits perfectly.
Somehow, while shooting the Daytona 500, I managed to lose the lens hood for my 17-40L.  I wasn't happy with the price I had to pay for this replacement, but it's the real thing and has been working just fine since i got it.
Pros:- Reduces flare and ghosting when shooting in bright light.- Helps protect your lens from dirt and scratches.- Somewhat protects the lens in case of a fall.  Better to break the hood than the front element.- Makes you look more like you know what you are doing and helps to keep others from carelessly walking in front of you.Cons:- Will increase lens movement in windy situations, kind of like a sail on a boat.- Takes up more room in your bag, even when reversed they still add to the diameter of the lens.- People take more notice of you, will help to blow your cover if you are trying to keep a low profile.
Received this item promptly just as it was advertised. Good quality and stores in reverse on lens. Will use Adorama in the future.
Great OEM Canon lens hood.  Price is to high for what it is, but it is a required accessory.
Added this lens hood to protect my newly purchased Canon 10-22mm lens- which also was a great Amazon buy. I hadn't used one of these hoods prior to the purchase of this lens and also my 17-55mm lens.  What is a few more dollars when you are spending close to $1000 for a lens.  I highly recommend.
I already had this lens shade as it came with my 16-35mm L lens. If you purchase the 10-22mm zoom (which does not come with a shade), it covers the same general angle of view, so it's easy to switch to the lens you are using, depending on full frame use or APS format.Realistically, such wide-angle zooms are prone to flare in certain conditions, so the shade can help--a little. It also can take a hit from the side, as others have said. It does make stuffing it into a padded Domke insert much tougher. Best to take it off lens and put it in camera bag pocket. Hoya HMC filters are very effective, as others said.As for the lens shade attracting attention, it's the whole package of black camera and big lens that does it, not the shade. Worse is carrying around those cream-colored Canon teles. That shouts, "Pro Photographer! Deny him access!"
A must have for any landscape photographer. It keeps the bright glaring sun out of the lens! Buy it if it fits your lens, it's great.A++ WOULD BUY AGAIN!!!
I purchased this lens hood to go with myCanon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs.  While it is on the lens while the lens is attached to the camera, it works well.  It keeps me from bumping the lens into things and it keeps out excessive light.  The only problem is that you cannot reverse it and mount it to the lens for storage in a bag.  Essentially, when not in use this thing takes up valuable camera bag space.  It is also on the expensive side, but what is one to do about that?
You rarely go wrong with the manufacturers OEM equipment and this is no exception.  We don't use the hood often but when we do it's perfect.
I bought this for my L series because although buying the lense brand new and it comes with one alraedy, i've seen that the hood gets scratched.So i bought another one, in times where i just want to be flashy, i can pull out the new hood and make it look good, haha.And in case my hood breaks, i have a replacement.
I always use a lens hood on my camera because they're cheaper to replace than a damaged lens should you bump into something. This hood works fine, but I gave it three stars for two reasons: first, it's a pretty flimsy piece of black plastic. You can buy cheaper ones but they weren't offered on Amazon at the time I bought the 10-22 mm lens. Second, the D30 camera and hood design have a flaw: you have to remove the lens hood when using the on-camera flash or it throws a shadow on your subject.
It's a lens hood and does its job. It keeps out side flare and it acts as a buffer from bumps and scratches.Fits the EF 16-35mm and EF-S 10-22mm lenses.Like all Canon hoods, it always seems overpriced.
Despite being $34, I find it to be a good value to help protect an $800 or $1700 lens.  I've seen aftermarket hoods that use thin plastic and are flimsy.  With OEM Canon, you know you're getting a quality product.  I believe in paying more for quality so this is a no-brainer for me.
As all canon products, this one is nowhere behind. Great lens hood for super wide angle lenses made with the usual resistant material
If you are going to use a flash you need a speedlight on the hot shoe or off camera strobes.  Built in flash is blocked by the hood and causes a nasty shadow.  Nothing surprising but just wanted to make note of it.
The Canon EW83E is the proper hood for the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L Canon SLR Lens. It works as advertised and was shipped promptly.  As with the other non-L Canon lenses, I feel that Canon should have included the hood with the lens, given the high price of the lens. The hood is essential for avoiding loss of contrast through ambient light induced flare.
I don't get the endless stream of complaints about the price of this hood. First, it costs less than thirty Dollars, and not fifty Dollars. No matter, as it is worth either price. Of course, it is plastic. So are many modern guns. Plastic is not a dirty word if it is applied correctly. This hood is very well made, very intricate in design, and a joy to use.If you only do indoor photography, leave the hood in the bag. If you do outdoor, or nightime photography, this hood will save your bacon more often then not. It is a steal in terms of what it will do for you. If you have ever dropped an SLR with a good sized lens, you know that they tend to hit the ground lens first. This plastic lens hood not only took the impact of a three foot drop, but it survived intact, and the 10-22 mm S lens it was attached to was untouched. In the past, a metal lens hood would take the impact and die, and the lens usually suffered some damage as well. Canon hoods are awesome, and I prefer plastic over metal when it is protecting a lens that took weeks of saving to afford.One more important point. If you are interested in a lens hood, you care about details. Buy the best protective UV filters that you can afford for all of your lenses. Canon filters are mostly consumer junk. Most filters are junk for that matter. Always buy a filter that is multi-coated on both surfaces, and for a wide ange lens (or zoom), buy a thin multi-coated filter. Rather than reinvent the wheel here, I suggest that you visit the Hoya website for a fine tutorial on filter tech. Hoya Pro 1 super multi coated filters are affordable, and very fine in quality. There are better filters out there, but the Hoya site has a great tutorial. Read it, and be an informed consumer.
Well I kinda wanted to buy a generic but decided to pony up and get a OEM part. I didn't want to buy this hood again.
First of all, this particular lens hood is "recommended" for several different lenses. I suspect that is why some people find that it is "visible" when looking through the viewfinder at widest angle settings, while others do not. I purchased this for the Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens (used on an EOS 50D) after reading lots of positive reviews. I am a firm believer in the philosophy of always shooting with a lens hood in order to add more protection to the front of the lens, as well as to protect against glare from peripheral light sources.This hood fit the 10-22mm lens perfectly and is snug. It can be reversed and mounted on the lens for storage, just as with other Canon lens hoods. While it's usable on several Canon lenses, its flower petal seems to be sized for the 10-22mm lens. I say this because if you experiment with a 1/8th inch tab projecting in to the viewing angle of the lens when set at 10mm, you'll see the tab paint out a perfect rectangle in the viewfinder as you trace the petal contour. (i.e. the petal is JUST out of sight at 10mm)The large 77mm front of this lens is hungry to capture stray light from any source, and this hood does a good job blocking some of that unwanted light. I noticed less glare on outdoor shots right away.As claimed in other reviews, this lens hood does have a large diameter. It's large petals (top and bottom) are 4.25" diameter, while its small petals (left and right) are a whopping 4.75" diameter. The 10-22mm lens is 3.25" in diameter where the hood attaches. However, this "oversizing" of the hood is intentional and if you look at its molding, you can see that the designers took every possible opportunity to step and flare the petals outward, in order to allow projecting the petals farther in front of the lens (and blocking more peripheral light) without becoming a regular unwanted subject in your photo's shot at 10mm.This hood won't fit in to any of my lens cases while attached to the lens. I'll live with that for now, but will look to upsize a couple of my cases to remove the step of adding/removing this hood between shooting and lens storage. I don't mind the extra step, but feel like the less one has to handle any lens, the less likely it will be to get dropped. For that reason, I always mount the lens first, and THEN the hood. Likewise in reverse, always remove the hood while the lens is on the camera, and then remove the lens and move it directly to its case.I'd strongly recommend this lens hood for the EF-S 10-22mm lens. It's cheap insurance and does a good job with reducing glare.
I got this Lens hood with my Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens which was an amazing lens. I got it for a trip to New York City. During my trip I had stepped out of a cab and accidentally dropped my camera, this lens hood took the brunt of the damage and stayed intact. Was worth the money I paid for it.
Per the headline, this is a great purchase, but one you will use infrequently.  You will most likely only need this hood if you're shooting directly into the sun.  If you have the time and like to experiment, I highly suggest setting up your camera (on a tripod) and shooting a few photos; North, South, East and West at different times of day, with and without the hood.  You'll be surprised at how few of your photos really benefit from using it.  This will ultimately help you decide whether or not you need to take it with you on your shoot.  Remember, this thing is HUGE and awkward, so knowing in advance if you need it will free-up some space in your bag... Great coupled with the B&W 77mm filter (010M) for mid-day shoots.  Note, you will not need to purchase this hood if you're buying the 16-35 or 17-40 new as they are included with the lenses.
Attaches easily to the lens but I dont always use it because it must be removed to put into my bag.
A lens hood is essential. All of my Canon high-end lenses came with the hood packed in the box. The 10mm-22mm lens is a very fine quality lens and feels like one of the pro "L" lenses in construction and in image quality. It is also expensive enough to qualify, so why not include the lens hood?Since it was not included however it is a necessary purchase.
Lens is larger than you think.But, seems to be sturdy and do the jobFit my camera and was easy to install.
But I purchased it for my wide angle and I guess I'm not doing something right or the lens wouldn't make a shadow on all of my pics.  I just don't think this lens should have a hood.Otherwise, it's like all of the rest of my hoods.  Seems sturdy enough.
As with other reviewers... I think it's a little on the pricey side for something, especially on the wide and super-wide lenses, that should come with the lens when you buy it. That being said... I didn't see this in any other reviews so I wanted to comment about it...The lens hood is lined with a soft felt material! It makes sense because it won't reflect any light... and it's much "nicer" feeling than the all plastic lens hood on my Tamron lens I also have. That being said, I often photograph bellydancers... and while this may be a somewhat localized problem of mine, this felt is much more likely to trap glitter on it (a common make-up item of the dancers I know), which could cause light reflections. For other users... this could equate to more pet hair, fuzz, etc being stuck to it.All in all... it's a good, sturdy, well built, plastic lens hood. I like it. It's also very big. I've uploaded a picture of it next to a standard can of soda for reference, so check that out up in the "customer images".
Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer. Primarily the hood shades the lens from stray light that may result in an unwanted discoloration or hazing of the image, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading your lens helps improve contrast and image quality. A hood is not required to eliminate these problems, as any item used to shade the lens will provide the same protection from stray light. The hood is convenient in that it is built to offer protection while ensuring that it will not inadvertently find its way into your image.Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one. This hood being a solid petal shaped one and three quarters inch long offers limited protection from keeping moisture and wind blown debris off the from lens element. When in place, the hood can protect the lens from impacting solid objects. Being so shallow and petal shaped, even this type of protection is limited. Even if the protection is limited, replacing a damaged hood is usually cheaper than repairing an expensive L lens.This hood is manufactured for theCanon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM ultra wide angle zoomandCanon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM ultra wide angle zoom; which normally comes included with these lenses when sold new. There is no need to buy one for the L series lenses as Amazon often suggests.Since the hood is wider than the lens; it can easily be stored attached in a reverse position. This doesn't add to the length of the lens, but does make it wider by about an inch. An inch may not seem like a lot, but in a tightly packed camera bag, it is huge. This lens isn't unusually wide so the extra inch may not be a problem.While the protective benefits exist, they are secondary and limited. I find the impact the hood has on my image quality to be the more convincing reason to use a hood. Considering the impact on image quality and the low cost as compared to my other camera equipment (except for a lens case), purchasing a hood is money well spent.PROS:Improves contrast and image qualityReduces lens flare problemsOffers limited protection to the lensCONS:Takes up more space in your camera bag to store with the lens
This lens hood is easy to put on the lens and does what it is meant to do. It does, however take up a lot of space in my bag.
There's little more to say....great item, almost a "must have", but forty bucks for a half ounce of plastic is absolutely criminal.
The lens hood was ordered the same time as the lens. The lens arrived 2 days later. And this was in a major snow storm. Kudos UPS. The hood did not arrive until 11 days after the time of order. It took the United States Postal Service 5 days to move the lens hood app 5 miles. This was in good weather.
does exactly what you would expect it to do - not much to say really.
Yes, it keeps stray light away from my wide angle lens (Canon EF-S 10-22), but man is it big. Had to reconfigure my camera bag to leave room for this giant circle of plastic.
I started to buy only Canon branded lens hoods. As usual this one came made of good quality plastic, and had the felt like material coated on the inside to get rid of any bounce light from the inside of the hood. I notice the cheap hoods do not come with this.Dont quote me, this is only the 2nd Canon hood I have bought one came with the 70-200 and now this one for the 10-22.
This is an expensive item but any help in reducing flare is a plus to your photos. I have a lens hood for all my lenses. This also helps protect if you bang your lens against something. After spending nearly a thousand dollars on the lens, what's another $33.00.
It's nice to have the appropriate lens hood for what is a relatively expensive lens, unfortunately Canon take advantage of this desire and exploit their loyal customers with over priced bits of black plastic, this is one of those bits of black plastic that you will want but should never have to feel so ripped off when obtaining it. It fits very well,looks good, has a nice furry inner surface, but I suspect that it's shallow profile means that it will afford little if any benefit to the performance of the lens.
This lens hood will drive you crazy. A constant aggravation as no neat place to put it in my Canon Back Pack, my Lowepro rolling suitcase or my huge one secure for the amazon rain forest.  It is always in the way.  Unless you use it.  You need to. I know.  Someone mentioned filters and I had a hard time after my camera store closed. No fine camera store.  Ritz Camera's has a really good description of the effects of many filters and it has been a plus for me.  A $12.95 filter seemed expensive with my Canon 10 D. When I dropped the camera and the filter  broke instead of the lens it seemed very reasonable.  I would never not have a filter on my current L series lens collection.  They cost too much.
Fit my 10-22 perfectly.  Does what it should. People keep saying it's too expensive because &#34;it's just a piece of plastic.&#34;  Try to make one from scratch for the same price lol. Right.  There is also fuzzy matte material on the inside which is more than &#34;just plastic&#34; if you ask me.
I'm using this hood for the Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens on a 20D. It's a bit shocking how big this hood is until you realize it's really necessary for the very wide field of view. On the Canon 20D, the lens is equivalent to the EF 16-35mm f2.8, only it's f3.5-4.5. Bottom line is that it does the trick and is made to the same good quality as the rest of Canon's stuff.
I purchased this lens hood for my newly acquired Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens.  I have lens hoods for all of my lenses, and I think that they should be included with each lens initially, instead of being an accessory.  While the Canon lens hoods are a bit pricier than aftermarket hoods, I am willing to pay the difference to sport the Canon brand name on my equipment.
I have read (after purchasing this) that is it not needed with the 10-22mm lens for which it was purchased. I have also read that you should use a lens hood with every lens. In any case, it is as stated, a lens hood for the 10-22 and the 16-35 lenses. It will reverse on the lens for storage but you will need lots of room as it is quite large. The interior is coated with felt-like material. I can not recommend for or against this product. After a little more use I will update this review.Update. It is always on the lens...just because. It doesn't hurt.
I bought this for use with my EF-S 10-22mm lens, but haven't ended up using it very much. As others have said, it does help a bit with lens flare, but I usually try not to shoot on overwhelmingly sunny days and even when I do, it's easy enough to correct photos in post-processing. I'll put it on if it's SUPER sunny out and I know I can't avoid it. I'm usually aware and careful enough to where I don't bump into things with the lens or drop it (knock on wood), and keep the lens capped when not shooting, so I don't really use it for what little protection it gives otherwise. These things, combined with the fact that it fits weird in my bag when on the lens and makes the camera harder to pull out of its strapped position, mean that this hood usually stays off of my lens. When I do have it on, though, I always get non-photographers thinking that I have a &#34;super serious&#34; camera setup.
This is way overpriced for what it is and Canon is too cheap to include it with the lens-- shame on them.  It is just crazy to have to be "taxed" an additional $30+ on a $700 lens that should come with a lens hood.  It works fine, it is just the price that is the issue. I'm kind of sorry I didn't take the risk of buying a third party brand lens hood.  The Canon hood is just made of plastic as is the third party brand (BTW I thought the third party brand was also overpriced at $15+).  To me, this hood is worth maybe $10 but certainly no more than $12.  Part of the reason I bought the Canon is that Amazon provided free shipping since it was over $25.  The $15+ hood got bumped up to over $20 with the shipping.  I would have tried the third party brand but there is no telling the quality of those plus the cost difference was to close with the shipping so I just decided to bite the bullet and pay up. It is wise to have the hood especially for bright days but the price is definitely a rip.
Does not for as well as I thought and I don't like it. Didn't realize how short the thing really was. In this picture it looks like what it is but on Amazon it didn't look like that.
I'm very happy with this piece of equipment to protect my lens from bumping into people when I'm walking in crowds as well as block out any side light so I don't get refractions in my shots.
Like all other reviewers, I have no clue why this hood is not included in the Canon EFS 10-22mm pack. Oh wait, 10-22 is not an elite "L" lens, right?! So, it is not worthy of having its own hood!Although this hood is expensive, you cannot use any other types of lens hood with this specific lens because of its wide angle of view. On the bright side, the plastic is made from high quality material, so at least it lasts.
Under Product Description:This lens hood is designed for use with EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III got this for my Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens but it is NOT made for it.  I should have done my homework instead of trusting the false product description here.  What I really need is the Canon EW-88 lens hood.
great lens hood, does everything i want it to do, works perfectly with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8l II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens
My 10-22mm wide is superb in cathing the full picture. The EW83E is the vital final touch - both in controlling the light and visually. It' also great protection working in busy environments.
This hood deserves 5 stars for what it does.  A lens like the 10-22 needs a very specially designed hood.  It is light weight but it seems to be well made (even though it is plastic.)  I have tested it throughout my lens' range and it does a good job.  I picked up a little flare on the longer focal lengths of lens but that is to be expected on a lens with an extreme range.I was in the photographic equipment business for many years and I know that lens shades are always  sold separately, but shouldn't we be beyond that?  Anyway, if you have the 16-35 or the 10-22 you need this shade and, although it seems overpriced, it does the job so I have to give it 5 stars.
Works like it should.  Fair price.  I'd buy one again. . . but I won't need to since its a pretty specific item.
Easy to put on and take off. Good quality. Exactly the same as the original hood came with the Canon 17-40mm F4 lens that I lost.
It is a well-made lens hood. It fits the lens very well and keep the flare out of the photos. It is quite large and took space in your bag though.
Product arrived on time and intact.  I was very surprised at the diameter of the hood but it makes sense since the Canon 10-22mm EF-S has a 77mm outer lens rim.  Although the hood appears quite large, it makes a snug and perfect fit on the lense itself.  I tested it out on the mountain range viewable outside my home as well as a shot of the length of my street on a relatively sunny afternoon in SoCal.  The hood controls flaring quite nicely especially with high light conditions and appropriate ISO settings that I was experimenting with.  I highly recommend 77mm filters.  Currently, I am using UV or Polarized filters depending on the shots/conditions.  Hood does not interfere with either fitting on or around filters.  Canon quality is very apparent.  Hood even looks great on the lens as well. Highly recommended accessory especially for outdoor photography.
Our dogs thought this was the best thing ever. They really enjoy chewing on this hood so I bought another to replace the one that they stole from me.
If one could combine a photo album with a small purse/med size wallet, this would be it! Searching for a low cost but effective, small album to give to our son, we found what we were looking for this product. Happy we went through Amazon to get it!
I like the albums and loved the price. The cover could have been made out of a harder material and the color choices could have been a bit more creative but these definitely do the job to store and protect my kid's professionaly taken studio pictures. I bought one album of each size and I am happy with my purchase.
I purchased this album to use as a "brag" book to take to work.  So many of the options out there are big and bulky.  This was perfect; I can carry up to 48 photos in a sleek black album that takes up minimal space in my work bag.  The cover is a stiff vinyl - not a hard cover, but protective enough for my purposes.
I have several of these porfolio style books (4x6, 5x7, 11x14), they are ALL great for keeping/storing your photos and do not take up a lot of room on a shelf.LOVE it!
Economical and great quality makes Itoya Archival Portfolios perfect for storage and presentation. The front and back covers are constructed of durable vinyl. Interior pages are made of a clear polypropolene. Black acid free mounting pages are included. Up to 48 photographs are easily stowed in the pocket pages. Due to the soft vinyl exterior covers I would highly recommend flat storage.
This product is what I expected and needed. It's reasonably well made (sturdy enough) and easy to use. All the seams are holding just fine.
I have bought 3 of these and they are perfect! I just keep buying them when I need them and they work really great. I recommend this to anyone!
I am very happy with this product. It is exactly what I needed and was in great condition.I got it 3 days after I ordered it.
I wanted something to organize some photos of a recent trip to Ottawa for my father, but I didn't want it to talk up a lot of space. This worked very well and the price was very reasonable.
they are really cute small albums perfect for small pictures. Can easily fit in any drawer to be put away. i loved it so much i ordered a second one a day after receiving the first.
too few pages in this one!
...Sometimes you get much, much more! That is the case with these little Itoya "profolios" these are awesome! I got a couple 5x7 portfolios just to see how they were not having my hopes set too high on them because the price was so good.. I figured "something had be wrong with them!" well when I got my package the other day and opened it up I was surprised! I've seen other portfolios in local stores for easily triple the price of these and some of them even less quality. The only thing I don't like about these and why I only gave them four stars is the fact that the actual plastic sleeves are a little thin.. but for this price I can easily overlook this.. in fact I'll be ordering more shortly!
GREAT PROTECTION for the shots I need to present for new business. These are handy and very inexpensive plus durable.I give this product an A+ for Quality and Price.Yes they are!Get Some.
These are so perfect to store my daughters photos as we go along gathering them. We can't have 30 frames around the house and this keeps them all together safely and in a very nice presentation.  Love this!  I also ordered  8 x 10's as well and they are great too!
These are great books. I use them to keep my photos and they look great.  They are durable and haven't ripped like some others have.
I needed a spot to keep all my 5x7 pictures of my son.  I purchased three... one for myself, my mother and my mother-in-law.  Now we've got a super easy, organized way to keep pictures clean and ready to show at a moment's notice.  I've been able to toss it into a purse to bring along to show friends and family I haven't seen in a while.  Definitely would recommend!  Very sleek and the pages are bound very well.
I bought this portfolio hoping it would be professional enough. It is nice, but not professional. it works for a student in photography, or an amateur photographer. For someone who is just getting into the photography business, It is sufficient. But for someone who is hoping to build a very professional portfolio, this fall quite short.
I have purchased several of these portfolio's. While having my photo's presented in a nice scrapbook is nice, who has the time to scrapbook. I can easily carry these around to show my photographs to friends and family. They are nicely made and a great alternative to photo albums (in my opinion). The pages are made of a clear plastic so the photo's show up nice and clear, yet they protect your photos.
I love these! I have been the 8 X 10 pictures of my kids in these! They are reasonably priced and very sturdy. GREAT BUY!
Wrote about these before, buy them all the time to wrangle a myriad of documents, papers, and odds and ends I pick up want to consolidate, organize and keep at hand. Really versatile in use. Love, love, love.
I LIKED THIS TO ENCLOSE SOME PHOTOS I HAD PUT AWAY ..IN MAKING UP A PORTFOLIO OF 8X10 PHOTOS , I CHOSE THIS ONE TOO TO MAKE UP A SMALLER PHOTO PORTFOLIO AND WORKED OUT JUST RIGHT...
Exactly as described- was what I was looking for- a not so fancy place to store & keep extra pictures! Looks great next to everything it sits by. Thanks for the great description & great product.
All black in color with cloth edging on binding and removable black background sheet in each sleeve, available in 10 sizes from 4x6 to 18x24. Sleeves are permanently attached to flexible cover, stiff enough to stand vertically (longterm) on shelf only in smaller sizes (I purchased 4 sizes: 5x7, 8 1/2x11, 11x14, 13x19, and am pleased with all). I plan to intermix 4x6 pics with the 5x7s, as the black separator-sheets should mask the combining.
All those photos I had in frames, need a place to go when I update the frame with a current 5/7 photo.  This album is great for that, keeps memories neat and safe.  Great price and service too.  Thank you.
I purchased this as well as two other sizes. They work great for keeping all my family portrait pictures in one place.
I wanted a simple album that is easy to flip through, sturdy and not too expensive, to show photos to friends and family. This album is perfect. It is no frills, but the price is reasonable and it is well made. I love the simple design. It has a black plastic cover and the inside has clear plastic pockets to hold the photos. It holds one photo per page with 24 pages and 48 views.Another benefit to this album is that it is so slim. It doesn't have a bulky cover that takes up a lot of room on your bookshelf. And the simple black cover looks polished and professional, unlike other photo albums with their cutesy obnoxious cover designs. Plus, I don't worry about throwing it in my bag if I want to take it along somewhere, because it holds up well with the plastic cover and it's sturdy binding. Definitely recommend!
Nice portfolio. The cover and backing not quite what I had expected. For the cost it will provide what I need it for.
This portfolio is fantastic. It's great quality and a great price. Photos slip in easily and don't get damaged like some other portfolios I've used.
I paid $6.10 for this 5x7 album.  I needed a 5x7 pocket album that would allow both sides of an image to be seen.  I wasn't positive this would work, but took a chance.I was pleased to discover when the album arrived that each pocket has a 5x7 insert so the back of your images don't have ot show, but you can remove the insert to have both sides show.The album is nice, but not necessarily gift quality.
If you are looking for a 5x7 portfolio, skip this one. I bought it for times when I did not want to lug around my 11x14 portfolio and was expecting the same snug fit for prints. However, this pages are 5 1/4 x 7 instead of 5x7, so it actually cheapens the look of 5x7 prints in it.
I wanted an album to keep all of the pictures of my daughter with santa. Every year she gets one taken and I get a 5x7 so this album is just perfect! When she gets older she will have a collection of all her pics with santa.
Okay, I put all my Christmas Photos cards I get in here. I have all my photos card that people give me for birthday invites, graduations, baby showers, etcs.  It is a great keepsake for those kinds of things.  I also have another one I keep just for those 5x7s I get of families and kids in the family.  I love that I can just pull it out and look at it.  I have an 8 x 10 also!
My photos look great in them. My son is looking to buy some for school. I told where to look.Thanks!
I needed a small portfolio for some pictures to give to a friend.  The quality seems good, especially for the price.
After several years, the battery on my Canon Rebel started a slow death. I bought this battery and it's given the camera new life. I've had it for almost a couple of years now and I haven't had to think about it. It charges up fast and lasts a long time.
I wanted a backup battery (BP-512) for my camcorder and this one fits perfectly.  It came almost fully charged, too.  It was little strange that it didn't come in a manufacture's box, but in a bubble wrap only.  It fits and it works - and that's all I'm insterested in!  Thanks, Amazon.com!  You REALLY makes shopping very, VERY, simple!
This is an awesome battery, and I've taken a ton of pictures on the first charge and still going. Plus I've been using the flash a lot too. If you need a new battery for your camera, I definitely recommend getting this one; It's cheaper and better!
I got this Duracell battery for my Canon 20D as a replacement for the original battery I had lost, at first usages it was good but very soon after a few charges, it would start my camera but the flash function and continuous shooting would take forever, when I finally got an original the difference was abysmal. This Duracell battery worked, but very poorly compared with the original Canon battery.
Researched my options and decided to try this battery. It works great in my camera and last a long time, but every since I put it in my charger the charger says my old original Canon battery is "charged" when I know it isn't. So, I just leave my Canon battery in the charger overnight and that seems to be working o.k. I haven't had the battery long enough to determine long term ratings. I would recommend this product with a little apprehension.
This battery doesn't hold a charge for anywhere near as long as my "old" Canon branded batteries. I have to recharge them as often as batteries that are nearing their end of life cycle. I thought that Duracell brand would be better than the "no brands " I bought once before that were nearly useless. Back to Canon only I guess because battery life is very important to me.
Lasted two recharge cycles.  Will not take a charge.  The original Canon battery lasted four years and many recharge cycles.  Recommend against purchasing this product.
I purchased the Duracell Lith-Ion replacement battery for my Canon D20 just weeks after I originally purchased the camera (jeez, something like 10 years ago now?).I purchased the battery *directly from Duracell at their website*, not here at Amazon but I don't think that makes much of a difference; these are all "Duracell batteries".But here's The Real Deal on this "replacement" battery: It's NOT WORTH whatever price you can purchase it for as a discount replacement for the original Canon-brand battery. WHY?I said earlier I bought the battery just weeks after purchasing the camera. *I have used BOTH batteries, the original Canon battery and the Duracell as a backup EQUALLY* over the years.Today, in 2013, the original Canon battery is still chugging along perfectly - it takes a charge, holds a charge, MAINTAINS a charge no matter how much I shoot with it. ***The Duracell-brand battery went south (died on me) in just 4 years!***Spend the extra $20-$30 and be done with it. I am afraid that Duracell - as has many/most(?) once-reliable "American" brand companies has sold-out to whomever gave their company executives the highest price for use of their once-respected name. And now these outlanders manufacture garbage goods to pretty-much unsuspecting consumers who like to feel warm and fuzzy when they "buy American". Get over it. Buying "American" no longer means you are buying quality - certainly not in this case!
Overall I am very happy with this camera for still shots.  What really gripes me is that if you want to take an action shot, you snap the picture, but it doesnt take the picture right away.....you miss the shot.  There is like a second delay or so.  I do not recommend this camera for action shots.I have tried to adjust the shutter speed but it doesnt help.....you still have that delay.
Please don't listen to reviewers who say they can't take a good shot with this camera.  Learn how to use the auto focus "half-press!"  It's a great camera if it can auto-focus.  If it can't auto-fucus, such as in low-light conditions, the results are less than stellar but still useable.  We haven't had any trouble with battery life, even with our cheap digicam batteries.  Depending on the amount of use, they need charging every month or so.Our daughter turned one a couple months ago and we have used the camera ever since she was born.  We have taken hundreds and hundred of pics with it and have gotten lots of compliments (maybe it's just the baby!). :)  We are looking to upgrade around Christmas to get a smaller camera with more megapixals and image stabilization and hopefully quicker/better auto-focus.  We did have one pixel go bad on the camera, which you can notice as a tiny white dot in some dark settings and can easily be "cloned" out by any software package if it shows up.  A friend's Olympus did the same thing after 6 months.  Using the 6x zoom is great, even if it produces some noise during indoor shots.There are obviously newer models out there which offer more features and better quality, but overall the S3000 is a great value (we paid under $200 for it) and has documented our family well for almost a year and a half now.
This is the best camera and the easiest to use.  I have had no problems what so ever.You just point and shoot and you have a perfect picture everytime
I have to tell you, I was nervous about buying a used camera online. I've bought tons of used books, but never used electronics, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this camera!Camera is in mint condition. It took me a week to be able to use it because it didn't come with batteries or the XD card, but once I got the right parts, I was ready to take photos and I was not disappointed!!! Great condition and great pictures!!! I couldn't have hoped for more.
I bought the Fugifilm Finepix S3000 about 18 months ago and wish I had spent a little more on another brand. Thought I was getting a good value from a well known company. Well everytime I want to use the camera I have to change the batterys. Doesn't matter if I took 1 or 100 pics the last time I used it. I have tried all kinds of batterys and it doesn't matter. The camera seems to use up the life of the battery's even if it is turned off. So unless you own a battery factory I would not recommend this camera.
I researched quite a bit before deciding on a digital camera to purchase. After recieving this one, I immediately loved the easy grip, and quick-to-learn controls. The adapter ring is a great idea, as it protects the lense when it's telescoped out. The picture quality is great, and I have had no issues with dead pixels. The one thing I am hesitant at all to praise are the displays. They are both digital, and the only issue is color. Of course, they are not high definition, so the quality of the preview isnt that great, but it is very difficult to see if the colors in the shot came out correctly. That being said, this camera exceeded my expectations on every other level. A Great Buy!
Like several other reviewers, I opened this camera on Christmas morning.  Given, there ARE a FEW things on the cam that I haven't experimented yet, but what I HAVE used is great!  The cvameral offers great motion shots, stills, portrates, night shots, movies.  Wish I it came with a case and a bit larger memory card, but overall this is a great camera.  If you are taking pics for newsweek or somthing I would trade up a bit, but for the average person this camera will prove much more than you need.  OVERALL great deal!
This camera works as described and I'm very satisfied with the purchase.  Everything works well on it and the extra items included are much appreciated,  The pictures are nice and true - not distorted like the more expensive 16 MB cameras on the market.  Delivery was fast - five days!
We purchased this camera in 2003 and it has served very well, especially as a basic point and shoot.Although only a 3.2 MP, it's shutter response, color, and image clarity is far better than any camera-phone and still holds it's own with many other dedicated cameras when set to maximum resolution. In fact, having outdoor images averaging ~840KB are very handy for quick downloads, emailing, digital albums, and basic use reprints.  I think we all have "that relative" that likes to send bloated 4MB pictures to everybody.Only major con is that the video function does NOT record audio. Minor con is the use of XD cards instead of SD, but otherwise still a solid camera.
I got this camera when my previous one died of simple old age, and it's been spectacular.  For a bit of background, I'm a biology student, and I often have problems with other cameras because my subjects are either far away (on account of being skittish or lethally venomous) or quite small (various and sundry invertebrates).This camera has been the perfect solution to my troubles.  The resolution is great, and it works wonderfully for normal, day-to-day pictures.  The macro works wonderfully, and I can get some great, hi-res closeups of some very small organisms and objects. On top of that, the zoom is nothing short of spectacular.  It's no 10x, but it gets you *impressively* close to distant objects or animals.  I knew it was a 6x when I bought it, but I didn't truly appreciate how good its zoom was until I used it.I bought a 256 MB card for it too, and have not only never regretted it, I've more than made my money back compared to what I'd've paid for film and developing of a normal, non-digital camera.I've had it for about a year, and it's never malfunctioned or broken.  This is one high-quality item.
I've had this camera about a year now, and I really like it for the most part.  Good pics, good features, and I love the 6X optical (not digital!) zoom.  Having had it, I'd never buy a camera with a lower power zoom.  It's also really hard to beat this camera for the money.  Usually when my friends show off their new cameras I see they've paid more and gotten less, especially in the zoom department.I use rechargable 2200 MA NIMH batteries and have not experienced any problem with battery life whatsoever, unlike other reviewers.  I've taken a couple hundred shots at a time (mostly non flash, admittedly) without changing batteries.  The camera is also well made and sturdy.  It took a nasty fall with me near Mount Rainier a while back and sustained very little damage, unlike my knees and elbows.While the camera is good, it isn't perfect.  I have three complaints, as follows.  Once you hit the button, this camera takes a really long time to actuate the shutter.  If you're looking for a camera to capture fast motion, pass this one by.  Often when I was zoomed in on an object moving even at a pretty slow pace, the object would be out of the field of view by the time the picture clicked.My second (and most serious) complaint is the auto-shutoff feature.  The camera loves to shut itself off and retract the lens when you've been idle.  And in Fuji's book, TWO minutes is idle.  This is something I've not experienced with previous Fujis.  When it does turn off, you have turn the dial around two places to the OFF position, wait a second, then click it back two places to ON.  The lens will slowly reappear, and you can resume what you were doing.  The auto shutoff would be fine if the length of time were adjustable, but it isn't.  Two minutes idle and you'll be "rebooting".  I'd much rather change batteries after a couple hours than have to toggle that damn switch all day to keep the camera on.  Very annoying.Finally, I'm not thrilled that this camera uses the XD format.  While the XD cards are very compact, they are also the most expensive format out there as best I can tell.  If you thought Memory Stick was expensive, prepare yourself for XD.  It is more expensive than Memory Stick, SD, Smartmedia, and Compact Flash.  More expensive by a wide margin, too. Compare prices between a 256 MB XD card and a 256 compact flash, and you'll find the xd to be almost exactly twice as expensive.  That's a lot to pay for a smaller form factor card that does exactly the same thing.In conclusion:  Good quality camera with good pics and great zoom, well worth the money if you don't mind the couple of annoyances I mentioned.  Hey, Fuji!  Kill the Auto Shutoff and you'll go to five stars in my book.
Great starter camera for beginners, I started out with this camera a few years ago and I love the ease of use and photo quality, I'm Looking to get something similar for a younger photo bug, so she can have something a step up from the basic point and shoot, when I had my S3000, I had the carrying case and Lens Hood/Wide Angle Adapter... all in all a good starter camera for the money, no complaints...
My mom bought this off QVC a few years ago and claimed it was a really great camera (according to them). The first thing I noticed was that it took shaky photos. You have to hold it extremely still (as in...stop breathing, stop your blood pulse, and mimic a stone statue) in order for it to take MARGINALLY good photos with a very low blur. I don't know if mine is just a fluke or what, but one thing that cannot be denied is the high file size.Upload them to your computer and even at the lowest bit setting you're still looking at about 400kb. Most digital cameras only use 100kb or so, and seeing as how this takes very blurry photos - what's the point of the extra file size?I try to stand as still as I can when taking photos. Someone exclaimed once "you shouldn't jump up and down when taking photos" - and that's pretty close to how bad the photo quality is. I plan to get a new camera (with my mom's discression - i am her tech guy...like a typical son who knows technology and a mother who just gets by).I am very dissatisfied with this piece of equipment!
I have used this camera on a semi-professional basis (I shoot for the local paper and have done some product shots for magazines, though I am not a full-time photographer) and I have won photography awards with it. This camera is easy to use, versatile, gets good results, and is reasonably priced.To see some photos taken with this camera, go to BetterPhoto.com. Click on "photos" at the top, scroll down to "by camera" and enter Fuji Finepix S3000 in the search. It will bring up some links. Click on the name of the camera under "reviews". You will see a product detail and a thumbnail photo to the right of the page. Under it will say, "view photos created with this camera." Click on that to see pix taken with it. (I am not sure if I am allowed to put a direct link here).What I love about this camera:1. Its size. I can stick it in my purse and I can hold it comfortably with one hand. It's not too heavy or awkward to grab quickly or to carry around.2. The macro setting. This has allowed me to get some detailed close-up shots of insects, frogs, toads and other small critters -- even those who aren't always likely to stand still.3. The optical zoom. I have also used that to get good shots of critters. It's not a super powerful zoom but it is decent. And if you are willing to move around, too, you can get close enough to butterflies or frogs to get a nice photo.4. In general, this photo does excellent "still life" type photos. I've done some really neat studio-type stuff with it.5. Less shutter lag than any other point-and-shoot digital camera I have used. Shutter lag is a fact of life for any point-and-shoot digital camera. If you can't work around shutter lag, you need a film camera or a digital SLR, which will cost you at least 3 times as much as this model.6. It's pretty darned good in low light. It will capture photos without the flash that my film SLR will not. With ANY camera -- even a digital SLR or 35mm -- if you are shooting in low light without flash, you want to use a tripod, brace yourself against a wall or something (and take multiple shots of the same thing), or set the camera down on a table or stack of books. Few cameras have the capability of taking night shots without some camera shake caused by the photographer's movement while the camera takes the picture. See the review by "an electronics fan."If you buy this camera (or the newer model which is an S700, I think), here are my recommendations:1. Shoot a lot of frames. I bought the 2 GB memory card and it holds 1300 photos on the highest resolution setting. I have never filled the card! And my family teases me by spoofing the song "500 Miles" as "500 Frames" so it's not that I don't try. :-) I got my butterfly shots through patience and a lot of frames. I did end up with a couple nice shots of just flowers (because the butterfly left before I could get the shot). I just accept that.2. Get rechargeable batteries. It's about a $30 investment for the battery charger and two sets of AA rechargeable batteries. But it will save you a lot of money in the long run.3. Experiment. Try different settings for the same subject and see how they turn out. You will get a lot more from this point-and-shoot than any other one on the market, IMHO.Thanks for reading. I hope this was helpful!
Its OK. Works as informed. A very old model however in good shape. Price/product adequate. My children use it and they seem happy and cant brake it.
This has been a great camera for me. It has consistently taken very good pics of anything I point it at. The zoom is quick. I have used other 3 and 4 megapix cameras that did not come close to matching this camera in regard to pic quality, auto features, and flash range.Only one negative...it takes 4 AA batteries, and if you don't use higher quality rechargable batteries you will go through batteries quickly. I use a set of 2000 mAh batteries and have rarely had them give out on me.
I really am enjoying this camera!  Initially I bought a Sony because I already have a Sony camcorder and it seemed reasonable to share the memory card I upgraded between them.  I returned the Sony immediately (to Circuit City who does NOT charge a restocking fee if you return with 14 days!) and researched Consumer Reports.This is the camera I am keeping!My photography experience consisits of using those disposable 35mm cameras and taking grainy, dark pictures with my camcorder.I love this camera because it is so much easier to use that the Sony was!  Very, very user-friendly menus and functions.  Excellent picture quality and excellent 6 x optical zoom.  Pictures print beautifully also--even on my crappy Lexmark printer!  No problem with any light source--this camera adjusts automatically so I don't feel like an idiot that needs to go to "camera school"!I'm buying a battery recharger and storage case today.The only useless feature I can find is the movie maker.
When I first recieved this camera 2 1/2 years ago as a birthday gift, I was excited! I thought it was the best thing ever! That was until I purchased a Cannon digital camera recently. OH....WHAT A DIFFERENCE! This camera(the S3000) eats up batter life like NO tomorrow! In the middle of a concert I would have to change the batteries and that did not make me very happy after a while. I bought a Cannon digital camera a month ago and have only needed to change the batteries ONCE(and I use the camera a lot since I have kids, pets, nephews and nieces). I also do not like the fact that the S3000 only records silent video(very short video I must add). My new Cannon powershot camera records video with sound and it's VERY clear...NO need for a seperate video recorder now!This camera is good for a beginner when it comes to digital cameras(just might hand the S3000 off to my Mom), but if you are familiar with digital cameras...don't buy this camera!
I purchased the camera for my not so camera literate husband to take with him on his cruise. He actually brought back pictures that I can see. This camera was easy to use and takes great pictures.Thanks.
This camera takes great pictures, but has one serious problem: it performs lousy indoors. It has major difficulties focusing in low to medium light conditions, so unless your house is exeptionally well lit, this camera will not focuse on the object. It is useless at the parties, museumes, classrooms, etc. Again, if place is very well lit or you use it outdoors, it performs very well. I exchanged it for Sony P72 which like some others has focuse illumination feature and takes crisp pictures indoors. What a relieve!
I've been burned by big brands with poor reliability before, so I chose Fuji after seeing Consumer's Union rate Fuji very reliable. It's big and clunky, but we wanted that shape to find it quickly in a cluttered diaper bag.Right out of the box, if you've ever had a digital camera before, you barely need the instruction book. It's very intuitive. The LCD and viefwinder  are bright, sharp, and are things of beauty. The on screen menus are great. The controls and grip are all manageable with one hand, once you learn where they are. The pictures are 3.2 megapixel great. The 6x optical zoom makes it easy to take quality face shots from a distance. Beware ANYBODY'S digital zoom - it's nonsense - only optical counts.The software for your PC is so bad that Fuji should have never shipped it. First of all, my Windows XP PC will not see the Finepix as a camera. It sees it as a mass storage device. So, if you are good with geek stuff, you know how to get your pictures to go where you want them, but if you just want it to be easy, you are out of luck. This software precludes this camera from being a gift for your mother. If you manually install the USB driver, Win XP still doesn't see it as a camera. The Finepix Viewer software is just a Fuji branded Internet Explorer. There is also one item of software installed called WINASPI. There is no explanation for what it does, it is installed in your root directory ( a major software no no), it looks like a throwback to Win 3.1 when it's being installed, and it gives you messages suffering from translationitis (For to make setup effective, it necessarily will be for to resart your computing system now.)In calculating the true cost, at a minimum, you will have to get a 64mb xD card, and you will have to get 8 NiMH AA batteries and a charger. The use of AA batteries is a huge plus, so when you are walking around Wallyworld and the batteries go dead, you can just buy 4 AAs, as opposed to cameras with proprietary rechargeables. You will also want some good photo organizing software, and because of the miserable software included, I've discovered a GREAT program online called Picasa -it is a must have GREAT photo organizer.So, I like it, I'm happy I bought it, the price was good, but it's not perfect.
I purchased this camera for a trip to Yellow Stone, Montana and was very happy with the picture quality.  It was a wonderful trip and all of the pictures were really great.  Unfortunately at a Halloween party I found that the LCD viewfinder was a real problem.  I could not see what I was trying to photograph!  The LCD viewfinder was basically useless!  I simply had to take a best guess at what I was trying to photograph. (The Flash got me the picture, but frustrating to not see what I was capturing)I had to replace the camera and stuck with Fuji (didn't want to buy a different Mem Card.  Bought the A350 because it is much smaller and real lens viewfinder.Many digital cameras have LCD viewfinders,DON'T DO LCD Viewfinder!!!
I've always been a clutz with new technology. I also believe that if it's not broken, don't fix it. I stubbornly held on to 35 mm film camera.But this camera is easy to use. And this camera made me switch from 35 mm to digital. The pictures I've taken make me feel like a pro. All my friends have had the greatest comments on my pictures. It has many SLR type features.The camera is user friendly but make sure you read the owner's manual to use the camera to it's full potential. Directions are easy to understand. All the software you need is included with the camera. Just down load it into your computer and it will walk you through.I use Window XP and have not had any conflict between programs. You need a USB Port to view images on your computer.
Fuji Film FinePix S3000Christmas Gift... for Daughter In Law.....Shipped, packaged, excellently...Camera takes the bestest of pictures...Wow, Memmories - It's Fabulous, Fantastic, Excellent, Great, Superb....Thank you,Mike & Renee
The S3000 is intended for the novice, everyday user up to the lower middle level photographer. I have owned mine for about four years now and plan to upgrade soon and give my Fuji S3000 to my daughter, now that I have learned a little. Don't expect the instant response you get from a traditional 35 mm camera. Most digitals that are lower priced have a delay in processing the picture you just snapped and then another delay before they are ready to take another picture. With the more expensive SLRs, that's not the case.Problems I have with the S3000:-Short battery life - Buy some (8 or more) rechargeable AAs-Small 16 MB memory comes with the camera - Buy a 128 MB xD-Picture Card. It can store over 100 photos at 3 mega pixels.-Cloudy days or thick forests are considered low light and you can get blurry images. I'm still trying to figure a work around for this. Indoor with flash works okay, but your battery life suffers.Things I like about the S3000:-6x Zoom - Lets you get in pretty close. I've had some great shots using the zoom.-Inexpensive - Mine was less than $200 (back then, cheaper now)-8x10 in. & smaller size prints turn out very nice-4 plus years and still working great-The automatic setting works well for most situations-You can take it off of automatic and experiment a little
First of all, I am in my mid-fifties and I am not an expert on taking photographs. Most of the pictures I take are of my family and friends.I purchased the S3000 in July 2004, right before our vacation toFlorida. I was having trouble deciding between purchasing a new 35mm or my first digital camera. After reading reviews on various digitals and talking with a friend who had just purchased the Fugi S3000, I chose the S3000 and I have had 'no regrets.'The pictures are better than I imagined. They are so clear and detailed that I take photographs of everything from buildings, animals, close-up of flowers, and more. The Fugi S3000 is so easy to use. It is, more or less, a point and shoot camera and the zoom is fantastic.I only had two minor problems. The first one was the action shots: I rectified my action shots (jet skis, running, swimming) by snapping the picture as soon as I saw the person/object in the LCD monitor. By the time the shutter reacted, I pretty much had a nice centered picture.Since I am a novice with this camera, the second problem I assumed was my fault. From our hotel room on Cocoa Beach, we could see a night launch. I could not find the launch site nor the satillite after it was launched in my LCD monitor or viewfinder.I give the Fugi S3000 - 5 stars - for the ease of use, detail of the photographs and the 6x optical zoom.I am so impressed with this camera that I am buying two more for Christmas presents.Also look at:Fugifilm Digital Camera Accessory Kit for A & S Series Cameras(includes battery charger and batteries - YOU NEED THIS!)Fugifilm 64MB XD Card(need a second card)Fugifilm USB XD Picture Card Reader(I found this cheaper at Wal-Mart)
My husband bought me this camera for Christmas 2003 after I could no longer live with my old Olympus D520 digital camera.  Over the years I've settled on features in digital cameras that work for my needs, and this one meets them all.  The breakdown:Pros:* Sturdy.  Early after getting this camera, my cat had a run-in with it where the strap got hooked around his neck, something spooked him and he took off, camera crashing around behind him.  I'm pleased to say that both cat and camera lived, and neither were damaged in any way.  Hat's off to Fujifilm for making an indestructable digicam!* Picture quality is excellent.  I need a camera with a hefty optical zoom and this one has it.  Recently I was able to capture a photo of my friend recieving her diploma... From high up in the bleachers and over 500 feet away from her!  The picture is crystal clear, too!* Good with all lighting conditions.  Daylight, low-light, indoor, outdoor, this camera performs well under all conditions.* Fast recovery period between snap shots.  There is between a 2-3 second recovery period between pictures, which is nice.  It insures that you're able to get a series of photos fired off in a quick succession, which is great if you're taking pictures of people in action.* Easy to transfer photos from the camera to my computer.  I use a Mac, and this camera works flawlessly with it.  The software is basic... I don't use it for major picture editing (that's what Photoshop is for), but the software package will crop and resize, orient, etc.* Print quality is excellent.  I can upload my photos via the net to my photo processing store and they print them out using a high-quality printer on photo paper for 11 cents a print.  The prints from this camera are crystal clear and look indistinguishable from ones taken with a film camera.Cons:* Size.  I thought at first that I wouldn't mind the size of the S3000, but after having had it for several months, I'm starting to bring my crappy Olympus with me places where I don't have the space to haul around a clunky camera.  Even though it's a fabulous point-and-shoot camera that comes through time and time again, it's quite a bit bigger than most point-and-shoot digicams which can make it a little awkward to lug around.* Battery life stinks.  The one good thing I can say about my Olympus D520 is that it has great battery life, and this is one area where the S3000 just doesn't impress me.  It takes 4 AA batteries and sucks them dry in no time, despite supposedly being more efficient than the previous version.All in all, I'd have to say that the pros far outweigh the cons with this camera.  If you're looking for a sturdy digicam with tons of optical zoom and great print resolution, you can't go wrong with the A3000!
Our first Digital Camera. Instructions to set up and use seems quite easy. Priced at $245.00 seemed reasonable as compared to other sellers. Amazon is great to order from. Received camera in great shape. Maybe more packing would have been appropriate but no damage. Haven't had and pictures printed, so can't give any opinion on quality.Update. I have had 20 pictures printed and each one has been awesome. I used 2 and 3 pixels and both were outstanding.
When I received this camera as a christmas present I was a little disappointed.  It runs on four AA batteries, and since I had asked for a camera take pictures of local rock bands, I quickly discovered one set of four batteries would not get me through one three hour show!When we brought it back to Circuit City, they (rudely, never again) informed us that this camera was outdated (it was less than a month in my possession) and they wouldn't return it.  We called Fuji directly and they recommended rechargeable batteries.  We bought some good ones, and now I can get through whole day festivals.  I have had the camera for a year and a half now, and although I have to turn the flash on and and cover it with my hand to get good lowlight pictures, I am really happy with it's performance.  If you are looking for a great "day at the beach with friends" camera, this is it.  For serious forrays into nighttime photography, you will need to spend a little more money.My vacation shots are perfect, my band shots are hit or miss.It is/was the perfect starter camera.*Edit on 12-2-2012 to say that this camera was pretty versatile for the four years it worked. In the summer of 2008 I took it to Lollapalooza. It got quite hot that day and the camera shut itself off mid-photo. I wasn't too worried as this had happened before at hot outdoor concerts including a previous 103 degree Lolla. Eventually it cooled off and started working again, but in terms of reliability, it was never the same. Regardless of the temperature, it would randomly turn itself off (lens out) and then in 2010, it stopped working altogether. I think it was the perfect first camera, but I did notice that Fuji doesn't process true to color. Last christmas I picked up a cheap (black friday special) Fuji point and shoot. After a few years of using a Canon Powershot, the color on the Fuji is noticeably different. I went back to look at old shots with this camera and notice it's a Fuji thing. The colors are over-saturated. Everything has a neon cast and sometimes looks surreal. It's unlikely that I'll be buying any more Fuji products.
I WILL NOT EVEN START TO TELL YOU ALL THE BAD ABOUT THIS CAMERA,DON'T LET THE PRICE FOOL YOU! PLEASE DON'T BUY YOU WILL HATE IT AFTER A MONTH!
Good case but could be better, especially for the price.  Materials used could be better.  The description states "Designed to conveniently expose the camera controls and LCD panel".  Not completely true.  You have to come close to removing the camera completely from the case to get access to the LCD display and controls.
This is a leather case for the Digital Rebel EOS camera by Canon.  It's made specifically for that camera.I never used the case because I realized it was difficult to put on, take off, and there were NO storage pockets for an extra battery or CF card.  There is no point in making a case for a camera without a storage flap or envelope!I went to a camera store and bought a very nice soft case that could hold my camera with a 28-200mm lens, plus it came with 3 storage compartments.  And that case cost less than this one!Even if you are a beginner with a camera, you must have an extra battery with you when shooting with the flash.  Any case that doesn't have room for a battery (or even a CF card, those are so small!) was designed by someone who gave no thought about how to use a digital camera.
This is the biggest purchase mistake I have made in selecting support equipment for my Canon dRebel (300D). I have never used the case since purchase and think I never will.I bought the case because all my 35mmSLRs have always had a case. My problems started when I found the case blocks almost all access ports: CF memory, battery and printer. It will not work with any of my telephoto lenses on the camera. The final blow came when I purchased a BGE-1 Battery Grip - that BGE-1 has never left the camera since. The battery grip size and bulk precludes any chance of using the EH16L Case - and the utility of the BGE-1 (see my review) for portrait and professional work takes priority over any protection offered by the case.Using a hip bag, backpack bag for casual shoots or vacation and a monster bag for professional shoots gives enough storage protection for my plastic bodied dRebel.Casual use of the dRebel for the recreational photographer -  would probably be the best use for this case. In my experience - only a few owners of the Rebel use the case - even if they have not accessorized the camera.The case becomes useless when adding on an eyepiece extender (EP-EX15 - see my review), telephoto lens, filter sets, lens cleaners - all this and you're better off with a hip bag or backpack bag. Padded bags offer more flexability and versatility than does the hardcase.The cost and quality are secondary to the usefulness of the product - which seems to get in the way as we all move further into the world of digital photography. Even my point and shoot cases (for Canon Powershot A75 and A85 cameras) have room for an an extra battery set, CF memory cards and lens cleaning rags.Serious photographers will find this type of case useless as the accessory list to your camera grows!
its a pain to use this. slipping the camera into this case is not an easy task. You have to completely remove the case and the screwed on base every time you want to access the memory card or the battery. If you want to shoot some pictures you need to remove the case [you can keep the screwed on case at this time] Also, there is no room for accessories or a larger lens other than the stock lens canon gives you with the camera body/lens combination package.
Pros:Custom made for rebel with kit lens or 50mm lens.Cons:Looks not as good as it cost.Could be cheaper.
Of all the accessories I purchased for my Canon, this one is never used. It's just never been useful.
If you're going to buy just ONE accessory to your Digital Rebel then you're looking at it: it HAS to be this one. Additionnally to longer shooting time (batteries not included) it gives a great sense of balance and ease of vertical use. Yesterday I grabbed a friend's digital rebel without the grip and it felt like a toy in my hands. This is a MUST.
I bought this as one of the first accessories for my Canon Digital Rebel / 300D. The grip is a total workhorse. It holds two batteries. With 80% charge on each battery, a 4 second image review on the LCD, and using the flash about 50% of the time, I took 1200+ pictures before the bar faded a notch on my battery indicator. A MUST if you're going to own the dRebel.
I love this grip. As a professional photographer I often shoot for long hours and carry chargers to keep my batteries full. I got this and it has extended the time I need to break to recharge which makes my clients happy. If your a professional or need more charge then definately this is for you. It offers a shutter as well as other controls making it easier to use your digital rebel. Five stars is all I could put but would put more if I could.
This battery grip is very comfortable, it gives stability and a second set of controls with a shutter release button for shooting vertical snap shots. The grip also holds 2 batteries for twice the lenth of battery life. I purchased 2 after market batteries for $10.00 each @ Ebay that work just fine. Another thing..it makes the camera look sharp. If the price is acceptable for you then go for it. You'll be very happy with your purchase. Good luck!
With the battery packs that are available for the Digital Rebel having a grip just for more power is shear over-kill.  Not that it is a bad thing, it's just that most people don't have enough flash memory to even take advantage of one battery, much less two.  A 512mb chip holds around 150 photos on the best JPEG setting, a single battery will last you more than 400 photos!  Unlike many other digital camera's the Rebel sips power even with a lot of photo review, so don't feel you need this add-on for a day of shooting.  On the other hand if you like a nice solid feel to your camera and have big hands and find most digitals a little toyish, then you'll love the extra grip and weight the battery grip provides.
Yeah, yeah the extra battery is overkill but this baby's best feature is the ergos.....the easy to find &amp; use buttons when you take vertically oriented pix.  No fumbling to find stuff.  The grip also makes holding the camera more comfortable.Go ahead, get it!  You won't regret it.
I use this unit EVERY time I shoot. It makes a good handhold as well as a lifesaver in putting two batteries available to double the normal life span. Being a professional photographer these are very important qualities. This unit matches all expectations, but what else would you expect from Canon?
Purchased over 18 months ago - the BGE-1 Battery grip has become a permanent fixture on my Digital Rebel. The ability to power the Digital Rebel with a second battery gives me the insurance I need to NEVER look at the power bar at any event I shoot.Things I like about the Battery Grip:1. Second battery means never having to worry about power.2. Portrait photography - which I do much of -- becomes less of a chore with secondary shutter controls available in the "portrait" position.3. Great balance - using the 420EX Speedlight and a series of telephoto lenses - the grip brings better balance and lessens hand fatigue by bringing a lower center of gravity to a long lens shooting assignment.4. Shooting portraits- using an aluminum "L/U" bracket to put the speedlight higher than just using the "hotshoe" mount - the battery access is blocked when screwing the bracket to the camera tripod mount. The Battery grip enables access to both camera batteries in all situations.5. "The look for public access": When tricked out with an "L" series telephoto, a battery grip and a BG-15 eyepiece extender - one rarely needs to show credientals while covering all but the most secure public or private events. You are "in the business".Things I'd like to see improved:1. Plastic battery door feels flimsy.2. Extra weight and size is not needed for the casual photographer.3. Use of battery extender grip disallows use of a standard Canon camera case.4. Would like similar features to its Rebel XT battery grip counterpart- ability to use AA batteries in lieu of a second Canon battery would be great! Four AA Ni-Mh's are cheaper than even the Canon knockoff recharagables.
If you just the Digital Rebel kit and don't want to spend too much money on accessories, this is not for you. A single battery has enough power for a trip or even a few days vacation.But if you are a powerful user, will buy more lens, especiall the heavy L lens, a 550EX flash which is also bulky, I would say this is must for you.With 10oz grip and 2 extra batteries (seach on e-b-a-y for cheap generic ones), the camera feels more comfortable and stable. Even with 550ex attached to it and a 70-200 4L lens on, I still feel it is well balanced. And 2nd group of button is really convenient for portrait. Of course, 2 batteries always have more power.If I remove it, with 550ex flash on it, I really feel awkard to hold it.So if you just have the kit, forget about it. If you have external flashes (550ex or 420ex at least), L series lens, don't hesitate, buy it.
Despite the fact that you're merely doubling the batteries, you actually get more than double the battery life by using two batteries at the same time. The grip not only makes the camera easier to hold, but adds a shutter release on the bottom for vertical shots. Super easy to install and use. Scroll wheel also lets you make context-sensitive changes in ISO or Shutter Speed or Aperture when holding camera vertically.
Im not a professional photographer, but I love taking pictures. I own both EOS Rebel k2 slr and an EOS rebel XS DSLR.Digital slr's are fantastic you get a lot width all of the different settings.The advantage I find width a film slr, is in black and white pictures, they have a depht to them that I like, theirs just something about BW film. So I would recommend this camera if you want to learn photography.
We went back and forth between a film and digital camera.  We decided on the Canon Rebel Date Camera due to the quickness of the shutter since we have small children.  I did not want the delay a digital camera has and did not have the money to spend for a quick shutter digital camera.  Our pictures come out crystal clear and we get all kinds of rave reviews on the pictures we do take with our camera.  This is the 2nd camera that we have bought that is Canon and have nothing but good things to say about them.  I do wish they came with a camera bag - but we can buy that separately.
The Canon EOS Rebel K2 SLR, with the 28-90 zoom lens is a good buy.  Camera stores in my area (NW Arkansas) can't even come close to the price I paid for a new camera.  It's light, easy to carry and it has an automatic point and click feature that makes this amateir look better than he is.
This camera is cheap. It even feels cheap. The first time we loaded film, it jammed and has never worked since. I have for years bought only Canon products which is why I purchased this replacement for an older Canon Rebel (which I loved) that had dropped and broke. Now I'm so turned off by this poorly manufactured Canon product that I'm looking to replace all of my lenses so that I can find a system that's better made.
I shoot with this guy now and then when I want to use my EF L series glass with 35mm film.  If you are familiar with any of the modern Canon dSLR cameras you should be able to operate this one within a matter of minutes.  You'll also find that the light meter is more like what you are used to and has most of the same features (just slightly more obscured since it's a basic LCD and just a handful of buttons).It's also saved my rear on two homework assignments now when my AE-1 has had issues.  It's quite reliable and I'm finding that I use it more than my digital body.  Just make sure to take it to a reputable camera shop for a good cleaning and once over -- you may have light meter or shutter timing issues you don't know about when you are buying used, older equipment.I highly recommend this camera for any digital shooters with EF glass looking to go BACK to film -- it's a trooper.
I am really satisfied with the purchase of this camera. Good quality workmanship. Canon has been a leader in photography in my book. Easy to use controls for any one.
I bought this as a christmas present for my wife a couple of years ago. She was ecstatic and has really loved the camera ever since (She loves me too of course). I haven't really used it, but she's told me that everything is very easy to use and work with. Unfortunately, it seems like the price is much higher than when I bought it. At the price it is now, I'd suggest spending a little bit extra and getting the digital version. For most photography it will probably be the better choice.
The information provided in the product description helped me choose what camera I wanted.  The Canon Rebel with the 28-210 Lens kit is great!!!
This is the new version of the EOS Rebel 2000 (they called it &quot;K2&quot; instead of &quot;2K&quot;, I suppose in order to avoid giving the impression that the camera is 4 years out of date, which it is not).It is simply a great camera at a great price.  It works as well as any 35mm camera on the market, has a reasonably fast winder, and best of all it takes all of the huge variety of EF Canon lenses.  It is actually very light, so you can carry it around without fatigue, or you can bulk it up by adding the extended grip (which gives it a very nice feel).The zoom lenses are a little slow.  I recommend that you get the body only, and start with the 50mm f/2.8 MKII lens, which is a steal at about $70.  Together, they make an outstanding, affordable, high-quality package for those of us who still love film more than digital.
works well, takes great pictures, i should have paid attention to the fact that it was a film camera and not a digital. other than that it works great.
I bought this camera for a photography class that I took over the summer at my university. While many of the Students bought traditional student models, like the Pentax k1000, I wanted to buy a more updated model. The Canon Rebel EOS K2 went above and beyond by expectations; it was easy to use, had multiple useful features, and produced amazing photographs. The best part about this camera is that a user can not only set an aperture/shutter speed, but select a mode where the camera itself will automatically  select the appropriate details - the feature is very useful. Also, the camera has specific automatic modes that are designed for shooting close-ups, landscapes, moving objects, and low-lite subjects, which is very useful for novice-photographers. I was planning on selling it to some friends after I finished the class, but am now considering keeping it for taking more photos for fun.
This camera is in great condition and it arrived when it said it would. It is perfect for my photography class.
The photos are exceptional. It was very easy to learn how to use the features. I have taken some great photos with it, much better than my digital. I have not encountered any problems.  I took it on a long (over a month) trip where it was subjected to rough treatment and extreme weather.  It came through with flying colors.  Rock solid.
I bought this camera as a christmas present for my daughter. she is taking a film class in college and needed this type of camera. It was a great camera when it was new and hopefully she will get many great photos from it still.
This camera was discontinued by Canon in 2008 and Amazon seems to be the only place in the nation where "new" EOS Rebel K2 SLR's with the 28-90 mm lens in stock and listed as new.  Canon does not support that view of the situation so you are on your own if problems develop.  Happened to me with a used one rated a 9 that had half a dozen or more serious defects.  I will get a credit for the camera but am stuck with extra lenses and filters, etc. with no way to get a new camera without defects.Canon no longer plans to ever again produce SLR cameras and seems to be aiming its business away from retail consumers to folks such as sports photographers who can afford those $20,000 lenses.  Nikon seems to be the one taking over we the little people.  So do be careful.
This camera is simply amazing! It focuses so quickly!It's also very light, which makes it easy to carry around with you. Can be easily taken apart to fit anywhere, but is sturdy and doesn't fall apart randomly.The manual controls are easily in reach, so you can change the settings easily.The instruction manual is simple and easy to understand, too.And the pictures are just... WOW. I can't believe the pictures it takes, they're all beautiful!Also a great beginner camera!BUY IT. You won't regret it! :)
Great for the semi-professional parent with a baby or toddler. Love the crisp pictures it takes and I have a digital I also use but I've always held film in a special place since being my college editor back in the late 80's and early 90's before digital was the boom. Both lens are terrific and I am very pleased with the camera's performance.
I love my film camera. It's very easy to use and it's not so big it's hard to carry around. My only complaint would be that it smelled a little funny when I got it.
my dad asked me to get this for him because he needs to start from where he left off taking pictures as a hobby. very pleased came in a really nice carry bag in good condition although it didnt come with the manual was able to download from canon.
this is an awesome camera! i can't wait to start taking photos and to start my business in photography! i am excited and its in great condition!!!!
Is a very nice camera but the one i got did not have day date optionso i sent it back.
I recently purchased this camera when my venerable Nikormat EL-W developed shutter timing issues during my Photo 1 class.This camera reasonably priced has preformed flawlessly thus far. I have shot multiple rolls of Ilford HP5 plus film through this camera and have yet to have an exposure not come out due to the camera. After reading the manual I was able to easily understand the different modes and how to change the user controlled settings. The on camera flash leaves a little to be desired as it rather harsh and its range is somewhat limited, an accessory flash will overcome this and there are other flashes that will operate with this camera not just Canon.I have not had the opportunity of shooting color film through this camera yet when I do I will update this review.The only thing I dislike about this camera is that there is no provision for a remote shutter release. The Rebel K2 with date is the only version of this camera that can use a remote shutter release, why Canon removed this feature from this model is unknown a remote release is very handy when photographing nature or when used with the timer for self portraits.If you have any plans for infrared photography do not buy a EOS Canon, the Frame counter uses an infrared sensor that will cause fogging on your infrared film
The screen was small, compared to more modern cameras. However, the delay between hitting the button & the picture actually being taken (can't remember the actual term) was impressive, compared to the newer cameras out there. For the most part, the images that I intended to photograph were taken - no eyes closed or &#34;charming action shots.&#34;
I bought this a year ago and have taken many great pictures with it. It's light, has many features and can be used as an automatic when all you want to do is point and click. I can't recommend it enough.
I love this camera so far. I'm on my fifth roll of 35mm right now and this camera hasn't failed me yet. It has a light leak every now and then but that's not so bad. I love how it's automatic and rolls your film for you. It has many feautres to help newbies (like myself) as well as a full range of manual options. I would reccomend getting a diferent set of lens though, as the kit lens--although producing some rather nice pictures--seem to not capture the essence of the subject really well.Overall, it's a great camera.
Works great, perfect size - Although its needing a few more inside separator pieces. It's hard to separate and add 2 cameras, 4 lenses in there. The smaller bag works better (since it comes with more separator pieces).
I thought this was the 200DG bag, the 100DG bag is HUGE. I ended up returning it, but not because I didn't like it; it is a great bag with excellent construction. I even considered keeping it due to the obvious laptop storage space, but it is just to large for my needs. I returned it and bought the 200DG bag instead. That is the bag I was looking for anyways. They are both excellent bags, just the 100DG is much larger.
I needed to replace a well worn 20 year old camera bag. Was looking for a large, but usable camera bag. This fit the bill perfectly. Can use it for multiple camera bodies and about 3 lenses, as well as all your associated gear. Well built. Surprise to find straps on it for carrying a tripod, which is well located and doesn't mess the balance of the bag when carrying it on the shoulder. First rate product.
I love this bag. I'm very pleased to have purchased it. I love the fact that it's hearty and non-professionals can afford it. It's the ideal bag for the photographer on a budget! Never had an issue taking it out 5/6 times a months.
I like this bag even better than my Nikon SLR :-) . Tough and spacious - good for 1 SLR, 3 lenses and a Flash along with all the standard accessories. Very good design.
This looks like a professional bag, plenty of room to hold your camera & accessories,Went to Walmart & Target looking for a camera bag, they were cheap looking, went online,with AmazonFound this bag, very happy with the size & quality
This bag is great and it holds all my camera equipment very nicely, being able to change the compartment sizes makes it very user friendly.I will definitely recommend this product to others.
I'm very satisfied with this bag. Lot of of space and now I can carry the T3i, the Canon 1..4 and new Sigma 70-200 with me along with the mono pod and all other accessories. I do recommend.
I was in need of a larger camera bag and this one did not disappoint. I carries many compartments and came with a wallet to place my business cards and memory cards which was a surprise.  The bag is light and great for traveling.
This is a very nice and affordable camera bag. I used it until buying a backpack, which is a little easier for me to use when traveling by airplane.
I was looking for a perfect gift for my boyfriend who has a Canon SLR. He bought it without the bag and intended using a smaller bag for it. Then he got a zoom lens. And some other accessories. He's looking for some other lens he wants...anyway, his smaller bag is not sufficient anymore so I bought him this.The bag is roomy. He doubted he could fit everything in it AND a laptop - but it all fit in quite nicely! The clip closures, he says, will make the bag much easier to get into, rather than his old bag that zipped all the way around. It was a pain in the you-know-what.Now, he can store all his accessories in one place and bring them with whenever we head out to a scenic destination.I recommend this product.
This bag covers all of my needs; plenty of room for my camera, lenses and accessories AND a special slot for my Macbook . It's the only bag (that I am aware) that offers the padded laptop slot. It is a great looking bag too. The fabric is easily cleanable. Though it is a pretty large bag for my 5'2" frame, the padded shoulder strap makes it comfortable to tote. I am SO happy I bought this bag! It is highy recommended by me.
This bag has so much room, it's unbelievable. We carry our camcorder and two cameras, with all our accessories and still have room for more. We are very pleased with this purchase.
I try to be fair in my reviews.  I genuinely want to help others decide whether or not I thought the product was of quality construction, met expectations, and reasonably priced.  There are times, though, when I am dumbfounded by the praise lauded on a product I purchased only to be left wondering who thought this was such great buy.  This is one of those times.PROS:It is built well, I will say that.  Padded nicely. Definitely seen worse.  I have no doubt it can protect valuable and delicate camera gear within reasonable expectations.  I do think it's also stylish without trying to look "designerish".  It's a nice balance between looks and utility.CONS:Put simply, I have tried multiple configurations and still cannot figure out how anyone could possibly cram as much gear into this bag as they claim they have.  It's like Tetris.  I have a 5DmkIII w/grip, 24-105, 50mm, and 28-135mm.  Plus all hoods, plus a Yonguo560 flash, not mention all caps, cleaning stuff, filters, batteries, cards, etc.  Are you kidding?  The bag is NOT that big.  And you can also fit a laptop on this?  Uh uh,  not happening. Just because it has a Canon logo on it does not make it a great purchase. For my purposes, it's just too small.I'm not going to talk you out of it,  I don't think it's a bad buy.  I do think it's not suited to accommodate the needs of a pro as the plurality of reviews make it out to be.  You shouldn't have to stuff your gear, it should be snug, yes, secure, yes, not pushed in so tight you risk breaking something. If you're an amateur shooter with modest equipment needs this might work for you. If you have serious gear and rely on it to make a living,  might want to keep looking.
I love this bag so much I bought another one.  I like the affordability of the bag because it is a solidly built bag.  It is sturdy, has lots of compartments, looks good and well cushioned.  I have a lot of camera gear and I needed bags that were big enough to hold most of my stuff nice and neatly in my studio and car.  I didn't want big bulky bags nor did I want all my stuff just lying around my studio.  This was the perfect solution to keeping my camera gear organized.
I bought this because my 200DG is pretty much full up (Canon 550D with a battery grip, Sigma 17-50 zoom, Canon 55-250 zoom, Sigma 30 prime, Canon 50 prime, Rode VideoMic pro, Canon speedlite 580EX II with a Pixel external battery pack and assorted accessories - all of which fit quite nicely) and wanted some more room for new stuff. Unfortunately because of the internal design for carrying a laptop there is less space for camera and lenses. I'll be returning it because of that and looking for something else. A shame really because these are very nicely made bags. Nice straps and hardware, good padding and a nice flexible design for setting up the internal space for your equipment and needs. I just wish Canon made the 200DG configuration in a bag that was 50% bigger.
After my last bag broke at the plastic link between shoulder strap and bag, almost dropped the bag and broke everything inside... I knew I needed to find one that would last a lot longer... starting with the metal connections. This is one of the few I could find with those metal components- though the buckles on the front are only half metal (lower connector piece is plastic still (what's with that??). This bag is pretty large, much larger than I needed, but hopefully will "grow into it" over time. Comes with a nice memory storage pouch which stores CDs, DVD's, CF's, SD's, etc. The water repellent exterior also makes me feel a bit safer.. much better than regular plain old bags. Overall though, great quality for the price, and did a lot of searching before deciding on this bag. Would buy it again.Pros: metal clasps, good quality, lots of zippers/pockets/pouches, Canon productCons: looks HUGE on the outside, displays "canon" on it (never liked people knowing what was in my vague black bag... now I'm advertising that I have something expensive with me), price is a *little* steep for students
To begin with, I am 65-years old and not some kid just writing random thoughts about a product.  I am not wealthy either.  I search high and low to find a good bargain on a quality product before spending my money on it.  I frequently and almost religiously start my product searches on Consumer Reports.  In the case of this camera gear bag I give it a score of 100 on all accounts.Yes, I have read all of the previous reviews on this bag including the reviews claiming it "fell apart" under normal use and the "plastic clips" broke, etc.  However, there is nothing whatsoever plastic or fragile about this bag.  It is roomy as heck; has separate pockets to carry and protect your camera, lenses, filter and laptop as well as lots more room for camera attachments, a small tripod and all the flash attachments and cables that you need.  I also happen to carry my Canon HF-11 camcorder and cables in this bag along with my Canon 30D SLR.This is my 2nd bag identical to this one; the 1st bag has been in use for over 2-years now and, other than some dust and dirt from usage in the field, it shows absolutely no signs of wear.The shoulder strap is wide, curved to fit your shoulder without the tendency to slip off of your shoulder, is well padded and attaches to either side of the bag with heavy duty brushed stainless steel spring-loaded metal swivel clips.The inside of the bag has several adjustable compartment dividers that attach to the bag with heavy Velcro strips making it a breeze to accommodate your unique items securely.  With all of the gear that I carry it took me less than 10-minutes to fill this bag, adjust the shoulder strap and adjust all of the compartments to suit my needs.WORD OF ADVICE: While this bag may APPEAR smaller than other bags in its class, it is not.  It is large and roomy.  Likewise, the weight of digital products and accessories adds up much more quickly than older film-grade equipment.  Use caution that you do not load the bag heavier than it will be comfortable to carry around.  Don't worry, the handle and shoulder strap will easily handle the weight; it is your hand and shoulder that will tire after extended periods.I promise you that this is a great investment that will last you for many years to come.  Enjoy!
After 1.5 years of moderate, occasional use, the cheap plastic parts of the buckles have worn down and no longer stay snapped.  Because of this, I have to  remember to never grab the bag by its top handle.  If I do, the bag can fall open and spill its precious Canon contents all over the concrete.  Oh, and how can I be sure that someone else won't accidentally grab it that way?  The rest of the bag is like new, but this one weak link makes it a real liability.  I'll be looking for a better option.
Pros- Sturdy construction that appears professional grade- Reasonable price for an OEM bag- Lots of external pockets for accessories and nick knacksCons- Big, heavy and inconvenient to carry- Weird and inefficient spacers; pockets are too deep and not wide enough- Hard to pack anything efficiently and get camera/accessories in and outOverall ImpressionThe main compartment is a lot of wasted space. It has deep pockets that are inefficient and ineffective.  None of the curved spacers that will allow camera with attached lens to be stowed horizontally for quick retrival. No tiered system either that will double the carrying capacity by stowing rarely used lenses and flashes at the bottom and a camera with main lens attached stowed on top.  It has a pocket for carrying a laptop (more like an iPad) that is designed to appeal to no one and takes up usable space. You can not takeout the laptop space divider as other dividers connect to it.My old Tamrac bag this bag was supposed replace, is over 2 decades old and can carry 50% more gear in half the space. Check out the layout of Tamrac 5603 if you want to convince yourself.It showcases what lack of focus even in a big established company that dominates in camera business can do.  If you have ever been to Canon's pathetic website and searched for something, you'll know what I mean.
Great bag, bought it for my old SLR, using it to keep both old and new plus a couple of lenses, a tripod, my filters, all the software and cables. batteries, chargers... With a bit of innovative stacking it also holds my HP netbook (so I can take a first look of the photos on a bigger screen). Only problem is that this is NOT a rucksack, so its a bit problematic to schlep it around on my bike.My camera is a Canon 50D.
This bag is everything you need as a traveling photographer. I was getting ready to buy the exact one from Fry's electronics but my gut told me to wait and check amazon. Glad I did cause the one from the store was $160 and the one from amazon was $68! So pleased!
My rating scale; 1-5 (1 is worst, 5 is super).Straps, Zippers, Clips, Handles = 5; all appear sturdy and long lasting.Stitching = 4; there could have been a little more stitching in places....time will tell.Storage/Pockets = 5; numerous pockets and pocket sizes for your gear.Fabrics = 5; appear to be durable and have a good durable feel to them.Sturdiness = 4; just padding/fabric.Price you pay to Product Value = 5; felt like I got a GREAT deal.  Other comparable bags I've seen are $80+.I'd buy the bag again and would still feel like I got a great value.Here's the biggest reason for my 4 rating....The main 'compartment' where your bulkier gear is stored is lined with soft fabric that velcro adheres to.  There are multiple dividers that can be arranged in most any way you need.  A nice feature....BUT....The fabric that lines the edges of the main compartment seems very ?flimsy? and after moving the dividers around just a few times felt like I was going to rip it out.  Once you get your dividers situated, you won't be dealing with that much, but that is definitely the area that has the weakest construction and over time could cause some frustration.Overall a great deal for a great bag and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a bag this size.
Fits alot of equipment and very sturdy should last me for many years . If you are thinking on buying this bag you will be happy with it because Canon always makes the best quality stuff.
This bag is a great deal if you get it off here. I seen the same one in the store for a lot more. I use this for my Canon 7D and 3 lenses. It does the job perfectly. No signs of wear yet even after a years use almost!
This bag is very sturdy and I am sure it will last me a long time.  It holds my black macbook well, but would not hold a larger computer.  The bag feels a bit bulky.  The placement of the handle on top is convenient, but if you forget to latch the two side buckles, it will tip over and send your gear flying.  Not sure this was the best design they could have come up with.  The zippers are heavy duty.  All in all, I feel it was a good purchase.
I was always carrying a couple of cameras and a tripod and it was always awkward. This more than met my expectations. There was a place for everything even a place to carry my tripod. So glad I spent a little more for a bag that was perfect for my camera and equipment...
Indispensable when engaging in cultural functions throughout the metropolitan area .... Refined, ... fashionably sleek, ... above all functional .... Simply superb.
As a 40 year+ pro I carry both Nikon & Canon systems. For a day bag, the Canon 100DG is both practical & economical. My daily point & shoot is a Canon 50D with BG-E2N grip, 28-135mm and EW-78BII hood installed. If you carry into a high end social for a shoot or need a decent day use bag this case should serve you well. Without sacrificing protection I carry the aboveforementioned items plus a 550EX speedlite with aux battery pack, 75-300 IS, 11-22 zoom, 85mm plus filters. I carry my tablet computer in a separate bag.I can fit a 6x7 Mamiya RZ67 with digital back plus two film backs and light meter in the bag with no problem. Lots of room for meters, phones and extra batteries. An accessory pack is included to organize cards and filters which has lots of velcro.I own a number of case/bags, but a photographer with a digital slr, strobe and an auxillary lense should not consider a case any smaller than the 100DG. If you are conerned with the Canon logo on the bag being an identifier for theft, might I suggest sewing a luggage tag with your business card over it (a nice marketing idea). Insure your gear.
This bag is a great value for the money. It holds my Canon 7D, 4 lenses, Metz 50 AF-1 flash, 2 camera batteries and charger, 2 lens hoods, 3 compact flash cards, and space for more. So far the build quality seems great and the shoulder strap is very comfortable.
I ended up purchasing this Canon 100DG gadget bag because the Canon bag that I originally wanted was back ordered.  This bag showed to be larger and a little more expensive than the bag that I originally wanted to order.  I am definately glad that I went with the 100DG bag instead.This bag is very high quality, with metal clips, a strong, padded shoulder strap, and it offers a lot of padding and compartment separators.  Inside is a small, padded zippered case, which holds a couple of CDs, several memory cards, and maybe even some other very small items.  There is a slot for a small laptop computer.  The laptop would need to be quite small though.  It is large enough to hold my HP tablet PC but would not hold a much larger notebook PC.  This Canon gadget bag even has straps on the outside to hold a monopod or small tripod.At first I was a little dissapointed with the internal storage of the Canon 100DG.  Upon opening it the bag just didn't seem very big inside, even though the outside looks gigantic.  However, I have packed this case with all of the following:-Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)-Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras-Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras-Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras-Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras-Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control for EOS D30, D60, D10, 1D, 1V & 20D SLR Cameras-Tiffen 72mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit-Tiffen 58mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit-Sony Cybershot DSCW1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom-Panasonic PV-GS250 3.1MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom-  SUNPAK RL-20 Readylite 15 Watt Super Compact Video Light-  Sony ECM-MS908C Stereo Video Microphone with Switchable Pick-Up Angle-  Bogen-Manfrotto Three Section Monopod, Black Anodized.-  Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System-  HP Compaq Tablet PC tc4400 - 2.0 GHz Core2Duo-  Canon SLR Battery Charger & Spare Battery-  Misc. Lens Filters, Lens Hoods, and Camera/Laptop CablesAs you can see, I have packed this case with my Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, three lenses w/hoods and soft lens cases, my Canon 580EX flash, my wife's Sony Cybershot point and shoot digital camera, our family Panasonic MiniDV video camcorder, my HP tablet PC, and even my Bogen monopod and ball head.  All this and much more smaller stuff.  This case can hold a whole lotta stuff!  You should know, this camera bag is now quite heavy.  However, the bag and carry strap show no signs of fatigue.  I would not want to bang this camera bag up against something hard, because I have it bulging with all of my gear.  I am very careful when traveling with this kit, but it is very nice to have all of my photo and video gear in one big gadget bag.  I couldn't be happier with the Canon 100DG and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a high quality, high capacity camera bag.  I know that many people spend a lot of money on their photo and video gear and then scrimp on their camera case.  Spend a few extra bucks and get a case that is worthy to hold all of your expensive gear.  You can't go wrong with the Canon 100DG!
I purchased the bag with my digital rebel XT about six months ago.  It's extremely well built, well padded with movable internal partitions.  Enough roon to hold four lenses, a camera body, cleaning kit, spare battery and some filters.  With all due respect to Alan, canon has never advertised this bag for carrying laptop computers, so the one flaw he found with the bag really doesn't exist.
Extremely disappointed with this bag. First of all, the laptop space is a waste. I do not carry a laptop with my camera gear even when I travel. If the bag gets stolen, then you lose everything (camera, laptop, ext hard drives). If you remove the divider for the laptop space, then there is no where to attach the lens dividers and they are not long enough to reach to the other side of the bag. So pretty much useless. The space and size is perfect, the configuration is dumb. Will be returning.
I didn't realize how BIG this bag is. It has a pocket along the back side for a small laptop.There's plenty of room for my Canon 7D with Canon Speedlight, three lenses, a remote cord, batteries, chargers, a battery grip, cleaning supplies, filters, hoods and other gadgets.  The wide front pocket includes a secured wallet for memory cards, a nice feature. The wallet clips to a loop inside the zippered pouch. The two big side pockets hold my extra batteries for flash and camera, a charger, and other gadgets.What I don't like about it: If the snap fasters are released and you try to grab and lift the bag by the top handle, it dumps out its contents. The snaps are a bit hard to operate, but they are sturdy. It's almost too big, but that may be just what you want.  Even without a laptop, this bag with the aforementioned contents is heavy, probably too heavy to keep on your shoulder while shooting for any length of time. With a laptop, forget it.  You might also think twice before getting a bag with the camera brand on it; you might be inviting theft. There are other designs of pro camera bags that don't look like camera bags. I think it's the Lowepro Stealth models that come in several sizes. Unfortunately I chose the biggest one, but found it too big and sent it back.  It's hard to choose the right camera bag without actually seeing and handling it.
I just purchased this very high quality camera bag by Canon...........Although I'm a Nikon user........I must admit Nikon has nothing as High quality or as well built as this.........this bag was very well thought out......with a water resistint exterior.........as well as a very well padded interior.....and well  thought out storage compartments for very expensive camera gear ,and I can even store my portable 9 inch DVD player in it as well, heavy zippers, velcro closures, make this bag very secure  as well as a very pleasing look to the eyethis is the camera bag to get.........I highly reccomend  it...........
I can put my 7D, a pair of large lenses, a laptop, charger, plenty of cards and accessories into this bag. And there's still room for something to read on my flight.  This bag has so much capacity that you may need a Sherpa to help you carry it.  Stitches stay tight, and straps and buckles stand up well to the abuse.  I sometimes wish that the wide shoulder strap was a little wider, but that's my own fault for jamming so much into it.  This is a great high-capacity bag that still fits nicely into the airline overhead.  It seems that Canon put as much thought into the bag as they put into their cameras.
I could have paid a lot more and not gotten as good a camera bag!  Perfect size for me, does a great job of protecting my equipment and looks great also!
I used to have a separet bag for my laptop. Now I carry my cam and it's accesorries along with my laptop and it's accesories. And feels even ligter than my old laptop bag. Strong, Confortable, Incredible.
The construction quality of the bag is great.  I found it was just too large for my needs.  Another thing which I think we all need to think of is that is too conspicuous - meaning that it screams to potential thieves "there is something of value in this bag!"
I purchased this for a backup camera and accessories to carry in case my main camera developed problems while traveling. I is exactly as advertised and meets all of my expectations. I am considering switching and using this for my main camera.
Barely fits my EOS Rebel T5 and definitely doesn't fit it with the battery extension. Huge amount of wasted space for the laptop - don't carry one in my camera bag. The Velcro and sections are not adjustable on all sides (can't regain the space wasted for the laptop). Doesn't fit multiple flash + lenses. I can't believe this is their pro bag. The bag looks nice on the outside, I feel deceived.
I am very pleased with this bag it holds an amazing amount of my supplies I place it in from least used on the bottom layers and must important on the top for easy access. The zippers are very sturdy steel ones, The bag is very good quality material and I feel very sure this bag will last for some time, I would recommend this bag to all intermediate photographers and professionals alike.
lots of pockets and adjustable slots.  Fits my Rebel SL1, 18-55mm lens, 75-300mm lens,external flash, batteries and charger, lens hoods , memory cards, and straps for tripod.
I gave this 5 stars because it has ample room for my camera and the big lens i carry. Quality made bag will last a long time.The zippers are smooth when you pull them. Just a quality camera bag.
I bought this lens quite a few years back.  I used it on my EOS A2, which dates me a little, I now use it on my t3i, and am still happy with the results.  It is not the most sturdy lens, but if you are careful with your equipment, should last quite a few years.  I have used it to shoot several weddings, lots of outdoors scenery, and family functions, has contributed to the thousands of photos of my children growing up.  If you have the money, you may want to buy a little better zoom/tele lens, but if you don't have a lot of cash and want a tele, it does what is supposed to do.  Happy shooting!
Excellent lens very fast and gets you up close and personal. I really like the color quality as well as the quick AF functionality. Highly recommend for anyone who is wanting nice closeups pictures while shooting from a distance.
The Canon EF 55-200mm II USM is  definitly worth the price.  Autofocus responds well at all focal lengths.  (See my photos for ballgame action & family portraits)
I am completely into taking pics and this is a great lens , takes clear shots and was a great price.
I bought this lens to complement the 18-55mm that came with my Digital Rebel, giving me a complete range from 18-200mm.  Given that the Rebel effectively makes all lenses more telephoto (multiply by 1.6 for 35mm equivalent), and that I like to shoot in the range near 55mm, this lens seemed like a better idea than the more readily available 75-300mm lenses.Its build quality feels a lot like that of the 18-55mm, a little wobbly but nothing that interferes with using it.  Autofocus seems a bit slow sometimes, but that may also just be the smaller aperture (and less light), especially at the telephoto end.  My only real complaint is that the lens has some softness to it, especially past 135, even when I use a small aperture and mount it on a tripod.For the price, though, it's excellent, and should hold me for the years it'll take to save up for L-series glass.
this is my second digital camera. my first is a refurbished 3 megapixel from Canon that was great at taking the instant snapshot. i had no exposure problems for that one for some reason. this Olympus on the other hand is great after some practice.In my case, I got this to shoot my school portfolio shots. i'm a graphic design student with okay photography skills but not a pro. So I required a bit of patience for composition and lighting. Its good enough to print big tabloid sizes on an epson at 200dpi (heavyweight matte) at the maximum tiff file size. The colors are great especially after you fight to get the right exposure at non-optimal conditions. But it took me like 1000 shots to get over the muddy exposures. (crash course in photography - lighting is king)On a sunny day its great. I like the manual controls though you can't save the settings completely and have to reprogram the thing. With the timer and tripod, the slow shutter speeds help for dark to night shots. I tried the nighttime mode and it was remarkable compared to say playing around with a manual film camera for the first time. the flash is adjustable and having a hot shoe helps for the glamour shots.Scrolling through all the menus and submenus are okay. I use a Canon G5 at work and its numerous buttons at first is intimidating but seems quicker access than this Olympus. Yet the scrolling on the C5000 is okay to use unless you are freaking out and rushing. Its better than the Canon in that it seems more logical as I didn't really study the manual in detail.Back to the controls, it has some good adjustable controls to hot rod your shots. I just wish it could stop down (or is it up?) to smaller aperature than F/8. The zoom is average range. But for some reason the super macro has great shots - probably because all the light is up close - compared to regular shots.Sometimes when you shoot dark shots there is some noise and speckles in the image dark areas even when you use noise reduction. And there is a somewhat vignette phenomena as well.Other good things about the camera: the various white balance controls helps alot; the camera starts fast. the controls are fast.Not so good things: transferring files is not so fast as the Canon G5 and its software. the included 16mb Xd card is a joke. waiting for the camera to reload after the 15 mb tiff file is saved is tedious.  you have to have a spare proprietary Olympus battery if you get carried away and run out of juice. no included hand strap.
I was initially attracted to the Olympux C-5000 by the terrific Amazon price - $310 or so.  This was my first venture into digital photography: I wanted to migrate from loyal old familiar 35m equipment but at 5MP. and when the price was right.  Only after purchasing the camera in May did I read some of the reviews and the negative comments alarmed me.  Had I bought a discontinued dud?  Absolutely not.  It's a superb camera.  Very ergonomic, easy to use and wonderful picture quality.  The automatic setting is so reliable that I've been lazy so far in exploring the range of manual options but look forward to it.  A very sophisticated little machine.
I bought this camera about 2 months ago and as far as I'm concerned it's a great little camera. I don't understand some of the other comments that give it a low rating. But in my experience I've taken my camera on field trips, weddings you name it and the pictures came out great. The quality of the pictures are excellent indoors and outdoors. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have audio on the movies. Other than that this camera is terrific. Some of these people need to get a life.
I bought this camera almost a year ago. I have used it constantly since. They battery has a great life... I don't have to charge it very often. It's relatively simple to use and master. I love the black and white setting. Overall, this camera takes excellent pictures that look like studio quality.I'm planning on buy the underwater housing (PT-019) before our next vacation.
We bought ours more than five years ago on the recommendation of a pro photographer. It has thusfar never failed to deliver all it promised to deliver, though by today's standards it may appear to fall short in regards to pixel memory or other bells and whistles.Nevertheless, it has performed outstandingly in super macro mode (the feature which we were most in need of), and contrary to what other reviewers have said here, I believe it has delivered high-quality colour reproduction.Right out of the box, one can use the Auto mode and capture brilliant snapshots and portraits. BUT don't stop there. Read the manual through. This model has loads of advanced shooting modes and features you will want to explore..including a panorama mode and a side-by-side picture mode.The ONLY shortcomings this model has are shutter lag (kind of sluggish by today's standards), less powerful optical zoom (I'd gladly trade the digital zoom for more optical power), and the movie feature really comes up lacking by contemporary standards (jittery, and no sound).But overall, the prices I see here on Amazon are a bargain.
I've owned this camera for 7 years now and it hasn't disappointed me even in the age of 14 MP cameras. This is an excellent camera. 5 * rating...
I bought this wonderful little camera back in 2004 or 2005, maybe earlier, whenever 5.0 first came out, and have used it all these years. I just love it. I'm using the same two batteries originally purchased (I switch them out to charge) and an upgraded card, also purchased right after I got the camera. It also has its own cushioned Lowepro bag, that I purchased years ago as well. This camera has been great for everything and now I'm purchasing a wide-angle lens to use with it.After all these years I still have not cracked the surface of all the settings ... should get to work on that, eh? Haven't needed them, love this great camera!
Been running 3 of these at an apartment building.Running 24/7 since around 2006Great Linux support (motion/zoneminder)As others have said, picture quality is pretty bad in low-light. So make sure lighting is adequate
The quality of the video deteriorates dramatically in bad light.In broad daylight the image is just ok - not really any better than any number of cheaper, wired webcams.The main feature is the fact that it is wireless, which means you can set it up anywhere within range of your wireless router (I have a Dlink router but it really shouldn't matter - the instructions provided pertain to the camera's IP address on your LAN: 192.168.0.20).  The great thing about this configuration is that you don't have to leave a computer on to put video from your LAN onto the internet.  When it works, it's great.To make the camera visible from the web (outside of your LAN) you need to follow the directions for setting it up behind a router, on the manual that is provided on the CD.  The reviewer who couldn't get tech support for this (doesn't surprise me) evidently didn't notice this CD-based manual.  Basically you need to map whatever IP address your provider (in my case Comcast) is currently mapping to your cable modem, and then on to the camera.After a couple of days, the camera does seem to hang a lot for no apparent reason.  I really wish I knew if the more expensive Dlink wireless cameras are worth the extra money, because I love the idea of wireless cameras that are always on, communicating directly with the wireless router, connected to a cable modem, which are always on.
I have tried this product with PC and MAC(leopard) I found no problem. I can say that the image quality is a bit low with MAC but it works fine. I recommend to everybody. You can even use it as a security camera!
I set up a small security program with my Macintosh. Intially I needed a PC to place the settings in the camera, however once I got it hooked up to my security system it works beautifully. I would recommend you leave the lights on though because if you don't you will be getting just a black, fuzzy dark image back if you are using this camera for security. This camera is a very simple easy to use camera without the fuss of zooming, pan, tilt etc. If you need a simple camera you can't go wrong with the D-link DCS-900 (Wireless or wired version).
Well, I didn't have an issue setting this up. Got it up within 5 minutes with linksys router. Overall is a great camera. The resolutions was superb, and viewing from local network was fast like a video camera. One thing that DLink could make their cameras better is,1. Don't use ac adapter, use RJ45 as a power source. Is possible?2. Changing ip or any changes to the configuration in the software takes too long.Also, use the IPVIEW, this software will make it easier on you when doing configuration.
D-LINK CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS WORTHLESS. UNLESS YOU ARE A NETWORK ENGINEER YOU WILL NEVER GET ALL THE FUNCTIONS (E.G. INTERNET VIEWING) TO WORK. ALSO , ANY PROBLEMS ......LOTSA LUCK WITH D-LINK TELEPHONE SUPPORT. I REALLY TRIED TO LIKE THIS UNIT AND BOUGHT MULTIPLES OF THEM ... AFTER MANY , MANY , MANY HOURS OF FRUSTRATION, THEY ARE GOING ON EBAY. IF YOU WANT "A LIFE" OTHER THAN BEING ON HOLD AND BEING HUNG UP ON AND SPEAKING TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T GIVE A SxxT ABOUT YOU OR YOUR SATISFACTION ..THEN BUY D-LINK. IF YOU VALUE YOUR TIME ...GET ANOTHER BRAND. NUF SAID .
I wanted to monitor a construction project in my apartment courtyard, but could not take time off from work. I decided to hook up a Internet camera to my cable modem so I could watch the progress from my desk. After some research I wound up buying the D-Link DCS-900. It was by far the least expensive camera, but it suited my purpose.I set it up in a window overlooking the project and I was able to watch the workers rebuild the flagstone courtyard. On several occasions, I saw mistakes and was able to call the contractor on his cell phone. I know the project would not have turned out as well as it did if I didn't have this camera.As others have pointed out, the photo quality is grainy and it will only work in well-lit areas, but if you don't want to empty your wallet, this is a great camera for the price.
I bought this camera primaily due to low cost (...) and wireless connectivity. I also use an AXIS 2100 network camera since several years, but needed a wireless camera as well. The D-Link works as advertised and got it up and working with my WiFi router, but I don't know why its image quality is so lousy. I called support, but the said this is what to expect for indoor lighting. As a comparison, the AXIS 2100 camera has a significantly better image quality, so it can be done, but I guess D-Link isn't really famous for cameras. I ended up sending back the D-Link, the new wireless AXIS camera is what I'm waiting for.
I have two of these and they have been working great for about 2 months.  Getting them setup is a little goofy (I think D-Link should default to DHCP not some hard-coded address).  You cannot beat the price/performance of these guys.The IPView software that is provided really kicks these things up a level.  I am able to have my screen split into 4 parts to show up to 4 cameras at once.  You can also access each camera via a web browser (passwd protection, java or active-x, ability to ftp images, etc)I HIGHLY reccomend these cameras.  I have used Axis products in the past - and yes the image on the Axis is better - but the price was 20 times higher also.
If you are wanting nice smooth video, do yourself a favor and get the Axis 206 ip camera.  I have a Mac, run SecuritySpy, and have two of the DCS-900 and one wireless version.  This camera was easy to setup and get running out of the box (you most likely will need Windows for initial setup Mac guys but after that you can access it via Safari) but the video is choppy and I have tried every compression setting, frame rate, and option.  It appears after reading on the web that the DCS-900 series is known for this problem on all operating systems.The cameras are used at my home for security purposes.
Setup was a breeze - I had to basically hook up the camera to a PC and run the installation disc which installs the control software and you assign the camera's IP address. Then the camera can be placed on the network.The software is easy to operate - there isThe view is fine for the price range - you can definitely see what is happening on the screen.The bundled software can operate 4 cameras - record the movement, take still shots, and can be also set to auto-sensing mode to start recording when a movement is noticed.The mounting screws and swivel stand work to attach the cam sturdily. The view can be flipped via the software so it doesn't matter which way you install the camera - you can monitor it properly.This cam also has a web feature - if you want to view remotely or don't want to use the built in software you can enable this feature and access the cam via its browser ip address. This could be more cumbersome to set up since most home users don't have static ip addresses.The only thing that you need to be aware is the camera's lens view angles - for my needs the room was a bit too small for this type of lens (10x12) so it could not encompass a full view.Overall - I've had a very pleasant experience with this product as it was easy to install and operate.
I've been using a Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000 USB webcam attached to my home computer to serve video through my Linksys router over the internet using free tools from Winamp/Shoutcast/NSV.  I get 15 fps, at 320x240, with fair video quality, including 32kbps sound, at a total data rate of about 10KBps.  That's one fifth of my Comcast-dictated cable upstream speed limit.  A very impressive solution, except it requires I leave my computer on all the time, and that I have the camera near the computer.The DCS-900 can send the same number of 320x240 frames over an ethernet cable, but at the (pretty high) data rate of 115 KBps, and that doesn't include any sound!  Yes, the frames look a little better, but more than ten times better?  No.  The tiny processor in the camera doesn't compress video well at all, at least compared to the NSV solution.So beware if you want to serve video upstream and out your cable modem.  Most cable providers limit upstream speed to 50KBps.  This little camera will choke your modem at full-motion speeds.  I've reduced my outgoing frame rate to 1fps so I don't choke my modem.  A bit of a drag, but now I can shut off my computer when I'm not home.If you have a higher upstream speed limit, or you are using this camera only within a LAN, I highly recommend it.  For lan use, the IPView SE software included is really excellent, allowing video capture, motion detection, etc.Also provided was some D-ViewCam software, which seemed half-baked and didn't work at all on my system.  Stick with the IPView SE.Another big plus with the DCS-900 is the mounting hardware.  Very sturdy, steel stuff.  It works just as well as a table stand as it would work screwed into a wall.  As well, the camera can be easily mounted on a standard tripod!  Nice.The camera is good for providing still shots over the internet, or video over a LAN through IPView SE.
I don't know whats worse. the camera or the software... IPview lite software was obviously written by someone that doesn't have a firm grasp of the english language.When I access the camera there's about a 50/50 chance it will even work. Sometimes works sometimes just hangs and needs rebooting. The longest I've got it to run (with motion detection on) is around 24hrs. Dlinks web site is ALMOST as bad as their product. Don't waste your time with this product, spend a few more bucks for the Linksys camera.
We have had this camera for a year now and between the manufacturer and the enclosed set-up literature, it is a disaster.Between the arcane set up references, no clear set up path, misinformed instructions, and clueless 'technical support' it is not for the faint of heart.Simply put: You had better be a geek to use it.
first off, when I received the unit I thought it was rather big compared to the images on the websites. I wanted to share this advice for those people that does not know how to get this thing started. The original ip address of the unit is 192.168.0.20, which means if you have a home network set at 192.168.1.xxx or 192.168.2.xxx, etc.  It will not be able to recognize the camera because it is in a different subnet.  So you will have to set your laptop/desktop's ip address to that range between 192.168.0.1 through 192.168.0.254 except 192.168.0.20 (since that belongs to the dcs-900).  once you launch the crappy wizard software it will recognize the camera's ip address so you can configure it to your home network address.I hope this helped a lot of you. :) It only took me 2 minutes to configure this thing.
15 MINS TO SET UP 5 HOURS WITH TECH SUPPORT, NEEDLESS TO SAY CAMERA DID NOT WORK WHEN TRING TO VIEW IT FROM THE WEB AT A REMOTE LOCATION. TECH SUPPORT TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT TRAINED ON THIS CAMERA, THAT IT WAS TO NEW, AND HAD ME DO EVERYTHING BUT MAKE IT WORK. THEY HAD ME UPGRADE MY DI624'S FIRMWARE PING THE NET AND JUST RUN ME AROUND WHAT A PAIN IN THE BUT. DLINK HAD NO CLUE AND NO ONE TO HELP ME. AM CALLING CORPORATE BUT NO ONES HOME.BY THE WAY I AM USING COMCAST (ATTBI) CABLE AS MY ISP MAYBE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT BUT THEY SAY NO.
I've been going through webcams trying to find one that works well, is network ready and costs less than $300.The D-Link DCS-900 does work but the automatic brightness control is constantly changing the picture brightness.  It's fine if you're just looking at the picture but when you use a motion sensing capture program, you constantly get false motion triggers.Doesn't work for me.
This camera worked very good for local viewing, but the information supplied with it was very poor.  The information supplied with the camera said you could access the camera remotely through the internet, which is true if you are a high tech internet person.  It never says that you need a permanant IP address which very few people have and need to pay the business connection rate.
Save your money and do not puchase this product. Customer service is poor. Long waits and non professional technicians. Bad line connection makes it you think you are talking to someone on a cell phone. They are clearly not trained on the product. Every transfer I was cut off. Poor camera. Only good for still pictures and recording does not function.
I bought this camera as a means to check my house while I am gone on vacation.  I never heard of internet cameras before until recently while looking at PC catalogs.  I ended up buying the DCS-900 because of the price and the good reviews I read here in Amazon.com.  Let me tell what my experience has been so far.Getting the camera setup on your local LAN is fairly straightforward.  As long as you know the IP address of your router and how to do simple network configuration for the camera, you should be up and running in 10 minutes.On the otherhand, configuring the camera for access from the web took me 2 days of searching for info on the Internet, emails to D-Link technical support, firmware upgrade for my router and constant rereading of the manuals and the D-Link Knowledge Base.  Listen carefully because here's what they don't tell you about the product beforehand if you want access your camera from the web.1) Camera's default port is 80. If you have Cable or DSL broadband, most ISPs do not allow access to port 80 to discourage their customers from setting up webservers on their network.  You have to set the camera to some other port like 800 or so.2) You must be comfortable with setting up your router and understand how port forwarding and virtual server table works.  If you have a firewall, then you must make more configuration changes.  Make sure you access to your broadband router and you feel comfortable making these changes. D-Link documentation only reference their own routers as examples.3) If your broadband connection has Dynamic IP addressing which most cable and DSL subscribers do, you have to set up a Dynamic DNS account with services like DynDNS.org or TZO.com.  There, you create a DNS address (i.e. - [...]) that will map to the dynamic address of your broadband connection.  The software on camera will perform updates to the Dynamic DNS for you if your IP address changes.4) You will also need a static web service account for the ActiveX Xplug Control software to be located when accessing the camera.  Essentially this is a place where you can host webpages onto for access from the Internet.  My geocities.com account prevents me from uploading the xplug.ocx file onto the server w/o an upgrade to a premium account at this time.5) Make sure your router has the latest firmware to support virtual servers.  This was the last step that prevented me from making the camera visible on the net.Soooo....after all these steps, I was very successful in getting my camera up and running just the way I want it.  I think this is a great product and I highly recommend it.  You do have to have a little bit of network experience to comfortably configure everything.I can not give it the full five stars because I think the documentation was fairly lacking when it comes to describing what you need to do to set the camera up for Internet access.  As a matter of fact, even the description for the camera setup itself was somewhat vague and very terse.  However, once you get pass all that, I am happy to say that it all works well!!
this works pretty well. It is a low priced camera and works like one. It needs a good light source. it can only be mounted as it looks in the picture, the mount does not give you much movement to get it completely turned 90 degrees either way to the side. if your software will rotate the picture you can mount it anywhere
At least that is not very easy to do-- takes effort. So fast and balanced  set up is hard.
I just got this for a lightweight tripod to take mountain biking, and it ticks all the boxes. It does all I need it to.
These are great for travel and are lightweight and useful for a various heights. they also work as a rocket tripod
I barely use it since the three legs were never even, hard to adjust. it broke in months, funny I felt relieved since I could get a "real" tripod now. don't waste your money like me though I meant to save money when I bought this...
This really is/was a great solid, inexpensive tripod. The legs adjust easily and stay in place and it is a handy size to carry. But after the fifth or sixth use the pin that connects the tripod to the camera fell apart from the attaching wheel as I was attaching it to the camera. I can get the pin back into the tightening wheel (not knowing if it will hold) but then there is no way to get that assembly back under the plate that goes between that plate an the camera. There may be a tool to take the whole thing apart and repair it ... but not one that I have.JackieDigipower DP-TP100 Light Weight Compact Mini Tripod
Was impressed with the compact size and durable construction.  Was looking in walk in stores that offer the same size tripod and their prices were in the $50+ range.  I expedited the order and it got here in 2 days just before my family vaction.  Well satisfied.
I choose this tripod cause it folds to half the size of the competitors w/o sacrificing much.  It's very sturdy.  It extends sort of like an antenna, but it takes some muscle.  It's especially tough to adjust the height somewhere in-between min and max, but I probably would never need to.
You cannot beat the price or quality on this item.  From table-top use to field work, this all steel tripod collapes and carries with ease.  It expands From 10.5" To 40" with non-slip rubber feet.  The Pan head can be locked and manuevered in any position you need.  It's lightweight as well!
I recently went from '90's vintage digital8 camcorder behemoth  to a palm sized camcorder. My old camcorder tripod weighed like 10 times as much as the camera and folder was still way way bigger.This little one is awesome- sturdy- yet folds up tiny. I can actually fit it into a smallish camcorder bag with the new camcorder and all the related junk.It folds up smaller than any I could find on the net, yet expands to within a few inches of the taller ones.THe cheap price is just a bonus- I just wanted something small and usable and this fit the bill for sure.
While the product I received had the same product code as the object pictured it did not resemble in any way the tripod shown above. The one I thought I was ordering looked fairly well constructed.  The one I received was exceptionally heavy, the leg extensions were absolutely useless (they shifted from their proscribed orientation each time they were extended which then made collapse a frustrating nightmare) and the ball and socket head is either loose (and whatever is attached to it drops immediately to the lowest position possible and usually against a leg) or completely tight (making small adjustments very difficult).I am sorry that this product was so cheaply made....I have already thrown it away.
When I bought this camera it was for it's size. I love a camera that you can just throw in a pocket and forget you even have. I had a logitech pocket cam but the pics we're just terriable, so I went after this canon. Well first impression was what quality. It's metal construction and sleek look wow's you imedietly. But the real wow comes when you see the pictures it takes, They are flawless. I have a canon A-80 and let me tell you these pics are as good if not better than that.OK, It has no Opitical viewfinder or zoom, But who uses viewfinders anymore anyhow, We all use the lcd screens to take our pics.As for the zoom, If thats what you want you'll have to sacrifice size then.Bottom line is if you want a super small high quality camera that takes great everyday pictures then this is your baby. Battery life is superb, I took over 80 pics and still have juice.
Eclipsed ONLY by the lower-end Casio Exilim cameras in sheer compactness, the appeal of the SD10 in all its various colors is obvious: 4 megapixel snapshots in a package so compact that it won't even feel like a presence in your pocket.  For those desiring a digital camera half as a camera and half as a fashion accessory, this is the way to go.For those more performance minded, however, consider the following.Pros:-Smallest 4 megapixel digi-cam on the market.-Slightly above average start-up time (especially important for snapshooters, whom this camera is geared toward).-Sleek, sexy design.-Canon's 5 point autofocus system, while not especially powerful, is better than the average ultracompact 4 megapixel camera's system.-Canon's image sensor captures better quality images than most other cameras do, within the same style.-Canon STILL uses Compact Flash technology, which is a significantly cheaper media than sD or xD, so you save money here as opposed to competing cameras.Cons:-Picture quality is noticably worse than Canon's other 4 megapixel cameras (S400/410, A75/80, S45).  You pay for the compactness somehow: apparently this is how.-No optical zoom.  While a larger-than-you-might-think majority of people actually do not have much need for optical zoom in an everyday setting, those purchasing this camera for trips may be disappointed.-NO OPTICAL VIEWFINDER.  Again, most people who purchase an ultracompact digi-cam aren't photo enthusiasts and are content to snap off pictures using the LCD as their only reference, but this is bound to be a factor for some customers.  I wouldn't purchase this camera on this point alone, but only because I avoid using the LCD for anything at all times because of the drain it puts on the battery.  Not to mention Canon compacts have a tiny (1.5") LCD that warrants use of the optical viewfinder.Having said all that, I have to recommend that anyone looking at getting this camera STRONGLY consider the Canon S410 as an alternative.  It is only mildly larger than this camera and has the same resolution, settings, but much better photo quality.  It also has a 3x optical zoom lens, which ends up being an asset at times you didn't expect (think: those 30th row floor seats at a concert, capturing that mountain view from a distance, that gorgeous woman you spied walking across the other side of the club).Misc. Note for a large number of digi-cam purchasers:90% of people who purchase a camera with higher than 3 megapixel resolution do not need it.  With a 3 megapixel camera, you can make prints of up to 5 x 7 without a noticable loss of quality, and barely any loss of quality for 8 x 10.  If your computer is running at 1600x1200 resolution, the maximum size picture taken by a 3 megapixel camera will more than fill the screen.  The moral of the story is this: do not be lured by larger megapixel sensors that you do not need.  Look at how the camera performs in other ways, and what features you'd find the most useful.  The only reasons you might want a larger resolution camera are: because you intend to crop a large majority of your photos, because you want to make poster-size prints, or because you're a graphic artist that needs to be working with as many pixels as possible to ensure quality.
I have four digital cameras - but this one is my favorite.  The photos are crisp, the camera is very responsive and fast.  It is small enough to carry every day.  The charge is good too.  I would say this and the Casio XFilm are the bext low-end digital cameras around.
I purchased this camera last Christmas because I wanted a 4 mega pixel camera in a sleek lightweight body. I always use Amazon for the reviews which I read before making a buying decision and I was not disappointed. The unit is great. I just returned from Hawaii and took many pics in varying light situations and they all look super. Colors are vibrant and properly rendered. I agree that red eye is a problem though.Being middle aged, I would have appreciated a bigger screen. That is the single largest drawback for me.  I bought an extra battery and recommend that you do so if you are like me and hate to be caught short. However, I do have to say that the battery life has been good. I also popped for a 128SD memory card and found that to be more than enough to capture the 90 pics taken in large size superfine shooting format. My unit came with a very nice leather case that uses Velcro to secure the case to a belt loop. I found this to work very well and it did not interfere with getting to the camera quickly. I generally shoot pics with a 35MM NIKON 6006 SLR so you could say that I am an experienced photographer. Take it from me; you'll like this camera and the results you achieve.
i used to own a canon powershot s300 digital elph and i loved it.  i gave it to my parents so that they could get into the digital age.  so i researched different cameras and i kept coming to the sd10.  a lot of the reviews said that the one flaw it had was no viewfinder.  i don't really care for it.  i never used the viewfinder on my s300.  im not a professional photographer. i love the size of this camera.  it's the same size as my driver's license! i love the clarity and the quick shot feature.  it used to take forever to take a picture because of the shutter.  now i don't miss a shot!
The picture at Amazon makes it look huge in comparison (once you take it out of the box, you will be stunned at the actual size). I almost made the mistake of getting the Casio because it is so tiny, but reviewers said the 4MP Casio was a complete sham (more like 2MP) so I got this one instead. Very glad. Night mode is excellent and everything else is Elph quality- basically what you'd expect. Pretty tough too.Just to be sure, I got a &quot;standard&quot; memory card because I was told the other ones wouldn't be compatible?
This Camera is very impressive!  I agree with all the positives from above and highly recommend it.There are only two flaws I've found so far (after four days of using it extensively.) First is that there is no way to check the battery life.  This is only mildly annoying, since the battery lasts a very long time, but I found myself getting anxious that I was going to run out of juice in the middle of a shooting session.  Once the battery is low it gives you a warning icon that battery is low - but that's like not having a fuel guage, only a fuel light.  Not good.Second is that there is no range finder.  This means that in low light situations, it can be very hard to make sure that you're aligning the camera properly.  Not a problem for shots of people who are close to you - since the camera has a dim focus light it uses, which does illuminate the people a bit - but for larger images it can be a problem.  It frankly hadn't occurred to me when I was researching the camera - I just assumed it had a range finder.Other than these minor issues, I'm ecstatic about the camera, and everyone who's seen it is impressed.I'm particularly happy with the quality of the Flash. Shooting last night in a darkened bar resulted in beautiful images.  The AIAF autofocus is amazing - every shot was in focus, even though the image was not clearly discernable on the screen.-- Updated after one year --Okay - this camera still rocks.  Everyone who sees it wants one, and everyone we've sent pictures to has been impressed.The autofocus isn't as good as the one on my old $100 point and shoot olympus 35MM.  That is disappointing.  It sometimes takes a few seconds to find itself, and occasionaly fails completely.The Flash isn't as good as I thought before.  It tends to overwhelm the image often.  But its pretty good.  Overall - love the camera.  I'm hoping they've fixed many of these issues in the SD20, which came out this year.
While it's not necessarily the best camera for professional photography, it is awesome for everday shots. Being only a bit larger than a cellphone, its sleek size really does the trick to slip in your pocket, and it really impresses people to boot. The only problem is a lack of a viewfinder, but you get used to that quick.
No, the SD10 is not perfect.  For one thing, it could use some optical zoom.  There is *always* a situation that arises when you do need to zoom in just a little bit.  Digital zoom never does it for me.  So Canon, please add optical zoom (even if a paltry 2x) and this will be a 10-out-of-five camera!That said, the SD10 is perfect for the snap-happy.  Count yours truly as one.  It's a take-anywhere-snap-anywhere-view-anywhere-hide-anywhere kind of camera.  The four megapixels are nice, and the picture quality is nothing short of astonishing, at this super compact size or at any size.  BTW, the number of pixels usually does not translate directly into picture quality, just as a CPU's megahertz rating doesn't correlate directly with a system's overall speed.  But Canon engineers are a bunch of smart monkeys, indeed, and every Canon digital camera out in the last three years has just been totally fabulous in the picture quality department.What makes a digital picture top-quality?  The colors have to be natural-looking and balanced, preferably both indoors and outdoors.  There shouldn't be any digitized artifacts (like glowing edges of your new kitchen knife or pixelated pimples on your kid's face).  The white should be white and the black black.  Above all, one look at the picture and you go, "wow, this is one nice shot!" (assuming it's meant to be one nice shot).  The SD10, happily, delivers in all these aspects.  One could wish for a longer flash range, but, alas, that's why serious photographers like me have to keep an old-style SLR film baby around with a hotshoe on it.  If you want serious flash, man, you have to use an external flash.  The SD10 does well what it was designed to do.I really don't want to talk to you about the tech specs.  They are meaningless in the real world anyway.  To sum it up, the SD10 is a camera you'll be happy with and you'll probably fall in love with -- a gadget freak like yourself likes all nice gadgets but we don't fall in love easily, but the SD10 deserves to be loved.  If you are anything more than a casual photographer, I recommend you *also* buy a "more serious" model like the Canon S410 or Minolta Xg which has more controls and does come with optical zoom, and use the SD10 as a candid shooter.  But, seriously, this is a great camera for all kinds of photographers -- and gadget freaks.
This is perfect for you if you are looking for a small, portable digital Camera. You can take this thing anywhere.Pros:1. Size and weight - I love the fact that you can just drop it in your pocket and head on out. It's small, sleek, and light weigt.2. Picture quality - At 4 megapixels, this is not a technological lightweight when it comes to picture clarity. The pictures I have taken so far have come out excellent.3. Canon Quality - Canon makes great digital cameras that feel sturdy and are well - built.Cons:1. Digital Zoom/Lack of optical zoom - The zoom feature of this camera is not good at all. It's a trade-off for its compact size. When using the digital zoom, the pictures dont come out very sharp.2. Red-eye - You will note a tendency for images to have a bit of red-eye in the subjects. That's not much of a problem if you have image editing software.Suggestions:1. Buy a bigger Memory Card - the one that the camera comes with is too small. At the very least, get a 128mb card, 256/512mb is my recommendation.2. Buy an extra battery - this way when you are out, you can just swap batteries without having to worry about how much power you have left.3. Buy a USB 2.0 memory card reader - If you take a good number of digital pics and your computer has a USB 2.0 port, then a reader is excellent for downloading pictures and transferring it to your computer. USB 2.0 is very quick and where a typical transfer may take approximately 5 minutes, with USB 2.0 the same transfer will take 45 seconds.4. Get image editing software- This affords you the opportunity to brighten images, sharpen images, take the red-eye out, crop images. I use adobe photoshop, but any image editing software should do. It just gives you a greater sense of control over the output.Conclusion:You know that there will be a trade-off in some camera functions for its small size, and for me, I have no regrets about it. I simply can't get over how small the camera is. It excels in close to medium distance images in daylight. At 4 megapixels, the resolution of the pictures is very satisfying. This camera delivers as promised.
if canon's sd100 was still too big for you, the sd10 is an even smaller alternative.  but you give up the optical zoom.pros:- 4MP resolution!- ultra-compact at 3.6 x 1.9 x 0.7" weighing 3.5oz.  this is the smallest canon to date.- stylish, all-metal body and you it is available in four colors: bronze, white, black, or silver.- fast startup.- fast shot to shot times.- minimal shutter lag at faster shutter speeds.- impressive overall photo quality for such a small camera.- 5 point AiAF system.- Quick Shot feature allows you to take pictures without prefocusing.- very good macro performance.- AF assist light is very useful for low-light focusing.- has a metal tripod mount, which is not present in all the ultra-compact cameras.- easy to use menu system.cons:- some redeye.- above average noise.- some barrel distortion.- no optical zoom.- more manual controls would have been nice (or at least some scene modes).- no optical viewfinder - this makes it tough when you use this camera in bright sunlight.- solidly built except for the camera/SD door which feels less robust.- RAW and TIFF formats not supported.- expensive for the feature set but you're paying for the ultra-compact package and the panache of this little gem.- metal body scratches easily.- 32MB SD card provided is inadequate so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.this is another solid effort from canon.  i particularly like the photo quality (especially coming in an ultra-compact package), the AiAF system, the AF assist light, and the body color options.  not having optical zoom and very few manual controls top my complaints, but i guess some compromises had to made to come up with these features in such a small package.  competitors would be the pentax optio s or casio ex-z3 which are slightly bigger and only have 3MP resolution but have 3x optical zoom. for even better image quality (in a slightly bigger package), also consider canon's sd100.  if you can live with a bigger camera, take a look at canon's a80, which has a lot more features in the same price range.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
Got this from Amazon, expecting I might need their return policy.  But it's a keeper.The number one feature of this camera is its size for such quality images.  A friend with a larger digicam agreed, saying his next camera would be a small one like this that he could have with him always.It is also very easy to use.  After reading the review at Photoxels.com, with their discussion about histograms, I keep it in auto mode, and check the histogram (I set the review details to show for 10 seconds).  If the viewed picture or histogram tell me to reshoot, only then do I go into manual mode and adjust.  Have only had one bad shot (indoors with flash, came out with shirt color off, but that was one of my first pictures when I was playing, so I may have done something wrong, plus it was set at the default fine compression, rather than the better quality superfine compression, which I now use).I thought I might want the Sony DSC-T1 for its optical zoom, but the early reviews of the Sony said indoor photos came out badly.  And the Sony is bigger (114.66 cubic cm vs. 78.52 cubic cm).  I keep this thing in my shirt pocket most of the time.  Don't think that would be likely with the Sony.  Also, the Sony needs its docking station to be able to connect to a TV, so it becomes even less portable.Although Amazon didn't advertise it, I was pleasantly surprised to receive the case.  You can't use the case for shirt-pocket use, though (too bulky)--I'm using a little cloth drawstring bag for that.  But when it's not in the pocket, the case seems to add some protection from bumps.  It's made for belt attachment.Accessories load up the price: 256 MB SD card (Panasonic and SimpleTech seem to have the best ratings for not much more $$), extra Canon battery, waterproof case (but cheap compared to other cameras', and not too big), external firewire/USB2.0 hard drive (Seagate 160 MB is nice, and they seem to couple sales with Seagate rebates), and LCD screen protectors (makes for more worry-free camera handling).Other than the lack of optical zoom, which I will accept in trade for the small size with quality 4MP pics, I have no complaints.  It's been perfect for me, with full auto mode working exceptionally well: point and shoo-shoot (i.e., shutter down halfway to focus, then down fully).  Result has always been great pictures.
let me note that if i were rating this camera among all other small cameras, i would be giving it a 5.  however, among all cameras in general, including giant ones as big as your arm that cost twice as much, it understandably gets a 4.this is a great little camera.  If you are in the market for a camera that you want to carry around in your pocket, this is it, stop looking.  you won't find one that takes better pictures that is even close to this size.  It still has a nice screen on it too, which i like.  It's easy to use, very few buttons on this one, but it has as many features as any other camera.  It comes with a good Li-ion battery that has great life.  Cameras that use AA batteries are a complete pain in the neck, so I was happy about the battery.  It also comes with a 32 MB memory card, which will store anywhere from 16-72 pictures depending on which size and quality settings you choose.  I upgraded to a 128 MB card and i have never had to worry about even coming close to running out of memory.  The only thing lacking is zoom quality.  It doesn't have optical zoom, only digital, so if you zoom in at all, it makes your pictures grainy.  Anyone that says that this doesn't happen is either lying or just stupid, because it's something that anyone who has ever used a digital camera would know.  However, i am willing to sacrifice zoom for all of the other great things about this camera.  And think about it anyway...if you are just taking a picture of some people, just take a few steps forward if you need to "zoom in."  If you are taking pictures of a landscape, you probably wont need to zoom.  However if you are someone that needs zoom for whatever you use your camera for, then you probably shouldn't be looking at a camera this small anyway, you will need one with one of those giant lenses.  The SD-10 has an awesome macro (close-up) setting, you can get within a half inch of anything and take the most detailed picture you will ever see.  I took a picture of a flower and you could see the veins in the petals when i pulled it up on my computer.Also, not that this really matters, but every time i take this camera out in front of anyone (i got the black one), they all want to see it and compliment how cool it looks.  Now, this isnt why you should buy it, but it is a testament to the physical beauty of this camera.All in all, this is a wonderful camera and it even comes with a small, nice fitting carrying case.  Again, if you need a small camera, get this one, you will not be disappointed.
I bought this when it first came out a couple of years ago.  At the time it was the smallest 4MP out there, and since my goal was to go "small," i decided that i could live without an optical zoom.  While it served me well, I will tell anyone now that we all need optical zoom.  Photographic quality is good, though there are sometimes too much chromatic aberration (color fringing).  Focus indoors can be slow or impossible, even with flash turned on.Unless you can get a really good deal for this, I suggest looking elsewhere, as there are many other offerings from this class of cameras now -- all with zoom lenses.  I recommend the recent Casios or a Pentax Optio.
I'm not really involved in the digital photo scene so this won't be a super technical review.I purchased this camera because of the size. It's about the size of a mobile phone, smaller than some, larger than others. It fits perfectly in the phone sized pocket of my shoulder bag.Operation is mostly simple. Power it on with one button, focus and shoot with a different button. The location of these two buttons is pretty ergonomic - they make sense. I haven't taken a single picture with part of my hand shadowing the flash or found any fingers in the shot. In the past 14 months, I've taken over 2500 pictures with this unit and had no fingers in the pictures, so I think that's pretty ergonomic for a small camera.The zoom is digital which makes it useless - if you zoom in, you can just see bigger pixels, so don't buy it for the zoom, ok?Manual operation is hit and miss. Some of the settings I've found to be superior to the default point and shoot mode but for the most part I think you're better off using it in automatic mode. For one thing, it's really hard to find a setting where you can turn the flash off without leaving the shutter open forever. That means I can't use the camera in many museums because most restrict the use of a flash. Of course, a DIY fix for that would be to cover the flash securely with something like electrical tape, but I really don't like the idea of that.Battery life is long, if you use the actual Canon batteries. I purchased a couple of aftermarket batteries and they only last for a couple hours of turn on, take a couple photos, turn off and repeat. So for vacation when you really need to rely on a spare, buy an actual Canon battery. It's worth the extra dough.The case that comes with the unit is quite nice. You shouldn't need to spend more $ to buy another one. I don't like the velcro on the case so much because it gets stuck on the little camera strap and makes the strap look all scuzzy, but maybe you can find a better strap. Any cell phone strap could be used. Try to find one that will fit around your hand for security. I've dropped the unit once and it's okay so far but I wouldn't want to risk any damage.The battery charger is small - no cord. On the US model it plugs into any two prong outlet. Doesn't work well on a power strip because it has a large footprint. But on a regular double outlet with a normal plug in one, this charger will fit just fine in the other outlet. On a totally dead battery it takes about 35 minutes to fully charge it.The manual is descriptive. Keep it handy when you're getting started. Don't just use the quick start guide. You'll want to know how to use those manual settings from time to time. Take it with you on vacation.Video mode is okay. The mic is quite sensitive - better than I had suspected. You won't get a particularly large image but you can find video editing programs that will enable you to enhance the video you record. For fun little snippets to send to friends via e-mail, which is what I wanted, it's great.Sorting through the images and videos is extra simple. Deleting unwanted images is just as simple. Be careful, or you might delete something you meant to keep.The unit does come with a 16mb SD card but that's too small for use in reality. Go to the store and buy a 256 or a 512 MB card and you'll be able to take way more pictures than your battery will allow. You should not need more than one 512 for a 10 day vacation. Seriously. I like that it uses SD cards because they're still quite easy to find. And unlike other camera brands, you can buy any brand SD card.I can tell you that some SD cards are faster than others, which will affect your between snapshot time more than the camera itself. I'm using a PNY card and it's much faster than the card that came with the camera. Unfortunately, most of those cards are made by 2 or 3 manufacturers and then rebranded by the sellers. If you feel that it takes too long to take one photo after another, try a different card. Don't blame the camera.There is a cable included to directly connect the camera to a device. You could use that but honestly I think it's easier to take the card out and insert into a card reader. Many computers have them built in. If yours doesn't, you can buy a reader at any electronics retailer for about $9-30 depending on how many types of cards it can read. All you need is SD reader.Would I buy this camera again? Yes I think so. It's not everything I wanted but almost everything. 4MP is still nothing to sneeze at - the images are quite good. Usually the only modifications I have to make are to orient the photos 90 degrees(I take a lot of portrait shaped pictures, which default to view sideways when you look at them on your computer.)Buy with confidence and enjoy this little thing. Every time I use it people still say "wow it's such a small camera!" If that's important to you, you'll really like it.
I purchased this camera to use for close-range stuff in clubs, bars, street photography and while having fun (pictures of friends, family, etc.) I wanted a simple point-and-shoot, something with decent specs (wanted at least 3MP) and *especially* something with a form factor as small as possible.The unit fits into my pocket unnoticed...especially in comparison with most other digicams out there with similar specs. The unit starts up fast (uner 2 secs...nice!) and is fast in taking pics and saving them (don't have a high-speed SD card, oh well...) Focusing I wish was instantaneous, but it is way faster than my Dad's old digicam ever was. It takes maybe 2 - 3 seconds on average, sometimes less. Annyoing, but probably endemic with all digicams in the ballpark range.The image quality of this unit is super-nice. Color is pure, natural and "living." Detail is high. The superfine JPEG mode is very nice. I wish it had a "raw" option (it may, I don't know how to get it to do that if so), but I don't think it does. Superfine JPEG clocks in at about 2MB per 4MP picture. Not bad, a decent trade-off.Once you get down into Fine territory, you start to see ever-so-slight fuzziness and jpeg compression artifacts. I am the type of person who appreciates HD video-type signals, and like to see the blackhead on the nose of the guy across the bar. So, take this minor gripe for what it's worth.The other "negatives" about this unit are no optical viewfinder (you use the review screen to frame shots...believe me, NO big deal AT ALL...preferable for me) and no optical zoom. The optical zoom thing I am of two minds about: on one hand, I have had the *occasional* use for clear zoom. On the other hand, if it means adding even a millimeter to this unit, FORGET about it. So, at the end of the day, it's fine by me.The images are detailed and sharp. As long as you can keep your hands reasonably still, you will get insane detail to images. Slight softness in high-contrast, distanced situations (such as dark text against a light backgrond on a candy bag on the far end of your shopping cart, for example) exists, but I am splitting hairs.The DiGIC chip is awesome...images come out consistenly well-balanced (hump in the middle of the graph) and there are plenty of options for displaying image info as they are shot. Also, there are plenty of manual controls, good white balance, etc. WAAAAY more than a user like myself (I understand these things on a surface level, but mostly just want everything done for me...I like point-and-shoot for my applications).All told, I am very impressed with this unit. It also looks really cool, to boot (I have the silver, and the circular, shiny brushing/grooves on the front look great in club/bar lights or anywhere else...very attractive). Body is metal housing, have had no problems with it. I notice that there are slight dimples if I turn the unit sideways in the light, they were there from the beginning. No biggie, can't see them straight-on.If you are looking for a light, compact, purse and especially *pocket*-sized unit, I can think of no better than this one. Surprisingly I was able to get it new in West Hollywood, CA. for a significantly lower price than listed here.The great thing about this unit is the value factor:a.) good priceb.) you don't have to pay for processing and you can take way more pics with freedom, freeing you to experiment and snap more casual/unposed stuff since there is no extra outlay financiallyandc.) you capture irreplaceable moments in high-detail that easily justify the cost of the unit
Thanks for the good deal on this camera! If my son would have remembered to take it with him, on his trip, it would have been even better. LoL!!
I used it for a trip and took great underwater pictures. The picture were great so I would recommend to anyone who do not want to spend a lot of money for an underwater camera
I just used this camera for a dive in Mexico (my second dive, first attempt at underwater photo).Although the camera has no flash, it worked perfectly fine at depths up to 12 meters. I guess the lack of flash can be a problem for some other locations or if outside is not a sunny day, but at least for Cancun this camera did the job perfectly.The wheel that turns the film does a specific noise when the film is correctly positioned and ready for a new shot; this noise is different from when there are no more positions on camera, and the wheel turns continuously - so if you pay attention you'll know when the film is over, even if the position indicator may still show 1 or 2.Yes, the pictures are grainy (I think it uses ISO800 film so this is expected), but they look "clean" when scaled down on computer at 800x600, and I think the prints will look acceptable, too.The pictures will also show vignetting, but this is nothing unexpected for such fixed focus disposable camera lens.Out of 27 positions, I got 20 pictures I consider good enough and "keepers". The picture turned out crisp - only 2 of them are motion blured. Try to stay still when taking pictures and you'll be fine. For best colors, take pictures of close divers/fishes (less than 1-2 meters away)...We also used a non-disposable 35mm plastic camera with case and underwater casing, but the Kodak yielded better quality pictures.As for the viewfinder, it is a bit harder to look through it with the googles on, but I got better framed pictures than with the non-disposable camera that had a "target" sistem.If you want to spend only 10-20$ and don't plan investing more on underwater casing for digital cameras, this camera is a good choice.I don't regret buying it.
I went on the "vacation of a lifetime" with this camera, hoping to get some really great shots of my very first snorkeling trip.  After 3 or 4 pictures, the camera stopped working.  So while I have visual memories of the tropical fish and the coral reef, I have nothing to show for it because the camera broke.Very, very disappointing!!!
Bought the camera for a rafting trip in New Mexico.Sent the film for development at SnapFish. Though I only wanted a CD to import to iPhoto this service is not available, had to buy the prints as well.Aside from being the most grainy photos I have ever seen, any underwater photos I took, did not turn out or were completely blank.All photos taken in daylight had terrible exposure and could not be enlarged.Between the camera and development I wasted 20 bills.
I purchased a double pack of the Kodak Sport Disposable Camera with 27 exposures for two of my daughters to use on vacation.  We were do excited to have their pictures developed today, only to be extremely disappointed.  One of the cameras only gave 22 prints, the other only 11!  They took the cameras all the way to the empty position.  I don't know if my 2 pack was a bad batch or what happened, but the negatives show that nothing was taken on several of the slides (including blanks in between exposed pictures shown on the negatives).In my experience theses cameras do not go to the next exposure until a picture is taken.  It has been a long time since I've used one of these, but I did not see anything in the directions to warm against over winding.I was going to purchase another one for my daughter's camp next week, but now it seems these cameras have become a big waste of money.  I did not expect the pictures to be wonderful, but I did at least expect to get 27 pictures.We vacationed in Florida where it was bright and sunny.  The pictures are all taken outside yet they look as if they were taken in the dark.  I certainly do not recommend these to anyone after this experience, and feel I should warn others against them.Perhaps I had a bad pack, but I do not wish to risk the money or the lost memories on purchasing these again.
I brought this camera into the sea to take pictures of some little fishs swimming around while I was snorkeling.I couldn't tell if it was working or notI couldn't tell if it was taking the picture or notI couldn't tell if it was focused or notI don't like this camera and will not ever purchase another one....but I had to try it out for myself .Now I have.Never again.
I bought this camera to go white water rafting, it's very durable and the pictures came out great. I really liked it.
The seller delivered this in excellent fashion. They came timely and were exactly what was promised.However, they were a waste of money and took the work pictures ever.  I bought 4 cameras to take to Hawaii.  We were in shallow, clear, and well lit water and the pictures were noisy and out of focus.  I do photography on the side so I new to get close to my subject look for clear water and all that stuff.  Even the pictures of above the water were terrible.  JUNK!  Also, in addition, to paying $12 per camera I had to pay WM $10+ per camera for developing.  I wish I had just bought a cheap water proof digital camera for that price.
It is a disposable camera that is waterproof.  As a disposable camera, don't expect awesome pictures that you might get from a  high-end camera.  If you just need some beach/vacation pictures and don't want to buy an expensive waterproof enclosure for your real camera, this is a good choice.  Just make sure that you have plenty of light!
You can't beat the $price! I just used it when I went snorkeling at the Bahamas. The pictures turned out deceit for an underwater camera. The only problem I found was pressing the 'shoot' button. It was quite awkward. Besides that-Great.
Took these to Xel Ha for snuba diving.  The camera takes pictures under water but about half of them were too grainy to use.
I tried several cameras on a recent dive trip, including a Kodak and a Fuji disposable waterproof camera.Neither camera has a flash, which means that everything will come out in shades of blue under water unless you bring your own light.Neither camera leaked, which gave them an edge over more expensive "professional" cameras on this trip.Both the Kodak and Fuji look very similar with a sealed plastic case (with slight positive buoyancy) and thick rubberbands for securing to a wrist or clipping to a BCD.I have to give the edge to the Fuji in terms of both design and results. The Fuji was easier to wind and to snap shots with and the pictures came out sharper. The 800 film in the Kodak produced shots that were way too grainy.
This camera is great to take on vacations with you! It can take more of a beating than a regular camera, which is nice when you're somewhere like Six Flags or Disney World. Since it's water proof, it can go on water rides with you and won't get ruined. My husband and I used one of these at Discovery Cove in Florida on our honeymoon. We took underwater pictures of the fish and sting rays, and it was awesome! I'd definitely recommend this for when you need a tough camera and want to use something in the water. Plus, if you lose it, it's a shame that you've lost the pictures, but you haven't lost a several-hundred-dollar camera.
i used it to take pictures to enhance my scuba diving experience.half of the pictures were too dark and the other half came out with lots of noise.i would invest money on gopro camera.it is not worth it!
What a great little purchase for a scuba diving trip.  My husband does underwater photography and videography...but I don't want anything expensive or fancy.  This worked perfect for my needs.  I purchased 2 of them and got about 36 pictures total.  There wasn't any leakage in either camera when diving past the recommended 50 feet mark.  Well worth the buy for VERY amateur photographers.
We always bring a few of these with us when we go on warm weather vacations.  They are perfect for taking snorkling and getting great photos underwater.  You just need to be careful to use the sun as you light source and to shoot down, not up.  The photos are a lot of fun - even just of people smiling two feet underwater!  I would never use this out of the water - I'm sure the photos would be terrible.  I prefer it to any other type of waterproof case, because I have zero worry about ruining my multi-hundred dollar digital camera.  It is no fuss and lots of fun.
Grear little camera for underwater photos; most likely better for far away shots instead of close ups, though. Handy, durable and light! Cannot beat it for the price!
The camera is rugged and definitely waterproof!  Because it doesn't have a flash like other underwater cameras I've used in the past, the picture quality isn't all that great.  The pictures I took out of water and with the sun out came out perfect!!!  But under cloudy conditions the pictures come out grainy.  But it served it's purpose and my digital camera is still in tact, so I'm happy.
The colors are not as vivid as compared to the Fuji camera.  For underwater shots, you need all the color you can get from a camera...
Made the mistake of taking this camera on a trip to the pool!!Pictures were horrible. Eye Piece is the biggest pain!! DON'T BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK. If you want GREAT, GOOD, WONDERFUL pictures, buy the Fuji Quicksnap camera. Kodak could have done MUCH, MUCH better.
Kodak is the shadow of the company it was, including its photography products. This underwater  camera was terrible - photos were under and over-exposed. Thank goodness, I also bought a Fuji camera; otherwise, my vacation memories of first-time snorkeling would be undocumented.
just don't hand it over to your husband because he'll waste the whole thing taking 27 pictures of the same school of fish. Works perfect, easy to use, easy to open to place in another kodak disposable camera after said husband wastes photos.
Like the title said, pass on this trash. Kodak has just gone downhill with their products. I bought two of these for my daughters when they came to visit me in Key West. One of them stopped broke after 3 pics were taken and the other one took such terrible pictures it was worthless as well. Even the few she took out of the water were just bad. I compared these to some photos I took in 1990 in the freaking desert of Saudi Arabia and those were MUCH better quality that these 2013 ones. I will be avoiding anything Kodak from now on, first my trash printer (see my review on that one) and now these paperweights.
I love this camera!! We went to Raging Waters and I picked up a 2-pack from Sams Club for about $18.00. The pictures were gorgeous! The colors brilliant and images crisp and clear. I could not believe it :) I would not have taken my regular camera to the water park and I was able to get wonderful shots of the family without the stress of "taking care of the camera". I am very pleased and impressed. I took an underwater shot that was a bit blue-ish because of the cloudy water and lack of flash BUT still very cool shot.
We bought several of these to take on a trip to the Philippines where we were going to snorkel.  I had some trouble trying to wind it and snap quickly when we had a very brief exposure to a whale shark we were to swim with in Donsol Bay, but the pictures taken were very good considering the murky water and hurry-up.  Having the strap and floating was very important.
This camera works as advertised. It's waterproof and it takes pictures.Getting film developed is a blast from the past. Good luck with that part.
Took 3 of these to Hawaii.  Went snorkeling all afternoon.  It was a nice sunny day and the pictures turned out great!  Never leaked or gave us trouble.  Much better than the Fuji Film equivalent.
This camera looks really good and promising. Although Kodak says it could down to 50ft, the camera itself has the phrase &quot;max 35ft or 10m&quot; written on it. But we reached 60ft and nothing happened to it. It didn't break or leak! It also is a little bit buoyant, which means it won't sink if dropped, instead it will ascend.It has two disadvantages; the first is its lack to a flash. There isn't much sunlight under 35ft of sea water and so the photos turned out a little too dark and bluish. After color correction the photos turned so pale and spotted. The pictures taken above 20ft were awesome. The second disadvantage is that the camera's eye lens it too small for someone who is wearing a diving mask (goggle).The camera doesn't lose its color to the eye even under 60ft since it is blue. And it has a place where a rope or a nylon tape can be tied to it so it can be attached to the diving jacket (BCD).It is not perfect, but it's the best.
Nice camera and it takes great photos but it bugs me to buy disposable cameras when non-disposables aren't much more expensive.  So why did I buy it?  Because I left my non-disposable at home when we went on vacation!  Not a bad little camera, though.
I bought this for my trip to the Riviera Maya since I wanted to snap a few under water pictures. They were half price from what the local pharmacy store cost and I had free 2 day shipping so I thought it was a great buy. In my teen years, I used many and I thought they would be slightly better now. I followed the lighting instructions (I mean there was sun all day!) and if I got 2 decentpictures from 2 cameras (54 attempted pictures), that was a lot. By 'decent' I mean only about 2 pictures were actually something. Everything else on the negatives were empty or were all black. I find it hard to believe it was a user error. This is my opinion and you should use at your own discretion.
The quality was just horrible. Even my brightest outdoor photos were not very good... I only had about 5 pictures that were just about ok. Next time I might just get a waterproof case for my iPhone or something..
I've been using these cameras since 2003. I can't recommend this camera enough for outdoor activities where you don't want to risk damaging an expensive phone or camera.They're intended to be used in full sun, since there is no flash. These are great for the pool, lake or beach. I've used these to take underwater pictures at the pool and the photos come out clear for 35mm film and bright. The camera floats, too. When I'm kayaking with someone, we'll toss it back and forth to each other across the lake so we can each take pics. If it lands in the water or hits the boat, no big deal because it's shock-proof, too.I don't think this camera deserves so few stars just because you can't take good pictures 25 feet under the ocean. It's great for everyday activities. When I took pictures underwater at the pool, I was about 2 feet underwater and the pictures were fine because I still had plenty of sunlight. Everyone is always impressed with fun underwater pictures, especially kids.Remember that this is a 35mm camera. I think everyone is so used to digital that they forget the quality of 35mm film. My pictures from this camera in various situations were equal to my experience with regular 35mm film back in the day before digital. The pictures aren't as sharp as digital, but you get what you pay for.
Disappointed in my pictures. There is no flash on this camera, which I knew. But the box says as long as it is daylight you are ok. Not so much. We took this on our trip to Jamaica and the falls has a lot of shade. Though it was bright sunlight there (such beautiful weather) all pics came out very dark and could not be seen. Plus water splash leaves marks. The next day at the pool, the pictures came out useable but still very dull. Under water pics are all a blue haze.After reading some other reviews, I would clarify that this camera is specifically for UNDERwater, not water sports/activities. Any splash will blur the pics and if there is even one tree with a shade dull blurry pictures.  Out of 27 exposures I have 5 usable pictures.....and that is just barely.I have used disposable water cameras before that did not turn out like this. Cannot recommend this camera. Sorry.
Took this camera to Bahamas for vacation.  Wanted a camera to take pics while snorkeling  worked good.  Was delivered quickly  without  a problem.  Thank you .
it's light and ok, but it doesn't have the background blur that my leica 50/2 summicron has, and it's not holographic sharp like my canon L lenses.it's extremely well made, and easy to focus, and if i had to use it in the rough, it'd be perfect -- light and narrow and good enough for photo journalism or easy art.
Looking for a good normal lens for an APS-C and having tried a few other candidates, I thought that I should try this manual focus lens.  I figured that for this price and with the exclusion of auto-focus, I get a high quality lens.  Mechanically, this was definitely true, but optically I was a bit disappointed as it showed more than expected focus degradation towards the edge (at least from f2 to f5.6) and fairly high coma. In overall IQ, it could not quite compete with my Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II or the Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro (which replaced the Voigtlander). It was better regarding flare and faster than the Tokina, but offered less sharpness and resolution.
First of all, this lens is manual focus only, so, unless you're super experienced with manual focus cameras, you don't want to shoot portraits, wedding or pets with this lens. But if lack of AF doesn't turn you off, this lens is actually amazing.EF35mm f/2.0 (the non-USM version) is an okay lens on full frame. It's not particularly sharp. it has rather poor chromatic aberration of magnification, so you get color in high contrast edges. The autofocus is slow, noisy and inaccurate. EF35mm f/1.4L is better in many regards, but it's not particularly sharp between 1.4 and 2.2. Chromatic aberration is also visible, though not as badly as the f/2 version.You know what, Ultron 40mm is very sharp, shows almost no chromatic aberration, and produces nice smooth images in or out of focus. It is not perfect in the sense that it has some vignetting, some corner softness, some flare/ghost with strong light source, but it's pretty good for five hundred bucks. With no strong light in the view, the image is not very highly contrasty due to slight to mild flare, but it's not too bad.These days, you can find 35mm f/1.4 manual-only lens from third party. They are reputed to be very high quality, but they suffer from the same shortcomings from EF35mm f/1.4L, namely, somewhat soft image. Ultron is sharper, yet produces soft out of focus blur. Another thing about Ultron is that it works with E-TTL metering. This is particularly useful for me, since I occasionally use a couple of 580EXII and 600EX flash units with pocket wizard. The other third party 35mm f/1.4 lenses do not have a microprocessor in the lens to allow E-TTL.One suggestion. You have to manual focus with this lens, so I strongly recommend getting Ee-S or Eg-S super precision mat focusing screen for your 5D/5DII/6D. I would not recommend using this lens on 7D or 5D3 because the viewfinder screen is not interchangeable and it's not as nice to work with manual focus. There are third party screens that you can install in 7D, although it requires using some jeweler's screwdrivers. If you are okay with that, it'd be a fantastic lens on 7D as well. You can't really enjoy using manual focus lens using stock viewfinder screen! (This is true for TS-E 24/45/90mm lenses as well.)The lens hood is kinda lousy. It does the job of protecting the front element, but not so good job of cutting stray light. Get a rubber hood with 52mm thread.I didn't test the close up attachment. To me, that's kinda silly. If I had to do close up work, I'd use a different lens. But, I got excellent image quality at the minimum focusing distance without using the attachment.
I own this lens and happily recommend it to anyone who is comfortable with manual focus. Two thorough online reviews (one via ken rockwell and one via photozone.de ) offer in-depth testing and evaluation of the optical performance, build quality and ergonomics of this lens, but... The published reviews describe the Nikon version, and the Canon EF lens implementation differs slightly. Some information and considerations for Canon DSLR users:Manual Aperture Ring - the Canon EF version of this lens has NO manual aperture ring. All of the online reviews and even the documentation shipped with the lens show a manual aperture ring. I've uploaded a customer image of the cleaner, simpler lens layout for Canon EF mount.Camera compatibility - This lens plays nicely with every mode of my Canon EOS 7D - aperture is controlled via the usual dial assignments on the camera body (when working in aperture-priority or manual mode), and the camera can set the aperture automatically (in program and shutter-priority modes). manual flash and ettl-ii flash both work as-expected. The lens settings are recorded correctly in the resulting image metadata.Focus Confirmation - in conjunction with the manual focus ring, the autofocus points in my EOS 7D viewfinder provide focus confirmation when the shutter button is depressed half-way. imho this makes the lens much easier to use with the smaller, darker viewfinder of a crop-sensor DSLR.Lens Size - for those seeking a flat-as-a-pancake lens profile - the length of the Canon EF version extends 27mm from the lens mount on the camera body when focused to infinity, and 33mm when fully extended. the included lens hood adds another 2.5mm to the length of the lens. The reviews and product documentation offer "24.5mm" as the lens length, which must refer to another version of the product. I'm using the lens with aSigma DG 52mm Multi-Coated UV Filter, which adds another 4.15mm to the lens length. the included lens hood is threaded to accommodate a 39mm filter (or the included close-up lens).photo-sharing site flickr has a "cv40" (Cosina Voigtl&auml;nder Ultron 40mm f/2) group featuring ~6,500 images made with this lens. i found those sample images and information from current owners very helpful when researching this lens.
I used to shoot with 50mm lenses (full frame sensor) for the past six years, and decided to try wider angle. I know, some might say that the difference between 50 and 40 is minimal, but for me it's substantial. I was considering all the 35mm options available in the market, but the good ones were either too bulky, or prohibitively expensive. Or, usually, both. Compact size and image quality were my major criteria, and this lens seemed to be a good fit.My other lens is Zeiss 50/1.4 ZE - also manual focus, so I am used to focusing manually, and it has never been an issue for me. As many people suggest, I would recommend a Canon focusing screen (models vary for different cameras). It makes focusing much easier.The lens is very well built and compact. Compared to Zeiss, I would rank these two equally high in terms of sturdiness and build quality. Image quality-wise, to my surprise, I actually prefer Voigtlander to Zeiss. I'm not an expert in this, and there are very detailed lens tests available online, so my view is rather subjective, but the image seems more contrasty and sharp on Voigtlander, especially when you turn the aperture a few steps down. Overall, very happy with the purchase and am now using this as my standard lens for everyday shooting.
This was my first-ever camcorder purchase, so I wanted to make sure the camera was a solid performer.The other two candidates were the Panasonic DV953 and the Sony TRV950.To help me choose, I took a crash-course in MiniDV cams (by reading the reviews) and found that most of them kept harping on things that I didn't care about.  Things like bottom-loading the tapes vs top-loading; Single CCD vs 3 CCD; the number of shutter speeds.  Jeez, 99.9% of people aren't going to pass up a good camera because they need to remove it from the tripod to change a tape, but these folks make it sound like a show-stopper.I bought the PC330 over the other two for simple reasons:1) My wife wants very few buttons to have to worry abouy.  With this camera, you point and shoot; most of the functions are hidden in the touch screen menus that you rarely have to use.2) The stills are actually better than my 3.2 megapixel Fuji A303.3) It felt comfortable to use - much smaller than the other two cameras.I believe the cons to this camera that will affect most users are:1) The akward placement of the still button.  You really have to bend your index finger into a strange position to use it.  The zoom control is placed as the natural landing spot for your index finger.2) The microphone is located behind the hot-shoe.  This is only a problem if you plug something into the shoe - the mic is essentially blocked from your subject.3) The flash doesn't pop out far enough to clear most add-on lenses.  If you attach a wide-angle or zoom lens, you will see a significant shadow of it in still pictures that use the flash.  This is certainly not a critical flaw, but annoying.4) This is probably only a problem for newbies to Sony camcorders, but the zoom control at your index finger is just about the same size as the mode/power switch at your thumb.  I don't know how many times I've intended on zooming by moving my thumb -- which causes the camera to switch modes.  I chalk this one up to user unfamiliarity; all of my friends with Sony's had the same problem at first.I bought some nice accessories and found one very valuable.  The HVL-IRH2 IR/Video light.  This plugs into the hot shoe and provides a 3 Watt video light AND a great IR light for shooting in total darkness in a small all-in-one unit.  It uses the battery power from the camera, which drains it FAST, but it also means it doesn't need its own heavy battery.  We use this to record our kids sleeping; the IR produces no visible light in the room.  Keep in mind, the video will look like a nighttime Baghdad bombing (green), but it's not very grainy at all.
A palm-sized camera that almost shoots as well as the low-end 3-CCD cameras, made by a reputable name (Sony), and a price under $1400?  Yes, Sony has done it.Exterior - With the vertical orientation of the body and the smaller thickness, this camera will fit well in your palm.  The main controls are positioned comfortably where your fingers will most naturally fall.  The design allows for basic operation without jostling the camera.  As I primarily work in filming live band performances in local clubs, this unit allows me to shoot a high-quality product and not disturb those around me, as most are never aware that I am recording.  The only drawback is that the infra-red controls are a switch on the case, as opposed to an internal menu.  On more than one occasion I have accidentally turned on the night mode.Lens - The lens is very sharp and distortion-free.  Its size of 37mm is a standard size, and I have been able to purchase several lenses and filters without requiring any adapters or step-up/down rings.Lighting - As per Sony's reputation for low-light shooting, this camera does not disappoint.  Besides requiring only 7 lux for standard shooting, it offers a NightShot (infra red) and a Color Slow Shutter, which preserves bright colors in super-low lighting.Auto-Features - The auto-exposure and auto-focus are very responsive, except in cases of two rapid changes in light, like a camera flash, for instance.  This is where I find the only weakness in this unit.  The manual focus ring, while great in concept, does not actually operate on a wide range, so it is only for fine tuning, not necessarily artistic alterations.  However, the touch-panel screen does have a Spot-Focus feature, which when used correctly can simulate camera movement.LCD Screen - The image produced on the LCD screen is quite sharp and a very accurate representation of what is being recorded.  It also has a switch for the backlight to save battery power when it is not required while viewing the LCD undera a bright sun.  A characteristic that sets this camera apart from most is that the LCD Screen is also a touch-panel for access to the options menus.  At first I was hesiatant about this feature, but I have found it to be a favorite part of mine.  In low lighting situations, I no longer have to remember where specific buttons are, as the menus are well-illuminated.  The panel requires very little pressure, so I can operate it without shaking the camera.  And, to top it off, it allows custom menus, so that I set up my most-used options on the first screen.  Generally I can change the settings to what I want with only two quick taps on the screen.Accessory Shoe - The Intelligent Accessory show can connect to and electronically control, and supply power to flashes and micrphones.Power - The supplied battery will run for 2 to 2 1/2 hours at maximum consumption, the long life will generally provide 7-8 hours.Progressive Recording - This feature is designed for those who wish to extract still images from video.  It records at half the frame rate, but produces a clearer image, without the herring-bone effect of motion in the normal digital frames.I have had this camera for four months now, and have found only a couple of minor imperfections which do not amount to much when compared to the rest of the DCR-PC330.  I highly recommend this unit to anyone and everyone who can afford it.  You will not be disappointed.
the pc-330 is the new top of the line consumer camcorder from sony.  it's fully-loaded and ready to take on video and still picture duties.pros:- all those megapixels are put to good use - this camcorder produces excellent video.- a whopping 3MP still capability.- best still pics from a camcorder to date.- miniDV media is widely supported.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- carl zeiss lens.- steady shot (sony's image stabilization system - and it works!) and night shot.- built in pop-up flash for taking photos.- hologram AF system, which allows you to focus in pitch darkness (still pictures only).- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.- progressive shutter system.- supports Memory Stick Pro cards, which have a maximum capacity of 1GB.- supports add-on lenses.- accessory hot shoe is compatible with sony's external flashes and other accessories.- very low motor noise.- compact for the features: 2.4 x 4.8 x 4.5&quot; weighing 1.3lbs.cons:- disappointing low-light performance.- 2.5&quot; LCD - it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5&quot; LCD.- no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- viewfinder extends but does not tilt.- mic placement is on top of camcorder (same as most vertical camcorders) which means it picks up the videographer's voice more readily.- higher capacity batteries are bigger than what was supplied and WILL protrude sideways from this camcorder's body, making holding this unit a bit awkward.- bottom-loading cassette mechanism - you will have to remove the camcorder from the tripod when it's time to load a new tape.- very easy to cover the IR emitter on the front of the camera so watch those fingers.- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.- the included 16MB memory stick is a throwaway. be prepared to shell out more money for more memory.this camcorder's target are those of us who want one device for both video and still pics, and have the money to spend.  the video part is covered very well by the pc-330 but still pics will still fall short of a decent 2MP-3MP dedicated digital camera.  although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to carry one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.if bundling a camcorder and a still camera in one device is critical for you, the pc-330 certainly fits the bill.  i would also recommend checking out the panasonic dv-953 (3CCDs and less expensive than the pc-330).as an alternate to this bundling strategy, you can get a lesser camcorder (say a panasonic gs70 or sony trv33 or sony pc-105) and a canon a70 still camera and actually spend less than if you bought the pc-330.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
We got this camcorder shortly after it came out (and paid a pretty penny for it).  They hyped up the 3.0MP at the time which wasn't suitable for decent photos even then.  We never used the still photo capability so in retrospect we paid for some features we didn't need.Over the last 5 years it's given us some great video memories (I still need to get them off the tapes into a computer for permanent storage) and I have no issues with the video quality.  My primary gripe is that it has broken three times now.  It gives an error code of E:61:10 and can no longer autofocus or zoom in/out.  We've had it repaired twice now, at over $200 a shot.  So not only does it break, they make you pay such exorbitant repair fees.  Now it's broken for the third time after having just been repaired 14 months ago.  It has reached the ridiculous stage.  Three breakdowns in 5 years for the same problem.So while I'm here shopping for a non-Sony camcorder (planning on going back to Canon), I thought I'd leave this review here for posterity.
Other reviews here do a good job of covering the specs and general pros and cons of this all-round excellent camera. Here I'll just mention a few additional points and reiterate some others:(1) You will almost certainly need an additional, higher capacity battery right off the bat; the battery provided is almost totally inadequate. For most users this means the NP-QM71D (which will set you back an additional $100) , and the companion charger (the AC-SQ950, for an additional $150); the latter is essential unless you can afford to wait almost 2.5 hours for a recharge (the AC-SQ950 manages in under an hour). Moreover, all of the batteries with decent capacity will protrude sideways from the camera body (on the LCD side). This has little effect in use (aside from looking quite silly with some of the larger batteries) bit does make the camera considerably harder to carry around and &quot;bag&quot;.(2) Don't be fooled by the talk about MPEG and the ability to capture to a potentially very long movies to high-capacity Memory Stick cards. The maximum MPEG resolution supported by this camera is 320x240, which is worse than you get with decent still cameras (like Sony's own DSC-V1), and certainly not what you should expect from a camera with this price tag. So if you are shooting video, you are shooting to tape, period!(3) 3 Megapixel still capability is great and adds a real convenience: you can get by with one camera on days when you want to shoot some video without completely giving up the option of taking a few stills. But beware: the quality of the images is not up to that from far less expensive digital still cameras and nowhere near what less expensive and very compact still cameras can provide. Moreover, you will need to throw away the low-capacity Memory Stick and replace it with something bigger.(4) As always, the provided software us useless. This camera works fine with Windows Movie Maker 2 and Adobe Premier Pro. Stick with those. The former is free (with Windows XP) and does 90% of what most users will need; the latter costs a fortune, but does everything. Images are just JPEGs and can be handled with whatever you currently use.Bottom line: if you are looking for an excellent compact high-quality easy to use DV camera that gives the limited option of shooting a few decent-quality still images as well this is camera is for you -- provided you are prepared to shell out almost $2,000 for the full kit (camera, extra batteries, and larger Memory Stick).
This replaced the battery in my camera, worked exactly as intended, and was shipped promptly.  All in all, it was an excellent purchase.
It is all to easy to succumb to the upgrading maddness bug. All companies are guilty of planned obsolescence and in Minoltas case giving up to Sony an excellent camera line because they got into the digital world to late. Mimolta did however make the 5d, (which is very good camera), before giving in to Sony. Sony has caught up in quality and value with Nikon and Canon with the A77 but the file size is huge. Using my Sony A77 for school is like using a Porsche to just drive around town. The 5d in my camera bag was my answer. Working with Raw 6 megapixel files for school work provided quality image contol with modest blow up capabilities. A new Minolta NP400 Li-ion Battery works much better with the 5d then other replacement batteries. If you still have this or the 7d, it is worth dusting it off. Those who don't probably not. The point however is you may already have what you need in your closet just in need of a battery.
I've gone over this thing with a fine tooth comb, and I truly believe it is a genuine Konica Minolta battery ... this could vary depending on the seller, mine said "sold by Simply Splendid, Fulfilled by Amazon".  Everything about it, from the packaging, to the markings on the battery itself, suggest OEM.I put it in the charger, and it only took about half an hour to reach full charge, suggesting that it is fairly fresh stock.  I then put it in the Minolta Dimage A2, and gave it a thorough workout.  The camera indicated full charge for several hours while I took pictures, recorded videos, formatted memory cards, transferred files around, basically made it work hard in order to test this battery ... it outperformed my original battery, and I'm quite happy with it.Other reviewers have indicated that it's clearly not an OEM battery, I believe that it clearly is OEM ... even if I am incorrect in that assessment, it out performs my original battery, even what I remember from back when the original was brand new, so I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of these.
Minolta NP400 Li-ion Battery for Dimage A1 & A2 Digital Cameras.Very good deal.Shipped on time.Works as good as I had expected.
When I bought my A1 in 2004 I bought an extra battery.No problems with this battery -- had it 8 years and I'm not sure I can tell which camewith the camera and which is the replacement -- they both still work outstanding.
It was just what I needed and I could not find this battery locally. My camera was useless with out a battery
I loved the size of this camera when I received it...I just tossed it in my purse and it's ready whenever I catch my two-year-old doing something cute!  The picture quality was fine for me.  I am slightly disappointed that it takes lithium batteries, but not enough to go to 4 stars.
One of the reasons I bought this camera was the description of the power source: "Requires two AA batteries--included". I was sick of buying expensive cells at a camera store, and I always have a sleeve of AA batts around the house. Sounded great.Oops! When the camera arrived and I opened the battery door, there was nothing inside, and when I checked the manual I learned that no AA's need apply. Back to the camera store! Ten bucks for a pair of lithium cells.A battery, says the manual, should be good for ten rolls of film. So add that to the lifetime cost of the camera.It's a neat little camera, and I'm not planning to return it. But I was a wee bit disappointed.
I like this camera.  I took it to Ireland with me and we just snapped away.  I took the film to a cheap department store to get it processed and the pictures are wonderful.  They are clear and persise.  If I loose this camera or drop it I won't have a heart attack.  It didn't cost that much to begin with.  I run though the batteries a little sooner.  But this is because I play with the zoom lens a lot.  It's just a nice little camera that I can pack around and not worry to much about.  The pictures are great....
This is a great little camera that you can take on the go.  It's SO easy to use.  I have several cameras, but I find myself grabbing this one when I'm running out the door and think, "I should take a camera."  I like the way the cover slides over to protect the lens.  When you open that, it turns it on and you're ready to go.  The zoom is adequate for 95% of the shots I want to take.  The photo quality is very good for a compact camera.  I like mine so much, I just ordered another one to give as a Christmas present.
Got this camera in 1999 and it is still doing very well!  More than 3000 great pictures have been taken.  The camera is very easy to use and needs no maintenance.  A word of caution - ensure that the camera doesn't get pressurized laterally - this can happen if it is stuffed in a bag and someone sleeps over it.  The spring-operated shutter is very sensitive.Would recommend this for anyone who is looking for a cost-effective and easy-to-use film camera.
I take a LOT of pictures of my 9 grandchildren and when I needed a new 35mm camera, this seemed ideal.  However, I have been very disappointed with this camera's performance.Outdoor pictures with no flash come out very well, but any photo requiring a flash does not.  The center of the photo has some brightness to it, with the outside of the picture almost fading to black.I have now gone to almost 100% digital shots.
The camera is great tool for the money you pay! The seller should do better job with packaging though, upon arrival the camera's box was damaged!
This camera  was bought  for  my  wife for christmas  and  I  must  say  that  we  loved  everything  about  it,  from  it's  ease of use  all  the  way  down  to  the  solid  feel  of  this  small  well  crafted  camera I  only  wish  that  It  came  with batteries  so we  could  have  gotten  pictures  X-mas  morning.
This little camera has some nice features but really does not take any better pictures than my Fuji which was 1/2 the price.There does seem to be a lot of difference in print quality depending on the finishing lab.
Positive stuff first: I can't argue with the picture quality. I have only put one roll of film through it, but the images came out sharp and with good colors both at the widest setting and the longest telephoto setting.Negatives: I'm not a fan of the ergonomics. The sliding cover on/off switch is okay for switching on but a bit unnerving when switching off because you have to slide it just enough to make the lens to retract, wait for that, then slide it completely closed. The popup flash is annoying because it's right where I try to hold the camera while operating the on/off switch, and it also gets in the way of using both hands on the camera while shooting. The viewfinder isn't especially sharp either, presumably because it's a compromise for both close and long range viewing.But so far I can't argue with the quality of pictures the camera takes.
Nice camera & easy to use.The first prints were great.It was a bargain price as well.I paid over 4 times that much for an earlier model in the 1990's.
My wife still likes the use of 35mm cameras over digital.  This camera takes excellent pictures with no problems.  This is the second Canon Stylus camera she has used.
Bought this camera for my wife, she still likes to shoot pictures with film.{?}  First time out of the box it was easy to load and she took lots of pictures on Thanksgiving with all of the family home and they were excellent.  So that must be why she still likes anolog.  It's a nice camera and the seller was excellent.
If you want great close-ups in a little camera, this is the best one you will ever find in ths price range anywhere.  I bought this on Amazon a couple of years ago and was surprised it's still here.  I like my digital camera, but this one still takes better pictures, especially those great zoom shots.
My wife and I purchased this camera to take on a vacation. The photos that came back were nothing short of awesome. The exposures were almost always spot-on perfect (except for when the camera was too close to the subject and the flash was on, but you'll get that with any camera.) Crisp photos with excellent shadow details, simple operation, small size, long battery life.... what more can you ask for?Also recommend the Kodak Ultra Color 400 Professional film to go with it. That's what we used, and it was a great fit.
This is an excellent easy to use, go anywhere work of art. And Amazon's price (my favorite store) cannot be beat. It is beautifully crafted and takes very good 1 mp pictures that are easy to transfer to computer and charge at the same time with the included USB cable. No sofware to install in Windows XP. So easy, a manual is not even needed to begin shooting. The litium ion battery shoots the full 45 pictures at highest resolution without showing much use, and then downloading them to the computer, recharges the battery... simplicity and beauty all in one. It is the same overall size as my Canon S400 (Elf) but less than half the thickness. It weighs next to nothing (half my Nokia 6560 wireless phone). I have used or owned several 1 mp cameras and this takes the best pictures I have seen... none of that blurry edge as on others... nice sharp shots edge to edge without any pixelation whatsoever. Cautions: do not leave the camera attached to the computer when it is turned off or goes into standby as it will drain the battery. Also be SURE to hold the camera against something to prevent motion blur. The flash is very nice, although quite weak (shots 3-6' are fine). I love it and that is from someone who has several other high-end digitals.UPDATE: I have now taken over 200 pictures with this little gem and my rating is unchanged. I even took several dozen during a snowstorm from inside the house and dozens outside after it was over with trees and ground deep in white. Only two pictures needed to be deleted since they were blurry and overexposed. I must have shaken the camera since the wind was strong. The others, even with all the white and with a high potential for over-exposure, were perfect. I printed several 4x6s and 1 8x10 and even the 8x10 from a few feet away looked like a photolab print... just beautiful. I use only the large picture size, so I cannot comment on the 640x480 pictures... why bother... with 45 shots at the largest size setting and nearly a full battery at the end of shooting, it is the only way to go. Colors are uniformly natural with only a slight fare on highly saturated and bright colors (a shot of a pointsettia showed some flaring due to the intense red). For the money, this camera cannot be beat! One other tip is to use a small clamp from the garage to sit it on a table or shelf for pictures since it does not have a tripod thread. Just clamp at the bottom horizontally and the clamp acts as a stand. And amazingly the camera carries a two year warranty.You can view a few of my pictures taken with this camera at [...]
Don't expect this to be a great quality camera, it's not, and it's not meant to be.  It's meant to be small, which it is, and fun, which it is.  It's also durable feeling, and the photo quality is plenty good enough for email and the internet.  It's cheap, too.
I kept this camera in my glove compartment in case of any incident on the road. I miss it terribly but I don't think they still make it. Mine was stolen. But was used often before that.Worked fine.
I had this camera over a year and i hate it. You have to hold it exactly still for 3-4 seconds and if you move it, it will mess the picture up. you can't take any decent pictures inside and when you take them outside.If your taking pictures of nature or art or anything that don't have motion and isn't a person then buy it. others wise save your money.one thing I loved about this camera is that it doesn't take batteries and you can charge it up by putting the usb port into your pc.
I've been using my 130 for well over a year now. Yes, the picture quality isn't the best. It needs to be held very steady, and taking pictures indoors is hit or miss (usually miss) It is quite handy though, and easy to always have around. I haven't found a better slim pocket camera for under $200.The metal case especially is great, as it means this camera can live with keys and other pocket items that could seriously damage a lesser armored camera.One can't fault the lack of a screeen for a camera this inexpensive, and the built-in battery is easily enough that you'll almost never have to worry about charging the camera (through the USB connector) leave it plugged in overnight once a month, and you're good to go.
It fits in the camera. But it doesn't charge. Plain old does not work at all. Too much of a hassle to send a $12 item back. Fugi was right. I should have bought the Fugi battery. Now I have to start all over again. Really 0 stars would be more appropriate, but I don't think I can do that.
Bought it as a replacement to a worn out fuji camara battery, and it works like a dream!
I was looking to buy a new battery for my camera and found they were over $40.00.  I found these batteries for a fraction of the cost.  At first I was skeptical but found they were perfect and last a long time on the charge.
Needed a replacement for the failing 8-year old NP-40 battery in my Fuji FinePix V10 camera. The battery received wouldn't charge when first inserted in the camera. After removal and reinsertion a few times it did start to charge, but, despite completing charging cycles (&#62; 2 h, charging indicator turned off), it held far less energy than the 8-year old original NP-40 battery it was meant to replace. This is NOT fully compatible with an OEM NP-40 battery.  Returned as defective for full refund.
Battery replacement for camera Nikon water damaged old one. Charged it for two hours, have not had to charge it since. Took over 68 photos for work with flash and focus, and still no charge needed.Great price and buy!
Thanks, this did the job we wanted it top do and my boss was happy we didnt hae to go buy another camera.
I bought one of these Lenmars to back up the factory battery in my FinePix V10 when I first bought it four or so years ago. A month ago the Lenmar crapped out and I was initially unimpressed with its life but tonight I found my factory Fuji battery is bulging and won't hold a charge so as it stands now, kudos to Lenmar for a comparable product at a bargain price. The only reason I'm writing this review is because I happened upon this page in my search to order two more Lenmar batteries and thought 'what the hell' I'll share my personal experience.
Seamless ordering and delivery.  Used them on trip to Eygpt.  There were no problems.
After about 6 years of use, the original battery in my Pentax Optio was caput. This battery was a great value, and so far has performed very well. I'm still trying to run down the first charge after two weeks of intermittent use! I use my Optio mainly as a vid cam for making YouTube vids, so the battery gets used more intensively than if I was just taking still pics. This battery has been performing VERY well so far. It's a great deal!UPDATE:  Just an update to my previous review. It is now two years since I bought this battery, and it is still going strong, despite the fact that I don't really maintain it well, and keep it in a drawer for months at a time in various states of charge. This battery was worth every penny!
Nice to have a spare battery for the camera so we will always be ready for "battery-up"
The Lenmar DLF40 Lithium Ion battery is superior to the original battery that came with my Fuji F700 Digital Camera.  It has a slightly higher milliamp-hour rating than the Fuji NP-40 battery, yet it is lower in price!  I found that my camera operates far longer with the Lenmar DLF40 battery than it ever did with the original Fuji battery.
My original batteries were 2 years old and weren't holding much of a charge any more. The new ones are doing GREAT. I shot all day, with many flashes. The price here is excellent, too. I saw batteries with less capacity selling for more than 3 times as much in camera stores and at Radio Shack.
Ad indicated it was replacement for Sanyo UF553436.This must have been very old stock.  Took 36 hours to charge then got two pix before the battery died.  Very dissatisfied.
Needed a replacement battery for the Fuji FinePix V10 and this fit the bill.  Battery life is outstanding.
Ordered this to replace original battery in my 5 year old Pentax camera. After fully charging overnight, this battery gives roughly 25-30 photos without using a flash, or 15-20 photos using a flash. The original battery that came with the camera used to give me at LEAST double that amount. Would not recommend this battery.
Should be a direct replacement for the NP-40 battery for a Fuji FinePix Z1, but it never powers on or charges the camera.
I have two batteries. Both still work perfectly after a year, and hold charge better than the original battery. Very impressed with Lenmar.
This battery has longer running time than the original fuji battery for a fraction of the cost.  I havn't had it long but no problems thus far.
Charger is okay and does the job.  The power cord is extremely stiff which make portability undesirable.  Hard to coil up the power cord.  I do recommend the charger as you can charge two batteries at the same time which is necessary if you are a pro or serious amateur.  I do not recommend using any after-market charger or batteries for top quality Canon cameras.  Stick with the Canon products for you Canon cameras.
Excellent for charging multiple batteries.  I have an adaptor which takes two Canon batteries and I use my camera a lot.  Canon's batteries are noted for long life but do need recharging from time to time.  I rate this product as great but wish it would recharge both at once or at least show a light that shows that that is what it is doing.  All in all, excellent.
The charger arrived promptly and works great! When I charge up a dozen batteries, it's better to use this charger so I can get er done faster!
I'm writing this review to clear up the inaccuracies in Amazon's description (and most descriptions around the web).Amazon's description says: "The CA-PS400 can charge up to two batteries simultaneously...A full charge (from completely flat) takes about 90 minutes."This is inaccurate. Take a look at the product in the picture, you'll probably think this unit is capable of charging 2 batteries at the same time. Unfortunately it can't. It can only do one at a time. It charges batteries "sequentially" - there is nothing "simultaneous" about it.At B&H;'s website you can find a complete description of this product that includes the following:"Note: The Charger will only charge one battery at a time."So please be aware what you're buying here - a charger that holds 2 batteries but charges them one at a time.
Bought it because it said both batteries charged simultaneously. It doesn't.  Gave it 2 stars because at least you don't have to go back and switch between charges.
I like the clean design even when the material itself can easily be scuffed or scratched. Extra care is needed to prevent this but if it's no big deal then overall it serves its purpose well.
I ordere this for myself to use at an Expo. It held all my pictures and looked very nice. Very pleased with this!
This portfolio is for my Intro to Photography class, which I need for my pictures. I am also an artist so i'm familiar with the Itoya portfolio brand, and I've never had a problem with them. It's a good product to have if you want to store your works, and also inexpensive.
Purchased this portfolio for my 16yo aspiring photographer to display her photos. Speedy delivery (2 days to be exact). Good product. Not top notch quality but serves the purpose for the price. Highly recommend it for those amateur photographers who would like to display their work for potential clients. Overall satisfied.
The price is great. Pictures fit well. Perfect for storing professional photos. I wish the colors were a bit more creative and the cover could have been made from a nicer material but this photo album definitely does the job.
This is my second one, the first was the 8.5" x 11" because I was making my own prints on that sized paper.  I ordered this 8" x 10" because I like to make 8" x 10" collages of events and order the prints instead of printing them myself.  If the images from the event are on my camera I make my own collage using Photoshop.  Otherwise if the images are being shared at a web based photo company (like Kodak Gallery) I have to create the collages using their online service.  Either way I end up with 8" x 10" collage prints of parties etc. and they slide right into the pages of this album.  I like the simplicity of these  albums, and the low cost.  They're not all ornate or flowery - just plain.  And they look like they will last forever.
I bought 3 for my kids and had to get another one for myself since it was just what I had been looking for.
I love this photo album!, it is great for placing all of the 8x10 photos I get and works well for pictures that are a little smaller too.
It's makes a great photo album for our 8x10 pictures and we have tons! Thank you! Great storage space. Great protection.
This portfolio was just what we needed to complete project. Very reasonably priced for the product. Will order this product again.
ordered this for my mom for her 8x10s she did not want to cut in order to fit in most folios. she said it was exactly what she was looking for. kudos.
Perfect for 8x10 portraits of your school kids. The portfolio covers are not rigid, but are still usful for long term storing when used properly.
I like these for storing kids photos.  I only wish the cover was hard  and not soft bound.  Pretty nice product.
The cover is soft, so for that reason, you need to be careful how and where you store this album.  Other than that, excellent quality for the price!
Got this in addition to the smaller size (5x7) for keep my son's professional portraits in order (school, birthday, holiday, etc).  I ordered one for myself, my mother and my mother-in-law.  These have been SO handy!  I've already filled mine up and need another!  Pages are sturdy and keep everything organized and clean.  Lightweight, so I can travel with it no problem.Great and would certainly recommend to anyone looking for a place to house their photos.  :)
Very basic and very simple, I had no problems using this photo album. I had a bunch of loose photos and didn't want them getting damaged, so I bought this to protect them.
This is exactly what I was looking for. I have two small children and every time we get their pictures taken the packages come with 8x10's. Since we only have so much wall space, I wanted a way that we could look at them and protect them that was not on the wall. This is completely perfect for that purpose. Well made and a nice plain black that you can decorate however you'd like or just leave alone.
We picked up a couple of Itoya Art Portfolio's at a local art shop.  We really liked the portfollio and thought we would purchase from Amazon due to the lower price (almost half).  Turns out the ones here are soft cover which are not as nice as the hard acrylic covers.  Gets the job done by holding 48 - 8X10's, but will buy the hard covers next time.
These albums are great for storing photos. Be sure you get the right size. Some photo paper is 8x10 (usual wet darkroom prints) and other 8.5x11 (digital prints).
This isn't the best made portfolio, it's very simple. It's definitely not a portfolio that a veteran photographer should buy.  But it's a good starter.
I had so many photos in a box and wanted to put them someplace where I could preserve them instead of getting all bent up. So nice and tidy now.
GREAT PRICE GREAT FOR ANY ARTIST MAKEUP ARTIST HAIRSTYLIST OR ANY ART MAJOR WANTING TO DISPLAY THERE WORK. I USED THIS FOR A JOB INTERVIEW AND GOT THE JOB & ALSO GOT COMPLIMENTED ON HOW PROFFESIONAL THE PORTFOLIO APPEARED.
I don't like the &#34;magnetic&#34; photo albums because the sticky can ruin your photos over time.  This one has great sleeves to insert photos into.  My only wish is that it had a harder cover like the sleeve photo albums that I've purchased in the past.  However, there are no complaints here because you can't beat the price.
It was a good product for the price I paid.  It hard to find a 8x10 photo album out and it does the job!
In reviewing this portfolio, I hoped for a more professional look. This is a decent portfolio, but not quite professional enough. If the cover was a little more rigid, it would be a much better product.  I am not saying this is not quality, but it may seem a little low key for a professional portfolio.
It does not hold the size pictures it advertises.  It is fine for smaller photos, but that isn't what I wanted it for.
It great for my 8x10 pictures and it wasn't too expensive.  The cover is durable and it is very light.  You can fit a lot of 8x10 pictures in it.
Great product. Simple but elegant & durable. Matches everything it sits by. Thanks for great product & description. Will definately buy again!
very nice album for graduation pictures of my kids every year, it's beautiful and it serves the purpose, the price is excellent.
I ordered this to put our 10x13 family pictures in. I love it! They fit great, easy to put in.
Good for keeping old family pictures that are too big for other albums. If you dont have enough of a particular size you can put a smaller size in the album as well. Lightweight.
These are great.  My daughter has some 8x10 photos of herself with Disney characters ... now that she's older .. her room needed an update and I did not know what to do with the photos ... I purchased these Portfolios to store them and it will work out great.  I also purchased a smaller one (for 5 x 7).I plan to buy more.  Since they are thin .. they do not take up a lot of space.
and it works well. i am very pleased with it and so far it has exceeded all my expectations. the pictures are easy to insert and exchange. i would highly recommend this product. thanks.
This portfolio is great for displaying a series from a project - black & white prints look especially nice in it because the whole folder is black.
It would be nice if you could display pictures on the outside of this album because the cover is plain and blah. But I love the size since I have so many 5x7 pictures and it protects them well.  I purchased a second one since it is perfect to hold your pictures even if the cover is plain.
The product is exactly as described and looks to be made of quality material.  We will be using this to organize our 8x10 class pictures.
Very good product to hold all the 8x10 photos, I have created an album of 8x10s with all the important photos of our life.Only thing I don't like is that there is no indication anywhere, to indicate which is front side or back, Well there is one on the back side, but they are all black in color so it is not obvious.
I love this book.  I use it to put my kids 8 x 10 photos in.  It is easy to store and durable.
After many disappointments with "photobooks" I finally decided simply to display my photos in one of these - perfect solution and a bargain price!
THIS PORTFOLIO MADE MY 8x10'S LOOK SO PROFESSIONAL. AND IT WAS MORE THAN I EXPECTED AND ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THANK YOU !!!
This is a really good item.  It is sturdy perfect for a photographers or models portfolio.  The only thing I would change is around the edge of the portfolio there is a border sewed around the it, it looks alright but at the end there's a little clump of material, that's a little annoying.  But out of all the ones I have ordered this one is definitely the best.
It's been over five years and I'm finally getting around to writing my review.  My portofilio book is still in great shape and the leather is still nice.
This was exactly what I needed for my 8 x 10 photos of my son that I have saved for the past 18 years, since his birth.  It protects the photos well and stores perfectly in my file cabinet.
We were looking for something to store older 8x10 family photos in after we were done displaying them in frames.  The cover isn't fancy, but the photos fit well and I will just be tucking it on a shelf or putting in a basket for periodic viewing.  I like that there is a black sheet in each sleeve so that the opposite picture back isn't obvious.
I bought this portfolio because I needed to put my kids' 8 x 10 school pics that I've bought throughout the years; the albums that I found were either too bulky, too expensive or just plain ugly.  While the portfolio is rather plain, it is not bulky and the price is great.  It's easy to pull out to share the pictures without having to struggle with a large album.  I was so happy with this one that I am buying another one this size and a 5 x 7 as well.
I read the reviews and went for this.  They were right!  This is great for all those 8 x 10s you want to keep safe.  I run out of room on the walls or as they get older.  It would be great for documents too!
I was a little disappointed to find that the covers are not stiff, but flexible. Price, workmanship and material quality are all good, no complaints there.Photo sleeves have black paper (separator) in them. This is good because if you want to use smaller pictures on some pages, you can stick them to this paper using cellophane tape. We have some non-standard photos that are not quite 8x10. I am able to store them in this folio and they don't look odd.Overall, I am satisfied with the folio but was expecting the covers to be stiff.
I used this for my photography class. It works for that. do not think it will last a long time
I had so many 8X10s laying around that needed a home. I was so happy to get this and know they were safe again.
i love use this when i go to dive, i just put 2 bars on my intova housing and works great, before of this, all my dive pictures was fog and blur
Found out that this does work.  Not so helpful review, eh? But it works.  Tiny enough to fit in my Intova Underwater camera case at the top left :)
I am a long time professional photographer but new to the underwater world. I spent months getting SCUBA certified, researching cameras and technique, and finally buying my first underwater DSLR rig. My first test dive was a complete failure. My lens fogged up in about two minutes and the resulting pictures were completely unusable. Luckily, another photographer was helping me with the test shoot and suggested I buy these. I immediately ordered a pack and used a capsule on my second test dive. Success! Not a hint of moisture anywhere inside the case.Since then I have used them on two more dives and no fogging. With all the other money we spend on diving these are well worth the $1 a dive they cost.
I use these in an underwater camera housing, in conjunction with silica gel packs, and wouldn't be without them in this application.  The color changing aspect (from dark blue to pink) of this product really appeals to me, and actually saved my camera once.  I surfaced after very luckily noticing the color had changed, and found that I actually had a minor leak.  Highly recommended!
This product works well. I will order these again as needed.  Very handy for traveling to tropical areas.Good product.
I have a Canon S90 and a Canon underwater case for it. These capsules fit in nicely, and I haven't had problems with condensation while taking the camera down to ~90 ft underwater.
Put them in the camera housing before diving and it's always amazing how much moisture they absorb.  Wouldn't dive without them
I am a scuba diver and like to take many pictures using my underwater housing and use these to make sure that any moisture that comes into the housing is immediately taken care of, that is why I use the Moisture Muncher and that it fits inside the housing the best when compared to some of the other moisture packets (i.e. - silica gel packs).I will continue to buy these packets yearly, as I replace them often (daily) just to make sure. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying these packets over replacing my camera.
These are great to slip into your UW camera housing.Fresh and color coded.  Blue for new!  Been using then for years.
I used these in my Canon underwater case with my Canon S90 - there's room in the case for one along the rear right side of the camera, where it won't interfere with any camera functions, and if you're careful, you can fit a second one along the top of the camera (you have to be careful to tilt the case to the side so that the desiccant pack slides to the right before extending the flash, but once the flash is up, you're golden).Never saw the slightest condensation on the inside of the case while using these.  Each pack worked for about two or three dives in warm French Polynesian waters before it started to fade from blue towards white (and not, as the instruction said would happen, from blue to pink).These thoughtfully come packaged in a resealable zip-lock-style bag to keep the unused packets safely away from atmospheric moisture until you're ready for them.Highly recommended.
I bought this at the same time I bought an underwater housing for a point and shoot digital camera. The housing works great. Unfortunately, these capsules won't fit into the housing when the camera is installed. Luckily, no leaks! So if you buy these capsules, you may want to first check to see what the likelihood is they'll fit in your housing with your camera in it. Or use for some other purpose instead.
The product is a little smaller than a bic pen cap. Obviously it needs to fit inside the waterproof camera case. It took me a second to figure where, but it did. Good price.
keep any fog or vapor from inside the dc1400 camera well I was on a dive trip in humid conditions
This product is a must have for sealife under water cameras. They do an excellent job of catching the extra moisture so it does not ruin your camera!
Well the munchers are what they are. But they arrived quickly and were ready for use (uncontaminated  / used up which can be a problem.)
I had trouble finding these at the dive shops but it is a very good price on line and always in stock.
I have these in two camera enclosures, a point and shoot camera my son uses, and an enclosure for a Nikon D50 that I use.  I used to have problems with fogging, especially on the second or third dives of the day, after opening the enclosure to replace the memory card or battery on the boat or on the beach.  Frustrating!I had tried using silica gel packs you find in random equipment, but stopped using them when I read somewhere that those packs are a cause of enclosures flooding: the package gets a tiny corner between the gasket and the facing mating surface and your hundreds of dollars of equipment and future photos are toast (soggy toast, I guess).  I wouldn't want a "free" silica gel pack to cost me a camera body and lens plus the cost of a rental outfit for the rest of the trip!I have put a small piece of self-adhesive velcro on each of the tubes in the pack, and put the complementary patch of velcro on the back side of each of the enclosures.  They are in locations that make it impossible to interfere with the function of the gasket, so there is no risk of flooding.  We have not had any problems with fogging since.As for reusability: a careful read of the label shows the ingredients to be "Indicator Silica Gel."  Excellent.  What device to generate heat exists in nearly every resort/condo/rental apartment that won't melt the plastic of the capsule?  Why your coffee maker does the trick!  I place the pink capsules on a ceramic plate placed on the warming plate of the coffee maker overnight, and the next morning they are all dark blue again and ready to go!Stay dry out there!
Although there are many types of moisture absorbers out there, I found these to work extremely well.  You have nice camera equipment (camera, housing, strobe, video light, etc.) that all can trap moisture and severely damage your electronic equipment - even overnight.  I like these moisture munchers as they are made of hard clear plastic with the ends open to air circulation.  The material inside will absorb any moisture in your electronic device and keep it dry, even for long periods of time.  If you own an underwater camera, these inexpensive moisture munchers are critical to own.  Simply place one in your device after you are done using it or when you are going to place it in storage.  The munchers will change color when it no longer is useful.  There is just no reason to risk damaging your valuable equipment when these inexpensive and useful munchers can be used.
these work great in camera housings for keeping the moisture from causing your camera harm.  ideal when diving in warm and cold water.
I used them in a SeaLife 1400 camera on 4 week-long dive trips in Microneasia over the past year.  I was doing 3-4 dives a day and could easily get 12-15 hours of diving with these before I changed them and they were not even pink yet just kind of white instead of the blue when you start one.  For the price and the quality I do not know how you could get much better.  Do what you are supposed too; Keep your seals good on the camera and dry out the outside of the housing before opening the cover & you will get the same results.
I am so glad that I have got them I always had problem with the fog inside of the water cases and this item helped me so much but if you are going to stay on the beach or snorkeling or diving all the you are going to use every day but you are going to get a very good photos because you case is going to be dry inside.
These work well and are small enough to tuck inside the waterproof camera we use. It comes in a resealable bag to keep them fresh until needed.Their only drawback is that they are single use only. Silica gel can be reused many times by simply warming it up to drive the water out. Why not these?
These are perfect for a Canon WP-DC48 case (for the G15) and probably many other cases too, not just SeaLife equipment. They fit parallel to the lens barrel between the screw and rib of the case. They don't get in the way of the operation and are visible so you can see clearly when they turn pink. I used to dive without a desiccant but missed too many pics due to fog on the lens. no more with these.
Used in a sealife underwater camera housing. they fit in all the little corners perfectly. I have recieved previous packages (from other sellers) that were already pink (exposed) when I opened the package for the first time. These were very blue, as they should be. Small, light, and good absorbers.
Yes you can get these practically free... or at least much cheaper. You can take them out of just about any pill jar and its essentially the same thing. However, Moisture Munchers change color to let you know they are full of moisture so you can swap in another one. They are a little pricey but they do their job and you don't have to worry about anything. You have a visual aid to tell you if there is an issue. I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my underwater camera equipment, so spending an extra dollar per dive is worth it to me. It's like a cheap insurance policy! I'll always use these!
these worked beautifully for my Sealife DC 1000 and used 2 in 10 days of water time. Well worth it! dont' let moisture inside your housing ruin your investment and memories!
We use these for our scuba diving camera. They soak up any moisture/condensation that gets in the camera housing perfectly. Be sure to reseal the package or else they will absorb the moisture in the air.
Going diving in a couple of weeks. Camera system is built to use these directly in the water proof case (Sea Life DC1400). Have not used them yet, but was recommended by another diver. Will update the review after the trip is done.Completed the dives in Mexico(18 of them) and they worked great! The weather was very humid and the munchers worked very well. I did not use as many munchers as the recommended as they stayed very dry through out the trip. Will be ordering more when the ones I have are gone.
These were delivered fresh, active and have an expiration date 1 year in the future.  They fit the Sealife DC1400 camera as advertised.  After returning from vacation, I vacuum packed the extras with a FoodSaver.  Should keep them fresh until my next snorkel/scuba trip.
I purchased the SV-AV100 when it first came out based on its sharp video.  However, I was surprised how difficult it was to use anything but Panasonic SD cards which were exorbitant at the time.  However, after downloading a firmware update for the US model, the camera works quite well with other cards.  I'm currently using a Kingston 2GB SDHC card in MPEG2 mode and it works great.  I came across the following forum for the SV-AV100 which has the firmware download at zyvid dot com / smf / .  Hope this helps others looking for larger (and cheap) storage.
I have 2 other MPEG4 camcorders but the SVAV100 beats them in MPEG4 recording.  In MPEG2 recording, nothing comes close. This unit is really amazing. I could not believe the quality of the video!  I bought this camera after reading all the posts in JackBrown's forum which, incidentally has been down for over a week now -- I started a website forum of my own at [...] to help those who may be thinking of purchasing this item.  Please feel free to post anything like comments, help, etc.  I did not find any difficulty other people have claimed regarding not being able to play the MPEG2 video.  In fact I tested it in my 2 PC's, 2 laptops and  PC tablet, never did I have to rename the .mod file to .mpg. MS Video Player, Elecard and QuickTime as well as other players were able to play the video.  For editing, I only use Sony's Vegas and did not have any problems editing. So all you people who have been holding purchasing this product, you can now get the SVAV100 at very good discounts.  I got mine for $499.00 plus tax with free shipping.I am just adding this to my review.  I just purchased a Sandisk Ultra II 2GB SD and I am able to get 45 minutes of recording in MPEG2.  That is enough recording time for most.  I heard 4GB SD's will be coming out too but will be in the $400-$500 range. You can find 2GB SD's priced between $179-$199.
I've had this for about a year now.  Battery life last about an hour and generic replacement batteries from Ebay work fine.  WARNING!  USE ONLY PANASONIC MEMORY SD CARDS IF YOU WANT THE MPEG2 (DVD) QUALITY RECORDING!.  The manual says a card of at least 10megs/sec recording time is needed for Mpeg2 recording. BS! I bought Sandisk Extreme3 SD cards (20megs/sec recording speed) and IT DOES NOT WORK!  Panasonic 1gig sd card are about $179 at B&H; Photo and at J&R; Electronics.  Panasonic came out with the 20megs/sec recording speed sd cards so the standard 1gig should drop in the future.  I take this snowboarding and YES it withstands all day worth of tumbles thanks to no moving internal parts.  I lost the battery cover at Mammoth Mtn and bought a replacement from Panasonic's 800 number for $7+$5ship+tax.  I download the sd card from a card reader to my comp hard disk and record it straight to a dvd via Roxio DVD creator.  No widescreen recording but the quality is almost dvd like on Mpeg 2 mode (704 x 480 lines of resolution on Fine Mode and 352 x 480 on Norm mode) assuming it has enough lighting.  Records 10 mins on Fine mode and 20 mins on Norm mode with the included 512meg card and double those times with the 1gig card.  AGAIN ONLY PANASONIC SD CARDS WILL WORK FOR THE MPEG2 RECORDING.  Any sd card will work for the Mpeg4 recording mode and the picture mode which are pretty much useless due to the lack of quality.  Yes you need several Panasonic SD cards if you want to record alot.  Word is that Panasonic AKA Matush. will come out with the 4gig and 16 gig sd cards for their larger video camera with the widescreen recording.  Imagine the price of these cards!Pros: size, no moving internal parts, dvd quality recording, stereo sound recording, wind cut sound recording.Cons:EXPENSIVE PANASONIC ONLY SD CARDS NEEDED, 20 min max MPEG2 recording with 1gig card, Battery life only 1hr.
I've had the AV100 for about two months, and I'm still infatuated. Which isn't to say that I don't have my criticisms.First, the good stuff:It really is small enough to fit in a pocket, which means that you will carry it everywhere, which in turn means that you'll get video of things you otherwise wouldn't catch.The SD storage media is obviously very compact, and if you have the adapter, you can stick it right into your computer for transfer and editing.The camera's optics and design are excellent, and amazing in a package this size.The downsides (none of which take away from a five star rating in my view):The file format is a little funky for computer editing: you will need to install codecs, rename files, and use less-than-top-of-the-line programs to edit your video. Adobe Premiere Pro can't handle MPeg2 video, for example, so you'll have to convert your video or use a different program.No tripod adapter. Okay, the camera's small, but why didn't panasonic put one of those little screw-in holes in the bottom so you could put it on a tripod if necessary?For owners (and prospective buyers), I've set up a user group bulletin board at [...] It's got good tips and tricks for this camera.
(...) I purchased my Panasonic SVAV100 D-Snap tapeless video recorder three days ago from a retail store - within the first six hours (six hours in a car without Internet access) I was ready to return it.  I could not get the MPEG2 video to play outside the camera.  The supplied software, as it has been aptly described by others in the above reviews, is one of the worst applications I have seen in recent years - as one reviewer put it "what were they thinking?"  I was ready to return the camera - really - I was making plans to go back to the store - then finally got to the Internet and I read the oh-so-simple comments on the this review board about renaming the .MOD to .MPG and I completely changed my mind about the camera - the results are spectacular!"What an engineering marvel" we all said upon seeing the results on the PC.  With the camera producing native MPEG2 files it was doing what I expected it should do - files that can be edited with any desktop video editor.  I still can not believe the - no other word for it - `blunder' on the part of Panasonic's marketing and software groups.  This is the only tapeless video recorder under $800 (I paid $600 with a mfg. rebate coupon) that produces native DVD quality MPEG2 files - period.  Why don't they just say that?  Why don't they suggest renaming the .MOD to .MPG and call it a short cut for advanced users?  It's just weird.... My impressions point-by-point:First Light Setup - 10/10 - (out of the box and shooting video as fast as I could unwrap the plastic - very easy - PC software on the other hand ... read-on below...)Ergonomics - 9/10 (minor same points made by others - no tripod screw, buttons - though not needed for most functions while capturing images - require a bit getting used to located under and behind the flip screen)Camera menus usability - 10/10  (what you need for each mode - where you need it)Convenience (read: size) - 10/10 (you will always take it with you - you will find yourself taking video and capturing moments like never before)Image quality - 9/10 (Carl Zeis was a genius - no CZ lens here; white balance quite sensitive, but good - though there is a manual mode and this videographer needs to master it for low light, contrast-y, indoor shooting)Image stability - 10/10 (as good as my image stabilized binoculars - even with the optical zoom extended)Accessories - 9/10 (comes with all you'll need - but why is the charging system - brick and tray assembly - larger than the camera itself?  Charging batteries separately in a small form-factor unit is a must  - out-of-the-box, Panasonic requires batteries to be charged in the camera - apparently there is a third-party external charger available separately.  I'll be buying one soon!)Recording Capacity - 10/10 (this may surprise you - I use the NORM MPEG2 - that's 22 minutes - good but not quite DVD quality - on the supplied 512M chip and over 40 minutes on a 1G chip - how much video do you need to shoot anyway?  For family and activities - I've not had a problem - plus I can dump the chip to hard drive in a few minutes.  At $60/Gig - buy a couple chips.  The 2G chips are soon to be sold and 4G chips are on their way - that will be three hours of video on one chip!)PC Software - 0.0001/10 - (total utter failure on Panasonic's part.  Fortunately it is not required at all  - as I came to find out.  Simply take the chip out, plug it into your SD chip reader - desktop or laptop unit - copy and rename the files - there is even a freeware utility available on the Internet)Did I mention convenience `-) 10/10 !When I first looked into this product I was in a quandary - I worried about cutting edge: "high wow factor - low performance" - "sounds too good to be true" - I took a chance anyway - I am happy I did.  For more info - excellent source: Do a Web search on "SVAV100" and "Jack Brown" - you'll find an excellent "SVAV100 Forum" - Panasonic should give this group part of their marketing budget - they are far more competent.
As cool goes, this little camera is right up there at the top of the list. I took it to Hawaii, and sometimes forgot to video because it was so light in my pocket that I forgot I had it!Operation of the camera is very easy. Navigation is good. Ergonomics are quite good...even the scrolling arrows are angled to fit the normal angle of your hand.The lens quality seems good as well.Now, the problems:Many people have griped about the recording time on the SD card at 20 minutes or so. It never seemed to be much of an issue for me because I downloaded the SD card regularly.But that was the biggest problem.The included software seemed to install fine, but when I plugged the camera in, it would not launch. The computer recognized there was SOME device out there, but it could not communicate. Panasonic sent me (quite quickly) a replacement CD, but installing it on that computer and another one did not change the results: it would not download from the camera.Panasonic suggested a bad camera and that I exchange it. I returned it, but exchanged it for a different camera.That decision was not solely because of the defective camera. I found the video quality was not what I expected. In addition to overall quality, the camera had a great deal of difficulty in full sunlight. In mid afternoon shooting, the contrast seems to overwhelm it. Highlights are completely blocked, and strong shadows are opaque black. Maybe this is true of all video cameras, as I have little video experience, as opposed to a lot of still photo experience.After using this camera, I believe that this is a precursor of where video is going. Within 5 years, I think the vast majority of camcorders will record to solid-state memory cards instead of tape.But...this little camera may just be a bit too far ahead of its time.
The fact that this records files with an .mod suffix is irrelevant. When you rename them as .mpg files they are fine. Actually, Premiere Elements 2.0 doesn't even require you to rename them, it deals with .mod files just fine.The video is very good, with just a bit of jagged lines when there's fast motion.The point is, this camera is meant to be an easy thing to put in your pocket so you are always ready to grab some video and it does this superbly.It's not quite as good video as a higher end DV camera, but it's not meant for that. It's a great addition to your camera collection.
I own this this camera since February 2004. It is very well built, light  and handy, fits in any pocket.Video quality with light is very good. In low light conditions is very bad or no video at all.It is complicated to manage the files. Panasonic uses a trick to edit the video files. Files extenssion is .MOD, it is not .MPG. The change of extenssion was done to allow the edition of the recorded files with included Panasonic software and you will not find another compatibility for edition.If you backup the files in CD's or DVD's you will need to replace the extension of the files to play it in your DVD Player except for Panasonic DVD players.Example: File name MOV01.MOD must be changed to MOV01.MPG.You may want to use VLC software in your computer instead of Panasonic software included.From my point of view this product is not completely developed yet.
Handy little product for those who have a need for such a thing. Not fully a microscope (too small, no light source) and not fully a scope (again, too small) but perfect for lightweight camping/hiking. However, you will have to make a case for it because none is supplied (a cloth bag would have been nice). Instructions for usage are inadequate.
Worth every penny.  Wonderful visual acuity, clear image in low light.  Easier to hold stable than a normal loupe.  Would buy again and again.
I bought this as a present from my adult brother and he got a big kick out of it.  He tells me all the kids in the extended family don't want to leave it alone.  Also that it seems nicely made and works well.
Very good product. Hard to focus on irregular object like some thing round but its flat you can get a very good view. Good lighting is best for better view.
This was a gift for my son who loves to look at microscopic items.  Works great for viewing far away items too.
I'm pleased with it. It's well-made, very functional. The monocular is small and light, nice sharp image, good field of view, gathers light well. The microscope (or loupe) fitting is easy to use, has even focus right across the field, and doesn't need much help to gather enough light to give a good view. The tall transparent cone allows for a lot of light to hit the subject. I thought it might need an artificial light source, but ambient light even indoors mostly gets the job done. A drawback is that the microscope fitting is relatively large, so you're not likely to have it in your pocket when you stumble upon something interesting. Another drawback is that the monocular doesn't have lens caps, a lanyard, or a case of any sort, so you're not going to throw it in your gadget bag until you find some protection for it. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars - a case that would keep the two pieces protected, and together, would be nice, plus protection for the monocular if you want to use it when you're out and about. A little fleece eyeglasses bag would work fine though.Overall, this device is useful enough, and gadgety enough, and good-quality-enough, to make a nice gift. "Oh isn't that cool, and look - I can see grains of salt like they're pebbles!"
We use this product entirely as a field microscope, even though it has two other functions.  Amongst other endeavors, we collect sand samples from various beaches/deserts all over the world and this tool allows us to pick and choose in the field.  Samples are brought back to be studied with our desktop binocular microscope.  Sand is a very portable record of the geologic makeup of an area.  Our yard had many small piles of rejected sand samples, as we were collecting everything to review at home.  Because the Magni Scope does its job so well, we now return home with only keepers.  The scope is sturdy and pocketable.  Focusing with the knurled ring is difficult with one hand (the sample is in the other) but just moving the scope in and out does nearly the same thing.  We would recommend this tool to anyone who is already fascinated by the unseen micro-world, and also to those who are in need of a refresh of that 'Sense of Wonder' that a new way of looking at things can bring.  This scope would have rated a 5 had its focus ring been a little easier to operate.
I use this scope to identify bugs and disease on my garden. It provides the best magnification and the clearest view of any of the various loupes and magnifiers I have purchased. This has become my go to magnifier when I want to check for problems. I even got a Belamo 20x loupe and it just doesn't compare to the magnification of the Carson. I know the lenses in the Belamo are superior, but the image from the Carson is just as clear. Anyone looking for a magnifier for their garden should get this.
I bought this as a gift for my gf and she loves it.  Honestly I get to use it often as well as we use it to observe specimens we collect.
This unit provides a quality media player for the high-end AV officianado.  It does not try to be everything to everyone -- it does its job and it does it well.  It focuses on the delivery of your personal digital content to your HD-based AV system.  It does not play DVD's, it does not attempt to funnel high-bandwidth HD-quality media through a wireless connection that may not meet the speed requirements for video, nor does it try to force you to one media format like so many other media players.  In the same vein, it does not exclude you from doing anything you'd like through its support of pass-through component signals, a wide variety of memory card formats, integrated Ethernet with support for external WiFi adapters, the use of standard file services on your servers, and standard MPEG2, JPEG, and MP3 & playlist support (NOT some vendors' proprietary or DRM-restricted file format!)As if the HD1000 doesn't come with enough features today, the open-source nature of this device allows for a lot of future software features and upgrades from RokuLabs, 3rd party developers, and hobbyists.  The ability to connect to any kind of server with no specialized server software required is a big plus in my book.  The included ability to easily script your own programs in the simple language included can make for some great custom scenes on your HD display with corresponding soundtracks; if that's not enough, a full-blown C/C++ SDK is in the works for the diehard hobbyist.  The future of this unit is wide-open!The sleek, clean design looks even better in person than the online photos lead you to believe.  The remote control is simple and easy to use, as is the user interface.  The wealth of connections on the back are clearly labeled (even without my reading glasses!) and leave enough room for fingers to plug and unplug cables.This is the device I've been waiting for, and I've confirmed that desire with actual hands-on testing -- it's definitely on my xmas list!
High-Resolution HDTV output looks fantastic, for both pictures andmenus.  MP3 player displays ID3 tags and can play in the backgroundwhile you do other things (like watch a slideshow).  The userinterface is clean, minimalist, and easy to use.  It finds sharedcontent on networked drives and inserted flash cards and they appearin the user interface automatically.  Unlike the competition, itrequires no proprietary server software: just plug it in and you areready to go.  And it costs about the same as competing products, butnone of them provide HDTV output.The only drawback is that the remote responsiveness is slightly worsethan other electronics, though programming a learning remote from thesupplied remote makes it better.
The Roku HD player was nothing but problems.  I'm not a pro at things like this but my friend is and we spent over 3 hrs trying to get this thing to work and only then got it to work halfway.  Judging from other people on Roku's message boards I wasn't the only one.  It has serious networking issues.  I sent mine back I was so disappointed.  The idea was great but not the product.
I just got this item today along with the iomega 250GB Network Drive.  I plugged in my drive, put some music on it, then as soon as I turned on my Roku, it saw the files and started playing them immediately.I agree with some other users who say that navigating through the music is slow and cumbersome...that's why I gave it 4 stars, not 5.  However, this item works just like it was advertised.  I'm extremely pleased.
The promise of the HD1000 is high, but unfortunately it doesn't pay off. Setting up the unit to recognize your network and the individual shares is fairly complex and requires a level of knowledge greater than your average home user possesses. Unfortunately, technical support is done only by email and then at a snail's pace. Assuming you finally get the HD1000 to work, it fulfills most of the basic tasks it is advertised as capable of. It does display digital images from your network or inserted memory media. And it does play mp3 off of your network shares well, though the menu navigation is extremely slow and cumbersome. That is about it. If you are hoping to play any other type of media file from your computer, such as .mpg .avi .wma .mov, you'll will be severely disappointed. The advertised Mpeg2 support, advertised on the unit's packaging no less, does not exist in any form one could reasonably expect. If you want to play mpeg2 you must first download a beta application from Roku, then download a 3rd party utility, encapsulate the existing file to the streaming .ts format, and then maybe if you're lucky you might get to view the file.Basically the Roku HD1000 is a product that is half-finished with no indications from the company on whether or not there will be upgrades in the future. In the final analysis the only task it performs well is displaying digital images. If it's mp3 playback you're looking for I'd think about another product first. As for the elegant all in one media player we were all hoping for, perhaps Roku will be able to deliver in the next iteration of the product. For now the Roku HD1000 it is a must skip.
This product is truly designed for owners of digital cameras with various types of memory cards.  The image quality on large format HD screens is quite impressive.Downside, you have to have a compact flash card and reader in order to import the updated software.  Looking at prices at Amazon this could cost more than half the price of the unit itself. This is a serious shortcoming for this product and my reason for a average rating.  I have still not been able to get the unit to work on either of my networks using Windows XP.Most people keep their photo's on CD's and a CD slot would have been a great feature, even over the assortment of memory card slots they provide. I would believe that most images are moved from memory cards to hard drives and cd's for long term storage and later viewing making a CD drive much more practical.
I bought the Roku HD1000 so that I could display digital photos in HD on my TV.  I was not disappointed.  In fact, the results were outstanding!  If you use a memory stick, SD card, or compact flash disk, the setup couldn't be easier.If you want to get files from your PC over a network things get more complicated.  Not complicated in a technology sense, but in a user interface sense.  You need to do a bunch of clicking to get things set up.If you want to play music from your computer, the interface becomes a hassle.  You end up browsing through a hierarchy of folders to find the song you want, and it's basically not worth the trouble.I already own an Audiotron, which does for music what the Roku does for photos, and it's so much easier to use that the Roku will be a photo-only device for me. The Audiotron saves you the endless folder browsing by automatically searching the entire network for music, and then organizing it for you.  It allows you to very quickly choose music by artist, album name, song title, or genre.  The Roku could do with a lot of improvement in this area.The irony is that if the Roku had been billed as being for photos only, I'd have given it 5 stars.  It's really the only game in town if you want high definition photo display on a TV, and it's terrific!  For trying to be a video and music solution as well, and being poor to fair in those categories, I deduct a star.  If you want a solution for music or video, buy something else.
The Photobridge is a nice product if you are looking for a bridge device between your PC and your HDTV.  The product is of the most use with the 2.x "beta" version of the software and a couple of third party applications called Mplay and SlimRoku.  It takes a healthy understanding of computers to get this device working, and with the above software and a 100Mb network connection there is little this device wont do.  If you really want good information I would recommend looking at the forums on [...] and look under the Third Party applications topic for the Photobridge.
This is a very well executed product.After using the Prismiq MediaPlayer for six months (which I have now sold off on ebay), this is a godsend. Even my wife can now use the Roku HD1000.* Component Video Output of upto 1080i (this is a plus for me as I have an HDTV, although this may not be an important feature to you if you do not have HDTV) -- finally some justice done to my digital photos. Actually, the UI is more readable as well because of the higher resolution.* Very good UI, although some some features (better playlist navigation, auto-playlists or sort by artist/album/genre etc) are desperately needed.* Open platform, SDK is freely available. Opens door for 3rd-party developers* No special server software needed, other than SMB file sharing.* The company engineers (including the CEO) seems to be listening to the customers and coming up with useful feature updates.* The only negative feature is its price. At $500, it seems a bit too expensive.
Item was used in our Employee Christmas gift giveaway and we now have one happy salesman.wannabe hunter!!!  Great idea for a man's gift!
I had thought this would be a perfect way to take photos of birds from approximately 20 feet.  Not even close.  Extremely poor resolution.  The pictures it takes remind me of why I have to wear glasses.  Fuzzy and no magnifaction.  Will be in our next yard sale-and certainly not at the price I paid.
This is probably a wonderful item, but when I searched for binoculars with camera, it came up in the list. My fault, I saw the name Pentax and bought it without reading the product description fully. I plan to put this in a charity auction, so all is not lost!
I am hoping that this is a great binocular with camera.  However, I purchased it for a Christmas gift so I am unable to give this a proper rating.
I got these binoculars thinking they would be awesome and great. I love that thet are very strong exept the picture/video taking is horrible. I normally just use these for normal binoculars because of that. Its hard to download on the computer, Its hard to find the right memory chip that fits in it, and after you get to finally see your pictures and video you realize that the quality is horrible. =( I still like it though. =D
I can't compare this Vivitar camera to any others on the market because it's the first digital camera I've had, but I am more than satisfied with the purchase. For the price, it's a steal. It's simple to operate, and the resulting pictures are clear, crisp, and surprisingly large. The software packaged with it makes it an even more worthwhile buy. You can edit, resize, and get creative with your photos without having to buy a lot of other expensive software. Uploading photos to your computer can be accomplished with a minimum of fuss.The only complaint I have is one voiced by others: this baby eats up batteries. But if you pick your subjects wisely and avoid the temptation to snap away with reckless abandon, this is a great camera for the price.Brian W. Fairbanks
I started with Alkaline batteries and they were dead after a few minutes of camera use. I bought rechargables and those lasted no longer. Besides, the need for reprogramming (see other reviews) is a pain. Furthermore, there is no way to completely disable the video function and frequently I was accidentally shooting video instead of still shots. The only use I have for this camera is with an A/C adapter which I bought to take pictures for Ebay listings. The camera has proven useful for that.
This was my first digital camera, bought when I was pregnant with my now 3 yr old son.  I got it because it was a good price... $77 at Target the day after Thanksgiving.  I never regretted going with a cheap one for one second!  My dad did a lot of research, and bought a more expensive one from National Camera that they recommended, and the picture quality didn't compare to what I got.  Mine was 10X better.  The zoom isn't great... I just cropped the pictures later instead of zooming because it usually would look better that way.  The only reason I am not still using this great camera- I let my mom take it to Mexico, and when I got it back, the pictures were all blurry.  I don't know what she did to it, but it had never had a problem in 2 1/2 years and after 1 week with her it didn't work, so I do not blame the camera at all.  It does go through batteries, but like others said, just buy the rechargable batteries.  They worked great!  And someone said they last a half a year... I am still using the AA ones I bought over 3 years ago, and they still last just as long, and get a lot of use between cameras and my sons toys.  My replacement camera was researched a lot more after seeing the poor quality a lot of other people end up with... I got a Canon PowerShot SD600 Elph 6 months ago... and am in love with that camera.  If you are looking for good pictures for a good price, this is definitely the right camera.  If you are willing to spend more, the Canon also does great video w/sound, and has replaced my video camera.  Both take great pictures, the canon just has more options.  In 6 months I have taken over 3000 pictures with this camera.  Most people call me obsessive with pictures, so both cameras have definitely been put to the test by me... and both have passed (my dads, and many others I have tried in stores... would never pass.)  My #1 recommendation is to go to the store and try them.  Look at the quality of the pictures you take, the type of memory card, how fast it takes pictures (or you might miss everything your kids do!), and what features it has.  Megapixels is really not important... unless you are planning on blowing it up beyond 8x10.  3 MP blows up to 8x10 with great quality, and getting a camera with higher really won't change that, unless you are going to be printing bigger.  Good luck with whatever camera you choose to buy!
This camera is basically good for mid quality family pictures and similar shots, you can't expect much from a non-optical zoom/ 3.3 mp camera, PLEASE!!! Anybody who tells you how great the camera is, never had anything better on their hands,LETS BE HONEST it is not a bad camera but not a smart choice if you are looking for quality. It's actualy a pretty handy and easy to use camera, not too many features and cheap, so there you go...if you need something not too fancy, cheap and you are not expecting some awarded National geographic pictures from it, this is your camera.
This camera served me well in the time i used it. I took some great pictures with it on a camping trip i took. The flash is really good but uses up batteries faster than you would like so its good to have rechargeable batteries. Once you have those though, this camera is excellent.
This is my first camcorder ever. After a lot of researching and reading reviews of about every single camcorder on the Market I picked Sony. I have and own Sony products and they have never given me any problems whatsoever.This camcorder is the best. Easy to use, I was filming about 10 minutes after I got it out of the box. The still photo capability is terrible, do not even use it. This is a camcorder, not a camera.I made a one hour film on LP, after finalizing it I stuck it right on the DVD player (3 years old, mind you) and it played. The picture quality is great, even on LP mode.The only one complaint I have is that my computer will not recognize the camera, I have tried everything. The only way for me to view or edit, you HAVE to use the "Image Mixer" software that comes with it, and by the way it is terrible. But once you get your images through the "POOR" software you can save them and edit them with a software of your choice. I have not done that yet, a later review will follow after I have owned the camera for a while.Buy another battery. The battery that comes with it only lasts for 60 minutes"most",. First thing I did is bought another Lithium battery, you can get one that will run for three hours at $59.00 at the Sony Site.Media, DVD-RW is almost impossible to find. If you happen to come across it, buy it right away or you may never have that chance again. DVD-R's is very easy to find, but you can only record on them once and "in-camera" editing is not possible. DVD-RW's can be recorded and edited up to 1000 times. Much more worth your money.This is a great camcorder and I would recommend it to anyone. Plus, it's a SONY, and you can't go wrong with Sony.
This is the camera of my dreams, since I have lost a lot of time administering the data captured from camcorders and cameras. Now, this camera offered to me a way to record directly into an unviversally accepted media! I loved it! Secondly, the image quality is indeed very good.The things I don't like are the media price. DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs are still quite expensive and not easy to be obtained. Sony should provide more media for free considering the price of this camera, not to talk about some other accesories such as filtering lenses, etc...
the DCR-DVD300 sits atop the recently released line of miniDVD camcorders from sony.  other models in this line are the DCR-DVD200 and DCR-DVD100.  the main difference the three camcorders in this line are LCD size and CCD resolution:- DCR-DVD300: 3.5&quot; LCD, 1MP CCD- DCR-DVD200: 2.5&quot; LCD, 1MP CCD- DCR-DVD100: 2.5&quot; LCD, 640K CCDpros:- records dolby digital stereo.- carl zeiss lens.- 10x optical zoom.- video quality almost at par with miniDV camcorders (at slower recording modes).- Super SteadyShot image stabilization system - and sony's system really helps.- three low light shooting modes: Nightshot, Super Nightshot, and Color Slow Shutter.- big, 3.5&quot; LCD display.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB 2.0, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- USB 2.0 support for fast downloads.- the convenience of DVD navigation - simply select the scene and you're there!- supports analog-to-digital conversion.- hot accessory shoe with lots of optional accessories.cons:- expensive - as with most sony products, you pay a premium, plus you pay for DVD convergence.- average low light performance.- no memory stick support; if you want to take a still picture, it is saved on the DVD.- mic picks up DVD spinning noise in quiet environments.- finalizing a DVD takes upwards of 10 minutes, and it can be a confusing process.- don't expect much from the still images recorded, even at 1MP resolution.- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- no manual focus ring.- getting video into editing software (e.g. Final Cut Pro) is harder than it should be.- not Mac friendly.- poor battery life with included battery so add $$ to your budget to buy a higher capacity spare.- compared to current release camcorders, this is a pretty big one at 3.1 x 3.8 x 5.6&quot; weighing 1 lb 9 oz.this is a nice, solid effort by sony and i give them points for dvd convergence.  however, in my opinion, the DCR-DVD300 is too big and not easy to use.  it's expensive for the feature set but the alternative to this dvd camcorder (a miniDV tape camcorder and DVD recorder combo) is even more expensive.  i already have a dvd recorder so for me, a smaller and easier to use miniDV camcorder makes more sense.  if this is your situation as well, i would recommend a panasonic gs-70 or sony's pc-105, both miniDV camcorders.  otherwise, if you want a finalized DVD straight out of your camcorder, consider the DCR-DVD300.a final note.  if you have decided you want to record directly to a DVD, which camcorder should you buy?  DCR-DVD300 or DCR-DVD200 or DCR-DVD100?  only one hundred bucks separate these three camcorders (street price).  for me, a hundred bucks is worth it to get the 1MP CCD and the big 3.5&quot; LCD.i hope this helps you with your buying decision.  peace.
If you're starting to go crazy shopping for a digital camcorder, read on.  Bundles of format types, odles of brands, countless models to choose from, what a mess!  The answer is the Sony Handycam 300 (or the 100 or 200 if your budget is tighter).  My wife and I have twins and have no time to learn the complexities of digital camcorders and returned a Canon and a JVC camcorder after looking at the owners manual.  HOWEVER, we essentially figured out how to use the Sony 300 by just playing with it.  The menus and options work pretty much like our DVD player and in less than 30 minutes (after charging the battery) we were filming like crazy, taking pictures and having a great time.  And the resulting DVD played perfectly in our home DVD player and looked wonderful.Conclusion, don't get confused by all the critiques saying one camera is too heavy, another is noisy, the next one vibrates too much, blah, blah, blah.  Buy a handycam 300 and start making movies.
Most (if not all) the other reviews discuss the pros and cons of the camera. I'll quckly agree with them, and get it over: Great camera, excellent quality movies, needs a bigger battery (but then, doesn't EVERYTHING?). Love the camera's features.I use a Gateway laptop, with Winders XP Pro (SP2). I had a problem when following the instructions in the manual: everytime I loaded the drivers, ALL (and I *DO* mean *ALL*!!!) of my drivers for EVERY device (including video card, hard drive, audio card, etc) DISAPPEARED! Gone. Nadda. Zip. History!If I tried to install the software that came with the camera, it wouldn't recognize that the camera was hooked-up. Bummer!I called Sony's Lack-of-Techincal Support. I went through all three levels of support, ending-up with an "engineer." The second level said "Yeah, the camera won't work over USB 1.1" He then sent me to the third level (the "engineer") who told me that the second level was in error: the problem is that the camera won't work with USB 2.0 on Winders XP! Guess Sony doesn't really know which one it does or does not work with.Said engineer had me do several more advanced things with my operating system (by the way, I teach computer programming, and been a-workin' with 'em since 1973). Among other things, he asked me to "delete everything in your startup folder." To which I replied, "Uh, how about I move 'em to another folder. I'll need 'em back." To which he says, "Nah! Don't worry about 'em... you don't need 'em anyway!" When I pointed-out he had NO idea what was in my startup folder, he insisted I "don't need whatever is there." Of course, the software I teach for a living DOES need what it installs there, but Mr. Expert didn't know that, and didn't WANT to know!After an hour of talking with people at Sony, the "engineer" decides it's not Sony's problem: the problem must be with Gateway. Call Gateway!My Solution:After the "engineer" hung-up on me, he WOULD have left a normal household user in such a state that no drivers would have been loaded on every system start or reboot. So, after I returned my operating system to normal, I started looking for another solution: I didn't want to return the camera.Winders XP recognizes the camera in either USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 as an external hard drive device... but Sony's software still won't talk to it. Even the third-level support guy told me NOT to install the drivers that come with the camera if using Winders XP... and I agree (at least, on my machine)!I can use InterVideo's DVD Copy to convert the MPEG 4 videos to MPEG 2. Then, I can use SonicFoundry Vegas Video (oddly, now owned by Sony!) to edit my videos. I'm certain *you* could use any video editor of your choice (e.g. Ulead or InterVideo or whoever).Side note: for those of you using DVD XCopy to, uh, "back-up" your commerically-made, non-rented, non-borrowed, copyrighted DVD's: installing ANYTHING from InterVideo will probably break your DVD XCopy! (InterVideo is supported my the Movie Industry people, so I'm told). You have been warned. But since "backing-up" copyrighted video isn't something I do... it doesn't matter to me.The camera is a darn nice camera. The video's are great. It beats converting VHS (or other format) conventional video to digital (you lose a lot in the process).Buy it. Love it. Forget their technical support: you're probably "on your own."
I took my very first movie today with my Sony DVD300 handycam which was a Christmas gift from my brother.  The clarity is amazing and the sound just floors me.  I'm devoted to movie making only and the finalization process took about 2 1/2 minutes and I was then all ready to pop the disc into the DVD player.  Instant gratification!  The Carl Zeiss lens is a worthy attribute to this marvelous camcorder.  The 21st century is in your hands with the Sony DVD handycam.  Hats off to Sony!!  You'll be grateful everyday that you own this DVD camcorder.
After careful research I went with the DVD200. The extra $100 is worth it over the DVD100 due to the resolution. But paying an extra $100 just for an inch bigger fold-out LCD on the 300 just didn't seem worth it. So I settled on the 200. I'd recommend doing so to anyone interested, unless cost isn't an issue!
I bought this camera before I found out that Opra put it on her recommend buy list. This caused all of the sheep that follow her to rush out and max out their credit cards on the camera causing a shortage of the cameras and more importantly the mini-discs that you need to use it! If you are buying it for the holidays - forget about it! Go for the Hitachi - Some places are selling them for cost and this is their thrid generation version vs first for Sony. I bought the Sony becuase of the hype of the better lense - which - unless you are professional I'm not sure you are going to noitce the difference.I'm going to take advantage of my 30 day guarentee and dump this thing back on their counters.
It is one of &quot;the easiest to use and best with the features&quot; camcorder. I strongly recommend it. There are different recording speeds so you can record on one disc up to 1 or 2 hours. Everything is great ! Excellent picture quality. The only drawback is quality of still shots. They never match to this camcorder's quality. But who would buy a camcorder to take stills ?? Go for it. You won't regret it.
I love this camera sooo much!  However, the viewing angle has become a very big problem in that it does not pan out wide enough for a lot of shots.  Otherwise I think it is a great buy for the price.Another thing to not though is the ability of it to take still photos.  It is really cool that after you are done filming, there is still space allotted on the DVD so you can add still photos to the movie you just created.The photos will be displayed at the end of the movie like a slideshow.  It is a really nice way to end a viewing and the camera sets it all up by itself.  That is a very cool feature.  Hope this helps!
I recently purchased this camcorder, and am very happy with it--happy enough that I wanted to address some of the perceived negatives in other reviews.From jemaer_rf's helpful review:cons:- average low light performanceI disagree - I find the low light performance to be excellent. This is also borne out by comparative tests published in _Consumer Reports_' camcorder evaluation issue.- no memory stick support; if you want to take a still picture, it is saved on the DVD.This is true--but hardly a disadvantage: surely more people have DVD-ROM drives than memory stick readers.- mic picks up DVD spinning noise in quiet environments.This is true: you will have to live with this or choose another camcorder. I'd be curious to know if this is the case with other DVD camcorders.- finalizing a DVD takes upwards of 10 minutes, and it can be a confusing process.It takes about 3 minutes, assuming the disc is full. The less full a disc is, the longer finalizing takes. Since this process is only necessary for playing the disc on other DVD players, I fail to see how it's a disadvantage when compared to, say, a tape-based camcorder (where you can't play the tape in anything but the camcorder).It isn't confusing either. I'd like to just digress here and say that the product manual is very good--certainly the best manual for a piece of consumer electronics I've ever used--and describes very clearly how to exercise every feature and function.- don't expect much from the still images recorded.No- they are 640x480 images: okay for the web and email but not much else. I wouldn't even bother, really--just take a short video shot instead.- getting video into editing software (e.g. Final Cut Pro) is harder than it should be.I don't know about the specific software mentioned here, but since the video is recorded in a standard format on a standard DVD-R (assuming you use a DVD-R) it's very universal. As I use Linux and Macintosh systems exclusively (Linux rarely supporting a particular camcorder) this universality was a big selling point of a DVD camcorder for me--and thus getting the video into any particular piece of software has been very easy so far.- not Mac friendly.In the sense that the bundled software doesn't come for Macintosh. But you don't want that anyway--you want to use iMovie, right? I hear (have not done this myself) that this is easily done by using Quicktime Pro to convert the .vob files from the DVD into .dv files, which can then be used in iMovie. Secondly, I will bet iMovie will soon support these camcorders.From an anonymous review:- There is a significant delay between when you push the record button and when recording actually starts, in the neighborhood of a few seconds.This is true. I have gotten in the habit of recording extra footage before and after what I want to capture, and editing it later on the computer, so this doesn't bother me.- Also, there is no editing as-you-go with DVD. If you are used being able review the last part of what you taped and record over it if you don't like what you see, you will be frustrated with DVD recording. There is no editing unless you transfer it to your computer and then of course you need to record it again on a DVD burner or video CD.This is only true if you are recording to a DVD-R (write-once media). You are free to record to a DVD-RW and erase/edit as you like.These reviews do not mention two other potential drawbacks: namely (and this applies to any DVD camcorder) the media is low-capacity and somewhat costlier (I found DVD-Rs for $3 ea; they record 30 min in standard quality and 60 min is extended play mode) so you may be paying more per minute, and changing media more frequently, than with a tape camcorder.The second is that the camcorder doesn't support Firewire, only USB 2.0, which you may not have if you don't have a fairly new computer. Again, this wasn't much of a disadvantage for me since I always planned on reading the DVDs directly rather than transferring the video using the camcorder (popping the disc into the DVD-ROM drive *has* to be faster than transferring the files by wire.Overall I'm extremely pleased with my purchase. I decided not to spend an extra, about, three hundred bucks, for the DVD300; and I'm so happy with the image quality: excellent low-light, image stabilization, nightshot (and aren't these what you're buying a camcorder for?); that I'm convinced it was the right call.
the DCR-DVD100 is the &quot;value&quot; entry of the recently released line of miniDVD camcorders from sony. other models in this line are the DCR-DVD300 and DCR-DVD200. the main difference the three camcorders in this line are LCD size and CCD resolution:- DCR-DVD300: 3.5&quot; LCD, 1MP CCD- DCR-DVD200: 2.5&quot; LCD, 1MP CCD- DCR-DVD100: 2.5&quot; LCD, 640K CCDpros:- records dolby digital stereo.- carl zeiss lens.- 10x optical zoom.- video quality almost at par with miniDV camcorders (at slower recording modes).- Super SteadyShot image stabilization system - and sony's system really helps.- three low light shooting modes: Nightshot, Super Nightshot, and Color Slow Shutter.- great connectivity options: firewire, USB 2.0, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.- USB 2.0 support for fast downloads.- the convenience of DVD navigation - simply select the scene and you're there!- supports analog-to-digital conversion.- hot accessory shoe with lots of optional accessories.cons:- inferior CCD resolution vs the DVD200 and DVD300.- expensive - as with most sony products, you pay a premium, plus you pay for DVD convergence.- average low light performance.- no memory stick support; if you want to take a still picture, it is saved on the DVD.- mic picks up DVD spinning noise in quiet environments.- finalizing a DVD takes upwards of 10 minutes, and it can be a confusing process.- don't expect much from the still images recorded.- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.- smaller LCD (2.5&quot;) vs the DVD300 (3.5&quot;).- no manual focus ring.- getting video into editing software (e.g. Final Cut Pro) is harder than it should be.- not Mac friendly.- poor battery life with included battery so add $$ to your budget to buy a higher capacity spare.- compared to current release camcorders, this is a pretty big one at 3.1 x 3.8 x 5.6&quot; weighing 1 lb 6 oz.this is a nice, solid effort by sony and i give them points for dvd convergence. however, in my opinion, the DCR-DVD100 is too big, not easy to use, and does not use the 1MP CCD that the DVD200 and DVD300 have. it's expensive for the feature set but the alternative to this dvd camcorder (a miniDV tape camcorder and DVD recorder combo) is even more expensive. i already have a dvd recorder so for me, a smaller and easier to use miniDV camcorder makes more sense. if this is your situation as well, i would recommend a panasonic gs-70 or sony's pc-105, both miniDV camcorders. otherwise, if you want a finalized DVD straight out of your camcorder, consider the DCR-DVD100.a final note. if you have decided you want to record directly to a DVD, which camcorder should you buy? DCR-DVD100 or DCR-DVD200 or DCR-DVD300? i highly recommend spending the extra ... bucks (street price) to get the higher resolution CCD of the DVD200/DVD300. if you want a bigger 3.5&quot; LCD, it'll cost you an extra ... bucks to go to the DVD300. i think this is a fair price for the upgrade too.i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.
While this camera has drawbacks, and it does have them, on balance, it's a good buy.I am replacing a TRV-340 (Digital 8).  I had no problems with that camera, but my wife, who is technologically illiterate, could not understand the process of finding the cables and hooking the camcorder to the TV and playing the tapes, or hooking it to the computer (or standalone DVD recorder) and burning the tape to DVD to watch.So she saw this camera and liked the idea.  So we spent the money, brought it home, and lo and behold, used our first DVD-RW (8 cm) disk.  We recorded a few clips over a few minutes.  We popped it out and put it in the small portable DVD player that we have, and sure enough it played (without finalizing).  She was happy, and as a consequence, I was happy.Drawbacks:  It sucks down a lot more juice than my tape camcorder.  I get barely 60 minutes per 50-sized battery, according to the screen.  But worse yet, 30 minutes per disk on the SP setting (around 4000 kb/s bit rate, or so...mid-DVD range, which is roughly 8000 to 2000, more or less, I haven't had time to calculate 1.4 GB over 30 minutes, yet.).Still picture capability is on disk-only, and it's only 640x480, but I prefer a still camera for special still shots, and use 5+ Megapixel for those.Disks are still expensive, but as I've seen three different companies (at least) in the store with DVD camcorders, the generics should freely flow soon.  Until then, I'll use DVD-RW, burn to DVD-R by computer, and erase.
I got a C5050 which was the predecessor to this camera.  After about over 1 year of non-frequent use, the CCD is having problem.  I did a search on Google and this seems to be a common product defect problem.  The symtom of the problem is that the LCD screen looks like a bad TV signal reception.  As first, I thought it was the LCD problem but when I took a picture.  The picture turned out all badly which than I realized it's the CCD problem.  I have another Olympus D490 which is almost 4 years old and no problems.
This is my 3rd Olympus digital camera. This is my favorite so far. One older 2.5MP Olympus camera just didn't have the picture quality I wanted although it was very well made. I owned the Olympus C4040 which was a great camera. I was going to settle for the C4040. It took awesome pictures and was also built well. Unfortunately I had a situation which required more money then I had and the C4040 had to go! Now I have the C5060 and it's a keeper. Once again it is well made and takes great photos. I bought it based on a Steves Digicam Review. I read reviews here after I bought it and actually got concerned that I made a mistake. People talking about malfunctions and poor battery life? UH OH! Well, I have waited a couple of months and took alot of pictures before I wrote this and so far I have had no problems. The battery lasts quite a long time which is great. Even using the flash and the lcd for a long time didn't drain the battery too quickly at all. ebay has alternate Japanese batteries for much less than the Olympus battery so extra batteries are no problem. The button layout is great. One thing I noticed right away was the evolution of Olympus digital cameras. This camera is well thought out and I could see the details they improved upon over the years. I recommend this camera highly! I imagine that some of the cameras purchased toward the beginning of their manufacturing run, had a higher degree of faults. Usually these problems are worked out and it seems this could be the case with the 5060.
Since a Google search will turn up this listing on amazon at or near the top, I thought I'd add some advice regarding the 5060 "mode dial" problem.  This is that problem where the on/off switch starts working erratically and then soon all of the functions begin behaving very strangely or not at all, including macro mode, flash settings, program settings, etc.There are two solutions - one extreme, and one really simple.  I solved my problems with the simple fix.  Try it and it might work - if not, use the drastic fix.The simple fix:1. Get a can of "DeOxit D5 Power Booster" spray from Caig Laboratories.  You can get it from Radio Shack and many other electronics supply places.2.  Attach the red straw to the spray head and use it to squirt the DeOxit into and around the mode dial switch, the menu buttons, and any other moving buttons that you think might have electronic contacts underneath.  Try to avoid the LCD, and don't saturate the entire camera back - just squirt it into the crevices.3.  Manipulate all the buttons and dials you have just sprayed.Voila!  I'll bet your camera works perfectly now.  My guess is that a gradual process of oxidation on the electrical contacts causes at first intermittent, then permanent discontinuity of the electrical switches.  DeOxit is a really good electrical contact cleaner and removes the oxidation from the electrical contacts.  (try it on slot cars too - they will run faster!).  I use the spray on any old electrial switches that are mis-behaving and very often it will solve the problems for a long time, then another shot usually restores function.Some people report using WD-40 successfully.  This works on the same principle, but WD-40 does NOT clean the electrical contacts the way the DeOxit does, so I recommend skipping straight to the DeOxit.  WD-40 will also leave a greasy residue, and can eventually "gum up" when it dries out.  DeOxit dries completely, is not greasy, and won't harm plastics or metal finishes.  WD-40 can destroy some plastics.If not, proceed to the drastic method, which is to replace the mode dial.  Instructions can be found here:[...]
I have to agree with other comments about the darker lense on the new 5060. I have a couple of year old Olympus C2040, the second edition of Consumer Reports number one rated camera. It the first report, it took top honors over even the 5 megapixel cameras in printed picture results. The following year with the 2040 it was comparable to the 5s. It cost about the same as the 5050 and 5060's are now. But wow what a camera. Most of it is due in part to the super bright 1.8 lense. I think Olympus decided that people, when they are shopping for a camera, look at the obvious numbers. For example 4x sounds better than 3x in the zoom. The problem with larger zooms is that they require smaller apertures. Smaller aperture means a smaller hole the camera looks through, which equals less light, which equals, more flash, which means more bleached out, unnatural light, more battery being eaten up, and just simple less ability in varying conditions to get faster shutter speeds, which equals needing a tripod, or a fuzzy shot.When I bought my camera with the 1.8, the camera shop manager had one also as his personal camera. He showed me two of the same shot of a guitar sitting on a bed of leaves. One he took with the Olympus, the other with a Nikon, at twice the money. Both shots were very well defined on the subject, but the Olympus bright lense brought out the background a lot better. The definition was way better.Consumer reports rated the Olympus C5050 as their number two pick, and the Nikon came in first at a lot more money. I don't agree that the Nikon is better with 100 shots per battery charge instead of 400 with the Olympus, and a darker lense on the Nikon. I guess that is something for another review.Anyhow, I think the C-5060 has some nice features, but the bottom line is that we are taking a box, and opening and closing a lense, and recording what it sees. Ever try getting a clear view through a pin hole. You get the idea. I would pick up the 5050 if it were in the market, they are discounting them to make room for the 5060. Myself, I can't imagine getting better results than I am already getting with the 2040. I print out an 8 1/2&quot; x 11&quot; on glossy photo paper, and it looks indistinguishable from a 35mm photograph.It is ashame that we have to pick out, one of these, it would be nice if we could have one of them all. After all, the 5060 does have some nice features.
...you're on your own when it comes to batteries. If you're wealthy and can afford pocketfuls of weird batteries, you'll love this camera. I was going to buy it until I learned it doesn't take 4 AAs. I can get AAs in Calcutta, Urbicande, Samaris and Detroit. Try getting a A78XX324732799-U rechargable! (Actually, they may have one in Samaris, but I wouldn't count on it.)Avoid proprietary batteries as you would avoid, well, proprietary batteries. Ten years from now they'll be special order only and will cost more than the camera does today.Happy Shooting! Whatever you buy.
July, 2004 - Just like the other reviewer from Texas, out-of-the-box the battery/charger had a problem.  I'm sure this is a good camera if I ever get to use it.The charger flashes red after about 2 minutes of charging.  The instructions say to immediately call Olympus support.  Which I did and after about 15 minutes on hold, I'm told I can either return the camera or mail in the charger and battery.  I'm mailing the charger/battery - so I'm guessing I'm out of a camera for a couple of weeks.When two people take the time to report the same problem within 2 months, I think Olympus has a serious problem with a supplier.November, 2004 - follow-up:  Since I was going on vacation the first of August, I purchased a second charger and battery - which worked fine.  It took Olympus four(4!) months to return the charger and battery I submitted to them - AND - they reshipped the same equipment back (still malfunctioning) in the same packing materials with instructions to resubmit the equipment if I still had a problem.  The camera works great - but if you need help from Olympus - good luck.
The Olympus C-5060 is a truly great camera! About the only complaints I have are that when using the viewfinder what you see is not necessarily what you get, especially when close to the subject, and manual focus can be a little difficult. An SLR camera would take care of both of these problems, but I can't afford it. Also, the supplied 32-MB memory card is way too small. A 256 is about the right size; it will hold nearly 100 images in the better-quality jpeg format.My main reasons for looking at this model were the lithium-ion battery and the ability to zoom out to a reasonably wide angle. There have been negative comments about the battery in other reviews; I can't understand why. With my old camera, I had become very tired of messing with piles of AA NiMH cells, charging one set while using another. The Olympus battery lasts for hours and hours on a charge. Just in case, I bought a second battery (Merkury Innovations, about $20, higher capacity than the original).The physical design of the C-5060 is excellent. The controls are not tightly crowded, but are spread throughout the body. Buttons are different sizes and shapes, so using it in low-light situations is easy. The camera seems very rugged. I hope I never drop it, but I would be very surprised to find any damage if I did.The CCD array is very quiet and has a noise-reduction feature for low-light situations. I have taken some night-sky pictures in which stars are points of light on a completely black background. It is also possible to take good flash photos at night. The camera lights the subject with an eerie red glow for a few seconds in order to get an accurate focus.Using the camera in fully automatic mode generally produces good results. When you need to take control, you have many choices: aperture-priority, shutter-priority, or fully manual exposure, for instance. I don't think there's anything that can't be placed under the user's control. Unfortunately, that eliminates excuses for taking bad pictures.The image quality is just about perfect. I was a little disturbed at first by ghostly outlines around tree branches and other objects. This turned out to be the sharpness setting. One would think that zero, the factory default setting, would be normal; minus numbers would produce soft focus and positive would sharpen the image. Not so! At zero, images are over-sharpened, producing unpleasant artifacts. I set it at -5, and if I feel the need to sharpen an image I use the unsharp-masking filter in Photoshop. Also keeping white balance always under manual control prevents color variations that sometimes occur with WB set to automatic.All in all, I am very happy with my decision to buy this camera. It has generally surpassed my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something beyond point-and-shoot but not able to move up to an SLR with interchangeable lenses.
I bought the C5060 reconditioned over a year ago, and I am always amazed at how beautiful the photos are and what I see through the monitor. The drawback I ran into was that you cannot see your info through the viewfinder. My local camera shop sold me a "shield" for bright times of day, and that helps a lot. My daughter is a photographer (mainly in the modeling field), and she really loved handling and using it. I'm thinking of getting her one for her BD in two weeks. I'm saddened by the poor reviews of it here and there, but I'm wondering if we surveyed 500 users what the percentage of the mode and/or dial problems would surface. ANY camera, ANY machine CAN have something wrong. Since I love the output and already own it and have a 5-year warranty since day one, I'll go on my merry (but a bit more informed) way and enjoy it. If it breaks down, I'll send it to Olympus or to my local shop, and my warranty will cover it at 100%. I have purchased approximately 8 or more Olympus cameras, but I've not had problems with any of them. If one should get "sick" I'll grab my C700 (GREAT camera BTW) and my Stylus 500 and go on my way. It pays to have more than one camera. I'm still of a mind to get this thing for my daughter since she loved it so, and she took gorgeous photos with it.I'll take the chance as the cost sure beats the original cost when I was dying to get it ($1,000!). I think I paid just over $400 completely with Olympus warranty, and Olympus has never been less than gracious with me!I think "stuff happens" and I may or may not get hit. I'll proceed to learn, and if it fails big time, and my warranty is not honored, I'll go to another model, but Olympus has had my heart (due to lenses) since the 70s and their SLRs!) I'd probably go E-Volt or one of the other SLR digitals they have been putting out.So as long as they repair, I am covered by warranty, and they treat me as nicely as they always have, I'm an Olympus die hard. ;)Lindsay
David Oliver's review is right on the mark - though I don't seem to have the oversharpness issue that his camera does.I'd just like to add how easy it is to take manual control of the camera.  Just about all of the frequently used types of adjustment are easily accessed without delving into the menu system.  Once you take the time to understand this camera, you can easily make any shooting adjustment you wish. The design is very ergonomic.I too have no complaints about the battery.  It lasts forever! And if you need to stretch the battery, you can easily work with the LCD off.  If your making an oncamera adjustment and need to see what's on the LCD, it switches the LCD on and then off again when you're finished.
I was an early adopter of digital photography and thus had an older, 2MP Kodak camera.  I decided it was time for an upgrade and after an extensive search, I settled on the Olympus C-5060.  I couldn't be happier. This camera is loaded with features for the advanced photographer, but also is simple for my wife to use as a point and shoot camera.  I find the wide angle lens much more useful than a long zoom lens, since most of my photos are either indoor shots or scenic outdoor shots.  The wide lens captures so much more of the action.  And the camera is fast.  I have it set on the highest quality JPEG mode and it snaps away pictures very briskly.  The quality of the shots is breathtaking.  My only complaint is that like all cameras, in auto mode, you have to be careful when taking highly contrasting shots because the auto exposure will sometimes be fooled.  That being said, you simply have to change the exposure mode to focus on the subject (rather than the whole scene) and your exposure will turn out fine.Overall, an excellent camera and a fine value.
For the first year we owned this camera, it worked pretty well. You can read online camera reviews for the specifications.But then it started to malfunction badly. It would lock up, refuse to go into certain modes, display random menu settings on the screen, etc. These problems seems to occur to many 5060 cameras after several months of use.In a word, it is unreliable. You're probably better off looking for a more reliable camera.
I bought this camera a couple years ago when I was trying to get more serious about taking pictures, and I did. Learned to use and love it and got great photos, but then after it was a little over a year old it malfunctioned and has become useless. Every time I turn it on it gets stuck trying to zoom and no dials or controls will respond, I can't really afford or justify paying another $150 for repairs. I'll be very cautious if I'm considering another camera from Olympus in the future.
A camera as expensive as this one should work for more than a couple of years. I used to love the camera and Olympus but will not buy there products ever again. The menu options have malfunctioned making the camera usless. And after reading the most current reviews the same problem has happened to many other people. Seeing that so many people have had this same problem shows that Olympus makes poor quality equipment even in there more expensive cameras. Look elsewhere.
I have had the c-5060 for almost a year and am very happy with the camera. The wide-angle lens is great for landscape photos. I find that the amount of post-processing I need to do with photos from this camera is minimal. Sharpness is always good right off the camera. It also handles contrasty scenes very well and doesn't overexpose as much as other cameras I have owned.
I too have had my C5060 for more than three years and I have used it quite often during that time. Occasionally it would experience the dreaded mode-dial problem, but I would wiggle a few things and turn it off/on a few times and the problem would go away. About a month ago, I turned on the camera and the mode-dial problem was back with a vengeance. None of the buttons worked correctly and nothing I did would fix it - I even tried most of the "fixes" suggested in the various forums (but NOT the WD-40).Since I needed a wide-zoom camera, I bought a pocket sized camera and thought I might have to discard the C5060, since the cost of an out-of-warranty repair could not be justified. A few days, ago I turned it on again and the mode-dial problem was still there. I really do like my C5060, so I tried something I never saw suggested anywhere - I took my trusty air duster can, pointed the nozzle tube at the mode-dial and forced compressed air into every nook and cranny I could reach. When I turned the camera back on, it worked perfectly - the dreaded mode-dial problem was gone!Today, the camera still works fine, but it is only the 3rd day after the "fix". However, maybe this technique will work for some other people too...
(Updated Jan. '06 - read last paragraph)I've had this camera since May '04, and I have never had any problem with it. No problems with the menu, with freezen, or any of the ones mentioned in other reviews. I'm not saying those problems don't occure, since I've read the same comments in other sites, but I consider myself lucky for not having to deal with that.My experience have been great with this camera. It has lots of features, and even thought I take approx. 250 pictures a month, I'm still learning to use some of its features. I've taken night pictures, and, in comparision with the Canon G5 (which I considered when buying mine), the pictures from the C5060 are way better. No purple halos around the lights (like the G5, and when the noise control is ON, it really minimizes the noise in the pictures. Zoom control is a bit slow, but it offers a semi-decent range. I'm still planning to buy the 1.7x zoom magnifier. Obviously, if you want more you should try an SLR. 40.5 filters can be bougth online (B&H;), or even found in Ritz Camera. I strongly recommend buying a polarizer, it really helps when taking pictures during the day.One of the more common complaints about this camera is the use of proprietary batteries. Other than the cost of the batteries, the Olympus battery offers great capacity and allows you to take the camera for a 4-6 day trip without needing to change batteries. I recommend buying a 2nd battery, try an online search for a non-Olympus battery, I found one for $20 (a third of the cost from Olympus), and it offers the same duration as the Olympus.Overall, after comparing this camera with others that I consider in the same level (Canon G5, among others), I would give this camera a 4.5 out of 5, based on all its features and the lack of problems I've experienced.Update Jan. '06:I'm starting to experiment problems with my camera dial.  I traveled to Central America, and I guess humidity didn't mixed well with the C5060, as soon as I got there it started malfunctioning. Even thought I'm not happy with the problems, the camera still works great 90% of the time. I still like the camera, and love the picture quality, however, I have to drop one star because of this problem. I have to add that this problem has been documented (you can read about it in any user review you'll find on the web), but Olympus refuses to acknoledge it and fixed it at no cost. From what I've heard, it will cost between $150-200 to fixed it.  As a side note, I have bought the 3x lens, and it really expands the capability of this camera.
I had an Olympus C-4040 which I was very happy with.  I "upgraded" it to the C5060 when they came out.  I have to say that the bright f1.8 lens on the 4040 had spoiled me.  A lot of low light photos that had been easy with the 4040 were out of the question with the 5060.  The lowest f stop on the 5060 is only f2.8.  That means that photos I had been taking at 1/60th of a second were now needing 1/20th to 1/30th of a second exposure.  If you use a lot of flash maybe it won't matter to you, but I use natural light for most of my stuff.  The 5060 was stolen recently and after research I scoured the internet for one of the older C5050 cameras that has the F1.8 lens to replace it.The other issue I had is with the propietary Li-on battery that came with the 5060.  A spare costs $70.  The 4040 and the 5050 use AA batteries.  A better option.  I hope someone from Olympus reads this.  Lenses matter.  I looked at the new C-8080 camera, but the lens on it was a mediocre f2.4.
I certainly respect that others have had issues with this model. However, I am going on my 3rd year with mine and have had no issues at all and have thoroughly enjoyed using this great camera. Quality issues aside, I've found it's a great all-around camera to have. It's definitely not an SLR -- but it's also not just a point and shoot. Photographers with experience will enjoy the ability to use the manual modes and other creative functions.The articulating viewfinder has been really enjoyable - flipping it around and being able to hold the camera above the crowd - and still see the LCD view of what you're taking was especially good.Pros: Feels good in the hand, controls are easy to use, menus are generally very intuitive. The top-mounted LCD (data) is handy to avoid having to look at the color LCD for basic camera settings. Wide range of lighting and settings to get creative have been enjoyable.Cons: the optical viewfinder is pretty useless - poor representation of what's really in the picture. The LCD display is generally very good, but in very bright sunlight it's extremely hard to see. There are hoods available that strap over the camera - very nice to have in order to see what's on the LCD.
I purchased this camera almost three years ago and thought I had made a bad decision based on the forum comments that I had seen at the time. However I kept my fingers crossed and thoroughly enjoyed what was an exceptional product. Picture quality is excellent, easy to use and a very nice camera to look at. I thought I had evaded the mode dial problem when it 'attacked'with a vengeance and my camera is now almost useless.I thought for the price I paid that I would have a trouble free camera.At this point I am at a loss since all the comments point to Olympus non responsiveness to the issue.I have always loved Olympus products and have purchased many different cameras, from the excellent iS 20 QD  to  C-3000, C 4040 C -5060. I am just no longer sure whether I want to take the risk on another Olympus product.Update 26/01/09Just as I was about to throw my C-5060WZ in the garbage can I saw an article on Wrotniak about how to replace the mode dial. I thought to myself that there was nothing to lose. I ordered the part, followed the instructions and replaced the dial. I now have a fully functional camera, again taking taking excellent pictures. I use it in combination with my E 520, instead of buying a macro lens for the E 520 DSLR I use for all my macro shots, as it is an excellent macro camera.My disgust with Olympus did not last very long as I got the E 520 and I am now very happy that my C- 5060 WZ is once again working at it's best.
I love this camera.  I bought it April of 2006 as a refurbished unit for $400 (It was selling retail at around $700, if I remember correctly).  I thought that my camera had given up the ghost, but found out it was the 512 Meg xD card that I bought with the camera.  I put the 32 MB card in that I had never used and everything is back on track, so I am ordering a new M+ 2 MB card from Olympus.One note of caution: I bought a spare battery, but thought I was slick, saving a whole $8, and bought some generic POS that does not work right.  I should probably buy a new Olympus battery, but the old one still last all weekend.I looked at buying a new camera with some anti-shake features and maybe some better auto focusing, but if I do it will be the Canon G11.  Since the 5060 and a couple of digital Voice Recorders, I have become a loyal Olympus user, but of all the features that I find indispensable, the tilt and swivel LCD screen, is not offered on the newer Olympus cameras.  I feel violated.  I want to stick with the Olympus.  Partly due to the confidence that I have in their structural integrity, but also because I am so used to the user-friendly menu.  I am sure that the Canon will do me a good job and that I will learn to love it, but I have no loyalty to them, and if it wasn't for the LCD screen, and if I wanted to jump ship, then I would give the Panasonic a hard and serious look.On the other hand, I have had such a great experience with the 5060, maybe I will buy a used one.  I bought for the 24mm (35 mm equivalent) wide lens, never knowing how much I would depend on the swivel.  I shoot so much at waist level and I do not have to lie on the ground to photograph from low angles.  I might have to check out the 7070 to see if it has the swivel display.
This is my third Olympus of this generation. I have dropped a couple but I was always able to go back to Amazon for a replacement. The third one was a real blessing. It was listed for only $40 by the seller. The camera was as clean as a whistle and in prime condition. I am a semi-pro. I don't think you will find a camera in this category that will out perform the the C-5060.
The Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom is an award winning (most recently PC World Best Buy in the Advanced Digital Camera class - February 2004) digital camera and has impressive specifications (5 MP, 14X seamless zoom, 2 different usable memory slots [xD and CF], wide angle zoom lens, super-handy multi-position LCD, movie mode with sound, etc.) going for it.  It has lots of manual controls available for the more serious photography enthusiasts.  You can attach it to a tripod, hook up additional flash units, add lenses and filters and do many manual, creative things not widely available at this resolution and price.  None of this made much difference once I started to actually use the 5060.This is the third digital camera that I've bought, and the first that I've been really happy with.  The most important thing about a camera (at least for me) is the quality of the images that it produces.  I am a beginner at photography, with no picture taking education, and I've only used a fraction of the features that are available on this unit.  The best thing is that the pictures that I take with this camera are almost always very good, with a fair number edging into stunning, lush, and gorgeous - usually with all settings set on full automatic.  Using the manual modes is just not necessary to get many great shots.  Another thing that I want to point out is that the battery life on this camera has been better that any of the others that I've used.  The proprietary BLM-1 battery that ships with the 5060 significantly outlasts any AA batteries that I've ever used in other digital cameras.  On one charge I have been able to spend many hours per day over several days, using the LCD almost always and the flash on occasion, and I have never yet run out of power.  It is a bit slow to recharge once you've used most of the charge, so if you're snapping tons of pictures and have no time for a recharge, buy a second battery.This is a camera that I recommend to anyone who wants sharp, colorful, gorgeous pictures with minimal hassle, and is able to afford the price range.  Try it for the features and price - you'll love it for the pictures.
Regardless of the negative reviews, the C5060 is one great advanced digital camera. Keep in mind that this is a point and shoot or creative shooting camera, but with little flexibility in lense add ons. The wide angle and macro capabilities are superb. The low light performance so commonly complained about can easily be overcome when neeeded by increasing the exposure by a third of a stop or two. I've taken over 8000 photos with  this camera in 16 months and never had one problem with it. Be careful where you buy yours. There are refurbs and non-US versions out there now.I've moved on to a digital LR but the C5060 was a great camera for me and expect it to remain so for it's new owner.
Note to readers: You will find updates at the end of this review, which was written about a few weeks earlier. It is not entirely happy reading.-----------I've been very happy with Olympus digital cameras, having gone through several generations of them. Facing some work which required wide-angle capability I upgraded from my 2020z so I could use my wide-angle conversion lens, giving me a 35mm camera equivalent of about 19mm when needed.In terms of photographic quality, the results I am getting from this camera are nothing short of spectacular. Great sharpness and resolution that, as some reviewers have pointed out, are virtually as good in the standard HQ mode as in SHQ and TIFF. Fast shutter. Many exposure options. Very little noise. The camera is significantly larger than my 2020, but the build is solid and comfortable -- making steady shots a lot more likely. I also like the menu system,  and the various convenience buttons offer a lot of adjustments that do not require going deep into it. Though some users have noted that the lens is significantly slower than that on the 2020 and 4000, I have had some good luck with low light situations, and when things get pretty dim I increase the ISO settings, with good results. No problem there. I find this a fair trade off for wide angle capability. I also like the tilting and swiveling LCD (more flexible than on the 5050). It's bright and filled with useful information, so I use it all the time, though a 'my mode' setting allows me to power up without it in a pinch.OK, some quibbles. First, there is the mode dial failure issue, which some reviewers have noted -- and which is the subject of a Yahoo group and a fine Wrotniak article. Whether Oly has worked this problem out, what the failure rate is, etc. are not clear, and until I am persuaded that my production line was clean I will have a little 560 in the bottom of my bag in case of failure -- something I would generally do anyhow, particuarly since the 560 gives extremely fine results and runs forever on rechargeable CR-V3's.. What does bother me is the silence of Olympus on this matter. They have not satisfactorally explained the situation to many who have asked, and they haven't had the courtesy to respond to some questions I put to them. Anyone who invests in a product of this quality deserves a response, and as a long-time Oly user and advocate I am extremely disappointed and have the sneaking feeling there is a real problem here that should be resolved by a recall. After all, some of us rely on this camera in our work and if there is a problem want to have it fixed on our calendar.Speaking of the mode dial, the on-off switch is just below it and I have found that it is simply too easy to move the mode dial when turning the camera on and off, an unhappy situation if one is in a hurry. Bad design. Wear gloves? You're cooked.Another quibble is that Oly has eliminated a slot for SM cards in favor of microdrives which few Oly users use. I have pile of SM cards and would have liked that option (in addition to the CompactFlash and xD). They have it on the 5050.Ok, as for the battery issue. I borrowed a friend's Oly 5050 which runs on AA's and though the NiMh's I used were fresh I could squeeze no more than 60-80 shots out of the camera (using LCD; and remember that NiMh's have a fast discharge rate which means that when you need them they may be sorry shape to power a workhorse like this) before having to change batteries (this is about the same as with my 2020z). Using the 5060's proprietary battery (and others I picked up from third party resellers for as low as $7.00 each -- they work perfectly) I'm easily exceeding that, and can do almost a full day's shooting without worry. In addition to finding cheap Oly compatible batteries I found a marvelous rapid charger for less than $20 which cuts charging time by about 2/3rds. I've thus been able to cut the long cord on my OLY OEM charger back to a few inches, giving me a tiny little charger to put in the bottom of my gadget bag for travel. Yes, it would be nice to have the AA option in a pinch, but Oly makes a battery holder that uses two of the camera's very small batteries, and if one can pick up spare ones that work perfectly well for seven bucks (cheaper than four decent NiMh's), why not buy a few and just be sure one is in your pocket when you go off on a shoot? By using a proprietary battery Oly has also improved battery loading very significantly (my 2020 latch cover is a bugger, and more than once I've spilled batteries on the floor when changing them at night or in a hurry).My conclusion is that this is a fine camera that has a design flaw or two, and may or may not have a serious one that requires factory repair -- and should get some honest speaking from Olympus, a reputable company that has a fine product line. One needs to go into the battery situation with eyes open, but by no means is it required to purchase Oly branded batteries or chargers for backup. Given the extra power and fine results I'm happy. So far....-----&#62; new comments:The camera died yesterday. I had done a relatively full day of commercial shooting and it had behaved beautifully. Brought it home, changed the battery, offloaded my data and set the camera down for a couple of minutes while I went off to get a cup of coffee. Came back and, voila, dead as a doornail. Checked out various contacts and pulled the battery to see if the camera would reset (occasionally my trusty 2020 would freeze up, but would unfreeze very suddenly after about 20 minutes of batteryless rest). Left the battery out all night and 16 hours later took it and camera over to a nearby camera store where I do a lot of business. They noticed the 5060 had died with lens fully extended and that it would not respond to an ac adapter. Alas, it is in the mail and Olympus sez they will turn it around within a week (not holding my breath on that folks). (note: I've learned that it may take as long as ten days for this camera to reset itself. Unlike some earlier models, it has a little battery or some other voltage holding device which allows users to recharge batteries or protect settings for a long time without a battery. The good news is this feature can save a lot of pain, the bad is that it there is a problem not fixed by the factory reset function you may have to wait quite awhile to find out if your camera is actually dead or just in a deeper than usual sleep).It does seem to me, having read quite a bit and having had this experience, a rare one in my Oly experience, that there must have been both shortcuts and maybe some truly untested bits and pieces in the manufacturing process that are causing problems to what would seem like quite a few people. These problems, as in my case, come after about two months of fairly heavy usage. Sure, covered by warranty, but I now have to backfill and the camera I hoped to have with me on a forthcoming trip will probably be on a workbench somewhere. Or Oly will send me a new one and two months from now....well lets see, but I suspect this is not the end of the saga. Hmmmm, those new Canons and Nikons are looking better and better.End of story (for now?)Olympus did as it promises and got my camera back to me about two weeks after they logged it in. Actually, my post office track told me they had the camera several days before actually logging it into their system, but from what I can learn there is nothing new about that. Calls to customer service to check on the camera were all but useless -- unfriendly and sometimes difficult (due to language spoken by agent). The technical report indicates that three circuit boards were replaced, suggesting some kind of catastrophic failure (which also managed to kill my memory card).The camera is now working pefectly and my fingers remained crossed. My dealer tells me the turnaround time is about the best in the industry. I wish I knew more about checks they ran on the camera and whether there was a firmware upgrade, etc. but one can't have everything. It still puzzles me that such a fine camera just imploded, but I do see a lot of BMW's and Mercedes by the side of the road these days!
I'm an amateur photographer so I chose the Olympus C5060 for it's automatic settings capabilities. I also had heard of some problems with the C5060 so I purchased an additional 2 yr warranty from Olympus for only $50. So far (over 1yr) I've not had any problems.The camera takes great pictures, with excellent color even in low light conditions. I've take outdoor, long range, indoor, macro closeups, etc and every picture looks good to me. I especially like the C5060's picture quality in no flash indoor pictures.Overall a very good camera with excellent results.
I have to agree with most reviews that overall this is a good camera.  But it is good only when it is working.  5060 (and I can speculate 7070 too) might experience what has become known as "FAULTY DIAL SWITCH" problem.  If you search the web for those terms associated with "olympus" -  you will most likely find a lot of disturbing complaints.Mine broke couple of months after the warranty expired, right before we were about to take a family vacation.  When I turned on the camera - it did not respond to any buttons.  Then, it started activating menues all by itself as if the camera was trying to catch up with the previously pushed buttons.  In effect camera became inoperational.Sent it to Olympus.  Got a letter back asking for [...] in repair costs. Called Olympus customer service.  Was told that they charge flat fee regardless of the problem.  Told them that this is ridiculous, its a wide-spread problem and Olympus should stand behind their product.  Car-manufacturers normally issue recalls or extend warranty for such problems. 5060 is not worth [...] I paid for it [...] a year and a half later.  Rep. went to speak with a manager and came back saying that "Ah! If it is only the switch problem - then will charge you [...]".  Apparently they did not even look at the camera before sending me the [...] bill.Needless to say the whole process took about a month.  Spent vacation with my 5 year old Canon Digital Elph.If you insist on buying Olympus - just be aware of the problem and that it is random and frequent and that Olympus does not handle it well.  One thing I am sure about - my next camera is not going to be made by Olympus.
I have been using digital cameras since 1998 and had a chance to work with about a dozen different cams. 5060 is one of the best. When I was making a choice on what camera to get, 5060 wasn't on my list at all -- I did not want to get a camera with non-AA batteries. However, after I saw that my AA choices are limited I decided to extend my searching range. I liked everything in 5060, except the batteries, and it was superior in quality and value to the cameras in my selection (4-5mpx canon, nikon, sony, casio). I ended up with 5060 and I can say that I'm happy about my choice. There's even a positive side about the battery -- it is only one (in comparison to 4 AAs) and it's very to change it. I bought two more batteries on ebay for $20 (non-olympus). You can read about all the features in many other reviews. I want to point out the LCD screen -- I like it much better than those on Canon's (that open up to the side). Design of Olympus LCD is much better and proved to be extremely useful in many cases. With swivel screen I can take photos at the angles I could not even imagine before. Camera takes CF memory cards (cheaper and more popular then other formats) also it has 2nd slot of xd memory card. It's sort of a waste, as I would never buy xd card, but since 32mb is included with the cam, you get emergency 32mb storage. Ability to attach filter directly onto the lens adds a lot of convenience -- no need to get adapter tubes, and camera keeps the same size. Battery life is very good but if you are going on a trip get two more batteries. Proprietary batteries can be a real pain if you run out of them, so make sure to have spares. Also, charger that comes with the cam is somewhat weak -- takes about 5 hours to charge a battery. See if you can find used BCM1 charger (charges battery in 1 hour). 5060 does offer some inconveniences but nevertheless it is a very good camera. It produces great photos, offers 4x zoom, very convenient swivel screen and many more extras. I can't say that this camera is perfect but in comparison to others it is superior.------UpdateI've been having problems with this camera: the option to move AF target simply disappeared. Called Olympus, they suggested to reset the cam and it helped. I read that some people have software-related problems with the camera. I'd suggest to try and reset it and see if it helps.
Olympus has a problem w/ part# VC7997 on these cameras that causes menus to pop up on LCD w/o touching buttons and buttons stop working.  Numerous people are complaining about this problem on the Internet - go to yahoo groups, Olympus_405080.  Olympus needs to recall camera.  Mine worked fine for almost 3 months before problem arose so don't think yours won't fail.
I think Olympus has missed the boat here.  This camera in no way improves on the 5050.  After falling with the camera in my hand and breaking it I decided to 'upgrade' to the 5060 and so far have been disappointed with the results in "low light" ie any indoor shots, and the macro feature isn't as sharp.I wish I'd saved the money and had my old camera repaired.
I bought this camera in 2003, I have taken "thousands" of photos with it and I have never had a single problem with it. I would suggest that if you need a new camera and this one is available I'd buy it. It is tough, dependable, easy to use. 5 Stars all the way.Bill in Las Vegas
I bought this because it looked like the least expensive way to acquire foam for my camera backpack. (I have a special, compartmentalized backpack for my camera and research tools.  It's not a Pelican product.)The foam had no odor when I opened the packaging. That's a plus for me, because I hate plastic-y smells. Also, the foam cuts easily and is perfect for padding your camera, lenses, light meter, or other tools you're carrying.It's just firm enough.  It'll cushion my camera and other equipment if the backpack is jostled or even dropped, and the foam springs back to its original shape, immediately.I'm probably ordering a second foam set because this set wasn't quite enough for all the spaces in my backpack, but that's because I carry a lot of small devices for my field work.If you're looking for an affordable way to buy high-quality foam for padding delicate equipment in a backpack or luggage, this is an excellent choice.
I picked this up in order to convert a small EDC bag (a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack) into a camera bag for my DSLR camera.  The product is 8.2&#34; long by 5.7&#34; wide by 3.6&#34; deep, as described in the product info, but it's worth noting that the provided image is roughly 4x larger than the product itself.  Even image for the compatible 1150 case looks significantly larger than the actual insert so be sure to base your purchase on the measurements and not the product image.Upon receipt I removed enough of the padding to secure a lens and I just insert my camera, lens down, into the bag and everything is secure.  It's basically a perfect fit in the Versipack as well.If you're interested in a similar setup there's enough space to secure the camera body itself or up to two separate lenses standing vertically.  I'm already planning on picking up a couple extra inserts to accommodate different carrying options.
although smaller the expected very nice so i will be using it i have a case in need of this foam not the one intended but its all good
Used this for my Otterbox 1320, Had to do a bit of trimming though. The middle section is not comprised of "cubes" as the description states. They are more like french fries, long rectangular boxes. This was disappointing but they still do their job.Kinda pricey for just a little bit of foam
I love the set.  I use these foam pieces in my lap top bag to cushion my lap top, the lap top fan and lap top tray.
No complaints. A little pricey for what it really is....but also very convenient and hassle free to start using once it arrives.
It fits perfectly and is much less expensive then ordering from Pelican.  There's a reason so many people use pelican cases.
The foam set came quickly and was packaged adequately.  My only reason for the four star rating is that the &#34;plucking&#34; of the foam squares was much more difficult than what I've previously experienced on other foam sets.  Unfortunately, as I began to pluck, it became much more of a 'tear-away', which left a pretty horrible looking cavity.  I cut that off and started over using an x-acto knife and cut out the squares.  Functionally, it works, but still doesn't look that good.  The good news is that it's in a closed case that only gets opened by me.
Had two computers to move across the country. Cut up this padding stuffed it into my computer to stabilize the graphics card, motherboard, heat sink fan, etc for transport. This worked well, both of my computers made it without any problems. The one surprise I had was that this foam is very small, which I would have known had I read the dimensions. Needed one set per computer.
You will receive the accurately described 1151 foam kit, about the size of a napkin. I was looking to the product photo to estimate the size of the product. This is not a photo of an 1151 foam kit. I suppose the rationale might be that this photo gives one a "generic idea of what foam looks like" but it is not what you will receive.
My old material was shot, so this is a definite improvement. I am not sure what some other reviews mean by it 'not fitting.' Appears to fit just fine.
Two thumbs up great product for the price! recommended to all pistol owners trying to customize a carrying case for themselves.
I used this new foam to cut out shapes to house my Beretta 92FS handgun. Foam worked perfectly as advertised
This replacement foam is good if you want to rearrange your Pelican case, but I have found I prefer the dividers because you can rearrange them all you want without having to buy new ones.  4/5 stars because the foam can begin to separate in places you don't want after lots of use putting things in and out.
Exactly what I ordered.  It is the right size and consistency.  Have not finished project but this has made my inexpensive carry case function on high dollar basis.  Would definitely purchase again.
fits great
I think overall this is a good product and the versatility and ease of use is what gives it 4 stars.  The reason I took off one star is it is not the best choice for a custom fit, the pick and pluck squares look a bit tacky even after several layers of plasti-dip coating, I can still see the scores.  I would have preferred the non-pick and pluck foam, but I cannot find it anywhere, and thus minus 1 star.
I got this in no time flat and it fit like a glove as I expected it to do from Pelican.  Good customizability.  Now I can store my 98FS in comfort.
Pelican 1401 3 Pc Replacement Foam Set for 1400 CaseThe Pelican 1401 is the direct replacement foam for the Pelican 1400 case.All 3 pieces are pick and pluck foam.Great if you transport different items in the same case. You can switch the foam out quickly and easily.Use chalk to outline the items and cut about 1/8" smaller than the outline for a snug fit, I used a disposable snap off blade knife from the hardware store to cut the foam like cake!I would avoid the electric knife or hot knife like some people use which can hack up your foam faster then you can be disappointed.
The Pelican Case will usually outlast the foam and buying Pelican replacement foam is the only way to go.  It fits without issues and it kepts what ever you have safe and secure.  Dealing with Krums Photographic was easy and no issues.
Used this to replace foam in a 1400 case i had. Turns an old case into a new one. I would recommend it.
Smaller then what I was expecting, but overall it fit perfectly for what I was using it for.  Just should have measured my equipment first before ordering this awesome product.  Luckily with everything I tore out from it I was able to use as a buffer to get it to fit anyways.  So it worked out perfectly in the end.
Unfortunately, you can not find this most places for less money.  It's just extruded foam, I'm surprised someone doesn't offer a knock-off version.  Works great though
Exactly as expected. The foam was a perfect fit and it was pluck and pull customizable. It was correct for the box.
If you've had your Pelican case for a while, you're likely to have reconfigured it a few times.  The inside might be looking pretty ratty, with spaces that no longer fit what you might be carrying.  This replacement foam is the real thing.  Just pull out the old foam, slide in the new and start plucking out the chunks where you need spaces.  Watch the pricing.  It's expensive, but the price does vary significantly over time.  I've seen it swing over close to a ten dollar range between lowest and highest price.
Not much to say about this.  It includes all 3 foam sections (egg-crate, pick 'n pluck, and base layer) for a Pelican 1400 case.Re-foaming a Peli is annoyingly expensive, but ideally you don't have to reconfigure yours very often.
Packaged perfectly, no issues with cutting to fit any case. Speedy delivery, low cost. Overall great buy for all sorts of projects, etc.
The foam was shipped in a timely and expected fashion. It fit well in my case and is authentic. I have always liked this type of foam. No problems here.
to customize the case to suit my needs. I tried recycling other foam with mixed results, mostly poor to dismal. This foam is protective for impact but more rigid to better support the contents. Sure it cost more than recycled foam, but it's worth it. Work it to your needs and get on with your life!Oh, I used a bread knife to cut it in half, top and bottom, so I can have 2 layers. I used spray adhesive on the bottom of the new top section to hold some tough foam sheet that I found and it keeps it from coming apart in the precut sections. Thought you might like the tip in case you need two layers too!
Typical pick and pluck Pelican foam. Nothing fancy does the job.Protects what needs to be protected and you can't ask for more than that!
Ok, this is amazing, i dont think the price is very good but its such an indispensable product i have to give it 5 stars, i just wish it were cheaper, then i can make different load out kids for my 1450, whatever that gives me an excuse to buy another pelican. Really though, buy this, you know you need it.
I bought the Pelican case for another product, so when my needs changed I was very happy to see that you could buy the foam inserts.  In this way, the case will last probably forever as I just need to buy more foam whenever I change what I put in it.  Very easy to use.  I started with Pelican cases in the 90's and at that time I used the foam you had to cut with a knife (an electric carving knife worked great) but the final result looked amateurish.  This pluck foam means that the final product is nearly perfect and looks factory made.
This was a perfect fit for my 1450 case  with my camera and accessories. Not sure what else there is to say :)
ITS PELICAN, THEIR STANDARD OF QUALITY IS THE TYPICAL YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR AND THIS IS MILITARY GRADE EQUIPMENT NO MATTER WHAT YOU BUY FROM PELICAN.
I wanted the pluck and place foam for my camera case. I had gotten some new things and needed to rearrange how they were placed in the case so I had to get new foam. Makes sense. Now if I could just figure out what to do with the other two pieces. But the price was terrific.
I use this to hold my Sennheiser wireless. The foam is strong. I highly recommend it to anybody who needs a good secure placement.
I like this pluck foam, too bad don't have a split in the middle of the foam though,  other then that great product for my camera and lens.
I have a pelican 1450 that i used to use for my camera equipment.  It was too big and bulky to carry around. I ordered this foam to replace the camera cutouts in order to carry my handguns to the range.  You cannot beat pelican boxes.
can't complain, provides excellent support and protection especially for cases that do not come with foam already, so I'm glad I got it for this price.
A perfect replacement for the original foam.  I love Pelican cases and have several.  When a camera or electronic gadget dies, I re-purpose the case.  It is very convenient to be able to buy new foam and start over.  It's like getting a brand new case for a fraction of the cost, because the cases last approximately forever - my oldest is about 25 years old and still going strong.
I bought this to use a as the replacment in a box given as a "hand-me-down."  It worked perfectly for my target pistol and supplies.  I simply took my time and plucked out the pieces, and everything fit perfectly into place.
This fit into my pelican 1450 just as described.  It functioned just like the foam it originally came with.  So....I got that going for me, which is nice.
Customizing a Pelican case for a specific set of lab equipment.  Lots of small delicate parts needed intricate padding for extensive airline handling.  This set of foam allowed for each piece to be custom fit for dedicated and protective shipping position.  Small squares that can be pinched and picked out to be *just* the right shape/size.
Best there is when it comes to cases. We put our $100,000 pieces of equipment in these and ship them all over the country. Best prices are here on amazon as we'll.
Excellent quality, very easy to customize to fit multiple items.  My wife uses it to carry cameras, memory cards, etc.
Holy moly. I went to Acadamy to get a gun case and left there with a $40 peice of el junko that I knew in the end I could not trust baggage handlers with. We use these pelican cases at work and I should have sucked it up and paid the extra money for this one right off of the bat. WELL WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. I fit three handguns and several accessories in this bad boy with ease. I was not a bit worried about trusting this case to keep my expensive toys safe from the careless baggage handlers. I am also pretty sure this could survive a plane crash lest it be burned to a crisp (it is plastic). Not only that but it is a dam good looking case.
This case is built like a tank to protect you goods!! I was looking for something to hold all my GoPro cameras and accessories and this was the product. The pick and pluck foam is super easy to setup your case. I highly recommend a Pelican case for you cameras or what ever you want to protect and you can order additional foam so you can use it for other items when needed. Just pull out the foam and put in another and you off.Tim Hutchinson, FL
i might get a smaller more contoured case for just the laptop but i love this case so i kept it. snug for my laptop but does the job well enough.
This case is built like a tank. Heavy exterior, double throw latches and air tight. The pluck foam makes it easy to customize and seems to protect my camera and lenses very well. Recommended.
I am a longtime, satisfied owner of several Pelican cases. They're rugged, watertight, and have protected my cameras for years without a single failure. This new 1500 case has a nice addition--stainless steel grommets now protect the padlock holes. As with all my Pelican boxes, the pick-and-pull foam makes it very easy to customize the case to your gear--see my photos. The eqg crate foam inside lid conforms well to objects which project slightly above the foam base. In total, there is about 4.75" of (padded) depth to accommodate items inside this case. I have also devised an easy way to remove lenses using a short length of nylon webbing--see my pic in the image gallery.
Pelican case s are truly the best. Very high quality, however getting more expensive.....I installed this case on the back rack of my motorcycle, &#34;Water proof&#34; Durable. Bright (yellow) highly visible. Fast delivery, fair price with a little shopping around. Can't do much better on price off Amazon. Highly recommend.
I purchased this case to house my camera, lenses, and other equipment while I am riding either my ATV or our UTV around the Nevada desert. A friend of mine has the 1450 case, but I needed a little more size so I went with the 1500, and I am glad that I did. In the case, I have a T4i, a Canon 10-22 lens, a Canon 70-300L lens, the Canon GP-E2 GPS receiver, a couple of extra batteries, a charger, and some SD cards. I have about filled it up. The case is awesome and protects all of this equipment from shock and dust. I haven't lost the case off of the ATV, but I feel confident if I did, the equipment would be protected. The pick and pull foam inside was easy to configure to my equipment. This is a MUST buy for protecting your equipment!
This is my first Pelican case and I love it ! See alot of products out there for the price and the quality, you can't go wrong with this tough guy ! Thank you Amazon !!
Amazing quality product! Great size for my MacBookPro 15&#34; as well as cable and accesories. Very strong and light. Strongly recommend it.
These boxes are amazing!  Super sturdy and well built.  Waterproof and will certainly last for a long time.  I would certainly recommend these!
I have Pelican cases that are over 20 years old and are still used to this day. It's the only case I will use.
Solid built case which you can juse for different things. I bought it with the intention of using it as a gun case. Holds 4 pistols nicely. Case keeps things air tight and i'm sure would take some abuse. No complaints and happy with the purchase.
I bought this to hold my Glock 25 (I dont live in the USA), it holds it perfectly and has room for magazines and so. Great protection, strongly built.
Hi purchase this so I could take my camera equipment out when kayaking. I hope I could tie this to the front of the kayak and be ready to take photos. It did not fit well and I have not had time to try and engineer a way to tie it there.
I now have 90% of my gear in pelican cases. From my lights to my trigger system and now my D800! They make top notch products that I can trust to keep my equipment safe and dry in any condition.
I purchased this case to store all of my GoPro gear.. As always, Pelican puts out another great product.. Love the pick and pluck foam..
It is perfect for my ton of drumset microphones.  Heavy duty as all pelican products are.  Price was half what I found in local stores.
Absolutely outstanding case that can be used for items outside of cameras with no issue.  The 1500 easily fits two full sized pistols or 3-4 mid/conceal sized hand-guns.Very pleased with the overall construction and durability of the unit.  It's taken several drops onto concrete with no functional impact, and just a coupe scratches.
Solid and well built case.  I use this case for storing high end folding knives.  Very pleased with the product's fit and finish. Case can be locked up and secured to keep away from and protect children as well as anti theft purposes.  So far, so good.
Outstanding waterproof case.  I keep it in my boat and place my important items in the box.  Not one drop of water has ever entered the case, even in the rain.
I've bought them over the years for every thing you can imagine.  My only four pieces of advice are this:1) Always buy one size larger than you need.  Don't go too conservative.  More space is better than not-enough of it.2) Save your money on the *spare* foam unless you're convinced you'll need it.3) Always buy a case with foam inside it.  Being able to &#34;pick and pluck&#34; to customize is awesome.4) Before picking and plucking - remember that old saying:  measure twice and cut once.  Take your time and do that step right.  It'll make the difference between total customer satisfaction and being upset at yourself.Joe
This case was perfect for my cameras and accessories.  The pluck and pull foam works great customizing to fit your needs.
Use the Pelican 1500 to travel with my GoPro cameras and a ton of accessories (camera, mounts, Joby grip-pod, dual charger, chest harness, mounts, etc..). Easy to customize the foam insert to secure and protect your gear. Easily fits in overhead bins on planes. This is a well built, durable case.
I use this case as my Glock pistol storage and range case, works perfect in that role. I cut out the foam as needed to store a Glock 19, 2 mags, a first aid kit, flash drive, and flashlight, and have a little room left to spare. Provides top protection. Can't really beat it.
Pelican is a solid product, always has been. skb is good to but i feel pelican is a step above. although i've always been happy with skb also.
Came exactly like I wanted! Pelican makes a very good product! Would definitely buy this case as well as other cases again!
I am very happy with this case i am using it for a secure shooting case and i would highly recommend. And the nice thing is if you want to reconfigure it just buy new foam and your in business.
I wish I could give this 6 stars. I foolishly bought a $60 POV Large case for my GoPro gear before I discovered Pelican. For $40 more, this case is far superior. I watched a bunch of youtube videos showing how different users custom fit their foam for GoPro and chose the ways &  tricks that worked best for me. In my 1500 I was able to fit two GoPro Hero3+ cameras, 6 batteries, 4 backdoors, charger, go pole, Jaws clamp mount with gooseneck, chesty, handle bar mount, suction cup mount, LCD & battery bacpacs plus i have some other things stored behind the top foam. Great quality, obviously. Well worth the price.
Bought this used, but it was in great shape when it arrived.  I converted it to attach to the back of my motorcycle.  It is sturdy and weather proof.  It locks and holds plenty.
Never disappointed with the quality of Pelican products. I put stuff in the container. Stuff in container when I arrive. Magic!
First, you can't beat Pelican cases for their quality and versatility.  Airtight, waterproof and built to last. These cases will secure and protect all your valuable electronics, guns or other items with &#34;pick and pluck&#34;quality foam.  These cases will travel well in aircrafts, boats and vehicles.  You can easily fit several Go Pro cameras or DSLRs and their accessory without crowding.  Worth every penny.
This case is tough, looks great and protects whatever you decide to put in it.  Worth the extra money for sure.  I own several &#34;bargain brand&#34; cases and this runs circles around them.
I took this on a 5 day guided mountain bike trip where it bounced around in a truck on a rough road the  whole time.  My canon 7d with three lenses filters and so on came out unscaved.
I would buy another in a minute. I had fun picking out the foam bits too! Holds my camera securely.
Ordered the Pelican 1500 because I was looking for a good case to store my rc trasmitter and extra batteries.  This case is nice looking, sturdy and feels durable.  It was easy to just pull the foam and have my tx fit.  There was enough room for me to also store my battery charger.  I have a battery checker on order with Tower Hobby that I will also add to the case.  In total I will have five LiPo batteries in the case, three small (can't remember sizes) and two big ones.Also there is a place to put a lock.  I will probably put a piece of velcro on the lock and case to keep it from moving and scratching the case.  I like that if I mess up on the way I want things placed, I can always order extra foam.  I know there are cheaper cases out there, but if you have something worth caring for, this case is the best.  Well worth the money.
What is there to be said about a Pelican case that has not been said already? The best quality cases on the market. Life time repalcement on parts (with free shipping).
Pelican cases may be relatively expensive but they are worth every penny.  I have been using Pelican cases for a long time and i still can't get over how good they are.
Well made case with pick-out foam liner.  Has holes for two locks.  Will take a 5/16&#34; lock shackle diameter (Max). Good protection for contents  (camera and lenses in my case).
This is a solid, tough, water-tight box for snug storage and transport of 2 mid-size tele's, associated converters, and tripod grips.  The foam is easy to pluck for a custom fit to the gear, although some of the foam that's left will tend to be loose when lenses are inserted and removed.  I feel confident that my lenses are well protected when cased for transport.
Just an FYI: The picture Amazon is showing with wheels and a handle is incorrect. The Pelican 1510 "Carry On Case" is the case they have pictured here.Pelican cases are great. We use them at the company I work at to ship computers around. They have never let us down.
Holds up to 16 TZ tapes of various sizes, the labeler, instruction manuals, USB cable, CD, and AC Power Supply.  As always, well protected and rugged.  The pluck and pull foam was easy to use.  If you put the time into it, you can create some very nice setups with the foam.  If you cut any of the foam to varying heights, be sure to put the messy (cut) side down where it can't be seen so you end up with a nice, smooth professional bottom for your components.  This also adds strength back into the remaining foam pieces.Use a hot-glue gun if you need to (re)secure any of the foam back into the case.  Glue on the bottom for a professional finish.  This also adds a little more rigidity to the foam compartments.Pelican will absolutely honor their warranty (and they are serious about not covering damage by children under 5 - don't ask me how I know) :P.  To replace, you will need to send the old case in at your expense and they will repair or replace the case.The pluck-n-pull section is made up of a grid of 30x19 1/2" foam pieces, and the usable area (with foam) is 4 to 4.5 inches deep. (the foam is 4 inches deep and you can have roughly 1/2" of product poking above the foam).  The pluck-n-pull section contains about a 1 inch perimeter of foam that is not pluckable and there is a 1" foam pad that is used for bottom support beneath the pluck-n-pull section.  With foam, you have a workable area of roughly 15in. x 9.5in. x 4.5in.The 1500 case is a great general purpose equipment case, and is legal as carry-on for travel.These are basic guidelines that should be roughly true for all Peli cases with the pluck-n-pull foam.  It would be nice if they published more details about workable area with the foam, so hopefully these details will help someone looking for the right sized case.
Amazon has the wrong picture posted for this item.  The picture shows a case with a telescoping handle and wheels so that you can pull it behind you like luggage.  This is the case that we WANTED to purchase.  Unfortunately, the case we received did not have the telescoping handle or the wheels.  The item # for that case is 1510, not 1500.  This is very frustrating, not only for the consumer but also for the merchant.  The merchant in this case told me that they do not have control over the picture that Amazon puts with the description.  They did give me a $15 credit but would not trade out the product we received with the product that we actually wanted and THOUGHT that we had ordered without wanting to charge me the difference.
Everything pelican makes is solid.  I have some of these cases that are almost 15 years old and Still going strong.  If something breaks they replace the part or the entire case.  FOREVER warranty!Pay the extra bucks for Pelican, it is a forever investment.LOVE IT
This case is excellent, but beware that it is a very thick case.  I only paid attention to the length and width and did not notice how thick it was until it came.  However, it was big enough for all my camera equipment.  Highly recommend it.
As can be expected from Pelican, top notch quality !  If you are tired of the cheap cases that may, or may not protect your firearms or electronic gear then get a Pelican Case.  They are worth the extra expense knowing that your gear is protected from theft ,shock, water, and dirt.
after two shipments of the case you show in the picture i gave up and bought the correct case from someone else,you need to show what you are really selling....i still have not been notified about my refund
I use this case to keep my expensive camera gear safe from travels in the remote Alaska wilderness.  It's virtually indestructible.  It was between this (1500) and the 1520 model and I choose this due to the smaller size alone.  I can still fit it in a backpack if needed.  It is a tight fit for my 5D Mark II along with two lenses and speedlight, but it does fit.  I would have preferred going with the re-arrangable foam inserts instead of the pick and pluck, but with some decent planning I'm fine with the pick and pluck.  If you have the option and think you might change your configuration in the future I would try and get the foam inserts instead.It's dirt cheap insurance for my expensive gear and I'll buy another one if needed, which doesn't look like a good possibility given the excellent construction.
Sturdy, durable "suitcase".  Exactly what we wanted for our use as a pill box for a lady to store her dozens of pills she has to take to stay alive.
Case is waterproof, bomb proof, and fully customizeable.  Fits pro-dslr camera with lens attached, external flash, 2 additional lenses, and a few miscellaneous items.  Well worth having to protect my camera gear!
Nice Case, But Only Get it if You Need Something Bulky. This case can fit a lot of stuff in it but it takes up a lot of room. Heavy duty construction and reliable.
Bough this for my gopro hero3 and accessories!  Works GREAT!!!  It's rather large but I like it because I carved out a spot at the bottom of the foam where my laptop can fit in perfectly and I can have my gopro set up to go!  Foam can be a little adventure to try and cut out small pieces but it's not too bad!  Would recommend this 100%
i have 3 of these already.One fits my KPOS Glock rigthe other is for my Knife collection - I like to keep em organized and away from water of courseThe foam is really for neat freaks like me, who like to keep things organized.3rd one is just for spare.  Value for your money in my humble opinion.What are the CONS:- I think they can make the lock hole slightly bigger?  it's a bit narrow.  Still, won't affect my rating on the item.PROS- value- built quality- available colors- organize capabilities
I have been toting around weapons for 25 years as a shooter and trainer.  NOTHING comes close to a Pelican case!  They are more than worth the price.  You get everything you pay for and more.  You truly can drive over them.  The 100% warranty is for real. They stand behind their product.  You can easily adjust the foam interior to cushion your weapon, mags, trikets, ect. Will be the last case you every buy.  I have four in various sizes.  I use and abuse them with wanton abandon and ruthlessness.  They are hard to scratch or dent and clean up nicely with Armor All.  I have banged and bashed them with expensive firearms inside.  My toys were fine. You would be hard pressed to find a better value than a Pelican case.  When you take these to the range they will be admired. Get ready to answer a lot of questions.  Make excellent secure storage for firearms left in vehicle.  Put several locks on the case then run a heavy bicycle cable through the locks and around the car seat support.  Same thing in hotel rooms. Here I run the cable around the plumbing under a sink.  They come in various colors for those who do not love everything black.
It's a Pelican, what else do you need to say! Super protection, great clasps and steel reinforced locking lugs. Seals tight as a drum with a huge oring seal. The only negative I could possibly think of, clasps are stiff and may be difficult for everyone. On the plus side of that, it will keep kids out, so debatable if it is really a negative. Great case to protect your stuff!
This arrived on time and works well - very configurable and meets our needs. We have no problems with this item.
I purchased this item because I travel with a 1550 as a tool box. I do international travel, so I wanted to get something that could keep my tools safe and organized even after baggage handlers had their way with it. I have yet to travel with it, but just after installing it it seems perfect. It is infinitely adjustable, any divider can go almost anywhere, great for odd sized tools. My only complaint is that i feel the dividers are too thick for my needs, they take up too much of the total space of the 1550. For camera guys, it is perfect, but I really needed space more than i need padding. This made a huge difference in how useful my case is, I highly recommend it.
This allows you to store much more than the pluckable foam or insertable bag.If you carry photo equipment you'll love it.  Keeps your gear airtight and snug.
If you need to maximize the space inside your case AND protect its contents, this is the way to go, I think it's a much better solution than the foam, but it doesn't look as 'cool' when you open the case and show off the contents.  The dividers make the storage options and shapes infinitely customizable and easy to change.  But nothing's perfect - it would be nice if Pelican included a few &#34;skinny&#34; unpadded dividers in the kit to help keep stuff separated that doesn't need the padding, like spare batteries, light meters, a shoulder strap, etc. and other small stuff that I would like to have its own cubby, that now gets put into one big space that I have to dig around in to find what I want - and it looks messy, too.  Overall, a great product, but, Pelican, let's politely say the price is way too high.
It meets expectations. They used to make them a different way that I liked better but this one is fine as is.
Ordered the 1550 case with the "pick n pluck" foam but after working with it for awhile, realized that I should have ordered it with the padded divider set for the camera. The pick n pluck foam is a nice concept and would work fine for basic shapes but not complex shapes. Tore loose to many pieces just removing and replacing the camera, lenses and accessories during the first week of use. Static electricity is an issue with the foam too. The padded divider is well made and provides a much more flexible arrangment too.
I wish I'd known about these inserts earlier. However, I'd had my wonderful Pelican case for years and it worked flawlessly. The draw back to the foam insert was if you wanted to add a new item or rearrange things, it always required a new foam set. I did that a couple of times over the years. However, the new padded divider setup resolves all those issues and is very flexible in design. Happy customer again.
Does exactly what it's supposed to do but seems pricey for foam. I guess your paying for the exact fit.
If you want the perfect fit for your 1600 here it is. Does it cost too much for what it is, yes. Can you find it cheaper elsewhere, no. Are there less expensive non trashy looking alternatives, no. If you are ordering your pelican case get it with foam, that way is cheaper. You paid out the rear for the stuff you are putting in the case. Now I guess we must do the same to protect it. I'm not happy paying the price but whatcha gonna do.
I love Pelican boxes.  I needed to repurpose one from camera equipment to a new firearms purchase.  This foam appears to be denser than the original and worked great.
Was looking to replace the foam in my Pelican case and this stuff had the perfect fit and allowed me to have a personalized set up for my gear and what not. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Fit perfectly. Easily able to customize the pick and pluck for various electronic gear and equipment, No problems getting pieces out, just time consuming.
The foam set for my Pelican 1600 case is a factory fit and work well in keepin my cameras  safe and secure.
The dividers permit virtually infinite configurations, but if they were thicker (with more padding) they would provide more protection for the valuable items stored in the 1650 case. I purchased this divider set after going through three sets of the pick-and-pluck foam as my needs and equipment have changed. Now the 1650 can become any case needed for a specific kit.
Was all I expected.Need more words so here they are.  It is strange they need detailed comments.  I guess its for data mining purposes.  So they can sell this information to someone.
I have had the pick and pull foam in my pelican cases for a couple of years. Out of pure laziness I hadn't purchased anything else. After essentially shredding the foam through years of use, I finally sprung for these dividers. They work SO much better and are far more durable than the stupid foam that Pelican makes as an alternative. The dividers drop right in and come with enough divider pieces that customize the storage pretty easily.
I bought this divider set to replace the foam inserts in my Pelican 1650. It allows more storage and makes storing various lenses and bodies and attachments a breeze. If you plan on traveling with the Pelican case, keep the foam inserts. But for daily storage this divider set is much handier than the foam. My only nitpick would be a wish for a few more divider sections.
While the product does what one might expect - provide cushioning - this product appears to be very poorly made. After placing, removing and replacing the velcro dividers a few times, the wall sections of the set became loose and sagging.  Additionally, there was no mention of Pelican on the instructions that came with the product, and it is black, not like the grey one pictured in the product listing.Hard to believe this came from a company that makes indestructible cases.
Wanting to dabble in macro photography, but not wanting to buy an expensive macro lens, this extension tube was theanswer for me.  The 12 mm tube is not so close up that one still has a reasonable depth of field.The 24 mm tube would seem to be too restrictive in depth of field for many uses (unless you only want to see the eye of an insect in focus).Very happy with this purchase, and would recommend.  Keep in mind though, you cannot focus to infinity with this tube.
As an added safety measure, I purchased this for my camera. At the time I purchased my Canon 5D Mark III, I was advised that certain lens I owned may no longer work with my current camera. The base of some lens may extend too far and shatter the mirror inside the camera body. As a precaution, the tube extender eliminates the possibility of  that happening. The Canon lens are marker well as to which lens will fit and work on each camera. Its the after market brands you have be worried about.
You can focus closer than without it, but you lose the ability to focus all the way to infinity.  AF and TTL work just as good as without this between the lens and body.  If you are interested in macro work you may want to look at the 60mm or 100mm macro lens before buying this since they allow 1:1 reproduction without any special attachments.
I never thought i could get close up shots like these. it fits on my canon T3i a little snug but its not really hurting anything. you cant use the auto focus but with some eye-ball ingenuity you can figure it out. The clarity  of the mini-verse that is small imagery is amazing.
The Extension Tube works fine but I Can't say much more about once I don't need this effect so often.
Another useful tool in the camera bag.  All lens features work correctly through this extension tube.  I have not experienced the tight fit issues reported by some reviewers.
I tried the less expensive extension tubes and if you want close up shots .. real close up shots of tiny things where your preview shows you what you will really get in terms of focus and brightness .. then this is the one to get. I out grew those 15 dollar ones in one week. Worth every penny to not be guessing on lighting adjustments in manual and to have the Auto setting work. I have a Canon Rebel T2i
I bought a cheaper set of extension tubes and they worked, but I noticed my heavier, higher quality lenses would &#34;open&#34; a gap between the tubes. I did not notice any distortion in the images, but it drove me crazy. So, I bought the original Canon extension tubes and they are highly crafted and fit and finish are superior to other options.
I use it for ring shots at weddings.The first time I used it the focusing connection was balky, but since then it has been great.I carry it in my pocket when I am working, and yet it still works great.  I had used the longer extension tube, but that was way too long.  I find it most useful with my  50mm on my 5DMii.  I haven't found an application needing this with the 135mm.
This was a gift for my husband to go with his new camera.  The close-ups are much better with this lens than without.
As a photographer, I have been taking photos and improving my range of abilities over the years.  The one thing that I wanted to work on most though was macro photography.  Unfortunately most *good* macro lenses are quite expensive, running anywhere from $600 to $1500.  A colleague of mine suggested that I purchase a macro extension tube which would allow me to use my current camera lenses AS macro lenses, so I started researching my options.Since I was working with a Canon 40D body, as well as a variety of lenses, I needed an extension tube that supported both the EF and EF-S lens types.  This Canon EF 12 II provides that functionality, as well as full electronic pass-through for all auto-focus and metering features of the lenses.For table-top & desk-top macro work, I found that this extension tube works beautifully with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm with the lens extended to the full 55mm.If I am outside walking around, I find that theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camerasworks very well for taking macro photographs of flowers and other close-up objects.A note to consider, if you are using a macro extension tube, you generally can NOT focus to infinity any longer. So this item is for use while taking macro photographs or nearby objects ONLY.I've also uploaded a macro image in the gallery of this product, showing how well this macro tube works!As a side note, if you want to get even CLOSER to your subject, pick up the OTHER Canon extension, theCanon EF 25 II Extension Tube for EOS Digital Cameras, and combine the 12mm and the 25mm into a 37mm tube!  It works VERY well!
A dedicated macro lens is best, but with a sharp lens, especially a stabilized one, this very short extension tube gives me great close up versatility. It simply takes up no space at all in the bag. It comes with a nice leather pouch, but that just makes it bulky, and there aren't any fragile points on the tube. I bought this one because I wanted to bring myself just a bit closer than I could usually get with a conventional non closeup lens, but stay at ranges and magnifications where hand holding were practical. This shortest of the automatic extension tubes does it. Fit and finish are excellent, and construction is sufficiently robust that you don't need to bother with a case. I pair this with two different lenses. It's always in my bag for use with the EF-S 55-250MM 1:4.5-5.6 IS II for hand held closeups. Because it's so thin, I also use it with my 560MM Leitz Telyt w/Canon adapter, on a monopod.
I've had zero problems with this product.  I'm glad I went with the canon tube.  I'm sure that there are other ones out there that do the trick for less money, but you can't beat the quality of this product.  I have an extra lens that I just leave this set up on.  Some people complained that it was hard to separate, but every time I go back to change it off of my spare lens it comes off no problem, doesn't matter how long it's been sitting.  Oh, and the pictures amaze people.  I post on tumblr and always hear back "how did you get so close?"  I like to keep it my little secret ;)Pros.  qualityCons. ExpensiveOverall.  If you can afford it, why wouldn't you get the best?
Pros:You can get much closerWorks with both EF-S and EF lensesAuto focus still functions perfectlyTakes up very little room in your camera bagItem looks about 3 times as large in photo using 17-40 Canon F/4 LensCons:A little tight to put on and take off of lensCan no longer focus very far away let alone infinityReview:I purchased this Extension tube so I could take better Macro photos without having to purchase an expensive Macro lens.  I've got so many lenses already.I installed the tube between my Canon Rebel XTi and Canon 17-40 F/4 L lens and bang!!!  Instant macro lens.A photo I had taken without the tube of a penny using the Canon 17-40 zoomed to 40mm gave a so so image.  Putting the tube on allowed me to focus so close the penny filled almost the entire view finder.  Looking at the penny image taken with the tube you can see little details I never noticed before like each and ever step and little details like the little FG on the lower right corner on the back of the penny.Verdict:I highly recommend it's worth every penny!!!
Very nice but with a learning curve. Shot very nice pics with my 5D in very low light. Highly recommended.
Considering it's just a spacer, it would be hard for this item to be exceptional. It enables super close-up photos; I'm happy with the results.
I wasn't sure what to expect as I've never used an extension tube before.  I only need macro for certain things but when I need it, I need it.  But I couldn't justify the cost of a dedicated macro.  This works like a charm.  Put it on my Canon 24-70L II and works like a charm.
My grandfather once told me that all cheeses were made in the same factory so it doesn't matter which cheddar, for example, you purchase. This isn't literally true, of course, but the point he was trying to make is that something that costs more isn't always better than a cheaper version of the same thing. With his voice in mind I purchased both thePolaroid Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set For Extreme Close Up PhotographyAND theCanon EF 12 II Extension Tube For EOS Digital Camerasand put them to the test to see which was the greater value. Here are my findings:1. I'm happy that I bought both.2. They decidedly do not represent different price points of the same thing. The fact that I originally thought they did only reflects my growing, yet still weak, expertise in the paraphernalia of macro photography.3. The Polaroid tube is made up of 7mm, 14mm, and 28mm lengths that can be used individually or in any combination.4. The Polaroid tube is just that...a tube, and supports no electronic connection between camera body and lens. In my book this is absolutely fine as long as what you are photographing is not moving and you have the time to make the necessary positional, exposure, and lighting corrections. Photographing jewelry in a static and controlled environment would be a good example.5. The Canon tube, more like a thick ring actually (TheCanon EF 25 II Extension Tube for EOS Digital Camerasis a bit more tube-like.) is of a single fixed 12mm length and supports complete connectivity between camera and lens so that exposure and focusing are done as seamlessly with the EF 12 as without. This is a huge benefit if what you are trying to photograph is in a changing environment or moving. Macro photos of insects comes to mind. Yes, I actually did this while building lesson plans for my Biology class.So, while my experiment to determine relative value was a bit misguided, I did end up with two devices I use frequently and would be unhappy to part with. As I said, they are not 'of a kind' and have separate yet strong appeal. If the Canon tube is a cheese it would be a fine Brillat-Savarin while the Polaroid isn't a cheese at all, but a really nice set of pliers.
Didn't buy it from Amazon, as I found a great deal on a slightly used one at a local photography shop. Works great with my T3i in that autofocus still works and I have control of aperture. I had previously tried an off brand of extension tubes that were supposed to allow AF and aperture control, but in the end, they did not, i.e. communication errors, etc... I decided to spend the extra money to get something that I know would work and haven't looked back.Depending on the size of the subjects you photograph and the focal length of your lens, the additional 12mm of space in between the sensor and lens helps a fair amount in regard to additional magnification. My current setup for macro shooting is the Canon T3i and Canon's 60mm macro lens. If you plan on getting into macro shooting, be aware that extension tubes require more light (especially when stacked), so invest in a ring flash and/or tripod for reduced shutter speeds.I also have the EF 25 II extension tube from Canon. Both the 25 and 12 stack great with no issues in regard to losing AF and aperture control.
Five stars for quality, it even works on my Sigma 17-50mm. I only use it in manual focus mode as instructed.What I did not expect was how close the working distance was with the 10-22mm.I tried over and over again to get my subjects in focus but each picture just ended up extremely blurry. I pumped up the f-stop, zoomed all the way in, and set the focus to infinity but it was no use.It only after I read the depth of field chart did I realize the problem.The 10-22mm has a working distance (at 22mm) of... 0.6 to 1 inches!Thats right, 0.6 to 1 inches from the surface of the lens at 22mm. Its not even possible to get anything in focus at 10mm.I had to take any filter I had just to get close enough and let light in. Imagine putting your lens 0.6 inches to the subject, its impossible to get light in unless you get a flashlight or you can get light from the side. The only things I was able to take a picture of was small objects (placed at the edge of a table) and transparent objects like an hourglass.The pains of using the 10-22mm with the extension tube are rewarded with amazing effects of shallow depth of view.But remember, 0.6 inches to 1 inch! Thats all you got if using the 10-22mm. Put on a filter and you basically have to be touching the subject.For all other lenses in the 35 to 55 mm range, you have a couple of inches (roughly 2 to 6 inches max) to play with. Though, the longer the focal length, the less pronounced of an effect the extension tube causes.
I am finding this hard to use.  But as a student in photography maybe it's just me.  I set it aside for right now.
I received the extension tube(s) a couple of weeks ago, they are wonderful.  They work as expected, the AF works perfectly.  What is especially great, about the Canon extension tubes is, you can use the EF-S lenses as well as the EF lenses. Other brands will not allow you to do that.
Imagine, autofocus through an extension tube!  This one is just the write size to give you the little extra close focus for copy work or nature photos.  Highly recommended!  Of course, if you opt for the longer tubes expect lens focus to become irrelevant, you will have to move the camera and use focus confirmation to help out.
Very handy accessory, and space requirements minimal.  Quality of manufacture is excellent and I find it to be a great tool for the bag. I have taken approx. 50-75 shots with the extender and am very happy with the results after a bit of tuning in the camera set-up.  Very happy so far.
A little expensive but solid.  I think I'll get the longer versions at some point but for now this with my 100 mm macro get me frigging close.
This 12mm extension tube work well with moderate super zoom lens for better close up photography
Bought this for taking close ups, allows me to adjust the camera to be closer than normal and good focus
Nice inexpensive replacement for a macro lens. Has worked nicely for wedding ring shots and baby details. Struggling a little with the focus but I assume with more use I will get the hang of it.
I purchased this extension tube so that I could take close-ups of food using the wide end of my T3i 18-55mm lens. That lens only focuses to 25 cm (9.8") and in auto focus only to 28cm. But with the tube in place, at the wide end of the zoom I have to bring the camera within a couple of cm to the subject, which is far too close. The only way to use the tube is on the long end of the zoom, which removes the effect I was working to: the exaggerated foreground.Note too that this lens does not speak to the camera when the tube is installed: you have to manually focus and manually set iris, both of which are relatively easy to do with Magic Lantern installed on the camera.With great regret I am returning the tube. I will have to try a diopter on the front of the lens, though I fear image degradation.
Good product, does what it says it'll do. I was suprised how well it works.
I use it mostly with my 100-400 mm zoom lens. most of my bird photography is 30 feet or closer. AF and IS all work fine. I am able to extreme close-ups that I can't get without it. Almost But not a macro.
Canon quality construction. The extension tube has all the electrical contacts to connect the camera to the lense (auto focus,etc). I don't use the auto focus but instead manual. If you are stacking images manual is an excellent way to go. I am using the extension tube with a Canon T2i and a Canon 5D Mk III with a Canon EF 100mm Macro f/2.8 L lense. The extension tube gets you CLOSER. I am very happy with the tube.
I bought this to do some macro work with desert flowers. With this and a good tripod I have obtained some excellent shots.
This adapter is a "must have" accessory for getting more magnification out of your Macro Photography regardless of whatever lense you are using it with. Don't forget it can be combined with other extension tubes as well and should be first mounted to any lense before finally mounting it to your camera for proper electronic detection during metering. As with most adapters some sacrifice in f-stops occurs but you will still be amazed with what new shots that become possible in the macro and microscopic realm!
This extension works great on manual. I tried it on three lens and had no problems focusing. I found that it goes on and off fine if you follow instructions.
I have had no problems with this battery, it does seem to be a tad thicker, but I have had no problems removing from my camera. As it is much cheaper than the Panasonic battery I have to give it 5 stars, for doing the same job at close to half the price.
The battery fits perfectly in the Panasonic DMC-FZ30, though it was made for the FZ-20.  It charges quickly and lasts well in use.  The new model of the camera has a larger battery, which means there is a little extra room in the compartment when this battery is used.  I would highly recommend this battery as a backup to the larger one that is included with the FZ30.
This battery does exactly what I need it to (power my Panasonic DMC-FZ1 camera) with a modification.  The Lenmar battery is slighter shorter than the Panasonic battery and therefore does not make a consistent connection to power the camera.  I had to improvise by slipping a small piece of cardstock paper under the clip that holds the battery in to hold it tight to the connections.  Otherwise the camera would not turn on or, worse, shut off in the middle of using it.  The slip of paper does the job but then taking the battery out, charging it, and putting it back in isn't as quick or easy of a job as it was with the original battery, now that I have to keep track of the slip of paper and reseat the battery carefully with the slip of paper in place.  If I knew what I know now, I think I would have bought another Panasonic battery to keep from dealing with this... it is too important to have a camera that works when you need it to when you have a 2-yr-old!
I bought it to replace the Panasonic CGA-S002A.Does the job but does not hold its power for a whole day.
I needed a battery for my Panasonic camera. It was listed as a supported device so I bought it. Charged it overnight and it worked right away in the camera. I take a few pictures and turn off the camera. A week later there is still alot of energy in the battery. I have not had to charge it a second time yet and it's been 2 weeks. My other battery wouldn't last an hour any more.
Charge is not held as in the Panasonic product. Can be removed only with a sharp instrument, an action that can damage the camera housing.
Lenmar has never let me down!Ordered 2 of these for my Lumix DMC FZ-20 camera.Always gotten much better mileage with Lenmar.Been using another Lenmar DLP002 for about 6 years.Still charges and lasts for about 2-300 shots before giving up.
I bought this battery a few months back from Amazon. Since thenI have run it through several cycles in the camera, alternatingbetween it and the original Panasonic battery. I really do notnotice any difference between the two batteries. Both seem tofit equally well in the camera and charger. I have not kept closetrack of the battery life, but the two batteries seem similar.
I foind it amazing that I can still find this battery after almost 10 years of owning camera.  Looks to be a winner
It is not a cheap Chinese knock-off that won't hold a charge after weeks or months. It is as good as the original.
I have purchased these batteries previously and they performed to my satisfaction in my Panasonic camera compared to original batteries.
The Lenmar battery DLP002 works well in my old Lumix FZ20 camera, with one caveat:After 4 years of use, the battery starts to swell and crack its case.  Get new batteries when this happens.  They cost about half the price of the Panasonic battery, which I lost, and will shoot nearly as many pictures per charge.  A good buy for those who shoot a large number of pictures.By contrast, another, cheaper brand of Chinese battery only last about half as many shots when new, and only lasted about two months in service when rotating three batteries through the charger!
Works with the Panasonic/Lumix.  Really glad to find this deal.  Glad we didn't have to throw this older 4 megapixel camera away .
Unlike another no name gereric batttery this one fit in my pansonic digital still camera perfectlly and works well.  Can't comment on battery life  compared to the pansonic brand yet.
In addition to having to pay to return the products ....Lemnar will charge you a Shipping and Handling Charge of:$7.50 ($12.50 if Canada, International varies on location) per battery pack.$10.00 ($16.50 if in Canada, International varies on location) for each charger or tripodfor any warranty exchanges .... (PER BATTERY) The fail to mention this when they post thier 2 year warranty.
I bought this battery as a backup for my Panasonic Lumix FZ3; specifically to shoot 90min plus soccer games.  Overall this a great battery and I am happy with my purchase.  I've owned it for almost a year now and have no complaints.  The battery performs up to standards of the Panasonic battery that came with my camera.  It lasts as long as the Panasonic battery, charges up fine; overall a good battery especially for the money.
This battery is much lower cost than the Panasonic original, and it does work, but my impression is that the battery is lower in quality than the Panasonic original.  It seems to run down faster than the factory original, even though it has the same mAH rating (or better).  I get fewer photos before the low batt alarm comes on.  But, it does work, and saves me real money, so I have mixed emotions.
I  purchased this battery for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 and it fits perfectly in the battery compartment, just like the original battery. Same level of performance as the original battery.
It works in the camera. This is the second Lenmar battery I have used.They do not seem to last as long as Panasonic but a good value.
We used this product for our school carnival and the kids love getting their pictures with their friends before the end of the school year right then and there!
I had to buy Polaroid film for our school. This was the best price and was delivered quickly. The product is what it is.
We received our order of Polaroid film in excellent condition and in a timely manner.
My son is in college and is an excellent photographer who experiments with new techniques.  Polaroid film is hard to find these days, which is unfortunate since he will whip through this in no time.  A friend took some to China and found that being able to hand out pictures to the kids in the countryside made him very popular.  I recommend this to anyone who has a polaroid camera, as it contains a lot of film.
Poloroid stopped manufacturing this instant film .As a result, merchants that have stockpiled this film are charging significantly higher prices for available film. Good alternitive is to look into Fuji instant camera which is supported by FIJI INSTANT film. They are very comparatable to the Poloroid system at a more reasonable price and is easier to find many merchants selling these items.
I have a great need for instant photos and Polaroid is the best.  I am sorry as a consumer that it is being discontinued from the store shelves.  Thankfully Amazon continues to carry the 600.  Photo per photo it still is a better value and time saver than digital.  What is nice is you can still write on the bottom of the photo frame.
I have both these Kodak Green rechargeables and Sanyo Eneloops.  These green ones have been giving me a lot of trouble.  So far I cannot run a simple wall clock (one AA) or an electronic lock (four AA), they both work fine with the Eneloops and standard alkaline.  I tried refreshing the Kodaks on my La Crosse charger but that has not helped.So AVOID the Kodak Green rechargeables (this one).  I have heard that the Kodak White ones are fine (relabeled GP Recykos).  Or just get Eneloops.
Just as listed. Great Kodak product. I use these for my digital camera. 1 pair in my camera & 1 charged as a spare. Great price too.
don't know how well they worked but have recieved no complaints from the gift recipient.
These are great rechargeable batteries. They're able to hold a charge for a good while. Eliminates the need to constantly buy alkaline batteries. These rechargeables are especially handy for things like digital cameras which eats up batteries.
...are difficult to find in local stores without the charger. Very happy I found them on Amazon. They are well worth the money as the charge lasts a long time in a digital camera taking scores of pictures before having to be recharged. They can be recharged many times before having to discard in an environmentally safe manner.
The Kodak Max 4 2500 rechargeable batteries are the WORST I've ever used.  I usually get the Kodak 2100's and they are great.  I can take hundreds of pictures with just 1/4 battery use.  With the 2500's (which I got free with a charger I bought), I take 9 pictures in my Kodak Easy Share camera on a full charge and it says "battery low". (And, this, with the picture size set to the smallest I can make it in the camera!)  With the 2100's, I can take hundreds of pics, review them, crop them and I'm still good to go for more.  Sorry ... but if this battery is supposed to be "MAX" and a better battery, it's not.  The only thing that makes it "MAX" is the price.  I don't know how it is in other electronics, but I would think that they would AT LEAST work well in a Kodak camera!  But, sadly, they don't.
I recently bought 7 packages of these battereis.  I have used them for years, however I am very unhappy with the lastest batch.  They will not take a charge right out of the package!
Perhaps it is just the difference between 2100mAH vs 2300mAH, but these Kodak batteries do not work near as well as my Energizers in cameras that use 2 batteries.In my Z990, which uses 4 batteries, they work pretty well.____________________________________________[...]
I've always been happy with Kodak products.  They are always superior quality and last for a long time.  I'm sure the batteries will be the same.... They work great now and keep a charge longer than the ones I bought from the store.  So all is good.
these looked different from what I had bought from the local store  blueish color however they are white not blue and it's the same batteries I had and they don't work any longer than the other batteries in camera
I purchased these batteries so I would always have a back up of charged batteries for events I wanted to catch on film, however, the batteries were not the ones that work with the charger I had. I am not going to buy another charger just to charge these up, because I already have the longer time charger. So I'm stuck with a brand new package that hasn't been opened, and can't return because I waited too long to return them to Amazon.
Some hold carges longer than others. I also bought AAA and I need 3 for my device. They only last about 3 hours.
I gave this review 1 star becaause I could not select any lower.This battery is one of the worst that I've come across. It does not hold a charge for more than 15 shots in a Kodak DX series camera. I am using the recommended Kodak charger. I use the sony batteries without any issues. DO NOT PURCHASE unless you have money to throw away!!! Note that I have had the same issue with a previous set of Kodak batteries, but thought they may have been giving problems because I hardly ever use.
We bought these 3 years ago, and they were great while they lasted. Alas, today they no longer hold a charge. (So much for the urban myth of holding a charge for 1,000 times). Anyway, they were ok for 3 years, and now off to get Sony batteries & charger for $15.00. We are disappointed, however, that the charge lasted only approx 36 times (once/month).  36 &lt;> 1000.
I initially had reservations on purchasing these batteries (due to their mAh life).  I spoke to the seller (to whom was extremely knowledgeable with this product), and he guaranteed the purchase or my money back.  I ended up purchasing another set of batteries, a few days later.These batteries are well worth the money.  They hold a charge on my Kodak Z980Kodak EasyShare Z980 12MP Digital Camera with 24x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 inch LCD, for several days/weeks, depending on how often I use it.  I have not had a single issue with these batteries.Great product!
This is a real professional digital camera but it's easy to use for those just beginning. With excellent color rendention, you can shoot RAW for more control or use the Fine jpeg and it will pop your eyes out with a image quality found in only the best of cameras.
Four month satisfied owner after a lot of research.If one goes on raw comparative specs alone, the E-1 may fall short on some comparisons,such as number of megapixels (5) and number of lenses available(ca. 12). But handling it and looking at the untouched results,will impress one,-don't reveal the source and see. It is a tough,professional machine,and weather sealed, and has no history of breakdowns in a year from users and no major glitches... Having said that, some users don't want or need a professional level camera. If you don't need these special adjustment capabilities, don't mess with this level of camera. It is rather heavy, and huge manual to absorb. The dust reduction system and the high quality lenses of superb design are very large advantages to all. Will the E system be around in ten years you say? I don't know, and you don't know,but the camera will be usable for a long time. Certainly until every suburban home has a 36" high definition flat panel TV in their living room and moves on to covet a 65".Update as of 9-1-2006:If anything,my respect for this camera increases. It is chunky,not what Olympuses are supposed to be to many,and is even heavier with the accessory HDL-2 grip. I have not pushed the enlargements to the point where I need more than the alloted megapixels,not even close. I have not fully exploited all the capabilities (read multiple options) of the camera,but it is definitely not in the DSLR beginner category. This Fall will likely see news on an upgrade,and some interesting E series bodies. If one is still satisfied with well thought out good design,water proofing,and superb( their mid price line) lenses,with a definite and future limited variety vis a vis Canon et al,then this camera is still a hard to go wrong choice. The downside: Canon and Nikon and now Sony are still the places that folks who own Canon EOS and Nikon and Minolta autofocus lenses will seek out first and who may need a broader choice of accessories or rental super telephotos. For those who have no stable of lenses,and just want to jump in,how can one go wrong with the E-1 and the 14-54 plus one Olympus flash is still my view.(Caveat: If you are subject to buyer's remorse,better wait until Photokina on September 26. The future of this camera and the E system will be shaped by what Olympus displays or outlines its E system offerings at that time...that said,do not hesitate to go for this at a budget closeout price,one third of what I paid in July 2004. It is a camera that grows on you if you like its hefty quality feel, weatherproofing,the buttons versus menu approach.)
The E-1 is an anomaly. It is outdated and archaic. Its LCD is primitive. It boasts a whopping 5 megapixel sensor that is currently outdone (number-wise) by cell-phone cameras. And yet, it is one of the greatest digital SLR's to ever roll off a production line.The E-1 has perfect ergonomics, feels like a "real" camera (no cheap plasticky Canikon vibe), and takes incredible pictures with a depth of realism that is hard to match. Before I bought my used E-1, I had an E-30. I say "had" even though I still have the E-30----but now I rarely shoot it. Ironically, the ancient E-1 has become my primary camera, while the newer (technically better) E-30 has been relegated to "back-up" status. That's how good the E-1 feels in your hand.Now, given the current situation with Olympus (and if you are looking at E-1's, you must know something about the company, 4/3rds future, etc.) I cannot say I would recommend someone jumping into the 4/3 system. But, if you already have some 4/3 glass and are looking for an extra body, I can say that you will absolutely LOVE the E-1. This is an example of a camera that is just right on so many levels.A true "digital classic."
This is my primary camera. No bells and wisthles. Plain and simple! The man/woman behind the camera makes the picture!
Bought this camera used after reading all the good things about it and glad I did.  It's mostly used as a back up, but once I start using it, it's hard to put it down. It's a pros camera (no presets) I love that it's simple and very easy to use. The picture quality is excellent. Ergonomics makes it one of the best cameras to hold.  All the buttons are in the right place for quick access.  It's weather sealed which is another plus, the 5mp is more than enough and the camera is heavy enough that if someone tries to take it from you it doubles as a weapon, you can beat the crap out of someone with this thing and still take their picture when you're done. Uh, kidding.  I do like the weight of the camera, it screams it means business. The only flaw with this camera is the time it takes to write to the card which is not a big problem.
This has been as useful as any other dedicated flash I have used, and more. I especially like the easy way you can adjust the flash output. I will be using this for years. Great product!
I purchased this flash for my Lumix DMC-L1.  It is a perfect match and fully integrates with the Lumix.  Auto focus, TTL all work perfecly and the results are quite pleasing.  The on-camera flash on th L1 cannot be deployed with this flash mounted on the hot-shoe, so you can't use this flash as a bounce while the on-camera flash provides fill.  With that one drawback, I am still completly happy with the power and features of the Olympus FL-50
Update 12/2008When I wrote this review your choices were the fl-50 or the 36 which made the choice simple.  Today the 50R is an option that alot of people are going to evaluate.  I own both units and here's what I can tell you to help decide between the 50 / 50R flashesThe 50R is an advanced 50 designed for the E3.  It has alot of extra features that even non olympus owners can use.  It will operate as a remote flash / flood light and trigger by the initial flash of the first camera, no matter what it is.In another mode of operation, the 50R can be "told" to participate in one of 3 groups of flashes by the E3.  The intensity of each group can be varried in the E3 flash setup menu.  The 50R has a second mode that will listen to the E3's special signal which is sent ONLY by using the internal flash on the E3.Finally the 50R can be put on the hotshoe on many cameras.  Even on the hotshoe of an E3, the 50R can NOT talk to other 50Rs set to the remote program listening mode, so you MUST use the E3's internal flash to trigger the 50R with the custom programming mode.  The 50R can ALWAYS act as a supplemental flash.Finally, the 50R includes a couple nice gifts in the package - they have a diffuser cup that snaps over the 50R as well as a plastic version and rubber snap that is an elegant solution to the photographer's 3x5 card and rubber bands trick for light direction.  It is a white plate and a rubber strap and hook.  The last of 3 gifts is a base that the 50R slides into and locks in place to act as a foot.  This allows it to operate off camera for fill flash applications easily.In summary the 50R is the more modern solution, while the 50 will work with alot of olympus cameras.  Technically the 50 is obsolete, while the 50R has many extra options.(original review follows below - its dated - be sure to read my 50R review separately before you purchase a FL-50x flash.  If you have an E3 - DO NOT BUY THIS FLASH - buy the FL-50R - even if you think you may upgrade to an E3 someday.  The remainder of this review applies to the FL-50R as well)---end update--- 12-2008If you have read this far on the FL-50 you should also read my review on the FP-1 (search for olympus fp-1) - it is a side grip designed to go with the fl-50 and speed up it's cycle time.By now you know the FL-50 is the flagship flash from Olympus - but there's more you should know about this particular flash.First - there are 4 exra pins in a row under a rubber cover.  2 of them bring in 6V regulated (as in 6.000 volts) and the other two, well upwards of 300 volts for charging the main cap come in on those pins using a special signalling system spoken by the HV-1 (I believe) High Voltage adapter (more later)Second - The FL-50 is also the basis for the twin flash and ring flash controller.  A few things get changed - the red lens is blacked out because the other flashes (at least the ring flash) have modeling lights so you can focus and see where the flash "star" or "blast" will end up in your photo (or even get it out of your photo!)That is NOT to say that you can unhook your flashtube from your FL-50 and make a ring flash controller - its simply that the plastic and controls and LCD will be very familiar to you if you get a macro flash later in life (None of the "up top" flashes work well when your subject is inches from the lens filter)More on the HV-1.  Hidden deep inside the FL-50's "brain" is a remarkable ability to parallel process with the OLY HV-1 supply.  What makes the HV-1 soo good?  Well, first off, it's got a 2700 mAh battery pack.  -- you say, well - I can put 2700 mAh nimh cells in the FL-50 -- I fully encourage you do do that as well.  The FL-50 holds 4 2700 mah cells.  The HV-1 starts off with 6, giving it a 50% voltage boost, plus the current boost on top of that.  In other words, the HV-1's battery supply is really heavy duty compared to what you can do with 4 AA nimh cels.Now here's the best part!FL-50 w/ 4 2700 NIMH AA cells - full recharge - about 6 or 7 secondsFL-50 w/ HV-1 and EMPTY battery compartment on the FL-50, same conditions - 1 sec.FL-50 w/ HV-1 and those 2700 mah NIMH batts inside it - &lt; 1 sec rechargeIn other words, the FL-50 will use BOTH its internal inverter and the HV-1 as a pair to recharge as fast as possible.  (oh yea - and we know with such a huge capacitor as the FL-50 that we're not going to empty it every time, so its more likely the recharge times are fractions of a second.)And now we put all the above together.  Our best 2700 mah AA cells - the HV-1 adapter (which also works on the ring flash and twin flash and modeling lights) - we set the "MODE" switch on our Evolt cameras to sports mode, turn the flash on - guess what happens!If you are just using the flash for fill - it can keep up with the sports shooting rate!  I used a sandisk 4GB E-III 133x card, a compressed picture, and pow-pow-pow-pow-pow it kept firing as long as I held down the shutter.  At ISO 100.  Inside.  Natural light.So to sum it up - if you are content to wait for the flash to cycle, or shoot those shaky 1 second exposure pictures, forget the FL-50 and HV-1 system.  Just get a FL-36 and you'll save alot of $.  But - IF - and only if - you think you are headed for a flash __SYSTEM__ then start it with the FL-50.  You can by the HV-1 later (I did) - and then when you get some good lenses and you want a ring flash for up close and even modeling work, all your flash parts will work together!  You will own not just a speedlight but a portable studio strobe - with TTL metering - and you'll never go anywhere without the HV-1 / FL-50 combination.  With 10 cells charging your battery instead of 4 you flash takes on a new personality.
I own the Oly C8080 WZ and was deciding on what flash to use for an upcoming wedding. I was going to purchase the FL-36 and now that I sprung for the FL-50, I'm glad I paid the little bit extra for it! It is a great piece of equipment. Photography is mostly about learning to control the light in order to get what you want. And with the bounce, swivel and power contained in this flash, you will be capable of some really great shots.One of the first things I noticed besides how great my indoor shots were coming out, was the FAST recycle time. Even when I have a string of action shots to put together the flash keeps up. And some good 2300 - 2500 mAh rechargable AA batteries will keep you flashing for nearly 300 images without a misfire.The only thing I don't like is that the flash's focus light is not enabled with the C8080 (only on the E-class systems). But that does not shorten its usefulness. Big rooms, outdoor fill flash, low or high ceilings... it doesn't matter it still performs like a champ.
There was a reason why you selected a D-SLR over a point and shoot.  I know that when I was considering the investment (no getting around that word - investment) of a D-SLR I also thought about a good compact camera; you know one of those 12x - 15x zooms that look like an SLR, but do not have the detachable lenses.  But I went for the D-SLR and then I did my homework into which make & model I wanted to get.  For me the choice was the E-510 and I have been really happy with it.  The reason I am happy is that the camera has the features and options that I want that allow me to get creative with my camera shots.  Sure the auto feature makes it handy as a point and shoot, but I did not but it for that reason - I have other cameras that fit that need.  No, the D-SLR has a special purpose in my camera bag.The same is now true with my flash.  The FL-50 is to flashes what the E-510 is to a point and shoot.  The pop-up flash that came with the E-510 is not that great - sure it works in a pinch, but not that well.  The FL-50 does everything you could ever want out of a flash and allows you the flexibility to be creative.Case in point - As soon as I got the FL-50 I popped it on my E-510 and started to play with it.  I set the controls to TTL-Auto, turned it on and took 4 pictures of my wife reading her book (yeah - she LOVED that!).  First shot was 4 feet away from her, flash facing dead straight at her, the second was the same location but the flash facing the ceiling, the third was the same location with the flash facing the wall and the last was the same location with the flash facing away from her (shooting back over my head!).  Results - all four were in perfect exposure with very different results (look & feel).  Even the shot where the flash was facing 180 degrees from her came out just fine - COOL!Bottom line is that this flash talks to the camera, understands the f-stop, aperture and distance and then adjusts based on where the flash head is pointing.  You can hear the zoom feature kick in as soon as you start re-positioning the flash head.  If you want full control over these functions, just turn it to manual and do what ever you want - VERY COOL!!The flash is ultra strong too.  I set the camera to manual so that I was shooting at 100ASA with a medium opening; then standing in my back yard at night I manually adjusted the focus and clicked.  I shock me neighbor because the flash was as bright as a bolt of lightning.  The end result was a perfectly exposed shot of my back yard (it is big).  Even the stuff that is 80 feet away was visible - TOTALLY COOL!These just are extreme cases but it does highlight how powerful & flexible the flash is.  I took a point blank, full on flash and a wide open, pitch black shot and both came out looking great.  I did not even read the manual yet.Yes - there was a reason why you bought your D-SLR and saving money was not part of the equation.  Do not make the mistake of trying to save money on your flash either.  This is an expensive unit, but it is as versatile as the camera you will bolt it to.  Say good buy to your pop-up flash.  After you get this unit you will never go back to that thing ever again.Question to self - "Would I buy it again if I lost it or had it stolen?".  Answer - It would be hard to choke down another few hundred bucks, but yes - I would buy it again if I lost mine.Oh, and buy the way... the recycle on this unit is tops too.  Just a few seconds are needed before you can take your next photo.
Panasonic sells this same unit under their brand for substantially more money. If you dig real deep on the Panasonic site under "compatibility," you'll learn that Panasonic and Olympus teamed up on Panasonic's new high end camera.The collaboration, it appears, has been going on for some time: this unit is the same as the Panasonic DML-FL500 and works perfectly with the Lumix FZ-50. So if the price of the Panasonic unit has held you back, get this one.It is worth it.Today I shot pictures of the grandkids at a children's museum. I had excellent flash lighting in TTL AUTO mode from about 25 feet away. Shots of people within five feet or so of the lens are over-exposed, so just dial in -0.7 stop correction on the FL-50 and everything is fine. You can go plus or minus 3 full stops on the flash itself.You can set the flash mode (i.e., auto flash with redeye pre-flash) from the FZ-50.Overall, this is a superb smart flash that is fully compatible with the Lumix FZS-50 at a substantially lower price. You will not regret this purchase if you're serious about your photography. The head rotates practially 360 degrees, swivels almost 240, is powerful and has a built-in diffuser for super-wide angle lenses. It uses AA batteries.Full manual control when you want it.A very sweet package.Jerry
I was wavering in deciding whether to purchase the smaller FL-36 or the FL-50, but after reading many reviews of satisfied customers for both flashes, I went with the FL-50 because of its longer range, more powerful and the refresh rate between flashes.  Even with fresh rechargeable batteries, there can still be a few seconds of lag time between shots and a shot can be missed.  So, I am glad I purchased the FL-50, because I think I would have been disappointed with the longer refresh rate on the FL-36.  The FL-50 is a larger flash unit than the FL-36 but it pairs up nicely on my Olympus E-500 with or without the flash bracket.  The FL-50 makes a great strobe light on a lightstand with an umbrella, too, for a small portable lighting set-up.  Highly recommend this flash for its TTL flash ability, high quality fit and finish, and flawless operation.  There is a small learning curve for newbies, so don't be intimidated when reading the manual.  It is so powerful in small settings, that I definitely have to use a diffuser so as not to create shadows.  Found a YOU TUBE example of how to make your own diffuser out of soft white foam paper you get at craft stores and it works great for less than a dollar to make yourself.
A little top heavy with the Olympus E-510 considering its height and 4 AA cells, but has a decent recycle rate and plenty of power for ceiling bounce.  The red-dot auto-focus aids help eliminate lens focus hunting in low light, and produces nice, natural looking images without that burned out "flash photo" look.  Often use it on Oly's flash bracket or mounted on a tripod via thier hotshoe extension cable.
I don't think you could drean for a better flash unit to couple with a camera capable of communicating with it. Just set the flash to one of the auto modes (TTL, etc...) and it reads your camera settings and provides just the right amount of light. I can only imagine that it would work equally as well in manual mode. O think it is a little spendy but, it has proven it's worth to me.
I know, I know... you're looking at this Olympus flash and thinking "Oh ____ (substitute your particular phrase here)... I can't afford that, why would Olympus do me like that... I just shelled out good money on my E-500 or E-330 and I don't want to pay that much for a freakin' flash unit".  We've all been there.  So you start looking at the FL-36 (I own one too and like it) and you start rationalizing that well, maybe you don't need the biggest/"bestest" flash on the planet...  Maybe you've even taken a glance at the FL-20 (got that one as well, not bad for portability)... well, just stop already.  Start saving your change from the store and save and BUY THIS ONE... why?  Because it is everything a flash unit should be.  Big. Bright (guide # is 164 feet people!). Full control.  and best of all, it recycles fast, fast, fast.  I just couldn't believe how quickly I could hit that shutter button a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th time (careful not to go too far... all flash units can be damaged if you overtax them).  It was awesome... practically no waiting as I do with my FL-36 (my only real complaint about that unit, otherwise it is excellent).  Lastly, I suggest you purchase an Omni Bounce cap to fit over (Sto-Fen makes a large line of them).  Once you have, you will have rendered the darkness impotent against you and your mighty Olympus FL-50... after all, you and I are after the same thing, right?  GREAT PICTURES.  The FL-50 helps get you there. No doubt it is one expensive flash unit... but worth it in the end.
Expensive for an amateur like me, but worth it after my first photo shoot. I use an e-500 and the pop-up flash would drive me nuts trying to take a photo the strobing annoyed people). With the FL-50, it just takes the picture. I also bought the Gary Fong diffuser and love it.UPDATE: Over three years later, and the thing still works perfect. Combined with Eneloop rechargeable batteries, this thing is fantastic without breaking the bank on batteries.
I bought the Olympus FL-50 flash to use on my Panasonic FZ-50 camera.  The Olympus flash looks and works exactly like the more expensive Panasonic version.  So far, I have been extremely happy with this purchase.
Okay, let's start with a few basic knowledge points:1. I have worked at, or in support of, photography and videography for the last 20+ years.2. I have used Olympus equipment for the majority of my still-photography needs.  Yes, I own Leicas, Nikons and other more esoteric brands of equipment, but my working (and personal) stock of choice has been Olympus since at least the early 1980s.These two points mean that I have a predisposition (i.e. bias) in favor of Olympus, but some significant - even credible - experience to back it up.Now that we have that "Honesty in Advertising" part out of the way, on to the review:Several other Amazon users favorably reviewed theOlympus FL-50 Electronic Flash for Olympus C7070, E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Camerasitself, and I agree with their observations. This flash is not only powerful enough for your extreme lighting needs, and rapid in the majority of typical ones, but (unlike several strobes I have owned in the past) using the FL-50 is intuitive.  So much so that I have yet to actually read the instruction manual!  This unit becomes an integral part of your imaging system: The strobe turn on and off with the camera itself, takes full advantage of the camera's metering and control systems (remembering my -0.7 stop fill-flash preference), and tilting/pivoting effortlessly when you need to redirect this source.  By itself, the Olympus FL-50 is awesome.Couple the FL-50 with aSto-Fen OMEW Omni-Bounce Diffuserand you have one perfect out-of-the-bag lighting combination.  Yes, the included high-capacity (2700 mAh) NiMH batteries you probably already have, but even here there is a little bonus: an awesome little charger with both the 12VDC vehicle and Euro-plug adapters included.  Everything here went from the shipping box straight into my circa 1984 Domke F-3X Super Compact Camera Bag, Canvas, Chocolate Brown.  For all of the gear that's been in and out of that bag, this has been a wonderful, welcome addition; one that I highly recommend to any Olympus digital user.
I just bought(today) FL-50 to replace FL-36 after I use it for about a year.  This is a much better light with better photo results and fast recharge time.  The disadvantages are the unit is big and heavy.update:used it a few times in the house.  The range of the light is amazing.  I could light up the room better than FL-36.One other function I like is that once the light is connected to the camera,  it will turn on when the camera is turned on.  Unlike Fl-36 which you have to manually turn it on if the camera is off for a while.Update II:This flash unit is incredible.  I have not received my rechargeable batteries so I used the regular batteries to try it out.  First set of 4 new batteries lasted 120+ indoor shots with no or min recharge time before they died on my.  With my old fl-36 I usually have to change the batteries after 25-30 shots.Update III: (Jan, 2008)I took this flash unit with me on vacation.  I noticed if I use burst mode the unit will not be able to catch up on the 4th shot and will be okay again on the 5th picture(using Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries). Other than that everything is great outdoor or indoor.  Each set of batteries will last a while.
This flash is great! Its powerful, recycles fast, and is reliable. What more could you want.
I purchased this flash for the Olympus E-510 DSLR and it is a good unit.  Many dedicated flash manufacturers units seem to be made from pretty much the same mold, with variations between camera models and makes.  The flash is very versatile for titling up and to each side.  I recently purchased the unit and have only used it on automatic modes, which it does nicely about 90% of the time.  Perhaps I am old school but I remember the Vivitar 285 with the same zoom features that went originally for less than $100.  Users should be aware that, like the old 285 that needed a metal shoe put on, the top heavy flash could pull on the flash shoe and break or damage the shoe.  The recent $80 rebate and comparative low price from Amazon told me the time to buy was now.  Potential purchasers may wish to review Sunpack and other third party brands prior to purchasing this flash.  I would also recommend the Tiffen Strobo Frame Flip Flash Bracket (flash and bracket stay fixed - camera moves vertical or horizontal) and the dedicated flash cord to connect the camera and flash, both available from Amazon
I took this charger to Egypt. The plug was easily changed to the local type in Cairo. Easy to use, compact, and a huge money saver over the many AA batteries I was continually throwing into my old digital camera.
I Found the Correct Charger!, Feb 2nd, 2006Reviewer Allen----- You would not believe the problem I was having finding a charger. Kodak even gave me the run around!!!! I am very happy with my 550 but Unhappy with Kodak,s service they list a charger but don't sell it. I came to Amazon to find a charger and found out that the one on their site is not the correct one so I ordered one  from the site below. Thank You Thank You Thank You for this honest review."""Hey if you are looking for the CORRECT charger for the Kodak V550 I have found it. It is after market but hey it works. Go to [...] and type in BCYKDIC7001 and you will see the charger that works for the Kodak V550, if you need the Kodak V530 charger then type in BCYKDIC7002 and it will bring up the charger. I recently used the V550 model charger on vacation and it worked!! Hope that this helps."""
The product is just what it says it is.  Nothing more, nothing less.  If you have purchased a camera from Kodak and it included in the package a rapid charger.  Chances are this is a duplicate.  I was after the addapter plugs and this seems to be the only way one can get them.  Too bad Kodak does not offer just the plugs since they only include std. US plug in the package with the camera.
Now I know I will have my same camera Ive used for the last 5 years for the next five years.  Thank goodness Amazon sells what no one else sees a need to sell.  The local stores all said its time to buy a new camera but I like this one.  And most of the new cameras aren't any where near as user friendly as this one.
Have two new batteries.  A K-5000 which came (with my Kodak camera)and a K-5001.  Both batteries are new and charged quickly.I am trusting that the same thing will be true after I have used them for a while.
This battery charger is just great for recharging the batteries for your Kodak digital cameras. Very portable, and comes with a variety of international plugs that can be changed in a second to accommodate foreign power supplies.
This is not exactly what I thought it was. I thought the charger was the one to charge other types of batteries but this was not to be but I was able to use one of the connectors. So the other part is useless
My husband lost the battery charger that came with his digital camera so I ordered this one to replace it. It charges the battery in about 1 hour! It doesn't take much space so it can be easily packed for vacations. We have loved it!
Hey if you are looking for the CORRECT charger for the Kodak V550 I have found it. It is after market but hey it works. Go to [...] and type in BCYKDIC7001 and you will see the charger that works for the Kodak V550, if you need the Kodak V530 charger then type in BCYKDIC7002 and it will bring up the charger. I recently used the V550 model charger on vacation and it worked!! Hope that this helps.
Has all types of adaptors needed to recharge your kodak digital camera. Perfect for traveling. Just grab the ones you need depending on what continent you're going and that's it.
Bought this Kodak K 5000-C Li-Ion Rapid Battery Charger Kit along with a Kodak V-550 camera per Amazon's recommendation for my son's up-coming trip to London. Problem is....we needed the KODAK K7500-C Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger Kit  for the batery in the V-550. Now I have two days to scramble around and find one locally before he departs.
Last month, my now fiance and I traveled to England and France.  I have a kodak digital camera and had lost the battery charger.  In looking for a replacement, I found this international charger set and thought it to be perfect since we were planning our euro-trip.  It was easy to adjust to the country outlets and small enough to pack in my bag.  It was a great investment for me, since I now do a lot of traveling outside the US.
I don't know why Kodak doesn't provide this charger along with their camera  when you buy it.  They only provide the camera dock, which also charges the battery, but with the use of the camera in place.  You simply can't bring a bulky camera dock while traveling.  It's so much more convenient to bring along this charger instead.  I bought an extra battery as well, to always have a battery ready, since my kodak DX7590 only indicates low battery near the very end, when I still have those precious pictures to take.
Great Product, 220/110V capable, Easy for travel abroad! No transformers needed, and plugs are all included.
This is good to have. We travel alot and this is the best thing you can have on a trip.Thanks seller!
I don't think that very many people use or need all the different kinds of plug ins that it comes with. If you travel around the world then you would need it, but if you are just an average joe then you won't. I was looking for just the standard one with the american outlet, but all that they had was the internation usage. Product too bulky.
It is a must if you traffic overseas a lot. It fits almost everywhere in the world. The only thing it needs to know is it does not work for all recharge batteries.
Product is an exceptional value, does all it was advertised to do and after shopping retail stores and discount stores Amazon had the best price I could find and was delivered quickly.
I can recharge many kind of camera's batteries, more than Kodak brand, w/this Li-Ion Rapid Battery Charger. With various plugs,is great for intercontinental travelers.  Saying everything in one word?  Complete!
THIS ITEM WAS DESCRIBED PERFECTLY (though I would like to have enlarged the photograph of it) AND THE VALUE WAS AT LEAST 50% OFF.
A must have for any owner of a Kodak digital camera that uses the Li-Ion Battery and travels abroad. Frees you from having to carry a dock (camera or printer) with you on your travels in order to charge your battery. Comes with six(6) adapters for the different countries. Oh I forgot...you can use it at home too :)
It does what it is supposed to do.  I picked this up along with an extra Kodak battery for a cruise vacation.  It was much easier than lugging the docking station along.  If you have ever been on a cruise you know that electric sockets are in short supply in your cabin and half of the ones present are for non-US standard devices.  The numerous adaptors that come with this charger allowed us to plug it into one of the European plugs and not have to use the only US standard plug available.
We had to replace our battery charger because we lost it on a recent trip. This charger kit comes complete with all of the pieces one needs for travel and home use. I prefer to have the brand name versus a less costly version.
I bought this for my Kodak EasyShare DX6490, a camera I've had and loved since the fall of 2003.  After shooting over 17,000 photos with the original rechargeable battery, that I recharged each time on a dock charger, I can't complain whatsoever.  Disappointing, though, is that this replacement battery, even though it holds a charge well, it doesn't have the same power that the older one did.  It takes longer for the camera to turn on, longer for the lens to zoom in or out, etc.  I guess I'm spoiled.  The best thing is that the battery is available and I'm still able to use my camera.  I'm hoping it'll shoot another 17,000 pics.
my husband got a camera from a friend and just had to have the battery and charging station so he had his "own" camera, (he hates smartphones) so I was able to find this product. exactly as described, great price and quick delivery
Because this was not the original battery for my camera, it didn't fit as easily. However, it works just fine. I was also relieved I had bought a Kodak battery for a Kodak camera when I received information that lithium batteries can explode if overcharged, and warned consumers not to use after-market batteries.
This camera meets my basic needs -- it takes very good photos except of moving subjects.  The battery that came with purchase in 2004 was still holding a charge, but just barely.  This is a good product
You have no idea how hard I looked for a second battery.  My battery died and my charger was not working and I was overseas with no working camera.  Now I am set. All is good to go.
I have two of these batteries for long weekend vacations. They last for over 500 shots with my Kodak P712 in which most shots are taken at full or close to full zoom, which of course requires more energy.  These batteries are awesome! One battery did not make it thru the full long weekend, so I highly recommend that you have at least two, as I have found that with one, planning on just recharging it overnight does not make it happen and its worth NOT missing out on great pics by investing in a second battery.
I was very pleased to get this battery which I am using as an alternate for my P850 digital camera. The battery lasts a very long time, so long in fact it is easy to forget just how long you have been using it since the last charge. The power meter on the camera doesn't show a gradual decrease, but rather shows a rapid loss at the last dozen shots. As a result I keep one in the camera and one fully charged in the camera case. When one goes down I swap and then charge the other when I get back where I can. The charge cycle to full charge seems long, about 4 hours. But the way I am using it (swapping) and the way a charged battery lasts in the camera there is no problem. No regrets!
Bought this battery for my Kodak P880 and it works great.  Product arrived quickly and in excellent condition.  This is still the lowest price for a genuine Kodak battery!  Highly recommended based on my experience with this seller.
The rechargeable battery did meet myexpectations. It came to the house reallyfast and it was the correct item!
I would recommend this product for anyone looking for a camera battery, we could not find one to fit our easy share Z760 anywhere else. battery seems to hold a charge good and was exactly what I was looking for.
My husband purchased this for me 8 years ago (Christmas 2006) for use with my Kodak digital camera. Still charges fully and maintains a charge for a long time.
I needed an extra battery for my Kodak P880.  This was the battery that was recommended by Kodak.  It works like a charm.  I like having 2 batterys, I never worry about my camera dying.  If you're looking for a replacement battery or an extra battery for your Kodak camera, this is a great one.
The battery came quickly and, now that I have a backup , has been a life saver on more than one occasion. Less expensive than acquiring it from Kodak, too.I could not find the product in Dallas at any of the local camera stores or in the big box retail stores.
The camera battery arrived on time and fit my camera just fine.  It was also much less expensive than from a retail outlet.
I have the Kodak DX6940 camera. A year ago I went on a week long trip only to discover I had forgotten to pack the charging cradle. I had a 2nd battery, fortunately. But in spite of shooting at least a couple of hundred photos, including flash, I never had to use the 2nd battery and the first never reached empty.  I am impressed with the Kodak Li-Ion charged battery life.
You have to like a battery that guarantees a minimum (quite high) number of photos for, in my instance, the Z7590.  Am very pleased with it (naturally in my heart of hearts, I would have preferred non-proprietary).  However, I bought a second one as a backup and haven't had to use it yet....  No complaints.
I lost the battery to my Kodak EasyShare DX7630 while on vacation.  This is the exact battery that came with my camera.  I was thankful not only to find it on Amazon for less, but the reviews for this an the 5000 Lithium-Ion reassured me this was the right choice.
The rechargeable battery for my digital camera is perfect for my camera and the service was excellent.
still holds a charge for my Kodak P712 camera. All my Kodak P712 camera and accessories are being used for back up use.
The rechargeable lithium battery that came with our Kodak EasyShare Z7590 was losing it's capability to hold the charge for more than a couple of hours so I purchased this one. First of all - thank you for the fast shipment. It fits the camera and charger just fine. However, it's not staying charged for very long either - but since I was already having issues with the original battery, I now believe the problem is either with the camera or the charger. So I gave this battery 5 stars because it arrived very quickly and it does fit the camera as advertised. It's great to have a backup until I figure out what the real problem is. Thanks again for the fast shipment.
Great price & fast shipping for my Kodak P880 camera. The original battery is still working after seven years, but It could quit at any minute.
I charged this battery, took pictures, and left it in the camera. When I used the camera again it still took more pictures without recharging. It is used in a Kodak Z760 -a camera that takes beautiful, clear, pictures.  Just what I need for my cruise. Works wonderfully with the Kodak K5000 rapid battery charger. I used a Kodak K5000 battery which came with the camera before I bought this one. Now the K5000 will just be a back-up battery.
did not fit the camera i had in mind, always double check the models listed with the model you're intending it for use! seems like a fine battery physically...
This battery has worked very well.  I no longer use or have the camera I got it for, but it worked very well.
I own both Kodak DX6490 and Z730 digital cameras which use the KLIC-5001 battery.When I first purchased the DX6490 I was very concerned about being tied down to a proprietary battery, after using it for several large photo shoots (over 200 flash pictures on one charge) I am impressed.I have since purchased an extra battery and the Kodak charger (with international plug adapters) which allows me to use both cameras and keep a battery charged and ready to go, the charger is a handy feature as I don't have to put the camera onto the dock for charging purposes.This is a much longer review than I would normally write for a battery but this one has earned it, a worthy purchase.
This battery fit both my new charger and my camera (the Kidak Easyshare P850) perfectly ! Satisified costumer here.
great find for my old camera!!!! nice to find things like this on the net you would not find in the store.
I received battery sooner than expected and was exactly what I needed to start using my camera again. So I am thrilled.
Working just fine in my poor old camera that I bought 10+ years ago, wish I didn't have to write so much
I've owned my Kodak digital camera for ten years before the original battery began to fade. This is an exact replacement and hopefully will provide another ten years of service. I also appreciate the reasonable price and fact that I didn't have to drive to a retail store in search of this replacement wasting money, time and gasoline.
I needed a replacement battery for my camera and this fit the need perfectly, shipment was timely, everything was great. Have no fear purchasing this product.
I have three of these batteries for my camera, and two work great. One however doesn't. I bought two of the three aftermarket. One of which I am mentioning here. The capacity/charge time seems to be very inconsistant between the same exact battery. Something to watch out for.
Battery was a replacement for a 5yr old camera.  Brought needed new life into the camera. Got here very quickly.
I have used this battery for over a year & have charged it many times. Still provides the power that I need.
I received this new battery quickly. It charged up just fine and is working in my camera now. It will be helpful having two batteries when traveling.
Great buy! Same quality battery at a fraction of the cost from oem. Having a second battery is great when traveling.
the battery came in an opened package,but thoughht it was mishandling, until i foundit doesn't hold a charge. it obviously had been used.how can i get a new one? unopened? that  works?
Battery performs as advertised by Kodak and Amazon had the best price I could find on line or locally.
Absolutely met all of my needs for a new battery for my camera. I was surprised to find it near full charge when I installed it. No problems at all and, of course, the delivery from Amazon was earlier than expected, as usual.
We have an old Kodak digital that we love because of the zoom lens. This battery will keep us clicking!
I would recommend this product. I have not really use my camera that much yet. I don't think anything could go wrong  with the battery, but you never know.
I tried clones - some worked better than other, with main problem being consistency - a pair of the same &#34;brand&#34; would have one dying a premature death.Brand-to-brand clone quality and consistency varies widely. Money saved at first will be outweighed by losing that perfect photo opportunity because the battery was dead...Have yet to be disappointed with original Kodak batteries...
I bought this battery as a spare for my Kodak Z760 (excellent camera), and now I use the 5001 more than the original 5000 (which is now the spare). It's a better battery by far. Its longer lasting charge means more pics, and charges in about the same time as the 5000. I would buy this battery [...] again, with no second thoughts. The price is right, too! Definitely a 5 star winner!
There's mot much I can write about this except it was PERFECT for the camera.  Then when we powered the camera up, we realized that the shutter was stuck.  So... the camera doesn't work but the battery does!  For those of you looking for a replacement battery (and your camera WORKS) I would recommend this product!
This was a bargain, I got free Super Saver shipping, and my order arrived in less time than anticipated.What more can you ask for
This is the battery that came with my DX6490. I bought the camera exactly 3 years ago.  It still is using the battery that came with it. I have taken 1000's of pictures, and leave my camera on the dock when not in use. I've also NEVER run out of battery charge when taking pictures. That's why I don't understand why Consumer Report rates the DX6490 as one of the lowest zoom range cameras for battery life. Others I know, with different cameras than mine, are always running out of battery charge, and I take way more pictures than they do.
I was happy to find a replacement battery for my Kodak digital Easyshare DX6490 camera.  The camera has been discontinued for many years and it is great that Amazon has it available.  The battery even came with a little charge so I could put it in my camera and easily change the date and time, the only settings that the camera forgets when a battery is removed.  i could have bought a cheaper replacement but decided to stick with a genuine Kodak battery.
I was pleasantly surprised and so happy to find a new battery for my old digital camera.  I take photos of headstones and travel a good distance sometimes to do them. Being in the middle of taking pictures and having my battery go down was so frustrating so finding a new one at a very reasonable price was a plus. It arriving speedily was another plus and I would order from the company again without hesitation.Wanda
I received the battery in a timely fashion, but that's all I can tell anyone so far.  I haven't installed it in the camera yet. At the moment it's acting as a spare.
This lens was received from The Camera Shop of Lansing in "New In Box" condition, including all factory paperwork.The glass is in perfect condition, and it lives up to the reputation of Olympus lenses in general.Compared to the "standard" zoom originally shipped with the camera it's amazing.The f/3.5 value at full zoom is as fast as the best the standard f/3.5-5.6 zoom can do wide open.I'm an available light shooter by choice and the extra f-stops are a blessing there!The 14-45 standard lens left a gap between it's full zoom and the lowest setting on my other lens.Though a fixed (f/2.0) 90mm lens was my favourite prime glass shooting 35mm, a LOT of potential pictures were just a little too far for the 14-45mm lens or a bit too close for the longer 50-200mm one, too often neither lens was quite right for the job.I'll admit it, zooms have spoiled me horribly!Now I have an overlap with the Zuiko ED 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 zoom that was the show piece of my kit.The BEST feature of all is the amazingly fast f-stop, the lens speed I enjoyed with my Rolli f2.8 are back again at the wide 14 (28mm equivalent) setting.Once again I can shorten my depth of field to isolate a single leaf or catch from my porch rail to the mountains across the valley in sharp focus.A great convenience is that now both my lenses take the same size (67mm) filters, with the old 58mm lens in reserve to support my collection of Cokin filters and effects.Now I'm trying to be patient till my 25mmOlympus EX-25mm Macro Extension Tube for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Camerasextension arrives... can't wait to see what that can do!
This is a dream lens. It is built beautifully, balances well in the hand, delivers tack sharp images and focuses very quickly and quietly. It is a quantum leap over the kit lens which feels loose and plasticky by comparison.How strongly do I feel about the image quality of this lens? I just returned a 50 ED macro Digital Zuiko lens that couldn't hold a candle to the 14-54 in anything other than pure macro photography.Definitely one of the best lenses I have ever owned.
This is a nice lens.  The 50-200 is a little sharper, but it's still very nice.  Easily handheld, but heavier than the kit lens 14-42.
I'm always hesitant about making large dollar purchases and this was no exception. I read just about every review on the web before I decided this was the best choice. The reviews were true. This lens is fantastic!My older brothers each have a Canon Rebel XTi and a Nikon D60. Each have lenses with similar zoom range and f-stop values as this one but both of them were very impressed when they tried it out. Even complementing about how it felt better than theirs (certainly not like them to do so). I've directly compared identical subject shots between those lens/cameras and this and my e-510 and the difference is always clear. This lens consistently produces sharper and more vivid images.When people say they keep this lens on all the time that's kind of a given. The zoom range works perfectly for every day shooting situations. But when you add in the low f-stop and quick focusing (along with the great price) then it's certainly not one you want to keep in your bag. I sure don't! I love this lens. It's another reason to buy an Olympus DSLR.
The Nikon 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens is a good lens.  It should have been the kit lens with my E510.  The 14-54 makes the auto features of the camera work properly because it lets in so much light.  However, since I mostly wanted it for casual use it really stretched my budget, at over $400.  So when I discovered significant purple fringing, and clarity that was no better than the 14-42 kit lens, I returned it.Watch out for Beach Camera.  They promised a refund in 72 hrs. but I finally got my money after ten days.
the quality of this is just amazing, its not so fast as it doesnt have constant aperture, but the fact that it is weather proof and the optics quality it gives its just a winner.
Using it on an E-330 after about eight months with what might have been a below average copy of the 14-45 kit lens. Obviously better build here. Heavier but not a lot bigger. Balances well on the camera. Focus is quieter and much, much faster. Sharper throughout the range. Extra 2/3 stop at the wide end makes a difference, especially indoors. Barrel distortion is minimal. Added speed and reach on the long end make it viable for portraits. Throw in "almost macro" close focus and it's a  good general purpose lens that will spend a lot more time on the camera than the 14-45 did.
I read all the wonderful review of this lens and decided that it would work well for me in a large part of my photography. However, when I received it, I simply could not get consistently sharp photos, particularly of subjects in motion or with a flash. I took it to my local Olympus dealer, who suggested making sure my camera software was up to date, which it was. Still no luck, so I sent the lens in to Olympus. I don't know what they did with it, because there was no piece of information when I got it back (very quick turnaround, I might add--Thanks, Olympus!). Now, though, it works very well and I have indeed made it my primary lens for general photo shoots.
Great lens in every respect. Superior to the Zuiko kit lens 14-45mm in every respect.
For all the comments concerning the image quality of this lens, the one characteristic going unmentioned is the 14-54mm's remarkably good correction of distortion, its biggest improvement over the 14-45mm kit lens.  Horizontal and vertical lines near the image frames show little distortion or curve at widest angles to none at all through the remainder of the 14-54mm zoom range.  I think image resolution of the 14-54mm about matches the limit of the E-330 digital sensor according to various camera and lens reviews on the web.I bought my 14-54mm from Buydig.com a few months ago--and my copy has some left margin softness at its widest angle zoom settings (14mm to about 20mm), which ought not to be there.  From what I've read, there are some less-than-optimum copies of the lens out there.  One should expect to see crisp, sharp edge resolution at infinity when the lens is properly focused and stopped down to F5.6, F8, etc. Best to do something right away when finding less-than-ideal image quality--return the lens.  I've tried to ignore the minor image fuzziness, but it is always irritating, though the problem vanishes when shooting vertical framed images rotating the camera counterclockwise so the left margin is capturing immediate foreground elements.  My solution was to buy the Olympus 11-22mm, which is both sharper and wider (and more expensive).
I use this lens with E420 and makes probably the best SLR+lens combination under one grand you simply can't get with a Canon or Nikon
This is the lens I use most.  It is sharper and faster than the kit lens.  It is also weather sealed.  I use it on my E500. And it focuses faster than the kit lens and because it has a full f/stop wider aperture, It makes my E500 work MUCH better in low light.  That extra f/stop makes the viewfinder much brighter as well.Olympus makes the best kit lenses on the market, but if you are still dissatisfied with the quality of the kit lens, this upgrade is most definitely worth the money.
This is my everyday lens. Great usable range. Fast enough and wide enough for decent flash-free indoor photography. Long enough to track your kid at the playground. The image quality is excellent. The colors are great. You can even use it as a macro lens. I haven't noticed any softness really at any aperture but I admit to not staring at the margins.If you are a former P&S; shooter who recently upgraded to a DSLR, chances are you might have been disappointed by how much less it 'seems' you can do with a single lens. After all, your P&S; did everything right? This seems almost designed to equivalent experience as using a P&S;, only better in every regard.
You can not evaluate the lens by just the numbers - yes, it is nearly identical to the factory lens, but it is a much faster lens and made in Japan, not China.  Additionally it has a unique focus system that requires very little lens movement to go from 3 feet to infinity - this translates into RAPID focus - faster than the factory lens as well.  It also features the mounting lugs and 62mm (as opposed to 58) filter threads to accept the ring flash as well as the twin flash accessories, so if you have expanded beyond the FL-50 - you DON'T want the factory lens any more.  Taken together, this is the lens 70-80% of my shooting was done with.  I am sold on the E300 and bought 3 backs cheap after they were obsoleted - I also bought 3 lenses, the 14-54, the 50mm macro, and the 50-200mm - each lens is on its own back eliminating the risk of contamination completely while giving me redundancy when I am away.After knowing you are going to take a picture, you narrow down to 2 questions as to which one.1 - you don't know much except you have a picture to take - use the 14-542 - you know it's going to be about 50mm and you want maximum detail or have poor lighting, or have a macro shot - then pick the 50 mm prime lens3 - it's a long distance shot - take the 50-200, add the teleconverter if needed.Simple!And for flash - long distances get the FL-50 - shorter get the ring or twin flash to even the lighting out.  Forgot your flash?  pop up the built in one!
This lens is attached to my camera 80% of the time. Previously I used a PnS camera that a 1 to 3 zoom and a 0.7 wide angle attachment. This lens covers much of the same range and does so with virtually no barrel distortion.It is not particularly heavy or large which makes it easy to to point it in the correct direction.Pros:* uses the same filters as 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 lens* not expensiveCons:* Hood sometimes shows up on wide angle shots* Not as sharp as 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 lens
I sent this one back because I found another one cheaper elsewhere, but just to continue the review:Olympus is noted for its good lenses, and this one is no exception. It's weather-sealed (originally came with the Olympus E-1 dSLR) and is sharp as a tack.  I use it with my Olympus E-510 and it replaced the 14-42mm kit lens.
Got the 14-54mm lens in time alright. It didn't look quite as "new" as the ad said it was "used-like new". It didn't look it beat up though for a used item but it was far from the other "like new " items I've ordered from you before. Scoring "new" asa 10, "like new" should be about 9 or 9+. I rate this item 7 or 7+. Not even an 8. It didn't have a rear cap, and the hood was really scratched I had to buff it to make it look presentable. Lens cap (front) has lots of scratches too. It's really been thru good use and didn't get the right taking-care-of as was described in the ad. The lens performs well however, with a little sticky action on the zoom. Good image quality overall. Just the appearance that disappointed me.
I purchased this lens to go with my Olympus E-330 SLR. The camera came mounted with the Zuiko 18-180mm super zoom. I wanted to insure that I had a faster and sharper lens when needed. I have not been disappointed. I'm an old Nikon user and not to impressed with the construction of many of the new digital lenses. Thr workmanship in many of the new lenses is done on the cheap. This lens is a little pricy, but you get everything paid for. The images are very sharp for a zoom with its range and the 4/3s intigrated system is beautifuly easy to shoot with. I own three Olympus cameras and I believe they are ahead of the curve in pro-sumer digital photography.I would highly recommend this product.
This is a must have with olympus systems. I have a e-500 and it remains with the camera 80% of the time, with its beautiful range and quality.
This lens is just right, it is not as sharp as a prime, but the contrast and saturation is perfect. I would rank it tied to canons 17-40 f4L optically, but more compact, brighter and with more reach. I use it as my everyday lens on E-1 and E-500.
Up until I got this lens I has only been using the kit lenses. I thought the kit lens was good, but it doesn't compare to this one. The pictures are sharp and clear, even in awkward light situations. I only wish I'd gotten it sooner!!
Very good multi purpose lens, does not have to much of a zoom if you compare it to the 18-180, when buying lenses typically can not buy one that fits all needs, however the 14-54 comes close. Good lens, I only gave it 4 stars because I am no expert in the subject, only a satisfied customer.
This is a great lens period. I bought it for my E-520 here in Afghanistan. The depth of field is awesome. This lens will replace several and will keep me from having to change out all the time.
I have an Olympus E-520 bought together with the two kit lenses -- 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6.  After using them for a while, I decided I wanted a faster base zoom lens for low-light, non-flash conditions.  I chose the Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens.  When it arrived last week, I spent a day taking comparison shots with the 14-42mm kit lens.  The camera was used in Aperture-Priority mode to allow comparable settings. Image stabilization was always on. Following are my results.Image Quality and PerformanceI found hardly any difference in image quality (color balance, contrast, sharpness, CA, etc.) between the two lenses at the same aperture, focal length, and ISO settings.  At identical settings, images using the 14-54mm might have been marginally sharper, but not enough to notice except in big-time crops.  However, the lens was 2-3 times faster;  i.e. at the same ISO and aperture, a shot taken at 1/30 of a second with the 14-42mm lens could be taken at 1/80 using the 14-54mm.  Likewise, at the same shutter speed and aperture, an ISO 400 shot could be taken at ISO 200.  A lower ISO and/or a higher shutter speed CAN increase image quality, since there's less sensor noise & less chance for camera shake, respectively.  With the differing settings needed for decent exposures in low-light conditions, images and crops using the 14-54mm lens were distinctly better.  Also better bokeh.I found focusing speed and accuracy about same between the two lenses for both far-away and close-up exposures except in low-light conditions, where the 14-54mm had a definite advantage.  For far-away photos, the 14-54mm has about 20% greater maximum telephoto reach, roughly 2.1X versus 1.7X.  For close-ups, the 14-54mm had an almost-macro capability - it focused about two times nearer to the subject.Using the on-board flash with both lenses at their widest apertures, the 14-54mm took decent exposures at ISO 100, while the 14-42mm required at least ISO 200.  The longer barrel of the 14-54mm cast a flash-shadow at its widest 14mm focal length (28mm film equivalent).  The shadow disappeared at about 19mm (38mm film equivalent).  No flash-shadow was cast with the 14-42mm lens at any focal length.Size and PortabilityWeighing just over one pound, the 14-54mm is over two times heavier than the 7 ounce 14-42mm lens.  It's also about 40% longer and a bit wider - 3.4" vs. 2.4" and 2.9" vs. 2.6", respectively.  Its larger size does affect my system portability.  I carry my stuff in a compact Olympus #260248 camera bag. The bag accommodates the E-520 with the 14-42mm kit lens attached, the 40-150mm lens, a Sony 1.7X Tele-conversion lens, an extra battery, the charger, a short extendable monopod, an extra CF card, a lens brush and cleaning cloth, and a small notebook.  While a tight fit, everything's accessibly together at a total weight of just over 4-1/2 pounds.  If I attach the 14-54mm lens, some of that "stuff" won't fit -- its greater size and weight is the reason I've given it only a 4-Star rating.  A bigger bag would fix that, but I really like the size and quality of the one I have now.Cost RangesAs current ballpark figures that I'm sure will change over time, a new 14-42mm lens-alone costs just over $200;  a new 14-54mm lens-alone is just over $400, or about twice the cost.  Olympus's new Version II 14-54mm lens is closer to $600 - but that's a separate story.  However . . . . if bought new as part of an Olympus E-Series camera package, the two "kit lenses" add about $200 to the camera body-only cost -- that's about $100 each, which is roughly what they sell for used.  Likewise, a lightly used or factory-reconditioned 14-54mm lens can be had in the mid-to-high $300's range - a lower percent savings, but still decent.  The Version II 14-54mm lens can be bought new as a package with higher-level Olympus bodies like the E-30, but I've not done a lens-alone comparison, nor have I seen any used Version II lenses.  Whew . . . . a confusing set of numbers and options!Bottom LineIf you take all or most of your photos outside on sunny days, I see absolutely no reason to upgrade from the 14-42 mm kit lens to the 14-54mm lens.  Image quality is essentially the same, as is focusing speed and accuracy.  Additionally, the latter's larger size and weight can make portability more difficult, and its cost is two to four times greater than the kit lens depending on how you choose to compare and buy.HOWEVER, if you want higher quality images of landscapes on dark days, of building interiors, or of weddings and similar events where a flash can be disturbing, then the 14-54mm lens could well be a necessity!  And it's about the lightest, smallest and least expensive lens you can get with similar specifications.  Finally, its more robust build quality, and slightly better telephoto and close-up capabilities might be pluses, but they don't seem as significant as its better low-light performance.Am I satisfied with my upgrade?  Not entirely sure yet.  I'd intended to sell my 14-42mm kit lens on receipt of the 14-54mm.  After my comparison test, that intention changed.  Most of the time, my bag will be packed with the kit lens and other "stuff" as described earlier.  I'm glad to have the option for better low-light flexibility, but the 14-42mm is good enough to stay for now as my usually attached walk-around lens for bright-day photography.P.S.  Off-topic, I occasionally use a Sony VLC-DH1758 Tele-conversion lens to increase the reach of my 40-150mm lens by a factor of 1.7.  It was an accidentally discovered way to almost double the range of the lens -- and the Sony fits nicely in my bag.  If you're curious, search Amazon for that item, and see an early August 2009 review under the listing.
I've had this lens for a few years now and am always amazed at its contrast and sharpness.  Check out the lens MTF charts on olympus' website for this lens you'll be very surprised.At f2.8 it's got nice aperture and bokeh.  I ordered this lens with my E-300 and I've been in only a couple of situations where I needed a different lens.I highly recommend this 14-54 as the "first lens" for anyone getting into four-thirds systems.
The haedline says all: if you have these lens, you will not use your old other ones. Super.
This lens is on my cam 99% of the time. It's a solid performer, reasonably sharp, and with nice contrast and definition. Highly recommended.
Pros:Durable, Rugged, Fast focus, Fast autofocus, Sharp Focus, Weather proofed, Easily Interchangeable, Strong Construction, Easy To Clean, LightweightCons:None so farBest Uses:Close-up photography, Wide angle, General Use, Sports/Action, Upgrade, Portraits, Landscape photographyI replaced the 14-45 kit lens from my E500 which I have been using on my E3 and is a good lens. But WOW, this lens is super!At this price cannot be beat. Best feature to me is the manual focus mechanism s "direct" compared to the "wire focus" on kit lenses. Next, it focuses so much more quickly and precisely in automatic focus mode.The distance scale on the lens barrel is a big plus also. I enjoy close-up work and this lens focuses to within under 9"!Being weatherproof makes it fully compatible with the E-3.It also does a super job of controlling lens flare.
This lens is completely different from the 14-45 kit lens.  Not in the same class at all.  This lens provides better color saturation, more accurate and pleasing tones, better contrast, faster focusing, and a wider aperture.  In general, this will give you considerably better pictures than your kit lens.  How much better?On  a scale of 1-10, (1 being point-and-shoot lens/image quality and 10 being outstanding), I'd give the kit lens about a 4 and this lens about a 9)  The 10 slot is reserved for the 11-22mm lens which is crazy sharp!  But that's another review for another day.It's not all about image quality though.  There's a lot to be said for the wider aperture size of this lens.  You'll be grateful for a faster lens when you're taking those tricky-lighting shots, or when you want to speed up your shutter to freeze motion, and you're indoors with poor lighting.  That wider aperture will save you!Seriously, get this lens. You won't regret it when you see how beautiful your pictures are.
A new version of this lens will be coming out in North America in early 2009, which means that right now is a great time to pick up this older model at well below msrp. As the 14-54 II will probably retail for 1.5-2 times what you can get this earlier version for, and has only two significant changes (support for the contrast-based autofocus used only when shooting with live-view on E-x20 models and the new E-30, and rounded aperture blades for slightly less angular bokeh at relatively small apertures), I suspect that many will agree with me that the older lens offers an excellent value at current prices.Users of the E-4x0 cameras should note that at the widest setting this lens will cast a shadow when using the onboard flash...but it's also fast enough that you may not need the flash in the first place. That this is the only negative thing I can think to say about this lens after shooting several hundred photos of multiple types - from landscape to architecture to informal portraits and objects around the house - should tell you what a fine piece of equipment it is.I won't go into the 14-54's excellent optical and operational characteristics, as other reviewers have covered them exhaustively. What I will say is that I picked one up brand new for US$380, and have been seeing the lens used in the $300-350 range. More will likely come on the used market soon as compulsive early-adopters and people curiously obsessed with perfect bokeh rush to spend $600 on version II, so if you're looking to upgrade your standard zoom (or, like me, purchased the E-420 with the 25mm f/2.8 prime as the kit lens) I would strongly recommend taking advantage of the bargain that this situation creates.
In this review I will compare the Olympus Zuiko 14-54 mm zoom to the 14-42 mm "kit" lens. But first, in the way of disclosure, the 14-54 mm lens I am testing I bought used. It works well, the glass is not scratched, the zoom and focus are very smooth, but it is used. The kit lens I purchased new.The first thing one notices about the 14-54 mm lens is its size. (Somewhere in the images there should be a picture of my 14-42, 14-54, and 40-150 Zuiko lenses.) The 14-54 not only is considerably larger than the 14-42 mm kit lens, but is also larger than the 40-150 mm kit lens. If space is at a premium, for example if you take your camera hiking, this might not be the lens for you. Despite its size, it is relatively light.In order to compare the 14-54 and 14-42 I set up my E510 on a tripod, removed all filters, turned off the image stabilization, set the f-stop to f8 (the sweet spot in most lenses), the ISO to 100 (to minimize noise), and triggered the camera with a wireless remote. I took pictures of a mountain about 6 miles away in bright light with the zoom for both lenses set at 14, 25, 35, and 42 mm. I also took a 40 mm image with my 40-150 mm lens. To compare results I expanded comparably zoomed images from all lenses 100% in Picasa.As others have noted, the differences between the 14-54 and 14-42 are very subtle. From comments made in photo magazines I gather that this is because the kit lenses are so very good, perhaps the sharpest around. Having said that, there were some differences. From 14 to 35 mm I noticed very little difference in sharpness. At 42 mm the 14-54 mm lens appeared just a little sharper than the 14-42. However, the 40 mm setting on the 40-150 mm kit lens was about as sharp as the 14-54. Where the difference was a little more obvious to me was in color reproduction. Colors in the mountain I was photographing ranged from new, white snow, too tan or brown bare rock, and finally to dark green pine trees. The 14-54 mm lens seemed to have more subtle color gradations than the 2 kit lenses, especially in the snow and rock. But, all of this is very subjective and, as I said at the start, the differences were very slight.So why buy this expensive lens? The wider aperture is a blessing if you frequently photograph in low light and it does make focusing a lot quicker in those situations. Also, if you want the best possible color reproduction I would go with the 14-54 mm lens. Further, this is a sturdy and better sealed lens than either of the kit lenses. But, the cost is significant and everyone has to do their own cost benefit analysis. I gave it 4 stars, because for the money it should be much better than the kit lenses.
I have a Celestron First Scope and as many reviewers of that point out, its included eyepieces are rubbish.  This was a nice, affordable upgrade. The night it came in I quickly found 2 globular clusters and could actually make out Saturn, which was just about impossible before.  I don't know enough about eyepieces to tell you if this is the latest and greatest, but it works perfectly for what I needed.
I have a huge collection of eyepieces, including some very expensive Tele-vue. When I do public star gazes (where an eyepiece might get dropped, smudged, or stolen) or take my scope on vacation, I usually leave the million-dollar eyepieces home. If you haven't bought a lot of eyepieces, you should know that when you purchase a really low-power eyepiece, unless you are going for a very wide field of view, it's a good idea to buy a budget model like this one and save the big bucks for the high power eyepieces. Let's take a closer look at this eyepiece.This is a very good quality low power/wide field eyepiece for observing the moon,  galaxy clusters, viewing emission and reflection nebulas in their entirety, etc.  It gives a big 7.1mm exit pupil, which means it dumps a lot of light into your eye. High power eyepieces are dimmer because the exit pupil is smaller. This is an excellent choice to replace the cheap 26mm eyepiece that comes with most inexpensive scopes, not only to improve the edge-to-edge sharpness, but to give a wider and brighter field of view, as well. It has somewhat short eye relief that will limit the wide field for eyeglass wearers. I always take my eyeglasses off, and unless you have severe astigmatism, you can remove your glasses as well. Those who don&#8217;t wear glasses should have no problem seeing the entire field in comfort.  It will work well with any telescope type, at any focal ratio. It's the lowest-power EP in my collection. I had a 40mm, but got rid of it for this 32, and I'm very happy with it. Meade has always made exceptional EP's, and this one is a bargain at this price. I have been using it to photograph the sun, and you can see my photos here: solarflare.info (without the www).To find the power of this EP, simply divide 32 into the focal length of your scope. If you have a 900mm focal length scope, a 32mm EP will yield 28 power. Happy galaxy hunting!
First, very fast shipping..Yeppy! But the EP itself had two blems. First the inside of the chrome barrel was half painted flat black, it was obvious it missed 1/3 the inside barrel. Second, you could see a uneven coating on the eye lens, as you rotated the EP 1/3 had a pinkish coating and then normal looking. I don't think it effected the EP but it was still there. I don't believe Meade would sell these but on the internet they get sold here. (reality)Lastly...my 17.5 MA (keller) I normally used was as good as this blem eyepiece. I will probably sell this 20mm as it is no better then the eyepiece I already have.You get what you pay for....So I guess it's what you would get for 35 bucks. ....i think?
I am using this with my Starnavigator telescope and Nikon camera. Has a very good fit with no vinettiing (sp). Focus is easy with the camera mount adapter I bought. Gives me a larger field of view for closer terrestrial shots than the 26mm lens I also have.
I was expecting something better, maybe because I order the wrong part, Im not sure. Other parts that I order is series 4000 and this one is not. I don't know
I bought this eyepeice hoping for some better magnification than my current eyepeice. I did my math wrong and this did just the opposite. So initially I was a little upset. However, once I realized just how useful this eyepiece was it is now one of my favorites.I have an Orion XT-8.  This eyepiece cannot be inserted completely into the focuser as it will not focus if you do. Luckily the adapter sleeve is very long on this eyepiece and you can pull it out about 1/2" before tightening the set screw. With it pulled out about 1/2" you can get great focus and an AMAZINGLY clear and wide field of view.  This eyepeice is great for observing constellations and galaxies.The view is breathtaking.
Needed a good low power eye piece so got this one.  It works and I like it. Can't give a good review cause it's my first good eyepiece.
Meade 07170-02 Super Plossl 1.25-Inch 6.4-Millimeter Eyepiece, Quality product, a great piece to add to your scope.  I recommend this Seller - Meade
Very well made, precise, with crystal clear optics.  One has to wonder how such precision can cost so little!  I highly recommend this brand of lens.
I buy too many products from Amazon and have little time to review most of them, but I am pretty excited about this eyepiece.It is the sharpest and brightest optical piece I ever owned, and I get great view with wide field that makes it easy to observe anything. Obviously the magnification is not great but I think this makes it brighter, and generally it is just a joy to have this eyepiece.
This is a nice eyepiece.I wish Meade would put the field stop on the piece.Remember that magnification is secondary to light gathering capability.I have an ETX80 and with a 3x Barlow this is a little too much mag.
I bought this Eyepiece to use withMeade 20218 NG-70SM 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope.  I wanted to use this Eyepiece to watch Saturn and Jupiter.  Unfortunate, Jupiter is aligned with the Sun right now, but Saturn looked superb with this Eyepiece.Last night, I walked out to my back yard and settled my telescope.  I targeted Saturn with my 25mm Eyepiece, and quickly switched to the 9mm Eyepiece, then to the 6.4mm Eyepiece.Once the telescope stopped vibrating, you could clearly see Saturn and its ring casting a shadow on it.  This went much better than my earlier attempts with aMeade #126 1.25-Inch 2x Short-Focus Barlow Lensand the 9mm Eyepiece.Venus was mighty portent as well, so I targeted with my scope.  In the past, you could only see a white disk at best.  But Venus is showing in a phase, with 3/4 in shadow.  Just like a distant small moon.In all, this Eyepiece worked as expected, and I even got it earlier than expected from the seller.
The eyepiece is working well - just need clear sky's to use it.  When I use it on Saturn and Mars, they get big - but too much power for summer conditions.
Excellent replacement for lost lens.  This is a gift for my grandson; nothing more to say about this, as I have not used it myself.
Great ocular at a great price with fast delivery. I used this eyepiece about a week ago and was not disappointed. The Orion Nebula looked fantastic with its milky nebulosity and trapezium definition. The field of view was huge and the Meade 26mm eyepiece super delivered.
So very happy with the awesome quality of this lens and look forward to my many nights of viewing pleasure.
The Meade Series 4000 Super Pl&ouml;ssls are an improvment over the 3000 series Pl&ouml;ssls. The 9.7mm is used for high power observing on most telescopes. This eyepiece offers a magnification of 129x on an ETX90 or 206x on a 2000mm focal length telescope like the LX90. At high magnifications one requires a steady atmosphere, or else the image appears blurry due to bad "seeing". But with steady skies, this eyepiece produces stunning views of the planets.
Works great in a Starblast 4.5 telescope at 22x magnification.  Field of view and eye relief are good for an inexpensive Plossl.  I also have the 9.7mm version and I'm very happy with both of them.
If you're looking for a "do it all" digital camera, and you're on a budget, this is outstanding. On the other hand, if you need, or demand superb quality prints this is not for you.The package includes a still zoomable camera (up to 4 megapixel) Digital Camcorder, Voice recorder, and MP3 player, and is a nice, well made all round package. As others have said, it badly needs a flash system, to help with both the photo, and video functions, but otherwise, it's neat, and a great converation piece, Smaller than a packet of cigarettes, it's a good improvement on the 3000 model that preceded it for a couple of reasons, and worth the extra $40 or so.It has a rechargable battery, mini tripod, 32MB SD card, carry case, USB lead, S3 lead and mains adapter. I purchased a 256MB SD card for around $50 which gives about an hour of video on highest resolution, and more than enough photo's, even at the highest 4meg setting. On the down side, YOU NEED MORE LIGHT. if you're taking video or photo's indoors, the ambient light makes the resolution suffer, especially on zoom, or even different macro settings. My handy tip on playback for the video is to set your computer media player to 640x480 max resolution, or you'll see a blocky pixel finish. The MP3 repro isn't bad, and probably comparable with cheaper players, but not wonderful, and the voice recorder is more of a toy than anything else. All that said, overall, I thought it was well worth the money, and have been very happy with it, for it's portability and multi functions. Considering that most digital video cameras will cost you at least 2.5 to 5 times as much, this isn't a bad investment. I am a little worried that the integral touch pad and on/off switch may not stand up to too much abuse, but otherwise I recommend this wholeheartedly. Just remember before you buy that there is a lot of truth in the saying "you get what you pay for" so it's good, but not great.
I am amazed at the features packed into this tiny, inexpensive camera. I paid US$150 for it, and by adding a $70 256MB SD card I have a camera that can record over an hour of VHS-quality video with sound, plus take still photos and play mp3 files. I agree with those who say it has a quality feel for such a small, low-cost item. Did I mention it's tiny. :)I bought the DV4000 for my teen daughter as a Christmas gift. She is interested in filmmaking, and this should give her the ability to learn and experiment.
I really liked the idea of this camera, and it has more features and better resolution than its competition (Gateway, Aiptek, etc.).  I was absolutely shocked when I received it by how small it is.  I guess I still expected it to be the size of a palmcorder, but it literally is the size of a credit card.  Amazing!However, after initially plugging the unit in to charge the battery for about 1.5 hours (the instructions do not tell you how long to charge it), I turned it on (the instructions do say that you can use the camera while it is charging) to mess around with it and test it out.  The camera and battery were VERY hot -- uncomfortably hot -- wrong type of hot.  Anyway, the camera still turned on and I recorded about 20 seconds of video and two pictures, but then the camera just shut down.  It was still plugged in and the charge light was on.  I was able to get it turn back on by pressing the power button and then the shutter button (?!), but when I tried to take another picture, it shut down again and will not come back on.I have an email in to Mustek Tech Support, but I am probably just going to send this back to HSN.com and call it quits.  This seems like it would be a fun product, but as with a lot of Mustek products, the quality control is substandard to the competition.  I will probably try the Gateway DV camera instead.  It does not offer MP3 functions or hardware enhancement to 4.0 megapixels, but it does offer a flash for the still shots (something lacking in the Mustek products), runs off of AA batteries (so no proprietary battery to charge, which is obviously a problem), and being a Gateway will probably be built better (at least I am hoping).I am disappointed in this product and do not recommend it.
I decided to try this camera for my daughter.  She loves to make movies.  She was very impressed with the size and the many functions.  However, we decided to return the camera because the video quality was very poor.  The overall camera quality also made us nervous.  While it did not break, it certainly looks like it could at any moment. (maybe should be expected for this price)
Mustek has done very well with the DV4000.It's best features include size (it's about the size of a small index card) built in battery recharger, tapeless recording and a very good web cam feature.The DV4000's main weaknesses are fairy poor still photo quality, very large file sizes and lack of flash.Overall, it is a good tool for using outdoors or during the daylight hours. And, if you are aren't looking for something flashy or with lots of bells and whistles, this camera is a very good value.
I read all the previous reviews and I must say I don't understand what people expected out of a sub-$150 camera.  It's already established that this is NOT a 4 megapixel camera, it's 2 megapixel.  It even says that on the device!  The software are not required to use with this device...if you want to compare this with other competitors software such as kodak's or HP's, you're wasting your time - they are not necessary for the camera to work.  The mp3 ability is nice, the placement of the speakers in the front while recording, the ability to zoom while taking a video, all in all this was a great buy for the price.  If I want more clarity and a camera that is truly focused on taking pictures, Cannons and Fuji are great - but you pay more for them.  But depending on your expectations, I am definitely satisfied with this product.
In another review it said you need good lighting.  This is very true.  If you turn it up to high resolution, you need all the more light.  I misread the ad and thought the camera maintained 30 fps at all resolutions.  I WAS WRONG!!!  My son likes the camera, so I'm not going to complain.  If it was for me, though, I'd send it back in a heartbeat, just because of the misleading ad.  The sound quality (when files are moved to the computer) is pretty good.  The software for transferring the files to the computer is glitchy at best.  Sometimes it works, but most of the time it loads and says that there's no camera connected.  Funny thing is, windows explorer has no problem seeing it (and what caused the program to auto-launch in the first place?) and moving the files.  I went to the manufacturer's website and found the software and drivers had not been updated since 2003.  To be honest I am very disappointed, even at the price I paid.  But, again, my son likes it.
I liked the idea of an all-in-one camera, especially the ability to shoot video. The price for this camera, along with all the bells-and-whistles that come with it, seemed like a great deal.The camera felt cheap right out of the box. It is extremely small and I felt unfomfortable trying to take pictures / video with it.The pictures were absolutely horrible. I previously had an Olympus D-460 1.3MP for 2 years (which my 3 year old son dropped)that took pictures with far greater clarity then this 4MP.The video quality was decent.. It has 3 settings, of which the 2 smaller settings offered 30fps whereas the larger was very choppy and extremely pixel-ridden.There is no flash. It takes forever for this camera to zoom.I tried to save money on a new camera, but I've learned my lesson.... I'll spend a little more money on a camera that "focuses" on optics and clarity, and taking a good quality picture, and less on bells-and-whistles.I guess the best part about this camera is that it is returnable. :)
i use it on my canon vixia hg20 to protect the main lens and i have not noticed any negative effects so i leave it on all the time, excellent for my use and the price is great with fast delivery.
I am using this with Canon VIXIA HF100 and it is a perfect way hot to protect the lens without affecting quality of the footage.
I was filming my son up in a tree the other day with my new Canon Vixia HF10 Camcorder and, just to be funny, he spit in my direction. He didn't think it would hit me and I didn't either (though looking at the video now I don't know why I didn't worry more and back away ...). It wasn't so funny when his "loogie" landed right on my lens.After I calmed down and had cleaned the lens (not such an easy task because there is a mechanism on the Vixia that covers the lens automatically and some of the saliva had drifted into the mechanism), after I calmed down and realized my camcorder was not destroyed, I thought: I really need a UV filter to protect my lens against the "elements."I looked around quite a bit, and Canon has an expensive set of filters for the Vixia that includes both a UV filter and a neutral density filter, but I found that reviewers of many of the less expensive filters complained about difficulties screwing them into the Vixia. This one I can definitely say works great. It adapts perfectly to my camcorder and does exactly the job I wanted from it.With a filter this inexpensive, and with a company that will ship it for free(- thank you Gigabargain!) this is an ideal accessory to a camcorder you'd like to protect against all emergencies.
Very quick delivery of item to me (3 days) by Gigabargins. Fantasic value for a brand new 37mm HOYA filter for my Canon HF100 - fits great. Metal/glass construction is of high quality. Looks as if it will protect the lens and opening/closing mechanism well, the reason for the purchase.For the price ~$6 inc shipping I couldn't be more happy. (tax in CA).
Arrived promptly. Exactly 3 business days. You can put it on your camera/camcorder immediately upon opening it. Protects your lens from scratches, dust and debris, and water. It even enhances the color of the picture. I absolutely love it and will be most willing to do business again. Well, done Gigabargain!
no messing around to screw this filter into my nikon 60mm micro lens, there was one from bestbuy but that one was a piece of crap.  the HOYA delivered.
At first I thought the price was a little high, but this is a nicely constructed lens filter. The glass is very clear and the threaded ring is well made. It should last me quite some time!
Other reviewers have mentioned this, and I have just run into the same experience myself.  The filter being sold by Crawford's Superstore is NOT a HMC UV(C) filter.  It is an HMC UV(N) filter.  The N model filter is an asian market model and is made with inferior components.  If you look on (insert name of popular auction site here) you will see that the UV(N) filters are about 25% cheaper than the UV(C) filters, so this is a bait and switch operation.I can't comment on the filter yet because I haven't opened the packaging.  As soon as I saw what was going on I immediately contacted the seller and have yet to receive a response.  It could be a good filter, but I wanted to warn people that what is advertised here is not what you will receive.  If the seller takes care of the problem then I will update my review.
Cost a bit more than some of the other alternatives out there, but if you want quality to go with your expensive lens investment . . . this is the way to go.
I bought this mainly to protect my front lens surface.  It doesn't decrease image quality at all and I highly recommend using this as protection.
This filter was a must have, because for the price, you are protecting a very expensive camera lens.  It screws on easily and does not negatively affect the quality of your pictures.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone trying to maintain the value of their camera lenses.
When I received this item the packaging and nomenclature was way off of what was pictured, I lost confidence in the item (Hoya), so, I used it on and off my 18-135mm lens, until I could finally see the difference it made when it was on. I must say I had previous good experience with Hoya filters but I doubted this was an original Hoya, but in the end I could see better color quality and it eliminated most of the haze I encountered, I would give it a five star rating if I knew I was getting this instead of what was pictured.
I use this filter on my Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 lens and it works as advertised. It simply removes the UV spectrum that the human can't even see and improves the tone of the sky on "hazy" days, but it's more practical purpose is protection of your expensive glass. Photos remain sharp, with no detectable distortion (at least to my eye) and it causes no aberrations (again, to my eye). I would recommend it.
the UV filter works good, the pics i tooke looks like the ones without it,and it's delivery is on time. however , just like most UV, it leads to dark corner sometimes.
Don't leave home without one - better to clean gunk off this filter than have to do so off the front element of an expensive lens!
I got three Hoya HMC UV filters for different size lenses (52, 58 & 67mm threads), hoping to use them to cut haze in mountain vista shots. But they did exactly opposite what I have read they were good for; they made the pictures so hazy and blue (much worse than without a filter) that they were not usable.  I used one all morning on an 18-70mm lens and Nikon D5100, on a 10 mile hike in the Southern Appalachians, and even the close-up shots of flowers and bees were the worst my camera has ever produced; I was able to use about 40 out of over a 400 shots taken with the filter. Luckily, during a lunch break, I finally noticed (I use the viewfinder to shoot, and though I do sometimes review, it was hard to see the negative effect on the camera's monitor), and took it off my lens, and got good shots the rest of the day. And even though the filter is clear, it produced a blue tint, rather than eliminating it, as it is suppose to do. It also severely reduced sharpness, making crops useless. So, on my lenses attached to a Nikon D5100, it does exactly opposite of what it is suppose to do, and produces terrible pictures. I will never put a UV filter on any of my lenses again; I will rely on my hoods for protection.
I've used the cheap UV Filters and been very disappointed.  I've used very expensive ones and have been pleased.  These are not ultra expensive but work very well.  I am most pleased with the amount of resolution I retain relative to the cheap UV filters.
I see no aberrations or optical flaws. My Nikon caps fit easily inside the lip of these filters.
Great UV filter - no flare from very strong light sources.  If you want to get a UV filter with A Lot of Flare, go with Tiffen.
Beautiful filter it really meet my expectations i recomended A++++++ Hoya best filter ever superior quality A++++++ go with the Pros......Thanks!
I researched filters and this one is well rated and at a good price. I have had several of them and have saved my lense a couple of times. Shipping was a bit slow, but still acceptable timing.
This filter arrived on schedule and was in perfect condition.  I attached it to my Canon DSLR when it arrived and have had it on ever since.  It seems to work great.  I have no complaints.
I bought this item after seeing all the rave reviews for it and have to say I'm a bit disappointed. While the filter itself is fine when brand new, it scratches and smudges easier than most filters I've had at this price point (though it is also optically superior). I have no complaints about the smudges as they come off with some cleaning which is needed for any UV filter at some point, but the scratches render this product useless very quickly. I recommend the Hoya Super HMC Haze UV(0) series over this one in a heartbeat. I don't believe the Super series costs that much more (~$45 for a 67mm filter), and it is much more scratch resistant due to the excellent multi-coated glass.
Hello,Haters gona hate ... if you don't like UV filters, don't buy them.This is meant to protect the front element of the lens and it does that just fine ... protects from dust and slight bumps etc. Do you really need that kind of protection? probably not ... is it nice to have ... absolutely.Cheers.
Good product, good price, works the way it should, save your lens from that dent.
this product is good for the price. this product is very clear and also does not distort your image in any way
Not much to say about a UV filter, but it seems to be well made, and does not make any optical difference that I can tell. I leave it on all the time to protect my Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Made in Japan, unlike the cheaper Hoya filters that are made in the Phillipines. I use Hoya filters exclusively and have never had a problem, even using the cheaper series.
I've been looking and pricing the HOYA Camera Filter Lens at numerous stores throughout the S.F. Bay Area.  I found the best deal and save $$ by shopping at Amazon.ComNo longer will I waste my time going from one store to another.  Amazon will be my first stop from now on.
I bought 2 of these for two different lenses.  Put the first one on and used it a few times and when I went to remove it from the lens for a night shot the little piece of metal popped out and the glass popped out.  I took the other one off my other lens 2 days later and same exact thing happened.I wasn't expecting a top of the line filter for the money but I was expecting one that would stay together!  Terrible quality, I will never buy another Hoya filter again!
Not much more to say - the case was purchased for a Canon Powershot SD1100 and the fit is just right.  Adjustable strap is sturdy and has a pretty good range of adjustability.  If I had the need to buy another camera case I'd consider this one again.
This is a quality real leather case which is the perfect size for the smaller point and shoots. There's not much room for anything extra with most brands, but you bought a small camera for ease in carrying - right?
I bought this for my daughter's boyfriend as a tagalong present for a compact Canon digital camera he received, the camera fits nicely and leaves room for extra batteries. It's small enough to fit in his pockets (cargo)and he has a choice of wearing it around his neck or clipping it onto his backpack. Nice leather, made well, and manly enough. I chose it over those with synthetic materials because there's too much variation in that material to predict the feel and sturdiness of the final product. This is a good choice. He likes it (but I think the camera was a bigger hit).I must add here that because of absurdly varying product dimensions and incorrectly placed reviews given for camera cases on Amazon, it is frustrating to determine which product will fit which camera.
Perfect!.Keeps the camera out of harms way.Just the right size.Soft and Cozy.Economical.Camera, spare memory card and battery all fit.What more do you want?.Merlin
This bag is the perfect size for a 4/3 lens system camera with an extra lens and accessories or a point-and-shoot with a couple of extra accessories or for compact video cameras.  It is almost identical to a Targus bag I had previously less some extra netting on the outside and a pocket on the top inside but the quality has been somewhat downgraded.  Still a great bag with plenty of pockets and a detachable partition inside.  Looks like it may currently be unavailable.
Bought this as a gift. A very nice little camera case to protect your camera. Well made.
The person I bought this camera bag for loves it. It has soft leather and will fit a basic digital camera.
Very Nice Compact Case..Just right for the Samsung NV3,which was also purchased in the Amazon..All of my past purchases in the Amazon have been top rated..They have "Class A Service" before and MOST importantly, After the purchase..People should take notice (like I did) before they "BUY" from other ".COMs"..hummmmmmAMAZON,,,Thanks for the great products and Total service....
Wow, what can I say? The image quality of this lens is stunning. I've never taken such great photos. Only con is that the autofocus is a bit slower than I would like so some of my kid photo's don't come into sharp focus - but this means that I'll have to do some F-stop/Aperture changes myself. Bokeh is incredible.
I use this lens on the E-500 & the E-1 and it's quickly become one of my favorites.  Very sharp, small and light with incredible bokeh.I'm not a macro enthusiast, so I can't speak to its macro capabilites (although I'd assume they are excellent), but I can say this is a wonderful portrait lens that consistently provides crystal clear sharp images.  EDIT:  I recently had an assignment for some macro pictures of steel wire cable - WOW - this lens has incredible sharpness/detail and performed flawlessly in macro use.  I actually won a photo contest with one of the pictures I took with it.  I've started to like this lens so much for it's all-around abilities that it barely leaves my camera.Get one - you won't be disappointed!
The lens works very well with my Olympus E-PL2 via MMF-2 adapter. AF is fast enough in sufficient light and slightly slower in low light but still absolutely usable with no need to resort to MF. The lens is most suitable for still portraits. The lens + MMF-2 adapter is 340g whcih is lighter than the camera body (364g) so the ergonomics are just fine. It's not good for video because of the slower AF and noisy motor. Being a macro lens it is more suitable for flowers than insects (only 1:2 magnification). Therefore it works best for portraits because it produces incredibly creamy bokeh. I use it permanently at f2 even in bright sun (with ND filter).
This my Initial review of this lens.I use this lens via an adapter with my new Olympus EPL1.  If you love sharp pictures and true life like colors this lens is for you. I like the pictures coming out of this lens better than my canon 50 mm f1.4 on my 40D.  There are some limitations when using this lens via an adapter, the auto-focus is slower making this lens mainly a portrait or landscape lens. I don't believe you can shoot action with it.... Also the shutter spend on the EPL1 is maxed out at 1/2000 which make it harder to push the f down to blur the background during brighter conditions. Also the lens is a little noisy when focusing . But to me, it's still a five star because of the superior image quality and optics and portability that surpasses most of the Canon and Tokina lenses that I have had...
This lens is an excellent performer.  I have used it for scenics, portraits and a few close up "macro"-type shots.  It is uniformly excellent.  I have posted a couple of my desert scenics to show what this lens can do (it is paired with an Olympus E-510 body).Hopefully, pictures will tell more than words.My only regret about this lens? -- that the Olympus 12-60 zoom lens is so expensive and I had purchased this lens before the zoom became available.  But the zoom of course doesn't offer the macro capabilities of this lens.
This is indeed an excellent macro lens, as everyone else here has attested to. The construction is rock solid and the lens isn't heavy at all, which some reviews had led me to believe it would be.However, on my E500, the focus is noisy and very slow. Now if all you do is shoot macro then that isn't so much of an issue,  but I'm a little surprised at all the reviewers saying how good this is for portraits. In my situation that hasn't been the case at all.My 14-54 snaps into accurate focus MUCH faster at the long end ( which approximates the 50mm macro, which is why I compared at that focal length ) and with not even a hint of the grinding noise of the 50mm macro or the sometimes very annoying focus hunting. As for the sharpness, if you're a pixel peeper you might notice a difference. I printed out two pictures taken with the 50 and the 14-54,at 8 x 10 size, and I couldn't tell the difference between them with the naked eye.Verdict: macro great, portraiture not. That's my personal opinion and you're very welcome to disagree. I guess I was spoiled by the excellent 100mm Tamron macro lens I used back in the days of film, which was not only outstanding for macro but an absolutely stunning portrait lens.
I got this lens after seeing online reviews. What can I say, I am very pleased with the results and versatility of this lens. I also have 14-54 f2.8-3.5. I used to take that zoom lens as my walk around lens but nowadays I am using 50mm f2 most of the time, except for wide angle shots.What do I like most from the lens1. It is F2, so good control over DOF2. Well built3. 50mm, good focal length for portrait shots.4. Excellent bokeh (quality of out of focus area).5. Good macro performance(though I expected more).5. Better MTF(so more sharp images) than canon L grade lenses.Cons, which I can live with1. Since it is made for macro, it can hunt for focus some time.2. Little noisy motor(very minor problem for me).
It's a very sharp macro lens.  At 50mm (100mm 35mm-equivalent) it's doubled as a portrait lens.  I won't use it as a landscape lens.  At f8, it's still in macro mode, so if you want more depth of field on a bright day, it may not be the best lens to use.The compact size is a big selling point.  The 1:2 magnification ratio (or 1:1 35mm equivalent) is wonderful giving that naked-eye look.  When it's mounted on my E-620, viewfinder is brighter than when 14-54mm II is mounted because of the brighter aperture (f2 vs f2.8).The lens hood is shaped like a noodle bowl.  When reversed (storing position), it'll cover the manual focus ring, disallow focus by hand.  This is a problem, since this lens is not an AF performer.  Speaking of AF, it makes me wish Olympus would make a high-speed imager AF version of it, so it doesn't have to flip the mirror when focusing.  Macro lenses are not known for fast AF anyways.  Its AF tends to hunt a lot.  Practically speaking, this is a MF lens (with AF feature added...).MF ring is very nice and dampened.  It's the "focus-by-wire" type.  Though purists may not like it over the mechanical focus, but it allows a generous three full revolution MF traveling distance from shortest (0.24m) to infinite.  That should make precise MF easier.  However, because of that, you're not gonna get a fast enough manual focus for street/action photography.The lens will double in length when you focus toward the minimum focus distance (0.24m), so keep the hood on in operation position will help preventing lens from bumping into your subject because of carelessness.This lens is considered one of the best lenses of its type.  When I first got it, I noticed it's significantly brighter than my 14-54mm II.  The picture it takes looks sharper, and has better bokeh (out of focus area).If you are thinking about hooking the older 50mm f2 (effectively 100mm with 4/3 format) with the OM-adapter to your Olympus DSLR, then you're not alone.  However, after some research, I believe it's better to buy this digital lens than use the older lens because this lens has an ED glass which is absent from the film SLR model.  ED glass will help reducing chromatic aberration (which is more of a problem for digital format than film) and make the end result sharper as well.Construction is solid.  It feels like a giant rock in hand, and is capable of killing Goliath (or thief) if mounted on a sling.  Like all other Olympus Pro level lenses, it's splash and dust proof and it has metal body with glass fibre reinforced plastic exterior that matches Olympus camera body.Highly recommended for macro users.  Not recommended as the always-on lens because of the AF speed.
I have been using the Zuiko 50mm for the past few months now. Would like to state some of its advantages and disadvantages:Advantages:1) Sharp & Bright images. I think it may be the sharpest in High Grade lenses from Olympus.2) Fast focus (a tad slower, if you are using the live view mode)3) Produces good colors4) Bokeh (out of focus area) is smooth. You may get this from other manufacturers, but only from lenses which cost 2 to 3 times more than this.5) Splash and dust proof.6) Allows you to attach a filter.7) Is light in weight. Doesn't hurt the hands while holding the camera, with this lens mounted, for hours together.8) As an overall package, this lens gives you more bangs for the bucks you pay.Disadvantages:1) Probably, the biggest disadvantage is the noisy focus. Makes a lot of noise and moves back and forth a lot. SWD with an additional $100 - $150 to the price would have made this lens the greatest in High Grade series from Olympus.2) Probably eats up a lot of battery in this process.The disadvantages section is just nitpicking. You won't get a better lens than this, in the same price range, from any other manufacturer. Amazon does not allow me to give it, but I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5.
I assume if you are reading this review that you are considering this Olympus 50mm f2.0 Telephoto Macro ED lens for your E-series camera.  The best advice that I can offer is:  "Go ahead and buy it".  You will not regret buying this lens.I don't wish to add a bunch of techno nerdy comments except to say that many reviewers of this lens just chime in with the previous reviewers and give lots of opinions about things that don't really matter to the majority of us.  Let me give you my honest and simple opinion of this lens.* It is extremely well made.  It is solidly built and it focuses smoothly, quickly and quietly on my Olympus E-3 body.* The images that I have shot with this lens are razor sharp ...... almost too sharp (if there is such a thing)  This lens lets in a lot of light at f2.0 and 100iso.  You may consider stopping down the aperture or lowering the exposure level for well lit scenes.* The depth-of-field is pretty narrow below f8.0 settings.  However you will be very happy with the soft bokeh that this lens delivers at the wider f-stop settings.* The macro shots are really more like close-ups at 50mm.  It's best to use a macro extension tube such as an Olympus EX-25 Extension Tube for true macro work.  You will be very happy with the quick, bright and sharp macro shots that this lens delivers with the extension tube.It's a real bargain at the Amazon.com price.  There is no better portrait/macro lens available for your Olympus E-series camera unless you wish to pay around $2,100.00 for the Olympus Zuiko 35-100 f.2.0 zoom lens.  The only significant gain that you will get from the higher priced lens is a lighter wallet and the ability to zoom in a little tighter.Cheers!
Yes, I own the E-P2, Olympus PEN camera, upon which I placed this lens. The many reviewers of this lens speak clearly why you should consider this lens for your DSLR cameras. I add my review for those who may be wondering about using the lens on a PEN, or similar micro 4/3 camera.Be warned, the clarity of this lens is breathtaking. The PEN will hunt, and seek for a time or two, then takes a picture you will be proud to own.The one drawback with this lens is that on the micro 4/3 PEN, it acts like a 100mm lens. Your picture will look like you took it with a telephoto lens, which in some sense, you did.But, that said, my pictures of stain glass in cathedrals, documents in museums, castles, or anything framed within my viewfinder, turn out with clarity and detail.The lens switches on the camera, and off, exactly like a SLR camera. Nicely, the adapter adds distance between the lens, and the camera' sensor.I mention this as some reviews worry about switching lens on a micro 4/3 because the sensor is so close to the lens threads.  No problem on my end. In fact, I like having the ability of changing to a lens that I think will cover the bulk of the scenes that I'll experience during my trek.But enough said, this lens is one of my favorites. It works extremely well on the PEN.
I bought this lens in early November through Amazon.  It arrived the day before taking a day trip to Yellowstone, so crammed it into the pack and used it on both an Olympus E-620 and an older E-330--with excellent results on either camera.  Very sharp corner to corner, with fine contrast and color of infinity landscape shots.  I used F6.3--perhaps the sharpest aperture according to lens test comments found on the web.  Quick, reliable auto-focus, as well.What I could not find in any of the reviews of this lens before buying was some reference to its use as a copy lens for shooting flat art in a studio.  Well, I can comment on this myself now--the lens is superb as a copy lens, again at F6.3.  Artwork measuring 6x8 inches to 14x17 inches is rendered tack sharp right to the corners with careful post-processing of RAW files using an Olympus E-620 camera.  And this was pencil work exhibiting varying degrees of reflective sheen shot through a Tiffin polarizing filter under bright tungsten lamps.  Auto-focus on flat art was quick and completely reliable with just a push of the shutter button half-way down.The CA (only hintlingly visible on the edges of the drawing paper itself) is so minimal, it hardly needs to be corrected--taking only a tiny adjustment to completely remove in Photoshop Raw software.  I don't know if this is a genuine flat-field lens, but I could not detect any distortion in the image margins--straight lines stay straight nearly to the frame edges.I spent 30 years using Olympus 50mm F3.5 macro lenses with OM-1N 35mm film cameras for copywork purposes.  Nice to see Olympus has a lens that permits excellent copywork to continue in a digital medium.
Here are my initial impressions:Photos with the 50mm f/2.0 lense are incredibly sharp. The contrast is amazing.  It goes to show you that the lense (glass) is more important to achieving quality photos than the camera itself.  I have an Olympus E520 and the kit lenses were just not cutting it, especially when taking natural light photos.  Digital cameras require more light for low noise photos, and unless you are outdoors, the best way to provide it is with a bright lense.  As others have commented, the bokeh is awesome.  You almost always need to backup from your subject to frame it properly, and most of the time this is not a factor in taking quality photos, but in cramped quarters you may not get the entire subject in the frame.  My first 35mm camera had a 50mm prime lense, and distancing myself from the subject quickly became second nature. It will again. I did notice that every once in a while the lense would hunt quite a bit before focusing, and on one ocassion the lense extended to the end of its travel (missed its focus) and repeated the focus procedure before finding the sweet spot. Most of the time it worked flawlessly. This lense is a great value. It has turned my camera into a better performer, and I feel like a better photographer.
After reading all of the reviews posted previously, I have to say my expectations for this lens were abnormally high.  I'm slightly disappointed as a result.The lens is beefy and sturdy and feels great on the camera.The pictures I've taken are very, very sharp and the light is amazing.I'm very impressed with the macro photos I've taken with it so far, but am sorely disappointed with its inability to auto-focus.  Low light, bright light, indoors, outdoors... this lens simply can not determine a focus point.  I've resorted to it being a "Manual Focus" only lens.In short, the glass is great and the resulting photos are outstanding, but the operation is lacking considering that the kit lenses included with my E-Series camera are of much lesser quality and can get focus in a second.Is it possible that the lens I received is defective?EDIT: I have since mounted this lens to an Olympus E-3 Camera.  When this review was originally written, I was using an E-510.  This lens absolutely SNAPS to focus with the E-3 over the lackluster focus performance with the E-510.  This has made me love this lens in an entirely new way.
I'm sure you have read the other reviews of this lens and I must agree. This is one of the most spectacular lenses of the Olympus line that I have owned. Every manufacturer gets that perfect combination once in a while and produces magic. Like the Olympus Zuiko 90mm F2 and the 35-105mm 3.5 zoom of the Om days, this is pure genius. Tack sharp, quick to focus, and amazing bokeh!! If you love macro and portrait photography get this lens. Your only regret will be that you have waited this long.
I use this lens with my Olympus E-510 and the results are amazing. Cyrstal clear macro photogrpahs, well balanced portraits, and wonderfully blurred backgrounds. I use the lens for most of my photogrpahs now, taking it off only when the angle simply doesn't work without the wider end of the kit lens. Especially good for action shots and close ups. The focus is rather deliberate, however, so low light shots are difficult and require patience.
Update 10/2010 - I wrote this review a long time ago but it's still true today. I moved my 50mm from my E300 to my E3 and still get great portraits from it. I bought the macro empty tube for real closeups and the teleconverter as adjuncts to make this more useful - I don't recommend everyone buys those items unless you are taking forensic pictures in macro mode or want a 200mm 35mm equivalent lens.  The tube is cheap because there is no glass inside - it moves the lens out for magnification w/o glass.  I just wanted to point out that I've been following this lens price and this month its down lower than the past year (where it approached five bills) so now is a good time to buy at 438 usd.  Review begins below.Before purchasing this lens you should read some literature.  You don't need to be a lens expert - but know what "MTF" means.  MTF is modulation transfer function.  It is a qualty by which lenses are judged.  The more linear the plot, the better the odds you've bought a winner.  Olympus and Cannon both publish their MTF plots of their "BETTER" quality lenses.  They don't publish the plots of the "included in the box" lenses.  For good reason.  You can analyze them on a machine if you have a lab and discover they resemble a rollercoaster and not a horizontal line like you would prefer.Google MTF LENS modulation transfer function and you'll be on your way - then visit OLY's website and click on the MTF curves on this lens.  You'll see why it is so well thought of.Now let's talk Zoom.  Remember your old 35mm camera.  If you wanted a closeup, you walked towards the person.  A wide angle meant walking backwards, mindful of the pool, traffic, etc.  The zoom lens eliminated some of this to the extent of its focal length.  This is not a zoom lens.  It is called a PRIME lens.  PRIME = opposite of ZOOM.  It's like that old friend on your first 35mm camera.  But with a little under the hood.This is called a macro lens.  That does not mean it only can shoot closeups.  It will focus from 6" to infinity.  For $35 or so you can buy a 3 piece set of magnifiers from Hoya or Tiffen - they screw on like filters but magnify the image in 1, 2, and 4 diopter power.  Like using a loupe to view a stone, they help you see the fine detail.  The microprinting in the new $20 bill is easy to photograph with this lens.  You can see things not visable to the naked eye with it.Finally - as I mentioned the focus does cover close up to infinity like any good lens (just unscrew those magnifiers used to photo your stamp collection).  But you will see that while most lenses (in meters) will have a readout of 1, 2, 5, 9, 15, 25, infinity in meters - this lens starts way down at 0.22 m  (22 cm!)  - the next number is about 0.24 m.  The point is there is a wide range of focus space down close to the lens below a meter, then 1, 2, 3 meters.  For closeups this can't be beat.This is not to say you can't use this lens like old'faithful on your first 35mm camera.  I've shot entire photoshoots with this just stepping back a couple times to frame the shot how I wanted it.  I also switch to aperature mode (A) on the Oly Evolt and stopped down the lens to F10 outside or with the FL-50 flash.  My depth of field was dramatic - everything came into sharp focus with the crosshairs in the middle.Printing the images on 24" wide photo paper and a HP designjet drafting/photo printer gave the final satisfaction.  This is one awesome lens.  No zoom, but pictures so sharp and detailed with contrast unheard of before that when I run out to catch a good photo, this lens is normally on my camera.  And I also have the 50-200 ED zoom.  The 50 ED PRIME lens will outperform the 50 zoom under most occasions.It's a starter lens, a quality lens (mid level in the OLY 3 tier quality system), a macro lens, and best of all a razor sharp lens that maintains contrast (you normally give up one for the other).  There is a lot of glass inside this piece, and good glass at that.  I advise against the f=35 mm macro lens, as it is in the LOW quality group from oly.  If you need a 1:1 scale, consider this lens with the extention tube for a little more and you'll be close to 1:1 there.Like all of the "quality" group of lenses in OLY's lens plan, this has a focus meter on it to tell you where you are focusing, or to aid in manual focusing.  Mine spends most of its time on the camera - I'm sure you will enjoy printing photos from it as well.  Shoot at F/10 and focus is almost not an issue at all in wide spaces.  Inside, add the FL50 flash and shoot F/10 as well.  You'll be happy with the outcome.One last note about flashes - you'll eventually want the ring flash for macro work.  Undocumented is that the ring flash includes 4 modeling lights with a 3 minute timer on them.  To put the macro ring flash on the macro lens requires a ring flash adapter FR-1 available separately for about $95.  It's bucks, I realize, but it does have a simple two prong bayonet mount to a ring cut into the lens - so removing the ring flash is a breeze.  The ring flash (minus modeling lights) has a GN of 36 and is roughly equivalent to the FL-36, except that shadows are kept to an absolute minimum since the flash wraps around the lens.  I use it for closeups and even modeling shots - a great lens/flash combo with the FR-1 adapter.  Using the modeling lights you can keep the flash reflection out of the picture!
If you only use zoom lenses this will be a revelation.  Perfect for both pictures of people and macro work or anytime you need a faster lens.  A great bargain and should be the first lens you buy after the kit lenses.
I'll try to keep this short & sweet. This lens is one of the best lenses to have in your camera bag. I've gotten beautifully detailed results. Extremely sharp, I love how much detail I can get of a flower when stopped down to around f6.3-f8. Inversely, I also love the limited depth of field achieved when at that f2 aperture.For doing portraits, this lens is brilliant, it captures much detail. Some people might even complain that it captures too much detail (though if they complain you can always soften this up with software such as Lightroom).I highly recommend this lens to all who are doing portrait & macro photography, as well as those who just want a wonderful lens in general. I've used this one my e-520 & e-3 and enjoy it on both. With the E-3, you can take advantage of the dust/splash proof capabilities of the lens/camera combo.The ONLY downsides to this lens are: the auto focusing can be on the slower side (though some would argue that you should use manual focusing when doing macro photography) and the focus motor is quite noisy. These are the ONLY downsides I can find, but certainly are NOT REASONS TO OVERLOOK THIS LENS!
I've owned this for over four years now and this is STILL my favorite lens to be able to use.  While I use various zooms more often due to field of view needs, I love when I get to use this lens!Optically, it is absolutely outstanding, it is a wonderful portrait lens as well as a great macro lens.Combined with Olympus' in-body image stabilization this lens allows me to shoot in fairly low light provided the subject is not moving too quickly.While I cannot fault the optics at all, the focus motor is somewhat slow relative to my other Olympus lenses.  Furthermore, in lower light it occasionally struggles to find focus and can occasionally rack the focus in and out through the entire range before settling down.I wish it had a limiter switch :( .That being said, I still reach for this lens whenever I want a nice looking portrait or beautifully rendered detail.Did I mention that this thing is sharp sharp sharp?  Even at f2 (which, apart from Macro use is where I keep the aperture 99% of the time) it renders detail excellently.  No worries about significant resolution falloff toward the edges either :).  I must also mention the weather sealing of this lens- it is so nice to be able to take macros in rain, winter or near streams with my E-3 and not have to worry about a little moisture.Despite the occasional focus flub I do not regret buying this lens at all.I love the results it produces.
All the 5-star reviews for this sublime and near-technically-perfect lens hit it straight on:  fantastic resolving power, tack-sharpness from edge to edge, Kodachrome-quality color and contrast rendition (the Olympus processing engines help out here), and soft, balanced bokeh.  Sure it sometimes hunts for focus.  Sure it's a noisy focusing lens.  Sure it could use it focus limiter-- but do I care?  Not a bit.  Be it macro or portraiture, I usually just manually focus this lens anyway, because it makes you think about your photography, makes you get involved, makes you THINK.And the results are nothing short of fantastic across the board.  One of the best 4/3 lenses available.
This lens is accurate enough for digitizing 35mm transparent slides.  Shine diffused light through the slide, and take a picture.
What a wonderful lens! Tack sharp even wide open, even across the frame. Fairly fast, at f/2. 1:2 macro. It's simply a wonderful piece of kit. The price looks high, but for a lens with this kind of quality it's actually a steal.One thing that I wanted to add is that this lens works fine on a PEN body, once you have the requisite Micro 4/3 to 4/3 adapter.That may seem like an odd thing to do, but unfortunately M4/3 has quite a few gaps in its lineup, none more glaring to me than the lack of a native, fast portrait prime. It's true that the system's sole macro lens (thePanasonic 45mm f/2.8) has the right focal length for the job, but the "Leica" branding makes it an obscenely expensive proposition. It's also a full stop slower than the Olympus 50mm; is it really worth twice the cost?I find it hard to justify. The Olympus 50mm here works great on my E-P2, albeit with slow autofocus that can hunt in low light. For "action" shots, you'd best use manual focus, but if your subject isn't moving too quickly the AF will probably be able to do the job.Of course, you also need an adapter (such as thePanasonic Mount Adapter) which adds to the sticker price a bit, but once you have it more 4/3 options open up to you as well.Is this an ideal solution? Not really. But given the options available and their prices, I think it's a darn good choice. Maybe some day the M4/3 lens lineup will fill out a bit and I can get a native equivalent to this lens at a sane price, but until then, I'm pretty satisfied.
I currently have an e500 and I started upgrading lenses almost immediately after buying it. I wanted to do macro photography so I started with the 35mm macro lens. I thought then wow, this is a good lens. Then I happened to stumble across this lens used on eBay.. let me tell you, it blows the 35mm macro out of the water. there is really no comparison. It's faster, produces great images.. I even use this for some portraiture occasionally. I wouldn't say it's everyday lens, but if you enjoy macro photography, this is the lens to choose.I can't wait to see what it will do on a better body
Going back to my days with film cameras, I've always found macro lenses extremely useful.  This Olympus lens is up there with the best of the best.  Outstanding image quality and very well made.
Among the finest lenses which Olympus produced for its OM manual focusing SLR system were its Zuiko 50mm f2 and 90mm f2 lenses. Both lenses earned lavish praise from critics and users, of whom many regarded these lenses as among the finest of their kind. Indeed, both lenses were compared favorably to the Leica R and Contax Zeiss 35mm SLR macro lenses. For example, in at least one review, I read that the 50mm lens was as fine a performer as the venerable Leica 50mm Summicron M lens, with excellent contrast and resolution at all apertures, especially wide open.Now for its new digital E-series cameras, Olympus has introduced a 50mm f2 macro lens which follows in the wake of its legendary predecessors, offering this time ED glass for maximum contrast and resolution at all apertures. The June 2006 issue of Popular Photography has an exemplary review of this lens, noting that it is indeed a superlative performer, among the finest macro lenses currently available for digital SLRs. It also notes that the magnification ratio of this lens without an additional focusing tube is actually 1:1.6, NOT 1:2 as stated in the lens's manual. And since Olympus adheres to a 4:3 image ratio, then the equivalent focal length of this 50mm f2 lens for a 35mm film SLR camera is 90mm. Those interested in both macro photography and using a superb portrait lens for head-and-shoulder portraits, will find this 50mm lens an important addition to their Olympus E-series kit.
I purchased this in a hurry prior to going on a family vacation.  Works great with little learning curve involved.  Go some amazing shots in a variety of settings.  A must have.  Documentation is a little skimpy, but really not an issue.
I bought this lens around 30 November 2010 from Amazon.  I'd read nothing but (mostly) positive reviews of the lens.  Since I wanted a macro / fast portrait lens, I went ahead and picked it up.  I use this lens with an E-5.Image quality : Outstanding.  Really, there's nothing I can complain about.  It's an extremely sharp lens.  I've taken macros using my 1.4x TC and THEN cropped to around 66% and the photo was outstanding (and this was a JPEG from the camera).  I would normally put up my flickr link of the photo, but Amazon censors links so you'll have to believe me.Bokeh - Again, outstanding.  I've had limited use of the lens as a portrait (as I'm trying to get used to the 100mm equiv. focal length) but it's amazing - my test shots have been incredible.  Macro bokeh is great.Build quality - very good.  Nothing amazing but definitely in line with the HG lens qualities.Autofocus - on the E-5, it's actually very quick in decent lighting (like most of my other lenses so far).  In low light, it's hesitant, just like my 14-54 II.  Autofocus can be noisy, so don't expect to use this lens in very quiet environments without getting some looks ;)
I purchased this lens from Amazon and was less than happy about the packing of the shipping box, lens box could be felt shifting around with room and on all sides inside the box (a no no for packing items you're going to ship, particularly expensive items like this lens), however the lens was just fine.Now, I'd purchased a E-510 and have been weighing whether to keep it or go for a prosumer (no hassle) camera...until I unpacked this lens and put it on my 510.  First light was literally a "Whoah" moment.  Beautiful, sharp, at 50mm a relatively good amount of magnification.  Looking at the pictures on the computer, the bokeh (out of focus background) is beautiful (big change from kit 510 lenses).  The detail in the shots is astounding.  Looking at the results of the few pics I took made me think this is why I got a DSLR.
I've had the lens for a week and I'm thrilled with its capabilities.  The quality of Olympus Zuiko lenses are awesome and this is no exception.  It's worth every penny!
This is an exceptional lens as the other reviews all attest to.  I am currently using this instead of my kit lenses and am enjoying it immensely.  I am using this specifically for portraiture and really like its sharpness and lower light ability in comparison to the kit lenses (which by the way are very good) that came with my Olympus E-500.  Initially, I was trying to decide between the 35mm Macro (around $200) and the 50mm lens (around $400), but after reading many reviews decided on the 50mm lens and have not looked back.  It is substantial, and a little heavier than the lightweight plastic kit lenses and the 35mm lens.  I am completely satisfied with this lens and am having fun with not being able to zoom in or out, but having to move myself to get the shot I want when I am using it for a walkabout lens.
I have to agree with other reviewers:  It is really the most perfect lens.  I can't add anything more than what the other positive reviewers have stated.  I have an Olympus E-410 and used to use my 12-60mm 1:2.8-4  as my versatile all the time lens.  But I have to say that this is now my favorite lens.  I don't find the focus too slow.  It's a good, solid lens, well made and holds up great.  I will try to add some photos as well.
We bought this lens a month ago for my wife's Olympus E620. Hands down the sharpest lens we own.  We have a photography business and the photos we have made from this lens have got us 5 Referrals in less than 3 weeks! This lens is sharp, sharp, sharp. The focus is dead on, albeit a little slow. It does tend to hunt a smidge. It is a bit noisy as well. For macros and portraits there is no beating this lens.If I could I'd give this lens a 4.7 for the slow AF and the VERY minor hunting issue. Since I can't, it gets a 5. In the end it's about image quality and this lens cannot be beat. It paid itself off in 3 shoots. This lens is now our #1 go-to lens for portraits. The money we are now making with this lens is being used to buy our next lens. For all Olympus shooters this lens is an absolutely-positively, must have lens.UPDATEAfter further investigation I found out that [...] considers this one of the sharpest lenses EVER made. We mostly shoot f2.8-4. The lens is sharpest at f4. The sharpness will blow your mind. If all you have is the kit lens, this lens should be the second lens you buy. It will revamp you photography and get you really excited about it. We love this lens!!UPDATE 2After more than a year and a half of ownership this lens has saved our photographic bacon more times than I can count so I can say it is reliable. Like I said before, this should be in every Oly owners kit. After shooting with this lens you'll never want to shoot with your 14-42mm kit lens again.
I think everything has already been said in the other reviews. This lens is incredibly sharp, even at f/2.0. I've been pairing it with my Olympus E-520 and I am well satisfied with the combinationThis lens is incredible for macro as well as portraits. A little footwork is required for portraits, depending on how tight you want the cropping on the portraits. I've been able to take great macro shots of butterflies and other little critters as well as flowers.Before I purchased it, I was concerned with what other online reviews had said about the focusing ring. As you are probably familiar, there is not direct mechanical connection between the focusing ring and the actual lens elements (it's motor driven and electronically controlled), however, compared to the kit lenses (14-42mm and 40-140mm), this focus ring is incredibly smooth.It does make a bit of motor noise when you're going from infinity to up close. Low-light autofocus is a little slow, but I think that's the case for most camera/lens combinations.This lens feels very solid and the lens mount is made of metal. It feels great putting this lens on. The connection feels precise and sturdy.what else can I say... I am well satisfied with this lens :)
I got the 50mm about a month ago and my E510 Oly performs like a dream with this lens.  The lens feels solid and well made, though the extra weight takes a little getting used to.  The performance difference between it and the kit lenses is remarkable.  I use it for closeups of insects and the continuous autofocus is way faster and actually allows accurate following of small subjects.  I'm also able to use the lens in light conditions where my other lenses just won't work.  Also, this has become my main portrait lens since it allows sharp focus on the subject while the background blurs into a pleasing bokeh.  However, taking group portraits is challenging since the telephoto equivalence requires plenty of distance.  Olympus really should make a 25mm prime this fast and sharp.  One other drawback is that this lens isn't true macro (1:1), mainly because of the minimum focusing distance.  I also have a 35mm macro and can get much closer with it, though it's also much slower. I thought I was going to get rid of the 35mm when I got the 50mm, but am rethinking that now.
This lens is sharp like a tack! Just returned from an overseas trip, the reason I purchased this lens. I had the chance to practice with it some before leaving the u.s. in anticipation for what I might encounter on my trip. The f-stop of 2.0 made it fast enough to use without a flash at an iso of 400 with the olympus e-500. The affordability of that body shows it's limits with higher iso settings but at 400 I was able to shoot as fast as 1/60 and catch action without alot of noise in the image. Speaking of the "image", the depth of field at f-2.0 is super dramatic. Oohs and ahhs never get boring as trip mates reviewed images on the camera's lcd view. Absolutely amazing macro results as well. I was able to get some fantastic shots of a camel's face up close, and again every detail is razor sharp. I only pulled out my kit lenses when I needed to capture wider angles or subjects that were far enough off in the distance to justify using a zoom. It sounds crazy, but the image quality between the kit lenses and the fixed 50 are pretty significant. They are all 3 zuiko lenses, but I guess having that premium glass in the fixy along with the fact that it's static and doesn't zoom, makes all the difference in clarity and sharpness.This should be your next upgrade, if you're shooting with the standard e-500 or e-510 body or kit system. I would say even more so than a flash system upgrade.Enjoy
This macro is superb. At f2, it is bright enough for low light photography and portrait work. It is the sharpest lens in Olympus pro lineup.  As all oly pro glass, it is sealed and built like a tank. The only negative point I can think of is that it will only take half life size macros (not 1:1), unless you get the ex-25 macro extender.
I was amazed by the clarity of my macro as well as the protraits. Later I learned that this can very well be used for protraits and expect a great result. The photos which I took with this (almost 2000 or more) are amazingly high quality.DOF pictures came out to be the best with this lens.
If you own an Olympus DSLR and you do not own one of these lenses SHAME on you. If you do not yet own this lens let me tell you something, this lens is arguably the sharpest lens in the world and that is NOT an over exaggeration! The auto focus is a bit slow but who cares? The pictures this lens produces are so good that I wouldn't care if the lens punched me in the face every time I took a picture - it's THAT good! Canon an Nikon have little if anything that can compete with this lens' sharpness and contrast.This lens ALONE is reason enough to keep at least one Olympus DSLR forever. If I could choose just one lens to have, this lens would be it (Yes, even more than the 12-60mm). If I could think of one reason to NOT sell my equipment and go to Canon or Nikon, this lens would be that one reason. Am I getting my point across now?I got this on an auction website for 240, used. The price has been falling I guess - I remember when these were 350, used. Quit messing around and go and get this lens right now!! Yes, it's THAT good. It's every bit as good as we're all saying. It stays on my E-30 24/7 and that's where it's going to stay dammit!Get one right this instant! I'm willing you to do so.
Makes a nice portrait lens that is wide enough for existing light and for shallow DOF shots with a nice bokeh.  Takes nice macro shots too.A year later and I'm still loving it... even bought an EX-25 extension tube and a focusing rail to go with it so I could get the most out of those macro shots.  Tack sharp.  My favorite Oly lens... even sharper than the 12-60 SWD.
I purchased this lens second hand and am really pleased with sharpness and the quality.  It is my go to lens for portrait work.
Macro:Some say this lens focusses slowly.  So what?  Most macro lenses do.For proper sharpness, you move the camera in small increments anyway as a millimetre can make or destroy a picture.Portraits:Inexperienced or timid models cringe at the sight of a bazooka pointed at them.The lens is light and VERY non-intimidating as a portrait lens.The 'tone' of pictures you can get with this lens is much more natural except perhapsThe F2 aperture is as wide as a good (Saleable) portrait would normally be shot at.Investigate those 1.4s if you think differently on this issue and have excess money to spend.Other:It almost makes a stealth camera out of an e-1, e-3 or e-5 ...Good for tight landscapes too and you can shoot until the light's almost gone.Razor sharp at F2 and effectively diffraction limited before f4 - a great design!
I purchased this lens for use with my E3 and it continues to impress me. I have taken some very very good flower shots with the E3 and the 50mm lens
If you thought the very best optics in the world were all beyond your budget, well, you've found the exception.  You can't buy a better DSLR lens from any manufacturer at any price, and any other lens this sharp will cost more than 2X the price of the dust and splash-proof Olympus 50mm macro.  I chose Olympus because of this lens (and the E-510's unprecedented combination of live view, image stabilization, working dust control, professional features, and quality).  No other manufacturer offers so many affordable, class-leading DSLR lenses as Olympus (35 macro, 50 macro, 9-18, 14-42, 12-60, 40-150).  Olympus forthcoming hybrid Four Thirds/Micro Four Thirds cameras have positioned Olympus lens owners in a unique sweet spot of performance and compactness, pointing to the brightest future possible for those of us who bought into Olympus's optical brilliance.
The good: Sharp - Superior Quality Image - Vivid colorsThe bad: Most of the time you have to Manual Focus, esp under tricky lighting situations
Unlike the typical kit lens,  this lens has a fixed focal length.  It also has the possible drawback in that it works best when manually focused.  That being said,  you won't find a sharper, faster macro or portrait lens for any camera let alone anything in the Olympus line.  If you have a four thirds system camera (Olympus, Leica, etc.) and want to work close,  this is well worth the trouble to learn how to use it.
I can remember wanting this lens SO bad when I saw the sample shots on Amazon.  When I bought it, and started shooting with it, I found it was even better than I had thought.  This is one of my sharpest lenses.  And it's my fastest lens at f2.0.  Macro shots are just incredible, and portrait shots are high-end.  The saturation, balance, and contrast of this lens is just beautiful.  I'm not a big fan of prime lenses (lenses that don't zoom) because it's annoying to have to move around to frame your shot.  But the quality of this lens is so good that I don't mind the annoyance of a fixed focal point.  If you only have the kit lens/lenses that came with your camera, this should probably be the first lens you invest in.  First, because the quality is just off the charts.  So much better than your kit lens that you may not want to use your kit lens ever again.  Second, the price of the lens makes it pretty easy to add to your collection.  A lot easier than the other lenses in the Zuiko lineup which are equally good, or better, but a lot more expensive.  Third, no matter which lenses you start investing in, you'll eventually want to have a good macro lens in your lineup, for as long as you own your camera.  So you'll likely get this lens at some point anyway...one way or another.  On all levels this lens is really a smart buy.  I've never used the 35mm macro lens, but I'd guess the 50mm is the better of the two.  I hear more about it than I have ever heard of the 35mm.  If you're looking into macro, save up for the 50mm.
I don't know of any other way to say it. I cannot find any fault with this lens. It is tack sharp edge-to-edge, even in the far corners, even at f/2, especially close up. The bokeh is superb, it looks great and creamy smooth. It's also fast and just as good at f/2 as f/8 -- literally no difference in sharpness. Incredible.It literally is a perfect lens.Makes for great portraits (probably my favorite use for the lens) due to the 100mm equivalent focal length and the great depth-of-field control and appealing out-of-focus rendition.Makes for great macros, for the same reasons but up close. Add the extension tube for true 1:1, otherwise 1:2 is great for most everything close other than "true macro."My only complaint is that it's just a tad long for general use - 4/3 really needs a Zuiko 25mm normalish prime (as in, something cheaper than the Leica 25mm f/1.4, which is also an excellent lens) of the same quality as this lens.But for what it is -- a 100mm-equivalent lens -- it is, without question, optically perfect. Don't even hesitate to buy it, you'll wish you had got it sooner.(Edit: I know I have said nothing negative in this review, and that may lead you to think it's "unhelpful". So, for the record, the biggest problem with the lens is the focusing speed, which is a little sub-par, and makes a strange noise. It's not terrible, just sometimes gets in the way. Also, in low light, if you miss focus it can go all the way out to macro and back in before it finds it, as there is no focus limiter. Not a huge problem, just know how to focus on contrast or use MF in pitch black. That said, the most helpful thing I can say about the lens is that it's superb and a must-buy, sorry if that comes across as unhelpful ;-)
First off, even though I only gave it 4 stars, it is the best lens I have ever touched, and if I lost or broke it today, well, I'd buy another one immediately.  Many people describe this lens as "optically flawless" I am no expert on lenses, but I believe them.  I have this and the two kit lenses with my e510.  Forget the fact that this has awesome close focusing for a second here, take a picture of anything with either of the kit lenses at around 50 mm, now take that same picture with this lens.  They are different, and it isn't just because this has a larger aperture, this applies to all apertures.  I can't quantitatively explain it but this lens just produces pictures that are crisper, more lifelike, and well, better than the kit lenses.  Since I got this lens for Christmas, it almost never leaves my camera, I often go on walks and leave my other two lenses at home.That is the disclaimer, so why only 4 stars?  For one, everyone else gave this 5 stars, so yet one more review of "perfect" in a pool of similar reviews doesn't help anyone much, but also because focusing is a bit slow.  Olympus should really upgrade this lens and put a faster focusing motor in it, like the SWD.  Focus in low light, even with f2, isn't much better than the kit lens- it still hunts (at least, it does on my e510).  This isn't a big deal, especially as a lot of macro work should be done with manual focus anyways, but you should be aware of it before purchasing.  Auto focus in good light is pretty quick and a bit noisy, auto focus in lower light hunts a bit, and auto focus in low light often doesn't work.  Note- most macro lenses are criticized for slow focus, regardless of manufacturer- it is hard to make a lens auto focus to a few centimeters away.  On the plus side- when it does lock focus it is nearly always dead on.Now, onto macro- I see some complaints that this is only a 1:2 lens and thus isn't "true" macro.  This simply is not an issue; it is nothing but mindless semantics and should not even be brought up in complaints! This is a superb lens that focuses extremely closely- enough said.  If it really matters, get the extension tube and voila- "true" macro.  Even with the (outlandishly priced at $100) extension tube, this is still cheaper than any comparable macro on the market for any other system (many would argue that this is a moot point as there simply isn't any comparable macro on the market at any price.)One note on 4/3 system and depth of field (dof).  The four thirds system inherently has a wider dof than other systems because of the 2x crop factor, instead of 1.5 or 1.6x in other systems (or 1x on full frame).  This is good for macro work where you often want a broad dof.  Macro shots at f2 can be interesting, but since distance also influences dof, you will have the eyes of a bug in focus and the body is out of focus, you have to step down to f10 or so for a broad enough dof at extremely close focusing distances to get an entire bug in focus.  With other systems, you would have to step down even more to get the same dof.Now does this mean that this won't work as a portrait lens (or another application where you want narrow dof) because olympus inherently has a broader dof?  No, this has a very narrow dof at f2.  Put it this way, at f2, if you focus on some one's eye, their other eye will often be out of focus if they aren't looking right at you.  You can really isolate something in focus if you want to with this lens.  Sure, you can get even less dof with a 50mm f2 from a different system, but more often than not- at f2 with this lens, you are already fighting for more depth of field, not less.The slowish focusing is really the only down side of this lens, and it isn't a big deal, but I did expect a bit more for the price.  That does not change the fact that this is closer to a perfect lens than I could hope for.  I can't imagine anyone being dissatisfied with this lens.  If you have only the kit lenses, you really owe it to your camera to get this lens.People who aren't into macro should consider the 12-60 as well.  It is $300 more and probably isn't quite as sharp, but apparently focuses very quickly and is a zoom lens.  People who aren't into macro should also consider getting this lens and getting into macro.
From the time I got my E-510, I've read reviews of four-thirds system lenses. I wanted to select the right one to compliment my kit lens.  Amazon.com's reviews of this lens were very helpful in my selection.  I'm thrilled with the macro capabilities.  Now I'm anxious to take portrait shots in the studio and on location.
I love this lens.I've sold most of my 4/3rds gear but this lens remains to be used on my Micro 4/3rds system.It's just slow & hunts but when it finds...its beautiful.Used for almost all my shoots.
The E-520 was my first dSLR (10 days ago) and the 50 mm f/2.0 was the first lens I put on it. Having just migrated, or upgraded, from a "bridge" camera (Panasonic FZ18), the whole setup just blew me away. I never thought I would like macro shooting as much as I am liking it (I was always a "zoom" person): I can actually see things through this lens, and on the computer afterwards, that I'd never noticed before. All the images were sharp as a tack, with wonderful contrast and color and a wealth of detail. I'd say that using this lens is all about enjoying photography, no matter what the user's level of expertise is. This may not be a pro's review -- nothing could be farther from that! --, but I hope it is useful for you.
This lens is simply amazing - unbelievable low-light photography and incredible sharpness. Bundled with my EVOLT 510 I have been able to snap some amazing pictures. I actually use this as my primary lens now due to the fact that it's fixed--it requires you to be creative. I've had it for a few years now and it has performed very well over time. It focuses very quickly (even in low light) and can always take a sharp picture. There's nothing more to say really.
I actually decided not to buy this, and bought the 35mm version instead.  It's still an Olympus, it does great macro, it costs less than half what this one costs, and it's actually more usable as a stand-by 35mm, (70mm in old speak) lens, it's not too tele-photo, whereas this lens comes out at 100mm in old speak, and it is definitely a tele-photo lens and would not be much good as a stand-by.Now this lens has a better luminosity, f2 against f3.5, than its cheaper brother, so it'll work better in low-light conditions.  But there again it will give you less depth of field, so focussing on all a subject might be less fun than with the cheaper lens.There you go: two fabulous Olympus lens.  One is half the price of the other, but they don't do precisely the same job.  They both have weak and strong points when directly compared.  Enjoy choosing!  (I'm a coward: I hooked each up to my E420 body, right there in the store, and let them "make" the decision for me...)
needed a backup battery.  It took a charge so hopefully it will work for me. I don't like the situation when the battery is discharged an have no backup
Works the way a battery is supposed to.  Lots of power - charges quickly - and doesn't gain a memory (or doesn't seem to anyhow).  I use it in my Evolt 510.
Yep, it's a battery and it provides good power to my camera. Other than giving them away, can't expect anything more.
This battery has never stopped working for me. I can shoot and shoot and shoot and never have to swap batteries unless I just want to. It charges up fast and cool. Stays charged for what seems like forever, stays charged for what seems life forever. A perfect add on to my E510
How many times have you read the suggestion to always have a 2nd or backup battery for your camera?  Hundreds!  At least for me.  So I've had an Olympus SLR for quite a few years and I've managed to always have a charged battery.  (I'm a bit obsessive about batteries being charged.)So in theory, I should never have need for a second battery.  And in my case, if the battery did croak, I have two other kinds of cameras hanging off my shoulder.But as luck would have it, (and the fates laughing at me), I was at an assigned photo journalist shoot at a NASCAR event and I had burned so many pics off and was there for so long, that I actually did burn through the battery.  (did a lot of standing around and test focusing for upcoming shots at different corners.)So!  The tale goes as this... I will never have a dead battery on my person again.  And this battery works as promised, is in great shape, seems to give me pretty much on par with the original and I could not go wrong with it.  Hoo ya!!!-Bruce aka, brusimm
worked as expected, its just a battery, recharges and holds it charge as my included camera battery so its ok
I feel more comfortable getting the real Olympus battery. It is not worth saving a few bucks and buying off brand, and run the risk of having  a battery leak or something and wreck you digital SLR camera.
This battery holds a charge for a long time.  I have not been caught wanting to take pictures and had the battery die on me.
We always need our batteries to be ready when we are.  So glad to get this so we can keep going.
I ordered this battery in May of 2007 from Amazon.com. I have been using it ever since. Recently, Amazon asked me to review this product and it is my pleasure to do so. First of all, it's a nice battery, and it comes in original Olympus packaging, unlike the cheap Chinese imitations which tend to explode, killing the operator. It also comes with a very detailed and hefty manual (for a battery). I didn't read the manual, mostly because I can't even begin to imagine why I would need to, but it must say a lot, I'm sure. Because the battery is genuine Olympus, you can expect that it will fit the camera perfectly, and it does! It slips right in, and then clicks with a satisfying 'click'. Once in, it supplies power to the camera until it is depleted. At that point, you have to remove the battery and charge it. Be sure you have a charger, otherwise it will be nearly impossible to charge it.Overall, this is an excellent battery in beautiful Olympus packaging and an incredibly thorough and detailed manual (I'm assuming).
The battery is ok and will probably work fine for years but it is expensive.  I did not see the compatibles when I purchased this item or I would have saved a lot of money.
bought as a gift for a spare when the other one's lost its charge. Doing it's job without any issues....
I'm glad after almost 2 months, I finally received the battery... Amazon was great in taking care of responding to my concerns... I would never go thru this seller again.... ever... the battery it's self is great... on one charge I took between 700-800 pics and was using my flash the whole time, since it was at night.... that is great... which means I could go a long ways, maybe days (not using flash) on one battery... I have since obtained another Olympus battery... I have tried buying a couple of the non-Olympus BLM batteries... they do not last very long, and are only good for backup... I would stay away from them... Olympus is the only way to go... I learned the hard way... as a photographer I need great batteries...
A good reliable battery. Always use the battery from the original manufacture of the camera (Olympus). They last longer! I wish they had a Compact quick charger for these batterys. They are a little hard to come by locally. Don't buy clones!
Buyer Beware: Olympus doesn't Sell the BLM-01 anymore, nor do Adorama or B&H;, so what you are getting instead or kockoffs that came from who knows where, are using cells from who knows where and will not and cannot be warranted by Olympus.I should have looked into this but it took my buying 4 of these to figure it out. Do not order from Best Digital or Alfatronix, the two merchants who's orders are fulfilled by Amazon.And SHAME ON AMAZON for trafficking counterfeit non genuine batteries which could potentially leak, explode and injure unsuspecting users. The listing for this product should be taken down, and AMAZON NEEDS TO STOP FULFILLING ORDERS FOR ALFATRONIX AND BEST DIGITAL immediately. It is not right that these companies are allowed to do what they are doing.Four batteries NOT in retail packaging, with no warranty card, no warnings pamphlet, no user pamphlet, nothing. I really should have known and gotten the hint.If you have an old Olympus, buy the BLM-05-- that is the modern day replacement if you want a genuine product. Unfortunately I am too scared to buy any more batteries from Amazon due to this ordeal.Just trying to warn you and save you a ton of trouble!
Bought the battery in 2006 as a second battery along with the original that came with the camera... 2013 it's still working as well as the original!!
This fits my Olympus EVOLT E500 perfectly.  Much cheaper here then anywhere else.  Quality is perfect and charges last just as long as factory one that came with camera.
Exactly what is advertised. A backup battery for your camera. Essential when shooting long sessions or infrequent sessions when your other battery runs out of power at the worst of all times, either in studio, at home or outdoors. Will hold a full charge out of the camera for at least 8 months (the longest that I have not had to swap out the battery to date). Essential for anyone who has a hard time telling how much battery life is left using the meter built into Olympus Camera's (which I find almost impossible to read). This is especially true when having a charged battery is critical to catching a spontaneous shot or at important/lengthy events. Recommended for anyone owning any appropriate Olympus camera that cannot use standard widely available batteries as a back-up.
I knew that I would need a backup battery for my Olympus E500. This is identical to the battery supplied with the camera. I wanted to use an Olympus battery after reading some BAD reviews of knockoff replacements. The battery seems to have plenty of reserve power even though the E500 has a full color display that does all functions instead of the 2 displays that most dSLR have (one usually is a low power LCD display for exposure settings). I only have long term experience with NiMH batteries with a point-n-shoot so I really can't make a final review of the longevity of Lithium-Ion batteries. Laptops seem to lose holding power over time. So far I'm happy, but if something goes bad, I'll update my reviewHere is an update (10/05/08), I upgraded to a Olympus E3 which uses the same battery. No problems! I'm very happy with the longevity of the battery. It may be my imagination but it seems that the E3 is a bit more efficient on battery  power which is confusing because it has both the color and a monochrome LCD display.
I have an Olympus E510, and I prefer to use accessories specifically made for the camera I have.  This purchase will allow me to have an additional (backup) battery, something I think is very important.  This battery comes in the original Olympus package, assuring that it is new and authentic.  And it would be very hard to find a better price anywhere else and still have the assurance you will get what you actually ordered.
Everybody needs a backup battery, because you will never know when you might run out of power. Buying a genuine Olympus product gives a peace of mind.
This battery shoots and shoots and shoots! I used it for ten days of faily heavy shooting and it was up to the challenge. It's much, much better than buying alkaline batteries.
I own the C8080wz and the OEM battery (this one) that came with it is still going strong after several years of heavy use. It is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I made the mistake of purchasing an off brand version of the battery and from the very start it held a charge for about half the time of the Olympus version. Now it lasts for only a short while before it is depleted. The Olympus battery still is at about 90% of its original capacity which means I can take it out for a day of shooting without worrying about it dying on me.My C8080 is still a terrific camera. You better believe that when I need a replacement battery, I am going to get a BLM-01 next time.
There are much cheaper alternatives even with higher energy capacity, but according to reports this one is more reliable, including in extremely cold weather.  Nicely built and packaged, exactly as the one included in the camera.
My first order of these batteries from Amazon were not in "retail packaging," but my subsequent orders of these batteries from a new vendor were.  These batteries are the "real thing," which is what matters to me.  When I bought my Olympus E-510 camera, I bought several additional so-called "compatible" batteries.  One such battery would not even charge, so I returned it for a refund.  The others worked okay for a year or two but eventually would no longer hold a charge.  My Olympus brand batteries are still going strong.  That's why I paid the premium price for these "real" Olympus batteries instead of the much cheaper alternatives.  There is hardly anything more frustrating than trying to take important photos and then discovering that your camera has no power.
I attempted to return this item, but have yet to hear back from the company I purchased from. The battery would not charge. The charger I purchased on the same order did work (it charged the battery I already have).
What can I say?  The OEM battery works exactly as it was designed to do.  My original battery, same as this one, is still going strong and this is another back-up.
The battery is great and it's pretty nice to own two of these, so when one batteryis discharged I can just pop in the spare.It was in stock and delivered to me in a reasonable amount of time.
olympus BLM-01 lithiium-ion rechargeable battery for C7070,C8080 has done every thing that it was supposed to do,. thank you very much
Bought as a spare for my E-520 DSLR. An OEM Olympus battery, factory fresh and brand new. But at the Amazon price... If you need one, save yourself some money and buy it here.
A trip to Europe requires a backup battery; so I purchased this as I didn't want to run out of battery in the middle of the day...  Between my original battery and this "back up" I took over 1200 pictures and that required a recharge of each battery once on an 18 day trip.  One might say "not bad" as a matter of fact it is outstanding as I didn't always remember to turn the camera off between locations and or shots.
I purchased two secondary brand batteries for my Olympus C5060 camera. The price was very good and I thought I was getting a good deal. These batteries lasted one month and then started to indicate low battery after two shots.I have purchased an Olympus BLM-01 and I am getting very good performance.Beware sometimes the deal that looks too good to be true usually isn't
This Olympus BLM-01 Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery is used with our Olympus E3 digital SLR camera. The battery works very well, charges and holds as promised, and is reasonably priced. For even better results, use with the Olympus battery chamber for double power.
I bought this battery a couple years ago & it still recharges just like new. Nothing like my energizer rechargables! lol
When the battery arrived, I placed it in my Camedia C5060 camera.  No power available.  OK - into the battery charger.  The battery charger has a red light for charging and a green light for charged.  When I put the battery into the charger the red light came on.  Several hours later, the red light was still on.  This concerned me because my old battery only took a couple of hours to charge up and bring on the green light.  I removed the battery from the charger and put it into my camera again.  The camera turned on normally so I knew that the battery was getting some benefit from the battery charger.  I returned the battery to the charger and went to bed.  The next morning the battery charger's green light was on - indicating that the battery was fully charged.  At this time I have not tested the battery with the camera beyond a few test shots.
Even though the battery lasts a long time (500-600 photos) a spare is a must on a long outing. If you want to keep shooting, download, view pics get a 2nd battery.
This is a battery I use in my E-Volt 500. I've been impressed that I've never needed to change it in mid-session. What more is there to say? It's a battery that's reliable and does the job well.
Items deilivered very fast ( 3 days instead of 5 to 9 days as stated)
This battery is identical to the one shipped with my E-520 and lasts just as long. I have three batteries (two Olympus, one Digipower) and can see no discernible differences in their durability -- all have quite a lot of stamina, 800 photos or more.
THE BATTERIES THAT I RECIEVED ARE GREAT PRICE EXCEPT TAG COLOR DIFFERNT , BUT GENUINE OLIMPUS .
I found this works with MP-E 65mm. It's desired especially when using a 1D body and lens plate. The lens plate usually is too long to be installed without not having the vertical grip in the way. It works even with an EF12 extension tube stacked. I guess the limitation is only on ultra wide angles. Another usage is stacking with an extender, which allows more magnification on many lenses that won't be able to receive an extender normally.
I purchased this Canon extension tube after really wanting the Opteka to work but having to return it because the fit was too tight. The Canon version is a flawless fit on my 5dMK2 and all the lenses in my bag. The fit on the camera and lens is a precision fit and the lens info passes through. For macro I mostly use manual focus but auto works fine too. Great product.
I rated this item 5 stars because it performs exactly like it should and the build quality is excellent. After using it for a while, I have found that it is best to set the camera to manual focus and move forwards or backwards to focus. With this being the case, it may make more sense to consider a third party extension tube at a lower cost as there are no optics to affect image quality. Overall this works perfect. I primarily use it with my 135mm F/2L lens. You will be able to focus much closer to objects, but you do lose the ability to focus at farther distances.
I new to the photography field.  Still learning, but this extension tube is really cool.  Not sure what I expected it to do, but it really makes a difference
Really what more can you say? I went with Canon even though it was more expensive because I wanted to make sure of a solid fit. This is a perfect fit. I only use it for turning my nifty fifty into a macro for the occasional fun shots but time value takes a painful hit. Not good for a &#34;real&#34; substitute for a macro but it does well for well lit / fun photos in controlled situations.
This extension tube is designed to preserve the autofocus and autoexposure functions of Canon EF lenses when you want to move into macrophotography.Realize that the ability to focus more closely will be best enhanced at shorter focal lengths.  If you are considering the use of a telephoto lens to photograph objects closer than the lens' minimum focus, this won't buy you much additional advantage. But it will definitely let you get closer with prime lenses whose focal lengths are shorter than 50 mm. It can also help out with longer macro lenses (100 mm for example) that can focus at close distances already.Realize too that this attachment alters the focusing range of the lens. You gain some extra close-in focusing reach with this device, but what you gain at one end is lost at the other. With this extension tube in place, you will not be able to focus at infinity, so it is not an add-and-forget attachment. Use it only when you need it, and for normal use mount your lens directly to the camera body.(Edited to fix a couple of typos and add a point of information.)
Superior quality compared to cheaper brands. Though they all work, these tubes made by Canon fit perfectly! Very pleased with the product!
Use with my canon 100 macro, provides some useful magnificationAlso good with the 400 5.6 , reduces minimum focus distance
It's really nice i use it now and then It's really great on my 50 mm 1.8
I've been debating getting a macro lens for quite a while - mainly for taking close up shots of things to list for sale.  Folks want to see details that you really can't capture without getting up close.Like others have said, this is basically an empty ring that passes info from the lens to camera and vice versa.  Although autofocus "works" it doesn't work great.  The lens really has a dramatically reduced focusing distance.  If you're not within the appropriate distance the autofocus doesn't stand a chance.  So you move the camera until you're within the range of focus and then either autofocus or do it manually.  Since the stuff I'm photographing isn't moving I just manually focus.I was really surprised by how much versatility I could get from my 100-400 lens.  Adjusting the aperture also had dramatic effect.If you don't want to worry about keeping an exact distance between your subject and your camera then you'll probably want to consider a true macro lens.  However, if you're willing to move your camera into focusing distance (dependent upon the focal length of your lens) - then this will give you some interesting flexibility for very little cost.
The extension tube works as advertised and has excellent build quality. I use it with the Canon EF 24-105 mm F/4 L IS USM lens to copy slides, among other uses.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000U1N38/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
I purchased this extension tube because I wanted to try out macro photography without spending a small fortune in new lenses. I've tried it with a few different lenses, including the 50mm Canon 1.8f prime lens, The 70-200mm 2.8f Canon L lens, and a Tamron 17-55 2.8 lens.  The extension tube works well with all of them. Autofocusing was a little sketchy (especially in lower light situations)- I recommend using manual focus. The lens tube is very easy to put in your camera (just like any other lens), and it is also quite simple to connect and disconnect your lens. It's a great addition to my kit and will be nice to have around when I spot a good opportunity for a close up macro shot.
First of all, I am giving the EF 25 II extension tube 3 stars not because it isn't great (it is), but because it provides a very low ratio of performance to price.All extension tubes contain the same air and have the exact same impact on close-focus distance.  Given this, it is a bit hard to justify the price of this extension tube given that it provides no better optical quality or any other photographic bonus than any other tube.When comparing this tube to other, cheaper products, it is indeed more sturdy and does have the metal mounting flanges missing from some (but not all) of the cheaper competitors.  It also has Canon's anti-reflective coating on the inside of the barrel, while most competitors are simply plain black plastic on the inside.  However, for most users, this isn't going to matter at all as most modern lenses are good enough to not require the anti-reflective flocking and most kit is not heavy enough such that the sturdy nature of this tube will ever come into play.I can only recommend this tube if 1) you are using really heavy kit without a tripod collar (perhaps you are shooting a 300/2.8 hand held) or if you are using one of Canon's larger telephotos.  Most of the other brands cause IS instability when used with Canon's larger telephotos (verified on the 100-400L, 500/4, 600/4 and I suspect the 300/2.8 and 400/2.8).  I am guessing that their contacts have a high enough resistance that occasionally the voltage running from the camera to the IS gyros drops below a certain threshold, thus forcing the gyros to park themselves. This results in what could best be described as IS stutter and makes photography difficult and (I suspect at least) will damage your IS mechanism in the long run.  This doesn't seem to be a problem with most lenses, but I suppose that your mileage will vary.However, unless 1 or 2 apply, you can get a whole set of tubes that contain the same high quality optical-grade air for less than the price of this single extension tube.  Also, be aware that this tube is probably too long for most applications, so unless you have a very long lens or have given some substantial thought to the matter, you likely need the EF 12 II tube instead... if you insist on paying the Canon premium.
i was really surprised at how close i needed to be for my 50mm to get anything in focus, it works freaking great with my 85mm, and shooting with a smaller aperture, bigger number, can relieve your manual focusing woes with the razor thin focal plane.
Exellent piece or art for really macro users, i have this atached to a 60mm macro and get much closer pics, check the pics i have posted here at amazon and you will see what im talking about, i really recommend it, also, if you are taking  picture of a fly for exemple, some times they dont let you get really close, so, the extension tube solves this problem too. thanks and enjoy
Seriously, I fell in love with these while at school. They work perfect and are way cheaper then spending over a $1000 + on an L series macro lense for Canon. I would tell anyone to use these. They come in different lengths too which is awesome.
Is $140 a lot to pay for a ring of metal with some electrical feedthroughs? Yes. Is it worth it to get improved closeups with a macro? Yes. Yes, it is. I've been using it with an EF 100m f/2.8L IS USM lens for super closeup details on flowers and insects. I've used diopters on my telephoto lens to try for the same effect, and think the extension tube gives better, clearer results, with less distortion at the periphery of the photo.
This extension tube works wonders converting your non-macro lenses to macro mode and the best thing about it is it works with both EF and EF-S lenses!  Hands off to Canon for producing a product that works with both full frame and APS-C cameras.
Didn't buy it from Amazon, but have owned one now for 6 months and use it on a fairly consistent basis. It works great with my T3i in that autofocus still works and I have control of aperture. I had previously tried an off brand of extension tubes that were supposed to allow AF and aperture control, but in the end, they did not, i.e. communication errors, etc... I decided to spend the extra money to get something that I know would work and haven't looked back.Depending on the size of the subjects you photograph and the focal length of your lens, the additional 25mm of space in between the sensor and lens helps a fair amount in regard to additional magnification. My current setup for macro shooting is the Canon T3i and Canon's 60mm macro lens. If you plan on getting into macro shooting, be aware that extension tubes require more light (especially when stacked), so invest in a ring flash and/or tripod for reduced shutter speeds. Also be aware that extension tubes take away a lens' infinity focus for those using this on a telephoto and/or zoom lens.I also have the EF 12 II extension tube from Canon. Both the 25 and 12 stack great with no issues in regard to losing AF and aperture control.
I am using this on a Canon EOS Rebel T4i (650D) with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, and will allow you to get within inches of the object to be photographed.  You will need to zoom it to at least 50MM before you get enough distance to focus on an object.  Focus is impossible at less than 50MM zoom.  The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because autofocus is extremely difficult to achieve at this distance.  The camera will hunt for focus from Macro to Infinity and back non-stop.  You must set the lens to Manual focus and rely on the viewfinder to focus on the object yourself.
Not everyone needs this, but if you have a lens that just won't focus as closely as you want it, then adding this to the lens will give you that close reach (at the cost of infinity focus)
I am a beginner with photography. This device doesn't  get me to where i want but as it is it works fine. I'm learning what I need to do differently for close up photography. This device came on time and works as stated,
This extension tube is great, works exactly as expected.  The AF works even with the ef-s lenses ...
If you like close up macro work then this is a necessity. It works great with my two macro lens, Canon EF-S macro and Sigma 150 macro, have also used it with my Canon 135L and 85 f/1.8 and have been very happy with the results.  You do lose the ability to focus to infinity so it is primarily for macro work.
One credit I give Canon with this is the construction, it feels solid and precise, obviously not a third-party knockoff. That's worth extra $$ to me, but for a ring with a hole, 144 bucks? For that price I'd better be able to do some decent macro work!The good news is, this thing works better than I thought. I use a 50mm/1.2 on a 5D Mark III and I cannot get closer than a foot or so to an object before I run out of focus when using just the lens. With this ring added on, I can get right on top of something, even an inch away and still get it in focus. That was my biggest concern and now I'm thrilled. For bug eyes you have to get too close to the object which would scare the bug away, so next I'll try this on my 70-200 and see how that works (out on loan to a friend at the moment). I'll update after I try that.I posted a pic that shows both the regular 50mm at closest focus, and the same shot with the EF25 tube added. Look for the image from "PD".Great unit, 4 solid stars. If Canon knocks it down to $99.95 where it belongs, it'll become 5 stars.
I bought an EF 25 II extension tube on eBay more than a year ago and took a few pictures that I was not happy with. Since then it sat in my camera bag. Now a year later and a lot more experienced with photography (bought an expensive camera, 5D, and three `L' lenses including an EF 100mm macro f/2.8 L) I decided to get started with macro photography.I read Amazon reviews for my 100mm macro L and someone had posted that you could save a bundle by getting a lens extension which will give similar results. I said to myself `hey I have one of those in my closet'. So I took it out and started experimenting with it using my `L' lenses - I was afraid to put it on my 5D body (might damage it?) instead used my XSI Rebel.It is tricky to take pictures with the extender but I got better and better and finally got a picture that is as good as my $1,000 macro, possibly better. I posted it so you can take a look - it is the bee on yellow and white flower.Here is what I found is needed to get a good macro shot;No wind to keep everything stillCamera must be held by some stable method - I don't see using a tripod with moving insects.Bright sunny day (maybe use a flash?)Fairly fast shutter speed - at least 1/250High ISO to help with fast shutterStop down to f/11 or higher for depth of fieldManual focusZoom lens, in my case EF 70-200 F/4 LThe zoom lens is the key here, once you get the manual focus set, you can use the zoom ring for a quick and accurate final focus. The good focus along with good depth of field from the f11 or higher, and fast shutter will give good results.The extender is harder to use than a macro lens and you have many more failures but it can work well.
I got this product to try it out on my assortment of Canon lenses. It does what it promises to do and it is a quality built item. But because I already own a 60mm macro and a 100mm macro lens, this was rather redundant. So reluctantly, I did send it back. Some have commented on its price. Well, my view on that subject is... yes, sometimes you get what you pay for. Being the owner of both consumer grade Canon lenses and those much more expensive &#34;L&#34; grade of Canon lenses, I know that the Canon brand does come at a &#34;price&#34;. But I'm the type of buyer that is willing to spend the extra buck. And in this case I do believe in that old saying.
it will built and it very useful if you want to shoot macro but you don't a macro lens and don't want to spend much..but be warn using it require you to spend time till you get use to it since it bring the focusing point very close and make the focusing distance very narrow...
I found that this product was a waste of time and effort for anything but extremely close photography. As soon as you go beyond a couple of feet, focusing was impossible. Both manually and auto.
Before you buy this, make sure you have the need for it. All this device is, is a piece that sits between your camera and your lens. What this does is allow for a closer focusing distance for macro photography.The other important thing to note is that focusing distance is also smaller. You have to find the "sweet spot" as it will most likely become more difficult for the autofocus to work the way you expect.And then there is AF as a whole. On some lenses, AF will no longer function. At all.It is also highly advised to set your aperture about 2 stops above where you normally would with the lens you attach this to.In terms of image quality, I don't really see a degradation with my eyes. Some will swear that it messes with the image, making it blurry or what have you. If you have a discerning eye, you will almost certainly want to purchase a macro lens instead.If you're looking to do some macro photography with glass you already own, buying one of these to see how you like macro photography first, probably isn't a bad thing. At MSRP it is generally less expensive than a macro lens.Recommended if you have the need.
Maybe others have different experience with this one.  I have a Rebel T2i, it's a tight fit.  Works ok, but I don't think it's worth the price.  I don't recommend it! \m/
Can extension tubes be tricky to work with? Absolutely. However, the electronic pass-through and sturdy build quality of the EF-25 II really help to make things a lot more manageable than cheaper &#34;dumb&#34; extension tubes. With the EF-25 II you get focus confirmation (when manually focusing), all of your EXIF data is correct, and auto focus functionality is even preserved...mostly (works better with some lenses than others and effectiveness also depends on the focal length you've selected... manual focus is still the better option in most situations, though).This adapter has really made my small lens collection a lot more versatile, but it does have some limitations. For example: it's super useful on my Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 DI VC USD lens and Canon EFS 18-135mm IS STM, but not nearly as useful on my Tamron 24-70mm and completely useless on my Tokina 11-16mm. Why? Well, because once you drop the focal length below about 50mm or so, it becomes impossible to focus on anything (your subject will hit your lens' front element before you'll be able to get close enough to focus, as the focal range is pushed to somewhere inside of the lens body).
I have always loved macro photography but cant justify spending 900 on a macro lens at the moment. Works great on my 60d with my 70-300mm tamron lens.  Doesnt work too great on my smaller lens and does take some practice till you perfect it. But after you do you will be amazed.
Works pretty well. Let's you focus alot closer than normal. The build is pretty good, although I wish it was just a tad bit more snug.It comes with a nice table that shows you the min/max focus distances for all the Canon lenses with this tube attached. Comes in handy.Only con is the price. Its a little more than I would have liked to have paid, but that's okay. I would buy another and double stack. :)
I bought this for my wife for the holidays, and was really disappointed.  Under perfect lighting conditions, it gives decent still pictures - but for anything less, the camera is lousy.  Flash pictures completely wash out the subject unless you're standing far away, and pictures in moderate-light conditions can get blurred easily if you don't hold the camera real steady.  And the movie mode is average, at best.  Even though I only paid $140 after rebates at Gateway, I'm still underwhelmed.  Going to take it back for a refund.
I got this camera last year for Christmas.  At first, it worked great and took great pictures.  I took it with me to Thailand and the pictures were fabulous.  Unfortunately, as soon as I got back (a month after I was given the camera), the buttons started jamming and I had to send it back to Gateway.  They sent me a brand-new one.  However, the new one's pictures show up with lines and multi-colored streaks through all the pictures (they display normal the first time you take the picture, then it surprises you later with a bunch of ruined pictures).  It's also useless for taking video, since it only takes about 20 minutes of poor-quality video, and don't bother using the flash, because it washes everything out.  DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!
This is a good idea, but the finished product is not ready for prime-time...First on the video side of things, video quality is low resolution & low frame rate. You can only shoot videos in absolutely perfect lighting conditions. So forget shooting anything usable indoors, because it is not possible. There are some camera settings for light type & levels, but the difference when using these settings is undetectable. My digital camera takes much, much better video, so I know I'm not being too harsh on this camera.As for the digital camera side of things, the camera is the worst I've seen. Again, perfect light is an absolute neccessity. All of the flash pictures that I've taken come out with terrible color. Even in the best light, pictures are low quality with poor color. Many of the flash pictures come out overexposed.The speed of this camera is another real issue. It takes forever between pictures & videos. I find myself pushing on the button frequently with nothing happening. Forget about any action shots.I bought this on special so it was inexpensive, but this camera is just frustrating. Watch out for Gateway's customer service, they won't take this paperweight back after 15 days, even if it was a gift.Update: It's been two months and I still have not received the form to claim the $100 rebate (I've called 3-times). Once I get the form, they claim it will be another 6-8 weeks (Probably more). This is criminal!
My digital still camera (a Toshiba MD700) takes better video.  My daughter's toy video camera (the digital blue) takes better video.  The quality on this is just utterly unacceptable.  I don't know how much of that is the MPEG4, but I think part of it is the lens -- there's very noticeable distortion and light falloff around the edges.  It's bad.  I think Gateway tried too hard to pursue the pricepoint.I'd love to have a product like this one, if it produced decent video.
I read the reviews before I bought this little multi-cam, so I knew what I was getting. I also knew that for the price, this was not going to be some high-end piece of equipment. That said, it was exactly what I wanted. Something easy to carry and that takes decent short videos and still pictures. We recently took it camping with us and took several videos of ourselves and our dog. And, you cannot beat the price.
A must buy if you want a 2-megapixel camera.Amazon's review of this camera is very accurate.I have had this camera for 4 months now, and it goes everywhere with me.  I Just keep it in my jacket or backpack.  I love it.  For the cost, it has paid for itself in pure ease of use and convience, and the video, although mpeg-4, helps capture those moments hard to get with a single picture.I found that using rechargable Ni-mh batteries last much longer per use than Alkalines, especially when using the flash.  Outdoor picture are remarkably crisp, but indoor pictures in average or less light are a little less desireable.The other plus, and deal sealer for me, was the 64mb internal memory.  That is alot of pictures, 350+ at a more than decent medium quality, and 100+/- at high quality.
It takes great pictures and smooth video.My only problem was that it eats batteries extremely fast when you use it for recording live video.Great camera, but be sure to buy rechargeable, long-life batteries or you may miss part of your kids performance in the school play, like I did.Update 10-24-2010:Still using this camera and still completely happy with my awesome purchase (For note, I paid around $25 here for this, it retails for almost $300!).
I got this camera for two weeks from gateway $199 after $50 rebate. very easy to use and had a lot of function.  Order another 256MB SD and is on the way.  The picture is very good outdoor with enought light, compare to my 1.5MP Sony DV, the picture is much more rich.  The flash light need to be stronger. I had the "card error" today.  The cause was I turn the dial between "A" and ">" when I turn it on.  Reset and nothing works, the memory card still works if I put in my memory card reader.  I simply do a quick format under XP. Next I thing you is working again.  What you pay is what you get but I think $200 is well spent. I would recommend if you just want something cheap for outdoor but would not recommend if you take lots of picture depends on flash ligh.
This is a fabulous camera.  I've had it for about 9 months now, and it's served me well.  The only downfall is how quick the battery dies, but that happens with many other digital cameras, as well.  When purchased, I upgraded to a higher memory card.  The included one is fine, but I take a lot of pictures, so for me, it was worth it.  The camera is extremely sturdy.  I've dropped it several times, and although it has a few scratches, it still works perfectly.  It's light weight and small, without being lost.  My only tip for users would be:  when preparing to take a picture, hold the button half way down, so the camera can fully adjust, wait a second, and then take the picture.  Sometimes you just press down and immediately take the picture, it focuses on the wrong area.  But, overall, I really like this model.
I bought this camera for $199 in 2004. I liked that it was a high pixel camera, had a color LCD screen and had many different modes (macro, black & white, sepia, movie, portrait, etc). In 2 years, I have taken approximately 2000 pictures and several dozen videos. The only picture quality issue I have had was that I kept getting blurred pictures until I turned the automatic flash on, and I have not had any problems with blurring since then. I have used the color format, black & white, and sepia formats, as well. I am VERY "camera dumb" and didn't actually get around to reading my manual until just this year, yet I hadn't ever had an issue with using this camera, it is fairly user friendly. Unlike other reviewers, I have never, ever had an issue with any card errors, lenses freezing up, camera shutting off, card erasing pictures, etc.....however, I recently noticed that my battery wasn't holding a charge. We took the camera to the store we purchased it from and they said the camera's battery charger was defective, so they sent us a replacement. It did not work, so my husband again took the camera to the store and they said that there must be something wrong with it, so it has been sent back to the manufacturer to be "fixed" or to be replaced with a comparable item. After reading all these reviews, I am fervently hoping that they replace it with a different brand!So, even though the particular camera I have had has worked well for me over the past 2 years, I don't want to chance losing any pictures or having the issues that other people have had. I take so many pictures that not having a working camera for even a couple weeks is very, very frustrating for me!
This is my first digital camera, though I have borrowed a Kodak digital camera before, and when purchasing for myself chose the Gateway over the latest Kodak model primarily because it offered the same features, but is much more compact--a little larger than a deck of cards--a key feature when trying to fit it in a small purse that's already overflowing.The camera comes with a 32MB card, which means when you have it set to the full 5-megapixels you can take about 12 pictures. But unless you're planning to enlarge photos a great deal or want to zoom in on things in detail after taking the photo, 3-megapixels is sufficient, and for that the card holds about 36 photos. Of course, the whole point of a digital camera is be able to take as many pictures as you like without the worry of wasting film, so I bought a 256 MB card: 200 photos at 3mp ought to keep me happy.The lay-out is pretty standard: Zoom lens that closes up behind a shutter when the camera is off, digital display window on the back to see what you're taking and what you've taken, a four-direction set of buttons to navigate the menus (good thing I practiced those controls playing Sega and Nintendo growing up) little wheel around the picture-taking button on the top right to select the mode, a zoom button and a separate power button. I found that when using the viewer to line up the shot the image was often very grainy and difficult to see, particularly in extreme lighting, but once you take the photo, the display quality is much better. Like with most cameras, the photo you've just taken is shown in the display for a few seconds, and you can turn the dial and look back at all the photos you've taken. You can also delete that one that makes you look like you have an extra chin right away, before anyone else sees it. All this viewing used to drain the battery of early digital camera models, but I've yet to run out of battery life, so no complaints on that, and the battery is rechargable.The dial on the top has separate modes for regular, night, action and portrait (which blurs the background) shots. The display window shows battery life, flash/no flash, number of pictures you can still take, zoom level, picture quality setting and auto focus on/off. You can also take a brief movie (we're talking a few minutes max, depending the size of your memory card, but still a nice feature).I actually received this camera the day of a friend's wedding, so it got a test immediately. Having charged it over night, I couldn't wait to start snapping. Overall I got some nice shots once I got the hang of it. My only complaints are that it often took too long to auto focus. So, the bride is coming down the aisle, I line up the perfect shot, push the button, whirr, focus adjust and click--another lovely shot of the back of someone's head. There's also an auto off feature, which is great to save battery power, but when you want your camera at the ready for longer than a minute, it's annoying to have to keep turning it back on.My second test-run was a day at the Bronx Zoo. Now I had the hang of it, and I got some really impressive shots. I could zoom right in for a close-up of a gorilla's hand when it was sitting on the other side of the Plexiglas window so you could see every detail of her fingernails. Or get a nice shot of those flamingos on the little island far away, or right up-close and personal with a Siberian tiger's face.Accessories include PhotoSuite software to view and alter your photos on your computer, a USB cable to connect the camera to the computer, an AV cable to recharge the battery, LI Li-ion rechargeable battery and a 32MP card (as mentioned).This is a very good price for a 5-megapixel camera, and as one of the first that Gateway has produced, I think they've got a very competitive product. I'm certainly satisfied.
This camera is awesome.  I've seen that a lot of people have trouble with error messages.  I haven't had one and suspect it to be something they did while transferring their pictures to their computer or maybe using the SD card in one of those Kodak printer stations at your drug store, etc.Second, the reason why people are having picture quality problems is because they did not read their manual.  This camera has a ton of features and if you don't know how to use them, you're not going to get good pictures.This camera is very easy to use.  Like I said, just read the manual.
I just threw this out, today.  I had bought a new battery AND charger AND SD card in case any of those were the problem.  I wish I had looked here first and read the reviews, and given up immediately instead of being further nickle-and-dimed to death.ISSUES ISSUES ISSUES!I had all the issues mentioned here AND......screen would also often go blank for no reason and refuse to come back on unless I had the battery (new or old, either) out for more than a minute.  This would happen every few shots.Also when switching in between modes, it would either decide the card was the wrong format, go black or simply freeze up.  Not every time, about every other time.  Randomly.  "Card cannot be used."  or "Card Wrong Format" -- not even the same error message would repeat -- but it then would not format the card, either!  This was a 128mb card, but other sizes failed with equal predictability.  That is, 100%, if used for a shot or two.I never even got around to trying the movie mode.NUCLEAR FISSION FLASH - DANGER WILL ROBINSON!The few shots I did get were worthless.  Not one was adequate.  It WAY overflashed esp in the portrait mode whether I was zoomed in or not.  This is when it should know best NOT to overflash.Usually these cameras have underperforming flashes.  This was not the case with mine.  Mine was a real diva of a performer!The photos were basically pure white.  I even tried turning off the flash altogether and it still overflashed, I mean, FRIED, the subject.  And the NO FLASH symbol was right there on the screen...and still it flashed..!I decided to try the +/- bracketing, which appeared on the screen like the NO FLASH symbol did, but the result was that the flash still xrayed the subject, at every setting.Even in landscape mode, the flash was on the atomic scale.  A small child or pet could be vaporized.  Or at least get sunburned... OK, i exaggerate, but only slightly; and seriously, at close range, a flash straight in the eyes can be dangerous if  not piss people off.This camera has made me consider the possibility of demonic possession of an inanimate object...in addition to all of the above, it would not even TURN OFF when I wanted it to!Yes, I said THE CAMERA WOULD NOT TURN OFF.  It turned on fine, just very rarely would it turn off even with multiple repetition long pokes and jabs holdings-down of the power button.  Even with my best cussing...I have used a vast number of film cameras and a wide range of digital, from cheaper than this to professional SLRs.  And this camera is utter crap.  The pinhole camera I made in middle school did better work, and didn't expose me to gamma radiation, or lawsuits, and was a heck of a lot cheaper.
Maybe I just got lucky, but this has been a terrific camera for me! I've had it since January 2005, and with 2 little ones around you can bet it's snapped it's share of photos. I did lose the pictures once (thankfully I'd already downloaded them) and realized that I was trying to switch modes while the camera was on. I stopped doing that and the problem never happened again. The memory format error finally happened a couple weeks ago, but really, most hard drives need to be reformatted after a couple years too! Most of the pictures have been great, though the auto flash red eye reduction isn't the best. This little camera has even withstood the occasional unauthorized use by my 4 yr old! It's not the biggest or the best, but for me it's been great!
I ordered this camera 5 January 2004.  I have returned three of them for lens lock-up hardware failure. Each return averaged 4 weeks to get a replacement.  The 4th camera was received 10 May 2004.  The lens locked up on 15 May 2004.  I've put it in my drawer of despair.  At $10.50 shipping costs for service, I can't justify spending any more for this obviously flawed camera.
I ordered this camera from Gateway, directly, at a relatively modest price for a 5.25MP digital camera.  The camera was fabulous outdoors but faces and backgrounds had a green cast when using the flash.  I tried various flash settings and finally decided that my camera had a flaw.  I emailed Gateway and received an immediate response asking me to call an agent.  After a brief explanation of my problem I was told that a new camera would be sent immediately. The new camera takes perfect pictures! The detail is incredible and the color is accurate.There are some exceptional features on this little camera such as a sturdy and attractive metal casing, easy to use controls, a multitude of settings which allow you to choose aperture or shutter speed preferences, portrait mode which blurs the background and includes a red eye reduction flash feature, a choice of focal distances including a macro lens feature, movie clips with sound, 3x optical zoom (I reccommend using only optical zoom with a digital camera)and many more. The battery is rechargeable directly in the camera and it stays charged for a long time. There is also a battery life meter as well as an indicator of space available on the sd card.There are some problems as well.  The red eye reduction though helpful is not perfect.  This is a problem that exists with all small digital cameras and can be fixed on your computer.  The time between pressing the shutter release button and getting an image is long especially with a 512MB card.  This may account for the blurred pictures that some people have commented about.  You MUST hold still until the picture appears on your monitor or your motion will blur the image.  (Try keeping your elbows in at your side for more stability.) Another reason for blurred images might be choosing the wrong focus.  If you are set in macro mode and snapping a distant object it will appear blurred and vice versa for close objects and long distance settings. The flash is not extremely powerful but works as well as any other small digital I've used, and I've used many.  This is not a strong suit of compact digital cameras.Overall this is a great value for the price and the photos you get will be as good as or better than any point and shoot film camera you now own. The advantage will be that you can view them immediately, email to friends, and print photos yourself using a photo printer and your computer. No more waiting for the photomat to do its job. Be aware that you should bring along an extra card and an extra battery if you want to be assured of uninterrupted use of any digital camera. Since these items are reuseable indefinitely they are worth the investment.
I recieved this camera as a gift, and it is trash. The battery life is the worst, and it only charges the battery when it feels like it. I recently took almost 100 pictures at my cousins wedding and when I went to burn them to a CD, I got a card error. You can't imagine the frustration. I had to tell everyone depending on seeing my pictures that my camera lost "all" of the pictures. This hunk of junk was purchased when it first came on to the market. I wish I had found some reviews before I opened the box. I am glad it came with the 3 yr warranty. I am sending that TRASH back. Don't waste you time and or money.
I bought this camera like others without reading any reviews about it back in 2004.  Back then it cost over 99 dollars.  The first 2 months the camera worked okay.  I did get many blurry pictures, but I also took some amazing photos with it.But after 6 months, I recieved card errors constantly.  The camera would overheat.  Another unfortunate problem is that once it gave me a card error and I had to readjust the card, but the latch got stuck.  It got stuck and would not open no matter how hard you pulled at it.  Eventually the latch became so smooth that there was no way to open it.  The only way I managed to open it is to literally scrape the latch off until I was able to take the card out.  Now the camera battery is wasted, and the charge will only last for 1 hour.Only I could take photos with it, and nobody else could, because I was the only one who understood how to make it take great pictures.  Eventually I got frustrated with it and bought a new camera that works much better.This camera deserves patience to operate, and if you are short on it, do not buy it.  It rarely gives good pictures, but when it does take pictures, it takes great ones.
Does the job and it wasnt priced out of my range. Great tool for tripod or monopod photography. Glad you had it to offer.
If you're looking for a sturdy flip for a fair price, this is the one! Easy and simple design make it easy to use, no hang up. I only wish it had a lower profile. Not so easy to fit in camera bag attached to camera.
I use this Stroboframe 300-115 Vertaflip PHD camera platform on my old vintage Rollei flash bracket with clamp bracket attaches to PVC pipe and top end cap with 1/4'' screw and nut, top straight bracket for electronic flash and cord, etc., etc. and DSLR camera on the Stroboframe 300-115 Vertflip, too. Then, I put these on the tripod that I can use both horizontal and vertical to stay on same optical axis for the flash. This is not easy how I explain this. It works great. I also use shutter release cable, too. This is always a must.
This works really well to keep your lens centered when goimng from portrait to landscape orientation.  Works great with most glass, but if your glass gets heavy, not so much.  Works fine with up to 105mm f2.8 primes, but a 24-70 f2.8, gets a little shakey.
It's too big, it shakes/wobbles and in portrait mode, with a heavy camera and lens, you can see the camera slowly move downward. I attribute this to the cork adhesive mounted on the plate.. Annoying In warm/hot environment .
It works fine, but you definitely have to have a level on your camera. It does not lock when flipped and if outside will have shake in wind. I only use this for interiors otherwise I wish I had saved my money and gotten a panaramic head from bogen.
I really like this little gadget. I similar alternative (custom bracket or L plate) would cost more than 300 bucks but you can get a similar performance from this stroboframe vertaflip just by adding a quick release plate and clamp to it, all below 100 bucks. Its light, very handy and does not have a lot of bell and whistles but get the job done. It has adjustable height control which you can control by moving the attachment up and down based on your camera size. It takes a snap to rotate the camera from vertical to horizontal and I have tested my camera with a center point. The axis remains center while you rotate (I have not tried with a battery grip on my camera). L plates might be better option for some people but the plates are camera specific. This one fits most modern day digital camera.
I actually returned this product because it is way too big for simply adding to a monopod.  If I want something this big, I'll just invest a little more money and go with a Custom Brackets brand instead.
Just what I have been looking for.  This makes going from landscape to portraite so easy.  Sits securely on the mount.
Yes it is smooth in transition from horizontal to vertical, but in the fixed vertical position stability is a concern
Other tripod devices such as ballheads and brackets require two hands to go from horizontal to vertical. With this device you only need one hand and the camera never has to come off the tripod. Going from horizontal to vertical is just one quick flip. i love it!
This was very complicated to use we never did get a good look at anything and its very cheap. Didn't care for it. I recommend spending extra and getting something of a better quality.
I got the impression that the Celestron 50AZ, 60AZ, and 70AZ, all had correctly oriented images.  The 50AZ is corrected up-down, but is backwards left-to-right.  To get a correctly oriented image you need to move up to the 60AZ or 70AZ.I also noticed that when the center of the image was in focus the outer ring was distorted or out of focus, so I really could only look at about half the image area.I have returned this and got a 70AZ instead, and am quite happy with it.
this is my second one. the first got old and broken from constant use, so i ordered new one for us
I bought this based on the reviews but my grandson says it's way too blurring using the lenses.  Without it's ok
Affordable telescope.  It magnifies pretty far and for the amount of $ it costs it is worth it.  I have a wonderful time with mine.
I started off wanting to buy a telescope for my 6 year old to look at the moon, etc. I thought this budget telescope would be a good start. I was wrong. Installation was easy, and we took it out to the back. The night was clear, and we started to look around for the moon and Jupiter. The problem comes with you actually try to use it. Everything that comes with it feels cheap. The eyepiece felt cheap. The holes are so tiny, even for the latest size, I had eye strain immediately trying to use it and looking for objects in the sky, and this was also due to the tripod and telescope. I could not move the telescope slowly and search for things. You move it, and it sticks. Try moving it slowly to the left, right, up, or down - and you can't. It's not meant for smooth movement. It took me a long time just to point it at Jupiter after moving it around constantly. I also tried the 3x Barlow lens, and it did not work at all. I couldn't see anything through it. There was definitely something wrong with the one I had. So yeah, back this goes to Amazon. If you want to get a beginner telescope to look at the skies, spend a little more, and get something better. $100-$130 will get you a decent one that actually works well.
Grand daughter loves it.  She loves looking at the sky.  I big hit for the 9 year old!  Good deal price wise.
Maybe I don't know how to use it, but the eye piece seems so small, I can't see anything out of it.
I've never used a telescope before, but really wanted to photograph the Supermoon. After shopping around, I found this one. The price is great and the other reviews are good.I got a great shot of the moon, using my iPhone pressed against this telescope! But be aware that you do get what you pay for. The tripod offers little stability. I found it very difficult to keep the telescope from jittering. Still, it's a good deal!
For the money this thing isn't bad at all.Set up the mount and put the eyepiece holder on it.  For stability loop a plastic bag around the eyepiece holes and put a couple water bottles in the bag.  This will reduce some of the wobble and make the mount more bottom heavy.This comes with 3 eyepieces.  A 20mm (30x), a 12mm (50x), and a 4mm (150x).  The 4mm is pretty much useless.The mount is very shaky in the wind and with focusing but if you let the shaking stop you should be able to get a clear image.Using the 20mm and the 12mm this gave a good view of Jupiter and its 4 largest moons (Ion Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede) .  With the 12mm we could see some of the colored bands on jupiter.Mars didn't provide much detail.Saturn came up later in the night and with the 20mm eyepiece we could see a spacing in between the planet and the rings.  Using the 12mm eyepiece the rings were clearly visible and it was a great sight.Using a solar filter I would guess that this would also be a decent solar scope but can't confirm.
I did not know that images would be backwards. They are mirror images. Also tit is really wobbly. The tripod is cheap and loose. There is no way to lock a certain position. One tiny bump and you just lost what you were looking at. The sight scope is hard to align and poorly positioned if your head is normal human sized.  The telescope is really light, so even a slight wind makes stars bounce all around. I should have spent a bit more to get a better one.
I bought this for my grandson and it really is just a little more than a toy.  Yes, you can see things that are far away - like birds or things down the street, but it really is not quite powerful enough for looking at the moon or stars.  But it is a starter telescope, not a professional one.
Purchased it as a christmas gift for my kids. After careful inspection, the item is up to par, compared to those other more expensive brands. Comes with several eye pieces, a holding tray for them, tripod seams sturdy enough & telescope looks gre-8, s0 yes I'd recommend this item, coming from some1 who is always carefully examining items when purchased, up close & paying attention to detail which is priority for me.
Purchased for my son's birthday.  He was thrilled with it.........it was exactly what he was hoping for.  It arrived quickly in perfect condition and I was THRILLED with the price..........such high quality for so little.  Thank you!!
He told me he set it up in his room by himself and he is 9 years old.  I don't believe he's had a chance to view anything yet but I;m sure he will love it then.
Hey as a newbie in Telescopes, I just wanted to say this is a great product. My intended use was to see the mountains and the land scape from top of a city in Colombia. also can see down the mountain very clearly of all streets, signs, people etc.Tripod is very good, different lenses and magnifcations, very good product, happy with my purchase.Thanks
The telescope enhances my granddaughter's love of astronomy.  It is powerful enough for her to see many details of the moon, for instance, that aren't visible to the naked eye; and she can see some of the planets as well as many more stars than her old telescope brought to light.
Its a good telescope if you never had one, this is my first telescope an i can see the moon very close to see craters in high definition.....also I pointed to the other side of the city (like 12 Km) and i read easily the Burger king advertising!!!!
[...]  Originally I got it for myself, and once it came I proceeded to open it up and put it through it's paces.It came with a few different lens atachments with varying degrees of magnification.  I used the first lens to look down a long street and could clearly read the street sign and people's licenses plates over on the next street.I used the next lens atachment, and I could see even further down that street and pick up details in the grout of their brickwork.Once nightfall hit, I used the 3rd and most powerful lens in combination with the 3x barlow lens, and was lucky enough to have a full moon that night.  The detail available in the moon was really incredible.  I could see many craters and holes and different peaks and vallys, it really made me form a closer connection with our moon.  Yes you can look at pictures, and some take with far more powerful zoom... but actually beholding it with your own eyes personally is a completely different experience, it's a little tough to understand unless you've actually done that yourself.Anyways, I live in the city and there's not much to look at other than other people's houses, and since I'm not a peeping tom / voyeur, or some kind of spy, I decided to pack this up and send it to my mother as a gift.  She lives in Florida on a lakefront, and she has a very nice view across a very large lake.  So she can watch wildlife, and there is much less city lights in her area so even celestial viewing I'm sure would be better.She called me and was very excited to receive this out of the blue, she didn't mind that I had already used it.  I figured she would get much more use out of this than I could.The included tripod isn't anything fantastic, but it gets the job done.  Since it's lightweight and inexpensive, it does tend to move around, so you have to be careful when useing the really powerful lens because a small shake or shift will cause you to lose your target.  At least it comes with a tripod at all.It also comes with a 3x barlow lens that I mentioned, which will triple the magnification power of each individual lens, which can make for some pretty powerful magnification.The included software seems powerful, I installed it, but didn't have much of a chance to mess around with it much, but it contains a mind boggling amount of information about celestial objects.  The learning curve of the software seemed somewhat steep for newbies, but with some studious application of wit, I'm sure almost any novice could conquer it.Overall, I would recommend this telescope to a beginner, as it can open up a world of astronomy for them, and if nothing else, they will have a nice little toy to do some casual moon gazing or wildlife viewing.
Purchased for my 8 year old daughter, loves it. Uses it mainly to look at the NYC skyline, hasn't used it for stars or constellations yet.
ESTE PRODUCTO HA CUMPLIDO COMPLETAMENTE TODAS LAS EXPECTATIVAS QUE TENIA DEL MISMO, MUY BONITO, GRANDE COMO ME GUSTA Y LOS COLORES SON LOS REQUERIDOS POR MI, IGUALMENTE VIENE CON VARIOS LENTES Y CON UN SOFTWARE PARA APROVECHA AL MAXIMO TODAS LAS CARACTERISTICAS.
Love this telescope, it's my first. Set up was a simple process of following the easy to read instructions, the software that came with it was a big help to. My product arrived as schedule, everything I needed to set up was all in the box. This is a great product for families, or novice stargazers and its a good excuse to take the family out some night camping or just for viewing and fun. Like it? No, I love it!
MY DAUGHTER LOVES THE TELESCOPE.I gave it as a Christmas present, is somewhat complicated to see stars, the tripod is very unstable, the moon looks spectacular. The only downside is the tripod that makes you lose focus.THE PRICE IS VERY GOOD AND FAST SHIPPING
After purching this telescope for myself, I was so pleased with it that I bought 4 more for my grandchildren, ages 10 through 18 for Christmas this year.I liked that it came with additional lens, which I didn't expect.Also, the CD's that came with my telescope are the best I've seen.Thank you for an excellect telescope and price.
I purchased this as a christmas gift.  He loved it.  Very impressed with the extras that come along with it and the quality.  great product for the price.  impressed!
My neice just loved it! Came just as expected! I made her brother promise not to spy on the neighbors! :P
This telescope is pretty great, but definitely for an amateur (which I am.) It is very easy to put together and change the different attachments. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, and it included a CD full of interesting and interactive star maps. The magnifiers are really great - with the different attachments, you can see everything from street signs a few blocks away, small print pretty far away (picture the brand, logo, and model number of a ventilation duct on the top of a 15 story building that is at least 6 blocks away), to the small dips, and crevices of the moon.With my setup, it's a little harder to focus on things using a high magnifier. Any sort of small movement can really ruin your view, or make it easy to lose your target. I use this often on my wooden porch, and it's almost impossible to stay still enough to see something very far away. It would be much better to use this on solid ground and not something that moves or vibrates easily.I don't know if I'll ever upgrade to a better model, this seems to get the job done perfectly for me as an amateur.
This was a useless toy. Even as a gift I felt bad at how hard my little brother had to try to get it steady enough to catch a glimpse of the moon. Should've spent a bit more to get him quality. Save your $$.
I think my dad really liked this telescope a lot.  He loves  this stuff.  Plus it came quickly.
came packaged with lots of protection. upon inventory all parts were there. easy set up easy to follow directions. again great starter system
This was a gift.  So far it has been a great little telescope for some things. You will need to work at getting the settings good enough to view stars. It takes some practice to get it right but other than that I really don't have a serious complaint.  It is a nice gift for a teen.
This scope has too many deficiencies to even mention in detail:  it is too small a light gathering instrument, and has an inexpensive (poor) mount that vibrates excessively when touched.  Consider instead something that has more light gathering power (a larger diameter lens), and a scope that comes with a sturdy adjustable mount.  This scope will perhaps show the brighter objects to advantage, such as the moon, but dimmer objects need more light, and this scope is just too small.  The mount needs to be sturdy and adjustable (look for an equatorial mount with touch-turn controls).  If the mount is shaky and vibrates excessively when touched, it spoils your view of the object.This scope and mount, less than 50 dollars, cannot be considered anything more than a toy.  If you really want to get a starter scope, don't look here.  Consider a greater investment in a more quality instrument.  Even if the budding astronomer loses interest, the scope, if it is of quality design, will have a greater resale value, or will make a nice gift to someone else.Having witnessed this scope in action, my advice is to avoid it, unless you are just buying an expensive toy.  It is not a serious entry-level instrument.konedog
Im a complete telescope noob first off.this telescope seems to focus in at different distances nicely. Mostly on just the moon so far.I am borderline sending this thing back for the severe shaking at all times.The pivot point being not lubed makes for a sticky, shakey movement. the tripod is weak. The thumbscrews that hold the optics together are allowing the optics to not sit sstraight at all times in the body of scope.Jesus Christ, I just want no shaking!
I bought this telescope so my daughter could look at the moon and babysit herself while I went out at night dressed as a super hero to bust hoodlums in our neighborhood. Last night I found my arch nemesis, Cpt. Spaghetti, robbing the local retirement home. He was able to elude me and escape in his custom, gold-plated helicopter.I rushed home and used my daughter's telescope to look at the helicopter's license plate. This thing is so powerful I could see Cpt. Spaghetti's twisted smile as he flew off.After getting his plate number I tracked the helicopter's IP address with a GUI I created in Visual BASIC. Needless to say, me and the Cyber Police were waiting for Cpt. Spaghetti when his bird touched down. All of the stolen dentures and adult diapers were returned to their rightful owners at the retirement home.This telescope saved lives that night, and I'm sure it won't be the last time.
Purchased this telescope based on reviews, but I don't know how it's possible that someone could get a good view of the stars or the moon with this telescope.  The tripod won't tighten AT ALL, so once you've gotten something in your sight,it's impossible to focus it without bumping the telescope out of place, which essentially renders it useless!  Unfortunately, I bought this at Xmas and it was too cold to go out and use it, so now that we're getting it out to try it, I can no longer return it!
People tear it down, but what do you expect!  Minutes to assemble and minutes to sight in. I know it will be out of alignment 5 minutes into using it, but he will get a great look at the craters on he moon!  He will love it!
This scope has two critical flaws:1. The 50mm (2") objective is too small to be useful. You'd be better off getting a pair of 7x50 binoculars.2. The mount is unsuitable for astronomy use. It's far too wobbly, and the design, which puts the center of mass far above the pivot, makes it impossible to track objects.There are two far better choices in a beginner's telescope that are not only more stable and have a bigger objective- they're cheaper, too! One is theCelestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope, which is currently under $30. Another is the FunScope 76mm Tabletop Reflector Telescope for under $40. Both are more rugged, easier to use, have more light gathering power, and will provide much more satisfaction and enjoyment for the beginning astronomer.
This telescope is sufficient for my ten year old. We were able to see the Moon and even Venus, but I found it difficult to focus and my daughter grew impatient with me. I'm definitely an amateur when it comes to telescopes and even after doing my research, I found it's not as easy as it looks. For the cost, I'd say it works pretty well and my daughter has enjoyed having it while we study astronomy.
Got this for my budding astrophysicist (7) and it was plenty of scope for us to do some stargazing. Of course there are billions and billions of scopes out there that are better...but this is a good introduction to star gazing IMO. And fun to use during the day too...
Great price, very easy to use and customize. The multiple lenses allow you to get some spectacular views, although it is recommended that you take into consideration the amount of interfering light that may come from urban sources, especially if you're right within city limits. Also, it's best to start out with larger objects such as the moon or stars in closer proximity before you try shooting for the more difficult and less brighter objects.
Great telescope for the price. The only issue with this telescope is the stabilization, one touch and this thing get out of alignment. I would recommend this product though. I used this telescope for looking at the moon (you can see all the big craters on the moon).
First let me preface this review by saying I have never owned a telescope in my life. We bought this thinking it would be a good starter telescope but I'm on the fence about it.- It's really wobbly. The other reviews were right about the tripod of this, it's cheap and sorta loose. There is no way to lock a certain position. One tiny bump and you just lost what you were looking at.- The sight scope is well out of alignment and almost useless when trying to find something. I need to figure out if there is a way to align it.- The telescope is really light, so even a slight wind makes stars bounce all around.- I can't get the magnification lenses to do anything. If I find a star and then switch to the magnification lens, I lose the star completely.Perhaps I am expecting too much out of a telescope, especially one this inexpensive. It is a hit, we like to play with it all the time, but it seems like I should have spent a bit more to get a better one.
This is a piece of junk. Can't see a thing with it, not even down the road, it's was a waste of my money.Never ever again.
I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY OLDEST GRANDSON  FOR CHRISTMAS  HES GOING TO  BE SO THRILLEDITS A REALLY NICE ONE.
I received the product in perfect condition as it indicated the seller, I recommend it 100%, it has worked very well! which allows me to enjoy the space, including much use for my studies as it is very useful in every way!
This is a poor quality telescope: the aperture is very small, the optics are poor, and the mount is wobbly and hard to use so it's difficult to aim. This telescope is not fit for purpose. At best you will see craters on the moon. If you're at all interested in astronomy you should skip this piece of junk, purchasing it is false economy. Save up and put your money towards something a better that is fit for purpose.
THIS IS SOMETHING MY HUSBAND HAS WANTED FOR A LONG TIME. HE NEVER BUYS HIMSELF ANYTHING SO I DECIDED TO GET IT. HE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND IS READY TO GO-THANKS RENE
So far I am happy with what we bought, It was mainly bought for my son to view Comet Ison on Christmas. But found out comet Ison might be a bust.
Its a pretty good telescope. Especially for the beginner. Its lightweight so we take it outside at night. You get different lenses for the moon or just cows up on our hill. Not bad!
I am not a professional, or a hobbyist, I just bought the item for my 6 year old daughter so she could look at the moon and stars. The  spotting scope is horrible and didn't work at all. And it was hard to find anything so we could look at it. When we finally were able to get the moon in view it was fairly clear and had good magnification, but it was hard to keep in view. The stand and tension apparatus that is supposed to keep the telescope steady when looking does not do a great job. Any minor bump and it is completely lost, this is just a fact of looking at things through magnification. Again I don't do this as a hobby or have any real experience in it, but we bought this in October 2012 and it is now March 2013; after this period we are not happy with the telescope. I bought it because my kids showed an interest in astronomy, and I wanted to foster it. After many unsuccessful tries at looking at stars we settled for the moon. The flaw inevitably subverted my attempts.
I bought this as a gift for my grandson.  He has enjoyed many nights viewing the night sky.  I will follow up with a book to help his viewings.
I have used this telescope only a few times. Setting this product up for use took some time. Luckily I always take time and great care on items such as this. I like using it too.
If you are expecting to see other planets and galaxies in super detail then this is not for you. You can however use this telescope to see the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, or get a close up of the Moon. Anything else will just appear as a bright dot in the night sky. I have used other amateur scopes before and this is by far the most sturdy scope I have found for under $100.
Gift for Husband he really liked it!! Well built, good quality! Looking Forward to family trips out so he can use it.
GRANDSON LOVED IT, BUT THE TRIPOD OF COURSE SINCE IT'S A LARGE ONE IS A LITTLE SHAKY..OUR SON FIXED THE LEGS AND BRACED THEM BETTER..THANKS FOR THE FAST SHIP!
i really liked it, it was a great buy the only thing that i found was a bit hard to see objects, and the instructions are not that especific but is a good buy!
You can't beat the price on this simple beginner telescope. And the Celestron company has an impeccable reputation. The optics of this scope are excellent and that counts for a lot. The mount is a bit shaky where the scope attaches to the tripod but the tripod itself is sturdy.So I recommend you use this on stable ground, not on a deck.Viewing through it is pretty good. I can see good definition of craters on the moon, the mid band of jupiter and the jovian satellites. Some of the more popular night sky objects such as m13 and m31 are also pretty well viewed.Good gift for a child and a good value. WIth something like this though you have to get yourself a book too. You don't want to just take it outside and start looking around. There are a lot of things out there and you need a map or book to tell you where they are.
GET THIS NOW! You can totally see planets and aliens and whatever else is out there! I bought it for my boyfriend and ended up having to buy it from him! On a clear night in the country, you can definitely see the moon like it's across the street! FOR REAL! the tripod is ok too! get it, you won't regret it!
I like it very much, BUT if you use a wide anble lens, DO NOT USE THE FLASH Otherwise you will get a shadow around the picture, otherwise it is good without the Flash!Thanks very much!C.A. From Saint Louis, MO
The title of this listing says its for the A80 and the G6, but its only for the A80. The G6 uses the LADC58D adapter.
I'm kind of a gadget nut I guess, so I have all the stuff to go along with my Canon A95 camera, including the 0.7x and 1.75x conversion lenses by Canon, and the .45x and 3.2x conversion lenses from Opteka.With the 2 Opteka lenses (bought together) I got only one bundled aluminum adaptor by yet another company (and not the one shown on Opteka's page). Although I like aluminum because it matches the camera, it does not mate to the camera very well, and has some rotational slop and general wobbliness.The Canon adaptor is made from that hard type of plastic commonly found on 35mm SLR lenses, so it is pretty sturdy. Further, when it clicks in place on the camera, there is no movement at all - very secure.So...plastic that works, or nice aluminum which is questionable?Well, I'm going to use the aluminum one strictly to hold filters, and I bought 2 more Canon ones (that makes 3) for the lenses. I plan to leave them attached to 2 lenses because I hate screwing the lens on and off.
The adapter works easily, snapping on and off in seconds.  It's large but very lightweight.  My complaint is this is simply a piece of plastic which could not cost Canon more than 10 cents.  Shame on Canon for charging close to $20 rather than including it with the camera for free.
Excellent product with fast delivery. Arrived in perfect condition. Unfortunately the length of the adapter casts a shadow on the subject when the flash occurs. To avoid the shadow, provide enough light to prevent the flash or use fill and key lighting to soften the flash shadow or disable the flash and take your chances.
After spending some money on my Kodak Z710 I was looking for a case to protect my investment and this was a really nice option. Is just what can be expected.
Very nice leather case, unfortunately I couldn't get my camera in it. So I rerured it, I wish I could have gotten another one that fit my camera.
I am very happy with this case.  This is the first time I have ever had a case that fits my camera perfectly. I have the Z7590, which is an odd shaped camera due to its 10x lens.  But it fits in the case perfectly with room for an extra battery, which I will probably never need, since the battery charge seems to last forever in this camera.  I am also not interested in memory card storage, since I bought the camera with a 1 gig card, which will hold more than 600 5mp pictures; much more than I will ever need for a single trip.To answer the criticisms of other reviewers:1. It is too tight a fit.answer:  Remove the inner liner that is there to hold smaller cameras.2. The pocket for the extra battery is too tight.answer:  After a little use, the pocket will stretch a little and the battery will fit just fine.3. The memory card storage pocket won't hold the plastic case.answer:  Throw away the plastic case.  The storage pocket is safe to hold a chip without the case.  I have stored SD cards in pockets like this in a case for my PDA for several years now and have had no trouble with the cards.  Just get a 1 gig card and you won't have to store extra cards anyway.4. The bag opens and closes too easily.I find that the magnetic clasp keeps the bag closed securely, yet makes for very easy access to the camera.  I find the clasp to be one of the nicest features of this bag.
This case fits the Z650 perfectly by just removing the inner piece.
The case is very sleek and pretty! I am using a Kodak Easyshare Z740, and it fits snugly into the case. Inside the cover flap there is space for an extra memory card and a couple of AA batteries. The strap is comfortable and handy. The magnetic snap closes easily and firmly. Truly, I think it is the best case you can buy if you have one of the cameras for which the case is recommended!!!
I was looking for an over the shoulder case that was small and reasonably priced.  This case is nicely padded and handsome.  Will work cross body as well which will make my shoulders happy.
I purchased this camera case for the Kodak Z650. This case is perfect for the Kodak Z650. It looks and feels like a high quality camera case and does allow for the storage of an SD card or two.I'm very happy with this purchase!
while i believe this is a nice case, i do not believe this is compatible with the kodak p712.  the case is tooooo tight for this camera.  it does not fit comfortably at all.  if you are deciding to purchase this case for this camera, think again, as it takes great strength to remove it and to insert it into this case. you also have to remove the insides in order to insert it.  the camera is much too large for this case.  i do not recommend this case for this camera.  i had to go and purchase a camcorder case for this camera, before my trip, instead of taking this case with me.
Great Case. It fits my camera a little snug, but it's perfect. I've had it for a few years now, and I'm very pleased with it. It doesn't look nor feels cheap to the touch.
Bought the Kodak Z710 in the store but store didn't sell a camera bag that fit. The generic bags were either too big or too little. Went on-line and found the bag specifically for this camera. Nice bag with perfect fit, lightweight. The price is perfect, too.
I ordered a case for my Kodak DX6490 digital camera from ANTONLINE thru AMAZON but received a case that is inches too small for my camera.  If the numbers referenced above show in the review, you can see that my model of camera does not appear.  In spite of this ANTOLINE has refused to issue an RMA for its return and replacement with the correct case and has stated they will refuse it if I return without their RMA. They tell me it cannot be sold as new since it was opened.  The only packaging was a brown padded envelope.  Is there another way of seeing inside the envelope without opening it? I guess I could go to the airport and put it through the screener.There is a little tag on the case that reads DX6490 but it obviously is not since the size is incorrect in height, depth and width and my number does not appear on their invoice. When I checked Kodak online, the dimensions for my camera case were larger in all three dimensions.Amazon is attempting to resolve the matter but as yet have no feed back from them either. At this point I would never patronize ANTOLINE again.
Was not quite right for the camera I wanted it for.  Have used for other one since and pleased with it.
The magnetic clasp is weak very weak - making it vulnerable to thieves with sticky fingers or opening up on it's own.  I keep this camera case INSIDE of my purse.i wouldn't recommend this productthere has to be something better
This was a TERRIBLE purchase on my part.  It doesn't even deserve 1 star.  I just wanted a small bag to wear over the shoulder for quick access to my z7590 without holding other equipment or being too bulky.  The bag was too small for my z7590, and I paid $8 shipping PLUS return shipping.  I only hope they don't charge me a re-stocking fee. I went to WalMart, found a cute little bag in the electronics dept. that the camera fits great in, with room for the strap AND extra memory cards or battery if necessary.  They have cute ones for ladies too, with pink polka dots or stripes inside!  For only $12.  Next time, I'll be smarter!
The camera case was perfectly designed by Kodak for my Z710.  Excellent strap and connecting clips too.  I'd recommend it for anyone with this camera as a good protection package.
The case fits perfectly witht he Kodak camera we bought.  Small and compact it has just enough pockets to carry the extra batteries and cables.  Keeps everything together.
I like the leather(-like?) material the bag is made of; it feels good to the touch.  The camera and shoulder cord fit pretty well into the bag.  I have the Kodak EasyShare model Z7590, and am finally glad I got an actual storage pouch-bag for it, to protect it, since it (the camera) has given me so much happiness already.
This week I got back from a trip to the Everglades and this time I had my camera accesible and well protected from elements and impact at the same time. My hands were free and what is best I did not have the camera hanging from my neck (I had it attached to my belt).The magnetic clasp is very strong and won't flip open by accident. If you buy it for a Z7590 you will have to remove the padded insert in order for your camera to fit, but even then it will still be well protected.
I purchased it many years ago, still looks new, great price from amazon.com and shipping was fast, does a great job protecting the camera, I highly recommend this case
I purchased this case for my new Z740 digital, it's really nice-however I did have to take out the removable padding to fit my camera. If your camera is more compact than mine, you'll absolutely love this case!
The case is very easy to handle and spacious enough for  batteries and a card. Nice product.
The case is really nice and of good quality. The case itself is great. The only drawback is that it is not as big as I thought it would be. The camera will barely fit in it. I have a Kodak Z710. The fit is so snug that it's hard to get the camera in and out.
Although the camera case is the size advertised it seems just a little small when you put in the camera, extra battery and extra menory card.
In looking through camera cases I saw this under the Kodak name and saw the very reasonable price and ordered it. I have a Kodak DX6340 and it is a good fit. I can use it with the inner cushion pads in place and it is very well protected. If it was just a little bit larger in height and width it would be perfect. The extra height would make it easier to store batteries and memory cards, and the extra width would be to have a place to store the strap when not in use. The only real fault I can find is if someone has a larger camera they would have to remove some of the inner cushion pads and lose their protection against the camera being dropped or hit. I believe Amazon would do well to put this one in their inventory as I do not like the involved and expensive return policy of the third party.
I almost didn't get this bag for my new kodak camera because of the other reviews.  I'm so glad I did.  I love it, it fits snug and protective, looks great, like real leather also.  Very comfortable to wear around your neck, super padded strap!
I have the Kodak DX6490 camera, and this case is supposed to be for that one.  WRONG!!!  It is MUCH too small.  Even the lens cover pops off when putting the camera into the case.  The strap on the camera has to be removed to put the camera in, and the fit is MUCH MUCH too tight.  I hate it.
I just received my case today. It fits my Z740 perfectly and holds the battery and memory cards perfectly too!  Maybe the reviewer that said they didn't fit received a defective one.  It's a very nice looking case. I, like one of the other reviewers, almost didn't buy this after reading the negative reviews.  I'm sure glad I took the chance.  If you need a case for you Z740 this is the one you want.
This case fit the camera snuggly once I removed the insert for smaller cameras.  It is sturdy, attractive, and made of faux leather.  It took me a while to learn how best to insert and later remove it from the case as it is a snug fit.  It will be good for travel.
I have the Kodak Z710 which is a bigger footprint than some of the other models they say fit this case.  In order to fit the camera in the case you have to remove the padding.  Therefore, it's a case but it's NOT padded for that model or ones that size.It does work and it keeps the camera dry in rainy conditions.
the quality is good, but the case had so much padding inside it could not hold my Z740.  The padding is removal tho so I got it to fit.It lost a star becase the advertised dimensions are of the case without the padding or the external dimensions which is not useful.
Got the Groupon, went thought their whole process, sent them 4 tapes and waited. For about 10 days, nothing even appeared on their system. I had to call them just to confirm they had received my package. Then another week+ went by and they informed me that they were sending everything back because there was some copyright-protected material in my tapes. So now I have a bunch of Groupon Bucks that I do not want to spend on Groupons, and I'm out about $12 for the package I had to send them.And all they had to to is make me sign a waiver for the copyrighted material, and we would have been fine, since I won't be showing any of it outside of my house. If only they had done that, they would get to keep their money and I would continue doing business with them.This is not a very intelligent and customer-centered company. Do not trust them with your videos.
I took our wedding video to Costco to convert the original HD Mini-DVs to DVD (Costco sends the video conversion out to YesVideo). It took about a month processing time (4 to 5 weeks) to get our videos back. We received a message from the company that they wanted our approval to cut &#34;wrinkled tape&#34; from our Mini-DVs which didn't make sense since they were new/unused and we had viewed them fine on the original commercial-quality video camera, but we approved it anyway since they said they wouldn't continue processing without doing so. Just watched through the DVDs we received and the quality is much grainier than the original high definition it was filmed in and the audio skips every few seconds which is not in the original. After seeing all these other bad reviews though I am hesitant to send my materials back for fear they'll lose or damage them :(. Very surprised Costco would work with this company since they usually have pretty good standards.Also, I didn't buy it but I'm not sure why this &#34;DVD Conversion Kit&#34; listed here is even a product on Amazon, it seems it's just instructions to send in your video by mail which is a rip-off  when this information should be free.
I really really wish I had read these reviews before I sent my Super 8 film in to be transferred to DVD. I was under the impression this company would enhance the videos. Instead, to view them was a very upsetting experience. First, somehow the speed was increased so that you couldn't really focus on what was going on. Then several of the reels jumped so much that you could barely make out who was in the images. Then, there was some obstruction on several of them that looked like fibers or something hanging from the top and obstructing the view. Several years ago we had these same reels transferred to a VCR tape, and there were none of these problems. We paid $269 and feel like the money was totally wasted. Apparently, from the reviews it is a waste of time to contact Customer Service. Just wanted to warn anyone that even thinks about using this company. BEWARE!
Tried two sets of home movies with these folks through Costco; they use YesVideo.The first set were sound home movies that came back with no sound - even though it was clearly marked on the order form.  So, we had them redone; but, this time the picture quality was extremely grainy / almost lacey looking.  The film had jumped in spots, and there were lines in the DVD picture that were not there in our original films.  We know our movies were NOT in that bad of condition.  So, they redid it a third time.  It seems they really did try, but now our films were damaged and there was no way of getting the original quality transfered to a DVD.Also, there were spots where I KNOW our film was not out of focus, but it is on the DVD.  I wish this service worked better.  But, I'm going to look elsewhere.  The people were at least very nice.
I dropped my videotape that contained only about 15 minutes of footage to convert to DVD and store online. Several weeks later, when I heard nothing, I returned to the CVS store only to find out that they hadn't even sent it in yet. Turns out, they may as well not have - given the absolute disgraceful DVD they ultimately provided. It was so bad that I just couldn't believe anyone would send something out that way. It was all chopped up, I complained to Yes Video, who suggested that I send it back to them. Now why in blazes would I ever send back the only copy of a cherished video tape to them after what they did to it?  To top it off, they broke the video tape so that I don't even know if I can get a real, local professional service to restore it. Never again will I ever use Yes Video for anything. Use them at your own risk. It seems like they farm out their work and that no one is overseeing badly needed quality control.
I saw the advertisement for Yesvideo in a Costco mailer and thought 'what a good idea':  I could finally transfer my old 8mm films from the 60s (which had all only been viewed once, after I'd originally spliced them together), to digital format.  Then I saw the part of the advertisement titled "What we won't do" (provide digital files of the material (DV video) - which aren't the DVD type of file but they need to make them anyway in order to make the final DVDs which will have about 25% of the original pixel data in them - not noticeable unless you're interested in quality reproduction) and decided to send in one test reel composed of snippets of random scenes that didn't really fit in with anything else in my collection - just to see what the service actually provided in an end-product.So here's what I got.  As advertised, I got two DVDs and the ability to view their contents free of charge for a period of 90 days from the time of purchase.  That part is all well and good.  Here's the rub (which may not bother some people who don't care about quality - and there are many, probably most people don't actually care as long as it's easy):  The 8mm film, which is taken at 24 frames per second, is transferred to a medium (DVD) which plays them at nearly 30 frames per second (29.97 fps to be exact).  The problem with doing that is that any 8mm film made with the standard frame rate for 8mm film will appear like the Keystone Cops zooming around at an unrealistic rate.  If you've failed to notice this effect, you're their kind of customer.I E-mailed them and asked if there was any way they could arrange for me to either download the original DV files or to make them available on DVDs - all for a fee of some sort, of course - I wouldn't expect this service to be free.  What I discovered is that this company isn't interested in innovation or serving the customer.  You take, or don't take, what they do and that's the end of the issue as far as they're concerned.They were very courteous but not at all knowledgeable in their responses, effectively repeating the party line that they offer no option for purchasing the original DV files, which they already have on their system but won't sell to the purchaser of their product.My resort is to begin looking around for a service which caters to anyone interested in retaining as much of the original film information as possible.  Does Yesvideo save your memories?  Yes, but only 25% of them and those 25% are at the wrong frame rate.Oh yes - with respect to VHS to DVD conversion.  I bought a ToshibaToshiba DVR620 DVD/VHS Recorder, Black(I'm sure other brands do a respectable job as well) VHS to DVD (also dubs DVD to VHS but who would want to?) dual deck for under $155.00 and it works great.  Other dual VHS to DVD decks sell for as little as $99.00 but I wouldn't go with the cheapest model if you're going to depend on it to make DVDs for you.  Within a week I've converted 24 vhs tapes to DVDs and the quality is as good as it gets.  The operation of the deck is also simple - dubbing is a matter of pressing the 'dubbing' button either on the front panel or on the full function remote.  The time it takes to dub a tape to disc is the time it takes to play the tape.I'd recommend buying one of these for anyone who has more than five VHS tapes to copy because, after five converted tapes, you've paid for the deck at the prices Yesvideo charges - and you're in control of what you copy.Of course you need to buy a spindle of blank DVD-R discs.  I have a printer which prints directly on the printable DVD blanksMemorex DVD-R 16x 4.7GB 100 Pack Spindle Printableso that the result looks professional (don't skimp on the quality of the DVD blanks).  Yesvideo has no indication of what's on the discs other than the title you submit when you place your order and their logo.  I take screenshots of indicative scenes and print them on the disc along with text so you know immediately what the subject matter is.  I also buy 200 SLIM Black CD Jewel Cases at 0.097 cents per piece (200 Jewel cases for $19.38) to store and protect my final product.200 PACK SLIM-LINE JEWEL CASES - BLACKThere are a few options available on my deck which I found very useful.  One is that you can select the quality of the recording.  I chose the highest quality which has the trade-off of only allowing one hour (about 63 minutes) of Video per disc but that includes the up-conversion of your VHS data to 1080p.  Granted, the original VHS tape may not contain enough data to make this use worthwhile but my philosophy is to preserve every shred of data that's available since that's the point of the whole exercise.Another option is that you can connect ANY video source - like, for instance, your DV video camera and making DVDs from tapes or SD/SDHC cards or even from direct broadcast if your TV has video and audio out ports.  There's really no limit to what you can record on a DVD with these machines.  They're a much better, more versatile option than sending your tapes to be processed at a one-size-fits-all assembly line.
Okay, they did transfer the 8mm and Super8 films to DVD.  However, the transfer is done very poorly.  The image resolution is poor, not at all like you get from a regular DVD.  General exposures are poor, and do not track the exposures on the film.  Even slight shadows are blocked  They also appear not to have corrected the gamma difference between the film and video.  I didn't expect miracles, but this work shows a lack of basic competence.
Un-reliable company, they don't safeguard your original media.Buyer Beware.This company has over-extended itself and does not provide the quality you would expect from a business providing this type of service.
Bought this camera after reading many reviews and doing a lot of research. My camera had a pixel problem, after viewing pictures on computer and printing, there was a bright white/purplish speckle in the same spot in every photo.Could not return to Newegg (they would not accept an exchange even though it says right here they would exchange for exact item only!), had to contact manufacturer. Surprisingly they were helpful and I have to ship the camera away for repairs. I will update on how long it takes as this could make or break my opinion of Konica Minolta.The camera, aside from that problem, is really nice and worked well. I was shocked at how small it was and how fast it worked. I wish there was no &quot;speckle&quot; in my photos... I would have praised this camera everywhere.
The G400 makes for great daytime pictures, it's compact, speedy power up and the menus are pretty easy to figure out (i thought the canon s400 was a lot more difficult to navigate). It also has a continous shutter mode where you can take shots in quick succession for sport events.The main complaint I have is that night pictures of the outdoors are extremely blurred (you need a tripod to stabilize the camera otherwise the pictures are useless) and often don't have sufficient brightness in the images. I was also disappointed that the software has no support for stiching images together to create a panoramic photograph.
I've had my G400 for approximately 3 months and I'm fairly pleased with it. I am very pleased with it's quick start up, low shutter lag time, and quick flash charge, which is something that can be an issue with a lot of other digital cameras. I'm also very impressed with the battery life (approximately 185 still pictures according to the specs). The only thing I do not really like is the fact that you cannot use special effects after you've taken the picture, you have to set it before you take the picture. There aren't very many editing options on the camera itself. Although having a good photo editing software would probably do the trick.  I actually was given the new Olympus Stylus Verve as an early Christmas present and was not satisfied with the picture quality at all compared to my G400 (so I returned it).  Althought the G400 does have difficulty focusing in low (to almost no) light, I find that most of my pictures still come out clear anyway.  In some situations, I found that using the viewfinder (turning off the screen) works a little better when in low light. I use a 256mb SD card for the camera and it can hold approximately 120-130 pictures at the highest resolution (4mp fine).
I am very, very pleased with my purchase of the Minolta G400; it slides into a pocket effortlessly, offers fairly powerful manual exposure control, good battery life and the fastest startup time I've seen in any digital camera.I've used a Minolta S404 for all my previous digital photography, so I was looking for a small camera I could keep in my pocket.  I confirmed its usability as a quick snap-shot camera at a wedding I attended yesterday; you really can turn it on, take a photo, and turn it off in under 2 seconds.  The incredibly fast startup time makes the G400 an outstanding camera for capturing precious, unbelievable, fleeting moments.Auto-focus in low light takes more time than in bright light, but the longest I've waited has been a little over a second.  Overall, the G400 focuses much faster than my Minolta S404, which took one second in the best case.Battery life is good; the included battery lasts as long as my S404 with 4 AA 1900 mAh rechargeable batteries.  I'd encourage having a backup, though, just in case.I agree with previous reviewers: Canon's panoramic assist mode is nice, but I can live without it.  The on-screen menus are different than any camera I've seen, but I understood it pretty quickly.  Being different is not always horrible.Amount of manual control elevated the G400 above the Pentax Optio S4/S4i and Canon S400/410/500.  The S4i's incredibly small size (hides behind a credit card!) certainly intrigued me, but its startup time was slightly longer (two seconds, from what I read) and it did not have manual shutter speed control.  The S4i does have some manual control, but the G400 has pretty much the maximum manual shutter and exposure control available in a consumer camera.  It does not have custom white balance, but I've never used it, so it wasn't an issue for me.  I also wanted a tripod mount, a feature missing from some super-slim cameras, but available here, though it's unfortunately made of plastic.Picture quality is wonderful.  Skin tones look good and flora detail is really nice.  I took a photo of a tree outside my house and literally did a double take when viewing it on the computer; the leaves looked amazingly crisp.The Minolta G400 disappears in your pocket and frees your mind from thinking about your camera.  Highly recommended for all photographers, beginner to advanced.  The only worthwhile camera is the one you have with you, and the G400's size makes it ridiculously easy to carry.
The G400 is a small, fast camera that performs quite well outdoors.  It does not focus well in indoor lighting, though - struggling to get focus lock in moderate to low lighting conditions.Size wize, the camera is very pocketable. It's not quite as small as the Pentax Optio S series, but it's one of the smaller optical zoom enabled cameras out there.  Its construction is quite solid and the camera has a good 'feel' to it.  The menu system isn't what I'd describe as intuitive - it's actually close to cumbersome, but it's not too bad to navigate through (though you will find your hands moving all over the place to press different buttons, as opposed to having everything on a 4-way 'OK' controller like most digicams).Outdoors, the camera really shines.  Startup time is tremendously fast - the camera is ready to shoot before you can get it up to your face.  Auto focus time is quite quick, especially in good light.  Shutter lag with prefocus is non-existant.  Total shutter lag with autofocus is quick - under a second in good light.  Shot to shot time is good, too - even flash recycle time is quick - 2-3 seconds.  No lost shots waiting for startup or flash recycle.Image quality is very nice - colors look realistic, low noise (for a small camera) and good resolution.  It's no SLR, but you're not going to stick an SLR in your shirt pocket, either.  There are trade-offs to get this to this size.Indoors the performance is not so good.  The camera fails to lock focus in most 'normal' lighting situations.  Continuing to take the picture without lock will usually result in a decently focused pic if your target is fairly close, and there is a manual focus mode as well as 'scene' modes that set a specific focus range.  However, it is frustrating for the camera not to lock when other cameras in its class can.  The flash is quite strong and shots made with flash are quite good when in focus.  However, if you are primarilly looking for a camera for indoor snapshots, you should look elsewhere.  If Minolta could improve this aspect of the camera, they'd have a superb product.  As it stands now, they have a nice product that works great in good light.Pros:Fast start up, focus lock and cycle timeSolid constructionTrue 'pocketable' sizeGood battery lifeLots of options / manual controlsStrong flashVery nice image qualityCons:Poor moderate to low light focusing abilitiesCumbersome menuNo printed manual included - only on PDF (yuck - 200 pages of PDF? Who's going to print that?)Redeye - but that's a given on small cameras with strong flashes
I've had this camera (Konica Minolta Dimage G400) now for over two months and I'm very happy with it. The camera was actually developed mainly by Koncia before Konica and Minolta merged. It's basically a rebranded Konica Revio KD-410Z.I've compared with three coworkers who bought the Sony DSC-T1: The Sony is about as fast, smaller and sleeker, but performs much worse in low light conditions. I've seen quite a few pictures that were shot indoors and the flash didn't manage to properly light the scene. I don't think that should be happening with a camera that sells for $150 more than my camera.To nail this problem we took photos with both cameras under identical conditions. The G400 picture is slightly underexposed, but not bad considering it was almost dark in the room when I pressed the shutter. The T1 on auto setting on the other hand was underexposed by about two f-stops. Setting the T1 to ISO400 helped somewhat, but made the picture very noisy :(What tipped the scale for me is the overall quality of pictures and the absolutely amazing speed of the camera. In general I found that people talk too much about megapixels.What matters much more than actual megapixels (once you've moved past two megapixels) are the optical properties of the camera like lens, autofocus system, etc. The pictures I've taken so far were almost all very crisp with radiant colors. The colors were usually a bit too warm and could sometimes benefit from a bit of adjustment in Photoshop, but were excellent otherwise.Overall I'd say the camera has some flaws but is a very nice little point and shoot camera that offers lots of manual adjustments when you're ready for them. And given the current market prices for this camera this is one of the best buys out there. That's why I'm giving it five stars despite having some flaws.Oh, and I forgot to mention: Don't fall for this camera's big brothers the G500 and the G600! As I understand it, they don't have the fast passive autofocus system the G400 has and the G600 even has a crippled movie mode.And while we're speaking about the movie mode: 320x240 at 15 frames per second is not quite state of the art anymore and shouldn't be a factor in your buying decision of any digital still camera. If you insist on a decent movie mode, go and buy a digital camcorder. You'll have a lot more fun that way with ample storage space and a working optical and digital zoom.
I've had this camera for about a year...  well actually I've only had it for 2 months if you subtract the time they have had it for all the repairs.  They have to be the worst customer support I've ever dealt with.  You have to work around their schedule and deal with a general attitude problem with all their support center workers.  They apparently haven't cought on to this whole idea of customer service being pretty important.  Especially if you are going to make a camera that is so fragile.  The insides of this camera must be paper thin or something because you have to handle it with extreme care or something breaks.  (even though they claim it's durable with the metal case and all)  I was happy with the camera when it worked...  it's very fast and easy to use, not to mention it takes good pictures.  That said, there are plenty of companies making cameras that do all that and are much more durable and worst case if it does break, they have great 24/7 (konica does not!) customer support to resolve your problem fast.  Konica had my camera for 3 months on the first repair, and they ended up just sending my broken camera back with a new one in the box...  which then broke 3 days later.  UNREAL! and it cost be $140 for this repair?  I think anyone can see this company is not one you want to deal with.  Go find another brand that meets your needs.  This company doesn't deserve your business!!!
In agreement with other reviews. This camera has great features -- too many to even list. It has aperture priority and speed priority, color, b&w;, sepia etc. Takes crisp, clear true-color pictures. Quality is great.However, the lens mechanism has frozen in the open position after about owning it for one year. You can get it to close if you pull the battery out and turn it back on - but you have to close the cover very quickly to keep in in - it then registers an error and shuts off.Too bad -- $325 is more than I wanted to pay for one year - didn't think I'd need to upgrade so soon and don't want to spend another $100 - $140 to repair it. Haven't contacted Minolta yet, but don't want to throw good money after bad....
Since making a foray into digital photography a few years ago, I've been waiting until technology and price converged with a camera that offered enough over the 1.3 MP camera I had been using to make it worth the jump. My requirements were good macro to short range (a few feet) performance, high image quality and color rendition, fast startup and pocketable.I chose the Minolta after considering similar models from other manufacturers. The protective, sliding style lens cover was the type of design I preferred, with a sturdy, stainless steel body. It's a newer model with faster startup than the G500. This, for me, plus the smaller size outweighed the increased sensor resolution (and price) of the latter.The camera startup time (well under 1 second, essentially instantaneous) is one of its strongest features. Opening the lens cover is tricky, however. It's easy to smudge the lens if your fingers slip. I've found that using my index and middle fingers to slide the cover using the "ears" on the "chevron" part of the cover, while holding the camera with my other hand, avoids lens smudges.For most candids and point-n-shoot situations it was best to use full auto (usually with flash disabled). Switching between auto and manual takes just a few pushes of the mode and navigation buttons, and comes quickly after some practice. Thankfully, there are dedicated buttons to enable macro mode and setting the flash modes, which are retained across power-ups.The manual camera mode with auto flash exposure and 100 ISO setting gave the best quality, provided that there was enough time to compose the shot. However, the auto-focus often fails for closeups (3 feet or less). Reviewing the images after shooting was mandatory for closeup shots. If only there were an easy way to manually focus.The camera delivered what I expected regarding image quality. The color rendition was superb. However, examining images, one looks more critically for shortcomings rather than strong points. Highlights and colors tend to get blown out easily in contrasty, sunlit scenes, and I used -0.7 EV or greater underexposure compensation to avoid this. Consequently, shadow areas can be noisy.These limitations are true of all consumer digicams, however. There are many sample photos to be found on pbase; navigate to the camera-specific gallery for the Minolta G400. Some photos are posted at full resolution so you can have a good look.The camera uses the same battery as the new G600 model. That's good, because it will insure a supply of replacements on the market when the time comes to replace the battery. Buy an extra battery, keep one in charger and one in camera. Swap them when your memory card fills up.Two unfortunate notes regarding my experiences with the camera:- If kept in a snug pocket, it's easy to snag the lens cover "ears" when quickly withdrawing the camera, causing the camera to switch on while still inside the pocket. This apparently happened one time too many, and the lens became frozen in the closed position. Fortunately, Minolta's warranty service was very responsive and I received the camera two weeks (the standard estimate is 4 weeks) after returning it for no-cost repair.- I splashed it with (black) coffee. After drying for several hours, it returned to life, but remained flaky. I sent it back, and the repair wasn't covered ($160).Pros: super fast start-up time, good color fidelity, low levels of compression artifacts in midtones, one-button selection of flash and macro modes, sturdy, compact stainless steel body, relatively easy to navigate menus.Cons: unreliable autofocus if closer than 3 feet; lens cover can snag on pocket, leading to unwanted camera activation and possible damage.Since purchasing the camera, the price has dropped considerably, making it a terrific value.
I had a Olympus D-360L prior, an excellent camera, but no zoom. I looked at the Canon S400, Pentax 555, Sony T1, Kyocera 300L.  The Pentax had speed issues, the Sony was expensive, the Kyocera had no optical viewfinder and I did not like the split LCD, lens system which I thought would be  difficult to control / coordinate.  The Canon was almost my choice, but it was a little slower, more expensive, and the Minolta supported SD and memory stick formats.  I have a Sony Clie SJ-22 that I wanted to display pictures with, using memory sticks.The Minolta is tiny, I can fit it into a case intended only for memory cards (Lowepro).  It is also lightnening fast, I cannot see how much faster a camera could be.  You slide the door, bring the camera to your eye, align the image, and shoot, there is no delay, another picture can be taken with only a 1-2 second (roughly) delay at normal settings.The directional and telephoto buttons allow you to magnify and move the image on the LCD, the image moves on the screen without any blurring.  The display of images is very fast.The issue of autofocus in low light is somewhat apparent, but actually not that much different than my Olympus.  The camera does seem to struggle a little in low light,-some autofocus delays, some exposure issues, but to me these are almost imperceptible, and I suspect they would be to most people.  I suspect most compact digital cameras struggle in low light situations.Overall, outdoor picture quality is excellent, indoor is very good. Relative my olympus, there is not a huge difference, until you start to magnify images, and the greater resolution is evident.There are small issues with opening the camera cover, initially I found it a little difficult to get a good grip but I now have no problems.The menu system is not the best in terms of organization, but it is redundant (the same settings are available on many screens), and I have not had problems quickly changing settings.This is an excellent, compact, fast camera that unlike my old Olympus D360L, I can carry everywhere, in my shirt pocket if I want.  It may not be a good choice for someone not used to digital gadgets, but anyone with experience with computers or PDA's should enjoy this camera.Update 12/05:I feel even better about this camera now.  I've traveled all over the world with it, and it has performed well.  The selection button on the back has started to loosen, but otherwise no mechanical problems at all.I've used the video function more than I though I would initially.  Since I can carry the camera easily, I can catch unexpected events-the Air Force Thunderbirds flew over my car in Maine and I caught the event very well on the camera.The voice recorder allows you to annotate your photos.  You can document entire trips with just this camera alone.Update October 2007: My G400 was stolen from my house &lt;sigh>.  A great camera, it was still working well when it was stolen-except for a single loose button. I used it all over the world. If you see one, used, for sale in eastern or central Massachusetts,call me.
This charger is a good quality product.  It does not overheat the batteries and has circuitry to prevent the battery from heating up, so I am comfortable leaving in one battery, which I use the other in my E-Volt 500.
Very compact and easy to use. I wish more battery chargers were as small and efficient. I took the original charger out of my bag which took up far to much space in my small Sony camera bag. Sony should include this charger with all its DVD Cameras!Gene
Unfortunatly they didn't have the correct charger for my battery so I ordered what looked like the closest thing to it.  It works, but it takes longer to charge since it doesn't fit as well as the original one I got when I bought the camera.
I was a little disappointed with the 5 hour charge time using the charger that came with my Olympus E-510 so I ordered this 2 hour charger (that I felt Olympus should have included in the first place).Well, now I have this thing, and while it works great - its huge and I see why Olympus did not include it with this camera.  I thought the 5 hour charger was a bit big until I compared it to this.  I'll use it for studio work where with two batteries it allows constant power availability for the camera (a discharged batter would fully charge before a charged battery was exhausted in the camera).
This charger will fully charge a BLM-1 lithium battery in 2 hours (or less if it's partially discharged). There's a red light that indicates it's charging; and it turns green when the battery is fully charged. It's a very dependable and small unit, so you can store it in the camera bag with minimum space required.
This camera for my Kid Birthday present and she like it very much. This Coolpix 3700 the small and practical camera I have ever have. Have video, voice recording, optical zoom, directly printed the image to the printer and very easy to use. You just turn on the camera and let the coolpix do for you. You still can use the manual shoot but it's not perfect. Its appropriate for my kid that she just need to framed the image and shoot. The 3.2 mega pixel is enough for A4 paper size.The price is approriate for your pocket
i as always did a internet search on what camers to buy and read the reviews on this one and made a wise choice, this is one great camera
I beleive this is a good camera for the light/novice photographer. Check steve's digicam and cnet for a review. just remember the camera's limitations; fully automatic ( no Man. Settings), flash range is 7-8 feet, in dark or zoom, try to have a steady hand as shutter speed decreases. it is an overall v.good camera for just ponit and shoot with good focusing system.P.S.Try to copy and paste the camera's name in google and check for prices on pricegrabber.com, cnetshopper.com and epinion.com. You'll be amazed, that it actually exsists in other trusted websites for $75-$125 less than in amazon.com. and this is the case with most of the electronics on amazon.com.It seems that amazon.com is fooling only its loyal cusomers (I have been a loyal amazon customer for 4 years now)by its nonsense promotions. The huge price difference clearly shows that amazon.com is now not looking to keep its customers who are always few clicks away from other sellers. Amazon.com is obviousely looking just to use it's customers' trust to get an exaggerated profit margine on the merchandise compared to the common market profit, as you'll see from other stores' prices.Don't let amazon.com silly promos fool you. Shop smart and don't allow them to use you.I believe, with this attitude, amazon.com will loose a huge number of its current customers, along with a big market share in the near future. The consumer has become now more and more aware about the e-market tools and rules.
I've had the Coolpix 3700 for 5 yrs now, and was thinking it might be time to upgrade. There really is nothing better out there. More mega-pixels sure! But the quality and clarity of the 3700 would not be improved with more mps. And good luck finding a digital camera that offers an eyepiece viewer. The screen only cameras are very difficult with the sun behind you. I'm sticking with this antique.
I am no camera buff. I know nothing about the workings of a camera or how to manually render wonderful picures. Thankfully, the Coolpix 3700 is totally automatic, no need for me to adjust or fool around with obscure settings to get a decent pic. Still, the camera does offer a number of different "environments" you can choose from, such as indoor party, portrait, night landscape, panorama, closeup, etc. But the beauty of it is you only need to choose the appropriate setting to match the environment, no need to configure the f-stop or shutter speed or all that other crazy stuff. I agree with the other reviewers, I think this camera is awesome, especially for the price after rebate.What I like best are this camera is 1. The rechargable battery lasts a really long time, 2. The macro shots are amazing, the close up detail is really exceptional, 3. The size is a mere 4.6 ounces, there are smaller cameras out there like the optio 4si, but the 3700 is still smaller than the canon elphs, 4. the build has a solid feel with a brushed aluminum finish, no cheap plastic, and 5. the overall picture quality is first rate, in my opinion, it's just really crisp and bright.That said, I would've liked a 4 megapixel camera, but I realize that this 3.2 mp is more than sufficient for my needs. I'm not going into the photo development business anytime soon, so oversized prints are not necessary for me. The manual also states that this camera is best suited for up to 7x5 prints, it can certainly go higher, but this size is optimal for quality.I think it's strange that this camera is not very popular, I have yet to see a camera match the 3700's picture quality in the point and shoot category. The closest rival is of course the Canon Elph, but that's too rich for my blood. Plus, I think a case can be made that the 3700 is arguably a better point and shoot camera than the elphs, not to mention the smaller size. So, if you're on a budget, I highly recommend this camera to really get your money's worth.One other note on memory cards: this camera comes with a 16 mb SD card. I recommend a high speed card, perhaps a 256 mb. Check out newegg for the kingmax sd card, it's 60x speed (up to 10mb/sec transfer) and it's incredibly cheap. Also, if you're into name brands, outpost has the 256 panasonic SD (also 10mb/sec transfer) for a mere 45, (...), but it won't last long. Happy shopping!
Pros:-compact size, stylish-metal body, nice build quality-selectable AF sensor and metering in M-record mode, each AF bracket acts as spot meter, useful for tricky lighting-framing guides on LCD-generally competent metering, Auto white balance, focusing.  again, for difficult lighting, the AF sensor acts as spot meter in M-record mode-straightforward transfer with Nikon View, although a separate card reader is recommended instead of connecting camera directly to computer, this is to save those USB contacts in the camera from wearing out prematurely.Cons:-movie mode exhibits that notorious audio-sync problem-hot or dead pixels on my unit, resulting to those annoying white spots on the image when viewed at full size-Scene Modes disable features here and there, and that set up may not be what you really want-no option to set ISO, camera adjusts ISO on its own, which may result in noisy images-more on noise, you really need lots of illumination, either daylight or flash, to keep the camera from bumping the ISO up, and with it, the noise-still having difficulty dealing with the green cast of fluorescent lighting (as do most cameras)-button operated zooming, with those tiny Wide-Tele buttons, especially when in Macro mode, is not the easiest thing to doOverall, a decent picture taker that requires well-lit scenes to perform well.  That means it is a &quot;flashy&quot; camera.  For someone used to the Olympus Stylus, this is not an issue, however, this camera is not for those who prefer shooting without flash, especially indoors.  There's the auto-ISO issue mentioned above, which leads to noise, also, the lightweight and small size of the camera, not to mention all those buttons which get in the way of the left hand, prevents any decent steady handhold.  This maybe the reason for those soft lens comments from other reviewers, among other variables (e.g. how is the Sharpness set?).Many of the cons are limitations imposed by the small size of the camera.  Regardless of make, for compact cameras, these limitations are something one must live by.  If you want more control (to prevent the ISO from bumping up by itself), and you want to stay Nikon, the larger Coolpixes (4500, 5xxx) maybe the better choices.  The Canon A70/75/80 also offer greater controls, but at the expense of compactness.  However, I cannot believe that Nikon or any other manufacturer for that matter, cannot make a compact that allows manual ISO setting.The decent build and finish of this camera are regrettably offset by noise issues, and in my sample, dead pixels, which prevents me from giving this camera a higher rating.
Nikon is a very good brand forr all you people who knows that. there lens are pretty big compared as to the others. i got no problem whats so ever on this camera and it works like a charm. the 16 megabite secure digital memory card can hold up to 8 pictures in very good quality and resolution, low quality is double the amount.you can buy a more reliable secure digital memory card in here that is 512 megabite storage. brand name scandisk and is around 50 dollars, not that bad.Some technical features of this camera from the website is:Superior image qualityThe COOLPIX 3700, with its precision 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens and 3.2 megapixel resolution delivers superior optical performance and photo-quality (2,048 x 1,536-pixel) images packed with natural looking colour and sharp detail. The new COOLPIX camera utilises Nikon technologies and imaging expertise to ensure faithful colour reproduction, sharp contrast and clarity in virtually all shooting conditions. Excellence in image quality is ensured thanks to the high-precision 256-segment Matrix exposure metering and TTL- controlled Auto White Balance.Stylish, sleek-compact designLightweight and pocket-sized, the COOLPIX 3700 is designed to be easy to carry, durable and attractive. Encased in a slim compact body with a brushed aluminium finish, the camera measures approximately (W x H x D) 95.5 x 50.0 x 31.0mm (3.76 x 1.97 x 1.22 in) and weighs just 130g (4.6oz) without battery and SD memory card.Easy to operate, fun to useAs with all cameras in the COOLPIX series, the COOLPIX 3700 aims to make digital photography simpler for the novice and to offer potential for the advanced user to experiment and develop their skills and capabilities.* Simple operation: The controls on the COOLPIX 3700 have been kept to a minimum and are logically arranged for easy, speedy handling. The camera also powers up instantly and features a fast shutter response.* 15 Scene Modes: The COOLPIX 3700 is equipped with 15 Scene Modes, including Portrait, Party/Indoor, Sunset, Museum, Fireworks Show and Panorama Assist, which optimise the camera settings for a wide range of subjects, backgrounds and lighting conditions.* Continuous Shooting: The fast-acting shutter is also capable of shooting at 2.5 (H) or 1.5 (L) frames per second, or the new Multi-shot mode for capturing 16 consecutive frames in a single image.* Macro Function: In Macro Mode, the COOLPIX 3700 delivers sharply focused images of subjects from as close as 4cm (1.6in).s* TV Movie Mode: The COOLPIX 3700 offers eight Movie Modes, including a new TV Movie Mode with streaming technology that enables the production of TV-size (640 x 480-pixel) movies complete with sound.Ready to Use - All in One PackageThe COOLPIX 3700 standard package includes a high power rechargeable Li-ion battery, batter charger, 16MB SD memory card, Nikon View and Adobe Photoshop Elements software and a protective soft camera pouch.*  3.2 effective megapixels* 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (equivalent to 35mm - 105mm in 35mm [135] format)* Compact, slim and lightweight aluminium body offers outstanding portability at approximately (W x H x D) 95.5 x 50.0 x 31.0mm (3.76 x 1.97 x 1.22 in) and 130g (4.6oz) without battery and SD memory card* Stylish and sophisticated design looks good everywhere it goes, and feels good every time it is handled* Nikon's advanced image-processing algorithm assures faithful, vivid colors, sharp contrasts and image clarity* Macro Function for sharply focused close-ups from a distance of 4cm (1.6 in)* 15 Scene Modes to ensure beautiful compositions for every subject, every time* Eight Movie Modes include Time-lapse Movie Mode and new TV Movie Mode for filming with true TV resolution (640 x 480 pixels) at 30fps, complete with sound. Streaming technology makes storage of lengthy clips possible on the SD memory card.* New voice recording function records up to 5 hours of sound on a 256MB or larger SD memory card, and up to 20-second voice memos for each still image. Recorded sounds can be played back using the camera's built-in speaker.* Multi-area focus with a choice of 5 focus areas* High-precision 256-segment Matrix exposure metering* Accurate automatic white balance with TTL control* Continuous shooting at 2.5 fps (H) or 1.5 fps (L)* Interval Timer Shooting takes a series of successive still images at preset intervals* Fast power-up readies the camera for action as soon as it is turned on* Easy-to-use controls include a high-definition 1.5-in 134,000-pixel TFT LCD monitor and a handy Mode Dial* New "Sound release" that adds convenience and versatility to the self-timer mode by snapping the shutter in response to a remote sound command from the user.* High-speed noise reduction automatically ensures higher picture quality at shutter speeds of 1/4 second or slower* Date imprint adds the date to images in a range of formats* Direct printing from the camera to PictBridge compatible printers and Epson USB Direct-Print printers* Customizable Settings include a new World Time Setting, 3 different shutter sounds, and menu support in 10 languages* Nikon View Software is a highly versatile application for easy image transfer to computer, editing, e-mailing and printing. Removes red-eye effect at the touch of a button.* Compatible with new CP1 disposable lithium battery with life of approx. 250 shots (TBD)* Included accessories: hand Strap, 16MB SD Memory Card, Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL5, Battery Charger MH-61, USB Cable, AV Cable, Nikon View CD-ROM, Photoshop Elements, Eyecup and Camera Pouch.
I've owned and used all sorts of digital cameras. My three last digital cameras were Sony and they all had some things in common: 1)the picture quality was not up to par, 2)the MemoryStick(tm) has very slow write/read speeds. When I decided to browse for a new camera, the usual brands came to mind...Olympus, Minolta, Kodak. However, the product offerings were not tantalizing to me. I then looked-up for Nikon and to my surprise they had the product I was looking for at a price I could afford.Let me tell you, the camera is very small and light. The picture quality is DEFINITELY superior to that of Sony's and Kodak's I've used. The full-quality, full-TV-screen video option is very good and comparable to full-fledged DV cameras. The options are vast. The user interface is very intuitive and easy to get around of. The versatility of using SecureDigital media is definitely a plus, since it can be used in PDAs, cell phones, et cetera. The voice-recording option can be very handy. The flash recharge time is minimal (it used to take my Sony good 10 seconds to do the same). The auto-shutter is pretty good. And the Auto-Focus is very precise. It's worth its price and then some. I highly recommend this device. A must for digital photography enthusiasts.***Ok, I wrote this review before trying night-time shots. To my dismay, in low-lights the camera it's incredibly useless. It won't let you shoot w/o flash-- period. I'm incredibly frustrated. It does not let you choose manually the shutter spped and the pre-set scene options are ludicrous. It's a shame, because it took such a good pictures with good light...but tonight was nothing short of catastrophic.
Let me just get the negative out of the way.  This camera is not great for low light photos.  I took a picture of my cousin's parents on stage during her weddding and the result was sort of dark and gloomy.This camera definitely depends on its flash.  Without flash, taking a photo can be too dark or blurry.  If you use a tripod, then with enough light source you can disable the flash.The LCD screen is small compared to other much newer cameras available today.That being said, this camera is worth the money.  The picture quality is freaking sharp.  Continous snapshots works great, panoramic photo is really fun and the other 13-14 pre-set functions are easy to use.The motor is quiet compared to the 4MP Canon Powershot.  The video recording is fun and more impressive than I had imagined it to be.  I probably would just get a digicam if I am serious about recording.The metallic body is really good looking and the feel of the camera when you are taking a picture is comfortable.  The camera is small enough to easily fit inside your pants pocket.Battery is like other batteries.... you probably want to carry more than one if you travel a long time without a chance to charge up.  The charger does a good job charging fairly quickly... I think less than 2 hours with totally discharged.It does not come with a case, but I went out to buy my own durable case for it (less than $10).  It uses the fairly small SD card, which you can buy for next to nothing these days.
This camera will create images with color accuracy to not only rival but beat other digicams costing 5 times as much - *BUT* it must be used in certain modes to accomplish this.  Just go to [...] and compare pictures from almost any camera.To create TERRIFIC *indoor* pictures use the "BACK LIGHT" pre-programmed mode - for every indoor occasion.  Hold the button down halfway until the camera is ready and then press all the way. To eliminate camera shake, which ruins many pictures, use a tripod (a great folding SLIK w/case costs less than $25).I haven't taken any pictures outdoors yet but I have seen pictures from this camera that astonish me.  So I am sure that I will be able to identify a mode that will do the same for me when the occasion arises. *IF ONLY* Nikon made this EXACT camera with some manual modes, a hotshoe, and accessory lenses, AND anti-shake. Enjoy!
excellent photo quality, features and ergonomics.  much lighter, better ergonomics, better display than the canon S400 series (its main competitor).  this is a wonderful camera w/ great portability (about the size of a cell phone or pager) which i carry on my belt or pocket and really impressive photo quality.  i had to return the first one i ordered which appeared to be a lemon (probably a problem w/ auto white balancing), but its replacement takes just first rate pictures.
The first time I used it, I noticed that it was starting to fog up inside the housing. I opened it and sure enough there was some water inside.  The second time, using the extra rubber ring that was provided, I noticed water leaked inside again. It seemed to take a little longer this time (30 minutes) and didn't fog up.  I used it snorkeling (no underwater dives), so the max depth the camera could have been at was 5 feet.  Fortunately, there was not enough water to get inside the camera body and into the film compartment.  I believe that if I had taken it to about 45 feet, like the previous reviewer did, that it would have also flooded.I guess all I can say is beware.Pros are: It is much cheaper than the next model from the same company, has a flash, automatic film advance, and a nice strap.
When a product gets a couple of good reviews and a LOT of bad ones, you have to suspect something is wrong. Listen to your suspicions in this case. Those two good reviews here on Amazon may be true, but then why so many bad reviews? And one reviewer wrote that he put silicon grease on the gasket...nothing in the instructions about that. So one of the positive reviews actually modified the product to make it work!This is not a quality product. It leaked on the second roll of film, despite extreme care in seating the gasket. I have purchased single-use underwater cameras which give much better results, and I recommended those over this junk.
After successfully testing 1 roll through the camera at home, the camera broke before my first dive on vacation.  The motor drive would not load the film correctly.  I bought the cheapest encased point and shoot camera at the dive shop, which worked well.
***7/5/06 Update*** Took it on 5 more dives to a max depth of 71' with no leaks.  Again, grease the seal!I took this camera on 4 dives recently to a max depth of 40' with not one leak.  At the recommendation of the dive shop I applied silicon grease to the seal, maybe that was the difference. The instructions could be a bit clearer, and maybe re-written by somone more fluent in English.  My next dives will be to 60' so I'll update at that point.  The pictures came out very clear, tho a little dark at times (I shot Fuji 400 asa).  Overall was very happy with the camera, it loaded without a problem (even reloaded on the boat in 8' swells).  Batteries did drain pretty fast though.  By the end of the second dive the flash was taking a little longer to recharge, and was using Duracel Ultras so....
Not bad at all for the price.  I had a very sophisticated camera before so this one is a bit simplistic - BUT it still takes photos.  I would NOT advise using 400 speed film AND the flash - all the pictures came out a surreal blue.  Stays nice and dry - LOVE the wrist strap!
I recieved this camera as a birthday gift last summer and it really hasn't been very dependable.  From the very first week it was losing my pictures and finding them again at random (I believe someone else mentioned this as well).  I brought it on a class trip only to have the camera die on me.  I returned home to find that all the memory card was claiming it was empty, though there should have been well over 100 pictures on the card.  Luckily my step dad was able to restore the card and the pictures on it, but the camera has consistently pulled stunts like that.  And yes, with different memory cards, so it's not that.Last month the camera suddenly shut off while I was trying to take a picture with it.  It shut off with the zoom lens still out and even though I kept trying brand new batteries it refused to turn back on for more than a few seconds before shutting off promptly.  I left it on the mainland when I went on vacation and when I got back it started up perfectly with the same batteries it had shut off with.  Go figure.Besides those problems I've found the photo quality to be terrible.  My boyfriend has an Olympus 3.1 MP camera that takes far better quality photos than mine ever has even on the highest quality setting.  It also seems to have issues focusing.  I'll get it in perfect focus and when I click to take the picture it refocuses before shooting.  It could be I'm doing something wrong in that respect, however everyone else who has used my camera complains of the same thing, and I've never had that issue with other digi cams.In short, you'd be better off with a different camera.
I do not have the extra money to spend on another digital camera, but after buying this Gateway peice of junk I have no choice. When I bought it, I got the camera from Best Buy so I could be sure I was getting a quality camera and wouldn't have to bother doing research, but I got burnt. Best Buy doesn't even carry Gateway cameras anymore.Sure the battery life sucks, and it is of medium size, but the real problem is the picture quality. This thing takes horrible pictures, I CANNOT believe it made it to the market. For a long time I thought I had a broken camera or perhaps there was a recall on the cameras, but no, the camera is just naturally horrible. Outside the camera does fine, but only 1 out of 10 indoor photos will turn out clear. The flash doesn't help the situation at all.I tried everything to make this camera work. Everything.I will not purchase anything from Gateway again, and I don't want to sell my camera online because I don't want to shaft anyone else with this horrible little camera.In the end I am going to get myself a Cannon A75 or an ELPH. Both seem to be highly recommended.UPDATE: I got myself a Nikon Coolpix 5600 and it is a wonderful camera. The entire Coolpix line seems like a good choice. They are small, take great pictures, lots of cool options, have an SD card slot, etc. Everything you need from a digital camera. I picked mine up at Wal-Mart (of all places) for $250 and put down another $30 on an SD-card. I trashed my Gateway. Didn't want to sell it and rip someone off like Best Buy ripped me off.
It is a question that all digital camera enthusiasts ask themselves shortly after purchasing a digital camera, but it is one that is not easily answered as there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.  This review will help to guide you to the best solution based off the characteristics and specifications of the Gateway DC-M42 4MP Digital Camera.  I feel I am qualified to provide this information as I was in the memory industry for 7 years but having left the industry a year ago, I can be completely unbiased on this subject.One of the biggest factors to consider is the megapixel rating of this Gateway camera.  Considering this particular camera is generally considered to be a 4MP digital camera.  You can expect to store approximately 32 images on a 64MB card, 64 pictures on a 128MB flash card, 128 digital pictures on digital film of 256MB capacity, 256 pics on a 512MB picture card, 512 images on a 1GB media card, 1,024 photos on a 2GB flash card, and a monstrous 2,048 digital photos on a 4GB card.  These image/picture calculations assume that you are going to utilize the full potential of your camera but won't shoot in RAW mode.  In other words, the estimates are for shooting at the highest JPEG setting available for the Gateway DC-M42 4MP Digital Camera.  Understand that they are indeed estimates and can vary based off the actual scene or subject being shot and the amount of light, color variation, detail, etc. in the photo.  You can assume these numbers are accurate within 10%.However how many images a card can hold is not the only factor you should consider before buying this all important accessory.  You should also consider that you may want to use your Gateway DC-M42 4MP Digital Camera to take shots of sporting events, wildlife, or even your child's unique expressions.  These moments have a very small window of opportunity to get the shot you desire thus a flash card that has been rated by experts as being a faster card may be something to consider.  In my opinion, it is always best to find a review of a flash card as it performed in your specific digital camera.  Some cameras just work better with specific flash cards do to the software, firmware, buffer utilization, etc. between the camera and the flash card.  Finding an answer to this question is not usually an easy task.  There is, though, a superb website that not only offers flash card reviews but also has an extensive user forum that can answer this all important question for you.  You may want to take a look at dpreview dot com and then do a search for the Gateway DC-M42 4MP Digital Camera in the forums area, if that doesn't work just do a search on Gateway and you should be able to find someone that can help you.  I am fairly certain you will have plenty of information to make an informed buying decision.  You may also want to look at their detailed review of this particular camera as well if you have not yet decide on whether to purchase it.Of course one of the next factors to consider is in regards to price.  Please, do not make the mistake that I have made of buying the absolute cheapest flash card.  Take a look at the factors I have mentioned here before you make a purchase.  Think of a flash card for your Gateway camera as an extension to it.  Just as you wouldn't purchase the cheapest camera case for your camera (personally I own the Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack but I like the extra room and the backpack style, which may not be your cup of tea) don't necessarily purchase the cheapest flash card either.  Keep in mind that you will use this card every single time you use your camera.  Like I said it is truly an extension of your digital camera.The final thing I will mention is in regards to service.  There are a number of flash card suppliers in the world today.  However all of the flash cards are actually built by a handful (3 - 5) of companies and even those companies only have a few options (2 - 4) regarding which components they are going to use in their particular design.  More or less, the actually hardware inside each flash card is going to be similar but the way in which they utilize that hardware and the level of support they will provide, given there is a problem, are more paramount.  Just imagine going 10 days without a flash card for your camera (which I did) because you are waiting for some company to repair your flash card, or worse yet having it fail and having no recourse.  There are a couple of manufacturers that do very well in regards to utilizing technology and providing customer service.  As of the time of this writing they are SanDisk, Lexar, and Viking.  However check the newsgroups and forums for the latest information as it can be very cyclical and unfortunately can take a turn for the worse overnight.No matter what flash card you decide to use with your digital camera make sure you take the time to take the pictures.  Time flies by fast and having thousands of images to thumb through 5 years from now to remind you of the time that has gone by will be the most powerful investment of all.  I have personally purchased a SimpleTech external hard drive to store my images on (another reason I like the Targus DPMV02 Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack as it gives me room to put in my hard drive).  The hard drive combined with the backpack allows me to take my photos with me when I go visit family and friends.  I use PhotoShop exclusively to do all my photo editing and batch processing (a great feature of PhotoShop) and of course make occasional backups to DVD-RW.Enjoy your Gateway DC-M42 4MP Digital Camera.  I hope this review has informed you how this camera can be best enhanced by a flash card and the best approach in finding one that meets your specific needs.
This camera was sadly disappointing.  It is powered by only two AA batteries, which last only one photo taking and sometimes less.  In  Gateway's defence, they do provide two rechargable batteries with the camera, but that doesn't make up for having to change the batteries daily.I have had the camera only a week and have already had trouble with it accepting the memory card.  At times, it said that there were no images. . . I jiggled the memory card around a bit and my hundred+ images reappeared.  Very annoying!As for quality. . . No, this is no 4.0 megapixel camera.  My older 3.0 camera takes better quality photos than this one.  They tend to be grainy and fuzzy, regardless of settings, and close-up shots simply are NOT possible--despite the macro settings.It does have some nice "bells and whistles" with lighting and color options, but that simply doesn't make up for poor quality photos.  If you are taking photos for more than family snapshots, this is NOT the camera for you.
Everyone complains about the battery life. While, I do use the rechargable batteries, I find that Energizer Lithium batteries work well and allow me to take pictures all day long.  The camera works well and takes pretty good pictures.  It doesn't feel like a substantial piece like my parents sony Mavica (which is old but really substantial feeling) but then again, I didn't pay $300 for this camera either.  Overall, it's a good buy.
I was very surprised ,first of all, after reading all the horrible reviews on here.I have had this camera for over two years now, and have not experienced half the problems these other people have. I have taken literally hundreds of photos without having to re-charge my batteries.I did have a problem with "losing" pictures last year, I bought a new memory card and haven't lost a single picture since.I think this camera is well worth the money, it is not an expensive camera so you can't expect professional results.
My daughter took this camera to Europe last summer and got some beautiful pics! If you use quality rechargeable batteries, and use a card reader to download the pics - instead of draining the batteries further by using the camera cable - then you will be able to take more pics, and save battery life. Quality of pictures?...I can count the pores on someone's face with these pics! I can't figure out why others don't get the same results  :(
This camera is a piece of junk. I am kicking myself for buying it. Shoulda followed conventional wisdom and bought a Canon or Olympus instead.Problems :- Battery life : Having been warned about using AA (or Alkaline)  cells, I went ahead and bought 4 NiMH batteries and a charger. Sadly, even the NiMH batteries are not enough to take more than 20 or so pictures, far fewer if you turn on the LCD screen. All the while, I see people with Canons snapping away all day without changing batteries.- Image Quality : Image quality is very poor. Indoor snap almost always turn out grainy or ruined in some other way. Outdoor photos (in bright daylight) come out OK.- Bulky : The camera is quite bulky relative to the competition.I borrowed a (4 year old) 2 MP canon from a friend of mine. The Canon beat this piece of junk on the features that matter to me -  picture quality and battery life.If you're in the market for a camera, do yourself a big favor. Pass on this museum piece. If price is a consideration for you, get a 2 MP Canon or Olympus. That is guaranteed to be better.
Pros:Easy to connect to PCCons:Terrible grain even at 4.0 MP Fine settingPoor colour saturationAuto white balance cant adapt to flourescent lightingFocus does not work well indoorsVery weak flashLengthy delay to achieve focus and between shotsHigh battery drain (even Ni-MH)Conclusion:An inexpensive 4.0 MP digital camera, but one that underperforms in every aspect.  I have since returned mine and opted to spend an extra $75 to get an Olympus or Minolta instead.  Other buyers would be wise to do the same.
This camera drains batteries faster than you can replace them.  I put new batteries in and take less than 10 pictures.  Come back a week later and the camera doesn't have enough battery life left to even look at my 10 shots.  Can't afford to keep this camera.
I was attracted to this camera for sports and wildlife photography by the combination of a Leica lens and image stabilization. IMO image stabilization an essential at 12X. Unless you're dead, you'll shake.Controls are adequate and, except for the shutter being flat on the top instead of angled, well placed. The plastic body can be overlooked, it seems sturdy.I was annoyed with the SD card being next to the battery until I figured out that it was not meant to be removed for downloading.Card readers don't work = at least mine doesn't. One must download to your PC directly from the camera by using USB.And this is where the manual fails. That fact is never explained and finding out how to download required a lot of patient search.The manual is filled with halfway explanations, assumptions and cross referencing by page number. The quick start gets you through the taking of a photo, but you're on your own from there. They tell you to read the whole thing before you shoot. Like your going to remember everything. Sheeesh.I'm NOT a newcomer to digital photography - I own and use an Oly E-20. I've shot film for fifty years so the terminolgy isn't foreign and I've had a Mac on my desk since 1985. I edit on PE2 and sell prints through small galleries and gift shops.I think English may be a second language for the tech writers who wrote the manual and worse yet, they are probably engineers.Be patient and find yourself rewarded. Panasonic would do well to have the manual edited, but it won't happen so...
I bought this camera in August of this year so I've had time to play with it for a while.  I'm very pleased with it's performance.  It is very easy to use, at least for basic usage--I'm still learning all of it's bells and whistles.  The pictures look great, so far I have only enlarged to 8x10 but they are beautiful.  The only drawbacks are, as with all of my digital cameras it is not a great performer in low light conditions.  In fact, sometimes you are shooting blind.  Also, if I don't have the flash up my pictures have a blue tint to them.  I'm sure that I just need to read the manual because I know you can adjust the color some.
THIS CAMERA IS THE BEST CAMERA I OWN, EXCEPTIONAL LENSES TODAY HIGH MEGAPIXELS CAMERAS DO NOT EQUAL TO THIS, I HAD THIS CAMERA A LONG TIME AND STILL KICKS BUTTS.MICHAEL
I don't know why I never reviewed this before, but just because I see I didn't I will make a comment. This was the best camera I ever owned, and I have had many as well as having a digital slr. It is one reason why I place Panasonic as one of the camera models to look at before making a new camera purchase, and actually bought the FZ20 to replace this FZ10. I have since moved on to other cameras but fondly remember the FZ10. I have not had a camera that has given better results than the Panasonic FZ10 or FZ20.
I bought this camera just before Christmas for a higher price (before Amazon had it) did great in full-light situations, but can be fuzzy if you forget to use the pop-up flash in dim-light situations.Just got back from the zoo (our favorite spot to test camera's) and have superb quality pic's from that.  Detail and clarity is amazing.
I have a web site in which I compared identical pictures of Minolta A1, Nikon 5200, Canon S60 and Sony W1.  Althought the latter two (Canon and Sony) were also excellent, the Panasonic FZ10 was the best of the cameras in terms of picture quality and flexibility.  The S60 is certainly a close contender in quality.  But the Leica Zoom 35-420mm on such a light camera, re-defines the meaning of travel camera.In the old days a travel SLR camera was at best a 28 to 90mm SLR.  The thought of taking along a 300 or 400mm zoom was absurd because those lenses weighed too much or were too big.  But the Panasonic FZ10 changes all that.  While it is technically not an SLR, it certainly serves the same function about 98% of the time. I took the camera on a recent cruise to Scandinavia, and got great pictures from 35mm to 420mm.The anti-shake feature is very handy for those long focal length pictures, and works very well.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ 10 delivers on the things I was looking for in a digital camera (my first outside of a $20 "cheapie" I bought for a starter).  Number one, I wanted a good, clear image.  The Leica lens comes through here.  The macro mode is wonderfully present, and the 12x Optical zoom is more that adequate.  Number two, I need good image stabilization and this not problem with this camera.  One of the features I love is the "manual focus assist," where an enlarged box appears in the center of the frame, allowing you to get the focus just right.  Maybe this is a standard feature for most cameras, I don't know. But it sure helps.  I'm still learning my way around this camera, and having a wonderful time in the process.  I'm glad my research informed me that mini-pixel 'multiplication' was a vastly overrated quality, so I did not dismiss out of hand the 4MP rating of the FZ 10.  The camera was manufactured in 2003. The one I bought is in excellent shape.
I bought this camera in June '04 and haven't had a single problem with it.  If the rating system had half stars, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5.  It's that good, really.I have an extra battery; it comes in very handy because recharging takes some serious time.  I bought a 512 MB smart media - a wise investment when yhou're on trips.Of all the things it does well, the lens is the best feature.  12x zoom brings the subject in close with sharp edges and great color and contrast.  The image stabilizer works very well, as several other reviewers have noted.  However, it can give you a false sense of security at long focal ranges; for really sharp images at the upper reaches of the lens, you need a tripod or a really steady grip on the camera.  The manual focus works well and macro mode brings you stunning close-ups.  The flash is OK for small groups but has limited range; I prefer to set the ASA fairly high and skip the flash to avoid the inevitable differences in exposure based on distance from the camera.The camera is surprisingly large, due in large part to the lens; it's too large to slip into your pocket.  But it's durable.  Over the past 10 months it has knocked into chairs, tables, doors and whatever, and even survived a drop on a hardwood floor, with no apparent damage.The LCD is big and bright but washes out in strong sunlight as do most others.  Switching to the viewfinder takes care of this problem.  The diopter adjustment on the viewfinder helps people like me (with glasses) see the screen easily.This is the first camera I have had with PictBridge, the ability to print straight from the camera.  I hook up the USB cable to my printer and set the printer for 4x6 and have a print in less than a minute.  I chose the Canon i960 printer, which has worked well with this camera - easy to set up, easy to print and really sharp prints with great color and contrast.  It would be nice if Panasonic would allow you to pick several pictures to print at one time, instead of one at a time, but this is a minor inconvenience.Overall, I am very pleased with this camera and have taken a lot of great pictures with it.
My wife got this camera for me when they were relased in 12/03 for my Christmas presant. I was very sick at the time with a Galbladder infection and lose of patassium. It was March before I felt like useing the camera. It worked great and was everything I was wanting in a camera. The first big usage of this was on vacation. All otoaled I have taken 1300 pixs with this unit. I got up on the 21st of this Feb to us it to post a knife on eBay I turned on the camera and hear a strange grinding sound, as I tried to focus I could not get it to in manual or auto and it has nt worrked since. My wife paid almost $600 for this unit. When I call the Panasonic help line they tell me that unfortuinately it will have to be sent in for repair and is no longer covered under warrnety. spend a little extra and buy a cannon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am extremely impressed with this camera. The batteries are expensive but they last for a loooong time. The menu system can be a little intimidating but after using it for a while things become easier. The lens cap is not attached to anything and I have almost lost it twice. The lens is not threaded for filters, however the provided hood has a 72mm thread. The camera is big...And then there is that wonderful lens. Oh my. It makes up for a lot of sins. It is absolutely perfect at 50 iso, very good at 100 and quite good at 200-400 if you're looking for real fast stuff... But who needs it when you get the 2.8f aperture from one end of the zoom range all the way to the other. It goes from 6-72mm which translated to 35mm terms means 35-420mm!!! When was the last time you saw a 420mm lens with f2.8 with the body for under $600???The colors are just fabulous. The lens is stabilized which lets you move it around all the way up to 8x. To go more than that you need a tripod or something real stable to lean on. This means some excellent, sharp, clear, vibrant shots from quite far. I am running out of words. This lens is a Ferrari. Way to go Leica and Panasonic!
This is a top of the line point'n shoot camera. Without any doubt the 12x optical zoom with image stabilizing and fast 2.8f aperture along the whole zoom range of 35-420 mm (35mm equiv.) are the icing on the cake. Nevertheless I'm slightly dissapointed about this camera because the specs read like my dream camera and the engineers from Panasonic just couldn't keep it together. Why? - I will cover this later.I was so anxious about getting my set together that I bought a bag first going by the size of the FZ1 - big mistake. The FZ10 is about double the size. Definitly no camera to slip in your pocket.Battery are pretty expensive, about 50$ a piece. A good replacement, not from Panasonic but way cheaper and even higher in the mAh rating is AC-CGAS002 (the barn were you get 'em from is great). Charge and running time equal almost 1hr.The Tripod adapter blocks access to the battery and memory compartment.In dcresource the macro is described to work only in the automatic macro mode. So you couldn`t go by your own settings (manual). Good news - not true-. What is also not described in the manual, the camera does the same macro in manual mode. Literally up to the lense, almost touching it, with super sharp images.Personally, I do prefer the manual mode for several reasons and this is where my dissapointment starts. In a dim light situation, still enough to take a decent picture, the LCD is pitch black. It is not broken, that's just the way it is. The techs from Panasonic told me something about achery techniques and how to shoot over the body. I call it a &quot;Misconception&quot;. Also the brightness of the flash is not displayed, saying the LCD should get brighter when flash is activated. Still you get nice pictures - with dim light focusing slightly advanced to some other digital pointers- just you don't see the composition and focusing. I consider this the major drawback of this camera. Surprisingly enough though, if you switch to Automatic mode the LCD display in the very same dim light situation with exactly the same setting, is fine. Aperture- or Shutter priority are also good in this respect. I say it again, this applies only to dim light situations in manual mode. In standard light situations you won't notice.Talking about low light situations, the flash is quite impressiv. Gives you also the option to compensate (-2/+2). This is very helpful if you don't wanna compensate the flash by shutter/aperture.Lense cap has no string to hold it to the body - risk of losing it.I am an avid Photoshop user. So I like the auto braket function to take 3 consecutive shots with different esposures for different layers in the software. Still after every shot you have to kick the bracket in again. There is no button to enable this function permanently like cameras for only a fraction of the price do. I wouldn't mind that if it were not so long winded to get to that function. Between changing the shutter/aperture in Manual mode, engaging the bracket to -1/+1 and back again, it is necessary to push 9 buttons. (Wanna count? exposure/dial up/3x dial right/3xdial up/exposure.) And this after every shot, huhhh.Most people won't mind, but it takes only jpeg format. No non-compression formats available. This camera lets me take considerably more pictures (about 165) with 256mb than my Dimage s414 (about 125), which also happens to be a 4 MP camera - each camera in the best jpeg settings. With best settings this camera takes file sizes wich average about 1,5MB (Dimage S414 about 2MB). OK not every manufacture uses compression to the same extend, and in this setting Panasonic has surely found a nice compromise between quality and compression. Still I would be happier if Panasonic had tweaked its compession less aggressively, in order to achieve higher quality (but lager file size). Expecially since non-compression is missing and this camera is supposingly more oriented towards the prosumer section.Nevertheless the picture quality is superb across the whole zoom range (the lense seems to make up for it).I read reviews were people complained about noise. I figure they chose the wrong ISO (Auto ISO?). Try to use 100, 50 if possible. Everything from ISO 200 on gets indeed noisy, so is it with other cameras. And the fast lense 2.8f over the whole zoom range together with the Image Stabilizer give you quite some options here.The image stabilizer works great. I think this feature should become as much of an standard as it is for camcorders. This from Panasonic should be a wake up call for the other manufactures to install it in there ultrazooms.Very positive is the overall speed of the camera. SD memory might help it. Run-up, Burst mode and time between shots is very fast. High Burst gets you 4-5 shots in 2sec. After that you are ready again after about 4 sec. I consider this to be very fast. The only issue in the Burst mode is that it freezes the picture in the LCD screen. Burst makes sense for moving objects. And that is were you find it almost impossible to keep your object in focus when you just see a series of taken pictures with a delay of about 0.5 seconds.The purple fringing, which often comes along with extreme zoom lenses seems to be moderate. I haven't seen any so far with taken lots of pictures in situations where this is supposed to be most present, like against the sun with darker objects in front. Still it is mentioned in some of the reviews.Verdict:Even thought I wrote critically this shouldn`t distract from the fact that this is a state of the art point'n shoot camera with a great Leica lense and a stabilazation system you won't find in any other model of this category.So giving away some of my high expectations this is still an excellent camera which will epeal to the advanced photographer with a need for an extreme zoom.
I wanted to go digital, but looked and looked for the perfect first digital camera. My sister put the Panasonic Lumix in my hands, and it was love at first sight. First, the camera is amazingly light for a camera with a zoom equivalent of 400+. Second, the camera never misses a shot, no matter what the light conditions. Yes, I read the manual thoroughly, and yes, the camera can be confused a little when the conditions are dark and there are lights in back of the subject, but not a huge problem, and even most of those shots turned out great. I am in love with this camera, so in love that making the switch to digital was easy and delightful.
Although this is my first digital camera, I knew that I wanted something more than a point and shoot.  I just got back from a two week trip to Italy and the pictures are fantastic.  Although the DMC-FZ10K is a bit bigger than some of the comparables, once you decide that you want more than a 3x optical zoom, you realize that any camera with a better lens cannot fit in your pocket and you might as well upgrade to the DMC.  It is the best camera in its price range and has many features that cameras twice as expensive don't have. First, not only is it a 12X zoom (with optical stabilzation) but it is a very fast f2.8 all the way.  This may not sound like a big point, but it gives you a much bigger and  better capacity in dimmer light situations.  Secondly, the optical stabilization really works.  I did a handheld picture at full zoom of a street lamp about 30 feet from me.  When you blew up the picture in the LCD to check the focus, I could see very clearly insects that were parked on the streetlamp without any blur in the image.I read a few complaints about the lens cap not being attached.  My solution was to use the lens hood and not using the lens cap except when I put the camera away.In terms of improvements, I agree that it is difficult to focus in dim light.  However, I read the same complaint on virtually every other camera.  The DMC has a very easy to use manual focus  (turning a ring on the lens barrel just like a SLR) and the switch from manual to autofocus is conveniently placed on the lens barrel.  On a number of other cameras, the manual focus requires stepping through the menu and using the buttons in the back. However, in dim light or dark situations, the image in the viewfinder is pretty dim as well and manual focus is difficult. But the great thing with a digital camera is that you take a picture, review it, and make adjustments if you didn't like the first picture.  THE DMC makes this process very easy.Finally, I saw a review that had a complaint that the DMC did not have a left hand grip and it was awkward to hold with one hand.  I think the reviewer did not read the instructions.  The left hand should hold the lens barrel from underneath which gives a very stable two handed hold.
The best cam for the money and has every potential to become the next 2100UZ as far as legacy is concerned. The lens and IS are 1st rate and you can get beautiful crisp photos in almost no light although focus lock in those conditions can be tricky. The zoom and the digital zoom are all very usable and I have gotten nice photos at full digital zoom. Overall Panasonic did their homework for the most part albeit some minor annoyances I listed below. But there are no perfect digital cameras out there. But couple this cam with the 12x Leica/IS combo and beautiful 4MP picture quality, many user available settings and you have a photographer's dream here.Minor gripes I have-Handgrip needs to be bigger.No eyecup, although a workaround is available as the Nikon 2939 cup.Proprietary battery. Wish this could have taken AA NIMH's.Lowlight focus can be tricky at times. Other than that once you get used to the possibilities of this cam you won't regret getting it.
There was no other camera that could compete with this when it came out, and now only its sucessors from Panasonic can do so (well them and a $900 Nikon, but I'd rather save my money).  This camera is that good.  Is it perfect?  No, not at all.  I could write a lengthy listing of gripes, but they pale in comparisons to the positives:A high performance Leica designed (Panasonic manufactured) lensOpitical image stabilizerFast burst mode12x zoomSolid Japanese built bodyAll in all, you will have fun taking great shots at birthday parties, zoos, fireworks, parks, concerts, and many other places--I did.  Why?  The lens, it allows for blur free images thanks to its wide aperture and image stabilizer, and it also allows you to get close to the action with a tremendous zoom.  Other camers may offer 10x zooms, but the lack the image stabilizer so everything is big AND BLURRY.  Buy this or the newer FZ-15 or FZ-20 from Panasonic--you won't regret it.
I've never owned a digital camera, but I've had a Canon AE-1 for about 20 years. My wife and I wanted to get a digital camera that we could share (manual for me, point and shoot for her) and the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 seems to be the perfect compromise. The picture quality and color fidelity are truly amazing. I'm happy with the ability to adjust almost all of the settings, and the gun-and-run style pictures are great too! Two minor annoyances with this camera:- The lens cap isn't attached. We're going to lose it sooner rather than later;- Low light settings: The camera sometimes struggles to autofocus in low-light conditions sans flash. This won't affect you if you're using your own settings, but be aware that low light point-and-click isn't perfect; also in auto mode, the LCD is almost impossible to read in the dark.Other than that, we're thrilled with the camera. If you truly need an SLR with swappable lenses and full control, spend more for the Canon Digital Rebel. If you just want point and click, spend less and get an A70. But for the in-betweener, this camera really hits the sweet spot.
Works great in my race car.  I constatntly had to dink around with charging my batteries in between heats when racing as my camcorder only lasts about 45-50 mins and my races are up to 2hrs.  This works great, one last thing to worry about.  I have it ziptied in, and I cut the end off and interfaced it directly to my battery.  great product.
This product fits perfect in my Camera. This is what I was looking for. I like to take my car to the track to record my footage. I used to have a problem with my battery dying. Well Now that worry has come to an end. I thought I was gonna have a problem finding an adapter for my camera. Due to the fact I purchased it back in 2000 and it being an 8mm analog camcorder. This product was an exact fit... So if you have an old sony camcorder don't worry this product fits. Great buy. one of the best buys this year!
It is a Sony charger and works fine.The charger is for a multitude of Sony camcorders, so you have 2 adapters.The whole thing is rather 'clunky' and redundant in cordage, but overall fairly light in weight.
This charger does what it says it can...its a bit slow on charging but cant expect a lot but its a must have just in case you know plus it can be used to be plugged in a the camera and video in your car itself for those scenery shots...one thing this should have have had was a DC charger in the same unit but WTH..you should check for compatibility before buying it has two pins for cybershots and camcorders so i guess it is compatible with most of them...
The Sony HDR-XR520V Camcorder is really neat camera and does need and a charging adapter for more flexible applications of use.  Amazon had the better price for the product than did Sony, so I buy such items from Amazon.  Smart business.
I find this to be a sturdy, well-constructed monopod. In addition it is light and very portable.  I have been using this monopod for about 1 month now.  Setup using the flip levers is very quick.  I am 6 foot tall and the monopod puts my  camera precisely where it needs to be.  There has been no slippage of the extension tubes.  I am quite happy with this purchase.
Manfrotto makes the best monopods and tripods on the market.  Solid and sturdy.  I use mine for added stability shooting wildlife in the field.  Easily handles the weight of my Canon 6D and Sigma 150-500mm lens.
Its tough made metal monopod, its a little bit heavy but for me its better i shot both Photo & VideoIt has well made screws 3/8 and inside adaptor to 1/4 so you can attech camera on monopod without any heads.5-stars bravo Manfrotto.
Very often you can't take a tripod, so this is the next best thing!I love this Monopod.  I use it hard, it's my walking stick on hikes everywhere I go. The harder  the hike, the more I need it.  And with most any of my lenses (and especially my Canon 100-400mm zoom) it helps a whole lot in steadying my shot!  I take it everywhere because I'm getting a little  older, and hauling a big camera and lens around all day can be a workout.  It also makes me feel (a little) safer, walking through the city with 2K's worth of camera equipment hanging around my neck.This thing is built well, solid, and simple to use.  No problems, and if I ever loose it -- I'll get another right now.
Took this on a cruise instead of a tripod. As long as you have anything you can get a 3rd point from, you actually have a tripod. Put a ball head on it and you have a very decent shooting point.
I bought this retail, and threw a 486RC2 ball head on it. Phenomenal build quality. The bottom section is wide, and there is a very nice rubber foot on the end that is as large as I expected.I already forked over $65 and got a crappy monopod from B&H; called a "ShotPod". It is only good for a stand to attach a remote flash to, and not for what a monopod should be for.It doesn't collapse as small as the 4-section, but let me tell you that seeing them together makes the decision easy. The 4-section is heavier (more hardware), and the last leg (bottom-most) is very small compared to the 3-section. That also means the rubber foot is smaller, which of course means quicker wear, less stability, etc.Get the 3 instead of the 4. Period.
Tripods are necessary.  Stabilizing a camera for those shots which require the shutter to be open for more than a snap demands a stable platform.  But there are times when the tripod just can't make the journey.  For those times, the monopod comes to the rescue.  There's nothing magic about them. And if the monopod is made of quality materials and workmanship, it'll last a long time and rescue an endless series of such photographic moments.This monopod is good quality and workmanship.
This is my second and quite possibly the last monopod I'll ever buy!  I say this because I can't think of why this would ever not be enough.  It can extend more than I can use and yet it isn't very long when collapsed.  It is light and could come in handy in a knife fight!  For the money, I decided to get one of these and I have never looked back!  I am however somewhat partial to the Bogen/Manfrotto name.
This is a solid but still light monopod. I use it all the time when for action shots. Shipping was fast. Great buy. I'd recommend it to my friends.
Holds together well, as long as you don't use it as a walking stick.  It is constructed well, a little on the heavy side, but if it weren't it wouldn't hold up well.  Looking forward to using it more this summer.
Well built stick and it doubles as a hiking stick if your taking photos in a remote area.Very sturdy. As you would expect from Manfrotto
The monopod is excellent, and is easier to carry than my tripod.It is sturdy, well constructed, and is recommended for a photographer seeking a monopod.
This is a great tool for when you don't want to take a bigger, bulkier tripod. I use it when I take photos at the zoo, and when I go hiking. This worked great for me!
A little heavy, but the adjustability and stability are worth it. This replaces a cheap monopod from BestBuy that had limited height adjustments. Manfrotto quality is first rate, I also own the 322RC2 head and 055XPROB tripod and they all perform flawlessly. Worth the extra weight when carrying. I need the monopod for blur-free outdoor shots (especially low light), getting a little shaky as I age.
I bought this to support my Canon EF 500mm f/4 lens when shooting without a tripod. During a recent trip to Florida I recognized this was a great idea when you do not want to mount the tripod. You are much more flexible and can reduce camera shake substantially. I made some shots I doubt they would have been better usig a tripod. The keeper rate is less compared to the tripod however. But I don't bother since the advantage of being more flexible by far outweighs this. Also, you can use the monopod for carrying the lens on your shoulder and don't need to schlepp it long arm! In conclusion one of the best accessoires I bought for my telephoto lenses; and this for an insignificant price compared to my tripod etc.
Bogen/Manfrotto produces very decent products for the money. Are they the best? No, Gitzo carbon fiber is probably the best, but at 3-4x the cost. If you are an avid amateur, this monopod represents a greta value. I purchased a Bogen 3011 tripod over 20 years ago and it still works great. Highly recommended.
This is a very solid, strong monopod!  I bought a Targus one from Target last week to get the feel for a monopod.  It was cheap, and felt very cheap.  I wanted to purchase a more durable monopod for my rig.  I figured, "Why would I mount $3,000 worth of equipment on a $16 monopod and risk damage?"I went with Manfrotto because I already own a 3021B Pro tripod and two heads with RC2 clamps.  The monopod came in tonight, and was not too heavy, but felt very durable.  It took two different heads well, as well as my Canon 7D with either of my three L lenses (including the heavy 70-200 2.8 IS) with no problems.Highly recommended.
I just got a canon 40D and am hoping to shoot some photos out on the soccer field.  I bought this after hearing much about the Bogen-Manfrotto name.  There are a bunch of similar looking monopods for sale,  and I couldn't tell you how they all compare or differ from each other.  Still, the price on this one was good, and I got it with the 3229 ballhead.  The camera can mount to the monopod without the ballhead, but it just feels better with it, and also you can't tilt the camera sideways on the monopod without the ballhead on it, otherwise you are picking up the whole monopod.  This may seem simple to some people, but I never had a monopod or nice camera before, so I didn't understand all these little things.  I did take the monopod to some soccer games, and it made shooting nice and easy. I don't see how I could have done it without the monopod.Overall, its a good quality item at a good price, so I am happy with it.
Add a head to this monopod and it's great to have when you are using a telephoto lens and can't bring a tripod with.  There are mutliple options for heads on this monopod and the swivel tilt head (Swivel Tilt Tripod Head with Quick Release 3229) is nice for when you want to save some money, but the ball head (Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System) is very nice for the smooth motion and angles it provides.Pros:LightweightStableEasy and Quick to setup and useCons:Not as compact as a 4 sectionDoesn't come with a headStrap is flimsy
This is not only a monopod, but also a nice thing to carry when looking for Mountain Lions, crossing rivers and keeping balance. It can hold any camera and lens!
Great product.  I wanted a sturdy monopod for nature photo hikes with Nikon D300 and large, heavy lens.  This is sturdy enough to double as a walking stick.  You don't need to, but I bought this product with the Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head.  The 486RC2 adds a bit of weight to the top of this setup, but the monopod's weight and sturdiness have already been talked about lots here and isn't an issue for me. It does expand to full height allowing even the tallest person to use the viewfinder without having to slump over, even on uneven ground.  I plan on buying the tripod legs option as well(Manfrotto 678 Monopod Universal Folding Base).These are the first Manfrotto products I have bought, but will not be the last.
I've been wanting a monopod for my SLR Digital camera for quite some time. I'm currently shooting with a D300 and usually have a vertical grip and either the 17-55 f2.8 or 70-200 VR lens attached. It's just about a 5 pound package and a monopod is the perfect solution for certain types of shooting where you know you should not probably be hand-holding the camera. It's also nice if I want to travel a bit lighter and with less bulk than by hauling a tripod around.I coupled this with the Manfrotto 234RC Head and think I made a great choice. The monopod is built extremely well. The two-section design is rock-steady and not as heavy as you might expect. When compared to the cost of a graphite monopod, I'll live with the "weight" of this and have no regrets.The leg extension locks are sturdy without being difficult to use and in fact are easily handled. There is a really nice and long section of foam at the top of the monopod which makes gripping the monopod secure and comfortable. The dual 1/4" - 3/8" fixing screw is a thoughtful inclusion for those people that need a 1/4" solution.It's a great piece of equipment and I'm giving it 5 stars.You may also want to consider the 682 version which includes retractable legs. Amazon did not have this available at the time of my order and I'm quite happy with the 681B.UPDATE: 5/14/2009- I am still extremely happy with this monopod. However there is one issue I need to mention: the wrist strap is constantly slipping out of the nylon "buckle". It's only a matter of time until I accidentally lose the strap because of it's tendency to come un-done out of the buckle. Other than that I love the monopod.
I am a professional photographer and shoot a lot of sports. This is sturdy and still light enough to carry
Super heavy duty monopod. This is a great product. Very well made,nice finish,easy to use flips locks. I've added a Bogen quick release CR2( with a Bogen 484 ball head)and I also use the CR2 on a Bogen 3001 tripod with a Bogen 468 ball head,and it works very well. This is a great product and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a very sturdy monopod. If you are looking for something packable this is probably not for you as it is long and doesn't collapse far enough to fit in airline luggage. If you are using it,carrying it on field trips it will do whatever you need it to do,handling the heaviest gear you could attach to it.
This is a rugged monopod and definitely does what it's intended to do... I purchased the 486RC2 compact Ballhead for this and a 488RC2 Ballhead for my tripod so I could take the camera off of one and connect instantly to the other without delay...  I would recommend this to my friends... One of my co-workers is getting this one too..
I really like this well made and very sturdy, multi purpose monopod (walking stick and snake killer here in the desert)
This monopod is built like a tank, so much so that I probably should have gotten one a little smaller and lighter. I use this with the Manfrotto 322RC2 Joystick and it is a solid combo. If you need some gear to hold a heavy camera/long lens or to add structural support to your house, this is the monopod for you.
I love this Monopod (Manfrotto 681B). The monopod is built like a tank and could handle any beating it may cross. I use this monopod for shooting sports (especially long sporting events) and it really does help. I use a Canon EOS 7D and a 70-200mm f/4L lens with this monopod and it works great. It was able to handle the weight of both the camera and the lens. Not only that, the aluminum leg is very durable. This is my very first monopod and I am glad that I picked this one. I have tripods that were not built by Manfrotto and they are not comparable to the build quality provided by this monopod.Manfrotto also offers an extended 3 year warranty when you register your product online giving you a total of 5 years in warranty.Great buy and I highly recommend trying this out.
This monopod is something that I anticipate I will use for a lifetime.  I bought it along with the 3229 quick release head, and the simplicity of the design is flawless, and the quality is exceptional.
It is what it is. A nice sturdy monopod. Not the lightest, but very sturdy.
Compact design, solid construction, but not too heavy. Fits the camera snugly and the ball-lock tightens well. Just what I was looking for!
This monopod performs flawlessly. It is lightweight, sets up and adjusts easily and is the perfect accessory for supporting my Digital SLR when shooting in low light conditions where use of flash is not possible.
This mono pod is high end quality.  Easily handles the weight of my Canon 7D with my 70x200 2.8L lens.  It is easy to extend to all different lengths although it could have a swivel head, but I don't have a issue with this as it is easy to tip to the side if need be.  Can be used as a hiking stick as well which is nice for though landscape shots.  Extremely HAPPY with this Quality purchase.
Sturdy, well built piece of equipment.  A little heavy - sort of wish I had paid a little extra and got the model with the built-in tripod.
The B-M 681B monopod, although relatively heavy, is of durable contruction quality.  When combined with the optional folding tripod base, the components provide good, steady support.  I am very satisfied with my purchase.
What would you expect from Manfrotto.  It is rock sturdy, well made, and relatively light weight.  You could use it as a weapon in a street fight.  I have decided that the 4 section unit would be better for me as it is overall shorter and seems to be as well made.  Easier to carry.  Will buy it someday when I am awash in cash!  LOL
I was visiting a local camera shop and happened to see this Manfrotto monopod on display along with some others.  I picked up and handled several of them, but I kept coming back to this 681B monopod.  It felt good in my hands.  I typically don't buy photographic equipment on the spur of the moment without reading reviews and specs.  Trusting my instincts, I made the purchase.This is my first monopod and I didn't have a monopod head to use with it.  I went to another local camera shop and purchased the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head.  This combination is a nice balance when I use it with my Nikon D7000 camera.The monopod is very sturdy and well made.  Adjusting the height of the monopod is quick and easy with the locking mechanism.I've been using this monopod mostly for macro shots in the garden.  It's a joy to move around quickly and set up for the next shot.  The thick rubber foot is durable and works well as I haven't experienced any slipping even on wet grass.I'm glad I have this Manfrotto monopod in my bag.  The quality and build is exceptional.(Note:  I have posted a review of the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head here on Amazon.com)**  Update 04/14/12 **I've started to take this monopod with me.  I've used this at my church along with my D7k and 18-200mm lens.  It has helped me to steady the camera while I'm at the back of the church taking pictures of events at the front.  Since my personal preference is not to use my flash during service/events, this monopod helps me take clear and sharp pictures.  No more fuzzies from hand holding my camera.I am careful to slowly open the leg lever on the locking collar and can quickly make the monopod height adjustments without too much noise.I'm still very pleased with this monopod and how quickly I can setup and start taking pictures.  Having the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head helps as well.**  Update 04/21/12  **Again, this is one sturdy monopod.  I have now used it with an external flash attached to my D7k and wide/zoom lens.  My Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head and this monopod combo can take the weight without any problems.
I really wanted to purchase the 4-section 680B model from Manfrotto because it has a shorter overall collapsed length. But, I was in the need and my local camera store only had this 681B in stock at the time.With this in mind, the 681B is a great monopod. The locking mechanisms are quick and secure and the grip is very comfortable. These features, along with a great price, has made me very happy with my purchase.Pros: Light weight, solid construction. Extension locks work very well. Extends to more than enough height. Comfortable grip. Great price.Cons: Hand strap not secure enough -- ended up slipping off the monopod and losing it the first time out!!! A little longer overall collapsed height than desired. No threaded screws on underside of mounting plate (like my tripod has) to physically lock down the head. Note: "probably" don't need the threaded screws for locking the head being this is a monopod, but why not include them?!?
Works as expected. I like the clamp style leg locks much better than the screw types some other manufacturers use. Not as light weight as the carbon fiber ones, but much les expensive.
I went on a photo shoot at a minor league baseball game....and I had a really cheapmonopod....the other photographer I was with had this Manfrotto 681b monopod...I saw how well he was able to maneuver and get his shots...and I was very impressed...I asked him how much he paid and where he bought it..turns out he bought it at a local camera store...for a great price...I went to the camera store and they were sold out of the 681b model...so I went on the computer and was able to find the 681b with a 234rc quick release head for$90 from Adorama....sorry Amazon.....I've already used the monopod at a  minor league game...and loved it...this is truly one great monopod...excellent for sports...very sturdy  and feels good in your hands....I love the rubberized grip with the wrist strap....and the 3 sections are fine....when fully closed it measures 28 inches...but that is fine....I didn't buy it for extreme portability...I wanted a firm sturdy monopod to shoot action/sportsphotos...this fills the bill....I highly recommend this monopod to any one looking for a very sturdy monopod....Oh, by the way this monopod makes for an excellent walking stick....Willie....
I bought a brick of this several years ago for a couple of black-and-white photography classes and was pretty pleased with it. Tri-X requires less development time than TMax, so there's less waiting around until you can get back to the fun stuff in the darkroom. It is a little grainy because of the film speed, but in this case the grain gave the finished photos a very pleasing quality that I wouldn't have had if I'd shot with some slower film.
I shoot Tmax 100 and 400 normally, and I shoot quite a bit of it. The other day I noticed that I had 2 35mm rolls of TriX 400 and figured that I might as well shoot and process them together for ease of processing time. So after two rolls of playing around and shooting whatever just to get it over with I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Nice grain, deep blacks, and great details and tone.While I will probably still be using Tmax 100 in my older slower cameras, I think I will be changing my primary 400 speed B&W; film to TriX.
It protedcted very well when I recieved it. And This is an awesome product for a film camera. I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a while since I've splashed around in a darkroom, but seeing that Tri-X is still produced has got me thinking about setting up my development gear again and doing the old magic with all its strange lighting and smells and trickling water.Anyway, Tri-X definitely makes grainy prints, but that's the beauty of it.  Digital black and white just doesn't have the mystery about it that this old film has, and creating a bit of wonder is what black and white is all about.
They WAY overcharged! I paid $40 in shipping for a $7.00 roll of film! But I didn't know it until I received my order because I also paid for another bigger item at the same time (shipped through someone else) so I assumed that was why it cost so much; but it was the film!!! I will never buy from them again. I can buy film here for $4 a roll. But as a newbie getting started and ordering online I feel I was completely taken advantage of!!
I wanted to try out my cameral and do some black and white phots they turn out very good will be getting more
film was exposed and pictures did not turn out. don't recommend if you are taking important pictures. Purchase at store instead
I am a mostly digital girl, and this is the only film I use for portraits when I shoot in a film camera. I do not shoot for bells and whistles nor do I have high-end camera equipment. This is the same black and white film that used to be extremely readily available (those were days) when I was in high school, and I am so very glad that I have wonderful photos taken on it in my beloved point-and-shoot: of the kindergarteners which were in my care as a YMCA camp counselor and of my friends and (mis)adventures throughout my senior year. It is not so easy to find as it was then, so I like to get it in the multi-packs here, where the price is reasonable. I'm still using the same Old Reliable Olympus Point and Shoot, and they still come out like a dream.
I loved how this film turned out. I use a 35mm EOS Canon Ti and the pictures turn out so crisp. It's the perfect film for every day shooting.
If your a student or professional photographer. I would recommend buying this item.It's not really the best when it comes to developing. In other word it's forgiving and inexpensive.
Well made.
I need help with close examination.  These simple loupes are great.  Buy the 4x, dont go for 6x to 8x as they give you a small view area and are harder to focus.
This is exactly what I had and used while employed at Hamilton Watch Company.The quality is is very good
In the past 20 years I have owned the Bausch & Lomp loupes-powers  10x,7x,and 5x. They were great for looking at old slides and small writing on gold chains. Over the years I lost and broke them.This year I bought these new loupes in various powers. The problem I find is that with all of them  you need to be extremely close to the object. I don't understand why the old loupes could be used at a comfortable distance and with these new loupes you are just to close. They are clear and work well. But the focal distance to the object is very very close.
B&L is the best eye loupe i can find.  We have never had a bad experience with any  of the brand.
I've had one of these for about 40 years and it is, by far, the most-used magnifier I have.  In fact, it sits less than an arm's length from me when I'm at my computer (I kept it for years in my machinist's chest in my shop).  I use it constantly for all kinds of things.  A common use is when I use a razor blade to trim problem areas around my fingernails and cuticle -- the magnifier helps me do an exact job.I've never tested the optical quality of it compared to a cheaper no-name brand, but I'd imagine that you can find cheaper units that are just as good optically (c'mon, it's a simple convex lens).  But mine has been dropped on the floor many times and just keeps on working, so I'll give B&L; a nod in the reliability of the mounting department.Don't think that more magnification is better.  Although I also have a 10X B&L; loupe, it sees far less use than the 4X loupe, mainly because of the decreased depth of field.  The 4X is just about perfect for general purpose use.
Great eye loupe feels well made, fits good in the eye socket, smooth plastic housing.  Some people complained about the optic, but after using a cheaper eye loupe the Dunegan on amazon big difference worth the extra $5-6, great clarity.  comes with nice pouch holder also for storing, nice feature I think.
I bought the Sony VX-2100 almost two years ago. Even then it was being phased out. In its place came Sony HD cameras like HD FX-1 or the HD FX-1000. These cameras were good in their own right, but they have their foundation thanks to the Sony VX-2000 and VX-2100. These cameras were doozies! This is the 19th Amazon review and 14th Five-Star Review for The Sony VX-2100.First, I want to say that I saw this camera used first hand on the set of several Pure Play Productions in California. The camera worked fantastically and it was then in 2004 that I decided to get one of my own. The problem was the expensive price tag. Thus I had to wait for several years before I got one and then bought another frontline unit. The first, I kept unboxed, and has never been used to this day.The low light abilities of this video camera are legendary. Indeed, it is even better than the HDR FX-1000, which came out some years later. Rosevelt Noble's Two Star Review on January 13, 2009 seemed to prove this. Yet, here the Sony VX-2100 still has a perfect positive rating that has lasted since 7 July 2004! That is Phenomenal!Just yesterday I was being tutored by Richard Andrews, videographer extrodinaire from Optic Reason. He showed me how I could shoot using the manual adjustment Auto Lock Selector switch. This, along with the toggle exposure dial allowed me to control the darkness and brightness the camera lense was exposed to. In plain English, this permitted me to control brightness, shutter speed, white balance and PROGRAM AE! My mini-DV's when transferred to DVD will look all the better thanks to this knowledge imparted by him!Summing this review up, I realize the time has passed this camera by, and it is technically obsoltete, but the unit more than holds its own when compared to any run of the mill camera manufactured today. My VX-2100 camera will be used by me for many years to come and I'm certain that historians will look back and call this camera one of the greatest ever made by Sony Industries. The fact that most AFI DVD productions of the 2000's were shot with this camera can attest to its greatness. Buy it and you will not be disappointed.A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.
I did type out a lengthy review, and it was a very encompassing one, but somehow it disappeared because of a button on my mouse. Needless to say I am just going to sum up what it said, and know I did have a long review for you, but alas it was not meant to be.One of the better prosumer cameras out there, and one of the better documented low light performing cameras. It beats the XL-2 and DVX100b in that regard. If you are looking for a professional quality camcorder than look no further, this is a fantastic 3CCD camera for all your shooting needs. The only drawback is that it doesn't have 24p capabilities or HD, but since there are a plethora of HD cameras out there now, well then for that you could go look elsewhere. If 24p and HD is not on your list of wants, this is one of the better MiniDV camcorders on the market, that will last and keep lasting while giving you a superior shooting quality day in and day out.This and an editing program will get to places you've always wanted to go to in the world of shooting, be it high quality family videos, weddings, short films, and feature length amateur films. It's paucity of functions make it easy for anyone to pick this up and learn how to use. It is actually a very easy camera to learn to function and use for the beginner and as such anyone could pick this up and start with their prosumer shooting right away.
I've had one of these for 4 years. It's received fairly heavy use over that time with NO problems. Great in low or limited light-use situations.  With a little practice, the manual controls are easy to reach and work very well. I've checked out the  HD upgrades to this camera, and they really don't compare - yet.  I love how good the footage looks in low- or poorly lit situations. (Sometimes you can't set up in your lights, especially when the CEO of a corporation only has 5 minutes to spare for a shoot, and it HAS to be in his/her office.  If you don't need an HD camera, this little guy will serve you well.  Why only 4 stars?  The mic input is an 1/8' plug (which isn't a horrible work-around is you use high-quality mics) The placement of this jack isn't too good, and I've pulled the mic cord out by accident a time or two.  Keep your heads clean and always monitor your audio with headphones. I also recommend a hard-shell case.  I hope Sony will make a HD camera as good as this one soon.
The Sony VX2100 is still a really good camera to use even today. Yes the camera is old and doesn't film in HD, but it is still one of the best cameras out. It has really good low-light quality, a lot better than the VX2000 and even better than most of the newer cameras out today. This camera is perfect for filming skateboarding when you get yourself a really nice fisheye lens. I would recommend this to anybody that wants a really good camera and don't mind not filming in HD. If you are looking for a HD camera, I would suggest the Sony HDR-FX7, keep in mind that the low-light quality on the FX7 is considerably lower than the VX2100.
UPDATE. 3-3-8. I used this camcorder to film myself making a house painting video. It has been selling on Amazon for over 10 months now. Check out house painting dvd's in the search bar from the DVD section and click on Weekend Painter's DVD! Or see a short clip at weekendpaintersdvd.com! This is the reason I bought this in the first place and it worked like the champ it is! Still going strong, but now I use for weekend trips to the mountains and beach, and so forth. Always pleased when I come home and plug it in to watch the footage!Original review starts here: SO MUCH PRAISE ALREADY...WHERE DO I BEGIN?Well this is simply the best camcorder I've ever owned or used. At this level I've used the GL2 in the past. But I bought the VX2100.I took some footage of a lake recently and thought I was looking at film when I played it back on my HDTV. The color was beautiful and natural looking!  One rule. The better the lighting the better the picture!My first camcorder was a JVC in 87' VHS-C that was just about the same size as this camcorder now. But me-o-my, what a difference digital makes!!I dig the iLink from my camcorder to my PC and TV and my DVD recorder. ilink can run the show!Many manual features that lets a dude take control and play around when he has to and wants too! On screen menu really simple and the manual for this is well written and straight forward. But I must admit that some of the dubbing info is over my head at present as well as using memory chip tapes. But I'll get there.12X zoom could be more but it can also be plenty! Stabilization works fine for my needs, but alot of what I shoot is tripod mounted! "Put it on the TRIPOD" {what movie was that from?} ha ha.The 2 1/2" LCD is a bit small, works fine, but I find myself gravitating to the eyepiece. It's quicker to use and saves battery life. But the LCD is great to turn 180 degrees to shoot yourself with {ha} and use the remote with!You might want to buy the Sony 970 battery. Don't waste or risk on other brands, this one battery I used for 6 hrs straight doing an interview and it still had life in it!! The one that come with it is of course a small battery that lasts about 2 1/2 hrs. Thats rec. play-back, stand-by etc etc. Just these two batteries is all I need!!!!!!Also I added a wide angle lense. The Canon 58m wide anlge works fine with this unit.Some lighting too; How about Smith Victor 2 umbrella 250 watts lights. Makes indoor shooting look like a TV show!Lastly a mic. Depending on your use, you might want a shotgun mic for outdoors, or a lav mic indoors. The on camera mic is for people speaking rather close.All in all I couldn't be happier that I bought "this" camcorder. I read and looked around quite awhile before I bought. I think I have more Sony products in my house than any other and this is now no exception! Lights, camera, action!
This camera is easy to use and makes a good quality recording. Since it is an upper end product, it does have a longer learning curve than more simple models but the effort is worth it for the added features. There are, however, a few quirks which could have been fixed to make this a much more usable piece of equipment.The provided microphone jack is an 1/8" stereo. In my camera, at least, it is not mounted very securely. When I have an external mike connected, I had to be very careful to make sure that nothing touched it, otherwise, the sound would drop off. A friend with some tools and expertise fixed this problem but it should never have happened.The master switch moves from off to VCR mode (up one), record to tape mode (down one) or record to stick mode (down two). It is intuitive but very easy to overshoot the mark. This can be frustrating and I cannot help but believe there is a better design that could be used.The "VCR" controls are located on the top surface of the camera. They are intuitive and employ commonly used symbols. They are also backlit and impossible to discern in sunshine. You can see the symbols but there is no way to tell which, if any, of the functions are selected. It is still usable but it is a pain in the backside.There are a multitude of things that could be done to make the interface on this camera easier to use but it is usable as it is now.
I bought this to replace my defunkt Canon GL2 (tape drive mechanism failure - check the web for tons of dissatisfied Canon customers).  I still had a bunch of mini-DV tapes to capture into my PC and wasn't ready to step up to an HD camcorder, so this was the nearest I could come to the quality I had grown to expect from my Canon GL2.The quality of the video this camera takes is fabulous and it's very easy to use.  If you had a previous edition Sony camcorder, you'd be able to use this without so much as a look at the owner's manual.The only complaint I have with the Sony is that the still pictures it is capable of taking (rapidly too I might add!), are just not in a high enough resolution to make them suitable for much beyond supplementing your video clips.  Perhaps there's enough resolution there for a 4x6 print, but not much more.  Too bad... It would have been nice to park my Nikon at home and have this be my work horse. Perhaps the HD camcorders improve upon this feature.  In a couple of years, I'll check it out.As an aside, the GL2 wasn't the only Canon camcorder I've had that died.  Given their miserable track record for longevity, I will NEVER buy another Canon product.And a caveat.  Buy a Mini-DV VCR to do the post filming grunt work.  The camera manufactures would have you believe that you can do fancy editing work on there units.  Once a camera's drive mechanism fails, the repair costs are staggering.  So shoot your video with the camera, then rewind, capture and/or edit your film with a Mini-DV deck.
I love this camcorder!It is fantastic in low light, and good lighting too.  I was torn between this and the new HiDef camcorders out right now and chose this one mainly because of the low light ability.  I have not been disappointed at all.  There are numerous manual controls to tweak to any shooting condition.  Almost all have separate buttons dedicated to perform then individual functions.  It balances very well, and while it is heavier than the small cameras it really does not feel that way after a short time using it.I would buy this again
Do you remember when things were meant to last for ever? The VX2100 is one of those piece of equipment that will be working just fine until there are no more MiniDV tapes. You can even capture DVDs trough the camera skipping the Macrovision protection, very useful in a professional post production environment.I bough mine back in 2004, 6 years later the camera still working just fine without maintenance. I even had salty water falling on the camera once when I was filming the water passing by from a boat, I had the camera barely 2 feet from the water, I dried with a towel and that was it, that was 3 years ago.I got a bigger battery from Sony NP-F970, and I can spend an entire weekend using the camera with the small preview screen open and still have more than half the battery full.In dark conditions is amazing, no grain where other cameras are desperate for costly and bulky light equipment. The VX2100 has better capture in the darkness than human eye even there is a point when the curve fall of course.All I have is the tape to clean the head that I have used 3 time sin my life. The camera has its case where she sleep. The trick to keep it working fine is this:1. Never put it away with a tape inside, it will magnetize the heads.2. Always use the same kind of tape and use good tape. I always use Sony tapes, I but a package that last me for ages.3. Keep it out of the dust and humidity, even tapes, keep everything neat. If the camera gets wet, clean it in the small corners and let it dry in the shade, open and without wind for a day (the wind may bring more moisture actually).That is it.Good luck.
I purchased this camera to use with my previous church's media ministry, based on my trial use of the VX2000.  That was three years ago.  This camera is STILL running as well as it did when I bought it. I use it upwards of 3 times a week to create content for web and DVD production, plus, I get great digital audio recordings when I plug directly into my current church's sound system.  The ability to tweak audio and video input on the fly is incredible.  Now that I am creating a multimedia team for our church, I've convinced the church to buy one for themselves.
This camera is excellent!  I used something very similar as a Videographer at the local TV station.  This camera to me is just as nice as the $40,000 DVC Pro camera!!  Great quality picture, excellent for Johnny's Soccer games!  Has a built in digital stabilizer for those with shaky hands.  Overall the best small camera I have EVER USED!!!
item received intact. so far seems to operational.  it had accessories which were very much appreciated. thank you very much
I bought it for my sister she is a photography and video taker business,  she is very happy with this camara she love it
This pouch is perfect for what I needed. It has more padding than my old pouch and the filter compartments add extra protection. I only have one filter in there at a time so I can't comment on using it to hold two, but it seems like it might not give quite as much puncture resistance in the outer compartment.
Needed good protection for a Canon lens and this case provided it at a great price. Plus a spot for an extra filter as well.
I got this case recently with the idea of putting my Canon EF 70-300 IS USM (non DO) inside and throw in a backpack with no other form of protection. The case fits the lens well closing completely. As a matter of fact, it is quite wide and fits the lens with the relatively large hood reversed. The construction seems OK, although the padding is less dense than I would have liked. This is a soft case and I can feel every protrusion of the lens through the fabric without applying too much pressure with my hand. In this regard I am not sure about the protection the lens will get in a backpack full of other stuff.The filter compartment at the bottom is a good idea but not for naked filters as the bottom of the case is not hard enough to really provide much protection. I guess I could cut a couple of round pieces of cardboard and attach then to the filter pocket and that would do. Alternatively, the pocket is large enough to keep a couple of filters (58mm) in the plastic box they came in but this is certainly not a very convenient solution, especially if you use your filters frequently. This is one of the occasions in which round filter cases would make soooo much sense! The filter compartment can be used to store not only filters but wipes and other small items as well. Again, I like the idea.All in all this is a good product. It affords more protection than a Zing pouch without the added weight of a hard case. I took one star because of the lack of a hard bottom in the filter compartment and the -apparently- less than ideal amount of padding.
Very well made lens bag.Provides ample padding, and the draw string has a little locking knobso your lens cant fall out. It also has a compartment for a lens filter or two.The only problem I have is that it is so bulky, it will not fit in my camera bag,which is one of the largest on the market.I ended up not using it for that reason. My camera bag already provides plenty ofpadding, so I just put my lenses in plastic bags and stuff them into the bag.With a large lens in this pouch, it is so bulky, I would have to remove my camerato make room for it.However, if you are looking for a good lens pouch with lots of padding, and a secure drawstring with a locking knob, you will not find a better one for this price.Also, Amazon's price and service were great.
This is a great lens pouch for the money.  Well padded and an easy slip string opening at the top. Handy zip slots for a couple of extra filters at the bottom.  I especially liked the belt loop.  Makes taking that extra lens with you super easy without carrying the whole camera bag. Fits my Canon 50/250 IS with room to spare.
PROS:-works wellCONS:-doesn't seem to be as powerful as the original batteryWould I BUY IT AGAIN?-yes
It is what it is, but I was able to find it easily here, at a good price, and it was shipped quickly. That's all I need.
Works great for our car remote.  Have not had any battery life issues.  Will buy more for back ups.  The dealer wanted multiples on price plus labor to install it!!!!!
It's a Battery, I know.  But in a small travel alarm clock, it lasted only about 4 months.  Far from what I expected from a Lithium Battery.
When the product arrived the package was torn.  I didn't think any more of it because the battery worked instantly in the remote controller I installed it in.  The battery was useless by the next time I went to use it.
Product receive as expected and arrive on time
If you are looking for a specific Panasonic battery this is NOT for you... I made the mistake of reading over the "equivalent" part and weas disappointed when it arrived... nobody's fault but my own. Hope the Sanyo they sent in holds up like the Panasonic I have used before.
If you need this size battery, then it will do the job for you.  Not much to say.  I used it in a keyless entry remote.
very good battery. last long than others.I use them for my bluetooth polar heart rate monitor and is working as expected.
battery  I dont know why i have to write more to get this in, it is stupid and makes many now want to even write
I used this to fire up a VERY old Minolta film camera I was given a while back... These batteries work just fine. Glad I made the purchase..
I have an Invisible fence system for my dog and they charge a lot for replacement batteries. You can take a razor blade and pop open the existing battery holder case (Indestructables website has instructions). Then the battery pops out and you can pop another one in for 1/3 the price of the official battery.
This is the correct battery for the Nikon FE. I prefer the single large battery to the more common singles you have to stack. Fast shipping, great price.
The picture shows a premium Sanyo battery. What I got was an FDK battery that came in a baggie. After some research I found that Sanyo sold out to FDK. Battery seems to work fine. Just be aware that it will not look like the picture in the ad.
I am using this lithium battery as a replacement for two silver (D76) batteries in my Olympus OM-2n SLR. So far so good, but I don't know if it will hold voltage as well as the silvers as it approaches "end of useful life".
I'm not sure what camera this battery fits, but it's definately not the Digital Rebel XT.
Perhaps I received bad batteries, but they don't hold their charge.  I bought a few of them and they all are inferior in quality. I didn't address this with the company, so can't say that they wouldn't have fixed the problem, but I am not pleased with the purchase and won't buy again.
This is what I needed so I wouldn't run out of battery when I was taping using my camcorder, Thanks!
All third party camera products are hit and miss. My battery has been okay - typically loses charge faster but does the job. The nature of my work I now stick to just Canon but an amateur users this is all you really need.
After using a massive 3900 maH battery for a few years it was a breath of fresh air to lighten the camera with a new and smaller battery. This does what it should and charges relatively quickly.
These are perfect batteries and fit the Kodak camera just perfectly.  The price is so much less than the original equipment, so a definite bargin.
This battery works perfect for my C813 kodak camera. Since most accessories for this type of camera are discontinued I was scared that I would never find a compatible battery for such a good price. It was to the point that no store bought battery would work but I popped this in and charged it on the printer dock and the camera works like new again.
I was still working off my original batteries I got with the camera years ago. The charge wouldn't hold anymore.These charged in a very short time and know they will hold their charge withour any fear.Obviously,they were needing replacement for some time.The camera is still very good,though 8 times thicker than the ones today...but very happy with it.This was the cheapest way out,glad I took this route.
It was the right battery the first time, and I had a time trying to get a battery to put into my camera!
It works just like it should. It holds a charge for a long time and can be recharged while still in my camera. No complaints here.
I ordered two of these. One did not work from the start, and the other lasted through only about six charges. Waste of money.
I recently received this battery for my digital camera and it is exactly whatI needed!! So now my camera and printer dock work perfectly.  Thank you so muchfor a great product and for the speedy delivery!!
It's a battery for my Kodak EasyShare. I inserted it into the camera and it works. Guess it performed as expected!
Battery pack is exactly as described, shipped fast and was packaged well. This is a great option if you want to save a lot of money on a replacement battery pack.
This NiMH Digital Camera Battery that comes in 2.4 volts powered my camera.  It charges quickly, discharges slowly, and is good for many pictures before needing to be recharged.  What else can you ask for in a battery?Cons: It doesn't make my morning coffee for me.
Tried these in my camera and the didn't work. Not sure if they're wrong battery but the disc said they were for my camera.
These batteries fit, and seem to work fine.  I'm not 100% sure they hold a charge as long as the original Kodak batteries did, but you can hardly find those anymore.
This is a must have back up for your digital camera for long trips away from office or home into remote areas.
I was glad to see that I got a 1200maH battery.I will be attending a trade show...I will update how long it lasts by monday.UPDATE:  Good news.  The battery lasted a total of 2 hours continuous recording at 1080i on my DXG 581v camcorder.  It lasted 30 minutes longer than the original battery that came with the DXG.The trade show I attended lasted 3 days.  It had seminars and workshops which lasted for 6 hours per day.  I was able to record every workshop and seminar for each day.  I did have to charge during the lunch break.  I will definitely purchase another battery so I do not have to bring the charger.
The battery was fine.  I was disappointed to find that it was sent from a different company than I ordered from and if I had ordered from that company directly, it would have been cheaper.  Let the buyer beware.
5/5 for not surprising me.For the price, can you really beat it?  No name-brand box, and a battery.  I'm not sure of the lifespan but for 3 bucks I'm not too worried about it.
I got this to replace the original battery in my cheapo Insignia camcorder. I was happy to see that the camera took a standard size battery on not something specific to the Insignia. Put it in and charged it, and no problems. Hopefully it will last longer than the 2 months the original battery lasted.
Bought it to replace Aiptek HD 720 battery which died in under 11 months of light usage! Replacements were $20. Instead, I bought this battery. Can't comment on the life of it. But at 1/2 price of a branded replacement, I'm happy so far. It's working fine.
These batteries are just as advertised and have worked perfectly, only question now is how many times they can be recharged but for now we are happy.
I received the  item, a lot sooner then I expected. I paid a lot less  for it then I had in the pass. As of today it is performing well above my expectations.
It took 10 days to get this battery, then when I opened the package the battery had melted. I could smell acid from the package and the battery case was warped. Waist of time for me.
it worked once then that was it, never to be recharged again went back to original battery that still worked but only for a half hour. took much hassel to return.
Got this to replace the battery that would not hold charge any more. It works great. I have no complaints.
Fluke C90 Meter Case, Inside Pocket Holds Leads & Probes
The battery was purchased to extend the life of a camera we really enjoy in spite of purchasing a new camera.  It is a good value for the money and arrived in plenty of time for our trip.
You get your bang for your buck with this battery.  Fast shipping, great price - great quality - super capacity - what more can you ask for?
I bought this battery to replace the original one that would not hold a charge any longer. This one works great in my camcorder. It holds a charge for a long time. Even when I take a several short videos, it still has a lot of life for more videos.I would recommend this as a replacement to anyone.
There are several versions of this battery out.  most have ratings from 900mah to 1100mah (aka higher number the battery will last longer).  Make sure you know what the mAh rating is before you buy.  Also when not in use, store in the frige, it will make it last longer.
This battery came very quickly and it worked very well.  I feared I would get it out of an old inventory but it seems very fresh and new and excellent.
Great battery-- holds a good charge for a long time. Was about 1/3 price that others wanted for same battery.
I bought two of these to replace Sanyo NP-61's in two different cameras.  One battery fits perfectly and works fine.  The other was a press fit to get in and takes some prying to get out (the Sanyo NP-61 goes in and out fine).  The difficult one seems to have a bulge in the middle of the case causing the fit problem.  Still works fine, but quality control on manufacturing could be somewhat suspect.
Works Great,What can you say about a battery other thanit works and the seller sent it quick time.
I got a 1200mAh battery for my order.  I see others here talking about how they got up to a 1050mAh battery.  I ordered it to go with my Aiptek A-HD 720P HD camcorder.  The camcorder only came with a 1000mAh battery, so this is a nice little upgrade to its standard battery.  It charged up pretty fast the first time I charged it.  Haven't had a chance to run it down yet, but don't see why it wouldn't hold a charge or take a charge in the future.
It was not the right one for my use but I ordered it hoping it would fit so I kept it
I recently purchased the Lumix FZ35, and this bag fits like a glove with or without the lens-hood attached. Since the FZ35 is primarily a fixed lens camera, there is room to carry all of the necessary accessories in this bag; extra battery, SD card, filters, and cloth. I am not familiar with the conversion lenses for the FZ35 or the adapter, but judging from the pictures that I have seen, there is enough room in the pockets for the lens adapter, and the close-up lens; there is not enough room for the telephoto lens AND the lens-hood.ProsShoulder strap, handle, and belt loops for multiple carrying option.Water resistant.Perfect size for the Lumix FZ35, and the necessary accessories.Quality build.ConsNone that I can see...one could argue that it's space is limited, but this case was not intended for cameras that need a lot of space.
I spent over an hour in my local camera store trying my camera in different cases, and this is the one I left with.  It's a perfect fit for the Fujifilm X-E1 with 18-55 mm kit zoom lens attached, including lens hood.  Nicely padded, no more bag than you need, good quality.The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that there's a zippered compartment on the underside of the top, which is designed to hold lens cloths.  Although there's a flap of material covering the zipper, when the zipper is fully closed the metal pull tab isn't completely covered by the material.  The camera is down far enough in the case that I don't think this piece of metal would ever contact the camera's LCD, but I'm not sure.  I wish it had a plain soft underside instead of a zippered compartment, because you could stick a lens cloth anywhere and I don't think this compartment is necessary.  I'm very protective of expensive electronics, so just for my piece of mind I put a piece of soft material on top of the camera before I zip the top of the case closed, so there's soft padding between the LCD and the zipper.
Has a separate zip and clip opening top, which makes for rapid use without zipping, with a flap to keep the rain out, and is very well made.
The 5683 fits my Canon Rebel T2i with the Tamron 18-270mm lens (62mm diameter piezo drive version). I have the canon strap on it, and I can fold the strap into the case and zip it closed. It's a good, solid feeling fit with or without the strap inside the pouch. Their website says it fit's a rebel with a 3.5" lens, but my Tamron is a 4" lens and it fits perfectly.I like this case because I can leave the camera's strap hanging out the sides and close the buckle, then use the camera's strap to carry the whole thing around. I can leave the strap around my neck, then unbuckle and lose the case quickly when it's time for a shotAlso fits a spare battery and the shutter remote in the front pocket.Seems very well built. The zippers are smooth and the nylon casing is high quality. It's well padded. A little more expensive than the other holsters out there, but I think it's worth it.It's a very compact case which is another main reason I bought it. Going to stick it in the wife's big purse when we're out and about on vacation. We did a test fit, and I was surprised, it actually looks small in there!
This camera bag is very well made and has a lot of padding. Your camera would be safe in here. Unfortunately, my lense (the regular lense) is almost too big to fit in here.  I really have to pack the camera in.  I had to go out and get a bag that would hold everything including my bigger lenses.
Fits my Olympus Tough 8010. It is sometimes hard to judge whether a particular case will fit a given camera, and you could end up buying several cases before finding the right one. I did check Tamrac's website for their cross reference, and they did indicate this case would fit.And it does, but it could have been 1/4" longer. Not that the case doesn't fit the camera fairly well, but the camera does stick out of the case just a bit. I usually roll up the camera strap at the top of the case before folding the cover over the camera. When I do that with this case, the strap is exposed to the open sides of the case - even with the cover closed. This can result in the strap falling out, or the possibility to get snagged on something.A minor issue, so I still gave it 5 stars. But an extra 1/4" of depth and it would have been perfect.
I have bought this case, and had someone else buy it for a canon s230 digital elph.  The case has been with me on a trip to Europe and Alaska, and both times, the case did not get in the way. It clips to your belt, or gives protection if you put it into another bag. The case will hold the camera, and a spare memory card.  It is the smallest case you can get and still have protection for the camera.
This is a very good quality camera pouch for small cameras like the Canon Elph. Padding is adequate if you're not real careless. Velcro is secure, but gives you faster access than zipper. Couldn't ask for any more for the $3 price.
Brought this pouch for my Canon S95 camera that we carry around for parties and clubbing events.The pouch is pretty snappy and is easy to hold in the wife's handbag. Protection is pretty good as well.
I purchased this Tamrac case for my new Sony T7 only to learn that I had not purchased the thinnest model I wanted which I have learned is 5680.  Instead this is the 5686 and almost a half inch thicker which would be fine for a thicker digital camera.  this is in my drawer for now.
Not too thick, not too thin for good protection of my Canon Powershot A1200 which I carry at all times. This Tamrac 5686 bag has held up very well-- attached around a strap/belt or when tossed into another bag/medium-sized purse. Doesn't take up much room, so I don't mind that there is no space for extra batteries. (They are easily slipped into a pocket.) Nice little velcroed pocket for a memory card though. The velcro in general still sticks together firmly. I am very pleased overall.
I've owned a pair for several years, and think that they're great.  I've never star tested them, but stars come out pinpoint sharp, focuser is great.  I disagree with the previous reviewer that they're for previewing before moving on to a scope: they're much better than that.  They've got a 6.5 degree field of view, while most scopes have 1.5 degree or less (depending on how much magnification you're using).  So they can see much wider things than scopes can see, like m31, which is more than 7 degrees wide (and is consequently dark and boring in a scope).  Nice 50mm lenses for light collection.
These are absolutely gorgeous. The lenses I mean. For example, a warm and slightly humid day on a lake this summer - its almost as if the lenses and the gases inside actually clean up the light. That's what I kept saying to my dad, like things were crisp and clear and clean, when looking across the lake at the shoreline a mile+ away. Hands down the best binoculars I've ever owned.
Quite a good binocular, a bit cheap in terms of material quality, but excellent lenses, ease of operation and very clear image, would buy it again if I lost these.
I returned these binoculars within a week of trying them out on the night sky.  The reviews were so good I had to give them a try, but I was quite disappointed in their performance ... they didn't magnify much at all.
This is the 2nd pair of these I've bought. For the money, I think they're a great pair of binocs. I use them for bird watching, zooming in on hummingbirds, and, of course, looking for NSA drones.
Great set of binoculars.  Purchased these because they will work with our without glasses.  Purchased for star viewing and they work great.  Very clear viewing and easy to adjust for clarity.
I am a novice star watcher and bird watcher, and these binoculars perfectly fit the bill for a great quality wide-angle binocular that can be mounted, or held in your hands for shorter viewing periods.  I have been very happy with my purchase.
I have compared these binoculars with several others that I own, including an inexpensive pair of 10x50's.  I did not expect to see as much difference between my old binoculars and the Orion Ultraview as I found.  There really is a considerable difference when you buy a quality product.  I am getting great views of star clusters, Jupiter's moons and craters on earth's moon.  There may be better binoculars out there, but these certainly meet my needs and I feel I got my money's worth.
I like my Astronomy Binoculars but it is too cold to go outside to use them now.  Waiting for Summer.  They should have come by UPS but the mail lady brought them.  She dropped them on the ground before she gave them to me.  I think they are OK though.
This purchase was my second attempt to purchase a large objective lens binocular. The first set from a different manufacturer was severely misaligned. The manufacturer was unable to provide any product support so I returned them to Amazon without any hassle. I'm happy to report that Orion has their act together.What a positive difference the Orion unit is. The Orion lens and prism systems were perfectly aligned and the optics are fantastic. The focus mechanism is firm and doesn't move on it's own. The right eye adjustment is easy to use. The optics are clear and crisp with very little edge distortion. The weight, as expected is heavy but acceptable. Holding the binoculars along the center of gravity helps a lot. And, amazingly, my unit was manufactured in JAPAN and not in China.All in all, a great value.
I vacillated a while before plunking down full price for these binocs, especially compared to much less expensive Celestrons.But, reading the reviews on the Celestron models, I readily noted a significant chance of disappointment, even though many were pleased.  I recently purchased a smaller model of Celestrons which were poorly collimated.  I also looked at my 20+ year old astronomy binocs and found that they were Orion and had not degraded at all, except for being in a damp closet for all that time, leaving small moldy deposits on the lenses.  My new ones will be stored in a drier environment!Right out of the box, these are perfectly collimated, very easy to use, right at the limit of hand-holding power.Compared to the 20 year old model, the newer ones are easier to use, the case is better-made, the strap is wider, and the objective lens covers are much more user-friendly.
I was wanting to get some binoculars for astronomy and thought these might be the ones but they are not. You can look at the sky at night with them and it does bring more stars into view but the magnification was pretty disappointing. They are however, great for bird watching, etc. I will keep them, since I need new binoculars anyway. Just not good for astronomy.
These are good binoculars, but slightly to heavy for extended use without a tripod. The Slight shaking due to it's weight negates the magnification advantage of these. Would probably try image stabilizing binoculars if I were to make this purchase again.
My last binos were $1400 bird watching 8x42s by Zeiss so my expectations on these were moderate. I'd read that they were Japanese optics so I was hopeful  that they'd be good value for money. My first look through these:  "Oh man these are great optics and they're very comfortable to use!" Orion scored a big five stars with these beauties.
Product came packaged poorly and was damaged during shipping so I returned it.  From what I could tell, as it was received, it is incredibly over priced, once I get my credit I will purchase a much cheaper advertised stronger different brand binoculars with many more reviews.  I thought spending more money would get a better product, that wasn't my experience.
Just got these and they are sharp and bright and much lighter than you'd expect considering you're holding two small telescopes up to your face.  My first use of them was at dusk and it was immediately obvious how much brighter my view through these binoculars was compared to the straight view by eye.  I wear glases and found that there was plenty of eye-relief. I didn't have to roll down the eyepiece cups to get good views.I have two small complaints, however. The caps on the objectives (front end) of the binoculars are great - they fit snuggly. But the eye-piece caps barely hang on by themselves.  My second complaint is that the carry case feels like leatherette covered stiff cardboard with a spindly little strap. But at least it has a case!The strap for the binoculars themselves has a nice wide band and hangs comfortably about the neck.As I expected, with these binoculars I had no trouble spotting the Andromeda Galaxy even with a half full moon *and* in heavily light polluted suburban environment.  With the lower 9x power, it also means I didn't get naseous from trying to hold high power binoculars steady.
These are wonderful binoculars for viewing the night sky. I had been hesitant is getting these as I already owned a 10X50 pair of binoculars from another company and was not sure that these 9X63 would be that much better.  These 9X63 are fabulous....  I can make out the moons of Jupiter with them.  I was also very impressed testing them out at twilight and being able to see into areas with deep shadows.  These are much larger than the 10X50 I owned but easy to handle.
As these binoculars were purchased with astronomy in mind I wasn't too concerned with their size and weight. Now that I have had them for about a year I have enjoyed using them in a variety of settings and am very pleased with them. Living in the coastal Pacific Northwest I appreciate that they are waterproof and that I can take them out in moist conditions. 9X is about as powerful as one wants when not tripod mounted and even then you need to rest them on something for steady stargazing. As wildlife binoculars the extra wide view of the 63mm objectives give a bright, light gathering image and the 25mm of eye relief is more than adequate for those of us who wear glasses. We took them on an Alaska cruise and found they were just the thing for shipboard viewing on the inside passage, far better than most folks were equipped with. We still took along our smaller, lighter binoculars for hiking, but I prefer these large ones if I'm not walking more than a mile or two as the images are so much better. Bird watching off Cape Flattery they could resolve individual birds out on the islands that smaller binoculars couldn't gather enough light to make worthwhile. I feel they are a good value for the money and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for their designed purpose.
Good Telescope
I am new to observing with a telescope, but had been observing with orion skyview binoculars and a stand for a few years.  I bought this because I was ready to step it up a notch.  My thinking was that there are only 5 planets that one can see with a reasonably priced scope (yes and the naked eye), so it made more sense to get one tuned to galaxies and nebulae.  After studying online for a while both terms/ techniques and the scopes themselves, I bought this one.  I've used it several times with a 2x barlow and a 4.7mm eyepiece that I purchased extra to compliment the 10 and 25 mm eyepieces that come standard.  Yes I know the 2x barlow with the 4.7 takes the magnification above specs, but i use the barlow with the other eyepieces as well.  I live in a fairly dark town(no residential streetlights) in the outer NYC suburbs, and have found it to be relatively easy to use.  I often use Google Skymaps to coarsely guide me to stuff that I can then tune in better with the included finder scope.  this works well for me so far, and ironically, i have been focusing on the planets to start with.  I saw saturn's rings at my max magnification, and even as low as 60x quite clearly.  At the higher levels, and all the moisture in the air from the recent rains, it was a bit fuzzy, but still clear enough to be sure what i was looking at.  I tell you I am surprise how fast these things move in the sky at that magnification, but the fine adjustment knobs make it easy to stay on them.  I think if I left it out for an hour or so, as suggested pretty much everywhere, to allow the scope to adjust to the ambient temperature, I would get better resolution. that makes this thing amazing, since what I have seen so far is amazing.  I've looked at Saturn, Venus, Mars, the Moon, and a few stars.Setup of the scope was pretty easy, as was balancing it and aligning the finder scope with the main.  At roughly 50lbs fully assembled with the stand, it's rather heavy for some, but I understand this is rather light as scopes go.  Still, you can take it apart fairly easily.  I leave it fully assembled in my livingroom, and take it out when I want to look at stuff.  I've had it a month or so now, and  I will update my review over time.  So far, so good.
My kids love this thing! they spend hours looking at the evening sky and learning about the heavens. Easy to set up and great instructions included.
When I first saw the Orion 120st I was intrigued by the idea of a 4.7" 600mm F/5 Rich Field Telescope.  I was looking for something I could just throw up and start observing here at my apartment without having to go through a lot of trouble, and this scope seemed like a good answer.The scope itself is well made.  Good finish, no obvious dings or scratches.  It is a bit larger than I'd originally imagined, but it isn't too big.  The mount is also a lot more robust than I'd originally thought it would be as well, but that's not a bad thing.  I did notice that the bracket to hold the finder scope on the OTA is a bit too wide, and had to use some cardboard to shim the finder.  Mine also came with the cover for the polar scope cracked, and with a different polar scope than the one in the manual.  The assembly instructions aren't particularly well written, but it isn't exactly rocket science to figure out how to put this thing together.  It comes with 2 counterweights, but it really only needs the larger one.Optically this scope is surprisingly good given the price.  There is some chromatic aberration, but it isn't that bad.  Orion got the maximum magnification pretty close.  A 5mm EP (120x) seems to provide the best overall high power view.  I can still get an acceptable view at 150x (4mm EP), but it looks as if it's pushing it just a bit.  This is definitely not the scope for high power jobs.  But then, that's not really what it was meant for anyway.  On those things that are best viewed with low power, this scope struts it's stuff.  Viewing the Orion nebula, this scope does a better job than my 8" SCT.  I can see the entire Pleides in a 32mm EP.  And despite it's lack of high magnification, Saturn is still one heck of a fine view at 120x.*UPDATE* I took it out and tried some high power observation of Saturn recently.  At 300x, the view was mostly fuzzy, and not very inspiring, but every now and then it would clear up and be razor sharp just for a moment.  Not bad for an f/5 *UPDATE*Putting on a finder scope is useless extra weight.  I have a 70mm finder that I was going to use, but with a 40mm 2" EP this scope has a wider FOV.  With the included 25mm it has about the same FOV.  I may use a red dot eventually, but right now I'm just using the joints on the side of the scope tube rings to sight down the scope.  I find that the focuser is a bit stiff, but it will probably be just fine after I get around to taking it apart, cleaning it, and re-greasing it.  I'd read that some people have had some trouble with the eq mount, but mine is as smooth as butter.  The only possible flaw I've seen in the mount is that dampening time is about 5-6 sec. at higher power.  Part of that is probably due to the fact that I don't attach the accessory tray like the instructions say.  Instead of screwing the wingnuts in from the bottom and physically attaching the tray to the spreader, I screwed them in through the top so the bolts hang down from the tray and just loosely fit down in the holes of the spreader.  That way I can just set it down on the spreader without having to mess with the wingnuts each time I set up and take down.Overall I'd say this scope is a steal, as long as you keep in mind what it was intended for.  For those who find the idea of an eq mount daunting, it isn't as bad as it seems.  This is my first eq.  Unless you're planning on doing astrophotography (you probably shouldn't use this mount for that anyways, but...), it doesn't really have to be polar aligned all that well.  Just point it in the right general direction and it'll be fine.  I can't even see Polaris from the spot I usually set up, and it hasn't been a problem yet.
Rate myself as a casual observer, many years ago into astronomy as a teen with my first 60mm refractor which still survived thru the years. Now with the wonderful Goto Scopes quickly drew me back into the hobby. Focused on highly portable ones as even my heavier 6 inch Dynamax Schmidt Cassegrain collected dust so sold it. Currently use the famed ETX90 with Autostar, Celestron 102mm F/10  (4 inch) Refractor, and recently purchased Orion's compact 120mm (4.7 inch)  F/5 Refractor.On my first two outings with rather bad sky conditions the Orion still quickly showed its stuff ! With a 40mm eyepiece gave fantastic wideviews. Easily found show objects as M57 ring nebula even under a very low 15 power, at only 60X clearly showed the ring, in a not very dark sky. Also the Dumbell Nebula was found easily with this compact design (simply sighted down the scope). In Cygnus, the eyepiece filled w/stars and the famed Albiro Double Star had space between even at such a low power.Next day(s) was attempting a visual on Mercury (as nearing Venus), elusive planet that seems to always stay inside the suns glow, unfortunately the horizon stayed cloudy,  some visitors stopped to take a look, so quickly placed it on Jupiter, visible as higher in the sky, explaining this is a wide-view scope and not really for serious planetary view, but at plus 120X with a 4.8 Nagler eyepiece the two bands stood out very well even further hints of other detail, the disc was very clear with very slight Chromatic (color) distortion, nice suprise for such a short focal length ! Was in a bright downtown parking lot, so not able to view the Deep Sky. Hence, Jupiter view blew them away.Update: Venus and Mercury getting even closer together, on June 26th able to view thru very hazy skys, found them minutes after sunset before Venus was visible to the naked eye, beautiful view in low power wide-field, Mercury less bright but nice reddish glow, even seen together in Higher Powers, sure the wide-field made this possible as well as the nice placement of these two planets-several visitors in the Pkg lot enjoyed it as well, could see the shape on Venus as well as mercury, but low horizon views took away some of the clarity. Wonderful site !Update: July 1st Early Morining hours, tho many clouds in the south and crescent moon, viewed both companions of the famed M31 Andromeda Galaxy, M32 was easy,a nice soft round comet glow (even in the lowest power), M110 the other not as bright but popped into view nicely at 60X. Failed to view this very well in the ETX other than possible detection, actually can see it in the 120ST, in a not very dark sky, beginning to really like this Scope !Update: Finally some clear sky, tho heavy haze, rated at 6 on 10 scale, but still able to view nearly all the Messier around the Archer (Teapot) well over a dozen Loose Clusters-Globulars and Nebula. Kept going back to M22, Majestic as the famed M13 Golbular. Even the Lagoon Nebula showed its stuff with so so sky. Loose Clusters, I simply don't have the words to describe their Beauty, other than, Simply Breath-Taking ! However Real Enjoyment was in the ease of locating these beauties. A 40mm eyepiece will give an astounding plus 3 degree field, in the future will add the 2 inch diagonal for even more fantastic wide views. Became more humid and hazy at the end of the viewing, but couldn't resist to check out Polaris the North Star and its 9th magnitude companion, conditions wouldn't permit higher power views but at only 30X to 40X its fainter twin glowed. Some consider this a good test for a 3 inch aperature, the 4.7 inch enhanced the view.Even tho used only a few outings can verify the following:1. VERY EASY TO USE WITH ITS COMPACT DESIGN.2. WONDERFUL WIDE VIEWS EVEN DOWN TO 15 X3. NICE OPTICS DELIVER SHARP STAR IMAGES ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE EDGE.4. THO NOT DESIGNED FOR, WILL SHOW PLANETARY VIEWS OVER 120 X .5. IS VERY WELL MADE, SMOOTH FOCUS, ATTRACTIVE BLACK TUBE FINISH.6. Great Deep Sky For the Messier and Brighter NGC'S7. Locating Deep Sky Becomes A Breeze Due To The Wide Views8. SORRY, CAN'T FIND ANY DEFECT ON THIS SCOPE AT ALL.Is slightly heavy,  about 9 lbs, but because of its compact size, works well on my CG4 mount. Objective is 4.7 inch, big enough to give majestic views of Loose Clusters, should cover all the Messier as well as the brighter NGC'S with ease. Super Scope, I purchased the tube assembly only as hoped it would work on my current mount which fortunately it does ! Tube assemblys can be found at about only $319. Great Buy !May want to add the following to enhance its performance:1. Will accept larger 2 Inch Diagonal to give even wider views.2. Mine also included a 30mm finder but may wish to change to 50mm Note can simply site down the tube.3. Easier zenith (straight overhead position) with longer tripod, however a portable chair helps.4. Tracking devices, for photograpy, won't need these to enjoy low power views however.Summing this all up:In my case portability is a must and helps explain my current selection of scopes. Aperature (Size of your front Objective) always wins, but doen't mean a darn thing if it stays in the closet. Even these smaller scopes can pull in a single leaf, but a wider richfield shows you there's an entire forest to experience.  Orion did a nice job on this one, hate to part with any of my current models, only wish I found this one earlier, with abit of knowledge of the sky, MAKES A WONDERFUL BEGINNER'S SCOPE AS WELL, HIGHLY PORTABLE, ITS EASE OF USE (DUE TO ITS COMPACT SIZE AND WIDE VIEWS) SURPASES ALL MY SCOPES TO DATE. COMPLIMENTS MY OTHERS BEAUTIFULLY. LOOKING FORWARD TO YEARS OF VIEWING PLEASURE---PERHAPS THERE'S NOT ONE SCOPE THAT WILL SATISFY EVERYONE'S NEEDS--BUT THIS ONE IS DARN CLOSE !---THANK YOU ORION !!..&lt;>..
After months of research, I purchased this telescope for my husband as a Christmas gift because it was the &#34;toy&#34; Santa never gave him.  He was truly like a big kid on Christmas.  The telescope was a wonderful gift and great for a novice user!
I have owned small scopes in the past, this one is top notch for this size of refractor. It didn't break the bank, very well made. I saw a couple reviews about the adjusting mechanics being rough, I don't have that problem.  I bought a eye piece, filter, Barlow lens set to use with it.  A must to get the most out of this well made scope.
Let me just start out by saying I purchased one of those cheap department store telescopes years ago and returned it because it really was not that great.  I purchased this 90mm AstroView to fill the long wanted void to gazing at the stars up close and personal.  I must say I was shocked on the first day I took it out and saw the moon, then looked at Jupiter and its moons.  I could see the bands on Jupiter!I recommend getting a barlow lens and possibly even an eyepiece kit so you can see in more magnification.I think my only gripe about this rig is that I have to manually track since it does not come with a motor to track objects.  For a beginner telescope, this is to be expected.  The quality of the optics far surpases those of department stores.  I highly recommend this scope for beginners.
This brings the night sky to life. Educational and fun all at the same time. Family fun night just got better
Telescope was delivered on time.  However, it came with a critical part missing.  The screw and nut that the telescope tube clamp uses to secure the tube to the stand was missing.
No problems encountered with this large telescope - large for our small family, and just right for our needs. Not a toy by any means and not some less expensive attempt at being a scope. This one's worth it.
Bought this for my 10 year old daughter and she loves it. Gets great images of the moon, Venus and Jupiter. If there's a flaw it's that the tripod is a little flimsy which makes it hard to keep focused. I'm starting to regret not spending a little more and getting a computer controlled model but for the money I think this was the best deal available.
I love it. It is my first telescope, but I love it. I only have one month using it, but I'm able to see Jupiter an its moons.
I have been trying to use this telescope for shooting photos.  The mount is not very stable and it's very difficult to get accurate polar alignment.  Tightening the azimuth causes the whole assembly to shift by several degrees.  It seems like a nice starter scope though.  The moon is very crisp with lots of detail and no color distortions.
This telescope has performed exceptionally well for me, consistently living up to expectations.  With a moon filter and some extra eyepieces I've purchased, this scope has provided hours of easy and satifsying use.  It's yielded excellent images of the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, and other phenomena of interest.  The equatorial mount is remarkably easy to use and it's quite steady.  I highly recommend this telescope to dedicated amateurs.
My wife got this telescope for me for Christmas, and I am pretty pleased with it for the price.  I waited almost a whole month to post a review so I would have time to try it out on different kinds of objects and have enough experience with it to give a fair review.This was my first equatorial mount, and I haven't had too much trouble with that except for the Dec Axis, which always seems to be hitting its limit when I am changing targets, but that is something explained in the instruction manual so I expected it, it is just slightly annoying.The scope itself seems to be well made, and the 25mm eyepiece that comes with it is awesome in my opinion.  The 10mm seems to be OK, but I am much happier with the 6mm Orion Expanse eyepiece I bought to go along with this scope to get closer to the "maximum" magnification and to have a wider view at higher magnification.  The finder scope seems to stay on target better than my last telescope (a Meade 114mm reflector goto scope).  And I have seen much more color and detail through this scope than my slightly larger aperture reflector.So far I have seen Jupiter (2 distinct orangish bands) and 4 of its moons.  I even managed to spot the shadow of Europa during transit.  I have seen the Orion Nebula (M42) and it blew me away since this was the first time I had ever seen it, and it actually had color!  I also have "seen" M81, M82, and M1.  Which all looked like puffs of smoke, except the Cigar Galaxy which looked more like a smoky line in the sky.  I saw M45 too, which is naked eye visible, but looked great through this scope.I am thinking of buying a Narrowband filter to see if that helps with the deep sky objects, because they are barely visible with the light pollution in my area.  I may update my review if/when I get one.The reason I didn't give the scope 5 stars is because of the EQ mount, which seems to stick/slip at times.
I purchased this scope almost a year ago as my first scope and love it. It is easy to use and easily portable. At &lt; 20 lbs it is easily carried in one hand using the handle. It gives good views of the moon and planets, particularly if you add a Barlow lense to double the power of the provided eyepieces, but is also big enough (at 4.5") to begin to show the beauty of the deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, etc). I have viewed most of the Messier deep-sky list already. Because it is not on a tripod, it is also easy for kids to view through the eyepiece because they do not need to get on a step ladder. Now that I am sure that I will really be into astronomy as a hobby, I am ready to move on to a larger telescope, but I will keep this one and give it to my kids so they can start to enjoy the night sky.
This is our first telescope and I did a lot of agonizing research before purchasing it.  We have little kids interested in space and wanted something to use with them.  For the price I don't think we could have gotten anything better.  We love looking at the moon and have seen Jupiter along with some of it's moons.  It's the biggest telescope that people thought was still easy enough to haul around and I'm going to have to agree there.  I am glad we didn't go with the larger ones for that reason.  The software that comes with the telescope is really great too, my children like it almost as much as the telescope and it makes locating things much easier than using a star chart in my opinion.  If you want to look at the moon you really need to buy a filter to go with the telescope as it's too bright to comfortably view without one.
This is my family's first telescope. The first night we got it out we saw Jupiter's dark bands and three of its moons very clearly. It was exciting for all of us. The assembly took just a few minutes. We used ours without even calibrating it first, a risk, but it worked fine for us.I think this telescope will satisfy our curiosity about the night sky for years to come.The only con: The software would not run on my computer. It would not recognize my version of Adobe, which is current.
Lots of others have already written very detailed, knowledgable reviews for this telescope. A couple of them influenced me to buy this. My limited use so far tells me they're right on target. It's great. Beginners like me are really going to like this. It has several things going for it.- The instruction manual is very clearly written. Very detailed and easy to follow. If you've put together furniture, grills, toys and other things with poor instructions, you're really going to appreciate this.- Light weight and easy to move.- It's listed as a negative, but the low height makes it great for the kids. And you can stick it on a table or milk crate for adults.- It's easy to aim at what you're looking for. The finder eyepiece, once you adjust it, makes it incredibly easy to find what you're looking for.I am thrilled with this purchase.
Bought this based on other reviews here and elsewhere and haven't been disappointed.  Its very easy to use and you can see very clearly.  I'm excited for my kids to get a little bigger so they can use it too!
Great size for portability, Jupiter and the moon look amazing as well as many other planets and stars.  Haven't yet tested this in optimal conditions but living in the city in Austin TX, I've used it on my apt porch and it has worked surprisingly well, even with all the light pollution.  Super easy to find object with the scope, takes me about 1-2 min to point it what I want to see.
This is, quite simply, one of the best buys in smaller, portable Dobsonian Newtonian Reflector scopes today.  Usually, the two terms (portable and Dobsonian) are mutually exclusive, but the 4.5 weighs in at only around 22 pounds, which makes it quite portable, and a pleasure to operate and turn and point with its Dobsonian base.  I have owned the XT4.5 and the XT8.  Both phenomenal pieces of gear.  Both capable of deep sky views.  Having used both, I can assure you that the 4.5 is capable of clear views up to around 200x.  It was even able to handle the increased magnification of a Barlow Lens and high power eyepiece, for utterly stunning close up views of the lunar surface on a really clear night!  Saturn's rings and the 'Cassini Division' was easily discernable as well. Of course it won't rival the views of the larger Dobsonians, but the 4.5 holds its own as a real, well crafted, quality telescope.  An adult will have to bend down a bit for viewing, but I solved that challenge by simply putting the scope on a milk crate, or using a small, portable folding gardeners chair, which is low to the ground.  No big whoop.  All in all, a GREAT tool for viewing the heavens for your kids AND adults!
This is a great scope for beginning astronomy--and beyond. It is sturdy and simple to operate. It has enough light-gathering power (more important than magnification) to reveal dim star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies and good enough optics to show you the surface of planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Affordable as this scope is, there is no reason to give so much as a glance at the trashy 60mm refractors with exaggerated magnification claims that litter the market.Some advice on selection. Dobsonians come in a range of sizes; the bigger the instrument, the more you will see. A long-focus 114mm (4 ") like this one is a fine instrument, especially for children and others whose ability to carry large objects is limited.  A teen or able-bodied adult should consider going up to a 150-200mm (6-8") scope.  Bigger Dobsonians (250-300mm and above) are too heavy and bulky for some people.Some advice on use. Viewing through a telescope is less like playing a CD and more like playing a guitar. Finding objects takes a little bit of practice. To simplify it, I would suggest supplementing the finder supplied with this scope with a "red-dot" finder to aid in initial pointing.  You will also need to buy a star atlas (Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is the best available), a red flashlight to read it without blowing out your badly-needed night vision, and a guidebook to lead you to interesting objects. These investments will greatly add to your enjoyment.What more can I say? This is the kind of scope that experienced observers have been trying to steer novices towards for decades. Although, I recommend that you do your homework before buying any scope--learn the sky and get to know experienced stargazers who can advise you--when it comes time to purchase, this scope is a fine choice.For more advice, see my encyclopedic guide here on Amazon, "So you want to buy a telescope."
The telescope was well packaged but the installation instructions were a bit vague, especially when it came to installing the eyepiece.  Other than that, it has performed quite well.
I've had the xt4.5 for a year now, and even though I have since purchased the xt10, I still use the xt4.5 more frequently because you can just pick it up w/ one hand, carry it outside, and begin scanning the sky.  Even though a 4.5 inch primary mirror  is small for a dobsonian telescope, this is a serious piece of equipment for the money.  This is no cheap "department store junk" scope.Perfect for a quick observing session, or just to check the quality of "seeing" before you drag out the "big one".One of my nephews who has looked through this scope asked me what I was going to do w/ the little 4.5  now that I have a bigger xt10.  Looks like I'll have to buy him one of his own because I'm not parting w/ mine.
I'm 44 years old and this is my first telescope.  My dad had one when I was younger, but it never seemed to work, so this is pretty much my first experience with a telescope.  I went with the 4.5 for the portability factor, and honestly because I wasn't sure how much my family would like it.  We have been using it for less than two weeks and it is AMAZING!  Granted, we had no idea what to expect, and we've only looked at the moon and Jupiter, but just the fact that you can SEE Jupiter, and it's four moons, with a backyard telescope is phenomenal!  My oldest daughter can't believe what the moon looks like, she keeps saying, "It doesn't look real!"  This is the best family Christmas gift ever.  If you are even remotely interested in astronomy you will not regret this purchase.  Assembly was pretty easy.  My 9 year old and I had it completed in a half hour using a power screwdriver to assemble the base.  You have to be very careful with the torque setting if using a power screwdriver as it is easy to strip the screws.  The telescope is very easy to use, even for me and I had no idea what I was doing.  We can't wait until Saturn is "on the right of the Earth at night" to see how it looks.  I guess the teachers were right, learning can be fun!
I purchased this telescope from Orion's official website because they had a sale but either way, this telescope has been one of the best purchases I made online. One thing any new telescope owner should know is that you will NOT get the images you see on NASA or semi-professional astrophotographers. The awesome vivid colors in those pictures come from post processing and long exposures. Post processing means that the photo is processed with computer software to give colors to the UV and infrared rays which is not visible to human eyes. The photos are also enhanced with long exposures meaning the camera is left to capture light for more than an instant. This allows more details to be seen and dimmer lights to be seemingly brightened. So don't be surprised if you look up photos of the nebulae, star clusters, and etc. and they look "bigger" than what's in your telescope.Another similar point is when looking at the planets in our solar system. The best planets to observe are Jupiter and Saturn but they will not appear as big objects in your telescope. Looking at them through the lowest magnification, you will see them as colored dots. At the highest best magnification around 180x, the planets will appear as 1&lt; cm dots but you can see clear details like Jupiter's Great Red Spot and Saturn's divided rings. For Deep Sky Objects, the best ones I have observed are the Polaris cluster and the Orion nebula.So why should you still buy a telescope if you don't get the expected views you want? The reason is you get to participate in an amazingly beautiful treasure hunt. There is personal satisfaction to finding a object using a star chart or star observing iPhone app. You will be amazed at how your telescope can magnify a tiny barely visible dot in the sky to things like beautiful star cluster. Sometimes, the objects you see with your own telescope in real time appear more beautiful than those in photos because without post processing, the clear color of the objects shine much more vividly. Searching for planets, nebulae, and etc. is also something you can do with family, girlfriend/boyfriend, and etc. that you can not do with photos. Showing off your find and helping others use a telescope is very much a fun group activity.Tips:*Let your eyes adjust to the darkness before trying to find smaller objects*Buy a moon filter available on both Orion's website and Amazon if you are planning to do a lot of moon watching because the focused moon light can be quite bright, both masking subtle details of the moon surface and hurting your eyes after long exposures.*Best way to adjust your finder scope (the 6x scope attached to the top of your main telescope) is to point your telescope at Jupiter and adjusting the finder scope.*Hold the telescope at lower angles because the heavier top will tilt to the ground by itself*Planets, stars, and the Earth move so objects drift and move out of your view so if you leave the telescope focused on a object for 5 min, it might be gone when you come back.*!If you live in light polluted areas (i.e the city), you might not be able to see fainter objects and in areas with intense light pollution, planets might only be visible at certain times*There are websites you can search for online that give you light pollution ratings for your area and times*Use lower magnifications for clusters and nebulae and higher magnifications for planetsPROS*Probably best beginner telescope - The construction feels solid and yet portable enough to carry*Contains a free copy of a deep sky object finding software but might also want to look into iOS apps*No need to tune your telescope b/c of weather conditions*Setup is relatively easy*Can move up, down, and rotate*Orion cluster, Polaris Star Cluster, Hercules Star Cluster, Moon craters, Saturn, and Jupiter are good to observe with this telescope*Has a large amount of accessories NOT INCLUDED like colored lenses, Sun filters, and etc.CONS*Too big to walk long distance or put in backpack (i.e hiking)*Only 2 lenses included which does not achieve highest visible magnification*Light collecting ability is limited so distant and dim objects are not visible*Heavier top can fall to the ground at lower angles if telescope is not heldSummary: Good usage/cost ratio for a beginner telescope. Excellent Buy!
Gave this to my 13 yr old son as a Christmas gift in Dec 09, he has used it many, many times and still to this day finds it very interesting.  Anything that can catch a teenageers attentin in this day and age without having a touch screen or earphones is a miracle.  I would recommend this product for it's quality, as well as it's educational value.
Bought this for my wife as a gift for her birthday.It does require a bit of assembly for the base, but it was super easy. In fact, I did it with one hand (my left) due to an injury!This is our first telescope of any kind, so I was a bit nervous since I had never even heard of Dobsonian scopes. Last night we looked at the "supermoon" and it was amazing! Very bright and clear. The height makes it a little awkward to use(about 36 in). You either need to sit on a stool or put it up on a platform. Probably just right for kids though. I keep seeing this referred to as a "beginner scope", and though that may be true, I don't think we need much more. Although....I sure would like to take a look through one of those 8 or 10 inch scopes now!
Very nice set-up for me as a beginner.  Really like it.  Simple to use, much lighter and easier to move around than I thought it would be.
I received the product in pristine condition, and the delivery was timely.  My husband put it together, and he didn't seem to have a difficult time.Now, the views!  The moon was spectacular!  It looks like you are walking on it.  So crisp, so clear!  Saw Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons, and someone mentioned before that it looked like a mother gathering her children, and that is the God-honest truth.  I saw one orange band going across it.  Maybe as I focus better, I can see both of them, or see them clearer, but, believe me, you know it is Jupiter. The other planets were not available, so, I'll post again when I view them.Please know that you will not get Hubble pictures.  However, you are getting a live view of what is happening at the moment, and that is the thrill within itself.Con can be that the eyepiece is low, but no big deal, folks!  I got one of my folding chairs that I use to play cards, placed it on that, and it was comfortable for everyone.  I probably would not had been able to handle the XT6 because it would have been too cumbersome.  I got the right thing for ME!
After trying and becoming frustrated with department store telescopes, I spent a lot of time researching on the internet to find a scope that both fit my needs as a beginner and fit my budget.  No matter how I looked at it, this scope kept coming out at the top of the list.I've been using it for over a month now and have not been disappointed in any way!  It is ultra-portable, gives great views, and took a rank amateur (me) less than an hour to assemble and align the optics, thanks to a very good instruction manual.The small size is a plus for me.  I keep it fully assembled sitting in the guest bedroom and pick it up and easily carry it out to the yard in one piece.  I just lay out a blanket and sit on the lawn and observe - no need for setup, fancy chairs, or tables.  The eyepiece is at the perfect height for my 4yr old daughter to look through (she has already gotten a few glimpses of the moon) so it will be a great tool for us to share.  When she is a little bit bigger she will easily be able to handle this scope by herself.A bigger scope will give better/more powerful views, but if you are on a tight budget, want something simple and rugged, or want a very portable scope, this is your ticket!After your first view of Jupiter (and its cloud bands and moons) you won't regret this purchase.---------Update 1 year later!I just re-read this review I put up, and can't reiterate it enough - This is a great little beginner scope!Last fall I bought one of the books I recommended with this scope, "StarWatch" by Phil Harrington.  Just last week, I completed the seasonal sky windows in the book - allowing me to see all 110 Messier DSO's all using this little 4.5" scope!If a goofball like me can figure out how to use this scope and can use "StarWatch" to log all the Messier's in about a year - you can too!  Its a great combo!!!
I did a lot of research prior to purchasing this telescope. I wanted to get my daughter something that was easy to use, durable, and of a good quality. One feature that this scope does not include is the ability to locate objects (you have to manually find the objects). For me, this is a positive feature; I want to encourage her to learn the constellations and the general location of objects to give her a strong base if she wants to continue astronomy as a hobby.The telescope came in two boxes (the telescope in one, and the base in the other).  It took a good hour to put together with some creative interpretation of the instructions which are not necessarily clear in some places. I think they tried to save some printing by including multiple steps in a single illustration when it would have been much more effective to have multiple steps showing more detail. However, the look on her face and the clarity of the moon surface was wholly worth any of the aggravation in assembly.This is a very simple telescope to use, light and portable, well made, and provides hours of viewing pleasure of the night sky. I can't wait for her to take it out for a spin in an area with less light pollution (DC is bad, bad, bad).
I've had this telescope for about 6 months now and like many other reviews it's a fantastic piece. Assembly can be a bit tricky with the instructions given, however, it goes togehter in no time. The item shipped and arrived in perfect condition, which is something that I worried about, especially when shipping a telescope.If you want to gaze at the moon, this telescope will allow you to see incredible details. Craters, valleys, etc. The spotter scope on top does a decent job, but is a little inaccurate. Turned the scope to Juipter, and it's true you can see the cloud rings, however it's not that powerful. Saturn is the same way, you can see the rings, but no detail to speak of.Overall this is a great scope, very portable, and easy to use. Great purschase!
My husband loves this telescope.  We have seen star clusters and the most spectacular sighting so far has been Jupiter.  We could actually see the bands.  This will be great in the summer and we plan to take it when we are camping.
Well, first of all, I think most of these "reviews" are fake. I don't like that at all.This is a fine, small telescope which can show you planets like Jupiter and Saturn. It gives very faint views of messier objects, like open clusters. You need good eyes to see those.When it arrived in the mail, I was baffled by all the parts, which didn't look like the parts in the pictures. A skilled carpenter assembled it for me, and he had to use several tools, which I wouldn't have known how to use. So, assembly is complicated.I now use the telescope every night. I have been looking at the Double Cluster in Perseus recently. The weight is good and makes it very moveable. I am considering getting a larger scope in this series, because the 4.5 inch mirror is small.UPDATE: After a year...This telescope has been a very good purchase, especially given the price. Under good viewing conditions (new moon, very clear skies), I have had my first view of a bunch of Messier objects, including M81 and M82 (those are galaxies). First view of the planet Mercury when it popped up above the horizon for a view nights. I cataloged them in a notebook to keep track. Under the best viewing conditions I've seen beautiful open clusters in Auriga, and lots of stuff in Sagitarius.Under less good viewing conditions (big moon, fog), I've only seen planets.
Simply fantastic! For the price, you won't find a better telescope. I've already been able to take pictures of Saturn and the moon! It's amazing! I'd recommend getting a 2x barlow for viewing saturn. Whilst the 10mm eyepiece is fantastic, a barlow lens really helps in viewing Saturn and other planets. If you plan on putting a camera on this, I'd recommend getting the T-bracket with the 2x barlow. You will not be able to focus a DSLR on it without the 2x barlow.Overall, I'm very glad I got this telescope!
Always wanted to get into astronomy and after reading through many reviews this was recommended for beginners. Its a bit on the pricey side so its a pretty deep plunge you're taking. Took a bit of time to assemble as the instructions are not idiot proof and can be a bit convoluted. Just be patient.It works pretty well to my amateur eye. I was floored when I first saw the moon through the 10mm lens. Wow. I haven't really tried to look at anything further away as the weather has been pretty bad in my region for the last few weeks. Also, the bundled starry night software is pretty handy.
I bought this scope about a year ago. I wasn't sure whether to get this one or a bigger one. But, I went with this one and have been pleased. I like it because it's portable, and not a big deal to set up. If I decide to look at the stars, then it's only 5 minutes before I'm outside. I don't know how to compare it to a bigger one, but I'll say that you can see all of the planets, as well as meteors if you get lucky, and some deep sky objects. I live in a place where there is a lot of light unfortunately, so I can't get a glimpse of all of the Messier objects. I bought a barlow lens which I think is very helpful for getting a better look at Saturn and Jupiter. If you are looking for a good scope for a beginner, and something that doesn't take up your entire house, this is the scope for you.
We are pleased with our purchase.  You can see the rings of Saturn, the moon in great detail, just make out the stripes on Jupiter.  You can see Saturn and Jupiter's moons (as faint dots).  We are wanting  to get a solar filter to look at the sun.When we first received it, it was lacking the base Amazon was having difficulties with their inventory and the return and repurchase from Orion was easy and fast.
Performs as advertised, easy to assemble and use, great price, a great start for someone new to backyard astronomy.
I am so excited about this telescope. It is my first. I was able to assemble it easily with the provided instructions.It shipped in a very timely manner. I have only just started with this adventure but can focus it easily and the factory calibrations seem to be dead on. It is very easily moved and stored.The DVD included is hilarious however. I loved the dated slang used. It was like watching a comedy.
I did a lot of researching before buying this telescope- it was to be a gift for my dad (who is a senior).  I was between this model and the XT6, but based on the size/weight of each model, I chose this one.  I must say, I'm very pleased with it.  I've only used it a couple times, but that gave me a chance to see the moon, jupiter and its moons, mars, and venus.  Viewing conditions weren't great for mars and venus, but I can already tell the magnification you get out of the box isn't quite enough to wow me with these two.  I was definitely struck by jupiter and it's moons.  Though the planet looked smaller than I expected with the shipping lenses, I was very pleased with the sharpness.  I could definitely make out some bands once my eye adjusted a bit, and the moons looked like big stars but their arrangement was really cool.  Our own moon looked amazing.  I didn't get a good amount of time to look at it, but it was definitely the most impressive object in the sky.  I've used smaller telescopes before and was worried this one wouldn't be "better enough" to be worth the money, but I think it is now.You can buy stronger lenses for this telescope, and I definitely plan to, but on the whole this telescope is great.  It's easy to use, the spring-balance works perfectly so far, the finder scope is good too.  The weight is a little oddly distributed, but the whole thing is light enough that it doesn't really matter.  It's also easy to move around (although the swivel motion was much less "constructed" than I expected...it basically just relies on having a loose screw).The only complaint I have is that I didn't realize mirror telescopes flipped the images you see upside-down, which makes it less than ideal for a day-time scope looking at distant landmarks. I didn't know that before I bought it, but now you do!
My husband is really enjoying it...when it's not too cold.  I think this is a better summer gift than a Christmas gift.
This was a gift for my 12 year old grandson.  While his mom was fixing breakfast, he set it up and had it working.
This telescope is a great first scope to set up on a deck to watch the lake and also the stars at night. It's a basic good quality beginner scope. Don't believe me? Feel free....I don't know much about them so I went and did my research to find one to meet my needs.....read about it here like I did! This website also recommends other telescopes for celestial viewing.[...]
This turned out to be the best first telescope we could have hoped for.  The family enjoys it and it is not hard to use. I did a lot of research and am glad I chose this one.
It's obviously not a high-end telescope, but for a good starter scope for a kid, it's very good. I got this for my daughter for Christmas, and it nicely resolved the Galilean moons. If you're looking for something heavy-duty, spend more, but for something to buy on a budget, or for a kid you're introducing to astronomy, this is very good.
This telescope is great for someone, like the person I purchased it for, who just wants to look at the night sky or distant objects during the daytime.  There are other lenses and accessories that can enhance the usage however it's quite usable and enjoyable the way it is.
My 8 year old son got this for Christmas and loves it!  It was easy for my husband to set up and they found an ipad app that helps them find the constellations. We were looking for a telescope for a child but not one that is a cheap toy version and this fits the bill perfectly!
I purchased this for my grandkids for Christmas so they could look at the stars.  It stays at my house and so far they haven't tried it because  they leave before it gets dark.  However, I absolutely love it.
well the telescope, is very great product to find general planets, like moon, mars/ etc. which several week I added several othertings on the product. like 2x bow-low adapter for more increase of power - to go out (300) power, add more lens to the product, add an more power to like the super diagonal ( an general filters.) which I brought an Orion computer /an telescope taking pic's too.
I purchased this telescope for my husband, a beginner, and he was able to set it up and begin star-gazing in one night. The entire family has been able to enjoy looking at the sky, such a great activity to share. It was extremely well packaged and arrived very quickly. It sets up sturdily but is not so heavy that it is a chore to move. Really highly recommend.
I bought this for my boys, but my husband uses it more than the boys. I am not an expert in this field, but for a first telescope it is a really easy one to use!!
I gave this as a gift to my grandson (7) and parents to star-gaze. They love it because they can set it up in 2 minutes, so it doesn't have to be a permanent part of their living room furniture.  The power is excellent, but stronger powers modules can be purchased. It is better than the one on National Geographic & less expensive too.
This was a gift for my grandson.  He was thrilled to receive it.  The build quality looked good, but I have not yet been able to actually use this telescope.  Perhaps I will be able to update this review later when I have the opportunity to check the views through the scope.
I bought this for my mom, who lives where there are lots of stars visible.  There is not much more to see than with the naked eye.  The moon is a bit interesting but stars are just little dots and even the planets are still tiny.GET A STRONGER TELESCOPE FOR STAR GAZING!
I did a lot of research before purchasing this telescope and from what I found out this is the best telescope that you can buy for under $300.  My budget was really only $100 but anything besides this one would have been thrown away so it was well worth the extra $100.  This telescope shows amazing detail.  The two lenses that come with this are good too.  I would recommend buying a kit from Orion as well.  Even on low magnification on this scope shows amazing detail on Saturn and the Moon.  The equatorial mount works great for compensating for the Earth's rotation, which at high magnifications is fast.  The finder scope is only good for locating bright objects.  The tripod is very sturdy especially for such a low cost.  This really is a great telescope and very portable.  If you have the money and don't mind carrying a heavy load you should buy the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope.  I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone.  This telescope works better than most that have more aperture.  Very well made scope.
I cant really give a review on its usage since it was a gift I bought for my uncle.  But on taking it out of the package it is a very nice sturdy looking and feeling piece.  You will have to look for another review for a serious review on its capabilities.
The pluck foam works very well.  I'm glad I purchased this case.  Recommended.
I started to give this product only four stars, because of a couple of issues...the strap that came with it isn't the most durable I've ever seen, and this case is not as well-constructed as some others.  On the other hand, it only cost $50 and I think it's going to serve its purpose well enough, so five stars it is.I bought this case to house a Canon i90v portable printer, which is about 12" x 8" or so.  It's also got a few accessories, like a cord and a removable battery, all of which fit into this case quite nicely.  I had no problem at all removing the pluck foam and the camera fit right inside, which gives the overall effect of having had a custom case made for my printer.Here's another real plus for this product: especially for its size, which is ample, the weight of this case is not overwhelming at all.  This can be a real problem concerning "portable" gear containers.  I teach scuba diving on weekends, so I'm always looking for something in which to stash various pieces of camera paraphernalia.  A company called Pelican makes great waterproof cases, but ye cats, are they heavy - a dive camera plus case can easily top 15 pounds.  This Orion case with my printer inside probably weighs only about five or six pounds, which is going to be terrific should I need to stash this case inside a larger suitcase for a business trip or similar.I'd say that, even though there are better cases on the market, this one is going to perform plenty well for the job I've selected for it, and you certainly can't beat it for the price.  I may well buy another one for some camera equipment.
Orion Pluck-Foam Accessory Case, BlackWhen I ordered this case I had my doubts as to the quality and functionality. I am glad to say I was mostly wrong. It's actually a great case for the money. It comes with 2 keys and a customizable foam interior made up of small square blocks that can be torn out wherever needed. The only complaints that I have are that some of the foam squares are not cut deep enough but I cut them myself with a knife and I cannot get this case to lock correctly but that may be me not the case. The second is not a problem for me as I have no need to lock it anyway. All things being considered this is a nice case for the price and I recommend it.
Product arrived so quickly I didn't know what was in the box when I found it on my porch. I certainly wasn't expecting it to arrive that fast. It was literally here in less than 2 days.Now for the product.My first impression is that this case is pretty flimsy. It feels like it would take very little effort to punch a hole right through this thing. It has 2 locking clasps and a carrying strap, again these feel cheaply made as well.It is actually smaller than I expected it to be (no measurements taken, just a visual observation), however with the custom foam ability I was able to get a decent amount of equipment inside the case. Very light weight. I was hoping for a more solid construction. It appears to be made mostly of a sturdy cardboard material. I would have liked more aluminum or solid material to have been used in manufacturing. I believe most of what you are paying for is the ability to customize the foam for your specific items.I am using this case for paranormal research equipment and will probably need 1-2 more eventually unless I find something larger at a similar price.In the case so far I have the following items with still room to possibly add 1-2 more small things to it:Two LED flashlights (stacked on top of each other)One infrared lamp2 Sony Mini DV camcordersSIMA infrared light (might be able to stack 2 of them)Digital voice recorder4 Mini DV blank tapesEMF detectorThese items are fairly small except for the camcorders but I still have 3 CCTV infrared cameras, camcorder batteries, chargers, another camcorder and a DVR so will need two more cases or one very large one. Plus this would not be a good case for storing cables and power strips in which is another thing entirely.I feel that the foam padding should protect your equipment, just not sure how confident I feel about the case itself surviving much wear and tear.Pros: Fast shipping. Brutally fast shipping.Cons: Feels like it wouldn't take much to damage the case, clasps and strap hooks.If you feel that your case won't be treated like a UPS package during Christmas week this case should work well for you. If you think the case is going to experience some rough handling while in your possession you might want to look into a hard plastic case with padding.
I have a lot of lenses for my various cameras and wanted a nice, sturdy case to store them all in one place. Well, this certainly fits the bill! Excellent construction, well built and solid. The pluck foam is great, allowing you to customize the spaces for your specific lenses. I had no plans for traveling with the case, but if I were to do so, I think this case would give adequate protection to my lenses. I haven't measured it directly, but it seems to be small enough to use as a carry-on, although its somewhat heavy, given its solid construction. Overall, I'm quite pleased with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone without reservations.
Nice case none the less.  Works for what i need it for. However, the case I recieved DID NOT look anything like the one in the picture, at all.  The case looks good but probably not as sturdy as it would have been if it was all aluminum like in the picture.
Not much to say here. It's a big padded bag, with a metal zipper that doesn't seem interested in catching on things or otherwise misfiring, and acceptably rugged straps that velcro together. I've toted my XT6 all over in this thing, with the scope bag in the trunk and the base strapped into one of the rear seats. Definitely worth having.
I bought this case as a cheaper alternative to a case for my photo gear (light stands, tripod, backdrop stand, soft boxes, boom, cords, etc.)The quality of this case is great. It fits all of my stuff perfectly. It is well padded and the seams look strong. I'm using it for more weight than the telescope it was designed for, so I've made a webbing "basket" that surrounds the case. I made straps that come directly off the "basket".I don't like the straps that come on the case. They are too long to carry the case like a suitcase; and they're too short to put over your shoulder like a suit bag. They're also off center, most likely due to the off center telescope the case was designed for. But this no longer effects me as I have made my own straps, and put them right where I want them.Overall, I think this is a very well designed, and well made bag. I think the price is fair, and Orion seems like a good company to me. A good product at a good price delivered quickly, what more can I really ask for?
Nearly worthless for its advertised purpose.1. The padding is very stiff and thin. Will do little to cushion an optical tube assembly.2. It is minimum length possible in the interior for its purpose (it is the one specified for the XT6 tube). Barely fits. Be carful not to touch the mirror mount's collimation screws when you are trying to put it in the "case".3. It should be a real treat to work on getting the ota back in the bag in the dark :)I think this product is unusual for Orion. It is simply an overpriced near useless thing to get a few more dollars out of you. Like I said, not usual for Orion. Do not judge their other products by this review.Alternative:Save the box your scope or ota came in, and use it.
The case is for a specific model but there are descriptions on Amazon and in the Orion catalog the say nothing about the tube piece is the only thing that will fit inside this case. You have to take your telescope apart which has two strong springs, and then only the tube will fit in the case. Nothing else will fit in the case that is suppose to hold the tube assembly (assembly- to put to gather the parts of something. Webster). The catalog says case that holds both tube assembly and mount/tripod. Who wants to take their telescope apart every time the put it in their case? This is different than taking it off a tripod! This is taking it apart!  False advertising! Poor service when called Company. Did not care and hung up on me. Was not the companies' problem and she could not fix it. She did not have anything to do with it. I can return but pay shipping myself. I have already wasted enough money. Other than that this company is a really great company! I love their telescopes!
I mostly bought this to store my telescope. It does have some padding to protect it from minor dings and mostly to keep the dust from collecting. It is very nice for transporting and it gives you some sense of comfort.
I looked all over for a good sturdy bag for my HD Meade tripod. This fit the bill perfectly! It's easy to carry and provides great protection for my tripod.
Before I got this bag transporting myOrion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescopewas a cumbersome task since I coudn't put it in my trunk just like that and I had to be extra careful with my speed. Plus when driving along with my pals, everyone in the backseat had to hold it lying across our laps. This bag eliminated all of those problems plus i can now carry the OTA in it with one hand :) The bag is fully padded so the scope is protected from the little bumps and jars that come inevitable with transporting it plus keeping the scope in the bag can protect it from dust buildup and moisture, when not in use.
This case was a perfect fit for my 70mm refractor and tripod. One note though, there is more padding between the sections (divider) than there is on the exterior so protection is really minimal. It is a good case for transport if not tossed around.
This particular Orion case was much longer than I read it to be, longer than I needed or wanted, so I returned it to Orion, otherwise the scope case is a quality constructed product as all Orion products are.
The bag turned out not to be very protective. Went to Mr StarGuy and got a much better case for near the same price. If you want light go with this but if you want protection go with Mr StarGuy.  I kept this and carry my bino mount in it instead. An OTA needs better protection.
The bag is simple but well-made and padded just fine for normal carriage of my 5" refractor.
This case is just what I was looking for.It is adaptable to any kind of small telescopes and, so, very useful. I keep my telescope in it all the time.Gerenal characteristics are: low weight (it is a very light case) and waterproof.
Great case for moving my telescope. The only way it could be better is if it helped reduce the weight of the telescope.
this is a very sturdy and well made bag and holds everythng needed as well as keeping it safe from damage.
It's not clear how best to fit Orion Spaceprobe into this bag nicely.  Better instructions with more diagrams would be welcome, even if they were hosted online.
I purchased this case to go along with the Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130 ST Equatorial Reflector telescope which I gave as a 30th birthday gift to my younger son.  He's so pleased with the case.  He said everything fits very well and the case provides a great way to store the telescope.
Well constructed with good ballistic fabric.  I would prefer two smaller cases, one for the 'scope and one for the mount and tripod, because by the time you reach a 5&#34; telescope they are getting sort of heavy.  But this one is fitted with well-placed, padded separators so the telescope is protected pretty well.  Handles are located well and are easy to grasp.  I have been looking for something like this for some time and I am surprised that Celestron and Meade don't offer something like it.  That's okay, because this one is great.
The material seems to be sturdy and my Celestron Nexstar 130SLT telescope fit in the bag, as well as the mount and tripod. My only suggestion to Orion is to include pockets to store ancillary items.
It is durable, but way too small. My 6in relector did not fit with the tripod. I barely could get it shut with the tripod in there. I will order another for the tube.
Used for over 7 years w/ different scopes.  It's Large and is heavy duty!!!  Carry Scopes, stands, etc.  Great buy!
The case is excellent quality, which is definitely on par with the $300.00 scope that it protects.The exterior is tough and durable and the inside is much more forgiving and smooth to the touch, which won't scratch or damage the contained equipment. The interior is also separated into two compartments, with a thick pad incorporated to ensure that the stand and the telescope tube itself don't negatively interact or damage each other. There are also two nylon straps secured with velcro on one end of the case so as to secure the counterbalance weight in place.The only glaring issue that I have is the fact that it is advertised to comfortably fit the Orion 130ST EQ with these measurements; however, in practice, it is a very tight squeeze. (Not for the tube, but for the tripod.) Everything fits quite well if you're willing to dismantle the entirety of the equatorial mount, tripod, and tube rings, but that's pretty impractical in general and especially in the field. This is particularly great for a standard azimuth mount, but the equatorial mount definitely makes things a little bit of a struggle and you end up having to awkwardly position the mount to get the zipper closed. If you're able to, you'll want to remove the tube ring mounts.All in all, I would say it is still worth the purchase. It does what it's supposed to do and there's not a lot of high quality options out there to protect your high quality optics to begin with. I've deducted a star for the fit difficulty, despite the advertised compatibility - otherwise, this is an exceptional, clever, and well-made case. No regrets.
I like this, but if I could find a hard case that the telescope and tripod fit in I probably would buy it. Had to take mostly all apart to fit into case.  Since the tripod and telescope and tripod, and other loose pieces are in there, I would prefer more padding, and better divider, maybe a stiffer bottom.  It was supposed to be for my telescope. but barely fit
Very good quality storage bag, nicely paded.  Have been using this bag for 1 year now, it still is like new.  Use it regularly.
You have a choice to make here.If you plan to leave your scope in the garage, or porch, and if moving it to your view site is easy, then you do not need this bag.  It is just a waste of money, and it is bulky.If you plan on transporting the scope to another location, you need the protection of the bag.  I don't think I could safely transport my scope without it.
Extremely useful and easy to use. Straps not centerd on purpose due to a heavier side (on primary mirror side) to balance when carrying it.I recommend it for extra protection. I store my telescope with this case and transport it in my SUV to my camping trips.
When I bought my Orion XT8 Dobsonian telescope I opted to buy the carrying case also. That was a good decision. Although it is expensive it is also very high quality and prevents the dents and dings from moving the scope from location to location. If you are going to only use the scope in your back yard you probably don't need it but if you are like me and like going to darker locations and star parties then it becomes essential. Well worth the money....
I bought this bag to store my 8" Dobsonian in. It works as advertised but my only complaint is the price. This bag is nothing special, not even a zippered side pocket to carry any extras. This is a case when a manufacturer has found a niche market and is gouging because of it. There is nothing really wrong with the quality, though it's nothing special but it's clear Orion was more interested is producing a bag for as little as possible and selling them at a premium price. Since it's the only game in town consumers take it on the chin. Does it do the job, yes. is it worth the money? Well that's something you'll have to decide for yourself.
I bought this padded case to transport my Orion XT8 Dobsonian Telescope.  The construction is of very high quality, with the Orion logo nicely embroidered on it.  I used it over Memorial Day weekend for the first time and it made transporting my scope very easy. The scope tube fits in the bag just right and the carrying straps are a little off center so that it balances out the heavier part of the tube that houses the primary mirror.  The bag only fits the scope tube...not the dobsonian mounting base, which is carried separately.  I highly recommend this padded case if you plan on transporting your telescope with any frequency.
The padded Orion Telescope case arrived in a 5lb box. Its primary purpose is to allow the user to move the telescope safely. However, upon receiving this bag, it was apparent that there was little thought given to the functionality. It does have padding yes, but thats about it - for almost 80 -90 dollars, I expected more value - especially given the quality of the telescope XT8 itself! It doesn't seem worthy of that telescope.Here are the problems:1) The handles are to the side of the bag, this immediately throws off the balance of the scope. You can see this in the picture as well.2) I was expecting, there would be accessory pockets. Any observer willing to spend top dollar on the XT8 and case, can be reasonably expected to carry at least a notebook, some writing tools, a flashlight and a few lenses with his/her telescope. Orion failed to anticipate this - and the case has no feature or pockets to allow you to carry additional gear.3) Once you have placed the telescope and zipped it up - and you want to carry it - you will realize that the handles are too big to carry it in hand - also off balance - and too short to sling it over your shoulder like a backpack.However, given the lack of an alternative, if you do end up buying this bag, you will do well to put all your accessories in a cotton/plastic bag, before placing them inside the padded case. Also I have found that the best way to move the telescope with this bag is to carry it over your shoulder and guide it with your hand while holding the zippers (they come with attached threads). And be very careful about the ends of your telescope.Overall very disappointed with this product.
I can't imagine trying to move around this substantial telescope without a cushioned case that has the strap offset to balance the load.  It is well made and I couldn't live without it.
This is a MUST HAVE bag when you are taking your Orion out into the darkness. The a quarter inch padding surrounding your precious telescope is great for when you are bringing it out.The only thing that I would like to see on this bag are side pockets. It's missing the necessary zip pockets for all of your accessories and lenses. If it had that, it would be perfect!
I like the bag very much as we travel and plan to take the scope with us on camping trips.  The bag also provides a protective container to keep the scope in at home.  I wish the bag had some pockets for storing eyepieces, the finder scope and various tools, red flashlight, etc.  I solved that problem by purchasing some inexpensive all-purpose zipper bags from the stationary department of a local superstore ($2.97ea).  I bought bright colors so they would be easier to see in the dark.  Overall, I am pleased with the purchase.
There isn't much to say, the case is good and protects your telescope really well. The handling strap is really useful when transporting the telescope to your favorite viewing location. Thank You Orion, you guys (and gals) are amazing!
This does take practice and patience to use. It requires reading directions and thinking.I got this as part of the beginning kit that came with my scope, but I would have bought one separately. I remember using one of these in my college astronomy class, so it has a certain nostalgia to it. On the issue of electronic obsolescence, here is my take, I have an app on my phone and my tablet that is a star chart (Google Sky Map) that is good, too. The advantage of the app is the search feature, but the planisphere is actually easier to read and decipher with some practice. A disadvantage to the planisphere is that a lot of relatively bright stars aren't on it, but that also makes it easier to read and landmark. I plan to use the app and the planisphere as complimentary tools to plan and execute searches instead of seeing it as one or the other.One note, you will want a red flashlight to use with this. It is obviously not self-illuminating.
FYI, the $ spent on a telescope, the $ spent on accessories, it's all better spent. There is no &#34;color&#34; in space, so if you want to see a &#34;nebula&#34;, expect a black and white cluster of crap. A hobby I gave up quickly after realizing the manufactures falsely promote it.
I got this to go with the FunScope I got my seven year old son for Christmas.  It's easy to read, dead on and durable.  Price is good too.
Simple...easy to use...and gives you information at your fingertips about the stars, planets, etc. It should be helpful while observing the night sky. I do use programs like Stellarium (free) and BackYardEOS for my camera to navigate the sky but it's nice to have the Planisphere also.
It was nice to pick the month and know what I can go outside and see. I sure love this!
I purchased this Star Planisphere for my 7 year old grandson for Christmas. Although it was smaller in size than I had hoped (my own fault because I didn't look for dimensions), it was a great gift for him. Easy to use and has so much information that he can store.  Thank you for selling this item and acting so expediciously. Great seller and I would buy again.
If you live between 30 and 50 deg latitude (basically all of US, except for the lower tips of Texas/Florida), this is an accurate star map that also includes deep space objects (other galaxies, etc.), pseudo-constellations ("the winter hexagon"), navigation aids (big dipper --> polaris, e.g.), the ecliptic, and of course milky way.  Dates of meteor showers are also listed on the back.  Very useful.
Good Planisphere, but you really do need a laser light or something to read it with because the text is so small on it. It does work well and it's accurate.
As far as I can tell my daughter in law loves this gift. I would recommend this for someone starting out!!!
This is a great star map showing 600 of the finest celestial objects. If you have good skies and a decent telescope and/or binoculars with little or no light pollution  to hinder your viewing, you can probably locate all or at least most of the objects.  It has at least as many objects as some beginner's star atlases, and they are all listed on one map.  The constellations on the top and bottom (the far north and south) are somewhat distorted because of the flat projection, but there is also a small northern circumpolar chart showing that region with better accuracy.  The latitude and longitude (declination and right ascension) lines are beautifully straight, making it easy to measure distances for star-hopping.  Also, the plastic is very durable for outdoor use.  This map is designed for many years use, and experienced amateurs will often use it as a handy reference to locate objects that they have seen before.  This chart, made by Orion, a company known for its excellent telescopes, is a great bargain since it is inexpensive, but it compares well in quality to the best of the basic star atlases.
This is a great star chart.  Heavy duty paper and easy to fold up makes it perfect for my needs.
I've had it outside once since I got it and it was very dewy then, no problems.  Now if the rain and clouds would just GO AWAY!!!  :o)
first, good choice on material, the dew first night out was heavy, just wiped offsecond, easy for a first timer to usthird, would recommend to everyone
The Orion DeepMap 600 Folding Star Chart is my favorite for binocular astronomy, travel astronomy and a "quick look" at the stars.It folds up like a road map and fits in my coat pocket. It is made of a tough plastic that resists wind and dew. It lists 600 deep sky objects - galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and double stars. There are more celestial objects here than most amateur astronomers will observe in a lifetime.It also lists each object`s Right Ascension and Declination, size, brightness and a brief description of each object.Because I find this information so helpful for finding and identifying deep sky objects I refer to the Orion DeepMap along with the superb Sky Atlas 2000 by Wil Tirion and Roger W. Sinnott.The only real weakness of the Orion DeepMap is the absence of the sky south of -60*. But this is of absolutely no consequence for observers north of 30* north latitude, and  it is of little consequence anywhere in the northern hemisphere.The Orion DeepMap successfully bridges the gap between a good planesphere, such as David Levy`s Guide To The Stars, and a high end star chart such as the Star Atlas 2000. Because of it`s dew resistance, extreme portability and the information about over 600 deep sky objects, the Orion Deep Map 600 has unique benefits that make it, for me at least, not only the best pocket star chart for the money, but among the most useful star charts available at any price.Clear Skies...
I have only been stargazing since February 2012 and, though I am improving, it is the finding of objects that is still sometimes the most difficult aspect of astronomy.The DeepMap 600 is a wonderful asset that provides a clear, comprehensive, near instant grasp of where things are. The Pocket Sky Atlas is an excellent resource, but because it provides such detail for each area of sky, it is broken up into so many pages that it is often hard to find things in areas where one constellation, or section of a constellation, "spills over" into another. Generally, you have to move back and forth between 2 or 3 or 4 pages, making it difficult to get a Big Picture picture of the sky. DeepMap 600 obviates this problem as, for example, I can trace patterns from Sagittarius up through Scutum, then up to Aquila and left to Capricornus with ease as the whole thing is right there, constellations and all objects within each, the spatial and directional relationships easy to see, and all at one time and on the same page. Ditto the area in and around Altair, an area I worked around in last fall with MUCH more ease and success than previously.I think the simultaneous use of the two (DeepMap 600 and Pocket Sky Atlas) is a winning combination, the former for a wide, cinemascope view of the entire sky that provides a solid orientation and mental picture of what's up there, and broad sections within this total panorama, and the PSA for greater detail of smaller sections once you home in on one. I regard both as absolutely essential.Another big plus is that 600 Deep Sky Objects, mainly Messiers, NGCs, and ICs are listed on the backside, along with a single, short sentence of what too look for (also a major problem for us neophytes) in each, a HUGE aid. For example: "4755: Jewel Box Cluster--white diamonds with one ruby"; "2335: look for small parallelogram of stars at center of cluster";"6830: "Most stars arranged in two intersecting rows".The only knock is that 10 bucks seems excessive shipping cost for something the size and weight of a AAA automotive road map.
This is an excellent product and I love it. It is not a paper but a vinyl kind of material for long life and durability. This chart shows enough night sky objects for binocular / small size telescope. It is folded just like a road map and can go into your pocket very easily.I paid $19.94 with shipping so price is reasonable.I can recommend it to anyone.
its a T ring, does exactly what its supposed to do, connects your camera with a telescope camera adapter. Works very well with the Orion universal camera adapter.
It does what it's supposed to. I don't like sound it makes when I attach it to my camera. Nikon lens  are quiet then a click. This soundsike metal rubbing on metal. I'm sure its fine, but still scary.
Perfect fit for a Nikon D5100 on a Dobsonian 8" telescope.  No light leakage and sturdy enough to support the camera body.  Works exactly as advertised and excellent value for the price.
Package came with no instructions for how to hook it up to my camera or adapt it to the telescope so I am sending it back.
This T-Ring fits perfectly. It smoothly glides into place with a small click to lock it into place. It fits as smoothly as the Kikon lens does.
The ring fits my telescope and Nikon SLR well, the fit on the camera end is  a tiny bit rough, but nothing that prevents the ring from working.
Got this for my 8in dob  problem is they have an issue with light collecting reaching the dslr.  Resulting in nothing but blurred photos.  Stay away if you own a dob
After reading some bad reviews of other t-mount adapter rings, one of which would not even lock in place, I settled on Orion's because I'd ordered from them before and was satisfied with their products and service.  The ring arrived quickly and had a pretty nice level of finish.  It screwed onto the T-adapter securely and locked into place on the camera body.  However... it is nowhere near as solid as any of my lenses.  There is a noticeable amount of play between the ring and camera body which I found unacceptable.  For the price it did not seem worth the time and effort to return (and possible get another one just as bad) so I made do with a shim made from some curved strips of Scotch tape (I put a few pieces on wax paper, traced the curve and cut them out).  Now it seems to be fairly snug and given the fact that I don't use this mount (for a Celestron C90) as much as my other lenses, I don't think I'll have to replace the tape very often.  Still, I wish the thing had worked right in the first place.
Works perfectly.
As was said before, connects a Nikon to a telescope adapter.Mine fit snugly and there was no slop. Even though it says "Made in China", unit seems machined fairly well and fit perfectly with the Orion Variable Camera Adapter. The three flanges that hold the camera body are pretty thin, it seems stable, but if you have a heavy $5000 Nikon body dangling off the side of the telescope, I would be nervous. With my set-up, I have the camera mounted almost vertically over the telescope, so it still feels stable.I have a Nikon D5100 with the T-Ring connected to an Orion Variable Universal Camera Adapter mounted to an Orion Starblast 4.5.Please Note: You NEED a camera adapter in conjunction with this T-Ring and my combination will not allow the focal plane of the camera close enough to the telescope to focus. I had already ordered a Barlow lens, so if this works with the Barlow, I'll update this review.
This works with my D40 reasonably well (ensure you're in manual shooting mode or it will give a no lens detected error,) however it's an EXTREMELY tight fit. It was stripped and impossible to screw on after one or two uses. Fortunately, nothing I'm doing is particularly critical, so it works fine as the camera's weight holds it on even without a tight screw on fit.It could be that the D40 simply isn't a good match for this product.
When I began astrophotography I looked  for the proper arrangement, but couldn't figure out exactly what I needed to couple my DSLR to my telescope.  The three items listed in the kit above are the three items needed:1) Canon T-ring2) 1.25" Universal Adapter3) Canon Remote switch.I ended up going to a telescope store to purchase these exact three items, but at a higher price.
Came in great shape. Works like advertised. Using it for a Canon XSi. Came on time also. Would definitely do business with them again.
If you own a Canon digital camera you will need this accessory in way to attach the camera to your telescope.
This was perfect for connecting my Canon EOS to my Orion telescope. Just be sure to have the focusing adapter too. Which I didn't. :/
This adaptor works very well for the price I paid. I haven't tested it in the field yet, but the connection with my camera is tight. I definitely recommend.
It effectively holds your camera, but it's not a great setup. For what you are spending though, it's a good fit. I wouldn't expect to be taking awesome photos any time soon though.
The ring was a perfect match to the camera.  I went out the 1st nite and filmed Orion, Andromeda and the Crab nebula.
I put this on my StarMax 90 and my T3i slips right on. I would recommend this to anyone who would be interested in taking astrological photos.
The Orion T-ring for Canon EOS cameras is much too thick and will not fit on my Astro-Physics telescope.  Also one of the three set screws were missing and Orion did not know the screw type or thread.  It was basically useless. Why they made it a different size than most other T-rings is baffling.  The less expensive Celestron T-ring is much better.
No problems at all with this ring adapter for my Canon 60D EOS camera.  I'm trying to get into some starry night skies shots, so I needed this adapter for my Orion 8XTI telescope.So far, so good.
This t-ring is well made it does what it is suppose to do and locks the camera to the telescope nice and solid.
I shoot with my Canon Rebel Xt and this T-Ring from Orion is a perfect fit.  I attached it to my Meade EX80t telescope and could not be any happier.  This T-ring along with the camera mount are perfect for any photographer wanting to get the perfect picture with your telescope!
I'll have to return mine - tried it in my 60D and a T2 and it is loose.  You can move it back and forth once attached and that is definitely not a good thing for long exposure astrophotography.
This ring works as designed, but I expected a little cleaner machine work when I purchased it. I had to clean up the threads quite a bit before mounting. The size/ spec of the t-ring was correct, no other issues found.
So far, the T-ring has worked exactly as advertised. Apparently, the shop that I bought mine from uses some sort of teleporter for delivery because I received the product in no time. The only downside was that I needed to buy another adapter piece. The threads just don't match up with those on the back of my C8. Not that it really matters, because I was planning on doing both eyepiece projection and prime focus photography anyway. I bought the Orion 1.25" adapter and the next night I was getting really cool photos of M17 and M8.
Simple design, but can take a little bit of time getting the camera lined up.  I have used it on a 1.25&#34; eyepiece and a Sony Nex6 with the 35mm 1.8 lens and it worked great.  I recommend getting everything set during daylight, less frustration.
It doesn't work to take stars pictures. Maybe for the Moon, but nothing more than that. Material is nice, that's why I can give 2 stars.
Very difficult to center camera, takes a long time to set up. Overpriced for quality of product. I ended up buying a DSLR, T-Ring and T Adapter. Now I have no problems.
This isn't as good as other options for cameras with removable lenses, but is a good choice for fixed lens cameras, and works pretty well.  It takes a little work to get it lined up. It needs to be as close as possible to get a fuller frame photo (this also depends on the eye relief distance of the lens). There is some danger if you use a camera with a lens that extends.  If you attach the camera too closely, allowing the camera lens to extend into the telescope lens, the lens is blocked from fully extending and this can damage certain cameras.  All that being said, it does do a fairly good job, and gives the option of using a telescope as a lens.
I've taken countless photos of the Moon through my EQ-mounted reflector using this device.  It's much more convenient than trying to hand-hold the camera up to the eyepiece, but after extensive use I've found it leaves much to be desired.  It's difficult to get the camera aligned properly with the eyepiece, and minor misalignments will cause visible aberration, fringing, and/or vignetting in photos.  What's more, it's very easy to knock out of alignment once it's been aligned.  With patience, though, this mount will make photographing the Moon simpler and also enable you to take pictures of fainter objects like planets, Earthshine, and the brighter star clusters.  It will also fit just about any shape and size of camera, and is cheaper than the camera-specific adapters I've seen elsewhere (but to me still seems pricey for what you get).
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ITEM IT WORKS PERFECT AND I RECEIVED IT IN TIME WORKS ON ALL MY CAMERAS N TELESCOPES IT WAS SO EASY TO PUT TOGETHER AGAIN THANK YOU
I have a couple of other styles made by other companies and I prefer them.
Used these for looking at Jupiter.  I was able to see more detail with the stripes on Jupiter with these.
Christmas for my husband. They perform perfectly and he loves them. He has taken some amazing photos using these filters so even I benefit from his hobby now.
These make a noticeable difference in my 8 inch diameter F(5) Newtonian reflector and do improve viewing of Jupiter when used.  These make less of a difference in viewing planets in my two other 6 inch diameter scopes, one of which is an F12 Mak/Cass and the other is an F8 Newtonian.  In all my scopes the filters do help with the moon.  For brighter planets these filters do help in the 8 inch diameter scope and might help on clearer nights in my 6 inch scopes.  For nebula and deeper sky objects I don't recommend using these filters.In my 8 inch scope, these made a difference in seeing Jupiter, since the 8" scope gathers more light than the 6" scopes, the blue and green filter made Jupiter's cloud bands stand out much better, which helped bring it's image into sharp/clear focus as my 8" newtonian has a short focal ratio of F5.  I have owned these filters for eight years and finally acquired an 8" diameter scope (Oct 2013) that actually works above 100x and am really happy to finally see these filters do very noticeable work on a planet's image quality.  I used the blue filter to bring Jupiter's image into clear focus at 200x which was quite a pleasing accomplishment at 4:15 on a chilly November morning.In my 6 inch diameter scopes the following applies:  For me these make a difference when observing the moon (blue and green), since they'll reduce excess light which makes observing the lunar surface more enjoyable.  I've noticed some improvement with Jupiter (blue mostly, then green) and then Saturn (yellow and then blue).  Some nights produce/yield greater enhancements/differences than others.  Basically the brighter the object the greater the effect of these filters, since these reduce light you won't have as much success on something that is already dim.  I also recall these filters reducing the glare of Venus, though I wasn't able to resolve any cloud detail.I don't want to discourage acquiring these filters if you have a smaller diameter scope, even though I am sharing my experiences with them noticed over an  8 year time-span.  I do live in the suburbs with lots of light pollution so if you live in a less light polluted location than I do then your experience may be different than mine.According to/referencing Orion telescopes(*) these filters are for:#15 Deep Yellow Planetary Filter (67% Transmission)Red and orange features of Saturn and JupiterContrast of lunar surface featuresPolar caps and orange desert regions of MarsLow-contrast cloud detail on Venus#25 Red (14% Transmission)Martian surface detail in larger telescopesContrast of Mercury against blue skyContrast and clouds definition of VenusBluish cloud regions of Jupiter and Saturn#58 Green (24% Transmission)Lunar surface detailContrast of blue and red structures on Jupiter, including The Great Red SpotMelt lines around Martian polar ice capsContrast of Saturn's subtle cloud belts#80A Medium Blue (30% Transmission)Details of Jupiter's cloud belts and Great Red SpotHigh clouds and polar caps of MarsLunar surface detailsContrast of some comet tailsNotice the Orion descriptions do not mention nebula or other deep sky objects, only reference lunar and planetary viewing.(*) [...]
I bought this for my daughter for her birthday.  We have now used the filters several times, and I don't feel it has enhanced our viewing experience.  We used it on an Orion XT8.  Maybe I just don't know what I am doing (a likely option) but I just wasn't impressed.
They are very easy to attach to my eyepieces (Stratus, Meade, and Expl. Sc.) and I use them in my C8- SGT.  I use them for studing Jupiter and looking for the Red Spot.  The Best color for my eye in seeing contrast is the Blue!!  Red is probably second in reviewing Jupiter.  I'm looking forward to using them on Saturn and Mars....
Does exactly what it says it does.  Helped me see some of the cloud stripes on Jupiter, even being colorblind.
This is my first filter set and I debated for a while whether or not I should buy this set of filters. Now I am glad that I did. The darker filters are great for reducing the glare of the moon. Specifically I have been the most pleased using the red filter when looking at a crescent moon. I was most worried about this aspect of this filter set relative to a filter specifically designed for viewing the moon. I do not anticipate buying a filter specifically for the moon now. I use the yellow filter for looking at Saturn and it does seem to help bring out some planetary features and obviously reduces the brightness. I have used the blue and green filters for Jupiter and they do help improve the contrast of the cloud belts. I have not compared this filter set to any other filter set so I cannot make a relative comparison.
Does what it's supposed to do, allows less light through. Good quality, comes in a nice case to keep it protected.Orion customer care is some of the best I've seen of any product or industry.
This works well and will save your eyes from the strong light of the Moon when Viewing, Allows for long inspections of the Lunar Surface without eye strain.
A nice, simple product that works exactly as advertised.  Screw this onto the eyepiece of a compatible telescope and it will reduce the light that reaches your eye significantly.  This is very very useful when viewing bright objects like the moon, making detail much easier to make out without the glare overwhelming the viewer.
I received this filter in the Orion 1.25" Premium Accessory Kit along with other colored filters, and I wanted to review it here separately.  When I first received my Orion SpaceProbe 130ST, the first thing I did after getting it set up was look at the moon.  Even at less than a quarter full, the light was blinding!  I can only imagine how hard it would be when viewing the moon when it was almost full.  Plus, the light overpowered any details if you can stand looking through the eyepiece for any length of time.  I had a headache the rest of the night after only viewing for about an hour.The filter easily screws into the end of my various 1.25" eyepieces, and it really does allow me to see the features in greater comfort.  Don't be afraid that it will somehow dim or lessen the quality of the view.  It actually enhances the quality at any magnification, and the images are crisp and true to color.  Even with the awkward use of my iphone camera, I managed to get some pretty good shots taken through the eyepiece.  When comparing the unfiltered pics with my more recent ones, the difference is obvious.  I highly recommend it!
Got this for my Orion StarBlast 6. Definitely a good thing. It's amazing how much light is gathered so the filter is a necessity and it does what it says it should do.
With my new 8 inch Orion dobsonian the moon looked great, but even during the eclipse I chose to use this filter until the moon was completely covered. With such a big scope the moon was almost painful to look at unfiltered. With the filter I was able to comfortable watch the shadow progress across cracks and craters, and I am looking forward to another good night to just explore the surface in even higher detail.The one potential down-side. It does seem like the threads might be really easy to strip out.
Love this filter, allows me to appreciate the moon and preserve night vision. It's overkill on any phase other than Full however.
The larger the aperture, the more light that is gathered.  The moon is bright through my binoculars, but I don't need a filter.  I've never used a filter in my 4.5".  But my 4.5 isn't a very good scope.  When I get up to my 6" I pull out the moon filter on nights when the moon is or is near full.  I still do not need it most of the time.  When the moon is full it makes all the difference in the world.  Over 6" in aperture the filter becomes much more necessary.So you must ask yourself, what scope are you using?  How often do you want to study the full moon?  For me it is worth the cost.  It was so worth the cost it was the first filter I purchased.  You will have to decide for yourself.
Even in my light polluted area, looking at the crescent moon in my 8" dobs is almost painful on the eyes.  I can only imagine that a full moon would be downright unbearable to view.The filter screws in very quickly after removing it from its handy hard case.  Once in place, the moon is a heck of a lot easier to look at.  Also, when you are done looking, its a lot easier and quicker to adjust back to the night time darkness.  I found that after looking at the moon without a filter, I couldn't see a thing outside in the night for about 30 seconds.  This filter certainly helps with that.
When looking at the moon, you really need a filter to subdue the huge amount of light that your telescope will collect. This filter does the job nicely.  It screws onto my 1.25" eyepieces effortlessly, even in the dark.
This filter works great for viewing a full moon. Eliminates any glare and allows one to see the craters , shadows and light without any interference. A no-brainer if you have an Orion telescope, it may work with other models, I have not checked.
While I and my boyfriend haven't been able to truly use this as much as we would like the few times we peaked through it, it definitely has helped our moon gazing. Not knowing a whole lot about astronomy, I bought my boyfriend a telescope for Christmas and this as well as many other people recommended buying a moon filter and looking at the moon without it and with it did make a huge difference. Good buy.
This 1.25" Orion 13% Transmission Moon Filter really helps when viewing the moon.  This was recommended when I purchased the Orion Skyquest XT8i telescope.  However, the threads on the filter do not match up with the threads on the telescope eyepieces, which means that the filter will fall out when pointing the scope in a more vertical angle.
I purchased this along with the Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130 ST Equatorial Reflector telescope as a birthday gift for my son.  He said it does make a huge, positive difference when viewing the moon.  He's very happy with its performance.
The moon is so clear and close you feel like you can touch it. Craters are very visible, love it
I really cannot make a judgment.  I have not been able to figure out how to mount the thing.  I have an orion telescope which it is supposed to fit, but there are no instructions and no diagrams.  It is useless to me.
This is a good product & needed, in order to view the moon without hurting your eyes.  But if you plan on buying a set of eyepieces & filters, it probably will include an equivalent filter.  The price of this filter is fine, but for some reason, the shipping cost for this item alone was $10.  So all I'm saying is decide if you're gonna get a whole set before spending too much on this alone.
This filter has just the right amount of filtering capacity to look at a half-moon; exceptionally clear and details pop out. Haven't tried it on a full moon yet.
This was one of the best purchases I made for my new telescope. As my kids and I were looking at the full moon we were excited to see it &#34;up close&#34; at our own house. I then installed this filter and we were blown away by the detail we could now see of the moon's surface. It also helped us to view Jupiter a little better.
I purchased this along with the Orion Observer 70mm Equatorial Refractor telescope for my husband. It is easy to install and makes the moon so much clearer when gazing.
This was a gift to someone, so I have no personal review, but when I asked about it later that week it was a well appreciated gift.
works like it is supposed to. is necessary to view moon. reasonably priced and easy to use. worth the money.
this is a great filter for really seeing the detail of the moon everything from the creaters to the lines in the surface look incredible when used with this filter
I bought this filter with the Orion 09843 SpaceProbe 3 Equatorial Reflector Telescope, and it does not fit the eyepieces as advertised.  The circumference of the filter is too small to fit into the threads of the eyepieces (2).  Suspect that the filter is the problem as 2x eyepieces are the same size (unless the eyepiece production was out of whack).  Disappointing but will try to return and swap for another filter.
I'd give it 5 stars if it was polarized too.  Yes, they do have a polarized version - but it has more moving parts.  I'm a huge believer that the fewer the moving parts you have, the longer it will last.While looking at the moon without a filter probably won't injure you - it's not the world's greatest idea either.  They make these things for a reason.  So make sure to buy one if you feel you may need it.
The moon look A LOT BETTER with this screwed on the eye piece. It is necessary to use this to properly view the moon. Easy to use and comes with a carrying case to prevent scratches.
i bough this filter the exact same day as i bought my telescope from orion. it was a at least 8 days late i missed the full moon and i an pissed about it. Why would they ship this tiny envelope via UPS i dont know. they should of gone postal.  havent used it yet waiting for another full moon
I was surprised at the amount of detail you miss without a filter, plus, you don't get blinded by the suns reflection off the surface.  Highly recommended!
This is an AMAZING filter! I bought it with my first telescope to see the moon since that's the only thing I pretty much can see clearly from where I live - a highly light polluted area. This filter takes away that beam that hurts your eyes when looking at the moon just through the regular telescope and it allows you to see every single details and keep you in awe. I am happy I bought it and i am looking forward to trying other filters too :)
This is a great thing to have when looking at the moon. It GREATLY dims the moon so your eye isn't so strained, and it DOESN'T cut down on detail. With this you can look at the moon for long periods of time with the same maybe even more detail than without it! I would recommend this to anyone with a telescope with a 1.25 eyepiece!
This filter lets you view the moon up close without hurting your eyes and ruining your night vision. It also lets you see it more clearly. Highly recommended.
if you plan on looking at the moon. Its deceptively bright, at least when its full. Looking into the eye piece without this is like looking into a flash light haha.
I bought an Orion XT8 Dobsonian telescope and picked up this moon filter at the same time. I was using the telescope without the filter and the moon was almost blinding - way too bright. I put the filter in place and then could easily see craters and other features on the moon very clearly. Definitely recommend this product.
It hurts my eyes to look at the moon without this filter. Just make sure to take it off when you are observing other objects in space.Easy to use!
I have 3 telescopes and 3 moon filters for them. I have a perfect view of the moon without all the bright glare produced by the moons deflection of the sun. I highly recommend the moon filter for viewing the moon.
My son-in-law is just getting into astrology and the moon, as they just moved to a condo on the 38th floor.  He is super excited to try this out..
Works great with the Orion SkyQuest XT4.5.  easy on - easy off.  Recommended to see the details on a bright night.
I'm glad I read the reviews and bought this to accompany my telescope. This filters out enough light so you can see the detail of the moon without making it too dark or difficult to see. Just remember to take it off if you want to do some star gazing!
This filter really brings out detail when the moon is past half full.  I like the quality of construction and clarity of the material used for the filter itself.  Save your eyesight and get this instead of the cheap plastic ones.
Good filter. Unless you have high tech stuff - this is good enough.
This is a must for all moon viewers. This filter blocks about 80% of the suns reflective light so that you can see the craters of the moon. I even use this to see Jupiter when it shines brightly! I highly recommend it for all astronomers.
The moon filter is a great help in lunar observing as it cuts down on glare.  A polarizing filter might be better, but they are also more expensive.  I'm pleased with my purchase.
We're new to astronomy, but I can assure you that this is a needed accessory if you plan on viewing the moon, especially at full phase. This filter lets in 13% of the light, but I can assure you, that the brightness will still astound you. Threads into any 1.25" eyepiece. Good value, as everything from Orion that I have purchased so far.
If you've dealt with Orion in the past, you expect quality optics, that are functional without being terribly overpriced.  Such is the case with their moon filter as well.You don't need this filter on smaller phases of the moon, but as the moon approaches full, and gets increasingly brighter, adding this filter will greatly enhance the views by taking the edge off the glare so the details are clearer.
Finally, I can look at the moon through my telescope without feeling like I'm staring into the business end of a flashlight.
Shuts down the really bright moon light but it isn't need on a small scope i.e. 4&#34; meade.  Even on a bigger scope, using photoshop on images gives better control.
In photography, this could be called ND filter and this is a good one!This filter screws really well in the eyepiece. And was great to see details in a full Moon.I also use the telescope to take pictures of the Moon, and in that case, this filter shall not be used ;-)
First off, ignore the reviewer who said you can't rotate the tube in its holder. If that was ever true, which I strongly doubt, it's certainly not the case in the versions that have been shipping in recent years. The scope is secured by three bolts, one of which is spring-loaded. Just pull out the spring-loaded bolt and turn the scope however you like.I got one of these to replace the 6x30 finder on my XT6 dob. I have never regretted it for a second; on the contrary, even a year after the switch it is nice to grab such a big chunk of sky at such a useful magnification. You will see more stars with this thing and it will make your star-hops easier. What more is there to say?
Okay, i was torn between this 9X50 and the 6X30.  I chose the 9X50 and was hoping it wouldn't be too much power.  It wasn't.  This finder is nice and bright and is about the power I was used to.  Didn't know the power of my straight through.  The right angle eye piece solves the problem of not being able to use the finder when the scope is straight up.  Alignment of this scope is a breeze, because of the one spring loaded screw, and rotating the scope in the mount only gave very minor misalignment.  Focus is on the front of the scope, and is very fine, and has a lock ring when you are done.  It looks like they wrote one document for all their finders, but it tells you what you need to know.  It is a very good finder scope, and well worth the price and the 5 star rating.
finder excellent well built and easy to use. works well in combination with red dot finder orion, place it in my telescope celestror Nextar is 8. The lens is very good.
My hubby bought this and is very happy with it. He says it makes it much easier to use his telescope and find/identify space objects and also which way to move the telescope to view specific space objects. It came packaged extremely well and without damage.
I bought this for my Meade ETX-90, it is far better than the scope that came from Meade. The mount had to be modified (just a little) to fit the ETX-90
I ordered this finder to complement my nexstar 8se, it's a great help for a proper aligning, the fild of view and the magnification help a lot in my ligh polluted backyard and the RACI feature make finding objects a lot more natural and easy.IMHO its a must have for the nexstar 8se
I love this finder. It does what a telescope finder is supposed to do: it helps you find and observe celestial objects.Any right angle finder is best used with a red dot type finder. Without one, it is easier to find a bright star, a planet or the moon in a straight through finder.This finder is best suited to alt-azimuth mounted telescopes with a narrow field of view, including big dobsonians, SCT's, and classic "slow" refractors. The narrower your telescope's field of view, the more you want a finder that magnifies, and has a wide field of view.For a "fast" refractor, or any telescope with a wide field of view (perhaps 3 degrees or more) a red dot or similar 1x finder is all you need. A wide field telescope already acts as a finder.I do not recommend this finder for any equatorially mounted telescope because the eyepiece so often seems to be placed where it is all but impossible to look through. Get red dot or straight through finder instead.I like this finder because:1. The eyepiece is located so you can look thrhough the eyepiece in comfort. When you are comfortable, you spend more time at the eyepiece, you can move the telescope more easily, and find find more deep sky objects in less time.With a straight through finder you may have to get into some weird and uncomfortable positions to see through it.2. Images appear as they do in binoculars in this finder: right side up in correct left-right orientation. Star fields look the same as they do in your star atlas, so you can more easily navigate the night sky than you could if the image was a mirror image or upside down, like it is in other opticalinstruments. No mental gymnastics required.3. The finder has a wide, 5* field of view, similar to 10x50 binoculars. The narrower your telescope field of view, the more helpful you will find a 5* wide field finder.4. Optics are good. Again, this helps you dimmer stars and fainter "fuzzies".5. Eye relief is good enough to see the entire field of view while wearing eyeglasses.This is a great finder for alt-azimuth mounted scopes with a narrow field of view. Overkill for telescopes with a field of view over 3 degrees. Not suitable for equatorial mounted scopes. Best used with a 1x red dot type finder like the Orion EZ Finder Deluxe Reflex Sight For wide field telesopes, you don't need a finder like this one. A 1x finder is all you need.
This is my fourth finder and the most useful and comfortable for finding deep space objects that can't be seen until photographed.  Used with a star chart and a ring overlay the size of the field of view, it is easy to aim the finder's crosshairs on the location of the DSO (after calibrating on Polaris). I found the right-angle feature a must for always allowing my neck to avoid awkward positions.  Dovetail mount purchased separately.
This is a reasonably priced upgrade for the 6x30mm finder that came standard with my scope.  The extra aperture provides much brighter views, the right-side up image simplifies matching the view to my star charts, and the right angle is a real neck-saver on long observing sessions.Optically fine though there is some edge distortion. No problem for use as a finder, though.  If you've never used a right angle finder before, be warned that initial orientation is little harder than with straight-through finders.  I added a zero-power &quot;bulls eye&quot; finder to help with this.  This combination makes finding things very easy.
When it worked it was great. Had great eye relief, adjustable brightness and I was able to align it to the scope quite simply. However, after only a few months of use, it will not work anymore - even with brand new batteries. It just quit one night and will not work no matter what. I was hoping for something a little more durable than just a few months of use for $30+ ...
I bought an xt8 dobsonian telescope made by Orion that came with this finder scope. Out of the box the thing could not be adjusted so that it accurately pointed where the telescope pointed. I took it back to whe retailer who incidentally had another one that came from Orion broken right in front of him when I walked in. They hooked me up with credit towardTelrad Finder Sightand while it is an ancient design it is made very well. It is also made here in the USA if you care about things like that. ( this was typed on a Chinese iPad )I would not recommend you buy this product. For 30+ dollars just about anything else is better than this.
First off: it works well enough that I don't even bother to use a finder scope any more. Put the red dot on the star, it's in the telescope's FOV. Done like dinner.This sight does feel fairly flimsy but it does hold up to tumbling around in my optics bag.The brightness control seems quite non-linear - to my eye it looks like it has about 5 levels of brightness - and it's easy to leave the LED accidentally turned on. Luckily the battery is easy to change; you can do it outside with just skyglow, using no tools except a coin to pry open the battery compartment.
One of these came with my Orion XT-6. It's good for bright stars but hard to use with dim objects. The red dot will obscure them leaving you guessing.I've removed it and installed a TelradTelrad Finder Sight. The Telrad projects rings instead of a red dot so you can still see the object. Also the Telrad uses AA batteries instead of a lithium coin battery.I gave this four stars instead of three because this is more compact. It would be very useful for a high powered terrestrial scope.This only gets three stars if you're only using it for astronomy or on a larger scope.
This finder scope came with my Dobsonian XT8 and didnt not work I tried buying brand new batteries and still nothing. Would not recomend.
This is a cheaply made finder scope that stopped working after a it was lightly dropped on a table. It never worked again after only being used for a few months. Do not recommend.
I like the EZ Finder because the little thumbwheels make it super easy to adjust when you align it to your eyepiece. I own several others, but all of them require a tool of some type, either a screwdriver or an allen wrench, to adjust. Battery life is very good, I've had one for over four years and as long as you don't forget to turn it off you should get plenty of life out one battery. Everything else about it is what you'd expect, it's a simple tool that does a simple job and does it well.
I bought this but ended up returning it and getting a Telrad (which is working great, though I wouldn't recommend it on anything smaller than a 6").The dot brightness is variable, but even at the lowest setting it's still too bright.  I couldn't even see Polaris once I had the red dot shining at me.  Also, don't let the look fool you--this unit is completely plastic and definitely feels a bit flimsy.  At $32 plus tax and shipping, I'd definitely recommend just throwing another $10-$20 in and getting a better unit.But on a positive note, Orion made the return very quick and easy, even prividing a printable UPS label.  Well done!
The bad reviews on this one are absolutely correct.  My finder scope came on an Orion 10-inch dobsonian.  Whereas some reviewers got some use out of theirs before it broke, mine never worked--useless on the first try.  I will have to get a Telrad; always had good luck with those.
This finder scope worked great and was super easy to use, but it did not last six months. The on/off knob started to fail after just three months. It became rather flaky and I would have to fiddle with it quite a bit just to get it to come on and stay on. A few months later, I could not get it to turn on at all. The knob is rather flimsy and I am not surprised that it failed. My telescope was still under warranty so Orion sent me another one free of charge, but if (when) it fails again after my warranty expires, I will buy something else.
I'd have given 2 or 3 stars but I can see my problem is actually really really common with everyone else's.The on/off knob doesn't have very good contact which causes the thing to turn off arbitrarily during use. The knob is kind of like a volume knob, so there's &#34;off&#34; and then &#34;on&#34; is a range from dim to bright.The thing will flicker on and off as the knob is turned between dim and bright and sometimes will not come back on until the thing is pressed or shifted a certain way. At first I thought it was the battery but after replacing that I see the same behavior. After a google search, I saw a ton of related cases from other users.Bottom line. This thing sucks. Get a different one.
Wow,I should have read the reviews on this product before I bought it, but I have been purchasing products from Orion since the 80's and I trusted them.  This will be the last purchase I ever make from Orion.  Their product quality and customer service are abysmall.The finder worked one night before it stopped working.  Looking through the reviews, I see that this same problem has happened to a number of people who have purchased this finder, and when they, like myself, contacted Orion for support, they got the brush off.I was planning to spend around $1000 upgrading my eyepiece collection with Orion, but that will not be happening now.  I will be taking all my future business to Meade.I will be bringing this matter up at our next Astronomical Association meeting, and I will be doing everything I can to dissuade my fellow astronomers from doing any business with Orion.  Orion's apparent total lack of concern for the satisfaction of their customers is going to cost them much more than they realize!
This thing is garbage. I turned it on and it died while turning the knobs to align it. Avoid at all costs.
I received the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope as a gift two years ago. I use it rarely -- possibly eight to ten times in total, so far. On a viewing a few months into ownership, I noticed that the light on the EZ Finder II Telescope Reflex Sight was out. I made note to purchase a new watch battery for it. A few weeks later, I replaced the battery, only to realize that the problem was not with the battery, but with the on/off/dimmer knob. The light would flicker as the knob was moved. Again, I dismissed the issue as one requiring only a bit of contact solvent. When I finally return to the issue, I realized that it was actually a matter of a bad contact, and not a corroded or oxidized one.I wrote an email to Orion, asking  if they would replace the unit. I offered to ship the broken part back to them. They declined, explaining that it was out of warranty. Again, I put the matter off, as this represents a tiny problem in the scope (no pun intended) of my life. Today, I finally, found a moment to call Orion, to seek further assistance. After being transferred to a customer service manager, I was asked to hold as the manager sought a solution to my problem. He returned with an offer to take 30% off of the price of a replacement unit, since, as he explained, 'it wouldn't make sense to send it in for a fifty dollar an hour repair, being as the unit only costs $40.'Dumbfounded, I asked the manager whether it makes sense to refuse the replacement of a part that costs $5 to manufacture, after a customer had made a $350 purchase, and is likely to be purchasing a suite of complimentary eyepieces, filters, etc. (In fact, today I placed my order for a set of new eyepieces manufactured by Meade.) He replied that, in his defense, the warranty had expired. He also expressed that the item is of more than five dollars value. For all purchasers, I provide to you photographs of the inner workings of the Orion EZ Finder II Telescope Reflex Sight. You decide whether it costs more than five dollars to produce.Note that the potentiometer is a brass pin, pushed through the plastic casing, with contacts glued around it. No question that it is a small pot, well designed for the small amount of available space. It would be an engineering marvel if it were only robust enough to last, and not actually designed as a cost cutting measure. See others' reviews to see that I am not alone.Oh, and as if you had to ask, yes, it's made in China.I sincerely hope that shoppers will take a good, hard look at Orion's product manufacturing and customer service before committing to a purchase. To be fair, aside from this part, and the fairly cheap eyepiece, the XT8 Classic Dobsonian is a very enjoyable telescope. However, given my experience, and having had the opportunity to use their products, I want to recommend that you give the Dobsonians made by Meade, Sky-Watcher, and especially Zhumell a very serious look. They all offer more at very competitive prices.Thanks for reading.
I've long wanted to watch and photograph sun spots.  Some of the solar filter material felt too flimsy for me.  I would like to have a dedicated solar scope, but the cost is prohibitive.  This filter is sturdy and offers good views.  It is excellent for occasional solar study.  I thought about making a filter for one of my large scopes, but one doesn't need much light gathering power to view the sun.  This filter is just about the right size.  I use it on my Orion Apex 90  MAK-CASS telescope.
I used this filter for yesterday's annular eclipse on my 10 year old Meade ETX 90 and it worked perfectly. I had to add only one piece of the included tape to make if fit snugly, and I found only one pin-hole when I inspected the filter.The natural orange color made for some great photos. I wish I had bought this years ago. Also, even though the filter was out of stock when I ordered it, Orion had it to me 4 days before the eclipse.
I received the solar filter in less than a week, fits perfect on my scope, very well made. Very happy with all of my Orion products.
Very well made, gives a great image and fits my Celestron Nexstar SE8 perfectly. Aiming is a problem without some sort of solar finder. I made my own with a circular piece of cardboard with a dowel in the center that fits over the filter (you just adjust the scope position until the shadow disappears).
This is great for watching the Sun.I'm a newbie in this thing of astronomy, so my review is mostly with the pshysical filter than how it looks actually.The installation in the telescope is quite easy, you just have to use the screws to stretch it, and use the foami gums included to make sure it won't fall off (it is very dangerous, both for you and for the telescope).That said, the sun is kind of boring to see. I'm looking for Mars and Venus eclipses, and thinking on traveling where they are going to happen. That will make this filter more worthy.
I had an idea of what to expect from this solar filter, but what I got was better than expected - a rare occurrence these days. Not only can I see sunspots, I can see some surface detail around the edges of the Sun (where it's a little less bright)... wasn't expecting that. I knew not to expect H-Alpha type views, but considering the cost of this filter I'm very happy with it. A well made piece, but I do wish it came with a case of some kind - I would have paid more for an included case.
This is a glass filter, apparently silvered on both sides.  If you hold it up to the sun, the disc is very dim.  Apparently just what you need.  I use it with my 5&#34; Celestron.  The metal collar fits perfectly on that scope, with 3 plastic setscrews to securely hold it in place.  One problem is that when yu look in the eyepiece, the Sun is haitting you in the side of the face.  I'm building a foam-core baffle to slip over the scope tube to prevent this.  Note that this lets you see surface phenomenon, but not flares.  That's a different filter - something else to buy from Amazon.
Winter sun not as close, can't wait for summer to see more spots. My 8 year old is in awe.
As I've never bought a filter for the *front* of my scope before (and probably never will again), I wasn't as careful as I should've been in reading the description.  I missed the outer in "outer diameter" and so of course the 9.25 size doesn't fit C9.25 SCT telescope.I'm relatively new to telescopes, but I'm not completely dumb, so I thought others might like to be warned.Otherwise, it looks great and I wish I could use it.
I have an Orion SkyQuest 6, and this is the solar filter the company recommends.  The fit is EXTREMELY snug. You'll have to unscrew the mounts almost completely and kind of muscle the thing on.  Taking it off is also tricky, as the foam rubber padding grabs a lot.  I put my the filter between me and my body and pull with both hands.  Anyway, about the image quality:  Yes, you can see the sun in great detail!  I used my 25mm and 17mm Sirius Plossl eyepieces and saw about 5 or 6 sun spots.  Each spot had a shape to it, but granular structures weren't very apparent (which is expected from a scope this small.)The Detroit area suffers from a fair amount of cloud cover, as well as heavy light pollution.  Clear nights with little turbulence in the atmosphere are rare around here.  Since the sun is large and bright in the sky, it's less bothered by poorer viewing conditions.  This filter was a great addition, as it allows me to get a lot more use out of my scope!
Filter works good and adequate build. I don't see anywhere close to $100.00 for this filter in the build. Value is questionable. Probably be just as well off with the mylar filter.
Solar filter works very well with my Celestron 52250 Zoom spotting scope....the sun spots show up very clearly....very happy with the results....many thanks
This solar filter is well made and fits on my 80mm refractor very well for viewing the sun.  I was able to easily adjust it so it fits snugly.
I bought this to, well, look at the sun without going blind. Of course packaging was good and the item was not damaged. It is just a slip on friction fit for my SkyQuest XT8. There is no obvious way to tell if it is on all the way but if you measure it out, you will get used to it. Make sure it is on all the way; it would be very painful to have it fall off while observing. I also do not feel the plastic thumb screws are effective. Tightening them feels like they will be easy to strip out. After mounting it, I went to check out the sun. It is actually a little hard to find ironically, since you can't (well, shouldn't) use a reflex sight. It shows up as a pretty boring yellow/orange ball. You can see some sunspots which is cool for a few minutes then it gets a little old. As another reviewer mentioned, this would be great for an eclipse though. They also do not include any type of protective case/sleeve so keep that in mind when ordering. Honestly, I would recommend you borrow this from a friend before buying.
I really love this filter.  You can use you telescope during the day. The sun is interesting. Just remember not to use your spotting scope to fine it! You can use the telescope's shadow to find the sun. It is easy.
Some of the more expensive filters will allow you to see the brilliant oranges and reds on the sun's surface but this filter isn't that sophisticated.  You'll definitely be able to see sun spots but if you're hoping to see the "bubbling effects" on the suns surface or CME's, this doesn't offer near the filtering technoloogy that is needed.  For the amount of precise glass you're paying for, however, this is good buy.
Husband was very pleased with filter.  You are able to see sun spots without damaging your eyes at the same time.  Would purchase again if I had to do all over again.
the sun looks awesome through it and was pretty cool to see the sun spots on the sun kind of pricy but well i guess it was good enough
I've owned a Mylar-like filter in the past and this is a big step up. Fits very well on my Orion 8&#34; Astrograph.
This is absolutely beautifully constructed, very solid feel, nice fit and finish. However, I also have an AstroZap Baader film solar filter (this is different than Mylar film). Although the AstroZap looks "cheap" compared to this, it actually gives a much sharper, more detailed view. I spoke with Orion about this and they acknowledged that this doesn't give as crisp an image, apparently a shortcoming of glass filters.Update: I was so disappointed with this filter that I finally thought perhaps I just got a defective one. If you look at the reviews on Orion's website, they are strongly positive. So... I sent it in to Orion for testing. They sent it back, saying it "operates as expected and is comparable to other units in stock".If you have nothing to compare it to, you might, possibly, be satisfied with this filter. But the AstroZap gives a significantly better view, and (as of this writing) is even priced cheaper.
Comparing this Orion zoom to the more expensive Lunt Solar System's [more than double the price] I can discern no significant difference. I fact, if anything, crispness across the entire image is more consistent in the Orion zoom than the Lunt. Both claim zoom does not change focus but Orion is closer to that claim.I'm very happy with the purchase and Amazon's free shipping!
I primarily bought this lens to stop having to swap out other lenses when viewing objects.  With this lens you simply twist to increase or decrease magnification.The image you get with just the lens is fairly sharp and in most cases you don't actually need to adjust for clarity as you zoom in, the lens handles it fine.I found that at the greatest magnification setting (7mm) it appeared as though objects weren't quite as magnified as they should have been compared with my 10mm lens.Playing around I tried the lens with a barlow 2x magnifier and it worked quite well although the image was a little milky.  Next I tried it with the barlow 5x magnifier and it didn't work at all, something I was not expecting. So beware if you are buying this lens to be used in conjunction with a magnifier.The other slight downside to this lens is the field of view.  It's roughly half that of more traditional single size lenses making it harder to pinpoint objects.Overall I am quite happy with this lens although I find myself still having to change out lenses to get a wider viewing angle then using this lens once I've pinpointed the object I wish to look at. So although it defeated my original purpose for buying it, once lined up with the object, zooming in and out for greater detail works fine.
I am new to amateur astronomy and it can be intimidating how much there is to learn.  After buying a large pair of astronomical binoculars I bought my first telescope, an ETX 60.  Small, I know, but I'm testing the waters.  After seeing this Orion eyepiece recommended for use on the ETX 60, I ordered it.  The 9 mm and 25 mm eyepieces that came with the scope worked fine, but I was looking for whatever I could to enhance the experience.It arrived very quickly, in good condition, and works great.  The quality of the view is high and at least as good as the eyepieces that came with the scope.  The variability ability is a great plus for two reasons.First, it is a time and hassle saver.  You do not have to take the time to find an object with one eyepiece and then change it out to get a closer look.  Just twist the eyepiece and do some tweaking with the focus.  Being knew and still somewhat clumsy around my scope, I also like having to avoid loosening the eyepiece holder, removing the eyepiece, and putting a new one in.  I was often bumping something and altering the picture and thus losing my find.  Not so with the variably eyepiece.  Get your object in sight and just focus in.Second, the range you get in one eyepiece.  25 mm was nice and so was 9 mm.  But they are not ideal for every object in all lighting conditions.  Being able to "surf" through various settings to find the best view is also a big advantage.Finding useful accessories like this is nice for a beginner like me.  It simplifies the process and makes me more likely to get out there and do more stargazing.
I love this eyepiece!.  This will take the place of several eyepieces, and save you major amounts of time.  No longer will you have stop viewing, fumble around to find the new eyepiece, change it out in the scope, and then try to find your subject again.  A quick turn of the eyepiece zooms in or zooms out.  Now... if they would only make a 2" version!
It only has 30 degree field of view at 21 mm and that is EXTREMELY narrow.  Too narrow to be of any real use in finding anything.  That is why I returned the item and instead bought seperate eyepieces which I think are better, even though you have to change them out.  I don't think a beginner like me would realize this at first but I quickly realized this is NOT what I wanted and my $60 would be better off going to better individual eyepieces.
I received my new Orion explorer  II. I have to say it's solid metal construction with wide eye view angle and its rubber eyepiece and cover makes this the lens to buy.  No more changing lenses with its 21-7 mm zoom action, with just a spin of the lens, views of Saturn and her rings are with in reach. Add to that a three X magnification Barlow lens (sold separately) and the skies the limit!I bought both the Orion Explorer II lens and the 3 x magnification Barlow lens and I have found the combination better than any lens combination I can think of!cons: only 1 it is heavy but heavy duty. that's because of the all steel construction:)
After reading all about barlows and problems with things washing out and dimness becoming even worse, I am pleasantly surprised.  I live in a light polluted are outside of Philadelphia.  Even with looking at Saturn a few degrees over my neighbor's roof, this 3x barlow made the viewing awesome!  I can't wait to get out to the country this weekend and get a better view with the barlow and XT8 8" dobs I use it on.One thing that it certainly does magnify is the perceived speed of the turning Earth.  With this 3x lens in place, Saturn moved out of the eyepiece within 15-20 seconds.  Not any fault of the barlow, but certainly something that is magnified by the smaller field of view.
This Barlow lens has decent enough build quality (I like the Orion brand), but the images it rendered were fairly soft.  I know that's the nature of this entire approach (Barlow lenses), but I had hoped for a little better.  Still worth keeping to put on for the kids.
It does what it claims. I look forward to comparing my earlier views of the moon with what this Barlow shows me...  Now all I need is a clear night and a Moon in the sky.
While this Barlow lens may be of decent quality, I really cannot tell.  I only assumed it maybe of decent quality because others have said so.My copy contains so many trapped particles between the internal lenses I am surprised that any light passes through at all.What did I get from Orion when I called for warranty support?  A big goose egg.  You have to pay shipping and handling and wait and see if Orion decides to do anything at all - like putting on Latex gloves and using some compressed air and a lens tissue before slapping everything together and shipping it.I will never make the mistake of doing business with Orion ever again under any circumstances.  They are crooks and their warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on.
I purchased this Barlow lens as part of a package purchase for my Orion 8XTI.  I'm enjoying using this lens along with other accessories to watch the night skies.I'm hoping to combine the use of this lens and other adapters to start night digital photography.
The 3X magnifier will fit on an Orion or really any telescope that takes a 1.25 eyepiece.  As it's specs say it increases the magnification of what you are viewing three times.  This is good to see things very small; with a 10mm eyepiece on my 5 inch 130ST I can see Saturn and Jupiter.  It's bad as the higher magnification begins to degrade the image and it will be soft no matter how steady your mount is.One very good thing is with a 1.25 to T-Mount adapter this is the only way I've found so far to use my camera (Nikon D700) and be able to focus and take photos.  The standard lens adapters are simply too short in focal length for me to get things into focus.So in short, this is great to be able to see something but not the tool if you're needing clear and sharp images.
Great Lens, I love it, sharp and clear, way better than any other barlow I have seen or used.
Makes things larger? Yes. Also obscures some details, fine lines on the moon look blurry. This doesn't make a huge difference when trying to see Jupiter, still pretty unimpressive (think, just a really big star with moons being little dots of light around it) with a 100mm telescope. Don't expect significant difference in what you see.Separate review for Orion customer care - they are excellent. I've had a couple email chains between customer support and myself, they give lengthy and thorough responses, very very impressed with Orion as a brand.
I just got the Orion Skyquest XT8, and it surprised me how tiny planets look through the eyepiece. This Shorty helps the planets look a bit bigger, and much more detailed
perfect fit and need for 130 st Orion eq
I popped this in my Orion SkyScanner and it worked exactly as advertised, I'm just starting out, my scope came with a 10mm and 20mm so in essence I only added a 5mm.  It increases my views of Jupiter and Saturn (Mars hasn't been within viewing range yet)and gets incredible views of the moon.  I live in a very light polluted area and my scope is very weak so I really can't see deep sky objects.  But for smaller scopes you can't beat the value of this bad boy.
Pros:-----Doubles your lens collection.  My son has a 90mm mak-cass.  He has two lenses that yield 50X and 75X.  The barlow doubles them to 50X, 75X, 100X, 150X.  This is about as large as a 90mm can go.I use this barlow on my Dobsonian.  I like having more magnification without reducing the exit hole on my eyepiece.  Some eyepieces are not as good around the edges.  A barlow gives a larger clear spot while increasing magnification.  This is win/win.  I often use the barlow, even if I have a lens that will yield the same magnification.Cons:-----A barlow will give good magnification on items that can be magnified, such as the moon and planets.  When looking at deep sky objects, I often like wider fields and lower magnification.This particular barlow offers great bang for the buck.
Well-crafted, nice lens, works as promised. Helped us pull in Jupiter at resolutions we hadn't captured before, as well as a nebula. Very exciting!
Well with the shorty definitely make the stars clearer. Not so sure how to fixed, suspect the way I fixed it is wrong as the instruction is not clear nevertheless so long I am able to scanned the stars it is okay and worth the purchase.
What can one say about a 2x barlow? It is either well-made and boosts the magnification clearly or it isn't and lessens the enjoyment. The Orion  is a good one .
I used this on my Orion Starblast 4.5 eq reflector telescope, and it worked great! With the "stock" parts that came with it I still had a good view, but this definitely made it better! Although this magnification may be a little too much for the moon (in my opinion), it is awesome for the planets! With this i can see the rings of Saturn and (what i believe are) two of its moons. I can also see 4 of Jupiters' moons and at least one of the stripes on the planet itself! These were all at 150X magnification, with a 6mm eyepiece. As for the other planets, Venus and Mars are little more significant than a red and white dot and i have yet to find any others! As for construction this feels like good quality and is very clear! Great Buy!
This item is well made of sturdy materials. It will do the job if it will fit your telescope. I gave 4 stars because it will not work with the Celestron Regal Refractor 100mm F-ED Scope. I was caught off guard on this one since I had done the research on many telescopes. The information given for this scope, and it is a great scope, was that any 1.25 inch lens would work with it. Not so though for filters and Barlow lenses. The scope will not focus at infinity with the Barlow and the filters won't fit at all.This scope comes with a zoom lens and has no threads to attach filters. This applies to all telescopes in the Regal line. There are lens and filters made to do the job made by Celestron. Just be careful when buying other brands.
This was needed for the Orion telescope we bought.  It has made seeing the moon, Jupiter and Saturn much easier.  It's amazing to be able to see so far away!
This Barlow lens works well, doubling the power of any lens you couple it with. Construction is solid, optics are good. No issues.
The lens is within the black section at the bottom, and can be unscrewed to attach it to other optical components such as a camera. Not having any other Barlows to compare it against, I can only say the image is acceptable.I dislike how tightly the end plug fits, and the fact that the retaining screws cut into the plastic and leave little shavings on the lens. Make sure you check for this before use.
If you want to see the bands of Jupiter clearly, this little item is a must. Put a light transmission filter and a 10mm eyepiece with it, and you can see every little thing. Great item.
This barlow lens works fairly well and I would recommend it for someone starting out on a limited budget and may not have the ability to purchase mulitple eyepieces in order to achieve different magnifications.  As many books, magazines, reviews mention a barlow will double the capacity of an existing set eyepieces at the cost of a single eyepiece.  This barlow lens multiplies the magnification provided through a telescope by a particular eyepiece by 2.  Also high magnification competes against image quality and this starts to get dicey around 200x in most cases.  Having now gotten back into amature astronomy in the summer of 2005, I have since acquired a significant amount of equipment and prefer to use a single eyepiece that provides higher magnification in place of a barlow lens coupled with a lower magnification eyepiece.Ergonomically a barlow lens lengthens your eyepiece out of the back of your telescope focuser, this model being a "shorty" does a fair job of making a barlow eyepiece combination less unweildy.  I shelved my barlow lenses in 2008 once I had obtained enough high magnification eyepieces to nolonger necessitate its use.However, going through the other very favorable reviews on this item and having recently purchased a new optical tube, I am interested in pulling my shorty barlow lens back out of the attic and seeing how it fairs optically in conjunction with my better lower range eyepieces against my higher range eyepieces.  Nothing would please me more than to see the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings pop into view once I use this barlow, seeing the Cassini Division to date is something that I have only achieved without a barlow.
My first telescope. This thing was amazing. The moon looked great and we could make out Jupiter and her moons. This was while viewing in the city next to a street light. I cannot wait to get out to the desert or mountain area to see this thing really 2x some starlight.
This Barlow eyepiece is a must. I've used it with my 9mm and 25mm eyepieces. It gives an additional 2X magnification. Simply insert your eyepiece of choice into the Barlow, then insert the Barlow into the scope. It's that easy. Highly recommended.
It  makes my 90mm Orion telescope  very useful for more details like Moon sky .thank you Orion and Mr.ken
I picked up this Barlow lens after reading that Barlow lenses were must haves for any telescope kit because they basically double (in theory) the amount of eyepieces you have.  For anyone who doesn't know how they work, you simply slide the Barlow lens into your eyepiece slot like a normal eyepiece, and then your normal eyepiece will slide into the Barlow. So in essence, if you have 2 eyepieces, with the Barlow lens you now have 4.  The magnification boost that the Shorty gave to my .10mm and .17mm eyepieces was pretty incredible to say the least.  I use a Konus 4.5" reflector telescope and with the Barlow boosting my .10mm eyepiece Saturn looked absolutely stunning.  You could see the divisions inside the rings, something that was not easily done with the eyepieces alone.  Another very convenient thing is that the Shorty can be swapped out just as fast as any normal eyepiece.  That being said, I would find the object I was looking for with the wider viewed .17mm eyepiece, then just swap out that one with the .10mm Barlow-loaded eyepiece and the object would be in the center of my FOV within a few seconds.  Long story short, if you want some extra magnification power for your eyepieces, look no further.  At first I was a bit skeptical that the magnification boost wouldn't be very noticeable, but I was pleasantly surprised at just how well it really worked.  For the price, you can't beat it.
Does the job but the clarity leaves something to be desired, again you can only expect to get what you pay for.
I got one of these for my StarBlast 4.5EQ and I was amazed--the Cassini division and cloud bands on Saturn were opened to my view.  Highly recommended for getting that last bit of "oomph" from a small telescope.
You can probably do a lot better and get ones with significantly clearer optics...but I didn't notice any image degradation with this piece.  It's a great way to effectively double your lens collection for a very modest price.  Buy one early on, and you can save money on eyepieces later down the road.
This is a great necessity to any telescope, so far everyone that tried this loves it . It magnifies your view without any sacrifices.
I bought this lens along with the moon filter for my telescope - starblast 6. It zooms in so much more then the lenses my telescope came with and unfortunately I can't use telescope terminology to describe all benefit of this lens since I am an amateur, but let me put it this way - if you have a telescope, this is a MUST accessory. I look at the moon through this lens and the detail is INCREDIBLE! I highly highly recommend it :)
I've only tried this with a 25mm eyepiece but holy crap there's a lot of detail in the moon. I'm going to need a filter for longer viewings, the full moon is BRIGHT.
I bought this piece for my Orion SkyQuest 4.5 Dobsonian. Overall I would have to say I'm a little bit disappointed with the product. The view through it is inferior to that of a standalone Plossl lens, and it is difficult to focus detail out of it even at lower magnifications. That being said it isn't totally useless, as I have been able to see the polar caps on Mars on a very clear night.
I use it with my sun filter to get a closer look at the sun. recommend this barlow to amatures for better magnification
This is a great barlow. The glass and multicoated, optically clear, and works wonderfully with my Orion Highlight Plossls. If you don't have a Barlow, buy an Orion. Very good, metal barrel, two set screws for securely holding your valuable eyepieces... Nice glass!
I have a Skyquest XT6 and I have been using it with a lower quality Meade 25 mm eyepiece, Meade 9 mm and a higher quality Orion Sirius Plossl 25 mm eyepiece.  The Orion 25 mm was nice for viewing Saturn (with an edge view of the rings), but not quite enough magnification.  The Meade 9mm was better magnification, but just too fuzzy.  So, I was excited when the Orion Shorty Barlow arrived.  And, I was not disappointed.  I ended up with almost the same magnification as the Meade 9mm, but a lot clearer.  I also have an Orion Expanse 9mm on order and I am very excited about trying it and then it with the shorty Barlow.  With all that magnification, I'll be right at the edge of practicality, but I'm curious to see what kind of details I can see.
I was able to see Saturn's rings with this added onto my 8" dob and 8-24mm zoom lens!.  .  .
I bought this and it does exactly what it should, add 2x power to my eyepieces. The only bad thing is its length, and it looks like it can easily be hit and bent or damaged. Care must be taken with usage.
Very clear image with no apprent reduction light transmission. I bought this one intermediary lens and effectively doubled my magnification choices for my Orion 130ST (or any future telescope using 1.25&#34; eyepieces). Jupiter's cloud bands look incredible! I can't see a down side.
This thing is really powerful. I was able to get a good view of Jupiter with this thing. The detail you can see with it is incredible. Glad I bought it!
This lens is supposed to double the magnification of any given eyepiece it is used with.  I suppose it does, but to me the difference wasn't that obvious.  Probably depends a lot on the aperture of your telescope (mine is 114 mm), since magnification can only do so much with limited light.  However, the quality of the materials/lens itself seems adequate, and you can't beat the Orion company's customer service.
This barlow works quite well, however I am discovering it's better to just use a more powerful eyepiece to achieve the desired magnification. There is some image clarity loss with this barlow. For those just starting out though, it's a great piece.
Works great, well made.  The perfect addition to our eyepiece assortment.  I would reccommend this to anyone needing to improve their star gazing.
I have a 5-inch reflector (Orion 130ST) and this lens gives enough of an enlargement to clearly see Saturn and Jupiter without losing image quality.  This is also the only lens I've found so far where I can use a T-Mount and eyepiece adapter and be able to focus and take pictures with my camera, a Nikon D700.  The 3X adapter is spaced out too far and the "projection eyepiece" setups are too dim.  If you do photography with your telescope this is a must-have accessory.
This barlow lens doubles the magnification of my 80mm goscope. Works well for over land/sea and the stars. With the Barlow you can get a killer view of Jupiter. Moons, bands of the planet. etc etc. Also great for looking out at ships way out on the water. Don't hesitate to buy it if you're trying to get a telescope set up going.
Excellent product. Does exactly what is advertised. I have attached it to my eyepieces and have magnificent improvements to my nightly viewing. Perfect for any amateur Astronomer.
...the price of $43.95 for just a concave lens fits your hobby budget and your immediate desire to quench your thirst to have it right NOW! Seriously, I am grateful to Orion for giving us an affordable chance to get experience with reflector telescopes. However, in the business model of "a shaver and razor blades" -- Orion is charging you X,000% profit for consumables like this one. Again (see my previous post) I bought it in a way as people do impulsive moves because they can afford it for a certain reason. Would I contemplate and plan this purchase? No way.
I purchased this eye piece to enhance the eye pieces that were included with my Orion Star Blast. Recommended for beginners who dont want to spend alot of extra money on fixed eyepieces. This will effectively double your current eyepieces.
I used this product for the first time last night and it lives up to it's promises of doubling magnification.  I used it with a 25mm sirius plossl which gave the apparant image of a 12.5mm lens.  Also I used it with the Orion highlight 10mm which gave a 5mm view (about the highest my 8" dob can handle).  The barlow did not seem to cause any distortion or fuzziness that I could notice.Seems to be a very good barlow for a low price.
Performs as expected... mediocre.  Not the best choice for a dobsonian, where lens length is typically not an issue.
This is probably the best accessory I have purchased for my telescope. It works great. Fits perfectly in the 1.25&#34; opening and holds my 1.25&#34; eyepieces.
Why are all the reviews about microscopes?I am not sure whats going on here, but I am going to review the Eyepiece!I like it, I got it with my Orion XT6 telescope. It works, its easy to use, its quality is good etc.The eyepiece surrounding material that goes against your eye could have been a little softer.Overall, It works for me so I definitely recommend it.
Let's cut to the chase: If you're looking for an inexpensive microscope for younger children, the Duo-Scope would be very difficult to beat for features, quality, and cost.After reviewing several sources on inexpensive microscopes, I took a chance for Christmas on this less documented model. I'm glad I did.PROS:* Solid construction. Despite its light weight, it feels like a coherent whole and has no rattling pieces. The objective lenses click nicely into place and the mechanics have a silky feel when operated. This model considerably betters the microscope I had as a child growing up in the Sixties, so some items ARE better made today than yesteryear.* Smooth focusing wheels that don't clunk through the mechanism's gearing.* Permanent, bright light sources from two separate LED bulbs. Far better than mirrored scopes.* A pointer in the optic field--a nice addition to a low cost scope.* A plethora of accessories including four prepared slides, six blank slides (including concave/well), slide covers, stains, tweezers, scalpel, lens wipes, vinyl dust cover, and more--just about anything you would need to get started on a basic level (except for three AA batteries).* A detailed manual of a higher quality than most will expect, especially considering the microscope's country of origin.CONS:* Made in China.* The upper and lower lights cannot both be turned on at the same time for maximum illumination of semi-translucent objects.* When using the highest power objective, the optic field is still too dim.* Users can ram the highest power objective into the slide without realizing it, breaking slide covers and possibly damaging the objective (This is a problem on most inexpensive scopes. The stage does have some give, though, so while slide covers may break, it's doubtful slides will.)* Though the ocular appears to be on a swivel base, it's not, making it less convenient for two people to share the microscope.* The diaphragm, which controls the amount of light reaching the stage, doesn't appear to make much difference on most of its settings.*No secondary fine-focus knobs. (However, this won't be missed because the scope's macro-focusing mechanism is smooth enough to compensate if given a light touch.)All things considered, the cons are minor.Some have said this microscope is mostly plastic, but that may not be the case. The main upright portion that features the focusing rail of the scope is definitely a powder-coated metal. Considering that this part is the one that truly matters for overall integrity of the microscope, I'd have to say that this makes the scope an even better deal for the money.All the positives of this entry-level microscope make for a very good purchase that should last for several years. It's also a great deal for parents testing the waters to see if their children would enjoy owning a microscope. Better to invest in an inexpensive, but good quality, scope than to pay hundreds more and end up with something that gathers dust on the shelf.Thought recommended for children 10 and up, with parental instruction and supervision, children a few years younger would enjoy it, too. (Steer clear of the scalpel that comes included, though!)A worthy product that would be a fine gift to a budding scientist.
A good accessory to your telescope.  I needed an extra for a binocular adapter.  This one works well at a good price.  You can't go wrong with Orion parts.
This is an excellent eyepiece for viewing planets one I think should have been included with my 6" dobOrion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian TelescopePackaging is excellent, Orion ships the eyepiece with endcaps fitted over both sides to protect the lenses so one can snap them on easily when the eyepiece is not in use.
My daughter and I have spent alot of time with this product. This microscope is simply amazing! I am 100% satisfied with this product. If you need a microscope, for the money this works really well. I researced microscopes prior to purchase and this one is outstanding.
I bought this eyepiece in 2006 and have been using it since.  It is pleasing to look through, seems to be well sized, i.e. it is not too gargantuan for its intended purpose.  Images are sharp and clear in this eyepiece.  It has good eye relief so that you look through it rather than squint.  Similar other expanse eyepieces can be purchased of other sizes, I own the 9mm and 20mm which have proven to be very useful.  I will soon get the 15mm one too, I imagine.Also if you don't already know this the formula for eyepiece magnification is (telescope focal length mm) divided by (eyepiece focal length mm).  For example an 8" F5 scope will have a focal length of 1000mm,  a 15mm eyepiece would provide 1000/15 = 67 power, where a 4mm eyepiece would provide 1000/4 = 250 power.  Due to the atmosphere etc, the practical limit of magnification is about 200x, although for me it seems I can go a bit higher when observing the moon (obviously a big bright object).  Each scope has a theoretical maximum magnification which is roughly 50 power for every inch of aperture and a minimum magnification is aperture x 3.6, where a 6 inch scope has a minimum magnification of 21.6 or 22 power.  Finally according to what I have read (starizona's telescope basics*), doubling the magnification will produce 25% image brightness in the same telescope, which may be more of a factor in smaller aperture scopes.  There is some literature on optimal magnification that can be sought out, I will say that I tend to exceed those values a bit since my budget is constrained.With this eyepiece viewing through 6" f8 reflecting optical tube put on a sturdy mount, with good dark skies I've observed the Cassini division in Saturn's rings, the giant red spot of Jupiter, and all of the other planets in our solar system (pluto is nolonger defined as a planet, probably not ever going to try).  Neptune was the only planet that did not present as a disk shape but only as a point of light.Neptune I believe is just too far away for even the slightest bit of detail that can make it stand out as a planet with gear that can be purchased by most humans.  Since we're on the topic Uranus wasn't that much excitement either, only kind of a small dim pea so much so that if you came across it by accident you probably wouldn't notice it as a planet really.  I suppose the only thing that makes looking at those outermost planets truly interesting is when you consider how far away from the sun they really are.Finally since I did say all of the eight planets, I've looked at parts of earth or earth bound objects (telephone pole insulators usually) with this eyepiece testing out the optics and or aligning finder-scopes on many different scope assemblies.
Sharp to the edges.  These wide angle lenses are so much more comfortable than the mainstream 6mm lenses I bought prior to doing more rearch.  I will plan on buying more of the Expanse line.
So this is my first eye pice ive bought new (as in, in addition to the ones that came with the scope). Very very impressed. I can see a wide stretch of the sky with this..feels like I'm looking through binos. (Yup, that wide.)It's so wide that even using the 6mm it's easy to go from the spot scope to the eye-piece and nail the target on the first try.I don't know what super high-end pieces work like, but this has been a dream for me. ++
Replaced my Meade 4000 series 6mm eyepiece.Plus:  This has much better eye-relief (you don't need to press your eyelashes against the glass).  It also has a wider field of view than the Plossls, and is easier to position your eye over the larger hole on the top.Minus:  the all metal barrel is cold in the winter,  I added rubber tape around the sides.  The quality of the rubber eye-guard isn't very good,  I swapped my Meade eye-guard (similar size).
The expanse series eyepieces are built quite well and provide a great wide field view with a longer focal length so you don't have to struggle to look through them. There is some fishbowl effect on the field edges but it is very minor and doesn't bother me at all, nor will it you unless you have very demanding eyes. This eyepiece provides 200x in my xt8 which is the best I can push it in normal conditions. One other thing, they are made in Taiwan, not China.
I used this this morning in my 4.5 inch skyquest dobsonian, and I looked at Jupiter, and really saw a lot of bands. This is what I was hoping this eyepiece would help with. There does seem to be a little blurriness in this eyepiece, especially when its foggier outside.
I purchased one of these last year and used it in my 10 inch newtonian reflector. Initially I was impressed with the pinpoint star images across the whole field of view. Then, as I moved my eye, I saw something move, at first I thought it was a satellite, but then I didn't move like any satellite I've seen. Was it a UFO??I thought for a split second that it might be. Then I realized that it was the dim image of a bright star, and it would gradually move as either the telescope, or my head moved. I then decided to try it on a really bright object. Saturn happened to be handy, so I turned  my telescope that way. There she was all nice and pretty in the telescope eyepiece, but alongside was a fainter, but still quite noticable second Saturn in the field.This effect is called ghosting and is the result of inferior lens coatings. This results in reflections similar to what I saw. Fortunately Orion has a wonderful return policy, so I sent mine back and recieved a full refund. This is the only Orion product that I have ever been unhappy with.
I own quite a few of the lower-end, &#34;standard&#34; eyepieces, and have also owned quite of of the lower end &#34;good&#34; ones, such as Orion EPIC II, TMB Planetary II, Zhumell Z-Series and Astro-Tech LER. This is absolutely the best of all of them. Lightweight like a Plossi, but offering a much wider field of view. Tack sharp across the field in longer focal length telescopes (f/8 and up), but does wind up with some coma at the outer edge of the field in faster scopes (f/6 and faster). But for most viewing, this is not noticeable, or to me, objectionable. And at 1/2 to 1/7 the price of &#34;premium&#34; glass, it's well worth it too.Don't be fooled by the similar types out there though - while other knock-offs may look alike on the outside, there is a difference in quality of the optics and coatings on the inside, and that matters with respect to what reaches your eye. Yes, it'll cost you $20 more or so per eyepiece, but for what these are, and compared to how they work with other eyepieces in their price range - and even some of those well beyond it - trust me, it's worth the $20 extra to get good internal lenses, and the quality coatings on them. Plus, if something IS bad, Orion's customer service is top-notch, something that's harder and harder to find nowadays.Get Expanses. You won't regret it if you're used to Kellners, Plossls, and other &#34;unknown&#34; eyepieces. I own all 4. And it's the only eyepieces for which I do own the whole set. (Maybe someday I can afford Televues and Explore Scientifics - until then, these work!)
This eyepiece works well for observing planets and the moon at high power, which is what I spend most of my observing time doing.  It is pleasing to look through, seems to be well sized, i.e. it is not too gargantuan for its intended purpose. Images are sharp and clear in this eyepiece. It has good eye relief so that you look through it rather than squint. Similar other expanse eyepieces can be purchased of other sizes, I own the 6mm and 20mm which have proven to be very useful.In my most utilized optical tube which is an 150mm f12 mak this eyepiece provides 200x, which seems to be what one can reasonably expect to achieve on any given cloudless night, where I live, mid-atlantic suburbs.  I bought this eyepiece for the specific purpose of achieving 200x and it works well at that task, the wider field of view improves my odds of bringing an image into focus before I have to make a tracking adjustment on my mount.Also if you don't already know this the formula for eyepiece magnification is (telescope focal length mm) divided by (eyepiece focal length mm).  For example an 8" F5 scope will have a focal length of 1000mm,  a 15mm eyepiece would provide 1000/15 = 67 power, where a 4mm eyepiece would provide 1000/4 = 250 power.  Due to the atmosphere etc, the practical limit of magnification is about 200x, although for me it seems I can go a bit higher when observing the moon (obviously a big bright object).  Each scope has a theoretical maximum magnification which is roughly 50 power for every inch of aperture and a minimum magnification is aperture x 3.6, where a 6 inch scope has a minimum magnification of 21.6 or 22 power.  Finally according to what I have read (starizona's telescope basics*), doubling the magnification will produce 25% image brightness in the same telescope, which may be more of a factor in smaller aperture scopes.  There is some literature on optimal magnification that can be sought out, I will say that I tend to exceed those values a bit since my budget is constrained.
I have an Orion SkyQuest XT6 for over 10 years, and I've only had 3 eyepieces the whole time.  Their standard Sirius Plossl 25mm, 17mm and 10mm.  For the most part, the 10mm is pretty much useless, as the field of vision is so narrow that constant adjustments need to be made. I decided to give the Expanse series a try.  This eyepiece is by far the best in the of the 4.  Near Detroit, the light pollution is pretty bad.  Viewing the plants and the moon is usually OK.  My previous higher powered eyepieces usually made things look really bright and blurry.  The Orion Nebula is usually a grey smudge.  With the 9mm Expanse, I was able to see more shape to the cloud, and even a handful of stars in its heart.  Cloud bands on Jupiter never looked better!  I was also able to get a significant amount more detail on the moons surface than what I am used to.  Looking at the sun was uneventful today -- only two sunspots.Ultimately, this is definitely worth buying!
every thing i read or watched said to get the best eyepiece you can afford so i got this. its way better than what came with my scope. thats all i can base it on.
As the Cars song goes, this is just what I needed to allow me to see more with my Orion SkyQuest XT8. My kids and I love spending evenings in the back yard checking out the stars.
Replaced my Meade 4000 series 9mm eyepiece.Plus:  This has much better eye-relief (you don't need to press your eyelashes against the glass).  It also has a wider field of view than the Plossls.Minus:  the all metal barrel is cold in the winter,  I added rubber tape around the sides.  The quality of the rubber eye-guard isn't very good,  I swapped my Meade eye-guard (similar size).
I just got the Celestron StarSense AutoAlign for my CPC1100. The large holder and bracket that comes with it fit the CPC perfectly. It also comes with a small holder that should fit my Advanced VX C6 setup that I use for star parties, etc., but there is no place to attach it. I contacted Celestron and they sent me something that looked like it would fit but the holes didn't line up. I contacted them again and they recommended me to this little bracket from Orion. There are two unused gray screws on the back ring of the C6 next to the finder scope. I removed them and used two of the silver flathead screws that come with the Orion bracket. Celestron's small holder was a snug fit, but it finally went into the Orion bracket flush with the back edge.
excellene  quality and easy to use, work fine with my telescope celestron  nexstar se 8 Schmidt cassegrain. very good material also
Be aware!!!! If you want to install this one on Celestron C5, don't do it. It doesn't fit.Before I placed the order, I had a live-chat with Orion online support, I specifically asked the lady if it worked with Celestron C5, I was told &#34;it works&#34;. But it doesn't.The good thing is that I bought it from Amazon.com. I can easily return it.
Handy dovetail mount; simple to mount on my 10&#34; SCT and simple to use. What else can you say about a dovetail mount!
I ended up having to purchase this because I purchased the Orion Magnificent Mini package that came with the guider and guide scope. I should have given this a 4-star review for not being instructed by Orion's customer service that I needed this part in order to mount the guide scope. But, to be fair, this base is of good quality and holds without any noticeable movement. So, 5-stars it is.
This is required for putting a 9x50 RACI finder on a nexstar 8se for example, good quality, all metall, easy to install.
Fits Vixen standard finder dovetails.  Well made with a nice dark gray finish.  The slotted hole design allows it to be used on a variety of tube sizes - in the 8&#34; and up range.  I made a simple adapter which allowed its use on a 4&#34; tube.  Comes with 2 sizes of attachment screws.
This is just what I needed for my Celestron 8SE.  I have several finders and a guide scope that use this shoe.  I now have a lot of flexibility.
I now have these on all of my telescopes. My Zhumell and Orion scopes came stock with it but my ancient C8 schmidt-cass came to me with the hapless and useless 9x30 incorrect spotter scope with it's unique mount, which hadda go! Now there are 4 fewer pieces in my optics kit, and I can now float between the many spotters I possess, knowing they will all fit. I recommend this product to all amateur skygawkers. If you know anyone with an old C8, give em a break and turn them on to this solution to an otherwise good scope.
I received these about a month ago and can not believe how very functional these Binocs have been.I have been using Binocs all my life(past 60) and the 517 lives up to the best in performance . I grew up in a Sporting Goods Retailer family and had an opportunity to use a lot of different products over the years and -for the price -really at any price -these fall into the top ten of my favorites.Compact and easy to use,these fit in my coat pocket.They are very light weight and can be easily worn around your next with absolutely no discomfort. These are small enough that I get very little " shake" when these are in full zoom. For the money-the best buy in Binocs that I have found.
These binoculars certainly are lightweight and the magnification is decent for the price I paid.On the other hand the cups around the eyepieces crack easily and the hard-to-use lever for the power zoom broke and is now unusable/unfixable. The quality of the plastics used is low-end. I guess you get what you pay for!
I have no opinion about how these mini binoculars compare to others in it's class. I was unaware of how small these really are. I could not get comfortable with the physical size of these binoculars and feel that unless you really know what you want these are a good candidate for local purchase so that you are comfortable with the size and features. I find Amazon a great source for many of my purchases, it just didn't work out this time.
These bino's are small compact and lightweight.  Unfortunately, due to the small diameter opening of the lens, they are very dark in all but bright sunlight.  Not very helpful if you are using them in an Arena or Stadium indoors, at night or on a cloudy day.  Also for me, they never seemed clear.  Everything always looked a little cloudy or fuzzy.  Never super sharp.  The magnification was great, but for their small size, any movement you have, is also magnified in the bino's.  I think you can find better for the price.  Just my .02
I was looking for a compact zoom binoc with enough magnification to make them usable for a large variety of situations.  The Eagle Zooms were me first choice but the price and favorable reviews of the Carson MiniZoom had me give the try.  I was quite surprised with the quality of this lower priced unit. The core of any binoc is the optics and these are very good. Eyepiece adjustment and rubber coating also good. Even comes with a protective pouch. Not hard-shell but will suffice to keep dirt out.  My sole criticism is that (on my set) the zoom lever is a bit stiff.  I'm hoping the lever will loosen up with usage. Still not a deal breaker at this very good price.
These are very compact and have a nice zoom. The small size limits the light gathering ability.Optics are fairly clear for the price range.
Small enough, easy to use, stays in focus, the zoom is just right - and all for about $40: a good buy, so much so that I got two.One minor, but puzzling complaint: only one hook, so cannot use the usual neck strap.
The optics seem fairly good for the price, though definite spherical and chromatic aberration apparent around the edge of the field.  Works fine at the lowest power (5X), but the zoom function only works on the right lens!  I'm assuming a got a defective unit -- at least I would hope so.  The objective lenses are so tiny (17mm) that at the highest power (15X), the image is so dark it's hardly visible anyway.  I checked the manufacturer's  "Warranty Procedure" notice enclosed and it says I have to return the item at my expense and even enclose a check to them for $12.00 to cover the cost of handling!  This is no way to do business -- unless, of course, you're selling crappy merchandise.
I bought this item based on other people's review and to be honest it's only fair in quality.  It feels a little cheap and the zoom is not at all impressive.  But the price was fair so it's true you get what you pay for.
Been shopping around for a mini-binoc for awhile.  Infact, I purchased it "Used" but actually found nothing visually or optically blemished or defective about it for the discounted price...a bargain from the actual retail prices elsewhere!  The zoom control is not user-friendly, but for me that's a small concern compared to the focus quality and the viewing sharpness of the lens for a pocket-sized unit.  Its also lightweight and can take a beating, although I wouldn't throw it around.  Really happy with my purchase!
I'm not a pro, these are my first binoculars, I've used a couple of them before and these are just perfect for the occasional outdoor adventurer. Small and powerful enough for most sight viewing.
I use this when I hike, it's small and fits in the hand easily. One handed operation works better than I expected. I'm going to thread some 550 cord through to make a lanyard that fits my wrist. The magnification is adequate for general use along the trail.I would prefer it to have lens caps but that's a minor complaint. It's very lightweight, which is both good and bad. I'm pretty sure that if I dropped it, the thing wouldn't survive.
The value of the optics is there. It is easy to digest the focus.  For $20 it is an effective and quality value
Great ergonomic design. I'm using this all the time now. Great for walks or bird watching in the yard. I will probably be giving some of these as gifts this year.
I am pleased with this product only  because the value quotient is very high (price/unit function & quality).  The quality is good, not great. The toggle switch on top doesn't work as smoothly as it could so making fine tune adjustments can take a little time.  I do like the fact how it is made to fit very discreetly in my hand since I use it for covert surveillance(reading license plates from a distance.  You get what you pay for with this one.
Easy to handle great for kids but it feels and looks cheap.  However it does work and magnifies.
Very clear image and easy to use. I was looking for something I could use one hand to hold and focus. I bought them for hunting, I have expensive binoculars but I needed something that would allow a quick look when I spotted something.Good purchase for me.
Good build quality for the money. Optics strong and clear. Semi-rubber no slip coating a bonus. If it only lasts a year I'll be happy.
I work private security as covert surveillance.  I own a large pair of binoculars which is great, but everyone knows you're watching someone. With this I can conceal it in my palm and move it to my face when needed. No on even knows I have it. Great!
this one was ok for me,  it works like it is supposed to but it is important to be coordinated with the eye and not move around
I, was exp[ecting more with this product, I, have lost the vision in my left eye, and thought this was going to be the item for me, but it did not work well for me at all.
I would give this 5 stars if the pouch was sturdier. The belt loop attachment on the back is pretty thin plastic and tore very easily.Guys, upgrade the pouch to something heavy duty with a snap instead of the tiny square of Velcro and you'll have a real keeper.The device it's self is very well built and works great.
You'll still need two hands to steady it. Its light and focus works as expected. Its better than no magnification. Fits well in my fishing bag. Won't use for hunting.
We like to watch the birds in our backyard, but my husband developed a tremor in his hands and had trouble with binoculars. This solved that problem for him.
Not worth your time and definitely not worth your money. Was a good idea but the quality is pour. The manual rocking focus really only focuses in one place which means there is no need for the focus. So you spend to much time trying to refocus it. It's design is supposed to be simple for easy one handed use. it misses the mark.
Would be 5 stars if the focusing was not so hard to move. maybe after using it will loosen up, , however, seems well made and very handy to use.
My two sons are archers in the Junior Olympic Archery Development program.  I purchased this monocular to allow me to see the target grouping of the arrows down range.  Typically, the distance is about 80 feet.  This monocular gives me a clear view from that distance and enables me to score each end.The focuser is operated with two fingers and is very accurate.  It makes it easy to share with others and quicky refocus.Great piece of equipment.  Highly recommended.
I like this little thing.. goes with me anywhere on a daily basis. Easy one hand adjustment. I just wish it was at least a 10 or 12 lens.
This is very nice and handy but I will list my pros and cons.Pros:SmallCompactComes with a case and lens clothVery easy and comfortable to hold and focusCons:Very poor eye relief (you have to take all glasses off)Poor quality control as this arrived factory damaged (lens has spots inside)I will replace this and hope that this next one comes with a better lens. I can take my glasses off with no problem.I have to give this one a 1 star and will update if the next arrives with a better lens as this one is unusable. I would only buy this if you have Prime so you can return it for no additional charge. I like the one handed focus idea. I have asked for a replacement, and I hope this helps someone.Update 3-22-14:The replacement was free and fast. It came with no obvious lens damage. The eye relief is still 0 and I must take my glasses off. The rubber eye-piece arrived distorted. I still have issues with quality control so I'll keep this at 1 star. On a very positive note this is small and lightweight and the easiest to focus (though this one has limited focus ability); one only needs one hand. Again, I would only buy this having prime. It seems like a good American business went with Chinese quality and it has adversly affected this company.
What is the point of a monocular that requires two hands to operate?  You might as well carry small binoculars then.  The carson bandit is a nicemonocular that is easy to operate with one hand.  The desing fits nicely into your hand and the operation is intuitive from then on.
It was as solidly built as I would have hoped. The distance of sight looking through the monocular wasn't as great as I would have liked but the distance it has is crystal clear to whatever object you're looking at. I am pleased.
I bought this for my wife because she has focusing problems with regular Binoculars.  It has met our expectations in ease of use and clarity.  I wish I had bought something a little more powerful, but this will work.  I really like how easy it is to focus with one hand.  I would recommend it for someone who wants something compact and reasonable.
Don't take this seriously and you'll have fun with it. Raise your expectations and you'll get disappointed. Not very comfortable to the eye (unless you use glasses) and the zoom adjustment is what makes you feel like operating a toy and not a serious precision tool. On top of that, you suppose to be able to operate this with one hand but the thing is so small and flimsy you end up having to use two hands to have a firm grasp (at least while adjusting the zoom).
This little inexpensive, lightweight Mono rocks! I've always used a Mono; so having one that is easy to grip and focus is fantastic. After reading a few of the reviews I thought it best to share my opinion concerning the use of my mono. It's not a spotting scope, nor is it an expensive pair of nocks. It's made to get a better view of things quickly, which it does extremely well. As a bow hunter (usually in a tree) I don't need to see my game a mile away, I wanna see exactly what I'm getting ready to shoot at 50 yards or less. The mono only requires me to use one hand (less movement) and still hold my crossbow.
This works very well to view the birds in my yard.  I bought this because I really only see well with one eye.  It is very light and easy to use.I would recommend it.
Like several other reviewers, I use this for archery. On a field archery course, each target is at a different distance, and with a bow in one hand, this really helps. The unit I got does have a nice, smooth focusing lever (it is NOT a zoom- it is fixed at 8 power and the lever just focuses the image sharply). It can be a bit touchy in that a slight press on the lever makes a big difference in focus, but does seem to hold focus if I don't bump it. I keep it clipped on a lanyard around my neck. It's an odd shape, so I'm often grabbing it the wrong way, but that's a minor complaint. I wear contacts when using it. With glasses, the field of view is reduced by more than half, so I would NOT consider this a good monocular for glasses wearers. Because of the offset design, it's a little tricky to point right away at your target, so I sometimes find myself spending several seconds searching around to orient myself in the eyepiece.The quality of the glass is not particularly good, but is good for the price. I can see about half of the arrows on the 80 yard target, depending on the target colors and contrast, and more on closer targets. Any higher power or larger objective would make it more difficult to hold still and heavier.It would be nice to see more selection in this design- for example, one with higher quality glass. This was the only one of this type I could find.
Light weight.  Easy to pull out and focus.  Optics are good enough.  I keep it in my pocket and can easily pull it out long before my husband has gotten the binoculars out of the backpack.
I am a bit disappointed.  I wanted a unit with a short range view but at the same time a little more magnification.It is convenient to carry and hold which is a plus for the device.
This Monocular is a fine tool for quick bird watching.  It is not drop dead perfect but between my vision and the tool it works well.  Nice to have nearby.
the eye piece fell off as soon as my grandson tried to use it.  the focus is just a toggle type lever on the top of the unit.  Didnt really fit what we wanted it for.
I've read reviews that the rocker is hard to use.  We have two of them and I don't think it is.  It's a very nice monocular for the price.  If you want super smooth action and flawless optics you'll need to go spends lots more, but if you want to be able to read something on a sign at 100 yards this works fine.  I keep one in my truck and one with my fishing tackle.  I dropped one of them from a height of about 15 feet onto concrete and the prism mount broke in side.  I was able to take it apart and fix it.  I love it when the designers of something make it serviceable - that's an added bonus.  I believe one of the screws was behind the rubber coating (in case you drop yours).  It took a while to locate.  Use a neodymium magnet to find it quickly if you need to do a repair.
I have not had it out a lot yet but it seems to work well. Image is sharp and crisp. My gripe is that the eye relief is too long  if you wear glasses.  It has a nice rubber Eyecup that works great if I remove my glasses,  but it would be better if the eyecup folded down. It does not so I had to remove it. That makes it a little more difficult to align with your eye. Removing my glasses every time I want to use it is not an acceptable option.  Replacing the eye cup is not easily accomplished so keep that in mind. I took it off and threw it in the box with the warranty card.The focus lever works well. I like it better the models you have to hold with two hands and twist. Easy to operate once you get used to it.The case is acceptable but  the belt loop looks useless. Better to just store in your pocket if you are carrying it.Edit: When I refer to the sharpness of the image, the center 2/3rds is very clear with some distortion on the outer 1/3rd.  Still for the price they are pretty good. These are not expensive units so I don't compare them to ones that cost  hundreds more. If they get lost in the woods or damaged,  you are not out much.
FAIRLY EASY TO ADJUST, MUCH EASIER THAN BINOCS. SEE A BIRD, GRAB IT AND SEE. THIS WILL FOCUS ON TREES FAR OUT OR AT THE FEEDER. GREAT BUY.
I chose this rating because my bird feeder is 52 feet from were I sit no matter how you focus it does not get a good close up. I could see paying $5 for it but that's it gave it to my Nabors kid I would not recommend this for an adult .
This is a decent product but not quite what it is hyped up to be. It is very compact and could be operated with one hand, however the second hand is usually needed to keep it stable enough to look through effectively. It is about as difficult as looking through a microscope and I find it hard to position my eye correctly. This is from my own oversight, but you may want to know that the zoom is set at 8x and the focus is what the rocking bar adjusts. It seems sturdy enough and is very compact, however I would say that it isn't quite as ergonomic and easy to use as it looks. However it is great for getting a better look at close/medium range.
This is such a handy monocular for all the right reasons. I use this at the range and also on my job as a hazmat tech. With the quick focus and how small and handy it is you can take it out, look and identify your target or sign incredibly fast. Perfect for first responders that have to figure out an emergency situation from a safe range. Incredibly easy to use and its range of vision is perfect for 22$. No it does not do extremly long distances but for 22$ would you expect it to? And if you can't see because it won't focus on something too close then maybe you should pick up a pair of glasses instead.
For the price, the build quality seems good. Everything worked. I could not use it with one hand for two reasons. First, what you see is a surprisingly narrow circle. Given the width of the lenses at both ends, the narrow visual field, is a surprise. This narrow view is clear but its not possible to get a steady view, even when you hold it with both hands. Two, the narrow and resultant shaky view makes it difficult to zero in on what you wish to see. To make sure, this fault is due to the device and not me, I compared this with two inexpensive binoculars. In conrast, my view in them was steady (not shakey) and I could find my target much faster. I had a few people try out the Carson (with no comment from me) . All three (2 of them between 18 & 22 years old) immediately complained of difficulty finding their target & the view being too shaky to read an auto license plate. Two of us wear corrective lenses. Two have 20 - 20 vision. None of us find this spotter useful, not even as a kid's toy. I returned it.
It's work ok not the best but it works
The only problem I had was obtaining a somewhat perfect unit.  It took 3 tries, but the third one is as close to perfect as one could expect for $20...The first bad one had decentered optics where one side would be in focus but the other side was blurry, the second one the rocker was so stiff it actually jerked when moving.The third one is crystal clear and the rocker is smooth for overall perfect performance.  A perfect one is AWESOME as some others have noted.  Had it not taken 3 tries I would have easily given it a solid 5.I suspect some of the negative reviews have obtained units with faulty optics and/or a stiff rocker focus, so yes they are justified.  But better ones are out there if the person has the fortitude to try again.The BK-7 prism and 25mm coated optics are fine in low light but in extremely low light the small 25mm lens just doesn't let enough light in, like a much 40-50mm larger binocular would.  The BK-7 prism and the coatings are fine as only the optic size is the limitation.I have compared this Carson unit to several other rotary type  monoculars and the Carson is much sharper and much easier to operate.  I would clearly choose the Carson over any other monocular for under $50.kd
I've NEVER Liked Binoculars ! Big, Shaky, and Hard to focus. I've had a # of Monocular s over the yrs. & this one goes to the TOP of the list. SUPER STRONG, Rubber ARMORED. Compact, Light, EASY to USE/Focus. @ $20 it's the BEST VALUE of ANY of the ones I've had before @ 5 + times the cost. Get it ! You'll LUV IT.
I bought this for my children. They liked it. It provides clear visions for the price. The only problem I have is that the rubber part sometimes  is pulled out.
Bought this after seeing "The Urban Prepper" review it on his YouTube channel, and after reading the reviews on Amazon. Very lightweight, it's a good choice if you don't want to lug around binoculars. Egonomically designed, comfortable to use. Bonus points for the lanyard.
This is a great product - bright & clear & easy to focus.  I bought it without knowing much about monoculars and am pleasantly surprised.  It's a bit larger than I expected - about the size of a clenched fist.  But mine was all black instead of the pictured white/black and very handsome.  Looks very well made & sturdy.  Image is a bit shakey due to one-handed operation, but you can always support it with your second hand.
Easy reliable binocular. Easy to focus, good range, good depth field. Not the best but also not hundreds of dollars. A great tool for the field.
Works well. Small size makes it handy and easy to carry. Great product for the price. If you are looking for a small monocular for 200 yards ranges, this is it.
I didn't realize how small this precision device was until I received it. After a few moments of familiarizing myself with it's features, I found myself falling in love with it. Whether you are looking at the magnificent intricacies of a tiger beetle a few feet away or looking at a turkey buzzard a thousand feet in the air, the clarity of what you are viewing is fantastic. Imagine standing in a stand of woods, peering slowly into the depths by slowly moving the focus bar further and further into the woods. It's as if you are slowly walking the visual path that you have chosen. The monocular fits snugly in the palm of your hand with your fingers positioned comfortably on the focus bar as well as wrapped around the body of the device allowing for superb stability. The focus bar responds immediately to the pressure exerted by your fingers, allowing for quick focus on an elusive subject such as a flitting Carolina Wren. Keeping both eyes open allows one to follow the target without losing it and at the same time affords one the opportunity to keep it in focus as it moves to and fro. A commercial airliner at around 26 thousand feet is crisp and clear with this monocular. I can't do that with expensive binoculars. I think I just saw a passenger wave...  (just kidding). You don't need to attach this to your belt as it's so small that it fits into your pocket for easy retrieval. It's so light that your arm doesn't get tired of holding it to your eye as a pair of binoculars would. The rubber eye socket is designed so that your eye fits perfectly into it keeping outside light pollution from interfering with your viewing pleasure. If your hand shakes (as mine does), you can improve the stability by bracing it with the other hand. I'm learning to "focus" my mind on reducing shake as a matter of will. It's working in just one outing. One last thing... keeping both eyes open is difficult but once you learn to switch from what you see without the monocular to what you see with the monocular you will have succeeded in maximizing the capabilities of this little jewel of a new "Window To The World". Enjoy one and all...Now it is ten days since I wrote the above, and I can assure you that the above is very true and much more. I have used this monocular every day since the 24th of December till now, the 2nd of Jan., and I am so very pleased with this visual accessory. Buy one and you won't regret it. Happy New Year!
I actually bought this for my wife for doing archery.  However as it did not have a lanyard connection point on it she opted for the other Bushnell 5x20 Golf Scope Rangefinder (Silver) that I got her.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000A0AII/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_4This item however works perfectly for me while I watch her shoot as I can adjust into focus quickly as I walk around.
I was really hoping that this monocular would be good enough for birdwstching.  Unfortunately it wasn't.  Just didn't work for me.
This monocular is great. Easy to focus and quick. I bought a second one as a gift as the person loved ours.
It works very well and quickly.  I requires only one hand so I use the other for stabilizing.  Definitely would recommend it.
I only wish the mechanical action was smoother - it seems like the build quality is only mediocre, or maybe my finger muscle control is just weak.  I kept correcting back and forth on the zoom lever/button to get focal points where I wanted.  Images are clear and care should be used with the lenses, as with any optical device.  Great that it comes with a case.It's an okay buy for the price, I guess.  I do like the compact size.  I would recommend something with a bit more professional `feel' to it if you don't mind spending a few more dollars.  Most things depend on what you want to do with them - I just like optics.
The focus is as smooth as butter.  When I use it, I feel like I'm spying, or on some make-believe special ops!  Look out, Mr. Bond!The view is clear, and I get an excellent amount of light coming in, so the view is as great as reality!The only negative is a personal issue.  It feels a bit bulky on my belt.  But I love using this new monocular!Oooh, a bird, over there.  Gotta go!
Very useful, has a quick and easy focus. You can operate this monocular with one hand. Comes with a pouch and soft cloth too
Just got one of these to keep in my truck... my expectations were low and basically blown away once I had the device in my hands. I expected lousy image quality... it was much better than expected. It's not a Nikon pro-grade lens but it's also not $2000. For what I need it for, it's more than I need. The focusing mechanism is also smooth and easy to use... I'll be looking forward to seeing how it holds up over time. For now, I strongly recommend this tool.
I didn't really understand how to hold this item at first, but when I realized how it became very comfortable and easy to use.  I love how this comes in a little leather-feeling pouch so that it doesn't get scratched up.  I kind of got this as a novelty so even though it doesn't zoom very far, it is still a cool little product.  It made an awesome stocking stuffer for my boyfriend.
Bought this as a gift for my dad so that he can bird watch at the lake.  He says the size is great, and he gets clear view of the birds.  He's happy with this item.
I have a 15' boat, so "REAL ESTATE" is precious on it. This monocular is small and light, focus is FAST, CLEAR and extremely SHARP. It fits right on my life vest, perfect for spotting trouble ahead, or fish breaking on top of the water.. "OYCBURG DEAD AHEAD CAPTAIN" !
Fantastic.....easy to use......allows me to read small house numbers, etc from the street quickly with minimal adjusting.  My prior one took much manipulation to "zero in".
The only complaint I could think of to levy against this gem is that somehow I imagined this would be a little smaller, and that's really my fault. That being said, this is the easiest focusing piece of optics you can get. Pick one up, folks.
It beats sitting in a tree with a big bird suit on waiting for birds to come and say hi.
I am a hunter, and this optic is great for spotting and checking targets. Before, the optic on my rifle is what I would have used, but this is much safer as I can find what I'm looking for without having to point my firearm at it. As an added bonus, being a monocular, it allows you to focus on a far away obect with one eye, and yet still have full peripheral vision with the other eye.The one handed manipulation is great when carrying a firearm, as setting the weapon down to pick up binoc's is noisy and the motion can attract attention. Being able to simply pull this up to my eye is much quicker an quieter than any sighting system I've had before.This thing is LIGHT. I almost forget I have it on me. Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors knows that ounces = pounds and pounds = pain, and the less you have to carry the better. This is the best of both worlds.No complaints from this sportsman.I would definitely reccomend to anyone who hunts/hikes/birdwatches/camps.
Shipped fast. Works great. Very handy, I use it daily as it is so small and easy to use. I keep it in my car and I love it. I would recommend buying this.
This monocular has been great so far. I use it when I shoot farther distances with my compound bow. It comes with a small soft case with a belt loop. The case is fairly cheap but does an okay job while the monocular sits in my bow case. Picture is clear and I am able to see my arrow hits clearly. The focus is done by a lever at the top of the monocular. This make single hand operation very easy and allow me to hold on ot my bow. The monocular comes with a small wrist stap as well. I can see hits 10-60 yards with no problem. I did try to spot for some one at 90 yards it was hard to see the arrow hits. Over all a decent product for small items below 70 yards and good for larger objects at 100 yards.
I was looking for optic to replace a compact binocular that was broken in my daily carry bag. I spotted this product during my search for the replacement. It works great for my needs to able to get a quick look at something off in the distance without having to breakout a larger optic system. This item is also small enough to carry in a small backpack or bag. For the price I paid I am very happy with the Carson Bandit 8x25 Monocular.
Update: Disappointing after more use. Hard to focus, eye strain. At first I was getting some clear views, but now after a few uses, it's impossible to focus for far away objects. Even when it was working better, the lever is hard to fine tune, just as many people noted. The overall shape is awkward and requires that big case, almost binocular size, and the case belt strap is a joke. It's as thick as a piece of tape and broke immediately. Not great for wearing glasses either. This product may impress at first, but it's flawed and needs improvement. Now I'm back where I started, still looking for a quality monocular. This one doesn't cut it.Original review: Much nicer than my first pocket monocular. The view is clear and focus is pretty sharp. Also light. I think this is a winner. Only problem is that its unusual shape makes the carrying case larger than it should be. I wish there were a smaller case.
I purchased this little jewel to satisfy a single task, but since have found it to be the single best solution to anything that requires me to quickly extend my vision.I now keep it with me all the time for that (information gathering) moment that would have otherwise been lost.Once you become accustomed to the (Rocker-Focus) feature,  you will be amazed at the acquisition speed, and wonder how you managed to get along without this little monocular in the past!I rarely use binoculars anymore because the 'Carson Bandit' gets the information I need in a fraction of the time.Some have questioned its durability;  To them I say, "I am sure you can break it, if you have a mind too, but DON'T"!  I have found the provided (neck-cord) to be a reasonable and secure alternative. :)Everything considered, the price is so cost effective, what is the concern?I would recommend The Carson Bandit 8x25 'Quick-Focus' Monocular to my friends.But I like my term of 'Rocker-Focus' better! :)bob
I bought this for my daughter's birthday.  She loves animals and is especially into owls.  I wanted something small that she can take with her anywhere and this fit the bill.  It is small, light, and works great.  Once she understood how it works, she just loves using it.  In fact, her brother and sister are always fighting to take a turn at using it.  I guess I know what to get for their birthdays.  Also, my kids love the commercial for this monocular as well, they crack up every time they see it.UPDATE 4/28/12:So far so good!  My daughter still loves this item and uses it all the time.  During those times when she forgets to bring it, she always finds something she could have used the monocular to zoom in on.  Definitely still recommended!
I primarily use this for sporting events and hunting. The one handed action makes for easy handling while the quick focus is an added bonus.
For $20 I didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised. Got this for my daily walks and leave it in the car in case I see an interesting bird. But now I'll also be taking it to sporting events because it's so easy to use and I like it so much. Didn't want to carry heavy binocs and most monocles are too heavy also. These are lighter than most any optics I've used.The two best features of this monacle is the ease of focusing - it's quick and one handed. The other impressive feature is the optics are much better than I expected. For $20 I almost expected a CrackerJack toy but these are pretty good - a little brighter and acceptable clarity from edge to edge.They are not Nikons but they fit the bill for me: light, fast focus, one-handed, decent optics, and inexpensive. I used a small ring in the lanyard hole so it's loose - a sung fitting ring would put too much pressure on this somewhat thin plastic lanyard hole - and they are light around my neck, don't really notice them.They don't come with lens caps but I'll find something that fits, maybe the caps on my other binocs will work.For $20 I'm thinking of getting another one to leave in my other vehicle.
I wanted something that felt durable and light - this thing is tiny, the clarity is perfect (I can use it and see great without my glasses) and the one-hand operation is mint!My wife got it for me for our anniversary and I'm extremely happy with it - I look forward to taking it on hikes and family trips in the future!For the price, you can't beat the weight and clarity of this little fella!Happy Anniversary Babe!
Nice quick focus monocular!Have had this monocular now for over 3 months.  No problems and cool design.  I was skeptical at first when it came to the optics and overall performance of the monocular, but the ergonomic design lets one quickly access the monocular with one hand and quickly and easily focus with the rocker style focusing component located on top of the monocular.  This basically means that you can hold the monocular with one hand without ever  having to use a second hand to focus any other part of the device.  All motions are with one hand.I've seen some reviews complain about the field of view etc.  Again, this is a compact monocular that could easily fit in ones pocket or bag.  This is ridiculously light and if a person is looking for an inexpensive monocular, but also has reasonable expectations from an 8x25 monocular, then this might be for you.
I would not recommend this for a serious hunter, maybe someone walking through the park. Spend the extra money and get something better if you need to see widdlife up close and personal.
I bought this on a 2 star review. Review said if your just walking your dog in the park and just want to look at a bird close up without &#34;bells & whistles&#34; this is the one.  This is very basic, if you want more &#34;optic power&#34; this isn't it!
This monocular is everything that I wanted in ease of use, quality of optics and size. It's light weight is ideal for one handed use.
Awesome for the price. It is very easy to use and super portable. Image quality is superb in my opinion.
Maybe I've been spoiled by the Nikon scope on my .22 rifle but I was underwhelmed by the Bandit. Then I realized that the price to value was actually not too bad. My Nikon rifle sope was like $150 so of course its going to be a lot better.Anyway, this monocular is pretty cool. I can't wait to take it on a hike. The optics are pretty good espescially considering the price. And its really small and compact. I think it LOOKS cooler when someone sees you use it, but then when you use it yourself you are like "Hmm ok, thats pretty cool I guess". Basically it doesn't BLOW YOU AWAY with its super magnification. But the clear picture and easy to focus finger button makes you think that it is decent. Its not super great, but its good. Its definitely not bad. I would recommend it to someone who wants something cheap yet effective. But if you are looking for the king or best of class type of equipment I might not recommend this (also you will have to fork over a lot more money).
For the price, the monocular is excellent.  Not the best optics, but I was not expecting top of the line. The monocular is exactly what I needed.
This little monocular has worked well for me and you can focus it with only one hand.  I keep mine safe zipped up in a small camera pouch to protect it.  The rubber coating also assures a good grip of it while holding it.  To me it was worth the money for what I use it for.  Now know that this isn't some top quality military spec type piece of gear.  But it will allow you a closer inspection of things far away from you.
Nice shape, easy to hold.  Great for onsale price.  Focus level a little tricky to work but, overall, nice buy.
This thing is compact, clear and easy to use.  I like the one-handed action via the lever.  It's not the best monocular but for an easy, light carry to get a quick, magnified look at something this is a great utility.  You'll be happy with this!
Would suggest that one looking for monocular go to a conventional telescope.  Got it for hunting due to a bad eye.  Takes too long to fo9cus.
I got 3 of these to give to my boys, after I tried them out I just can not understand why people are giving such good reviews!The focus lever is VERY stiff, I need one hand to hold the unit and one hand to operate the lever, maybe over time it willbecome less stiff? They say it is 8x25 its more like 4x25, maybe CHINA rates things different then we do...lolIts absolutely no good at all in low light conditions.I guess this thing is ok for grandma to look out her window at a bird in the yard on a sunny day, but if you are a hunter and needmore then I would advise you to keep looking, Iam sure there is better out there for around the same price.If this actually performed like a 8x25 instead of 4x25 I would have gave it a higher rating.
I am one-handed, and was looking for an easy to operate monocular.  This is a great little product - easy to focus, nice optics.
Great price but the whole cyclops thing can be weird at first. If this is what you're using on the cheap and mobile....good buy. Wouldn't use as primary
I've had this for a few years and use it weekly in my job.  Works great and I love the rocker focus on top.  It hasn't broken and is very light-weight and quick to use.  I would recommend it.
Out of the box it needed work. I had to disassemble the monocular and lube the focusing pivots and contact points. The monocular has the shortest eye relief of any optic I have ever come across. The magnification is good enough to look down into small washes and gullies or up hills, but don't expect it to be much more powerful than that. It also doesn't gather much light. So twilight and in door use leaves much to be desired.With all that said, if you're looking for a fun toy for an older kid, or just want to look across the street to see what the hot neighbor lady is wearing, then this little monocular will do the trick for for very little $.
Being an extensive backpacker, I'm always on the lookout for something that is practical, and yet a good value.  This is one such item.  It is smaller than I expected---which, if you're an outdoorsman, is a good thing, as accumulated weight is an issue.  It fit right into my hand.  The rubberized coating is pleasing to the touch, giving sufficient grip.  I found that with a minute of practice, the single-handed focusing lever was easy to get used to.  This is important to a hiker, where both hands might not be free.  The optics are crystal clear, made even more appealing with the quick-focus system.  The case is decent, felt lined faux leather, with a somewhat flimsy belt strap.The downside is that there is no lens cap, and the construction of the unit is lightweight---take it out for a weekend of hiking, but not for prolonged or professional outings, for which you'd need stronger optics anyway.  It is light enough to float, but don't count on it.  Since it is so lightweight it probably wouldn't take much damage from a hard fall, but it probably wont take much damage to put it out of calibration at any rate.All in all, an excellent value for the weekend explorer.  My suggestion: go to a reputable camera store and buy a lens cap for it, and you'll have a monocular that will serve your needs for many adventures to come!
These are hard to focus -- there is no center-focus wheel.  Overall NOT a good buy.
I never received this item. The seller claimed to have shipped it and charged my credit card. But a few days later I received notice that the item was unavailable. The money was refunded to my credit card, but the incident make it clear that the claim to charge your card only when the item is shipped is not always faithfully observed.
They are small enough to fit in your pocket to take anywhere. I have used them in the theatre and outdoor shows and they serve the purpose. For prolonged use you might need to look elsewhere.
I wanted a nice small pair of binoculars I could toss in my bag (or pocket) and take anywhere and these more than fill that function. But I bought it elsewhere and spent $5.00 more on them and $2.00 more than Amazon charges for shipping, oh woe!But these are tiny and delightful!  I don't feel any click stop anything for focusing.  Just turn the smoothly adjusting eyepieces and get a sharp view.  Both sides adjust fully so you can set them perfectly.  They are not very bright but you can't expect that from 16 / 6 = 2.6666666666666666666666666666667 call it 3 when for bright you want a 5.These seem very nice and sharp to me and they are fraction of my 7 x 35s in size.  I think I could fit 4 or 5 of them into my 7 x 35's case.  For astronomy the 7 x 35s, for everything else, these are magnificent IMHO.I've read all over where people say that the frequency of use is inverse to the size and difficulty of setting up or carrying around the optics, be they telescopes or binoculars.  These are super easy to carry along and use, so I'm sure they will be used the most of any of the binoculars and telescope I own.The construction seems to be all metal and rubber about the grips and fold down eyecups.  The glass seems to be fully coated with a blue cast, beats me what that is.Would I do it again?  In a flat second.  I love them and I'll bet my wife will love them too!
These glasses were a suprise present for my wife.  They were perfect, she loved them, nice small size, very powerful for the size, great for concerts, I am intending to get a second pair for my self. Great glasses for the price.  Merchant was quick the glasses arrived on time.
This lens is my fifth lens.  I cannot believe how sharp this lens is.  The price was very good and it has an equivalent of 100-400mm.  It's fast (2.8) and works beautifully.  Focus is not the fastest, but not bad either.  Less noise with this than my 40-150 lens. The lens is a little heavy, but can still be used hand held or on a tri-pod.  If you have IS (Image Stabilization) built into the camera, you will enjoy this lens even handheld in low light.
When I purchased this lens I understood it to be a fast lens for low light action sports. What I learned is Olympus is worthless in low light fast action. This lens is only fast at 50 and slow at the 200. Don't waste your time with olympus. Get Canon. It took me twenty years of fighting with olympus but now I am a happy camper with canon. To be clear, this 50-200 was always portrayed as a f2.8 lens, but when you use it, you will see that the f2.8 is only at the 50mm end, not the whole zoom like Canon or Nikon. If you zoom way in to get that fast action sport close up shot, you are no longer on f2.8, more like f4.0 and every shot will be blurry no matter what you do. If you are new at this, be careful not to fall into this expensive trap! Just go get the Canon 70-200 f2.8 and you will have what you need! This Olympus 50-200 is a great daytime lens, but forget Friday night football or indoor sports!
I had an e-500 with kit lenses for about a year.  Bought an e-510 body-only along with this 50-200mm Zuiko lens to be used as its telephoto lens.  While I was always happy with the e-500 kit telephoto lens, I must say this lens is truly remarkable!  I'm only *aspiring* to be an amature photographer, so I can't believe I'm saying how happy I am to have spent $800+ on a lens!!  It is super-sharp, fast, and gives great performance in lower light.  At 200mm (400mm equivalent 35mm), it brings things right up to you.  And, because the image is SOOooo sharp, you can crop your image if you need to bring your subject even "closer" - and you'll see fantastic detail!I shot an owl in the woods early AM on a cloudy, dimly lit, winter morning about 100 yards away at 200mm.  No tripod.  After slight cropping (but no other processing), I have an owl filling the frame with tremendous detail!It is a bit heavy, but worth every ounce!  Great lens, great investment, great results.
This is truly professional grade glass. It feels solid, with smooth controls. Accurate focus and razor sharp IQ. As good as my favorite 50mm lens. Wish my wider angle lenses were this sharp, but no complaints with my 11-22mm lens. Money well spent.
I bought this lens for taking photos of junior high and high school sports events. So far, I've used it in gyms for basketball and I'm very pleased with the action portraits it's allowed me to capture. The fast lens and close-up ability of the lens make it perfect for capturing the faces of the participants. It's not the huge lens you'll see the pros use, of course, but it's perfect for events where you can get relatively close to capture those action shots your kids will want to remember. I'm eager to make use of its capabilities at track meets, baseball games, and, next fall, football and basketball contests. This summer, I'll give it a good workout on walks around town, trying to capture birds and city wildlife.
I have not had a great deal of time to work with this lens yet. I have only used it in a manual focus mode but gave me very sharp results.
A lot of people who know a great deal more than me have given this lens a "thumbs up."  I know why.  I have enjoyed just super results with it.I shoot sports.  Stuck in the stands with the other fans at college football games, it is frustrating to not be able to get close enough to get any truly good shots.This lens, on my first time out with it, allowed me to do just that.  A friend commented, "Where were you sitting again?"  I was around the 10 yard line shooting toward the opposite goal.  The photos were stunning.It is amazing how much light this lens lets in.  I managed sharp, unblurred actions shots at high zoom without direct sunlight.  I had good results even when the lights came on.The next game I tried the telephoto converter (1.4x) and in conjunction with the lens.  Absolutely super - until you start losing daylight.I also have the 14-54 Zuiko.  I shoot an E-500.Honestly, it seems to me that the 50-200 and 14-54 are the lens that this camera was designed to work with.  The "kit" lens are okay, but not nearly as good.Let me say it this way, with the upgraded lens you will enjoy the best results that you hoped for with the kit - but probably didn't get.My two cents... :-) ....  Hope it helps.
While it costs a bit it is well worth it.  compared to Olympus' 40-150ZD this lens is a cadillac.  In my opinion, this lens allows quite a bit more contrast to show through in your images and it is very sharp (not that the 40-150 is any slouch when stopped down).  It also gives you great reach that one generally only gets from much larger lenses in other formats.  Try comparing this f2.8-3.5 100-400mm (35mm equivalent) lens to75-300mm f2.8-3.5 offerings from Canon or Nikon (big$$$$ difference!).In my opinion, this is every bit as good as any L-series glass of canon.The contrast is
Overall a decent lens.  Good detail and sharpness. A lens that attracts attention from others. But, all this comes with a price and not just in dollars.The lens is costly, in the area of $825 to $950. It is heavy and requires a tripod 95% of the time. Changing lens on any DSLR in the field is taking a slight risk due to the sensor and or mirror getting debris on them but this lens because of it's size and weight increases that risk it is not a fast snip snap to change.The lens covers from 100MM to 400MM (35MM equivalent) which is a great range.I would consider the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 camera in its place for four reasons.  (1) The cost is less then $500. (2) It is much lighter and smaller. (3) the range is better 35MM to 420MM (35MM equivalent) (4) This cameras lens is as sharp or BETTER then the Zuiko.I returned this lens to Amazon for the above reasons.
In many ways this is part of the matched set with the 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 lens. They both are similar in f stops and both can use the same set of filters.The commonality is ends there though. This lens is noticably higher in quality. If I were taking two otherwise identical pictures at 50mm f4, you could see the difference, especially on prints larger than 4 x 6 (10cm x 15cm).This is a heavy camera and with the hood it is huge too. When you take picture with it, you point the lens and the camera follows along.Pros:* Great bokeh* Shares filters with 14-54mm f2.8-3.5Cons:* Because its closest focus distance is 1.2m, it is not the best bug or flower camera* Heavy
I really like it. I do wish that Zuiko provided a lens in the 4/3rds for 400m. Upon receiving this lens, I noticed that the buckle on the carrying case was broken. I contacted Adorama three times about this, but got no response from them.
I never realized how much better quality photos could be taken with this lens compared to the stock lenses that came with my camera.  The focus speed and clarity is phenomenal.  Great buy!
I have found the four-thirds lenses produced by Olympus to be superior in sharpness to other lenses.  The glass used is of the highest grade.  Edge-to-edge the images are sharp and color is accurate.  I suggest that any serious photographer consider the Olympus E-510 with Zuiko lenses.  I use the "High Grade" lens in my photography business and have been very satisfied.
Excellent lens as all have said in various forums. I have to try it a little more to write something that would benifit as information.
This was the second lens I got for my E-500. The combination is superb. The lens is fast focusing and razor sharp wide open. I had the 40-150 to compare, as well as canons 70-200 f4L on a rebel xt. This lens is sharper, has better contrast and is faster, worth every cent.
I cannot recommend this lens highly enough if you feel you need a lens with this much telephoto reach.  For those of you who have "old school" experience, this lens is about as large and heavy as those 70-210mm zoom lenses that became ubiquitous with 35mm SLRs back in the day, but it has a more solid and beefy feel to it.  It's a very well crafted bit of kit without question.I would have to say that the defining characteristic of this lens is its' reputation of being razor sharp from edge to edge, even at maximum aperture.  It's simply stunning.  I have to disagree with another reviewer in that I don't find the bokeh to be particularly great unless one shoots wide open (in which case it's very good indeed), but excellent sharpness with so-so bokeh seems to be a characteristic that this lens shares with it's sister lens the Zuiko 14-54mm zoom.Autofocus speed is only average, but accuracy on my E-500 is excellent.  Camera handling is compromised with such a large lens, but removing the tripod mounting foot subtracts a considerable bit of weight from the combination.  The lens hood is absolutely huge and I wonder if one significantly smaller wouldn't have sufficed for 90% of user's needs, but it is well made and I have toyed with the idea of buying a second and turning it down to about 1/2 the length of the standard hood just for those days when I don't need a lens hood that's nearly as long as my lens.In summary: This is one of the best lenses in the Digital Zuiko line and as long as you are prepared for a large lens you will very likely be highly pleased with this lens because it performs optically so very well.
I've used canon lenses and I've used many other zooms and I'm telling you right now that NOTHING compares to the optical quality of this lens when used in the right conditions (a lot of light).  This lens has a sweet spot right at 70mm when stopped down to F4... WOW, it's absolutely perfect across the frame!  This sweet spot continues all the way through 100mm when stopped down to F4.  I have taken portraits with this lens that would totally blow your mind away. The colors.... The sharpness.... The speed... Just, WOW! This is honestly my favorite lens of all time.This lens does indeed have some heft to it but so what; good glass isn't going to be light. If you already own this glass try shooting more of your shots between 70mm and 100mm at F4 or F5.6 and I guarantee you'll be very happy with the results! There is not a single lens on this earth that can outperform this lens' sharpness at 70mm stopped down to F4, that is a fact.In my humble opinion, you don't really need the SWD version of this lens. I find the auto focus to be very quick on my e510. You'd be much better off saving yourself the extra $150 to $200 for the non-SWD version of this lens. I picked this up used for 490 on an auction site and the used SWD version is usually going for around 650 to 700 or more. Don't forget that the SWD version has the EXACT SAME optics as this one does! Is the SWD version really worth the extra two hundo? I really don't think so.If you don't already own this lens, stop reading this review right now, go to a auction site right freakin now and buy a used version of this lens! Seriously, what are you waiting for? Trust me, you won't regret it.
I purchased the lens for bird photography for my E5. The combination of the E5 being a hefty camera in combination with this bulky lens makes hand held quick focus and shooting a bit difficult for me anyway.  I would recommend using it with a sturdy mono pod or tripod for outdoor animal photography.  The lens does give crisp and sharp images.
I purchased this lens from Amazon approximately 9 months ago, and I have used it for multiple situations. This was my first lens upgrade from the E-500 kit lenses. This is cretainly several steps up from the kit lenses. The low light capability of the lens is amazing. See the image of the caterpillar which I have added. Shot in my backyard. The only downside to the lens is that it is too heavy... but that is a sign of high quality optics. Great buy overall.
Wow.  I just got it.  And already I can't say enough.  I love this lens.  The pictures are wonderful.Given like many of you, I have limited means, I feel vindicated about my decision to save up (I understand how you feel attempting to reconcile the cost of this lens vs. the cost of your camera... some of us will spend more on THIS lens than the camera body...ouch!  ...right now that'd be everyone save the E-330 crowd and the Panasonic DMC-L1) and BUY THIS ONE.Understand, the advantage this lens gives you is a larger max aperture (f2.8-3.5) at all focal lengths which translates into much better action shots (your subject is in focus and your background is blurred) and greater opportunity for low light images (e.g., candlelight) at a better ISO (e.g., you might get away with ISO 200 on a shot instead of 400 translating into less noise).  Couple that with the knowledge that your 50-200mm lens functions as a 100-400mm (factor is 2x given the 4/3rds sensor size compared to a 35mm frame) and you've got a lens that is as versatile as it is beautiful.  Your only downside is that it is heavy, so you're going to have to either start working out or for long shoots (e.g. your kid's soccer match) bring the monopod (there is a well centered mount that comes with the lens).In any event, why would you buy this lens?  The same reason you'd make any purchase surrounding your camera setup.  Because you're after GREAT pictures (leave the average stuff to the point and shoot crowd).  With this lens on the end of your Olympus E Series camera, you can get there.  So start saving (time for a garage sale?) and soon you'll be the envy of the soccer pitch, football field, and dance recital with your beautiful, versatile Olympus 50-200mm Zuiko f/2.8-3.5 ED lens that you, with great wisdom and foresight, bought because you're taking great pictures...
I have to say I'm really wowed by Zuiko glass.  This lens doesn't disappoint.  Images are very sharp, color saturation is beautiful and well balanced, and contrast is very nice.  No noticeable distortion.  Chromatic abrasion is controlled REALLY well.  I've taken shots where I swore I'd absolutely get at least some abrasion and found there was none at all.  The f2.8 aperture is great on a lens with this reach.  Not easy to find in this price range.To repeat what everyone else on here is saying, the lens IS pretty heavy.  I can't say that's a drawback.  You get a powerful telephoto lens for a reason.  And so you should expect the bloody thing to be heavy.  But I guess the pictures of the lens you see online could mislead you because they don't really show you just how big this lens is.  Maybe that's why people are surprised.  The weight doesn't make it impossible to manage the camera with, but it does require you to handle framing and shooting with more care than a lighter lens would.The only annoyance about this lens is that its auto-focus can get a little screwy.  In low-light or tricky-light situations it'll sometimes hunt for a sharp focus point, and keep on hunting and hunting until you give up and decide to manually focus.  It isn't such a severe problem that it bothers me. But I thought I'd mention it.  And it's important to point out that more often than not, I have shot low-light and tricky-light scenes with this lens where it didn't give me any auto-focus problems at all.  So the problem isn't chronic.If you're a hobbyist this lens is a little expensive, but all good lenses are.  Photography isn't a cheap hobby to be into.  You get what you pay for with glass.  If you need the reach of this telephoto and you want high quality shots, this really is the lens to get.  In terms of price point and performance/quality, I'd have to say you're getting a lot for your money with this lens.  Sure, there are better telephoto lenses out there...but they cost thousands.
If you are serious about photography, specifically where a zoom is needed, then look no further.  Quality construction, excellent picture quality.Add this to your bag if you have the funds.
Mine arrived in black, but that is fine.  The scope was bought for a replacement tube.  I already have a go to tripod.  The optics are very good for the price.  The whole assembly is less expensive than any stand alone tube I could find, and it comes with two eyepieces and a Barlow.  Not a super scope, but it is a super deal.
mount. 1 out of 5 starstripod. 1 out of 5 starsimage. 1 out of 5 starsstability. 0 out 5 stars20 mm lens - nice opticals, no zoom.4mm - blurry20+3x barlow - blurry4mm+3x barlow - blurryhorrible aberration with anything but the lowest power eyepiece (20mm)In short, you'd be better off buying a "nice" pair of binoculars that you can mount on a tripod.There is no point in owning this telescope.
I had a chance to use this telescope at a friends house and I was impressed at everything that came with the telescope especially after he told me what he paid for it. First of all, it came with a 4.5" reflector and as a rule, aperture rules. A 4.5" telescope can deliver good planetary images and faint deep sky objects. When I first looked it over, it was a little shaky but I discovered that he did not tighten properly. After going through and tightening the screws and bolts, it was ready for use. The included eyepiece 20mm was great at 45x and with the use of the 3x barlow produced 225x. 225x I feel is too much. 225x is too much for most scopes and sky conditions.With the 20mm 45x eyepiece, I can clearly see Jupiter with its moons and Mars with its ice cap. I highly recommend getting the accessory kits so that you can get various magnifications and get more visual detail.The equatorial mount was a bonus as it made tracking the celestial and planetary objects easier. Once you have used a telescope, you will clearly see that having an equatorial mount is so useful.This is a good starter scope for someone who wants more of an astronomical telescope. You get a lot of scope, brighter images than smaller 60mm scopes for not a lot of money.
I bought this as a gift for my 15 year old daughter. She loves it.  We have only used it once due to bad weather and a bad cold we are sharing.  Its relatively easy to assemble.  It's our first telescope and I recommend it for the younger beginner.  You get a lot features for the price. Critical reviews I've read don't comprehend the low price you pay for what you get.
This is a really great telescope, however, I had to return it.. I purchase it for my grandson who is very young and it was a littlemuch for him so I have order one just a bit smaller. If you are looking for a telescope that is more advanced that a starter; I highlyrecommend this one.
Telescopes , Microscopes, Binoculars all fall into two categories; Useless or Awesome.You have to pay for Awesome. This wasn't it.
Many of the reviews say that the mount is shakey.  Understand for the price there will be limitations.  Also 675x in unrealistic in most scopes.  My boys still haven't opened it so my evaluation is not completely accurate.  Remember not to use this scope about about 150x.  That's about as high power as you can practically get.  Also for looking at stars you don't want high power.  They are just points and higher power reduces light gathering.  I might suggest if you want to reduce the vibration see if you can upgrade with a pedestal mount.  Still for the price a 114 mm reflector with an equatorial mount is pretty good.
When searching for a beginner's telescope, it's hard to go wrong with a 114mm long tube f/8 telescope. The Powerseeker 114 is a good choice but it has some misgivings. One must be ready to spend a few more dollars to improve this telescope.Optically the mirror system is quite nice and punches above its price point. The spring loaded mirror cell makes collimation ( aligning the mirrors) easy. The long tube design is very forgiving in terms of collimation. Collimation by eye will give good images.The Red-Dot finder is easy and intuitive to use. However, as it offers no magnification, dim deep sky objects such as nebulae may be difficult to find. Finding the planets was easy using the red-dot finder and a star chart printed from the internet.However, here is where the Powerseeker falls down: in order to keep the price low, Celestron included some truly awful eyepieces in the kit. They are old school (and quite obsolete) Huygenian and Spherical Ramsden eyepieces. Better eyepieces turn this telescope from a toy to a serious scientific instrument. Using Plossl eyepieces, I was able see the polar ice caps on Mars quite nicely. I could even make out surface detail.  I would highly recommend purchasing three Plossl style eyepieces: a 20-25mm, a 10-8mm, and a 6mm. I would also recommend a good barlow. A barlow increases magnification. If these eyepieces and barlow were purchased second hand from an astronomy forum they would add no more than 50-75 dollars to price of this 'scope. Still cheaper than an X-Box.The EQ1 equatorial mount is useable as is but like any low end telescope the mount suffers on this one. It could use a little beef. Focusing brings on vibrations that take a bit to damper. The aluminum legs make it easy to transport but also serve as vibration resonators! Once you get comfortable scanning the sky and you find that astronomy is an enjoyable hobby, upgrade to a more solid and stable mount.Bottom line: This is a good telescope that really needs good eyepieces to make it shine.
This was a bday gift for my uncle who lives in the West Loop of Chicago. He has a roof top deck that faces the skyline. He loves using this year round up there because with all of the new development it's hard to see around the new buildings. However now that he has this he can easily see all around & through the construction cranes. It really works well.
I got this as a gift from my daughter. After using it a few nights, I did check the mirror collimation with the $28 Celestron 1.25" collimation  eyepiece (which I already had).  The mirror alignment was very very close, so it needed only minimal adjustment which had no observable effects.On the third night I was able to see the moon (again) and the Orion nebula at various magnification (20mm eyepiece with and without Barlow). I was also able to see - with a Celestron Ploessel 9mm eyepiece - Jupiter and it four moons, the two main cloud stripes on Jupiter itself, and maybe some weaker ones. And the shadow of one moon on Jupiter itself, a tiny black dot near one of the poles.I do like the lightweight aluminum mount as well, it is solid if the legs are not completely extended, and it is light enough to carry around without getting a hernia. The finder scope works well for me, just in case I re-align it every time I take the telescope out.This telescope is very sharp, and a very good value right out of the box. And easy to focus. Five stars!!EDIT: Recently (February) I did buy and install the Celestron motor drive ($33 on Amazon) and it works perfectly. Once the motor drive speed is adjusted properly with the small knob (which is fairly easy to do), it keeps say Jupiter centered for close to an hour with a 7mm eyepiece. Note that the drive speed only needs to be set once, for a given latitude.Note that the Celestron 127EQ and 114EQ are quite similar in design and price, nevertheless this one has a much longer tube and does not have a correcting eyepiece in the focus tube, which seems to make it significantly sharper, or at least much easier to collimate.Recently (April) I got an inexpensive laser collimator (seben) and tried it on this scope, even though it did not seem to need it. The whole job is very easy, takes less than 5-10 mins if you know what to do (there is no focuser lens in the focusing tube, this is NOT a Bird-Jones design!). The adjustments were minimal and there was no noticeable change in sharpness, as I said above mine was flawless out of the box. Look in the picture section to see my recent picture of Jupiter.Best additions to this telescope are imo the $30 Celestron motor drive (I love it!), a better quality achromatic $40 Celestron 2x Omni Barlow, and a 9mm Celestron Omni eyepiece($20 ; the telescope seems capable of a lot more than what the rather basic included eyepieces suggest). You will then be in telescope heaven, for very little money.I have also found that this scope is quite well suited to astrophotography of the planets, in my case in combination with the very reliable Celestron clock drive (have not changed a battery yet on that on in three months of use) and an inexpensive webcam (a logitech C310 in my case).PS. Added pictures of Jupiter and the Moon (April 2014). Added more pictures of Jupiter and Mars, on the latter I can clearly see one of the polar ice caps (April 2014). Took a nice picture of the Cassini division on Saturn (May 2014).
This is a good telescope for starters.  The assembly was pretty straight forward but I have found that the structure is not terribly rigid and the finder scope is almost impossible to set without moving the alignment off the object to view.  Stability is awful, the least bump will move the alignment and pulling and pushing allows tremendous slew.  Great views of near objects (if you can find them without the finder scope being aligned.)  Not for serious sky watchers.
It is a very good product. I don`t have many years working in astronomy, but it is very good if you aren't a expert.
I decided to get this telescope as it has an equitorial (EQ) mount. I am a beginner astronomer and looking to get my kids involved. I bought this telescope for its price to capability ratio. The capabilities of this telescope are, in some cases, similar to some that much more expensive. The equitorial mount is big plus as it helps to locate celestial objects and track them for a while with slow motion cables. With an azimuth mount the adjustment only goes up and down in slow motion, but stars move in arc fashion, not straight up and down. The EQ mount has a right ascension slow motion adjustment that allows the object to stay in the finder for a long time.So far, I have been pleased with this telescope. The finder is a bit cheap. It has 3 adjustment screws that help lock in your target in the crosshairs located within the finder. It's easy to knock out of alignment. This is really frustrating, especially at night. I am replacing the original finder scope with a Telrad finder scope. The optics are great! Close looks at the moon using the 4mm eye piece are amazing. Even the 20mm eye piece are very good. I intend on upgrading these eye pieces in the near future, but they are great for being out of the box.The stand is pretty good. The adjustments are easy to work with and lock into place. I may end up replacing some of the clutch engagements with something I can use with a little more torque. The current clutch engagements for RA and DEC use basic twist knobs that are difficult to get a good torque with just fingers. This results in a little more slippage than I would like. With the legs fully extended the tripod is shaky, but can by easily fixed with a 10 pound weight or so hanging from the accessory tray.The balancing of this scope if pretty easy to do. The instructions say nothing about how to balance the scope, but searching online is easy to do. The instructions have you place the counter weight in the middle of the bar. It's best to have it all the way at the bottom for full balance. The telescope body should be about a 60/40 split with 60% toward the front and 40% toward the rear of the rings.All in all I like this telescope and will keep it for quite a while. There are options to add a motor to keep an object in the finder automatically and other eye pieces to increase the resolution coming from the telescope. The OTA has a great focal length and diameter to see planets, the moon, and some deep space objects. If you're wanting a telescope that is versatile, fits a reasonable budget, and is fairly easy to use, then this is a great beginner scope.
just what I wanted I like the easy to put together and wow the stars. it was shipped on time and was well packed too.
The tripod is to woobly....I guess it may be that its built to be used only on the ground ...the small cleat at the end will surely sink into the ground...... I can see the moon perfectly....craters and all.... but thats all... some ilustration would be nice to have as how to take pictures thru the telescope.
My granddaughter asked for this for her birthday. Since we felt that it was a great educational tool we decided to purchase it. We must say it was a big hit. Her father put it together with know problems. The family now uses it together at least two to three times a week.
I don't know whether the following people that gave this scope 5 stars were paid by Celestron or not...all I know is that I gave this scope to my father for Christmas knowing that he has wanted one for years.  From what I gathered, it was going to be a great scope for a beginner and you can grow from there and blah, blah, blah.  All in all, don't buy this scope.  Save up and buy a nicer scope that does not shake as much.  Maybe it is just because we are beginners...so correct me if I am wrong and forgive me for being frustrated...but it seems impossible to locate anything legit other than the moon.  The moon is amazing to look at, but please, we want more.  ;)If we master anything, and my opinion has changed with in the next couple of months, I shall post a different opinion, but until then folks I am sad to say that this was a waist of money...but even more so a waist of anticipation and excitement.
While the optics of this scope are good, there are quite a few bad things about this telescope.  The tripod is shaky, unstable and cheaply produced.  The finder scope is flimsy and almost unusable.The users manual that comes with this scope is not written for beginners.  Important topics such as balancing the telescope, polar alignment and collimation (aligning the mirrors) are glossed over and totally unsuitable for a beginner.I would recommend spending the extra money to buy an Orion Spaceprobe 3 or SPaceprobe 130.
Quick disclaimer - This is my first telescope. I bought this for the price and the decent number of good reviews.Bad news first:The finder scope is really crappy. I can't get it to aim at anything that the scope is pointed at. That being said, I just eyeball down the tube to get close to my target. The tripod feels like it could be more stable, as a few other reviews state, but it's not terrible. When I really tighten down screws, it's ok. I bought mine USED from the Amazon Warehouse, and the EQ mount seems loose to me. It's probably user error, but it does seem looser than it should. Please take that with a grain of salt.Good news:The scope comes collimated (internal optics aligned). DON'T TOUCH THE SCREWS AT THE CLOSED END unless you know what you're doing, like I made the mistake of. That being said, it was a quick lesson in collimating a reflector scope. Viewing the moon is FANTASTIC. Very crisp images through the 20mm and the 4mm eyepiece without the barlow. It's not got the resolution to see the landing sites, unfortunately. I haven't really tried it on much else, I'm sticking to lunar viewing for now.Overall:  VERY pleased, especially for only paying $112 after shipping. Not a bad place to start for beginners, especially for Lunar viewing, I'd recommend an AZ mount for newbies, unless you're up to the challenge.
My recent Christmas experience with the Celestron Powerseeker 114EQ, my first "real" telescope, was a great disappointment. The assembled telescope looked very impressive but functioned poorly. It came without a detailed instruction manual making it difficult to set up, balance, and aim even for a mechanically inclined novice. The plastic finderscope was very cheap, blurry, and hard to align with the main scope. The "equatorial" (EQ) mount knobs moved the scope with jerky motions at times and the scope itself seemed a bit vibration prone on its tripod. Stellar images were blurry and unimpressive (possibly due to mirror misalignment in shipping and/or manufacturing defect) thus other individual scopes may do better than mine in this category. Newtonian reflector type telescope mirrors go out of alignment ("collimation") fairly easily and this scope came without instructions for how to realign them. I returned the telescope within the 30 day refund period and am looking for a better quality and sturdier one like the highly praised Orion Skyquest series or possibly the smaller and more portable Edmund Scientific Astroscan.
I must admit that this is my first telescope, but I did play with other telescopes and spotting scopes before.What other people say about it is true: the mount is shaky, and this is an issue for high magnification modes (more than x45). In fact, even a light wind will cause it to move.The manual is also very basic, doesn't describe much at all.However, putting it together is very easy, and shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. The instructions are easy to follow, but you might need some help from another person when you mount it for the first time.The only thing I really don't like is how heavy and big it is, especially with the tripod extended. If you plan to bring it in every night after you are done with it, then consider the fact that you will need to 'unextend' the tripod, which is hard to do because it is heavy and big. I wish there was an easier way to extend the tripod, without screws.On the other hand, I got it for less than $150, including shipping, so I can't complain.The image quality is excellent, and it can be very well used for ground observations, although the image is upside down, and the mount is not really meant for ground observation (EQ mount).For example, there is a radio relay about 1 mile away, and with the naked eye you can't see much of it. However, with full magnification (675 times) you can see the lighbulb on top of it as if you were just a few meters away. Such high magnification comes with the downside that the image is very dim.Overall, this is a very nice telescope to have as a hobby, but if you want something better (computerized mount, higher magnification, etc.) then you will have to spend over $500
I bought this telescope for my son as a starter telescope.  The price was quite reasonable and it seems like a reasonable telescope.  Well, appearances are not all that they seem to be.  We put it together, which was quite simple, and noticed a couple of things right away.  The instructions are reasonably clear and assembly was quite easy.  The tripod is a bit wobbly if you don't tighten everything up and the rotary base of the telescope has a bit too much slack.  That makes aiming a bit tricky. The finder scope pretty useless.  The finder base has two elongated holes in it for the mounting and is always getting knocked out of alignment.  It also feels really cheap, especially since the plastic base used to mount it to the telescope is hollow underneath and can't really be tightened adequately without breaking it.  Still, what do you expect from a telescope that cost under $100.There are also some shortcomings in the hardware.  The biggest problem is the elevation adjustment screw.  The screw started to gall after only three uses.  Fortunately I had some very high tech (and high cost) teflon grease (it's called Krytox and it's $35 for two ounces)that pretty much stopped the galling.  Also, there is excess slack in the rotary base that fits into the tripod.  If you tighten it enough to pull out most of the slack, you can't turn it.  Not a good start.The big disappointment was looking at the stars and moon.  After setting it up and aligning the finder scope, the stars were horizontal smears and the moon was fuzzy:  lunar features were indistinct.  Checking into it, I found tat the collimation was completely off.  The secondary reflector was far out of position and the main mirror was adjusted to compensate for the problems with the secondary mirror.  After about 3 hours of fidgeting with the secondary mirror, taking the main mirror off twice and putting crossed strings on the end of the main tube to aim the secondary mirrors, and purchasing a laser collimator, the telescope is now pretty clear.  Distant stars look like points of light and not smears and details are now in focus on the moon.  We haven't tried much else yet, but a starter telescope should have reasonably clear images so that a neophyte doesn't get discouraged right away by poor image quality.  I expect to spend another $100 or more on optics to get some standard screw-on filters and eyepieces that will accept standard filters instead of the "it-fits-Celestron-only" variety that Celestron sells.  In retrospect, I would look for a somewhat better quality telescope rather than spend my way up to what I should have bought in the first place.
A gift for my nephew and he loves it. Would recommend this to anyone who is into star gazing. Great product.
I bought this telescope with wide expectations because of Celestron brand name. The optics is very good, but the equatorial mount and operation are  quite hard and not nicely made. The gears do not mesh easily without some force applied on our part. The fine turning cables are poorly made.In short the mounting is very inferior...overall the Chinese manufacture needs lot of refinement.The manual is very poorly written and may be ancient write-up. A few more diagrams may help.For casual work this is a good buy, but not for serious amateurs or beginners in astronomy.
I bought this telescope for my husband's last birthday and it has been a great purchase. He's seen planets and their moons, as well as our moon up close. This is his/our first telescope, and we have been very happy with it. He learned how to operate it pretty quickly, and enjoys going out on clear nights to see what's out there. The software that came with it has been really helpful and interesting to hime too.
set up of the telescope is a breeze. the instructions were clear and also had pictures for reference. it took me about 10 minutes to get it together. i see people complaining the tripod is "unstable" NOT TRUE! its called tightening it! problem solved.the finder scope is made of plastic but hey, its not your main scope and look at what you paid for. the entire setup does feel cheap but think of it in terms of value.the entire weight is manageable, not portable but not very heavy.the direction adjustment knobs stick out way too far for what it does and it might get in your way if your not careful.now, lets get too the good stuff. WHAT CAN YOU SEE???my first target was the moon, it was clear and high detail, not a difficult task. i went onto jupiter, pretty much the brightest thing in the sky, you can barely make out the red and cream swirls it has and you can see bright spots around it which are the 6? moons. you cannot see jupiter up close even with double scopes (x20 normal plus the x3 add-on). the image isnt the clearest but hey, terms of value.if you are serious about getting into astronomy, move along with a different telescope. if you are looking for something to have some quick fun with friends and family, this is it.
Amazon has documentation that the seller mailed to wrong address, yet the seller says "to bad so sad". Now I'm stuck with a telescope instead of the intended person.
I've had this telescope for a couple of years and bought it so I could have another telescope to use in my neighborhood (I live in a city and people regularly line up to look through telescopes when I take them out). Overall, I am happy with the optics, but not pleased with the mount/hardware.Pros:- Good image quality. I also own a 4.5" Meade reflector on a GEM and, comparing the two, this telescope has slightly less contrast, but performs equally well under higher magnifications.- Lightweight. I can grab the telescope + mount with one hand to carry it out. Keep in mind that this is all relative. My other telescopes are a 16" dob (~150 lbs), an 8" EQ (~100 lbs), a 5" EQ refractor (~100 lbs), and several smaller telescopes which all weigh less than 50 lbs (which I consider light and portable).Neutral:- Price. Though the telescope is cheap to buy, it also has cheap accessories (see cons below).Cons:- Poor quality finder and focuser. The finder, in fact, is so bad that I don't even use it. The focuser has lots of wiggle in the gear and getting a good focus isn't always easy. If this is your first telescope and you can afford it, I would recommend that you buy a Telrad or other laser finder. I say this because, for a beginner with a small scope, you'll have a much easier time locating objects with a star chart and Telrad than with a finder scope. Eventually, you'll want to learn how to use the setting circles and do polar alignment.- Poor quality eyepieces. The eyepieces and barlow that came with this telescope do an injustice to the good quality optics and I only use them when my friends borrow one of my telescopes when they go camping (I don't want to give them a bunch of $200+ eyepieces). If you can afford it, I would recommend that you buy a couple of 1.25" plossl or better eyepieces (32mm and 13mm should suffice) and a good quality barlow. You can also get a decent kit with filters for about $150.00.- Poor quality mount. The mount is very shaky and unstable. The gears also have a lot of play in them and it's difficult to get the telescope exactly where you want it. After the first year of use, my gears also started to strip and are almost unusable now. My 4.5" Meade, which I've had for about 2 years longer, still has a very stable mount and the gears are in perfect working order.
This little tripod has exceeded all my expectations. I had purchased a store brand tripod earlier at a clearance price, but was dismayed with the poor quality, and returned it immediately. I then ordered this Manfrotto table-top tripod as I have been very pleased with another regular Manfrotto 7302YB which I own. This tripod is significantly better than the cheaper competitors.Firstly the built quality is excellent. The first thing that strikes you is the size and portability. It fits into the top compartment of my Lowepro AW102 sling bag with ease, so I carry this mini tripod all the time, whether or not I carry my regular full-size tripod. The second thing is the stability. I have mounted my Nikon D5000 with the 55-200 zoom without problem. The tripod's mini ball head also allows a portrait setup, but tends to lose its balance in this mode, which can be easily corrected by placing a book or a bag on one of the legs. In landscape mode the tripod is super-stable, as the legs spread wide apart, thus lowering the center of gravity of the camera and tripod. Thirdly the quality of the ball head for such a tiny tripod is excellent. The ball head locks firmly. There is a slight downward creep that is typical of most ball heads and you need to adjust for this while composing the shot.The only con is the absence of a quick release mechanism. I wish it had a ball head similar to my 7302YB tripod and I could switch between the two tripods without having to take off the bottom plate and screw on the Mini tripod.
Purchase exceeded expectations.  Mounted a medium size spotting scope and unit functions perfectly.  Easy to set on the bench .. Does not move .. Point of view remains unchanged .. Love it
Very sturdy and easy to adjust. I use it mostly for my Olympus E-P1 usually with a Rokkor 50mm f1.7 and a MD-M4/3 adapter. This little tripod holds the weight very well.
Amazing little tripod that I carry in a small pack.  Make sure the lens is oriented in line with on of the legs.
While I can't say that I purchased my 709B here at Amazon (they didn't carry it at the time), I wanted to chime in for anyone considering this pocket tripod. To sum it up in one word: "quality". While I have a much larger Manfrotto tripod, this little one gets the most use. Easy to throw in a camera bag, great to take traveling, built like a tank, and even supports lightweight dSLRs in a pinch if needed, such as the Nikon D3100 et al.
I felt a bit guilty purchasing this tripod.  It's a lot of money for a little piece of metal with a few movable parts.  But I figure I'm worth it haha!  For the price you get Manfrotto quality.  The legs are very slender, solid metal and nonadjustable.  This tripod feels sturdy and well made.  It is very compact when folded, more so than the other brands I looked at, and this feature helped sell me because I like to travel light; it can even fit in a pants pocket.When I attach myCanon EOS 50Din the upright position, the camera is held stable.  However, the tripod cannot hold the Canon 50 vertically (portrait) without tipping over (see my photo).  This can be easily remedied by put a small amount of weight on the opposite leg, such as a book, weight, etc.The tripod has tiny cork feet glued to the underside of each leg.  One of the feet had come off in the package before I even opened it.  Not sure how long it will stay around before it's inadvertently lost.  Be prepared to make your own replacement feet.  For the price I'm surprised Manfrotto didn't do some kind of molded silicon foot or something a little more rugged.I'm giving this tripod 4 stars because IMO it's a bit overpriced for what it is.  It is a good tabletop tripod but if you're on a budget there a quite a few other makes, all cheaper.Velbon MiniandSunpak Mini Proplusare two others I considered.  Also Vanguard makes several minis.  BTW, I've posted some photos in case that helps.
I have been involved in photography since 1967.  During that time I have used cameras from 110 to 4x5 view cameras.  If I needed a tripod of any kind, I was confident if it had the name Manfrotto or Bogen on it.  My son was looking for a table top tripod so I looked for Manfrotto.  Do I need to see more.  Manfrotto/Bogen is the BEST.
I bought this mainly to use with my Alien bees strobes that I wanted to be able to place on the floor and shoot to a background with gels..this does the trick...I like Manfrotto products and find their quality to be consistent.dc
A little pricey (that's why 4 stars) but it is very solidly built and looks like it will last forever; it's made from cast aluminum and appears to have no plastic parts and is lightweight.  The head swivels 360* and tilts 90* so you can take vertical photos as well (it will even hold my DSLR sideways without tipping).  It holds the camera 3.5" above the ground.  The legs have small cork pads on their ends to prevent slipping.  It's about an inch longer than a dollar bill and fits in the front pocket of my camera case or in my pants pocket if I go on a walk.Would buy again and recommend to a friend.
Even though this is my Wife's tripod I can review. I know she uses this a ton. Very stable with here Canon 40D and flash. It also folds up small enough to fit in a pocket or camera bag.
It's a very short tripod, so you can get really nice low shots.  If you put one leg directly under the lens, it can handle a dslr with battery grip and 70-200 lens.  I usually mount that from the lens, but tried it from the camera body just to see if it would topple the tripod and it did not.  Ball joint gives a lot of adjustment.  If you want to tilt it really far, you need to twist the bottom shoulder which moves the set screw around.  That can cause it to move to the opposite side, which is an annoyance.  Still, that's not a limitation, it can achieve extreme tilts, you just might find it awkward to make it happen.  Like all manfrotto products, solid metal construction that won't wiggle.  Not cheesy.  The little cork pads under each foot have fallen off.  Other than that it's doing great and I am loving the low shots.  Have yet to use it on a table, maybe some day.
If you need to shoot real low then this is the tripod you need. This goes all the way down. I have the Canon 1D X no problem even with a big lens on it. I would recommend this.
This little tripod won't help for most landscape shots (it's too low so you might have a hard time framing even while laying on the ground) but it is a great piece of equipment to keep in your camera bag at all times. It is strong enough to support a D200 with grip with a 12-24 f/4 attached. Even better, it can double as a makeshift light stand, either with a cold shoe, with the stand that comes with most flash units or screwed into a sync cord. It is more expensive than the other mini tripods, and I wouldn't call the ball action "silky smooth" but you would be better off buying one of these than having to buy the cheaper models again and again because they are poorly constructed.
manfrotto quality are one of the best tripods in the world, this one is very useful, very good build, the only problem is for the same money you can get  the extra  extension....
Very compact but sturdy. Great for the smaller camera. Can also be used against a wall to help sturdy the camera.
This tripod is a bit pricey in my opinion.  However, it is more than durable-very lightweight, a great convenient (very well made)tool.  Great for use when you want to be in the picture and you are away from home (away from my tall Bogen tripod here).  Worth it over time.
holds a D80 w/18-200vr with no problems at allvery sturdy, ball head awesomevery useful for DSLRs, for a compact camera get something lighter
This is the perfect travel companion. I carry it with me wherever I go when on vacation. It is very sturdy, all metal, and folds up just compact enough to easily fit in your pocket when not in use.When you're on vacation you don't want to lug around a full size tripod just in case you see a shot that you want to get at night, or with your entire group in it (including you)... but this little gem allows you to do just that while adding virtually nothing more to what you have to carry.If you're traveling with a small compact camera attached to your belt you can easily slip this in your pocket and still have "nothing to carry" allowing you to enjoy your day when you're not using your camera, and still have easy access to both your camera and a stabilized platform for using it on.I have used this tripod with both lightweight point and shoot cameras as well as with larger DSLR cameras and it was able to support both equally well. The metal construction gives it lots of strength compared to other compact tripods.My only complaint is that the cork foot pads seem to easily come off, but this doesn't seem to have affected the stability of the tripod. Instead of the cork being on the surface now it is just the tripod leg metal sitting on the surface.
Gets the camera/bino/scope close to the ground or bench.Well made, though I expect with enough abuse you would break the cast legs.Leg angle is NOT adjustable, so the surface has to be pretty close to flat. Ball lets you adjust for slope.
While it is a table top tripod it is about 4 inches above from the ground. It did not work for landscape or abstract photography.
I have no problems at all having thing hold my D700 with the 14-24mm lens attached and that is no light lens.  Be perfect for those times where there isn't enough space for a regular tripod, but your still able to find a table to use it with.  Works great with my Nikon V1 as well for when recording video at the family dinner.
This item is well made and nicely designed. Therefore I gave it 5 stars in spite of the fact that I'm returning it.Please pay attention to the intended use for this tabletop tripod: "perfect for point-and-shoot, compact SLR, and compact camcorder cameras"I didn't, and soon discovered that it's *not* appropriate for a DSLR. My Nikon D5100 + lens is 2.8 lbs. The tripod does not hold in position this lens-heavy camera. When you aim it at a subject, it drifts away--no matter how firmly you tighten the ball head. I'm sure that a lighter more balanced camera would be fine.
This is a great mini tripod if you don't need something really big.I use it for taking photos off a desk or off the top of my car.
I'm really pleased with this desktop tripod. It will happily support my Nikon D80 with battery pack attached and an 18 - 200mm lens in landscape mode but this combination is too heavy for the tripod to be used on portrait mode. This is not a problem for me but may be for others.I make its closed length to be just under 7.5 inches and just under 4 inches high when fully opened.The tripod is very well made. It has little cork tips on the end of the legs to protect the table surface. Well recommended.
I've been through a number of table top tripods. Most of them I try once to hold a point and shoot camera and have it collapse. So on a recommendation from a friend, I went with my friend Manfrotto since I've had great brand experience.The tripod itself is well made, much like Manfrotto's products in general. Looking at past reviews, I saw that people had great experience with SLRs and longer lenses, so I immediately mounted my 5D Mark II and Canon 100-400mm lens as a test. The heavy load held fine, and I was able to move the ballhead and position shots just fine.The only downside is the price. Like most Manfrotto products, you get what you pay for but it's hard to swallow $40+ for a table-top tripod. And theManfrotto 345BAG Tripod Bag for 345 Table Top Tripodis $25 too. This does fit in a pocket and won't take up room in your camera bag.I'm happy that I got this tripod, but honestly, if it wasn't on sale I wouldn't have gotten it.
This is one of the best tabletop tripods I've used. Even know its a tad on the expensive side, you can't go wrong with a Manfrotto. Unlike most other cheaper models, this comes with a sturdy head and solid metal legs. This will last me for years to come... highly recommended.
This wee ball head is exceedingly well made of cast aluminum and does a great job holding up my Canon S90 and Olympus E-P3 (M4/3). It's so small and light I can carry it in my jean pocket. Movement is reasonably smooth for a tiny ball and locks tight with both of my cameras. Nevertheless, the 4.4LB weight rating is grossly inflated. Two pounds or less is the reality if you want the ball to lock securely. So while you can mount a DSLR, the ball drifts immediately. While not good for a free standing DSLR, I still found it handy as a chest pod or for bracing against a wall, fence or window.I removed the disk (top platform) and screwed a Kirk 25mm quick release clamp into the 1/4 inch stud. It's now a lot more useful as I can quickly mount a camera, flash, audio recorder or mic without messing around with the screw.If you want to use the Manfrotto 259B Extension, this is the wrong tripod. What you need is the Manfrotto 209B. It has a 3/8 inch stud to mount the extension. The 209B has exactly the same legs as the 709B but lacks a head. Most people install the Manfrotto 492 ball head on the  209B, creating a table top tripod strong enough to actually hold a DSLR.The only gotcha concerning the 709B are the little rubber feet on the legs. Mine all fell off after a couple years of light use, making for slippery footing. I found small rubber caps at the hardware store and squeezed them on the leg ends and they're more grippy than the originals.For only $25, the 709B is a great pocket tripod for small cameras, portable audio or flash units. A DSLR user will probably be disappointed.
As professional photographers have known for ages, using a tripod is one of the best (and incidentally cheaper) means of improving your pictures. This little Manfrotto tripod is so light that you can always pack it in your camera bag wherever you go. Due to its low height, it doesn't always give you the best perspective when you have to place it on the floor, but it will allow you to get some shots which would be impossible otherwise. I spent 3 weeks in Europe with my Pentax K100D, DA 16-45 f/4 lens, and one of these - and I am really happy that I bought it before I left. All in all, highly recommended accessory for all compact SLR and digicam users.
If you need a solidly constructed, stable mini-tripod that you can easily transport in your backpack or even a large pocket, this will do the trick.  It isn't tall by any means, but due to the ball head, it can be placed on any available flat surface and then leveled.  I purchased this before flying internationally without any checked baggage, which made a larger tripod unworkable.  It can handle my D7000 and a moderately sized lens without issue.  I would definitely purchase again.
Great mini but I've only used it once....It wont hold vertical for heavy cameras but otherwise its the best constructed mini tripod ever, although I probably would just use my shoe if the situation presented itself
My quest for a highly compact tripod to use with my Canon Powershot G9 led me to this Manfrotto unit, which is actually quite sturdy given its size. True, the legs fold out only to one position, but that gives the unit its strength despite its small size. The single lock knob tightens both the tilt and rotation of the ball and socket head - not as flexible as separate controls but certainly leading to a more compact and still strong support.I have owned the Leica compact legs and ball head for some 3 decades now - they're still available to day for somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 total - but on business trips find even it to be too large and cumbersome. So the combination of the G9 and this Manfrotto tripod is ideal. And don't think it's limited to work on table tops - I occasionally use it by bracing it against a convenient wall.
Very well built, smooth ballhead action, small enough to carry in my camera bag. The height is fixed at about 4 to 5 inches due to the design, that might be a problem for some. A bit expensive for what it does BUT it will last a very long time and it's a joy to use.
This tripod is amazing. I've planted it on many surfaces and put it through some rough scenarios. It never fails to hold up, and 1.5 years later I am happy to report that the ballhead still operates as smooth as day one. I would love a version with a built in spirit level as the one in my camera does not work very well.
There are newer versions of this tripod. I love the concept of table top tripods. You can sneak them in any place and come out with awesome photos that you would think is impossible without a tripod. This tripod always goes with my point and shoot and is not too intrusive. i have had success with many indoor photos just because of this little tool. Sometimes I use this with legs stretched to rest the camera on my shoulders to give a little better stability.
The price isn't cheap in construction or price.  However, it is rock solid.  It is very light and portable.  The only issue is that it only has one height, which is about 4&#34; above whatever you place it on.  If you understand that and just want a rock solid tripod, this is the one.
I replaced a cheap Targus type tripod with this one and I'm never going back.  This is built strong and is easy to set up.  It doesn't take a lot of torque to tighten the screw and once you do it doesn't move (unlike the cheap ones).  Buy it, you won't be disappointed.
This is NOT the tripod that works with the extension.  The ball head will not unscrew from the legs.  Unscrewing the bottom nut allows the legs to fall apart.  (Yes, I've taken it apart.)  The tripod I thought it was would have gotten the full 5 stars.
This is an excellent table top tripod and the highest quality mini tripod I have ever used and worth the price.  The mini ball head makes this super easy to use.  I highly recommend this for any photographers camera bag.  I bring it everywhere that I bring my DSLR.
This is just perfect for both video and DSLR cameras. It can handle the weight of the camera with no problem. Adjustments are simple and you can take it anywhere. It is really handy for doing photos with a remote. The wide base gives it the added stability. I really like this very versatile tripod.
build quality is top notch and you can shoot portrait if you raise it up a bit or you can get very low to the ground
If you shoot film (and more people should), this is the best film for skin.  The key is to slightly overexpose it anywhere from 1-3 stops (in shade over expose more, in sun overexpose less).  This brings out the contrast and the rich and luscious pastels that this film is famous for!
mm yummy  i like it very much  it is not toosaturated an it look like all fuji film collors  im using mostly this film mostly indoor an sometimes when shooting skater in park
Great portrait film - excellent skin tones, fine grain and subtle overall color rendition.  Gives new life to my collection of F-series Nikons.
This film made my Pentax IQZoom160 come alive and perform as well as a film based SLR.  Good for every type of shot.
I hate digital camera's! I have one, I also have a pro Nikon w/zoom lens & everything from 1992 (35mm) that I love!  It's become impossible to find 35 mm film.  I can't find it anywhere except Amazon currently.  It should not be allowed to remove 35mm film & obliterate it from existence.  There's something wonderful about a camera which takes film, something the digital's don't have. I find digital camera's annoying..& prefer to use my film Nikon whenever I can.
Whatever subject matter you shoot, you will not be disappointed with this film. It has an excellent tonality that interprets portraits well, but it is vibrant enough for landscape and photojournalism.PROS- Provides more contrast and saturation than Kodak portra- 400 speed for extreme versatility- Prints very well- Forgiving in the darkroom (so I'm told)CONS- Grain (minutely) too prominent in low-light situationsGiven the current trend of over-saturation and high contrast in digital photography, this film doesn't look out-dated, and particularly fits well with modern wedding photography. As a wedding photographer, this is a plus, although I'm not convinced that I wouldn't desaturate a little if taking this on a professional shoot. With good lighting and a decent camera, this film really shines and I would definitely recommend it for photojournalism, street photography, travel and landscape photography. If you're primarily a portrait photographer not into high contrast and color saturation...you're probably better off with Portra.
I find that if you overexpose by one stop this film turns from amazing to PERFECT! I am seriously in love with this film and we are getting married. Yup.
A great color film with excellent capabilities.  I have shot a number of rolls and I recommend it to anyone who shoots color film.
I received the film very quickly and the pictures all turned out great. I Would definitely buy this film again
Have not used any film for a decade.  I have digital cameras, and just decided to pull my SLR film camera out for some old style photo shooting...click...click...click
I use tons of these. The colors are consistently amazing. I started digital & then transitioned to film (thanks to these!)
Long ago, before SD cards, there were these boxes with plastic canisters inside.  Inside the canister was another canister (a metal canister).  Was there another canister inside that one?  No.  You are thinking of matryoshka dolls, which are beyond the scope of photography.  Inside the second canister was a filmstrip, which sticks out of the metal canister like a tail.  If you used a Nikon SLR (not digital SLR), you could take 36 shots per canister.  (That's it.  Equivalent to a 2MB SD Card.)  The filmstrip tail might slip back into the canister, at which point you must take the canister to a camera place where they take the film out of the canister.  With their computers, they were somehow able to remove the photos and print them and cut the long filmstrip into itty bitty pieces for you.  What happens to the canister(s)?  Good question.  They usually are not needed and put into a bucket.  That's when you learn that the film really was the main part.Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone who can't afford a digital camera or SD card and still has an old Nikon lying around.
I've only shot one or two rolls of this film, but I really like its characteristics. As others have mentioned, its great for portraits because of the beautiful skin tones it produces, and its not too saturated, so you don't get funky colors with this film. Instead, you get sort of pastel-looking colors, including really soft and smooth skin colors.  Don't expect to capture a really vibrant scene on this film. I also did a little macro work with this film, and I was pleased with the resulting images. Though the images don't "pop" the way some colorful macros do, I actually like the sort of subdued colors that this film produces. The grain is prominent in low-light, and this film doesn't work all that well when pushed, so just keep that in mind. Still, sometimes a little natural film grain can add to an image, so just experiment and see how you like to use this film.
I love Ilford Film even though it takes longer to develop the film than other films.. the images turn out FANTASTIC! I will recommend this film to other film photographers!
The Black and White Gradation of this film has always been superior and remains so. This still willing to use film and a variety of developing agent can have both a ball and wonderous results. The packaging of this delivery was the worst I have ever had to the extent that the box containing this roll of film was crushed open!
I love black and white photography, and this film rocks.  Nice grain.  Give it a shot, and see for yourself.
Easy to use forgiving to develop at least with D-76 at 1+3.  Fine grain when developed that way and if you are a few seconds over or under, so what?  Anyhow using this is fun when teaching the grandkids about chemistry.  Unlike the DLSR this is magic they can grasp and have to work for.
I use this in my film class and the film comes out great. They send newer products so there's no need to worry about getting old film that does not develop well. No complaints, good price too.
I found this to be a very capable black and white film with excellent grain. Images are far sharper with better saturation than I get with my digital camera set to black and white.
I normally shootDelta 3200, except when I'm shooting exclusively in the daytime (when I switch over toDelta 100.)  What do I do when I can't know ahead of time?I load up Delta 400.  When shot at its native ISO, the grain is smooth and creamy.  You have to inspect it magnified to see any noticeable difference between Delta 400 and Delta 100.  At print size, it's not really an issue.And should I need to use this film at night, I can push it to ISO 3200.  While I prefer the grain of Delta 3200 (at ISO 3200) to Delta 400 (at ISO 3200), I don't find pushing this film objectionable.  You lose the smooth grain of the film, but you get a whole new feel to the photos.Bear in mind that you must decided ahead of time whether or not you're going to push a roll of film.  You can't shoot half a roll of film at ISO 400, and then decide to shoot the rest at ISO 3200.  (Well, you could, but you'd lose the usability of the shots taken at ISO 400.)  It's a sacrifice, but one I've made on occasion.Also, pushing a roll of ISO 400 film to ISO 3200 generally costs more than developing a roll of ISO 3200 film at ISO 3200.  Still, I'd rather pay more, and get the shot, than not take the shot at all.
Not expensive equipment good starting film or for the adept photographer this is my most used film and I've been shooting for about a year
This is a great all around film, use it in my Leica M7, the grain is subtle and the contrast is low-medium which allows for a lot of latitude for working with it in post.  I tried this and HP5 400 and found the HP5 to have too much contrast, don't get me wrong, I like a lot of contrast in my B&W shots but I like more control over how much and the distribution which is why I like Delta 400 more.
For as much as I paid for it, it doesn't do what I thought it would. Although, I think I knew this buying it since I like to research before purchasing certain (technological-type) items. So, this is totally at the fault of the user. Lol. I am sure it would work nicely for &#34;close&#34; distance. Hahaha. I know, oxymoron. But, it doesn't make too much of a difference and it doesn't make the picture any more clear/crisp. But, if you do want a little more zoom then you should spend the money and get it. Just do not expect professional-type zooming. I wanted to use this for my niece's gymnastics competitions. They are often far away from where you are sitting in the bleachers or seats. But, oh well. I have yet to try macro with it so maybe that is better for extra zooming? I would just put it on &#34;P&#34; and you can zoom so much. Either way you lose clarity. So, I would save your $110 or whatever it was.
a good lens not great... but well worth the money... i had to order the adapter from japan as you cant find it in the u.s. i dont know why... the adapter is a plastic attachment that simply allows you to bayonet the lens to the camera... the lens itself is severly vignetted when installed on the camera and you must zoom to get a full screen...deduction:1 star for non-robust mounting system1 star for vignettingBUT i still give it a 4 star overall because its still a cheap way to add a decent lens to a great camera... thanks
This does a nice job of extending the telefoto for the camera.  I do like the fact that it can be taken off while swimming.  I just hope that it is as tough as the camera but we will see.
I purchased this before I went on vacation in hopes to improve the zoom on my camera and it just doesn't do the trick. It hardly enhances at all. Not worth the money and not worth even having to carry it around all day in hopes to possibly use it.
this is what the tg-1 was missing.if you have this camera buy this upgrade for it. you will really enjoy your camera more.
I thought this was going to increase my zoom capacity for the Olympus camera. Oh boy was I wrong. This lens does nothing. It gives  you a black rim or circle in the picture, not until in full zoom that rim fades.  This lens literally does nothing for this camera zoom capacity. Oh one more thing, when you buy the adapter  make sure is good quality. The one I bought was the least expensive and it was made from plastic, the fit was not secure. I felt the lens was going to drop off.
(Adapted from my review on the TG-2)I consider this lens a bit overpriced, considering that you also need a $20 adapter, which should have been built into the lens instead of the 40.5mm threads. Regardless it is small, high quality glass, and has another set of 40.5mm threads on the front for filters. I have had very satisfying results with the teleconverter, which should be most useful for shots taken from a fixed location (sports, performance, cruise) but is of course not as useful as a normal zoom lens. Because of the heavy lens vignette, the camera must use it's maximum optical zoom (4x). Thus any further zooming uses digital zoom only. Minimum zoom shots are 100% equivalent quality to the best non-teleconverter shots, but at higher magnification. From that point, further digital zoom still looks nice, but naturally collects noise. If you want a variety of shot composition options, you will have to quickly take the teleconverter off, and switch the camera mode back to normal. This is easy and quick, but not seamless, about 5 seconds.
The lens only works at max telephoto.  If you start a the closest zoom, the image is caught in a smaller circle.  I will only use this lens for items far, far away.  Not the choice I've made.
I LOVE the camera, but this zoom does not zoom enough and has to be zoomed out to avoid a pin hole look. I probably would not buy it again. The camera itself is awesome and I love playing with the &#34;magic&#34; setting.
This is a very good solution if u dont want to spend $$ for long telephoto. This can be used on Digital SLR I use it with D80 one of the reviewer has mentioned mumbo jumbo written by Tamron which they have to because this is not designed for digital camera but that doesnt mean it can not be used. AF will work but will be slow and hunt so be prepared to do manual focusing. I use it for nature and wildlife photography and has clicked decent quality pictures with my skill level. I use it with Tamron 75-300 mm and this teleconverter makes it 600mm pretty decent range for the purpose of wildlife photography. It will slow down lens by 2 f stops so u will need very low shutter speeds or pretty good light.In short it can be used effectively if you really know what you are doing and obviously something like this is difficult to use at 600 mm handheld so more often than not you will have to use tripod but when you compare the cost advantage it is a no brainer for a newbie or a hobbyist not wanting to spend too much.4 starts because it is not a perfect solution but it is not even supposed to be so read it as 5 stars if you understand the limitations of this thing.
I do like it. I don't love it because of the limitations inherent in all tele-converters. Otherwise, a good product.
Very happy with this product. It warms great with my 55mm, 200mm and 300mm lens. I use it on Nikkor lenses
I use this 2x converter with a Nikon D-50, paired with the Nikkor 55-200mm lens made for that camera series, with 52mm lens diameter. Most notable pro -- This pair gives me 400mm zoom -- a single 400mm lens would cost $1000 and up. If you are trying to go from 200-400mm on a budget, i would recommend this lens. If you are doubling a 55mm lens, I'd recommend buying better glass. Important -- 1. you must shoot with a tripod, this doubler does not work with auto focus, and you can't possibly steady yourself enough to get tack sharp image. (Probably goes without saying on a long lens). 2. Practice a lot with focus before you go on vacation or where ever. The manual focus on my camera combination requires a very, very light touch to get tack sharp, especially with the depth of field that you will lose in f-stop. Best for well lighted situations.
This device is compact and fits easily on my camera case.  Didn't have to get a new tele lens which ould have been hard to fit in my case.
Got this as an early Christmas gift.  I primarily bought it for use with my Nikkor 70-300 f/3.5-5.6 for wildlife.  It works really well if you use good long lens technique.  It is not going to work for handholding period.  Any movement is amplified twice as much as it is trying to handhold at 300mm, but thats to be expected. Anytime you deal with long focal lengths you need a really good heavy and sturdy tripod because even the littlest movement (mirror shake for instance) is amplified ten fold.Also be aware that when you use anything between your lens and and the camera you lose light from the extra lenses and distance.  You'll lose about 1-2 stops of light with this.  Once again to be expected and once again should reinforce the need for a tripod, mirror up, and a remote trigger for long shots.One more thing about use.  You are better off using Manual Focus, especially at long lengths.  Your camera will hunt longer and take more time to catch focus because of the new focal length and on some lenses will never grab focus. Its one of the disadvantages of using a Teleconverter.All that being said, if you use it within the general limits of such devices it is really nice!  I effectively boosted my zoom to 600mm without having to spend thousands on a new lens.  I haven't noticed any Chromatic aberration added to any shots.  If I was going to see it I most certainly would have when photographing the full moon.  Also no added Distortion, but it will magnify any defects in the lens by 2x just as it will the image.  Garbage in - Garbage out so keep working with your best glass.I am giving it a full 5 stars.  These devices requires some advanced technical skill to get good sharp images, but is well worth it.  The optical quality is great and the construction is better than average.  It has a nice push button release with a big thumb button so its easy to remove lenses attached to it.  It costs less than half the Nikkor equvalent does and it handles all the AF-D lenses in my arsenal as well as my AF-S lenses.  The biggest problem I had with this lens is i makes me want to go spend more money on a heavy tripod and Gimbal head! arsenal as well as my AF-S lenses.  The biggest problem I had with this lens is i makes me want to go spend more money on a heavy tripod and Gimbal head!
works very well
Was delivered as promised.  In the condition as promised.My only complaint is (this was explained in the review) If it is not bright enough light meter will not work.  Must be a bright sunny day.
I was toying with the idea of purchasing a longer zoom lens (400 - 500 mm) to use in some of my work ventures and for personal use but the outlay for a quality lens was more than I was able to handle at this time.  So I began looking at alternatives and found this teleconverter at a much better price.  I have been surprised and pleased at its performance and the quality of pictures I've gotten thus far.  I haven't used it a great deal yet (which was another factor in my decision as I didn't think I would use the long lens enough to justify the expense) so I'm still in a learning curve but so far it has been great.  I've tried it on four different lenses and each responds differently from retaining full auto operation to various manual adjustments.  When I was reading reviews some said you would have to use it manually but for me I'd say it depends on the lens you use it with (and no doubt your camera).  For me this was a great purchase.
This clearly says Nikon Mount and it was NOT COMPATIBLE.  The literature inside said compatible with Tamron only and for me this was false advertising.  After several attempts it was returned.  It does not mount to the Nikon DSL 3100.  I know Tamron lens are excellent but the buyer needs to know there is a definite compatibility issue.  I did get the lens on and all it did was click and nothing focused, would not focus in manual mode.  So I am still looking for a teleconverter lens.
When I read the instructions for this teleconverter, it indicated that it was designed only for Tamron lenses, and so I was concerned that it wouldn't work with my Nikon lenses.  However, it did. It was a tight fit, but not a problem.  The teleconverter worked as I expected it to.  With my 70-300 lens, I was able to get 600mm (with the crop factor on my camera, 900mm!).  However, when I viewed my images on my computer there was considerable fringing on the images.  I had taken shots of birds on a backyard feeder, and all around the edges of the birds and the curve of the feeder pole, which had blue sky as background, there was a dark blue edge. This is not acceptable, and for that reason I returned the product.  I have no idea if this would be more useful with a more expensive lens than I have, or with Tamron lenses.  For my use, it was not good.  Amazon's return policy has been superior.
Well I bought that knowing that i would rework each photo and use only the center of them as I suspected that the corners would be horrible in quality and definition. I knew I would have to compromise on speed and would never use that without a tripod. I also understood that the camera would not communicate with the lens with this dobler in between and that okay as I use only manual for my shoots. Therefore I was not surprise and not disappointed... It is exactly all that
I was very cautious about buying a 2x converter as I heard bad reviews about all of them, double the f stop, soft, and other nasty things that could happen to my pictures.  I am using this under $200  2x converter on an under $200 Tamron 70-300 lens.  For less than $400 I have a 600mm lens (on my Nikon D5000 dx sensor camera that equates to 900mm).  Is it as sharp as the $11,000 Nikon lens, no but for the $10,600 difference I can live with it.  One thing is a must and that is a tripod when using the 70-300mm and converter.  I have used it on my 55-200 mm kit lens from Nikon and it fairs well even without a tripod.  If you know how to adjust the F stop, ISO and Shutter speed this lens will work for you.  If not put it on automatic and it will also work.  Why five stars?  Because it costs less than $200 AND WORKS
FIrst, there is no disclaimer on the website for this -- so let me just say that there is a small pink slip inside the box that says it does not work with several lenses in AF mode, among these the important 28-75 2.8 lens that has become their most popular for Nikon full-frame cameras....BUT....it also didn't work with the 28-300 VC lens -- another very popular lens -- it made no difference in magnification at all with this lens.FInally, it is NOISY -- there is a small metal piece inside that literally jingles -- your camera bag would sound like there is something jingling inside every time you take a step.I returned this to Amazon right away, it is basically worthless.
East to use and light.  No bigger than my 50mm prime.  Used it on my 70-200 L series with a 5D Mark II and don't see much loss in image quality.  For the limited time I need such long reach it was more than worth saving the $1000 over a new lens.  Only downside is loss in f stop, but that is a known quantity with a teleconverter.  Glad I got this one and not the more pricey Canon.  Great Product.
Just got to use with Nikon D90 and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S V lens. Works well when there is enough light.Even AF works, albeit very slow, so stick to manual. Getting great results, shooting resting birds from 50-70 feet away. Image quality is excellent.
This is for the "Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter for Nikon Mount Lenses". However, I feel the review has pertinent information for canon-mount TCs too.I have attached a picture of the newly designed nikon-mount 2x TC in customer pictures above (again, I know this is page is a canon-mount product but the info applies to both types)First, I wanted to give everyone a heads-up. The pictured item for this product (as of today 5/13/11) is white with a black rubberized grip on it. However, recently Tamron changed the style of the teleconverter to be all black. I confirmed this with Tamron directly (you can too - 1-800-827-8880) and the rep said that as long as the teleconverter has a model number 300F on it that it's the correct "pro" 2x teleconverter as opposed to their lower-end 2x teleconverter.As to my experience with the product, the quality and build seems great. I've always been impressed with Tamron as an alternative to pricier lens companies. I'm using it primarily with a Tamron 18-270 PZD VC lens and the extra reach is incredible (at full tele with the D90 crop factor the lens' 35mm equivalent focal length is 820mm!!). When attached to my Nikon D90 body, however, the Vibration Compensation (VC) is a little spotty. It will work MOST of the time and stabilization efficacy doesn't seem to be affected, but on occasion the VC will just no longer activate. A very quick and easy fix for it is to just semi-detach and then reattach the lens/telconverter (don't have to fully remove) and voila the VC works again -- if only for a little while. Strange issue, but not too much of a hassle.When I contacted Tamron about the VC issue the representative informed me that it is because this teleconverter is "not compatible" with any VC lenses (at least Tamron ones), which perhaps explains the sporadic functionality. However, I usually understand "not compatible" to mean "doesn't work ever" but my experience is that the VC on my 18-270 PZD VC works just fine -- just when it's in a good mood.Overall, I'm very happy with this teleconverter. Don't expect AF to work unless you're using it with a very fast lens because it attenuates the amount of light (basically, if your lens is a f/2.8, adding this TC makes it an f/5.6). And to my knowledge the majority of AF systems don't function well or don't function at all at apertures smaller than f/5.6 (feel free to correct me in the comments). That said, AF did work under bright conditions, so again it's not that big a deal.In short, you get a lot of extra reach, but you have to give up AF and VC sometimes. But there's no free lunch in the world and unless you want to drop a few grand on a fast tele lens, this is a good alternative for ~$250. But realistically if you're expecting to hand-hold an 800mm lens then perhaps your expectations need some reconsideration ;)
A teleconverter as other reviewers have said is essentially a lens magnifier.  There is no such thing as a free lunch and that expression is very true when it comes to teleconverters including this one.  To understand the limitations you have to know how it works.When a camera focuses it uses the widest available aperture of the attached lens to establish focus with the most light possible and then at the last moment it adjusts the lens aperture to the setting of the camera.  When you add a teleconverter such as this you are loosing 2 stops of light.  e.g. a f2.8 lens will be limited to shooting at f5.6.  This means that whereas a f2.8 lens can use all of the 2.8 aperture of light to establish autofocus when the teleconverter is attached it will be limited to f5.6.  This will significantly slow down your auto focus.  Most cameras need a minimum f stop number of f8 in order to establish focus - thus the reason that teleconverters are only recommended for L series and very fast lenses.  So for example if you had a variable aperture lens say f3.5 at the short end and f5.6 at the long end and you added this teleconverter to the lens you would have a maximum aperture of 7.2 to establish auto focus if you were zoomed in.  For moving subjects this would be far to slow to be useful for a moving bird.There is an additional consideration for purchasers to be aware of though.  It is best to purchase the teleconverter from the same manufacturer as the lens you intend to use it with.  The teleconverter makes electrical contact with both the camera and the attached lens and has to be able to communicate information between them such as focal length of the lens and information for the camera to focus the lens.  If you read thoroughly the compatibility information for teleconverters including this one you typically only find guarantees for lenses from the same manufacturer.  Limitations often include the need to manually focus your lens.  Many photographers are able to practice and see past this limitation but one should be aware of it before they invest in a teleconverter.The next limitation to mention is that as a magnifier a teleconverter will magnify every imperfection of your lens.  This means #1 you need to be using a clean lens but also #2 is back to the reason why you really must be using a very sharp, L or professional grade lens.  If you have the ability to be closer - you really should remove the teleconverter and move closer - the picture quality will be much better.  Teleconverters really do diminish image quality and the 2x does more so than the 1.4x alternative.The primary uses for a teleconverter are wildlife and sports photography.  If you were to consider a night high-school football game even under the lights would be hard to photograph with one of these attached.  With a small max aperture in the range of 5.6-7.2 depending on your lens and the need to freeze fast paced action you will need to also have a fast shutter speed which leaves you needing to crank up your ISO.  Generally modern DSLRs are good at handling high ISO's but at least for me I don't like to shoot with my canon 70D higher than 800 iso due to the noise that is introduced.  Sure you can improve it in post - but I would rather not have to do that - and coupled with the reduced picture quality introduced from the teleconverter it can be a problem.Knowing all of the above I still purchased the teleconverter as a stop gap until I could buy the lens I really wanted.  I returned it after 1 day.My first impression of the lens is that it was far lighter than I expected.  I own both the tamron 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8 (which I used with this TC) and they have a very solid build and weight to them.  Based on the build of these lenses I expected a bit more heft to the TC.  That said there is no need to have the extra weight if it isn't needed.After a couple hours of shooting with the teleconveter I decided to return it.  The biggest problem for me was that I could not shoot on continuous mode - my second shot would always produce an error saying that the lens lost connection with the camera.  It is very frustrating to drive 2 hrs to sit in the cold to watch eagles diving for fish to have one heading straight at you with a fish in its talons only to have your camera loose connection with the lens.  As best as I can tell this was a defect in the teleconverter as I have not read of others having this issue.  When you add in all of the other limitations that I spoke of this is simply not a piece of gear I would recommend investing it.The one use I found where the teleconverter allowed me to take good clear pictures was perched birds at about 30-50ft in good light.  For my purposes it just isn't what I am looking to capture.If anyone has questions about this review of my experiences please let me know.
many of these teleconverters  really ruin a picture by making it dark and grainy. this one does not robe too much light and give a great close up picture. it works especially good in high light conditions.
I use this with my Nikon D600 and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D lens.  I've had my 80-200 for a few years now and it is a great lens for low light shooting and I tend to use the 80-200mm range much more than I would the 200-400mm range so that's why I decided to go with a teleconverter instead of buying an 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens.  The cost is about the same for the older version and about $1200 cheaper than the new 80-400 lens so there is real money involved.  If you primarily shoot above 200mm, then it might be worth getting the 80-400 instead and maybe getting a prime 85mm for faster needs or portraits.  I myself am debating this.So anyway, this teleconverter autofocuses just fine on my f/2.8 lens though a little sluggish.  You have to realize that you lose 2 full stops of light...that's a lot of light so you will have to bump up your ISO a little to raise the shutter speed.  Also, without VR, YOU HAVE TO USE A TRIPOD!  There is no getting around this if you want sharp pictures.  If possible, I would even suggest using a remote shutter cable because any movement is magnified many times over for distant subjects like birds.  If your shot is stable, you will get a reasonably sharp picture.  It's not perfect but then you're doubling your focal length for $225 so you can't get too choosy.Biggest annoyance is that the EXIF data is not translated so as far as the camera knows, there is no teleconverter on.Bottom line, if you accept this for what it is, it's great.  Maybe not quite as the Nikon, but then this is less than half the price, and it works with AF-D lenses.
I bought the product with the intention of using it with my Tamron 18-270 DiII lens on a D7000.  It'd only autofocus at focal lengths &lt;50mm - regardless of lighting conditions.In re the Tamron 18-280, I've had it about a year and couldn't be any happier with it.  It's been on all sorts of trips, treks, hikes, etc and was never a reason for concern in re a shot.  So it was a disappointment that the Teleconverter couldn't really work with it.In re Amazon's return policy - 5 stars.  It couldn't be any easier.
This teleconverter was given to me as a gift, and I eagerly looked forward to using it.  However, when I connected it between my Nikon D300 and my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens, absolutely nothing happened.  No auto-focus.  So I disconnected it and then reconnected and still no autofocus ability.  I then confirmed all settings and it still would not work.  So I went to manual mode, and was able to zoom in and out by hand, but when I went to take a picture, the picture was solid black--no picture came through.So if you are considering this product for a Nikon D300, you may want to pass.
How did I ever lie without this? I love it. I rarely take it off my camera now unless I'm doing portraits. I love it. Great quality! Something all photographers should have in their bag.
I've had this lens for over 2 weeks now, and have been thinking how I would rate it. I am using it in conjunction with a Tamron SP 70-300 lens, which I reviewed a few months ago, giving it a 5-star rating. I still feel the same way. It's a great lens, and I am totally satisfied with it.This Teleconverter is another matter, however. I can't say there was any deception or puffery from the manufacturer. The lens will not work with auto focus, as explained. It also requires 2 more F stops of light, as explained. The instructions that came with the lens, however, indicated that it was designed to be used only withTamron lenses. (This didn't bother me, as that's what I'm using.) The instructions also explained that &#34; ... the picture quality may be lower than that with the master lens only.&#34;Excuse me, but why invest $250 or so to get lower picture quality? The sheet which is humorously called Owner's Manual states that &#34;This device is not designed for digital use. It is not guaranteed to work when used in conjunction with digital single lens reflex cameras.&#34; Excuse me again, but with what kind of cameras would you use a teleconverter?Now, my evaluation of this lens. If you're willing to do a lot of work, it might be of value. With my 70-300 Tamron lens, I don't need a tripod, as it has VC (Vibration Control). When I aim at the moon and press the shutter button half way down, the image freezes. The AF works beautifully. The images I get of the moon are excellent.True, I get a larger image with this teleconverter, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I need to use a large, heavy tripod to hold the camera with the large, heavy lens and teleconverter. I am using a Canon Rebel T3i, and looking through the viewfinder is insufficient for focusing. So, I open the swing out LCD monitor, and push the button for Live View shooting. Getting the image of the moon this way requires a bit of patience and more than a bit of effort to get the moon's image on the LCD monitor.Then, the manual focusing. After a couple of night's effort to get a clear downloaded image, I realized I couldn't get an acceptable image in focus. So, I press the little button in the upper right corner of the back of the camera to magnify the image. Then I move the focusing ring. Touching the ring jars the camera slightly, which is another frustration.I take 3 or 4 shots, adjusting the focus each time. From there to downloading the images to my Mac, and into Photoshop Elements where I can adjust the brightness, contrast, and sharpness. Finally, I can get an image which does look pretty good, but after a lot of effort. (During all the manipulations, if a cloud floats in front of the moon, all bets are off.)Just using the 300mm lens, and using the highest quality option, I can get an image of 5184 x 3456 pixels, more than enough to crop to the center, getting a great image.Final evaluation: I'm not sure it's worth the effort to get an image which is larger, but not as sharp, especially when the larger image doesn't make any difference for shots of the moon which I can get quite easily, and of excellent quality, with my 70-300 lens. Astro photography is another matter, with great images, but the equipment is large, and the cost is in the multi-1000s.
The image quality seems to be quite good.  The auto function works on fast lenses but on slower lenses you have to use manual focus.
As with any teleconverter, image quality will suffer some. With my current equipment of the Nikon D7000 and the 70-300 4-5.6 lens, the best aperture I can get with the teleconverter is F11. There is no auto focus at those apertures with a prosumer camera. If you cannot afford the big glass and can live with an image that has to be manually focused and may be a little less sharp, a teleconverter can bring a lot of images that would never be caught without it. If you are a perfectionist who needs images to be noise free and tack sharp, save the money for the $10,000+ 500mm-600mm lenses.
I was debating between the Kenko and this one but since I have Tamron lenses and went for this one instead.  I was photographing the moon during New Year's eve with a Canon 5DII using LiveView and a Tamron 70-300vc lens (tripod, VC off, manual focusing) the picture came out surprisingly good with the exception of atmospheric haze, you can actually see the the haze distorting the image.  This converter is designated for Full Frame lenses only (EF not EF-S)
I sometimes want to reach-out-n-touch, and this is perfect with my Sigma manual 400mm f/5.6 (1970s all manual lens), or my Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6. In both cases I can compensate for the light loss, but there is no replacing sharpness.Cheaper multiplying or magnifying options are pretty soft, but this has retained good sharpness with my best lenses.
Although the manual says it's only for Tamron lenses, works with my Nikon Lens... Ok, here's the straight dope: Slow focusing! In many cases, you will need to switch to manual focus because of the drop in f-stop. Remember, you lose 2 f-stops with this converter. What else can I say... Simple to use. You'll probably need to use a tripod when using this teleconverter with anything over 150mm. Well made. Seems to have quality glass. In the end, all I can say is it's not a $10,000 lens so don't expect perfection. However for an amateur or serious hobbyist and even semi-pro and for some pros, it'll fit the bill.
A teleconverter is basically just a high quality concave lens that spreads the image wider, the sensor thus sees the center of this spreading.  It is sort of like cropping and enlarging right in the camera.  The result, in this case, is a doubling of the effective focal length -- a 200mm lens becomes a 400mm lens -- but you also lose 2 f-stops of light.  F2.8 becomes f5.6.I purchased this Tamron 2x teleconverter to augment Tamron's 70-200mm f2.8 telephoto zoom (hereafter called T70) on a Nikon D700 body.  The combination then becomes a 140-400 f5.6 lens.  The T70 and this converter cost together around a thousand dollars; but the Nikkor 200-400 f4 (the next thing better) is $6,000 and you get only one f-stop more light at six times the cost.The good news is that it works.I've tried three lenses on it so far.  (1) The T70; (2) a Nikkor 28-300mm VR; (3) and a cheap 500mm "long lens".  All three work well.  There's not really much point in using a superzoomThe teleconverter includes a screw-focusing passthrough for your old lenses that are focused by a motor in the camera body, aperture stopdown ring and CPU coupling contacts.  As always, make sure you have turned off your camera before adding or removing these things.  If you do it anyway, you can remove the camera battery for a minute or so and that might reset everything.  It did for me anyway.Picture quality is better than expected, I would say excellent.  No discernable chromatic abberation even at 200x previewing in Photoshop.  Just a hint of spherical abberation.  It doubles any defects in the lens attached to it so start with a  good lens.Autofocus -- In theory, yes, in practice it depends on the lens you use it with.  The T70 already "hunts" a bit too much and the teleconverter merely increases its tendency to "overshoot".  The 28-300 didn't autofocus worth a hoot but at f5.6 to start with, f11 effectively when doubled, that's not to wonder.  Just put it in manual.The front lens element mount is recessed 7/16 inch, or 11 millimeters, below the lens attachment mounting plate.  Your lenses that project more than this beyond the mounting plate won't fit.It is solidly constructed but relatively lightweight.Altogether I am very pleased with it.
This lens will not autofocus under any circumstance at all.  I returned it thinking it wasn't working properly.  I knew that it wouldn't autofocus in dim light situations, but from what i had read bright light situations should have been ok.  I was buying it to use on my Canon Rebel T3i.  I have 2 Tamron lenses, both brand new to use it with.The camera store that shipped the order for Amazon called me and explained that the teleconverter adds to f stops the the lens you are adding this to. I was told this teleconverter would never autofocus on any lens in any condition ever.  I had tried different settings, in different lighting situations and found that it would not autofocus ever.This information isn't mentioned anywhere on the Tamron website. It isn't mentioned in any reviews anywhere.
I purchased this Canon mount Tamron 2x teleconverter assuming I could use any Canon designated lens, but I found out after I tried it on my camera that was not the case. After reading the instructions it only works with Tamron lenses, but since I have three Tamron and two Canon lenses I decided to keep it. Using my Tamron lenses I have taken some awesome pictures but wish that I could it with my Canon lenses.
Had to return it.  It degraded the quality of my images too much.  I typically love Tamron products, but even good tele-extenders are a compromise and this one... more than I was willing to accept.  Pity.
I have been looking for a reasonably priced teleconverter for a while.  Although the photo was different than what I received it did not affect the function of the product.  I have used this with a 70 to 300mm nikon lens on my D90 and it produces clear, sharp photos at the 70mm end with a little grain at the 300mm end.  You lose two stops when you add this teleconverter so lots of light is necessary.  For the price it is a real bargain.  Quality is typical of modern lenses.
Much easier to shoot on mono/tri. The IQ etc are fine.Shooting on a 7D body with both Tamron's newer f2.8 VC/USM.
I'm using this 2X teleconverter with a Nikon D-50 and a Tammron 100-400mmlens. Its been fantastic. I'm hanholding the Camera mainly for Birding Phoptography and could not be more pleased.
Teleconverter does what it says it should do.  Best if used with a tripod.Would recommend to amateur or hobby photographer.
I couldn't wait to get this thinking I would save some dough by not having to purchase a high dollar telephoto lens. It is quality built and it does work BUT... It does not work well on my Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6 (kit lens). It "hunts" for focus constantly and never finds it. After reading the enclosed pamphlet, it states that this item is not designed for use on DSLR's. I never saw that in any product descriptions. It will work with manual focus but so far I have not been impressed with the picture quality. I'm glad I didn't pay full price. I will hold on to it until I can try it on a faster lens. Hopefully, I didn't just throw away my money.
I purchased this to use on a trip to Yellowstone park to use with my Tamron f2.8 70-200 and it works great. Auto focus and aperture reading both work great. Does loose just a very small amount of clarity but I am very very pleased. On my 60D I get around a  200-600mm f5.6 and a 140-400mm f5.6 on my  6D. I will most likely leave this lens and teleconverter mounted to my 60D for this trip to use for wildlife opportunities and to take advantage of the 600mm potential . Note My wife purchased for her Nikon D7000 and Nikon f2.8 70-200 and it did not work at all. Sent it back an had to buy the Nikon teleconverter for twice the money. It worked great also. But again at twice the price.
I bought this 2x Teleconverter for use with my Canon 80-200 f2.8L &#34;Magic Drainpipe&#34; the first one I received did not stop the lens after I locked it in place and forced two of the last three raised pins down. I was able to get one of them back up, but lost autofocus ability, so I returned the product. Amazon was prompt and sent me a new one before I had even returned the old one.Now for the actual product review. With the teleconverter attached my lens turns into a 160-400mm 5.6 beast. Shooting with a 6d the camera performed well in low light situations, it only fell short when I switched to AI Servo mode for shooting sports.Keep in mind, most lenses will lose autofocus at f8 ot f10 so if you buy this for a f4 to f5.6 or higher lens you'll have some issues there.
I realize now that I probably would have been fine with the non-PRO version of the teleconverter -- I'm not certain whether the differences between the PRO and standard actually justify the extra cost (unless you use Canon L lenses perhaps). But that is neither here nor there.The Tamron SP Autofocus 2x Pro Teleconverter doubles your lens' focal length and adds two f-stops (meaning you'll be getting 1/4 the light with the teleconverter). This is the same for all 2X teleconverters. The addition 2 f-stops will make it difficult to use autofocus unless you have a fast lens and lots of light to work with. You'll also want to use the teleconverter with a long telephoto lens.The Tamron SP Autofocus 2x Pro Teleconverter works as advertised with 35mm and digital cameras. I've had no problems using a Tamron 70-300mm lens with this teleconverter on a Rebel XT aside from the expected auto-focus issues. There are a few issues I noticed though beyond the typical problems found with any 2X teleconverter:(1) The teleconverter causes autofocus to misbehave with some lenses. The only lens I've ever had this happen with is a Sigma High Speed 28-70mm f2.8-4 zoom. It wasn't just that the autofocus couldn't achieve a lock but seemed to be more of an incompatibility issue with the lens focusing in and out nonstop.(2) The Canon Rebel XT kit lens - and probably all EF-S lenses - will not phyically FIT into this teleconverter. The EOS digital-only EF-S mount lenses won't physically fit in standard 35mm cameras either so this isn't a total surprise.(3) Using this teleconverter with a non-auto-focus manual-only lens (or a telescope) will stop the shutter release button from functioning. I understand this is a fairly common problem with teleconverters. The solution is, when attaching the teleconverter to the camera, to avoid rotating the teleconverter completely so that it does not lock in place. This ensures that the camera and teleconverter electrical contacts are not engaged.I find the Tamron SP Autofocus 2x Pro Teleconverter quite useful though perhaps a bit overpriced for those of us without premium lenses.
I have a Canon Rebel T2i.  Love the camera.  It came with Canon EFS 55-250mm and EFS 18-55 lenses.  I purchased a Tamron AF 200-500mm lens I also love.  So, I purchased this Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter for Canon Mount Lenses.  It works with the Tamron lens I just mentioned. It does NOT work with the two Canon lenses I mentioned as it appears that the Canon lenses are too deep to mount into this teleconverter.  But I'm MOST interested in exploiting the 200-500m Tamron lens it does with anyhow.  I just wish it worked with ALL three lenses.
The item worked with my Canon lenses but I wasn't able to get any clear pictures.  The view finder was fuzzy and hard to get a clear focus on anything, maybe one out of every ten pictures would just be acceptable but not really what I wanted.  I was hoping this would be a cheap fix so I could avoid buying a more expensive lens but now I know; to get the pictures I want I'll have to not go cheap.  I tried the item with a Canon T3i and a Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM lensI gave it two stars because I think if you&#8217;re not picky about your photos you may want to give it a try.
I put this on a 135 f/2L lens on a full-frame Canon, and the result is pretty mediocre.  There is a huge amount of vignetting, even stopped down to f/8.  Looks like the vignetting might not show up much at f/8 if cropped to match a smaller sensor.  Exposure is off by 1.5ev or so, and images have a soft look with a fair amount of chromic aberration.In the box was a little warning from Tamron that says "This teleconverter is not designed for digital use."
I am very pleased with the teleconverter. I believe the ad was a bit mis-leading in that it called out a 700 item number and a 300F arrived, twice actually. After looking on the web I do not believe there is a difference in the two lens. Yes it does not have the clarity that one would hope for, it is much better then I thought it would be. I can use it on my 70 to 300mm Tamron lens and hand hold the camera and the pictures turn out great. Not as good as the 300 mm lens itself, but really not bad at all. Much less expensive then going with a 300 to 500mm lens. Since it will never be the primary way I shot pictures it is a great tool for the occasional time I will use it. The autofocus does work but not all the time, but expected that. I would recommend this lens to anyone...
This is an exceptionally good lens from Tamron. I have the Canon 17-35L and I do think it is a little better; more punchy in the way Canons are, though the Tamron really holds its own and has a special x factor that makes this a valuable tool in your camera bag. It has nice color and contrast and a tolerably little amount of distortion. The 17-35 is sharp, resolves detail nicely, and is built rather well. Tamron should have continued with production of this lens as it is still sought after today; although it is variable apterture and slower than a continuous 2.8, the fact it has 2.8 at this price point and quality makes it a winner. I'd give it four and a half stars, but since Amazon won't facilitate that, I'm erring on the side of the lens with 5. This is a FX lens and that is a great asset if you switch between crop sensor and full frame, or you think you may upgrade to full frame eventually. As camera bodies and lenses have come and gone, I continue to value the lenses most that are full frame/work on all sensors.
On a 1.6x crop factor camera like the Canon 350D/20D, the effective area of this lens is equivalent to a 27-56mm lens on a old school film-based SLR camera.  As I come from a background of extensive 50mm lens use, I find this to be my most common working range (and I have four other excellent lenses in my bag to choose from).My reason for purchase was to replace the pathetic kit lens that comes with the 350D. The Tamron is a much faster lens at f/2.8-4, and as it is designed for full-frame SLR use, the photos you'll get on a 1.6x crop factor camera are outstanding.  The edges are sharp and just as bright as the center. In fact, the images produced with this lens are so sharp that you'll find yourself reducing the in-camera sharpening for portraiture.  Additionally, my photos show great contrast and need very little--if any--post processing.I do have a few complaints about this lens.  First, the lens hood's diameter is enormous (over 4"), and I wish there were a smaller hood for 1.6x crop factor camera use.  Second, like all Tamron lenses that I have encountered, the manual focus ring moves during autofocus.  Third, the focus should be faster and much quieter.  However, in light of all the positive aspects going for this lens these are minor issues.Reviewers on other websites have given this lens outstanding marks, and it was only after careful research that I decided on purchasing it.  I was then off to Thailand where this lens truly proved its worth.
I am using this lens on a Pentax K10D and have been extremely impressed.  I'd recommend that someone looking at a Canon body with a kit lens to consider this instead of the kit lens.  It is a much better lens, with a better warranty.  The advice I'm passing on is that instead of blowing your lens budget on the kit lens and another lens, spend the extra money for this one lens.  It's well worth it.
I am using this lens on a Canon 50D, which has the smaller sensor and, therefore, the 1.6x crop factor.  Nevertheless, this lens is very useful: sharp where you want it, but at f/2.8 you get a nice shallow depth of field (perfect for portraits!)  To see a picture taken with this lens, go to: [&#8230;]I love this lens and am very glad I bought it.
This is about the same range of the Canon 17-40mm F/4L lens and offer equivalent and sometimes superior optical quality and it's F/2.8 at the wide end. The lens is super sharp and very contrasty, with fast auto-focusing and a good feel on the focusing ring. The best part is this fast and optical superb lens is about half of price of the Canon 17-40mm lens. A true steal. Can't say enough good things about it. I am posting some sample pictures to show how good the image quality is, too bad the image size can't be bigger because the sharpness from this lens is truly amazing.
Very sharp, sharper than I had expected. The build quality is decent while size remains fairly small. I also like the fast 2.8 which beats the canon's 17-40mm. And it is very cheap!Vignetting is obvious on full frame bodies, especially with a filter screwed on, but most of this type of lenses are like that.
I was on a tight budget to get a single lens (for indoor/outdoor people & group shots and few landscape shots) and chose this based on reviews. This lens produces sharp pictures outside and in good lighting conditions (non-flash situations). However, it does leave something to be desired for low-light hand held indoor shots of people. I am looking into getting the Canon 28mm f/1.8 USM to fill that gap (I would have loved to get the canon 50mm f/1.4, but on a 1.6x camera it is 80mm which is not very useful for me). It does produce soft corners in wide angles. I also had a lot of focus issues when I used a UV filter with this lens. A good lens hood (the one supplied with the lens is useless) is needed to remove flare.Update 12/20/2007 - I have since swapped this lens for the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 DC fixed aperture lens and the pictures are stunningly sharp compared to this lens, particularly in indoor low-light situations. Sharp in center and corners at f/2.8 itself with no need to step down at all. At about 150$ more, its definitely worth plunking more for the 17-50  f/2.8 over this lens for CROP CAMERAS (17-50 is a DC lens and will cause vignetting in FF cameras).
Wide angle lenses have got to be the love-hate lens in any high end camera collection. You are always giving up something. Zooms especially engender frustration as they are least able to tease away the annoying reality of wide angle problems.Except in a very high end models, the sensors don't see the full 1:1 range, so any lens tends to be somewhat telephoto (zoomed in).  So now a wide angle lens , zoomed in a bit by that geometry, may stand in to serve as a more standard viewing lens to offset that inherent zoom (from the digital sensor). In that case, variable zooming sure would be nice to have  - but not if wide angle optical problems come with it.So go totally broke (a lens over $1500) or put up with some form of nasty edge lighting problems, distortion, color shift etc. One brand of wide angle - a well known brand - has a great potential version with great sounding specs, but gets it right on maybe half (huge problem with bad manufacture). Nope. Crap shoot.This brand's version, Tamron, is rock solid, inexpensive for the level of image quality, and can serve as the default lens to leave on your digital SLR. It's that good. Whatever they did to make this lens, you are not aware of seeing "wide angleness" when viewing the images.And yes you could go wider in angle with other choices, maybe buy the Russian fisheye for really extreme purposes. That's not an alternative for this lens, especially on a 1.6 conversion as with most digital backs. The one reviewed here, got a good work out on a  Canon Rebel, given as a gift to a professional photographer whose images with it are just wonderful.Now I want one for me.
I had just received this lens the other day from Amazon.com and immediately attached it to my Canon XSi and was suprised at the sharpness of this lens compaired to the two canon Lenses I have. I took a few pictures in our back yard and at Herrick Lake, (see some of my Photos). Again I was just amazed how sharp this lens is. I noticed the Pics. were sharpest closed down to about F5.6. The lens feels solid and the focus is fast and quiet.the other lens I had in mind before purchasing this one was the Canon 17-40mm USM wide angle but at 200 bucks more and some bad reviews I read I picked the Tamron 17-35mm Lens and was happy I did.A 1.6 crop factor makes it a nice carry around Lens. I leave it attached to my XSi. For a fine quality lens at a moderate price, pick one up for about 300 bucks. This lens also has a 6 year warranty which is great if the focus motor should ever go out.Viewing the images on Amazon are in rather low resolution but some of the close ups can give you a good Idea of the quality of this lens.
I have done a full review along with images and comparison to the Canon 16-35mm 2.8 L II.[...]I have put together a lens comparison test of the Canon 16 - 35 L II and the Tamron 17 -  35 2.8 - 4.0.  I was in the market for quite a while looking for a lens which would satisfy this zoom range.  I initially tried the Canon 17 - 40 L but I just was not happy with the sharpness nor the maximum aperture of 4.0.  I finally bit the bullet and dished out the $1350 for the Canon 16 -35mm L II.  It was suppose to be the best in its class and the price reflected this.I received the lens and was very disappointed at the image quality and sharpness... especially at the corners.  I know that finding a wide angle zoom that performs is a challenge, but I had dished out a bunch of money and was expecting more.  I contemplated just keeping the lens, figuring it was as good as it got.  I did notice in my research that the Tamron 17 - 35mm 2.8 - 4.0 had gotten few but good reviews.  I had the opportunity to buy and return the lens within 30 days so I decided to buy it and do a lens comparison between the two lenses to see whether the extra $1,000 was worth it (the Tamron was selling for $350 vs the Canon selling for $1,350).Needless to say I was very surprised by the results.  The Tamron is very close and may even surpass  the Canon in terms of sharpness when shot wide open - especially at 35mm in which case, the Tamron definitely surpasses the Canon.  I had a hard time actually accepting my own test.  I really wanted to love the Canon. This was one of the first times I had done a lens comparison with a Canon L lens and a third party lens.  The price difference between the two was so dramatic, that I assumed the image quality would be as well.  To be honest, I was shocked.  Needless to say I returned the Canon 16-35mm 2.8 L II and kept the Tamron 17-35mm 2.8-4.0.  The only advantage of the Canon was the AF speed.  It was moderately faster ... Not that the Tamron is slow, but the Canon is super fast.  Being a professional photographer, I often rely on fast AF, but when it comes to this zoom range, it isn't as important... not to mention, not worth $1,000 over and beyond.Although I am a Canon enthusiast, I never let that get in the way... the best zoom in this range as far as I know (untested personally) would be the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens.  Although the IQ could be a tad better (at 17mm) I give this lens a 5 star rating for price/performance.I hope you have found this lens test informative.
Exactly what I was looking for for my new Canon EOS 40D (also an Amazon buy). I own two other Tamron AF lenses. Tremendously pleased with Tamron's quality, warranty and service (the one time I had to use them, and it was my fault, and they charged NOTHING to repair it).I comparison shop a lot, for items like these. Amazon's hard to beat in terms of price and trust! That's why I keep coming back.UPDATE: I'm aware this lens is no longer available on Amazon, and may never be again, but should you be interested and run across this lens anywhere else, grab it. It's something of a "classic" for Tamron, among those fortunate enough to own one. It's been two years for me and this is one of my most favorite and versatile lenses -- at any price point.It's great for long shots, of course, and the optics are everything others have noted: spectacular! But I also love it for many portraits. As others mention, there is something about this lens that gives a distinctive look without screaming "wide angle."
I've owned this lens since 2007 and works flawlessly.  While on my cropped sensor at 27mm is great for landscapes, I find myself wanting something a little wider in different scenario.  But with that said I still love this lens and don't regret paying $500 new.  This was one of the lens recommended by a pro who was also recommend by another pro.  Non-Canon brand like Tamron and others do produce great lens at a great price.The manual focus ring is smooth and the motor is very quiet.  I haven't really found much con's with this lens and probably explains why it has a great re-sale value.  If you can find an excellent used condition then pick one up yourself!  You won't regret it.
I received this lens for Christmas(was asked what I wanted and I said this lens) and so far the image quality is outstanding.  I know this lens is a little bit older than say the Tamron 17-50 and several other Canon lenses that I checked out (including the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) that, like this lens are made more for the DSLRs, but this one won out due to the great reviews that I've read that say that the optics in this lens compare with the L Series Canon lenses and after vewing the results I can see why.  With a f/2.8 it's an extrememly fast zoom lens especially in low-light situations.  The price.... roughly $290.00 is terrific for a lens of this quality.  My advise .... don't hesitate buying this lens!
I bought the Tamron 17-35 for my Canon 20D, to compliment the Tamron 28-75 XR DI which I liked a lot.The 17-35 range is definitely wide angle, and not much use beyond that.  The lens is great for indoors shooting, and outdoor shots where you want to get in close with your subject or your looking for some wide panoramas.Right out of the box, I started taking shots that seem reminiscent of some National Geographic indoor/people shots. Tthis lens will give you shots and a perspective that only professionals have the luxury of.The lens is definitely sharp with good contrast. It's nice to have F2.8 at 17mm.  Very interesting to watch the max aperture change to F4 in what seems to be a fairly short zoom range.The lens surface is somewhat bulbous and almost sticks out as far as the edge of the lens, which makes me wonder if it will be easy to get scratched.  Somehow a UV filter doesn't seem like the answer.I haven't had a problem with flare but then I know how to steer backlit shots.Build quality is very good, up to the usual Tamron high standards.For some reason I rated the lens at 4 stars, whereas I rated the Tamron 28-75 at 5 stars (see my other reviews).I'm not sure why I rated the lens lower than the 28-75, but maybe it just speaks to the usefulness of the lens.The 17-35 is not the lens your likely to have attached to your camera most of the time.  Certainly a 28-75 is more practical.But, for the price, it is definitely a lens that can have its applications, and separate some of your shots from the rest of the crowd.I would recommend this lens as a wide angle, for sure.  Given the price and build quality, its a very good value.
WOW! The quality of my photos just went way up. I needed a good wide angle lens and instead I got an awesome ultra-wide angle lens. This lens is fast, quiet, and produces sharp images. I use it on mu XSi to produce some poster-sized prints. One can tell that the lens construction is very good, but not so heavy that you have use a tripod. It takes a 77mm filter, so it is big, but not bulky. I just can't say enough good things about this lens...apparently others can't either. Get one while the price is low. Retail on this lens is over $800...I got mine for $300 and I am very pleased.
I bought the Tamron used as a temporary measure during a cash-poor period of my life, when I needed a wide angle zoom for a photo assignment.  I intended to keep it only until I could afford a Nikon lens, but after using it for awhile, didn't see any reason to switch.I only have one data point, and can't speak for consistency or build quality, but I've had remarkable results with this lens.  I shoot real estate photos (interior and exterior shot) and have found this lens to be remarkably sharp.  When the Nikon 16-35 VRII came out, I rented one thinking I would switch, but with careful side-by-side testing at several focal lengths, I found that the Tamron was sharper.  Maybe I got a bad copy of the Nikon lens -- again, I only have one data point -- but from what I've seen, I'd take the Tamron any day.  It is one hell of a value.Adobe Lightroom has a lens correction profile specifically for this lens that works extremely well.  The lens doesn't distort a lot even at 17mm.  The Lightroom profile corrects what's left.I have some high-end Nikon lenses, and I don't try to fool myself that cheap lenses are "just as good", but I also don't try to fool myself that mere expense always buys your quality.  In some cases (the Nikon 85mm f1.4, for instance) there's no substitute for the real thing, but in other cases, a third-party lens can provide exceptional value.  The Tamron 17-35 is a good example of the latter.
Bought this lens for my Nikon D50 camera. Coupled with circular polirizing filter and great blue skies (with a dash of clouds) this lens can capture amazing shots. I won't bother you with all the tech details - you can read that on the product description page. This lens needs good light - by that I mean good amount of natural light or an assist from your add-on flash. My camera's built-in flash is barely adequate to capture the wide-angled shots. Under good lighting conditions even the basic jpg shots show vertually no pixelation noise. I've kept it mounted on my camera ever since I bought it. Sharp, fast and light-weight - that's enough to make me happy. Very satisfied. Thank you Tamron for yet another great lens.
I bought this for my N65 35mm film camera and had a lot of fun with it.  Now that I have a D90 (APS-C) I almost never use it, the DX frame essential puts this in a not very useful range for me.  That said, I'm about to upgrade to a D610 and this will come back out of the closet.  Relatively fast lens for a great price.  Can't wait to put it to use again.
The appearance and construction seems very high quality. Finish, feel and texture is excellent - far more superior than some of the Nikon branded ones at this price range.Has slight trouble focusing in low light but this problem isn't exactly unique to this lens.Very, very good picture quality. Wide angle at f/2.8 at this price range with this quality and performance level is very, very rare. I was pleasantly surprised.The lens body lacks enough gripping area for mounting or removing -you'll always end up turning something while trying to get a grip. Otherwise, this is an awesome bang for the buck.
I have recently expanded my lens package to include this beauty from Tamron, which is the only wide angle lens that I'm carrying in my kit right now.My penchant is landscape & architecture pictures, and this lens never disappoints in either of those two arenas.  Now - having said that - I must also admit that I've wandered around Walt Disney World for days at a time keeping ONLY this lens on my camera and taking portraits, interior pictures of rides, and architecture shots, all the while getting great shots.The focusing mechanism is smooth and works well for my needs.  I've noticed precious little if any distortion, even on the far edges of my images, and although this is rated a f/2.8 - 4.0, I have to wonder if it doesn't outdo that just a bit - it performs spectacularly well in dark conditions; I've been very pleased with the images I've captured, even in less than stellar light.  Daytime images are equally spectacular.See a sample image taken with this lens here: [...]I'm very pleased with this lens, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a wide angle lens.NOTE: I use this in conjunction with a Nikon D90, I have also used it on a Nikon D70 with similar results.
I use with my Nikon d200 and the lense is wonderful.  worth every penny
This lens is so much fun and it's really fast too.
I bought this lens for use indoors at family gatherings and for scenery.  I knew this was a fast lens (f/2.8) but was surprised at the physical size of it.  I was also amazed at the filter size it required as well.  Anyway, I gave the lens to my son (we both shoot with Nikon D50s) and he LOVES this lens.  He has taken hundreds of images with it and the ones I have seen are GREAT. Sharp and clear.  I should mention that I went with the Sigma 18-50mm because it was physically smaller, utilizes the 58mm filter size available in my camera bag, and cost about $200 less.
Bought this lens from Amazon for a 35mm film SLR (Canon EOS 7NE) and it isthe best lens I had so far.Color & sharpness are unbelievable!The only drawback is a very minor barrel distortion.
I bought this lens for my needs to get wide angle shots as most lenses ristrict you to a very short angle. It does the job but I m not very happy with the sharpness the more you go away from subject the more blurry picture you will get. I tried different locations and differnt options but nothing works.its a good lens if you are only working in outdoors but for indoor although it says its F2.8 but the quality of pictures will not be worth the price.
For film cameras, 17-35mm has become the most versatile "very wide angle" zoom range. With digital bodies this focal range translates to ca. 25-52mm, what makes this lens a "wide to standard" zoom. Because the lens is calculated for full 35mm size frame, vignetting is not a problem. Most of full frame lenses are in their best sugar spot, when used on DX sized digital sensors, and this Tamron is not an exception.The lens is not f2.8 in its entire range, but seemingly Tamron chose to design it this way as a compromise toward making it small and light. Compare this lens to the Nikkor 17-35 f2.8 AFS, both in terms of weight, and also in terms of its very attractive price. Of course, for some users all this plastic is just "too cheap" and is not an acceptable option. Personally I vote rather for less grams/pounds, if optical valors are comparable.The lens seems to be quite sharp, and tests confirm its excellent resolution. Mine has only very little distortions, however I saw exemplars of this lens exhibiting visibly more barrel distortions! Probably the manufacturing tolerances are not tight enough...Front element does not rotate with focusing, but the focusing ring rotates and thus the lens does not support the automatic AF/MF overwrite, like in a AFS Nikkor or in a usual Canon EF lens.The hood is a total loss. It simply reflects too much light on its internal side. Tamron should really coat their hoods for better light absorption, like others do! Fortunately, this lens seem to control flare quite well. I tend to shade the lens with a hand anyway.Considering the very attractive price, resolution and weight, this is a good product, great value for the money. If you do not like plastic like that, consider than the need to spend $1200 for the genuine Nikkor alternative, and maybe than the plastic will not appear that bad after all.My generic problem with all Di XP Tamron lenses is however their lack of good grip to perform quick lens exchange. When changing this lens, you will end up turning both focusing and zooming rings to some degree, sometimes to a lot of degree... I wish that Tamron would have made the both rings a bit shorter, and provided good grip in the middle to turn the lens reliably into and out of the mount.
I've often read the great reviews Tamron lenses get in magazines and have often thought of buying one, but always ended up going for a cheaper option.  Finally, I decided to buy this.  Was it worth the little extra?  The answer is a resounding YES.  The lens feels much better built and the results are far superior.  The photographs are as sharp as they could possibly be and the colour saturaton is amazing.  The lens covers 17-35mm which is great for covering the wide angle/standard range.  Anyone who buys this is in for a treat.
Since I am not super-professional making money from taking pictures, I was looking for a reasonably priced wide angle lens for my Nikon D700 camera.  This Tamron lens is exactly what I needed.  It focuses very fast and I take great quality pictures with it.NOTE!!! If you use the same (or similar in functionality) camera as I do (D700), don't forget to move the lens's aperture ring to the locked position! Otherwise you will get an error message on your camera.  With the locked ring on the lens you control the lens's aperture by the CAMERA dial (in manual M or A modes).  Another word, the aperture ring should stay at locked (at 22) in any mode, but the actual aperture will depend on the camera setting.
Keeps our SD20 dry and clean for a day at the beach. The only con is that it is only rated for 10ft. I wish it was good till about 30ft. so I could snorkel with it (I usually dive around 20-40ft. when snorkeling which would cause this case to leak).
This is a must have for snorkeling, sea kayaking or any water sports.  You can access pretty much all the buttons.  Ours worked like a charm!
This unit really does allow you to take pictures underwater with no risk to damaging the camera. However, like anything else, you have to take care of it and make sure you don't scratch the lens.It's already outdated too, since there are far better cameras out on the market now and this case is specifically designed only for SD10 and SD20 Cannon cameras. It's too bad!
Be sure and test it first before you use in underwater with your camera. Mine hasn't leaked yet and has survived snowboarding in 24 degree weather. Changing modes is hard but a couple of trys and you should get it. This seems to be a strong case. Just wish it wasn't so expensive.Also it will fog so load camera in an air conditioned setting and put some anti fog stuff like catcrap on the inside of lense.
I bought this for my daughter to use on our vacation to Myrtle Beach.  At first she wasn't so excited about it, but she soon changed her mind after using the first time. We have so many wonderful shots of my daughter and her cousin awaiting the waves to overpower them.  They are our favorite vacation pictures and they would not have  been possible without this case.  I think it is a wonderful product and would not hesitate to recommend it.
It took just the right search terms to find these things- I couldn't imagine nobody had created this, but it took me a while to find them.  They are exactly what I wanted- neoprene and small.  One holds my backup SD card- I always worry that I will leave my SD card in the computer and run out the door without one, so have been wanting this to keep one permanently in there.  I can get the SD card in its case AND my 46mm lens cap in one, and I can get the backup battery for my PEN digital camera in the other.  I sort of disagree with the gentleman who thinks the opening should face out- the flap is easy to reach and will keep something from accidentally pulling up the flap and you losing something.  So I personally think the flap facing in is a good thing.The worst thing about these is that you have to unthread and rethread the camera strap.  Arrrggghh- that is always difficult for me.  But you def want them on there that way so they don't fall off.I no longer have to worry about taking my bag or leaving the two most essential backup items for my camera.
First of all, I disagree with the reviewer who panned these because the flap closes inward. That is exactly as it should be to prevent it from snagging and being opened unintentionally. Access is very easy and any slowdown due to this configuration would have to be measured in milliseconds.I replaced the strap that came with my Nikon D5100 with a heftier one that is 1.5 inches wide. These pouches fit fine, but it did take some effort to maneuver the buckle through it. The D5100 remote came with its own chintzy sleeve, so I'm using one of these for SD cards and the other for the remote. I decided to also order the battery version of this pouchOP/TECH USA 4701202 Battery Holster - Blackto keep a spare in. The D5100 battery measures 2" x 1.5" x 0.5" and fits comfortably, though snugly in these media pouches, so I wouldn't get them for anything larger. Since the battery version of this pouch sells for the same price, but only as a single pack, I assumed that it's probably somewhat larger, so I ordered it. Not so. The "media" and "battery" versions are 100% identical, except that the latter is renamed and sells for twice the price.So if you need anything larger than the media pouches, forget the battery version and look elsewhere. I recommend these, but don't be duped into buying the others at double the price. 5-stars minus one for deceptively marketing the other option.
But since they went to China to be made somehow they made it 50% bigger POOR THINKING!!! Go back to the older and smaller pouch!!!
I just received my media holsters, they match ideally what I was looking for.The purchased pouches physically measure 3" x 2-3/8" x 1".  They are well made of single-stitch neoprene.  The entire backside of the pouch is pile velcro.  There is a loop on the back/velcro side for attachment to camera slings or even belts. The loop is hook velcroed on inner surface.  Since it is velcroed, any portion of the loop that is not taken up by a strap can be velcroed down to customize the loop to the size strap.It will fit any sling or belt, as I tried it on a 1.75" belt and it fit.  So if it can fit that, any camera or camera bag sling will be no problem.There is a small flap that offers good retention.  It folds over opposite to what people are used to as the flap secures to the velcro BACK of the pouch.  This may not be handy and pose awkward fumbling for some people but I have had no problem.There is sufficient room in the pouch interior for several media cards and their sleeves or small batteries.  And since the material is neoprene, there is some stretch capability.  I have tested the full storage capacity and I was able to jam the pouch to a thickness of 1 inch and still was able to close the flap.  This was done for testing purposes only, that many objects in the pouch would be too unwieldy to manage.Even if you opt not to sling attach it, this little pouch can handily be tossed into a camera bag accessory pouch.I am aware that this pouch is not for everyone.  Any buyer should make an individual decision whether they want or need such an item.  For those who do, you will not be disappointed in your purchase.
Function of these holders are good. I use them for SD cards and batteries on my Optech sling. I have learned to trust their security as long as you carefully seal the velcro under the strap so it cannot be pulled out inadvertently. They can be a little unwieldy hanging on the strap, but if you don't want cards or batteries in your pocket or in a camera case they work fine.
I put two of these on my camera strap. One holds an extra battery (charged), and the other holds an extra memory card. They are always available. And the pouches sit tight on the strap and will not be easily lost.
Needed this to hold a couple extra memory chips.  Couple minutes to slide onto my strap, and off I go.  Yes, the flap is tucked in toward the strap, but, by design, will not open by accident.  Very satisfied.
Last weekend, once again, I got all the way out into the field and discovered the dreaded &#34;no card in camera&#34; message.  I thought about it and decided someone MUST HAVE come up with something to deal with this.Sure enough I saw these great little holsters, read the reviews and it seemed like they would be perfect!  I liked that they were small enough to attach to the camera strap and I LOVED that the little flap closed on the inside to protect it.  I also loved that there were two in a package since I use two cameras at the same time.I put them in my cart for when I made my next order.  That happened sooner than I expected, and I almost deleted them from the order!  I received the holsters today.  I was surprised to find they appear even BETTER in real life and they are already attached to each camera, with a card inside, waiting for my next foray without one in my camera!!!Neat idea, neat price and even neater product!!!
If the flap had a bigger piece of velcro to hold it shut it would be perfect.  Its too easy to open as is and a little tug would allow the contents to fall out if you put the camera down.  They put plenty ofthought in securingthe pouch but very little in securing the lid for the pouch.
Overall I like them and have a few. Unlike their battery holsters, these holster are a little larger thereby allowing the option of storing CF cards in their protective plastic cases, which I like to do for added protection. Kodos to OP/TECH. Just make your battery holsters as functional.
These are a nice little strap mounted media holder (not too sure about using it for a battery as they are a bit small for that...).  The design is a bit odd.The strap loop that is meant for attaching this to a camera strap is Velco (fuzzy on the pouch side and hook-loop on the strap side.  I am not sure what the purpose is for that as it slides up and down the camera strap and does not secure it to any one position.  The other down side is the hook-loop side will eventually fray the strap.  The other draw back is the only way to attach these is to open the camera strap as these are sewn shut.All in all, for the few buck they are OK but I am thinking there is something better out there.  I would definitely rate this as a lower end product from Op/Tech as they are usually very innovative with their strap systems.
Purchased a pair of these primarily for carrying a spare battery. I have an Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the battery needs to be squeezed in alittle but will work fine. I don't have any issue with the velcro flap. Some reviewers didn't like the direction it opens; since I won't need to be in and out of the holster very often I sort of like it that way. If you're buying this just to carry a spare media card, you may not even notice it's on your camera strap. With a spare battery inside it's noticable but no big deal. Cheap enough for the two pack.
I ordered this product knowing it would be handy and in truth its a great idea. I also ordered the matching batterey holder too.  Both arrived both are sold by same company. But the batterey holder is made in the USA and the card holder is made in China.  The quality control in China is sadly lacking.  The straps where the velcro are adheared too are too short thus keeping you from getting a secure fit and in addition the quality of the velcro must be less as well because they dont stick well.  Returning as junk.  In fact the batterey holder is only slightly larger then a card holder so why have both it will easily work as a card holder too.  Make them all in the USA if you can. If you can do one you can do both here.
It came with two. Does its job. A great way to carry memory sticks and batteries with your camera all the time.
I was concerned that these would not work due to the negative reviews.  This is not the case.  The strap/belt loop is stitched in so you have to thread your strap through it, which will prevent it from releasing from the strap. There are also complaints that the flap closes towards the strap. I personally like this, since there is less chance that you will snag the flap on something. And for me personally, it is easier to open and pull the contents out if it is facing towards you.Update:  I have put these on two of my cameras - one being the G15 (great compact camera btw), which I normally take with me everywhere on a quick disconnecting neck lanyard.  These media holsters are small, durable and most important - lightweight, which is important if you are wearing a camera around your neck all day. I am going to order two more.
Contrary to other reviews these do NOT hold a DSLR battery for a Canon 6D or Canon 5D....you can slip it in but the cover isn't closing.  I'm sending it back.
I have put two of these on each of my camera's neck straps.  Both already have storage for CF cards.  And while this will fit a CF card it also stretches enough to accommodate a battery for a Canon 40D or 7D.Because of the design issue with the Velcro like strap it can take a bit to maneuver however not really a big issue for me.Great item for the price.
What handy gadgets these are! They fit on my camera neckstrap and each holds a battery and a memory card securely.
Work great and ride on the camera strap for a handy spare  when you are traveling light in the field.
I use one of these for each camera I use. It's great to always have a spare memory card. This pouch is small and is out of the way. It's a great estra card carrier!
It's perfect for me, use it to hold batteries for my camera. So far they show no signs of wear.
this is just the right size for your spare battery and a spare memory card, should you need one.  Additionally, I lost an earring in the woods yesterday, and the remaining one fit in, as well!
These are great for holding an extra battery and a lens cloth. For my purposes though, they could have been a little smaller, so they'd be less noticeably on my camera strap. I might dig out the sewing machine and modify them.
The Op/Tech media pouch could have been a great product, but something isn't quite right with it.The materials are fine and so is the build quality: one side is neoprene, the other velcro, and everything holds up nicely. The velcro face has both the loop (through which the camera strap is threaded) and the flap to the little compartment that holds the spare media card or battery.Herein lies the pouch's flaw: the loop and the flap should be on opposite sides, not on the same one. Its current construction makes it difficult to quickly open the flap and grab the card or battery because the camera strap gets in the way every single time. Furthermore, there's a whole lot of velcro there, which makes everything stick.The result: this simple task turns into a two-handed operation, sometimes demanding that the camera be put down. This sort of defeats the media pouch's purpose, doesn't it?One final detail: the pouch is awfully tight for the Olympus BLM-1 battery (for the E-5xx and E-30).I love the concept, but the final product leaves something to be desired. Or designed.
These ride on my camera strap perfectly, hold camera remote and battery, and close in such a way they won't accidentally open.
Had one years ago and eventually lost it.  Got a new one and its same as one from years ago.  Adds a little security with a full sized slr when you are worried you might drop it.
I bought this to try instead of a neck strap. It gives the freedom of hand holding your camera while securing against drops. I recently purchased and prefer the non-velcro version since it lets my wrist breath more, feels more secure because there is no velcro to secure, and it is quicker and easier to put on. Other than that this is still, in my opinion, an improvement over a neck strap in most situations.
This is my second Gotcha Wrist Strap. I lost the first and liked it so well I immediately ordered another. I tend to be forgetful so, with the strap, I don't set the camera down and absentmindedly walk away leaving it behind. Also makes me feel the camera is secure when I am in unfamiliar settings - hard to imagine someone would try to snatch it off my wrist. If you inadvertently loose your grip on the camera it doesn't fall to the ground because it is anchored to your wrist. The Neoprene band is very comfortable and has a large range of adjustability. Excellent product at a reasonable price.
Up front, I dislike neck straps for cameras. I have typically used a shoulder strap instead, but they tend to be a bit finicky, restrict your motion, etc. I decided to try a wrist strap, and having liked the OP/TECH shoulder strap, I ordered their wrist strap. Since I already had the OP/TECH sling strap, the uni-loop attachments were already on my camera. This allows me to switch easily and quickly between the wrist strap and the sling strap.The way I use the wrist strap is to leave the strap on my wrist, then hook up the camera whenever I take it out of the camera bag. When I'm done I can disconnect the camera from the strap when putting the camera back in the bag. When I do have the camera attached to the strap, I still hold onto the camera grip with a loose grip and my arm hanging by my side. I find that I can comfortably hold the camera in this way for extended periods of time.The only negative I can think of is when shooting in hot weather I sweat a lot and the strap does get soaked in sweat. It isn't that uncomfortable when wet, but I do have to let it air dry afterwards. This is the only reason I'm not giving a 5 star rating.
This is a cheaply made and poorly designed wrist strap.  I am an Op/Tech fan.  My bag is full of their straps, however I would not use this to secure a piece of garbage to my wrist, let alone a few thousand dollars worth of camera.  Velcro feels like it has no security, and the strap does not have a good adjustable range.  Buy nicer or buy...twicer...just don't buy at all.If this review was helpful, let Amazon know!  Thanks for reading.
I bought this for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 camera not realizing that the hole on the side of my camera was going to be too small for the attachement on the Wrist Strap.This would be good for bigger cameras that can accommodate the bigger sized "loop" that you thread through the hole.
OP/TECH 6701252 Gotcha Wrist StrapThis is a wider, more comfortable wrist strap than any that will come in the camera box as an "free" accessory.  I prefer the comfort and security of these wider, padded velcro straps.Everyone knows what a wrist strap does and some of us have had to let go of the camera suddenly.  This strap won't cut into your wrist when that happens. (It has happened to me while walking the dogs.)As a matter of fact they are comfortable to have on your wrist and so you won't resent it or forget to use it.  My wrist is so used to wearing this kind of strap that I feel uneasy if it isn't in place first.There are wider straps out there and I prefer them but I did order this one for my husband who really doesn't care but likes to shoot out the window as we drive along.  He can feel the strap in place and knows that he can point and shoot (without a nag from me.)It is not easy to insert into that tiny slot on the camera.  I just used the original strap because I was in a hurry and attached this strap to that strap.  One of these days....
I bought this to put around my 11 year-olds wrist so he would quit dropping expensive fishing rods off the pier at the beach.  It attaches and detaches easily and water doesn't seem to effect its usage.  Good product but I thought a little pricey but you get what you pay for.
Whether diving with a camera or just trying to manage two cameras (video and still) while on a job, this was a live saver.  It is strong and trustworthy to hold a camera off your wrist while you are dealing with your other equipment.  I have the Op/Tech system and really do appreciate the ability to swap configurations, of which this is one.
I would recommend this product in a heartbeat. Fits well, no slip, good for my clumsy grip. Don't need the expensive brand.
But Close. This is actually a tether that connects to Uni Loop Adapter however it works very well for me. I generally keep an L bracket on my dslr, a regular wrist strap would require me to remove that bracket. This strap will prevent a camera from crashing to the ground. My heaviest lens is a Sigma 70-300 mm DG OS and mounted on My Pentax K_5 it remained secure after shaking it many times (over pillows). Most of the time I just use the Pentax Limited lens which are very light weight much like the K-5 so I'm very confident the strap with keep my rig secure in crowds too.
If you want security for any hand held electronics such as a camera this works very well.  Easy to use with the exception of getting the loop secured on the item.  the loop is a little small but with a little work you can get in on the device.
I like neoprene cases for my camera.  They are great for travel as they take up very little space in your carry-on luggage and provide protection while hiking or sightseeing.  Great fit for the Panasonic DMC FZ40
I have been using OP/TECH products for many years and I am ALWAYS satisfied. This pouch is no different. It is excellent! Just what I expected.
Decent protection for the Canon Powershot sx10 IS Slight larger than the camera but works adequately
These neoprene cases have just become part of my purchasing process for any camera.  I put my own 3/4 inch neck strap and a small accessory bag on every camera. I keep lens cleaners, extra memory and sometimes batteries and perhaps a quick disconnect for a monopod. I hang them up in a readily accessible location and I'm ready to go out shooting just about any time.  The padding of the neoprene helps to protect the camera and keeps most water off of it unless its really raining hard and then I just put a plastic bag around it. They're really well built. I have one that's five years old and has been open and closed a lot of times.
Fits pretty well on the Nikon P100...a little loose widthwise but usable.  Wish it had the attachment method that the other soft pouches have, but it does not hang off the camera like the others.  Too bad.
This item fits nice and snug.  It keeps the dust and dirt off the camera when not in use.  Made of the same material that wetsuits are made from (neoprene?)  I found that the little "holster" that can hook up to the camera to keep it attached is pretty useless though - I cut mine off.  Otherwise, a nice easy way to keep the camera clean and to slightly protect it.  Better than a big clunky leather one in my opinion, because I can scrunch it up when not in use and put it in my pocket or wherever.
This is a really good case for Panasonic FZ long zoom cameras (FZ18, FZ28, FZ35, etc.).  Especially good if you don't need to bring along filters or other accessories and just want to protect your camera inside of a backpack or daypack.  If you are looking for a slighter larger case standalone case then you should look atTamrac 5230 T30 Camera/Camcorder Bag (Black)I am also now using this case for a DMC-G5 with 14-45mm lens attached.  I think it's a slightly better fit that this oneOP/TECH USA Soft Pouch Digital D-M 4/3 - Black.
This D-Offset does fit my XE-1 and any attached lenses that I'm having including 27mm, 14mm, 23mm and 18-55 except 55-200mm ( of course this lens is too long). It's neither too tight nor too loosing. I use this pouch when I want to pack only one body and one lens ( most like would be 18-55mm or 23mm) into carry-on luggage rather than a whole camera bag which takes a lot of space.I ordered D- Shortie at first but it was too small horizontally, too tight to fit XE-1, even with 27mm pancake.So, D-Shortie is the one for Fuji XE-1. I assume it would work well with XPro-1 or XT1 too because they are about same sizes. Don't order D-m4/3 or D-Shortie. They are too small for Fuji cameras. I will try to post a picture.1 star off because of the strap which is intended to attach the pouch to the lens while you are using the camera( who want to use this?) . I don't think it's useful. The metal button on the strap extending from inside of the pouch can scratch the LCD of the camera, so be aware. I cut off the strap of the pouch right away.
Will buy another dif type when I purchase another camera. I definitely recommend! Alot better than those leather ones IMHO. And better without the bulky baggage and cases. Purchased For my Canon SX50 and its a great fit.
Great camera pouch that fits well and offers protection for my Canon SX50-HS. Unfortunately my case was missing a press stud on the strap, reducing options for attaching it to my camera.
I am very happy with this purchase.  It fit myCanon SX30IS 14.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 Inch Wide LCDperfectly.  I was looking for a neoprene case for my camera and this had it all.  Keep in mind this is a camera case only, no extra room for batteries and memory cards.  I was looking for something to protect my camera while I placed it in a day pack or backpack, this is perfect.
I have been using this nifty camera case for almost a year. I'm back on Amazon now to buy a replacement. It does have a little strap to connect to the camera, which I always used, but it somehow fell off without my noticing during a meandering, photo-clicking path through the Denver Zoo. My HX100V fits very well, snug around the body but with a bit of room to spare in front of the lens. The case does not interfere with use of the camera straps. In the end, the camera with the pouch on is only slightly larger than the camera on its own, which is just what I wanted. I don't like to carry a big camera case, preferring this sleek liner (like a scuba suit for my camera) so I can fit it neatly into a backpack or carry-on. The case provides light cushioning, but protects mostly against scratches--falls, not so much, I would think. If you prefer something somewhat more protective or a bit bigger to carry accessories, but still not oversized, I would recommend looking into theCase Logic DCB-304 High/Fixed Zoom Camera Case (Black). I tried it too, and while I liked it overall, it was too bulky for my minimalist preferences. Obviously, I would buy this case again, because here I am, doing just that!
I wanted something light weight and affordable to protect my camera from small scratches and bumps.  This does the trick.  It's not meant to offer the protection of a bag or sturdier case.  Didn't know it was made in the USA, this was a surprise plus.
Fits very well on my Nikon D40x with a Nikkor 18-135mm lens.I like this product, saves a lot of space compare to other SLR cases, much easier to put it in your bag. Recommended.
After much research, I found that this case was exactly what I was looking for my Pentax SLR. Its a good, simple cover if you're going to place the camera in another bag.
This bag is nice for the camera and smaller lenses.  It seems to be moisture free.  It also has a ring to put on the camera to help keep it safe.  You can still use the neck strap with it.
This is a great pouch/case for a DSLR camera.  It fits my D200 with mid-size zoom lens well.  One reviewer noted that this fits the D200 with battery pack, but I don't see how.  I think that user may have the DSLR Pro model.  Also note that the fastener on the pouch is two snap buttons.  I personally believe that Velcro would have worked better, but that would be the only con.  A good alternative to the Nikon branded pouch that is more than double the money
I use this to carry around my camera for day trips when I don't plan on switching out the lens. I can just toss it in my cross body purse and leave the bulky bag at home.
I have no complaints about this neoprene sleeve; it is solidly built. It is not going to provide a whole lot of protection (you wouldn't want to drop it), but it is really light and adds very little volume. I'm often toting my camera along in a backpack or shoulder bag, and I feel a lot better about doing so when it is in this sleeve. It provides a little bit of shock protection, good scratch protection, and good dust/dirt protection (you never know what you'll find in my backpack). It fits my D90 with either Sigma 10-20mm or Nikon 18-105mm lenses on them (which is just under 5" long). When I lost the first one I bought, I immediately replaced it.
This camera pouch snugly fits my Nikon D200 with Battery Grip and mid-sized lenses PERFECTLY!  It is perfect for traveling or when you are going to be moving your camera from bag to bag and don't want it to get banged up.  The neoprene gives it a slight level of protection from the elements (although is not waterproof) and the lens mounted rubber ring lets you quickly pull the pouch on/off while keeping it "attached" to the camera.  This makes it super easy and convenient to put the pouch back on and lessens liklihood of loss.
I love this pouch - it is thick and handy. I have Canon 60d DSLR with 28-135 zoom. It fits just right, but I need to stretch it alittle to fit the lense. Neaxt size is 6x6.5x8, and I think it would be too big. Overall I love it, and going to carry the camera it the backpack.
Cannot find this anywhere else except for online store.  Great snug fit for my Nikon D300 with 18-200 lens.  I love it!
This product was referred by a friend and I was looking for this kind of product for quite some time. It is a great product and ideal for just carrying the camera with one lense attached. My D300 with 18-55m lense snuggly fits in it. I don't have other lenses yet, but I read that even D300 with 18-200 fits as well.Its accessoroes are also just enough and great. Since the cover is so lightweight, I attach it to the point where I would put tripod.I would strongly recommend to this to all SLR owners, especially if you have to haul others things (including kids) in addition to a camera.
This is great for putting your camera into your luggage and not worrying about it getting dinged.  I have a Nikon D50 which fits perfectly into this and is protected very well.  I have even dropped it, had it rolling across the floor and all's well.I prefer a modular approach like this (I have a neoprene lens cover as well) because a single camera bag for everything doesn't allow you to cut down luggage size - you either take it or you don't.This one fits a regular size lens.  Anything longer, like my 70-300mm zoom doesn't allow the case to be closed, but can be half-covered when it's hanging around your neck.Highly recommended.
This is way better than buying a dedicated camera bag. Why? cause you can put your camera in this pouch and throw it in any bag, in the middle of clothes and accessories and whatnot. So it's versatile, and I like freedom. You can't expect to carry your camera bag everywhere, but you can carry this one everywhere. I've had it for 5+ years now and I still swear by it: camera has no scratches whatsoever!
I purchased the optech Neoprene Pouch for my Olympus E510 DSLR. I am very happy with it. It prevents me from banging up my new camera when I am carrying it around to get some interesting photos. It is just as Op/Tech describes and I would recommend it. The delivery was quick and I have only positive things to say about the experience.
I recently bought a cheap grip for my Nikon D7000, but could not take it around with me as I had not case for it.  Problem solved with this great pouch.  The neoprene is good protection.  It fits in my pocket, when not in use.  Excellent solution for a dslr+grip+zoom.  Recommended.
I like the quality, just what I was looking for when I want to just put the camera inside a regular backpack with other stuff in it.1.- I first used it with a Nikon D40 with a 18-200mm VR lens and fits great.2.- then I got a Nikon D90 and the D90 with the 18-200mm VR still fits and is usable but is a lot tighter but works.
I purchased this to cover my 5DMIII when in a backpack hiking. Fits great and securely. With the 24-105mm lens, it stretches to fit and stays snapped closed. If you plan to use this cover with the 24-105mm (or similar length) most of the time, I would recommend getting the longer case. Always happy with OP/TECH products.
I love this case. In fact, I've never found a better case for my Nikon D700. What makes this case perfectis the fact you can still use your own camera strap, can connect the case to said strap when using the camera,and the fact it takes up zero space and adds absolutely no bulk. The neoprene material adds just the right amount ofprotection for non-klutzes who don't drop things.At first it is difficult to put this on but after that, brilliant. Far better than any name-brand case... I purchased a few of thoseand they didn't feel as sturdy or protective.
I absolutely enjoy this pouch for protecting my Nikon D7100 camera with its 18-85 mm lens. The fit is perfect, the quality of made in USA workmanship is flawless. I previously bought and promptly returned another pouch made in China and the difference is night and day.Last month I went on 10 day trip to Italy; instead or carrying my camera backpack, I just carried a travelon anti-theft bag with my extra lens and filters; and when I started to take pictures I simply removed the very lightweight pouch, rolled it, and put it away in my travelon bag.I highly recommend this pouch.
I need something to protect my camera (Nikon D7100) and this more than filled the bill.  Lightweight, durable, and moisture resistant.I use it when I go on a day trip and need to protect my camera.  Great Product, shipped in days.
I already own one of these Op/Tech Digital D Series Neoprene Pouches for my Fuji S7000 and will be buying a slightly larger one later this spring for my new Nikon D-200 DSLR.  I could not be happier with the Op/Tech performance.It is an excellent and rather inexpensive protection for those costly Digital SLR's.  I use mine all the time and it's especially useful for traveling in the car rather than having the camera sitting out in the open as the Op/Tech pouch is simple to use and opens in a flash.I give it a whole hearted 5 Stars for an excellent product.  Check out the other products from Op/Tech as well, their straps and assorted other pouches make it easy to organize that camera bag!
It was a little hard to guess how well this would fit on my Canon T2i/550d w/an external battery pack. It fits great. I'm not planning to use anything but a 50mm or a medium telephoto, and it does the job. It has an internal strap that can be screwed into the camera base, or a rubber ring can be used for attaching it to the lens (the base screw works well). For a quick neoprene wrap, this is a good deal.
As a photographer, I have a lot of equipment and lenses for my camera, so I have a large bag to keep that all in. But sometimes I just want to bring my camera along with me for the day, without having that extra baggage.I love that I can just throw this thing on my camera (Canon 6d with 50mm 1.4 attached) and put it in my purse for safe keepings.Easy to put on, easy to take off.The lens part is a little longer than I expected, and there's extra room at the end when I have my 50mm 1.4 attached, but doesn't bother me. It's good to know that I can have a longer lens attached to it and still keep it safe using the soft pouch.
Fits my Original 5D with 24-105 f/4 L lens a bit snug but it works.. also worked great with a 35mm f/2 IS lens
Provides decent protection without adding bulk. I find this style of case useful when carrying a camera on a sling. I've also punched a small hole in the bottom of one these so that I can have it protect a camera while carrying it in a Black Widow holster.Neoprene quality seems good and is fairly thick. Stitching quality is good.
Made in USA and works well. How can you go wrong? Happy with this purchase. Fits perfectly on my D 5000 Nikon.
I have the OP/TECH D-SLR soft pouch, the OP/TECH D-SLR Zoom soft pouch, and the Targely CasePRO.  They are similar in quality and in price.  I'm using them with a full-frame Canon DSLR.  Here are a few comments on the three:1. The OP/TECH D-SLR is the least expensive option.  It securely closes with snaps on the back, but sometimes (if you're in a hurry) it can be difficult to get them closed.  The material is thinner than the Targely material.2. The Targely CasePRO has the thickest material and a couple of features that make me prefer it to the OP/TECH D-SLR.  The Targely has a small zippered pocket on the back that will easily hold a few SD cards, and can also hold one Canon battery albeit snugly.  The Targely CasePRO closes with velcro, which is slightly less secure than the snaps on the OP/TECH, but also faster to close if you are in a hurry.  Also, the Targely CasePRO has a second velcro strap you could use to attach the case to something, or attach something to the case (e.g., an air rocket),3. The OP/TECH D-SLR Zoom is virtually identical to the OP/TECH Zoom but somewhat longer.  It's long enough and stretchy enough to accommodate many longer lenses, but not long enough to accommodate a Canon 28-300 or 70-200, unfortunately. I wound up returning it for this reason.  It's too bad, because if the OP/TECH D-SLR Zoom had an additional inch of length it could be used with these two lenses.Of the three - I'm sticking with the Targely CasePRO for now and hoping to find something like the OP/TECH D-SLR Zoom but an inch or so longer.
I bought this case for my Nikon D7000 which usually has a small fixed lens attached.  It fit great, and there would have been plenty of room for a small zoom lens attached instead of the prime lens.  Highly recommended.  I used it while on a tour of the country, hopping on lots of planes and buses where I didn't want to bring my whole camera bag.  I was very comfortable simply tossing my Nikon in my backpack inside this case.
With these Optech neoprene camera pouches I can leave my heavy, bulky camera bags in the car as I hike up the mountains to take photos. My cameras are well protected in this pouch as long as I am gentle with it and watch for water & rain as the pouch is by no means waterproof. Goodbye camera bags!!!
I bought this so that I could have a protective covering if I want to carry my camera in a backpack (instead of a camera bag), or to put around the camera when I need it around my neck on a strap in poor weather conditions (such as dust, saltwater spray, etc). This does those jobs perfectly. It's a bit of a struggle to get the camera in and out of this each time, but I figure that's the price you need to pay for a tight fit and good overlap of the protective cover. As others have noted, this is hardly something you can count on if you drop your camera on the ground (but having it on may make the damage a little less severe, as there is a modest amount of padding).
If you aren't going to read the rest of this (fairly short) review: Buy This Camera, unless you want an SLR.I didn't do much research on SLRs before I bought this, but I DID do a lot on 4-5MPX digital cameras. This one came out on top, no matter how you look at it. The AMAZING zoom was a big seller for me, as was the look and feel of the camera itself. Like everyone says, it feels like a 35mm - just a bit lighter. I love where the controls are (better than any Nikon), and there is no comparison for the picture quality. Plus, it's easy to use, all the features are clearly labeled, yet there are still a lot of advanced options for the experienced photographer.If you want an example of pic quality, check out:[...]That's full resolution, so you might want to view it slightly smaller to get the real idea.My only "but" would be: if you are thinking about buying this instead of a Digital SLR, Don't. I've had the camera for a few months now, and while I plan on keeping it (because I LOVE it), I recently upgraded to a DSLR for better clarity and more advanced lens options. However, my FZ10 will be sticking around!
Lumix DMC-FZ10S4Mpel, 12x optical zoom, non-pocket camera, $550ishWow! Finally an affordable camera with MORE features, functions and image quality than my old 35mm SLR camera. At about $550 this has to be the best semi-pro camera around. The specs are impressive, but the ease of use brings the full potential to your fingertips. While it can take great pictures as a point-and-click camera - easily beating the Canon G3-G5 - the real power comes when you begin going manual.Conventional wisdom holds that you should buy a digital camera from an established film camera company. Well, this camera combines the excellence of a lens/camera company - Leica - with a great Electronics Company - Panasonic - the best of both worlds!For a sound byte: The Lumix takes GREAT pictures! The lens is an incredible 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35-420mm 35mm) that works well at both ends of the range (yes it does have a bit of chromatic aberration at full zoom, but only at a 200% blow-up on the screen). The macro works down to a few inches! The lens is rather fast for the zoom - f2.8 and the equivalent ASA is 50 to 400. So a good lens, a good sensor, then comes the really great part: the electronics.It has a very low shutter lag, fabulous MANUAL focus (beating all the SLR's that I have seen!), Image stabilization that makes the handheld 12x optical work (don't try handheld at 1/30sec full zoom, but hey what do you expect for a 420mm lens??), a delay timer for both tripod/handheld AND run-and-get-in-the picture, fast multishot, exposure bracketing, a red eye reduction that works, full 30fps movie mode, great review functions on camera and everything in the viewfinder - for those of us needing reading glasses, this is a dream! I could go into detail on all the features, but that is just an owner's manual read. It works and easy to control, at least for a right hander (I'm guessing it would be a pain for a leftie.)I wish they had more controls on the compression - less compression would be nice since in low light the compression artifacts do show up. The 4MPEL image sensor really seems to be a good capture device.Bottom Line: For a serious amateur, this is a great camera. For a pro, this might take the place of many SLR's. An real amateur can go all automatic and get great pictures and have room to move to better pictures with manual later. It doesn't fit in your pocket, but it takes great pictures!JerryThis is the fifth digital camera I have owned. I replaced my Canon IS90 with the Lumix and am pleased I did. I still look longingly at the Nikon D100 6MP and the Canon EOS-10D, but I can't justify the difference in price to compare to the Lumix.
This is my fourth year using this camera.  It's been around the world, been dropped, been used on the beach, in the rain, on a bike (taken falls off the bike with me).  It still works perfectly.  Although the LCD is raised, it does not have one scratch.  And the picutres! It still takes better pictures than most new cameras.  Gorgeous, better than slide film and SLR, as far as I'm concerned.  Makes me look like a professional.  Worth every penny.
I bought this camera back in May of 2004, and I have not had any problems since. One thing I have learned is that mega pixels are not everything. I bought my father a 4MP minolta S414 and the pictures are not as sharp as my camera. I think that has something to do with the lense. The long zoom is very nice. Up until today I never printed out a picture bigger than 8X10 Today I paid for a picture to be blown up to 16X20 and it looks pretty darn good. Certain things like the hand grip and resolution could be improved (and they have been with the newer models) I was thinking of replacing this camera with something like the FZ20, FZ30 or  the new 8MP samsung with the 3.5" screen. However after seeing how nice my 16X20 blow up turned out to be, I think I will keep it for a while.
&quot;What kind of camera is that?&quot; is the first thing everyone says to me when they see this camera. This is the only camera I have had that people immediately write down the model number to go get one for themselves. You can see from other reviews, the owners of this machine are smart people who have done their research. I have now sold several photos taken with this camera.It's lighter than it looks, it handles like my 35mm, it is easy to use right away and as I get better with it the images are getting better and better. We all send pics via email. The response is usually &quot;cool pic&quot; or similar. Now it is &quot;wow! what a great shot!&quot;The battery life is the best I have ever had. I can fill a 256mb card and the battery meter still shows full charge.The bad? It won't fit in my pocket.
This is an amazing camera. I have been researching what camera to buy for the last few months! and I haven't found a camera that comes close to this one.First of all the camera is big, so if you want a small zoom camera this isn't it. I'd recommend the Panasonic DMC fz1 or the Olympus C-750 models.This camera comes the closest to perfect for me and what i've wanted in a camera.Pros:(1) leica lens (fyi leica makes $2000 cameras, so for this camera to have a leica lens, it's got to be good).(2) the camera has auto and manual focus, and auto and manual modes so u can either point and shoot or learn to take pix with the more advanced features.(3) movie mode is very descent and it has good sound.(4) has a 16:9 ratio for 1 photo size (quality) setting, so u can take a pic and it'll be in widescreen...cool huh?(5) all the modes on the dial, portrait, night portrait, panning (makes a moving object in sharp while the background is blurry), sports, macro.(6) battery life is good. lasts pretty much all day.(7) has this cool flip animation, you can make movies with ur clay figurines, if you'd like!! take a pic of a figurine and move it slightly every time and when done itll convert it into a quicktime movie.(8) of course, the super ultra yummy zoom! how could i forget that? that's what got me interested in the camera in the first place.(9) aperture range of the lens is f2.8 throughout the focul range from wide to telephoto.(10) menus are easy to navigate and quick.(11) can use conversion lenses for wide and tele.(12) burst mode, can take 4-5 pics quick.(13) histogram on play and record mode - good for composition measuring.(14) turns on in about 2-3 secs after getting lens ready.(15) great photo quality!!! which is the most important thing!!(16) creativity for pictures!!!Now for cons:(1) of course, price.......but ah well...shouldn't be a con, nice things cost money!(2) i found that you cannot thread filters to the lens (lens not threaded) so can't protect lens with a (for example a UV filter to leave on permanently.) But can thread filters (72mm) to the lens hood (the camera package includes) which attaches to the lens barrel, (lens hood) roughtly 2-3 inches wide.(3) and the movie mode.....cant use the zoom!!!! wonder why!?!(4) extra batteries are expensive, and hard to find at ur local store.despite these 4 cons i have found in the last 3 months of researching for the perfect zoom camera, this has gotten to the closest i've found.Also, get a SD card at least 256megs or larger and start shooting away!!!!
This is a top of the line point'n shoot camera. Without any doubt the 12x optical zoom with image stabilizing and fast 2.8f aperture along the whole zoom range of 35-420 mm (35mm equiv.) are the icing on the cake. Nevertheless I'm slightly dissapointed about this camera because the specs read like my dream camera and the engineers from Panasonic just couldn't keep it together. Why? - I will cover this later.I was so anxious about getting my set together that I bought a bag first going by the size of the FZ1 - big mistake. The FZ10 is about double the size. Definitly no camera to slip in your pocket.Battery are pretty expensive, about 50$ a piece. A good replacement, not from Panasonic but way cheaper and even higher in the mAh rating is AC-CGAS002 (the barn were you get `em from is great). Charge and running time equal almost 1hr.The Tripod adapter blocks access to the battery and memory compartment.In dcresource the macro is described to work only in the automatic macro mode. So you couldn`t go by your own settings (manual). Good news - not true-. What is also not described in the manual, the camera does the same macro in manual mode. Literally up to the lense, almost touching it, with super sharp images.Personally, I do prefer the manual mode for several reasons and this is where my dissapointment starts. In a dim light situation, still enough to take a decent picture, the LCD is pitch black. It is not broken, that's just the way it is. The techs from Panasonic told me something about achery techniques and how to shoot over the body. I call it a "Misconception". Also the brightness of the flash is not displayed, saying the LCD should get brighter when flash is activated. Still you get nice pictures - with dim light focusing slightly advanced to some other digital pointers- just you don't see the composition and focusing. I consider this the major drawback of this camera. Surprisingly enough though, if you switch to Automatic mode the LCD display in the very same dim light situation with exactly the same setting, is fine. Aperture- or Shutter priority are also good in this respect.  I say it again, this applies  only to dim light situations in manual mode. In standard light situations you won't notice.Talking about low light situations, the flash is quite impressiv. Gives you also the option to compensate (-2/+2). This is very helpful if you don't wanna compensate the flash by shutter/aperture.Lense cap has no string to hold it to the body - risk of losing it.I am an avid Photoshop user. So I like the auto braket function to take 3 consecutive shots with different esposures for different layers in the software. Still after every shot you have to kick the bracket in again. There is no button to enable this function permanently like cameras for only a fraction of the price do. I wouldn't mind that if it were not so long winded to get to that function. Between changing the shutter/aperture in Manual mode, engaging the bracket to -1/+1 and back again, it is necessary to push 9 buttons. (Wanna count? exposure/dial up/3x dial right/3xdial up/exposure.) And this after every shot, huhhh.Most people won't mind, but it takes only jpeg format. No non-compression formats available. This camera lets me take considerably more pictures (about 165) with 256mb than my Dimage s414 (about 125), which also happens to be a  4 MP camera - each camera in the best jpeg settings. With best settings this camera takes file sizes wich average about 1,5MB (Dimage S414 about 2MB). OK not every manufacture uses compression to the same extend, and in this setting Panasonic has surely found a nice compromise between quality and compression. Still I would be happier if Panasonic had tweaked its compession less aggressively, in order to achieve higher quality (but lager file size).  Expecially since non-compression is missing and this camera is supposingly more oriented towards the prosumer section.Nevertheless the picture quality is superb across the whole zoom range (the lense seems to make up for it).I read reviews were people complained about noise. I figure they chose the wrong ISO (Auto ISO?). Try to use 100, 50 if possible. Everything from ISO 200 on gets indeed noisy, so is it with other cameras. And the fast lense 2.8f over the whole zoom range together with the Image Stabilizer give you quite some options here.The image stabilizer works great. I think this feature should become as much of an standard as it is for camcorders. This from Panasonic should  be a wake up call for the other manufactures to install it in there ultrazooms.Very positive is the overall speed of the camera. SD memory might help it. Run-up, Burst mode and time between shots is very fast. High Burst gets you 4-5 shots in 2sec.  After that you are ready again after about 4 sec. I consider this to be very fast. The only issue in the Burst mode is that it freezes the picture in the LCD screen. Burst makes sense for moving objects. And that is were you find it almost impossible to keep your object in focus when you just see a series of taken pictures with a delay of about 0.5 seconds.The purple fringing, which often comes along with extreme zoom lenses seems to be moderate. I haven't seen any so far with taken lots of pictures in situations where this is supposed to be most present, like against the sun with darker objects in front. Still it is mentioned in some of the reviews.Verdict: Even thought I wrote critically this shouldn`t distract from the fact that this is a state of the art point'n shoot camera with a great Leica lense and a stabilazation system you won't find in any other model of this category.So giving away some of my high expectations this is still an excellent camera which will epeal to the advanced photographer with a need for an extreme zoom.
When Panasonic released this camera in the fall of 2003, I couldn't wait for it to be available for sale. A couple of months passed and it was completely sold out even before it was available anywhere in the market. At that point, I couldn't wait and I contacted a Panasonic dealer and reserved one right away. I was on the waiting list for 2 more months and I finally got it in Jan 2004. A 12x stabilized optical zoom at that time was unheard of on a consumer camera. It was awesome! I could take pictures at full 12X without a tripod and the stabilizer made sure the pictures were perfect. For $599 it was the best digital camera out there. It has almost been a year since I bought this camera and I am still in love with it; but I wish I had waited. When Panasonic came out with the same camera but with a 5.0 mega pixels at the same price earlier this year, I was kicking myself for being so impulsive. Nevertheless, it is a great piece of engineering. The camera feels like a tank- very solid but not all that heavy at the same time. I have captured some of the most amazing pictures with this camera, which I will treasure for the rest of my life.If you don't really care about all the features and just want a small digital camera to carry around and snap pictures with, I wouldn't recommend this camera for you. This is more like a camera you would want to take to your trip to the Grand Canyon and capture the breath taking shots or the perfect sunset that you always wanted to capture and have it blown up. There are so many features in this camera, it will take a good couple of weeks for you to read the manual and get used to them.I am not going to list all the features this camera has; you can read about them on the product description page or you can go to the Panasonic homepage and get a more detailed description of all the cool features you can find in this camera. However, I do want to make a couple of points:This camera uses a Leica lens. For those of you who are not familiar with this brand, Leica Camera AG is a world-renowned German camera and lens maker. Just the name Leica, in the photography world, is synonymous with durability, quality, and optical precision. Leica makes lenses that cost thousands of dollars for high-end professional cameras so for Leica to feature its lens in this Panasonic camera tells it all.One thing a lot of people don't look at when they are buying a digital camera is if you can add additional lenses and filters like you can with a 35mm SLR. Although a 12X optical zoom (equivalent to a 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm camera) will be more than enough for most of us, some of us might want to add conversion or teleconversion lenses or filters and YES you can with this camera. Let me give you an example of what a 12X zoom can do: How many times have u been to a NFL or a baseball game and have taken pictures only to find out that you can't even make out what number jersey a player is wearing when u get the pictures? Well, with this camera, I have been talking pictures at games and let me tell you, they are just amazing! Besides all the close-up shots of all my favorite players, I could even capture those priceless facial expressions when someone makes a hit or at that moment when a receiver catches the ball for a touchdown.... it's truly amazing!You cannot go wrong with this camera!
This camera brings the true beauty of pictures if you edit them with software and apply various types of filters. Visit my gallery at [...] and you'll know what I mean.
It's funny, you see all these camera companies talking about mega-pixels. 13, 14, 15 million and so on.The fact is the human eye can't tell the difference between a 4MP picture or a 14MP picture so what's thebig deal with massive mega-pixels? Beats me but there is one MAJOR drawback to all those big fancy mega-pixelcameras and it's called FILE SIZE! Ever tried to upload a picture online and get the message "File too large".Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. In comes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10 at 4 Mega-Pixels (4MP) releasedin late 2003 and after all these years later all I have to say is WOW, I mean I'm blown away. I picked up one of thesegems on Ebay for $49 so my expectations were not were not exactly out of this world but my reaction was Wheeeyew!I have a Nikon D80 and picture to picture comparison is not exactly a clear win for the Nikon. Considering the Nikon is nearly 4 times theretail cost of the Lumix I'd have to say the DMC-FZ10 stands in a class all it's own. Oh and if you want to uploada picture and send it to a friend or family member? No problem....with my Nikon? Wouldn't upload, file too large.The DMC-FZ10 takes absolutely stunning pictures and by far one of the best purchases I have ever made. If you happen tocatch one at a decent price, snag it! If you have one, don't sell it, you'll regret it.
when i get and checked that it wasnt working! it seems cool and portatibe but if worked! buy the new one always for sure...
I spent about an hour and a half last night debating between the Sony T1 5 MP and the Canon Power Shot A95.I'm sure my friend and I drove the poor sales clerk crazy - but he was very patient and we examined each extensively.I walked into the store primarily considering three cameras -- the Nikon CoolPix 5200, the Cybershot DSCP 100, and the Canon A95.  Going in I'd done a lot of research and found the A95's reputation is outstanding.  But Sony's general reputation -- and especially on the Cybershot DSCP 100 -- is outstanding too.The store was out of the Nikon, and since it had been the camera I was least impressed with after reading the reviews, I didn't worry about it too much.  The DSCP 100 had all the right numbers and features, but didn't feel right to me for some reason.  Maybe the shape threw me off?  Honestly, I'm not sure.  But the vibe wasn't right and so I asked to see the A95.By this time, the clerk and I had started chatting, and he pulled out the T1.  Honestly, I had not come across the T1 in my research, so when the store clerk pulled out this little gem from behind the counter, I was blown away.The thing is tiny.  And oh-so-beautiful.  The LCD screen on the back is almost the same size as the screen on my Treo 600 -- on other words, huge.  The camera felt great in my hands.  And a Zeiss lens -- wow.  That's top quality there.  As soon as I touched it, I began lusting after this mystery camera.  But was it any good?But let me digress.  The A95 is solid.  Just pure solid.  Nice quality.  Good build.  Picture quality looks good.  Screen is ... well, small -- especially compared to the T1.  The A95 is physically a much larger camera -- though surprisingly, the weight felt about the same as the T1.  Controls seemed intuitive and it's got lots of settings to play around with, but that don't get in the way of taking a simple snap shot.But the T1 has the sex appeal.  So I kept going back to it.  Without reviews, I was flying a little blind, but the fit and finish felt good.  And, did I mention the sex appeal?But as I kept looking, practicality began creeping into the deliberations.  For instance, the T1 uses a Sony-proprietary battery and memory system.  The A95 uses AA batteries and SD memory.There's no way of easily protecting the T1's super-large (and super fragile) LCD screen.  The A95's LCD flips around so that the screen is protected by the camera body.The T1 has no view finder and no way to take pictures if you aren't using the LCD.  The A95 can be used with or without the LCD (which increases battery life).The T1 has a 3x optical zoom.  The A95 has a 3x optical zoom, coupled with a digital zoom.The T1 has no tripod mount.  The A95 does."Weighing" in favor of the T1 are the A95's larger size, smaller screen, and the "cool" factor of the T1.As I played with both cameras (until the store just about closed), I noted a couple of other things about the T1 in the back of my mind.  It wasn't until I read many of the reviews here that these perceptions began to crystallize.Holding the T1 steady is a major issue.  (With the A95 I was able to take handheld low-light, no-flash pictures with minimal blurring.)  The flash on the T1 was ho-hum.  And despite the large LCD screen, telling which images were crisp and which were blurry was a major challenge with the T1.  Really, the only way to tell would be to download the images to your computer before deciding which pictures are keepers and which are deleters.In the end, I listened to my wallet and my brain.  I bought the A95.  I needed reliability and quality more than glamour and glitz.  The SD storage cards are about half the price as the Sony cards -- and that issue of the proprietary batteries is a big one.So far so good -- picture quality on the A95 looks good, although I can tell that I'm going to have to learn to use the different "scene" settings in order to get the best out of the camera.  Even so, the A95 is easy to use.  (It even fit perfectly in a cheap generic camera case!)  I'll have to post again as I get to know my new camera better.Hopefully you'll find this review of use.  In the end -- both cameras are keepers in my opinion.  Which one you pick is probably more a matter of personal preference than anything else.  Good luck to everyone in picking out the right camera!
I prefer to use film cameras.  I decided to try this sony digital because of the lens (Carl Zeiss).  Zeiss makes great sharp glass (camera lenses) good example Contax G2.I was disappointed with this camera.  I haven't been able to get sharp images from this camera.Videos are dark when taken in ambient lighting situations. You shouldn't have to light your home like a photo studio to get video.  I have back, front and fill light.  Now my videos look great.Pictures look okay but I'd rather have film and a manual camera.  There are no real manual control settings.  If you want a fast shutter you have to settle for certain crappy aperture settings.  The battery life is a joke.  I am lucky if it holds a charge for more than 2 hours.If all you want is a point and shoot this is it.  I wouldn't trust this camera for my important photos.  Which I have in the past and have been truly disappointed.Its not really worth the money.  You can do better.
I bought the Sony DSC-T1 two weeks ago. I was very impressed by the size, the screen, and the features.  It is an awesome camera that I have only found two small shortfalls with:1. The flash is only rated to a distance of 1.5 to 2 meters, this sucks in a no light or very low light environment.2. The Red Eye reducer is not so great.If you're looking for a case to protect this tiny camera, I would suggest strolling over to the PDA section of the store and picking up the PEGA-CA23 Carrying Case for Sony CLIE TJ/TH/SJ Series Handhelds. The only thing that would make it better is Velcro... but the snap works fine and does not endanger the camera's screen. P>Over all I am very happy with the features and quality the T1 offers, the video and sounds are great, you can add 5sec audio tags to any image and it's so damn sexy.
This camera was a disappointment to me.  Photos taken outdoors do turn out well, but indoors is another story.  The flash is very weak, and redeye is a huge problem.If you plan on taking photos at birthday parties or other social events, don't buy this camera.  If all you want to do is take outdoor shots, then the Sony DSC-T1 might be a good choice.  But how many people never want to use their digital camera to photograph social functions?My advice is to shop around for another camera.  This one is a dud.
I have owned this camera for almost a year now, and I was hoping to find some postings on how to fix all the issues I've had with it. At first I was so enchanted by the size and looks of this thing that I thought I'd overlook the terrible pictures until I figured out how to operate it better. My pictures turned out dark, blurry, and grainy, and my subjects had red eye. I tried and tried to fix it.....read the manual over and over, and finally took it in to a specialty digital camera/camcorder store. Well, it turns out that it just does not operate better. Apparently many people have this problem, and there's just nothing you can do about it. So now I have this camera that I paid almost $600 for months and months ago when it first came out, I can't return it, and I certainly can't use it. Don't buy this camera. It's pretty to look at, but that's about all you'll be doing.
I've lost my faith in the once-giant Japanese company Sony...they've gradually gone downhill over the years and my personal faith in them has eroded from this DSC T1 camera to the other things like walkmans, boom boxes, TV's and every other Sony product I've ever purchased...they're cheap products that offer no customer support and they've lost touch with a simple word: RELIABILITY.This camera broke after a few months of using it...and I bought it with the hope that it wouldn't break because of the non-moving lens...I liked the design of the camera - how the cover protected the lens...but the LCD started going haywire on me and the resulting pictures reflected this...I'm so disgusted with Sony products...I've switched to Samsung and Nikon and other companies that are making strides.
I got this for my brother for Christmas and he couldn't be happier.  The camera is not much larger than a credit card and nearly as thin.  And unbelievably it has 5 megapixel digital resolution.  Essentially it has incredible features and resolution for a camera its size.  This is highly recommended for a simple point-and-shoot digital camera.
I read some of the negative reviews about this camera and I was reluctant to purchase it, even though I had read the good reviews.  When I went to the store to see and test the camera, I was amazed that the picture quality was so good - and I knew the people writing the bad reviews were somehow wrong.  I picked the camera up in the store, without reading any instruction manual, and took a picture in the store, which was then printed out for me on a HP 145. The picture was so clear... that sold me right then.  I knew then that all I had to do was read and work with the camera a little and I was set.  Have since taken the camera on vacation and I love it.  My pictures overall are 100% better than I have ever taken and the fun and ease of this camera is great...not to mentin the wow factor if you like new little cameras.
I was extremely excited when I saw this camera.  I said to myself, &quot;Finally a small compact camera with a large LCD display.&quot;  When I received it, I was even happier. It looks fantastic and the controls, menus and ease of use are incredible. And with the iPod case (it fits perfectly!), it is extremely portable. &quot;Well,&quot; I thought to myself. &quot;Let's see how the pictures look.&quot; Here's the story. In daylight, the colors are dull and lack-lustre; kind of faded and washed out. I use iPhoto and the &quot;enhance&quot; feature takes care of most of this problem. Where the T1 really misses the boat is with it's built in flash. If your subject is more than 5 feet away, (yes, just 5 feet away) the flash just doesn't illuminate enough for a good picture. In fact, the flash photos are terrible! They're extremely noisy and the colors are way off. I've seen better flash photos with a 1.3 mega-pixel camera. I really wanted this camera to work for me. I tried every setting and even called customer support. But ultimately, I returned it. To me, if the pictures aren't good enough, the rest really doesn't matter. Hopefully, Sony will fix these problems and then maybe, they'll have the perfect digital camera.
My first problem is the lack of a tripod mount. There is NO excuse for a $500.00 camera to lack this most basic part- even if it were a part of the USB cradle. While I am on the subject of USB- You cannot connect to your computer unless you sit it inside the cradle, or buy another special cable to plug directly into the camera. My final peeve with this camera is that it eats it's battery even when turned off. Charge the battery, put it in your bag, and 3 days later, the battery is at 50% capacity.On the + side, the display is wonderful, and picture quality is excellent as well. But unless you absolutely have to have the tiny size, you can do a LOT better.
I had a 2MB Canon digital camera. I bought the Sony for it's size, and for 5MB quality. However, as others have said, the vast majority of my pictures are blurry. With my Canon, I used to be driving and simply hold my camera out and snap away off to the side to get pretty good pics. With this camera, if you're not absolutely still, I mean not the slightest quiver, the pic is blurry. I've played with every possible setting, but the results are just crappy. I was about to see if I could get tech support, since I figured the camera was broken, but I see that it's just the way the camera is. Too bad. I'll have to return it.
This camera is awesome!!! and the best thing is that is very easy to use and practical to carry it, the images are incredible even for night shots it has in its menu the option of night shot and the new fireworks that allows you to take pictures to those magnifiscent shows in the sky you will then see them in your camera even clearer than live!!.It also has the beach mode that helps you to take pictures with a lot of sun and they will appear in the lcd screen as if you were in any place but in the beach, the snow mode is very useful too because in that case the image wont be that &quot;bright&quot; because of the snow it will appear like a beautiful postcard, forget about bad pictures in every weather, every place.I also tested it taking pictures to a tv show and it looks like if you were taking a pic to a real person it erases the lines that usually are on the tv screen this a bonus thing huh!.You may think that it uses a different memory stick because it is smaller but don't worry!! in the package it has an adaptor to make a normal memory stick so you can insert it in your computers (vaio users) or printers.Also one of the things of why I bought this camera is because of the battery, forget about alkaline or rechargable AA batteries it includes a special one that lasts a lot!! so don't worry about this.BUY THIS CAMERA IS THE BEST OPTION
I love it.  I wanted a tiny camera to tote everywhere for any moment.  It's quick and easy and you can edit right on it.  The zoom in great and you can zoom even more once the picture is taken.  I'm so impressed, it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I've found that I can't figure out is that it takes great pictures outside and not nearly as great inside.
I bought this camera for my wife while on our last motorcycle trip to Yellowstone.  She knows nothing about technology but this camera is so simple to use she took hundreds of pictures, some while we were moving, and they turned out fantastic.  She even took movie clips while were riding through the mountains and I must say they are really fun to watch.  I never dreamed that they could turn out so good from such a small camera.You will see some redeye when shooting indoors with flash, but any photo program you use can easily remove the redeye before you print them out.We love this camera also because it is easy to keep with you and get those shots you always missed before.Battery life is great.  Easily take pictures all day long and have battery life left.  Charges quickly and easily.Good luck and hope this helps.
I brought the T1 because of the LCD screen size, I love the fact that you can actually see what you are taking a picture of. Good battery life, easy to carry around but that is where the positives stop. The most important things about having a camera, to capture those "Kodak" moments are the picture quality. With the T1 they are poor for a 5 mp camera. Unless you are shooting within 3-5 feet the pictures are very poor quality, you get red eye if you shoot outside of 5 feet and use the zoom.  The software that comes with the camera to transfer the photos to your PC is not user friendly. When you have to drill down into multiple folders just so you can transfer them to a program that you can edit from is not what I call user friendly.I have tried to play with the settings and turned on the red eye feature but still have poor quality. Not something you would expect from a so-called high end camera given the price!I would like to thank some of you other reviewers for giving tips on how to try to correct some of the issues I'm having with the over priced camera...Sony layed an egg with this one!
Summing it up this cam is with me inspite of all his mistakes. I have a canon rebel for really good quality photos and also a sony p10 which works with normal memorystick, and i have to tell you that my T1 is the one which is always with me.When i took it home first time i got shecked cause it does many red eyes pics, and the flash is horrible, but somehow i fell in love with it in 2 days.pros :  you will love it. lol, i know this is not technical term but if you have another bigger cam as well no doubt you should take it .as a communication tool it is far better than any other cam on the market cause of the big big lcd display. when i take it out and show my pics it is easy to share or discuss anythingthe video quality is excelent..playing back on tv or pc really enjoyablereally really nice feeling to have itoperates very fast , you wont miss the action with ityou have fast start simply pulling the lense cover down it is already ready to shootcons:  though Zeiss the lense is smallflash is good only closered eye is frequentpic quality is doubdtful if really 5,1SUmming it up, i love mine. It saved me so many times with a vidorecording, oor fast pic that i can tell you to get it with good heart. BUT only if you have another digital camera for good quality pics. I am a Canon fan in cameras but Sony did really something special with T1. There is a firmware update available for it now which corrects some mistakes. Despite little pricy i feel it is a good choice. As my sony vaio TR3A is the perfect thing to take always with me as a notebook, this is the cam always with me.  If you wanna have one camera and portability is not that important i suggest CAnon G5, or if you really wanna care about  quality and don't mind to spend triple i am for Canon REbel. That makes you a photographer! But besides take the T1 for being always in the pocket. and get a 256 stick to it.
I read every review on every site and in every magazine I could find before buying this camera. All of the professional reviewers said it took great pictures. The amature reviewers were a mixed lot, with some claiming it took poor pictures. I decided to go with the pros and purchase this item.I'm glad I did. First, it does take great pictures IF YOU READ THE MANUAL. Red Eye reduction is turned OFF by default, you have to turn it ON to get rid of red eye. The flash has 3 settings, and it is in the MIDDLE one by default. Turn up the flash to HIGH and it works great indoors. Hold the camera STEADY when you take the picture, regardless of light conditions, and you'll get very sharp photos. Memory Stick Pro Duo cards aren't that expensive, especially if you buy the Lexmar ones, and the price just was cut by Sony. The charger is very compact, and unless you plan on taking more than 180 photos on your trip, you don't even need to bring it with you. The view screen is very viewable at night, if you change the default NORMAL setting to HIGH. Finally, the complaint about the tripod is absurd: please don't tell you bought the smallest camera on the market so you can use a tripod to take photos: get a larger camera and use this for what it is designed for. A tripod with this is like using a sports car to pull a trailer. If you insist on a tripod mount, get the active sleeve case from Sony ($25 on Amazon), which adds a tripod mount to the camera.Pros: Crisp, sharp photos. Very compact design (size of a deck of cards). Bright, sharp, large view screen. Solid construction. Good manual.Cons: Expensive, but worth it. You have to read the manual to get the most out of it.
I am among the last of my friends to have bought a digital camera as I held stubbornly onto my 35-mm Canon Rebel no matter how unwieldy my camera bag got. My wait turned out to be inadvertently wise, as I think the SONY DSC-T1 is really the digital camera made specifically for me. Granted the price seems steep, but the quality of the photos have truly been a relative shock to my traditionalist senses. On a recent trip to New York, it was sheer bliss to have such a high quality camera that I could carry in my shirt pocket all day, every day. The slim size and barely-there weight are ideal for ultimate portability. And there are a variety of settings that make for some great point-and-shoot pictures, whether it's using the 5M pixel camera at 3M pixel resolution, the amazing Smart Zoom feature, or the 5 MP mode, all produce excellent results. I also like the Photoshop-like extras such as the in-camera cropping of images, and in-camera image resizing for e-mail purposes. Although I barely use it, the movie mode is top-notch, easily comparable to the high quality digital-video tape camcorders I have tried in the past, 30 frames per second at 640x480 pixel size image.Whether using the static or movie settings, the quality of the imagery is easily comparable to the results I get with my traditional Canon Rebel. I am amazed at the color quality, saturation and preciseness in image detail, having now produced a number of 8x10" photos suitable for framing. Reading the 100-page instruction book is essential to maximize the features of the camera, and allow time to practice before using it for special occasion shots. And you should buy a few high cost high speed 256MB or 512MB memory cards to avoid frustrating capacity issues. I will still use my hefty Canon Rebel 35-mm camera with the even 300-mm zoom lens attachment, as I am used to the shoulder camera bag when I travel to far-away places, but the SONY DSC-T1 will serve me in a pinch whether it's taking a picture of an unexpected sunset or being backstage at the Metropolitan Opera waiting for my favorite singer or even documenting a fender bender for insurance purposes. After all, the camera one can take everywhere is truly the best camera to have.
I have had the Canon S400 4 mega pixel a new 5 mega pixel is either in stores or on the way! But my SISTER has the Sony cybershot and I have the Canon have ended or feud over which camera is best! CANON has won out! The Sony was one camera I wanted  but came to market too later. Its 5 mega pixel and LARGE LCD screen along with Sony name attracted me. I chose the Canon based on reviews and awards and BOY were they right.The Sony weak points:Large LCD screen is SO weak vivid wise and details compared to the canon. One would expect to see bright vivid crisp images on the larger LCD from Sony but you DON'T!The Canon after taking images you can tell if the image is sharp and not fuzzy. Only playback the images on the smaller than the Sony LCD is just unreal. Sony offers a weak  non detailed image while the canon shows an explosive crisp image that cant be beat!Too many images taken on the Sony come out fuzzy on my sister camera while very few come out fuzzy on the Canon S400. The Sony takes time to focus the image on the large LCD and even then you can tell even with zooming in on images  is still difficult.The Canon is WAY better price wise, image quailty at 4 mega pixel, LCD screen abilities and I could not be happier. My sister feels bad she may have gotten the raw deal on the Sony which I am advising her to return.
This little jewel is fantastic! It is state of the art Sony design and takes excellent shots with the Zeiss lens! I was attracted to the small size but big features of this camera. It will fit easily in your pocket and the dock is small and easy to store if you travel. Sure, Sony only includes a 32meg memory stick but hey do you blame them? I bought the 256meg and it will take 100 pics at 5 megapixs. The 2.5 in display is fantastic for quick views. And the camera allows you to use fully auto features for ease of use or there are many custom features for those who so choose. The color is superb. I use Microsoft picture it software and never have to edit color. I would highly recommend this to someone looking for great features in an attractive sleek package.
A litttle heavy, takes pictures really slow, has a pretty long flash recharge time.  so it takes a while for the camera to get ready for your next shot, Battery life is short.  Doesnt zoom in as much as other digital cameras do in this category,  Try a camera where the lens actually telescopes away from the camera.
I got my T-11 in August and have been struggling with blurry pictures. It almost looks like the camera is taking a double exposure. I finally called Sony customer service and they recommended reseting camera. After the reboot the camera began taking amazing pictures and they are crystal clear Even if shot indoors at night. The procedure is simple and is the the service manual. It is the first thing in the trouble shooting section.  Just removed the battery and memory stick from camora and push the reset button (located back side lower right corner) in for 20 seconds with a tooth pick. Put memory stick and battery back in and turn it on. Then set time and start taking great pictures.
I read all the reviews on the DSC-T1 and knew what I was getting in to. I knew its flaws but it was just the neatest looking camera I had ever seen, and against my better judgment I spent almost $500 on a camera that's worth less than half that. I should have listened to everyone's gripes, and so should you! Don't buy this camera! No amount of cool is worth the frustration, even though its &quot;cool factor&quot; can't be beat. After that's gone, there's not much appeal to this camera. For one, it has the weakest flash of any digital camera I've ever used; any pictures taken after sunset at more than 2' away are worthless. Another flaw is that your hands have to be completely still while shooting, or the picture is a blurry mess. The zoom is also weak, and taking pictures at the beach or in bright sun produce horrid, washed out images--even when using the beach icon option. In general, the picture quality is NOT what I expect from a 5.0 MP camera; the images I took w/ my previous camera, a 3.3 MP Olympus Camedia, were at least just as good and at most superior. This is my first, and last, Sony camera--the menus are totally counter intuitive and awkward. I hate the Memory Stick Duo and its adapter I have to take everywhere if I want to get the photos developed and the huge, clunky adapter. I'm selling mine on eBay and planning on buying a Canon S500.
I bought this camera on a trip to NY. The photos are of poor quality and many of them look blurry. I have a Canon Power Shot S400 which is by far a better camera which produces clear and clean pictures. No one who used the Sony Cibershot camera could take an acceptable photo; even the employees at the store where I bought the camera! Since there were doubts that it was damaged, after three days they replaced me the camera with another one. The pictures where as bad as the first one. When I returned from my trip, after sending various photos to my friends one called me and gave me the best advice: RETRUN THAT CAMERA; and that was what I did.
i had an old sony digital camera that was bulky and slow. after a while i got tired of it so i went back to disposables so i could take quick shots one after another without having to wait for it to load. this camera is very quick. less then a second between shots.the slide lens cover is awesome and perfect for the camera. just flip it open and click. this protects it and makes for a convenient way to turn the camera on. i find this extremely helpful when it comes to taking spontanious pictures. i carry this camera everywhere. i do recommend to get a protective film for the lcd screen as is for all other cameras, but more so for this 2.5" screen. the screen itself is more then half the size of the camera.the only problem i have is that even though it takes great and fast day pictures, i would have liked it to take better night pictures. i tried focusing it on the full moon, but the contrasting night sky caused there to be no detail of the moon. plus, don't try to take night pictures while holding the camera in your hands.with that small detail mentioned, this camera is awesome for day to day pictures. i set the camera for 1 megapixel and with a 256 mb card, it holds 370 pictures. that is enough to go to disney land, 6 flags, and sea world. i can make the battery last for quite a long while. it is such a small start up time when flipping the slide cover that it is just as easy to shut it off as it is not to. fully charged you get well over an hour, closer to 2. that lasts forever if you turn it off every time you use it. for convenience, i recommend this camera to everyone.
I am not a serious photographer.  However, it doesn't take one to know that this camera just takes bad pictures.  Fuzzy, blurry, noisy, and dull.  How do I know?  I held it side by side with a friend's Canon A400 (which costs about 1/3 the price of this Sony) and took the exact same pictures with both cameras on auto adjust, since that is the setting I would be using almost all of the time.  The difference was both ridiculous and sad.  I nearly set fire to the carpet running out to return this thing.  Other reviews have said that one must read the manual to become familiar enough with the camera to achieve good results.  This is of course a logical and valid point.  Still, this is supposed to be a "point-and-shoot" camera.  If one must study for hours to simply take a decent picture without using any special functions, the camera ceases to be "point-and-shoot".  I ended up going with a Canon SD200 instead and I am more than impressed.
Testing this SONY DSC-T1 during February 2004, has been a pleasure, carrying it in my pocket all day, every day. The size and weight is ideal for ultimate portability. Using this 5M pixel camera at 3M pixel resolution, using the smart zoom feature, or 5 MP mode produces excellent results. The T1 also allows in-camera croping of images, and in-camera image resizing for e-mail purposes. The high quality movie mode is comparable to high quality digital-video tape camcorders, 30 frames per second at 640x480 pixel size image, with the exception of typical camcorder better optical zoom capability. The camera also allows one to view and edit-out portions of the video. The image quality is stunning, and color quality and saturation is also spectacular. HQ video = 3 minutes fills 256MB card. SONY has definitely placed a great deal of engineering muscle into this device. I have produced a number of 8x10" photos and am stunned at the color and image detail. The trick in any photography activity is knowing how to take good pictures and finding correct lighting, etc. Taking care of business, when framing the image, and setting the camera features, will produce truly great results. "The camera that one can take everywhere is the best camera to have," is the remark I deliver to my students, and this device does not disappoint. Spend a few minutes reviewing the 100 page instruction book, buy several high cost high speed 256MB or 512MB memory cards, and have a great time capturing images every place you go throughout the day. As to a Camera Rating, it has earned a solid A+. I also shoot action sports events for FAU, NCAA Atlantic Sun Conference, and others using Canon's best digital equipment. Therefor, when I do not desire to carry large Digital 35mm size equipment, SONY's T1 is an ideal companion.James L Wilson, Professor, Principles.of.Digital.Photography.and.Post.Image.Processing Florida.Atlantic.University Boca.Raton.Campus Operating.Entity.BocaDigital.LLC. Quality.Digital.Imaging Post.Office.Box.520 Boca.Raton.Florida.USA.33429 Internet.E.Mail.Address For.Faculty.and.Students.mail.please.use: FAU@bellsouth.net
Judging from the extreme differences of reviews of this product, it makes me think we aren't talking about the same camera.  I bought this camera after doing EXTENSIVE research and I am ecstatic with my decision.  I compared this to the Canon Elph, Kodak, and Olympus models.  The DSC-T1 just had more features and the HUGE LCD was ultimately the deciding factor.  Blurry photos??  Red Eye??  I have taken pics while running, of subjects that are moving quickly, in every type of light imagineable at various distances and NOT ONE TRACE OF BLURRY PHOTOS OR RED EYE.  There must be some defected cameras going around because I CANNOT GET THIS CAMERA TO TAKE A BAD PICTURE.  The ONLY downside is the program mode, which doesn't offer much flexibility.  No big deal to me.  I am generally a point and shoot type of photographer anyway.  The movie mode is unbelievable.  With a 512MB duo card, you can get at least 20 minutes of video at the standard picture quality.  Looks FANTASTIC viewing in Windows media player.  The dock is a great tool to charge your camera at the same time you are viewing them either on your computer or TV.  YOU CAN CHARGE THE CAMERA WITHOUT THE DOCK WITH THE SUPPLIED POWER CORD.  But you shouldn't need to very often, the batter life is EPIC and has a counter in minutes of how much juice you have left. VERY COOL!  The more and more I use this camera the more I like it.  If something were to happen to this camera, I would instantly go out and buy another.  It breaks my heart to hear the negative reviews of this product.  Most of them contain statements that simply are not true.  I have been showing off this camera to my friends and family for 2 months now.  3 of which now own their own and are as happy with their purchase as I am.  That is best thing that could possibly be said about any product.
very easy to use point and shoot.  fast picture taking ability and does a good job auto-focusing.  with 256 mb card, can hold 140 pics at default settings (5mp, fine).  lcd screen is awesome and makes this camera a joy to use and review shots to ensure you got what you wanted.  couple minor annoyances...battery will fall out when you open compartment, no locking feature on front lense cover (sometimes it will open on its own in your purse/pocket), no included carrying case....to protect lcd screen while in pockets or purse from scratches.quality of pictures is on par or better than my olympus c4000 at 1/4 th the size.docking station is fast with usb 2.0 instead of 1.1 like most others.  recharges battery in under 3 hours.this camera has impressed me....size, quality, and easy to use.i recommend for those that want to carry a camera with them at all times without extra luggage.
I love this camera.  I bought this after the birth of my 1st child.  It works great.  We have captured so many precious moments with it.  Picutre/video quality is great.  We also purchased an extra memory card.  Best digital camera I have owned.  Easy to use and takes great pictures/videos.  Completely satisfied.
Why do so many reviewers mention the red eye effect as if this is not a deal breaker?  A chronic red eye effect makes a camera useless.  The home photoshop cure takes a great deal of time and never comes out real well.Also the main selling point of the T-1 is that it's compact and can be pocketed all day every day. If you need a big case to protect the LCD, the device is no longer barely there.
This is a follow up review to provide critical data not available at the time of my comprehensive review on March 5th.I experienced only two problems with this camera. One is redeye, and the other is the difficulty of emailing the 2MB files generated by a 5 megapixel camera.The solution to both problems is a photo album product like Picasa. Turn off the redeye reduction on the camera, and use the redeye correction feature in your photo album software. Do this with any digital camera because disabling redeye reduction on the camera will eliminate the pause before image capture and will also leave pupils nice and large.Picasa displays the pictures as thumbnails. I simply highlight the ones I want to email and Picasa will automatically shrink them to about 100K each and send them in a single email.
Always having had good experiences with Sony products, and having decided it was time to go digital, I was immediately drawn to this camera, but found it wasn't "well rated".  It took me a while to figure out that the reviews in consumer and even photo magazines may be putting (or not putting) a dollar value on features which the individual consumer may have more or less use for.  For me, perhaps more than for them, it's hard to see the display on many cameras.The large display on this camera makes it easier to see what image you're going to end up with, and this makes it far superior to any other five megapixel camera I considered.  Since everyone who has been in the vicinity since I began taking pictures with it has been impressed, I believe any photographer will appreciate this feature.The small, flat, size also makes it as convenient as, well, a camera phone, and you can't take pictures if your camera is too much of a nuisance to carry around.
I have been holding off on buying a digital camera for some time now, but I could no longer resist the inevitable pull of technology.  So, after doing some research and going to a local Best Buy to play with some cameras, I settled on the Sony DSC.I am very happy with my choice.  The camera is extremely easy to use.  I was surprised at how easy it is to take short movies -- one of my first videos turned out great and I emailed to a bunch of friends immediately.A down point:  The camera does have an issue taking pictures in low light.  The flash is inadequate and night-time indoor pictures have a lot of blurriness.  Daytime photos, however, have turned out great with excellent sharpness.The 32MB card it comes with is good for a few photos and a couple of short videos.  Definitely upgrade to a larger card at purchase.  I've been told that a 128 MB card holds 60 pics at 5MP, and 80 at 3:2 ratio.
I'll give a non-technical/beginner photographer's take on this camera:about me/needs: I live in an urban environment (Chicago and NYC) and travel a lot. I was going on interviews across the country to schools and I wanted to be able to record my experiences. I wanted something small that would be powerful and be able to record video and pictures that were highquality.My experience with the T-1: I haven't used the newer models but what I found about the T-1 was it was extremely inituitive. Pretty much you just slide the front down and on the side, click it to picture and you're ready to go. The LCD display resolves well in both sunlight and at night. To change flash modes, you just fiddle with the controls. Extremely simple. Going to videocamera mode isn't hard, you just click the notch down for video recording.At night panaroma views- the camera doesn't resolve very well. If you use the flash, the background doesn't come out. If you don't use the flash, the light doesn't come in clearly. Everything is sorta muddled. It's extremely frustrating.What makes this camera shine is the videorecording capability. I've recorded videos at Coldplay concerts from half a stadium away- with the camera zoomed in. It's amazing. The sound comes in crisp clear and the resolution is sharp. I like how the camera is so small and you can get quality videos.Problems about the T-1: I didn't give it the full 5 stars because of the price and difficulty in getting clear pictures on the go. I spent over 500 to buy the t-1 two years ago. It's signficantly cheaper but still the newer models are at about the same price I bought the original for.I had difficulty getting clear-well resolved pictures and I did read the owner's manual. You have to hold the camera really still and brace your arms onto something stable to get non-shaky pictures. In the commercial with Aerosmith's lead singer, the girls are sitting at a restaurant and one of them whips out the camera and takes a picture of him walking by. It's true the camera is quick to respond but I doubt she was able to get a clear shot of the guy with her arm shaking like that.If you want a camera that has the wow factor. amazing video recording quality and solid picture capabilities (if you can keep the camera still), this t-1 is for you. you'll find it for middle 300's almost everywhere now and it's definitely a bargain. I'm much more a dabbler in photography and this was a great starter for me.
I got this camera about a month ago and I love it!  Its so easy to use.  BUT, you need to read the owners manual and keep it handy for reference.  I've not taken a bad picture with it.
Constantly has a blue line running from top to bottom of screen.  I owned this camera before and loved it.  This particular one that I bought, was defected.
I don't know what the one reviewer is complaining about when he says that the camera can't be directly plugged into the charger. Mine can and I usually leave the dock at home when I travel and just carry the charger with me. For storage I purchased a Timbuk2 soft case that is designed for the iPod and then if I'm really paranoid I put the whole assembly inside a small Pelican case. Anything that breaks this combo will probably kill me, so I'm not too concerned. The only complaint I have with the unit is the fact that it uses the Memory Stick Pro for storage, which is a smaller form factor memory stick that is incompatible with other Sony Memory Sticks. Save yourself some money and purchase the SanDisk Memory Stick Pro instead of the Sony. It works just as well. All in all this is a fantastic compact camera that produces great pictures, and the movie mode is lots of fun.
I have the Limited Japanese Black Version . As soon as I saw it, I knew that was the camera that I wanted. I love technology, and this struck my eyes and I was impulsive and just got it! I was pulling my hair out reading reviews and just going insane. So I said, you know what, just go for it! And I did. Im very happy with this camera. It does exactly what I need it to do, fit into my back pocket! I can take it anywhere, and it is not bulky like other film cameras or even DSLR's ! There are things about it that make me sad, and wish I bought a different camera. But, you never know if your going to like a camera until you try it out. So, I have had it for abuot 3 years, and for the most part I like it, but I still look at other camera, and, I still buy other camera. Because it is an addiction.Pro's: great size, very easy to take everywhere, fits in small purse, pockets, jackets, etc. Cool , sleek , stylish, Big LCD screen, bright, easy buttons , user friendly interface, produces up to an 8.5 x 11 print, great quality, sephia and negative color modes are useful and fun, has great accessories, great battery life, great macro featurecon's: red eye reduction does seem to work, flash grabs light and dust with make these weird orb looking circles on pictures, buttons are small, front slide down lense cover doesnt lock, nighttime photos are horrible, unless you carry a tripod around with you 24/7, then you MIGHT get a good photo.. but chances are slim to none!all in all, its a nice camera to have to take " fun photos " if your on the go, and you just want something small its a good camera.I would recomend the DSC-T30 , its is a newer edition and they have fixed a lot of the problems that you find with the DSC-T1
I've purchased two DCS-T1's, one for me and one for my son, and find them to be a highly capable camera once you read the manual and learn how to use it properly.I've seen a number of reviews complain about the lack of a tripod socket built into the camera. That's true but Sony does make a case for the DSC-T1 that allows you to attach a tripod - it's the Sony AJK-THA and costs about $25-$30.
I purchased this camera new a few years ago. I paid over $500 when it came out, plus an extended warranty. Despite the lack of red-eye reduction and horrible shutter speed, it's size has allowed me to bring it with me almost anywhere. Tonight though, I pick my camera off the charger, turn it on to take a picture and the lens is no longer working correctly. I have never abused this camera and have kept it in excellent condition, yet it just failed for no reason. I used to buy all sony products in the 90's. You paid a little more but you got quality. This doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I have Discman's that have worked for 10+ years, yet I cannot get 2 out of a digital camera. I checked ebay and this seems to be a common problem. I am never buying a sony product again.
I bought this camera when it first came to the states early last spring.  I love the size of the LCD, write speed and video capabilities.  There are two problems with this camera that I wanted to share just so everyone can make an informed decision.1) The LCD is impossible to see in dimly light setting, even with the background set to high. (i.e., bars, natural formations like caves, some unlit tourist sites at dusk) The only way to make out what you're shooting is to switch into night mode.  The problem here is that night mode with blur your picture without a tripod as the shutter is held open longer to bring in more light.  I ran into this problem over and over again and it was one of two times I ever cared that the camera doesn't have an optical viewfinder.2) While the huge LCD screen is wonderful for taking pictures, understand it is vulnerability for the camera.  While I was traveling in China, my LCD screen was damaged, rendering my camera 100% useless.  The cases Sony sells are crap, they do not actually protect the camera as none of them are a true hard case.  I mention how easily the screen can be damaged because Sony charges $450 to **TRY** to repair the LCD screen.  That is roughly the same cost as buying a new camera.  I have yet to find a private dealer that can or will repair it and believe me, I've looked.Basically, if you intend to do extensive traveling, this camera is a liability.  Without a viewfinder you have no backup plan and my find yourself as I did, in a beautiful foreign place with a non-functioning camera and no means to replace it.  If you are getting this to take out with your friends when you go out at night, again, opt of a camera with a viewfinder.  You cannot see the LCD in the dark.  If these things are not of concern for you, this camera is a wonderful little machine which produces beautiful images.
I have had this camera for about 6 months. I wanted a simple point & shoot to replace a old and dead Kodak DX3900. The kodak was great, except it lasted about a year (seems to be a common problem). I never got a blurred image, and very rarely was anything other than crystal clear. With the T1, it has been a battle. I have gone to other sites trying to find tweaks, etc.First the good:1. The LCD screen is really great. Large, clear, and seems to repel fingerprints (not one in 6 months of use).2. This fits in your pocket (but I do NOT recommend it, as scratching the screen will be VERY expensive).3. The buttons, although having a decent learning curve, become easy to use pretty quickly (except for deleting pictures you just took....because that button also controls the resolution, I sometimes switch back and forth accidently).4. Lens cover. Not only does it protect the lens, but it's kind of cool, and turns it on and off.5. Close-ups are just astounding (if you are steady). I can get less than an inch from something with absolute clarity (just make sure you have enough light).6. The video is better than on my Sony Camcorder (when recorded on the memory stick).Now the Bad & the Ugly:1. Flash is terrible indoors without tweaking2. Auto mode is useless unless you have plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of light3. Lag is so long that my 17 month is sometimes completely out of the frame when the picture is actually taken, or, there is such a blur that it looks like he's a world class sprinter.4. Telephoto is weak, and produces more noise than I would like.5. Battery life is terrible, and appears to drain even while off!6. This is not a point and shoot, at least not what I was looking for. You have to change the settings for every different situation.7. Impossible to take video indoors unless there is PLENTY of light.8. Red eye is terrible, even with reduction on, people look like demons.Now, for those who went ahead and bought this camera:For indoor shots, I have found the best way to get good light shots is by playing with the white balance. This also eliminates the yellow hue that is in most of the indoor pictures I had previously taken. I only switch to Auto mode if I am outside and it is sunny. Otherwise, you are stuck in program mode and have to set things up semi-manually. You don't need to pick your f-stops or anything, but it is a bit of a hassle making the needed adjustments for each particular shot. The night shots are very tricky. You can get some great effects, but it takes a lot of practice and experimenting.This is more a camera for a hobbyist than someone who wants to just snap pictures. And that is why I give it only 2 stars.  With all that said, I am still looking for an easy P&S; (my wife still hates the camera and finds no redeeming qualities).
i got this and my other sony cybershot for christmas, i was going to vegas for new years and this is discreet, easy to use, i love it.
I have recently purchased this digital camera, and like many others, fell in love with it right away. Problems/issues that other reviewers have noted do come up. I have already found ways of resolving them, either in the manual, or simply by trial and error. Photography is a hobby that takes patience. Digital photography is no different.It seems like many had high expectations for this camera, given it's $500 price tag. I agree that the price is a little too high for what you are getting in the DSC-T1. Realize that this still is considered a simple point-and-shoot camera though.This is the perfect camera if you're looking to carry a digital camera everywhere you go. The picture quality is very good, and realize that different conditions while taking the pictures need different settings. If you're looking for a camera that will take perfect pics on the Auto-everything mode... good luck with that!Blurry pictures are usually a result of camera movement. Like other reviewers have said, because of the compact size of DCS-T1 it makes it more difficult to steady in your hand(s). Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it. I also recommend that if the situation permits (time), you press the shutter button down halfway to allow the camera to focus and get a better read on the surrounding conditions, before pressing all the way. There is another reviewer who said that their blurry picture issue was resolved after a reset, which is worth a try too if you want. I have not had to reset my camera.The battery life is great. The AC adapter does connect directly to the camera, if needed. The Duo Memory stick is not too big of a problem simply because Sony includes the MS adapter, so the Duo will work in MS Pro slots just as easily. Definitely buy larger capacity MS Pro Duo sticks (most from SanDisk come with MS Pro adaptors). A tip for the LCD screen: cut to size and place a PDA screen protector over it for added protection against scratches.If you're frustrated with your DSC-T1, don't get discouraged so quickly. Keep using it, keep reading about it, and you'll find that it really is a great camera.4 out of 5 stars. Not 5 stars because of the price.
I have had lots of complements on the pictures I have taken with this camera.  I even got fine night shots of the Mackinaw Bridge all lit up and without a tripod.  For those who can't take a good picture with it I suggest they read the manual and practice before counting on it.  I do think the color reproduction is a little better at 3 mega pix than 5 but not enough to say so.
Before you purchase this camera go somewhere where you can physically handle it. The size is VERY  small and the controls are close for anyone who has above medium sized hands. The memory format is not  the standard Sony memory stick, it is the new Duo which is a good format but not widely accepted ( remember the BetaMax).  We used a friends for as day and then opted for the DSC W1 which is more user friendly( the cameratakes a great picture but you have to be very conscious of the mode and where those extra fingers are!). Again go somewhere where you can handle this unit.Sony didn't quite get this one............
I bought this camera in 2003, mostly to do underwater pictures (with a dedicated housing). It has served me very well. Best feature is its size, you can really have it on you at all times, like a phone camera, but much much better qualityCouple of hints:- always use max resolution, so pack the newer, larger memory cards.- in low lighting, use the bracketing or burst function: both take a bunch of pics after one push of the button, whereby the first one will be blurred (due to YOUR movement when pressing the button) and the second will be sharp. This brings much better results than using the flash, which is awful, like in other cameras of this size- it can be slow at the start, so keep the autofocus on permanently. This may mean you run out of juice quite quickly, so pack an extra battery and re-charge in the evening- the macro is very precise and sharp , get up close and use it!At the end, mine got flooded (my fault), and I find myself looking for a second-hand one, despite all the improvements in the technology since 2003...Rene
I've never reviewed a product as a 1.  You can read the other reviews for the technical aspects.  I don't care about technical.  I want results.My last digital broke while on a canoeing trip since I got it wet.  My bad, I know it was dumb to take a digital on a canoe.  But I was able to get pictures off my Cannon even after it was under 2 feet of water.  Amazing.  I needed a camera quick because I had a trip to San Francisco and Denver coming up.  I always read reviews before buying a product but I didn't have time.  I assumed that if I paid $500 for a camera it would work.  I bought the Cybershot mainly for its size.  I thought the LCD panel was cool.  I got over the coolness quickly.The camera looks awesome and everyone who looked at it said the same.  Cool right?  I snapped off about 30 pix in San Fran and another 40 at the Rocky Mountain National Park during my trip.  Talk about bad timing to test a new camera.  Like I get to the Rocky Mountains all the time.  I get home and unload the pix.  Results?  Blurry DAYTIME pictures.  I mean bad.  I could see blurriness on the picture on the LCD panel.  That's how bad.  Night pix are worthless.  I don't care about red eye since I can fix it but it was noticeably worse than my other cameras.I get home and delete over half the pictures because quit frankly they sucked.  I was pissed.  I had some cool shots that I had to delete.  Some of which was on my b-day with some hot chicks.  Dammit!!I then realized that I had to hold the camera absolutely still to get a descent shot.  I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it and wanted to be patient with the product.  Even then I had blurry and out of focus shots.  I took this camera to a party.  Snapped a bunch of shots and same results.  In fact every picture that someone else took I had to delete because they weren't holding the camera absolutely still.  WTF.  Normally I send all my pix to friends after we're out.  I have none worthy enough to give them.  Absolutely frustrating.Many people said to use manual mode.  What?  $500 and the camera is not smart enough to adjust for even daytime pix.  Give me a break.  I'm not fussing around with settings every time I want to take a picture.The only good thing I can say is that it can take long movies.I read the other reviews and am surprised to see so many good reviews.  Even the good reviews were really bad.  People are giving this camera 5 while defending its flaws.  You don't rate something 5 if it has flaws people.  If you like the camera so much buy mine.  It's only 3 weeks old.  I'll give it to you for  price.
It sems to me that if you actually read the manual you will have no problems at all with this camera. I love it's small size, light weight and sliding lens cover. Keep in a proper case and it will not POP open as some folks have mentioned. The hughe LCD screen is a marvel. I can actually take pictures without my glasses! That is a big plus for me. Buy it, try it, if you don't like it return it. I think you will keep it.
This is my second Sony camera, the only reason I bought another one was because my first one stopped working. I have taken a lot of pictures and wore it out. So, this camera I purchased works great. I have done my homework looking for new digital camera's and tried 10 megapixels and it still did not take as good as pictures as this Sony 5 mega Pix camera. The screen on the back is hard to see and the zoom isn't all that great but the picture quality is excellent. Here's a tip, buy a large capacity memory stick about 4GB and the pictures will come out clearer. Not sure why but they do.
This version of the Sony Cybershot is a very good product.I'm the kind of guy who loves to take a zillion of photos wherever he is, but rather than ruining or bringin around the bulk of a Leica, I like to have a small good camera in my pocket.This 5 meg camera meets all my requirements. Very good pictures, small bulk, long battery life. Plus it records movies and sounds with great precision.I have no problem with the lid which I actually like very much. I keep the camera without any protection in the pocket of my jeans: the lid has never opened by itself, as it requires a certain amount of pressure. Plus it protects the lense in a very good fashion.Dock, charger, etc are kind of bulky. But the dock is avoidable if you don't want to carry it around.Flaw: red eye happens frequently in night photos. The lens seems a bit too close to the flash, and this could be the reason. The Red Eye Reducer (available as an option in the camera's software) gives no comfort against such issue.Bottom Line:I like this camera very much, fits my pocket as my cellphone, makes great pictures, is a 5 megapix, has good software going on.
I'm a die-hard Sony fan and have owned many Sony cameras, but I do not recommend this one: Far too many blurry pictures.
I saw a commercial for this and thought it looked like a great product. Very slim and a huge LCD, which really attracted me to it. Unfortunately, those cool features did not make up for it's poor performance.For one thing, my pictures had a LOT of redeye. I tried every trick I could think of to eliminate this, which included all of Sony's recommendations. Nothing worked. I'd say that 70% of my pictures have some degree of red eye. Secondly, the picture quality is just not satisfactory for a 5 megapixel camera. I noticed very little difference between quality from my friend's 3.2mp Cybershot and this one, and that includes when I printed them out. The only difference in quality I noticed is that his had a lot less red eye. Pictures also came out too dark for a camera with a flash. Third, the sliding cover on the front does not stay shut! When I took the camera with me on trips or in my car, I actually taped down the cover. Very annoying. And my biggest problem with the camera, is all the extra junk you have to buy. Firstly, the cables it comes with for transferring pictures and charging are a real hassle. They're bulky and it was a big pain carrying them around with me when I went on trips. And secondly, at the average setting, you can take 12 pictures with the included memory card. Of course, you can buy additional memory cards, but when you're paying so much for a camera, why should you have to? I want to be able to take at least 24 pictures at a decent setting before I have to start removing some.Overall, I am very disappointed with this purchase, and wish I had waited a year or so for them to work out some of the bugs with it. I was taken in by the small size and claim of 5.0mp. 5 megapixels doesn't mean much when all your pictures come out dark and muddled.
It's not even a year and the camera has suddenly gone 'totally grainy' with all photos.  I am talking 1.3 MP grainy, not that the indoor pictures were any good before. This just happend last week for no good reason at a birthday party.Problem is that even new this camera had the worst red eye (even with the red eye flash ON) and takes poor indoor pictures when a flash is used, even if the subjects are close, say within 6 feet.I usually get a hip new camera every year and I take LOTS of pictures. I disliked the photo quality of this one from the start. I thought because it was so thin the small lense just was not going to take good pictures- now I know that the camera is just a bad model. I kept it because I spent $500 plus bucks on it and liked the LCD and camera size.Almost a year later I am looking for a new camera because this one is not worth getting fixed- even under warranty. I am tired of missed shots, lost memories.If all you want to do is take pictures and show them to people on the nice Camera LCD screen then this is good, if you download the pictures and send one to a friend you will be embarrased by the super poor quality.Not Happy with this model and am now jaded towards Sony. I also do not usually write bad reviews.  I should have just let the money go and dropped this camera a long time ago.
It's a great little camera.  It feels solid in your hands and, in bright sunlight, can take some absolutely amazing shots.  This camera is very fast which helped quite a bit when taking pics of my toddler and preschooler who are always moving.  The other reviews explain the camera very well, but there's something I'd really like people to know.The beautiful LCD on this camera can break very easily and is very expensive to fix.  This camera has no regular view hole, so if the LCD is broken, you have no idea what you're taking pictures of.  My Olympus C3040 has a nice LCD too, but Olympus was smart enough to put a heavy plastic lens over the LCD to protect it.  For some reason Sony made the choice to leave the LCD exposed.  I've broken the lens on mine twice and have now given up on the camera.  The first time, it was in it's case and the second time it was in my pocket (which you'll be tempted to do since it's so small and easy to carry). If you break it, you can have it fixed, but that will cost about 3/4 of what you paid for the camera or you can buy an LCD and try to fix it yourself.  Doing it yourself is not so simple because of the way it was made.  My husband who sometimes works on circuit boards had to use a microscope to solder it because it just didn't go together correctly.So.... SONY! PLEASE UPDATE THE CAMERA AND ADD A PLASTIC LENS OVER THE LCD!And...If you do buy the camera, please consider buying a hard sided case for it.  I've heard the marine kit works well to protect it.I still miss my sweet little camera and it makes me sort of sad to have to give up on it.
Absolutely love this camera - had to have another just like the one I already had. Will always come to Amazon to hunt down items that I am interested in purchasing.
First, i would say Sony has made terrific product. They have displyed how to make real ultra-compact and Mega-pixel cameras.I would say this is &quot;Terminator&quot; of Digital cameras..:).Ok now whoever says that1] the lens cover is too huge or clumsy to use...well if you have to protect the lens from damage, u've gotto have sturdy lens cover. The big size gives added protection and also the good grip.2] Night Pics are no good ---- Guys u NEED to read the manual and play with settings. I have taken pics in PITCH DARK room with flash (ofcourse) and subject being 10feet from camera...with VERY GOOD results. You have to keep one thing in mind, that hands should be very stable. Well even the best SLR's require that.3] Memory Stick Duo =====  I dont understand why ppl make fuss about this. well i agree that they are little expensive, but considering the size for the memory..you have to agree there is no other format as small as the memory stick and SD.how often do u really swap memory cards with other devices.4] Daytime Pictures are Simply Beautiful. No doubt about those.Again ...check your settings, whoever gets dark or grainy pics.Here's a clue...try playing with EV setting. U'll see MAGIC.5] Tripod Not required === Folks cmon...this is ultracompact camera...Its supposed to be used as Point and shoot. Its not for Photo Studios or for doing your Model portfolio. The purpose is to Point and Shoot and Be on ur way...and not being on the scene for 30mins fixing ur Tripod.6] Sony should have provided a simple case. === yes i agree with this. Due to the delicate and precision electronics, they should have given minimal protection equipment with it. Anyways, i have heard that Apple IPOD case fits this easily.7] Large Screen Display === This is THE MOST ATTRACTIVE feature of the camera. I think other companies should follow this standard. We DONT need a few finder now. Also those who said that the screen isnt bright in sunlight. I'll say check ur Eyes or check the Settings ....cuz mine just works fantastic.8] Cradle issues === I personally didnt like the Cradle too. I would prefer a set of cables instead. but whoever said that cradle is too bulky....folks u need a workout...the cradle is as light as ur mouse and even smaller is size. If i'm tavelling, i wudnt mind carrying it along, cuz anyway i'll be using it when i get back to my hotel room. not when i'm outside.well thats all i can think of right now.Again i'll say play with ur settings especiall EV, Focus, ISO.then u'll realise how COOL this camera is.
I've had this camera for about a month now, and have been using it extensively in that time period. The size is incredible, it is the size of a credit card and only weighs 6.3 ounces. The body is made of a high quality metal, and feels good in your hand.There's no optical viewfinder on the T1, so you'll have to make do with the huge and gorgeous 2.5&quot; LCD on the back. It uses transreflective technology, found on PDA screens, so that the LCD doesn't wash out in sunlight.The camera also has a 3x optical zoom, but the lenses don't stick out of the camera. Instead, Sony put the zoom mechanism inside the camera body and uses a prism to reflect the light from the main lens. Very cool.The flash is weak, and drops off after about 6-7 feet. Red-eye is also a problem with a lot of my indoor photos, and the red-eye reduction doesn't reduce the effect all the time. Picture quality is very good, though you might want to tweak some of the auto settings to get more control over shooting. The camera does a good job most of the time though.You can also shoot movies with sound at 640x480 resolution at 30 frames per second, but you need a Memory Stick Pro Duo to accomplish this due to it being faster than regular Memory Sticks. Otherwise you're limited to 640x480 at 15 frames per second. A 512MB stick, the largest currently available, will only hold about 6 minutes of video.You cannot use regular Memory Sticks with this camera, and the included one only holds about 12 photos, so you'll need to cough up extra if you like taking tons of photos.Battery life is good for such a small battery, I can get about an hour of shooting in before it dies. You also get a cradle with this camera, which you can use to charge the battery inside the camera, hook it up to your TV and display photos, or hook it up to your computer.The DSC-T1 is awesome in terms of design and features, and is well worth the price. Aside from investing in a bigger and faster Memory Stick, you get your money's worth and the collest camera on the market.
I've had this camera for about 6 months now and it is defenetly an slick eye catching piece, the large LCD viewer makes it nice to take and show pictures, and its small, slim shape makes it easy to take anywhere and that's the reason for the 2 stars... HOWEVER... Picture quality is another story. I purchased this camera trusting SONY's reputation for great quality in electronic equipment. I was terribly disapointed to see the bad quality of the pictures that I've taken. Daytime pictures are good, specialy if you are out in the sun, but pictures at night, using the flash, are usually Blurry, dark, off-colored, and just not satisfactory for a 5 megapix camera. I have seen the quality of other cameras that are about the same price with similar features like the Casio Xslim, and their quality far exceeds Sony's Cybershot. This is a complaint that most people have about this camera, and so I am pointing it out so that consumers out there take serious consideration before spending their money.
This tripod was really useful until the leg locks started breaking. The Digi was used under normal conditions with a Canon SLR.At least three legs are completely cracked and all of them are showing lines where they will eventually break.If I could find replacement leg locks (metal preferably) I would invest in getting it working again.The quick release mechanism and head have held up well.
Great tripod for a low price to pay, it's light, easy to carry, smooth, perfect to begin making your own movies and great for your photograph camera too.
very good product, especially given the price.  would buy it again and again!  Don't hesitate to buy one if you see one yourself!
The tripod is easy to use and works for easy task. But definitely if you look for precision this won't do it.
I purchased my DSLR w/ grip two years ago and purchased this tripod one year ago.  I'm not a professional.  I just wanted something that would get the job done without breaking the bank.  It doesn't have to be the lightest, most compact, most functional tripod on the market; I just need it to work.  And it does.It's a very well rounded tripod in my opinion.  It's well built and sturdy, extends enough for me to stand straight up while shooting both portrait and landscape (I'm 5'10"), and doesn't weigh a ton.  I do a lot of long exposure night shots, so I can take time to get the camera exactly where I want it, though I'm sure with a good ballhead I could get the framing a few seconds faster (though I've heard cheap ballheads tend to slip as they get older).  I'm able to go from fully compact to fully extended and locked in about 20 seconds and then back to compact in about 15 seconds (not trying to blaze through it, just average speed).  It's small enough and light enough to fit perfectly against myLowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Black), and I will happily be traveling with it to Guatemala next month for a week of taking pictures.In summary: I'm sure there are quicker locking mechanisms, lighter carbon tubes, more compact legs, and nicer heads on several other nicer tripods, but I enjoy purchasing just what I need and utilizing it to it's full extent.  This tripod is not top of the line, but it's not a cheaply made entry level gimmick.  It's a great all around tripod that just gets the job done, and that's exactly what I wanted.I have never felt limited/handicapped in taking pictures by the functions/quality of my tripod.
This tripod exceeded my high expectations. It is rated by Manfrotto for small point-and-shoots but it is so sturdy and well-made it works fine with my Nikon D40 with zoom attached.
I didn't have much money for a tripod when I bought this. I knew of Bogen/Manfrotto's reputation for quality, so I was surprised that this broke in two places within a year after I bought it.I've used professional heads, and knew that this head would be worthless for panning (no surprises there). But the plastic snaps on the metal legs are of such poor quality, that they broke in two places. I had to rubber-band them together until I could get another (more professional) tripod. I was embarrassed to carry it around, and nervous about taking my hand off the tripod, for fear that one of the two compromised legs would give out, and cause the camera to come crashing to the ground.I was considering donating this to a thrift store, but the thrift store might be insulted that I'm giving them my garbage.
Not as stable as I hoped, but servicable and a good buy for the money. if you will be using LARGE lens you may want a hever system which means more money, so as I said good product for the money.
The 728b is a very lightweight tripod/mount at under 4lbs. Keep in mind that this is not a tripod you want to push anywhere near its supposed 11 lb. limit. I use it for my Pentax 65mm Spotting scope (2.3lbs) and for something like that, it's just about ideal. Settling time is well under 2 seconds and the range of motions on the integrated head is fine. I have used it at 100x without any problems. It comes with a nice travel case and shoulder strap. As a really lightweight tripod, it definitely fills a useful niche - just don't expect to be able to put a 10lb refractor that's 30" long on it!
stick with light duty use only, such as with the handheld cams or a still camera, you should be on the money with this. Anything larger and your better getting one of this things big brothers, but in a pinch, it does do very well. It's light weight and easy set up can be a godsend for more remote stuff, as long as you don't expect too much from it. Stability is decent, about what you would expect, but fluidity of the pivot leaves a bit to be desired with the heavier cameras.
This is a solid tripod -- very well constructed.  It's easy to use, too.  In hindsight, I might have opted instead for the ball head, and the quick release, but that's minor.  I think this one is actually more solid.
This tripod is absolutely perfect in every attribute that counts.  It is easily adjustable, quickly deployed, light-weight, sturdy, and built to last.  I use this tripod with a Nikon D60, and even with a 55-200mm lens it doesn't feel the slightest bit wobbly/stressed.  I take this tripod with me when I go hiking in the mountains because it is compact and lightweight and fits in my backpack, and the angled rubber feet ensure that it won't slip/slide/move on rocky or muddy terrain.  The carrying case that it comes with is nice enough for storage and transport.
This tripod is sleek and light and I like it.  I'm not crazy about the fact that the very top of the head, the part that locks onto the part that attaches to my camera, is not flat on top.  This means I can't rest or perch things on top of it.  Everything must be screwed down.
I have had this tripod for about 2 months now and so far it has been great.  It was a huge upgrade from my old one.  It's sturdy, fairly light weight, easy to use and easy to transport.  It doesn't have a ball head but it is much less expensive than buying a tripod and then a ball head separately.  It is sturdy enough to hold even a relatively heavy camera without much if any camera shake.  I myself have not experienced any camera shake.  I do a lot of hiking, and climbing and this tripod has never weighed me down.  It also it fairly tall.  I'm six feet tall and at the tripod's highest point my camera sits at eye level for me.  Even when it's not at it's highest it's not uncomfortable to use.  I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a good tripod at a relatively good price.
This is a very good tripod for the money. The only problem is the 3-way head.  It has too much slack.  Once you angle the camera in the direction you want, tighten the handle, it will settle a few degrees more down or to the side.  It also does not have a mark for the horizontal position, so it's hard to align the camera to the horizontal plane.  It will lean a few degrees to the left.  Even the cheapest plastic tripods I've seen have a sturdier head.
I needed a reasonably decent tripod for a Canon EOS 30D with a 70-300mm zoom tele lens, but I didn't want to break the bank. I decided on this one after reading the other reviews. I am quite pleased with this item. The head operates smoothly and locks down solidly. I often use it extended to near max height. It is very stable despite that extension. This is a very good tripod for the money. I have no reservations about recommending it to others.
After being asked to pay an exorbitant fee at the airport to place my old tripod in the hold, I knew I needed something more compact.  This tripod is great.  It fits in my check-in bag just fine.  The model is steady and expands enough that even six-footers can use it easily.  It can be set up in almost no time at all.  The case can be carried over the shoulder easily until the unit is needed.  Light-weight and very mobile.  It is so responsive I can follow a flight of birds with my 20x spotting scope. Very glad I purchased it.
My daughter wanted a tripod for her digital camera and it had to be at least 62" tall to account for uneven ground and sturdy.  This tripod is tall and very strudy.  She just loves it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the stability, finish and ease of operation this tripod provides for my camcorder.  Make no mistake, this is not really a tripod designed for camcorders.  The head does not pan quite as smoothly as a true fluid head, but unless you need to move your camcorder around a lot, it should be no problem.  For keeping the image steady, even on a breezy day, it is great.For SLRs and DSLRs, even with some fairly long lenses, this would be an excellent. choice.It weighs about 4 pounds and comes with its own carry-bag.One thing...if you are going to use it with more that one camera, get extra quick-release plates.  It will make things a lot easier.
This tripod delivers everything it is supposed to. The carrying case is more substantial than I expected. The mechanism for raising and lowering the shaft is easy to use and sure - I much prefer it over any ratcheting mechanism I've seen on other tripods.Very stable and light.
I had this tripod for little over a year and used it exclusively indoors (still in like new condition).  Functionally it worked well though the locked positions didn't always hold as tightly as I expected.Overall I was satified until just recently when I pulled it out to do some shooting.  I started to move the head when it suddenly disassembled.  Apparently the three screws that attached it were no longer secure.I took apart the head by removing the plastic cover and unscrewing the mount.  Needless to say what I found inside was indicative of poor engineering and what looks like a stop gap solution.  There is a loose metal square (very uneven) that is put in to keep a bolt in position, secondly the three screws are so short that they barely grip the thread when tightened.  At this price level I expect well machined parts and some thought given to the correct screw length.
I debated over this Manfrotto tripod and the 785SHB.  The 785, while much lighter and incredibly compact, felt really flimsy and didn't seem very stable.  I might still purchase it for hiking and whatnot.  But for everyday tripod use, the 728 has been a godsend.  It feels very well made, is light enough, is easy to use, and feels quite stable.  The quick release head mount is very useful.  Saves a lot of time being able to just latch and unlatch my Canon 40d.  The plate mount is small enough that it doesn't compromise the overall size and still fits in my camera bag with it on.
I trusted this tripod with my Canon XHA1, and it didn't let me down. Purchased for a media fam trip to France, it fit perfectly in my camera case. Bungee cords worked well to tie the tripod down to the case when in operation in the field. Tripod setup and adjustment were fast and easy.I put this tripod through a "professional duty" workout, and it performed nicely, much better than the cheaper compact tripods.
This was the first tripod since I started shooting seriously.1. The weight is light, and the construction of the leg part is excellent.  Considering the leg part only, it is very stable, easy to manipulate, including the fold and unfold - extension of the legs.2. It is very tall - I am 6' 2" and I did not feel much uncomfort with that.3. The head part is a bit fishy - compared to the leg part.  There is a few problems I met with the head since 2004.  First, it is takes some effort to point the lens to designated target.  When I was shooting moon - given a 300mm lens on a 1.6x DSLR in New York, it takes great effort to point the focusing point to the moon. Second, the quick release board is not quite stable - in some degree it kills the stable legs.Given the price of the tripod - it is a reasonable starting tripod for folks shoot seriously.  Even in day time, shooting scenically, a tripod will offer you much sharper image than handhold with shutter speed slower than 1/200s.I used it for more than two years now and I upgraded to a Bogen 3021BPro and a Benro ball head (a A-S compatible ball head made by a China manufacture, got on ebay), they works noticebly better but cost me $330.
Well, ok, the F6 is better.  So what?  If you can afford an F6 you can afford a D300, and the D300 stomps the F6 into the ground for everything you would normally use a 35mm camera for anyway.  The only things most pro's still shoot with film are usually done with larger formats nowadays.  Like me, for instance.  Some of my clients like black and white film.  So I tried this and a Fuji GA645 (medium format, exposes a piece of film right at 3 times larger than 35mm) side by side.  Both cameras metered almost exactly the same, but wonder of wonders (no, not really), the medium format made better images.  Still, 35mm is fine for everything up to 8x10 prints.Current pricing at Amazon is stupid.  $[...] and up?  Get real.  You can get the same kit used from [...] for about $[...], if that.  Go ahead, buy "BGN" (bargain) grade, you won't regret it.If you can find anyone to process and scan it, shoot slide film.  There is simply no comparison between slide and negative, slide wins every time.Unless you're in low light, then you need to be shooting with a digital SLR, not film.What are you hanging around here for?  Go take some pictures!
I love this camera! I am a photography student and freelance photographer, and this camera is amazing. It offers top-of-the-line features at a price a student can afford. It offers all-manual options that are perfect for student work - but also has the latest and greatest automated features. For example, Dynamic Autofocusing allows you to capture photos of moving subjects, even in continuous mode, all in focus. And, this particular kit comes with a Nikkor lens that goes from a wide-angle 28mm, to a normal 50mm, through to an 80mm telephoto for portrait work. A very affordable set up, and all at Nikon/Nikkor quality. I'd definitely recommend it!
I gave up film photography over ten years ago.  If I could have afforded one of these at the time I would have stuck it out longer.  There were near the top of the non-pro food chain.Buying this was an act of nostalgia.  I decided to check out film photography while I still could.  The N80 is very easy to use, there is no mysterious menu system to search through, the controls are easily reached and nearly intuitive I function.  There are also limited - ISO is set by the film as is white balance. Since there is no instant feed back on an LCD screen one is motivated to think before shooting.  The price per roll plus development reinforces this.The camera works with nearly any lens you my be using on your  DSLR (even APS-Censes work to a degree).You can find used bodies for under $100.  I suggest if you have only worked with digital photography you grab up one of these and make it a side project to lean how to make good images with film.  Although film is NOT better than digital ( it IS different, however) learning to use film with all it limitations will make your digital work better.  Besides, it's fun.
I'm extremely pleased with this addition to my Kitbag. Rugged, lightweight, intuitive ... a SOLID performer. If you're interested in discovering 'film' or for that matter, rediscovering film ... Get one! It will not disappoint.
Great condition film camera that has modern features.  I was interested in this camera for the versatility, I was afraid that there would be adding damage but the owner did not disappoint
The only caveat I have is that the footprint of the legs is very small (especially when fully retracted), so if you've got a long lens on a camera, you do risk the tripod toppling over if you don't take care to extend one of the feet along the same line as the camera is facing.The adjustments are smooth and tight, and overall there's a feeling of quality I didn't expect in this price. I bought the tripod for a one-time special need, and ended up putting it in my gear bag as a generally useful tool.
I don't use it much but when you need one, you really need it. This one looks reasonably well made but lacks stability with a large DSLR such as the Nikon D200 with the 18-200 lens in place. Lots of features at a very reasonable price. Best suited to light duty.
I need a way to mount cameras close to the ground and perform a full range of pan and tilt moves, and this is the only tripod I've found that enables that.  It can even be counter-sunk to bring the pan/tilt head closer to ground level if necessary (by digging a small hole and setting the collapsed tripod into a cup).  It's very sturdy, especially with the suction cup in the center post, and a very good purchase at this price.
This mini tripod is a pretty good basic design, but to work in practice I had to cut a couple of inches off the center post and swap out the head for a decent ball head. The plastic pan head is simply not strong enough to hold anything but a point and shoot. Certainly not a D800. The head's main problem is the plastic hinge that allows the camera to be rotated into vertical. It's supposed to be an additional feature but makes the head so "floppy" that at best you can only shoot static shots: forget panning or tilting during a video take. It's also very difficult to level the horizon. That hinge again. It simply can't be tightened enough to hold the camera level.The suction cup on the center post is supposed to attach to a flat surface, but the surface has to be perfect to work. Not likely. The cup deteriorated after a couple of years, too, becoming superfluous. Worse, with the legs retracted to their shortest (and most stable) position the center post has to be extended upwards. Now the camera is really top heavy and, again, the whole thing is unstable.I speak from trying to shoot video clips in Washington DC, where you aren't allowed to use a full-sized tripod. So I carried this little guy, setting it on domed trash receptacles or benches. Those domes together with That excessively long center post made it almost impossible to use. It wasn't up to the job. I came home and shortened the center post, removed the pan head and replaced it with a sturdy ball head.  Still can't really pan, but can at least level the horizon.I'd recommend a different setup. After I got done cutting the center post and adding aGiottos MH1302-655 Professional Calibrated Ball Head with MH 655 Quick ReleaseI should have gotten theSUNPAK MINI-PROPLUS/B Mini Tripod with Compact Ballhead.
Light weight, fully adjustable with great panning capability. It blows away my old pod.
I bought this item to use as a tripod for my spotting scope during rifle sports.  This tripod is not quite hearty enough for that purpose.  I'm sure it would be fine for photographic use, as it seems to have many adjustments.  My complaint is that the handle extends in the same direction as my spotting scope's eyepiece, so when I look through the spotting scope my chin hits the handle and bumps the image around.
The Sunpak Mini-PRO Plus Table Tripod is a quality tripod, plenty able to steady my Coolpix camera.  I only wished the legs were alittle longer to raise the camera height up to my eye level while sitting at a table.  It looks taller online.
I bought several of these tripods for my research group.  I stick small firewire cameras on them in lab.  The tripods are nice because they are very close to the ground, but the construction makes them a bit wobbly and annoying to setup.  I don't know of any better alternatives.All in all, they serve there function -- the telescoping works and the height has enough adjustability to make them useful.
This Sunpak Mini-PRO Plus Table Tripod with pan head and black anodized finish was bought to replace mySunpak MINI-PLUS Mini Tripod with 3-Way Panheadof equal size mainly because of the pan handle but the anodized finish is nice, too.  I gave someone else theSunpak MINI-PLUS Mini Tripod with 3-Way Panhead.
I use on trips in my day pack. Helps with multiple panoramic shots for stitching later, low light shots, etc. Works smoothly.
The Mini-Pro Plus tripod is a great device to keep handy. I bought item because I need something small with features of a large TP as well as a handle to center the subjects on the camera's LCD screen; especially for video, because small digital cameras can sometimes be difficult to keep still by hand. I use it for a tiny Coolpix S1 but it can easily handle something much bigger without a problem. Setting it up is very easy once you get familiar to all possible adjustments and knobs, and once you're done it's a snap to put away.
I purchased this tripod to use as a sturdy, table-top tripod.  I love the three-way pan head.  Basically, it functions like any normal lightweight tripod, but it is much shorter.  I had tried a couple of table-top tripods with my Sony a700 DSLR, but found that they were too light to handle the weight of a full-size camera and lens.  This one is MUCH more sturdy!  The legs telescope out making the height about 15" or so.  There are knobs for adjusting for horizontal panning and tilt.  And, the camera platform pivots out so you can take vertical photos without removing the camera.  As an added bonus, there is a level built into the platform.  If I had to post any concern or negativity...it would be that the legs "splay" out some when a camera is attached...it's not a big concern or anything, but worth mentioning.  All in all, the convenience of this small, sturdy tripod makes it WAY better than dragging out the big one for small photo projects...such as macro work, slide copying, etc.
I have an aluminium tripod with standard size and bubble level and the difference with the mini-Pro Plus is the size. Excellent to use with telephoto lens or macro photos. If your camera don't have image stabilizer, you can use this mini tripod to reduce the camera tip-over. The center leg has a suction cup mount that It can be adhere on surfaces like glass.
This little bugger has saved me quite a few times when a larger pod would have been quite un-necessary. It is highly profesional quality. Very sturdy. I know this item will last me the rest of my life.
For the price this little tripod is a tank, difficult to believe for a $20 dollar tripod, quality for the price.I don't work with huge lenses on this, so I don't know about tippyness but my heavy nikon is fine on it.Attaching my camera is not difficult, and it's pretty maneuverable. I actually like it better than my full size tripod.
I've tried everything......even the $25/bottle cleaners. Everything out there makes smear marks on my multi-coated filter. This is the only product that cleans my filter perfectly. Should have bought it first....
This is absolutely, positively the best lens cleaning, eyeglass cleaning solution my friends and I have ever used.  Nothing else we've ever used even comes close.
I am 100% satisfied with this product and have no reason to try another.If you have ever tried to get your coated lenses (eye glasses, cameral lenses, lens filters etc)clean but failed. This is the solution for you.For my anti reflective coated eyeglasses I would get very upset with trying to get them cleaned withoug smudging. No matter what I tried I could rarely get them clean.But then came Formula MC. It never fails to impress me. It makes cleaning lenses a no brainer.Basically I treat the process just like waxing a car. Just drip some onto a micro fibre lens cleaning cloth and rub it on both sides of the lens in a circular motion and let dry.. only takes like 30 sec. Then buff out (again in circular motions)using a clean and dry area of the cloth. DONE! PERFECT EVERY TIME! Could not possibly get any cleaner.Try it you will love it!!! Have a lot left still but am ordering 2 more bottles in case I can't find it again for some reason!!
After looking around as to what the pro's use to clean there lens, most recommended Formula MC Lens cleaner. After you try it, you will clearly see why!
This is a great product that really cleans lenses well. The "waxing a car" technique, as another reviewer described, worked very well. Using this withMicrodear Microfiber Deluxe Cleaning Cloth, Large, 14.5" x 17.75"makes lens cleaning easy. Before touching the lens with a cloth, I use theVivitar MSB-1 Mini Super Blower. A great trio that I keep in my camera case for any occasion.
Had to get a replacement battery and this fit the camera perfectly. Holds a good charge and was well worth the money.
My son plays competitive golf, so we can be on the golf course for 4-6 hours.  I follow and take pictures and mini movie clips with my Panasonic FZ-20.  One battery will last me at least that long and sometimes longer as I upload the card to my computer afterwards.  This includes turning the camera on and off during the round.  But I also will forget to turn the camera off as we walk down the fairways, and with the camera's power save mode, it is never a problem.  I always carry an extra battery in my back pocket, but rarely have to switch it out.  I have 3 batteries that I rotate in use.  I have just found that Panasonic is a superior product for my needs.
I paid a little more for this Panasonic battery for my Panasonic camera.  It replaces the cheaper brand I purchased, which had to be pried out of the camera.  This battery fits perfectly, comes out easily as it is designed to do, and holds a charge very well.  Worth the few dollars more.
This is the genuine Panasonic battery, correctly described in Technical Details as 'Panasonic branded retail packaging'. Actually the shipped package and contents weighed only 0.2 pounds.Take my advice and skip buying a generic battery.  (Prior to this purchase, I bought a generic replacement battery for my Lumix - the battery initially worked fine and then started overcharging).There a few buying choices for this battery.  The best price is $27 with Free Shipping by one of the sellers.C'mon Amazon.com you can do better than $44 with 'Free Super Saver Shipping'- that price is way out of the ballpark!
This has great battery life, and great to have when the stock one runs out.
I bought two different brands of the aftermarket batteries and both of them lasted less than a year.  The original battery that came with the camera is 6 years old and still working (not as much capacity as the new one I just bought but that is to be expected after 6 years).  My advice, don't buy the aftermarket batteries.  In the long run, they will cost you more.
ordered for a friend of mine
wrong order
The VHS-C adapter does what it's supposed to do.It converts VHS-C tapes into VHS tapes for easy viewing. There's not much to review. I have no complaints.Build quality is good. I recommend it.
five stars on this product!  it was brand new and in the package with instruction manual.  i'd recommend this product to any who'd like to view some of their of vhs cassettes
I couldn't help but feel that this was a little over-priced, but then again, I suppose these little devices are becoming harder and harder to find these days.  Also, when compared with the other brands, it was a bargain.Functionality: it does what it is meant to do.  It works properly, as promised, and allows me to play VHS-C tapes in my VHS player.  I use it for clients to capture their old footage to burn onto DVD for them.  I needed it in a pinch, and it came through.  Helped me complete the job, and is now on hand to assist me with any and all future orders that may require a similar touch.If you need it, you should get it.  It won't let you down.
I had some concerns about ordering this adapter because of previous reviews, but decided to order it anyway. I am glad I did! The device works great. So far I have transferred 15 VHS-C tapes to DVD without an issue. If you would like detailed instructions on how to use the adapter, look for Markm's review.
I bought this to transfer some VHS-C tapes, and it works...but definitely cheap.  For some reason when I rewind the tape, it shuts off my VCR when it hits the end of rewinding??  And it feels like it could easily tear up my fragile tapes if you're not careful.But like I said...it works.
What's not to love? It is tough and worked in 3 different, old as heck decks.  I would order more, but I think this will actually hold up to the test of time.  At least, longer than the tapes will.
Doesn't position the tape right most times. Have to manually adjust for the VCR to read it...but it works just fine when the tape engages correctly. Also had to scrape off plastic from the transparent visor like piece to make the VHS-C cassette fit right. Like the fact it does not require batteries.
I had a bunch of C-VHS tapes of my kids when they were little, but no way to  watch them since the camera broke years ago.  Great way to watch, and now I am transferring them to DVD!
Not much to say here; it;s an adapter and it will fit your VHS-C cassette; not for use with 8mm or Hi8 cassette (you will have to buy a camera for those, there is not adapter)
This is probably one of the most straight forward products you can buy - it either works or it doesn't.  Except for me on this particular unit it kind of did and didn't.  It actually got the job done by allowing me to load into it a very old VHS-C cassette and play it in my combo Panasonic DVD/VHS recorder.  It did record perfectly to the DVD which was the whole reason for having it.  BUT it caused me fits trying to eject it from the machine once it was finished!  That was certainly an unexpected glitch that was so nervewracking at one point I was concerned I would need to have it professionally removed.  The case of this adapter is probably about .001 to maybe .002 thicker than a VHS tape cassette and therefore &#34;hung up&#34; in the insertion/ejection port of the recorder.  I've never had that happen in literally thousands of insertions and ejections of VHS tapes in various machines I've owned.  I only needed this adapter for this one VHS-C cassette which is that of a friend.  After transfer and eventual ejection of the adapter I mailed the DVD I made from it along with the original VHS-C tape and the adapter to my friend hoping I will never see it again.  Maybe I had one that should have been rejected at the factory or maybe they are all prone to such malfunction.  I don't know.  It got the job done.  But, I would not care to risk damage to my equipment by having to use it or one like it again.
A little snug getting cassette in and getting cover to slide shut. Otherwise works well. Am I the only person who wonders why all small electronics including CD's and DVD's are sealed as if they fear being laced with cyanide?  I actually destroyed one of these (different brand--Dynex? Dynel?) getting it out of the shrink wrap.
I know how these work, so that's not the issue.  When I tried to put into the VCR it would only go 2/3 of the way in.  On closer examination, the screws that hold the thing together on the bottom were mis-threaded and sticking part of the way out at an angle, preventing it from being able to go all the way into the VCR. So, I carefully unscrewed them, re-inserted them, tightened them down and tried again.  Now, it goes in, but it sure doesn't like to come out.  It also doesn't seem to want to 'rewind'.  Sure wish I could find my original adaptor. [Very sad face.}  &#34;Made in China&#34;.  It's not even worth returning.  Junk.
I used this for a converting home movies to dvd and it has worked great. Just be sure you slide the cover all the way over the tape. And take it slow. No jamming. But that's just common sense, right.
The first time I put it in the VCR, it made a grinding noise and I thought it was going to ruin a family video.  It played for about 5 seconds and stopped.  I checked it to see if maybe I left something on it.  I tried it again and it did the same thing.  I wasn't about to try it anymore with my family videos.  I only gave it one star because it wouldn't let use zero stars.  Piece of junk.
This adapter performed very well. I do recommend reading the comments (most especially where other buyers talk about how to use it). Knowing those instructions before I even received the product let me put the adapter to use with no problems.
I would imagine if your VHS-C cartridges were newer this would work better, however mine are quite old and repeatedly got bound up in the workings.Its cheap enough to give it a shot, and I imagine it would be more convenient than using the video camera to view.
As said in the review , the product was new. The product arrived on time, also, in perfect conditions; That's the reason I choose these rating.
This Adapter works as advertised, I convert Home Videos to DVD as a hobby and a client gave me a VHS-C I needed to convert. This adapter worked great and now I have the adapter for the next job.
Can't really complain at all.  I was able to watch my vhs-c tape in an old vcr.  The video observed was priceless, so all in all it was a good purchase.
Crapped out on me, almost ate one of my tapes. Looking for another dependable converter, I need it for a job I'm doing.
My family is using this to transfer VHS-C home movies to DVDs and it works perfectly. Can't say anything about longevity yet, but we don't film on VHS-C anymore anyway.
I purchased the item only to play an 8mm cassette. However, I received the item and the front cover clearly states it not not play 8mm. Unlike the image provided. Therefore, its okay probably for another type but not for 8mm.
Received this product two days sooner than expected. Great product and value. I was so surprised to find it. Very happy with the results.
I have had two other adapters that were motorized and one of them fell apart and the others motor stopped working (It wasn't the batteries). This one is not motorized so it may take a little bit of "manual labor" but it works great and is a whole lot cheaper.
I was converting a bunch of VHS tapes to digital files so I could store them on my PC and I used this adapter for a few smaller tapes and it worked great. No complaints...
vhs-c adaptors are getting hard to find as vhs-c recorders are being outdated.i am very happy with my maxell adaptor.one good advantage is that it doesn't require batteries as my old adaptor does.this adaptor exceded my expectations.i recommend it to anyone needing an vhs-c adaptor.
When you do a search for 8mm adapter, they show you vhsc adapters, than when you think you are choosing 8mm adapter, it says does NOT work with it.  I unfortunately didn't notice until it was too late to get.  For vhs-c I am sure this is great.
This is the worst product I've ever purchased. Shame on Maxell for making such a horrible product and marketing it to the unsuspecting public! Thanks to this piece of plastic junk I have lost a treasured video of an important part of my son's life that was captured almost 20 years ago. Don't buy into those who say if you are careful or do it a certain way it will work just fine. That's what I thought too but even following everyone's advice who left positive reviews my tape was ruined. I will never buy another Maxell product. If you value your VHSC tapes please spend the extra money and buy one of the old JVC Adapters. Now I know why they're so expensive. They're the only ones that are quality made. Too bad I lost mine. This thing is going in the trash. Lesson learned.
Thank goodness for this adapter, I had a lot of VHS-cassette home movies and copied them to DVD's. If you're careful with lining up the cassette's into the correct slot, it works perfectly.
Another vote for terrible. I thought I'd take a chance on this adapter, thinking maybe some of the bad reviews had to do with user error or defective products. Nope.It was really easy to put my VHS-C tape into the adapter. The design of the adapter was actually pretty good. After I got the VHS-C tape in, I tightened the tape as the instructions said (turning the white sprocket on the back of the adapter with my comically oversized thumb), so it was nice and snug when I put it into the VCR. It played for 2-3 seconds, then the brown tape got loose and was eventually eaten by the VCR. Luckily, I was able to corral the tape from the VCR's mouth and still have my cassette intact. Tape was wrinkled in parts though. Like an idiot, I repeated this process two more times, just to see if I'd get different results, and my tape got eaten two more times. I uploaded two photos of the aftermath.That's it. Easy to insert the little tape into the adapter, but it simply won't play in a VCR. If you have rare memories, I would not advise chancing their fates with this Adapter of Death.
This items arrived on time and worked as expected. We lost our other converter and needed a replacement to play the smaller tapes to record on to DVD. This product worked just fine.
Grinds in the VCR, won't play. Pulls tape out of the adapter on eject. Constantly stops playing due to friction/dragging and grinding. Waste of money. Don't risk your memories.
There were several different configurations of this type of unit, some were even battery powered.  This is a great buy for the money!  It took a little bit of work to figure it out the first time around, but was a breeze from there on out!
This is a good product; any of these adapters are terribly susceptible to easy breakage.  They're only plastic/aluminum.  It works fine; every once in a while the top part sticks and we have to manually push it up as we're inserting it into the VCR.  But it does its job!
I was pleased to find this , as it was a necessary component to view some of our tapes. Works well . Price was good
I had an entire collection of mini VHS cassettes recorded in the nineties, but had lost my adapter - rendering the mini-cassettes useless. As this is virtually obsolete technology, I never expected to find a workable and relatively inexpensive adapter allowing me to view my cassettes in my VHS player. Maxell unit performs flawlessly and I am delighted to be able to view oldies and show them to  our grandchildren.
Tape was difficult to get in place, then my VHS player would not play the tape. Now I may have done something wrong on inserting the tape. However after a few tries I gave up. Luckily I found the Panasonic adapter that came with my camera oh so many years ago, and with new batteries it worked and played the tape perfectly
My title says it all. One has the read the first review and following these steps exactly plus line-up the groves on the tape and adapter perfectly while slowly closing the case. Brain surgery is easier. My recommendation is to buy one of the more expensive motorized adapters. The few buck difference is not worth making a mistake and destroying your little girls first step.
The item works but it seems more difficult to use than I expected, but tht may be because the one I was replacing was battery operated. It arrived quickly and I was satisfied with the service just a little disappointed in the product.
I was worried I'd never find one of these again and I have a drawer full of old videos of my children growing up. This gadget is the best! It arrived fast and has worked really well. We have brought out the old home movies at a few holiday gatherings and really enjoyed some laughs thanks to this great little item!
I use this on all my old video camera tapes, to put into vhs players. Very helpful for old camera tapes, if you want to watch them.
Purchased this item to transfer 8mm videos via the VCR to my computer.  On the listing it didn't say you couldn't use this for 8mm.  When I rec'd it, they wouldn't fit and upon contacting Amazon w/ the info they were prompt and sent me out another adapter.  However, they sent the same one and so I couldn't use it.  I did explain that it would be used for 8mm and that's the adapter I needed.  When I rec'd the wrong one again, I called and the person said they don't make them.  However, I have had one in the past, just can't locate it.
Exactly what my husband was looking for as we had lost or misplaced ours.  Arrived very fast, no problems at all.
I purchased this to convert VHS-C tapes to DVD and digital format in conjunction with a Panasonic DVD/VCR, digital converter and iMac.  It is very sturdy, works well and I have not had any problems with it thus far.
Gift for my dad. I learned how to use it before I gave it to him so I could teach him. Easy to get the hang of. You can't just slap the tape in and slam the sliding door closed. It takes a little effort and a careful hand to snap it into place, and sliding the door closed slowly and carefully is a must as the prongs that come up as the door closes to spread the tape itself seem like they COULD damage/stretch the tape if done too fast. Just read the top review on this product page or look up "VHS-C adapter tutorial" on Youtube to get an idea of the simple steps before you try. Otherwise, it works fine and just as good as the battery powered one that came with the camcorder that's now worn out. Plays in the VCR just fine. Simple, smart construction to be non-powered. Don't be scared to use it and go slow.
Is my second adapter and i'm satisfied with this kind of adapter. Stay alert The only is if your VCR not reduce the speed before end of the tape it causes that the plastic roller wear away.
This product works as expected. Without the electronic mechanism, you have to be a little bit careful about getting the tapes in and out. Would purchase again.
Worked really great! Happy with this item.
I used this to watch a tape someone gave me of my late husband. It worked real well. I would recommend it.
It works well! I recommend sliding the plastic screen up slowly, because it stretches the film as you push up.
The first adapter I recieved would not accept a cassette.  The manufacture quickly send a replacement that works perfect.  I had one previously that required batteries but this one is all mechancial. super!
I'm thrilled with this.  I have a collection of older format VCR (the smaller ones) movies that I've not watched in years.  I can now!  This inexpensive little marvel works just like a charm.  I couldn't be happier.  If you're looking for a converter, buy this one!
I purchased this product to replace my last one like it.  The price was good and it operated exactly as I expected - just like my previous one.  I'm sure there is one manufacturer of this product that sells to big companies because it was exactly like my previous one with a different brand name.  The only advice I would give is to be careful.  Don't push too hard or fast because the gears are plastic and can strip - which is why I had to replace my last one ... I was a little impatient and forced it.
This item is very high quality and it works great! I don't know why all these other reviews say that it tears up the tape, and it stops periodically. It does not do either of these if you follow the instructions very carefully!
This manual mechanism works when you slide the cover closed.  Take your time, and close the cover by gently rocking it until the VHSC tape releases enough tension to slide everything in to place.Works in a pinch, and cheap to boot.  Found my battery powered one after this arrived, but at the price I paid, I didn't mind.  4 stars because it works great for a manual mechanism!
i threw this adapter away in a fit of rage without realizing i could've exchanged it at amazon. this thing is so CHEAP.  it broke after 2 uses. i felt violated to tell you the truth.  never again.  i think ill just buy a used camcorder that has playback capability from eBay after this experience. never again
Exactly what I was looking for to convert my old VHS cassettes to DVDs..and no bettery is even better...service was the fastest I have ever seen and price was definitely right.
How much can be said about a VHS-C adapter?  If you're reading this review, you're probably watching some ancient tapes, or maybe converting them to digital, and you've found that the equally-ancient VHS-C adapter you had doesn't work any longer.This one does the job well enoughGood:Manually operated.  Pop a tape in, and there's a mechanism attached to the sliding cassette-cover that puts the tape in place.Bad:Manually operated.  The mechanism for sliding the cover is okay at best.  A little finicky about sliding it perfectly straight, and the tape can be a bit hard to get out.But hey, you probably need one, and this looks to be about as good as it gets these days.
This is necessary for turning or playing your VHS-C into a standard VHS. All you do is pop in the little tape into the big tape.
Be careful that the videotape threads correctly in the adapter, otherwise no issues at all with this nice product.  Very helpful!
This did the job for me on converting old VHS-C tapes to DVD.  Make sure you read the instructions on the other reviewer on how to work this adapter properly - it really helped me out.
Works great !!!  Been transferring my old movies to DVDs and found that my old one quit working.  This came fast and did the job great !!!
This manual mechanism works when you slide the cover closed. Take your time, and close the cover by gently rocking it until the VHSC tape releases enough tension to slide everything in to place.Works in a pinch, and cheap to boot. Found my battery powered one after this arrived, but at the price I paid, I didn't mind. 4 stars because it works great for a manual mechanism!
I bought this item in order to transfer my videos onto DVD. I was enjoying watching old videos of my kids and grandson (who passed away in 2007). The thing I did not like about this adapter, as they advertise no batteries required, is because the function is manual. Therefore, you slide the tray to close once the video is in. The track to which it slides is not smooth. It was difficult to slide as not to break it. But guess what? I broke it. I prefer the motorized type (like I used to have). Only thing is, I'm finding out, that it will cost you. However, after buying five of this type, I would spend about the same, and lack the inconvenience!
I got ahold of some of my dad's old videocassette tapes, but couldn't find an adapter. I thought I might never get the chance to see them because no one carries them any more. I found this and it was not expensive at all and came in time for the holidays! It works great, I did not have any problems with it.
I ordered this for my step daughter and she loves it and said it works great and now everyone can watch old stuff
The review by &#34;Markm&#34; pretty much sums it up.  I'm really surprised that someone can goof it up, though.  First, slide the door to the case open fully.  Then insert the tape making sure the posts inside fit properly into your smaller cassette (make sure the flap on the side of the smaller tape flips up all the way).  If done properly, closing the door will cause these posts to pull the tape out of the smaller cassette towards the larger edge of the adapter.  When dealing with the sliding door of the adapter, don't move it too fast -- be gentle (so you don't strip the gears).It's simple, it works, it's inexpensive -- just know what you're doing!I used to have a motorized adapter by &#34;Digital Concepts&#34; that worked fine for me, but reading the reviews on Amazon for what seems to be the same model gave me pause.  The only visible difference between the one I had and the one listed was that the sticker on the top of my unit was blue and yellow instead of red and yellow (but it did work fine until a bug crawled into it and died).Anyhow, I transferred six small VHS-C tapes to my computer using the Maxell adapter and I had no problems -- highly recommended.
Works very well for our old home videos. Good quality build, and good quality video. Solid, and I don't think it will damage your old videos in any way.
It will keep your vcr clean and prolong the tapes and keep the picture clear and no jumping of tape life
worked like a charm!....absolutely no problems at all with it...played my vhs-c tapes back super easy and never messed up at all.would highly recommend this product if anyone is looking at purchasing one!
Now it saves me so much time and it works great. It used to be so hard and time consuming to watch and record to dvd,
This works just as well as the one I had that required batteries. I was pleasantly surprised. Good, good, good.
I bought this because the one that came with my video camera turned up missing (which is not surprising - as it's over 8 years old) but I was dying to know what was on the videos. It definitely brought back some great memories! The device worked without a problem, it's as simple as putting in your cassette and placing it in the VCR. Would give more stars, if allowed!
It works perfect! No fuss no muss! I might have to buy extras for friends!
Difficult to load and almost impossible to remove cassette. Ruined two tapes that had family pictures on them . Be warned
Works perfectly thanks to the reviewer who described in detail HOW to load it. I'm sure I would have wrecked it had I followed my &#34;intuitive&#34; inclination! LOLTHANK YOU to the person (I will come back when I have time to browse the reviews to find your name) who is making this a WIN for those of us looking for this very specific little gadget.NOTE: I was HORRIFIED when viewing back this tape as it was several years OLD and I looked SOOOOO FUNNY! Can't imagine where my STYLE sense was when filming. :-\
The product worked perfect. I had about 35 tapes that all took great. Trust worty seller.
We used to have one of these to convert our VHS tapes to DVD, but alas it broke! Couldn't find a replacement one any where. Thank goodness for Amazon! Great price. Have used it many times since acquiring and it works great!
I was so scared about this due to the other reviews, but I really had no choice. We had some old family videos we needed to see and had run short on time to get them converted. The only option was to buy this thing and use the old tapes.After reading the horror stories I noticed a pattern... Each complained that they had issues with the film slackening off and then getting stuck in the machine. I found this to be absolutely accurate, and absolutely preventable. For those old enough to remember tapes you know that they are pulled through a head unit that transfers images. Too tight and the film breaks. Too loose and it gets hung up on internal components and creates a mess.The solution was to very carefully seat the mini tapes (brand didn't matter to me), and then using my finger rotate the video crank slightly to tighten the tape with my finger. I noticed that every time I did this I had no problems. The time I didn't do that we had a rats nest.So do these work, yes. Are they perfect, no. Be sure to make sure they are seated right and snugged up. That did the trick for me...
i have converted all or most of my vhs-c tapes to VCR years ago,,,, but wanted to keep one of these around just in case.  It works so far and was a great deal bought thru amazon
I don't understand the reviews saying this product is difficult to use. I mean you slide open the cover, place the VHS-C tape in (the front cover of the VHS-C opens) and slide the cover closed. Couldn't be simpler. I put in tapes that are up to 20 years old with absolutely no problems. Glad I didn't spend $125 for one of the motorized ones.
My wife's original adapter was motor operated and went bad. I thought we would give this a try for the price. Followed directions using care in putting the VHS-C tape in and out, and the adapter worked very well.
As with all Prime, it came quickly and just as described.  Amazon really has this worked out great.  I had old VHS-C tapes I wanted to convert to DVD but I had lost my adapter.  This is just what I had in the past.  Thanks again......
This item is mechanical, not the battery powered type that comes with your camcorder.  I have had a little problem with it, but need to test it a little more.  It seems to put to much drag on the tape causing my recorder to stop and restart.Rewinding the the tape forward and back and then running has helped.
I gave it a 3 because I had to give it something. I did not get to use it at all. It arrived BROKEN and I had to send it back. It was not wrapped as good as it should have been. Amazon did return my money VERY FAST.
Do not order this Maxwell VHS C adapter if you are looking for a standard size adapter.  It is not "standard" for all Cassettes.  For example, JVC tapes will NOT fit in it. I know because I bougth one and damaged my cassette.  You will be unable to slide the door shut &/or it will open up your cassette tape on top and damage it.  Spend your money on one that is Standard instead of this.  Only if you have a Maxwell cassette tape should you buy this.  Otherwise, save your money.
Did the trick for my 8mm tapes was able to see all my tapes an simple to use loved that it needed no batteries for me to use it.
My old adaptor broke and I decided to try this one as a replacement. It's great, and allows me to continue to watch my home made old videos!
i have read several reviewers who complain the adapter broke and/or ruined their tapes.  it is a bit tricky to use, but as long as you move SLOWLY it will work fine.  when you put the tape in the adapter, you need to put it in gently, do not force it in. as you do that, there is a small plastic bar that will open the front of the VHS-C tape to expose the tape. then when you close the adapter, do that gently and slowly as well since that action causes two rollers to expand the tape so that it fits across the front of the adapter so that it will play in the vcr.  as long as you take your time and are gentle, then it will work fine.  also, make sure you read the entire description because it is for VHS-C not the 8mm tapes.
Didn't work with Super 8 tapes.  Said so right on the box, but we missed it.  Wish I could find an adapter that did work with Super 8 tapes.
It works great. It was able to copy and transfer my old vhs-c tape to dvd disk. I would recommend it to anyone who still has old vhs-c tape.
Don't wast your time. Very disappointed that was broken and a lot older type of adapter then what shows on picture.  Sending back! You can pick these up at Radio Shack that actually is motorized.
I found this on my Amazon search for "8mm tape player" and I guess I didn't read the info close enough, because when it arrived it says all over the outside of the package "NOT FOR USE WITH 8MM".. so I guess I'm not the first one to do this.Returned for refund.
This product did everything it promised to do. I would reccommend this product to anyone. The cassette worked just as stated.
I made this review toward the product.  The product was faulty from the manufacturer apparently.  It would not work at all from the beginning.  The product appeared to be new but just wouldn't work.  I was disappointed because it did not work.
It's a cassette converter, it works and it was offered at a reasonable price.  I thought it would be more difficult to find but Amazon made it easy for me to purchase.
I recently went back to my hometown in the Midwest for the first time in a decade. I found a bunch of my old home videos I made in high school which were all on VHS-C tapes. The first place I went to find this product was right here on Amazon and this Maxell Adapter was the perfect one. It arrived right on time with the scheduled delivery and was in perfect brand new condition. I used it right away and had no problem with it. For anyone with a VCR and old VHS-C tapes, I recommend this Maxell Adapter. I rate it at FIVE STARS, it is perfect!
I usually am pretty savvy at these types of adapters but I could not get this one to work for me....it may have just been me.  I didn't like it and I would not buy another.  I sent this one back.
I tested the Maxell VHS-C adapter in both my Sony and Magnavox VCRs. When I inserted the adapter containing a VHC-C tape into the Sony VCR, the adapter wasn't recognized and it was ejected after two seconds. In the Magnavox VCR, the tape inserted and started playing fine, but suddenly there was a loud grinding noise. I ejected the tape and discovered that it had been chewed up. Instructions were properly followed when inserting the VHS-C cassette, and it was tightly wound.Maybe if I tried a third VCR it would work...? I don't plan on sacrificing any more tapes to find out.
Can't find them in stores anymore it works great a little hard to slide in and out but that's because it manual not battery now I get to watch all my old family videos
I finally got my tape into this contraption, but when inserted into my vcr it wouldn't play. It was difficult to get my tape back out. This was a waste of money.
havent used it yet but did cost that much so whatever if it works then great if not oh well i dont care
Not worth the money. I was hoping to replace an older adapter so I could transfer old VHS-C tapes.What a waste of money - couldn't watch one darn tape none the less transfer any to DVD.
Hey, it let us play our compact camcorder cassettes.  What more could we expect out of it?
I bought this because I thought that I could use it with my mini dv tape :( i couldn't but that is okay the seller was great the product if i had the right tape would work wonderfully.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS ITEM ALL OVER THE PALE FOR A LONG TIME HARD TO FIND ITEMS FOR EQUIPMENT THAT IS OPSOLETE
I have an older video camera using c-VHS tapes the last adapter craped out. With this one it is manual and will last much longer.
I bought this to transfer a VHS-C tape to DVD for my mother-in-law. It is alittle tricky getting the tape in the adapter but, hey, I only used it once and it did the job. So, good product!
It works fine...now. AT first the gears weren't turning easily enough that the VCR thought something was wrong with it that it either stopped or ejected the Adapter but that only happened two to three times in the first moment of use. After awhile, it works perfectly.
Like other reviewers said, it damages the tapes. Mine didn't do it at first (I didn't notice at first anyway). Mine make a crease at first, then to a crinkle at the top edge of the tape. After awhile the audio starts to sound choppy and muffled and the video jumps and rolls. That's when I looked at the tape and noticed it was crinkled at the top. I mostly bought this to rewind the tapes to save wear and tear on my camcorder. I only paid $8 for the adapter so lesson learned. To me it's not worth sending it back. My old vhs-c camcorder is having trouble turning on now so I'm just going to upgrade to a modern digital camcorder. It's time to move out of the stone age. LOL
I think there is something wrong with the tension on the tape.  When I tried to use it, even with adjusting the wheel in the back, my VCR wouldn't play the tapes.  The one I bought at RadioShack is 10X better.  No problems at all.
Works perfectly as advertised.  Follow the directions and do not force any movement.  The adapter permits me to view  my VHS-C Vacation Tapes.  My previous Battery powered Adapter was lost.
Found some old VHS-C tapes and had no way of viewing them and transferring to DVD.  This works perfectly with absolutely no problems at all.  Highly recommended to view or enable you to save your old VHS-C memories with a VHS player and converter connected to your computer!
Not very well made. Not smooth operating. Parts not very refined and opening and closing is very rough. Nothing is smooth and well fitting. Everything about it is "rough". I guess for the price you cant expect perfection. Not worth returning. Will look for something else.
So, after years of not being able to see my little videos, I finally decided to buy an adapter.  I purchased the maxell vhs-c cassette adapter a few weeks ago, and i love it.  It does what it needs to do.  I haven't had any problems with inserting the little cassette into the adapter.  Only problem i've had is maybe with my VCR, the cassette(adapter) will not go into the VCR sometimes.  But after trying a few times it eventually works.  Plus i've had trouble with it stopping every 2 minutes, but i turn it back on and press play.  I think it's just my VCR that doesn't work.  But the adapter is great, i love it.
I didn't have the problems that others had with this product.  It's easy to use and the instructions are simple.  Some purchasers were upset that they couldn't use their 8mm tapes with the adapter.  The description says very plainly that it's not for 8mm tapes.  As far as I know there IS NO ADAPTER available anywhere for 8mm because the video tape inside the cassette is half as wide as vhs-c and would never play on a standard vcr with or without an adapter.
All the bad rap on this item is probably because people can't read.. Lot's of how to on this item, just read it and you will have no problems.. It worked great for me.
Broke on the second use. Did not function well. Made of cheap plastic. I entered my cassette and it worked fine, but i couldnt take it out - and to brute force it
For what I ordered this for it would not work-to duplicate cassettes from a camera.  I'm Sure for just watching on a monitor it would be fine
The tape adapter works just as I hoped it would.  After spending three days trying to find one of these locally, I gave up.  If I would have ordered from Amazon instantly, I could have saved a lot of time.  The tape adapter fits into the VCR (yeah I still had one) just fine.  I can now view again all my VHS-C tapes from 20 years ago!
JUST BE VERY CAREFULE WITH PRODUCT. IT WORKS BUT APPEARS TO BE VERY FRAGILE. USE CAUTION WHEN LOADING AND UNLOADING TAPES.
Works fine, you just have to watch what you are doing.  This is a manual load system and if you bully it you'll break something.
I was looking for one of these to be able to convert some old VHS-C tapes into a digital format & was so pleased with this.  Very solid, I hate when things are so cheaply made that they feel like they will fall apart with the first use, and was pleasantly surprised at this.
It didnt serve my purpose at all so I sent it back and I never got credited back for it.
Bought this as a replacement for one that I had lost. I have not used it yet but it appears to be identical to the one I had and the price was right.
Not as good as the one it replaced, but it does the trick.  A little on the flimsy side.  Not too many out there to choose from.
I bought this product so that I could transfer my kids' baby videos to DVD. The case works great - just what I needed - but it's a little flimsy and would not hold up if I planned on using more often.
I was disappointed when I received this item the first time, it did not work at all.  But after contacting Amazon and getting a replacement, i am very happy.  Is very easy to handle, no batteries and now I can watch my tapes on my VCR.  Really fast delivery and great customer service attention.
Bought this to be able to play the smaller cassettes.  It worked fine and I had no problems with it.
I can now view old tapes I forgot I had!! Thank you for this product!! Let's me look at old tapes of family gone too soon and little ones now grown!
This is a manual item that did not work even one time. The first tape we put in the adapter got crumpled.  It  was not worth even $10.
keeping in mind that this item does not work with 8mm tape, it is an wonderfuladapter for the vhs-c tape you have at home. For those fortunate enough to have this type of type with videos on it this cassette adapter is an inexpensive solutionto viewing your tapes.
Is not much to say about an adapter but after I received it it didn't work, one of the moving parts that extend the tape did not worked properly and got stuck and didn't allow the VHS-C cassette to be inserted properly.Instead of return the item, I decided to open the adapter and try to see where the moving part got stuck and it was in fact a defective plastic in the mechanism that prevented the moving piece to fully move. After removing that defective piece the adapter worked like charm and now I can see again my old home videos.I give it 2 stars because it should worked in the first place with no further fixes like mine.
Not quite satisfied with the operation of the adapter but it did do what I wanted.I would recommend it as aback up.
I had a ton of cassettes from when my kids were little that I couldn't watch anymore since my first player broke. I had a hard time finding one that would work with our cassettes. This one worked and it was wonderful to see those moments again on the TV!
This is a Mechanical VHS C adapter, you just have to be careful when entering the cassette in the adapter, follow the instructions printed in the adapter, and then you are good to go. By the way, the adapter is made of Metal, not plastic, so it will be more durable.
Not a great product but does the job well enough.  Pricewise it is what it is.
Wanted to view 30 year old video cassettes over the holidays, and this product will make that possible!Adapts the past to the present!
I got this for my husband.  He's very excited to try it out!My experience with the order was so easy.  Just a click away!  The delivery was faster than expected and the packaging was trouble free to open. Very easy and straight forward! Hassle free. No complaints at all. Just great!
ONE OF THE BEST PRODUCTS I HAVE EVER USED THANK YOU NEVER THOUGHT A PRODUCT COULD BE THIS GREAT AND THE TECH NOLGIE CAME A LONG WAY
I don't normally write reviews, although I read a lot of them and find them useful.  So I'm writing this just because i read the bad reviews for this product and almost bought the more expensive ones; but decided on this one to save some money.  My worry was that to save a few bucks I was risking breaking a tape or a VCR per the other review's comments.I am pretty sure the reason they had problems is they didn't use it properly.  The instructions are pretty bad, and if you don't use it right it will break a tape and/or mess up your VCR.  So here is the way to use it;the instructions just say open the cover, put in the tape, and close the cover; but its a lot more than that.1.  open the cover, and you'll see two posts sticking up that are spring loaded.  It is very important you don't do what I did, which was figure those go in front of the tape, so I pushed them open and dropped the tape so the posts were on the outside of the tape.  After experimenting and seeing how they work, I realized those posts go inside the tape, so just put the tape in without moving the posts.2.  and when you put the tape in, be sure the front flap of your VHSC tape pops all the way open.  The first time I put in the tape I didn't push it all the way down, and the flap didn't even open at all.  Don't force it, but when the tape engages the gear, the flap pops open.  The gears are plastic, so fiddle with it, don't force it.3.  Now here is where you can break the tape;  the instructions say "close the cover" which is right, but they don't mention that by closing the cover you are actually doing something else;  the cover has a gear built into it, as the cover closes those two posts that are inside the tape push forward and out, spreading the tape out and pushing it to the front of the Adapater Cassette.  This is how the tape is pulled out of your VHSC and held out so when the tape goes in the VCR it touches the VCR Head.  When you slide the cover forward do it slowly, sort of back and forth, with light pressure.  If you force it, it will snap your tape!if you do all this, I think you'll find this adapater is excellent, and will save you a bunch of money over the other ones that are double price, but probably have better instructions.
IT WORKED VERY WELL AND HAD A GOOD TIME WATCHING OLD MOVIES.Thanks Maxell.for a product that brings the old up to the new.
If you are going to order this adapter, BE SURE you DO NOT have an 8mm cassette because this does NOT work with them. I stupidly ordered it without checking and cannot use it for the purpose that I originally bought it, but I can use it with a few others that I have so it wasn't a complete waste of time! :) It was my fault for not checking but I guess I needed it anyway! I got the package in mint condition and it works well for the right cassettes :)
I purchased this to replace a battery powered one that i dropped and broke.  this works OK.  It is stiffer than my old one and you have to be careful putting the tapes in.  However -- it let me get all of my old VHS-C tapes copied onto DVD so I am happy.
i needed it to transfer old home videos to my computer and it worked perfectly highly recommend for that use.
I don't write reviews, but this needs to be said.Why is this product rated 3/5 stars when it works great?  First of all, it's ten dollars.  My RCA VHS-C Adapter just broke, and I'm doing a documentary where I'm transferring archive footage from VHS-C to my computer.  Someone on the Amazon marketplace is selling my RCA adapter, used, for $144.98.  Get real.  Then I thought about eBaying a camera, instead of using a VCR to play, and transfer the tapes.  Over 80 dollars, used, for a VHS-C camcorder.  Get lost.  Stumbled upon this, and was skeptical, until it arrived just now...THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE PRINTED ON THE TAPE.  Let alone there's some printed ones inside the box (I'm a guy; didn't even bother).  But any person, other than an ogre, should know to carefully open the plastic slide, put your tape carefully in, and push the slide CAREFULLY upwards (or downwards when taking it out).  You can watch your tape be opened (or closed) by the adapter.  Why are people having trouble with this??And every brand's tape works!  I've tried and successfully played Sony, JVC, TDK, etc, let alone Maxell tapes.  All work fine...Only gripe would be: if you stop, then rewind, it seems a bit fast for my tastes (don't know if it's my VCR or not) and it sounds like it's going to transform into a decepticon (or just destroy my VHS-C tape)...Maybe some folks received a defective piece of plastic and I'm somehow lucky, but this product is great.Pros+It works+It works with all brands of tape+Don't trust othersCons-Wouldn't trust the power rewindRecommended...
This is exactly what I needed to replace our old broken model. Works great with no need for batteries. Highly recommended.
did not even work it kept messing up my tapes what a waste of money I had to end up going to radio shack and buying a good one I do not recommend buying one of these at all don't even waste your money other than that fast shipping and good packaging
I needed the cassette for a project, and it did the job! Thank you very much. Good job Maxell Cassette VHS-C Adapter
Just like they had issues back in the 80's and 90's, there's still a problem when you close the &#34;door&#34; on these, but it works and that's all that matters to me!
Both of my VCRs rejected it.  One is an older VCR and one is a new VCR/DVD recorder.  They both spit it right out.
I am converting vhs-c to a disc. This was a great product. Dont waist $300 on a adaptor by big name brand. This doesnt even need battery to make it work. All manual load but its a solid product. Glad I got two of adaptors. Makes my burning alot faster.
the cassette fit into the adapter is not perfect, it takes a little maneuvering to get it in. But it performs as expected, very well. And the price was much better than the retail outlets.
does it job and had no problems using it. I was able to pull out my older videos for family gatherings.
You would think vcrs and theses tapes would all be a universal size....guess not. I couldnt get this adapter in my vcr with out some pushing and then I got nervous about what it might do to the vcr or the tapes. Im converting all my dads vhs tapes to dvds and its been quite the process. This adapter didnt work for me, it might for someone else. Returning it has been easy though.
great price and found it on Amazon!  for old camera that needed a VHS-C adapter.  Just put your VHS-C form the camcorder, for those of us that know what one is, and then you can watch your video through your VHS player, also for those of us who remember what they are.  They have software that can also transfer the VHS to disc, which we all know about, right?
This product worked as promised, for a couple of uses.  On the 3rd tape that I watched, a crucial component, one of the the pins that move the tape into positions so that it can be read by the magnetic heads of the VHS player, broke off.  This rendered the device useless.  This essential part is made of lightweight plastic.
It was cheaply made and broke while I was copying an old home movie thus catching the video tape inside my VHS player.
The adapter is wonderful! I misplaced the original adapter and thought that I would never be able to see my cassettes again.
We bought it to play some old VHS-C tapes of various brands. I read the instructions thoroughly, inserted the tapes properly and it works perfectly.
I used a different manufacture to clean my camera and it worked just fine. These tapes are probably made from the same place. I will keep this one stored away for now. Heads cleaned in 4 seconds.
I read all the reviews, and followed the instructions of another poster.  It worked just fine. I am copying my friends old videos.
Deliver was quick. Although i have yet to use it the description was perfect to the product and exactly what I was looking for.
I would recommend this product to anyone who has lost their original adapter for mini-tapes.  It works very well and I have used it a lot.
I looked all around for one of these in the store .couldnt find crud.I shoudve known amazon would have it.I am watching old camcorder movies as we speak its working great.thank u 'merica
Worked as expected... a bit tricky and needed some extra attention the first time thru but after that, worked like a champ.  Good price too.
This thing works great. Does exactly what it's supposed to, and has held up. If you need a VHS-c adapter, this is the one to get.
I don't understand why anyone is having issues with this product. You take it out of the box, you read the simple and short instructions, you pop the tape it and shove it into the vcr. Bam! done! To try to avoid problems, I made sure that the tape was wound tightly both on its own and once inside the adapter. I pushed the slide door slowly and made sure it was stretching the tape properly. Two of my tapes were damaged prior to using the product and the adapter was still able to accept them and play them in my vcr without any issues.Only one time did the product not play. I got worried that it ate the tape. However, I took it out of the vcr and it was fine. I tightened the tape, put it back in and it worked perfectly. For such a low price, I got to save 3 tapes that I was unable to view and now I can share the adapter with friends and family that had been looking for one of these for years.
I left four stars because I wasn't sure what to expect, I put the tape in my VCR, played it, and it didn't do much. I am not sure if it is my old family video tapes are damaged that could be the reason why the picture is so messed up?
I was going through some of our old videos, and came upon an older tape made years ago.With this wonderful item, I was able to insert the old cam corder tape in the cassette area, and record onto a DVD.This worked great, and I have family members asking me to make copies for them also.Thanks!!!
I've read lots of reviews panning this adapter because it is hard to use. Seriously? If you have trouble getting this adapter to work probably, you might want to avoid driving or using sharp objects. This adapter is incredibly easy to use. Let me explain so everyone is on the same page:1) This adapter only works with VHS-C tapes, NOT any sort of 8mm, Hi8 or anything else with an 8 in it.2) There is no battery needed, this is a manual feed adapter.3) I have tried it with several different brands of VHS-C tapes and all have worked so far.4) To insert a tape, slide the clear plastic lid in the direction of the arrow on the plastic lid. Make sure you slide it all the way back. this should cause two little arms to move toward the front of the open cassette area.5) Insert your tape MAKING SURE THAT THE LITTLE ARMS GO BEHIND THE FRONT FLAP OF YOUR CASSETTE.6) Push the tape all the way in, If you do this properly the front flap will open all of the way and will be flush with the rest of the top surface of the adapter.7) Using both hands, slide the clear plastic lid over the cassette. You should hear a little grinding noise, this is the two arms spreading the actual VHS tape forward so it can make contact with the playback head. The clear lid should be closed all of the way so that it is flush with the back of the adapter.If you've done all of this, you should see the tape up against the clear front wall of the adapter. Push the adapter into your VHS player and play it.I used to have the battery operated Panasonic version. All the battery gives you is automatic arm movement. Do you really want to pay $75 for that? And here's a tip, don't buy a use battery operated one unless you see pictures of the battery compartment, If it becomes corroded it will be inoperable. Save yourself some money and go with this adapter. If it breaks, buy another one. They are cheap, right?
First off, I don't know what so many people are complaining about, just look through the reviews. I read some people say they put the adapter in and their are pieces flying out of the VCR. I don't what these people are doing but they are not following instructions or buying a different product.I have transferred well over 40 VHS-C tapes now with no issues, and just in case for info I used the the Toshiba DVR620 to convert them to dvd. I could not get this adapter to fit in the vhs slot of the dvr so I just hooked up an old VHS player I had to the dvr to convert to dvd. Also like they say garbage in garbage out, so if your tape has issues it will appear on the screen do not blame the adapter. Some of the tapes were not cared for properly and it did show up on screen, as I mean the actually tape was scratched or damaged.Now what I would recommend anyone do before using this product is to please go on amazon.com and follow the "Markm" review as It has provided excellent instructions.Some things I would like to add on to this instructions are to take it slowly and do no the rush the tape into the adapter at anytime. Also, try to use the white socket at the back of the VHS-C tape to remove any slack from the tape if there is any. Check if there is any slack by opening the lid of the VHS-C tape. This will help in playing tape smoothly. More importantly, if your tape, and this goes for any kind of tape for that matter, has not been used in a while fast forward it to the end and rewind completely before your first use. Another thing I would recommend is to late your VHS-C tape cool off a bit before your put it back in the case if you use them after you done, this will prevent condensation and potential long term damage to your tape.
What can I say? Its an adapter for VHS-C tapes. My VHS-C fit into the cassette adapter and right into my VCR. It is marked all over the box that it is not for 8mm. I'm not sure why people purchased it for that. The purchase price was low and it did what I expected it to do. I am glad to be able to watch these old videos.
This product worked fine for me?  I had no problems at all using my old VHS-C cassettes in here and I just finished copying them all to DVD's.  I would say overall decent value for a product that does what it is suppose to do!
Priced very fairly...my wife has been going thru dozens of old DVDs and Cd's as well as a form of videos that utilizes this cassette adapter...we were lucky to find it...Amazon is the greatest...they sell almost everything we ever need...
I had one of these years ago and lost it somehow.  Very glad to find a replacement at a good cost.  Shipping was fast and it works like a charm.
i put it in the vcr and i hooked up great,fast and easy. i really recommend this item. thats it
Tried playing back two VHS-C tapes and in both cases it worked for only a couple of seconds. Then the tape got stuck and I got it out just in time to prevent it from getting ruined. I carefully followed the instructions quoted by other reviewers, but it still did not work. I'm returning the item ASAP.
If I can give this zero stars I would. I bought this and at first it worked great. After that it started to eat the tapes. I luckily saved them. When I tried to play the tapes again it would play them for two seconds and just stop. I tried this on other vcrs as well.I even got an exchange for a new one. The same deal if I'm any of you I would NOT buy this for any reason.
I was very skeptical of buying this because of some of the heinous reviews.  Rest easy, these do the job nicely if you aren't ham fisted and don't close the slide by slamming the door on the counter as fast as you can.  No tape damage (physically or in playback) has occurred after having done about 25 VHS-c to DVD conversions.
My friend has a VHC-C camcorder, and has recorded a few home movies. I enjoy watching them now.The video quality is great, but the sound quality is limited. still, I can enjoy the home movies.
Played a tape about 3/4 through and then stopped. When I rewound and removed it I also found that both tape edges were damaged.  It's junk.
Original adapter that came with the camcorder corroded and broken.  Ordered this one.  Followed the instructions to the tee and it worked great.  Be gentle with it.  Found old footage of my mother who passed away 2 years ago!
Handle with care when inserting the cassette and jiggle slightly to help line up the tabs.  The compact cassette's door should open up to expose the tape when you push in down if you've aligned it correctly.  Make sure the spindle's on the inside of the videotape, and slide the cover SLOWLY back into place, (gently rocking it side to side helps more than just pushing ever harder if it's stubborn), observing closely to make sure it's pushing the tape OUT on both sides.My best advice:  Use an old compact cassette you won't mind destroying to practice on until you've got it down and can load, play, and eject smoothly.  It's a quick learning curve and shouldn't take you more than a couple of tries.  It's a good product, but not idiot-proof.
Only needed it for one vhs-c tape, but it worked great! Popped the tape in, slid the cover back (which, pulled the tape out and was pretty rad), and it did the trick!
This made so I could convert all my old VHS-C tapes over to DVD with my DVD recorder VHS combo. Simple to use and I like that no battery's needed
i finally have an adapter to play the old videotapes i have been filming for years. now i can play them without any worries. thank you thank you amazon.
This adapter is much sturdier than previous adapters I've used.  It's not motorized, but it is easy to use as long as the adapter's door is completely open.  It's really easy to open the door most of the way and fight with inserting the VHS-C, but if you are mindful to open the door completely the VHS-C drops in and it closes with little resistance.
Product looks good but mechanically did not function properly.  Lost two tapes trying to get it to play.  Purchased different brand elsewhere and it works fine.
This is just what I needed to dub my cassette tapes to DVD's. Love watching all the old home movies.
Jams easily and will eat your tape.  Would not use valuable VHS-C tape without experimenting with one that you could lose.
I did not used it,therefor and I am un able to cmmoend on it now, please forgive me I cant.Thanks
This cassette adapter does its job well enabling VHS-C video to play in standard VHS receivers, although care must be taken during the insertion of the C cartridge so the moving parts of the adapter that capture it don't bind or break.
this tape adapter was just what i needed to play our video camera taps in a VHS player. Worked just like they said it would..loved it.
Works great. I don't know why people had trouble loading it. I converted around 100 videos and it withstood that without any problems. Great deal for the price.
I Have found this adapter to be much more reliable than the reviews given. I bought it as a gamble of low cost on the chance it might be useful. Well, not only useful , but going to save big bucks I would have had to pay to have many home camcorder videos converted.  Using the VideoCapture adapter with my IMac, it's easy and the movies play clear on QuickTime.
Only used it a couple of times and was ok. It does seem a big flimsy, but I think it will last.
Works OK
this isn't the easiest to use model, but for the price it is great. sometimes you have to slip the cassettes in just right or wiggle it a little as u insert your cassette into the adapter. but it it nice not to have to worry about batteries to replace. all things considered i am happy with the price and product.
It works great but not for the cassette I have
thank goodness a prior post/review had been made on how to operate this thing.  it was working, but when i tried to eject the adapter it got stuck in the vcr.  i had to get a butter knife and coax it out of the vcr.  it works. now if i can get all my home tapes burned to dvd before everything gets broken...it will be good
I am happy to be able to enjoy my tapes once again.  With tech moving so fast. It's good to be able to look at my old tapes until I can put them on cd's.
This worked pretty good after I figured out how to open it. Specific for certain tapes only. If you have that type of tape, and want to play or convert the tapes, this item worked well.
This product seems to work good, it is a little flimsy however it does get the job done. It arrived quickly and was packaged nicely.
For a cheapo, it works pretty well. Insert your cassette with care, close eh cover slowly, and no issues. Based on reviews from others, the build quality is slightly better than I expected. And to the pinheads who complain that this adapter doesn't work with 8mm tapes ... gosh guys, I don't know what to tell you. Of course it doesn't. That's why it's called a VHS-C adapter. Jeesh.If you need an inexpensive adapter that does what it says - and you don't plan to smack it around like a hockey puck - this one is worthwhile.
Allowed me to transfer old movies over to DVD.  These aren't exactly easy to find anymore.  Did a great job.
For the price, I was anticipating a cheap product, but it is not.  Works very well and similar to the one I had years ago.  You won't be disappointed.
First let me begin by saying that I almost did not purchase this product because I was afraid of the mixed reviews. So many either loved it or hated it.  It is not like the motorized one that I use to have, but then again, I didn't want to pay upwards of $100 to get one either.  Go slow....it's really not difficult at all. The first reviewer up here is exactly right.  This item works exactly as it is suppose to. In less than a minute, I was watching a ten year old movie of my youngest son's birthday that I had never seen before. I am now in the process of using Honestech VHS to DVD 5.0 to transfer it to DVD and not take any chances!
I found this product failed with every attempt to use it. It jammed in one of my VCRs requiring pliers to extract it. As a test I then inserted a regular VHS tape - no problem. With a newer VCR, the Maxell device did not jam but sounded like a metal part was broken - continually banging somewhere inside the VCR. Again as a test I inserted a regular tape - no problem, no noise.A friend at work then came through when I found this adapter was not going to work. He has an old JVC VHS-C adapter. It worked perfectly - no noise, no jamming.
just as discribed, will work great have many tapes to reviewwill recommend to friends who may have tapes that they are not sure how to convert
I had a bunch of VHS c tapes and no way to play them. This fit my needs perfectly. Good deal.
still in use but don't use it much
I thought I found a low cost solution to migrating my VHS-C tapes over to digital.  Indeed it's cheap, but you get what you pay for.  The directions are not difficult to understand, the product just doesn't work well.  It's probably best to stick with battery operated models and avoid breaking your tapes.
Had an old tape and was so happy to be able to play it with the help of this Adapter.
It did not work in the VCR.  The VHS movies would not connect with the player.  i ended up going to Radio Shack and buying one from them and it worked just fine.
I am an Archivist with many cassetts that have to be transfered.  This adapter worked quite well for me.  I would say it would be OK for what you are using it for.
I bought this item because I use to have one in the past, the item didn't work correctly and it began to eat my tapes....
I am not sure why I bought this without looking at the reviews first!  Wow!  This does not fit my darn VHS player, but every other VHS adapter I have does fit!
since I lost my original adapter, I needed  to purchase a replacement so I could copy the tapes over to a DVD. This works fine just like the original.
I had a battery-powered Adapter Cassette and it just wasn't able to rewind the tape properly, so I decided to take a chance with this adapter as the price was right and ordered it through Amazon.It really works great.  I am almost through digitalizing my tapes onto the computer.  Easy to use, just follow the simple instructions SLOWLY and carefully!
Very satisfied for the price -- it's mechanically simple, which means less to break, but does the job it's supposed to do.  Can't ask for more from a product like this.
I works just like it should. I don't need it that much, but when I do it comes in handy.
Follow the directions and handle carefully. This product does what it is designed to do. I would recommend it to my friends.
I am so glad that I found this up here because they are so hard to find in stores now cause everything is going digital.
This products works well.  I gave it three stars because I have no idea how long it will last.
I converted all of my VHS tapes successfully.  I did have to buy 2 of them because I broke the 1st one but pretty sure it was my fault
I like that this doesn't have any batteries and is all mechanical.  I have had no problems with it so far while transferring videos.  It may be creating some extra pull on the tape as some videos are more distorted then the last time I used an adapter on them, but this may just be the age.
I paid $9 for this item so I "guess" I get what I  paid for. Unfortunatly it would cost me $5 to return the item for a refund so I am just eating this $9. Will purchase the higher rated adapter and hope for the best.
its fine, seems to be working.. however I don't need this particular adapter for what I am trying to do
It works great if you have older tapes and want to convert them to something else like the computer or DVD.
It works great with the tapes I have. Just wish I had found my original befor I purchased the replacement
Finished copying the vhs c tapes and may never use again but was what was needed and worked well. Put everything on DVD
Had some old movies this one allowed it to be played on VHS and I copied it from there to DVD Now I can unload all those old tapes and download the DVD's onto my computer.
I was very happy to find an adapter that would allow me to look at the tapes I made of my children when they were little. The tapes sat in my closet for years because I misplace my adapter, and didn't think they made them anymore.
Does the job.  What I was looking for.  Now I will quit getting fussed at because we cant show off the old cassette tapes. LOL.
For some reason it didn't work on my VHS recorder, but it wasn't that big of a deal.  I wouldn't recommend it.
This product keeps turning off my vcr for some strange reason. At first I thought it was my VCR but I have tried several tapes in the vcr and they were fine.  As soon as I put any tape in this adapter it turns my VCR off.
This is review one of two(possibly).  I am pretty screwed on my time frame and when I went to use this converter, the left roller that presses the tape out is missing and there's an obvious broken piece that moves, but does nothing.  So the tape only gets pushed out on the right side.The box the adapter came in was completely sealed and there's no roller or pieces anywhere.Right now I am even in more of a time pinch to convert these tapes.I ordered a second one and paid $.80 more than the first one I ordered, and paid an extra $3.99 to have it here tomorrow.  Amazon wouldn't replace it for some pathetic reason.If the item works and does the job it's supposed to, I will update this review.--------------------------Second review.  New Maxell VHS-C adapter came today.  It was the same product but the packaging it came in was newer (I think).This item didn't have the broken part my first one had and this item worked perfectly.  I only had about 1.5 hours of video to convert on 3 tapes, but it worked.  For the price, it was worth it.It's very cheaply made and isn't meant for impatient people.1: Make sure there's no slack in the tape.  I don't know what they consider "slack" but, it can't hurt to do this step.  Finger in the gear hole of the VHS-C tape, turn counter-clockwise slowly until you feel resistance.2: Put the tape in the adapter slowly and with caution, press it down evenly, then know what is supposed to happen (VHS-C tape door flips open) and that the tape is flush inside the adapter.3: SLOWLY shut the adapter's door with two thumbs with even pressure, be aware that there's two rollers that will extend the VHS-C tape outwards and draw out tape from the VHS-C cassette.  Do this SLOWLY in case there's an issue, never force.For the price this is a 4/5 item.  If it was $50, it would be a 2/5 item.
A simple mechanical (no batteries needed) adapter that gets the job done. This is a great solution to a simple problem.
I bought a couple of these to use with my Sony BCG-34HD4 charger. These batteries are working great. They're 800mAh (Capacity), larger than the standard AAA size (The also last about twice as long as normal Alkaline batteries). I've used a pair for atleast 50 charges and they're still going. Rechargeable batteries are a much more economical choice for anyone, I use these in an MP3 player. You're pretty safe going with Sony (You can get cheaper NiMH batteries from other brands but you risk getting cheap'os that can leak in your equipment). Remember though, these will only work with NiMH chargers! You should also get a charger that cuts power when fully charged to preserve your battery life.
I am using these batteries (now they come at 900mAh) for my baby monitor - it takes 3 AAAs.The monitor is on up to six hours a day and a set of batteries lasts about a week.People say that in digital cameras Ni-Mh last longer than regular alkalines, but this was not the case for me. A set of Duracell alkalines lasted a little longer than these and a set of ultra batteries lasted about 10 days. I guess that this is because the monitor is a low-drain device and batteries seem to behave differently when used in a low-drain or a high-drain device like flash or digital camera.Anyway, rechargable are always a better choice, I am starting to save money already.
I used for my recorder. It only use one battery and could working more than five hours. Great quality. I hope it would work well for a long time.
Bought these recharegable batteries with high hopes. No luck.They won't hold a charge and are now useless land fill bound.Bad on you Sony, your name means quality, well in most products anyway.Steer clear people.
I use these batteries for the wireless headphone after OEM supplied battery died on my Sennheiser headphone. The first replacement was Sanyo but after about six months with about 50+ charging, the battery life was becoming notably shorter. It is supposed to last about 500 charges so it was either defective or poor battery performance. So I decided to go with a little more name brand and purchased Sony. This probably is manufactured by some other battery maker and labeled as Sony but I really didn't care since my other Sony wireless headphone still has OEM Sony battery and that is over two years old.It is lasting more than 3-4 days per charge with about 2 hours use per day so I am happy with it.
I purchased 3 sets of these to replace the ones in my wireless home phone system.  I like the fact that they were of higher mAh than the originals hence longer reserve power.
These batteries were exactly as specified. The price was an excellent deal and delivery was swift. Now I can be on the power trip I've always dreamed of!Thanks!!
What can I say about batteries? Either they work or don't. I have been buying rechargeable batteries because they can be reused. These appear to hold their charge well.I rated them 4 stars because it just seems a bit silly to say I LOVE batteries.
I bought these batteries a couple of years ago for my bluetooth headphones. They are still going strong despite several thousand charging cycles. These batteries hold their charge pretty well and don't drain as quickly as some lower priced batteries from lesser known brands. They are by Sony, so enough said on quality!
The baby monitor (a "Philips AVENT Digital Screen Baby Monitor with DECT Technology") we purchased a few years ago for our 2-year-old daughter was no longer holding a charge for any decent length of time (30 minutes or so max).  After checking the customized batteries in it, we purchased these batteries as a replacement.  After about 24 hours of initial charge time, they now will hold a charge for at least 4 hours (we haven't tried any longer) and seem to be working perfectly for normal baby monitor usage.Please note, however, that Philips had a customized battery container including a small metal strip to join the negative ends of the two batteries.  As these Sony batteries are individual, I simply took metal strip off the original Philips battery pack and taped it onto the new Sony batteries in the same manner.  I've no clue if this was actually necessary, but it was quite easy to do and certainly it doesn't seem to have caused any issues.  Obviously, this isn't Sony's fault so no stars deducted -- but it's something to keep in mind if your considering replacing the batteries in a Philips baby monitor.
Sony rechargeable batteries are just fine but I sent these back because the device that they were to used with was also sent back.  Otherwise, a good enough product.
Got it and us it in key board. This one is cheap and works fine. YOU want it definitely. Go get it!
This is a good little timed battery charger. It is timed to go off after 7 hours so you don't have to worry about leaving it on all day. It's multi-voltage so it's great for when you travel overseas. The only flaw I can find is that the plug itself could have been better designed, and with this being multi-voltage, it should have come with at least one different type of adaptor. So if you are overseas you will have to get an adaptor for it. Otherwise, it works great for what I need it for.
iI use this all the time as I have a lot of solar lights. Probable have 100 on my property and recharge is easy and fast with this product.
It looses a star to the price in comparison with others. The overall product is good, works in any voltage and frequency which is good for people travelling to other countries.Charging time is high which can be brought down considerably.I have got two pieces of these and they are working very well. No heating problems and very convient to pack and store.
Great product , well known brand! and for the price you get the charger and 4 very durable and powerful  2500 mAh batteries... so, don't think twice and take this great offer!
I use re-chargeable batteries for hours at a time in my underwater photography, in the strobes and in the flashlights.  This battery charger ahs worked just fine in many trips to the tropics.  Definite recommend it.
I bought these after reading the good reviews, when I received them I charged them and put them in my Canon Powershot S5.  They seemed to work.  A few days later I took my camera out to take photos and when I turned on the camera, it flashed the message "change the batteries".  Recharged them fully at home. Put them in - "Change the batteries".These were defective and are useless to me.
This Sony Brand never disappoint me, hold longer power then other brand, the highest mAh then other brand so far so good
No frills quality charger. Long lasting batteries. Great combo. Recommend highly.
These batteries, & charger work better than any others I've used. NO regrets, I would recommend this product I use them in my digital cameras.
These sony batteries are very ecological. Is very quick the time that take recharge the batteries with this power charger.
If you are currently looking for a battery charger that has a good quality and a good price, this one is The One.It charges both AA and AAA batteries, I'd say it's pretty amazing. Very easy to use, and it's Sony, so we can kinda put our faith on it right?I have been using it since I bought it and it's still in good condition. Definitely serves its purpose.For short, YES, WORTH IT ALSO.
I bought this item for my digital camera. I was hoping to get away from conventional batteries. But these batteries only last a very short time without being recharged and even then do not last any time at all. I let them frain down all the way and let them recharge fully and still they do not last any length of time in a digital camera. They may last longer in any other thing that takes AA batteries but not as demanding as a camera with zoom and all. I haven't tried them on that. But I do not reccommend them for a digital camera with auto focus and zoom.
I have already had some Sony rechargeable batteries for the last three years and when I needed new ones, I just stuck to the brand and it has never disappointed me. My experience says that they hold the charge longer than others.
My frist set of rechargable batteries. They dont hold a charge as long as I would have expected but it beats buying new batteries constantly. I think with the cost of AA batteries, they will pay for themselves very quickly.
The charger is simple, but it works. More advanced chargers will also offer a test mode, but this one doesn't. The batteries are still good two years later. I've started using a better charger which can test, and some of these batteries are still at 2.3+ Ah. The only annoying thing about the charger is that it plugs directly into an outlet, so you can't run it off of a cigarette lighter adapter the way you can run some other chargers - but this is great for simple everyday use.
The charger supports two kinds of battery (AA and AAA), auto-voltage and four batteries can be charged at the same time.However, the max current intensity is only 2100 mAh
After a full charge, two of these batteries will only allow between 8 to 10 pictures to be taken before the charge runs out. Using all four fully charged batteries will allow you to take between 15 to 20 shots.I've had to keep standard AA batteries on hand because these Sony Re-chargeable batteries completely lose their charge after just sitting in the charger overnight.Two standard AA batteries will allow about 30 to 40 pictures before they go dead.
Thanks for the deal.  I have no idea what more to write but since I have a word requirement I will write again that it works well.
I bought this especially for my canon digital camera. It has been doing the job fine. Sometimes I feel, it takes more time. Little bit expensive though. A plus point, it can be used in US as well as India Pins with adapter.
This is not the fastest charger, but the price is good and it work on both 120V and 220V at a much better price than any other charger I found.
Charger works great; LED is fairly accurate on battery charge, displays individual battery charges and it will recharge quickly; works with several brands of Ni-MH batteries.  Batteries are typical generic NiMH batteries - not low discharge, and will lose power quickly in storage, more quickly than several others I've tried.  Get some Eneloops....
absolutely a fantastic price with the batteries included, charges fairly fast so ya always have charged batteries ready to go, prompt shipping
I ordered this item 9/05 and waited a week for it to arrive.  Then I got a notice from amazon that I had refused the shipment and was being issued a credit.  When I finally tracked someone down at Dynadirect they stated that the item was no longer carried.  It would have been nice to know that before ordering!  The Charger may be fine but getting it via Amazon is not!
This Sony AA battery charger is compact, reasonably quick, and very sturdy. We have two, and have sent at least six as gifts.
stopped working after a few months.  Thought it was a piece of junk.  Would not buy from them again. Thought it was a return before I purchased it.
This battery charger works as it should be. Charge last long. Charging light turns off as soon as the batteries are fully charged. Charges also AAA rechargeable batteries.
nice charguer, good price, fast shipping, support AAA and AA. High Quality, i have it 72 hours charging docens of batterys.
all perfect ,todo llego perfecto lo recomiendo y llego en el tiempo establecido lo recomiendo al 100 por ciento bien
Although I haven't had these new batteries very long, they seem to be holding the charge for a long time and lasting well in the camera.
bought this so long ago, nit sure why amazon is asking me to rate it now. i guess it was OK, I did not return it
I really like the power provided by these batteries. I use them for my Canon Powershot S2 IS that has pretty big lens and I guess must consume a lot of power for switching it on and off. However, with these batteries, I have been taking like 150 photos pretty easily (for each charge/discharge cycle).Really good investment!!!
Can help you to charge batteries much faster and easier. Good option for current price than its peers. One can easily go for it.
It met my expectations. Would recommend this product. I badly needed a reliable charger. The long-lasting batteries are great--no more unexpected shutdowns after only a few days' use..
Very easy to charge and excellent to have in your wallet when you runout of battery for your camera.
Performs as expected.  Does what it says it will do.  I would buy this product again.  I would recommend it to a friend.
It has been a while since I bought this battery set. I am quite satisfied up to now. Why I liked it:- You don't need to charge batteries in pair. You can charge single or 3 batteries. This is not available in most of the other products.- Safety charging mechanism guarantees you that charging stops when batteries are full.- Stylish appearance.- 2500 mAh battery is a plus.
I bought this pack from another online store. After using more than 1 year, the battery power seems to be not as good as before. Getting a chance to use Energixer, I can tell there is a big difference from the 1st day of using both. Engergixer can stay longer. After half year used, and no sign of any degrade in power capacity.
I bought this without knowing what the charging time was. I took a risk since it was at an affordable price and found out to my dismay that the charging time is as follows:1-4 batteries:2100mAh Approx 7 hours1700mAh Approx 6 hours800mAh Approx 7 hours700mAh Approx 6 hoursI haven't used the product yet...I just got it today.  I don't know. I might return it for the Kodak 1 hour charger one for the same price (18.99) but the deal is gone for this product, it's back to 19.99. Anyways...pretty fast shipping though =)
I made the purchase a number of months ago.  Since then, I only used and recharged the Sony batteries a couple of times.  What happened was that after a day or two in the Sony charger, I discovered that the batteries were very hot, and I noticed a chemical smell from either the batteries or the charger (or both).  At the time, not knowing other Sony users' experience, I thought what I purchased might be defective and was uncomfortable in using the product further (thinking it could be a potential fire hazard).  My thinking was, if the batteries were heated up to such an extent, the chemicals inside would tend to lose their properties/effectiveness prematurely.  Now, after reading other Sony users' shared experience, it might not be a case of defective product (in my case), but rather a design shortcoming.  Prior to the purchase, I didn't expect hot batteries in a slow-charging charger at all - especially coming from a name-brand company such as Sony.In case you wonder, I have been using a slow-charging Duracell charger, with no hot-batteries issue for the past months.
the most common battery for all those toys and small appliances around the house is the AA, and it's annoying to have to throw anything away that seems to have such a wide presence...so here you have it, the charger for the most common rechargeable, the NiMH battery...and it works.
after 1 year noted batteries very hot--had to cool off under running water i would not buy this --i consider it flawed--battery charges have to a thermal overload circuit for protection---Sony will not replace destroyed batteries after 1 year
This is a timed charger, but well matched to the supplied 2100mAh NiMH batteries. The manual recommends charging after a full discharge, so it may overcharge your partially depleted cell or an older cell with lower capacity. As long as you recharge a fully empty, ~2100mAh cell, it shall be fine.The included cells, actually made by Sanyo-GE, are premium cells, and only surpassed by Sanyo's latest 2300mAh cells.
This is a terrible product, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.  The batteries won't hold a charge, you can charge it all night and the batteries last less than 5 minutes.
This product worked great, kept the batteries to digital camera charged up.  Great Product!!
Charges independently is the reason why I bought this.  Look at this way, you're getting the batteries for free.  The batteries aren't that bad either.
I have a Canon S2 and I haven't had to switch the batteries after a couple of weeks.
Estoy complacido Con Este Producto y El Tiempo estipulado Para La Entrega muchas gracias! Bye espero volver negociar Con ustedes Gente Muy Seria
This was the best deal I found on rechargable NiHM batteries and that too these are made in Japan by Sony. It has a capacity of 2300mAh.There is one problem with this. This charger does not automatically shut off when the batteries finish charging. So the first time I charged them, I kept waiting for the indicator to go off and I realized after 18 hrs that they are not going to go off.So, though the batteries are good the charger is not. I would suggest people to go with another sony rechargable model that sells here for just a few dollars more.
Straightforward, and the timer worked fine for me.  All the batteries are loaded point-up, and it shuts off on time.  I gobbled so many batteries before this.  It seems to only go a bit under twice the life of an alkaline in a camera, but it's great not to have all the batts to toss away.  The fit isn't super-solid, so I have to press the batteries in again to be sure, but the price was right and the performance is good.  I suspect the camera is giving up too soon and that is what limits my  charge...checking them with a meter says they are still in the OK zone. Anyway..it's a good package.  I need to get a few more AAs for pocket radios, etc.
The charger itself is just fine, but I gave my son and his wife this set for his Canon digital camera at Christmas 2006. The batteries are already kapoot and won't take a charge. It's only been 9 months. Not a very good track record. I have recharable batteries for my digital camera that have been going strong for more than three years now. They are a different brand that came with my Sony DSC73 camera. Go figure...
I've been using rechargeable batteries for over a decade.  These are the best I have ever used.  I use them in my digital camera.  And they serve me very well.  The price is very reasonable and I'm going to buy a second set so that I don't have to fall back on alkaline batteries when I'm charging these.
I use these batteries for my Wireless Desktop & for my MD Walkman. Takes a while for them to die which is very good. No one wants to constantly charge a rechargeable battery. LOL. Anyway, good life on these batteries....
I used and recommend this kind of batteries, works wonderful with my wii remotes, with a remote control you surely forget that you are using It before you must recharge the batteries.Yo uso y recomiendo estas bater&iacute;as, funciona perfecto con mis wiimotes y otros artefactos de alto consumo, en el caso de artefactos de bajo consumo como un control remoto es posible que te olvides que est&aacute;s usando estas baterias antes que tengas que recargarlas.
This is my fourth set of Sony 2500 mAh AA batteries. The first set of four are exceptional and still going strong after 6 months of use and recharging. Use them every day in my camera and Gps unit. Strongly recommend, outlasts regular AA batteries and recharging is better than paying for regulator AA batteries. Well worth the money and they have already paid for themselves.
I really like it.. Sony is sony anyway.. It charges batteries very good.. it lasts very long and think this product wil have for decades..
I have tried many different brands but for me these work the best they hold a really long time on my camera
I owned a Sony Cycle Energy Power charger for about 4 years and it was good for charging my Kodak digital camera batteries.Recently the batteries wouldn't hold a charge for more than an hour or so and given that the price of new rechargable batteries was almost the price of this charger with batteries, I decided to buy another Sony charger.Besides the ease of use, another advantage is that it works with both 220 and 120V. Its very easy to forget what the voltage rating is when travelling.
I'v tried several times to use these batteries & recharge - they just do not last as advertised. I also watch for thelight to turn off so they do not stay plugged in too long. I then remove the batteries from the charger & place in azip-lock bag with my camera & accessories.The batteries will not hold a charge - maybe 2 to 3 hours without being used. Waste of time to charge to take with you. These batteries only lastlong enough for maybe 4 or 5 pictures, then too low to be useable.Being used in a new Sony CyberShot DCS-S2100.Also, great return policy Amazon - another waste.
I initially charged these batteries for a full 8 hours, one more than the instructions required.  When I put them in my camera, my battery light started flashing immediately.  I tried the other pair, and they were not charged enough for the camera to operate.  Thinking I hadn't charged them enough, or properly, I plugged them in again, this time for 3 days.  Same result upon inserting them into the camera.  I didn't try to shoot with them; perhaps they would have worked. But even if they did, I wouldn't trust them, and so I am returning them to Amazon.  Caveat emptor!  There are many fine reviews, and lots of people have had great luck with these batteries and charger, however, I am not one of them.
Received in perfect condition. Brand new in package. Exactly what I requested. I'm using it and is a tremendous product. I highly recommend. Recommended preferably cameras. I use a Sony H1.
Charger and batteries did not last long.  I was given another charger by a friend, and I was able to use the batteries for some time after that.  Hard to find a good charger.
This is my second purchase and I have had my orginal one for 3 years and it still works, that is why I bought another one from Sony.
I got these back in 2004.  It's Jan. 2012 now and they're still working great for me!  I never had any problem with the charge nor batteries.
Greetings, excellent product purchase without any inconvenience, in good and perfect conditions, the product selected, 100% responsible, I recommend it. Is Ecology.
I have a camera that eats batteries morning noon and night. I was looking for a solution to buying new batteries every time I wanted to use the camera. The Sony rechargeable batteries have solved the problem.
Batteries take too long before get all charge and once they get it, it doesn't last as long as it took to get it in first place. No recommended it
This is my third rechargeable battery charger; and so far I can say that it has worked well. I have had this for over six months now and it has been effective at charging several brands of Li-Ion batteries.
Bought these to use with Geocaching.  Now keepin my Oregon 450 and flashlights working.  Like feature of being able to charge 1-2-or all 4 of the batteries at any time.  True test of this review will be how long the life of these batteries will last.  So far just fine.
Bought this along with some rechargeable batteries for a friend and they work great. Its been over 8 months and they are still going strong.. Kudos to sony. ALways admire their products
I have used the batteries many times and they always charge up and keep a good charge. I recommend this product.
This is a simple 4 battery charger that I am using for my digital camera.  Works great and lives up to lots of turning the camera on and off!
this is a very good product when it comes to batteries , haven't bought a regular battery in a while these rechargeable  are the best over 100 hrs of battery life once charged i love it.
Simply Great for Price.Been using it from few months and still working fine.So happy with this product.Love it Love it
I bought these batteries three years ago for XBox Game controllers, and they still work well. They don't hold their battery life as long as they used to, but these batteries have saved us ton of money because we are frequent gamers. I'm so pleased with these that I'm buying another two packs.
I bought this a year ago to save money on batteries. Still works great. I leave batteries to charge overnight and their good to go (I think it takes about 8 hours for a full charge)
I needed some rechargable battries so I bought them quickly from amazon because these battries had good rating.  They work fine as promised but if I knew it takes 8 hours to charge these battries I would not have bought them.  The reason I gave this battery two starts is because I think now a days no one should be buying a battery whict takes more than an hour to charge.
we have AA and AAA batteries from sony and all works perfect even for toy, we have used for long time this items and never we had a problem with. its higly recommended!!!!!
SONY has updated this package ("Sony Cycle Energy Power Charger with 4 2500 mAh AA Batteries") recently. It now looks quite different from what was once shown on the Amazon product description page. For example, the old charger is silver in color, while the new charger is white. But beside colors, they looked almost identical, and even share the same model number (BCG34HLD). So is this really a new and improved model, or just a simple cosmetic update?According to all the older Amazon spotlight reviews, the old model is a timer-based dumb charger. I'm happy to report that this is no longer the case. The new model is actually a 'smart' charger, meaning that it monitors each battery's voltage independently during charging, and stops when each cell is fully charged. In fact, it is very nicely designed for such a value-priced charger. Here are some things I like about this charger:+ Charges 1-4 AA/AAA cells individually - no need to charge in pairs+ Compact, one-piece design with fold-down AC plugs - no need for power cords or wall adapters.+ Low-profile (just 1.1" thick) so it fits in camera bags easily.+ Accepts 100-240V universal voltage.+ Bad cell detection - indicator light flashes in case the resistance is too high (alkaline cell).The average charging current is 360mA for each AA cell (actually 1.44A pulsed at 25% duty cycle), 140mA for AAA cell. That means it takes about 7-8 hours to fully recharge 2500mAh AA cells.The included four SONY AA batteries, however, appear to be just the same old 2500mAh cells with a new shiny wrapper. This is very disappointing, because that means they will also suffer from rapid self-discharge problem after just a few cycles. So you always have to recharge those batteries the night before you need to use them (remember this is a slow charger). Keeping a set of batteries in the charger does not help, because this charger does not maintain a trickle charge after charging is done.If you like this charger but don't want to take chances with those 2500mAh batteries, my recommendation is to get the "Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger with 4 Pre-Charged 2000 mAh AA Batteries" package instead. It contains the same BCG34HLD charger, but comes with four low-self-discharge cells similar toSANYO eneloop. It is even priced a few dollars lower as of this writing.
I just got this a few weeks ago to charge batteries for our digital camera. Haven't used it much yet but it looks like it works fine.My only issue is that it takes 6-7 hours to charge the batteries. This isn't really a big deal for my home use but it might be for others. There are rapid chargers out there that charge the batteries in an hour or two.Also this unit doesn't indicate if the battery is already charged. Its a pretty basic unit for a pretty basic price. Just fine for basic use!
Really very good. I use the batteries with my sony digital camera and I take about 300 photos before recharge again.  It is highly recomended.
It is a timed charger. I wanted a smart charger and the wording lead me to believe that this is what I was purchasing. Don't make the same mistake.
I've had this battery set for many years and rechard them like a million times, long lasting never run out.Must buy
Batteries are good. I am using them in WII remote & quite happy with the service time. The charger is really nice....world wide voltage & it automatically gets switched off once the batteries are fully charged fully.A nice set for my WII remotes for the price.The delivery was bit slow from amazon but it's acceptable since i took the free super saver savings. I am happy with my purchase & would recommend it.
I use my GPS all the time so I like using rechargebles. I've used Duracell, Nexcell, and Energizer rechargebles - they last all day and then some. I bought these high-capacity rechargebles and used them in a recent back packing trip on the Napali Coast. The batteries were dead by lunch time. I had to shut off my GPS for the rest of the trek in and only had one spare to use so I basically couldn't use my GPS for most of the trip. My fault for not testing the batteries before the trip but this is really pathetic. I'll try cycling through a couple of times - charge, discharge, charge, etc. and see if it improves. I would not recommend these at all. Huge waste of money.
Ordered this charger with the 4 - 2500 AA batteries on Saturday, June 11, 2011 and received them Monday June 13th. Doesn't get any faster than that !!Perhaps I didn't read well enough, since I expected the charger to work for any brand rechargeable NiMH batteries, but it will only charge the Sony NiMH AA or AAA batteries. But I'm very satisfied with this Sony Charger which works fine, and the high capacity 2500 batteries.
No noticed problems working with Canon digital camera
This is very good battery! Just see the branch name and you should know the quality !
I purchased this product to use with my Camera. The charging lasts very good time. Would recommend this product to others. Good work Amazon.
CALIDAD SONY LO RECOMIENDO,ES BUEN CARGADOR Y SE PUEDE LLEVAR Y CARGAR EN CUALQUIER PARTE,LEER MUY BIEN LAS INSTRUCCIONES PARA NO DA&Ntilde;ARLO.
The price for this setup was no more expensive than buying 4 disposable batteries of the same size that are designed for 'electronics' like cameras.  Considering these batteries are rechargeable, they're even a better deal.  Once charged, they operated my camera without hesitation and held a functional charge for as long as any other e-battery I have used.  If they last, and don't inadvertently get tossed out, they'll be a real bargain.
Bought this about 1.5 years back. Worked well. Now it is not working. The indicator light blinks, but the battery is not charging. See if there is a better one available.
I received a white charger with silver/green batteries that I hadn't seen before, maybe that is the new look. They are marked Cycle Energy and seem to hold plenty of charge (rated at 2500 mAh). Batteries didn't come precharged and the first full charge took about 7 or 8 hours.
I recently opened and charged a 4-pack of Sony Cycle Energy AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries like these.  They are rated at 2500 mAh, but they don't have nearly that charge capacity.  Using my La Crosse BC-9009 charger, I charged then tested them at roughly 350 - 400 mAh.  Even after running multiple refresh cycles, they still test at only 382 - 575 mAh charge capacity.  Something is terribly wrong with these batteries.
Its a smart charger suitable for travel because of its small size. However, since it is a smart charger, I'd prefer to see individual charge indicators for each cell.
Anything that eliminates an AC-DC adapter from my luggage gets my attention. This is a small unit that has 110-220 volts US plug built in. No wall wart to schlep. Hooray!Update: 15-March-2005 Plastic lid broke off. Not a biggy but should have been sturdier. Still pleased with it's usefulness and travelability.
A great purchase on my part and those of others. Comes with 4 AA batteries and automatically stops charging when they're full. No more buying regular batteries which in time can cost a fortune. No worry about the batteries depleting rapidly they last a good long while after being fully charged. I highly recommend this charger.
Well, I bought this product taking in account reviews made by customers.  A lot of people says it's a good product, but my experience it's completely different.  Basically the charger is a timed charger and does not detect batteries been fully charged.  I have used this charger for over a year.  At the beginning I thought I was doing it wrong.  Batteries very hot after "charging" and charge does not last any longer than a month.  I use the batteries for mouse and keyboard.  I have an energizer charger with charge indicator and it's working just fine batteries charged in it last for months and no problem at all.  Does not charge batteries as it's supposed to do.I don't recommend this product, it's really bad.
Bought these to use in my daughters Leap Pad (those things drain batteries like no ones business). All has been well, haven't experienced any issues any other posters mentioned. They charge until they are full and turn off so they won't overcharge the batteries.
It takes a while to charge batteries but they hold a lot of power and last a long time in a very demanding device. I need around 12 more batteries, which will be a bit pricey, but cheaper in the long run.Update-Since I wrote this, I've discovered Sanyo eneloop batteries which can be recharged 1800 times, while these can only be charged 300 times. The eneloops are a much better value in the long run.
Purchased for Camera - the 2500 mAh which they are labeled. BUT not any better than the Duracell w.charger NiMh only.IF You need a charger - Highly rec. this:Tenergy V3969A1 Plug-in Type Speedy Rechargeable Battery Charger for AA, AAA, 9V BatteriesThis not only does both : NiMh and NiCd [Moonrays]it will charge AAA's and 9 volt.Then whatever batteries you need, buy accordingly.
This product works great for my golf GPS.  I always keep a spare charged set of batteries in my golf bag, so that I am never without my GPS in operating condition.
Great charger, great batteries, great price.  The charger included is the bcg-34hld. This charger can charge AA and AAA. Other reviews state that the charger uses a timer function and can overcharge the batteries. I disagree with their assumption.As per the user manual it reads:Leading Features1. Voltage monitoring function2. Safety timer3. Detection of non rechargeable batteries.4.  Worldwide Voltage AC 100v - 240vFurthermore the users manual reads."When the charger is plugged into the AC outlet, the LED indcator will light up and remain lit during the charging process.  The LED indicator will turn off in approximately 7 hours after the charging has begun.Even if the batteries are fully charged, the LED indicator will remain lit for 7 hours.The batteries should be fully discharged before they are recharged."The battery charger even knows what mah capacity batteries are being charged and and the led light changes color depending on the mah capacity of the battery.This does not sound like some dumb timer battery charger that will overcharge your batteries.
Value of money.Previously i bought this for my friend and after the performance i bought for me.Good value for moneyonly thing is takes more time for charging...
It is small, easy to use, simple, lightweight, ideal for home use and carry during travel. A must have for those who use AA-rechargeable batteries.
I bought these batteries in Nov. 2006 for use with a Canon Power Shot A530.For the past several months, maybe going back to August or September 2007, I've barely used my camera because the batteries can't hold a charge.  At first, even sooner than that time, it was just that you charged all 4 and then the 2 that didn't go in the camera drained quickly.  It was pointless having 2 pairs because you would go to put your backup pair in the camera and they were dead.Now even after they are fully charged, the battery icon shows up on the camera as soon as you put the batteries in.  You can take a small handful of pictures but that's about it.
Works excellent! Shipped and delivered on time. Holds 4 batteries, & charges them within 7 hours, with indicator light to let you know when the batteries are fully charged again. Love it. Thank you.
My two year old sanyo eneloop batteries hold a charge longer and don't self discharge nearly as fast as these batteries.  I would recommend something else over these.  I purchased the charger with a set and an additional set.  In my opinion it was a waste of money.  My Lenmar R2G batteries and Sanyo eneloop batteries hold up much better.
I use this Sony charger all of the time.Works really well on my many trips I have been on.Shuts off when the batteries are charged.Easy to pack in a suitcase.Rapid delivery and g nice low price.
I have used this product for over a year, and after about 10 times charging them in the charger, batteries will not last more than 2 weeks even if they are not user at all, if I charge them and use them for a week and take about 20-30 pictures, batteries are then dead.
So very practical when travelling internationally as I do ! It can charge both AA & AAA so takes care of my MP3, digital camera, etc. on the run.
I bought this item for a friend and she said it works well and it keeps the charge.
I have had these for 2 years. i dont think anyone comes back to write a review for a purchase made after 2 years.I have never had any problems with these batteries in the first 2 years. I have a canon 4MP camera with a 1GB card and i have run out of memory but never the charge on the batteries.Now after 2 years of moderate use, the batteries wont charge. They might be losing charge after 2-3 days of charge if they lay around idle.I have used other rechargeable and they are expected to last longer.
I've purchased 2 of these chargers and extra sets of Sony 2500 mAh rechargable batteries over the last few years.  Both have worked very well over the years.  The unit is compact, especially the way the 110 VAC wall plug (no external cord required) rotates 90 degrees and folds flat into the unit.  The batteries slow-charge and take several hours to fully charge and they hold a charge well.  The unit automatially turns off when the batteries are fully charged.
Good value and works fine with my wireless mouse and flashes. At this price, there's no point in buying batteries that cannot be recharged. With my current usage, these batteries should last me 10+ years. My appliances may not even take AA form factor batteries at that point. Only weakness is slow recharging speed. Wish it was a lot faster.
Great price for a quick charger plus Sony batteries. I buy 4 extra batteries and never run out of battery power in all my items.... wall clocks, remotes, talking clock, solar yard lights and my grandsons plug n play toys. Batteries last for years of recharging. I have had the same ones for 2 years still charging and  recharging. I will never go back to using regular batteries. When I get more stuff I just buy  a couple more packs of Sony rechargeables.  Its Great!
Finally, A product that does as the advertising claims. Not the most expensive animal on the block, but for my needs, it's absolutely perfect. If you're in the market for a quality charger at an affordable price, buy this one... 4 high quality batteries (2500mHa) and a well designed and constructed charger for under 20 bucks... sure beats wally-world prices to heck.Plugged it in, and a tad over 7 hours, the charge light went out and batteries were fully charged. Installed two in my camera and went picture taking crazy... With my Kodak batteries, about 300 pictures before a recharge. With the Sony batteries, I've taken a little over 450 pictures, with and without flash, and the batteries still have juice left for more... There may be better chargers and batteries out there, but for the money you can't beat the Sony Charger and Batteries. Quality Product all the way.And a hats off to Electronica Direct for the expedient delivery service, my order arrived 3 days ahead of schedule.
I only noticed this was a timed charger a couple of days after I ordered it (didn't even think Sony would still sell such a thing, at the time I was ordering). I'm keeping the batteries, but the charger will stay in a drawer - bought an Eneloop to replace this.
will only charge on one side.. only 2 batteries at a time.cheap product. batteries that come with it are good except for the charging issue.
I ordered the Sony 4 2500 mAh batteries and charger.  It was shown as: "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com."  They instead filled the order through "DependableResource".  I not only got the old dumb charger but got the old 2100 mAh batteries instead of the ones I ordered.  The Amazon return had me completely fill out the form and when I submitted it I was told I had to go through Customer Support.  The Customer Support link took me back through the same loop.  Customer Support said I could not exchange a product handled by DependableResource but did offer me a refund.  To add a little more hassle to the process I have to hunt down a UPS drop box rather than leave the package in my mailbox as you do with Amazon returns.If you order this item be careful during the ordering process that you aren't shunted off to DependableResourse so they can send you their old lower quality batteries.  It had been a toss-up between the Eneloop type 2000 mAh battery and these, but my daughter decided on the higher 2500 mAh capacity since she uses them hours a day in her Bluetooth music player and wouldn't be affected much by the high self discharge.  DependableResourse gave me the worse of both.
Purchased this charger and 4 batteries to use with my Xbox 360 wireless controller. Once the controller batteries get down to 2 bars of charge (as indicated on Xbox interface) I pop the 2 spare batteries in to charge overnight to make the transition quick and painless. Very economical way to stay wireless and 2 fully charged batteries last me about 2 weeks. There are fancier chargers on Amazon with more bells and whistles but this is an excellent product for a low budget charger combo.I am still not sure if this charger really shuts itself off or not (timer), but I unplug it when the yellow charge light goes out which is simple enough, and I don't store charged batteries in the charger, nor do I charge them until it is within a day or two of it being time to use them so they don't sit around and lose charge that way. I would certainly buy this product again.If I had to list a Con, it would be that it charges very slowly, taking hours for the charge light to go out, so with this charger you need to plan ahead. I learned that the hard way one time by not monitoring my controller batteries and have kept an eye on the charge level since then to be more prepared.
This particular setup works best for batteries that don't get a lot of action.In about 2.5 hours batteries are fully charged and at the ready.
They work. They have the Sony Brand Name. As far as I can tell you get what you buy. Buy these if you have the need.
I write for a newspaper and never know when I'll run across a good photo opportunity, but I don't like lugging around a heavy camera bag. This little bag is the perfect size to fit into my handbag and it doesn't add a lot of weight. It has room for an extra battery, which is great. It's nicely padded, so it cushions and protects this delicate little camera.
Just received the Rezo 10 for my new Canon S90.  The pouch is well constructed as everyone's reviewed here, however the S90 is too long for this bag.  There is a discrepancy on the internal dimensions listed on Amazon vs. Lowepro's website: 2.8 x 1.4 x 4.7 vs. 2.8 x 0.8 x 3.5, respectively.  In this case, I'd go with Lowepro's sizing to be accurate.  I will return the model 10 to Amazon and get a model 30 instead.Shop carefully and Amazon, please correct the post.I'm giving the product a 5 star rating because it is very well made and attaches on my Lowepro Flipside 200 nicely.
I use this for my line 6 relay g30 transmitter. fits like a glove, holds the battery cover tight, and can be easily transferred from strap to strap. Also very secure. Great solution for live playing with a wireless unit.
My Canon SD 1200 fits perfectly into this case. I like the velcro flap on the case. It is easier to open and close than the cases with a zipper. I wear it on my belt. The extra pocket is good for a second memory card.
Here's a quick review on a practical and useful camera case. I bought 4 or 5 of these because they use a velcro pad to slide between your belt. It's also a practical size for either a camera or a cell phone. The case is durable and easy to slip on and off. Some camera cases have a belt loop forcing you to pull out the belt to slide through the case loop. Not so the Lowepro 10 and 15. Bottom line... it's worth getting.
I absolutely love this product - for my Lumix FX33.I've used it at work for 6 months, and just like my Lumix, I love that I can work it with only one hand. It's well padded - I've dropped it a few times with no damage to the camera. The velcro is not 'stubborn' and still sticks like new after hundreds of cycles - for both the front flap and belt strap. Belt strap is stiffened to push right under your belt, and even has a snap for extra-secure, which I never need (and I climb-around a lot @ work). Front pocket holds spare battery (in its plastic case) or card, and likely both, securely. Don't use the shoulder strap, but More Than Adequate, with metal snap-clips. I'll continue to use this pouch after I've worn-out the camera and moved-on the next one.
I bought this camera bag for my Canon Powershot 600. It was perfect! I am a big fan of anything lightweight and not a nuisance or bulky to carry around. With the adjustable strap, you can easily put it around your neck or carry it on your shoulder.  It even has a loop in the back of the pouch so that you can carry it on your belt.  It also has a small pocket on the inside to maybe put in another memory card for the camera or extra battery pack.  Definitely worth the price.
I got this for my new Canon SD800 IS (great camera btw).  It's as small as possible, not possible to get any smaller really without sacrificing protection & utility.  It fits in my pants pocket which is really nice.  It has a small pocket for a memory card or battery, I'm not sure both would fit in there.  This is the bag I use most of the time.  I have a larger one for if we were going out for the entire day.
I chose this Lowepro Rezo 10 case for my new Nikon S620Nikon Coolpix S620 12.2MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Rich Pearl). Very happy with it. Pros are: wide belt loop, good size fit for the camera, pocket for extra battery, ez-open flap to get camera in and out. The case makes it very convenient to carry the camera with me on weekends ... exactly what I wanted. Not a waterproof or dustproof case but I chose to opt for small size and convenience over protection. The Lowepro website was helpful in deciding which Lowepro cases would fit my new camera ... was worth the time to get a good match. I'd definitely recommend this case.
It's reasonably good quality for the price.The shoulder strap is pretty flimsy and likely uncomfortable if your wearing it for a while as it's pretty thin and looks like it would dig at your shoulder.  If it were a little wider and had a shoulder pad it would be much better.  I don't use the strap, so that's not really an issue for me.The case has a very secure belt clip (Velcro + button) to secure it to your belt.  It's pretty easy to get a camera in and out with one hand.As far as sizing goes, check the Lowepro website which is great with helping you find the best Lowepro case.  My camera fits snugly inside with just enough room in the accessory pouch for a memory card (in protective case) and extra rechargeable battery.  For a slim P&S; camera... it's perfect.  Having a slim camera and a big case just makes the slim camera seem kind of redundant.I strongly recommend checking the Lowepro site first to make sure you camera fits, and fits well.  A size to small and your case is useless.  A size to big and your camera may not be as secure, not to mention you've got an extra bulky case.As far as protection goes... the case seems pretty protective, and would likely sustain a decent fall without a fair quality camera breaking.  It seems to be made of pretty water resistant material and has reasonable stitching.  Again this isn't a $150 camera case.The only thing I'd say is that the case could use a better strap.  Other than that it's pretty good.
I have had 3 of these for the Casio S10/ S12.  Great little bags.  One model has only velrco to wrap around the belt (they went cheap on this model) the best one is the one with the velcro AND the clip (for additional security)....
I am a Lowepro fan because all their products are high-quality and thoughtfully designed. This small case is no exception, but was too small to comfortably fit the Canon S100 I bought it for. At such a low price, I kept it to use with something else. I've got the Lowepro Apex 20 AW that works beautifully as a belt case for the S100.
I bought one of these bags. I know the name brand. And the internal size works for my new Lumix DMC-ZS10 point & shoot. It handles the camera well, Plus a pointing device, extra memory card, & extra battery. IT doesn't get in yhe way. And the glove fit, keeps it small. I'm a Professional Photographer, and I recommend this bag.  [...]
I bought the Lowepro Rezo 30 for my new Canon PowerShot S90. Since most pocket cameras are thinner and shorter than the S90, it's likely almost every other small camera will fit in this case. The S90 fits pretty snug in this case, it's about the biggest camera that will fit in it.If you are familiar with Lowepro's design and construction you won't be surprised, but for those of you who aren't, suffice to say it's high quality gear. Good zippers, heavy nylon material. The belt loop is wide and has a velcro closer and well as a small strap with a snap to lock it down.The Rezo 30 is similar to a number of other cases in the Lowepro line. In fact there are so many of this particular type it's hard to chose the one you need. I found though that they are almost exactly the same size, so I chose this one based mostly on size and price. If the AWI case, (with rain cover) had been available I would have bought it, as my intention it use this to carry the camera to various outdoor events.The Rezo 30 has a main compartment that opens with a pair of zipper pulls, a convienence that allows you to open only the top of the case. It comes with a shoulder strap, but I bought it as a belt case only. The front velcro pocket is divided into two compartments and would work well for carrying a spare battery and memory chips. I found the compartment was large enough to hold the Canon battery charger but it doubles the size of the case when you stuff something that big in it.The Rezo 30 comes in many colors and is a quality case for pocket cameras.
Nice unit.Had one before but wore it outafter eight years.
This is a great case.  The front pocket easily fits an extra battery and/or memory card(s), the shoulder strap is detachable, and the belt loop disconnects to fit around straps that can't be fed through it.  I use it with an Olympus TG-2, which was a bit tight until I removed the interior flaps that limit how far the camera compartment can open.
I bought this locally rather than ordering because some reviewers say it does not fit the ZS3.  I find it to be a perfect fit, snug but not tight, and easily sliding in and out due to the long zipper. You do need to put the smaller end in first. This is a nice case.
This is the second case I've purchased for my canon sx200.  Even though Lowepro recommended the Rezo 30 case for the SX200, I expected it might be a bit small based on measurements.  It actually is a great fit with the camera in the main compartment and one spare battery and one spare memory card in the front storage pocket.My preference in a camera case is one styled like the Rezo, with a separate front pocket for extra media batteries - no chance of accessories falling out on accident when you are getting the camera out of the main compartment.  I was pleased to find this style of case for my new camera.I also like that this case has two zipper pulls, I can leave my camera strap sticking out between the two zipper pulls and use that as the strap instead of using the neck strap.Lowepro makes great products.  This is another example of a well made case constructed from quality materials with attention to the little details that makes Lowepro's products stand out from the competition.
I upgraded my Panasonic ZS20 to the larger ZS40, so my old Rezo 20 was too small.  The ZS40 just barely fits in the Rezo 30 with an extra battery in the velcro-closing pouch.  But it does the job and I expect the Rezo 30 to last a long time.
This fits my Panasonic DMC-ZS7 perfectly.  I do like the compartment in the front from memory cards and extra battery.  I like the fact I can slip it on to my belt and it snaps safely into place.
Sony RX 100 fits very nicely.  I took my spare battery out of its case and dropped into the outer pocket.  Better fit that way.
Ask any one who knows and they'll all tell you that Lowepro is known for making the highest quality cases.  This one is no exception.  It's well padded without adding too much bulk.  I first used this case during a deployment in Iraq.  My camera survived without a scratch.  They make different sizes of this bag so for the best protection be sure to get the size that fits particular your camera.  I used this bag for both myFujifilm Finepix A500 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoomand myNikon Coolpix P5100 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom.  Larger cameras will need theLowepro Rezo 50 Camera Bagor larger.  Smaller cameras may need theLOWEPRO Digital Camera Bag REZO 15.  Either way, to protect your camera, LowePro is the way to go!
The fit was perfect and the xtra pouch had enough room to put 1 or 2 xtra batteries in it.  The profile thus remains small and ease of putting onto my belt or cargo pant pockets is great.  This plus this coolpix camera are good match
This is a nice little case. It fits my Samsung TL225 quite nicely, and seems padded enough on the inside to adequately protect it from short drops. The case holds the camera well enough that I can leave the top unzipped for easy access without worry. The belt loop can be opened, and is secured by both a snap and velcro, which thankfully allows me to attach it to my belt without removing the belt, yet seems strong enough that it won't easily come off. The front pocket easily holds a second battery and memory card, and the neck strap seems a good length and well made.All in all, this is a very good case for the price.
a little tight for my ZS7... but fits. quality looks good and I like the little pocket for an extra battery.
Love the look, the material is thick and has two different looks.  It's even a great bag to use without a camera to carry small things around in a park, like Disney for example.
My Canon A530 fits snugly in here. If you have that camera you might want to go with something a little more roomy, like the ridge 30, but I think I'll be pretty safe with this.One of the reasons I chose this case is because of the belt loop-- Unlike most, you don't have to string it onto a belt to attach. Nor does it hang on flimsy velcro. It attaches by velcro with a snap to secure it. That's a big plus, can attach to other belt loops or knapsack straps.The bag is well padded and comes with a detachable shoulder strap. The colored versions look great, too (I got the black because I found it cheap, but would like a more distinctive color)
I bought this to hold a Flip UltraHD Video Camera 4GB that I just purchased.  This bag seems to be a little a tight fitting for my Flip as the bag's zippers are a little stiff.  Hopefully that is just because the bag is new.I love the bag's SlipLock feature.  Fits securely on my belt or my LowePro SlingShot 300.
The LowePro Rezo 30 Camera Case is a very well designed and well made case that perfectly fits myFujifilm FinePix F200EXR 12MP Super CCD Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Optical Zoom.This case has the main zippered compartment (with two zipper pulls), a Velcro'ed front compartment big enough for batteries and a smaller inner mesh compartment big enough for memory cards. Not much else will fit in the case, but most Point & Shoot cameras do not need much else.The really nice thing about this case is the belt loop that secures with Velcro and locks with a snap. This extra detail is a nice touch and makes me feel much more confident that the case will stay securely on my belt. There is also an optional shoulder strap included, but this seems a little weak to me and I will not be using it.The case padding is a little bit thin but acceptable since this case will be carried on my belt and not put into harm's way very often.Overall, I am very pleased with the quality and functionality of the case.Highly Recommended!CFH
I use this for a small canon point and shoot, that I would normally carry in my pocket, but I like to use this case to attach it to the bag for my DSLR back pack, having the small point and shoot case attached to the webbing on the belt loop. Of course, this also allows you to attach it to hoops in webbing, like some back pack straps, which you can't start from an end and "thread" it through the belt hoop on most other small camera cases.Unlike most of the other cases in this range, this case has a Velcro on the belt loop, with a snap to further secure it, so that you don't have to pull your belt off and run it through this every time you take it on or off. And with the snap backing up the Velcro, there's no chance it's going to fall off accidentally.For the rest of the bag, it's pretty well thought out, compartment for the camera to be fully surrounded by soft fabric without an extra memory card or battery scratching it.  But there is an extra pocket on the outside to securely carry some extra accessories. It's pretty high quality fabric and stitching, and it'll probably outlive the camera I bought it for.
Size and appropriate padding were primary considerations when reviewing cases for my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (by the way, great camera). The Lowepro Rezo 30 case doesn't disappoint. This jewel of a camera deserves to be well protected and with a quick zip (actually two zippers), it slips in and out of this attractive case easily and still fits snugly enough to prevent unwanted movement and protect my investment.The outer pocket (on the front) adds another layer but it's well worth it in order to have a spare battery AND Memory Card AND Thumbstick when I'm out taking pictures (or HD video) all day. I can also fit the USB cable in the pocket (for uploading photos/video) but that's it.The included shoulder strap is a little lightweight (maybe that's the point), but the clips are metal (yeah!) and I'm convinced everything is secure. If you prefer, there is a sturdy loop on the back that allows you to carry the whole works on your belt (look Ma, no hands), out of the way and confident that everything is safe, secure and within reach at a moment's notice.Glad I did my homework on this one...you can't do any better and the price makes it a bargain at $11.00.
Well-designed and well-made. As others have pointed out, the belt loop design makes it easy to attach and detach from belt or backpack strap. Separate pockets for spare battery and memory card. Cushy lining for camera. As accessories go, Amazon price is reasonable.
I bought the Rezo 30 as a soft case for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. It fits the camera perfectly within the main zippered compartment, which is lined with soft material. I'd have no hesitation in saying that it would protect the camera from a short drop (say table height) onto a hard floor.A separate compartment with a velcro flap is large enough to hold a spare battery and memory card.The case comes with a neck strap, but I find  the best way to carry it is to use the wide belt loop on the back. The velcro fastening is secure enough, but the loop has a tab button for extra protection.I do not give the case a full five star rating, because the zippered camera compartment opens a little too wide, with the possibility of the camera falling out: however this will depend on the model of the camera and how snugly it fits the case.
Many pockets, good capacity, easily adjustable and durable.  I cannot ask for more in a backpack that was very reasonably priced and has shown good service over the past year.  I can recommend it to you.
This was all they said it was. I blindly ordered this as recomended by amazon and it was perfect.
I was recommended this bag by the amazon website when I bought a Panasonic camera (DMC-TZ5). The bag is quite nice, good quality and looks pretty safe for the camera. But, is's too small!. You can barely fit the camera in bag! I recommend that you buy a bigger size or compact cameras!
If you own the Lumix ZS3 the Rexo 30 camera bag is not a good companion. It is too small for the camera, a tight fit in and a tight fit out. The velcro flap serves only the secondary slot for the backup battery so it is not something you can use to enclose the camera. With the camera in the bag you can close the zipper....almost. A struggle whenever you would want the camera since you will need to close the zipper if you want to avoid the possibility of it falling out (which might be ironic since it is pretty hard to extract).  Get something bigger.  Mine went back the same day. Not suitable and it would be good if Amazon were not suggesting the pairing.
I purchased this bag based on the reviews on Amazon. Yes, it fits the panasonic dmc-zs7 perfectly! And on top of that I can fit 2 more extra batteries and additional memory cards in the front pocket. I love the fit and functionality of it, to be able to clip on my belt or worn around shoulder with the should strap.Here is a personal opinion, the look of it is okay. I feel the front flap looks too bulky, and I don't like the Lowepro logo on the front. It looks a tid too big and sticks out too much in contrast with the bag. So I'm gonna take it off/debadge it.Other than that, that is a great bag and I highly recommends it.
A good fit and great protection for small digital cameras with extended optical zoom. The double attatchment of the belt loop adds security and still allows for ease of attatchment without removing your belt.Internal side gussets lower the risk of the camera falling out of the case while working the zipper. Has a small but functional extra storage pouch for a battery and a couple of cards.Excellent price and fast delivery.
Well-designed and well-constructed.  Fabric and zippers of high quality.  Accommodates Lumix DMC-ZS5, and, in separate compartment, a spare battery, perfectly.  Good price, too.
I bought this case for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera.  The camera fits in it without room to wiggle... Any bigger camera and it wouldn't fit.  It's got a nice soft inside with a little padding.  It won't protect the camera from abuse or some sort of trauma, but for day to day use it will do fine.  Their is two pouch's under the front flap.  The small one is perfect for a spare battery and the bigger pocket is good for a couple credit cards and some cash or even a third battery?  You can squeeze the battery charger with the battery in it but it really is tight and don't recommend it.  I would have given this product 5 stars if the zippers worked better(they don't operate smoothly).  Not enough of a problem to return the product though.  All in all it's a "Good Little Bag" for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7.
I bought this case on the basis of all the good reviews, but I was disappointed by the fit for my camera.  It would appear to be perfect on first examination, nicely protective and a good, snug fit.  However, I found that I needed both hands to CAREFULLY extract and replace the camera in the case and close the zipper.  There is a large ridge on the inner seam along the zipper, which interferes with the movement of the zipper.  Anyone who takes a lot of pictures and wants easy, spontaneous access to the camera, will be frustrated as was I.  The case is nicely designed and very sturdy, however, so I suspect that a larger Rezo would be a better option.
The Lowepro case is essential to protect an investment in a camera.  It is well designed, well made, and priced right.  It is a smart purchase.
I lost my camera case and I am glad I did.  This case fits the camera perfectly and is a great value.  Made very well and slightly padded to protect camera.
Great little camera case.  It fits my Panasonic Lumix ZS8 perfectly.  It's lean, yet has an extra pocket that I can fit some cash and an i.d. in when I go out hiking.  It can attach to a belt, but I don't usually wear a belt, so I just sling it across my shoulder.  I used to have a hard case, but I think this soft case does a great job, sufficient protection, and it's easier to open.  It's also nice looking.  I do wish it came in another color, but I tied a bright string around it, so that it doesn't get lost in all my other black apparel!
I think I have a 20 size for a long time, with the new HS500, I think I need a slightly bigger bag.The major advantage of using this class of bag is that you can put it on your belt any time, without taking off your belt. And it is very secure, that it won't fall off. Very easy to take your camera out/in from the bag because it is by the belt. Excellent design.Highly recommended.
I have to disagree with some of the reviews here, regarding the suitability for the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 camera.Having bought both the Rigde 30 and the Rezo 30 camera cases, as I could not decide between the two based on the varying customer reviews on Amazon, I can only say that for me this Rezo 30 case is the obvious choice.Apart from having a nicer finish to it compared to the Ridge 30 (zippers, belt strap and fabric are of better quality), the ZS3 fits in the Rezo 30 like a hand in a glove. In the Ridge 30, is has a lot of space, and is constantly moving around. I didn't have troubles getting the camera in or out either case.Considering it's amazingly low price, I'd say the Rezo 30 is a great camera case, and I've found it to be the perfect companion to my ZS3.
I bought the Lowepro case for the Panasonic DMC-TS5S. It fits snugly. I love the fact that velcro belt strap has a additional snap for added protection. The only downfall to me is the front pocket is a little too small. It is tapered at the bottom with a wide opening at the top. This makes the case awkward when you put a backup battery and the shoulder strap in there. Otherwise it does the job properly.
I purchased this case after researching Lowepro's website.  According to Lowepro, my Canon Powershot A70 would fit in this bag.  I just received the bag and could not close the zipper around the camera for the life of me!  The case itself is great.  It does have a very soft lining to protect the display screen on your camera.  Just don't buy it for the Canon Powershot A70!!
But I use this for a mobile phone, and I use it attached to my belt. This is the second one I purchased, the first one was 5 years old and it was wearing out. But what amazes me the most is that despite being 5 years old the thing is still functional. It just doesn't look too well on the outside, also the red color was all dirty and washing it didn't help. So I decided to buy the same one again, this time black color, not red.I can recommend this to anyone, great purchase, it won't disappoint !I will buy again in year 2017. For sure. Mmmm maybe I should have bought 3 o 4 to have them as spare.
Ive become accustommed 2 this pouch as a cell phone case and it also carrys a pen and mp3 player
This case fits snugly on my Nikon Coolpix P300. The padding is very good and the camera is well protected. The tiny pocket can fit approximately 2 extra batteries and 2 SD cards.
It's a nice little camera bag. I wish that the pocket was just a smidge bigger, but it served it's purpose.
We borrowed one of these from a family member to try with our new Kodak Sport camera.  It was perfect.  Just the right size to hold the camera with a little pocket for extra batteries and an SD card.  It has a way to hook it on a belt or strap (we had it up front on a backpack strap while hiking) and a strap to sling it over your shoulder too.  We liked it so much we bought one.
It's of good quality and design. Although you can't carry it in your pocket, it's a roomy camera bag for my S90 and has long strap. And I put a spare battery and a card reader in the front pocket. Very convenient.
Muy Bueno para cuidar la camara fotografica, tiene varias divisiones, es completamente nueva, esta en buen estado llego excelente lo recomiendo
This Lowepro Rezo 30 stores and protects my new Panasonic DMC-ZS7 camera with a separate spacious compartment for additional SDHC cards and batteries.  Suggest that one stores the camera with the lens (front of the camera) facing the inside of the case as it provides additional protection.
The baggy is very cushion-y. Fits the Canon SX230 HS I ordered it for perfectly. The belt strap has velcro and a button - required serious prying to get open, so there will be no accidental slippage.Overall the materials used and the stitching quality is great. One of the best baggies I have seen and for a great price.
The item arrived in good shape and it is in excellent condition. This is the third Rezo 30 I've had. I use it to hold my phone and credit cards instead of having a wallet in my pocket. I've used the Rezo 30 because, in addition to having a strong velcro tab to lock over my belt, it also had a snap that gave double closure to the belt tab. Note I said 'had'. This Rezo 30 does not have the additional snap. I liked the Rezo 30 because it was just the right size and the double closure gave me confidence that it would not be snatched from my belt. Not the seller's fault, but had I known it does not have the snap, I wouldn't have bought it, even though the price was excellent.
I bought this case for the Panasonic DMC-ZS3 camera.  The case is well made and fits the camera nicely.  The extra features  such as the belt loop, the extra pocket and the strap are exactly what I wanted and needed.  I go on frequent trips, and this is perfect to protect the small camera while keeping it easily accessible.  Whether on the belt loop  - that has velcro and a snap - or on the strap, the camera can be pulled out of the top of the case and be ready for a picture very quickly.  Its a snug enough fit that I am not worried about the camera falling out.  The extra pocket actually has enough room for the small battery charger and the USB memory card reader although it makes for a very snug fit.The construction is of high quality as are the materials.  The zippers have short corded pull tabs which are also a nice feature, making it easier to grab the zipper to pull it open or closed.I have owned many cameras and cases, and logged many miles over the years and would buy this one again without hesitation.
Lowepro's Rezo 30 is the perfect case for the Lumix TZ3. It's not a hard case, but it's nylon and is well padded and actually provides fairly good impact protection. But the reason I love mine is because when I put it on my belt, I can pull the camera out and drop it back in almost effortlessly. This is because the top has a double zipper and the pocket has a gusset. So it opens from the top, but the sides have expanding fabric walls so the camera cannot slip out. Blows away gf's Tamron. Now when we're on vacation, I invariably grab the camera as we head out each day since it's no bother whatsoever to tote.
Sturdy and protective. Easily fit into belt. Option to attach big strap if you don't like in belt. place to keep memory card or other stuff.
Got as a case to carry a Canon Powershot S90 on my belt and protect the camera from dust.  Fits the Canon S90 like a glove.  Only thing I don't like is the zipper tends to catch a bit on opening but not on closing.  Catching can be readily counteracted by pinching the open side of the zipper track a bit just below the zipper.  But otherwise, the case holds the S90 very snugly but not so tightly it's difficult to get out.  Can unzip the case enough to easily get the camera out without any apparent danger of having the camera fall out.  The zippered pouch offers complete camera enclosure whereas with a case like that sold by Canon for the Powershot 500, there is the rapid opening convenience of a top Velcro flap but dust and dirt will also easily find their way to the camera since the Velcro flap doesn't completely close off the inside of the case like the Rezo 30 zipper.The Rezo 30 case is nice, too, in that it does have a front pouch covered by a Velcro flap suitable for holding a spare SD card or spare battery.  Also has a very nice detachable shoulder strap that appears very sturdy but attaches to two tough fabric loops on the case itself.Had a previous Casio Exilim Z-750 camera in a different Lowepro case that I banged against my hip and cracked the LCD screen, which was facing my hip.  The Rezo 30 case mainly offers padding to protect the camera.  The padding on the outside of the case is very good and having a spare SD card or battery in the outside compartment would undoubtably offer some extra protection.  There is some padding on the belt side of the case where the camera rests in the main compartment against your hip.  The Velcro flap that forms the inside of the belt loop has some stiffness to it, like a collar stay, that might also afford some additional protection to the LCD screen.  So other than the zipper sticking a bit, my only other concern with the case is whether there is enough hipside protection to save the LCD screen from a really careless bump into something.The case is a subdued, light black color with a tight fabric weave.  The Lowepro logo is very small and modest, adding just a teeny touch of flair.  So you can wear the case on your hip in almost any business or casual dress situation without attracting undue attention.All in all, a steal at $11.  Highly recommended.
Bought this for my brand new Canon S120. Fits like a glove. Microfiber like material on the inside protects the nice screen very well. Best of all, the price! Very well constructed.Will also store a memory card and perhaps a spare battery.
I actually bought some other model of LowePro case (for my Casio Exilim EX-Z120) then realized the belt loop was different and immediate exchanged it for this one--so glad I did because this case is the best in every respect, and at this low price for such high quality it makes an excellent gift that's cheap without being cheaply made.Seriously, the belt loop on this alone is worth the difference in price (which is negligible, especially when you consider what it's protecting).  The difference here is that this loop opens and closes with velcro, and if you don't trust that completely there's a snap to make sure it stays in place as well.  Most belt loops on cases are sewn closed or have a clip that might cause you to drop your very expensive camera while running around.  You could seriously hang a full grown man from this loop and it wouldn't come open--first rate outdoor gear quality.But that's not the only brilliant bit.  When hanging the case from your neck, it's naturally that you would want to have the case open so you have ready access to your camera, but not so that it would fall out.  So LowePro put nylon on both sides of the inside of the case to keep the camera from falling out even while the zippers are fully open.  You can give it a good side to side shake--as would happen during a vigorous walk, and the camera will not fall out (most likely).The clips for the adjustable neck strap are easy to attach and release from the case (or even replace with a more deluxe camera strap if you like), and there's a nifty pocket in front that's big enough to carry spare batteries, memory cards, money, and your various ID and bank cards with an inner mesh pocket for everything from spare batteries and memory to cards and money.  I stuffed two media cables and a spare set of AA batteries in there along with all of the above and they fit just fine for a daytime outing or tour.CON (only one minor one): You will want to rip or cut out the tags sewn into the inside of the case if you want it to be truly free of anything which might scratch a lens or casing--but this is no big deal.BOTTOM LINE: Overall, they designed this case with the kinds of features and construction you would find on a larger pack made to carry much heavier loads and more volume, yet didn't overdesign it for its intended purpose.  Obviously they field tested this thing and redesigned it as best they could to keep the camera in the case even when on the most active or careless of users, and yet maintained an attractive and functional design at an extremely reasonable price.  This is not cheaply designed or made, just cheaply priced--a real bargain.Appropriate for the business traveler, vacationer, outdoor fanatic, or even the fashion conscious.
Turns out it has a zipper top, I'm always paranoid about my screen getting scratched...prefer the flip!
This case was recommended as an accessory for the TZ5, but it is much too tight a fit, worse if you actually keep accessories in the accessory pouch. I worry that there is too much pressure being exerted on the lens, even though the padding is generous. I have heard of people having problems with their TZ5 lens retractor/cover being a bit fragile, so it seems a very bad idea to stuff it into a too-snug case.For someone with a more compact camera where the lens retracts flush with the camera body, this would be ideal, as it does seem like it provides a lot of protection.
I made the perfect choice in purchasing this for my Panasonic ZS7 camera. My camera fits snugly in this case but not so much that I have to struggle with putting in/taking out the camera.There is just enough room in the front compartment for a spare card and battery, which is plenty for me.My only complaint, for which is small, is that when zipping up the camera, I have to pay attention to the gussets as they sometimes poke out and in the way of the zipper.That said, I do appreciate having a gusseted case as I do not have to worry about my camera falling out while unzipping it. All-in-all, it appears to be a quality case. I'm happy.
I spent hours looking for the perfect case for my Nikon P300. I wanted the smallest case possible when traveling as the camera stays hanging around my neck/shoulder. I didn't buy this from Amazon, but bought it locally after purchasing the Case Logic TBC-312 Pocket Video Camcorder Case from Amazon. (It fit the camera snuggly, but not an extra battery in addition). The Rezo 30 is nice. (I tried the Rezo 50 also, but the bigger size is unnecessary.) The front flap does add some useless bulk, but it's pretty flat with just one extra battery. The camera fits snugly. The zippers work well, but I go slowly as I don't want to take a chance on catching the lining. Since I attach my strap to the camera and not the bag, I needed a bag that would allow the strap to come up through the top of the bag, which eliminated many bags. This bag has 2 zippers that meet up at the top. You could get a card and 2nd battery in the front portion easy enough, but that would make the velcro'ed portion stick out a lot more. Very happy with my selection.
I bought this for my new Panasonic ZS7. The look quite sleek but the fit is tighter than I would like. My big problem is that the zipper is REALLY tough to move around. It takes way too much effort to get the camera out of the case and back in. I might just have a defective piece since I can see that the stitching hasn't been done too cleanly. I will be returning this. Instead I purchased two cases specifically designed for panasonic zs7 from ebay. They ship from overseas and take longer to get here, but they are worth the wait.Update 9/19/2011Yes the cases I brought from ebay are perfect! I would really suggest you give ebay a shot. Even if they ship from overseas.
Got this case to use with my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. It fits perfectly with compartments for a spare battery and memory cards. Durable construction as well as a good price.
This case fit my Panasonic TS3 Camera perfectly, not too tight, but easy to take and put back after use.  Great design, I attached the case to my Northface DayPack, use it for hiking.Kudo to Amazon, Great Services!  I ordered it Saturday, got it Monday.
I've been using this bag for my Panasonic Lumix ZS3 for three months.  I love the camera and I bought the bag to keep it with me at all times.  I mount the bag on my belt on my left hip.  I've taken it with me in a wide variety of situations and I think I know it well by now.The main good point of this bag is the secure belt attachment.  The combination of the velcro flap and the metal click button tab creates a secure attachment that has never failed me. The bag has never come even close to dropping off.The weak points of this bag are the zipper closure and the soft case.When I first got the bag I thought that the big front velcro flap led to the camera compartment, so that it would be easy to rip open the flap, whip out the camera, and capture that once in a lifetime shot of the hummingbird.  Not so.  The big front flap leads to the little accessory pouch where you can store a spare battery and/or memory card.  To get to the camera, you have to manage two halves of a zipper that closes the main camera pouch.  That means you have to fumble to find the zipper handles, open both sides of the zipper (or run one side of the zipper two thirds of the way around the case), and then take out the camera.  By that time the hummingbird is long gone.Worse, when you put the camera back in the pouch, you have to be sure that the zipper handles don't fall inside the pouch where you won't be able to get at them next time.  This means that putting the camera back is often a two-handed operation requiring a torso twist.  It should be much easier.Worst, the zippers have a tendency to pull open little by little as the bag is torqued and twisted.  This is particularly a problem when I sit in a car or a plane with the bag on my hip.  On a recent trip that involved a cross-country plane flight and then a train ride, the zipper had opened so wide that, as I was walking up the stairs out of the train station, the camera fell out with a clatter on the hard steps.  The passenger behind me picked it up and handed it to me, and luckily it was undamaged.The other big problem with the bag is the soft sides.  Last week I was stupid enough to write a text message on my cell phone while walking on a path in the park after sunset.  I stepped into a hole, twisted my ankle, and came down on my left side.  On top of the bag.  The impact cracked the LCD screen of the camera and ruined it.  Very likely the metal snap button that secures the belt strap on the outside provided the hard bullet point that penetrated the soft padding and cracked the delicate LCD.  I'm now looking at a $217 repair bill for the camera, almost the price of a new one.Bottom line:  this is an OK bag for a cheap camera that you don't care very much about.  But for a sweet gem like the ZS3, I want a bag with quicker access and a higher level of protection.  I haven't found it yet but I'm looking.PS I've ordered a hard case from Adorama and will report on that when I've had a chance to test it.
For those of you wondering, the Samsung HZ15/WB550 fits perfectly.  I thought it was a little too tight at first and I was a little paranoid that the zipper would scratch it but the zipper just misses the camera when you zip it up.  I wish there was a little more padding to cover the lense but it should be fine.  The pockets seem like they're constructed in a way to not put pressure in the bottom half of the pouch unless you over stuff the larger pocket and don't use the smaller one.  rip mj
Good: Front pocket hold 2 spare batteries & SD card. Has belt loop secured with Velcro closer AND snap. You can open the case while it's clipped on without the camera dropping since it will only open part way, It has over shoulder strap.Bad: Stitching could have been a bit neater.
I got this to be able to quickly and securely lash to shoulder and backpack straps and belts.  It does so with velcro and/or a snap button.  It fits my Panasonic TS3 along with a spare battery and the USB cable.  The zippers are sturdy and move easily and quietly.
I will be the first to admit that I am tough on equipment. I do a lot of trail running and can be rough on gear. I am on my second Rezo 30. The zippers pulled apart on the first one. I wish outdoor equipment manufacturers would invent zippers that worked better in the field.Having said that I already destroyed one I will also say this is the best case of its type on the market. The way the clip both velcros and snaps on is perfect. The design is smart, and the size is perfect. I take my camera with me on long distance trail runs and hikes - it works well with myUltimate Direction Access Plus (Black).Update 12-13-09Well my second Rezo 30 has had a zipper failure. C'mon! How about using a better quality zipper on these!
From the description i thought it might fit a Canon Powershot 590 but it's is way too small. It's a decent camera case with a provision to loop a belt through it and would be great for a smaller digital camera.
I purchased this case for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 and it provides a nice, snug fit for the camera.  The interior is soft to guard against scratches and I like the sturdy dual zippers.  One of the best features is the nylon insert on the inside of both sides of the case that keep the camera from falling out, even when the case is unzipped.  The strap adjusts easily and can be made short enough to wear around your neck or long enough to wear across your body.My only complaint is I wish the case were slightly larger.  I think it could use a little more padding all around and I would like the front pocket to be bigger.  There is an interior mesh pocket that is good for holding extra memory cards or a spare battery, but the front pocket barely accommodates my USB cable (3') OR battery charger; there is no way I could ever fit both, which I would prefer.Overall, it is a nice case, especially for the price.  It is very well-constructed and, if it were just a little bigger, it would be perfect.
Ok, so this could be a great case. I bought a new point and shoot and needed a new case. I like all the attributes: the size, the fit, the space for extra SD cards and the velcro/snap loop - but the zipper sucks. Period. I like (and own many!) Lowepro products and thought the first one I got was just flawed - but the second one was the same. So I kept it (for the reasons above!), but every time I open it, it feels like I'm tearing the zipper out.......
I've been carrying my Canon S90 on my belt, where it's easily attached without re-threading the belt through your pants. The Rezo 30 is secure, well-padded and wear-resistant. Wish the camera would have held up as well as this bag! (broken image sensor...)
I purchased the Rizo 30 based on the LowePro wizard for a new Canon  A720.  The wizard says this one should fit Canon A series digital cameras (A570 etc.).  I can force my camera in, but it is obviously too shallow.  Width and height are fine, the camera is just a  half a centimeter too thick for the case.  I can zip the case closed with effort but the elastic is stretched to its limits.  I would be unable to zip it closed with the case on my belt.I have had my Canon SD500 in a Rezo 10 for many months and love the case.  The snap plus Velcro on the belt loop is wonderful.  I carry the camera around weeks at a time and the belt loop is still tight.  The camera is well protected and the little pocket is good for memory cards.  I couldn't put an  extra battery in the Rezo 10 but the 30 has room for cards and batteries.  (With a camera that fits properly.)Great case and I highly recommend it, IF it fits your camera.
This case is very well made and roomy, but very bulky. I guess it would be OK tied to a pack, but it is very large and gets in the way when you are trying to wear it on a belt as I do. I prefer the  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063I46QM/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 case which is much smaller and more comfortable to wear.
Bought this & the Ridge 30 for my Pansonic Lumix ZS3. Both fit fine. Build quality much better on the Rezo. Kept it.
I bought this as a gift to go with a Nikon L series camera. The size is perfect, the camera fits nice and snug, there is room for some money, documents, other small thin items inside the case. The outside there is enough room for four AA bateries and two or three memory cards with cases.The back strap is awesome, instead of a belt loop, there is a belt loop / detachable loop / velcro loop that is super sturdy and you can put this on a backpack, purse or other things that a simple loop would not work.Protection seems to be in line with other cases, I would trust this case if I dropped it.All in all, I'm probably going to get one for myself, this is really a nice case and is small enough to not be cumbersome.
I was enthused by many of the reviews, but disappointed that the zipper mechanism wasn't smooth enough; this proved impractical as fighting to get the camera out, esp. for a shot that you see, is something that didn't appeal to me.  I have a slightly larger LowePro case for my other digital camera and the zipper mechanism is as smooth as butter and never catches (that is, you don't have to fight with it to get the case open).  I wish that the zipper mechanism worked as good on the Rezo 30 model.
I ordered this case for a Canon SX-260. It fits; I wish I had ordered the next larger one that has additional compartments.
The Rezo 30 is a great little case. It holds the Panasonic TZ5 perfectly and has enough padding to protect the camera from little bumps.. The front pocket has enough room for a spare battery ..could be a bit more splash resistant.
Fine for my new Panasonic TZ3, have a pouch for the memory and an extra battery. Very good material and not so big like other bags.
Compact case that fits this camera perfectly.  Front pocket expands just enough to wedge the battery charger with a spare battery, or the 2 cables that come with it. Unfortunately not both.
Purchased this ballistic nylon case for the Panasonic Lumix ZX6, and am pleased to report that it DOES fit the Lumix ZS series with neither fanfare nor drama. Though padding is liberally used throughout, the fit is close but by no means tight; there is an additinal pocket under the front Velcro flap to hold a second battery, media card or other small accessory that one may choose to carry in close proximity to the camera without touching the latter and damaging either. The aforementioned padding prevents any contact between the contents of the case, so the camera and accesory(s) are all protected from each other and the surrounding world.  In addition, a second Velcro flap on the rear of this case is itself secured by a snap on the bottom, allowing the case to be mounted on a backpack  which is why it was purchased  in either a vertical or horizontal direction, and secured with said snap, simple but effective. Also, a neck strap is included with the case - packed inside the main compartment of the case itself - that is made of the same nylon as the exterior. A zipper surrounds three sides of the four of this unit, complete with two pulls, both finished with paracord extensions.All in all, this is a non-pretentious, funtional, protective unit that will possiby outlast the camera itself, and for the price, is easily a best buy. An easy '5' stars no matter how you mount or carry it!
This camera case is just the perfect size. Hold camera and has outer front pocket with velro closure for extra battery and memory card. This camera case is excellent quality through-out. For camera when case is open as web design that forms a pouch for you to put your camera into. And when you open case to retrieve camera you do not have to worry about camera falling out. Nice large sturdy zipper. Belt loop is held closed with velro and extra snap. QUALITY!! Front pocket is handy because you can get to your camera without worrying about your extra battery and memory card falling out. QUALITY!! Front pocket has 2 separate compartments too QUALITY!! Perfect size for belt loop!! Just small enough to not be a hassle and large enough to hold your digital camera and extras too QUALITY!!
This quality case holds the camera, a couple of extra SD Memory cards and an extra battery. (It would be nice to have enough room to store the battery charger as well, but it's not the end of the world to have to carry that item separately.) It does include an adjustable strap for over-the-shoulder carrying, as well as a "Velcro" loop with extra fastener for the times you want to keep it on your belt. (I consider this a clever design, as it is not required that you remove your belt in order to get it on!) Basically, a well designed, well made product at a reasonable price.
I'm a fan of Lowepro products. I have almost 30 different products, from pocket camera size bags, to back packs, belts, vest, lens cases and so on. I look like a freaking Lowepro billboard when shooting. I purchased this to stick my Fuji XF1 - when shooting, I carry my big Canon DSLR's, but also a compact camera. If I'm out exploring or someplace where a DSLR is just too large, securely attaching a compact camera to my belt is a huge plus - I hate sticking it in a pocket.This belt loop is fantastic. I've used compact camera bags with a little Velcro flap holding it in place.  Works great until it doesn't - like hiking above some ruins and it decides to come loose. Then it's climbing over a railing, down a crumbling wall, and grabbing a stick to retrieve the camera from a cluster of bushes near a ledge. So I needed a replacement - I no longer trusted that bag.  This one is is similar to the Lowepro professional bags. There's an extra large section of heavy duty Velcro to hold the reinforced belt flap in place. Then there's a loop with a heavy duty snap to double-secure it in place. It's the belt and suspenders theory. No way this thing is coming loose.The case has a micro fiber padded lining and a wrap-around zipper. The main compartment opens wide for quick access. The XF1 is the largest camera I'd put in this case - it's 4 1/4" long, 2 1/5" tall and 1 1/4 thick at the lens. The side against the zipper is 7/8" thick - any thicker and the zipper would not close. This case is slightly smaller than the Case Logic SZ, but much more robust.Additional features: Two small loops for attaching a small neck strap, extra large zipper pulls (can even use when wearing heavy gloves), and an external accessory pocket with a Velcro flap and a small divider. The divider will hold a couple of memory cards. The pocket wold hold a few AA batteries.If you need a heavy duty small camera bag that will take abuse, slips on and off your belt when you want - and stays in place even during a jog or on the ski hill, this is it!  Mentioning the ski hill - I use the external pocket to hold a heat pack (glove warmer size) - this keeps the camera warm, thus extending the battery life about 200% on freezing days!
This case was suggested elsewhere as a compliment to the Panasonic ZS7 camera -  and the suggestion was spot on!  The case fits the camera like a glove, with a front storage pouch providing room for an extra battery and storage card.  If you buy a ZS7, buy this case.  You will not regret it.
My wife has a new Canon Camera, SX230 HS, and this is the one we needed.  It fits her camera, battery, and extra memory.  Really good small bag.
This product works well well with my little point and shoot camera.  Not only can I put the camera in it, I can also put 2 extra chips and 2 spare batteries in the case.
You know, its a bag. Holds the camera. Works. I find the zipper a little tight.It performs exactly as expected, so I guess I should be giving more stars, but it just isn't exciting enough to get more stars.
We ordered this for our laptop, not sure if it would be what we wanted in a laptop case or not. As it turned out, it is more than we expected. Plenty of room for all the extras and fits our laptop perfectly. Very pleased with this purchase.
I am not disappointed with this camera case. It is a top of the line purchase. I carry it about 6 days a week. What else can I say????
Since there seems to be some disagreement, I thought I had better rate this product.  It is a perfect fit for my ZS3. I won't be redundant though. Simply look at the reviews from the people who think it fits perfectly.
Great case, camera fits perfectly.  the pocket on the front holds the spare battery, but that's about all it can carry.
This case is a perfect fit for my new camera, and an added bonus is that my cell phone fits perfectly in the pocket as well.  I'm not sure how others are handling the camera; why are they having such difficulty? This case is a great value for the price.  It's well padded, and protects the camera, and I love the adjustable strap.  The zipper case takes some time to get used to; I keep reaching for the velcro instead! All in all, though, this is a very functional camera case, and it certainly doesn't look like it's as inexpensive as it is.
I got this for my Ricoh GRD IV. It fits. Plenty of padding. It has a small separate pouch with a divider for an extra battery, card and stuff too. The belt loop has strong velcro and a strong button. I like this because it feels very sturdy and at the same time I don't have to remove the belt to get it on. I take it everywhere.
I was looking for a case for my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx.  Garmin's cases for the eTrex are crap, they have this metal belt clip that doesn't latch.  Do they not realize that some people use these things for mountaineering and skiing and don't want it to come off at all?  Anyway, I've been a big fan of LowePro camera bags for a while, so I found one with matching internal dimensions and voila, safe secure GPS holder that easily attaches to several places on my backpack.  Easy to access, very secure (I love the LowePro secure strap system), and even enough room for spare batteries.  I love it, makes using the GPS that much easier.
Great case for a great price.  The DMC-TS3 fits in nice and snug, and there is enough room in the front pouch for an extra SD card and battery.  We like that the lanyard can be removed, since it is fairly long and can be annoying at times.
I purchased this case to fit myPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD (Red)and I was definitely not disappointed.  When the case first arrived it looked like the camera wouldn't fit, but instead it fits perfectly.  The camera along with a few small accessories (i.e. extra battery, extra sd card) are a perfect fit and can be easily placed on your belt.  Perhaps even nicer than this is that in addition to the velcro used to close the belt loop there is also a snap that makes the belt look extra secure.  Nicer still is the fact that the case is easy to unzip and pull out the camera when hooked on the belt without having to worry about dropping everything out of it.  Overall, if you have a ZS3 and are looking for a case don't hesitate and pick this one up.
I bought this case for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 camera.  The bag is the perfect size for it.  The Lumix is a small camera with just a wrist strap, which makes it somewhat of a pain to carry around.  The case solves that problem by giving you the choice between an adjustable neck strap, or a velcro tab to fasten it to a belt.  You can then have your hands free but still have the camera quickly available.The bag is divided into two sections - one for the camera, the other for a spare battery and memory cards.  The bag is well padded, but not bulky.  The case made of a sturdy fabric material on the outside with a very soft lining inside.  It is well-constructed and finished nicely.I keep my camera stored with the wrist strap at the top, which makes it easy to remove.  By grasping the wrist strap first there is less chance of the camera slipping from your hand as you remove it from the bag.I like this case a lot - it's an excellent value for the price.
I found this bag to fit my Lumix ZS3 to fit almost perfectly, and still expand a little pocket to carry an extra battery and card. After enjoying Lowepro case quality for my cameras over the years, I was disappointed to have the safety snap break after only 4 or 5 uses. Granted, while this does not make the case unusable, I don't fully trust the velcro alone so will need to jury-rig a fix or buy another case.
THE FIT OF THE LOWEPRO REZO 30 IS TIGHT, BUT THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR EXTRAS I.E. MEMORY CARD, CARD READER IN THE SECURE POCKET.  LOWEPRO OFFERS A FITTING CHART BY MEASURED SIZE OF CAMERA OR EXACT CAMERA MODEL THEN SUGGESTS LOWEPRO MODELS THAT WILL FIT ACCORDING TO THE OPTIONS YOU CHOSE. I SELECTED BY CAMERA MODEL AND MY CAMERA IS VERY HAPPY. LUCKY CHANCE AMAZON HAD THE CAMERA BAG I WANTED AND ON SALE.  ANOTHER GOOD BUY FOR ME.  AMAZON ROCKS!
Great case for the price.  Fits my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 with room to spare.  I especially like the snap closure on the belt loop - an added security feature instead of the usual velcro only.  I like the fact that there are two small expandable pockets in the front under the flap for extra battery and memory card.  Definitely a great product.
The Lowepro website sizing/compatibility wizard said this bag was a good fit for the Canon G7 (see the 19 FEB 2005 review someone posted here), but I found out personally that the bag is just a tiny bit too small for this camera.  You probably will not be able to get the camera in the bag if you keep the strap on the camera.  I took the strap off, and it fits, albeit skin tight.  Other than that, it's a nice bag, and will fit an extra battery and an extra card or two in the side pocket.
Lowepro Rezo 30 (Black)This is a perfect fit for my Canon Powershot SD850. It is one of thew well thought & designed camera bags. Just the design of the belt loop says it all. You dont have to remove the belt, put on the belt while wearing and the velcro & button double lock can hand atleast 5 pound worth weight - very strong. Just perfect (not more not less) separate fron pouches for card and battery storage (card storage is separated inside the battery storage). I shopped for many and tried out in Sears & J&R; everything, this is the best in market - atleast for my camera Canon SD850.
I bought the Rezo 30 for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. I read the reviews and some people said it was a perfect fit for the ZS3 and others said it was too small(tight). I think it's a perfect fit. I have room for the camera and an extra battery in the front pocket. The belt loop works great. It's velcro so you don't have to undo your belt to put it on and take it off. It also has a snap on button as an extra security feature just in case the velcro comes undone. Other reviews suggest that you put the larger part of the camera in first...I've found this to be very helpful.
Very nice and sturdy case.  Perfect for our Panasonic.  Has a pocket that carries 2 extra batteries or san discs.
Wish it had a tad more room for a spare battery. It can carry a spare sd card with ease, you need to find another way to carry a battery and/or a charger.
My Canon S95 fits with a bit of room to spare. Fits tighter in the Rezo 20 case if I don't need a front pocket and want a smaller package. I have a couple of different colors which they don't make any more - too bad. I love the red ones as they are easy to find in my backpack. I have other cases, but the Lowepro are the ones I use every day.
Lowepro Rezo Case is well made and was delivered quickly. It is a perfect fit for our Sony DSC-HX20V. Some might say a little too snug however fits the camera, spare SD card and spare battery without being too bulky. Very pleased.
I just recieved this camera bag and it's about what I expected:  Nothing fancy, just a well-made nylon & mesh camera bag with a couple of pockets behind a Velcro flap in front.  It will suit my needs - 'still waiting on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A camera that's going in it so I can't judge the fit, but that's my fault and I expect no problems.What is immediately disappointing is the fact that the belt loop in back, though nice and solid in itself - there's apparently a reinforcing piece of flexible plastic built into the nylon for added stiffness and strength - is only sewn at the top.  The bottom of the flap is attached with just a Velcro closure with an opposing 1/2" wide nylon flap with a standard metal snap.  This product bills itself as something designed to "protect your investment," and the one thing I do not want to worry about is having bag, camera and memory card with pix on it torn off of my belt via a pickpocket or a stray tree branch.  It feels solid despite the detachability but... it's not something I want to have to worry about.The mitigating factor is that for 15 clams you can't complain about the product overall.Caveat Emptor alert: Another negative is that the included documentation states that "Lowepro Proudly Supports" four partisan, activist political organizations.  They may be benign, they may be some of those frothing neo-fascist types who want to drag humanity back to the material and intellectual squalor of the pre-industrial (read: Medieval) age.  'Don't know.  But I would never have purchased this product had I known that I was indirectly contributing to causes that may or may not represent the antithesis of my deepest beliefs, indeed of my very life.  Buyer beware.ADDENDUM:  Aside from the flaws mentioned above, I wish I had seen Mr. Gershon's review of November 2 before I bought this thing...I've since received my camera, which too happens to be a Panasonic DMC-TZ5, and I concur that this bag is an extremely tight fit even empty; if you add anything to the front pocket - your SD cards, f'rinstance - the bag is virtually impossible to close.  Doubtlessly it would stretch with extended use, but a simple camera bag shouldn't require a "break-in period."I'll be using a cheaper (~$7) camera bag I found at a local sporting goods store - which has ample space, a solid belt loop in back that's heavily sewn both top and bottom and has a carabiner hook to boot.  Maybe I can use the Lowepro bag to carry a pack of cigarettes to my next political rally.
I am on my second Rezo 30.  The first one did not have the snap on the loop, but the second one did.Beware of putting batteries in the accessory pocket and facing the LCD towards the batteries.  Had my case fall off my belt (older one) and the screen shattered as it fell flat off and there is no real padding in between.  Good thing sony actually reapired it for free under warranty.The real problem is the zipper.  With the two case I have had, the zipper fails right at the corner at the top.  The stitching tears and you cannot close the case.  You can't sew it back up, as the teeth are a spiral and there is no real tape like on a regular zipper.  Still, I will likely buy another as it is fairly cheap and does a decent job.
I spent quite some time studying the size and features on a variety of camera cases for my DMC-ZS30, but in the end the Rezo 30 looked to me to be a perfect match for my camera - and it is. The camera fits comfortably, but not loosely in the bag. The dual zippers make it easy to secure the bag, and the side flags reduce the potential for the camera to fall out before the case is completely secured. My extra battery fits nicely into the adjacent internal slot, and I was able to put the shoulder strap in the outer slot, but in the end, I decided I will never use the strap, since the belt attachment is perfect. It has a velcro holder, so the flap can be slipped through a belt, then secured, and there is also a button snap that firmly locks the belt attachment in place.I couldn't be happier than with this choice.
The Rezo 30 case is made well and and a good fit for my Canon Powershot SX230. It is not a snug fit so there is extra room to store the neck strap.  The side pouch is fine for spare batteries or flash cards.  In addition to velcro on the belt strap (SlipLock tab), there is also a snap buckle for extra security.
I needed a compact case that would hold my camera plus a spare battery and flash card. This isn't the most attractive case, but it holds the camera securely without taking a lot of space. I would buy it again.Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD (Red)
I bought this item for my Canon PowerShot A460.  It fits, yes, but is a bit too tight.  Wish it were at least 2cm bigger all around.  The straps are cool.
If you are not sure if a particular Lowepro camera bag would fit your camera, I suggest that you visit Lowepro's Product Selection Wizard at [...]
This case is the perfect size for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 camera, an extra SD card and battery... not too bulky and perfect for 90% of what we do as a family (trips/concerts/school/recitals). Good stitching and fabric weight.
Perhaps it's defective but the zipper was hard to open/close.  This bag may be all weather with its bells and whistles but it slows me down for taking pictures due to its zipper.  I sent it back and I'm still looking for a decent bag for my LX-7.
Had to return...the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7W 10.1 MP Digital Camera with the extended lens ring/filter and 4.7mm auto lens cap did not fit in the very nice and well made case. It may snuggly fit the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7W 10.1 MP Digital Camera without the auto lens cover and other smaller point-n-shoot cameras.
It isn't the kind of case you'd drop in a purse but it is great when you are traveling or going to a festival.  Room for memory cars and extra batters along with cash and id.
This Lowepro Rezo 50 is the best compared to CaseLogic's DCB-26 and Mountainsmith's Exposure II S. These three cases are all between $11 to $12 each, but the following are the advantages of Rezo 50.1. Its main compartment has the largest opening when the zippers are fully pulled to the end. This is critical for ease of camera removal and storage. The large opening also means the edges of the zipper will not scrape against your camera when you take it out or put it in the case.2. It has two zipper pulls for the main compartment. The other two brands only have one zipper pull. I like two zipper pulls because it gives me flexibility so that I can pull from left to right, or from right to left, or have the two zipper pulls meet half way.I like to attach my camera to the case using the camera's wrist strap; that way when I am taking pictures, my left hand would be holding the case while my right hand is holding the camera. If I get bumped by someone, the camera is much less likely to drop to the ground because the case, held by my left hand, is fastened to the camera. Of course, I try to be very careful when taking pictures, and near-accidents of this kind only happened twice in the last year. If I had not taken this precautionary step, my camera would have suffered major damage.I have a Panasonic Lumix ZS3 camera (4.07 X 2.35 X 1.29 inches), which fits nicely (not too snug, there is still about 0.75 inch of space in width and 0.5 inch in height) in the Lowepro Rezo 50. It will also fit in the CaseLogic, but is a little less convenient because of the smaller case opening and just one zipper pull. The case padding is better in the Lowepro and Mountainsmith. The CaseLogic is adequate and is less bulky than the other two. The Mountainsmith's inside dimensions are a little smaller and its case top is rounded instead of rectangular; this could be a problem if your camera is larger. My ZS3 will fit snugly in this case, but I am concerned about the zipper edges scraping the camera.
So, I bought this for my Panasonic DMC-LX5.  It fits, very snug.  The big lens on the camera makes the front pocket very tight.  I can squeeze the extra battery in, and probably an SD Card, and that's it.  I could fit something in the main pocket with the camera, in the dead space next to the lens, but I don't want stuff rattling around with the camera.  It has a reasonable amount of padding, nothing too strong, good structure, it's well made.  I don't know what the flap is for either, honestly.This is a good case for the LX5 if all you want to take with you is the camera.  But I realized all too late that when I do that, it generally goes in a pocket.  I want a bigger case now, to carry the lens adapter and the Gorillapod and the other knick-knacks that go along with this thing.  My bad.  When I do, I'll try to find this case a good home, because it's a quality piece.
This is about the only one that I can fit my Lumix Lx7 with the auto-lense cap, without getting the next size up. It is small enough for belt carrying (not as thin as I would like). It can fit the camera without much room left and the outside pocket is good for extra battery and sd card.april 25, 2013 - updateThe bag fits very tight for my lumix lx7 with the added auto lens cap, which then makes it harder to remove the camera. Somehow this bag just looks HUGE with my Lumix LX7. Finally I went back to my old bag from Quantary which I bought at one of the local camera shops years ago. This quantaray bag is slightly larger but still thin enough and it also has a belt with it and a good size out side pocket to store even more stuff.
After trying one of the expensive PU Leather cases for the G15/G16, I found the Lowepro Rezo 50 Camera Bag to be the perfect fit for my Canon G16. The G16 camera fits snuggly into the case and is neither too loose nor too tight. The clam like opening makes it easy to remove or replace the camera!The case is made very well with room for the camera only in the larger compartment. The flap over the front covers another outside compartment for a battery or memory card and adds more protection for that side of the camera.The strap looks durable and the belt loop snap/velcro on the back of the case allows you to carry your camera conveniently!The bag is constructed with odor free materials (unlike the toxic PU leather case).Excellent quality and price!
I bought this camera bag for my daughter and it was everything I hoped for in a camera bag. It is small enough not to be burdensome, but just the right size for the job. It appears to be made of excellent quality materials with all parts in perfect working order.
Bought this for my Nikon AW100.  Fits perfectly and has room for extra memory cards, batteries, etc.  Also has a nice strap on the back to attach it to a belt or backpack or whatever.  Great case!
I like this bag but it's in between sizes.  Not big enough for the battery charger yet has lots of room for small things that I don't carry with me.  the next size up is way to big so it had to be this one.  Works as designed but I could've used a smaller bag since the charger doesn't fit in it
This was the third try to find a bag that fit my Nikon P7000. It seems to fit well enough.
Nice bag with a separate pocket in the front.  Well constructed.  I'd buy it again.  It protects my camera and a few small items I carry with it.
This bag is a perfect fit for a Panasonic LX5.  Its well made and will last years to come.  The only complain is that its a little bulky if you are going to put this in your purse.  Its perfect if you are using it by itself.
Bought this case for a Fuji F10 and it is too small.  However, it is such a nice case I decided to keep for a smaller camera.
I purchased this case after reading another review that stated it fit the P7100. When I attempted to put the camera in this case I realized it was not going to fit. I even removed the camera strap and swivels from the eyelets, but the camera was still too large to fit without using a lot of pressure, which I did not want to do to my new $400 camera.I returned this case and purchased the Tamrac 5689, which worked perfectly for the P7100.
I normally shoot with a DSLR, carried in a Lowepro pack.  Sometimes, it's nice to be able to take a quick landscape photo without removing the pack and changing lenses (I normally shoot macros of plants and mushrooms, and the macro lens is not much good for landscapes).  I received a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 for Christmas, and I wanted a small case to carry this camera, either attached to my large pack or my belt.  This Lowepro Rezo 50 fits the bill...it holds the camera (with strap attached), a spare battery, and two spare memory cards!  There isn't much room to spare, but it is perfect for my needs.  As with all Lowepro accessories, it attaches easily and securely to my pack.  If I decide just to carry the LX-3, it attaches in various ways to my belt or can be carried with a strap.
Great camera bag, my 2nd I really like the secure belt loop on the back, Velcro with a snap backup.
Fits only a small camera, but I was able to squeeze a Canon G12 in it.Manufacture quality is good.Got a great price on amazon.
I HAVE LOOKED AT AND TRIED OUT MANY DIFFERENT CAMERA BAGS FROM VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS.  THE LOWEPRO REZO 50 CAMERA BAG IS THE ONLY ONE I'VE FOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE JUST THE CORRECT SIZE FOR MY 12 MEGAPIXEL 5X OPTICAL ZOOM KODAK Z1285 CAMERA WITH THE POP-UP SUNSHADE I ADDED FOR THE LCD SCREEN AND ALSO NORMAL ACCESSORIES (SPARE BATTERIES, EXTRA MEMORY CARDS, AND THE MINI USB TO STANDARD USB TRANSFER CABLE).  I TRIED IT OUT AT A LOCAL STORE BEFORE ORDERING IT FROM AMAZON.COM (AMAZON.COM WAS CHEAPER).  THIS BAG ALSO HAS THE BEST CAMERA BAG BELT CLIP THAT I'VE EVER SEEN, AND AN OPTIONAL-USE SHOULDER STRAP IS INCLUDED.  I WOULD GIVE THE REZO 50 FIVE STARS BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW DURABLE IT WILL BE.
After reading all of the reviews and looking at the LowePro site I ended up purchasing this product for my A570 IS.  While I agree with some of the other reviewers that the zipper going all the way down the side is somewhat annoying, this is a perfect carrying case if you are looking for something small that fits the camera and a few extra batteries or memory cards and has a shoulder strap. The extra padding makes me less nervous the camera will break if I drop the bag. All told, very happy with the purchase.
I have used the Lowepro Rezo cases before and it was natural to look at them again when I recently switched to the Sony RX-100 as my pocket camera of choice (other than my iPhone 5).  The RX-100 fits snugly with just enough extra room to accommodate the wrist strap.  The Sony wears the bottom half of the OEM leatherette cover and I was worried it would make it too thick for the Rezo 50.  The extra battery and a microfiber cleaning cloth fits in the outer pocket just fine.  I never use the shoulder straps, the belt loop works well and I like the extra security of the snap closure.
Lowepro makes excellent camera bags and pouches and this one is no exception. It fits the Canon G9 perfectly and does a great job in protecting the camera.Zippers are easy to use and keep the sections secured which hold the camera and a couple of batteries and SDHC card.Easy to use belt strap or shoulder strap. I wish that it came with a wrist strap, instead. Not enough room for the charger, but it is designed to be a more compact case.Great case!
Great quality! Fits my Lumix LX7 perfectly. I have always been a huge fan of Lowepro cases. They make great products!
Just love LOWEPRO!This small camera bag is perfect for the Canon Powershot SX230HS. It fits nicely in the zipper secured pocket.The velcro'd front pocket cover protects a zippered pocket that holds 2 more SDHC cards (with holders) and/or 2 more batteries.  I have been able to get 3 items into that pocket.I love the SlipLock on the back of the camera bag!  No more needing the remove my belt to loop in the camera bag.  SlipLock is extremely secure.  Just loop it over and around the belt, then snap on the button to secure it.  Won't fall off your belt!This is one of many Lowepro camera bags we own.  We love them all.  We have one for every point-n-shoot camera my family owns.Additional benefit, the Lowepro Sliplock makes it an excellent add-on to my larger dSLR Lowepro camera bags.  They slide right on and stay on.
I just purchased this for my new Panasonic LX5 which fits nicely. Because this camera's lens sticks out further than most cameras a lot of cases will not fit.Plus Factors:  Double heavy zipper with a large top opening; Nice size front pouchwithout being too big; best of all a double contact belt loop that is easy on & off. There is a snap in addition to just velcro which makes it very secure. I lost a camera once that only had velcro belt loop;  Good price too.
This is a great bag for your pocket camera. It is spacious without being too large to wear on a belt. The pockets hold a couple batteries and other small equipment.
I've been using it almost daily for the last 6 months to carry my DSC-HX9V, and it's still as good as new. The camera fits just right. The case is relatively water resistance, high quality material and well-made.I like to carry it on my belt. On my last case (another item), the velcro wore away after ~3 years - so I was concerned about it falling off my belt on it's own. This case has similar velcro, but also comes with a snap button for extra security. A definite plus!The little pouch has enough room for one battery and memory cards. I wouldn't mind slightly more room for a second battery, though.
This case holds my Olympus TG1 along with room for an extra battery and SDI card. It is a tough case to go with a tough camera. Great buy.
I read on an online forum that this was a good bag for the Nikon P7700 camera. Unfortunately it is actually too small to zip up around that camera. However, it seemed like a good design for a smaller camera.
This is a very comfortably sized and shaped back for the Panasonic Lumix LX3, which has a fairly protrusive lens.  Not too tight, not too snug, and fairly well padded.  The belt loop, though removable, is very secure and seems like it would be nearly impossible for casual pickpockets to overcome.The secondary pouch, while somewhat gratuitous, offers a safe place to store a spare battery and memory cards, the battery charger, or maybe a small USB cable.  Overall, a very well thought-out, well-designed, and reasonably priced accessory.
Got this Lowepro Rezo 50 camera bag from Media Mart-Amazon Marketplace very quickly. It is a sturdy bag, plenty of room for my Canon Powershot a1100is, or even my older (and larger) Powershot a590is with room to spare. You could fit an even larger camera in it. The extra zippered compartment easily holds extra SD cards (in cases) and 4 AA batteries; it also has a flap over it with a velcro closure. It can hang around your neck with the included strap or probably even go around your waist if you don't have a belt to attach it to. The belt attachment is nice with velcro AND a snap for added security. It's light weight, not too small and not too bulky. I'm happy with this product.
I bought this bag for my Panasonic TZ1 and it fits the camera well, seems well padded, and the accessory compartment is just the right size for a spare battery and memory card.What I don't like is the thick flap over the top, it attaches in front of the zipper for the main camera compartment so it offers no protection for it, and the smaller compartment is also zippered so I see no function to the flap other than to add to the bulk of the case.  The seam for the zipper inside the main compartment is real thick and bulky and gets in the way of zipping the zipper, I feel like I am going to break the zipper by pulling hard enough to zip it.I like the material it is made of, but I think there are better designs out there, and will be returning this one.
this is the perfect size for my new camera and holds everything I need-canera card, spare battery. I love it.
Purchased the Lowepro Rezo 50 for a new Canon G-10. The fit and protection are excellent with one caveat. If you attach the neck/shoulder strap to the G-10 the fit is a bit too snug with the strap wrapped around the camera. Since the bag has a shoulder/neck strap, the camera strap isn't necessary except for security when taking pictures, but removing and reattaching the camera strap isn't practical.
Perfect size for my Lumix Tz-1. I love the zippered pouch for extra batteries and memory. Very sturdy and well padded.
If you're looking for an inexpensive, but good looking case for your Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, this is a PERFECT fit! I can even fit the Lumix camera strap inside, and it's still a pretty compact case. I rather spend my money for a great camera, so this was the best affordable solution for a great case. In a case like this, it's great camouflage for my pricier camera, as it looks like it could hold any compact point and shoot.
This case is remarkably roomy for it's size. It comfortably fits my 16x zoom compact in the main compartment. The auxiliary compartment comfortably holds a spare battery and and memory card - with room to spare for a couple of other small items. It's rugged and durable, too.But the design leaves me scratching my head. There is a velcro flap which would be useful for keeping rain out of the main compartment. But the flap only covers the zippered auxiliary compartment. The camera compartment - which is the more logical choice for the extra protection - is protected only by the zipper.It's a nice little bag, but a small change would make it much nicer.
This is an OK bag, but like many of Lowepro's bags/packs, the zippers are awkward and stiff to use.  Bought it for a new Lumix LX-5, which fits very well.  But the main compartment sits back toward the belt clip (which is nicely designed), so you have to struggle a bit to unzip and extract the camera.  I may return it and go with a case logic or some case that's easier to get in and out of.  This has plenty of padding, so much that it adds a lot of bulk.  I like protecting my camera, but this is a compact point and shoot, so making it bulky defeats the purpose.  Too many of LPs products seem to be better for storage of the camera equipment rather than using it.
This is the smallest possible case for the G7/G9.  The apex 60 aw is the next size bigger and just seems huge in comparison.  If you don't want to carry accessories with your camera then the rezo 50 is perfect.  It'll hold memory cards, I haven't attempted a 2nd battery but I think it'll fit cause the material stretches a bit.Just one thing - that annoying flap.  Useless, except to show their logo.  So I cut it off with scissors and now my case is even smaller.  Now I just need to find something to attach to the remaining velcro spot.  An american flag perhaps?  (Just kidding)
I got this for my Canon G9, a somewhat bulky and heavy model. The case fits the camera just fine but, like others, I decided to cut off the heavy flap and remove the velcro spot. Doing a careful job with a brand new utility knife doesn't detract from the appearance at all. As to quality, after a few months of use, the main compartment zipper came loose from one side. It looks like I can re-sew it back in but it isn't the standard of quality I expect from Lowe.
I have several Canon A560 cameras and they fit perfect in these cases and the cases protect the cameras pretty well.  Still have room for extra batteries, extra sd card and a short USB cable to connect to the computer. You can hook it to your belt or use the strap and carry it around your neck or shoulder. I'm very pleased with the cases I have.
I bought the ZS7 camera and while many reviewers said they went with the Lowepro Rezo 30, several complained of a tight fit or too small for the ZS7 so I opted for the larger Rezo 50. I'm glad I did as a few months later, I just got a new cell phone, an LG LG900G and using a 4mil plastic sheet as a protector, my Rezo 50 can hold both my camera and cell phone!I may never understand why the overflap doesn't protect the main camera compartment, otherwise it's got a lot of great features including a Velcro belt loop so that you don't need to remove your belt when you want to hang your case to your belt and it has a snap for great security. It won't come off from your belt unless you want it to. It also comes with a decent neck strap with swivel clips. The accessory compartment can hold a spare battery and a couple SD card cases no problemo. I own several Lowepro camera cases and all of them are still in great shape with no quality control problems EVER!Excellent value and utility for my gear!
I was fortunate to find information on the Sony DSC-HX50V/B  review site about this case. It fit the Sony DSC-HX50V/B perfect; plus has extra pockets for extra batteries and flash cards.Excellent quality and workmanship
fits my olympus tg-1 after i added the  uv-lens filter cap and silicon cover, other cases i tried were to small or to tight to fit with the  silicon cover since it tends to cling and not slide out easy with smaller cases. also i like the sturdy velcro/snap belt, it fits on my daypack  waist belt or regular pants belt nice and secure. the little pocket on the front has enough room for a spare battery and a extra memory card. i also like the way the pouch zipper  is on top to help stop accidently dropping the camera out when you unzip it but the zipper teeth sometimes catches on the fabric edge and you may have to take extra care to tuck the fabric edge in sometimes..
The quality of the materials and craftsmanship of the pouch is what I was expecting from a Lowepro product. The design is not.The main camera compartment is accessed only through a zipper that invariable gets stuck on the interior flaps to prevent the cover to open too much. The front pocket (where you would put the extra battery, etc) has a velcroed flap and a zipper (!) why?. It doesn't make sense. The velcroed flap should be on the main camera compartment to allow for a quick access option to the camera, not for the accessories.As of now, every time I want to take the camera out for a quick picture, I'm fumbling with the silly zippers (getting them stuck and unstucking them until the compartment opens up wide enough to pull the camera out take the picture and put the camera back in, and then fumble again with the zippers to close it. I would expect to have the zippers for long term storage, but to have a velcroed flap for quick (one handed!) in and out photo taking.The 3 accesories I have (2 extra memory cards and extra battery) don't have room enough to be stored side by side (this compartment is too small) so they stuck up vertically, creating this really bulky camera pouch that doesn't quite have a dominant shape, such as flat shape, instead it takes the form and size of a softball that makes it awkard to carry and stash away in your bag or put inside you jacket pocket.The belt strap is the better on of all the pouches I've seen, since it allows you to put the pouch into your belt easily.I'm dissapointed, to say the least.Right now, I'm looking for a replacement pouch, because this one will not do.
The Lowepro Rezo 50 is a fine product; well constructed and with good features for a camera pouch of this size. I use it for my Canon G9 and find the fit to be very snug.  The pouch will accommodate just the camera and the neckstrap remains outside of the closing zippers.  It makes for a very compact G9 camera case.  A Rezo "50 Plus" would probably be ideal for the G9 but I don't think Lowepro makes one.
The functional quality of this bag is good, nicely sized for a Sony RX100M2 with room for a few extra small items. The big problem is that the zippers snag on the inside gusset material. That's a big problem when you want to put the camera in or take it out fairly often. Who wants to struggle with the zipper every time?  Not he quality expected from Lowepro.
I bought this bag for my LX7 camera. I found it to be SMALL. Had to send it back!Thanks, Randy H
I'm on the fence about this product, it's a good quality case with good looks and great functionality, however I'm unsure about the fit.  I own a Canon Powershot SX130IS, and while the camera fits perfectly in its compartment, there is not enough outwards stretch (give) in the case to fit a memory card, four spare batteries and the USB sync cable.  Without the cable, the case is packed and manageable, but I'd prefer to carry the camera's essentials for downloading on the fly.  I may try reducing the battery count to two (one spare set vs. two) since the camera operates on two batteries and remove the memory card case in order to fit the USB cable.Also, the case zippers are tight and a bit cumbersome to round the corners especially with one hand.  But I am pleased at the look and use of this case, just wish it was a tad deeper.  I know the Rezo 60 is a better fit for this model camera (according to Lowepro website and bag finder) so I can't fully justify my complaints completely and fairly.  But the price was right here at Amazon with my Prime benefits.Time will tell if I keep this case after a few outings or if I retire it from my Canon and use it for some other device.
Was recommended for the G1X but - too small - doesn't fit.  A good, sturdy and well-constructed bag.  But be careful that it fits your camera equipment.  I'll keep it for future use with another piece of equipment.
I bought this because a few other reviewers with Lumix LX7 cameras gave it a good review so I gave it a try. It is a well made camera bag and it does fit the LX7. The LX7 seems to be a difficult camera to design a really proper camera bag for. In my opinion the LX7 is not a compact camera and it has a rather bulky lens that protrudes from the body even when it is shut down. The bag provides adequate protection and cushioning but I was really dissappointed at how relatively bulky this bag is when loaded with the LX7 and a spare battery in the smaller front compartment when placed on my belt. It actually looks kind of awkward and old fashioned to me in this day and age of sleek, compact electronics that fit in your pocket. I do like that you do not need to undo your belt to put on or remove this bag. I'm going to keep this bag for now but as soon as a better designed one comes along I will get rid of it one way or the other.
I ordered this case with my Canon SX150IS. It fits the camera like a glove. Not only that but there's a pocket that will hold extra AA batteries, which with this camera, you'll need. There is also a strap to allow you to carry it on a shoulder or around the neck as well as a belt loop which is velcro and snap. I think I'll be able to attach it to my bicycle's handlebar this spring, which will be great.
Just the right size for the Canon S100 and accessories, including spare battery and flash cards.  It also holds a mini tripod that I love.
As a bag it is ok.  I would have liked something that could hold my camera (Luimix ts5) and the charger all at once.  This is either too big (for just the camera, it slides around too much) or too small (Does not hold everything).  Otherwise, it does function just fine.  Maybe it will fit better for you.
I needed it for a cell phone carrier so the spouse would stop setting the phone down.However bigger screen smart phones are a tight fit. Construction was good, zippers etc. very nice. but I needed something perhaps 1/2 inch wider.
For my Canon G9, I tried Case Logic and Tamrac but didn't like the belt loops. Chose this case and it has served me well for 4+ years and 20+ hikes / trips / vacations. Fits the camera perfectly with 1/4" extra on the sides and 1/2" on the top along with extra battery (2 extra is a tight fit). Since I use wrist strap, the two zippers can meet in the middle (around the wrist strap).It has never opened up by itself as the zippers are snug when turning the corners at the top. I liked this case so much that I bought an spare. About a year ago, I left my camera somewhere - my buisiness card was in the front pocket and I got lucky and someone returned the camera, card, and battery - but the case wasn't returned. Been using my spare and now I'm buying another spare.It fits the G9 perfectly so when I replaced that camera with a Canon G12 (which is bigger) I thought I would have to look for a bigger case. I bought the Tamrac 5692 which fits perfectly but is 25% bigger than the Rezo 50 and IMHO too big to use on the belt. The G12 does fit in the Rezo 50 but it is a really snug fit especially with an extra battery (forget about 2 extras). I still use this case when I want my G12 on my belt.
Very sturdy camera bag that is the perfect size for a bigger point and shoot. The velcro belt strap makes it easy for a handsfree experience.
For G12 owners, IMHO, this is a perfect fit: tight but it makes it.  Plus in the one zipper compartment I have: 1) an extra memory chip, 2) one spare battery -fully charged, & 3)a SDHC-USB adapter.  So in this one bag I can carry the camera (with a thin wrist strap on it,) and all the peripherals that one day's normal extensive use could ever need including loading the pictures on to a computer.  (yes I leave the charger at home!) (& yes, I cut off the front flap, but leave the buckle flap for extra physical protection.)And to top that all off, the whole thing, camera, protective case and all, fits into any other sort of carry bag -like a brief case or some sort of hand bag with very little volume used.  So for those that like to have & use their G12 camera, and it's quality, with them all the time, I've found this the perfect bag.  (and for a list price of ~$20, we're approaching heaven here....)
Lowepro's quality is as always excellent, and Greatbuy-online got it to me FAST! Ordered it early Sunday morning and got it me here in upstate New York the following Wednesday by regular 1rst class USPS. Quality product, fast conscientious service, can't ask for any better than that. 5 Stars!
I tested this with my HX9V and LX7. It squeezes the LX7 and it gets even worse if you try to fit the battery charger. In case of the HX9V, there's enough room to fit the camera, but it gets ugly and bulky if you try to fit the battery charger. Also, there's an useless velcro to close the front accessory pocket that makes if even uglier.The best case for LX-7 is the Case Logic TBC-304. It's not too big and you can fit the LX-7, spare SD card, communication cable, spare battery and the battery charger that goes in the front pocket.Case Logic TBC-304 Compact Camcorder/High Zoom Camera Case (Black)For smaller compacts, I think this case would work pretty well.
This case works perfectly with my Canon SX130, with room enough for 4 AA batteries and a pack of lens cleaning paper. Belt clip is handy for hiking.
I've got lots of Lowepro bags and have loved them all.  At first I thought I wasn't going to like this one, but after playing with it for a while, I think I've discovered the answer to what has puzzled many other reviewers --  what is the purpose of the seemingly useless flap?  It seems like a fussy detail with no function -- but I believe I have figured out why it is there.  It's actually a clever solution to a tricky problem.The mystery is that the flap only covers the small accessory pocket, not the main compartment, so it isn't there for keeping rain or water out of where you would need the protection the most.  The flap also doesn't have any pockets of it's own.  It just covers the top of the accessory pocket, held in place with a nice large square of rugged hook-n-loop fastener (a.k.a. Velcro).  Since the flap seems to serve no purpose, some people have cut it off.  DON'T DO THIS!  Here's why...Because the accessory pocket is small, it requires its single zipper pull to navigate some pretty tight corners.  Given the size of pocket and the robust materials involved, it seems like an unavoidable problem.  But this is definitely aggravating if you are trying to quickly get into the pocket -- it pretty much takes two hands to operate the zipper -- one to hold the case material taut, and one to coax the zipper around each top corner.  This seriously slows things down if you have the case on your belt and want to pull out your spare battery while trying to hold your camera in the other hand.  I was definitely not looking forward to this while out in the field, where there isn't always a good place to put down your camera while fighting with your gear bag.  (Also putting down your camera, and then getting distracted, is also a good way to lose it!)This is where I believe the flap comes in.  When actively shooting, you leave the accessory pocket fully unzipped, but use the flap to secure it.  Now it is easy, with one hand, to flip open the flap, pull out a battery or chip, and quickly close it up again.  For most situations where you are actively using the camera, the flap is secure enough to keep the pocket closed so none of your accessories can easily escape.  When you've put the camera back in the bag, that's the time to zip up the accessory pocket as well to keep your little goodies good and safe.  The Velcro closure also acts as a fail safe since, by its nature, gravity wants to keep the flap closed down over the pocket -- so it could also save you if you happen to forget to close the zipper.So why have the zipper at all?  The flap by itself is not appropriate for situations where it might get pulled open by accident while on your belt, like getting it hung up when when entering or exiting a vehicle, bushwhacking; or when the case is hung from your shoulder using the included strap; or throwing the case in the car trunk, duffel bag, etc.  That's when you want to take the time and effort to fully close that irksome zipper to make sure your accessories don't disappear, regardless of how the case is handled.At least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.Now initially, and not knowing any better, I would have been satisfied with just a zipper that could be easily opened and closed with one hand.  But Lowepro in their wisdom probably decided that such a light weight zipper wouldn't stand up over time.  Imagine how upset you'd be if you found you lost a $40 card or battery because the zipper on your case split open?  That's not going to happen with the zippers on this case -- they are rugged and what you would expect to find on a larger expensive gear bag.Another important feature of this case is the belt loop.  In general I only use belt cases where the loop is permanently attached, top and bottom to the case.  It is more inconvenient to doff and don such a case because you have to remove your belt, but at least you won't have to worry about it coming off by accident, and potentially without you noticing it!  Ooops!  Where did my expensive little camera go?However while this case uses a belt loop that can be attached without removing your belt, a big convenience, there is *no* chance of it coming off accidentally.  The bottom of the belt is held in place by another generous patch of rugged Velcro *and* a beefy snap.  Not only that, but the snap is positioned in such a way that it is protected from snagging and coming undone by accident.So while I was initially disappointed in this case because of the balky zipper, I now understand the Zen of its design.  Lowepro continues to impress me with the careful thought that goes into their products and the quality of the materials that they use.
bought it because of the rating and it is as it was stated in the reviews :very good quality built,the right size to fit the Lumix lx7 with aspare battery and 2 memory cards(perfect compromise between compactness and usefulness with good protection) .  the adjustable shoulder strap is versatile to suit individual' preference
I originally had a CaseLogic case for the camera, but the belt loop broke after about a month. Reviews said this one has the best belt loop in the business, and it's hard to argue with that. It's not showing the slightest hint of wear so far, and it gets plenty of abuse. I'm less fond of the zipper which is difficult to operate. Not terrible, but I'd be happier if I could get at the camera a little more quickly. Overall, an excellent case.
Very well designed with the nice option in the back of putting your belt inside the hook area or VELCRO open/shut the area in the back.. so if you don't want to look weird in the middle of the street and appear as if you're undressing.. This provides that option.Stretchable weather resistant material.  Separate compartment for battery/memory cards.The Canon G9 fits comfortably inside like it was tailor fit for it.  All the other G9 cases appear HUGE.  This case is still in the compact range.Good reliable company that makes them with lifetime warranty.Reasonably priced.  I couldn't get myself to pay $30 for a camera case.What's not to like?  I agree with other reviewers about the flap.. however, this flap doesn't cover the main compartment that houses the camera.. so you won't use it all the time.. just when you need a battery/memory card change and it's not that often.Highly recommended.
I've used Lowepro camera bags in the past and they are high quality....the Lowepro Rezo 50 carries on the same tradition.  This camera bag is a perfect fit for the Panasonic ZSxx  series cameras.  Works perfectly well for our Lumix ZS20 and is large enough that we can carry the charging cable, extra sdhc cards and yet it is not overly large.  The inner padding is soft & fully adequate for protecting the camera if accidentally dropped.  I cut out the inner tags just for added protection to the camera just in case so the tags wouldn't scuff the view screen.  With regard to some of the comments made about the  design/function of the outer flap....it's nothing to be concerned with in my opinion.  This is an excellent camera bag that you will have no disappointments with.
I have the Lowepro 202 Slingshot and wanted accessory bags using the sliplock feature.  I wanted something to hold the various battery chargers and AA batteries.  I took a gamble and ordered this online, which seemed to be the largest sliplock bag available.  It works perfectly!  Holds two sizeable battery chargers in the main compartment and 8 AA batteries in the front pocket.  I attach it when I travel and leave it in the room/car when I hit the sights, saving space and weight in my main camera bag.An alternative is to store my external flash, which surprisingly fits.
I got this case for my Coolpix 5400 and it is a perfect fit.  Besides having quality padding and fabrics, it has a nice style to it that gives no cheap feel or look to it.  I stuck an extra battery and memory card in the front pouch; the Coolpix 5400 has sorta a bulky strap on it, and it still fits nicely inside the case.  It's really the perfect case for this camera.
I was looking for a case for my new Canon G11 (high end non-SLR camera).  It is definitely large enough to hold the camera, but I wanted space to hold a spare battery, the charger, a SD card reader, and a couple of extra SD cards in a zippered "can't lose it" compartment.This case doesn't fit that bill.  There is no way to get the charger in along with the camera.  And the main compartment is much too large for just the camera, increasing the chances that the camera will get scratched as it bounces around inside.So I'm returning it, and still looking for the perfect camera case for my G11.
Perfect bag for my canon A650is, plenty of room for extras such as SD Cards and spare batteries.
I have been looking for a good case for my Sony NEX-6 and have found that the ones recommended are either too large or too small. What I look for in a case is a good fit, protection, a belt loop so it doesn't swing around and is always where I expect it to be, right at my waist. Sony does make a nice, small, well padded case but it has a flimsy shoulder strap and no belt loop, so it would move around and it is a bit large for the NEX-6.I bought the NEX-6 because it has an excellent viewfinder, reasonably good image quality due to the relatively large sensor which also gives it amazing low light capabilities all in a very compact and convenient package. I therefore wanted a case that didn't add to the bulk of the camera which would defeat some of it's advantages, namely it's compact size. I spent several hours going from store to store trying different camera cases only to find that they weren't suitable. Then I came across the Lowepro Rezo 60 which at first looked too small to accommodate the NEX-6 but lo and behold, it fit perfectly. One advantage of this case is that when fastened to you belt, when you unzip it to get the camera out, the camera stays in the case which slants down yet still cradles the camera so that it doesn't drop out of the case. The case has an extra compartment for a spare battery and the belt loop is very sturdy.For those of you who do own the longer 55-210 optional lensSony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for Sony NEX Camerasand were wondering what case you could use to carry it with you, this case will work. The lens fits perfectly in the Rezo 60 with the lens shade reversed over the lens and the case has enough padding to protect the lens. Buy two and you'll be covered. If you would like a case that will accommodate the NEX-6 with the 55-210mm zoom lens attached, consider theLowepro Compact ILC Courier 70 Digital Micro Four-Thirds Camera Case - Blackwhich I reviewed as well.Hoped this helped my fellow NEX-6 owners.
I purchased a Rezo 60 camera bag for my Canon G11 several years ago and was so pleased with it I recently purchased another one  for my recently purchased Fujifilm X100s. There is an enormous selection of camera bags for point and shoot cameras and I spent a lot of time deciding which was the right combination of size, materials, construction, and features before I settled on this bag. It is sized almost perfectly for the two cameras I mentioned and there is an additional compartment to store extra memory cards, a remote cable release, etc. the bag's compact size and good padding protection makes it a pleasure to bring along whenever you want to shoot. If I was to be extremely critical I would say I would have been a bit happier if there was just a tiny bit more room in the camera compartment, especially for those of us who keep the neck strap on the camera. If so, then you will need to carefully wind it tightly around the camera body's edges for it to slide into the case. This is definitely not a deal breaker by any means, though...
The size is perfect for a larger point and shoot camera. Good quality product and I like the shoulder strap.
I bought this LowePro bag for my new Fujifilm x10, after using the excellent Bag Finder on LowePro's website.  The bag is well constructed, with sturdy materials and quality stitching.  There are two compartments; a large zippered compartment for the camera in back, and a small zippered pocket in front.  The front pocket easily accommodates spare batteries and memory cards.  There is a belt loop on back, and a detachable shoulder strap.Unfortunately, access to the back compartment is ungainly, and the velcro attached top flap is totally useless (really - it's only decorative, but it gets in the way).Frankly, I'm disappointed with this bag, but on the other hand, it's well worth the ten bucks I paid for it. In fact, it's ridiculous that this bag can be produced, shipped, and sold at a profit for ten bucks.
Perfect fit for my NEX-6, use it all of the time, straps are very high quality, would highly recommend to anyone.
As with the Lowepro Rezo 50 camera bag that I bought a while back, I'd give this product five stars but I'm not sure how durable it will be.  This bag appears to be very well made and very well thought out.  Also, the LowePro Rezo camera bags that feature this have the best belt clips that I have seen on any brand of camera bags.  Some Lowepro bags are waterproof, but I don't think that this one is.  Which Rezo bag or bags that you buy depends entirely on how much you need to carry and how bulky your items are.  Of course, you are free to carry more than one bag, as I frequently do.  The higher the Rezo model number, the bigger that the bag is.
I love the fact that I can easily attach this to my belt or sling it over my shoulder. I also like that it can attach on the side of my other lowepro bags as well. Its a little bit bulky but that is expected for a camera bag that has a little padding in it to protect the camera.
When i came to buy a case for my Fujifilm E550 there was only 2 option on this brand, Rezo 30 and 60. Since somebody said Rezo 30 was small for a Canon A70 (which i know is likely the size of the Fujifilm E550) i decided to buy the Rezo 60. When i got it on my hands i realised it was too big for my camera, at least 30% bigger. I really like the case to fit the camera like a glove, like the Rezo 20 did with my Fujifilm A303. This case will fit better on a SLR like camera, i suppose. Lowepro make quality products on a good price range. I recommend this brand, just be sure is the right size for your camera.
This bag is great to carry your flash around. Mine is a Canon Speedlite 320EX. There is enough room for the flash,  the little metallic base used to keep it in stand up position and some SD cards. There is a minor aesthetic design flaw: the main flap doesn't serve any practical purpose (i.e. the pocket beneath it has its own zipper). Other than that, a nice product.
Bought this case for my Lumix LX5. This is too bulky to fit in my purse.There is an ample space when you put your camera in.
The bag per se is well made, and it seems to be the right size for a Canon G10.  However, I advise against using this bag with a G10 with Canon's neck strap attached. That is how I scratched my LCD display.  To fit the G10 in nicely get a wrist strap for it.This bag fits nicely on a belt, but a G10 on a belt is heavy, and many belts will sag. To be worn comfortably this way requires a hefty belt.  I have a Triple K Leather Lined Detective Belt that works well with it.Of course the Rezo 60 comes with a detachable strap that can fit over the shoulder.  One problem is that it is too narrow to be comfortable with a G10.  That problem won't last long though, because the clasps are flimsy and will break.  To accomplish what this strap is supposed to, I found that the Promaster #6548 ContourProStrap works well.There is a nice little zippered pocket, which can hold an extra NB-7L battery or two, an extra SDHC card, and a small card reader (e.g. the SanDisk MicroMate).  If the pocket were longer it might hold a tiny pocket tripod like the Giotto Ball Pod, but it isn't, so it doesn't.  If it used a double zip like the main compartment, it could be opened without risk of things falling out the side.As another reviewer noted, there is a flap that seems to lack any actual function.  Maybe it is meant to misdirect pickpockets from the zipper closure on the main compartment.
The Lowepro Rezo 60 is a fine product; well constructed and with good features for a camera pouch of this size.  It was intended for my Canon G9 but I found it a bit over-sized.  The interior volume was too large for just the camera and neckstrap and not large enough for the camera with lens attachment.  A Rezo "55" would probably be ideal for the G9 but I don't think Lowepro makes one.
This is a nice camera bag. My Lx7 is a tad snug. I've work on doing some stretching of the bag materials. I like this bag, not much room for much. Carry an extra battery and card in a pocket. Would by more bags from manufacture. Thanks, Randy H.
This is a great little bag, it holds all my stuff!The bag is well padded and it's well made.In the main compartment I have a Canon S95 with the LensMate filter adapter and a set of 4 Hoya filters in a folding Nylon case. There's even room in there for a fairly large cell phone (such as a Samsung Galaxy S II).The smaller front compartment has plenty of room for an extra memory card and a spare battery (but not the charger).It comes with a strap I can use to carry the bag messenger-style (with the strap looped around the right side of my head and under my left arm, if that makes sense), and a belt loop that is secured with both Velcro and a snap.I've read several reviews of this and other bags; the main complaint seems to be that people are guessing that a given bag will have the enough room for their stuff. You can do better than this, and the secret is to do your research.Start by stacking up the stuff you want to carry around so you know how much room you will need. Then spend some time on the Lowepro site (Google it if you aren't sure what it is named) and explore the different types of bags they offer. It's going to take some time on your part; they make a whole bunch of bags! You may find it useful to click the bagfinder link on the main menu. Whatever bag you are looking at, be sure to check the Specifications tab and compare the interior dimensions against your requirements.Yes, it's going to take some digging around on your part, but the result will be that you have a set of bags to choose from that you know will hold your stuff.Finally, be aware that there is no such thing as the perfect bag. There are only bags that are good for a particular purpose. For instance, this bag will be great when I want to take my filters and an extra battery with me for an all-day shoot. But the filters are only useful for daylight shots. If I'm going out to take a few pictures at night, I'll want to leave the filters and the spare battery at home, and go with a smaller bag.
I got the Lowepro Rezo Camera Case for a Canon G9, which fits in the case nicely. Not real snug but the camera strap on the G9 helps to keep the camera well seated. There is not a lot of extra room for accessories with the Rezo, barely fitting an extra battery and spare SD card. My biggest complaint with this case is the flap that fits over the accessory compartment. This is basically non-functional, having no real purpose other than to cover the accessory compartment. It would have been nice if  the flap had a zipper pouch or something to hold more accessories. I am planning on cutting it off entirely.
I had already experienced the quality of the smaller version of this Lowepro, using one for a Panasonic Lumix model. The Canon SX110, however, was just too tight a fit, so I decided to give this larger version a try. It's a bit bulkier, but it does still manage to hang from a belt loop )love the extra security loop with snap on these cases). I don't care much for the around-the-neck option.It will also hold two AA batteries and 2 cards easily. You might even be able to stuff in a credit card and some hard candies to boot.
The canon G1X fits, it's a little tight and you have to slide it in at an angle and then push it straight, but then it's a pefectly snug fit with the camera only, if you want something with a looser fit or want to put the strap inside then this will be too small.
At first I thought this one has a flap which makes camera way easier to take out than the zipper. Not only it's a zipper but it's way behind next to your body. You have to unzip something that is tight close to you and then pull out to stretch the bag so the camera is accessible. Heck, a flap with velcro for example would make it 10 times more easier to use. Or at least some normal zipper where no stretching is needed.
Exactly what I wanted.  The Velcro tab and secondary snap ensure this case does not come loose from your belt.
This camera will probably go down in Nikon's history as one of its most over-priced  and disappointing cameras. I bought mine through Amazon from Calumet in January 2003. From the start, the colors never looked right, especially the ghastly magenta-toned skin tones.  I also bought the SB800s (3 of them), thinking the CLS would be a great addition. But the system uses IR and is unreliable in any situation except very tight environments.The camera has a wonderful feel, viewfinder and reasonably good controls. But the results are disappointing. The sensor is undersized for this class of camera and considering what its competition (Canon) offers. Nikon finally realized this and on Dec. 13 decided to dump all these cameras by lowering the price $1,200. It just so happened mine was in Melville, N.Y., with a long list of issues to be repaired while it was still under warranty. These include bad AF performance since upgrading to V2 of the firmware, bad color, overexposure, blurry images with the VR lens and inconsistent color balance from frame to frame even when using a preset value.I would strongly suggest that you don't buy this camera and thereby reward Nikon for producing an inferior product originally sold at a ridiculous price for what it offers. Indeed, forget Nikon and go to Canon.
I have been working for a major daily newspaper in Baltimore for 2 decades. Perhaps that will qualify me as an expert in photography. I have been shooting digital imagery since the late 1990s. Maybe that qualifies me as an expert in digital photography. This may be long- winded, but it's extensive and can be useful.I received the Nikon D2H camera -- 2 bodies total -- over one year ago. I think I got them shortly after the D2H system was released in 2003. Since then, I have used them to shoot images of all types -- documentary, sports, daytime, available light, flash, and dead- of- night -- for the paper I work for. This is the only camera I work with.First, please read the manual. There is a ton of information there, and the information is terrific to begin with. The D2H is highly- configurable, with screen after screen that you can set for your own specific use (resist lending the camera to anyone for a long period of time, for your camera may be returned with many of your settings changed so much that it acts like a thoroughly different camera).I'll just punch right in to the way it feels. The camera is a rather heavy beast, and for some, there can be an amount of shoulder or neck fatigue when using it for hours per day, like I do. But the camera feels well in hand and the controls are easy to move through. I've long since given up using any camera bag. All I have are a fanny pack for a 14mm, 55mm, teleconverters and 2 extra camera batteries and flashes clipped to its belt. And the D2H's hold the 17-35mm Nikon and the 80-200mm Nikon one- touch or the Sigma 120-300mm 2- touch.Shooting is a breeze. The batteries let you shoot long before the need to recharge. I have my D2H set on ISO 200 or 400 most of the time and sacrifice shutter speed for lower ISO as often as I can, because the higher ISOs bring digital noise and a loss in color saturation. Just today, I purchased digital noise plug ins for Photoshop to limit this, and that's a wonderful thing to invest in with this camera when you must shoot action photography with no flash at ISO 800 and above.I now have little problems with capturing images in even barely- limited lighting. I recently shot stars and a plane wing from my seat of an Airbus at 36,000 feet over the Pacific at 30 seconds wide open @ f/ 2.8, and it looks tons better than night shots via the D1H, which lacked the internal digital noise filter. That filter kicks in at around 1/2 second and longer exposures, and can make you wait as long as your image you've shot to strip your long exposure of much of the digital noise. When you shoot this way (and in general), don't simply react by cranking up ISO because you will not be happy with your results.The camera can be loud. At over 7 frames per second, it can make you obvious in a quiet room. Shooting sensitive situations can be testy, so limit your shooting to single frames. I wish this camera had an option to silence this camera, but since the mirror has to raise and lower, there's no chance to do this.Am I happy with the D2H? Definitely, yes. Are there improvements that can be made? Yes. But the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. People have been bailing out of using the Nikon system and going Canon, which has some incredible gear, I won't deny that. But instead of simply giving up on your system of equipment, learn how to use the D2H well and you'll be much happier than ever. And that means you should push its qualities to the max while respecting its limitations.For instance, white balance. This can be the best thing for you, or the worst thing you've ever dealt with, depending upon how you approach it. Daylight, grey skies, dusk and dawn are easy, because you can set the camera to daylight, flash, shadow (for dusk and dawn times) and even the fluorescent and incandescent tend to be right in the ballpark. But the horrible mixed light or the street lamps that glow blue/green or orange- red from mercury vapor can be the death of an image if you don't properly use white balance. Preset white balance is king, here. I can get grey, black and white when I preset in mercury vapor light. And I used the preset for any light that the auto white balance setting can't figure. There is also a setting to dial in kelvin temps as well! If you do this (and I can go on for miles here), you're on your way. So, with trying this D2H, or considering it, read through some of the digital D2H forums and ignore the posts that slam the camera without giving instances. Generally, those who pan the camera have not tried to understand it. I can bang off images to disprove where they suggest this camera will fail. When you have decent light, you'll have a decent image. But when you try to use it without learning how you can maximize the system, you will come about shooting images that are terrible and unprintable.In closing, I have not been paid by anyone, I have no Nikon stock and have no outside interest in writing this except that I'm giving the D2H credit where it's long overdue.
A timeless classic.If you are just getting into photography,buy one of these cheap and learn from it.I have since sold mine but I learned alot from it.It is somewhat dated now but with it you will learn basic shutter and aperture controls and more.If you see a good used one,snap it up.
I ordered this camera in December, have had it since then, and it an amazing camera. First time I have ever had professional camera, and it takes time to learn how to use it. It is not a point and shoot camera. If you want large pictures and like to crop, this may not be the camera for you. However if you want the ability to take great pictures, and learn how to use a professional camera at a great price this is the one to buy.Ability to have custom curves, which means to have predetermined parameters for different conditions. Ability to chage ISO at random for different conditions.  You can pay five thousand dollars for its successor, the Dx2, however for $2000 this is a bargin that you will never find again.Jim Comfort
I bought a D2H from a skateboarding magazine about 2 years ago, and to this day could not be happier with it, I replaced a D-1H that I carried in Iraq for a year with the D2H. The only problem taht the D-1H ever gave me was that the heat would destroy batteries, so I had my sister sending me new batteries every month.  Other than that, I carried it around with my full combat gear, and it was usually hanging from the turret in a Humvess.  The D-2H could have no doubt fared even better. The camera is built like a tank. I took mine out on the ocean in a small boat and it got wet and banged around quite a bit.  Another thing is I still use my Sunpak 522 flash and that flash would fry most cameras because of the voltage.  A lot of the problems people say that they have with digital cameras comes from simply not reading the manual, and just turning the camera on and shooting.  I still carry my dads copy of "The Eastman Kodak Professional Photographers Guide" in my bag and using the tables in that book and the D2H I have never gotten an over exposed or underexposed shot.  And I don't need to "fix my photos" because I learned to shoot on film where there is not really much fixing you can do to a photo.If you can find one of these in good shape I recommend buying it. Don't worry about the MP count being low, that's an effect of the high speed shooting.  The photos are still huge and I have made 5 20 x 30" prints from the camera. By the way, I still use Picture Project to load my photos up.
I've had my D2H for 9 months now. I've heard of the magenta skin tones issue but have never seen it..skin tones on my unit are great. It seems this issue plagued a minority of users.Camera is very fast, exposes well and delivers results. It's primarily designed to be a sports and Photojournalism camera -- for situations where speed counts. It's a 4 megapixel wonder -- it's true it only has 4 megapixels, but they are 4 GREAT megapixels. Images upsize wonderfully.I love my unit, and am debating whether to buy a second one as a backup, or wait for the D2X. The price of the D2x is making that decision a bit easier and I'm leaning toward another D2H.
I have the D2H, and make stunningly pleasing photographs with it daily, yes, in 2008. It really is a fantastic camera to use and enjoy. It may only have 4.1 MP, but the resulting RAW files are razor sharp and crisp, beautifully saturated, and nice and quick to download, copy, edit, upload, etc.Noise-wise, properly handled (expose properly, use lowest ISO necessary), this camera can easily compete with the D200, and match or beat the D2X.Quality-wise, countless people have made 13x19, 16x20, and even 24x36 prints from this camera with great results. Of course, it would be smart to use a tool like Genuine Fractals to ensure proper DPI, but that's really the case with any camera. The pixels interpolate beautifully, due to a weaker (that's a good thing) anti-aliasing filter on the sensor. Larger , newer sensors often have strong anti-aliasing filters meant to reduce noise, but as a side effect they blur the pixels slightly, reducing the sensor's resolving power. Without this filter being so strong, you can go up to large print sizes gracefully, with a sharp, film-like look, as opposed to pixelation. This coming from experience, not forum postings. :)I'm sure some technology nerd who's never made a decent photo in his life could find something to whine about with the specs (they always do), but real photographers can appreciate the speed, elegance, and pure utility of this camera.Moose Peterson raved about this camera, as did Thom Hogan, and Joe Buissink shot it as his main DSLR for years, doing high-end A-list celebrity weddings for $15-70,000 each. I think it's more than adequate for most of us. Photographers who have these and D200s and 300s have said that if they had a money shot, they'd trust the ease of use, clean design, and raw speed of their D2H to get the job done over even the brand new D300. There's just something to be said for the quality and ergonomics of a true pro body that has to be felt to be understood. And considering you can get one of these on Amazon for just $750... that's a pretty great deal.I can fit 2400 RAW on an 8 gig card, and shoot well... a TON of pics without running out of battery. In fact, I have yet run out of battery charge. I just shot a wedding with it, and none of my shots were noisy (I kept it to ISO 800 and lower), and after shooting all day, I'd only used 1/5 of the battery charge! And my battery is an older one! Wow!Highly recommended.Speed: 5/5ISO performance: 4/5Ergonomics: 5/5Battery Life: 5/5Ease of use: 5/5 [after the 1st half hour :)]Features: 5/5Bank for the buck: 5/5I'd give it an overall 5/5, as the positives far outweigh any flaws.
CAMERA CAME AS ADVERTIZED, VERY GOOD CONDITION. ACTUALLY IT LOOKS BRAND NEW. HAVE BEEN TAKING PICTURES WITH IT FOR A MONTH NOW AND VERY EMPRESSED. LOVE THAT I CAN USE SOME OF MY OLDER NIKON LENS FOR MY F MODEL.I ALSO HAVE A D5000 AND HAVE BEEN USING MY DX LENS FOR BOTH CAMERAS. THE CAMERA TAKES GREAT PICTURES AND IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON BLOWING THEM UP INTO POSTERS IT'S 4.1 MEGAPIXALS IS JUST FINE. CAN'T BELEIVE HOW FAST IT IS (8FPS). GREAT FOR ACTION SHOTS. HAVE BEEN MOSTLY USING IT IN MANUAL MODE TO GET BACK INTO UDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF LIGHT,APPETURE AND SHUTTER SPEED.ONE THING TO ADD IS THE WEIGHT GIVES IT A STEADY STABLE FEEL IN YOUR HAND. ALSO HAVEING ALL THE CONTROLS AT YOUR FINGER TIPS IS A GREAT FEATURE WHEN TRYING TO GET THAT QUICK SHOOT. LOVE IT!
I have been in the photo business for over 35 years, working professionally all over the world.  My most recent assignment was taking "element shots" for the most recent Space Shuttle mission. I only add this to defend my qualifications.  While most of you reading this probably won't be using the camera in outer space, it is worth noting that should you find yourself needing to capture the moment beyond the Earth's atmosphere, this camera will handle the challenge with ease.  When I first purchased this camera, I had been mostly using a point and shoot (Kodak mostly and believe it or not had still been using an "Instamatic" quite a bit!) There is something to be said for having your photo slide out right away and blow on it until it is dry and done.As for this wonder of a camera, I especially love the ability to capture nature shots close up.  Believe it or not, by using something called a "Zoom Lens" you can get much closer to your subject without walking any closer yourself.  This "Zoom" works great for family fotos and action shots, as well.My only problem with this camera has to do with the way you hold it, and I honestly am hesitant to even mention it and ruin a perfect review.  Nonetheless, when holding this camera, the longer you hold it the heavier i begins to "feel."  I am almost certain that the true weight does not change and that this is a "mind trick" but it is worth it to keep in mind that you should always rest between every 15 to 20 exposures in order to make sure every shot is getting your best effort.My recent assignment was taking pictures of protozoans under microscope lenses for a science magazine, and this was handled with ease.  While this camera is definitely not a microscope, it can be used in conjunction with one and will work in most advanced scientific endeavors.  Overall, I loved this camera and recommend it to anyone wishing to take pictures and have them developed at a later date.
Good: Motor drive speed.  Grip feel. Takes Nikon lenses.  Reacts fast to pressing the shutter release.Bad: Skin tone renditions a color other than skin.  White balance doesn't balance well. Noise at anything above ISO 200, looks like 3200. CF card door tough to open. Screen fogs if you breathe when you shoot. Battery cover is not part of the battery.  Button placement not as intuitive as on the D100.  4.1MP allows for virtually no cropping of enlargements.Dumped mine a month after I got it.
Even today, 8 frames per second with a 40 frame buffer is nothing to sneeze at, but that's about all the D2h has going for today.  The D2H achieves this speed by using a 4MP resolution, which even in the day wasn't very much.  It uses the same battery as the D3/D3S and the D700 battery grip, and takes compact flash cards.  It's a "pro" Nikon that will meter with manual lenses and can serve in a pinch, but there's some serious problems to consider before you use it:Noise at high ISO, "high" being 1600 but more practically 800.  It goes up to 6400 in extended mode if static is your thing.Color balance problems, especially with mixed lighting.  This plagued all the early Nikons, so if you have a room lit by light bulbs and a door is open to the outside the daylight will show as blue.And lastly, which for me was the deal breaker, shutter problems.  As the shutter wears out it develops the "lazy first shot" problem where your first shot creates an "ERR" message. Turn it off and back, and it's okay.  Let it sit for an hour and it happens again.  My example had this at 80,000 frames, but it's happened earlier and replacing the shutter is difficult, which is what killed mine.If you find one in good shape it'll make a good backup camera or one to use when it might get broken, but I can't recommend it for serious use today; even the pedestrian D300s is much better.
..(unless I left the pictures to SIT to long, without developing...for a long while.)I don't know how long that actually takes but it's kinda long.If you need more information, the cameras tend to have the expiration date RIGHT ON THEM.OK, Shelly?4.5 stars (for two).4.25 (for the one).end note: this has one. (Lol)
Bought this for my son to take on a school camping trip, and thought the price was quite reasonable.  Now, we're having a hard time finding a store that will still develop the film inside the camera.  Target, Wal-Mart and CVS have all stopped processing film.  There is a chance that Walgreen's might still do it, but the only one in town is in a crappy neighborhood.So, buy the camera only if you have a way to develop it!!
I basically keep it in my car just in case I had an accident. You may argue that we can use cellphone or digital camera instead. But you know, digital photos can be photoshopped, and it will not be considered as an evidence in the court. It is always nice to keep this cheap camera in your car, just in case someone hit you and they deny their fault later.
Shipped to me in great condition!  Everyone at the party loved taking pictures with it!  It's nostalgic in a way.  One kid asked me how to use it!  It works great & captured a lot of memories!
Sometimes you miss days gone by.  Remember the excitement of waiting for a role of film to develop?  Just hope you live near a place that actually still does that!
I choose 5 star b/c the Fuji film Quick start  has been performing perfectly.Flash activates immediately for animal quick snaps.I have used this product for years w/ quality performance..
I used this brand of "disposable," single use camera recently and the pictures came out fairly well. Oh, sure, the quality of the pictures won't be 100% as good as the pictures you would get from a digital camera or a standard, more expensive 35 mm camera. Actually, the pictures these Fuji cameras take are even slightly grainier than the Kodak single use cameras. Sigh.However, the camera is very lightweight so you can carry several at a time in a bag as you travel. I especially like the built in flash that is easy to use. The flash range is about 10 feet.The camera is a single use camera; this means that after you use it you take the entire camera to the place where you can get film developed; they will take care of the rest. No worrying about whether or not you removed the roll of film negatives correctly without exposing them to too much light. I love that! The film speed is 400, so keep that in mind when choosing this camera. A faster speed such as 800 may be preferable.Overall, this is a good single use camera for countless people who like to travel light or who are on a budget. It is very compact and easy to carry; keep one in the glove compartment of your car just in case there's an accident and you need to take pictures of the scene. The camera is also affordable. I give it three and  stars instead of five simply because the picture quality just isn't the best.
My 10 year old can use it.  It takes decent good pictures compared to many digital cameras, especially phone cams.  The lens may not be great by they are much bigger.  Film is way better than CMOS.  This cam even have a flash light when many phone do not.My other kid lost a digital cam so I'm not giving him any cam to science camp (not day camp).  This is perfect and performs as stated.The cons.  There is no video. (Yeah, I know I'm off topic.)  Some video cams are cheap so you don't lose much money after a few uses and then lost it.  The photos will be crappy in comparison but life is full of compromises.Nostalgia is good but Target don't do this anymore.  Walgreen still does.  The other problem is that you have to develop the whole film.  My 10 year old mostly took blanks and the like.  To Walgreen's credit they only "develop" decent shoots.  Maybe I have half of the 27 films or even less.  In the "good old days" some developers charge the full price of 27 pictures no matter what.  Some charge a flat rate no matter what.  Actually I don't know how Walgreen charges.
I bought two disposable cameras and used both at an important event (my father's 70th birthday party).  The film on one roll had been exposed and all the shots came out too light to be developed.  On the other roll, used at the same time in the same venue, all the shots were too dark to be seen.
I sent these to my kids at summer camp since I didn't trust that their expensive digital cameras would make it home in one piece, or at all.  These are fine for the money.  Some of the photos came out well, but most were either too dark or too blown out from the flash.  Let's just say it was a worthwhile experiment to record a few camp memories, but if you really want good photos that you'll cherish, buy a digital camera.
..(unless I left the pictures to SIT to long, without developing...for a long while.)I don't know how long that actually takes but it's kinda long.If you need more information, the cameras tend to have the expiration date RIGHT ON THEM.OK, Shelly?4.5 stars (for two).4.25 (for the one).end note: this has two! (Lol)
The cameras came in two boxes, and within each box there was a camera that was sealed in a shiny plastic covering. The cameras themselves were easy to use and the pictures turned out great. Flash can be turned on or off and is adequate for close range photography. Took the cameras to my nearest Walgreens to be developed and had no issues there, although it is quite pricey. Happy with this purchase, no complaints.
Instead of giving my 3 year old my nice $$$$ for vacation, I gave her this. She felt grown up to have her own camera and I didn't worry about her dropping it, losing it or anything else.The pictures are actually clear, and she took some interesting ones too.This product has been approved by your local pre-schooler.
Hey it's The Sunnydale Chick; my fiance bought a whole set of fancy (white wedding disposable cameras) for that Wedding table centerpiece for Your Wedding Tradition of Picture framed pics (for our new house) and our Wedding Scrapbook....But then I had to get some disposable cameras for the day he flies over here....but for some reason they didn't have them at the store anymore. What's up with that? And it WASN'T even a fancy store. It was a Target! Me my guy and our friends thought that was VERY silly! You know cause some people still like to use these....Anyway.....enough of My being so very silly! I just wanted to say how VERY exited I am to use this camera, and have pictures taken of me and my guy (our arms around each other in a loving; happy picture.....and lots more that we'll have on that day......and How VERY exited we are to take pictures at our Halloween Wedding next year.....and for anyone who loves Halloween as much as we do we want to encourage everyone to have their own Halloween Wedding (because it Doesn't have to look like a cool Halloween party from when you were a kid.....(you know Orange and black streamers and Halloween decorations.....it Could look like a masquerade ball from Labryinth or Penelope. Halloween is our favorite holiday.....and even though it's November.....we're still having fun with it.....(cause if you know me or know my reviews....we like to celebrate Halloween longer then most people!
love the quicksnap cameras by Fuji....easy to use and pictures always coe out nice when developed....plus I like the flashlight that takes less than 5 seconds to turn on....thanks
i never used this camera before,i has an homework assignment to to take different pix, i was so amuse on how well this fujifilm quick did a beautiful job, i would buy this camera again,i would  recommend it to anyone, it took great outdoor pix as well as indoor, if you are looking for something that take great pix well this quicksnap fujifilm camera is it, i got the set @ a great price, and it work my budget well. thanks again amazon!!
This is roll film and each camera had to be processed separately. Bought 12 of these for a sweet sixteen party, placed them on the tables. Lots of bad photos, some not used to the capacity of the film and camera. Not happy with the processing expense. Could have hired a pro for very little more. Perhaps under different circumstances this could have been a different outcome. Consider these with caution.
These work well to send with the kids to camp so they don't ruin or destroy a good digital camera.These use 400 speed film so they work ok with some action photos also.  It is a good all around speed.I recommend them and I would purchase them again.  I used to use them when I went to camp..... years ago.  When done you just take them to get the photos developed.They also come complete with a flash also.I would purchase them again.
This product performed as expected!!! FOR MY 7 YR OD GRANDDTR WHO NEEDED IT FOR A CLASS FIELD TRIP. Would purchase again
My wife was visiting our nieces out east and wanted to take her Kodak Advantx camera rather than out digital which she finds intimidating. What she found is that none of the stores near us carry Advantx film anymore, and to buy it online was too expensive. Instead, we opted to order this Fuji 2-pack camera & have it shipped so it arrived the same day she did back east. Amazon Prime came through! It was there before she was and she was able to take the pictures she wanted while she was there.We have had them developed, and each and every one came out great (excepting one that had her finger in front of the lens). My wife hates our digital because, frankly, I fail to have hard copies made most of the time of the pictures I take. This was the best of both worlds as she had prints made & got a CD with them as well. I have to admit, I DO miss seeing "store bought" prints.A great value that gave us GREAT pictures. An excellent alternative to bringing a digital camera along on trips to avoid damage, loss or theft.
These work well and daughter loved them at camp.  They are better than those without flash in the instances of low light.  The price is probably the only drawback.  You can pick up at Wal-Mart for a few bucks cheaper.  I ordered simply not to have to go to WAl-mart as I didn't need anything else that week.
I always choose this brand when shooting with disposables. Great deal and awesome lo-fi vintage photos. Buy these bad boys!
I bought these for a concert I went to during the summer, and as much fun as they are to use, I still prefer digital cameras. These take good enough pictures outside under the sun, but indoor photos can get a bit tricky because there's not enough light to support the image. And, I don't have the convenient option of looking through the photos, deleting the ones i don't like, and taking another one--without having to worry about running out of film.The one thing I do like about this particular single-use camera is that you have the option of popping up the flash at all times. I previously used Kodak's disposable cameras, and the button to turn on the flash on those are frustrating. I was never sure if they were on or not. Whereas, with fujifilm, you just pop up the flash and it'll always be on--that was a huge plus for me.Lastly, when I had the photos developed from the fujifilm, they ended up looking great! The ones taken outdoors turned out really nice and looked as if they were taken with a digital camera. However, they aren't as crisp or clear as a digital camera with a higher megapixel. But, that's what you pay for when you buy disposable cameras. At least with these, you don't have to worry feeling robbed if you accidentally lose the camera, since they're so cheap. These also made me feel nostalgic while using them. They're a nice blast from the past.
Great little camera, the pictures came out good and you can't beat the price. Would buy this again in the future.
a little overpriced if you ask me but we needed them they work and i love the 2pk and the flashgreat buy
Great dispoable camera. Used it for a party and was able to make a scrap book : ) . I would suggest it to other users!
I used this for a baby shower & everyone loved it!  Took pictures of everything and random candid ones.  These were shipped in perfect condition & price was right, plus it was an add-on item!  Cool pics'
I've had a ton of these, and I take them on camping trips with kids where the main activity is playing in big mud fields.  I've had them in my pocket while rolling around in the mud, taken it out, shot a few pics, put it back in the pocket with no problem.  (See pictures for examples of "mud photos")A couple of times I've had them stand up to so much moisture and abuse that the cardboard falls off, but still had beautiful pictures every time, no jams or over-exposures.I've found the two pack at WalMart on sale for $8.99 a couple of times, and you absolutely cannot be that deal.This is my favorite disposable camera, and I've tried them all.
I really love the antiquity of these types of cameras so I had these two at my wedding for a cute photo booth idea. Which would have been fantastic except for one camera did not develop any film at all, and the other broke before all the pictures could be taken. If you want a reliable throw away camera buy something else!
So glad I found these at such a reasonable price; discoved meny stores no longer carry them. Found them for my sister who had a flood and needed pictures for her insurance.
IT WAS SHIPPED FAST AND WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WORKS WELL...I WONT KNOW HOW GOOD THE FILM IS UNTIL ITS DEVELOPED BUT ITS THE REASON I BUY ONLY FUGI OR KODAK...STICK WITH NAME BRAND FILM..WE HAVE A NEW BABY AND MOST PICS YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO CAPTURE IT...SO IT BETTER WORK WHEN YOU NEED IT...I WOULDNT TAKE MY CHANCE ON THOSE $2.00 CAMERAS FOR IMPORTANT PICS
great quality, super fun, saving the day with these things, reminds me of my childhood. TIP: give to little kids for their own perspective on trips and events. you'd be surprise what they find1
I used this brand of single use camera recently and the pictures came out fairly well. Oh, sure, the quality of the pictures won't be 100% as good as the pictures you would get from a digital camera or a standard, more expensive 35 mm camera. Actually, the pictures these Fuji cameras take are slightly grainier than the Kodak single use cameras. Sigh.However, the camera is very lightweight so you can carry several at a time in a bag as you travel. I especially like the built in flash that is easy to use. According to Amazon, the flash range is about 10 feet. I think that's about right.The camera is a single use camera; this means that after you use it you take the entire camera to the place where you can get film developed; they will take care of the rest. No worrying about whether or not you removed the roll of film negatives correctly without exposing them to too much light. The film speed is 400, so keep that in mind when choosing this camera. A faster speed such as 800 may be preferable.Overall, this is a good camera for the many, many people who want to travel light or who are on a budget. It is compact and easy to carry; keep one in the glove compartment of your car just in case there's an accident and you need to take pictures of the scene. The camera is also affordable. I give it four stars instead of five simply because the picture quality just isn't the best.
Haven't used this yet, but had these in the past and they work for me.  I'm sure these will do the same.
I love this retro product. One of the great things about using actual film is that you have to think carefully about what to photograph. It will be fun to develop this film and receive actual prints. Works exactly as you remember, including that glorious sound as the flash is charging.
I purchased 4 of these and have only developed 2 so far. Most of the pictures came back really great, just what you'd expect from a single use camera. The flash seemed to work well.
I bought these to take on my trip in June to Tennessee, or I intended to. The seller didn't get them to me until I returned. I have taken some pictures with them around the house just to see how they worked and haven't had them developed yet.
I gave this product one star because I had to give it some kind of rating to give this review.  DON'T BUY THESE CAMERAS!!!!  My two pack came and I shot all the film of my daughter and her new baby.  These are pictures I cannot replace and the film was either too old or just ruined.  Out of two cameras I got not one sinlge picture.
I got these for my kids when we were going to Disney World so they could take their own pictures. Worked out great!
I purchased multiple disposable camera's for an international trip that I did not want to bring a larger, more expensive camera along with me. The Fuji Quicksnap worked very good. I could not zoom or control the lens for better close up shots...but knew that in advance. They worked great for my travels.
I gave these to a 10 year old to record family pictures at Christmas.I like the ease of use and the fact that there are 27 exposures per camera.
Anyone who has ever used a disposable camera knows that the quality of pictures that they produce is relatively poor. You also know that they are ridiculously expensive when purchased in any store. This was the cheapest option we could find for disposables with flash to put on the tables during our wedding reception. Didn't get as many pictures on them as we were hoping for - still have a lot of exposures to use (2 months after our wedding). Most of the shots we think were taken by children. Really think about how you want to use cameras at your wedding before you spend the money.
This review is from someone who is unfamiliar with disposable cameras.We purchased these cameras to set on various tables during our wedding reception in hopes that attendees would use them for candid shots. This happened, but the resulting photos were horrible.Now, I've used 35mm before, but I could have probably draw stick figure pictures better than the resulting photos of these cameras. Horrible quality.
My Lowepro Rezo camera case was a smart buy I made after reading another buyer's review.  The feature of a snap in addition to a velcro closure for the belt loop gives extra security and the front section with the mesh pocket within safely holds my extra batteries and cards.
I was looking in local stores for the LowePro D Res 10 AW, which garnered good reviews here on Amazon. I was looking for a compact protective case to clip onto a belt. A shoulder strap for such a tiny camera bag is cumbersome. However, the best I could find was the Rezo 20, which turned out to be a good fit for my Canon A540. The Rezo 20 seems to be padded fairly well, and the belt clip, although only with a single velcro patch closure, seems relatively sturdy. I would probably clip the neck strap around my belt as a safety strap in case the velcro lets go while walking or hiking. The front pocket holds batteries and a memory card could probably be squeezed in there too. Time will tell how well it works, but I'm optimistic that it'll do.
My Kodak C182 is a thick-bodied point & shoot, and I needed a case that fit it closely, had room for spare batteries, and had a good belt clip.  This case is perfect.  The stiffener in the belt clip makes it easy to slide it behind my belt.  It has a Velcro attachment plus a metal snap for added security.  The zippers open easily to get to the camera.I use the camera for work, so I needed something that didn't take up too much room on my belt - it isn't in the way when I'm sitting in the car or with my customers.  I keep 4 spare AA batteries and a spare SD card in the pouch.I've had it about a month, and find it to be well made and easy to use.  A great buy!
I use this case with my Canon S90 and it fits perfectly. Before owning this case, I had a Rezo 50 (for a different camera) and it proved very durable over more than two years of frequent use. The Rezo 20 is similarly constructed and I think it will be equally durable (I have owned my Rezo 20 for just over a week, using it every day).I particularly like how it supports the camera even while you are opening the case. I also like the fact that it is compatible with LowePro's waistbelt system but can also be attached to a regular belt.UPDATE July 2012:More than two years later and the case is still going strong, and still in regular use. My camera has now changed to a Canon S95, which is the same size as my old S90. If I ever upgrade to an S100 (also the same size), I'll still keep this case.
Lowepro makes great, very well made stuff. Make sure it's the right size for your camera though!
I purchased this case for my Canon PowerShot SD870 IS.  It fits the camera perfectly, allowing easy access, while still providing ample support.  The smaller front compartment is large enough to hold an additional memory card, as well as a spare battery.  Even when completely full, the case is not particularly large or bulky, making it very convenient to carry on your belt or even in a cargo pocket.  I particularly like how you can de-attach the strap.  I would highly recommend this case for anyone with a similarly sized compact camera.
I trusted the Lowe name from their reputation in outdoor/mountaineering gear.  I wanted as small a package as possible for portability that would still offer protection to my one-ninety investment.My camera, a Panasonic DMC-LZ1, is a rather uncommon shape.  It's a compact body with a lens that projects farther than average (though still amazingly small for 6x optical), so I was worried about going too small.  The list measurements for the LZ1 are 3-15/16(W) 2-1/2(H) 1-15/16(D).  The package lists 4x3x1-1/4 as the internal dimensions, but note that it "stretches".  Although the actual dimensions of the camera are less than 1-15/16 deep, it does stretch the Rezo 20 substantially.  With the lens facing outward and the wriststrap attached, I have to stuff the wriststrap toward the lens housing.  "Smallest Possible?"  Accomplished.  Almost too small for comfort, but that's what I was seeking.  The main pocket itself opens considerably, so I do not fear the zipper scratching the lcd.  The "NoDrop" Trademark refers to the ability of the main pocket to open fully without allowing the camera to fall when it the bag is vertical.  The zipper has two heads, both with dangly parts that are to make them easier to grab.  Because of the zipper placement, I would be wary of the "water resistant" claim in anything greater than a light mist.  However, it will easily fit under my existing rain gear.There is also a front pocket that expands considerably.  With a 512MB SD card, I don't suspect I will keep anything in there other than spare batteries, but there is sufficient room to stuff the shoulder strap in there should you feel the need to use it occasionally.  The shoulder strap clips are metal.  They do not have much room to move around within the nylon loops, but the strap itself is allowed to rotate freely from the clips.  The sliding length-adjuster is plastic, but its longevity does not seem suspect.The belt clip was my favorite surprise.  There is some stiffness to it that gives it more support than the velcro alone would be able to muster.It will take a lot of use before I am able to determine whether the Rezo 20 was the right bag for me, but it was certainly what I was looking for and more.I paid more at newegg than I would have here because I've had good experience with their shipping (incredibly fast last time).  They must take Veterans Day off or something though, because I would've been better served by taking the lowest price.M@
Bought this case for my Canon PowerShot A1100IS.  Fits great!  The main compartment unzips around to the bottom, so it opens wide for easy access.  The velcro closure on the front compartment is strong.  The front compartment has a mesh pouch inside to hold a memory card, plus room for an extra pair of AA batteries.
This is a great case. It Velcros onto a belt with an additional button to keep it secure. It fits my Sony DSC-HX5V for those of you with that camera. It is a little loose in there but nothing to worry about. The storage pouch on the front is perfect for fitting an extra battery and memory card. Once again this is a great case and it looks like it will protect my camera very well.
This bag is a perfect fit for myCanon PowerShot SD770IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)with just enough room in the front pouch for an extra battery and memory card, which was important to me. Clip anAlpine Innovations Spudz Microfiber Cloth in Black Pouch, 6X6to it for a convenient cleaning cloth that looks like it came with the bag.Shoulder strap is thin and for such a small bag not the most practical. Fortunately the belt clip features both velcro and a button safety snap making it a very secure alternative.
This camera case is compact, fits the camera nicely, is made with quality construction and materials and has a pocket for extras.
This is the fourth Lowepro case I own including a large camera back pack and the smaller Rezo 10. They are all well made and designed for their intended purpose. The Rezo line comes in progressively larger sizes to match any compact camera on the market. The Rezo 20 is perfect for the Canon S90 and has space with a separate flap for spare SD cards. The belt loop is well designed, large, stiff and has both velcro and a safety snap to keep it from coming undone. Because of its design, it can be attached to your belt without taking your belt loose. Overall, this is an excellent product that will last for years.
I love this computer. Its the perfect size for carrying around and downloads programs and records cd's perfectly.  Never had a problem, I've had it since August '07(knock on wood). No internet problems. I highly recommend the 5570Z.
This is a near perfect case for my Canon S90. I discarded the shoulder strap because I never need it. The velcro'd belt strap with the extra button snap is excellent. The only thing that keeps me from fitting the whole camera and case into my pants pocket is the unnecessarily thick flap that shields the pouch for the spare battery and SD card. A slimmer zipper pocket would have worked just as well.
Perfect for it's intended use, small tripods and point&shoot; cameras.Would also work well attached to an existing pan/tilt like the 3130 or 3126 if an occasional need for a ball head is called for.
I love this! I don't even have to tighten that much and it can handle my canon sx50hs solidly. All metal parts very strong and so far reliable.
This little adapter fits the bill exactly for my application. I have a pair of binoculars mounted on a mono-pod for star gazing. But because I need to look *up* all the time, using a mono-pod was causing me to sit in strange angles and crane my neck uncomfortably. This swivel adapter solves the problem by providing easy adjustment to the angle of the binoculars on top of the mono-pod. Best of all, the solid construction of the body and the tightener are more than capable of handling the weight of binoculars at any angle without any slippage in the ball joint. And I am quite sure my star gazing binos are *well* beyond the recommended weight limit for this size adapter. Solid, smooth, and tight...that's what I wanted, and that's what I got with this product!
I'm approaching 1 year in using this head. It has been perfect. I use it on a monopod for both my camera and camcorder. I use the monopod, change the head to 90 degrees and use over the shoulder to help stabilize the camcorder for action then I can quickly change back to a monopod use for my camera. It has taken a lot of back and forth without a problem.
I've read some reviews that mentioned problems of slippage. I've had no such problem but perhaps that's because the camera I'm using is a pocket video camera that weights very little. It's easy to use, very sturdy and gives my mono pod more versatility. I would recommend this to anyone using a light weight camera.
As always, this Pelican case is perfect. I have tried a couple cheaper hard side cases and regretted it every time and will never skimp again.If you have something worth buying a protective case for, Pelican is the way to go.
It's exactly what you'd want. High build quality, strong but the material is soft enough that it won't feel like it's abrassive or will scratch things from it's exterior. Add the water seal and pressure valve it's worth the cost if you plan on keeping it a long long time. Foam fits well and is easy to configure.It is a little bit heavy but for the strength it makes sense.
I spent much of my time in the Middle East with the US Military.  Uncle Sam buys a lot of Pelican cases for all sorts of gear, and I have seen them take a great deal of abuse in awful places.  I have complete faith that anything I put in this will survive any adventure I go on.  I was able to squeeze a Nikon D7000, one zoom lens and two fixed focus lenses in here.  I believe there is room yet for another zoom.
I bought this case to house my Nikon camera gear for whitewater rafting trips. There is virtually no other way to protect your gear on a whitewater raft than with this case and its the only way I would ever trust that much gear in any box.Here is what I was able to fit in this case with adequate padding: (See my customer uploaded image)- Nikon D7100 w/35mm 1.8 lens with hood- Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 lens with hood- Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 lens with hood- Nikon SB-910 Speedlight flash- Remote flash transmitter/receiver- Flash diffusers- Battery chargerThis case has housed all of that gear on different rafts for over 21 days getting splashed constantly on Class III-IV rivers without any leakage.The only incident I had was when the case was strapped low in the boat and got completely submerged under about two feet of water for about 10 seconds as we went through a very large rapid. Since the case was strapped down it was submerged entirely the whole time until the boat drained out. When I opened the case there was just a hint of water that had entered the case through the seal on one side but it didn't get anywhere near my gear and everything else remained dry. Since then I no longer strap the case to the floor, but I would trust it to keep my gear dry still even if I did.I use this case on or off the boat since it keeps my gear very secure and I don't have to worry about being super careful with it. Definitely recommended if you are a serious photographer or need a serious case for serious conditions.
But it was missing the o-ring. The box appeared factory sealed from what I could see and everything was in place where it should have been but no o-ring. Looked under the foam, etc, etc. Did not fuss since it's about a nine dollar item at best to replace so it was simpler to just pick one up. Still perplexed by the lack of the o-ring though. Otherwise, five stars - fast shipping, great price, etc. But two stars off for a missing o-ring. So strange.
I Love it. I meet this products when I was working on offshore rigs. Very good protection for electronic equipment and some models works as life savers
Bright, colorful and well made.  Love the foam interior.  It's water tight and keeps my camera equipment safe and well protected.
We use Pelican Cases of several sizes in our business and they are by far the best cases out there. We would buy no other.We use this particular case for the transport of set-up and repair equipment for CNC machines. Keeping the tools well protected and free from water is critical, and Pelican Cases excel at this. While we order the cases with the perforated foam, we replace the foam that comes with them because it is not tolerant of the cutting fluids our cases and tools are exposed to. We use the original foam for other purposes where the cutting fluid is not a factor. This case has a lot of room but still is not too big to fit on the floor behind the front seats in most cars, and the orange color is nice and bright which we wanted because it makes the case both easy to find and hard to forget.You cannot go wrong with the Pelican Case, no matter what style or size - you definitely get what you pay for.
this is the case you've been looking for, you can make it fit all your camera products in one case, great protection and all in one case...
I used to purchase my hard cases from a firm in Canada. These were for a large collection of optics and lasers. By chance while I was purchasing a high-end camera on Amazon, a 'you may also like' prompt popped up. Since the prices were reasonable and one source shopping is nice, I orderd 2. No regrets.The attributes are: latches are much easier to work than the Canadian kind (sorry guys), the pressure relief valve, and the ease of ordering replacement foam inserts when I change my equipment. I also recommend the Pelican cable locks.
2nd review i've used these cases in the past as a paramedic and they have stood up to almost any abuse but that appears to no longer be so. i've used this case as a camera case with gentle use and no abuse of any kind. about 4 to 5 weeks after it arrived i was opening it and the left latch snapped in half. i called the vender and was told it was a pelican problem and i was given a customer service number. i called pelican and they aggreed to send 2 latches. this is good because since i called the right latch snapped in the same way. this used to be a great product but all i can see now is replacing one latch after another3rd review the new latches have worked fine now for about a year/they were a bit of a pain to install but otherwise np upgrade to 4 stars thx
I use this case to carry around my Panasonic HMC150 - fits the camera, light, mic setup and spare batts with room to spare!
Whats to say, the Pelican case is FABULOUS.I have had many over the years and never been unhappy!Will certainly buy more as time passes
Perfect for what I bought it for. I train a great deal and need certain tools at my fingertips. I made this case my training kit and everything I need is in it. I simply ship it from venue to venue. It is sturdy, well constructed, easy to handle and no matter where I have it shipped, all I have to say is...did a large, orange case arrive for me...and they know exactly what I'm talking about! I LOVE my Pelican case and highly recommend it!  One word of caution, I purchased recommended TSA locks for the case and my last shipment came back sans one lock. I believe this occurred in shipping. At $12+ per lock, I'm not a happy camper. You may want to find a lock with a thicker flexible cable, or a thinner solid locking mechanism.
The search for a gear bodyguard is over.  I've started doing more location photography and wanted to upgrade my bags/cases for three main reasons:1) Better protection in transit2) Easier management and accessibility of gear3) Consolidation of gear to reduce number of bags/cases to haul aroundThis case solves all three needs quite nicely.  It's just deep enough to store body & lens together, and some items can be nested or stacked to optimize space (for example, one of my larger flashes is stored horizontally with spare batteries nested in the bottom foam layer).  I was worried about fitting everything in this case, but I actually have enough room left over for another lens.Here's a generic list of everything I was able to comfortably fit into the Pelican 1550:-dSLR + attached wide angle zoom lens-additional midrange zoom lens-5 flash units-6 flash transceivers-pano head-4 spare AA batteries-portable field recorder-misc (wb card, spare sd cards, flash filters, trigger cable, flash feet)Hints for successful packing:1.  Plan ahead!  Draw up a diagram, cut out shaped templates, whatever you need to do to get the foam plucked out right the first time.  It will save the headache of Super-77 repairs or the old "painting yourself into a corner" syndrome of haphazard packing.2.  Use a smallish bread knife to easily cut through the perforated foam.  Yes, it's called "pick-n-pluck", but the foam squares are still connected pretty securely.  I finely serrated knife will make quick work of it.  Pick a knife with symmetrical serrations (like this /\) as opposed to right-angle serrations (like this /|).3.  Remember that your gear can poke out of the top a bit.  You have about 1 1/2" of space above the top foam layer that is taken up by the lid foam, so utilize that space to reduce gear movement and take advantage of that extra space.4.  Pimp it out!  Order some vinyl lettering and put your company name on the outside of the box.  Or just get a biohazard sticker for the front and add a pair of handcuffs to the handle.
Great case and certainly stands out in orange.  I am very pleased with the quality and features.  Handle is far and away more comfortable than others.  Handle has a soft rubber grip.
Pelican Cases are virtually indestructible in every day use and even in most extreme use situations.  These cases should withstand substantial drops onto pavement and even into water where the seals keep the contents dry and protected.If you have something that needs a case to protect it, then consider Pelican.
I have recently purchased this case after careful review and I could not be more impressed. I have fit my Beretta 92A1 with all three 17 round mags and speed loader with ease and I have plenty of room left for two additional 30 round mags I have on order. The pick and pull foam is very durable and as long as you take your time with your placement of your equipment and using a sharp thin knife to separate the foam you should have great results. If you are going to use this case for pistols I suggest cutting out the areas completely, then the sections you took out cut in half and place back in the bottom of the opening created so your firearm rest at the bottom of the case.
my two PVS-14s are VERY safe in this thing.  honestly I could have gone a little smaller and it's pretty bulky for carrying around two night vision monoculars, but then again it's $6k worth of gear and I'm pretty confident -- very confident -- I could throw this thing down the stairs and the NVGs would be just fine.
Excellent case.  I feel like a spy zipping around with this case in tow.  I used it for carrying boring instrumentation but still feel like James Bond.  I might buy one to strap it to my motorcycle.
tough, good size, i use it for a nikkon d5000 camera and a few accessories. the only problem i have with it is the latches. they take a little effort to close, my wife has difficulties with it. maybe they will get easier over time
I doubt a hard case could be much better than these. If you want to know your gear is safe, this is what you want to use.
I got this to house my Nikon DSLR and 3 lenses (Nikon 18-200, Sigma 10-20, and Nikon 35mm Prime). It will definitely do the job. The plastic is thick and the latches are really heavy duty. Overall the case is much more sturdy than I was expecting, even after having read a number of reviews about Pelican cases. You could probably throw it off a roof and have its contents come through unscathed (not that I would try or recommend that).The foam inside is easy to work with. It is broken into a number of cubes that you can &#34;pick and pull&#34; out to get a perfect fit for the contents. The size of the 1450 is a bit bigger than I expected - it is probably almost the size of 2 shoe boxes positioned side by side.Overall, I am very satisfied and will probably pick up a few more for my GoPro and firearms.
I received this order quickly and couldn't be happier. This is one good case for your favorite weapon or expensive camera. I have two of these boxes for these purposes. This is the best storage container on the market today, all others are inferior. Hands down if you want the best...here it is.
Well, its never been used as a camera case, but rather as a gun case for travel. It conforms to all the rules for carrying your handgun on planes in your luggage. You can cut the foam to what ever size you need.
Looking for a case to protect your valubles?  This is the way to go.  Service and shipping was great.  Ordered this during the holidays and BAM!!!! got it in two days.  Very impressive, but a most worthwhile addition to my photography & video arsenal.
This is great. I like these cases and I have a few. I mix them with cheaper boxes for storage and use these to take the pistols and rifles to the range. This case is big enough to fit 4-6 pistols in depending on size. The only thing that I wish is that the foam pieces in the middle that are meant to be removed to shape around what you are storing go all the way through the foam on both sides, so it doesn't allow you to store different shaped thinks on either side of the middle foam. It's not designed as a pistol case however, so I really can't blame that on Pelican.  Great case.
Being a film student I have always checked out school equipment wrapped in a pelican case. They are made to take a beating. If you treat a pelican case right it will last a lifetime.
I have a few different pelican cases for different equipment and I've always been impressed, but this is the first case I've planned the use for from the ground up. I map disasters and response routes. I'm using very advanced software that is very expensive per license so I only have it on one dedicated machine. It had to be portable and cheap to ship to where ever I needed it yet secure from theft and damage. I chose to use a mac mini with a pelican 1450 case. the case has room for the mini, my 11' macbook air, a realtime GPS tracking unit, adaptors for the ports to maximize connect-ability, the power cord, a small bluetooth keyboard and wireless mouse. It works perfect though the case layout and modification of the pick-and-pluck took a little trail and error. Needless to say I have no issue throwing my locked pelican case in the back of a truck, the USPS, or checking it on an airplane because I know that it will come out in one piece.
Perfect for what I needed.  Foam smells a little funny, but other than that, it's great! I would definitely recommend.
Love the case,but had to return it,because the hinges where to hard for me to open,it is not the caseit just that i have lost strenght in by hands.
I must say that this case is as it states, water tight and air tight.this is a wonderful storage case for Camera Equipment,especially in Bermuda were the humidity reaches 90% plus in the summer. I use this to store my Rebel Xti and Accessories, I also use the metal silica gel can dehumidifier to keep the humidity down... Wonderful investment..Bermuda....
Solid and well built case. I use this case for storing high end folding knives. Very pleased with the product's fit and finish. Case can be locked up and secured to keep away from and protect children as well as anti theft purposes. This is my second Pelican case and I plan to buy more in the future.  Very pleased with this product.
I bought this case to store in an airtight environment 2 pistols in my possession.The warranty alone is worth the purchase... but if you know anything about Pelican cases, you know this:- Lifetime warranty on any defect within the bounds of their terms of use (that means you can't abuse it and expect to get a brand new one for free)- USA made (hard to come by)- Made out of Military-grade plastics and polymers (means you could abuse it, and it would still be intact)- Waterproof with a pressure-valve that equalizes internal pressure should it submerse in water.This can snugly hold two pistols and 1-3 extra magazines EACH + A small area for accessories, grips, and a desiccant gel pack.
This product is absolutely fantastic! Came as advertised, and shipped APO. I would highly recommend this product for anyone who is looking for a very versatile case
Will be using this to carry camera lenses.  Can't go wrong with Pelican cases, they are built to take a beating, but with it's good foam it keeps delicate equipment safe.  It's a carry on for flying, important to me.  Again, Pelican cases are built like a tank, good materials in making it. Highly recommend Pelican cases (this does have the rubber seal, it has never fallen out, and it keeps my equipment safe.  I do use desiccant inside the case to ensure it's dry.  Never put this under water, but keeps any rain out, even hard coastal rains.
awesome in every way,no case is as well made and solid,with features like the atmosphere release valve and the O-ring sealwith latches thqat could keep out a bear
I picked up the 1450 from Pelican for $80 shipped, Prime. Arrived the next day. Boom. Love Prime. Anyhow, the case was as described and measured. A big complaint is how a lot of stacked amazon listings don't have any information on size and stuff in them. Anyhow, this one had the measurements listed and I liked the size so went for it. Works great. The foam is as described and easy to pluck out and mold to whatever you want to fit in the case. The case is crazy durable. It's also good looking, not flashy like a gun case, but not like a garbage bin either. I got them to house Headphones. That's right. Headphones. I also got a smaller one for holding electronic equipment (DAC, AMP, etc). Great for shipping around. Great for storage. Great for carrying around. I can get into a car wreck and my stuff will be pristine. These boxes are how you keep your stuff alive when the worst happens. They're not cheap, but if you like certain items and want them safe, this does it. Great products.
I'm a big, big, big fan of Pelican cases. I know there are cheaper alternatives out there, but Pelican works. Always. I'm a photographer and have been using Pelican cases for years. They have never failed me. Ever. They're tough, durable and water-tight. I recently got into shooting guns and just bought this case for a Ruger 22/45 Mark III Hunter (5.5" barrel) and a handful of accessories. The pick 'n pluck foam works wonderfully and I now have a custom case for my gun.If you're protecting valuable electronic or mechanical gear, there is no other. Get Pelican and you'll be satisfied.
I purchased this to put my telescope eyepieces in. It was very easy to configure the way I wanted and its held up very well, so far.
I would recommend this case to everyone!!!  It is so great how you can customize the inside for whatever accessories you may have to go along with your camera.  If I could do it over, I would probably get a case that is a little deeper, if there is one.
Nothing complex about this at all. Pelican Cases are the best options for securing your fragile belongings. You cannot go wrong with them. Super durable, water proof, strong latches, pluck-n-pull foam is fantastic. Overall just great great products that do exactly, 100% what they are supposed to do.
The case is very well made and strong, but the clasps are nearly impossible to open/close without a high level of difficulty.  A redesign would solve the problem and make life easier for the user.  Also the locking arrangement needs to be redesigned to accomodate standard combination locks.  As it is now, the locks are difficult to use and the body of the lock sticks out at an angle that invites damage from baggage handlers on airlines.
Pelican cases are just about indestructable.  I have been using them for 20 years.  This was the best price I could find and the Amazon free shipping is nice.
I have two of these Pelican 1450 cases -- one for firearms and one for my DSLR camera gear.  This is an outstanding case for either purpose.  For camera gear, the foam inserts are removable in little cubic square increments, making it very easy to configure the case to hold camera, lenses, flash, and other accessories.  For pistols and revolvers most users will leave the foam inserts intact, as the case holds pretty much any handgun snugly, with just the right amount of pressure, without modification.  I can pack a couple of pistols and some clips no problem.If all of that is not enough, I also use one of these for transporting portable amateur radio gear.  It is perfect for this.For any purpose, firearms, radio gear, or camera gear, this case provides a secure and lockable way to transport one's equipment without worry of physical shock to the equipment, or problems with water or humidity.  These cases are watertight and very safe against the elements.  This is important to me, as I often transport my camera gear in an open dinghy in coves and harbors, where the wind is apt to spray water on everything.  This case has been 100% proof against this.  Firearms don't like water or moisture either, making this case an ideal solution for transporting one's firearms.Replacement foam inserts are readily available for this case, by the way, so one case can serve multiple functions.A quality Made-in-USA product.  Highly recommended.  RJB.
Best pistol case ever. Holds two pistols and a couple of clips. Built like a rock. Locks securely.
Yes its plastic but it is so solid, this is one of the best medium sized cases for the money. I use mine to store my custom poker chips. Chips are heavy enough without adding the extra weight of a case. I doubt this thing could break. Plastic but feels premium. When I purchase a nice DSLR this is the case I am buying to take it with me on trips. The way airlines handle your luggage I would trust any of my expensive electronics to it.
They are just plain and simply the best.  Pinck-n-pluck foam for a custom fit, the hinge (on this model) has  a bit of tension so it doesn't fly open if you forget to latch it, waterproof, built-in pressure valve...etc.
I use this for a Nikon DSLR (D300) and I love it.  I can fit the camera, a couple of lens' and all the accessories (flash, extra battery...).  I almost went for the larger 1500 but it seemed a little to big to carry around easily so I went with the 1450.  I can pack a couple of zoom lens' and I am covered.  Good size, well made, Great Case :)
Picked this case up for my Liquid Image Ego action camera and all of the mounts I have it.  I was able to get the camera to fit along with its waterproof clear case, 3 mounts, and the charger cable.  All of it placed very well in the pluckable foam and nothing touches.  Worked exactly for my needs.
It's perfect for throwing my extra GoPro accessories in my motorbike luggage. I'm not worried, should I get in a wreck, that the contents won't be protected, this thing is VERY sturdy.I may buy another larger case for use at home, but this size was perfect for travel.
I have used Pelican cases for several years now and could not be more satisfied. Zero failures, ever. I use different colors to store, carry and identify a particular type of item. This one is for some of my photo gear. The design, materials and construction provide real protection against crushing, dropping and water damage. Heck, they float even ! With many sizes available, this is the neatest way to insulate almost any sensitive equipment from a wide variety of harms. Not affordable you think ? How many opportunities do you get to pay one single insurance premium that covers your things for life ? The fact that so much comes in a compact lockable format with rounded corners and a carry handle leaves no other real option of comparable value. Enough said.
I found this when looking for a case for my Nitecore Tiny Monster flashlight.  I was pointed towards this product from a friend of mine.  Not only did the product arrive VERY fast, but the pick n pack foam that's included made for a custom fit.  I was able to get my flashlight, charger and two sets of 18650 rechargable batteries.  Add to all this, the orange color is PERFECT for what this light is for.  I highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking to buy it.
This case is very versatile.I like to use this kind of protection most likely for my audio gear.I fits a Zoom N4h with some accessories.
If you have valuable items that shouldn't get wet, crushed, or otherwise damaged, this case is perfect. I've taken it paddling, tubing, and everywhere just as general storage. It floats even with a fair amount of weight. Just check dimensions on Pelican's website and make sure you're getting the right size.
I found this size perfect to store my Baofeng UV-5RA with all the accessories starting with the charger, the speaker mic, car charger adapter cable, car battery adapter and the connector cable to connect to my magnetic antenna.  The padding is easy to adapt for any configuration.  Great buy.  Pelican is a solid product.
The pluck and pull foam is perfect for storing items of any shape and delicacy. The case itself is made out of thick, durable material, and the latches are pretty sturdy. The case seals very well when closed. Overall this is a great case.
Bought this smaller case for a very important prototype circuit board.  Works like a champ and protects our very important small items when we need to transport them to our fabricator.
Great case. Use it for two gopos and accessories.Comes with foam and can coustomize it to fit whatever you may use it for.Took it out wakeboarding and kept all other stuff dry in the case.
This will fit 2 Canon 430 EX flashes and a small trigger set.  I have 4 of these, different sizes and they do they job.
This is a perfect case for my GoPro Hero3 black,,, it holds everything plus a charger and extra batteries.... awesome case!!
I use these for various projects and they are extremely well built. This one is perfect for a small project or small object that needs to be protected.
Great little case but I would expect no-less from Pelican.  FYI...a Master Lock 140 will not fit the locking holes which are slightly smaller than 1/4&#34; diameter.. I believe a Master Lock 130 or #7 with a 3/16&#34; diameter shackle would work without issue. It can easily hold my Kimber Solo or 3&#34; 1911 with extra magazines and box of ammo. Don't get me wron...this case is small but that is what I was looking for.
Although there are other cases to be had for less money my title pretty much sums it up. This case is made to last in tougher conditions than I hope it will ever see. If you have something you plan on traveling with that you want to protect, then do yourself a favor and invest in a pelican case. I am currently using my mine to store a firearm (Glock G19) but you could adapt it for other items as well.
Top notch to keep my stuff dry when out.  I looked a a lot of cases and went with the name brand and the higher cost....Gald I did spend  the extra bucks
I bought this for my GoPro 3 and backup GoPro 2. Its very well built and fits my gopros along with all my accessories Perfectly!
I use this for my gun and it gives me the peace of mind that It is safe in there.  No dust, water, or anything thats bad for metal that can get in.
Great fit, very durable.  It's well worth the money and will hold the camera with large battery attached.  I suspect it will hold the newer cameras in this series just fine.  I use Pelican cases for all my cameras and mics.
Fits AR-15, 30 rd mags beautifully.  Very well constructed.  A bit pricey but awesome nonetheless.  A great product for a myriad of uses.
nice size for my iphone and chords.  looks like a quality product! i was able to come up with 3 foam configurations that could fit a minipad in its belkin case along with my iphone or iphone with a lenovo a800 smart phone with iphone cords.
I own a bunch of different pelican cases and this one is no exception to the rule, it is build like a brick poo house, takes abuse and does its job.
I bought this case to secure my full frame Glock 22 and it fits perfectly! I didn't want a case that was bigger than it had to be, but I wanted enough room for my extra barrel and a couple of mags. The size is good, the pick and pluck foam is easy as long as you take your time, but the lock holes were a surprise.There is no information on Amazon or the Pelican site on their diameter, so I falsely assumed a standard Master Lock would fit. It doesn't. So be prepared for that if you need to secure a firearm and don't like using sub-par locks.
To store and preseve for dust, humidity this cses are excellent. Usefull for people who wants to preserve photographycal equipment
I was debating between this case and the 1120 version which is slightly smaller. I was looking for a case to hold my Pocket Wizard III's. Pocket Wizard just released a soft sided case for them BUT its almost the same price as this one and the Pelican case is a much better case than a soft sided case. I measured this and it will fit at least 4 PW III's and some cables.For the gun lover this case will fit (just barely) a full size Glock 17 with mag inserted and one mag in the case. The gun almost comes to the sides of the case so if you are worried then get the next larger size case. This case will NOT fit a full size 1911. It is about an inch or so to short. The depth is fine, its just the length.The only con I can think of is the closures on the Pelican cases. they are all hard to close and on the bigger cases its more of an issue. This size case is not to much of a problem but the clasps are small and also hard.If you also do not like this type of closure but still want the Pelican brand then look up Pelican Storm case. They use much better closures. The Pelican iM2100 and the iM2050 are similar size to this case.
I have many of these cases and they all carry different things. If you need to protect something and carry it around a lot then get this. You can buy locks to go on it as well.
I now fully comprehend the feeling that many women experience when they purchase a new purse: it's the same feeling I get when I get another Pelican case and the 1150 (Yellow) doesn't disappoint.I bought this banana-colored box to house two portable USB3 hard drives and some other goodies.  I noticed that the lid doesn't appear to close thoroughly (you can see a smidge of black at the seam towards the back) but it nevertheless remains submersible.When the cases get this small I think that they become more cumbersome.  There's a point of diminishing returns depending on what you're protecting.  The 1150 is about as small a Pelican case as I can ever imagine wanting considering that the handle and clasps account for some 15% of its mass.  The point is that the ratio of carrying capacity to plastic is skewed when you compare it to a larger case which makes me question the usefulness of the smaller cases.
I put a battery in mine for my fish finder. It works great! The foam inside is easy to trim! I pressed down on the battery and ran my fingers in the cuts already in the foam. It comes apart and looks professional ! I like it!
Nice size for my portable radios .,
Used it to store a HAM radio in my truck. The foam is easy to use and it fits everything perfectly.
Quality you can expect from Pelican!  My only dislike is that the locks are not the dual action.  Other than that it fits my GoPro and main accessories well.  The pick and pluck foam made is awesome for making it custom fit everything.
I purchased this at the same time as I purchased my HERO cam so that I could safely carry it and all the accessories.The pre-perforated foam can also be cut to fit if necessary. The size is good for carrying one or more cameras including a charger, spare batteries and some small accessories. It's a great sturdy element proof case that is well worth buying.
There are so many great things about pelican cases. My husband goes on pretty intense camping/boating trips and these things see a lot of wear and tear, a few boat sinkings, etc., but they always manage to survive and stay dry. The pick n pluck foam is also a great feature. These boxes are sturdy and the best you can get! We own several in different sizes/colors.
I own other Pelican cases so this is exactly what I needed and expected. Using it as a camera case to take a point and shoot in my kayak.  Works nicely.
This is the perfect size for my DSLM, solid build, secure protection and good value. The foam system works real nice.
I like this thing - fits my GoPro, accessories and a few other small goodies.  No complaints. Pelican is good stuff.
I thought about getting one of the official Pelican Go Pro cases with the pre cut out foam but why pay a premium when you can do it  yourself?  Fits my gopro3 black edition plus extra mounts, a couple micro sd cards, floaty backpack. cables, and more.You can't go wrong with Pelican.  Best quality out there.  The SEALS use it...so should you.  I have been using them forever and my Dad before me.  If you get a chance to tour the factory in Torrance, CA do it.  Really neat.
Very nice case.. My gopro and all items needed fit great and been dropped down the stairs a few times and no damage great
This is my fifth case from Pelican. Using this one for my kayak trips to hold phone, keys amd misc items. Love it!
I bought this specifically for a goPro camera and accessories.  I like it very much.  See picture of equipment mounted in case.
Bought this for my son and his go pro and all the gadgets he has to go with it.He now has a spot for everything and it gives excellent protection for it all.
This was ideal for my GoPro.  I have the GoPro and 3 batteries as well as a small extendable pole.  I designed a small bin that fits perfectly and had it 3D printed using MakeXYZ, it holds a lot of screws and mounts.  I also am able to carry the gopro remote and the &#60;100mph housing door plus a few cords.  Using a micro sd card holder under the foam I can carry without misplacing about eight micro sd cards. If you want the storage bin post a question and I will add the link to the file and how you can have it printed.  I think I paid under $10 for it.  I will add a picture later today.  I would buy this again!
These have to be built well because some militaries in the world use them. Like the fact that you can customize the foam to whatever you put in case. One tip though. Whatever you are going to put in it lay the item on the foam first and mark around it with a water soluble marker , then remove the item, then remove the foam pieces you need to. You can wash the marker off the foam. If you use permanent marker use a red one. You can still see the outline but can hardly notice it on the black foam.
couldn't be happier with this case. Built like a tank. The color is WOW! Perfect size for me. Still wondering how to do the foam thing on the inside ... they should give better instructions.
This is one of the best purchases I've ever made. The foam is awesome. The case is 100% air-tight and will keep all your electronics dry as a bone.This thing is so durable, that Im certain it will be around until I die unless I lose it or something.It is only big enough to fit a DSLR body, but definitely no lenses with that. If you are looking for a camera case for a DSLR, go with a bigger case than this one.
Got this for the gopro, and it's perfect, size, etc.. the foam cut outs worked great!  If you need a case for a GoPro this is the one.
Great case for the money. It fits my glock 19 with three mags perfectly.It's perfect for travel (TSA) or just to store your firearm. Great buy. You won't regret it.The only con I have is that the lock holes are a little small, so you can't use heavy duty locks.
I bought my Pelican 1150 to hold my Panasonic FZ200 camera. It is just barely deep enough for my camera. I tested it in the kitchen sink, it is bone dry after holding with the seal 6&#34; under water for 20 minutes. I'm an avid whitewater kayaker and I was looking for the smallest possible waterproof box for my camera.
I bought this case for my sony nex3 camera and SEL55210 lens. I wanted to make sure my camera and lenses were protected and the best way to do that is a Pelican Case. I used a lot of these cases in the military and I have never had any problems with them, aside from  one rifle case that needed a replacement O-ring which was a cheap fix. This case fits my camera and lens perfect with a little extra room for other accessories like filters. Pelican Cases can be a little pricey but amazon had a good price and you get what you pay for.
Perfectly fits Nexus 7 tablet a camera and a smart phone. Keeps things safe and handy. I expect to use it for river trips. And work.
Last year my cellphone fell down in the bilge of my boat and got toasted.  Now I use this to throw two or three cell phones, wallets, jewelry ext.... And we don't have to worry about the items.
Bought this to use as protection for my Smith and Wesson Shield 9mm.  It is small but still has enough room for the pistol and an extra mag.  You get what you pay for and Pelican cases are the best made cases I have ever used.
What can be said, It is after all a Pelican case.This is made just like every other Pelican case that I own (more than 10 of them in different sizes) and this one is a great size for storing and transporting my GoPro cameras and filters. I also use this size to store 4 to 6 point and shoot cameras that I use when I travel to areas that are known for being wet and humid.The box is a pluck out foam type which is pre-scored to make it easy to form just what you need and keep the items secured and protected. There is a pressure valve on the front and a good rubber seal around the lid so it never leaks. It floats very well if it is secure and happens to fall off a boat.Great product with so many uses.
I have a larger Pelican case and this one is perfect for the charge and cameras that are about a smartphone size. Great for rafting
The case was of good quality, however the size is too small for most practical purposes.  If you need a case get a bigger one.
Took this on vacation with me to the coast with the hopes to catch a pelican and keep it in this case for the ride home. FIrst off, pelican is the brand, not the intended species to hold in the case. Amazon should have included that in the description. Secondly, pelicans are really freaking huge and do not fit in this case. It's ok though, because I found a second use for this product. It is now the home for my NIkon J2 and its lenses. It holds them perfecty with room for two spare batteries and a remote. Keeps the dust and pelican droppings out and is a great color for when you &#34;accidentally&#34; throw it into the ocean while trying to capture a giant bird (on film). Can someone link me to a device for catching Pelicans now?
This bag will hold an slr an a couple lenses plus a pocket digi cam,flash and some cables.I did not want to hire a sherpa so this fits the bill for the grab and go use i need. looks like they are no longer making it so if you can find one at a great price-under [...] bucks then go for it. it does have a cover to keep rain out,but with all of the electronics in cameras today i know that water and electric do not mix so i would not trust entirely.good sturdy bag!
The quality of the product is great.As for the capacity of the bag, it is about ideal for me.These are the things I can carry in my Nova 4:1. One Pentax K10D DSLR with 35 f/2.0 attached2. BG-2 battery grip3. AF360FGZ flash4. 50 f/2.8 macro5. 77 f/1.86. 50 f/1.47. 300 f/4.58. 50-200 f/4-5.6In addition to those, there are three spare D-LI50 batteries, 8 AA batteries, several SD cards, filters, two remote controls.But when I need to carry my camera with a bigger lens attached (16-50 f/2.8), I have to sacrifice the flash and the battery grip, or the long prime. From my perspective, the default layout of the bag and its inner dimensions are not ideal for this setup. I would wish this bag was a bit deeper (in Lowepro terminology) or higher. But not as big as the Nova 5.It is OK also to put two SLR's with small lenses attached plus a few small or medium size lenses and a flash, but it will be tight.
Great construction, well designed. Provides quick, easy access to lenses, flash, and accessories.I didn't take the time to actually pull a measuring tape to figure the actual size, and was expecting something a tad larger. However it still manages to keep the following intact:1 Canon Digital Rebel Xti with 28-135mm IS lens (mounted)1 Canon 17-55mm kit lens1 Canon 50mm f 1.8 Lens1 Canon 75-300mm lens1 Canon 70-200 f4L Lens1 Canon 580 EX Flash1 Sto-Fen Diffuserand that's just in the main compartment.In the pockets, I've got spare batter, CF cards, at least 2 dozen AA batteries, remote, assorted stationery....the list goes on and on.And there's still a little more space.I stumbled upon the weatherproof cover by mistake while marvelling at how many pockets it had. (The product description does not properly describe this part) It's located at the front bottom of the bag inside a zipper, and is a weatherproof cover with an elastic rim that can be slipped over the bag for protection.I'd recommend this bag to anyone!
About the time I received the shipping details, there was a knock at the door. The package was there! Although advertised as used, like new, it appeared it was brand new. I couldn't be more pleased.
I hate this bag...first and foremost when my bag slipped and hit the pavement with my D700 and many lenses in the case I though I was good to go.  Not so fast, the bag has the worst bottom padding, I wish I would have kept the filter to show the extent of impact to my AF-S 24-70 1:2.8G that cracked into and ugly mass of glass.  Had the filter not been on the lens I have no doubt the threads would have been smashed.  I cant tell anyone enough to stay away from this junk.  I will not buy anything from this company.  If you want a case that is rugged and protects, this one is not it, I am still looking for a replacement.  If I am going to use my camera and lens in one place its packed in a hard case.
This is my 6th Lowepro bag. Build quality is great. This bag holds my new Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR along with three lenses (see below). In addition, I keep a Canon Speedlite 420EX, batteries, and other accessories in the bag. I'm close to maxing this bag out but I would not have wanted the next larger one.Lenses stored in the bag:Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM LensCanon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Standard Zoom LensSigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Lens
When this bag is filled up, it's awkwardly large.  It's like it's not tall enough, too fat (depth and length).  The pocket locations, when there are items in there, make the bag even fatter.  It's nice that it's got an all-weather cover though.
I have a quite a few bags but none were what I needed for a days shoot.  They are either too big or two small, or the layout is just impossible to work with.  I have recently switched to the Lowepro Commercial aw black bag to carry most of my gear.  It is a big bag and is great for taking everything I think I need to a location, but not to carry all day, even if you are a body builder It must weigh about 60+ pounds with what I have in it. I keep about 8-10 lenses, 2 Nikon DSLRs, filters, strobes and more, and there is still room to spare. I was so impressed with the quality and the layout of commercial aw that I purchased the Nova 4aw because it seemed like the right size to carry what I would need for a day and if I cut down to the essentials I could carry most of what I would need for a week or more without sacrificing to much.  To my suprise I was right.  I just used it to carry a Nikon D300, 18-200 VR dx attached to the camera, a 10-20mm wide angle , a 105mm macro, a 50mm prime, a strobe, spare batteries, two chargers one for the camera batteries, and one for the  batteries the flash uses, filters, manuals, a Canon SD850is and much more.  It is unbelievable what I was able to fit in this bag. If I had a larger bag I know I would just stuff more gear in it and be back to where I started. Thats why I went with the Nova 4 and not the Nova 5  (If I need to carry more equipment than I will use my Tamrac Expedition 5 backpack).  I am just thrilled with this bag. The bag is well padded and all my gear is well protected. I would highly reccomend this bag to anyone looking for a well made and thought out shoulder bag.
I just bought this bag and I've stuffed my Minolta Dimage 7i and my Pentax *istDL in it, plus my 70-300mm lens and a bunch of accessories for both cameras. It keeps the weather out too! I just had it out in a rain storm and everything stayed perfectly dry!
Other reviewer wrote//////////////////////////////////" I have crammed probably too much into this thing: A Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24 DX lens, Nikon 18-70mm DX lens, Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens, Nikon 75-300mm zoom, SB-600 flash, memory, camera and AA batteries, cleaner, filters, remote, flashlights, and various small flat things that fit in the flap. "//////////////////////////////////I have the Nikon D90 and four lens and the SB600 flash.The only way I could get all that in this bag is if someone paid me money to do it.  I would then have to unload two of the lens.  I would not treat my equipment like this.  I feel foolish for not checking or paying closer attention to the actual size.  I bought this based on everyone rating this as 5 stars.  Good bag, but it is too small for camera, four lens and a flash unit.
very good make quality .. flexible divider .. heavily padded..many pockets for convenient storage... not so bulky ..the guys at lowepro did a good job.. nice attention to details..its perfect and reasonably priced..
Simply put that Lowepro makes great camera bags. A great attention to detail seems to be in every bag that Lowepro makes. This well padded unit holds my Nikon digital SLR, an extra lens, filters, a battery, charger, memory cards, a lens hood and a mini tripod. I have three Lowepro bags and wouldn't hesitate to buy more.
It is a nice bag if you are interested in protecting your equipment from the elements.  Nicely built, and all compartments are adjustable.
I've had this bag for almost two years and it's been excellent. The only problem I've had with it is that it doesn't magically expand and get lighter as my camera equipment increases. It's definitely not a small bag, but it also isn't so huge that you're embarrassed to carry it on your shoulder in public.I have crammed probably too much into this thing: A Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24 DX lens, Nikon 18-70mm DX lens, Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens, Nikon 75-300mm zoom, SB-600 flash, memory, camera and AA batteries, cleaner, filters, remote, flashlights, and various small flat things that fit in the flap. Even with all of this, I've done photo shoots with this bag strapped across an opposite shoulder comfortably for hours at a time.Positives:1. The main compartment has plenty of room for a good-sized collection of photo equipment, and the front zippered pouch has a lot of room for batteries, tools, cleaner, etc. There are also lots of places all over the bag for extra things, like a zippered back pocket for gloves or docs, belt loops for an add-on belt, elastic side mesh panels on both sides, zippered front pouch that's great for a remote or filters while you're shooting, a thick zippered see-through panel inside the top-flap of the bag. Lots of room!2. Excellent quality build material that resists scratches and abrasions, and zippers that are pretty satisfyingly heavy-duty where they need to be.3. Very configurable main compartment with lots of movable velcro'd partitions.4. Shoulder strap is light and has a good heavy-duty feel, is comfortably padded, and is curved to fit your shoulder, and it stays put. It also has metal clamps that connect to the metal rings on the bag. I've never had this strap come off the bag, ever.5. Has a cool hidden water-proof cover that you can pull out and cover your bag within a few seconds if the weather turns wet.6. Large rubber feet on the bottom so your bag material doesn't wear out, and a large rubber-covered handle for a good grip on the bag.I should note that the green and blue bag colors look much better in person. The colors are much more subdued and normal in regular non-flash light.I don't really have anything negative to say about this bag. It's awesome. If you're looking for a good camera bag with plenty of room, this is a great choice!
The review title says it all.  This bulb wasn't mishandled in my hands, and once I used it the bulb burned out in less than 5 minutes with a big "pop."  Don't waste your time (massively wasted because now I need to wait until for buying a different item and having it shipped) or money (not cheap, either).
This bulb is for my darkroom (if you have to ask what that is, you probably don't need it.)I resisted buying the thing because of price but finally made the purchase.  Good decision.  My hardware store red bulbs are not the right red and fog film easily.  Even when I recoated with my wife's red fingernail polish, they hardware store ones still fogged.I was so surprised by the brightness of this bulb that I did a film fog test before committing to image film.  So when the film developed fog free and at the same time I could see the holder in which to place the film... it quickly became a very worthwhile purchase.Eric
For a little light it's much better than this table dome safelight.Maybe get two, since you can put them in lamps without shades, for more light
I bought my first one of these bulbs back in 1993. It got lots of use for a couple years in the darkroom, then put away for a couple years. After that, I started using it as a regular "mood light" for another ten years. It finally burned out and I'm on my second one.For the darkroom, it does its job.As a "party bulb" or "mood light" it is exception for the color quality of light.
I bought this red bulb for my darkroom work.  This product was very disappointing.  The bulb lasted for less than two hours before the filament burned out.
I needed an extra battery and this fits the bill.
No surprises - works in the camera after charging overnight.  Held the charge well.  A good deal at the price paid.
Ordered [2] of these because the price was too hard to beat. Both took full charge and we'll see how they perform. At this point I am very satisfied with my purchase. Shipping took a little longer than I expected but it was not an immediate need so no complaints so far.
The battery is just like the one in my camera, which is several years old, but a good camera I want to continue to use.
Good battery, doesn't quite have the capacity of original but for the price it's worthwhile and an excellent backup.  Great value
This battery is better than the after-market add-on I got when I bought the camera new.It properly fits the camera, and does not seem to age like the after-market product.The Nikon batteries also seem to hold their charge longer, and last longer while in use.
Now I can travel all over with a strong battery in my camera that I don't have to change often.
This battery holds a charge for an extraordinarily-long time, in my experience.  Combined with the Nikon MH-61 Battery Charger for Coolpix 3700, 4200, 5200, and P Series Digital Cameras, I am a very contented owner.  (My husband purchased my Coolpix P-100 camera from Amazon.com, as well.  I love it!)
Of course it has the Nikon warranty to work well but for the price of one you can get two Wasabi brand batteries plus wall charger plus car charger, plus warranty and they work just this oem battery.B0049WBZ1I
They work well for my nice nikon camera, but as most batteries go, they are not as dependable in very cold weather and the more you wear the battery down to the very minimum of energy, the sooner it does not last as long. Overall a good battery for the average photographer. Thank god Amazon.com supplies them for me, thank you. :)
It works a I expected.It's a good idea to have at least two batteries with you when do long trips and take a lot of photos.
It works.
This OEM battery is a great accessory to my Nikon COOLPix P510. It provides additional time to shoot so that you don't have to feel rushed or worry about running out of power. It's so small that it takes up little or no space in your camera bag, fitting in any small pouch. Since it's OEM, I have confidence that it shares the same high level of quality that one expects from Nikon.
Good price on Nikon brand battery. Safer to stick with same brand as camera to not void warranty and nice to have a back-up.
i love this battery it holds a charge just like a orginal, and it cost a lot lot less !
It's a battery, not much to say, arrived timely, works fine, seems just like the original. Not much else to say.
The ad picture, as well as the original battery that came with my Nikon camera, has "Nikon" stamped on it.  The battery that I recieved did not.  It's not a "genuine" Nikon battery as advertised.  This battery lasts about half as long as the original Nikon battery than came with my camera.  It is better than the $7 one I got before it, which completely died in no time.  I would have paid the money (about $45) for an original.  But, it'll surfice for a backup.
Shipped on time.  Arrived well packaged.  Great price on this O.M.E. Nikon product!  These batteries are great by the way... if you are lucky enough to get a camera that takes them, you will be relieved to not have to buy AA's!  I was!  What a savings over package after package of AA's!
Great battery, easy to use. Charges easily. Great replacement. Happy with the purchase made on Amazon. Good buy. 5 Star
I needed a spare battery for when I'm out on long photoshoots. These batteries last so long, I've never had to switch them while I'm out. My old camera and batteries might only last 1/2 hour. Today I took 210 photos over a 5 hour period and it's still ready to shoot more.
Correct battery was sent and quickly.  Works great.  Genuine Nikon battery.  Also came with the protective cover.  A very good deal..
It's a battery, it's factory oem and it works. It holds a charge for a long time, no problems. Will buy more.
Battery works as advertised: relatively long life and simple charge either within camera or separate external changer.
This battery works but will not charge up completely. It was cheap and I got what I paid for. Not a bad product for the money.
This battery provides good service for the 7900.  After a couple years of use, the battery shows no sign of deterioration.
This was a replacement for my Nikon camera.  Looks exactly like the original and works perfect.  I had absolutely no problems with this battery.
Not a lot to say about this item, it's a rechargeable battery that fits my Nikon camera. I use it as a back- up when taking a lot of pictures. It was easy to order from Amazon and delivery was quick.
It can be irritating to have a battery run out while you are on a trip - so we got this extra OEM battery. It has worked well for us and seems to hold as much charge as the battery we got with the camera.
I bought this battery as an extra battery for the Nikon camera which was purchased as a Christmas present for my grand daughter.  It is working great in her new Nikon camera.
This battery lasts longer than they say. Shooting outdoors without flash, and some indoors with flash, I exceeded the number of pictures stated, and the battery indicator had not moved on my camera.
The battery doesnt last as long as I would like but works great for the camera..May purchase a 3rd one as we are taking a huge trip in 2012 and do not want to miss out on a pic...arrived fast and was exactly what it said it was.Very Pleased with purchase..
This product is of excellent quality. Meets all specifications provided by the manufacturer and its performance is superior. I highly recommend it.
I purchased two of these about 3 years ago. Both have swelled up and had to be pried out of the camera (Coolpix P500). They have only been charged outside the camera in a Nikon charger. The camera is never connected via USB. These were authentic Nikon batteries based on the images on the Nikon web site. The batteries have never been overheated. I am very disappointed with the quality of these batteries.
Although I ordered a battery for my camera Coolpix S5200, Rather than for the S5200 it was for the 5200. I sent it back.  I also wrote and asked for the correct battery and they said they did not carry it.  The battery did come to my home in good condition and in a timely manner, and they did reimburse the money once the return was noted.
I had a horrible time finding this battery, so happy to have found it so i could use my new/refurbished camera!
My Nikon P500 camera indicates full charge until just before it is too low to work.  A second battery was necessary to keep me from throwing my camera a long ways.  I opted for name brand.  It works fine.  Now when my camera refuses to turn on, I just change batteries and take more pictures.
The Nikon EN-EL5 is the best if you need a back up battery.Just like the ones from the factory.
Bought this as a backup battery for my Nikon Coolpix 7900.  What else can I say, other than it's identical to the one that came with the camera, and at this point I'm not sure which is which.Are there cheaper replacements out there? Yes.  Was I going to risk my $350 camera to save $10 on a generic brand battery that might burn up?  Nope.  Peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, but the extra cost brings it down to 4 stars.
I get excellent service from this replacement battery.  No problem with full discharge. Good price.  In service for three years now
as ussual nikon offers the best quality products for customers real solutions and long life and high standard products highly recomended !!!1
Charge lasts a long time and through most of a 512 digital card. I keep a charged one as a back-up.
It's a waste of time and money to buy an off brand replacement battery for your Nikon camera. This was a high quality and affordable battery
I always like to use OEM when available.  Been using this battery for over a year and it's great.  I can't tell it apart from the original.  But that's the point.  :)
The battery came very quickly.I was very happy to have it to take on my trip. I came packaged well,charged up & works great. I was worried it would be a knock-off but it was an actual Nikon EN-EL5battery just as I wanted
Bought this battery for an extra for my Nikon P90. This is an original Nikon battery, as I found that cheaper knock offs did not hold the charge.
I bought this battery as a back up to the one that came with my camera and I am pleasantly surprised at how long it stays charged.  I use my camera almost everyday and I've only had to change it twice. I highly recommend it.
to jest orginalny nikon.nie mam zastrzezen zdjecie  zosatlo zrobione troche nie z tej strony co trzeba ale ma hologram .
This is the worst battery replacement I have bought before, after a few use the battery the battery work no more...
If you can't buy a genuine Nikon battery ur out of luck. I didn't love this product. Charge life was marginal
My P90 battery does not last long.I reccomend having 2-4 spares in hand for a full weekend.
If you go to remote places, you need to have at least one extra battery for your camera.  At this price (used), I'd even buy three.  Even though this is rechargable and lasts longer than AA Batteries, you will lose a lot of battery charge when transferring images to another source (computer) or viewing them on the LCD.  You might figure 125-150 picutres on one battery, but the video will use even more.
No problems  holds charge for good while got it as spare as we take lots of pics
Works as advertised; good to have a second backup battery; holds charge well. Good price from Amazon.
I bought this item specifically because it is a Nikon EN-EL5. I have one that came with my Coolpix and it is still in good shape but I needed one extra for my trips. Unfortunately, I recharged it, didn't take much time and the recharger - that came with my Coolpix - showed that the battery was fully charged. When I put it in the camera and tried to zoom in, next thing the screen shows that 'Battery exhausted&#34;. I plug it again in the charger, didn't take much - 10 min maximum - showed that battery was charged. I put it back in the camera, same thing happens again! I thought, this is an advertised original brand from a trusted company; I got a piece of junk not even worth getting it for free!
These batteries are working just fine so far.  Haven't had any problems with them.  When with the &#34;real deal&#34; and am not sorry.
Many people have written that after-market batteries just don't work right, so I have always ordered the original replacements, and again I am not disappointed...takes a charge, holds a charge and no problems what-so-ever.
It's original Nikon, so no qualms about swapping it with the battery that came with the camera while that one's recharging.
An extra battery is always great to have on hand.  As long as you remember to charge it.  Unfortunately, you have to charge the battery while it is in your camera.  Bummer! :(  But I did see an external charger is now available.  Just can't afford it right now.
I use this all the time and I love it. It is so nice to have a spare battery when you are in the middle of taking lots of pictures on vacation. I am so glad I bought this.
The battery has worked fine for about 2-1/2 months so far. It charges reasonably quickly and lasts as long as the original battery that came with the camera, which is a Nikon Coolpix P510.
My husband and I hike in some remote areas taking pictures of waterfalls and its always good having a spare battery along.  Nothing worse then seeing that perfect shot and finding out your battery is dead.
I bought a Nikon coolpix p510. Having an extra battery is a must and this battery works great and it keeps its charge for sometime.
I needed a second battery for my Nikon Coolpix P520. I have had enough bad experiences with &#34; knock off&#34; batteries. I couldn't ask for a better battery, especially with all of the traveling and photo shooting I do.
I've got this battery that came with my camera, two batteries that I purchased from eBay and one battery that I bought from an online battery dealer. The two batteries from eBay are dead after 18 months or so. The original battery seems to be keeping it's original charge, amazingly. The other battery is OK, but not as good as it was originally (it also gets stuck in the camera). I've had good experiences with after market batteries in the past, but not this time. Thus, I'm buying an OEM replacement.
It's real, not a counterfeit, and it holds a charge.  This is another product that gets either 1 star or 5 stars.  Real, holds a charge, 5 stars.  Anything else, 1 star.
Battery was fully charged; now my seven year old camera works as good as new.  Received the battery two days earlier than the expected date...was great to receive so soon.  Very happy with my purchase and the price was better than I had found anywhere else!!
Don't waste any time. Get another battery for your P500. Specially if you use the movie feature a lot. It holds well for pictures but if you use the zoom and AF a lot, it will consume it fast.
The battery is original and it works great , maybe because is new i don't know but it still working good is much better thank original old one ,.I Would recommend this product
They say that this is a "Nikon Battery' but when it cam is was some knock off replacement type battery
I think I have 3 or 4 of these.  It's just very handy to have another one... or three, in the ol' camera bag when the battery in the camera dies.  These work great&#8230; no complaints here.  They hold their charge just fine.What else can I say&#8230; I'm glad I got a few of them.
So glad to be able to find a genuine Nikon OEM battery for my camera and the price has dropped so much.  I'll be ordering a back-up.  I tried buying generic brands but they didn't work for long.
I went to replace this battery in my CoolPix P5100 and could not get the battery out of the camera normally.  I finally had to force the battery out. It was just in time also, because the battery had swollen in the middle on front and back.  It is a genuine Nikon EN-EL5 battery and the camera has never been in extreme heat.This is to warn people to check this battery more often than you would another battery.I am trying to find the Warranty Period if anyone knows.
This battery is a true Nikon battery, not a knock-off.  It charges quickly and has good lasting power (I can take two to three hundred photos before it starts dropping off).  It doesn't last as long if I am using noise reduction burst, but that is to be expected.
Will be using camera a lot and was happy to find a spare battery for backup use Price was good and it is same as one that came with camera
I recommend battery as replacement and/or extra battery for camera. Arrived quickly and the packaging did not contain any extra materials.
I bought this battery as an extra one for the Nikon Coolpix S10 digital camera. I prefer original spares for my equipment.
This OEM battery works as it should. I purchased it as an extra one for my brand new Nikon CoolPix 500. HAving spent around $350.00 for this camera, I wasn't about to spend less for a cheap brand battery. This battery functions as it should. It arrived 75% charged and charged quickly for the remaining percent. No problems here.
It does what it is supposed to do and I wanted an extra battery for my vacation word word word
I decided to try the cheaper batteries for my Nikon P90.  They DO NOT SPRING out of the camera like the original Nikon battery.  On a couple occasions I had to extricate the cheapies like a bad tooth with a pair of needlenose pliers.  I am now buying two extra Nikon brand batteries.  The cheapos will act as spares in a pinch.  I do lots of bird and nature pictures so need to be able to change out the battery quickly since I may shoot 10-20 pix of quackers in motion.  I do not want to be fumbling with the no-namo battery and miss a shot.  I love my P90.  This is my first digital.  I am learning that we have traded to expense of film and developing the cost of batteries.  You wouldn't buy second rate film or pay for second rate developing on a film camera.  Please do not by second rate batteries.
Works fine.  Holds a charge.  I'm not sure what else there is to say about it.  I would buy another.
I've used a lot of rechargeable batteries in various digital cameras.  Even with its compact size, this one performs and holds a charge well, and I'm surprised at the number of shots I can get on a charge. It also lasts longer than I expected in storage during times when the camera isn't used frequently. The two-hour recharging time is very reasonable.You can get cheaper substitutes, but I wouldn't risk the electonics in my P5000 with an off-brand battery. And at $10, its very reasonable.
Works well and as expected. Wish it had a better life for HD video recording on my Coolpix camera. I got the external charger unit and that works well too.
It ccame wit the cord and plug so I am pleased.
I ordered a Nikon MH-61 battery charger for my husband's Christmas present. The charger was shipped without a power cord even though Nikon's website for the charger shows under Tech Specs that the charger is supposed to come with a 71 inch power cord. Phone calls to Amazon Customer Service have been no help in resolving this problem.
It works ok.  Charges the battery just fine.  I was just expecting more for the money I paid.  Not a bad product.  Lets me charge batteries outside of the camera.
I was really pleased to get this item.  Each time before this I had to charge my battery with it in my camera which is a disadvantage when you are needing to take pictures and charge your battery at the same time.  I love to take pictures and I have three batteries.  Now I can leave one charging and have two ready to go all the time.  The first time it took a little while to charge, but that's okay, it was a new  battery.  This is a must if you are an avid photographer.  You'll be glad you bought it.
This charger does an excellent job of fully charging the battery for my Coolpix digital camera.  Does it in record time, too.
I swap batteries a lot so the charger makes sense. Works as expected. At first I didn't like the cord, thought they should have the electric prongs built in. But when I went to plug it into my power strip I realized that had the prongs been built in, it wouldn't fit in with everything else.
One of the Nikon cameras that uses this battery is the P510 and unfortunately, you have to charge the battery inside of the camera, which is a huge hassle.  So I then went out a purchased a cheap, 3rd party look-a-like charger.  But keep in mind, you get what you pay for and that 3rd party model didn't last long.So I purchased this Nikon model and what a difference it makes.  Go with the original - you won't be sorry.
There is a better option for the price of just this charger. Two batteries wall and car charger and 3 years warranty, Wasabi brandB0049WBZ1I
This charger was a replacement for the one that came with my camera, I feel lucky to be able to find one that works as well as this one has
I purchased a new Nikon MH-61 battery charger from Savings 365 through Amazon.com.  The item came in a plain manila envelope without Nikon packaging, user instructions or warranty card.  I confirmed with Nikon technicians that the unit was not working properly.  The merchant reluctantly agreed to replace (or $$ refund) my unit and pay the shipping costs for returning the defective unit and included very specific instructions on the manner in which I should return the unit to be reimbursed.  In the end, despite my repeated requests that they REPLACE the unit AND SEND ME PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND WARRANTY CARD, they sent a credit to Amazon.com for the original order but did not include the shipping costs for the return of the defective product as they had agreed.Through it all, Amazon.com was very cooperative and credited my account for the additional costs I incurred and Savings 365 would not reimburse.  I am very happy with Amazon.com but suspicious of Savings 365.  They did not ship me a unit with the Nikon packaging, user instructions or warranty card, as expected raising serious doubts that the unit was new.  They did not honor their agreements to replace my unit and reimburse me for the return shipping costs for the defective unit.Update: I ordered the MH-61 charger from another merchant.  The unit arrived in Nikon packaging with warranty card and instructions, as one would expect.  It operated as it should.
Good price on Nikon brand charger. It is so much safer to charger batteries outside the camera and not risk damage to the camera itself in case of a power serge.
As this charger is made for the cameras listed, it does the job well.  I bought it to replace a charger I lost and use it with my Nikon P90 camera batteries. It's fast. And so was the shipping...I love buying on Amazon!
Works well. I had to have it. It was not in my box when I bought the camera. I am going to stick to DSLRS.
Charger works good. Not quite like the original because it doesn't show the light being green when the charge is complete. But it gets the job done.
This charger is exactly like the original charger.  Battery charges fast.  Great purchase.
It looks like it isn't a brand new item, came with some scratches. Nevertheless it is working fine. The dealer offered a costless return (within USA), which wasn't practical for I live in Brazil.
When I'm taking pictures I need a fully-charged battery available when the battery installed in the camera is depleted. To avoid re-charging the installed battery with the camera recharger, I switch to the separately charged battery and continue photographing while charging the depleted battery with this charger: A great idea from my neighbor who got me into photography.
Ordered from Market Seller, and received this product immediately.  Charger works great and seller was prompt in shipping it to me.
My P-series Nikon came with a charger that plugs into the camera itself, in order to charge a battery.  Not only does this not facilitate keeping spare batteries charged, I am somewhat concerned with having external voltage going into the camera's electronics, possibly damaging them during a power surge.  Bought the MH-61 charger and like that it doesn't involve the camera to accomplish, and charges the batteries in only an hour or so...much quicker than when using the camera to do the charge.  Would recommend anyone with a Nikon camera to get this (or which ever external charger is appropriate for their specific battery), and "cut out the middle man"...or "middle camera" as it were...".
I got this unit and it didn't have a power cord with it or a way to plug it in! I feel it was deceptive to offer a charger for a nikon battery that didn't include a power cord or any way to power the unit. How is it supposed to work without a power cord? When's the last time you bought a charger for ANYTHING that didn't include a way to plug it in? It's like advertising a new car for sale but neglecting to mention that it has no engine. I need to return this to you as I no longer trust Amazon for purchases online for things like this. I need honest timesaving merchants who will advertise (honestly) what they are selling and save me time by shipping me what I need. So how do I return this to you? I suppose I'll be paying the return shipping and handling on the damn thing too. Please include all information on how to return this item to you. -Gerrod Walker
This Nikon MH-61 battery charger works great. It is small and convenient.  It is a perfect size for travel because it takes up so little room in our camera bag.
This MH-61 Battery Charger has worked very well for quite some time now.  It is easy to use and does the job as advertised.  I am pleased with this product.
I ordered this when on vacation and having to hook up the whole camera each night to recharge the battery.  That is when I will most often use it - on vacation.  But, to make sure it works, I used it to charge the battery when I returned home.  It works well.  I can see using this along with the old one when I'm on vacation and going through two batteries while out in one day.  That way I can continue to start my new day with two full batteries.
Good charger, but it already comes with the Nikon P90, so now I have two.
Wrong charger for my camera. the battery did not charge in this charger.will be returning it to the seller in a few days
I used this product approximately 5 times to charge my Nikon camera battery.  It was slow, but did charge the battery.  After the initial charges, however, the charging light did not illuminate anymore and the battery's charge did not improve after &#34;charging&#34; overnight.  The cable connection was as snug as I could get it and the electrical connection was adequate.  It did not work.  Once again, I discarded the packing before the charging failure occurred, so I could not return it.
Arrived super fast and in perfect condition!! Works great charging the battery for my Nikon Coolpix P500 camera. Having to plug in the camera to charge the battery takes around 4 hours and using this only takes around 1 hour!!! Love this product!!
This is the charger that should have shipped with the P-6000. It truly is a better way of charging over the in camera charging.
Does the job.  I do wish it plugged right into the socket rather than having a cord.
Works great, very convenient.
I was lookinf for a charger for my camera and it took me long time now I am very happy with it
The charger is very convenient. With miles of cords for all my electric equipment the charger stands out so that I don't have to hunt for it. It is very convenient.
This does not come with the Nikon cameras, and without it you would have to charge the battery IN the camera, which takes a long time, and makes using the camera impossible.  Buy this and a backup battery, and you're all set.
The battery charger for my Nikon camera was misplaced.  I ordered this used one and it works perfectly.  Like the original, it was easy to use and gave the batteries a full charge that lasts a long time.
Charges well and is very easy to use. Compact enough to take along when shooting pictures. Does what I needed it to do.
Exactly the charger I needed for my camera - and Amazon was the least expensive!
I purchased the MH-61 charger because the description says "Nikon" MH-61 Battery Charger.  The Nikon Company couldmake a charger like Canon, that has swing out prongs on the back to plug into an electric outlet instead of anotherelectrical cord to carry around.  Also Amazon leaves out mentioning the cord and just says it plugs into a wall outlet.Now, regarding the charger.  I am not convinced it is a genuine Nikon product.  The cheap piece of junk I received ismade in China and was broken when I received it.  The plastic on one side on the bottom was missing (broken off)so when plugging the cord in, the whole piece with the prongs pushed inside the outside shell.  I fixed it with KrazyGlue instead of going to the trouble of returning it.  It seems to charge the battery OK, but I don't completely trust itnot to short out and cause a problem so I leave it on a granite counter when in use for now.All the Items I have purchased from Nikon have been in a box or container with Nikon printed on the outside and themodel number and description of the item.  This one arrived loose in a box wrapped in bubble wrap without anythingindicating it was a Nikon product and without any of the normal Nikon literature with the usual multi language infoand safety information indicating that the charger should not be used while scuba diving or in a thunderstorm, forcomplete morons.Amazon should indicate if a product is imported or is a grey market item.  Just because is says Nikon on the product,does not mean Nikon will guarantee it, especially if it is a copy or made for sale outside the United States.
Works good as it supposed to do with the battery of the Nikon P100 Cammera
I actually got this for a friend of mine who lost her camera battery charger, but it was too big for her battery. However, my other friend took it to see if it would work for hers, and I have not received it back yet so maybe it does work. *shrugs* Oh well.
Lithium-ion batteries last longer than AA batteries, but you will still need this accessory for recharging.  I'd suggest buying at least one other battery to alternate.  It will take 1.5-2 hours to recharge one battery fully.  You can also buy an adapter for travel overseas.  You don't want to be stuck in paradise without enough batteries and Lithium-ion batteries are not readily available everywhere.  This recharger is less expensive than most.
I had to purchase this since I lost my original charger.  This is exactly what I had before and it works great.
I don't understand how it doesn't show in any of the pictures that it comes with a bulky power cable. So I send it back and got this one PRO SERIES AC & DC Nikon MH-61 from Amazon :)
I mean it's OEM so it works fine. The only thing is that the cord that plugs into it is...well...a long cord! That's why I gave it 4 stars. Which really isn't fair because it works just fine! I didn't realize that it worked that way. I know stupid me! I have a couple of these type chargers for other things and they have a fold out plug which is SO convenient!! I thought this did as well. Should have done more homework. I wanted to be able to throw this in my camera bag. Well, I can do that but I also have to drag along the cord...that long bulky cord. I have since bought an aftermarket charger with a fold out plug. It was cheap, just hope it works well. I'll still use this one of course but don't want to drag it on the road.
I ordered a Nikon MH-61 battery charger from "Savings 365" via Amazon Marketplace. I believe it is a counterfeit item. I previously bought one of these chargers through a Nikon dealer and needed a second.Here's how they differ:Savings 365: 1-foot cordNikon: 6-foot cordSavings 365: Power light comes on solidly immediately. Does not appear to go off (at least, within 12 hours)Nikon: Power light blinks when you insert a depleted battery. Power light turns solid when charging completes.Savings 365: Told me to give at least 8 hours for a charge.Nikon: Complete charge takes 2 hours.Savings 365: Product appears to be a Nikon brand label, but is subtly different. Unfortunately, I threw the packaging away when I packed this item in my camera bag before use. So I don't know if product packaging is similar to true Nikon packaging.I contacted Nikon customer support and they say the design of this charger has not changed. So it appears that Savings 365 sent a counterfeit Nikon brand charger. I do not know if it was intentional or if they were also defrauded. I have returned the charger for a refund, which I am still awaiting, but they did credit me some money for return shipping. So we will see.I would give a 5-star review to my original bonafide Nikon charger, so don't let this review stop you from buying one from an authorized Nikon dealer.
The charger is a Nikon original one that charges the battery. It is new and in a perfect condition but needs a seperate wire that you have to buy. Thanks
This is just what we needed to charge our digital camera batteries.  Perfect condition and genuine OEM Nikon product.  Have used it from the day we received it and took it out of the box.  Would recommend this to anyone looking for this brand/type of charger.
I lost my battery charger months ago and after fruitless searching of my entire house, I just couldn't find it.  I looked in every local store for a new charger and found nothing.  I finally decided to check out Amazon and am so glad I did.  Not only did I find the right charger, it was a lot less expensive then I thought it would be.  So happy to be able to use my camera again!!
I bought this because I needed a wall charger instead of the computer charger that came with my Nikon P100 camera.  I expected (from the picture) that it had the flip out plug and would be very compact like others I have.  But Nikon has chosen to use a detachable power cord instead, so you also have to lug around the wa-a-a-a-y long power cord with the charger. We travel alot, and space and weight are big considerations, so this was very disappointing to me.  It would have, at least, been nice to know that this was the case when I ordered it, but none of the pictures or descriptions said anything about it having the separate power cord.The upside is that it does work.
Bought this (and a spare battery) to charge the battery for my Nikon P-100 without having it in the camera an it works great.
I bought this for my cool pix S5200 battery which is a En-El 19.  In the description it states it is for that battery (coolpix 5200)  Maybe there is a difference in the S5200 and a 5200, but it was advertised with the coolpix s5200.  It is NOT THE RIGHT SIZE.  The compartment that holds the battery is much larger and will not hold the battery in place.  So if you are thinking of getting this for your En-El 19 battery for a coolpix s5200. look elsewhere (I looked up charger for En-El 19 -- should have done that in the fist place and not listened to the recommendation given with the camera here on Amazon.  Disappointment Amazon.)  SO for the reason that I wanted it for it got a one star.  How the item works you will have to look to other reviews for that.
It is a Nikon, so you can be certain that the quality is first class.
This item was great until it stopped working and that was in less than two months.  I wrote to the company I bought it from and hope that they will do a replacement with one that does work. Waiting to hear back from them. I realize these things can happen, so I truly am hoping they will replace it.
I enjoy a charger separate from the camera.  This one works exactly as advertised.  It is a good idea to have at least one spare battery to take full advantage of the charger.  One battery can be charging while the other is in use.
I realized I left my charger back in AZ when I got to my parents out of state and I was heading overseas in a week. so I ordered this and it worked just fine.
The charger arrived in the expected time frame and in the expected condition. It was used to charge up a new battery - which it did in the expected time frame and everything worked - as expected.The battery is perfectly rectangular which opens the possibility of inserting it wrongly in both the charger and the camera, but with a little attention, this can be overcome.
I lost my charger and ordered a replacement. The day after this showed up in the mail, I found my old one. Still, I love the fact that you can have replacements for lost electronics show up overnight. What a wonderful world!
If you have two batteries at least you must have one of these. It's perfect for my P500 batteries. Don't let your batteries charge in the camera it may harm it because it will get warm.
The charge is a bit bigger than the one provided with the P510 kit. It could have been better it the description stated it comes with an external chord. I was hoping it be only single square piece with fold in plug, which it is NOT. Iam a bit disappointed.
I purchased this to replace the original battery charger for my Nikon Cool Pix 90 , which I lost. It works perfectly and is a legit Nikon charger- not a knock off.
I needed an external charger to recharge the battery without plugging the actual camera into the wall, and this is it. Immediately charged the second battery which was also part of this order and am ready to roll.
Works great Charges battery much faster than USB/ camera charger Glad I investigated an optional charger Great for keeping spare battery ready to use
The Nikon MH - 61 Battery Charger for Coolpix was exactly what I needed. The item works well and arrived quickly.
I have 3 Nikon DSLR that my students use at school.  All different models, all great cameras.  This charger came the latest camera and is easy to use and does not take up a lot of space.  There really isn't too much more to say about it really.  It works, and is easy to use.
I've only had this product a short period of time.  I needed a charger for my Nikon P100.  I purchased this one.  It works.  No complaints.  Simple as that.
I purchased the Nikon MH-61 camera battery charger because Nikon did not include one when I purchased thw Nikon P-500. You have to plug in the camera to charge the battery. Bad idea.I always carry a spare battery so a good charger means a lot to me.A rapid charge charger that plugs directly into the wall outlet would have been the answer but Nikon for some strange reason wants you to have to carry around a charging cord??With the battery model I will be able to find a small, portable wall charger so I can keep my spare battery on charge while using the one in the camera. A send the coard to Nikon. Maybe they will fet the message.BillNC
My Nikon camera runs through the batteries especially when doing HD videos. This charger is convenient, portable, and charges very quickly.
I am very pleased with this Sony VCL-M3358 Close-up lens.  I wanted to experiment in macro photography without jumping head-on into buying a dedicated macro lens right away.  This is a fairly substantial piece of glass at 2.5 ozs, it is multi-coated and comes with a very sturdy plastic storage case.  It screws easily onto my Canon 55-250mm IS zoom lens.  After experimenting for awhile and figuring out what settings to use it became pretty easy to quickly bring a stationary subject into focus.  My technique evolved to turn the focus ring all the way to the right, back off just a bit, and then physically move the camera in and out to get a rough focus and then manually fine tune from there.  I found it also necessary to hold my breath and let the IS stabilize for a few seconds before slowly pressing the shutter button.  At full zoom on my lens it doesn't take much movement to lose the subject completely.  I was shooting in a dimly lit room where I also found that my built-in flash works exceptionally well, again at full zoom there is no noticeable shadow produced by the lens blocking the light although I didn't experiment too much with anything under 200mm.  Because you get so close to whatever you are shooting I did have to turn the flash compensation down to -2 to prevent washing everything out.  I am looking forward to some nicer weather to get out and find some bugs to shoot!
We received the closeup lens without a problem. Installs perfectly on the connector on our Sony camera. It's everything we wanted, very simple and effective, although one has to move the camera a bit along with the focus function on the camera to get a perfect image.
Good glass and no color distortion. My main reason for getting this lens is for stacking with a teleconverter. Great results when you need a close up of something you can't get close to. Try it you'll like it. This lens will work with any camera that has 58mm filter thread and for cameras with other sizes - get an up or down adapter.
The two-element close-up lens on a digital zoom lens pretty effectively replaces a very expensive MACRO lens.  This is an excellent workaround and results are very good.  Do NOT confuse this item with a standard single element closeup lens (or set).  It is a two element lens and worth every penny in lieu of the several hundred dollars you might have to spend on a true MACRO lens.
Do not expect this to replace the zoom from your camera. It will not do that nor was it intended to do so. What it does do is optically bring things a little bit closer. This is certainly preferably to using the digital zoom that comes with so many cameras.The lens works by screwing into the end of the camera lens where filters would normally be put. This means that it is something which must be planned for to be used. It is not to be put on while filming is taking place; it is in place when filming begins. Since it is easy to use, this should not take too long. The normal zoom of the camera can be used while this lens is in place. Having it in place just changes the limits from a little bit closer to what would normally be the case to not quite as far when the camera is zoomed out to maximum. Care should be taken not to get this lens cross threaded when putting it in place.The quality of the optics seem to be fine. I used it on a Sony DCR-VX2100 and had no problems.This is a handy gadget to have handy in your case but be aware of what it will and will not do.
Once we figured out that the adapter came with the camera and didn't need to have been in this box, it worked great. Just like AAKatz whose dot com's "White Paper" copiously described. It's nearly perfect, although getting it out of its protective plastic "box" is a booger.
I have been using the M3358 with a Pentax telezoom (58mm filter thread)with excellent results. This top quality lens is very bit as sharp and well-made as the Canon 500D and Nikon 6T, at almost half the price! It has very nice multi-coating and is made in Japan. Anyone using a lens with 58mm filter thread should consider buying the M3358 instead of paying more for the Canon or Nikon equivalents. The color rendition and distortion control is top notch!
I have tried to buy in two opportunities this product. However, for some reason that I don't know, the step of the purchase has been canceled. Hopefully AMAZON, solve this problem.
I originally got this lens about a year ago for the Sony Cybershot DSC-H20 (attachable with special adapter). What a disappointment that was. The lens on that camera already has amazing close-up/macro capability and this attachment handicaps, rather than enhances it. What's more, the adapter disables the auto-focus lamp -- which is a big problem on a camera that doesn't have manual focus controls! If you've got the H20, don't bother with this.On the other hand, it fits perfectly on the end of the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my new Canon Rebel XSi, and works wonderfully. I was able to fill half the frame with a dried flower the size of a grape (added to customer images).I'm so pleased to be able to take almost-macro shots with my new DSLR, without having to wait until I'm ready to spend another two hundred or more on a specialized lens.
I ordered this lens to use as an attachment for my Olympus E-620 dSLR with 14-42 lens, so that is the specific configuration to which this applies.1. Quality of lens, image: first rate. No complaints2. Magnification factor: when I compared closest focus with/without lens, it didn't seem to make much difference. Using crude on-screen measurements, the figure I came up with was 20% magnification increase. Helpful, but not a lot.I'll use this when I do close-up work, but would have preferred a little more of a boost than 20%.
Had another Macro Lense. but this Sony has really goood clarity when closing up on subjects.
This lens is amazing. Easy to use, it takes professional photos. People don't believe I took the photos, they think they are professional!
I have had this lens for about two months and I love it.  It allows me to get really close to subjects.  You can even have the subject touching the lens and still be in focus.  The lens is of great quality.Amazon was the least expensive site I found for this product.  Great shipping and tracking.I highly recommend this product to all DSC-H1 or H2 or H5 owners.
works fine. wish it were made out of metal though. the plastic feels a little cheap. the inside of the hood is coated with a nice matte fuzzy material to avoid reflecting light; a really nice touch.
It works as any other overpriced hood should, it protects the lens during use, in storage and provides a shade for the bright sun. It mounts backwards for storage and is overpriced. Great quality as you would expect from Canons' line of products.
Any professional photographer will tell you that a lens hood not only protects the lens but also improves contrast and color sauturation in your pictures. It costs so little compared to the camera that it's a no brainer to have one.
Like many of you, I looked all over the internet in order to find a hood for my 50mm 1.4.  As you all know, they range in price by a lot.  I finally broke down and decided to get the canon brand, which was also the most expensive.  The whole time I was thinking to myself, why am I paying 30 bucks for a piece of plastic.  I must say that when I got the hood, I was mildly surprised that it wasn't just a formed piece of plastic.  The inside is lined with felt and the construction feels good.  Now is it worth the 30 bucks? Well, maybe not quite, that is why I gave it 4 stars.  However I was impressed that it does look and feel in person more then what I'd imagine I'd get if I bought the 10 dollar generic one.  I have it on my lens and it looks great and helps to protect the lens too.
Lens hoods like this are useful for a number of reasons...1)Some degree of Protection in case you drop the lens/camera- the idea is that the hard plastic will absorb the impact and either get damaged or pop off the lens, therefore the glass of the lens and the lens body won't be affected.2)Blocks stray light from getting into the image-If you are shooting in strong light this will limit the light that enters the lens to only what you are shooting at (there is actually felt inside the lip of the hood to absorb additional light). This will prevent lens flare or spots on the image.3)Allows you to shoot against glass/other surfaces- This is particularly useful if you are shooting in an aquarium or a museum and want to avoid the reflection of existing light on the light. With the hood you can press against the glass, eliminating stray light.This particular lens hood is very well made, with felt on the inside and perfect fit for the 50 f/1.4 lens. Because the lens is prime (fixed) it is a regular cylinder shape and does not extend that far past the lens (maybe an inch and a half).
excellent quality, protects my lens very well. I always keep it on the lens and switch it around to store in the bag. only issue I have with it is when its in storage position it blocks AF/MF switch on lens
Since the 50mm f/1.4 lens does not have a rotating front element: I'm not sure why a round lens cover even exists. In retrospect, I should have hunded down a tulip lens instead.Otherwise: the construction is fine. It attaches to the lens reasonably well. It seems to work.
Unfortunately, it costs over $30.  Great feel, works as advertised and will definately up the quality of your shots and reduce glare with the 50mm lens.  How Canon can charge $30 for $5 worth of plastic and felt is beyond me.  If you can find a no-name alternative for much cheaper, I would take it.
I rather get quality stuff for my pricy camera and lenses. not sure about $5 version. Not bad at all. A plus
It's always worth getting a lens hood. The Canon ones have a felt lining which absorbs light better than the cheap ones which do not. It is a bit much to pay though for a plastic tube but it's cheap for a Canon product!
Theres not much to say about a lens hood.  It works well.  Canon just charges waay too much for hoods, and they really should just bundle them with the lenses they sell.
I love when a product does exactly what it needs and is worth the cost over a cheap imitation.  This lens hood does just that.  I'll never get my money back for the cheap one I bought before, but this hood clips right in like it was meant to be there.
Hood works great!  Great build as you can expect from Canon, has the felt-like liner around the lens.  Dont stiff yourself buying a cheap knock-off.  Protect your gear with the official hood for the lens!
good price, fast delivery. The coated interior of the lens hood stops all light bounce. Nice and compact, but limited indoor use.
Lens hoods are a great dual-use tool.  The primary function is to decrease lens flare and stray light while taking photos.  They also serve as great lens protectors keeping you from damaging your glass should you accidentally bump it against a hard surface.
The hood is very helpful for preventing lens flare, as well as protecting the lens itself from damage. Plus, let's face it, it LOOKS more professional. The only downside is that Canon does not include it with the lens and charges WAY TOO MUCH for what it is...
ok, so I admitstraight out of the box and trying to attach it BEFORE READING THE FINE MANUAL (R.T.F.M., as they used to say on the pre-Internet internet), I figured, wow, they sent a lens hood too big for my brand newCanon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, and figured, shucks, have to mail it back and get something that fitsNO WAY! THIS IS THE LENS HOOD YOU NEED!Read the manual. It's just fine, and figures out how to get this thing on your great new f/1.4 50mm lens.Even I could do it.and the whole thing still slips into my small-as-it-can-be camera bagthis is greatjust what you needget one
Lesson learned, I always buy Canon lens hoods.  They always fit perfectly and look great while doing so.  They don't get in the way, vignetting rarely.Yes it does cost more than the generic you can find elsewhere, but I rest assured knowing that I have the factory recommended product.  You'll find out soon enough if you go the aftermarket route.Good luck to you!
Ordered this wish my 50mm 1.4 USM. Works as described. Hooks right on with no disformities of any sort. Does the job.
A lens hood is a must. It reduces flair and protects your lens. It is a shame Canon doesn't include it like other lensmakers do. So, when you are comparing Canon prices to other lens prices be sure to add the cost of this lenhood to get a fair comparison.
The lens hood is exactly as described and works well. It's a 5 out of 5 for functionality. It protects my lens and also reduces incident light. It does exactly what a piece of plastic around my lens should.That said, I also have to rate products considering what the price should be. Was it complicated to make? Are the materials expensive? For something that cost a couple dollars to make, I don't think it should be selling for (the low low price of) fifteen times that. So, Canon gets a 0 out of 5 stars for that. So, I rate this a 2.5 stars out of 5 overall. If I had to do it over, I'd probably go to an auction site and buy a generic brand hood for 1/3 of the price.update: i recently bought a generic hood for my canon 10-22mm and it feels as good as the canon hoods (less than 1/3rd the cost). i'll be buying generic from now on. enough with the canon hood price gouging.
This Canon ES71II Lens Hood for EF 50mm f/1.4 SLR Lens is perfect for my 50mm Canon IS  USM lens.
The overall quality of the lens hood is as you'd expect from Canon.  There's the little felt interior which supposedly deflects light better than smooth plastic which allows them to justify the 32 bucks for a few ounces of plastic.  Otherwise it does a solid job and it proves useful outside in the sun and also last weekend when I took my camera to the aquarium and took pictures flush to the tanks.
I like this hood. It fits my lens and it does its job. What a great good hood. Hi mom.
Does the job.  I still feel as though Canon should include these with lens purchases just like every other lens manufacturer, but I guess quality with canon lenses is just gonna be better in most cases, so they feel they can do what they want.Get in the habit of always using a lens hood, not only does it help with stray light, but it can really save your optics if you accidently let your camera bump into something.  Replacing a 25 dollar hood is much easier than replacing a 300 dollar lens.
A little pricy but you gotta have it if you have the Canon f1.4 lens. It reverses on the lens for compact packing in your bag. These hoods aren't as needed for low light conditions obviously but I use it all the time if for nothing else but to add some protection to the front of this little lens.
This is a very nice Lens Hood.  Some people complain of the price, but you get what you pay for.  You want to save $15 and buy a generic that is fine, it will fit great and work well for awhile.  But I wanted to buy from a repretable company incase something was wrong for replacment piece of mind.  Also it is a little thicker and sturdier than some of the generic brands I have seen out there. Buy what you think is best, but I can vouch for this paticular model. It is a great lens, and cheaper here than in the Camera Shop.
Serves the purpose of blocked out the sun from my line of sight. I just wish it came with the lens from factory.
A LENS HOOD IS A LENS HOOD BUT MANUFACTURER'S HOODS ARE USUALLY BETTER THAN 3RD PARTY MANUFACTURERS. THIS IS THE CASE HERE.I WOULD RATE THE ITEM 5 STARS EXCEPT FOR THE PRICE. IT IS A 5 STAR FOR WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO DO----CUT DOWN STRAY LIGHT.
Canon knows that this is a must if you have an expensive lens to protect so they pick your pocket for this $3.95 piece of plastic. Yes it fits well and is nicely made, but $31, should come with a tube of Vaseline... Watcha gonna do?
This is definitely one of those items that just works.It's perfect size doesn't dwarf the lens, but at the same time it does a perfect job of shielding the lens from unwanted light.I've had this accessory for a few years now and it works just like the day I bought it. Slips on and off the lens easily -- "it just works" !
so i got mixed feelings about this hood. i bought this to go with my 85mm canon lens. it doesn't snap on that easy and it easily comes off. it doesn't stay in place safely. it will stay on but if you touch it too much it will fall off. the clips on the side DO feel like they are gonna break, however mine are still working. i barely use lens hoods so for my type of use this is good, cause its cheap and it does the job. if you are like me then buy it, its cheap and it will do the job. if you use hoods a lot then buy a better one cause this one will likely disappoint you at some time.
After reading the reviews of this lens hood from Canon and the ones that are a third the price, I wasn't sure which to buy but opted for the Canon.  Despite being more expensive, although not much considering the cost of the lens you're putting it on, there is one difference worth mentioning which I felt made the extra money worth the value.  The inside of this lens hood is coated with a "velour-like" fuzzy coating.  This coating would appear to virtually eliminate any reflection within the inside of hood, unlike the cheap ones which are not coated and are bare plastic.  It's worth the extra few bucks.
I bought a less-expensive alternative from [...] for [...] (shipping included). Arrived in less than a week fro Hong Kong. Fits perfectly.
I just bought this lens hood and I dropped my camera and it took the blunt of the damage! absolutely no damage at all on my camera or the lens.
Arrived on-time and in advertised condition. A bit pricey but hey... Its got the Canon logo!
Fast, inexpensive deal found online. I have not had one before to compare it to, so I am no professional on lens hoods. Helps keep glare out- nice help when outdoors, also adds extra protection to lens.
Good, but overpriced.  Thought of buying a generic version, but thought twice and got this.  Why buy a cheap lens cover on a $400 lens?  I worried about the generic lens cover won't fit right and cannot be flipped around and be mounted.  OEM is always the best, but with a price tag.  Did I regret getting this over the generic version?  Nope.  Why?  If I was going cheap, I would had gotten the 50mm 1.8 instead of the 1.4.
I love this hood so much that I don't bother with the lens cap. I bought a knockoff hood prior to this purchase and its totally not the same. The velvet flocking on the inside of the hood is great for collecting dust that would normally go unto the lens.
Must to have accessory.Quality and material are good.Price a bit higher than it should be - $20 is a very good price for this.
This was another gift for my son the photographer.  He uses it quite often and seems to like it very much.
What more can be said about this item other than the fact that it is a lens hood designed specifically for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Lens. It's plastic, it's round, and it fits on the end of the lens. However reversing the lens hood could sometimes be a bit troublesome because of the occasion pinched finger tips. It gets the job done, and done well at that. Great lens hood for a great lens.
A lens hood is always a handy thing to have. Why Canon charges so much I don't know. I like to have original manufacturer accessories in case I sell the lens in the future.
Fits great, does its job, enough said.Price should be cheaper way cheaperThe felt on the inside is nice.
This item fits just like a OEM part should fit. What more can you ask except for a price that justifies the cost of the item!
I bought this solely for accidental bumps up againt objects while strapped around my shoulder so my lens glass will not get scratched.  If you drop the 50mm lens even with the hood on, more than likely something is going to break on it.  So I wouldn't buy a hood thinking its going to protect your lens from drops like some people are saying on here.  i dropped my 28-135mm with the hood on and it knocked something loose insside.  Yes, I am very clumsy.  I buy insurance first.
Good high quality hood for my 50 1.4. 5 stars for the quality, but on 3 die to value for the extreme price.
Canon ES71II Lens Hood for EF 50mm f/1.4 SLR Lens Box was crumpled, but I kept it because the hood was not damaged despite that. When I buy brand new the packing should look brand new.Besides hood works perfect - fit and use. Amazons handling costs this two less stars.
A lot of people question spending so much on a hood, when there are third party options out there for a fraction of the price. Obviously, if you want to save every penny, this is not for you. This is, however, a much higher quality hood than those third party ones. It is made out of a higher quality plastic, has flocking inside to deaden oblique light and generally fits better than third party hoods.Also, since you're buying this if you have the 50mm 1.4, it is a good idea to store the lens with the hood reversed, as it protects the auto-focus mechanism, which is very fragile on this particular lens.
When I bought my 50mm i just had to buy the lens hood for it, Not taking the risk of damaging that lens and have to block out those flares!
I don't have any other kind of hood to compare this too but this one fits perfectly and does exactly what it should.Going strong after a year of hard use!
Worth it to splurge on Canon instead of the knock off one that is flimsy and feels like will fall off.  Still think these should be included with lenses though Canon.  ;)
I bought mine in 2007. Works great. I just leave it on my lens all the time. It's wide enough so i can get the lens cap off and on without removing the hood.
This hood is from Canon and is well made. Cost a little more than the other generic ones and is well worth the extra cash. Fits like it should and has felt on the inside of the hood for extra glare protection. Generic hoods that I've bought have not been made as well or don't fit as well as this one does. For the money you save i don't recommend skimping, get the maker of your camera's brand. They are well built and made to fit the way they should.
Worked great on my 50/1.4, although within a week I bought the 50L and the 50/1.4 hasn't seen daylight in over a year.  Lens hood does what it's suppose to do, don't know what to say other than it gets the job done in the short time that I used it.
it fits perfectly. UPS guy came in middle of a shoot, so i screwed it on and the shots with the hood are much better than the ones without. it definitely helped shielding the extra light. love it.
This Canon lens is well fitted to the 50 1.4.  The interior has a matte surface and stops reflections.  While it may seem expensive, I found the off-brand lens hoods often  don't fit right, and  one I bought let light in on the sides!  Definitely not worth even half the price of the Canon.  The hood protects your valuable lens from damage as well as blocking that light and ruining your pictures and they pretty well last the lifetime of the lens.  In the long run, worth every penny and then some.  Every lens I own now has  Canon hood to match.
Besides the unreasonable price for all Canon hoods, this one looks great and performs as advertised.  It has a black felt interior lining and a firm twist on installation.  Besides cutting down on stray lighting, it most importantly protects my lens from getting damage.  The lens is heavy enough to make my camera lean forward when sitting down, and the hood provides a convenient resting spot instead of touching the lens.
As often with Canon, the products are of a good quality but rather on the expensive side.  I think that Canon should really include hoods with its lenses.
I got this as much for safety as anything. If I should drop my lens, a solid lens hood will help. Plastic construction will absorb some of the impact without transmitting all of it, as a metal hood would. Hopefully it will eliminate occurances of flair, although with the Canon 50mm f1.4 lens, that's not a big issue to begin with. It also can keep dust and debris off the lens surface if you're shooting in a less-than-ideal environment.It twists on and off the lens easily. When it's on, it's very snug and secure. Kind of pricy for a piece of plastic, but Canon's in business to make money.
I am glad I bought this lens hood for my canon 50mm f1.4when I was ordering it at the same time. It does a good job protecting the front lens and reducesome sun light when you are put about taking shots. The ES71 mark II is plastic lens hood.I do not worry if it get scratched or marks all lens hood will get used a lot over time on the lens.And if it crack when drop, well you be glad the lens is okay and just buy a new lens hood.
This hood is exactly as described and is an authentic Canon accessory.  Don't be fooled by the cheaper aftermarket hoods as they're not as well built.  This hood has a type of felt material on the inside to help absorb stray light.
High quality and durable lens hood for EF 50 f/1.4 lens.  Protects lens element in case of fall and allows shooting against glass to cancel reflection.  Unsure of any improvement to actual picture quality; purchased mostly for protection.
Not much to say about a lens hood.  It fits, it works and it does the job I bought it for.
Gives protection and helps prevent glare on my pictures.  Easy to mount too even in reverse mode for lens safekeeping..
I love the Canon 50 mm f/1.4 Lens. It performs wonderfully and lives on my camera much of the time.Reasons to buy any hood:1. Protects the glass from your oily fingers when you reach for the camera. (I prefer not to use a UV filter - ghosting/degradation/etc)2. Sacrifices itself rather than the front element if you drop the lens3. Prevents lens flare (disclaimer: hasn't been an issue for me)Reasons to buy THIS hood:1. Black Matte interior on the inside of the hood that Canon applies is not found on 3rd party hoods2. Fits lens appropriately, can be installed forward or backward3. Holds value when combined with this exceptionally popular lens
The hood seems sturdy and is a perfect fit for the 50mm lens.  It has a soft 'lining' on the inside of the hood, presumably to cut down on glare.  I think it works well.  Why 4 starts instead of 5.  The soft lining is a lint and dust magnet.  Maybe it'll keep it off the lens, but I don't know how to clean it.  Maybe a small lint roller will work?  It fits better than the Opteka hood I bought for another lens.  That one didn't have the soft lining either.I'm not sure if the soft lining is a good thing or not.  Time will tell.Quick shipment.
It works as designed really not much more to add. Black plastic with a felt like coating to the inside surface.
The 50mm f/1.4's front element is already deeply recessed which is most likely why the lens is more flare resistant than other 50mm lenses.  This O.E.M. hood is the only well-fitting accessory necessary to 'complete' this lens.  Since I don't like to reverse the hood during storage, removing the 58mm lens cap is tricky with my large thumb and index finger.Canon provides the hood for all of their L lenses.  It only makes sense to buy a hood for all non-L lenses you own.  It is as vital a protective accessory as a wide brim hat on a sunny day.
Wanted this to cut out any glare when shooting under direct lighting. Been using it for quite a while and no complain at all.
I know, its an expensive piece of plastic. But it does the job, and canon makes their lens hoods sturdier than any off brand that I have found.
There isn't a lot to say about a hood... either it does what it needs to or it doesn't.This hood does what it is designed to do. I haven't had to deal with a single lens flare in a picture and I do a lot of high light outside photography. Also, the hood is small which I appreciate, it doesn't make the lens feel too long and cumbersome.I would definitely purchase this hood again if I lost or broke my original.
This is a very good quality lens hood. Protects against flare light, which can improve image quality (sharpness and contrast) significantly. Has a black matte fabric-like interior that avoids light bouncing inside the hood itself. Very convenient bayonet mount type. A must-have for 50mm 1.4 lovers, which is IMO a must-have lens itself :)
Pretty expensive for a piece of plastic but it fits the lens well and does the job.All the big name companies price their accessories high, not just Canon.If you go to off-brand accessories you take a chance, not worth it.
This lens hood was purchased for Canon 50mm 1.4 lens.It is good and performs as designed. Highly recommended.No complaints other than Canon should include lens hoodswith all lenses, should not have to purchase separately andPricey for plastic is why only 3 stars.
I purchase lens hoods for all of my lenses (they help me out a ton in evening shoots) and this one is probably my favorite. It comes on and off easily and is sturdy (I once dropped my camera and it all landed on the hood with only a slight scratch as damage). I highly recommend purchasing Canon Hoods with Canon Lenses as they tend to be a lot easier to use.
Struggles to get on to the lens. The way it locks into place is not as good as the other lens hoods from Canon. But does the job.
TheCanon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Camerashas a reputation for being delicate (the AF bits anyway) and this is a relatively cheap way of protecting it, besides the advantages for flare etc. It also looks cool.
One thing about this hood vs other cheap ones gotten off an auction site is this one is fuzzy on the inside.  Why?  I'm not a 100% on this but it is and it dose collect dust and what not which I am assuming it's there for. Also to reduce light bouncing around on a shiny surface.  The fuzz is something of a very light velvet makeup.  Could Canon still make and sell this for far less... yes.  However it dose it's job well, it dose have a little extra to it unlike those you can get for $[...] on auctions sites.
Works great, a little tight when putting it one and off your lens, for low shadows every camera lens needs this
A great piece and a great price..I don't understasnd why some places sell it for 60 bucks..its ridiculous.. its PLASTIC..these guys are decent merchants...
30 bucks for this is an over kill....but it is good quality and worth it. If I did it again I would still probably buy this one over a knock off that is 1/3 of the price...
I don't use hoods a lot but this one is very adequate. It's your basic hood made by Canon. Good quality and build and does the job.
My 50mm 1.4 is one of my strongest weapons, when lights get low and I still want to capture the moment as authentic as possible - or when shooting portraits with a fully blown backgroud. And the ES71II adds the last touch - both in controlling the light and visually. It' also great protection working in busy environments.
Build quality and fit are perfect; don't bother with cheap knockoffs. Buy the proper one and you won't regret it.
I've never had a problem with lens flare on the 50mm f/1.4 lens. I have other reasons for getting this hood.The 50mm f/1.4 Lens has a very delicate focusing mechanism. The front element and the barrel holding it moves in and out of the lens when focused. If you bump the lens on this edge when focused like this, it is easily damaged and the plastic focusing gears inside will break.This hood fits onto the outer part of the lens - the fixed part. The presence of the hood will then protect the front element and the focusing barrel of the lens from bumps. It's much cheaper to replace a broken hood than to replace or repair the lens.The other interesting aspect of this hood is that it makes your lens look a bit more &#34;imposing&#34; or &#34;professional&#34; - if your personal image as a photographer is important, you might be interested in getting this accessory. It can also visually balance the appearance of this relatively small 50mm lens with the larger bodies like the 6D, or the larger 1 series cameras.
PROS====1. Fits the EF 50mm F1.4 perfectly!2. Fits on reverse for storage3. Made of High quality plastic4. Has a felt lining inside...nice touchCONS====1. TOO much money! Probably cost Canon $5 to produce this.Conclusion==========This product is fantastic. Did I pay too much for it? Maybe, but I'm not upset considering what it accomplishes and the fact that I'm potentially protecting my $400 lens should it be dropped.In short, I paid $30 on the Canon Brand ($10-15 too much) to make sure that it fits properly and lasts for the life of the lens.Well worth it...I would have given 5 stars if this cost under $20 like it should!
I bought this to replace the knockoff brand I bought that barely threaded the lens. I quit using the crappy one on shoots because it took so long to put on. This one costs more but at least it fits. The thread is still worse than the hood for my 28 and 85, but it doesn't take more than 5 seconds to flip and attach back on. The knockoff for my 28 is better than this one, but I'm not risking the money waste anymore on future lenses.
It is plastic, it blocks stray light, it costs twice as much as the off-brands but says Canon.  I hate paying the price for these things and wish they would just include them with the lens.  But I have found that they do tend to fit a bit better than some of the off-brands I purchased in the past.
I have used this on my 50mm f/1.4 a few times with no complaints. Does the job everytime. I would recommend this for some added lens protection as well as keeping out sun to avoid sun glare/flare.
I tried a cheap fotodiox lens hood.  It didn't fit properly at all and was awful.  I threw it in the trash and bought this one.  It stinks that you have to pay another twenty dollars after buying the lens, but just do it.
Perfect fit without the worries of aftermarket slop.  It's worth a few extra bucks for the proper fit bothfor shooting and backwards for storage.
Expensive for a piece of felt-lined plastic, but if you must have OEM, this is it. Great build quality and fitment.
This is a good lens hood, but it comes with the lens so I shouldn't have purchased it separately.  The lens info of the lens does not indicate that the hood comes with it.
It looks like a couple of us have made the same mistake. Don't buy this because the 70-200 f4/0L already comes with it. I now have 2.
I got this hood with my 70-200 4.0 IS lens recently and I love it. The hood is a very tight fit and can be reversed on the lens for easier storage, not sure clones can do this. The IS product detail lists both hood and soft pouch included but the non IS lens doesn't mention anything about the two. Might be an oversight at Canon? My thoughts are any time a "L" lens is purchased a hood is likely included and maybe even a pouch. I always check the Canon site as to what can be expected. Next is to find out what the actual seller includes with the purchase. My opinion, you get what you pay for, providing you can afford it.
This Lens Hood Is a perfect addition to my 70-200mm 4L.  It keeps the glare out and definitely makes the Lens Look official.  I have definitely used this Lens Hood every time since purchasing it.  I never take it off.
First of all... This hood is INCLUDED when you purchase your 70-20mm f/4L Lens!!!!Having said that, this is a solid hood. Well constructed and it delivers perfect blockage of light leaks. The inside it covered in what I call a "felt-like" material that avoids inner reflections in the hood. This hood is MUST if you are doing night photography (specially in cities or night life) as you would be surprised by the amount of light that enters your lens, due to the large diameter of it.If you lost or broke your original hood, or purchased the lens used without the hood, wait no more and get it. It also provides an extra level of protection for your lens glass.
Fits perfectly and does exactly what it should.  Easy to get on and off.  One of my friends has bought a knockoff of this and, even though it works, has trouble getting it to attach when he reverses it on the lens for storage, which causes it to rattle around on the lens.  Once you have spent this much on a lens it does not make sense to me to cheap out on something that both protects it and makes images better.
This came with the lens, and since it's supposed to help with contrast and avoid flare I try to use it all the time - even if it elicits even more reactions from people looking at an already not very discreet lens... I manage to store it reversed on the lens on a Lowepro case - barely but without forcing it.
What bad things can you say about a lens hood?  Well, in this case, not much.  It fits well, does what it's supposed to do.  It's just very pricey for a piece of plastic with the word "canon" on it.  These should come on any lens over a couple hundred dollars.... come on Canon, stop being so stingy!
Do you really want to risk damaging the internal components in your vintage zoom, by saving a few dollars with a cheap import hood?  I learned the hard way, ruining a vintage Nikon lens that I ended up having to throw away, or pay $200+ to repair with no guarantees.In this particular hood's case, the internal components of most pre-2000 24-85mm Canon lenses tend to be plastic.  They don't handle twisting well, or the pressure it takes to force mount a badly fitted hood.Cheaply made import hoods ALWAYS fit too tight, and they usually don't have any type of light dampening on the inside.  That's because they cost around $1 to make.  Canon factory hoods are accurately molded, they use quality ABS plastic, and they are designed to fit their lenses well.  They may not be perfect but they are much safer, and more dependable than any import alternative.  Look at it this way, most factory hoods sell for less than $25, and the cheap imports sell in the $10-$12 dollar range after shipping.  Is it worth the price of lunch at Sizzler, to wreck a vintage lens?
What can be said about a lens hood? That it fits well and does its job. I only ever bought one generic lens hood (years ago), but that cured me of trying to save money. It was so tight that I worried about damaging the front lens lip. From that time on, my hoods have been genuine Canon. Yes, they cost more, but they fit properly, they snap into place, and they are lined by felt to eliminate all glare and reflection. Sometimes there is a reason a product costs more; and sometimes you get what you pay for. With a decent lens, I don't want to skimp on a hood for it. End of argument!
This hood works fine, I have no problems with it. I just can't give it five stars since it is overpriced for what is essentially a piece of black plastic.
This is a great hood and adds much to the usage of this lens.  With the wide angle format of this lens, unwanted light can do damage to an otherwise great image.  The design of this hood is perfect for this lens and gives just enough shading to protect the images from light flaring on the glass optics, especially in outdoors situations.  Add to the light control benefits, the hood helps protect the optics from unwanted blowing dirt and debris and helps protect against accidental hits and scrapes.  When buying a hood, always buy quality.  The true Canon hoods have the flat finished interiors with a felt-type finish which further helps control unwanted lighting problems.  The cheap knock-offs don't have this feature and lack in quality and function as a result. While the knock-offs may appear the same, their lack of details and general cheaper construction don't add up and don't offer the protection of a true Canon hood. Always buy quality, buy Canon. I always use this hood when using the lens, inside and outside.
Good quality but this lens hood does not fit my 18-135mm.End up I have to return this unit. No problem in returning.
Works as intended.  Hood mounts bayonet style, and is quite effective at reducing glare and increasing contrast.
I used to not use Lens hoods, but now I understand how important they are while keeping my lens glass out of the rain, snow and other elements.
I don't use any other hoods for my photography unless it is a Canon hood.  The felt inside the hood traps dust easily and keep it from flying around the lens during shooting.  It does its job.
Works perfectly. Far better price than the original msrp of 70 something. Still overpriced, but at lest now it's the next neighborhood over from reasonable. Has a good tight fit when it snaps into place. Nice antireflective thin felt lining on inner-surface. Identical to the hood I lost, that shiped with my Canon 24-70 lens. Comes in Canon packaging as you would expect. Very happy I found this on Amazon.
the hood works great. it does precisely what you would want a lens hood to do:- protects the lens- reduces incident light- 'reverses' to fit around the lens, which is nice for storing in a camera bag (or backpack, in my case)the price is absurd, not to mention you get the hood as a 'free' accessory when you buy the 24-70mm lens (ie, you pay for it when you get the lens). forget amazon trying to bundle this hood with the lens -- that's a scam, although, giving amazon the benefit of the doubt as they deserve, these were probably paired by a computer program. again canon screwing customers on pieces of plastic (if the user lost the original hood) that really costs canon only a couple dollars to make. the price is inflated because anyone with an L lens will want to replace a hood immediately to protect their expensive glass.if i lost this hood, i would buy another but not by canon. i'd get a generic brand hood (probably on an auction site) that fits the lens and pay not even half as much than is demanded here. no matter the brand of plastic, the hood will help so i don't need to spend nearly fifty bucks on a canon brand piece of plastic.
Great hood, you just have to be extra cautious when securing it to the lens to be sure it attaches perfectly....otherwise it can fall off and if you are sailing in the ocean, it may end up in the salty brine.
This baby is a must for your 24-70 lens. Because it's such a versatile lens, you will want this to help brave sun flare, or other weather conditions. Plus...it's great for protecting the lens. This thing has saved mine from a few bumps and bruises because it takes the impact if I knock it when walking by something like a chair or table.
works perfectly. It should, it's OEM canon, so it was made specifically for the lens. does everything it's supposed to.
I purchased this lens hood originally because I didn't think the 24-70mm lens came with a hood.  When my lens came it had the hood with it.  So I have since returned this product but I can tell you it is EXACTLY the same as what Canon ships with the 24-70 lens.  It just does not say Canon on the side.  The plastic felt and looked exactly the same.
If this was reasonably priced, it would get 4 stars.  I actually like the hood design on the 24-70 with the reverse zoom.  Lens is longest at its widest zoom point so it uses the least amount of hood for flare.  Pretty ingenious for the time they designed this lens.But the price is simply crazy and that takes a star off.Also, this is the hood that falls off the lens the most of all lenses I have.  It's almost like I am living with stripped threads.  I have already lost one of these hoods and have had to walk my way through a packed venue in order to retrieve it multiple times.  - 1 star for that
Somehow I lost my original one, this is a direct replacement. It works just like the original one did--very good hood.
It's hit or miss if a Canon lens will include the hood. The place that I ordered the lens from didn't say anything about the hood being included. So I went ahead and ordered the hood from Amazon so I had it when the lens arrived. The authoritative site is Canon's site and check what is included in the box for any given lens. Naturally the lens hood was included, so I ended up selling this for a loss.Anyway... yes. You can buy a cheaper knock-off lens hood for about half the price. However a lens hood is not a decorative object just stuck on the end of your lens to make your lens look big. It IS serving a purpose. You want to reduce flare on a capture, so you're attempting to eliminate stray light hitting the lens surface. Buy a cheap Chinese knock-off hood, and what do you see? A nicely polished glossy interior to the hood. Canon's hood has a flocking on the interior of the hood which is designed to cut down on the light hitting the lens surface.
Now we just need Canon to make decent hoods as I had to buy this to replace one that got knocked off the lens and floated off into the sunset!
I used to have a generic cheapo hood without felt inside. Without the felt, you get some lens flaring. This hood minimizes it.
Canon's lens hoods are an interesting excercise in pricing and marketing.  If you buy an L lens, then the hood comes with it anyway - so I suppose this would be a replacement scenario.If I had to replace the hood on mine, I'd look for an aftermarket solution.  There is just no excuse whatsoever for this to cost more than $10 or so...It is a shaped piece of plastic.
For those of you who are thinking of buying Chinese knockoffs, don't do it.  Depressingly, I've tried a few of them, and non of them are any good.  Knockoff hoods use cheaper plastics, and manufacturing processes that leave the product warped and in some cases unusable.  The edges typically have bad finishes and can leave you with cuts, and the lens mount with scratches or worse.  The inner and outer surface are usually not bonded correctly, meaning they don't give it enough time for the adhesive to cure before moving onto the next phase of cutting the flower petal shape.  Their cutters are also obviously over-heated, as you can see where it's not cutting, but melting the plastic.  Last thing to mention is that the inner surface in Canon hoods are lined with a felt like material.  Knockoffs do not have this,  They use a textured inner surface instead, thereby reducing cost and effectiveness.  Do yourself a favor, you've spent over a thousand dollars on the lens, don't ruin it with a twenty dollar piece o' knockoff.
Everything was exactly as expected and described.  Don't waste your time with generic hoods.  Go with the Canon genuine if you are putting it on your L lens.
I lost my old hood so had to get a new one.The hood is great to get rid of small bits of flare. I use it in my photography studio a lot, since the 24-70 is my favorite lens there.Covered with velvet on the inside, you just need this bit if you went for the L lens to match it.
As it turns out the lens I purchased came with a lens hood.  Oh well, I have an extra.
This binocular is my favorite. Good clear optics with a nice wide field of view. Feels great and secure in my hands. Very well made and well worth the money paid. The dark green color looks good.
compared these to several others in a simlar price range.  Despite the high mirror rating, these just are not as sharp as competitors.  Also had problems with mine getting condensation and fogging.
For the money I paid to Amazon for a pair was a great bargain.My wife and I use them mostly for birding.They're very bright and clear.The only con is that you have to hold it away from your eyes a bit to get vision from sides equalized.
We use these while sighting targets in, for easier and better accuracy.  They work great for that, focus easily and well, and are a great value for the distance.  I have no issue focusing on even the smallest point, and they work well with protective eye-wear.  Maybe better than without!
Well satidfied with these bino's.  To take from Tony the Tiger.....they are GREEEEAAAAAT !  I really like the ability to extend the lens for those who wear glasses.  Vision is crystal clear, green color will blend in great during hunting season.
I lucked into season tickets for the 49ers this year, and bought these binoculars for viewing games from the upper deck at Candlestick Park.  The optics are very clear and bright, and I can see details on the field that I can't even see on tv.I have owned very cheap 10x25 binoculars before, and there is a world of difference between those and these.  These are clear as can be with a large field of view, allowing me to follow the action closely without losing sight of the football even on punts and kickoffs.The long eye relief and twist down eyecups are great for me because I wear eyeglasses, and have never experienced binoculars that accommodate glasses as well as these do.  I think my inter-pupillary distance is right at the outer limit of what these binoculars offer, however, so check up on that if it's a concern for you.I have also taken them to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park, where they made me feel like I was standing right up in front of the stage, even though I was hundreds of feet away.  I could even read the script on the guitar headstocks in some instances.  It was a totally different experience at the concert with these binoculars than it would have been without them.Hopefully, I'll get to use them for some light birding as well.  As of this writing, it is raptor migration season here in Northern California, and I live close to the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory in the Marin Headlands.Nothing but good things to say about these binoculars so far.
received these as a gift after i lost an old pair of cheapy binoculars that i used for birding.  was a little wary at first since there were only 2 reviews, but i have to agree with the other reviewers that these are great for people that wear glasses.  the plastic twist-up eye cups are much more sturdy and easier to use than the rubber roll-down ones i've seen on other binoculars.  image is crisp and clear, even over glasses.  it also seems that the price is also very reasonable, as many birding resources recommend binoculars that cost over $100, if not $300.
These binoculars are exactly what I wanted in order to be able to watch the birds in my back yard and take them on trips with me.  They are very comfortable, even over my eyeglasses.  I rate them as excellent - and a good buy.
After lots of research I finally picked the Alpen Pro 8x42 wide angle binoculars.  They are great and meet my needs.  I can use them without having to take of my glasses and they are so clear.  I love them and use them  often for bird watching.
Alpen PRO 8X42 wide angle Binocular Review: *These binoculars are 5 stars! Excellent views from these lenses and built nice. The adjustable eyecups are comfortable and this pair is very light, very nice and sturdy case with wide strap, these are guaranteed for life anything ever goes wrong just mail them to them. Very Democratic!!!!!!
We did a lot of research into various small telescopes and binoculars before deciding to buy the "Galileo 20x60 Binoculars". We already ownCelestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars w/Tripod Adapterand the Galileo 20x60 is very close in optic quality. The SkyMaster has a larger Field of Vision and are slightly clearer, but the Galileo is a higher power. With either of these binoculars and a good monopod, we are now ready to view both terrestrial events and stargazing in just a few minutes.Here are my observations:Pros:Clear OpticsCrisp Focusing (no "bounce" or drift at all)Built In Tripod Mount (must use with binoculars this powerful)Very Inexpensive For Binoculars of This QualityCons:Large Size (these are fairly big, as expected, so you will need a tripod/monopod for extended use)Overall, the Galileo 20x60 are a great pair of binoculars for the price, Recommended!
Always blurry, always dark. Maybe 20x60 is just too much to expect. I can see much more detail from a 10x50 pair of binoculars.
You get what you pay for... but these are great for the price.  Not exactly the best in the world, but they do the job!
I picked up these binoculars refurbished for $50. What a great deal! They have replaced my not-so-old Bushells. I am very happy with the feel of them as well as the depth and clarity. Definitely need a tripod adapter when trying to view the heavens. That's next on my list!
The binoculars are great well built very clear and powerfulthe shipping on the other hand was another matter took almost two full weeks to recieve this product. Amazon was great though and refunded my shipping cost so I am a very happy camper I will hesitate to order from target in the future though...
These Binoculars have really good clarity and power, I would also reccomend investing in some type of binocular tripod or stand to keep them steady while viewing stars.
I bought this for use with my DSC-H5.  It's overkill for that camera because the camera is not really heavy enough to justify it. It's a LARGE strap and is pretty comfortable.
Yes, it is a little short, but that depends on how you like wearing your camera, for me it's fine.  One of the most comfortable I have ever come across. I used it years ago on an older camera and when I got my Sony A700, I knew it was a required item, I'm luck they did not discontinue it, since it has been out for years, but it hard to find!
OK, I'm a big tall guy but this is listed as a shoulder strap and if I wear it across my shoulder I can't move the camera. I really wush it was 12" or more longer. The shoulder pad acts as if it is coated with teflon (tm)!In short: This is a neck strap with a slippery shoulder pad.The little Battery/memory card case is nice.
I have used this strap in the past on my DSC-F717, DSC-R1 Sony Camera it worked well as a neck strap as well as a shoulder strap although I rarely carry my camera on my shoulder.  This strap gives excellent support especially for DSLR's which I just purchased for my New Sony DSLR.  It feels so much better compared to the little strap they include with the cameras.  Best Bang for the buck as well I remember when this strap kit cost $50 but now you can get the for $18 and up Brand New.  The Battery case is a nice feature as well it holds a spare battery and memory stick if needed. Clips onto the loops on either side of the strap.  This strap is not made of leather but sure feels like leather and it is well made very high quality had mine for many years and will surely have the two just purchased for many years as well.
If you have a heavy camera like the Sony R1 you should get one of these, it really helps if you go out for long walks with your camera. It's kinda itchy if you use it in your neck, tough.
Well constructed strap, but too short.  I like to sling the camera under my arm when not in use to protect it against bumps and to keep it out of the way.  If the strap was long enough, I would have given it 4 stars.  I'm going back to using a $10 Quantary deluxe padded strap.
I was a little disappointed with this one. It was a used one, and did not fit my lens.  It was EF and I did not know that there were 2 types and I needed the EM hood.  It would have cost me as much to return it as what I paid for it so I kept it and hopefully will find someone to buy it off me.  I  emailed the guy and he never returned my email, so I had no clue how to send it back. I will not buy from a private seller again. Cameta camera is the best to buy camera accessories from. Next time I will do a little more research before buying the first pop up on Amazon and think it will be the one to work.
I added the ET64II lens hood after several weeks of shooting with the EF 75-300mm USM lens.  Though I didn't often run into problems with lens flare (outside of when I deliberately wanted it for creative effect, that is), on several nature and plane photographs I found myself in need of a lens hood.This one works fairly well.  Using it for a day of nature photography in varied lighting conditions, I didn't have a single problem with unwanted flaring.  Plus, it also works with my EF-S 18-55mm kit lens that shipped with my Digital Rebel XT, a minor plus.However, it's a bit pricey for what it is and for the average price of the lenses it works with.  It's not petal-shaped due to the rotating end of the lenses it's designed to work with, and if you for some reason change filters often or are using a circular polarizer (which on the intended lenses is somewhat problematic anyway due to the element rotation during focusing), the hood gets in the way.
Buying a Canon lens is like buying a car without the hub caps. If they could sell it without the glass they would.
I've used this lens hood for over a year.  It fits on easily and firmly - never falls off.  With this, you don't need an extra (UV) filter for protection of the front lens.  When put on the reverse way, for storage, it nearly covers the entire lens barrel, protecting it against rubs from other equipment.
I was very please with the quality for the lens hood.  The inside lining was an extra surprise.  I would recommend the hood.
for the price, the gains in workflow are incredible. the ability to completely circumvent the memory car and see the pictures on the full sized computer screen are well worth the asking price. just make sure you get a long enough usb cable, I myself procured a 15 ft usb extension cable in anticipation of this product.onto my reviewthe software is a lil sluggish compared to iphoto or photoshopCS2 at actually batch processing conversions. What really makes this software worth the money however is the camera control software. through the usb cable (assuming you upgrade the firmware to version 2.0)  you can cotrol all the settings on the camera and use it as a remote shutter. This is absoloutly ideal in a studio environment where you get the most efficient workflow possible. This extends to the field assumng you have a laptop.to get the maximum use of this sotware aside from the camera itself(duh)I highly reccomend the followingAC adapter -(usb tends to drain the batteries on my d70 not asoloutly neccessary but useful in an indoor studio)extra batteries - (see above)tripod - to take advantage of software controllerlaptop - (take your workflow anywhere)usb extension cable - the longer the better
Designed to compete against Adobe Elements in the Prosumer range of the digital editing market, Capture 4 is a solid product: it does just about every thing its competitors do.As a life long Nikon user, I was looking forward to this software due to a series of enhanced features that apply specifically to Nikon files (NEFs). However, it lacks one basic feature that has relegated it to "seldom used" application status on my PC. Capture 4 does not allow the user to convert color photos into B&W; -- a basic and often-used function. You can do so in another Nikon program (Nikon View) but why do users have to load and use two programs to accomplish a task that is a) commonly used by many photographers b) bundled in even the most rudimentary shareware editing software c) is technically a breeze.I like this software. It's generally inuitive and works well. But I can't overlook the B&W; conversion issue. It's key for me. Until this feature is added as a free upgrade, I'll continue to use and recommend Photoshop Elements.
Excellent product, very happy with it.
I have Adobe Photoshop CS2 and used its RAW processor. Nikon Capture is a more complete and subtle processor for RAW. Very usesfull for processing my D70 images.
This software allows not only tethered remote control of my camera (Nikon D70) for long time-lapse photography, but tethered remote or studio shoots using my notebook and wireless Ethernet connection.  It also allows installing a custom curve, a basic requirement for the D70 to prevent that 'dark' look that is so common.  When used with Adobe Bridge, custom raw adjustments are also semi-automated (do the first one, make it the default, and the rest follow along) completing the bulk of the digital work flow in a proactive, automated fashion.  Nikon Capture also allows the custom file naming during shooting, not after the fact.  Clients can see in real-time how their images are coming out, so I know when the client has what they're looking for 'in the can' during the shoot and not well after the fact.  I don't even need a card in the camera as the computer becomes the mass storage device, saving the step of downloading.  The only downside is speed.  It is slower shooting this way, but a USB 2.0 port might ease that problem some.  It does make me pick my shot's more carefully which is yielding better overall results.
In my opinion Capture does a better job of initial adjustment to a photo (NEF or JPEG) than photoshop and it is much easier to use. There are no masks or complicated steps to adjust sharpness, hue, saturation, etc. You just click on a spot you want corrected and adjust the corresponding sliders that appear. Two downsides: You have to set your photo printer as the default- there is no printer list (why I don't know at this stage). Second, there are no tools to heal or make other effects as with PS. But that is not the purpose of Capture. It is designed to work with other programs by first preparing your raw or jpeg, and it does a great (and best of all) easy job of it far better than Photoshop alone.
Capture 4.4 is the ultimate post-processing program for processing NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) photos, also known as "RAW" format photos.  For those not familiar with RAW format, essentially a RAW format photo file enables the photographer to make post-shot changes to a photo to a much greater extent than is possible when shooting conventional JPEG file shots.  So, for example, if one wishes to adjust the exposure on a RAW photo, you can do so and the effect is essentially the same, within the range of a couple of F/stops, as though you had shot the picture that way in the first place (there are exceptions to this beyond the scope of this review).  The same is true for many other settings, such as Color Mode (SRGB versus Adobe, for example), White Balance, Sharpening, etc.  You can modify some of these to some extent on JPEGs, but when you do there is always a loss of data--while there is no such loss when modifying RAW files.  The bottom line is that if you botch a setting shooting RAW files you are much more likely to be able to salvage the photo if you shot RAW, as compared to if you shot JPEG.  If you are shooting a wedding or some other critical event where failure is not an option, only a VERY competent expert would not opt to shoot RAW, in my opinion at least.I am explaining this, because it helps to explain what you are getting with Capture 4.4.  Capture 4.4 is the ultimate program for modifying the settings that RAW files are designed to allow the modification of.  It is Nikon's own program for modifying Nikon Electronic Format (RAW) files, and it is unsurpassed by third parties for this purpose.  This is NOT a substitute for Photoshop or its competitors.  Capture 4.4 does not give you the cloning tool and the other huge host of artistic modification tools that one finds in Photoshop.  (It does have a cropping tool and a few other basic tools along this line, but nothing like Photoshop).  The real purpose of Capture 4.4 is to control the "levers" i.e. exposure, sharpening, etc. that the RAW mode was designed to provide when post-processing RAW (and to a limited extent JPEG) photos.  Some photographers, myself included, use Capture 4.4 for this purpose, and then may use Photoshop if there are any detailed changes to the photo that need to be done.  Capture 4.4 really complements, rather than competes with, programs like Photoshop.The main gripe most users have with Capture 4.4 is that it is a clunky memory hog, and it is somewhat slow.  This is a program that will use every bit of your computer's processing power.  The user interface is on the clunky side too, although it is not all that bad.  I personally found that I could get up to speed pretty fast with this program without using the manual much.I give this one 5 stars for utility and 3 stars for being a memory hog with a clunky interface, rounding out to 4 stars. Future upgrades will doubtless cure the technical issues with this program.  But for the Nikon photographer shooting RAW files, this program is a "must have" in my opinion.  Highly recommended.
I originally purchased this to work with my D50... But when I got rid of that and upgraded to my D80, it became useless... Now I need to purchase an even more expensive Capture NX just to make it work with my new camera.A good product if it works with your camera. It was nice that it included both a Mac AND a Windows version on the CD.
It doesn't get the job done, if you're looking for usable digital photo editing, etc.
The image quality delivered by the 200-400 mm is excellent. The lens itself is very well constructed. While the 200-400 mm is heavy at 7 lbs+. it balances well on the tripod mount.  The control buttons include AF lock, memory reset, sound warning on/off, AF range, VR mode, etc.  The S-wave AFS operation is fast on the D2Xs, but slower on the consumer level D70.  With the TC14-E teleconverter (max.  to maintain autofocus capability) added, the focusing speed slows down on the D2Xs and becomes unacceptable on the D70. The VR feature works well on this lens. Images are well-saturated with excellent contrast and crisp detail.  A great lens for nature photography but pricey!
I have had this lens for about 4 months or so and just love it to death. If you have the money or not and you love wildlife photography then this is a must have lens. Lens works like a champ and takes sharp pictures. Work's very well with the Nikon TC-14E II converter and I would like to try the TC-17E also with it. I have mostly been using it to shoot Eagles in flight and have got some very nice shots. I would recommend and nice heavy duty carbon fiber tripod and the Bogen / Manfrotto 3421 Heavy Duty Gimbal Head.
I have been eyeing this lens for quite a while when it was still being sold at $4900 at adorama (imported) free ship and then suddenly I saw the price soaring to $5900 to my disgust for my inaction. Patiently I continued to scout from amazon when I saw this lens posted at $5119.95 + $30 shipping fee from Cameta....and without blinking an eye I ordered and was very pleased to own this very fine performer in my arsenal now.It is very fast, sharp and hmmm should I say heavy too?? I am very pleased with amazon for this and I can't complain at this time.
Fantastic wildlife and sports photography lens. I have used mine with the D300, D300, D800, D2x, D3, and D7100 cameras and autofocus was fast with all these cameras. Autofocus even works with the 1.4x teleconverter attached and the lens with the teleconverter attached fits inside the Nikon carry case. I have used this lens to photograph wildlife from birds to elk, motor sports, and soccer games outdoors and indoors in dimly lit churches to photograph wedding ceremonies.Image quality is incredible and the zoom is invaluable with the ability to crop as needed zooming out or in as needed. Often when photographing from a fixed location I want to zoom in on a subject and then back out to show the surrounding area and with this lens I can do this in seconds with no lens changes needed (also helps to keep dust out of the camera).The VR works very well though it needs to be used with the correct settings. There is a VR settings for use on a tripod and panning and a setting for normal and for active (as when in a car). Use VR incorrectly and the results will be affected. VR is also best turned off when not actually needed. I see people shooting at 1/1000s and having the VR or IS turned on and this slows the autofocus by a full second or longer and provides no benefits at fast shutter speeds.Lens is light enough to be hand held but I prefer to use a monopod or a tripod with this lens. Balance is very good on a tripod using the regular foot that comes with the lens and the foot serves as a convenient handle when carrying the lens.A friend has the VR II version and I cannot see any difference in performance or image quality when I have used his lens in place of mine. VR II may be better but the difference is too subtle for me to detect in actual use.
I purchased this lens a few days ago and now I see what all the fuss was about. I could have had the 80-400 but it focuses way too slow. Dreadful. I guess I have been spoiled with the AFS lenses. Well this one will not let you down.THE GOOD:The lens is balanced, you notice that right away. You can hand-hold the lens and it is not front-heavy like the 600/4 is. You point it somewhere and it will not try to leap out of your arms like a hyperactive terrier.The build is very nice.  None of the ugly cheap plastic on the barrel as you see on inexpensive zooms. This is well made, in Japan. No expense was spared.The results are phenomenal. I zoomed in on the laptop and the image was pixelating and still retained sharpness!  I will only hand-hold this lens but I am 6'4 and 240lbs.THE BAD:Amazon recommends Tiffen filters.  I say stick with Nikon because the filter is part of the optical calculation (you need a filter and cannot shoot without one). Yes they cost more but this is not a time to get cheap.It is heavy. It needs a very wide strap, like for a mailbag. Nikon should have included one if you ask me.It needs the TC-14E II.  The lens is a 200-400 zoom on my D700 but with a 1.4x it becomes a 280-560mm.  Once you break 500mm a whole new world opens up for you.Now I thought of the 300mm as well, and used to own one when the F5 came out. But I always used a TC to get to 600mm.  This way I keep image quality and have many options for focal length. The results are worth every penny!
This is a large and heavy lens with lots of features. It appears to be well constructed. I have only taken a few photos with it, but so far it isn't as sharp as expected. The photos were taken on a tripod with very little chance of excessive vibration.  The Vibration Reduction was turned on and the shutter speed was fast. The purchase price is a LOT of money to spend on something that doesn't produce perfectly sharp photos. I am using it on my D300 for nature photography.Update 12-31-10I stand by my earlier review. For those who think I'm using the lens improperly:  The lens instructions say to use the vibration reduction either on or off a tripod.  The image sharpness is basically the same on the tripod whether I use VR or not.  I still feel it is just a bit substandard.
i really like it. if ur camera is dx format, get this lens!!!!!
I initially owned the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens after purchasing my Nikon D300 body earlier this year. The 18-200 of course is a do-all mid-line lens and shouldn't be too critically compared to the professional line of Nikon glass. I used the 18-200 briefly as I became more familiar with my new D300 and found the images from the 18-200 were adequate, although not as crisp and sharp and high contrast as many of my Canon lenses had been before I migrated over to the Nikon side after 12+ years of using Canon gear. When I recently got a wedding shoot to do that required only available light and no flash for the entire 1 hour ceremony I now had the reason to consider purchasing the 17-55. Considering the Nikon 18-200 falls well short of a large enough aperture for low light photography and in reviews, is softer in resolution over-all anyway compared to the 17-55, this was my motivation to sell my 18-200 and pick up the Nikon 17-55 2.8 lens. (I've also added a 70-300mm Nikon VR to my bag to fill the telephoto void, I posted an excellent review on Amazon for this lens as well). The wedding was very recently shot, with most all images during the available light ceremony shot wide open at 2.8 due to the very low lighting in the church. Much to my relief, the images all turned out superbly and were very sharp, had excellent contrast and color saturation even wide open (I always shoot RAW for most important photo jobs). I was also absolutely delighted in the lens regarding how quick the focus was in the low light (basically instant with no hesitation nor any hunting as soon as the shutter release was pressed to record the image). Many shots required a large shift in focus from far to very close-up and the 17-55 didn't fail me even once, frame to frame. In many cases I had to quickly raise the camera to my eye and fire off a burst with no lag time to spare for the focus to occur if I was to capture a perfect shot and not miss the opportunity. The lens never failed here even once. They say, you get what you pay for and considering the 17-55 goes for around the $1200 mark, you're getting the excellent optical quality that only a high end Nikon lens can give you. If you need to shoot in low light levels, or just simply want the very best images that your camera can give you, a high-end lens is the ONLY way to go. This lens will not dissapoint you once-so-ever.
This Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 ... Its the sharpest Nikon Lens up to date ... the highest quality !!!! and its f/2.8 !!the facous rearly no sound at all (super silent and very fast) im using it withs Nikon D300 ...Nothing to worry about this lens ...
love the quickness of the lens but when the standard flash is used a shadow is created on the image because of the length of the lens
The best lens I've ever owned! It's reassuringly substantial but gives a nice feel on my D7100. I mostly shoot on tripod but it's fine handheld too. The quality of images is better than the F1.8 35mm I was using and the zoom range gives me far more flexibility. I tend to shoot all the way down to f2.8 and the images are flawless. This one stays on my camera all the time - I don't even bother with my primes anymore unless I really need f1.8.
This is a case of you get what you pay for and what's promised.  As the spec's & everyone says it's big, solidly built, smooth, fast focusing, etc.  It handles well on my D200, should be the same on a D300 and probably OK on a D80.  Smaller bodies might be overwhelmed.  Optics are top notch.  I tested mine against the Zeiss Contax G 45 & 28mm lenses and was pleased (yes, film vs digital was a big factor).  As when shooting with Zeiss glass, with the 17-55 you just use the aperture & focal length you want or need.  Wide open is no problem.  The few weak points are minor and (for me) don't come into play very often.  There's a hint of color fringing at 17mm but it was gone at 18-19mm (28mm equiv. on 35mm format).  Color fringes are auto-corrected in Capture NX and presumably in D300 .jpgs.  So if you see lens tests that sample each extreme plus a middle focal length they'll overstate the issue.  Yes there's barrel distortion at the wide end & a little pincushion at the long end.  I'll differ with one review in saying that the distortion is regular & easy to correct when you need to.Many 17-55 owners use it as their work-horse.  It can be an intimidating sight to your subjects with the hood mounted. I'd recommend a high quality UV filter to have the option of reducing the visual impact.  VR, a little more zoom range & a little less bulk would help on paper.  In use you just bring the camera to your eye and know that the lens will deliver.
I just got this lens recently and let me tell you, i ALWAYS wondered what the big deal was with this PRO lens.  Yes, it is a PRO lens unlike any other DX standard lens.  In fact, this lens was made and designed for PRO bodies in mind back then.  This lens is sooooo fast!!  Unbelievable!  The construction, well, you already know, it is the best and extremely high.  Auto Focus accuracy is bloody accurate and fast also.  Again, this is what you pay for.I don't care if Sigma or Tamron have their own lens, which i have owned and tested them myself, and i know Sigma is releasing a newer lens soon, but man, this lens is just unique, and it is a Nikon.  It doesn't get any better.  The new Sigma lens will be VERY expensive also, but i seriously DOUBT the built quality of this Nikon will be matched.I just sold my 16-85 and honestly, there isn't too much difference between these two, except the 17-55 is a little more warm and the colors are a bit more saturated, but not by much.  The bottom line:  You are getting this lens in a 2.8 for CONSISTENT accurate photographs, where as the 16-85 changes exposure every single time you change the focal lenth.  These are the only differences beside the ones i already mentioned above.Top notch lens, and i don't think i will ever need to replace this lens ever.
I bought this lens to upgrade from my 18-200mm and 18-70mm consumer lenses after a lot of research for use on my Nikon D300. I was rather apprehensive at spending so much on a lens with less zoom range but I really wanted better low-light support. What I got was a whole lot more. The difference was immediately noticeable. This lens is much sharper and just the feel of this lens is so much more precise, even after a couple of years of use and many tens of thousands of pictures it feels just as tight as when it was new and is just as sharp. After getting this lens I no longer use my 35mm or 50mm prime lenses unless I really need a more shallow depth of field.The zoom ring is silky smooth. It took me a while to adjust the different location of the zoom ring compared to my other consumer-grade zoom lenses but I don't think I can go back. This is the lens that is on my camera 99% of the time.The lens is a bit heavy compared to the consumer lenses but I blame that on it being so well built. It does not have the plastic feel of my other zooms.One other difference I noticed when moving from my consumer lenses to this lens is that I no longer have issues of dirt getting inside the camera, though I'm sure the extreme range of my 18-200 contributed a lot to that.Focus is fast and accurate and to override just turn the focus ring.I do see more flare and ghosting with this lens than with my 18-200 and 18-70 though, so the lens hood is recommended.The lens hood stays stationary while the front of the lens moves forward and back while zooming. It does not rotate like the consumer 18-55 lens so it's great with filters like a circular polarizer.Brokah is quite pleasant and not at all harsh.Soon I will be upgrading to a D800 and getting the 24-70mm f2.8 lens so it will be interesting to compare. I can only hope that the 24-70mm f2.8 FX lens is as sharp as this one. The only other thing I miss is VR, though F2.8 makes up for it compared to the consumer lenses.If you want a great midrange zoom lens for a DX camera this is the one to get. I also got a good multi-coated Hoya UV filter to protect the lens (which it did on one occasion). If you get a filter, research it first. Don't put a cheap filter on the front of this lens.
I bought this lens about a week after I bought a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC in a local store.I bought the Tamron because it was significantly cheaper, and as an advanced hobbyist who doesn't make one cent from photography, I thought I could live with a substitute.Fortunately, my doubt gets the better of me, and I decided to give the Nikkor a shot.  From the much larger computer screen, the images produced from the Nikkor appears to be very sharper even at the largest aperture of f2.8, and I just love the contrasty, and rich colour tone produced by this lens.  This lens is fantastic for indoor shoots due to the larger aperture and also the "zoomabilty".  The 17mm focal points allows you to shoot in a tight space, and the 55mm allows you to zoom in for a facial/closer shot.  I like museum, indoor exhibition and this lens is just perfect for me.You may have heard people insisted Tamron is just as good.  Well, ask them whether they own or tested both and, if not, how qualified are they to make that statement?  As good as Tamron is, and being a affordable Nikkor substitute, IMO it's still not on par with a Nikkor: not the IQ (even though they are very close), not the build quality, not the weather sealed, and certainly not the resale value after a few years.  Furthermore,  the Nikkor has a much faster, quieter and assured AF even in low light situations.Although this is not a super zoom, this lens is quite heavy, and it balances quite well with a bigger camera such as a D300S.  IMO, the only real weakness of this Nikkor lens is the lack of a VR function.  For some, this may not be a necessity, but for me, weighing at about 1.5kg (3 Ibs) when use with a D300S, it's difficult not to shake when you hold it up against your face.  Nonetheless, due to the larger aperture, I can handhold and shoot very sharp images at 1/30 sec (at 55mm) even though I don't have the steadiest hands .  Imagine being able to shoot 2 to 4 more stops if a VR function is added, I can probably handhold at 1/13 sec without much problem.If $$$ is not an issue to you, and you don't mind the heavier weight, I suggest you seriously consider getting this one.  The $800 difference (when compared to a Tamorn 17-50mm f2.8 VC) may seem be big now, but this is one lens that would last you a long time, and Nikkor's resale value tends to hold very well even after many year of use.I decided to keep the Nikkor, and passed the Tamron to my wife who prefers the lighter weight over Nikkor's superior IQ, faster AF, weather seal with her Nikon D90.
As lens designs go, this lens is the oldest among the Nikon DX line of lenses as well as being the most expensive, and 2nd heaviest (after porcine 18-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, which is a consumer grade lens).Despite seemingly all the negative accolades, I just love what this lens can do in combination with my D7100. D7100's 24mp sensor really brings out the best in this lens. Great color, contrast, and bokeh. Sharp too! Build quality is on par with Nikon's 24-70 mm FX lens.  It's overall IQ is almost as good as 24-70 mm f 2.8/D800 combo.  I've used  Nikon 18-200, 18-105, 18-55, 16-85 mm and Sigma 17-50 mm DX body lenses; this lens is hands down the best DX lens in terms of image quality.
This is a great lens for photojournalism, weddings and general photography.  I've not had the opportunity to shoot landscapes with mine yet but I expect it to excel in that aspect as well.  Wide open, the lens is very sharp - When opening images in Adobe photoshop, there is often no need for sharpening.The lens balances well on my Nikon D70, and is very comfortable to use - the zoom and focus rings are adquately sized and have a nice consistent resistance throughout their respective ranges.  Additionally, the lens focuses very close (about a foot from the subject), allowing a lot of creative flexibility.I purchased this lens as an upgrade to the D70 kit lens (18-70 f/3.5-4.5) and can honestly say it was worth it.  I shot a low light wedding (my first) with this lens and an 85 1.8 and found the 17-55 indispensible.  The fast 2.8 aperture is great for low light while the 17mm end (appears similar to a 27mm on film) allows for a much wider angle than comparable 28-7x lenses.  I've heard of sample variation, but have had no problems with mine.  Highly recommended.
After a great deal of research I decided to upgrade from the Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 kit lens to the Nikon 16-85 f/3.5-5.6.  I was looking for sharper glass that would give my images greater 'pop' (as well as a portrait zoom) and finally purchased one from an Amazon affiliate (Adorama).(Yes, this is a Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 review.  Please read on.)I tested the 16-85 for a week and found the glass to be both sharp and contrasty.  The images I made with it show good detail.  On the other hand, it 'feels' cheaply made.  The zoom is sticky and tends to get caught, often preventing one from selecting the exact framing they were looking for.  In practical use the lens is f/5 at 50mm and f/5.6 shortly thereafter.  It is not a good choice as a portrait lens, especially if you like blurred backgrounds.Funny thing, with the new 16-85 in my hands I found myself looking to buy a 'portrait' lens such as a 50 1.8 or 85 1.8.  After looking for a day or so, I thought to myself, "this is silly."  Conclusion?-  this is a very good kit lens and the 18-70 might be just as good. (Actually, at f/4.5 on the long end the 18-70 is an adequate portrait lens.)  Also, if I had to buy a new portrait lens to go with it, then the cost difference between the 16-85 and the 17-55 was out the door.  Taking advantage of a VERY generous return policy I sent the 16-85 back and ordered the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8.The 17-55 f/2.8 balances well on my D90's; even the one without an external battery pack. The combination feels right in my hands.  Weight wise, I find it to be lighter than my other, daily use, lenses (Nikon 80-200 f/2.8, Nikon 300 f/4).  Construction wise this lens is very well made with good zooming action.  Other reviewers note that the zooming action of the 17-55 is 'sticky.'  In comparison with the really sticky 16-85 I would say, instead, that it is well damped.  In practical use I find that I do not miss the wide, or tele ends, of the 16-85.  Of note, you will need an external flash with the 17-55.  The on-camera flash sits too low and will produce vignetting at wide angles.  This lens excels at available light shooting.  Particularly, in those instances where flash is not wanted, or permitted.  (My photography generally involves nature at dawn/dusk and stage performances.)  In available light this lens produces very 'sharp!' images, indeed.As stated, buying any lens is all about the image.  The 17-55 f/2.8 produces sharp, contrasty, images.  Also, backgrounds are nicely blurred when the lens is shot wide open.  I find this to be an excellent portrait, and daily use, lens.By the way, when I was researching this lens I came across a review on B&H; Photo's website by the photographer for Lamborghini.  He pointed out that all of the images on his website, of Lamborghini's, were taken with the 17-55 f/2.8.  Check them out and see what this lens can do in the right hands: google shirakiphoto.Final analysis:  the Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 is an excellent kit lens that appears to be the equal of the Nikon 16-85.  If you are looking to step up from a kit lens to one that can be used for portraits, and available light shooting, then the Nikon 17-55 is your lens in the DX format.
An amazing lens!  Images are sharp.  Wide angle encompasses most of your scene while the telephoto gets you pretty close.  It would be nice if Nikon made this lens with VR, but for the most part, it gets the job done.  The price is a little steep for most people, but the quality is by far worth the price.  The f2.8 will give you a wide enough aperture to photograph under lower lighting with a decent shutter speed  (under most circumstances) and without a flash.
There is no better crop sensor lens for a Nikon dslr. You will be blown away, so go for the big price tag because it is worth every penny. I might recommend that you get the best experience by pairing this with a D7000 or D7100 with a grip for pro ergonomics.
It is perfect for what it does. Fast, not too big, with a zoom range equivalent to 25-88mm in 35mm terms. This lens is for portraits, small groups, indoor events where the lighting might not be so good. It is flattering to people with enough distance at the long end to keep the photographer from being too intrusive and also give you a shallow enough depth of field to isolate a subject from its background. Bokeh is excellent. At the wide end you can easily catch most of a dance floor or a band. Focusing is fast, sure, and quiet, even in dim light.
I take architectural and landscape shots, where I need to get "just the right" angle on a natural scene or a building. If I were a lens purist (and money were no object) I would carry 3 or 4 lenses--but this is impractical for many reasons. For one thing, three lenses will each have their idiosyncrasies that need to be compensated for, and really who wants to swap lenses constantly to get the right perspective?  I suspect that it's too much hassle for most of us--and far too expensive.A few people here have compared this lens to the Tamron 17-50, so let me add my experience to theirs. I bought the Tamron 17-50 first, thinking I would be happy with the results, as well as with the savings. While I've found that lens is great in extreme close-ups, the image falls apart in landscape shots. I'm a stickler for image quality. There are optical defects I can fix in image processing, but blurred spherical distortion isn't one of them. From 17mm to 50, the Tamron introduces unfixable distortion outside the center of the image, rendering most of its images unusable to me.Just how much better is the Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8?  There are a lot of online sources that quantify lens performance, such as Photozone and Dxomark--they're really worth perusing before you decide--take a close look at "perceptual megapixels" in the ratings as it applies to Nikon body/lens combos. The other lens I considered was the Nikkor 17-35, an FX-format lens.  While that lens is marginally sharper, it creates more distortion (bad), and it costs significantly more.  I do plan to upgrade to an FX-format body, but since I can use this lens in DX mode, this isn't an issue to me.So just how has the Nikkor 17-55 performed?  After my bad experience with the Tamron, I was hoping this lens would hit the "sweet spot"--some (expected) image softness near the edges--but fixable in processing.  While this zoom performs well across its focal length, I would say that 22-40mm looks the best to me: images that are sharp and high-contrast: giving the viewer the illusion of "being there". Overall, I'm very happy with this lens--it meets my expectations where a little post-processing solves much of the sharpness issues. It also focuses very quickly, is very well built with a metal body, and should give me years of service.
either you will love it or hate it, as was written by Thom Hogan.and it is very true, but for me i just love it.some says it is expensive, we only have one life to live, and we work hard for our money.some says its heavy, i mean really , its not that heavy.some says it has no VR, one does not really need vr to shoot at 1/30 of a second. which is what i like most about this lens, it stops you from doing a point and shoot, and make you stop and think of what speed you are about to shoot at.focus speed is fastcolours are rendered beautifullycontrast is greatboken is fantasticAll in all, it is a great lens. and if something happened to it, i wont hesitate to buy another.DaveT
I can't begin to use this lens to it's full potential with my D90 but I can get close. Amazing pictures.
Reviewers below have already described how great this lens is -- I add my voice to the choir but wanted to write here about the decision process that led to 17-55.  As others have also said, choosing the camera is relatively easy but choosing the lens (or lenses) is mind boggling. I spent the better part of two weeks researching online and going to photo stores.  The 17-55 was barely in my peripheral vision when I started.  Of course the first thing I considered was the 18-200VR.  All the reviewers like it -- Rockwell was practically orgasmic -- and softly bashed the 17-55 as a heavy, expensive and overkill for most.  I looked at many options and kept coming back to the 18-200 as the best all round but something wouldn't let me pull the trigger.  And it's this:  I like natural light.  Many of my photos are references for painting, and I do a lot of portraits and some landscape.  Getting the best color, in natural light is my highest priority.  In amongst the 18-200 reviews there were a few hints about it being a bit dark at the 200 end (even with  VR allowing slower shutter) and about "creep" of the lens when held vertically.  I liked the possibility of a one-lens for all situations but began to wonder if I would get my use out of the 200 end without flash or tripod.  Came to the 17-55 and dismissed it several times until finally tried it in a photo store.  In retrospect, the reviewers suggest focusing on your priorities and for me the 17-55 made the most sense. I admit that I am partial to the simple feel of the lens -- phrases like "built like a tank" carry a lot of weight with me.  I'm careful but do use the stuff.  I also got an 85 1.8 for portraits so for the two lenses spent double the price of the 18-200VR -- not what I had planned on.  But this selection focused the dollars to the heartland priorities and perhaps eventually I will bracket these with a 12-24 (third party) and a longer Tamron.  The value of SLR, it seems to me, is to choose the options that match your needs.Update, June 4 2012  First, thanks all for the comments.  I'm glad this overview of the decision process was helpful.  Now, about five years later, I can update and say that I love the lens -- love how fast it is, how easy to use, the quality feel of it and of course the quality of the photos.  I am not a professional -- not even a very highly skilled amateur.  I use the camera mostly for personal use, reference photos.  But my photos of our kitchen (we just remodeled it ourselves) were high enough quality that This Old House used my photos in a feature they did on our kitchen.  And the key to why the kitchen looked good in the photos is that they were all taken in just the natural light from one large east window.  No tripod either.I will say that the lens is heavy and the D200 is bulky with this lens (and I sometimes add a hood).  I took this camera and lens on a trip to Trinidad, and found it was a challenge to lug it all around on jaunts into the forests.  I was envious of other people on the trip who had cute little cameras -- their photos seemed fine (and of course we were taking these outdoors with plenty of light).  I may eventually get  a little camera for trips.  I felt kind of ridiculous with the big lens and the Nikon, actually.  And it was not the right match for this birding trip.  There were folks with huge telephotos to shoot the birds and sloths in the trees.  But a fabulous wide angle was just not that much of a brilliant match for what I needed to be doing here.But very, very glad I got this lens.  It is just very satisfying to use such a wonderful piece of gear.  And my photos look like I know what I'm doing, even though much of the time I'm not doing a whole lot more than pointing and shooting.
For a long time, I used the 18-105mm kit that came with my D90, even after I upgraded to a D7000.  My results were inconsistent. There was a lack of sharpness and colors  sometimes lack "vibrancy". I began to look the the 17-55mm photos posted on Flickr and saw immediately that they were just better, in many cases even when shot with cameras discontinued long ago. I bought a mint 17-55mm on Ebay and haven't regretted it. Yes, it is big and heavy, but I don't mind, as the results justify the minor inconvenience. This is a terrific lens and unless you are going to be printing to wall sized posters, you don't need the vaunted and even heavier full frame rig. The 17-55mm is a very useful range and I note that some reviewers find this lens sharper than the 18-200mm. Highly recommended.
Canon offers similar lens with image stabilization for about 20% less.By not offering image stabiliztion in-body, both Canon and Nikon extrorts permium each time you buy a lens. As far as this lens is concerned, for most users  are better of with two fast primes and will be cheaper as well. Unfortunately, 50mm F1.4 is only Nikon prime that auto focuses on sub-D90 bodies. Current generation of Nikon bodies are best of the breed, but they don't lens selection Canon offers.
With all the FX talk and full frame sensor thrashing, you need to focus on objectives and purpose for your needs. This lens is constant 2.8 through the entire focal range. That affords a profound differenece for me, shooting in shade, under objects, on my kneepads in the early morning, walking through urban alleys before sunrise. This is a DX lens you can trust, solid, well built like a tank--if you could choose only one lense, this is it. The "walk around" zooms are fine, but my first 10 years of BW photography utilized a single 50mm prime lense. And these shots remain the most graphic and satisfying. I compose by using my legs and eyes, get your body in position. For me, this lens offers the ability to lock in 35 mm or 50mm (and its prime sharp), plus wide angle for those intermitant shots when I desire to capture a wider composition. Each photographer has their own preferences, but for my purposes, this is an invaluable lense, and the constant 2.8 delivers in so many ways. With my 70-300 VR, 60mm micro and 50 1.8, this completes an amazing foursome that I am thrilled to travel with or handle inside my studio.
This fast lens is a dream come true for ambient light event photographer! I love the lens and this is simply incredible.
Awesome lens.  Fast.  Shoots well in low light situations.  It is quite large and somewhat heavy, but it is worth it.
I have the 18 - 55 kit lens and was dissatisfied due to the softness and the very slow focusing times.  I also do a lot of available light photography and could not get the shutter speeds I wanted.  So I started using primes exclusively.I debated buying this lens because it wasn't a full frame.  I have a D80 and D300, but aspire to full frame one day.  I made the right decision in buying this lens.  It's lightening fast.  I haven't had a problem in focusing, except in very low light.  The results are as sharp as my 35mm and 50mm primes.  It's built like a tank, but no so heavy that I couldn't carry it around all day.There are two issues.  First, I get a fair amount of lens flare when pointed directly at a source of light (common for available light, when a street lamp or candle is in the frame).  Not 100% of the time, but where the shooter needs to be aware of this issue.  Also, when using the built in flash with either the D80 or D300, the lens hood will shade the lighting.  You can solve the problem by removing the lens hood when using the built in flash.Still, this is a 5 star lens.  I tend to be reserved with my reviews and give low ratings when there are serious issues, but I recommend this lens without reservation.
I am a film person who used a cell phone and/or quick shoots for a bit. bought the D7000 body only to use with my N2000 lens...than few days later bought the 17-55mm f/2.8...at first I was disappointed because the zoom of my old 70-210 pulled in distance and this seemed not to find the hand in front of me...reviews here always seem so tech and i get lost.  after a few days with this lens i must say it is awesome! I do have to take about 10 pics to get the perfect one... but since i don't have to use film that's fine...this lens is smooth sharp and produces crisp shots even for a new dslr person...the sweetness of this lens is awesome...love it
This is the first lens I purchased for my Nikon D7000 and I think that it may have skewed my expectations - after using this lens, all of the other Nikon DX lenses seem to pale in comparison.The Good:-------------------Make no mistake about it, this is a pro-grade lens and you will probably get the most out of it on Nikon's only "pro grade" DX camera, the D7000. It will work on just about all of the other camera bodies, however. It's body is made out of metal and its constant f/2.8 means great performance across its range of focal lengths even in dim lighting.On a DX camera you're getting 26mm to 83mm and everything in between, so with this one lens you can effectively handle most photographic work. I like this aspect from a business standpoint, because can go to the long end for excellent portraits or the short end for excellent wide-angle shots. This lens effectively replaces a bag of primes and I can confidently say it performs BETTER than the other primes available for DX cameras; it's basically an FX lens downsized to the DX format and quality was not sacrificed.Taking pictures with this lens will really unleash the potential of your D7000, but it will have the nasty side effect of making all of your other lenses look bad. I have completed a couple shoots using this lens and the results were night-and-day with other DX options, namely the 35mm f/1.8G (about 53mm on full-frame cameras). In all lighting conditions the results were substantially better with the 17-55mm lens, and considering the focal ranges it covers as well as its quality, the price is justifiable.The Bad:-------------------It's freakin heavy! The 17-55 weighs in just under 2 lbs and that bulk seems to get heavier if you have to carry it around your neck for any extended period of time...though to be honest it's not as bad as I thought it would be - just make sure you get a quality padded camera strap like the one made by OP-TECH.It's BIG so it will partially block the AF assist light on the D7000 when you are not using the included hood, and when you do use the hood it blocks the AF assist light almost entirely.The big size also interferes with the D7000's built in flash, causing a shadow to appear on the lower half of your shots...if you want to use a flash, you'll need to go with a dedicated unit.Expensive in relation to other DX lenses, but then again it's the only DX-specific lens that isn't a hunk of junk.Its constant f/2.8 speed makes it versatile enough to be usable in poor lighting, but it's not ideal for "flashless" low light photography.Y u no have nano crystal coating!?How I use it:-------------------I love this lens for model shoots and portraits, but it also does well with anything that does not require super zoom or ultra-wide angle. I am a fan of available light and prefer to make the subject work within the scene rather than making a scene for the subject...like a challenge, if you will. The Lumix GH2 camera that I have been using before the D7000 delivered impressive results with its 25mm Leica lens and its 14-140mm Zoom - but the D7000 with the 17-55mm stepped my game up from "hi I'm a freelance picture guy with a camera" to more of a pro-level "take a number and wait your turn" kinda photographer. In other words, the pictures it is capable of taking sell themselves and then some!Recommendation:-------------------If you enjoy taking pictures in the 17-55mm focal length range on a DX camera, this is the best lens you can get for that purpose. The quality you get with this lens is generally better than what you get from the primes of the same focal length. If you're strapped for cash you could consider renting one of these from a local camera shop to get a feel for it, otherwise get it and make sure you have a decent camera too.
When I found the 17-55, my primary lens was the 18-200 VR (first version). I rarely use that one now. The 17-55 is sharper and is perfect for use at events such as weddings, receptions, etc. As with so many lenses these days the front element has no protection so I highly recommend a good filter and to use the hood, especially when moving through crowds.Another review mentions that Ken Rockwell doesn't like this lens. I believe it is more accurate to say that he doesn't have a need for it. The f/2.8 isn't as important on a sunny day as it is on a cloudy day or when used indoors. (The more light let in by the lens, the less light a flash has to put out.) This means several things. If you are taking pictures of kids, the flash works less so it is able to recycle faster. Also, when taking pictures of people at events, the flash is less likely to blow out details. I frequently let the camera take two or three shots at a time so I can pick the best exposure.The lens is expensive, but worth it. I bought a store demo model in December, 2008 for $900. Amazon had the lens for $1,130 at the time. I recommend that Nikon owners take a good look at what type of photography they will do most of the time. If you do a lot of portraits in a studio, then perhaps this lens isn't for you. However, the speed of the lens and the zoom range make it great for events (indoors and out).
After a long time to consider prices, features and availability; I purchased this lens  about a week ago for my D-70 (I am on the waiting list for the new D300.) To date I have shot about 500 frames. Roughly half in-studio with lights and umbrellas, and half outdoors. This is an amazing piece of glass! The clarity and sharpness are better than anything I have ever used before. But I think the greatest strength it brings to the table is the amazing dynamic range it captures. Imagine a shot where contrast is high, yet the highlights are not blown out while the dark areas show every detail. This lens does that and then some. It is fast and dependable, not to mention it is build like a tank.I want to address 3 negative comments associated with this zoom:1. The price. What do you expect from professional-grade glass?2. Too heavy. Give me a break! Consider starting a strength-building  exercise program.3. It will make you hate every lesser lens you own. I call that improvement.And finally, when you buy a UV filter to protect it, don't skimp on the quality. I know the top of the line is expensive; but why buy a cheap filter to put in front of you expensive lens? I bought a UV B+W 77mm F-Pro and attached it to the Nikon lens right out of the box.
I'm a learner. I started with Nikon D70 and 18-70mm. Then I got D300s with the 16-85mm lens which produced very sharp good quality of pictures compared to my first lens. I got the 17-55mm for its f/2.8 feature. I use them mainly for sightseeing travel, so any bigger/heavier lens won't be convenient for me. Both 16-85mm and 17-55mm lenses produced sharp good quality of pictures, but the 17-55mm worked much better for low light (outdoor or indoor) shooting. As to the weight, I got used to it on my D300s with 16-85mm lens so it doesn't feel much of the difference carrying my older camera D70 with the 17-55mm lens.
I bought this lens for my D7000 after spending weeks trying to decide between this lens and the Nikon 24-70. The 24-70 is a great lens, even on a cropped sensor camera like the D7000. But overall, I needed the wider range from this lens. And I've already decided I'm not going full frame. So the 17-55 is perfect. Yes, the lens is heavy, but it's so worth it. It's a pro lens. Images are fantastic. And the auto-focus is super-fast, faster than all my other lenses, including primes.  After shooting with this lens for the last few months, I have to say I love it. It stays on my D7000 95% of the time. If I had one wish from Nikon, I'd wish this lens was 17-70 f/2.8. I currently have a Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4, which is a much more useful range. Course a Nikon 17-70 f/2.8 would be priced through the roof. So I'm happy I bought this lens. If you have an APS-C Nikon and want a pro grade lens, this is it.
Need to do more photo test, seems like have focus problem using autofocus, maybe back or front focus, not shure, problems to focus when there are low light conditions, when try to take pictures at 17mm or wide, was not focused whet check it later.when the photo is well focused, look fine, not as the 50mm f/1.8
This is an exceptional lens, and if you are a wedding or event photographer using a DX camera, then you should own it!  No, it does not have VR, but that is not necessarily a detriment at this focal-length.  Considering that this lens will be most useful at wide apertures with fast shutter speeds on moving targets, and that it excels in that performance bracket, VR wouldn't be being used that often anyway.  Especially since, for the posed shots, you will probably be switching lenses to more of a portrait focal-length anyway (or mounting it to a tripod for group shots).  Nonetheless, this lens is capable of getting just about any shot, within its focal range.  It is expensive, but it is also worth it!
Wedding photography is challenging, partly because of low-light situations, such as in a church when no flash is allowed or in a reception hall when the house lights are dimmed. For those situations this is my lens of choice.And this lens also produces some very sharp images. If I am shooting portraits in the 17-55mm focal length range then this is the lens I grab. I also own a 50mm prime lens but I tend to gravitate toward this one.Another bonus is the vibration reduction. I've hand held this lens for as long as 1/30 of a second without noticeable camera shake blurr.If you are shooting Nikon with a DX sensor professionally or if you just want your images too look professional then this is the lens you need. If you need a lens for a D3 or the new D700, which use the FX format then this is the wrong lens.
There is not much more that can be added to the comments about this lens. It is quick, extremely sharp, and has great color reproduction.  I am completely satisfied with this purchase. If you are a professional photographer you probably already have one of these in your bag or working on purchasing one.  If you are a serious hobbyist, do yourself a favor, sell the boat, take out a second mortgage, or do whatever it takes but, make sure to get one of these for your bag.  You will not regret it.The only shortcoming that I can find with this lens is that I wish that they would have extended the focal length to about 85mm. That would most definitely have made this the perfect tool for all occasions.
Absolutely love this lens.  At the end of a wedding however, my arm did notice that is is heavier than the Tameron 2.8 17-55mm.
This is the lens on my D2X most of the time.Very sharp, quick focusing, solidly built, a joy to use.Recommended!
[...]This is one of the BEST lenses I have used!  I purchased this beast after reviewing the lens here and at other sites.  I needed a fast lens and this one seemed to be rated very highly.  Now I can understand why.  I just returned from three days shooting up in Maine (photos up on my website now) and I have to say the detail, and clarity are absolutely incredible!  I am able to easily view images shot with this lens not only at 100%, but even at 200% in my Lightroom application!  This is not something I could do with my other lenses.  Well worth the money for sure.  I am using it on my Nikon D300, and Finepix S2 Pro.  Since I purchased it the lens has not come off the  D300.This weekend (2/28) I am shooting my first wedding with the lens.  It is entirely indoors, with available light and some light flash.  I'm looking forward to it now.  My other lenses include the 18-200 VR Zoom, though not as sharp and clear as this one still a very good lens.  I also have the Tokina 12-24 F4 zoom and some other Macro lenses and a lensbaby 3G.  I'm updating this review today, 3/16/09 to report the lens worked flawlessly in the wedding shoot! Quite frankly, I could not have shot the wedding and/or the images would not have been this great.  I've not only received many compliments on the images themselves, but have also received enough side orders -- not even from the B & G to help offset the expense of the lens.  Wow is the only word that comes to my mind.  It is truly an amazing piece of glass. I shot the entire wedding with this lens, and a lensbaby in the confines of a small room, completely lit by tungsten lighting, and one soft box i brought in from my studio for some semi-formal shots.Like I said, this one has not come off the D300.  It's unbelievable.  Well worth the money if you shoot pro, or just want the very best results.
I just had to have this lens, so I bought it.  In retrospect, it was a good move.  It's a relatively fast lens, and is very sharp.  It goes great with my Nikon D300 as an everyday lens.  It should work good in available light with a high ISO.  If you're thinking about buying it, just realize that it's not a small light lens.  Rather, it's somewhat hefty.  But it's solid as a rock and a quality product, to be sure.  The only question now is what lens do I buy to cover the longer focal lengths?  The 70-200 VR?
Wow......just got this today......don't know why I waited so long to replace my older film (albeit pro grade) lenses from the 1980's and 1990's that I was using with my 2006 DSLR camera. The images from this lens are like looking at the subjects themselves with your own eyes. Razor sharp and hyper-real. I mean flat out flawless color, clarity, contrast, sharpness, etc, etc. Distortion is not as bad as I had heard but many computer programs fix that stuff if you really care. I'm used to carrying around heavy f/2.8 lenses anyway (even on vacation) so the weight of this does not bother me. It is heavy as heck, however! The bokeh rocks! I am just blown away by this lens. I don't think it's comin' off the camera for a while. Do yourself a favor and just go ahead and get it. I promise you won't be disappointed.Update 10/26/07:o.K., so I am a little disappointed in the barrel distortion and pincushion of this lens. Not only is it very pronounced, but often it is not elliptical and looks really bad. If you have straight lines in your picture (top of building, brick wall, etc) and this effect happens, it is so bad that the picture is ruined. No way to correct non-elliptical distortion (at least not with the programs I have, and I have Photoshop CS2)
My lenses for film cameras did not have autofocus but did have a distance scale so I could set focus manually in advance. This lens, even though it works well on autofocus, does have the distance scale so it works well with manual focus. Overall the lens works as expected, with a neat extra feature.
By far one of if not the best lens I own. Photos are tack sharp. May need to increase the shutter speed, it doesn't capture motion well. for portraits, and stills, it is second to none in my bag.
The 18-55mm kit lens wasn't cutting it. I read reviews that the tamron 17-50mm would be spectacular, but it was incredibly soft wide open. Isn't the point of getting a fast wide lens to be able to use it in low light? With the Tamron, many of the shots I was getting were so soft, retouch was not possible because so much detail was lost.Then I picked up this lens and everything changed. The AF was lighting fast. At 2.8, my focus area was tack sharp and the bokeh was pleasing. I read some complaints of the weight of the lens... I think it balances my d90 + grip perfectly. I love this lens. It was very expensive, but as soon as I did my first shoot with it, I wondered how I went so long without it.Get it. You won't regret it.
I've only had this lens for about 36 hours however I'm pleased with the AF speed and am surprised at how wide it really is. I'm using it on my D5000 and it's an addition to a tiny, little 50mm 1.8 (awesome lens) that I've been using for about 8 months now with Manual focus. Being already seasoned into my 50mm 1.8 indoors WITHOUT flash usage, I find that images are somewhat dark with this lens...I'm NOT yet used to it and I know it's as fast as pro lenses get however I'm in the process of learning exactly the best ways to use this lens and take advantage of all it has to offer.Later this week, I'll share some images and update this review however it's great so far.
This is my favorite lens for weddings and full length portraits.  It is built for professionals, and can produce fantastic results, (in the right hands).  Images are tack sharp with great color and contrast.  The fast fixed aperture is perfect for low light photography at all zoom lengths.  Great for those times when you can't use a flash.Before making your purchase consider that any of the the affordable "kit" lenses, (with a nearly identical zoom range), may fit your budget better.  For example, the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II is really a terrific lens.  If you have any doubt, get the less expensive kit lens, and try to outgrow its usefulness by becoming a better photographer.Like all photographic tools, the more expensive "professional" models won't make you a better photographer.  This lens just allows you a greater range of flexibility in certain situations where the kit lens will fall a tad short.  Every lens in the right hands can produce "professional" results, but this one will make the professionals life just a little easier.  If you are truly ready for a lens like this, the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED won't disappoint.
There has been so much said about this lens already by earlier reviewers.  Simply put, it's an amazing lens that is perfect for those who don't plan to jump to Nikon's FX format.I debated on buying this lens for months due to its age (it was released in 2003 I believe).  I needed an f/2.8 lens for shooting events and photo shoots, and I strongly considered theNikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lensbecause it has Nano Coating and smoother mechanics.  I'm happy I went with the DX version.  The difference between 17mm and 24mm is critical.This lens is built extremely well, focuses fast, and is very sharp (even at f/2.8).  The constant wide aperture makes low-light shooting possible.  This lens also has a very low amount of color-fringing at wider apertures that is easily fixed in post-processing.  What I like most is my ability to open up the f-stop to expose the environment when using a flash as fill on the subject.  Previously, with my variable aperture lens, I had to slow the shutter speed to an uncomfortable point to get proper background detail.The only issues I have with this lens are the stiffness and the position of the zoom ring (it's extremely close to the camera body, to the point where it gets in the way). It doesn't have VR, but that's not a necessity for a lens with this range, and a VR element may degrade image quality.  In any case, it's an essential tool for any professional that uses DX.  A little expensive, but I guess that comes with buying Nikon lenses that have a gold band.Because of its limited range and weight, another lens may be better as a general walk-around, say theNikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Camerasfor about half the price.  That lens works better for the casual photographer.  However, nothing beats f/2.8!
This is simply a splendid lens. On my D 200 it has produced miracles. Indeed color rendition is simply superb as is contrast. I thought initially it was going to be a bit expensive but my friendly camera store convinced me othewhise. It is a great allround lens that can be used for everything despite its size. The only problem is that at 17 mm and even before, the built-in flash on the D 200 will give a shadow of the lens on the bottom so yuo will probably be better off using a separate flash (that I have still not bought but that I now recommend all my friends to buy with these Nikons). I also never use the sun shade since the lens then simply becomes enormous. I had been using some older autofocus lenses on my D200 before but this has now become my standard lens.
The item is great and works as described. I would purchase this again if asked. Dont worry, Buy with confidence!If your worried this lens doesnt have VR. Once you buy this lens you'll realize at this focal length VR isnt necessary and most times you'll have a flash to keep at higher shutter speeds anyway, and if not you have f/2.8 to stay at higher shutter speeds anyway. Build quality on this lens is amazing, its a tank.
LOVE this lens.  It is so much more infinitely better then the kit lens (18-70) that is isn't even comparable.  It is super sharp, fast focusing, and just a great all around lens to have.It may be a bit heavy and large for travel, but for events, weddings, etc, you can't go wrong.
I took a deep breath and clicked buy on this lens about a month ago.  I had immediate buyer's remorse. Even though, thanks to a windfall, I could afford it, and I do shoot for hire so I can justify it, but it was the single most expensive camera item I've ever bought.  I am ever so glad I did it.The lens is heavy and big - it takes some getting used to, as the focus and zoom controls are different than the kit lens.  But WOW!  Not only is it incredibly fast and sharp, the new focus system - "Internal Focus" - is fast and accurate.The zoom is firmer than I expected - by that I mean it is harder to turn than I am used to - so I have had to adjust to that when I am zooming in or out to frame.  It is not a VR lens (Vibration Reduction) but a fast wide angle doesn't need VR anyway, so no big deal.This is a metal body lens, so I expect it to outlast me - still be usable in 50 or 100 years.  Of course, who knows what cameras will be then!So - worth every penny. I feel like I'm entering a whole new era in my photography - not only can I take much better photos, I have to now, because I have to live up to the standard set by this lens. I am so glad I got this lens.  My photography is already much better because of it.
This is a great lens that I will be hanging on to. Really had no plans to buy a DX lens but after walking around SF with the Nikon D700 and its trinity of lenses I decided against the FX route. Biggest noticeable difference between the D700 and D7000 is the lack of noise at 800 ISO and above. But just not worth the weight and $1500 premium over the cost of my D7000, in my mind.The lens is great, solid, focuses quickly , sharp, contrasty(much better than the 16-85) and clear. Sure it's around $1430 (B&H;) but worth the investment I believe. A better lens than the 16-85 in my mind, no VR but hey you have a great Nikon camera that excels at low light and this lens drops down to f/2.8 making it a very fast lens and having the ability to shoot in lower light. Great lens I recommend it. See picture. Shooting more and had a chance to use this often and check the pictures. Excellent glass! I can always count on this lens for its sharpness and clarity. If you know you will be staying with a DX lens this is a worthy investment! Highly recommend!
This lens is a little more pricey than lower grade Nikon DX lens of similar focal length.  I recently purchased a Nikon D7000, upgraded from a D90, and have not been satisfied with the quality of the shots I was taking.  Using the the same lenes as I was with the D90, primarily the Nikon 18-200mm DX, the shots were not as sharp.  Apparently, higher resolution cameras require better glass.  I have had this lens for about a month and so far I am very satisfied.
The lenses I've owned in similar ranges are the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 and the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.  Comparing this lens to the 18-70mm is probably a bit unfair, so I won't mention it again.  However, there are many people looking for alternatives and the Tamron 17-50mm is as close as it gets so I'll base this review as a comparison to the Tamron.  Having owned the Tamron for a few weeks before offing it, I can tell you this.  If you're looking for a lens that equally matches or even exceeds the 17-55mm in terms of image quality, then by all means, go for the Tamron.  Equality pretty much ends there.The advantages of the Nikon 17-55mm are the following:BUILD QUALITY - You immediately notice the build quality as soon as you handle and inspect the 17-55mm.  It's encased in metal and nicely sealed so dust, moisture (which leads to fungus) will hopefully be minimized.  "Built like a tank" is a good cliche.FAST FOCUS - The Silent Wave Motor is not only fast, but extremely quiet.SHARP WIDE OPEN - Using an aperture of f/2.8, this lens is very usable.  Another advantage is that is focuses more accurately in low light.  This is an aspect that was inferior in the Tamron.COLOR RENDITION - I've found colors out of the lens are very satisfying with little need to "tweak" during post processing.  The Tamron had a warmer color, but this may vary among copies.MINIMAL CA - CA didn't bother me much in the Tamron, but it's much more controlled on the 17-55mm, especially wide open.BETTER QUALITY CONTROL - This was the deal breaker with the Tamron.  I received a copy that overexposed which is in line with the experiences of many people with that particular lens.  Although sample variance exists with Nikon, it's much more controlled.SIZE/WEIGHT/BALANCE - Some people mention this lens is too bulky and heavy.  I find the size and weight actually helpful and helps balance and control on the majority of camera bodies.The 17-55mm doesn't have any major flaws for me.  I'm not a professional nor am I a pixel peeper.  I'm just an enthusiast that likes good image quality.  However, if I were to knit pick, here are the flaws:SMALL ZOOM RING - It's annoyingly small at first, but you get used to it.FLARES EASILY - Point it at a light source directly or even indirectly and this lens has a propensity to flare.  You can certainly use the massive hood to mitigate flare.DISTORTION AT WIDE END - Some say the distortion at the wide end makes this lens unusable for landscape/architecture work.  If you're looking for a lens specifically for that task, you may want to consider a true wide angle lens like the 12-24mm or 14-24mm or go Sigma 10-20mm.  However, I find this lens quite usable at the wide end.One peculiarity with the 17-55mm is that it's at its shortest length almost fully zoomed at around 45mm and longest and fully extended at 17mm.  I found this amusing since I haven't experienced other lenses with this characteristic.In my research, I also considered the new Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8.  This lens should definitely be on your list because it offers the latest technology and it's a full frame (FX) lens.  I ruled it out because it's not only $500 more than the 17-55mm, but also because it's not wide enough for my purposes.  Also, I happen to be under the opinion that DX has at least a few more years before it becomes obsoleted/deprecated by FX.  People are beginning to recommend against investing in DX lenses, but IMHO, affordable full frame bodies are years away.Ultimately, I selected the Nikkor 17-55mm over the Tamron 17-50mm because of its superior usability wide open.  The hit on my pocketbook was rather significant, but I have no regrets of getting such a excellent lens with a great usable range.  If Nikon ever added VR to this lens, then it would be a dream come true.  I state this because I often need to use a shutter speed of 1/30 or slower when shooting in low light and I rarely use a tripod.  VR would come in extremely handy in this situation to prevent camera shake.I highly recommend this lens.  It's on my camera 9 times out of 10.  Okay, I'll stop now.
I absolutely love this lens. Of the four other lenses I have, this lens stays on my camera for most of my shoots.This is the perfect lens to have in your camera kit. There only positive things to say about this lens. If you are deciding to purchase this lens you will not be disappointed!
NOTE: 5-Star rating is for the lens itself.  (See detail below *)This is one of the best all-around lens.  Extremely sharp with good bokeh.  The f/2.8 gives it a great auto-focus in dim lighting.  The only gripe is the bulky weight but the trade-off is the good quality solid build that you can feel in your hand.  I highly recommend this lens!*The description read 'refurbished by a Nikon tech' as opposed to 'refurbished by Nikon U.S.A'.  This is somewhat misleading as I found that it was not refurbished to the original company's specifications.  The issue I had was that the Auto Focus worked intermittently.  I constantly had to power off and on and that worked only half the time. I returned it for a refund and purchased another one that was refurbished by Nikon USA (from another vendor) and am very happy with the second one.
best purchase ive done lately...i have several nikon lenses ranging from 12mm till 200....this is the best so far and stays on my nikon D300 most of the time...sharp in all aspects..Razer sharp...heavy though....but youll get used to it, it came with 5 yrs nikon us guarantbest about thats its a weather proof lens.ive used it in a rainy day...all shots went great...u better have one in ur camera gear one day
I just got one of these. I have to say it is the best lens and focal length you can buy for a Nikon DSLR like the D70/D200/D2X etc. It's not too big and built extremely well. It replaced my Nikon 18-70mm zoom. I love the f/2.8 aperture. Great for blurred backgrounds. You can't go wrong with this lens. Forget about the older Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8.
I bought this lens for my D100 just before leaving on a 2 week trip to Spain and France. Just got back and am amazed at the sharpness and picture quality I notice when processing the images - I love the natural light and speed I get at the 17 setting. I don't know if my other lenses will spend much time on the camera any more, except for special situations (like needing a longer zoom) as I was thinking about getting a new camera body, but this lens will keep me happy with the same camera for much longer now!I am not a Pro, but as an enthusiast, most of my pictures are worth more to me than money. I feel like this lens was an excellent investment into capturing those special moments both inside and out.
I bought the lens used, not new, so may be some of the things that I am about to point out are related to the fact that the lens was previously owned and there might have been issues related to a use by another owner.When I got the lens and did a few test shots I was not very happy. I am used to my f1.8 lens and my other is another prime and is f 1.2. This lens obviously is not as fast in a low light as my prime lenses. However, after testing the lens some more I have changed my mind. It is fairly nice and fast. Its is sturdy too. I love the fact that it autofocuses on Nikon D5000 cameras (just what I needed). Another thing I have noticed is that it is a bit noisy at 400 ISO (more than I would expect, but again, I am comparing with prime lenses and may be I am expecting too much).Pros: Fast, nice zoom range, low aperture, has internal autofocus (can autofocus on such cameras as Nikon D5100).Cons: Heavy! The aperture and zoom rings are a little bit tight.
I've had this lens since Nov of 2006. At first the weight and feel let you know this is not any kit lens. The dampening of the zoom ring is perfect, not too tight not too loose, again you feel the quality.Then you put it on a D200 and you squeeze the shutter button to activate the auto focus. You start to wonder if it even responded because you didn't hear anything, so you start putting it to the test by quickly jumping between objects near and far. Soon you realize that the AF truly is silent and faster than anything you've used before.Then you bring the pictures into PhotoShop and like another reviewer here stated, you realize the image doesn't need any USM (sharpening). It came right out of the camera razor sharp.Then you try it in low light conditions and realize how fast it is. Then you get creative with the aperture wide open and it delivers beautiful creamy blurred backgrounds while your subjects are in perfect detail.I could go on and on, but as the folks in California would say...it's all good.If you can afford it, don't worry about the cost. IMHO it is worth every penny. Best lens I own. Of course I just ordered the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 ED IF AF-S VR zoom. It's due here this Friday, I have heard nothing but excellent reports on that lens too. This one may have to take second place when the 70-200 gets here.PaulHendersonville, TN
I started doing events, weddings etc. I managed to get brilliant wedding shots from a 50mm 1.8 and a Tokina 11-16mm. However, it was hard. Constantly balancing between the two lenses wore me out so I knew i had to purchase something that could make life easier. I did also have a Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 but whilst it took beautiful pics, I could not trust it to focus in low light. I eventually bought this brick and have zero regrets. It gets the job done and it does it so well. Sharp, fast focus and reliable. If you have the cash, avoid the 3rd party lenses. Sure, they are good but for me they've always got an issue (except the Tokina). I almost got the Tamron equivalent but off-center focusing at 2.8 were so soft it would have been pointless. Also, it looks the real deal on my D7000. People automatically assume I am some big time photographer.
if you have a DX body,  want a pro grade lens then this is it.
A little over a year ago,  my dad gave me his Nikon D200 along with a bag, an SB400 flash and what I thought was a run of the mill standard kit lens which I really appreciated.  Then, getting bored with the short focal distance and wanting to shoot more nature stuff, I bought myself a Tamron 17-270mm lens and then shortly thereafter a Nikon 50mm 1.8 Prime which I love.  With my Tamrac bag getting heavier with all of these lenses I contemplated ditching the "kit" lens for just walk around with my 2 others, but the images that I could produce from the lens were way to good for me to just leave it at home and just use the Tamron lens which could never give me the quality that the 17-55mm could.  Well, just yesterday, I decided to look up the lens just for the heck of it while I was researching macro lenses and low and behold, this isn't just a standard kit lens afterall which took me be complete surprise! It's not wonder I could never part with it.  I could probably sell this lens and buy myself the SB600 flash which I want and the most awesome Tamron 60mm Macro and still have money left over, but I just can't....This lens is just that good!
let me first say this is a very good lens..no question about it..But, are you nuts? Use the kit lens and a 35f1.8 or a 50f1.8 and save over a thousand bucks!!!  thank you.
This lens is all that people claim it to be and more.  I use it with my Nikon D80 with it set to auto with manual priority (M/A) and I'm completely satisfied with its performance.  It's , quiet, razor sharp, and extremely fast. When I say fast, I mean lightning fast. Lately I've been using it to take pictures of my nephews league football games (adults not kids so the action is fast paced). One minute I'm on the sideline talking to somebody not really paying attention to the game; then a play starts to unfold. I have to act quickly, so I'll raise my camera with the hopes of catching a shot.  Man, it only takes a nano-second for this lens to focus! With the shutter speed set to 1/2500, everyshot is frozen and razor sharp. As for the weight that everybody, or most people, complain about, I don't get it.  What's the big fuss. While shooting, I don't even notice the weight.  Usually when I shoot, it's during the middle of the day and the sun is 12 o'clock high.  The worst time of the day to shoot, but I just turn my back to the sun and fire away. With lens hood, which works perfectly well, I haven't experienced any flare.  In addition, regardless of whether I'm shooting at a focal lenght of 17mm or up to 55mm, I haven't seen any distortion in any of my pictures.  Everything works fine. The other nikon lens that I have are 50mm f/1.8D; 60mm f/2.8D macro; 85mm f/1.4D; 70-200mm f/2.8G
I purchased this lens along with the excellent 70-200 f2.8 VR for my D300 body.  I prefer to use a flash as little as possible so the faster f2.8 lenses are a must for me. While there are other Nikon lenses in this zoom range for considerably less money, this one fits the needs of photographers requiring outstanding optics and the speed of a fixed aperture f2.8 lens. (Most kit lenses are variable aperture, meaning the aperture gets smaller as you zoom in.)This lens is professional grade - built like a tank and relatively heavy. It is much larger than similar kit lenses and it weighs considerably more.  The added weight actually provides a nice balance for the D300 with MB-D10 attached.  The autofocus is very fast and precise and the images it produces are tack sharp.  I use it as my everyday general purpose lens with outstanding results.As others have stated, more expensive equipment doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better photos.  The premium price reflects features and build quality.  A $200 kit lens may very well provide comparable image quality at your backyard barbeque.  But for those who need and will take advantage of the wider aperture in low light settings, this lens has few equals among standard zooms.Bottom line: If you plan to take advantage of the wide aperture, this lens is an uncompromising must-have. It is an outstanding lens for those who need its capabilities. However, if most of your shots are outdoors in daylight, or you're used to using a flash inside, this lens might be more than you need. Save your money and get the excellent all purpose AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED or the less expensive AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR.Note that this is a DX lens and is intended to be used specifically on the smaller DX sensor cameras (everything from D40 to D300).  Anyone with a D700 or other full frame (FX) sensor should look at the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70 f/2.8G ED.  Of course anyone with an FX camera should already know that.  But anyone considering upgrading to an FX camera in the near future might want to rethink purchasing this $1200 lens.
I seriously considered the 18-200 also.  I guess I went a little crazy and got this lens and the 70-200 2.8 VR.  These lenses are used primarily for weddings.  Hopefully, they will cover the areas that I need.  I have used this lens for about a week. It gives me excellent clarity.  But, for the price, it should be a VR.
I have been a photographer for over 40 years, beginning in high school sports for the newspaper.  I used a 50mm f2.0 Summicron lens, for years considered the sharpest lens available for 35mm photography.  I switched to digital several years ago, with the Leica digilux.  Then I got smarter and purchased a Nikon D80, with the 17-55mm as my basic lens.  This is a masterpiece for me: sharper, less distortion, and better color than any of my old leitz lenses, including the 35f2 aspherical, 24f2.8, 50f2, 90f2.8, and the 135f4.  My 11X14 prints show amazing detail.  I estimate the resolution at better than 80 lines per mm (the point at which the human eye can no longer "see"additional detail).
I hate zoom lenses, I always feel they are soft.  I have used dozens and there are few that I like (1 or 2).  This is the best zoom lens I have used, IMHO it is heads, shoulders and knees above the performance of the 18-70mm kit lens (which I used for about 1 month) and the 18-200mm vr (which I rented for a weekend and thought it was garbage, it could have been a bad copy I suppose).  Speaking of sharpness... I have the 50 f/1.4 and the Tamron macro 90mm f/2.8 which I consider to be my 2 sharpest lenses.  If you are as picky as I am about softness then this lens is for you.  It is as sharp as the fixed fifty (1.4) and the macro and both of those are known for being RAZOR sharp.  I typically shot between 30 and 55mm with this lens and I am rarely disappointed.  I suggest renting it for a weekend, that is what I did, shot a few hundred exposures, if you do not like it, don't buy it.  Consequently if you get mugged while holding this lens it could be used to defend yourself, it is ridiculously well built and solid. In my opinion this is the best zoom lens for the nikon D series, good choice for those who are picky about sharpness.
I have been using Nikon cameras for 30 years, and their digital SLR's for the past 5 or so...this is far and away one of the best Nikon lenses I have ever used - amazingly well built, excellent image quality, fast focusing, wonderful glass. The downside is primarily the price -- it's as expensive as a full camera, and the weight -- this is a two pound lens. If your budget can accomodate this lens, get it, you will be thrilled. If your budget can not, get the Tamron 17-50 which has similar image quality, weighs less than a pound, and sells for 1/3 the price of this lens. But wow...once you try this lens, you will kick yourself for getting anything lesser....Warning: filter size is 77, so most of your existing filters probably won't work, and do your self a favor and get yourself an UV filter/lens protector out of the box before you put your fingers on your 1300.00 lens.
I bought this lens to mate with my new Nikon D300 and upon opening the box, I was stunned at that build quality, heft and it having a literally silent motor.  Optically, you can tell the pictures are sharper and clearer but I have to disclose that I upgraded from using entry level Tamron lens worth about a tenth of this price.  My goal was to end up with a professional level camera and optic that would leave no excuses other than user error for picture quality.  Now the pressure is on me.  I must warn that with the lens and a D300 body, you weigh in at just over 4 pounds.  I invested in a neoprene strap to take the weight and have had no problems.  The mm range is perfect for light landscape photography to general picture taking.  I have no complaints and my extensive research showed that this is a top notch lens.  I'm an advanced amateur photographer with about 30 years of amateur experience - upgraded from a D70s with a Tamron 28-105 (and other lenses) to this outfit.  Very satisfied.
Let me start out by saying that this wasn't the first choice for my D90.  The first one I chose to buy was the 16-85mm VR since that's a great range for a DX camera.  I got it off of ebay, which was described as being in "perfect condition," but once I received it I found that the VR was not working at all.  Took a whole month, including sending the lens to a Nikon authorized service center to have the problem verified, before I got all my money back from the seller (who won't stop calling me a liar and claiming that I was trying to extort him).  Even after the claim was closed, I got my money back, and he got his broken lens back, he wouldn't stop e-mailing me and pestering me on ebay.  So I finally got him kicked off of there.Next, I began to look for a f/2.8 lens and wanted to get the Tamron 17-50mm since it had great reviews and many people have said that it's just as good as this Nikkor one.  My first Tamron, bought from a local store, had severe front focus problem.  So I took it back hoping my second copy would be better.  After testing it for a week, I realized the front focus problem was still there.  By now I was quite discouraged, but I figured my luck couldn't be THAT bad, so I went back to the store and exchanged for a third one.  This third one focused correctly most of the time, but it was quite soft.  I figured that's not too bad, so I wanted to register the lens online to get the 6-year warranty, but found out that this lens had already been registered!  I came to the realization that it wasn't because my bad luck that I kept getting a bad copy of the lens, but it was because the store must have been recirculating the bad copies to each other instead of sending it to Tamron to recalibrate.  I was pretty upset and decided to return the lens altogether and never shop there again.  At the same time, I didn't want to buy the lens online either since I didn't want to end up getting another bad copy.  So I decided to bite the bullet and bought the Nikon 17-55mm off of eBay since I trust Nikon's quality control.WHAT A GREAT DECISION I MADE!  At first I had some buyer's remorse due to the cost (it only cost me $800, but it's still a lot to me), but once I received it and opened up the package, I knew why it cost so much.  This lens is HUGE and is felt indestructable!  As far as height and circumference go, I think it's pretty much the same as my Nikkor 105mm VR macro lens, but this lens uses a 77mm filter, whereas the macro uses a 62mm, so the front is much wider, and I believe this lens is heavier than the macro as well.  The build makes me feel confident that if anyone tried to steal my gear, I could knock them out with one swing using this lens!I wanted to go to a local nature reserve park to take some photos, and I was a little iffy about carrying this big thing with me since I'll be there all day long.  To my surprise, this lens with the D90 felt great to me, I didn't feel burdened at all.  I think i was more ready to throw my tripod down the waterfall though.  While there, I proceeded to test out the lens at all ranges from 17mm @ f/2.8 up to 55mm @ f/22.  All of my images turned out great, the color saturation was pretty darn close to my 105mm macro, and just as good as my 50mm f/1.8.  Around 55mm, I may have had some spherical aberration though while taking a photo of a waterfall...at least I think that's what it is.  Basically the waterfall was in the middle of the frame and it was tack sharp, but the rocks and and moss around it appeared to be blurry.  But that day it WAS a little foggy around the waters, so it may have been the fog, since this phoenomenon was only apparent in one of my 200 photos.  I also had the opportunity to take some photos of food at Red Lobster's, where there was very low lighting and I did not use flash, yet the lens focused correctly and produced tack sharp images at f/2.8.  These were the only opportunities I had to test this lens though, but I am confident that it will hold up to its great reputation.I'm almost happy that I had wasted 2 months on bad copies of lenses, because if none of that had happened to me, I probably would never even given this lens a thought.  If I had "settled" for any of the other lenses mentioned, I don't think I would have had the confidence to use them to take photos without thinking, "oh I better check the picture before I tell my subjects to move, or before I eat my food."  With this lens, I know that I can capture anything I want at any given time, and be able to go home with the confidence that the image was not ruined by motion blur or misfocus.If you have the money to spend, BUY THIS LENS!  If you don't have enough money...save up and BUY THIS LENS!  If you are iffy due to the lack of VR since this is a heavy lens, trust me, this lens is fast enough that you really wouldn't get any blur at all.  I have shaky hands, but am still able to capture sharp photos even at 1/30.  GET THIS LENS, you won't regret it :)
This is a great lens! I will probably be using this as one of my top lens! I have the 24-70 2.8 70-200 2.8 This will be one of my every day lens!
It IS a great lens BUT it should NOT be so expensive. And yes you should compare it to canon (20% chipper). Right nikon one is built better. What else? And hell yeh you DO need VR. With my 18-105 I could shoot on 50mm with 1/2 shutter (non moving objects). With my new 17-55 I cannot. I have to use 1/40 (that's me ) for perfect shot. Lens priced this much MUST have all the attributes. And ED is no excuse. When I compare quality of my d90 kit lens (18-105) which is $300 to this one the results are NOT 5 times better. And the AF speed is NOT 5 times faster. So you pay 5 times more for some AF speed and the fact that this lens is fast and Little sharper. But you lose the VR. It stationary objects this lens actually loses to the 18-50 nikkor VR. Because even at 50mm you gain 2 stops with 2.8 but how many stops between 1/40 and 1/2?The design of this lens - SUCKS (that's why 4 stars). The biggest ring is actually focus instead of zoom. In today's cameras which ring you use more? Why the focus ring is so big while the zoom is very small and very inconvenient?In summery. Although this lens is great it IS overpriced!
Super lens. No question. I purchased my D200 with the kit 18-70mm and was quite happy. Ignorance is bliss. After a time I found myself questioning the quality of the camera as all my shots required some sort of post processing to get to a point where I thought the shot looked like through the view finder. Frustrated, I turned to Amazon. I started reading reviews and checking prices. Like another reviewer stated, I was ready pull the trigger on the 17-200mm but reviewers on the site convinced me I would be making a mistake, at least at that moment in time. On the other hand, everyone who had bought the 17-55mm lens seems universally happy with their decision.I'm one of them. This lens is incredible. When you hold it up against the kit lens, there is literally no comparison, both physically and perforance wise. Physically its MUCH bigger - its a brut. Performance wise, it really doesn't compare. This lens is a technological marvel. So there in lies the trade off. Tremedous performance or compactness.I was recently in Honolulu, a place I go often. I like to hike Diamond Head, a great hike if you haven't done it. The thought of tugging this camera and lens along was daunting. I decided not to. I'd taken the pictures from the site with many different cameras over the years so my motivation wasn't as strong as it would have been had it had been my first climb. Still, I'd think twice about dragging the lens/ body out for just any old event. If its special, well, yeah I will, otherwise I'm back to a NEW Canon point and shoot!If your focus is the highest quality you can get and don't mind the girth - don't hesitate, buy it. You won't regret it.
I look at this lens for a long time,finally I decided to buy it.It was better than I thought, once I used it I didn't want to put it down.I was so surprised at my pictures'all I can say is I am glad I got it.
Went to my local camera shop with the intent to compare and possibly buy the Sigma 17-50 OS. When I got there, I asked them to bring out the Sigma and the Tamron 17-50 VC. Both are in the same price range. I brought my D7000 and my five month old daughter with me to take some pictures.The Sigma's HSM motor was more quite than the Tamron's BIM. The only copy of the Sigma they had would not lock focus on my daughter's eye. It kept jumping back and forth trying to lock on. The guy that helped me said it is a common issue in Canon mount, but was the first time he saw that with the Nikon. Well, I was about to spend about $700 for a defective Sigma or a loud Tamron. That's when I asked if they had the Nikkor 17-55. For some odd reason, I assumed the Nikkor would be a lot larger then the other two. Without the lens hood, it was not that much bigger, but it was a lot more solid.The Nikkor focuses so fast and silent. It felt about the same size as my Nikkor 18-200. I knew I wanted it, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking about the futue. With rumors of a cheaper FX Nikon coming soon, would DX be obsolete? Then I looked at my daughter and thought to myself. Do I want to be in a position where I missed out on capturing those special moments because I tried to save money while waiting for the next best thing to come along? That and because she started cry, I quickly asked the sales guy to wrap it up for me, and out the door I went.You can read the reviews from the others on here, or watch the YouTube reviews for more details on this lens. This lens will share camera time with my Nikkor 35 1.8. My 18-200 is basically glued to my D80. I also have the Nikkor 50 1.8, 60 2.8 Micro, 18-105 (never took out of the box, came with the D7000), 18-135 (used for two weeks, then I bought the 18-200), and a Tokina 12-24. I spent $800 more than what I intended to, but I'm glad I did, because after I tested out the Nikkor 17-55, I would have never been satisfied with anything else.
After owning a Nikon 18-200mm lens for several years, and having it travel with me the whole time, it was admittedly hard to sell...it's a great lens with lots of capability.However, it can't hold a candle to the 17-55mm f2.8. Maybe a cheap Bic lighter in a crosswind, but that's it.This 17-55mm lens more than makes up for its lack of focal length with incredible color reproduction, razor-sharpness, and lovely bokeh at f2.8. While lenses with greater focal lengths can cover more of a zoom range, they won't be doing it well. Having such a wide maximum aperture throughout the zoom range, this lens performs all functions - landscape, candid, portraiture, etc. - with remarkable ease. The autofocus is stunningly fast and efficient. The lens is a bit heavy, granted, but it's balanced; if you can't handle it, get to a gym. You'll thank me. There's no VR, but you don't need it with such a fast aperture. Yes, the zoom ring is a bit tough, but after a week, you won't even notice. These are all incredibly small gripes, and personally, I don't find anything wrong.Perhaps the most alluring feature about this lens is that it just inspires confidence. Knowing you have the fast aperture, the best glass, and the best build quality simply convinces you to get out there and shoot better pictures. Buy it, love it. Full stop.
After one year with my trusty D80 I finally jumped and got this lens.I have to tell you that probably some of you will argue that for less money people can get a f/2.8 Tamron (click here:Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens with hood for Nikon-D DSLR Cameras) or a f/2.8 Sigma (click here:Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR), but such comparisons are completely off track.First of all, a $800 difference it's not just marketing. It is reflected by a totally different image quality, a better build (metal and sealing), the speed of the AF system and the overall feeling of holding a real pro lens.Secondly, the Tamrons I was contemplating into buying all had some problems with flash overexposure on TTL and TTL BL modes on my SB800 + D80 combo. I am not quite sure why it happened with the Tamron, but I have no such problems with the DX 17-55. Moreover, Tamron has inferior AF speed and this can be observed especially in lowlight. Try focusing with the 17-55 in ambiental light from a 60W light bulb and you will have no problem. Then try the same with a Tamron and you will.Another thing that is annoying is the CA I've noticed with the Tammy, even when the lens was stopped down. I personally hate strong CA because it makes my photos look very P&S-like.;However, the 17-50 Tamron is a good contender and may be an option for anyone on a tight budget. Please keep in mind that I saved for the Nikkor and I got it actually one year after my first decision, but I believe the waiting was worth every penny.Now back to the 17-55DX:My experience with it is connected to a D80 camera.The lens is very, very, very sharp, even wide open at 2.8. It is almost too sharp at f5.6 which should make you never use the in-camera sharpening at other setting than normal and this may create some problems for portraiture work if you will like, for example, to soften a bit some undesirable details on your model's face... The sharpness is due mainly to the superb optics of the lens but also to the excellent microcontrast this lens is able to render. The overall microcontrast translates into very natural-looking images and excellent rendition of difficult hues and tones as skin tones have (for example).Under direct bright sun, it tends to exhibit a slight magenta cast but this is easily correctable either with a filter or by postprocessing (pp) when using raw (NEF) files. I'm not sure if this is due to the lens alone or - more probable - the lens + antialising filter + sensor of the D80, so results may be different with other nikon cameras. The lens is quite obviously coated for neutral gray rendition on a 6000K color temperature, the one you will get with flash, for example. BTW, it is a good ideea to use manual white balance on 6000K when using D80 + 17-55DX + SB800 and A mode on the flash. I got best results with these settings.Also about camera settings, the 17-55DX is a very contrasty lens so this may give you some hard times when shooting jpegs on a bright sunny day with huge image dynamics. My advice is to set your camera tone settings on low or lowest (-1 or -2) and mode I or III sRGB. No problem on raw as dynamics could be corrected in Capture NX. These issues are nonexistent with filtered or diffuse light (cloudy, diffusers etc).Overall, this lens makes for each penny you spend with it. It has a superb build quality which will impress you from the first moment you'll hold it in your hands, excellent sharpness, color rendition and image quality that equals the actual scene characteristics in naturalness and color. It is environmentally sealed (internal and at the flange with a rubber ring), the AF runs extremely fast and it is a good investment in a superb optical system.
I was in need of some faster glass and after a lot of research and reading reviews I took the plunge. Well sort of, I rented this lens first because of price I wanted to be sure. I'm an amateur photographer and by no means as experienced as most of the reviewers of this lens but here are my thoughts. The first thing that struck me was the size and weight of the lens, it's hefty but it felt nicely balanced on my D300.  I had read some reviews that contained complaints about the zoom ring being too close to the body, feeling awkward, and issues with the zoom not being smooth. Honestly the position of the ring was initially and issue for me. However the eureka moment came when I was actually out shooting and realized that due to the increased heft I was holding my camera slightly different that I did with  lighter  lenses.  This position actually put the zoom and focus ring into a very natural position. The zoom was very smooth with a bit of increased resistance at either end of the range; it was a bit of an adjustment because the throw is much shorter than my kit lens of nearly the same focal range (18mm-55mm).  When using a tripod the position of the zoom was a bit annoying, however it's not a deal breaker because I just don't change the composition that often while shooting landscapes. In regards to results, I was blown away. I can't even begin to imagine shooting with a lesser piece of glass. Nikon's VR is an excellent option on my slower lenses but no substitute for faster glass. Bottom line is, if you can afford it, buy it. Now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I don't get a bad sample because I'm taking the plunge for real today, I'm sold.Update: I still love this lens, it is on my camera most of the time....
I have recently switched from a Canon 1D Mark IIN to a Leica M8.  Then, missing all of the features of modern SLRs I switched again to a Nikon D300.  A very good move! An almost perfect camera!First off, I love big, fast glass that is sharp, sharp, sharp.  And this lens delivers.  I did a lot of research before buying this lens and it is the only lens I saw that had 5 stars on Amazon.  I care a lot about what my peers think.  So I took the plunge.  I had this weekend to play with it and the results are stunning.  It is as clear as any lens I have ever used.  Just as good as my Leica Summicron 50.  And I thought that lens would never be topped.Some Leicaphiles may dismiss that statement and think I just didn't know how to use it.  Maybe... but the Nikon 17-55mm DX lens should not be dismissed.If you like fast lenses and don't care about weight (by the way, my previous lens was a Canon 24-70mm L f2.8 you wanna talk about weight!) than this is the lens to get.Do your research and I think you'll ultimately wind up back here placing this in your shopping cart.The lens is built like a tank and looks beautiful.  It focuses like lightning and again, is sharp, sharp, sharp.  I am adding images taken with this lens to my website [...] soon.GET IT!!
I've had this lens for a few months now.  I use it with my D200, and the PQ is simply amazing.  I try to stay away from 2.8 aperture though - I much prefer the sharpness and clarity at aperture 4 (or less).  When the light is low - I use SB-600.Overall, I think this is the best lens there is in this zoom range - I'm sure 24-70 might be better (I've never tried it) - but is it worth the extra $700 or so?  To me - it isn't.  I just can't see how the picture quality can increase much from what I get with this lens.I also have D700 and a couple of other lenses (50mm 1.8 and 70-200 VR), so every once in a while I do compare them.  D700 is REALLY good in low light.  In the daylight D200 can hold its ground.  The quality of photos I get with my D200 + 17-55 combo is so good - I don't even think about getting 24-70 for my D700 - and instead I will continue using D200 with 17-55.  Highly recommend this lens for DX bodies.
I'm so bummed out by this lens.  I've been saving for this lens for awhile now.  And to have so many issues I'm packaging the lens right now to send it back.  I took it out on two different shoots and I've never had so many focus issues with a lens ever!  I pulled out my 50mm and 85mm and no issues.  I'm wondering if I just got a bad lens or it was damaged in shipping.  I did notice the nikon box had small dents on the side and amazon throw this 1,400 dollar lens in a big box packed with two other items I ordered and when I picked it up I felt the boxes move around inside.  I do mainly outdoor portrait photography and I thought this lens was the one in all lens.  But, with all the issues I was having with the focus. I think I'll just stick to my prime lens.And don't even think about using this lens indoors.  The focus rate would drop to about 1 in 20 shots.  I just don't get it.  Only reason I gave it two stars is because when it did focus right it was sharp.  But, when I compared it to my 50mm 1.8 same exact settings the only difference I could see was the contract on the 17-55mm was a little brighter.  But, the auto focus was just terrible.  I would check my technique lean against a tree or a wall.  And still the focus was extremely soft or just plain terrible.  I've read all these reviews good and bad on this lens and I was hoping for the best.  But, I need the lens to perform when I'm on a paid job.
I use it with my D7000, it is a all purpose lens. Fundamentally it is very sharp even at f2.8, some of my f2.8 zoom lens dose not give me sharp image at f2.8 (so why don't they just made them f4?). And its contrast and bokeh are very good. The most important point to me is it's f2.8, yes, for a apsc body, its iso performance is not as good as full frame body, so if you want high shutter speed (in event photography), you need fast aperture to ensure the image quality.
Just returned from 30 days in Europe.  This lens, mounted on a Nikon D300S, was an outstanding performer.  The clarity and coverage was awesome. It was especially effective in historic areas of France and Italy, where enclosed areas dominate most of the scenic parts of the great European cities.  I used DxO Pro 8 for correction with fabulous results.  The lens is highly recommended.
As soon as I got the lens I went out to test it. The scene was down the middle of my street. Shot it as a NEF Raw file with a Basic JPG with a auto setting and ISO 200 on a D70.I opened the file in Nikon Capture and was disappointed in the sharpness and distortions. Contrasty objects at the edges showed aberrations (red and blue ghosting)and a over all softnessThe Capture software allowed me to remove the pincushioning but soften the image more. There is a small gel holder in the rear of the lens and you will need to trim a filter to fit. This is my first fisheye and I don't have others to compare. I need to try other apertures and see if it improves.Update: I have had the lens for a while now. It is great for wild angle panos, I have been shooting them with a 50 percent overlap and Adobe Photoshop has been able to stitch and correct distortion, I posted samples of here of petroglyphs. Also if you do not enlarge it too much, use a medium aperture, some interesting shots can be made, I posted some of these also, street scene in Florence and ceiling in Medici Palace.Update again: I have discovered "Fisheye-Hemi" Photoshop Plug-in that unwraps the image not as rectilinear but somewhere in-between. It is great when there are people in your shots, things are not stretched out. I am upgrading the my rating.
A great, sharp, fun lens that I waited a long time researching before my final decision to buy it and I am so glad I finally made my move.It is a productive tool in the field and not just a pricey special effects toy.  I am very pleased with my decision!
For those who think this is an Ultra Wide Angle lens. YES! IT COULD BE.... Just use Image Trend's FishEye-Hemi, and take the picture carefully PARALEL on axis, and there you go. Dont use rectilinear software adjustment (like PTLens, Bibble, Nikon Capture), it wont do the trick. Although those mentioned software can be alright for architecture or landscape, it absolutely can not be use for PEOPLE.I DO use this lens for wedding photos with brilliant result. In a situation where the Cathedral is so huge with beautiful painting all the way to the roof, NO OTHER LENS can beat this one. Just use it carefully (alway take Paralel on horizontal axis), do correction with Image Trend, and crop to 70%. You still get an amazing pricture which is SHARP and usable...I also like to use this lens on Downtown LA to capture the old buildings... Without this lens, its imposible to capture those building, since there is no space to backoff.... Again, Image Trend is handy.If you know how to use this lens, it is a superb tool.Hints: Be carefull, it is very easy for your finger to be included in the picture. It can capture 180 degree diagonal!For reference: I also use Nikon AF-S 17-35F 2.8, Nikon AF-S 105 F2.8VR, Nikon AF-D 80-200 F2.8 among others....
I strongly recommend this product, it makes fantastic pictures. But the Auto focus does not work with my D5300. I have to do it manually...not a big deal but, I would prefer not to.Thank you
I bought this lens to use on my D80 and new D300.  I shoot mostly outdoor landscapes, nature and events.  The 10.5 Fisheye lens is fantastic, sharp, and gives you a perspective unlike any lens you have.  I shoot with my 12-24 and 18-200 but now put on the 10.5 if I really want to see a great perspective.  Get in close.  It focuses to about 6 inches so move in close and change your angle for best composition.It is really well suited for a beautiful sunset with far reaching clouds.  The secret is to use Nikon Capture NX as post processing to automatically correct the fisheye to make it look like a super-duper wide angle.  Then load the file into Photoshop or whatever you use.  Depending upon the subject, and your position you don't always have to correct the fisheye because it makes very interesting shots.  For example, I won't correct the perspective in Capture NX when I shoot a close up of a flower because it looks great without it.If you like to spend time composing a shot and try to get it right in the camera, then you will REALLY like this lens.  If you usually just walk around with a "normal" lens on your camera and take snap shots, this isn't your lens.The lens comes with a deep lens cap.  There are no threads for filters or a screw-on cap.  The lens cap just slides on and stays on.The size of the lens is very similar to the 50mm f1.8 lens, so it is small enough to put in your pocket and keep it with you when you need it.  You will find yourself looking at things differently when you have this lens.  For example, I take my camera on my hikes (which I logged over 1000 GPS miles in 2007) and now find many more things to shoot that needs a perspective wider than my beloved 12-24 zoom provides.
I wouldn't buy this lens until I owned lenses that might be more useful (wide-angle, telephoto, etc), but it is a nice alternative to the normal approach to composition.I suppose if you wanted a super wide angle lens, with today's photo processing software (Adobe Lightroom, Nikon Capture NX2, and others), I suppose you could straighten the fisheye effect to something more normal - but it's still not distortion free.But that should not be the purpose of this lens.  The fisheye distorts for a reason - for a creative effect.Within that purpose, you can certainly create some cool effects, and you can take photos of inside rooms that you might not otherwise be able to do.  I have used the lens to accentuate a curved subject. For instance, I took a photo at Horseshoe Curve near Altoona Pa. Horeshoe curve is a set of railroad tracks that essentially curve 180deg to get enough altitude to go around a mountain. Taking the photo with the fisheye lens, with it's 180 deg field-of-view captures most of the Horsehoe Curve. The result accentuated the effect of Horseshoe Curve.And there is always that obligatory aircraft cockpit photo.As the lens has a 180 deg field, you have to be careful that your toes are not in the photo - and it is sometimes hard to keep the sun out of the photo. But again, it opens up a whole new creative world.  If you are wanting to try something different, this lens is awesome.The lens is AF, not AF-S, so it won't focus on a D3100, D5100, D40, etc. It will only focus on Nikon camera bodies having an internal focus motor.But the lens can be manually focused, and with super wide angle lenses, almost everything is in focus anyway, so just a light touch might be all it needs.I am a believer in that you will probably have your lenses a lot longer than your camera, and if I had a non-focus motor Nikon, I might buy this lens anyway, then if you upgrade your camera body, then you will already have the lens.  The way digital cameras go, they are obsolete within a few years, so you will probably replace/upgrade the camera long before you replace any lenses.You cannot attach a filter to the front of this lens due to it's 180 deg field-of-view. If you need a filter, you have to use a gelatin filter, and cut it down to size and slide it into a slot on the backside of the lens.  This prevents use of any kind of rotating filter, such as a polarizer.This is also a DX lens, so it only works properly on APS size Nikons.
I cannot say enough great things about this lens. I have a blast shooting with it - it always brings a smile to my face. It's reasonably fast and VERY compact. if you're more than a few feet away from your subject, you can safely "defish" your images with a wide variety of software tools - and the results are fantastic, even if you lose some of the details on the sides. Of course, you shouldn't buy this lens if you only plan on defishing to get a rectilinear image, but sometimes the ability to do that is useful. Another amazing aspect of this lens is the ability to focus VERY close to the lens - probably about an inch from the glass. It will not autofocus on a D40, but you can usually focus between 2 feet and infinity and expect the entire image to be sharp. It's a very unique and fun lens.
If you like the fisheye perspective, this is one cool lens that should be in your camera bag.If you've never used a fisheye, it's a different beast than any other type of lens. Fisheyes are ultra-wide angle lenses that (intentionally) produce distorted, curved and incredibly wide angles of view. You'll have a hard time not getting your feet in the frame, the field of view is so wide. Other than that, you just use the same rules you'd use with an ultra-wide...get up close to the subject, etc.Many people think of fisheye and picture those round images...this one isn't like that - it fills the entire frame.If you want, you can also un-do the fisheye perspective in Capture NX - it straightens all the lines and gives you a perspective like a non-fisheye ultra-wide. To an extent, this misses the point of the fisheye, and to my eye, the results still seem a bit "stretched" but it can be done.Most fisheyes are special-purpose lenses and very expensive, but the Nikon 10.5 is unique in that it has very good optical performance and is also reasonably affordable.As far as optical performance goes, it's sort of a secondary topic for a special-purpose lens of this type. However, having said that, it is extremely sharp and contrasty lens that tolerates being pointed into the light with little flare. I've noticed a bit of color-fringing sometimes, but nothing that can't be corrected easily with your favorite photo editing software.My only gripe about the lens is that, like most fisheyes and ultra-wides, there's no way to mount protective filters on the front of the lens. Although there's a built in lens shade, you get the feeling that that very expensive looking front lens elemenet is just hanging out there waiting to bump into something and cause damage.Highly recommended.
no, im kidding. this lens is great. i use this for skateboarding photography with my nikon D50. i went the cheap way out with my digital slr but bought this lens still and my pictures look clearer and overall better quality with this lens. and if i want to upgrade my camera sometime, it will be compatible with any of the new nikon digital slr's so im set. my next camera will prob be a d200 when it goes on clearance... could be a while.
I was about to list this lens for sale here on Amazon, but then I started reading the reviews and remembering that this lens does what it is supposed to do.  As one of the few prime lens that I own, this one is tack sharp, fast, compact, and in a tight spot--I can get everything.  Even my feet!The review that really turned me around was from J.best"takeahack".  The fisheye look is not for every photo.  And he is right.  Changed my mind.  I'm keeping my fisheye and I'll sell the MC-36 and the LensBaby.BTW, please please protect that front lens element.  Remember we can't use a protective filter on this leans.  I use it.  Clean it if needed, and put it in its pouch.  That is why I give the lens a four ( wish I could do a 4.5 or better).  It is a great piece of work, but I'm always afraid of damaging that front exposed element.
This is a fish eye lens. You have to be careful to keep your own toes out of the picture. It focuses close enough that even spots on the lens stand out, so it must be kept spotless. Like other fish eyes, this lens will not accept a filter.I use this lens for landscapes, portraits, even close-ups. I use it inside airplanes when instructing student pilots. Things to try with this lens:Close-up of a bouquet or group of flowers.Landscape framed by palm trees.Interiors and farmer's markets.Fields of flowers.Virtual reality panoramas.The Capture and Capture NX software will correct the distortions of this lens. However, if I need something like that I prefer to shoot with a regular wide angle. I use the fish eye because I WANT a fish eye perspective.
This is one heck of a lens..a different perspective from 99% of all lenses available in the market. This is purely a lens for fun. I would highly recommend it! I enjoyed using this!
Love this lens.  Makes me think a little differently when composing the shot.  Having a lot of fun with the results.  Gene
I always wanted a fisheye, but dropping close to seven hundred bucks on a lens that would only be used occasionally made me hesitate. When I finally decided to drop the hammer (and the credit card) I decided that if I bought it, I would make sure to use it often. I use only prime lenses on my D7000, I started photography back in the '70s when zooms were not that good, and when I go out to shoot I only use the one lens on my camera. The go-to lens is the 35 f1.8 and my second one is the 85 f3.5 micro. Once a while I mount the 50 f1.8. When I got the fisheye I started to go out with it and try to get creative.Creative I got. I have taken some amazing photos with this lens. As a food blogger I have used it for food, sushi especially looks good with a fisheye, and restaurant interiors. One thing, the lens allows you to get so close that I got food on it once. Winter scenes are cool and it has given some neat shots at the beach.The lens is solid and well-made with plenty of glass and metal. It has a smooth feel and balances well on the D7K. The fisheye effect can be minimized by centering the horizon and you can make some amazing panoramic photos that way. The effect can be exaggerated by angling up or down. I've made the grill of my Mustang look like it was smiling by hitting the right perspective. The color at the edges is more intense and blue skies look like I used a polarizer, which I like.Overall, this is an amazing lens and a fun tool. If you buy it, make sure you use it often.
I simply can't say enough about this lens.  I'd wanted it for a long time but just could never justify the money.  Then I rented it and went on a shoot, and shortly after we started shooting it was pretty much decided I had to buy it.  After several days of use in various shooting environments and then taking a good look at the images it was easy to get an understanding of how and where the fisheye distorted the image, which then allowed me, to an extent, to shoot w/ that in mind, so I could avoid the effect where I didn't want it, or embrace it in certain areas it'd look okay.  The 180 field of view is more or less a gift from the photography gods in my opinion, and the incredibly close focus minimum focus distance (5&#34; I believe, but maybe less) opens up a whole slew of previously unfeasible shots.One big thing to note, however, is that it does in fact have a convex lens and that quasi hood that is NOT removable&#8212;both of which mean no UV (or any other kind) of filter, which in turn (at least in regards to the UV filter) means you don't have that added layer of protection between expensive glass surface and the world (which is always a little scary).  This of course is something to be absolutely aware of at all times when shooting w/ this lens, as you can get precariously close to something but not realize it b/c you're looking the through the lens and the item looks farther away (think, &#34;Object in lens are closer than they appear&#34;).  I oftentimes find myself taking my eye away from the viewfinder to look at the front of the camera to see how close I am before shooting, b/c of how easy it is to assume (and b/c I learned the lesson...one time I actually did hit the subject w/ the lens, fortunately it was something fairly soft and didn't do any damage, but the lesson was learned nonetheless).As far as what type of shooting this lens allows goes...it simply allows you to be really close to something while still being able to capture the whole thing (usually).  Example:  using the 10.5 I took a picture of a 7' server rack in my office; I held the camera on the floor, angled up (probably a bit more than 45), centered on the rack, and maybe six to eight inches from it.  The photo got not only the ENTIRE rack, but also a good chuck of the walls behind on each side of it and the ceiling above it.  Now, w/ my 18-105mm on the camera, zoomed out to 18, standing w/ my back to the wall across the (fairly small) office from the rack I could get about 75% if the rack, none of the floor or ceiling, and a little bit of the walls to each side.  And I was probably eight or ten FEET away from the rack.  Another example: standing w/ my toes touching the riser of the first step of a entry staircase (so the top landing was maybe five feet above ground level where my feet were) of a church I was able to get the entire staircase (including my toes!), front door, the whole face of the church, and ALL of the main bell tower; the 18-105mm got me the upper third of the stairs (maybe the upper half), two thirds up the building, and maybe half as much of the face as the 10.5mm.So, if you like the sounds of the extremely wide angle and the shots it allows, and/or the incredibly close focusing distance, this is definitely a lens to get&#8212;BUT that's provided your Nikon is DX and not FX (full frame); I'm not going to go into it here, and I'm pretty sure I'd butcher it if I attempted, but it's something to do w/ crop factors when using a DX lens on an FX body or FX lens on a DX body and how you lose some of the aforementioned benefits.Other things to note: aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/16; and there's a focus dial-indicator thing (pretty certain that's not the correct term, but it's the thing that allows you to pre-focus (if you know how) or set the focus in super low-light conditions (again, if you know how)) which can be extremely useful.
I bought this for my wife's D5100.  When I searched for digital lenses, this one showed compatible.  While is does work with the D5100, it only works in manual mode.  It produces clear, sharp images, and the wife loves it, so it's worth keeping.The product states in it's operators manual that the AF function is only for the DX2, and DX3 series digital cameras only.  It does not work in AF mode with the DX50, 500, 5000 DX70, 700, 7000 or DX90 series cameras.  Something left out in the seller's description.I suggest that when searching for a lens on Amazon, you go to the manufacturer's web site to make sure all the lens functions work with your camera.  Something I will start doing.
I am using it with a Nikon D3000 and you do have to take it off automatic focus.  Fun to use and I would recommend buying it.
Seriously good yet about as much fun as you can have with a camera.  This is a truly amazing lens that will challenge the way you see and take photos.  Despite its 180 degree corner to corner field of view its nearly faultless across the frame by f5.6 or so.  Flare is amazingly well controlled - far superior to the 14mm rectilinear Sigma that I own.  Chromatic aberration while a problem wide open virtually disappears except at the very edge of the frame when stopped down a little.  Its also tack sharp and contrasty with an amazing depth of field.And in a pinch you can defish the lens and get something with a little less funhouse effect.  The hemi plugin for photoshop gives amazing results that uses the entire frame and renders a very natural perspective.  PTlens is another useful tool to defish.  Its not as natural looking but you have control over other aspects of perspective that you may need as well.  With  those tools in hand this can be the one ultrawide that gives you everything you might want on a wide scale with a narrow budget
I've had this lens for 3 months now and love every second of it. Its sharp fast and makes almost anything look cool. the auto-focus is good, at night it does go all the way through sometimes, but most lens's do that. How close u can get to object is unreal, just make sure u take ur eye off now and then to make sure u dont hit the front of ur lens with what ever ur shooting. u could be 1 foot away from someones face and still get most of their body. highly recommended if u got the money
Nikon 10.5mm Fish Eye lens... nice addition for any Nikon Users.. superior picture when evening hours with Overhead lite.....after hour football field! I can get the whole field from standing 50 feet away on the sideline of 50 yard line.
Plenty of actual photographic sites have reviewed this lens with all the nitty gritty details and measurements, so I won't attempt to duplicate those.Pros:Tons of fun.Opens up a lot of interesting creative possibilities.Meters perfectly with every DX Nikon.Fast enough to shoot indoors without flash.Cons:Won't autofocus on most consumer cameras.Won't meter or expose correctly on old film cameras.Won't cover the whole sensor on an FX or film camera.Direct flash can't be usedWho should buy this lens:Owners of Nikon digital SLRs who want a useful fisheye lens without breaking the bank.People who shoot video of extreme sportsWho shouldn't:People  with FX or film camerasPeople who don't own other wide angle lensesPeople who study their pictures under a loupeI've used this lens primarily for the things that you're not supposed to use fisheyes for, and I've been very happy with it.  I've used it for portraits.  I've used it indoors to capture the entire room.  I've used it for animals.  I've used it for astrophotography.The minimum focusing distance with this lens (stopped down even a little) is actually touching the lens.  You won't realize how close you are looking through the viewfinder.  Make sure you buy a lens pen and a microfiber cloth to go with this lens, because it will get dirtier than any other lens you have.  This lens gets licked by animals constantly.  You will bump into things.  Don't use it on anything dangerous because you will get hurt.This is the only DX AF-D lens that Nikon makes.  That means that it's the least "compatible" lens in the entire collection: it is useless for film or FX, but only the D70 and above can focus it.  About half of the intended buyers of this lens will have to treat it as a manual focus AIS lens: no AF, but full metering.Of course, the lack of AF isn't an issue.  Scale focus to about two feet, and everything will be in focus even at f/2.8.  Of course, you'll want to get closer than that for the sort of extreme effects this lens is capable of.  Get about five inches from a cat to make its head look bigger than the rest of its body; use a bounced flash for lighting and you can stop down to f/5.6 indoors to keep everything in focus, from about four inches to infinity.  Manually focusing this lens is easy because you always have more depth of field than you know what to do with.  The entire range of focus is about 1/5th of a turn of the ring, and it's got a great feel to it.Please keep in mind that lighting is a different animal with a fisheye lens.  You can't use on-camera direct flash, unless you are trying to leave the corners dark, in which case I'd suggest considering a regular wide angle lens instead.  The built-in flash on most models will cast a shadow of the lens right down the middle of the front of the frame,and the closer you get the bigger it will be.  Even the SB-900 won't cover the 180 degrees that this lens covers, leaving your edges and corners dark.  You'll need to bounce or at least diffuse, or ideally, both.  I've had good results using my SB-700 off camera in CLS mode, pointed at the ceiling from behind the camera.  Even then, you can usually tell that flash was used.  You may want to consider hiding the flash inside a lampshade if you're indoors with this lens; then again, that's a good idea even with a normal lens.For most people, this isn't an everyday lens.  It might not be worth the price if it will only come out in a blue moon.  If you do a lot of "creative" stuff, it's a good choice.  Kid's parties, definitely.  Pets, definitely.  Weddings?  Maybe for two or three shots per day; you'll probably only want to if you've got a spare body to throw it on.All that said, I love it, and if it doesn't mean financial hardship, go for it.
I've had this lens for about a year (I use it on a D90 right now) and it's a lot of fun. You might think that you'd quickly get bored with such an unusual piece of glass, but the truth is that the more you use it, the more you start to see with this ultra-wide-angle perspective in mind. Everyone is familiar with the caricature-type portraits that can be taken with a fisheye lens, but they are also very useful in landscape photography, group portraits (read on to find out why) and architectural work. This lens is the equivalent to about 16mm in 35mm terms and because it's full-frame (and not the circular type of fisheye) it lends a very interesting perspective to many types of photography. The quality seems pretty good physically (it's small and light, which is nice), though it doesn't have the tough metal body that would make it more durable (and more expensive and heavier). But rather than go on here, I'll just quote from a recent blog posting that I wrote on my [...] blog (let's see if Amazon leaves in the rough address). I am the author of a number of photo books, by the way including:The Joy of Digital Photography (Lark Photography Book)andExposure Photo Workshop: Develop Your Digital Photography TalentandWinning Digital Photo Contests (Lark Photography Book). Here's what I wrote on my blog, I hope it helps. If you can justify owning this lens, I think you'll enjoy it (especially if you get the $30 software I recommend below):If you happen to be a Nikon DSLR shooter, are completely bored with all of your lenses and have (roughly) an extra $700 burning a hole in your equipment pocket, the Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8G ED DX Fisheye Lens may be just the lens you need. That's exactly the situation I was in when I bought mine and I have to tell you, as unnecessary as owning a fisheye lens is, it's still a lot of fun--and actually, there are some practical uses (just in case you need to justify owning it to a nit-picking spouse), though you may have to stretch the word "practical" a bit to find them.The fun part first: The Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens that provides a whopping 180-degree (measured diagonally from corner-to-corner) angle of view and that is far wider than even our own peripheral vision which is about 120-degrees. This is also what's known as a full-frame fisheye lens because it does not provide the cropped circular angle-of-view that some fisheye lenses produce. The result is a wild and distorted (but again, full frame) view of the world that can't be obtained with any other lens. Photos taken with this lens have a curved (bowed) distortion that, combined with the super-wide view, produce some really interesting and, I think, creative images. At the moment I think that Nikon is the only lens manufacturer making a full-frame fisheye and it can only be used on cameras with a DX-size sensor (D80, D90, etc.) and it can't be used on a full-frame DSLR body because it won't cover the field of the sensor.Another side benefit of such a wide lens is that it has incredible depth of field--you barely have to focus this lens and if you shoot at a mid-range aperture like f/8 or smaller, everything from your feet to the horizon will be in sharp focus. In fact, I shot the frame here at f/6.3 and everything is in sharp focus from the bench that's about a foot from my knee to the far horizon. And, by the way, as you can see here, when you include the horizon in a fisheye shot you get a wickedly curved horizon line that looks like the edge of the earth (which, from where you're standing, is exactly what you're seeing).OK, so now that you have yourself convinced you absolutely need one of these lenses, what are the practical applications? Because these lenses produce such a super-wide angle-of-view and because they have enormous depth of field, you can use them in tight spaces (like photographing your beautiful newly remodeled bathroom so that you can show it off to the relatives--you see, a perfect argument in favor of owning this lens) to provide very inclusive and very sharp images. You can also photograph large groups of people (like all of your wife's relatives gathered on your front steps--you can see where I'm going with this) without having to back up three blocks.But won't these images be horribly distorted? Ahh, there's the fun part (oops, this is supposed to be the practical part): there is software available that can correct the distortion and leave you with an optically correct image that still retains the wide-angle-view and great depth of field. The Fisheye-Hemi Plug In from Image Trends ([...]) is probably the most popular and sells for just $29.95 and works with both Photoshop and Apple Aperture software. Once you've run the image through the software the curved lines and image distortion are totally removed. Neat, eh?To be honest, as much as I wanted this lens, it sat in my camera bag and was only used infrequently for the first few months that I owned it. Since then, however, I've been carrying it with me everywhere and though it doesn't fit into every situation, it's a ton of fun to have around. It's also a tiny lens physically and will easily fit into a jacket pocket. So if you're hiking it around Manhattan and shooting with all your traditional lenses and then suddenly you run into your spouse's cousin in their brand new car and you want to show everyone just how cool and spacious the backseat is...hey, I'm trying to help you get a new lens here, work with me.[...].
As a longtime fisheye fan I found this a necessity when I moved from film to digital. First it's a full-frame fisheye. In the Nikon "G" lineup there is still no proper fisheye. The difference is that a full fisheye has 180-degree view all-around (or even >180 in some cases) in a circle that fits within the frame (leaving a substantial full black vignette around the image circle). These full fisheyes are mostly used in meteorology and surveillance.The full frame fisheye is an adaptation with a longer focal length and a 180-degree view which circumscribes the image frame. Hence the 180 view is only along the frame diagonals. This also allows for some lens protection with a minimal sun shade blocking off the view that falls outside the image rectangle. These full frame fisheyes have a few other advantages. The longer focal lengths (e.g. 16mm vs 6 or 8 on the 35mm frame) requires no mirror lock up. And the full image is more detailed and flexible for artistic effects. Finally the center can be cropped out to give a fairly undistorted picture.This Nikon G full-frame fisheye delivers a clear image with a solid build quality. Also the 10.5mm focal length gives the perspective I'm used to from 16-18mm lenses on the old film format. It does what a fisheye is best at.1. Tight spaces pictures. In a small room or something like the Lunar Command Modue, this wide view is a must, despite the distortion.2. Landscapes. It can give decent panorama shots with some cropping. Also in the great outdoors the lack of straight lines often hides the fact that the picture is a fisheye at all.3. Fisheye effect. It has a sensual way of warping lines to give its own beauty. You can "look around corners" and get a "top of the world" perspective among other things.4. Low-light. The short focal length allows the lens to be hand-held at 1/4 sec or even longer. At f/2.8 this is an exposure value equivalent to holding an f/1 lens for 1/30 sec (about the limit of standard photography). So this is the ultimate low-light lens.Besides these standard fisheye features the Nikon G frustrates me with one drawback. It's really a feature of digital autofocus more than Nikon's shortcoming. Unlike standard and longer focal lengths the ultrawide and fisheye really don't need autofocus, at least not precise focus. Even wide open at f/2.8 the depth of field is huge. A lens like this is best focused "hyperfocally", meaning infinity is put at a limit of the depth of focus. Then at f/4 you have a focus around 6 feet to infinity and can shoot freely. Unfortunately this is impossible with the G-type lens because the depth of field markings we're used to on older lenses are just not there. Perhaps some system of pre-focusing could make up for this lack, but it would not be easy.I suspect many long-time Nikon users make up for this by having a mixed collection of old and new lenses. So they can get precise focus with older lenses and quick responding focus with the new ones. Since I switched from another manufacturer I'm at a loss for hyperfocal use. With the fisheye, far more than any other lens, hyperfocal is valuable. So I wish Nikon had accommodated this. Otherwise the lens is a pleasure to use. And the standard focal depth of focus is adequate for most things.
I could go on an on about how great this lens is. Yes, at 10.5mm and 180 degrees of coverage, it is amazing. What I want to expand on is the many other uses of a fish-eye that might not be so obvious.  The cartoon-ish pictures are fun at first, but that gets old fast.  This lens does not get old fast.The other side of this lens is the amazing way you can pull a lot of information into a small space.  When someone notices what lens you used, it takes away from the other thoughts of your picture. Some of the greatest uses for a fish-eye are in close quarters, such as a skate park. The standard 10-24 mm Nikon lens, another that I have, is very useful, but it can't pull as much information into the picture as the fish-eye. One cool effect I've gotten is to take a close-up, then crop the image to bring the subject even closer. If you use Nikon's Capture NX2, you can take the bend out of the fisheye, I also believe that you can do the same with one of the Adobe products. So there are times you will want a fish-eye, and when you do, this Nikkor 10.5 fish-eye is bright, and beautiful. It fills your frame, there are no cut off corners like some of the fish-eyes that are described as circular. There are some lens that you begin to regret soon after you use them, not this one, it's a keeper. Explore all the possibilities with this Fish-eye, you will be glad that you have it. It does not take the place of a standard wide angle lens.Also note that the 10.5 fisheye pulls in more information than a standard 10.5 wide angle lens, so when you use software to take the bend out, you have a picture that is near normal and wider than what a standard 10.5 mm wide angle lens can achieve. also note that you do not have to buy extra software to get stunning pictures with this lens, some will be fine the way they are, and others will be easily cropped into perfection.
I use this lens with the Nodal Ninja R1 VR head to produce 360 degree panoramas with very little effort.Nodal Ninja provides the non-parallax point for this lens so there is no messing around to find that.I use Autopano stitching software to assemble the shots and like all stitching software, it does not like chromatic aberration. The vast majority of all fish-eyes have this problem to varying degrees. This lens is no exception.So, you need to clean this up before assembling the panorama and Nikon's Capture NX2 knows all about this lens and does a great job of making that correction.Bottom line: A great lens that plays well with others and takes sharp, very enjoyable shots.
This really is a fabulous lens - I am relatively new to digital SLR photography, and have been slowly acquiring lenses over the past six months.  Just added this to my camera bag, and I am impressed.First, the build quality is first-rate.  The lens feels solid in the hand. This is a DX lens, so there is no aperture ring, and the result is a lens with very few moving parts and a clean, well put-together appearance.  Second, the optics are very good - I don't know much about pincushioning, but I do know that the quality of the image I get is #1.  I have been experimenting by taking close-ups of my dogs, and I can't get enough of the fisheye treatment.If you are looking for a second wide-angle lens, and have an eye for images that are beyond the ordinary, this lens will not disappoint.
This has all of the pluses and minuses of a fisheye, with Nikon quality. It takes some planning to get good images but one can get images impossible with a longer lens [and you can get your feet in your photos too!] I /strongly/ recommend looking at the Image Trends website for their inexpensive fisheye correction filter for PS.It's better than I expected. It _is_ supported by DxO.
I have used this lens several times.  It takes getting used to.  I think it has a lot of potential.  A funny thing is that the person taking the picture is often in the picture.  That is challenging--once I figure out how to take advantage of this oddity, I'm sure I'll be onto something.  It is not a lens for those unwilling to take risks to do something different.  That's what art is all about, isn't it?
WOW. That is all I can say about this lens. I rented this yesterday to shoot a wedding, and OMG. Love love love it. I don't want to give it back tomorrow. :(The focus is TACK sharp. The perspective is amazing. SUPER macro. Quick and silent focus motor. SUPERIOR low light capabilities. Light.I would completely recommend this lens to anyone, and I will be purchasing this in the next month. My D7000 can wait, I need one of these NOW. There are just so many uses for it. This is the only lens that allowed me to get a group shot of every single person that attended the wedding(all 105 of them).Get it. Don't think about it. Get it now. Just do it. You will NOT regret it.
Not for everyday use but fun if you want to play with VR panos or interior shots.  It's a Nikkor 2.8 lens so build quality is outstanding.
Super build & quality lens. Too much fun. Amazed over the quality of this little lens.
The Nikon 10.5 I find to be one of the best wide lenses made, it is an F2.8 that is usable at F2.8, unlike the Rokinon which I found to be soft.  The flare into the sun on this lens is manageable and depending on where the sun is in frame, like sunset, I find this lens has far less flare then other wides I own.  The rear gel is not a great option into the sun on any lens I have used and this lens is no different to me on that, but inside the canyons in a city, the rear nd can be great at allowing thick nd filters for longer exposures.
I am new to the digital world I HAVE A NIKON D-80 will the fish eye work with it.
Fun for parties, great for city shots downtown to get the buildings in.  Sharp and enjoyable.
Bought this after trying a Sigma Wide Angle Zoom, Simply put the Sigma was a great disappointment as it was unsharp though out the zoom range and on the edge and center of lens.  Due to Amazon's generous return policy, I returned it and decided to purchase the Nikkor for about $200 more.Now I know I am comparing apples to oranges but the Nikkor is superb. sharp edge to edge, top to bottom, side to side, wide open to stopped down.  The Sigma ( I own a number of great Sigma lenses)  was an assignment killer, where as the Nikkor has earned me numerous Kudos from clients. (  I am a professional photographer).If you purchase this lens..... be sure to look at "FISH-EYE HEMI" a software program that corrects some of the distortion in your images.  Photoshop has this capability and Nikon software can do this as well,  but for the $30 or so for this Photoshop Plug-In,  It's well worth it. It corrects curved lines well and has no problem correcting human faces in the images, even those on the edge.
I like taking pictures of large structures and this lens was perfect for the task.One day I was changing the lens when... disaster! I dropped it. To my surprise only part of the black ledge came off and it could easily be fixed with superglue. The lens itself didn't suffer a single scratch and continued to work perfectly.This lens is what you want when shooting the Air Force monument in DC, downtown LA or the Capitol dome.Recommended. Pricey but very good quality. I just wished I could use it more often.
This is a great lens. It feels like a quality product and produces pin sharp images. The depth of field is massive which means that you can ensure that pretty much any picture is in focus from foreground to background. I use it with my D80 in which I have the grid display in the viewfinder switched on by default. This is really useful when shooting landscapes with this lens. If you ensure that the horizon is in the center of the frame when taking the picture you can minimize any obvious distortion and then crop the 'photo in post production to move the horizon from the center. I also enjoy taking extreme close-ups which can look really good. It is possible to alter an image to "normal" perspective in post processing but I like the fisheye look. I hesitated before buying the lens because I thought I might end up with a novelty lens, but it's certainly not that and whilst it is a fun lens it can be used in all sorts of environments
I got this lens about a year ago.........after i had borrowed one from a friend of mine that owns one...I took it on a cruise.......and had a ball taking different sort of shots.using my Nikon D300......i liked it so much.......I purchased one.......and love it...i have posted.......some of my cruise shots on this sitecheck them out and see what you think......enjoy......by the way.if you purchase  the new Nikon NX2 softwarethere is a option.on the software to...straighten your photos.........and you now have added  a 10MM wide angel 2.8 very sharp fast lens to your arsenal.....just by using the new software........have fun shooting!!
One of my best friends: he allways helps me when it's dark and crowdy. It's awesome because it's helps you to have onether feeling with the same images.
This lens is a wonderful wide angle lens. It's light weight, focuses fast, and is nice and fast. Wide angles are lots of fun for close up work and this lens focuses down to 5.5 inches. Shooting groups indoors this lens allows you to capture the whole group. If you user Nikon's Capture NX 2 software you can un-wrap some of the distortion introduced if you wish. Attached to my Nikon D90 it takes amazingly sharp and vibrant photos and makes fun distorted video clips.Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software (CD-ROM) + Nikon Pro Cleaning Kit & Spudz + Blower for D3, D700, D300, D200, D60, D40 & D80 Digital SLR CamerasNikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Great lens! I use it for 360 degree panoramic pictures with a Nikon D80, Nodal Ninja 3 pan head. Remember, this lens is a specialty lens with intentional fisheye effects. Don't expect it to perform like a "normal" wide angle lens.
The Nikon fisheye is a great addition to your lens especially if you do real estate photography like myself and want to offer taking large expanded pictures.  The fisheye is fun just to shoot especially at partys and events.The lens offers a crystal clear picture.  I use it on my Nikon D90.  It has some depth of field up close if shooting video/photos.I picked up mine for around $500 I think.  I already forgot.  A bit pricey, but its a one of its kinda and you get a super large wide image for your money.  This is great for those scenic trips especially.To see examples of the D90 55-110mm and the 10.5mm fisheye goto [...] and click on photography.-pm
This was an excellent by that matched my Nikon D3200 perfectly.  There was no delay as the item arrived on time and gives to the full view of the picture that you are looking at, I would definitely recommend this it to my friends and family, an excellent buy.
This lens fits my personality and twisted imagination.  You can take some amazing shots with it...and it's not just for fun.  You can use it reality etc.  If you want to straighten the image simple use fisheye hemi or DxO software.  No regrets here.  Love this lens.
Simply put the lens is of great quality as is the effect.  It takes a little while to get used to it but after a few shots you start getting the hang of where and when this lens can have its best impact. I received this lens as my Xmas present from my wife. She knows I love photography and have taken it up as a hobby.  I'm sure with more practice I will learn more about it but as of now I think the lens really compliments my camera bag.
Ok, you cannot use this lens all the time. But under certain circumstances, it is a really great lens. Good quality, very light, it is well made. And the pictures are just perfect. The wide angle is amazing and the fisheye give a great effect. If you wanna use some of your pictures without it, you can "defish" the pix with capture NX. So you have also a standard wide angle with this lens.
Pros-Terrific Fisheye Effect-Fast Aperture-Durable, Terrific Build Quality-Small and Compact-Focuses FastCons-EXPENSIVE-Only for DX Nikon DSLROverall I love this lens and the images it produces. It's not for everybody but it's great for tight spaces, that great fisheye effect. It's rather expensive so buying it Brand New might not be for the everyday consumer. I bought my used and saved at least $350 dollars.
I had chance to use these lens and they are absolutely awesome. Lightweight, sharp, fisheye, and 180 degrees. Very fun perspectives are obtained. Great addition to your photographs. Note this is DX lens. DX lenses are NOT recommended for use with 35mm, "full-frame" FX digital SLR cameras, or APS SLR cameras. AF not supported by Nikon D40 and D60 cameras. Delightful pictures!! Search fishey in flicr, there are tons of user generated pictures.Some vital statsExtra Low Dispersion (ED) Lens: 1 ED ElementAngle of view DX Fortmat 180F stop range Maximum Aperture: f/2.8Minimum F stop: 22Compatible Format(s) DX, FX in DX Crop ModeDimensions (Length x Diameter) Diameter x Length: Approx. 2.5x 2.5 inchesWeight Approx. 10.8 oz.
I have been using this lens for almost a month & it's a lot of fun.  It really preforms at it's peak in outdoor shooting, however, I have obtained some good indoor shots as well.  I only wish that it was a zoom lens but for the money it's well worth it.  I love playing with different angles when shooting with this lens.  Definitely a must for someone who wants to throw an edge on their photos!
You can do amazing things with this lens. Getting good crop is vital. Like nothing else in your bag. Spectacular in the right hands but must use high end DX or FX body.
The Nikon 10.5mm Lens is perfect to pair with a D300S camera body to get those artsy shots you are looking for. The construction of the lens is solid and looks like it will last for a LONG time, probably longer than the camera body. If you want a good Fisheye lens and have a D300(s) body this is your lens.
Truly the fish to get for Nikon DX, however, it seems odd that it's not AF-S, and thus won't autofocus on most of the DX line. Not that you really need to autofocus a fisheye, but for principle's sake. Additionally, it's priced a little too high for the novelty that it is.Let's hope Nikon releases a 10.5mm f/2.8G ED AF-S DX Fisheye Nikkor Lens at $499 (or less) in 2013.
what can I say, it is a fisheye lens.  I bought it to shoot inside a cathedral for a wedding, where I wanted to take advantage of the ultra wide look as well as add some curves to my lines.  After I bought this lens, I gave it a test run before my shoot.  the first think I noticed was the grinding sound that it made as it was auto focusing.  Not sure if this is common for this lens, but this one definitely sounded bad.  I also noticed that the focus ring had some slop to it, which is probably where the noise came from.  I would like to add that this was a brand new lens from the store... just wanted to make sure that was clear.  Again not sure if this one was a lemon or not.  Even though it seemed rough in the focusing, I still took it with me on my shoot.  Despite the loud noises, it focused quickly and accurately.  The 180 view was a lot of fun, but all in all not the style of photography that I like to do.  So with the sloppy and noisy focus ring and not really what I was looking for in a photo, I decided to return the lens after shooting with it for a day.  If you are looking for that fisheye look, it does a good job.  Just make sure you test shoot it before you buy it to make sure there is nothing wrong with the gears.
I really like the look of a fisheye picture - it gives a really fun perspective when you are playing around, taking pics.This is fantastic - automatic focus, really high quality.  I have a lot of different lenses, and the Nikon lenses are the best.  The Tamaron and other &#34;generics&#34; are great for zoom lenses, but when you want something special, go with the real deal.  The types of pictures I like to take with the fisheye don't always allow for the time to set up the shot, do the manual focus, etc.  This solves that.Highly recommend.
This is a great little lens! It is small and compact, still it has heft and feels solid. Works great on my D90 and produces pictures that I have never dreamed I could take. The distortion is fun to use and looks great once you learn how to use it to your advantage. Great for landscapes!Buy it and you will be amazed!
These lens are great for self shots with groups. Every time i travel and use this lens 80% of the time. Most of the shots come out looking spectacular.
I went for this item instead of the tokina 10-17 lens i don't regret it but i don't get to use it much but when i do need it for some fun shots it delivers.
Beautifully built wonderful quality and perfect for creative angles and getting close. Still made in Japan does more and above my expectations
When people spend a lot of mony on camera lenses it is good to keep them protected either in a pouch or carrying case.  I gave this as gift and it was received with great joy.
This case worked well to protect my lens - either in its case or in the bottom of my backpack. I was traveling for over a month and I would say it performed as promised.
when you have a lens in order to keep it safe and sound you need a pouch for it. I found manufacturers pouches to be best solution. hope future proves me right.
This is a nice accessory to my large Cannon zoom lens.  It protects the lens when it is not in my camera bag.  It seems well made and useful.
Remember, this pouch does not take into account you're using bayonet style lens hoods..The diameter is to small..Otherwise it's a pretty nice professional looking pouch..
The Canon LP1019 camera bag is of super quality and holds my Canon EF 75-300 lens very snugly. I'm traveling to Australia and need to protect my lens and this is perfect for my needs. Great price compared to my local camera shop. It arrive exactly on the max. day noted for delivery.
It does what it's supposed to do in protecting my lenses from moving around too freely in my gear bag. Has a suede texture, which I'm guessing is microfiber. Not much else to say really other than it's a pouch for your camera lens.
It Came In Right On Time, No Complaints, Holds My 28-135mm Lens With The Lens Hood Upside Down, Now I Dont have To Worry About Scratches or Anything Else
I already have 2 of the smaller versions for other lenses but wanted to be sure my EFS 17-85-mm would be snug as a bug in its own pouch instead of a cheap felt sling thing. Well, Canon came through again with another of its soft felt line the LP1116. This pouch is thick and has the same firm bottom made of naugahide that protects the inside lens. The cord is strong and silky and doesn't open accidently the way a silky cord would. Obviously we can't throw the pouch around and we have to be careful but it really does the trick and feels good in your hand. The moment I buy another lens, I shall have to buy its matching pouch.
Lost my orig. 2x converter bag somewhere on a shoot, this is a exact replacement bag for this converter (looked it up on the canon website)
not a hard case  but will give excellent protectionfits in camera bag easier
I did not expect but the best from Canon and that is what I got. I am very pleased with my purchase.
Manufactured of a soft gray felt like material, a tough leather bottom, and draw string closure at the top, this lens pouch helps protect your lens from dust and the elements. I store my lenses in a camera bag, and these cases fit nicely around the lens taking up little precious space.This case is meant for use with theCanon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and theCanon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USMstandard zoom lenses. These lenses do not normally come with the case when sold new. Amazon often suggests purchasing one with your lens, and is worth considering depending on how you store your lenses.PROS:Protects your glass investmentCONS:I cannot think of any
Although many lens manufacturers include a case with their lenses, Canon makes you pay a preium price for a soft lens pouch that unfortunately doesn't offer much padding or protection against mild impact.  Still, the case is well made and will protect the lens from dust and will help prevent scratches.  The drawstring closure secures the pouch very well, but the leather-like bottom is stiff and can make it more difficult to fit this lens pouch in your camera bag.  I have two canon lenses, each of which is stored in these soft lens pouches (one is a different model but has the same design), and I find that I must tip and twist the leather bottoms of the pouches in order to fit them into the padded compartments in my Canon camera bag.  I would prefer a more form fitting case for my Canon lenses, and I honestly think that Canon should provide them with their lenses, at no extra cost.  After all, Canon is surely making a thick profit on their lenses, given the prices that they demand.  Still, the Canon LP1116 Soft Lens Pouch is made well, for what it is, and it is certainly a better than nothing form of protection for your expensive Canon lenses.  I give it 4 stars for the materials and build quality, but would probably rate it lower if based soley on design and protective properties.
I put this on my wish list for my 28-135mm lens.  It's a sturdy bag that should do the trick.  I agree with the previous reviews.  The bag holds the lens and also holds the Canon EW-78BII lens hood, you just need to store the lens hood inverted.  I just got another lens and will definitely put another bag like this one on my wish list!
I was not able to judge it's size because I bought it at the same time I bought the lens.  It is soft and does the job intended, I used it for a smaller lens and bought a larger one for my new lens.
Nice little Canon-branded lens pouch for my small pancake 40mm lens.  Adds extra protection when I carry the lens in my coat pocket or when it is stored in my gear bag.
Provides protection for my EF 1.4 Extender similar to that provided for my L series lenses without the bulk of a hard case.
This is the same bag i got when i purchased my ef 1.4 ex.  I lost my bag on a shoot. Now i have the perfect replacement, like i never lost it.
I ordered this bag based on the size dimensions, which were listed as much larger than actual.  I made it work, but really wanted a larger bag.
I bought the Canon LP811 Soft Lens Pouch to replace the one I lost. I ordered another one because I picked up spare covers so that I don't mix them up incase I was to lose it again.
The 'Canon LP811 Soft lens pouch' came with the purchase of my EF 2X II extender and I've found it does an excellent job and is absolutely necessary when carrying the extender in my camera bag. It's well made and protects from rough handling and movement within the bag. The pouch has a double pull cord system which gives good closure, and, in a pinch I'll use it for my macro. I've sometimes carried it as part of my 'Cotton Carrier' belt system, too. Another item I wouldn't be without.
I am using this with my Olympus 510 and so far have been very happy with it.  I have used this on both kit lenses with great sucess on both  telephoto shots as well as macro shots.  All pictures come out very clear.
I do a lot of animal life pictures with my Olympus cameras,and needed some extra gain in distance for my Sigma Big Ma(50-500 mm) and this one gets me 708mm with almost no lossof quality!!(The EC20 works with some lenses but not too good with Big Ma!!)I love how the EC 14 gets me closer with quality!!Albert E
Teleconverters I have purchased in the past (much cheaper) degraded the image to the point they were almost useless.  I expected some image degradation and was surprised that the image was everybit as sharp as those taken by my 50-200 lens by itself. Well worth the price.
I am writing this review for a used EC-14 Teleconverter (TC).  I am using the TC with my Olympus 70 - 300mm zoom lens on an Olympus E-30 DSLR camera.  Due to the weather, I've had little opportunity to really test the picture quality through the TC.  What little I was able to do, it appears the TC is functioning normally.I purchased this lens used from a little camera shop, JEM Photo, (Via Amazon) I believe to be in Wisconsin.  Everything about the transaction with JEM/Amazon was perfect.  Even the price is the best I have seen anywhere (and believe me, I have checked).  Delivery was ahead of schedule and the lens was delivered in the original box with all the original paperwork and warranty.  The TC lens appeared to be unmarked and it looks brand new.  Thanks JEM and Amazon for the quality lens and the great service.Denny G.  (Carlsbad, CA)
I got this to give my Zuiko 50-200mm zoom a bit more reach. With the EC14, the long end is 283mm (566mm effective focal length). I've used this combination on an Oly E-30 and an OM-D E-M1. When I have it mounted on the E-M1, I connect my sling at the lens' tripod collar. It balances nicely and takes any strain off the m43 adapter. It also alleviates the 50-200mm's tendency to creep.I have not noticed any real degradation in image quality with the adapter attached. Comparing the 50-200mm and the EC14 with the mZuiko 75-300mm, the 50-200mm seems to offer better micro contrast and perceptibly better sharpness. But, it's an armful to lug around.I've put this on the Zuiko 70-300mm to shoot the moon at an effective focal length of 840mm. The downside is that the 70-300mm doesn't have a tripod collar (I believe you can buy a custom made one from someone in Germany), and you really need a stable mount for that setup. You can get some nice shots, but it's tricky and the keeper rate is low.It's a great teleconverter, well made and well worth the money.
I hesitated this purchase,because I dislike converters in general. Olympus has scored a winner in this one by cramming 6 elements into a disk that is less than one inch in depth and which mates with a water resistant seal to the better Zuiko ED lenses. I am using it almost exclusively with the 50mm f 2 (actually usable only to f 2.8 value for technical reasons). Reason: It adds some closeup capability by keeping the close focus distance of the prime and upping the magnification factor. For portrait use too,it keeps a bright finder image and gives the DOF of an equivalent 70mm lens (blurs backgrounds more, a problem with a true 50mm for some). I can see no barrel distortion w/ the prime lens. With the 14-54 the viewfinder gets a little dark,but not too much so. Conclusion: It takes a good prime and makes it an even better or at least more versatile prime. Shooting through a total of 16 or so glass elements becomes a triumph of good coating and optical alignment. Not inexpensive,but a handy gadget that I will use with future telephoto Zuikos to add that leetle beet extra...PS.I will never use the case,preferring Zing neoprene lens bags to hard or ultra soft cases...
I guess you sum up teleconverters as a way to get a little more out of your lens(es), but at a price.  Olympus has not kept up on their "compatibility list" for this - it turns out it works on alot of lenses that are not on the "compatibility list" - even other (sigma) brands.  So the five stars are for its compatibility in the system.Before you buy it - look at all your options.  I did finally buy it but first I looked at a "better" lens.  They were all slower than my existing 50-200mm + 1 stop.  It ends up being a 283 mm lens with the OLY teleconverter, so it was the best solution overall.  It's not exactly 1.4 but pretty closeI did not like loosing the 1 stop, and I did notice the darker image in the viewfinder as the 1 stop loss is not removed while focusing like any dialed in stops are, but that's the real price you pay - you are just more aware of it.  I use the converter on about 10% of my shooting with the 50-200 lens when I am outside and have a tripod or inside with a GN 50 flash.  Remember it magnifies your movement too so a good tripod helps with the extra weight.A last couple of notes - keep in mind your photo size is 4 x 5.33" and not 4x6 so be sure to zoom out just a bit and leave a boarder for post processing into 4x6 standard prints.  Having the extra zoom tends to make you want to fill the frame but then you must cut something later.  Your camera's weight and balance will change too.  Pick a decent tripod that can handle the combined weight of your lens, body, teleconverter, along with flash and extra power systems.  A flimsy tripod will show in your 1:1 pixel reviews of your shots.  Finally, the 1.2 x magnifier for the eyepiece seems to work really well with this in your optics line to aid in focusing with the extra 1 stop you can not take out of your lens.This is a quality product from Olympus and extends your flexibility on many lenses, but at a price.  If you own a "favorite" lens, this is probably a great add-on but ask around about compatibility first as new lenses are showing up all the time.
It naturally belongs with the 50-200mm lens.The parts that impress me:This thing is really compact. I have a hard time imaging anyone not have enough space for it.The camera automically calculates the change in focal lenth. All the EXIF information is correct. A 50 - 200 becomes a 71 - 283.It is way cheaper than a 90-250mmEven with the converter in place, the camera, converter, and lens feel like one solid unit.The parts I don't like:With the 50-200mm lens, you can lock the tripod to either the camera or the lens (via the supplied ring). With the converter neither option works well PLUS since you now have more zoom, you need a more steady foundationThe 50-200mm is a top quality lens. With the converter (and lots of light), the quality is just average. You are NOT going to want it attached all the time.While you can use it at f3.5, you really need to use it at 6 or higher.~~~~~~~~~~Bottom line: While it is a value leader, it performs as expect and gets an impressive reach out of the already impressive 50-200mm lens
Olympus EC14 1.4x Teleconverter Lens (for at f/2.8 on E-System lenses)I bought to expand the range for my bird photography, it does the job very well.
I have 14-54, 50-200 and then  I took this one to have the reach upto 280 mm. I was confused weather to take this or have the 135-400 mm from sigma fro $589. The reason of doing this was having less weight while travelling with a slighter less reach.I did not find much difference in 200 to 280 mm reach while trying this. I could have taken the photo with 200 and cropped it a little bit and would have done the job too. Your milage may vary.I suggest taking the 135-400 if it is only for the 80 mm more reach, its not that much of a difference in price.Thanks
I called Olympus and confirmed that this will work with their 18-180mm lens.  I bought it and tried the two together and it is working great!!  First photo took a while for everything to communicate with each other and since then it works like just having the 18-180mm lens alone on.  And it's wonderful having that extra bit of zoom...
I leave this coupled to my 50-200 and I can take macro like photos from 15 feet away.
The converter has done everything it is suppose to do.  On the 40-150mm lens it can make a substancial difference in field of view.  Which is important with nature and portrait work.  However, it did make a difference in the camera's overall weight.
I just got back from photographing the semifinals for NCAA Div 1 Lacrosse and had this mounted to the 300mm f2.8.It was simply stunning.  Autofocus on the lens remained quick and there is no loss in photo quality.However, losing the stop of light did affect the night game. I had to slow down the shutter speed and up the iso to compensate but this tube is something I want to add to my collection.
Sitting in my kayak taking pictures of seals with my E-1/50-200 I decided that I needed a little more reach.  Of course the 2.0 teleconverter or the 70-300 (or both) would be great but, unfortunately,  unusable - my camera gear gets wet in the kayak.  Without spending a small fortune the 1.4 was my only choice.I've had this for a little under a month and have taken a few hundred test pictures using the 50 -200 (my favorite lens) and the 70 - 300 (it was cheap, I picked one up at the same time) both with and without the 1.4.  All I can say is that I am impressed, particularly the combination with the 50 - 200.Handling: I tested with both my E-1 and my E-620.  I have to say that handheld the E-1 was much easier - Even with IS and going to higher ISOs with the E-620 I had a much higher success rate with the E-1 even on the 1.4/70-300 combination.  The 1.4/50-200 combination with the E-1, though weighing a ton, just feels great.  In less than perfect light a good monopod or, better yet, a tripod would be recommended, particularly with the 70-300.Image: The image was great.  The qualities that I like in a 50-200 image were still there. In fact, I would say the 1.4/50-200 combination at 280 mm was much better than the 70-300 by itself at 300 while those extra 20 mm of the 70-300 are negligible.  The image with the 1.4/70-300 is pretty good though you pretty much want good light, a stationary target (or slow-moving) and a tripod.  Edit - on further review I find I get more true detail from 1.4/200 than the 70-300 either alone or with the 1.4.  And the colors are nicer....Overall I really like this lens.  For most of my shots with the 50-200 the little added reach is a bigger plus than the disadvantage of losing a stop of speed - I may just keep the 1.4 semi-permanently attached.
I wanted the EC14 1.4x teleconverter primarily to extend the range of my 70-300 mm lens for bird photography. I'd read all the reviews, critiques and forums beforehand, asked for advice and practical tips and knew what I was getting myself into: more zoom, one stop less of light, meaning 840 mm reach (the four thirds system used by Olympus automatically doubles the range of any lens because of sensor peculiarities) and f/8.0 with the lens fully extended.There's no denying I had my qualms before closing the deal. For that price I could get a decent shorter lens instead, or save up towards another zoom lens. But what sold me on the EC14 was the prospect of getting closer to the birds without lugging a ton of equipment around. So I bought it......And waited for a week before a bright, sunny day came along. I attached it to the E-520 and the 70-300 mm (it couldn't be easier and more fool-proof) and set out to test it. The results were beyond my expectations. I got sharp, bright, close photos of birds and anything else at which I pointed my camera, the lens behaved exactly as it usually does, focus was as good as it is without the teleconverter and f/8.0 was just fine for the light conditions. In fact, the photo geeks always say that the 70-300 mm's "sweet spot" -- the setup in which this lens will produce its sharpest images -- is exactly f/8.0, and now I have to agree with them (at 300 mm I always used this lens at its minimum aperture, 5.6, to get faster shutter speeds).I am really, really happy with the EC14, and having this range with a setup that is still light and easy to carry around the whole day is a dream come true.
An extension tube allows any lens to be mounted on its camera so that it will focus over a range much closer than normal, thus increasing the magnification, and it does this without adding optical elements. The thicker the extension tube, the closer the focus range will shift. In this case Olympus has chosen the length to bring the magnification of its 50mm f2 Macro lens to 1:1, meaning that the field of view at closest focus will be about 13 X 17 mm.  The tube is beautifully made, and has the weatherproofing of the better classes of Olympus lenses. Be sure to keep it well sealed against dust when not in use, and put the two lens covers together to keep dust out of them.  Some lenses are not designed to be optimally sharp or distortion free at close distances, but the tube will fit perfectly and maintain the automatic functions with all the Olympus lenses, and for that matter, all the E-series cameras.
If you're planning on shooting flat items, stamps, coins, smashed bugs, this works ideally, especially coupled with Olympic's 50mm lens (and of course, fits many others).The biggest drawback is that your depth of field will be razor thin, even at f8. There is no glass here, so if you use a good ZD lens, you'll get all the magnifying benefits of that lens times two.This will yield pretty good results if you use a ring flash, and you will almost always need a tripod. With those, you will discover a whole new world, nearly too small for the naked eye to see.
I have been pleased with this extension in every way possible. I do a lot of macros of plants for a class that I teach - the macro shots really help to identify plants!
I have found that this extension tube gets me just that much closer to the subject. It is really spot on where you put the focus point.
I recently purchased an Olympus 35mm Macro lens for my E-30 camera. I love this lens. It is extremely sharp and surprisingly inexpensive for the quality of the optics. If I do my part the photos taken with it are clear and sharp. I would highly recommend this lens as a 'best buy' for the buck BUT as with most Macro lenses you need to be quite close to your subject. This creates problems if additional light is needed for a good shot and creates difficulties if you are trying to photograph a living and/or moving subject. That is where the EX-25 extension tube shines.For reasons that I don't quite understand...having to do with physics I suppose, it is impossible to focus  at certain focal lengths with certain lens with the EX-25. For those lenses and focal lengths that do focus properly, of which there are many, the benefit is that you can obtain good close up photos while adding distance from your subject. So if you enjoy getting close up shots of butterflies, bees, or other moving critters not being right on top of them is a definite plus. It should also be noted that because this is accomplished without the use of additional lenses/glass, and only by extending the lens out from the camera sensor, photos are not degraded in the least.It is a good idea to visit the Olympus website prior to purchasing this item to make sure that the extension tube will work well with the lenses you are going to be using. Depending on your lens and the focal length used the focusing distance ranges all the way from 6 inches (25mm focal length) to approximately 13 feet (300mm focal length). Olympus recommends that focusing be done manually but I have found that if you are within the distances shown in the instruction sheet for your lens, auto focus will work. It takes a while to lock in sometimes but it usually works and failing that there is always the manual option. With my limited use I have found that all basic camera functions operate as usual while using the EX-25. (I was able to get some decent shots of some Geckos in my back yard tonight from a distance of 6 to 7 feet, with failing light, using my 70 to 300mm lens at approximately 200+mm).I enjoy close up/Macro photography but am on a budget. The EX-25, at $130, is relatively inexpensive and is light and small so a spot for it can easily be found in your camera bag. I haven't worked with it much but plan to rectify that this summer. So far it has fulfilled my need and expectations. I rated this item 4 stars only because it doesn't seem to mount on the camera (or lenses to it) as smoothly as I am used to with Olympus products (slight drag?). That may be a little harsh as it does appear to function as expected. I would recommend it...you be the judge.
The Olympus EX-25 works great in conjunction with my 50mm prime lens. It allows me to take 1:1 macro images without any problems. I have been extremely happy with all of my Olympus products.
I bought this tube to use it with my new 70-300mm. Still I have not tried the tube with it. however, I tested it with the 40-150mm f4 and the result was incredible. you will have to use the manual focus which is recommended for macro shots anyway.It's high quality kit (made in Japan) and the warranty is worldwide. this is good solution if you can't buy macro lens but great if you have one. Combining this kit with a macro lens will make unimaginable photos.you must know that using this tube means you can't shot anything except macro unless you remove it from the camera. also you need to be close enough. at least with the 40-150mm.whether you have a macro lens or not, this kit is a must if you like to take macro shots. Highly recommended.
This is a great piece of kit if you want to transform one of your existing lenses into a macro system.
Using this with the 50mm 2.0 lens and the ring flash gives an excellent picture of the fine details - down to a postage stamp.  8 Megapixels spread over that small area (4/3 ") is a very high magnification.  I use this with the 50mm f/2.0 lens to get very large photos of small objects (macro) - it's a good combination.  I did try it for kicks with my 50-200 mm lens and found the lens had to be set to 200mm to get any focus success, which happened around 3-4 feet from the lens.  That combination covered an area about the size of a credit card.As the warnings state - you are going to be getting the lens close.  Normally I snap on the ring flash anyways so it bumps before the lens filter does, but more than once I've looked around and said "wow - I'm right up on it" - note the support ring for the 50mm f/2.0 lens is a good protector even if you don't have the ring/twin flash yet.  it will keep your lens protected inside the steel support as it focuses out.It's best combined with the 50mm F2.0 but it does give you some close in ability with other lenses too.  With the 50mm F 2.0 you are close to 1:1 in the image path to sensor.  You'll find in the image file if you take a shot of your address on your utility bill that it shows extra specs of toner that dropped around the characters and got fused into the paper.  You probably didn't even see them with the naked eye.  Great for looking at small defects or combined with the 14-54 or 50-200 you can get a bigger image area.Remember the lens is no longer bringing the image to focus at the sensor so distances are out of proportion.  On the bright side no light loss!  It's a great magnifier without any lens defects from a manification screw on filter.
Another fine quality product from Olympus. Recommend this extension highly for those who have the Zukio 500mm Macro Lens to get the 1:1 ratio for the true Macro shot.
This accessory is for anyone looking to get into close-up/macro photography.  I own an E-300 with the generation one kit lenses and the 35mm f/3.5 macro lens.  This accessory works best with the 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5.  With the 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 it's only useful at 45mm and you'll be too close for useful macro shots.  I've heard the 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 lens provides decent results.Jesse
A wonderful addition to my growing (actually already huge) Olympus lens collection. Adds versatility by increasing your Macro capabilities without having to purchase too many lenses. Along with the Olympus converter that allows you to use older Zuiko Lenses with the digital Olympus system this allowed me to continue to use my excellent older lenses with higher power at minimal cost. With Macro photography having to hand focus is an advantage. Getting the optimum depth of field is something that should never be left to a computer, no matter how sophisticated. Photos all look the same unless you focus for your particular eye. Highly recommended.
Made in Japan. Well constructed. Kind of expensive. I guess you get what you pay for.
I use this lens on my E-500 and 510, works as advertised and takes very clear pictures. Have had no problems. A reminder to those who have had or are having trouble with these lens, make sure that you go onto the Olympus website and update the firmware on your camera or make sure it is up to date.
I purchased this Macro Extension to enhance my Macro capabilities. I have only used it a couple times as with most Macro shooting, the object needs to be fairly motionless, on my last huge trip it was quite windy every day. However, the eyes of the banana slug have never been larger. I am happy with the purchase.
The extension tube works great, great for close shots with the stock lenses on my E-500, and the extra battery never hurt anybody. Over all it was a good deal.
I've been using this with the Olympus 50mm f2 macro and the Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX HSM macro lens in manual focus mode on a tripod with a Novoflex focusing rail and am having great results with it so far.Will have to try it with the 40-150 kit lens as a light travel combination too.
This part weighs so little you'll barely notice you have it - until you need to get in closer.I use it mainly with the 50mm but it is also interesting with the 50-200!Quality is excellent and it is sealed.
I purchased this item for use with my 50mm lens and E3 and I have been very impressed. I use it with the 50mm for macro shot just outstanding.
This is an excellent addition for macro photography. It's not a great a product for walking around taking snapshots. A tripod and probably a ring flash setup will render the best results. Getting a sharp focus from an inch or so is very difficult with a handheld camera. Most effective with the 50 mm macro prime lens.
Beyond expectations.  Attached to my Zuiko 50mm Macro even set to auto-focus have captured some incredible insects.  see: [...]  I use the Olympus E3 professionally and could not live any longer without this capability.  Great value!  Brings the 50mm to .98, just missing TRUE macro specs, but the results are astounding!
A bit large for an underwater camera housing.i would recommend it.
Bought these to use in an underwater housing.  I normally use two of these and they keep any fogging away with ease.  They are exactly the right size to tuck into small places, like around the lens baffling material.They are more expensive than some, but the individual wrapping of these ensures they will be at 100% capacity and ready to go when needed.
They do the job, but they are only temporary, Once they have achieved their max absortion you might as well throw them away.
Yes, Olympus prices their silica gel to the moon.  I have found packets of it packed with many products and will use these rather than spend the money for the Olympus product.Before I reuse a packet I regenerate it in a *prewarmed* oven set to 250F.  Small packets should be fully dry in two hours.  Just be sure to prewarm the oven so the packet is not overheated. Overheating could harm the packet itself.
Bought a brand new camera and underwater housing, so I needed something to draw the moisutre away from the camera as not to damage it.  No problems and therefore will continue to buy
I purchased these to use in an underwater housing for an Olympus Penn.  The gel packs fit within the housing and keep the lens from fogging up.  The manufacturer's instructions say that a new silica gel pack should be used each time that the underwater housing is opened, but I have found that these little packs are good for at least of week of heavy diving.
My other review i spoke of my UW casing. used it once but the rubber of casing broke so no casing no use for sillica gel.the one time i did use it..... great job.
I've been using them for about 2 weeks. I'm still on the 1st one. They are small enough to fit in the bag without being a bother.  And I haven't had any problems with fogging in the bad or condensation since I started using these. They are supposed to change colors when they "max out" and I've seen no sign of this yet. I've used it every night for 12 days. They are worth the money to me.
I agree that this lens hood is a nice and necessary addition to your lens, but to charge over $50 for a piece of hard plastic is insane.  I'm glad one of these came with my lens because I'd be really angry if I had to shell out more money for this in addition to the $1800 lens.
Lens hood is a must have accessory, but BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING ONE.I'm writing this review because I've just bought Canon EF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS II USM, and this hood is in the "frequently bought together" recommendation.First: if you buy a new L series lens, they all include the hood and the pouch, so THERE'S NO NEED TO BUY another hood.Second: this hood is for the MARK I, not for the MARK II lens. The Mark II lens uses ET-87 lens hood. I don't know whether or not they're compatible, but each lens uses different hoods.So, be careful when choosing the right hood for your lens, and check in Canon's official page what's inside the box of your lens.
Not only does the lens hood protect against flaring, it also protects your lens when you are walking around.The hood takes some of the jolts which might happen to the front of the camera.The only disadvantage is you have to remove it to easily use a circular polarizer or vari-ND filter.It easily reverses on the lens for storage in the bag.
It's nice and well built but a liitle bit pricy!!  This is the one if you need the best hood for the 70-200mm f2.8 IS.
Hoods offer several benefits to the photographer. Primarily the hood shades the lens from stray light that may result in an unwanted discoloration or hazing of the image, or the appearance of lens flare. Shading your lens helps improve contrast and image quality. A hood is not required to eliminate these problems, as any item used to shade the lens will provide the same protection from stray light. The hood is convenient in that it is built to offer protection while ensuring that it will not inadvertently find its way into your image.Photographers often state the protective abilities of a hood as a reason to have one. This hood being a solid petal shapped three and three quarters inch long offers some protection from keeping moisture and wind blown debris off the from lens element. There is nothing more irritating than reviewing your images to find dust spots or other flaws. When in place, the hood can protect the lens from impacting solid objects. Replacing a damaged hood is usually cheaper than repairing or replacing an expensive L lens.This hood is manufactured for theCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lensand normally comes included with the lens when sold new. There is no need to buy one as Amazon often suggests.Since the hood is wider than the lens; it can easily be stored attached in a reverse position. This doesn't add to the length of the lens, but does make it wider by about an inch. An inch may not seem like a lot, but in a tightly packed camera bag, it is huge. Fortunately Canon provides a storage case with the lens that can be used in addition to your camera bag.While the protective benefits exist, they are secondary and limited. I find the impact the hood has on my image quality to be the more convincing reason to use a hood. Considering the impact on image quality and the low cost as compared to my other camera equipment (except for a lens case), purchasing a hood is money well spent.PROS:Improves contrast and image qualityOffers limited protection to the lensCONS:Takes up more space in your camera bag to store with the lens
I ordered this to replace my hood.  It shattered when the lens and camera were dropped.  Lens had to go in for repair but I am happy to say that all the lens elements were fine and the body of the lens didn't show any damage.  I know the hood is supposed to keep stray light under control but I would say it saved my glass this time around.  If your lens doesn't have a hood, get one!
Lost the original. Had to buy a replacement. It looks, feels and handles exactly like the original. The only problem I have with it is the price.... why so expensive???
strong, great fit and gives my photos a cleaner look with more contrast due to keeping the light from flaring the lens.I don't think I would try to shoot outdoors without this hood
All of the documentation for the lens I purchased didn't include anything about a lens hood.  As it turned out I didn't need this because the lens came with one.  Oh well, I have an extra.
A little on the expensive side, but you have to have it! Does the job of shading the front element.
After losing my original lens hood, I tried to go without it for a while.  But it wasnt long before I knew I needed to buy a new hood.I settled on this one. It is just like the original, fits perfect, made of quality plastic.I have seen other knock offs and I would suggest against it. They are not designed with the optics of the lens involved and you get vignetting around the edges of your photos.This one is perfect and does a great job at protecting your expensive glass.
Between the improved scratch resistance and the new locking mechanism, this is a big improvement over the older versions.  Hopefully Canon applies this same design to all the lenses moving forward.
It's a little lose when attached to the lens, but that's pretty much what everyone says about this hood.  It definitely improves contrast where the lens would flare otherwise.
Good functionality, everything in place.Good recharging time, but I would like it to be a faster when working with less than half load.
if you have a older film body or anything digital other than a d50 then buy an 800if you are using a d50 then more than likely you will not need the other more exotic fetures of the 800...however the faster cycle times are a plus...? is are they worth the $..thats your call...I have the 800 and love it used it on a d70 and now on the d200...very very quick and consistent backlighting ttl and strobe are just the tip of the iceberg...
This flash is amazing in its quality and performance.  Creativity is just around your mind!
I am using this speedlight with the Nikon d200 camera and it works very well at both closeup and faraway scenes. I also own an older SB-80dx and the SB-800 is much easier to use. I now use the SB-800 as the main speedlight and the SB-80 as the wireless remote unit and they work well togeher.
I bought this after struggling to make the SB27 (from my film days) work with Nikon D70. The built in flash served the purpose for casual photos, but left a lot to be desired. This works well and the initial photographs taken in the last one week are wonderful, even closeups.While I did my bit of comparison with SB600, considering my future camera buy probably D200 or later, I felt the investment was good.Recommended.
It's simple, the SB-800 is more powerful than the 900.It's been around a long time and has a proven track record
This is another Nikon item I've used for several years without a misfire.  Years ago when I first became interested in photography, even before I obtained my MA in Fine Arts Photography I realized there were only two 35 mm cameras that had all of the features and support I was looking for.  Those two brands were Nikon and Canon.  I still believe that either is a great choice.  I made my choice based on the Nikon F that one of the Marine Corps Combat Photographers attached to my unit was carrying.  It had a rather large piece of shrapnel stuck in the front of the camera body and covered with duct tape.  It had been working just fine in that condition for a year, through 110 degree temperatures, 90% plus humidity, daily downpours, and yes shrapnel.  I figured if a Nikon could hold up under those conditions it was the camera system for me.  For over 40 years that has held true.  The SB-800 is just another example of what I expect and demand from Nikon.  It is also why if there is a Nikon product that does the job I don't buy an aftermarket replacement.The other reviews have all of the technical details but great technical proficiency sitting in the repair shop doesn't get the image captured.  This is a great and reliable flash unit.
I do have to say, being a semi-pro photographer, this one item has made a vast difference in many of my shots.  It has allowed me to get studio like shots (to an extent) without having to use those giant studio flashes that cost thousands of dollars.  I was able to just set up a few hot lights and use the SB-800 off camera thanks to that amazingly wonderfull wireless feature and got great quality shots for what I needed to do.  Also, being a concert photographer, in low light areas this works great especially since most tour managers don't take to highly of Flash use, it allows me to be farther back and get a great shot since I know have a little more fill light to work with.  The SB-800 I do have to say is by far one of the few products that you won't regret paying a high price for. I had originally thought of getting the 600 and decided to go all out and get the 800 after reading all the featuers it has that the SB-600 doesnt.  This product, coupled with my D70 and DR-6 right angle viewfinder (another great investment you should all look into) give me so many great shots, I do have to say the only design flaw about the SB-800 is that I can't use the DR-6 while the flash is on the camera unless I buy a bracketing system. Most of the time though, When I am useing the DR-6 I am at an angle where the pop-up works just fine but there have been a few times that I wish I could use the 800 as well.  So for those who are unsure between this and the SB-600, go with this product.  Now all I have to do is find a better lens then my Sigma 28-300 and I am all set.  Anyone know where to find a good deal on the 18-200mm Nikor Lens? If so someone (if there is a way) please email or contact me I have a myspace search my companyHope this helps at least one personBradPremier Images
If you own a Nikon Digital SLR, then there is almost no question that you should buy this speedlight if you are seeking professional level auxiliary lighting.  In conjunction with Nikon's Creative Lighting System, the SB800 cannot be rivaled for the quality of it's lighting exposures, automation, and the creative lattitude it gives the photographer without extensive trial and error or the need for flash meters,etc.  I looked at the the SB600 and the SB800, but decided the 800 was worth the extra $$ because of its extra flash output and its ability to act as a "commander" using CLS.  Now, own two of these guys!
Simply excellent. Got this flash on Xmas day and in ONE day I'm getting the best results from the camera ever. Wireless mode is great and the flash zoom function is quite effective. I do think this is a large flash. I wish it was the size of the SB600 instead. The 800 is a lot more capable than the 600 and well worth the extra bucks...more power, built in bounce card, diffuser dome that switches zoom to wide mode, built in SU4 mode, 5th battery case shortens recycle times and gives more juice and so on. There are also a couple of gels and a stand. It all packs into a smallish case. On top of the D70 you have a BIG camera around your neck! You'll feel a bit like Jimmy Olson waiting for the next big story to break! The camera balance is certainly compromised to a degree, but you can get use to it. The display also shows camera settings which is very nice. Press the display button on the D70 and both displays light up. If you're not experienced with a flash like this, study the manual and experiment before using on people. The flash is VERY powerful, far beyond built in flash types, so go easy on the eyes![...] Happy shooting!Capt RB
Reading reviews between this speedlight and the SB 600 prompted the purchase of the SB 800.  While I will not use this at full capacity now, I wanted a flash that will be ready to meet more advanced needs as I grow as a photographer.  Right out of the box I was able to take better pictures with my D50.  Even at its most basic, the SB 800 offers more lighting choices than the pop-up flash, with improved tone qualities and more natural shadowing (thanks to the ability to bounce as opposed to head-on).  I'm still learning the technical aspects, so I was somewhat intimidated before purchasing, but I have no regrets.  Only con is the flash is large and heavy.  Not ideal for candids, but perfect for portraits and group shots, as well as still photography.
I have owned this flash along with my previous Nikon SB-28 ( another fine, but not as versital flash).  Using flash is not my first need, however when I need one I'm always amazed how easy and great it makes the pictures look.  Very large 45-50 group shots evenly lighted corner to corner using a 24mm lens.  Pop up the diffuser signals the flash for wide angle, has assistive auto-focus light.  Fast recycle time, long battery life.  Again, I spend alot of time and money getting to places to get the shots the people want.  This item performs at a professional level.  I guess you get what you pay for.  There are alot of sub menus to access, you need to fuss some. Once understanding this system, the slave function and other modes for exposure , allows "you control" and isn't that what makes the photographer, how well one has control over the equipment being used to get the image one wants.  The SB-800 is expensive and dedicated to Nikon camera's, so find out if your camera will respond to the various functions before you purchase
This unit is the fullest featured strobe I've had for a camera.  Powerful output will supply enough light for most enthusiasts and works nicely in combination with other flash units, even if they're not Nikon CLS compatible.  I sync a 400WS studio monolight from the SB-800 as my camera does not have a PC Sync connector and this works seamlessly--even if I only want the monolight to fire.  In true NIkon fashion, this flash will do everything for you or allow you to manually control everything down to 1/128th power.  Also works very nicely with the Nikon SC-29 off camera cable which includes focusing lamps on the hot-shoe connector so that your camera can focus effectively in low light.  I use the SC-29 to keep the flash off of the camera 99% of the time and it allows me to hold the SB-800 behind a diffusion screen with one hand while I shoot with the other--amazing effect for a small flash like this.  Recharges quickly and uses power judiciously so that batteries last longer than in other flash units (through a combination of iTTL metering and zoom capability).  You won't be disappointed with the SB-800.
This flash will get the job done! It is extremely good, and even easier to use. It has a very shallow learning curve before you can get this thing to help you to light up your subjects. The only problem is that it can chew through batteries pretty fast. Be sure to always have a spare set with you when using it.
I am currently shopping around for this flash and at the time of this review the price is $699.95.  That is just ridiculous, as you can get the SB-900 (newer model) for $429 right here on amazon, and almost anywhere else you look, this flash it is in the $300-$400 range.  The one star rating has nothing to do with the product itself, I just don't want anyone to get suckered into paying $700 for it.
I'm not going to write a long technical review on this unit.  That's been done already.  I just want to chime in and say that I love this unit.  It's been very reliable and just a dream.  I bought mine just before the SB-900 came out, so with any luck I'll be able to pick up a couple more SB-800's from the early upgraders.
One of the features the SB-800 has that the SB-600 does not is Auto-Aperture. It has a sensor on the flash that can detect reflected flash in order to achieve proper exposure. I'm sure that in complex setups i-TTL is more accurate, but in informal testing it achieved the same results. Why is this important to me? No preflash! My wife has an extremely quick blink reflex that results in closed eyes when I use a preflash. Flash exposure lock is one solution, but my D40 doesn't support it. Even on cameras that do, it is an extra step to take a picture, and some people see the preflash and think you've already taken the picture.The SB-800 also has a diffusion dome, gels, an optical slave, a little more power, and several other useful features that the SB-600 doesn't.On the downside, the manual is really long. While the flash having lots of capabilities is good, it means figuring out how to do something can take a while. Read and practice before trying to take crucial shots.Overall, I love this flash. Highly recommended.
If you're getting this speedlight (extreme overkill for most users but loaded with increadible features...as you can tell from the other rave reviews) then purchase it with the Delux ACC Kit.  See my review on that page for why.  It's definately worth it!  And don't waste your money on the battery extender, it's included.
Look at the prices some of these places are charging! I got my SB800s for $329 when they were in production. The SB900 has more power, faster recycle, and tighter zoom (200mm as compared to 105mm on the 800). You can get those for $440ish. The SB900 does get hot and the thermal protection can shut the flash down for a cooloff. The SB800 doesn't suffer from that. That would be the reason to get an SB800 today. I most definitely would not pay over $340-50 for one though. Some of this $499 on up is just robbery! Don't patronize them!
I am very happy with this flash. I have been needing a more powerful flash for my photography business and this fit the bill! Came with filters, a diffuser and a carry case. The price was just right and it works perfectly on my Nikon D90.
I just recently bought this flash for my D100.My wife wanted me to take a bunch of photos of her grandmother's small antique objects - pieces of jade, little carvings on ivory, some vases, etc.  I have never been happy with the D100's built-in flash, and my local camera shop suggested the SB-800 over several other Nikon models (after I told them I would also use it for photographing pets and some indoor photography while sightseeing).This flash is great.  First of all, the color is natural...  The photos I have been taking of jade, ivory, small glass objects, and even my pets (and my wife as a test subject) come out evenly exposed with no hot spots, especially when using the diffusion dome and pointing the flash up at the ceiling (when mounted on the camera, the flash can be turned, and tilted 90 degrees in about 10 degree increments).Second of all, it is FAST.  It contains 4 AA batteries, with the option of adding a 5th in a small addition (so you can trade off between weight and recharge time).  With all 5 batteries installed and fresh, it can keep pace with my camera's rate of 3 pictures a second for 5-6 flashes.  After that, it needs less than a second to be ready to go again.Third of all, it makes using a flash brain-dead simple, At least attached to my D100 (and presumably the D70).  It automatically adjusts itself based on the characteristics of my lens, the zoom, the distance to subject, backlighting, etc.  I can still manually futz with settings if I want, but I don't have to to get a great shot.One accessory I would consider a 'must' for the flash is the 4 foot cable that lets you use it off-camera.  Especially since my main purpose is to take photos of small objects, having side-lighting is crucial to bringing out the relief on things like carved jade.  It doesn't come with the flash.
I received this flash as part of a kit.  I tried out this flash with my Nikon D200 camera and found that the capabilities were all encompasing for macro shots and regular shots and allows for a lot of adjustments in between conditions. The flash display does very well for me and for those who use a camera that is compatible, then I would buy one and really enjoy yourselves.
To explain a little, I used to work in the Photographic retail business. I've been a round many brands, and seen a lot of different guns. Believe it or not Nikon flashes we're used by Canon professionals. I had a customer who changed from his Nikon F4 to and EOS 1 after seeing all the shots he'd lost during winter Olympics. He came in and traded all the Nikon in for EOS kit. (stay with me here) well he kept his flash guns as they are always handy for slave work. He bought Canon's guns and hated them, just for kicks he tried Nikon on his Canon.....and yes great results!The reason for relaying this story is that Nikon make by far the best TTL guns on the market. Many people have always complained that Nikon under-exposes but this is to preserve the highlights.This gun seems just to be perfect in so many ways. I use this on a Nikon D80 and also have a SB600. I bought the SB800 as I wanted a greater range. On the SB600 I used a Sto-fen diffuser...this is great for close up's and gives you a good natural light...however it will reduce the range. The great thing about the SB800 is you have one of Nikon's designs included that does the same.I'd really recommend this for anyone who needs that great power output. If you need slightly less and want to save a few bucks go for the SB600. I'm happy with both guns. I only really got the SB800 as I needed an extra gun, I nearly bought another SB600; but the idea of extra range came in handy.Great flash I'd recommend some NIMH rechargeable batteries, these give more flashes than regular batteries, plus recycle faster. A great idea is some good quality Sony's on a fast 1 hour charger. Go for the highers MH...I got some 2500's and charger for around $30.It comes with said diffuser, soft case, stand for wireless iTTL and extra 1 AA battery clip.
I have had the SB800 and it is a good speedlite utilizing Nikon's CLS, however, the newer SB900 is much better. The SB800 advantage is only if you use DTTL (an old unreliable technology) otherwise it is a no brainer to just get the SB900 especially for CLS (iTTL) with all the improvements it has over the SB800. People are irrational and feeding the frenzy of unscrupulous sellers trying to sell their old stock of SB800. People wake up, the SB800 is not a collectible unlike old professional lenses whose lens were hand polished -- it is just a piece of obsolete plastic electronics.
Love this flash! I use it with my D70 and it is perfect! I was using the SB-600 before this one and let me just say that this one is far better. Love the updated settings. It is a much stronger and powerful flash than the 600. I wish I would have bought this one originally like I had planned.
You can do alot with this strobe, even studio shoots where you might ordinarily use a studio monolight or strobe setup.  It is more intuitive to setup and use than the SB600, but it is a great master strobe to use in conjunction with an SB600.  Being able to contol EV values from within the Nikon D300 is really nice.  It comes with a diffuser and some gels.  Good value for the money.
Three great features of this SB800 Flash:1. Very Powerful and with the standard diffuser which is part of the unit can produce enough light for very wide angle lens.  Great for indoor photos if you want to show what the house looks like.2. Can be used as a slave unit in its remote mode, being triggered by the camera built-in flash (without a cable).  When the camera built-in flash on my D300 is set to the "Commander" mode the flash communicates with the camera through the lens to provide proper lighting for the subject.3. Even though the flash set-up is quite complicated, Nikon service provided via telephone is out of this world. You can always get to talk to a Nikon representative within minutes and the guys know what they are talking about and take you with great patience through every step necessary and make sure you do what you need to properly.  Other manufacturers can learn from Nikon what good customer service is all about.4. I later purchased the SB-900 and there is no comparison.  The 900 is much more user-friendly and I am using it almost exclusively.  I keep the 800 as a back-up, and when I need a second remote flash for additional lighting.  It is permanently set on "remote" and is ready to go when needed.And about Amazon - The purchase arrived on the day promised, nicely packed.  I have been recommending Amazon to all my friend and will be a repeated customer for sure.Thanks Amazon.com
Great flash and the best there is to date on the planet earth! I like the LCD screen that gives us indications on camera settings etc. etc. My old flash is an SB600 and while it functions pretty much the same way, I prefer to use this flash on my daily grind now!
Although the flash had some minor scuffs the flash looks in good conditions and works beautiful in any ovations i've had to use it soo far.
That is absolutely rediculous.  I assume it's a type-o.I have this flash and enjoy it.  Pick one of these up and 2 or 3 sb-600s
I won't repeat what many other reviews have already said, other than the flash is great... its ueber powerful...great built in features...slave capable...and yes, you probably want to read the manual if you are not familar with how to use a powerful flash on flesh tones. I use this flash typically with bounce when in doors. It creates some great natural-looking lighting when the real thing is not available.HOWEVER, on more than one occasion I have used the 5th battery pack for faster recharge times during high usage events (think: awards banquet), only to find that after about 20 minutes my recharge time has slowed down anyways. I've then opened the battery compartment only to find that my Lithium Energizer batteries looked like they were about to explode from their contact ends! They were literally bubbled out. This has happened on more than one occasion using numerous different packs of batteries. So I have to assume that they weren't 'bad' batteries. Perhaps I received a faulty unit... but I figured it would be safer to send out a warning. Again, this has only happened when using the 5th battery pack...which is supposed to give the unit more voltage to allow it to recharge faster.
I've been a photography buff for many years and have used many flash units. This one ooutdoes them all....in Spades.
I won't repeat the wealth of information the other kind reviewers have already given.  I'll just focus on why I decided to cough up the extra $100 to get the SB-800 instead of the less powerful SB-600.Compared to the SB-600, the SB-800 has the following extra features:1) Much more powerful, as reflected in the GN.2) Slightly faster recycle time with the standard four AA batteries.  It also comes with a battery holder that holds a fifth battery which cuts down recycle time by 1/3 to 1/2.3) The SB-800 has non-TTL auto and auto aperture modes.  (More on this later.)4) In wireless remote mode, the SB-800 can act both as the master and slave, whereas the 600 can only be a slave.5) It comes with a useful diffusion dome, which won't even fit on the SB-600.6) The SB-800 package also includes two colored gel filters.7) The SB-800 can do repeating flash (in the same exposure), for a strobe effect.Basically, both the 600 and 800 support Nikon's latest flash technologies, i-TTL (supported by the D70 and D2H only) and CLS (creative lighting system), in addition to all the TTL (through the lens) flash modes Nikon introduced in the past.  The 600 is really a prosumer-level flash that's either TTL or manual, whereas the 800 is pure pro-grade with a lot of modes and options.  The manual, evidently written by a Japanese manual writer, attests to its sophistication; understanding the manual will really require a Ph.D. in yoga so you don't stress yourself out.The 800's auto modes are what won me over in the end.  The auto modes can set the flash output automatically on Nikon bodies that do not support any TTL (through the lens) mode.  On those bodies, with the 600 you'd have to resort to manual, which is simply a pain in the butt, not to mention prone to error.  The two non-TTL auto modes on the 800 are auto aperture and auto. You'll need to study the manual very carefully to figure out the difference; I still haven't, but I'm already enjoying the auto aperture mode.  The availability of auto modes also means the 800 can be used on a wide range of Nikon bodies than the simpler 600.If you are deciding between the 600 and the 800 like I was, ask yourself the following questions:1) Do you have an extra $100-$150 to spend?  If yes, the 800.2) Do you plan to use the external flash a lot?  If yes, the 800.3) Do you have Nikon bodies (usually older manual ones) that do not support TTL (you can find out in the camera's user's guide)?  If yes, the 800.4) Do you plan to do a lot of wireless flash photography and take full advantage of Nikon's Creative Lighting System?  If yes, the 800.5) If you want to get a diffusion dome that fits the flash, get the 800.In the end, I think the SB-800 is a better long-term investment than the SB-600, despite the higher price.  It's much more powerful and flexible, and even though it's an overkill for me right now, I imagine when my flash photography improves (and I'm trying very hard right now), it'll prove a very worthy investment.Feel free to drop me an e-mail at hotmail with any questions.  BTW, if anyone knows of a good web forum that discusses how to use Nikon's flash modes and the CLS, please let us know.  Thanks.
I also have the SB-600 and this product, the SB-800, is much better - and worth the extra $100. It is much easier to use since it has a simple menu structure and not the wierd button combo selections of the SB-600. The flash output is better, the recycle time is better and you can use the flash as a commander for other wireless flashes. Also the extra battery holder for a fifth battery reduces recycle time further and never comes off my unit. The diffusion head is also included so you don't have to buy a separate one from Stofen... works great.
Excelent flash. Maybe the best in the market for Nikon Digital SLRs....however I suspect it comes with some circuitry project error. Out of the blue my flash stopped working. Sent to repair and was charged $160.00 for it. Suddenly,out of the blue again, I turn it on and few second later the typical smell of a diode encapsulation burning was basking the ambiance!!! As fast as I could, I removed the batteries. I could not hold the batteries in my hands as they were really hot. I opened the flash and yep, the diode was gone....I don't know why but for sure if I have not done anything the whole thing could blow on my face....I don't think it is worthy to spend that much money...as a matter of fact, I bought mine, new,from Photo Alley for $300...
Nikon designed this unit to exploit the possibilities of their latest digital SLRs while still being compatble with their oldest F-series cameras.  The SB-800 is more expensive than the SB-600, but it gives you more control and more light.  You may find more light to be critical if you want to use bounce flash to soften shadows.I would have given the SB-800 five stars if the user manual had been a little better.  Nikon obviously tried very hard to provide good documentation, and to make the user interface as intuitive as possible.  But, a unit with so many features and modes inevitably will require effort to learn, and will present cases where you are working against the built in automation.  Expect to make a large number of experimental shots if you really want to learn how to use this unit.My chief plea to Nikon would be for a more straight forward explanation that cameras like the D50 DO NOT HAVE TTL FLASH.  The so called i-TTL uses pre flashes and computation to set up a calculated flash rather than a real time measurement during the exposure to quench the flash.  One would normally expect the same result, but not if a slave flash is used.One of the beauties of the SB-800, however, is that it can be used as a slave unit using its own sensor to determine when the master unit is firing, even if (as in the case of a D50 using its built in flash) the camera and the SB-800 are not communicating i-TTL info via IR pulses.
It's the most expensive speedlight Nikon makes. It's got a million and one options, a significant number of them fairly useful. Highly adjustable, from 1/1 to 1/128 in 1/3ev steps.There's plenty of reviews that will give you all sorts of statistics and features, so I'll just comment on the user experience.You can't get a better speedlight. It works amazingly well.If you're wavering between this and the SB-600, ask yourself if you need a PC synch port or a few of the other high end options. If the answer is no, save your $ and get a SB-600. If you need something impressive, get this.If you need a lot of light? Get some Alien Bees.
First of all, this is the last of the Nikon flashes that were made in Japan. The new generations of Nikon flashes are all made outside of Japan.This is not a flash for the casual user. It is a very powerful professional flash, but it is not an easy flash to use. Reading the manual is mandatory and then you need it to accompany you for at least the first few weeks just to get used to it. A lot of functions require a two-button selection. Hence you need 2 hands to set the parameters. Also, the functions are all hidden within menus which you have to get to from other menus. So, changing your parameters during the middle of a shooting is not an easy task.I bought it for the power based on the small footprint. The new SB-900s are a lot bigger. However, the new ones addressed the lame user-interface of the SB-800s.Bottom line, this is a powerful speedlight, but not very intuitive to use.
It makes my picture look much better. I got better color. But there is one thing I wished I knew before I make this purchase. My camera is N50. I cannot get auto zoom on this flash with my camera body. It required manual adjustment. It is painful.
If your serious about your photography i recommend getting this item. I've got both the SB600 and this. They both work great and they both do they're job. The 600 is like the little kid, and this is the grown up. Has more functions, more power, comes with basic gels. You can't go wrong.
I didn't get the product due to problems at the vendor. My money was taken out of my account and was processed, but no product ever showed up. I was getting your order was processed and was confirmed right up to the delivery date. That the order was accepted and on it's way. Until two days after the the promised date. I get an e-mail saying oh no it wasn't. Then it took two weeks for a return of my money to my account. Which only added to my displeasure over the issue. I would have to say they do not have in stock what they post and you just might not ever get what you order from this vendor and you will have to spend a lot of wasted time dealing with the troubles of not getting your order. I give them a "F" for failure. I will avoid this vendor in the future. Simply because, I want to get my order and I am not in the business of loaning money to vendors. I lost out on another vendor due to the money being tied up for Two weeks here. I say stay away from this one and count your money after-wards too.
I love this light, I have to get used to using it but it works well with the D-300. I recently used it at a convention, think I will love it more once I get used to all the custom settings.
I know NOTHING about dslr's. I agonized over which one to buy and what lenses and what accessories. I ended up buying th Nikon D200 with the 18-200mm VR lens, and the 50mm f1.8 lens, and the SB800. Because I know nothing about dslrs, and I am learning all the lingo by reading David Busch books, my first few pictures with the D200 when it arrived last week, were less than stellar, lol. Now, this is of course no reflection upon the D200 itself, but more so my infinite lack of knowledge on the subject. So, when the SB800 arrived two days after the D200, for some reason, I found it easier to understand (NOT the horrible manual, but just by playing around on it) than the D200. I have had both less than two weeks and I am now producing magnificent (if i do say so myself) photos. I would reccommend this to anyone serious about getting into freelance photography, or anyone who wants gorgeous photos every time.
The documentation is terrible. Its going to take a lot of practice. If you're just going to stick it on top your camera its fine. However I want to use it off-camera to trigger 2 x SB600s.Just setting the D200 to fire a pre-flash that will trigger the SB800/Masster & SB600s it's a nightmare and its not covered in any detail, in the manual.The SB800 is designed for this purpose. So why not include information on how to do this?
Very happy with my purchase.Well built and works seamlessly with the D300.
While the $320 price seemed steep at first, I actually get plenty of value out of this flash. I have four of them now. I use them on my camera, as well as mounted on a light stand. I shoot them through translucent umbrellas, bounce their light off walls, and I am acquiring an arsenal of modifiers to manipulate the light.They have the built-in wireless syncing, which really works pretty well in most situations. You can also use pocket wizards or some other radio signal device to trigger them as well. With pocket wizards you lose the ability to send TTL data. If you want to use radio signals but still use TTL data then you could use those Radio Poppers. But I am fine with using Pocket Wizards and leaving the SB-800 on manual mode.The light packs a lot of power and if you use the fifth battery compartment you get a faster recycle time. I like that it has a PC sync port. The SB-600 does not.They also come with a diffuser cap and some color correction gels. There is a built-in bounce card and a diffuser for distributing light for wide angles.The SB-900 just came out and cost over a hundred bucks more than this light. I'm sure it is a great light but I love this SB-800 and have no plans on upgrading as long as these things are still available.
We own two, and would happily pick up more.  Just the right light for accenting, edge lighting, or use for some frontal fill.  We use these off-camera with pocket wizards, rarely on the camera itself.  In the right hands, any lighting tool will get you professional results.
Don't think twice. This flash attachment is so versatile you'll squeeze every penny out of it even if you only use half it's features.  I use a Nikon D-200 and before that a D-70. And, I own two (not one, but two) of these amazing flashes. I've used them in a variety of ways together: one on the camera while the other is in remote mode; both remotely triggered by the camera's flash; and finally - one of my favorites - both off camera using the Nikon SC-28 TTL Coiled Remote Cord (a 9 foot extension that attaches to the flash shoe on-camera for use instead of either the on-camera flash or the SB-800 being on-camera). I've found this helpful for eliminating the camera-based remote triggering flash, which often causes subjects to blink at the very moment the picture is taken.  I might have it elevated above the camera on a light stand or, if in the field, just in my hand off to one side or another.  But, back to the SB-800:  I've never taken so many perfectly exposed flash pictures in my life. And, with the SB-800, I know that the possibilities are endless.
Should have bought this a long time ago.  I have 3 sb600's and this works well for synchronizing them all together!  I noticed it is a little heavy after carrying it on the camera for 6 hrs.
I own a D50 and mainly use it as a point and shoot beginner user, but this flash has made all the photos so much better - recommend people spend money on this flash rather than a better lens to see immediate impact of better photos.
Love this speed light! With the extra battery option the flash lasts for hours and hours. You can rotate the head and adjust the flash amount to your likings. It even works with the burst mode on my D50. I highly recommend this flash to anyone with a nikon DSLR.
This works amazing on TTL and nikons CLS. I have noticed a huge difference in my indoor pictures that I use flash for. Thinking about getting another.
I have used this flash to illuminate singers on a stage about 75 feet away!  It recycles fairly quickly, but my camera can shoot in bursts, and this flash cannot keep up.  This is still one of the best speedlights I've ever owned!
This flash has worked great with my Nikon D70, but is slightly large for casual use.  Very powerful and exposes pictures extremly well.  Great for bouncing flash from ceilings.  I would rate higher, but when this flash is mounted on the camera, it's really top heavy and difficult to carry around with a strap so I use it far less than I would like to.  Would prefer something lighter and maybe more innovative in being able to get the same effect with something smaller/expandable when needed maybe.
I own two SB800's and an SB600 that I use with my D200 and D300, overall the flash is good.  I will say that the Nikon Creative Lighting system is not great, I have had several issues where it ends up putting out too much light or not enough light, basically it ends up being inconsistent.  In the end, I usually end up using the flashes in Manual remote mode, meaning that I set the flash output from the commander.  I have gotten some great pictures from these flashes, and they work at quite a distance from the camera.  Overall a great product.On a side note, I decided to go with the SB800's instead of the 600's because of the flash sync port, that allows me to plug the flash into my flash sync port on my camera to ensure that it goes off when I need it to.  Also the ability to use a battery pack with the flash is another added benefit.  I have not gotten an external battery pack for it yet, but I am looking forward to that.Finally, I just love being able to use AA's, because I can get a lot of rechargeable ones of those as opposed to the specialized batteries that my SB50 uses.
The SB-800 is everything you can ask for in a general-purpose flash. Lots of candle power with a guide number of 125 at 35mm. The head tilts and swivels for bounce flash. There is also manual, TTL and thyristor operation so that the flash will work with almost any SLR or DSLR with a hot shoe. Of course it works best with Nikon's TTL metering and wireless flash system. Nikon even throws in some filters and a diffuser dome. Price is a bit less than the comparable Metz 58 AF-1.
Although I have only had the SB-800 for a few weeks I am totally impressed with it's versatility. It undoubtedly exceeds my expectations and capabilities. Used with my D70 I feel I am now prepared to take any picture in any ambient lighting environment that I may be challenged with. The instructions booklet is not an easy read but full of options which I hope to master.....someday!
Faster recycle time time than an SB900.  Slower user interface.  Slightly smaller overall.Considering the price difference, this flash is a steal!  If you're thinking about this or the 900, just check your bank account.  Can you afford the 900?  Then buy it.  If you can't afford it, but you can afford one of these, get this.  There's not a whole lot of difference, even in recycle times.  You can't go wrong with either.  Both will give you the same image quality in the end.Heck even the 600 will give you the same image quality, and I bought two used for 130 each.  The 600 will give you less shots in FP before needing to recharge.  Otherwise at 250th or below they're all pretty similar.This is the best deal though.
This product was purchased for my wife who is a semi-professional photographer. She shoots indoors and out and is glad she's upgraded to this flash. It's powerful enough to get illumination far (100ft) back indoors and doesn't burn through batteries as fast as one would expect. We use this flash with a Nikon D300 and have a battery pack to increase flash cycle-time - I would recommend a battery pack if you're using this for faster shots. I'm considering getting two more for studio shots since this can run on commander mode to control up to three flashes total. You'll be glad to own this instead of the SB-600 or 700 as you will read from other reviewers here. My wife's old photography school used this in their school as well. Nikon archived this product so get one while you can!
I recently purchased a D200, along with one of these flash units. I was so impressed with the wireless TTL performance that I purchased a second one. Nikon have done a wonderful job engineering this flash and have included some really nifty accessories.When you put the flash on the included mounting stand and point it at a nice white ceiling, the resulting images are stunning. It is almost as if you are shooting with a strobe and softbox. During Christmas, I loaded up five energizer rechargeable batteries in each unit and took nearly four hundred exposures without needing more juice.
This speedlight is everything I expected and hoped, and then some.  I'm sure the SB600 is a great flash, but if you want to do more than just the basics, this is the one to get.
Guys get it from UK is cheaper, almost $300 cheaper and still on the market, just make your home work as I did.
This flash is excellent, powerful, cycles fast and does a few interesting new things with the D200. My favorite thing to do is use the SB-800 off camera and trigger it with my in-camera flash.
Great flash with my D200.  It Has many nice features and is versatile. I use it mostly off camera and use the built in flash to trigger the SB-800. My only complaint is the dot matrix LCD is not that good.
I have an SB-400 which works fine as well.  But the SB-600's ability to operate stand alone off camera and use the Nikon creative lighting system just makes it phenomenal!
Excellent piece of equipment - for most Nikon shooters, this should be their first choice for a flash.If you're doing anything but shooting family snaps, you'll have use for this piece of equipment and once you do you'll know why it's a required piece for Nikon shooting pros. Expensive, but worth it if you intend to grow as a photographer. Other reviewers have done an excellent job outlining the details of why you might want this flash.3 caveats -- This is the most sophisticated piece of photo equipment I've ever owned (and I've owned professional Norman units back in the film days). You'll need to do more than just read the manual to get the most out of this unit. Check out some of the Joe McNally tutorials at Kelby Training online or the wealth of stuff at Strobist.- As soon as you watch those tutorials, you'll want more than one SB-800!! That's right - these things are like potato chips - you can't have just one!- It's big, and when using all 5 batteries, is heavy, although not as big or as expensive as the new SB-900. In other words, once you own more than one of these, you'll need a new camera bag too.
I just received my SB800 a week after placing my order and was so anxious to use it, I didn't even bother reading the instructions.  Popped in the 4 AA's, attached it to my D70, and started shooting at everything in the house.  I am really impressed with how easy it can be to use and yet, so sophisticated and complex if you want to venture into the full capabilities of this flash.  This is probably the best accessory that I can imagine for my camera.  My camera's built-in flash tended to be quite harsh and unflattering whereas the SB800 produces much more pleasing lighting effects, especially when using the diffuser and bouncing off a wall or ceiling.  Using the flash off the camera in the wireless mode is probably the most fun.  It is interesting to see the variations of shadows and light in a portrait pose simply by moving the flash relative to the subject.  The exposure was always correct and consistent.  Also, it is surprisingly light and unobtrusive for something so powerful.  This is a must have if you have a Nikon D70.
This flash is used almost daily on either my Nikon D300 or D700.  It functions as described on both camera bodies, that is, it does exactly what Nikon says it will do.  Guide numbers are more than adequate, and all controls work flawlessly.  My flash system now consists of the SB-800, the SB-600, two SB-R200 and the SU-800 , the latter primarily for closeup work.
As many others have pointed out, just get this one! It is an investment for the future if you are serious about photography...
This is not a "flash unit" but rather an essential digital and lighing component  for any photographer using Nikon equipment.The included manual already does such a good job of confusing both the potential user and recent purchaser that I think I will just  describe what I have learned about my SB800 units in plain english.First of all let me clear up one issue that a few people, myself included, found initially frusterating and at times confounding.That is .....entering Custom Settings Mode.First - PressPower On/Off  to turn unit to ON.Then - Press Mode button followed immediately by the Power On/Off  to turn Off.Then - Immediately press Power On/Off again to turn On.Then - Press and Hold the Select dial for two seconds till LCD changes to Custom Settings menu. (Make surethe LCD pointer is not highlighting any sub-menu such as Channel or Group)Ok...done.  Remember that if you plan on changing Custom Functions quickly!Onto why I label the SB800 as an essential component.-Integration with the D200 Custom Settings Flash menu.Specifically the Built-In Flash submenu where you can select  TTL, Manual, Repeating Flash or CommanderMode.-Ability to fire SB800 units set to Remote( SB800 Custom Menu) via the D200's onboard flash set toCommander Mode.  (D200 - Custom Menu- Flash/Bracket-Built-InFlash submenu).-High Speed Sync up to camera's highest shutter speed when used in SB800's AA(Auto Apperture), ( SB800-Custom Menu-A/AA mode),  TTL-BN (Balanced Fill Flash) and D200's P, S and A modes.-Included accessories such as filters, stand and plastic Soft Box.If I had to point to one thing I know now that I didn't know several months ago it would be that the included manual does eventually become comphrehensive.If I had to name a single unexpected surprise feature it would be that  you can use the SB800 without firing the flash as an enhanced auto focus module.Yes and I mean very enhanced!Simply go to SB800 Custom Menu and then to Fire On/Off and click to Off.  Make sure D200 camera AF Area Illumination is set to either Auto or On.Then prepare to be amazed as the SB800 deploys a cross pattern infrared light to assist Auto Focus in low light conditions  instead of the camera using the annoying white light PreFlashes to assist.Suddenly I was achieving accurate AF into rooms that to my naked eye were almost completely dark.  Certainly to dark to see to focus visually at all.That is one heck of a nice surprise in my opinion!Good luck!
This is one of the best flash units ever put out by Nikon.......It's fast and powerful....The fifth battery add on is a little strange, but it seems to work just fine.Highly recommended!
Just bought my first SLR (D50) and my first external flash (SB-800 AF).  I didn't know what to expect, but I was amazed!  I could take the flash into a very dark (mostly candle lit) and large (40'x65') room and take a shot that looked like daylight.  As far as the speed, its amazing - I can shoot off 12 shots in continuous mode on my camera and the flash will keep up (sometimes it will miss a shot or two - still trying to figure that one out).  So far, I couldn't be more pleased!
The Nikon SB-800 is just like a slave, works very hard for very little but doesn't look good or feel good. It doesn't consume much batteries, although its GN says its one of the best, if not the best, flash and produces a ton of light. However, it doesn't really look good neither does it feel good ans the GUI (Graphical User Interface) is very poor. It works well as a Commander for other Flashes and is a member of the Nikon CLS family which means that your camera can trigger it wirelessly with no remotes needed.
I have been using one of these for the last couple years with my work camera (D100) and recently purchased one for personal use with my D200. Can't say enough good things about it. Great unit, especially paired with the D200!
I recently upgraded to a Nikon D200 with the 18-200 Nikor zoom and purchased the SB800 flash to go along with the camera.  As many people have stated in the D200 reviews its a great camera.  What is amazing is how fantastic the flash complements the D200.  I have only started to exploit the power of this flash but so far it is unbeatable.  The camera, lens and flash all work together as a fantasic system.  The exposure metering of the sytem is amazing.  I have used it in full program mode and let the system do the thinking.  The results were expectedly good.  When I started pushing it more, for example putting the camera in full manual mode and letting the flash figure out how much extra light was needed it did not miss a beat.  Similar amazing results were found with bounce flashes, diffused flashes, and even mulitple flashes per exposure to get a strobe effect.  All had well balanced exposure.There is a bit of a learning curve with the flash.  For example, you have to learn what the different modes are, how they are represented on the LCD screen, and how to adjust them.  Its not difficult but it does take a bit of time to become familiar with them.All things considered, an amazing product that I am sure I will ejoy using for years to come.
This is THE flash to use with Nikon's SLR digital cameras.  It supports iTTL on the D50, D70/D70s, and D2H, and TTL on the D100.  The D70s with the SB800 (my setup) is an absolute joy to use.  The SB800 features plenty of power and a fairly fast recycling time.  With iTTL, you will generally get very well exposed pictures.  It is great for fill-flash, which can alleviate those harsh daylight shadows and bring a good photograph to life.The SB800 has too many features to detail here, but the main thing about the flash is that when used in combination with one of Nikon's digital SLRs, especially the D70s, D50, D200, or D2h, you can generally expect very nicely exposed photos through Nikon's excellent through-the-lens metering.  The photographer can set the camera on one of several more or less "point and shoot" modes, or exercise creative control by a variety of exposure adjustments.  This is a flash that can satisfy the professional while allowing excellent results from the amateur.The unit uses 4 (or 5) AA NiMh batteries.  It comes with a battery accessory that allows the camera to use 5 rather than 4 AA batteries--this causes the unit to recycle faster and provide more shots.The SB800 is what you need if you are using a Nikon digital SLR camera.  Mine is a permanent part of my D70s.
I love this flash. Dont know how I got by so long without it. Easy to use. Great quality. Comes with everything you need.
It's almost perfect only because the power of the unit is not as advertised... It's weaker than stated especially when using bounce flash. That said, everything else is SUPER..... ease of use, consistent exposure, build quality, modes, CLS compatibility, it's got it all. GREAT flash!
Here is my point. When you buy a digital SLR, most likely in a couple years there will a newer model available with some better features for the same price. But lenses as well as flashes a not changing that fast and keep value much longer. So from a purely financial prospective, it's always better to invest more in the long lasting lenses and flashes and less in the DSLR body.Another point. Most people don't need all advanced feature of the modern flashes and can probably easily survive without them. But also almost everyone sooner or later finds him/herself in a situation, when the place is just too dark and too big. So it's more likely you'll need just more raw power then any of the advanced features.So the bottom line, since a general purpose flash is usually a long term investment, if you have a choice, try to get the most powerful one.
I'm a professional photographer and have three of these (one that's four years old, the others are much more recent). I quite like these versatile and powerful flash units. But rather than repeating the thumbs-up comments that all the other reviewers have already left, and in the interest of "keeping it real," here are a few cons.* Build quality is so-so. It's not as outrageously flimsy as the way-overpriced SD-8A external battery pack that I usually pair with these flashes, but neither does the SB-800 inspire the confidence that Nikon's pro bodies and pro lenses do.* After using the single-pin flash terminal on the side of the SB-800 about 100 times, the thin metal sheath around the center pin worked itself loose from my older unit. The flash (now out of warranty) has to be sent in for repair.* It's a puzzling and annoying oversight that there are no battery indicators on any of Nikon's modern flash units. Even the just-announced SB-900, which will retail for close to $500, lacks that feature, despite the fact that Nikon has had about FIVE YEARS (since the release of the SB-800) to correct that obvious shortcoming.* The other thing that makes me curse the SB-800 under my breath at times is that it has no proper on-off switch. It has a recessed power button instead that's not exactly the height of responsiveness. If the flash is off-camera and in sleep mode, you can't just turn it off. You have to wake it up from sleep first by pressing the power button, then let go, then press the button again in order to eventually power the unit off. It wastes precious seconds -- and at a wedding, seconds really count. An actual switch like on the cheapo SB-400 would be much, much better (quicker).* Other parts of the user interface are just as inadequate. The flash settings are considerably harder to change with the controls on the back of the unit than they ought to be -- the menus leave a lot to be desired. It's not as bad as with the even more confusing SB-600, and with patience you can figure it all out, but 'intuitive' is hardly the word here... I know half a dozen photographers who will be buying a SB-900 unit for its supposedly improved interface alone.* Nikon cautions users against using the flash too intensely. They want you to take no more than 10 to 15 flash shots in quick succession at full power. After that, you're supposed to let the flash cool off for 10 minutes. &lt;sarcasm> Yeah, that'll work if you're shooting an event -- just go on a ten-minute coffeebreak every time you've fired the flash a dozen times rapidly. &lt;/sarcasm>Don't get me wrong: The built-in wireless capabilities of both the SB-600 and SB-800 are tremendous, and the SB-800 is a really useful, powerful and (mostly) dependable performer. But the "perfect" flash, as some have anointed it -- nice thought, but no.
I purchased this flash for my D50 and it exceeds my expectations.  It is powerful, fast, and versatile.  Well worth the money and a huge improvement over the built-in flash. Highly recommended!
Get the 800. First off: The LCD on the 600 is hard to see. The 800 can go into AA mode.  It is more powerful, thus giving you more light at f.16 etc.  Allowing for more depth when you wnat it.  It has a modeling light. It has the abilitly to accept cords, the sb600 cannot. 100 more, I know, but it may be useful 5% of the time. I would guess, even more.  Also, the sb800 comes with the diffusion/softening filter and 2 gel filters.  This would cost 15+.(...)Why is Nikon a joke?  Call them, tech support to find out.  I do not think that Nikon USA has anyone there who knows what they are doing or knows the camera or flashs they sell.  You call and they  read  you the manual.  I can read!!  Nikon is a strange company.  Despite their obvious stupidity and lack of customer care, (rude and poorly trained people who work their)their cameras and flash are good.  I would consider a Cannon had, like many,if I did not already have nikon lens and an F100.  First, I would call Cannon and ask a question on a product that you looked at and see if they can answer the question.  The chance is  they can't .  If they could then Nikon would have been gone a long time ago.  So, get your Nikon and be prepared to spend many hours trying to figure out advanced flash features. The book/manual does not tell you anything. They give examples but do not explain anything.I still have some questions and will figure them out in time... NOT FROM NIKON TECH SUPPORT, however.Best Regards
My Dad uses this everyday! He doesn't want to put anything on his nikons but the SB800!
Great Flash, I'm glad I spent the little extra and got this over the SB600. The battery life is excellent and the cycle time is great even without the 5th battery. I recommend this flash very highly.
After reading the reviews I bought the 800 over the 600. After reading the manual I was about to send it back (too complicated), but decided to give it a try anyway.Don't let the manual and all the things this flash will do scare you off. Just put it on your camera and in about 5 minutes you will figure out the basics, and the basics are amazing: Pefectly exposed shots with color to match.  Straight, bounce, diffused, it doesn't matter.As has already been noted, this model comes with a diffuser, which is a nice touch and a way to remove the harshness from flash photos.  Like "natural" makeup, this flash can make your photos look more natural. After all, photography is all about light, so you're not really cheating -- just using all the tools at your disposal.
Great flash for your Nikon Digital camera, from the old, rugged, D70 right up to the D3s and D3X. With the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) that was created for the D70 and just about every D-series DSLR after it, you can get the lighting you need and more.I use a D90, and in Commander mode, I can use three different channels and up to 4 flashes per channel to achieve the lighting configuration I need for my portrait work. Put it on the camera in TTL mode, and I have nothing to worry about. The photo comes out exposed perfectly. Change from landscape to portrait shots and need to bounce the flash off the ceiling? No problem! This flash has two degrees of rotation (90 deg up and 7 deg down and 90 deg left and 90 deg right {180 deg total} of movement. This flash is simply a joy to work with!I think it is better, both in price and performance, to the SB-900, as I don't feel the 900 does much more for the added money.I bought this flash because of three things: performance, price and versatility. The performance part I've already gone over. The price point when I got it was around $300, so I couldn't pass it up then and I am glad I did. Lastly, this flash, in slave mode, makes my photographic life all the easier now. The kicker is my wife can now use this professional flash on my old D70 I gave to her!
3/31/09 UPdate. When I reviewed this offering below, the seller was named Wall Street Photo. They have apparently morphed into AllAbout Electronics, at least for now. Neither of these seller names have any history posted on [...]. If the seller had been doing business under these names for any length of time I would expect that a history of customer reviews would be available. Draw your own conclusions...------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have 3 of these flashes. They work great. However, this model has been discontinued by most resellers in favor of the new SB-900. Nikon will quit manufacturing it soon if they haven't already. When brand new, around 3 years ago, the SB-800 sold in the $350-400 range. The new, more capable, SB-900 that is replacing it is $452 from Amazon today.Wall Street Photo is also trying to sell other discontinued Nikon gear through Amazon. What's amazing is that they are asking a higher price than the original manufacturers suggested retail price when the product was new. See their offering of a long sine discontinued Nikon D2HS body.When sold by Amazon this was an excellent flash. But unless you have money to burn, I can't see why anyone would pay what Wall Street Photo is asking. Perhaps they're hoping someone who hasn't done much shopping will stumble across the good reviews and whip out their credit card. Buyer beware!
Faster recycle time time than an SB900. Slower user interface. Slightly smaller overall.The SB-800 has been replaced by the SB-900. So if you really want the old item, the SB-800, they are in short supply which explains the high price. Why would you want the old item over the new item? Maybe you have several of the old items and want to have a consistent group of flashes with the same menus and features.In summary, i recommend to anyone in this site that want a nice flash and high quality photo to buy this item.
This flash on a Nikon camera using iTTL (through the lens automatic) makes great pictures.  The flash is very powerful, automatically adjusts to the width of your zoom lens (up to 105mm) and is one of the reasons that Nikon is so well known for being the wedding photographer's choice of camera.  It's a superior system to anything out there on a capable Nikon (I use a Nikon D2Xs and Nikon D70s, a Mamiya 645 Pro TL and a Zenza Bronica ETRS II, but everyone with a D40 and up will love this flash).
I finally upgraded to these dedicated flashes for my D200 from third party brands. I'm very pleased with the CLS option, totally worth the extra money! I accidentally dropped it about two feet from the concrete floor and it still works great!
really good, I just needed more information in the description of the item. What comes, What doesn't, but it works good! good condition  for an used flash.
I bought the Speedlight to take to Europe with a new D100. It worked fantastic. I was able to light the ceilings of every church and castle we visited. The light is bright and very fast. The color digital image was true to the actual color - no yellow tinge at all. Close-ups were great. NO red-eye on any shot and no washed out images. I took about 1200 pictures and used the Speedlight on about 500 of them. Everyone was perfect. Took the shadows right out of the pictures in bright sunlight. There should be no doubt about whether it is worth the dollars - it is every one of them.
I purchased this Speedlight for my D70s. It is easy to take out of the box and fire up. But it's capable of a lot more than your standard portraiture and vacation shots.I have been using this unit for in-store photography and it's worked wonders. The included filters help balance out the horrific fluorescent lighting found in most stores. While it's highly intuitive, I can also control it's output.This is an essential part of any Nikon package.
I got it because I intend to use it on both my film and my digital bodies.  For ultra wide angles I'll use it with film (Nikon N-80) and for more conventional wide angle with my Nikon D-200.  It's one of three lenses I'm taking with me on vacation to the mountain states.  The others are a Nikkor 28mm - 85mm and a Nikkor 70mm - 300mm with 2X Tamron SP doubler.  Since I don't yet have photoshop or similar I wanted to be able to take real wide shots without having to paste them together.
I've been using this lens for about 3 years now and wanted to upgrade so I read all good things about Tokina (since I could not afford the Nikon). I purchased the 12-24mm Tokina and returned it because of horrendous camera flare which the Sigma does not have. Granted there is "some" flare issues with most wide angle lenses but the Tokina was totally unacceptable. I didn't see any major differences in picture quality either. Both lenses must be used at F/8 for the best sharpness. I am keeping the Sigma and buying a Nikon D300 instead.
I use this lens on a full frame camera (D700) - so the review is geared for full frame users. There are wider choices (with relative advantages / disadvantages) on the cropped sensor side - don't get this lens for DX.Pros:- the widest rectilinear lens for full frame. The difference in coverage between 12 and 14mm (the next closest candidate, at least for Nikon) is HUGE (from looking at it - at least 15% - 20% more on 12mm).- vibrant color rendition. I don't know why this is - but compared at the same settings with the 24-120 and a 50mm 1.8, the reds rendered by Sigma are deeper and more vibrant.- relatively light - only a pound (compare at an arm breaking 2.1 pounds for Nikon 14-24)- good build construction.- relatively inexpensive.Cons:- Horrible vignetting. The corners are significantly (2+ stops) darker than the center.- Corner softness at any aperture (just horrible wide open)- Overall image sharpness. I compared sharpness from this lens with my Nikon 24-120mm VR zoom, which itself is not supposed to be a benchmarch of image quality. The Sigma image is significantly softer throughout the image. Both lenses tested at 24mm, stopped down at f11. It bears to say that the difference in resolving power is greater the closer I placed the lens to the test subject (a textured wall).- Very flare prone, especially at night with multiple light sources.- Front element protrudes - so no filters.I can live with the cons for now because honestly for full frame, there's not much alternative this wide. The closest competitor (Nikon 14-24mm) does not go as wide, it's twice as heavy and twice as pricey. While reports are that the Nikon 14-24 has amazing image quality, it is also not a walkaround lens.
as i researched for this lens i saw people comparing this lens to the tokina 12-24 f/4 or even the tokina 11-16 f/2.8 and sigma 10-20. people say those lenses are half the price with wider f/stops. people should realize that all other wide angle lenses are dx they are not full frame. this is the widest full frame zoom there is (as of date) it is wider than the beast 14-24 f/2.8 nikon by only 2mm s but at those angles even 2mm s matter.if you ask me which i would prefer the nikon 14-24 or sigma 12-24 of course the nikon no question but the nikon is more than twice the price and even though people call it the sharpest wide angle  there is i do not know if the difference would be worth the price. f/2.8 is nice to have but this wide it does not make too much of a difference. most of my shots with this lens are night photography or landscape and for both it is better to use a small aperture. mostly i go down to f/32.this lens is extremely sharp and on my d700 it focuses really fast. and i am talking about night time so literally no light i shine a flash light to where i wanna focus and bam it is focused. i have taken a night photography class everyone including the instructor was shocked how wide this thing is and how sharp the pictures are.i consider myself a tough grader but this lens earned the 5 stars. yes it glares but look at the pictures of the lens there is a half a sphere on the front end of this thing how wouldn't it glare.i put 2 pictures of the lens and 14 of some of the night pictures i have taken with it on amazon. [...]
I got this for my Nikon D700 when looking for a wide-angle lens that wouldn't break the bank and had a large wide angle view.Wow, was I surprised by the quality of this glass. It is the widest you can get for a full-format dSLR, and it is sharp across the entire focal range. I won't go into a detailed review here of the the glass -- you can google the reviews and the technical specs.This is a fine wide angle lens for landscape shooting. It's a bit heavy and large, but the D700 is a great home for it!...One note: there is no way to put a standard filter on this lens, though there are workarounds. Still - with photoshop you can go back and create the filter effects you might have wanted. For purists, you will need to read about how to attach external filters if you need to use one.
As always, when buying third party lenses there is an element of doubt regarding the quality of the lens itself. The fact that third party lenses are also very competitively priced sometimes adds to the confusion as we all like to believe, "you get what you pay for". This Sigma lens however, ended up surprising me and quelling all my doubts.Apart from the fact that this lens is the widest rectilinear lens currently available, it is also an amazingly sharp and well-built lens. The HSM motor is very quiet and quick and even focuses in low light. Despite the fact that the lens is large(ish) it's actually pretty light and isn't a chore to carry along and use all day.Now, compared to the Nikon, this lens does have some compromises, namely it's speed (F/2.8 vs. F/4.0-5.6) and of course the Nikon is supposedly weather-sealed as well. But unless you intend to use this lens for astro-photography, the speed of this lens is a non-issue. I've used this lens on many travels to Peru and Ladakh(J&K;, India) and have also used it extensively to shoot in NYC, not once has the aperture ever been an issue as I always tend to stop down. However, even wide open the lens is decently sharp and stopping down only makes it better.One of the most stunning aspects of this lens, is that it barely exhibits any distortion whatsoever! I was truly amazed to see this as it's very atypical for a wide angle lens. However, it does vignette significantly on FF cameras, but this is easily corrected in post. The lens also doesn't exhibit any CA.Overall, I'd recommend this lens very highly, especially over the V2, which seems to have more distortion. For the price you pay, this is a no-brainer over the Nikon lens.
I owned a D80 at the time and wanted a wide angle lens, so ordered a Tokina 11-16mm, but it got back ordered so could not get it in time. So i thought what the heck, i was thinking of going full frame for a while any way and since i could not afford the Nikon variant went for this one,also bought an used Nikon N90s(film). I was amazed by the quality of pictures it produced, very nice colors. It has good build quality too, being an EX series lens, also comes with extended five year warranty, if bought from authorized dealers.Granted it has some chromatic abrasions, but still i do not think this can be beat for the price. If you are going to go full frame this is the widest rectilinear lens available (PERIOD). So by all means get one and enjoy.
I needed a new battery for my camera, and this was an absolutely great buy. The battery never dies after using it for a good three hours. Of course I have it off when I'm not using it... but I have not seen it go dead since I've had it... and it's been over a year.
Why buy Canon's own when you can get this one? Saves $$ and can tell no difference from the orginal battery that came with my Canon  SD550. Works great, would buy again.
I've had this battery for almost a year now, and it has been absolutely outstanding.  It is as good or possibly better than the Canon original.  This turned out to be an excellent buy.
I just received these batteries a few days ago and I have yet to use them. They seem well made and appear to be identical in appearance to the Canon battery that's slowly losing its ability to hold a charge.
What can you say about a back-up battery. You almost have to have one to keep going.It sucks running out of juice in the middle of doing something, like a family function, and have to wait an hour or two for the battery to recharge.Having an extra battery helps keeps the peace in my family too. Irt makes the wifey happy. LOL
I have used Lenmar replacement camera batteries for years and have never had any issues.  So when the original Canon NB-3L battery for our SD550 stopped holding a charge the decision to replace it with a Lenmar at half the cost was an easy one.
This is NOT a Lenmar battery. Lenmar is a brand name with a decent reputation.Whoever makes this battery is ashamed to put their name on it - there is no brand. And its capacity is branded at 1200 ma, which is ludicrous for a battery this size.I am disappointed that Amazon would allow this sort of bait-n-switch to happen.Stay away from these.
Lenmar DLC3L Lithium-ion Digital Camera/Camcorder Battery Equivalent to the Canon NB-3L BatteryMy wife and I have struggled paying a premium price for a battery because it says Canon.  We purchased a Canon SD10 for our point and shoot needs a few years back.  The original batteries eventually wore out. We bought a replacement Canon battery and eventually it wore out too.Warning!!!!  We tried the inexpensive batteries from EBAY; stay away from these; they are junk!  Unless 10 pictures before the battery dies is acceptable.This Lenmar battery is as good as the original and its price is reasonable; thank you fellow Amazon reviewers for erasing my doubt! I plan to buy a second as backup.
This battery looks fine, it just isn't.  It last about 15 minutes and needs recharging.  Again, it is too good to be true...........
My Canon camera came with a branded battery, and I bought the less expensive (about $10 less at the time!) Lenmar as a back-up rather than another Canon.  Using a charger, I alternate batteries, and have experienced no difference in performance between the two.  Choosing this one is a no-brainer.
It's a battery. It works. Hurrah.Don't be fooled by the picture supplied, however. It's not a Canon-branded battery. It's made by Lenmar as it says in the title - an aftermarket supplier. Still - it's fine.
My husband has had his Canon PowerShot SD20 camera for more than 4 years and has went through 2 tours in Iraq. About a year ago it started acting up and we just put it in a drawer and forgot about it. well we were needing a camera to take to beaches and things where we didn't want to bring our big expensive camera and came on here to see if there was a replacement battery for such an old camera and came to this. After reading the reviews I bought one and POOF the camera works like new again. Don't waste your money on the brand name one, this one works GREAT and for the price of a brand name one you can get 2 or 3 of these and never have to worry about running out of battery power at the wrong moment! Going to order another one soon for back up.
Very good battery despite the very low price in comparison with similar Canon batteries. Buy it!
Christmas 2004 I gave each of my children a new Canon SD camera.  After 14 months of continual use taking hundreds of pictures they complained that their cameras were malfunctioning after only 30 minutes use.  They wanted to know if the cameras needed replacing.  I doubted that all three cameras were worn out and suspected a battery problem.  You can't expect a small battery to remain at peak performance when it is constantly under stress.  I went to Amazon and ordered 3 new Lenmar DLC3L batteries (they are much cheaper than Canon batteries)...gave them to the kids...and without even charging the new batteries; the problems they were having disappeared.  Their cameras are working like they were new.
I bought 2 of these for well less than a single "branded" replacement and have been very satisfied. Not only does it hold a charge as long or longer than my original battery, they were so cheap I have a backup as well. Have only had it a couple months, so no idea how long it will last, but I've already gotten my money's worth in holiday photos alone.
Good product for the money. Revitalized an old camera I had sitting around. I can't speak to it's longevity, but so far it works fine.
I bought two of these for vacation so I wouldn't have that...oh no, battery is dead at that just the right time.  I am very pleased with these.  They last longer then the one that came with my camera and work flawlessly.  I would recomend this battery to anyone thinking of buying a more expensive one.
Just came back from a trip to Disneyland. Took over 250 shots before having to recharge. So far it has performed as well, if not better than my Canon battery. Great value!!!
Works just as well as the OE battery. No problems with charging or fitment. Too early to report on lifetime...that's it.
Got this as replacement of the OEM battery, which after 3 years was fast fading away. This Lenmar brand battery fits right in and I can't tell the difference from the Cannon one (when it was brand new). Had it for 2 months now and I don't even think about it.
It holds charge, but not as long as the original battery which came with my camera. Still a good deal and I would buy it again
Have used this battery for several months and am happy with it.This exceeds all other generic batteries I have purchase. It is comparableto my original Canon battery.
Yep, this is the replacement for the Canon's original battery. It is NOT a Canon battery.It works great.
I bought a second battery for my trip, its half the price of a cannon brand one, but just as good.
Love this battery.  Long lasting and just as good as the name brand!
I had no high expectations of a non-OEM battery at this price but it performs better than the battery that came with my camera - charges quickly, holds a charge for several weeks and performs very well in service.  I would shop Lenmar again without hesitation if this item is representative of their quality.
it hasnt been that long since i bought and used it. but so far, i have no complaints. saved me quite a bit of money too.
There seems to be a bit of a lag time with this battery when flash is needed.  Everything else appears to work normally on my camera.  I would purchase this again for the price, especially because having a 2nd battery really comes in handy.
Alsmost as good as the original. I've tried 2 other OEM batteries and none came close to the Lenmar.
This is a good replacement for my canon battery.  Once charged it worked fine. Not much else to say about it.
I bought my Cannon camera about six years ago. Like all my electronics, the first thing I did was buy spare batteries. I bought two of these. My batteries were getting to the point they weren't holding a charge very well so I bought two more. When I got them, I started to cull out the old batteries based on how well they held a charge. The original Cannon brand battery was the first to go. It was not holding a charge as well as the two that I had purchased from Amazon. Thank goodness Amazon keeps records of my old purchase so I was able to get the same exact batteries again.I use my little Cannon regularly and have taken a LOT of pictures and recharged these batteries many, many times. I can recommend them without reservation.
In the days when the S400 was the cool camera, the Lenmar battery had more mAh than the OEM Canon. And that battery is still in use, approaching its third year.I got this one at twice the price it is at now, and I have had no regrets even buying it then for $18. You can get two or more at this amazing price but you may not need them unless you don't plan to take your charger.I always keep the SD 550's huge screen on when taking pictures, and use the SD550 as a digital photo wallet too. I've never needed more than two batteries, they charge so fast.The lenmar replacement, unlike other notorious "equivalents" like printer cartridges and the like, is definitely as good or better than the OEM battery. If Canon were to sell cameras without the battery, I'd take any discounts and pick up a Lenmar right away.
I bought this battery after trying a couple of cheap knock-off batteries from an online auction site.  The cheap batteries couldn't hold a charge very well and they can't hold a candle to the Lenmar battery.  It is every bit as good as the original Canon.
After reading the many good reviews here, I too bought the Lenmar battery to act as a second battery for my Canon digital camera.  I was totally pleased with the excellent performance as many others have noted.  The only difference I noticed between the Lenmar and OEM battery was that with lengthy continuous shooting with the LCD screen on the camera case got significantly hotter with the Lenmar battery that with the OEM.  This was not a problem until I was shooting on a 101 degree day (with the Lenmar battery in) and suddenly the screen went black.  I could view previously taken pictures (LCD OK) but any new photo I tried to take was black. I read later in the manual the upper operating temperature of the camera is 104 degrees.  Once the camera cooled it worked again for a while, but the black photo problem continued intermittenly for a few weeks then the camera completely stopped taking photos, no matter what.  So, was it the Lenmar battery's extra heat generation pushing the camera over its temperature limit and damaging the circuitry?  Would it have happened if the cooler running OEM battery was installed on the hot day?  I can't say for sure, but if you use a Lenmar battery I would be careful about operating it on a very hot 100 degree day (e.g. use the viewfinder, not the LCD since that generates heat, or turn the camera off a lot to cool down between shots).
This battery works just like the canon battery that came with my camera.  This is a much cheaper option than the canon branded battery.
I've purchased some bad replacements before, but this one really works as well as the original one.
What can I say? It fits in place of the overpriced Canon NB3L battery for my SD500 and lasts longer than the OEM battery. The quality of the battery on the external is very good. No sloppy glued edges or ill-fitting parts. The battery works very well in the camera and lasts longer by one hundred or so shots. I use a gig card so I tend to shot alot at once. Even with the flash the battery life is comparable to the Canon or even longer. I bought two instead of a single Canon battery and I have not been dissappointed.
I've purchased off-brand batteries for my Cannon SD10 before, and been disappointed.However, I was willing to risk a few dollars to save the $40+ that Canon gets for their battery, so I purchased one of these.I've used it for a month straight now, exhausting and re-charging it twice in that time.  It's performed exactly the same as the stock battery the entire time.I am very happy with this purchase, and will probably buy another one.
This is an excellent, inexpensive replacement for the original Canon battery.  Its performance has been as good as or better than the original, at a fraction of the price.  I was hesitant to buy this at first, knowing that many aftermarket products are poor quality.  Don't worry, this works great.
Bought this as a supplementary battery to the Canon battery for our SD-550 when new.  Both batteries lasted for 5 years while receiving equal use.  Now, they are both hammered and will only hold modest charges of perhaps 20 photos (tops).  No complaints as 5 years is a long time without so much as a hiccup.  Camera is definitely used although sporadically, but both batteries were used equally and both did their intended job.  A new one is now on the way.  5***** for the Lenmar!
For every Canon camera I have purchased I have picked up one or two Lenmar batteries. I hate the thought of spending alot of money on replacement batteries as a camera ages and the original batteries fade. In my experience, Lenmar batteries generally give as good or better performance than the Canon batteries at a fraction of the price. These are no exception.
This replacement battery is half the cost of Canon's yet offers longer life.  I bought it when I first got my SD10.  When one battery runs out, the spare goes in.  The Lenmar still works great while the Canon is near end life!  I am buying two more since they are so cheap!DO NOT buy no name batteries on ebay.  They do not last worth a darn and are basically a waste of money!  Don't do it...
I admit I was very skeptical buying a non Canon battery for my camera, but with the price difference, I decided I had little to lose. I decided to take a chance and was not disappointed. The Lenmar battery performed equally well to the Canon battery I had and worked without any problem. I highly recommend it, especially if you need a backup and would rather save money for other camera accessories.
Work great on my Cruse.  It out lasted the OEM battery ten times over.  I would buy more!  Great shipping and great Buy!Henry, The Weedeaterman.
This new battery holds just slightly less than the original sony one I've got with my camcorder 10 years ago.But you must consider that the original one when was new hold more than 2 hours, now it holds less than 90 min.This replacement holds ~80 min of DV shouting.
THIS BATTERY IS AWSOME IN EVERY RESPECT, IT DOES EVERYTHING ITS SUPPOSED TO DO AND FITS THE CAMER AND THE PRICE WAS THE BEST
I have not had the battery long enough to see how the charge holds. It does provide ample voltage to operate the camera properly. It charges in a reasonable time period. Based on my limited usage, I would not hesitate to order another should I need one.
At first it didn't completely work.  After charging it like I do with the original (in the Sony CD Mavica digital camera), power came on but the lens didn't extend.  I could take a picture at my son's game.  But the next day it worked.  Weird.  Days later this replace works like the original but I still do not know if it last as long or longer than my over 10yr old original battery.  I believe it is worth the price.
I bought one of these to use on my portable video strobe. I charged it up and it works wonderfully! When going into stores like Samy's Camera and others, they charge a crap load of money for this battery...which is something I avoided coming on to Amazon.com! Looks like I'll be purchasing a lot more from Amazon! Way to Go!!!
Works great!  This battery works great.  I would buy one again just to have a spare laying around.  Wonderful. .
The 2 battery packs I ordered along with my original battery allowed me to shoot my Sony D828 camera for hours during a baby shower. I am truly pleased with the product and the the price. These Sony type np-fm50's are a great value. I would recomend them to anyone for any purpose because they do perform as I expected.
Fantastic price and seems to work in my Sony CD Mavica Camera.
I bought 2 of these to replace the 2 failing batteries I have for my Sony camera.  They came already charged.  They work great.  The price was unbeatable.
I've had the battery for almost two months now, and it is working perfectly.  It charges quickly and holds a charge as well as any battery I have used.  I would definitely recommend it.
Much less expensive than OEM. With the price of lithium batteries dropping I cannot understand why an OEM wants to sell them at a very high price. This battery is for an eight year old camera. I do not believe there is much demand for this battery model anymore - another reason why OEM's should not expcet consumers to pay $$$$$$$Low price, equivelant performance; if you need this model of battery why wouldn't you but it from a third party vendor? Eforce city sold it for $9, Sony sells for $46. I am happy with this purchase.
This battery supplied by Eforcity works fine in a Sony DCR-TRV17 camcorder. On start up, LCD screen displayed &#34;Sony Info Battery&#34;. Charging window showed normal display with this battery as it does when charging a Sony branded battery.
Was concered about the battery life from the other reviews so I bought 2 of these. Have been at disney for 5 days and charged it everynight and did not run out of charge once. Was able to tape many wonderful moments os our vacation with no problems. Thank you so much!!
good to have another extra battery around in case i needed another one. it should last me another hours of recording
Very pleased- just what I needed, at a good price!  It fits my Sony HDR-HC1 camcorder and replaces the original battery.
Still working.
I have an old 1999 5 mp Cannon and this is the 3rd battery for it and by far the best. I read all the reviews and found no neg:s so I purchased it. It works for me!
We've had this for several months and through several charge and use cycles.  So far it works fine and is nice to have a less expensive back-up battery.
I was very pleased to find this battery source. It's an exact replacement that costs a whole lot less than the original.
This generic isn't always compatible with camera. It only works some times. I have to reboot camera constantly. Next time I'll spend a couple more dollars and buy the Sony brand.
The battery is well worth the price and keeps on giving more.  Thanks for this offer, plan to buy more from this company
The battery in my Sony camera was showing it's age, and not holding a charge very well. After checking on the price of the Sony battery, I decided to buy this one and give it a chance. I can not tell any difference between this battery, and the original Sony battery when it was new! This one charges in about the same amount of time, and lasts just as long while taking pics. Best of all, it holds it's charge a long time while just sitting on the shelf. I highly recommend this battery.
Works fine.  This battery has given me an excuse to keep using my reliable Sony DSC-F717 for a few more years.
Less capacity than SONY factory battery, but price much cheaper.No complaints. Bought two to rotate.  The charge time is slow, but factory battery charges slow too,Only difference was an additional label sticker on the sony factory battery.
What else can I say? This battery fits my camera and holds a charge. That is what I wanted at a fair price.
Gave our 19 year old daughter our old camera and needed a new battery.  This was fine and she is happy!
It is nice to be able to buy something and it does do what it advertises to do...refreshing.  The battery fits my camera and charges wonderfully.
What else can I say?  It doesn't hum a tune or do a little dance, but it keeps my camera running.
When fully charged, my camera says this battery is giving 200 minutes of use.  The original Sony battery gave over 300 minutes of use.  However, this is half the price of a Sony battery so the performances seems fair.
Works great.  It's a lot cheaper than those straight from Sony.  Haven't used it that much, but when I have, it's been good.
I was so happy to get an extra battery for my camera.I'll never be out on a shoot and not be able to take that perfect picture againIt came very quickly too.
This battery came as expected and seems to be working fine. I have learned not to leave them on the charger when not in use, as it kills the life.
I ordered three Sony M Type NP-FM50-equivalent camcorder battery packs from eForcity.  The package arrived quickly, but the batteries charge only to 105 to 117 minutes.  They should charge to at least 200 minutes (Sony packs charge to more than 300 minutes!).  I used three different chargers and three different camcorders.  At less than two hours of use, these batteries are pretty much useless.  Even my oldest Sony packs have more charge time than these.  These must be either used, defective, or just poor quality.  I applied for a return authorization, but never received a response from eForcity.
I was going to retire my camera because I didn't want to go broke on a battery. I found this on Amazon.com and was thrilled. It was the same battery that came with my camera and I am very happy with the price and purchase.
We have had our camera 9+ years and needed a new battery, we looked on amazon &#34;the go to store&#34; and found just what we needed.  I was afraid we would have to buy a new camera when all we needed was a battery.  That saved a lot of money.
I needed the extra battery because I recently got home from Iraq and want to take up pictures again and needed an extra battery pack, I do not want to miss anything.
This is the same battery for my Sony camera and a good replacement  They last a long time and I am glad the price has come down over the years
After 7 years, the battery on my Sony Digicam died. I looked at Sony replacement and Radio Shack had their replacement version for $49.95! This one was under $8.00 so how can you not go for it? I had to wait over a week for the shipping but it got here OK and it's working perfectly.
The battery is as advertized and works well, a little less capacity than the original, but overall a good buy. Fast shipping too!
My camera is back to running like new.  This did the job.
New battery is twice the power and works great. Would recommend this to any one who doesn't have a backup battery or power source.
Ordered these non-Sony repolacement batteries from an Amazon seller.  Received in just one-or two days and they are working fine so far.  I think the Sony batteries may have had a slightly higher storage, but at the lower price I am satisfied.
the Sony M Type NP-FM50 Equivalent Camcorder/Digital Camera Battery replaced the old battery in my cam corder.  it seems to have a longer battery life than the original
i rate this five stars it fits as good as the stock battery and works great if you need a great deal this is one for shure
I bought this battery for my Sony CamCorder. So far I have charged & discharged this battery battery 5 times. It last about 1 hour & 45 minutes in my camcorder for recording. This is about the same time I was getting out out of my original Sony NP-FM50 Battery.With my Original Sony NP-FM50 battery charging indicator would stop at 120 minutes charge. But this one passes that & keep going up to 480 minutes then it stops & show "Full". I know this battery will not give me that long. Then when I take the battery out of charger all of the sudden it drops to 130 minutes or so (got different reading every time). So if you are buying this battery, it works & it is functional. But do not expect to get an accurate battery info reading & reporting from your camcorder. If you do, you need to opt out of this $8.00 battery & pay $35.00 or more & get an original Sony battery.
It arrived on time as promised.  The price was very reasonable.  The battery worked perfectly in my camera.  Definitely would recommend this company and product to others.
I purchased this SECOND battery for the Sony  S70 camera. The first I had purchased several months ago apparently was not NEW..and has never held a charge beyond 15 photographs no matter how "Full" the indicator read. With this battery I've had no problems. It arrived in good time and from the packaging at least appeared to be new . And first and foremost, it holds a charge.
Great reserve battery for any Sony products if you're going on vacation & might forget to recharge your batteries regularly.  Works in all my Sony items.
Battery met or beat expectations. The unit was completely compatible with my older Sony camera, and even though the camera is rated a small 3.5 megapixels, the on board software does a job that gives better results than a camera with twice the rating. The lense is of extremely high quality and the camera unit is built like a tank. It was worth the investment to purchase the additonal batteries for this gem.
I could not believe to my eyes when my Sony camcorder reported a projected recording time of 242 minutes with this battery! If only that was true.Unfortunately just on the next morning after being fully charged my camera simply did not start, to my surprise. Battery charge was gone overnight.I guess I have nothing to add - this speaks for itself.
it's a battery, and it does what it's 'spozed to do - and rather well, too.  Doo Dee Doo Doo
This is a great battery has a long life in my camera. Amazily decent price too.
Used this to power an old 20 dollar film camera I bought for a photography class, does what it needs to do, same battery lasted all semester so amazing life...BTW I was useing the canon EOS 650.
Fit the lockbox battery I needed for the company's boxes.  Bought it for less than half the price that my company was going to charge and with prime cheaper than local stores. Work great.
84 pictures is all it took on a 2 megapixel camera before it went dead.
The battery was just fine.  I found a problem with the cameras' electronics.  The Maxxum did not shut off like it should. The battery just ran down.  Sorry
I bought the batteries because I thought the price was right but they were totally dead! I good price for dead batteries is no deal.
This battery works very well in our portable telephone.  Good quality, accurate fit and I would recommend it to anyone who needs this size battery. The price was competitive or the lowest one I could find.
it works as it was advertised and i do recommend it to anyone else.  the price is reasonable as well
The batteries work fine. No complaints and nothing special to really say about them. They do exactly what they claim to do.
My last battery lasted about ten years. My camera is a 35mm. Does anybody remember 35mm? I hope I can find some around town. What a great bargain. Two batteries for the price of one.
I used these in my older Sharper Image flashlight. The batteries lasted for a couple years so I decided to use Sanyo again.
This is a photo battery and I have never found a bad one. This battey Is as good as others. Some no name batteries do not last but this one is not cheap, it is a good quality battery so do not be afraid to purchase. also very good price. I have no problems with this. Of all the batteries I have purchased From Amazon I only recived one with a short life. Brand name way out of date,seller sold here to get rid of. Not amazons fault.
These were a good cheap disposable option for my Steripen water filter thingy. I got to drink yucky water for a good 4 months and not get sick! hooray!
Great, fast, and inexpensive. The item was just as described and was well packaged. I used it to replace a battery in a motion sensor for my house alarm. It did the trick.
i use these with my surefire tactical flashlight,last just as long as the duracell&#34;s  that cost 4x as much.the battery on the package i received says advanced lithium 2 ,use by 2020.this is a great deal the batterys are in their packages,not in a baggie or loose.
These batteries are for a "discontinued" Panasonic ice cream maker that I love. Lithium batteries are required because the machine works inside the freezer at 0 degrees. They retail for 8-10 dollars so price is the primary issue and so are much less expensive. So far they seem to work well enough.
We have order this product on two different occasions and found this Sanyoto be the best value for this type battery.  This particular model has severalapplications some of the laser instruments which are sold by Amazon & Amazon Merchants.
Used to replace battery in a motion detector. These were pretty cheap, arrived in a plastic baggy instead of manufacture's packaging. Someone probably buying in bulk and selling individually. Hey, can't complain for the price.
I ordered these batteries for my motion sensor in my home alarm and was surprised how long they lasted.  They lasted nearly 2 years.  I have purchased other batteries (Energizer, and Ultralast) that have lasted less than a year.  I am not sure what the difference is, but these things really last.
5 stArs : CR-123A Digital Camera/Photo Lithium Batteries; SHIP AND SOLD VIA AMAZONTHE SANYO QUALITY HERE IS EXCELLENT.TODAY IS NOV 2010.CANT BELIEVE THE SHELF LIFE IS 9 YEARS[ TILL YEAR 2019] SOLD AND SHIPPED VIA AMAZON.USUALLY GOOFY VENDORS SELL BATTERIES THAT EXPIRE[SHELF LIFE] IN 9 MONTHS OR SO.AS ALWAYS IF SOLD AND PACKED BY AMAZON , ITS GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought this monopod to use places I want a good steady shot, but dont want to fumble around with a tripod. Opens quickly, closes quickly. It doesn't come with a carry bag, and the cell phone clip is a joke. I wish they had left that out and put a carry bag instead.
Of the five monopods I've tried, this is the most frail. However, it's also the lightest and, when collapsed, the shortest, which is very important to me in certain circumstances. I can carry it *inside* my camera backpack, and it adds no noticeable weight. With my heaviest camera-and-lens combination (a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50) attached, I've shot good verticals, even though I haven't been able to get the monopod's adjustable head absolutely tight. I expect that if you're using a loaded SLR, you'll want a more substantial monopod.Two features I especially like: 1) The quick-release mechanism is different from others I have; it's a push-button/quick-slide, which is much easier for me (I often find myself wrangling to release and reinsert the camera using a lever-activated release). 2) The angled rubber foot gives you a permanent, go-anywhere base point; because it's soft, you don't need to retract it when shooting indoors on polished floors. (If the owners of the building are *that* finicky, they probably don't want you using any type of monopod or tripod.)Dan Harmon[...]
Love this Monopod!Until finding this unit, I was always searching for a good monopod which could collapse into a small enough length to carry around when I go to conferences. This may be the smallest unit available when collapsed IMHO.This unit is sturdy enough to hold a small digital SLR, a point and shoot unit, or small camcorder. I would not use this for larger camcorders or an SLR with a large lens since this monopod will begin to bow and could get damaged it if not careful.
It broke the first time I tried to use it.  Should have realized you get what you pay for...it broke at the top where it attaches from the mono pod to the bottom of the camera.
looks really nice and expands a long way....fits like a glove to my sony dcr series camcorder.
This is the first monopod I've owned. First lat me say that the cell phone clamp broke the first time I pressed it. E-mailed the company with no response.Don't really care since I never planned on using it anyway, but it's the point that matters.As for the monopod itself, it seems a little flimsy, but does an all right job. I wanted one with a tilting head so I wouldn't have to tilt the entire thing.It does that well enough. You do need a coin or something to attach your camera though.For a light small monopod, and for the price it will do the job.
This is a great, economical monopod that we recently got to use with our Canon Rebel.  I was pleased with its size, both when collapsed and fully extended.  I felt that it was well worth the cost.I would have rather had a squeeze release on the leg, but that would have increased the price.  My only real complaint about this monopod is that the foot for the camera doesn't detach; that made it a little awkward actually screwing the camera on...
The thing is completely useless. Within 1st 2 minutes of use I nearly dropped my camera twice. The 'quick release' is too quick. It has a release button that sticks far away out. The chance of not hiting it when you operate your camera is very low. When you hit it it comes right away out. I was fortunate I had my camera on a sholder strip at the same time - lucky me. Just a waist of money.:-(
I was a bit dubious about buying this monopod after reading some of the more negative reviews posted here.  I was very pleasantly surprised when I received and opened my unit.  I'm not sure what other buyers expected but this monopod is pretty much exactly what I figured I'd get, and was better in several respects.  I have now used it 10's of times in the field with my Celestron spotting scope and the monopod has turned out to be more than adequately built and stable for my needs.  The monopod is very light weight, very easily deployed & height-adjusted.  I keep it in my car along with my spotting scope for spontaneous "opportunistic viewing".I concede that it is NOT rock-solid, with some tiny give & jiggle in joints of the telescopic leg, but this is a reasonable and expected trade-off for the lightness and compactness of this unit -- the TINY bit of wobble is certainly NOT the dominant limiting factor in obtaining a stable image; the very nature of a monopod and its associated tipping & swaying FAR outweighs any noticeable "give" in the monopod's leg joints.This wasn't the most rock-bottom priced monopod but I think the slight price premium is more than compensated by an increase in expected quality.  Besides, it was inexpensive in any case!Thumbs up!**UPDATE**  12/6/10  It's been 3 years.  I still have this monopod in my car and I still use it regularly with complete success to stabilize my compact digital camera and spotting telescope.  I am today BUYING A SECOND one to keep in my other car for the same kinds of "spontaneous opportunities".  I remain amazed at the people who give this unit a negative review.  This product is perfect for what it was intended for -- it collapses to a small size; very light weight; provides vertical stabilization for your small optical devices.  Thumbs STILL up!
I liked my monopod so well that my sister & her mother-in-law each bought one also.
I have a Nikon D80 for use with this monopod.  With the camera body and a 28-105 lens the monopod left unstable and I was not very comfortable using it. With the D80 and a 70-300 lens (the reason I bought this) the bottom two sections of the monopod did not have the clamping strength to stay extended. I used this for one day of shooting and gave up. Low quality for a low price. I have looked around at local retailers and I have found a couple options of better quality for lower prices.
The SMP-1 is very inexpensive.  It's much lighter than my other monopod and has easier to operate flip-locks for the extension sections.  The head flips in one direction, but with that you can angle the partially extended monopod to brace a camcorder against your body. The monopod has a minimal foam handle grip at the top.  It has only a short wrist strap so you can't use the strap to help brace the monopod by using it around your neck, or carry it that way either.  The monopod extends to 60&quot; and collapses to 17&quot;.  I doubt that the monopod is very durable, but it's light enough that it won't be left behind either.
I ordered this item after ordering a more expensive model and it never came in, I checked again and found this item at half the price.  I am very pleased with it.  It's lightweight and sturdy and easy to assemble.
This is a good little monopod for the price. It doesn't feel overly rugged, but it seems adequately made. It is very lightweight, and I really like that it has 4 sections instead of 3. This lets you add a little more to the overall height, while taking a couple of inches off the collapsed length. It collapses down very small (one of the main reasons I chose this monopod). In fact, it's small enough to strap right on to the side of my camera bag and not get in the way. It has a bit of flexibility without feeling flimsy, and  it does come with a quick release. If you're the type that's not too rough on your equipment and you just want something to help you steady the camera at times when a tripod isn't feasible, then this should serve the purpose nicely.
"You get what you pay for"Most of the time that cliche is true, but there are products out there that break this rule.  The Philips DVP642 is one of them, a great quality, versatile product selling at a bargain price.  This is not.I was hoping the same of this product from all the "glowing" reviews on here.  However, this quality of this monopod is very disappointing.  First of all, you have to ask yourself, why do you need a monopod over a tripod?  For myself and most, it's because we need some stability and portability for our telephoto zoom lenses.  However, telephoto zooms are long and heavy so the monopod should be designed strong and solid to live up to the task.  This monopod doesn't even come close.Here are it's bad points:-The aluminum construction is very cheap quality.  The leg segments wobble laterally when you extend and close them.  It feels like thin, cheap aluminum and the monopod feels it could break in half like a toothpick at any time.-The head is very cheap and not solid.  No matter how tight I tightened the head, my camera would slope down.  The workmanship of the head is so cheap that at any point, you think that you're going to break the PLASTIC tightening screw if you tighten it too much.  I think we've all experienced that in the past.-The leg locks are not tight.  When you push down on the monopod, the leg segments slide back into themselves.In the end, it was a risk I took hoping that I could get a high-quality product for a cheap price.  Sometimes, you can get away with that.  Walmart sells a very decent functioning tripod for only $30.  In this case, I should've bought a REAL monopod.  Oh well, I wasted $16 that I could've used to help pay for a higher quality monopod.
You really get what you pay for.  It will do the job for a lite setup but once you get a higher quality tripod (my case) you really see its worth spending the money for something a little higher in quality.  Again, if you just have a lite weight camera or not a lot of money invested, why not but if you have a couple of K's invested, get a Manfrotto or Gitz.
There's no question that paying $100 or more will get you a better monopod. But for $16 the Sima SMP-1 is a tremendous value.I have a Sony DSC-W5 digital camera and have done everything I can think of to reduce camera-shake in low-light photos. This monopod has been great for adding stability and making my photos less blurry.The key is that it is small enough and light enough that I can take it almost wherever I go. And because it's so small, I can bring it in to places that would frown upon a tripod.A monopod is not a total replacement for a tripod. But this monopod is now the only addition to my camera that I take on trips.
Good price, but a little unstable.  If I had to do over again I would have spent a few more bucks.
I found the Sima SMP-1C Monopod to be inadequate for my needs. It is flimsy; it would not support my Nikon D300 with a 18-200 zoom lens. I returned it and bought a more substantial model of another brand at my local Best Buy for $[...] more than the price of the Sima SMP-1C Monopod.
Ok monopod. Lightweight and plenty of strength. It does not fasten fast but has sturdy tighteners that work ok. Priced right.
Lite weight and a good price. Wish it collapsed shorter. Overall, I like it and am glad I got it.
The Sima monopod is perfect if you're looking for something easy to carry and set up.  It exends quickly and has a quick release mount that can stay attached to the camera base.  Stability is good, but it does not have a sturdy feel.  If you want something with a solid feel, you will have to move up the food chain, but will sacrifice compactness and light weight of this product.
What a BAD purchase.The bolt that you screw into your flip camera is BIGGER than all the other devices.Once you start using this worthless piece of garbage, you CANNOT SWITCH to any other hand held device because your flip camera has been bored out to only work with this device.Wish I had known that before I bought it.
Great product for the price.However, Amazon did not specify how much it can handle. My experience is about 5 lb. Tried 8 lb on it, start to feel shaky. Still usable if you handle it carefully, but not solid for 8 lb of load.
The tripod is surprisingly functional, and the snug fitting carrying bag that comes with it was a pleasant surprise. I also didn't realize that the legs telescope out and secure to nearly triple the pictured length. The feet are also made of an appropriate rubber that prevents sliding on a table/desk.As for the pan/tilt/roll joint, if you've used a panavise before, than you'll be familiar with the basic operation and feel. That said, the camera has to be lightweight enough (eg. webcam or smartphone) for you to trivially orient it with a single hand while the other manipulates the joint's control screw.
I got it for taking slow shutter and group portrait shots, and it does the job at an inexpensive price. I am using a small compact camera as you should. I wouldn't put my DSLR on it. The feet do't spread very wide so you just need to be careful that the feet are oriented properly to support the cantilevered camera. It is noce to have the adjustable ball socket head to frame the picture. The legs extend as described, which is nice.  But I had one of these years ago (lost it I guess) but i remember the leg construction to be better/ easier to extend, and collapse. Overall, works as needed.
I purchased this for a small spotting scope that I use on a target range.  It has enough adjustment to permit spotting without changing shooting position, and is quite stable.  The very small size means it is always with me when I need it.
I've done lots of photography in my life, and have used all kinds of cameras and tripods.  At this time, I am photographing jewelry, with a small 12x12x12 light tent, and wanted a small table top tripod that I could use to shoot from both low and high angles.  This tripod does the job very well!  Sturdy, easy to open and close, nice ball joint tilt table, and very easy to use.  It's perfect for my needs!  Shipped quickly, and comes with a nice carry bag, even if I probably won't use it.
The legs don't spread far enough, so the center of gravity is too high to be stable. I bought this to use for an auxiliary flash, and I don't feel that it is stable enough to trust it won't fall over.  Otherwise, the quality is good and it would be a great tripod for a small camera. It is small and lightweight and probably would be stable with a light camera. Good for travel.
This tripod does what i wanted it for. It holds a mid sized 60X spotting scope at 8in. height. Since it is compact, it is very light and vibrates excessively. The rotational joint connecting the scope is hard to tighten adequately for large scopes or cameras but works well for me.
This is a nice little tripod that I am using for my C290 Webcam.  My only beef with this is the legs extend all the way and they don't lock in shorter sections, they just extend all the way out and then lock.  Other than that the quality is great and will be find for what i need it for!! Thank you!
Watch out. The video included by Hogan if different, you can see the leg tips are different. Maybe there is a confussion and that's why there are some positive reviews.I thought Sunpak only made good stuff.I planned to use it with a Canon G10, as a complement to my old Gorrilla-pod.I bought it at a store, I trusted the brand, and I didn't openned the package then, what a mistake.Pro:I love the carrying bag.The ball joint mechanism, not great but works fine.Cons:-Too light legs.-The problems star when opening the legs. The legs opening angle is too narrow. So you cannot tilt the camera much at least for my G10. So it is useful only in a very stable horizontal table.-Unstable. Shakes easily if the legs are not tight secured. Not useful, you really need the timer to take a photo. And always check if the photo was OK.-Sharp dangerous edges at the extensions, it is easy to cut your fingers when closing it.You can use it. But you have to be very careful to avoid shaking the camera, and to close it without cutting your fingers. A mini tripod is supposed to be easy to handle and the stability should be there ready to use.I'd say that it can be more stable with smaller power shot cameras, but come on!, there are thousands of better mini-tripods to do that. With most of them you can get a better stable grip even with legs not tighten secured.I've used lots of mini tripods, I own another model of mini tripod from Sunpak which I love. I do a lot of mini-tripod photos. No matter what the others said, it is not a good product. I'm really amazed how other reviews have a positive opinion on this product. I'm not in the US now and I'm not able to return it.Just don't buy it.
I love this little tripod! Very light weight and great for on the go. It feels sturdy with my webcam and camcorder. The carrying case is a nice add on. Great price too.
This thing is perfect for my needs With two height adjustments and a swivel head. I like it very much
I recently purchased this tripod to replace aVanguard VS55 Mini Table Tripod with 5 Section Legsfor the instability reasons I wrote in my review for that tripod.This Sunpak is MUCH sturdier, with mini-pins to lock each leg segment in place, and I have no fears of slippage or having my camera tumble.  Plus, the threads on the head are of a MUCH higher quality, and threading the head into the bottom of myPanasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)or another family member'sCanon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoomis very smooth, so I have no fears of stripping the threads.The highly stable head is easy to manipulate to balance the camera atop it, and setup is very quick.  I love this tripod.  While slightly larger than the Vanguard, it's easy to travel with because it comes with its own vinyl bag with a sturdy drawstring and push-button locking "thingy" to keep the top of the bag closed tight.I am a percussionist/drummer, and I've been using this to take stills and motion video of myself playing for self-evaluation, setting it up on a table adjacent to the instruments I'm practicing on.  There is no wobble or shimmy in the stills or, more importantly in the motion video, even though there are sound waves hitting this camera so hard that the windows rattle and I easily can set off the glass-break sensors on my home alarm system!A very good design, and a solidly built product that I highly recommend.
Just what I needed! I use it with Logitech HD 1080p Webcam to prepare online courses. It is nice to be able to have the camera independent form the computer.
This little tripod is great, it loks good quality and well made, very usefull to take self timer pictures, it came with a nice bag to carry, I recomendded, I'm happy with my purchase.
Purchased to use with GoPro as tabletop tripod. Sturdy, well-made and very quality in appearance.Very pleased with the purchase.
I like the quality and it is a very handy size.  Easy to carry with you and easy to use.  Like the instructions say though it will definitely  not work with a long heavy lens.  Anything mounted that is larger than the distance between the feet makes it totally unstable.
I bought this for the sole purpose of being a benchtop mount for my spotting scope.  It is way too flimsy, the stud attaching to the scope just cant hold the wait, so back it goes.
The legs of tripod  are kind of bulky and does not balance very well.I recommend spending a few dollars more to get a better tripod..
I use this for my toy cam photography. Since lomo type of cameras are light for they are mostly made of plastic, this tripod is perfectly fine for them. Inexpensive tripod like this is always made somewhat cheaply but for what I need, it's light and compact which is exactly what I needed. It came with its own pouch for carrying around as well. I enjoy it!
I bought this tripod to hold my Web Cam for my computer.It does a great job of holding it in front of the screen, so the other folks you are talking to, can see you looking at them, instead of at the top of the monitor.It was very reasonably priced and well made.It also holds my heavy camera for some great timed shots.It is well worth a look at.
I had an elder model of same tripod for small camera.  It gave me problems after it loosened up and came apart.  I ordered 2 of these puppies and then fixed my old one (fortunately found missing part in Toyota door compartment).  Now have backup AND a great gift for someone else.  Thanx
Sunpak - why didn't you design this where the legs come out wider?This is NOT meant for a DSLR or camcorder in it's compact position.Legs are too close together, and no matter what you put on here - it will easily tip over.It's constructed nicely - but the fact that you can't mount anything safely on it in it's most compact position - give it 2 stars.(Note to Sunpak - someone buying this may want it for use on a desk in it's compact position.  If you are manufacturing something like this ... put a DSLR and a camcorder on it and determine how wide the legs need to be to secure it properly.  Clearly - no one did this during the design stage).
I looked at a few mini tripods on Amazon, and I am glad I purchased this one.  Design was really important to me, and while I would rather have a Canon branded one for my Canon Powershot, this was a better value and qualified for free shipping.  It is very lightweight, sturdy, and the carrying case is a nice addition.  You can't go wrong with this!
very nice small tripod, I use it for my web cam to get it at the correct height for a good looking image
This product is good for occasions where you want to be a part of thepicture and not just the one taking it. Highly recommended.
this tripod is very sturdy for what it is.  I shoot product photography on site and art collections... this tripod is invaluable to my workflow.  I can hold the camera in a low-light hallway against a wall, and get nice steady shots in situations where a regular tripod would be an encumbrance.  It is extremely stable on a table as well, rigid and easy to use.  In short I trust it, but only when I am nearby (see below).  It folds up small and light, without parts which would snag anything in a bag or pocket.I shoot with a Nikon D40 right now... because the tripod is small, the D40 will tip it over when turned to portrait aspect with the camera not directly over a leg.  I'm not sure how any small tripod would overcome this, though.  The only real beef I have is that you really have to tighten the ball head to keep a heavy SLR from tipping... but it'll hold it, no doubt, at least with a kit lens.  I probably wouldn't use this tripod with a large telephoto lens, unless I was holding the camera for a bit of additional support.  For use with a point-and-shoot camera, this tripod would get an easy five stars.Build quality is excellent... the legs are all metal and rubber, as is the ball head... the tripod top is hard plastic, but does not show any sign of fragility.  I have had it four a couple of years, and it works as well as when I bought it.I have used several small tripods, and this is far and away the best I've found.
flimsy. worthless
Got this to have a stable platform for taking night shots. We like to go into the city at night and needed something to hold the camera for long exposures.It's compact camera so this does the job.
It could be good for compact cameras, BUT NOT FOR DSLR!!! The mini ball head is too little. I don't feel secure putting my Canon XSI on it, even too small for my Canon S5 IS. I ended up giving it away.
Great all around. Nice and short, but can get taller; camera can go at different angles; easy to take with me. No more fuzzy close-ups.
There are many different tripods out there to choose from depending on ones need but this on fits the bill in its category. It has a fit and style all its own. Well made and doesn't have that cheap look or feel. And that's why I chose this particular one for my web  cam and or point and shoot digital camera. I would recommend this item to a friend.
I have to disagree with the load rating of this tripod.  It is rated at 2.5 pounds yet it can't hold my 2 pound camera.  My camera slides forward and tilts down no matter how tight I tighten the adjustment screw.  Other that issue, it is a really nice, highly adjustable little tripod.
I got this for my cannon b/c I like to shoot without a flash in low light, and its hard to stabilize my camera without a tripod. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it also fits my flip video recorder. The tripod is sturdy and extends to a good height. I am glad I chose this one over smaller models b/c I think what it loses in portability (Its very light, but won't fit in a pocket or small purse, obviously) it makes up for in versatility.
It's especially useful when I need to mount my mini camcorder to film my piano students. Would definitely recommend. It;s compact and does the job.. also can angle the cam nicely.
A very handy and compact tripod with relatively good stability. On flat surface, can even handle a HDD based camcorder and can definitely handle flash based camcorders. May not be stable with a little bulkier DSLRs but excellent with regular P&S cameras. All in all, a good one to put away in your camera bag. Have gifted a few to friends. Would highly recommend this one.
This little tripod will not hold my Canon T3 with the 75-300mm lens. It keeps dropping down.Do not buy this product.
Solid, small, stable, light, convenient case, extends up to 12in, even looks nice, just perfect.
I made a good choice when I bought this little fellow. Well made, light, comes with plastic case. The legs snap open to 2 heights. I use it for my Olympus SP820UZ. Telephoto and wide angle lens . It's fairly small. I'm not sure a large camera would work to well?
I was pleasantly surprised at the extensions for each leg.The unfortunate part is that all 3 of the extensions got stuck inside the legs so they do me no good now.
Great compact design. Fits in my low pro passport sling along with my canon T3i and 70-300 zoom lens. I wish it was a little taller... It's kind of short when fully extended. But all in all I think this will work out great for my trip to the UK ths summer.
Its not the best tripod out there. Fully opened its not very tall, however closed it is small.  I bought this tripod to bring to Disney World so I could take long night exposures of the fireworks displays and other night shots and to take long exposures of the many many waterfalls at Animal Kingdom.  It served it purpose well. It fit perfectly in my backpack (its less than 14" tall when folded up) and is very light.  I'd like it better if it had a tilt head, but you can get around that by tilting the camera towards the ground then turning the camera sideways.I wouldn't use this tripod with a long heavy lens, but with a wide angle or standard zoom lens it is fine.I'll probably keep this in my car as an extra tripod in case I forget my regular one. I usually have my camera with me and you never know when those great picture opportunities will arise.
The tripod is for pocket-sized digital cameras, but it could handle lighter SLR/lens combos. I will use it with my Canon G12 in non-demanding photo-taking. It has a 1/4"-20 stud.  I will simply use the tripod as a table-top. I like it because it is small, but with center pole and adjustable leg length I will have some flexibility with height. I have heaftier tripods when I require photo-taking in rougher envirnments, but this one will handle some of those photo-taking assignments too.  I assume that this tripod would break-down sooner or later under constant or heavy-duty uses or be abusive.  I will set-up and not constantly change heights and head-orientations. This tripod is not for people who intend to mount large cameras or will use a tripod in rough assignments or are abusive type people or are rough in working with their equipment. For those people, get a sturdy tripod which will cost a lot more money. One reviewer said that leg clips broke...it will if the user is rough.  Turn the clip gently and the plastic clips should not snap. I will reenforce the strength of the clips with heavy-duty tape.  Tape is alot cheaper than buying a heavy duty tripod.  I will also lubricate the moving parts so that great force is not needed to manipulate setting points.  Plastic will break if one needs to use great force to twist/move, etc. setting points as plastic will fatique (become weak) the more you use it (like bend, turn, etc.).  This tripod is, like said, not for people seeking a robust tripod...if you want one then spend a lot more money.
The clips on the leg extensions are made of cheep plastic that bands and now doesn't hold the leg up.
Very small in size. easily fits into a carry on. Not very sturdy but that is not to be expected from something like this especially considering the cost.Does the job really well....holds my SLR comfortably and is light. Couldn't ask for more!
This tripod is an awesome value for what it is.  I bought it mainly to steady my binoculars while hunting as it is compact (fits easily in my small backpack) and lightweight.  It is not a full sized tripod and there are certainly better options available in that category but as a travel tripod it works very well.  I wouldn't recommend it for shooting video as the pan is not very smooth but it exceeded my expectations for the job I need it for.  Now I can easily haul this to steady my binoculars as well as a take a self portrait with my game when hunting.
I'm pretty impressed with this product, especially for the price.  It's well made and protects my gear well.  I have over 10 of them, we are a professional youth sports photographer so our gear takes a beating.  I like that it comes with both the pick and pluck foam and other hard adjustable "walls" that can be configured in many different ways.  We have had some of these for well over a year now, with each of them going out on multiple shoots every weekend and they have held up well.  I only had 1 small issue with 1 of the clasps breaking but that was from photographer error and not product defect.  I would recommend this product.
I bought this for my partner for her camera and new lens.  She loves it.  It protects everything well and it fits under the airplane seat when she travels.  I love that you can arrange the partitions to fit your own storage needs.
I ordered this case because it was a little deeper than others without being overly bulky.  I wanted to fit my digi Rebel XT without removing the battery grip.  This case does, although it is very snug (I removed the 3/4" piece of foam below the "pick and pluck" layer for a little extra room).Here is what is in my case:- SLR body with battery grip and 18-55mm lens attached- the extra AA battery cartridge for the grip- 75-300mm EF zoom lens- sunpak 433AF flash- battery charger- usb and video connection cables- 3 CF memory cards- manuals/documentation- wireless remote control- a diffusion filterThe case closes snugly and squarely, the handle is solid and comfortable, it is lockable, it has a bronze tint that looks cool, and overall construction is very good to excellent.  Based on this case, I will buy other Vanguard products.Oh yes, the other great thing about this case is the price.  I got it from Amazon for around $40.I highly recommend this case.
After looking at and using MANY brands of equipment case for photography, sound and video equipment I finally discovered Vanguard Diamond ABS cases--and will never go back to another brand again. These are indestructible, lightweight, lockable, very classy looking and most important of all about half the price of comparable cases from other name-brand manufacturers. I've used them now for over a year of intensive use in my high school video and photography classes and they still look brand new. Trust me, other cases costing twice as much did not survive!This particular case is the perfect size for a large digital still camera (such as the Canon Digital Rebel) and an accessory lens or two. I also use this size for my Sony PDX-10 video cameras and the case is deep enough to keep the mic attached all the time, saving setup time as well as wear and tear. The case is just barely big enough for that, which is perfect for me but if you want accessories in the case with a video camera I'd reccomend the next size up instead.The pick-n-pluck foam makes it easy to customize the case to fit your equipment. No complaints, and highly recommended.(Okay, one complaint. Annoyingly, amazon doesn't seem to tell you the dimensions of the various Vanguard cases, nor sometimes even the model number so you're left guessing which case you're ordering. Hopefully this will be fixed soon, right amazon?!)
Great case! Well made, nice and roomy. I used it for storing paranormal investigation equipment and could fit quite a lot in it. (2 cameras, camcorder, infrared camera and lost of accessories) Definitely recommended.
update: i ordered another vanguard case, the VGC-13, after i got this one. they make a good pair, but if you're trying to choose one, get the other one. it's bigger and less expensive with the same quality. (otherwise, you'll end up getting it anyway as your gear selection grows.) in retrospect, i would recommend this more as storage for just your camera (w/cables, memory cards, filters, speedlight) or if you have a small (2-3 lens) outfit. get the vgc-13 if you have a lot of lenses (more than 5) and/or a long telephoto lens.i ordered the vanguard hard case because i didn't want to just toss my extra lenses in a backpack. also, i live in california, so you never know when an earthquake might hit.when it arrived today--beating the shipping estimate by over a week--i was fairly impressed out of the box. it's brushed aluminum hardware and sides, backed with slightly ribbed ABS plastic on the outside. on the inside, there's a waffle-foam top, a two-layer foam bottom, several rubber section dividers, and a dice-pattern foam sheet. the dividers slide together into any number of configurations, the foam can be used to custom-fit pieces. you also get two keys for the front locks and a shoulder strap that clips onto the side.it's a rugged-seeming package that doesn't look cheap, but is a bit on the small side--amazon offers no specs, but this is the VGP-13S model, the dimensions are 15.75" x 9.9" x 6.9"--although compact might be a more politically-correct term.after loading it up with some gear, here's what i was able to fit into it:-70-300 tele w/ hood-12-24 wide angle w/ hood-15 fisheye w/ hood-50 prime-flash-two 3-filter kits and 3 loose filters-two extra batteries.obviously, this is not a solution to hold all your gear if you have much more than 2 lenses and one body. then again, the relatively small size does offer a degree of portability, even if its just from one end of your studio to another. the handle's nice and sturdy, but the nonpadded strap would probably get uncomfortable after more than about 5 minutes, although the case isn't all that heavy loaded up, unless you fill it with bricks or something.I decided to give the Vanguard 5 stars because this unit did what i wanted it to do, which was secure my gear in the event of any unforseen accidents, like accidentally siting on a lens or filter i've left on the couch. even without cutting out the foam and fitting them into the partitioned dividers, it held the gear steady in the upright position--no jostling or rustling. i may leave the foam sheet untouched, so i can reconfigure it easier, but if you want to have a dedicated home for specific items you don't always need in your camera bag, this isn't a bad choice. i couldn't fit some of my lens pouches, cables, and the like, but those things aren't as in dire need of being properly secured as all your precious glass and/or body(s), so no biggie.overall, this is a versatile case that's just big enough to be a stay-at-home unit, and just small enough to venture out w/ you on a shoot. does exactly what you'd expect, has a professional appearance, and is a good looker to boot. if you're an extreme gearhound, at the price it might be worth it to get two, although you might also want to look into the wheeled model, which is a bit bigger, for around twice the price, especially if you plan on carrying this around a lot.bottom line: why expose expensive glass and/or your camera to danger or possible damage? protect your investment -- after all, it's cheaper than sending a bag full of lenses in for warranty service if your drunk uncle roy has a mishap while watching WWF or NASCAR.
Very nice case, especially for the price. It holds my Nikon DSLR, 2 zoom lenses, separate bounce flash unit and chargers. If you have more equipment than this, go up to the next size. Truly a bargain!
I originally wanted a Pelican case, because that's what everyone recommends, but after looking at some of them, they really didn't fit my needs.  They were big and bulky looking, WAY TOO heavy duty, and most importantly, they were expensive and cost too much for what I wanted.This case looks beautiful and protects your equipment adequately.Not only does the case look good, but it's sturdy and built very well.I didn't need something that could protect my equipment from a head on collision with a train, so this stylish Vanguard at a reasonable price was exactly what I was looking for!  What I was looking for, was a hard case that would protect my DSLR equipment from bumps & dings moving from my home to the trunk of my car, as well as guard from dust.Included in the package is the hard case, a 1/2"~  thick extra dark gray Styrofoam base for added protection, 6"~ thick customizable foam the size of the base, two foot long dividers, two 6" dividers, a 8" divider, an optional clip-on shoulder strap, and two sets of keys.  The dividers are made of plastic and have a rubbery material covering it with slits to fit the other dividers for maximum customization.Right out of the box, I was stunned by the quality of the case.  It looked VERY good.  My father took a look at the case and thought I paid at least $200 for it!  I told him it was less than 1/4 of what he thought, and he couldn't believe it!It's light, not too big or bulky, and I like how the handle has the black matte grip.  Not only does it look good, but it feels good and doesn't slip in my hand when I carry it fully loaded.I took a picture of my setup and uploaded it in the product picture slides.  If you take a look at that photo, my equipment includes:Canon EOS 40DSigma 50mm 1.4Tamron 17-50mm 2.8Canon 70-200 F4LCanon Speedlite 430EXand some other small accessoriesThey all fit comfortably and don't move around in the case thanks to tons of foam padding inside the case.If you have more equipment than this, I'd suggest you get a larger case.Some things that I would say that I'm not satisfied with is the buckle and latching system.  That's the only part that feels a bit cheap and the design allows the top cover to jiggle around when it's dropped down.  Not a problem though because once you clamp it down, the case is tightly secured.Also, this case comes with keys, but they are pretty much useless because I bet I could bust the case open with a simple pair of pliers.The 'rubbery' finish on the exterior is not really rubber, but some type of thin plastic brittle substance.  I doubt that it adds to any shock absorption.  Again, not to worry about if you're relatively careful, as you should be with your equipment because there's ample foam padding inside the case.Bottom line, this Vanguard gives you exactly what you need for exactly how much you want to pay to protect your equipment.If you want a stylish looking, affordable hard case that could fit 3-4 lenses with your camera body and a flash, this may be the case for you!
This case is a quality product for a very good price. I am completely satisfied.
I am very happy with the quality and price of this case although, i must admit I wish it was just a little bigger. In fact, I was on line today looking at another one,. I actually have more gear than I thought so a bigger one would do nicely but..two of the same size will do as well. It has held up well PACKED full of gear. It is not bad quality for the money. Knowing me..I will end up with another one soon.
I'm just starting out in photography, so I don't have much equipment. This is the perfect case to get started. I realize that eventually I will have to upgrade when I get more lenses, but for now, since I only have two, this is perfect. Actually, you could probably fit a few lenses in it if you lay it out properly. So all in all it's a great case, looks sleek AND expensive, for the money.
Excelent product. With foam removed, you can create your own sized storage compartments. I have my Canon Digital Rebel 300D, 300mm telephoto lens, 35 filters, additional flash, and lens hood, all tucked neatly inside the case. It closes securely to keep out dust and can be locked as well. I have already reccomended it to other camera friends. Plus, the price beats anmything else I've seen anywhere!
Item arrived at last minute, and damaged.  Have yet to have it resolved.  Have bought another one elsewhere.
I bought this case and this seller was extremely fast yet the case was lacking in that the dividers that came with it were too short making it hard to impossible to use them . You might end up sticking to just the foam that it comes with are maybe you get lucky ? This case fits a Canon 300d with an installed battery grip great . all round its a good case though I should have paid half the 50 bucks that I did for it .
I got this case for a Canon G12 + other accessories. I didn't realize how small and cute this is, and it was great for about $20, which is what the soft cases cost.I was able to arrange the following in the case, all encased by foam:1. G122. 270EX flash3. Canon Spare Battery4. Canon Charger5. Spare SDHC card6. 2 58 mm filters (C-PL, UV) + Lens Cap + Bower steel Tube(s) for attaching the filters.7. Canon RS-60 Cable releaseNone of the big items, i.e. charger, battery, G12, 270EX, tubes/filters touch each other.Just love it!
We use this case for my daughter's ceramic ocarina, and it works just fine for that.  We make sure to lock it, because the latch seems like it could easily come open otherwise.  That's the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars.  Good overall product.
This is a tiny case, but big enough to hold my S3 with the adapter and hood in place, my 3-piece closeup lenses and my hoya filters in their cases.  It won't hold anything else, but I don't need anything else usually.  My tripod wouldn't fit into any reasonably sized case anyway.  I normally throw a set of extra batteries into my pocket, but they'd probably fit in there too if I wanted.  The perforated foam is easy to cut to hold your camera snug, though my Canon is a bit deep It still feels quite secure unless it received a hard blow from the bottom, because there isn't much foam under the camera.  I can probably remedy that though.  At least now I see the logic in the S3 of a twist to turn on, pushbutton to turn off!  The top foam presses against the power button firmly.I like it.  It closes securely and locks if you want, but I'm sure a pin would pick the lock in about 2 seconds... it probably helps keep it from springing open.I wouldn't check this case on its own into the luggage guy at the airport,  but it would fit easily into one of your suitcases or could be carried on if they let you... haven't flown for a while so I don't know.  Point is though, it's small enough to not be a problem, pretty enough not to forget and large enough to hold your essentials... and hey it doesn't have to be a camera case, it will hold anything that needs foam padding!  A pistol would fit it nicely to transport to the range... a zillion other uses I'm sure.  A bargain for the money and the pictures certainly do not do it justice.
Perfect case for a camcorder.  I have a canon camcorder, extra battery and battery charger in this case and everything just fits.  Understand this is small, but an excellent choice to transfer a camcorder around.  You design your own interior with the foam.Good buy for the money.
I don't use it for a camera (although, I could).  I use it to store a handgun.  It works great!
I bought two of these and wish I had bought 10. These are outstanding. The price was VERY fair and the quality is phenomenal. Arrived in a few days well packaged and in pristine condition. Case is large enough to hold a flash unit, and one lens or 2 lenses with no flash, a strap, and a film or digital DSLR camera. You will not find a better product for your money.
nice quality.I was not expecting much but it was very nice.all foam filled and completely customizable.
This is a great case for the price. Very durable and has foam on the inside that allows you to create your own sections.  Very cool.  Makes me feel like 007!
I bought the case for a Canon Rebel. As it turned out the case was too narrow. It was designed for a compact camera so I had to return it which was hard to do. The case is very well made. The handle and latches are solid. Any case of this type would be great for delicate expensive equipment. I am now looking for a wider model for those times when I need to travel. Before you buy any case measure the height. Pictures give the illusion of size that may not be there. This case would also be excellent for digital voltmeters, and other electronic equipment.
I bought 3 of these cases and they are amazing.In each box is:Box 1 Main1 Canon 5DMkII with battery grip2 High capacity batteries2 32GB CF CardsBox 2 Second1 Canon 7D with battery grip2 High capacity batteries2 32GB CF CardsBox 1 Backup1 Canon T2i with battery grip2 Standard capacity batteries1 32GB SD Cards
This is a great case. Sturdy and versatile, it is good for many, many uses. Whether you're a photographer, a collector, or have anything of value to carry around protected, this case will do it. The removable foam pieces make it easy to form fit just about anything. Highly recommended.
Sturdy, very well build and aesthetically good looking item. The customizable foam is very handy, and this case is well suited for much more than just cameras.
The case is good quality, and I can recommend it if you need one this size.  However, the dimensions are 11-7/8 x 7-1/2 x 3-7/8 inches.  The posted dimensions(as of this review) are 12 x 9 x 4.5 inches.  I bought the case based on the posted dimensions because then it would have been big enough for my camera.  This case is too small.  It's disappointing, and a hassle to boot.  I don't really need this little case for anything but it's too much trouble to return it for the small refund so I'll probably give it as a gift or something.  If you need a case this size, it's a good price.  I hope somebody can use this information.
Considering the cost (19.99 when I bought it) it's a really nice little case.  The mechanism that holds the top open at 90 degrees is on the outside the case, at the hinges, so there's no internal retention mechanism that might end up scratching your goods.  This case holds my compact camera, three converter lenses, and two filters perfectly.
I use mine for ophthalmic surgical lenses. I can hold 4 rows of 7 across, each in it's own hole. This replaces 28 separate wood boxes saving considerable space. I will say that it has been knocked off a counter once and my lenses survived perfectly. These lenses are as delicate as any camera equipment, some with tiny mirrors mounted inside to redirect my lasers. I will be going up to the next size because I am expanding my stable to include a few larger lenses.
the tripod is good knowing it's a velbon, i think it's good enough to handle enough battering, my only complaint is that the quick release shoe is hard to place under the camera's tripod screw, they should have used a metal knob that has a longer handle, when mounting on the tripod itself in vertical orientation, you must be careful for it not to be turning because of the camera's weight (my camera is canon 40d with bg-e2n grip and 28-135mm IS/ sigma 30mm 1.4) maybe for lighter cameras it will not turn when it's mounted, anyway, this is just my first tripod so i can say it's just okay, i'll invest soon on a better tripod (manfrotto).
I didn't need anything fancy, and this is much nicer than the similarly priced items at the local electronics stores.
I have two of these.  I've recently started digiscoping (I use a Vortex 20-60x80 ED spotting scope married to a Nikon P5100) and find this DF-40 is a little too light-weight.  When I try to pan, its hurky-jerky (probably due to the weight of the load on top.)  So, I purchased a Quantaray QSX-9500 Heavy-Duty Tripod with Fluid Head.  Much, much better than the DF-40, pannig is now smooth as silk.But for holding point and shoot cameras, you can't beat it.
Good for a light camera, mostly plastic material but sturdy and versatile. A good value for the money and light enough to cary a long time.
I've had my Velbon DF-40 Tripod for about 18 months now and have overall been impressed. I bought it on eBay for around $40 so that I would have at least have the option of using a tripod now and then while on a 6 day camping trip to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. My previous tripod was a heavy, clunky but outstanding Bogen-Manfrotto Model#3040, purchased about 12 years ago before injury, disability & unemployment took me from a very nice job down to living on Social Security. I sold that tripod along with many cameras and accessories years ago when I was desperate for money.I wasn't really expecting this little tripod to be much more than a mild dissappointment but have been surprised by it's admirable service. It's light weight and not something I would use under windy conditions. It also has a limited overall height of around 4 feet which is important if repeated bending over to use it is hard on your back. If you need a super stable tripod to use under challenging conditions I would look for something more substantion but if you just need a basic, inexpensive, light-weight tripod for occassional, casual use The Velbon DF-40 may be the solution to your needs.
The DF 40 stands next to my 35 year old, well beaten, much traveled VGB-3. The designs are very very similar. The methods are the same. The materials are largely the same, minor differences in some places due to weight, others due to improved materials (today), so (albeit few, IMO) for cost savings.I've loaded the DF with the same "standard load" of camera, lens and other such that I used with the VGB. Then I added four pounds in lead bars.Everything is stable, no wobble, no creaking or groaning.I paid for quality in Velbon over three decades ago, and now have gotten quality AGAIN by purchasing Velbon.That seems a pretty simple concept to me (G)geoff beneze
I bought this tripod because it was a good price, the size was what I was looking for and it was lightweight. It was fine for the first couple of times I used it then it got stuck. I could not lower or raise the head, the crank got stuck. I ended up cracking the plastic where the crank is by forcing it....so now have to manually pull it up as it is seperated. Maybe I just got a lemon...Next time I will spend a bit more money and get a more sturdy one...
I didn't give it five stars because it's a really good tripod, not great. Having said that, Great Tripods cost $150 or better, Really Good Tripods will usually cost between $75-$100. At $30.00, this tripod is unbelievable.
I've been using an old metal tripod for over twenty years and wanted something modern, lightweight and affordable. The DF-40 is all three of the things for which I asked. However, in hindsight I see now that I needed to add criteria such as "well-made" or "quality" to the list I was using to determine my purchase.The stand itself is adequate and what I expected for the price but the plastic head feels quite flimsy and even when locked down still has a bit of wobble to it. Enough so that shooting without a cable release or IR remote may well cause an unintended motion blur which kind of defeats the reason for using a tripod. All of the knobs and levers feel equally frail and I am willing to bet that something breaks on this tripod within the first half dozen uses. When I first mounted my D-80 to it, I was a little hesitant to move my hands away because the weight seemed a bit much for the head.It seemed like a good value as the next major price point is significantly higher, but now that I have received it and given it a thorough look, I would not have purchased the DF-40 had I been able to see and touch it first.EDIT (Please Read) - I've now had the product for about four months now and it has held up far better than I anticipated. The fragile knobs I thought would break still feel fragile, but they haven't broken yet and I carried the tripod in a backpack for about two weeks and it held up fine. Thus I feel it necessary to upgrade my review - I now believe the product to be a good buy and although the page won't let me change my star rating, I would now give this tripod 4 stars.
the tripod itself is clumpsy, the legs are plastic and they are kind of clumpsy. overall good for the money
The price paid for this was very low and I wasn't expecting such a quality tripod. This tripod is made with quality materials and is very sturdy. All the adjustments work great on this tripod and it is a quality item. The 3-way panhead and quick release shoe are all a plus. I highly recommend this quality and low-priced tripod. If you are looking for a quality tripod and don't want to spend a fortune then get this Velbon DF-40.
This tripod is exactly what we needed for our Safari. We had serious weight limitation due to us taking bush planes, so we could not bring our regular Manfrotto carbon tripod with 2 pound swivel head.The Velbon SF-40 was cheap, stable, compact, very light weight and did everything a tripod is supposed to do. We used it with a Canon 20D and 40D SLR and an L-series 100-400mm IS lens. Yes, it was holding up the weight remarkably well for its size (struggled slightly with the big lens).Originally we were planning to leave it behind (you know souvenirs take space), but because it worked so well decided to bring it back home with us. This baby will be a travel companion from now on when space and weight is limited.
Paying $25 for this tripod is worth it. It held my Nikon D200 quite well with a 18-200mm VR lens on it. Some moving parts are made of plastic and you probably cant abuse it like some other expensive ones out there...You should buy this tripod and determine how much usage you have before buying the more expensive one.
I got this tripod a few weeks ago and must say I am quite pleased with it. For one, it collapses quite well and can stand at least 4ft tall (Haven't extended it to full length yet.)While it does feel a bit fragile it does hold up well with my canon slr very well, even with my heavy 75-300 Tamron lens. You can set the camera on the tripod laterally, or turn the plate sideways to take a shot on the camera side.The set up is pretty easy to use and didn't really have to consult the instructions to know how to use the device. It's also quite light too so should not pose a problem carrying around.
I've been researching and pricing tripods for about a month now, but when this deal came along with free shipping, I couldn't resist. I have looked at the Velbon DF-40 in photo departments of stores and really like the versatility and quality of this model, and when I received my order from Amazon, several days early and in excellent condition, I was NOT disappointed. It does everything I need a tripod to do, and it's very easy to transport just about anywhere because of it's compact size. Super product form Velbon and super service from Amazon--Who could ask for more??
German made, quality product, works well all the time without fail. Mine has been in use for four years without the first failure, charges the batteries well and constsantly.
After my brand newLa Crosse Technology BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Chargermelted on its first use (yes, buttons literally melted into the unit), I returned it to Amazon and used the refund to buy this instead. I really wish this charger had been suggested to me in the first place, then I wouldn't have wasted my time with the LaCrosse product.This thing works flawlessly. I don't have to waste my time entering obscure commands, I just put a battery in it and it does its thing. If the battery needs refreshing, the unit refreshes it. If it doesn't, it charges it as fast as is safe for the battery. Once fully charged, it switches to trickle charging to keep the battery ready for when you actually need it. It tells me the battery's remaining capacity, charges quickly, and has even revived some old batteries that my Energizer 15-minute charger had reported as faulty. All of this is displayed using simple LED lights that flash in different colours to give me quick and accurate feedback on what's happening. No fancy LCD display, no crazy programming features, it "just works". And best of all, this product doesn't have a history of melting or catching on fire.The only problem is that this product is buried deep in Amazon's product listing if you just search for "battery charger". It almost seems like Amazon doesn't want you to find it. It's probably the best battery charger available here, but unless you look for it specifically, you probably wouldn't even know it exists.I'm sick and tired of crap that's Made in China. This Germany-built product is the best battery charger I've ever seen. Don't waste your time with the LaCrosse or Maha Powerex stuff. And don't worry about the lack of programmability. This charger does everything it needs to, and it's smart enough to know how best to do it.
I bought this charger along with a PowerEx MH-C9000 charger expecting to play with them both and pick a winner.  Although the Ansmann Energy 8 is about as far from the PowerEx as two devices can be, I have to admit that I do like them both.I'm not going to say this is the best charger ever, because it is good for some types of people and usage, but not all.  If you like simplicity then this is the charger for you.  Each batter position has a red/green LED and that is the full status you get.  Overall, it can display charging, refreshing, done, and bad battery.  That's it.There is no doubt that this charger generally does a good job under most conditions, but I take away one star because the info it gives you is so limited and because it offers absolutely no control. Its this 5% of problem conditions that gives me some doubts that this charger is not perfect.  Here are two examples.First a put a PowerGenix NiZn battery in this charger.  These are pretty common and similar to NiMH but with a higher 1.6v voltage.  I put them in my PowerEx charger and they register an error in a few seconds.  The Ansmann acts like its charging it, but goes through a continuous charge and refreshing cycle which repeats over and over.  True the charger never claims to charge these, but its easy to tell these aren't NiMH batteries by their higher voltage, so I feel they should be rejected as bad.The second questionable problem was what I observed with several NiMH batteries.  This charger displays a red, yellow, or green indication of battery charge for 5 second when a battery is inserted.  This indicates under 25% charge, 25-80%, and 100% respectively. This is a nice feature, but on many occasions I have inserted a battery, gotten a yellow light indicating 25-80%, then, within 30 seconds to a minute the ready light turns on.  How can that be?  A partially charged battery can not fully charge in a minute. Impossible.  I've also seen many cases where I've had a charging and fully charged battery next to each other, I remove the charged battery and the charging battery suddenly indicates its charged.  I've seen it occur too many times to beleive its just a coincidence.In any case these problems are minor, and in most cases, the charger seems to work great.  Of course those cheapie chargers you get with a pack of batteries seem to work well as well, but I do expect more from a charger which costs much more.  Still if you don't mind spending the bucks, and you want simple, this charger is great and fairly quick.  The PowerEx charger is fantastic as well, and if you are willing to spend the time with it you will get even better results, but you just can't pop in the batteries and walk away, and some PowerEx modes can take up to 48 hours to complete, and to be honest, for slightly better results the time may not be worth it.Oh, one more thing. This is certainly NOT a travel charger. Its rather large, but it uses a cord and not a wall wart, which is nice.  And the users guide could be better. But overall I'm very happy with this charger, and the fact that my wife can use it with no training, is a big plus.
This review is for the Ansmann Energy 8 (part number 5407022) charger.  I just started using it, so more info will follow... but I wanted to share Ansmann's USA website, in case you were having trouble with their German one.  Its:  [...]On that website, you can find a list of resellers in your area.  If you have questions about the products, ask the resellers, or use the live chat feature on the Ansmann USA website.  I found them to be very helpful.Note that Ansmann also sells an Energy 8 "Plus" charger and an Energy 8 "Professional" charger.  According to their representatives, the "Plus" charger (not available currently on Amazon) has the very same functions as the "regular" Energy 8, but has a more streamlined body and "updated" LED displays.  However, the charging and refreshing functions are the same.The "Professional" series is a 19" rack-mountable device, despite the photos that the German website shows.  If you look at the US website, it shows the 19" rack-mountable design.  The "Professional" series isn't available in the US yet (according to their reps) because of some patent issues with the battery testing function that the professional series touts.
At first I recieved an Energy 8 Plus from Mel Pierce Camera, in LA, Ca...this was not what I really wanted, I wanted the older Energy 8...contacted and worked with Mel Pierce Camera, and they were Great!!!  It was like dealing with a local store...we resolved the problem by discussing the problem respectfully and easily... I ended up buying an Energy 12 Charger, at a very fair/competitive price...I have used the charger and am so far very happy...I will definitely purchase products from Mel Pierce again...It was a pleasure doing business with them!!
I purchased this charger after having purchased a cheaper charger made by Tenergy which stopped working properly after two weeks of useTenergy T-9688 Super Universal LCD Battery Charger with USB Port.  I needed a dependable charger for my D cell through AAA batteries and was impressed by the reviews on this particular unit.While this charger costs nearly twice as much as the Tenergy unit, the quality is definitely higher having a more robust construction and thicker gauge charging cable.  I can also charge up to six triple A or double A batteries, while the Tenergy charger is limited to four batteries, regardless of size.When I first got the charger, I placed six recently charged AA batteries into the charger bay.  The green lights came on for all six batteries, showing they all had at least 80 percent of nominal charge.  The green lights changed to red lights, showing that the batteries had entered a quick charge mode.  After about twenty minutes, the lights changed back to green, showing all six batteries were fully charged.  The charger worked as expected, without a hitch.  I also found loading the AA batteries easier than loading AA batteries into the Ternergy charger.  The wedge shaped battery compartments make it easy for fitting different sized batteries.The first full charge test I tried was on four D cell batteries, the maximum for this charging unit.  The D cells had been in a lantern that had been used for about 40 hours.  The LED lights turned orange, showing the batteries had 25 to 80 percent of nominal charge.  The lights changed to flashes of red and green after about 5 seconds, showing the batteries charging in the refresh mode.  After a few minutes, the lights starting flashing green only, showing the batteries were entering a pre-charge mode.  After about fifteen minutes, all the D batteries showed solid red lights, indicating they had gone into a fast charge mode.  After five hours, the solid green lights came on, showing all D cells were charged.  The batteries were warm, and not hot so this test went without a hitch as well.Since owning this charger, I have charged several sets of batteries of different sizes from AAA up to D cells.  The charger has worked flawlessly, and even let me know when I accidentally reversed polarity on one of the cells.Likes:-build quality-ability to charge different sized batteries at the same time-ability to charge from one to six batteries at a time-LED status lights are easy to see-smart battery charging features with automatic shutoffWishes:-a cover for the battery bay-a USB output port-a less utilitarian look-a discharge function-understandable LED graphs instead of different colored lights to show status of chargerOverall, the charger works very well and I am very happy with my purchase.  The quality seems like it will hold up through the years, and I won't be buying a new charger soon.  While other chargers might be cheaper, and have a few more features, what counts to me is that a charger completely and safely charges my batteries for many years to come.  The Ansmann Energy 8 Plus, seems like it will do exactly this.********Note:  even though I ordered the Ansmann Energy 8, the seller sent me the updated Energy 8 Plus.  Since this is a new design, I hope it holds up as well as the older design I had ordered.  I will post any updates that show reliability issues with Plus design.  So far, I am pleased with it's performance.******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Update: 11/30/13I use this charger almost everyday.  Keeps all of my batteries charged without a hitch.  Works great.
I bought this charger because of it's ability to charge C,D, and 9 volt as well as AA and AAA.  This feature makes it very convenient, however the performance is very poor.  The charge cycle is way too fast so you know the batteries are not being fully charged.  The alleged "refresh" function runs at best a few minutes which certainly is not long enough to do the job properly.  After charging in this Ansmann charger, I then put the batteries into my La Crosse charger only to discover that the batteries were only charged to about half of their capacity.  I end up still needing to use the La Crosse charger to finish off the charging and for refreshing or reconditioning.  This charger is handy for a quick charge of multiple batteries and for multiple sizes, but do not buy it expecting to give your batteries a full charge or for reconditioning your batteries.
We used to use the cheap battery chargers!  Didn't know there was anything different until I came across this product when ordering Ansmann batteries.  After much research, I ordered another brand (not really cheaper, just like the description), the whole house would stink, obviously something wrong with the unit, returned it and purchased this Ansmann.  Unbelievable battery life after using this charger.  Everyone who uses rechargable batteries should own one of these!!!
To save money on replacing batteries all the time, as well as having them lose their charge while awaiting my use of them, I bought an Energizer charger and batteries. They make junk. Their batteries don't even last as long as non-rechargeables. Their recharger charges up and then lets the charge dissipate through the charger still being connected but no longer charging. A sad joke indeed!Then I discovered Ansmann. I bought anAnsmann 5207123 Energy 16 Charger, then another, and finally anAnsmann Energy 8 Chargerfor its ability to accommodate the AAAs. I couldn't be happier. It uses a trickle charge once a battery is at full charge to keep it there.I also discovered better batteries, whose very weight suggests better construction over the [d]Energizer and other (profit-motive only induced)  American junk.I suggest4 pcs of Tenergy Premium C Size 5000mAh High Capacity High Rate NiMH Rechargeable Batteries, available through Amazon.I had brief difficulty with the Energy8 Plus but got quick and excellent replacement assistance from the seller (MyBatterySupplier) and the manufacturer (Ansmann) who give an unheard-of 3-Year Guarantee on their products. Electronics will always show its flaws w/i the first use or within the first month, so this is great support. Great product. Great manufacturer and seller. Be prepared. Get this well-made charger.best,chris
I had old recargable batteries I had not used in years and several were not usable.  This unit brought over half of them back to full use with on a couple of chargin cycles. Great Product!!!
Yes this charger is more expensive then some of the others but it's well worth it.
I purchased this unit on Amazon 4 yrs ago and have been very satisfied with its performance. It is a well made piece of equipment that should last many more years.Were I to buy one today I'd buy the model that has 4 x 9 Volt battery charging spots.  Come change over time for the smoke detectors and the like, it takes a while to recharge all the batteries.  (Best done during the day and reinstalled before bedtime.Although one could buy a lot of regular batteries for the $60.00,  I've already saved back my purchase price and saved about 30 batteries a year from entering into the trash.The ability to charge up 6 AA at a time is very handy every spring. I charge up all the batteries from several sets of solar powered garden lights through the charger before I place around the patio.Green and cost effective.... can't beat that.
You might think this price seems high, however, if you get good rechargeable batters, you need this charger.  It will last for ever, and make your high cost rechargeable batteries last pretty much forever.  Recharge the batteries up to 1000 times.  What a deal, just for pennies you get new batteries, you are helping the environment, and save lots of money.  This charger knows how to recondition batteries, check for faults, and knows the type of charge you need to make your batteries last the longest.  As they have always said, you get what you pay for, and this is a good charger.  Highly recommended and has a 3 year warranty!  GO GREEN!
Best thing about this product is that it has no buttons or a screen with complicated code numbers, just a very simple light code. yet it does the job perfectly, first it analyze the battery then it discharge it and then it recharge with overheat protection. I can't imagine anything as simple and effective as this for a normal user like me. lots of my batteries came back to life because of it, i thought all charges are the same until i tried this. I don't understand why big companies like duracell and Energizer sell cheap chargers with its batteries. if there is something to complain about, maybe it is not portable enough with its rounded shape. Five stars for sure =)
I've now gone through 2 of these chargers. The first one appeared to have overheated while charging 2 AA batteries; fortunately, it died within the 30 day return period, and Amazon proptly sent me a new one. The 2nd unit failed after about 6 months, and so far, I have not received any response from Ansmann USA or Ansmann DE regarding the warranty (which is supposedly 3 years). The 2nd unit appears to have overheated as well. All-in-all, it was a waste of money.
Worth the money.  Charges each cell individually versus having to do it in pairs with cheap chargers and has the ability to tell you if a cell has gone bad.
this thing used to get pretty warm charging our batteries... before it finally just died after about 3 months of moderate/heavy use.  we used it 3 or 4 times a week to charge our stockpile of eneloop batteries - nothing i would consider unusual.  after reading the abundance of good reviews, it seemed a safe choice.  at this time we have replaced it with the charger by hitech.  which, after several months of pretty heavy use, is still going strong.
I don't know much about battery chargers, but this seems to work well.  The only problem is that for the price, I can't imagine that it really works that much better than other chargers...
What can I say? It does it's job flawlessly. It's very versatile and you can keep the batteries in the charger ready to go. After 2 1/2 years it's still working flawlessly.
The seller was supposed to have sold me the Energy 8 charger, but sent me the Energy 8 PLUS which is a slightly different model.  They expect me to return their mistake at my expense... not happy at all.  As far as the product, it works ok as long as you make sure that the neg/pos connections are completely connected since there is room for error.  It has also given me an error on a battery, but after moving it into another slot, it worked fine...
This died within the first week. Got a second one from a very friendly customer service rep and that one died too. In this case, two strikes and I'm out.
Yes, charging your batteries is not that hard, but this great equipment would benefit from a more detailed manual describing more clearly what the light color and flashings mean.  Other than that it seems to work great.  I love that I can leave my batteries charging until I need them.
If you have any baterry hungry devices, this is the way to go. Keeps any decent rechargable batteries working great for longer than other chargers. It may seem pricey, but in the end it's a real money saver.
Update March 21, 2012:  Still working flawlessly in almost daily use after eight years.  What more can you ask?I've used this charger for over four years with complete satisfaction.  This is a fine piece of German engineering; well worth the price.  I bought it because it can charge any number of any assortment of AA, AAA, C, D, 9V batteries at the same time, and lots of them.  You can also insert new batteries at any time any others are charging.  Here's a tip:  Since each cell is monitored for charge level, you can leave batteries in the charger, indefinitely.  That effectively counters the self-discharge problem older NiMH batteries have, since the batteries stored in this charger are kept at full charge.  Of course, you'll want to buy eneloops (SANYO eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries, which I've used) or Ansmann Max E's (Ansman Max-E AA NiMh 2100 Mah LD, Ultra Low Discharge Batteries, Pack of 4, which I haven't used), with long shelf lives, from here on-out.  This charger works fine with them, too.  I'd like to see Ansmann provide some-sort of wall-mounting tabs or screw holes in this charger.  I had to epoxy-on my own.  Maybe they already have, it's been four years!
Awesome charger, brought back to life some of my other rechargeable batteries that my other charger wouldn't re-charge.  I also like that fact that it does not use a large power supply that just heats up and wastes energy.
This is the second battery charger I bought in the last year.  The first one which was twice more expensive than this one did not last one year.  It was also very loud.  This one is quiet, and easier to use.  It will stop charging the battery when the battery reaches full charge, which is more I can say for the more expensive charger I had.
I bought this charger after reading rave reviews all over on it.  And I have to say that they were all right.  I had a bunch of old NiCd batteries that I've had mixed results with on two other chargers (one of which is a Maha, another top of the line brand).  This charger recognized and was able to revive batteries that the Maha charger would not.  This charger is also very fast and extremely easy to use, just place the batteries in and it does the rest automatically.  It performs a quick test and then does a refresh process then charges each battery independently.  You can charge NiCd and/or NiMH at the same time.  I highly recommend this charger, it's well constructed and is a fine piece of equipment.
This charger works great. It is costly but worth it. My batteries hold the charge for a long time.
This charger has saved me so much time, money and the inconvenience of having to runout and buy batteries! Batteries always seem to die at just the wrong time. The Ansmann Energy-8 Charger has recharged and refreshed my AA and AAA rechargeable batteries (and it also charges other sizes too) so many times that I've lost count. It takes about an hour to charge as few as 1 or as many as 8 batteries at the same time. Flashing green lights above each bank of batteries shows which ones have been fully charged and which ones are still being charged. And don't worry about overcharging them, because there is an automatic shutdown on the batteries that have been fully charged.If you use a lot of batteries around your house or business, I recommend buying an Ansmann Energy-8 Charger.
Since I received my new battery charger...all my rechargeable batteries went thru one by one even 5 years  old ones some did not pas, which is good thing! I am just happy as a child. Newer try to mix different brands batteries and different age....this will damage other or speed up their discharge.
I purchased this battery charger and a bunch of rechargable batteries to keep up with the demand for all the kids toys.  Unfortunatley it showed up DOA.  Plug it in and no lights or anything come on even after putting batteries in to charge.  I sent a email to "Mel Pierce Camera" Friday evening who was the resaler via Amazon 2 days and have not heard anything back yet.  Not sure if they are closed over the weekend.  I will give them a call on Monday morning.  Very disapppointing.  Don't expect something simple like a battery charger to be DOA.I'll update the review once I get resolution to this.
This charger is known to be the world most powerful and advance charger.Its very expensive but worth every single penny. Every rechargeable batteries of different brand (Sanyo NiMH, GP NiCd) that I have works fine with it.At first I had one the GP battery couldn't be charged up by my previous charger but Ansmann is powerful enough to bring this "dead" GP battery back to life and kickingIts comes with dual voltage(110-240V) operation which means you can bring this charger to any part of the world and it still work fine, useful for people that travels a lot....My previous charger can only work on 230V, I can't use it on countries running on 110V!!!!Great Product!
This is a great product.  I have had it for about 2 years maybe; still going strong.  I love that you aren't limited to charging batteries in pairs, and that it does a battery check before charging.  I use the &#34;check&#34; feature on disposable batteries as well making sure I don't leave them in for more than 2 seconds.  I only wish it could charge 8 AA's or 8 AAA's at a time instead of 6.  It sounds like a minor issue, but many devices take 4 AA's and this means you can only change 1 complete set from a &#34;4 AA device&#34; at a time.  Another great feature is that it changes to &#34;trickle&#34; mode when the batteries are charged; and it's smart enough to know if a battery is only partially discharged; taking a lot less time to recharge a battery in this condition.  All this being said, I have noticed on some older big name batteries I have, that sometimes they never fully charge (even after several hours) and the light never turns from red to green.  But this is a minor issue in my opinion.
I purchased this product almost four years ago, and just now got around to writing a review.  Which is good, because I can report that after all this time, I am still delighted with this charger.  Along with the charger, I purchased a very comprehensive set of Tenergy rechargeable batteries, (which work great, by the way) and estimate that this charger has paid for itself hundreds, if not thousands of times.  If you have numerous battery operated devices in your home, this product is indispensable from both an economic and environmental perspective.  The charger had a 'refresh' function, that conditions the batteries when you begin a charge cycle.  All my batteries show no discernible difference in their ability to hold a charge now as to when they were new.  I not only recommend this product, but I fully intend to purchase another if and when this one ever gives out.
This the best battery charger there is and I have own and have own a lot. I have also the Ansmann Energy 16 Charger. I love them both. On one occasion, one of my universal charger scared the living daylight out of me when it overheated and smoke started to come out of it! It literally melted the plastic and the battery. I thought it was going to exploded! And most of my others, they over charged the batteries and made the batteries really hot! I have to be cautious and pay attention to how long have been charging the batteries and make sure I take the batteries off before something happens. So I searched and found the Ansmann energy charger and I am really happy and am worry free. I can relax and leave the batteries sitting there until I need them. I feel at ease knowing that it will not melt or explode or even overcharges! It also refresh/discharge then charges your battery. It can even detect a faulty batteries. I love the fact that you can charge any type of batteries independently with each others. I can charge 1 C, 2 D, 4 AAA, 5 AA, and 4 9V at the same time, or any other combination. Not like my other chargers where I either have to charge in pairs or the same types at a time. And worst of all some of them come only to charge...say AA and AAA only, they don't come this versatile where you can charge all type of batteries. And with this Ansmann I can easily charge just 1 AAA and nothing else. One big downside to the charger is that it is EXPENSIVE! And it doesn't charge Li-ion batteries. I wish it did...like the RCR123A or even the 18650 batteries. But the bottom line is it's an excellent product! I believe it's well worth 100 bucks for your safety and the diversity of charges and usage.This will be the only charger I'll be using until they come out with one that is safe and able to charge other batteries type such as RCR123A and 18650 batteries also. For now I am a happy camper. I really highly recommend this charger!
I have two BC-700s, which are decent units, but I really like Ansmann's flexibility, added capacity and 9v option.  A little more money, yes, but simple to use and solid engineering..
Its okay, it works as stated. But it weighs almost 4 pounds (60oz) with ball head in a Manfrotto 680B monopod. Also its much too thick around. Maybe if you're 6'6' and 265 it'll be just right.Seriously, are you really going to put your full weight on it with constant pressure?  Are you planning to jack up your SUV with it? It's way overkill, and a weapon? Seriously, by the time you swing it your throat will be crushed 3 times...  (if god forbid you do need a weapon, stab with it don't swing it. If he has a gun give him the camera)Anyway, I'm keeping it because there's no other choice. But to really steady it you need to beef up the legs, lighten up the stick (use Carbon Fiber its actually cheaper) and make it rest on the ground with a rubber cap, 4 points of contact not three. This will solve the wobble motion too.
Just got my monopod folding base - Installed on older 3216 in a breeze.  works exactly as advertised.  Not a tripod substitute but will make the monopod much more stable.  Good heavy duty construction, like everything I have tried from Manfrotto (or bogen in the 'old' days, showing my age).
Very nice quality as one would expect from the Manfrotto.  I'm using it on the 681B and it fits perfectly.  Although I haven't actually used it yet it seems to be sturdy, especially for inside work.  I would be a little suspicious about using it in the wind or uneven ground.  Otherwise I think I will make good use of it.
First, the positive. This looked promising, and it is very well made as is everything by Manfrotto.  I discovered (took a chance buying it) that it indeed does work with my model 670B monopod.  It is a slick design, and it does enable one to use their monopod with a self-standing base. But if used as a tripod the problem with it is that it wobbles badly, and continues to wobble when left alone for some time, gradually releasing whatever energy input created the wobble in the first place.  I had hoped that it would actually support the monopod to use as a tripod, but not realistically so.  You still need to hold onto the camera/monopod to stabilize it.  I wanted to use this for shooting video with my DSLR 60D Canon, to save "footprint" space taken by a video tripod, but in the end decided not to use it.  I may still try to use it as a "stabilized monopod" in the future with the caveat that it still needs hands-on support much like a regular monopod.  Since there was no specific description by Manfrotto on how it's intended to be used in the first place, perhaps the only original intention is to help using the monopod as a "base-stabilized" monopod after all.  For that purpose it would do nicely.  But this review is more about my overall experience given that there is no real description as to the proposed functionality of the item.
I got the folding base along with the 680B monopod, wanting to avoid having to carry a tripod wherever I go; tucking in the monopod into the suitcase was an appealing idea. So getting the base was to have an ultra portable tripod w/o having to pay for the carbon-fiber equivalent.First off, without the base, the monopod is only good if there is plenty of light, in which case you might not use a monopod/tripod at all. Following the instructions that come along with the folding base, you are left with a pretty unstable support if you extend the monopod beyond, say 3 feet. The instructions ask you not to use the spacer(piece D); if you don't, you end up fastening on the base to the main monopod's body with a set of three tiny screws which leaves about a 5mm gap between the body and the base's  housing (part B) all round. This setup makes for a flimsy support at the bottom. I didn't even try to put on the 75-300mm lens at this point.However, I went ahead and mounted the spacer onto the monopod near the bottom, leaving about an inch in lenght of the monopod 'open', and proceeded to then tighten the screws. This made a HUGE difference and the monopod was able to support my 75-300mm lens without leaning forward and down. Note, soon after you mount such a big lens, the monopod will be shaking, so you have to wait till it settles down. Then using a remote release, I was able to take some pretty sharp picture in my family room with much less the bright light.So bottomline, mounting the base a bit differently as above makes for a much more stabler tripod-version of the monopod. The base adds to the overall weight making it a 2.25 lbs monopod with a pan head. I definitely plan to photograph the July 4th fireworks with this and I will know better if this (monopod+base) will be substitute for a real tripod.
I am an avid semi-pro outdoor and wildlife photographer and have used my Manfrotto 680B for nearly 10 years with both ball- and gymbal-type heads.  While monopods are a good tool when you can't or don't want to hassle with a tripod, they still can't reduce wobble or vibration enough when using high focal length & heavy lenses under many lighting conditions to the point where you can consistently get tack sharp images unless you significantly boost the ISO on your camera (even with f2.8 fast lenses), which of course introduces significant noise into your image (amount of which is very dependent on the quality of the sensor in your camera and whether you've underexposed the image much).If you purchase the stabilizing base for this monopod, and realistically are not expecting it to turn the monopod into a tripod from a stability standpoint (to take self-timed, or long-exposures using remote releases), then you will likely rate this product as a 4 or 5.  Otherwise you will be disappointed with the product since there really is no way to turn a monopod into a support that's as sturdy as a tripod....and never will be......so you need have realistic expectations and match the tool for the shooting circumstances.I've found that while the base will not make the monopod as stable as a tripod, depending on your subject and shooting circumstances it will definitely introduce more stability, and less wobble into your images, and since you will still likely be using image stabilization when shooting with a monopod (especially moving objects such as wildlife), you will be able to take advantage of the IS and shoot with slower shutters than you would without the base.  This provides more flexibility with exposure settings and potentially may allow you to reduce the ISO some to achieve better image quality.....all significant benefits if you're serious about your work.In situations where I am sitting (such as in a blind), the base performs extremely well and can be further stabilized by placing weight (heavy sand or bean bags) or your feet on the support legs.  You might be thinking then why not use a tripod.......but in tight quarters you often don't have the room for a tripod, so this is a good stability, space-saving, not to mention weight alternative to a tripod.Now, you're really not going to use a cable release with this product unless you're using very small/light camera with no wind, etc., but for the right type of shooting circumstances this is an excellent product and will be an important edition to your photo gear.You will want to experiment with mounting the base...there are a couple of ways to do it, one more stable than the other but isn't recommended by the manufacturer.....there are a couple of other reviews on Amazon's website that elaborate a bit on this, so I won't go into it here.Happy shooting.....
For many years I have had a similar product that I bought back in the 60's.  I was made, or marketed, by Miida...no longer in business I am sure.  I really liked having the ability to make that monopod into a limited duty tripod at times.  This Manfrotto unit will also come in handy for similar situations.  I paired this set of feet with a Manfrotto 480B monopod topped with a 234RC tilt head, so I now have a compact, all purpose accessory to keep close at hand all the time.One thing I noticed as a difference between this one...and the old Miida that I have, is that on the Miida, when the legs are in use, the center of the monopod post actually touches the ground...whereas in the Manfrotto the center portion is above the floor or ground by a half inch or so..  This makes it not quite at stable and 'firm feeling' as the Miida, but it might be said that having just the three points of contact makes for a more adaptable unit...who knows??Anyway, I am pleased to have an updated version of this...the 'flip locks' on the 480B allow me to change the height of the camera in just a few seconds...nice to have that ability...
just attached the base to the monopod and off you go, no more carrying heavy tripod. Only thing is you could only mount light weight video cameras and not the heavy one.
Not as steady as I would like, for that, you need a tripod. But for traveling and emergency stands, it does a good job.
This is a nice addition to my manfrotto monopod.  I would not recommend it for a very heavy camera but it quickly your monopod into a stable tripod.
I really like the concept of this product. The installation and operation is easy and simple...1. you simply remove the rubber foot on the monopod2. attach the coupling to the end of the monopod and tighten with provided hex-allen-wrench tool3. slide the 3 legs of the tripod foot into the end of the monopod and screw to conceal4. unscrew foot, flip legs outward and screw the base back into the coupling.Pros:Adds an option to have a free standing monopodMonopods are easier and lighter to travel with over many tripodsCan be used to hold the camera hands free (lens/camera dependent up to approx 10lbs)Installation and operation are real easyCons:Adds a couple of pounds to the monopodNot good for long or slow exposures (can bounce or sway for a while after touching or in wind)Not a 'replacement' for a tripodThough if you are trying to take long exposures (night time shots) and you need to be absolutely still, then you probably wouldn't be traveling around with a monopod in the first place.I have used this on a commercial shoot in leui of a tripod as it is easier to move around, and adjust height, though during this shoot I was hands on with the camera and mainly used the monopod as a 3rd hand to hold the weight of the camera and keep it where it needed to stay while I adjusted the model. Used with a canon 5D mk II and 70-200mm F/2.8L IS (~approx 9.5lbs)I would recommend to anyone with an appropriate monopod that this can work with. I don't know if its work $50-60 I think it would be more fairly price at $34.99-39.99.
I never had second thoughts in having the 678 Universal Folding Base when I ordered my Manfrotto 680B. This extra monopod support gives me the opportunity to compose my shots with confidence. I don't find this as a substitute for tripod but definitely an improvement for a hand held monopod's stability. Perfect with my Manfrotto 680B.
I bought this product to use with my 681 monopod.  I like it!  I read all the reviews and was not expecting it to be as steady as a real tripod, but it does allow me to get into the picture without balancing the camera on some rocks, etc.  Don't expect to take time lapse photography; there is some instability movement.A few points:1) You will need a rubber band or Velcro wrap to keep the legs from clacking while inside the monopod.2) The screw on threads are precise and will require cleaning and some oil or WD40 as you use this product.  The tighter you get the assembly screwed on the less movement you will have (up to a point).3) Good price (39.09 before shipping, tax) and service via BLUE LIGHT BARGAINS.  Fast shipment, well ahead of predicted.
Don't expect tripod like stability.  Don't weigh it down too much either.  It works, but ANY motion will make it sway.  This is not the solution for getting tripod like stability with a monopod.
Just what I needed for my monopod.  It fits completely inside so that its not a problem to carry along. Its very easy to attach and quick.
The three-legged momopod is just what I've needed.  the ordering from three different locations to get one composite product seemed a little confusing tho....
The Manfrotto 678 Monopod Folding Base screws into the bottom of my680B Monopodto turn the monopod into a tripod. When not in use, the base can be unscrewed, folded up, and inserted backwards into the bottom section of the monopod and screwed back on. This base will also work with Manfrotto 679, 679B, 680, 680B, 681, 681B monopods. The reason I picked the 680B is it's the most compact of the 679, 680, and 681 series. Note: the base is also sold as a part of the Manfrotto 682B Free-Standing Monopod, which is a composed of the 681 monopod plus this base.The quality of the base is what you would expect from a Manfrotto. It is extremely well-built and durable. It holds up very well under the weight of my 7D and a rather hefty 17-55mm f/2.8 lens. The downside is the base does add a fair amount of weight to the monopod and it rattles when stored inside the monopod (You can try wrapping some electrical tape around each leg to dampen the noise). I also find it a hassle to screw it on or off. A compact and lightweight carbon fiber tripod might be a more viable alternative if your objective is to travel light.The base is handy for sneaking a "tripod" into places such as museums where tripods aren't allowed. Overall, it's not a bad piece of gear that adds versatility to a Manfrotto monopod.
Might work well with a tiny camera.  When the monopod is extended some, it is quite wobbly with my GH2.  The legs are just too thin and springy.  I returned this item.I was able to attach the three legs of an old microphone stand  to my Manfrotto monopod.  The diameter of the bottom section of the monopod was a perfect fit with the center hole of the mic stand legs.This DIY solution is much more stable than Manfrotto 678 monopod universal folding base.
Heavy but good.  Works as indicatex but too heavy. Do not use it much only when doing bird photography with my EF 400 5.6.
I purchased this item for an upcoming trip and wanted to pack lite.  I had purchased the Manfrotto 680B Monopod because of it's small travel size and because I wanted something for those shots when you needed some type of support.  At least one review said that you had to fasten the legs together to keep them from rattling around inside the base of the monopod.  I did not have this problem.  They fit snug and do not make any noise when they are collasped and stored inside the monopod.  I wouldn't use the folding base with the camera unattended in breezy or windy conditions but it does have the ability to support the camera on its own using the monopod.  I would not use a long lens and I would make sure one of the legs is in the same direction as the lens to reduce the chance of tipping in that direction.  If you are in a seated situation you can still use the folding base.  You can even put your feet on the legs to give the monopod extras stability allowing you to use your hands for camera settings instead of holding the monopod.  I am very pleased with this item.
Except the fact it is heavy, fits perfect on 680B, and gives a decent stability to the whole system : folding base, monopod,head, and camera (DSLR), with a certain amount of shacking.Except the price, which is a little too high, overall makes sense, and I am happy with it.
The universal folding base is a necessary accessory to the model 681 monopod.  While the tripod base cannot match the stability afforded by a dedicated tripod, it will provide for better stability than the monopod alone.
This review is not so much about the monopod base which is a brilliant idea and works fairly well. It still sways if there is a breeze. So, you cannot do long exposures. If the ground is uneven, of course the legs are not adjustable, so you cannot place the monopod vertically.Mine arrived with the o-ring that seals the threaded bottom cap to the the lower most telescoping shaft tube broken. That night, I sent a general email to the Manfrotto website. To my surprise, a rep emailed me the next business day and sent me TEN O-rings to replace the one that was broken. A week later, I received the o-rings. I was every impressed with their support.
I used this folding monopod base with my heavy Canon XL2 (8 lbs) to shoot a wedding last weekend. Here are some of my thoughts.It will hold the camera all by itself, even if I raise the monopod to 5+ feet. The construction is all metal (except for the rubber O-ring) and feels sturdy and strong. It's pretty stable, although it would not take much effort to knock it down. If you use this monopod base, you still have to hold it. Problem is, when I left the camera all by itself, it rarely ever stood level.In my case, the video was always at an angle. It was ok, because the video I shot at an angle looked ok (the XL2 has a way of making bad shots look better). It was nice not having to lug the heavy 8 lbs camera all evening long. I thought about what 1 reviewer said about putting your foot on one of the legs to stabilize it, but given my setup I thought that was crazy. I never once thought putting my foot on a leg to stabilize it would be a good idea, I was too busy trying to hold the camera steady with my hand and watching the action.I thought using the monopod base during the reception would be a blessing because it would be easy to move around from one place to the other. I was wrong. The monopod base is indeed easier to move around, but if you want to shoot and move around at the same time, it's too easy for your legs to hit one of the base legs and shake the camera. I had to hold the base a bit farther from my body to avoid shaking it, but this was very tiring on the arms.I felt like I got the most out of my monopod by putting the base back inside and just using the 680B Manfrotto monopod. By doing this, I could move around at will without worrying about my leg hitting the base legs while walking.I still have not figured out what the best use for this monopod base is. I think for receptions I will just go with the basic monopod setup. For the wedding ceremony I use a regular tripod. I may try this setup for a ceremony (like for example if I'm traveling) but I'd rather not if I had a choice (those professional tripods are a bear to take on a plane).This monopod base does work, it might work better with a lighter camera. It just doesn't work as well as I'd like for my needs at this time. I will say though, if I lower the monopod to about 3 or 4 feet tall, it does seem more stable and maybe even a bit more level. I'm just starting out so with time, I may find more uses for this base.Before I purchased this unit, I considered the Manfrotto 561BHDV which is also a monopod with 3 legs at the bottom, but whose legs are significantly shorter, making it impossible to even consider using it as a standalone with a camera. I wonder if that monopod could have been of help, but at it's current price I cannot afford it.
eventually I found a leather shoulder pad. I needed it for my leather messenger bag which can get abit heavy when using it all day during travelling.... Its shows to be durable.
Cameras inside camera bags are HEAVY.  Shoulder pads should be standard, especially at the Billingham price point.  Fine quality leather and sturdy snaps.  I have to return mine, however, b/c I have not found the perfect Billingham for my purposes.  Once that Leica M is in my hot little hands I'll look again.
These guys charge you 300 dollars for their camera bag and then stiff you for another 50 bucks to get the shoulder pad. It's just a padded piece of leather, nothing special. Sadly......you really do need it. At the cost of the bag, the shoulder pad should be included.
Makes carrying the Billingham very comfortable, or any other bag for that matter. If you buy a Billingham, I definitely recommend getting the shoulder strap. My only beef is that it should come with the bag at that price.
If you're into Billingham, you're used to paying extra for something well made, functional yet simple as simple is. This pad is designed to clip onto to a 1.5 inch strap via two tiny straps (nickel plated snaps). The fit is tight, so tight you must unsnap it to adjust position. The outside is well finished top grain cowhide while the underside is grippy textured neoprene. You must try hard to get it to slip off your shoulder. Although it seems a bit stiff at first, it breaks in quickly and flexes into the contour of your shoulder.There is a minor gotcha: the connecting straps go all the way through the pad and I can feel a wee lump on the pad while wearing a t-shirt. It's not uncomfortable but may bother some wearers. With a jean or leather jacket, I can't feel the lumps. It's also bit on the heavy side but, after all, it is a thick piece of leather and neoprene.I'm using this pad on a Domke F-5XC camera bag and it matches perfectly, complementing the black cotton canvas as if it were original equipment. I also have another one on my black Hadley Pro and, obviously, matches anything Billingham. Excellent product and I'm thankful it saved me from the hard and uncomfortable Domke shoulder pad.
Yes you will need this to go with your expensive Bellingham Bag. This is like the convenience package on your car. You know you need it and it sucks you have to buy it. It is a small piece of high quality rubber/leather with two snaps.
I had to buy this because my billingham handley bag kept slipping off my shoulders, regardless if I was wearing a coat or just a shirt.  Domke makes a cheaper verison of this strap but I could not find it.  So if your not a fan of wearing your camera bag across your chest, go ahead a get this pad, if you can't find the domke should pad
I use this on my Fuji X100s to do some long exposure and wide open (f2) shots in direct sunlight. Though there is a built in ND filter in the camera it is nice to be able to add to that.
I use this on my 50mm F/1.4 to shoot wide open during daylight.  I've used Tiffen, Hoya, and some other generic ND filters in the past and often times they have a reddish color cast that ruin it for me.  It's especially apparent if you use an ND to slow the shutter down to shoot long exposure.  The B+W filters are the best in this respect and it has minimal effects to the image quality.  It's definitely worth the extra dollar spent on quality filters like this.
Does exactly what it's supposed to do. Drops aperture two stops when in the shutter priority mode. Also shipped in a decent design hinged plastic box.
This filter is fantastic. The threads were machined to perfection and the German glass really outshines the competition. My photosthat I first took with this filter turned out exceptionally well.
I must be an outlier!  I've always used and been very happy with B&W filters.  However, this ND has a clear warm/yellow cast that is not easily neutralized in LR or PS.  My larger Hoya HMC ND is very neutral.  I held them up to the light together, and the tint is very clear.  It's like an 81A or even more IMO.  I'm surprised because a) B&W is a quality supplier, and b) other reviewers are very happy with theirs.  I'm returning this one.  Hhhhmmmm.
This is good filter to reduce sun light intensitas , 2 stop. So you can you appeture f1.4 in the sunny light
Great filter at a very good price.  What more can I say.  I received the merchandise in a more than reasonable time.
What can I say, I always use B+W filters because they are as close to optically perfect as a filter can get.
This thing absolutely does 100% of what it's supposed to. It's also very well-made and was easy to get all the fingerprints and water stains I managed to get on it because I am so talented.
chose this filter as it was touted as being very high quality.the recipient who is an avid hobbyist was impressed with quality, very happy with the product
Used this recently on some waterfalls, as well as sunsets, and it performed extremely well.  Dragged the water great, and very little effect on the colors in the scene.  Just the way a ND filter should be.  Very happy with my purchase.
For some reason this filter will not thread into other filters. I've tried it with my other circular polarizers and such. It does thread into the UH haze filter, and then you can add the CP on top of it, but you can't use it outside of other filters. It defies logic, but there it is.
This filter is very well made and perfomed well in certain lighting conditions. One will have to give up two stops though for shutter speed, unless working with the ISOs.
While the quality of the glass & shading on the filter was good, it had what appeared to be a manufacturers defect in the form of a scratch near the edge. Since I paid less than half of what these normally sell for and the scratch was close enough to the edge that it didn't appear in my photos.. I kept the filter and have taken some great photos with it.
I'm not going to get into why one would want this specific type of filter - there are books on the subject that will go into a lot more detail - here is one example - there are many:The Photographer's Guide to Filters (Photographers Guide).What I will review is quality of this product.  B+W filters are made in Germany.  Germany is consistenly one of the best producers of high end glass and optics.  I have been told the reason the quality of these filters is better than most is that they don't make them as separate units, but instead they build a cylinder of glass and cut each filter off of it.  Consistent quality.  Screw ring is hard metal, so it is very difficult to strip the threads. I have messed up the threads on cheaper brands by accident.In my experience, buying filters falls into the category of you get what you pay for.  Cheaper brands are out there, but if you want a very high quality filter, that is durable and consistent with what you want to achieve with it...  you can't go wrong with B+W filters.Be sure to choose the right size - for example, Nikon prints the size on the back of the lens cap.
Another great  B & W Filter, Threads on smoothly Easy to adjust for your desired effects,and very helpful.
This filter is very hard to use because even with the depth of field preview button you struggle to see the gradation line.  Also, you can't move the line up and down as the scene demands.  I really recommend, and have personally gone to, the 4X6 rectangular graduated ND filters and the results are far superior.  Hitech also makes an acceptable resin filter in both the 4X6 and Cokin P sizes (go for the 4X6 if you can).  Singh Ray's are the absolute best as they are glass.  A bit pricey though.  Don't bother with the circular ones at all.
I know a lot of people like bayonet graduated ND filters.  And I agree, they allow you more creative latitude.  But they come at a huge price.  I shott the Canon L series lenses, I have the best glass there is.  Why should I put a $20 pieco of plastic in fornt of a $1500 lens?  It totally degrades IQ.Yes, with a screw in graduated ND you are limited in the angle, and you are required to work around that limitation, but at least you don't degrade IQ.  And if you have ever owed a B&W; filter, you know there is no degredation of IQ with their fileters (vs Sunpack or Tiffen).You may have to play a bit in Photoshop to maximise the the photo's exposure, but you can modify dynamic range...you can't modify IQ.
There are times when you just need a little neutral density help. This is the filter for that.
After doing some research for a filter for my ultra wide angle lense (Tamron 10-24), I learned that circular polarizers may not be a good alternative because the extreme wide angle make the color on the sky uneven (unless you are looking for the effect). I decided to get a gradient ND to make the sky pop.  I really like the filter and I have beautiful pictures in the sessert with deep blue sky.  On a cloudy day you can get dramatic stromy like effects.  I give it 4 stars because for some reason is not so easy to put in and take out and I am affreaid to mess up the lense thread so I have to be very careful.
Axis of gradation is adjustable, and the turning fit is snug and smooth. I purchased this ND Grad to help with blown out skies in outdoor shots. Its effect is so subtle that it isn't helping in the situations I normally have - trees in foreground, with sky through and above them.
These days many effects that old school filters used to be required for can now be done via software, alas there are a few that cannot be replicated.  One is the graduated neutral density filter, such as this one.  Sure you can darken part of an image in Photoshop, but you're missing the real benefit of having that ability at exposure on the lens.  Sunsets or other scenes where bright lighting in part of the image can hinder the ability of the sensor to capture and record details in darker parts of the scene.  This is also true of film, but most of you who are still using film probably already know this.To be honest, most users will probably benefit from a setup like thisCokin U961 Z-Pro Grad Filter Kit, SQ/ Z Pro Filters, but I needed something compact that could work on mySigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraswithout vignietting.  It did the trick, and I never regretted going with a round grad ND vs a square one (which you can slide to adjust the horizon as needed).  My only real complaint is that it does scratch quite easily.For those of you debating between a 1 stop (B + W 77mm #501 Color Graduated Filter - Light Dark Grey Neutral Density (ND)) and 2 stop grad ND (such as this one, the 502), I strongly suggest a 2 or maybe 3 stop one.
Have not had too much chance to use this.  But when I have, it has worked fine.  I will be adding another ND Grad w/2 greater density for more flexibility.  Have combined w/a ND non-Grad as well to get longer exposures and that worked great.  Well made !
I bought this filter along with my wide angle lens (Nikkor 10-24mm). Important to mention that I own about 10 different B+W filters within my bag; and was disappointed with this one. I can barely see the effect of the graduation in my pictures.Definitely not recommended, and thinking of investing in the Lee rectangular-shaped filters as they are more user-friendly and gives you more freedom to adjust the GD filter according to the scene.I gave it 2 stars, only for the superior quality of B+W products!
Just like other B+W filters, this one is good quality. Love the material appearance and will stick with this family. Highly recommend to other buyers.
If you are big into optics and photography, then you may know the reputation of Schneider Optics.  They manufacture some fantastic glass and apply wonderful coating to give you exactly what you want without degrading your image.  I've used cheaper filters in the past but they all fall short of the performance of B+W.  The construction is a solid brass ring with Schott glass.This is the filter I like to use for long exposures and when I really need to push the limit I pair it withB+W 65-073102 77mm Neutral Density 0.9-8x Filter #103andB+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coatingto get the silkiest water and dreamiest photos.Highly recommended.
Shooting HDSLR video at a professional level requires a full assortment of neutral density filtration. I own an extensive array of B+W filters, and this brand is largely deserving of their excellent reputation. Not many manufacturers offer extreme density, which can be essential for some still photographic techniques such as forcing long exposure times in bright sunlight, typically to deliberately create images of silky smooth moving water such as water falls. My problem with this filter may be an inherent characteristic of extreme neutral density: there is a lot of density, but it is not so neutral. In fact, my copy of this filter exhibits a pronounced color cast. This flaw is not so extreme that it cannot be corrected in post, but nevertheless it does create additional image processing work, especially if images made with this filter have to be intercut with images made without the filter.
Now I know why people praise B+W filters. I own Hoya and other cheaper band filters. B+W seems to use better and heavier material for the metal frame. It 's made in Germany. The coating is nice and I could hardly see any degradation on my image when I have this filter on. I need this ND64 to shoot silky waterfall in broad day light. It works perfectly for me.
High quality product. Long exposures come out better than expected. I am able to compose and focus with this filter on. Here's a link to a 2 minute exposure with this filter ([...]).
I have been getting great shots and been able to drag the shutter in ways I only dreamed before.  very happy with it.
This filter is just what I needed to make images including water, mist, fog, etc... especially in the early morning and late evening hours. It is professionally and solidly constructed as well. It reduces light reaching the sensor to allow for longer exposures, but not so much that it obscures my ability to compose and focus through the viewfinder...Of course mounting the camera on a tripod is a must.
In my opinion, B+W makes the best ND (also UV and Circular Polarizing) filters! Solid construction and great glass!
Was not impressed I prefer the color version of this film. The colors were not rich in this as I expected.
I LOVE using this with my old polaroid 450 but just be wary of film getting jammed (probably the camera) also meter when you can, most of my exposures were over exposed but again I'm using an old camera.
Great product for all Polaroid lovers and users! Hate that great camera invention of the 19th century go extinct!. Keep the product running and rolling....
This FUJI/ Polariod peel-apart pac film is the best I've ever used & I've been shooting professionally most of my entire life. I shoot it with Polariod's models 180 & 250 , using it indoors only ( difficult  outdoors ) . Contrary to the claimed 15 second only process time , I get my best results at about 80 seconds .I am really upset to hear that Fuji will be disscontining it - in the very near future - such  a  wonderful product.BTW: I shoot it for my own personal art projects .
i love this film and hate that it has been discontinued. I hope fuji makes it once a year or so
It has a great -3 +3 leeway In the exposure, which is fantastic.Gives amazingly sharp images(especially stopped down at F/44)The contrast and blacks are sublime, really enjoy this film!Works a treat with flash also, best of all IT HAS ZERO GRAIN. Which is insane for ISO 3,000.Only con: if you're shooting dark skinned people it really doesn't work well. The tones are unflattering.
Love ordering this film from this company. I've never had any problems with it and the pictures turn out great! Really reasonable price, buying in shops can be pricey. I prefer the black and white over the color when using my Polaroid cameras, this film produces crisp pictures. Always fast shipping and the product is never damaged.
But the pictures all failed, no matter what I tried -- all black with vague outlines of the subject matter. The settings were correct, the rollers were clean, and it didn't matter what exposure time I tried.
As long as I can get it out of my old Polaroid it's excellent film. If you have trouble getting the first pack of film out of the camera, try putting some tape on the dark sheet before removal to reinforce the tab. I went thru 3 packs of new color film and still can't get it right everytime. I'm saving this B&W until I learn the process.
FP-3000B is compatible with the Polaroid pack film cameras (no Fuji cameras were made for this film).  It's main use is for the "focus free" cameras that used very narrow apertures and therefore needed a fast film to get enough light to function.  However, it can also be used in the standard packfilm cameras(100, 101, 200-400 series) and the manual Polaroids with an f/4.5 lens can give good low light performance.It's a contrasty film but has little to no noticeable grain and good rendition.  To people who haven't used packfilm it peels apart and yields a print that looks just like a normal photo, people don't know it's a Polaroid unless you tell them.
Best blower I have ever owned!
I bought the large blaster to save money on compressed air.  It works okay, but compressed air is still the best for keyboards.
It blasts- I still use it for sensor cleaning even though it says doesn't - don't know why. It's not freon and gives a good blast
I would buy the large one again, but probably wouldn't buy the small one again.  I bought the large and small blasters.  The large one moves a lot of air and will safely knock away a lot of lint, dust, dirt from your recessed firearms optics.  However the large one isn't very &#34;range bag&#34; friendly due to its size.  I did know this from the product reviews, so I'm not complaining about being tricked into buying it.  I am complaining that it's just so dang big.  I was hopeful the small one would move only slightly less air, but be more mobility friendly.  It is that, but it doesn't move nearly as much air as the large one, not even close, and is therefore not as useful.  I guess there is no perfect one of these.  I'm not going to try the medium, as I don't think for my purposes it will be effective.  The dream air blaster would be the size of the small with the power of the large, but alas it is still only a dream, apparently.
Love this blower. It creates a nice, concentrated stream of high-pressure air, to blast off loose dust.
This is a must for any DSLR owner.  I use it on many other electronics.  It fits in a camera bag, seems very durable and is inexpensive.  Use this to blow off dust for lenses or camera bodies.  Shipped on time, arrived safely and was priced fair.  Would buy again.
This is my second one, lost the old one recently.It's a must have, I used it for lens and sensor cleaning all the time. With lenspen and wet sensor swab, it completes my cleaning workflow.
Well made and puts out a strong blast of air when you need it, and definitely beats a can. A little on the large side for travel, otherwise I highly recommend it for keeping dust off your equipment.
works just fine so far.
Works very well to blow the dust from the lens and camera body allowing a cleaner environment to change lenses. Helps to keep dust away from the camera's sensors. Yup would buy this again. Last one I had didn't last long, the dog chewed it up !
&#2951; Fuzzy Wuzzy's Summary:&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150;&#1150; Highly recommended with warm fuzzies!Several years ago, I purchased two of these large-sized Rocket Airs and two of the medium-sizedGiottos AA1910 Medium Rocket Air Blaster (6.6).  There is also the more compactGiottos AA1920 Rocket Air Blaster Small (Black), but I find the larger and more forceful volume of air that is blown by the Medium-sized and Large-sized Rocket Airs to be more useful, requiring fewer blasts of air to get the job done.  These are the best air blowers on the market!  My Rocket Airs are still going strong after several years of near-daily usage, so I recommend this highly for both effectiveness and durability.  Don't just settle for the tiny blowers that come in the camera cleaning kits; those tiny blowers are far more compact and easy to carry, but they cannot do much to dislodge stubborn electrostatically-charged dust.After I decide upon what I am packing, traveling with, or what camera bag or backpack I am carrying, I then decide whether to take my medium or large Rocket Air for the outing.  And one of my large Rocket Airs always stays at home for a variety of non-camera uses too.  I usually travel with the medium-sized Rocket Air because it is more compact.  For cleaning camera sensors on my three Canon dSLRs, I use the large-sized Rocket Air because I want a good blast of air without inserting the Blaster's nozzle into the camera body.  I do not want to get the Rocket Air's nozzle too close to my camera's sensor for fear of bumping the plastic nozzle tip onto the sensor.These are indispensable not just for cleaning off camera lenses and sensors, but I also use them to blow out dust and debris that may collect on computer keyboards and laptops, every time I open up a desktop computer case to change the computer's internal configuration, and various other uses where I need to blow dust off of electronic components.For cleaning keyboards and laptops at home, where I have access to a vacuum cleaner with crevice tool available, the vacuum crevice tool is more effective than this air blower.  But while I am at the office or on the road, I use the Rocket Air on keyboards and laptops.Another awesome use for my Rocket Air is for blowing dust off of computer and electronic components. In particular, it is important to periodically blow dust off of the heat sinks of electronics such as CPU heat sinks and heat sinks inside stereo amplifiers/receivers. Heat sinks that have heavy amounts of accumulated dust can lead to ineffective heat dissipation, resulting in the overheating of your CPU and electronics, possibly leading to premature component failure. Even if I have not upgraded my desktop computers within a year, I like to open up the cases of all of my desktop computers once a year and blow out the dust that accumulates on the CPU heat sink, the motherboard, all internal computer fans, and I point the Rocket Air's nozzle into the slots of my computer's power supply to blow dust out of it too. As with cleaning digital camera sensors, you should not get the Rocket Air's nozzle too close to the motherboard to avoid risking the nozzle getting bumped into sensitive components. If you have a desktop computer and you have not opened up the computer case in years, you may be surprised at just how much dust, pet fur, and debris has accumulated on its motherboard, CPU, components, power supply, fan blades, etc. It only takes a few minutes to open up the computer case, take the Rocket Air, and blow all that dust out of the motherboard, power supply, and fans. You may also want to have a vacuum cleaner nearby to suck up the cloud of dust that comes floating out.You should also periodically clean the vent openings on your laptop.  These vent openings consist of fan intake vents and vents where warm air from inside your laptop is blown out.  These vent openings may be positioned around the sides of the laptop and also underneath the laptop.  Dust and lint can be pulled into the interior of a laptop, causing ineffective heat dissipation and overheating.  And compared to the interior of a desktop computer, a laptop's interior is far more crowded.  When I have access to a vacuum cleaner's crevice tool, I find that holding the vacuum crevice tool up close to a laptop's vents is more effective for cleaning them.  But when I am at the office or traveling, I point this Rocket Air's nozzle up against each of the laptop's vent openings and give each vent opening several good blasts of air.  By cleaning the interior of your desktop computers and laptops, your computer runs more efficiently to cool itself and you may even notice that your computer's fans run quieter because they do not have to try as hard to cool the computer when the interior is not all covered with dust and lint.For years now, I no longer buy any of the canister "air duster" products anymore.  And despite being referred to as "canned air", these "air" canisters all consist of fluorocarbons that are compressed into liquid form, and fluorocarbons are toxic, noxious, and flammable.  And if you do not hold and use the "air duster" cans correctly, they can spray liquid fluorocarbons onto your camera's sensor or electronic components.  A common fluorocarbon used in "canned air" is difluoroethane.  Prolonged exposure to difluoroethane has been linked in humans to the development of coronary heart-disease and angina; the chemical can also cause lower abdominal cramps.  Many fluorocarbons are very potent greenhouse gases that can affect the environment, and if some fluorocarbons are inhaled/ingested, like pesticides, they can accumulate and be stored in your body to have toxic effects on your liver and endocrine and immune systems.  So these canned air products, which are really canned fluorocarbons, are all nasty stuff... both for you and the environment.  Along with being more healthy for you by not breathing fluorocarbons into your lungs when you use canned air products, your hand muscles also get a little exercise by squeezing this Rocket Air :)The large Rocket Air also comes in a red color if you prefer that color.  As an added bonus, I love the Rocket Air design, looking like a Buck Rogers spacecraft, with its four rocket fins cleverly keeping the blower free-standing upright on a table.  Visitors to your house might initially think that this Rocket Air device is some kind of proctologist tool or kinky sex toy, but that adds to its charm!  If you have a dog, keep your Rocket Air away from them, as some dogs find this to be a pretty nice chew toy! :-)
This product works great. Just don't get the product wet, as the rubber starts to smell rather bad.If my current handblower broke, I wouldn't buy another.Tyler
The air blaster is great for cleaning your lenses, bodies, etc. Blows a good amount of air for cleaning dust, dirt off your gear
It is great having an actually practical, usable alternative to those cans of air that run out just as you need them most. This thing blew out the (dusty) inside of my computer case as well as any canned air ever did. Blastoff!
It blows...dust move over... I used Giottos AA 1900 to clean my camera computer and other electronic items and by far the best compressed air cleaner better than a empty can of air.
As bulb blowers go, thus is probably the best of them. The design prevents the blower from drawing dust in and then blowing it onto your sensor. Also the sheer size ensures you have enough air to get a nice stream of air when blowing off your sensors, mirror or lenses.This is bigger than most so I don't always carry this around in my camera bag but do use it frequently at  hone when cleaning everything.
I bought this for cleaning off dust from inside my PC tower, keyboard, etc. It does work well, but I wish the air capacity was a bit bigger. I don't mind the forearm workout, but it can get a bit annoying depending on how much cleaning you're doing.
this blower costs about 800 pesos here in the philippines (/41 = $19) i bought it from 17thstreet photo for only $7.50 (x41 = 308 pesos). this thing is really effective but it's big to fit in a bag, it takes so much space, but oh well, i can't complaint more because it really works for me.
I recommend this dust blaster that I bought for my slide converter, but I have found many good uses for it in other hard to reach and/or delicate pieces of equipment.
Unless you carry a backpack for gear the large rocket blaster is only portable in a loose sense of the word, but it's super handy for cleaning lenses and bodies off at home after a day in the field.
It is not as good as I expected but still useful for cleaning my keyboard. I will never use the poison air in a can so this will have to suffice. Our grandchildren like to take it apart and meddle with it too. Hope this helps someone.
i saw many reviews on this product recommend to buy it. i ordered one and really it deserve each penny
I have not tried the no-name knock offs but this item does the job just fine.  It is pretty large. I got it to clean my camera but I may use it in other places I might have used a compressed air can in the past (like keyboards or computer internals).
It's a rocket blower. It blows air. It does so with aplomb! It is a poor paperweight. Great for directing streams of air at things. Terrible at stopping rain. If you need to blow something, this is the tool for the job! Wait... Umm... Yeah, it's great!
My previous manual air puffer broke so I went about looking for replacement.  My first impression of looking at the photo of Giottos Rocket Air Blaster was, "What the heck is this?"  It is larger than standard manual air puffer, had rocket like tail with red pointed snout.  :)I ordered it and once I had used it I could see the merit of the design.  The rocket tail prevented the Air Blaster from rolling about and I was impressed with the way it suck in air from behind rather than forward unlike traditional simpler design air cleaner.  Supposedly this design prevent dirty dust/air being blown back (per the manufacturer).The air blaster work best when you just want simple light duty cleaning of blowing off dust off from camera lens, glasses or anything you find a need to blow off dust.  I have used mine several times and find it very useful.
Came in the mail today, was really excited to start using this (had a lot of items that needed a good dusting) and this makes it so easy to do! It fits nice in the hand, not sure why people called it big, it's about the size of your hand but grips in your hand nicely. All you need to do is aim and squeeze and it shoots out a fast stream of air, perfect for blowing out dust in hard to reach places. This is a great tool to clean out electronics or anything else! Other air dusters, like compressed air cans are nice as well, but this has unlimited air to use! No need to worry about running out of compressed air, this sucks in air and blows it back out in a fast stream! I recommend this to anyone!
I was in need of a little blower to get specs of dust off things like lenses and such and this one seemed to be the highest rated.I have taken this with me to 4 different countries over the past month and it has held up well in a suitcase and come in handy when dirt gets on the lens many times.  I've gotten a few cheaper ones of these in the past included with some 'kit' and they fall apart quickly or don't provide enough air to be useful.  Not the case with this one.I don't think there is really anything else to say about it - it's great.
Like a portable compressor this things cleans your glass. I highly recommend it. It avoid possible scratches that come from wiping.
One that actually works. May appear bulky but it gets the job done. I've had other blowers that were are waste of time and money. I good one to have with you on the road.
Since all DSLR cameras have semi exposed matrixes, these are an essential dusting off tool. Used it quite a bit and had good results.
This product was bigger than i expected when I bought it but that doesn't matter. It works amazingly and is definitely a great alternative to touching the lenses on my dslr. Would by this again and will look into a travel size to purchase as well. Would recommend this to anyone with a dslr or any other hard to clean dust prone electronic device.
I have this air blaster in my camera bag. It is light weight so you can take it to the field and clean your lens. I had mine for 4 years now.
Much much better than compressed air for cleaning any camera - works fantastic without and chemicals or refills and looks LIKE A ROCKET!
I use this for cleaning dust on my camera and lenses, as well as dusting photo paper before or after printing. Very effective way to clean stuff. I like it alot.
Does exactly what it is supposed to do, blows air onto lens or camera surfaces to clean/ remove dust particles.
I've owned this for over a year and the best compliment I can give it is that it has survived my children after I left it around the house and found it turned into a toy.  It is well built and will survive a beating (and/or children :))It's larger than you might expect from the image, but that's ok as it does create a good blast of air per squeeze.  I wouldn't say it's small enough to take in a small camera bag, but it fits nicely in my &#34;workshop&#34; bag.One nice bit of design is the valve on the bottom to let-in air.  This allows it to &#34;reload&#34; quickly after the air has been squeezed out.Bottom Line: it's a good blower and is fairly inexpensive.
Cheap and effective!  Works great.  Stop spitting on your glass!  Get this thing, if nothing else, you can make a cool rocket out of it.
I have used other air blasters, but after trying this one, I am sticking with this. I am using the large one and very happy with it.
I always need canned air, but with airlines and travel restricting what you can take on a flight. This is the perfect solution. A quick squeeze and the dust is gone.
I mean it is a good thing that it blows.  This is a must have in your camera bag.  I was looking at the smaller ones but ended up with this one.  I am glad I got the larger one, it allows for a bigger puff of air to clean the pesky debris from my camera.  It did an awesome job getting the sand off of my camera after the long weekend on the beach.  I will be taking this with me everywhere I go.
This this massive. It is 7+ inches in length, and bulb alone is about 4".  I can say that once you squeeze the bulb it pushes a lot of air... a lot!!!Don't bother getting those cheap bulb with brush combos... Get this thing and get a brush pen... Excellent combination for cleaning your camera.
Excellent product. It is very powerful to blow away dust. A must for your regular cleaning of lense and camera.
I have blown air out of my mouth before and it is not a recommended practice. So I decided to stop doing that and bought this instead. It's great and provides a precise puff with much more force than I could with my mouth, which I shouldn't be doing anyway!
I owned the medium size blaster and wanted another so I bought the large. It's a bit softer than the medium, a good size larger, and moves lots of air. Well thought out design and works great!
It blows the dirt off the objects that you want to clean. Just what you would need to do. Very good
It's pretty simple folks; this thing produces a powerful and plentiful burst of air with minimal effort.  It stores nicely on a desk or in a bag and (unlike aerosol cans) always works when you need it.I use mine to keep my computer keyboard free of dust and debris, as well as eyeglasses, cameras, binoculars, and various control surfaces of electronic equipment (stereos, remote controls, anything with buttons).  It's not a gimmick - it's an effective and well-designed tool you won't regret adding to your arsenal.
It works.I don't like how, as I squeeze it the blowy end kind of turns and moves off in another direction.Small complaint, I could just squeeze it less, but there are other products that you can squeeze and it will keep blowing on the same spot.
This is SO much better than the inexpensive ones that I'm used to, the ones that come with a brush on the end in the &#34;common or garden&#34; lens cleaning kits.I had not only dust, I had a few pieces of &#34;s&#34; shaped lint on my sensor when I bought this &#34;air blaster.&#34;  I haven't invested in a loupe yet, so I don't know that my sensor is 100% clean, but after I gave the backs of my lenses and of course my sensor several good puffs with this thing, I can't see any problems with the photos any more, and that's clean enough for me.  I didn't even go on to the next step, of using  special brush to brush off the sensor (while being careful to touch NOTHING ELSE inside the camera for fear of smearing lubricant on the sensor and having a worse mess on my  hands!)
I thought it would give off more air. I tried it on my laptop and no pressure at all. I wouldn't buy this again.
This says clearly on the box &#34;Do not use for DSLR sensor cleaning&#34;. Doh. That's what I bought it for, and it didn't indicate it was not to be used for this purpose on the site at the time. Hopefully it has since been updated, or this review serves as a warning for you.
I was skeptical at first when I was researching online, but it does its job pretty good and for me it works.in my personal case I was able to replace all my compressed air cans with this air blaster. granted that the strength of the air is directly proportionate to the amount of force used, so it will be not as strong as a can but it does remove the dust which in my case to clean sensible camera and computer parts (including keyboards) works fine as I can regulate the pressure by using less or more force.
At some point I learned a smaller bag with a few choice tools and camera was better than everything in a big bag, This is a light in weight good blowing air tool that is a tad too big for my bag, but I take it along as it's a good blower. It can stand on its own, keeping the end out of the dirt, if that's the environment you are in. Good for my camera, Dust gets in everything, as does sand in the SW.so move it off and out with this thing. the smaller size might be my next choice if this one ever expires
Works great came a day early and works great! Had a generic version before that did not work nearly as well.
Its a good product.  This bulb functions as advertised.  I like the fins at the base as well- they make it easy to put down and maintain a level of cleanliness while working with your camera and lenses.
The item looks very big than I expected and does not fit in my camera bag. My friend bought a camera brush to clean the lens. After a trip to Florida, when we were cleaning the lenses (beach sand accumulated in the lens), this blower was of no use. But was able to do a better job with the brush. I might not recommend it
Since it's free you find yourself blowing out keyboards, fans, models, and everything in site.  I clean RC cars on the go with this.  My stuff stays cleaner more consistently because its free and it still blows well.  It doesn't suck in air at the front so you can just blast away.  Only drawback is if your forearms get tired from pumping the air a lot, it won't be a problem for most people.
Keeping lenses and camera dust free was never so easier for me.This is an amazing product. Very simple yet powerful and intuitive.
not enough power in the puff to do any good.  I was trying to use it to blow dust and such from my sewing machine and embroidery machine. It will not replace canned air.
I needed an alternative to buying compressed air over and over again and this did the job. This helps put on screen protectors and get dust out of a computer. I liked this one better than the smaller versions.
This rocket air blaster saved me money from a shop cleaning the dust off my sensor of my Canon 50D.  I was able to clear most of the dust away, there is still a little left, but no big particulates though.  For a good cleaning it is a little of a workout, but you have to make sure to make sure you never touch the tip or anything else on the sensor itself.  Each time I try and clean it I can see more dust removed.  I might try and have it cleaned at some point down the road to see how well they can actually do it but for now I don't really have a problem.
Good product, you need to own one of these things if you have a dslr. And use it often. My only complaint is that it does not filter all the air going into the body of the camera. It does if you put your finger over the tip of the rocket before you release the balls compression. That causes all the air to get sucked into the bulb through the filter located on the bottle instead of the top. Other wise it sucks in through the top. I wondered if mine was defective. Anyway, still works great.
This is a GREAT air blower...but also so much more! For use with your camera you should replace these every so often, so the old ones can be passed along. Kids love them! Bathtub toy, Hindenburg science project or cat repellent are just a few of the many second uses for them. So buy a new one at least every year and don't think that it's a waste of money because your aggravation will subside...while building up your hand strength...if you simply squeeze the life out of this product! Now onto the many ways to use it in your kitchen........
... a HUGE burst of air.  Works for easy pieces of dust floating around your sensor and mirror.  TSA did hassle me because of its shape.  But once I showed them how it worked they laughed and let me on my way.  Just keep it clean so it doesn't blow around dust in the room onto your sensor.
Love this tool for cleaning my DSLRs and keyboard in general.  As a blower it works great and is highly recommended.
I purchased the 7.5" Rocket Blaster.  The bulb is a soft rubber that is easy to squeeze and is big enough to deliver sufficient quantity of air to blow away any debris.  Also features a built-in stand to keep the nozzle out of the dirt and a one-way inlet valve to keep the air moving in one direction so you do not inadvertently suck up some dust and blow it back into your camera.  It's a little big for a gadget bag, but don't be afraid to scrunch it up to take up less room.  Better than aerosol because you won't run out of air and many manufacturers recommend against using pressurized aerosol cans of air in their cameras.I give this five stars because it delivers a strong, clean blast of air every time.
I use this quite often and it works exactly as it is supposed to. No complaints. I've had this particular one for a few years and it is still going strong. No signs of wear or age on the rubber, at all. Great buy!
This product works as an excellent alternative to canned air for computer enthusiasts - it's not just for photographers!  Unique design pulls air in from the back and jets it out of the nozzle.
It's a little rocket ship that blows dust and dirt off your camera and lenses? What more could you want? It has also been implied to me by various friends that it looks something like a sex toy. I don't know what kind of sex they're having, but if they're involving this then it must be great because this little blaster is the bomb!
What else can I say? It does its job very well.  Does not suck... through the tip but rather the rear.
This large sized Rocket air blaster seems to do a minimal cleaning or maybe it is just me. Well I have only used it 3 times on my DSLR.
This is a great blower to get random dust and dirt off your gear.  I use this first to get the big stuff off, then I use the brush end of a LensPen, and then finally I use the buffer of the LensPen (if I'm cleaning a lens).It's also great for freaking out your pets, children, wife, etc...
I prefer this blower to cans of compressed air for my camera. It gives a pretty powerful blast of air and is easy to get the air where you want it. It's a little bulky and it kind of stinks. Overall, it does its job and doesn't freeze any components
Giotto makes quality products, hands down.  This air blower is top-notch.  There isn't really a whole lot that can be said about an air blower, except that it's great at blowing air.  It produces a powerful air stream that really gets into the nooks and crannies of the camera's innards, dislodging even the toughest speck of dust.  I highly recommend have a few of these, perhaps in different sizes, to keep at home and in your camera bags.
For years I've considered purchasing one of these, but always resorted to working with compressed air canisters. Grant it, you'll never achieve an equal wind speed using this air blaster, although you won't need to if you keep your fans/lenses consistently clean. This product deserves 5 stars for its design and function. To expect a manual pump like this to equal compressed air is foolish. I don't believe that's what the designer was trying to achieve.This is highly recommended for maintenance, but buy compressed air for the initial cleaning if you've neglected your stuff for too long.
I thought I can use this instead of canned air.NOT GOOD FOR:When cleaning the dust off the computer it does not work at all.Cleaning dust when detailing your carBlowing off dust on lamp shadesBlowing off medium to large areas of art work when creating on colored pencil, charcoal or pastel.Does not work with Charcoal Pencil or pastel art work at allWORKS OKwhen blowing off dust made by colored pencils with art work, but canned air is much better
I had a large clump of dust that showed up in all of my photos so I cleaned everything I could reach with no luck. I researched wet sensor cleaning and couldn't get an answer I was happy with regarding which method/tools to use, or if it was even recommended to do by myself. I am fairly new to photography so I try to be very careful. The Giottos Rocket Air Blaster was so highly rated and recommended so frequently I decided to try it as a first step before a full sensor cleaning. All I had to do was find out how to lock my mirror, turn my camera upside down with the lens off, blast a few quick bursts of air on the sensor without touching the insides of the camera, and problem solved! I don't think this method replaces an actual sensor cleaning, but for in-between full cleaning upkeep, this product is invaluable.
I bought this because it was a good deal and I needed something to clean my sensor with. I didn't realize it was almost 8&#34; long until after I received it, but I don't mind because I don't need to carry it in my camera bag. The bigger size also allows more powerful bursts of air to clean off the camera.
I use both medium and large size Giottos Rocket Air Blaster. Large one stays at home while the medium one is in my camera bag at all times. I keep it sealed in a zip lock bag when not in use to prevent any dust particles from working onto the inlet valve at the opposite end of the nozzle tip.When it comes to cleaning dust off the sensors and lenses, I believe that less is more, especially with lenses and special coatings . When you get dust on your DSLR sensor, more often than not, all you really need is this thing to gently blow the dust off the affected area of the sensor (unless you've experienced the misfortune of having oil droplet on sensor issue but I digress ...)While the cute standalone design invites everyone who sees it to impulsively squeeze it repeatedly, it can suck in dust particles that can later be transferred to your sensor. Hence, I keep the large one in the drawer, sealed in a zip lock bag ...
Not suitable for small areas. quality materials and useful . I would recommend . necessary to clean the camera .
The Giottos Rocket Blaster is a must have for any DSLR or mirror-less camera owners. I had noticeable, annoying, sensor dust on my Rebel XSi so I ordered this product. Like a lot of reviewers I am not fond of the wet method as it is expensive and risky, and would rather seek a professional camera service than do it myself. Fortunately though the Rocket Blaster took care of my sensor dust on the first cleaning. This is product is a must if you want protect your valued equipment. Don't try blowing on your sensor, or use a fan or wind producing producing device to shoot air into your camera because the sensor is so fragile. For under $10 it is absolutely worth every penny!
this is the boss hogg of blowers...takes care of most loose dust on my camera sensors...i keep it in a ziplock so it does not get dusty..keep clean and your in great shape should last a long long time...good luck
- Took a long exposure of a blank wall and noted the dust marks- Set camera to fire without a lens attached- Removed the lens, set the shutter for a five second exposure- Gently used the blaster.Repeated the process three times until 90% of the dust marks disappeared. Not a magic, cure-all bullet, but it has certainly been useful, especially when traveling to dusty locations. Great field solution.
I bought this for my Lumix GF3 m4/3 camera. It does the job perfectly and powerfully. I can't complain about it...However when they say this is a "large" size blower, they meant it. The size of just the black body (sans red tip) is about the size of my GF3 body... actually it's 1-1/2" wider and 1/2" shorter (I'll post a pic up after writing this.) I was afraid that the medium or small size might be too weak for the job. But now if I have to travel with it I regard it every time! But that's just for the size issue, overall I'm happy with the product and if carrying space is not a concern this is a must buy :)
Good for blowing off light particles in lenses, keyboards, but not that strong. Combination w/ a soft brush and microfiber cloth will work better.
I am converting over 1300 slides and plan to do more. This really clears off the dust, specks of dust and a must for older slides. Very happy with this.
Bought this to clean any dust off of my camera sensor in between professional cleans. Worked exactly as described with no issues. This item is great for blowing away dust and particles from electronics and small spaces. Not as powerful as a can of compressed air, but does the job well.A little larger than i expected, but not an issue.
We like using this blaster on most of our electronics, but it has failed to remove a spot from my DSLR's mirror. It might be &#34;caked on&#34; too much and I guess the blaster isn't strong enough for that.
I have used it to blow potentially abrasive dust off lenses before swabbing them with alcohol q-tips to clean them.  I also used it to blow a speck of steel stuck on my eye.  It wouldn't flush out with water but this puffer had enough force to blow it off the cornea.  In other words, it's great for blowing off delicate lenses!
I never thought this thing would be as awesome and useful as it is. It's done a great job cleaning dust off of everything. I wish it was possible to remove the tip as this would make it easier to travel with, but I just bend it in the middle and that does the trick.
This thing is like an endless can of duster.  I think it works better for cleaning my keyboard than a can of duster.  Best part it costs the same but last forever.
If you work with optics (cameras, lenses, etc.), you really need one of these.  This one works very well and is solidly-built.
Big and powerful. Best blower I've used so far.This is some extra filler to get over the word limit.
I have a DSLR, a P&S and 7 lenses, 1/2 of them "L" lenses. I don't know what took me so long to buy one of these. All my friends have one, and the recommendations are all really positive. I bought this and a lens pen. I spent about 30 minutes cleaning all of my equipment. It was a snap, and everything looks great now.
I bring this everywhere I go with in my Pelican case. A must have for any photographer on the go.
Purchased this to go with the Cannon Image Scanner to be sure all negatives & slides being scanned do not have dust on them. This is really necessary to assure clear photos after scanning.
I start off with this to blow the loose stuff off the sensor (and it works marvelously), then I use the Arctic Butterfly, and follow up with the sensor swabs with the eclipse cleaner. I change lenses a lot though and live in the desert. It is feasible that this alone could do the trick for someone with minor loose dust on their sensor.
I have to admit that when I got it I thought it would be better used to scare my dogs with. Not really, but it did cross my mind.It works well on keyboards and on camera lenses. I would recommend this and keep it next to the computer. Not for anything else it looks like a space ship.
This product does exactly what it is intended to do, blasts away dust. I used the rocket blaster several times while living abroad and serving as a photojournalist in Uganda where dust is literally everywhere. It was (and is) a lifesaver.Four stars because you cannot rely fully on the rocket air blaster to give you a clean sensor, regular maintenance at an authorized dealer should always be a priority. Don't expect a rocket shaped miracle.
For those who are debating over whether or not to get this large air blaster or the smaller one, I recommend this one after having used the smaller one for the simple fact that this one gives you more air, easier.  Larger air bursts mean you clean your lens or filter quicker with just two quick squeezes.This tool is for people on the go and need to freshen up a surface as quickly as possible.  If you have tons of time and you don't travel with your camera, save your money and get a smaller one.  The blaster works as expected and also stands up nicely on the &#34;booster&#34; end so it won't roll away from you.  It's also structurally very stable with the red nozzle fitted tightly to the bulb.
Works great.  The only issue is that it is large and I cannot fit into camera travel bag easily.  I keep it at home for serious cleanings.
I love this thing. I have lots of models and diecasts on display and have used a compressed air can to blow dust off, but they always run out and have to buy more. With this guy it's a one time cost and it never runs out! I've also used on my electronics and inside my computers to blow dust out. So many uses.
I guess I am at fault for not realizing how big the &#34;Large&#34; air blaster would be. It works great but doesn't really fit in my case with all my gear. Maybe I need a &#34;semi-large.&#34;
It blows with one spout and sucks in air through the back. So, you don't have to worry about dust getting sucked right back up through the spout.
This thing blows. Seriously blows. Just all day. Airy. Compact. Breezy. You squeeze it and a fresh breath of air is forced out. Bought it to help with cleaning my DSLR, and have since used it anytime I need a jet of air...forget buying cans of compressed air now, this does the job.
I keep a small one of these in my camera bag and the larger AA1900 one at home.  Both will do the trick, but the larger one gets those stubborn dust specs off more easily.  I have no complaints about the product.  It works exactly as described and successfully removes dust specs every time.  I would recommend it anyone looking for a product that can safely blow dust off of image sensors or lenses.
I got this for cleaning the sensor in my DSLR, but I am finding that I am using it for much more than that.Almost anywhere I would have used canned-air dusters, I am finding that this often works better.Much higher quality than you expect in a product of this sort. I guess Giottos is pretty much considered the definitive brand for &#8220;rocket air blowers&#8221;.
OK so that was corny.  Seems to put out a lot of air, about as much as canned air.  Dusted my lenses off and worked well, I am sure it will work well when its time to clean my sensor again.  Built very well and looks like it will last a long time.  My 4 year old loved it, too.  What boy doesn't like rockets.  Just made sure he didn't get it dirty.
This thing might be useful to some, but it's not that good at removing dust. the Tip flexes to the side when you press on the balloon and defeats the purpose - you'd be lucky if the tip didn't scratch up the image sensor. Overall, just a bad design.
You squeeze the rocket bulb, and a blast of air comes out the end.  Duh.  Easy to use, works great, what's not to like....
Does the job very well. Small enough to travel with but doesn't get lost in the bag
Very Good product.  It does what is says.  It was recommended by my Canon 7D guide for dummies and it was a spot on recommendation.  I had a dust spot on my sensor and I tried with a little camel hair brush air bulb to move it with air only and not results.  One exercise with he Giottos and the dust spot was gone.  It is a nice blast of air.
I'm always reluctant to blow on my camera equipment to remove dust, lint, etc figuring my breath contains moisture.  Now i no longer have to worry about it, I just zap it with my new rocket blaster.
i left this laying on the counter and my girlfriend freaked out and asked what i planned to do with it.  i explained that it was for my camera and she relaxed a little. we had pizza then took some pictures.  this rocket blaster had nothing to do with that, other than her being initially scared and the pizza was good.  this works good for getting dust and stuff off my camera w/out touching it.  its all good.
I have used smaller lens cleaners of this kind, but they didn't move much air. This one puts out a real blast to remove dust, etc., from the lens. Of course, the more air you move, the larger the product must be. This is almost the size of my camcorder. I use it at home, rather than carrying it with me on shoots.
This is easy to use and I like the way it stands up so you can locate it easier on your desk. I am using it to help eliminate dust on my old photos and documents before scanning. It does blast a larger amount of air.
I bought this because I needed something to blow dust off of my camera lenses other than my mouth, but after trying this out, I found lots of other uses for it. Namely a replacement for compressed air in cleaning my keyboard, computer fans, etc. This thing is great!
I bought this as an add on to get my order over $25 for free shipping and now that I have it, I use it all the time.  You'd be surprised how many little dust particles get on your lens or in the mirror of the camera during swap outs of lenses.  This little gadget gets rid of those dust particles quickly.  It has a pretty good blast of air with each pump.  I'd recommend buying one especially at this low price.
This is an essential piece of your SLR kit, as it is the absolute easiest way to clean obnoxious dust off the sensor. Even the auto-cleaning sensor feature on some SLR cameras do not perform as well as a good, solid gust of air from this rubber rocket.Too much air pressure could also damage the sensor, so this rocket is the perfect solution. Enough to clear the dust off, but not enough to damage the delicate interior parts.
Literally. It's got a strong blast and is very well built. One handed use, but you'll need two hands to be very accurate with the air stream.
We bought this to use to clean our old slides before scanning them in andit works perfectly. My wife decided to use it to clean the keyboards and it works great for thatalso.
Blasts *clean* air onto lens or sensor. Fits nicely in my hand and also in my camera bag. Seems quite durable.
This moves a lot of air. I wish things like this air blaster were not necessary, but it is needed by just about any photographer that changes lenses at one time or another. A tiny spec of dust on the sensor is about as annoying to get rid of as a thorn embedded in your heel, awkward and difficult without the right tools. Sometimes a blast of air works, sometimes a blast of air makes the situation worse. Either way, this is a must have.
I had originally bought another brand of blower to clean my digital camera, but after using it once I ended up introducing more dirt and/or rubber bits than I care to remember.  Long story short I don't use that for my camera anymore and it took me a long time to get all of that crud out of my camera.  But then I decided to give another brand a try since so many people seemed to be able to use blower bulbs without any problems.  When I got my new blower my sensor was already fairly clean, but after using it it was a little cleaner.  You will still sometimes have those stuck on particles (I use sterile pec pads and eclipse solution to get rid of those with pretty good results, but do this at your own risk since it voids most camera manufacturers warranties.)  I also keep my blower in the original packaging to keep it as clean as possible, I guess I am a little gun shy after my first experience.
This is a miracle product.  I use it every time I photograph.  Looks cool too and fits into my backpack.
Works as described. Has enough air power to remove dust. Can also be used for removing dust from computer keyboards.
Rivals canned air for pressure with none of the drawbacks (residue on lenses, environmental impact, etc...)I bought the large for use at the office when doing maintenance on equipment and the medium for my every day carry in my bag.I thought the rocket fin base was simply gimmicky until I sat it on my desk the first time.  What a great idea.
Want to clean dust off your lens, this is the product to use; bellows-like operation to get the job done quickly with a squeeze of the hand.
This product has been recommended by a lot of photographers to ensure your camera and equipment stays dust free. This little unit gives off a powerful burst of air that blows dust particles out of our camera. It also works on other components like keyboard, vents in receivers, computer vents, etc. Very useful, but pretty large for a camera bag.
When it comes to cleaning the sensor on my D80, I'm a bit in a fog.  I've tried several products, and none seem to work well.  This does blast air across the sensor, but it doesn't seem to remove much.  Photos looked the same after as before when I tried this product.  I took my camera to a local shop and they blasted my sensor clean with the air pump.  Sure, I can't take their hose into the field, but neither can I take this.  Perhaps the blaster is better as a preventative.
I purchased a Rocket Blaster specifically to try to clean the sensor on my DSLR.  I also got some sensor swabs at the same time, but haven't needed them at all since the blower took care of most  of the dust.  It is pretty big, so don't expect to be able to take it every where with you in a camera bag.
I bought the Rocket to use in lieu of canned air to clean out my computer. Dust gets on the CPU heat sink and causes the CPU to overheat after a while. The normal cleaning procedure involves spraying the dust off using cans of pressurized air. Canned air seems expensive and wasteful to me.It takes some patience to use the Rocket for this purpose since it only provides about 1 second of air when I squeeze it, and the nozzle wobbles around a bit from the squeezing motion. But with some patience it does work, and the air is free, and there are no polluting propellants and spent cans to dispose of.
I purchase one of these Giottos every couple of months and it seems that lately the quality seems to be uneven.  The triangle shaped hole in the tip seems to be more jagged and less triangular.
When big splotchy looking spots started appearing in my photos I panicked and thought I'd need to drop a lot of money to get my sensor cleaned. Fortunately a photographer friend told me that cleaning my mirrors might do the trick, and it did!I found the Air Blaster very easy to use. Some reviewers mentioned having problems aiming the air in the direction they intended, but I thought it was pretty easy to hold the nozzle with one hand and squeeze the bulb with the other.After about four blasts, it's now perfectly clear when I look through my viewfinder. The Air Blaster is easy to use and inexpensive! Plus it works great to clean a ceramic lamp base that is very hard to dust otherwise.Very happy with this product.
A had just started using my Canon Rebel XS when I noticed a piece of dust off to the side. A photographer explained that the dust did not reside in my lens, but on my sensor. Knowing the basic mechanics of my camera, I was quite upset by this. I was nervous to simply blow the dust out. In fact, I did gather courage and try, but the dust was too big. I bought this for about ten dollars, and the dust was gone with one puff! Ten dollars saved me hundreds of dollars, and I am truly grateful. The one piece of criticism I might have is that it's somewhat bulky for something I would use so little. I wish it was a tad smaller.
I recently purchased a Tiffen 72 mm filter http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCJL/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc;=1  to fit on the Canon EFS 18-200mm lens.There was a problem.When I tried to put the Tiffen filter on, there was a dragging feeling.  So rather than try to force it, I used the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large and the Nikon Lens Pen http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JN3G/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i02?ie=UTF8&psc;=1 (brush part) a number of times until the filter it on well.  Now everything is good.It was scary as I was searching on the internet to find that it is possible for the lens filter to get stuck on the lens - a possible solution is to use a hacksaw and hammer -- I don't want to ever have to to do that.
This is designed to clear dust from camera lenses but I use it for my keyboard and cigarette making machines. It is not as concentrated or as forceful as canned air (which I still use occasionally) but there is no continuing cost so it saves money. I am sure there will be many one time uses that popup in the years ahead. The rocket shape allows you to stand it up on any flat surface- a nice little plus.
Not much else to say. Not the strongest blast of air I was expecting! But better than nothing and makes the TSA go crazy (so I read).
I like this product and it works well.  Large enough to produce a nice blast of air and saves on buying canned air products.
This is an excellent item for the new or experienced photographer. Highly reccommend it.  I guess I didnt write enough. did I mention that I like it.
This item was a bit larger than I was expecting. It fits in my bag, but what I care about most is how effective it is. It works. Mind you it only removes loose particles (anything 'sticky' will require a brush or a wipe). I like it. If I ever have to buy another one, I will.
This is one amazing product.This air blower is firstly double bellowed which means that while sucking in air its protected fromsucking in dust. Then when it is pushing out air its actually has some power behind it.I have tried many cheaper and smaller ones, but no other brand compares.It also has nice holes at the base to put a loop of string to tie around your neck.And if thats not for your liking it easily stands up on its own, while still smallenough to fit in a camera bag.
Bought it, tried it, wasn't too impressed by it.  I know a lot of people swear by this item but I just don't see any difference after using it - my blobs are still right where they were before I used it.  I suppose it could be that everyone says it works because on a psychological level they feel that by doing "something" then "something" must be happening.  Like they say, if it feels good, then do it.  It can't be doing any harm and it's cheap.  No biggie either way.
I can blow harder than this thing can.  It is a waste of money. I was duped by reviews, but in actuality doesn't work well. Don't bother getting it.
This transmits a perfect amount of air to remove dust from my lenses. I have had others, but they weren't strong enough to blow the particles off. I also use it at the computer for the monitor and keyboard.
I have not had great luck with this, it removes very little dust and I just end up getting a professional cleaning instead. I'm not sure if there is any product out there like this that works good.
I did use it in my computer keyboard and it works. It is a bit larger than expected, but it blows very good.
Every picture of mine that included larger portions of the sky would have these stubborn spores on it. Pretty infuriating, especially when you got the shot just like you wanted it. Yes, you can always remove those on Photoshop (or cheaper yet, The Gimp); but isn't it cool when you look at a picture and say: "that is it, nothing to do on it!" ??And it wasn't just the sky. Any off-white but light plain colored background would suffer visibly from the acursed specks.With this blower, greatly priced (pity that Adorama doesn't have free shipping though), I put my camera on the tripod, pointed it down, squirted three or four times - and gone are the specs!!!Great buy for DSLR owners.
if u r searching for a air blower dont get no outher brand or size u have found the only one u need its worth the price. and i dont nothing wroung with it or problems with it i got a new D3200  for christmas and notice a few dust spot's when i did the f/22 test so i got this after reading reviews and it  solved my issue get this large air blower and u will love it like every other one of us  has
I use this blower mainly for my lenses or cameras but I also found very useful for cleaning my laptop too.
don't expect for a heavy cleaning. it is very handy for a light duty cleaning. i have used it on my laptops' mother board, fan and ventilation ports. also my desktop computer cleaning. it is cheaper than buying canisters of compressor gas duster.
This could have been just another very practical air bulb. But someone had the idea of giving it fins to make it look like a Wallace and Grommit rocket, and it became fun! The product description says "tripod", but it in fact has four fins, not three (if anyone cares).
I got this as a gift for my brother who is often working on computers - he says, "the rocket air blaster is phenomenal as a condensed air replacement and fun to play with as well." :)
There were two small spots on reference photos taken with my Nikon D40x.  Based on recommendations here and at some good photography websites, I bought the Rocket Blaster and a 4-pack of pre-moistened Sensor Swabs from Amazon.The Sensor Swabs added more spots than they removed, and also streaked the sensor.  (The new spots and the streaks were apparent in reference photos.)  Given the many positive comments people have posted about the Sensor Swabs with Eclipse-2, I attribute these problems to my own lack ot skill.With some trepidation, I switched to the Rocket Blaster, cotton swabs (Cue-Tips), and moist breath (distilled water vapor).  After several iterations of blowing, wiping, blowing, and testing, all of the streaks and most of the spots were gone, and there were no scratches.  Finally, I just used the Rocket Blaster (no physical contact) between test shots until all of the spots were gone.So, the sensor is fine again, and I was lucky not to have damaged the sensor.  It's possible that the only way to remove the original spots was by using the Sensor Swabs, but the Rocket Blaster is what really helped the most.Now for a couple of comments about the Rocket Blaster itself: it puts out a lot of air and is very easy to squeeze.  There's a one-way valve to minimize sucking air back through the nozzle.At first, I thought the four fins at the base were just a decorative gimmick, but in fact, they are feet: the Blaster stands on them, so the tip of the nozzle doesn't have to touch the table.So, as the title of this review says, I'd suggest trying the Rocket Blaster before spending money on something else.  You may have to squeeze it many times,  but it won't hurt anything as long as the tip doesn't touch the sensor.P.S. Although the cotton swabs / moist breath worked for me, I do NOT recommend that method.Update, 2009-08-13.Got a new camera yesterday. It came with a self-cleaning sensor and a large, prominent spot of dust on the sensor.  Well, wasn't that considerate of the manufacturer, to give me an excuse to see how well the self-cleaning feature works?Didn't work.  Tried several times.  Began to feel just awful.But!  Sitting on the shelf is the Giottos Rocket Blaster, which I bought a couple of months ago and have discussed in the original review above.Flipped up the mirror, squeezed the Rocket Blaster hard, several times, put the mirror back down, put on a lens, and took some more test shots.No dust.Life is good... again.NOTE: the tip of the Rocket Blaster is hard plastic, which you do not want to contact anything in your camera.  I cut the tip off a soft rubber ear syringe and stuck it on the tip of the Rocket Blaster.  Nothing should ever touch the sensor, but this gives a little protection against human error.
This large rocket blows air through a triangle tip, and the air that comes out of it is smooth and soft. The amount of air coming out is equivalent to a half-full can of compressed air when you squeeze this rocket with moderate strength.  I give it a 4/5 stars because the air that comes out of it doesn't seem that powerful, and also, when you squeeze this rocket, the air goes out the tip like it is suppose to, but some air comes out of the intake, and vice versa.
I pulled an amature mistake and blew on my sensor to get some dust off and just a spec of spit got on it... ARG!  I was able to clean it, but what a pain and it could have been a costly mistake.  Do yourself a favor, pick this up for your day to day needs of getting the dust out.For your more demanding cleaning needs, get aDigital Survival KIT.  Trust me, you want to have one on hand, just in case.  If you need it and have to order one, it will be the longest 2 days of your life ;-)
Great product.  Cleans the sensor perfectly on my Canon 30D
After having viewed some pretty unusual approaches to cleaning of the sensor on my Nikon d70s, I decided to go with the simplest in concept. A very good quality YouTube demonstration provided the incentive to go for it; hey for less than $20, the large Giottos has turned out to be the real deal. It eliminated all "specs". I didn't believe it was possible, but courtesy of the YouTube demo, the "right way" evidently was utilized.
I was considering buying a few cans of compressed air to clean out fans in my desktop computer (which I've had for over 7 years!) It's been overheating for a few years and I finally decided to do something about it. Imagine the CPU fan wearing a sweater. It was bad. Had I purchased the 2-pack can of air, I know it wouldn't have done the job I needed and still cost me 3 times as much. Plus, this doesn't carry a static charge (however minimal) that I've heard compressed air causes as it passes over components. This little guy can get into small spaces and last as long as the rubber holds up. My plan was to try this first and if it didn't work, to buy the cans but I'm happy to say my old CPU is a cool 39 degrees Celsius instead of of 71 and I saved myself a nice chunk of change!
Does it's job and does it well. That's all you need to know. Every photographer should have this.A++ WOULD BUY AGAIN!!!
I originally got it to help with the dust on my camera equipment but I quickly learned it's so much more useful.Are you a prankster who needs another weapon to add to your arsenal? Sneak up on family members/coworkers and blast them with a shot of concentrated air when they least expect it. BOOM.Your pet acting up and you need to show it who's boss? Blast them with a deadly jetstream of air and show them who wears the pants in the household. BOOM.Want to freak out some unsuspecting guests by leaving it on your coffeetable and letting them guess what this weird bulbous thing with the red tip is while looking at them with a creepy grin? BOOM.Bored in the office and can't find your Nerf Airflyer football, this'll do in a pinch. BOOM.Stressed out from the holidays and can't find your squeezeyball to relieve some tension, well here you go. BOOM.On top of all that little dustbunnies stand no chance when you eradicate them with some Giottos power. BOOOOOOOOM!Best $10 you can spend.Get one and wreak some havoc where needed.
At first I purchased this blower to go with my digital camera (and for that it is a MUST for every camera bag).  I also found the Rocket Blaster works extremely well on my laptop & desktop keyboard and for dusting off my monitor, as a much more economical and safe alternative to those cans of compressed air.  I can without any reservation 100% recommend this item for either of these purposes, and I am in fact thinking about buying another to keep this bigger one handy in my office as well as another (smaller) one in my camera bag.
A really nice reusable air-puffer, and a good alternative to compressed air.  Although it's not as forceful, it gets dust of film, lenses, out of keyboards, and whatever else.  Also, it looks like a rocket, which is always a good thing.The back-valve seems to be coming apart a bit, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on performance as of yet.
I have owned the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster for 2 weeks now and love it. I use it for blowing dust of everything: Camera lenses, computer screens and out of computer keyboards. It is made of a nice soft material that allows it to be stored flat and out of the way. Additionally, it creates sufficient pressure to force away most dust particles and of course requires no canned air, as it works as you pump it. I'll never by a can of forced air again.
Works as intended. I bought it to clean my computer components instead of using canned air which is expensive. Gets rid of most dust. Not as much air as I expected but works well.
This shipped and I received it the very next day. Love that. Can't wait to put this to use and clean my dslr!
I bought this because I tried a compressed air can (exactly once) and discovered how it showered my UV filter with tiny water droplets, creating a much bigger problem.  In short, this is the most powerful squeeze blower, but don't believe the hype that the force compares to compressed air-- it doesn't.  Also, the blower is much bigger than the standard silver dollar-size, but it's still plenty small for a camcorder user to fit in their bag (for SLR users, maybe not).
From many of the reviews, it sounded as though this thing might be a replacement for a can of compressed air. It is not. It can't even come close to that kind of air power. It still is a decent tool, and can be very useful in a number of situations, but if you are looking to clean the dust out of computer heatsinks or anything like that you will be disappointed. Great for my cameras, though.
The Giotto Rocket blaster is a decent size blower to clean camera (and similar) equipment. It does a nice job when used regularly, but is useless if your camera has been neglected for a while. Since there seems to be confusion / surprise about its size I added an image of the thing. The bulb is big enough and shaped properly to fit comfortably into my hand. The size of the bulb allows for quite a bit of air coming out the other end, which is a step up from my previous blower brush, however, that means it lives in a drawer in my desk or a dedicated pocket in my backpack, rather than my camera bag.
Simply put this dog toy is the best dust remover your can buy, great for cleaning your lens, camera and other sensitive equipment. I love my rocket and would buy again if I ever lost it.
I used this to get some lint of my focusing screen it worked well for that but in the process I got some small debris from the rocket even though I did pump it a few times before the use. so make sure you pump it well before use, I recommend every time just to make sure and start out with as little pressure as necessary to get the debris off.
I was planning to use this while scanning film and slide. I've tried it and it just seem to ad static to the scanner making more dust stick. Pretty worthless really.
This came as a BIG surprise.  I expected a a small palm sized blaster.  I have not used as yet but seems powerful.
It's not complicated.  It's a rubber squeeze bulb with a nozzle at the end.  It seems to work well for general use blowing lint and dust off lenses, cameras, equipment, while framing photos or art, and so forth.  I use it often enough that I bought two, one on the shelf and one in my camera bag.
I'm glad I got the large one, I doubt the smaller ones would be as effective.  This big blaster is great:  easy to grasp, and your squeeze on the bulb produces a strong blast of air.  I'm using it on slides and prints, as well as to blast dust off my scanner bed.  I decided to give this a try instead of the usual canned air, and I'm quite happy with it.  Sometimes it doesn't remove every little bit of dust from a slide, so I'm thinking a brush might also be useful for final clean-up work.  But this gets most of the dust off quite nicely and you can't beat the price.
I bought this blower thinking that it was smaller. This thing is BIG. I was hoping to fit it in my camera bag, but there is no room for it. Do not buy this one if you are looking for something small, buy the small one. This blaster is great, it is high quality and works well. The only thing I did not like about it was the size. This blaster is very reasonably priced and works as advertised.
Way bigger then will fit in any camera bag. I thought this would fit in mine before I bought it. Didnt realize its the size of Kansas. Does produce enough wind to blow away dust and rocks from your lens and mirror.
It's big and pain to fit in a camera bag when space is tight.(and when isn't it?) Really does blow off all the dust and bits. Mainly keep mine on the shelf at home and use for deep cleanings.
This Giottos air blower is made of quality rubber and squirts out a lot of air. I use it to clean my electronic equipment and gadgets. It does the job well. There are three sizes, and I prefer using this one, which is the largest.
I had some dust spots on my lenses, and on the mirrors inside. I was afraid to use the brush or cloth kits, since they could easily scratch. One of my photography books suggested I use this exact air blower, so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a simple tool, but it emits a strong amount of air and I was able to clean everything off. Even works well for keyboards or other dusty spots.
It's not like a can of compressed air, but it will get the job done for the most part. Good to have around for when you run out of canned air.
Just what the doctor ordered!  This is a long-time favorite of many, and I can now be added to that list.  My kids think it looks like a toy, my wife thinks it looks silly, but I think it works like a charm.
Great product.  I was a little unsure about it at first and only went ahead because of all the ratings and reviews.  Glad I bought it, it is a extremely handy duster to keep in the camera bag.  My significant other is embarrassed by it because she thinks of it as a &#34;pocket rocket&#34;.  :)
The item is excellent. Giotto is top of the line as far as blower bulbs. Item is rugged and I don't see it breaking in any foreseeable future. The item is also great for usage in any situation where you would need a canned air product such as cleaning keyboards and PC maintenance... I'd even use it for tasks like automotive detailing.I purchased this particular size because people mentioned that the large air chamber size creates stronger force. The amount and velocity of air that this product pushes are more then enough for my needs... my problem is that it is not really portable. If you have a very large camera bag, you may be fine with this, but for my typical needs (I try to keep a minimal sized bag with 1 body, 2 lenses and various small accessories) this thing is just too big. Not only is it a large diameter, it is very tall and won't fit in my Clik Elite camera insert without being placed diagonally.This is in no way a detriment to the product, after all, it is labeled "large". I keep this one at home, I bought another one (medium) to take with me on the road.
I bought this to help clean out some of the dust of my lenses.  My only complaint is that it really is big.  I have small hands and arthritis.  I think I should have gotten the smaller version but this was a gold box deal so I just grabbed it when I saw it.  It does do a good job of cleaning the dust off.  I have also used it to help clean off things stuck on my keyboard.  Overall it is a very versitale item that I will keep around.
Obviously canned air is easier and faster, but the rocket blaster is nice for someone like me who doesn't want to keep dropping money on airPros:No possibility to damage your PC (air compressors may have metal and condensation in the hose)Free refills for life!Durable as far as I can tellSomewhat effective. Once you figure out how to use it right it comes pretty close to the effectiveness of canned air... maybe 70-80% as goodBuilds grip strengthCons:Leaves your hand smelling like rubber (not as bad as latex, but noticeable)Leaves your hand pretty tired for bigger cleaning jobsless effective than other cleaning methods (because it's hand pump not compressed)the &#34;spout?&#34; moves around when you squeeze. if you use one hand to guide and one to squeeze, it works pretty darn well.
why buy expensive cans of air when you can squeeze and &#34;poof&#34; for free after the initial purchase. Solid product arrived professionally packaged,and ready to use. No assembly,very effective,and a great price. I use a nice 1 inch paint brush and the Giottos AA !()) Rocket Air Blaster :D
Well, what do you want me to say? Its a reverse booger sucker. It blows instead. Well made, feels great in the hand. Does its job.
Ok to start off I've heard different opinions about camera sensor blowers..some say it works like magic some say it can make it worse. So I gambled and bought this Giotto blower.I didn't want to buy all the cleaning swabs, liquid ect and rub it off...seemed like a annoying project. So I gave this blower a try.I never had that much dust on my sensor but when made my aperture smaller f/22 to be exact and did a picture of the blue sky I noticed a few blobs or dust spots. I wanted them off...now heres where the blower comes in. I used it a total of 3 times and it removed 98% of the dust off my sensor..thats really really good in my book for a $9 device. Now I have like 2 tiny dust spots on my sensor and I can easily live with that..or I could try to use it a few more times to completely get it off...In the meantime I'm very happy with the dust I got off it.Buy this blower....its a no brainer.
i love my rocket blower!  i had thought about getting the smaller version for easy to carry, but the large one is better IMHO.  just a couple squeeze verse multiple squeeze to get the dust out.after using this, i don't have to clean my sensors for a while, which is a good thing!
It's a very useful tool with a great whimsical design that's extremely functional and actually fun to use. I like it.
A little larger than i anticipated but it works great.  The base makes this product &#34;stand out&#34; over other types.
I had some small air blaster things in my bag but nothing that moves as much air as this one .. it's just super and the way the valve works is perfect.  It's one of those things that &#34;Just Works&#34; .. hard to find in the world today.
Had some dust on my DSLR's sensor, this took it right off in a matter of seconds with its powerful blast of air. I've also used it to clean out my laser mouse's sensor and a couple keyboards (though the latter takes some effort, lots of bulb-squeezing). Quality product.
Bought this to quickly clean my cam lens but it is the perfect thing to have on your desk to clean the monitor screen, the keyboard and I have also used it to clean out the dust in my iPhone speakers.  Glad I bought it as it has become a tool I use more than I ever thought I would.
Use this thing to clean off photos before scanning, blowing dust off my monitors, and also to keep my scanner bed clean. Never runs out of air!
First of all, the most questioned item I keep in my camera bag. Easy conversation starter. Otherwise, it's easily my most useful item in the camera bag. I'd say I'll bring this instead of a lens when it comes down to space, but since its essentially a rubber air bag, it usually serves as bonus cushioning.Essential.
Safe way to clean your camera lens and mirror. But, doesnt have a lot of power. Its basically a turkey baster you can keep in your camera bag.
I teach digital photography and always used a small air bulb, until another photographer demonstrated the effectiveness of the Rocket. Now it's all I recommend to my students. It blasts a good amount of air into your camera to blow the dust out.
must have for dslr owner.  not much else to say.  useful for cleaning lenses and blowing dirt off on the sensor.
I really like this blower, it is well made, easy to squeeze, puts out a large volume of air and looks really cool.  It gets all the dust off my lenses and camera bodies with just one squeeze.  Even though it is the largest blower I have ever owned, it still fits in my camera bag.  The rocket fins make a great base and I have found many uses for it besides my photography equipment - it works great on keyboards, audio equipment (terrific for blowing dust out of speaker grills) and my collection of model cars.  I can't stop playing with this thing - it is just so much fun to use.
I just bought this and I thought it would blow air just as hard as the air canisters (the ones with liqiud). It is probably 3/4 the power of the cans. It'll blow off dust but not as much as the cans. Of course the cans don't blow off all the dust completely, but it has a more consistant air flow and a stronger air burst. This one needs sqeezing by your hand.
Squeeze the black bulb - air comes out the red nozzle - dust goes away - that's what it says it will do and it does it. (OK a bit large for the gadget bag - but not a key issue with me)
This product doesn't need another great review, but what the hell, it works just as expected and I've already used it 10-20 times on a neighbors tv bulb replacement, on my tvs/laptops and of course, my camera lens.It puts out a pretty good blast of air, though it's not going to be the solution for getting food/dust out of the laptop keyboard - it doesn't move everything.  Best solution for that is probably that I stop reviewing on Amazon while eating!As a bonus, our kids love the rocket look and when I'm not using it, I hear "3-2-1.....blast off!"
This rocket has changed my life. Dusty lenses are no more. Keyboard crumbs? I dont think so. Dont you even think for a second that I have dust on my desk trinkets. There's no room for dust in my town since sheriff Rocket Air Blaster Large - Black rolled into town.
I own a couple of watches and I also own a Pentax K-m/K2000 DSLR. I originally intended to use this for cleaning my DSLR, but I found out that these can be used to blow dust off of watches when changing batteries or opening the case. At first I thought it was nuts how they are charging this much just for a rubber air blower. But when I received it, I found out that there is no way you can own a DSLR without owning one of these. These things blow dust out of your DSLR without sucking it back in, it sucks air from the back through a filter and blows it through the front. These rocket blowers are very strong, I tried blowing it on my face a couple of times to test the power, to my surprise I couldn't breath when I do it because it's so strong that it feels like you're dropping from a hill on a roller coaster.
Blows dust and particulate off your lenses and sensor.  This one is pretty big for the camera bag, I use it at home.  I recommend the small or medium for a carry along blower.  The Rocket's do put out a good blast of air.
Also lenses.Canned air is expensive and you have to be a bit careful (though I've never had a problem, the cans all warn you about tilting too much and how liquid could spray out if you tilt).This big air blaster can produce a usefully strong stream.  For years I used the little "blower brushes", mostly with the brush ripped off, to clear dust off camera lenses in the field, but they were wimpy.  The Giottos were a huge improvement.  I use the big one at home, on lenses and negatives being scanned, and the little one in the field for lenses.
This was great for the first month or two.  Easily blowing any and all dust from the lens of my cameras.  However I started to think that after blowing a lens clean I was seeing tiny black specs.  Over time it became painfully clear that after using this to clean a lens the lens was covered with a fine black dust.  Then using it over white paper it spewed forth a small cloud of fine black dust.This is not an isolated incident.  I had also purchased one of these for a client and he experienced the same thing after a few months of use.  I returned mine and got another but the same thing happened again after a few months of use.I suspect the rubber used is cheap and is letting carbon dust into the chamber which is then blown out.
This is great for cleaning my lens on my DSLR are without touching it. Not a lot more to say but it is a worthwhile thing to own.
What can I say? It delivers a directed stream of air sufficient to remove any loose dust & debris from the lens surface before cleaning. Does a much better job than the old brush blower that I used to use. In conjunction with the lens pen it makes cleaning my lenses a breeze.
Great item. Was five dollars cheaper then sold at retail. Must have item for clearing dust from your d-SLR lenses and camera.
Works well and was inexpensive and simple.Removed dust from my camera lenses and other camera parts.Very please with this item.
Didn't seem to have much luck clearing the dust.  After receiving it from Amazon, I gave it about 10-15 blasts away from the camera to clear any dust/debris that may have been inside the Rocket body.  I then used it to try to clear the dust from the sensor on my D610.  Maybe there was a lot of dust inside the camera, or the Rockett still had debris inside from when it was produced, because after 1 test image there was dust and debris all over the entire sensor -- more than was there previously.  I ended up cleaning the sensor with Visible Dust's EZ Sensor Kit.  With the sensor clear now, I'm wondering if I should try this Blaster again.  Or, just save it for when the camera takes a tumble down a sand dune or something.  It's actually scary considering how much dust it blew on to the sensor.
This is a great product and so much better than using brushes or canned air.  It's very powerful air blast is ideal for sensor and lens cleaning. I also use it for blowing out the keyboard on my computer, oh and it's great for chasing the dog too!
I wouldn't say it blasts but it does pretty good.  It's not as powerful as the aerosol cans they sell but it doesn't lose pressure like a can does.  It might deserve 4 stars, I'm satisfied with it.
Have bought this same product through the years as a gift to a friend or just because I lost it somewhere.Was tempted to buy copies from other companies but decided not to.  Wanna keep supporting original manufacturer.  Wish I can attach something to it to make FART sounds.  HAHAHAHA
My Pentax *ist DL had dust on the sensor but then it wouldn't power it up any more so I replaced it with a newer Pentax with more megapixels. This morning something inside of me said to try and power it up again. It came up right away and has worked all day. I took it to the local camera store. The owner said he was confident that he could get rid of the dust by using the AA 1900 and if he could I would have to buy it.He did it, it worked the first time and $16.00 later I have a fully functioning camera that I'd given up for dead. I was going to sell the kit lens but I didn't get around it. I'm glad I didn't. Now I have hundreds of photos to run through Photoshop to get rid of the dust spots.
This is a handy device, built to last. It does one thing only, blasts air when you squeeze it, and does this well. Helps blow dust off camera equipment so you don't touch the galss to clean it. Simple product. Well constructed. Should last a lifetime. You use it to blow air on stuff you don't want to touch. That's all I have to say about that.
This thing works great and looks cool as heck!Everybody wants to touch it and play with it.  Have no negative comments about this air blaster.
I bought this to get ride of dust on slides I was transfereing to digital images, but found it works great to blow cat hairs out of my desktop keyboard.  The large &#34;baloon&#34; gives a good push of air, and the rocket like feet, keep it upright and handy.  This is a really super gagit.
It works fine and is decent at removing the loose dust. Also provides a good wrist workout. Looks good enough to be left out, unlike compressed air canisters. Comp air, though, is more forceful and gets the more clingy dust off.  The rocket's nozzle tends to sway when you squeeze it.  Not a full replacement for comp air. I'd only really recommend it for those who are environmentally conscious and/or budget conscious.
This product is a step above those cheap air blowers that doesn't have a filter for sucking in air. The filter helps to keep dust out when you you squeeze air out of it. Perfect when you travel as you cannot bring dust blowers in a can.
I use this on more than my camera, it's a solid piece of equipment that needs to be in everyone's bag of tools.
I used this for my photography equipment and was hedging on the small or large one. I'm glad I chose the larger one as its bellows really put out a lot of air and is very well built and reliable. It works great for keyboards and computers as well. Would recommend to anyone.
Lots of uses when you have it handy. I would purchase another one. The legs are handy and makes it easy to store.
This is the real McCoy. It works perfectly. I'm very happy with it. I have used other units that look similar but clearly do not function the same way
Yep, it does what it says it will do......BLAST, but in my opinion it's too large for a camera bag, but for home use this is what you want to blast any dust bunnies off your digital camera sensor or lens.
My Dad was really fond of sayings like that - you know, the "prevention vs. the cure" type stuff, and I'm finally old enough to know he was right. I choose my purchases more carefully these days and as a result I am holding onto my better things longer. I recently invested in a new camera which I *love* but living in the desert, dust is part of the equation out here and I'd really like to keep my camera in as *like new* condition as possible, so, a little research was in order....As a newbie to the world of higher end photography equipment I'm flying a little blind here so I made the purchase of this particular blower pretty much based on the reviews. I had researched that blowers are a huge part of keeping your equipment clean and free of scratches and the Giottos name happened to come up with the most positive things to be said in great numbers by professional photographers and average joes alike.I tested this on my new camera and my computer keyboard and it seems to do all it should quickly and cleanly. Pleased with this purchase and recommended.
I had somewhat lofty expectations when I purchased this simple handy & somewhat effective photography tool. Yes, it is cool lookin' and a blast to have standing on my office credenza for immediate access & use - definitely an eye-grabber & conversation facilitator.As for its effectiveness as an air blaster, its okay at best - helps blow away dust specs off sensitive camera lenses & components. I have a smaller smu product which generates about the same amount of air pressure and has the same level of effectiveness. I also use the Rocket Air Blaster to do quick blow-overs on my laptops and other office electronics.It's a nice product that looks cool. At the end of the day, remember its built to give a quick blast of air - nothing less nothing more.
Surprised at how big this is-- almost comical. Nonetheless it does the job.  Major competitor costs 40 bucks- this is one fourth of that
Not sure what to say other than it blows, blows hard and blows well. It is far better than those smaller round thin plastic blowers with a cheap brush at the end... The nozzle gets into the tight corners and blasts the dust away.
After years of shooting my Nikon D200 accumulated some tough blobs on the IR filter / sensor. My small blower could not take care of it, canister vacuum removed some but not all, even a physical cleaning with a sensor brush left quite a few behind. I gave this one a try and wow, what a difference. The oversized bulb is just what I needed and I no longer have to spend time retouching blobs out of my photos!
Quick delivery and well packaged.Will order this product again.I've had mine for over a year and it's still working. Gave to all my office friends for Christmas last year.
Dont believe all this reviews, it really sucks, i bought the &#34;large&#34; one, but its actually PRETTY small, and besides it does NOT remove dust, even I can blow harder
Before I had this I was using my micro towel which of course work very well, but this gives me the option of removing dust very easy and simple, does not weight at all, I got the medium one I could have gone with the smaller one and take less space in my bag but the amount of air will be different. I do recommend it, I am not a pro but works fine for me.
This is one of the best things I have ever used. It's great, hands down. Never buy compressed air dusters again!
The air comes out of this thing is indeed like a strong rocket blast.  I'm very happy with it.  It being too big is why it's got 4 and not 5 stars.
Performs just as one would expect.  It is pretty powerful compared to the cheap one I bought a long time ago.  It feels like it will last a long time.  BTW it is quite large so it will take up space in your bag.
Love the fact that I can stand this on the desk next to my camera gear and it looks retro-geeky!
I needed an air blaster like this to clean my camera lenses, and I really like this product. I was a little surprised at the size since I thought it would be smaller, but it works as described and the price is pretty good.
Don't waste your money on cheaper &#34;blowers&#34;.  I had a cheaper one and the rubber ball portion split open after a few months and I didn't even use it that much.  As others have mentioned, this Rocket blaster is solidly built and I don't see it breaking or splitting... ever.  And it really &#34;blows&#34; hard and with alot of force.  Well worth the money!
Great product but it would have been better if the size was a little smaller. I have KATA-467 so no problem throwing this blaster into the bag, however, it may not easily fit in small camera bags.
Does what is it designed for. Already blowed a particle of dust from my Nikon camera. Looks nice on the table - kids love it too :-)
Other than breathing, I never thought air would be this useful! I used to blow air out of my mouth to clean my laptop keyboard, camera lens, and inside of my camera. Boy, what was I thinking... this product makes my life a lot easier when cleaning electronics and it's very effective! That said this product should NOT be your only cleaning tool for your laptop, monitor, camera, and other electronics. I suggest buying a cleaning cloth and LensPen (for your camera). You will not regret buying this product. MUST HAVE if you are a photographer!
Does the tip of the blaster have to be thisclose to what needs to be moved, in order for this thing to work?Tried blasting my keyboard, and it didn't move a single pet hair from the keys.  To get this one stray pet hair, I had to pull out the sticky tape!  What the deuce?I'm returning this as "Different from description" if I can't get this thing o move some dust and pet hair, soon!  Any advice?
I read the cautions against bottle air because of the chemicals that they can contain that can contaminate the interior of the camera and ruin it. So, I tried a bulb blower I had around to get a fiber off the sensor of my dSLR, no luck.  Searched on the PentaxForums for a solution and the Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large (Black) kept coming up. Purchased it here at Amazon andit got the fiber off the sensor where the automatic dust shake and the bulb blower had failed saving me $40 for a cleaning (or the stress of trying to touch the sensor myself to clean it). Have had to use it exactly 3 times and its worked each time flawlessly thereby saving me expense each time.  Worth EVERY penny - Excellent product!
Perfect amount of air and pressure to get off stubborn specs of dust or debris off the camera lens so I don't have to use any other type of material. A must get for a photographer to carry in their bags!
I clean high end photo equipment with this thing. (Hasselblad 503, Nikon D3, etc.) No dust, no fibers, no moisture. I'd still have my original Rocket if the dog hadn't decided to use it as a chew toy. It's basically perfect. If you have a camera this deserves a spot in your camera bag.
Works very well for blowing off dust and debris from a camera lens.  Rubber material seems to be high quality--soft and supple to the touch but retains its' original shape quickly upon release.  Volume of the bulb fits my hand well and I can get a pretty good burst of air per squeeze.  Extended nozzle has a small opening which enhances the velocity of the air and also allows you to get into tight places (like the sensor of a DSLR with the mirror locked up.)  It is a little on the bulky side but I carry it in my Slingshot 300 AW with no issues and since I live in dusty Arizona, I have to have it with me.
But it blows well. Giottos is THE name in air blasters. Don't expect miracles from it, but it is an integral part in keeping your camera, your keyboard, your mouse, or pretty much any small crack or crevice that collects gunk somewhat clean.I use it on lenses, the crevices of my camera and always on my keyboard. Just hold stuff upside down, so when the crap is dislodged by the force of the air, gravity lets it fall to the ground where the cleaning lady can vacuum it up!I keep it in a plastic bag when not in use so it is out of the way of dust and dirt.....Thanks Giottos
Air blaster large - blackProThe nozzle only blows air to clean.  Bellows is filled from a one way valve on the bottomConIt's large alright, too large to carry conveniently on a shoot
This does push lots of air, quickly, so works very well for cleaning lenses and other things.I'm not finding any intake from the front as I've read others were concerned about. The air intake is at the base where the legs are, and there's apparently an intake valve to prevent sucking dust in from the front.
This product works fine. I don't have any complain but it is also difficult to say if it works better than the others I have.Very satisfied however.
I have an electric air blaster for blowing out the big CPU and large appliances, but this caught my eye as something small to use for just blowing out the keyboard and the front vents of the CPU. And it works. In fact, it works so well I use it all over the house to blow dust off nicknacks.
I bought this, thinking that it would be a cost effective replacement instead of buying expensive cans of air that will run out. Unfortunately, it just doesn't blast the air quite strong enough to blast dust out of my computer (heat sinks, fans, drives, etc).
I had bought this bulb blower in hopes that it would work better than my previous, generic one.  While the cheap one managed to get a decent amount of dust and particles off of my lenses, it didn't seem to work too well for my camera's sensor. I had thought I had gotten the dreaded oil spots on my D7000, because they would just not come off with the cheap bulb. I was ready to send it in for a cleaning or buy a few swabs to do it myself.  However, the Rocket Air Blaster did manage to remove the spots off my sensor that the cheapo one could not.  It's worked on all of my cameras sensors, where in fact it was dust.  Now if it could only get the dust off of my viewfinder, then it would be perfect.
To give you quick blasts of clean air it is hard to beat, but it really would have been helpful to have had a soft light brush on the back side of it to knock stubborn (or static electricity stuck) particles of dust, etc., off of a slide or negative that is going into a film scanner.........which is what I bought mine for.  Will probably also use it to help keep my cameras clean, too.
This is a really good blower for your camera gear. I bought another one first it was really small this one fills my hand and I am 6ft 2in tall and have very large hands. Huge blower, buy it.
It sure beats buying canned air which can be a problem. It tired out my hands the first time I used it due to the work required and the amount of dust I had. Still, it should last forever, and that's a good value.
As someone who likes to play with compressed air (and who doesn't, right?), I had high hopes for this.  But it pales in comparison to compressed air cans.  It is slightly better I think than blowing dust off something with one's mouth.  Bottom line, don't buy if this is for computer/etc. cleaning.  It should serve well as a camera lens cleaner.  I would prefer not to assign a star rating, but I'm sure the company is all too happy to have people purchase this for non-camera use, so this is for those customers.
This is the second I've purchased.  I carry the medium in my camera bag, the large I keep for office use (great for getting lint and crumbs off keyboard or any screen).  My dog growls at it.
This is a super cool product I use for my DSLR cameras.It easily and effectively rids of dust on camera sensors.Simple to use and brilliantly designed.- blows air into the camera sensor without dust being drawn into the blaster and possibly to the sensor- free standing means it won't roll off the tableQuality construction.Thumbs up for this product.
From picture I thought this would be cute little thing that only provided little puff.  It is quite a bit larger than I had expected (however I did not spend a lot of time reading reviews given nature of item) - it stands about 7.5&#34; tall.  It provides quite a strong puff of air which is a pleasant surprise.  May be small $8 item but certainly exceeded my expectations.
What can I say?  It blows air.  It's a large bulb that seems to blow a compressed stream of air onto a lens to effectively remove surface dust.
I am totally mystified as to why so many reviewers go absolutely hog wild over this product and talk about the "huge blast of air" it allegedly shoots to clean camera lenses, focusing screens and computer screens and keyboards. I own it, and I also own its little brother, about 1/3 smaller and a few bucks cheaper. I have nothing per se against this Large model, but it works not one iota better than the next size down. In fact, because it is larger and a bit more cumbersome to handle in tight areas, I find that I like the mid-size model better.Photographers, take note - neither one of these units is going to clean your focusing screen satisfactorily. Specks of dirt and dust seem to adhere very stubbornly to most focusing screens, and usually it's impossible to figure out exactly where that speck - the one that looks so HUGE in the viewfinder - is actually concealing itself on the screen. If you make the mistake of even lightly touching the Blaster's nipple against the screen, you'll have a guaranteed permanent mar on your screen. Be cautious and endure the specks, which in any case won't show up on your images.Bottom line: save your money and buy the easier to handle and just as effective mid-size Blaster. And don't expect too much from either model, whichever you choose.
I bought this to clean the glass on the sensor of my mirrorless SLR and it worked like a charm. I had some dust that needed removal and blew it in and it worked. Not much else to say. Does what it says.
This thing really works. It saved my lens when I was shooting at Antelope Canyon where the wind was carrying with sand. A must have for outdoor photography.
This thing produces a strong blast of air, much stronger than any canned air that I have bought. The only thing wrong with it is that the one way valve does not fully prevent air from being sucked in through the nozzle since the nozzle does not have its own check valve. However it still reduces the suction a lot.
I went to our local camera store and picked this up yesterday.  After three tries (of multiple pumps each), I was able to remove the big dust specks, but most of the little specks remained.  I read a review that I think stated it best, most people are reviewing this like it is the end all image sensor cleaning system, rocketing it to mythic proportians.  It is good at what it does, blowing some dust off the sensor, but you will still need a professional cleaning every once in a while.  I had my sensor cleaned once in the last two years, but I am looking at doing it every six months now because nothing beats a professional cleaning!  I recommend this product, but it is for upkeep, not the solution!
This is excellent. It gets all but the most stuck on dust off your lens easily.It's also handy for cleaning Keyboards, Mice, and other air-cleaned items.
It can be used for what it was designed for from the box! Very, very nicely made and the material used is long lasting.
This is a great device for cleaning out your camera. I had a bit of crud inside my lens, and this did the trick! It's easy to hold and use, and has a clever little filter to keep dirty air from coming inside the bladder.However, it doesn't puff quite as hard as I hoped. I disagree with reviews that say it's a good substitute for canned air--it wasn't much help in dislodging the debris and cat hair that tends to accumulate in my laptop's keyboard, or dust from old baseboard crevices.
I've stopped buying canned air and been using these at home. I first bought one to help clean my camera lenses and body and then found myself using it to dust off other electronics and computers. You have to do a lot of squeezing the bulb to equal a long blast of canned air, but I fortunately don't have to deal with a lot of dust bunnies in my computers.
Pretty simple and ingenious little product. I've been using cans of compressed air to clean electronics and photographic equipment for years and have never felt confident when using it on the delicate stuff like optics and sensors. This is much better than risking getting some aerosol goo on your, uh, sensitive bits.
this little guy is the best think for blow air!!!it runs on your hands, not on caned gasses that harm the environment (or even you), it cost as 2 bottles or can of good pressurized air.If you look at it on a long term, it is cheaper than air too, with this i clean my PC and keyboard weakly with just one payment.the only con I found on this product is the air tube, they should made it smaller (like the cans) and more flexible.Go ahead buy this and save some cash!!! and help the planet!!!
This was bigger than I thought, however it does the job that I need it to do without much effort.  Seems rather durable and creates the burst of air you need to clean lenses, sensors, camera body, etc....
Does exactly what is says, safely cleans dust off my lenses and camera without me having to physically touch sensitive sensors.
This thing is amazing! It is large though (as the description says), so make sure you have room in your bag if you are going to travel with it. The benefit of the large size is the substantial burst of air the blaster provides when you squeeze it. It is almost like a blast of compressed air, and perfect for cleaning dust or other particles off of optical equipment. I like this even better than a small brush because nothing but air comes in contact with the optical surface.But it's useful for so much more than just cleaning lenses. I use it to blast crumbs out of my computer keyboard, to blow dust off the screen, and to blow little particles out of any small crevice from small electronic equipment.Could the Rocket Blaster be the perfect gift for a friend or loved one this holiday season? I daresay it is.
I decided to &#34;clean&#34; my sensor by blowing on it. Bad mistake.  I've used this for a while now and it works well for removing the larger particles that accumulate on my sensor.  I've used cheaper blowers and they seem to blow either water or oil onto the sensor.  Don't get the small one since it doesn't have the capacity to really move the air.
This is big, bigger than i thought but it gets the job done. depending on your carry case or bag you may not find a suitable place for it.
i bought this more as a whim than an actual need, but found out is far more useful than i thought it would be!i use it for so much, cleaning my PC, my keyboard, my razor,is really great!
I bought a Nikon D7100 and it arrived with dust on the sensor, I tried the cleaning function but nada. So I bought this one, put the mirror on the cleaning position and gave it three air blasts, and voila, problem solved.
This has been a very good buy. I recommend this product. It is built with quality and does what it is supposed to do.
This thin works great.  I used it on my lens, laptop keyboard, etc.  Good construction.  Cheap price.  I wished it had more power but I guess I'm used to compressed air.
I tried the bulb blowers at the local big box retailer, but they either didn't do the job or the ends kept popping off.  SO FRUSTRATING!  The Giottos AA1900 Rocket is the one to get.  It works perfectly every single time with a solid blast of air gentle enough to take care of those fragile camera parts but strong enough to blow out the dust from my keyboard.  It's large, but not so much that you can't hold it securely.  I absolutely love that you can easily set it down on the rocket-like legs.  It does smell a little bit strong at first (probably from the rubber parts), but it goes away in time.  This should be in your DSLR cleaning kit!  Bottom line:  You want this one!
I like this air blaster. It does it's job well and the design is great in that it does not allow for forward facing particles to get into the device. It also has a nice, albeit a touch humorous look, being a rocket and all. This is no way as forceful as compressed air cans, but you would never want to use those near your camera equipment, especially your sensor. It get's the job done, but also will not replace a professional cleaning - but it is a good interim solution.
I purchased this because I was sick of buying expensive cans of compressed air to dust my keyboard and other elements of my pc. This little thing actually works really well to keep the dust and crud off my expensive electronics and its just the air so its dry and odorless which is a bonus.
I purchased the smaller version of this first because the local camera shop was out of this large size.  I was very pleased with the smaller version. It fits easily into my camera bag and creates a sufficient amount of air blast to clean lenses of dust.I came across this large size for a good price on Amazon and purchased it.  The amount of air that this produces compared to its smaller brother is very significant.  This item is not gimmick it really works and it works well.  I'll keep this one at home and keep the smaller one in the camera bag.Having both sizes is a great combo.Great fun to terrorize the dog with, too.
This air blaster has only one job--blow dust off your lens (or sensor).  I does this very well and seems like it will hold up well.  The self-standing feature is also very handy.
Bought this really to entertain the babies, but tried it on my DSLR sensor and it actually works.
When they said large, they meant LARGE.  Not your average blaster that you might carry around with your camera.  This is more of a &#34;shop&#34; tool.  Well made, works very well.
The reviews don't lie...this is an appealing little puffer.  Besides using as a replacement for things I thought were worth spending canned air on, I will probably come up with uses for it on occasions where I used to blow on things by mouth.
I reduced one star, for the horrible transit hassle I was receiving. On USPS it said &#34;delivered on 26th&#34;, but on Amazon it said &#34;delivered on 28th&#34;??? It did come though... It came on the March 4th instead of the intended April. I did get a response back from the seller. Not sure if that means anything.As for the product itself, it did do it's job and oh boy. This thing is amazing, this as long with my lens pen set did wonders. I may need to go to a professional for my sensor problem though. Good for the price, bad transit service and OK customer service.
this was the best purchase i have made in years! i saw my friends and used it for one day of shooting and was hooked! the best item to keep in the cleaning area of a camera bag! a must have
Works very well to blow away dust from lenses etc. What came as a surprise was the feeling of now being a &#34;real photographer&#34;. The shape, material, simple mechanical function, slight smell of rubber. A wonderful experience at a price of less than a movie ticket!
I had purchased a full frame camera and needed to clean the sensor as dust specks were showing up in the pix. Had long been warned that this was not a &#34;do it yourself&#34; task as expensive damage could result. Called my local camera shop and they wanted $100 for the job overnight, $69 if I could wait a week for them to send it out. So I read up on the procedure. Step one, blow the dust off with one of these air blasters, next clean bi-directionally with swab pre-moistened sized to the specific sensor. So ordered this and the swabs (4 for $20) from Amazon. Took less than 10 minutes to clean the sensor and it worked fine. One caveat - make sure your battery is fully charged so it does not  let the mirror close while in the cleaning postiion. Then you might really have a bill!
Does everything it says it will. I would highly recommend it. Keeps my camera equipment clean very clean and it doesn't smell bad like other similar products.
great products, use it quite often. It bigger than I expected but works great, combination with the lens pen its an awesome product for every photographer to have.
Decided to upgrade from a small to a large blaster. This thing pumps out massive amounts of forced air compared to the small one.
This is a very simple product that works very well.  I was looking for something that moves enough air to really dislodge and move the dust particles off my lenses.  You can control the air velocity very easily.  Simple, reliable and effective.
I had dust in my DSLR sensor, removing would cost 150$ and i need to send for 2 weeks to get it cleaned. Bought this and it took more than 5 tries to clean dust. But it did job very well and my pictures look very good now
The unique shape allows it to stand freely and the bulbis body takes in plenty of air for a nice blast to remove dust and dirt.
This does just what it says it will, but it is larger than I need. It's my fault because I thought the larger version would have stronger airflow for cleaning the lens, but now I think the smaller one would have worked just as well and been more compact to have in my camera bag.
Several have mentioned it is too big, simply remove the red nozzle and place it into the rubber bulb. Next place this combination in a zip-loc bag to keep it clean and dry.Lastly DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT touch the sensor with the red end. It will leave a smudge that is difficult to clean off, even with Eclipse cleaning solution. Don't ask me how I know this. &lt;g> It could damage the sensor too.
Every time the grand kids come over and find my rocket blaster they just think that it is the coolest thing.  They go puffing every body in the face and they wait while I do it to them.  Then they chase the cats with the darn thing.  It works great for cleaning lenses and sensors, too.
good for blowing out scanners and stuff because it's gentle and there is no risk of accidentally freezing something. Not as good for negatives... not enough force to blow off the tough dust.
Bought this item to help clean dust from photos that I was scanning.  The photos were from some 50+ year old albums that were crumbling and making lots of black paper dust.  This little guy worked great getting the dust off both the photos.  I also used it to blow dust off of the glass plate on the scanner.  I works great.
I repair smartphones and tablets for a living, and this is a must have for getting LCD screen perfectly clean before reassembly.
I ordered this after seeing spots on my pictures, I used a different lens to see if it was something on the lens. But it was still there so it had to be dust on the sensor. I was going to buy a cheaper one, but after reading the reviews I went with this one, and glad I did. After a few burst of air no more spots on my pictures. Looks like it is good quality, and the reviews were great.
The "large" air blaster does an OK job, but doesn't put out quite as much air as I thought it would based on some of the reviews.  I'm satisfied with the product, but am glad I didn't get the "medium" size.  If you're on the fence, go big.
These are a little bigger than what you'd imagine. That's not a problem. Its about as big as a small adult's fist. I've avoided blowing on my sensor and have used compressed air... but they say that's not good. SO... now I'm safe. This is also great for blowing dust and stuff off your lens.
I bought this gizmo to clear the CMOS detector in my digital SLR camera.  It seemed like a good alternative to using a specialized, expensive sensor wipes, and it would not invalidate the camera's warranty.The results with my camera were good but not perfect.  Many large particles of dust were blown off the detector.  However, some medium-sized particles were merely pushed to the edges.  Nonetheless, I really like having the air blaster just for my camera.Aside from my camera, I have used this on a number of other devices around my home and office.  It works particularly well at clearing dust out of the vents in my laptop and underneath the keys on my laptop's keyboard.  However, it works poorly in clearing out the dust and grime in my desktop keyboard.In summary, I would say that this is a good device for owners of digital SLR cameras, although it is not a perfect substitute for sensor wipes.  For owners of electronic equipment in general, this is a clever device that works reasonably well at cleaning dust out of some places.
I bought this air duster for my camera which recommends that freon dusters be not used. The large bulb moves a decent amount of air to blow away any dust on the lens. I also find that I can use this same duster for my computer keyboard and just about any other device where air dusting will work. The primary importance is the fact that this unit will not dump liquid onto the component being dusted. In my case, it is critical not to freeze the camera sensor which can cause severe damage. This unit works well for those tasks.
Pretty Big , that means it gives a great Blow to blast away Dust, most definitely a great product . use it everyday.
One of the best lens blower on the market today! I would only suggest the Large one, avoid the small and medium size rocket air blaster.
I use this to blow dust off my cameras, and all the little bits on my computer where dust seems to gather. Simple, easy to use, it does the job.
Nothing wrong with this product.  It does the job without a lot of fuss. Nothing remarkable.  It just does the job.
I bought this to clean my Canon before taking it to a shop. It works perfectly. Solid construction. Highly recommend
Works like a charm getting rid of dust on the the DSLR sensor. very satisfied with its use, I also use to clean up keyboards. and bought another for my nephew as a gift.
is an essential tool for anyone who owns a DSRL and wants to clean safely from the camera body, lens and sensor.
It's not as powerful as I had hoped; however, for dusting the inner-body of my Canon, it is much safer than canned air. Depending on the severity of dirt and dust on the detachable lens, and outer-body of the camera, I will continue to use canned air.**quick tip on using canned air on your camera. Give the trigger a quick squeeze away from the camera prior to blasting your device. This will clear the propellent which can cause damage to the lens surface. Additionally, do not shake or move the can of air while in use as this will cause the propellant to eject. If you are not familiar with canned air propellant, it is the "freezing" liquid that shoots out if turned upside down, or shaken while the trigger is pulled. Either way, you do not want to get that stuff on your, your electronics, and especially your camera/camera lens/sensor.
Well, there isn`t much to say about it. It`s quite good. Very good quality and it does what it`s supposed to do.
Glance through my reviews and you'll see I'm hardly inclined to give a product five stars without a good reason.  In this case I have no choice: the large Giottos Rocket Blaster is an item of such flawless quality and functionality that I literally can't think of a single way it could be improved.In its standing position it has approximately the proportions of a large drinking glass.  It's not small; in fact it's about as big as it can be while still fitting comfortably in your hand.  That's an important detail: squeezing it is easy enough but because of its size it moves enough air to direct a strong, smooth blast at whatever you're attempting to clean.  I've spent half my life trying to blow dust off lenses with junky little blower/brushes that don't do a thing, and through size alone the large Giottos blaster is a vastly better tool for the job.Beyond that, there are lots of design details that help the Rocket Blaster do its job.  The materials, particularly the expensive silicone rubber used for the blower bulb itself, are of obvious high quality.  The bulb has a separate intake valve at its rear, so that it can fill more quickly than would be the case if the small blower nozzle were its only source of intake air.  And of course its freestanding "rocket" design is itself simple, useful and unique.  Look closely at the blower nozzle: the hole through which the air is forced is not round, it's an obviously-deliberate triangular shape, and if you think about it a moment it might occur to you that a this interesting shape might very well be more efficient at generating a coherent stream of air than a simple round nozzle.  Just another detail.The end result is an item that is deceptively simple but so nicely made that it just doesn't have any competition.  It's a flawless little piece of Italian design that anybody can buy, appreciate, and put to good use.  It might cost five times as much as a junky little blower/brush, but it must be at least a hundred times better.Miscellaneous notes:- This is the "large" Rocket Blaster.  There is also a small model, and in some cases here on Amazon it has not been perfectly clear what you're getting from the item photograph or description.  Here's how you tell difference: the small blaster has a round (spherical) bulb, the large one has an elongated, more or less elliptical bulb.- The large blaster is not ideal for carrying in a bag: it's a bit too big.  Buy one of the small models for keeping in your bag, and the large one for home.  The large one is probably two or three times as effective as the small one, however, so if you only intend to buy one, buy the large one.  Honestly, by the time you have a modest sum invested in camera gear, you really ought to have both.- It's hard to quantify the strength of the airflow - too subjective.  Here's my attempt anyway:  Putting a penny down on a smooth surface, the airflow from the large blaster from a distance of about three inches will make it jump.  At about the same distance, aiming the blaster at the palm of my hand will create a depression in the skin of the palm.  I can make a piece of ordinary copy paper flutter by using the blaster from about 2-1/2 feet away.  Compared to the small blaster, for those who have it, the large blaster seems to provide about double the force of air for about double the amount of time.
Gives a forceful stream of air to any lens needing dedusting. It is a little larger than I wanted it to be, but it need to get enough air to make a difference, so I am all for it. DO NOT BLOW ON YOUR LENSES....GROSS! Use this!
You need one of these for lens maintenance. Purchase this item along with lens protective filters is a no brainer.
When I need to clean my binoculars or digital camera, use this air cleaner, and helps me to remove particles from the lens, I recommend it to my me works very well.
Squeeze this baby and you get a strong blast of air.  I've used it to blow dust off lenses and my DSLR sensor.  I've used it to blow dust away from the subject of indoor macro shots.  I also intend to use it to blow dust off slides prior to scanning.The puff of air is stronger than my previous blower, which means fewer squeezes to remove dust, and it works on stubborn sensor dust my previous blower couldn't remove.
This blaster provides Just the right amount of air!Enough to blow off most dust particles but not so much that it would blow dust into the lens through the seems.  Plus I love the little rocket fins which allow you to place it up right in the launch position!
I've had this for over a year now I believe and It works pretty well still.A problem I've had but only once, the rear air intake valve somehow was messed up and the flap that prevents air from exiting the rear, was disloged. HOWEVER, the design allows the rear to be removed and I was able to resituate the backflow preventer (however it was a small pain to do). I believe the red nozzle can be removed but I haven't tried and it looks even harder to put back on.The construction is well, it stand pretty easily, the materials are suitable, and the air it forces out is also suitable for the price. Nothing beats canned air though but I knew that going in. I pretty much only used this for cleaning my PC, but I can see it for many other things. For really stubborn dust, I still keep canned air handy. When cleaning fans, It's helpful to have the fan running because the blast from this alone won't make it spin and thus won't get the best clean.Anyways, it's good and I may buy one again.
Even if you have a self cleaning sensor, you still need a dust blower.  And this rocket is the gold standard of dusters.  It does an A+++ job.  I have not yet been able to find a drawback to this duster.  It's inexpensive and it works better than any other on the market.  You can't go wrong with it.
I bought this to blow out the crevices on my new camera, but I am now using it anytime I would normally use compressed air.  It seems almost as powerful and does not have the fluid residue that the compressed air spits out.  I can't pack it in my camera bag due to its large size, but I don't care.  I love this thing.
The Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster has an odd design (looks like something else that I won't mention) but gets the job done.
Good alternative to the caned air which is getting ridiculously expensive. I use this product almost daily to blow dust and debris out of my keyboard, and monthly on the fans in my computer.
Only works as well as your ability to squeeze it.
This little rocket works great.  It blows all the dust of my lenses very quickly and easily.  I keep it in my camera bag.  Good quality tool.
Removed the dust particles in just one blow......a must for all. quality is extremely good......after using this,,,i have discarded using my older air blasters
Needed to keep your camera sensor out of dust. Won't damage your camera. A litle too big for traveling. There's a smaller model.
If you have a DSLR this thing is about as necessary as batteries & memory cards.  Unless you've managed to get something gooey on your lens this will blow it off.  I've not had to actually clean my sensors for a year...and my cameras have been everywhere from the middle of the Pacific (Hawaii & sailing) to Europe...and countless places in between.  Just FYI, I ALWAYS change lenses with the sensor DOWN.My suggestion, check your sensor fairly often (so things can't get really stuck)...toss this blower into a ziplock bag (to keep it clean) and carry it with your camera always (so you'll actually use it BEFORE you need a full sensor cleaning.) Simple and very effective.  Oh, and I AM a pro...and I've been shooting since the 70's...if that helps any. ;-)
Had a large dust particle on my sensor and after a few blasts from this directly into the camera it's gone. For reference I had a vacuum with a crevice attachment on running directly over the camera while doing this to prevent any other particulates from floating in.Works great on lenses and computer components too!
Bought to clean photo slides and it works well.Well designed and high quality product. I have it on my desk and use it often just to clean the key board. A little weak compared with compressed air cans but often will do the job.Great product Good Price. Also it looks nice and funky ...Would buy again
When I noticed dust on the sensor of my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, I did what most photographers would in such a situation: fainted. OK, not really, but I did freak out a bit. Any serious photographer knows that cleaning the sensor is as delicate an operation as performing a heart transplant.Most experts will tell you that direct contact with the sensor is a last resort (and for times when that's required, there are special swabs and fluids made just for that task).The first line of defense, however, is air. While some people would suggest using compressed air (from a can), most would argue against it because the gas inside can become liquefied, which would only damage your camera's sensor even more. The same goes for simply blowing into the camera body. Hence, the item that's become a staple of almost every photographer's arsenal, is the Giottos Rocket Air Blower.Similar in theory to the bulb aspirator used to remove earwax or mucus from babies' orafices, a simple squeeze of the Rocket Blower gives off a concentrated stream of air to effectively blow off any dust particles that may have landed on your sensor. Because it's made so that the air enters at the bottom and leaves through the top (the red nozzle), there's no chance that the dust you blow away will be sucked back into the blower. Plus, the "fins" of the rocket keep the bottom valve from directly touching any surface, which means it's more likely to stay dust-free.The first time I used my Rocket Blower, it was to remove a minute piece of hair that was visible to me only through my viewfinder. One or two squeezes with the Rocket Blower, and the hair was gone. It couldn't have been any easier.I whole-heartedly suggest the Giottos Rocket Air Blower to anyone who cares about their gear.
A great way to clean your lens on the go!  Not much else to be said about it.  Five stars.
I bought this air blaster to clean the dust that was on my camera lens. This product was inexpensive, and it did the job very well.The natural rubber is quite soft. It also has a bit of a smell, but I think that shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if the rubber will degrade in a matter of 5 to 10 years.I'm not sure why the nozzle needs to be so long. But I can't really complain, since it gets the job done.I highly recommend people to carry one of these in their camera bag, because as we know, dust is everywhere!
What's there to say about the Giottos Rocket that's not been already said? It's the industry standard, isn't it? It's easy to use (which blower isn't?!), it blows the most powerful stream of air, and blows it in a very controlled direction, so you can always nab that stubborn bit of dust with one quick shotOne word of advice: go for the large size. This is the best, as it's the most powerful, and being large, it's also the easiest to grip, allowing you to get the full force of the blower all the time. The medium one makes no sense to me, as it's just a bit smaller and there's hardly any difference to be seen. If you want something small, though, maybe (like me) to keep in your camera bag at all times, the small one is perfect for that job. But for major cleaning, the large one is the one you want
If you are like me, and detest waste, this takes a little more manual labor, but gets the job done.
If you have dust in your DSLR camera, then go ahead and buy this! It works like magic. Just remember that if you have dust on your sensor, then you're going to have to turn the camera on, put it on BULB mode and then press AND HOLD the shutter (so you can access the sensor) and at the same time use this blaster in order to get the dust off the sensor.
Like most, I usually blow on my lens to clear off any dust particles. Usually though, a little bit of spit will get on the lens. With the rocket, no more issues. Like most other reviews said, it's best to get the larger one as it works the best. While the size is a bit odd, it works great for removing dust particles from your lenses.
Canon 30D had dust on sensor when new from factory. Tested via f/22 photo of clear sky. A few mild blasts of air from this product across the photo sensor provided adequate cleaning as confirmed by follow-up f/22 photo of clear sky.
I have used this Air Blaster to remove dust from 35mm slides and film that I am scanning into digital files.  It has a high volume of air in the blaster and consequently does a very good job of removing unwanted particles before scanning.
I now have two of these because we have found a multitude of uses for them.  It emits a strong blast of air with out twisting when you squeeze it hard.  It is perfect for cameras, lenses, glasses, and dusting crystal.
This is product is much bigger than I thought, it's an excellent value for $10.  Work very well, very powerful.  I should have bought one a long time ago, it's the cheapest thing in your camera bag but you'll use it more than some of your lenses.
I ordered the largest size and it works perfect. Stay with the largest blower and you will have excellent results. Product was priced right as well as delivery on time.
I find that the nozzle is a bit small so the air stream is thin, but it does a great job getting dust off. You just need to pump it a bunch of times. I am very satisfied with it overall.
Cat hair and dust seem to be everywhere, especially in winter.  This little gadget blows my camera lens clean immediately.  It is indispensable. Use Kim Wipes for finger prints (I haven't yet learned to avoid touching the lens protector now and then).
what can one say about this?  it's a simple design and it works.  good product.
This is a good one. Not flimsy. I have been cleaning my DSLR sensor and lens surfaces with it.Goodbye dust spots!
Just pulled my rocket blower off the shelf after about a year to blow off some computer gear. Rubber turned my hand black. I put a cloth around it as I used it and it turned the cloth black. The rubber is falling apart. It is still working well but it will make a constant mess until it wears out. The QC sticker on it says 2008. I bought it July of 08. Ugh.
Just what is needed to blast away those pesky dust blots be they on a lens or a sensor.  Also a great toy for squirting air at the dog.  Just blow bits of fluff around, and watch the dog try and chase it.
excellent item.. you should have it if you want to protect your devices.. excellent and very good materials quality I love it
Great, lightweight. Gets the job done. Moves air quickly and easily.Every photographer should have one in their bag.Thanks
Thought I was going to have to have the Sony NEX-5 professionally serviced, because there was one big blotch (plus a couple of smaller spots) appearing on my photos.  Reluctant to clean the sensor by touching it with swabs or liquid cleaners or anything else, for fear of scratching or ruining it, I figured this blower (Giottos large Rocket Air Blaster) was worth a shot.  Removed the lens, blew towards the sensor a few times -- and photos are now perfect again (well, not perfect because I don't take perfect pictures -- but at least there are no spots!).  Also good for blowing surface dust off of your lenses, rather than risk "cleaning marks" (aka scratches) from overuse of lens tissues, cleaning fluids, and even microfiber cloths.  I recommend it.
I am a photographer and own several DSLR cameras.  While I am very happy with these cameras, they all have one problem in common - dust on the sensor.  As everyone that uses these cameras knows, the resulting spots in the images are very irritating.  Over the years I have been battling this issue and the Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster solved it for me.  This product is the perfect solution to this issue in that it puts out a nice, strong and continuous stream of air, is very easy and quick to use, well made and inexpensive.  My complete review is at [...]
Removes dust from lenses and sensor, built well and holds up over time.  I use mine almost daily with no visible signs of wear.  Great product.
Bought this to complete the cleaning kit for my Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR camera and use it in combination with the LensPEN Lens Cleaning device. This is great for getting those pesky dust particles that tend to hold their ground on the camera lens no matter how much you decide to clean it off.I also use the air blaster from time to time to clean other electronic devices especially the mouse and keyboard of my desktop PC and it works flawlessly within these applications also. So it is a multi-purpose tool kit in single squish and you  will find that purchasing this is far better than can after can of compressed air.
I was surprised by the size of this one. Now I'm pretty confident it will keep my lenses dust free!
Dust gets everywhere no matter how careful you are.  I keep this in my bag and use it when changing lenses.  Gives a nice strong blast of air.  Happy with my purchase.
This doesn't perform any better than a disposable enema bulb for $1.00 at Wal-mart.  I'm surprised about the reviews here.  I went back to the air can dusters.
Such a simple device that easily cleans dust off anything with puffs of hand-squeezed air. Genius that has kept my electronics and tabletops free of dust and debris.
works like expected, nice strong burst of air to dislodge stuff stuck on your sensor. what more can you say
This thing is huge! It must move an entire cubic foot of air per squeeze.  And its not just for cleaning cameras.  Blow drying hair while camping, help with starting the campfire, and messing around with babies have all been sucessfully accomplished by yours truly.  I know, it can't move that much air, but buy one, you'll see.  Great price, quick shipping.  Seriously, it saved our vacation pics by removing a piece of gunk from the sensor in the wife's 5d mk ii with no problem.
There are already 900 something reviews on this thing so I don't even know why I'm writing this. Anyways, I love this thing. Let me preface that I love to clean and clean to relieve stress so I use this for a lot of other things besides my camera. My dirtyass keyboard, my dirtyass laptop fan, my dirtyass usb ports. The fins are cool but I was wondering why can't they just make it in the shape of a rectangular box? Does it not squeeze as well? If it were more angular you wouldn't need fins, it wouldn't roll away, and you'd be able to stand it up. This is the second one that I've owned as I squeezed the first one so many times that the nozzle broke off. In conclusion, get this and if you already have this but are looking through the reviews to justify your purchase then high five.
I got this to use to quickly blow dust off my sensor in my Canon 60D. It seems to work well. I have not taken my camera to be professionally cleaned yet and I see no reason to yet.
It is constructed well and works as expected.  You can't go wrong at this price to insure a clean shot.  It is worth every penny!
got 2 of these on sale for $7 each. Was not expecting much. I bought one for work and one for personal use.I work in a electronics repair shop. We have an air compressor in the back room, but I use this on the front bench when i need to quickly troubleshoot something.I was supprised by how sturdy these are. Feels like good quality rubber, should last a long time. Great gift for a tech travel kit4/5 Will buy again
Yep. This thing does indeed blow air! And boy does it do it good! This beautiful air blower fits perfectly in my camera bag, and it helps me get rid of the meanest if dust! For what this bad boy can't do. I bust out my trusty lens pen and all is done! Great item. I suggest everyone have one of these in their camera bag.
If you need to blow dust/crumbs/whatever off your keyboard frequently this isn't a bad gadget to have.  It reminds me of that thingee they use when taking your blood pressure.  It won't take out all the junk that gets wedged underneath the keyboard keys, but it still help make for a cleaner workplace.  It has saved me from passing out huffing and puffing trying to get all the job done myself.
Does a good job of getting loose specs off of digital sensors.
I absolutely love these things! I use it all the time after a shoot and when cleaning my lenses.After a shoot, I'll give the lenses used a few quick puffs of air to remove any dust or particles. Then in a secured environment free of loose debris, I'll air out the inside of my camera with a few bursts as well. I thought about getting the medium and the small one, but this works great for me and fits in my bag nicely.I have filters on all my Nikkor glass, so i never touch the glass, I just need to clean the filters.Highly recommended.
Love it.  Essential low-tech blower.  I use in for cleaning my photography equipment, laptops, and printer/scanners. I have used the Rocket Blaster for years.
After using ineffective blowers to clean off the sensor of my D700 I decided to pick this one up.  One word sums it up: Awesome.  With just a couple light squeezes it was able to deliver plenty of air to knock stuff safely off the sensor.  The large is a little bit big, but is completely worth it, for just about $1 more than the medium size.  Since it sucks air in from the opposite end of where it blows, it won't shoot dust laden air onto your goods.  Like others have mentioned, the tip is hard plastic, so you don't want to touch the sensor of an expensive camera, but with the force that it creates, you don't even need to get that close to it to begin with.
It's big.  It's bad. It blows air.  Lots of handy and nifty uses aside from cleaning your camera, such as cleaning your electronics, and blasting your cat.  I would not waste money on the smaller versions for travel.  Just pack the big, bad, red beast and be done with it.UPDATE: If traveling via airplane, don't pack this puppy in your carry on bag.  A TSA supervisor had to approve it as Mr. Fondle wanted to take it away.  So in addition to cleaning glass, this baby poses as a security threat all adding to its allure.
Very good little tool must have for DLSR users ,  its a little bigger than i expected but all in all a great product
Works very well - a couple of squeezes usually removes the dust.A bit on the large size for travel - a smaller version is needed for that purpose where size is a factor.
My first Air Blaster. I have not had a chance to use it on the camera yet, but it is great fun to tease the cat and dog with! I have also used it on my printer to help clear a clogged nozzle where the usual methods did not work. Giottos is known for quality products and this is another one. Being designed with an obvious sense of humor is just a bonus.
Yes it does look like a rocket ship to mars, but its real mission is to keep my camera lint and debri free. Plenty of power and easy to use. No Brainer purchase!
i def recomend it... it is a big large, but i use it on my pro cams and have been pleased,
great little gadget, powerful with no cans to dispose of , will never buy canned air again, quick ship , good price, would recommend.
I love this guy! I used to try to swallow several times to make sure my mouth was dry, then blow gently on my lenses before I brushed them...invariably spitting and drooling everywhere! This gives a nice solid blast of air. I don't know why I never bought one before. Canned air always blasted things with the aerosol chemicals and left residue. I use this on my camera, keyboards, home theater speakers, computer monitor, HDTV vents...you name it! And the kids think it's hilarious to sneak up behind them and blast them in the ear!
You can buy (marginally) cheaper versions of this product but they just don't have the same construction. The original Gioottos has nice thick rubber construction, good seams, a built in air filter, and the nozzles is well joined to the body. Worth the extra few bucks.
So happy that the previous reviews steered me to purchase this. Thank you.Yes it looks cool, but don't buy it for that reason. The blow power of this product vs the ones you see for sale in all those bundles and cheap camera cleaning kits is NO COMPARISON. Do not think you will just get close to the same product, it is not.This is a quality air cleaner. I use it all the time and keep it in my bag. Can't carry around an air can everywhere.A big difference with the 1900 and other blowers is that you can use your full hand power because the bellow is large enough and provides the right amount of give back compared to those thin plastic versions where you may use a few fingers to expel the air. The combination of the stronger/better quality material + design allow it to refill with air instantly.Just get it.
Not much to say about a air blaster but, I use this on a DSLR to keep the sensor free of dust. This works way better than the cheapo ones that come in kits. I just put my DSLR on a tripod facing directly down and squeeze the blaster about 5 times, wait a minute or two to let the dust drop, and viola you got yourself a clean sensor. :) One nice thing about this is that it's blast is strong enough for cleaning without getting too close to the sensor, so no fear of accidental contact...I highly recommend, and get the large one if using at home before a day of shooting, otherwise use a smaller one for on the go. The large is 7.5in by 2.5in, so it takes up a bit real estate in a camera bag.
Little bit bigger than what I thought but doing its job well. It has enough air to pump out. Wish I bought a smaller one. This one make it hard to carry with me in a small camera bag
I used it with my Wolverine 20 MP Digital Converter to clean dust off of the negatives and the inside of the converter.  Well worth the few bucks I spent on it.
Works great and after more than six months still blasting strong.  A great addition to my field bag.  Not much else to say except, it's fun to play Buck Rogers with too.
Small enough to carry with my photography gear, powerful enough to keep my sensors and lenses dust free. My rocket blaster travels around the world with me.Perfect for the photographer using detachable lenses. At the end of the day, I rocket blast the inevitable dust that gets on the sensors and inside of the lenses. It gets in there when I change lenses in the field.
I used to use a turkey baster to blow dust off my lenses. It worked, but this does a better job.
Fantastic cleaner at a great price. The one way bladder is ingenious as it won't allow dust to get reapplied when cleaning.
This product is simply life-changing for anyone who uses electronics daily.  If you are tired of buying compressed air to clean your keyboard and computer, this is a great replacement.  I don't even own a camera, but I still find myriad uses for the Rocket.  One caveat - it is quite large (about the size of my hand), so while it is powerful, it isn't one of the pocket-sized air dusters.
I have read a lot about cleaning camera sensors and using a blower is supposedly the only thing you should do.  The dust I have around here must be extra sticky because this thing never helped much and twice made a worse mess on my sensor than I started with.  I quit using it after that.  Some reviews mention decaying rubber, thats possible but it wasn't very old when it first made a mess.  Whatever it was, it took me several Sensor Swabs with Eclipse liquid to get it cleaned off.  Until I was able to use the swabs, I had to shoot around the blotch this blower left on my sensor.  I don't use any blower now.  I use sensor swabs whenever I get too much dust.  After you do it once, its not so scary.
Giottos is quality, plain and simple.  I use this air blower constantly and it always delivers a consistent powerful air stream.  No more having too worry about removing some stuck dust particles because the last blower wasn't powerful enough.  No more using hair brushes to clean my lenses!  This product is low cost and durable.  A must have!
What can I say? The rocket really blows, but that's what it's suppposed to do. Fits good in your hand, and it's sturdy.
Delivered on time and I hurriedly open the box and I crack up when I saw the size of this!It was bigger than what I saw with my friend Giottos Rocket Air Blaster where they can hang it on their keychain! :)it work great and help me clean my gears!
always need a way to remove dust and this is the one and only product that I trust with my gear
Overall good product that delivers what it is supposed to ... air. I just didn't get the great &#34;blast&#34; of air I expected especially from the size of this thing - it is big! But it is a great way to deliver a burst not blast of clean air. I used it on my small refractor telescope and it got off surface dust but some of the other particles were not dislodged and that's why it got the 4 stars not 5. Also as I have mentioned it delivers a good burst of air for most applications and will definately clean sensors in your DSLR cameras.
I use it all the time.  Not only for my lenses, but also my computer and keyboard.  If you don't want to keep spending money on compressed air, this is a one time buy that keeps on giving.
Pros: Does what it is supposed to. Clean dust/large particles before you use brush and/or microfiber cloth. Can use more times than any kind of aerosol spray.Cons: LargeMust have in your camera bag.
The Rocket Air Blaster works well and is easy to use. Highly recommended for blowing dust out of hard to reach places besides using it for cameras (keyboards and other such places). Be a bit careful on camera sensors as the Blaster can send a pretty strong spray of air.
Got it, used it, sensor is now dust free.Just be sure to either use mirror lock up or set your shutter to time and press it to get the mirror out of the way before you use it.(Last sentence added because Amazon requires a minimum number of words.  They obviously don't believe in comments that are short and to the point.)
Perfect product. Does what its meant to.-Sturdy rugged materials. Wont fall apart for years.-SAFE for cleaning camera sensors, mirrors, lenses and other sensitive items of dust and light debris-Rocket style stand. This feature is completely useless for the operation of the item, but its so nifty instead of having it roll all over the place.This Items wasn't thrown together in an hour. It had a lot of thought put into it. Including the shape of the hole at the end of the nozzle (The hole was designed as a triangle to have a strong direct output of steady air, opposed to a circular hole that would dissipate quickly and not be as direct as the triangle does with its angles.)I had no problem paying $15. The Rocket Blaster has its place respectively right next to my 5D MKIII in my bag.I recommend this to anyone.
One of my favorite accessories.  A must have for blowing bits of debris off lens glass, or dust off your sensor.  Simple, easy to use and very reasonably priced.  LOVE this.
I purchased this product to clean the sensor and lenses on my Nikon D7000.  It's reasonably effective at removing debris from the sensor with little risk of doing any damage to it.  The force of the air is not powerful enough to remove stubborn dust though; camera sensors may still need professional cleaning every now and then.I've also used it to clean my keyboard and fans on my PC, and again, it does an adequate job.  I like it better than the "canned air" because there is no danger of propellant spraying out and damaging components.Overall, I think it's a pretty handy tool to have for light electronics cleaning.
My wife and I love this thing.  Saves us from buying cans of air.We use it for cleaning DSLR sensors, laptops, phones, basically anything electronic.  This saves us money!My mom now wants us to order her one.
Clears my film and lenses of dust & fur. Great if you own cats and work in an 85 year old dungeon.
I like this item a lot. It's a little bulky (to be expected, considering it's the large size). It's a fast and easy way to clean, and I'm glad I bought it. I think it should be a little cheaper though. Around $5 would be a good value.
If you own a DSLR camera and frequently switch lenses, you know how easy it is to get dust inside your camera.  Generally below about F8, and you don't notice it too much.  Shooting at F8 or smaller apertures and you'll likely see all of the dust you have on your sensor in images.  It isn't noticeable in busy areas of the image, but smooth, uniform color areas (skies) are notorious for showing dust.What this bulb blower does is allow you to clean your image sensor without actually touching your image sensor.  The best, most tried and true way of cleaning your sensor is to wet clean it with a swab and solution.  If you need 100% clinical cleanness, this is about the only way you are going to do that.  However if you are more casual in your requirement, this blower will get you 90% of the way there with none of the fuss and danger of wet cleaning.I haven't wet cleaned the sensor on my 5D mark II ever I don't think.  With the built in sensor cleaning (which is excellent at getting most small particles off) along with this blower (which is good at getting larger particles off), it stays very clean.  I generally find the blower most effective on medium to large sized particles on the sensor.  Very small particles - which generally reside near the edges - are much tougher to get off with a blower and usually require wet cleaning.  If you have a camera that doesn't have built-in sensor cleaning, it's always best to take care of this sooner rather than later.  Over time the particles can become stuck to the sensor and can be very difficult to remove.The blower itself is fairly large and won't fit into most camera bags. I just leave mine at home.  There is a valve on the back of the blower for the intake of air.  This is critical because it will NOT ingest air through the outlet tube - which can result in blowing the dirty air back onto the sensor.  Instead it ingest air through the back (which is hopefully clean) and outward through the tube against the sensor.It has been warned against before, but never used canned air on an image sensor.  Canned air is much too strong and can damage sensors.  It can also blow residue and condensation on the front of the sensor which subsequently must be cleaned off - defeating the whole purpose to begin with.  A bulb blower like this is much safer and generally just as effective.  For the price, I consider it essential for anyone with a DSLR.
Large and made of heavy duty rubber.  If this baby won't blow the dust off of your camera/lens/filters, etc. (or other equipment), you need to resort to the wet/wipe method.  Will blow the boogers out of your nose.  Great product.
The Rocket Air-Blaster (large) does what it's supposed to do - blow dust and other small bits of matter off lenses and screens, etc. - and does it well (though it should go without saying that it does not have the force of canned air). When I'm not using it for my camera and camcorder lenses, I keep it near my desktop so I can use it on the keyboard, my eyeglasses, and the monitor (I use it on my iPad screen too). It's too big to fit inside my camera bags, but with holes on two of the four legs, it's easy to hang it from an outer part of a bag or wear around my neck. (The holes are large enough to accommodate 1/8 inch diameter cord or a typical leather boot lace.) With a finger covering the air-hole, pressing the bulb reveals the Rocket Air Blaster to be air tight where the nozzle inserts into the bulb, and everywhere else.
The rocket shaped air blower is by far the best dust blower i have had in recent years.Great for getting the dust off your sensor.
Bought my large Rocket Air Blaster about a year and a half ago, use it almost daily, and have never had a bit of trouble with it.  It puts out a good puff of air that blows dust out of crevices and off smooth surfaces.  Obviously not so strong as an air compressor, but a lot handier and about all that's ordinarily needed.  The rounded plastic tip prevents marring anything if it gets too close.  The "rocket" feet make it easy to put down and pick up and, standing on its feet, it stays handy and does not occupy a lot of room.  Also bought a small Rocket Air Blaster at the same time that I expected to use more.  Turns out I use the small one only seldom as compared with the large one, simply because the large one puts out a lot more air and also because I use it around the house, so portability is not an issue.  In any case, both are highly recommended.
I bought this to clean my negatives and slides and found this gizmo is great for cleaning out my key boards and computers.I will never need to by a can of compressed air again.
I'm skeptical until I try it, & glad I did. No more cans of compressed air needed. Put it to the test by blowing out a very dust packed desktop pc. Took 6 or 7 squeezes but it worked very well. Highly recommend to all PC techs. Looks cool on your desk too.
It does it's job.Powerful air blaster to blast away dust on lenses.I have these in every camera bag.
While this product looks odd to say the least, it definitely does its job. I used it to blow dust off of my phone screen before and during  application of a screen protector, and it worked flawlessly. Saves a ton of money over continually buying compressed air as well.
As I diligently work my way through digitizing my collection of 35mm Kodak Ektachromes, this has been a handy tool.
Does not have the air power I thought I'd get from device. Size fits in a medium size gear bag with your other equipment. Works for most dust on your lens and camera body, but not 100%.
Stop spending on those expensive and disposable compressed air dusters. I origially purchased it for my new DSLR. But it's good for all electronics.
Used this to clean my digital camera, worked like a charm.  I would surely buy form them again as I didn't have any issues with this order.
This is a rubber air blaster. Squeeze it and it blows air. No, TSA, it is not a grenade or a bomb. I know you like taking it out of my carry on luggage to inspect and swab it but no, you didn't catch me red handed, sorry!!Anyway, this is my go-to cleaning tool for getting dust off of my lenses and camera sensor. I try not to wet clean if I do not have to so the first step is to give it a few blasts of air with this air blaster. Most of the time, the dust blows right off!Do note though, what I was saying before isn't exactly satirical. The TSA doesn't like these things. Sometimes I go through without a problem but other times they really scrutinize it. Something about the shape I guess.
Not much to say here.  It's a ball blower and it puts out a lot of air.  I've had 5 or 6 of them so far because my dog has stolen them when I'm not looking.  They are not rottweiler proof.  I hope that Kong makes a ball blower some day.  At least they're not expensive.
This is going to save us a lot of money in the long-run; should totally replace our purchases of canned air.  Much less waste too.  Nifty little product that works well!
The rocket blaster is perfect for removing dust on the sensor. It took two tries to finally get all the dust but it did what it was designed to do very well. The blast is just the right amount of pressure to dislodge all dust and make for a clean job. Well worth the purchase.
Works pretty well for removing bits of lint and dust. If you need a lot of air pressure it may not fit the bill. Go with canned air instead.
hello,this product is great for blowing dust off of color slides, photo lenses, and other things like keyboards, etc.  it looks like it will take off from the desk, but it sends out a very strong and direct blast of air each time through the tip.  it just looks a little weird sitting on my desk.  luckily, it only comes out when i need it for the dustless slide scanning and for blowing something off my keyboard.  it is a great product and the delivery by amazon was outstanding.
It is so powerful, I can take the dust off my lenses in one blow where it would have required 10 blows with my cheapo air blaster ordered as a cleaning kit from Adorama.  It is great for blowing dust off of scanners too.
Everyone who owns a camera or keyboard could use the Rocket blower.  Fantastic, simple, and really does provide a nast blast of air.  Perfect replacement for canned air.  Wish i'd had purchased this years ago when I first saw them.  It simply works.  Recommend highly.
I would use this for anything it works and its heck a handy when it comes to dust trapped in small places such as phones, computers, cameras, and camera lenses
This is an excellent air blaster.  It delivers solid blasts of air that remove dust and particles from camera lenses, sensors, computer keyboards and other tight places you want to remove blowable grunge from.  It has attachment points for a lanyard so you can keep it handy in environments were dust needs to be removed frequently.
Get one. Simple. The tip is protected from contamination by the feet. The air inlet is filtered. This almost always removes dust from my DSLR sensor. When it can't, I use a sensor brush.
Keep your expectations where they should be and this is a fine item that everyone who cares for their lenses/camera should own.It's no substitute for wet cleaning a lens or a sensor.
Not bad for a small device that will never run out of air!  Clean the dust off your fans before the unbalanced condition wears out the bearings.
If you own and use an SLR and don't have a Rocket Baster, such as theGiottos AA1900 Large Rocket Blaster, then run, don't stop, and get one of these now.  Better yet, order one from an online store, such as Amazon (you can save about 25 percent if you order this online.In time, dust WILL get on your lenses, on your sensor, in the small crevices of your camera, and you need to get it off, and out, and you don't want to scratch anything, so blow it away with as Rocket Blaster.I've also used these to clean keyboards, 35mm slides, my scanner's glass, my printer's nooks and crannies, etc.  Yes, if you use one of these a lot, for long periods of time, your hand will get stiff, so take it easy!
This little item works great! No batteries, no plug, just there when you need it. Well worth the purchase!
The Rocket Air Blaster is so good it speaks for itself.  Literally so with that in mind I hand over the rest of my review space to my Rocket Air blaster.Pufffffff puf puffufpfpfpf,Pfff Pffffff pufff Pffff Puuuufff Puffff.  Pfff Pfff fPfpfpfppfP FPP PPFF.  Pfff pfpfPF, PFF PUFFF pufff.  Puff Pfff Puff fPUffff Puff Pffff.  Pufff PUff PuffPUffPu Pufff pffff Pufff.
Great way to clean some dust off a camera lens.Great gift to almost anyone who takes pictures.And it doesn't hurt the Ozone layer
Don't be afraid of the large model size--with average size male hands, I can hold & use the large one just fine, it's perfect.
When I read about this product I was expecting some vortex of air what would sweep away everything on my desk. Okay, not really. But this doesn't seem to have the push it's advertised to have. Meh. It's okay for some light dust cleaning. Good thing I have an air-compressor.
I would have expected a bigger, or stronger, air blast, but also realize the mirror surface and the protective covering for the sensor shouldn't have violent blasting of air. No major problems but then I'm quite careful about where and when I change lenses.
When it says "Includes a one-way valve to prevent Blaster from breathing in dust and spreading it back to your equipment" don't believe it.... there is a one way valve at the bottom, (There is no filter though) but nothing at the tip.....so it sucks air right back in from the tip as well....so make sure you remove the tip from all sources of dust before you inflate the item again.... just a suggestion.  Other than that, it works great.
Pros: Affordable, durable, lots of air, Simple yet effectiveCons: Well the large is somewhat bulky, but they make 3 sizes and i chose the large because it has more air pressure.All in all, you can not go wrong for $10. The large is the way to go if you have the room in your bag. I'm sure the other sizes are great too, but i think we all can agree the more air the better.PS: i had a stubborn hair on my sensor, the giotto blasted it off and no problems since!I love products that just work.
Its much larger than I expected.  If the advertisement had displayed the product next to a ruler, I would have had a better idea of scale and chosen a smaller one since space in my camera bag is at a premium.
Large size, more air blow, look like it will last for a while. Overall, I would recommend it. It stands straight up like in picture so the nozzle won't touch any surface.
Boom! This blows hard! In this case the rocket blows well enough all the dust out of any crevace and camera
If you're tired of buying those cans of air and having to stock them around the office, this gadget should come in handy. Though not quite as powerful as the cans, it does get the dust off just as well. It's sturdily built and has easily withstood hundreds of pumps I've put it through so far. Plus it looks neat, so it makes a nice decoration for the office. My only gripe is it can be a little difficult to aim into smaller areas due to the nozzle going off to the side a bit when you squeeze it. But other than that, this was a great buy!
Although you'd think you can simply blow over the lens or the viewfinder, this tool is perfect to prevent your errant spittle (and maybe your lungs aren't quite what they used to be after all those years of smoking).  As expected, you can just huff and blow over the lens, but you don't want your spit on the lens (may depend on when you last had your meal).It does a great job of blowing all the errant dust from your lens/viewfinder.  However, some stubborn dust may require a physical dusting (I use LensPRO AND an eyeglass cleaner).The only downside is that it's physically big (about 7.5" x 2.5" x 2.5").  Although it's great that it'll stand by itself, the size relegates it to my camera goodies bag at home, rather than in the on-the-go bag.
Needed something to help clean my camera lenses.  This does the trick without a problem.  Will be buying a few more to keep in all my different camera bags.
I was in need of more Compressed Air Dusters to clean my computer and keyboard.  I realized that buying those cans over and over was pretty costly so I went ahead and purchased this item.I've owned this for a few weeks now and used it 3 times.The Rocket Air Blaster is surprisingly powerful.  It's strength is good enough to push any layered dust or loose gunk from my computer fans.  Depending on how hard you squeeze the Black part, the stronger the gust.  I cleaned my keyboard in just a few squeezes and my CPU was cleaned in a few minutes.  Almost as fast as the Can Dusters.The Black base is strong and feels well constructed, the red nozzle is sturdy too.  The little stand that makes this look like a standing rocket has two little holes so you can attach it for on-the-go carrying I suppose, but I never used it out of the house.I will note that your hand can get tired from squeezing multiple times.  Those Can dusters can get freezing cold however and if you tilt them, it might spray the liquid inside all over your important computer parts, so overall, a little hand cramping is no issue at all.Highly recommended to save your money.  Home Office or work, this is an excellent item....... oh and you can use it for cameras and delicate glass dusting... as it was originally intended...
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! It does what it does. It's really does blast the dust of off lenses and sensors. If you are wondering, the rocket blaster is made of thick rubber with a non-removable air snoot (I didn't know what else to call it). There are also different sizes, which only means that the larger the bulb, the more air and thrust is projected. I always have this with me at all times  since it's necessary to be a clean photographer.
Well THIS BLOWS!  Works like a charm, is durable, you can put it back together if it falls apart.  Great for cleaning your camera, and also for sticking in people's ears to make them mad.
Better than blowing hot breath or spit on your lens. More powerful than I can spit air out. It's bigger than I was expecting (bulb takes up my entire palm). The red tip comes out and you can invert it for storage. It does what it's supposed to and it does it well. Worth getting if you want to care for your camera.
I've used air in a can for years. I tried this blaster and I'm sold. I'll get the small version for my camera bag. Enough said.
works well and does its job, but i was told this is not the biggest size they make, and with these guys size matters, and the bigger one works a bit better. but having never held the larger one to compare, i am happy with what i got
the giottos aa1900 rocket air blaster is quite the useful tool. i use it for cleaning my dslr camera, although it can be used for anything where dust can penetrate (like computer keyboard, car dash panel, etc). it's a lot bigger in real life than it looks like in the picture, and i thought it would be cumbersome to lug around. but i realize the squeeze bulb has to be big to provide a stronger blast of air. i just carry the giottos with me in my camera bag and do a quick blast on the lens before i shoot.
The AA1900 Large Rocket Blaster does its job very well, and you won't find a better air blower for the price (or twice the price). The diaphragm is well constructed, and the feet, though slightly soft, are plenty stable to hold the device upright. Two of the feet have a small hole, useful for affixing some kind of strap or string for carrying or hanging around your neck. The blaster is easy enough to squeeze quickly and produces a good blast of air from the nozzle. It does have a "rubbery" smell at first, but it airs out pretty quickly. The nozzle itself is removable, and can be stored inverted in the diaphragm to save a little space in your bag. Note, however, that the nozzle takes good, firm pulling to remove from the diaphragm, and is also a snug fit (so replacing it takes significant force as well). I don't fault the design here - just pointing out that it's not a quick task, and if you're like me, you won't use it often.The only flaw I've found with the device is with possibly its most noteworthy feature. There is a one-way air valve in the base of the diaphragm, the idea being that as you loosen your grip on the diaphragm, air refills it through the base only, and doesn't suck back in the dust you just blew loose. However, in my experience, some air does still re-enter the diaphragm via the nozzle, so it is possible to get dust back into the diaphragm. That dust is going to come gusting back out of the nozzle the next time you squeeze it. However, when squeeze the diaphragm, air only exits out of the nozzle. That part works great. It's worth pointing out that the amount of air that re-enters via the nozzle is dramatically reduced by the existence of the air valve, so it's not totally without merit (and is certainly better than a blower without one at all). It seems to me that they could have employed a similar one-way valve on the nozzle end (in reverse, obviously) so that air could only exit that end, and not re-enter.
Great design and functionality. Need I say more? My only concern is its durability and whether it'll last after several years of usage. It's still too new to say, but so far it hasn't shown any flaws.
I use this to clean my laptop keyboard and fans. Very good alternative to canned air, although not as powerful, but perfect for frequent uses.
Powerful and easy to use, and a lot cheaper than cans of air. I personally use it clean keyboards and computers because the air is strong enough to push all the dust out and has no chance of damaging anything since it is just air.
I use this blower to routinely clean my camera sensor and lenses.  It's great on lenses since wet cleaning solutions tend to somehow leave some sort of smear on the lens.  You also don't have to worry about small, sharp materials damaging the coating on your lenses.  The same goes for the sensor.  If you are afraid of damaging it, this is the way to go!  While this blower will remove all of the dust on your sensor most of the time, there are a few times that you'll need use a different cleaning method for stubborn dust particles.While it can't remove everything, it's extremely convenient.  You can use it in the field or during an assignment in seconds and on top of that, it only cost $7-8 dollars!
No more expensive than it needs to be and great for keeping your digital sensor clean in your camera. Much safer than using compressed air, which, if used incorrectly, can freeze and severely damage your camera's sensor. This one is easy to use and mine has lasted a long time; it has taken a real beating and still works fine.
Excellent quality, creates a very good air flow removing every bit of dust.This one is actually LARGE, makes it a bit unpractical to store and transport.It is bigger than I expected, but a great product.
Horrible chemical smell. (Like tires.)  Much preferred the Polaroid Silicone Blower, but this one does work if you can get past the smell.
This is nice and well made and blows air as advertised. It does what it claims to do, not much else to say.
I bought one of this blasters like two years ago. The blaster it is not only left black residue in my hand, but it smeared the sensor with the same goop. So, after almost an hour doing a wet cleaning on the sensor the goop it is almost gone. Hope I have not scratched the sensor. It definitively do not work the risk. It will work for a year or two, but eventually will spray the sensor with decaying rubber.
I stumbled upon this item (Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large) while searching for a good deal on canned air. It never occurred to me that I wasn't really in need of air, just air pressure. This provides short directed blasts of air and refills the bulb via a valve at the opposite end from the nozzle, so you're unlikely to recycle the dusty air that's being blasted in the opposite direction. Because it's flexible, it takes a little practice to develop a good steady aim, but I've found it very useful for cleaning electronics, screens and lenses. I just reach for the bulb instead of risking finger smudges or blowing with moist breath. Highly recommended!
It works pretty well, not as nice as canned compressed air, but works good for cleaning camera lenses and the inside of computers. Not bad.
I highly recommend purchasing one of these if you have a camera.  It sucks in air through the lower section (which filters air) and sprays a good amount of clean air out.  It is a much better option than compressed air or using your own lungs.  I use it a lot for cleaning the lens or cleaning near the sensor when I have to.  So far it hasn't broken and I've had it for a few years now.  They also have another size if you would like something smaller for portability.
I use this to clean out my camera lens to without having to actually touch the camera lens. I know they are likely more durable then most people think, but I like to be cautious anyways. The way it's designed it seems like their is a filter on the intake, so you're not just blowing more dust on the lens. Also the way it's designed you can get a lot of directed air pressure out of the nozzle. I would definitely recommend this as a necessary addition to any SLR cleaning/maintenance kit.
Works well and moves a lot of air.  I've been using it to clean off my negatives before scanning and it has no issue remove dust and fuzz.
I just got this so I'm not sure how well it works once the sensor dust builds up badly, but for now, it works...
It works, but it isn't powerful as you would think for something this hawnking big. It feels good when you squeeze it, good exercise for your hand.It is a conversation starter, people want to know what it is.
That's all this item is - very basic, although allegedly it has some kind of "filter" for the air as well.  Can't tell without taking it apart - but it does the job - better than blowing on the lens and/or camera yourself.Warning - don't let your dog see it.  Mine thinks it's a dog toy because it looks like one of those Kong toys, so she wants to get it every time I pull it out to use.  I have to keep it put away up high in a closet or otherwise she would destroy it!
This works fairly well to clear dust off my camera lenses but isn't as 'powerful' as others claimed in the reviews for cleaning keyboards, etc.
You can find cheaper blowers, but the quality on this Giottos is there and worth it.  If you want a good blower then buy this one.  The rubber is high quality and it works well.
I have not got that much to add to the many existing fine reviews of this product.When the product description used the word &#8220;large,&#8221; I didn't realize just how large this thing would be, and so I naively thought I could toss it into my camera's gadget bag!  Think again, as it's far too big for that (unless I buy a bigger bag)!So, I keep it at home, and use it regularly.  It creates a tremendous movement of air, so it's fine for blowing off dust particles and other small pieces of debris that collect on the camera lens, and other places.  I keep a UV filter permanently in place on my lenses, but dust gets underneath even so, and so this blower comes in handy for regular cleaning.  As other people have observed, this device won't remove everything, so you should still invest in a cleaning brush if you want to be able to clean your camera and lens properly.I've noticed a lot of comments about whether or not you should clean your camera's sensor, and I will add my two cents for what they're worth.  I'd be very careful with regard to blowing air into the camera's innerds, whether it be by the use of this product, or when using a spray can (and you should be ultra careful when using the latter at all times because little dabs of propellant could come out and you don't want those inside your precious camera's inner workings).Most definitely do not stick the nozzle of this device right inside the camera body where it could touch sensitive parts like the mirror, shutter, or sensor.  Keep a respectful distance when dealing with such components.This is a great product, and it does exactly what it's designed to do &#8211; no more, no less.  I'd recommend it to anybody.
Some people would say this product blows. They would be right, because that is what it was designed to do. It is a good way to avoid using canned compressed air. I'm glad I bought this.
This is an important tool in my maintenance kit for my DSLR camera.  It does a far better job of blowing the dust, etc. off lensss, filters, and the camera body than does thesmall bulb/brush tool that is often used.  I have one of those and use the brush, but for blowing dust, etc, from places the brush  won't go or is better not used, this  blower is idealIt's large, too big to carry in your pocket or most camera bags, but for use in your home to clean the camera after a day in the field, the only thing better would be a can of compressed air.The bulb is heavy rubber and should last a long time.  The fins on the bulb enable standing the blower on end so that it is not rolling around one the table when you work with it.
I heard these were great for any Photographers for cleaning dust off sensors and etc. The one-way valve is great, so you're not shooting the same dusty air back into or on your camera. I used it to clean my sensor and of course it took all the dust right off, no problems. I highly recommended it to any Photographer.
want to clear  dust from your camera lenses or sensor...this will do the trick...very strong airflow and the item is well constructed
Plenty of wind power is generated by this dust blower. It is built very well and looks like a rocket about to take off. Would buy again if necessary.
What more can I say, this is the gold standard for photographic dust blowers. Works like a dream. Blows out the front and sucks in from the back to prevent dust from getting inside.Very happy with Giotto
THIS PRODUCT MAY BE A BIT OVERATED AND HYPED, BUT IT WORKS.  THE AIR THAT IS BLOWN IS NOT VERY POWERFUL.  IT'S GOOD ENOUGH TO MOVE DUST AND THAT'S IT.Rom 5:6  Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful.Rom 5:7  No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person.Rom 5:8  But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful
It blows, but that's what I need it to do. If you don't have a rocket blower, get this one. The small one is pretty ineffective. Go big or go home.
This thing easily blows a lot of air when and where I want it and it also will blow gently when I squeeze it gently, to remove dust from my camera's sensor and more delicate internal areas.
a piece of rubber which blow out most of the dust awayget one its useful.
Excellent price from vendor compared to list.A simple but effective bulb.  There are a few on the market that claim to have filters that guarantee no dust will be sucked into the bulb and be blown into your camera. These are really expensive though. I'm going to try this and see how it works. Plan on storing it in an air tight environment in-between uses.Careful when using it. Like any hand compressed bulb when you squeeze it the tip moves laterally and downward. You need to anticipate this movement so as not to damage components inside your camera when you squeeze. It seems to be effective in generating a good air stream with a slow and even squeeze, so I would avoid being too vigorous.
Excellent product. I use this for blowing off dust on my DSLR lens, and inside the camera housing as well. No complaints, definitely recommend it!
Best air blower on the market for cleaning photo gear. Fits perfectly in the camera case and would never leave home without it.
I mean, it's a bulb syringe and not much more.  Whether it is effective in removing dust from old slides and negatives remains to be seen
Extremely useful air bulb gadget for getting almost anything that is dry off your optics.  it's comparatively large but then 'no batteries required'.  The rubber or whatever plastic is used holds up very well, I've now bought two of these in the past three years.
I'm quite satisfied with the Rocket Blaster. It is very powerful and does an excellent job cleaning the sensor on our DSLR. It well surpasses the smaller instrument that it replaces.
I see many people rated this like a super dust blaster, not really... I think its power just like the smaller version, no major difference. If your camera bag is small, just buy the smaller version. This large version is huge, and not very powerful. It can not even blow the small fiber on my camera lens filter (B+W MRC grade). I think the only time you really need this is when you want to clean your camera sensor, because the sensor is very fragile, you can not use the canned air blaster on it. When it comes to lens filter, canned air blaster is still the best way to get rid of dust, fiber, and some other stuff.
Every photographer should have one of these. Had it for months now and it works great! Clean and simple. Would recommend.
I'm willing to admit it, cleaning my SLR scared the crap out of me!  Such an expensive piece of equipment, requiring maintenance, yet regular "professional" maintenance costs an arm and a leg.....so using this little guy took a lot of the "scare" out of the task!!  love mine!
I'm sorry, but this thing is a very fancy substitute for just shooting a quick gust of air out of your mouth to clear the dust.  I don't see any evidence that it's more powerful.  It's just a rubber thing you squeeze.  There's nothing like &#34;compression&#34; happening.
I rarely review products but this one impressed me enough that I decided to write one.I am new to the DSLR world and being a newbie, I was determined to always use the most appropriate lens for each situation, which means I was switching lens more frequently than I should have been in situations where it wasn't advisable. So slightly 6 weeks after getting my brand new camera, I noticed a big ol' dirt splotch showing on all my pictures. Yep, dust on the sensor. Freaking out a bit, I hurried to my local camera shop, where they promptly charged me $40 to clean it. Miffed but contrite for causing this issue in the first place, I agreed. Besides, I like to support the local shops.But, you guessed it. It happened again, not two weeks later. This time, lacking the $40, I decided to order the Rocket Blaster. I did a few test blasts with it and figured, 'Hey, I got this.' I put in a new battery, shut it off, disconnected the lens, turned it back on and to clean mode to raise the mirror and had at it with the Rocket Blaster. Approximately 30 seconds later, I was finished and when I tested the cleaning by shooting a white piece of paper and desaturating it in Photoshop, all the dust was gone!I'm no longer in newbie mode and only switch lens when it's absolutely imperative that I do so, or do it in a controlled environment. But now, the GIottos Rocket Blaster is one of my most important pieces of equipment. The way I look at it, you can spend hours clone-stamping out dust splotches from otherwise perfect pictures, or you can order this thing for $10 and take pride not only in taking the best pictures possible but also in being able to clean your own camera as needed. Now, I'm using the extra money I'm saving to buy new lens at the local camera shop instead :).This is the best $10 you can spend. Add this essential piece of equipment to your camera's bag asap.
Nothing more spectacular about this blower than other blowers I own, except for its size. It provides a nice blast for a hand blower. I have seen other products which, when combined with this one, enable you to direct the air flow. I just wish Giotto would create a blower with a stabilizer or mount already built in that would allow me to pinpoint where I blow the air (especially onto my sensor). I would not only pay more, but would buy it in a second!
I'm not a photographer, i bought this as a dirt cheap reusable alternative to compressed air duster cans. I operate a lot of consumer electronics, I also occasionally crack open components, usually to find some kind of residue or dust layer coating certain parts. I used to use canned compressed air, but one day while replacing my laptop hard drive, I reached for the canned air to blast a dust encrusted exhaust fan. SNAP! The pressure from the compressed air broke one of the brittle plastic fan blades. After fishing it out, I realized that a lot of plastic components could snap off under 200+ miles an hour of air forced across its surface. I started looking for an alternative, something the same effect as blowing with the mouth (but more concentrated and less spittle). The nozzle is nice, in that it fits everywhere. With repeated pumping I was able to blow all of the visible dust off of a 26&#34; LCD screen. Nice for those times when compressed air might be overkill, but mouth blowing might cause more damage than help.If I had this back in my N64 days I wouldn't have to lick cartridges to get them to work!For desktop computers, large fans, and anything bigger than a laptop I recommend sticking with canned air.
No batteries, no cords, no weird smell that lingers on the keys with compressed air.  This is a GREAT option to all of that.  Stands about 7&#34; tall and looks like a really big nasal aspirator. :)  Honestly, I LOVE when I can find something that doesn't need batteries. I use plug in ear phones with a microphone on my smart phone.  I just hate having to charge stuff.  It is well made and I think it will last as long as I will want to be &#34;blasting&#34; my computer keyboard.
great product and  very usefull  fell not to heavy and soft materials keeps clean of dust  your camera and lens
This is perfect for removing light dust particles and loose artifacts from your sensor, mirror and focus screen.  It's not intended to replace professional sensor cleaning.  If you notice a few particles on your sensor, just blast it with air for a bit (being careful not to actually stick the plastic tip into the camera where you might bump something) and follow a professional tutorial for using air to clean the inside of your DSLR.  You have to position the camera in a way where the dust will actually fall out of the camera and not just move it around inside.  If it comes out, great!  If not, it might require more professional cleaning.Additional Uses:This worked great for cleaning some minor dust off of my sensor but it also works like a charm for cleaning dust off of your camera lenses and the camera body.  After seeing how well it blasted dust out of hard to get areas I went around the room cleaning anything that I could find.  It worked great for cleaning out my computer keyboard and some hard to get to crevices on my desk, etc.It does a fantastic job at doing what it is made for.  It's always better if you can blow something off with air than wiping it off.  There's just more of a risk of scratching and smearing when you use something to wipe it clean. You might as well try to use air first, then move on to other solutions if it doesn't work.
Good for Cleaning camera lens and camera body.Excellent merchandise!!!Little bit biger than what I use to have but it really blow..Thanks
Nice quality, work great.  Not too big, just the right size.
This is just a great, all-around air blaster.  The puffs can be as gentle as you want, but will let you really hit things with a strong puff of air when you need to.  I used it to blow dust out of my camera body, then I used it to blow dust off of some fake flowers that had been needing a good cleaning.Though canned air can certainly deliver a stronger, more sustained blast of air, this blaster doesn't run the risk of spraying freezing liquid on things, and it's much longer-lasting than canned air for about the same price (or a couple of dollars more, at most).I'm quite satisfied with this thing's performance.  It's great for what it is, and for its price, I honestly can't fault it for any shortcomings it might have (that I've yet to discover).  It easily earned its five stars.
I use this blower all the time to make sure my equipment is dust free.  It works like a charm.  It provides a very powerful blast of air.  I would definitely buy this brand again.
Durable long-lasting construction os AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large - BlackGiott Stands upright7.5-Inch long2.25-Inch long nozzle2.4-Inch diameter
Just what I needed to clean the dust off of my camera. I have a crummier device that didn't work so well. I bought this as a substitute and am glad I did. The air pressure is great!
This product is wonderful for lenses. I also use it for blowing out keyboards. In a pinch, I might use it in a photo shoot to blast a little air onto a toddler to get him to look at the camera....the problem is that kids absolutely love this thing! I've had to replace it 3 times because a toddler wouldn't part with it after a shoot!
I was amazed at how much dust came out of my laptop keyboard when I "blew" it out with Blaster.  Almost needed safety glasses when I used it on my desktop keyboard which is in a room that tends to attract dust.  I bought this as a package deal when I bought some wipes and really delighted I did.  It's worth purchasing to remove dust from many areas and articles around the household.
I love this thing!!! While reading other people's reviews I thought it was funny how many people said it was fun to use. I was thinking "it just shoots air, these people are freaks." But, now that I have mine I %100 agree with those freaks, lol. I have been driving my girl absolutely nuts since it has arrived. I have cleaned all of our camera lenses and bodies, all of the keyboards in the house (including hers while she was using it), my mouse, blasted the dust out of the corner where the tv frame meets the screen, and chased the cats around with it for a while. It's great!In my opinion The Rocket is better than canned air in every way. No waste, no worry of spraying freezing liquid all over your electronics, you get as much air as you can stand to pump, and despite what other posters say MORE pressure. The harder/faster you squeeze it, the harder/faster the air comes out. My girl's keyboard has a loose key from one of her dumb friends being dumb, and The Rocket blasted it right off the keyboard. Canned air has never done that. The people complaining about the pressure apparently need to go to the gym or something.It also feels very sturdy. It is made of fairly thick (assuming that the body is the same thickness as thinnest part of the wings it is just over 1/10th of an inch) texturized rubber, which bounces back immediately between each squeeze. I have only had it for 2 days now so I can't say much about durability yet, but it is made of a combination of ABS and natural rubber so it should last if taken care of. The packaging says to keep it out of direct sunlight, and not to use anything other than clear water to clean it to prevent damage to the natural rubber.I highly recommend this to anyone who has any need for canned air, and it is a must for cleaning SLRs. For the price, you will definitely not regret buying it. Even if you can't get the pressure you want out of it, it is still a great substitute for the can in most situations.
Not much to say here.  It works, squeeze and a blast of air blows away loose dust.  It did remove the dust specks on my camera sensor.  I wouldn't carry it in the field as it takes up too much space in a camera bag.
This provides the necessary tools for fine dusting of electronics. It allows you to dust through keyboards without needing any additional help. It's study, light and pocket sized, and comes very handy in tight areas or hard to reach places (such as in-between keys or inside computer cases)
Great device for cleaning electronics. Dust is a killer and compressed air gets expensive so here is a great alternative. The nozzle gets into cracks and tight spaces with no problems. Have not used this with camera's but works wonders with old stereos. Highly recommended and would purchase again.
No hay mucho que decir sobre este, muy practico y sobretodo manual, cabe en cualquir lugar y ha sido muy c&oacute;modo.
This tool is so handy for getting dust off of your lens and even computer! I absolutely love it! It fits in the hand nicely and easy to throw into my bag when I'm out and about. I definitely would recommend this and would buy again.
Very well made air cleaner, soft rubber with plastic tip. Easy to use and puts out a lot of air with each squeeze. The tip makes it easy to get into small places on the camera that can collect dust. Highly recommend.
I bought this to blow away any dust from both my camera and my negatives but I find myself blowing into them myself rather than using this product. Don't get me wrong, some air does come out but most of the time it is not enough to get rid of some stubborn dirt. You're better off getting compressed air.
It does just what you would hope, and it makes cleaning your keyboards, lenses, and other electronics much easier.  I threw away my last can of compressed air, which always seemed to put some sort of goo on the lens I cleaned.  Probably just condensation, but it added another step to the process...
This is the very first thing you should turn to if you ever have dust spots on your DSLR sensor.  99% of the time, it gets rid of the dust.  If any specs are too tough for my Rocket Blaster, it's time to have the sensor professionally cleaned.
Quality built and should last a long time . More than enough air. I find it does a great job of removing dust from the exterior of my cameras especially after a day out shooting wildlife. A must have .
Does a good job of quickly dispatching dust demons from your camera.  It says the tip is removable but I'm not going to try.  So far it has worked really well.  It even works to blow dust out of pc fans.
This air blaster was delivered on time and in great condition.  It produces a good air blast and is great for blowing the dust off of 35 mm photographic slides.  Besides, it looks neat -- just like a space ship taking off.
I know that it's mostly photographers that use this but I'm a new stamp and coin collector and this tool does a fine job of getting dust and debris off of coin and stamp surfaces.
It's just a squeeze-bulb blower, not very powerful, but you can move some dust around with it, and the shape is way fun.
I use it for something a little out of the ordinary.I have an ammunition loading press work bench and I keep this in an easily accessible spot because it gets used so often.I use it clean off the workbench of dust and powder and it does a great job at cleaning powder out of the loading press itself.There are a lot of small nooks that, if jammed up with powder or debris, could halt the whole system.Using this little guy every once and a while keeps things clean and operationally smooth.
arrived dusty, and tried vacuuming it clean, but it still spews some dust when I tried to remove one spec of dust from my sensor, it put many more specs, some of which refuse to go away after many blasts... it's seems i'm going to resort to other cleaning techniques... sigh.
I like this must better then canned air, it is super easy to use, and as long is there is air, and a dog does not chew it, I highly recommend this blower for getting the job done.
No complaints here.  Far better than blowing on a lens or sensor, and much less dangerous than using chemicals (especially on the sensor).  No competition as far as I'm concerned, and it fits perfectly in my camera bag as well.  Love it
Almost works as well as a can of compressed air but more compact.  I brought this larger size model for home and travel use.  It's kind of bulky to carry around in a bag but it does work as advertised.
Great little product that does a great job.  it blows very hard and keeps my lenses and cameras clean however it is rather large and awkward to store.
but not as useful as a can of compressed air, however it is much cheaper and I like that very much.
I know, I know what your thinking "But it's just 7 bucks!"..yes it sure is but I still would have not paid more than a $1 for it.I cleaned my computer with it, and the dust laughed at me..no not at me..at this Rocket Air Blaster! This product has no powder behind it. You will be doing most of the work just to get some air going. This Blaster is just as powerful as those booger suckers you use on your babies nose. Use that instead.
kind of weird rating air bulbs, but this one is really good at getting the dust of my d3x sensor, which is a dust magnet.
The Rocket Air Blaster does the job better than any other product I've tried to date. It packs flat in my camera kit taking up very little room. As a landscape photographer I'm always dealing with dust, pollen, and other airborne problems affecting my lenses. This product quickly takes care of the problem and leaves no smudges or smears. I highly recommend it.
This was the 3rd one of these I bought in a year. Just gave our daughter her first DSLR camera and included one of these and a camera bag. This is so much better than blowing on a camera which one should never do. Don't bother with the smaller versions, get this LARGE one and blow away all those nasty dust particles in your wonderful camera! A must-have for any camera! (I bet it's good on computer keyboards too&#8230;.and anything else that needs a good blow off!)
This is a fantastic product! The quality is terrific and it offers a really cost effective alternative for applications where compressed air would otherwise be used. (Although, it's important to mention that the force of the air jet you'll get with this product is not quite as strong as that of compressed air.) It does a very nice job of &#34;blasting&#34; dust and other small particles out of cracks and crevices and is particularly useful on electronics and keyboards.
Simple air cleaner for photos or slides.  Has plenty of volume to do the job easily.  Well made and stores easily on its &#34;rocket&#34; base.
This blaster is great, very efficient for my cleaning lenses. However, the security folks at Cancun airport confiscated the "bomb" as it looks like a ... well - bomb! At least it does for those guys.
I bought this to try to get rid of lots of grey dust blobs on my sensor.  It took several tries before I was satisfied with the results but it did do the job.  There are still some small blobs at the edges if I shoot at F22, but let's face it, I never do.  I was nervous about cleaning my own sensor but this was simple and didn't require me to touch it....I would probably let a pro handle it if I had to go to the swabs, etc.  It's an essential item for your tool kit (too big for the camera bag) and one that most DSLR newbies probably don't know they need.
Works great for taking dust off your lenses, off of your camera, out of your computer keyboard, or really anything.
Tried to blow this thing into my face and my hair, and I could feel an amazing force of cool air.So far i love it very much. It is kinda big to fit my camera bag though.
This product blows.  Literally!  Great for removing dust and debris from the lens and blowing dust from other items.No batteries needed and it can be stuffed anywhere in your gear bag.
I have both the Large and Small rocket blasters from Giottos.  The little one goes with me on my photo shoots, while the big one stays at home for &#34;end of the day cleaning&#34;.  The big one does a nice job in blowing out dust from the lens and inside the camera.  I think it's very nice addition to anyone's cleaning kit.
This is a Rocket Air blaster - and it is perfect for blowing off dust without leaving a residue on my slides and film.  Plus, I don't have to buy cans of &#34;air&#34; - that in itself is a big money saver.The large size stands about 9 inches tall, and the blub provides a perfect shot of air.
I use it to dust my keyboards, cameras, and fans/heatsinks and it blows the dust out real quick. My kid threw it around like a football a couple times and it didn't break but I don't recommend using this as a football.
This is really the best dust remover on the market as far as I'm concerned. The air output is direct and very strong. I have NEVER had a problem with dust on the sensor or lens. Why would you want to clean the sensor with a product that actually has you touch the sensor with a cleaning agent or a cloth!!! I would recommend this product to everybody who doesn't want to risk scratching their sensor or the surface of their lens!!
I had a big chunk of something somewhere in my Nikon d300s viewfinder mirror assembly for weeks.  I was about to brining the camera to a service center to have it cleaned out, but read about Rocket Air on a Nikon forum.  I removed the lens, held the camera upside down and gave it a few short blasts, and the gunk was gone.  How can I give this item anything less than five stars?  Definitely give it a try if you if you need to remove dust, etc. from your camera assembly.
A blower is one of the tools an SLR owner ought to have.I actually prefer my BRUSH for the outside of the camera and the lens, because it takes up less space and works better (had one for years).But the blower can go places the brush can not (inside the camera).PS [camera manual says to use a blower].
Blows A LOT of air and has eliminated the need for dust off/compressed air cans. I used this to clean my DSLR mirror/lenses as well as keyboards and other small/delicate electronics.This thing is just great and an amazing value for the price.
Great quality and powerful blower.
it seems to work well, even after years of use.  The shape is a bit odd so it takes up more room ( minus 1 star)  than it should in a crowded camera bag.  Still recommended, just make room for it.
Finally found the blower that could remove stubborn dust from my DSLR! I've been using the medium blower which works great most of the time, but the stubborn dust only responded to the large blower.
Wonderful camera add-on for any camera user.The best feature of this is how clean the inside is. It doesn't spray anything out, unlike the complaints I've heard about some similar products.Even this small version is pretty large, so I recommend sticking to this.
This is a great little air-squishy-ball-thingy that will save you a ton of cash on canned air.  Perfect for lenses, it even has a little filter on the air intake so no dust gets inside!  Wow!  Thats cool!  Air velocity is sufficient to remove even stubborn dust and comes close to that of canned air, in short bursts of course.  The rubber is very rubbery in feel, look and smell (which is similar to that of a bicycle store), and it is quite satisfying to squish.  The rocket fins don't do a tremendous job of keeping a stable flight attitude when tossed about the room or to your assistant, but they do keep it from rolling off the table and thats nice too.  The company logo looks good on each side of the ball, but I would like to see it in red to match the nozzle.  Giottos thought of everything you could want in a squishy-ball duster, even a couple of small holes in the fins so you can ( and I am NOT making this up!) wear it around your neck... and look like a total dill-wad out in public.  On the other end of the ball, the shiny red nozzle does a great job of being nozzely and is long enough to stuff just about anywhere that dust needs to be blown, and a few places that don't.  All in all, this is my favorite squishy-ball-duster-thingy ever.
I read a blurb from someone who works for Nikon, saying that a jet of air is the preferred way to get dirt off camera lenses. So I bought this for my wife. It works well on lenses, but I enjoy watching her blow air in the dogs' faces and in their ears. It is an entertaining little toy for her, besides being effective on lenses.
I got this for my wife's old-school Cannon EOS (film) camera and her new Lumix digital. It works great. The only complaint I have is that I was hoping the large would be a bit larger and create a little more air pressure. So I would not recommend a smaller one if your main goal is cleaning. That being said I really like the product. It also works great for computer keyboards, laptops, piano keyboards, and anywhere you want to blow dust away.
I used this to dust my camera it works wonders, It also works great on keyboards, laptops, etc. the only thing is it is a little big can't really stash it in my camera bag.
I love playing with this, what can I say? It's a blower. It works well at doing what a hand-held blower does. It doesn't remove sticky dust and debris, but it works well on loose dirt.
Perfect for use on camera lenses, it works really well at removing loose dust. Just then needs followed up with a good quality lens cloth or lensPEN.
Fed-up with paying $$ for compressed air? I was!Wasn't sure this would do the trick for me but after a couple of minutes i was very happy with this product. Purchased this to blow debris from my PC keyboards etc. and it does the job very well.Great gadget and great price too.
What can you say?  It blows air.  My wife thought it was a baby enema apparatus and that sort of shaded my opinion.
I will never again blow my own breath on camera lens after I have this Giottos Rocket Air Blaster.  I have both large size and the small size.  These purchases equipped me to clean my camera lens.  I'm happy.
This thing works great and is durable. The only strike against it is that it is bulky.
This is a great way to blast dust off of your lens, camera body or even sensor if you are careful.  The 1-way valve prevents dust from being pulled in from the nozzle.  Although this model is physically large, it is a good size to have because it can generate plenty of airflow.
I've read a lot of people claiming the one they received is not as good as others they've bought in the past. Stinky rubber, somewhat sticky, and not having a one-way valve...Well, I've never had one of these before, but the one I got had a rubbery stench to it, and definitely did not have a one-way valve to prevent dust being picked up.Before using this on my camera equipment I tested it on my desk... Blew the keyboard, and yes... this thing has decent power. But putting the nozzle up to a piece of dust on the desk- it sucked it right back up.The whole reason I was attracted to this brand was it's claims of one way valve and not sucking up dust to just spit right back out... since it doesn't work as it claims to- shipping it back.Sad... it lasted 5 minutes out of the Amazon shipping box and it's already back in it.
Great little blaster for the SLR user.  Every one before this one was just junk.  I use it on my lenses and it works perfectly for removing the dust from the glass.  Some here have complained that it did a bad job of cleaning the sensor.  Obviously they have difficulty understanding what an air blaster is.  This device is NOT a cleaner; it moves things, like air, dirt, dust, pollen, ect. . .  The glass on my lenses are always clean, but dust gets on them with normal use.  This blaster is great at removing dust from clean glass.It's also great for playing with our cat.  She loves the blast of air on her nose, so this little gadget can pull double duty for cat owners.
Works great for blowing out sensors, keyboards and more!Would buy again if I had to do it all over.
First of all, this product was created as a piece of photography equipment, and for those purposes, it has no issues, thus the 5-star rating.  However, many amazon purchasers--like myself--understood that and still want to try using it in lieu of compressed air.Other reviewers that have cautioned against expecting it to fill that role are right on.  It's cool to have around, and I have used it successfully in some applications that I'd previously used a can of compressed air.  That said, the area of coverage for the highest airflow is much smaller than a can of air and the burst cannot help but be far shorter in terms of time.On the plus side, if you try to use this in place of compressed air, you will have huge, well-defined forearms in no time!
This thing  moves a lot of air. Yeah you are blowing contaminated air at what ever you are trying to clean but on the go this thing works awesome. It's a lot better then blowing on it and having your spit fly at whatever you're cleaning and no oils from canned air.
After spending several days attempting to locate an alternative to "canned air" I saw this product here on amazon. The primary reason for why I wanted this product was for my office at work to clean the electronics and computer peripherals. I am close to the front door and my work space tends to get dusty very quickly. After using this product for a few weeks at the office for my personal space I acquired an additional one for the IT supply closet as well. Even though this is not the purpose it was intended for this product works so well it has significantly exceeded my expectations.There are three primary things that I like about this product.1 It gets the job done with a minimal amount of fuss. I have very weak hands and I cannot squeeze things very hard but the rubber of this product is soft enough that I can use it. Even with my reduced hand strength it still generates enough power to kick a staple out of my keyboard.2 The rocket shape might look a little unusual for what it does but it is great to be able to set it aside and not have to worry about it rolling away. It also helped with storage.3 The quality of this product is great. I have had this product for about a year now and the product still works and feels just about the same as when I bought it.On a side not I haven't bought any canned air since I bought my first rocket.
Works as described! Need to get nay dust or particles off your lens, before fitting a filter, this should be it.I've used this before attempting any microfiber cloth for cleaning and now I dont have to smear anything on a lens.Highly recommended.
I had a smaller version from another vendor. It was easier to pack. When I got this one I realized that every review that said it was big wasn't exaggerating. For me the real estate it takes up in my camera bag isn't much of an issue after a few squeezes. The force and amount of air is reassuring and gets all but the stickiest of stuff off of the lens, filter, CCD or CMOS. That's very important when using expensive glass. Wiping off a dirty coated filter or lens with a cloth can take it's toll after a few years a cleaning. If you don't blow them off first you are slowly destroying your lens or filter. Using this big booger helps keep my lens cloth tucked away more often now since this is usually all it takes to clean off the lens. This is a quality product and a must have for anyone that really cares about their expensive equipment. I even used it to clean my laptop keyboard and with good results. Getting 5 stars from Papa doesn't happen often. It's worth twice what they are asking for it.
Nice blower.  Works perfect.  Great for Videographers/AC's
I use this to clean dust out of my PC and to get my cat off the table.Damnit kitty, why do you jump on the kitchen table? you are not a plate!
Great air blaster! Does it's job well as described. The bulb is easy to squeeze and it recovers very quickly for repeated uses.Very happy with it.
I was quite annoyed when I found my D70 had come out of the box with dust on the lens. The place I bought it would only send it away to Nikon for cleaning, but a friend with the same camera advised me to get a dust blower and showed me how I should be able to blow the dust off myself.the first blower I tried didn't have enough power and the dust remained. I had almost decided to take the camera to get it cleaned when I read a review that suggested this one. I took a chance, and after about 15 minutes of trying, checking, and trying again, I finally have a dust free sensor!this is the most valuable piece of equipment that I have purchased for my camera, and I recommend this to anyone with a similar problem.
Good for blowing dust off lenses and laptop keyboards. I used it on vacation and it helped keep my lens clean. Make sure you do not have it in your hand luggage, it sometimes will show up as a grenade.
every photographer that knows a little more then a thing or two will have one of these in his arsenal...a little bulky but its rubber so it compacts down nicely.a must have... stop blowing on your lenses and getting spit on your lenses and making the problem even worse. ive seen it a thousand times... get this and save yourself the trouble!
Simple, works well. You must accept that it will not blow away all schmutz, just the light stuff that tends to fall on the sensor when changing lenses. You may, like me, buy the small (less powerful) version, which you can keep in your pocket and clean every so often.
Works great at blowing off those little dust particles you can see on your lens and cleaning little crevices. Part of my normal cleaning routine. Only problem is my dog goes crazy and thinks I have a toy for her!
Much larger than what I expected.  When I ordered I thought it would be smaller and able to fit in a camera bag.  Not pleased with product for what I wanted it for.
I bought this a couple of weeks ago, and it is an excellent tool for any photographer to have. It fits inside my camera bag and is easy to use. There is a filter at both ends, so you only get "clean air." No worries about spraying dust all over that new lens. I use it regularly. Well worth the money.
These Air Blasters are great. They have more punch than their unassuming built. Just don't show it to the kids because they will go nuts with it.
The product arrived before the date promised and it has already proven useful.  The blower will be useful since we have two cameras that will require its services.
After several other brands of blowers, I finally wound up buying the Giottos Rocket and I'm sorry I didn't buy it sooner.  Yes, it looks a little silly, but it works very, very well!I bought this to clean camera lenses, but I've found myself using it for a lot of other things too: cleaning dust out of my keyboard, blowing out the charging jack on my cell phone and iPod, even getting dust out of crevices on the inside of my car.  The velocity of air coming out the end is great, and you're only limited by how tired you get squeezing it.All in all a great product, and I'm glad I bought it.
Pros:* Size is good for single-handed use, travel* Valve works well, gives a good air pressure blast whether I use just three fingers & thumb or my whole fist* Good springy rubber, immediately refills with air after squeezing, allows for rapid-fire air blasting* Can stand it on the deskCons:* None so far.Comments:* It recommends storage away from sunlight but not in airtight spaces* I use it on Yamaha Keyboard, IBM Laptop, Nikon lenses
I had not cleaned my DSLR sensor in six years, and the camera has traveled the world.  I take care changing lenses in dirty environments and have kept the lenses clean with regular cleaning which is an easy way to help keep the sensor clean.  Still, the dust spots on the sensor were getting to be a serious issue that I couldn't ignore any longer.  Way too much bandaid tool required in CS3.I cleaned a tile bathroom, went in, closed the door, set the camera mirror up for cleaning, held the camera upside down, and shot a few squeezes of air close (but not touching!) the sensor, and around the mirror box, and then the sensor again.I was dubious.  I want outside and retook a few shots of the clear sky I had taken before, and voila!  Not a spot remained.
Seems to me that I could have used a new, unused nasal syringe to blow a little air on the mirror and accomplish the same thing, but then I'm new at the photography thing... someone please explain to me why this is so superior???
Love it. Bigger than I thought it would be, but still fits comfortably in my camera bag. Works great for camera lenses as well as blowing dust off LPs.
You have to get one of these for a camera.  At some point you WILL get dust on your lens or sensor and this thing will blast it right off.  Nice and powerful air blower, good quality plastics and rubber.  Highly recommended.
I like the way it looks on my desk like a rocket that is about to take off. I use to dry blow my DSLR sensor and for some more blowing all the small debris on my keyboard and computer monitors instead using pressurized cleaning dusters that are costly.It does remove most dust particles from the sensor, however, not all of them. You still should use the wet method too if you are the type of a person like me who demands the best or as perfect as it can be in anything you do.
Did the trick.I have a new D600, and while I did not encounter the dust problems described by many, I did have a couple specks on the mirror. Used this handy item to to blow them out.  It worked as intended.  I'm very pleased.
I found out about this little guy online on a blog.  Works great for getting little specs of dust and stuff off of the lens.  Highly recommended.
Large Professional Blower gives great air with every squeeze. Might be better for home use takes up a lot of room in the camera bag.
Nothing is more annoying than having dirt on your lens. The Rocket Air Blaster is the faster way to clean your lens without smudging the surface. Just make sure you get the right size. The large is really big. Get a small to throw in your bag for cleaning out in the field.
Nice item, quality build, giving it 4-stars as I do not know long term how it will hold up.  I have one in my car for dashboard and center console debris blow out.
This fits the hand nicely and blows a good strong puff of air.  Good for blowing off lens and lens cap.  Have not used internal on my camera but sure it would help in getting dust of sensor.
This blower works very well in cleaning any loose dust specks from your DSLR sensor. Once I used it it removed 99% of the dust on my sensor, but I had a particularly stubborn dust speck. In the end I had to use a static dust brush to properly clean it.You can also use this as a multi-purpose air blower to clean your office, electronics, etc...
This does the job for which it is intended. Does it get the specks off the sensor? Yes, and very well. It is a bit large, and the prospective buyer might want to check the smaller model. If one has a large camera bag/backpack however, this would do very nicely.
The material is holding up for the use! Bigger than I thought but very good air output. Money well spent!
This works great. Has a lot of pressure behind it, and takes care of the dust easily. Very good product with other great reviews as well.
Let's be honest, the rocket air blaster is a rather simple tool.  However, it does what it needs to do.  It packs enough air power to clean away most any item on your camera's sensor.  It's easy to use and is safer than alternative methods.  I also use it for general cleaning of my other electronic equipment (keyboards, computer components, etc) instead of canned air.
The nozzle can be stored inside the squeeze bulb if the length is a problem, but I prefer to leave it out so it is ready to use.  Large volume of air.  Only problem I have read of is you may not want to put this in your carry-on luggage because at least one photographer reported that airline security seized his (presumably because it might be mistaken as a grenade).
This is a great idea, and I was hoping it would replace the more traditional compressed air cans.  Unfortunately, the &#34;blast&#34; it delivers is not as strong as I need for some of the applications I was planning to use it for.  (E.g., cleaning out dust and debris from grooves in metal track).  I think it might still be useful for other purposes, but it doesn't really give much more blowing force than you can from your own lungs.  Of course, it's a bonus that you won't hyperventilate using the Rocket Air Blaster.
I've had the little squeezy things with a brush attached before.  My Grandma's perfume bottle put out more air.  This thing really puts out enough directed air that it actually blows dust and sand off lenses, camera bodies, etc.  It's 1/3 the price here that it is on some specialty websites.  I highly recommend.
This is a good product for blowing the dust out of your SLR camera body and from the Camera's photo sensor.  The Blaster produces a very good volume of air for this purpose.  I am sure that it would also be useful for blowing the dust off of other items such as computer electronics and key boards.t
Bought this to save on canned air, can't even use it as a door stop now, gave it to my dog and he doesn't even like it because it won't squeak.
I kind of understand that it blows a clean clean room air and that not everyone has a clean air compressor at home, but there was nothing really thrilling about this blower.  Stream of air is weak and blower is awkward to get into the tight spaces.  It barely gets the job done, but it sort of gets it done.  It's cheap and funny looking, you can't try using it, just do not expect Dyson level blowing out of this thing.
Air blaster worked great! Did exactly what it was supposed to do. Fits perfectly in camera bag. And the material it's made from doesn't smell. I'm happy with my purchase.
Nice product little pit hard to carry in regular bag, it's nice and does what it is made for which is really good.
I works fine.  I is just a blower.  It is simple but works fine.  No complaint for anything about it.
GREAT item!  FORCEFUL air output!  CONVENIENT!  Stands on its own!  DURABLE!I use this to keep my DSLR and its lenses clean and dust free.  It has been a great help in clearing the pesky dust "hairs" that can appear in your viewfinder.  It also has saved my from the sensor-swabbing or servicing several times over.  I put my camera into its cleaning cycle where the shutter mirror flips up exposing the sensor...and then, WHOOSH...one quick puff/burst of air and my sensor is clear enough for good pictures again!  This is a must for everyone's camera bag!
Funky shape but this baby BLOWS. Grinning. Fits in my camera bag neatly, great conversation starter, and very good at what it does, removes dust from my lens without me wiping or brushing. AND, works well to decrumb my computer keyboard. Great product.
Does what it is suppose to do fairly well.  A little bulky to carry around but when you need it, you need it.  Yes, I would buy again if I lost it.  Seems to be built well.I live in the high desert here in the Denver area so only time will tell if the rubber will stay pliable and not dry out quicker, becoming unusable. (that would not be a falut of the product, just return on price spent).
If youve spent a few bucks on lenses you absolutely need this to dust off your lenses!It looks ridiculous but moves a ton of air.You'll never buy a can of air again!
After reading of the environmental problems posed by canned air, I sought out a replacement. The Giotto Rocket Air Blaster easily replaces most of my uses for canned air. It easily blasts debris from keyboards and PC fans and insides. I've used it to remove dust from slides, negatives and lenses. It really works and puts a good stream of air right where it's needed and long enough (extra-large bulb) to do the trick. About the only thing this cannot do, which can be done with canned air (believe it or not) is dent removal, from automobile bodies.
The time had finally come for me to attempt to clean my sensor.  I have tried having it professionally done before, but with very poor results.  You know what they say... If you want something done right, do it yourself.  The only problem here is that it was my camera sensor.  Look on the web and there are warnings all over about the risk of damaging the sensor.  But, an unusable camera (due to dust) is unusable - so I decided it was time to actually try it.  And it wasn't so bad.It was pretty nerve racking, but it was fairly easy.I used a staged approach and I bought all the stuff - the blower, the brush, and the swabs.  I went through each method and it was just like you read in the other reviews.  The blower took off some, the brush took off more, and the swab got all the rest.I was pretty pleased with the blower even though it didn't even come close to removing all the dust.  It is light years ahead of the little weenie blowers you get in camera cleaning kits.  It is not a replacement for actually cleaning the sensor, but it works as a good preventative measure to blow dust out of your chamber and to blow the loose stuff off of your sensor.Overall, it is a pretty good buy and I would definitely buy it again.
This is the large Blaster, you won't likely want to put it in your pocket during a casual walk out of doors. But inside or before you start out it is great for cleaning a lens without touching it. Use it to clean off your lenses before and while changing them.  Also useful for cleaning off a keyboard. The smaller lens blowers with a brush don't compare or clean as well and with them you have to touch the lens.  I would definitely recommend this but also the smaller Nikon Lens Pen to put in a pocket or small camera bag. I don't have any experience with the smaller Rocket Blasters.
It's a good air blaster to have in your photo shop or office.  It certainly beats blowing on the lens or image. It's too big to carry in your pocket.
Check the reviews this thing works well blows lots of air. Kind of a space hog in a bag, but the first size I would reach for at home.
As the 3 stars indicate, it's "Ok".  With the correct expectations it's a fine product that will last a long time.  Don't expect it to come close to replacing compressed air.  That's where the name and the design involves a lot of puffery (go ahead and groan) but not much else.  "Rocket Air Blaster" brings to mind powerful rocket engines and air being blasted through something.  It's not a blaster, it's a puffer and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as that's what you're looking for.  The price is great right now, much better than when I bought mine so if you need something that is fine-tuned and controllable for small areas, etc. it's a great choice as long as your hands are up to it.  It's not for anyone with arthritis or tendonitis or carpal or RSS, etc.  If you're going after dust dinosaurs in a computer or cleaning off a fairly large amount (relatively speaking) of dust and dirt that needs a kick, this ain't your best bet, stick to compressed air.  Having both is a great solution if you can do it.
Really able to create quite a bit of PSI with this thing. More than I was expecting. Glad I finally added one of these to my cleaning kit.
Great product that puts out a lot of air to remove dust particles off of camera lenses, bodies and mirrors.
You may think you don't really need it... One day, you'll notice something in your DSLR viewfinder. You'll try to blow it away in the field, only to make it worse... You'll keep trying to satisfy your OCD impulses, but it won't budge... You'll get the Giotto and blow most of it away, but it's now lodged somewhere not even this nice device can dislodge it... If only you had the Giotto from the start... You'd now have a debris free viewfinder.This is must for anyone with a DSLR. Don't use anything else (especially canned air) to clean your camera. The large Giotto (why settle for less?) is the way to go.
I had a laser printer issue where the toner had gotten loose internally and I needed to give the internals a good cleaning. The Giotto applied decent air pressure to get the job done. This device is cost effective in that it can be used again and again w/o having to buy more compressed air bottles.Recommended.MP
I've had my D40 for 2 years - and have experienced dust many times.  An easy way to find dust on your sensor is to put focus on infinity,F-stop to 26, and take a picture of the blue sky.  You'll find it if it is there.I've been using the little baby ear and nose bulb blowers with good results.  I half expected this thing to be just like that.  When it came in I was surprised how huge it was.  It may be big, but man does it work.  You still may want to carry around a small bulb in your case when on the road because this sucker is big - but for most dust, this thing will do better than anything else.I've never had to use the wet method.As an added benefit - this works perfectly for goosing my 18 month old.
This is currently the rudest object I own. When I ordered it, I didn't realise how large it was; I assumed it was the size of a pen. In fact the bulb is meaty and fist-sized. I find it impossible to squeeze it without thinking of the Carry On films.It is easy to use. You insert the red tip into the appropriate orifice (but not all the way), and then you deftly squeeze the thick, black stem, and it shoots its load. The jet isn't so powerful that it will damage anything, but you wouldn't want to shoot it into your eye. It's better than blowing with your mouth, because there's no chance of staining the target with sputum.I also have a Lenspen, which works very well on stubborn specks but is laborious, and I'm always worried that I might nudge the shutter. Of course the Rocket doesn't actually suck out the dust, it just moves it about, but as long as you make sure that you're in a relatively dust-free environment (e.g. outdoors in the alps) it should be a lot more effective than wiping the lens mount with your sleeve. Best of all, it's a great conversation-opener and it makes people smile, women especially, and that's worth more than money.
I love this thing. it cleans dust and lint from pretty much anything, but.......when you travel by air with it, keep it near the top of your bag - since I have had my bag opened almost every time by security wondering what the heck it is! That said, the questions (and responses) from security have made it worth every minute of it!
i really bought this product based on its looks. it did not disappoint me in that area, because its super cute.it just does not move air anyway near what i need to clean my keyboard. its cute still and well made, which counts for something.
Is a pretty effective and cheap alternative for those who can't afford to buy an air compressor to do light air spraying tasks. Easily blows away dust from cameras, binoculars, and pretty much anything you can't use a can of compressed air or have a vacuum cleaner around.
The Giotto rocket blasters are legendary and I bought this one after reading reviews on dSLR boards.The Good:Excellent blower and air volume.  This blower is not just for lenses and sensors.  It is great for cleaning tasks like computer keyboards or exhaust fans on electronic devices.  The rocket will actually save you money by replacing canned air in many uses.  The quality is excellent on this blower and the fins are nice touch as they let you stand the blower up.The Bad:The product was a little overpriced and over hyped compared to similar products.  I purchased another brands product for less and it performed just as well with similar quality but without the fins to help it stand.The Conclusion:Great multipurpose blower and canned air replacement.  The Large version is far from a travel size, but the air capacity more than makes up for that.  I would definitely recommend this blower, but there are other viable (and cheaper) alternatives out there.
I was looking for something smaller to fit in my camera bag. While this works great, just keep in mind this air blaster might take up quite a bit of space in a bag. Otherwise, this product worked just fine.
Anyone who has a DSLR needs one of these! Works great for blowing dust out of any crivas in your camera. Convenient, powerful and works!
It looks like it is going to blast off it's so big ;-).  Well the much smaller one I got at the camera store some years ago now somehow deflated and melted and I didn't even have my bag in the sun or locked in the car.  This one should clean my sensor and a lot of other stuff and I knew this was supposed to be the best one.  So I'm happy with that purchase.  Actually it's kind of funny; I forgot I was going to need one and somehow this one popped in front of me when I was looking at camera stuff so I'm glad that will be ready when I need it.  And it will fit in the bag I use.
My wife wanted to know what the he'll it was and why it was on a desk in the kitchen. The blower works...what more is there to say?
You need this!! Works as advertised! Great squeezing motion, can also work as a stress relief item. Very cool design
It's highly functional, blows enough air to clean my Canon EOS sensor. No more dirt left, no more black dots on my pics!
I'm not sure how, but some dirt managed to make it's way onto my cameras sensor which ended up ruining a lot of my photos.At first I was a bit worried about cleaning the sensor myself, so I took it to a local camera shop who quoted me 45 to clean it professionally... Needless to say I was rather unhappy at how expensive that was so decided to do it myself.After searching around for various cleaning products, it was the overwhelming amount of positive reviews that swayed me to purchase the Giottos air blower over others that were available, regardless of a lot being much cheaper.This product itself ended up being a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be, it seems to be a similar size to that of a 'Nerf pocket aero flyer.Anyway, I switched my camera on cleaning mode via the settings and took of it's lens, I then gave it a few blows with this little device whilst my camera was pointed downwards (to let the little specs fall out), and that was all too it!It did a fantastic job at getting the dirt off my sensor which has saved me a total of 35.Obviously this isn't going to be a solution for all dirty sensors/lenses, however in my case it was which is why I would highly recommend it!
Honestly canned air works better and this is really too large to carry around in your camera bag. It works fairly well and you don't need to worry about it running out like canned air, so no complaints.
Large volume air blaster to rid lenses and glasses and keyboards of dust and water.Detachable long thin tube can be removed for storageMade from silicon rubber for long life.Recommended for any serious photographer.
IT is what it is . . . a Blower.It is a very good blower.The durable textured rubbery grip sets the build quality.In addition to good seals at the neck and a sturdy plastic nozzle,IT has a narrowed triangle opening which helps direct the blast of air toward it's objective.Much like the straw that comes with the canned air.I like it and I recommend it for anything that has to be blown.
Blows air- Squeeze, and air comes out, just like the instructions tell you to do- hold camera upside down with the lens opening pointed at ground, give a few gentle bursts at first, to hopefully dislodge any larger pieces and prevent them from being blasted into the inner camera, then gradually blast harder to hopefully dislodge smaller debris. Good for clearing dust off a lens too before using a micro cloth- and also great for annoying family members at the dinner table- wait until they are just about to take a bite of food, then blast them with air and watch the fun unfold-
Dangerous but that's how I roll. Cleaned my camera perfect. I looked at it, honked it...and blew my ear off. The power is amazing. My uncle used it to attempt to commit suicide (he failed by the way) But his head is now missing. And calling it a rocket is misleading. I sat on it for over an hour and didn't go anywhere.
Cheap and effective.  No expensive pressurized air cans, nothing to crowd the landfill.  Looks cool on my desk, too.  Me likey!
The Giottos Rocket Blaster gets dust out from difficult to reach spots on cameras, PCs and electronics. One squeeze removed all the dust from my D40X mirror and viewfinder. After the camera I directed the nozzle at the PC to blow dust off the fan and switches. Dust hiding in slots and crevices BEWARE, you can cause sneezing but you can't hide.The only drawbacks are minor: The AA1900 is a little big and you really have to to squeeze hard. Also, the soft tip on the nozzle end severely limits the airflow. I removed it for a noticeably more powerful stream of air. The soft tip is designed to keep delicate parts like camera mirrors and sensors free from scratches. The picture shows a red nozzle and tip, but the one on the blaster I received is black. Red would be better so it wouldn't get lost.The final verdict is, BUY THIS.
This air blaster helps a lot in preventing dust build up inside the camera.I recommend large air blaster to really remove foreign materials whichcan affect the sensor's clarity. Don't forget to carry this on your outdoor shootings.It is advisable to use this blaster during lens change.
The number of reviews on this product is pretty high. I'll just say it does the job. The fins are a bit annoying and get in the way for packing it. I wonder if the smaller version is just as good? If it is, that might be better for travel. My main complaint is that the rubber stinks! I hate the tire store smell... I wish they made a version that was not stinky!But it is well worth it for the price here, smell or no smell.Update: I searched for a non fin style blower to keep in my camera bag. Thinking a blower is a blower, I picked up a cheap (but name brand) red blower (not Giottos brand) from Amazon. The other brand was made well and does not stink but, despite a red item in the image, a blue one came. I preferred red (incase I dropped it in the woods, etc.) but, blue was OK. I opened it and in comparison to the Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large, it was pretty poor at blasting air.The Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large seems to be the only way to go for non compressed/canned air if you want to blow off sensors or film (like for scanning) cleanly. I raised the rating to 5 stars. Just be aware that, the legs are pretty chunky. I say, live with them, to have the better blower.
I got this so I can clean the internal parts of my Nikon D60 and it worked like a charm.I was getting black spots on photos and I just cleaned the mirrors and the sensor and no more black spots!I even found my self using this for other things too! It's just great to have this around!I love it!
Easily puffed dust away from lens and hard to clean areas. I used it constantly. It is stored in my camera bag.
Title says it all, on the first use trying to clean the sensor of my Canon 40D it broke something. The mirror mechanism no longer functions properly and the camera shows an error when trying to take pictures. Not sure the bust of air that this thing creates is gentle enough - maybe for front element lens cleaning, but not for sensor cleaning!
I got one of these last year for blowing dust off my sensors and lenses.  This is a great solution that can be used any time to blow away dust with no worries about hurting sensors or lens elements.  Definitely a must have product for any pro or amateur photographer with a digital SLR camera.
This is the large blower and supplies a strong blast of air, perfect for dry dust and particles on all types of devices. I use mine on Photographic gear, inside and out, lenses and sensors. Quick delivery, more than 4 days early.
So, how do you rate a rubber thingy that blows air...?The Rocket Blaster looks like a real sturdy little tool, good quality rubber and the plastic tip looks fine.  When you squeeze the rubber tummy, air comes out the tip - simple.  The 'fins' at the bottom could be handy if you need to put it down on a surface and you don't want the plastic tip to touch whatever you are putting it on.  I have used mine a couple of times now, and it gets most dust off (just be careful when cleaning the sensor, not to touch your sensor by accident with the tip).  It has a non-return valve at the bottom end through which it sucks the air so you don't have to worry that it will suck dust from the inside of the camera back into the unit and blow it back out again.I'm also using it to blow loose dust off my lenses and other parts of the camera.  For slightly more stubborn dust you may need a stronger puff of air - such as from a footpump, but of course you cannot pack a footpump into your camera-bag.In summary - to get rid of loose and/or bigger dust particles, this is the tool for you.  Of course it will not replace your cleaning cloth for lenses or wet cleaning tool for sensors, but you can get rid of a potential 'scratch-threat' by blowing off those larger particles that could cause scratches - before using the physical touch methods of cleaning.  Get one - they are cheap and work well.
I read great things about this interesting device, and mostly they are true. The materials are top notch, it will certainly last a long time, and the mechanisms for fill/empty valves work great. The silicon that make up the rocket shaped body is definitely good stuff, way beyond the price point here.My only small complaint is that this will definitely not work loose the stubborn computer dust that a can of compressed air can break loose. I suppose the trade off is you only buy one of these in your lifetime instead of several cans a year (or more if you work on computers a lot like I do). But you'll definitely need to spend some time also wiping fans and such down with a damp cloth in addition to spraying the loose dust with this guy. So be it! I'm still happy with it.
I've used this for so many different things and it does an amazing job at cleaning off my lenses and cleaning out the inside of my camera! Buy a large one for home, a small one for in your bag!
I bought this product after finding multiple spots on my photos.The best way to test if you have dust on your camera's sensor is to set your f-value very high such as f-22 and take picture of the sky or a bright piece of paper. Dust usually only appears in your photos at smaller apertures. You should be able to see most blotches clearly if you do the test right.Anyway, this thing did the job perfectly. I know how sensitive camera sensors are, and am a little hesitant about using the "wet" method. And besides, this is much cheaper. All you do is go into a dust free room (bathroom worked for me), take off your lens, set your camera to mirror lock-up mode, stick the little red tube into the lens bay, and give it a few blows. Wait about 5 seconds after each blow to allow the dust to fall out. Just make sure you do this is a room free of moisture. Then you just pop the lens back on and take another test shot.It also works great for taking dust off your lenses, off of your camera, out of your computer keyboard, or really anything.The only cons I can think of are that it is too big to fit in my camera bag, and that it is loud. But it is still well worth the money, and five stars.
This is a great product for the price. It works wonders on my canon SLR camera, and other electronic items in our household! Thanks! It's a little larger than expected, but gets the job done well w/out scratching fragile items!
I decided to get the larger version after reading reviews of the smaller one not really doing any good; the large one seems to be just as useless.  I'll stick to compressed air.  Maybe this has use for camera lenses or something else; I just wanted something to clean the dust off of my computer quickly without having to buy a new can every couple of weeks.  Maybe I didn't know what I was buying.P.S. - The title of this review is not, in any way shape or form, an invitation.  XD
It's big and effective.I bought this and LensPen MiniPro Lens Cleaner NMP-1 to clean my camera (Sony RX100).Love it
Nothing fancy. Just a rubber ball, albeit a highly stylized one, with a high density polystyrene aiming nozzle. It works great for short bursts of air at your camera sensor, lens, or even your laptop keyboard.Get it!
This is another one of those things that you must have if you own an expensive DSLR - it's great for getting rid of dust from your camera and lenses. Like many others who have reviewed this blower, I used it to clean my sensor - even though there was a sticker on the package advising that it was not to be used on sensors. Go figure. Regardless, it works - gets rid of the dust from the areas you don't want it to be on your equipment.
Every photog I know has a few of these.  I have both large and small versions and would not think of leaving my house without one of these.Build quality is great.  It's an incredibly simple device that works in an overly complicated world. Far better than canned air and cheaper in the long run.  Stands up on its own, which, while seemingly minor, can be a huge help.  I have had mine for a few years and it is just like new.
It is a syringe made of rubber with a directed nozzle.  It blast air from slides very easily however most of my slides were pretty dust free to begin with.  If your slides are dusty however, this blaster will do a good job at cleaning.
Offers a strong flow of air compared to some other cheaper air blasters.Very useful tool to keep in camera bag!
I've seen this blower is recommended in several photography websites and they're right. It's cheap and it's perfect for removing dust on the DSLR sensor.This is the second rocket blower I own and it's durable and well made. It's a must have for your photography equipment.
its new so I can not comments on how it will last but it blow lots of air into a single point - should you expect  more? i mean it would be nice if the pipe was flexible, but for the price - its good
This blower works wonderfully. The large size if perfect for any size hand (particularly those of us with larger hands). It is very easy to hold with your entire hand in a backhand grip. This allows you to get full compression and a solid blast of air while maintaining a steady aim (as you are pressing against the palm of your hand rather than trying to hold, aim, and squeezing together with your thumb/fingers). Very satisfying!
I've had dirt and crud in my camera sensor for as long as I can remember, but was too scared to fumble with it and/or get it cleaned. I finally bought this product per my friend's recommendation and all I can say is - so long sensor dusts! I probably had about 20 circular specs visible in pictures from my Canon XT, but after a single use of this rocket blaster - EVERYTHING went away.So easy to use! Just follow the instructions in your camera manual in setting your camera to sensor cleaning mode, and squirt away.
Weird shape but a great device little air source.  Large enough to provide a nice gust of air.  Seems to be quality rubber in the bulb.
It's supposed to blow air and that's what it does. You will not have to file any claims for failure to meet the implied warranty. The rubber is nice and soft, it stands up on a flat surface and thus doesn't roll around, and the rubber bulb is large enough to allow you to get decent air velocity out of the nozzle if you squeeze it hard and fast.This sort of bulb type thing is recommended for DSLR sensor cleaning because you can't accidentally cause it to spew freezing liquid like you can if you hold one of those compressed gas cans upside down or at a bad angle. Freezing liquid is not good for sensors. I just wish the bulb could spew air with as much force as duster cans, but that's a bit beyond what you can expect from this sort of device.You can also use it as a stand for your sunglasses, and then take a goofy photo of your sunglasses perched on the blower. The photo will look sort of like a goofy face.Hmm, now that I look around I'm not sure where mine is. Hopefully my cats haven't chewed it up. Cat proofing might make a good feature for the next version.
Instantly cleaned my Canon 7D's dirty viewfinder! Worth every penny! It stands up and blows a strong gush of air. Highly recommended!
At first the design seems very hokey, but then you realize it is so the thing can stand.  If you lay an item like this on its side it could pick up dirt on the nozzle and transfer it to the sensor you're trying to clean!  No worries with this one, though.It seems to send a large volume of air at high speed to blow debris off your sensor.  It's also pretty good and blowing dust off lenses and filters.  Always preferable to making physical contact with what you're trying to clean.  I definitely would recommend this item.
Every pro photographer will have this in their bag. However, this should extend to everyone with a DSLR camera. There are times when dust or other little debris falls on to your lens or into the camera while switching lenses, and this rocket air blaster will be needed to save the day (FYI, you should never blow into your camera where the sensor is). Although it's quite bulky in size, it should fit in most camera bags without any issues. The rocket blaster is one of those things that should be with your DSLR camera at all times; similar to how you should keep an ice scrapper in your car if you live in Boston. You'll definitely need it sooner or later no matter how careful you are with your camera gear.
This was recommended by some astronomy sites for use on telescope eyepieces. It works great and conveniently stands on its end making it easy to pick up when one hand is busy with your eyepiece, camera, whatever. Do not hesitate to buy this.
Comfortable, sustainable, easy to use, and essential for a Videographer on the move.The best part is how you can remove light dust and lint, without touching your camera lens.  Now call me a neat freak, but that's pretty important if you want your lens to last a lifetime.And yes, kids also love to play with this gizmo.  They have a thing about shooting wind into everyone's ears.  I don't advise it, since it isn't a toy, but now you've been warned.
This is a little bigger than I thought it would be, but it blew 98% of the dust off of my camera sensor which is what I wanted it for. I'm sure I'll find other uses for it also.  If you are using it to take with you on photo shoots then I think there's a smaller one that would be more appropriate.
I've been looking at a lot of reviews for a good air blaster. I came across this one review and he was testing this blaster on a glass of baby powder and a glass of water. It blows really strong and it DOES NOT suck up anything. The design allows it to only blow and does not suck anything back from the surface. Lets say I dip the tip in a glass of water and blow it, it would not suck the water back in the blaster.Good product, buy it.
This is a great durable air blower for getting dust and other stuff off the sensor of your camera.
A very powerful way to remove dust and other particles from your lenses without scratching them. It even has a feature which prevents dust to enter the air container when air is aspired.
I really like this tool, blow off my lens and mirror. Not too big fits right in camera bag nicely.
This is a must have for camera lenses to remove any loose dirt prior to wiping with a lens cleaner.  Works like a charm and is easy to stow away in a camera bag.  It is a little bulky but allows enough wind force to get rid of dirt and dust.
This is a must-have item for people with DSLR's.  In the event that dust enters the space between the lens and the sensor, this is the first line of defense for removing the dust.There are lots of pressurized air sources but most camera companies do not recommend anything with a propellant (e.g. "Dust-Off") because of the risk of freezing or damaging the sensor and nearby components.This tool provides enough pressure to remove dust.  Naturally there can be stubborn dust (anything that is wet or sticky is going to be a problem no matter what you use...) but this will work very well for most things.It's small enough to keep in the camera bag for when it's needed.  I suggest making sure the camera and lenses are free of dust before changing lenses and this is one way to achieve that!
I love this product. No more air in a can to harm our environment. Just squeeze the bulb and voila!!!!!!!
Not much to say about this other than it does the job. You squeeze it, air comes out through the tube and blows the dust out. I'm happy with it and use it often.
One of the biggest hand blower around, if not the biggest. The rocket fin design is cool for standing on the desk. Will need to get another one soon.
I know it said large but it was bigger than expected. Won't fit in my everyday camera bag but otherwise it does everything I expected it to. If your looking for a way to clean your camera, sensor, mirror or lenses this is for you. Quickly and safely removes dust with a puff of air with out the excess force of air dusters that use propellants.
This thing is pretty cool! Very well designed and I expect it will last for many years. Gives a fairly powerful albeit short burst of clean air. This will cover most of my needs where I would have used canned dusting air...no more landfill or wasting money!! I would definitely go for the large size if you intend to use this as a replacement for canned air. Powerful enough to dust most things but not quite enough to fully clean out all the keys on my laptop, but I'm fine with that.
If you're like me, you are buying this to dust of the front element on your camera lens. This product is great for that and only blows air so you never have to worry about accidentally blowing coolant from a compressed air can onto your glass.The downside that I've found (specifically for this model, the 'large' size) is that it is quite tall and the red tip does not screw off. I have the 'Canon 2400 SLR Gadget Bag' and this fits in there but leaning a little to the side. I don't want to waste the space giving it a compartment either. It might close straight up but I'm afraid of breaking the tip. It's not poor construction quality, I just open and close my bag a lot.Pros: cheap(price); solid construction and build; reusable; eco-friendly;Cons: the 'large' model is large and may not fit in your camera bag standing up.
I burst out laughing when I opened the container for Giottos Rocket Air Blaster.  It looked like the suction device used for infants whose noses are congested. Then I tried it and was annoyed. Its "rocket" blast was slightly less than the "blast" from a turkey baster. I leaned over my keys and blew. Same results as the "Rocket."
... that blows air. Difficult to rate such a simple object. What could be wrong with it?  The flow of air is strong enough to remove dust, so it does a good job for what it is intended for.
This blower is huge. It does a great job in removing dust without touching the lens. The only con I can think of is the size. But I guess it has to be this big to be effective. It is good for in home use not for travel.
I guess I was expecting something a little smaller that would fit in my (already cramped) camera bag, but this one is larger than I anticipated. Besides that detail, it works great, and I've used it to clean the sensor on various DSLR cameras, and blow the dust out of computers as well. It also works well to scare my cat and annoy my kids.
Awesome product!! It moves a lot of air. I use it on all my camera gear and my car too, I use it to clean my dash area.
this is a power tool . I carry it with me all the time.even on electronics when I open a case, and it's cheaper than an air spray can.
As much as dust was a headache in film photography it also has its challenges in digital.  There are two types of dust that adhere to the sensor:  dry & wet.  This blower is very effective in getting rid of the dry which is what one deals with most of the time.  More complex (and expensive) remedies are needed for the wet variety.
This is a great help when it comes to getting dust off my DSLR and even off of the sensor (even though it says it's not for that). Really good quality and works as it should!
Ok
Rocket blaster works as advertised, excellent quality and price.  I couldn't be happier with the purchase.  Professional grade tool.
This is a nice compact blower that fit nicely into my camera bag.The few short blasts of air is enought to clear my Nikon lenses.
I have bought three of these Rocket Air Blaster.  It's a great little tool that really throws out a nice blast of air.  I carry one in my Polaris Ranger to clean the dust off my GPS.  My wife uses another one for her Cannon, and I gave the third one to a friend who had just been given some expensive binoculars.
After seeing my friend blasting away with this after his purchase, I found this to be a bit of fun. Ok, lets be serious. Besides looking like a rocket ship on the table it does a good job blowing away dust that may be on your electronics. I mainly use this to rid of the dust that is collected over time inside my DSLR. Although it may not remove stuck on sensor dust as efficiently, don't let that stop you from removing dust that eventually become stuck on. I recommend this product to anyone who needs a blast of air in their life. If you have the room for it, get the BIG ROCKET SHIP.
This is the only, true and effective lens blower out there. It's got a nice, strong airflow. It does what it should. Great product! Don't leave home without it.
This thing is pretty big.  Probably too big.  In the context of lugging it around with your camera, anyway.  I think the small Rocket Air Blaster would suffice for what this is supposed to accomplish.  Save a couple of bucks and go for the small or medium.  You'll save valuable space in your camera bag and still be more than well-equipped to generate sufficient air velocity to blow dust off of lenses or sensors!Quality is great!
I love how much air these things shoot out. You really do get a great blast of air, and they really do clean out whatever you are trying to clean with ease... I love this product.
This is an extremely effective dust control device. Instead of needing brushes and other things which require physical force, the air does all the work and does not smudge lens oils like using a cloth can. This blower handles %90 of lens interference and the other %10 is when you'd need a cloth.On a side note: This blower does NOT have an air filter in the rear air intake valve. I took it apart and checked. However, for standard cleaning and environments this is more than enough. In dusty places I'd look for a filtered unit.
I cannot complain about the item for its intended purpose, but -I- bought it based upon reviewers stating that they used it Very successfully for computer cleaning.  I must presume that the reviewer was using on a brand-new PC and was impressed by the packing dust that this device was able to move.I attempted to use this on my 6 month old 17&#34; laptop, just to clean out the cooling ducts. The device does not provide enough pressure to spin the fans. Anyone that has used a canned compressed air knows that it spins them past their rated RPM within a second, which was why I was excited about this product. Simply, the hole that outputs the 'compressed' air is Much to big to deliver any useful pressure for anything but hairs and large dust particles.If that is your intention, I can recommend, but if you intend to blow out anything more than paper dust that has fallen to the instrument you need within the last several minutes, it it pretty useless.
Forgive me.  I had to say it.  This is big and shoots a strong puff of air.  It fully meets my expectations.  I am going to get a couple more for convenience. ;)
It is a really cool stuff and must have for any DLSR owner to ward off dust from the lenses and mirrors of the camera. Also useful for cleaning away dust in between the keys of the keypad of a laptop.
Buy it already!There's no need to go around and research for anything better to blow the dusts off your electronics and other fragile items, Giottos Rocket Air Blaster (large)is fantastic!  I would highly recommend getting the large, because the other ones seems like it's just a short puff of air compared to this one which blows out a nice long stream of air.Why are you still reading this???  >>>>> Click one-click buy >>>>> NOW >>>>> Click it >>>>>> .... >>>>>> Still reading??? >>>>>>> Click click >>>>>>
I have 3 of these now. One for the camera bag, one in the garage, and one for work. They are durable and output just sufficient amount of air whenever you don't want to fire up the air compressor.
My wife and I love this blaster. This is the best rubber blower I've ever used. It has a forceful blast when squeezed. It is so cool looking and reminds me of a 1950's rocket toy. This will help you save money on cans of compressed air.
This item certainly does the job, but I don't see the need for the item's shape (except to be &#34;cute&#34;), and large size, which is not convenient to use.  I goofed with this one, but fortunately it was not a critical purchase.
Very good. product. I used it to clean my Lumix sensor. Only 2 blows, all dirt are gone. Highly recommended.
I use it on my PS4, monitor, speakers, macbook air etc. Most of which are glossy black dust magnets. Works as described. In my opinion this better than spray can duster since there are no fluids/chemicals. Although it wouldn't be efficient to use this if you are buying for commercial purposes or large number electronic equipment as it would cause fatigue. The faster you squeeze stronger the force of air you get. If you have arthritis, this may not be for you.Overall, its very high quality, no sign of wear and tear to the rubber after a number of uses. Must have for any home or office. Can't see any reason why the average person wouldn't get or have this.
I have a smaller Giottos air blaster and wanted the larger one to keep at home and not in a camera bag. It does what it's supposed to do for many different types of electronics. I'd highly recommend a Giottos air blaster to anyone.
Hi Amazon Customers,If you are anything like me you read a lot of reviews before purchasing an item and often find it hard to get a consensus on issues. Many reviewers will complain about a certain aspect of the product and others will say its not an issue. Well after purchasing this product I want to address all its potential problems and the questions you have.-------------------------Power of the Air Blaster:-------------------------I bought the Giottos Air Blaster to use on my PC, cleaning both inside and outside the case. I have a gaming pc that is on almost 24/7 and I live in a dorm where it collects dust fast. I like to keep the pc clean and usually clean out the fans and vents every 2-3 weeks. Canned air is VERY expensive and is a hassle to buy, so I was hoping this would be a good alternative. I read reviews saying it worked well for cleaning a PC, but obviously was not as good as canned air. Now that I own this Air Blaster I have to say these people are misleading.For one, the Air Blaster is not comparable to canned air AT ALL. Not even close. I would say its at most 15% as powerful. So for heavy duty cleaning this really wont do at all. Any thick dust or hard to reach areas (such as dust inside a videocards metal enclosure, or inbetween the blades of a CPU heatsink) will not be cleaned effectively with this product. Also any "caked-on dust", such as the dust that settles on the outside of an Xbox or a monitor and rests there for a few months, will not be blown off either.So what is this product good for then? In cases where volume is more important than power. Such as helping with the removal of hair from underneath keyboard keys, blowing out dust from a cd drive, or cleaning other household products such as deskfans.  I am not a photographer so I cant comment on its usefulness for cleaning lenses (however if I was to speculate I would think its not quite powerful enough to clean dust that has collected on unused lenses)I wouldnt say this is a bad product. But it is not in any way a replacement for canned air. Its a supplemental item, and I quite like having it around for smaller things.-------------------------Smell of the Air Blaster:-------------------------When looking at this product and alternative brands I saw a common complaint of bad smelling rubber being used for the body. The Giottos Air Blaster smells kinda bad, but not too strong. Certainly not as bad as "smelly bike-tire rubber" like some people complained of. There is definitely a scent, but its pretty tame, and only really sticks to your hands with extended use. But even then it washes off quite easily.The air that comes out of the blaster smells like rubber.---------------Build Quality:---------------Its very sturdy, I can tell the rubber is pretty thick and I dont see this thing falling apart anytime soon. The design is fairly simple too with few seams. The extended tip has a small triangular hole punched it in that is good for directing the stream of air.It says there is a detachable "super air stream nozzle" which I assume refers to the huge red nozzle, however I could not remove it. I did not try to pull it too hardly because I didnt want to risk breaking it.The legs are great, this thing stands up well and will not be falling over unless you push it over. The design and color scheme make it look like a rocket ship which is cool. Two of the fins have holes punched in them for a lanyard or strap in case you wanted to wear it around your neck or something. Doesnt seem necessary for most people but its nice that they included that.The packaging is very easy to open. Its a simple piece of cardboard with a molded piece of plastic wrapped around the front of it. Its not that terrible "clamshell" packaging that treats your items like they are hazmat materials. Its very easy to open by hand, and its also not destructive packing, so you can take it out and put it back in without having to tear it apart which is good for returns or reselling.---------------------Overall this is a well designed product and is fairly useful if you are quite keen on cleaning your electronics thoroughly and frequently. However dont think this will replace canned air! It does not have the power to do so. I got this for $10 and free shipping with AmazonPrime, so for such a cheap price I recommend it. However for ~$20 (like &lt;...> sells it for) its a little too pricey unless you really think you need it.If you have any questions please leave a comment!
This air blaster packs a punch, and easily cleans camera gear. I might also pick up the small model to keep handy in the bag.
I've been cleaning my sensor with the wet method, and it works pretty well, but sometimes it's hard to get that very last spec of dust using that method.  I finally decided to buy an air blower and this one works great.  Easy to hold, blasts a nice strong stream of air, and cleans off my sensor very well.  My sensor hasn't been this clean since I first got my camera 3 years ago.  I'll be using this quite often to keep things spot free, and shouldn't need to use the wet method nearly as often.  This is a must have for any DSLR owner.
I had a smaller air blower, but it didn't work too well. The Rocket blows a good jet of air and works well.
A must have for every camera owner!  Don't mess up your expensive lens with a handkerchief or by blowing moisture on it.  Use it prior to using a lens cloth to get rid of dust or other abrasive bits before wiping.
This Rocket Air is amazing !!! Works great !!! It bigger in real life than the picture. The airflow is able to blow away stubborn specs of dust. Two thumbs up !!!
Are you tired of buying compressed air? Well, try this baby out! All you gotta do is fist pump it and magically blows all dust from existence. Dust never stood a chance!
This blower is not the final solution to dust bunnies on my Canon Xti sensor; but it's a good beginning. I believe that there may have to be more extensive means for this plaque.
Works just like you would expect it to. Just good clean air to get rid of those pesky dust particles.
I'll keep this &#34;Rocket Air Blaster&#34; but it does NOT blast air.  It is barely stronger than a pair of healthy lungs and doesn't approach the force of canned air.
These a great for blowing dust and such off of lenses. A little big, but really worth the space, saves time and lenses.
I ordered this for ease of use and it works pretty well with just a few blasts.  It removes dust and cat hair from both my screen and the keyboard and I am satisfied with it,
Gives a great burst of air for your camera lens, body and accessories. I highly recommend.
This thing is humungous. Not what I needed or expected. Seemed to be in working condition I just didn't need a rocket ship to take off the dust... Quite seriously, what was I thinking? Well, that is would NOT be so huge- if there was a mini me of this thing - it would be MINE!!
I have the small ball-shaped rocket. I like it. This one is large and is more powerful. I'll use it for my darkroom to get rid of the dust from my enlarger and negatives. But I would not want to blow this thing onto my digital sensor and SLR mirror. That is looking for trouble.Also, like some others said, this thing smells rubber. My small rocket does not smell at all. I can live with the smell, but I certainly do not like it.
Not quite.  Pros:  1. One purchase vs. costly can air.  2. Doesn't blow everything off my desk like can air.  Cons:  1. You gotta squeeze it like an exercise ball.  2. I could blow thru my lips and get the same results...almost. ;)
Got myself the large cleaning kit (with the small, bulb rocket blower) and two of the large rocket blowers (one red, one black). With respect to size, the question is should you go for the small, medium or large blower? In my view, go with the large one. It saves time, punches enough air to dislodge dust, and is comfortable to hold as well as carry everywhere. When I received my blowers, my first thought was "Lucky I ordered the large one!" The large blowers are so effective that I've not yet opened my bulb set (it looks like it'll serve as a permanent, at home, in case I lose my large blowers, backup unit). Giottos and amazon.com rock!
I work alot in the outdoors with Motorsports and Action Sports Photography, which in turn means I see dirt, mud, all types of elements either thrown at me or falls on me. Being in the front means my camera and I see some work and dirt. Coming from an event and getting ready to tear down, this little wonder does the blowing force I need to get crap out of my Camera and it's equipment.. I love it, no more dust cans or blowing my lungs out.. Should of bought this product a long time ago when I started shooting..Every Photog's must needed tool!!! It fits anywhere so for the price it's well worth it!!
A lot of other review appear to talk up the blast of air as if it were this mighty wind -- a gale-force-yet-gentle gust that dislodges any and all dust, hair, and debris.  While the blast of air does a good job of dislodging most of that loose junk, it didn't quite get it all.  I suppose it's better to leave a little bit of "gentle" in there -- we are talking about sensitive equipment here.  Don't get me wrong, this is definitely a useful apparatus for cleaning the offending bits off, just don't get too excited by the reviews otherwise escalating it into mythology.The name though...  Nothing beats the name this thing has.
good price, works well, nice size, great color, fun toy for dog or cat also, though don't recommend, good value.
If you have a DSLR this is a must have tool to remove dust. I should have bought this sooner. I'm sure I'll find other uses for it as well.
works great. I was going to send out the camera for cleaning when a friend told be about the Gitto, excellent product
Get it, you won't regret it. Fantastic product. The real deal. I lost the first one and bought this one right away.
Great product, especially in bulk slide and negative digitizing.  Far superior to canned air that can hurt the emulsion due to freezing.
I find this to be one of the best photographic accessories available. BUT, it is not just a lens cleaner, sensor cleaner etc. Keep it near your computer and blast the schmutz out of your keyboard, mouse, and monitor! This is a great great product... I think I need a couple more...
It has several advantages - (1) Great air blower (2) Hand exerciser (3) Inexhaustible air supply (4) extremely environmentally friendly.
I was surprised at just how big this rubber blower is. For it's size, it doesn't blow much air out - maybe a little bit more than a rubber squeeze toy for dogs. Speaking of dog toys, this item squeaks everytime I squeeze the bulb.The bottom line is this item actually works and helps remove dust from your sensor. Because of that, it's a solid pick-up...
It blows air really well and helped me get that annoying dust off of my pentaprism that my brush couldn't get.
I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE HANDY FOR KEEPING LENS DUST OFF, AND CLEANING DUST PARTICLES FROM MY SONY A77 CAMERA SENSOR.
Does exactly what it's supposed to do.  It's a simple device that moves a powerful stream of air with just a little squeeze.  Does a great job of removing problematic dust from sensors, lenses, inside the mirror box, prism, etc.  I've also found it quite useful for blowing dust off my keyboard and displays.  It's a bit bulky so probably not the most useful size for throwing into the camera bag but it's a must have.
This product was recommended in a book and I now understand why--it is essential to anyone using a DSLR! Forget the canned air, this is safer, cheaper, and recommended by the pros!!!!!!!
Simple and does it is job as stated, may be a little bulky, but other than that perhaps the hardest part is convincing children that it is not a toy, or older people that it is not toilet cleaning equipment.
This thing works great.  Blows alot of air.  You no do have to squeeze it hard to get a concentrated stream of air to come out.  It is large.  It is a little bigger than a 20oz Gatorade bottle.
I like this very much. Nice force of air and real low tech. Before this, I was on the cheap using a much smaller bulb. I think it was purchased for sucking gross stuff out of baby's sinus's. This is the real deal and well worth the price.If you are on the fence about this or the medium size, I would say that you will not regret your decision with the large.Total height of this is just shy of 71/2 &#34;. This size gives you a nice confident puff of air.
This works perfectly--cleaning up my computer keyboards perfectly. No buying blasts of air in cans, and the nozzle makes it easy to get in between the keys. Highly recommended--and think of the aerobic workout for your hand!
If you own an interchangeable lens DSLR, then you need an air bulb blower for sensor cleaning and Giotto makes the best. There are several different models that Giotto makes ant the AA1900 is the largest and most powerful. I also use the air blaster for cleaning the dust from all kinds of electronic gear and its power will surprise you. I have several of these blowers around my house and in my camera kit.Caution: The AA1900 is a powerful blower. When blowing the dust out of the sensor chamber on a DSLR make sure to tilt the camera (lens side downward 45 deg) and only use gentle puffs of air. Too strong a puff could actually send dust up into the prism head, where it is almost impossible to remove.
It sure does blow alot of air! looks great and works great! its a must for your cleaning products to clean your camera!
Love it! I don't like having to touch the lens glass much, so this works great for most situations. Also use it in the darkroom to clean my negatives. Awesome design, looks great, works perfectly well, everyone at my school wants one.
This is the second Giottos Blaster that I have purchased and it will be placed in my camera bag.  My previous Blasters is used with my scanners for cleaning slides and negatives.  Rather than just two fingers to squeeze cheaper blasters, this Blaster takes a full hand to create the air pressure.  The air pressure created is just right for cleaning dust from slides and negatives while not creating the high-pressure damage or condensation normally coming from canned air.  This Blaster is the highest rated dust removal device in photography circles.  I am glad that I have my two in my cleaning arsenal and I highly recommend this item.
This simple, non-electric gadget has a multitude of uses beyond cleaning slides and negatives. I'm now using it almost daily to clean my keyboard and hard-to-reach areas around the desk and office.
Ok, this in not a small item. It about the size of a bottle of soda.  And I had not read that here in the comments till after it showed up.Was looking for something a good bit smaller.It does exactly what it says it does.. it blows air.
only advantage this has over the generic ones is the rocket fins that double as a tripod stand to keep it from rolling off the tabletop. it doesnt push enough air to remove fine dust.
I love this tool!  It works great and is effective in safely cleaning the camera.
Short of having a power blower, this thing will move some air!  I guess I am just not long winded enough to fulfill the word requirement for these reviews!!
If you have a digital DSLR you need something to clean your mirror, perhaps a focusing or exposure sensor, and all the complicated and intricate guts of the camera. Something to blow dust off a lens. Well, this product is a winner, a real compromise between those little squeeze bulbs with brushes on them and canned air, which can be a disaster waiting to happen in some applications. Oh, and this need blaster stands on its own so it doesn't get easily lost amongst all the effluvia of the digital photographer. Its not the sort of thing you would probably want to carry around in your case, but for periodic maintenance on the bench it is excellent.
I bought this for use in blowing out dust on the inside of my desktops.  While I'm sure it performs better for its intended purpose on camera lenses, for what I bought it for it preforms pretty decently but cannot replace a can of compressed air like I had hoped.  It'll work great on the corners of your case, and with your thumb over the intake nozzle on the back you can produce more air pressure to blast at the thicker dust clumps that tend to clog radiators and or gather around fan intakes to get rid of the &#34;bulk&#34; dust, but then you'll have to shift to your can to blast the more stubborn layers.  However that alone extends the life of my compressed air cans by at least 50% making it a worthwhile tool to have in my PC maintenance kit.  If I was into digital photography (which is what this device was intended for) I could see it totally replacing a air can for dust removal.
I used this in small devices, like computers, keyboards, phones and this actually blows the dust away. Very effective and you don't need power or battery to blow the dust away...just a small hand power will do the trick.
I had two dust specs on my sensor and the built in internal cleaning couldn't shake them off.  I watched several reviews of this product on youtube and it looked like a good option.  Certainly cheaper than sending it to the factory for repair!  When it arrived, I squeezed five blasts of air into the camera and then did a test against a white background to see if the dust was gone.  Eureka!  It worked!!Thanks, Giottos, you're a life saver!
This is awesome to remove dust and specks from lens. I use it regularly to remove dust from lens. After investing in thousands od dolalrs in camera and lens, you don't want to have a tiny speck ruin the pictures. This is quite rugged and blows air quite well. Must have in photographic kit.
Good blower.  Gives a good burst of air to get the dust off. I carry a battery blower which does a good job too but this is so much more practical since you don't need batteries.
Ordered this to clean my shutter lens of dust and debris. It does a good job but ultimately, you will have to drop off your camera to a professional camera cleaning place which is what I did.
I used Hurricane blowers for several years to blow dust off my DSLR sensors, then one day recently I realized I was blowing tiny bits of rubber onto the sensor when I tried to clear away some dust. I switched to the Rocket and now the problem is gone.
This is a huge 7"(L)X 2 1/2"(W) rubber bulb from tip to tip. Blows a powerful but gentle puff of air for cleaning lenses or blowing dust from computer/electronic parts. I even use it to clean the shavings from my norelco electric shaver, great product.  Cans of compressed air may be too strong to use, yet this Giottos rocket will meet those needs when a gentle puff of air is all that's required.  This Giottos rocket will save some serious bucks over compressed air cans.  A fantastic, must have tool for the amateur or pro photographer to have in your photo gear bag!
This product should be tried before using the Arctic Butterfly (dry brush) or the wet swabs in cleaning the image sensor.  Just make sure you turn your camera upside down and wait 5 seconds between each blow so that the dust falls out (you do not want to just blow the dust around).  It cleaned my mirror after 10 pumps, however, it did not clean the one piece of dust I had on the image sensor.  Of the blowers out there, this is the best one.  I have read reviews of other brands out there where the blower is not cleaned and shoots little plastic parts out.
Gives Nice powerful blasts of air. Was a little larger than I thought it would be, but that is fine, as I have large Hands.
Let's face it, if you're serious about photography and caring for your gear, you MUST get a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster!
I was just two days into my 8 day safari in Tanzania when I noticed dirt on my DSLR's sensor.  After having a heart attack, I pulled out my rocket blaster (which I bought in fear of just such a situation) and a couple puffs later the dirt was gone.  You can't imagine how miserable I would have been if all of my photos had been ruined by a dirty sensor!  If you travel with a DSLR, I highly recommend getting one of these.
Best toy ever, and you can blow away lots of dust with it too.  The rocket fins are worth the extra money so it won't roll away when you set it down.Get this.  Don't bother with anything else.
Should be an essential tool in the camera bag.  Removes loose dust from camera lenses and sensors with ease.  The fins on the base are convenient.  Make sure to look at the dimensions before buying as this might not fit in a walk around camera bag.
Wow. This looks like an anal douche.... It even has the name of a sex toy: &#34;Rocket Air Blaster Large - Black&#34; I'm pretty sure someone is trying to pass off their sex toy as multifunctional. :)
If you want to get fluff out of your computer this is the tool.  It's supposed to be for cameras but I used it for my computer.  It's eco friendly, you don't have to keep buying those cans of compressed air.
Good for cleaning dust from LP filters, loose sensor dust and from other far to reach places. Powerful blower. Nice solid build. A bit large for carrying around though.
Works great and is really convenient. I've stopped blowing on my glass, which is a very good thing! It's larger than expected, but I suppose that helps with a more powerful gust.
I like mine, but its lifetime is very short, considering I've barely had it and the rubber is already cracking...
This item was suggested to me as a way to keep my new camera's lens clean and body hair-free as I have multiple pets. The body of the Air Rocket itself does attract pet hair so you will need some tape to remove the hair from the rocket first. But it does provide a surprising blast of air that does remove dust particles from the lens. I haven't needed to use the cleaning cloths or lens pen that I also bought in case of wet noses on my lens. My youngest cat is also afraid of it, and it''s been a good deterrent to keep him from attacking my other pets.
Yup. You read that correctly. It blows air like it's nobody's business. I use it to clean my DSLR sensors and also to get dust and crumbs from my raspberry cheesecake out of my keyboard...If you're wondering why I had raspberry cheesecake near my computer, it's because I'm a raspberry addict.The large size is large indeed. I read that the medium size sometimes is too small and doesn't provide enough "oomph" to blast stuff too well. I opted for the large size so that I didn't have to run into that issue when my sensor needs a good blasting. Highly recommended (along with the raspberry cheesecake).
Does what it says, but it also looks like a rocket ship and you can't help but resist playing with it. Whether you're pretending to be Phillip J Fry or Buzz Aldrin, it's really cool to make rocket noises and fly it around and have your coworkers wonder how you turned into a ten year-old.I know it sounds sarcastic but it's true. Great product.
I've been using a wimpy blower to clean my lenses and mirrors. Some dust particles are more defiant and won't go quietly. This big blaster will take care of that. The down side is it's bigger --- takes up storage space. You can't expect high mpg with a large V8?
It does take up a considerable amount of room.. so if you are planning on keeping this in your camera bag, you might want to look at something more compact.  I keep it in my camera cabinet and it's very helpful in getting dust and hair off internal parts.
Great deal for an indespensible tool. The blast is very effetive and the ability to stand (so the tip does not pick up dust) is an extra plus.
Unlike most reviewers I have not used this on a camera yet, what i have used it on is my PC. I am able to keep most dust out with filters and by setting up my fans to suck more air into the case than they push out, but some dust still gets in. Well after around 9 months of not cleaning the computer out it was a bit dusty so I bought this and went to town. I thought of using my air compressor, but was afraid of the moisture it condenses, so I used this. It worked great, the fine nozzle let me get the dust off of the heatsinks, fan blades, Motherboard, and PCI cards without issue. This little air blaster makes cleaning electronics a breezy process, and it is reusable, which makes it a sound investment over canned air. I am very happy with this product.
It's a pretty self explanatory item which should function as advertise and it does.  Big bursts of air to blow away dust.
I have only used it a small number of times, but it seems well made and sturdy.  I have had no issues with it.
Should be in everybody's camera bag. I love this product. I would highly recommend it to any photography, or anyone tired of buying cans of air, lol.
Not sure what else to say.  It's a pretty simple device to accomplish a pretty simple task and it worked.  I've been having issues with dust splotches on my images for a while, but have been too afraid to try to clean them off the sensor myself.  Obviously it's not recommended you blow in your camera yourself and certainly not with canned air.  For such a cheap price (about $7 at time of my purchase) I won't have to worry about taking my camera to the shop and incurring expensive fees until I actually require a wet cleaning.  Very useful to have on hand.
I bought it to clean my DLSR and lenses and very happy with it. Build quality is excellent and works great.
If you have interchangeable lenses on your camera this is one handy item you will want to carry in your camera bag. I like to maintain my lenses and tend clean them whenever I get back from a trip so there always ready for use.
This product has been around for a while now - I've seen it in photo magazine ads, but until I saw it online I never thought much about it. That was when I learned that there are several sizes, and since I have a lot of electronic gear as well as camera gear, I bought the large model. This is one great way to create a powerful blast of air that can be directed to small areas - keyboards, lenses, even around end tables if you want - anywhere you need a puff of dry, non-oily air. Needs no batteries, works when cloudy or sunny, needs no draining or maintenance of any kind except to keep the nozzle tip cleared.
I'm really happy with this purchase. We use it on an almost daily basis at my video production company, and we have not ran into any issues of it wearing out or not functioning properly. It's not terribly expensive, but I did pass on the cheaper versions due to the reviews, and I honestly am glad I did. This is strong enough to blow tough dust off a lens, and it doesn't feel like it's gonna break anytime soon.
Simple but good. It'll save me on buying compressed air from bestbuy. Overall not a bad product and I would recommend it.
Having DSLR has its own benefits, but cleaning lenses and filters all the time from lint, dust, and finger prints is not one of them! These Giotto's Rocket Blaster can ease your pain of cleaning camera equipment exponentially. This is my third one and by far the best. I've also two smaller ones,Giottos AA1910 Medium Rocket Air Blaster (6.6)andGiottos AA1920 Rocket Air Blaster Small (Black), but this one simply blows the other ones away! You cannot imagine how much air it does blow. You cannot go wrong with Giotto's quality, and they last a long time.
Seems a bit stronger than a normal bulb and it doesn't spit back out particles, but I think people review it better moreso because it a novel rocket shape.  Wish there was a stronger solution to replaced canned air.
I would have bought a smaller one if I knew it wasn't going to even fit in my camera bag. this thing is like 6" long and 2" in diameter!! Works great though! It's like a leaf blower!!
Airborne particles are unavoidable but this item makes cleaning my rig more enjoyable.  I try not to but I always seem to form glass hazing when I blow on my cameras. I find it somewhat annoying.  But not anymore; this blaster gives my rig the cleaning it deserves.  Search for video reviews online if you're still hesitating.  Happy shooting!
Dont go by the picture, this item is almost the size of my entire palm. I guess it needs to be big to get a good amount of air to blow. I would recommend this for any camera owner.
Perfect for dust removal from anything. Lenses, computers, cameras etc. Don't have to worry about your cans of air being empty.
Great for blowing off dust from camera, lens, glasses, and other stuff. Not pressurized and no danger of staining.
Provides a large blast of air and it's very easy to use. I usually use it to blow my lenses clean before applying the lens cap. Definitely a good product for camera and PC owners.
If blowing was a Olympic sport this air blaster would get the gold metal. It fits perfectly in my hand and when you put it down it looks like a alien space craft from some distant planet.
The rocket thing might seem like a gimmick, but it is helpful that this blower stands up.  Good force when cleaning lenses or other items.  Still, it is best when paired with a lens brush, because a brush loosens dust stuck onto the lens and the air blaster removes even small particles.  Better than canned air because there is no risk of liquids being ejected, there is nothing to throw away, and it never runs out!
Delivers great blast of air as promised, easy to use and direct, feels good in hand.  Tremendous improvement over the ear syringe I had been using for lens and sensor cleaning, in that the Giotto delivers much greater volume and pressure with a lot less effort to hold and squeeze, much easier for rapid bursts in succession as well.Big thumbs up, although I gotta say $8 is a bit much to pay for a rubber bulb syringe.
A must for your camera and binocular cleaning kit (especially after a safari with all the dust, you dont want to put anything on the lens). This is a powerful and effective blower that is very well made and you can feel and see that immediately. Is the only blower I would recommend, having run through several cheaper ones.
This thing does a very good job of removing dust off my lenses. Larger than I expected but still fits in my gadget bag. After reading that I shouldn't be blowing the dust off myself, I decided to look for an economical solution and this is what I came up with. Very satisfied and would recommend to others. Now if I can just keep the grandkids' hands off...
If you do a lot of computer jobs where you need a click cleanup of the fan or motherboard or keyboard this works fairly well. Albet though it isn't as powerful as a can of air. However this saves you from buying them over and over again. I take it with me on all my computer calls.
This is a high quality product that ever photographer needs for clean their equipment. A BIG blast of air with each squeeze. It blasts the dust off and has saved us money because we don't have to send in the gear as often to the camera shop. Cleans keyboard really well too.This is the size to start with but is big in the camera bag. We ordered a second one that it smaller for the bag.
This is one of those things that is hard to imagine how I lived without.  I am a photographer, and I switch lenses a LOT (oh how I wish I could afford 2 camera bodies).  Dust, lint, etc inevitably ends up stuck to the sensor in my camera.  It would be insane to touch the sensor with something -- not only might that &#34;something&#34; damage the sensor, but pushing the dust or lint across the sensor might damage the sensor too.  No, the smart thing is for a gust of wind to sweep the particles away.  I would never use compressed air; it is much too forceful, and sometimes freezing cold liquid comes out instead.  This blower is ideal.  You can direct it at the right place, the air coming out is hard, but not too hard, and it never runs out (or if it does run out of air, you have bigger problems, like asphyxiation).I bought 2, one for my camera, one for everything else (mostly just computers).  It claims to filter the air coming into the blower, but computers are SO dusty, I don't want to trust that.  So I keep one just for the camera.Using these to clean out computer cases is excellent, too.  You don't have to buy compressed air (it just seems stupid to buy air), and so you don't have to waste metal cans.A blower isn't fun or cool, but it is essential for a photographer.  Once debris gets on your sensor, you MUST clean it off -- it will show up on EVERY picture you take, until you do (unless you're only shooting at 2.8 or faster, which I often am, but not always).I've owned 2 for a long time, and they're still in perfect condition.
Okay, I didn't read the description.  I got it in my mind that this thing was smaller.  I had planned to keep it in my camera bag.  It works great, but it isn't practical for keeping in your bag, unless you want to leave one of your lenses at home.I LOL'd when I saw it in person....it's comically large.
It did the job it was purchased to do, that is clean some stubborn dust of the sensor of my Pentax kx.  Apparently the dust has now been blown to the viewfinder screen or mirror but it no longer shows in the pictures
I had dust on my sensor that I just couldn't get off using the internal cleaning mechanism.  I got this and blew the dust out.
A blower is almost mandatory for mirrorless camera owners (who own more than 1 lens.) I highly recommend the Rocket Blaster over the small fingertip sized blowers- the small ones don't generate enough airflow/force for stubborn dust particles. This one on the other hand works great, and seems very well made as well. Just hold your camera w/ sensor facing down, hold the blower underneath and give the bulb a few squeezes. It blows hard enough so you won't feel like you need to hold the tip right near the sensor (risking contact.) The rubber bulb is very pliable and will probably stay airtight for as long as I own it. The rocket look is a nice added touch IMO, only problem is my kids like to play with it. ;-)
If you want to blow dust or dirt off of your camera lenses, both the front and the back elements, this thing is perfect. It pushes out a hard and fast or long and soft, or even medium length and blast strength, puff of air. It's more than enough to get the dirt and other fun stuff off of your lenses.A note on the package says &#34;DO NOT USE TO CLEAN SENSORS.&#34; I've seen some blogs recommending using this for that purpose, so it COULD work... or might not. My sensor isn't dirty (just got it back from Canon for repair), and even if it was dirty, I'm not brave enough to use this for the purpose. Really, really love my camera and would rather let someone seasoned do it for me. But that's me.Anyway, the Giotto air blaster does exactly what you expect and works well. If only it were smaller for easier travel, it would be perfect. Of course, if it were smaller it wouldn't displace as much air volume, so maybe this is &#34;perfect?&#34;
It does as advertised and is well made. I originally bought it to use with the DSLRs/lenses but have found other uses for it, mostly my keyboard.
I bought this primarily to blow dust off of my lenses, and occasionally the sensor.  It is surprisingly powerful for its size, and very easy to direct the air flow with the nozzle.  Not as powerful as a can of compressed air, but no risk of chemical transfer or "freezing" that can come with those cans.  I work in a university computer support department, so I tried it out on various hardware around the office, including keyboards, monitors, CPU fans, case fans, and many other internal computer components.  It worked well at blowing most of the dust off of all of these.  Don't expect it to blow every spec of dust off of parts, especially if they haven't been cleaned for a long time, but it will blow off most of they heavy build up.  With regard to the camera parts, I haven't yet used it on the sensor, so can't speak to its effectiveness there, but it does a remarkable job with dust on the lense.  Most of the marks that show up on my lenses are small particles that the Rocket Air easily blows off with one or two squeezes.  This in combination with a good lense pen or cloth, and your lenses will always look like new.  I am impressed and would recommend this for all kinds of light dust removal jobs.
Better for the environment and cheaper than canned air.  Well made...I hope it lasts a long time.  Carry it everywhere.
I bought one of these to replace having to buy canned air at work. It works great!  On top of replacing the canned air my arms get a small workout!
This is a great product for blowing dust off your equipment! It is easy to use and can be operated without reading a long Instruction Manual. Highly recommended
I am OCD about dust/dirt in my gear. Keyboards, cameras, phones, you name it, all those little ports and crevices get dirty. This does at least 85% of the job of compressed air, without the polar vortex effect, and in a forever-reusable package. Usually all you need is that one quick blast, and this thing does just the trick.
This is about as good as any other duster, but its cheap and does the job.  at least it does not stink as bad as other dusters i have used
I kept going through compressed air cans. This is a cheap way to get a renewable alternative. It does not push air out as fast or as consistently, but for short bursts it does its job well. I would definitely recommend.
Almost like having an unlimited air can that doesn't spray too hard for delicate electronics, glasses, sunglasses, and even blowing the dust out of my keyboard.  It does take some serious pumping to get a good blast of air, but I imagine since I got the large its probably more effective than the medium or small.  I would recommend this.
Love this thing. Gets dust out of my camera body, off of my lenses, out of my computer keyboard, computer screen, etc. Seriously - a couple squeezes and the dust is gone. Also, lens cleaning cloths always seemed to leave more oil behind than they cleaned. After very carefully cleaning my lenses I rarely have to touch them anymore - a puff of air from this thing and they look good as new.
The rocket air blaster is a rather simple tool. However, it does what it needs to do. It packs enough air power to clean away most any item on your camera's sensor. It's easy to use and is safer than alternative methods.
This bulb blower is extremely weak.  I could blow air out of my mouth stronger than it.  I can't use it for my computer or my camera.  It's just a funky desk ornament at this point.  Don't waste your money.
I haven't used mine yet. I did use someone else's during a photography workshop and it did a great job blowing the dirt off thelenses and camera. This is the reason I bought this one and it was at a great price too.
This air blaster is huge, and I do mean huge! I might have some problems with storing this in my camera bag, but I would still recommend it. It gives off a very large blast of air and will get any dust off your lens or sensor. I like how there is a one way valve, although, to be honest, I think the placement of that should be in the nozzle, not the back of the product, I mean it was made so the blaster doesn't suck in any dust, but due to the placement, I think half the air it's pulling back is still through the nozzle.So anyways, this will get pretty much all the dust off with a few quick blows. I generally like to clean my lens in the following order:1. Blow off any big dust, so your cleaning cloth doesn't end up using the bigger particles to scratch your lens.2. I also now use my newNikon 8072 Microfiber Cleaning Clothto clean my lens. It works well btw.3. Use this to blow off any other particles your cloth might have left on the lens.This gets my lens as good as new every time! One suggestion though, you might want to hold the nozzle with one hand while squeezing with the other, because the nozzle tends to move a bit while you squeeze. If you want your lens and sensor clean, buy this. If you are a big hesitant with the size, try one of their smaller models.
Good product as described.  I have not had any problem with the rubber flecks that some have described.  I've also found out it works to deter our kitty from doing things she is not supposed to do.  We had tried a spray bottle but the water seemed to hit everything but her and left a mess to clean up and was useful around things we did not want to get wet.  A quick squeeze towards the kitty sends her flying in the opposite direction!
nicely packaged very professional look would order from this company again and recommend it to any one interested good instructions I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO USING IN MY PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS
This blaster works really great to blow-out dust in a camera or in camera lenses. It fits also in a good size photo bag and can easily be taken along for photo shoots. Great product.
When I received this blaster, I didn't realize the scale. It's like a football. Not really. It definitely puts out some volume. The only thing is keeping the nozzle pointed accurately, so I have to aim the nozzle with the other hand. No big deal, unless you need more hands to hold stuff with. It has a valve at the bottom, to prevent the air from escaping and forces the air to go out through the nozzle.Easily five or six time the size of ones I've seen. I like the rocket shape. It keeps the nozzle clean and free from debris on surfaces. I use it only my camera equipment.
What can I say .. Very effective and it's chubby belly make it quite a blower. Very good quality of materials. The only cons which i don't really care about is that it's a bit too big to haul. Overall : 5 stars
I love this.  It's not too powerful where you might ruin your lens or mirrors.  It's enough to clean off dust or whatever gets on your camera!  Good for keyboards too.
Great product.  Works great for getting the dust out of your camera.  Easy to use and is quite a forceful stream of air.  Use this item 1st before attempting to use swabs, etc.
Way better than the traditional blowing on slides or photos to remove lint or other loose debris. A must for scanning and digitizing. Large bulb provides sufficient force to remove anything loose.
Does what it supposed to do, but is not always sufficient for sensor cleaning. It worked on my wife's sensor, but I had to use a wet brush for mine.
I don't have too many things to say about this.Works well, works as advertised. It's a little on the large side so I don't carry it in my small shooting bag, but it has a special place in my large storage bag. I also got stopped at TSA because of this, but quickly explained my way out of it.
If you are trying to blow dust from a camera, you are advised not to use compressed air.  Compressed air is ok for keyboards, remotes, and cell phones, but you need a gentle blast of air which this rubber rocket can deliver.
This is a great idea.  It is inexpensive.  And it performs its designed purpose well without any residue or additional expense.
She was addicted to the pressurized air cans so I wasn't sure she would accept this. I'm still not too certain. I like it, and I especially like the fact that I'll still be using it long after those cans will last. It actually works pretty darn good.
but this is the best one so far which his why it consistently gets high ratings.  The one thing I have seen people do is to attach a HEPA filter to the intake.  Keep in mind, that whatever dust is in the air you suck in, is also going to get blown into the camera.
The volume and pressure of air is less than from pursing one's lips and blowing. &#34;You know how to whistle, don't you...&#34;.And reading the directions there were instructions on how to hang it around my neck.Cute, but won't blow the crumbs out of my Apple keyboard.Lame
I've been using it everywhere! I don't personally have a camera to use it on,but I bought this to clean out keyboards (laptop and desktop) without buying canned air over and over.It does great job cleaning keyboards, and also cleaning out the fan/heatsink.I use it to clean all small electronics I have!
I have a tiny room that tends to get very hot during the summer. I have a fan running at all times, but it blows dust around quite a bit. I use this regularly to clean my keyboard from the dust that ends up on it and for cleaning my PC components as well. Sweet little gadget.
This is the first step in DSLR lens cleaning, before you go to lens pens or cloths. It does a good job, blowing away dust and dirt. It's a powerful blower, considering it's the large size. I've used it on other electronics like my laptop and iPhone in favor of canned air. It also doesn't have the rubber smell of the lower quality blowers, which is the defining difference between a Giotto's blower and a $2 one.
kinda big but gets the job done on my lens and camera. I even use it on my computer. The medium and small one dosen't pack the air pressure that comes out of the big one.
Excellent for cleaning my binocular lenses. Excellent for cleaning my binocular lenses. Excellent for cleaning my binocular lenses.  - Amazon has a min word limit - sorry for the repeat but that is all that is needed for the review.
I have an arsenal of weapons that I use for sensor cleaning.  They include fluids, swabs, Sensorklear pens, brushes, and Sensorklear loupes.  My first resort when a problem arises is my Giotto's blower.  Because it requires no solid contact with the sensor, it is the least likely to do harm.  The device blows hard enough to dislodge just about anything that isn't actually stuck to the surface or smeared onto the surface.  It uses one-way valves (check-valves) so that it sucks air in the back end and blows it out the tube in front.  The check valve on the rear probably serves to help filter the air.  BTW, the use of canned compressed air or even dry nitrogen is not a good idea because its cold temperature can cause condensation, and if the can is held wrong it can actually spew liquid.I've read the reviews that say the blower just stirs up existing dust.  The reviewers who claim that are actually in some good company.  The professional camera book writer that I admire most makes the same point in some of his books, although I note that he may have come around lately.  I have a simple approach to minimizing the stirring-up-dust problem.  I turn the camera face down before I remove the lens or body cap.  I hold it up high, still facing down so that I can see the sensor.  Then I use the blower, being careful not to get the tip too close to the sensor.  Next I replace the cover on the front of the camera.  In this way, I let gravity help get any "blown-around" dust out.  Honestly, though, if I had so much dust inside there that it would swirl around when I used a blower, I'd have to think I'd been pretty sloppy with camera care.Here is the sequence I follow with sensor cleaning:On cameras that have a sensor shaking capability, I leave the cap or lens on, turn the camera face down, and switch the cleaning mode on and off a few times.  This shakes the sensor and sometimes removes the dust speck.  Next, I try the blower.  After that, I'll resort to a Butterfly brush.  Next is the SensorKlear pen.  Finally I'll use Eclipse fluid on a rectangular swab, typically with a piece of PecPad wrapped over the end.  If I can't see the problem speck easily with the naked eye, I'll use a SensorKlear loupe to see how I'm doing.  If it's not visible with the loupe, it's not going to show up on an image.  Each of these approaches has compromises.  The blower's compromises are that it can potentially stir up problems; it won't remove anything that is stuck  or smeared on; and you have to be careful not to touch the sensor with the blower tip.  The Butterfly brush can do damage if pressed down too hard so that the casing around the base of the bristles touches the sensor.  If you let any brush touch anything other than the sensor, you will likely smear something onto the sensor. Even touching the inside of the camera can do this (trust me, I don't make this up).  The SensorKlear Pen wipes the surface.  Is it just rubbing the problem into the surface?  Cleaning fluids can leave residue; they aren't perfect either, but they sure make a sensor look clean.  Once, when I was forced to use cleaning fluid on a greasy smear on a sensor, I found that for weeks afterwards, the sensor seemed to attract dust.  The problem was not Eclispe, it was the smeared-on compound.  The problem went away after a month or so, perhaps because the residue finally outgassed away.Considering the alternatives I just covered, you can see why I tend to start with the Giotto's blower.  It is quick and simple, and it is low-risk if you just be careful and methodical.  It does double duty for lens filter cleaning, and it blows hard enough to be good for getting dust out of crevices in the camera body.If you don't have anything for camera cleaning, I recommend the blower as your first purchase.  If you want to keep going, I'd go next to purchasing a loupe designed for sensor cleaning.  The built-in lights on the loops are fantastic when it comes to making surface smears or debris show up.Good luck!Tim
The Rocket is very well made but it lacks of a particle filter, which may avoid introducing more dust into your camera sensor. I think is not enough for cleaning your camera's sensor because you have a great chance only to move the dust within the sensor instead of removing it. I recommend having a second method in mind to complement this one when dealing with sensor cleaning.
I got this to blast the dust off my lenses, it works great, it is an essential for lens cleaning. Also great to have around to get rid of dust around the house!
Works as advertised. If you get only one size, definitely get this larger one. Blows out a good amount of concentrated air. Would agree with other reviewers that it does indeed suck in air from the nozzle as well as the back - but that's fine. I blew out my camera and all my lenses - now my forearms are quite sore from the pumping action, so you'll also get a good workout.
I have been so far enjoying this product so much that I not only use it on cameras and my computer, but even delicate things like my clarinet!It has definitely paid for itself in terms of being safer and cheaper than compressed air! I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an alternative to the canned compressed air which has safety factors; both for you and your electronics.
Those annoying cookie crumbs that cause your PC keys to stick will get blown away and the bulb squeezing can be a simultaneous stress reliever. I still keep a powerful aerosol for a thorough cleaning though. It is like comparing a rake to a power leaf blower. They both get the job done eventually, but one is more labor intensive than the other. Same can be said for Rocket Air Blaster, a rocket more for its shape than its power.
Even if you don't change lenses, and take every precaution possible, eventually dust will find its way into your Camera or even on the lens.  This is very simple, it's a Squeeze Blower.  It's a non-contact cleaning device that creates a decent amount of forced air with the squeeze of your hand.  This should always be your first line of cleaning, before using brushes, swabs or any sort of contact cleaning.  I have had a small bulb blower before, and this thing puts out a lot more air and the nozzle is designed better to form a nice compact jet.  If I had to compare the air stream it has similar force to a partially used can of compressed air, but only in instantaneous bursts asyou squeeze of course.While it is kind of large and doesn't fit the best in my camera bag, I still take it with me.  A clean shot = less time 'horsing around' in Photoshop.
I work with optics for lasers, and this is great for blowing away dust from optical surfaces.  It gives a good strong squirt of air, and I like the mechanism to draw in &#34;clean&#34; air from the back and then blow it out the front.  The rocket fin base makes it easy to stand upright, which also keeps the nozzle off the table (and therefore clean).
I use this air blaster with my Wolverine F2D14 14MP 35mm slide and negatives to difital image converter.  I bought this one based on the reviews by other Amazon purchasers.  I am so glad I purchased it since the dust on slides would definitely detract from the quality of the output.  It's easy to use (just squeeze the bulb) and really works.  I'm very happy with this product.
This works pretty good a lot better than the round looking baby nose suckers.  I would definitely buy another one if needed.
This is a must have for photographers. Helps blow off lenses and camera keeping it clean. Definitly go for the large because the medium is just two small and doesn't generate enough air force. Sucks air from the back so it doesn't suck in the dust you just blew off. Definitly recommend!
No complaints other than the sticky rubber material it is made of. It's not at a point where i have to wash my hands every time but it the longevity of the material worries me a bit.
I guess this low rating is probably more my fault than this products, but...  This thing is huge. I can't keep it in my case, so therefore I have absolutely no use for it. It gives a nice puff of air and all, but what the hell? It's too inconvenient to ever do me any good. Waste of money for me.
Giottos LARGE "Rocket" Air Blaster is an ingenious alternative to the frustrating amounts of dollars spent wastefully on cans of "spray air" which last, maybe one or two uses, and then land in the dumpster.  What an appalling waste of resources and dollars.  Instead, try this "Rocket Blaster," fully manual, hand pumped, and EQUALLY as effective as a million and one cans of that infuriating "aerosol air."  I will never buy another can of "spray air" again, thanks to Giottos!  Talk about INVENTIVENESS with a HUGE ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY SMILE!  BRAVO GIOTTOS!!!  Buy one for EVERY computer you own.  You'll save hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars (works great on digital cameras too; cleans those lenses "lickety-split!"), and you'll wonder WHY the heck "The Air Rocket" wasn't invented decades ago!  Three Thumbs Up to Necessity, the Mother of The Giottos Air Rocket.  Note:  I STRONGLY recommend acquiring the LARGE ROCKET (versus the smaller version).  LOTS MORE AIR BURSTING CLEANING PUMPING POWER PER SQUEEZE!!!  But don't take my word for it.  PUMP FOR YOURSELF!!!  Awesome, Awesome, Super-Awesome Device from deceptively-simple yet ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT minds!!!  Giottos spells THE END of the wasteful air cans, and is TOTALLY what we need MORE of by way of inventiveness, in order to help rescue our Beleaguered Planet, and begin to RESUSCITATE THE ONE MOTHER NATURE WE HAVE and MUST PROTECT with ALL SERIOUS EFFORT!  HOORAY FOR THE ECO-FRIENDLY SUPER GIOTTOS AIR ROCKET BLASTER, a WORK OF ART to look at, and the most PRAGMATIC TOOL since ... the hammer, saw and "manual tools" used for thousands of years !!!  Buy a bunch of these ULTRA COOL "stand up" Rockets today.  (They make SWEET desk decorations too!)  Save A BUNCH OF CASH, Fellow Techies, and Save Our Planet!!!  Giottos will help you do just that.  "Giottos is The 'MOSTOST!'"  Guaranteed.  I have one for EVERY technical device I own that collects dust (i.e., EVERYTHING).  Because dust by itself never sweeps.  EMBRACE "THE ROCKET" TODAY - you won't regret it!  :-)  :-)  :-)
Excellent for camera and lenses. Very easy to blow out the dusts and cleaning. Blow air very strong...loving it. Yea!
The rocket works as intended, to blow out dust from inside your camera, off your sensors,lenses, viewfinders, etc. You can't always remove dust by blowing so be prepared to dust or wipe dust off lenses or to swab sensors. It helps greatly and every photographer needs one.
Fantastic Rocket, Great for lens cleaning.  Red tip makes sure you never touch the lens, even in dark sets.Loop on the back of the rocket is perfect for attaching to your AC kit.
Rocket Blowers are great for cleaning out computers and camera gear. The best part is that they are very durable and you don't have to throw anything away like the pressurized cans. I can't recommend this enough.
Fantastic air blaster, well made and comfortable. Only drawback is its too big for my camera bags, so it stays at home.
I like the Gittos Rocket air blaster.  It works well to get rid of the stubborn dust particles.More reliable than a can of air (they always seem to run out when you need them).
Just like the title says: Does what it needs to do. It blows air out to remove dust particles on your lens.
I bought this to blow dust off of my camera and it works GREAT. The other day I found myself using it to blow out dust from inside of my computer. Using it for this is WAY cheaper than buying canned air.
Can't live without this Air Blaster. It's a must on DSLR cameras.
Works exactly as intended. Capable of high pressure air bursts. In some cases, the smaller size would probably be more suitable, but won't yield the same flow rate.
The only draw back is size.  It takes up camera bag space. It has a good out put of air and can be useful.
this thing is BIG and did a great job blowing the dust out of my camera. I am so afraid of dust bunnies, got a new weapon now.
I love that it doesn't &#34;inhale&#34; and &#34;exhale&#34; the same dusty air.  I would never recommend using canned air on camera equipment.  Even worse is blowing air by mouth onto camera equipment (I've seen it).  It this doesn't remove light dust particles, then it's time for more invasive cleaning.I just wish it was a little smaller, camera bag space is precious.  Otherwise, this is great for proactive camera cleaning.
I appreciate this product for what it was deigned for. I'm not a fan of one-task accessories and as it turns out this is great for a number of things. It's not for only blasting dust of your camera body, but good for lenses, keyboards, and other electronics.I did read online that traveling with this could be a concern because the shape looks peculiar to airport security.
It's basically an anal douche disguised as a rocket. Cheap too. I might get this cuz it makes me feel manly.
You will find less expensive air blasters for sale, but I'm not sure you'll find one as well-made and as functional as this one!
This air blaster works great to clean dust off your lens.  The cleaning cloths work well to but there are always small fibers left.  This air blaster will take care of the fibers for you.
We own several of these and keep them in every camera kit.  Great for reducing dust on the sensor with DSLR cameras and even easier to use with medium format backs.
Works great! I don't care to use canned air as you can damage &#34;O&#34; rings or  seals. This is not a small product but it works and with great price.
Works well, good item to use instead of wasting money on Cans of compressed air.  So don't waste anymore money on cans of air and get one of these.
Almost over kill for most cameras, but works great. Definitely flows more air than the old brush type blowers.
The Rocket Air Blaster is a necessity for any photographer who wants to keep their gear from getting lint, dust, etc.  I've worked several outdoor weddings before, especially in the spring, where dust and pollen are heavy.  Even with a careful lens change, and you photographers out there know what I'm talking about, you are still prone to getting some dust in there, the air blaster helps minimize this problem.  I LOVE IT and I would recommend this to EVERY photographer, novice and pro, to have inside your bag of tricks!!
It is more than powerful enough for the dust on lenses and blasting grit off surfaces.  Do use with care if you are clearing dust from CCD or CMOS sensors.  My only issue is the inlet valve... why?  If the output end had a valve, then it would work well.  At least with my version the seems to not use the inlet valve at all.
Product works as expected, too big for my camera bag - but it blasts all the dust particles off.
Good product and a must have for any camera enthusiasts.  It really blows the dust away.  The down side is that it smells really rubbery.
This does not only blow spaces between laptop keyboards but many other thing and since it is huge it provides a strong air.
I use it to keep my computer from building up too much dust. I like the fact that it can put out a significant amount of air pressure and is reusable.
I think its pushing about the max one can get for a hand held air blaster, does its job well.
Another great Giottos product, the Rocket Air Blaster Large is even easier to use than the Medium sized one.  It takes less effort to squeeze and pushes just slightly more air than the Medium size, but not nearly twice as much (I'd estimate 1.25x more air pushed).The Air Blaster Large that I received had a quality control sticker of 2011.  I purchased my Air Blaster Medium back in 2008.  What I immediately noticed when i compared the two was that the new Large Rocket had a shinier, smoother rubber surface vs the Medium's stiffer, flat, matte surface.  Due to the Medium Rocket's stiffer, rubber body, it takes slightly more effort to actuate than the Large.I use my rockets for general light dusting around the house and on computer repairs whenever I don't feel the need for whipping out compressed air cans or my electric dusterMetro Vacuum ED500 DataVac  500-Watt 0.75-HP Electric Duster 120-Volt.  By comparison, the Giottos Rockets are green.  You don't need electrical power and you're not contributing to the greenhouse effect/global warming, if you believe in that sort of thing.Whichever size you purchase, you're going to save yourself a lot of money in the long run by purchasing less compressed air cans.
This little blaster puts out a lot of air. It isn't as much as canned, pressurized air but it doesn't have the cost of canned air. It's also a good toy for my dogs who like to bite at the air stream. I've used it to clean my keyboard, my car dashboard, and other tight places. It's a good buy.
What a useful product for under $10! I don't even own a camera, but I use it for displacing the dust and bits that accumulate on other electronics - my laptop, xbox, pc case, keyboard, usb ports, etc. I was really getting tired of buying canned air and this simple solution takes care of most of what I was using canned air for. Everyone should own one of these.
I have not used the Rocket Air Blaster to clean the insides of my cameras. I think I'll have the professionals clean my lens, camera mirror, etc when the time comes. I used the Rocket Air Blaster on the outside surface of my cameras and other electronic equipments. It is too large to carry easily, therefore I recomment getting the medium size Rocket Air Blaster.
I purchased this product as many others do, primarily for use with my camera and lenses. I have used compressed canned air on my lenses before, but it was too risky to use with my camera. When I got the product, I was surprised with just how strong a blast of air it produced. I was able to easily clean my mirror, viewfinder screen, and sensor with it. Since it's pretty large, it usually stays at home and I bring a lens pen in my camera bag. That being said, I really don't ever clean my lenses or cameras out in the field, unless it's completely necessary. Anyway, if you're looking for a great, much safer solution to canned air, this is it!
This is my second Giottos, now I have one at home and at work. The "Always Full" functionality is priceless. Never running out of DustOff more than makes up for the cost. Buy several so there is one nearby when you need it.
Works as it should, quality materials... I'd recomend this to everyone who owns a DSLR to help keep the sensor clean of dust...
Canned air might be easier, but this thing doesn't run out, you never need to buy more, and it works better if you have a decent grip.  It's very sturdy, so I can squeeze it really hard and don't have to worry about the nozzle popping off or anything, and the blast of air I get is much more powerful and effective than canned air.  It also doubles as a stress ball.  Because it never runs out, I can use it whenever I want, or just fidget with it, rather than only when I need to for fear of wasting money.  I'm amazed there aren't more companies making something like this to compete with air dusters, especially in this age of environmentalism.
Nothing exotic here - this is a high quality blower that will not expel propellant onto a lens or sensor the way &#34;canned air&#34; can.
Great Product, I have used it a number of times so far, give a great burst of air in just the right places. Should last a lifetime if I do not miss place it.
Works well for what I need.  The only problem is that it is a bit large and takes up precious space in my Canon camera gear backpack.  It quickly dispatches dust off your camera lens like no other.
I should have been using this device a long time ago.  I acutally bought 2 so I can keep one in my still camera bag and one in my video Camera Bag.  It is a bit large but that's necessary for the volume of air ejected.  I can see that it will last a very long time.  I recommend this as a must have item.Bill K
Puts out enough air to blow off loose dust.  The greatest little feature of this thing is the fact it sucks in air from the rear.  It's a one way system.  Great product to throw in your bag!
This jets out air nicely.  I use it on my camera equipment as well as my computer keyboard.  Very handy.
Works well but it is a bit too big to carry around. I would buy a smaller model if I could.
It does not produce the hurricane force winds implied by some reviews but it does an admirable job. I found it was helpful in removing the dust from hard to access areas in my desktop computer and it worked well clearing debris from my camera lens. Despite my hopes it does not match the force of compressed air but it is a much more economical solution. The rubber does have a bit of a smell at first but it vanishes in short order.
I love this durable product and seems to be able to be taken to extreme conditions. Giottos has perfected this product to meet a photographers needs of cleaning lens and many other objects. I would highly recommend this product to any on the go photographers. The only problem i have is the size (yes i know they make smaller sizes) if you are a person that has to hike to or walk long distances to the destination of your shoot. I would recommend purchasing the medium or even small size so it would make it easier to carry with you.
This is quite a bit larger than I expected. The bulb is large and soft and allows for a significant puff of air with each squeeze. Well worth the money!
It's pretty big about the size of a Soda bottle. The only issue I have is bringing this thing to the airport it's probably me being paranoid, but I rather just avoid issues. I mainly use it to clean my PC (usb slots/sd slots), Keyboard, and SLR casing and lens.
I know why the knock-offs don't even hold a candle to the original.However, the external (black part) is kinda sticky when it came in the mail, not sure if this is supposed to be like that.This doesn't affect the function in anyway though. Best blaster I've used thus far. Thumbs up!
This little guy is one of the most valuable pieces of my camera kit. But, don't get chained to the thought of it only being used to blow dust off of your gear. I use this for everything from getting sand out of my backpacks, cleaning out my keyboard and dusting off my bobblehead collection. Worth it's weight in gold!
(Writing this on my boyfriend's acct) He got this for me as a stocking stuffer after I found it on here for such a great price. Anyone who has one knows these things are wonderful.
If you have a DSLR or anything that tends to collect crud (dust, fibers, particulates, etc) then this is a definite must!  It's powerful enough to blow the crud out, but doesn't blow any residues onto your sensor.  Get one!
you got to have one of these, that all i can say.  i got mine about a year an half ago.
This does about 85% the job of a can of air that you can get at your computer store.  It provides a good amount of FLOW with a squeeze and can save you from using an expensive can for most jobs.  Also great to annoy your dog with.
I liked it for cleaning dust off of my wife's lenses... My dogs LOVED it for the rush of air that comes out when bitten. All and all a good purchase.
I use the Nikon D300, and I had been using the AA battery packs.  I spent quite a bit of time fussing over the added expense of the EN-EL4 and then about died at the price for this charger.  Looking back I really wish I'd purchased them earlier.  The charger quickly tops off the battery before a shoot, and fully charges a depleted battery in only a few hours.There are lights on the charger to let you know the status of the battery.  I've plugged a fully depleted battery into this and had a very usable charge in just over 30 minutes charging.  NOT fully charged, but better than an 8 pack of AAs!I'm now buying an extra EN-EL4 and using my AA holders to store charged batteries for the flash.I gave this 4 stars because the price seems excessive.
still workign and still charging my battery :) not much else to say its a nikon, it does what it should !!
Never before have I felt more gouged by Nikon than after buying this. It couldn't possily cost more than $20 to produce this thing, I can't imagine how Nikon can justify this price. But, what can you do? If you want this battery, you're stuck.UPDATE 8/19/2010I recently purchased an off-brand from Adorama. It looked very similar to the Nikon brand, and it charges both the En-El3 and En-El4 batteries. Cool, huh?Nope, the Adorama knock-off charged reliably to 18% each time, then stopped. EVERY TIME. I guess Nikon is the only way to go. For this reason alone Nikon gets one star.
Nothing much left to say except that Nikon is really proud of it and wants your wallet.  Bottom line is that if you need the EN-EL4 battery you have to buy a charger for it.
Very nice Nikon battery charger. I lost mine somewhere in the house and hope someday to find it since this charger happens to be a big part of my life. Thanks for the good transaction.
Great product, charges quickly and efficiently, had to get over cost, but love my En-EL4 battery in my D700 add-on grip.  Wore out the grip, had it repaired,during the time I was without it I had withdrawls.  Having a grip to shoot portraits more naturally and to balance the 24-70 lens it is a must!
This charger is great for my d300 el-en4a but, I don't understand why its so expensive.  Granted, it charges a bigger battery and regardless of what I think, the price is set and unless you could find a used or cheaper charger, for me, charging the darn battery is a great thing.  Can't say much about it other wise, other than it has somewhat of a indicator of how much of the battery is being charged, that's about it.
The charger is great, it does the job it's suppose and in faster time the instructions say.  I'm very happy with the purchase.
Professional quality with a clear set of buttons. Too bad it's so big and of limited use, as it's only for 2 kinds of Nikon batteries. Now I've got one charger for the MB-D10-battery (EN-EL4a) and one for the regular camera battery (MB-D10). Somebody "over-engineered" the stuff. Expensive to boot! But once you go that path there's no alternative.
I bought this to replace Nikon's similar two battery charger because the latters' recalibrate buttons failed rendering it useless. The build on the MH-21's buttons are much more solid.  I've had it for over a year without any issues.
After purchasing  a cheap knock off and it lasted for 3 charges I purchsed the Nikon charger  It was a  bit pricey  but I know it will last unlike the knockoff  Its made well and charges the battery quickly  Its a quality item  Very happy
...it's waay expensive... but I can't give a bad rating on a perfectly performing product based on price. The MSRP is not the retailer's fault... the charger works flawlessly and the whoppingly expensive battery for said charger seems to be very happy. I can't complain really so I give this a 5 as there are so many 4 and below products out there it's great to see companies make great products...
So you bought an mb-d10 or equivalent.  Or you want a spare charger.  Or yours was lost at the airport.  Whatever the case, this is your only option.It works fine.But damn you nikon, there's no reason for this plastic piece of crap to be a) so big and b) so fv&lt;king expensive.  It's a huge kludge.  It takes up too much space in my suitcase.But there's no alternative.  Unlike batteries (I can buy three good quality third party for the price of one Nikon branded battery--which, btw, costs the same as this wretched charger).I love what this charger allows me to do, but it's just an overpriced piece of plastic with some simple IC and a proprietary chip inside.I love my Nikon cameras and lenses, but crap like this charger makes me wonder if I'm getting gouged on the other goods.
Gotta have it to charge the big battery.  Overpriced as much Nikon brand stuff is, but built to quality standards.
Charges quickly and fully.  Has lights to indicate state of charge.  Solidly built.  Just what I would expect from Nikon.
I have had this filter for about 2 months now and I have used it extensively. It is always on my lens for daylight photography. The sky looks noticeably blue and colors look saturated and haze is minimized.If I had one thing to complain about, it is painful to use with the hood on, as the hood gets in the way while you are trying to adjust the filter for the optimal effect. Another remark (not about the filter though) is that the plastic case which holds the filter when it is not in use. The push-fastener which opens and closes the case is not properly designed. It has a tendency to get stuck and get unstuck without warning.
As all the products that I buy from Amazon, this lens filter is no exception.  Natural vivid colors are reflected in my pictures.  Really good price and qualitly from Nikon.  Thank you Amazon for selling this item at a very affortable price.
I bought the 52mm Nikon CPL for my lenses.  I previously owned a Heliopan slim CPL, but that one didn't have coating and you couldn't attach a lens cap.The Nikon is multicoated and slim, but also fits a lens cap, which is something I really appreciate.  The glass is superb, no defects.  The ring feels durable.Polarizing effect is strong, but the lens also has high light transmission (a good thing).  This allows you to use faster shutter speeds.
great filter, built solid, attaches firmly. turning ring moves well and photos come out fantastic. very pleased with this product, and I'm really glad I opted for Nikon brand as opposed to another.
This circular polarizing filter matches the superb optical qualities of Nikkor lenses used on Nikon cameras, although these can be used with most any lens with 52mm thread diameter.  Polarizing filters are often used in photograpy to darken skies, cut reflections, or reduce glare from the surface of bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean. I've  been using polarizing filters for years and needed these for the lenses with my new camera. This filter is excellent!
This filter is well constructed. The polarizing ring can be turned easily. Results are good. Colors are realistic. When the filter is turned to the maximum polarizing effect, the sky becomes very dark blue. But that is a choice you make yourself.
This is the best way to take photo's of water, Nikon makes some of the best glass, I have used Polarizing Filter's for years
I use this filter for all my landscape photography in bright sunlight. I love the way it cuts down on the glare on foliage and the way it helps the sky appear so blue and all the colors seem more vivid. I recommend for everyone who does landscape photography!!
A high quality item that fit perfectly on my Nikon D40.  It functions as expected, rotates easily and allows for a variety of interesting adjustments not possible without a Polarizing filter.
It does what it's supposed to do quite well.  I like to stick to Nikon products for my Nikon lenses, unless there is a compelling reason not to.  So far I've found no reason to try another polarizing filter.
Don't leave home without one on your Nikon. ...not ever...
I was truly impressed by the CPL filter lens. It delivered what it's manufacturer said it would. It enhanced my shots in the sun and bright lights. Though it is a little pricey, it was worth it. I look forward to years of use and better photos.
Works as advertised. Was delivered on time, and it improved my skies. You must get this if you want to improve your exterior photos. Does wonders if you want to get rid of unwanted shines and sparkles.
There are many vendors selling a variety of polarizing filters, most at prices much lower than this one.  But a first rate camera with excellent lenses is only as good as the quality of the filter through which it sees.  I found the quality of this filter top notch.  Likewise, the vendor's speedy service and careful packaging was also first class.  I would not hesitate to recommend both this particular polarizing filter and this particular vendor.Russ Heitz[...]
I have had this filter for about a month and it works really well!  We took it on a camping trip to the Grand Canyon and took some stunning pictures!
I always buy Nikon brand glass if it is available. Fully functional, no aberrations or artifacts. You won't go wrong with this one!
I recently purchased a Nikon DSLR and went a little crazy buying accessories for it &#8211; cool bag, extra lenses, a flash &#8211; and I'd always wanted a polarizing filter. This filter appears to be a quality product and fits my camera's lenses fine. I'm just not versed in the best way to use it yet. Unfortunately, I got it during the winter when there is absolutely nothing to take a decent photo of outside. But I'm hoping to play with it a lot more come spring. But delivery of the product was quick and free of incident. On that basis, I recommend it.
I will have to print a review when we actually use the product.  I will print a comprehensive review when I have had a chance to use the product.
I've owned a variety of linear and circular polarizers over the years and never been wholly satisfied. I hesitated to spend so much on a filter that will only get occasional use, but I'm glad I did.The polarizing effect of the Nikon 77mm Circular Polarizer II is smooth and dramatic, and there is no sign of vignetting even when zoomed out to 16mm and stopped down to f/22 on a full frame camera! The filter's multi-coating minimizes reflections and the glass seems to be of optical quality. In use, I expected the dramatic sky effect, but I REALLY like how it handles light reflections from foliage for saturated images. A superior filter for anyone's kit! NOTE: because of the multi-coating, this filter should only be cleaned with alcohol or lens cleaner.UPDATE: Just returned from Zion National Park. This filter is amazing! I used it on my Canon 16-35 f/2.8L lens with great success. You DO need to watch out for uneven sky shots when zoomed out to super wide angles. Of course, if you are considering buying this pricey bad boy, you probably know this already.
Ive used it several times since I bought it.... now its finally attached to my lens. Its great! Really brings my pics to life.
This filter is worth every penny and then some.  Using it I have to compensate only for about 1.5 stops, whereas with others I've used I lost as much as over two stops of light... Speaks for its quality right there.  Artistic possibilities that it extends are endless and I've taken some amazing photographs with it.One very noteworthy feature is that it's very kind to gradients on wides.  The fall-off especially with skies is blending very nicely, so I don't have to worry about harsh transitions.  It's the only filter I use, and I did away with stepping rings so that I could use it with my other lenses.  It's constructed really well, has smooth rotation and is a delight to use.  The colors it helps to bring out are surreal, yet authentic, and there are no "distortions".  With mitigating/eliminating refection and refraction the performance of this filter is far superior to any other ones I've tried.A thing to watch out for is that filter tends to be very susceptible to getting stuck.  It's fairly thin, so with rotational element, it's hard to get a good grip.  Avoid over-tightening when putting it on, otherwise it's a tad stubborn to come off.
Nikon's circular polarizers are made specifically for the Nikkor lenses.  The thing ring mount is excellent and the optical quality of the glass filter is superb.  It does an excellent job of polarizing out glare on foliage and surface water and well as deepening the blue in skies.
This 5mm thin filter is made with precision and quality.  You can count on pretty much any Nikon products that are made within the highest standards.  I have several other brand polarizer but this one is one of the best looking ones.  I've stacked this filter and 3mm Hoya ultra thin on my 12-24mm Nikkor and due to its excellent sky darkening effect can hardly notice any vignetting problems even at the shortest focal length.  The only problem is that depending on the angle of sunlight you may get uneven sky darkening effect on a wide angle lens.  I'm a big sucker for polarizer filter and 90% of my work is done with it.  Graduated Neutral Density filter sometimes can give better result on sky darkening effect depending on light condition.If you have the money just buy it; you won't regret it.  If you want to spend less money, go ahead and get some other polarizer at half price.  Taking great pictures is about observation, not about owning great equipments.
Its an great quality polarizer. If you shoot a lot of landscapes with sky, clouds, foliage or anything with a reflective surface (water, glass, etc) then this is for you. I spent a lot on this polarizer and rarely use it since I only do portraits/weddings. Expect 1/2-1 stop down with this on as well. Also, its a pain to use with the lens hood on.
I use it with my 12-24, 80-200, and 300. No corner shadows on the 12-24 and easy to use. I tend to use it for static subjects and don't mind taking the hood off to adjust it. Expensive, yes but 77mm is a lot of glass and you want to make sure that it is of the same quality as the lenses your putting it on. I think the Nikon filter measures up well. I think there are filters that are just as good, the only problem is that they are just as or more expensive. I'd buy again if I needed to replace it. I bought my Nikkors to last a long time and I feel the same way about this filter.
It does what a quality polarizer is supposed to do, make the skies blue and the foliage pop. I think that the Nikon' s effect is slightly stronger than the smaller Hoya 67mm Extra Thin Circular Polarizer Super Multi Coated Glass Filter that I also own. While the Hoya is excellent, I think the Nikon is slightly better. Either way, you can not go wrong.
Brought the filter for my 70-200 and also a smaller sized one for my standard 55-105 lens. Works wonderfully and feels great. Nikon products with Nikon feel. Price is high compared to a lot of cheap alternatives but Nikon is a Nikon. I took a shot of a manta-ray using the filter and can see it clearly in my photo without any glares from the water!
Amazing the difference what one lens can do for your photos. High quality construction, produces desired effect every single time. Highly recommend, more expensive than other brands but worth it's weight in gold.
I am standardizing to the 77mm filter size and got this CPL filter as part of that effort.  I am using it on my general purpose lens (Nikon 18-200mm on a D300).  It works great on that lens (with an adapter).The CPL rotated nice and smooth.  There was no binding or catching when installing or removing this CPL.  That was important as I plan on sharing this CPL between a few lenses.I saw no "vignetting" at 18mm(edit from 3/12/2010, I did see some vignetting at 18 in the corners when looking somewhat into the sun.  I don't think it changes anything about this CPL.  I love it).It does add 1 to 1 1/2 or 2 aperture stops.  It makes the clouds visible in front of a bluer sky and when rotated correctly, removes glare as it should.The multi coating surface was clean and clear when I received it and it has cleaned off nicely since then.The "thinness" of the CPL does not affect how it attaches to the adapter or how the NIKON lens cap attaches to this CPL.  It has enough threads to work fine!!!I purchased the THIN CPL on Amazon since it should fit on to the Wide Angle lens I  plan on purchasing in the future (I will update this review when I do).  If you do standardize on one size like I did at 77mm, you should get a set of metal stack caps to protect the filters while carrying them.
Not bad - Not great. A little expensive for what you get.  Not the seller's fault. Not sure there is a better option for the money.
I think I almost always begin these reviews complaining about the price, that is just me. The product is outstanding, the price reasonable, and the service outstanding. I am still amazed by the great Amazon process.
I bought this lens to use on vacation.  It worked great in sunny environments but needed to be removed in low light night time picture or it took the color away from the subject.
I got it in time, nice, everything is OK - except I see myself in any glass surface like before. For all that I twisted the filter in all position at any 1/8 inch.
The filter is very good but I had to order from B&H to finally get one. The original was mishandled by the post office and returned to the sender. i don't know who returned it but it wasn't me.  I received my purchase price back but not my shipping cost. I reordered from B&H and they shipped it free and it was here in a few days.
Takes a little practice to use. You don't really know the results until post-production of photos. Rotating the lens you'll notice changes in the exposure level - lighter, darker, in between. I found it best used to accentuate sky and clouds. Deepens the richness. Easy to misadjust though, rendering a dark area where it shouldn't be, especially the sky. Used it extensively when photographing the Grand Canyon in June 2010. Only wish I had instant feedback of my adjustments. Some pics turned out unusable. Practice, practice.
Excel lent, top quality filter! I have been using Nikon polarizers for years, even the old chunky one. The glass is medium grey not dark, and only decreases light transmission by 1  stops. At the same time, it has amazing polarizing power to saturate colors and reflect lights. In addition, a minor but important fact is that it is a "warm" filter, while most of others are on the cool/blue side. The new "II" version, much thinner and lighter, is great for wide-angle shots, especially landscape photography, with much less vignette.  Some users complain about its frame, being too thin and hard to grab. I never have problem with the issue; as with all modern filter frames, I never screw them tightly onto my lenses.Nikon is famous for the lenses, and the glass used in the filter is their special ground glass. It is hard, not easy to break, but easy to clean! The frame is also made of quality metal, light yet sturdy. In addition, the filter is weather/water-proof. How do I know all these? I accidentally dropped it in wet mud when photographing in a tulip field. Unfortunately, there seemed to be some tiny sand grains trapped between the rotating rings, and made a little grinding noise when turned. In order to finish my assignment, I had to clean the glass hastily with just my shirt sleeve (not a good way to clean due to the "sandpaper" effect). Upon return, in order to flush out the sand grain in the ring gap, I used a tooth brush, running water, a can of compressed air, pressured water jet (for cleaning teeth), even a small screwdriver trying to "open" it (no, the filter didn't budge). After all these abuses, and for many times, the sand grains seemed to dislodge gradually. I thought the filter was probably destroyed after all the bad treatments. To my surprise, there is no moisture or dust between the glasses, the frame holds its shape perfectly, and the ring turns smoothly. Even better, after cleaning the glass with rubbing alcohol (make sure to wipe dry right away), I do not see any visible scratches under the sun! It is not only top quality for its optical performance, but also for its professional built!People often rave about B+W or Marumi polarizers due to one website's reviews. I believe this hidden gem from Nikon, though not reviewed then, is right up there with them, if not better.
I've been using polarizers for 30 years; This is a very good one.  It is thin enough for my Pentax 16mm wide angle lens without vignetting,  but deep enough for my lens cap to hook on the outer threads.
I know, I know - Nikon gear is really expensive. But I think it's still one of the few things in life where you get what you pay for. As my uncle once told me, "Kid, if you want the best things in life, you've got to be prepared to get ripped off to get them." Truer words were never spoken.Would I like to pay a little less (or maybe even a lot less)? Sure. But this product performs, it's well machined and I suspect it will last me a good long time. Works for me. In the grand scheme of things, I'll forego two reasonable dinners and take the polarizer any day...
I bought this polarizing filter to use on my Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8 lens and while I think it is superbly constructed, I admit to being disappointed by the results.  Other reviews talk of the filter bringing out the blue sky and making colors pop.  But, I find the differences so subtle that I'm actually having trouble using the filter.  While I can see subtle - and desirable - differences when I view pics on the computer, it is very difficult to see the effect when composing thru-the-lens and while viewing the pic on the camera's display.  That has also led me to wish that the filter had setting marks that could be used to determine just how it is set.  Instead, the outer lens can be rotated infinitely, and, without the ability to really see what's happening thru-the-lens, results are hit and miss.  One other slight complaint is that I find it can be difficult to unscrew the filter from the lens since the outer ring turns, making it necessary to try and grasp the very fine inner ring.
Slim profile is good, no vignetting on my 17-40mm lens.  I really appreciate that I can still fit my original Canon lens cap on this filter's outer threads, unlike the slim mount B&W; UV filter I also got.Excellent image quality.  Relatively easy on-off the lens, no jamming of the threads.  Operates just fine.
I'm a Canon guy, but I have to give it to Nikon on their quality optics.  This is probably the best wide-angle CP on the market.  It has many layers of multicoating, the edges are knurled so you can grip it to get it on/off and adjust, and you can even still attach a lens cap.I was hesitant to buy this one for my wide-angle lens due to the fact that you could still attach a lens cap.  I thought it would vignette, but I read the specs on all of the other available wide-angle CP's and none of them are slimmer than 5mm (which is the thickness of this CP).  So, I went ahead a took a leap of faith.  I'm glad I did!This is an excellent quality product.  Get ONE that will fit your largest diameter lens, and get B+W step-up rings for your other lenses so you can use a CP on all of your lenses without buying a CP for each.
This 77mm Circular Polarizer is of very high quality and worth every cent.  The thin ring design is a real plus.
The optical quality of this filter blows away every other Polarizer I own, however why is the knurling on the edge and not the front? you can't get a grip on the damn thing when you have a hood on. And when you use a polarizer, you're in good sunlight, and need a hood. I stick a finger inside the hood to adjust the polarizer, and I just can't get a descent grip on this thing sometimes.This a major flaw on a damn good polarizer.optical quality 10+ergonomics 2So close to a perfect product
Great quality filter that gives a soft, dreamy effect. This filter paired with a 85B filter gives beautiful photos with a 70's/vintage feel.
Quality machining. Perfect fit. Excellent glass. Works exactly as you want it to. I expect it to be in my gear bag for many years to come.
This is one of the best soft focus filter I've ever used. It is great for romantic or glamor portraits. Of course, using this filter makes the images that you shoot with it permanently soft. Whereas you can take a sharp, digital  image and introduce softness in post-production with software, e.g. Portrait Professional or Photoshop. If you still shoot portraits with film, this filter should definitely be in your tool kit.
If you want a nice soft effect on your portraits this is a great filter to have, it makes a very nice effect.
So far this filter works just as it says.  I used it to shoot my garden fountains.  Bought it to use on our Island trip.
I bought the Sunpack "620-7575CC Professional" model but this looks exactly the same as the 757 listed here. I had a basic tripod for 20 years but this 7575 is a humongous change. I used it the other day to video-tape a stage performance. I extended it almost full height and used the tilted LCD screen on my camcorder together and camcorder remote to pan and zoom. The tripod was very steady.Before buying it, I had looked at many others online and in stores.  I think that this 7575 at least equals some other higher priced models, many of which don't even come with leg braces and/or retractable leg spikes. Yes, it's on the heavy side, but I don't plan to go hiking with it. I got a good buy at a local electronics store.
Now I can really use all of my camera's features.  Very sturdy and easy to use.
This is a great tripod for Photography (SLR's with most lenses - probably won't with that 1000mm Howitzer lens) and Digicam Video.  I've had two other tripod's through relatives that were light, not very sturdy, hard to use and generally just cheap.This tripod feels like quality compared to them and works very well for me.  Its stable, strong, easy to use, the mount for camera has a quick release and pops off an on with the base attached to your camera (so you could pop different cams off and on with more bases).  I've had it for about 6 months, used it for indoor family use (for video and photography) and have been extremely happy.  It's worth the bucks over the lower priced tri-pods if you can go for it.I'm very happy with it.
I saw this product recommended in a PopPhoto magazine review but was unwilling to pay the $90-100 websites were asking for it. After a few weeks of visiting Amazon, I found it for $58 with free shipping. The tripod arrived on time and undamaged. My only criticism is that it is bigger than some folks would want. Also, there is a slight grinding sound/feel when I pan then head all the way around. I am warned to not lubricate so I am hoping this will work itself out. Absolutely the best and tallest tripod available for the money. I would/do recommend this Sunpak tripod.
The tripod arrived with a broken center column crank lever. Although I can't be sure if this happened during shipping or if it was handled carelessly, it did not make me feel comfortable about the build of the tripod. The housing around the lever that needs to withstand a certain amount of pressure during normal operation seemed flimsy and not built for the task. It was possible, however, to take the lever out completely and adjust the hight of the center post by pulling / pushing, so the tripod could still be used.I thoroughly tested the tripod with my Canon Rebel Xti before I returned it to see if I wanted a replacement. It is amazingly high when fully extended (one of the highest I've seen) and very stable through the braced center column. The leg extension clips are wonderful - very easy on the fingers. Operation of the pan-head is smooth and easily internalized. However, with heavier glass mounted I had to crank down very hard on the tilt locks to stabilize the camera.It comes with two quick release plates that are easy to mount on the camera but a little temperamental when placing into the tripod head. It took me some fiddling to get the position of the quick-release lever just right for the plate to snap in.I would not use this as a travel or hiking tripod, it's bulky and relatively heavy, but it's a very competitive studio or set tripod for still photography.I ultimately decided not to replace the Sunpak and order a slightly higher pricedSlik Professional Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Panoramic Photo Guideinstead.
I am pleased with this product. It is well built and good for people who aren't into photography professionally. I say that because it isn't exactly lightweight.Otherwise I am very pleased with its quality.
For a more expensive tripod, it feels a tad flimsy, especially for its weight. When I first opened the box, one of the bubble levels fell off. Otherwise, it has many features and works fairly well.
I bought this for a Celestron C 130 telescope used strictly for terrestrial viewing.  It's right on the border of strong enough.  It works, but I've ordered something heavier for the scope.  I think the Celestron is around 11 pounds.  It would be OK for the C-90.It works well for my smaller spotting scope, a Bausch and Lomb "Discovery" model that's only a couple of pounds.But it's smooth and solid for digital photograpy and video.  Easy to mount the camera, very stable, easy to adjust and easy to set a position without everything slipping during the lock down.  Quick and easy to open and close.  I have two other tripods that look and operate similarly, but this is more stable and overall a much better value.
I've copied my review below from the DMC-LC1 review I just published, since both cameras are extremely similar. The differences in aesthetics, grip, and minor button assignments are minimal, but give the interested party a clear choice. The Jpeg engine of this camera is ever so slightly tuned differently than the LC1, I'd sum up by saying it is more conservative in color saturation and yields slightly better detail. Other than that, they are the same.I've written extensively on this camera and the digilux 2 online on my own blog.This camera and the digilux 2 are considered true classic cameras, and a decade later they still do not disappoint the discerning photographer who embraces the foundation of principles and fundamentals that make photography a rewarding experience.This camera design is truly unique- one of a kind. Dismissed by the masses but embraced by a very niche group of photographers that desire a camera to be both a design first priority, and, a work of art- at the very same time.The lens of this camera, its manual controls, its bright aperture, internal zoom, build quality, and ultimately its excellent performance- are the heart of its lure and soul of its operation. The body style, and external controls compliment this lens design perfectly. Its size is both large enough to operate manually without being cramped, and small enough to be carried anywhere all day long without fatigue in any way.It's sensor is excellent still to this day, 5mp actually translates to the resolution output of many 10mp sensors because of how sharp this lens is. So don't be swayed by that specification. While this camera's operational speed is pedestrian compared to many of today's cameras, its that exact quality which endears it to owners of it. The mere fact that this camera in some ways is inadequate (compared to faster DSLRS) to a variety of shooting circumstances forces the photographer to think his/her way through the process. Thus a shot well done grants the photographer a proud achievement.This is in stark contrast to using a DSLR where shooting a burst of images with a blazing fast autofocus and burst rate yield one good image out of many.It's EVF and LCD are adequate, and with some practice can become intuitive to the shooters needs. The short range of ISO (compared to today's cameras) is also adequate considering the lens fast aperture, and the fact that it yields sharp images wide open. When you do the math you'll see that a comparable DSLR kit would need to use an ISO speed two stops or more higher than this camera to get the same shutter speed.The build quality of this camera, its handling, are first rate. Leica spearheaded its design (both cameras) and Panasonic provided the production capability and electronics. Don't be fooled into believing that this is a Panasonic design first and foremost. Its actually the other way around.This camera and its twin, continue to hold value extremely well. Most digital cameras end up in the trash bin and forgotten, discounted to oblivion, or end up collecting dust in a storage facility. Not the LC1 or Digilux 2.There is a reason for that.No amount of reading will make you understand the draw of this camera. If you like to think when you photograph, if you like to practice photography fundamentals, if you like perfect manual controls, then this camera is probably going to make you very happy.It's as perfect of a design as designs can get, especially for the time it was introduced.Carl
If you are someone who cut their teeth on film cameras and hate the layout, interface and operation of most modern digital cameras, this may be the camera for you. I bought a very lightly used Digilux 2 via Amazon for less than half of it's original selling price with the complete package right down to the box it came in.I love it.The attraction of this model is that someone coming from a conventional 35mm camera can pick it up, use it like whatever they previously used and it just works. All the digicam stuff is there, but it's out of the way and you can concentrate on what you really bought the camera for- photography.Yes, these days a 5 megapixel spec is not much to talk about, but for most people's needs it is more than adequate. The lens is marvelous and the camera feels solid- not like the drop it and trash it feel that permeates so many cameras these days. Don't abuse it, but it feels like it should wear well over time.This model is discontinued as is the Lumix (Panasonic) twin of this model and has been replaced by the Digilux 3 in the Leica line. As the market for this kind of camera is small, we may never see anything like it again. It's a wonderful camera taken for what it is and could well become a collector's item down the line.If you can find one in decent condition for a reasonable price buy it. My best guess is that the resale price of these cameras has bottomed out and will probably appreciate over time.**UPDATE**In the 2 years since I wrote this review, the average price on Amazon and eBay has increased significantly. If how your camera handles is important to you, take the time to consider this camera.
Being a foto fan, I have always dreamed having a LEICA. Since I strongly believe in the Digital Age, I thought this is my opportunity to have the future of Leica.I had an enormous disappointment with the camera and the quality of the pictures. I made an extensive research online and found many positive things and ratings, so I bought it. Maybe this camera had something wrong in it. I compared the same picture moment and conditions with pictures of a canon S50 and believe it or not... the canon pictures were much more impressive.The worst I found in this camera was the digital viewfinder. I could never get a good focus with this technology... too complicated! You need to view a small box inside the vewfinder that changes so you can focus. This is a camera for a foto artist, this camera is for manual focusing and usage... believe me, you dont want to focus with a digital viewfinder... it is a terrible idea. At least not with this technology. There is not a better technology to focus than "what you see is what you get"!So until LEICA understands more about digital photography I will have to wait. I changed the Digilux 2 with a Canon 20d. Now... that is a GREAT camera. Dont waste your money in a brand that is just entering the digital age. They have allot to learn. Canon is many years ahead of this guys.
The Leica Digilux 2 resembles nothing more than a scaled-up version of the classic Leica M 35mm rangefinder camera (think Leica M3, M2 or M4) and handles nearly as well as its film-based ancestors. It is very easy to use and the picture quality is superb, thanks to its new Vario-Summicron lens. It's a second generation digital camera designed jointly by Leica and Panasonic, and thus is a major improvement over its predecessor, the original Leica Digilux. This is not a camera meant for the casual user, but instead, one who is either a serious amateur or professional photographer interested in a high grade non-interchangeable lens digital camera. I wish it was a little cheaper, but to its credit, Leica has produced a capable picture-making tool that is not horrendously expensive.
AESTHETICS: The Leica Digilux 2 can be described as a modern "retro" design. The body style is a direct descendant of the M6 and those before it. The body looks huge. It is about 33% larger than an M6, but this isn't readily apparent until you set it next to any Leica M chassis. There is a gaudy overabundance of faux chrome in the back. This is the least appealing part of the camera, because of the chrome finish that surrounds and accentuates the presence of the LCD monitor.  I would have preferred a more predominant use of either a black finish or the faux leather.  The rubber around the eyepiece is bulbous, but acceptable. Overall, it is a handsome camera.ERGONOMICS: What sold me are the traditional manual adjustments:  The focusing ring, the aperture ring, zoom adjustment, and shutter speed dial are so much more workable in the field. You do not have to take your eye away from the viewfinder like you would with touch pads and four-way rocker switches.  Leave that for reviewing the recorded images. The box construction has the familiar feel of an M body, but weighs less. The "grippy" black rubber finish is handsome and remotely resembles leather. The flash has two positions: press halfway and it will set up for bounce flash. Press all the way down, and it will point directly towards the subject.PRACTICALITIES: At the average price of about $1850 U.S. dollars, one would have to factor in the name.  But also figure in the build quality. There is the magnesium body, real metal hinges on the doors (which are designed beautifully), traditional aperture ring, manual & auto focusing, shutter speed dial, superior image processing (for markedly lower noise levels than the competition), aspherical Summicron lens, larger than average lcd monitor; and a few more, but the general impression is that it's built well.  The baseplate is bare, but there are three 1/8" diameter round rubber feet, and one round plastic foot that is molded out of the battery door itself. Attention to small details are what I like about the Leica. For example, the camera strap also comes with two leatherette scuff protectors that fit around the camera strap eyelets. And not only is a lens cap included, but a lens cap for the lens shade.THE BOTTOM LINE:  The photographs are the bottom line.  The images and image quality are on par with the pro-level dslr's. There is a real Summicron aboard this camera, and of it, I rest assured.  There are and will be cameras with higher pixel counts, but I've come to realize that if most of my photographs will be printed smaller than 11" x 14," then I am not lacking with the five megapixels. I've compared identical images side by side with images from my Olympus C8080, and the Digilux 2's images can almost qualify as 8 megapixel images!! Magnify both the C8080 & the Digilux 2's images to 200%, and the Leica wins convincingly. This is not a point-and-shoot, as most would regard it as such. It can be set up for that if you wish, but the manual focusing, aperture and shutter adjustments make the D2 a capable tool for anybody who pursues photography seriously.
Okay ----- many people have criticized me for buying a $1,400 digital camera, that is almost 2 years old and has only 5 megapixelsthey were wrong to criticizeI ordered the camera about a week ago (early August, 2005) and just received it today ---- I have spent all day shooting with it, and I am deeply happy that I purchased itso let's go over pros and cons, etc -1. The Director in Us ---- Personally, I'm a filmmaker --- I'm not crazy about cinematography, and for me, I know enough about cameras to take it seriously, but at the end of the day, I see it as a personal hobby ------ this is OUR kind of camera ------ no interchangable lenses to deal with and complete manuel controls2. Lense ----- the lense is terrific, and Leica glass is awesome ---- I'm having a good time looking at all the pics I took over my iPhoto, and there a clear difference between my Nikon/Sony pics versus the Leica ----- however, as mentioned, the lense is NOT changable ------ for me, I like this because I'm not interested in carrying 5 lenses to a bunch of locations ------ but for true photographers, this is a problem - so keep that in mind3. RINGS!!!!!!! ----- Rings for ZOOM, Aperture, and FOCUS ---- I'm in hog heaven!!! There is nothing on this camera that isn't controlled manually, whether it be the rings, the shutter speed, or anything else ----- that is the best part!!!! With the exception of White Balance, I think everything is contolled by either a switch or a ring - which is neat!4. On Board Light Meter ------ the light meter here is adjustable and very accurate ---- I depended on it whenever I set the aperture, and was very pleased with the results ---- in addition, if you hate the pic, you can always erase it5. Stability ---- I shot all day in 4 fps and 2 fps shutter speed modes, and impressively, the camera never showed any blurred lines, provided that I held it still (however, I didn't have to stand like a statue)6. CloseUps ----- closeups were great ----- the focus could probably focus anything in front of me, probably anything that is farther than six inches or more7. BURST shooting ---- you can set the camera to shoot in bursts of 3 or 5 ---- this is a fun mode and works well with the camera8. FLASH ---- I can't stand digital cameras with flashes that are way too strong ---- the flash on this is simple, quick, and not very strong ---- but good enough to produce great imaging9. COMPRESSION ---- I took most of my pics in the LOWEST compression of JPEG, and they are beautiful -- most of them are less than one megabyte in size and very nice looking ---- in comparison, the high compression pics do look better, but there isn't much differenceAre there cons? For some, one lense is a con, but not for me ------- I shot all my pics in JPEG (my fav format) but I hear that the RAW can be slow ---- when shooting in JPEG, the camera was very fast to write each pic and move onDon't let the 5 megapixel thing scare you ----- the pictures are gorgeous!I even tried the latest Rebel by Canon today, and I'm just glad that I picked the LeicaDid I also mention that this camera just looks COOL too???I'm just having too much fun with all of the manual settings at my disposalHighly recommended for the Liebowitz in all of us!
Ahead of it's time, only to be replaced today by the Fujifilm X-E1. I purchased this silent camera new and had issues only at the beginning and end of ownership. My 5mp images could print 16x20 on an Epson 4000 and impress the room, and was willing to wait for each RAW image to process. Traded in my Contax G2 for this Digilux (with mixed feelings but the G2 had an unfaithful viewfinder) but knew it was a step in the right direction. The first Digilux out of box had a bad shutter/on-off mechinism (Barnack turning over in grave). The second lasted me through A LOT of art school craziness, developed some dead pixels in the EVF, survived dropping/flipping between two rocks only to not survive the cold night with me in a tent on Donner Summit. Snow that morning looked beautiful on the cabin but the Digilux would not power up. After a warranty repair, I sold it still in it's plastic from the repair. "Good-bye old paint, ..." If it had 6-7mp then, I wouldn't have let go. After this was a swirl of mechanical Leica thread mounts from iiif's to Zorki's, and some SLR's one DSLR but nothing like this Digilux. I don't own a camera now and graduated without one using mostly the images made from this camera early in my college career. These images are still my most cherished compositions that could not be continued with future camera equipment that followed. The likes of Fuji EV-1 and Nikon V1 are trying this EVF design ten years later.
Pros:Quality of the photographs (especially in black & white) which have the "Leica" look;Leica construction, fit & finish.  The camera is mostly metal rather than plastic and has a two tone silver and black markings.  It's built like a tank & beautiful to behold. (However, some photographers prefer the less flashy solid black color of the Panasonic DMC-LC1 twin and roll their eyes at the Digilux 2's attempt to imitate the look of the classic "Leica Rangefinder" camera.Leica warranty and repair are of a very high quality and are unmatched in the industry;Given that the Digilux 2 represents one of the first attempts by Leica to produce a digital camera, the look of the photographs it produces and the limited production run, this camera may become a collectors item.The camera garners much attention from others that may be familiar with the Leica brand or history (quite a conversation starter);Cons:High price.  At first glance, the Panasonic twin (DMC-LC1) is a much better deal (At the time of this review, it's 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a Leica) if you're willing to forgo the "red dot" and put up with a bit more plastic.Unusual sized 69 millimeter camera lens width means that third party lens-filters are rare and expensive.  Limited types of Leica lens filters are available, but are insanely expensive.What other limited Leica accessories are available are very, very expensive compared to the cost of accessories for other brand cameras.The camera garners much attention from others that may be familiar with the Leica brand or history (quite a conversation starter);The camera has point & shoot features and specifications, but it's big & heavy compared to the typical point & shoots.  It wont fit in your pocket (unless you wear "Joey Butafuco" clown pants).  Also, for those still unashamed to wear "butt packs", you'd need one the size of "Grandma's purse" to carry this camera around in.  If you want to do more "unobtrusive" photography, the DLux 3 is the Leica to get.Full Review:I've owned a Leica Digilux 2 for two years.  The camera has very high quality construction. More metal than plastic.  It has an amazing lens that can't be purchased apart from the camera body.  Most color and all B & W images have a "Leica" look. Even the die-hard Leica film camera fans  have to admit there is something special about the photographs this camera produces.It's overpriced compared to its Panasonic twin (Panasonic DMC-LC1) and other brand cameras with similar feature, so I initially regretted my purchase.  The camera sensor broke after two years of very easy use. Apparently, a good number of the Digilux 2's had sensors installed that did not meet Leica's quality control requirements. A good number of them are now failing.  Fortunately, Leica is repairing the malfunction free of charge.  They appear to be doing so for all of the Digilux 2 cameras even if they are out of warranty, were purchased on the grey-market or if they were purchased second-hand.  As of today, Panasonic with the same sensors in the DMC-LC1 is not providing this level of protection and hassle free repair.  I can't think of any Japanese, Korean or American company that would provide this type of protection to their customers and their reputation.  For this reason, I no longer regret spending the extra money for the Leica camera.Some reviews complain about the viewfinder and LCD image quality.  I wasn't happy with the resolution either, until I realized that the little dial on the side of the viewfinder provides a way to adjust the resolution and focus of the viewfinder image.  After reading the instruction manual and making a slight adjustment, I find the view finder more than adequate.  I suspect that some reviewers may not have read the instruction manual and made this adjustment before writing their review.The Leica lens has a non-standard width of 69mm.  This means that third party lens filters are almost nonexistent and expensive even if you manage to find one. Forget about finding a non-Leica lens hood.  A third-party adapter ring can bump the filter size up to a more standard 72mm or 77mm size, however I've found that non-Leica brand filters (even the expensive ones) seem to degrade the quality of the photographs too much.There are third-party wireless flash triggers and wireless shutter controls available that work with the camera and that are relatively inexpensive.  These help with portrait photography and low light photography and work nicely.  Don't buy the Leica SF24D flash to use with the Digilux 2. It's a fixed-head flash and is very expensive.  Panasonic and Metz make much better flash units for the same or less money that will work well.I would have given the camera five stars if it weren't for the price, and the fact that the sensor failed prematurely for such an expensive camera.  If Leica had not repaired the broken sensor free of charge, I would have given two stars at with a note that the camera would be a wonderful camera but would only work for about two years.  Hope you found this review helpful.12-15-08 Updated review:Leica took over 1 year to repair the broken sensor.  In fact, they lost my camera I sent in for repair and sent me another refurbished one.  Leica digital cameras and their service department are not ready for prime time.  I would change my star rating to 2 stars if I could and would suggest a potential buyer wait 3 or 4 years to see if Leica is still in business before spending money on their cameras.
Sure, the Nikon 5400 is capable of similar pictures, at least in ideal situations, if you have the time to fight your way through its menus.  But what makes the Leica d-2 the best camera currently available is its ease of use, the brilliant design of every knob and lever.  Whatever you want to do, this camera can do it, simply, logically, and quickly.  Bottom line:  if you're rich, this is the best camera currently available.  If you're poor, other digital cameras offer similar performance for a third of the price as long as you're willing to deal with their confused, convoluted, time-consuming menus and controls.
My familiarity with this camera is limited to the information on amazon.com, so my observations should be taken as that of a spectator rather than a true critical review.  Nevertheless, we all make judgments as to purchases without actually handling the item, especially on-line.  This is based on the criteria I would apply if I were considering purchasing this item.I would expect a camera in the $1500 range to have more than a 3.2x optical zoom.  Cameras costing less than one-third of that now have up to 10x optical zoom.  3x optical zoom is rapidly being relegated to low-end or ultra-compact cameras, neither of which fits the Leica.  It is more in the price range of digital SLRs with interchangeable lenses, so I would expect a more powerful lens if there is no option to change it.
31 DEC 04:  Let me preface this review with a little personal history.  I have been taking photographs for 53 years and ran a part-time wedding photography business for 24 years.  I fought the change to digital for years, but finally succumbed in 2002.  Since that time, I have never looked back.  The Digilux 2 is my sixth digital camera and I can honestly say it takes better photographs than any of my other cameras, including my Nikon D-100.  The Nikon is more flexible, with interchangable lenses, but the Leica is much more portable and intuitive.Some might complain that the camera is "only" a five megapixel unit.  But, there are megapixels and there are megapixels....not all are created equal.  The CCD on the Digilux 2 is very large, providing larger megapixels.  This solves a lot of problems currently being experienced by high-megapixel "pro-sumer" cameras and creates stunning photographs.Having used range-finders and other "analog" cameras for many years, the Leica is like an old friend.  There is no other digital camera on the market that is easier to use, when switching from "automatic" to manual or shutter/f-stop priority.  This camera is usable by everyone, from a beginner (just go "full auto", until you learn more about the camera's capabilities) to a professional.The Digilux 2 is built like a tank and will stand years of service and abuse.  The LCD is HUGE, as well as being the clearest and brightest I have ever seen.  It's usable even in bright sunlight.  The built-in straight or bounce flash capability is extremely useful.My only complaint is that Leica should have made the switch from "Autofocus" to "Autofocus-Macro" a little stiffer.  It's easy to move the switch and not be aware that you have done so (if you set the display to show the switch position, it is easy to check through the viewfinder before you take the shot).  With all the other things going for it, I will not let that minor thing keep me from giving the camera a full five stars.If you can afford it, the Digilux 2 will serve you well for many years.UPDATE (5 JAN 05):  Now that I have used this camera for a longer period of time, I would like to add some additional thoughts/information, based on that usage.  (1) Because of the weight, configuration, minimum shutter lag, and lack of "monkey motion" (flipping mirrors, etc.), it is extremely easy to hand-hold the Digilux 2 at low shutter speeds that would be impossible with digital SLRs or most other digital cameras.  Check out the sample photos on this site, many of them taken hand-held at 1/20th - 1/25th sec. (2) The depth-of-field is amazing, even at F-2.0.  (3) The "out-of-the-camera color is the best of any digital camera I have ever owned or used, including top-of-the-line SLRs.  (4) The custom white balance settings are quick, easy, and spot on.  (5) The tonal values, when the camera is set on B&W; are outstanding.  (6) Contrast is also outstanding.  BOTTOM LINE:  I am in love!.UPDATE 2 MAR 05:  Check out the two new photos I have added.  The landscape photo has been enlarged to 16 x 20 by a custom shop the level of detail is incredible (even the horses at the bottom right of the photo have amazing detail).  This camera has an OUTSTANDING lens/sensor combination.
I have been unable to get more then 3.10 volts out of this battery right after charging. Checking my 3 other rechargables, votages after charging are between 4.25 and 4.37 volts. Even thought this is a 3 volt battery at just 3.10 volts my camera will not turn on. An Olympus E10.
I've had great experience with this battery! I had two to use with my Nikon Coolpix and had been using them for more than 2 years. Recently I lost one due to a wayward zipper, so I am buying another to replace it.
I bought this to use in a Kodak EasyShare digital camera. It works great; however, I noticed the batteries put a 'strain' on the battery compartment on the camera.  The batteries must be a bit too long for the compartment.  Eventually, the compartment closure will break.  Knowing this, I don't know if I would buy this battery again.  Other camera's battery compartment might be a little longer and therefore, not have this problem.
kodak door strains to shut with this battery. nice idea but, too bad for kodak owners. i have great success though with energizer lithium batteries. they last me a long time and fit perfectly.
This rechargeable CR-V3 battery was charged and has been working quite well for several photos.  Since I have not used it very long I cannot state how well it will work over an extended period.  So far, it does the photo job well.
The data sheet on this battery indicates 1200 mAh.  It's lithium, so it holds up better than NimH, but there are lithium rechargables available that offer higher mAh.For the price it isn't bad, though.
These batteries are great. They last very long. Great performance. Low charging time. The normal batteries that came with the camera were dead in an hour. But these batteries last about 3 times of filling the whole memory with photos in the camera. may be more.Definitely a must have for A Nikon 3200 Coolpix.
1. Super-long battery charge2. Super-quick charge up3. Super-long battery life4. Inexpensive5. PowerfulThe Delkin rechargeable battery and charger lasted for three years of heavy use before I needed to buy a new battery. I think that is phenomenal. The charger is still fine.I could get well over 1,000+ simple shots before I charged it up again (before it actually needed it) using a 14 pixel Kodak point and shoot. Handled videos great...1-hour video was not a problem with a simple Kodak point and shoot.BTW, I suggest getting a 3+ GB memory card, which saves a lot of time.I am searching for a new camera that uses these batteries since my cheapie Kodak had a beach-related accident. Sniff-sniff. :(I'll bet the battery is still good, though.Buy the Delkin rechargeable battery and charger; you won't regret it.
This may be easy to use but the battery does not last long at all. I would recomend using the Sony 1400 mah or the Opteka 1,400mah which is the one I prefer and that is what the pro photagrahers use. The 1400 Mah last at least 4 times longer than this Delkin model.
I bought this battery in July 2004. I charged it as soon as I got it. I put it in the camera and then used the camera about 10 days later. The battery was dead. So I charged it again and put it in the camera again. I used it and it seemed to work fine. But the next time I went to use the camera (Approximately 2 weeks to a month later.) it was dead again. As I write this review I am sitting in a hotel room in Prague. I charged the battery ten days ago. I used it once 7 days ago and took approximately 15 to 20 pictures(Did not use the flash). I then used it again today. I was able to get another 15 to 20 pictures before it went dead( Did not use the flash). I bought the lithium rechargeable battery because they have the longest life and no memory. So now I have to charge the battery everytime I use the camera. This was a big disappointment. I get better life out of the standard Duracell alkalines. It appears that this technology hasn't been perfected or that Belkin has not perfected their quality control. Beware when buying this product.
Solved all my rechargeable batteries problems with my Olympus SP-350 Camera... Best choice I've ever made regarding this issue.
Li-on batteries have no memory, like NiMH, and work in colder weather and also do not lose their charge as quickly. They also take more pictures on one charge. Note however that different Li-on chargers do not work with different manufacturer batteries. In the end, this will cost you less than an NiMH.
THE battery is good after a full charge.  It lacks in holding the promised charge.  I find after 2 weeks it is questionable, depending on how many pictures were taken before the camera sat waiting to be used again. I got over 100 pictures when used in 3 days, Which is more that my AA nimh 2100mah. Which I bought from Walmart {so probably not a super battery}  The wallmart batteries actually hold the charge longer {very sad}.The charge time is not to long when charger from half charge.Over all, I hope the next ones I buy will be better than these.  My solution is to carry a non rechargeable battery in my case for when the Delkin dies.  I also try to give it a full charge before leaving the house, as there is no memory effect.  I also recomend checking to see if there is a firmware upgrade for your camera.  Every camera shuts off when the battery is at a different power level.  My Nikon coolpix 3100, seems to shut down sooner than later.  All reviews should mention what camera they are using for this reason.  Have been using 3 months now.
I'm not sure that ANY of the other reviewers that gave this a BAD rating have a clue as to what they are doing.1. LI-ON does not have a memory, and discharging them fully is detrimental to the batteries life! You SHOULD place them into the charger BEFORE they discharge fully!2. LI-ON are light weight, NOT because the are CHEAP, but because they do not contain heavy metals in their construction. Hey, if you need weight to think it's a quality battery, buy a nice lead acid and lug that around!3. Professionals have been waiting on LI-ON to make the leap from camcorders to cameras  (But in a common form factor, like cr-v3). LI-ON is better than NI-MH, NI-MH are better than NI-CAD, and NI-CAD are better than Lead ACID...Battery evolution.4. I'm not giving them 5 stars because I feel that for the price they could have a better charge. 1200mAh vs. 1500 or better. But I'm still getting much better performance over my old NI-MH, that seemed to lose it's charge if left overnight in the camera. Real bummer when trying to complete a shot with limited light!
You know, there is still a market for film cameras, bringing a sort of character novelty now with the digital revolution, but there are some cameras better left in the past, if you know what i mean. We have a bunch of these in the video cage at my art college, and they suck. I paid less for my T2i and it gets much better video, and its only a prosumer DSLR, this is supposed to be a professional grade camcorder. This makes your video look like 90s television, washed out, noisy, horrible. It doesn't have 1080p as an option. The zebras are nice for keying i suppose, but its not really an ideal anything, i would never shoot with this given the choice. Might've been a good camera a long time ago, but, don't buy it. Even used.
Here we record the sad passing of the PD-100 series of SONY grab-n-go solid video cameras.  The PD-170 is discontinued, sadly, lackiing the glitzy features of HD, chip recording, etc.  Its single HD replacement model has not shaken out, yet, but when it is proven (if ever) THAT will be the video camera of choice for bottom end of pro video cameras because it will have all of the PD-170 ruggedness, great optics, flexibility of audio, clean recording ONTO REAL STUFF...VIDEO TAPE, and on and on.I had my school buy the last 5 PD_170 available in this foreign country.  Newer is not necessarily better.  SONY, please bring back my old friend... if not my PD-100 that went successfully to the mountains of Nepal, at least the PD-170 should live again!  No chance, I guess.
I've used this camera on several professional video shoots now, including talking heads, outdoors and an indoor music video.  The low light capability of this camera is nothing short of stunning, with clear, crisp images available even when using only available tungsten room lights.  We shot a girl playing the piano with candles in the background and only the piano lamp and it looked great.  The PD170 is very easy to use for the beginner and a breeze to tweak on the fly.  It has solid, nicely positioned controls (for full auto and full manual configurations), pro XLR audio/mic inputs and easily accessible miniDV cassette mechanism that lets you change tapes while the camera is on the tripod.  Its DVCam recording mode runs the DV tape at a faster rate, giving you about 43 minutes of recording on an hour miniDV tape.  The higher recording speed is not mandatory, but does improve quality when you choose to use it.  Autofocus is crystal clear, but easily manipulated manually with a great focus ring.  This camera has lots of bells and whistles, including the ability to monitor both channels' recording levels onscreen, while taping.  I've heard the networks' embedded reporters in Iraq are using PD170's and I believe it.  The quality of the images captured by this camera is nothing short of professional.  The heft and feel of the PD170 is just right.  it's got a nice, built-in lens cover that's actuated by a solid feeling lever on the side of the lens housing.  It also features two built in neutral density filters that can be flipped into position with another lever.  The list of  features and thoughtful design elements goes on and on.  Obviously, I'm crazy about this DVCam and literally don't have a single complaint to share.  If you're looking for a rock solid, professional grade camcorder in the $3000 range, look no further.  Read up on it and the competition.  Then buy this gem and prepare to be bowled over by its performance, pictures and exceptional design.
I bought this as a companion to my Sony DSR 200A almost two years ago.  Its been a great addtion for two-camera shoots when color temperatures need to match.  Both cameras shoot 16:9 (but not HD), which clients have asked for.  Its great for interviews, spontaneous action, b-roll and so much more.  Its low-light capabilities have produced some amazing shots to many a client's delight ("how'd you do that??").The one drawback is that it is not a grab-and-shoot camera.  Its automatic features don't respond well and you'll end up with unusable images, especially in bright sunlight.  Also its wide angle lens seems to have some focus issues.  I tend to not use it as much as I'd like, especially for "live" situations, I don't want to risk losing a shot because I couldn't focus.  If you have time to set up the camera properly, you'll get great footage.Otherwise, its a very handy and smaller version of the DSR 200A, down to the XLR inputs, attenuators and variety of controls.  It records on the small DVCAM tapes or on Mini-DV which for some projects, I'll use the less expensive Mini-DVs because of price. I haven't been able to tell the difference.This has been my go-to camera since I bought it.
I've been using this camcorder as a amateur video consultant for a non profit who bought top rated video equipment for their broadcast TV productions. After about six months of my use of it I was so impressed with its ease of use and features I ended-up getting one for myself.Its video performance is magnificent. Low light is especially impressive as I recorded in ambient low light conditions which would have required supplemental lighting.It can record to either tape or Memory Stick. I haven't tested Memory Stick recording yet but a knowledgeable friend told me to expect about 1GB to 4GB per hour depending on video quality setting.It serves as a great video tape deck too. Connecting it via Firewire to your Windows PC you can control all the usual tape deck functions of rewind, fast forward, pause, stop, record, play (with video capture) all from your video software.And as far as video software goes you can't go wrong with Adobe Premiere. Yes, it is costly but, like this camcorder, it is loaded with features that you will grow into with time and experience.I know there is a lot for me to learn regarding video production but I think I have a top quality camcorder that I will grow into. I make this a solid recomendation to anyone who can afford taking this to that extra level.I consider it an investment in myself because as I gain more video experience I already have bought my next level (or two) camcorder with this Sony DSR PD170.
Clean, beautiful images. Rugged construction. A fine run'n'gun videographic instrument, although after a year now I wish that I had gone with the shoulder cam version, the DSR-250, but that's another story...Likes:Wide range of shutterspeeds (1/4-1/10000).Clean gain up to 9 or 12 dband very light sensitive to boot.Simultaneous B/W Viewfinder and color LCD.Fairly sharp B/W Viewfinder, a must-have feature, imo.Dislikes:A few misplaced and unnecessary controls along the bottom ridge.A few misplaced and very necessary controls, such as the iris control wheel that gets blocked by LCD screen when open and isn't very accessible for handheld besides.Weak audio preamps.For event videography, this camera just plain reigns supreme, for the price.
I had the following requirements for a tripod which Manfrotto 718B Digi meets beautifully1. Quick release legs2. Quick release plate3. Lightweight. Really lightweight. Under 4 pounds.4. Able to support a digital SLR with 300 zoom lensPrice was not a major part of my selection process, but the fact that this tripod was $100 was a very nice plus.I have used this tripod for several years now and I am very very pleased with it.  It totally lived up to my expectations.  I set up in a matter of seconds, all levers operate very smoothly.  The only thing I did not expect it becomes very stiff to operate (i.e. change orientation, remove camera from the plate) in very cold temperatures.  Doable but the normally smooth operation requires a bit of muscle. The carrying bag is very convenient, I am able to carry the tripod on my back as a sling shot when I don't need it.  I also found the extra height this tripod provides very handy in some situation.Given all the regulation at the airport I was not sure if they would allow the tripod as part of my carry on luggage along with my other photo gear.  It turned out to be no problem at all on a number of trips.I use a carry on bag to store my camera bags and a tripod and the bag did not get any extra examination or questioning.This is a great tripod and a very reasonable price!
I do like it.. for a lightweight, easy to carry, quick release tripod used with a fairly lightweight cam & lens I would definitely recommend it.. but do make sure your cam is on securely & don't accidentally push the quick release tab when you didn't mean to :/
I'm very happy with this tripod. All movements are fluid and smooth. The locks are positive and easy to use. Comes with a quick release setup for the camera. Also, comes with a good quality shoulder bag to carry it in.
I've had the tripod for about 2 years. It is a good starter tripod, and has been durable. It does not support heavier equipment though and you'll have trouble keeping it steady with anything but smaller lens and DSLRs.
I have used this tripod on many vacations, including extensive hiking in Yosemite park.  This is a light and durable tripod for travel usage.  I have found it to be fantastic, with a few limitations.1.  The tripod is light for travel, but too light for serious photography in windy conditions.  Don't put a SLR w/ a large lens on this tripod.  The longest focal length I'd go is 200mm.2.  The head will limit your ability to take great shots.  It's the typical consumer head that will sometimes move a little between shots.  Don't expect miracles.3.  If you're not careful, you can break the plastic things that hold the legs.Having said that, you'd have to spend way more $ to overcome these limitations.  It's a great budget tripod.
After using this tripod to hold up my dSLR camera (Olympus E-500) for almost two years, I am finally ready to relegate it to the use for which it was designed, holding up my point'n'shoot camera (Fujifilm E900).  I knew when I made my selection that it was not enough tripod for my intended uses, but it was lightweight and it fit my budget, so I figured I could get along with it for a while.  That while is over now, as I finally have another tripod for the dSLR camera. (The new tripod is another Manfrotto rig, aBogen-Manfrotto 055MF3 3-Section MagFiber Tripod without Headpaired with aBogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N), coming in at almost 4x the price of the Digi tripod and almost twice its weight.)The 718B tripod is a somewhat taller version of theBogen-Manfrotto 728B Digi Compact Tripod with Integrated 3-Way Head and Carrying Bag (Black), with a slightly different head configuration and a different quick release plate. I appreciate the extra inches of tallth. While nicely constructed, this tripod is lightweight and will not take the same abuse as sturdier models.  The enamel on the cast metal parts chips easily (should have been powder coated), and my unit was damaged by a drop of about a foot (while in its storage bag!).The head is controlled by a single lever for both pan and tilt, with the pan loosening slightly before the tilt. The head motions are viscous damped to smooth out video pans. The center column and the legs are anodized aluminum, with triangular cross sections for added rigidity.  The fourth sections of the legs look awfully skinny. I carry a hex key along to keep the leg pivots tight.One of the things I used the tripod for was taking panorama sequences, to be stitched together in Photoshop.  In order to stitch panoramic images easily, one of the requirements is that the camera remains level throughout the pan.  After repeated attempts, I have concluded that this is largely impossible using this tripod.In gusty conditions, this tripod shakes the camera like a leaf.  An aspen leaf.  There is no hook on the bottom of the column to add stabilizing weights, which would have helped.For all of that, I am not ready to consign this tripod to Craigslist.  I am sure it will be quite satisfactory holding up my digicam, or the odd camcorder for shooting the odd birthday, etc.
This is a good product. It is quiet light, no trouble while carrying it around. That is well made, nothing to say.The three cons are:- the head cannot be separated to mount it on another mono or tripod- if you have a very heavy SLR camera (I have a D80 with a grip and a 70-300) you will need to be strong on the fixation, otherwise it will move. But then it is difficult to unlock it.- when you clic the shutter, be careful, cos you may make the tripod move just a bit but enough to have a blurry picture. I am going to take a remote control.So at the end I am quiet satisfied, but it is not perfect. But much better than the cheaper models which won't support my camera!
I absolutely love this Tri-ppd. It is easy to set up and take down and it has its own carry bag. I loved using it and feel that it is a godsend when I need it. Awesome product.
I have bought many tripods over the years with the goal of finding one that is small and light enough to travel with on vacations while still being sturdy and tall enought to be useful. I handhold most of my travel pictures but I like to carry a tripod so that I can be in some of the pictures. A tripod also make it possible to make longish exposures of night street scenes, giving rewarding shots that would be a unusable blurry mess handheld. The Bogen 718B ("B" stands for black, there is a silver version available) permits you to do this things while still being portable and carry-on friendly. Despite warnings to the contrary, I was able to take my 718B aboard a plane inside a 20" carry-on rollaboard.I found the larger and stronger Bogen 728BBogen-Manfrotto 728B Digi Compact Tripod with Integrated 3-Way Head and Carrying Bag (Black)to be to large to carry conveniently even though it is labeled as a compact tripod. The ball head version of these tripods the Bogen 725BBogen-Manfrotto 725B Digi Tripod with Integrated Ball Head with Dove Tail Plate and Carrying Bag (Black)and the 715BBogen-Manfrotto 715B Digi Tripod with Integrated Ball Head with Dove Tail Plate and Carrying Bag (Black)are, for me, impossible to use conveniently becaue of the flimsy ball head that will not stay in one place. Of course I have been using my digital SLR which is considerably larger than the 1/4 lb digicams for which these tripods are intended. The 718B has a nondetachable pan head with manfrotto dovetail quick release plate system. The mounting plate and the pan head are plastic. The pan head moves smoothly but it is necessary to tightly the lever with care to prevent unintended camera movement. There is no bubble level. The quick release system has no safety latch making me less than 100% confident in it. The 4 sections legs are box section aluminum with flip levers that allow the tripod to be opened quickly. The center column is the same box cross-section aluminum that is released with a convenient red plastic latch. Changing the height of the center column smoothly takes practice. The tripod comes with a good quality soft bag with shoulder strap.In use, The tripod shakes a little when the legs are fully extended to its surprisingly tall 65' inch height. The height was enough for me at 6 feet tall to look through the viewfinder without stooping.There are stronger and more versatile tripods but this model's main advantage is that it is small and light enough to fit inside a small carry-on suitcase or even inside a medium sized backpack while still being sturdy and tall enough to be useful. It will be with you in use when other larger tripods would be left at home or in the car.
These are nice pouches for protecting a lens inside another bag but the leatherette base, which is bigger in diameter than most  of the lenses they are designed to hold, means that they don't easily accommodate to the spaces available for lens storage in most bags.
This case comes with a variety of Canon lenses. It has almost NO padding, and is closed by an insecure drawstring. I suggest purchasing a third-party case with padding, zipper closures, and attachment options (loops, handles, etc.). Lowepro is my preferred brand. e.g.-Lowepro Lens Case 11 x 14 cm (Black)-Lowepro Lens Case 11 x 11 cm (Black)If you are buying thousands of dollars in quality glass, get first-class protection for less money. As shown by the excellent case Canon offers for the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM L lens, they know how to make a nice padded case. Unfortunately with this they're trying to sell you a sub-standard (albeit nice-looking) case at premium prices.
I purchased this to protect my favorite lens, and it does the job. I'm just not too fond of the drawstring on it as mine doesn't seem to stay in place. It often slips back open. So I probably wont get as much use as I had hoped for. If your looking for a protective case I would suggest one with a little padding.
I bought this pouch to replace one that I borrowed from a friend and lost. While I was using the pouch it came in very handy. I used it with a Canon lens for my Digital Rebel, I believe it was a Canon EF 28-135mm lens so it is fairly bulky. Obviously this is not going to provide impact protection, so I only kept my $300 lens in the pouch when not traveling or moving around a lot.Highly recommended for the cost if you need an extra carrying case for short trips out to shoot.
I needed two Canon pouches, for my new lenses. One for the 24-70 f2.8, &#34;L&#34;- fits great., and one for my new Rokinon 14mm f2.8. The pouch is a little big for this lens, but offers good protection from other equipment in my backpack.
Manufactured of a soft gray felt like material, a tough leather bottom, and draw string closure at the top, this lens pouch helps protect your lens from dust and the elements.  I store my lenses in a camera bag, and these cases fit nicely around the lens taking up little precious space.This case is meant for use with theCanon EF 135mm f/2L USM,EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM,EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM,EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF 50 F/1.0 L USM, andEF 85mm f/1.2L II USMlenses. These L lenses normally come with the case when sold new.  There is no need to buy one as Amazon often suggests.  However if your case is worn, replacing it to protect your lens is recommended.PROS:Protects your glass investmentCONS:I cannot think of any
I like this lens pouch and it is really soft.  It fits well in my camera bag.  The only bad thing is the price is a bit too high for a small pouch.
I would like to see an auto-off feature, if you forget to turn it off it will drain your batteries
This is the 3rd Interfit IR transmitter I've owned.  The first one lasted me a few years and finally wore out; the 2nd I accidentally snapped off my hot shoe.  But generally they worked really well for me in a controlled studio environment.The one that I received not too long ago has had more trouble communicating with my Interfit strobes, and it's very embarrassing to have someone sitting there smiling for a photograph and struggle with equipment malfunctions.  I'm stepping up to a different brand of transmitter now after this dud.  The only reason I didn't give 2 stars is that the first two really worked well.
Interfit - Infra Red TransmitterIf you want to trigger your off camera flashes remotely, this is the product for you.  Simply insert 2 AA batteries and your ready to shoot.Triggers flashes no matter without any problems or worries of someone tripping over a cord and knocking down your flash units.
I am reviewing this Interfit 411 tramsmitter in the context of the price point (around $35.00).  I was looking for an inexpensive solution to trigger two Interfit EXD 400's without cables in a small home studio environment.  After testing this product on numerous occassions, I am unsure of its value even at the low price point.Build quality:  build quality is ok.  Clearly not assembled or contructed with high grade materials.  However, with proper handling I would expect it to last a while (once again, considering price point).  However, if you drop this item onto a hard floor, chances are it will shatter or at least stop working.  Admittedly a bit of speculation on my part.Hot Shoe Fit:  no problem mounting this item on a Nikon D300s hot shoe.  Seems to be a good fit with no "wiggle."Triggering:  here is where the problems start.  First off, this device does in fact trigger my EXD-400 Interfit monolights with the built in optical slave...under ideal conditions.  However, I equate its practical application as needing line of sight to all optical slaves of the monolights you wish to trigger.  In other words, your positioning as a photographer to the subject is severely limited when needing to trigger the strobes.  Essentially, in my two strobe setup, I need to be between and behind both lights.  So, if one light is further back than the other, I must stay behind the light back the furthest.  Comparatively, when using my D300s flash, I can be positioned nearly anywhere and that is with the Nikon IR flash panel (SG-31R)mounted. Outdoor use trials were problematic in that the transmitter only triggered the mono lights about 60% of the time (overcast).Battery use:  I have not used the item long enough to provide a good opinion as to use.While I may consider another week or so trial before I decide whether to return the transmitter, I will most likely look for a wireless trigger in the comparable price range.  For example, Gadget Infinity just released their new Cactus V4 wireless triggers (2.4ghz freq.).  Clearly these triggers cannot compete with the venerable Pocket Wizards.  However, at about $65.00 for a two monolight setup, it's not far off from the INT411.  Plus the V4's received very good reviews from  semi pro's and even some pro's.  Reported working distances in open field settings exceed 100 yards and more.  Either way, IR transmission, regardless of price point, may not be the most reliable means of triggering.***UPDATE***Additional testing compels me to return this item.  The range drops to 10 feet (at best) outside with everything perfectly lined up.  Essentially, the INT 411 is only acceptable for use indoors and in a very coordinated manner in which the photographer remains stationary (more or less).  I decided to go with a "poverty wizard." Specifically, after a great deal of research, I just ordered a set of Yongnuo triggers 2.4GHz (RF-602).  Users are reporting range over 100 meters and through walls and trees.
Interfit Infrared Transmitter is just like a weak clip-on flash unit, but has an infrared filter built-in, so that it emits no visible light. The infrared light is good enough to trigger a slave unit (like those from Wein or Morris) attached to the studio flash unit, to remove the sync cable.The theory sounds good. And this appears to be an inexpensive solution.Now, the power from this transmitter is rather weak, and most slave trigger units are not very sensitive. That is, if the camera is pointing at the direction of the slave sensor, it can trigger well. But even in a small studio, if the transmitter is not pointing at the location of the slave trigger, most slave receivers may miss the flash often and the result is very erratic. There is a perfect solution for this, and that is to use Wein UltraSlave as the slave receiver. This is not a cheap slave unit, but when I tried it, it was far superior and it was almost essential to make this transmitter work to a usable extent. With UltraSlave I don't need to worry about where this transmitter is aiming. No slave receiver that is cheaper than the UltraSlave (that is, everything else on the market) worked well enough to make this usable. So, if you are considering this product, factor in the price of Wein UltraSlave.Another shortcoming of the infrared trigger system is that the flash can be fired by a flicker of fluorescent light, lightening, snapshooters, and a commercial photographer shooting upstairs, with his flash light reflected by the window of the building across the street. This system is useful in a private studio but not for location shoot (wedding, event, etc.) where there can be many shapshooters nearby.I think MicroSync or PocketWizard may give you an interference-free solution.Another shortcomings of this unit is that it can't fire very rapidly. I'm a fashion photographer and I sometimes shoot 3 to 5 frames per second when I am shooting a tricky pose, especially with inexperienced models. This transmitter can barely make 3 fps. If you need to be able to shoot like a machine gun, this is not for you.The battery in this unit lasts for perhaps 1000 to 1500 shots. Basically I replace it every day. But the battery well is so tight and removing batteries from this unit is not easy. I need a flathead screwdriver to remove the battery.Overall, it does the job within limitation outlined above, and if that is usable to you, it's a good product.
I should have really paid attention to the well written and thoughtful reviews before buying this. I decided to ignore the warning, and purchased the trigger to work with my Interfit EX150 3 head kit (which, by the way, works wonderfully).As everyone has already stated, the trigger has a limited set of angles and distance it will work from - it's practically line of sight to the sensor on the back of the strobe heads. While this *may* not be an issue for you if your doing portraits or full length models shots, it becomes a real pain if your doing product closeups where you're right on top of what you're shooting. No line of site = No flash.If you are a Canon camera user, you don't have a PC sync socket on the side of your SLR - this is not the way to circumvent that issue. Go with a low cost radio trigger set up (unless you can afford Pocket Wizards.. I can't), or if you have any of the Canon flashes, you can turn the thing down to 1/64th power, and bounce the flash of the ceiling to get the sensors to trip, without affecting overall brightness of the scene.In summary - don't buy this, spend ten more bucks and get a radio trigger.  Mine will be going in my camera bag as a final backup if the radio trigger dies, my PC sync socket adapter is stolen, and my cats eat my sync cables.
Works greatA a  a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a crazy rating thing
The built quality is incredible.  I use it with a Sony NEX 7, Zeiss 24, Sony 50, Sony 55-210, filters, and other miscellaneous items.  The best bag I've ever owned.
I purchased this bag a few years ago after reading attributes of using it as a travel bag and it has become my regular travel companion. I needed a tough bag to carry small gear when deployed to SE Asia and was very pleased with durability, size and looks of the Billingham bag. After 6 years its in great shape and still looks good. I added a side pouch for quick access to sunglasses. Its very versatile - I use to carry small laptop, over ear head phones, kindle, phone, ipod, a few magazines and small camera gear. If you run out of room you can take the padded insert out to increase space. Large SLR fits fine with lense off. I usually use as carry on and it fits under seat for easy access to gear during flight. There is another Hadley without the handle on top. Get this one - the handle makes a big difference in ease of use. After the good experiance with this bag I also purchased a larger Billingham bag but this remains the one I use most. Kind of pricey, but doubt I'll ever need another.
I'll admit that I am a huge fan of Billingham Hadley bags, especially this one. This particular version of the venerable Billingham Hadley has ample room to hold two rangefinder cameras with lenses attached, plus anywhere from two to four other lenses separately, depending on their overall sizes. There's also several large side pockets for important accessories like a small hand-held light meter, filters and film. I also like alot the handle at the top of this bag, which makes me feel like I'm carrying a valise, rather than a camera bag stuffed with delicate optical jewels like my Leica M rangefinder cameras and lenses. Users of digital SLR equipment may find this bag suitable for a camera - though maybe not the top-of-the-line professional grade Nikon and Canon digital SLRs - and one or two small lenses (wide angle to short telephoto zoom lens or a couple of wide angle and normal prime lenses). Billingham bags are extremely well made and are designed to take a lot of physical abuse. They may be expensive, but they will protect well your photo equipment for years to come.
I am not sure why Mr. Yee said it is only for small DSLR and no lens inserts, I strongly disagree.I can fit my Canon 7D with 100mm L Macro lens on the body. (or 24mm L Prime with hood on)7D is only smaller than 1D series, and bigger than any other Canon family cameras.This bag can fit larger DSLR!Plus 580EX II on one side, and another L lens at another side (up to EF 70-200 f4L lens).All of them are divided and protected with soft pad that came with this camera bag.This bag does have Lens Inserts!I can also add a rain cover, 3 solid and thick white, grey, black card at the rear zip insert.Plus batteries, battery chargers, filter, a can of compress air, lens pens, water sprayer, card reader, 500GB portable HDD, and more in the front 2 compartments (still a lot of room for even more accessories).This bag looks small, but it really can fit a lot of stuff in if you know how to manage the inner space well.Just like another reviewer, Mr. Peterson, states, he can also fit many things in this bag.So I think it is not the bag is too small, maybe just need to learn how to use it more efficient.I am not just writing a review, I also uploaded pictures I have taken for this bag on to product page right here at Amazon.com.  Pictures are captioned, with additional notes to explain.Please do review responsibly!
I recently purchased this bag so I can carry my DSLR discreetly.  It's a very well constructed and handsome bag - the canvas and leather are very durable.  It has a removable padded sleeve to keep your camera safe from the elements and any bumping.  Best of all,it doesn't look like a camera bag and can double as a nice looking brief case.  I would have given it 5 stars but the bag is a bit small / slim and doesn't have separate sections for the lens (they can bump into each other).  The bag seemed too small for my Sony A700 with vertical grip and zoom lens.  It does fit and look ok if I just have my 50mm attached.Overall, I would recommend this bag to anyone who has a small slr and wants to walk around without looking like a tourist.Pros: Well made, beautiful appearance, waterproof, and doesn't look like a camera bag.Cons: Small, slim, and doesn't have lens inserts.Recommend: Yes, for small SLR cameras.
I gravitate towards slim messenger style bags and knew right away the Hadley Pro was the one. In terms of appearance, it looks like a cross between a vintage school book bag (circa 1940) and an Old World gentleman's fishing bag. It's a traditional, quiet and unassuming look. And the slim profile makes it easy to needle through crowds.Normally a satchel is carried sling style, i.e., strap stretched from left shoulder to right hip. The kind to clothing canvas strap is sewn directly to the bag, so it can't be easily replaced or upgraded. The strap is narrow for a camera strap--1.5 inches--so a loaded bag can really bite into your shoulder. Of course, the addition of a padded shoulder pad fixes all that. Too bad it doesn't come with one and you have to buy it separately! So, I spent another $35 for the Billingham SP15 Leather Shoulder Pad. It's grippy, reasonably padded and the increased width distributes load across the shoulder better.Your camera resides in a removable padded insert. The cool thing about an insert is you can remove it and use the bag as a standard messenger. The olive green cloth lining is very soft and will not "sand" your gear. Two velcro secured dividers partition the insert into three compartments with room for a small to medium DSLR and a couple lenses and/or flash. Two smaller dividers are included to subdivide a compartment or use as padding between stacked lenses. My EOS 6D with EF 24-105 4L IS USM and hood attached fit perfectly in the center with lens pointing down, albeit with a wee "baby bump." A gripped or pro DSLR will not fit. There's room for my 70-200 4L IS USM (no tripod ring or hood) and a couple small primes or flash. Most of the time I only carry the 6D and 24-105 and flash, leaving a compartment to stuff with windbreaker, flask 'o Jack Daniels or whatever. Although there isn't an official slot for a MacBook Air or iPad, my iPad 2 fits perfectly between the insert and bag wall. An iPad Mini might be tolerable but I found the full sized iPad and camera kit too heavy for practical use.One aspect of carrying a Billingham that isn't obvious from weight or strap size specs is the way it interacts with your body. If worn sling style, the strap hugs the body well, distributing the weight evenly across chest, torso and shoulder, making for a lighter and more comfy ride. The soft sided bag also molds to your back side and lightens the load considerably over a straight shoulder tangle, in addition to being more stable and secure. Finally, the canvas material is kind to most fabrics and will not "sand" a hole in your T-shirt like ballistic nylon bags do.This is an excellent bag for a small DSLR kit or Micro 4/3 system. Its understated style looks great with just about anything but doesn't really catch the eye unless you look closely. My brightly colored Timbuk2 messenger gets way more remarks than the Hadley. The thin strap makes the Hadley less than desireable for heavy loads. Indeed, the raves from fellow reviewers are not mere fanboy banter: this bag is attractive, well constructed and comfortable. Be sure to budget another $35 for the Billingham SP15 Leather Shoulder Pad.
This is a highly functional and comfortable camera bag.My complaint about it is the high price and the fact that it tends to draw attention to itself while you are wearing it.It fits in in an upper-scale environment however walking around 'normal' city streets with it, I feel like everyone is noticing the nice camera bag. Also, it's a bit to purse-like for my liking.I instead purchased theDomke 701-83S F-803 Camera Satchel (Sand), which I'm quite happy with as it costs half as much and looks more low-key.
For my 50 mm lens. Keeps it safe, dry and clean.
The Canon LP1014 Soft Lens Pouch is a high quality lens bag that offers ample room for a variety of prime and smaller zoom lenses. I purchased it for my EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. Candidly, the bag's too big for this small lens, but the extra room allows me to throw in the tulip hood, too. The construction and materials are top quality. There are cheaper lens pouches available, but knowing this is a Canon product gives you peace-of-mind and good looks!
This pouch is a Godsend so I bought 2. I use them for my EFS 60-mm and EFS 85-mm Lenses. The base feels firm so the lens sitting inside is protected and won't go anywhere and is made out of a strong naugahide. The pouch itself is thick felt and the rope pulls are made of heavy nylon twine that feels silky in your hand. The whole pouch is well built to protect but can be handled roughly and still protect the contents, your precious lenses.
It fits my 18-55 IS Lens Perfectly. Seller shipped item very quickly, I would highly recomend buying these for  your lenses. They are Awesome !
It works fine with Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens. It's a snug fit to the lens without an optional hood. If I put the lens with the front-side up and hood mounted (either upward or backward), the strand doesn't close; also it's difficult to put the lens in this way. But, if I put the other way (front side down, hood still mounted), then it's fine.
This is my first Digital Camera purchase - and BOY am I glad I got the Kodak LS743! I have a husband & 2 daughters and I take pictures all the time-My film developing bill was high! Now I can pick and choose the shots I want to print. I can also create family albums on the computer - to eventually be put onto CD's & set to music!They have the 5 megapixel camera's out, but I really don't think that I see that much of a difference with this 4 megapixel. I get Great photos-sharp & clear. And the zoom lets me be flexible with my shots. The color is awesome!-These pictures turn out beautiful!!This is a smaller camera than any I saw. I like the sleek design.You can also shoot 2 minutes of QVGA video. I haven't done enuf with this feature yet, but I know it's longer than some camera's on the market allow for video time.I have used the Auto mode quite a bit while getting used to the camera, but it also has portait, close-up, night, sport, snow, & many other modes! It has flash, & red-eye reduction.  You can even store email addresses in the camera & hit the "share" button to share special photos with your contacts. It comes with a rechargable lithium-ion battery and a sleek charger that you can plug into an outlet.This camera is simple to learn & the pictures are amazing! I highly recommend this camera!1smileycat :-)
...and I really mean it!!My brother gave me this camera as a belated Christmas gift last year and I love him for it.  He searched high and low for this particular camera and after going to 8 different stores, he ended up ordering it from Amazon.  I have gotten so many compliments on my pictures.  The clarity is just over the top!!  Some pictures (the Magic Kindom castle, the cruise ship and the Washington Monument) look like postcards; they're so crystal clear.  I love taking pictures and being able to go home and print as many copies as I want the same day.  And I love making little videos and slide presentations to view on my widescreen tv.I've directed atleast 4 other people to Amazon to order this camera.  I can't say enough about it.My recommendation, BUY IT, USE IT, ENJOY IT!!! And don't forget to get the printing dock too!!
I decided to purchase this camera for my daughter for Christmas.  I have been encouraging her to take pictures since she was five, and I was, frankly, tired of buying disposables.  Since she is 10, I felt she was old enough to appreciate a camera that she wouldn't abuse, yet would let her share her vision of her world with me.  At a little over $200, I wasn't worried if she dropped it in a pool or a toilet; I gave her the camera with the caveat: it's yours, treat it with care and make it last.If you have children (8-15), you know that they are more technically competent than we were at their age; just as we were more technically competent than our parents during our formative years (think TRS-80, Commodore 64...).My daughter opened the camera, charged the battery, and took digipics within the first 4 hours.  Combined with the printer dock, she was printing digipics of Cliff, our cat, Toby, our dog, and a great group digipic (using the timer function and tripod) with no help from me or the instruction manual.Online services certainly offer more inexpensive per print costs, but how can you compare instant Kodak-quality prints with wait-a-week-save-fifty-cents for slumber parties and last minute science projects.The LS743 certainly is not the most advanced camera in the world, which is why I rate it 4 stars.  However, Kodak has made a camera that is as simple to use as a disposable, and coupled with the printer dock, is a rock-solid introduction to digital photography for your 10 year old daughter or your 70 year old mother.
I didn't want a fancy digital camera with a bunch of bells and whistles that would be utterly wasted on me and just mean more things to break.  But I was also kind of camera snob.  A Kodak digital camera?  I thought I wanted something with more snob appeal.  After reading everything I could and going to every store imaginable, I settled on this one.  I liked the size, the weight, and the battery situation. I travel overseas a lot and the charger is a lot more reasonable in size than the other cameras I looked at.  And it's a simple use camera which is exactly what I wanted. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. My pictures are great, the color and clarity outstanding. I liked it so much I bought my mother a different Kodak model with the "grip" shape and she won't put it down.  If you want an easy, uncomplicated digital camera without a lot of frou-frou, I recommend this one!!
I brought this camera this year at a thrift store. Don't remember the exact price,but, between $20.00 and $25.00.Included the mfg's box and all items listed as in the box. It's a good camera, but, DON'T pay the full price for onethis old. Hit the thrift stores, lot's of old but good stuff around. IE: A Pentax K1000 with a f:1.1/4 mfg prime lens,50 mm for 48.00 and change. One of the Made in Japan models, not China. Built like a truck.PS: Digital cameras, point and shoot usually come out with new models twice a year. No need to ever pay full price.
This is a good camera. I like it because it has a metal case versus the plastic ones of most. It takes good pictures from about 7-20 ft if the flash is on. The flash doesn't go that far. Also it takes good close ups if the flash is off. Sometimes it is to dark to not use the flash, but the flash makes everything overexposed at close range. Everything else is fine. The pictures are very good quality and there are tons of features. The videos are large, and they are pretty good quality too. Overall, it's a very good product.
I've been considering a digital camera for almost a year, and my in-laws have a Kodak 6330 that they like a lot.  Kodak's general ease-of-use was a definite draw to me.I bought the LS743 yesterday, and it was very easy to set up and begin using.  Battery life is excellent, and the battery is rechargeable (I bought a 2nd battery for only $20 to have a spare, too).  The camera is compact but seems very well-put-together.  My in-laws have a 6000 dock, and this camera will work on it, too.The lens is an upscale lens that is supposed to be a bit better than Kodak's lower-end models - I haven't taken enough pictures yet to notice the difference.I'd say the camera is excellent for beginners, but also there are plenty of features in the system for someone who wants to be able to adjust the shots on their own for a more-customized photo.  (At least it seems that way from reading the user guide.)  :-)All in all, great little camera!
I bought two of these cameras and printer docks because it was so easy to learn --  this was my first digital camera.  It takes nice pictures without red-eye. The only issue with it is that it takes so long to reset between pictures that the subjects start to walk away after the first shot. Because of that, I am switching to a new camera soon. The Kodak software is good for uploading images to the Kodak website for sharing pictures easily and ordering photos. But, the software tends to be very buggy and takes forever to install and update.  The Kodak printer dock makes very nice prints -- when it works. I had to send one of the docks back for repair within the first year.  Frequently, the docks are not recognized by my computers.
Great value for your money.  Used this camera until it fell at a party and the lense broke.  Would not recommend purchasing in 2013, but a few years ago this was a great buy!
I was trying to buy a good 4MP camera and was comparing between the LS743 and Nikon 4300Since i had a KODAK 2MP camera and results were preety good, so i decided to go ahead with the latest LS743 and am happy to take that decision.The camera is supercool in looks and takes superb pictures both in light and dark.I think it is a very good camera in the 4MP range.
This is a very nice, quality umbrella and I am very pleased with the results I've gotten during my studio sessions.  It provides flattering, soft, and rounded light when used with the reflective side.  I've not tried it any other way, but I'm satisfied with what it does for what I need it to do.
I reinforced the shaft with a fiberglass shaft. I purchased a 48" reflective driveway marker (Hillman) at my local bigbox hardware. It has a 1/4" outside diameter. Use pliers to carefully remove the nub on the umbrella. I then had to use a 1/4" drill bit to in the shaft (On low speed) to remove some dried glue. Shove fiberglass shaft all the way in and mark the end. Remove and cut FG shaft 3/16 short (To accommodate the nub). Insert FG shaft back in umbrella shaft (You will need to use the drill bit or the leftover FG shaft to push shaft in. Replace nub.  Wah-lah - reinforced shaft.
may be inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. very flimsy metal ribs. poor stitching on eyes. horrible to remove cover. when using as shoot thru, the ribs are exposed to model/subject, looks ghetto ...
I use this umbrella a lot. It's high quality and versatile. The inner lining covers the umbrella ribs to avoid distracting reflections. The black cover can be taken off quickly to make this a reflective or shoot through umbrella.
The 60" is the perfect size for beautifully diffused soft light.  I used mine a lot outdoors and this umbrella has been blown over more times than I can count - with Alien Bees or speedlights falling on it. And it still works great.  It's lightweight and aluminum so you don't want to go commando with it.  But for the price it does what it says and delivers beautiful, consistent, soft light with few hot spot concentrations.  I use mine both as a main light diffuser and a secondary light diffuser and have had great results with both.That it is a convertible umbrella is a bonus - you can use the shoot through for one person or use the reflected light (with the black cover on) for multiple people or if you want to close down the umbrella on the flash to create stronger shadows.  The black cover is easy to remove and put back on.In all, highly recommended.  It does what it says.
As flashes go, the SB-800 is close to perfect.  Its only weakness is that, at full output the recycling can be a little slow.  Nikon must have realized this after the fact but I salute them for addressing the problem and offering this option.  Don't need faster recycling?  Don't use it.  Don't want to deal with 5 batteries?  Don't use it.  Problem solved.  As for being a waste of money, these were included free with all SB-800 flashes.  I guess I can see how the product name might be confusing but it's a $15 item and the size of a single AA battery so really, what else could it be?
Don't be misled by Amazon's "People who bought the SB800 also bought this" link from the SB800. This COMES in the box with the SB800. You don't need to buy it separately! The only reason you would buy this is if the original got broken or lost.After you receive the flash and find you don't need this you will want to send it back. Unfortunately it does not ship from Amazon but another supplier and they will not refund the shipping. It is not their fault that Amazon is recommending you buy something that is already included with the first product you bought but I wasted the $7 S&H; from the seller and another $4 to mail it back.Also, this is not really what I think of as a battery pack as it does not come with batteries. You put 1 AA battery in it, connect it to the flash and now you have 5 AA batteries powering your flash instead of four.Edit 7/28/09This product no longer comes up in Amazon's "People who bought the SB800 also bought this" link.
I had to buy this as a replacement for my original that quit working when a battery leaked.  Most things I have just need to be cleaned when this happens, but this stopped working.  It is great when working and Adorama had a great price and got it to me quickly.
Please learn from my mistake. Unfortunately, this item is mislabeled as a "quick recycling battery pack" when it is only an empty battery "container", i.e., a plastic box that houses a single AA cell (that you must generously provide) to increase the recycling capacity of the SB-800 slightly. But Nikon already furnishes such a box with every new SB-800, so unlike true rechargeable battery "packs", this one is neither a "Battery Pack" nor remotely "Quick Recycling". Accordingly, don't consider buying it unless you have lost or damaged the one already included the SB-800.
Works perfectly as expected, I had ruined the one that came with the flash (left battery in too long, it leaked) and this is an exact replacement.
This little one extra battery pack WORKS!I am a freelance photographer photographing weddings, football games, and large family events, and with this Quick Recycling Battery pack I get more flashes and a dramatic improvement in the Recycling time.I have had this for over 5months now and I can and have taken over 1,150 Flash Photos on a single Charge, if not more! (using New-Energizer-2500mah)I have seen other photographers with other flash systems (using 4 battery) fail and not get as many flashes as this one will get. Even the 1/1 flash setting has a very quick recycling time.I have Nikon D70 and can take 4 Frames Per Second Flash Shots and the FLASH keeps UP with the Camera. Never before I could do such a thing. I would have to wait after every Flash for it to recharge. Now with the Battery Pack the Recycling time is near Instantaneous and Immediate. No longer will you have to say 'Wait my flash needs to charge, let me get another shot....'Highly Recommended!Pros: Super fast Recycling time in between flashes, A Lot more Flash pops per charge, Not heavy or bulky, Simple and Effective.Cons: most battery charges only have 4 slots, trying to charge 5 batteries at same time is little tricky. (because you always  need 2 batteries in a charger To Charge.
Kind of a weird concept since all battery packs both disposable and rechargeable come in four packs. Don't buy unless you lose yours as Nikon includes one with an SB-800. (They do not work with the SB-600.)
You'll need it when you either lose it or it is broken. Mine had some battery leaked and corroded all the terminals which is why I have to buy a new one. If you dont plan to use this for a while, take the batteries out since batteries do leakage can cause corrosion damage...
I lost mine that came with the SB-800 flash. So I bought this. It takes a couple of minutes to install it and get used to. It definitely helps the flash recycling time. Recommend it. It looks nice with the SB-800 too.
Giving a bad review because you didn't research or understand a product's use only makes you a bad reviewer.This product does what it claims, cuts flash recycling time down so you can fire at a faster rate or at least not have to wait as long for the flash to be ready. It does this by adding a 5th battery to the SB-800, ingenius!I was a little nervous bending the standard SB-800 battery door beyond 90* to remove it, I went slow and as it bent back the 2 little prongs popped out...easy!Place 1x new battery into the SD-800 and 4x new batteries into the SB-800. Align the marks and slide it on until it clicks.Make sure you use 5 new batteries or 5 matched batteries if using rechargable.
The Nikon Action 8x40 binoculars are terrifically sharp and bright and are a tremendous value compared to the 'bargain' binoculars offered by other manufacturers in this price range.  This binocular is a sturdy, durable-feeling handful that comes with an excellent strap and solid covers for both pairs of lenses.  Very sharp, accurate color rendition, easy and rapid focus.  A Nikon product worthy of the name.
I own this since one month ago. So far, I am very happy, the view is very good, clear and powerful magnification.
I bought these to view sporting events, concerts, and to do look at dolphins and wildlife at the beach. They are very nice, very clear, and a nice wide view. I looked at something with a stronger zoom, but picked these because the image is more stable on something less zoom. I don't think you can beat these binoculars in this price range.
I bought these binoc's as a suggestion from a friend who is an avid hunter. He said they are great, and not a lot of difference in them, than the big money brands. One thing I would like, is for them to have the ability to mount on a tripod. Other than that I am pleased.
We have several smaller sets of field glasses, but my husband asked for a "real" pair of binoculars for Christmas. After much research, I settled on the Nikon 7216, and we couldn't be happier. Clear, crisp focus, comfortable lenses and a wide field of vision--we're looking forward to our next trip to Yellowstone.
These are by far the clearest binocs I have seen at this price point.  Very comfortable and easy to use.  Would recomend.
These nikon binocluars are very nice for everyday use, the optics are very clear! The magnification is amazing and will pull in very small objects from far distances with great clarity. I have used these binoculars in the hills of southern california looking towards the ocean 13 miles away and they will pick up medium sized boats with great detail. Very nice soft storage case for protection. I would highly recommend!
These binoculars are very good in image quality, fit and finish.  The case and strap it comes with is also nice, but they are not very shock proof.  I don't mean rough using or deliberately being careless with these binoculars, but in normal and regular use the optics become misaligned and the image is out of the field of view or can not be focused.  For the price of $81 it may sound like a bargain but I would suggest the Nikon Extreme EX series instead,Nikon 7245 Action Ex Extreme 10 X 50 mm All Terrain Binocularsas a better option for about $132.  If these are more expensive, then I would suggest getting the 8x40 instead.Replacing these after a year of use, primarily at national parks observing geographical features and wildlife, I was disappointed the optics misaligned as I wanted these to last at least 5 years at this price.  If Nikon improved the shock proof capability only slightly, I would be happy to pay $100 for these binoculars.
The high reviews led me too choose these over more expensive models, but don't think you're going to get good quality binoculars for less than $100!Pros:Lightweight, and fairly rugged.Bright image, with good color.Good clarity, although the edges have a lot of distortionWide field-of-viewTripod mountCons:Not serviceable. As with most cheap binoculars, there is no way to adjust the prisms, so if the lenses gets out of alignment (e.g. it gets dropped), you will get a double image, and there is no easy way to fix it.
I am NOT an expert/birdwatcher or anything, and all I wanted was a good pair of binoculars for everyday use (looking at things while hiking in the woods, etc.) With that being said, these seem like very good quality binoculars; they magnify very well, and are very clear.  They are easy to focus, and the included case/strap is a bonus.  I would definitely recommend these.
A bit heavy and large but clear view and lighting for nature viewing.  Was a little surprised about  how large they were and should have purchased the smaller one.
These binoculars arrived in excellent condition and on time. We have been very happy with our purchase. They are powerful, easy to use and comfortable to hold. They were competitively priced on Amazon. I found other reviews very helpful in making the decision to purchase these and would highly recommend them.
I work part-time for an outdoor retailer. I have many opportunities to compare several brands of binoculars from high end to low end. I bought these because of the clarity and the quality of Nikon optics. I could not see any difference between this Nikon and the $1,000+ models from other manufacturers. They may have better coatings, etc. but nothing that I could see when viewing side-by-side. One of the leads also did the same test and wants the Nikon too.It is a little heavy and you have to be very steady with the 10 power. (That is why I did not buy the 12 power.) I am very happy with my Nikon 10x50 binoculars. I am also impressed with the 25 year warranty. It is a great value especially compared to other manufacturers.(Yes, I did get a discount, but that is not the reason I am recommending these. I was going to buy them anyway.)
I bought these binoculars primarily for astronomy use. I thought the 16x magnification, combined with the 50mm objective lenses would make for a nice set of binoculars for astronomy use, without necessarily having to always mount them on a tripod. My reasoning was that I could still handle them reasonably well (without a tripod) for short periods of time (which I can), while having high enough magnification to see some nice details of objects in the sky (which I can, "IF" I can see the object). The one problem (the "IF" in the previous sentence) I have with these binoculars for astronomy use is the fact that the exit pupil size is just a bit small (only 3.1mm) for astronomy use. What I do see in the night sky is very sharp & detailed! And, quite frankly, I've seen some stunning views of the night sky while using these binoculars. BUT, because of the smaller exit pupil size, I don't always see some of the objects (primarily stars) that I can see with a good quality set of binoculars that have a larger exit pupil size. My Celestron 15x70 binoculars work better for astronomy because of the larger exit pupil size (I see MORE because of the larger exit pupil size). But, the 70mm size binoculars are larger, and therefore, harder to hold than the Nikon 50mm set. BUT, I still love these Nikon 16x50 binoculars! They are GREAT for daytime use, early morning & early evening (because of their high twilight factor), AND I'm still able to see some stunning views of the night skies as well (and with great detail to objects like the moon)! These are TOP NOTCH binoculars for the times I've mentioned, but if you want a set for astronomy, I recommend getting a bit smaller magnification with the 50mm objective lenses (maybe 12x or 10x).
I love my 8x40 Nikon Binoculars. It brings objects in so clearly and concisely.  I live on 34 acre property with lots of trees and enjoy watching the birds and the deer, etc.  I have tried other binoculars but none compare to this one.
Took my binoculars with me to go birdwatching in Costa Rica. They work fine! My guide thought the Nikon Action costs hundreds of dollars. I showed him the price on Amazon, and he was amazed. Although, I note the price has gone up a bit since I purchased them. Can't wait to see college football!
These are one of the best Binoculars and I i'll by more from the company next the company did an outstanding job to get to me
While in the Navy I had my hands on a lot of expensive binoculars. These Nikons are as sharp and bright as any of them. Build quality seems to be above average while being low in weight. I have been using them with a tripod and tripod adapter for birding and they are just a great set of binoc's.
The usual Nikon quality really shows through.  They are lightweight, feel great in your hands, and the brightness and clarity are unbelievable.  For the price this is an amazing value.
Has the quality lenses you expect from Nikon. Clear and easy to use though at the far end of what you can hand hold with good results. These are a pleasure to use.
I was going to purchase the Canon with image stabilizer for $950 but saw these and thought I'd give them a try for the money.  Glad I did -great bargain
For the price  .  .  . You can't beat these Binoculars !!! Perfect for us  .  .  . Bird watching, boat watching & Mt. Rainer watching !!
Owned these for 6m or more.  They are nice to use.The full field of view does not appear to be completely &#8216;flat&#8217;. Maybe a slight pincushion effect ???.  This is noticeable more as one pans. However, this was in comparison with a pair of $2200 glasses.Note the published near focus value of 7m.  I knew what I was buying, however, this is sometimes a limitation.All said; good value. I enjoy using them daily.
These are perfect for live music. They pack enough power and are not as bulky as higher powered 'nocs. The 8 in 8x40 means objects (rock stars?) you are viewing won't look like you just came off a three day bender. Viewing angle is wide enough for even the widest stages. Images are crystal clear.
I have had these binoculars for years.  The quality of the optics is what you'd expect from Nikon.  The price is good.  We also have Nikon 7x35 binoculars and are happy with those as well.  If you can afford these, don't bother getting the cheaper brands.
These Binocular's are fantastic! I took them out to yellow stone where we did some hiking and sight seeing and they were clutch! I'm going to bring them hunting with me this year, i suspect they'll be a little big but we'll see how it goes.
i love nikon products, and this binoculars are not the exception, arrived on time and safe, and was happily surprise using this, u can literally see everything. love it.
I purchased these binoculars to view the night sky, and the results are impressive. We recently stopped on a dark country road and tested them out. The view was extraordinary; I could see detail that brought the sky to life. One caveat---the weight of the glasses mandates that to get the best results for stargazing you need to steady yourself on a solid object, such as an automobile, building, or tree; it is difficult to hold the glasses still very long without some type of support. For non-astronomical viewing this is not a problem.
I asked for these so that i can take them with me to the gun range.When I opened the box and looked through these for the first time, it was like watching a High Definition TV.  The lenses are very clear and crisp.  The binoculars the self seem very well made.  Even the lens covers seem to be made of durable rubber.  I highly recommend these to anyone who want a good set of binoculars.
For years I have used up to 16power compact and regular binoculars for viewing airplanes and ocean liners up close. The clarity and ease of use of these binoculars is amazing. With others there always seemed to be one eye that was hard to focus or a lens that would fog up when you first used them in the cool of the morning but those days are gone. I can hand hold these for a couple of hours before tiring and though they included a tri-pod mounting I have not had to use it yet. They are a pleasure to use. Amazon delivered them a day or two earlier than expected also
I got these after returning some Celestron 16 x 70 binoculars which I found too heavy and too hard to keep stable for stargazing. These are easier to stabilize but I'm thinking of getting a tripod to use for stargazing. Image stabilization is less of a problem when used for terrestrial viewing and for nearer objects.Good, clear views of the moon and stars. Turned these toward Jupiter the other night and could see a couple of its moons.These are very well-constructed binoculars, easy to focus. The neck strap is very sturdy and has a pad for the back of the neck. The sturdy padded case Nikon provides is a vast improvement over the case provided with the Celestrons. This case should provide some protection against bumps and mild shocks.Overall, I recommend these binoculars for their quality of construction and for general use. If you plan to do much stargazing, you should consider a tripod unless you have a good support for your arms.
I am very satisfied with the Nikon Action 12 X 50 Binoculars which I purchased through amazon.com. In my opinion you can't beat these for the money.
Absolutely fantastic, perfect for birdwatching and the price is right (I paid $50).  Excellent quality, they feel good and solid.
Great binoculars at a reasonable cost. I use them mostly for observing the hummingbirds at our hummingbird feeders, but have also used them for birding when camping.  Excellent clarity and focus and easy to use.
Not knowing much about binoculars, I checked the only other brand I was familiar with and the Nikon caught my eye so I read the reviews. Nearly every review was positive and gave me the information to make an informed decision. The size is exactly what I needed, I would have thought the bigger the better, but that's is not necessarily true. The optics are superb. I wear glasses, but do not use them with the binoculars. They work equally well at night gathering a lot of light. I live in the city so there is a lot of light. The Nikon brand is a huge selling point of course. I find them to be very stable with a crisp image. I wouldn't say they were heavy. If you are going to complain about weight, get some opera glasses. I'm glad I bought them. A very good value for the price.
These binoculars works great for my needs. Images are clear, focusing is easy. They are a little heavy for long time observation. I'm patiently waiting for the Nikon 847 Tripod to show up in any retailer's stock so I can order it (it's on backorder everywhere).
Very pleased with these binoculars. Excellent close up viewing for wildlife and birds in our area with the 10x magnification.
I ordered the binoculars from reading many of the reviews, and they were correct, the binoculars are great.  I don't find them heavy, and they are valuable while watching football games!
Picked these up to spy on the hot pharmaceutical sales reps across the street from my office as they walk across the parking lot to their building. Amazing how much more detail these provide over the cheapo made-in-china corporate 5-year service gift binoculars I got a while back. Now I know that some of those "10's" are actually "8's" and some of those "8's" are actually "10's".
These are the best.  Soft rubberized exterior, easy to adjust, and they feel comftorable to the touch and the best view of any binocular I've ever had. The price was right also!
The 12x50 binoculars are often spoken against for their weight and instability.  I could not agree LESS.  This is a perfect balance between weight and portability.  Yes, it is a hefty item, but the image delivered is amazing.  Stars that are distant to the naked eye are brought so close to you that you can see it as a group of stars!  I took them to a football game and felt closer to the players than I do watching them on TV.  A definitely great pair of optics!
Got everything I wanted in a moderately priced binoculars.  My dog ate the last pair so I'm not willing to invest big bucks in a new pair.  I tried a few pair that came in plastic at the sporting goods store but they just did not cut it. I would recommend these to anyone looking for similar priced binocs.
I love the way they have the wide view.  It comes in handy so you don't have to move the binoculars as much. They have great in between range focusing as well. very easy and simple to use. a great buy.
Extremely happy with this binocular. Purchased as a gift for my husband, who had only owned Bushnell in the past. These Nikon's are very clear.
Nikon Action 8x40Nikon's Action series has always been their entry level effort. The series has gone through some pretty radical changes over the years. Nikon seems to be much more adventuresome at this price point than they are in their top of the line products. The latest Action binoculars all feature aspheric lens technology.The Action 8x40 is probably the glass of most interest to birders. It is a wide angle design, with 8.5 of field (that translates to 446 feet at 1000 yards), a close focus in the 12 foot range and eye relief of about 10mm. The limited eye relief means that spectacle wearers will not see the full field (what else is new?)...but the usable field for most people will still be relatively wide when compared to most 8x40s on the market (especially in this price range). The body is mat gray armored. The smooth armor is sufficiently tacky to provide a good grip, but some gripping aids (ridges or patterns) might have made it more secure in the hands. Body design is standard porroprism, and comfortable in the hands, with a large comfortable ribbed focus control. However the focus might be a stretch for those with real small hands.Optically, the Nikon Action 8x40 gives the extra bright, extra sharp first impression that I have come to associate with Nikon's applications of aspheric technology. While the view is not the equal of that provided by glasses like the Swift Ultralite 8x42 glasses which cost over twice as much as the Nikon Action 8x40, it is certainly very close.When compared to the current BVD Reference Standard for bargain binoculars, the Bushnell 8x42 NatureView, the Nikon Action 8x40  is slightly brighter, with a bit more snap (likely due to the lack of multi-coating on the NatureView). The NatureView, however, has much better eye relief and a bit more comfortable view. While the NatureView retains its Reference Standard designation for the moment, the Nikon Action 8x40 are certainly very fine binoculars in the same price range...a BVD Starred Product, highly recommended to anyone who wants bird-worthy binoculars on a budget. Really, if you start birding with the Egrets, it may be a long time before you feel the need to upgrade, and it will certainly spoil you for many a lesser glass that just happens to cost more.The Nikon Action series binoculars utilize aspherical lenses, ergonomic chassis, and quick central focus to maximize long term viewing comfort. All models feature high light transmission, multicoated lenses and high index BaK-4 prisms for superior resolution and brightness.Buy them!
Got these as a gift for my hubby and he's really happy with the quality and clarity of these Nikon Action Binoculars.  He was worried we'd have to spend a fortune to replace some very old Bushnell ones he'd lost, but he's pleasantly surprised. Says these are better and we're glad we ordered them!
We have owned the Nikon 7218 binoculars for nearly 2 years and we have been consistently pleased with the performance. While they are a little on the heavy side the actual performance is very good, especially for the price.  The optics are great, and I have spent hours studying everything from the craters on the moon, identifying bird, to watching plays develop while watching the Carolina Panthers (from the very top row of the stadium!)Things that we enjoy- Clear optics- Good value- Easy to focus-  Comfortable viewing - eyepiece are not uncomfortable- Optics seem to be pretty well sealed - I have not a problem with dust or moisture collecting on the inside of the lenses.- Seem to be well builtAreas to improve- Again, they are a little on the heavy side- 10x magnification only - although this is pretty standardIf you are a professional bird watcher or other serious user you may be slightly disappointed. However, for most of us casual users the Nikon 7218 are an excellent choice.5 stars
I recommend these binoculars especially to spy on your cheating ex-wife. Oh and I did purchase these..just not from amazon
When I received my set I was pleasantly surprised to see included a very nice protective pouch.The image is amazingly clear for a set this cheap , also early morning in low light conditions. I use mine for birding and I am pleased as punch with my pair, very recommendable indeed
Super set of binoculars. Was surprised at the quality for the price. Have priced others and this is a great value for a Nikon set. Used this set on our trip to Wyoming and it was perfect. Excellent clarity and easy to use. Very happy and v highly recommend.
Quality optics and solid construction, as I would expect from Nikon. Good binocs for basic astronomy. Smaller diameter of the light exiting to the eye is better for old eyes.
Ordered binoculars 12-7-08, and recieved them about 4 days later from Amazon, the binoculars are very nice with a good clear view also at a good price . The only thing wrong was they were a little to heavy for my wife. All in all they are good binoculars backed by a good company.  Don C
Though I have only had these binoculars for a brief time, they certainly meet and then exceed, my expectations.  Since I have not had the privilege or need to use binoculars costing over two-hundred dollars and upwards, these binoculars are certainly adequate for my needs.  I used Nikon film cameras for years, and I know that the company always insisted upon high quality before affixing the company label; I cannot doubt that the same is true for its other products.  Just as their wide range of cameras vary by features, versatility, (and price), there is likewise quite a range of Nikon binoculars.  But unless you need to use them all the time and, instead, have the need of binoculars that you only need from time to time to watch a bird, other wildlife, or a football game, these binoculars will give you a lot of bang for the bucks you spend.
We bought two pairs of these for an Alaskan cruise and they were excellent for spotting wildlife. They were super stable, and easy to focus. I highly recommend these! Great value for the money.
Got these for wildlife watching around our place.  Excellent clarity, easy to adjust, solid.  Every house needs a decent pair of binocs..these are it.
The Nikon 12x50 had a sharp image, but I had problems with them fogging up even while using them in my living room or in back porch. It would take only about one minute and the eye piece was fogged up. I might think that the model "Extreme" which are anti-fog might be a better choice because they are supposed to be filled with a gas. I sent the binoculars back because after one minute they were not use to me.The seller (17th street Photo )refunder my credit card, so I was happy with their responce.I would use them again.
I have done some cruising over the years on my own boat, and value a good pair of binoculars that gave me a sense of safety and suitability for the job. I'm not cruising anymore, but still like to have that ability to see my surrounding environment in detail. We weren't happy with the binoculars we had before the Nikon Action pair. So I wasn't sure what these would be like, but hoped they would be like my previous Nikons on the boat. I ordered the 8X40s, and was really surprised on how clear and bright these glasses are! We worth the $69 I paid! I should add that these are not waterproof or anything exotic, mainly because they will be around my property and house.
I think they're a really great pair of binoculars, for me they were the optimal specs.  The 10 times magnification allowed a closeup on far away birds and even a good view of the moon, but not such a high magnification that makes it hard to find things in the sky.  For my use I didn't need water proof or fog proof lenses so get the Extreme line if that's what you want, but these are great general-purpose binoculars. The lenses are also high quality.  The weight is a little heavy, but first of all that's what you get for having 50 mm diameter lenses, plus we knew that going into it for a better image. Obviously they wouldn't make the best field binoculars (though you can use them for that if you wanted to), but for my own purposes I couldn't imagine a better pair at a better price, so overall I'm extremely satisfied.  I recommend doing research into the kind of binoculars you need depending on your use before choosing, but if it matches the capacity of this bad boy, then I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I recently bought a house with a large backyard with lots of trees so I wanted something to get a better look at the birds that come to visit.  I wear glasses, and, while these do not have as long an eye relief as is recommended for glasses wearers, I have no problems using these.  In fact, I have found that I can use them with my glasses off and see just fine.  Considering that you can spend hundreds of dollars on binoculars I think these are great for the price!  They do exactly what I wanted them for.  So far I have identified at least fifteen different species of birds while having coffee at my dining table.  I haven't tried them on the night sky yet, but that will be next.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone who wants a decent pair of binoculars without spending a fortune.
Just a nice product, that lives up to the Nikon name.  Not overweight, it's well-balanced and a good combination of size, magnification, light-gathering objective lens size, and clear optics.  It even has well-designed lens caps.  Very satisfied with this product.
I researched binoculars for an upcoming Alaska trip and saw someone say these were used on the whaling boat they went on.  So I went to Walmart and actually looked at them and used them there (but they were $20 less on Amazon!) and I liked them.  They are lightweight and they come with a neckstrap, lens covers and a padded nylon square case to protect them.  They are clear and you can see far and they aren't shaky (like the higher power 10+ binoculars can be).  The reason I gave them a 4 star instead of a 5 is because when I looked through them at Walmart everything looked really close so when I took them to a park and viewed a hawk in a tree I was a little disappointed and thought it would look bigger.  I guess that's not really the binoculars fault though because I guess that is all 8x power gives you. If you are looking for bincoculars that you can use with a tripod I would suggest going higher power, but for vacations and not too far bird viewing these are great  :)
I've only tried smaller binoculars before buying this but once i tried it, I've loved it. The image is very clear and very comfortable to look through.
Good Binoculars - sharp image - quick focus.  50 mm allows much light to enter - really helps in night viewing.  Eye piece is large and easy to view.  Interesting side note:  I found that looking up at a blue sky helps you to see just what is floating around in your eyeballs.  Sounds crazy - try it, it works.
These are good. I have another pair that are three times the price. They are little better. I bought the nikons for veiwing wildlife with someone and for everyday use. Not sure about weather proof/ fog proof .
Nice binoculars for learning the sky with, very clear, and easy to use.  I wish the lense caps were secured to the strap in a different way.
Great choice for sporting events and general outdoor use.  My main use at college football games.  I also use them to view moons around Jupiter.  They are light weight and gather plenty of light.  I already owned one pair and liked them so much I bought another pair for my wife to use at ball games.  There may be a better buy that I don't know about but you can't go wrong with this purchase.
the 16x50s work great for me at the shooting range, focus is simple and stays put. the image you see is very clear. a great deal for 94.00
All I can say is NIKON. Bravo. I love it. It is exactly what i needed. Build to last with quality materials.
It's hard to imagine a better pair of 10X50s. They are perfect for me. Bright, sharp, clear, no color fringes, light weight. I use it to identify birds. You can really see the details needed for the ID.
I have owned quite a few pairs of binoculars over the years. Everything from pocket size to giant astronomical binoculars but I must say the Nikon 7216 is one of my favorites. First off, they are somewhat larger than I first expected. They are about mid way between you typical compact binocs and standard full size but this turns out to be a huge plus. They are much easier to carry and handle than full size binoculars but they are far superior to any of the compact units I have used. The overall feel is one of a very high quality optical instrument and one look through the lens will support that. The image quality is crystal clear with no distortion and the depth of field is pleasing to the eye. I've also noticed you can see richer colors with these as opposed to compacts with smaller lenses. The low cost is frosting on the cake and by the way the case is nice too.
I bought this for my wife as we love to go birding. I had the Monarch version of this product at 8x50 and that is a good binocular  but if you don't need the water proofing which I did not, I would go with the Nikon Action series and the 10 magnification is great for birding. It's a little bigger than the monarch but fits nicely in the hand.
Nikon Action 8x40 Binoculars are great for everyday use and amateur purposes. They are built very well, with all the details thought such as the ergonomic design and reasonably light weight. Most importantly, the vision is "crystal clear." They  also feel very comfortable both in the hands and on the eyes. They look good, feel good and come in a nice carrying-case with all the accessories you will ever need. These binoculars also come with a 25-year warranty, which is very promising. I knew that Nikon would not put me down with any of their products, and I am very happy at the final result for having ordered this product.If my current 8x40 "medium magnification" binoculars starts feeling insufficient in the future, I will be giving up my Nikon Action 8x40 Binoculars to a family member as a gift and get myself the 16x50 version instead. But for now, I could not be happier with any other product, since I am convinced that these are great-first binoculars.Thank you Nikon for this great product, and amazon for free shipping and low prices as always.
This review is for astronomers-amateurs who are looking for binocular 8X40.  I'm assuming that you are familiar with technical parameters in respect to your need and eyes.  This binocular is very nice designed, with good optic quality.  It does exactly what it says in the product specification, and gives your hands nice smooth feeling.  This binocular can compete with units in price range $120 - $150.  The only downside is that Nikon is not waterproof.  But I was aware of this from product spec, and my logic is when it is raining there is no stars.  I have astigmatism and wearing glasses for stargazing.  The picture is very clear and bright.
I love these binoculars!  They are an especially great value. They come with a soft case too.  I was worried that they would be shaky, but they are not
I have not used this product enough to go into detail. I have used it on many occasions and have loved the picture quality and size. One thing I dislike is the weight on my neck. It is not too heavy, however, after walking/hiking the strap is hot and heavy on the back of my neck. I may invest in a harness-type to remove this discomfort.I still gave it 5 stars b/c the binoculars themselves are wonderful!
I recently bought a pair of Nikon action binoculars (16x50mm), and the optics on these high-powered binoculars are simply amazing.  I've owned a number of binoculars over the past 30 years, and none of them have had better optics than these.  For scanning, these binoculars can be used hand-held, and the clarity of images is breathtaking.  If you're going to do some long-term viewing and be paying attention to detail, you'll want a tripod.  Mounted on a tripod, these binoculars are worth their weight in gold.  For a little over $100.00, you won't find better.  I can't imagine what better optics would look like no matter what price was paid.  Nikon has hit a home run here.  From what I gather though, you don't want to be too rough on these binoculars.  The optics are stunning, but I wouldn't advise dropping them.
I think iys a good buy. Its a gift to my father. I am not the onw who will use it.
So far, I have used the binoculars for watching various birds and they perform well, the only drawback is that they are somewhat bulky.  There is no distortion and the quality is what you can expect from Nikon.
I think the optics are good, although I have noticed some color aberrations -- color tinges that shouldn't be present on the edges of things.Weight is an issue, and they're bigger than other glasses people use.  Backpackers won't like them for those reasons.  I don't even take them on day hikes.  I often go out with birdwatchers; they comment that the optics are good, although not equal to glasses in the $500+ category.  But they wouldn't buy glasses that heavy because your arms start to shake when you hold that much weight up to your eyes for minutes at a time, as birdwatchers do.On the other hand, they look durable.  I think that if you want good optics, not necessarily great optics, and can deal with the weight and size, these are a super value.
For the money, these are great binoculars. Image is crisp and bright. Binoculars are comfortable to hold and not heavy. My only negative is the lens caps. They fit inside the lens and they don't fit snugly. It would have been better if they fit over the lens. This does not impact binocular performance.
Had a set of 10X50's but left them at home.  Purchased this set and I can't believe the difference.  Clearer, closer and it came with a tripod adapter and case. In this case the extra $ was worth it.
Excellent celestial binoculars for the price.  The view is generally quite good, the device is not exceedingly heavy and they are rugged.  This is an inexpensive pair of binoculars perfect for casual celestial viewing.  The distortion of at the perimeter of the field of view becomes more apparent after usign them for a couple of hours, but overall the quality of viewing is good.Update to my review 7-22-08.  After using these binoculars for another year and some others, I can make additional recommendations for astronomical viewing.  These ones still perform reasonably well for hunting down objects in dark sky (M, etc.) and are OK in bad conditions for getting oriented.  However, for less money (about $50.00) I got a much better pair of Barska 15x70 at Big5 Sporting Goods.  The Barskas are a better celestial scope, pariticularly in dark skies.  I sometimes still start with the Nikon to get oriented, but once I am set to look in detail at things, the Barska gives a much better view, higher magnification, clearer field, less distortion.  Therefore, I revise this review to indicate that the Nikons are perhaps not a great value.  Also, the Barskas come with a really lame case, but who cares, cheap binoculars are meant to be out of the case and heavily used - don't baby them.
These made my wife very happy. Light weight. Good optics. If only my 35mm camera lenses were so light.
The Nikon 7216 Action binoculars proved to be everything positive that other reviewers stated and more! I am thankful that I was guided by those reviews to purchase not one, but two pairs of these Nikon binoculars.Easy to use,easy to attach the strap, easy to adjust, comfortable to carry. Perfect for a semi-beginning birder (myself) and for general nature/ hiking/ birding use (my fourteen year old son). I am an excellent comparison shopper and I researched the NYC metro area and online thoroughly for price and quality comparisons, listened to experts from the local Audubon society chapter, visited camping and outdoor stores prior to making this purchase. On my first birding walk afterwards, a fellow birder asked to use the binos briefly and, handing them back, remarked to a friend " These are wonderful!-they must have been VERY expensive." Another birder tried them and concurred enthusiastically as well! Thank you, Amazon! When we are ready to "move up", we'll consult this site first. To other prospective customers,truly,do not hesitate-You will be delighted and know that this is a true bargain- price, quality, ease of purchase and prompt shipping.
I bought these binoculars to replace a compact 10x20 pair. The smaller pair was very easy to carry around, but I found that the narrow field of view made it hard to find what I wanted to look at, especially in a big expanse of ocean or sky. The Nikon 8x40 binoculars are a lot bulkier, but they work so much better that I'm willing to make that trade-off. I see a lot of things that I used to miss. Not the most power or the widest field of view available, but a good deal for what I spent.
Pros:Super low priceSuper sharp viewUltra Bright viewNice case with belt loopPretty light weight for 8 x 40 binocularsCons:Too large to carry farToo heavy to carry very farHave to take my glasses off to useNot fog or water proof no big deal if you live in southern Arizona like I doI know nothing about binoculars (I didn't even know what 8 x 40 means!) but wanted something to replace the old binoculars I inherited from my dad who purchased his pair 45 years ago.  They were very heavy and very large and when watching birds in my back yard feeder they got very heavy very quickly.I started out by going to the store and trying every single pair of binoculars they had starting with the most expensive since I thought, well, they must be the best.  And they had some very expensive ones there with image stabilizers and laser range finders and who knows what all else.The sales guy was very patient (he was from a different dept and didn't know anything either) and even looked with me through each and every one.  We were amazed to find that the Nikon Action 8 x 40 were the absolute best of the batch they had in the store including the ones that cost hundreds of dollars.  They seemed to be the right balance of view, sharpness and brightness.When I got them home I found them to be brighter, sharper, and clearer and slightly lighter then my dad's old binoculars.  As a bonus because of the rubberized coating I found I could lean the front of them against the window and stabilize the view and support some of the weight.  The old ones were metal and I didn't feel as comfortable scrapping them against the window.I can't comment on the neck strap and I will never use it because of my bad back.  I found that hanging anything around my neck caused my back to ache so I hand carry them if I take them anywhere but I mainly use them from the window looking into the back yard or carry them in our SUV.I also like the fact that one set of the eye cups are joined together allowing me to pull them both off at the same time.  I wish the other end was this way.  Anyway it's one step less then pulling all 4 off the old set.In closing I highly recommend at least for backyard birding and the price is amazing!!11-30-2008 Update:Ok I have been studying Binoculars and I now know what 8 x 40 means.  I've also had a chance to use these binoculars for awhile now and here are my findings.I still love these binoculars but have found them to be a little heavy since I have a bad back and a little large to carry around.  They weigh 26.8 oz which isn't bad for large binoculars and they are pretty big but I knew that when I bought them.  So I'm going to be buying something a little lighter (10 oz or lighter) and smaller for carrying away from the house or car that hopefully has similar characteristics but in an easier to carry with you package.  I will come back to post when I get the chance.12-1-2008 Update:Went to the local large sporting good store so I can try out smaller binoculars before I purchase a lighter pair on Amazon.com. I had the clerk pull out a pair of these Nikon Action 8 x 40's to compare because I knew how well they work out in the field.  Once again I was absolutely amazed at the quality and clear view of the Nikon Action 8 x 40 against much higher priced smaller and lighter Binoculars.  There seems to be a point where going smaller you just can't do a lot better.  When I do finally find a small light pair that somehow can compete I will report back here.Also I have to remove my glasses to use these binoculars, but for the price hey I can put up with that.  When I buy the smaller lighter pair I will report back with what I found.I have also seen better binoculars now at the store but they cost more, a LOT more like $650 more!12-3-2008 Update:Went to the store and tested a lot of different small binoculars trying to find a pair that are almost as good as my Nikon Action 7216 8x40's and found the perfect one.  If you need small and want a good view and a good price get the Nikon 7508 Travelite 8 X 25mm V Binoculars.  They are: light (8.9 oz), fit the hand well are well made and very bright in the viewfinder for their size.  No they aren't as bright as the Nikon Action 8 x 40 and they don't have as big a field of view but they aren't anywhere near as big or heavy either, you can always carry them with you.
Purchased these binoculars for general use, however we do enjoy concerts and NASCAR racing.After reading the many positive reviews, along with price shopping, we were sold!Took them last night to a concert and couldn't have been more satisfied.Great value for the money!  You won't be disappointed!!
Nikon Action 8x40 BinocularI bought these binoculars for my father-in-law for xmas and he was very pleased.  They are excellent for viewing wildlife and other outdoor scenes.  He was able to focus on details as far away as two miles.  Great binocs for the price.
And not much difference. Today's quality Binos are so far ahead of older models you may have had, and used for years!No comparison!
I was looking for binoculars that had sufficient magnification and yet light enough to take hiking.  These binoculars meet those needs.  I like the rubber coating which will help with inadvertant bumps and also protection from rain.
Pretty good, I used it to watch USOPEN games, very good to see every corner of the court. I like it.
For the money these are a great buy.  The resolution is fantastic , as good as many more expensive units.  They are not cumbersome nor heavy , just what i was looking for when i go hunting.
I purchased these binoculars for birdwatching at home, and for a trip to the mountains I'll be taking at Christmas. I've been trying it out at home, and the design is sturdy - and the view is crips and clear. Easy to use, well-made. For the price, I would highly recommend this for the backyard birder or someone that wants a great quality binoculars without breaking the bank!
Super clear, great optics, the only two things I don't like are the caps, and I should've manned up and bought the slightly more expensive model that had antifog/waterproof.  These did fog a couple times, but it wasn't too bad.  My buddy was using a 700.00 older pair of binoculars and mine were just as clear, if not better...  Overall I recommend these binoculars for the price.  And to be honest I've had Nikon cameras, but never scopes or spotting equipment (I'm a hunter).  I am buying a new scope to replace an old Simons scope and and now I'm considering replacing my Nikon 3X9X40 to replace the redfield and Simons scopes I have on my 270 and 7mm rem mag.
I purchased these binoculars based on my previous experience with NIKON cameras. I was looking for a pair of wide angle binoculars and I found these. I was very satisfied with the binoculars. Extremely sharp image. Good quality with rubber coating. I wear eyeglasses and have to remove them before using the binoculars, but that is no problem for me. To me, the best feature is the ULTRA-WIDE ANGLE which gives a tremendous field-of view.  Worth Every Penny !!!  and, always remember, "NEVER KISS A CHICKEN ON THE LIPS" (Benny Hill).
I gave these to my daughter for Christmas.  They will work great for our next trip to Yellowstone.  We go there almost once a year and last time we didn't take any binoculars.  These are so much better than our old set.
I purchased this product as last year's Christmas surplus at a very good price, but even at the list price it is a worthwhile buy.Image quality for most average uses is excellent (you would invest in something much more expensive if you were a serious hobbyist). The advantage of this pair is that it is well made, and serves the purpose over a range of multiple uses (backyard birding, airplane spotting, landscapes, etc). And at the price point, if the kids drop it into the water, not a huge loss.The unit is made well with excellent fit and finish, worthy of the Nikon name. I would recommend unhesitatingly for family use.
I keep these binoculars in my truck.  I use them mainly for observing wildlife and occasionally star gazing.  They perform very good.  They are light and easy to hold, easy to adjust, and have a very clear image quality.  I also have a couple of pairs of binoculars that cost over $200 whose image is slightly better, but I would not leave those in my truck.  For the price of these, I do not worry about leaving them in my truck, so I end up having these when I need them, and they serve me fine.  These are nothing fancy, just plain and dependable.
Took these to the Amazon rainforest, did a great job of easily spotting wildlife.Were they as great as the $400 pair someone else brought? No. But perfect for this price range.
My Wife and I have been using binoculars off and on for many years, watching the wild life in and around our homestead....That is we THOUGHT we were watching the wild life!Right out of the box this item aimed to please. The weight isn't a bother at all, and the size isn't so gawky that you have to do a balancing act to use. The lenses are Nikon and boy do they perform! The first time I used them I spotted an American White Pelican flying in the jet stream over our house, heading East from the Gulf Coast. I was in shock because we've never seen a bird such as this one where we live. And to confirm that this was definitely a Pelican was no problem with the power of these binoculars. I could literally see the Pelican's long beak as it was gracefully soaring across the sky.Now clarity in a 16 x 50mm is a lot to hope for in a pair at this price. There's considerations to be made on the quality of the optics, what the piece is made of, the "gluing", etc. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the best all around values for the money. I feel as though I bought something far more expensive than I have, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone looking for the best of class binoculars to spend their hard earned money on a pair.Now it's back to Wild life watching.
For the first time in my life I started hunting last year.  Everyone around me does, so I decided to give it a try.  I loved it.  Last year I hunted white-tail deer and squirrel and had a great time.  I decided to continue hunting, but that meant buying gear, and I mean all the gear, from clothing to the gun, to accessories, everything.Last year I used binoculars and they worked really well for me, so I started looking around, I decided that if I'm going to do this I needed to buy some good quality equipment in my price range, and these binocs meet that specific perfectly.They are small, present a great view, great quality that comes with the Nikon name.  When I upgrade later I'll stay with Nikon.
the optics are excellent, very pleased with this purchase. These are a great buy for the money. Have used them for eagle watching and they are very user friendly.
I have a Nikon 10x22x50 my husband gave me several years ago. We go bird and whale watching every year in Hawaii and I got this pair for him. I never really use the zoom on mine because the picture becomes a little distorted. He loves these binoculars and I do too. I think they are a bit crisper and clearer than mine.
Bought this for a cruise so can versatility can be briefly sum it up by the various ports of call.Cabo San Lucas.  Was able to see the arches clearly from my balcony which boat was anchored off shore.  Even able to determine if there was a lot of people crowding the beach area.Pananma Canal.  Was able to get a really close up look at the workings around the canal locks.  And spot some crocodiles in the distant banks.  Others with smaller binocs were not able to catch and focus on themCosta Rica.  Stayed fog free in the rain forest.  Caught some great views and wildlife.  A little heavy to lug during that 3 hour walk.  Everything cleaned up easily after that wet walk.Colombia.  Great color rendition through city streets, lush gardens, blue waters.  Bought a tripod mount to do some star gazing.Good choice for those who dont mind the size and weight.  Not going to do long hikes or climb mountains carrying this but for short day trips and such, works great.
These are on the heavy side, but I am thrilled with the brightness and clarity of the up-close view they provide. I use them mainly for looking at birds, and seeing those feathered wonders in such detail makes me feel like I'm observing all new creatures that I'd never laid eyes on before. Previously I had been using a 10x25 Celestron which is nice and light but its image is much darker and its field of view is much smaller.A nice compromise in weight and magnification is Nikon's 7216 Action 8x40  binoculars which I have had the opportunity to try. The magnification is almost as strong, there is a nice big field of view, and they are significantly lighter than the 10x50 pair I ended up buying. (The exact weights and other specifications can be found on Nikon's website.) Unfortunately, at the time I wanted to make my purchase the 8x40s were harder to get and more expensive. Still, other than the weight I have nothing to complain about, and the 10x50s are not so heavy that I can't wear them around my neck.
5 star nikon quality!!  optics,focus,case,strap, even the lens covers. if this is the size you,re looking for,  buy it!!
After much research we chose Nikon action 12X50.  Our old binoculars were Bushnell 10X50.  So I guess we thought more is better...well it is a bit better.  Our eyes are getting older and it is a treat to see a long distance.  These are great for the price.  A little large maybe, but we were use to it.
Binocular has quality construction with excellent optics. Focusing is clear, smooth and very comfortable for my 64 year old eyeballs. Highly recommended. For this quality, the price is very reasonable.
I was expecting a closer view as these were purchased for the beach to spot dolphins. Hard to steady for more than a minute so you may want a tripod
We use these binoculars on a tripod at our lake house to spot birds and other wildlife.  They are of high quality and the price was reasonable.
These are excellent binoculars and they really exceeded my expectations!  I think these are an excellent choice for the money!
I have been entirely satisfied with these binoculars. The image is bright and sharp with just a little fall off in sharpness near the edge of the Field of View. I have not noticed any color aberration. Most people will find it hard to hold 10X binoculars steady without bracing your hands on a railing or other object, or using a tripod. For this reason some may prefer 7X. But for me this has been the right choice
I paid $108.00 back in 2009 for these 12x50 Nikons and found out later, that they are no better than a pair $35.00 Binoculars.They were not Defective, just  your run of the mill, off the rack Cheappys. Ok at $25 to $35, not a penny more.
I bought my Nikon binoculars a few years ago because I live over the water and ships pass by my house all the time. When a ship goes past, it's fun to pull out the binoculars to have a closer look.  I can see amazing detail with them, and for a moderately-priced pair of binoculars, they really do zoom in well on things far away.  They also have several fine-tuning settings on them to bring things into clear focus. I use them to look at the moon, and I'm amazed at how much better I can see it through binoculars... almost like having a little mini-telescope!  Great for hiking, looking at wildlife, etc.  I have no complaints about them whatsoever.  GREAT product, and I'm 100% satisfied!
I bought the Nikon Action 12X50 binocular from Amazon Warehouse Deals for  $67.29 (and free shipping), discounted as "open box." It arrived in perfect, brand new condition. I bought it the same week that I bought a Celestron Skymaster 15X70 binocular, also from Amazon Warehouse Deals. I figured that if one or the other was defective I could return it, or if I decided that I simply didn't want one I could return it (and pay shipping), but for my amateur purposes -- birdwatching with the Nikon and stargazing with the Celestron -- I am very pleased with the Nikon and the Celestron and therefore am keeping both.The Nikon is good quality in every detail, right down to the included neck strap and case. Some binocular users apparently have difficulty holding anything over 8 or 10 power steady, but I (a big guy with big hands) have no difficulty holding the 12 power Nikon steady (whereas I cannot hold the 15 power Celestron steady enough to keep individual stars from moving about like crazy, which is why I use a tripod with the Celestron for stargazing unless I'm just scanning the sky).Before purchasing the Nikon and Celestron binoculars, I used a Bushnell 7X35 for birdwatching. There is no comparison.Amazon's current (4/8/08) retail price for the Nikon 12X50 is $88.95 (and free shipping). I'm glad I got Warehouse Deals deal, but had I paid $88.95 I would be just as pleased with my purchase. I would imagine any of the Nikon Action line binoculars are excellent quality for the price and I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a binocular in the Nikon Action line price range.
Good but not great. A little larger and heavier than I had hoped. Not quite the power I was hoping for either, but this was my first pair of binoculars so I really did not know what to expect. Vision is clear when focused properly.
For the price, these are great binoculars. Very clear and with a large wheel that makes focusing very easy. After my wife used them, she had to have her own. You would have to spend a lot more to get binoculars better then these.
Very happy with these binoculars. Live on a bluff above the pacific and wanted to watch whales and other marine life from the house. Was so amazed when I tried them for the first time. Was looking at some pine trees in the distant and could not believe the detail I could see on each pine needle. Then about fell out my chair when I actually seen a mosquito land on one of the needles!Would give a 5 star but I'm really picky. The adjustable knob is the old round type as opposed to the more modern butterfly type I have on some of my other binoculars.
I bought these binoculars plus the Olympus Outback 10x21 RC1 Binoculars for a cruise to alaska.  I found them to be excellent.  We took them whale watching, and they were the exact model provided by the cruise liner.  Compared to the Olympus it was much easier to find a comfortable viewing setting.  One note, they are heavy, if you have wrist pain or any kind of arthritis I don't think you would like them for extended viewing.
Bought these specifically for an Alaska cruise.  They are a bit large but they sure have excellent optics.  I was able to easily zero in on various wildlife.  Viewing of the glacier face was also great.  I would recommend defitintely to others and would purchase these again.
AWESOME Binoculars! Clear, bright, sharp images. Great magnification without too much bulk or weight. A Great Value! My friends were very impressed with the optics.
These are wonderful binoculars, especially for birdwatching.  View is sharp & clear and they are well made, easy to use.  This is the 3rd pair I've purchased and would recommend them highly.
Great binoculars. There is a tree line about 75 feet from my office window. I got the 8x40s to watch the birds that like to play in the trees. They are light enough that I can hand-hold them just fine for a few minutes. Any more than that, and I find myself needing to put my elbows on the desk to keep them steady. What I wasn't expecting was how bright they are! Its like turning up the lights whenever you look through them. Haven't tried looking at the night sky with them yet, but I imagine it would be awesome.
For the price you can't go wrong.  Really good pair of binoculars that served their purpose well.  Used on a cruise for wildlife viewing and saw bears, goats and whales that we would never have seen with the naked eye.  Also do okay for stargazing.Would like for them to have a tri-pod feature and possibly stronger, but can buy up for my next purchase.
Solid quality and a good value for the price but disappointing for my use. I bought this for my wife for birdwatching. We have feeders outside a window of our home and attract a wide variety of birds. Problem: If the birds are closer than 16 feet you can not focus on them. Compared with a Minolta binocular we have, this set lacks power too. I should have spent the extra money for a better set.
I was looking for a pair of basic binoculars to use for birding. I'm glad I trusted all of the great reviews for this pair. They are easy to use, and I'm very impressed by how well they work. I am often with someone who uses a pair of Swarovski's, and while I can easily tell the difference between the two, you can't beat the price for this pair.If you need a basic set to get started, and don't want to spend a fortune, you won't be disappointed with this pair.
I've always had a hard time finding a set of binoculars that allow me to use both eyes and not close one to get a clear view. Not only do these do that for me, but they have incredible magnification. What's hardly visible with the naked eye becomes super close with these. I loaned them to friends and both commented how much they loved them. Good weight and sturdy construction.Highly recommend!
These are exactly as described. I actually bought them for my husband because he needed a replacement to use on the boat and they far exceeded my expectations. VERY easy to focus quickly even for people that wear glasses and they're not too heavy. Granted, we're not doing satellite imagery, but the clarity for the distance is beautiful. In fact, my military son said that they're as good as, if not better, then what they were issued in Iraq. So, the price, you can't go wrong. In fact, I orderd a second pair.
I really enjoy these for watching water sports -- windsurfing, kite surfing, surfing, etc.Very clear, easy to focus and hold.I just wish the main lens caps would not be removable so they wouldn't fall off the straps.Aloha,Justin
No issues seen so far, but haven't used it enough to see if it handles all situations well. So far so good.
Brilliant for the price. My 9-year old son can use it... so thats that about the weight... No problems at all. If you need a good binocular, and nothing seriously exotic, then this is it. Stop hunting and buy.
Finally got a pair of binoculars that we can see out of.  Thought they might be too large, but tested a set out in store..knew what we were buying. Great purchase.
I am very happy with the Nikon Binocular.  Very reasonably priced in comparison with other retailers for this item.  Objects appear very clear when using the binocular. Easy to focus.
I'm not an expert, but I absolutely love these. I'll be buying more gifts. Great price.
This is for the Nikon Action 12x50 binoculars.  I am not a hard-core bird watcher, nor do I hold myself out to be overly knowledgeable about binoculars.  I use binoculars to look at the landscape and wildlife in my backyard and on vacations -- at  distances from 20ft. to approx. 1 mile.  My previous binoculars were an old (probably 15 years old) pair of 10x50 Bushnells.After reading hundreds of reviews here at Amazon, and googling and reading  binocular reviews at other sites, I bought these Nikons.  They are much better than the old Bushnells I have!  I would imagine that a new pair of Bushnells would also be better than my old ones, due to technological progress, so I realize it's not exactly an apples to apples comparison.After reading reviews and giving thought to how I use binoculars, I decided to go with the Nikons.  My only dilemma was whether to get the 10x or the 12x.  The hesitation came from other reviewers stating that with anything over 10x, you wouldn't be able to hold it steady enough and may need a tripod.  I have not had that problem, and am extremely glad that I went with the 12x.  I notice no difference in being able to steady them from the old 10x.
Good quality binoculars for the price. They give very sharp images when bird watching or stargazing. I have a pair of 15x70's and these smaller ones put it to shame. The field of view is generous considering the 10x magnification and the distortion around the edges isn't even noticeable unless you deliberately look for it.I used to use the 15x70's for watching raptors in flight but since these are lighter and give better views the 15x70's are just collecting dust.
The day after I ordered these optics the price was increased by $10.00. They worked flawlessly out of the box. The lens proctectors attach to the lanyard and are easy to remove and attach. Less likely to lose the lens caps. There is also a nice and sturdy nylon case. The carrying case does not have a neck strap.The magnification is clear and crisp. The 8 X magnification allows for a steady field of vision without a tripod or some kind of a brace for steadiness. The rubber armour is a nice touch as well.
I was looking at a decent set of binoculars to replace my fathers 15 year old set that badly needed replacement. He mainly used them for hunting and wildlife watching. This set had good power, durablity and aspherical eyepiece lenses that worked well with his eye glasses. The strap was nothing spectacular but seemed decent enough to get the job done, typical for standard, supplied straps.They are slightly larger then the set he is replacing but I was somewhat expecting this due to the objective lens that I selected. They has a rugged feel and appear of good craftmanship.Although we have not taken them to the field yet they appear to meet his needs and seem to be a great binocular set for the price
I just received these binoculars and can't put them down. They have great optics which give very crisp images. They focus and handle beautifully. They are fairly light at 26 ounces and was very pleased all around with their excellent performance as a great birding binocular. With BAK-4 High Index Prisms and quick central focusing and what appears to be even closer focusing distance than what they approximate you will extremely pleased with choosing the Nikon Action 8x40. Also very easy to hand hold without getting a shaky image as with much heavier binoculars. The perfect combination of power and light gathering ability. You'll absolutely love them.
I don't have the best eyesight but these binoculars provide amazing clarity.  I looked through a bunch at fleet farm and really liked these.  I went with the reviews on Amazon and these Nikon Action 10x50 are just the binocs I needed while cruising the MN Lakes and Rivers in my boat.
you get what you pay for.  Need to spend money to get quality optics.  You can really tell in low light and clarity.
Good binoculars - bought for Yellowstone vacation.  They were perfect for viewing the wildlife in the park.  Good value, received timely.  Would recommend.
I use these binos to spot deer on my land.  Doubles up as a great bird watcher as well.  Comes with both from and back covers and a nice leash to hang around your neck.  What I like about Nikon is their warrant and you get 10$ off your next purchase once you provide the serial number to their website.
It a perfect product for this price, even more, the price is really low for this magnificent binoculars.
This Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars are one of the best Binoculars I have own. They are great for looking at nature. Really good picture quality easy to use and handle. I recommend this with my eyes close. But beware..... you will need to keep yours open to use this Binoculars. LOL
Just got them today, they seem very durable/well made, tested them outside for a bit and they are nice and clear. Couldn't really ask for more! Got the 12x.
I just got my binoculars and I love them already.  They are just as advertised and better.  I have a lot of bird that come to the feeder in the back yard and have never seen them this clear before.  It is almost like 3D,  these are great and  I recomend them for anyone!!!!
Got these for the hubs birthday. He loves watching birds, sea life, ect. He really likes the feel of them in his hands and the eye cup is comfy. Super easy to focus. They are a bit heavy and hard to hold still if you are not a strong person though.
Perfect for sky, stars and long distance objects. Very good light, not too expensive. Excellent quality, good regulation. It comes with the bag
Good quaility/price.  Front lens covers can be get lost easily
I cannot believe the quality which is built into these great 16 X binoculars which can be used without a tripod.  We watch elk, deer, bear, birds, and check out the landscape with these great $100 binoculars.  Why pay more for less?
I am delighted with the purchase of this Nikon binocular.  The image is brilliant without distortion, colors are true, adjustments are easy, and the field of view is excellent.  This was an amazing bargain!
We ordered the binoculars to use on an Alaska cruise and were very satisfied.  They were easy to adjust, comfortable and very clear.  You have to be careful not to lose the lens covers, otherwise we had no complaints.
These binoculars are very beautiful, with excellent quality, good workmanship. I'm not professional, but for my use, it's great!I know there are better binoculars, but for ordinary people, it is very good.
These are great binocs. Other than the eyepiece covers not staying in place, you will find this product fits the bill for its very good price.
Just bought this pair of binoculars (10x50) and I am highly impressed by their clarity and ease of use.  These Nikon binoculars totally blow Bushnells away!  These have exit lenses (the lenses closest to the eyes) that are bigger than other binoculars I looked at, so they allow more light to get to the eyes, which makes for a much clearer view of very dim objects.  The field of view is very wide, which makes it much easier to follow stuff.  I got mine specifically for star gazing.  Truth be told, I got them to view UFO activity up high in the sky a bit better.  Here, at least, in North Texas, there is a huge amount of UFO activity.  I can spot them zooming around, so far, every night, this summer.  Away from the city lights.  (They're more clearly visible just after sunset and within about 45 minutes before the glow of the sunrise, because the sun reflects on them, making the objects much easier to spot and track.)  For that kind of observation these binoculars are excellent!  (BTW, I'm not the only one that can see them!  They're up there, and they are real!  And those crafts are most certainly not ours!)
Originally I ordered the Celestron 10x50's but the arrived defective -- so I returned them and ordered these Nikons instead, even though they were significantly more expensive.The price difference is well worth it, however. I use them for stargazing. The clarity is wonderful, and they have excellent light gathering capacity.They have a soft, comfortable texture and feel great in the hands. This comfort means that the slightly extra power these binoculars have will not result in any more of a shaky image as a result - at least for me. They are not heavy at all, either.The focus is solid, smooth and precise, and does not wander out. They eyepieces are not uncomfortable, either.Overall, I cannot imagine a better piece of equipment for the price. Even if the Celestron pair I received were not defective, you can literally feel the difference in quality.
My wife and I do quite a bit of bird/critter watching, including over water.  These binoculars are perfect for that purpose.  The 50mm objective lens gathers lots of light allowing for greater detail.  The 10 power is probably as powerful as you'd want for hand-held binoculars.  And let's face...Nikon is a great name in lenses.
If you are a beginner amateur astronomer like me, you know you have to have binoculars in your toolbox, especially if you're just starting out. I was able to observe my first deep sky object (DSO) with this: the Andromeda galaxy, even with a 90% full moon. It was amazing. I have 3 telescopes now since then, and have observed more DSO's with my other telescopes but this is great for grab and go purposes. There are many DSO's you can observe with these binoculars.Liked: Very bright resolution with a large, rich, field of view. It has just enough heft without being too heavy so that I can hold it still. I don't use a tripod but it has an adaptor built-in. The build quality looks much more expensive than I paid for it. The magnification is low enough to keep the view steady.Disliked: Distortion at the very edge of field of view, though not that important since I only look at the centre. The carry case it comes with does not have a shoulder strap.You can get more expensive binoculars, but you will notice very little difference IF you are a beginner. These binoculars work great during the day as well. I will be using these for bird watching in the spring next year.
We were looking for a set of binoculars to take with us on our first cruise and we were going to Alaska.  We were NOT dissapointed at all.The price was very good for the product as we did do a little comparative shopping to get the best deal.  And, the shipping was quick...as usual.  We shop fairly often with Amazon and are always happy with our purchases.
This product made a great gift for my mom for mother's day. They're amazing binoculars. I recommend them to anyone interested in bird watching. They're easy to use but still have excellent clarity.
Great Binoculars. Extremely powerful for the price and size. The only drawback is that they are a bit heavy, they are not ideal for long stretches without a tripod.
I stumbled across these binoculars while on the nikon site searching for a particular set of binoculars as a gift for my dad. It was hard to narrow down my choice but i really did a lot of reasearch to figure out the ideal pair of binoculars my dad would want to have. Basically i was looking for binoculars for site seeing for long ranges. I know these in particular are for bird watching but they serve well for site seeing they are very light but will get tiring after a while if you keep on holding them that is why having a neck strap can be very helpful and smart to have. The binoculars can also be adjusted to the size of your hand so you can have a better grip onto the binoculars. The lenses let enough light through to see clear images even from a farther range. I really like having and using them, i think these are a great pair of binoculars to own.
The item is exactly what I expected. It is from a reputable company, and field of vision I could expect are concise, and the wieght is most manageable.They were reasonably inexpensive.
I am a Binocular dealer and collector..so I take my optics seriously.  I ordered the Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB , but the regular ACTIONS came instead. I was initially Disappointed ...however,  I compared them to my venerable Nikon 8x30 EII,  regarded as some of the sharpest Binoculars that can be purchased. To My suprise the Actions had slightly better resolution,  less chromatic abberation, and further edge sharpness was also better!!! The Eii has a wider Field of View and a somewhat more comfortable view due to the 8.8 deg super wide field.It is reported in the Binocular blogs that the Action Extreme model is sharper than the regular action..perhaps so... but if the actions are as sharp as the 8x30Eii, well ... who cares....I was going to return these but due to the unexpected and exceptional performance I am keeping this pair, perhaps I got lucky and received an exceptional piece...The coating are adequate,  perhaps they could be  more contrasty and snappier, this is the biggest fault I could fine... but they are more than servicable.The build is lighter weight,  but they are not flimsey, the frame material seems to be mostly a polycarbonate frame and the ocular bridge flexes a bit, also they are not waterproof like the Extreme and are touted as an entry level binocular..really?.... I think the light weight is a plus for most, and they will keep just fine unless you use them in a deluge, or drop them in a puddle. As you would expect, they do NOT have that Jewel like quality that many of the high end metal frame binoculars have.I would reccommend these binoculars highly. They will compare or outperform most mid level bins especially roof prisms. You will not have the jewel like maganesium frame as on a Nikon Eii , but you will save almost 500 and still have a great view.... a great trade off!!!.
I previously used a 10x50 Nikon Binocular and after dropping them twice I had to buy a new set.Compared to them this set is sharper and has a closer focus and seems to be brighter so I rate this as 5 stars for a very reasonable price. My set was made in China.
The Nikon lenses are as clear and sharp as you would predict. Smooth focusing and somewhat light weight, but enough heft to feel like quality product. Good value for the price. Just what I was looking for.
These binoculars are just what I was looking for, and the price was perfect.  A nice "bright" image, typical Nikon quality.
I ordered this pair of binoculars for my husband.  He is very pleased with them.  I don't know anything about binoculars so I had to go by the reviews.  The price was very reasonable.  I would recommend it to friends.
I really was overjoyed with these binoculars. Crisp, very bright viewing. Clarity very good, and the comfort and ease of use is great. I like the rubberized texture, very nice padded high quality carrying case with a loop to allow belt attachment (although it would be rather large, it's still nice) and a wide carry strap which allows optic cover attachment (although a bit "clunky" looking but still works). I am not an afficianado of optics just a general consumer but I can say these are the best I've ever had the opportunity to view through in 44 years.  I highly recommend them and with a 25 year mfg defect warranty how much safer can you get on a purchase, not even Mercedes or Bentley does that! Excellent Amazon.com shipping rate (free) and fast. A++++++++++
I have had these over 1 year and the optics have stayed like the day they arrived. The Nikon Action 16 x 50 can focus down to around 15 feet which is important to birding. Good light gathering and very good clarity combine with the high magnification to give detail that is comparable to $1000 10x42 binocs. The Nikon Action 16x50's balance well and feel as if the weight is comfortable- enough mass to help to be steady but not so much they are tiring to hold. I wear glasses( trifocal progressives!) and these work really well with eyeglasses on. Unlike some binoculars that require lots of fine pre-setting by each user, I have handed these back and forth amongst a group with minimal resetting. If you spend $1500 to $2000 you will get better but these cost 1/10 that much for 90% of the performance.
Before you purchase binoculars, it is a good idea to think about how you will use them so you can choose a pair that meet your needs.After a lot of comparison shopping I chose the Nikon Action 8x40mm Binoculars as a gift for a friend because they have what he wanted from a general use binocular:1. Sharp, bright optics with porro prism.2. 5mm exit pupil (to match 50+ year old eyes).3. Good mechanical quality.4. Light weight.5. Close focus.These are NOT rugged, waterproof sporting binoculars. If that's what you need (for boating or hunting?) maybe you should keep looking. Otherwise, don't drop them in a lake!What I want most from binoculars are quality optics. I was pleasantly surprised by both the optical and mechanical quality at this price point.A lot of folks don't know what binoculars numbers refer to. The first number refers to the magnification. The second number refers to the size of the objective lens - the big lens. 8x40 binoculars magnify 8x, and have 40mm objective lenses.Exit pupil is something to consider. This is calculated by dividing the second number by the first. For 8x40 binoculars:  40/8 = 5mm  about the same as the entrance pupil of your eye if you are age 50 plus.If you are young and you don't mind carrying around some extra glass, you may consider binoculars with a large 7mm exit pupil that matches the large entrance pupil of your young eyes. This has no advantage during the day, but it can be helpful at twilight, for astronomy. You might consider:7x508x5610x70But be forwarned - the bigger the binocular, the more weight you carry around. You may prefer smaller, lighter binoculars for hiking or travel. Also keep in mind that at 10x you may need a tripod to hold your binoculars steady for the best views. Hand held, 10x binoculars shake so much that you may see just as much with 7x or 8x binoculars. For me, hand held, 8x is ideal.If you are age 50 years plus, the pupil of your eye will probably not open more than about 5mm, so you get no benefit from a big, heavy pair of binoculars with a 7mm exit pupil. Consider lighter binoculars with a 5mm exit pupil, that matches your eyes such as:7x358x4010x50Roof prism binoculars can be made small, but they are difficult and expensive to make properly. They also can not deliver as much light to your eye as a classic poro prism binocular of the same size and magnification. So if you want a bright, high quality image for a modest price, poro prism binoculars, like the Nikon Action 8x40 CF Binocular, may be your best choice. The only disadvantage of poro prism binoculars is they are larger than roof prism binoculars of the same size.Close focus allows you to have look at wildlife at very close range. Not only can these Nikons focus close (around 8 feet or 3 meters), but the focus is smooth and precise, unlike many modestly priced binoculars I have tried. In fact, I found them the best constructed binoculars I found in this price range.These binoculars are surprisingly light weight, which can be quite a benefit when you are hiking a long trail.All in all, I found these Nikons delivered exactly what I wanted for a surprisingly modest price.
Purchased these binoculars to replace aged Bushnell Falcon 10x50's which literally disintegrated in my hands over the last few years and have now finally completely fallen apart (the plastic threads on the main tubes cracked to the point where they won't thread together anymore, rendering the binoculars useless).  The Nikon Action 10x50's seem so much more solid!!  The optics are phenomenal - I'm able to see and count surfers in the lineup from miles away, and when viewing actual surfing action there's absolutely no side-to-side distortion, it's like watching up-close video even though I'm far away on the beach.  Others have complained about the caps being difficult - which I don't agree with, but in my opinion the carrying case could fit tighter and be made of a more water resistant type of material.  But compared to the phenomenal optics and obvious solid feel and probable longevity of these binoculars, these other issues become minor to the point of irrelevancy...  These binoculars are totally value-for-money at this price point- and I'm sorry I didn't buy them a long time ago!
This binocular works well with back yard nature watching, powerful but not too powerful.  Able to fucos on humming birds quickly.
Am very pleased with the quality of these binoculars.  A bit on the heavy side, but worth it to have the fine optics.  Amazon makes it a bargain buy too.
Bought this binocular mainly for birding and it was money well spent. Very easy to tuneup on the run. The objective lens is quite big (40mm) and gives good detail.  Magnification (8x) is perfect for birding. It works very well in low light thanks to the 5mm exit pupil, and has a decent field of view. Btw, we used this binocular to spot comet Holmes in late October night sky.  One slight drawback though is that the lenses fog in very cold weather. But in summary, we love it!!!
These binoculars are well worth the money.  They are dramatically better than most in this price range.Their view is very crisp at all ranges.  One especially good feature for watching birds in the yard is the ability to focus at a very close range.The binoculars are balanced well, and are very comfortable to use.
These binoculars are an excellent product for the price. They are great for beginning "birding"--and anything else.
I had an old pair of binoculars that I got rid of that I should of kept.so I bought these and I must say there very nice.we move from va. to new York state & these will be perfect for observing wildlife in the Adirondacks !!!
Great product.  Much cheaper than in local store.  I could never had gotten another brand that I loved as much.
A great telescope, 8X40 just and human vision is the same, so it seems the most real, at the time of PLA, I use is PANDA 8X40. Compared to this there is a certain gap, worthy of you
I could not believe how much I could see and how clear and sharp things were. I purchased it because of the reviews here. I had an old 7x35 set that work great until I"d compared them to these. Wished I had got these many years ago. Nikon Action 12x50 set.
These are the best combination of magnitude- 16X and lens size- 50mm, I've ever used.  I takes a bit of practice to get the optics steady when not using a tripod, but it is well worth it.  The quality is amazing and the clarity is also top-notch and well deserving the Nikon logo. It comes with a Nikon tripod adapter and case, complete with tight fitting lens covers.-The only con is the eye piece cover which is two in one and doesn't fit that well.All in all this is a great pair of binoculars.Nikon 7223 Action 16 X 50mm Binoculars
I wanted some binoculars which were an upgrade to my Bushnell 7x35's. I use them at our water front condo. I was blown away by the clear image, and precise and smooth focusing of these Nikon 12 x 50's. I read the Consumer Reports review on binoculars and found the extremely high prices of their top rated models as absurd. Why on earth would someone feel it necessary to spend over $1,000 on a pair? I cannot imagine how the image could surpass these,  and the build quality is excellent. Very solid. Note that 12 power is about the highest you can use with unsupported hands. Any higher and you will need some arm support to not get visible shaking.
These are the best binoculars I have ever owned. Didn't know they could be this good. See the detail you have been missing (for under 70 bucks).It's like the difference between standard tv and High Def (and I'm not exaggerating)!1/11 Replaced stolen 10X50 with 12X50's. Just as awesome! Don't waste your money on slightly cheaper binoculars, just get these Nikon's.
If you have significant myopia (short-sightedness) on your LEFT eye, this binocular is not for you! I am disappointed with Nikon that they made an equipment without compensating for such users. I don't think it cost much to make the lens go a bit further in by 2-3mm.If you focus on infinity (let say a distant object, moon or stars) the focus knob won't go any further to compensate any short sightedness. They have a diopter adjustment on the right eye, so you can get a sharp view with your right eye but since you cannot adjust the left, blur views with your left.You are forced to wear your glasses to use this equipment which then makes it totally unsuitable for scanning the night sky since you do not want any gap to allow nearby light pollution to get in.There is nothing wrong with the optics otherwise. It is a pity that a good pair of binoculars cannot be enjoyed to the full by people without 20/20 vision. There are some Chinese brands that can focus better than this. I rather have sharp focus with slightly inferior lens than top notch lens that cannot focus.I guess that I have only myself to blame for not having 20/20 vision and assuming that Nikon would have thought about compensating for people like me...
Used this on a tripod on board an Alaskan cruise ship; worked very well for shore-watching, iceberg calving, and general bird & seal life watching
These binoculars are great.  They are a bit larger than I expected, but that's my own fault for not reading the dimensions in the description.  I originally purchased these for use at hockey games, but they're too large for that.  Instead I'll use them for viewing wildlife, etc around the house.  I just watched a coyote having breakfast and then roaming through the field.  Without the binoculars, I woulod have lost sight of him a lot sooner.  I'd highly recommend these binoculars, but make sure you are aware of their size.
These binoculars are more than what I expected!  I own a pair of 10 X 50mm Nikons purchased over 10 years ago and they are very good but these 16 X 50mm are beyond the capability of my Nikon 10 X 50.  The images are clear, sharp and no distortion or chromatic abberation is obvious clear to the edge of the field of view.  My use is mostly astronomical studies and I consider Nikon's the best of all on the market within a very reasonable price range.  You cannot go wrong owning Nikons!!! On a personal note; Amazon has never let me down in the ten years I have used their services and products. Great people to do business with!!
These binoculars are an execellent value for the price paid.  I would definitely recommend them.
Nice product for the money.  Gets you in close and clear.  Had some older binoculars that did't do the job.
I got these primarily for birdwatching, both on trips and in my back yard.  The image is very clear and super-sharp.  If you focus on a bird on a limb50 feet away (or whatever distance) even the leaves fore and aft are clear and stand out  as on a slide.  And the specs say close distance focus is 16 1/2 feet but its really more like 9 or 10 feet.  I can use them on a feeder right off of our porch!  They are though not small or light (medium-weight).I doubt you will be disappointed in these all-purpose Nikon 8x40 Action's
These were shipped and arrive as scheduled.  The Nicon 7216 Action 8 x 40 Binoculars are fine quality and will be used to watch football. Go KSU!
High quality.  Because they are so powerful, you must hold them very still or use a tripod.  Lower power binoculars do not require as much support.  I wanted these to see out into the ocean from our condo.  Very long distances.  For normal use these are  hard to hold still enough to get a clear view.
Great lens optics, good craftmanship. A good buy for amatures and pros alike. My seven year old daughter also uses them for birdwatching.
Bought these in anticipation of watching a space shuttle launch, and they did not disappoint.  Positives are great optics and excellent light gathering capabilities.  Negatives are that they are fairly large and heavy.  But if you're looking for a great value on a 10X50 set of binoculars, unless you need something that's waterproof, you need look no further.
My husband loves these.  He uses them to watch for wildlife in the mountains.  Was well worth the purchase price.
These are my first pair of binoculars (actually a gift for my husband who likes birding and hiking), so I didn't know much about buying such an item.  I read a lot of reviews and did some looking, and these seemed to be the best quality at the best price.  After using them for several months, we couldn't be more pleased.  The lenses offer clear, crisp viewing, and are easy to adjust for comfortable viewing.  I like that the eye cups are soft and won't scratch my glasses.  It's brought a whole new dimension to our nature hikes!
Bought these for a trip to Yellowstone.  Could not be happier.  Also have used them at various sporting events.  Large enough to,provide good power, but not over bulky or too long.  Very comfortable for over the shoulder while hiking
I first purchased these binoculars for my husband several years ago.  They have held up great and are easy to use.  I recently purchased a pair for my father and he has enjoyed as well.  They are a little heavy but great for clarity.
I ordered these glasses for my wife and they are perfect for backyard viewing.  We are a bit on in years and don't quite have the agility and dexterity we once had, but enjoy birding.  The lenses are easy to adjust, the interpupillary distance easy to set and the weight is reasonable.The glasses were shipped promptly and arrived  in perfect condition.The neck straps were easy to attach and enable one to carry and use the glasses from around the neck.The carrying case is good but it would have been more useful with a carrying strap. As others have commented the lens caps are easy to lose and I expect we will do so on our first trip.We are quite satisfied with our purchase.
Trying to figure out which set of binoculars to buy was a challenge for me.  I've never had binoculars before and, frankly, the reviews didn't help much because evidently Amazon includes all the reviews for a line of binoculars, i.e. Nikon Action, not for a specific model. (I discovered this when I pulled up different models and saw the same reviews.) I bought the Nikon Action 12x50 binocular.  I wanted something powerful to view objects at least a mile or two away but evidently the less expensive strong binoculars will blur the image, particularly on the edges.  At the same time, I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars for something I would use only occasionally.  The Nikon Action 12x50 Binocular turned out to be perfect.  First, it is a beautiful piece of equipment with the solid feel you would expect from Nikon. It is not a toy.  It is designed so that even if it's dropped in the field--I haven't--I have a feeling it will survive. It is heavier than I expected--and as an older male, holding it steady is easier leaning my arm against something.  I can't determine the lens quality but they must be superior because the image is very sharp and bright. It may be important to you if you wear glasses that the binoculars eye cup rubber rims can be turned under to accommodate glasses (no no need taking glasses off/putting them on.) The instructions are adequate but in such small type I had to use a magnifying glass.  I discovered using binoculars is almost intuitive and after about a half-hour I was ready to go.  I couldn't be more pleased and can't believe a set of binoculars like this is under $100.
Very reasonably priced for such a great item.  Easy to focus, crisp, clear magnification.  Very pleased.
It was by reading the reviews of others for this product that caused us to buy these binoculars.  We are very happy with them.  They are certainly worth what we paid for them.
Keeping the Nikon quality, these binoculars are great for bird watching, sports events, vacationing and hunting. The optics are clear and the lens adjustments solid. The only complaint I have is the front lens covers are not attached to the binoculars. They can attach weakly to the strap but often fall off.
These binoculars are fantastic!!! I owned a pair of 8 x 24 and the universe looks like a different place. I used a tripod and I am able to see the moons of Jupiter!Great quality for the price.
I bought these for birding and have been very pleased.  They are very sharp and I am able to identify birds along with the rest of my group.  Two things, the diopter adjustment seems to move during use as I am constantly having to adjust back to it's original position and there seems to be slight distortion at the very edges of view, not enough to bother me.  I really do love them! Go Nikon!
&Eacute; um produto excelente, al&eacute;m de ter os acess&oacute;rios b&aacute;sicos para comear a utilizar. O tempo de entrega &eacute; perfeito!
This is my second pair. NO, not because the first pair broke..... I keep a set in my truck and a set in the house. Looking through these reminds me of looking through the old Disney View-Master.... they are so clear the view looks almost 3-D, like an old View-Master. I show them off every chance I get.
These binoculars are amazingly clear.  Very bright.  At a very good price.  I have several other Nikon products and I know they cannot be beat as far as value received for the money spent.  You could spend a lot more money and not do any better.
Great glasses but the high power makes them tough to use without being steady.  I wanted the higher power, but these are not my go to Binoculars for moving objects, I use them when zooming in to a stationary object -  zoom in on bird in a tree, vs flock in flight.
I am a weather spotter and these work great for me. Very sharp images and hold adjustment to them very well.
These are wonderful binoculars.  Rugged, and easy to use, these binoculars have great clarity, as much magnification as you can get without spending thousands of dollars, and come with a 20 year guarantee from one of the best optic producers in the world.  You really can't go wrong on this one.
This is for the 8X40's.  I bought these binoculars because I like to observe things and I needed something that gave me a clear and crisp image.  I watch people walking by my house to make sure that they aren't terrorists or spies.  I also got a monocular with the same magnification but these blow those out of the water.  Eventually I would like to purchase the 10-22x set that Nikon makes, because im planning to set up a camo tree house on the side of a mountain to observe sasquatches in the surrounding forests.  Those will probably be on a tripod though, so im going to need this pair to quickly observe my surroundings.  These things are so crisp and clear that I actually feel like im having an out of body experience while looking through them.  They are nice and light, so there's no problem with shaking from weight, but i've never really had that problem with heavier ones either since i'm not a weakling.  Definitely worth the money, I think im going to go ahead and purchase the whole Nikon line-up after seeing the quality of these things.  If you don't know if you should buy them right now, do it.  If you're worried about the money, they are well worth it.  You could make back the money within days after observing people hide their stash from a distance.  Excellent product!!
good field of view. great glass that bring in alot of light. tested them against a dozen other pairs in there class and some in the $400-600 range and the nikon's won out. the only reason i gave 4 stars is there not waterproof.
This thing is made in China.  I'm really not interested in buying stuff from a communist country if I can avoid it.  So, I'm buying a German made Steiner and will do a comparison and update my review after a side by side comparison.
First set of Bino's I have bought in 20 years!  These Bino's are fantastic at an amazing price.  They are a very nice compact fit to store anywhereThey have a very clear lense and I can see clear across the lake on a nice sunny day..Buy them, you cannot go wrong!
Received my 7216 Nikon binoculars. I am stating which series I bought because Amazon bundles together several in their reviews which is not right.I know what to do with binoculars...but for the life of me cannot see out of these! They are not in focus no matter what I do ! ! !A real waste of money. Truly a waste of money........What's more is that I really needed them! I believed in the reviews and got a "lemon" pair I guess.
This is a great, sturdy and very light-weight pair of binoculars. I carry them everywhere and hardly notice I have them--they are light but also a nice curved shape for holding and carrying. Good, sharp long-distance vision. Bought these a few years ago and still love them. Recommended.
These are a Fabulous set of binoculars. I take them to baseball games, theater events and when I am out hiking.
Did quite a bit of research and zeroed down on Nikon 12x50, 16x50 and 10-22x50. wanted more than 12x and max possible preferably. 10-22x50 didnt win my confidence due to the mathematical reason of the numbers and the possible complexities while operating it. wanted more than 12x so went with this. i want to mainly use for bird watching, far away buildings (sneaky!!) and also the moon. with this model watching moon is easy for 30 secs but then u start to tremble slightly , as its not light nor the high zoom likes the shake.. ...this is just like any high zoom camera, the more the zoom the more stable it needs to be... u NEED a tripod. no other way. but the clarity is just awesome...JUST WOW. If u feel u r young and have stable hands , go for it , but cant hold it on for 5 mins continously for sure. if u want more power go for it and sacrifise the shake it produces when used for long, else 12x will be the best bet. both of these will be close but yes 4x matters! I love it
Please see this youtube video this helps to get the right binocularshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baSEINHhho0This Nikon binocular 10x50 is really excellent. I live in mountain area and this binoculars provides a great and clear views at farther distances. I love it. Sometimes I can even read the road signs on the interstate which is at 5 miles away. I strongly recommend it. It is little but heavy, that is because of the aperture 50.On the hand book they did not tell us how to insert the strap to the binoculars.It comes with Handy bag to keep binoculars and also strap which is great.
Shipping took a while but my 12 x 50 binocular finally arrived.  They are fantastic...lightweight...crystal clear...and at an awesome price.  I would recommend these to a friend...for sure.
A terrific improvement over my old clunkers.  A terrific, general purpose binoculars, at a reasonable price.
I finally got to use these for something other then what I bought them for... Long distance shooting.I just got back from the UCLA vs CAL football game. Watching the game through these, well... REALLY OUTSTANDING!!! This is the fifth pair of glasses I've owned. Either they are too heavy, or over powered (hard to hold still) or the focus sucks. This one is 5 out of 5 on all three. I'm used to watching 1080P, thinking wow that's great. This blows that way out of the water, crystal clear vision, light weight, easy to focus. Great Glass!!! Highly recommend!
For the price these are pretty decent binoculars. The glass is clear and focusing is good. Overall I am real happy with the purchase.
I bought these for stargazing and birdwatching. Very clear optics, no double vision, and bright viewing. Would definitely recommend these, though have to have a very steady arm if you want to  stargaze with them.
This product has a great view even at dust. They are very clear, I recommend this item for any type of watchers especially hunters.
I got these specifically for stargazing on clear nights and I'm very pleased with them.* Getting focused is easy, as there are two adjusters. One in the center for your left eye, and another setting you can adjust on the right eyepiece.* They aren't heavy. I'm a female with sort of stringy arms- I'm not very strong- and I was able to hold these to my eyes for nearly 40 minutes of stargazing with no troubles.* Holding the binoculars is sort of ergonomic to your hands.* Crisp, sharp images. The moon just looked amazing through these, craters and all.* The neck strap is thick and sturdy. There is a suede bit on it for comfort on your neck, but I crocheted a simple piece to slide onto the strap for added comfort. Adds warmth too!* They come with a nice padded case and cover caps.
I'm not an expert on optics or binoculars.  I just wanted to have a pair that were good, reliable and reviewed well.  First impression on these is that they are excellent.  A very clear image and very bright colors.  I am very happy with this purchase and the other positive reviews are on point.
My brother has a pair of these and I had to get me a pair.  These are great for the price.  not high priced, but not a cheap pair either.if you want a good pair for the money, then these are it.
Best for me. I tried working with a 10x40 members of my family have and the 8x40 is better for me at my age. My hands are not as steady as they were several years ago. Really like my Nikon 8.40 7216 Action Binoculars. All 8x40's are not the same. These are clear and just great.
It's been a few years since I've looked through binos. Got these the other day and WOW! Very impressed. The clarity is astonishing. Quick focus and rapid location of subject. Lens caps are retained on included strap if you so choose which is pretty convenient. The strap rides a little high on the back of my neck but that is a minor irritation. These are quality binos and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a reasonably priced unit.
I bought them thinking the 40mm would be good enough for sighting my personal firearms but they fall a little short for long range shot identification.  My fault...should have done better research.  Other than that, they have excellent optical clarity and quick focus.
The reviews here are duplicated between the 10x50, 12x50 and 16x50 binoculars.  As a result it's impossible to tell which product any individual review applies to, rendering them all but useless.
Great quality, and prompt delivery.  Like some of the other reviews said, they are a little heavy, but since I don't carry them around, this don't matter.
These Nikon binoculars are so nice.  All the important features and accessories at a great Amazon price.  Received as advertised with no damage thanks to good packaging.  Shipped as promised and arrived in perfect condition.
I was looking to upgrade from my VHS-C to the Mini DV format since it is supposed to be much better, but believe that it was a big mistake getting this camcorder.  To me the quality isn't much better than older formats and nothing to gawk about in awe as some may have you think.  I will probably be using my VHS-C until it breaks now that I have seen this Mini DV format in action and how horrible it can be.  In this review I would like to talk about why this camcorder is so bad.PROBLEM #1:  VIDEO QUALITY IN LOW LIGHT AND INDOORSThis camcorder records video that is absolutely horrendous in low light and indoors.  My 3 year old Panasonic VHS-C is absolutely leaps and bounds above this camcorder indoors and outside at night time as far as quality is concerned.  The picture quality is so bad that it is not even worth trying to watch unless you want a headache.  The night mode that the camcorder has does absolutely nothing except slow the shutter speed down to the point where everything looks like distorted robot movement.  As another reviewer stated I can not stress how bad the quality of low light and indoor video is on this camcorder but heres some comparisons.  Old 8mm camcorders (the kind you view with a projector remember these) look 100 times better than the ZR85 as far as quality is concerned in these situations.  My digital camera and VHS-C camcorder look like a Hollywood film production compared to the ZR85.  Basically think in you're worst imagination what it can look like and then multiply those bad thoughts by 1000 to get a clear picture of how bad it is.  This was not the fault of the lighting in my house or outdoors where I was recording, I tried using streetlights, LED flashlights, a 2.25million candlepower spotlight, halogen flashlights, my backyard 500 watt floodlight, all the lights in the house on, all the lights in the house off, etc and in every situation the video quality was pure garbage.  I tried changing settings on the camcorder to improve it such as the low light setting, night mode, changing the white balance, shutter speed, etc, no improvement there either.  I even went to the store and bought the light that mounts to the top of the camcorder and tried with that on and no improvement there either.  The picture is so dark that even under any of these lighting conditions you can't see anything with clarity.  I did have two other people with me at the same time recording with my digital camera and VHS-C and both of those were hugely better than the ZR85.PROBLEM #2:  OUTDOOR PICTURE QUALITYI wasn't too impressed with the outdoor picture quality of this camcorder either.  This was my first attempt at a Mini DV camcorder and I was expecting a big improvement over VHS-C but as it turns out they look about the same to me on a 36" tv.  The outdoor quality is much much better than indoor however.PROBLEM #3:  BATTERY LIFEI'm not sure how canon rates it's battery life or how others got more than me but the battery life is unacceptable on this camcorder.  Using the LCD I got around 30 minutes before the thing was dead, with the viewfinder about 40 minutes, that is ridiculous.RECOMMENDATIONAs far as good things there really were none that I can think of about this camcorder compared to others I looked at in the store, and I'm hoping the store I bought it from will let me return it or exchange it even if I have to pay a restocking fee it's worth it to me.  If you are looking for a Mini DV camcorder and want to occasionally shoot video indoors or at night I would recommend straying far away from this POS.  I haven't tried any other models yet but I don't believe that any of them can be as bad as this thing.  I may try one of the other brands with night vision before sticking to VHS-C but as of yet I haven't been convinced that Mini DV is worth changing to.
This cam works great and never had any problems with mine. Great deal even contains a microchip for color etc that only high end camcorders have but itsn't really mentioned.
I bought this camera about 21 months ago; I have only used it a couple of times but without a problem.  When I tried to used it the other day I was able to record sound but no picture.  I was prepared to buy a new camera, until I found that Canon has a repair notice on it for this problem.  They will fix it free of charge even if out of warranty; I could not ask for more!
My husband and I purchased the Canon ZR85 MiniDV Camcorder about a week ago in preperation for the birth of our first child in April.  We were either going to go with this camcorder, or purchase a Sony camcorder.  We thought long and hard in the store, and we really believe that this is a much better camera. Not to say bad things about Sony, but their camcorder only had a 10x optical zoom, while the Canon ZR85 has a 20x optical zoom.  The picture quality also seemed to look better on the Canon camcorder.  When you are moving the camera from side-to-side the image on the LCD display kind of floats.  It was much more jerky with the Sony.  We absolutley love this camera.  We had fun taking pictures with the still shot last night and I e-mailed them to a friend of mine that I haven't seen in years.  The quality of the pictures is excellent.  But as with any digital camera, printing the images out on a photo printer might not look as good as on the LCD display or on your computer screen.  I do not know, because we do not have a photo printer or plan to get one.  But for e-mailing pictures to friends on the computer, I can testify that this camcorder takes beautiful pictures.  I even saved one of the pictures to the desktop on my computer, and I swear it looks like a magazine photo.  My husband and I were surprised how good the pictures look.  We didn't buy the camcorder for the still shot feature, but we love it now and are so happy this camcorder can take digital pictures.  The video quality is excellent as well.  We haven't done much filming yet, just playing around the house with it.  But we have hooked it up to the TV to watch what we have recorded and it looks even better on TV than on the LCD screen when you were taping.  The image is very steady, clear, and crisp.  Colors look amazing.  My old maroon/auburn couch really came to life when taping.  It looks better recorded than it does in person.  I love the zoom, it is amazing how far away you can see with this thing.  I also love how it self-adjusts.  You can look at a bright window and the camera will focus and adjust the lighting, then you can turn away from that window and look at a dark corner and it will quickly re-adjust.  It's really awesome.  We are very pleased with this camcorder.  The only thing we are unhappy about is the memory card that was included with the camera is very small and canon put a lot of trash pictures that look like wrapping-paper on it that you cannot delete.  This takes up almost all of the memory space on the card, only leaving you with enough room for about 10 or 15 pictures.  But no biggie.  That is the only complaint that we have, and that is such a nothing-problem.  We plan to buy a bigger memory card anyway, so that we can take more still pictures.  This camcorder is really great.  Make sure you purchase a bigger battery, but that goes for any camcorder.  You will love this camcorder.
I ordered this for my wife as a gift for her birthday.  She already has one but it does NOT work properly and cannot be fixed.  She has been concerned that she will never be able to watch all of the old videos of the kids etc..  Also, there is no converter kit on the market for the small casettes that this recorder uses.  So it was important to find a replacement recorder that is in good condition and works.  Will find out today if it works, as today is her birthday.
I bought the ZR85 about 10 months ago. I'm happy with the way it works. It has more features on it then I will ever use. The Basic features work perfect.The factory battery died after about 5 months and would no longer take charge. That was a bummer.I have would recomend this video camera.
The camera is very easy to use, and is small and handy.  It has more functions than you'd really want in such a camera -- if you are ever going to do something with the footage you will be using a computer and an editing program, so you don't really need the editing modes on the camera.  Still, there's no complaint here, and it's flexible enough for most users.My only complaint is that for some reason on my camera when I flipped the lcd viewer around to see from the front the image didn't rotate.  I know it's supposed to do this, and it did it with the model at the store.  Or: when I closed the lcd viewer with it flipped around the image shut off and I couldn't see it anymore.  I'm assuming this had to do with a bad wire.  But, I had no problem returning it to get a new one, so this wasn't a huge problem, only inconvenient.All in all I would say that this is a solid entry-level camcorder, that is fairly priced and easy to use.
I bought the ZR90 about 2 year back when I had my first kid as I wanted to keep home videos of the kids. Frankly I am terribly dissappointed at at the quality of the pictures in the house with all the lights on in the house. My sons first birthday video's are all so dissapointingly dark.  One mistake I did is not going to stored and checkign out the camera before I ordered it online. I suggest goin to a retailer and checking out the picture quality indoors before ordering it online.Outside pictures in bright sunlight are okay. I am not a phony reviewer trying to trash the product. If you click on my name you will see all the other products I have reviewed.
Have this brand new Canon ZR85 for about 3 weeks. All satisfaction so far except 1 serious mechanical feature. Explain below:This camcorder is for making movie, that means "move" (not still). The tape is for 1 hour, that means need to mount on something that move rather than to hold steady by hand and move arround to capture movie for that whole hour.I mount the camcorder on a swivel head from Bogen-Manfrotto, and the swivel head mount on my bicycle. I ride the bike on fairly good pave road with little road vibration to record scenery for several hours.Turn out that the camcorder mounting base is made out of non-metal (plastic) can not take vibration and the thread become damage. Is this considered that user's abusing or manufacturer false to not design carefully for the "mov"ie device?I have to turn myself to become a "tripod" now since my ZR85 has no longer usable mounting base.
We got this camera 3-years ago as a baby shower gift.  The camera does not have high quality video indoors, the battery life is really short (lasts only about 30 minutes after being fully charged), and we ended up with the black screen of death (see reviews for Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD).  I would expect a video camera to last much longer than 3-years.  I'm very disapointed with this camera and would not recommend it to anyone.
After reading the reviews, I was a bit leery of purchasing this camera. Because it fit my needs without paying for a lot of features that I didn't need (memory stick, S-video output, etc.), I decided to get one anyway to try it out. The result is that I will keep it. One concern was image quality under low light conditions. It's OK. The depth of field is not great under low light which might account for reports of fuzzy images, but I found that it did focus on the item of interest pretty well. For low light, regardless of the camera, if you want good images, you should consider supplemental lighting. The night mode works reasonably well. Audio quality is fine. I had no problem at all with picking up sounds and voices from 15-20 feet away without them having to raise their voices. It doesn't have a mic input which wasn't a drawback for my purposes, but is, nevertheless, something that this camera should have. The biggest disapointment, for me, is that the image stabilization is a long way from what my old Sony Handycam was capable of. Even so, it's adequate for the purposes that I will be using this camera. All in all, this camera will suit most people's needs.
I have always found Canon to consistently incorporate high quality infrastructure to even their entry level models, this being no exception. Didn't want to pay extra for lots of features I wouldn't use, just wanted a great starter camera. Works great given those expectations..Picked mine up at Walmart for $226!!
I purchesed this camcorder 5 years ago. Haven't used it a lot but when I have I have bee happy with it. The only thing is the batterry. It only last 25-30 minutes. It sopose to last an hour. The tapes are 1 hour so you have to find a plug that you can use and are not in the way while shouting. The quality is great.
There are lots of things you look for in a camcorder.  Features, quality construction, and something easy to use are all things to consider.  In the lower price range a lot of camcorders are alike and you have to look at some small specifics to figure out what's the best buy.The ZR80 is a good camcorder, but it has one major flaw that its predecessors did not - it has no mike input.The built in microphones on almost all camcorders, certainly those selling for less than $1000, are notoriously bad.  They generally pick up 180 degrees of sound.  In a group situation, at a party for example, the audio sounds like utter chaos.  Canons also seem to be especially prone to picking up motor noise from the camera itself.  Thus, if you're interested in good sound you need to have a camcorder with a mike input.Unfortunately, Canon chose to reduce the features on their 2004 ZR line by taking away the mike input.  Why they did this is astonishing because it makes no sense.If you want a Canon camcorder with good sound you really need to either get an older model - almost any of the older ZRs including the 45, 50, 60, 65 and 70, all of which have mike inputs - or forget the ZR completely and go for an Elura or any of their other product lines that have this necessary feature.  If you're accustomed to the typical sound one gets from an on-camera mike (or you plan to never use it in situations with lots of sounds), maybe this model will be fine for you.
I bought this camera one month ago and I had to return it.Every thing is great, picture quality is good , night mode is great. Hooking up to computer is easy and fun and you can record the video directly to Hard Disk, but motor noice is untolrable.The camera records its own motor noice and is very noticable when playaed back. With loud noices the motor noise is suppressed but still it is annoying.
I purchased this battery for my Sony camcorder.  I tried to charge it but was not able to.  Therefore, I returned it and purchased a battery directly from Sony.  I do not recommend this battery to anyone who has a Sony camcorder.
So far so good. A little late when I paid for express shipping.  Didn't get here in time to record my grand-daughters final baseball game.Stars- 4
If you dont use much the color display, the battery charge last up to 2 hours
I knocked off two stars because this is not a Sony brand battery.  There is nothing on the box or the battery that has the Sony trademark name written.  So this is a third party battery that is a substitute for the Sony NP-F330 Lithium Ion Battery.  On the other hand, it does seem to work and does indicate the remaining battery life in minutes.  So it is compatible.  However, the reason I bought from this supplier was because I thought I was buying a real Sony battery.  So now I do not know how long this battery will last compared to a real Sony brand battery.
EXCELLENT Transaction, with turbo fast delivery. This is an actual NP-F330 battery, which is very hard to find.  The F550 is usually substituted which does not work in the digital camera, or the charger. This battery charged very fast and is working great. I was about to toss my camera due to battery issues - but now life is good.
No problems with this battery whatsoever - it sounds like a "no-name" brand but after trying it out, I highly recommend it.
Hey guys, I received the battery pretty quickly (thanks for that) the only issue is the battery worked up until today just fine. I just turned the camcorder on today to take some footage of planes at my local airport and an error flashed on my screen "For InfoLITHIUM Battery ONLY" and then the camera shut off. It repeated numerous times and I even tried recharging the battery again, which when you do that the empty battery display just flashes on the screen. This was listed as a Sony product, but like others have said it isn't.
This is the "starter" battery that Sony provided with camcorders, but their higher power batteries are better values. For example, the NP-F770 cost only 11% more but gives 383% more power.It's not that this is a bad battery, but it's expensive for a battery of such little strength.  Either buy a generic one for 1/3 the price, or buy a better Sony battery for slightly more money.
After 15 years of use my old Sony battery was not recharging well any more. This replacement gives me a full  hour of recording which I need.
since our camcorder is quite old, this battery was difficult to find and purchase. with amazon, this project became easy and quick. this battery in our old camcorder now works perfectly, like new. thank you amazon.
As another said, hard to find item and it fit my camera perfectly. Exact match to my old battery. Charged perfectly. Recommend.
Like i said before it's getting hard to find these batterys so if you need one then go to amazon and get it.the price is good to.
I purchased a battery on May 21, 2012 for a Camcorder and it wasn't the right model. I contacted Best Stop Electronics about a return and they sent me the return label within 24hrs. I recommend Best Stop for all Electronic Purchases. Thanks Much
I purchased this battery as a replacement for a twelve-year old Sony digital camera (that still takes fantastic photos!).  I received an original Sony product rather than a knock-off brand battery, and it performs well.  It seems to not hold a charge quite as long as the original battery did, which is why I gave it four stars rather than five.  Overall it is a great product though, and I would purchase it again.
Needed a new battery for our older model Sony camcorder and found this on amazon for a lot less than I was told at stores in my area.
Did not charge with any of the chargers I bought and had to return it as defective. Not worth the money
I had been paying almost $70.00 for the same type of battery.  Really great price on these ones.  I will most defiantly go through Amazon when looking for replacement batteries from now on.
Just what I ordered.  This was the second attempt at trying to get a battery that fit my Sony camcorder.  Not only did I get the two batteries I ordered but received extra at no cost.  Don't get a surprise like that very often.  I was also impressed with how fast my order went out which was another surprise.  I would rate this product 5 star as well as the vendor I ordered it from which was a different vendor where I placed the prior order.
work as advertised, but discovered my old movie camera is not as good as the newer stuff they have out there.....................................................................................................................
Supplier ships an off no-name brand and claims same performance when in actuality it doesn't. There is feedback circuitry in this Sony product that tells the camera the status of the battery. The picture and description both confirm that you are ordering the Sony product but that is not what they will ship you unfortunately. Still waiting for my refund from the supplier.
i purchased battery for my sony dcr trv 350 as a replacement for original battery and it worked fine as one that came with  camcorder.
There's no point in putting a cheap filter on a world-class lens! I have Nikon C-PLII filters for all of my lenses. You can't go wrong with Nikon.
I finally bought nikon  CP-13 II 67mm for my canon D500 yestrerday. WE were shopping at Heidelburgh, Germany with my friends from Seattle, Washington. It was 159 Euros ($201.00)-  and got it at discounted sale price at 69 Euros( $87.00 ). Right away, I am fully satisfied after the fact results for this steal price.lucky? I live here in Germany. If I can buy related items for my canon 500D for a little bit more, I think It is worth the wait and patience instead of long wait from USA sellers.
Got it for water and landscape as it makes the sky nicer. The case it came in was perfect for storing the lens during traveling.
I haven't used it yet, other than to put in on my camera lens, but it fit perfectly.  It's a pricy filter but I expect great things from it.
Im very pleased with the nikon filter,i would have given it five stars  .However the plastic storage case it came in is flimsy cheap plastic.For the cost it should have a better storage case.
For reference, I use this with my Nikon 18-105 on a D5100.I previously had a Hoya CP. It was a cheaper one, well under a hundred bucks. It was ok. It did provide a darkening of skies and deeper greens. But something was just...off about it.So I recently decided to give this one a try, thinking it would be the cream of the crop (or close to it). The difference between this and the cheap Hoya were huge.First off, it's very unlikely that you'd ever have to use this at more than the minimum effect setting (assuming your subject is 90-ish degrees from the sun). With the effect turned all the way up, your photos will be unusable at wider angles. I learned this the hard way. I could see in my viewfinder that the sky was darkening, I just didn't know how much until I viewed them on my computer. To be fair, I should have tested this before using it on vacation. With major post-production surgery, I've been able to recover most of the photos I took with it. I used it on max the whole time because the previous Hoya had to be used at its max setting to notice it. So I'm not faulting this polarizer. If anything, I'm praising it for the powerful effects it has over more "budget" oriented CPs. Just be aware that on max setting, the sky will look so deep navy that it's almost black. The more you crank up the effect with any CP, the more light you lose and the more you risk too slow of shutter speeds for handheld shots. So being able to use this at or near the minimum setting means minimal light lost.My only minor beef with this is the lack of a white indicator dot on the filter itself. My cheap Hoya had one, but I'm noticing that other more expensive CPs don't have them either. Not a huge deal though.
The polarizer decrease or eliminates glare and intensifies colors and protects the lens.  Works great.  I have polarizers on all my Nikon lens.
I've been using a Tiffen polarizer in the past and replaced it with the Nikon after the Tiffen got a scratch. As expected, this is a perfect fit for Nikon lenses and unlike the Tiffen it stays put no matter which direction you turn the polarizer. Also unlike the Tiffen, this filter comes off easily when you need it to. The lens cap also fits perfectly. The effects are perfect, making color pop or increasing contrast between sky and cloud.
I have used polarizers for the past 20 years, I never shoot outdoors without one. I have been using Cokin, Hoya and Tiffen brands, and they all get the desired result of reducing glare, saturating colors and adding contrast. I am on a budget and just can't afford really expensive polarizers. The last one I bought was $ 60, a 67mm Tiffen that had one flaw, a warming effect (without being labeled a "warming polarizer"). I like my photos warm so that was not a big problem for me except in the early morning light when the Tiffen really ruined the white balance on quite a few shots, making me a bit reluctant to shoot in that light. But it still served me well. Photography is a hobby and I am not a gear geek, so I just make do with what I can afford and enjoy it.Then - fortunately - the filter broke. It became seriously stuck on the lens twice in 6 months, then stopped rotating (the only thing worse than a stuck polarizer is a stuck polarizer that won't rotate = is of no use), and now it is difficult to thread onto the lens - it either falls off or won't come off.My local store had two filters in stock - a Quantaray ($ 60) and this Nikon filter for $ 180. I don't believe in Quantaray and I just can't justify spending $ 180 plus tax on a filter but based on the reviews and the decent price found here I ordered it from Amazon - in the end it was only $ 40 more than a low-end Tiffen or Hoya would have been. And since I use it literally every single day, I splurged.And I love it! There are some users that mention this filter is difficult to take off because it is so slim, and some users say it falls off easily too - I have no problem with either. The filter finds its thread immediately and attaches smoothly. There is no need to tighten it down much, it will stay on right away so I go very easy on it and so far I have always been able to unscrew it with no problem (I tried a few times because I am a bit paranoid about this right now). It rotates very nicely with just the right amount of resistance. Results are as advertised, true colors, very clear image. I got some flare with it but not as much as with the Tiffen. I have not had to clean it yet, so I can't comment on how difficult or easy it is to remove smudges.I strongly recommend this filter especially for the price ($ 107) I paid.Used with a 16-85mm lens on a D200.UPDATE: After two months of using this filter there has been the occasional need to clean it, and any smudges came off easily with a lens cloth. Some took a bit of patience, but I never needed to use any special solutions, just gentle wiping until the smudge was gone. Smudges were mainly from my finger (skin oil) or my dog's nose.
These work as they should but have limited use in a professional photography environment as they add superficial blues and too much dark contrast in any setting except for filming on open water or taking bright sunny cloud shots.. - despite any of that- Nikon makes the finest lenses in the world.  - you can never go wrong with a Nikon Camera.
I just the filter set I got. They all come in a pouch so you don't have to worry about scratching the lense. The guy on the phone was so helpful and very polite. This is a GREAT! place to shop and if you want to get advice on an item they are always there to help.
better definition between earth curvature and sky.  works great on clouds and shiny objects such as water and windows, and shinny crome on cars
This is my first polarizer and I am glad that I finally found something thats offers me the best quality and Nikon's satisfaction.My skies are more blue and the colors are more vibrant. I took lots of pics at the Grand Canyon with my Nikon D80 w Nikkor 18-135mm lens. My friend had a Canon XTi with Tamron 18-250mm lens. The pictures that I shot had beautiful blue skies and vibrant reds/brows of the rocks...thats to this polarizer! The pictures that my friend shot had washed out colors. The rocks were dull and the sky was faded.I would recommend this filter to anyone who is serious about quality. The filter comes with a plastic case, you can put it in the case when not needed, without worrying about it gettig scratched. It is pricier than most of the other brands like Tiffen, Hoya, etc...but being a Nikon, it offers unmatchable quality!
This filter provides beautiful blue skies and crisp white clouds.  In addition, it also reduces glare when taking photos of bodies of water or falling water.  I went out west recently and the clouds in my photos popped with lovely contrast against deep blue skies, giving my photos a dreamy and surreal look.  My Nikon takes great pictures as it is, but the filter adds that something extra to my pictures, when used in appropriate situations.  I have seen the best results with this filter when photographing subjects side-lit by the sun.  You can manually adjust the filter on your lens and see the effects through the viewfinder before you take the picture.  The filter slightly reduces light coming into the lens so you just have to make sure to adjust your other settings to compensate for this.  This filter is worth the money but you can save if you buy it online through Amazon or another online photography outlet.  I paid less than $90 new for my filter, whereas the brick and mortar retailers like Wolf and Ritz are priced at $149.  I just had to pay a couple of dollars for shipping, but no sales tax of course.  I was tempted to buy one of the cheaper polarizers, but the fact that this one is multi-coated and Nikon quality tells me that I made the right choice, and so do my great pictures.
I suppose that in the end you get what you pay for and this is an example of it.  I have only used it once in a photo outing, about to use it more in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Bhutan.  The view does change with the rotation.  Gone are the reflections and the sky does become darker, but not overwhelmingly so, and at the expense of a f-stop (or 2 depending on setting).  What strikes me is the building quality.
This polarizer is thin, but it works great even with my large fingers.  The lens is well mounted (not loose like I've experienced in the past) and does a fine job filtering the light.
I purchased this primarily for landscape photography. Does not distort image at all...threads on and off easily. The changes to the image are readily visible while turning the filter. Glad I paid more for this particular type of polarizing.
I already owned a set of Nikon Action 7x35 Ultra-wide binoculars and to avoid spousal contention ordered another set of the same model.  We like these because they are light enough not to have heaviness as an excuse to leave them behind, they work well with eyeglasses (just fold down the rubber eyepieces), have very nice, clean optics, and the field of view is indeed quite wide.  Handheld optics with anything more than 9x are hard to keep steady, and these 7x with decent but not excessive mass are easy to keep on target.  Once you have the diopter differential set on the right side, the center focusing wheel falls nicely under your index finger and becomes virtually automatic to operate.With some trepidation, I bought these used with a description of "very good."  They arrived just as described, obviously used but with no scratches or signs of knocks or drops.  The optics were perfectly aligned (always a worry with used binoculars), and this speaks well of the robustness of this particular model.  Also, the "used" price was well under half the retail price (and still substantially less than the discount price) for a new set.These are the best reasonably priced general-purpose binoculars I've run across.
I couldn't access my "good" binocular, and needed something fast for an upcoming birding trip to Texas so I ordered these. They arrived quickly and in great condition. I was more than pleasantly suprised at how great the optics were. They are as good (or even better) as some I've had at a much higher price. If you're on the fence, just try them.
We bought these binoculars for a trip to Alaska. They are fairly compact and lightweight, which made them perfect for viewing wildlife and scenery while backpacking. My only complaint is that we lost one of the objective lens caps, and it has been pretty much impossible to replace it. Nikon says that part has been backordered for 7 months, and I can't find any dealers who sell it. It seems crazy, especially after reading the other reviewer's comment about how easy it is to lose the cap.... we must not be the only ones with this problem.
these are amazing.  the viewing quality is off the hook!.  High quality, light weight, perfect magnification and Nikon comes with a LIFE TIME Warranty!.  All the other binoculars do not.. I had to toss a set because a prism came loose inside.
I bought a couple of pair of these for the my kids who are really into the outdoors and they are fantastic.  The depth is unreal, the brightness is good, and they are sharp as a tack.  The build is also top notch and the price is very reasonable, especially since I got last years model on closeout for less than half of list.The only thing I take issue with is the lens caps, you may as well throw the front ones away, and the glasses don't come with a case, which is terrible.  I am still giving it highest marks because the price more than makes up for it.  I expect a lot from something with the Nikon badge, and got it with these.Oh, and "The Cyclops" thing, well, its because I am a photographer.
I chose 7x35 binoculars for general field use, bird watching, and wildlife study. I had originally planned to buy the more expensive Action Extremes for their shock and water resistance. But on a recent visit to the big city, I had a chance to compare them with these, side by side and was unable to convince myself to buy the more expensive pair.After looking through both the Action and the Action Extreme, I felt that I could not obtain a sharp focus with the Extremes. Puzzled, I asked the salesman to break out a second pair, but again could not focus the Action Extremes as clearly. I was quite ready to pay extra for the shock and water resistance of the more expensive binoculars, but sharp focus and clarity of view trump the other qualities.After three weeks of use, which have included birding, an airshow, and some casual observation of the night sky, I am quite pleased with these. They are lightweight, fast and easy to focus.The only complaint I have is that while the eyepiece lens covers are easily, conveniently, and semi-permanently secured to the neck strap, the objective lens covers are not. The objective lens caps are equiped with molded slots that can be attached to the neck strap, but they work poorly, and are NOT secure. I found myself crawling around in the mud looking for the lens caps several times before deciding that they were best kept in my pocket. This is an irritating flaw in an otherwise well designed and nicely made product.
I've been playing with a few binoculars and monoculars. Nikon, Steiner, Leica etc. For the value that you're getting at this price, this binocular is just outstanding! Brightness about as good as the other 3-4x more expensive binos. Sharpness about as good. But at under $80! Wow. This is a no brainer. If you're thinking of getting one, just get it.
They're great for our back yard bird watching and the wife and I would recommend them to anyone interested in a clear viewing binocular
I bought these binoculars to replace a cheap pair that I had used for years.  The new ones are very good, but not that much better than the old cheap pair I had.  I thought there would be a much greater differance.
I own another pair of 7x35 binoculars, and thought they were pretty good until I picked up these Nikons. There's no comparison. The Nikon's optics are far superior. Images are sharp from edge to edge. There is a minimal amount of purple fringing and internal reflections, even under harsh lighting conditions. The FOV is a very wide 489' (9.2 degrees). I doubt there is a better pair of binoculars at this low price point.Pros:Excellent multicoated optics.Ultra Wide FOV.Well built.Great value.25 year Limited Warranty. No Fault Policy.Cons:Mediocre accessories. (lens caps, case)'Weather Resistant'. Not waterproof/fogproof.A little heavy.
I have the Extreme version of these. They are good, with a fantastic field of vision but I have a distortion in the lower outside corners of both lenses that I find very distracting. I also have the Nikon 7 X 50 Action Extreme and can't imagine how I'd be happier with them other than the front lens cap issue mentioned by others, so I know it's not all Nikons. My wife notices the distortion also and she prefers the 7 X 50's. I suggest trying before buying if possible. Another pair may not have the distortion or it may not bother you.Other than that, the filed of vision makes them very good for birding or other action-packed viewing.If you decide to get these, consider the Action Extreme if you will be using these in harsh conditions. Also, check the chart on the "Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB Binocular" page to choose the right size for your needs. It applies to both the Action and Action Extreme models.
These bins are great everyday binoculars. I leave them in my truck for "you never know" occasions.  The  5 mm exit pupil makes them a decent night time use binocular and the extra wide field of view makes them perfect for sporting events, especially when you are stuck in the nose-bleed section.
With a wide angle 9.3 deg of view the Nikon 7x35 Action binos give a spectacular view that is bright and have very good optics for their price. Thats why I bought them - they were cheap. I had no idea they'd be this good! They are very easy to use. The center focus is smooth and can be turned with one finger. The diopter adjustment is on the right eyepiece where you'd expect it - and is easy to turn but not so easy as to get readjusted by a slight bump. Diopter scale is kind of hard to read - maybe Nikon could have put some color on the + - marks? While I wish Nikon had included the same twist up/down eye-cups they included on the 8x42 & 8x25 Trailblazer ATB I do understand these are budget binocs. Instead Nikon put on rubber cups that just fold down for eyeglass wearers like me - or pop up for those lucky enough to have 20:20 vision - but they aren't otherwise adjustable. While the 7x35s aren't quite as good as the 8x42s or 8x25s for sharpness they do come close and more than a few friends and family that have compared them see no reason to buy the 8x42s for well over twice the price. And they are all impressed with the bright wide angle views.But this isn't a review of the 8x42 or 8x25 Nikon - its a review of the 7x35 action model. I'm presuming the Action Extreme use the same optics since when I compared them all specs were the same - just no waterproofing on the regular Action models. Since I bought these to leave in my golf cart and I live in a dry climate waterproofing wasn't necessary. When it rains around here its an event and we put up the clubs and go home.I do have a few things I'm critical of with these binocs besides the eye-cups. The caps don't fit well - they fall off in the case! So I just store them in the retail box and put the binocs in the carry case without the caps. Seems to keep them clean. Another rub is the rather shallow eye relief of ~1/2".I just sold a Canon 10x30 IS binocs for more than I have into all of these - the Canon has image stabilization but the optics were no better than the 7x35 Action. I did a comparison and it was a draw - more power with the Canon - brighter view with the Nikon - sharpness was a draw - field of view with the Canon is 6 deg - like a tunnel compared to the 9.3 deg for the 7x35 Action. Canon put the money into the stabilization on the 10x30s. Both the 8x25 and 8x42 ATBs easily outdid the Canon for clarity and brightness. I was surprised the 8x25s were brighter than the Canon. Maybe that has something to do with the narrow field of view?If you are looking for inexpensive but decent binocular and don't need waterproofed models - and don't mind a bit of weight these just might work for you. If you need waterproofed take a look at the Action Extreme. If you are looking for both light weight and waterproofing the 8x25 Trailblazers are a better choice than the 7x35 Extremes IMO - less weight and marginally better optics.The views from these 7x35s are almost as sharp as the 8x25s and have that gorgeous 9.3 deg of view vs 8 deg for the 8x25s - and are brighter.I own 5 binoculars - the 7x35, 8x42, 8x25 all Nikon, 7x50 Pro Optic (Adorama ~1995 $125.00 and very sharp optics!), and a 16x80 Celestron that I use under the night sky on a tripod - and is also where I use the Pro Optics - under the night sky hand-held.I think I have enough binocs!
The binoculars cost a little more than some of the off brands, but I figured that Nikon would know how to a quality product. Images are razor sharp.
These binoculars are a steal for the price.  They are compact, fairly light, and magnify well.  My only complaint is the lens covers.  They don't stay fixed on the strap and are easily lost.
I bought these binoculars for bird watching and for that purpose they work great. I have a pair of 10x50 and although I really like them I wanted something smaller and steadier. I will still use my 10x50's but more for raptors in flight or bird watching in the woods, these ones are a lot more confortable when watching birds at a medium range, casual bird watching around the house or simply trying to follow a bird to its nest (due to the large field of view).There is some distortion around the outer edges but it isn't bad, I actually only noticed it because I was deliberately looking for it. The images are sharp and I am surprised at how bright the images are considering the price and size of the lenses. Some bird watching sites would have you believe that you have to spend an arm and a leg on a pair of binoculars in order to bird watch properly, that is not the case. This pair will show all the detail on birds (even the tiny ones).
these are nice handy compact binocs, for the money they are as good or better than most, i wear glasses , which is kind of a pain when you want to look at something fast, easier to get the things adjusted without glasses. i would say they are reasonably clear, i have 2 pair, and one is noticably better than the other, but all in all i like them both
Since becoming bird watchers my wife needed her own binoculars.We tried these at the local sporting goods store but bought themat Amazon to save a few bucks.  The image is very sharp and theyare easy to focus.  My wife loves them.
I received these as a christmas gift from my wife.  While the quality seemed good, I was not impressed on the zoom.  These binoculars are for viewing things. such as a bird right in front of you, not at a ballgame or event where you are trying to see further out.  I bought an $18 pair of bushels 12x25 right here on amazon for my kids to use.  They are a 1/3 of this price and completely blow the nikons out of the water with the zoom and clarity.  I would not recommend this item for people who are wanting to see things that are more than 25 yards in front of them.  They simply don't have the magnification power for that.
Nikon has always been a leader in fine optics.  You could buy binos that are slightly better and pay ten times more.  Is it worth it?  That would be up to you.  I'd love to own a pair of Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovsky binos but I'd be afraid to use the damn things there so expensive.  Besides these are truly wonderful optical quality giving exceptional detail, color and clarity.  Don't spend more. These are so worth it!!
Let me state right up front that I'm not an advanced birder, nor have I owned a lot of binoculars in the past with which I could compare these.  However, as a relative newbie to birding with binoculars, I have to say that the modest cash outlay for this item has brought me a lot of pleasure.  We took them on a trip to New Brunswick and stopped by a popular birding spot.  I thought for sure I'd be fiddling with these trying to figure them out and miss out on all sorts of viewing opportunities in the process.  Nothing could have been further from the truth!  Using these, even for a rank amateur, was so simple and intuitive that I caught some very lovely views.  Field of vision seemed fine right to the edge of the lense.  All moving parts worked effortlessly and a moving subject could be brought into focus very quickly.  There may be models out there, but at this price I doubt you could find many, if any!
The optics are excellent.  I found viewing excellent, ranging from viewing stars and Jupiter and the Moon to birds in the woods.  The only slightly irritating aspect is that, while there is a strap for the binocs, there is no strap for the case.  I found myself accidentally dropping the case when taking the binoculars out, assuming the case was attached to something.On the whole, this was an excellent purchase.  RC
The glasses were what I expected.  Adjustments are easy to make. I get clear, wide images with a minmum of adjustment.
I wear glasses and have a bit of a strabismus (crossed eye) problem. This Nikon Action 7x35 model really fulfills my needs . I find them great for scanning for game or observing birds and wildlife.
strong - that's a big plus for me. on a way to a bball game with friends, i fell off with the bino on my chest, it hit the ground directly! i didn't find anything broken at all (the bino has no case!). i found only the dial got chipped, but most importantly the glasses were still intact! my friends & i then enjoyed the game while taking turns using the bino from the top seat/section. great experience! great product! great value!
We are very happy with this product.  The price is in the middle range and improved with the covers.  We had no problem as past reviewers trying to keep the covers.  We took this binocular with us to the Alaska cruise trip and it's now in the car so it's readily accessible.  It's great 5 star for the price.  It's not too heavy but if you hike extraneous mountains, it will be too much to carry around your neck.
I will start by saying these are fantastic optics. These are comfortable, have a great bright picture and are crystal clear. I wish I would have found a stronger pair since I often use these at the shooting range and they can't see the hole. I've gotten a spotting scope since then and it has worked out great.
I bought these for my husband to see sporting events and they did not disappoint. You could really watch the action with a wide enough viewing area to enjoy the game. Great buy!
i have now bought 2 of these because i liked the wide angle so much. they are sharp and clear. i use them in costa rica to locate something (like a sea turtle,  or fish jumping), then use my higher magnification binoculars to look.  dropped both sets only once (that i remember) and the image doubled and cannot be forced back.  i'm going to buy the extreme set this time.
I was glad to see all the sports fans reporting their satisfaction with these binocs.  It sounds as if they will come in handy.  Baseball season is almost here.I have spent small fortunes on binoculars for bird watching, but since my GS broke my last pair (my fault for letting a 5YO wear them while running, which is his MO, after all), I couldn't bring myself to pay so much for another pair.  My expectations were very low for these.They are wonderful.  The field of view is excellent.  I am amazed at how close they focus and how bright they are.  They are a little heavier than I expected, but I think I will get used to that.  I am very pleased with these.I haven't done much birding lately.  I have a big smile on my face in expectation of my next outing.
I've never owned a set of binoculars, so I don't have any direct basis for comparison. However, I'm a bit of an astronomy buff and can tell you that the quality of the optics in these binoculars is right up there with my more impressive telescope eyepieces. My toddler dropped them on concrete and the soft rubber encasing the optics absorbed the shock with no problem, so my impression thus far is that they are pretty durable. You'll need a tripod for extended use since they're a little heavy.
i was skeptical due to friends advice to get the most pixels- but i only take pics for fun and send them to family through email :) its great! and petite like me :)highly recommended for an amateur as their first camera!
I purchased this camera as a gift for my wife.  She had been looking for an easy to use camera, with lots of features, to keep in her pocket or purse.  My daughter had previously purchased the Coolpix 2100 and was very satisfied.  So were we, with the 2200, until two weeks ago when it stopped taking photos, for no reason.  I followed the warranty procedures since it appears to be under warranty.  I just got a "bill" from Nikon, asking me for $138.00 to repair the camera - it cannot be repaired under warranty.  No explantion of why it can't be repaired, just send the money and we'll repair it, or we'll ship it back.  I wrote Nikon and asked why the repair would cost more than the original price of the camera.  No answer yet so we'll see what happens.
I bought one of these a couple months ago, and I think it's great. I have considerable experience with an older 1.4 MP Olympus, and also a 2 MP Casio and a 4 MP Minolta, and this beats the heck out of all of them.It's far smaller and handier than any of them.It's much cheaper than those cameras were new.It has optical zoom, which I believe is much superior to digital zoom and probably makes this equal in many ways to a 3+ megapixel camera with only digital zoom.It takes SUPER close-up pictures of flowers, fingerprints, etc.It takes pictures in near-total darkness -- while hand held no less -- that appear adequately sharp and much brighter than the scenes appeared to my eyes when I took them.It takes great photos of fireworks without any special setting.Unlike the other digital cameras I used before, it DOES NOT exaggerate the contrast between sunlit and shaded areas. No more faces turned into featureless blackness by what appeared to my eyes to be minor shadows.The power switch is a good design -- it's recessed and separate from the rotary mode switch. Some other cameras I've used or looked at had exposed power switches or had "OFF" as one of many positions on an easily-bumped rotary mode switch. The way all digital cameras eat batteries, you don't want to turn them on by accident.On the down side, it could have had snappier "clicks" on the mode switch to avoid the minor annoyance of turning on the camera in the wrong mode. It could have had a handy switch to turn the display screen off, allowing you to save power while taking pictures with the viewfinder. The viewfinder could be sealed against the entry of dust better; some dust got into mine. And it could have come with a case, which I know they could have made in China for less than a dollar.But overall I think this is a great camera and an excellent compromise between price, quality, and size. I use it largely for e-mailing photos of my life in Japan back to my family, but it has enough of those pixel things to make decent-sized prints too. I recommend it highly.
Let me preface this review by saying that this is my first digital camera.Being a longtime Nikon film camera user I began researching digital cameras. Using Consumer Reports, E-pinions, megapixel.net, and the reviews that I read here, it was clear that a 2-3 MP camera would suffice for my needs as they would any person whose prints rarely exceed 5X7 or 8X10. Don't be wooed by the store salesmen, some of them are honest and knowledgable but not all. Do the research and figure out what equipment will best suit your needs.I found this camera and a 256MB SD memory card for two-hundred and ten dollars (including rebates.)The camera is quite small and fits neatly in my backpack (in a carrying case), uses AA batteries (rechargeable recommended) and the memory card can be purchased almost anywhere. I've had the camera for a week and have taken it everywhere I go. The detail and picture quality are superb. I went to a Butterfly Conservatory and the pictures are just awesome, the color, clarity and detail can rival some of my friends 'high-end' cameras. As a few other reviewers have indicated Nikon has packed the camera with tons of extras. Take the time and read the manual. You'll be a better picture taker because of it.All in all, without plunking down loads of cash, this is an excellent entry-level digital camera that makes learning the ins and outs lots of fun!
I bought this camera through Amazon after careful consideration. I researched cameras within my price range and I was debating between this camera and one with a 3 megapixel of a different brand. The reviews for this one sold me, and I bought it. I am quite pleased with this camera. Although it is 2 megapixels, the picture quality is excellent -- even better than my old Sony camera which was a 3 megapixel. The pictures turn out crisp and clear even on a lower resolution setting. Another thing I like about the camera is the weight. Or should I say, the lack of weight. It is the lightest camera of a decent size that I've held thus far. This makes it extremely portable. The settings are also excellent. There is a mode where you can choose a particular light setting and shutter speed based on the type of envrionment you are in (eg: party, fireworks, cloudy, sunrise, sunset...) The bottom line is that this camera is great. When you go with a brand like Nikon that ONLY makes cameras, you know that they know what they are doing.
I've had this camera for seven years now, it's STILL working! the only problem is that the lens no longer closes and it's starting to take blurry photos, probably as a result of the lens getting scratched up. aww.all in all, this has been a perfect little camera for me. it was my first digital camera ever and I've never had problems with it until recently, which is surely due to its age.the only odd part about it is that while it makes videos, it doesn't record sound. Always thought that was sorta pointless.I'm planning on buying another Nikon to replace it soon, but I'm still going to keep this little guy by my side until it finally dies.
I use this at my office to photograph skin problems and record them in my patients' charts.  excellent macro mode and clear clean detail.inexpensive 2 megapix but functionally great and simple.
I like this camera for its form factor. I researched many cameras at local stores except this one, but ended up buying this online.When it arrived I was shocked to see how tiny it was. This is the "baby" of all cameras size-wise. Never seen anything like this in premium brands.I bought it for my little sister who wanted a tiny and no-hassle camera. And she got more than what she had asked for.I gave it 4 stars only because it is kind of inferior in quality of prints as compared to Canon. I wanted to buy A75 (which BTW is just fabulous!), but decided against it for the single most important factor for me - SIZE. Canons take 4 AA batteries and are hence larger and heavier. If you have no problems with a little more bigger camera go for a Canon A75.But if you are looking for a compact power house for easy use go for this.The other bad thing about Canon A series cameras is they have far too many settings and modes. Not very good for novice users who just like to take good pictures straight away. This camera is A+++ in this matter. Right out of the box ready to go and doesnt scare anybody with a huge settings dial.There are more pros than cons definitely though. The only cons as far as I am concerned are:- Close ups and Macros in indoor lighting are not very great. Mind you, outdoors and sport pics are GREAT though! Just the indoors bother me a bit.- Flash takes loooooong time to re-charge, so you will be disappointed when you want to take fast snaps.- Battery life could be better.
I got this camera used last year for $5.00. At that time teh battery compartment was loose and you needed a rubber band around it tio kee in the batteries, but it worked very well. The only manual I had was on disk. I could not readily follow it when it was printed out. Now I think I could understand it better.This camera has more features that you think.Although made in 2004, this is more than adequate for most purposes. It uses regular size SD cards. I did not get the cable, but you can buy SD card readers or multi card type readers. You can get a reader just for SD cards for $3.00 or less at a computer fare or on Ebay. A multi-purpose reader should get cost you around $8 or so. You can then transfer pictures to your computer. You can also have pictures read and printed at places like Rite Aid.SD cards are now much bigger than when this camera came out, and I quickly replaced the 16 megabyte SA card with a 1 gigabyte one. The camera can take also a 2 gigabyte card. You won't need to replace the card for a long long time, like a year or two. The camera will probably break before the card is full. You can put the card in another Nikon camera and it will take up where it left off.The camera keeps a continous log of all pictures that it has ever taken up to the number 9999. That number is the last 4 digits of the file name before the extension. (Most files are *.JPGs, but teh mtion pictures are *.MOV files also called Quicktime)The pictures are saved in a directory or folder called 100NIKON. That continues until it has 200 pictures. Then it goes to 101NIKON and so on up to 999NIKON although I don't know if that number has been reached by anyone anywhere in the world. Anytime a picture with a lower number than the highest number in the highest numbered directory is added to the SD card, a new directory or folder is also created. So when I copied some older pictures to the SD card, keeping the old numbers they were put in a new directory (or folder) even thiouygh there were only 3 pictures in the old one.If you switch cameras and the new camera has a higher number than the old one, it will add the pictures in the same place - otherwise it wil create a new folder.You can also add other pictures to the card but put them in a different directory than what Nikon uses or you might not be able to see many pictures in your viewfinder. You can also use the the SD card in its reader (that you buy) as an ordinary flash drive as some people have discovered and it is probably better than a regular flash drive in that you don't have to worry about damaging the connection to the USB port.You should copy the pictures to a computer for safety and backup. You can use any kind of program to look at the pictures and you can view small images of the pictures in the camera itself.There is a very big problem with all digital cameras. The LCD screen can break. It can break rather soon and apparently Nikon does not repair it for free considering it the result of mishandlingh and not copvered by its warranty. I encountered other people who had the same problem of an LCD camera breaking.For this reason I recommend buying a 4 or 5 year old camera on Ebay and replacing it if the LCD breaks.After using this camera about half a year the LCD screen suddenly stopped working. (I think it got pressed the wrong way in my coat pocket when i was sitting in a bus) The camera is not useless then, and there is no need to throw it over a bridge. Pictures are much more likely be overexposed then (if taken outside) and you get no immediate feedback then, even feedback as to that a picture was successfully taken and it is very hard to get any pictures out of internal memory then. I took some pictures after the LCD screen (viewfinder) broke and I found it took very good pictures indoors.I bought a Nikon 3200 for about $40 including shipping on Ebay. This is almost the same except that it can take video with sound. If I knew how to do that. Maybe it is automatic.If you get this camera you will be discovering new features for quite some time.
I would give this baby a 5 star rating but for the quality of indoor photos. Otherwise, it is just about right for one's everyday, lay-person needs. Has some very cool features (like the 6 color options, 15 scene modes and assists). size is just right for discrete stow-away in small bags and purses.The blur warning comes on almost all the time when indoors in poor light. even with the flash, photos may turn out grainy.movies are of decent quality - considering it's not a video camera. the menus and features are quite user friendly.have not yet figured out what type/brand of rechargeable batteries to buy - due to grim warnings in manual regarding usage of anything other than nikon's own line. has insatiable apetite for alkaline batteries. the other option - CRV3 batteries  - are quite expensive. manual is not clear on how much (if at all) the battery life would improve over regular alkalines. other than that, the manual is easy to follow and comprehensive. software package is easy to install and effortless to use.(...)
I have only had my Nikon Coolpix for 2 weeks but I have already done so much with it!  This is a great camera if you want to e-mail pictures to family and friends and the prints come out great too!  I am a complete beginer and I was pretty much able to use this camera right out of the box.  You really should purchase rechargable batteries and a memory card in order to maximize the time you can spend taking pictures.  There are features I am sure I haven't used yet but I have been having so much fun just taking candid shots.  My first 35mm camera was a Nikon & after using both cameras I won't ever purchase another brand!
As an occasional and novice photographer, I've held off on getting a digital camera simply because I couldn't justify the cost. When circumstances arose that required me to have a digital camera, I set a low budget and checked the Amazon Marketplace. This camera (Nikon Coolpix 3200) is exactly what I need: low price, easy to use, and basic features. I'll have to look into rechargeable batteries, a memory card, and a camera bag, but the basic camera has been just fine thus far.
I bought this camera over a year ago before they changed the body style, initially I got it for school, etc. since I'm a journalism major and had never owned a &quot;nice&quot; camera. I love my Nikon Coolpix, it's the perfect size, lightweight and small yet you are able to hold it steady to take excellent shots, even in the dark. I recently went to Disneyworld and my little Nikon was around my neck the whole time. It even took good shots of the fireworks displays. I have the Nikon NiMh rechargable batteries( a good investment for $30) and a ScanDisk 128 MB Compact flash memory card, as of right now there are well over 500 pics on my memory card, most on a normal setting. Invest in this cam, it's reasonable priced and has superb quality.
Got one for my sister as a gift a month ago. She has taken maybe over 200 photographs. Very easy to use. Use it on vivid setting, great results. Very easy to download. Even small videos are nice.Compared picture quality results with a 1300 dollar 8 megapixel camera. We did not see any difference on a 8x11 print and a 1600 x 1400 monitor.Human eye can not see beyond 1500 pixels anyways.Nice size to pocket it. It does goes through battery fast, espl. with flash, use NiMH.Note: If you are a serious photographer use SLR, old fashioned chemical film camera, shadows and colors are just to life like. Digital "Sc" has not caught up with it yet.
I needed a digital camera, primarily to capture the construction of our new house.  So I spent a couple of months researching options before choosing the new Nikon Coolpix 3200.  I am very happy with my choice.I have a Nikon N4004S SLR 35-mm camera, which I am very happy with, but I wasn't about to take hundreds of pictures of our house with it and spend the money on prints and converting all the pictures to JPEG images to put on a personal web site.  After reading reviews of various digital cameras online, as well as in Consumer Reports and Smart Homeowner, I decided I wanted a 3 Megapixels camera with 3x optical zoom, a Secure Digital card slot, a nice color LCD monitor, date imprinting, audio memo capability, movie mode, good flash range, USB port downloading, excellent optics and color representation, and decent AA battery life.  The Nikon Coolpix 3200 had everything I was looking for and more.  At first I was leaning toward Panasonic, Canon, and Kodak models, but the Nikon won out because of my past experience with Nikon and it seemed to be superior in the features that were most important to me (plus some reviews of the competing models I was considering scared me a bit).Despite what some reviewers have said about this camera, I think it does very well on battery life.  I am using the Nikon EN-MH-1 NiMH rechargeable batteries (I also have the MH-70 charger) and, so far, I am happy with the battery life.  The pictures are absolutely outstanding - the color representation and optics are first class, and the images look great even blown up to maximum on my 15" LCD computer monitor.  I haven't used all the shooting modes yet (mostly auto mode), but I was pleased to see the improvement in brightness and color of pictures I took during dusk in night mode.  The date imprinting is very handy for taking pictures of the house construction progress and it has been great to be able to take the camera to my Mother-in-law to show her the house pictures on her television using the audio and video cable supplied with the 3200.  The camera is also so compact that it is easy to take pictures with one hand, if necessary, and the zoom is very smooth.  The Nikon View software is a nice bonus.  The only drawbacks I've seen are that the LCD monitor is difficult to see in bright sunlight (not a problem though because I think the view finder is easy to use) and pictures in low light can be dim, grainy, and blurry, especially if you're not in the right mode (dusk or night) and the camera is not stable while taking the picture (a tripod is recommended for night shooting).All in all, a great camera at a very good price!  I recommend it highly.  I also recommend the Panasonic 10 Mb/s 256MB Secure Digital card, which Nikon had tested for this camera.(Note: Since my wife had already registered to post reviews here, I'm writing this under her screen name.)
I purchased this camera through 1969 easy money and paid a fraction for it.  The seller gave me the correct memory card to use and everything is working fine.  I defiinetly will look at this sight again.  I like it because they follow up with you and left a telephone number to call if something was wrong with the product
This is my first digital camera after using an Olympus SLR and Olympus pocket size cameras, and I couldn't be happier with it! The functions were so easy to understand that I only watched the introductory DVD for a few minutes before realizing, "All the functions on this camera are easy to figure out!" I love the small size of this camera; it fits in my purse or pocket.  The close up and movie features are fun and easy to use, and the zoom has the perfect range. I got rechargeable batteries for this camera after reading that the batteries that come with this camera aren't the best... and I've been very pleased with how many pictures I can take between charges, even while using the flash most of the time.The only things I'd suggest improving on this camera: the delay between clicking the button and when the picture is snapped could be shorter, and sometimes there's a humming noise when using the movie functionality.I recommend getting the carrying case to provide some extra protection against the elements -- as well as additional memory card(s). The memory card that comes with the camera is only good for the equivalent of about one roll of film, and the carrying case is strong and attractive.
I'm a point and shoot kind of guy, not a photography geek.  My picture taking is mostly limited to family events and photos of pets. You should take that into consideration when evaluating this review.The Coolpix 3200 I received was in like new condition and functioned flawlessly in my initial 8 hours of testing the unit. The camera came with no USB cable, manual, software or other accessories.  I downloaded a manual for the camera from the Nikon website, but really didn't need much help from the documentation as the camera is very easy to use.I purchased a SanDisk 2 GB SD Flash Memory Card SDSDB-002G-B35 along with the camera with no apparent compatibility issues.  My kubuntu 12.04 Linux box w/internal memory card reader moved the pictures from the SD card to the hard drive and deleted them from the SD card.  I'm confident that the Sandisk SDSDB-002G-A11 2gb card will also work with the 3200 as the card I purchased is the newer version this SD card.  Note: the Coolpix display tells me it has room for 999 pictures.The seller of the camera was SourceMedia (NorAm International Partners, Inc) fulfilled by Amazon.  At this point I would certainly do business with these guys again.  The SD card was purchased from Amazon.I'll be using it a lot over the next month and will let you know if things go south.  But at this point I'm pleased and confident in my purchase.
I got this camera about 2 years ago; at the time it cost $350, which was actually reasonable considering the quality of the device. The screen is clear, the buttons are easy to press, and the camera takes AMAZING PICTURES, especially for only 3.2 MP. At the time, 3.2 MP was considered "good," but now I imagine most people would say that it is a low resolution; most cameras now come with around 6 MP. Well, now that this camera is slightly outdated, the price has dropped tremendously, and it is  a great buy. Trust me, no one really needs 6 megapixels; I've already blown pictures from this camera up to 8x12 and they look gorgeous; no pixelization or anything.This camera is so easy to use. I would definitely recommend it to a beginner, or anyone who is looking for quality at a fair price. It is completely full-featured, including tons of different scene modes, as well as "scene assist" which can make taking portraits and landscape/wraparound photos easy. It comes bundled with several high-quality software packages as well.
I've had my coolpix 3200 for about a week, and am really surprised at how good the pictures are, how easy it is to get the pictures into my PC, and how long the batteries last. I bought Duracell rechargeables with the camera, told my camera that these were the batteries I was using through its menu system, and have been taking pictures for a week on the same batteries. That's more than 80 pictures -- perhaps more -- all on the same 2 batteries, most of them using a flash. My battery charge meter has not even shown up yet.When I first read the manual, I didn't understand the value of all the frame, portrait, and scene assist modes. As I've used the camera, though, I've come to see that they are very important. The frame and portrait assistants actually change the location of the auto-focus. When I am in sports mode, the camera's auto-focus is constantly changing so that the picture will shoot quickly when the shutter release is pressed. Shutter speed and aperature are adjusted depending on which scene I've selected. In other words, using the modes makes for much better pictures. They are more than just marketing pitches.The software that came with the camera is okay, though it is nothing earth shaking. Better tools came with my scanner/copier/printer combo, but if you don't have those tools, what comes with the camera is much better than nothing and will get the job done.I'm very satisfied. The camera is so small that I wear it in a tiny case on my belt all the time.BTW, I was going to buy the 2200 instead, but am glad that I didn't. Once I had the manual (which is the same for both cameras), I saw that there are a number of small features that the 3200 has that are not available to the 2200. For example, the 3200 has sound for movies, the 2200 does not. You can record voice memos and set sounds for camera functions with the 3200. The 3200 can take more continuous pictures at a time (due to the higher resolution and space required). There are more differences, and most of them are small, but by the time you add them all up, it's worth the additional $100, in my oppinion.I was an avid amateur photographer back &quot;in the day&quot;, but grew tired of the hassles of large cameras and film developing. Thanks to this tiny, filmless camera, I'm a photographer again.
What do you use your digital camera for?  I use it for posting pictures to the internet for family to see, emailing pictures, and the occassional printout of a 4x6 for a scrap book page.This camera does all of those things very, very well.2 megapixels is more enough for any purpose you have around the house, such as emailing or posting pictures online, creating and printing 3x5 images, even decent-quality 8x10 prints.But 2-megapixel cameras are often short on quality and features, obviously because camera makers want you to buy a more expensive camera. 3 megapixels seems to be a good industry zone for picture quality vs hardware quality and price quality.And you want to know what megapixel really means? Well, 1600x1200 is 1.92 million pixels, or megapixels. The resolution of most pictures I post on the internet is 640x480, which is 0.3 megapixels, which is well within the reach of cell phone cameras or the $20 pocket/keychain cameras you see in the mall.  But it's quality that you get when you pay more for a camera like this.At 3.2mp capacity, the finest-grain image you can store is theoretically 2038 x 1568. If I vertically stacked my two work monitors (max 1800x1440 each, but I use 1600x1200) and rotated one of these images 90 degrees, then I could view it! Might get neck strain, though.For images at acceptible PRINTING quality you need to have about 300 real pixels for every inch of your print's dimensions.  Multiply the inch dimensions by these DPI figures to get the total resolution (horizontal and vertical, typically thousands in each dimension) you need for a decent image, and multiply these together to get a total number of pixels (megapixels.) So, you be the judge. When the wife needs a picture for her scrapbook that is 3"x5", then all I need if I use the formula above I found is 3x300 x 5x300 or 1.35 megapixels. For a 4"x6" i'd need 2.16 megapixels.  That's all!  This Nikon 3200's 3.2 megapixels is great for these kind of uses and the features is what you end up paying for.Even 8"x10" blowups on nice paper with a good printer look good enough at 3.2 megapixels.My Nikon 3200 fits in my pant pocket with the same footprint as my Nokia and without the battery inside weighs ounces only. It's very compact and light. Even with the battery it feels toyish but solid.  Despite its size it is remarkably easy to hold still and manipulate.  I have fairly large hands.One feature inparticular I wanted was Continious or Burst shooting mode. This is where the camera will take 2-3 pictures every 2-3 seconds while holding down the shutter. A must for sports photography. The real sports sideline photographers have cameras that will take pictures like a minigun. This mode also applies to normal folks like you and me when you're taking any sort of picture where the subject is, well, moving. My Nikon 3200 takes 1.5 pictures every 2 seconds, I think, which is decent.When you read a casual customer review, you'll often here people say that indoor pictures are bad. This is totally bunk. A well-lit room for humans is actually poorly lit for a camera and seriously impairs the autofocus's ability to find the target. That's why there's a flash. After reading a lot of reviews of digital cameras here on Amazon.com, I find that most people who complain about picture quality (which is 99% the user's fault in the first place) either don't know how to use the two-stage button ("have to press really hard and then there's a 1-2 second delay before the picture is taken!") or refuse/fail/don't have the camera set to use a flash inside. My Nikon has a special setting for indoor pictures with flashes, among other 'scene' modes.  The scene modes are awesome, I've taken very fast sports-like photography and then with the turn of a button taken 4-second exposures of a fireworks show minutes later.As for the durability of this camera, it is a bit toyish, but it seems solid enough.  The lens retracts fully into the camera body so no potential catastrophic angles there.  I have a 256mb SD card that came in a bundle with the camera that is totally overkill.  I bought a CR-V3 battery that has lasted me ~200 pictures, most without flash.  But since it was a non-rechargable battery that cost $18, I bought a rechargable AA battery kit.Absolutely zero complaints about this camera so far.  I trust Nikon implicitly too.
Up till now I've been a big fan of Canon digital cameras (esp. the PowerShot S410 and S500), but also have liked Minolta and Pentax offerings.  Last night I went to a wedding and the gentleman sitting next to me had the Nikon Coolpix 3200, and I was astonished to discover how excellent its battery life was.  The gentleman took over 300 shots, all with flash on and all with LCD on as viewfinder, and he also played back the pictures to lots of guests, and at the end, when we were among the last to leave, the batteries in the camera were still going strong!  I was totally impressed.  I had my Minolta Dimage F300 (5MP camera) with me and the batteries ran out after about 80 shots -- and my NiMH was rated higher than his (2100mAh vs. his 1950, I believe).  I walked away totally sold on the Nikon.OK, I exaggerated.  If the image quality weren't good, perpetual battery life wouldn't have meant much.  But judging from zoomed-in playback on the Nikon's LCD, as well as his comments, the image quality seemed excellent.  Compared to my Minolta Dimage F300, the 3200's images were generally sharper, while the color temperature was not as pleasing as my Minolta's, but still excellent.  He took a wide range of shots, from outdoors to indoors to close-ups to wide-angle... and most came out quite satisfying from a technical point of view.  All were well-exposed, sharp, and evenly lit in cases where flash was used.In addition, I noticed that when I borrowed his 3200 to shoot a few pictures after my Minolta's batteries died, the recycle time on the 3200 was quite fast, unlike my Minolta, which could take 6 or 7 seconds before I could shoot the next shot.  The 3200 was ready in under a second.  The only problem I experienced was there seemed to be a shutter delay with the 3200: after I pressed the shutter, it waited a second or slightly longer before taking the picture.  You may want to keep this in mind when shopping for this camear.  The delay didn't affect the pictures, but did feel weird since my Minolta has virtually no shutter delay.The camera seemed well built.  But it was the battery life that was truly impressive -- and the fact it delivered such good battery performance on 2 AA NiMH batteries!
This is a very nice camera for beginners & for new experts. I took this camera for a recent trip to France and I found the following good and a few bad things.The good things are, it is very compact and easy to carry around, it has a lot of features for an advanced user, uses AA batteries, pictures are of excellent quality and resolution, produces amazing 4x6 prints.Bad things are, it uses a lot of AA batteries (every ~40 shots), no automatic image playback after every shot, with the flash on it takes almost 5 -8 secs for the flash to recharge to take the next picture and at this time you cannot operate the camera in any way (eg., to review picture or change setting etc.,)But the disadvantages are too small comapred to the value of the camera. I give it 5 stars and it is excellent purchase for any body who opts to buy this camera.
excellent camera, value for moneyunfortunately, the camera is not available as new anywhere anymore
The camera has great features, like video and copying---features you don't find in a digital SLR. The camera uses AA batteries which is a plus if you travel abroad as they are readily available anywhere in the world. Two American-made AA batteries last about 60 photos with the back LCD panel turned off. Most non-name-brand batteries made in third-world countries don't work at all as digital camera is a high-drain device. The images are very sharp (sharpness is pretty close to my Nikon D70 set to Sharp).The only problem I've found is the green lawn tends to look yellowish while the same scene taken by my Nikon D70 renders exactly the green color.
My son purchased this camera to replace his film camera which is only 6 months old and now sits in a cupboard and is never used.The camera is very stylish and will fit in the pocket quite easily so there is never an excuse not to have your camera with you.After being used to an SLR (which I was until I purchased the Fuji S5000 last year), the camera initially feels like a toy, but don't be fooled this is a very powerful piece of equipment and you soon get used to its compact size.Nikon has always been there or thereabouts as the top make by people in the know and this little baby carries on their traditions of quality lenses and useful functions (not gimmicks).The image quality of 3.2 megapixels is more than adequate and the 3X optical zoom Nikkor lens is a delight. Nikon have now gone down the road of including 14.5 megabytes of internal memory which is a very good idea. There are enough pre-set modes to satisfy most situations you will encounter.The only gripe I have is that Nikon always used to include batteries and sometimes a charger with their Coolpix range and for some reason they have stopped this.The camera comes with a software disk and and an easy to follow manual.If you are trying to decide out of all the cameras available which one is for you, you won't go wrong with this one.
I must preface my review by saying that I am a point and shoot camera user and that this is my first digital camera.  thus I'm not an expert when it comes to either photography or digital cameras.  Plus,  I got the camera as a gift, so I didn't do any comparisson shopping.With that being said, I like my camera and think that it does a good job.  It is very easy to use.  It has a host of features to enable you to shoot in different scene settings and situations.  Not sure that I'll ever use them, but they're there.I've had it for a little over three months and the only drawbacks that I've observed are 1) it seems to take a while between shots, like 3 maybe 4 seconds and 2) when I turn the flash off my pictures tend to come out a bit blurry.  it says in the manual (and on the camera's screen) that one should use a tripod in this mode.  I don't know maybe I'm doin somethin wrong or just haven't fully read the manual, this could certainly be something that I'm doing wrong and not a fault of the camera.Overall I think that this is a great camera for the point and shoot type like myself.  its nice and small, so carryin it along when you travel or when you're out and about is really no problem.
I don't think Nikon is making this camera any more, but for the two years I've had it, it's served me well.  I've dropped it multiple times (once so hard that the batteries and card popped out), and I've taken pictures in the rain/snow several times.  There is dust/condensation in the manual viewfinder because I have neglected to protect it from sudden changes in temperature.  A few times, it has turned on while in my pocket.  Despite all my inadvertant abuse, it continues to take fairly good pictures (considering that it's a 3MP point-and-shoot).  The 2048x1536 resolution makes for nice smaller photos, and if you use the macro setting, you can even have some control over the depth of field (although the setting is rather fussy).I never got the software that came with it to work, so I just plug in the Nikon and use iPhoto.As an amateur photographer, I find this camera fairly limiting, but for straightforward documentation (of, say, family or friend-style events), it does what it's supposed to do.
If I only knew that using a digital camera and uploading the photos onto the computer was so painless, I would've bought my first digital camera years ago. I'm also very glad that I made the Nikon 3200 my first digital camera because I own a Nikon F50 and thus am familiar with the kinds of symbols and technology Nikon uses in its products. And the Amazon price is simply unbeatable! Thank you, Nikon, and thank you, Amazon!!!
this camera took really nice pictures in good light..and ok pictures in the dark.  Upgraded and decided to go with another brand and have totally regretted that decision.  From now on i will stick to the good that i know and buy Nikon.
I had a 2 megapixel Kodak camera for about 5 years before it got dropped recently and the battery compartment wouldn't hold the batteries in.  So, off I went to research 3 MP cameras.  I didn't want a high megapixel camera because I never get prints larger than 5x7.  I was on the fence with this and the Kodak CX7330.  I was always happy with the old Kodak I had, which seems to be the only manufacturer that takes true photo aspect pictures.  All the other cameras take the computer VGA ratio (4:3) instead of the photo sizes (4:6 or 5:7).  What really made me choose the Nikon was that they make great lenses and that's what photos are all about, not megapixels.  Kodak is great, but they are a print company really, plus their camera has that horrible "share" button that I would never use with their dock.  Also, the Nikon had a slightly smaller size, slightly lighter, had a better LCD screen, and the focus-assist lamp.  That's a must-have for low-light situations and you'll be glad you have it when you really need it.  I'm almost never in good lighting situations.So, I got the Nikon and I'm happy I did.  They have a great product and I was immediately WOWed by the screen.  There's no advertised digital zoom (which you shouldn't use anyway), but it's there.  It has easy to use menus, shooting modes, and GREAT software.  It's simple, to the point, but VERY functional.  I had great enhanced pictures in seconds.  Plus, what I really love is the ability to mark photos with a simple "check".  I've been looking for this in other programs and just couldn't find it.  Every few months, my wife and I go through all the pictures we've taken and WRITE DOWN each filename to upload to a photo website.  Other software has similar functions, but you can't view the images full screen.  The thumbnails just don't show enough detail to know if the pic was good or not.  With the Nikon software, you can view fullscreen, mark the shot, then search (via the software) for your marked files and upload them to your favorite photo website.There are lots of other great features like voice-memo and video, but I rarely think I'll use either.  If you're looking for a decent camera, but don't want to spend over $200, get this.  You'll be happy you did!  Sorry Kodak!
I bought this camera on the recommendation of a friend -- truth is, there are sooo many digital cameras out there that I just didn't know where to start.  The images from my friend's camera were remarkably vivid, so I decided to give the Nikon Coolpix 3200 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom a try!  I'm glad that I did!As an amateur photographer and an avid scrapbooker, I was looking for two things--excellent prints and compact size.  I get both with this camera.After opening the box, I was completely ready to take pictures in less than 5 minutes, thanks to the quick reference guide included.  After capturing more than 300 photos, I uploaded them all to my computer and sent them away to Photoworks.com.  My pictures arrived in the mail within a couple of days, and they were outstanding.  Unlike the 2.0 megapixal prints I had seen in the past, these were sharp and clear and matched the images I was seeing on the camera's monitor.  No one would be able to tell that these were taken from a digital camera instead of a film camera.I love the scene settings that are pre-programmed into the camera, especially the panoramic, macro, and dusk/dawn settings. The menu is set up intelligently, which means that I haven't had to refer to my owner's manual once since purchasing it almost 2 months ago.  And though I don't use it often, the movie feature is outstanding.  I can take a five minute movie complete with sound to send to family and friends via e-mail.I highly recommend purchasing additional batteries when you buy this, since the ones that come with it won't last very long, especially if you decide to take a movie or two.  In fact, I've started using rechargable batteries.  You'll also need a media card--I bought a 256MB, though I think that a 128MB would give you about 150 pictures (before having to download them to your computer and clear them off of the card).The only thing that I don't like about this camera is the clicking noises that it makes sometimes when I use some features that affect focusing such as macro.  Aside from that, I highly recommend this compact camera!  I've enjoyed it a great deal and even recently discovered that my pictures are equal to the quality of my friend's 5 megapixal camera, since going about 3.2 megapixals does almost nothing in terms of affecting the image of a 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 print.
What an awsome little camera.  This is my first digital camera and I am very impressed with the features it offers.  I am shocked by all that I got compared with similar priced digital cameras.  It was very easy to use and there was only a slight learning curve coming from a 35MM camera.  This camera takes great pictures in low light, I can use it in the dark and the pictures come out bright as in daylight (using the flash of course).  Just recently had a baby and we use it to take pictures of him daily and discovered this camera is a battery killer.  Even though it's a battery drainer, I couldn't be more pleased with this purchase.By the way - this camera isn't really for large moving objects.  I used this camera for my brothers wedding and almost cried when I saw my pictures.  They were very blurry and when taking pictures on road trips of scenery.All in all this is a great little everyday camera.  I absoutely love the video feature.  I've gotten the cutest clips of our baby when I am taking pictures.You shouldn't be disappointed with this great camera.
I was in search of a camera to replace my HP315 (ok, ok stop laughing at me now!) that was about 5 years old. I just decided that I need to start taking more pics of my 5 year old before he's off to college or something!I wanted a camera that was 3MP or so. I didn't want or need anything more than that. Higher MPs just eat up your memory and take forever to download pics via email. I read the Consumers guides, testimonials here on Amazon and went out to look for the best price. My sister has the 3100 so I knew a little bit about the camera as well from using hers and loved it.It's a great little camera with about 16MB of internal memory in case you forgot a SD card or run out. SD cards are dropping in price all the time. But it was the FREE SD card that came with this camera at Amazon that sold me.So now I take pics and stick them on the computer in a slide show so my little guy can see himself and his buddies. He was adorable in his Halloween costume!
I was hesitant to buy a digital camera. Most I have used have been very confusing to operate. I choose this one mainly for the price, and the Nikon name. I was expecting to not receive a USB cable as well as have a hard time setting it up and figuring it out.I was very happy to find both not to be true. It did ship with a USB cable. Although it is a non-standard one, it has a smaller connector on the camera interface end. Nonetheless it had one. It also shipped with batteries! So it has everything out of the box to start using it. I am not one to read manuals. So true to nature I just unpacked it, popped the batteries in and hit on. It started up quick, quicker then I expected. It was very easy to setup the time, date and such. In less then 3 minutes I had taken my first pic. The two-stage button while not new to me having used an SLR does take a bit of getting used to with the digital. It seems to lag after the auto focus.The Menu structure is easy to navigate and understand. I had no problem finding my way thru the menus. Nikon provides a quick start guide and helps greatly in making the initial user experience excellent. I have not had much time to take many pictures and cannot comment on the quality greatly. The single pic I did take looks great on my MAC, and the 3.2 MP is more then adequate in my opinion based on this one, quick picture.The camera is light, and small, but not so small I feel it's going to slip out of my hand. It has sturdy controls. I had read other reviews commenting that it feels toy like. This is clearly understandable but not so much it's a turn off. Overall I am very happy with this camera. I have never written a product review, but my happy experience with my low expectation prompted me to submit a review. The camera has earned that.
I believe I know what happened on the other review where they said the batteries ran out fast. The batteries that come with the camera are the cheap ones, they lasted all of 4 hours while I got to know the menu system of my new Nikon. This actually made me quite concerned. However, I'd purchased the Nikon NiMH Rechargeable Batteries for CoolPix 3200 with my camera so I charged those up and loaded them. Then went to FL for a vacation. They lasted 3 days shooting 130+ pics (Normal setting), then 2 days taking pics driving home, then a few more days once home. I about fell over. Seems like standard AA's in the top 2 brands of batteries last about as long as well. I don't fully know however since these things (the Nikon NiMH Rechargeable) take forever to run out of juice, and once drained only take 2 to 3 hours to recharge and are ready to go for another 5+ days of shooting, for me anyway. As for the camera the micro pics are just unreal. Everyone I show these incredibly close up images to has the same look, the open mouth dumbfounded look.  Normal images took a while to get right in various situations since you really need to choose the correct mode for the pic your taking.  This camera is not for long range shots, obviously. If you wanted that you'd be looking at something with a larger lens.  All around excellent camera !The negatives I have are; On really small image subjects, such as something 1/2 an inch or less, the focal plane isn't very deep, so the front of the object may be blurry and the back is clear.  Also on small objects like this the camera wants to focus on the background and has trouble seeing the subject of your picture at times (15% of the time).  And usually its only on the super small objects that have similar color to the background (4 - 6 millimeters). However, when you get the 3200 to focus on these things the results are extraordinary.  Many people are probably mocking me for having such small subjects and passing this off as irrelevant, however, try it. Take a 3200 and take a pic of a fly, or a flower that is 5 millimeters across. When you look at your image and see every hair on the fly, and pollen grains on the flower, and hairs on the stems, you'll be totally blown away.  This camera is extraordinary, I'm thrilled I bought it.Side notes:I put a Panasonic 128 MB Secure Digital Memory Card in my 3200. For the Normal size pics, I can take 156 of them.The camera comes with DVD that walks you through everything for setup.The video you can shoot with the 3200 looks like the mildly jumpy 8mm old movies, but it's in color and I think it's fantastic, I mean, a movie with something that fits in the palm of your hand ?!?!?  It's a blast !When they say the screen is hard to see in direct sun they're right, then if you have polarized sunglasses as I do... yer really in trouble :)The &quot;weird background noise&quot; in the movies is the Auto Focus clicking as it maintains the focus on the subject. I agree they need to fix this.Great all around camera.
The camera takes very good pictures, and it uses AA rechargeable batteries.  I've used the camera for many years, it has been very reliable.  Get it for a good price!
Nikon has always had a reputation for superior photo products, but I never bought one because there was always a near-as-good Pentax or Canon. This time, they've hit a home-run. The Coolpix 3200 is as good or better, according to industry reviews, as other manufacturers' and the price, for a change, is right. Not only that, but once you load the software, you can set the camera up to automatically load the pictures. The camera comes with several editing software programs as well, and they work nicely. You don't have to go out and buy Photoshop.Remember, this is a point-and-shoot. It is not meant for people that have to have all kinds of control over how the picture comes out. If you are a pro, stick to SLRs, either digital (which cost in general, more than $1000) or film, which are still far more than this camera.A strong suggestion: Buy an RCR-V3 rechargeable battery. These are Lithium-ion rechargeables. You can get a Delkin one for under $30 including battery and charger. It will take many more picture than the NiMH.
I was verbs tepid not realizing this was used.  It not only had someone else's photos on it, but it was so old I could not download the software or find a memory stick. My son never used it, it was garbage. Also, because I ordered it early for the holidays, when he opened it and we discovered the issues, it was too late to return it. Total bust.
Aside from the poor picture quality that you get when taking indoor pictures (or anywhere with little light exposure), this camera is GREAT! It took beautiful, and lively pictures outdoors, but I was extremely disappointed with the picture quality when pictures were being taken indoors or where there wasn't too much light. I tried all the different modes on the camera while trying to take pictures indoor and where there were limited light exposure, but it made the pictures worse. The night flash on the camera made the pictures really blurry and not very pretty at all.If you plan to take pictures indoor or at night time, this camera probably isn't for you. Otherwise, it's a great camera.
I've had this camera since the fall of 2004 (it's July 2012 now!) and never had any problem with it except for a clicking noise on video playback. That was an easy fix after checking online (put the camera in video mode, hit the menu button, select the S-AF auto focus mode button, select S-AF SINGLE AF and no more clicking! Apparently the clicking noise is the auto focus continually focusing in the other mode.)I used the original batteries until earlier this year, when I bought Rayovac rechargeable platinum. They work great, quick recovery after a flash shot too, and they last a long time on a charge. I'm also still using the original SD card. This camera has been my constant companion and still is going strong. LOVE IT.
I will not reiterate what many have already said. In short, if you are looking for the single best digital camera on the market - for the price you will not be able to find a better one then the Nikon Coolpix 3200. It does everything that anyone could ask that a digital camera at this price point can do. Combine this with the Nikon Net website at [...] and you can shoot, download and post your pictures on your very own website, all for free and all with Nikon. By all means buy this camera and get started taking great pictures as soon as you put the batteries in. It really is that easy.
I got this camera in July 2003 and it took beautiful pictures . The battery door broke at 8 months.  I sent it out for repair to Nikon and they took 2 months to fix it. The fix if not under warranty was approximately $150.It was a great point and shoot camera and I loved it until one day my daughter took a picture in the rain and it's never worked again. I paid about $320 for this camera and I feel ripped off.I won't buy another Nikon because my son had a Nikon 2100 that went bad after 1.5 yrs.  Don't waste your money.
This is a pretty good little camera. It was my first digital camera...a christmas present last year. It has had some good use. It's great for a beginner or something light to take on a trip--I got tired of lugging around my SLR, tripod, bag, lenses, etc. I would actually maybe give this 3 3/4 ;) stars, but that is not an option. There are many times I would take a picture and the screen would blackout for a good couple of seconds before returning to ready mode for another shot, this can be quite annoying, but somewhat expected with a digicam. It is easy to take out of focus shots, so a steady hand is a must. The flash is somewhat limited. The video mode is not very good and the sound quality is horrible, but that's not what I got the thing for, but for what it is, it's doable. If that's what I was looking for though, I would have got myself a video camera. The 256 MB card gives me well over 240 shots...plenty for the moment. It's easy to use and very compact. A good buy for the price!!
Pros1. Ultra-compact size. Believe me SIZE DOES MATTER especially if you like to take it on trips and not feel that you are carrying a burden with you.2. great design.3. intutive menu.4. 15 scenes modes which are more than enough for the amateur casual photographer (families or indiviuals who are not so familiar with the right set of shutter speed and aperature mode setting for a specific snap). For people who are looking for more control (who are really photographers) you should look at digital SLRs. I think by definition ultra compact are for people who just want to point and shoot anything they want without much thinking.The 15 scene modes tell you exactly what settings you need for the specific shot you are taking. It is also very easy to get to them and set. Nothing complex. Intutive !5.good picture quality6.good in low light.Consnothing much. It is the best in its segment of ultra-compacts.For a long time I kept on debating between the coolpix 3200 and its arch rival, the canon A75. I have come to the conclusion that nikon is the best because1. of the smaller size2. the usage of less AA batteries than canon.(canon - 4, nikon -2)Picture quality is equally good. Again people who need manual control can go to the canon a75 but it is very bulky. point and shoot cameras should always be really point and shoot.Go to the following link for the comparison between the canon a75 and nikon coolpix 3200.[...]
I previously owned the Coolpix 2100 and I upgraded to the 3200 because I wanted a little bit higher resolution and movies with sound.For the most part, I'm satisified with the upgrade.  The images are clear and crisp and movie function is ten times better than the 2100.  The 3200 allows for 640 x 480 movies and the duration is only limited by memory capacity.  With a 512MB card you've got about 15 minutes of recording time.  That might sound small, but it's more than enough to capture important moments.Another improvement over previous models was that Nikon moved most of the controls from the top of the camara to the back.  As a semi-pro 35mm user I balked at this at first.  Then the utility of this change became obvious - it's just plain easier to have most of the controls right there alongside the LCD viewer.I used the 2100 for Internet shots for auctions and for emailing photos to others.  You don't need lots of megapixels for such uses - even the 2100 is overkill.  Still, it's great to have a camera that allows you to go beyond that and actually print your work.Oddly enough, I found the 3200 to be actually slower than the 2100 in terms of writing to media!  I have one of the fastest cards available so the memory card shouldn't be an issue.  I wasn't impressed.  I don't recommend this camera for situations where you want to take multiple shots seconds apart.Another drawback on this model is that the microphone picks up autofocus noise in the movie mode.  It's quite loud, actually.  It's possible to turn off the autofocus which creates a more blurry image.  Still, the quality of the movies is already low enough that this effect seems to be small.  (Like most digital photo models, the 3200 will not give you camcorder results.)Overall, the 3200 is a great bargain.  It's just enough for printing small photos and it delivers a lot of great features at an affordable price.  Just like the 2100 and other similar Coolpix models, it's compact and feels comfortable to hold.  (I've found the similarily sized Canon digital cameras to be awkward at best.)  Still, this is a camera for folks on a budget.  I know that when it comes time to upgrade again I'll be looking at models with faster read and write times and more megapixels.
I bought the 3200 new and it was a love hate relationship.It was an early adopter model with many drawbacks.Its dismal batery life was only matched by its lathargic performance.in other words it ate up batterys quick and took pictures S L O W L Y.It is now relegated to service as the kids camera when batterys are plentiful.
I have had this camera for seven months now, and took about 1000 shots traveling for two months.  It is an excellent first digital to learn on - point and shoot while learning bells and whistles.  Incredibly compact and ergonomic too.  Fits like a glove in the hand.  Slides into a tiny Tamrac case that snaps on my belt and I hardly know it's there.  Wear it everywhere (traveling). Unobtrusive for candid shots too.  My pictures are uniformly excellent, better than I've had with film overall.One piece of sage advice I got from a knowledgeable saleslady who uses this camera - use disposable CR-V3 batteries.  About $10 each.  I get 300-400 shots on one and don't have to mess with a recharger.One complaint I have is image noise indoors when I zoom, but I had the same problem with my previous Olympus.  Another complaint is shutter lag.  Forget about taking pictures of people in motion.You can't buy a better digital for less than $200 - or probably $300.  And most of us probably don't need more camera than this.
Didn't want to spend so much but well worth it. Excellent product has chip or whatever is needed to work with Sony camera. Very pleased and glad I finally broke down and bought this.
These batteries with Sony's branding are good but they cost a lot more than generic batteries. It's up to the user to determine if the additional cost is worth it. I have had some swelling of generic batteries in the camera which is not good. So I paid the price.
I was lucky to snatch one of the last ones of these for my Sony T-9! Charges and works perfectly!
Received the item on time and it is a spare for my camera.  It works fine.
They are cheap but not reliable. The one I bought cost 4 dollars but died after a couple of uses. This Sony NPFT1 can last more than an hour for each charge so far.
Although there are (much) cheaper & higher capacity "generic" (non-OEM) batteries claiming to "meet or exceed the original manufacturer specifications" being sold (e.g. ebay), they may not always work. As a case in point, although I've tried several generics, I have not found a one which will work with Sony's new DSC-T9.Sony's "InfoLithium technology" integrate a microchip which they claim: "ensures maximum battery life and maximum power". Unfortunately, Sony also uses this technology to stymie efforts to produce lower cost "generic" batteries by third parties.When cameras (using InfoLithium batteries) power-up they read the status of the battery and display the remaining battery life. If the camera cannot verify the battery condition (or authenticity?), it will display an error message and power down.Although more expensive and lower capacity than generics, this genuine Sony battery is guaranteed to work.
Algo que no te puede faltar , en los momentos mas divertidos con la flia.
Well, there's only a couple of things to say about this battery.-Like others have stated, ALWAYS go with the original or OEM battery, those chinese imitations aren't good, and believe me, by mistake I think I bought one through eBay, and paid the price after a few months, it was dead.-Thankfully, I've owned 2 Sony cams that have used the same type of battery, and its still kicking...without reviewing pictures, it easily gives me 500+ pictures and with reviewing around 400+ pictures...that's why I have 3 of this, so I could take my time and decided which I want to keep or delete.-And try to keep them in there little plastic casing so the contacts get as few dust as possible and try to keep them in a place you wouldn't forget.
It worked as advertised in my old Sony Digital Camera and came with a nice little plastic box.  What more could you ask for?
I purchased this product before taking a trip to Jamaica last summer. Unfortunately, it did not work in my camera. I contacted Amazon for instructions on returning the product, but got no reply.
Easy to find correct battery on Amazon...fair price...had it in no time...now our camera works again...very pleased!
DONT SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY ON THIS BATTERIE. JUST BUY THE DB-FT1, I JUST ORDERED 2 OF THEM AND BY DOING THAT I SAVED A LITTLE OVER $80.00. REMMBER U ARE PAYING FOR THE BRAND NAME SONY AND NOT THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT.!
Bought for a camera at work. It took  several weeks for it to arrive, but was definitely what I wanted.
This battery gets the job done and at a good price if you need to replace a battery for a sony camera.  So far no issues at all.
I own the Sony Cybershot DSC-T1, and this is the battery that it uses. It is a great battery. I go days with out charging my camera. It is amazing. I use a 512mb and 1gb memory card, and i used up both cards in one day, and the battery still was not dead. I was taking the pictures at the full quality as well. I think that says a lot for these little batteries. They are long lasting, small, and with the camera that I own, you dont even have to take it out. Just plug the camera in and your good to go!
So happy with his one, it holds a chad really well. This is or one of my favorite point  and shoot cameras.  I m so glad I found his and can keep my camera going!
Great product, competely satified. Amazon had the best price. I would highly recommend shopping on Amazon to all my friends.
This battery arrived timely, and works like any other original Sony lithium battery.  I have owned this for several years with many recharges and it is finally begnning to shorten in terms of sustaining power.  A good battery and recommended.
Nice!
I have 3 of these batteries for my T9 and they are the best.  With a 2GB memory card...it takes 2 batteries to fill the card (that is 600+ pictures).
This battery is a must for Sony's slim line of cameras. You'll be tempted by cheaper versions of the battery. Keep in mind that all high quality batteries have built in circuit protection, and the cheap ones skimp on this protection (e.g. stories of exploding batteries in consumer goods...). They don't all come from the same factory! Stick with the good stuff. The battery makes a great backup for those long trips away from a re-charger. ~100-120 minutes on my DSC-T1.
I don't know what to say about this product. It's a battery for my Sony camera. The camera is working fine now that I replaced the battery. What else to say? The service was good, as always is the case when you buy from, or through, amazon dot com.
Wonderful replacement battery for camera.  Would order thru Amazon again and again.  Works well with what we needed it for.
This is the next generation of &quot;webcams&quot; - one that can be viewed AND controlled without leaving your computer on all of the time - and it includes an easy set up, audio, and wireless network connectivity.The setup was relatively easy - the only obstacle came in assigning passwords that apparently weren't acceptable to the camera's built in webserver - and the cam does deliver a decent picture and almost decent audio.It's great for setting up with a wireless network to allow for internet, password protected, monitoring and camera control.  The motors are quiet, the features and software customizable, and the camera so far has been reliable.
This camera has to be the best available option for office/home surveillance system on the market.  I have 4 camera's at home and recommended them in the office, and now using 2.  With my networking background, set up was less than 15 minutes.  Loaded with features, this camera hasn't yet failed my needs.  I able to watch the neighboors peak around my place and even look into windows.  I highly recommend this camera.  Price is high but once you get it running the product out weighs the price.
If you've read the other reviews, you know that this camera is "high maintenance" to say the least, but there are a few additional problems I encountered that are not yet documented here.1. This device knocks all other systems off my network. If you place the camera too close to your wireless router, you may find that other devices (laptops, other brand cameras, and many other WiFi products) are constantly having to reconnect to the network. This is because the DCS-5300W is interfering with your router.2. Configuration screens are poorly designed. The camera will send data via e-mail, but won't accept a POP3 username beyond 14 characters. This makes it impossible to use if you have a POP3 account that requires name@domainname.com format accounts. In addition, the motion sensor system and FTP setup are so bad that you'll have no idea if the camera has snapped a picture, or if it's been uploaded.3. The uploaded pictures are unusable. I was hoping that I could set up a web page of "recently snapped pictures" but there's no file naming convention that will allow this on the camera.In short, this wireless camera is really nothing more than a "gee wiz" device that you may not be able to even use with a wireless laptop (since you'll get booted off the network when the camera is powered up) and is desperately in need of a ROM update to address all of these issues.
I have a DCS-6620G and DCS-5300W. They both developed minor problems shortly after the 1 year warranty ran out. The DCS-6620G ethernet port failed and the DCS-5300G pan capability failed. I called DLink tech support and they told me that they will not repair these products or exchange them after the warranty, and that there are no authorized service centers. I escalated through 3 levels of tech support and then to US customer support and was given the same story and no way to get them repaired. The customer service lady stated that this was their policy on all products. They expect you to discard your $800 camera and buy another one. I recommend you don't buy any DLink product costing more that $100 - $200 as they are not very reliable and are disposable once they fail.
After half a day of debugging and well meaning and courteus but poor tech support from D-Link I am returning the product. It has looks and behavior of a young product meant for early adopters. Since I need it for security I cannot be in debugging mode. There are many bugs each one of them jeopardizing the purpose of operating a security camera. Also, in previous reviews there is no mention of the sorry quality of the security application provided with the product. Unstable, clumsy, incomplete, unsupported.If you want to teach yourself the technological pits of wireless video and security go ahead. Otherwise wait, wait, wait.
Now that I have it up and running, I love it.  I have grown to know the D-link tech support crew fairly well over the past week.  Most of them are really good, but if one of them can't figure out your problem, don't send the camera back like they may suggest.  Call back later and try it with someone else.  Overall the camera works exactly as described, but there are a few caveats.1)  If you plan on logging on to the camera from work (i.e. to peek in on your new baby), be aware that the camera requires more than just port 80.  It also requires three other open ports and many corporate networks are locked down tight with regards to open ports.  Grandma and Grandpa will be able to log on just fine from their home computer though.2)  The camera gets fussy when I try to use it in wireless mode and view it with a wireless laptop on the network (the ultimate baby monitor).  It works great in wireless mode when viewed from a wired computer.3)  Only the administrator can control the movement of the camera.  Guest or other camera viewers have to view the current position of the camera.  I think this is a bug and will likely be fixed with firmware.Overall it is a very good product and seems to be of high quality.  The manual isn't too bad considering all of the different network configurations a user may have.  I am happy with my purchase.
The features are great: emailing, pan and tilt, wireless, zooming, etc.However, the image quality is probably one of the poorest image qualities i have ever seen with a camera that cost well over $400.  Luckily, this was bought with company money and not my own.  If i bought it personally, i would be pissed off.
After spending considerable time configuring, updating firmware, and deciphering manuals, I thought I was in the clear.  Although the "wireless option" was, shall we say, "disappointing", the wired configuration was providing a great view of Lake Winnipesaukee from my office window  (for MSIE users, that is; Firefox/Opera browsers are not supported) until 1 year and 2 days from date of purchase.  The camera sensed the warranty expiration and is now completely dead (well, pan and tilt still work, but what's the point?).  D-Link support suggested I buy a new one.  I will.  I found a nifty Panasonic camera that looks very promising.  The 5300W goes in the bin with my previously-failed D-Link Router and D-link switch.
The adapter is small and  easy to pack anywhere. The power plug retracts nicely into the body of the charger so it will not harm or scratch any item that goes in the same bag. Nice alternative to the original bulky charger that came with my Sony DSC-P200 for traveling.
I travel for a living. I am sick to death of all the cords, wires, connectors, adapters, etc. that go with today's assortment of electronic miracles. It is bad enough with the stuff I have to carry, like my computer, my shaver, etc., but for the voluntary fun stuff, like my digital camera, it is intolerable.  Enter the Sony battery charger. No more connectors, etc.  Just drop the battery in it and plug it into the wall. Anywhere! i use it all over North and South America. I just toss it into the suitcase and off I go.  Also, it charges FAST. Wouldn't be without it!  Also, as usual, Amazon delivered a great product with great speed and efficiency.
Easy to take in your purse or bag if you are traveling, I love it!
This is the perfect size charger for home or travel.Just plug it in and 80 minutes later the battery is fully charge!!!
I purchased this item because while travelling the original cord was misplaced and I need to recharge my battery on a regular basisSince then I have found the original cord but I am still glad I purchased this item because it is compact and great for travel rechargingit works greatquick and easy!
I hope SONY will read this and start including this type of charger with their high-end cameras like Canon does!  I was dismayed when I saw the HUGE charger that came with my SLEEK P200 ultracompact camera.  The cord is at least 3 feet long!  And it takes hours to charge.  This charger takes 80 mins.  I only gave it 4 stars because I didn't appreciated having to pay $50 for something that I feel should have been FREE. BUT it's a great charger.  It simply plugs into an outlet and your battery is FULLY CHARGED in only 80 mins.  Best of all, there are no long cords to have to store.  This is so compact that you can carry it with you. Perfect for travel.
I needed a small travel charger to take along and this one is working great!  It was just what I wanted.  I would recommend this product.  It also chargers the battery quickly compared to my other charger.
Why Sony did not cut to the chase and include this with the camera purchase is a mystery.  The charger is smaller and faster than the trailing cords that come with the camera when purchased.  I guess they will now lay around in the closet and be useless.
I bought this for my Sony T700 digital camera.While this product is advertised as a compact AC adapter, it is not that much better than the included one. The included one is flatter, making a bigger "plate", while this one is taller and give it a little bit more squarish shape. I think the overall volume is probably a little bit smaller, but when packing I found stuff that is either shaped like a plate/book/paper or like a stick much easier to pack than a square object.On the other hand, the fast charging functionality definitely work as advertised and it really cuts down the charging time to about half of the original one.Overall, I think this is a decent product. Do consider whether the square shape really helps you pack before purchase.
Took this on my vacation rather than the docking station to keep my batteries charged.  Worked great and didn't take up room.
I use this all the time.  It works very well.  Buy and extra battery pack and you always have enough power.
We bought this as a spare to charge the spare battery for when going on the road.  Works efficiently.  Very pleased with this item.
Compact sized charger with retractable prongs is great for travel.  It has a small green light to indicate charge status.
What can I say... This one disappointed me. I did a lot of research before buying a digital camera and seeing the first 3 reviews I figured it is a good camera.The good things first. The big LCD is really a plus. It is really difficult for me to go back to a camera, which has a smaller LCD (we DO get used to a good thing too quickly). However it lacked clarity especially in the dark (my friend had an older 3mp-cybershot camera from Sony and the quality was incomparable).The size is nice.I expected the batteries to last longer but it was ok. Plus I do have 2 other pairs of rechargeable batteries so it was not a big inconvenience.The picture quality was OK...Neither nor... some pictures were blurry some were very good... red eye reduction didn't really work on all the pictures. Nighttime pictures weren't that great.The video without sound that was a really bad one. I understand that this is not a digital camera but what is the use of a video without sound.The next thing, which convinced me I should return the camera, is the way it looked after a couple of uses. I was really careful with it however after a few days the camera looked as it was used at least for a year. The zoom and the shot button silver paint were wiped and you could see the ugly yellow plastic. I would have expected it after at least a year of extensive use but not after 100 pictures.As a result I just shipped the camera to Amazon.Hopefully they will honor the 30-day return policy.
It's hard to complain for the price, the QV-R51 is very good in most ways but I have some gripes.  Using the internal HTML album generation, the metadata came out all garbled (must be a software bug).  It comes with other bundled software for generating albums offline though, which is adequate (it generates HTML that works with IE Explorer, but not fully with Mozilla).  As far as the other bundled software, the autoloader is ok, but they include a lot of other stuff which is junk, you'll waste an hour looking at it and then throwing it away.  Just pay a few bucks for better software.The focus is pretty unstable in movie mode.. the movie feature is just there as a freebie I suppose, but lack of sound and focus limits their usefulness.  Usually the snapshot auto focus is good, but it is slightly off often enough (even in good light) that you are forced to zoom in on the image in playback mode if you want confidence that you won't be disappointed with some shots when you get home.  It would be nice if it did a zoomed-in review of just the target/focus area for you automatically so you could quickly see if it was good enough without pushing a lot of buttons (manual focus mode does something sort of like this).My main gripe however, it that it suddenly quit working after 22 days of gentle use.  Casio has a one year warranty, but dealing with their customer service is a hassle... it's hard to track down a human Casio rep, and they won't pay for shipping to their service center.
We are very pleased with this little camera.  We got it for a trip to Disney and were concerned about the print quality.  Ultimately, we just wanted great prints.  Well, they exceeded our expectations!  Here's what else we liked:-Great price for 5MP camera.-Easy to use, but with a few extra features (like a histogram and various adjustable settings) for those who want to use them.-2 NIHM AA rechargable batteries (with a charger that is great for travel) that last a long time (a full day at Disney, plus some--about 150 shots)-Small, compact camera size makes it easy to carry around.-21 settings on the camera help you to set the best shot.  (Like a &quot;Fireworks&quot; setting that we used in the evening at Disney; also Scenery, Portrait, Monochrome, Night Scenes and others.)-Zippy start-up time when you turn it on-Can take short, silent movie clipsWhat we don't like:-Red eye on some shots--even with the reduction feature.You'll want to play around at first to learn the best settings, but the great thing is you can always just delete what you don't like.  This was a GREAT replacement for our film camera!  Well worth the price!
I can't say that I am an extremely credible source on the subject, but I know high quality when I see it.  The Casio QV-R51 is by far the best digital camera I have ever encountered, and although it has its faults, it is definitely the best around for the extremely low price range.  Not only is this camera a 5 mpx gem, the photos (if you have any SKILL to those posting reviews below) come back with incredibly high quality and breathtaking detail.  2560x1920 images and a 2 inch LCD, who could go wrong?I have had this camera for three months, and I have used it so much that one would assume that I have had it for over a year.  So far, after thousands of images, I have encountered no major problems that would ever make me even consider sending it back.On the negative side, every camera has its faults, the first being that the zoom isn't as large as I'd like, but it works well, so it's not a major issue.  Second is that the red eye doesn't work in all cases, but it is not a function that I normally use, so I don't have problems with that either.  The majority of the cameras I have encountered have problems with resolving red eye, and I am still convinced that my little sister is cursed with red eyes that simply cannot be avoided. There is also the issue of having video mode with no audio, but seriously, if you really have a need to be taking a 60 second video, it must be something so interesting that audio is not necessary.  This is a digital camera, not a video camera, so don't use the function if you're going to be nitpicky about it!All in all, with the bestshot functions, video functions, manual focus, AA batteries, and every other thing about this camera, faults and all, I still reserve five stars to my newest obsession!  Trust me, it will be more than well worth it for the price.
We have been very happy with this camera.  We bought it a year and a half ago.  Large screen.  Good pictures.  Small size.Buy extra rechargeable batteries, so you always are ready to put in a fresh pair.  The flash will use them up fast.I selected four stars because I would have liked it to be a little quicker to take the picture, and quicker to charge the flash.  You will probably only get those features on a digital SLR at a much higher price, however.
When I bought my Manfrotto tripod a few years ago, I didn't get a bag for it. I was always afraid of it getting knocked around in the trunk of my car. This bag fits perfectly and is well padded.
I decided on the padded Manfrotto MBAG80P tripod bag because I wanted to protect my tripod investment. The bag is light weight with double zippers. One zipper goes the entire length of the bag. The bag is tapered so the tripod and head can be inserted easily without unzipping the whole bag if desired. It can be carried on the back easily and appears to be well constructed. The Manfrotto color logo and name are small and are located in the opposit side of the strap (bottom/top?), middle of the bag. The large end of the bag has one large Manfrotto logo molded into the padding but it's not obvious. All in all, a good bag and I'm pleased. It's not water proof! So, I purchased some water resistance sealant spray and spray it down to retard water entry.
I decided on the padded bag just because it provides more protection -both for the tripod and for my back, and I don't think the additional weight is significant (the MBAG80 has the same padding at the tripod head end anyway).It appears well constructed, most likely isn't waterproof, and the bag with padding is "flexible" -it comes folded up in a box.The bag is tapered so the tripod and head can be inserted easily without unzipping the whole bag, and a 3021/501 combination fits OK, there is some space next to the tripod legs otherwise it's full.The Manfrotto color logo and name are small and although the large end of the bag has one huge Manfrotto logo molded into the padding, it isn't that obvious.The last thing I want is a bag or straps with large white Manfrotto writing on it.I purchased mine at BH for under 50% of the 3021 tripod legs cost, and the shipping cost was very low. My overall opinion on bags and straps is that (like all accessories) they are vastly overpriced, so all one can do is search out the best price incl shipping.
I have a Manfrotto tripod with a Manfrotto pistol-grip ball head on it.  Assembled, it is formidable and has a rather complicated shape, so I was skeptical about finding a carrying case that would fit it.  No worries.  This bag is absolutely letter-perfect for my setup, couldn't fit better!  The zippers are logically placed for easy access, and the carry strap allows the bag to be slung over the shoulder and carried against your back without flapping around or slipping.  A smaller strap on the bottom is a handy way to extract the case from the car, etc.  The entire bag is quality from top to bottom, and is nicely padded to protect my investment.  Definitely worth the extra $$ for the nice fit, form and function.
I like this nice tripod bag!  It holds my 055XPROB tripod and 488RC4 ballhead.Pros:Does the job, i.e. protects the tripod and head while traveling.Nice/professional looking design.Like the bottom handle.Efficient padding and ballistic nylon.Cons:Would appreciate a side handle, an inner pocket and maybe more flexibility (velcros, straps, hook, etc.).Would appreciate that the shoulder strap was padded.A bit heavy.Way too pricy--it doesn't make the pictures, it's just a bag!Bottom line:I recommend it but I hope designers to read this and improve its design!
This is an excellent heavy-duty pro quality tripod bag and I am very pleased with it.  It is of excellent design and construction and easily holds my Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs with attached Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head and RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N).  There is also room left over to include my full-sized Velbon Neopod-7 Carbon Fiber Monopod. I'm very glad that I decided to purchase this tripod bag and I give it my highest recommendation.
After buying a Manfrotto tripod, I needed to keep my investment safe and this is it.. although a little hard picking the right length because everything is in CM, I just measured my tripod and head, and converted it to CM and got as close as I could. The bag is just a little long but no big deal. It's nicely padded, well put together and well worth the money.
The bag is bigger than I expected, it is big for  Bogen - Manfrotto 055MF4 Magnesium / Carbon Fiber 4 Section Tripod Legs with 3130 Micro Fluid Head with Quick Release - Tripod Legs/Head Support: 15.4 lbs/8.9lbs with a Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N) head attached. I still have room for my680 Compact Monopodwith room to spare. The bag is a bit bulky but unless I am hiking I would prefer to carry my tripod and/or monopod in hand it would be too much work to remove and replace a tripod if you are on a "short outing" (needless to say). I haven't taken the bag out often enough to comment on it durability in real world application, but it is constructed very well I have no issues with quality of the bag... Time will tell. I would reccommend this bag without reservations.
I ordered this product to fit theManfrotto 055MF3 3-Section MagFiber Tripod without Headand Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N), and it fits them just right.  I usually keep the tripod and head in the bag to keep them protected, unless I'm attaching them to theKata HB-207 GDC Hiker Backpack.The only cons is the price and that the bag adds some small amount of girth to the tripod, so I wish it was more custom-sized, but it is only lightly padded, so it can be compressed around the tripod if necessary.  Length-wise, the bag is perfect for the 055MF3 tripod and 322RC2 head, so I'm quite happy with my purchase, even though it costs more than a bag really should.&lt;update>  After a year or two with the 80cm padded bag, I like it even more!  My tripod & head stay in the bag unless I'm hiking somewhere, in which case they attach to my Kata or Tamrac bags.  The padded bag keeps my tripod dust- and damage-free until I'm ready to use it.  Is it worth $75-80?  You'll have to decide.  The fact that it fits my tripod & head perfectly makes it worth the money for me, if just barely.  The price should really be closer to $25-40.
I bought this bag to store a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with mounted Bogen 488RC4 ballhead. The combo fits very well in this length of bag. The padded feature gives you that little extra protection. I do wish the carry strap was a little longer and more adjustable, and I really wish Manfrotto would have added some external and/or internal pockets. That is a real oversight for them and that is why they get 4 stars here from me. Overall a very nice bag though.
This is perhaps the coolest and strongest tripod bag. It fits my Neotec tripod perfectly with barely no play at all. A great bag and highly recommended.
This is a superbly crafted bag. I wanted a padded bag for my Gitzo 3531 tripod with a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead. The only ones I could find were too big or too small. I almost bought the Think Tank Big Bazooka- but when I checked it out at Calumet, it was just too big and too bulky (being telescopic, there is no sealing where the two halves meet). I saw this tripod case at Calumet and wasn't sure if my tripod/ head combo would fit in it. But the combo fits perfectly with around an inch of headroom- PERFECT. The bag is constructed incredibly well and is padded all over. The bag is tapered- narrow at the bottom and wide at the top to accommodate the head. The top flap is very sturdy and will ensure great protection for my ballhead. I found the design of the bag great in the sense that it is possible to keep just the top of the bag open (i.e. the flap) and the bag then looks like a quiver which gives easy access to the tripod inside. I have attached four photos of the bag with my tripod/ ballhead combo to give an idea of how this bag looks with the tripod inside.Highly recommended!
As other reviews stated, this is a dense bag, offers good protection and the zippers are strong. You could wrap your tripod on towels and send this thing through airline baggage without too much trouble. The area that fits the head is large, no doubt. At first I used theManfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legswith the 488RC2 head and still had plenty of room to fit my 676B monopod with the 3229 swivel head attached, laying right next to it (I wrapped the monopod head so it wouldn't scratch the tripod). That brings me to the one missing thing with this bag: for this cost, Manfrotto could have certainly sewn in a simple stretch pocket along the inside to keep things like a monopod, manual, whatever else. Oh well.One last note: I eventually sold the 488RC2 head and now have the hugeManfrotto 501HDV Video Headon my 055 tripod, and even with that bigger setup this bag has the room to hold it all which is nice. If you've jumped on the HD DSLR video wagon and now use the 701 or 501 head, this is still your bag!
I don't know if Manfrotto has a direct hand at manufacturing this bag, but the quality is excellent just like their tripod. The nylon material is thick and the stitching is solid. Not a flimsy bag at all.I was skeptical of pulling the trigger because of it's price. After seeing great reviews on it, I purchased one myself which I think is the best way to store my Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod + 322RC2 ball head combination. Both fit inside just fine.The zipper is fluid. The opening is generous so you can pop the tripod in with no struggle at all.The padding is thick. Of course this comes at a price in terms of making it very bulky to handle, but this bag is not for carrying around of course. It's for storing the tripod and bringing it from storage to your vehicle and onto the shoot. It gives me confidence knowing the tripod is heavily protected from dings and scratches when handling it to and from places.After 7 years of owning this bag and tripod, I don't have any issues at all to date. Definitely recommend.
This fits my 055XPROB tripod and 486RC2 ball head perfectly, and the bag is excellent quality.  The shoulder strap is nice (though it could have padding to improve it), the zippers on the bag are sturdy, and the bag is padded well.  5 stars for that.Subtract a star for the cost.  $80+ for a tripod BAG?Maybe I'm new to SLR photography and its sometimes exorbitant costs, but after dropping $250 for a tripod and head, ANOTHER $80 for a quality case seems a bit much. $30-40 I could handle.  Especially considering that my 5 Million Dollar Home camera bag holds my SLR, 3 lenses, and accessories, but only cost about $60...
I have two bogan tripods.  My first one came in an inexpensive case, made of heavy nylon, which has been fine, but this new case is a superior product.  It looks nice with cool graphics and it's padded in the head area to protect the expensive part of the tripod.
I have been using this bag for years. I bought mine at Helix in Chicago. I have always used a tripod bag to keep my tripods fresh looking and to carry that way. I am now using a Gitzo tripod with a Gitzo pan head. I have mixed feelings about the shape of this bag. I have to fold down my pan head just so with the long arm facing downwards to fit into the bag. It is a very tight fit up on the top part of the bag so I have to then figure out how to turn the tripod as it is inserted into the case so that I can close the zipper properly. I would have liked a straight shape instead of all of that but Helix did not have any at the time I needed one. The zipper is strong, nice material but too cumbersome to insert the tripod with pan head. Also, no pockets anywhere on the bag nor in the bag. Pockets are great for small accessories. Ball head users will probably have an easier time loading the tripod into the bag and then hurrying along with the strap over their shoulder.As an update, having read all of the reviews here at this time, I will say that photographers seem to miss the "no pockets". The bag does have quality and quality costs money. The zipper has held up for me. The bag has not torn. Yes, the carry strap, for over the shoulder use, is a bit short. There are alwys pros and cons.
I was very happy with this camcorder....until it died on me after 10 months.  I bought this for the basketball team I coach (to tape games).  It was used a total of 25 times, and then it started getting error codes.  It irrepairable, and I'm stuck buying a new one.  Invest in a slightly more expensive model (by a DIFFERENT company).  It well worth the money.
With the best lighting conditions the video is great any other forget it. The audio? What audio, voices have to be yelling to be picked up and be heard on playback. There is no memory card if you're thinking of taking photos.
highest rating possible, i need this item to review some older mini tapes and it was just perfect, if you have old mini tapes around and you need to transfer them, then this is where you should start...
We bought this as an upgrade to our VHS camcorder we got 6 years ago.  I wanted to be able to edit our videos in the computer.  After my first filming, I quickly learned this camcorder has poor zoom quality (if you zoom in too close it gets fuzzy) and very poor audio as you can hear the motor running on playback.  When I wanted to hook the camcorder up to the computer to try to do some editing, I discovered the cable you need to hook the two together is not included.  This is an extra $30 purchase.  Either put more money into a better quality camcorder or save your money until the better quality lower in price!!
I was looking for an inexpensive digital camcorder (i do own a very good digital camera) and this fit the budget perfectly. Its very easy to use on auto mode (it does have a manual mode for savvy users) and the video quality is great even indoors on dim light situations. The audio quality is good (though the mic is not external) and there is no motor noise that i've seen people complain about in other camcorders.Pros:Great quality, incredible value, easy to use.Cons:Remote control for play back.
With an excellent price of only $250 you can't ask for more in such a great camera.
I spent some time trying to find a Minidv camcorder under $400 that had great low light capabilities. I ended up with JVC's GR-D33, and here's what I found after shooting some test footage and making a DVD:The picture quality of footage shot outside was outstanding and never looked digital. The low light capabilities are in fact impressive. Footage shot in my basement (less light than a "low light situation") was clear and wasn't too pixilated. There is a neat backlight feature that cancels out background light to record detail of the subject in the foreground. The motor noises from the camera and the zoom can be heard on tape only when recording in quiet situations, but this shouldn't be a problem under any normal circumstances. My Windows XP system saw the camera when I Firewire'd it to the computer. I captured footage in the native DV format, edited it, made a DVD to watch on TV, and was extremely impressed by the quality of the picture. This is a fantastic no-frills camera with great low light performance, and is a steal at the price.
This camera is very small, and works great. It is easy to use, and great for travelling. I am not a technical person, but I don't mind using this camcorder.
I got this camcorder and took it back within a day.  My first few videos were okay, but they were just me shooting things around my house.  That night I took it to a party, and the video turned out awful.The problem was the autofocus.  The picture would go in and out of focus even when the camera and the subject were not moving.  Also, any change in lighting made it go out of focus.  At one part, I filmed one of my friends talking on the couch.  We were both sitting down and not moving, but the focus would get blurry periodically, sometimes for 30 seconds or more.  The video was unwatchable; I was embarrassed I had spent so much money on it!Also, the camera does not fair well when your subject is moving, even if in focus.  It looks really choppy, more akin to the video I take with my digital *still* camera than with a real video camera. I have video of people walking in and out of the door and you can harldy see them, it looks horrible.The video is fine when it is in focus and filming inanimate objects, so I gave it two stars, but when out of focus you can hardly tell what you're filming!I used Amazon's service where you pay online and pick it up at Circuit City, and my exchange was very smooth; I got excellent customer service.  I bought the Sony DCR-HC20 instead.  The associate told me the autofocus problem was common in all JVC models.  The Sony was highly recommended by him and my brother (who has taught film classes where all students were required to have a digital camcorder).So far, so good.  I will write a review of the Sony after I've had for a little longer, but the focus is much better than on the JVC.  It has a much nicer feel than the JVC, when I first got it out of the box, the JVC looked very cheep in comparison.  So far, all the video I've taken in low light has exceeded my expectations.I've also heard that Canon is a good brand, although I don't have any personal experience with them.  But I will never buy anything from JVC again.One additional comment:  The JVC uses a regular light attatched to the front instead of an infrared light for low-light filming.  I thought the regular light would be better since the color is truer, but my friends told me it was uncomfortably bright, "brutal" was the exact word.  With the infrared light on my other camera, I can take video in low light without blinding them.  A video camera isn't any good if people don't want to be filmed!----------------------Edit:  I just took my Sony out for the night.  My boyfriend and I watched the video from last night (taken by the JVC) and the video from tonight (taken by the Sony), and the difference in quality is staggering!  We can't beleive the JVC is still on the market.  The JVC looks *almost* as good as the Sony when filming still objects under very bright lighting, but otherwise it is unwatchable compared to the Sony video.Don't get this camera if you have friends or go out at night.  Because of the lag in autofocus and slow frame rate, we described it as video that "looks like it's drunk."  Unless you want the videos from your summer vacation or baby's first steps to look like they've had a few cocktails, don't buy this!
I spent over 20 hours researching my recent camcorder purchase.  The best site was camcorderinfo.com.  In fact, they just posted a thorough review of the GRD72 and also have reviews of one model down (D33) and one model up (D93) from this one.  Also be sure to check out the competing models' reviews (Sony and Canon).What I was looking for in a camcorder, was, surprise surprise (!) good video performance in a range of lighting conditions.  I had read that low-light performance on ALL so-called consumer camcorders was very poor.  The D72 (and D33) have the best low-light performance of ANY camcorder priced $600 or less!  That's saying a ton considering these models sell for almost half of that!  Seriously, check out the Sony HC20, 30, or 40 and the D72 beats them all!  Plus it has decent still image capability, includes LED lights, and has analog-to-digital passthrough.  Can't be beaten!  What a deal!Super easy to use and great video - what more could you want?  Some of the other reviews on amazon for the D72 seem bizarre and based only on the software that comes with the camera.  You likely won't use the software that comes with ANY camcorder you buy.  What do you want out of your camcorder?  Good video performance, versatiliy, and ease of use are the only criteria that matter!  Dig around on the Internet for reviews of other models to convince yourself, but if you take this reviewer's advice alone, you'll save yourself a dozen hours of work!  :-)December update:  Well, I've had this camcorder now for six months and I'm still thrilled with it.  I've shot about 3 hours worth of video in that time and have played around with editing on the computer.  The key seems to be to have a fast enough computer as well as a firewire connection (my first attempt with a USB cable yielded horrible video).  Also, when viewing on TV, again, the video quality depends on the connection you use (try the S-video!) as well as the quality of your display.  None of these problems are limitations of this camcorder, but are realities of digital video.  The video I've shot so far is VERY good (stunning actually) when hooked up properly.  I also have noticed that this camcorder is now $50 less than when I bought it in May - even more of a great deal!  Enjoy!
A bit more info on the program. It does exist. It is free. You send in your camera or, if in a big city, take it in to a repair center for the free replacement. It does not matter if your camera is out of warranty. The replacement program exists in other countries as well (at least the UK and Canada). JVC is standing behind their product and you really have to respect them for that. (This problem of the bad CCD occurs in a dozen or more models manufacturred during 2002 and 2003.)The number to call for more info in the USA is (800) 858-6442.In Canada it's (800) 964-2650.Oh, btw: the camera, aside from breaking, has been excellent. Low light shooting is so important during family events, I can't see why other manufacturers don't follow JVC's lead and improve notoriously bad performance. Image stabilization does work well for landscape sorts of shots, not so well for moving targets like your two year old. Sound could be better, but this is an excellent product at the price point.Good luck,Franz
I wanted a camcorder that has a large zoom and good low light performance, as I shoot wildlife. So far this camcorder seems to "check most of the boxes." I bought it at Costco for $[...]. For the money it's 5 stars, but in the larger schema there are a few improvements I might recommend.Some negatives-->Nylon strap is narrow, contributing to a little instability in handholding; one has to form a "C" to cup the camcorder like a Big Mac to hold it steady (not a big deal).->Manual focus is a bit awkward, I still prefer the ring. Man focus is useful while crouched in the bush and you don't want the auto-focus to zero in on the blade of grass 2 feet in front of you, instead of the elk 30 feet away. Simple solution: Set to manual control, focus on distant object and press manual focus button.->Zoom action lever is small, so one must concentrate to do a smooth zoom. But true of many camcorders.-> I wish the finder tilted up - it only goes straight back.Positives-Software install went off with out issues. I believe some of other folks' issues is due to other issues on their pc's.*->scenalyzer captured all the video perfectly on the timecode breaks.->Video quality is quite good, in fact excellent (YES!!) for such a cheap camcorder. Low light performs far better than expected, My old Sony lost all the chroma at low light levels, while the color on this JVC is not vivid, it is far better than most in low light. ...and that's without their niteshot.Daytime quality is fantastic. I can't believe I am getting this quality for this price, actually.->The gentleman who mentioned the mic picking up noise from the mechanics, I did not hear this. I hope his replacement unit is ok for him.-> Macro (extreme closeup) is very good.-> Has just about all the key features one could want to shoot decent video. Manual exposure controls, Iris lock, White balance (limited, but good enough). Like a good set of golf clubs, the limitation is usually in the operator, not the tool.Some General TIPS:->The CCD image sensors in a digicam and a camcorder are completely different, so don't expect ANY camcorder to shoot stills well. Maybe someday, but there's a long way to go.-> Digital zoom is worthless. Ignore it. Turn it off.->Tape is cheap, always record at fastest speed (SP)->Don't expect to get DV out of USB. USB on most all camcorders is simply to dump out "low-res" still and MPEG files from the camcorder. These are really only good enough for streaming to the web, or e-mailing to those on dial-up. To do it right, you need firewire to get DV ot of the camcorder.Additionally,Tip: Consider [...] for their capture program. It does analog and digital capture very well and is pretty cheap ($[...]). One thing i love is the stop motion video capability it offers.*Don't underestimate how important is is to have the latest drivers (esp. video card drivers) on your pc before doing such an intensive task as video editing. As an experienced network manager, much of the PC problems I see are due to an excessive amount of garbage software and outdated drivers (and BIOS) on the typical PC.For video editing, I have a partition on my PC running Windows 2000 and my video editing (Premiere) and related software ONLY. No games or other crap to gum things up. (That's on a separate install of Windows) You cannot expect to be able to install all that software available out there and still have it work correctly.Your PC MUST deliver about 3.6Meg of data per second to the CPU to have smooth video. 720x480 DV consumes 13.6Gig PER HOUR of your hard disk. Rendering sucks CPU cycles, unless you have a hardware card to offload this process to. You will also need a fair amount of freespace to render and do other tasks. I believe it a disservice for others to state they had issues w/ this software w/o checking to ensure their own house was in order first.Summary: Excellent value for the money. Thanks JVC!!---NEW----------NEW---NEW----------NEW---NEW----------NEW---NEW----------NEWNEW (7/06) I just discovered many camcorders apparently are being recalled - the video goes Kaput - no video in camera mode or streaking. Apparently there was a batch of bad CCD's Sony, JVC and maybe more bought. Sony has a class action against them; JVC is doing a recall. check the relevant site if your camcorder is kaput! It may be on a warranty.
Like some of the other reviewers, I spent alot of time researching before I settled on this model. I based my purchase on what features it offered - I wanted my camcorder to be small, easy to use, digital, have firewire and USB capability, have a memory cart slot, and be able to take stills. The JVC fit the bill. I got a great deal and they even threw in a memory card and a tape.The camera does have some very minor motor noise, but I don't think there is a camera out there that doesn't. Pretty much in every review I have read on various models someone complains about motor noise. The mike is fixed to the camera case and is very sensitive so noise happens.The video quality is very good. I originally thought I would have to a DVD camcorder but this has more lines of resolution. With the light on the video drops in quality but this is explained in the manual and is expected.I wish I could record video directly to the card. It would be nice to throw a 1G card in and be able to transfer it to my computer quickly. I think this was an oversight by JVC. The largest card it will take is 64mb which is plenty for the size of still it is capable of. The camera will accept cards larger than 64mb, but may not display the pictures properly if you want to view them.The still picture quality isn't bad. It's actually pretty good compared to some stills I have seen from camcorders. Just keep the resolution and image size set to their highest settings. Why take pictures at low quality when you can fit hundreds at high quality on your card?The optical zoom may not be as high as others, but it is plenty. I have not used the digital zoom so I cannot comment on it. I have been pleased with the amount of zoom I get without the digital zoom so I haven't needed it.The camera is small, lightwieght and easy to hold. If you do buy one, I would reccomend a good sized case. Extra tapes, cables and adaptors quickly take up more space than the camera.3/11/05 Update: Camera still works as good as new, despite getting drenched at Niagra Falls. Has proven to durable to, and has survived a few drops.It has the ability to convert analog sources to digital which great if you want to use it to convert old VHS tapes to DVD.4/12/06 Update: Camera has developed a glitch. Sometimes it displays a "remove lens cap" even when the lens cap has been removed. So far it has only happened when I try to record on used tapes, not on brand new tapes, but I'm not convinced that has anything to do with it. I did some research and found that JVC is aware of this exact problem, and have offered to fix all JVC camcorders with this problem free of charge until October of 2007. Despite this problem, I still like this camera.6/22/06 - I sent it to JVC and they fixed it free of charge. They also aligned it and cleaned it for free. Turn around time was about a week and a half. Thanks JVC!I have been hooking the camera with a firewire to a Lite-On 5007 DVD recorder with excellent results. This ability to quickly make DVDs from my home movies has to be one of my favorite features of this camera.
To sum it all up, you get what you pay for, really.  I was disapointed at first with the performance of this camera, but when the price comes to play, it is ok.  I wanted a camera to replace our old but very good (although very heavy too) Sony CCD-TRV95 Hi8 camcorder.I have been trying out fluorescent indoor recording head to head with our old sony and, believe it or not, the older camcorder performs better, in color reproduction (much better) and in autofocus (a little better), although the JVC is better in resolution (less grainy).Motor noise is recorded on the tape, you can hear it easily, too bad.  White balance is not good enough, I played with it a lot and still did not get it to perform as good as the old Sony.When you rotate the LCD screen completely (so the person being recorded can see himself) the viewfinder does not turn on (even if you extend it), so you can still see what you are filming, our Sony does that.  The viewfinder does not rotate, but that is really no problem since the LCD does rotate.The supplied battery last a little over half an hour of full LCD recording use.I have not tried taking pictures (that was not what we bought it for, if you want good digital photos get a digital camera, do not waste your money on a camcorder that does both things right, at least not yet).Another thing that I don't like is that some functions are only availiable on the remote, so you cannot access every feature on the camcorder without the remote control.On the other hand, the size and weight of this camera are almost perfect for traveling, and of course the price is unbeatable.  You also get analog to digital pass through, in my case very useful.  Just don't expect too much, when something seems too good to be true, it is.If I find something new worth mentioning (good or bad) I will post it.Update, the LCD screen is dead after only two months, bad, bad.
Forget buying this camcorder at a retail store!!  I originally bought the GDG33 version (the next version below this one) at Walmart.  I returned it because I found this version (GRD72) at [...] for $75 cheaper!!!  The lesson is: Research over the internet to find the product you want, go to the retail stores to get a hands on look, then go back to the internet and search for the cheapest (and still reliable) store to purchase it.  Do your research on the internet store to make sure it is a reputable company.
Really enjoy this little camera. Good size for taking almost anywhere. Only con was the programs for uploading onto the computer or making movies was quickly outdated and had difficulty finding new ones. We just watch the videos by plugging the camcorder into the tv. Was able to record for hours before battery faded. Good picture quality, clear sound, and the light is sufficient for recording in low light settings.
Just purchased it 2 days ago. Shot some stills, took some video of my daughters softball game. Then tried to load the software and drivers. None of them work with USB 1 or 2. Tried installing them on serveral computers, from a Dell Demesion 4100 to a Compaq 2.8 Ghz Pentium 4. Maybe the DV port will work. Pictures look good in the lcd screen.The JVC website has NO SUPPORT for this product, so don't loose your installation disks (especially if they work).I'll be taking it back tomorrow.
It's not a super expensive camcorder so you get what you pay for.  In good light situations, the camcorder is great.  In lower light it does go out of focus.  The still shots are just OK, but I wasn't really expecting to have great quality.  It would be nice if JVC supplied the needed memory card for still pictures.  Overall, I'm satisfied with this product.I purchased Studio One movie making software that works great with this camcorder converting my footage to dvd.  Highly recommend looking into that.
I've only had this camera for a week now, but I'm very pleased with what I got for the price.  I have a degree in cinema & photography, so I like to think I know a few things about cameras.PROSNearly all the controls can be manipulated with one hand, thanks to the scroll wheel.  Pushing it in brings up the menu, and scrolling the wheel allows you to select the menus and features you want to change.  Another push of the wheel selects the menu item you want to change.  This is a great feature that pretty much sold me on the camera, as the Sonys rely on a touch-pad LCD.  The trouble with that is you must have the LCD screen out whenever you want to alter a setting, and therefore you have to take the camera away from your eye and use both hands.  You also use up your battery twice as fast, and you'll eventually wear out the LCD screen and get it dirty.  No thanks, Sony.It also has a built-in LED light for low-light shooting.  This doesn't compare to the infra-red of the Sonys, but then again infra-red gives you a green "night-vision" picture.  If low-light shooting is important to you and you don't mind the greenish video, then go with infra-red.It uses a separate SD memory card for digital stills (card not included).The viewfinder is color, not b&w; like some camcorders.Analog-to-digital pass-through for converting your old analog tapes (VHS, etc.)Remote control included!  Big plus in my book.It has a bigger lens than the Sonys (but still not as big as the Canons).  This should result in better picture quality; however, it does make the camcorder slightly larger and heavier than the Sonys.The optical zoom is 16x, versus 10x on the Sonys.  (Canon even has a camcorder with 22x zoom.)JVC bundles MovieWOW software for editing your videos.  I haven't used it yet, but it's a freebie so it's worth trying out.  You can also download Microsoft's Movie Maker software for free if you don't like MovieWOW.At less than $400 it's the best value out there.  (...) CONSThe viewfinder doesn't tilt up -- strange that JVC wouldn't incorporate this feature, as it would be a big plus.  I'm over 6' tall, so when the camcorder is mounted on a 5' tripod I have to stoop to look through the viewfinder.  (Yes, I can pop out the LCD screen and angle it up to view the picture instead, but this eats up battery power as I said.  I could also get a 6' tripod, I suppose.)There's no hot shoe on top to mount an external microphone or flood light -- another oversight on JVC's part.No included SD memory card for digital stills.  Oddly, you can only select "tape" or "tape & SD" for capturing stills, so either way it's going to record the still to tape.  Why JVC didn't give you the option of writing stills strictly to the SD card is beyond me.  No matter -- the stills any camcorder takes are low-resolution, so if you want good digital stills then buy a digital still camera instead.Image stabilization is disappointing, but that's true with all the camcorders I tried out.  It's somewhat helpful, but it's certainly not going to turn your camcorder into a Steadicam.  Use a tripod when at high zoom levels, or keep the lens as wide as possible when hand-holding to smooth out your tilts and pans.Night vision mode slows down the shutter speed, making your video a bit choppy.OTHER ADVICEGo to a camera or electronics store and try out the different cameras before making a decision.  You might be surprised by the features you hate and the ones you love.  This is what steered me away from the Sonys and to this JVC model.Turn off the digital zoom -- it's worthless (this is true of any camcorder).Make sure you add on a UV filter, if only to protect the lens.  This should be standard issue for all camcorders.Also consider a polarizing filter for sunny outdoors shooting -- makes a big difference.A flourescent filter is a good idea if you will be shooting indoors where flourescent light dominates (office or industrial settings, for instance).If zoom is important to you, consider adding on a 2x or even 3x telephoto multiplier.  This will turn your 16x zoom in a 32x zoom, or 48x zoom, respectively.  But be warned -- at those zoom levels, you'd better have a rock-solid tripod to keep the picture as steady as possible.You need a firewire connection to your computer to get the best transfers.  If you don't have firewire on your commputer, you'll need to buy an add-in card.Enjoy!
I bought this for $250, so called "open box" on ebay. I did alot of research. This camera is for a project for my masters degree in psychology. If this camera were sitting in my class, I would give it a B-. One indepentdant website recommends the grd-33 as "the best under $400". This model which is the top of this line, has a larger CCD or Charge Capture Device than the "33". This is not always better, infact it is less powerfull than other CCD's its size, say from canon, etc, but still better in low light and more value for your $$.CONS:Minor motor noise picked up by microphone, no mic input. This is only noticable in VERY quiet situations, or when the volume is all the way up to a volume you would NOT listen to on your TV. This camera does a slightly beter than average job in that arena.P.S.This format (mini dv) can be picky. It can be more sensative to failure than VHS and so on (which has been perfected for almost 30 years). Buy one brand and line of premium mini dv's,and DO NOT SWITCH BRANDS!! These tapes use lubricants that are often specific to the companies (i.e. sony, panasonic.) Never leave a tape in the machine. Personally, I use Panasonic Master Grade mini DV. This is what the pros use. It is more resiliant, handles less than ideal conditions better (heat and contant usage). Some may call it overkill, but it has a lubrication that is unique. This eqauls less head wear and clogging (why other reviewers are having distortion in picture).P.S.SBuy a Mini Dv HEAD CLEANER (looks like a mini dv), and use itonce every three months. Sony and Canon are probably less overall trouble free camera makers, but remember, baby your camera and it will baby you. Remember, most people are more compelled to write a review if they are angry at a product. I did about 12+ hours of reading to get the best value for my $$.Bottom Line:Good deal for money even as of 6/3/2005. One of the best deals on the market.Best of Luck!11/4/05 Update!!Still works great. Slight battery problem (used aftermarket battery). Camera works fine, and recorded great shots of hurricane Wilma, including footage of a tree that fell on a Lamborghini.
I can't believe some of this problems others have had with this camera.The good:  Value, ease of use, battery life, dv format, good video quality.The bad: Low light video looks grainy.  Still pictures are poor.This is my third JCV.  The first one was a vhs-c model, the second was an early dv model.I have experienced no problems transferring video into my Dell Windows XP PC and have made several DVDs of home movies that look sharp and clear with good color and no camera noise.
My cam was repaired under warranty by JVC and I have had no problems with the cam until this "lens cap" problem. See their web site JVC.com under service and support for customer notifications that they have a warranty repair for certain models affected by bad CCD's. I have found that there are blogs and threads that explain the CCD failures in the JVC cam's and other brands are actually Sony CCD's. There are several digital camera companies and camcorder companies that all purchased these parts for their product manufacturing. Many of these companies are facing these extensive failures and repair issues. Allot of companies customers are angry but don't realize it is a wide spread problem and mostly due to a faulty Sony part. There is word that Sony is taking responsibility and assisting on repair reimbursements to the companies involved. That seems to be the right thing to do under the circumstance but I am not sure what Sony can do to fix the bruised reputations of the companies that are experiencing these failures. Time will tell on that.  See links below:(...)
I just purchased this JVC GRD93 camera elsewhere, and recorded my first short video on a new JVC tape.  While the camera itself didn't seem to make a lot of noice, the camera noice recorded on the tape was very annoying during playback.  JCV customer service was of no help.  I'm sending the camera back.
Apparently this is a problem with many JVC cameras. It claims that you can upload video to your computer. However, there seem to be some issues with Windows not recognizing the camera. I have done numerous reads now on this through the internet (wish I had researched this area before buying the camera) and it is either a problem with the Win XP Service Pack 2, the IEEE1394 firewire (which JVC doesn't give a cable for this if you do decide to buy a firewire that will work with the JVCs) or the capture card, which does not seem to come with the camera, but they admit on a JVC site that it is needed. Why they haven't worked out these problems yet, I don't know. But if you google "computer won't hook up to JVC camcorder", you will find that it is a big issue with many JVC owners. I bought this camera specifically for the computer upload function, and it has failed. Thumbs down.
I bought this camcorder in 12/04 and I had to take it for service 4 times already. The screen was too dark and when I record, it show in slow motion.The worse camcorder I ever bought bought not to mention the service I received. I take it for service, 2 weeks later I pick it up only to find out I still have the same problemDon't waste your money.
The picture quality of this camcorder is good, nice body, The motor noise record in tape, I tried evry things, finally I give up, have to return it. The motor noise made me don't want to watch the play back.
It seems mine was previously returned. All bags are open. Little scratch on the body. The biggest problem is the grinding noice, like a train passing by.JVC is getting really low now.Continue with my review. Since the background noise is really bad, I tried out the external microphone. But the mic socket is defective. Using their micphone extension cable to connect to a computer microphone, there's no sound recorded. Finally I found out the mic plug has to stay half-way into the socket to get sound input. This is really annoying - how can a brand new camcorder have a defective microphone socket.I have never seen a malfunctioning mic socket before!
I bought the camera through Amazon and it was delivered in three days.  I experimented with it for about three weeks before this review.The Goods: It is sleek yet sturdy and has all the functionalities one would expect.  Autofocus function is very good & I am able to shoot close ups in video & stills amazingly well.  The clarity of the picture is very good and I am impressed at how well it has captured the video, when I played back on the TV.  The buttons are well located for easier operation and the whole thing was easy to learn and operate.  The additional light is helpful, to filter any shadows when you are shooting in dim light.  I was bale to use it for highlighting the closeup shots as well.  The optical zoom is plenty and the digital zoom is as good as many cameras out there.  I biught this camera, because of the megapixels that it was offering and I was happy with the clarity.The price through Amazon is the lowest I found anywhere and I feel that this camera is well worth the money I paid(...).The software provided does the job well, however, I would recommend to buy firewire for converting to VCDs.  It took me nearly 2 hours to convert 40 min tape to VCD via USB cable.  The Pixela software is easy to use and I did make a successful VCD.The Bad:  I was bit disaapointed with the night shooting, even with the night alive mode.  The focus was blurry, when I engaged night alive.  If there is low light, the picture although visible, can be very blurry.  I guess all camera's are that way.  In low light situations, the accesory light did not help me much either.(as I have started using this camera from last few weeks, I may have to learn more about shooting at night).I also felt that JVC could have provided the firewire and increased the capacity of the SD card.  I however, did some research & found that most camcorders, do not come with firewire or high capacity sd card.Verdict:  Great camera for the price, with a lot of features.  It is sleek and does not weigh much at all.  I would recommend a purchase, if you shooting outdoors(does really well & sharp) and in areas, where there is decent light.
Although the motor noise is insignificant during recording, whatever little that's produced propagates fairly well to the recording media. In quiet to moderate settings at home, you WILL hear the motor noise grinding in the background. This was a show stopper for me. The JVC technical support staff were not helpful at all. And therefore, this unit is going back.
I've read some reviews stating that this unit looks like a DVD unit.  Maybe these reviewers haven't seen a DVD unit.  DVD units mostly are round on the side where you load the DVD media, not on the side where the LCD screen is.  Anyway, I cannot think that any reasonable person would accuse a user of this unit of trying to be a DVD pretender, and anyone that would think this is a clown.  This is a good looking unit with great spec, especially for the price.
CCD is big and the color is clear -I just bought the JVC GR-230 this month and I am wondering why I did not do it sooner.  This camcorder is 1.33MP and has 10x optical zoom as well as a -inch CCD to bring the action close and record it with decent quality. I shopped around and this it the largest CCD for the price.Does well in low-light even during a lunar eclipse - The camcorder does pretty well in low light. I took some night footage during the lunar eclipse and found that it did the job but it kind of faded the colors as the moon moved into full eclipse.Automatic and manual modes - I really like the fact that I don't have to be a rocket scientist to set the automatic modes. I was able to adjust my shutter speed and the image stabilization to adjust the clarity and depth of my nighttime footage.  I also tested out the sepia and twilight modes to alter the look an feel of some of my daytime shots.Macro Pictures - I was expecting the worst from the still image features. I've never been too impressed with pictures taken with less than a 3 mega-pixel camera.  I was pleasantly surprised that this camcorder actually takes good macro images.  I was able to take some pretty nice macro plant shots and print them out on 4x6 paper. I tried to print them on 8x11 and they did not turn out as well so I am sticking to the 4x6 prints.Form factor - At first glance I thought this was a DVD camcorder. I really like the small compact forms factor. It is lightweight and easy to use and the 2.5 LCD panel does the job.  You can tilt it up to 45 degree angle although I am not sure why you'd want to.
I liked the form factor and power supply that came with this camcorder.  It would be very easy to bring on a trip.  The fatal flaw in my opinion however is the motor noise.  It's extremely loud and the built in microphone picks it all up and records it on tape.  I've owned other mini dv camcorders in the past that did not have this problem.  (Canon Optura Pi, Canon ZR40).
I changed my previous JVC Mini DV, which was 4 years old. Was looking to change it for a Sony mini Dv camcorder, based on reviews and size, however if you compare price vs quality of this JVC mini DV, I think it is the best on the market.Does not have night shot (green images), but even with low light quality is good. Has an integrated light, which none of the other camcorders have. Agree with previous comments. Do not buy an sd card as photos are really bad, I do not know where the 1.3 M pixels are. Quality of filming is good, weight probably 500 gr, and it is small. Screen is excellent, bright and high resolution. Software to capture in the PC not so good, but you can capture anyway with Windows media Player.Have it three months now and still convinced it was a very good purchase.regards
I purchased this camera in mid 2004 for around $450 plus an extended warranty (about $40 extra) What a mistake this purchase was. Problems started within about a month or so, but not to the point where I felt it needed to be returned--yet.I wanted to document our move from Texas to Colorado. Not so much. At first it began chopping the recordings ie, pause or freeze, would skip a few seconds at a time, go blank, pixelate, etc. It only did it occasionally, so, again, I dismissed it. Not good. I should have stopped at the first Circuit City on our way out of town and replaced it.It basically never captured much of what I shot. But, because it only did it intermittently, I thought it was all good. When I went to review the tapes in full, that's when I realized what a piece of junk the thing was. I was so pissed! So much beautiful Colorado scenery and moments never even captured.So I consulted JVC. They told me to use a head cleaner. What a joke. I also had the "auto" zoom problem, but not til later. The ability to record onto the memory card also took a crap. That actually happened early on, like the same week. But since it recorded at such an abysmally low resolution, I couldn't care less.So, the end result is that the camera stopped working altogether and I used the extended warranty. JVC actually honored it and sent me a check for $375. I sent the piece of crap to them in exchange with the thought that I will never buy another JVC camcorder again.Although tape technology for these personal type systems is virtually dead, I still don't think I'd ever reconsider.
I just bought my first Camcorder after doing alot of research of reading reviews and comparing different models. I was on a budget and needed a good starter camcorder after getting tired of looking i found a JVC DX77 model that was in Mint condition, came with original equipment and a 2 year transferable warranty and the price was under $200 - i thought to myself i couldnt beat this price. I have read reviews about a defect in the zoom and when i received mine that was the first thing i checked and relief fell over me when i didnt have that problem with mine. I have taken still photo's with my DX77 and they have turned out very nice - i was impressed. I have yet to get a tape and record but, i have been spending the past few days reading the manual and trying to figure out how it works, which has been fairly easy. Im not sure how other camcorders work but, i have been happy with mine and from the reviews ive read im sure i will be happy with the recording quality just as i am with the stills. After recording i plan on connecting it my computer to burn to DVD so the USB and Firewire are an excellent plus. This is a little camcorder but, i think for 1 lb. it is a little heavy for one hand to handle. I would also like to add that the snapshot button is alittle akward to push, its like you have to hold the camcorder with one hand and then push the button with the other. My conclusion is no camcorder is perfect and for the price i paid and the condition its in i think i got a good deal. I would recommend this little camcorder to anyone who is purchasing their first camcorder, wants decent still quality, or someone on a budget.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UPDATE 4/23/08: My camera started to zoom out recently all by itself.  The zoom control would take over and do whatever it wanted without me touching it!  It would zoom out constantly, rendering the camera useless.I was about to buy a new camera, but figured I would try to fix this one first, since I really wasn't in the mood to drop $300 dollars.Here's what I did, I took out my trusty can of WD40 with straw attached.  I encircled the zoom switch with some kleenex to contain any overspray.  Then I gave the zoom switch, the smallest blast of WD40 I could muster.  I cleaned up the overspray with the kleenex and worked the switch back and forth for a while.  Lo and behold the problem is fixed.One warning, you may ruin the camera, however, if your zoom doesn't work, the camera is not much use other than a miniDVD player for your tv.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm really pleased with this little guy.  It's so tiny and easy to use.  I take it everywhere and get much more video of my kids than I ever did with my old 8mm.When reading camcorder reviews you'll find a lot of hand wringing about quality video in low-light.  You need not worry about that with this camera.  At my son's football practice last night, the sun had set and it was almost dark except for the lights from a far off soccer field.  Yet, the video was very bright if not a little grainy and colorless.  It was easy to capture my son drilling the quarterback, which is the whole purpose anyway.  I also captured the beautiful sky as the sun set over the trees.  The color was as vivid as the naked eye when I played the tape back on my tv.For the most part, if the room is very dark, your video will be very dark.  The camera does a great job of duplicating what the naked eye sees.  I'm very pleased.The only thing is the battery life.  With the lcd open while your filming, your only going to get about 45 minutes of video before the meter drops close to zero.  I'm in the process now of buying some more batteries.I haven't hooked it to my PC yet or tried the still photos so I can't comment on that.  All I can say is that if your looking to film the kids in the pool or at a birthday party, you can't go wrong.  And the small size is going to allow me to videotape events discretely without looking like a goof.Also, don't worry about handling it, once you adjust the strap it works just fine.  The zoom and record buttons are easy to find in the dark.
I'm generally pleased with the GR-DX77, the video quality is good, it is compact, and I like the layout of the controls at the back of the camcorder.  However, there are a couple of things to be aware of when deciding to purchase.First, a little more on what I like about the camera.  Since I'm upgrading from an older JVC model, I like that the menuing system is very similar to my old camcorder.  I don't have to learn a new menu.  I also like the joystick like thumb controller on the back of the camera for manual control.  Once you get used to it, sort of like a game controller, you can quickly set focus, turn off and on the LCD video light, turn on the backlight control, and set the spot metering to one of three areas shown on the viewfinder. My hands are about as wide as the camera and this camcorder fits me quite well.Video color quality seems quite good to me, and low light video quality is much better than my older GR-DV505.  I also haven't noticed any tape motor or zoom noise on recorded video.  The sound quality doesn't seem quite as good as my old camcorder, but is certainly acceptable.  There is an accessory mic port for better quality sound if needed.My computer instantly recognized my camera when plugged in through my firewire port, and had no problem controlling the camera and downloading video with my editing software (Pinnacle Studio 9).  I haven't tried the USB connection, so no comment.Now for the buts. First, there is no neckstrap included with the camera.  If you like carrying a camera around out of its bag and around your neck, you will need to buy an accessory strap. This will have to share a strap bracket with the hand strap, and there isn't much room to attach.  For gals, they can put the camera in their purse, but most guys won't have this option, and the camera is just a little too wide to fit comfortably in your pocket. Kind of defeats the purpose of being compact, when you can't put it around your neck in between shots.Second, if the palm of your hand is wider than the camera, about 4 inches, you might have trouble handling this camera as your pinky finger might have a tendency to slip in front of the lens, and you might struggle with your thumb conveniently finding the controls in back.  For me it is just fine, but I can see where bigger hands could have trouble.While there is an auxiliary mic input jack, there is no headphone jack which is common on other camcorders.  However, if you buy the right adapters (RCA to 3.5 mini) you can plug a headphone into the supplied A/V cable.  The A/V cable is a bit bulky, with several different connections, so this is not as convenient as it could be with a dedicated headphone jack.If you plan on carrying more than one battery around, this camera doesn't come with a separate charger, it is built into the camera.  I find it more convenient to charge off camera than on, so I bought a separate battery charger.All things considered, I am pleased with my decision to buy this camera, it will work just fine for my kind of use, mostly recording memorable personal and family events.  Though seemingly small, I was a bit irked that a neckstrap was not included.  For more a more technical review of this model or any camcorder, you might want to check [...]
These do NOT take pictures well from any sort of distance in any sort of lighting lower than daylight.  I got just a few shots from 20 cameras that I purchased.  It was a waste of money and I also didn't get many pictures (people didn't use digital cameras because I had these.)If you're having an outdoor reception in the middle of the day, you might be okay, but if you're inside or in lower-than-bright sunlight, these likely won't work for you.
They did their job well, used these in my photography class. One of them only took 4 photos before it stopped working, but the others were fine.
This was a smooth transaction with smooth delivery.  The product was as it stated and I had no issues with anything.  If you need disposable cameras, this purchase is recommended.
These cameras worked very well for the young adults at the Vacation Bible School but our Seniors and children could not get them to work properly.  In the future we will order them earlier and do a operation class.AP Bray
These individually wrapped cameras are a great deal for anyone who uses a lot of disposable cameras. I like to give them to my kids, especially when we're traveling (or when they're at camp, etc.) so they can take pictures from their perspectives and of their interests. It's a great way to ensure they get pictures without my worrying about an expensive camera being broken or lost.
11 vehicles 12 cameras in a box. The perfect way to up date and keep our vehicles in compliance with our policy of disposable camera in each glovebox
All of our trucks are required to have these in case of an accident.  I don't know why this is still policy when every phone has a camera on it now.  Regardless, we bought these they don't expire for 2 years.  4 stars for the hassle of having to find a place that still develops disposable cameras.
Perfect to put on tables at a party to get candid photos!  I used theses at a recent birthday party, folks enjoyed taking their own snaps of each other.
Got it for my friend for her birthday nd she loves them. She is always taking pictures. Delivery was fast and not damage might n up buying more. Jut the ought price.
Got 1 in my car for accidents, 1 in my backpack, and will use these when traveling or those instances where digital just won't cut it.
Bought these cameras to let guests take pictures during my daughter's bat-mitzvah. They work well enough, but good lighting is still critical. Disposable digital cameras are available, but they are insanely expensive. Bringing them to a store for processing is still available at places like Walgreens, although I can't remember the last time I even used a film camera. Using a mail-away service that will also render the pictures in digital format was very convenient. Pictures can be accessed via computer or phone easily.
We did an 90's themed Halloween/Housewarming party last year. We didn't want people using their phones to capture pictures throughout the night because affordable digital cameras didn't even exist back then. We took the time to take pictures &#34;blindly&#34; and hope that when we got the film developed months later that the pictures captured the night.Well, we scattered these around the apartment and everyone loved snapping photos. Too much actually. All ten cameras were completely used up within the first two hours. So we had to start letting people use their camera phones. A few months (well, 7 months) later we finally decided to find a place to develop these. Not an easy feat in itself these days.Costco was able to develop them and &#34;cheaply&#34; too. $50 later we had about 150 good pictures (and about 120 crappy ones because that's just the name of the game when it comes to film cameras) from our crazy party on a digital CD (we had to cheat a little bit since about 50 people wanted copies).It was great to have &#34;real&#34; pictures from our party and since it took us so long to actually get the film developed, it was truly a way to relive the night again. No instant gratification. No &#34;take it again, I look fat&#34;. Just real moments, captured in real time and enjoyed months later.My only regret was only ordering 10 of these. I should have bought at least 50. They were such a huge hit.
I bought this to place on tables at my wedding. After reading reviews on one use cameras I decided to buy these vs. the cameras that look prettier for weddings but are not by a reputable company. Although they are not as nice looking the pictures turned out great.
This is a great value for the price with a Good Product.  I will buy this again! Thank you, genewalsh01@aol.com
photo quily was not very good. we used them at are wedding and the picture didn't turn out.  could of been better
We used these cameras for our church's 50th Anniversary.  We put them on the tables for people to snap quick photos of friends.  Easy to use!
Understanding that there is no such thing as a good disposable camera, these did a fairly good job for an inside, nighttime affair.  It had the regular issues of graininess, pasty skin, and dulled colors.  There is also no flash sensor, normal for most disposables; the flash would be too harsh or too light if the subject was standing too close or too far away.  Some never used the flash at all, rendering the imagines nearly black in this relatively dark setting, since the flash on/off switch is on the front of the camera, facing away from the user who did not know it was there.  Thus, you may have to turn them all by yourself as you pass them out or pray that, even after a reminder, all users will turn them on.Nevertheless, you are likely not going to get a better disposable camera, especially at this price point.  But the point of them is to engage your guests and capture some random, candid moments, right?  Leave the portrait photography suitable for wall hangings to the professional photographer or your cousin who brought their own digital camera.  These are suitable for their less-than-artistic purposes.
I purchased these disposable cameras to be used at a birthday party. I wanted people to use them to take photos so I could get other views of the party. I learned that none of the adults would use them so I quickly showed the grandkids how. They caught on quickly and I got some good pictures. The cameras were fine for such a task.
Arrived as expected. Everything was individually packaged. We used this for our wedding so that people at the other tables could take photos. It was a fun thing to have for everyone.
Bought these in bulk for our wedding to have for the guests around each table to play with.  Cameras take very acceptable pictures during the day, but once the sun set, in the normally lit ballroom, these cameras produced almost worthless pictures.  Without the flash they are definitely worthless, but please expect exactly what the product description says... flash range is 10-14 feet.  Beyond that, you will see nothing.  So if you want to take nice daytime pictures for cheap, this is a neat camera.  But at night, unless you want to take an overexposed picture of someone 5 feet away, this is not the camera you want to be using- especially when development costs will hurt your wallet again just to find out how disappointing they look.  The product isn't misleading, it does what it says- so set your expectations accordingly.(If you are going to use these at a wedding reception, I hope it is during the day).
I bought these for a special party and everyone pretty much decided they were too much of a hassle.  Besides having to ratchet the film after each picture, you also have to click on the flash button - several times before it comes on.  It took almost a minute in between pictures.  Nothing "quick" about it.  I bought one for each table and for the most part, people took one or two pictures and gave up.
Much better price than Walmart and the cameras worked just fine.  You definitely buy again, but don't have another wedding coming up soon.
Got these for my daughter's wedding.  We put them out on all the tables for the guests to take pictures.  Just about every picture turned out.  My daughter now has quite a few candid shots of guests.
I have used these cameras for years and they do a good job as long as you stay within 10 feet and no closer than 2 or 3 feet. The only advantage over digital is there is no delay when you press the button.
I was looking for Wedding Cameras... and then I found thisperfect product. I loved the price and I decide to do my ownpersonalized paper cover.
These cameras are not always available in stores. The price was a bargain and they worked wonderfully. FUN, fun, fun.
I used this brand of single use camera recently and the pictures came out fairly well. I like the idea of a ten pack for people who love to snap lots of photos on vacations and other social occasions. Oh, sure, the quality of the pictures won't be 100% as good as the pictures you would get from a digital camera or a standard, more expensive 35 mm camera. Actually, the pictures these Fuji cameras take are slightly grainier than the Kodak single use cameras. Sigh.The camera is very lightweight so you can carry several at a time in a bag as you travel. I especially like the built in flash that is easy to use. According to Amazon, the flash range is about 10 feet. I think that's about right.The camera is a single use camera; this means that after you use it you take the entire camera to the place where you can get film developed; they will take care of the rest. No worrying about whether or not you removed the roll of film negatives correctly without exposing them to too much light. The film speed is 400, so keep that in mind when choosing this camera. A faster speed such as 800 may be preferable.Overall, this is a good camera for the many, many people who want to travel light or who are on a budget. It is compact and easy to carry; keep one in the glove compartment of your car just in case there's an accident and you need to take pictures of the scene. The camera is also affordable. I give it four stars instead of five simply because the picture quality just isn't the best.
We needed over 40 disposable cameras for wedding purposes.  I was happy to find these online, so I didn't have to purchase them in bulk at the store.  Arrived in great condition.  Prior to this, I hadn't purchased a disposable camera in a while, so I would say the resulting picture quality was good.  All the flashes worked, I think.
Out of all 10 cameras only 3 pictures came out, we had them inside and out side with all different types of lighting all of the pics were just black or blurry. Def would not buy again
These are great.  I purchased these to hand out to guests at out twin boys first birthday party and thought they were going to be in just the foil wrapping but they're all individually wrapped and ready to hand out.  We just put stickers on them with the family name and put them on the table.  I'll update when we get them developed and let everyone know how they turned out.
Okay, so first off it should be known that disposable cameras and 35mm film are NOT meant to look high quality! People like me use film specifically for the grainy nostalgic look of the flash, grain, and horrible focus on film. It's what makes the moments look sincere, in my opinion. Anyway, I am overall happy with these!
First off I should qualify that I am a professional photographer and have very high standards for photos that I consider "acceptable," but I am also used to looking at hundreds of thousands of images in both digital and printed form. I bought this pack of 10 cameras for a community photo project, sending community health workers back to their communities to capture some of the daily life that they experience. Everyone was tremendously excited about the project...with one problem...the quality of the resulting photos is absolutely terrible.First off- with the fixed aperture and film speed of these cameras you have to be ready to accept that these cameras are only possible for daylight conditional with a reasonable amount of light (full sun or cloudy days, twilight not acceptable). The flash works to about 6-10 feet away but can't be used indoors with reflective particles in the air such as smoke or rain where you get a lot of light scatter.However, even with photos in optimal full daylight conditions the image quality is terrible. Poor contrast and resolution through the cheap plastic lens, large distortion on the corners of the images and poor representation of skin tones.Basically, if you need some sort of image and a camera you don't mind loosing this can do the job, but be aware that 4x6 images are about the max out of these cameras, and some heavy photoshop may be required for color correction. I've used disposable cameras in the past, and just don't remember them being this bad. Just in case though, I think I'll stay away from this lineup of cameras in the future, and just pass around cheap digital cameras that can be returned.
I bought these for my wedding.A useful tip: ALWAYS have the flash on or pictures will look very, very, very dark.Second. Be ready to spend big bucks on developing all these films. It will be sad if your guests did not use flash, like in my case, and you spend hundreds of dollars for super dark pictures. If used properly, you'll still spend BIG bucks on developing the films.
I ordered a number of these, for guests at our (very small) wedding to snap and leave with us.  Most photos were way too dark to use, but after all, I should have bought more specifically, I guess.
I bought these cameras for my wedding reception and they worked great. I am waiting for the photos to come back.
I was happy to find this item. It is not being sold in my local shops. It performs as expected.
We got these for a wedding to have a camera on each table. They worked out great and a were great value!! Everybody loved taking pictures with them!! :)
We bought these to place on all the tables at our reception. We encouraging our guests to use them & leave them behind for us to develop; interesting intimate shots that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten. Unfortunately for us, all the kids grabbed them, & we paid lots of money to get a lot of bad shots taken by children developed. :o)The cameras did what they were supposed to do, and while we might have gotten a bad camera or two in the bunch, they were well worth the money & effort.
great price. I got 2 cases of these. i'm going to use it for my wedding. hope it works well.
We used these at a party and gave them to everyone to take pictures They all worked perfectly and just need to develop them but everything was seemless and have no complaints!
I bought a bunch of these great little cameras and passed them out to guests at our wedding and the pictures they shot were fantastic.
The reviews for these are for the most part scary, but we wanted them so badly we were willing to take the chance. I have to say we were very pleased with the results on these Fuji's. We hot glued an instructional poem that we found on a wedding site, that was cute and didn't insult the intelligence of our guests. It seems that many followed those instructions - well 3 of the cameras did go home with guests. You can't account for the illiterate among your guests I suppose.Of the 7 cameras that stayed behind: Each camera rendered around 20 - 23 acceptable pictures (per 27) on average. 2 cameras had all 27 exp viewable and only one had just 14. About half of the viewable pics, while viewable, were just too dark to be of real use to us for framing. All of those were all taken at a great distance despite our instructions. A few pics had a dark dot left of center or in the upper right hand corner, almost in the same location on each photo regardless of the camera. That makes us question the developers equipment and not the cameras themselves. All in all we were pleased and the guests had lots of fun with them. Having them developed was tricky. No one does these anymore. We had them developed at sams in one hour for about half of what everyone else charges for sending them out. In short: We have many useable photos from these cameras and the guests had a blast with them! Would do it again. Who knows, maybe the 3 cameras that left with our guests will arrive in the mail someday with pictures of their journey's back home.
This camcorder was purchased to replace my  250.  It is great! It has sony's nightspot system, and is really easy to use, and transfer digital images to my computer.  Love it!
well let me start off by saying i am not a family guy, i bought this camera purely for college, meaning alot of night shots, alot of abuse and other things related to college...of course being in college price was a big deal since i am always broke.i got this camera at a very good price ($275) and so far the camera is proved it's worthyness! i've taken it everywhere outdoors, indoors, sports events, race track use, etc etc.The night shot is very useful and it works very well and the easycam option enables me to do everything with the touch of one ot two buttons.it is not backward compatible true, but i don't have any older tapes from an older camera. This camera is therefore perfect for a first time camcorder user who wants price, functionalty and quality all in one.all in all it is a very good camcorder
This has proven easy to use, and it does a great job of capturing memories, including sound, and even does a good job in low light conditions.I bought an extended battery and recommend doing so with this or any other recorder. However, as others indicated, this unit doesn't seem greedy for power.Recently, I searched the net and found a shareware program, which allowed me to load the tapes straight to my hard drive using the same cable I use for my Cannon Rebel (USB) and other devices. From there, it's just a matter of learning the ropes and editing according to my preferences.I gave this four stars only because there are better cameras out there. However, for the price, this one is hard to beat.
THE CAMERA WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IT TURNED OUT TO BE BETTER THAN I EXPECTED THANK YOU ..
This camcorder is easy to use right out of the box.  It has Sony's famous nightspot system, that allows you to record even with 0 lux, and makes great recordings with really good audio.  This is a great camcorder for anyone.
I have a DCRTRV280 camera that I had some trouble with, so I wanted to replace it with a refurbished model.  The 260 is the immediate predecessor of the 280. The units are very similar in all ways but two.  The 280 has a record and stop button (and you can focus on this screen) on the mini picture screen; for the 260 you must use two other adjustments.  Both cameras (for me) give excellent pictures, even if the lighting is not perfect.  I like being able to rewind a recorded scene and view it immediately.  Also you can hook directly up to a TV and see it (the cords are provided for a direct link to TV).  The 260 is not the easiest to use for recording and focusing, but you learn quickly if you read the manual.  (That's why I only gave it three stars for ease of use.)  Both units are quality Sony, but I like the refurbished for the 90 day warranty.  The battery that comes with the unit will hold up for at least an hour (the amount of time for the tape length).  Buying a better or extra battery is also an option, and the batteries are pretty reasonable if you check around the net.
This camcorder is a great deal for the price.  It has excellent night shot capabilities as well as a built in light that works great outdoors.  It's lightweight and fits nicely in the palm of your hand.  Great buy!
This is a great little camcorder.  It feels sturdy, is lightweight, and I can hold it in one hand securely.  The video is also quite excellent.I was debating whether to buy this or one of the Canon ZRs.  Even though I was not sure if I would be shooting a lot indoors or not, I like knowing that I can, especially with the Sony's infrared light.  The reduced zoom compared to the Canons was a minor issue for me, but I thought that the improved low-light quality of the Sony compensated for it.The touch screen only functionality of this cam took some getting used to, but as this was my first camcorder, I was not used to any other system.  It does not appear that LCD-only buttons is a major drawback, and in fact, I got used to it quite quickly.  Also, I can appreciate that there are fewer buttons on the body itself to add to a cluttered appearance.The built-in lens cover is quite nice as there is no losing it, and also, I think, could be useful for quick manual transitions when shooting.The camera itself is very compact, and slim.  About 2&quot; thick, I can slip this baby into my pocket and go, albiet, large pocket, but it's still amazingly small.The zoom is very rapid, and the rocker allows variable-speed zooms.The photo function is nice to have, but I wish that the 7-second audio with each picture was variable, or could be turned off altogether, but as with all camcorders, the photo function is just a nicety, and serious photos should be taken with a real camera, not a video camcorder.All in all, this is a great miniDV camcorder.  I have no basis for reference as this is my first, but I love it, and have no regrets in spending $460 of my limited college-student budget =) on this.  I recall three years ago my friend and I were making a film for science class with his hi-8 camcorder, especially the pain of having to manually control a VCR to tranfer the film onto a regular VHS tape.  But no more, with miniDV, I can edit and output a film in just a few minutes.  WIth the help of a firewire cord (sold separately), on the first day I was able to import the film onto my computer and make a short film clip using Windows Movie Maker.  It worked beautifully, so I didn't bother installing the software that came with the cam, since I've heard that it is useless.PROS:Lightweight and compactExcellent film qualityInfrared LampBright, functional LCDMINOR CONS:Constrained still-photo functionRelatively short zoom
This is a wonderful camera for amateurs like me -- I won't speak for people who really demand the finest image quality, but the pictures look great to me. It's incredibly small and packed with features for such a low price. I got used to the touch-screen immediately and it's well-designed.I would give it a solid 5 stars if it were not for the bundled Pixela Picture Package software. Any people involved with the existence of this product in any manner should be placed in solitary confinement for life, far away from computers so they can inflict no more damage upon the world. This product can play a videotape (with audio) on a PC, and it can copy the video to a PC (without audio -- it puts music there instead), but it can't copy video and audio to a PC!I was sure that feature must be there somewhere -- isn't that the most obvious reason to connect a camcorder to a PC -- but other postings confirmed that this feature is indeed missing. And another feature I wanted -- burning a VCD -- doesn't seem to work. Online help and web help are useless.Buy the camera, but save yourself the agony: ditch the software.
Just got this at the Sony Outlet at an amazing price (they wanted to get rid of this model)for $280.  The outlet only sells "refurbished" items so I was kinda nervous in purchasing this from them.  I got the $20 3-yr repair plan (do not bother with the replacement plan!  AON Risk is the carrier and they are a hassle) just to cover myself.  There were a few tiny scuff marks on the refurbed HC20 but other than that nothing else.  I tested it extensively and it works like a charm.The picture is ultra crisp in daylight.  At night time well, its not as good.  But I mean its not horrible but its not the greatest (other MiniDV Cams can do better).  The size of this cam is awesome, very lightweight and easy to tote around.  The touch LCD screen may take some getting use to but it works well.  Just don't push on it too hard!Sound wise?  Well there is a slight buzzing sound that can be picked up by the mic.  When you are shooting a quiet scene you'll hear it so...  The Canon ZR-100 is even louder!  I returned that one for various things.  Other than that it picks up sound well.Optical zoom?  Here's the downfall of this cam.  10x is pretty sad but it really all depends on what you are using this cam for.  Me?  I don't need a high optical zoom but today's model come with 20x standard.  Who cares about digital zoom, what a waste!I use the iLink / Firewire to import video to my iMac G5.  Works like a charm.  BUT this model you CAN NOT transfer VHS to MiniDV.  That's a drag.  I have another Sony Digital 8 TRV-520 that can do this - import VHS footage to digital.  That cam has since been used just for that.  Its actually a pretty good cam but the Digital 8 format is slowly being phased out.  Plus its a monster to lug around.Overall i am happy with this.  If you are a gadget freek or someone that films 24-7 do not even look at this model.  This is for people on a budget and just want a point and shoot MiniDV.Actually this model is no longer being sold.  The HC21 took its place and has the 20x optical zoom.  If you are in the market for an affordable MiniDV cam look at the HC21.  OR if you find a refurbished HC20 mine as well get it (Only if its from the Sony Outlet!!!!)
I purchased the HC-40 about 4 months ago. It is a very nice compact camera, great quality pics/videos.  However, I too have battery drain problems.  Camera won't charge batteries, and the ones I charge in the optional charger I bought are dead within a day (when left in the camera and the camera is turned off).  Sony refuses to acknowledge that they are aware of the problem and they say I have to pay $216 for labor since I am past the 3 month labor warranty. Again a nice camera, too bad it is made by a company who won't stand behind their product.  Either buy the extended warranty, or sock away an extra $216 for repair, or just save yourself the headache and BUY ANOTHER CAMERA.UPDATE.  Sony has waived the $216 repair costs.  Still you may wish to consider buying the extended warranty when your buy this camera.
Camera is light weight and has plenty of functions, however, the softward to burn the tape to CDR or edit the tape is terrible. Basically, I can only hook up the camera to the TV to watch the video.
This camcorder is very small, light and cute. I tested it in my apartment in regular light. The picture was a little bit grainy, but not too much. Would llke to read comments of other people that have used this camcorder about low-light performance. The other issue I see is that you can make still pictures on the Mini-DV tape. However, the camera then records a 7-second sound byte, and there's no way to turn off that 7-second delay. That does not make any sense. Also, the balck-and-white viewfinder is not very good. If you want to be really happy, pay $100 extra and buy DCR-HC30. However, in terms of battery life and weight, this one comes out on top and is probably sufficient for most users. I assume that most people want to have more control over still images anyway and would buy a digital camera in order to make good digital photos.Overall, this is a very nice product, as you'd expect from Sony.
I so agree with &quot;brucex&quot;, the person/s who designed this software should really be given life imprisonment...oh my god its just useless.You cant copy raw video to PC but the picture package creates its own Video with its own effects and sounds...What Good is that...I just want my video as it is...For that the online HELP tells me you shud use a Third Party software..ahhhhBut the Camcorder MINUS software is just great....Its very easy to understand and use...The touchscreen feature is fabulous and light/sound clarity is wonderful.This cute camcorder definitely deserves 5 but the BAD software takes point away.I wish Sony could come up with easier and better software for HC-20 and replace our CDs.
After receiving this camcorder, which is fine, I read a lot of reviews about the poor battery camera. I was especially concerned about reviews of the battery lasting only 8 minutes.So, I contacted Sony asking if the issue had been resolved or if there are any proactive steps I could take to stem the issue. I got nothing but the runaround and never a straight answer. I eventually returned the camcorder for another brand.I never had the chance to extensively use the camcorder, but I did tape about 10 minutes and it seemed fine and easy to use.However, I would be leary about a company that will not stand behind a product nor give a consumer a straight answer.Bottom line: fine enough camcorder and terrible customer service. I find it extremely unlikely I will ever purchase another Sony product again.
In May I finally decided to replace my old Panasonic VHS camcorder, dating from the mid 80s. I had looked at the Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. The Sony was the most expensive of the entry level models, but I wound up buying it.The lens, made by Carl Zeiss, is a professional quality lens. The pictures are much sharper and crisper than on the Panasonic or the Canon. I have friends who own both types and I know for a fact that the red is best on Sony's offering and subpar on the others. (This is also true of Sony TVs--when I was shopping for my 24" Sony TV it had better red than any Panasonic, RCA, JVC, Hitachi, or Zenith).Battery life is good off the included 2 hour battery, but if you're serious about taping you should buy a second battery. The camera goes nicely on a tripod and is so small it fits in the pocket of a pair of khaki pants.If you don't mind a black and white viewfinder (which is fine since the LCD screen is in color) buy this one. It uses MiniDV tapes, which are falling in price and offer very high quality output.
I just got this camera, and have not used it for anything big yet.  I will say though, that I love the size, and the little clips that I have taken of my dogs have been wonderful.  They were taken inside my home, and I didn't see anything wrong with the quality.  I had a Sony Handycam 8mm at one time, and I can say that this tops it!.. We purchased this to take with us on a trip to Seattle next month for a family reunion, and the size will make it ideal for traveling.  I will update after I get the chance to play with it some more.  I am satisfied with it already though!
Enjoyed it while it was working.In December 2004, I purchased this Sony DCR-HC20 brand new from Best Buy. Less than average use, only the occasional weekend stuff and twice a year vacation. Always exercised great care in handling and kept it in a protected carrying case when not in use.Within the first year after purchase, the touch-screen and side button controls began to lose function intermittently and a false error message began appearing saying the cover was not open. I sent the unit to the Sony center and was charged $257 for repair of the unit (labor only, parts were included within the 1-year warranty period).Last week, attempted to capture some video to computer, and discovered the DV i.Link feature was no longer functioning. I tried other cables and a different device to no avail.Finally, two days ago the unit's cassette mechanism failed and the unit no longer accepts cassettes. It sends the infamous C:31:40 error message (do a google). I tried resetting it, removing and replacing the battery, different cassettes. No dice. The unit is effectively useless at this point. The DV i.Link function is inoperable, the false error message about the open cover still appears, and the unit no longer accepts cassettes.Bottom Line:Paid $400 to purchase this product brand new plus another $257 for repair less than a year later. Within two years of purchase, the unit is essentially worthless.
I bought this camcorder based on the high rating on this site and Circuitcity ratings and it's on the way back to the store after two days trial.I want a good simple Cam to tape my baby and HC20 got my attention due to price, Sony brand, sony famous lowlight performance, digital transfer and specially small.Pro:- USB, Firewire video/audio transfer to PC- Small, easy to carry around.Con:- Video and video quality.- Low light performance is useless.I taped my baby in the bedroom and living using whatever light available but I don't consider low light especially I expect low lux performing but when I play on the TV, the picture is dark, too much noise and soft. the sound is ok. that is a little disappointed.Then the next day, I try to tape during the day time, around 6pm in Cali. and play back in the tape, quality is just alright, but once the digital zoom kick in, you can't see any more, all blur. If you happen to see a bad VCD thenyou know what I am talking about.Think about it, small CCD will cause quality suffer.I have used the TRV27 in the past so I am going to get the TRV38.Update:I got my TRV38 and I am happy with it however keep in mind I paid $200 extra for this one: and what I get more:- Better in low light, very low noise in a dim room- Super image stablizer: very stable when play back.- Brilliant 3&quot; LED display and Color view finder.- 1MP and 690K affective video resolution, so you can do a little digital zoom w/o suffer video quality.- Quality build.I read a lot of reviews so I chose TRV38 (old model) rather than HC40 or TRV65 as newer.
Have had this camera for 2 months now and it is the best video camera I have owned. Edited the video clips with imovie and  pleased with the results. I would have given it 5 stars but, unlike the instructions state, I cannot upload any VHS tapes or 8MM tapes from the VCR or my old video because Sony does not make a 3 plug AV to 1394 adapter cable. I can download from the camera to the VCR or DVD recorder fine. This is a major disappointment as I have many VHS tapes that need editing.
The biggest reason we purchased this camcorder was for the night-shot.  The resolution with the night shot is a bit grainy (which is expected with infrared) and has a mostly green overtone, but the night-shot plus has a color enhancer that works really well.  Not vivid colors like you would get in the daylight but it's really neat for infrared.  You can take pictures in pitch darkness.  Just remember, with infrared pictures, your eyes will show up as a creepy zombie-like black!I can't say anything about Sony customer service because we haven't had to deal with them in the last year that we've owned this camcorder.  Great product!
I bought mine in late 2005, but didn't use it when I was overseas because the supplied software was TERRIBLE and I never could get it to work.  I ended up using the video capture on my separate Digital camera.  So, a year later, I fired it up this week and spent an entire day trying to play a video I recorded yesterday on my PC... being a digital video novice, here are the caveats you need to know after I spent all day on it, plus read all 43 review before this one:- I like the features of the camera, the zoom and fold out screen, but the pain is usability and working with the videos or pictures once you take them.  If you just want to take taped videos, and watch them on a TV using the provided AV cable, it is ok, but NOT if you want to see or use the video on a PC and edit it.  So read on...- You really need a second battery, which I ordered automatically, which added to the price.  Some of the reviews here say you can use 3rd party batteries, but others say an embedded chip prevents using them. Mine was an expensive Sony battery.- There are no tapes in the box, so you have to buy some.- READ the simple manual first for each task you do... for instance if you try to plug in the USB cable to a pc first it screws up the drivers, and you have to go to troubleshooting sections to manual delete the drivers, then reload.- Sony uses a 4 wire firewire cable called "iWire" (they don't say firewire anywhere).. BUT THEY DON'T PROVIDE THE iWire CABLE. So the user wastes time trying to get provided USB cables to work and after two hours trying to install, reinstall and use the TERRIBLE Sony provided "Picture Package" software, or keep flipping through all the touchscreen menus to turn on "Burn DVD" which uses a CD-R (not DVD) and never find a way to transfer the video to the PC.  I finally got the low budget USB Streaming player to work so I could see my video in a small screen on the PC, but there was no option to capture it to a file (stupid).  Sony also provides an "AV" cable that has three composite rca jacks to plug into your vcr so you could play the video through that method, but I don't have a VCR anymore - I use a Comcast DVR which has the physical jacks, but they are disabled (a whole separate story about Comcast DVRs).- Using firewire - finally, I fired up my previously purchased Pinnacle Studio version nine, which apparently can't recognize the Sony USB connection, as it kept saying it was looking for a connection on ieee 1394 input, which is firewire (Sony refuses to say that common name).  I finally figured out I needed firewire for best transfer to the PC (and so do some of the reviews), and ordered the 4 wire to 6wire Sony iWire cable by part number (read the Accessories catalog) because my PC does have the standard 6 wire Firewire jack on the back.  Just after I ordered it, I found that Belkin had much lower priced cables of the same type on Amazon, or you can order used ones or generic ones.  ALSO, I happen to have a Sony laptop, and it has a Sony design 4-wire firewire jack on it (not the standard 6-wire jack), so I ordered a Belkin 4-wire to 4-wire cable to connect my camcorder to the Sony laptop.- Sony doesn't provide any memory stick card at all so you can't use that storage feature until you buy one.  Other reviews here say 64-128mb are fine for storing the 1mpx pictures it takes.  1-2 reviews say that you can't store movies on the memory stick, but I would confirm that - I haven't tried it.- Conclusion:- Get a second battery- Don't rely on the USB connection for anything except a streaming video to the Sony viewer, but you can't capture it.  Go for firewire, which means you need the cable (see below) and a standard firewire port or Firewire card on your pc.- Get a 128mb memory stick to start (which means you also need a memory stick reader on the PC or laptop). The HandyCam pictures are only 1 megapixel, so I will rarely use it, but the memory stick is how you transfer the pictures to a PC (There might be a way with the USB line, but I don't want to waste anymore time on their software)- Order the 4 wire to 6 wire iWire or Firewire cable for playback and transfer, and if your computer doesn't have firewire, add a card with it.  The Sony part number is VMC-IL4615 - but get the Belkin alternate or another supplier - Sony's price is $39.95 when Belkin's is 1/4 of that. (I ordered it, but haven't gotten it yet).- Expect to not be able to do ANY work on the PC editing your video with the USB cable or Sony's poor software. Instead, try using firewire and the free Microsoft Movie Maker that comes with XP.  OR,  expect to pay $100 or more for Pinnacle Studio, or ULead's Movie product, or Adobe's video maker products.  Pinnacle has special high end audio visual cards with firewire you might look at.  Or just make sure you have a good AV card with firewire and the right hardware specs to use the video editing software (i.e. ATI Radeon, etc.) .  MY HP has the right specs, so I didn't need an additional card.- To process video files on the computer, you might need to add more memory - if the editing is slow, determine if more RAM will help.- The camera doesn't come with a bag, so you will need one.- The battery is charged by plugging the power brick into the camera and charging the battery in the camera.  It is slow, and means you can't use the camera while charging, but I always have two batteries charged, so that is what you have to live with, or buy an external charger.- Misc - I bought an infrared filter and tripod also for the camera.- Cost - So even though you budgeted $400 or so for the camera, the true price with all the above is more like $600-700 to actually be usable.And now, my budding You Tube production might actually happen, once I get those cables...VJ
I've read some poor reviews on what's happened over time with other people's Handycams, but I must say that mine still works after 2 years, a few typhoons and several 'dropping' accidents. I'm just now beginning to find some of the neat features of this camcorder, too!The reason I purchased this camcorder was because of the colored infrared nightshot, which works great! You can take pictures in pitch darkness.  Although I must say recently I've noticed problems with the handycam's playback feature. It keeps switching to Hi8 mode when the video isn't taken with the Hi8 feature (this makes the LCD screen turn blue so you can't see the playback). I'll most likely buy another Sony with the color enhanced nightshot, but I think I'll switch to the DVD or harddrive version.
This camcorder is good.  The camcorder has the very nice ability to record mpegs on to a memory stick.  I get more than 10 minutes of video on a 64MB mem stick.  It takes decent stills, nothing good enough to print.  The video is nice, and affordable.  I thought about going MiniDV, but this works fine for me.  The analog-to-digital pass thorough lets me upload to my computer in mpeg format.  The touch screen is a very nice feature.  There are some decent effects, and the night vision and built on very bright light are great features.
I just unpacked my TRV-460 and charged the FM-30 battery, which comes with the camcorder.  After setting the date and shooting for about 7 minutes, the battery was dead.  When reading the manual, Sony doesn't even recomend the FM-30; but, they ship it anyway.  When I replaced the battery with an off-brand FM-50, sold by a well known retail store, the camcorder powered up and gave a message that it wasn't a Sony battery and then powered down and didn't work.  Appears Sony wants to only sell their batteries.  Someone there must still be remembering Hiroshima or something.  The camera is good.  The accesories are high priced and what is shipped is inadequate to say the least.
I was attracted to this camcorder because of excellent Consumer Reports ratings for the previous year models.  I also liked that this camera has a lot more features than MiniDV models with the same price tag.  I bought this camcorder along with two other MiniDV models, the Panasonic PV-DV53 and JVC GRD30.  This models was far better in picture quality than the other two even though they supposedly have higher resolution.  After doing some research, I found that this camcorder has a bigger lens than the MiniDV models and although it has a 1/6 inch CCD, this is sufficient for the number of pixels it generates.  Ultimately, you get much better low light resolution with this camcorder.  If you don't believe me, do your own comparison.  My only complaint is that the battery life is short with the included battery (about 15 minutes max) so you are almost forced to buy a better battery.
Folks,  This camera is old technology. If you just need the tape feature, Great!. The USB driver is not compatible with Windows Vista or 7 OS.  Sony has no updated dirvers to install to correct this.  You cannot download movies to you PC. The USB Streaming feature does not work with the new OS. You will either have to add a Firewire, which will add to your cost. Or just connect to a DVD recorder to transfer.  Also, the Memory Stick is not made any more and outdated.  If you use the stick adaptor, it works 50% of the time.  Don't go over 1GB. Recording with the Memory Stick only produces a jerky playback.  Not useful for quality recording. Only use for low quality picture taking.  You will not be happy.  Sony Tech Support not much help on the issue.  They couldn't help. Hope this helps.  More feedback on this issue on other websites.  Not a lot of happy customers.
I started using Digital8 Camcorders when they first came out. I had the Sony TRV-820 which had a built in Printer. It was a great camera, albeit bulky. The printer feature got old real quick, though it was cool. Early this year I decided to upgrade to MiniDV until I saw that Sony was releasing this camcorder.In my experience, Sony Digital8's are just as good as MiniDV. While I admit not ever owning a MiniDV camcorder, I am basing my judgement on video footage I have seen. Plus, this Camcorder is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the closest MiniDV Camcorder with similar features. I was leaning towards the Canon MiniDV line of camcorders, but after reading all the negative reviews about quality in low light, I decided to try the Digital8 once again.I have owned a few analog Camcorders before moving to Digital. Before my Sony, I owned 2 different Samsung Camcorders. Both ate tapes like starving kids at a candy factory. When I first got my Sony TRV820 I was SO impressed. In all the years I had owned it, it NEVER ate a tape and NEVER had any problems. That alone makes me want to get the new TRV460. Plus, the video quality was great, even in low light (though, low light is obviously produces much less attractive video than what good light produces).The TRV460 is more compact than the older Digital8's, it has more features (though I'm giving up the 4&quot; screen that was on my 820). Plus, it can play old analog 8MM tapes, like the TRV820, which is an awesome bennifit. While I do plan on moving to MiniDV soon, I don't want to get a low-end MiniDV. I would rather have a high-end Digital8 and save up for a high end MiniDV because I doubt low-end MiniDV's are as good as this camcorder.I will update this review with specifics as soon as I recieve my TRV460. At $399, this camcorder is well worth the price. You get AD/DA converters (convert VHS footage to Digital using a Computer). Plus you get a 20X optical zoom, which is great and means you can be pretty far from the action but still get good footage. Some people prefer to be up close since they can get sound, but honestly, how ofter do you get good sound in any recording? I usually shoot video strictly for the video and then I fill it up with audio tracks and music when editing. It creates a much better visual experience than people walking by the camcorder every few seconds saying &quot;Hi!&quot;
Great Camcorder.  SUPER Easy to use right out of the box.  If you are a novice just click the "Easy" button, which makes it a snap to create high quality home movies automatically.  Great Price too!
I have been wanting to put my old 8mm camcorder tapes on DVD disks as a more permanent archive of family events.  I had lined up a bunch of hi-tech devices, when I found this camcorder and my problems were solved.  It also gives us a new camcorder, since our old Olympus has no more batteries and I can't find any decently priced batteries to make it portable.The Sony does all the things we want and now I have stacks of DVD's with home movies on them. Only thirty more tapes to convert.I had to buy video editing and authoring software, because the Sony software is not useful to do this in a decent way, but the machine is great and gives nice quality output that renders well onto the DVD's.I haven't had the camcorder for very long, but so far it's all I could want, as far as features and conversion capability.  It's just perfect for those of us who need a recorder to digitize our old 8mm family memories and record them onto DVD's. It also gives us a great camcorder for capturing all the things the grand kids are doing, now.Two thumbs up from my wife and I.
I have had at least four Sony DCR-Trv460 Camcorders and have never had one that had a problem. I have read all of the good things others have said about the TRV460 and I agree as I saw all of the good qualities in the TRV460 camcorders I have had.I like the fact that the Sony DCR-TRV460 Camcorder has a memory stick you can use to put video's on a computer or DVD that last over an hour plus the camcorder has a Firewire connection that you can also use to put your video from the camcorder to the Computer or to a DVD Recorder.Possibly the thing I like the best is that I have never took a video Tape from another Camcorder that I wasn't able to play on the TRV460 that uses the same size tape. I have tried this with a lot of other camcorders and I could not do it. For example I tried putting a tape I recorded on A TRV250 and I was unable to play the tape on a TRV350. I took the same tape and put it in a TRV460 and the Tape played fine. So if you have some tapes from a camcorder that no longer works I recommend trying the TRV460 and I am confident it would play the tapes.On camcorders that you cannot get to play tapes that were recorded on another camcorder Instead of getting a picture you get a noise with breaking up picture that is so bad you cannot tell what is supposed to be on the tape, but if you tape over it with the new camcorder the picture that you record with the new camcorder looks fine.I used to use quite a few batteries and spent a lot of time charging Camcorder batteries until I realized I could operate  the camcorder using an AC Power Adapter/Charger such as an Ac Adapter FOR SONY AC-L10A AC-L10C, AC-L10B Digital Camera and Camcorder Charger. When you do use the charger or AC Adapter to operate the camcorder rather than using a battery to operate the Camcorder you need to remember to take the battery out of the camcorder because if you operate the camcorder while charging the battery you will possibly get an error light and damage the camcorder. This can keep you from having to charge a lot of batteries because when I use the camcorder to put video's onto my external  SONY VRC-VC20 Video Recordable DVD Drive or my Sony VRDMC5 DVDirect DVD Recorder I spend quite a lot of time doing this and it saves me a lot of work being able to use the AC Adapter/Charger to power the Camcorder during this time rather than using the Camcorder battery.The DCR-TRV460 is in my opinion a great camcorder that is excellent in all ways and I recommend it highly.
Purchased this camcorder about a week ago. Ease of operation and a great operators manual help sort out technical items. Picture quality utilizing only standard grade 8mm tape is excellent. I can only imagine the more expensive metal particle or metal evaporated tapes may have even higher quality pictures. Have not had time to check out the camera picture quality using the memory stick. I do not expect any disappointments. Sony make a terrific camcorder product. Consumers reports recommends this as one of their &quot;Best Buys&quot; for digital camcorders. Sony & Panasonic both continually excell in the catagory as &quot;Models requiring the least amount of repairs&quot; or &quot;Most trouble-free manufacturers&quot;. The battery that comes with the unit gives approximately 67 minutes of recording time on a normal charge. A full charge will give approximately 74 minutes. Recommend purchasing the FM-50 battery for extended recording/playing time and for nothing else, simply to have a back-up. I own a DVD recorder that allows me to transfer audio & video from my camcorder to DVD's . The camcorder has an A/V output for the consumer interested in transfering their home movies/digital images to DVD's. It also features an S-Video output for capturing even higher quality video.Some of the bad things:- The camcorder does not come with a portable/cordless charger. You have to plug the batteries into the camcorder and plug the adapter/charger into the camcorder to charge. Purchase an additional external charger for simplicity.- The camcorder does not come supplied with a memory stick. Consider purchasing at least 128 M. That way you can get approximately 80 minutes of recording time.- The battery supplied FM-30 (see above) is not adequate.Some of the good things:- Quality product- Image & sound quality excellent- Auto focus & stabilization also excellent- Great zoom featureAll in all, a fantastic product with great performance and features at a very reasonable price. If you want to get into digital video recording for less that $ 500.00, try this one.GAC
I have had this camcorder for at least 3 years. I received it as a gift. I love it. It's easy to use, takes great still photos as well as awesome video. I make many little home movies with this camera along with my computer. It's zooms in and out nicely, had night shot and the battery charges quickly and lasts a long time. I did require a special cable that didn't come with the camera though. But as a long time user of this camera I must say its worth the money. I know it was under $400.00.
This is a great camcorder, at a great price... & IT'S A SONY!  Great nightshot system allows you to record in very low light, and records great!  It is super easy to use, and was able to record right out of the box.
I've owned this vidio camera since July '04.  When camera works it is a fine machine.  BUT, just after warrantee expired tapes would not eject--repair bill $230.  Now in 1/06 playback is horribly distorted--head cleaning tapes do not work so video head needs replacing--repair bill $211.00  I will start searching for a replacement unit (NOT SONY) that is not so prone to breakedown within 18 months of purchase.  If you like paying for a camera over and over again, this is the unit for you--otherwise work hard to find a more dependable brand/model.
I bought this camera in winter of 2004.  It was a good camera for about a year and a half.  This past summer I started getting the same "Video Heads are Dirty" message that everyone is getting.  I've tried cleaning, but am still getting the message.  Now it won't even recognize that there's a video cassette in it.Looks like I need to take it to be serviced, but I fear what the cost will be.
I still choose to shoot Digital8 videos, and Sony has been my preferred manufacturer of these particular camcorders... i am quite satisfied with its performance...
Great images for 14 months.  Then I got a dialog box that said the video heads were dirty and I need to run a cleaning tape - which I bought and ran per instructions.  Didn't clear up.  Went to Sony online help, was told to run it again.  Didn't clear up.  Tried a few more times, didn't clear up.  Told it needs repair - $211.  Guess maybe I should drop it in the water like the last guy whose TRV460 is indestructable.  Sony should be ashamed for not backing these things up longer than a year.
Despite what I have read about this model of camera, I must admit that I am truly satisfied with this product. Then again, I'm not very picky on specifics. My film group uses this camera and we have had top results from it. My only issue is its size. It is a bit big. However, the usb connection is fine. If you do not have a great editing program that imports video files, or purchased roxio media suite and got a corrupted file, you might be a BIT mad. The program my camera came with sucked and only imported through memory card. I had just bought twenty bucks in tapes too. Luckily, I had Windows Movie Maker to bail me out. So guys, do not fret. Every Windows XP computer has this program. IF you have not discovered it, click start, programs, accessories, entertainment, and there ya have it. Click capture from device after connecting, name it, make the audio selection usb microphone (something with usb, not realtek), start the capture, click play on your camera. Anyway, great product. Durable. I recommmend it to no-budget amatuers like myself.[...]
Works well. Has fire wire and is Digital Quality. Would recommend this product.
Here you have some options for the battery monopoly:Power 2000 ACD701 1800mAh $34.99 &#60;=&#62; Sony NP-FM50 $50.58Power 2000 ACD702 3600mAh $59.99 &#60;=&#62; Sony NP-QM71 2760mAh $69.94Power 2000 ACD703 5400mAh $69.99 &#60;=&#62; Sony NP-QM91 4140mAh $107.99Power2000 Batteries have an awful white color but much cheaper.The charger for these batteries is the POWER 2000 QP7400 AC / DC Turbo Charger for SONY Batteries for $29.99 comes with 100v-220V inputs and car adapter. The Sony equivalent is the Sony bctrm Compact Battery Charger for M for $46.95 without the 110v - 220v input and car adapter.I hope this will help to solve the battery problem. This will also work for TRV-328, 260, DVD101, 201 and PC-109, 330 among others.
...THAT WE WANT TO ARCHIVE, VIA A DIGITAL CONVERTER (THIS CAMCORDER), TO DVD.  I HAVE RECENTLY CONVERTED ALL MY OLD ANALOG TAPES, ALL SHOT WITH SONY ANALOG CAMCORDERS ORIGINALLY, AND I THANK SONY FOR HAVING THE INSIGHT TO CREATE THIS FORMAT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.  IF YOU HAVE OLD 8MM OR HI-8MM TAPES SHOT WITH NON-SONY CAMCORDERS YOU ***MAY*** RUN INTO SOME TROUBLE BEING ABLE TO CONVERT THEM OR YOU MAY HAVE NO TROUBLE AT ALL.  THIS CAMCORDER DOES A VERY GOOD JOB AT CONVERTING OLD 8MM TAPES, BUT NOT EVERY 8MM TAPE IS CONVERTABLE (LARGELY DEPENDENT UPON WHAT CAMCORDER YOU ORIGINALLY USED - IF IT WAS ALL SONY LIKE ME YOU WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM).  EASE OF USE IS 5 STARS AND THE CAMERA IS FEATURE RICH (SURPASSING ALL ENTRY LEVEL MINI-DV FORMAT CAMERAS THROUGH 2004.)  2005 MAY BE THE YEAR THIS CEASES TO BE TRUE.  NOW AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE 460 AS A STAND ALONE CAMCORDER I GIVE IT 5 STARS.  FEATURE RICH WITH GREAT QUALITY RECORDINGS.  MY NEXT CAMCORDER A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WILL SURELY BE A MINI-DV.  I HOPE SONY KEEPS MAKING THIS FORMAT FOR MANY MORE YEARS AS IT IS STILL NEEDED!!!  MOST FOLKS DON'T KNOW THIS FORMAT IS A VIABLE OPTION!!!  A FEW TIPS...1) DON'T USE THE INCLUDED SOFTWARE AS IT SUCKS.2) IF YOU DON'T NEED TO CONVERT YOUR OLD ANALOG 8MM TAPES TO A DIGITAL FORMAT FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES - GET A MINI-DV CAMERA.3) IF YOU WANT MINI-DV QUALITY AND YOU NEED 8MM COMPATIBILITY, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER, CAUSE THIS CAMERA IS YOUR ONLY CHOICE LITERALLY - YOU HAVE NO OTHER BUYING OPTION.  ONLY SONY MAKES THE DIGITAL 8 FORMAT - AND ONLY THE 460 CAN CONVERT OLD TAPES THE 260 CANNOT.4) SONY SHOULD BE ROLLING OUT THEIR NEW PRODUCTS THIS MONTH, SO IF YOU CAN WAIT, YOU MAY WANT TO SEE IF A NEW MODEL IS COMING OUT WITH BETTER FEATURES.5) XP HAS BUILT-IN SOFTWARE THAT IS FREE AND WORKS GREAT- USE IT!
i dont know what the heck you all are talking about, i am the camera distructor, i break on avrage two cameras a year, and i have now had this camera for a year and a half, i have Dropped it a million times, IT FELL INTO THE RIVER ONE TIME, i brought it to a mosh pit and fell on it several times, i have dropped it out of a moving Golf Cart, and i go snowboarding with it in my backpack and crash all the time with it in the back, infact i resently broke my digital camera that was in the same case as my Video Camera,, and the digital camera broke, but my sony is still working great, except it is beat up a little, i cracked some of the plastic on it, but it still works great, and not only is it invncible, it has GREAT video, and the touch screen makes things SO MUCH EASIER! and also the S-Video is a really nice feature, it makes getting video onto your computer a Snap!, i love this camera and i have owned lots of cameras before, and i can honestly say, that sony makes THE BEST cameras out there, they got GREAT quility, Built Good, and have alot of features other cameras dont! so the bottom line is, if you are looking for a "Jack Ass" camera, that you just want to do crazy stuff and dont want it to break down,this is the camera, it is easy to use, and it is just awesome!PS: i have owned these brands of video cameras: Samsung, Panisonic, RCA, Cannon, and some others, and sony, is the BEST of the Best!
We haven't used this camcorder yet for taking videos, so that is the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. However, we have used it to transfer videos from old cassette tapes onto DVDs. We had the same type of camcorder previously, but it had stopped working. It was going to be very expensive to pay someone to transfer our old cassette tapes onto DVDs, so purchasing another Handycam Camcorder to do the transfers ouselves was a more economical option. It has worked perfectly for this purpose, so we are very happy that we purchased it.
I bought this camera to convert an old 8mm tape and it worked great. It arrived on time and did exactly what I needed it to do. The night mode was neat although I don't use this camera for recording.
I have had this camcorder since October of '04, and I have only complained about one thing: not being able to hook it up to a computer through USB. Other than that, this is a very cool li'l camera that shoots good quality images.  I shot video at a party for a music video with it once, and am currently using it to make a film I wrote.  This is a very handy camcoreder indded, and I would recommend it to just anyone who wants to capture some fun times.  I only recommend that you buy lots of tapes--it's just fun to waste tape on recording random crap sometimes!
I had been kicking around the idea of buying a camcorder for a couple of weeks and bought this model just two days before going on vacation. I didn't do a whole lot of research, I just liked the look and the price. It is small and sleek and super easy to use. It can use regular 8MM tapes, Hi8 or Digital8. I used it for recording live music performances in Nashville and was happy with the quality of the video and audio on playback. There are 8 effects for shooting (sepia, stretch, etc.), along with three fade-ins/outs. So I have more options than I really know what to do with at this point but I'm sure I'll get into them as I use it more. The display is sweet and can rotate around.My one complaint is the battery area. The battery clips on the back, but there is no cover - my Sony digital camera has a locking compartment the battery slides in. I'll probably also be picking up a spare, even though it seems to hold a charge well. I really like the size because I have small hands and short fingers, but I can still use the strap and reach all the buttons.
Only used a few times before started not working. Keeps saying reinsert tape. If I take the battery off for a few minuets it works some times but never know when or for how long!
This is my third video camera. I have previously owned VHS-C cameras that perfomed well. I needed the Nightshot feature for the investigations I do. The first time out, knowing general camera operation, I found this camera very easy to use. The flip out viewer is very sharp and the sound playback is good for instant review of videos. The compact size makes it easy to handle. I have yet to use all features, but I am confident that they will be satisfactory also. If you need a video feed to a computer, you'll need a capture device or get one of the digitals that have the USB/Firewire hookups. Basically, it seems to be a durable easy to operate camera.
It was practically brand new when it arrived. I use it for my TV show. I've always used this particular camera and have always had good footage.
I didn't buy this camera at Amazon.  I was a little leery of any sub-$300 wireless cam, so I scored it at a local retail outlet at a 20% premium.It doesn't have much in the way of features (via web interface): snapshot, Java video Applet, and some ActiveX atrocity that I'm not willing to test.This camera is fantastic!  It's small, easy enough to set up, and performance is fine and dandy.  (...)
I like this camera for the price, but it's not perfect. It is very noisy in low light and did crash on me once so far. But I do like the IPLite software. However, I wish you could view the video feed in a resizeable window instead of full screen. I do like the fact that you can get an image using [...] No super fancy features keep this camera simple and more reliable than some of the "more advanced" (and more unreliable) ones. But I did not use the wireless feature, a feature that could be prone to problems. Mine is hardwired, even though I have the wireless enabled version. I did buy two more of these cameras because I liked them enough, so that says something.
Being tech. stupid, I read all the directions and got it up and running wirelessly in a few min.Still can't view it outside my network.  The only thing I can figure out is that there is a block on my server side to reduce bandwidth but the instructions cover that too.  I have yet to try it but in the mean time, I use it to spy on my dogs in the livingroon while I'm working in another room.  Good picture, average wireless range.  I like it so far.
This camera was easy to set up just like the DCS-900's I own.  I want to note that you can run this camera via ethernet cable if you want.  In fact I do this because the wireless comes and goes for no reason and it is only 20 feet away from the router with no obstruction.  The video is choppy like the DCS-900 but the quality is livable for those who can't afford the higher end ip camera's (like Axis who actually deliver 30 fps).  Low lighting situations are horrible on this camera and making out faces is not easy to do unless you are in a well lit room.Tech support by D-Link is present but be prepared to be dealt with "aggressively" if you email them about the frames per second not performing as advertised.Have realistic expectations and if you can, go for the higher end cameras and be happier with your decision.  Btw, I use this camera with SecuritySpy for the Mac.
This isn't so much a review of the camera itself, as it is information on a way to resolve what I consider to be the camera's biggest downside (other cameras too!). This might get a little wordy though. In reading some of these reviews, I notice that a lot of people have trouble understanding Networking technology (BIG surprise), causing them to suffer through tech support calls. But, knowing even a few basics, can help avoid having to make that dreaded call... As most people now know, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is badly broken, and is only good for keeping honest people out of your WEP enabled network. The DCS-900W only supports WEP. My home wireless network is configured for WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), which offers much stronger security, (but only as strong as you make your pass phrase). I didn't want to open up my entire LAN to black-hat hackers, by adding a WEP access point, just so I could add the camera. So, here's what I did to keep my network safe, and still use the WEP based camera... I happened to have another router, and another Access Point (has to be two separate units). I used my laptop to configure them through an Ethernet cable. First, I set the router's (that is, the additional router's) LAN address to an available address within my existing LAN: 192.168.254.253, (Use the same SUBNET MASK as everything else: 255.255.255.0). Then, I set the WAN IP to a static address of: 192.168.1.1. Then, I configured the Access Point to have a static LAN IP address of 192.168.1.2. Of course you also have to configure the wireless stuff (i.e. SSID, WEP, 64, or 128 bit encryption...). Now that the new router and Access Point have been configured, here's how to connect them up... Using Ethernet cable, connect from your existing router, hub, or switch, to a LAN port on the new router. Then, connect the Access Point to the new router's WAN port (It might be labeled "Internet"). Now you need to create a "static route" in your original router's configuration, that will allow users who's PCs reside on your network (in my case, on the 192.168.254.0 segment) to access the camera(s) which reside on the 192.168.1.0 network segment. The static route parameters (fields) should be something like this: Active or Enable,  Name (of the route (it's just a name)),  Destination IP (in my case, the added network segment address: 192.168.1.0) (It might need to be entered as: 192.168.1.0/24 (the /24 indicates 24 bits of the segment address or another way of saying there's 24 bits in the subnet mask)),  Gateway (in my case, the LAN IP address of the new router: 192.168.254.253). If the router's IP is 192.168.1.1, and your Access Point's IP is: 192.168.1.2, then your camera(s) can have any IP in the range of: 192.168.1.3-254... At this point, you can access anything on the "1" subnet from the "254" subnet.  Now, I haven't tested the following with my setup, so you might need to play with IP addresses here, to make it work? If you want the camera(s) to be able to access DNS (Domain Name System), and NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers, you'll need to open some ports on the new router. This is called "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server" or "Firewall Rules" (Depending on what your router manufacturer wants to call it). Anyway, you'll want to configure "Inbound Rules". For DNS, the Port is: 53 for both TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) & UDP (User Datagram Protocol). For NTP, the Port is: 123 for UDP. You want to "Allow Always".  For the destination IP, depending on how versatile your router is, you might try giving it the LAN IP address of your original router, or maybe the actual destination IP of the server providing the service. Once the ports have been opened, the cameras and the Access Point should all be able to use DNS and NTP services.  I've said all of that to say this... Having another router added to your existing infrastructure, provides a safe way to incorporate any equipment that is limited to WEP. Assuming your added router has NAT (Network Address Translation) turned on, Nothing malicious is coming through it, into your original LAN. And if your Access Point can disable wireless to wireless communications, then even if someone does obtain a wireless connection to the Access Point, the only thing they can even attempt to do is guess the Admin password to the Access Point. So, make it STRONG. But that's ALL they can do. Hope this helps a little.
This camera failed to work from the moment I plugged it in. The lights flashed virtually at random... the power light would sometimes blink on and off, sometimes it would stay solid. The ethernet light would blink once every minute or so at some times, and at others, even when it wasn't plugged into anything, it would stay solid. After a brief conversation with their technical support staff, it was determined that my product was defective. I tried two separate routers, and neither detected it. The reset button didn't appear to work, either.I was really excited about this, but now I'm not so sure. I'll certainly be leery of purchasing a D-Link product in the future. I guess we'll see how well the replacement works.Edit: The wireless capability is broken on the replacement unit. D-Link has earned my life-long enmity.
I bought this camera and just when I am out of the country installing it I get the tech support guys tell me to send it back, lost my money, never again buy dlink. This was my first and last dlink product.
I just purchased this camera to set up with a Mac security system. The camera set-up requires a PC so if you are using a Mac you still need a PC to set up the camera. Once the camera was set up I used my mac software to add it to my security network and the camera works fine. Image quality and movie recording using this camera is good. I have not been able to get the wireless to work with the Mac system, but direct connection to the ethernet works fine.
I had quite a lot of trouble with this camera at the beginning.  The range of the camera seemed ridiculously limited and the camera seemed to fritz out on a regular basis for no apparent reason.After downloading the firmware update for this camera and installing it, the flakiness disappeared, but the limited range remained a problem.  Basically it could not be more than a couple of feet from the wireless access point and still work.  After much frustration with this, I finally decided to CAREFULLY open up the camera to see if I could find anything that was obviously wrong with the electronics inside.I'm glad that I did!  I found that the wire from the antenna had become disconnected from the circuit board (or never was connected at the factory).  The snap-on connector at the end of the antenna lead is extremely small and weak and the cable from the antenna is fairly rigid, so any amount of jarring of the camera could cause the connector to pop-off of the circuit board.D-Link should have used something to tie-down the cable to the circuit board to prevent the connector from popping off.Well, I carefully popped the snap-on connector for the antenna lead back on the circuit board and VERY carefully reassembled the camera.Voila!  The camera now has excellent WiFI range!The IPView Lite software that comes with the camera and that you can get an upgrade for from the D-Link web site is not reliable on Windows 2000.  It crashes all of the time.  It seems to be more reliable on Windows XP.  I suggested to the developers that they release the IPView Lite to Open Source so that people could work on it to improve its reliability.  No response.Now that I've worked out all of the glitches, I can recommend this camera.  Be aware that some after purchase tweaking may be required.
A great web camera for the price.  Plug in the ethernet and power cable, and you are nearly ready to go.  Note that you will have to plug in the ethernet cable for initial setup, even if you are planning on using wireless.  You can access the camera directly, it has its own built in webserver.  This allows any program that can use HTTP to work with it.  Very handy if you want to use a program to upload shots from the camera to your website at regular intervals. No propritary software needed to get images, view everything from HTTP or a browser.
I picked this unit up about a year and a half ago. I needed to have this unit serviced after 7 months because I could not connect to the unit anymore. Soft Reboot, Hard Reboot did not solve it, DLink was nice enough to send me another unit. Took about 2 weeks turn around. That was about 9 months ago, I have had this camera mounted on top of my house over looking the front yard. In the day time the image is very crisp at 640x480, I only hope one day a 1280x1024 resolution would come out so I can view my entire yard just instead of my front porch. I have a piece of saramic taped on it, so the water will not get absorbed into the unit. It has survived the cold winters and also the rainy season as well. It holds up well outside, you just need to cover the unit.Nite time viewing is not soo great, it is very grainy but what can you expect w/o a builtin night vision modular. I use webcamxp with this software to broadcast it over the web and also to send me email alerts triggered by the motion senor. I like to check up on my UPS and Post Man every once in a while to see what they are up to. :) I recommend using WeBCamXP with this unit because it has a lot of nice features which the DLink software does not have. The interface can be a lot better, but I just use it for its camera feature and nothing else, so it does not bother me.I highly recommend this unit if you want to look over your new puppy inside the house or view your property. I  currently have two of these units, one for the inside of the house with a Linksys POE connected to it. (Power Over Ethernet), so I can mount it anywhere without trying to struggle to find an OUTLET.
These cameras work great in well-lit conditions. However, these are worthless as &quot;Securicams&quot; as the package labels them, since they can't even see my front porch from my front window (3 feet away) with the porch light on at night.  I bought two of these and I regret it.  Look for at least one of them on eBay soon.  Also, they don't support WPA.
It was a decent camera in it's day (circa 2005), but quite limited compared to technology of 2013. It doesn't even support 802.11N which is pretty much the standard for wireless internet today and only supports 11Mps wired Ethernet compared to other cameras that are at least 100Mps standard today. This camera is so obsolete now that Dlink doesn't even show it on their product pages anymore.There are many other more modern Dlink IP camera available, and many of them are far superior to this one such as the DCS-930L which you can easily find near $50 and supports DLINK's Cloud access apps from PC & Smartphones. This camera will not work with DLINK's latest MyCloud access software. Higher-end Dlink cameras even support full HD, which this model can't. VGA resolution is about as good as you can get with this camera. Again, something not horrible a decade ago.
And I was right....I should have passed on this.  It was a pain to configure, and then none of the settings would stick.  Whenever I changed the default password, it would never let me log back into the camera without having to do a reset.  That kind of defeats the point.  Returning this item so I can get something decent.  The money saved is NOT worth it!
I'm setting up multiple WebCams for a Web site and like the idea of going wireless...no need to have long cables all over the place! This camera is relatively easy to set up and use and it works with the WebCam software I prefer. What's also nice is that although it doesn't come with Mac compatible software (and no Mac version of the software is available), I had very little trouble setting it up from my Mac. I'm pleased with the camera's image and think it's well worth the price.
I have yet to get this product to work with my wireless router and the call to the company's customer support seemed like an imposition on the operator.  It is now sitting in a drawer... I should have returned it right away.  I am a LONGTIME AMAZON customer and am sorry I made the choice to buy something OTHER THAN BOOKS from them.
I just bought this product and it's all what I expected. I just followed the quick installation guide, plugged in ethernet cable and the power, set the ip as recommended 192.168.0.20 on the camera and my wireless Netgear router and it works. I can view the camera immediately. But when I unplug the ethernet and into wireless mode, it didn't work. I ended up calling tech support and got a live support person in less than 5 minutes, he suggested I reboot(power down and up) my camera and router. The wireless mode now working.I tried to set the camera up behind the router according to the instruction on the manual from the CD provided, it didn't work. After playing around for 3 hours, I finally figured out that the default port 80 and 8481 don't work, you have to open up the second port 81 and 8482. I IPView software provided in the CD does not have motion sensor, you can download the latest version of IPView with motion sensor for the DLINK website, and it works very well. It can detect a slightest movement.PROS: price, good picture(can adjust brightness), motion sensor software(download latest IPView).CONS: no audio, can not pan view(must manually pan camera), no email picture option.
for the price, this is a great tool. if u need night time viewing, add a motion detector.i found a 4x4x6 waterproof plastic box at Home Depot, begged them for a 3x3 glass scrap, and mounted this outside w/motion detector light (see above). we'll see how it handles Florida sun next summer.bingo! i now have 5 of these running very nicely.please note that i use free linux software instead of PC monitoring app (IP-View) that comes with it, but friends seem to have good luck w/that app. the linux app ('motion') allows me to mix USB, video, and network cams in one survelliance app.newest firmware for cam (2.28) hasn't crashed since i booted it over a week ago fyi.
No complaints on the functionality; I was able to get it to work after several hours of fooling around. The instructions are not too clear when you have other name brand routers. The camera works great once it is set up properly. But, it cannot be view from anywhere, it has it's limitation. Because of the software design being used, the video stream is viewed via an applet that is started up from where-ever you are viewing. If the computer you are using is behind a firewall and because of security reasons most ports are closed except http 8080, you are out of luck. First of all, I doubt if the administrator of the firewall will open the port you need to see the video stream since that would open other security issues for the administrator. Second, since the video is seen via a local Java applet that is initialized and it begins to look for the open port, this is not a welcomed design in most organizations with firewall administration. They may think you are trying to hack their firewall from within. Anyhow, they should have used an http video stream protocol that can be viewed via a window media player or some other popular media player so that a specific video transfer port is not necessary. The only way around this issue is to have the video stream displayed via that same applet on your personal website that you may have secure access to. Then you can go to your website and view the video there from where-ever you are. Bummer!
This is a wireless internet camera, which means that it can send images, without a direct wired connection, live over the internet using a built-in web browser.  It's about half the price of the Toshiba IK-WB01A, and that's about right.  I own both.  The DCS-900W has far better wireless range, which is what you would expect from D-Link.  But the visual quality is very poor in anything less than direct sunlight (it requires 2.5 lux!), even in bright light it's not very good or vibrant, there's no remote pan-and-scan, no audio, and the camera CPU seems quite slow.  The software is fine though, perhaps better than Toshibas, except that you must load a CD to set it up initially.So for the money it's fantastic.  Since I bought it to aim at the puppy's kennel, it will be fine.  We'll be able to see him in there.  But you really do get what you pay for.
I have had this camera for 6 years... just bought another one. I also own a Linksys WVC54GC. I recommend this camera as it is easy to configure on a secure WEP 64 network and has a java OR Active X interface.  A key problem with the Linksys WVC54GC is that is only works in active X. So for example when I use my Opera browser on my WII (the big screen) or my MAC.. only my DLink can show the image.. You could say linksys is not MAC friendly. I must say this device is a little uglier.. but hey it has worked for 6 years which certainly says something about durability. Recommendations.. don't install the IPView software unless you plan to record your images.. If you do, it works great... it will allow your computer to record pics only when there is motion in the camera. I recommend all configuration be done with the web interface. Given everyone's home network is uniquely configured... I recommend temporarily taking one of your computers off of your home network and plugging it into the camera for a 1:1 network during configuration.. just makes it much easier. Once your WEP encryption is set then take it off of the wire and test it out.
I bought three of these to watch my kids with the new Nanny. Some said it's complicated to setup, I didn't think so.  You need to configure the camera first using the RJ-45 connector, then go wireless. I had some trouble only receiving a signal from my wireless router upstairs to the corners of the ceiling where I mounted the cameras.  I bought a repeater from Outpost for $19.00 and that cured that problem (Airlink Repeater [...]  The only disappointment I have is that the cameras lens definitely provides a limited view of the room area. A wider view lens would have been nice, but for the money I really can't complain, I figure I'll just buy three more of these things and problem solved.  Finally, you may want to buy some UPS/Surge protectors for each camera and your router in the event of a power outage if that's important to you.  I've found UPS/Surge protector combinations for about 20 bucks at Fry's that should power these cameras for half hour or so in the event of power outage.  Bottom line, these are a good buy.
I'm running this camera on a mac.  The specs for this camera quote it as being mac compatible with reduced functionality.  I'm afraid that's a huge understatement.  The camera arrived with no mention of how to configure the camera on a mac and no software that works with a mac and it was not intuitive on how to get up and running.I called up D-link and was obvious that they had no clue.  The configuration routine that they tried to get me to run through made no sense until I took charge and told him how to get the camera talking to an Apple network.  At that point I got him to guide me through the browser based configuration tool.  When we got the camera working I was basically left with a camera that was streaming live footage that I could see on a browser, but had no software that was able to capture live feeds or still images.The only saving grace was that we already had two hard wired cameras capturing images to our website and that has given us some proficiency in capturing images and getting them to a web page.  Unfortuately, even armed with that knowledge would would have been left high and dry if it were not for my wife being able to hack the server on the camera to find the still images that it was streaming.  From there we were able to use automator software to capture and upload to our website.Basically, unless you have a lot of patience and experience in java and webcams I would not touch this camera.  We have it up and running, but the support and functionality is pityful.  There are better (more expensive) options out there, use them.
I bought this camera so my family overseas can "join us for breakfast" or spy on us when we play a game at the dining table and it works out perfectly!For around US$100 you can't go wrong with this beauty! Both ActiveX and Java support for viewing means that virtually every browser is supported...Configuration is a breeze, all you need to do is make sure you hook the camera to some hub or router that has another computer attached in the 192.168.0.x IP range (for the duration of configuring the camera you could also hookup the computer directly to the camera with a crossover cable of course). You do not even have to install the software on your computer: Just make sure you can browse to the camera's default address of 192.168.0.20. Wireless configuration was easy as well: put in the settings, unplug ethernet cable, reboot the camera and you are all done! (my camera is only 25 feet away from the wireless router in the same room, so I did not test the wireless range of the camera)If you want the camera to be reachable from the internet you of course need to do some port forwarding in your router, good idea to enable the second port on the camera (nice feature you can use a port different than port 80) so you can reach the camera on some high unknown port (providers often block incoming traffic on port 80 as they do not want their customers to be running webservers...).The support for Java makes it easy to "plug" your camera in any website you might have (that is what I did and it works wonderfully). Support to define an NTP server is also nice: your camera shows the correct time always. Ability to hand out usernames and passwords to your family and friends: nice as well.Quality of the video is very acceptable for a camera in this price range. I use it indoors in a not so very well lit room and it works out fine, sure the image gets somewhat grainy when the lights go down but again: very good light sensitivity in this price range. If you have US$200 or US$300 to spend you can get better quality and features (e.g. 2-way sound, pan, tilt), but I did not want to spend that money.Even the hardware that comes with it is of very nice quality, the mounting kit can swivel and turn freely in a position you want and locks down perfectly with the knob. I mounted mine against the wall and it has been snug in that position ever since :-)This is one of the most impressive gadgets I bought lately (together with the Nikko Samurai RC car I bought for my son ;-) ...) and I would highly recommand it to anyone!Enjoy!
The device is GREAT.  The concept is GREAT.  The software is HORRIBLE!  The documentation is even WORSE!!!I hate it when a manufacturer goes through all the trouble to create a magnificent product, but then skimps on the software/drivers/documentation/etc.  This is a perfect example.  The device is rock-solid -- could not ask for a sturdier product without going to industrial quality (and price).  The software looks like it was written to entertain children!  The developers focused SO MUCH on creating pretty icons (that are actually ugly), that they completely forgot about usability -- and worse, they forgot to document!!!  There are no pop-up tips over any icons, nor is there any sort of Help feature anywhere.  There is a PDF owners manual, but it seems like it was written by a 10-year-old.  Half of the features are not even mentioned in the document.  It's extremely frustrating to know that the functionality is there, but I will have to poke around at the stupid software for days before I discover it!  Basically, a developer spent days coding each feature, but could not spend 2 minutes to put a label and description on it.  Features that nobody knows about or how to use are USELESS!If this device had even half-way decent software and documentation, it would get 5 stars -- but the software and documentation is so poor that it gets only 3 stars (maybe even just 2).As for the hardware, here's my review..SPEED: This device uses 802.11b, so it is limited to 11 Mbps, which can be too slow for video with moderate/high frame rates.  However, for security purposes, 5 frames per second is sufficient (slightly choppy video, but better than most VCR-based security systems).  I haven't tried recording at higher frame rates.  I imagine that if compression is set to high, fairly high frame rates can be achieved.IMAGE: This device can record up to 640x480 pixel video.  However, the software only supports 320x240.  In daylight, video seems relatively crisp, even at high compression.  At night, the camera doesn't fare as well.  D-Link makes other cameras that have much better night vision than this one.  If you're looking for a night-time camera, consider a different model.  The camera has a rotary focus dial on the lens, which can be set from close-up (20cm) through infinity.CHASIS: The camera housing is sturdy and the base is actually made of cast metal (I expected cheap plastic, but was pleasantly surprised).  The most-delicate part of the unit is the screw-on antenna.  It's not poorly made, but just not as rugged as the rest of the camera.  The camera is NOT intended for outdoor use.  I have it temporarily mounted on a window sill, pointed towards the front of my house.  Eventually, I will actually attach it to the window frame.  The base can be screwed into either the top or bottom of the camera, so it can be mounted on a ceiling, wall, bookshelf, or wherever you'd like -- nicely done.Initial setup (getting it onto the network and seeing video) is somewhat straight forward, but the poor software and documentation become apparent right away.  Advanced setup (video surveillance, motion detection, recording, etc.) is EXTREMELY frustrating.  I'm searching for 3rd party video surveillance software to use with it because I hate the packaged software so much.The webcam comes with its own built-in webserver, so it can host its own website (nice feature).  The built-in browser-based setup screen (kind of like configuring a LinkSys or D-Link router) does have a Help menu!  However, the only thing it has is the following text: "For Help on Web Configuration settings, please refer to the Manual included with your Internet Camera."  =-PGood luck!!!
I bought this for two trips into Central America and loved it.  The filter ring adjusts easily, yet doesn't creep from where you set it.  The threads on the main ring have been solid through a bunch of removals.  And my shots looked great.  Just wish I didn't like switching between portrait and landscape so much because I sometimes forgot to turn the filter 90 degrees.  Ooops.I also run with a UV protection filter and that worked fine screwing onto the front of this.
Item as described. Good performance. Prompt delivery.Highlights:a. Thin filter.b. Better polarizing effect.c. Better detail in photos. Almost little or no visible impact in photo detail with filter attached. Compared this filter performance with other similarly priced polarizing filters but couldn't get enough detail in the photos as this.d. Ability to accept lens cap when attached to the lens.e. No issues of attaching or removing lens hood with filter attached.
There are cheaper filters out there but the quality of this Nikon polarizer is unrivaled.  Even for the quality it is still a little on the pricey side, hence only 4 stars.  But at the end of the day you can buy a cheap one and be unhappy with the results or you can pay the extra $$ and get something that will do the job right.
This is a great little filter that is actually two overlapping filters that turn independent of each other to set the amount of polarization you desire.
The polarizer is a necessary tool for photography when near water or shooting through glass, the light reflection is generally eliminated making photography much better and versatile.  I have had no problems with the filter.
This filter works great for me. It has a very solid build as expected with Nikon glass.
There are more expensive polarizer filters but I doubt if any are better.  There are some horrible ones out there so don't take a chance on the cheap ones.
You probably spent beaucoup dollars on your camera and lens -- so don't jeopardize your photographic results by trying to save a few bucks here.
Its a great filter and works well when it's a nice sunny day. I can use it indoors too. No effect can be seen on cloudy days.
This polarizer is working fine. No problems as it fits as advertized and the lens cap fits well on it.
Bought this filter - have not seen any noticeable change so far other than affecting the exposure to one or two stops down.  Will update soon after using it in proper condition to see the effect on picture.  Products looks authentic and good.Updates:This filter is good for following uses(1) removing glaze from water (shooting inside transparent water, like fish), just rotate the front ring to get it removed.(2) removing reflection (shooting through glass window in aquarium or other place)(3) Landscape photography during mid day where there are so much reflection from leaves, edges, stones or almost everything.(4) Nature photography when there are some improvement in color saturation required (without using photoshop), eg. sky is more blue with this filter(5) Stopping down the light (while shooting anything that is bright... I know neutral density filter are better for this job)(6) protecting your more expensive lens (well use a cheaper UV filter for this job)Do not use polarizer if:(1) it is night(2) Available light is low (no place for reflection etc)(3) If you have wide angle lens (there will be contrasting change in sky color or other things from one end to the other)(4) if you cannot afford it.
Good quality, great price. Fits camera and an extra lens plus a removable flash and a few small extras like batteries, sd cards, charger etc. Only wish it held more lenses but great if you don't lug around tons of stuff. A plus - has a sleeve that hold an iPad the sides have easy access.
It will hold everything I want to stuff into it. Multiple cameras and cords. Good protection also. It's a Canon, so it is quality.
I've had this case for about two weeks now and recently took it on a trip to Busch Gardens where it did wonderfully.  During that trip it housed my Canon Vixia HF G20 with hood cap in the main compartment.  In the front compartment I had a GoPro Hero3, casing, bike mount, wrist mount and it has smaller pockets for memory cards.  The two side compartments were great for extra camera batteries and other little things.  So, clearly, it can hold a lot.Though the bag is great for me, I do have to say the photos are a little deceiving as the bag is smaller than I expected so be sure you check the measurements if you're using a professional level camera like the Canon XF series.  I have the prosumer level Canon which fit perfectly with the lens hood on, being just a bit snug so it doesn't slide around and that includes having the false bottom in place.The false bottom is a great edition that allows me to stow chargers, USB and other cables; however, it seems to be made from a hard cardboard-like material (instead of a tough plastic) that could get bent-out-of-shape if a camera was slammed down on it and nothing was stowed underneath.  I bought my bag used and it already had a large crease going down the center, but I was able to work it back out.  Not blaming the bag, just saying it could happen.. because it did.The bag doesn't really have any hard lining, mostly just padding that leaves one to think it could be flimsy but the padding is adequate and I feel my equipment would be safe if dropped.  It also has removable, velcro, padded dividers in the main compartment which I just removed for space and stuck along an interior wall for additional support.The main compartment has dual zippers on top which seem well built.  The center flap velcros to one side of the case after being zipped up for added security.  There's also a smaller zipper pocket inside the main compartment which I couldn't imagine being useful for anything aside from more memory cards, money or maybe AA batteries.Finally, on the back, there's a tight but open pocket running along the entire back side.  No zippers or way to secure anything from falling out, so it seems best for small pamphlets or instruction manuals.All-in-all, I think it's a great prosumer level bag for prosumer level cameras.  If you've got a small consumer/family camera then it'll just be more space for you in the main compartment which you can organize using the inner padded divider.
Our Canon 500 swims in this case.  Too big, too much, just too much going on here.  Not sleek at all, simply screams "I'm a big camcorder bag with an expensive camera in here - please steal me?"  I rather wrap up my camera in an old tshirt than use this dinosaur of a bag.
Nice construction, but I returned it because it was only big enough for the camera by itself. if you wanted to carry the camera around with the microphone mounted this would not work. I got a pelican case instead.
I was disappointed in this bag.  It is very light weight and the zippers are cheap.  It was suggested by Amazon to go with the Canon XA10.  While it will fit, if you have the handle and mic adapter on the camera, it will barely zip shut, and over time it is going to fail for sure.  Forget about keeping your shotgun mic on the camera with this bag.  It's just not big enough. With the basics in the bag, charger, extra battery, cables, etc. there is room for nothing else, and all of the dividers must be removed for this.  Sorry Amazon, this one didn't fit the bill.
I bought this for my Canon XA10 video camera and everything fits in it nicely.  This case isn't too big nor is it too small.  As my itmes grow I'll need a bigger case to hold everything but I still like it as is.
This thing has good spacing, good padding and all the nifty little pockets and crevices you could want. Definitely a godsend.
I quickly received my new Canon camcorder case and it is laid out nicely and holds the camcorder snugly with plenty of room for extras. I highly recommend, Thank you, Dave K
The case is lightweight yet ample in size for the camera and all of its accessories, including an additional battery pack and charger. It can also accomodate some other smaller personal items. It has a double zipper pull open top for easy loading and unloading.
This has turned out to be a great bag for my XA10 and related cables and equipment. It provides protection great protection for the gear.
This canon soft carrying case is PERFECT for my new Canon HV30 camera.  Not only does it hold the camera, but it can hold my canon wide angle lens - all the accessory cords that comes with the camera - and I love the false bottom on this bag.  I can store the power cord along with my Manfrotto steady cam on the bottom of the bag underneath the camera.  I will look forward to a long vacation with this bag - has plenty of space for my small little HD camera -- coulple of side pouches and nice large front pouch - combined wiht the false bottom make this a great choice that is compact and full of space.  GOOD STUFF!!!!
I was very disappointed in the case.  I do not see anything custom about as to fitting my video camera, which it allegedly is made for.  The camera fits ok but most small video cameras would also fit in it.  It's cloth with a little padding and a bottom insert which lifts out.  You have to take everything out of the case to get anything out of the bottom.  I assume the bottom storage is for cables.  I could have done better with a generic case which this is in my opinion.
I've used a great many camera and camcorder bags and I'm very pleased to say that after living with this bag for several weeks it's everything that I hoped for.  I recently upgraded from a standard def camcorder to Canon's HV30 hi-def offering.  After spending some time looking for a new camcorder bag I decided to try the Canon SC2000.  The SC2000 carrying case works very well for me as I tote around among other things a Canon VL-10 spare light, spare DV tapes, multiple Li-ion batteries, a charger, assorted interconnecting cables, filters and various other shooting aides.The bag's interior compartment is well padded and contains an adjustable velcro center divider, a zippered storage pocket and a Velcro tabbed side pocket suitable for lenses and cleaning materials.  The three zippered external pockets are very roomy and easily accessible.  There's also a hidden storage area located on the bottom of the bag that I find ideal for storing my shotgun mic and other less used items.I like the zippered pullback style top flap and find that the bag, while not overly large, contains plenty of storage space for items that I need on remote shoots.  The provided shoulder strap is comfortable and easily adjustable.  All in all a very well constructed bag that more than satisfies my needs.
It fits everything and protects it great.  Not too big, not too small.  Not too hard, not too soft.  Just perfect for the HG10 and all of it's accessories (DM-50 microphone, tele & wide converters, extra lenses, all wires, charger, batteries and then some.  GREAT bag.
This is a great bag, can fit everything you need and more for your camcorder.
I own the Canon VIXIA HFS100, and this fits the camcorder, extra battery, charger, and even my point and shoot digital canon.  Great case.
A little pricey but after looking at all the know off brands we decided this had the pockets and everything we needed to best protect the camera and hold tools and accessories.
This bag was the perfect bag for me.  I actually just got back from Hawaii yesterday and that was the primary reason for buying my new camcorder, and therefore, this bag.  First off, this bag is pretty big and may not suit everyone's needs, but for vacation it was perfect.  My camcorder (Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom) actually fits sideways inside this, even with the extended battery in it.  However, the pockets are perfect for carrying all the charging accessories and USB cables and memory cards and everything else.  The extra space in the main compartment (nearly 2/3 since my camera only takes up 1/3 when turned sideways) was quite handy for my wife's digital camera and several other things we carried always on our vacation, like my wallet, phone, and keys--when they couldnt be in my board shorts, the GPS unit for our rental car, or the disposable underwater cameras we carried.  Now that I'm back home, the main compartment just holds our 2 cameras and a 12" portable tripod I have.So, if you are looking for a nicely padded, spacious bag for your camera and all your camera accessories, then I definitely recommend this bag.  Plus, its a good bag for housing all your camera stuff when you are at home.  If you are looking for a more snug fit or don't need all the pocket space, then I'd recommend a smaller bag like the Lowepro "Edit" series.  For me, that was just too small, though.
Little smaller then I thought after some of the reviews, but its still an awesome bag, and you can fit plenty in it!
I purchased the Canon Vixia HF G10 and needed a camcorder bag.  The Canon SC-2000 was what was recommended in the manual and I purchased it from Amazon.A picture is worth a 1000 words.  So, I attached 17 photos, including 5 of this product, 10 of another Canon camcorder bag (SC-A1000), and 2 photos of both bags side by side.CANON SC-2000:My main issue with this bag is the top zipper.  Not sure if my product was defective, but the zipper would get stuck a lot, mainly when closing it, but occasionally when opening it.  It was like a jacket zipper that gets stuck a lot, and it was a nuisance.  The inner compartments (made of orange colored material) seemed a bit too hard, and there was too much movement of my camcorder in the compartment, so I didn't think it was best design.  Otherwise, I liked the soft case material.CANON SC-A1000:If you can find this bag, I would consider it.  It is labeled as a professional Canon camcorder bag, but it is cheaper than the SC-2000.  It is made more of a harder material on the outside.  The zipper on top is easier to open; however, it has a flap (see photos) that I'm not a huge fan of.  I like the inner compartments better, they are made of a very soft material, that I feel more comfortable placing my more than 1 thousand dollar camcorder in.  All of the compartments are movable, which is nice.CONCLUSION:For my Canon Vixia HF G10, I thought the CANON SC-A1000 was a much better option than the CANON SC-2000.
Nice case!!! Very soft and great strap support which is adjustable. Case has a false bottom with a hard plastic piece which allows for storage of cable and the owners manual. This case does have adequate padding and support for a small consumer camcorder and Mic, i.e. DM-50 that will fit snug on the inside top shelf. Wide and Telephoto lenses would need to be stored on the outside pockets. Plenty of room for extra Mini-DV tapes and batteries and filters if you have them.
I am satisfied with this case.  There's plenty of space, so it allows me to carry all of the equipment that I need for my camcorder.
After reading all the reviews about how large this bag is I was expecting to be able to put the kitchen sink in the left side pocket. It's bigger than necessary for my Vixia HF G10, but the extra length provides a nice little pocket on the other side of the adjustable divider for the removable lens hood. In the zippered pockets I put all of the cords, adapters, and little extras and still have room left over for more stuff as it accumulates. If you're worried about it being too big, read the dimension specs and measure it off. As for me, the only problems that I have with it is that it's overpriced and whoever made this for Canon couldn't even bother to sew the Canon name tag on straight. I think just as nice of a bag could be had for half the price if you knew what you were getting.
A very nice bag, you can really tell it's got that good Canon quality. The inside is orange which looks really really cool and it holds my HF S100 sideways! Enough room for my camera and all accessories including lenses. Would buy again!
I searched high and low for a reasonably priced bag for my new Canon Vixia HV30.  Initially, I purchased the Lowepro 110 and could not get any of the connection cables, manual, or chargers in it.  I then found this bag, the Canon SC2000.  It came today and I quickly unpacked it and transferred everything from the 110 AND the small box of accessories that would not fit inside the 110 into the Canon SC2000.  Oh, happy day!  My Hoya lens pouch, Hoodman 300, 2 cables, adapter and cables, home and auto chargers, 2 batteries, lens cleaning fluid and cloth, HV30 camcorder, 10 mini DV HD's, a head cleaner, manual and included CD, 2 SD cards, a tripod mounting accessory, and a pack of LCD protector sheets nestled comfortably inside the storage compartments with one side pocket still uninhabited!  Being the recent proud parent of the HV30, this bag holds everything I need but the tripod!  Besides, my tripod carrier goes everywhere I go, and he doesn't mind the extra weight.
This case is perfect for the XA10 model camcorder.  With it's floor partition panel, I can separate that goofy &#34;accessory-handle&#34; unit (that I'm probably never gonna use) underneath, and away from the camcorder and accessories that regularly use.  AND, there is plenty of room to store extra items with it's outside compartments, without being too big.
I bought this case to carry my Canon HV20, and reading other reviews I knew it was big, still more than I would expect. I can fit at least 3 Canon HV20 with all their accessories and some miniDVs. The quality is amazing, and since it's so big, I carry the camcorder, a DSLR like camera and a point and shoot camera with all their chargers cables and some miniDVs. Not forgetting that I still have more space if I remove the manuals on the second bottom.So, if you want it just a small carrying case for a compact camcorder, it's not for you.If you are like me, and love to carry everything even when you don't need it, this it a great purchase. Great materials, protects perfectly your camera, and lots of pockets and spaces to fit stuff. All the spaces are flexible, so you can fit different stuff without having them scratching each other.
I have an Optura 600.This is a very good case for a standard camcorder, with lots and lots of storage space.But I have given only 3 stars since it is not tailor made for the Optura 600. This is a tiny camera, and will no way snugly fit in this MASSIVE case.Would suggest this case if you are buying a LOT of accessories, or one of the larger cameras.This was definitely NOT for me, and I have therefore returned it...
When I first read the reviews about this bag. a few people mentioned that it was to big, but they really liked it. so I decided to buy it and check it out for my self. And I found that it is a perfect size, It has nice padding and is really portable. So I'm not sure what they were referring to?  It's great and durable and A perfect size.  It will fit about any size Camera.
The more I use this bag the better I like it.  Does what I need when I need it to.
Got this for my hg10.  Holds all the accessories and is very well padded.
I purchased this camera bag to go along with the Canon HG10 camcorder.  The bag is very nice in that it has multiple internal compartments and pockets, as well as external zipper compartments on every side of the bag.  Also, it has a false bottom inside the bag which serves as a cushion in case the bag is dropped, but it can also double as additional storage space.Initially, I too noticed that the bag is much bigger than necessary for carrying such a small camcorder as the HG10.  However, when it arrives brand new, there are rectangular foam pieces in each zipper compartment to prevent it from losing it's shape.  I simply took one of these foam pieces and trimmed it to fill the extra empty space around the camera in the main compartment.  Now the camera fits in nice and snug with additional foam cushioning surrounding it.With all of the space, pockets, and compartments, I am able to fit the camera and every possible accessory into this bag.  Currently I am carrying the camera, the power cable and AC adapter, 2 spare batteries, a mini-tripod, the USB cable, the standard A/V cable, the HD component cable, the remote control, and the product manuals, and there is still a lot of empty space and empty pockets.  Luckily, the HG10 does not require media since it is hard-disk based, but there would be ample room to carry mini-dv's, DVD's, or any other blank media if the camera required it.All in all I think it is a great bag and it fulfills all of my camera and accessory carrying needs.
Just returned from an Alaskan Cruise (land and sea) with my new HF G30 camera. The case was perfect. The camera fit perfectly, the case has a vinyl lining making it water resistant (tested in the rain), and there is room for essential spare battery, lenses, and cleaning cloth. I like the ability to use the handle or shoulder strap.The design and quality justify the Canon price premium.
Not too bad a bag. it works well for my canon hf g 20. I wish it had a little more room but its good quality that you can expect from Canon!!
I found this camera in the bottom of a water-damaged box in the storage shed of a house I bought! It had a tiny 512MB card in it (I own 2 Olympus cameras, so I was happy about the xD card) While I can only shoot about 10 pics before it fills the card, the quality is better than expected for old technology and a camera that was, more than likely, abused to start with. You have to really play around with the settings to make sure you know what you're doing in various photo situations, but I'm still impressed. Let me reiterate: for 6 year old technology, it's probably better than the other cameras that were out there at the time.Obviously, I would not recommend buying this camera at full price now. If you can CL one or find one here used, go for it. It's a great throwdown in case you're not willing to chance a DSLR disaster or you're traveling and don't want to worry about it getting bumped around. In addition, with new inventions, you can get a microSD to xD adapter off eBay or maybe here on Amazon. That solves the problem of xD cards being hard to find in stores and expensive to boot.
You're probably considering the Fuji A330 because you either want a good reliable point-and-shoot or simply because you want a really good deal. I've owned several digital point-and-shoots and even digital cameras several times the price of the A330 so the enclosed points speak from a fairly varied experience of digital camera usage over a 4 year period.The Good1. The photos are generally good quality when taken outdoors. Compared to other point and shoot cameras at least. But you'll instantly notice the difference in photo quality if you choose to buy (for example) a 3 MP camera at twice this price. (I also own the Canon PowerShot IS and love the vivid color in the photos there.)2. If someone tells you 3 MP is not enough, ignore them unless you need to make prints larger than 8x10 (when did you make blow ups with a 35mm camera anyway???)3. Battery life is decent. Please do invest in rechargeables. A worthy investment. Make sure you get a smart charger, not a dumb one (enough product information and review material on Amazon to help you learn more on this if you would like.)4. You'll appreciate the 3x zoom though instantly crave for more.5. There is not much else out there in the market under one hundred and fifty dollars. So if this is a gift, you've got a good starter camera to give with the additional accessories to be bought later by the recipient.The Bad1. XD cards are at least 40% more expensive than compact flash cards. Negates the whole concept of getting a really good deal. (Though there is currently a free memory card offer on Amazon that's worth looking at.)2. Start up time at 3.3 seconds (according to Fuji at least) is still slow. That means you are guaranteed to miss a good action shot since time from start to click is at least 6 seconds (unless the word `draw' reminds you of the Wild Wild West and not your kindergarten days...)3. If your really plan to take some video footage, you'll regret, soon enough, the lack of audio. Be prepared to be disappointed. I suggest you strongly consider a camera with audio. You can use Windows Movie Maker to add audio in later but you'll probably not find time to learn to use this efficiently enough.4. its `just' a little too bulky to put into your pant pocket and still be completely comfortable. Especially if you have a carrying case with the camera.The UglyNone really.ConclusionA great starter camera. You cant go wrong with this purchase if this is your first digital camera. I'm being a little critical here because I'd like to share my likes and dislikes of this purchase. But I guarantee you, at this price,  or for a starter camera, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better.
This was my first digital camera and it worked (still does several years later) great. It's very easy to use!  I also bought the camera's docking station for my computer which makes transferring/sharing the pictures SO easy.
I am not a photographer and am not really an expert about cameras but I've gotten a lot of good use out of this one.  My main camera is a Sony DSC-S30, which is bigger and heavier and more expensive and which I tend to handle with great care.If that camera were a pair of Ray Bans, the Fuji A330 is like a pair of drugstore sunglasses; I wanted a little camera with optical zoom that I could stuff in my pocket and use without too much worry and this is it.  I also got one for my folks, who were iffy about dipping into digital but they found it easy to use.  It's a good starter camera and it comes with its own memory card and batteries, which means if you're gifting it you have everything in one unintimidating box.As someone else here wrote, rechargable batteries are definitely recommmended. And I, too, wish the camera had audio to go with the video but, for the price and size, I can live without that.
I am in college and wanted a digital camera to capture all those priceless memories, and this Fuji does a pretty good job.  First thing that attracted me the msot was the price.  I actually bought mine in a combo set that included a printer for $170.  The only bad thing about the printer is I though that it was just a normal printer that hooked up to your computer, but it's a camera compatible printer only, and it's just as big as a normal printer.  Back to the camera.  It's basic functions are pretty easy to use.  I'm one of those people who don't really read a manual, I just jump into it and figure it out.  At first, I couldn't figure some things out like how to view my pictures I just took.  But after a few minutes of button pushing, I figured it out.  The quality of pictures on my computer seems really great.  I haven't printed any prints yet, but I have faith that it will be great.  It's fairly small in size, but I wish it was smaller like an Elph.  Overall, I think that this is a great camera for the low-budget starter or for someone who doesn't care a whole lot about printing every picture that they take.  This isn't a camera I would buy if I had a bigger budget though.
I am writing this review on my 3 year old FujiFilm FinePix A330 because I will soon be ordering another FujiFilm (probably a S700) and I wanted to pay due respect to my trusty 1st digital camera I owned.Believe it or not, the A330 consistently takes professional quality outdoor photos for which I have always been grateful for because that is what I use my camera for.  I take it out in the middle of nowhere and have taken clear, crisp photos.  It is hard to imagine a 3MP digital camera being able to take great pics consistently in this age of 10 MP cameras.The 3x Optical zoom was perfect for close-up flower shots or far away mountain shots. The stability on this camera was excellent considering it is a entry-level camera where many of comparable price will blur and distort.This camera had just enough features on it to take great pics, but was not overwhelming for me as a novice digicam owner.  I liked the fact that I could turn the camera on, point, zoom, and shoot.To sum it up, I love this camera and will keep it as a back up. It has turned me from a novice to a photographer taking award-winning photographs in 3 years time and I cannot wait to get my hands on my next FujiFilm with twice as many megapixels and 10x optical zoom in the S700!
the level of satisfaction you will get with this camera totally depends on what you're looking for when you buy it. If you're looking for a good start-up camera this is the perfect choice. easy to operate, good quality pictures, and an outstanding price.i would definately recommend this camera to that crowd.but if you're more serious about photography and want consistant results from this camera, you won't find it here. about half of the pictures you take will be blurry and only about 10% will probably turn out the way you want.but i can't imagine why those people would buy such a cheap camera if they're that serious. that's why i give it 4 stars.
I recently received this camera as a Christmas gift, along with a spare 128 MB xD card. I was a new user to the world of digital cameras and I was shooting perfect pictures within minutes. I had a few bad shots (due to my own flubs); but all in all my pictures were wonderful, beautiful, & crystal clear images. Between 12/25 and 1/02 I have taken over 150 pictures. I have to go through a few steps to get the pictures transfered to my PC (which is easy, if you can follow directions) and onto CD rom, and not being a patient person that is a lot of trouble--that is certainly well worth it. It certainly beats having to wait 2 hrs at Wal-Mart trying to get 2 rolls of film developed (in one hour) after someone had dropped off 19 rolls to be developed at the one hour photo there. I would recommend rechargable batteries, depending on how much of a shutterbug you are. I like the fact it is small and compact, enough so I carry in in my shoulder bag everywhere. The resolution is super and since I don't need any picture bigger than an 8 x 10 (where the heck would I store or pack something that size?) I don't mind it being 3.2 MP. This wasn't the first camera I was looking at when I was asked what I wanted--but am glad my mom gave me this one--now she wants one too, and she is quite resistant to new technology. All that being said our old 35mm camera only worked with Fuji film (no other film would have pictures that developed, only pictures taken with Fuji would develop); and this product stands up to a great experience we have had with their products. I recommend this for starters, people who want to simply click and save their photos and are not interested in "editing"  or anyone who wants an inexpensive digital camera; but keep all the accessories in the box :)
I purchased mine over a year ago and really love it! The lens stays protected when not in use, thanks to the sliding cover. It's lightweight and small enough to easily fit into my purse. The controls are easy to use (much easier than the controls of the previous Fuji camera I owned.) The quality of the pictures it takes is superb for "only" 3.1 megapixels. Colors are true (especially skin tones), focus is always excellent, details are superb and lifelike. Besides regular family photos, I also use this camera for selling small items on Ebay and, again, the quality is excellent. When the time comes for me to replace this camera, it will only be in order to have a movie-shoot function. Otherwise, this has been the best camera I've ever owned!
great camera, especially for the price you pay. about it being the "worst, most crappy camera ever known to man." yeah, if you move the camera while taking pictures, the picture is going to be a little blurry, but that happens with any camera, even an SLR that takes film. the videos? no where does it say that they playback with sound. and having to save pictures? i don't know what camera that person was using, but it's not true with this camera. this camer takes great quality pictures, i used it for 3 months in germany and it never let me down, and i continue to use it over a year later. about the LCD not showing anything: just push the DISP/BACK button once and you've got it. otherwise, the LCD got turned off, which you can fix by going to the menu and turning it back on. i dont know, maybe the kodak easy share is a better camera for someone who has no idea how to take a picture. you do have to have some idea what you're doing with this camera, like how to take a decent picture, but even if you don't, it's easy enough to get the hang of it.
This is a decent, cheap camera that's getting cheaper -- I think I paid about $150 for it, and I see Amazon has it for under $100 now.  It takes good pictures indoors and out, although the flash has a harsh quality that makes indoor portraits unattractive.  For outdoor fill, the flash works great.  Movie mode works well, but without sound, is kind of useless.  The controls are all very easy to use, battery life is good, and the sliding lens cover is a good feature.  The camera is lightweight and easy to carry along, but is a bit too bulky for a pants pocket.  The case is a combination of plastic and metal (aluminum I think) that feels a bit flimsy but has held up OK in the two years I've had mine.
That plastic toggle switch on the back, which controls the zoom, flash and programming functions is the Fuji A340's Achille's heel. Mine lost its ability to zoom up or down, thus robbing my camera of its functionality.I was able to use the flash card until it was full -- my other flash cards had to be programmed or the contents deleted -- and my Fuji was now incapable of doing so.Made me sad, mad and frustrated. I LOVE this little camera, and its ability to shoot high quality photos -- I took it everywhere with me, and now it lies ingloriously inside a plastic baggie, waiting for the day when I can get it reapaired. I just bought a Nikon D50 -- so my budget will not allow for any Fuji repairs at present.I realize that this is by far, a Disposable World -- and anything that breaks usually gets pitched, so whatever I might wish for this Fuji is probably not going to happen, but let me say it anyway -- I WISH Fuji would make a METAL toggle switch with DURABLE inner components so I can get this camera up and running again with no worries about any further toggle switch woes...I doubt that's going to happen however.
My family uses this camera for family pictures, and for a while we used it for our business to take close-up item pictures. We have had this camera for around 7 years now, and it has always pulled through. It never took very good low light pictures or night shots, but considering that we have abused this camera (heat, wet, cold, dropping it, everything) and it still takes great pictures, I love it. The colors are always rich and rarely washed out, and if you use the right setting, the detail is superb. After so many years and so much abuse, two buttons (one is the shutter) have stopped working, and it needs to be retired. I can't find anything to replace it with! This camera has been so reliable, and the picture quality has been very good overall, that even with all its faults (eating batteries, being huge and clunky, ect) I would buy it again in an instant.
Until this camera, Fuji was consistently my favorite camera brand within the compact category (I am not a professional photographer, as I imagine you aren't if you're looking at this camera in the first place).  But we'll get to all that in a second.Pros:-Extraordinary price for a 4 megapixel compact camera with 3x optical zoom.-Scene modes make it easy for newbies to get the proper settings for optimal pictures without knowing what the heck white balance and shutter speed are.-Sliding lens cover physically protects your lens against scratches from other objects in your pocket, like keys-A wide variety of manual options for those who are interested in learning about how to use them.Cons (and there are many):-Image quality is SIGNIFICANTLY worse than other Fuji cameras.  I was so disappointed when I uploaded those first few shots!  Fuji, why did you scrap your good sensor and replace it with this piece of junk?-Menus are extraordinarly tedious to navigate.  Fuji should have mapped more controls to seperate buttons instead of grouping almost all of them together in one big menu.-Zoom/navigation button is difficult to manipulate, especially with only one hand on the camera.-Amazon's official review says that speed is a priority with this camera, but the start-up time is almost 3 seconds on average (as compared to the Exilim line's 0.5 to 1.0 second times) and the shutter speed is average (as compared to the Exilim line's .05 second shutter speed).-The sliding lens cover does not protect against dust at all, and feels very flimsy (made of plastic).  Constantly feels like it's going to break off.Moral of the story: you get what you pay for.  Invest in a 3 megapixel camera in the same price range, or bite the bullet and pay more money for a better 4.
You're probably considering the Fuji A340 because you either want a good reliable point-and-shoot or simply because you want a really good deal. I've owned several digital point-and-shoots and even digital cameras several times the price of the A340 so the enclosed points speak from a fairly varied experience of digital camera usage over a 4 year period.The Good1. The photos are generally good quality when taken outdoors. Compared to other point and shoot cameras at least. But you'll instantly notice the difference in photo quality if you choose to buy (for example) a camera at twice this price. (I also own the 3 megapixel Canon PowerShot IS and love the vivid color in the photos there.)2. If someone tells you 4 MP is not enough, ignore them unless you need to make prints larger than 11x15 (when did you make blow ups with a 35mm camera anyway???)3. Battery life is decent. Please do invest in rechargeables. A worthy investment. Make sure you get a smart charger, not a dumb one (enough product information and review material on Amazon to help you learn more on this if you would like.)4. You'll appreciate the 3x zoom though instantly crave for more. At this price, I am not complaining!5. There is not much else out there in the market under one hundred and eighty dollars. So if this is a gift, you've got a good starter camera to give with the additional accessories to be bought later by the recipient.The Bad1. XD cards are at least 40% more expensive than compact flash cards. Negates the whole concept of getting a really good deal. (Though there is currently a free memory card offer on Amazon that's worth looking at.)2. Start up time at 3.3 seconds (according to Fuji at least) is painfully slow. That means you are guaranteed to miss a good action shot since time from start to click is at least 6 seconds (unless the word `draw' reminds you of the Wild Wild West and not your kindergarten days...) And remember, the frame-to-frame time of 0.62 seconds is only applicable when not using the flash. So all in all, not the best in case you want to take consecutive photos with a flash. Be prepared to wait several seconds between photos to allow the flash to charge fully.3. If your really plan to take some video footage, you'll regret, soon enough, the lack of audio. Be prepared to be disappointed. I suggest you strongly consider a camera with audio. You can use Windows Movie Maker to add audio in later but you'll probably not find time to learn to use this efficiently enough.4. its `just' a little too bulky to put into your pant pocket and still be completely comfortable. Especially if you have a carrying case with the camera.ConclusionA great starter camera. You cant go wrong with this purchase if this is your first digital camera. I'm being a little critical here because I'd like to share my likes and dislikes of this purchase. But I guarantee you, at this price, or for a starter camera, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better. (though the 3 MB Fuji FinePix A330 is a worthy contender for a starter camera.)
I have used this camera for about 2 years, and have taken a lot of wonderful pictures with it, although I agree with the negative reviews (the quality is noticeably worse at 3X zoom, slow shutter speed, almost impossible to take a decent picture in dark places, etc).However, I believe the BIGGEST problem this camera has (and it took my wife and I a while to figure out wtf was going on) is the fact that it destroys the XD card when one erases all the pictures on it! It happened to me on several occasions when I was abroad in some beautiful places, and had the cards full with pictures from previous trips; I erased all the pictures using the "ERASE ALL" option in the menu, and promptly received the "CARD ERROR" message after trying to take a new picture.I am giving this camera 2 stars instead of 1 only because somehow I managed to get a lot of wonderful pictures (though I spent a lot of money on cards); I am currently shopping for a new camera, and Fuji is not on my list.
ok here we go,Great cam I guess... but my fujifilm 128mb xd is givin me a read error message..and i contacted fuji about this and  i have gotten no answer!!!But anywayz... zoom could be better.Night shot is a pain cuz of camera shake. BUt all in all the cam is damn good for the price and should seriously be looked at for snapshot enthusiasts
My husband and I kept debating and debating about whether to purchase a digital camera. We have a 35mm Canon EOS Rebel that takes gorgeous pictures. But, we knew if we got a digital camera, we'd end up using our wonderful camera a lot less. Fortunately, his dad killed our endless debate by purchasing this Fuji for us for Christmas.I have to say, I like it a lot. There are some things that could be better, but for a 4 MP point-and-shoot, especially at this price, it's great. It's small enough to fit in a coat pocket (definitely not true of our big Canon), and takes very clear pictures. We did upgrade the xD card immediately, for a lot more memory. The flash, as another reviewer mentioned, really works without washing out the scene - as you view the picture before snapping, it looks way too dark, but once it's taken, it is wonderful.The cons, though, are also there - though I don't know that they are any worse than any other digital camera. The amazon review mentions speed. I find that you do have to wait quite a while between photos if you use the flash - definitely longer than .62 seconds, anyway. This is kind of annoying - we have twin 2 year olds, and they don't stand still very long. And, this thing eats batteries. We don't have rechargeable ones, but will definitely be investing in those soon. In some ways, it's nice that it takes AA's - you can certainly buy them quickly most anywhere, rather than having to go home and charge it up - but you'd better have plenty around.The 3X zoom just doesn't seem to be enough to me (probably spoiled by our digital camcorder, as well as the Canon), and it is very hard to manipulate quickly. The menus, as others have mentioned, are not terribly intuitive, and they could have added a couple of extra navigation buttons to make it more user-friendly.However, overall, it's a good little camera. I was set up on the computer with it within a half hour (we don't have the cradle) and the Fuji software is nice, too. I'm sure using it a lot, which is a good sign!
All the Fuji Finepix camera's are fantastic.Iv'e had this one for over a year it takes better shots than my Nikon 90X. The SLRD Fuji's are way behind on technology but their point and shoot are spot on.
This is a very user-friendly camera, with great features and many are easy to use.  Would recommend this camera to anyone.
I didn't have the problems that most people had with bad pictures.  For the most part, my pictures came out surprisingly good.  The only times they didn't was in low light situations and that's the norm for digital cameras.  My problem was an on going problem with the batteries and the recharging.  I have always had the low battery sign when I first use the A340.  I'm sure it's in the Camera itself because new batteries don't even work.  I looked at the battery area and I see signs of corrosion, but I use this camera about 2 times a month and I check the batteries religiously.  I don't know what the problem is but I have noticed that I'm not the only one that has this problem.  I have since bought a new Camera... Much better.
I HAVE HAD THIS CAMERA FOR 4 YEARS. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH DIGITAL. THE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL. I DID A FIRMWARE UPDATE SO I COULD USE 512 CARDS (THAT'S THE LIMIT) THAT'S OVER 500 PICTURES. I RECENTLY BOUGHT A NIKON COOLPIX TO GET UPDATED, HOWEVER I WAS DISAPPOINTED AND NOTHING TURNED OUT GOOD. MY A340 IS SUPERIOR IN MY EYES. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL, BUT I HAVE HAD MORE COMPLIMENTS ON THE PICTURE QUALITY OF THE FINEPIX. I TOOK THE NIKON BACK FOR A FULL REFUND AND BOUGHT ANOTHER USED A340 USED FOR $10. FROM EBAY.
Both the camera and the cradle come with a USB cable.  The camera  \ cradle plug end of the cable looks the same, but they are not.  I broke a small plastic tab within the female cradle plug trying to fit the male camera plug to it.  Luckily I had not tried to use the cradle cable on the camera.  Keep track!!
Easy to use, good value, great pics.  Spent a lot of time looking at higher priced cameras that were no better.  Wished the AC adapter were included in package.
Pros:  Great value, easy to use, takes great pictures indoors & out. Some reviewers seem disapointed they aren't automatically getting "professional" results, but I have a 35mm rig with a half-dozen lenses for when I want to shoot seriously - The A340 excels for what it is, which is a great point-and-shoot digital camera that is small enough to keep in your bag or jacket pocket at all times.  I used to have an A303 that I loved until a friend dropped it - money was tight so I went out to pick up a cheap $99 digital camera and an SD card to get me by, but for a few bucks more I found the A340 bundled with the dock and rechargable battery. The A340 takes great pictures as I expected, plus I am able to use the memory cards I already had from my last camera. At first I thought I would never use the dock (I already have plenty of rechargable batteries and a picture card reader), but the dock also allows you to use the A340 as a webcam!Cons:  The included software is not the most intuitive I've ever used, save yourself some grief and pick up a compatible USB picture card reader so you can just drag and drop your pictures from the card - they are available at any decent electronics store for under $10.  I'm not real crazy about the xD picture cards - they work well and are nice and compact, but only Fuji and Olympus products use them - it would be nice if the camera used SD or MMC cards so I could also use them in other devices (although, luckily most of my friends happened to choose a Fuji digital camera also, so we can swap cards if we need to, which is nice). As another reviewer pointed out the xD cards are slightly more expensive, but you can still pick up a 256MB card for around $30 if you shop around.  Based upon my previous experience with the A303, I wish the Fuji cameras were a bit more "ruggedized" - I suggest buying a good case or pouch to secure your camera!
This camera is a great first ditigal camera for anyone.  It takes great pictures.  Is easy to use.  Very affordable.  Sends pictures easily to your e-mail addresses.  Has a built in lens cover.  Can be used with 2 AA batteries.  And is compatible with most ditigal printers.
I bought this camera after my old camera broke down. I really didn't know what I wanted with my new camera but, I did know I wanted a digital and I wanted to be able to view the pic on both T.V. and PC. So I got this one & It's a good camera. Hold alot of pic and pics come out good. After playin with it, I now know that I wish it also have editing features. so I can edit the pics without having to download the pic on the PC first. I would be able to edit pic from the camera and go get then printed. Other than that-this camera is very good.
I'm suprised there are a few reviews that aren't so good, we love this little camera! The pictures are clear,sharp,nice colors, and theres some really great features for being such an affordable price. This is a really good family camera. Also perfect for teens.I added pics, check them out!PS. cradle is optional. USB connects to your computer to upload. It would be cheaper to get a $15 recharger & batteries.
This camera was a replacement for one that was damaged.  It takes very good pics and in its basic mode is an east point and shoot camera.  The menu is bulky and somewhat difficult to use.  The camera that was damaged worked without flaws.  The replacement camera has something wrong with the electronics.  Sometimes it comes on and sometimes, all I get is wavy lines.  Beware of used, inexpensive cameras.  If you get one that works, they're good for a point and shoot model.  They use an older card and the memory capacity can't match the cards the newer cameras use.
I'm using this camera for the past 5 months now and it is great and the battery life if really long. to enjoy it even better buy it with "Sandisk 512 MB Secure Digital Ultra II (SDSDH-512-901)" this will make the saving much faster and you will never be out of memory. and another good thing about this camera is how easy to load the pictures and the video clips to the PC. till date i didn't see better camera with it size and price.
I received my Exilim Z40 a week ago and this are my thoughts about it.PROS1.Very small: this camera is small enough to fit your shirt pocket and is also light weighted.2.Big screen: For the size the screen is just huge... I love this part!!3.Easy to use: Camera has many predefined settings very useful for newbies or is you are in a hurry and don't have the time to manipulate ISO settings and so forth.4.Battery: This is one of the strongest points of this digicam. Once you fully charge this baby you can forget that task for a week. The battery just goes and goes and goes.5.Video: the video mode have a great resolution, it's fast and is unlimited. You can record your videos until your SD card runs out of megs.6.Picture browsing: you can browse your pictures through a built-in calendar. This is very useful when you have a big SD card and don't want to search pic by pic.7.Favorites: the camera has a built-in favourite's folder where you can store your favourite's pics and that way share with your friends.8.Speaker: this is almost standard in the nowadays digicams but is always nice to know that you can count in a built-in speaker.CONS1.Not great image quality: definitely this camera doesn't offer the best quality you can get in others. The pictures have a noticeable amount of noise most of the times and the colors are not bright enough. However if you are not printing big pictures then this is not a big of a deal.2.Poor LCD: now this is a shame. Yes, the LCD is huge however the image quality on it is awful. Is noisy most of the time and very sensitive to light variations.3.No standard battery support: this card us a proprietary battery so you won't be able to use your AA on this baby. I recommend getting a backup battery pack. The good news is that the battery life is UNBEATABLE.4.PC connection: the camera comes with a sync cradle/battery charger that you have to connect to your PC in order to download the pics. It can be annoying to carry that cradle all the time.Bottom line: Casio Exilim Z40 is a bang for your buck. It's very small, nice looking and easy to use also the battery life is unbelievable. However the picture quality is not great. So if you are a PRO don't mind getting this one but if you are a casual snapshooter who can trade a not-so-great image quality for economy, ease of use and small size this is a very good option for you.
The pictures were very high quality, when the camera was working.  My only complaint there was that even zoomed in, the objects of most pictures at a distance looked ant like.  The camera's zoom mechanism broke 3x.  The first time I had fixed at my cost.  I was not sure that I had not caused the damage.  One day after getting it back, the problem resurfaced and the repair people fixed it again.  This was the second long repair time.  About 2 months later I was at a music festival, went to turn it on and guess what?  Yep, the zoom mechanism was broken again.  I am not going to bother fixing it.  After I get the pictures off it (the only way now is directly from the SD card), this camera is going to that great camera in the sky.Tony
I've been an avid digital camera buyer/user for years....When I bought the EX-Z40, it was with extreme excitement. I've been using this Casio EX-Z40 digital camera for 1 1/2 years and it is a disappointment to me.  >:&lt; Don't get me wrong, I love the size and I like all the functions on this camera, but I would gladly give those things up for better pictures.The only time a picture comes out decent, is if ithe subject is close to you (4 to 10 feet) or in its macro mode. Macro is good.Distances and outside pics, like telephoto...just forget it.  Don't even bother because you will wind up deleting the pics anyway. Keep the camera very steady..it is a must. Alot of out of focus pics. I know how to hold a camera so alot of it was not my fault. Very Grainey pics too.  Even the color is off at times.  I use a High End digital Nikon and I love the colors with that one.  I've seen small digital cameras take good pictures, not this one.I took several outside pictures 2 weekends ago of a beautiful creek with layered stones and water flowing over them. It was very very breath taking.  I was so excited to put the pictures into my computer when I got home just to find out that they were mostly all terrible. How disappointed I was.I've been disappointed too many times with this camera.  Maybe my camera is a lemon. :(JUST BE VERY CAREFUL ON CHOOSING YOUR NEXT DIGITAL CAMERA FOR QUALITY.I ordered a Kodak to replace this one...the Kodak V530, which I read up on and read great things about it. It was rated high!  It's on its way to me and I can't wait to take the Casio out of my purse and put it into a drawer or sell it to someone who dosn't mind the pictures coming out funny like I do.BEING FINIKY MEANS YOU TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR PICTURES.Thanks all...D. Brinkley
Bought this camera years ago. I would have recommend then but now the megapixel quality is low for todays standards
The Exilim EX-Z40 is a small wonder to look at and hold ... and to actually use.  It's arguably the best-looking digital camera on the market today.  One look at it and you'll want to buy one.  The matching cradle is also just as "cute."Picture-quality-wise, it's good, but not as good as Canon's offerings.  There's a certain softness to the pictures it takes, and you cannot adjust the sharpness level like you can on many (admittedly larger) cameras.  The 2" LCD is just totally wonderful, but does put on some drain on the dimunitive battery.All in all, a pretty good package if a bit expensive.  It's definitely something you can impress a lot of people with.
I was in the market for an ultra-compact camera, and I knew exactly what I would use it for: real life social events (I am in my early 20's). These include weekend outings with friends (whether it be camping or playing in the park or BBQ's), dinner gatherings, family pictures, clubbing, sports events, etc.So, these were my main criterias when choosing a camera:1) Size - I basically wanted something tiny. But I wanted a real, useable camera...not those "keychain digital cameras".2) Picture quality - I wanted quality lenses, a 4+ megapixel resolution, and I wanted to have seen good sample pictures online from various websites.3) Unlimited movie lengths - My last camera (Dimage F100 which was great by the way, but unfortunately I spilled a drink on it) only took 30 second clips. Sometimes, moments worth recording last longer than 30 seconds.4) Speed - I wanted something that started up quickly, and I wanted something that didn't lag between pictures.5) Feature Set - I wanted a camera with a strong feature set offering, including sophisticated auto focus, different picture modes, and the ability to manipulate pictures from the camera's menu should I need to do so while I am away from my computer.6) SD card memory - No compact flash for me.7) Battery life - I want it to last through a long-weekend roadtrip. No, I don't want to bring the cradle along while I'm roadtripping or chilling on a boardwalk.8) Looks - After all, I will be pulling this out of my pocket at clubs, right?Given these criterias, I narrowed my choices down to the Pentax Optio S4i, Casio Exilim ex-z40, Sony T1, and the Canon SD110.After days of research, I chose the Casio. After owning it for 2 weeks now and having taken it out on the town multiple times, here are my observations:1. Picture quality - To make it easy: it's great. Ultra-compact cameras have come a long way in terms of sophistication and quality. I use 2304 x 1728 fine resolution on a Kingston 512mb SD card, and by the time it reaches my 17 inch lcd monitor and/or a 4x6 professionally developed printout, it's simply a high quality picture. Indoor pictures aren't glamour-photo-studio crystal-clear sometimes, especially with florescent lighting, but this camera will exceed the needs and expectations of most day-to-day uses like mine. I don't want or need to do professional portraits to frame, and if I do, I would not be using this tiny pocket camera. For sure, this Casio beats the old 35mm cameras in picture quality, plus the feature set and ease of use easily puts using a 35mm camera out of the question. In fact, most of my indoor pictures from last night were really, really good. Simply put, it is above par with what you'd expect from a high quality, name brand 4 megapixel ultra compact camera these days. And probably most of the time, you'd just be surprised at how well pictures come out.2. Build quality - Great. Yes, I have a Made in China version. I was wary of this and at first was praying that somehow mine would arrive in the mail with a Made in Japan sticker. But, after accidentally dropping it twice from waist level (as we will all do in day-to-day social situations), the camera is just fine. Feels solid. The little knob at the side that holds the included lanyard spins around and makes tiny squeaky noises...understandable and usually unnoticeable, but it annoys me at times.3. Ease of use - top notch. As expected from a company like Casio, the menu takes no brains to figure out. In my experience of designing user interfaces for general public use, I frankly think you can't make a menu that's more dumbed-down than this. The button placements are just about perfect. On/off button requires the fingertip to press, since it's tiny and hidden within grooves. But I think of this as a spectacular design feature, because I do not want my camera turning on in my pocket. Menu and Disp buttons are tiny, but come on, that's what we're looking for, right?4. Speed - Generally good. Start up time is more than quick enough. At a party, when a photo opportunity comes up, I'd grab the camera and push on and I can capture a moment pretty much faster than anyone else with a digital camera. With flash, occasionally you'd have to pause 1-2 seconds inbetween shots. But realistically, everyone in social situations know and understand the capabilities of ultra-compact digital cameras.5. Battery life - fantastic! One major reason I chose this Casio was the stated long battery time. It hasn't let me down yet. On multiple occasions of all-day normal use (including many many many on/offs, using the huge 2.0 inch LCD screen on the back for all pictures, and using flash for virtually all my nighttime pictures), the battery indicator didn't even drop from full-charge. I still charge every night, though, when I upload my pics. I'm waiting to bring it on a long-weekend trip to see how it holds up. But I'm confident I couldn't have made a better choice as far as battery. I'm pretty darn sure neither the Canon, Pentax, nor Sony could match this Casio in terms of battery.The negatives: not too many.1. When indoors, the LCD screen is extremely grainy. This is weird, because outdoors it's great and clear and impressive. But when you're at home in front of a computer and you turn on the camera and point it around a lighted room, it looks like you're watching an old tv with really bad antenna reception. But, I mean, it works just fine for you to take pictures with.2. Travel charger. I wish they'd give me a travel charger for road trips, because I don't always need/want to dock my camera.3. Picture quality. Aren't we always hoping for a camera that will one day produce perfect pictures automatically 100% of the time?4. No AV/OUT nor AC/DC charger capability. Not that I really would use either of these, but it's something that other cameras seem to have that mine doesn't.That's about it. Hope this review helps.
This camera is VERY small.  It's also very light so you can put it in your pocket and bring it anywhere.  Boot up time is also incredibly fast.  It takes less than 1 second, which is considerably faster than my old Olympus C4000Z camera.  The features are nice and very easy to use.  I didn't need to look at the manual to figure out how to configure the camera the way I wanted.  Also, when they say long battery life, they aren't kidding.  You simply will not have to worry about the battery life even with the LCD on all the time!CONS:Although LCD screen is huge, it's not as clear as other cameras out there.  I went to BestBuy with this camera and compared the LCD screen to Canon, Nikon, Kodak, and Sony and the difference was clear.  The LCD screen wasn't as sharp as the others and it was also a bit darker.  However, it looked a lot better than Sony DSC-T1, which is the smallest digital camera offered by Sony.  Also, it takes HORRIBLE indoor pictures especially when there aren't enough light (even with flash).  Lots of noise and it even shows on the LCD screen.  When I took pictures of my room at night, corners always looked blurry for some reason no matter what kind of settings I chose.  However, it took very nice outdoor pictures.I would recommend this camera to those that are looking for a fast, small camera with a long battery life.  Unlimited video mode feature is also a plus.  ;-)
I did about a month of research before I finally purchased this camera and I must say that I made the right choice. Here are the reasons why I purchased it and why I am very pleased with my purchase (not in any particular order).1. Doesn't have the lens problem (E18) that Canons do2. Has high quality pictures with hardly any wait time to focus and inbetween shots3. Best Shot mode is very convenient4. Many more manual controls than most ultra-compact cameras5. Extremely small and light weight6. Battery life excedes any competitors'7. 2" Display8. Comes with a docking station for very easy transfer of pictures to either PC or Mac9. The priceI hope that this helps anyone who is considering an ultra-compact camera, it takes great pictures and is extremely convenient. Why spend more for the Canon S410 and get less?
OK, here's the deal; I have had a Cannon Camera in the past and really liked it.  I saw all the great comments that Cannon always had and all the bad comments for the older model of the Casio digital Cameras.  It took me a long time but I finally pulled the trigger and purchased this camera.  It was love at first sight, then it became a love-hate relationship, followed by love again.  Why the rollercoaster of Digital emotions?  Well I will tell you.  You will love the size, the quick action, the programs are better than average that is bundled with this camera, and the wonderful battery life.  I have yet to see anything less than full on the battery.  That is the love.  To avoid the love-hate thing take my advice, bit the bullet and download the full PDF file that is the Manual that they are too cheap to include.  Read is all and then take more pictures.  Your experience will be much much much better.  Little hint:  there are two types of auto-focus and you will do well to fully understand both.After about 3 months and over 300 pictures I love it.  I'm sure there are better quality cameras on the market but this is for snapshots.  It's is so small we take it everywhere and that alone makes this little guy worth it.Last note, go ahead and buy a big SD card, do it right when you order the camera.  You will want it.  With the large screen you will want to store plenty of picture and fun Video's to show all your friends.
ProsEasy to use, good quality picturesConshad six months, didn't drop, lens locked, not covered under warrantyBought the camera at Sharper Image in August of 2004. Have been very happy with the camera.  Wife took the camera and wanted to take pictures one day, turned it on, the lens came out, it beeped a few times, and it never did anything else.  Casio support says they'll look at it and see if it's covered under warranty (lens damage isn't, but manufacturing defects are).  A week later I get an invoice for $207.95.  Even though I called their support number (1.800.706.2534 option 1,1,then 2) several times (while the letter was in the mail) asking for a status they told me nothing and let the letter surprise me.  They even said I'd have to pay to have it sent back to me after originally telling me I wouldn't have to.  The support people were short and gave the impression they couldn't care less.This was a birthday present for my wife and it lasted 6 months.  Be wary of any of these small cameras as they say they have a 1 year warranty but most of the complaints I've read online deal with this same issue (and none are covered).  Sharper Image offered a 'no questions asked warranty' for additional $$ that, in hindsight, I should have bought... if you're going to get one of these small cameras, don't make the same mistake.
Pros:  compact, great battery life, quick start-up, quick release, ease of use, solid built.Cons:  With outdoor lighting pictures are fine but a bit noisy (electronic clouded picture), therefore not crisp, solids look cloudy.  This noise is much more pronounced in indoor or low light pictures even when using the flash; enough to make me wish I hadn't bought this.  My old 2meg Canon A20 and Nikon 2100 takes better, crisper pictures. This shows up in the LCD display and also on the computer monitor and printed pictures.  I wanted a compact camera with a quick shutter release.  This camera meets this but I am quite disappointed with the picture quality.  The 4 megapixel doesn't help.  This is my 3rd digital camera.
I bought this camera a few months ago.  I have had no trouble with it at all, and have been pleasantly surprised by a few key details:1.  Casio has AMAZING customer service.  I had a question about the memory and how to maximize it; called their 1-800 number (found on their website) and a person immediately answered.  He addressed my problem and solved it in two minutes.  I suppose we should expect customer service like that, but it's rare, so I applaud it!2.  The camera has a number of pre-chosen settings for different situations:  "Candlelight," "Portrait," etc.  These work beautifully.3.  It does take a few minutes to learn the different buttons (realistic estimate: 15 minutes, total, over a few uses), but they make perfect sense and, as there are so many options, I can't imagine being able to include all of them in a way that would be easier to use.  The choices make sense and are organized in a way that makes them easy to remember.4.  The camera is TINY.  TEENY.  It fits in all my pockets - and I wear tight jeans.  And there is a beautiful case available for it on E-Bay -- just search for EX-Z40 case.  It's $16, from Australia, and is awesome.5.  The screen is huge and easy to see.
I picked up this little camera from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. Read all the documentation (even the extensive PDF manual available online) and played with all the features the camera had to offer.I bought it to replace my ancient (8 years old now) .8 Megapixel Olympus D-300L. A venerable camera but no longer up to the caliber demanded of today's high resolution monitors.PROS:I was surprised and impressed with the quality of the AVI clips that this camera took, lighting was good and the images were smooth. Sound was OK but, given the tiny microphone and the fact that this is just an "extra" for a digital camera, quite passable.Also, the dock and ease of transferring images were great too.Its size was great, fit in a breast pocket with no trouble at all and it was relatively quick to power up.CONS:In spite of its video abilities, I found the camera's images lacking, especially in lower light conditions (read anytime you are indoors). With or without flash, the images were not substantially superior than those taken with my older Olympus. I was very surprised to find, in situations where I had taken still shots and then video clips, that the videos were very nice and the stills were terrible.As for colors, blacks were not very pristine, taking on a rather mottled appearance of browns and grays. There were interesting artifacts that appeared when light was reflecting off of a modestly shiny surface (say a black leather jacket or someone's forehead under a light) that took on almost a sparkling aspect.Recycle time for the flash was frustratingly long too, 'though from other reviews I have read I suspect this may be common to all of these more compact cameras.Indoor pictures taken with a tripod and really long exposures seem to fare better, and outdoor shots were not as bad as indoor. But I didn't get such a small camera in order to lug around steadying apparatus in order to take pictures at parties :(In the end, I returned the camera. I'm still in search of a very small camera that takes adequate pictures. I recognize that I won't be able to get the quality of an SLR in such a small package, but my expectations were greater than this little camera was able to satisfy. I'm now looking at Konica Minolta's Dimage X50 (or Xg or Xt) as an alternative.
Positives:- good photos in good light conditions- quite small- nice, large display- quick start time- superb battery- lots of predefined settings, easy to use- uses cheap SD cards- build-in 9 MB of memory = 8 extra photos when you are out of space- good quality movies with sound - with 1 GB SD card ($50) you can forget about a separate video cam.- availability of underwater kit (expensive like hell!)Negatives:- quite fragile (broke one, fortunately had a replacement warranty and got another one for free)- photos in low light conditions are unacceptable - lots of noise- metal enclosure is very thin and delicate (Almond Joy's almond can easily dent it and damage the camera)- quite expensive - for the same price you can get a better camera from a better producer- buttons too small to use when in ski glovesOverall opinion - unless you get a great deal on this camera, better check offers from Nikon, Sony and Canon.
Pros:-Very Small-Large Screen-Nice Button Layout-Durable-Nice Movie Quality-Tons of modes and featuresCons-Screen Smudges Easy-Picture Quality is not 4 MP's-Battery Drains FastThe Casio is a very nice camera and as a whole, I really enjoy it. However, the picture quality is really not as good as it could be and the pictures do not feel like 4 Mega Pixels for all the shots. If you are looking for a small camera with a decent photo this one may be a good call, however, the 5 MP version is not that much more money and may be a more bang for your buck!
After reading many reviews and playing with many Canon Digi's of friends and relatives, Canon is much better in design and overall photo capturing quality compared to Casio.  My Casio destroys many shots that others capture with no problem.  Many are blurry, with poor color and digital noise.
I got this camera off Ebay. Slight hesitant after reading some of the negative comments. Had it for a week now and I can say no regret for getting this gem. Here is my take:1) Camera is well built and solid. Not too small but very light for carrying it around. I had other cameras that at the end of a outing would feel like brick! I would recommend holding it with both hands to shoot otherwise picture do blur with movement.2) Menu system is very well designed. Also moving around the menu is speedy.3) Lots of features like movie taking mode with sound, voice recording, adding sound tags on pictures, 23 scene modes...4) Battery life. Though I haven't test this yet. It is very important to me. I have run out of battery with other camera before and didn't want it to happen again! I understand the battery will allow 360 shots per charge.5) Dock is small so is the AC charger. I like the option on it to easily transfer images to my computer by pushing a single button. There is also a picture button to do slideshow while camera is on dock.So all in all I am very happy with the purchase. The only negative I would have is "yes" picture quality can be improve - especially in low light. But my need is primary to have a snapshot camera easy to carry and available at all time so this fits the bill.
I got this camera as a replacement after losing a 3.2 Kodak...I am very happy with this camera, which I received as a gift. I have own two digital cameras in the past and this is the best by far.The only minus is that the zoom is difficult to use and you must hold the camera very steady.Pluses...Battery seems to last longer than mostPicture quality is fantastic. I have blown many up and they look greatYou get nice short video with audio and you can hear the playback wellWorks well indoors and outdoorsVery easy to useEasy to download picturesGreat for enlargementsWho ever designed this camera did an excellent job. It is so easy to use and the pictures are of excellent quality.
I've photographed weddings and like to play with special features on my cameras.  This unit has enough gadgets to impress me.  I am also impressed by it's workmanship.My wife likes to just point and shoot.  She is a teacher and likes to keep the docking printer in her classroom.  The camera is simple enough for her needs, yet has a better quality picture than some of the other cheaper models we looked at.I looked a long time for a low cost easy to use camera with more advanced features than normal.  I'm not sorry I chose this one.
I can't say enough good things about this camera.  I upgraded to this after owning a very low-end model that took abismal pictures, so I have something to compare it to.The battery life on the 7430 is fantastic, I bought this around Christmas and after a lot of use just changed the batteries for the first time.  The pictures are crystal clear, very high quality.  The flash is very adequate and my indoor nighttime pics look great.The delay of the shutter is very short, which is important to me with a toddler running around.  This was a big problem with my old camera and the 7430 is really fast.The video feature is also great.  It isn't digital camcorder quality of course, but with my 256 card I got some great footage.This camera is also very easy to use and I highly recommend it to anyone.
I've owned about 10 cameras in my life. My needs are pretty simple. I just want a camera that will make it easy to take a good photo. The CX7430 does just that.The digital camera I was replacing, a Powershot 200, I threw in the garbage, literally. It ate batteries, it seemed to operate randomly, and there was a long, annoying delay before it took the picture so I often "missed the moment." It also was a bit of a pain to figure out how to operate.I've had my CX7430 for about a month, and I love it. The best thing about this camera is that it is very intuitive. I've been able to figure out how to do just about everything by just looking at the camera and using common sense. So far, I haven't had to replace the batteries. It takes the photo promptly. The optical zoom is nice. The quality of the photos looks good.If you are a very serious photographer, you'll probably want a more expensive camera. If you want a simple, inexpensive, intuitive camera that will take nice photos when you want it to, this should be a good choice.
I've had my CX7430 for over 2 years now and have enjoyed this camera thoroughly. The camera has great zoom capabilities and can get you close to the subject you want to photograph. The battery life is very decent, even when the LCD display is being used. The pictures themselves (when left on Auto mode) are super - the colors and clarity are excellent. I've received very positive feedback about the clarity of the pictures. The memory cards are inexpensive too, especially if you don't buy the Kodak brand of SD cards. The camera is preloaded for only 10 pictures and comes with a nonrechargable battery set, so investing in memory and batteries is a must. My favorite feature is the video capabilities; with my 1GB card (and the camera will accept up to a 2GB card) I can get close to 70 minutes of video, with wonderful audio. The video is recorded in .mov files and are quite impressive. The downsides? Sure, there are a few..  the camera is quite bulky in comparison to almost all other digi cams currently available - it's quite `fat' in size, and the casing is very easily scratched, even with gentle use and care; and night shots taken outside (like fireworks or holiday lights) are pretty terrible - blurry and unusable. Overall I am very impressed with the quality and features of this camera and won't be replacing it for quite some time. The 4MP are more than enough for quality photos, the video is a wonderful bonus and the ease of use is wonderful. Highly recommended.
I bought this camera from amazon.com two years ago and it's been nothing but reliable.  It's simple to use and packed with features - other favorable reviews are dead on - but my story is about its sturdiness.  Today, I accidentally dropped it from a balcony 12 feet high onto concrete paving, and thought it was gone for sure.  One of the prong hinges for the battery door broke, the door itself separated from the camera, and the casing came open on one side.  I was able to pop the casing closed with a screwdriver, and reattach the battery door (half a hinge seems to be sufficient).  The mechanisms and electronics still work *perfectly*.  Optical zoom, automatic lens cover, flash, everything.  It's incredible.
When I got this camera out of the box, I was taking pictures in minutes without even reading the instructions.  Don't get me wrong, I'll have to review the manual to do rapid series shots, night shots, or other shots that might be difficult.  So far, it's been incredibly easy to use and very intuitive.I'll echo the concern of at least one other reviewer - I strongly recommend against installing the Kodak software.  You should have no problem simply connecting the camera to a USB port and transferring images and video.  After installing Kodak's software, my computer crashed.
Although it lacks a German lens, this unit provided crisp clear close-ups.  Very easy to use for the most part.  Display is bright and menu commands are logically arranged.
I can not say enough good things about this camera.  Period.  There are not enough good descriptive words to even begin to express how fabulous it really is.  I bought this after dropping and breaking my Sony Cybershot (which I hated anyway, the macro function was a joke).I will guard this camera with my life.  The pictures are PERFECT.  The features, of which there are many, are so simple to operate that a llama could figure it out.  I am a picture taking fanatic and I am heavy into scrapbooking... this camera captures perfect shots of my son AND our outings/vacations.  I have not been disappointed with a single picture yet (unless my poor framing was to blame).The thing that impressed me the most is the almost non-existent delay when using the flash.  I had missed MANY a spontaneous shot with my Sony because of the ridiculous flash delay, but never again!  Rapid speed picture taking is almost flawless, and the Sports function captures subjects in motion beautifully.The macro function is outstanding and EASY.  My close-up photos are breathtaking, and I am in awe that this camera performs so easily and wonderfully.UPDATE 01/05 - I had posted a website in this review which DOES NOT SELL ANYTHING - they simply give unbiased reviews of any digital camera you can imagine.  I recommend reading their review of this camera, as it was my deciding factor after months of research.  Amazon, however, removed the link I provided, because they are weird.  The website is w w w DOT steves-digicams DOT c o m.I am in no way affiliated with the website, but I have used it extensively while camera hunting these past few months.  I bought my Kodak based on this review, and I am so glad I did.  You won't be disappointed!I do recommend checking out a charging or printer dock.  I have written a review of the printer dock, please check it out for my thoughts on it's performance.  :)
Nothing much to say, after all the good reviews. I've had this camera for 5 months, and took hundreds of pictures and many short video clips. It became my main still camera.I love it.
I love this camera! I've had it for over a year and would recomend it to anyone. I bought this camera after taking a backpacking trip with my friend and seeing the great shots her Easy Share took. I absolutly love it. I often take video of my 9 month old son because I don't have time to whip out the big camera. The video isn't super but it's fast and simple. I just use the Windows Camera Wizard to get all my photos off it so I've never used their software, but I've never had a problem. ::thumbs up::
i used this camera on 4 european trips and came back with over 300 pics each time without ever needing to change batteries. Person after person marvels at the fantastic shots i took. several have been blown up to 8x10, 5x7 and framed. this is a fantastic unit that meets all my needs. i am not a professional user, but a damn good everyday photo taker. you won't be disapponted with this model. love the dock charger feature also.
Kodak CX7430 Purchased: June 2004, used frequentlyMOST NOTABLE FEATURE: 640x480 VIDEO+AUDIO CAPABILITY (NO TIME LIMIT)1) Using ordinary 1800mah NiMH rechargeable AA batteries, I have been able to take video  with audio at the highest quality setting for over 55 minutes (until my memory card ran  out) with the LCD screen TURNED ON the entire time, and the low battery indicator didn't even appear!2) 1GB SD cards have fallen swiftly in price and are a great addition to this camera.  My  1GB Lexar SD card can record over 55 minutes of video with audio at high quality (640 by  480 pixels, 13 frames per second), and 80 minutes at medium quality (320 by 240 pixels,  20 frames per second; max time limit is 80 minutes for this setting).  A 512MB SD card  can record for just over 28 minutes straight (highest setting), and a 256MB SD card for slightly over 13  minutes.3) Most digital cameras offer video capability, but limit your filming time to 30 seconds  or 3 minutes per video in most cases.  Those that don't limit filming time usually  provide resolution nowhere as good as the CX7430's high-quality video. (Update: Canon's SD-series cameras are a major exception. Note that you will pay much more [except for the SD110] and that you will only get about 15-25 minutes of 640x480 15fps video/audio out of a 1GB SD card.  The SD300's [4MP] picture quality is about the same as the Kodak CX7430's.)4) The camera is highly competitively priced even when compared to dedicated digital  video camcorders that use memory cards rather than tapes or DVDs.  Both resolution and  frame rate are comparable to or even better than the "digital tapeless" camcorders I have  looked at on amazon (as of October 2004), and given its still photo capability the CX7430 is bargain-priced.  Anyone considering buying a digital tapeless camcorder should definitely consider this  camera when deciding on their purchase.- NOTE: Videos are recorded in QUICKTIME format.PRO's:1) Great video capability as described above.  The camera's microphone is excellent--I've  recorded videos in both quiet environments and an extremely loud dance club and the  camera adapted perfectly to both situations--no static or undesirable anomalies (though  it did not pick up much of the bass in the club, if that matters).  I've even used the  camera several times to record audio from my grad classes (camera simply pointed at the  ceiling, medium quality video setting; I extract the audio from the file for listening).2) Takes excellent close-up photos.3) Photos overall are very satisfactory.4) Compact enough to fit in an ordinary front pocket.  Pretty typical size and weight for  its class.5) The LCD screen is very bright and fine for use in all but very strong direct sunlight,  where the LCD image gets slightly harder to see.6) Interface is excellent.  Buttons are responsive and the mode dial is very very  convenient.7) Good start-up time, about 3 seconds and you are ready to shoot.8) 3X zoom.  Perfectly satisfactory; once you start going over 4X zoom you need a tripod  to take decent photos.9) Small speaker to hear the audio when you play back your videos.10) Extraordinary Battery  Life (see above).11) Sturdy design.  Another reviewer complained about the casing being easily scratched;  I have used my camera for about 7 months now and it doesn't look a whole lot different  from when I bought it.  The casing/finish seems pretty normal for this type of camera.12) Decent variety of manual options, but not enough for amatuer photography (there is no true "manual" setting).13) Good file compression!  I have seen cameras produce pictures of about the same  quality (or even worse) as the CX7430 and wind up with file sizes of 1MB or more per  photo.  Average file size for the CX7430 ranges from 300KB to 750KB depending on the  quality setting and content.14) Fairly quick autofocus--just under one second from the time you press the picture button while the camera is pointed at an unfocused subject until the shutter closes and the picture is taken.  If the subject is already in focus the picture is taken almost instantaneously.CON's:1) Pictures are easily blurred in some environments.  See Taking Photos section below.2) Several of the provided 7 photo settings on the dial are not worth using.3) No case provided.4) Videos taken in the camera's high-quality setting suffer from a very low frame rate  (13fps), and the image blurs badly when you move the camera around quickly in softly-lit indoor environments.  That said, the video capability is still remarkable for  a camera of this type (and at this price).5) The door covering the SD card slot and the data port is sturdy but doesn't latch very  strongly.6) Zoom cannot be adjusted while taking video. You need to adjust zoom first, then start  filming.  Focus also does not adjust during filming, but it's not a factor unless you  begin filming a landscape and then try to take close-up video without starting a new  video file.Taking Photos:Overall, I think the CX7430 takes pictures pretty typical of a 4MP camera (they look  about the same as pictures taken by a friend's Casio Elixim(?) 4MP camera), in terms of both its ability to focus properly and the quality of the photos produced.- Close up photos are a strong point of this camera.  I use it to make photo "scans" of  important documents.- Ignore the landscape, night (unless you have a tripod), and portrait settings.  I  haven't been to any sports events or anything similar so I haven't used the sport  setting.  Given the slightly blurred pictures I've gotten at football games from cameras set on Auto, this setting might be useful.- The best pictures this camera takes are: close-ups; outdoor, well-lit environments; and  photos (indoor or outdoor) where the flash has been used effectively, i.e., slightly dim  environments with the subject no more than say 20 feet away depending on the lighting.- I have not found any major problems with exposure or color-balance in the CX7430's  pictures.  If you want to take a picture of a sunset, however, focus the camera somewhere  else first, then take the picture, otherwise the camera automatically adjusts to dilute the color of the sky (i.e., deep orange-pink becomes very light pink).- Pictures taken indoors in low to medium lighting *without flash* bear a strong chance of blurring unless taken by very very steady hands.  Pictures taken indoors outside the range of the flash (say, distance of 25 feet or more) are pretty much guaranteed to be blurred to a significant degree unless the environment is extremely well lit.- Picture quality decreases significantly in darker environments, but this is typical of  most cameras.- Two-star quality photos are fine for almost all situations.  Photo dimensions increase  at the three-star setting but quality is not a whole lot better.Other recommendations:- Buy rechargeable batteries, they are a must for any digital camera.  I suggest 1800mah  (milli-amp hours) NiMH (Nickel-Metal-Hydride) rechargeables.  The batteries will pay for  themselves very very quickly.- Some reviewers have liked the software included with the camera, but I usually avoid  proprietary software--my understanding is that Kodak software especially is loaded with  spyware/adware--and I personally have never used the software that came with the CX7430.  To transfer photos, the "Microsoft Scanner and Camera Wizard" included with Windows XP  has been more than adequate.  (It should appear automatically when you connect the camera  to your computer.  If not, go to My Computer, look for the camera icon, and right click  on it, then choose "Get pictures."  It can also be accessed if you are using a card  reader: go to My Computer, right click on the removeable drive, and choose "Autoplay,"  then find the wizard in the list.)  The wizard lets you pick a name for the folder it  will create for your photos under My Pictures, and names all of the photos and videos  after the folder.  I am surprised by the number of my friends who still do not use this  simple, clean utility.  Windows' Picture and Fax Viewer works fine for viewing photos.  Editing, of course, is another matter.- Buy a large memory card to take advantage of the camera's video features.  I have  gotten hours of priceless video of my friends and I studying in China.  There are  definitely times when still pictures just won't cut it, and even if you don't get a large  memory card you will appreciate the ability to take a short clip every now and then.  Memory prices have plummeted over the past year and a large card is definitely a worthy  investment.Bottom Line:I highly recommend the Kodak CX7430.  It's not a top-of-the-line model, but for those  with modest photo and video needs, this is a superb value for the price.
My husband bought this camera in 2005 as a replacement for the same model that my son dropped and broke.  Today this camera still works!  I no longer use the printer dock, (just use the SD card to print out photos in the store) and the rechargeable batteries stopped holding a charge in 2007.  I now use AA batteries and they last about two weeks.  This camera is always kept in a soft case when not in use and the picture quality is OK, but with adjustments made with brightness/color before printing them out they look great.  It doesn't take good pictures inside at a distance or with poor lighting, example pictures at my son's school program were awful because I was more than 15 feet away.  I have taken this camera on many vacations, including beaches and no sand in the lens to make it stop working.  It's reliable, if it's not abused and I also like it because it has a viewfinder and the controls are not so small and delicate like the newer digitals.
I have never been a big fan of company's that have moved there coustomer servise overseas . I paid high dollar for this item with the dock and printer .after a short period of time I started having problems with the camera , of course it was out of warrenty . I will never purchase Kodak again . Poor picture quality .
This camera is for my 15 year old. So for her age this camera is good condition, good pictures, nothing cute, cool, or fancy. Quick delivery
I just brought this camera a few weeks ago.  I took it on a trip this Memorial weekend and the pictures came out beautiful.  I love the close-up mode and the sports mode the best.  The night mode is also very good (which surprised me).  I also like the fact that this camera allows you to review the pictures and zoom in and out when doing so. I did not like the auto mode at all.  The landscape mode took pretty good pictures.  When I viewed them I thought they weren't good, but when I reviwed them online they were beautiful like postcards.I also like the video capability.  When I first got the camera, I did a little home video walking around the house and talking and when I uploaded it on the computer it was sharp and very clear.  It also played back well on the camera.  This camera is worth the price.  Like the other reviewers I recommend any buyer to purchase rechargeable batteries.
This camera gives images great color depth BUT images are of poor quality with respect to noise, artifacting, and being grainy. Also, the camera has a VERY slow shutter!  Don't count on ever getting a child's smile with this one. In addition, the camera uses up a set of batteries within ~40 shots! (even with the LCD viewer turned off!)
I've had this camera for about 3 yrs now, and it's never given me a single problem.  It takes very good pictures of scenery, but I don't think the night vision mode is particularly great (are any cameras that good @ taking shots in the dark though?).  I've never regretted purchasing this camera.
This camera was good for the price but has the last owner's albums, and they can't be deleted, which is funny.I got to use it twice before it broke.
I love, Love, LOVE my little camera!!  It is HUGE by comparison to cameras "today" but I love mine.I never knew the icons on the "On" dial because _I_ am a girl who sort of KNOWS how appliances work & just roll with it.  I "learned" it took video when my friend took my "picture" at lunch for my birthday & the indicator light kept blinking.  "Huh.  What's that?"  I looked, she'd clicked the dial the "wrong" direction & took a MOOOOOOOOOOVIE of me saying, "what's blin'......".  I was elated!!NOW, I might try out the other settings to see what they do!!  I can send videos and photos now.  I love it.My Aunt & Uncle gave it to me when it first came out & it's got wear on it & the doomiflatchy in the battery chamber "twanged" off the battery door but I love it!!Huh.  I used "Love" 6 times.  Now I AM effusive in my praise most times but THIS is SO genuine!!
As cameras go, this one is easy to use and takes great pictures.  It has some really nice features too.  But digital cameras are more than just stand-alone devices; you have to connect them to something else to get the pictures off.  That's where I ran into trouble.  It seems the "Easyshare" software on the CD with the camera is incompatible with Windows 2000 or XP if they are fully updated.  They suggest that you download new software from their website instead, but to do that you must register, and their website refused to let me do that.  So to share pictures on a camera with "EasyShare" in its NAME, I had to eventually go to Microsoft's support site to learn how to uninstall the Windows update that was interfering with Kodak's software.  Now I have to worry about Windows re-installing that update next time I run Windows Update.  Does this seem "Easy" to you?In short, do not buy this camera unless you have good computer skills and time to spend.  Shame on Kodak for so blatantly dropping the ball.
This is a great little camera.  It is SO EASY to use.  The photos are great.  I was totally stuck on my 35mm camera until I found this.  35 mm is great but I wanted to be able to preview my photos to make sure I REALLY got the shot.  I also wanted to be able to delete the JUNK without paying to have it printed at the photo shop.I previously owned a first generation digital camera.  The photos were mediocre because of the low megapixels (a big reason why I would not give up the 35mm).  I am extremely happy with the quality of photos from this camera.I also bought the printer dock which recharges the battery.This set works out really great for scrapbooking.  I can easily print off another picture if I need one to fill out a page.  I have even taken the camera and printer to a friends house to scrapbook. I print as I go.I agree others reviews.  I do not care for the software that comes with the camera.  I prefer to use the Windows XP software.I highly recommend this camera.  It is easy to use and the pictures are great.  What can I say, I don't think I have used my 35mm since I bought this.  There is no reason to.
I bought this for myself for Christmas and after 3 months of playing with it, have decided its a keeper!  It takes great quality pictures, the software is easy to use, and the editing works great.  The red eye removal function works very good - much better than a camera I tried out last Christmas (and returned) Since we don't have a camcorder, we love the movies with sound.I do not use the share function, since I usually crop or enhance or something to make the pic "perfect".  I also do not print at home - way too expensive compared to printing at York, Sam's, or even Eckerds!One small complaint - the default in the Kodak software is to save pictures at a lower res after editing.  This makes no sense to me.  If you liked a picture well enough to edit it, why would you want to save it at a lower quality???  This is easy to change, but anytime you upgrade the software, defaults to this again, and you have to remember to change it.Second Con is the date imprint.  I chose this camera because I specifically wanted date imprint (without having to use software to add the date).  The date imprint is HUGE and yellow - very unsightly.I haven't had anything bigger than 4x6 printed, so I definitely want to try that soon to see the quality.
Just got this camera a couple of days ago.photo quality is very good though i would let the camera take a few days time as all the electronics has to break in well and running smoothly,ex-audio systems TV's etc etc,so also cameras.the main thing is the ease of Use and it is so simple to use i just had to refer to the manual twice for a few clarifications,the close mode is good and the kodak lens is as good as any other camera in the market infact slightly better ,as it is showing details which i never saw before in pictures.and amazon customer service is top notch ,got a good new camera at a good price.Be sure to check yur firmware version in the about section it should read 1.01 mine was 1.00 and kodak had the firmware on their site in the CX 7430 support section  ,just log in with a email ID and download the firmware and upgrade all instructions are in perfect clarity.overall kodak is very good and would only buy kodak from now mainly for the color quality
This camera will make your day.  It takes wonderful quality pics for the not so professional.  Easy operation, quick transfers, and a Great price.  I know I can trust items purchased on Amazon.  I love my little camera.
I love this camera.  Simple for the simple minded photographer.  If you just want family pictures this is perfect.  Easy to use.
Several people in my family have this digital camera, and they have worked for many years. We've taken this camera to the beach, camping, on road trips, to relative's houses; you name it. It has many fine points about it. If you are taking pictures at night, you can flip the stitch on the camera to 'night'; ect. This camera seems durable enough and has a video screen built into it so you can film as well.. (although it only works for a few minutes). Though this camera has several good points, there are bad things about it too, that i should mention. There isn't alot of storage space on it, which means you have to transfer the pictures onto a computer or lap top, which is hard to do if you are on the road or camping or anything like that. Also, the battery runs out easily, and if it is on when you are using it, the front of the camera will stay open, and there is no way to close it until you get another battery. The camera is really nice, and overall, i beleive it deserves four stars. One of our camera's came with a black & red camera case.
I've had this camera for about a year now, and I love it.It's my first digital and I'm amazed at all it can do. It has all the features I could ever want. I just take photos of family get-togethers.After a few months I discovered how to take videos and they are a lark!I paid around $170 for it a year ago and it's a great camera for that price.
after having an ancient 1.3 mega pixel camera since 2000 last october (2004) i decided to buy a newer updated digital. after a bit of searching i settled on the CX7430. at the time it was about $200 which was a great price i love the camera. it has B&W and sepia settings, even though the screen is a bit small the quality is great. also updloading on the computer is simple. great quality fun camera i recommend.
I got this camera from my company's anniversary draw.  I have been using this for only one week.I actually purchased the Kodak DX7440, which is more expensive and has many more features than this CX7430.  I have compared photos taken from this CX7430 and DX7440, I do not see any difference for most of the photos taken.  Looking at the computer screen, the colors are vivid and true, they are not satuated.  There are lots of details enlarge the photos to their true sizes with photo editor software.However, if you don't know how to do this, don't worry; the Kodak CX7430 comes with a CD which lets you see the photos.  Here are the easy steps:Insert the CD to your computer, install the software.Turn of your camera; connect the USB cable that comes with the camera to both the camera and your computer; then turn on your camera.  The Kodak software automatically detects the photos needed to be transfer and asks if you like to transfer them now; then, you just click "transfer all photos".  That easy!!The fast-speed USB cable makes fast transfer of photos and movies taken with your CX7430.  You can view your photos and moview with the Kodak software with sound if it is movie.The movie feature is a very nice touch since there are times when you really want to capture some great moments in motion.  This camera has TV-quality movie features and captures very good movies in detail and with good sound quality.  I use 256 MP secure digital card to store up to 12 minutes of movies in the highest resolution.Taking pictures is in you control.  If you like to take close shots, be sure to switch it to close capture mode otherwise it won't focus well enough.  You can review the pictures in the viewfinder and enlarge it in the viewfinder and see if it is a good one taken.  If not, you can delete it with the delete button.  It is very easy!  Taking night shots is pretty good too.  The flash is enough to light up a room.  I don't have trouble taking night shots with good results.Now, if you want to email pictuere to friends and relatives, the software lets you do it in this simple manner: type in "from" email address, type in "to" destination email address, select the pictures to be send from the right and click, email them now.  Be sure that you do this while you are online.It also let you email pictures in low resolution for faster transfer (which is only good for viewing), or transfer in original resolution (for if the receiver may want to print the photos as well).I upload photos to Ofoto.com and print 4"x6" or 8"x10" photos.  I also have a printer dock from Kodak and it laminates the prints so that the photos are free from moisture attack and finger prints.  I love these features very much as it makes the pictures truely longer lasting.The only drawbacks (as with all other digital camera) are that the battery does not last long if you use the viewfinder LCD screen very ofter and the movie length is limited by the memory size of your memory card.  That's why I bought the new 256 MB secure digital card.In conclusion, this is a very good camera at an attractive price from Amazon.  I am just lucky that I got it free from my company.  If anyone like to take great photos and like to film movies once in a while, this is it!  It is lighter than a camcorder and smaller so you can carry it around easier, besides it takes much better pictures than many cameras out there including a comparable SONY.  I recommend this great Kodak CX7430.
I just got this camera and it is great!!!the pictures come out with so much detail and color!!!And the pictures upload to the computer so fast!!!The only things are is that it only has a little bit of memory, and you cant take more then 30 pics,so you should get a memory card,and also battery life isnt so long, but otherwise its great!!!I highly recomend it.
I just received my EasyShare camera a couple of weeks ago.  Not only does it zoom, it has moving making capability!  This surprised me.  You can take 33 seconds of video with your EasyShare.  The picture quality is great and the camera is easy to use.  Further, the user documentation is simple to understand!Highly recommended for those of you in the market for a digital camera.
I bought this camera in August 2004 and yesterday on 08/08/2011 it passed away. Technically, it did not die on its own; I euthanized it after the round dial at the back quit functioning. I am not celebrating its death but rather cherishing the life it had. It lived a healthy, trouble free life of whopping seven years and captured thousands upon thousands of beautiful pictures.Overall, it was a very good, sturdy camera. The picture quality was on par with more recent cameras. The performance was rather amazing for outdoors but just okay under low light conditions. The battery life could have been better. The LCD screen was tiny but hey we are talking 2004 here.RIP CX7430!
I have owned two of this particular camera. I am now on my third.  I originally bought my first one, years ago at Sam's Wholesale Club when it first came out.It takes great photos, for a novice point and shoot person.However, when I went to change the batteries on the first camera that I bought, the battery cover fell apart.  I contacted Kodak to have it repaired but it would have been too costly, more than what I paid for the camera.  I then bought another, online, at Amazon.com.  It arrived and I used it for one year and then that one too, failed. I now have bought another,online, used but &#34;like new&#34;. The camera arrived yesterday and I am using it to take photos of our &#34;NEMO&#34; Blizzard 2013 and it seems to be taking photos in good order.  I am hoping this one will last, for more than a year.
If I had to be stuck with one camera, this one would be it. I've owned it for a year and it's fantastic! What do you want for $150? This is a steal. It takes better pix than my friend's and family's cameras that are 2-3x more expensive.PROS:1. Battery life is unbelievable -- with lithium batteries it takes about 550 shots. Plus it will use rechargable ones as well.2. Pictures are excellent - vivid, colorful, crisp.3. Extremely easy to use.4. Fast at reloading.5. Great price.6. Video feature is great, sound is decent.CONS:1. Cannot zoom while video recording.
I got this camera for christmas and couldnt be happier. Its so easy!!!!! and the picture quality is great. I would recommend this camera over and over.~Stacey
I love this camera!! I really like the clear detailed pictures it takes.I always use auto,and its perfect for me.I take tons of family photos.I have taken thounsands of photos with this camera and love them!!Iv never had better pictures.It also has great video too,I have a video camera,but find myself useing this more  for video than my video camer.Because its just so hadny.And I can transfer my videos to cd to watch on tv.I take pictures of my kids sleeping at night,and the room is totaly dark,and when you see the photo youd never know it was takin at night.Because it looks like it was taken during the day,thats how great it lights up the room when you take a photo at night.
I bought this camera years ago reconditioned. Consumer Reports gave it a "best buy" because of it's value and long battery life. The HP camera I had before that ate batteries. We were changing batteries every 30 pictures or so. With the Kodak we could take 250 - 300 pictures on a single set of batteries. I eventually retired the camera to one of our cars where it is useful for pictures while out on the road or in case of an accident. I replaced it with a Cannon that has 6mp and 12X optical zoom.
I am new at digital photography, and I was looking for something easy to use, yet a camera that took great pictures.  This absolutely fits the bill!  The way the camera works is similar to any Kodak film-type camera - just point and shoot.  It has the same features my film camera does, in that you frame your subject, depress the shutter button halfway to focus, then shoot. It has an auto setting that is useful for most picture taking, fill-in flash, zoom.  It's extremely easy to review any pictures taken, and delete them immediately or save for later.Not only does it take clear, sharp pictures, but it also has a video feature that was amazing for an inexpensive camera.The instructions contained in the booklet were precise and easy to follow.  Great for beginners.The printer dock is also easy to operate, and is certainly nice to have if you want to print a few pictures here and there at home.  The cost factor is a little high, at approximately $.64 per print, so it would be more cost-effective to have them printed at a drug store, etc.I've loaded the software onto my computer in order to upload the pictures to view and/or print.  I had no problem with the software after loading, and it is very easy to use.I would not hesitate to recommend this model to anyone just learning to use a digital camera, or someone looking to upgrade, for that matter.My next purchase will be a bigger memory card for the video feature I plan on using!
I have had this camera since 2005. I have taken it on many mountain hikes and it had been dropped on rocks and what not several times and it still worked fine. It has gotten wet several times also. I finally broke it for good when I dropped it from about 15 feet high onto a rock, and it exploded! I went out and got the same model and I will when it finally breaks again. It's my favorite camera ever. The close up mode is really handy too!!
I ordered this item quite some time ago but never inspected it until today (5-30-2013). It came with no directions, no usb cord, nothing except the bubble wrap in a white box. Today is my graduation from Medical Secretary School and I took it out to use it, however to my suprise, there are already 20 photo's of a family having a cook out or some type of an outting. Also, on the side of the camera are red letters &#34;NAU&#34;. Probably from the previous owner. I have tried several USB cords and none will fit. It has an odd shaped octagon USB site. It's too late to return the product so what can be done about it? I have been a loyal customer of Amazon for a long time.
I've had no problems with the camera itself, but the necessary Kodak software is so horrible, that it makes me avoid the camera too. The software makes it difficult to download select photos versus the entire collection on the camera. It also has skimpy editing features. I have to jump around from the Kodak software to a microsoft one and then another from a different website in order to get all the different changes I want in a picture.
I have recently become interested in digital photography. This camera is great for people who are starting out a photography hobby, or want a simple camera to use. The camera has a lot of features, but is still easy to use. By setting it on "auto" the camera does all the work for you. But you still have a lot of options. You can change the flash setting, white balance, ISO speed, etc all in an easy to navigate menu. The pictures look great. While there might be digital cameras out there that take better pictures, none are as cheap and have as many features. The Easyshare software that comes with the camera is the only thing that is lacking. It makes it easy to e-mail your pictures (which is what it is designed for, I suppose) and simple editing techniques are also available. But there is no option for more advanced editing, even resizing a picture is not available. It is also difficult to organize the pictures in their respective folders, you are forced to do it within the program if you want to continue to access them in the easyshare program. Despite this downfall, I think this camera is a great buy, and would recommend it to anyone.
I love this camera, however, the best time to take pictures is during the day with light. The night pictures are pretty dark, but you can still see them. The camera also only takes 2 AA batteries, which makes the camera pretty light.Overall this is a very good digital camera for the price.
I first purchased this Sony MiniDV in Octocber of 2004. I had considered other formats such as recordable DVD's and even tapeless but in the end I went with the MiniDV format since I had a good experience with a prior Sony MiniDV model.In 4 plus years, this DCRPC109 has been a very good "foot soldier" for me. Very reliable in many situations and able to get the scenes I need. What I liked most about this video camera is its small size along with the tiny MiniDV tapes. The picture quality on MiniDV's is crystal clear.The camera is able to take cell phone quality digital pictures(not bad for 2004, not ok in 2009). Pictures can be stored on the Sony Memory Stick and ONLY the Sony Memory Stick. Other drawbacks include the fact that you need the whole camera in order to charge the battery on a loading dock. You can get a seperate battery charger if you want that option.You get 10X optical and 120X digital zooms. You also get NightShot and a built-in lens cover. The lens cover is great for keeping out dirt but the NightShot I never found too useful, hate the "greenish" hue. High quality video camera with sharp picture quality. The only thing is that for the same price you can get a much more advanced video camera in 2009. If you can find it really cheap, then I'd say go for it.
I found this on clearance today on the Sony website.Limited quantity.  $ 549.
I've owned so many Sony products, this one is a dud. Someone already mentioned the horrible placement of the power in, the little rubber flipper gets in the way of everything. The PicturePackage software is a complete joke. SonyCopy.exe crashes every time I try to open my pictures. The lens cover is not automatic, and needs to be open no matter what you want to do. If its not open, it screams 'cover not open' at you until you MANUALLY open it. The device shows up as Camcorder 2 in Windows XP, you cannot browse your memory stick thru windows explorer. The resolution of the still shots is HORRIBLE. Do not buy this camera. Ugh. I'm stuck with it because I bought it at a retailer that won't take it back after 14 days.
I pre-ordered the PC109 and received it a week ago, so this review is not able to be extensive through all usage scenarios.It is a very small camcorder.  To relate just how small, if you hold a metal tin of Altoids over it, you only see about 1/2&quot; of the camcorder sticking out.  Of course, this means the buttons and controls are commensurately small as well.Finding a good position to hold it and control the zoom will take some trial and error since the zoom button is located near the lens, on the opposite side of where your index finger will be in the most natural holding position.  It's right next to the still photo button, which kind of slides down, too, so you may find yourself snapping photos when you really want to zoom.The color display is nice, and shows up well enough that you can use it to get an idea of what you're shooting outdoors.  The actual video is a little larger than what is displayed during capture.  The lens has a little switch to open and close it, and it is something you will have to remember to do when you're done filming.  I have forgotten a couple of times.There is a little press switch/slider thing that lets you choose the three modes:  regular camcorder mode, memory stick mode, or playback mode.  The playback mode gives little VCR controls on-screen that you touch to FF, REW, Pause, etc.  I have not used memory stick mode as I do not intend on using my camcorder as a digital camera.The DC-IN plug right on the camcorder is somewhat difficult to access right below a tiny plastic door.  The door doesn't stay out of the way of the plug too well when open.  There is another DC-IN plug on the docking station (discussed below), so fortunately you won't have to access this door very often.The recorded picture quality is quite good and very sharp.  It is quite impressive given the size of this camcorder.  Please refer to other reviews for objective discussions of the picture quality.  I think it looks great, but I don't have anything to compare it to.Now to the Handycam Station.  The unit ships with a mini docking station which contains the USB/Firewire/S-Video/DC/etc. ports on it.  It is topped with this thin white plastic that at first I thought was packing material and almost tried to pull off.  The feet on the docking station, at least on my unit, are sticky so they are hard to dislodge if you are moving the station around a lot.  Which brings me to the biggest reason why this camcorder is not right for me.  I have a little Sony Vaio TR laptop which I want to hook the camcorder into via iLink/Firewire so I can show my kids the videos right after I shoot them even if we're on the road somewhere.  The problem is that in order to hook up the camcorder to anything else (TV, laptop, etc), you need the docking base, meaning that if you plan on using the camcorder in a mobile environment like me, you have to carry around the docking station, which is a pain.  I would rather have the camcorder be a little bigger and have the plugs right on it.That being said, if you intend on having the base permanently next to your TV or desktop computer and just bringing home the camcorder and plugging it in, then this may be the camcorder for you because of the ultra-portability of the camcorder itself and the nice picture quality.I personally do not need an ultra small camcorder so I will be sending mine back and paying the extra money for a DCR-HC85, which has better video resolution and the ports right on the unit.
I've had this little guy for about 9 months now, and I have no major complaints. While this camcorder suits the needs of those who want good performance in filming normal activities, it may fall short of higher expectations.I bought this camcorder because it is small, compact, good-looking, and has a touch-panel feature (highly amusing and useful). The 1.0 Megapixel picture quality becomes pretty obvious during playback, though. Again, for those who just want to film family, school, and random events, I doubt anyone would complain about this small setback. But for those who want to make quality movies or semi-professional documentaries, the features and pixels may not be enough.I use this camcorder recreationally and it is a blast to use. I guess one word to describe my experience with it is: Complacent. If you want to film on a more professional level, I recommend the Sony DCR-HC85. It has 2.0 Megapixels, a built in flash, a 3.5 inch touch-panel LCD, and among other great features. It is slightly bigger and heavier, but it is nonetheless an excellent camcorder for more demanding purposes.Recreational: Sony DCR-PC109.  More serious filming: Sony DCR-HC85.Overall, you can't go wrong with the DCR-PC109.
I have just finished recording my first videotape with the Panasonic PV-GS9 and would like to make the following comments.First, the camcorder is easy to use and is a basically a point and shoot camcorder.For the more discriminating users I would like to point out some of the shortcomings of the camera.1) I have found that the automatic focus is quite slow sometimes and sometimes would not work at all.  I was photographing some hummingbirds up close and the camera would not focus on the feeder maybe because the color was white.2) Dark subjects came out overexposed rather than rendering the intense colors one would like to have gotten.3) Panasonic does not provide the software or cable to download to one's computer and it has been a real bitch trying to get the folks to respond to e-mail.  I currently have three e-mails out to the service folks trying to find out how I might get the software.  I received an answer to one e-mail directing me to a site where I could download the software but when I got there the link was a dead link.  I have written three times about this and no one has answered my e-mails.  Additionally, the e-mail with the dead link stated that the cable for downloading the movies to the computer "...is currently on back order with the factory for 4-6 weeks."I cannot imagine what one might do if something goes wrong with the camcorder.Despite the negatives I love the fact that I can get close up shots of birds from a safe distance without disturbing the birds and the camera will focus almost right at the edge of the lens.  One could do close ups of ants if he wanted to.  One really needs a tripod for the extended zooming range.  You cannot hold this camera still at the 50X digital zoom.
I was looking for a simple, low cost digital camcorder. This fits the bill. There are a bunch of interesting effects built in, none of which I'll ever use because I plan to edit video in iMovie on my Macintosh and output to DVD using iDVD. For $350, it did the job straight out of the box.
For the price this Camera Rocks !! I've had it for close to 2 years and for the price it's awesome.. I've used it to video tape Basketball and Football games .. Just an outstanding value.. The battery last at least over an hour .. Picture quality is great .. Check out some of my video at www.pleasantgrovesports.com .. Go to either Basketball or Football links .. click J.V. and then one of the kids last name for a short video clip..I shot all of the football video from the stands .. outstanding zoom !!If you can still find this video camera ... buy it .. especially if it's around $ 200 dollars ..I use pinnacle 9 and adobe for video editing ..My camera came with the standard A.V. cables .. and i expected to have to buy, or have , the other cables needed to connect to my computer ..Thanks Panasonic !!
beware of the low price, panasonic has managed to make the price so low ($350) because they don't give you any software for the computer (to transfer or to edit), and no cables for the computer. I can't believe they would neglet to put them in the box. Your better of with PVGS 15 as it comes with the software and a USB cable, the price is $500, but the software, cable, and still picture on sd make up the $150 price difference.
Yo uso esta camara para montarla en motocicletas deportivas expuesta a mucha vibracion, somplemente nunca ha fallado, segue trabajando como nueva a pesar de ya tener mas de 20 horas grabadas bajo estas duras condiciones.
I love this Camcorder. It is lightweight and easy to use.  It has good clear pictures and sound. It even picks up birds sounds from the background. It is also easy to hook up to your TV so you can view what pictures you have taken and even make copies on a VHS/DVD player so you can share your trip or event with others as gifts. We take it on every vacation and relive each trip and it helps us remember just what really happend on our trips and we don't have to rely just on our memories. Even children can use the mini camcorder
I've been looking for a camcorder for several months, and have been comparing prices and features both on the web and in the stores.  Based on my needs I was looking for the biggest bang for my buck.  I saw this Panasonic PV-GS9 Palmcorder for $349 that included an extra free, longer life battery.  I couldn't go wrong.My needs were simple.  I wanted something palm-size, and this fits the bill.  It doesn't take still digital photos, but I already have 2 digital cameras.  It will, however, allow you to snap single photos on the tape, which you can transfer to PC, as opposed to a Secure Digital card that the more expensive models have.  It has a USB connection, a firewire connection, and an analog audio/video connection.  The cable is provided for the latter, but not the first two.  You can use the USB connection to allow the camcorder to be used as a web cam, but you will need software for that.  I hooked up the analog connection to a USB Pinnacle Studio USB box I have, and it worked great.  My Pinnacle Studio v.8 transferred the clips on the tape.  You can save to CD or to your PC.  I then tried a firewire cable connected to my laptop.  Instantly, Windows Movie Maker opened up and automatically rewound the tape, then it transferred the movie, and allowed me to edit it, and save it as a WMV file.  I use WinXP, which requires nothing else to work.  You will need to download some drivers if you have Windows 98.I have not tried the connection to the TV yet, but will soon.  It works great in low light situations.  It has a stereo zoom microphone.  I could not hear any motor noise in my playback on the PC.  Sound was crisp and clear, and the full screen video was crystal clear and very sharp.  Depending on how hard you touch the zoom button, you can make the picture zoom in as slow or as fast as you want.It comes with no editing software or cables, except for the AV cable.  But then I didn't need anything extra, as I already had all the hardware and software I needed.  It does not come with any digital tapes, so you will have to buy those.  It comes with a Li-Ion battery and charger, and a cable to allow you to use the camcorder while plugged into the charger.  In fact it is suggested you do that while hooked up to the PC to prevent battery drainage. Battery charging is very quick.  The manual has 82 pages, is for this model and three other models, and is packed with information;  and for my age, I need reading glasses to see all the small print and illustrations.  It has Image Stabilization, but no remote control.  The 2.5 inch digital viewfinder is very clear and easy to see, even with these "aged" eyes.  The camcorder has an easy to use menu button, which is accessible when the digital viewfinder is opened.For my needs, it is perfect.  I love it, am very happy with it, and expect to get a lot of use out of it.  Even with the tiny print in the manual, I still give it all 5's.
The only -ve things I found are:-no flash light (I knew that before buying).-magic-pix helps to take picture in dark only if the subject is very still.-for USB connection the software in not downloadable for free. You have to buy software from Panasonic for $11 besides USB cable which is another $8.In spite of theses shortcomings I still like this camcorder and would highly recommend it.
I have a couple high-end 3-CCD Panasonic camcorders. I was afraid of racking up hours and hours fast forwarding, rewinding, and playing back tape on these expensive models.  At this incredibly low price, this is a great deal for pro's looking for an inexpensive DV "deck" to offload DV footage into their computer. (Considering that stand-alone DV VTRs cost more than $700!)  I use it to feed my 3-CCD DV footage shot with my other cameras into Final Cut Pro over Firewire and it works like a dream!  It's also great if you want to feed footage into a Firewire ready DVD recorder.
Well, I just read other reviews and I was surprised!  First of all, I had a USB cable that fit the camera and plugged into my computer, so I didn't have that issue.  I'm sure I would've been frustrated as well if I had to go purchase one.  Personally, I was able to edit and create movies on my computer with no problem, using the free software that came with my computer (Sony VAIO, 3 years old).  So I guess maybe I was lucky, but I have had a very good experience with this camera.  The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the picture quality on my movies isn't the greatest. This camera is a little outdated though, so I can't complain.  Plus, for the price, it has been outstanding.
This is my first MiniDV camcorder. I liked it until I actually played back the pictures on my TV. The battery life is good and the unit is very easy to use.But the picture quality is awful. The images are full of digital artifacts, appearing pixellated and jerky with the slightest of motion. This camera has a 24x zoom lens which is unusable without a tripod. The image stabilization is fine until you start zooming, then things start jumping all over the place. Without a tripod, I don't see much point in this much zoom.Aside from the digital artifacts and pixellated video, the user manual is a low-point for this unit. The manual is more of a reference manual, offering little advice as to "why" one might be interested in each feature. There is no troubleshooting guide to explain how to compensate for pixellated video, for example. The index is only 2 pages for a 83 page manual, meaning that a vast majority of topics are not even listed in the index. Overall the manual is far too dry and technical to be useful.
I bought this camcorder for my wife.  After using it for a while, we just stopped.  Indoor pictures, even with lights on, are very grainy.  And unfortunately, we would shoot a lot indoors.In order to move the video to a computer, you need a Firewire cable and Firewire on your computer, and additional software not supplied with the camcorder.  I wouldn't mind this, execpt the camcorder also has USB connectivity.  Everyone has USB, but you can't send the video over USB, only still pics.The basic shooting controls are easy enough to figure out, but beyond that, the controls are very unintuitive.  The control panel tucked in where the LCD screen comes out has myriad buttons, and it's not obvious what they all do.I remember shortly after I bought this, Consumer Reports came out with their evaluations of Camcorders.  This one was at the very bottom of the ones they rated, and in my opinion, for good reason.
Ok, first of all...I see people saying this camcorder has bad "low-light" conditions and bad digital still picture quality. Seeing these reviews on a few websites almost made me not purchase the camcorder but thankfully I went ahead and bought it.The low-light thing people are saying is far-fetched, a decently lit room will be enough light to get good video, I don't think any of us film in complete darkness, right? I filmed some stuff in my big studio room which only has a 3 bulb fan and I got great video with only that lighting. If you do want to film at night you can always buy a light attachment ([...])And to comment on the digital still pictures, yea this isn't a digital camera so don't expect amazing digital pics from this thing, but who buys a camcorder for pictures? It gets the job done if you want to take some quick shots for the web, but I don't think low quality digital pics should make you not buy this camcorder. Most of us already have film cameras/digital cameras so don't make your decision based on its picture taking quality, 95% of camcorders take crappy pictures anyways.The video picture quality is great, I took some video inside and outside and both were very good. The audio is better than I thought it would be, it picked up everything clearly. This is a great camcorder and if you look on EBay or Amazon you can find a used one for under $350. I got mine for $318 and it was basically brand new!If you want to transfer your video onto your computer you'll need to purchase a firewire cable (look on ebay, you can find them cheap), video software, and make sure your computer has an input for firewire(IEEE/1394 input). The camcorder has a 4 pin output (DV Output) and it's simple as plugging in the firewire cable and hitting capture on your video software. I transfered video from the camcorder to my HP computer using Pinnacle Studio 9 and it all came through perfect, the quality was GREAT.I'm very pleased with this camcorder and would recommend it to anyone.
I was looking for a Camcorder in the $400-600 range and got the Panasonic PV-GS15.  I chose the GS15 over the higher end Panasonic PV-GS55 or GS-120 models because of its higher optical zoom (24x vs 10x).  Also, those other Panasonic models are "Ultra-Compact" and I find the GS15 compact enough already.I also considered the Sony DCR-HC40 but was not happy with the 10x optical zoom limitation.  Also the GS15 comes with a longer lasting battery than the Sony.  The GS15 also comes with a remote control and both view screens are color.I did consider a Canon (e.g., the ZR90) but found to many reader reviews about Canon camcorders in general complaining about motor noise coming through the microphone and also electronic problems with condensation.  Also, Consumer Reports ("Consumer Reports Best Buys For Your Home 2004") finds that Canons "are among the more repair-prone brands of digital camcorders".  In comparison, Sony & Panasonic models do well.  I looked at JVC models as well, but again they are more repair prone.I do not hear any motor noise on the GS15. I am amazed at how much sound it picks up.  It makes you realize how much noise you "tune out" after you listen to a video taped outdoors.  It seems to pick up sound equally well whether the person you are taping is talking or the person holding the camcorder is talking.I am happy with the indoor video quality.  This is my first camcorder though so I have no comparison. Keep in mind that the GS15 does not have a "Nightshot" feature like Sony and also that you CANNOT record short video clips to the memory card as you can with other camcorders (only photos).So I feel that the GS15 is a great deal because it is actually $100-200 less in price than models that I was comparing it with.  Overall, a great little camcorder that I hope will last for 10 years!
I bought this used off of that _ Bay place on 7-2-2010. It works wonderfully,I used it in many different situations and it performed great!I'm currently using it as a WEBCAM....Vista did everything else.Hooked right up to my ACER PC w/an AMD and stock on board graphic'sBurns DVD very easy with windows....I'm tellin ya anyone can do this with this great little {and it is quite small} camera!!!!Pickup a firewire cord {I think I paid 72cents and 2.99 shiping on Amazon} Also has an SD card for still pic's but I didn't buy this for stills!But it also works great! Panasonic is a old trusted name that I will alway's own,Love my 2 other digital panasonic cameras also my 42in PLASMA Panasonic!Love em all!!!!
I have a Panasonic camcorder, PV-GS15, five months short of being two years old.  Now it is broke and does not work.  However before it died, the screen kept turning blue with a message to hit the reset button.  Doing so provided no positive results.  I telephoned Panasonic and questioned the reason for this reset button, and their technical support could not offer an explanation.  I noticed all Panasonic camcorders have this annoying reset button, while other manufacturers do not have this defect of an option.  I suggest buying your camcorder from anyone but Panasonic.
This is my second one.  First one lasted 3 1/2 years........I'd buy another one if this breaks!!!
This camera is a piece of crap.It is poorly constructed (2 screws have already fallen out of mine) and it is repleat with poor photographic and videographic recording capabilities.I bought one of these for my wife for Christmas 2004, and was severley disappointed in the quality of the videos and photos. Yes, it is a small, compact package, but I've seen cell-phones that take better pictures than this. I even purchased a 512MB memory card for her so that she could shoot some decent length videos, but the picture quality is so bad that she hardly ever uses it.This camera doesn't even have a firewire connection (something I should have checked on before buying), so we can't download the videos to our Macs. The photos are often blurry and/or grainy (low resolution, even on the 'high reso' setting) and are really not the quality we are accustomed to. I have a Canon Powershot S40 that takes MUCH better photos (and up to 30 seconds of video) than this camera.I will not EVER be buying a Panasonic/Lumix camera again. Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
The unit itself is well designed. The quality of video is fair, at least for such a compact unit. Photos are near worthless due to horrible quality. My cell phone has far superior images.Sadly, for all the niceties of the gadget Panasonic chose to cripple the unit with it's software and make it virtually worthless.a) the videos ARE NOT mpeg4 as advertised. Rather, they are encapsulated in an .asf DRM file which is unviewable by anyone.b) the voice recorder is fairly useless. Sure it's a digital voice recorder. But nothing can play the digital files it records but the camera. You have no way of converting them or playing them on your PC.Due to the software implementation this camera because mostly non-functional.Today I have several videos that I cannot view. You need a special plug-in. That said, Panasonic doesn't let you download without a special code.THIS IS NOT A MPEG4 CAMERA AS ADVERTISED
This camera is great for someone who needs to fit their camera in a small place such as a pocket or purse.  It is so small that I kept it in my purse at all times.  In daylight the pictures turn out wonderful! Sometimes at night you need to make sure you are at a close enough distance that the flash can brighten up background.  This camera is great for taking videos while on vacation.  Who wants to carry around a camcorder these days?!? All and all this is a great little camera/video recorder/mp3 player/voice recorder.
This is a very cool gadget, but it has a very specific target audience - people who need a camera and a Dictaphone with them at all times. If that's not you, consider a Palm Zire 71, or maybe a camera phone.Unlike many other combination devices, the D-Snap 50 doesn't try to do too much, just a few things fairly well. The MP3 player is as good as any other card-based unit, the voice recorder is on par with the most expensive Sony stand-alones, and the digital camera is good enough for small jobs and web work... but until you get used to using it, you'll think you need to cut off your index finger to take a decent picture. Also, I haven't yet decided whether including an 8 MB memory card with the unit was meant as an insult or a joke.Most of the negatives associated with the D-Snap 50 can be cured with three things: patience, practice, and an extraordinarily large SD memory card. After you've taught yourself how to hold it, and jacked up all the settings to acceptable quality, you will wonder how you ever did without it. As for durability, we'll have to wait and see, but I trust the brand. Three and one-half stars.
very good deal Thanks
This camera is DEFINITELY worth it for what I bought it for ($265). If you're buying used then don't go over $350 unless there are other things included with it. I used this camera for skateboarding and the footy looks really good. Extra batteries are obviously a big help, and they only cost like 5 bucks so make sure to add those to your order, and add some miniDV tapes and your set! The movable viewfinder is awesome too! It could be a little longer but it's still a HUGE help to your footy
This is my first camcorder and I have only had it a couple days. A couple observations. First off, the manual is preposterously bad. Pages and pages devoted to getting STILL photos from the camcorder. And virtually NOTHING on how to shoot and process video. I don't know about you, but I did not buy a camcorder to shoot still photos. I already have a camera. I bought this to shoot video. You would think that the manual would BEGIN with information on how to shoot video and go into detail. Well, that is not the case. In my opinion it is not illustrated well either. A couple full scale photos of the camera from different angles with features labelled would be a useful addition. Instead the manual is populated with tiny little line drawings.If you are considering this camera, understand right from the start that if you intend to transfer video to your PC you will have to go out and buy a Firewire card and cable. The camera comes with a USB cable and software, unfortunately these are only useful for processing STILL photos. That is why the manual only discusses STILL photos and how to use their software to process STILL photos.After purchasing a Firewire card and cable I found myself unable to connect the cable to the camera. This was due to a misunderstanding on my part of where the arrow on one of the little line drawings was pointing. So, I was trying to connect the DV cable (Firewire) to the USB port. The USB port is under a rubber flap on the right side of the camera. It wasn't until the next day that I realised there was another rubber flap on the rear of the camera below the battery and the first rubber flap.  Again, if the instruction manual was better conceived, I could have avoided several hours of frustration. Once I found the correct port and connected the camcorder to my PC I was able to get the video into the PC by ignoring the instructions in the manual that tell you to select the "PC" on the mode dial and instead switched it to Tape Playback mode.The camcorder can also be hooked up directly to a TV. The cable has 3 plugs, one white, one red, one yellow. The instruction manual is in black and white so good luck figuring out which one is the video feed and which the audio. (Turns out the yellow is video, the red and white are audio. But I had to dig up the TV manual to find that out).I really can't say enough bad things about the manual, it is really that awful. The camera itself is an amazing device, surprisingly light and compact and the quality of the images is superb. The color is brilliant and the sound quality is also very good.I am looking forward to getting past this initial getting acquainted stage. I wish Panasonic had done more to make it less frustrating.
I've waited two years to write my review so that I'd be removed from the excitement that comes with buying a new camera.  The strongpoints of this camcorder are its size, color reproduction, remote control, and adjustable light/color settings.  It's drawbacks are: poor performance in low/med-low light conditions.  The colors tend to go blue in mid to low light situations, and that can be annnoying for those trying to make short films with different locations/lighting.  I think that this camera would be a great buy for someone looking to do a lot of serious filming in outdoor areas.  If you just want something to make home movies of your kids or something, then I'd go for a cheaper model Panasonic or a Sony.  I think that I'm going to buy a Sony next time because I like their low-light features.
I have been using this camera for about 2 yrs. I did a lot of research before buying and I am sure that I am not much mistaken in  my choice.ProsExcellent color reproduction especially in out door settingsEasy to use menusmall sizeI did not have any problem with noise from tape as some one reviewedStill pictures are also really good for a 1.2 Mp camera-color reproducion really good, can take still pictures while shooting a video without going back to menu-just click the Still picture button.ConesManual that comes along with is "CRAPPY". It is as if the manufacturers mean this camera for Still images only. it does not even mention where exactly to connect the fire wire cable. i had to find it out from some reviews!!The product did not come with a fire wire cable; Find a good one elsewhere. I called Panasonic customer support regarding this and they too had only one suggestion-buy it elsewhere!!It takes a long while for me (about 1hr plus) to transfer one MiniDV cassette of video to computer and to form file on the Windows Movie maker I used. My computer has about 756 MB RAM. I did not try another software.Software that came with camcorder is redundant.Performance in low light is not goodNo built-in light source; find a suitable one and attach separateoptical zoom is only 10X, and no need to mention anything about digital zoomBattery does not last for long-may be for 30-40 mts with the digital viewer turned on; have apare battery if you are serious about shooting for a longer period.Because of the negative points, I am looking for a better model with 3CCD technology
...be warned.  If you're looking for a camcorder that you can easily download your movies onto your computer so you can create DVD's or movies for sharing across the Internet like I was, THEN KEEP LOOKING.  1st, the camcorder does not come with the cable (1394 Firewire) needed for downloading the video off the camera tape.  2nd, it also does not come with the software needed to support removing the video off the camera.  I noticed in another review someone mentioning about the manual being devoted to still pictures - this is absolutely true - to include all the software and cables that does come with it.  The funny thing is that it only comes with a 16MB flash card that can only hold like 20 pictures!  It even suggests in the manual that you find a third party software on the Internet to help with the video functions!  Don't get me wrong, it's a good camera for the value BUT be ready to do your own research on the "How To's" and to be forced into buying additional equipment to really use the features.  My final complaint about this product is the lack of technical support.  I intended to use the web cam feature also and when I had problems with it and MSN messenger and Yahoo messenger, I found out that there is no on-line documentation or software supporting this camera (yet??,idunno...).
I just bought this camera, my first experience with a digital camcorder.  I read the reviews and was concerned about the reviewer that had the bad customer service experience.  But I was told this was the best camera on the market for the money, and I chose to buy this model.  I took the camera with me on a trip to Europe, and spent a full week recording the sights and sounds of Lisbon, Portugal.  I got the camera home, and in no time at all, without even reading the owners manual, was able to download the captured video onto a DVD media using Pinnacle Studio v 9.  It was incredibly easy!  The color was spectacular.  I am very happy with this camera and my decision to buy this model.  I highly recommend this camera!
Have had the unit 6 months, and been through 10 tapes of kids, events, and such.  The unit has been flawless, with two exceptions.  First, is battery life on the default battery.  I quickly determined that a spare battery was needed and picked up the CGA-DU21 which gives me a solid 4-5 hours of shooting time when I combine the two batteries.The second issue is the button layout on the "folding screen" area.  The layout is ambiguous and some more thought should have gone into making those functions usable WHILE shooting (e.g. Fade, date/time stamp, etc.)The screen is very nice, but has a narrow viewing angle.  Low light performance is great and when you have plenty of light, the color is wonderful.  I'm very pleased about my purchase.  If you plan to use the camera for still digital, you may want to get the unit with the higher res camera.I also added a 512 MB SD card to it so that I can use this as a digi cam for those times when enlargements aren't likely.  The shots make great 4x6 prints even with the lower end unit (1.2 megapixels.)  I recently came back from holiday with 2 full DV tapes and over 90 beautiful photographs all from the same camera.  The photos aren't anything like my Canon Digital Rebel, but are as good as any point-and-shoot digital camera with 2 megapixels can be.Another quick point.  It's hard to find a point-and-shoot digital camera with a fast lens (usually they are f3.5 or slower) ... but with a digicam, you automatically get like an f1.4 and can take digital stills in very low light (kids on stage, etc)... they are a tad grainy, but when you're out of flash range or flash isn't allowed, it's great.
Overall quite good, but overpriced. Poor in low light, when also the image stabilisation cuts off. But bright light pictures really good. I think the Canon Elura 60 at about $150 less is a better buy, however. Problem with all of these mini-DV's is how to get a DVD-quality picture onto a DVD....the max resolution I get is about 700xsomething, and that requires a firewire IEEE card and cable (extra $30++)...and the burned DVD's do not look as good as analog off the SVideo. Why pay big bucks and get cheap results ? Keep your budget below $400 for now.
The camcorder I bought suffers from noise in the tape transport mechanism (a purring noise that makes the camera sound like an 8mm projector and gets recorded on tape). Serching on the web you find more references to the PV-GS400 but it can be present on the other GS models. Search for "Panasonic tape transport noise".
worked for first 4 tapes that video taped and then doesnt read tapes:(wasnt worth money at all... its an alright product
I won't go into all the technical specs of this camera because the other reviewers have already done an excellent job of doing that. I bought my pv-gs200 2 years ago and it's really an amazing and value packed product. They're a little tough to find new now but I would imagine a refurb would be of equal quality. The #1 reason why I purchased the gs200 is because it has a manual focus ring. I can use it for stills and full motion video. This is a huge benefit, especially in low light shots. The color reproduction on the GS200 is spot on. I recently shot a family reunion at a beach in Long Island NY and discovered that if you capture the video in an uncompressed format using an app like Sony Vegas, you get results comparable to that of a higher end broadcast quality camera. For me, figuring this out was like unlocking the cameras true potential. I highly recommend this camera for the steady handed. It's ideal for tripod use too! Check out a video of my nephew picking his nose with both fingers, filmed with the GS200 and rendered as a an mpeg layer 2 file. [...]  Here's a link to a still I took with the GS200. It's a pic of the sun using no filters. [...]
The Panasonic PV-GS200 is a great camera as all the other reviewers have mentioned.  Don't buy this camera for the computer program, DV Studio3.  I have Win XP Home and installed the software that was included with the camera.  I have yet to find out how it works as the program freezes as soon as you start it.  I get the splash screen and that's it.  I usually have to use the task manager to shut down the program.  I contacted Panasonic via their website and after two weeks, have not received a response (not even an acknowledgement that they received my question).  Camera is great but the program is the pits. -- Update: Finally got a response from Panasonic (three weeks).  They recommended I use Windows Movie Maker to download the video.  That worked. -- Update (again): The one thing that is not mentioned by anyone, including Panasonic tech support is the firewire cable.  This is essential and is not included with the PV-GS200.  Since this is a neccessary accessory, you'd think Panasonic would have mentioned this somewhere in their manual (and included one with the camera).  Make sure you have one if you're using this camera.
After months of looking around, We had to opt out of 3 Camcorders, the SONY DHRC40, Canon Optura 40 and the Panasonic GS200. And we went for the later one.November 12th 2004:As the Camcorder is only 2 days old, I will post the Initial Review and Add to it later.Factors in Making us buy this camcorder:1) 3 CCD, its not a hype.2) Compact Size, and in fact the camcorder is really small and nice.3) One can edit the voice later on when doing the Playback, I loved this option.PROS:1) It comes with a Remote like external mike and stuff, which has zoom controls and all needed buttons to operate the Camcorder, Excellent.2) The Remote is wonderful3) Night Shots are wonderful.4) the Mic is big and is on the Front of the Camcorder, Voice Recording is wonderful.CONS:1) The Manual is very lousy.2) EIS not effective when Camcorder on Full Zoom.December 6th:PROS:1) The Camcorder records really well during the Night.2) The day light recording easily surpasses any camcorder in this range.3) Very Decent Battery life.4) Decent features like the Cinema Mode, Timed Recording.5) During Zero lux(no Light) it lets the LCD to become a sorce of light.CONS:1) Again, the manual is very lousy. Do not expect any help from it.2) As my laptop does not have a IEEE1394 port, transferring Video to my PC aint possible. I have ordered a $40 PCMCIA card and a cable on Bizrate and will finally be able to transfer video.3) PANASONIC doe not provide a Firewire Cable for connection to PC.And again, because the manual does not have any word of how to connect it the computer, It took me some time to figure all this out.
The Digital Zoom is just useless for most camera! It is just a marketing sick joke. Turn off that stupid Digital Zoomm then your EIS will work a lot better ( try not to zoom all the way to 10X). If you need to get closer to the object then try to use a telephoto lense converter ( may be around $99 for a decent one). Over all I think this camera is doing very well! I would definately recommend it! Video quality is superb! Still camera is not bad if you need a quick shot at something. The user manual is a real joke though but the menu is very easy to use. Thing you may need beside the camcorder:- IEEE cable- Adobe PremierYou will not be disappointed! At lest i didn't.The new PV-GS250 has the Optical I.S. so you may want to look at it as well. But to me, the PV-GS200 is very good you just have to get use to it.
I just got this so I'll give some first impressions.  I'll come back in a month or two to fill in more details.In short, this is the camcorder you've been waiting for: vivid, almost broadcast-quality home videos.  OK, that's assuming you know how to shoot steady and well-framed videos.  The camcorder with its three CCD chips gives you the technical superiority over your next-door neighbors, but ultimately if you shoot trash, you get trash.  But for those of us who know how to shoot like a pro (e.g., no in-camera zooming, steady and slow pans, no in-camera special effects), the results are simply amazing.  If you, for example, are a serious amateur home-movie maker or an aspiring filmmaker, you'll definitely love this camcorder.Because this is an affordable camcorder, Panasonic seems to have cut a few (minor) corners.  Indoor/night shots are no better than the average consumer 1-chip camcorder.  Of course if you have plenty of lighting, you'll once again reap the benefits of having 3 CCDs to capture light.  But if you just use existing indoor lighting you won't find this working wonders.  Also its optical zoom is lower than many newer camcorders.  As always, digital zoom is next to useless.The camcorder is pretty easy to set up and use; no Ph.D. in VCR programming required.  For this review I just wanted to focus on its main selling point, the 3-chip video capture system.  Other amenities include manual focus, 2MP digital still camera, remote controls, etc.  Battery life seems average, after you cycle the battery properly a couple times.If you want to take beautiful (outdoor) videos and don't have a fat wallet, you should definitely consider getting this camcorder.NOTE: From what I read, the cheaper PV-GS120 model foregoes the manual focus ring, the wired remote and the flash.  I assume that model has the same video quality as the GS200.
This is a great camcorder! 3CCD - Simple; one for red, one for green and one for blue. Add one Leica Dicomar lens equals great video with vibrant colors. 2.3MP stills that look better than many digital cameras. 10x optical zoom, 25x or 700x digital zoom. At 700 times I cannot hold it still. Even a tripod will not clear up the image. Images at 200x or 300x are ok. The 25x setting is most useful. 2.5-inch LCD, mediocre (5x7) still photos while taping but good 2.3mp stills in digital camera mode. It plays a little camera shutter sound when you snap a photo, cute. Good manual focusing, decent flash, zoom mic, quick start, the SD card hides under the control panel. They even included a better battery. My 256MB card hold hundreds of high res photos and/or 1.5 hours of MPEG4 video. Awesome. Oh ya, it tapes MiniDV too. The addition of manual focus, MPEG4 and a digical camera is worth the money compared to the PVGS120.
After a great deal of research, I decided to buy this camcorder. This is really an awesome piece producing vivid and life-like colors. I personally compared videos shot from popular models like Sony DCRHC40, JVC GRD90, Canon ZR90 and Panasonic PV-GS200. The built-in 3 CCDs in GS200 rocks and the difference is easily visible and of almost broadcast quality.I have no complaints about the image stabilizer. It performs as good as the other make/models I have tested, if not better.Pros:1. Video quality & color reproduction.2. Top mounting cassette deck, easy to use on tripods.3. No motor noice, very feeble on rewinding.4. Compact size.5. 3 CCD technology at affordable prize.6. White balance and wealth of other manual controls.7. Focus ring.8. Battery life.Cons:1. Low light performance could have been better. Though Sony performs a little better, Panasonic is just above average under low light. I can live with it though - I wouldn't be shooting my home videos in the dark.2. Zoom is only 10x. It is sufficient for most of my requirement, but other make/models give longer zoom range for the same price. (I found that at full 16x zoom in JVC, the camcorder shakes badly and becomes almost unusable without a tripod)I would highly recommend this for anybody looking for a feature-rich, great quality camcorder for around $700.
Just ordered my Panasonic PV-GS200 and would like to share one issue I found.During my search for the MiniDV, I read a few reviews and some of them mentioned that this model is pretty much the same as Panasonic PV-GS120 and has a terrible imaging stabilizer. And I also see other postings here and there that they think Sony has the best IS (imaging stabilizer) and Panasonic needs much improvements. Since IS is important to me, I decided to go to a local Fry's to hand test these Mini-DVs.I tried most of the sub $1000 models in the store including Sony's (like DCR-HC85/65/40, TRV22/...), Canons (only horizontal models like Elura 65/70 and Optura XI and a few others), and Panasonic PV-GS120 and 200. The PV-GS120 has indeed a very bad image stabalizer as I can see the image shaking a lot in the screen. But the PV-GS200 is definitely a much better improvement and not the same as GS120.Actaully, I tried zoom to very close object, and zoom to very far object, the PV-GS200 beats all Canons and is the same, if not better than, any Sony I tested.I then go to a 2nd store to test to make sure all PV-GS200 has the same imaging stablizer. In the 2nd store, it still beats all Canon's and in par with any Sony (actually better than some old Sony's).I don't know why people saying it has a bad imaging stablizer, but you should definitely test yourself.This is a great model with great functionality.Eric.
This is a tourist-camera body with a professional output!  I use this camera for commercial video and public access cable TV.  I've taken this camera on vacation all over the world.  On a flat panel TV, people always remark how incredibly good the resolution is on this camera, in all sorts of lighting environs.  One of the standouts is the excellent lens and the sharp autofocus.  It also rocks with a steadicam.  My next camera is going to be a lot less fun because it is more bulky.
I bought this lens in large part because of the excellent reviews of it on this site.  It is almost everything the best reviews say it is.  More specifically, optically it is everything they say it is: superb.  My quibbles are two-fold, and may be unjustified.  First, the lens is not built like the very best lenses -- too much plastic!  Then again, the lens costs about $250, which makes it an incredible bargain for this quality of glass.  (It may be that we simply have to get used to all the plastic.  I remember the first time I picked up a Pentax DSLR (in 2004); compared with my LX, it felt like a toy because of all that plastic.  I doesn't feel that way any more.)My second quibble is about the focal length.  45mm (~67.5mm w/35mm format) is a very odd focal length, not quite long enough for a portrait lens.On the PLUS side:  I am surprised that none of the reviews mentions that the lens will focus down to eleven inches.  I took a picture of a log on the beach at about that distance (11"), and the detail, and the color, were stunning.  This lens is vastly superior to the 18-55mm kit lens, and for the money, it is a great bargain.  There is also a 16-50mm Pentax zoom available with a fixed f/2.8 max aperture, but it costs about 2.5 times as much as this lens and is substantially bigger.
Pentax have always produced fine glass at a manageable price, and this lens is no exception.  I own Pentax primes going back to the 1960s and have been spoiled by the wonderful qualities of those lenses; to the point where I--like other reviewers--did not consider zooms.  However, when I purchased a K20D I felt it deserved better than the 18-55 kit lens (version I not II) I had floating around for a general-purpose 'travel' lens.  Reading the reviews on the 16-50 I was concerned with the quality control issues and opted to pass.  So that left the 16-45 seeing as the 17-70 was still not available at the time.And I am glad I made that choice.  Initially I was dismayed at my pictures as they did not seem as sharp as I would've expected; however after using the (very nice) K20D focus adjustment I realized my particular 16-45 and my particular K20D did not quite agree and needed a little assistance.  After performing a fairly casual focus adjustment (picking real world objects and testing it out) the 16-45 not only met expectations but greatly exceeded them.  I own some VERY sharp lenses including a Super Takumar 28/3.5 M42 mount and this lens is every bit as good as any of them.  Contrast, color, sharpness are all up to par with the massive resolution the K20D sensor is capable of.  I would not even consider the 16-50 since it's just a stop faster and much more expensive than this little guy (unless you need the weather sealing); the 16-45 is just that good.If you don't have it, and don't need the weather sealing, buy it now.  If you want to print 5 feet wide, buy it now.  If you want the best bang for the buck in any zoom lens, buy it now.Just....buy it.  (Unless you own one of those non K-mount bodies, that is.)
I won't repeat all the superlatives others have already written... Read their in-depth reviews!  However, I would like to mention that I bought one of these 16-45s way back when they first came out - must have been around '03 or '04 - and after thousands of pictures it still functions perfectly. I use it more than all my other lenses combined, which means daily. I find it incredible to see Amazon offering this gem for two & a half c-notes in Feb 2009; I paid more than twice as much - in Hong Kong, no less... land of really cheap camera gear! - and I still think *that* was a bargain. Very few zooms can go up against fixed focal length primes and come out on top:  for the Pentax system, this is the one that can! Grab one while you can...
I use it 90% of the time on my camera. It is an excellent choice as a walk about for those who prefer wide angles. 16mm is enough for even serious landscapes, and range up to 45mm is just enough for general shooting. The lens has a very nice bokeh, especially for a zoom and has very good contrast and colors.
This is destined to be a Pentax Classic...wow...from wide angle view to macro close. You can't go wrong with this lens
In the Pentax line - the DA* 16-50 is one of the most desired lenses - it is weather sealed and has a fancy, almost silent internal motor for focusing. It also costs twice as much as this lens and that cool motor is prone to break, often.This 16-45 lens is well built, though made of mostly plastic - it is good quality and the lens is pretty durable. Granted - it is NOT weather sealed - so don't take this out in a rain storm - but it has served me well outdoors and is pretty solid. Images come out great, little CA and color and clarity are there. For me - that extra 2mm on the wide end makes a great difference from the classic 18mm wide kit lens start point, though I do wish it went to 50mm on the tele side.Overall, for the money, this is great lens. If you can afford the DA* - by all means go for it - for those of us on a budget - this is a great alternative.
This lens is sharp, works very smoothly and has beautiful color.  It's a first rate lens.  I only wish it was just a tad bit longer - 16-60mm - that would be the equivalent of 24-90mm.  As it is it is the equivalent of 24-67.5mm in 35mm terms.
I was using my 18-55mm kit lens that came with myPentax K-x  Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black)for almost a year. As this was my first DSLR I bought along withSigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR CamerasI was not able to spend any more on lenses for a while. But the time came for me to update my gear with quality glass. My first consideration was a telephoto lens, but I also needed a simple, good walk around lens that can deliver. And my search led to this lens.I am not into landscapes yet and I feel I can not take the time and put the effort to travel to the locations. But a lens around 350$ with quality glass and high performance made me take the decision to buy it. And you know what? I am happy I took the decision.Negatives first---------------1. If it was at least 20mm longer, it would be a dream come true2. Using flash is almost killing a photo, as the shade of the lens intrudes the picture.3. Often times the DOF can be very thin.Positives---------------1. Sharp, sharp and very sharp2. The quick shift feature will be very valuable while shooting portraits3. It is also a very good macro lens. If you don't need to shoot the but of flies then you may not need a true macro lens4. The lens hood has a opening to rotate a polarizing filter. Very nice!5. It is of moderate weight and the design of this lens looks beautiful. You will love the look of your DSLR with the lens on it.For many people this lens would be sufficient for landscapes, interiors and portraits. What impresses me is the sharpness and color reproduction of this lens and it's macro capabilities. I can recommend this lens to anyone.CheersGunasekhar
When I ordered my Pentax K5, I ordered the 16-45mm lens instead of the standard 18-55mm kit lens. At first use, it seemed OK, but each time I used it I was getting better results both indoors and outside. Recently, I used it for some seascape and landscape images while on a camera club field trip. Others on the trip were sporting very impressive high-end Nikon and Canon lenses but, with my modestly-priced 16-45mm Pentax lens, I just went about my business taking shot after shot in manual and AP modes, while using a circular polarizer filter for a few shots. WOW -- the results were astounding (both with and without the filter)! I'm entering three images from that trip in a well-known local annual photography exhibit next month. The framing store manager wants to purchase one of the images if it's available when the exhibit ends. The irony is that, when I was shopping for my first lens for the K5, I was actually wavering on the 16-45mm while seriously considering similar range lenses from Sigma and Tamron. But, eventually, I ordered the 16-45mm and never looked back. If I need more zoom, I use the new Pentax 55-300mm, which does a very nice job as well.
I bought this lens for my 35mm pentax camera, since I'll be buying one of the dslr bodies sometime. It is fantastic: very very sharp and with great saturated color. On par, sharpness-wise with my Zuiko (50mm f1.4 & f1.8, 85mm f/2) and Nikon primes, but with better color! The contrast is good as well, there are rumors that the lens underexposes a bit - perhaps it does, but that works well with film.On a film camera, there's vignetting when you zoom wider than 21mm - but that's a nice special effect, a sort of semi-fisheye at 16mm. Also, using the supplied lens shade isn't a great idea when shooting with 35mm film cameras, as the vignetting starts early.Overall, this is a super lens, the best zoom I've owned.11/2007: I've been using this lens with a K100D with great results. The tone is if anything more concentrated on a digital body - though for some reason the slight underexposure trend does exist with digital but not film. The lens has decent close focus ability - your shots of kittens and flowers come out awesome!I recently bought the 43mm Limited, and while it has greater resolution and tonality, and does better in low light, on a photographic (rather than pixel peeping) level the 16-45 is in the same league. I still highly recommend this lens as the best medium zoom value that Pentax offers.
I have used this lens for more than two years. I love this lens for its wide angle, excellent sharpness, low distortion, overall excellent image quality. It is one of reasons I still use my Pentax K100D.I have Canon XT and 18-55/3.5-5.6/IS Lens. I have to say Canon has lots of good cameras and excellent lenses. But Pentax 16-45/4.0 is way better than Canon 18-55/IS, and way way better than 18-55/non-IS lens (I cannot understand why people want to pay $50 for a used Canon 18-55/non-IS, which is very poor and cheap-made lens).
I was one of those holdouts that carried lots of prime lenses, disdaining zooms as "a compromise".  No doubt, I missed some fine lenses because of this.The lens that sold me on zooms is this lens, the 16-45 f/4 Pentax.  The lack of distortion, the contrast, the fine color control, all finally convinced me that a zoom can perform some of the functions of a prime.I've been using this lens for a while.  In my studio, the 50mm primes have become the main portrait lenses with the digital cameras.  But now, I'm not afraid to use a zoom lens on a job.  A big step for me!It extends quite far when zooming, a fact I don't like, and for those who care, the on-camera flash is blocked by the lens hood (I use studio strobe, so it's of no import to me).  As a modern lens, it has a polycarbonate barrel (they don't seem to be inclined to make zooms in the Lmited series.  Too bad).If I could use it on the film cameras, I probably would.  No aperture ring means it's definitely meant for the current cameras.Despite all that, I highly recommend this lens.  It's a great "walk around" lens, going from very wide to moderate telephoto (remember, it's for the APS-C sensors).  Image quality is astounding to an old woman who loves primes, and even for a lens in general it's right up there.If you're faced with the choice of the kit lens or this lens, take the 16-45.  If you are serious about your craft, or you make a living at it, it's well worth the price!
I have had this lens for almost a year, and taken hundreds of photographs with it. It is usually on my K10D with a circular polarizer. There are many "pros" and few "cons":Pros:1) It is considerably lighter and smaller than one would expect for a constant aperture f4 lens, as it is designed for digital SLRs. You can leave it on the camera as your walk-around "normal" or "street" lens.2) Image quality is superb, from the center out to the corners, even at f4. I have the 18-55 kit lens, and the difference in image quality at f5.6 is obvious, but less striking at apertures of f8 or smaller.3) Makes a great travel lens due to its widest 16mm focal length, especially combined with a polarizer for landscapes, cityscapes etc. Even though the Pentax K10D has shake reduction built-in, one should preferably use a tripod with a bubble level, if for no reason but to make sure the horizon is level (unless you like fixing them in photoshop!)4) It is a lot cheaper than the 16-50/f2.8 (which may be a bit better)Cons:1) Don't use the built-in pop-up flash with this lens in the wide-angle position - you will see a black semi-circle in the bottom half of the image. You need to use a hot-shoe or off-camera flash.2) Although it is reasonably light and a better performer, it is a bit heavier than the cheaper 18-55 kit lens (which is only 2 mm longer at the short end and 10 mm longer at the long end)3) If you can afford it, the 16-50/f2.8 may be a slightly better performer which is also weather-sealed (the K10D is weather sealed, the 16-45 is not - don't take it out into the rain) and has a wider max aperture (better for low light shooting, isolating foreground subjects)4) 45 mm is sometimes a bit too short, and perhaps a 17-70 would be better if you find yourself often taking portraits5) If you need just one lens for travel, an 18-250 lens is sometimes preferable (the longer zoom helps you compress foreground and distant objects, and avoids "zooming with your feet"), although it would not have the wide constant aperture and is more limited in the wide-angle department.
I purchased this lens about 5 months ago. I had researched it and had read many reviews before making my decision. I am a semi professional photographer and use this lens in many different scenarios. The lens really comes across especially in color accuracy. The lens works great on both cameras. I use the K-r mostly for wedding receptions with the 16-45 attached. I usually will not use flash and have my ISO set at 3200 and sometimes 6400. The photos come out well in most cases. The resolution and color accuracy make for less software enhancements afterwards. Definitely a very good lens at a reasonable price.
Ditto Dana G's review. I migrated from a pretty extensive Nikon film system, and have used all kinds of other brands of film camera equipment, either on assignment or as a community college photo instructor during the 70's and 80's. I tried a variety of zooms, including varifocals with ELD glass. They were visibly softer than their equivalent single-focal-length counterparts. I noticed this after I had spent a long time using one particular varifocal. One day I switched back to a prime and when the prints came in, WOW! You could even tell with a casual glance at a 3X5 proof, that there was a huge difference. And the wide angle range in those 1970'5 and 80's zooms alway seemed extra soft and distorted. So I just gave up on zooms until I experienced digital.I'm not one of those people who photographs charts. But I've a LOT of experience looking at real world images. In fact, as long as the lens seems to be working I don't really pay attention to it. However, in this case, I was shooting some photos of rocks along the Maine coast, from a tripod, and I decided to try to use a few Pentax prime lenses--a 40mm SMCP DA 2.8 and the Pentax FA 50mm 1.4--just to see if zooms had improved. All shots were in the 35-60 mm range, around f5.6-f8. When I uploaded these images into Photoshop, I was flabbergasted. The 16-45 mm gave nicer color and was at least as sharp as the two primes. Since then, I've had occasion to compare it against my  Pentax DA 14mm 2.8, and I haven't noticed any real-world difference at the wide range either. But it's the fact that, if there were a difference, I would have to look really, really hard to see it that impresses me!I find that I use the !6-45 more than any other lens that I own. I purchased it as an "upgrade" from the kit lens. And, as an aside, the Pentax K10D seems as if it were custom designed for migration from film or prosumer digital. The value for the money in this system is unmatched by any other maker. Amazon's latest body price=$530 after rebate. Not bad for a camera with shake control, self cleaning ccd's and the build-quality of a $1,500 Nikon.
This is quite a nice lens in all respects. It consistently produces the famous Pentax colors and provides much improved clarity over the 18-55mm kit lens. It can be a bit soft in the corners at 16mm, but overall, it provides outstanding landscapes and at the narrower end provides a decent natural light capability for cloudy daytime or indoor lighting shots at the constant f/4.0, but you need good light, or higher ISO settings, to get the best use from this lens.This is a great lens for group shots, as well as portrait shooting and produces excellent detail and contrast. This is a workhorse of a lens that appears to have no noticeable problems in build or usefulness.
Who else but Pentax makes such cool lenses?>?  I had been checking out this lens for a while, but held off after reading some negative reviews.  The seller 'Generation X' had one for a killer price, so I had to try it.  First of all, this is not a light lens,,,,it is somewhat built like a tank.  The plastic they use is of a very high quality.  The lens hood it comes with is a thing of beauty,,,very hi-quality.  From what I read you can use this lens for close up pictures, and it's true.  This morning I got a beautiful close up photo of some pretty leaves laying on the grass. What I really love is the wide-angle you get from this lens,,,,makes a huge difference when you need it (compared to the 18-55 kit lens). The front glass element is much bigger than the 18-55 kit lens (I write this because on some other camera website some clown said this lens isn't much better than the kit lens)
This lens will be one of Pentax's classics, I think.  There's nothing very sexy about it.  It uses the old Pentax screwdriver-in-slot AF (as opposed to their new in-lens HSM), its maximum aperture's only f/4, and its zoom range ends at an odd point, 45mm (67.5mm equivalent on Pentax DSLR's) -- a bit short of traditional portrait length.  It lacks the build quality of Pentax's premium DA* lenses.  It isn't weatherproof.But at this price point it's a gem.  The build is decent, and by using plastic instead of metal, putting the AF motor in the camera rather than in the lens, limiting the aperture to f/4 and the zoom range to 3X, Pentax kept the lens light and small.  It's not expensive, it has a constant aperture, autofocus is fast and accurate, and (most important) it's optically excellent.I already have the Pentax DA* 50-135/2.8, a beautiful zoom, and thought of buying the matching DA* 16-50/2.8, but I was put off by reports of poor quality control in the 16-50.  So instead (and for half the price) I bought a 16-45.  When it arrived I tested it by photographing a tabletop still life, including a test pattern, with my Pentax 21mm, 31mm and 40mm Limited primes at all apertures from f/4 through f/16, then making the same photo with the zoom at the same focal lengths and apertures.  In almost every case the 16-45 matched the primes for center focus and sharpness, even at f/4.Yes, the primes are better -- they have better corners, less vignetting, more overall contrast, an indefinable "snap" that gives the primes what I think of as the Pentax Look.  And yes, the zoom does have an optical flaw: blue/yellow fringing where bright and dark areas are juxtaposed.  (Seldom a problem, but it's there.)  I'm hanging on to my primes.But where the subject is dynamic, not static -- a party or a public event, for instance, as opposed to studio or landscape work -- a zoom is just the ticket.  I'm confident this one will deliver good results, indistinguishable in most prints from what I'd get with a prime.If you can make do with f/4 and don't mind paying less for more, I recommend this lens.
This is a great lense for all around shooting whether snapshots, panorama's, or portrait.  The fixed aperture boosts the consistency of camera performance over the range of it technical ability.  The 16mm end of the range is great for shooting in cramped space when you need wide angle of cover while the 45mm end gives you a modest zoom when you need to bring your subjects a little closer or exclude unwanted areas from your composition.  A solid performer that produces clean clear photos over its entire focal length.  A great quality lense to replace the 18-55mm stock kit lense making it a better choice for a wider range of applications.  A natural accessory for your K100, 100d or K10d SLR or any other Pentax/Samsung SLR's that can accomodate the Pentax DA lens mount.
I will try to add my experience, as well as reinforce some of the previous comments.Comparing this lens to two primes, the Pentax FA50 and the Pentax FA35, yes this zoom lens is good but it is not as good as those primes. When I say good I mean detail, clarity, bokeh, color, etc. The primes are better, as is to be expected.The strength of the 16mm wide angle and the overall versatility helps me forget about that though. After all it is a zoom lens.One trivial aesthetic thing I do like is how it looks on the camera. It gives a larger, more pro feel and look to the K20D and K-7 that I use.A somewhat trivial item I don't like is the limited access to the lens cap while the lens hood is in place. Most other Pentax lenses I can get my fingers in between the hood and the cap to access the side release buttons, which is nice when I have breaks between shooting and want to put the cap on or take it off without taking off the hood. With this lens it is best to remove the cap before putting the hood on and vice versa. A simple solution for this minor problem is to use a different kind of cap that squeezes from the front, instead of the sides. Pentax is using them on the newer kit lenses and they are great.One thing that others have mentioned is the reverse zoom. It can trip you up if you are used to going the other direction. Also at the widest zoom setting the lens extends which in theory allows for less of a wide angle because the lens moves away from the camera.Pros:1. Excellent image results for a zoom.2. Value is very good for the high image quality.3. Great kit lens replacement (most of the time). (This is not a kit lens as a previous reviewer stated.)4. Good build quality.5. 16mm wide angle is very nice and is noticeably wider than the kit lens at 18mm.6. Mostly undetectable distortion at any zoom position.Cons for me were:1. Higher lens size and weight.2. Flash shadow when zoomed wide.3. Zoom is reverse of what I am used to, and other Pentax lenses.4. f4 can be a little small sometimes.5. Sometimes 45mm is a little short.Overall I recommend this lens. It delivers a lot of bang for the buck and is a great outdoor lens. Because of the flash shadow and the slightly small f4 aperture it is not always the best choice for indoor usage. I do mostly use an external flash and that solves the flash shadow issue but sometimes it is too bulky for the situation or I don't have it with me. One thing that might be of interest is that when using this lens with the K-7, the green assist lamp also partially hits the lens, even without the hood on.
I bought this lens instead of the 18-55 mm kit lens and I am very satified with that decision.  The images are clear and the colors true.  For normal picture you really don't see any distortion. I don't have a good prime lens to compare it to yet, but for general use and walking around this is a very good choice in a mid- to high-end lens.  This glass will most likely become my general use lens.
A very good lens / performs well. A reasonably priced zoom lens that performs well. There are better lenses for double or trple the price. but for the price you can't beat it.
These produce a crystal-clear, bright image. They are well-made and look great. The form-factor is convenient, and I was glad to see that they would produce such a great picture but still be easily portable.I currently use them for a bit of good-natured spying on the boaters on the lake in front of my house, but eventually hope to use them for hunting, hiking, concerts, etc...
I received the binoculars promptly .  the instructions were precise and even better short.  The product is easy to use and great for midrange use.  Autofocus would have made them better but the price is definitely right.  Would purchase again.
I use these binoculars primarily for the opera. I have been very happy with them.
I have owned the Galileo 8x22 compact binoculars for several years and have used them for bird watching and opera. I have been extremely happy with them.  The image is sharp and clear, they have a nice field of view and are so light they fit in a jacket pocket.  Sadly, they are also small enough as to be easily lost.  I left mine in a theater and between the time some kind person picked them up and when I retrieved them from the lost and found they must have been dropped.  They now show a double image and must be used as a monocular.  Fortunately they are also very inexpensive and I will not hesitate to replace them with another pair.  An excellent buy.
My wife wanted a small set of binoculars for watching the birds in our back yard.  These fit the bill perfectly!  She is very happy with them.Images are very sharp and clear and the focus is easy to adjust.  The 8 power is easy to hold steady.  10 power is too much magnification and the image shakes.  I recommend the 8 power  as on these binoculars for hand held use.They are also easy to adjust for different distances between eyes.I was surprised at how bright the image is with only a 22 mm primary lens.  The image was as bright as looking at the scene with the naked eye.Excellent buy!!
Slight delay in shipping due to being out of stock, but the bino's are real good.  The image is more clear than my similarly spec'd Bushnell's and the Galileo mini is smaller and lighter.  Only wish it had more than just the one loop for the wrist strap as I would rather have a neck strap.
I like this camera, and when ordering it, trying to be prepared, I ordered extra alkaline batteries and a memory card and a camera carrying case.  I read the instruction book and in there it says DO NOT USE ALKALINE BATTERIES!  I took a look at the batteries in the camera, and they are Oxy-alkalines.  What's that?  I looked all over the Kodak Web site - nothing.  I e-mailed the customer service and they sent me back to the Kodak Web site (nothing there, remember?) and after several e-mails I was linked to a Web site in CHINA!  The minimum order was 200,000 batteries!  I did a Web search and found nothing.  I finally wrote the CEO of Kodak, and he forwarded my letter to a very nice man in the Kodak organization who answered every question I had.  He linked me up to a Web site that has the batteries here in the USA and they are very reasonably priced.  He also told me that lithium batteries are NOT rechargeables (which I did not know) and would last longer than the oxy-alkalines!  So if you aren't able to invest in a recharger and rechargeable batteries ([...] then try the lithium batteries available on Kodak's Web site.  Or get the Oxy-alkalines at [...] I hope this helps save you some frustration when it comes to the batteries.  My camera was supposed to come with lithium batteries but they ran out and included the oxy-alkalines instead.
aside from anything i wish to say about kodak products, i must say that their customer service is awful. i spent 40 minutes at a time on hold with their customer service to have our digital camera repaired. and another 40 minutes on the phone to get it back. this camera (DX6440) was well taken care of and mostly kept in it's camera case. never dropped or brought near water and yet it puttered out a month after the one-year warranty expired which to me is poor quality. kodak holds a monopoly on kodak camera repairs (no camera shop in minneapolis was willing to fix it as it's a kodak.) i received an estimate of $193.99 to repair the camera. that's about $200 when you include S&H. we received the camera as a gift which cost $350 to begin with and for that price i would expect it to last longer than 1 year and 2 months. we will go with a brand that our local camera repair shop can fix as opposed to a having to send it out of state for repair with an estimate service fee totaling $48 whether it's fixed or not. mind you, this is if it's out of warranty. so if you do indeed to go with kodak, but an extended warranty!
It was received in exactly the condition that it was advertised.  I have had on like it for seven or eight years and was great until the battery cover borke.  The camera was received very promptly.  Good vendor.
My family bought my mother-in-law one of these for Christmas and it was her first ever digital camera.  I really pushed to get a Kodak camera because I have a 3+ year-old DX3500 which still works great and is easy to use.  However, there have been a couple of irritations with this CX7300 and I see at least one complaint already mentioned here.  Unlike my older model, this one doesn't have a cover or even a way to cover the plastic clear lens which covers the actual lens.  Thus, you can easily leave fingerprints or whatever on there and obviously that would affect the photos.  The bigger complaint is that she received a simple camera bag to hold this in and it fits nicely inside if not a little tight.  However, this has caused an annoying problem.  The on/off switch is on the top of the camera and it easily turns on when the camera is put into our pulled out of the camera case.  Albeit, the case didn't come with the camera, however, it was a surprise that the switch could be turned on so easily and often without being aware of it.  The result of this is that batteries tend to die more quickly.  I write this only for the benefit of anyone who purchases this camera to realize they should select a camara carrying case that is not too tight fitting.  I don't really have a solution to offer since I haven't had a chance to take the camera to a store and try other cases.  Maybe another owner of this camera can comment on their success with this.  Also, I would never take a photo without setting the resolution at its highest, thus I would recommend purchasing at least a 128MB or higher memory card.  I think in my mother-in-law's case we went with a 256Mb card, just in case she should ever want to use the video feature.  Enjoy your Kodak camera!
I am very impressed with this product. For a mere $100, I was able to get 3.2 megapixel pictures with great color. The camera options were easy to figure out and use.One thing I want to add, on top of all the already superb reviews here, is that its compatibility with the Linux operating system is great.I run Fedora Core 3 on my home computer, and all I had to do was plug the USB cable into my computer and it recognized the camera, the pictures, and gave me all the options I needed to downloads the pics. I didn't have to install any software all! It all happened automatically. I am very impressed.I have no complaints at all.
I was excited about this camera because of the megapixels and the Kodak name. I ended up being very disappointed.CONS:+ Eats batteries like you wouldn't believe. You'd better always carry extras, because you're definitely going to go through them while you're snapping pics.+ I get more out-of-focus images than anything else.+ There is no zoom, so you need to be very close to your subject. Much like disposable cameras, you take a picture of something close by and it prints out like it's a million miles away. But, if you get too close, it'll be blurry.+ The wheel on top of the camera used to turn it on and select different modes is in a really bad place. If you buy a case or bag for the camera, often it will turn on accidentally.+ It takes a long time after you snap a photo before you can take another photo. That irritates me!PROS:+ Inexpensive+ It has some good features, like different flash modes, a self-timer, stuff that a lot of cheaper cameras don't include+ You can get a docking station to print directly from the camera - no computer needed+ Once you add in a memory card, you can take a ton more pictures. I got a 128MB and it holds about 150 pics, in addition to the internal memory.
These cameras are basically indestructible. I received it used from a friend back when I really needed a camera, and it looked liked it had been through a war. Even with that, it still took great pictures.THEN Some years later, I dropped and lost it in the snow somewhere and it was out in the snow for probably over a month. I found it after the snow thawed and it was soaked. After all that, it still worked perfectly!It's an excellent camera if you're really good at abusing electronics lol.
The resolution indoors was not fantastic, but expected.  However, I noticed some other reviewer complaining about the batteries being difficult to find because of the special need for a specific battery type.This is not true.I plugged in plain old Duracell cheapos and it worked fine.  Do not hesitate to buy this camera because of this complaint, because it is a false complaint.The camera works very nice for the price, and traveling with it is easy and you don't worry too much about it getting stolen, cause it ain't worth much.Also, don't worry about the SD disk that someone else complained about, they are available in most stores (Target, Wal-Mart) as well as here on amazon, look it up.
This camera is excellent for its price.  I wanted an easy automatic point & shoot and I wanted the best for the least amount of money!  I have several excellent film cameras, and I love point & push after years of manual settings.  I never thought I would ever leave my Leica Mini behind on a trip, but on my last vacation I took only the KODAK.  Get a 256 memory card, and get the lithium battery - I bought mine in June 05 - battery still fine after a couple of hundred pics.  You must remember not to get closer than the recommended distance, and the camera is all auto - fixed focus, no manul exposure.  There are several flash settings and a delay setting, and a few distance presets.  Strictly the Brownie Hawkeye of today (although the Brownies were much hardier), and thats fine.  You have to know this, and not expect more.  The major failing of this camera is the battery door, which is the most flimsy and hard to shut little thing. I cannot imagine that it will last long if opened frequently. It is really difficult to mash in the battery while closing the tiny plastic door. All the camera buttons, etc., are rather small, but this is standard in digicams. DO NOT DROP this - this is not built to drop - I would not recomend it for active children or active sport, although with constant wearing of the wrist loop and extra care, I have not dropped it.  KODAK EASY SHARE software is "easy". I stopped using my photo manipulation software routinely and now use KODAK EASYSHARE, and just take the easy way and order prints and other photo items from KODAK GALLERY (formerly Ofoto).  Service is fast and excellent.  Great starter camera, you won't want to mess with film again unless you are a pro.  I use a Mac running OS X, and the software is not only compatible, but Mac friendly and nice to look at!  I have seen the Windows version, and it is not nearly as nice looking as the Mac version - thank you KODAK! I do not use iPhoto.  Easyshare does not duplicate photos - it uses your own folder setup, which I really like.
I first received this camera about 6 years ago for use at work. If you are not a tech wizard, and are confused by too many bells and whistles, this is the camera for you.  Very simple to use and takes decent photos.Note:  This camera has both internal memory and a slot for a SD card.  If you opt to use a SD card (recommended), don't buy a high capacity 4GB SD card for this camera.  Get a 256 MB card. That's right, 256 Megabyte, NOT Gigabyte. The camera won't be able to format the 4GB SD card.  Using the 256 MB SD card will still provide enough storage for about 300 photos at the highest resolution. If you use the SD card, you can remove it and plug it directly into the card reader on your computer (if you have one).  If you use the camera's internal memory, you will have to use the Kodak cable to transfer the photos to the computer and sometimes the used cameras don't come with the cable.
Okay, yeah, its a good camera for the price.  Night photos are blurry, but otherwise it's good.  Until it stops working after 45 days.  Was working fine then it stopped...green light blinks then fades.  Charge the batteries, recondition the batteries (Kodak tells me to do this on the phone), it works fine for about 2 hours then it stops again.  Reformat the card, take the card out, recharge and recondition the batteries again, buy new batteries!  Hmmm...doesn't work...so what does Kodak say?  Did you get liquid on it...NO...did you buy our batteries...NO but they are Ni-Hi rechargeable which you recommneded...OK...well, send it off to us and if you aren't at fault we will fix it.  It should take only up to 3 weeks.  WHAT???  I need it now.  I would like to get my money back and find another camera but alas we are stuck.  Still waiting to hear from them; it's been 14 days now and no response...Beware...its a good camera for the money only if it works.  ;-)
My previous (and first) digital camera was a Kodak, which served me well...thus I was inclined to purchase Kodak a second time. I do not quite regret the purchase totally...I was indeed on a budget AND in a rush to get a replacement device, so I was willing to make some leeway in features.The camera is a 3.2MP offering under $150, which is quite competitive. It also has capability at night, something I really wanted in a camera. The one caveat about this camera is it's speed...it's slow, you gotta wait a beat before the camera or subject moves from position. This is a bit annoying for those fun candid shots of friends that you could *ahem* accidentally send to your address book on purpose. That's pretty much the reason I rate it at three stars.Glad I got that night mode though.
I have a ton of space since I bought the card ( this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005UEA6/102-6745742-3976939?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance )for more space. This camera is easy & it's a nice & clear picture. I reccomend this camera for a family with children :O)
This is the first Kodak camera I have ever owned and I am so disgusted with it that I'll never buy another Kodak product again (sans film).  This camera is a toy and a bad one at that.Not only is there no lens cover, there is also no battery life to speak of.  The genius who designed this one put a very easy-to-turn dial at the top of the camera that hangs over the edge just enough so that it turns on no matter where you've put it.  Put it in your bag, take it out and go to turn it on later, you've got dead batteries.  As if the camera didn't eat up enough batteries during normal (non-viewfinder) operation.Since the day I got it (last Christmas), my camera has never been able to read the memory card.  I don't know if it's just the memory card or what (and sorry, but I just can't afford to buy another card to try), but usually when I turn on the camera, with a card inside, the camera will tell me the card needs to be formatted.  If I take the card out and insert it again, with the camera on, it is read fine.  Also, no matter what resolution setting I use, my camera refuses to store pictures on my memory card after the 25th or so picture.  Glad I have a 128mb card.Speaking of the camera's settings, it'd be nice if the camera retained my settings after I turned it off.  I can't leave the camera on for a period of more than three seconds, and it's annoying to have to constantly reset the settings before every single picture.Additionally, there is no zoom to speak off and the flash settings are horrendous.  Also, Kodak's software constantly crashes on my computer (in Windows 2000).  There's no sound on the video (and the video is extremely short, 30 seconds if your batteries are brand new) and the quality of the pictures are ok at best.This camera insults me and I can't wait to get rid of it and buy a Canon.  Spend the extra $20 and buy something good, you won't regret it.  This camera is extremely annoying for anyone, even the most casual user looking to take a few pictures.  To make the most out of this camera--i.e. to save it from being so easily damaged--you have to buy numerous add-on products from Kodak, such as a protective case...can we say "rip off"?
I bought this camera as a gift for a family member because the price was very reasonable and the reviews said it was a great start up digital camera even for the technologically unsavy. Although it is very very easy to use and share the pictures, the photo quality leaves much to be desired. Outdoor photos are fine for a 3.2 megapixel camera, but the indoor photos it snapped are pretty bad- extremely grainy and dark (even with the flash!). I really don't recommend this camera unless you only need it for outdoor use.
I bought it almost a year ago, and I also bought the CRV3 battery. That's the perfect combo. I used and abused it for 4 months and not worrying about buying new batteries. Yeah, It doesn't have zoom, or macro option, but you only need it in a proffesional level (I work in advertising). So, go to a road trip, party or any family event, you won't need anything else, your camera, the CRV3 battery and some more memory for it. Even my 5 years old niece can take good pics with it.
If you really want a good digital camera, you need to go and get one with more MP.  the more MP the better the camera.  Other than that, the camera is nice, just not advanced like a lot of other cameras.  That is only my opinion though.  I like to have other features on mine, unlike this one.  if you ever want to buy a digital camera, I also recomend going to a store like Best Buy (or another store like that, not wlmart or anything).  That way you can have an on hands feel of the camera.  go to the store before buying.  they will even show you how to use the camera.  that is your best bet.  don't order on line.  it took me about 2-3 trips to look at cameras before i bought one.  it's something to invest in, so get a good one!
I bought this camera because this one is very cheap instead of others, when the camera arrival I took a picture and I love it. However, there is a tiny problem, when you use a night mode shoots, it is very sensible to movement, so there is a lot of photos shot at that mode and the result was not good. But now I took night photos in normal mode, and they look great.
The Kodak CX7300 was a steal at $100. I have wanted a digital camera for a while but did not have the money to shell out for one, but I read the reviews and they are all true. For this price you could not find a better camera for beginners or casual users. It is extremely easy to figure out, and after about 30 min-1hour I had mastered my new toy. Battery life seems to be reasonable up to this point and that is great because I plan on using this thing quite frequently. You can take pics in color, black and white or sepia, all giving a good picture quality. I havent bought a memory card yet, but on the lowest quality setting you can snap 67 pics using the internal memory. Using the best quality it can hold 17 pics. I have made some pretty good pics so far even on the lowest setting. There is a night mode with flash for what else but night pics, and the auto setting is for general picure taking with the flash automatically flashing when there isnt enough light in the room. The 1.6 inch lcd screen is cool, giving you the option to review and keep or delete the pics that you take. The camera even has a movie mode where you can take a very small movie clip (without sound). Included with the package is the software you will need to organize and edit your pics on your computer as well as a tutorial to teach you everything you wanted to know about the Kodak CX7300. This camera is so user-friendly though that chances are you will skip the tutorial and be snapping pics very soon after you buy it. So that is all I can say about this camera. It is a great bargain yet high quality product that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to start digital camera-ing that doesnt have a whole lot of money to get it started. I sure am glad I bought one.
I've been using this camera for over a year. I'm pretty satisfied with this camera - taking in account both the price and the performance. Yes, the lens does not have a cover, but I've always been careful with it. A number of reviewers complained about batteries - in my case I did not encounter such a problem - the provided batteries served well for half a year and then I just bought new ones, no problem really. It's perfect for taking pictures you want to send by e-mail or post online - while the previous generations of digital cameras failed to capture large landscapes or anything at a distance.For high quality printing it would not be as good though.Still, to me it's a pretty good camera within its potentialities and price.
This is the first digital camera that I have ever owned.  I'll be honest in saying that I was a little uncertain of how to react to this camera when I ordered it from Dell.  Once I received it, however, I came to love the CX7300 very quickly.  It is so easy to use.  Just point and shoot whatever you feel like.  Turn it to auto mode so that it automatically adjusts to get just the right brightness and color.  Use night mode for good shots after dark.  The video mode is also handy, though I purchased this camera primarily for still shots.My first major test for the CX7300 was the final game of the regular season for the Houston Astros.  I was seated along the third base line.  The zoom feature allowed me to get decent shots of the players, especially third baseman Morgan Ensberg and the scoreboard in front of the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park.  Players on second base and beyond became harder to distinguish, but the camera did a great job as far as I'm concerned.  The Astros won the game, as well as the NL Wild Card to make it into the playoffs.  Naturally there was confetti, fireworks, and all-out celebration everywhere in the park.  The camera picked up all of this quite easily.  I probably looked like some kind of freak taking pictures of the confetti, but it was just one other way for the CX7300 to prove its flexibility of use.  Exterior shots of Minute Maid Park came out great.  I even managed to get a shot of one of Houston's finest astride his police horse.I plan on using this camera on any and every trip that I go on in the future.  It's small size, brilliant photo-taking ability and overall ease of use makes it the perfect fit for a roadtrip, ballgame, birthday party, etc.  I highly recommend it for the beginner like myself.  As good as this camera is, Kodak is definitely going to be the first company I look at when it's time to upgrade to a fancier camera.
I purchased this camera to replace a Kodak I had prior.  Two items I miss are.  Sound with the video clips....and zoom.  I wish I had gotten the camera with these two additional features listed above.  I miss have those features.
For its price, this is a nice, simple little camera.  Compared to a higher priced digital camera that I have used, the night time feature on this camera produces grainy pictures.  My main complaint is how fast it goes through batteries.  Be prepared to either spend a small fortune on disposable batteries, purchase no less than two pairs of rechargeable batteries, or at the very least, buy stock in Energizer.  I found that it likes only fresh batteries, so don't expect the camera to operate when you steal the AA's out of the remote control.  When the camera does use whatever juice from fresh pair of AA's you swear you just put in, save them for other things like toys, flashlights, remote controls, etc.
When I went searching for a digital camera, I was looking for something inexpensive with at least 3 megapixels (which is enough for simple pictures and website publishing) and the ability to transfer pictures easily in multiple ways.  I never imagined I could get that for $100.  I have been very satisfied with the Kodak CX7300 and would recommend it highly.  But since you are getting it for such a steal, you should also invest in some accessories to make your life easier.A cable and software are included with the camera, so you can download pictures easily by pressing the one-touch "share" button (once you have the software loaded on your computer).  But you basically have to download all of your pictures at once and you are using up your batteries somewhat as you do that.  Kodak also makes docking stations that work with all their cameras, but I wanted to get something that could work with other electronic devices as well.  So I also purchased SanDisk ImageMate 5 in 1 Reader (under $20) and a Viking 512 MB Secure Digital Flash Card (under $50 from Amazon) -- which is less than most docking stations.  The storage capacity on the CX7300 alone is very minimal (16MB), so you will definitely want to pick up some type of flash memory card.  512 MB may be more than you need to buy, but it sure makes your life easier.  I actually still have not filled up the card and I've been taking lots of pictures for over a month now.  The SanDisk device makes transferring pictures to any computer easy, since it is just like using an external disk drive that plugs into a USB port.  The combination of the two helps conserve batteries (I still have not changed them) and is very easy to figure out.  I never read a manual on any of this (including the camera, which is very user-friendly), and I wouldn't call myself a "tech guru" by any means.One small reservation about the camera's design: the on-switch is a turning wheel on top of the camera and so it can easily turn itself on as you slip it into a pocket or backpack and it rubs against a surface that turns the wheel.  I've often found my camera in the "on" position as I took it out.  But this does not seem to have done anything obvious to my battery life, so there may be a sort of sleep mode if it is left on for a long period (I haven't investigated this fully).I'd also recommend you pick up some lithium batteries.  Friends recommended rechargable batteries, but I can't be bothered and the initial cost is discouraging.  I find I'm getting lots of battery life.
I purchased this camera a year or two ago as a gift.  She has only used it a few times.  One day, it abruptly stopped working.  Batteries were changed, etc., but the camera was just plain dead.  It was not abused, so we are at a loss to explain why it went "patas arriba."  Very disappointing.
They do not make it any more but I like it I have 2, they are simple to use, and they take a great photo I got this cheap because it was used here on amazon
I was skeptical due to the low price. But this camera takes clear sharp pictures with great detail and high resolution. The 'Auto Mode' makes it simple to take shots. Everything is easy. The pictures are breathtaking!State of the art, it does everything you need, for viewing your pictures on the pc and/or for prints. No other digital camera comes close at this great price. No wonder it's often sold-out almost everywhere.
First it's a good camera for less than $100 bucks. As to the power switch turning its self on, so what! it has an auto power down feature. If your batteries are dead, invest in a rechargeable set. $20.00 @ most discount retailers. Fuzzy pictures, hold the thing still, the shutter has a delay. It's a camera not a laser, inexpensive technology has not come that far yet. Download your pictures without a dock. First, all D.C. come with a USB cord. Fragile things, If you have ham fists. Try picking up thumbtacks with a pair of tweezers, or other exercises to develop your fine motor skills. Once this kindergarten level task is mastered, move up to double digit IQ tasks like inserting USB cords. Bottom line: good entry level camera, too many whiny 21st century trendoids with no technical skills (read the Dilbert Future for more on these types)
This was the first decent digital cameras I have ever owned. I am not sure what the deal is with people complaining about battery life. Buy a recharger. I used the same batteries for the two years I have owned this camera. I have run into glitches from time to time that are most likely due to me putting the batteries in there when they were not fully charged(yes I am inpatient) Sometimes the camera looks like it took a picture and then it crashes. Other times it will not turn off. Opening and re-closing the battery door always fixes it. I am sure that both of these issues are due to me putting the weak batteries in.As for durability? I am not sure what the deal is with people complaining about no lens cover. Who cares? I have dropped this camera so many times I cannot even begin to count! This thing is built really well!! I never worry about putting the camera down with the lens up. I just toss it on my desk when I am done with it. Still takes great pictures. I have bitched about this camera from time to time but I have taken nearly 1100 pictures with it and it is still going strong. Now that memory cards are so cheap, I finally bought one for the camera. A 1 gig one will let you take 4000(!!!) low definition pictures. Of course low def is like 1024x768 on this camera. My only beef is why not have VGA resolution anymore? I always have to shrink the pics down to use this with eBay.
The quality of the pictures is good.  The interface is really easy for a beginner to learn.  However, there are two significant drawbacks to this camera.First:  The camera feels like a toy -- it's extremely light and has a plastic body.  I bought this as a gift for my mother (a total beginner) and while she was grateful, even she could tell that this felt "different" than the digital cameras we all had.  It felt more like a child's toy -- similar to what you'd expect a Barbie Doll camera for an 8-year old to feel like.Second:  The viewscreen quality is very poor.  When my mother took a picture, she looked at it and asked "is that what the picture looks like?"  It was very grainy on the viewscreen -- though it was fine once we uploaded it. I would compare the quality of the viewscreen to what you see on camera phones.In total:  The quality you actually get when you upload is a great bargain for the price.  However, the quality of the camera body and the viewscreen is truly terrible.  That might be ok for some people who care about the final image only.  However, since I bought this as a gift, I now regret this purchase.  I can deal with entry-level etc. I'm not bothered by no optical zoom -- my mother didn't need that. But when the camera itself just feels and looks "cheap" it's a problem.Understand these two limitations in your purchase decision.  I would not give this as a gift, as the gift reciever will notice immediately that the camera is far inferior to the cameras s/he has seen other people using.
I bought this camera for myself during Christmas 2004.It was suppose to be a utility camera, ebay items and class projects for the kids only--I don't trust digital cameras for family photos.The Kodak CX7300 seemed to fit the bill; inexpensive, easy to use and with more than enough resolution at 3.2mp.The flaw in this camera didn't appear until I pulled it out of the drawer some months later. The camera wouldn't turn on. I checked the batteries and they were in excellent shape. I eventually tried replacing the batteries and, sure enough, that worked.The next time I took out the camera, the exact same thing happened. And the time after that.At first, I thought the CX7300 was eating the batteries. But eventually I came to the conclusion that the camera doesn't eat batteries, it nibbles at them. It won't run on anything but brand-spanking-new batteries.The Kodak batteries that came with the CX7300 are still in my mini-mag flashlight, going strong.I contacted Kodak about this flaw. They wanted to talk about what kind of batteries I'm using--Kodak--or the option of my purchasing a Camera Dock and some rechargeable batteries. A solution that would increase my investment by about seventy-five percent.I thought that buying an optional AC Adapter would be the simple, and cheap, solution. Surprise, surprise, the CX7300 is one of the few digital cameras Kodak makes that doesn't take one.So, now that I'm way past warranty, what do I do with it?I'm shopping for another camera.
I don't know anything about cameras or computers and have never worked with them.  This camera is extremely easy to use. I had no trouble reading the directions to set it up. I took 14pics and went down to the drugstore. I had to buy something called a sd card which is a little p-lastic thing to make the pics. They came out with such rich natural color. It was very easy to use the drugstore machine.  I took pictures of a bright blue subaru.  Have not tried the video or motion parts yet.  Even in sulight the screen is easy to see.  The reviews that said this is ideal for beginners were right. I'm 60 and a bit leary of gadgts but the drugstore machine was very easy to use.  I love this camera, will end up taking more pics than I had ment to, it is such fun to use.
I have had this camera for 3 yrs now and like it for the most part but hate that you cant zoom in and have a picture turn out, everytime I have zoomed in for a picture it has NEVER turned out the pictures ALWAYS look grainy and look like its raining ! and its not good for moving objects its too slow!
Picture quality is superb! Movie mode is great, just wish there was sound too. For the price, this is a gem. Ez to use and a snap to work!
This camera is great for the money. For starters, some of these reviewers should read the manual that came with the camera. It has a 3.0 times zoom that only works when the display is on. Simply push the right direction button to zoom in, left direction button to zoom out. As for battery life, buy the Energizer lithiums, they last quite awhile. Regular AA batteries never last long in digital cameras. We've had this camera for about seven years, and with all the handling, dropping, and abuse by the kids, it's still going strong. As far as quality, it takes as good if not better pictures than the Canon A Series.
I ordered this on a grudge Monday PM (1st online buy), after a hideous visit to a local retailer who apparently didn't need my business...I was taking photos with it 3 days later.  This camera is great, feels high quality, and is very easy to get used to.  Only gripe: just noticed the price went down $10 today! (but the free shipping helps there; promised 5-9 days, actually here in 3).  I was crazy to wait this long to do this: both the camera and Amazon impressed me (and no, I'm not a stockholder in either!)
I have been using this camera for 4 months and really like it.  I have taken around 500 pictures and the majority come out great.  Without using the viewfinder I can take about 100-150 pictures with and without flash before the batteries need to be replaced.  I purchased a 256 MB card for it and according to the LCD it can hold ~270 pictures at max resolution.To comment on some of the other comments, I haven't had any problem  with the lens cover or the camera turning itself on/off.  I do keep it in a bag most of the time.  I used the internal USB connector a few times but have switched to simply pulling the SD card out and using a USB reader, it's much faster.My only gripe about the camera is the redeye.  If the flash is used inside or outside at night, redeye is almost guaranteed.  I don't know if it's because there is no redeye reduction or b/c the flash is so close to the lens.  I end up correcting the redeye in about 90% of the pictures I take at night/inside.The camera is also a little slow to start up but it's manageable.  All in all I would buy this camera again.
I wanted a simple digital camera that, if it broke, I wouldn't care so much.  This is better than I expected.  It has only a digital zoom, but I knew that when I bought it.  What I couldn;t have known is that the battery life isn't that great -- maybe one hour of time with fresh batteries.  Bring more batteries with you wherever you go.One big plus is that Windows XP sees the camera without any additional software needed.  You can install the Kodak software if you want, but you dont need to. You can just move pictures back and forth between computer and camera like they are files.  This is perfect.  If you still use windows98 I doubt the camera will work this easily.
This cameria does not fit the kodak easy share CX 7300 this is  the camera dock 3M873/ M883I was told by both ends this canera would workit does not fit AT ALLI would like Bob to send me the correct port for this cameria or refund moneyI am still waiting on the memory cards 3 of them and a battey charger to plug in car and housethis is very importand that I get these items soonboth people were wrong about the cameria fitting in this portPlease take cae of his matterbob send cards 3 memory cards and correct wire to computer and charger for auto and homeI must to a write off on visa if yiu cant send
Great for taking pictures close up, far away, not so great.  I sat in the 2nd or 3rd row of a concert and took pictures of the singer, they were rather distorted and unsatisfactory,, could be because of the low MP if that's what caused it.... Maybe it was because I was so excited, my hands were shaking.  I love the review feature, and the live-view.  I never look through the view finder, instead I use live-view..
I bought my C-8080 last summer, and I was immediately impressed with the image quality as I walked up and down the beach for hours testing the camera's features, not to mention the capacity of my Xd 512mb card. I have been abroad all year in France and this camera was the first item I packed. It has been able to withstand the Parisien winter downpours and still take some exquisite pictures. My shutterfly account has never been so full! The color tones of the camera's image sensor are increddible, and its feature set is limitless. The learning curve for the c-8080 is steeper than other cameras in its class, which is why I would call this camera a pro-enthusiast device. When you master the settings and buttons, the images improve that much more. One thing I have to comment on is the battery life...I have gone on trips for two weeks and did not bring the charger. It was only on the last day in Nice that the battery light started blinking, and I had gotten at least 35 pics in each day. The camera has survived my backpack, which is not the most forgiving place considering my traveling addiction, and has yet to have a scratch. Olympus has provided me with a great way to capture all my photographic desires in one package.
After some extensive research on 8-megapixel digital cameras, I decided on the Olympus C-8080 for several reasons.  I'll highlight a few of them below.* The magnesium cased Olympus C-8080 has a quality feel to it in my hands.  It feels solid.  This camera won't creak or flex when handled like some of the others I tried.* The Olympus C-8080 power up time is extremely fast which is important for catching those special moments.  It has one of the fastest power up times of any 8-megapixel camera.* The C-8080 has one of the best lenses available in its class with just the right balance of range and speed... The lens is rather large for good light gathering ability.  It's also very sharp.  At 5x and 28mm - 140mm (35mm equivalent) range, some might lean more toward a camera with a broader optical range sacrificing speed and quality.  For me, it's about quality not quantity!  I find that I often use 28mm indoors where space is limited or for those wide outdoor scenic shots.  And 140mm is usually sufficient for most of my 'telephoto' needs.  You can also purchase optional adapters for wider angle or more zoom if you find it necessary.* Battery life on this camera is top notch... it's one of the longest lasting and far superior to most other 8-megapixel cameras.  Although I own 2 batteries for my Olympus C-8080, I have yet to need more than one for an entire day of shooting.  My findings pretty much mirror what the professional reviewers have tested with regard to long battery life on the Olympus C-8080.  I have yet to see my 'low battery' indicator come on!I should also mention that I wear eye glasses which is a problem for me with some viewfinders.  Not so with the Olympus C-8080.  The ring surrounding the viewfinder is rubberized and when I place the lens from my eye glasses up against the view finder, I can see the entire frame clearly and comfortably.  The viewfinder also has a diopter adjustment to compensate for less than perfect vision.Some people have commented that the controls on the Olympus are a bit confusing.  The camera is very versatile with many features and I've gotten used to the controls.  Also, the power on/off button is located fairly close to the shutter release button but I got used to this within just a few minutes.  It really isn't a problem.  Unless you're seriously lacking in manual dexterity, you'll get used to it very quickly.Also, don't skimp on the memory card.  I have a 512MB xD card in the camera and keep a blank 256MB card in my pocket in case I fill up the first card before getting a chance to download all the images to my PC.  I might just get a 512MB CompactFlash card as well since the camera has a slot for both xD and CF style memory cards.To quote another reviewer, the Olympus C-8080 is the one to get!
Purchased the C-8080 Wide Zoom to replace my Olympus C-3020. Excellent decision at first. Two months of great pictures, except in low light situations (poor focus). Then the bottom dropped out. The camera froze in the middle of the operation - just like my computer often does. Nothing worked - no zoom, no shutter, no on/off switch. Had to reboot by removing and replacing the battery.Operated normally for 10 shots, then ... iced again. Changed battery - functioned normally for 15 shots, then ... again. Changed to additional battery - three batteries - frozen again. Removed cards, one at a time - no difference. Currently undergoing repair at Hauppauge, NY.Love the camera - fits my hand well, everything except POWER SWITCH in acceptable position. Looking forward to getting it back. Optics are superb. Movie capability is excellent, with great sound pickup. Should be 4-star+.Will continue using my old 5-star rated C-3020 until the C-8080 returns. See follow-up review when I get it back. Will also include time duration for repair.
It is a good camera, but some of the features on it did not work.  I enjoyed the lens that came with it.
My background in photography extends back to my high school days in 1976, through selling cameras professionally for 6 years in retail post high school, and then later after college taking wedding photos with a Hasselblad and pro lighting for a few years 'on the side.'In 2002, I sold all of my film-cameras, and went digital with an Olympus C-3020 to start (a 3.2 mega-pixel camera).  In 2004, I upgraded to a C-8080 and bought a 2-gig card and extra battery.  In 2005, I purchased an E-300 Olympus, and both are 8 mega-pixel cameras.  The battery is exactly the same, so now I have three batteries and two chargers.  Staying in the Olympus family made the transition to new menues very easy, and when my wife takes the C-8080 (recently on a trip to China) I have the E-300 to use with additional lenses.I am very happy with the image quality of the C-8080, and with a 2-gig card, this unit can hold just over 1,000 high quality photograps, making vacation and family photography enjoyable and almost flawless.  Many have discussed the advantages and how "great" this camera is.  So, I will touch on some of the more sensitive areas.  Understand, first, that these are overcome by the other qualities of this camera -- it is really super.The C-8080 is an SLR (see through the lens), but understand that the image that one sees through the camera is a projected image, like a TV screen.  This is on EITHER screen, inside the camera or on the back.Contrast this with the E-300 and one sees the acutal image just like looking through a real (film) 35mm SLR in the E-300.  This is partially why I gave the C-8080 camera 4 stars (I would have rated it at least 4.5 if that rating selection was available).What that means is that, with either view, the image is using battery power.  Still on a two week treck across the US to Ohio and Michigan, I over came that worry with the extra battery, and in two weeks and over 400 images, I still had power to spare when I returned home.Additionally, looking at the image, one again does not see the actual image, but its reproduced equivalent.  In lower light, one cannot pick out, say, a reflection on a subject's shirt button or other small point of reference to use as a manual focusing reference (the screen does not display well in very low light).One offsetting advantage, though, is that the image display plate on the back of the C-8080 can be 'pulled out' and positioned (adjusted) so the photographer can hold the camera overhead to make shots in crowds of people, or it can be adjusted to view the image at waste level - kudos, Olympus!The other disadvantage that I find is the focusing in lower light.  Where on the E-300 that camera uses a pulsed flash to help in focusing, the C-8080 actually sends out an amber-colored beam to help "illuminate" a lower ligted area, but this is not a strong beam and doesn't help the photographer, other than to give one some illumination to try to see and watch the camera re-focus if at first the unit doesn't succeed.  This is the other reason why I gave this a 4-star rating.Overall, though, I love this camera.  It's all I used on several travels now, and each time I've been pleased with the results.  Even with its fixed (non-interchangeble) lens, the variety of focal lengths was quite enough in 98% of the photos, and the exposure meter is exceptional.  It can be used as easy as a point-and-shoot, and has some really nice advanced features.A person can take photos "out of the box" when the battery is charged, and in the meantime walk through some of the neat things outlined in the manual to learn the menu system and make advanced modifications.Last, but not least, the overall Olympus quality in digital cameras has without a doubt impressed me.
This will be short and sweet.  I just moved up to the C-8080 from the C-5050 (which I loved for several years now).  I am glad I did.  This is a (realitively) simple camera, two media types, and very easy to use.  The results have been great so far (4 days of joy) shooting plants, birds in the yard, the neighbors kids, and I can't wait for vacation this summer  where I think it will shine shooting vistas in Arizona.I am one happy camper that I bought this camera.I might add that I bought an extra battery so I can keep one charged at all times.  I'm still on my first charge.....I highly recommend this camera...
I have been reviewing the reviewers of this product.I have owned this camera since it came out.I have the lens adapter and lenses that are available for this product and have used them.The pros: The camera has minimal turnaround time from shot to shot.It works the best in bright light whether indoor or out.It makes great portraiture shots in good lighting.It has great battery life.You can make a video with sound in video mode and the video isas long as your storage card will allow.You can play back video with sound on your camera.It takes two different brand of cards.This is a wide angle camera.  I also purchased a wide anglelens specifically for this camera that takes approximately a100 degree shot.....maybe more.The cons: Does not do well in low light.Automatic view finder centers on wrong object.Searches when focusing sometimes (low light).I bought the telephoto lens specifically for this camera andhave found that you cannot zoom with this attachment.  Also ifyou tend to get a tunneling effect if you do not have the fixedzoom lens positioned right.  I used this tunneling effect in myphotos with good results.Does not take good action shots.
Make sure your read the last paragraph of this review to see why an outstanding camera gets only three stars.Before buying this camera I read a variety of professional reviews on various websites. The consensus seemed to be that this was the best of the lot of the new 8 megapixel cameras. As a lifetime Canon owner who also  has a Canon D60 6.3mp SLR digital camera I was disappointed that the new Canon Pro1 didn't get as high ratings, but I believe that quality pics beats any brand loyalty that I might have.I was in the market for one of these new high resolution cameras because I wanted something to carry around for quick shots when I didn't want the trouble of lugging my Canon D60 and a  host of lenses.I took it on a recent trip in to the California coastal mountains. I was totally pleased with the results. The professional reviewers were all concerned with noise in higher ISO settings for this breed of cameras. All of my pictures were shot in the range of ISO 100 to 160 in bright light. I used Photoshop to greatly enlarge pictures taken at 100 and 160 and compared them for noise. ISO 160 pics were noisier, but still printed out clear 7.125 by 9.5 prints. Colors were very accurate, and I noticed no significant distortion.The large number of buttons and menus posed no real problems for me. You just work yourself gradually into this, and soon you are at ease. I particularly liked the button on the top that allows you to make a custom setting. I use it for ISO settings, making it a breeze to quickly change ISO when I want to.What criticisms can I make? Here's my brief list:1. Buttons on the top right of the camera are very crowded, and it takes a while to get used to them, and not be changing the wrong one. I find it somewhat difficult to hold down the custom button and rotate the selector wheel at the same time.2. I am not too enthralled with the electronic viewfinder. I found it sometimes difficult to see things clearly, and colors were harder to detect as accurately as in a normal viewfinder. I particularly had problems adjusting a circular polarizer filter to best effect.3. I am used to manually zooming an SLR camera, and the power zoom on the c-8080 is a bit frustrating. It is difficult to zoom to the exact point that you want. You keep over and under zooming it. But I suppose this is a problem found on most power zoom cameras.As most professional reviewers have noted, this camera is built like the photographic equivalent of a tank. It feels solid and indestructible, a heft that you usually find only on very expensive professional cameras.Oh yes. Why did I give this camera only a three star rating. When I received the camera the software disk was broken. The disk is important insofar as Olympus is too cheap to provide a complete manual with the camera, and a further 180 pages or so of it are on the disk. Three phone calls and an email, and over a month later I get a software disk in the mail. But it's not for the c-8080. Another phone call and I am told the that the c-8080 disks come only with the camera itself. They have no extras, and I will simply have to do with this one which is written for other cameras. It supposedly will suffice for the camera to computer interface, although the c-8080 is missing from the reference manual of listed cameras. When I first called and waited on hold for a long long time no one even new how to deal with this problem. I was given the run around from department to department to department. You better hope that nothing is damaged in shipment, and that you never ever need tech support from them.
After 40+ years of taking pictures in 35mm I decided to wet my toe in digital waters with an Olympus C2020. Used that excellentcamera for three years and decided this spring to upgrade to theOlympus C8080WZ just then released by Olympus.This camera takes great pictures, many examples can be viewed at digicam.com by going to the forum for Olympus Digital. The Olympus lens is considered by many reviewers to be the best available for digital. So... why not five stars?End results are, of course, the bottom line in an camera but some weight must be given to how difficult it is to get those results. This is where I must hold back a star on the C8080WZ.The camera is difficult to focus in many situtations... low light, low contrast, fast moving subjects. There are options as to how the camera's auto-focus is applied but each has its own issues. I do not think Olympus has done a good job with the auto-focus in this otherwise excellent camera.Personally I don't like the EVF (electronic viewfinder). It is overloaded with information in my opinion and under high contrast conditions it suffers degrading vertical color bands which do not show in the photos but are distracting when trying to compose a nice landscape scene.The power zoom works... but I would prefer a manual zoon. Power zoom seems a waste to me, it is never as accurate nor fast as manual zoom and uses battery power in the bargain. I suppose this is a necessary evil but could do nicely without it.Maybe I'm spoiled by my years of Nikon SLRs that were straight forward in their operation. Look through the lens, set apature and shutter from built in metering, focus and trip the shutter.Now it's a half dozen choices to be made and in things like focus you really don't have much control anyway... the cameradecides and you are stuck with that.My Olumpus C2020 remains my favorite for most outings. It is a true "point and shoot" and gives fine results within its 2mpcapability. An 8mp camera that operated as nicely as my C2020would be a true "upgrade" for me.
&gt;shoot short videos (without audio)The odd thing is that the review says &quot;without audio&quot; (as above) but the Olympus website says it works with audio as the 5050 etc do.  Any idea why it would say that?
I bought a brand new, USA warrenty Olympus C-8080 camera a few weeks ago from Buydig.com--for $472.00, about half what this camera cost when it first came out last year.  Had considered an Olympus Evolt, but I went for the convenience of an all-in-one-piece high-end amateur camera which has been receiving very good reviews and seems considered the best of the 8-megapixel non-SLR cameras available.  I'm an illustrator and large-format photographer--and a  stickler for image quality.  The C-8080 produces beautiful images with sharp resolution and even illumination from corner to corner. The lens and image quality are simply superb.This is my second digital camera, the first being a Panasonic FZ10. Both these cameras have EVF's (electronic view finders) instead of optical view finders. EVF's are very useful--the screen actually gives some visual indication of an exposure before you take the picture. The FZ10's EVF is especially accurate in this regard.  The C-8080's EVF is less so--but it is only a matter of experience decifering the image that appears in the EVF before making the exposure.The C-8080 has far more functions than I am likely going to explore using.  Since I am mostly shooting landscapes , all I really want is confidence in the exposure and focusing functions of the camera--and after a few days of experimenting and a 2 day trip in Yellowstone shooting scenics, I'm quite pleased with how the C-8080 handles.I especially like the AEL (auto exposure level) button on the front of the camera.  It allows you to preset the exposure before focusing on the image--and generally, if a scene has both dark and very bright components, you will not get a good exposure if you just point and shoot. I found it necessary to point the camera at the brighter/brightest elements of a scene (pointing it well up into the sky with clouds, for example), then set the AEL, then return to the scene to be photographed and make the exposure.  The C-8080's EVF does not give you an accurate visual indication of the exposure--if the scene in the EVF looks good, likely it will be a little or more overexposed.  If the scene in the EVF looks disturbingly dark, then it is about right. When you have to choose between what looks good in the EVF and what the AEL button gives you, trust what the AEL button gives you--even if the view is very dark. Having shot 4x5 and 5x7 film in the field with a lightmeter and faith, the C-8080 exposures are a breeze.One disappointment with the C-8080--the manual focus functions. Various user reviews dating back to last year mention problems with the manual focus--and it seems to be a design flaw.  Not only is manual focus a time-consuming multi-step effort, but it doesn't work.  Photo results using manual focus at infinity are noticably inferior to the same scene in auto focus.  Hard to believe Olympus let this camera out of the lab with such a crummy manual focus ability.  I hope Olympus is reading this--they ought to design an easy, fast, one-step, "get-me-there-now!" manual infinity lock. In some low-light conditions, the auto focus has a hard time locking onto infinity--and you have to scout around in all directions to find anything far off that the cameras will settle on.  Using manual focus instead is out of the queation.  I should note, that in the two days in the field in Yellowstone, I did not have any problems with auto focus--it worked fast and reliably.The above said, the C-8080 is a great digital camera.  Prefered settings can be programmed and returned to quickly by turning the dial to 'My Mode", which is very handy. Very good battery life.  Very good low compression JPG's. TIFF and RAW if you want them. Image color is very accurate (some call this neutral) and can be adjusted with various settings in many small increments. Also, the memory cards and batteries are compatiable with top-of-the-line Olympus SLR models. Just be sure when erasing memory cards in camera that it is set to the card you intend, since the C-8080 defers to the xd card (if an xd card is in the camera).
I have been using a Canon G5 for the last year. I wanted higher resolution (althought the Canon is excellent for 8"x10" images). I have read C-8080 Wide Zoom reviews on the most prominent review sites. I noted the comments about the excellent image quality and the comments about slow writes shooting raw, the power button too close to the shutter release, etcetera...Forget all the negative nonsense. I acknowledge that I am only one user in thousands of my new C-8080, but this camera is wonderful. The image quality is stunning. I took the time to read the online manual (I don't care if it wasn't printed all nice and tidy). I studied the settings, got used to the features. It took a few days of practice.I find myself truly motivated to plan outings to practice the art of photography. If my images aren't quite what I am expecting, I can use the incredible C-8080 feature array to make the necessary adjustments. I use a tripod when necessary. I use a polarizing filter when necessary. I am waiting to receive my FL36 Olympus flash for additional lighting when needed.If you are more serious about image quality and control than a particular button being "here" instead of "there", you should give this camera serious consideration. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy the art of photography. I'm leaving now to take my C-8080 Wide Zoom and create some new works of personal expression. Good luck to you in your own photographic experience!
As other reviewers have already talked about this camera, I want to give my comparisons.Olympus C8080- The best so far. 8MP, picture gives you complete details.Olympus E10-A best 4MP SLR digital camera.Olympus E20-5MP, but very slow.Olympus C5060-Very good, slow start.Olympus C5050-Great camera and slow, not so good for big prints.Olympus C700 - Good zoom, very good color, bad contrast.Olympus C3020-The best at 3MP, very good for small photo printsOlympus C4040-The best at 4MP cameras, but had some issues with skin colorsOlympus C50-Horrible focus and not happy withOlympus D510-Good camera for web photos, very poor color though.Olympus D360L-Good for web photos, no optical zoom.Nikon 990 & 995-The best 3MP camera but odd shapes.Nikon 3200- except the size of the camera, very disappointedCanon IS S1 - At 3MP and 10x optical zoom, this camera rocks.Canon S400 & S410-Good cameras, but you can not get the details of the subject.Panasonic DMC-FZ10K - Great optical zoom, but very poor image.Hope someone using these cameras find my review helpful.
I'm not getting it.I have no problem with this camera defaulting to the xd card when you turn it on. It stays wherever it was when I shut it off.I'm having no problem with the power switch. It's on the top, the shutter is on the front. Since I'm still trying to learn how to walk and chew gum at the same time, I don't understand the problem many seem to be having.Swivel LCD? It's cute but the only use I found for it is taking a pic of myself in a mirror. (Not a pretty sight!) :)Low light problems? I have no complaints. Contrary to popular belief, *most* indoor shots with a digital camera *don't* need flash. In fact, more often than not, flash will ruin it. The "film" is free. Try it both ways. :) Experience will let you know when you need it and when you don't. Don't just pop up the flash simply because you are indoors. I remember a few years back reading a lot of complaints about my old nikon coolpix 800 having low lite problems but I never did. No problem with the c8080 either. And if all else fails... that's what they make Photoshop for! (And I hardly ever need it with this camera)Auto focus problems? Don't use it if it doesn't work for you. (Yes, it does have manual focus)Remote shutter release plugs in? I must be missing something again. I got a cordless one with the camera.The only con I have is that the manual has to be printed out, but what doesn't anymore? Never had a digital that came with a book.Ok, two cons. Yes, I know it's a heavy piece of equipment but still I would have liked a wrist strap.I learned from past experiences with digitals... even before you take your first shot, print the manual and read it.If you go by the old adage... when all else fails, read the manual... you do this camera and yourself a disservice. And reading it on your computer doesn't really cut it. You need to print it out or you're going to miss a lot.
Some thoughts from an amateur having been using it for a while.  Note that my overall score is high and I'm very happy with this camera: bang for the buck this is great.So - these comments are deliberately critical since I think that's what most people want to know about.  If something really cool stands out - such as dark frame subtraction on this camera for us astronomers - then I'll point it out.1. Do not look at this camera as a 'point and shoot, slip it in my pocket' sort of camera.  This is big, has many functions and can be overwhelming at first if you're new to this level of camera.  That said - the functionality and positioning of features is exemplary: for example the dual use of buttons to allow quick access to features and settings.  Also, assuming you've got the camera setup how you want it - you can flick it on and be snapping away pretty quickly; the 'user setting modes' are great in this regard, since you can save different types of setup to allow quick access.2. In auto focus mode, the camera can be a little slow to focus and you can miss your intended photo moment - frustrating!  You can set it to manual focus mode, but that can be slower since there isn't a focus ring for you to turn a-la-SLR.  You have to use the buttons to focus and that can be tricky with your eye wedged up to the viewfinder on sunny days!3. A full printed manual isn't provided - it is online on the CD only.  I think that is cheap, Olympus!4. I'm an astrophotographer and so far I've only been able to take piggy-back shots (not a problem with the camera - I just need to make some adapters).  Dark frame subtraction in night mode is extremely useful, but so far it seems the noise generated by the CCD is too much for it to handle, even in relatively short exposures (on a 75 degree F night at ISO400).  I'm going to try slower ASO speeds since that should improve it a litle, and I know cooler evenings will help a great deal, but still not off to a great start.  Also, cooling would help but at 800 bucks you can't get everything! ;-)  ADDENDUM 9/NOV/04: this camera works OK as an astrophotography camera, but basically you get what you pay for.  Because it isn't an SLR, it is difficult to achieve focus using the camera with it's fixed lens, through an eyepieve and into the telescope.  hugely magnified and actually too much noise to speak of.  I'm persevering, but I'd recommend the extra step to an SLR if you're going to be into astrophotography (Canon 20D)5. The remote shutter release doesn't plug into the camera: you have to buy a power battery holder and plug the shutter release into that.  That seemed a little stupid to me and just an excuse by Olympus to make you buy more stuff.6. I find it very frustrating that you can't plug the camera in to the mains (with the optional mains adapter) and CHARGE the battery with it still in the camera.  You have to remove the battery and use the separate battery charger.  That means more stuff to carry - and that's annoying.7. Battery life seemed exceptionally good to me, but because of the charging scenario described above, I would get a spare battery8. Video quality is good: I've taken a few but for some reason I have to convert them on my PC, presumably because of some coding issues (they import into Adobe Photo Album v2.0 but won't play).  ADDENDUM 9/NOV/04: this is now resolved and is not an issue related to this product, but rather some clash in load order between Adobe and Quicktime.9. I don't like Camedia Master, whatever version.  I'd personally recommend the use of a separate photo manager and ditch Camedia.  The only useful thing I've gotten out of it so far is stitching some panorama shots together, which worked quite well but it won't stay installed on my PC just to do that!  Other software can do that, too!Overall?  I like the camera and it's taking some great shots that have printed onto 11x14 photo paper to produce stunning images.  I find it comfortable, easy to use (after a simple learning curve) and everything you'd reasonably expect from a camera at this level.So far, though, I haven't been that impressed with the night time photography - but I'll be able to test that extensively soon so will update this review at that time.  ADDENDUM 9/NOV/04: my conclusion for astrophotography is it is worth saving some extra pennies and going for an SLR (the Canon 20D).  For daytime shooting, this camera has produced some stunning shots and I'm extremely pleased with it.Happy shoppingJB
I've pursued photography as a hobby for many years, and have been using digital cameras or a number of years.  After reading the glowing reviews of the 8080, I decided to give it a try.The camera build is excellent, and the ergonomics are great too.  It has a wonderful feel to it, and the controls are placed well.But, unfortunately, I have found this camera to be very slow focusing indoors, and that focusing is often inaccurate.  Shooting in a living room with an incandescent lamp or two, the focusing performance is poor, going through a hunting sequence.  It takes about 4 seconds to get a prefocus lock.  I have experimented with the AF light on/off, and various focus settings, but nothing really helped.If you shoot mainly outdoors or in bright light, this is not an issue, of course, but if you intend to shoot indoors at holidays, parties, etc, you may be disappointed because of this issue.The playback time tends to be slow as well (using a CF card)... to move from pic to pic takes a second or two - noticibly slow.Others have discussed already the great picture quality, so I won't go into that here.  The slow performance in low light has made it a dissapointment for me, and I will return it.
This is a great camera, even used, it outclasses alot of new ones.  I purchased it because I wanted something close to a DSLR for image, but all in one - currently you can only get cameras with the tiny little point and shoot sensors as all in ones.  The C-8080 has a physical sensor size that is somewhere between those tiny point and shoot and a DSLR APS sized sensor - the bigger the sensor (not the megapixels), the better the picture (lens quality applies as well).  It also has a big fast (F2.4) lens (wide angle and gathers alot of light) and is built like a tank (Magnesium body I think).As a note, after this camera came out the entire industry shifted their pro-sumer lines (bigger physical sensors) over to DSLR's - since DSLR's were falling into the same price range.  They could make more money selling you lenses there.  So this was an example of the pinnacle of high end point and shoots.  Of course you couldn't get a DSLR with a high quality F2.4 lens built out of Magnesium for those prices...but that's the way the cookie crumbled.I have a small point and shoot, the C-8080 and a DSLR.  The pictures from this camera are so stunning compared to the point and shoot that I rarely use the point and shoot anymore (it is now the take it in dangerous conditions camera).  The DSLR pictures are slightly better, but the C-8080 is the Camera I take with me.  Its not too big, takes fantastic photo's (that lens and bigger sensor size) and just works.The one downside to it is that the auto-focusing doesn't work quickly in lower light (like evening indoors unless you're close to a bright light source) as you can have it hunt for a moment - losing instant picture moments - but you want a DSLR for that.  This doesn't get in my way much, even with a 2 year old daughter.  Highly recommended.
I've owned by C-8080 for over a year.  Several months ago, I bought a Canon Rebel XT DSLR.  The XT gets better resolution, focuses and stores faster, has a broader dynamic range, and slays the C8080 in medium and low light hands down.  Add an image stabilized lens to the XT, and performance-wise, the C8080 gets left in dust accross the board.But I still often I pack the C-8080 and leave the XT at home.  In good light or when using flash, the C8080 takes great pictures, with very respectable resolution and clean, bright, vibrant Olympus style colors.  It boasts a lens with one of the widest front diameters of all the digicams on the market (and thus captures more light), and the quality of the glass is superb.  Raw mode storage is slow, but the results can be wonderful---you can sqeeze one more level of resolution and color depth from raw.  Comparable pictures shot with my XT would blow up to bigger size, but the C-8080 is more than adequate for the typical 8-1/2X11's that I print at home.  The C-8080 can produce fine prints in many cases at 13X19.While not "compact," the C-8080 is a tidy, convenient, sturdy tool that is suitable for the serious photgrapher.  The 28-140 mm is too short for field sports, but it's great for indoor people shots, landscapes, and the majority of common shooting situations.  Autofocus is generally "fast enough."  The dual memory card format offers a convenient way to organize pictures and immense storage capacity.  I like the tilting viewfinder.  The control layout is a bit complex, but you learn to maneuver it.  It offers more precise control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO than most digital cameras; ISO choices are, for example, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, etc., instead of the more standard 50, 100, 200, etc.  This means, among other things, when you haven't got enough light for ISO 100, you might not need to drop to ISO 200 where you will pick up more noise; instead, maybe you can capture the shot at ISO 160. Noise is typically not an issue until you are pushing ISO 200.I wish the C-8080 offered image stabilization.  I wish it did  better in dim light.  I wish it zoomed out to 200mm or better.  But it is an easy camera to pack and operate, and in many, many situations, it does more than well enough.  This is useful, quality gear that was built to last a long time.
This is my third digital camera. My first was a canon powershot g3-- A camera I would still be using if it hadn't developed a problem with storing images to CF cards and downloading them to the computer.  My 2nd camera is a Canon s100 point and shoot.  Just so that you can understand the view point of this review, I will let you know that I consider myself an amature with intentions of improvement. If you are a pro photographer or even an advance amature,  this review won't offer you much.That being said, if your aspirations are like mine, this camera is an excellent choice.  I explored most of the major online sites prior to making my choice: Steve's Digicams, DPR, etc.  All those sites gave the camera high marks.What I liked most about this camera was the image quality.  It had the least noise, and least chromatic abberation and distortion of any of the 8 megapixel cameras in nearly all the reviews.  Since what I wanted most at the end of it all were excellent photos,  this was enough for me to make my choice.  And if you aren't happy with the shots straight from the camera, you can tweak every thing from sharpness to saturation to achieve the results you want.Other features that I liked included the wide array of image size, and shooting options available.  I felt that this camera could certainly grow with my skill level for years to come.Many have complained about the placement of the power button.  I haven't had any probs with it.  I have not accidentally turned it off or on even once.Now what I would change if I could:Oh I wish the LCD were a swivel display.  I have grown accustom to this with my canon.The flash does not automatically pop up when you need it.The EVF is taking some getting used to.  I am still wary of weather or not what I am seeing actually represents actually color, lighting etc...The menu system could use some revision.  I am sure it will take me a while to learn to use the camera to its best capacity  simply because the menu system is not intuitive.  You actually need to read the manual and the one on the CD to work out the ends and outs of the camera.The camera defaults to the xD card if you have a both and xD and a CF card in place.  This has caused me some problems.  You will be less frustrated if you only have one or the other installed.I like this camera more and more every time I use it. I researched my choice exaustively and none of the other 8 megapixels currently available even tempt me when I look at the whole picture.  I don't think this camera will dissappoint you .
The Camedia body design has always been traditional, which I've favored over Sony's outlandish model F717 & F828 body/lens layout. The C8080 has a nicely refined body style. It's a compact 4.75" wide, by 4.7" deep, and 3.4" high. For old-school film SLR users like myself, it resembles that look and feel. The ergonomics is just about perfect. It's a real joy to hold, even with one hand. The controls are easy to see and become acquainted with. The shutter lag is almost undetectable. And if you set it for continuous frames (1.6 fps), it will give you 3 to 5 shots in quick succession. The lens and picture quality is up to par with the previous Camedias. Olympus lenses are outstanding. The 8 megapixels sure help.The things I like about the C8080 are: 2 memory card slots (CF and XD)and you can toggle between the 2 cards. So if you have a 512 MB capacity for both cards, that's 1024 MB total. If you want more, get an IBM 1GB microdrive.  You don't have to download software. Plug into the USB 2 in your PC, and you're in business (Win XP os). The viewfinder is electronic, which saves on battery consumption. The display screen can tilt up or down, and is visible even in bright sunlight. It's very comfortable to hold and shoot. And of course, it's got 8 megapixels. The thing I don't like about the C8080 is you have to remove the battery to charge it.For pro-level amateurs and professionals, I recommend it highly.
Before this camera I owned the Oly C3030 and C5050.  All great cameras but they pale when compared to this one.  Even as I write this today, I would still recommend getting this camera used at a great price rather than spend more on a newer model.  It has every control a camera enthusiast could hope to have short of owning a higher end SLR, with the convenience of having everything in one fairly compact package.  After a little bit of a learning curve, this camera becomes intuitive and is a joy to use.Who is this NOT for?Someone who needs to shoot a lot of images in rapid succession at high ISOs, and who want interchangeable lenses.This camera has a rather slow buffer and file write time, especially if you are shooting RAW.  Also it only goes up to ISO 400 and noise is quite noticable at that ISO.Who IS it for?Everyone else.  If you shooting style is more sedate and you shoot at lower ISOs, you will be reward with stunning imagry and very little noise, if any.  You can exercise the utmost control over every aspect of your photography, or just set it on auto and let it do it's thing.  You will love the results and the wide angle 5x zoom is like have 3 lenses in one.Don't want to take my word for it?Feel free to visit my website (kramerkreations dot com) and peruse my photo gallery.  I think you'll agree that is one amazing camera at a great price.  If I had to do it all over again, I would get another C-8080WZ without hesitation.Happy shooting!
I bought this to supplement my E-20, and after having used it for just over two weeks, I think I'll put the E-20 away.Pros:-Nice size. I have big, arthritic hands, and it is a joy to use-Best image from any digital i've owned, and i've got/had a few-FAST, FAST, FAST, except for playback-Quiet-Beautiful resolution, edge to edge.-I really like the rubber grip on the lens (and the body)-Great battery life.Cons:-Slow playback (but I rarely use it, so ho hum)-You must have a micro drive for images-Lens cap doesn't fit well with lens hood (nitpick).I am particularly impressed with blues and greens. Great rich color and great detail. Can be manipulated to give results very much like film, or crank up the saturation, contrast, whatever, and go crazy.I also really like the sort of odd angle the lens is at with the body and the viewfinder, makes the camera VERY intuitive to aim and hold. I've seen some complaints about the position of the power button and exposure button, but I find them very well placed. All the controls on the left side of the camera are easy to access when holding the camera with your right.My brother, who is a photo novice bought the camera at the same time I did, and he is producing very nice images, just using it point and shoot.
it might be a good camera -- its from the pre-&#34;upgrade&#34; series that nearly every major manufacturer put the hapless consumers through. You can check reviews for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic . . . all of them with products in the $120 - $180  price range. In every case the more recent model versions dumbed down one thing or another in the name of &#34;improvement&#34; concealing crapware with the marketing glitz of megapixels.Unfortunately I never got the product delivered. Did the seller imagine that I would just shrug off $110 like it was nothing?
As someone who has jsut begun to get beyond the basics in photography, this camera has allowed me to really grow.  This is a terrific tool and I have been extremely pleased with my pictures:[...]Yes, it is slow in low light to focus.  Yes it is a bit bulky (but feels good in the hand to hold) but that lens takes terrific pictures.I have had the camera for about 6 months now and love taking it out more every day.  Lots of flexibility and features to keep me busy.
If you are thinking of purchasing this camera, STOP!It was too late for me to send mine back to Amazon when I found out this camera can NOT be focused to infinity manually. It focuses to 16 feet. Which means everything beyond is fuzzy. And to add insult when the Auto-focus gets confused it goes to 16 feet. (The point of manual control is to get the shot even if the auto stuff does not produce the image you want) Which means the dirt at your feet is sharp but the fall leaves on the Vermont hills you're hoping to get this fall will be blurry. I have hundreds of ruined shots with no way to ever take them again. Everything else is great about the camera but what does it matter if the metering is excellent if the shot is out of focus? You still have to throw it away...I wish I found this out in time to exchange for the SONY F-828. If you are looking for a camera with all the manual controls you need for "Prosumer" level work, get the Sony.(I called Olympus and "they're a International company and they're not going to change the firmware" for me.)
I am still getting acquainted with this little gem.  In spite of all the criticism below, I am definitely happy with it.I have to say that I agree with pretty much everything JB said in his review "Great in the day, noisy at night" -- I haven't done any night work with this yet.So why post?  Some comments I've got are not included elsewhere.  Some are worth repeating.As mentioned in other reviews, I too have hit the power button when I wanted something else.  The main annoyance with this is the camera's configuration is reset on power-on, so if you had a shutter speed set, you get to reset it.  There is a camera setting to reset all settings on powerup or not which is presumably intended to correct this.  Personally I'd rather have the settings reset and have the power button recessed, or at least a little bit stiffer.  The power button is *very* responsive.I *LOVE* the startup speed.  It's on and ready to shoot before I can have the shot framed.  (This does take some of the sting out of hitting the power button accidentally)I *HATE* the manual focus.  It zooms into the center of the image and you are supposed to be able to tell from very raw pixels when you are focused or not.  It isn't as easy as it sounds -- slow, painful, inaccurate, and tedious.  There has to be a better way.  My Nikon CoolPix 995 boosted the sharpness of the preview in a way that let you tell what was in focus and what wasn't.  Still painful, but much better than this.The 8080 doesn't overexpose as much as my 995 did.  I like not having to adjust.  The only thing I have encountered (which I need to reshoot to understand better) was a pinkish flower in my yard that for some reason was oversaturated on the blue channel.  Probably an out-of-gamut RGB color?I very much like having all the buttons for individual settings.  The 995 was a real pain going into the menu and browsing to find the setting.  The 8080 is nice -- hit the right button, spin the wheel to the value you want without being required to dig through menus.  Those of you who like digging through menus will be relieved to know that you can do everything through the menus that you can do with buttons.I definitely like it.
The sinister Minister here. To give you some insight on yet another camera that has inspired me to go forth and take pictures! The C-8080 has been my 2nd Olympus camera,(The e-300 was my first) and will most definitely not be my last.Some of you may have seen my review of the Sony V3 camera which I considered the ultimate point and shoot camera, that was until I got my C-8080. The c-8080 has all the important features of the V3 such as dual memory capability (XD & CF 1&2, Hot shoe, Etc.) But it surpasses in many other areas such as 5X optical zoom as opposed to 4X on the Sony. A swiveling LCD Screen, 8MP instead of 7.2 (yes it makes a damn difference) and finally a much more in depth and concise menu system and exposure control, allowing you tons of other options in how you expose and take your pictures,(Scene presets, shutter speeds, exposure control, focus options, White balance, ISO settings) On almost all counts the 8080 came out the topdog over the V3. Even the battery life is better.It was even as good as the V3 in low light wich really surpised me! Now understand that this is not a pocket camera neither is the V3 for that matter, I mean you could kill a mugger with this sucker and take his picture afterwards! Again not so with the V3, it is a sturdy camera to be true, but the 8080 is made of metal and forever. While on the subject of design-the 8080 is a larger but more comfortable camera to use, it fits sweetly in your hand and not quite as chunky as the V3. Shot to shot I rate them about the same as far as speed, and the Sony I think is a little quicker on start-up but not by a margin that would be outstanding. Okay so we did the tech thing now what about the pictures? Again I have to go with the C-8080. I found the color reproduction a little more on the money and over a wider selection of settings (which the V3 didn't have to begin with) I still love Sony's film clip mode and in camera editing features better than anything else out there however so that one goes to the V3.This review comes a wee bit late, Olympus has already released thier new models for the 2005 Holiday season and most of those suck in comparison to the 8080 (except the E-500-mines on order!). But even so I would reccomend picking up this camera while you still can. Because in its class there really isn't anything out there that can touch it as far a form, function, and the ability to take amazing photos! Some cameras do outlive upgrades & trends (like the Sony F-828) I think the C-8080 will follow suit.Actually its the new designs that have turned the 8080 into the ultimate point and shoot camera! Most point and shoot cameras are now between 6&8 MP (Fuji has a 9MP!!) have an optical range of 3-5X and are getting faster by the day! (well some are)The little camera that could? That could still be around in 2 or 3 years because its just one hell of a camera! I still stand by my 5 star rating I gave the V3, but as we speak I've sold mine and kept the 8080 to take its place.By the way theres one thing you should know about digital photography, that no salesman or self-proclaimed pro will likely tell you...you will outgrow your camera! But hey thats a good thing right!? So if YOUR ready to grow look no further! Thanks for reading and Happy shooting!
I love this camera.  Takes beautiful vivid shots.  Lightweight.  A bit on the noisy side.  Has lots of options that aren't the easiest to figure out -- a lot of nested menus and if you aren't setting them all the time you have to rethink how to set them.  Got thisLowepro Toploader Zoom 45 AW (Black)to carry it in and it fits snug as a bug in a rug.  Nice all around camera.  Lightweight too.
This camera takes excellent, clear, vivid, high resolution images.  A myriad of different customizable variables.  Super bright lense system.  EXCELLENT battery life (more than 400+ photos w/ LCD screen ON and flash OFF).  The startup time for the camera is very quick, among the fastest I've seen.  Would definitely recommend over the other 8MP cameras.  Owned the 8080 for about two months now.
I recently fell into a river and irretrievably destroyed my C-50 (not Olympus's fault, obviously).  Having been so happy with that one, I immediately replaced it with the C-60.  What follows is a comparison between the two, in the form of a user review I wrote for the C-50:[The C-50 is] a very powerful, versatile, and impressive little camera.  For taking shots in conditions of plentiful light, this camera was hard to beat, at least when it came out (it's since been discontinued).  When it hit the market, it was unquestionably the most powerful digital camera of its size.There are problems, however:1.  On the little movies, there is no "sound" available.2.  You have to turn the camera off and close the cover to review the picture you just took!3.  This camera cannot take pictures in low lighting conditions at all.  Not without the flash, at any rate.  Starting from about the late afternoon on, this camera is all but useless for natural-looking shots.  They'll be far too blurry; this is a constant annoyance.Olympus recently came out with the C-60 Zoom, which is the new version of this camera.  With that one, they have fixed problems 1 and 2 but not 3:  still a major problem, but this is not the only brand of digital camera with this problem.Also note:  if you're replacing a c-50 with the new c-60, you'll be able to use your batteries, your battery charger, and your memory disks with the new version.  You'll also be able to recycle the little cable that connects the camera to your USB port.Also, the C-60 can take memory cards of up to 512 MB!  This is pretty impressive (on the highest-quality setting, for example, this will allow you to take 118 pictures; on the lowest-quality setting, 6390!), although that's a pretty expensive little card.  With the C-50, coming out of the box the most it would take was a 256 MB card, unless you bodily sent the camera in to Olympus for a "firmware upgrade," which was free if you provided proof that you had bought a 512 MB card.  This is not necessary with the C-60.Two pieces of advice:One, despite the vast memory attainable with the 512 MB card, I would suggest merely buying two 256's.  This is because, with this camera, the manner in which the card is inserted seems to increase the possibility of fatal scratches.  And if you have all your eggs in one basket -- thousands of pictures on a single card -- and you get that "CARD ERROR" message, you'll be up the creek, my friend.Second:  when you're buying it, you'll probably want to stock up on a few extra batteries.  The technology with the memory card and the image resolution is nothing short of astonishing, but it's surprising that the technology of these rechargeable batteries is not further along by this point.  The batteries only last a couple of hours before they need to be recharged!  If you're out shooting pictures all day, it's much more likely you'll need a new battery long before you'll need more memory.  Keep this in mind.
Simply love it, I purchased this camera about a month ago this is my 2nd olympus the 1st lasting for 5 years (and still going strong) but just a 1.3 megapixel only good for 4 x 6 prints  My wife &amp; I wanted a camera capable of larger prints.  We have had 8 x 10s printed from the camera and they are excellent.  We were told you could get a 20 x 30 print if we wanted. Some may have trouble with the controls but this is not just a &quot;point and shoot camera&quot; it has all of the bells &amp; whistles that photo buffs demand, but also an Auto mode and the camera will do all the work.
I have been getting excellent results with this little beauty. I don't understand the comment on battery life, since I am getting 200-250 pictures on a charge. My only complaint is the size of the XD card that they supply with the unit. For a 6 Megapixel camera, you would think they would give you more storage to start with than 32MB. other than that the quality is excellent, pictures are high resolution and the Camedia software supplied with the camera does an excellent job.
My initial oppinion was good but as I used the camera I realized that it did not funciton well, as it it takes a long time to become ready for use (warm up???).  Also the order did not come woth A/V cable (merchant sent a memory card instead).  However, now I have a battery charger that doesn't work.  should have known...price too good to be true...you get what you pay for!!!
This is an excellent value for the price.  It has very little shutter delay, is compact, and very good to stop action (excellent for animal photos).  It can pick up amazing detail and one can do severe cropping in a graphics program with very little reduction in quality to the photo.Sample photos taken with this camera at:[...]I intend to keep mine for a very long time.
Olympus C60 is an awesome camera. I bought it a year ago and still works perfectly. The quality of the pictures is amazing, with a 256 MB card you can take almost 200 pictures (with just a charge of the Li-Ion battery; It allows you to take pictures at night (I took some incredible pictures at Niagara Falls at night; my God, they look like postcards!! the same when we went to Disney World, Universal, Sea World...forget about buying postcards, just use this camera). The zoom is about 12X, very good for taking close-ups; the design is compact, attractive and strong; it has a dial on the top that allows you to change from one mode to other in seconds, so easy!. The menu inside the camera is organized and easy to understand.The video mode is ok, obviously it doesn't replace a camcorder, but it is pretty accurate. And it has audio too!I knew about the quality of this label because of their microscopes (Olympus);  I had worked with them for years and can say they are one of the best on the market.In summary, I am very happy and satisfied with this camera, and can strongly recommend it. Definitely.
Excellent pictures so far and I have not yet begun to use all the many features included with this camera! I haven't had time to read the manual - but have been able to use it right out of the box because the automatic mode is easy to use.  Picture reviews are very convenient, too.  You don't have to turn off the camera - which is great.  I researched a lot of cameras before making a final decision and believe I got a great deal for the money spent - especially for a 6 megapixel camera.
This is the third Olympus camera I have owned, with the last one being a C50. Overall, I am very pleased with the camera.PROS:1. Great metal body. Very sturdy and fashionable2. Takes great pictures for a point and shoot. Bright pictures and the color is very good3. Nice size. Can fit in a pocket, but you will notice it, but easy to carry around at parties and family functions.4. Simple point and click if you want, or you can customize almost all aspects of a shot. It's the best of both worlds.5. Great camera for the price. A ton of value at 300 bucks.CONS:1. Load time when turning camera on with a large memory card is very slow. Plan on waiting 5 seconds for the camera to enter "ready mode" with a large memory card.2. Could do better at taking wide angle shots. Canon is better in this area.Overall, I recommend this camera for those looking for a great point and click camera.
My previous digital camera was the C-50 and I shelled out the cash to upgrade to the C-60, and am greatly pleased.  The advantages of the C-60 over the C-50 are:-6 megapixel instead of 5 (not a huge deal if you're not printing anything bigger than 8x10s)-Movies have audio (C-50 video only)-Casing designed better (C-50 rubber flaps were always coming loose)-SuperMacro mode as close as 4cm (C-50 macro mode was horrible, only about 20-30cm focus minimum)-Mode dial more closely resembles other SLRs, with P/S/A/M options instead of having to navigate (C-50) through the digital menu to specify whether you want the shutter speed or aperature to be adjustable-Supports up to 512MB xD cards by default (C-50 supports only up to 128MB unless you ship it to Olympus for them to install a BIOS update)-Lens opens/closes more quickly (C-50 took 3-4 seconds)-Better LCD review screen-Supports higher capacity 12B Lithium battery instead of just 10BAnd it's still the nice small size that fits in my pocket when I travel.
First let me say, I am a longtime devoted customer of Olympus and have owned several of their pocket cameras, going way back to the original XA-2 model in about 1979-80.  I have found my older Olympus digital a pleasure to use, it gives me surefire results, and it has been reasonably reliable despite less than optimum working conditions (two small children in the house.) I decided to replace it with something smaller and more powerful, and since I had Amazon gift certificates to use, I purchased it through Tiger Direct/Amazon.The first frustrating thing was that in the 10 days or so it took to receive this camera, it went down in price by $40 through another vendor featured on the site.  It has gone back up, but still--this left a bad taste in my mouth!I thought I had researched pretty well before purchasing this camera. Initially, I was very pleased with the ease of operation.  It is (naturally) faster and more powerful than my 4-year-old C-2020.  It shares the same basic commands and setup, so the learning curve was minimal.  However, I was expecting the photos to be dramatically better.  I would say they were about the same, and some were more blurry than I would have expected.  Maybe I had finessed the focus on my old camera, or maybe there was something wrong with this one, I don't know.  I was not blown away by the image quality, and as others have mentioned, the flash really is weak.  This camera performed best for me in natural light, where I was able to get good closeups as well as scenic shots.More distressing, it didn't even last a month!  On the last day of preschool, I dropped it--gently--from knee height.  The shutter button popped off, never to be seen again, and the door to the USB port would not shut.  (Sadly, I did not realize the extent of the damage until kindergarten graduation, which I therefore didn't get on film--BOO HOO!)Now, I realize this was completely my fault and I take the blame for dropping the camera.  However, these point and shoot models do take some abuse, and I've seen other models survive much worse.  This was a relatively minor bump, and the camera is virtually totalled.  It is obviously not covered under warranty, and I can't return it.  I sent it to Olympus and was quoted 2/3 of the purchase price to fix it.  I don't think that will be happening!  My next camera may still be an Olympus, but I'll definitely buy locally with a generous extended warranty, as I have in the past.  Seems to be the only way to go with more delicate items, particularly those which are carried in purses, backpacks or diaper bags!  :)
The colors are strange. I have other digital cameras, including another Olympus and they take excellent pictures. But the C60 colors seem to be overenhanced. I tried various settings, etc and nothing made a difference. The other thing I don't like is it takes a special battery pack. The other cameras take NiMh AA batteries and I've got a bunch of those so I can carry a lot of spares. If I kept the C-60, I'd have to buy 1/2 dozen spare batteries. But I'm returning it because of the odd photo coloration. If it wasn't for that, this could have been a great camera.
Strengths: Very compact & light, quick startup (slower with bigger XD Media cards), lots of great features (like continuous shooting mode and red-eye reduction), long battery life.Weaknesses: Weak flash, red-eye reduction not available in continuous shooting mode, slow startup with big XD Media cards.Summary: This is overall a great camera (see list of main strengths above). My biggest complaint is that the flash is pretty weak, and cannot be brightened in "auto" mode. However, if you switch the camera to one of the manual modes, you have more control over the brightness of the flash -- but I've found that increasing the brightness washes out the subjects too much. So you're stuck between a rock & a hard place. The perfect flash I ever used was on a Nikon Coolpix 995 camera, but that camera is big & bulky & slow compared to this camera. So if you're going to be doing a lot of daylight shooting or outdoor shooting that doesn't require heavy use of a flash, this camera is for you. If you're doing a lot of nighttime or indoor shooting (like me), you'll be hard-pressed to get rid of this spritely little camera that's chock-full of features, and instead you'll find yourself turning on lots of overhead lights to flood more light into the room.
The Olympus D-540 is a good camera for the money. I hear that the digital zoom causes grainy photos, but have found this to not be so. It is a little slow to shoot, but this allows for some last minute aiming. The self timer is a little extraneous, as is the micro zoom function. The video is nice, but if you want a longer video, you'll have to purchase a larger memory card, which I have yet to do. You can save your settings which is nice, especially if you want a smaller size picture which takes up less memory, or if you use the digital zoom frequently.
I received this camera as a gift and subsequently took it on a long trip to Russia (instead of my bulky SLR film camera). This camera was outstanding: easy to use, produces good quality pictures, lightweight. It makes toting &quot;regular&quot; camera gear around too cumbersome to contemplate: this camera slips into a pants pocket easily enough. As my first digital camera, it's everything I had hoped it would be and more.The software (Olympus's Camedia) is pretty good and relatively easy to use, although managing your pictures can be more work than it needs to be. Maybe I'll upgrade that to the Pro version. Nonetheless, I was downloading pictures quickly and everything worked cleanly. The main reason to use the software (rotating pictures) is convenient.The camera itself is lightweight and pretty durable (my son dropped it a few times and it survived just fine). The 16 MB card that comes with it is too small for realistic use, but a 128 MB card is easy to purchase: budget for it, as you'll want the storage. There are only a few minor annoyances that you'll want to compare to other cameras before choosing this one (I don't think anyone else does it any better).First, this camera (like many digital cameras) devours batteries. The &quot;low battery&quot; warning comes on very quickly--way too quickly, since battery life far exceeds the warning. However: as the battery runs down, the camera itself processes more and more slowly. So I've found that you'll often miss shots because you need to know about a second in advance to push the button. The lag between &quot;go&quot; and the camera firing is annoying.Second, the zoom control is a bit difficult to use. It's located on top of the camera and twists, an action that I find difficult to perform while aiming the camera. I've taken to holding the camera at about chest level to shoot pictures so that I have better control.Overall, the picture quality settings are easy to manage and the pictures themselves are bright, clear, and sharp. The autofocus is almost always perfect and you'll rarely dig into the menus to adjust the camera performance. The panorama capability doesn't seem to work, but it's an extraneous feature.In any case, this is a great little camera. It does everything a digital camera should, is well made, and makes me a happy camper.
My title says it all - the ease of use is nullified by the fact that there is not a valid batter option. This camera operates on either two AA batteries, or one lithium battery. Here is the problem - it burns through them at an umbelievable rate!! If you are planning on taking lots of pictures at once (on vacation, or taking the kids to the zoo, etc), one set of AA batteries will not even get you through the day. You will easily need two or three sets of AA batteries to get through a day of heavy picture taking. That really starts to add up! I tried buying two sets of rechargables with a charger, but the first set of batteries will run out before the second set has enough time to charge. You would need two or three sets that could be charging simultaneously to keep up. I then went to the litium option. While these do last longer, they still only last about 10 days with limited picture taking. Again, if you were in a situation where you were taking lots of photos, you would probably need one lithium battery for each week. At about $10 each, that's gonna add up quickly as well.To make matters worse, you burn the batteries when you are downloading your photos to your computer, and there is no "safety" that turns it off after a minute of two of not being used. So it is easy to hook it up, download your pictures, get busy managing your photos and forget that the camera is still on. An hour later - dead battery!For the record, my mother has a different model of Olympus camedia that comes with its own rechargable battery, and it is much, much more practical. I would definitely recommend paying more to aviod going broke buying batteries!
I purchased the Olympus D540 about a year and a half ago and it worked fine at the beginning. It had no lag, started up quickly, and took pictures fine. Then I noticed wear that came from nowhere. Cheap parts. The camera took an unusually long time to startup, even with brand new batteries. It flashed black every time I turned it on. Eventually, it just stopped working altogether. I've tried replacing the batteries, and I've tried Olympus for help, but they have absolutely nothing. They have the worst website information I've ever seen. They didn't even have a FAQ of common problems as they're too busy releasing new cameras with cheaper parts every 3 seconds to pay attention to their current customers. This camera sucks. If you're looking for something that will last and not break down on you, then you should be looking somewhere else. This has completely soured me on digital cameras since it seems that all of them break down, are horrifically expensive especially considering you need a memory card, battery charger, warranty, dock if you want to print, ink, etc. The memory card included with the camera could only hold 20 pictures!! I had to purchase another one for $40. I'd suggest that you stick with regular cheap cameras. Until they start making digital cameras cheaper, stop releasing new ones and lowering prices for old ones, providing more in the package, and offering better technical support, I'd say don't bother with them at all.
I bought this for my daughter...she is very happy with it...it is easy to use and takes a very clear picture...
I have always love Olympus image quality, the colors are great and the lcd discplay shows exactly how the picture will look like when you get it into the computer, the pictures look alive, i compared to other digital cameras such as HP, Kodak, and there is no point of comparison, Olympus Rocks!!, the only problem with this model is the battery life, i recommend that yo turn of the display, disable the flash when you dont need it and get rechargable batteries, and carry them with you every time.
This ia great little camera with so many extra's jammed in it its hard to belive how easy it is to use with them all inside! but it is SO easy, with amazing picture quality, which is so much better than other digital camera's which claim to have the same quality images (kodak for one) i really recomend this camera. i did have some problems with battery life but you can avoid this. first by linthuim batteries they last heaps longer. also, turn your flash off when you don't need it, and don't use your zoom when you don't need it because these whaste battery! turn your camera off once you've finished taking photos, in till the next opputinty, don't leave it on waiting for another photo opputinty to come alomng-this whaste power. also, i have found that if it runs pretty fast from usung it over and over again, leave it for a while, then turn it on, you might be able to get a couple more pitures out of it. and last but not least, carry battries with you everywhere! but paying for battaries is a small price to pay for the picture perfect, professnal look this camera gives your picturestwo wordsBUY IT!
I base my 5 stars on how this camera has fit my needs and exceded my expectations. It's my first digital camera and I have read a lot of reviews about it. Everyone has their own list of pros and cons. I guess that they are all "true" for the person who has experienced them. I got into digtital photography after throwing out thousands of 35mm slides and photographs and swearing off of collecting phots any more. My 30 year old Asahi Spotmatic sits on the shelve. Then, I started to think about the digital concept. Why it's just a lot of electrons arranged in a lot of 1111111111s and 0000000000s. And so easy to "develope" and "throw out". Easy to carry in the forest and so convenient for taking pictures that I really have no intention to save or develope. Well, I do save a few...but just electrons, remember. I love it!I cracked the LCD screen after a few months. Oh, fiddl-faddle! Well, what to do?I decided to order an LCD replacement from Olympus and fix it myself. I thought..."what the heck, it's that or throw it out. So, I'll gamble the $70 for the LCD and try to repair it myself."It was a little scary at first. But I did not care if I fatally messed up the camera. I took out all of the little screws I could find and pried the back off of the camera. There I found more small screws holding the LCD in place. There is a tiny two conductor cable with a tinsy two prong connector on it. Also, the LCD is attached to the camera electronics with a tiny ribbon cable. I took out more screws and used tweezers to disconnect the cables. The two conductor red and white cable has to be de-soldered and re-soldered to the new LCD. The LCD bracket has to literally be pealed off of the old LCD and reused on the replacement LCD. Will it work? It put everything back with no parts left over! And it worked!!!! Let me confess that I have worked in the electronics industry, so I am not too intimidated by the computer "guts" of this camera. However, I think it really was my "I don't give a hoot" attitude that got me through this repair.Olympus Parts Department is not very easy to deal with. Some rude people and some helpful people. After gettting 3 different prices, each higher that the last, I ordered the part. I did not receive a new screen. It had a date tag on it from the previous year. No one said it was a used part on the phone ! It was back ordered and took two months to come in. I was so tired of dealing with Olympus that I used it and all has turned out well in the end.I can shoot all of pictures that I desire and a movie or two on just the 16 meg card. I never print photos, so the 16 meg card will hold about 135 email quality pictures that I can send to friends and they can easily throw out. Who needs the clutter! I got a deal on a 64 meg card so I got that as a backup.I love this camera. It does all of the good stuff that other reviewers say and more. I think that most negative comments are from people who are very particular about some feature or expect this camera to perform outside of its price range. It does a great job, is easy to use and repair, easy to carry (don't bump any concrete walls with the LCD) and has lots of features to explore.Prices are going up with the pixel count. I don't want more pixels. Probably 1 would do for most internet photos. 2 would give good 4x6 prints. Where are these simple, cheap cameras ?I guess they are where the simple, cheap cars are ??????????
I love this little camera. I had a chance to try out this camera and compare it to three other digital cameras. The Olympus 540 won hands down. This is the camera I take with me every day. I own a better camera, but like the size and ease of use of this camera.I took identical photos with this camera and a 4 mg pixal camera and you couldn't tell the difference in a 8x10 print done on a color laser printer. I also enlarged and printed a 48"x36" image on a large format printer and was extremely please by the results.The camera is easy to use. In seconds you can choose anyone of the eight shooting modes. Also, adjusting the flash to be auto, always on, off or a fill flash is a quick click on the back control button. By pushing the shutter button half way down you can set your exposure.  This is very helpful in some lighting situations.If you purchase the camera, I would recommend buying re- chargeable batteries and a larger storage card.
I bought one of these cameras for my 16-year old daughter.  Within minutes she was able to take photos with it and enjoy the world of digital photography, including shooting a short movie.  The camera has a 3x optical zoom which allows for better close-ups.  It has a few drawbacks, but as a beginner's camera, it can't be beat, especially for the price.  Best to buy the rechargeable batteries, as these cameras eat up electricity, and also a bigger picture card so that you can load up on the photos and enjoy a little home movie making.
This is my 3rd midrange digital camera in as many years.  I picked this one for my latest based on it's features (macro, self portrait, etc) and the awesome huge LCD screen.  The screen is much bigger than it's competitors.  The self portrait mode worth noting... some one was finally genius enough to note that many a snapshot is taken where two subjects squeeze together and hold the camera at arms length and snap the pic.  This setting adjusts the flash and lense to accomodate that!  Genius!The downsides... even with rechargable batteries this sucker goes "battery low" way before other digi's I've had.  It's worth noting.  I think it runs out about 30% to 50% quicker than other camera's I've had.  That's pretty notable.Also... the bootup time is Loooonnng.  When turning on the camera, the time between turning it on and actually taking a pic is way too long.  Also the lag between shutter press and actuall photo/flash is incredibly long.  MUCH longer than other cams I've had.You sacrifice a few things here and gain a few there with digi's but, the lag time and battery life are deal breakers for me and the type of pix I take so this puppy is going back.  :(
1st, BELIEVE THE HYPE !  The image quality is TRULY AMAZING! GORGEOUS, TRUE to LIFE COLORS! They are about as close to a 35 mm photo as I have seen (including those from cameras costing 3-4x the price!).  The salesman at my local WOLF camera store (who is very knowledgeable) was surprised that the pictures I developed were from a (3 MP) digital camera.  YES-THEY ARE that GOOD.  And I am not easily impressed (anymore).2nd, I am by no means a "novice" when it comes to digital cameras.  I have lost count as to how many cameras I have bought and sold over the years in my futile attempt at finding "the perfect camera".  It is my belief now that there is no "perfect" digital camera that will fulfill ALL of your digital needs.  You need to prioritize what's important.  For example, if video with sound is very important to you, you can rule this camera out.  However, if image quality ranks HIGH on your list, please keep on reading my review.  I have tried all of the really tiny, expensive cameras and have ultimately, always ended up disappointed by its picture quality.  My "BIG" camera (which I highly recommend) is the Panasonic Lumix FZ20.  This has become the perfect "take anywhere" camera for me.  I like it better than the Sony P200 that I paid over 3x for.3rd, a term I just coined for this review is "megapixel smegapixel".  Four years ago, I paid a thousand dollars for a top-of-the line 3 MP camera (Nikon Coolpix 990).  To this day, that camera has taken some of the best pictures including those from 5 MP cameras like the Nikon 5200 or even 7 MP camera like the SONY P200.  The thing is that the higher the megapixel, the higher the incidence of NOISE.  99% of us do not need a 7 MP camera.  It's simply overkill and the pictures, ironically, often end up looking more GRAINY than a picture from a great 3 or 4 MP camera!  Even though this is "only" a 3 MP camera, that is enough resolution to print up to 11"x14". So, don't get too caught up in the "megapixel race".  You just end up paying a lot more for something that you don't even need! This camera proves that you don't need to spend $500 to get a great digital picture.Finally, like all cameras, there are the "cons" which other people have alluded to - namely, the short battery life and relatively long shutter speed.  If you are trying to capture a toddler on the loose, this is NOT the camera for you!  But I find it more than acceptable.IMPORTANT: NOW, FOR THE MAJOR ISSUE OF BATTERY DRAINAGE - I read ALL of the reviews on Amazon IN FULL and no one has yet mentioned that it can also use CRV3 battery which lasts longer than rechargeable "AA" batteries.  Or even better, that for $30, you can now purchase rechargeable CRV3 batteries !!!!!  My favorite is the one by MobyPower, sold here -[...]Also, I always use use a Card Reader to download photos from my cameras instead of draining battery power. I'd recommend you buy a separate card reader - they are very inexpensive and will save you lots of money on batteries!Fianlly, I paid less a tad over $100 for mine.  In my humble opinion, dollar for dollar, this is simply ONE of the BEST DIGITAL Cameras out there.  Whether you are entering the exciting (but often intimidating) world of digital photo,or you need a great Second Camera, this camera should more than satisfy you, without leaving a dent in your pocketbook!IMPORTANT UPDATE : As of April 2005, If you want video with sound, you can buy their NEW 5 MPG D-595 camera for only $50 more !
I own the exact same camera but oddly hot candle wax dripped into the picture card slot, melting the elements.  I went on line primarly to find a similar camera in order to view the pictures stored on the cards.  I found a seller who shipped the camera within the promised period of time.  The camera was shipped in it's original box, wrapped only in brown paper.  The paper offered no protection and the box arrived with the  paper torn and the top crushed down into the box..  Fortunately, the camera suffered no damage.  The seller incuded all the acccessories, all the instructions documents related to the camera. He very kindly included a little gift too. The picture quality is exellent.  I would definitely recommend this seller.
1. Pictures come out VERY crisp and clear.  Love them!!!2. Size is fantastic.  Can put in a small purse and carry around.3. Batteries get used up at a ridiculous rate.  Even after I bought rechargeable batteries with 2300 MAH, they still get used up too fast!4. Price is great.5. Very easy to transfer pictures to computer.6. Sleek look.Overall:  Although I really love the output quality of my pictures, I would not buy this camera again.  It is just too much worrying about when the batteries are going to die so I always have to cary 8-10 batteries JUST IN CASE!!!
I have had this camera for a couple of years, we paid a lot more for it when it first came out.  It takes pretty good pictures although if the flash isn't on, they turn out blurry.  I don't know why this happens, but it makes it difficult when needing to snap the shot without the flash on.  I have noticed that regular batteries don't last even one day in this camera, although the Lithium ones last several months. It is worth it to spend the extra money on them.  I have learned that making the size of the photo smaller makes the pictures look a lot less clear when you try to develop them.  It is defaulted to the 3rd largest setting and it's for a reason, they're the ones that turn out clear, very clear in fact.  I really like it, takes great color shots and even does great in the Sepia setting.  The camera is very user friendly and even when it's pitch dark, the flash lights up the area and takes great pictures.  Also, the flash hasn't given us any "White out" pictures, it seems to have just the right amount of flash for almost any picture.  I really like this camera, it isn't top of the line, but for the price that it is now, it's a great buy.  I really like it's durability also, a few weeks ago at a family gathering, my little sister pushed me in the swimming pool not knowing that my camera was in my pocket.  I took out the memory card and batteries and let it sit on a dry towel all night, it dried out and works great to this day.  I even developed some pictures I had on the memory card and didn't have a problem at all.  She was worried, feeling that she would DEFINITELY have to replace my camera, but it was a trooper, it works great to this day, took a few extra days for the LCD screen to dry out completely, but it did.  I gotta say, this camera is AWESOME in that respect.  Hope this helps.
OK I know this model is approaching vintage. That said I love it.The first one I had stayed unopened in my closet for years. I was too intimidated to learn digital.  I learned to use it in 2010 and used it for about 3 mos. Took the card out to download pictures one day and when the card was re inserted, the camera would not power up. Tried everything including a web search. Nothing worked. Sent in to Olympus, I loved it so much. Begged them to repair it...Beyond economical repair, no parts, according to Olympus. I cried.Went on e bay and got this camera for about $25.00 including postage. Have loved it ever since. It is so easy to operate. The pictures cannot compare with the mega pixel models of today. No, it does not have image stabilization and bells and whistles that everyone thinks they need to get a great photo. If you are not enlarging your pictures beyond 8 x 10 you don't need mega pixels anyway. I have just ordered another one of this model. Just in case my e bay model decides to stop working one day, I want to have a back up. I now have 6 or 7 other digital cameras of varying mega pixels and optical zooms, but I always pick up this camera first.We had a canebreak rattle snake in our driveway headed to our golf cart over the weekend. The macro helped me ID the late snake to a T. (too dangerous to let him live since I have 5 rescue dogs)When they made this model, they put quality into the camera. Not so today unless you spend a small fortune. Love,Love,Love this camera.
There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe this device.  Suffice to say, it is a fantastic little camera.  I'm a digital photographer who decided that his 4 year old (that's right, FOUR) was going to get a digital camera from Santa this year.  Well, she and I couldn't be more pleased.  As a point and shoot, it doesn't get much easier than this.  She's taken over 200 shots since Christmas day and they are near flawless even if her choice of subject matter does lead to some amusement (I think we have over 50 "My Little Pony" shots on the computer now).Previous reviews indicated the need for a couple of sets of rechargeable batteries (this camera only requires 2 AAs instead of the typical 4) and a larger memory card (get at least a 128mb XD, though it wouldn't hurt to spring for the 256mb).  They are correct.  Add a small camera bag and you're set.  My little one is.  Though arguably brilliant, if she can do it with this camera, so can you.
I got this camera as a gift from a friend. As my second digital camera this guy has been working hard taking picturesPros: Small and comfy in hand, simple to use, easy to put in new batteries and memory cardsCons: Like other before me it seems to use up battery charge quickly although I have solved that problem by buying new rechargeable batteries. Shutter speed is not as fast as I would like it to be.Overall view: Great camera for a beginner!
This camera is a reasonable second hand purchase with good availability on eBay.  US$55 including postage with a 128 MB xD memory card in Australia.The camera is small, yet solid.  The functions are easy to use for basic requirements.  The more advanced requirements take a little while to get used to.  The flash and the zoom work well.When purchasing second hand cameras look for one that comes with a bag, if not, the camera is likely to have been exposed to some rough treatment.
A x-mas present that blew me away. The camera is small and very portable. The battery problem is a concern. The low battery light came on within the first hour of using the supplied batteries. I put in new 2300mah batteries and had the same problem ,although they never actually went dead. The power-saver feature does work, despite another review I read. The xd-memory is a draw back, being new and $10-20 more than Sd media; xd is half the size of sd however.Overall, while I am pleased with the camera; a little upgrading would be worth it. The 540 takes short movie clips, but has no sound. The 560, for I believe $10.00 more, has audio.
A number of reviews have complained of short battery life. I discovered that there is a rechargeable lithium pack now available for this camera. I ordered it with a special charger from an online source, and am now satisfied with the battery life. Also,the lithium battery pack does not lose its charge like the NiMH batteries do.
Double A batteries doesn't hold well with this digital camera. You literally have to changed batteries every 50-70 shots. Picture quality is ok for uploading pictures on the internet.
I had this camera for about 2 years and I truly enjoyed using it. Great outdoor and indoor pictures. I was especially impressed with the indoor pictures as not that many cameras I owned or tried were able to take great bright pictures indoors. Beautiful, rich colors and very sharp images - it was hard to take a bad picture. It did use alot of batteries, but Rechargeable CR-V3 Li-ion batteries would make a great difference. The only problem was the sliding lens' cover that I think was the reason why my camera broke down. Or may be the batteries were running out of charge - but all over sudden it started bipping, the lens wouldn't come out and then the power would go off. I'm still giving it 5 stars because I was very happy with it and would recommend it to everyone.
I've been using Olympus digital cameras since 1997. I've bought five over the years for different reasons and loved them all - but NOT this camera. For the first time, I have ended up returning a camera and buying an entirely different model.First, I have to completely concur with the battery-sucker commentary others have mentioned. It's terrible, and it uses up batteries within 20-30 pictures, even worse if you are using the flash consistently. I have had three other Olympus D-model cameras (including the 560) and have NEVER had such problems.Second, the flash is completely overwhelming. It whites out almost everyone I took a picture of at even a moderately close range, and when it was NOT used, the slow shutter speed made a clear picture when the camera was hand-held almost impossible. In addition, even with red-eye reduction, the flash was so bad that nearly everyone I took a picture of had their eyes closed.Third, and this was the worst, the shutter speed was terrible. As the batteries wear down (which is extremely rapid), the shutter speed gets slower and s-l-o-w-e-r. The auto-focus takes between one and three seconds at a MINIMUM between the time the button is pressed to the taking of the picture, and this is when the camera was already focused using the half-button-press method. I was VERY disappointed by this. My favorite subjects are my children (four years old and three months old) and if you want to catch them smiling that's simply an unacceptable delay.I returned this camera and traded up to the Olympus C-765. The C models have far better creative control, including flash-intensity control, many more picture-taking modes, aperture control, etc., but I'm also very pleased by the point-and-shoot (auto) mode as well. In addition, the C-765 has a much better lens (meaning much better shots) and a 10X zoom, which is ideal for me to capture the wildlife in my area - I got shots of animals I'd never been able to get before.Don't waste your money on this camera unless you are using it for strictly out-of-doors, well-lit shots that have very slow or not-moving subjects. For family pictures or a lot of indoor use, don't bother - and make SURE you buy several packs of rechargeable batteries - and CARRY THEM WITH YOU - if you decide this is the camera for you!Otherwise, buy a different Olympus camera altogether. I was incredibly disappointed by this but am thrilled with the C-765.
Honestly, I don't know why people are complaining about this camera. It is a simply designed snapshot camera that offers great resolution at an extremely affordable price!What more could you ask for4.0 MP3x Optical, 4x Digital Zoomlarger LCD screenWeight: 5.8 ozPRICE: just over $100!I cannot believe you have anything to complain aboutsimply a great camera, and I have tried them all
This is a great camera.  Inexpensive, lightweight, and very versatil.  It takes great pictures.  The only downside to this camera is the delay when you snap a picture.  I took a picture as someone was walking out the door and after the delay all i had was the door.  The batteries are long life, took pictures all day on one battery.
I like this camera a lot, but as other reviewers have noted, it eats batteries in no time at all. I orginally bought rechargables but found that they didn't have the power depth to last more than a few shots (like maybe 10 or 20). I switched to alkalines, which last a little longer, but what a waste of money to keep buying new ones.It seems like the problem is that there is a huge drain on the battery on each shot taken because if you let the camera rest for a while, the batteries will eventually allow it to take another shot (after you turn the camera off, of course).I bought this camera based on Amazon reviews, which were very helpful. Next time I'll wait until the product has been on the market long enough to find out about these kinds of problems.
The instructions were not congruent to the actual camera settings.  However, after just a few minutes, I had it figured out.  This camera is BY FAR easier to use than the D-510 that it replaced.  As per the "beef" about battery life, that I have read: What is the difference if you change two batteries every 20 or so shots or four batteries every forty shots? Thus far, I am very pleased with this camera.
Pay extra for the Olympus 410 because this is a battery sucker. Would you rather be walking around with a bag full of batteries? I had to constantly change the batteries. That was when I decided this camera wasn't worth it. It becomes a hassle when you have to change the batteries after 30 or so pictures.  I have to admit the picture quality is better than the 410 but the fact that it doesn't come with rechargeable batteries made me return the item. In the long run this camera would be too expensive to keep because batteries are expensive and having 3 or 4 sets of extra rechargeable batteries becomes a hassle. I found it rather troublesome having to change batteries after a few pictures.  Never again will I buy a camera without the rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology. Overall the camera takes almost perfect pictures because the lag time is not noticeable. In fact I didn't even notice there was a lag time until I got the 410 to compare to. Another downside to this camera is that it is rather bulky and big compare to other digital cameras. I have small fingers and I found the buttons rather hard to press at times.This item only gets a 3 because there are more cons than pros. The only pro is the picture quality. But the AA batteries make it a  con in the long run.
We've had this little Digi for eight years now.  It's dinged up, scuffed, and still works like a champ.  It was an impulse buy for us on our way to a beach, and didn't feel like bringing our more sophisticated photo gear with us.Did we expect incredible photos?  No, not at 4mpx, but the pics are plenty good enough for our website and keeping friends in touch with our activities.  Has worked great with lithium AA batts, good flash settings.Nice little camera, I highly recommend it.
I have been a huge fan of Olympus cameras and I totally adore my 4-year old 2.1 megapixel Olympus D-490. I thought the D-580 would just be an upgrade to my camera because there are a lot of passing similarities between the two, but in its guts the D-580 is a horrible re-design with almost nothing good about it.For starters, if you select anything less than the highest quality image-format, you'll find that the pictures are totally unacceptable. They are blotchy and jpegged to death. It's shocking and disgusting how bad they are. With my old camera, I would sometimes select a slightly lower quality image in order to speed up photo-taking, but that just won't work with the D-580.The 580 is unusable without the flash, but the flash is such a bright and focussed white light that reflections often blow out the CCD and colors look washed out and artificial.The viewfinder lens is so small that the LCD is the only reasonable way to line up a shot, but that runs down the batteries in no time at all.The LCD is large, but has funny problems, like when the camera was pointed at a bright metal building, the whole thing appeared in reverse-colors.The menu options are arranged in such a manner as to obscure the most simple tasks. Where my old Olympus automatically compensated for all but the most extreme lighting conditions, this camera needs tweaking for every different environment. Changing a setting involves navigating through an awful round selection-menu, followed by choices from a sub-menu and finally tuning the options in a totally separate menu.Comparing images from my old camera to the D-580, the old 2.1 megapixel camera wins every time. Images from the old D-490 are sharper, the colors more accurate and the flash produces warm living tones.Yes, the D-580 is small and light and it can do a lot of nice tricks, like shooting panoramas or QuickTime movies with audio. But the sacrifices aren't worth it. I can't recommend this camera for anyone. Olympus needs to re-think their consumer strategy!!
PROS: Ive had my Olympus D-580 for about four years, and I have finally decided to upgrade.  I have to admit that for what I paid (around $250) it has been a great little camera with a lot of features.  My most-enjoyed feature had to be the video, which has zoom feature.  I took my first video at Niagara Falls and was astonished at the quality of the picture and sound, even when at max zoom.  Since then I have taken countless videos of my children, and aside from needing a lot of lighting (outdoors is best) I have no complaints.I like the fact that it uses AA rechargeables, and it isnt a big battery burner.  I could take about 250-400 photos, depending on size, before needing to change the batteries.  Carrying a spare set solves any worry about running out.  And, if you forget your spares, you can always buy a pack of AAs in an emergency.  I say this is a bonus because the lithium ion batteries dont offer such convenience.  The night scene also performs remarkably well, if a bit grainy.My main reasons for the upgrade, and the reasons this camera gets 4 stars instead of 5, are the following CONS:* Very slow picture-taking.  It can take up to three seconds from click to capture, which is just completely unacceptable to me.  In fact, I would rate that part of the camera a 1 star because it has caused me to lose SO many great shots.  By the time the thing gets around to capturing the photo, my scene was gone.*Auto-focus can be sticky.  Sometimes the three-second delay becomes a permanent one when the auto-focus seemed to get stuck mid-thought and the camera just didnt take the photo at all.  Adjustments to scene would probably help a bit, but honestly, it didnt help me much.*You have to hold PERFECTLY still to get a nice, clean shot.  Thankfully it's digital so I could toss the many blurred pictures I had throughout the past few years.  This problem seems to have worsened has the camera has gotten more use.*Unexplained grainy pictures. Sometimes, without any apparent reason, the camera will take a few really grainy photos.*Lens is prone to spots, and boy will those ruin some great photos.  This is easily remedied, just keep a good lens cleaner on hand and always check your lens before taking photos.Overall, I would recommend the Olympus D-580 to anyone looking to go digital.  The 4MP offer surprising clarity and beautiful, bright photos.  It's a great family camera (aside from being slow to capture, which people trying to photograph small children may find very frustrating) and performs well in a variety of lighting situations.  It's nice and small, lightweight, but not so small and lightweight that you're half afraid of losing the thing.The reason I am upgrading at this point is that I am more into photography as art in addition to wanting the great photos this camera can offer.  I'm a feature creature!  I will definitely be keeping my Olympus D-580 for a backup though, it's been a great little camera.
I bought the Olympus D-580 as a birthday gift for my wife and as our initial foray into the world of digital photography. The D-580 is certainly easy enough to use and the picture quality is very good. I've made some 8x10 prints from the D-580 that look great. The controls are all very intuitive and user-friendly: you basically scroll through options on the on-screen menu. Transferring pix to your PC is a snap. With Windows XP, I just connected the camera to my pc via the included USB cable and I was ready to go - no need to even use the included software.A few negatives I noticed pretty quickly:1) the D-580 will demolish your AA batteries within about 20 pictures (combination of flash/no flash). After the first set of AAs quickly died, we switched to the CRV3 Lithium battery pack and got much better battery performance (or, invest in some rechargables...)2) the auto-focus is hit and miss in dimly-lit situations, due to the lack of an AF illuminator. (This has me looking at the C-7000, but that's another story.) So, if you take a lot of indoor photos (party pix, etc), the D-580 may not cut it for you. It's hard to tell whether photos are sharply focused until they've been transferred to the computer, which has been frustrating for us and the reason I didn't give this camera another star or two...All in all, though, I'd recommend the D-580 to anyone looking for a first digital camera or even just a simple-to-use point-and-shoot camera without a lot of bells and whistles.
I upgraded from a D-510. The D-580 Consumes batteries too quickly - need to carry several backups, and use rechargeable batteries.  I wish it held 4 AA batteries like the 510, rather than 2.In all other respects it is a great camera for the money.Pocket-sized, simple to use, the D-580 makes digital photography easy for anyone.4 mega pixels , 3x optical/4x digital zoom, auto focus only, program exposure only, JPEG file format, ISO range 50-400, movie mode with sound.The movie option is good fun, but nothing like a VHS. I use this for e-mailing short clips to friends. 160 x120 pixel mode uses about 75kByte/sec, maybe 5% less in a zip file. High resolution uses about 340Kbyte/sec - unusable unless you have the 64MByte-memory card.  Sound quality not bad.The shutter speed is noticeably faster than the D510, there is a delay of about 1/5 second between pressing the button and taking the picture. So it is still slower than a 35mm camera, making moving action shots a challenge.  But this is true of all digital cameras, and the D580 seems the best in its price range.The USB connection is very fast and easy to use - Windows treats the camera like an extra hard drive.I am pleased with this purchase.
First, some caveats for this review; this is my first digital camera; and I bought mine via eBay, so some of my issues could be due to my camera being "experienced."  I do have 40 years' experience as an amateur photographer, but I've resisted the plunge to digital until now.I too noticed that if you use AA batteries, you will use them up quickly.  I also found you need to use name-brand alkaline batteries if you want to take more than one or two pictures at a time; see my review forAA Alkaline Battery Value Pack.  Also, the battery charge indicator is basically useless regardless of the type of battery; it tells you if you have enough battery for few shots.  No semblance to a gas gauge; more like an out-of-gas indicator light.  I do get a lot of pictures out of the CR-V3 lithium batteries.  And I can play around with the zoom a lot with the lithium ones; with alkaline, zoom a few times, and you may need to wait for them to rebound to take a picture!Sometimes I get great pictures, and other times it seems the auto-focus sensor seems to be confused and locks in on the wrong part of the image.  The latency from pushing the shutter button to the camera capturing the image is frustrating long; especially using the flash.  Pushing the shutter button down part-way helps somewhat.
We got this camera for a good price from Costco, and we're pretty happy with the pictures we're getting. Like most people would, we moved the files to our hard drive using the software that came with the camera: Camedia Master. The program freezes up on me frequently, but that isn't my beef. In order to e-mail the photos you take, to move them to a disk to get them processed, to move them back to your camera, really to do anything except print them or use them as wallpaper, you have to pay for the 'pro' version, which costs $20. By the time most consumers discover this and start using another program to upload their photos, they will, as we have, already put dozens of photos in this program where they will be irretrievably locked until they pony up $20 they hadn't bargained on when they bought the camera. This kind of business practice is really underhanded, because it makes basic functionality a premium product. Buy the camera, by all means, but don't use the software at all, or budget into the endeavor an extra $20 to do the very minimum you'd want to do with digital photos.
This was my second digital camera and while it was good for the first year, after that it began locking up. I would take a picture and the camera would freeze and I would have to shut it off and try again. I lost many good shots because of this and it led to me buying a new camera.
Several of these reviews sound like they are talking about a different camera than the one I'm using. Or they didn't read the manual and don't know how to use it. I've only had my D-580 a few weeks but couldn't be more pleased. It's compact and stylish and has Olympus's trademark sliding lens cover to protect the lens.The sliding lens cover does seem a bit stiff, but so does the one on my Stylus 35mm camera. I've been using that for 5 years and it still works just fine. The thing you have to remember, and they tell you about it in the manual, is to close the lens cover in 2 stages. You slide it part way to the detent, the lens retracts, and then you can close it the rest of the way. I like the sliding lens cover.The D-580 has 4MP resolution with 4 settings: SHQ, 2288 X 1712; HQ (the default setting), also 2288 x 1712, but more compressed; SQ1, 1600 x 1200; and SQ2, 640 x 480. The included 16MB xD card will hold up to 19 pictures in HQ. In SHQ, it will hold only 6. Obviously, you will want a larger card. They're available all the way up to 1GB. Using Olympus cards and the Camedia software, you can stitch together panoramas from as many as ten images.It has several modes accessible through the menu: Program Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Portrait-Landscape, Night Scene, Self Portrait, and Movie. Most of the time you'll get the best results by using Program Auto, the default setting, and letting the camera do the thinking.The easily accessible macro setting (there's a separate button for that) allows you to to take pictures from as close as 7 cm. The macro pictures look great and I've been using the macro more and more. And you can use the zoom in macro, allowing great flexibility. Apparently the zoom is disabled in super macro mode, which is accessible through the menu.Speaking of zoom, it has a smooth 3x optical zoom, and 4x digital. Thankfully, the digital zoom has to be turned on whenever you want to use it. I don't ever see a need to use it, since with 4MP to work with, most of the time you can just crop the picture and still end up with resolution to spare and much better results.The numbering system used for pictures is P + month + day + number of the picture for that day's shooting: e.g. P6070001, for June 7, 2005, picture number 1 (the year doesn't appear in the file name, but is recorded). That ensures a unique filename for each picture. One little quirk is that the date resets to January 1, 2004 if the batteries are taken out for 3 days. Not a problem, just something to be aware of. Resetting the date is pretty easy.The included Camedia software seems fairly useful, especially if you want to do panoramas, but since it mostly duplicates software I  already have, I didn't install it.Picture downloading on the Mac is simple, and you don't even have to turn this camera on. When the USB cable is plugged in, the LCD lights up and gives you three choices, the first one of which is PC (the others are Print and Exit). You just click the OK button and iPhoto launches. The camera shows up in the finder as a drive, so it must be ejected before you can unplug it. Unplugging it without first ejecting it triggers an error message.It is powered by 2 AA batteries, and while power consumption is heavy, it isn't quite as heavy I expected. I used the supplied alkaline AAs for about a week before they gave up the ghost. Then I switched to rechargeable NiMH batteries, and it did much, much better. I use the Monster Cable MB 4-DCRC, sold by Amazon. I prefer cameras that use AA batteries over cameras that use proprietary lithium ion batteries because AAs are cheap and available and in a pinch you can drop in some alkalines.Overall, I'm very pleased with the D-580. Picture quality is consistently great with Olympus's new image processor (TruePic Turbo), and it has enough settings to fiddle with to keep a person amused for hours. Not that you have to -- on Program Auto, it does everything for you and does it very well. I highly recommend this camera for the amateur who likes uncomplicated cameras, but occasionally likes to dabble in creative photography.
I bought this camera a month ago and use AA NiMh batteries that I recharge.  They last for a long time, in fact I have never run the batteries down on a photo shoot.  I do have to turn the flash off on several occassions when it really is unnecessary.  The photos come out great and all the user interfaces are easy to use. The down loads to my pc are fast and easy too.  For the price, this is a great buy for a digital camera.
By  Kathy "kainesis2" (NJ USA) - See all my reviewsIt's about 3 years old now and I have never had one whit of trouble with it. My 6 year old granddaughter has been taking pictures with it also, since she was 3 and she has become quite the photographer (though she's dropped the camera from time to time and it survives!). The pictures are always crisp and clear, with great color. Sometimes there's red-eye with flash photos which is normal, and I can easily take care of with Picasa. Family members have other more expensive digital cameras, but mine (around $250 at the time) takes the best photos, in my opinion. I have been extremely happy with this camera.
I bought this camera about a year ago, as my first digital camera. I love photography as a hobby, and this camera takes beautiful pictures. I often get asked if I am a professional photographer. I recently upgraded, but love this camera so much, I stayed with the Olympus brand. I still plan on using this camera often.Only con: It is a battery hog, but you can fix that by getting rechargeable batteries, or the Energizer e2 lithium batteries.*Update 2008* Just updating that I still use this handy little camera, and it is still working like new for me. Fits great in a purse to carry with you all the time if you never want to miss a shot.
This was a great camera for us.  The only problem is we got about 24 pictures out of a set of batteries and they were done.  We only kept the camera for about 3 months because of that.  It was just to much of a hassle.  We may have had better luck with more expensive batteries but after a year of buying them we could have just bought a camera with a rechargeable battery.
Batteries: I bought Olympus Ni-MH batteries. By the time you go through a few menu items red light on battery starts to come out. When it goes dead, you cannot even close the cover.Usability: Everything in menus which eats up battery power. Menus are confusing, blink out instantly and I thought Hieroglyphics went out of fashion with egyptians. You make changes, but the camera like resolution of the picture but it reverts back to another resolution all on its own.Quality: snapshots of landscapes are OK, but the camera cannot focus anything closer than 10 yards.I think the name fits this camera: Camedia but I think it is misspelled it shoud read "Comedy" of a camera.I own 5 digital cameras, this one is a big dissapointment.
I bought a D580 because I had an earlier model Olympus digital camera that was OK and I thought that an upgrade would be an improvement. Picture quality was great with the 580, but hard to get what you shoot because of the l  o  n  g  shutter lag and the  l  o  n  g  start up time, I really grew to HATE the cute little camera for those two reasons. I was using high mAh NIMH rechargeable batteries and had no complaint about battery life at all, just missed a lot of shots because the thing wasn't ready or because of the shutter lag. It does have a happy ending, on a boating trip in the Gulf of Mexico, I bumped the rail and the case with a velcro belt loop came loose and it got dumped in the Gulf, good riddance. I promptly bought a Fuji because it uses AA batteries and the other XD memory cards that I had, I'm now a happy camper.
We've had this camera for nearly a year (still under warranty) when the flash simply stopped functioning (apparently a common problem on this camera according to the Olympus technician).  One problem: we couldn't locate the receipt for the camera. After calling Olympus Customer Service multiple times including speaking to their management, they were consistently arrogant and would not consider fixing the camera under warranty.So, we sent it to them to be repaired for a fee.  After having the camera for TWO MONTHS, Olympus quoted a price of nearly the original cost of the camera.  Now, that's real customer service.Olympus will NEVER NEVER get my business again. I'm sticking with the Canon digital cameras for now on.  They are first rate when it comes to quality; meaning I more than likely will never need to rate their Customer Service.The Olympus Stylus 410? After one year of use; simply worthless.
The first thing I tell people when they ask me what sort of digital camera they should buy is: &quot;Make sure you buy one that doesn't use a proprietary battery.&quot; In other words, if you can't walk into a drug store and buy batteries for it, keep looking.Any battery can go bad, even rechargable lithiums (all it takes is one out of the three to die and you're out of business). I'm a big fan of rechargable AA batteries. Take two sets with you on vacation and if something goes wrong, drop into a drug store and buy replacements until you can find more rechargables.I have, however, found that Olympus makes the best digital cameras I've ever used. The D-550 3-megapixil is superb and it uses AA batteries. One of its best features is in the Camedia software that comes with it. It corrects for the distortion found in ALL single lens digital cameras.If Olympus goes to propriatary batteries, they've lost me as a customer. I don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere and suddenly have my battery go down. Nor do I want to find out, three years from now, that my battery is special order only and goes for an exorbitant price. I've got a laptop computer by Lexmark in my closet that I could still be using, except the proprietary battery's no longer being made.Finally, while the Olympus Stylus 410 4MP Digital Camera renders very nice photos, it has minor annoyances like &quot;noise&quot; -- digital interference that pros can spot as coming from a digital camera. In low light, it also suffers from a slight purple cast in dark areas, neither of which my D-550 has.After batteries, quality of photos is my next big buying point. This camera is capable of taking great photos that are frameible, but you'll have to add Photoshop Elements to the purchase to boost saturation and change color casts. The camera's the right size. Anything smaller and it becomes unweildy.
I bought a refurbished version of this camera from Olympus two years ago, and it is still working perfectly. I gave it 4 stars only because it is an older camera with lower megapixels by today's standards; but even so, it's big on features, and it can take some fabulous pictures.This camera is very hardy and rugged, light and very compact, yet if feels solid in your hands. I keep it with me all the time, throwing it in my purse to take it down the street or across the country. It is dinged up, scratched, and slightly dented, but it just keeps going. Living in the Sacramento valley, I have also subjected it to some fairly extreme conditions -- from Tahoe snow to over 100 degrees F in the summer. It even fell in the water on a boating trip, and it's still going strong.I chose this camera because of its many features. I especially wanted the option for video with sound, and originally thought I'd only be taking snapshots of people with it. However, this camera can do so much more. It has several condition settings, such as Beach+Snow for bright sun, Landscape, Landscape+Portrait, Portrait, Indoors, and even a Cuisine setting for food! I've also had fun with the Macro and Super Macro settings. For the ambitious and creative, you can vary the White Balance and Exposure Value for indoors, outdoors, and different lighting conditions. It also has a Stitch Panorama setting (for taking multiple photos of a wide or tall scene and stitching them together with Olympus software), and you can record sound with a picture. It will also shoot multiple frames at about 3 fps. The zoom range on it is decent -- you can take pix of landscapes yet still get rather close for action.After two years, I have pretty much maxed out this camera's abilities and will be upgrading to the Canon EOS 40D. But I would definitely recommend this camera to a friend, and I'd buy it again for its price, features, and overall quality.
This camera takes great pictures and has enough options for the casual photographer.  They only feature I don't like is the lens extend and retract by the opening and closing of the lens cover.  Other than that, it is great and a tough little camera.  I would certainly recommend it.
I purchased this camera based on my satisfaction with an older Olympus film camera, Generally good Amazon reviews and the metal body. It is a nice looking solid camera. Since I have purchased this camera though, I have not been happy with the image quality. I've adjusted settings, cleaned up photos afterwards but I've tried a couple of other peoples cameras that were comparable to mine and the pictures are noticably better, sharper and better color/lighting right out of the box at the default settings. If you are just looking for a decent point and shoot camera that takes great pictures right out of the box, I think there are much better options out there.
I owned a 2.1 megapixal Olympus - loved it! I bought the 410 - hated it! It takes terrible pictures indoors, great pictures outdoors. I worked and struggled with this camera for 2 years and then threw in the towel and bought a Canon A620. I love, love love it! It just works! In every situation. It's easy and intuitive to use.
I bought this camera from Best Buy in October 2004, took it to Iraq with me and it worked beautifully.  I thought the sand storms or the heat might get the best of it so I bought an extended warranty.  Haven't needed to use it yet.  The only drawback is the fact that it can only take 20 second videos.  Besides that, this is a great camera.
I would have to say this is one of the best purchases I've made this year. I bring this camera everywhere. Its not as easy to use as the Olympus D-580 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom but its better in the sense that battery is rechargeable. I returned the Olympus D-580 because it was using up too many batteries. I had to switch batteries after 30 or so shots. But the picture quality at night doesn't measure to that of the D-580. I would have given this camera a 5 star if the picture quality was comparable to the cheaper D-580. But other than that I love everything about the camera. Its fun and cheap for a college student like myself who likes taking random pictures.As for the time delay, well that's when the camera is focusing. I do have a problem with it as well but its not as noticeable as some have made it out to be. You just have to hold and freeze for a little while.  At times this can be bothersome but for the price what can you say?? I don't mind saving money on this feature because I'm not using this camera to take pictures of little children or fast moving animals.Indoor pictures are terrible- even with the correct setting indoor pictures do not measure up to those taken with the D-580. I find that with indoor pictures, one gets the best pictures if it is totally dark but if there is lighting then the picture comes out darker. The best pictures I've been able to take with this camera were those taken outside. In June I took a picture outside and I was able to blow the picture up to a big 20 X 30 poster and it came out beautiful. I've blown up many poster size pictures but I've had the best result with the Olympus 410.I've used this camera to take pictures of documents as well. Sometimes professors post answers to exams on the walls and whenever I didn't feel like copying down the answers I just took a picture of the documents and I was able to read the words when I uploaded the pictures onto my computer. The things you can do with this camera is endless. Having a digital camera is very handy. If you take it to lab, you can take pictures of the organ being studied and then review it for your next lab. Its very handy.Overall I would have to say I love having this camera. I was able to do many things with little effort. for the price this camera is a bargain. Even if I had the extra money I don't think I would get a bulkier camera for better quality pictures. I like the size and the look of the camera. If you are unsure take a look at the camera around town before you purchase.
I've had this camera for about a year now. I bought it to replace my Olympus C-750, which was a really superb camera until I accidentally dunked it in a stream and killed it. I bought the 410 since it was advertised as being weather resistant. I have taken it out in the drizzling rain several times, and it does seem to be weather resistant. No problem there.But the pictures aren't that great. The C-750 was significantly better, especially indoors--clearer, sharper, better focused--just superior in every way. The auto-focus on the 410 is absolutely terrible. Often times I can't get it to focus at all on what I want to take a picture of. This is especially true indoors. Indoor photos are a serious pain with this camera. I just tried taking an indoor close-up photo of an eBay item--the camera just won't focus properly. More than a dozen photos, every single one of them out of focus. I just can't get a decent photo of the item with this camera. Hence the motivation for this review. The panorama function is also only so-so. Sometimes it works OK, sometimes it doesn't.Given the choice, I would have just bought another C-750. I'm pretty disappointed with the 410.
I've been a heavy user of my camera since buying it in July, and it has proven to be a fantastic camera. It's light, it's rugged, it's survived rain storms, sandy beaches, banging against rocks as I've been hiking, etc.  Having a rechargable lithuim battery saves a lot of money, and it's small size allows me to take it anywhere.My two problems with it are the slow slow start up time, sometimes you can't afford to wait ten seconds, the moment is gone.  Also it takes a while to switch from settings, about another ten seconds sometimes.Overall I definitly recommend this camera to anyone.
I've had my camera a bit over a year now, and I have come to know its good points and idiosyncrasies as well. I chose it because of the 4 megapixel quality and my prior use of its film cousin. I rate it four stars because it isn't a professional level camera- though it is very good for casual shooting and &quot;memory&quot; photos.What I like: I love the compactness of this camera! This camera alives in a small carry-case with three spare batteries and a flat holder with three spare 1 MB xD cards, and some lens paper. (The TV and PC connecting cables, small charger and cord, with appropriate adapters, go in my carry-on stuff.)I also love the dust- and water-resistance of this camera. In typical Stylus build, it has protective gaskets for every opening - and I have used this camera in gear-jamming dusty locations as well as very moist ones (Iguaz&uacute; Falls, salt water small boat cruising.) It's taken very good scenics (including really nice sunsets) and people photos. It is fairly quick as long as I have pre-focused, and I am only taking one or two photos (always at high quality.) The software allows you to &quot;stitch&quot; several photos together for a panoramic view, and its convenient compactness feels good when I am visiting where tourists with flashy cameras are targets for thievery and muggery. When it is closed in its self-contained &quot;clamshell&quot;, it fits discreetly in my pocket.What don't I like? The menu system, if you want to use it to its maximum capability, can be exasperatingly counter-intuitive and arcane. The extensible lens, when extended to its maximum length, can be subject to distortion if you press against it.This camera is NOT for anyone who needs telephoto (sports or wildlife? get a digicam with 10x OPTICAL zoom - NEVER use the &quot;digital zoom&quot; feature on any digital camera, disable it!) The screen can be difficult to see in bright conditions - use the viewfinder, disable the screen (which will also save battery energy,) realizing the photo will show a bit more than the finder will and leaving you a little cropping room.It also can get expensive when you buy extra batteries and large-capacity proprietary xD cards, but then when I compare it with many rolls of film, processing and knowing what I have only when I'm back from the trip, not to mention reusinig the batteries and cards, you will save lots of money if you take lots of photos like I do.Remember that even without a telephoto, camera motion is your enemy - practice breath control and squ-e-e-ze the shutter release, brace the camera - carry a folding table tripod, use a table, wall or chair as a base in low light conditions. I've got some unforgettable (and sharp!) sunsets, Eiffel Tower at night, etc. with my plastic folding angle-leg table tripod or pressing the camera against a lamppost, using this camera.I scuba dive, and have even taken this camera to 125 - 130 feet in its Lexan housing and taken some reasonable underwater photos (you will want an aftermarket accessory strobe for decent color rendition if you go deeper than, say, thirty feet.)For someone who travels and subjects cameras to varied environmental conditions, but wants a nice, compact, easy to use digital camera that will give you a decent 11 x 14 or under photo of people and scenics, I heartily recommend this camera.
This camera puts out some nice looking photos. But there is no perfect camera, so you have to decide what is most important to you. This is my third Olympus camera, I had a D490, a C750 and now a Stylus 410. I am now more of a Olympus fan than ever. Because Olympus gives me what is most important to me, sharp, clear photos with good color quality. They are slightly behind Nikon on skin tone. But ahead of most cameras companys when it coems to sharp, clear, photos with good rich color.This is a small camera though, and it does not have all the features that it's big brother has. Of course, it would be pretty silly to use this camera for sports, so there really is no reason to put a sports mode on it. What it does best is get up close and personal and the stylus takes good photos of people. You could even get a fair photo of your house.It is good enough for a small camera, but I am looking forward to Olympus coming out with the flat camera with the big screen on the back. I may well be the first one in line for the AZ-1 when it comes out in this country. In the mean time, my wife is happy with the little 410 stylus, so it should work out just fine for us. Just don't expect me to give up my C750 for this little guy. Unless I am at a party and I can get up close. When I am out photographing the iron workers building a bridge, I do not think the stylus will get the job done there.
I've gotten superb pictures from a cheap Olympus 2.2 pixel camera; so when it was time to upgrade, I chose this one.  The pictures from this camera were inferior to my old Olympus.  Low light capability was poor.  Image quality was extremely poor.I returned the Olympus and purchased a Canon S410 digital elf.  It's much better.
Ok, I see there have been some disgruntled users. This is an outstanding ultracompact AND weatherproof camera for the money! Tiny and fits in a woman's palm. I've carried it in my purse due to it's ultracompact size. As a longtime Canon and Nikon 35mm SLR user, the compact digital point and shoot cameras are not perfect. I really resisted going compact digital but carrying around a 35mm SLR can be weighty and inconvenient. Unless you wish to spend $999 or more, the 410 is a great stand-in. This camera takes superb pictures even in low light. All digital point and shoots will have some difficulty in low light conditions. This is why external flash units are available...even 35mm SLR's need addl lighting depending on shooting conditions! Yes, the flash is rather bright but with PC editing features this is easily remedied...better to have too bright a flash than weak flash. Remember nothing can be done regarding undercompensation. I did not find any significant delay time. Olympus designers also did a terrific job with the look and feel of Stylus 410. Show me a better looking camera on the market! The all-metal body and cover offer excellent protection. It weighs 5.8 oz. Just pick up a LowePro D-Res 8M weather resistant and fitted camera case ($12.75 at Amazon vendor Adorama Camera) and you are ready to go. This case is specially form-fitted for Olympus 410 and allows carry of (1) extra battery or memory card. Super small bag with shoulder strap. I have never owned an Olympus and did extensive research prior to purchase. I borrowed a friend's 300 Stylus and that is also a darned good camera for the money.If you are not a professional photographer and just need to take some vacation pics - this is a best buy. You should really not need more than 3-4 megapixels if you are taking 4x6 vacation pics as photo quality is very high. Even 5x7 photo quality is extremely good. Higher megapixels such as 6.0 will yield better looking 8x10's but how many of us really regularly shoot 8x10 photos? Otherwise, invest in a 35mm digital SLR (hint: Canon Digital Rebel - got one and love it!). Another good camera for the $ is Nikon Coolpix 3200 with 3.2 megapixels.
This tiny jewel of a camera is a snap to use, fits easily in one's pocket, and is surprisingly sturdy (with its solid construction, automatic lens cover, and all-weather rating).  We've taken many great pictures with it, including all those we'd have missed because toting our big SLRs was either too inconvenient or not an option.  Our Stylus 410 stays with us whereever we go --- because we've found that it's so much easier to take a picture if you have a camera at hand.  We've very much enjoyed our Stylus 410 and heartily recommend carrying one.
I purchased this from amazon in april 2004. It must have been lost. Over the last 3 months my son got maried, and I sat at the Kitchen table and I noticed a familar camera case. I asked whose it was and my teen agers said "It's yours DaD!" They found it in my now married son room. I was Perplexed. It was all there. The camera, xd card, charger, rechargabled battery. So I charged it up and it is back in service again. It is sturdy, takes great photos, I know it is only 4 megapexils but I do not care. Brand new condition. I have a vague memory of useing it, but when I looked it up they where going for near $200.00. Over all a great deal. Oh the really funny part. It had photos of mt now teenagers building a igloo in the winter. Thanks to Amazon and Olypus!
This is a beautiful looking camera. It is a very comfortable camera and fits easily into the palm of your hand. It slips into a pocket for easy carry and you can drop it and it still works. I've dropped mine several times. It's also water resistant.If you want a rugged camera that takes good pictures and don't need manual settings this is a bargain for today's prices. I bought onewhen they first came out and paid a lot more.I also have the telephoto and wide angle lenses which are held on with magnet rings.Don't care much for the CamedaMaster software and don't even use it.You have to pay extra to activate some features. Also would prefer the entire manual in print and not on disk. The menu takes awhile to learn. Use the no reset feature to save your settings.Hope that helps. For today's prices this is a good deal for a camera that you canjust take with you anywhere.Update: 3/7/11 It's 3.5 years since I wrote the review and I'll just say that this was my first digital camera and I've had many cameras since but I'll always keep this one.Michelle Ress
My camera broke right after the warranty period was up.The slide mechanism that covers the lens I thought was so cool at first ended up being the weak link.  It triggers a switch when slid open to power-on the camera.  Either the slide or the switch broke and the camera refused to take pictures when I slid the cover open.  I could preview the pics I already took, but nothing else.  When it DID work the picture quality was about fair.  My friend has a Kodak  5 megapixel that cost about half the price of the Olympus that takes considerably better pictures and is much easier to use.
We received the 400 model as a Christmas gift about 2 yrs ago and I have to say I've been fairly disappointed.  The flash is way too much and blows out most of the photos...the slide mechanism to open/close gets stuck sometimes and overall picture quality is not so good.  I'm trading it in for a Cannon SD1000, I think we will get much better results.
I had been given this camera for work, and I really was very happy with the photos. They were clear and crisp and the camera was really easy to use. I took it everywhere, even to the beach and dropped it in the sand and it never had a problem. The remote control is great for group photos that you want to be in also. The only drawback was the fact that you have to close the lense cover in order to playback the photos you just took. Sort of a pain. But the battery lasts forever! I then got the 410 model which is supposed to be better. Well, they corrected the fact that you have to close the lens cover to see the photos, but I hated that camera. It took terrible blurry photos, unless it was a sunny clear day outside and then you have to have the flash on at the same time. It also has this annoying sound that you can shut everything off except the fake shutter click sound. And the battery doesn't last very long. I returned it and am going to buy the 400 again for myself.
..but has some drawbacks. One is that it's too easy inadvertantly to open the aku cover while holding the camera for a snapshot. Photo quality is very good, can enlarge to 8"x10", but not as good as the C 300, which is no longer produced (the C 300 is the cat's meow). The successor is the C55 in Europe, the C5500 in the U.S. The 410 is smaller than the C 300, water tight and very light, good for long distance hiking, is light because it uses an akku rather than 4 standard heavy batteries. If you're not concerned with weight and watertightness, buy the C 55. I find the 410 a bit too small to hold comfortably, it's about the same size as our Olympus all weather mu-II film camera, but one has a better grip on the latter. With the Olympus quality (I'm told they bought Leica's lenses), film is out unless you want to make slides.
Most of the comments I have about this camera are positive.  Fast focus, quick shutter release, nice interface and sharp lens.  Great quality photos/color in good lighting.But there are two flaws that stand out:* The flash is incredibly weak.  Forget group shots or anything that's not 8' from you or in bright light.  It is just awful.* Slide-open cover prevents sticking it in your pocket with the strap on top.  Every time I stick this camera in my pocket it slides the lens cover off and the camera powers up in my pocket (lens extends, etc.)  Yes, I know I could simply turn the camera around so it'll power up when I pull it *out* but then the strap is on the wrong side.  Olympus... move the strap to the other side, or at least give us an option of where to mount the strap.I recommend the Canon A85 over this camera.  Yes it's bigger and not weatherproof, but it's 14' flash power is worth the sacrifice.
I read leel1's review about this camera, and decided to follow all of the advice, including the Lowepro 8m camera bag.  All of the advice was right on!  Even with my big hands, the camera is a snap to use, and the pictures turned out great.  Follow leel1's advice, and you can't go wrong!
This was a 'good' camera when it first came out, and was the first digi cam we bought when we had our first child.  It takes good pictures and mediocre video.  It has a number of different picture settings, that seem to work alright, if not great.  This camera shines in a &#34;Point and Shoot&#34; function, as long as you don't mind it taking a second or two to shoot after you push the button.It's pretty long in the tooth now, but it's a great starter camera for any young kids (&#60;10) you wanted to get started in the world of photagraphy without worrying about the cost of a broken camera WHEN they drop it.  As an added bonus, this camera is fairly tough and is water resistant.As an extra selling point to me, I still have my underwater housing for this, so I can take it SCUBA diving if I wanted to take pictures.
I am seriously disappointed in this camera.I purchased it thinking that it would take better photos than my old Stylus 1.5 Digital. WRONG!The colors are washed out and in low light forget it. You will get blurry pictures. The flash still produces blurred pics. What do they expect you to do, use a tripod constantly?What a mistake I made.Don't you make one too.
I bought this camera for a friend the same day I bought a Pentax Optio 5si for myself.  I'm now kicking myself for getting the Pentax.  We've taken pictures side by side with the same settings and this camera just takes better pictures.  The color is perfect.  When I compare my Pentax's pictures to ones from this camera, the Pentax ones look flat.  This camera feels really well made as well.  It's weather proof, easy to use, small, comes with rechargeable battery and cradle charger.  You can't really ask for more.  Highly recommended!
I was looking for a digicam with ultra zoom that I could basically use for point and shoot purposes along with video.  I went to the Steves-digicams.com website and found this in the category of "best of" under the super zoom cameras.  Turned out this was the smallest size brand of zoom cams and was actually under $300 at another reputable online store.  I decided to give it a try and figured that Olympus specializes in cameras so it shouldn't be too bad.At first, I couldn't believe the camera was so small.  When I started playing around with it, I was pleasantly surprised that the video function lasted more than the usual 3 minute limit that most other cameras have.  I tested it up to 5 min then turned it off.  I also was happpy with the zoom and the pop-up flash.  Often, I take it to b-ball games and other events and don't want the flash accidentally going off.  Picture quality outside is great but inside, its a bit suspect.  But I'm not really anal about all my shots.  The shot-taking speed is a bit slower than the Canon A75 I used and that is a bit annoying but its ok.Overall, if you want a great zoom camera thats smaller than any other, is a good value, and is versatile then get this camera.
This product failed on me due to poor hardward within 6 months and Olympus would not stand behind the warranty. Olympus products are poorly made and the company has the worst customer service in the industry.  Save your money and a lot of trouble by shopping around - I wish I had.
I got this camera recently as a replacement for my 4 years old C-700 that broke when I dropped it to the ground by mistake. Although some reviewers said that this camera is bulky in comparison to other popular digital cameras, I find it more compact than my old camera and does not look silly even if you bring it to a party & etc. However, due to its  protuded lens part, it won't fit into a small camera case so choose a medium camera case if you are looking for one. The camera is pretty fast (except for the night mode) and gives a clear photo. Tripod is a must for a dark room since a hand vibration could cause blurred photo like most digital cameras. It doesn't bring out big red spots like my old camera in the dark room, but taking photo with a night mode is slow. Taking video with this camera is pretty good in a lit area. The instruction booklet is hard to use (reduction of details in favor of having millions of translations) and playing with a camera might be a better learning technique. You can set the camera in Japanese, English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Russian (prob) so the camera itself is user friendly for international people.
I reviewed tons of digital cameras before buying the C765.  I'm glad I did.  This camera is lightweight and small which is what I was looking for.  The 10X zoom is great!  I've gotten clear shots at full zoom w/o a tripod almost every time.  The macro and super macros are awesome.  The pic quality is absolutely incredible.  The battery life is good, using the flash it's going to putter out sooner so I recommend getting a spare.  Recharge on the battery is quick too.  You will need a 256 card right away.  I was worried about the electronic viewfinder, but it's not posed a problem at all.  Most of the 10X zooms, at least all that I reviewed, have EVF's.  I've only had a few problems focusing indoors.  Like all digital cameras there's a minor lag and if your toddler moves as you're taking the pic, you'll get a blurry shot.  This is such a minor problem considering how many great shots I have gotten in and outdoors.  I've had this camera for 6 months now and just love it.  I was able to use it right out of the box.  I still have more to learn about it, but have been having great success w/ the auto settings, I've not needed to play w/ the manual ones yet.  I will!
I've had this camera for about a month now, and it's easy to use and takes great pictures. For people who don't know much about photography, it has point-and-shoot convenience; for those who are more experienced, there are lots of features you can set manually. The pre-set macro mode is great fun--it allows you take some gorgeous extreme close-ups. You do need to keep your hands extremely steady or use a tripod to prevent the picture from being too blurry (using the action shot mode also helps, since the shutter speed is faster). I bought mine for $339, and it's a really good value for the money. The only minor complaint I have is that the propietary XD card is pretty expensive and you need to get the Olympus brand if you want to take panoramic pictures, but I managed to find a 256MB chip for $40, so really I don't have too much to complain about. If you're looking for a decent mid-range digital camera, I highly recommend this one.
This Olympus C765 replaces a Nikon Coolpix 2100 (reviewed here two + years ago.  Of course, the resolution is better, but it is almost as small and it is just as simple (or simpler) to use.  I have been very pleased in the past month of so that I have owned this.Among other features, the "C" series has exceptional optical zoom capabilities (the C765 is 10X).  In my opinion, this is one of the most important features of a camera, as you can do the zooming up front without burning through pixels during a touchup.  The lens quality is fine.Both of my children have "C" series Olympus cameras, one as much as 4 years old (the camera, that is), and love them.  I'm expecting a long life for this puppy.Two small nits:  The default setting is to use the LCD screen when going into photo mode - I prefer to use the viewfinder.  You can toggle to this, but it's a minor hassle. If you prefer the LCD, you'll be fine. Secondly, the software that comes with the camera seems to demand that you store your work in their proprietary "albums" buried deep in the program.  I will need to work with this more to make my photos more accessible.As usual, you will want to buy a larger memory card.  I also sprang for a case.All in all, very satisfied.
just like the rave reviews given, this is a very good camera to have.  the best feature for me is the 10x zoom which just blows away the 3x zoom which other similar priced cameras have.now for the sad part.  if you happen to upgrade to a 512 mb xD card, your battery just won't be able to keep up.  according to olympus the battery can only average 175 shots per charge for typical use. if you're a typical user then you have no problem.  a 512 mb card can manage around 500 shots.  the battery will be dead before you can fill up the memory card.  you'd better buy an extra battery or two especially if you're going on long trips where there are no electrical outlets available.*  if the C765 uses typical AA batteries all you have to do is stock up on those but unfortunately it uses special ones which are expensive.
Has everything you will ever need.  Small size is compact and excellent for small hands of a 12 year old.  Not loaded down with options that you will never need or use once in it's life time.  If it doesn't have it, you probably don't need it.
I recently purchased this camera as an "upgrade" from the basic Pentax Optio50 camera I had lost earlier this summer. I am already noticing several flaws compared to the other, cheaper camera:* It is far more difficult to use -- you have to change the settings manually each time you wish to use the additional digital zoom. A number of other settings, including the macro modes, require time-consuming manual changes. This is in stark contrast to the automatic style of the Pentax, with several modes to choose from on the wheel atop the camera. The zoom is also set up awkwardly, so that you can't do it with your finger still on the take button.* I notice already that the picture quality is much worse, despite the mere 1MP difference. All of my photos come out with red-eye, no matter how I set the flash and camera.* Shutter speed is extremely slow, as is on/off.* Focus is terrible. The first couple of days I got this camera, I was excited to go out and experiment with different modes -- night mode, macro mode, portrait mode, action mode. Even while steadying my hand and taking care not to move at all, the photos always turned out blurry. The ONLY usable mode left on the camera is "auto," and even then the photos are often blurry.I admit that I am no expert with cameras. However, in comparing this (more expensive) camera to my little Pentax, I find that the additional zoom is hardly useful. I don't even want the camera anymore, but I purchased it through a non-Amazon retailer (still at amazon.com) and the return process is proving more complicated than it would be had I paid the extra $20 to get it straight from  Amazon.I hope that reading the above issues with this camera will help you make your decision. I would strongly suggest buying directly from amazon.com in any case -- from what I understand, their return and service policy is worth it, no matter which camera you choose.
Takes great photos.  I used this extensively until I upgraded to an Olympus 590UZ.  This is a great starter camera.
This was purchased for a friend who's previous camera was destroyed in a fire. The friend was quite pleased. I believe he was also pleased that the camera came with the operating necessities (batteries and memory card).
I bought this ages ago for my wife to have a digital camera. It has served us well for YEARS. I should have reviewd this long ago here on amazon, but forgot. While technology has advanced WAY beyond the capabilities of this model, it still suits us well. Compact, handles fair resolution, battery life not too bad, and came with a charger for the rechargeable box battery. I have purchased many many Olympus digital cameras over the last ten years plus at work, and knew this would be a good bet. I will buy Olympus again and again. I haven't had a bad one yet!
I've had this camera for a couple of months and I love it.  The pictures look great and it is very easy to use.  Its big and boxy so it won't fit in a small purse or pocket, but its worth hanging a camera case around your shoulder if you like to take high quality outdoor pictures.
Very pleased with this camera!Great pictures and so easy to use.I actually first bought an Olympus d-560.I HATED it!I actually GAVE it away!I had problems loading the software to my computer.....Trigger from Augusta
I've had an SLR most of my life and several point and shoot models, plus an inexpensive digital.  This is the best camera I've ever owned!  It'll take me 6 months to figure out all the things it does do!One GREAT thing about this camera...it is NOT HP!  I had an HP digital and then bought and HP 3 in 1 printer thinking they'd compliment each other.  WRONG!  HP makes nice hardware but they have the BUGGIEST software going!  The camera's software actually conflicted with the Printer's software and both were HP!Now, no worries and no ugly "dock" to stick it in (that only works about half the time too).  This camera just plugs directly into the computer and download away with NO conflicts!  The Camedia software is nice, if rudimentry.  I would advise a Print Shop Pro type program to REALLY work with your pictures, particularly if you do any web hosting/posting.I took a picture of our black german shepherd at dusk, sitting in a shadow covered corner of the house and did NOT use the flash, just to see what would come out (the HP camera would have rendered a black screen).  With no flash I got a GREAT picture of our dog without that possessed look that you get when your dog looks directly into the flash.  Just amazing pictures.  I took another one of the flowering bush outside out house THROUGH the window and there is no way you could tell!  My daughter commented that the picture was nice enough to put on a calendar. And she's right.For less than $300 this camera takes fantastic pictures.  Of course you have to have an eye for your photo taking too.  I have a friend who bought a $1200 camera and his pictures stink because he thought a more expensive camera would make him a better photographer....WRONG!!! hahahahaha!!You can macro set this camera (ultra close ups) or shoot sports or shoot in just about no light at all.  If you want one camera that'll last you for years to come, this is it!
We recently purchased the C-755, which is essentially the same camera as the 765, it just came from a different store, thus a different model number.  Costco.com had a great deal and we decided to go for it and replace our old digital cameras with this one.  I haven't had a chance to learn EVERYTHING as there are many many features available, but it has been wonderful so far.  When using the auto feature, it takes beautiful pictures and the quality is top notch.There are two things, both related to the flash, that caused me to rate it a 4 rather than a 5 (and I'd go 4.5, if I had the choice available to me).  First, if you don't remember to put the flash up manually, there is no flash.  Of course this is a good thing when you don't want the flash accidentally going off like in a museum!  The second thing is that when you use the auto function you cannot force the flash ON manually.  When it says AUTO, it means AUTO.  There are so many features like the ability to program personal settings to be accessed later and the ability to use it for short video that are awesome and the zoom is amazing for a camera at this price.I highly recommend this camera!ADDENDUM:  This camera requires the X-D memory chips which is newer technology, thus a little pricey.  We were disappointed that the chips for our old Olympus digital would not work.  We purchased a new chip at Costco for around $70 and it holds over 200 pictures.  Sorry I forgot to mention this initially.  It's still a great camera and the chips are likely to come down in cost as time passes.In addition, I had no difficulties loading the software into my Sony Vaio Computer.  It was quick and painless and all I have to do is plug the cord from the camera into my USB port and the software starts right up.  It asks me what I want to do and I can quickly download my pictures.
I feel so happy taking pictures with this camera. The 10X optical zoom is critical for the stile of pictures that I like to take: portrait, detailed pictures, lots of deep. Pictures are so good that it reminds me my old SRL film camera that had an 80-380mm zoom. Colors are vivid, details are excellent, supports 512MB media.Flash is OK but I was expecting more of it, the C-770 has better flash.Don't install the software. If you are using Windows XP you won't need the software. It is good for nothing, shame on Olympus!!!. If you don't want to spend more money download one from Internet, ie: free Adobe photoshop album.If you want to have the best pictures, you will need editing software that works well like Photoshop Elements 3 that is the one that I recently bough.My final advice: what ever camera you buy, learn to use it well, study the manual, practice taking lots of pictures. The combo that I have is excellent: C-765 (see also the C-770) and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.
This is my second digital camera, first one was Olympus C-750 (which I used for abt 1.5 yrs) and after i lost it, I was determined to buy its next version C-765. This camera is simply awesome. It has all the things anyone would want in a  camera: Optical Zoom, Small Compact Size, Great quality pictures & movies with sound, lots of modes & easily customizable, ease of menu and fast pictures.Olympus has decreased the size (compared to C-750 which has same features) mainly by changing from standard 4 AA batteries to small Li battery. They have removed the hot-shoe , which usually slips & fall down. Turbo PicPro helps to take real fast pictures like in football game. (That was my first photo session with this new camera). I have compared my results with other comparable cameras and found this one better than others.Sometimes there could be some problem of focussing at higher zoom, but it can be dealt easily by waiting for a few seconds once you increase the zoom before taking picture. It gives the time for enough light to enter. For better pictures, its aperture and shutter speed can be adjusted as well. Night mode picture quality is good and panoramic quality is really great. For self-timer photos, it gives you about 12 seconds before taking the picture.Overall, I will recommend this to everyone, be it a beginner in digital photography or an enthusiastic like me.Updated: June 14, 2005I have been using it now for about 8 months and have used it in almost all the different geographic locations and at different times e.g. Blizzard in boston, desert and stony terrain, tennis courts at late evenings, football game, capture stage-shows, fireworks, babes at beaches, breakdancing events. I observed that this camera can be customized for almost any condition and it gives the best results. recently someoen asked me to suggest a camera cheaper than this and with approximately same quality in pictures. Frankly, I couldn't find one.Update: July 5, 2006This camera is doing really very impressive job. Apart from doing travel photography for landscapes and cityscapes, I have used for sports events like football games, horseraces and catching fireworks. Results are really impressive. These days, most cameras are in 5-6 MP range and create bulky files, more than 1 MB each. This camera is 4 MP and the file size is 600-800 kb with quality still very good.
This camera is great...I purchased an adapter and a set of lenses and I've been able to take some great shots.  As a matter of fact, I'm heading to Swan Lake Gardens, Sumter SC this weekend to shoot some photos.  I'm very satisfied with my purchase.
My husband just bought us this camera, and we love it. We're both long-time photographers, and have run the gamut from high-end SLRs to PHDs (Push Here Dummy.) This camera is excellent for everything we do with it, from adding images to our website (see [...] to compare some photos which were scanned in to those which came straight from the camera) to selling things on Ebay, to making prints to send to grandparents.It is simple to use, easy to get started (no need to read the entire manual unless that's your thing), and painless to transfer files to computer or printer. I do agree that a larger memory card is a must-have from the get-go, and we also purchased the USB reader, although you can connect the camera directly to your computer with the provided cable if you wish.The only downside I've found is that it can be hard to see the screen in bright daylight, but it's easy enough to switch to the viewfinder in those situations. The color is clear, the depth of field excellent, and the detail glorious. If you're thinking of buying this camera for home or light office work, don't hesitate, go for it!
I recently purchased this camera and therefore haven't used it a lot. So far, I like it a very much. I read a review of it from DCRP Review: Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom. The review was very good. I like the 10x zoom capability; my pictures are very clear. The camera has more bells and whistles than I'll be able to use now but I am glad to have them. I recently signed up for an online course on digital photography and I am very glad I purchased this camera. I think my creativity will be pleasantly challenged. In addition it is very light and easy to hold (or carry). I am looking forward to many pleasant photography experiences on my own and in connection with my course. One experience - I was watching a DVD calculus course. The instructor was tracing a graph with a cursor. My daughter's cat was fascinated, stood on his hind legs and batted at the TV. I was able to quickly set up the camera and take a terrific shot of CC the cat learning calculus. I would recommend this camera for novices and professionals alike.
My Dad bought this camera new in 2005 shortly before my H.S. Graduation. The next year I took it from him as I started selling online through eBay and other sources taking lots of pictures. Nearly 8 years later the Camera is still running like a champ. The pics are still very good for the age of the Camera. Much better than the pics I see lots of people take with smart phones and other newer devices. I have had to buy about 4 or 5 new batteries over the years because after a while they stopped holding the charge.I use this camera about every other day. Some times for a few hours at a time. I have taken thousands and thousands of pictures with this model Camera. If I had to guess I would say probably 10 or 20 thousand pictures. It is crazy. The camera has been so good to me I can't bring myself to buy a new one as this one has been such a trooper.Anyone who looks to pick up a used one of these as a starter camera or just doesn't want to spend the money on a brand new one. I would recommend this make and model any day. The durability has been unreal.
I love the small size which provides great portability and it's hard to believe all the great features packed into this little gem of a digital camera.  The zoom lens is a much used feature as is the built in cropping and other editing tools.  You really need to read the instruction manual to get the most out of the camera - after reading it I discovered just how much I was missing!  Although you certainly don't need to read it to be able to use the camera as it's very easy to operate.  I was advised to get at least 3MP for good end results when printing the photos and the 10x optical zoom cannot be beat.  This camera produces extremely clear photos that can be enlarged to 8x10 without loosing clarity.  My belief is that it's not worth spending $150-200 on a digital camera if you end up with grainy photos - just keep your regular camera until you're ready to make an investment for the higher grade camera and if you are ready, I highly recommend this camera.  I know the dollar amount could make this purchase a question mark but it's well worth it!
I have had this camera for a couple of weeks.  It is extremely easy to use in any mode, has a great optical zoom, acheives auto focus almost always, has good flesh tones and color saturation, and it has a truely superior Macro and Super Macro funtion that works extremely well. Even when zoomed in close I haven't had any problems with blur from camera shake.  Even though there is no Image Stabilization feature on this camera. In general this is an excellent camera.The only complaint I have is that It didn't come with a wrist strap. Otherwise a superior performer.Experience:  Casio Z4U, Kodak DX7630, Fujifilm E550, Olympus D-580 and now the C-765
I bought this camera a couple of months ago. I chose it for its high optical zoom. The pictures that I took came out fine. After using it for 2-3 times I noticed there was a play lens assembly. When the camera is in ON mode and  the lens mounts in extended position, the lens mount shakes laterally -up, down and sideways (parallel to the body of the camera). I sent it back to Olympus to be repaired. The camera was returned today and the only comment that the Olympus guys have, is that "the play in the lens is normal". And to my great agitation, now the lens mount shakes even in the closed position, ie. when it is mostly embedded in the body.  So now I am stuck with a camera that I am almost afraid to use, because its lens feels like it could disassemble from the body any moment. And I am a good 300 bucks short!Also, I bought it from Adorama Camera, a vendor on Amazon, so I cannot return it. I wish I had bought it from Amazon because they let you return products if you want to.
I cannot express how great this camera is. Not once has it let me down in ease of use, advanced features (when I need them), true color reproduction, contrast, or anything else that makes a picture a "good" picture. You just can't beat the 10x OPTICAL zoom -- not lousy digital zoom -- either. Get yourself an extra rechargeable battery, a couple of high-capacity memory cards, and have fun with one of Olympus' best consumer level cameras ever released.
I've had this camera for about 3 months, and I love it.  There are a bunch of professional review websites up(dcresource.com), so if you want to know all about this camera, then go there.  As far as an amateur/for fun review, then I have to give it 4 stars.  I would give it 5 but I must say that in low light situations, it's sometimes hard to get the camera to focus.  But, the overall ease of use and picture quality of this camera is great.  The only other camera I even thought of getting was the Cannon S1, but didn't like the 3 megapixels and the fact that the camera would not focus correctly at max zoom....(verified this fact by playing with one at my local camera store...If cannon would only fix this little problem...then I will get the next generation of this superb camera).  Great little introductory camera for those of us with little knowledge of picture taking.
If you are looking for a camera that won't empty your wallet but will provide you with an opportunity to grow as an amateur photgrapher, look no more.  As a "rookie" photographer (meaning I had never used anything other than just a point and shoot for pictures - and they were never very good), I was looking for a camera that would have more advanced features - including a powerful zoom - and that would allow me to add on external devices like filters, wide angle lens, etc....This camera does all of this and more - the picture quality is incredible.  I recently went to Rocky Mountain National Park for the real test - it was nice to be able to finally zoom in on wildlife and get very good quality shots that you are excited about when you pull up on your computer.Some recommended accessories that are a must have with this camera if you are planning on taking full advantage of it's features:Tripod - I bought the Sunpak 6601 UT off of amazon for about $20 (love it so far, great quality and easy to use).  You absolutely need a tripod in order to use the full zoom otherwise the pics will have a tendency to be blurry.Extra Battery and Storage - The battery is okay, but it is proprietary, so you can't just pick one up at the supermarket like you could with most point and shoot cameras.  It is well worth the extra $15-20 to buy another so you don't lose any chances at a great picture.  As for storage, I bought a 256 card, but probably will get another 512 or 256.  Although I did read a review on this camera on a reputable site and the reviewer mentioned that he didn't see any real quality differences between the TIFF, SHQ, and HQ modes of the camera.  I have to agree - I took the same photo on all three quality levels and can't see a difference.  With this being the case, on HQ mode with a 256 card, you can take roughly 260 pictures.  So the point of all of this is: if you aren't taking a very long vacation where you can't download your pics the 256 will probably do the job.  If, however, you are planning a long vacation and want to shoot away, I would probably get a 512 or even a 512 and 256.Lens Adapter and Filters, Wide angle Lens - The lens adapter will enable you to add on any of the extra goodies as you grow as a photographer.  I purchased a UV and Polarizing filter (again from amazon) and really like the outcome of the pics - definitely softens the light of the pictures.  Unfortunately I did not purchase the wide angle lens for this camera, but am on amazon right now to do so.  The wide angle allows you a better opportunity to capture landscape as you see it.  If you like landscape photography, don't make the same mistake I did, get the wide angle up front (save on shipping!).Lastly, you need a good camera bag (and it needs to be big!).  I bought a nice lowepro bag at best buy for about $20.  It has several nice pockets to store all the accessories and cords, etc... for the camera.To recap - if you were thinking DSLR (like me) but your wallet (and/or wife) said no chance, this is a great camera for you.  In fact this is a great camera period!  You can definitely just use the basics and take great pictures (by the way it takes great video too), or you can choose to grow as a photographer by using the more advanced features of the camera.  Plain and simple:  You cannot go wrong with this camera!
I bought this camera around three years ago and later on moved to a digital SLR. This is what my experience has been with this camera.First of all, this camera was one of the first of the long range zoom and semi professional series of camera in market. The strength of Olympus always has been in innovation. They were the first to launch 10x Zoom, the first to launch sensor cleaner, the first to have live preview in a SLR, first to launch 18-20x zoom camera, first to launch lenses specifically for DSLRs and so on. Their only weakness is probably in marketing and bulk sales once other manufacturers catch up.Now for this camera, this is a truly professional camera allowing users to set up shutter speed and aperture manually, this camera can beat any other camera in its +20% price range hands on. A super macro mode allows you to take pictures as close as a couple of centimetres and a 10x optical zoom makes sure that your target is never too far from you.It also features a sports mode that allows you to take pictures without motion blur and three algorithms of light adjustments makes sure that you can adjust the lighting depending on the surroundings. Also it allows taking pictures in TIFF format and even the default format of JPEG also creates very small photographs (Less than half in size to same sized pictures from a sony cam).In addition to these, some features also exist that usually arent mentioned on the reviews. A remote control that allows you to take self photographs at ease and not run to your position to beat the timer (although it features a timer too). It also features an external 5 pin flash connectivity that can be programmed to fire depending on the shooting conditions. It also allows lenses to be added to the existing ones so in case you need a wide view lens, that can be mounted on top of the existing lens. The flip side is that these lenses will be available only from olympus.More important, this comes with two flashes, one for bright close-up shots and other, focussed for telephoto shots. The range of camera always pose a challange for flash makers as they need to make flashes that light up sorroundings properly for close shots and still is focussed enough for telephoto shots. Olympus has solved this long known problem with a very simple mechanism of two flash lights that automatically fire depending on the focus distance. I regret to see that other manufacturers haven't followed suit with this approach.The only drawbacks that this camera suffers from are its weight and construction. Although you cannot complain about weight as I have seen many others that are far worst than this, the construction does leave scope of improvement.Overall, this is a kill at its price. Over three years of usage, the only problem I ever saw in this camera was the high noise on high ISO values. Apart from the image noise on high ISO, this is the best product you could get your hands on.
Buyer be ware! Olympus cameras have a tendency to break after the warranty expires. This is the second camera I have purchased from Olympus that has broken down soon after the warranty expired. The camera itself is great with it's 10x zoom and 4 megapixels. Yet, it saddens me to see the quality of this once great company deteriorate to the point that their products seize to work a few weeks/months after their warranty expires...  Yes, there are lemons out there, but two cameras? What are the chanses of that? The first Olympus camera that failed on me was the C4000, when a week after the warranty expired the flash died on me. At least I got a good year more with that model (even if I was confined to day shots)... now, the 770 has totally died on me... it seems like the microchip/bar controlling the off-playback-auto-movie modes has malfunctioned on me as it is only turning off and into playback mode (even on camera/video mode)... no use sending it back to the factory as I don't have any warranty and y'all know how much they charge for repairs on digital cameras.Nothing left to use but upgrate... this time i'm getting the darn extended warranty... oh, and yes, I went for the Sony Alpha 100.... first dive into dSLR... can't wait to get the lenses this week to test it all out... more on that later.
I bought this camera in November 2005 and have taken some of the most incredible shots of my life with it. However, it died 6 months after purchase, so I sent it in for repair thinking the warranty would cover it-not so much. I spent the dough to get it fixed and now (6 months later) it has died again. I am so disappointed I could scream.
I have been using this camera over the course of about a year and have produced amazing clear shots, even in the dead of night. I belong to a local paranormal research group and I can highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a good camera for that type of research. The only slightly negative aspect to this camera that I can think of is the flash recharge rate between shots. You have to wait a little more between shots when using the flash. Don't let this issue put you off of owning this camera. You won't be sorry.
I've only had my C-770 for two weeks, but am disappointed in the grainy-ness of the shots. I tested all 4 file 'sizes', and ISO ratings. My 2 Meg. Canon has less grainy-ness, and I was expecting a 4 meg camera to be 'twice as good', which it isn't, objectively speaking. Also, intermittent wierdness: 1) I take a picture, it shows up on the LCD screen, i.e., 'proof' that the picture exists, then later, has disappeared from the Card! Won't show up in Camera or from a reader on my computer! Wierdness: 2) I took about 10 pics that all were around 1.7 meg. Later, most of them are around 500k, On the card! I WAS viewing them through "Picture It" and resizing for email, but am positive I only did a 'save as' to a folder on my computer, not re-saving back to the Card. Another minor complaint is the manual on CDRom, I had to print the whole thing out for any practical use.I personally don't see any point of the low-res video capability and will never use it.
I purchased this camera after much research in 2005, it was my first digital camera purchase. Many of the features were way beyond my expertise, so I just used the pre-set auto or sports mode most of the time. The delay between pressing the button and the actual photo was a bit too long and a real pain when you have active children that you are trying to capture on film. I ended up with lots of "back of the head" shots or blurs. The batteries did run down way too quickly, especially when flash was used. I discovered that you have to use the flash for nearly all indoor photos or you'd end up with a blurry mess. I realized this after nearly all of my daughter's birthday photos were ruined, I wasn't too happy with the camera at that point. The hotshoe cover did not lock into place like it should, very flimsy. The extensive 10x zoom sounded great but once I tried using it at a zoo I found that it could usually only be extended about half-way in order to get a clear shot, so what's the point? I must admit that I did manage to get quite a few amazingly clear photos with this camera over the past two years, they were usually outdoor shots. After finally making peace with all my camera's quirks, I now find myself in the market to upgrade since this camera was recently stolen by some idiot who probably thought they could make some money off of it. I hope it breaks for them.
My wife wanted a digital camera after her 35mm broke down. She was looking for something easy to use and at a sensiable price. After doing some research, I chose the D-395 as a X-mas gift for 2004.Unlike Kodak that just got in the camera buisness because fewer consumers were using 35mm cameras, Olympus is a brand that has a lot of experinec with digital cameras. So the brand is well trusted. The pictures the D-395 takes are very good for a 3 Megapixel. When hooked up to a desktop, the camera works as an external memory drive. You can copy and paste pictures with a few clicks of the mouse. The software that comes with the camera is nothing compaired to Adobe Photoshop but will do for a beginerThe controls are easy to use and once you set the camera up the way you like it, you can just point and shoot. The settings will not change even after you have pulled the batteries out and stored it for a few weeks.About the batteries, yes I do agree with the other reviewers, the D-395 will drain the required 2 AA batteries in a few hours but this is not any diffrent that any of the HP's and Kodac's my friends have. So add some recargables to your cart while you are here.Bottom line, the Olympus D-395 is a camera for beginers but in order to get the most of it, or any other digital camera. One must be a bit savy with technology or willing to take the time to learn. If you are looking for a cheap digital camera that will take great pictures with you not having to learn how to use it, then you best just stick with the 35mm.
A good camera for what it offers. I got this camera for less than $50.00. It does eat regular batteries but I started using Lithium and have used the same set for several months now.Other than that it is impossible to find memory cards since this is an older camera.  Stores about 30 pics at the highest level. Not recommended if you don't have somewhere to download your pics. Although my friends are glad they don't have to look at hundreds of pics from my travels ;)This is the only digital camera I've had and I think the pictures are acceptable for a 3mp camera. I don't have the problems that others describe. I've taken this camera on two once in a life time trips and caught breath taking photos.  However I'm realistic and know that it's not a high end camera that will show you the hairs on a dog from 50ft away. You will take pics similar to a disposable 35mm.
I bought this camera about 2 years ago and never used much as I am technology challenged - did a few things with it, and was OK.  However, we had family Christmas and memory card was filled after 23 pictures.  I read all the manual, and then bought a 1GB card to install and got Card Error.  Took it to a major retailer, who said camera would only support a 256 card and good luck finding one.  Nowhere does it give you what memory card capability it has.  Took on AK fishing trip in Aug before this, and never used as I took another one (old fashioned film) with me.  Thank God, I didn't rely on this one as my primaryOlympus D-395 3MP Digital Camera.  As retailer told me, I have a "Paperweight"!!  I upgraded to a Stylus 730 and installed the 1GB card and am waitng to see how it works.
I was looking for an inexpensive digital camera for my daughter, and the Olympus D-395 seemed to fit the bill.  We ended up returning the camera, however, because it had some serious flaws:- changing camera settings (picture quality, etc.) resets to the standard setting after turning the camera off.  This means if you want pictures at a lower quality, you have to set this every time you start up the camera.- the battery life is poor.  Standard AA's don't last long at all (we did not try NiMH or other rechargeables).- the response time from depressing the shutter to taking a picture is longer than any other digital camera I've tried.- the on-screen menuing is very confusing and not intuitive.  We always had to consult the manual to figure out how to do simple things like erase all pictures on the camera.So even though the price is right, the camera is not, and I suggest you look at something a little more expensive and more capable.
I was very happy with the Olympus D-380 I had for two years.  When I bought a 395, I thought I would get all of the 380's great features plus better resolution, but instead found that they had stripped out much of what I liked in the 380 in order to make it 3 megapixels.Another review has a good catalog of the 395's faults: slow start and recharge, etc., but what I really miss is the spot metering and the ability to have the display off as a default.  I suppose they wanted to simplify it, but they really dumbed it down.And to make matters worse, it takes lousy pictures.  The exposure never seems to be right.  The 380 got it right nearly every time.The whole family hates this camera.
There IS a spot metering mode and there IS a way to start the camera up without the monitor being on....to the person who wrote the last review...read the manual: I got this camera 20 minutes ago and already know that much! Anyways---I think this a great camera for the price...I have a Fuji also and like this the same but clarity is better on the screen. As with ALL digital cameras, the batteries go quickly so get rechargeable ones!! But one question-- does anyone have trouble with the playback mode of pictures-do they appear fuzzy for like 3 secs then appear clear?? Thanks.
I stuck with Olympus because I just loved my D-400.  Good points on the D-395: easy to use. Easy to transfer photos to computer or printer. Good color on default settings. Decent features (have not yet explored all of them!).  Small, fits in purse or pocket. Uses AA batteries. Not so good, but fixable points: Small XD card supplied with camera; bought a 128 replacement. Like all digitals, eats batteries; bought rechargeables.  Bad points: No optical zoom. I find the digital zoom to be useless. Shutter button confusing for some, it has different options for simple push or firm hold push - if you hand this camera to a friend to take your picture, they usually won't get the shutter to work on the first try. Have not had much luck with the red-eye reducer, but I use software in my PC to fix it. Other: Description claims photos up to 17"; I like to print at 300dpi - I have gotten 8x10 OK but I get the best clarity up to 5x7. I would think average users want 4x6 prints, and this camera delivers. If you plan to use this for specialized computer-edited works you will want a camera with more options like an Optical zoom and more MP. For the price and the features you get it's a great starter camera.
I bought this thinking it would be a great compact camera just to stick in my pocket and snap a few pics.  That is about all it is good for as long as you are in the bright sunlight.If you need to use the flash or there is an overcast sky you pics will come out fuzzy; same if you need a flash.  The only time I got a sharp picture was in full sunlight.The shudder speed is EXTREMELY SLOW!!!  If you are taking a moving picture...forget it!  You had better be taking a picture of a sleeping turtle to be able to catch the picture.  Also, saving the picture to memory card takes a good 5-7 seconds.  Be sure to get your picture the first time because everyones smile will be a frown by the time you get to the second picture!Overall, I am extremelt dissapointed at the performance of the D-395!
I just bought this at the CompUSA sale where you get a 64 mg card for free with the purchase at $149.  My 1.3 mp FujiFilm camera from three years ago takes better pics.  I'm on my way to take this back.  Yes it is easy to turn on and point and shoot, it takes awhile to "rev" up, focus, and shoot... maybe if you want a present for an 8 year old but even for point and shoot it's a big bummer!
I've had this camera for 2 years now and rarely use it.  I went skiing this past week and used up 8 batteries for 13 pictures.  They were only the regular energizer batteries but this was ridiculous.
I received this camera as a gift nearly four years ago and tho it has since broken, it worked exceptionally well while I had it.Let me begin by saying that this camera takes great photos. Don't let the 3mp limit fool you, it takes very clear and sharp photos for only 3mp's. Plain and simple the photo quality is great, great colors and all.The video I shot on this camera was great, it was a tad bit pixel'y, but still very clear a resolute for a 3mp camera. Again, I recommend this camera for it standard video quality.One thing I did'nt like, however, was the Compact Flash Card slot, an SD slot would have made things simpler, not big deal tho.Another thing I wasn't fond of was the flash time on this camera. It takes about 3-4 seconds to capture the image, and then another 2 seconds to process the image. Quick snap shots are simply impossible with this camera.The AA battery slot was no big deal, I bought rechargeable ones and they worked fine.In short, this camera was good for its time- 2004, and tho some of its features are outdated, its still good as a cheap camera you'd use sparingly.
I bought a D-390 15 months ago.  After 3 months of light use, the card had to be replaced.  Another 11 months of light use and the camera actually shorted out: utterly dead and two brand-new batteries too hot to touch.  When I talked to customer support, the guy even said that he's seen a lot of similar problems with the D-series cameras.I thought Olympus would have eliminated defects in the manufacturing process long before now, but I was wrong.  I would recommend that prospective buyers not trust Olympus entry-level digital cameras.
While the quality of photos I printed are good, even at 8x10, my problem is elsewhere.  Anytime the photo isn't in bright sunlight, the photo is garbage.  With the flash on the background all but disappears in blackness.  Without flash the image appears like a multiple exposure (fuzzy outlines).  Action shots are also problematic because of the delay from pressing the button and time until the photo is actually taken.  Outside of those problems the camera has held up well to my constant abuse and the short battery life is solved by turning off the auto-display of each picture after you take it & by using rechargeable batteries.
This is a great camera!  It's easy to use and fits in your hand just right.  For the money, it's a great camera.  Sure, you can buy a $600 camera and you're going to get a lot more.  Easy for newbies!!!
My hasband has taken over 5,000 pictures in the past year and a half with this camera.  He has had no problems, which I certainly can't say for my more expensive Fuji piece of crap!  He wishes you could take more pictures consecutively (with no pause between pictures), and wishes the zoom was optical rather than digital, but other than that...he has even been using the same card, and this little camera just keeps on ticking!!!
Easy to use, a great first time camera......if you are an experienced digital user, this may not be the one for you...go up to the 5 series.....batteries don't last in this bad boy, therefore consider nicad out the door....also, a larger storage bucket....gave this one to a friend who was non tech plus and she loves it.......
When this digital camcorder works, it records a nice picture and captures a lot of sound. It has, however, some major drawbacks.Our first main gripe is the substandard battery. We've charged it overnight and then would unplug thinking it was fully charged. After one week we'd grab the camcorder and head out the door to capture a magical moment...only to find the battery completely dead.After our third use, the camcorder now has some type of 'mechanical defect' as the manufacturer's manual calls it. The warranty is recently expired and so we're still debating whether to repair this item or just get another more reliable brand.If you decide purchase this camcorder, be sure to get extra batteries and always keep one on the charger. Hopefully you'll get more use out of yours than we did ours.
At the start of our vacation this year our camcorder was stolen! We picked up this Samsung at a local Costco one day before arriving at Yellowstone National Park for a once in a lifetime trip.My husband took movies all day and we did not have to recharge the battery (although we are getting a backup). The pictures were great! Although, we did see them on 3 different screens and each one the quality of the movies were different. On the large (60") screen they did look grainy but on a 32" they looked great. And we were glad that we had purchased it.The only reason that I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I have not been able to hook it up to my computer via the USB cable and am online to order the other one. If all goes well I will readjust the stars!
The buttons are in weird places, the controls are hard to get to, the control to turn the camera on is hard for anyone with nails to use, the look through lens always shows white no matter how you try to get it to work so you always need to use the digital viewfinder, the tape recording is grainy, the camera refuses to let you use the anti-shake feature even when you're in camera mode, you can't use anything related to Memory Stick Duo or Pro EVEN IF you can find and get an adapter (which limits you to the original "Memory Stick" 256MB cards ~ 30 min. if you can find them because they are pretty much obsolete), the memory stick formatting feature doesn't work, the software doesn't work with the tape in the camera when you try to access it from a computer, common video editing software will not detect the tape inside of the camera, sound is hard to pick up because the microphone is on the top of the camera, the USB streaming feature results in jumpy/grainy video that is not recognized by sites like myspace or utube, and it loses battery life quickly.My advice: Buy something else that you can actually hook up to a computer. Who honestly uses tapes if they want to make home movies to burn to a CD or DVD? WAY more frustration and money than it is worth.
I Had one of these, and after a year or so the LCD display when black, FOREVER. They want $180 to repair it when the FLEA MARKET sells better ones for half the price. Oh and the image quality was a couple of decades behind, PIXELLATION BELONGS IN THE 80's!!!!
If you have the problem of not being able to record other than audio, (bad CCD chip) Samsung will repair or replace this camera for free. Call Samsung with your serial number and they will e-mail you a UPS shipping label and RMA number for UPS. This is the result of a class action suite settlement. I hope this helps someone as it did I.Mark
I liked the options, size and price.  I thought Samsung was a good name for electronics, but I was wrong.I bought this as a gift for a friend.On the first week of use the battery clip broke and the battery would not lock on the camera.  He was able to exchange the camera for a new one.And for this years holidays the new camera was used to record family and friends.  During the recording it broke again and only showed and recorded a bunch of lines.And Samsung does not backup their products with a good warranty so now to repair the camera will cost around $60 US.I would not recommend Samsung camcorders.  I have had a Sony for years and have not at any problems with it even after I dropped it a few times; the Sony also has a better picture.  I also have an old GE 8mm Camcorder that also has a lot of recording time on it with out every having a problem.Please stay away from the Samsung camcorders.
Camera will play and not record. This will fill most of my needs. I just can't use up my remaining new tapes but I can play my already pre-recorded tapes. I am not unhappy with this purchase.
I bought this camera at sams club. I didnt know anything about camcorders and this was my first one. Now that Ive had it for awhile, I know more about the features that I want. The cool things about this camera are the numerous functions, like letterbox, color saturation, black & white, etc. The DIS is pretty decent at close range. The mic pickup is great. The noise of the tape recording has never been a problem. The couple of bad things are that the opening for the Firewire and attachments is kinda clumsy. The film quality is very very good.Id buy again.
My camera also quit working just outside of the warranty period.  I am not able to play back ANYTHING other than a blue screen with the date via USB, component cables, nor the lcd screen.I use this thing a couple of times every few months, and then, only for a few minutes.  I am disappointed.  While the cost of these items have dropped over the years, it makes it cost prohibitive to repair.  I would rather spend another $100 and get a new camcorder.  It won't be a Samsung, I can tell you that.
I had a very low budget and a newborn... (you do the math!)I did my research and finally, I got it.The features I love:- Can be used as webcam! I don't understand why they don't promote this feature. In fact, I went to Best Buy to see it and they had no idea about this capability.- Very light.- Resolution... it's ok. It's just for family memories... not to broadcast the SuperBowl in HD!!!- Built-in light.- Memory stick.- Night PIX- Good audio! Nice mic. Really.- A/V connectors in several flavors.Things I don't like too much but I can live with:- Very low resolution in snapshots.- Included battery lasts... nothing.- The cover of the A/V connectors is very weak. Any bad movement... and It's broken.
The video quality is terrible~ in natural daylight indoors the images are grainy, dark, and the colors are inaccurate.  I was filming my kids and my daughter's bright pink ball came out orange in the film.  The images were not clear at all and everything appeared darker than to the eye.  I have gotten MUCH better results from my old RCA vhs recorder than this digital one.  In outdoors, at 1pm, I got similar disappointing results~ the colors of the trees were not captured and again, the images were darker than in real life.  Very disappointing.I'm giving this camcorder 2 stars (rather than none) because it does have very good sound quality and it was easy to use.  However, because I want decent recordings of my children, this is going back to the store today.
I was military Apache and Cobra driver and I was disappointed but ONLY by comparison to what I was used to.  Cops and military wannabes willl be impressed.  It needs the IR augment do be of any assistance on a moderately dark night.  I'm saving for the ATN Gen 3 scope.  ATN is a good company.
There is no way you can keep one eyed closed during the entire time you'd be wearing this; when I initially did a search on Amazon it was for "goggles," not a monocular, so the title is misleading. And having both eyes open while using it isn't an option as what you see out of each eye is quite different. However, ours was defective so this is really a moot point: Regardless of which position the on/off switch is in, the device stays on as long as the battery is installed. So quality-control is obviously an issue in at least a third of cases with this device (given that the other two reviews were both positive).
Ok, is not the top top of the line, but it is a great product for the price!I bought it for my dad and took it to Argentina to give it to him, he was soo happy! My mom keeps on telling me that at night he walks in the garden with it, just to play... he loves it, great toy for big boys.
This is one of the best investments ive made in a while.Perfect for airsoft, and for camping, and for hunting, and for everything involving darkness.Not the best image, but for the price...... i didnt expect more than this.It really is much better than i imagined..... installation was really easy.This is perfect for my needs.
The product works great.  He loves it....just for fun.  Fits well and is great to adjust so my niece and nephew can try it too.
highly recommend this product fulfilled all my expectations in terms of quality and price is a great product I highly recommend  great  great  great tnigth visiont&iexcl;&iexcl;&iexcl;  its terrific  its  great
Low cost night vision, I needed and extra set for when I go with friends the don't have their own night vision they can join me and enjoy night time nature hikes
Used it right out of the box when I bought it and worked fine. Headgear is useless! Chunked it in the trash first time I tried to use it! Junk :( Also Nightvision is junk! worked one time! now it won't work, good waste of $300! Buys PVS-14 way more expensive & Gen3 Mil Issue but at least it works when you turn it on.
If you are looking for Hubble quality images go to the Hubble website, but if you want to view interstellar objects these are great. I was able to view four of Jupiter's moons and some surface color. The Orion nebula is also easy to find with these binoculars, but it's so far away you won't see any colors. A stout tripod ($25 Walmart tripod won't get it done) is a must  because these binoculars weigh 10 lbs so be prepared to spent a few $$$. Culmination was spot on right out of the box no double or blurred images. Individual diopters make focusing precise. They are water proof, nitrogen filled and fully coated optics (you won't find better glass any ware). I may be wrong but I doubt you'll find a telescope for the same price that will out preform these. The picture doesn't give a true perspective of just how large these really are. They are HUGE (16" long). So if you aren't ready to shell out $1,000 for a telescope this is an alternative solution. Keep your eyes to the sky. Dave
Powerful..absolutely but extremely difficult to operate and they do not maintain stability even with a beefy Gitzo tripod w/video head.  I needed to modify the center support rail in order to prevent the lens barrels from seesawing back and forth.  Principally a novelty item which I'm now stuck with!On the plus side, these binoc's do pull in a distant scene.  I can view skiers on a mountain 10 miles from my back deck.
I am an amateur backyard urban astronomer who decided to step up from my handheld 10x50 binoculars to these tripod mounted 25x100s. I regret not waiting until I could afford higher quality 25x100s.1. Buy only if you know how to assess binocular collimation within the 30 day return period or are in a group that has someone that can.The first pair was significantly out of collimation. As an amateur astronomer, I did not figure that out until after the 30 day return period.The vendor stood by their 30 year warranty which I appreciated. They sent a replacement. That replacement was also significantly out of collimation. The vendor sent a third pair. That one is slightly out of collimation but my local binoculars shop say that may be within industry standards and what is acceptable for Zhumell.2. Being slightly out of collimation does not seem to make much difference for terrestrial viewing.3. For astronomy, they are OK for viewing the Moon but not much more. I can see the moons of Jupiter but Saturn is a blur as is most everything else.I'll be selling them or donating them to one of the local school's astronomy or nature programs as they'd be great for viewing birds or wildlife and OK for an introduction to very basic astronomy.
These are not grab and go binocs and are awkwardly heavy. A quality heavy duty tripod is a must ($170-$200 extra). They do bring far distances up nice and close. But I compared these to a pair of $60 Celestron 15X70's in viewing a variety of distances and the clarity and brightness were about equal. When panning the sky, the narrow telescopic like field of vision really comes into play and takes some getting use to.
roll back the rubber eye pieces - I was not aware that I could do this at first. It was necessary to get a proper interocular adjustment.The main defect was the bad collimation-I made my self dizzy trying to compensate.  I would have given this 5 stars otherwise.  These binocs have fantastic light gathering power and the chromatic abberation was minimal.  They are HEAVY, but I was able to do terrestrial viewing by turning myself into a tripod :)I returned these because of the collimation.
It worked ok but wasn't very durable. For the price though I'm not sure what I expected
Currently in Afghanistan, and I brought this with me to use for any recon I might have to do. Haven't used it much, but the small size and low weight means it can stay in my kit without becoming a burden.
I am visually impaired and rely on a monocular for everyday use. The Tasco is nice and small, but the image is somewhat cloudy, and its focus range is too limited and doesn't cover my visual range so I can't use it. Maybe I'll find someone to give it to.
If you're looking at this item, you should be judging it for what it is. Cheap.I needed a simple monocular for the gun range to see my hits on target. This is not a replacement for a spotting scope. It's not a replacement for any type of scope. It's small, it's pretty durable, and it fits in my range bag nicely.Don't buy cheap optics and expect them to hold up to a superior product. This is a low end optic that fulfills my needs nicely.
If I could hold it more steady I would rate it higher than three stars.  But at 25X and one eye sight, using it is possible but not real easy.
Works great, focuses great and allows you to watch anything you want at moderate ranges (25-200M) being a football or baseball game to police brutality.
Can't beat the great price for this little monocular.  Comes with a nice sheath, cleaning cloth and instructions.  If you need a easy to use cheap monocular, this is your go to.
I bought this monocular for my son for camping.  The monocular is of good quality and seems to work well.  It should last well for him for the next couple years of camping.
Well, the clip that the strap connects to broke right out of the package. CHEAP! I needed one for my bug out pack, so that's where it sits.
I purchased this monocular a few months ago to have something small enough I could carry in my paraglider for looking at a windsock on a distant hill.  Works perfectly - if you don't need wide field of view this is way better than binoculars.
The image is dark and too wide.  I spent my time trying to constantly get a better focus with it.  junk.
I had ordered this monocular for my dad for Fathers Day. When it arrived it looked promising until about an hour later. My father went to polish the lens (with no pressure) and the thing popped inside of the monocular. Don't waste your time on this Chinese made cheap designed product. You are better off getting something that is a bit more expensive.
A great visual aid to reach out and see something without the need to lug along a full size set of binoculars.
In optics, it is a truism that you get what you pay for. This is a nice, lightweight, but ultimately disposable monocular that you can carry with you all the time  without worrying about it. It works fine if you remember the specs and how much you paid for it.
The rubber armor around the objective lens came off the day that I received it. It was held on by two very small dabs of glue which did not adhere to the rubber at all. The rubber piece was very loose fitting and would not stay on without adhesive. The body under the rubber is metal (aluminum?), but somewhat thin-walled. The eyepiece adjustment ring also loosened with initial use and appears to be made of cheap plastic materials. The unit is definitely not waterproof, and likely not splash resistant. The eyecup folds down for use with eyeglasses, but it makes little difference because it has such short eye relief making it uncomfortable to use. The high magnification, narrow field of view, and dim optics make for a poor viewing experience.
great monocular for hunting.  i use it to spot squirrels or rabbits. Also a great monocular for shooting at the range.  Great optic to spot your shots at fifty to a hundred yards. i highly recomend this anyone who hunts or shoots or likes to hike.
I wasn't impressed with these units.  clarity is just middle of the road but i am afraid they will break soon.  I will let the kids play with one before i take it out.
This was a great gift for my 9 year old grandson.  He can manage looking through a single lens easier than using binoculars.  He really liked this.
Bought this because it was small & convenient.  I keep it by the kitchen window.  Easy to take along when on a boat or taking a walk.  Not as powerful as a set of high-powered binoculars, but I wasn't looking for that type of product.
I got this for my bug out bag and it works great, but it's a little odd to use. I should have gotten binoculars
I work in a high rise on Miami Beach as security and everyday I head up to the roof on the 35th floor and man I can see clearly over 30 blocks!!! I can even watch the ships go in and out of the port with a crystal clear view. I use the pouch that came with it and always have it on my belt.!! Great if you're on a boat or birdwatching. Cant wait to take this badboy out to the everglades. You get alot more than you paid for! I;m buying three more for my friends and my brother
first.... don't bother trying it inside.  this is too much  optic to test inside.  Got it outside and was very pleased.  perfect light spotting scope for backpacking or hunting. ( I'll use it for both). looks  sturdy  enough for me to beat on.  congress with a handy case and wipe. I pushed the wipe down inside the case so I'll always have it.
Bought this for an emergency go-bag and will be bringing it on a backpacking trip as well, for bird/wildlife watching.PRODurableComes with protective caseGood enough for wildlife watchingSmall, compact for travelReasonably pricedCONHeavier than it needs to be?Case does its job, but might be flimsyNot super strong
Great magnification for everyday outdoor activities. Great for hiking trails. Good size. Clear view glass. Durable rubber protectant. Well worth it!
Good price, clear vision, just what we need for checking on our critters in the pastures from the house. Looks durable, too.
Nothing to write home about. Gets the job done. I dislike the fact that it doesn't provide a large field of vision when I stick my eye all the way up into it, but I'm guessing this is common to all monoculars in this price range. Aside from that, no complaints.
cheap and does the job. it's not great but good enough. i bought for concerts mainly. it is small enough to easily carry in a pocket. you can also use the other side if somebody is standing too close to you and you just need to create some distance, it's not weird.
Was disappointed.  My viewfinder is cloudy and I cant see clearly.  The field of view is narrow, next time would get 8X25
Not quite as powerful as the binoculars they offer... But this monocular is great for backpacking/hiking or at work, when you have to check things that are far away from where you are currently! Also great for checking groupings while at the range, especially when using hit-marker targets.This monocular is very compact, and for its size does a substantial job of zooming-in your view.As a photographer, marksman, hiker, nature enthusiast and part-time rescue worker, this item is a great addition to a vest, especially when binoculars would just be obnoxious or too big and bulky.
I bought this for my girlfriend who is visually impared.  She uses it to watch tv and she wanted a second one incase she misplaced the one she had.  When she looked thru this she was very pleased and said it was better and clearer than her old monocular.  Great buy, Great price, Shipped fast!
I purchased these for my kids and they seem like decent quality monoculars.  My kids are just starting to enjoy the outdoors with me.  I have always had good luck with Tasco products and these seem like a great value.  My kids love them!
This little monocular is fairly powerful.  It seems to be durable also, which is a good thing as the case is not awe-inspiring.  My only real gripe is getting the view stable because of the power and small size of the piece, in addition to the fact I wear glasses, so proper eye relief is many time difficult even with more expensive devices.
I bought the Tasco 10x25 monocular as a lightweight alternative to binoculars that I could slip into my pocket. I have no complaints about the product - it is well made and lightweight.I would suggest, though, that 10x is probably too powerful for most tasks. If I had to do it over again, I would go with an 8x or even 6x scope. The problem is that there is more jitter when holding a monocular versus a binocular. Also the field of view is very limited. This means that locating and focusing on a particular target is difficult. If you and your target are fixed (e.g. golf course), there is no problem. For finding and viewing targets which are more difficult to locate (e.g. birds) I would recommend a smaller magnification.
I was surprised at the size of this monocular.  It is 4.5 inches long which makes it a little long for my use.  It gives a good clear view of something unless you are trying to remain low key and not be seen watching something. Considering the price, it is not a bad scope.
This compact monocular is for my waist-pack bug-out bag and is a very high quality product I would recommend it in lieu of binoculars
I would have given it a 5 but the viewing eye hole seems a little smallish. Focuses well & is padded to prevent breakage plus has belt carrying case, small lanyard, & lens cloth. Not a bad deal for the amount spent. Would probably get one with a wider eye hole to look through.
Added this to my hunting pack not sure what to make of it, but when i recieved the package it was worth the purchase.  The zoom on the monocular is great, and the image is extremly clear!  very small and compact fits in your fist, i added it to the sleeve of my pack and looks bad ass.  Highly recommended
For those moments when you don't want to haul around a full-on pair of binoculars but would like to peek at a rack or turkey to better evaluate it prior to making the shot.... this is the ticket.  I only gave it 4 stars because I'm pretty picky about my optics and it isn't as clean as a higher-end product -- but for this price, how can you go wrong?
Im a meter reader and  this has helped me lot. wish i had wider angle and wish it was one hand adjustable, but it does the job. I would buy again for that price.
When I opened the packaging I noticed a small tear in the eye piece cover.  As I wear glasses I need to fold that cover down to allow my eyeglasses to touch the lens.  As there is a tear the cover will not stay down but comes back up.
You can spend a lot more, but personally, I only would for a good pair of binoculars (probably image-stabilized).  If you want the light weight and pocket-carried convenience of a monocular, this one is a great buy, at less than $10.  The 25mm objective is fine for good light (e.g., daytime birdwatching), and the 10-power magnification is about as high as you can go for handheld viewing without image stabilization.  The optical quality is quite fine.  The eyepiece cushion is good for the "naked" eye, and can be folded back for good use over glasses or sunglasses.  A very nice unit at a very low price.
I bought these to give to the neighbors kids, but it only works well in daylight.  I tried it at a concert and couldn't really make it work for me in the dark.
Not sure why I thought it would be smaller, on reflection, but the pouch makes it easy to attache to your belt. Like others have mentioned, this is not god for closer objects, which suits me just fine. Works great, especially considering the price.
I have several bird feeders in our yard and this little binoc works just fine for getting close-up looks at all the birds that come for a meal and a visit.
don't magnify anything. looks same size as without monocular. But it makes the image clearer. Don't expect to view objects at a distance with these. will pay more for better. sometimes you can get away with paying less, in this case you get what you pay for. Kids have a new toy...
So far so good.  I wanted some sort of super small optic for backpacking and this fit the bill.  The price was right, and I like the brown camo (goes great with my pack).  Only problem is a camo monocular that comes in a black case!  C'mon!  At least give it a brown case!  Oh well, it's a minor quibble.
Look, it cost me $11.67. So, some of these reviews need to ask themselves what they paid for it. Don't expect a high powered spotting scope. It works well for shorter distances, of course it all depends what you need to see. I was able to pull boat registration numbers off of a vessel at about 100-150 yds while the vessel was moving. It is able to clearly see largest items further away. I also keep it on my duty belt stop I have it at my disposal whenever I need it. Much more convenient than trying to carry a set of binoculars.
This monocular is not expensive, and it shows in the materials it is made out of.  It is not low quality, but nothing hardcore either.  The viewing is clear but not wide, giving you a headache.  I would say it is good for high school football games.
ultra cheap means ..... well, ultra cheap - unclear, doesn't focus - piece of garbage - not even gonna try to use it - its going in the trash.
Not too bad! I have been using it daily for the past 2 years! So far so good! No complains for the price!
My son loves the monocular and uses it constantly. He was thrilled when he received it and shows it to everyone. I loved the price.
I was looking for a cheap monocular to take on vacation and hiking and thought I'd spend around $20 but when I saw the positive reviews on this cheaper model, I went ahead and bought it. I have used it on several hikes and for the price the magnification and build quality is excellent. The only minor complaint is the field of view could be larger. Other than that this monocular is great and comes with a case and lens cleaner cloth!
This took forever forever forever (said like on The Sandlot) to ship and when we got it it wasn't the (brown camo) it was just plain black.  It does work and is small and compact though which is nice.
The optics might be okay (I haven't compared to any other monoculars to see how it compares) but the construction of this monocular is horrible.  The ring with which you can attach this to a lanyard or clip of some sort is held in place with plastic.  The ring itself is metal, but that metal is attached to the monocular with very very cheap and easy-to-break plastic.  So while you're in the store it will look well-made (since no one in their right mind would hold a metal ring in place with plastic) but when you get it home you'll discover otherwise.  The ring would be something you would expect to turn, so if you give it a gentle turn to test it, you'll have the plastic break and the ring fall off.  Garbage.  Absolute garbage.
it is really no better than looking through a hollow tube, i do not know what the 10X stands for.
I bought this based upon the other reviews. I didn't expect much from an inexpensive monocular but thought it could be helpful on an upcoming trip to the Galapagos. Well, it is useless - very small viewing area and, what you can see is in very "soft" focus. In other words, things are enlarged but they're not terribly clear and because the field of view is so narrow, you really need to hunt for whatever you're looking for.It probably isn't worth the shipping cost for me to return it, otherwise, I would.
I purchased this as an add-on to my camping box.  it's a pretty good monocular.  it has good magnification and is clear.  The small size makes it convenient to carry...
This is such a great bargain in price and it works extremely well. I wanted something that would enable me to see the birds and other wildlife in the woods and hills surrounding my home and this works wonderfully. At 10X power I can even see individual leaves on trees that are at least 1/4 mile away and see wild turkeys that are close to half a mile away, at least to the point that I can tell they are turkeys.  It is compact enough in size that I can keep it in my pocket to use anytime I want to see all the little critters in my backyard (which borders on a large wooded area with meadow beyond). Also the rubber doesn't smell too bad, and it is really easy to adjust the lens to see closer up or farther away. I could even see the ants crawling on the tree in my front yard, not that I wanted to see them but image was crystal clear. I highly recommend this if you want a monocular lens.
I bought this for work. It is not very strong, but it works for seeing things not too far away a little bit clearer. It's cheap and for the price it works.
You can only view far, not close, with this. Anything under 20 feet or so is blurry. It has good magnification and a correspondingly small field of view, but the clarity/quality seems good. If you only need to view far, this is a good buy. Comes with a nylon belt pouch and a cleaning cloth.For comparison, I also have the Vanguard DM-6250, a 6x25 monocular that adjusts for close or far viewing and is 3.6 times the cost. The eyepiece rotates out a full 1 3/4 inches. You have to rotate it out 3/8 inch to the infinity setting to clearly see at a distance. Rotating out 1 9/16 inches brings you to the close viewing setting of .35m (~13.8 inches). Clarity/quality seems the same as the Tasco (I cannot perceive a difference). The belt pouch that comes with the Vanguard won't close unless the monocular is fully collapsed, my only real peeve. My main use would be for distance so I would rather be able to store it at that setting.
I'm really pleased with this. I keep it on my molle vest, it's lite and small. Not real powerful, but it works fine to spot for shooting at under 100 yards or so. If you're looking for clarity at a further range, probably won't do it for you.
It is a nice little monocular. It is a bit shaky when trying to use at closer distances, but it seems well made. I would recommend this as a first or budget monocular. Camo is a nice touch.
This item is not meant to be high quality. That's why its $10 bucks. But for something to do quick views at the range at 25 yards or 130ft it works.
Great grip, east use, simple design and great viewing. Affordable and they work, don't need to spending allot of money, get these, a good pair of binoculars and a damn good scope.
I put this in my survival kit to lessen the weight from my previous binoculars. This monocular is just the right size and just the right magnification for camping, hunting, or putting into a car or survival kit. It is also light enough to be carried in a pocket for a hike.
Also use for small game hunting, and checking on the grand babys when they are across the street at the city park.
Keep in mind, this thing costs $12. Don't expect Nikon quality. For the cost, the Tasco is quite nice. It's a basic 4" long by 1-1/8" thick tube that you use to see things with. It has rubber armoring on it, which protects it from scratches and scrapes more than it does from impact. A simple strap is attached so you don't lose it if dropped, as well as a basic lens cleaning cloth and carrying case. The monocular works well. The focus is adjustable, and it's easy to get a good image dialed in. The images are pretty clear, and even in humid environments, I haven't had any issues with the lens fogging up.  While the 10X power might seem too much for such a small object that's held with one hand, you can use the other hand to steady it, or use a rock or the side of a building for support. Remember to keep something soft (like your hand) between the monocular and the hard object so it doesn't shake.There's not a lot to say about this one. It's a good, inexpensive monocular. If that's what you're looking for, here it is.
This was exactly what I was looking for, something simple and cheap but still tough and functional.  This is not a dirt cheap chinese wanna-be.  Tasco did a great job making this scope stand out above the other monoscopes in the same price range, I have no bad words for this 10 power scope.
Very good quality.  No problems with the focus.  You do need a steady hand but if you can hold steady it works great.
Great product. Only 2 complaints: First, the rubber coating fits a bit loose in some places (though this will in no way affect its function). The second, that the lanyard has a very weak clasp. Otherwise, this is an excellent product. Well worth the money spent.
Perfect for travel - much easier to take it to Star parties, better than trying to lug along my big 10&#34; Orion scope!
for the price it's ok but it dropped about 4&#34; and was rendered useless since al of the lenses were knocked out of alignment.I'm not going into details about tech stuff, let's just say you get what you pay for (usually, there are great deals this is not one of them).Works great if you never drop it from any height or just need minor magnification. A Bird 50' away will look great but don't expect to get much further away.My next one is going to have at least 15x50 I need a bigger objective lens and more magnification.
Tips I've found helpful:1) Hold with one-hand grip, following contours, to reduce shakiness.  I thought it was too shaky to use until I stopped holding it with two hands and started using a one-handed, full palm grip.2) Open both of your eyes while scanning.  With a little practice, I've learned to shift focus between eyes.3) If, after using tips 1 & 2, you are still dissatisfied with theTasco Essentials 10x25 Compact Roof Prism Monocular, then remind yourself that you have paid a fraction of the price of a high-quality binocular, likeCarl Zeiss Optical Inc Victory Compact Model Binoculars (10x25 T).
I've used the Brunton 7x and NS Star 12x monoculars and this one gets the job done. For the money is a very good monocular. The Brunton is brighter but costs double and has less zoom, so if you're in a budget or this is your backup optics, then is a good buy.If you're willing to spend more, then seek Brunton or Vortex (even better).
The field of vision seems too narrow and the amount of light gathered too little to make this good for anything other than outdoor daylight use. Spend the additional 5 bucks and get the Bruton if you will need the monocular for low light events (ie:  Theatre, opera, concerts, etc.)
I wanted something small to carry around with me that doesn't take up as much room as binocular. I thought at this price, from a known optics company, this would be a good purchase. It's okay.The focus seems off kilter. Like it should stop at infinite focus, but it keeps turning and gets blurry. I may have to get my eyes checked, because I used this on a trail and it was much better than my naked eye.However, it is made fairly well. At $10, I got what I paid for. If my car gets broken into and this gets stolen, I don't think I'll grieve the loss.
I didn't need anything fancy so I went for something very affordable. This monocular does the job. I'm not an expert so I can't give you any numbers or specifics on ranges and such. I just bought this so my son and I can sit on top of a hill and look over the city. And on occasion I take it to baseball games.
I got these for my 2 little boys to use  for our nature hikes.  They love them and they are very nicely made.  I love the coating.  They have dropped them all over the place and they can truly take a beating.
I bought this for work. I need to see small  numbers on boxes 10 to 15 feet above me. This little guy didn't do the job. I now keep it in the Jeep and use it to see things that are farther away and it is just OK.
I recently purchased this monocular because I have bad eyesight and was tired of walking around downtown and not being able to see road signs in the distance. For what I bought it for, it works well.You have to realize going into this that you're paying $10 for a piece of optical equipment. Of course build quality is not going to be top-notch for that price. That said, the quality is not as poor as reviews I'd read here (and elsewhere) had lead me to believe. This monocular is not overly rugged, but if you're careful with it and don't knock it around a lot, it'll probably hold up OK. At the very least, I feel that I've gotten my $10 worth, though I certainly don't expect it to last a lifetime.
For ten measly dollars I don't see how you can wrong. It may not be made to last a hundred years , but it will do the job. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
Use this as a cheap spotting scope I can leave in my pocket at the range. Only issue is that it isn't very glasses friendly. The eyepiece will fold flat so you can place it directly on your glasses, but the FOV is noticeably smaller compared to using it without glasses.
Im not sure what I expected for the price.  It does a pretty good job and is pretty bright.  The wrist strap loop busted off when I was installing it and looking through it I can see something stuck inside the body.  It is off to the sides but is still a little distracting.  Pretty good for the price though.
Not really much to say but it works as it should and is very useful and compact, can cup it in your hand with ease, and hides a way for easy storage.
I used this monocular for several years for field herping and birding.  Works well, but not great.  Clarity is not great, must be used in full sun.  Would not focus close enough for herping.  Would be a fine deer/turkey hunting monocular.  Overall, it is an acceptable field glass for bright light conditions where focusing will be beyond 20 yards.
It works I'd say even a bit better than the price they have listed. People must be crazy with how they handle things because the second I started twisting the focus I could feel how gentle that is. Most cheaper products have to be treated like glass, and this item is literally glass. Durability is as price dictates, not bad at all. I could easily keep this thing going a year or two in my pocket with minimal care.Performance? Up to cost but pretty bad. It has a lot of problems with anything before I'd say 50ft, and after a certain distance.This may be due to me again doing that too-rough twist and snapping the closer end of the focus track, but I don't think so because it tends to do the same for further out when twisting other way. Things are too blurry to be seen when close. My other top of lowest bracket scope is 10x44, and that one can see much closer and further than the Tasco, but does get blurry at about 10-20ft. I am assuming that it's actually due to the diameter of the glass itself, not any defect due to this reason.Compared to a $70 BAK-4 prism, the view isn't all too bad. It's not as sharp but it's definitely clear. x25 felt a bit small to me. Which is easily fixed by just panning around a lot more. As I expected with most unsealed mono's, this thing will get foggy if it's even near breath. So if it were to drop in water or be left in unfit conditions i'm sure it could do horrible damage to it.
I've recently purchased two of these. One was for my mother, who has macular degeneration and uses it so she can see the preacher and choir in church. The other one was for my 7-year-old grandson, who uses it to better see wildlife out in the country where he lives. They both are thrilled with the results.
Total rubbish, this is a toy, and that's no joke, 10 x 25 is a joke , good at maybe 100 feet, totally useless, i question the good ratings on this product, extremely poor quality product, i have always said that a man is as good as his name, no matter how cheap something is you should take pride in your name.
This is a very good monocular for the cost.I have also picked a more expensive one in my wishlist but I wanted something somewhat decent which I can afford to throw into the every day use without thinking that is going to get banged up or scratched.Let me say that this is more than &#34;somewhat decent&#34;. It is perfectly sized and does a very nice job.A great value.
The was exactly what I needed; a small, powerful monocular to fit in my pocket. View is clear and the monocular itself is very well made.
What else can I say?  This is a product that does exactly what it is supposed to do.  Fast shipping, excellent optics, great price.
This is another one of those products that almost no one else is going to have on hand. It is fun and easy to use. Not as bulk as full binocs.
This thing was so inexpensive that I had to buy it. And I wasn't disappointed at all. It is sturdy, clear and portable, well-constructed and comfortable to hold. I even dropped it in water and, after drying it out, it still functioned just fine! It comes with a nice little carrying case - nothing super special, but adequate - and a strap as well. I'm not into the technical aspects of these things; I just think it works great! Images are clear and focus is easy. I love to take this thing on hikes and it's even small enough to keep it in a jacket pocket without it feeling cumbersome. If you're looking for an inexpensive and great product for bird watching or spying on whatever your heart desires, you can't go wrong with the Tasco monocular!
Reason I gave it a 4/5 because they're not built to be the toughest but Tasco has always been my choice when it came to affordable binoculars ...this was my first monocular and I know I couldn't go wrong. It comes with a small bag to go on a belt. Its better than having to carry a bulky pair of binoculars around your neck if your hiking or just want something small to see the great view. Recommend it for the price.
Could it have been put together better? probably. It was ten dollars though, and it has more than paid for itself. I keep it on me at all times. Need to read the road sign on the other end of the block? Boom. monocular. Can't tell if the trail is closed up ahead? Boom. Monocular. Stays on your belt, adjusts with ease. Really people, if you keep it on you, you'll be surprised how often you use it.
Works great at 50 yards or less to see holes in targets around 8" diameter.Small so you do not have to lug around that big ole heavy spotting scope for a quick trip to the range.
This has worked great for what I've needed.  It's just enough to clarify that additional yardage.
The Monocular feels solid in hand, with a durable rubber coating that adds a fair amount of protection if you drop it on a hard surface. The carrying case is simple and light, providing additional protection from dust and debris, making this Monocular perfect for taking with you anywhere and even keeping it in your vehicle for whenever you need it. If you don't feel like lugging around a pair of binoculars with you wherever you go, this item is perfect.  For the money, it cant be beat.
I knew not to expect much, but even with that I was very disappointed.  I also purchased the Alpen monocular and it's optics and clarity are 5-10x better and it's only like $10 more.
I see a number of people like this so maybe it was the one i got, but I found the image quality/clarity to be nearly unusable. The image looking at a known scene (our back yard) was very challenging to actually identify. The great disparity between what I got and what most of the ratings are lead me to be open-minded that maybe I got a bad one but I was not willing to go through an exchange cycle to find out.
It is ok for casual use, but I am looking for a replacement, it is just not great quality. There is also a really strong strange smell that has been there since I got (a mixture between cigarette smoke and rubber).
Very good, I use it to explore stuff from out my window and see whatever I can see from my roofwish it had more zoom though.but nothing beats the price for this
No way it's 10x25!! I have rifle scopes 3x32 that are better.I give it a 3 because I kind of knew what I was getting my self in too.
This is a useless product  do not expect much for under $10 not even good as a toy , I did keep the case it may be good for something, spend $20 more and get a better product.
Cheaply made but useful monocular for certain situations.  The eye cup is too flimsy. It broke after the third time I used it -- just cracked.  No abuse of it.  Just flimsy. And the focal length won't work unless you remove your glasse, and doesn't get down short enough to be very useful across a room.
I purchased three of these for gifts.  One broke the first day.  The second broke within a week.  The third rattles.  Absolute ****.
Why is it that so many things made in China with rubber on them smell so terrible? That was the first thing that hit me when I opened the monocular package. Yuck! I have purchased flashlights, dumbbells, and numerous other things from China that suffered from this same problem. To make it worse, you have to put it almost on top of your nose when you use it.  I ran up to my computer to read the negative reviews and was surprised that no one else complained about this.  I don't want any product that stinks. This is sold under the Bushnell name. They have been a major US optics manufacturer forever. Why do they degrade their reputation by selling something like this? This is typical of so many companies today. They are short sighted and only care about the short term profits.Other reviewers have commented that the small field of view makes it difficult to locate what you are trying to look at. This is certainly true. Another complaint that I can attest to is that the small field of view combined with the high power makes holding it steady enough to see anything a real challenge.It was cheap, but was it a bargain? I don't think so. It is more like a kids toy than something useful. My suggestion is that you save your money or spend a little more for something with a wider field of view and without the "Chinese rubber smell" (makes me a little skeptical of Chinese tires and other drug store items).
okay for the money--- but do not expect anything great from these but they are ok so that is what I have ranked them.
The Tasco Essentials 10x monocular is good for general observation. It works well for observation of aircraft around airfields, my main usage. It also works well just to spot what's around you. Out in the general world it works well for low flying aircraft.The optics are clear, and scratch free, the focus mechanism works well. Single handed operation works well for me, but may not for others - just depends on how much dexterity you can muster up. If you're used to using binoculars, you might find you need a slightly steadier hand on a monocular - but that's up to you.Optically - it's what you expect and is perfectly adequate. Elements are in fact glass, but as usual around this price range exhibit chromatic aberration, but it's well controlled for the price point.I do suggest usage in good lighting conditions. In the dark - it won't be as good as you want. But, any larger lens elements for better low light operation would increase weight and decrease portability.The rubberized coating reduces the chances of dropping it - along with the wrist strap. I also expect it to survive falls onto ground cover, or carpet. Concrete - no idea - good luck.Additional features:*Peel back rubber eyecup for glasses users. Beware, do not _pull_ on the rubber eyecup - it will come off, but a spot of epoxy will fix that. (Knocked one star for shoddy adhesives work)*Lightweight*Holster*Wrist strap (included, but optional, has clip), and wrist strap attachment on monocular - essential so you don't drop it.
Very nice looking and nice and small scope. I let a friend barrow it and they really liked it. I may never get it back.
NOT THE BEST..  NOT THE WORST..  It's not crystal clear, but it serves a purpose.  3 years now, and just I leave it in my backpack for random view on something far away..  It's easily worth the money..  check all the other scopes for the same price, they have the same critical analysis..  So yes, I would spend the money again..  (remember it's only the price of a breakfast at IHOP)
Do not, I say DO NOT waste your money on these. I ended up giving them to my grandson for a toy, and he didn't even like them.
My monocular didn't work well. It wouldn't focus right and it also didn't provide a well-lit view; more like a silhouette. Birdwatching: fail. I got the Carson Bandit afterwards and it was much better.
I have been enjoying using this product, it focuses easy and is a great product for the money.  I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a monocular.
The headline says it all.  The glass is great.  I went outside in Culver City and could read the addresses on Sunset Strip building roofs.  But this really needs to ship with some end caps to make it great.
Yep, there are better, more expensive optics out there, but this works fine. With things like optics, where you can spend a little or a lot I tend to buy inexpensive options so that I'm not overly concerned if something happens to them in the field. That said, this does the job and I'm pleased with it. If I break or lose it, I won't be that upset.
Pros:- It's ~$10.Cons:- Extremely blurry at all distances except 2 yards.- Outer lens easily pushes into the center of the monocular making it even more blurry.- Focus does nothing.
I bought this and used it once while in the tree stand. I have since thrown it away and purchased some nice Nikon Monarch 3 binos. Make sure this monocular is what your after, else it just wont' get used much.
Ordered for my 8 yr old to keep in his &#34;explorer&#34; back pack.  He likes it.....binoculars would still be better for obvious reasons
This Monocular is not a great piece of optics but is a well made packable viewer.  I got one for a co-worker who admired it.  It is just the thing for a quick look at something that captures your attention from a distance.
I bought this for the purpose of viewing wildlife/scenery on a vacation to Alaska, and it did the job well enough.
Bought this to use as a spotting scope and to scout pics while hiking.Pros:Build quality is good.Compact.Cons:It's a monocular so any shaking and it blurs.If I had to do again, I would have saved my money for a decent pair of compact binoculars.
there was a problem with the focusing, and the part came loose, like a 2nd time i use it, not sure if this is what is going on, or its just my bad luck with the item.
The optics is very dark and color aberration get on your way too much. Basically useless.Save yourself a time and get a pair of better binocs. Absolutely not worth the time/money/postage.Amazon service however was great. They did not even want me to return it.
Simple, functional and great optics for the price.  It comes with a handy nylon case as well that offers good protection.  I bought a pair of these for my kids to use outdoors but found that I can use them as well given their good range and clarity.
for the size I was pleasantly surprised...will be ordering more for other family members how like to hike and watch wildlife....
I got this for Mountains hiking. It's small and light and yet effective. I dropped it many times but it still working great. I bought it maybe 4 years ago and I still have it around. It still doing great.
I have used mine for over 4 years now. I work outside everyday rain or shine. I read electric meters for a living. My Tasco 10x25 is great for this job. This particular model focuses in very tight with a small feild of vision. For my job its great, But, most people wish to have a wider angle. If you want a wider angle dont buy this product. If your looking for something that will focus close and tight on an object this is great!!!
Still a 10 power is hard to hold steady, but it is light and provides a clear picture.  Can't really tell that it's got a lot of armor on it, but use will tell.The cheapo case that it comes in is junk and I use a MOLLE 40MM Grenade Pouch Single Desert Camo by Rothco that runs about 4 bucks with free shipping as a real case thats almost made for it.Splice
It's okay.  Not the best monocular I've used.  I am visually impaired, so I use it to see the board in my classes.  It gets the job done though.
I was trying to decide if I should buy a binocular(a bit bulky) or monocular(smaller) to put into my walking pouch.So, I saw this and gave the monocular a try.Nice for the price.Nice build quality.Decent focus ability.Small case they supply is a plus.If you are looking for a decent inexpensive monocular, this one is recommended.Monocular vs Binocular:Just to be clear: the following is not a negative of this particular product.For me, never having had a monocular, I find that the monocular provides too limited a field of view.  I expected it, to some degree, but it is more limited than I thought it would be.  It is nice for the size, and it is nice to have something so small that you can stash in a pocket, but if I had to do it all over again I would have bought a small binocular.
I bought this monocular as a pocketable magnifier for traveling, and occasional bird/tree viewing.I was surprised by the relatively good build quality, considering the price.  The monocular is light, but has a good "feel"-not cheap.I do agree with other viewers that a 10X magnification makes "hand-shake" an issue.The fully magnified viewing field is also narrow, so don't expect a wide, binocular-like viewing field of the object you're observing.Still, for quick glimpses of objects, this monocular is ideal, the price is excellent, it's easy to carry, and the build quality is very good.
Was at the beach the other day and someone was parachute surfing. Wish I had this to see it close up. Very pleased with it. Seem pretty sturdy. Adjustable site. Field of vision is narrow but it's what I expected. Comes with a tight fitting case.Oddity, the instructions are for binoculars, but if you need to read instructions to use this, you'll probably put your eye out with it anyway.
This telescope is well made, easy to use, good for a kid.  My 3 year old son loves this gift from &#34;Santa&#34;.
I bought two of these, one for my friend and one for me.  The magnification is relatively high, so it's a bit jittery if you don't hold it steady. But I think it's a decent piece for outdoors when long distances need to be seen.  A fair compromise between distance and view angle.  Focus works fine and everything seems to work.  It feels light.  Not sure if that reflects on durability.  I'm happy and recommend the purchase for the price.  I like the monocular design because it's compact and light.  A great tactical solution for a bug-out bag or backpacking where weight is critical.
for the money it makes things about 50 yards away look 20. but thats about all. little fuzziness when its fully zoomed. still, for the money, id buy it again.
This monocular works well and comes with a pouch that can attach to your belt or staps on your backpack.I haven't tossed it to the ground yet, but it looks solid enough that it could stand accidental drops and general wear and tear.Very happy with the purchase.
I am not terribly impressed with these. I guess for the price its about what I should have expected, but I wish I had spent more for something with better clarity, wider field of view, and longer eye relief.
Look this thing is ten bucks, it's cheep esp. for optical equipment. I have used this every week day for over 8 months till I lost it, works just like it should.  Now it is cheeply made if you expect to put this through many droping accidents or using it to stand on or something it's gona break.  Personally I recomend tearing off the end cap and taking off the little screw lanyard thing, so you can easily slip it in and out of your pocket.  I have to give this five stars because of the value, the price is right and it functions fine, you can single handedly turn the focusing mechenism and it is light and not too bulky.  My only regret is that I didn't tie it down and ended up losing it.  I used it to read gas meters so I was not expecting a huge fov or anything and you shouldn't either for ten bucks.  Image was clear to do my job and that was what was needed.  Good job tasko.  Will I buy it again well. . . I like to try out new stuff but I still may buy another one it's so cheep why not?!
Nice little pocket scope. Works fine for me .Very handy. ...... .......... ....... ...... .... ............ ..... .... .....
I've been shooting archery from longer distances lately, up to about 70-80 yards, and at that distance it's difficult to fine tune my sights between shots.  A lot of the guys who shoot from that range have very expensive, tripod-mounted, spotting scopes.  I can't afford that and my eyes are relatively young so I thought I could get away with a much cheaper alternative.  This does the job, but just barely.  It's really not that much of a zoom and the field of view is very small and uncomfortable to use.I'm a professional mariner and I know good optics when I use them.  This isn't it.  It is good enough to be a cheap, small, device I can leave in my bow case and use once a week or so.
Well I paid $10 so I cant expect miracles I understand that.  It works great for what I want it to do.  I carry it in my truck door for easy access when I see an animal off the road and want a better look.  I may carry it hiking because its so light but it doesn't help see very far (obvious because of it being 10x25).
It does what it says, I guess with only a single lens its not as clear as binoculars.  I guess the main drawback I found with these is my hands aren't steady so the image quality could be better for someone like me I guess with a more expensive pair.
My eight-year-old daughter bought this with her own money after looking at many different telescopes and monoculars.  This one is not a toy like some and it does not invert the image as a typical telescope would.  It's well-built, easy to carry and use.  In summary, she says "it's awesome!"
I didn't realize how small it was before purchase. Small field & hard to hold steady enough to view thru.
It's not the best in the market but for the price, this product achieves what it was meant for. For me, I take to to the gun range so I don't have to keep bringing the target back to me to check where my rounds are hitting. Always hated the fact that when you send your target back, it swings side to side for about 2 or 3 minutes which it gets very frustrating when you are trying to zero your weapon.
Tasco's Essentials 10x25 monocular is a fun, easy to use, optic that's priced good and works even better. It's not a $200 monocular so expecting it to be will be quite a let down for you. If you accept that it's an inexpensive  optic, use and abuse it, even if you loose it, no problem it didn't cost much. I've been using mine in the field to look down into small gullies and up hills as my dog and I search for rabbits. You just can't beat the value for the $.
I wouldn't buy this again, quality seems poor and it's big for EDC. For the similar price range, I'd recommend Brunto Echo instead.
When the Reticle 1st arrived and I put the batteries in, I was extremely disappointed in how blurry the cross-hair lines were, and that was on the lowest light settings. I went on the internet and started reviewing the competition, and noticed in Orion's description of their product says &#34;...reticle has adjustable focus...&#34;, which is not in the Meade description. I very carefully took the Meade reticle and started to &#34;unscrew&#34; the eyepiece and noticed that the cross hairs were coming into focus until they were totally in focus. I've never used an illuminated reticle before, so I had no idea that they could even be focused, and it's not mentioned in the manual.Otherwise, after I got it focused, I was impressed with the cross-hair movement with adjustments. I have not had a chance to use the reticle yet, but I'm encouraged that it will greatly enhance my ability to get precision alignment of my Meade LX-200-ACF GPS. I'm also impressed that only Meade had a soft rubber eyepiece to keep out background light and requires two batteries vs three in other brands.
This eyepiece allowed me to finally get precise centering of my alignment and calibration stars, but even more I've achieved perfect polar alignments most nights. I bought the 9mm because I was hoping to get this type of precision. It takes a little more time to get my telescope setup and I do switch back and forth from a wider angle lower magnification eyepiece to this illuminated 9mm during the alignment process, but I knew I'd have to do that when I made the decision to buy the 9mm. I've just started in astrophotography and using this eyepiece to get precise alignments allows me to now take 3-4 minute unguided exposures. Details and clarity on objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula expand with longer exposures and I'm also able to image fainter objects. Next up is an autoguider for even longer term exposures!It's been well worth the cost. The delivery of the eyepiece was prompt. It was securely packed and arrived in perfect condition. I just can't say how much this has made my nights at the telescope more enjoyable, because I now have a very accurate instrument to use.
Excellent accessory for aligning my LX90 telescope.I use my 32mm eyepiece to place the align star in the center of the field and then I use this eyepiece to center the star. This weekend after alignment my telescope placed all of my target objects in the center of the field. I viewed Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Andromeda Galaxy and much more.
The Reticule pattern (Parallel lines in cross pattern) is very nice for lining things up in my eyepiece (I use it to track, and for initial alignment).The adjustable reticule position is a mixed blessing.  If you want the target to stay in the center as you rotate the eyepiece, you need to spend extra time adjusting the reticule position before-hand, and the screws don't seem to stay put between viewing sessions.  But if you want to use it for manual tracking, or drift alignment,  it is very nice to be able to move the reticule to follow the target, the knobs allow small movements.The eye relief (for this, and any simple high magnification lens) is poor,  I need to press my eye hard against the eyepiece, to see just half of the field of view; most of the sides are not visible.  This makes it extra difficult to locate the object in the lens.The biggest problem I have is the intermittant light source.  It turns off by itself, gets brighter/darker/brighter/darker as I turn the knob in one direction (as if the potentiameter is dirty or making poor contact).  The Optics and Mechanics seems well built, but the electrical is either poorly designed or bad quality control.
This is a great, inexpensive product that does what it says. It took a little bit of calibration to get the reticle to line up just right, and the brightness control is a little finicky, but it has helped me precisely align my scope on multiple occasions. There are certainly high quality / more expensive products out there that do the same thing, but unless you are doing high end astrophotography, this works great.
This might be a great item for the very well experienced, but the item is very difficult to recenter if you move any of the set screws the smallest amount. I inadvertently tightened a thumb screw when I replaced the batteries. I have never been able to accurately realign the center target, and $90 is going in the trash. I cannot see any reason to have such a wide range of adjustments possible on an eyepiece used to center for initial alignment to begin with. Additionally, there was so much lubricant on the recitile frame, a tiny amount smeared when moving the adjustment screws. There is now a distortion when illuminated. I am switching to an Orion with a fixed rectile.
Quite a sharp lens, did some very good shots until I replaced it with Canon 16-35 f/2.8. Overall I was very happy with it, the tiny little problem it is a very fragile lens (like most of Sigma lenses), and it needs a very special treatment, also the size of the filter is very big, makes it very expensive to buy 82mm C-PL for example.
I love being able to get wide angle shots, and I had high hopes for this lens.  However, I have yet to get a crisp, sharp image out of it.  I've had it on both auto focus and manual focus, on a tripod using a remote shutter release and mirror lockup, and still only ever get slightly hazy or blurry pictures.  I'm not sure if I have a bad unit, or it's a problem with the design, or I'm just not using it right.  And, alas, it's too late to send the lens back.
If you are going to buy a sigma lens any sigma lens.. you are wasting your money!! The built quality is not than bad but the lens picture quality its too bad!!
I have a Canon 5D and this lens works perfect with it. It's quickly, not so heavy and you can do the best indoor and landscape pictures of your life. It's also good for creative pictures. I'm really happy!!!
This lens in just ok.  It is a little soft at the edges and at wide apertures.  After using it for a few months I sold it to buy a Canon 17-40 f/4 L.  The Canon is a stop slower and a couple hundred dollars more, but the images are sharper and it is weather sealed.  I would invest the extra money in a Canon lens.
good lens that that didn't cost a arm & a leg. gets the job done.
I debated for a while wether to spend the money on the Canon L series 16-35mm, 17-40mm, or this lens. The 17-40mm was almost triple the price and the 16-35mm is 10x the price. So I went to the store and held each one and took some test shots on a tripod at the same settings and outside the store onthe side of the road in Atlanta, GA. The cityscape made a very nice test subject. Okay, to compare the three and explain my decision let me start out with build quality. The Canons feel like they belong on a tank, solid gigantic hunks of metal, very sturdy. But after using them for a little while the weight does wear on you. They don't just look heavy, they are heavy. The sigma is much lighter and a little shorter. The construction is very nice with a beautiful black surface finish. It looks and feels like it will be very rugged. I wouldn't want to drop any of the three on the pavement but I do think the canons would probably survive the experience. But I baby all my gear so I wasn't so worried about the possibility of a drop. But If I had to haul the canons in a pack all day or on the camera I would get very tired, I do alot of walking/exploring shooting and I use the 5D which is already heavy enough with the battery grip and flash attached. So the sigma won out for usability and portability. Now here comes the big surprise, when I got home and looked at the pictures side by side the Sigma was sharper across the board than the 17-40mm and on par with the 16-35mm. The color depth was a tiny bit better from the 17-40mm versus the other two but I could easily get the other two to that point with a quick fix in photoshop.Some people might say well the sigma is a veriable f2.8-f4 aperture lens where the 17-40mm is a fixed f4 and the 16-35mm is a f2.8 fixed and i say to them that I mainly use the 17-35mm range for landscapes and you never use your lens at f2.8 on landscapes nothing will be in focus. I regularlr stop my lens down to the F16-F22 all the time. So I would never need a fixed aperture. plus at 17mm at F4 you can still hand hold at  1/20th of a second and at say iso 800 that is plenty enough to take band pics in a deemly lit bar with some very interesting and pleasing effects. So I would say if you are going to be shooting in a war zone or the Sahara get the canon 16-35mm it really is the best pro ultra wide there is, but if you want the quality of the canon for a 10th the price and you aren't in a extreme environment get the sigma, it is a diamond in the rough and an asset to my camera bag. I would also recommend getting a good UV protective filter for the front of the lens. Any little speck or scratch on the front optic is very visible because of the wide angle.
I should have had a lens like this a long time ago. It's amazing what you can capture with a wide-angle lens and the effect it portrays.
This is a great lens. I really have nothing to add here from what the guys before  e said. All I want to say is I picked this up for $280, right here on Amazon. Don't let this joker get you for $937. What a joke. You could get the Canon for $400 less than that.
Not a killer lens. The images you get from shots with this lens dont have the saturation, quality or sharpness that I expected. Get a pre-owned 17-55 f/2.8 IS from canon instead!
I bought this lens new on a whim as the price was too good to pass up.  I now use this lens in most of my photography, automobile racing, nature and some landscape.  A favorite next to my 28-135mm Canon.  I really like the quality of Sigma lenses for my Canon 20Ds.
great lens for the price.  would recomend it.  takes greatpictures
That's the best way I can put it. The Sigma 17-35 is a compact (3" x 3") and light (14 ounce) wide-angle zoom lens. It performs best in certain conditions:- On cloudy days or when the sun is behind the photographer.  This is because I found it to be prone to serious lens flare- When there are no objects close to the photographer, as distortion at the edges is very noticeable- When there is a nearby object (a car's wheel, a fire hydrant, for example) that the photographer DOES want to appear extra large and distorted- Indoor wide-angle shots (I admit, this lens is great for that)This is not a good lens for architecture, as there is too much distortion. For architecture shots, please see the Tamron orSony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR CameraSo I would call this a niche wide-angle zoom. In terms of durability and construction, it is pure Sigma - it is very well built and should last a lifetime. One thing that I love about Sigma is the feel and the finish.[...]Given that the price has dropped significantly over the years, this can be a good addition to your lens collection, even if you already have the Tamron 11-18 as I do. If I do a photo shoot in a park or cemetery on a cloudy day, this lens comes with me, along with my primary, theSigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
I am getting this as a Christmas present and have not yet used it so I cannot comment on the overall quality of this lense but I want to mention something that I definitely have learned: the description says that this lense uses 82mm filters.  This is WRONG and I have two filters to return to attest to this.  The lense uses 77mm filters so please take note of this if you, like I did, try to order filters before getting the lense home and seeing the big 77mm on the side of it.
Love this lens! Nice range of zoom, and is very bright. The only con is that the zoom ring is a bit tight, but you get used to it.
Not a bad lens. Fairly well built, but I do occasionally have a touch of chatter when I manually focus. The autofocus is fast, and the lens is reasonably sharp. Like other Sigma EX lenses, it has a nice exterior finish, and it feels pretty solid. I originally got it for my 40D, and it works well there. When I added a 5D (Mk I) body, I noticed a little vignetting at the wide end, but that's not unexpected on a FF body.I've since gotten a Canon 24-105mm f/4L, and if I want to do more really wide angle stuff, I'd consider a prime. But for the money, and the convenience, this was a good starter wide angle zoom.
My impression is that from the resoution standpoint the lens is intended to be used at 17mm. This agrees with test results I found on the Web.According to these tests this lens has better distortion @17mm than Nikon or Tamron and compares to Canon(L) 17-35/2.8. And I in fact can see that barrel distortion @17mm is very small, at least when used on a cropped camera.Made a test shot with a sun in the corner. No flare, contrast is good. This surprised me a lot.Focus ring does allow precise manual focusing.Build is solid, but the cap is troublesome, but can be replaced by original Sony 77mm cap ($11).Resolution at 17mm: good in the center wide open. Edges are good 1 stop down. Extreme corners 17mm/f5.6 only. I was satisfied with architecture shots made with f/8 aperture. I used 12mpx body and I compare results to Sony 50/1.4 and 100/2.8M not a kit lens. That's why the rating is only 4.This is my first Sigma lens. I heard about varying quality of Sigma products, so I am considering myself lucky with this one.
Used it for normal viewing for more than 3 years and it still performs very well. The lens quality is good as expected from Nikon. Only complaints is the weight might not be suitable to kids. Hanging it around your neck for couple hours will be quite taxing on your neck. But heck,good quality lens suppose to be heavy anyway.Hope the device come with tripod adapter than it will perfect.
The quality of Japanese workmanship shows compare to others, even with a smaller aperture the contrast of the views and negligible color aberration are already worth the purchase, bur 25 years of warranty is awesome. I already lost 2 times the cover for the tripod adapter and replacements were sent to me with no problem and one of the eye guards went lose, I sent the binoculars to them and It was fixed and cleaned with no charge other than the shipment to them.It is also very light, that helps the health of your neck when hunting for comets like PANSTARRS.
Considering the $150 price this product seems to be an excellent value. I reserve 5 star ratings only for outstanding  superior itemsusually costing 10 times as much. After 2 weeks daily use birdwatching, I'm satisfied this item is as good or better than I hoped/expected them to be.Optics:  PROs: Excellent ClarityVery Bright - only superior ED type glass and coatings could make a significant improvement.Sharpness - Very Good to Excellent. Slight loss at upper & outside edges.Glass Quality - Very Good. Up sun flare is tolerable and diminished. No chromatic aberrations noticed yet.CONs: Depth of Field - Narrow.  To be expected at this price point and magnification.Slow Focusing - Stiff focus ring. Can probably be remedied simply.OVERALL: Very Good. At price paid, excellent!Note: At near Minimum Focal Distance I conclusively ID'd a Warbling Vireo in deep shadowed Cottonwood leaf cover.At 800+ yds 30 specks on a lake were easily ID'd as 4 mated pairs of Ruddy Ducks and their nearly grown broods. Even made out their blue bills. That, folks, is excellent resolution!Durability/ Utility: Fit and finish very good. Construction appears rugged and strong. A bit heavy (at 6'3" & 200 lbs, that's good!). If item performs in one year of regular field use (500 hours use) like near new I will rave praise and recommend these binoculars to anyone with champagne tastes and a beer budgetOverall Recommendation: Anyone on tight budget will be hard pressed to find better binoculars at $150 to $200.
It took a lot of research before deciding on this pair as a gift for my S.O. But I made the right choice and he adores them!He wanted something that would get good distance, zoom, and be something he could take hiking, so it had to be both light and durable. I chose these over compact ones so they would work with the iphone adapter (take photos through the binoculars!) They aren't too heavy, look really impressive, and deliver crisp detailed views from great distances away. We saw our family sitting on the beach from the top of the Assateague lighthouse! He likes the lens protectors that clip right onto the shoulder strap or come off and stay in the case. (It would be nice if the case had clips to attach a shoulder strap as well - it only has a belt loop) The collapsible eye-cups are great for if you are wearing glasses or not, and they are waterproof! I use Nikon camera gear so it was a good fit as well. Highly recommended!
I have purchased binoculars from other companies but they don't compare with these.  These are much stronger and easier to focus.  I highly recommend these if you're looking for a great pair of binoculars.
This binocular simply fell into my hand as though it were made for me personally. Love at first feel? Yes!I compared this binocular to several others in the same price range, here is what I found:Fit and finish: Nikon is easily the equal of any Vixen or Pentax or Olympus (I didn't try Canon).Feel: Nikon was by far the best.Optics: Nikon did something clever here. First of all, they gave this one a wider field of view than, for example, the Pentax PCF. Looking through the Pentax (and, by the way, I have a high regard for Pentax and *love* their Papilio series, but that is another binocular for a different purpose) after using the Nikon, the view seemed dimmer and claustrophobic. With the Nikon, you have that wonderful feeling of actually being "out there" in the field or in the sky with your object. And everything is so bright and sharp! The Nikon really excels in sharpness at the center.However, Nikon did another clever thing (and I checked a couple of pairs of these Nikon binos to see if this was true generally, and it was): at this price point you can't possibly have the whole field of view perfectly sharp. No binocular is perfectly sharp at the edges. Here is what Nikon did, best as I can tell: they put the sloppiest edges at the outside and top of the field of view. Wow! Think about it: if you had to compromise somewhere, you want to compromise AWAY from the center and bottom. Why? Because, the inside edge of the FOV of each barrel is where the object will be. And, most likely (especially for terrestrial viewing), the object or its environment will also be resting on or near the bottom (think of a bird in a tree or an animal on the ground) So, Nikon seems to have made sure that the bottoms and inside edge of the FOV was as sharp as possible, while allowing the far outside and top edges to be a little worse. Smart!There is some chromatic abberation, but that, too, is unavoidable at this price. Even some very high priced camera lenses (with only one barrel to worry about) have this. The CA is not at all objectionable. A little rim of faint purple at the edges of the FOV in high contrast situations.A very nice binocular. Not too heavy, not too big, very comfortable to use, excellent imagery, top-of-the-line sharpness-at-center, great construction. I expect to get a lifetime's enjoyment out of them.
We have a similar pair and love these too.  Originally we bought a telescoping set and didn't like them as we thought we would.  These are very comfortable and plenty strong for our use.
it is hard to go wrong with those binocular, the quality is there, without spending a small fortune, 12 power is the highest I can comfortably work with hand held, over that power and thing start to get a bit shaky without a tripod .pretty tough they can take a beating on the trail, I've dropped & banged them a couple time without any problems so far.  the optics are very clear, lifetime warranty, even if you break them, send them to Nikon for  new one for the price of shipping.
This is the first pair of really good binoculars we have every bought.  I can't believe how clear everything is.  They work easily and although a little heavy, not bad.  I would recommend these to anyone.
I bought these binoculars because they are waterproof and claim to be "All Terrain Binoculars", however neither is the case.  Nikon designed them to be tough enough for someone who uses them outside occasionally, but if you are truly adventurous then look elsewhere for your optics.  I ordered these binoculars 1/31/11, it is now 9/27/11 and they are failing miserably.  They claim to be fogproof.  They were for a while and then the right tube started fogging up on the inside all the time.  Now the left one has started to do the same thing.  They claim to be waterproof, and they are, but only for a very short amount of time.  They got rained on during an excursion I took 3 weeks ago and had water dripping out of the right side for about a week after.  Furthermore the metal parts have now started to corrode and even RUST!  Yes, rust.  All I can say now is that I'm glad these things have a 25 year warranty because they are going to need it.  I am not looking forward to the process of returning, waiting around, etc. but so it goes.  Shame on Nikon for making such a claim as "All terrain binocular"  when they are anything but.  Like I say, if you are someone who goes outside twice a year, then these may work for you, but if you are an outdoors person like myself then move along.
A very good set of reasonably priced binoculars. They are perfect for my use which is typically looking between 100 and 200 yards away. Rugged construction. I don't know a lot about optics so I may be influenced by my comparing them to my previous set of Bushnells...these are much better. The only fault I can find, and it's a minor one, is that the click stop, variable eye relief could be a little stiffer so it would hold the setting. Really not a big deal. No bells and whistles, just a good product from Nikon.
We have 3 or 4 low end binoculars that are hard for me to use and we wanted to get a high powered pair, so I did a lot of research here at Amazon, at some speciality websites and at the local store. I went pretty conservative with the type of binocular and there may be some that are a bit smaller/lighter or cheaper, but I now that I have these I am very happy. Very easy to adjust, easy to site and not at all hard to use, especially given the 12x power.Seller shipped promptly and were only about 5% higher than the best prices I could find for the model.
Note: Amazon is again combining reviews for Action Extreme models with 50mm objectives; 7x50, 10x50, 12x50, 16x50 etc.Note updated: Amazon has repeatedly separated and combined the reviews based on magnification since the original review!We already had theNikon Action 8x40which I think was acceptable quality for $60 but not good enough to recommend. I was somewhat disappointed by the Action Extreme 12x50 I bought for $145 when I wanted something waterproof and with more reach. Both the Action and Action Extreme have a lot of internal reflection that causes glare around the edges during daytime viewing and from bright objects at night like the moon. This is very noticeable and I wonder why so few these reviews mention it. The glare from a blue sky really intrudes into the lower half of your view while watching animals on the ground. Overall, the Action Extreme does outperform the Action model we have. Both have slightly softer images than I expected based on the reviews, but the Extreme model is sharper and has less pincushioning when scanning. Fortunately, neither pair has the slop and backlash during focusing that many other binoculars have. In fact, the focusing precision separates both Nikon models from the Vanguard Endeavor and Simmons models I later purchased and sent back. All of the non-Nikon brands I have tried have less precise focusing that tends to drift a bit after a few seconds. Since I tend to stare holes into the birds and other critters I am looking at, this is a big deal to me and why I prefer the Nikons. The Vanguard Endeavors did have a better quality image than my Nikons, but the fast focus on them was driving me crazy.I use these mostly for bird watching on our farm and they are good binoculars. Better coatings would make them excellent. The Action Extreme is noticeably more solidly built and rugged than the Action series we own, and more likely to survive being dropped.  Both models have objective lens covers that are guaranteed to be lost if you rely on the slots that are supposed to be used to attach them to the straps. The twist-up adjustable eye cups work much better for a glasses wearer like me and are far superior to the rubber cups that fold down on the Action model. Brightness was sufficient but not great, as these are not fully multi-coated so I didn't expect them to be tremendously bright, especially at 12x, but improved coatings would also enhance the brightness.The Nikon brand reputation was the deciding factor for me, but I suspect some of the waterproof Bushnell models would be close to these so you may want to compare them if you have a chance.  For about $100 more you can get the Nikon Monarch 5 series,Nikon 7578 MONARCH 5 12x42 Binocular (Black), which promises to be substantially better than these by now offering the ED glass and roof prism design if you prefer that to porro.Overall, I was just a little let down on the softer than expected image quality since the reviews on Amazon were mostly glowing. These are good quality and will meet most peoples needs, and I would still recommend them to friends (I would not recommend the basic Action model!). But if I was getting a pair today, I'd scrape together a few extra dollars and get the Monarch 5 instead.
At the time (2/2014) the only offers under this particular listing were "used" from Amazon Warehouse Deals. . .There was another listing for these binoculars that openly advertised the 25-year USA warranty I was expecting. . .This listing didn't mention warranty.At least one person had questioned what the difference between the two listings was.  Well. . .I bought mine "Like New" under this listing and when it arrived all the paperwork was included but I noticed it carried a 10-yr warranty for the Europe/Africa market that most likely is useless in the USA.  Those binoculars are gray market.  I wonder if all the inventory under this listing is similar. . .you might think twice about it.My only piddling peeve with the binoculars themselves is the provided case has no shoulder strap, nor even D-rings for adding my own strap.By the way, I called Nikon to investigate the warranty status of the binoculars I bought.  In our chat the CSR said Nikon's 25-year USA warranty on new binocular purchases was bumped up recently (Jan. 2014) to limited-lifetime and the No-Fault program was ended.  If true, perhaps there will be a period of transistion between the old and new warranties as existing inventory is depleted ?  Currently (2/2014) Amazon's Nikon binocular listings I've seen that address warranty mention a 25-year warranty.
Purchased these for my merchant marine husband. He wears glasses and uses them all the time at sea and on land. He has not found a better pair for the price! I would recommend this product to anyone needing binoculars!
I HAVE BEEN IN DIFFERENT PLACES, DIFFERENT WEATHER AND HEIGHTS AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD VIEW OF MY GOALS, DOLPHINS, WHALES IN NORTHERN PERU,'VE SEEN CONDORES IN Colca Canyon VERY CLEARLY, A BEAUTIFUL PRODUCT VERY GOOD INVESTMENT
I bought these Nikon 7x50 Extreme ATB binoculars from Amazon to replace a more expensive pair that were stolen out of my car. I couldn't be happier with these!hey are light and easy to focus, and the eyecups retract out of the way when you turn them which is great for me as I wear glasses or sunglasses most of the time. The images one sees are clear and crisp but more impressive than their clarity is their ability to present the subject that one is viewing in way that the image appears to be almost 3-D. They are water and fog proof which is a must for us, and the "rubberized" outer covering keeps them from sliding of the counter when the boat is heeling way over! I found them to be much lighter than my previous pair though they cost less than a third of what the others cost me some 20 years ago! I haven't found anything that I don't like about these glasses, "Thanks to both Nikon and Amazon for giving me way more than I expected for the money!"Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB Binocular
My second pair. I have used these binocs on whitetail,hogs,fallow deer,axis,black buck, and elk. These are as clear as any high dollar binocs on the market.I hunt from October till the end of Febuary, have a lot of time in the field, these are what I carry!!!!
Our last binoculars wound up falling in the pond, leaked water and were ruined.  They were 50 year old Sears technology.  There's a world of new technology with these new Nikons!
These have comfortable lenses, easy adjustments and a nice viewing width.I have had problems focusing with other binoculars in the past.  These work perfect for me.
I like these bino's. They work as they should. If I had one qualm, it would be that I should have gotten a pair with stronger magnification. But that's on me, not on the quality of the bino's. The reason I did pick the 7x magnification is because I read on a binocular website that the higher the magnification, the more any shaky movement is apparent when looking at an image, esp. when they get into the 15x range. These Bino's work as advertised, seem sturdy, and I look forward to many years of use. Oh, if you are looking to purchase a pair of bino's, you can't go wrong by choosing a pair from Nikon, Bushnell, Canon, or one of the other higher end manufacturers. Pay a little bit more for quality, it's worth it. Like we say in the tattoo industry, "Good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good." That saying pretty much works for every product. Peace.
This is the armored versions of the Nikon Action 7 X 50 binocular, so most of the comments you read about those will apply to these as well. I have owned these for several years now and I have enjoyed them immensely. The field of vision is good, but not fantastic. Clarity is unbelievable. But where they REALLY excel is in low light viewing (see chart above on main page). I can easily see things in the dark that my naked eye just can't grab, and I have excellent night vision. Amazing how much I miss without these.Why I say be sure that you need them is that you pay a fifty dollar premium over the Action 7 X 50. This buys you rubberized armor for bumps, water-proofing and fog-proofing. This also means you won't get condensation inside when going from hot to cold or visa-versa. If you get in and out of your car or house a lot, use binoculars outdoors in the mist or rain, or take them through brush, it's worth the extra money. If you look at things through your window or only in good weather, save your money and get the Action 7 X 50 or some other good binoculars.In choosing a Nikon binocular, refer to the chart above on the main page to see what suits your needs. I didn't like the 7 X 35's, but they get great reviews, (I'll review them on their own page), so make sure you try them out first if possible.
I have a lot of binoculars and these are among the finest.  Because they are 7X50, they MUST be large and heavy.  If you are going to carry them around for extended distance and don't need the light passing attributes, go for some 7X35's, which will be a lot easier to carry.  I have 7X35 (German lens) Leupold's which are the best binoculars I own and an 8X40 waterproof pair which are great.  I also have 8X40 Bushnell Audubon non-waterproof 8X40's which are nice but can't be used in the rain.  They all, with the exception of the Bushnell's, cost more than these NIKONS.  I was employed in a line of work that often required binoculars and they issued us junk, so I am picky, now in the extreme.  Cheap binoculars will give you actual headaches and be real hard on your eyes because they are not regulated (point to the same exact area).  Do not buy junky binoculars for anyone, even children or you will be sorry and out money for nothing.THESE BINOCULARS, FOR WHAT THEY ARE CAN'T BE BEATEN FOR VALUE.  I hope this helps you!
These binoculars are freakin awesome!If you are looking for high end binoculars these are them.  I bought them and recieved right before a recent hunting trip here in South Texas and WOW!  I just cant believe how clear and how much light is gathered by this product.I was using the binoculars to scout for deer and hogs just around dusk and was loosing light quick and when four deer showed up I could easily identify the animals features. When I transitioned to the rifle (with a bushnell scope that I like alot) I could not see the deer as well and therefore passed on the shot.  These binoculars outshined my scope by far and now I just purchased the Nikon Monarch 3-12 x 42 scope after being so impressed with these binoculars.I have also used these binoculars to observe deer in the field behind my house at night, yes I said it  - at night.  There is a little residual light from some street lamps and the deer are not visible by the naked eye except maybe a little dark spot. I take out the binos and WOW there were four deer about three hundred yards away eating some brush that I could not even see with the naked eye.BONUS -These binos also have a feature I have never experienced with binoculars before - The eye relief is actually best at about 1/2 inch away from the face.  That means if you are wearing shooting glasses or sunglasses you don't have to remove them to scan.OVERALL-GREAT PRODUCT / EXCELLENT CLARITY / AMAZING LIGHT GATHERING ABILITY / UNBELIEVABLE EYE RELIEFQUESTION NO MORE - IF YOU ARE READING THIS JUST BUY THEM
Purchased these in preparation for the 2014 Deer season in Georgia. Most of the hunting I do is from tree or tower type stands located in the woods or on the edges of meadows surrounded by woods.  Shot distance can range from 25 yards to over 250 yards, but the majority are 50 to 100 yards and in the low light conditions prevalent at dawn or dusk.  Temperatures can range from warm to  very cold and rain and snow are never out of the question.All that said, I needed a set of binoculars that focus quickly, work in low light conditions, are usable for both short and long range situations and are rugged enough to handle all the above listed conditions. Not only that but, they had to be user friendly in consideration of the fact that I wear eyeglasses...................and Oh, they needed to be pocketbook friendly as well !Extensive research pointed me to the Nikon Action 7X50 EX Extreme ATB Binoculars, which I then purchased from Amazon for $139.95.  While hunting season is still several months in the future, I have tested these in low light conditions in the areas that I hunt and I have come away VERY IMPRESSED!  They soak up all the light available in hunting situations, focus with ease and as a bonus have extraordinary eye relief (very important for a glasses wearer).  Certainly you can spend a whole lot more money if you are of a mind, but you will be missing the tremendous VALUE that these Nikons offer.Can't wait for hunting season!
Purchased these Binoculars almost two years ago, specifically for stargazing.  I can not believe how much light these binoculars gather.  For example, with the naked eye I may see a lone star in a given point in the night sky, but using these binoculars that same star is no longer alone but is surrounded by dozens of other stars.  Both at night and daytime, images are sharp, bright and well defined.
I've had these for almost a year and they have exceeded my expectations. The image is so sharp and crisp compared to "cheap" binoculars I've used. Only downside is that I quickly lost the end caps (while stargazing without a flashlight!), since they are not attached.
the eye pieces are supposed to have stop clicks so the relief does not shut down when you put them to your eyewell on line they say this is a know problem with these binocs----PLUS amazon had to take care of the because the vender had a ton of excuses whyy not to ship them back----they send a broken product then say if you send it back and it is in MINT WORKING CONDITION they will refund my money----what????? i am sending them back because they were shipped BROKENyou see who that works---simple they get to keep the non mint product--- you sent-they get to keep your money--- and they get to vharge you shipping both ways---pretty sweet for them---WARNING STAY CLEAR--maby you can find them somewhere else but they will all have that eye piece defect----i can say enough about this problem ---because they dont care and you end up with a bad taste in your mouth concerning amazon because it was their door where the transaction took place----AGAIN AMAZON HAS STEPED UP AND TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM, but i had to tell them this was the last time ---next time i get blantently used it would be the last time o spend money at amazon---and this was the last time i buy an item not sold by amazon themselves
It's not featherweight, but this binocular is fairly easy to hold up to your eyes for extended star-watching sessions. Does a great job of revealing deep-sky objects on a starry night, and it's also excellent for general, daytime use. Images are sharp and vivid with no distortion that I can see.
These are good, low priced binoculars. They came in a cheap, but solid case. I would not buy a case for these until you see the one that comes with them. For many people, this case will be good enough. These binoculars seem to be well made and have a good shock resistant coating on them. They have straps. They are about as heavy as you want binoculars to be without using a tripod.
On the recommendation of an experienced birder, I purchased a pair of Nikon 7x50 binoculars (model: 220637) when I was 18.  I used them for my USFS biological tech field work during the 80s and for birding.  The Nikon 7 x 50s large field of view and magnification make viewing wildlife a joy.  Their strong light gathering capability is great for star gazing and seeing the moons of Jupiter too.Fast forward thirty-three years.  Last month, I purchased the Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB Binoculars (model: 7239) and  lovingly retired my old pair of Nikons.  January birding on the Pacific Flyway and observing an active short-eared owl at dusk with my new binoculars were priceless.The  Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB Binoculars  are of exceptional quality at a great price.  They make tracking moving birds easy.  Observing bird plummage and  bird behavior becomes intimate with the crisp clear maginification .  Low-light performance is outstanding, and  I like their waterproof, fogproof, shockproof performance.
Purchased two of these and they both came fast and work great. I love the feel of them, if you compare them to ones thatare twice the price you'll see what I mean. The quality is there. I am trying to purchase more for the ship I'm on.
I'm not sure if this is a fundamental design problem or just a case of a manufacturing defect however the left twist up eyecup came off my pair while removing the cover after only a few weeks of ownership. I've probably used them less then a dozen times. I put the cup back on but I believe a small ball bearing fell out that makes them lock at various stages. I would use the warranty if these weren't so new.Its unfortunate because otherwise these are nice binoculars. They seem, other then the eyecups, very solidly built.
For the money these are great binos .  Nice case and neck strap  included and Nikons no hassle warranty .  image quality very good in low light .
I bought these as a gift for a &#34;hard to buy for&#34; person. He was thrilled with the clarity, range and ease of use.  Highly recommend these.
These binoculars were a surprise gift for my mom to bird watch, and she is thrilled with them!  They are actually a bit larger and heavier than she needed, but she is managing! :-)
This binocular can accumulate photons well, so it makes it a great option to look at the night sky, such as nebular, star clusters.. Of course, you can use it to watch birds as well... esp. watch birds early in the morning when it is still dark.
I bought this camera about six months ago (June 04) for $429.00 and have used it extensively both outdoors and indoors.I looked at many cameras in the $450 price range with similar features. The one thing that stood out on this camera was the 3.5" LCD display. It was so much easier to frame a scene with this than with the 2.5" display on competing models that I decided to buy the Samsung.I found it easy and comfortable to use; the electronic stablisation works very well; the battery life is fine for recording a single 60min tape. Playing back recordings on the LCD screen is a pleasure. The image looks great and the sound is clearly audible on the builtin speaker. I was initially very happy with my purchase.Imagine my disappointment then, when I got home and played back the recording on my TV - it was no better than my old analog Canon ES50. At first, I was sure I had hooked it up incorrectly. But alas no: I was correctly using the s-video connection.Not willing to lose faith, I then hooked it up to my PC using a 4-to-6 pin firewire cable (purchased separately). Well, the picure  looked fine in a small window but soon as I went full screen it was pretty grainy and pixalated. It's not even VGA quality.My number one reason for buying a DV camera was to get a sharper picture than with my analog camcorder. I'm afraid I made the wrong choice and, despite some nice features, I cannot recommend this camera because of the disappointing picture quality. Incidentally, I notice that the specifications page in the manual says nothing about lines of resolution and the size of the CCD (according to camcorderinfo.com it is 1/6").
Prescript - I'm much better than average using digital and film cameras, and the last time I played around with camcorders was back in the old full-size VHS days.  Needed one for some scene study work - so I headed off to the store to see what's available.  Played around with Sony, Canon, JVC, and Panasonic for comparison.  Really disliked the controls on most of the comparably priced brands.My priorities: should be near intuitive to use (preferably without looking at controls - 90% by feel is best for me) - don't particularly like touch-screens or play around with on-camera SFX, since I'd do most of that off-line anyway. Wanted better than SVHS quality and preferably digital to PC compatibility.The verdict - the SCD107 meets just about all the things I was looking for - doesn't have pass-through analog &#60;-&#62; digital, but you can convert using a 2-step playback -&#62; record DV -&#62; xfer to PC method (Sony had that mode available).  Light specs says it will only last for about 50 hours, which seems a bit short to me, but I don't plan on using it much (plus since it's a small one, it ends up looking like Blair Witch Project-type recordings of individuals.Sound is great - and even better when fed by a decent condenser mic (which I use normally).  I've had some interesting weirdness when popping various tapes in and out to check what's on them - sometimes it doesn't pick up the data stream immediately unless I fully rewind the tape first.  Don't know if that's common with other brands.Batteries charge quickly (less than 2 hrs. for the 2 hr. variety Li-Ion) - the extra Energizer brand one I picked up needed an extra strip of tape over the label that rides on top of the little button sensor that detects whether the battery is chargeable or not (the Energizer battery seems to have a little deeper recesses for it's labels on the backside).Very easy to manipulate the controls without looking at them - appear to be identical to the Sony 3CCD camcorder I was using the other day, so it was easy to switch back and forth without thinking about where the play/pause button is.  Zoom and detail is impressive, can read text and UPC labels 20 ft. away when zoomed in and playing back on a standard TV.Didn't come with a memory card, so I haven't shot any stills with it yet.  I'd imagine that's where others have liked the newer multi-use camcorders with built-in flash (but are usually several hundred dollars more expensive).Seems a little odd that the light on/off button is stuck on the inner panel that's only accessible when the LCD is pulled away. Didn't have any problem loading cassettes after noting others mentioning the unique loader (drop the cassette in, and press it into the carrier where there's a &#34;Press&#34; here label on the carrier frame. Then the whole thing motorizes itself back into the camcorder).I'm pleased with the whole deal - especially based upon the pricing.
There was a great review written up above that listed everything you really need to know (the first one that had a series of titles and then review).  But I belive they gave too many stars and was too positive about this cam.This is not a very user-friendly camcorder.  The MANUAL MUST be read over and over.  It has so many steps to just do one action that by the time you have re-read the manual and adjusted the camcorder the shot is over with.  Quality of pics and such was very poor once sent to the computer.  The large screen wasn't much good in lighted scenes.  I was forced to use the small lense to see what I was recording.I do not recommend this camcorder unless you are not picky about quality and have a photographic memory to remember how to work the camcorder.
The Samsung SCD107 offers average-to-good video quality in a flexible, feature-laden package. If you are looking at camcorders south of $400, read on. Good engineering and rational design tradeoffs make this more than the sum of what came out of the parts bin.PICTURE QUALITYYou can find better video quality (especially by paying a couple of hundred dollars more), but most people will find the picture satisfactory. If your research thus far has taken you deeply into the world of pixels, scan lines, VGA vs. XGA, and CCD numbers, this won't get on your short list on picture quality alone. That said, the camera works particularly well in low-light situations, and there is a "NITE PIX" feature for very low-light applications.The "Digital Image Stabilizer" feature doesn't do much - if you have shaky hands, you should try a tripod (usually not a bad idea anyway). There is no manual focus, though you probably won't miss this because the auto-focus works so well. The 20X zoom is plenty, and the 900X digital zoom is overkill - the limiting factor is resolution, so don't expect to see footprints on the moon.SCREENThe first thing comparison shoppers notice is that the 3.5-inch color TFT LCD screen is bigger than most in this price range. This helps you frame a shot, gauge picture quality, and review just-taken film, all advantages over tiny screens. It is bright, clear, and rotates through 270 degrees (not 210 as stated in the supplemental info above). The color LCD viewfinder reproduces on-screen info and is a useful way to conserve battery power in the field.EASE OF USEUsing the camera for the first time is fairly straightforward, even for the non-technical. The most commonly used controls are top-mounted (zoom, camera shutter control, NITE PIX feature on/off, slow shutter), where you would expect them. Other controls are located thumb-side or flush behind the LCD screen.Getting more than the basics from the camera requires a steeper learning curve, as you must navigate through acronym-rich menus and sub-menus. Even if you pride yourself on NEVER reading instruction manuals, a word to the wise: Pick up the manual. Open it. Read it. If you don't, you will miss some non-obvious functions and features you're paying for. This may seem worse than, say, stopping to ask for directions while driving, but tough it out.BATTERYThe lithium ion battery pack included gives you 90 minutes of continuous recording time with the fold-out LCD screen, or 120 minutes using the viewfinder. It takes two hours to charge. You might want a second one of these, or even the upgrade battery (SB-LS220), which goes 190 minutes with screen, 250 minutes with viewfinder, and takes 3 and a half hours to charge. A red LED on the camera blinks to let you know how charging is progressing (e.g. one blink/second means less than 50% charged; three blinks/second = 75%-90% charged), which is a nice touch.RECORDING MEDIAThere are two ways to record moving pictures: Onto Mini DV tapes (60 or 90 minutes on a DVM60), or onto a memory card (SD/MMC or Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO). Using the memory card in this way has huge limitations; you are better off just using the tapes and saving the memory card for still pictures.STILL PICTURESYou can use the SCD107 in still camera mode for casual snapshots, but it is not a replacement for a multi-megapixel digital camera. The 512MB SD ("Secure Digital") card I bought separately holds 2,997 stills in "super fine" mode and a truly absurd 9,000 in low-rez "normal" mode. Stick with super fine.AUDIO RECORDINGAudio recording quality is excellent through the built-in top-mounted stereo condenser microphone. Many built-in microphones pick up mechanical noise from the tape mechanism, but I didn't notice any, even in quiet settings. Use the money you might spend on an accessory microphone and get a tripod or a memory card instead.MISCThe remote control is useful, but much more directional than a typical TV remote. It won't work unless you aim it right at the camera - maybe it just likes to be seen in your group photos.CONCLUDING THOUGHTSIf you need the sharpest picture available, you should probably spend $200 more. There are necessarily tradeoffs at this price range. However, if you just want a well-rounded, feature-filled camera that is a pleasure to use, by all means consider the SCD107.
I love this camcorder.  First off, it's a great deal.  I did a lot of research and found this to be the best deal out of the lower cost camcorders.  The 107's brother (the 105) is also a good camcorder but the features of the 107 really puts it over the top.  The large LCD is great.  Playback is awesome on the huge screen.  The photo feature is nice to have but I would still use a digital camera in most cases.  It can also record MPEG4 with audio.  The low-light feature works great.  The audio is great and has an input for mics or music.  The analog input is great and pretty easy to use.  It's a good way to get old home videos on your computer without a capture card.  Also, despite other reviews, I think the picture looks pretty good.  One tip of advice is to only use the DIS when you have to.  If you leave it on that's when it's starts to look grainy.  I don't know what else to say.  Too many features to mention.  Great camera.  Would suggest to anyone.Pros:Large 3.5&quot; LCD for great playbackAnalog Input to save all those old videosGreat Night RecordingGreat AudioMicrophone/ Audio InputPicture looks more than fine for most peoplePhoto and Video recording on memory cardCons:Light isn't that brightVideo can look a little grainy but mainly when DIS is on
I bought this camera to replace our 7 year old VHS-C camcorder. It had most of the features that I was looking for: MiniDV, Optical zoom greater than 10x, batterly life greater than 1 hour, LCD geater than 2.5", built-in light, and memory card for digital pictures.I returned it for one main reason- video quality is equal to that of my current camcorder. It gets worse under certain circumstances. (Disabling DIS didn't improve the picture quality.)Every feature that was attractive to me turned out to be inadequate. Large LCD screen, but the image is not pleasing. Built-in video light barely lights closeby objects. No facility (shoe) to place external light or flash.Still images are another big disappointment. I realize that I shouldn't expect great still pictures from a camcorder, but I don't think they should come out this blurry, dull, and hazy.Memory card slot can accept various different media (SD, memory stick, etc.) - I think this is a very neat feature.I was amazed by Nite Pix feature. Yes, you can record video in absolute darkness, but the objects have to be within close proximity (6 feet or so).Fading option (between footages) is extremely disappointing. You have to keep the fade button pushed until the image fades out, then push the standby button, and then release the fade button. You have to do the same when you start recording again. Completely manual operation.We own many Samsung products and I am very satisfied with each one of them. This product is not going to change my opinion on Samsung.
My first venture into digital after a lifetime of Nikon SLRs. Very nice camera with a few drawbacks.  Still has the digital "buffer' lag which makes it useless for action photos. Built in flash is a joke so plan on using a speedlight. Control buttons along side the camera are easy to accidently press.However, very light, good optics.  Makes a great "travel" camera.
Good quality photos in outdoor lighting. Inside in low-light conditions I found them quite grainy unless I was standing very close to the suject. The worst problem was the shutter. It was WAY too slow! By the time the camera took the picture, what I was hoping to capture was gone. I got rid of the camera. It wasn't worth the hassle. I would have given this a 3 star rating, but this is a Nikon. Up until purchasing this camera I was a big fan of their cameras. What a disappointment!
I've had this camera for about one year have taken more than 10,000 photographs with it.  The reason I bought this camera was for the time lapse feature, what we'll do is take a picture every 30 seconds to one hour until your memory card is filled.  Or you stop it.  This feature alone is awesome.  Combine that with an eight megapixel sensor 8X optical zoom, and you have a bad boy camera.  One thing with the Nikon line is the metal bodies that just adds so much to the feel.One recommendation is if you get this camera or a similar one get the Nikon battery add-on pack MB-E5700.  It adds a better grip and feel to the camera.  So have complained about low light, autofocus this is only a problem, If you're shooting an auto all the time.  If you learn to control shutter speed and aperture you should have no problems in shooting in low light.Nothing really negative to say about the camera I'm going to keep it for awhile, since it does take such great photographs.  8X optical is awesome.
This camera is the best camera in its price range, hands down.I also have the 5700 (which is now my wife's camera), and this camera solves the several small issues I had with that model.First, the resolution.  At 8 megapixels, you can blow up the photos to an enourmous 20x30 inches.  If you are going to shoot photos at the full resolution though, I recommend getting the largest CF card you can afford...  Otherwise you will feel compelled to shoot at a lower resolution or crank up the compression, totally negating the benefit of having so many pixels.Second, the lens.  It has an excellent range for everyday shooting, and has the most incredible macro lens capability I have ever seen on a fixed lens photo.  I have taken pictures of small bugs buzzing around and landing on flowers, from about 2 inches away, and they come out beautifully.  My 5700 lens seemed to 'pincushin' the image a little bit, but I have not seen this with the 8700.Third, the size.  This is a nice compact camera.  I *also* have a Nikon D100 with several lenses, but for routine travel, I use this camera just because it is so convenient to carry around.Even though it is a 'fixed lens' camera, there are some add-ons for wide-angle and tele-photo...  If you think you would regret getting a fixed lens over an SLR, these options may satisfy the urge to get 'just a little closer' or 'just a little bigger'.In general, non-slr digital cameras have a slight delay between the clicking of the button and the snapping of the picture.  For nature/landscape and posed photography this isn't a big deal... but for action shots, you have to be a little 'predictive' with your shooting finger.  The 8700 is quicker than the 5700 in this regard.If I have one complaint about this camera, it is the photos it takes in low-light.  Low light photos are dim with low contrast, and the built-in flash does not look 'natural'.  I really haven't found a camera that does low-light well though, and in general built-in flashes are never that great, so I can't hold that against this camera more than any other.
I love my Nikon Coolpix 8700.  I have taken wonderful picture with this camera. But that is the great thing with digital film...DELETE and try again.  Please take several shots of the same subject to make sure you get the best one no matter what camera you use.I guess all digital cameras have taken plenty of crummy pictures as well as good ones.I won a photo contest using this camera and I was so happy.The battery life is short so buy several batteries, if you plan on using it alot.  An get a 512 on up Compact Flash card.. 8 MEGA PIXELS uses lots of space on your smaller meg cards.I find all digital cameras, including this one, can take poor night time shots. Not all the time, though.  I've taken some good night shots.You just have to practice with it.  I've taken wonderful shots of the moon when it is full with this.  You have to use night time landscape mode and a tripod.The LCD Screen pivots out and around so you can hold it up high over a croud or anything in the way like a camcorder. I love that.  However, the LCD screen is only 1.5 inches.The macro mode is just fine.  Keep back a bit from your subject.If too close, you subject blurs.  But again, I've taken wonderful macro shots with this camera.If you buy one, you will like it just fine.  Read your manual to get all you can from all the wonderful functions.As of March 15, 2011..THIS CAMERA IS STILL WORKING!  Don't use it but to see if it turns on.  One of Nikon's best products!!!I think I'll keep this camera forever!  I would hate to sell it!
Okay, I tested all the 8MP out there and so far this is the one I have to say is the best. It is a little bit harder to get used too, but believe me. Once you get the hang of it, there is no going wrong. I do recommend getting the fastest memory card there is. I am shooting &quot;raw images&quot; and the faster the card the faster you get the picture. It is a NIKON.
This is a wonderful camera, for me.  I don't know much about photography and admittedly don't understand all the bells and whistles it offers but it does work great on mostly automatic focus.  Only slght difficulties with a sort of slow shutter release requiring complete steadiness when shooting.
This camera produces photos that are just magnificent, I have been around photography for a long time, and I have never seen anything produce photos that come near this camera.Everyone I know is uhhhing and ahhhhhing, have given some prints to friends, they have had them framed and hung.  I am sort of pround of this, me and the Nikon 8700.I honestly feel that no photo lab using film could be this good.The camera out of the box in full auto mode, produces very acceptable photos, but to my eyes a bit overexposed, I never use this mode, usually in program or aperture preferred, and stop down between .3 to .7 stops, results, great.With all the good things nothing is perfect, I never track or shoot sports, so this is no problem to me.Whats annoyed me most is a the awful instruction manual, this coupled with multilayered and complex controls can be very frustrating, but after you use it for a while, its no big thing, but at the beginning, its a pain.Summing it all up, in my opinion, this is the finest camera I,ve ever owned
I've had a few digital cameras before this one, and I hated the quality of each and everyone of them.  I was a novice (still am very much an amateur, so don't expect technicalities in this review) I was drooling over a Rebel that I can't afford nor, do I know how to use yet when I came across this one.  I wanted a camera that took good crisp, clear shots, with good color.  I have a digital scrapbooking business and my camera is a HUGE part of my business, so macro shots had to be good too.  Plus, I scrap my own children's photos, using the fine setting on this camera, and they are perfect!I have to agree with the sports shots and knowing the sport before hand because of the lag time, and you have to have the button pressed half way down focusing before the action you want to shoot occurs.  Figured this out when my son does goal kicks in soccer or the other team is coming at him for a goal shot.  I have to have it focused and ready before he goes to grab the ball.I only use optical zoom and it is AWESOME.  I can be sitting across the field from him where he is playing and still get a clear shot of him, and you can't tell how far I was from him.  I was really impressed.The color, I love the color.  Like I said, I've had a few doozies for digital cameras, before I really learned what I was looking for in a camera, getting pictures that were either washed out without color or pictures that were almost yellow in color.  I love the color that I get with this.  My youngest daughter had the bluest eyes, and I would almost say this enhances the color of her eyes in a picture.I can say now that I am a Nikon woman and when I can upgrade, I'll be staying with this company.
Dont misunderstand, this is no dought a wonderful Camera, but I have to compare these Images to My Sony 5meg all the time and this camera is just not as easy and doesnt take photos of people as well. I have studied the Manual since day one, and have taken over a thousand pics...The Sony has Very rich fleshtones, Nikon is Blue, thats the only way I can describe it, I have to Import alot of the images into photoshop to get rid of the Blueish cast, probably my fault and need to study the book more but why should I have to?..The Sony has much better AUTO features, and way better focusing abilities...I bought this camera because of the power and size of the lens...It will fit through a chain link fence, where as the Sony will not, and I am constantly behind fences at sporting events, The Size of the Sony 8meg was just too big to throw into my pack, the Nikon is easier to carry and has an unbelievable lens range for a camera of this size...35-280 is the best of the bunch in the 8meg range...So..my humble opinion, if you want a compact 8meg...this camera is a good tool, just be ready to study and practice with it...If you want 8megs and an easy auto camera, with better focus and much better pictures of people then get the Sony8meg...This Nikon has frustrated me from day one and I am pretty good at photography...I own six digital cameras and this is my first Nikon...Nikon does have an incredible range of accesories for this camera and it is a keeper, I will just have to keep practicing with it and try to figure out why the Hue seems too blue for me...It takes incredible photos of landscapes and the outdoor shots are wonderfull, the lens range is worth keeping it alone...It is so much smaller than my Sony F717...8megs is better for printing 13x19 high quality...No pixelation with my Canon S9000...So...Nikon=serious tool and learning curve....Sony=Auto mode point and shoot with not much study/practice...I now own both so I know...If you aint gonna practice with the Nikon then Get the Sony 8meg or 5meg...Hope this is helpful...cause these are thousand dollar choices.
This is an excellent camera which takes photos as sharp as any 35mm slr.  Besides this camera, I have a Nikon N90s and N70 35mm camera bodies and assorted Nikon lenses for these cameras.  I also have a Pentax 6 X 7 medium format camera with three Pentax lenses.  I graduated from the Navy Schools of Photography in Pensacola and became an official Navy photograper.  Since that time (many moons ago!) I have kept up with the profession.  I purchased the Coolpix 8700 two months ago and have been VERY satisfied with the results I get!  The only imperfection I've noticed is that the lens has a moderate amount of what photographers call "barrel distortion" when used at the wider angle settings (straight lines curve very slightly away from center) The real down side... the shutter lag time is over one second from the time you press the shutter release button b4 the camera records the image.  Digital is not the way to go for any sports type photography where timing is critical unless you are prepared to spend over $4,000 dollars for a digital slr pro body. I have not had any problems with the bluish cast a previous reviewer mentioned.  Lens flare is all but non existant with the ED glass element Nikon uses in the lens.  I do notice a very slight color shift to magenta when I load photos from Nikonviewer (software which comes with this camera) to Photoshop.  When I print directly from Nikonviewer, OR print from Photoshop without changing the color balance, the colors are virtually perfect. I know that Nikon included a note with this camera which says to download the software update, which corrects color problems when converting raw files in nikonview.  So that may be the problem with the results mentioned in the previous review.  This camera feels good to hold.  Overall an excellent camera!!!
This is the coolest thing I have ever owned. It is my precious (haha). I found it online for $762, and it is worth every penny. Can be operated simply enough for a point-and-shooter in the default auto mode (remove lens cap, turn from &quot;off&quot; to &quot;on&quot;, aim, compose, fire). The high resolution captures incredible detail and the zoom range is amazing. Even without delving into the camera's vast array of creative controls, it produces images far superior to other cameras I have used. Complaints of complexity are ridiculous. This camera will serve you well if you never even bother to crack the manual.If I could think of a photographic ability this camera lacks, I would list it. Master its features over time, and have fun in the meantime.I recommend Lexar's 40x CF cards, as this baby generates pretty sizable files. Pick up an EH-53 AC Adapter as well (a whopping $17.99 here on Amazon--a steal!).My 35mm SLR is getting very lonely....
I had high expectations for the Coolpix 8700 being a Nikon product.  I have been very disappointed with this camera for thefollowing reasons:the owners manual is almost impossible tounderstand unless you are a rocket scientist.The viewfinder is very poor quality and most of the time i cannotsee clearly the subject i am trying to photograph.The time it takes to take a photograph is very slow and by the time the lens has opened and shut, the picture has changed.I took some side by side comparison photos with my little Kodak 3.1 mp Easyshare DX 4330 which is several years old and was much much less expensive than the Nikon Coolpix 8700,  there was no discernable difference in the quality of the pictures!I find all the buttons on the Nikon confusing, and like another reviewer said, by the time you remember which one to use it is too late.This is my first Nikon camera, but i plan on selling it and buying another camera from the Kodak Easyshare line.
I upgraded to a Coolpix 8700 from a old Kodak DX3500, now my kodak took wonderful pictures, and continued to amaze me. But after download the first pictures I took with this camera in their eye popping glory I was caught, hook, line, sinker.While this camera is perfect for an amateur aspiring professional it would probably be lacking to any real professional, and I plan to compliment it with a 35mm SLR.The learning curve on this camera can be quite high, with alot of features and buttons to learn, but after a few hours of playing I managed to get most of the features down. The button layout is also nicely placed, I find it easy to navigate the buttons by touch while using the view finder.But why talk when you can show! Here are some pictures I took the day I received this camera not 20 minutes after the battery finished charging! No special lighting, in fact it was overcast and raining and sorta dark the day these were taken. (...)Simply amazing! (...)
for a product manufactured almost ten years ago this camera still holds up in many respects.the availability of settings is impressive if not exactly easily accessible and the quality of pictures leave a bit to be desired compared to today's standards ... but at this point its a bargain and a high quality one at that.to some degree I can't help but wonder if it's my own inexperience that hurts the quality of the pictures I get, for certain I can say that fiddling with the settings has greatly improved the results. (this is well documented issue, especially the low ISO noise)as far as processing the pictures I would give as little of it to the camera and instead touch-up what I can on my PC because every function adds seconds to the lag-time between shots and is something to be expected.
I loved this camera from the moment it came out of the box.  I took it with me everywhere I went and treated it lovingly.  It gave me amazing shots.  Everything from macro, panoramic, motion, you name it - it delivered.  The reason why I am giving it 2 stars is because it died on me after about 3 years of use.  At first, the focus began to falter.  Quickly after that, the camera would simply not operate for longer than what it took me to get 2 pictures.  Initially I thought it was my batteries that were going bonkers (I always had 3 charged batteries with me).  I went and bought 2 more batteries from 2 different brands.  Charged them, and same problem.  The camera would turn on, show a fully charged battery icon, then it would not focus while taking photos, and after 1 or 2 attempts at capturing a shot, it would shot off saying "battery exhausted."  I still have the carcass of my sweet 8700.  I am staring at it as I type this and search for the next camera to take its place.  I really expected more years out of it.  But it was great while it lasted.
I have owned my Nikon 8700 for almost two years and have taken over 7000 photos.  It is a very good serious amateur's camera and might make a reasonable back-up for a professional phtotographer. The 8 megapixel resolution is enough for moderately sized prints, up to about 11 x 14, assuming no cropping.The zoom lens is reasonably fast and quite convenient.  Autofocus is normally pretty good, but as one approaches close-up shots with long focal length and moderate or low light, it fails quite regularly.  One can see it 'hunt' right through the perfect focus and choose something not even close.  Otherwise, the optics seem pretty good.  The viewfinder is bright, but it is really small. It will indicate whether the subject is in the frame, but it will give only a hint of what the final result will look like.  This puts it at a great disadvantage to real "through the lens" slr's.It will produce very sharp images under moderately favorable conditions.  There is  only a little barrel distortion and vignetting at short focal lengths, and virtually no chromatic aberration. The jpeg compression, comes in three flavors: basic, normal, and fine.  Basic is alright for small snapshot photos and shots of very smooth things, but it produces a lot of jpeg artifacts when trees are cast against the sky or other places where irregular edges contrast with the background. Fine mode has very little of this problem.  In-camera sharpening works reasonably well, though even the lowest level will produce banding artifacts in high contrast areas. These will typically be visible only during image editing, though.Color reproduction is generally quite good, but dark and midtone colors between blue and red - especially those between magenta and red - will often appear to be qualitatively very different in the photo from what they do to the eye.  It is something that can be repaired in Photoshop, but anyone without a really solid image-editing program will be tempted to throw the camera against the wall.  In other words - if you want this camera, you need to have an image editing program that allows adjustment of curves, and adjustment of hue and saturation for the six primary and secondary colors. My cheap Fujifilm 2800 is much more faithful with these reds.With eight different modes of operation including landscape, flowers, indoor portrait, fireworks, and panorama, the electronics offer a good variety of modes.  I use floral and landscape all the time, and they work quite well.  Floral mode offers five zones that you can use for focus and exposure metering, making this a really handy mode for all kinds of close work.Other modes are not quite as good.  I tried nightime landscape last night.  It was a full moon  - one of those 'bright as day' nights.  But the shutter did not stay open long enough to register any sort of an image, except for a ghostly dark gray image of some pure  white surfaces. Similarly, the flash manages to make everything look ugly.  This may not be a quality unique to this flash, but I would never use the flash except for cases of slight fill when the subject was 6-10 feet away. In its defense, there is a hot shoe and if I were not in the habit of using natural light for everything, I should have mastered this art by now.Most of the controls are intuitive and easy to use.  There is a bank of controls that naturally falls beneath the left hand when one is steadying the camera.  These include the jpeg adjustment, self timer, and the flash mode selector.  I have ruined many dozens of shots by accidently pressing one of these.  Almost every photo-shoot in moderate or low light finds me waiting for the self-timer. And I went a whole shoot doing "basic" mode when I intended "fine."The body is solid and it is mechanically quite sound. It fits the hands quite comfortably. Fit and finish are very soli.  After two years of moderate use, the camera seems none the worse for the wear. Even the decals are in mint condition  I have two batteries and a charger, and find that this is just barely enough. I also bought a 1 gigapixel card and would not reecommend anything less.I have owned three film SLR's and I could never recommend trading to this camera from a film SLR.  I have scanned a number of slides and am sure that this  camera produces an image, that is is better than one from a 35mm, but one quickly misses the control one is used to shooting manually with an SLR.  I bought this camera at the same time as a Pentax 6x7 medium format camera, and I find myself using this for almost everything because it is so much more convenient and portable.  And only in the case of images that would be over 20 inches on a side is the advantage of high resolution one that makes the Pentax a better choice.  For those serious about fine art landscapes and other photos with much detail, medium format film will still beat this camera or, probably any digital camera for detail.  But for less than poster-sized pictures under normal shooting conditions, it is hard to beat this camera.
The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is an upgrade of the 5700, using the same magnesium alloy chassis, with some significant changes. Of course, the biggest change is the the growth from 5 to 8 megapixels. On a practical level, this means that flawless 16x20 prints are now a reality for advanced amateur digital photo enthusiasts. I've heard a claim that 20x30&quot; prints can be made from 8 MP cameras, but I have yet to try that large a print.  Other changes are 1) A significantly better LCD that is both bigger and brighter, 2) A gorgeous viewfinder that is crisp and finely detailed (a real improvement here!), 3)Easier menus that ironically provide even more choices, 4) A focus assist light, 5) Optional composition assist lines that can be switched on and off, 6) A faster start-up time, and 7) A memo recording mode.A niggling omission that I've wished Nikon would incorporate into their high end Coolpix's is a 35mm style manual focus ring.  Why they don't do this I don't know, but can only suppose it's because the lens tube and elements are much more delicate than on a 35mm lens and they don't want people torquing on it.The camera company where I bought the 8700 (in Porland, Oregon) recommended the Coolpix 8700 over the Sony, the Konica/Minolta A2 and the upcoming Canon Powershot Pro 1. Part of the reason was the full line of accessories, like the eminently useful vertical grip/battery pack.  I recommend this and the filter adapter for anyone purchasing this camera.The Nikon Coolpix 8700 is a great upgrade to an already terrific camera.  Because I wanted to be able to print 16x20, I made the switch from the 5700.  The other enhancements also make it worthwhile, albeit expensive, to make the upgrade.
I haven't been as pleased by a camera in a long time.  The image quality is wonderful.I might note that it takes time to learn the camera controls.Although it is called a point and shoot, it exceeds that definition after becoming comfortable with it.  There is so much packed into the little body that one must know how to use and handle the controls and menus to get the prints that are desired.  Take your time, and you'll be delighted.Oh. The low light problem only exists in auto mode.Well, I ran into the apparently common problem of inserting the flash card incorrectly and breaking the camera.  This seems like a serious design flaw.
I upgraded from the Coolpix 5700 in order to take pix in low light situations, something the 5700 completely fails at. Surprise! This is a wholly new camera, though it shares the same body as the 5700. New firmware [ver. 1.2] means everything is much faster, battery life is longer, plus resolution is higher, LCD is brighter, etc. The AF assist light is wonderful, as is the close-up capability. Image quality and color is simply amazing! You'll need several batteries, a charger, and BIG Compact Flash cards [at least 512 meg].Every October 1st Nikon updates their line [the newest version is the Coolpix 8800 with even more zoom and also an image stabilizer], so the 8700 is a TERRIFIC buy now. I own three Nikon 35mm cameras, two Canons, a Pentax 6 x 7 mid-format, a Coolpix 5700 and the 8700. Soon I will own only the Pentax and the 8700; both are ENORMOUSLY capable cameras, with the Pentax yielding incredible color transparencies and the Nikon 8700 extraordinary prints.Like the 5700 the controls on the 8700 are multi-layered and a lot of study of the poorly-written manual is required, but study pays. The range of capabilities is stunning, but the menus are complex. There's little this tough, handy camera doesn't do extremely well. This is one TERRIFIC camera!
It is light weight, not that easy to use but still ok.It only supports CF memory card! No SD/XD...in these days...how can a digital camera does not support SD/XD?
I originally purchased this camera based on rave reviews in Consumer Reports, and have not been disappointed. It is amazingly easy to use, but has many advanced features - many of which I have yet to touch. I've logged about 2,000 photos with this unit. I rarely run out of space on the SD card. The only quirks is that you can sometimes get it into a weird mode, then have to review the manual to figure out how to back out of it. Not very intuitive, but then a cameras feature set is not like writing software. I recommend a small camera pack and extra battery so you can swap out when needed. The tele lens is unreal, I have taken long range photos by just hand-holding the camera that came out pretty nice. For really long shots, use a tripod. The telephoto lens goes into digital mode when zoomed all the way out. I was in Disneyland taking a photo of some guy on the Matterhorn and was able to get an unreal closeup that came out crisp. Even zoomed back to normal the camera collects a huge amount of data that you won't realize until you copy it to your computer.
This is Nikon's upgrade from the excellent Coolpix 5700, and it is a truly excellent piece of engineering.  If I were in the market for a digital SLR with a fixed-lens, this would easily be my choice.  Cameras such as this one illustrate convincingly that film is all but dead for serious photographers.  This camera's 8 megapixel resolution will produce stunning images that the user can view at once, without the hassle of the processing lab.The 8X optical zoom lens on this camera seems excellent both for portrait shots, landscapes, and nature shots, and only professionals or very serious amateurs will miss the ability to switch between lenses.  The pictures I took were sharp and bright.  Make no mistake, this camera produces excellent images.Finally, Nikon put an AF-assist on a prosumer-grade camera.  This is a significant improvement over the excellent Coolpix 5700, the predecessor to this camera.  The buffer is bigger too, allowing the user to take more shots before the camera has to write to the CF card.With this camera, the photographer can take a large number of digital photographs, upload to one's personal computer, and either print out pro-grade prints with an inexpensive printer (OK, the ink cartridges aren't that cheap but the printers are) or email the photos to any of several processing labs, who will mail you your prints in a day or so.  Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way, and take your images to a processing lab and download the images there for printing, similar to dropping off a roll of film in the old days.  You can do this AFTER you pick only the pix you want to keep--one of digital's many and major advantages over film.  Further, Nikon's Capture 4 program, or Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements gives us a &quot;digital darkroom&quot; that is more powerful than what pros can do in a $20,000 chemical film darkroom.  With just a moderately powerful personal computer.  The digital darkroom has truly arrived.Ergonomically, I really like the size and layout of this camera.  It is significantly smaller than the interchangeable-lens SLRs, although this is no pocket camera.  It has a wonderful quality feel to it--the user knows immediately that this is a world-class precision instrument.  I found the camera to be a joy to handle and use.  The pictures are commensurate.The main issue with this camera is one of choice and preference: do you spend the money for this camera, with its excellent fixed zoom lens, or do you opt for a full SLR digital camera such as Nikon's D70, D100, or other comparable cameras that allow one to use the full line of autofocus lenses.  This camera costs almost as much as these semi-professional grade SLRs, so the buyer should think about this before buying.This is an excellent upgrade over the superb Coolpix 5700 and users will enjoy taking excellent images with this precision instrument.
As a one time semi-pro photographer, I wanted to get into digital photography from a "real" standpoint. While there are many good camera brands, you just don't go wrong with Nikon. I wanted a camera that looked and felt like a real camera. This is not our first digital camera, I gave my girlfriend a nice Fuji Finepix for Christmas. For an accomplished long time 35mm guy it was strange looking at an LCD Screen to set up your shot. On the Nikon, push a button and the LCD information shows in the eyepiece viewfinder with a diopter adjustment like a true 35mm SLR.The LCD screen rotates and swivels so you can take shots and see them from armslength distance. Picture holding the camera above your head to get a shot and rotating the LCD so you can see and set up the shot. I wanted to be able to manually take photographs and still take "point and shoot pix". I am still reading the owners manual and learning many of the fine points of operation. So far I really like this camera, within 5 minutes out of the box, I was taking pictures, and the nice thing about digital is you don't have to keep the bad shots. I am confident that this is goinng to be a great camera for my needs
Hey all this is your die hard Sony lover SinMin here...Well I can't lie I broke down and bought the 8700 on a whim, to be honest it looked like a really cool little camera (which it is) and the shots I took at work ( if your new as a second job I sell cameras) were pretty good considering conditions.First thing you notice about this little powerhouse is it is set up completely different from its counterparts of the same class, wich brings me to one of the  reasons I gave it only 4 stars, this is a tough camera to use, by way of navigating the menus. Even a seasoned pro can easily find themselves lost! Even going thru the manual it will take you awhile to get a feel for the 8700 but once you do I can tell you the results are impressive!To start in a strange place the first thing I noticed is that compared to my beloved Sony F-828 the 8700 has much less ISO noise at 100 or 200, but it gets rather hairy at 400, however the pic's seemed to clean up better with the Nikon. Next that nice Nikon 8X zoom lens is sweet, it ain't a Ziess for sure but it is one of the better lenses I've used. Probably the biggest thing I love about this camera are the features. One thing I am always weary of (even on Sonys) are the so called scene modes, on the 8700 however they are deadbang on the money. I shot an incredible series of sunsets with the 8700's "sunset mode" and I swear the colors almost exploded out of the camera! And the "panorama mode" is too cool beyond words giving you the ability to create panoramic shots that are a full 360 degrees, and are all put together seamlessly with the included software! But the single reason why I initally bought the camera was for the "bulb" function. That is  a setting which will allow you to to create long exsposures ranging from 30 seconds to an eternal 10 minutes!! WOW! I do alot of slow shutter photography so this feature alone made the 8700 a must try. Now- there are a few other things that kept me from giving the 8700 5 stars, such as the placement of the zoom and power controls, more than once right after I got it I went to zoom in on something and I shut the damn thing off!! The controls and thier placement in general turned me off, however if your stubborn (and I am) you'll get used to them, and fall in love with this camera depite everything. Again controls aside, once you can navagate the menus and buttons this is a powerhouse of a picture taker! If not for the things I mentioned picture and color wise I rate it almost as high as the F-828, the Sony squeaks ahead by just a hair (Love that 4 color CCD!) other than that it is a camera I would strongly reccomend, but only to someone with prior digital camera experience and a basic working knowledge of photgraphy. This is by no means a point and shoot camera, but if your a greenhorn and presistant this could be your baby. As for the battery Its not bad but it ain't great. If you gonna use that "blulb function at any length you better plug in the camera! The battery life is around 120-145 minutes to sony's 220-240. And the AC adapter is an extra you have to buy (BOO Nikon) A funny thing with this camera is the lens hood (another extra you'll have to buy) I believe in lens hoods but this thing is HUGE!!! I swear I laughed out loud when it ariived, but hey it works fine (even though it looks funny) and it makes a kickin stand for the camera in down time! The last thing and I could have overlooked everything else, my pet peeve about 8700 is the flash. While the flash works fine it is annoying beyond words! This is due to the fact that the AF light/sensor is located right next to it, so when you need AF but no flash the stupid thing pops up anyway! ARRRRRRRRGH!! The only way around it is to make sure the flash is set to off before you make your shot. When I bought the 8700 I also got a great deal on its succesor the 8800, I bought both and figured I'd return the one I liked least...I kept both! The 8700 is a tricky tempramental little power house, if you give yourself the time to feel it out you will love it but like my baby the 828 the 8700 will make you work for those good shots, and bleed for the great ones. Check out the 8800 (and my review) I also reccomend the Sony F-828 and even though it has far less zoom ability the Sony DSC-V3. The 8700 is compact but can hold its own with the best of them! Could this be love!? Happy shooting and thanks for reading!
The camera is very well designed.  It has 3x optical zoom and 6x digital zoom for a total zoom of 18x, the largest zoom I have seen on a camera in this price range.  The 16 MB of internal memory is pretty good but I would recommend getting some sort of memory expansion.  The controls take a little getting used to but once you do they're great.  This camera is a great value for the price.  The only problem is that it'll make the red colors glow brightly in the pictures at the expense of all others.
I just read all the reviews on this model and was a little confused as the negativity of many of them does not correspond with the item I purchased.  I know that the camera I bought has been easy to use and has produced quality pictures.  I can conceed that many of the nighttime shots I've taken have produced "red eyes" in many of the people in them, but other than that, I have no complaints.  Furthermore, I've had few cameras in my life where this did not happen at one time or another.  The price was excellent, and frankly, although there are undoubtedly far better cameras out there, if the cost had been higher I would not have purchased a camera at all.  The software is easy to use and the rechargeable batteries are preferrable to the ones I bought from Kodak for my old 2 pixel cam.  Those batteries often died after a set of pictures had been taken.  Overall, I'm getting decent pictures from this serviceable model and it's worth the money I spent.
Don't buy this camera. I've had multiple problems and customer sevice is not good.
I have had this camera for a while now and I have to say it takes excellent pictures and is easy to use.  I am really suprised that it was given negative reviews.  I rarely write reviews, but felt that people were definately being unfair in this case.  I would recommend this camera to anyone (and have on several occasions).The only thing that I would have liked is better quality and audio in video mode - but I don't think that you will find this much in most cameras in this price range.This camera is a great value.  That being said, I think that the Kodak Easy Share 753(5.0 MP) is even better if you can find it for a similar price.
This camera takes excellent pictures, and the LCD screen to view them is also excellent with its crystal clear display!  I find the on screen menu and options to be very helpful, and the one touch flash is pretty neat too, no seperate option it is on the same button as the snap button.The one problem I run into with this camera because the lense moves in and out it tends to use a ton of juice right away and when it goes in standby to deploy the lense.  Other than quickly going through batteries (and they are rechargable) this camera is makes great pictures, and hold a ton too!  I have yet to use the video mode, but that is why I have a camcorder isn't it?
Easy to use. 3X optical zoom. Only needs about 3 seconds before you can take another picture. Lots of options. The only thing I didn't like is that there is no sound with the movie mode. Good starter camera for the price, or spare for an intermediate.
I am an experienced digital camera user, this being my 4th camera following a 1.3mp Olympus (used the thankfully obsolete Smart Media format) 3.2mp Minolta Z-1 and 8mp Minolta A2.  I chose the Pentax as a back up to the A2, as the Z-1 was too bulky to serve as a secondary camera while traveling.  It also used SD cards and AA rechargeables, which I have a bunch of.Picture resolution is outstanding, and I have found no major problems with either the autofocus or exposure systems.  Picture quality is actually quite close to the Z-1.  Using a 1gb SD card, you have about 500 shots available at the highest resolution settings, more than enough to keep anyone busy.  This set-up, with a spare set of AA rechargeables (get the 2500 ones) was quite comfortable in a small case on my belt, serving as the back up to my A2.This camera is also a good choice for back packers, as it is very light and batteries last quite long, limiting the need to carry too many spares.  If you get rechargeable lithium CR-V3s, they are actually lighter and last even longer.  Alas, this quality caused the loss of this dear little camera, as my girlfriend cast her eye on it and it ended up in her backpack.  To make her feel better about it (like I really needed to) I took her Sony DSC-P1 in exchange as my new spare...a real brick compared to the Pentax, and uses proprietary batteries which I hate.  Yes yes yes, I know the Minolta A2 uses a proprietary battery, but it is sooooo good that I bit the bullet.Another viable alternative to this unit is the new Canon A510, which I may get.  Uses AAs and SD cards too, and also takes great pics.  The Sony will likely end up on Ebay.  I hate Memory Sticks too.  Slow and expensive.Bottom line, the Pentax is quite good, and the optics in my opinion are comparable to similar models from Canon and Nikon, and better than Olympus.
I brought this camera because I was looking for super lightweight camera for my hiking and biking needs. I wasn't disappointed in that aspect. This camera is small and light and super easy to used. In fact, if you were looking for one digital camera to introduced one of your older relatives who can't tell the difference between a RAM and ROM, this camera is it.The camera's 3.2 megapixal is more then enough for most people who don't need poster size photo print out. For 4x6 size, this is a perfect camera. Its uses a SD card, the quality of the photos proves to be quite good and as I discovered, it appears to be a quality camera. The battery life proves to be pretty good and its a camera you can easy jump in and used its options without looking too closely to the instruction book. It only major weakness seem to be that its delay time between the pushing of the shutter and when the picture is taken seem to be little long. It slightly slow. You just have to adjust and adapt to time it right. I also wished this camera came with a remote like many of the Pentax film cameras got.This camera will served most people quite well as back up camera or if you are just beginning, a perfect introduction to digital photography. I used for hiking and biking. Although its not waterproof or anything, it serves just well as long as you don't take it swimming!
Hi Folks, I bought two of these cameras and gave one to the spouse.  Have been using them for about 4 months, taking several thousand photos.  I have extensive experience with amateur-grade film and digital cameras.When I shop for cameras, I don't get hung up on a brand.  I don't care what my camera says on the front of it.  I look for specific features that make ME happy.My requirements for this purchase were, in order:  (1) AA Batteries, (2) picture quality, and (3) small size...'cuz big cameras just don't get used by the majority of their owners.  The AA requirement cuts you down to a handful of cameras.  I don't care, I use my cameras a lot and I don't want to buy expensive proprietary batteries.  And when I ditch a camera in a couple of years, I don't want to start over with the battery-go-round.  I keep eight AA's charged all the time.Pros:  100% reliable so far, excellent picture quality, good battery life with NImH, sharp lens, small pocketable package, wide range of options and pre-programmed modes, smooth controls, intuitive menus, seems well-built and sturdy, decent to beautiful flash results, 3 MP is fine for just about anything, EXCELLENT macro mode, remembers all settings during battery changes, lots of information in the LCD display, learning curve about 2 hours for full mastery if you're familiar with cameras and know what to look for.  My wife, intensely allergic to anything more complex than point/click cameras, took about 100 pics before getting completely up to speed.  But she now has much more control than she had with her old point-and-shoot film camera.  And, she RAVES about the Macro Mode, which really is fabulous.  This camera is truly an incredible bargain, and a little shopping around saved me about 25% off the standard "discounted" price, with free shipping to boot!Cons:  I have to consider the price in compiling my "Con" list.  I don't expect a sub-150-dollar camera to perform like an expensive one.  However, the display washes out badly in sunlight; adjustments using the LCD absolutely require that you provide some shadow.  For that I downgrade this camera to 4 Stars because it's not perfect.  Otherwise, no sound in movie mode, and those are all the gripes I have.All in all, wonderfully pleased with these cameras.
This review is likely to be a little different, as I'm stepping down from a full-featured SLR-like digital camera to the compact Optio 30.My primary reason for buying the camera was to have a second, small portable camera I could keep in my jacket pocket at all times so I could take pictures of sunsets and various scenes at the spur of the moment.My first impression of the Optio 30 is that it's a little chunkier than I thought it would be.  Although the lens retracts into the camera, it's actually quite chunky.  However, the camera is fairly light.When I received the camera, it had no 16mb SD memory card included, which didn't bother me because I already have a 128mb and a 512mb ordered on the way.  It holds about 60 images on a 128mb card at the largest photo size and fine resolution.  Downloaded images average about 1.1mb per image, which is fairly normal for a 3 megapixel camera.It took me a little digging around in the manual to get the SD memory card formatted, which is interesting because I'd already been using it for other purposes.  Then I initalized the time and date which seemed easy enough.I found that a 128mb card hold about 60 images at the highest quality setting. Certainly a 256mb card or larger would make more sense for this camera.The zoom mechanism is fairly noisy and somewhat imprecise. I guess the idea is you get a rough idea of the zoom and crop on your PC later.The eyeview finder is small and somewhat like looking through a tunnel (reminds me of Nikons! lol!)  Focusing on a close object within a few feet results in parallax error, which is to say your framing will be fairly off.  Better to use the LCD for close photo framing.The LCD is bright and very colorful.  It is very easy to frame and use the LCD.  Perhaps the name of the game is to use the LCD for framing with this camera, as the eye finder doesn't buy you much accuracy unless the shots are somewhat distance.The flash is somewhat weak and adds a strange color balance problem.  However it is usable.  I would tend to shoot without the flash, or simply use it on a sunny day as a fill flash.The menu system has an easy menu version and a more complicated one.  The more complicated one leaves me wondering how often I would want to dig through the menus to activate some of the features of this camera.  Probably intended to be used largerly as a point and shooter.The image quality is very good.  The camera does not do well in low light situations, but under normal or sunny lighting it performs quite well.  The photos are well saturated, good color, and the autofocus seems to work well.  Mind you, it's not the result you'd get from a far more expensive camera.The free software ACDsee and a few others have little interest for me as I have far better photo software already loaded on my machine.  Some might find the software useful.All in all, within it's limitations, its an okay camera. I would not recommend it as a vacation workhorse, but better as an occasional happy snapper.I will keep it in my jacket to catch the odd photo.  I'm not sure I would use it extensively on vacation. We'll see.UPDATE - I have now owned this camera for two years - and yes - I use it on vacations!  It's a great little camera if you can get it second hand.  I've taken some really interesting photos with it.  The best feature is that it fits in my pocket as I walk about.  I have since put a 2gb card which gives me the capacity to take 956 photos!  I have since bought a CR-V3 rechargeable battery for it (about $14) and it lasts for 300-400 photos.  I take two rechargeable CR-V3's on vacation and I'm good for nearly 1000 photos!  Photo quality is very good (not mind blowing) - but still if  you can buy one of these used or already have one - keep it!
This worked fine at first as long as the batteries was new. Then after 20 pictures taken It reads Battery Delete? What the Problem? It impossible to keep new fresh batteries in a camera all the time. I can't take it any where unless I have a pack ofnew fresh batteries on hand at lest ten of them to start with. Now I just can't use it. Don't buy this unless you get a 90 day warranty. Dennis 560 in West Philly.
I bought the Optio S and quickly returned it as I was really disappointed by the photo quality. But I loved the features so I thought I'd give Pentax one more shot (pardon the pun). The Optio S40 really fits the bill for what I wanted; a compact digital camera that I can carry with me when my Minolta A1 is to cumbersome that would produce reasonably nice prints. The S40 can be a little picky at full telephoto but otherwise it seems to perform very well and quick too. I'm sure once I learn about this model's capabilities I will be even more pleased with my purchase. At $100 bucks less than Canon's S410, it's a real bargain. By the way, if you are comparing this model to the Minolta Xg, don't bother. The Xg was an even bigger disappointment that the Optio S. Happy Shooting!
I was given this camera as a gift and it has been a really reliable camera.  It takes very good pictures and has functions that are helpful.  It takes pretty good movies as well.  The fact that it uses SD memory cards is good being that SD memory is cheap.  I bought aKingston 1GB SecureDigital Flash Card ( SD/1GB ) (Retail Package)and that has worked very well.  It is actually a very versatile camera too.  I've had it in Iraq with me for 10 months, taken hundreds of pictures with it, dropped it, sat on it, let it ride all over the place in a duffle bag, and spill soda on it, and it still works as good as the day I got it.  It is fairly small, so it fits in a pocket or in a cupholder great.  It takes AA batteries which I was kind of skeptical about at first, but I bought someEnergizer AA Lithium Photo Battery - 4-pk.and they have worked very well.  The first set of those batteries lasted me 4 months before they needed replacing.  The zoom works well except if you are trying to zoom in on something really far away (100 ft or more).  The only complaint that I have with this camera is that it is slow booting up and lags in between taking pictures.  It's a little slow, but dependable with good quality overall.
Most important, and most obvious fact, is that the Pentax Optio S40 is not at all a current item.  It's ready to retire.  When making a purchase, be sure to heed the four stages in the lifespan of a digital camera: New... reaching its prime... over the hill... and finally (for the Pentax Optio S40)... ready to retire. As such, the going price for an operating Pentax Optio S40 camera is now about $ 5.00, at a yard sale, or flea market  -and that usually includes a handy SD card left in there by the previous owner.And my entire review is based on this item as a $ 5.00 camera.  And, for those who take their photography seriously, even $ 5.00 is just false economy.But, back to the title of this review, and in all fairness, most digital cameras are not NiMH rechargeable battery-friendly. The Pentax Optio S40 camera will shut down when the NiMH rechargeable batteries discharge down to 1.30 volts. Whereas other brands of digital cameras may continue to take photos below 1.30 volts, only for the hapless photographer to later discover, back on their home computer, that those "below 1.30 volt" jpeg files are often corrupt. The 1.30 volt cut-off is simply an indication of an effort by Pentax to set higher quality standards.But to keep life simple, and permanently solve the problem, use a CR-V3 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which delivers 3+ volts. A single battery, cleverly molded to fit snugly into the two-battery compartment, the lithium-ion chemistry is claimed to hold its charge for up to a year. In fact, I also use this handy, yet economical set of two CR-V3 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries + wall charger + 12VDC auto plug: 2 Lithium-Ion Battery&Charger; for Kodak CR-V3 CRV3 Advertised as a 4.2 Watt-hour battery, which translates to about a 1.4 Amp-hour (=1400mAh) capacity, it charges up to a good 3.28 volts. And the rechargeable lithium-ion chemistry will hold a full charge for months, and has a life expectancy of about 600 cycles, more than making up for its lower storage capacity. Unfortunately, many twin-AA 3 volt digital cameras and electronic devices are designed not to accept this unique type of battery.Another common issue with this camera is that the Pentax Optio S40 never did take hand-held indoor ambient light (no flash) photos well, unless there the room was exceptionally bright. At least a monopod mount is required for most indoor, quality ambient light photography.Tied in to the above issue is the issue of focus:  If, after a couple of seconds, automatic focus fails to lock-in to the subject, one has to remember to quickly select the manual focus (MF) mode, which works quite well  -but only for still shots.  Again, at least a monopod mount is a minimum requirement, as even outdoor shots can be unnervingly out of focus, and not obvious until later viewed on a home computer.Yet another issue with this camera is the time required to shoot and process each photo:  I usually shoot 640x480 (0.31MP) photos, for ease of emailing, posting to the web, etc.. But a 2304x1728 (4.0MP) will take about 8-10 seconds to process, an unnervingly long time when waiting to take the next shot.But back again to those who really prefer to use NiMH rechargeable batteries:With freshly charged (1.45 volts) 2500mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries installed in the Pentax Optio S40 camera I am able to take about thirty 640x480 pixel photos (half of them with the flash), plus a 30-second video.That's right on par with 1.5 volt AA disposable alkaline batteries (which are so toxic in the landfills, I feel should be illegal). Just be sure to use a high grade NiMH-specific charger for all of your NiMH batteries: For 30 minute quick charges I use a RadioShack Model 23-1305 charger that individually monitors and effectively charges an ecclectic mix of up to four AA or AAA batteries, of differing brand names and mAh capacities. For overnight charging, as well as rejuvenating tired old NiMH batteries, I use a C.Crane KC-983 charger that individually monitors and effectively charges a matched set of up to four AAA, AA, C or D batteries, of the same brand name and same mAh capacity.But most NiMH rechargeable batteries on the market self-discharge, some as much as 10% per day. And when the NiMH batteries drop to 1.30 volts, that annoying "Depleted battery" screen message appears and the camera shuts down. This means that NiMH batteries will self-discharge in the camera to a "Depleted battery" condition within 24-48 hours. I've even tried out some of those new "slow discharge" NiMH batteries that promise to hold their charge "... four times as long..."  -which simply means that your NiMH powered device will always be in a discharged state every time you really need it.But I have had decent results with the Energizer AA 4x NiMH 2300mAh battery, but unfortunately was unable to find an exact Amazon.com product to link to from here, since I picked up a 4-pack of these at a local Home Depot store. Straight out of the charger, the surface charge of 1.43 volts per battery self-discharges to 1.40 volts by the next day, but stabilizes and continues to self-discharge at a much slower rate until, about 30 days later, both batteries are self-discharged down to 1.30 volts each.And also, there's an occasional quirk with this camera, as another reviewer also pointed out: There is a capacitor in the internal circuit that can be degraded with long term low voltage battery use. This means that, occasionally, even with a freshly charged pair of NiMH batteries, that irritating "Depleted battery" screen message may appear. But a quick fix, as the same reviewer pointed out, is to load a pair of 1.5 volt AA disposable alkaline batteries, turn the camera on, and then after it boots up, turn the camera off. This will recharge that capacitor and allow NiMH batteries to be used again. As mentioned, this is only an occasional issue. What I prefer to do is run a rechargeable 3.6 volt lithium-ion battery (650mAh) into the external 3 volt DC jack (standard "A" plug, 2.35mm O.D., 0.7mm I.D., negative ground: positive tip, negative barrel) to jump-start the problematic on-board capacitor (plug in, turn on camera, allow camera to completely boot up, turn off camera, unplug). I will then be able to use NiMH batteries again. A good habit is to give the camera a quick 3.6 volt lithium-ion shot into the external 3 volt DC jack, before loading up a freshly charged pair of NiMH batteries.Yet another reviewer pointed out a valuable trick that I'd like to reprint, just so it doesn't escape anyone's notice:An undocumented "reset" for the camera:From the OFF state, press and hold MENU as you press then the POWER button.Final Notes:The reason I put up with this camera is that it does the job. With up to a 12x optical-digital zoom, full VHS (320x240, 30 fps, with audio) avi-file movie capability, and many other settings, it will do most of what I need it to do. And when set in Auto Select mode (aka: Smiley Face mode), I can let others use the camera  -and with acceptable results.And another good reason for using an old, somewhat obsolete digital camera is that I am willing to subject such a device to extreme punishment, take risks in damaging, losing, sometimes having my camera stolen.
I wanted a good quality camera with a zoom lens I could keep in my back pocket. The depth and clarity of the photos are truely unbelievable for such a small camera. I found that natural light is always better than the light from the flash. Also, don't expect a super-high powered zoom lens, this lens is perfect for cropping subjects a little closer. I use the movie feature often, it is perfect for making internet ready movie clips. I just plug into my powerbook laptop and without clicking anything the files mount onto my desktop.
This is a nice camera and it takes great pictures! I have had it for over a year. I don't know what these other people are talking about. The pictures are beautiful! i just wish the batteries would last longer.This was my first digital camera.I think I am going to get a 10 MP so i can get a better zoom. I also would have liked a bigger LCD screen.UPDATE:I just found out that you have to buy special batteries for this camera-not AA batteries but CRV batteries. NOW THIS CAMERA WORKS PERFECTO!
My friend let me borrow her Pentax S40. I used it for about 10 minutes on a fresh set of alkaline AA batteries. Then  upon starting it up I got a "Battery Depleted" message on the LCD and then it shut off after about 1-2 seconds. I tried switching to other brand new batteries with the same results. I got on the net and researched "Pentax S40 Battery Depleted" and found many other people encountered the same problem, only no one found a solution and apparently there is no support from the company. One person said that it is a mechanical problem. Furthermore, there is no option for "factory reset" in the owner's manual.I have to conclude that this product is defective and the company needs to do a recall on it.DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.
This was my first pocket camera and has thousands of miles on it now.  It fits the pocket and has all the features I need while traveling light.
This was a gift to a friend who wanted one "just like mine."  I have had this same camera for years and continue to love it. As a matter of fact,I have another one as a "spare" in case anything happens to mine.  One of the reasons I favor this camera is that it has a view finder, which isvery important when taking pictures in the bright sunlight.  Another of its fine features is that it will take AA batteries so I can always carryspare ones with me instead of trying to rely on the not always ready or available rechargable ones, which I find very unsatisfactory.  This isthe perfect camera to take everywhere, the perfect size to tuck in a pocket or carry in a little purse.
This camera's nice size is irrelevant, because the pictures you take won't be worth keeping. Even still objects came out blurry with the autofocus. It takes about 3.5 seconds to take the picture, and about 15 seconds in between pictures to get ready. The screen is tiny, you can't see through the viewfinder, and it tells you the batteries are dead even when they're not. Also, when I put brand new lithium batteries in, it even still would say they're dead and automatically shut off.This was the biggest disappointment. I went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip and almost none of the pictures turned out, and it wouldn't stay on more than about 2 minutes at a time anyhow without killing the lithium batteries.  DON'T BUY IT!
Camera has a good mechanical interface that is very well designed and easy to use.  Picture quality looks to be very good.  Size is wonderful.The software interface on the other hand.  Manual does not mention it does not work with Windows 98.  There are a lot of people still out there using Windows 98, the manual does mention it does not work with 95.  I had to contact Pentax Tech Support to find out this gem.  So I am awaiting my order of an XP Upgrade.  I was not impressed by the Pentax Tech. Support on their web site.  Very weak FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).  Ability to search any type of knowledge base was also very weak.  Sony at least had the information on their site, when I had problems with my Sony camera, even if finding it was very frustrating.
We bought this camera 1-1/2 years ago. It was being discontinued and we got it for what we thought was a good deal. We very quickly learned that the pictures come out very dark, sometime almost black. Not just indoors either, pictures taken outside are very dark too. Videos are quite difficult to see when playing back. About a week ago, the camera died completely. We've always been very careful with our camera and have never dropped it or anything. The screen doesn't work and we can't take pictures now.  I suppose it's a good thing because now we can actually get a good camera.
I've been using the Pentax S40 for the past three weeks, and am pleased with my purchase. I too selected this model because of the AA battery capability and have found the battery life to be very acceptable. I took over 100 flash pictures yesterday on a fully charged set of NiMH batteries. Spare NiMH batteries and a charger are quite cheap and most folks would carry a second set anyway.The photographic results are quite impressive. Certainly on par with my other digital camera which is the (much larger) Sony DSC-F707, though the slightly lower resolution (4mp to 5mp) would likely show on an 8x10. The viewfinder doesn't show the full size of the scene being framed on the LCD screen, but I believe this is true of most digicams.The telephoto works smoothly, and the LCD screen provides a clear and smooth look at the scene being framed. As with most LCD displays, it becomes less useful in bright sun.The camera is easy to set up and its menu system is intuitive and logical with a surprisingly large array of photographic options. It can also be used as an auto focus point and shoot camera with good results as my 12 year old daughter did recently on a school trip. Subsequently she spent a bit of time learning the camera, and now navigates the menus, etc., with ease.I'm using a 256mb Simpletech Secure Digital (SD) Pro-X High Speed card which has a much faster (10MB/sec) transfer rate than a standard SD card. The faster write speed frees the camera for its next shot much more quickly, and you won't believe how fast it transfers 256mb to a PC over a USB 2.0 (separate USB 2.0 reader needed) connection - whew!I also purchased the Pentax Optio Warranty Extension which gives this camera a full three years of coverage. I figured my family will be using this camera for at least that long.All in all, this is an excellent and fully featured camera in a very small package.
I was really pleased with this camera for about an hour. That is, until I compared the picture quality with my old 2 mega pixel Canon Elph. I was amazed, the pictures from the S40 (with the max resolution) were distinctly worse than those from camera with lower resolution. Just goes to show, its not just the pixel count that maters. What's the point in a 4 mega pixel camera if all you get is a really well defined bad picture. Needless to say the camera went back the next day. I'm sticking with Canon for my next camera.
I already have a Nikon D70, and I just wanted something I could carry around in my pocket.  I got it through Amazon.com at a refurbished price, and for that price I have to give it four stars. If I had to pay list I'd only give it 3 stars.I've been having a lot of fun with it, and it's a great little camera that didn't cost me much.Good points:  Very small and easy to use for beginners.  Lots of settings that should please anyone. 4 megapixels for adequate 8x10 prints.  Good closeup and super closeup macro modes.  Lots of data for each picture, including a histogram. Uses easy to find AA batteries.Bad points:  Small LCD screen. Very noisy (grainy) expecially at low light levels. No way to manually set shutter speed or aperture. Very slow starting up and writing to memory. Relatively short battery life (get rechargeables).  Flash seems to want to go off for any shot in low light, even outdoor's shade.Otherwise, the camera seems to be fairly rugged. Again, perfect for someone who wants a go anywhere camera for taking snapshots. If you want great quality images I suggest you pay more and get a better camera, but this one was hard to beat at the refurbished price.
Everyone has different Camera needs.....We started with a Nikon 995 (that we have had since it came out).** My wife wanted a purseable camera.  She wanted a Large screen and for it to be easy to use for good photos.I wanted it to take good pictures, have a real Macro mode (around 2 inches), remote (a  $30 option) + video out (for family portraits), Manual focus, good low light focusing, and to be a fast shooter, Tripod Mount and a good battety life.This Pentax Optio S4i does all this and more and it is incrediably easy to operate. Not just the basics, even the more advanced features.  I  considered its almost twin the Casio Exilim EX-Z40 (same lens)but worse menus, (Casio has No remote option or video out), but it has a 2 inch sreen instead of 1.8 (both screens are same Resolution though) the casio does have an almost double life battery that so far is not available separtely for eihter camera (the two take the same batteries).  Basically the Batteries last about 300 shots, the old around 150 (710ms vs. 1230mA [the battery model #s are D-LI8 and NP-40] Addiitonal and OEM and third party ones are $18 to $40).If it matters pentax is actually also smaller then casio about 2/3 the size.Also considered Sony T1, and all Minolta's Dimage X/t/i/g and of course Canon's Elph series.  For me they were all lacking a feature or two or three+ (Be it Macro, Tripod mounts, remotes or more).You can go to reads reviews on dcviews.com (a meta site for news and other review and news sites).  As I write this the Casio is reviewed the Pentax has not been.What could they have added still: 1) (a tiff/raw image mode) 2) An AF Lamp always helps even though this camera focuses 10 times better in low light then my Nikon.
I bought the Optio S4i because it's well reviewed and I like the idea of a camera so small I can take it anywhere without thinking about it. I began to have some second thoughts after I started using it, though.Pros:* Ultra-small and lightweight. Goes anywhere!* Easy to use* Fairly intuitive menus* Fast, very little shutter lag* Pretty good picture quality, overall* Sturdily built* LCD screen is big and brightCons:* It's almost TOO small -- a little hard to get your hands on.* Some barrel distortion is noticeable* Flimsy little rubber cover over PC/AV port* In very low-light conditions, both viewfinder and LCD become unusableAfter a week of playing with the Optio, I decided to buy a Kodak DX7440 for comparison, and spent a week trying them side by side. The Kodak is considerably better ergonomically because it's bigger and fits in my hand better, has a more powerful flash, shows less barrel distortion, offers many more scene selections and manual override controls, and its menus are (amazingly) even easier to use than the Optio. The Kodak cameras are often praised in reviews for their picture quality. But I actually found the Optio's pictures better than the Kodak's in most cases. The Kodak produced rather garish, unnatural-looking colors, whereas the Optio seemed to render colors more naturally and realistically. And although I like the feel of the Kodak in my hand, in the end I decided that its relative bulk would make it a lot less likely that I would actually carry it around and use it.Bottom line:  I'm returning the Kodak and keeping the Optio S4i.For a go-anywhere, easy-to-use, point-and-shoot camera, it's great!
I first came upon this camera on closeout and paid $60 for it. It is very small (about the size of an Altoid tin) but has plenty of features and is very handy to take with you. I would not recommend this camera as your only camera unless you are purchasing your 1st digital camera. It will not be a great camera at night. But for daytimes shots with lots of modes in a handy size - this camera works well.
I just got my a week ago and have been played with it a little.  For me, I just need a digital camera that's easy to carry around; shots relatively good pictures; easy to use.  I mostly just use it to take day to day pictures, so nothing fancy.The camera itself is pretty slick; all metal body, the keys are pretty intuitive, large LCD screen, turn on time is fast.Some concerns:1) No SD card included, so you really need to buy one, the 10M internal memory aren't gonan hold much. I bought the panasonic 256M SD card here also at amazon and it worked wonderfully.2) No protective case at all, so the LCD is exposed all the time which maybe dangerous. I haven't found a good case for it yet.3) The battery charge is easy to use, just plug the camera in; you can also charge the battery seperately.  But it takes a while to recharge.  Also, the charger is made of white plastic and just looked cheap.
Hi, I just tried out the S4i and have to say I'm disappointed with it.  I was really excited due to the size and small lag time.  I did a comparison of the s4i and my existing Canon S400 and the Canon wins with no question.  The image quality of my Canon is much brighter and sharper than any of the images on the S4i.Couple of other things I don't like about the S4i.  The USB Cable isn't a standard size.  Why?  Also, you need to load the specific USB software to get XP to &quot;See the USB Storage Device&quot;.  It should show up as a camera.  I didn't have this problem with the Canon s400.  This is Pentax's way to get the consumer from returning it once they've tried it.  All stores say that you can't return it once the software's open.  When I opened my camera the software was already opened so I'm sure I'll have fun returning this.I would go the the S400 or better for brighter and sharper pictures without the fuss and software.Good Luck
i wanted a small camera I could take to school and bars without having a big lump in my pocket.  i have a trained eye for compression artifacts and image quality but i was willing to give up a little in the name of portability.  turns out the thing takes damn fine pix.  if you want professional grade images you need an 8 megapixel Canon, if you want a portable camera, this one produces prosumer grade results comprable to the ELPH but with a smaller size.
So the deal is, I shoot photography in a professional capacity. I recently moved to all digital in my SLRs, which has resulted in some pretty satisfying results. I get awesome picture quality, superb tools for post processing, and no longer really have to hassle with developing film. But one thing was missing... convenience and portability.My pro kit bag weighs in at about 17 pounds fully loaded. My camera and lens of choice weighs in at over four pounds just on its own, and it's hardly what I'd call pocketable. So I started searching for an ultra small, ultraslim camera to do the trick.My search took me to a variety of "influencer" sites including dpreview and others. I read like a madman. I looked at picture quality. I read comments by current users. And I weighed positives against negatives. My choice was narrowed down to the Pentax Optio s4 and I was about to buy, when I found out the new s4i was coming out. It made my choice a lot easier. I'll outline more below.I placed a preorder on Amazon, and took delivery of one of the first shipping models. I guess that's extreme early adopter for you - the camera wasn't even supposed to be available till April 1, but I had mine in my hands by April 2. I've used it for five days now, and while that's a short time to evaluate something, it's long enough for me to give it a thumbs up. Here's what I like:Extreme Small Size: This is one of the smallest digicams on the market, but it's ruggedly built with lots of aluminum and metal surfaces.Large (relative) LCD: a big step up from the s4 is the 1.8" LCD on the s4i. May not seem large, but considering the small size of this camera, it's massive.Streaming Video: very important feature for me. My previous digicam (before I went dSLR) was an Olympus C-5050, and I loved the fact I could fill a memory card with one long video. This one lets me do it too.Image quality's okay: at ISO 50 and 100, images are good, colour tone is decent. At 200 it's losing me, and at 400, it's terrible, but at least it goes to 400 ISO. The lens quality's okay too - nothing's changed from the s4 model, and the sample images you can find online show it's a decent snapshot capture device."Stupid" Modes: Normally I'm not a fan of what I call "stupid" modes - you know, put the camera into a mode where the camera makes decisions for you (ie Museum mode, Night shot mode, Portrait mode), but I like the versatility in some of the modes on this camera. My faves so far: 3D mode, food mode (works well!), text mode and digital filter mode (I like taking a picture of myself as someone skinny!)."Lifestyle" Features: on top of being a digicam, this camera has additional lifestyle perks. It has a capable audio recorder mode (which I plan to use while conducting interviews for articles I write). It has a world clock function (though accessing it is a bit of a pain, unless you map it to the quick button). It has not one, not two, but three alarms, which can be set for once or daily (hey nice feature - a $350 travel alarm clock!).There are some negatives:Shot to shot performance: in a word, it blows. This thing can take a first shot quick (lag time is very short). But in "high speed" frame mode, you're lucky if you can get one shot every two seconds or more. Maybe if you have it set to manual focus or something.CCD is tiny = Grain, Chromatic distortions: because the CCD inside is so small, you end up with pictures with grain in continuous colour areas, and you see a lot of purple fringing in photos with high contrast.It may be too small: I've got big mitts. This thing feels like it's so small, it may fall out of my hands at times. The textured alum on the front helps though.Overall.I wasn't expecting a camera that could rival a Nikon D70 or a Canon Eos Digital Rebel in image quality, and you shouldn't either. But if you want a good quality camera for taking snapshots, movies, recording audio (sounds good too), and something you can wear around your neck or make disappear in your pocket, this is the model to beat. I'm very happy with the purchase.
I just bought Pentax optio s4i on Wed, and it came on Friday, amazon is amazing about shipping. When I got the camera, there is no power in the battery, so I had to recharge it, took about 1 hour or so, not too bad to recharge. The user guide is pretty straight forward and explains everything I want to know about aking pictures, different modes and shooting movies. And I can easily use it now without referring back to the book. I put in a 256MB SD card and at the second smallest size (pixel) setting combined with best quality (3 stars)-which is optical for printing out 4x6 pictures, you can take 450 pictures. At the higest setting for both size and quality with a 256mb card, you can take about 87 pictures. I find that really good, and since I usually don't print out anything 8x11, I would set it to a smaller size and get more pictures out of it. And to comment on a previous user about fitting into an altoids can. He is right the bulging part on the left where the strap holder is does make it a little difficult to fit it into the tin, but what i did was stretch the left side of the tin a little by my thumb, and now it fits nicely without being too tight. The top doesn't close completelyy due to an uneven surface but it closes enough so that it wouldn't pop open by itself. What I would do is to go to a candy or toy store to get a cute coin purse that's that size and put in there. Coin purse fabric is softer so I think would protect it more. I have yet to print anything from this camera but i will try soon and see.
A great take with you type of camera.  I own bigger more robust digital camera's, but not every occasion is it appropriate to sling out a big intrusive camera for.  This little guy is perfect for the spur of the moment, gotta have that picture, camera!  I found it really easy to install on all of my computers, from my W2K unit to my XP unit.  Software drivers loaded easily.  I like all the little tweaks you can get the camera to do for you. Take a picture in B&amp;W or Purple tones!!  The 3D feature is cool.  I also loved that as soon as I opened the box I was able to turn it on an use it.  Had 3 bars of battery life in it, started up fine and was able to fool around with it immediatly.  Picture resolution is what I expect.  This camera will never be a SLR, so my expectations are resonable for what I intend to use it for.  FUN!!!The only things I can think of to say are Con's - no memory card or camera case.
I wish I could contact &quot;A customer from Miami&quot;, because maybe his problem is the same as mine. I put in a fully charged battery, turned on the camera, took a couple of Pix, just to try it out and turned it off.  Came back 2 hours later and the battery was dead, and the camera was warm.  Recharged the battery, tried again and the same thing happened. Looks like something inside the camera is discharging the battery--Factory Defect.  Now the good news is that I am returning it to the Internet seller and they've sent me a new one.
I'm a recreational photographer, and I love this camera. This is my 7th month with the beast -- since I pre-ordered it early from Amazon by MISTAKE. (Long story)Before buying the 1D Mii, you should know a few things:1. It's easy to overlook the spec that the camera's USB connection is 1.1 not 2.0. This is 40 times slower, and Canon clearly intended the Mark II to be connected via firewire. That said, I occasionally use it with my laptop on the road, which only has a USB connection. It's convenient that the port is there, but my 1GB CF card takes a good half hour to empty.2. By the time you've attached a solid L series or comparable lens to this camera, it weighs enough that lugging it around on your shoulder, even without a camera bag full of tricks, is quite a burden. Also, I was talking to a professional photographer who wouldn't buy the model just because cameras this heavy give her wrist trouble. If you've NEVER held a camera this size in your hand, I recommend borrowing one first or checking our your local camera store, even if you do ultimately buy from Amazon.3. The camera conveniently supports both SD and CF cards. Unfortunately there's no way to copy between the two cards using the camera. It's not a gigantic deal, but there were times I had to wait to get home from a trip to free up the SD card when I didn't have a camera cable, but just an external CF reader.Those are really the only 3 things I wish I'd known before I bought the camera...but would they have affected my purchase? Probably not! As I said, I bought the camera by mistake.  Has it been loads of fun? Definitely. I have prints almost as good as medium format - at 100 times the convenience.
I just purchased a 2nd EOS 1D Mk II with 528 actuations on it.  Granted it's not the new state of the art but this camera just rocks.  I bought this one after owning a Canon EOS 1D Mk I.  The battery life on the old 1D was a petty 200 frames if I was lucky to get that.  After upgrading to the 1D mk II, I was amazed at the battery life change.  With a new NP-E3 battery, I was able to shoot most of the day without a battery swap.  Last time on a full charge, I was almost to 1,000 shots before the battery was about to be swapped out.I love this camera and the transition curve was very easy from the 1D.  It's like the old Timex watch adage."It takes a licking and keeps on ticking..."  You can feel the solidness of the camera and it's worth the money. I found one with 528 clicks on it for $525.  If you can find a low count unit for $400, it's worth every penny.
Canon's EOS-1D-Mark-II -Best Performer of the Decade..Reviewer: Jim Wilson (fau@bellsouth.net) Boca Raton, Florida, USA, June 3rd, 2004/9pmCanon's EOS-1D-Mark-II -Best Performer of the Decade.....This mini-review will give some initial impressions with the first week of use and testing. I was one of the early users of the DCS-560 Canon/Kodak cameras, which was great camera for its time however at $25m a copy. Looking at this new Mark-II with its feature set, pixel count, image quality, speed, in camera processing parameters, 8+ fps.... the list goes on and on... what a performer. This digital camera has almost everything for a broad range of uses. With 8.2MP sensor and using LizardTech's PrintPro to up-size the image 250% produces huge images which would challenge the best medium format digital backs. The images are pure, clean, crisp, and accurate. If you're a RAW shooter the included software will give all the post imaging adjusting one can imagine. Many of my assignments have good or controlled lighting therefore I'm quite happy with in-camera processing. I go with +1 or +2 ticks on the sharpening, and +1 on the color so the skin tones are more towards tan. This heavy duty camera, literally heavy, is such a wonderful piece to work with, its worth the extra size and weight. When one combines this camera with Canon's line of &quot;L&quot; series lenses, this gives the user an incredible feeling of confidence when on assignment, whether taking pictures of products, food, science, fashion, engineering, construction, or action sports for NCAA events. This camera also re-defines quality low-light imaging. An ISO of 1600 produces images with very good results, and images at 3200 are surprisingly sharp, which until today was unheard of. ISOs of 50 through 1250 produce clean noise-free, or near-noise-free beautiful images.As to image sizes, when shooting in JPEG mode, the user may change the JPEG compression settings from numeric values from 1-10, as with Photoshop when saving images. I set the JPEG value to 10 which produces file size of about 6 million bytes +/- 1 million bytes, depending on image detail and light level; low light, high ISO will result in higher image sizes. Therefor with a 2GB data card expect 330 image capacity. Using the FireWire interface, downloads average 5.5MB images at the rate of about 10 per minute.As an opinion, in the future several items Canon could work on to improve this already beautiful masterpiece:1. Use a full 24mmx36mm imager2. Increase pixel dimensions to 3600x5400 pixels3. Increase near-noiseless ISO's to 64004. Decrease camera weight and size5. Change battery system to Lithium-Ion.6. Provide an extra-bright 3&quot; diagonal LDC display.7. Oh why not, ...lets ask for 12 fps.James L Wilson, Prof., Principles.of.Digital.Photography and.Post.Image.Processing Florida.Atlantic.University Boca.Raton.Campus Operating.Entity.BocaDigital.LLC. Quality.Digital.Imaging Post.Office.Box.520 Boca.Raton.Florida.USA.33429 Internet.E.Mail.Address For.Faculty.and.Students.mail.use: FAU@bellsouth.net For.Other.Business.mail.please.use: BocaDigital@bellsouth.net Desk.561.416.1110 SecureFax.561.892.2681Comments: It is important to read the included documentation so that one can utilize (some of) the large feature-set. Its worth the effort since the features provided solve most of the photographer's needs.Professor Jim Wilson, &quot;Principles of Digital Photography&quot;
a first class professional camera.produces incredible image quality.built to last for many years.even in 2011 still shames most of the newer model crop sensor cameras produced today,including the 60d,and d7000.looks like,and performs like,a professional model product.
I cannot say enough about this camera!  From the moment you pick up the box, you know you have quality.  The construction and materials used is top notched.  Contents of the box can be found elsewhere, so I won't bother with the details.Charging of the battery to full takes 2hrs.  If you have memory on the battery from repeated charges without complete depletion, you can recondition the battery with the included charger.  It just takes 8hrs.  While many lament the fact that no Li-ion battery was included, Canon seems to have anticipated the needs of professionals in the field.One also has the option of being plugged into the AC outlet and not dependent on batteries.Reading the manual takes a bit of time.  The camera has endless customizable functions which can be overwhelming at times.  Not that it should deter you, but one will rarely need all those functions anyway.Using the camera did not seem too difficult.  Many functions need the use of two buttons, which may take some getting used to.  Navigating through the menu was confusing initally, but improved as time goes on.Autofocus speed is responsive and sharp.  Shooting at high ISO's (&#62;1000) had minimal noise.  Looking at some of my pictures taken with 1 fluorescent light in the room and an ISO of 1600, appeared as if a flash was used.  Photos of my black lab was incredible considering the ambient light and high ISO.The camera is always ready to go.  If you are in the manipulating within the depths of the menu heirarchy, and want to suddenly take a shot, just press on the shutter button, compose, focus, and shoot.  Its quick and responsive.  Incredible...!Some may be wondering the sizes of the pictures.  JPEG's have 4 sizes and range from 1 - 2.8 MB; RAW files are 8.4MB.One can take an average of 800 - 1200 shots on a full battery charge--assuming one has the capacity to hold it.Prints on my i9900 are outstanding.Cost is a pretty penny and then some.  Also consider that Amazon is an authorized Canon reseller.  Many of the rebates require that you purchase from an authorized reseller to be eligible for the rebates.  Also, some of the internet deals for the camera are not from authorized resellers.Overall, a very impressive camera.  The cost for many may be prohibitive for many.  The EOS 20D may be a more cost effective alternative, but I do NOT regret my decision one bit.
I just upgraded from a 20D, and the speed just blows the 20D out of the way!! Image quality runs about the same for both cameras since they're both 8.2MP, but how the camera gets you those images is simply amazing. Fastest shutter out there, low noise, consistent color, spot metering, multiple spot metering, weather sealing, the list goes on and on!! This camera demands the best glass, but you won't be sorry.If your serious about photography in any field, this camera won't disappoint!! A bit pricey, but believe me, it's worth every penny!!!!See some of my work at (...)
And it is still an absolutely amazing camera, from the fps, image processing, to the battery which can go hundreds of shots between charges. I sometimes think about upgrading to the Mark III or IV but can't pull that trigger. Absolutely reliable.
I have used it for everything, from nature walks to weddings. I'm a hobbyist and just learning photography, and this camera has been easy to pick up and go.One thing I would caution against- I recently bought a third party battery replacement and the housing doesn't fit on it right. Only buy Canon batteries for this camera. The crack in the housing between the battery and camera is not worth the money you save with third parties.
I really wanted to love this lens, but today sent it back for a refund.  As others have noted, the lens is quite heavy, and the barrel creeps outward on its own.  [Yes there is a locking switch to prevent this, but it only works when the lens is contracted.  You can't zoom out to a certain focal length and lock it at that spot.]  The image quality is mediocre and the lens is so "slow" that any picture I shot indoors had to be at a high ISO in order to get proper exposure.  Also, I found that 70mm just isn't wide enough a lot of times (even on my full-frame 5D II), so I was constantly backing up.  Finally, the minimum focusing distance is about 4 1/2 feet, so again I found myself backing away from the subject.  This lens is just not the right creative tool for me, so I'll try something else, like the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM.
I bought this to have a good zoom to pair with my Rebel XT (350D) on backpacking trips. It weighs far less than the other options at the same size (particularly the L glass). Additionally, it is physically small for such a high power zoom. This combined with its being black makes it a fun lens to "walk around with" for candid shots since it doesn't draw much attention. As for backpacking, it is fabulous: light, small, and gives me a reasonable amount of reach for wildlife and nature shots. I've not yet paired it with a teleconverter, but, I intend to do so.I think that the optics of the lens have caused glass snobs to scoff at it and look for *any* possible flaw, with the biggest complaint in reviews being about bokeh. In real life, I can only recall about three shots out of several thousand where I have seen the negative effects mentioned -- you need to have background light hitting the lens at just the right angle. In one of the cases I liked the results, in the other I moved slightly. photoshop could easily rectify the output, too.I've found the focus on this lens to be much faster than the kit lens from the 350D and somewhat faster than my 50mm prime. The stabilization is pretty good, too. I've handheld 1/5sec shots of waterfalls with it to good result; just remember that it doesn't hold your subject still so it won't help as much for sports or wildlife.I didn't like the little bag that came to hold the lens when it isn't being used. If you plan on taking this lens with you backpacking/hiking/etc, I'd seriously consider using a purpose built camera bag with lens holders or a hard container.One other thing to keep in mind is that this is not the fastest lens (f/4.5-f/5.6), if you do a lot of low light or high speed photography, you'll either be shooting at higher ISO settings or slower lens speeds than with the L series lenses.
When I got my Rebel XT I was initially disappointed by the image quality.  It did not take long to realize that the kit lens is the weak link.  Over the next several months I kept going back and forth between different reviews and finally decided to splurge on this lens.  It is at least twice as expensive as what I had initially budgeted but I have been very happy with it.  The lens itself is very sharp and the IS technology allows you to shoot up to 3 f-stops slower.  It has a very solid feel.  I sell many of my pictures through an amateur photography site and since I started shooting with the IS lens, the reviews have been very positive.The lens has a 58mm diameter -- same as the kit lens.  Any filter you may have purchased for the kit lens will work on this one as well.  It comes with a hood.  Unfortunately, when not in use, the hood masks to zoom lock so you need to remove the hood in order to unlock the lens.  That's a minor nit and it is essentially the only one I have come up with in several months of use.I am so sold on the IS technology that I have just ordered the 17-85mm lens as well.  I plan to get rid of the kit lens alltogether.
I bought this lens when it was first released back in 2006. After three and a half years of use, I find it consistently the most used lens in my camera bag. Quite importantly, I haven't personally experienced any of the negatives I've read in other reviews. Not once. The pictures I am able to capture with this lens are nothing less than superb in quality. The lens is very well built and feels totally solid - built like a truck. Of course, the size of this lens is clearly the most amazing feature. Even fully extended, the zoom is quite significantly shorter than a 200mm standard zoom lens, therefore calling very little attention to itself.  The images I've been able to get with this lens are amazing. It's feels well balanced on the front of my 30D.  Easy to handle, and easy to swap out if you need a shorter focal length.  Think about all of the pictures you can capture when you can have 300mm worth of zoom on your camera without lugging around a huge, sometimes inappropriate feeling lens. Though certainly quite a significant investment, this lens has been worth every penny I spent on it. If you're in the market for a premium zoom lens and this baby fits in your budget, I highly recommend this lens. You'll absolutely love it.
I have to agree with the comments that the zoom is too stiff, not smooth at all.  It makes it not fun to operate this lens.  But the biggest problem for me is the softness of the images,  not acceptable at this price range.  My Canon 5D takes super sharp photos with my other lenses, but this one irritates me every time I use it.  I am selling it and buying something else.
I'm very new to photography but I bought this on the recommendation of a friend who takes a lot of pictures.  I took this lens on safari in Africa.  It was awesome.  The trip and the lens.  The size is nice as I could fit the camera with the lens on into a normal carrying case so I was always ready.  The image stabilizer worked perfectly.  Since I was zoomed all the way out for most pictures, I wouldn't have gotten any good shots since I couldn't use a tripod in the range rover.  I highly recommend it if you can afford it.
I purchased this lens for use as a lighter carry and travel alternative to the 100-400.  I've had the 100-400L for a while and really like it for wildlife and other long telephoto work; however, it is a bit large for travel and general carry.  This little gem works great for that purpose as it is much smaller and still offers IS and a nice length.  The image quality is very good, and while not quite up to par with the 100-400L the smaller size makes it usable for trips when space is tight.  Highly recommended travel and carry lens!
If Canon's red ring means high quality, Canon's green ring must be what they use when the lens costs as much as a red ring lens, but can't take sharp photos. Canon sticking that green ring around the barrel suckered me into buying one of these. Over the two months I used it, this lens always frustrated me with it's poor image quality and it's heavy front element that would zoom the lens and change the focal length. And although much of the literature talks up how the "DO" diffractive optic technology has made a shorter length lens than otherwise possible, with the hood attached and the lens extended, it effectively saves less than an inch of length.I wanted to like this lens so much, and figured that for the hefty price is must take good photos, but I was wrong. In the end I sold this on the used market, and bought the 70-200mm f/4 IS, which is the same price as this lens. The 70-200 doesn't zoom as far, and is physically bigger, but is such a wildly superior design that I have never missed this DO lens.I don't like writing such a negative review, but I really was very disappointed with this lens. I gave it a fair shot, using it for over a thousand photos over two months, and I have no regrets selling it afterwards. Divert your funds and attention towards either theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USMfor half the price, or theCanon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USMfor the same price.
I have used this lens for 2 years on my rebel, 20 D and now on my 40D. It is an excellent lens and has never dissappointed me. There are technical reviews that talk about some image softness, but I have not found this to be true. It is the best lens you can carry around without a tripod and get a high zoom range. For sports photos it isn't a very fast lens, but you can just turn the ISO up to 800 or 1600 and get great shots ( lbiet with some noise that you can photoshop filter. It is especially and easy lens to travel with and I have taken it all over the world.  The lens is supported by DXO optics software that you simply must own if you own a canon body and this lens 9 it takes care of all the lens optic imperfections automaticaly when you porcess the image. It costs a lot but you will be using it a long time.  There is no comparason with the L series lens that are much larger and heavier.
Overall the Canon DO lens is okay and here is why.  Using the lens on a T4i is akward because the lenses compactness and weight makes the feel in hand.  The mainly plastic body of the T4i seems to be too light for the lens.  Maybe if used woth a full frame metal body camera like a EOS 6 or 7 would probably have a better feel.  One thing to consider if the lens does extend out while in 300mm zoom.  The lens internal motor is extremely quiet vs a 70-300 IS regular style of lens.  Comparing low light pictures in 300mm zoom the DO lens edges are softly focused while the 300mm on a regular lens is a bit sharper and clearer around the edges.
This lens is fantastic. It is great for different type of pictures - indoor/outdoor, portrait/landscapes even macro. Picture colors are brilliant, vibrant and sharp. I love it.
This lens gives good results except for two weaknesses. First, the diffractive optics causes little "donut" hot spots in images when areas are exceptionally bright i.e. reflection off a lake. They look a bit like the donuts of a telephoto mirror lens. Second, the zoom ring is very hard to turn. It doesn't have the fluid smoothness of their other zoom lenses. It's acceptable in use, but barely. You have to put so much force on turning the zoom ring that you have to take the camera away from your eye to do it. Very inconvenient, since you could miss an important moment. These negatives a countered by the lens' small size and weight. With it, and Canon's 17-85 zoom, you can cover nearly every shooting situation. Given its weaknesses, however, it should sell for less.
--Update--I had a problem with the zoom sticking at ~200mm.  The rotating barrel wouldn't allow me to zoom smoothly. Imagine dragging a stick along the sidewalk and feeling the "click" every time you hit those scored lines in between the poured concrete.  That's what zooming in/out of this lens felt like.On the plus side, even though I bought the lens used on what I will call an "unnamed auction website," Canon fixed the problem without charging me.  I told them it was under warranty, and they didn't question it.  +1 for Canon tech support.  Obviously, YMMV.--End Update--I finally decided that with the price drop on the used DO lenses that I'd plump down $820 for a used DO lens figuring that folks who own high-end stuff like this probably baby them anyway.Summary: it's a _great_ telephoto lens that's very practical. . . depending one what you do.Who it's not for:Studio photographers with strobes can do the same with less $.  In fact, any strobist's image can do just as well with a standard (non-L) lens, or better with the L lenses.  Since the flash is already "freezing" the image, there's little advantage in the studio to having DO or IS.  As a portrait lens, it works, but it doesn't work any better than a standard EF.  For the same price, you can get a higher contrast L lens.Who will like it:Travel and vacation photographers will appreciate the ability to zoom WAY longer than any other light-weight zoom lens while still being able to crop back to 70mm.  The ability to go on excursions without depending on a tripod is a HUGE plus.  As an example, I remember visiting a few places in Murano, Italy where tripods were strictly prohibited and lighting was abysmal for the hand-holders.  Needless to say, all of my shots were either blurry or noisy (in a bad way) when using my standard lens.Who will love it:All of you supposed photojournalists who like to "f/8 and forget it" pretty much need this lens.  Photojournalist coverage seems to be the latest trend in wedding photography, a style that emphasizes composition and candid personality over staged, technical quality (of a strobist).  This lens empowers the photojournalist to slyly maneuver into various positions to get THE SHOT, especially in difficult real-time situations when you can not hit the rewind button and try again. . . like in weddings.Technical testing:I tested this lens and benchmarked against my tried and true EF 35-105 f3.5-4.5.  I was in a controlled studio setting photographing a brown wicker chair with a shiny silk pillow and a copy of the Economist (they have lots of charts with small lines).  I set the strobes and took a reading with my Sekonic L-358: ISO 100, f8.0; a great test for you photojournalists.Using a Canon 10D and a pan-tilt tripod, I took two series of images, 70mm f8 and 100mm f8.  I captured Large/fine jpgs and imported into Photoshop.  I visually inspected the images for contrast and aberration.  There was absolutely NO visible difference even at 200% magnification.HOWEVER, there is one very noticeable difference between the lenses.  Something in the DO glass is slowing down the lens.  The histogram confirms that the DO images are somehow darker than the non-DO images by almost exactly 1/3 stop.  Naturally, I go back and recapture the image on my DO lens at f7.1 and voila - perfect exposure. So, maybe the new rule for photojournalists with this lens is to "f7.1 and forget it."Conclusion:Before we're tempted to knock the lens for being too slow, losing a 1/3 stop, not having clarity of the L lenses for the same price, etc.  Let's remember that this is a specialty lens with a purpose.  It's a portable lens that has all the clarity of a standard lens while offering a MUCH wider focal range.  Will you see sports photographers using this?  They would be stupid to do so.  Commercial photographers are the same.  At the same time, you'll be hard pressed to find a wedding photographer lugging around a 70-200/2.8L.  Who wants to be the idiot setting up a tripod in the middle of the aisle while bride and groom are taking vows?To make this lens even more useful, I'm planning to pick up a used EOS 1ds.  It's an older full-frame DSLR that's finally dropped to an affordable price.  The 1.6x crop factor on the 10D and similar SLRs make it harder to "fit" some images into such a tight frame.
I like the DO (Diffractive Optics) of this lens. It's great to take pictures from a distance without using a long, bulky lens that makes me stand out like a sore thumb. Even though it is heavy, the IS (Image Stabilizer) compensates well for the shaking as I line up my shots. The dual IS switch for either full IS or panning shots (think following running players on a field) is a very nice feature.Oh, this is a kit that includes an ET-65B Lens Hood and a LP1116 Soft Lens Pouch. Too bad I didn't know before I ordered the hood separately.The lens fits nicely in a standard camera bag. And I can store the lens hood reversed on the lens and on the camera although I can't adjust the lens with the hood in this position because of the long length of the hood. And because of the hood's length, an external flash is recommended if you need a flash shot.Because the 70-300 DO uses 58mm filter threading, I found a better use for my UV filter than being on my original Canon kit lens.This lens is a keeper.
Judging by Amazon customer buying behavior, it's a toss-up between this lens and theCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM(AKA non DO 70-300mm). So why would you pay twice the price for the Diffractive Optics (DO) lens?1. Image quality2. Weight and LengthI have used both lenses, and the 70-300mm DO IS is the one that I purchased.The DO lens produces sharp, contrasty, aesthetically pleasing images. It is ever so slightly soft at exactly 300mm, but this can easily be fixed with mild sharpening. The non-DO lens is softer, shows distortion towards the edge of the frame, and produces "flatter" (lower contrast) images. I had to sharpen, correct and tweak the contrast of every single image from the non-DO lens.This lens weighs 720g (1.6lb) and is less than 100mm (3.93in) long when closed. The non-DO lens is 630g (1.4lb) but 144mm (5.6in) long when closed. The DO lens is slightly heavier, but not by much -- about the weight of a "candy bar" mobile phone -- but far shorter. This makes it more practical for travel and other work outside a studio.I'd make the same choice again in a heartbeat. I have now taken many thousands of shots with the 70-300mm DO IS, and couldn't be happier -- sharp, strong images that don't require a lot of post-processing.
Since I use a Canon Rebel with a 1.6x crop this lens becomes (in effect) like a 112mm - 480mm zoom.  I considered the "standard" 70-300mm IS zoom and the 100-400 IS-L zoom and selected this because of it's size and weight.  The DO has not been an issue and the pictures are sharp and clear.  I did discover that the Canon 1.4x extender does not work with this lens and neither does the 2x glass I bought for the front.I have been especially surprised (and pleased) at the macro possibilities.  A butterfly at four feet nearly fills the frame!Another 100mm would be nice, but this lens fits nicely with my 17-85mm IS to give me a nice complete range for field trips.
For several years, I've been using a Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS lens. With the IS II version of that lens coming, I figured the time was right to sell my 70-200 and pick up the new version. In the meantime, I wanted to try out this 70-300 DO lens. It has several distinct advantages over the 70-200 2.8L IS, which is generally thought of as one of Canon's best lenses.1) You can actually walk around with the 70-300 DO IS lens on your camera while the camera is hung around your neck. That's not possible for any length of time with the 70-200, which weighs substantially more and is significantly longer. This isn't an issue if you're doing weddings and bar mitzvahs, or if you always work with a tripod, but if you want to walk the streets or theme parks with a long focal length lens, this lens is preferable.2) You get an extra 100mm of telephoto range while still getting image stabilization. While some have spoken of the 300mm point as being somewhat soft on this lens, that's definitely not the case with mine. I took a photo of a 747 flying high overhead...with the naked eye I was able to see a dot from which the contrails form. In the photo, you could tell what airline it was and you could clearly and crisply pick out each of the four jet engines. Architectural detail was equally sharp even without post-processing. I would not say that this lens is as perfectly sharp as the 70-200 2.8, but the differences will not be significant after you've worked in Photoshop.3) Smaller lens hood...easier to carry around. Smaller filter size...less expensive.4) A perfect lens to accompany your Canon 24-70 L lens.So what's the downside? The big one, and the only significant one for me, is the limitation in speed with an f4.5-5.6 aperture. With today's digital camera and high ISO capabilities, the real issue isn't so much speed as it is your ability to adequately blur the background if desired. While I thought I would find the difference substantial, I don't actually think it's that big a deal in practice. With both lenses on the shelf, I think the vast majority of the time, I'd reach for this one.Others have spoken of the zoom lock on the lens as useful in keeping the lens at 70mm while it hangs around your neck. That caused me concern that the zoom ring would be so loose in practice as to be difficult to firmly set at any given focal length. In reality, that's not the case, and I never find myself using the zoom lock. The focal length stays where I've set it.Overall, this is a wonderful lens, and while I had planned to trade it up to the 70-200 IS II when that comes out in another month, I think I'm going to stick with the DO for a while.
I am still in the process of learning with the lens.  My most recent captures were some humming birds near our feeder by our kitchen window.  There were some good shots and a lot of blurred ones, but the few good shots made it worth while.  I also like having the ability to sneek up on our grandchildren with the telephoto lens and take shots of them, and they don't even know it.  I purchases the Canon Rebel XT and this lens for an up and coming cruise to Hawaii.  I am still learning and practicing with the camera and lens.  The nice thing about digial photography is the ability to delete a bad shot.  This allows you to try, try again.
I was so excited when I finally bought this lens-300mm focal length in this small a package-awesome.  But after taking about 300-400 shots with it and looking at them on the computer at 100%-NOT AWESOME!  SOFT, SOFT, SOFT!  This lens really struggles to produce a sharp image and I have been using it mounted on a tripod, shooting with the mirror locked up, and the aperture stopped down from F8.0-F22.0.  I'm not sure this lens is even producing an image as sharp as the Canon 70-300mm in the $550 range.  However, the IS seems to work well because my handheld shots were almost as sharp as the tripod shots (which is to say not much softer).  For the price of this lens I expected much better.  I finally gave up on this one and just got the 70-300mm L-WOW, what a difference!  The L lens is much, much sharper-even handheld.  Yes, the L is a little bigger and heavier, but what's the point of having an easy to carry lens if it won't get you sharp images?  My advice-spend the extra $170 and get the L.
I found this lens to be superb.  Fast focus, very good image stablizer, sharp images.  However, I also found the zooming of this lens to be stiff and not very smooth. I was told this was due to the design of the lens with the weight of the glass toward the filter side of the lens.The solution I came across is to use a collapsable, rubber glare hood which I attached to the front of the lens. When the hood is collapsed, I can grasp the lens barrel by this rubber hood and zoom in and out with great ease.  The collapseable hood, when fully extended, also serves to prevent glare spots that others report.  Sure, this shouldn't be the case for such an expensive lens, but this is a very simple and functional solution that makes this lens' zoom characteristics much smoother.
This is my main lens for a lot of situations. Going to a concert or sport event, and don't want to stick out? Sightseeing in Europe this summer?If I know I'll be at least a few feet from potential subjects, this lens will do a lot of great work for me. I even take it bike riding at the lake. (With a proper shoulder strap of course) It's about the same size as most of the general purpose lenses, so traveling with this guy is a piece of cake. This, along with a 15-85 in a Stealth Reporter D100AW is my "personal bag" when I'm traveling.I think the 70-to-something focal range is almost-and-barely-less important than a general purpose lens. Canon has a whole bunch of them, and they all perform very well. I chose this one because of it's size, and I'd recommend it to anyone as their second lens.
*Update*  A reviewer recommended DxO software (dxo.com) for this lens, so I tried out the demo first with these raw files from the zoo.  Unreal results.  Just amazing.  Prints are simply beautiful.  You have to try to believe.What a great zoom lens.  I prefer primes and really wanted a 100/2.0 to go along with my 50/1.4 for my 5D.  However, I got a great deal on the DO zoom so jumped on it because of its versatility.It has to be one of Canon's most controversial/misunderstood zoom lens. The price is one factor and softness the other.  The 70-200/2.8 IS takes better pictures (out the box) with less computer work needed later.  However, this lens is heavy and white and needs a tripod.  But it has terrific quality.It takes time to appreciate this DO lens.  I got so many blurry images in the beginning that I almost took it back.  But I decided to take pictures all day to figure it out before my daughter's kindergarten class went to the zoo. This is what I discovered:-best sharpness  between 70-200 is f/5.6.-between 200-300 is f/11 and f/16-Image Stabilization is amazing-auto focus is lighting quick and accurate-size and weight are amazing for this focal rangeNeedless to say, the pictures I took at the zoo were terrific hand held. Because it was a sunny day, shutter speeds were high and the images were blurry free.  Shot in RAW and WOW when I opened them up.  This was "L" class all the way.  Now, I understood the price/performance advantage of this lens. After five hours at the zoo and double checking that my group of kids were still with me, I realized it was never obtrusive.  There is no way in hell one could have used the 70-200/2.8 IS for that long around their neck and shoulder!Kudos to Canon for making this technological wonder.  Just shoot RAW and the softness goes away and the images are "L" quality.  This lens will be with you all the time ready to go.  That's priceless in my book!
I had a Tamron 18-270 lens that I enjoyed for a walk around lens.  The Tamron does not work with the new focus mechanism of the Canon 70D--camera reports no lens.  I bought this lens as a replacement and it works perfectly.  I wish it had the wide range to the Tamron but I believe it should work fine as a walk around lens.  Pictures were good and the camera correctly maintained focus.
I bought this lens at the same time I bought the 20D -- when the camera was first sold. It's not the lightest lens around, but it's compact, quick focusing and has few if any discernible faults. It doesn't stick out in a crowd, at least until you rack it out with the hood on.It was one of the early choices when I decided to move up to SLR Digital from other types -- and the old reliable 35mm SLRs.I'd buy it again and I plan to use it on a 5D when it arrives, for a trip with me and the 20D, This is core travel lens for me. As for quality, it's very good. I own some Ls, but this dances in the same league. I was a professional who cut his teeth on Nikon Fs (and used other cameras up to 8x10). I've used optics from Leica to Nikon to Goerz. If your images aren't sharp, consider that it may be user error.I mostly use autofocus, but frequently switch to manual and it fits the hand well either way. The balance is good.I don't see the softness at 300mm others refer to, but typically there are sweet spots of f stop and focal length with zooms. Every lens has some inherent compromise -- fast or slow, fat or slim. I don't observe any softness, but I shoot only in RAW and do image processing outside the camera. JPGs are useful or unavoidable in places, but pointless if RAW is available.I do large prints 13x19 or larger and the image holds together as well as anything else I've used.FWIW, in the first few days I owned this lens, I shot a long series on sea birds feeding -- and the images contained details I couldn't see clearly while shooting (more common than admitted). But the smooth zoom and auto focus made composition on moving objects easy. The camera lens combination was perfect. Better equipment does not makes you a better photographer, but it can help a good one. The image stablization is very good. It's great for sports photography, but remember that autofocus is sometimes not the answer (and sometimes the only rational answer).It has a hood and bag supplied. I sometimes use a rollup rubber hood that fits across several lenses. The hood self-packs nicely in an event.On the 20D (and others with the same sized sensor), this provides an equivalent to 112-480mm. If you intend to use a teleconverter, don't even consider the Canon unless they have a new one. It doesn't fit. I have a 1.4x and it works well with exposure and autofocus and extends the reach to 672mm. I'm not a big fan of this, but FWIW.I typically travel with this lens, a 10-22mm EFS zoom (which won't fit the 5d), a Tamron 18-200, the 100mm macro, and a 35mm f/2 as a base lens. At some point, for travel at least, I'll sub the 24-70mm. Add two bodies, some computer junk. I won't decide on the kit for the 5D 20D combo for a while, but this one stays.Weight. For some people, this is a bigger deal than they know. A camera bag weighs nothing for the first 20 minus. This lens and camera can get heavy. I don't find it a problem, but some might prefer a less compact design with the DO.
Quite the lens it has very good range .  Since owning it I have been shooting the migrating birds nesting in the fields in my area
I spent weeks in forums reading up on this lens, and always seemed to come across a mixed bag of comments about it. I've had it for about a month, and I have taken a good amount of pictures with it. It does take great pictures, all the way up to 300mm. There is a touch of softness at 300mm, but this can all be taken care of using an unsharp mask in Photoshop/Paint Shop Pro/etc..... As a matter of fact, this lens seems particularly receptive to sharpening. People swear by L lenses, but if it's between this lens and say the 70-200mm IS you're talking about a minimal difference in sharpness out of the camera, and the 70-200mm IS costs more with less of a range. The DO is also black, and the DO technology enables it to be much smaller than you'd expect. At full zoom it is smaller than the 70-200mm IS or non-IS!! I took this lens to a NY Mets baseball game, and did not stick out like a sore thumb. YOU CAN TAKE THIS LENS ANYWHERE!!! The image stabilization is great, and has 2 modes you can use.I am very satisfied with this lens. Don't let the L snobs sway you away.I bought this for 1169.95 and it's $30 drop to 1139.95 was refunded to me by Amazon. I wouldn't shop anywhere else.great lens, great place to buy.
I have owned this lens for several years and although I have upgraded to almost all L professional lens,( the 35L, 135L,  70-200 f2.8 IS L , 300L, etc)  I always bring this lens when travelling.  Over the years I have taken many "keeper" photos with it, including shots taken at children's soccer games where I can shoot without being so conspicuous (try that when shooting with the big "white" lens), at dog shows, street shots, foreign countries where it really is impossible to use the big lens and still enjoy daily walks, etc.The sheer compact size is enough to keep it in my bag but also the lens has excellent optics and with the sharpening techniques today I can easily sharpen up if the image is slightly soft, at the end of the range occasionally. I have a few shots on the computer where I thought I had used the 300L when going though due to the great color and richness.As a note to any who don't know,  this lens does not work well with filters which can cause loss of quality.  The only exception is the polarizer.  If I had to keep only 2 lens, this would be one of them.  You will read bad reviews of this lens but I have not had any of the problems and lens go in and out of fashion as you will find if you get involved in the photo community.  Very highly recommend.
The few reviews complaining about this lens are mystifying to me.  On my 7D, the lens is not heavy, bulky, or difficult to control in terms of the zoom.  It takes fantastic pictures.  When I first used this lens many of my images were blurry, but I realized that it was me, not the lens.  Once I compensated (shutter speed, aperture and ISO) the images were fantastic, if not ideal.  This lens is especially useful for nature photography when there needs to be some distance between you and the image.  I own the Canon 24-105mm L (outstanding), the 100mm Macro L (superb), and the DO (fantastic).  This trinity meets or exceeds all of my needs.  You will be very happy with the DO, and you might find that you use it more than any other lens in your arsenal.  It's expensive, but what lens of sufficient quality and versatility isn't?  Buy it.
I bought this for my wife for our safari in Tanzania and I couldn't be happier.  She shoots with a 20D and previously used a EF 70-200 F4 L lens which she found too heavy.  She used to get blurry pictures because she couldn't keep that lens still while shooting, but with the EF 70-300 DO she gets consistently better pictures, less fatigue, and I'm happier because she's happier :)  She got several pictures that I missed because I left my even bigger and heavier EF 100-400mm lens in the truck while we were walking around, but she brought her camera and got the shot.Other than her being happy, I like this lens because it's not as bold as the white lenses, which makes it easier to snap some candids of people without them noticing.I don't really like the zoom ring, it's a little too stiff and I found myself struggling to get the zoom I wanted. Maybe this is because it's new, but I'd prefer it to be a little bit looser.I wish it was just a little bit faster. F4.5-5.6 is okay, but it would be perfect if it was a stop faster (of course it would be twice as expensive too).I feel like I got a fair deal for the lens. Of course I would have loved to buy it for less, but I feel like I got good value for my money.  This lens for a happy wife is probably worth it :)
All the praise that I'd heard for DO optics makes it sound almost too good to be true. Granted, it's a fantastic lens and I've taken some pretty astoundingly good pictures, but it's a little heavier and a little bigger than I expected. Mind you, it's still small for 70-300, but it doesn't really feel that much lighter. Also, you really need to lock the lens or else its weight when it's over your shoulder, causes it to extend. Would I buy it again? Yes. Is it a wonder-lens that replaces everything in your camera bag? No.
I bought this lens to use on my 20D and was very pleased with its image quality, color, and bokeh. I just upgraded to a 5D and this lens is amazing with that camera. The autofocus is extremely fast and accurate, and the image quality is fantastic. I really love short DOF to make the subject stand out and this lens makes it easy. The sharpness, color, and bokeh are spectacular and rival my 24-105 L, and the extra reach in a relatively light-weight lens comes in very handy. A superb walk-around lens that does everything except wide-angle and low light (although on a 5D the low light is less of a problem). I highly recommend it! Image quality is first rate!
Best all around lens.  Don't need to change out lenses to get a wide variety of shots.  The short stubby lens fits nicely in my Lowepro Toploader Zoom 50 bag
I was looking for something to extend the reach of my Canon 18-200mm lens. I tried the 100-400mm and loved it, but found it just too long and too heavy for normal use. I tried the Sigma 150-500mm, but it was even longer than the Canon 100-400mm. I also tried the 70-300mm USM IS (non-DO) lens, but did not like the length of that lens either, so I ended up buying this lens. There are a lot of things I like about this lens.1. It is short. It is, in fact, shorter, when closed, than my 18-200mm lens and a little easier to carry.2. Even with the lens extended to 300mm, it is still relatively short. Especially if the lens hood is either reversed or removed from the lens.3. The lens has a locking mechanism to keep it from extending when just walking around.4. The pictures, out to about 250mm, are clear and crisp.5. The colors are vibrant and true.6. The USM is quiet and quick.But there are also what I see as some shortcomings.1. Pictures taken at above 250mm or so are a little soft. I mounted the camera and lens on a tripod, set the mirror lock-up and attached a remote release. But even with all of that the photos at 300mm are a little soft when viewed above 50% magnification. And, of course, pictures that I took at 300mm hand held also had some camera movement as well as being a little soft. This makes it difficult to get good pictures by cropping something small out of the photos.2. It is heavier than the non-DO version (25.4 vs. 22.2 oz).3. I found that I had a more difficult time holding my camera steady with this lens than the 100-400mm that I tried earlier. I assume that is because the lens is short and cannot easily be held from both front and back to steady it.4. As other reviewers have written, the lens lock switch is not accessible when the lens hood is mounted reversed. Since I keep the lens hood mounted all the time, this means that I cannot lock it when I put it into my camera bag.5. It is an expensive lens.But, even with all of the shortcomings I am happy with this lens. The pictures, even out to 300mm, are good and I saw the same softness in the non-DO version as in this one. Since this lens is so short, and the throw is not great, it is easy for me to forget that the lens is extended to 300mm. If I carry my monopod with me, or use a tripod, the softness is not visible unless the photo is viewed above 50-75%. And, perhaps most importantly, the lens is easy to carry and so I will be able to use it when walking in the National Parks. I would have rated this lens as 5 stars instead of 4 had the photos been sharper at 300mm. I think that this is an expensive lens and, for the price, expected sharpness throughout the range. It is not an L lens, but the price is close and I thought the picture quality should be as high everywhere in its range.UPDATED 10/3/2010:A week ago I replaced my Canon 500D with a new 7D. I had not expected that changing my camera would have had any effect on the quality of the images from this lens, but it certainly did. Before, as I wrote, the images taken above 250mm were a little soft, even when taken with a tripod and mirror-lockup. But all of that seems to have gone away when this lens was mounted on the new 7D. Images all the way out to 300mm are now clear and sharp. The color and clarity, always good, are in no way diminished on the 7D.I can only attribute the change to the ability of the 7D to focus more accurately than my copy of the 500D. Perhaps that is an innate problem with the 500D or perhaps my copy just was out of wack somehow. In any case this lens now produces very sharp photos for me and I am very happy with it.I tried to change the rating of this lens from 4 stars to 5, but the Amazon software did not reflect the change, so I will say again - mounted on my new 7D this lens is very sharp. Add to that the fact that this lens is short and easier to handle than the 70-300 IS (non-DO) version and the result is a combination that I am very happy to have.
This is a review from another person who makes a living in the media (photography, video, film, world). I chose this lens because of the compact size and the quality of the build. It has not let me down on either my 5d MIII, or 6D. I have lenses for outdoor use during the day, then low light and indoor. This one is best for day, or a proper lit stage.Being able to take it anywhere and being able to blend in is a must. Whenever I get my other &#34;L&#34; lenses out, people seem to migrate to me and cause distractions when I am working. This lens added quite a bit of production value to my work and allows me more freedom the the larger, bulky choices for the same result.There is a little softening in the lens which works quite well for portraits, all other I sharpen in lightroom. Nice Sweet Spot at F8.0 as well.
I have used this lens for some 6 months on a range of subjects from flying hawks out of moving trains to perching dragonflies.  It has worked very well and the IS feature is truly excellent.
I purchased this lens because I do a lot of candids and 200mm is just not good enough. I also recently purchased a 5D MkII, so any praise I may have for the lens may be partly due to this camera. When I read some reviews of this lens, I was worried that it was weird. I will mostly address these issues.  Is it heavy? No. I use a monopod and hand carry a 100-400 lens without problems. This lens is only 52 mm at the front,so it has amazing reach for its size.  Does the zoom feel heavy? No.  The zoom needs some resistance, since the front of the lens would extend by itself if it was too light on the zoom control.  This is the same issue you have with the Sigma 18-200, another great all purpose lens for candid shots. Both lenses have a lock button that keeps the lens from extending when you not taking pictures.Lastly and most importantly does the diffraction type lens cause any problems? No. I have literaly seen no problems with lack of sharpness or unusual flare. I think you would have to shoot  tripod test scenes to reveal this. Using a monopod in real life conditions,the issue does not appear to exist. Admitedly with back ligthting you can get some fogginess and flare,but this is just like other lenses. I think some ot the reviwers who are critical spend too much time bench testing.  When I am  doing candid,or travel photography,especially with a full frame camera,this may become my main lens.
I was looking for a lens for short trips with the intention of not having to carry to much weight.I am certainly happy with my purchase decision; the lens is solid and its good quality.Most of my other lenses are " canon L's", and this one, despite being good quality shows some inferiority versus the canon top of the line glass.I find the zoom ring to be heavier than I would like, and obviously I would rather have a few less f/stops... but considering the purpose and the price it's a good compromise.I recommend itThanksPedro
I bought this to use as a travel lens when I could only take one. The first shoot was a beach wedding, and it was flawless. Sharp, perfectly exposed photos throughout the range. The second shoot was a wildlife expedition, and every shot went into the trash. Poorly exposed and out of focus. It must be a terribly fragile lens. Being an outdoor/wildlife photographer, my equipment has to be sturdy. I can't pamper it, but neither am I careless with it. Somewhere between the beach and the wilds, this lens sat in my photo pack and fell apart. I replaced it with the bigger, heavier L-Series version. Canon, by the way, ignored my complaint. Amazon took it back.
I love this lens.  I'd like to compare it to the canon 70-200 f/2.8 L, because I own that too.  I originally bought the 70-200 because I really like the L series glass, having previously purchased other L lenses.  I am a small woman and I found it to be very cumbersome and often left it at home (though it is an excellent lens on it's own) because of it's size.  My husband suggested the 70-300 f/4-5.6 DO IS as an alternative.  I am SO pleased with the lens.  I recently shot over 250 photos at a zoo.  All hand held, something I could NOT do with the 70-200, and many at the extreme 300mm.  The IS is amazing, the weight of the lens very manageable.  It was a cloudy, sometimes rainy day and yet the colors were true and the focus, even in low light situations, very accurate.  I used no flash, even indoors.  The photos through glass and mesh were so clear, you'd never know either were there.  On a sunny day practice shoot, I had no trouble with lens flare, even without using a hood.  (I was trying to get flare, just because it was mentioned in other reviews.)  So, if you do not wish to haul a heavy lens around and you want all the benefits of an L series photo, I would recommend this lens.
Before purchasing Canon EF 70-300 DO IS USM Lens, I was using 75-200 Canon lens which was without image stabiliser. So, without tripod, I was unable to take good pictures. When I bought this lens and used it at different locations, I got awesome results of the lens. I do not use tripod. Its a worth buying. You can see some of the pictures taken by me on this page. Thanks to amazon.
I use this lens on a Canon XTi.  On that camera it's in effect a 98mm - about 480mm lens.  I also use aCanon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras.  They rate about the same.  Both have excellent image Stabilization and great optics.  I'm generally torn between the two on which to leave on the camera.  This lens is a tiny bit soft at 300 (480 on my XTi) but it has never been an issue. I thought about buying one of Canon's 70-200L series, but they are huge, white, and heavy.  Besides I have the 400mm `L' series lens and $$$ goes just so far.December 22, 2007 - Still a great lens.  It's been in use for 4 months and not a flaw.  Highly recommend.  Not the 70-200 IS "L" series but only in that the 70-200 is f-2.8.  But the IM makes up for most of that.You will be happy with this lens, try it.February 2008 UpdateSanta brought a Canon 40d to which this lens is attached most of the time.  The lens quality on the 40d is even better.  Has the actual quality changed?  No, but on the 40d it's more usable do to high usable ISO settings.  The XTi now carries the Sigma 10-20mm full time. [Note: The Sigma 10-20 super wide is a GREAT lens as well]  No lens changing in the field.  I have a choice of 10 Canon and Sigma lenses, what does using this lens almost full time tell you?  Right, you'll be happy with it to.May 1, 2008 Update.  Now the most used lens on the 40d.  Visiting Yosemite National park and at 300mm the shots across the valley of Yosemite's Upper, Middle and lower waterfalls (all one set of falls) are breathtaking with this lens.  This is a location where the only way to view all three falls in one picture, is to shoot across the valley.  Worth the $$$.May 2009 -  Graduated to the Canon 5D mark II -  this is a great lens on a full frame camera body as well.
I purchased this lens thinking it was a cheaper and lighter alternative to the 70-300 L lens.  It was a total disappointment.  I luckily took two lenses with me on my recent overseas trip.  This 70-300 and a 24 - 105 L lens.  All the pictures from the 70-300 were dull and not sharp pre-edit and post edit using lightroom 5.  I use a Canon 5D Mark III and I know all the presets, but this lens would struggle to focus and would only pic 2 out of the 61 focus points.DO NOT PURCHASE THIS LENS.
Obviously there are only three 300mm telephoto choices when it comes to the line of higher quality Canon lens - small, medium, large. If you go "large" you're walking around with a big ol white lens with monopod adapter that'll sore your arm by lunch.  Sure, you get f/2.8 but at a cost and size.  For the "medium" you get f/4-5.6 but you're still carrying around a honker.  This would be the "small" of the bunch.  What you gain in compactness you lose in .5 of an f-stop.  But jacked out to 200mm+ I still get quality depth of field.  I'm a prosumer (aka wannabe pro) and I can't tell the difference between this and the "medium" f/4 lens.  So between the two, this lens wins hands-down.  Pic quality and lens construction are nearly identical.  I only wish the f/2.8 fixed 300mm was smaller (and cheaper).  But since I'm not shooting sideline pics for sports illustrated, this lens seems the only logical choice.  And if you're even considering this lens for your kit, you're probably just like me and I'm more than happy with the results.  You will be too.
Finally used this lens and couldn't be happier. I bought it reconditioned from Adorama around Xmas and was not expecting it to come packaged like new.I really went back and forth on getting the non-DO EF 70-300 or this lens, but didn't want to spend the extra $800 and decided to take a shot. Am I glad I did.I rencently went to an auto race and took over 400 pictures and was pleasantly surprised at the sharpness and the speed at which the lens auto-focussed. I caught pictures of cars at 150+ MPH that I thought for sure I would miss.Only knock I have is that the zoom is tight takes some effort. But I guess you don't get the lens creep like other non-lockable lens when it's handing downward?Size, weight, sharpness, autofocusing; all pluses for me.
The most important thing I expect of a premium camera lens is for it to capture images with striking sharpness and color. The Canon 70-300mm DO IS has delivered this for me over and over. I own a number of other Canon lenses some of which are "L series" and I can honestly rank the 70-300mm DO right near the top.Of course, this isn't a "Swiss Army knife" type of lens and there are times when it's not the best lens to put on the camera. The f4.5/5.6 means it's not going to let in a great deal of light even wide-open, so it's not the best choice for stopping fast action in low light situations, but that shouldn't be a surprise. What this lens does best is daytime nature photography. I've been able to get incredibly sharp and vibrant wildlife photos with the 70-300 DO IS. Many of these images are among the best I've taken. The Image Stabilization feature is wonderful and seems more useful on this lens than any other I own. It also does a nice job of portraits and landscapes (as long as you don't require wide angles).As mentioned elsewhere the lens tends to soften slightly as it nears the 300mm end, but in-camera or computer processing will sharpen them nicely without adding noise, so it's not an issue to me. While slightly heavy it's not objectionably so and I have no qualms about putting it on my Canon XT 350d for a walkabout lens. An added benefit is its stealthiness. Closed up it's not much bigger in length than the kit lens which makes it less a target for thieves and lets you get "candid" shots of people who aren't aware you have a long-lens. At $1100+ this isn't a cheap lens and it seems like many people figure they're not going to spend that much on something that isn't even a "L" series, but to me if it takes "L series" quality photos (which mine does), then it's doing all I need it to do.Overall, I'd say the Canon EF 70-300mm DO IS one of the best lens values going and I expect to own it a long time.
Wow, having this lens made my lens load drop. I used to have to carry several lenses to cover the ranges I wanted when going out to shoot. The focus is sharp, fast and silent. The images are crisp and bright. Great lens.
This lens is all that and a bag of chips. The image stabilization works beautifully at 70mm as well as 300mm. IS mode 2 for panning also worked very nicely. When people see this lens it hard for them to believe it's a 70mm-300mm. The ability to manually fucus even in full auto mode is another great feature. The price was more than I wanted to spend, but I'm glad I did, the lens is worth the price.
I went with this lens because of the size. I could not be more pleased. The 4.5 f-stop is not far off from the 4.0 equivalent. The DO (Defractive Opticts) to provide a more compact lens does make a huge difference in portability. I tend to hike in narrow areas and I have a small &#34;sling&#34; camera bag that barley fits 3 lenses. Perfect for a wide range of photography. I currently carry the 18-85 stock lens, the 70-300mm lens, and 50mm prime lens. All are fantastic together. I do, however, recommend at least a Tripod + Wireless Remote. All items combined in one bag gives you all you need to take professional level photo's. I am a trained professional, however, I do photography more as a hobby now since my day job is making games :). I have used this particular lens on nearly every hike since I have had it. Loved it when going to Hawaii and was perfect in the San Diago Zoo to get those hard to get shots. Not the best &#34;night&#34; lens though. But if you are shooting at night you should put the camera on a tripod. Otherwise, you are better off with a Sony Cyber shot or your iPhone for night + fast photography.
I got this lens (used) for a good price here in Amazon, after returning the 70-300L which was an attention hogging brick that was way too heavy to carry around. I was a little worried because people complained about it being soft and not as sharp as other zoom lenses of lesser price.After chasing my dog around and shooting some great shots of flying birds I'm convinced that I made the right choice. The lens is indeed sharp and produces great photos, I compared the pictures to those I took with the big white L lens and the quality was better in most pictures and overall better than expected.  The best part of this lens is its size and weight, not to mention its great construction and feel. I can take zoomed range photos without that obvious white barrel sticking out of my camera.I do have some negatives about it: 1st, the lens creeps often when not locked at 70mm, when i carry it on my neck srtap, or when shooting over-head or pointing down, you must have a close hold on the zoom ring to maintain the range desired. 2nd, it is not weather sealed, for a lens this expensive i would expect L caliber type of weather protection... Not there. Lastly, the lens hood it comes with looks odd and I never really use it because it defeats the purpose of having a compact size lens.I've had the lens now for a few months and I'm pleased, I was told that the 70-200 f4L IS would be a better bang for my buck, since it produces such sharp images, and although I would like to see that, I think about carrying that lens versus this one and being mobile sound better to me. Even if the other L lens produces a bit more sharpness.Moral of the story, if you want to move around, shoot hand held, carry other lenses and still be able to have a good zoom lens in your bag, then this one is for you.UPDATE 11/17/2011: To satify my curiosity, after reading reviews from the "professionals" at dpreview, I went ahead and rented the 70-200 F4-L, which is known to be the "king of image quality" for L class lenses, and guess what? The difference in IQ between the DO and the L lens is not significant at all, though there is SOME difference, it's nothing that cannot be easily tweaked in post-production. This is not the first time that I confirm that "pro" reviews are slanted and you must do YOUR OWN testing to see if the product generates the results YOU expect. And so, NEW MORAL OF THE STORY: (if you can) Do your own testing, Do not be satisfied with the opinions of others, even if they swear that they are "pros". I love my DO lens now more than ever.
Excellent quality and fast lens.Heavier than I expected.Note, when ordering this lens DON'T also order the Canon ET-65B Lens Hood because it comes with the lens.
I found this lense through online. It is light wieght , easy carry and have all founction I want. So far I like it very much.
I've had this lens for several weeks now and have taken nearly 100 photos with it. It is phenomenal for outdoor photography. Some of the criticism of this lens is that it's not very fast. But why would anyone want a 70-300 lens for indoor, night or low light use?I'm quickly becoming a nature photographer with it. I can zoom in on wildlife from a safe distance and, even hand-held, it delivers clear shots that often have a shallow depth of field that nicely focuses attention on the subject. This lens has more than enough clarity for me. With so much glass built into a relatively small space, the lens feels substantial. The lock it has on the extension tube is great. It keeps it from extending when you don't want it to while walking with the camera over your shoulder.Some examples of what this lens can do can be seen on a Flickr group I've created for this lens:  [...]
I originally owned the first 70-300 is lens. I took some wonderful pictures with it. The major difference between that lens and the new one is the size. The older lens was a monster. I have always been impressed with Canon lenses. I like the fact that you do not have to lug a tripod around. The image stabilization is a wonderful thing.
This lense is incredible.  i am truly amazed at how well it works.
Excellent lens! I just got back from my safari in Tanzania where I took over 3000 pictures. Attaching this lens to my 5D mark II gave me fantastic results. I really can't add anymore to this review than what has already been stated by others, so ... Just buy it. (Git-er-dun)
I purchased the EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens for my EOS 40D after grueling over it for months. It's a lot of money but after using it, it worth every dime. I had been using the 28-135mm lens and always found myself short in focal length for some shots. The 135mm just isn't enough for many shots. So, I searched and searched and found this lens.The lens is heavy as others have mentioned but the quality of the photos will ease your pain! I have a couple of different bags to carry it in, depending upon the situation. Let's face it guys & gals, you don't get "something for nothing!"  You want that life like shot at any light condition and, you want it at wide angle &/or telephoto ranges; so don't complain!Canon's quality is obvious in all aspects of this lens from the stabilization system to the fast focus speeds. As you can tell, I in love! This is truly a magnificent lens. It is the 5th Canon Lens that I own. If quality, reliability, flexibility, stability and speed are your game and you take your photography seriously, then this lens is for you. After all, you can buy another body but a lens you keep for a life time.
the first time I picked up lens I thought wow how heavy it was but It is a 28mm to 300mm there is 13 lens and 9 elements I think so it's no point and shoot. the lens work well on auto with camera, and it came with a case and hood too. good materials and very fast shipping.
This lens was introduced to me by a fellow professional photographer on a photo safari in Africa.  Its good and true.
I was salivating for this lens for four months and finally bought one a few weeks ago from the Amazon. I was very excited and couldn't wait to put this glass on my 20D.First impression I got was that this lens is not that heavy as 3.7 pounds may seem, but boy I was wrong about that. It feels solidly built and looks not that huge on the body. So there we go... After filling up my 1GB CF with shots (taken outside, inside with external flash and without, with different f-stops and all range of zooms) and closely examining the results I decided to write this review with which I did not try to downplay the qualities of this piece of art, just to share my humble opinion.Pros:All in one solution (well may be except super wide)Under most light conditions the lens performs as expected which is very goodGreat zoom range that converts to 45-460mm on APS-C bodiesNice color saturation and contrast, gorgeous bokehPush pull zoom (for some may not) which allows lightning fast zoom changeFocusing distance only 0.7 meter for any zoom range!IS is doing a great job on longer exposure timesQuiet and fast focusing, never had a hunting problemIncluded lens case is of good qualityCons:Painfully heavy (you start to feel it after an hour or so)Pricy the much more suitable price would be around  $1700.00Softness in pictures at the 28 and 300mm range with fully opened aperture.Focusing ring is too close to tightening ring so when you trying to loosen the tension inadvertently you may change the focus.Very inconvenient to loosen tightening ring with one hand almost always had to do it with both handsAperture falls fast to f/5.6 somewhere in the 85-100mm range.200 and 300mm ranges are too close to each other which makes it hard to adjust to precise zoom and it's causing overshoot. At the very end (300mm) lens gets stuck and you have to use force to push it back, and that's prevents you from gradually and smoothly change the zoom in between 180-300mm. I heard it's because it's new and this will go away.The lens hood is barely sufficient at 28mm and almost completely useless at 300mm.The shoulder strap is very narrow and will definitely pinch a nerve if you carry the lens case around your neck or shoulderOverall it's a great solution if you only want to carry one lens and if you want to travel "light" but really don't know what focal lengths are required. But still I decided to return mine back and replace it with EF 24-105 L IS USM f/4 and EF 70-200 L USM f/2.8. as it's performance did not live up to my expectations for such high price and inconvenience to carry such a heavy load on your shoulder all day around.
I've had this lens in service on a 1Ds for over 5 years without issue until mounting on the 5dm3 and errors with contacts and the usual dust in the front elements February 18, 2014.  I noticed the lens base flange was damaged/fatigued but still fired and took perfect shots with everything else working fine, zooming, focusing, hand held zoom images just fine, sharp, crisp.  Sent the lens to Canon authorized facility in Irvin Ca. that same day wanting the flange replaced and front elements cleaned, $435.53.Later they found stabilizer issues and barrel damages (paint scratch) additional to the flange and dust issues I wanted managed costing  $998.55.  I had a COW over the mystery added cost of what I didn't order. The cost for labor was dropped and the new charge is $609.63. Yesterday, 14 March, 2014 I found out they are waiting on parts to begin the repairs. Who knows what is going on in Irvin, Ca. You can bet yer sweet begonias Canon is teaching me a lesson for opening my mouth instead of just my wallet.  This lens is out of warranty and could have been repaired doing what I wanted for about $150 or less than $65 for doing it my self.  Canon states they will repair everything to their high standards they think it needs or send it back.  All or none, I have no choice in what they repair. Of course you will pay for what ever they think the lens needs or else.  I'm serious, this is what is happening right now to me with Canon services in Irvin, California and I still do not have this lens back.  Any guesses on how it will work when I get it back or for how long?  Love the lens all the Canon bodies, other lenses, flashes for over 35 years and never once needed Canon services until last month. Don't know what to do now, let them keep the lens or buy another new one and use with confidence like I did before this all happened.Lastly, if you think you want a Canon authorized facility to repair your in or out of warranty camera or lens you will NOT know anything until you have sent it to them and then it is to late to redo your perceived best choice. It's out of your hands no mater what they say or what you believe.  Canon products manufactured in Japan(?), is clearly and completely different from Canon services in the United States.  What they want to do may have nothing to do with what YOU want, period! Rhetoric is something you read or hear. Services and goods is something you receive or hold in your hands and pay for.  One has nothing to do with the other unless it is TRUE!28 Mar 2014 update: 21 Mar, 2014 I received this lens back from Canon Service Irvine, CA with a detailed description of parts "replaced" not stated in any prior estimates until this document arrived with the lens.  I had no idea what they had done until now. These are the parts listed and billed . Remember, all I wanted was a mount replaced and front elements cleaned when I sent the lens for service.1:  lens ass'y,3rd1:  ring, focus adjustment1:  lens assy, image stabilizer1:  barrel, manual focus1:  barrel, zoom control3:  collar1:  mount ass'y  (this is the only part I needed, wanted replaced)I have filed a complaint against Canon services with the DOJ AG office in California for fraud. No one should be leveraged to pay for what you don't need to get what you do need.  Canon services has the audacity for thanking me for the "opportunity to serve" me. Rhetoric on steroids! Then the Canon surveys to give the illusion they have feelings and care about my needs, OMG and big whoop.  Sounds like our government. In MY case Canon products and Canon services are diametrically opposites, just like "correct" and "politically correct".Lastly, marketing rhetoric for goods and services are well funded illusions pandering to what THEY want you to believe. The truth is almost always something else.  My remarks can only be applied to those employees with Canon services that are not honest.  All that are honest can not be diminished by those that aren't.  It's a shame one gets bunched with the other. If you buy Canon products you may be faced with Canon services period and good luck!May 11, 2014 update:  Canon received my complaint from the Ca. DOJ AG office and denies over charging for a repair(s) I did not want.  They stated my "rather old" 7 year old lens had been damaged and needed the additional repairs. A lens 7 years old is NOT rather old but actually rather still new given how long high quality gear last.  I have a 1953 German made camera that works perfectly and even that is not "rather old" compared to older functioning gear.They did not address at all how they would only fix everything THEY wanted repaired or send it back and not even clean the front elements or replace the damaged base mount.  They also state since they found it needed additional parts that they provided them for "free". Of course the $609.93 parts charge had at least a 300% markup I had no choice in paying for in order to get my "rather old" lens back. This response I received from Canon U.S.A. was from their Senior Counsel.The bottom line is DO NOT SEND your Canon out of warranty gear to any Canon Service facility unless you don't care what they do.  Again, once they have your property you will not have control of what you want repaired and they can do what ever they want with your property once they get it in their money grabbing hands. I guess since California is financially underwater literally, this is a way to increase revenue, gulp, gulp!  YOU will have to pay for anything they say it needs or they will send the lens back unrepaired!  Send your gear to a state that is not in a financial wreck and that has a better record for consumer product sales and service. California as beautiful as it is will never get another dime of mine unless there is no other worldly choice, sorry.
I bought this lens in April of 2008 to shoot at the St Pete Grand Prix in FL, I wanted a great all around lens so I didn't have to change lens or switch to a camera with a different lens during fast action. At first I would have given the lens a 4 or even a 5 star rating however after a while you start to notice some problems with it.Push/Pull Problems:Most of the problems I believe have to do with it being a push/pull lens. Within the first year of heavy usage I started to notice dust on the lens, the problem is that its on the inside. This is never happened with any of the other canon lenes I have and my theory is that dust/dirt will get on the main cylindar and then work its way up into the inside. I could send it to canon and pay to have it clean but then I would be out of a lens for however long that took. Besides that even though there is dust in it you can't really see in in the photos. Every once in a while you can see a spec when in images with flat colors like the sky. Many cameras have the abaility to create a dust map to digitally map where dust specs are and remove it anyways. The other problem with the push pull is it sticks a little, its hard to get any kind of smooth movement out of it. Not a problem when shooting stills but most all modern DSLR's like my 5D Mark II do 1080p HD video. Unless your going to stick to one zoom lenght dont try zooming while shooting video, the result is jerky looking.Vignette:For such a large in diameter lens this thing creates a lot of vignette (darkening around the edges). I notice it the most on photos where I have zoomed in from the mid range to all the way zoomed in. I use Adobe Lightroom which recently in the 3.3 version added a lens profile correction specificly for this lens (as they have done with many other lens in previous versions). This has made corrections much easier since its automated. However it has really shown me also just how bad the vignette is. There is also a far amount of distortion which is corrected. For as expensive as this lens it I wouldn't have expected it to have noticable vignette effects.Sharpness/Color:Sharpness is good, not great, but good. The Image Stabalization does a good job of reducing blur and keeping the image sharp. I still find myself afterwords bumping up the sharpness in lightroom though. I have to post process more sharpness with this lens than with my 17-40mm F4 L USM. The color reproduction with this lens is also a little dulled to me. Not much but enough to where I will bump up the vibrance and/or saturation for landscapes. It does do a good job when shooting with models though.Would I recommend this lens?It depends on what you are going to use it for. If switching lenses is just going to be to problematic and to slow than this is a great option. It is definatly convenient not having to go back and forth. However if you can switch lenses without it being a problem go with a good wide to mid range zoom and a telephoto and not an all in one unit like this one.
This is a great lens.  I got it three weeks ago and have taken a couple thousand pictures so far -- mostly at daytime youth soccer games but also at a couple of night games under lights and some random shots around the area.  The pictures it takes are tack sharp, the image stabilization is amazing, and the focusing is extremely quick.  Yes, it's heavy, very conspicuous and expensive, but the end result is the quality of the pictures, and I've been very happy.I had been using a Canon 70-300 USM lens since I bought a Canon 20D a few years ago, but after upgrading to the Canon 50D body last year, I started realizing that I was being limited by the quality of my old lens so I started shopping for a better lens to use when taking pictures at my son's soccer games.  I rented a couple of different "L" lenses from a local camera store to try them out:  the Canon 100-400mm L and the 28-300mm L.  Both lenses are very nice, and I tend to shoot more on the telephoto end of the scale,  and I liked the reach of the 400mm especially on the cropped sensor 50D, but the wider angle of the 28-300mm was a big positive as well.  The 28-300mm lens is a push-pull zoom -- you push or pull the barrel out or in rather like twisting it like so many zooms, and pull it back to go wide angle -- and the lens I rented seemed a bit hard to slide, so that turned me off.Finally after a year of thinking and looking at these, I bought it.  I'm getting used to the weight (I use a monopod most of the time anyway) and the push-pull zoom is so responsive that I'm really enjoying it too.  I find that I can quickly zoom in or out if the action suddenly moves towards or away from me, so I can get shots I never would have even tried before.  The lens also focuses very fast -- and very quietly.Comes front and rear caps, lens shade, and a nice zippered case.  I bought it used and it came with a with tripod ring, which I often use with my monopod.  Since the lens is so heavy, it's not recommended to use the camera's tripod mount because it puts too much strain on the connection between the camera and the lens.  The tripod ring is a ring that goes around the lens and has a screw to attach to the tripod at the center of gravity of the lens+camera combination.All lenses involve some type of trade offs.  With this lens you trade convenience (weight and bulk) and price for quick focus, quick zooming, sharp images, great stabilization which adds up to superb pictures.So, do like I did -- take a deep breath, shop around for price, and buy it.** Feb 2011 Update.  I have used it for 4 months now and like it even more.  I have seen I can take much sharper pictures than my old lens.** Oct 2011 Update.  Was appreciating the push-pull zoom action this past weekend while shooting a U19 club soccer game.  It's quick and intuitive and great for sports shots.
I shoot mostly family events and softball games, specifically candids, so this lens is ideal for me.---[ CONS ]---[1] Soft at 28mm wide open. (major)My biggest complaint is it's consistently soft at 28mm and f/3.5. Too soft for my taste. The shots look "dreamy". I often forget to zoom out a little or drop the aperture when shooting wide angle and end up disappointed in the results. I've seen it on the 20D, 5D2, and 7D so it's not the camera. It's a bummer because the wide angle is often what I want on a crop factor camera.[2] Weight. (major)Your arm will probably hurt after shooting for a few hours, especially with its push/pull it gets long so your arm is extended holding all that weight. There hasn't been a person yet I let try the lens that didn't immediately say "wow, that's heavy". I read that in the reviews and thought "na, I can handle it". Nope. I must admit I had to take breaks. It's painful to shoot video with extended arms as you look at the video back/screen. It's not for the timid.[3] Cost. (average)$2k+ for a non "fast" lens? Come on canon - make us a 28-300mm f/2.8L! :-) *BUT* ultimately you get what you pay for; I'm constantly impressed with the image quality this lens can produce and 300mm is a really fun focal length.[4] Length. (average)Fully extended it's awkward to hold at times. Especially at first when you attempt to fine tune the range but eventually I got the hang of it.[5] Slow low-light AF. (average)It hunts in doors, especially at the higher zoom. But to be fair it's got quite alot of range to cover. It's quick enuff in the 28-70 range. I do find I can't shoot sports at dusk or indoors with very good results; it's not a 70-200mm f/2.8 L replacement for this case.[6] Push/Pull (minor).I wasn't a big fan at first but love it now. It's the right mechanism to control so much range. It allows you to get the zoom VERY quickly. Again, great for candids.[7] Fast range fall off (minor).I'd say 50% of the physical range is 28-90 and the last 50% is 90-300. It falls off especially fast from 200-300. I find it hard to get anything in between. It slams to the 300 and it's a bit of a trick (at first) to pull it back a little. 300 is so much zoom I find myself often in too close and then needing to fiddle to back off a bit, loosing a second or so which might loose the shot.[8] Min focal distance is a tad too long (minor).I find myself having to physically back away from people when shooting 28mm. I guess Im spoiled by the 24-70.---[ NEUTRAL ]---[1] Not inconspicuous.The lens is white and massive so just about everyone will notice you. The pro is people will take you seriously and it can be fun to talk shop. The con is that it's harder to blend in so it makes getting some of those more candid shots more difficult.---[ PROS ]---[1] Image quality.Is as good as my 24-70mm f/2.8L. Sharpness, color, contrast, etc. It's definitely an L-series. I'm consistently impressed at the results coming from this lens.[2] Range.The big feature for this particular lens is that I'm ready to shoot anything and I needn't change lenses. The ability to shoot close then zoom in on the action and then back out is a great sense of freedom you've just got to experience if you like to shoot events! It's the do anything lens.[3] Fast AF.AF is L-series fast outdoors with sufficent light.[4] Image stabilization.The IS on this lens is absolutely amazing. At 300mm its like someone grabbed the lens to help stablize it. Indoors it's actually amazing as well. At 70mm with my f/2.8L I might have had 1/60 shutter and I may only get 1/20 with the 28-300 BUT with the IS the shot isn't blurry (with a steady hand). Ironically I'm seeing less blurry shots indoors than with my 24-70 which doesnt have IS.[5] Bokeh.The blurred backdrop at 300mm is stunning. It's very pro looking. True it's not as smooth as the 70-200 f/2.8L but it's stunning anyway.[6] Fun.This lens is just fun to shoot! I find myself shooting twice as many shots than with the 24-70mm. The range unlocks so many more shoots I just couldn't get before.[7] Tightening ring.A nice touch; very useful.[8] Rugged.The upside of it's weight is it's built like a tank so I needn't worry about banging this $2k+ piece of glass against something or scratching it.[9] Switch placement.BTW, I dont find the placement of the switches to be a problem like some other reviews. I think they must be close because you can't put them on the barrel since it moves - unlike the 70-200.[10] Natural candids.An awesome serendipity is that 300mm is enough range that I'm seeing very natural looking candids. I'm far enuff away from people that I'm not in their space so they relax. With the 24-70 I'd have to get close enough that it'd change their expression slightly. Even if I'm zoomed way in at 300mm and my subject sees me I'm still physically far enough away that they dont feel threatened (but if they only knew!) :-) This creates *PRICELESS* shots in my opinion. It definitely has that paparazzi quality. It's this last quality that makes the cons worth it to me.Bottomline: I can deal with the cons for the pros. You get what you pay for. Nice work canon! :-).dsj.
This lens fulfills most of my shooting requirements. I find it to be very sharp at all focal lengths. I love the way this lens handles back ground blur at large apertures. My only complaint is the weight, it is heavy. If you plan to use off tripod purchase a Joby UltraFit Sling Strap for DSLRs. This strap helps balance the weight while walking and is easy to maneuver the lens for fast shooting.
iM A PRO photographer and i sold all my old equip and bought this lens to cover my last 24 to 105 mm is lens and my 70 to 200 is lens....this 28 to 300 mm is does it all in one lens...clear as the other two lens i listed and fast...it does take a little getting use to the big zoom motion of pushing and pulling the lens to adjust for the shot, but not having to change lenses at all on jobs...priceless.
It is one of my favorit cameras. It can fit all situations while I am traveling. I love Canon and cameras
I didn't buy my lens at Amazon because it was cheaper at several major online camera supply stores. So it's an almost perfect walkaround lens and I agree with most of what all the other reviewers say. I just don't like it that Amazon advertises it as being on sale from $4000+. It's not. It's the real price, give or take $100-$200, even on the Canon website. Amazon, please don't try to fool your customers.
I got this for replace my older Canon Lens zoom 70-300 mm . Well made heavy, solid product. Tested on long range zoom made slightly on sides distortion but acceptable. So far couldn't t find better for Canon 6D.
I bought this lens for my EOS 20D. Before this lens, I was using EOS 28-135mm lens. After the upgrade, I found that 28-300mm lens give me almost distortion free image even at 300mm range. When I used 28-135mm lens, the distortion on the image is very visible when I am at 135mm range. Even at the wide angle range, I noticed that 28-300mm lens gives me much sharper image while 28-135mm lens gives me much softer image. The focus is very fast for 28-300mm L lens. On the down side, this 28-300mm lens is really heavy. Holding it will really wear you out. The auto/manual focus switch is arranged in a very awkard position. It is very easy to change your auto foucs setting to manual setting. The lens also will be pulled all the way down due to its weight when you carry it around. I have to carry it with my hand and not make it extend  itself all the way down. If picture quality is what you are after, go for this lens. I am very pleased with the sharpness and  the fast focusing.
Purchased this lens after lusting over it for a year and saving my $$$.First, make no mistake, this is a large lens.  At slightly over 3.5 pounds, you will know it's around your neck.I purchased this lens for the versatility of 28-300mm, with the understanding that there could be a degradation in quality as compared to something like a 70-200 f2.8 lens.The IS on this lens does an amazing job.  I can take shots indoors at 300mm at very slow shutter speeds, with no camera shake.  IS is so quiet, I thought it wasn't working, until I turned it off...There seems to be a learning curve with this lens, during which you learn what not to try to do with this glass.  IS will make you over-confident and you will use shutter speeds so slow that subject movement will blur the image.Overall I think it's a decent bit of glass, perhaps a little soft, especially in low light and wide open.It's at least as good as my 70-200 L4 non IS lens.The bigger question is:  Is this lens worth 2000+ dollars?  Depends upon how seriously you take your photography and whether a bit of softness between 28-70mm bothers you. Not having actually tried the 70-200 2.8 lens, I can't fairly compare the two, but I suspect the 70-200 2.8 IS might provide better quality, but less range.  Everything is a trade-off.
I bought this lens because the 28-135 mm kit lens for my Canon EOS 7D was simply not long enough for taking wildlife shots. This lens also compliments my EF-S 10 -22mm ultrawide (my favorite lens). The quality of this long lens is top notch, however, it takes getting used to it's weight and that it's a push-pull zoom.
Canon has excellent lens but this one weigh 5 pounds. I would recommend a monopod or tripod if you are using this lens. Bright pictures and what a good quality 28-300 lens.
Although this lens is heavy, it is my primary walking around lens. It does fall off a bit at the extremes and is isn't great in dim light, it is by far my favorite lens. I rented it twice before purchasing it, so I was aware of the weight. I good camera strap will help with the heft of it and it works great on a tripod.
I purchased this for my recent trip to Europe to cut down on my travel bag.  It worked great.  It is a quality lens and provides all I need for most situations.  I have not critically reviewed performance at the largest apertures in wide angle mode, but I tried to use a medium aperture based on reviews I read.
This lens is very versatile for video shoots with lots of action. I work at Jordan Winery [...] and spend a fair amount of time shooting video of vineyard crews pruning grapevines and harvesting grapes. There's a lot of movement and this lens helps me get all kinds of different shots fast without changing lenses. It's the best all-purpose lens Canon makes, IMO. I've researched them all, as has my husband who is a professional photographer. Highly recommended. The only complaint I have is that the collar slips quite often, so if you're shooting video, make sure to get a level to put on your camera or use an iPhone level app -- or just go out and buy the new Canon 5D Mark iii, which has a built-in level.
I use it on 5D shooting mostly kids during field trips.Pro:- Good IQ/Color/AF speed, typical L zoom. The sharpness I care about is pretty close to a typical prime (200/2.8II L for example)- Great IS - The IS on these L lenses work seamlessly. In contrast, Canon 70-300 IS and Tamron 18-270 VR jerk the glass around visiblly with great force (I can feel it while setting up the shot) and they can't keep up with continuous shooting - every other shot or so will be blurry because the IS is at in-between state I suppose.- Hand heldable- Fast zoom with push pullNeutral:- Bought it as second hand with "light use" according to the previous owner. The lens looks good but the damping between the main push/pull cylinders are mostly gone and it sounds like metal to metal when zooming in and out. This also happened to my second hand 28-70 MF ring. L quality is "not forever" after all :)- The weight is expected and is actually managable if you handled other big L zooms before. better support will bring out better IQ since IS is not everything.Con:- Too expensive. I used 40D+ Tamron 18-270 VR, a much cheaper and more flexible combo for the same job. The most obvious advantage of the big L is its unbeatable AF speed and accuracy in any reaonsable lighting condition. Tammy is good, but not in this league. But the price difference is ...- AF is not quick fully extended at 400mm. Tried to catch a plane in fly with 5D, it failed. Work around - pull back to about 100mm and AF, much faster there and once locked AF extends back to 400mm again. It's a pity this should happen to a $$$$ L lens.Bottom line -This is the only real high quality (picture quality, reliablity, consistency) all-in-one for full frame for bright out door shots.2nd Update Jan 2011 -The loose ball bearing is fixed by itself and the problem is gone! Guess the tiny loose balls in the cylinders somehow escaped and gone so now the zoom is back in business like before! Guess I am just lucky this time. Carried it on a cruise trip for a week without any problem. Knocking wood and counting my blessing of course. But hey, this is still a solid piece of glass that rocks when it works. And the IS really rules! The sure footed AF on L lenses is just too good to pass. So now I am used to the weight and size, I never go back to the Tamron. Added one more star back to the rating. My lesson learned: buy used gear at my own risk and pray very hard when I do :) Cheers.1st Update - 2010-08 - cut the rating from 5 stars to 3 because of the zoom problem.The ball bearing on the zoom worn out on me - up on some online investigation and close inspection on the lens, apparently some of the tiny balls in the bearing were loose in between the two cylinders. This seems to be a not so rare problem for the Canon L push-poll lenses. I realize that by turning the lens in different directions can get the balls to settle so the lens can zoom the full range. Fixing it will probably make the total lens cost more than buying a new one, plus the waiting time and the very questionable 'fixes" I previously experienced with Canon service centers at both New Jersey and San Diego. No, I am not happy and far from impressed by the Canon service department. But since I am stuck with the EOS, I don't have much of a choice. (not sure Nikon can be any better either).Bottom line - don't believe all the hypes you hear on the web about this and that. For me, Canon stuff is great as long as it works. The mileage may vary dramatically though, depending on your luck.
It was a long road of trial and error to get me to this lens.  I have owned a (All Canon) 18-55 kit lens, a 28-135IS, a 100 macro 2.8IS, a 18-200IS, a 70-300IS, a 70-300DOIS, and a 100-400LIS as either combos or do it all lenses.  All the while not completely happy with them (All were sold).  I finally bucked up and decided to give this lens a try.  I have not looked back once.  I read the reviews and found them very helpful, so after having this for about 6 months decided to write one myself.  This lens is very often overlooked do to its weight and price.  Its reviews while solid were not stellar.  I can not put to words how happy I am that I got this lens.  The focal length is just plain fantastic and the biggest advantage this lens has.  It does like light and performs better outside than in (But most lenses are this way).  I get consistent sharp shots at all focal lengths.  Auto focus is fast and accurate (Except in low light-it will hunt a bit).  IS works great too.  Panning mode is great for shooting anything moving left to right or right to left.  Just got some great shots of my nephew snow boarding.Bottom line:This is an "L" lens and is deserving of the classification.Focal length can not be touched for the IQ of the shots, period!Heavy duty construction, very well built.Heavy!  Don't kid yourself that you can get all of these benefits without a tradeoff.I shoot mostly candid and my kids, but this lens allows me to "Do Anything".  Really.
I find it funny how some reviewers complain about the weight of this lens when the alternative is carrying around the camera with one lens on it plus a camera bag with at least a second lens to get similar shooting versatility.  How is that any less cumbersome?  While the lens might be on the heavier side for an average woman or smaller guy, at 6ft. 200lbs. when I want to keep things simple with versatility, I take just my camera with this lens on it for extended periods and it doesn't really bother me. I leave the camera bag with the flash and other lenses, etc. in the car just in case.  I hate that having the correct lenses for whatever it is you shoot is an absurdly expensive bunch of compromises.  This lens is no different except that it's a damn good compromise.
All in one lens.I do not need to change lenses very often. This one is the one I need.It's a little bit heavy, though!Excellent Canon product.
Fantastic lens. Best $2500 I have spent on camera equipment. After several thousand pictures, and dragging it around the world, from humid jungles, to subfreezing photo shoots, I have nothing but good to say about its quality, and my happiness with this lens. The quality is fantastic. The image stabalization works great. These are all the features I expect from the Canon L series.The 28-300mm feature is tremendous. If you are on the small sensor cameras (D50, Rebel, etc), you need the 28 to get the every day use. If you are on the full size sensor professional EOS cameras, it gives you that wide angle versatility.It is heavier and a little larger then some lens, but for the quality of glass you are getting, I do not mind.The only thing I do not like about this lens is that there are no lock outs on the auto focus and  lens function buttons. Occasionally, this means that they get bumped in field use, and you end up with a few non-focused pictures, the image stabalization is off, or the lens is seeking through a longer focal range then desired before it shoots. The only solution I have found it to be more careful before shots or put a wide rubber band around the lens (over the function buttons) to prevent them from being bumped.The other thing I have found, is when using multiple lens for field use, it is inevidible that you will get dust on your sensors. Field lens change outs are just not desirable, and sensors are hard to keep clean. I am planning to buy a second EOS body to dedicate this lens to (where I never take off the lens) so that I can capture the perfection of this lens' optical qualities without the worry of dust on the sensor compromising pictures. Unless you use really wide angle (which I sometimes do since I am on a small sensor D20 camera), this lens is all that you will need.Would I recommend this lens? Absolutely! In my opinion, worth every penny.
I already have a 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM lens by Canon - and I love it... it's super sharp, super fast with a 2.8 and so easy to use. While this lens is a couple of stops slower than my faithful 70-200 lens, the focal range is so versatile, it's usually what I take with me when I'm shooting in a venue with lots of light, because I can quickly jump from wide angle to super telephoto so quickly.The only thing I don't like is the awkwardness in which you zoom. With the similar looking 70-200 lens, you have a manual focus ring and a zoom ring. You can be very precise and delicate with your zooming. Not so much with this heavy lens. You zoom and go to wide angle by pulling the lens out (making it longer) or pushing it in (making it shorter). After a few months of using it, I'm getting more adept at it - but even now, it still feels awkward and I don't have the fine tuning I'd have with a zoom ring.I know that lots of engineers got together at Canon to work on how they'd get all the elements in a fairly small package with this type of focal range and this method may very well be the best or only way to get it done - but I will tell you - it's awkward!And, unless you're a strong man with big hands, you can get fatigued very quickly with this very heavy lens. I now use a monopod when I'm going to be on a lengthy shoot with this lens and use the tripod mount on the lens.The photos are crystal clear with this lens - but I do wish it had the finesse of it's smaller sibling.
I'm not a professional photographer. This was my first L lens. Over a period of time that I acquired other L lenses (70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM, 15mm Fisheye etc) , I've come to realize this lens isn't anywhere lesser in the leagues as other premium Canon lenses like 70-200L lens.First the Pros:1. Once you get used to the push-pull zoom, focusing and zooming onto any object, at any distance becomes a snap.2. Much has been said of the tightening ring, in my experience it has been a life-saver. With the same hand using the zoom push/pull just a flick of finger can increase or decrease the friction and one can adjust how quickly or slowly zoom push pull works.3. The picture quality is amazing at least on my camera (50D) I did not notice much difference in picture quality between this and the 70-200mm lenses. Maybe it works differently for full-frame cameras.4. I was quite skeptical about distortions as noted in some of the reviews. But in actual experience, Photoshop always had the correction data since both the 50D and this lens are supported. Its just a matter of loading up the RAW and your PS filters can automatically apply the respective correction for the FL you have the picture taken at.5. One lens, huge range. One doesn't realize how easy this lens makes it until you've been using it for a while and then one day decide to go back to other lenses.6. Beautiful pictures, bokeh as well, HDR shots, at least on 50D, there's not a single flaw I could find.7. The lens is heavy; at least for me it means more stability. Combined with the IS on the lens I can be sure, my hand held shots will rarely have a shake. It may be a matter of personal preference but I did not find the lens to be heavier than two lenses put together to get the same range.8. For a 3.5, the lens is surprisingly quick(unless in low-light scenarios). I've rarely missed a moment because of the lens. Of course, if you've not used the lens for a while or do not use the fl selector, you could cause the lens to hunt (happened rarely to me but my friends definitely complained about it).Cons:1. True, the aperture falls very quickly somewhere after the 50mm range but once you get a hang of how quickly and where, its not much of an issue.2. In low light conditions, this lens does turn out very slow. Expect grainy, Ghost or long hunting times in the dark. I typically switch to manual focus and manual settings to correct these issues.3. Obviously, using this lens means you wouldn't be hanging the camera or the lens around your neck. It goes in the backpack!All in all, I think this is a great lens. It does not replace the 70-200mm plus other lenses to get the same range. It compliments them when you cannot carry multiple lenses. Feel free to look at the images taken by this lens on my Flickr page [...]
It was with a whole lot of trepidation that I purchased this lens for my advertising agency. But I'm truly happy that I did so. As long as you know what you're getting into I'd bet that you will be too. It's not perfect, but it's damned good. Even with the aching arms that go along with it.The Good:Amazingly, this lens can do nearly everything. Landscapes, architecture, portraits... Leave all but your specialty lenses at home and it'll take good care of you.Thickly padded canvas lens bag protects from bumps and scratches when not in use.300mm zoom at 2' distance? Done.Takes great 'black glass' shots if you're into that sort of thing.Tension lock on push-pull zoom keeps the lens from bottoming out when you're carrying it from a shoulder or neck strap.Two modes of image stabilization give you flexibility and confidence when shooting handheld or with a monopod.Though not always shown in the pictures, the Tripod Mount Ring *IS* included (and you'll absolutely need to use it if you don't want to break your camera.)The bad:Seriously heavy. No, strike that. It's SERIOUSLY, seriously heavy. My right arm tends to start shaking after about an hour of unsupported shooting. (Though on the plus side, I've quickly learned bracing strategies that have improved my shots markedly.)The included strap is a joke. When the lens weighs more than the camera but comes with a strap less than a quarter the thickness someone at Canon has screwed up.It's nearly impossible to take candids with this thing. The combination or size and color make you look like a photojournalist and people won't act naturally around you.Image quality at both ends are too fuzzy for an L lens - and when I shoot wide open it appears almost gauzy.When working at long end of the range it's really hard to get the zoom just right. I find myself zooming in and out trying to frame the shot, and always end up just pulling back further than I'd like since I can't compose the exact shot I want.Even with these significant flaws I still think it's a great lens and am glad that my company invested in it. The versatility, vibrance, and clarity it offers in the vast majority of situations means I don't have to schlep a half-dozen lenses for a shoot. I bring this and a fish-eye or wide angle and I'm covered for everything I might encounter - most of which I can focus and shoot in seconds without a lens change.
I just got this lens not too long ago, and all I can bitch about this lens is the weight. Sometimes when I go in the field I do not want to carry the heavy lens, but lately it seems like I always end up using this lens for my assignments.
Since this is a somewhat slow lens, I was a little dubious about purchasing it, as it didn't seem to provide as much as many other Canon L lenses, yet is priced so high. However, I have found this lens to be extremely sharp, regardless of f/stop, and focal length.NOTE: I use a certain range of f/stops, from whatever is wide open on a given lens up to MAYBE f/11 on rare occasions, and more rarely f/16, so this is the portion of the range to which I refer. As an additional note, numerous years of experience, and much reading, have made it clear that stopping down beyond that point is not beneficial to image quality. Furthermore, I am partial to subject isolation, especially in working with high end cameras/lenses.This lens makes a great all-purpose lens, especially when you don't want to have to make a lens change. For example, in a Wedding that I recently shot, the locale was on a beach. I have done A LOT of bikini model photography on beaches in the MD/VA/DC area, South Carolina, Miami, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and elsewhere, and so I knew from experience that you don't want to take off the lens when there's a lot of sand and wind around. No matter how careful youy might THINK you are being. The 28-300mm fit the bill in every way you could hope for. It was early evening/late afternoon at the end of summer, so the light was perfect. And a very wide aperture would've been tricky anyway - so what this lens provides was definitely good enough. The only question was if it was going to be good enough quality-wise, sharpness, color contrast. I am happy to say that the results were stunning. Having reviewed all of the pictures that were taken at this Wedding, I was pleasantly surprised at HOW sharp and contrasty they were (bear in mind, I have been using a lot of primes - the Canon 50mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 and the 135mm f/2.0). I also own the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, and I believe the results were on par with that particular lens. Which is why I believe it carry's the price tag that it does.Many people have found the push/pull zoom to be undesirable. I think it is a matter of getting used to, and it really doesn't take long. My earliest film 35mm camera from years ago (when I was about 12 yrs old I got it), a Ricoh camera (re-branded with the Sears name on it) had one lens that was an 80-210mm that was push/pull manual focus. It's funny how you forget over the years because that thing is far more awkward to try to use, and yet I still needed to "re-learn." What is nice about the Canon 28-300mm push/pull is the locking ring. You have to really understand it correctly to use it correctly. Once you do, the benefits are well worthwhile. You will find yourself easily loosening and tightening the tension as needed. This is key because the tighter setting will nearly lock the zoom in place when you don't want it extending, and once loosened all the way, the push/pull zooming is as rapid as you'll get. Combined with Autofocus and good shooting skills, you can get some amazing performance.Many people will look at the Sigma or Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 and see, based on cursory spec review, little difference in the lenses, and huge price differences. Make no mistake, these are a COMPLETELY different class of lens, and the price difference is totally warranted. To understand this, you may need to go to a camera store and try each one out. This will make the difference obvious. But let me try to enumerate a couple of things here. First, these cheaper lenses are NOT 300mm on the outside length. I have done MANY test shots with the Tamron and Sigma 28-300mm lenses, and in NO case could either of those zoom in as close as the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. What?? He wrote the wrong lens down right there. No I did not. Yes, I meant what I wrote - the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. I also own the Canon 200mm f/2.8L prime lens, which is the same focal length at 200mm. The aforementioned 28-300mm Tamron and Sigma lenses are very close at "300mm" to each of those lenses, just a little short. I have done this same comparison with the Tamron 18-200mm, which is proportionately shorter to their 28-300mm. I purchased and then returned a Canon 28-200mm (a very flimsily built lens for a Canon of any kind, although better than those shoddy 18-55's they were putting in the kits - not sure about the latest 18-55's, I refer to the ones from 2-4 years ago). So, the point is, it's not going to be a true 300mm. This Canon L lens IS a true 300mm, and a true 28mm, and everything in between. Also, if you need to, go read up on stops of light. It doesn't SOUND like much, but jumping from f/5.6 to f/6.3, is a huge amount. The numeric representation is very deceptive. What it really comes down to is the fact that you need a big piece of glass to get more light in there, and more glass for longer focal length, there's just no way of getting around that fact. Regardless of what numbers are used to market a lens, look at the length of a lens (extended if need be, as with this lens) and then look at the circumfrence of the glass at the end. This will alert you to a noticeable difference, if there is one, as in the case of the the two non-Canon brands versus this lens. Similarly, Autofocus performance is ALWAYS noticeably better on Canon lenses, ESPECUIALLY L series lenses, than on non-Canon manufacturers lenses with Canon mounts.Bottom Line, you get what you pay for. And, in the case of this lens, that holds true above other items that might appear to be similar. This is a top notch lens, and the ideal walk around lens if you don't want to change lenses.
I am not happy with this camera for many reasons:  first off it has no optical zoom, it takes forever to save a picture, so you can not take a series of pics, it gives alot of red eye even when they option has been chosen for no red eye, the batteries run out quickly even the rechargeable,  and about 70% of the time I can't take a picture at all.  I called and was told that I had to hold the button down half way to focus, then all the way.  Well I try and try and try and try and miss so many good pictures!!!  I will never buy anything Canon again.
Thanks HKC for your April  2007 review!!  I have had this camera for about seven years and the LCD viewfinder went out on it.  It wouldn't take pictures but everything else seemed to work. After reading  HKC's review that was posted in 2007 describing the same problem and that Canon repaired the camera for free, I went to Canon's website and they were still offering free repairs for failed LCD viewfinder problems!  I contacted them and they emailed me a prepaid shipping label and they would also pay for the return shipping. I sent in the camera it was repaired and returned same day they received it. Now my camera is newly repaired and works even better than it used to.  Thanks again HKC!
Bought this as a favor to a friend with no Amazon account. He was not happy with the camera overall. He found it hard to use.
I bought this for my daughter because it is inexpensive and easy to use, and it's been a lot of fun. You will be hard pressed to find a better 3.2 megapixel camera for the money. Picture quality is excellent, operates on two AA batteries (get rechargables with a recharger because battery life is short), downloads your photos in seconds to your computer through a USB cord that comes with the camera, has a zoom (the 5x max zoom is not sharp; you are better off cropping and enlarging a non-zoom photo image on the computer), the flash is decent, and the features are functional. My daughter loves it. I have been a confirmed film camera purist and still prefer my Nikon with its hefty 28-210 zoom to a pixel image, but why lug that around when we have this little pocket wonder? A perfect introduction to digital photography...
This camera did not live up to my standards. I just wanted a simple nice camera that took clear shots and was able to take a picture without taking 2 mintues to do so. And a camera that can take good pictures even if your hand is shaking a little...apparently this was not the camera for me. I had this camera for this years, I got it for my 15th birthday and at first it was a great camera because it was my first but then it quickly got annoying. Now I can't even download any pictures onto my computer and it takes a long time to even take a shot...while you hope it turns out semi-clear. I was not happy at all. Plus, I found another camera that was actually cheaper than this one and was 100 times more coperative. So I would say this is a horrible purchase and do not even think of giving it a try.
We bought this as our first digital camera experience when we had a baby 4 years ago.  Considerably higher priced then, but well worth the usage.  Easy for beginer, but photo quality of expert.  We loved sharing our high quality pics, most especially the short mini-video clips of baby to share.  Problem is LCD stopped working, the icons are there but you can't see the pics before you snap.  Canon has confirmed that they acknowledge use of defective chips in this model and have offered to repair my camera.  Now you just can't beat that!
As an owner of two other canon cameras (G2 &amp; S50) I'm obviously pleased with the products they put out. When I decided to look for a smaller lightweight anytime camera I again went with canon. I did look at nikon, fuji, and sony, who all had nice features but for the money and options this camera looked best. After playing with it for a bit I'd have to say the point and shoot pictures are very good--outside. the load up time is short, and I can simply snap away without a problem. The pictures come out very bright and clear for a 3.2mp camera--some nice stuff. Now when taking pictures inside, the story is a lot different..the flash drains serious battery power (a310 takes AA or nimh rechargables) and takes close to 30 seconds to 'recharge' before you can take another picture. Luckily I don't plan on using this inside much, but if you are this is definitely something to be worried about. The lens is fixed, but there is a 5x digital zoom that works pretty well between 3-4x once you get to 5x its very grainy. Size is good, it's about the same size as my s50 but much lighter, the power-on mechanism is the same, using the front lens cover as the switch. it's rather secure compared to the s50, i don't feel that it will open up accidently often. To wrap this up, my overall feeling is that I'm pleased with the purchase, the battery life is short, my first set of AA batteries died in about 45 minutes, the features are good, the pictures come out nice and the video option works fine. indoor pictures aren't so hot, but if you change the ISO speed and exposure you can pull off decent pictures with or without the flash. It's a great camera!
This was a fantastic camera, and if the display hadn't stopped working a few weeks ago I'd stick with it for as long as it'd take pictures. The 3.2MP is perfect for 4x6s, I've printed some 8x10s and they've come out fine as well and they don't take up a lot of room on my computer. The colors are vivid and the settings easy to use. I found that photos without the flash turned out best (I think this is true of most cameras, even the digital SLRs have flash issues). The video option was particularly useful, although it only allows video in 30 second clips I found this was often the best option as I could stitch videos into a montage rather than a long string of video (which I find boring).The best thing about the camera was its durability. It's been across three continents in a backpack, dropped from a window, dropped in the ocean, and survived years in a messenger bag at college. It only recently stopped working after a day trip, so I'm looking for a new Canon, but still giving this one an excellent review. If you can find it, get it!
Was very excited to finally receive this camera through mail. Tried it out but was amazed of how quickly the included batteries died. Nothing major that rechargeable NIMH batteries couldn't fix. Loved the quality of the pics, but even loved it more when i figured out how to set it on the Superfine setting. The sliding lense cover both acts as a protective cover and the power switch which makes it very easy to use. The included USB cable and power adapter makes transfers to the computer an easy process. My favorite feature on this camera though, is the video mode with sound! The lag between each shot with the flash on is pretty aggravating though. Overall, This camera performs very well for the price and I take it everywhere I go!
I was looking for a good camera for a good price, and found the a310. Since I don't need great photos, even though this camera gives great photos, it's great. All the controls are very user friendly; you can switch from camera mode to movie taking mode with a mere switch, which brings me to the movie taking ability. Of course, you can't expect a great movie capability, but this camera sure covers what I need. With a decent sized card, you can get a whole lot of movies. However, on the highest resolution, you can only take movies up to 30 seconds long, which is okay for me since most movies longer than that get boring. I use a 512mb card, and can get about 450 seconds of high resolution video(30 seconds each)and more than 1000 seconds on medium. on low resolution....wow. I find myself using the movie capability more than the pictures. If you're starting out in photography, or just want a decent camera for a great price, you've found it.
My mother won this camera from her internet server on their grand opening.  Since she didn't use it, she gave it to me.  I love it.  I have never had a problem with my batteries draining to fast, but I do always carry spares.  (Mainly thats because I've had my batteries die in my other cameras when I needed them.)  My biggest love of this camera is the Canon name and their service department.  Two weeks ago I had a bottle of water leak in my backpack, and of course my camera was drenched.  It quit working immediately and I went into a panic.  When I got home from work, I went to the Canon website and emailed their service department and explained what happened.  Within 30 minutes they had returned an email to me with options on either fixing it for a base price of $79 with options if more service was needed.  Or upgrade to a refurbished Canon A400 for $75.  I decided to take the flash card out along with the batteries and let it air dry overnight.  The next morning I popped everything back in and (yippee!) everything works like a charm.  I think this camera is great.
Its a Canon, what else is there to say. It takes great clear pictures and the flash works great. This canon is also small in size, not big and bulky like other brands. Look at the cost, incredible, you pay under $140.00, no tax and free shipping. This camera cost a lot less than most of its competitors cameras that do about the same thing and like I said, you get a Canon, one of the worlds best camera makers, you cannot go wrong with this camera and you wont be disappointed, buy it today!
Ive had this camera for about 2 years. I like the easy to use controls. I did have a problem at first with batteries draining super fast but then i bought rechargeables and it worked better. This camera has been through alot and it still works. just recently, though, the LCD display went out so I now have to look through the view finder. I have gotten some great pics and some bad ones out of it. The zoom is just horrible. Always fuzzy. But i have to say that it was a good camera for a beginner and I am looking for a better quality canon now.
I bought my A75 to replace my aging Espon PhotoPC650, which has served me well for the last four years. The camera's pretty good, but...Six weeks later, halfway through our family vacation, the A75 died with the e18 error. I changed the CF card in our hotel room, turned it on to check how many photos were available, turned the camera off.  Ten minutes later at the restaurant, the camera wouldn't turn on. E18 on the display.Returned from vacation, sent it back. First warning sign - be suspicious of any company that doesn't have a Return Number Policy. When I called the factory service center to check on my status five days after they received it (according to FedEx), it wasn't checked in. I asked to speak to a supervisor, was told she was busy and would call me back.  Three hours later, no call back, so I tried again.  Not only was my unit not checked in yet, I was told that they had 24 hours to call me back. Now that they've finally checked it in, it's going to be up to 14 business days before they send it back to me.As someone who used to run a warranty service center for a national company, I find Canon's repair and return policies disturbing, and their turn-around time laughable. Returns should be checked in same day they are received, customers should have their calls returned the same day, and barring unusual circumstances, no repair should be in house for more than 10 days.This was my first, and now probably my last Canon product.
When we first bought this Canon Powershot A75 digital camera I was very impressed. This was my first "real" digital camera (because I had used a simple free one before with very low quality pictures at 640*480 resolution) and I really liked how it was easy to use and had a clear and colorful 1.8" LCD screen on the back.We originally had the 32 megabyte memory card with the camera, which can hold enough pictures (the storage depends on the resolution of the pictures, however 32 megabytes is good for about 100 pictures at decent resolution). My brothers and I mainly used the camera to take pictures of awesome sports cars and rare foreign cars such as old vintage Porsches, Dodge Vipers, and Lamborghinis (we participated in what we dubbed drive-by-shootings, where we would drive by and take pictures of rare and awesome cars, and now our collection has over 1000 pictures). The pictures were generally very good quality, but the problem is that this camera is very susceptible to movements while taking a picture.  Therefore, many of the pictures come out blurry. However, there are many modes for the camera, such as outdoor mode, action mode, indoor mode, night mode. These modes help when you're taking action shots, but unless you have a tripod there are too many pictures that will come out blurry.The zoom capabilities of this camera were a pretty cool feature, although 3X zoom is fairly common on digital cameras. The menus and options are generally easy to use, and you can get by without learning about all the advanced features if you just want basic pictures. However, I suggest that you get the 512 megabyte memory card, because then you can store an almost unlimited number of pictures. With this card, at high resolution you can store over 700 pictures, and if you opt for the email-friendly low resolutions pictures at 640*480 (which come out looking pretty good) you can store thousands of pictures. This is great for overseas trips or for convenience because you don't have to keep uploading to your PC. Also a 512 MB or 1 GB memory card is great for taking videos.This camera also takes short videos, which are actually impressive quality for a digital camera of this price. The sound quality is pretty decent also, and the videos are either 320*240 or 640*480. With our 512 MB card we could take a video of about 20 minutes at the lower resolution.By now you're probably wondering why I gave this camera 3 stars. Well, after having this camera for about a year it had a major failure. I was using it to zoom in and out at one of my brother's school award ceremony and then the LCD image just became very blurry. From then on, the LCD monitor was constantly blurry and all the pictures became blurry. So after that we couldn't take any more pictures. Now the camera is ruined, and with our warranty expired we'll have to probably get it repaired at a high cost. Hopefully, the new Canon Powershot A90 doesn't have this serious malfunction. There are many other excellent Canon cameras to purchase, but I don't suggest this one unless you get at least a 2-year warranty and perhaps use the zoom sparingly.
This is the little camera that can.  Ours is old, we didn't buy it used on this page, but I wanted to post.  We've had it for years - not sure how many, and it's going strong.  The picture started to get funny, and Canon immediately replaced the CCD unit (a known issue apparently) as well as a couple other parts, completely for free including shipping both ways.  We got it back exactly 13 days after mailing it, and this was over Christmas and New Year's!!!  The pictures are completely perfect again, the resolution is great, it takes movies (like all cameras you can't zoom while taking them) - for a relatively cheap camera, we're thrilled.  It's all we need.  The CF cards probably are the biggest downfall as everything seems to be SD anymore.  But I feel confident in saying trust Canon when you choose a camera - they really come through and make a good product.
It was a pretty good camera until Canon came up with this tiny bit of cameras which does not require 4 AA batteries. Man, that is so unfair!Anyway, I still used it, it drinks the batteries very quickly.I would definitely pay a little bit more and buy a s300 or sth better.Now, after 2 years, suddenly, no falling, no nothing, its display is not working and it will not take any pictures.So I am left with it. I am planning to buy a sony this time, hope I will be lucky.
I owned an A70 in the past and now I have an A80 and I just bought an A75 as a gift from Amazon and took many shots from it just for comparison.When I first started checking prices I found that the A75 was not the cheapest on Amazon, so I used the feature Amazon provides to let them know about a lower price at another online retailer (with shipping). And lo and behold, Amazon dropped the price of A75 by a whopping 40 dollars to make it the best deal available on the net.(Hats off Amazon!) Of course, I bought the camera at Amazon with the super saver FREE shipping it reached me 4-5 days later!I had loved my A70 and now A75 offers all that and more:- A larger 1.8 inch LCD screen, what a difference it makes when you don't have to squint to see the image and it works better in low light situations too- New SCN modes for quick shots of special scenes - Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Underwater (with the waterproof case), Foliage and Indoors. Now even amateurs can use Canon experience to get the best shot quickly before they miss the photo opportunity. I haven't had the opportunity to test out all the modes, but will report back with an update soon.- Print share button to directly download/print from camera, though I don't think I will ever print the images directly from my cameraI LOVE the new control buttons at the back, the way the SET button is now in the center of the up-down/forward-backward navigator buttons. Now, the navigator buttons are also clearly marked with arrows to avoid confusion. The overall feel is more ergonomic than the A70, which is great. A small gripe is that the rubber flap that covers the A/V out and Digital port is slightly larger than on my A80, but it is not very noticeable.What is great about the CANON A75 (which hasn't changed since the A70):--A75 also offers 3 resolution settings for video including 640X480 (VGA max 30 sec). With yahoo/gmail etc. now allowing larger attachments, it is fun to send small clips of video to people.--Complete Manual functions available - shutter priority, Aperture priority, White balancing, Manual focusing etc.--Photostitch - For stitching together panoramic views. I have shot countless seascapes, 'bridge'scapes, landscapes etc using this function and stitching togehter 6-10 shots in one. It is really easy too with the software provided which does it intuitively!-- Tone settings (Tungsten, Sunlight, Cloudy etc.) which help correct the White balance--Special effects (B/W, Sepia, Vivid, Nuetral etc.) I have used sepia a lot when taking potraits giving them an 'old world' feel. Vivid has been helpful in special situations like a red kite against a blue sky to bring out the colors.--Free Canon software, which works well and allows you to edit images, photo-stitch images, make fun photos, maintain an album, change camera settings from your computer, subtitle and edit videos, upload images back to camera to transfer to another computer etc.--It uses AA batteries which are available anywhere in the world.NOTE: A Sony Super Quick Charger (5 hours) with 4 rechargeable 2300mAH NiMH batteries is available for under $19 on Amazon! Charge these batteries upto 1000 times. I keep the LCD on for all my shots and usually I get 300-360 shots from each charge from the A75 including the battery power used to download these images to my computer with the USB cable and playing back these images for friends! That is quite a feat by Canon.--Macro mode - Great for close ups of children or product shotsAt the current price on Amazon it is quite simply one of the best cameras you can buy. First time digital camera buyers will find it very easy to use as will those who want to experiment a bit with the manual features available on the AXX range of Canon cameras. If you want a decent, reasonably priced camera that is versatile enough for photography buffs and gives you crystal clear 5X7 prints - go for this camera.About the complaints on this camera from other reviers-E18 - I have had an A70 where I did get an E18 error once in a while but I just turned the camera on and off and it went away. I never had this problem on the A80 in 2 years and nor on the A75. So maybe Canon has taken care of it now.Quality of prints - I have had crystal clear prints from Canon, yes the pics look the same on the computer even if they are low resolution. So make sure you are using the larger modes like L /M1 when you want to print the pictures.Delayed response to pressing the 'take picture' button - ALL Canon Cameras have this as they send out an infra red beam to evaluate the light conditions, so you must hold the camera still 2-3 seconds after depressing the button. This feature gives perfect pictures each time but if you give your camera to strangers just tell them to hold it still 5 secs after they have pressed the button. After all the pic quality is worth the effort.So go on - get it NOW before it sells out around Christmas!
I just bought this camera because the cheaper Fuji I wanted was sold out. It is my first digital camera. Well am I ever glad I spent the extra $50, this camera is amazing. Upholding the good Canon name with flying colors. The first time I used it I got 75% amazing pics and 25% of not so good ones but I believe that was more operator error. Also I was photographing action so there are always a few that don't turn out. This camera takes pics that are better quality than some more expensive cameras. I would suggest it to anyone who is a 1st time digital user, its easy to use & takes great pictures.
great product. So easy to use. Compact. I would reccomend buying rechargeable batteries for it. Play around with all the different shooting modes, they are cool.
I haven't read the other reviews, but wanted to put my thoughts in.  I've had this camera for two years and it has performed wonderfully.  At one point my brother dropped it from about six feet onto concrete and it hasn't affected performance at all.  The 3.2 megapixel is more than enough to print great quality pictures ... I've printed mostly 4x6 and 5x7.  I think this is a great point and shoot digital camera, and it's a nice bonus to have the movie mode.There are a few limitations ...It guzzles battery power, particularly if you use the display all the time, which leads me to another point ... if you try to save battery power and sight photos through the viewfinder, the picture will be quite different than you think.  The only way to truly compose a photo to be exactly what you want is to use the display screen, which again causes short battery life.  Since it uses AA, I would recommend buying some rechargeable batteries, which is what I did.Another drawback is that it doesn't take good action shots.  There's a delay of about one second when you push the shutter button, particularly if the subject is moving and the AF won't lock.  You can hold the shutter button halfway to lock focus, but sometimes the subject has moved out of focus.  So, if you want to shoot a lot of action stuff, this might not be the camera for you.Another thing that I'm conscious of when I shoot with this camera is it's photo dimensions.  This camera offers image quality/proportions of 2048x1536, 1600x1200 and 640x480 ... all of which are basically 4x3.  So, if you want to any common print sizes - 4x6, 5x7, etc. - you have to go in and crop some off each photo.  If you can't do this manually, you photo processor will likely do it themselves without much care, taking equally from the top and bottom of shots, which might cut something you really want in the picture (like people's heads).  So, I have to be very careful now when I take pictures that I include enough space to make that crop.Overall though, I think this camera is worth the money.  It does a lot and has a lot of great features, but if you buy it you should be aware of its limitations.
I've owned this camera for 6 months and taken it on a trip round the world, so I've got to know it quite well. Here are the pro's and con's:Good points:------------+ Picture quality is excellent for the price.+ Flexiblility. This is the main thing that appealed to me about this camera (and still does). It has all the settings of my old SLR Canon A1 (i.e. shutter speed or aperture priority, manual mode) plus a load of new digital ones (e.g. black and white, sepia, vivid etc...).+ Battery life is very good if you get some decent rechargeables.+ Nice big, crystal clear screen.+ Uses flash memory, which seems cheaper than the other formats.+ Movie mode is good fun and surprisingly good quality on the high setting.Bad Points:------------ A little bit bulky.- I've noticed that the image through the viewfinder and the screen don't always match. The one on the screen is the accurate one, which is annoying as in bright conditions it's not always easy to see.- Works best in light conditions. I find it sometimes struggle to get the exposure right when using the flash. So use a tripd where you can.Summary-------A very versatile (and quite tough) camera that with a little effort gets great results. I would'nt recommend it for people just looking for a point and click, there are plenty of smaller, lighter cameras that will take just as good pictures. This camera is perfect, however, for people who like using SLR's and want a digital camera that lets you experiment a little whilst still producing excellent pictures.
WOw this is a great camera.It is fairly cheap, and for the money you pay, you get a great camera that is perfect for novice and intermediate photographers.you can buy many upgrade for this camera, like zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, underwater cases, tripods, and printers.I would highly reccomend this camera to anyone who needs a digital camera thats not a billion dollars.
I have had my A75 for two years, and it just won't turn on now.  I recharged my batteries, then tried brand new batteries, but it just won't turn on.  Since the warranty was one year, I guess I am out of luck.  Probably more to repair it, than to get a new camera.
This canon is a decent point-and-shoot digital camera.  Its size is great you can pretty easily, stuff it in a pocket.  One thing to note the soft case is only five dollars bonus!The camera also has all the extras that make a little more powerful than your standard point-and-shoot.  It is aperture priority and shutter priority selection, which is great.  If you're new to cameras, shutter speed allows you to control how long the shutter stays open.  So the picture you took his dark too dark to use.  Just drop your shutter speed from 1/250 of a second to 1/125 of a second this will let in more light.  And maybe salvage the picture.That's what makes these cannons so powerful and great if you want to go beyond the basics of point-and-shoot, but it still will be a great point-and-shoot camera.  And the price in these cameras just can't be beat.  Between 150 and $200.you can't go wrong, one last bonus to note is that this uses four AA batteries and not a battery pack, which is totally important.  If you're on the go and out of juice.  No matter what camera you got your not taken pictures.  You can buy AA batteries anywhere bonus!
I've owned and loved canon cameras for 35 years. I bought the A75 and was satisfied until one month after the warranty ran out. My A75 pictures came out almost black in auto focus. I called Canon support and was told due to the age (one month out of warranty) I would have to pay for repairs and postage. I looked on the internet and the problem seems to be rampant. I wouldn't buy another Canon camera on a bet.
I got lucky with my very first digital camera; I bought the Canon Powershot A40 and haven't looked back.  Now I'm upgrading for the 3rd time to the A75 (the A85 is just too much).  Here's the amazing thing: with the last two PowerShots (A40 and A60), I took *over 5500* pictures and neither one coughed once.  I sold the A40 6 months ago (after 4000 pics) and the current owner says it's still running like a champ.  This line of digital cameras is the best thing going for the price.  My Dad and brother both seem to insist on buying Nikon cameras.  Then, every time we get together for the holidays, all I hear is "I wish my camera did that" or "Can I get a copy of your picture?  It looks better."  This camera sports features that even $400 cameras don't (I know, because I gave the other manufacturers an honest chance to get me to leave Canon this time, but they just couldn't offer anything comparable).Now, I'm no dummy when it comes to photography.  I've been an SLR user for many, many years (currently, I have a Canon EOS Rebel).  Unfortunately, digital SLR's are still too expensive.  I bought the Powershot because of the full manual mode (I do a lot of astrophotography and this is perfect for it).  I have total control over the settings.  Combined with a 52mm lens adapter, this camera satisfies 90% of my SLR cravings.  The pictures are consistently crisp and well exposed.  I rarely encounter a situation where the PowerShot isn't able to rock and roll.  Battery life is stunning.  I routinely get 500 pictures with the LCD on and maybe 30% flash (I have 2100 mAh NiMHs).  Added features such as 600x480 movies, a really sharp panoramic mode (photos are "stitched" together on the computer), manual white-balancing option, histograms, manual focus, aperture/shutter priority modes and PictBridge printing are icing on the cake.The one con I've found is that the Powershot line seems to perform a bit sluggishly in low-light conditions, often requiring a few seconds to get a decent reading.This really is THE best camera in its class(IMO and that of many "professional" reviewers).  If you search for a certain price or megapixel resolution and a Powershot "A" line is included in the results, buy it.  You won't be sorry at all.  If you buy one of the others, you'll honestly pay too much.
I wanted something relatively easy to use that took high-quality pictures. I got just that and so much more. There are so many options and easy-to-use preset settings. I love that I can take short videos with sound. And even black and white (sepia-colored?) vintage-looking photos. I also really like that although it's easy to take good pictures without a lot of fooling around with settings, I also have the option of playing around with all the different settings and speeds to take more artistic images.The quality of the images is remarkable. My boyfriend and I both tried to photograph a vineyard scene at sunset-directly towards the sun. I with my Canon and he with his Kodak. I didn't even think it would come out but mine came out beautifully and his-not at all. I love, love, love this camera. I take photos of my artwork and need  to capture color accurately and fine details and this camera does a wonderful job. By the way, I've had it for a year now without any problems at all. I never usually write reviews, but in this case, I felt compelled because I think this is such a great product.
This is my first digital camera, bought after reading all the reviews on this site. I couldn't be happier with it.It's easy to use. The color rendition is excellent. The auto-focus isn't easily fooled. Battery life appears to be excellent, and it uses AAs, which are far better than the proprietary batteries used by some others (e.g., Kodak). I do use high-milliampere rechargeables and carry spares on a trip.It's small and light enough to take everywhere. The manual settings seem usable, though I doubt I'll ever take advantage of them, as the auto settings seem perfectly adequate.Once the software is installed on your PC, the images download automatically as soon as the USB cord is plugged into the camera. It's dirt simple and hasn't failed yet.I haven't seen all the other cameras on the market, but owning this one, I won't bother to look--it is great. If I find anything that makes me change my mind (I've owned it for about a month now), I'll post again.
Hi, I previous owned a Canon A40, and I was very satisfy with that camera, I really liked it. Later I upgraded to this one (A75): More pixels (from 2 to 3.2), Large viefinder (1.8"), more video capacity (up 3 min) and extra stuffs. But I was very surprised not to see what I was expecting ... The pictures were fussy, a lot of Red Eyes (even with the red eye reduction On), quality not so good in some cases.I'm a snapshooter and all I want is to put in Auto (Large and Superfine) and take pics, But i didn't like how they looked like, specially in dark situations it was very dissapointing to me.The movie option is very good, up to 30 sec in Large (640x480) .. up 3 min. in smaller format. You can edit them directly in the camera and hear them. Nice!I sold it, I'm going to continue with Canon beacause i think they're the best, now i'm going to buy the A400 and see.
This camera has been nothing but trouble, I will never buy another Cannon Camera again.  It started with the dreaded E18 error where the camera just won't turn on and now its a lens that opens when it feels like it.  This camera is so unreliable.  I hate it.
I was just looking for the right camera and I found it!when I first took photos with this camera I was not aperson who love to take pictures but this baby made mesee that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Now i cannotstop shooting on my days off. The pros images are greatand you can purchase a LA-DC52C to use teleconverter, Wide Angleor UV Filters which gives you room to grow with your A75.
Easy menu's, great pictures.I can see the LCD and menu's very easy. But most important Canon stands behind the camera, After having 2 months my camera was dropped on carpet less than 2 feet with the lens open. To my horror lens did not operate! Sent in to Canon repair they replaced lens under waranty, NO charge working great! I will stick with canon from now on.
I have a Powershot A70 that stopped working within a year because of the E18 error.  Because it arrived at the Factory Service Center just after 1yr, the repair was not covered by warranty.  The charge is ~$115 for repair but the repair work only has a 3month warranty.  This is obviously a design flaw which has been carried over to the A75 and several other models. Search the internet and you'll find out how common it is. Instead of fixing the problem, they are using it as an opportunity to make even more money off their customers. DO NOT BUY A CANON CAMERA WITH E18 PROBLEMS!
I got this camera as a replacement for my Kodak DC 280, which is a very good and reliable camera.I am really pleased with it, although you have to get familiarized with the buttons and setting up the features.Things I like:Different resolutions that fit to your needs, whether it's quality or memory space.It includes a 1024X768 resolution enabling you to display your pictures in full size as your wall papers.Flash modes include elimination of red eye.Self Timer 2 or 10 secs. The second option is best if you want to be in the picture.Can connect to your TV so you can share the pictures with friends who don't have a computer and with out the need of printing them.You can record video clips, but I rather use my camcorder for that.Up to 3.2 megapixelsOptical Zoom, beacuse digital zooms affect the image.Includes USB for computer and AV cables for TV or VCR to record your picture slideshows on videotape.PRICE: NOW IT IS UNDER 200 DOLLARSCompact Flash Cards are the cheaper memory cards in the market, and also my fomer camera uses this media so I save in getting more flash memory.32 MB COMPACT FLASH CARD INCLUDED other cameras include only 16 MB media cardsRecommendations:Battery Charger and rechargable Batteries. It is better to use rechargable batteries with this cameras, they last longer and don't need to be buying often. You should have two sets for when one runs dry you change them.Card Reader. Nowadays computers include them. If you can buy a Compact Flash Reader or Universal one. It will help you save battery life and time,because you don't have to set up camera drivers to connect the camera to your computer or install the software included with the camera.This is definitely a great deal, considering you can only get 3.2 MP cameras under 200 dollars if the have a digital zooom instead of an optical one, and use more expensive memory cards, and by the way you also get a 32 MB card instead of the usual 16 MB included in the box. And I have forgotten to mention is not any camera is a Canon, a leader in the market. Whether you are starting in the digital camera world or have more experience this is a great deal.
This is a great little camera with lots of features for the price.It is easy to use and handle.  I love that it can take regular AA batteries, that can be very convenient!  Canon is a reputable company and once again they've made me happy!
This was a nice camera. Its 10 years old and still works like a charm. Canon stillmakes some of the most affordable and highest quality cameras on the market.
I bought this camera after returning my other one... I really the zoom (3x) and the quality of the pictures. Although it took me 2 days to learn ALL the buttons I figured it out by reading the manual. The movie mode- with sound- works well. I was able to by RECHARGABLE batteries which will last long. The Memeory card that it comes with is also a plus. Its larger than the other camera I had and returned,  mine help 15 pictures and 1.05 minutes of video. NICE! I also like the size- not to big not to small.
There is so much to like about this camera that I don't know where to begin!  According to Consumer Reports, it has the best battery life on the market and the image quality is top-notch.  It's compact enough to fit in a shirt pocket, is loaded with extra functions and features, and for the price will not let you down!
I gave my Nikon Coolpix 2000 to a friend and started shopping for another 3Mp point-and-shoot in the $200 price range.  I use a Minolta DiMage 7Hi for my serious picture taking.  After looking at the Olympus D540 zoom, and Nikon Coolpix 3200, I settled on the Canon PowerShot A75.All of the other reviewers are correct in assessing the pros and cons for this camera.  The 3X Optical Zoom is great, but the zoom ring is located on top of the camera around the shutter release.  Takes some getting used to since the Coolpix 2000 zoom lever is on the back within easy thumb range.  Another plus is the camera has both an LCD screen and a more conventional conventional viewfinder.  After 25 years of composing through a viewfinder, I'm used to it, and use the LCD screen to review my pics and check and adjust the camera settings.  Even though I plan to use it primarily as a point-and-shoot, there are lots of options for manual adjustments, more than you would expect for a camera at this size and price.What finally sold me on this camera, was that it takes CF memory cards, and I already have several that I use with the Minolta and the Nikon.  Therein lies the only problem so far, since my memory card reader, built into my PC, will not read the 32Mb card that came with the camera.  But, the cards I already own work just fine.This is a great second camera for the enthusiast, and a great entry level camera for someone making the switch to digital photography and is used to having more control over the camera settings.  Beware the learning curve, though.Highly recommended.
I bought this camera 5 weeks ago and so far had lots of fun and taken good pictures.  I am very happy with the software & the features that it offers.  I have been able to take pictures manually and I was amazed at the results.  The photostich capability is also very cool ,because I was truly able to take 180 & 240 degree pictures.I would strongly recommend this for anyone, who does not want to spend a lot of money and takes a lot of pictures for on-line albums.
I got this camera over a year ago. I am very satisfied with the quality of the images. It does have a few limitations.1. Cannot shoot action shots because of the 1 second delay when auto focus is "on".2. Cannot shoot bright objects - they will over saturate.3. Occasional glitch when camera will not switch to capture mode.4. The viewfinder does not show the full view of the digital capture-only LCD show the true field of capture.5. Auto focus does not work well in low-light situations.6. Flash is too strong for close-up shoot.7. 3X optical zoom not quite enough and 10X digital zoom lead to  noisy images(almost useless feature).Other than these, the camera is easy to use and handle.Recommend you get 256KB flash memory and 4 rechargeable batteries. You can take up to 250 shots. Great for vacations.
This is my first digital camera.  I researched for months on cameras and decided that I didnt really need to spend $500 on a 5MP camera to get the quality shots I was looking for.  My only quirk with this camera was the 1st one I bought had a problem within 30 minutes of buying it, it got an E18 error message which the shutter had a problem.  That is why I only gave it 4 stars.  I took it back to Target and the replaced it, no questions asked.  Since the defective camera went back the new one has been supurb.  I have enjoyed every photo I have taken. I would recommend this camera to anyone that doesnt want to spend the big money on a camera they dont need.
To preface this, I own a Digital Rebel (or, in some locales, the 300D).  I love my rebel.  It loves me.  That said, the Rebel is hardly portable or handy.I originally picked up the A75 for my 9 year old son.  I figured, the user interface is vaguely like my camera, it uses the same memory, and uses standard AA batteries (something we have in abundance at this house).  And, it was fairly simple to use - a great intro camera, to get him started.As it turns out, I liked it so much, that I ended up buying a second one for myself.Things I like:- User interface is not far off from my Rebel- Completely operable by my 9 year old- Manual controls for exposure, aperature, iso speed, focus all available (!)- Video clip recording is not half bad!- White balance OK at automatic - and easy to set a custom value- Flash exposure is decent for being a P&S; camera -  especially for a CanonThings that could be improved:- The grip is big; a bit awkward to stick in your pocket.  If this bugs you, look at the Elph.- Response times to focus and snap are slightly slower than average, but not bad.- The bundled memory is too small.  Buy at least 512 megs.
I got this camera for Christmas and am totally thrilled with it.  It takes supurb picutres, has the ability to do manual settings and it really tough.  One of my kids knocked it from the top of an old upright piano and it bounced off the leg of the piano and hit the floor.  Nothing wrong at all, it just kept on working.  I would recommmend the A75, A85, or A95 to anyone!
I had this camera for not even a year and was very happy with it.  My only complaint was the weight due to the four batteries.  That was until I used it to take pictures of my baby's first Christmas and five minutes after I moved her pictures onto my computer the camera died on me.  When I turned it on I received a "Memory Card Error" message.  I reformated the memory card and was able to take a couple more pictures, but when I tried to view them I recevied the error message again.  Then the camera would get stuck on, then it wouldn't turn on, then the LCD was blank, etc. etc. etc....  Currently it's stuck in the off position and no matter how many fresh batteries I put in it, the camera won't turn on.It's not the memory card because the card works fine in another camera.  I needed a new camera ASAP for the holidays, so I signed onto ebay to see what was out there.  Lo and behold I found many listings for broken A75's. It seems that lots of people have had the same thing happen to their cameras.Also note that no other notable camera uses the same memory card, so when I bought a new camera (I opted for the Canon A520) I had to purchase another memory card.  Bah!If you buy this maybe it will break down, maybe it won't.  My advice would be to transfer all your pictures as often as possible.  I am so lucky I saved all my baby's pictures before the camera went out on me.  If I lost all those shots I would have been livid.
First of all--it's a great little guy. I have owned it for 3 years, and it has not failed me. It takes AMAZING pictures in lowlight settings. As someone who much prefers natural light to using a flash, that is an important feature for me. I also have found that the 3.2 megapixel ability of the camera is fine. I don't plan on printing over 20x30 sized prints, which I am able to do with this camera (according to photo printing websites).The macro lens is a nice feature, and it works well, although sometimes I have a difficult time seeing on the LCD screen if it's in focus. LCD screens never seem to be sharp enough.The video function is pretty good. The sound is recorded great. It is a little bouncy, though, if you don't hold your hands perfectly still, but I can record 3 minutes worth of video on this. Not too shabby. However, the light meter doesn't adjust as you record video. So, if you move from a dark area to a lighter area, it just overexposes, and vice versa if you start out somewhere bright and go into a dark room.All in all, it is a great camera. What you should be aware of in 2007: CF memory cards are getting harder to find. I luckily found a 1GB card for this in November 2006, but that was the only one they carried on a whole display of other kinds of cards. If I were you, I would check around and make sure you can find extra CF cards. The 32MB card that comes with it doesn't hold much at all. A positive: it uses AA batteries. If you travel to a foreign country, you can always find those. If you have a lithium battery in a camera that requires its own charger, you would have to bring a power adapter with you, etc, just to charge your battery. Get rechargeable AA's and you're set to go.
This is my first digital camera. The 4 & 5MP models are nice and some feature long zooms, however you are going to spend 2-3X+ the price of this one. I bought the A75 due to it's review in Consumer Reports and also due to it's price drop. Canon got great marks for fewer repairs, which is very important. When I first saw it in the store I was impressed w/ it's small size. I bought a small case for it also. Buy yourself a good set of rechargeable NimH batteries w/ a fast charger and for the fastest transport to your PC consider a USB 2.0 memory card reader. It's "pict bridge" compatible, so it plugs directly into my printer & the USB cable's in the box! Talk about easy prints. The 3.2 is perfect for 4x6 & 5x7s. Some of it's features include: 3x optical zoom, real image viewfinder, 1.8" LCD, great battery life, compact flash type I memory, manual controls, and AA batteries. My sole complaint is a minor design issue, I wish there was a removable hard plastic cover for the lens (for better protection). I'm disappointed Canon doesn't give you the a/c adapter also. Another way to make more money I guess. In closing, I'm confident I got a great camera at a great price. Thanks Canon! The A75 rocks!
I bought this when 3.1MP was just giving it up to 4MP and 5MP cameras. I needed an affordable solution with decent features and good quality digital photos and the Canon A75 3.2MP did the job for over 2 years, until someone stole the camera from my bag!This camera traveled with me through Europe for 2 months, China for 1 month and was always carried on me, in my sack or in my car almost all the time without a case every single day for 2 years.  It was thrown around in my sack or backpack and it did not fall apart or break, though it did show some cosmetic wear. I was impressed that it never mechanically broke and the camera worked flawlessly even after all the miles I put on it.I must have taken well over a 1000 pictures with the camera and the flash never dimmed but I did go through batteries much quicker at high quality settings. But at mid level (1024x768) and low res settings, the camera was very battery efficient.I was impressed by the quality of the pictures, very clean and very nice high quality images for the most part. I was also impressed with the high ISO sensitivity for indoor pics.  I took a bunch of indoor sports picks without a flash at high shutter speed with ISO mode and they turned out very well for a point and shoot camera. I was impressed for a cheap camera. At the time, the A75 3.1MP camera was great and I will miss it.  I'm sure the person who stole this camera from me is getting great use from it too.
When I bought my A75, I did a little research, and the reviews I read were great. 2 years later, I am happy with my choice. I got an excellent camera that has taken a lot of pictures on different places: beaches, mountains, cities... The quality of the pictures is awesome. Even if it is not a 7MP, I think that for an "amateur home user", this camera is more than enough
This is our first digital camera and we are taking pictures like crazy!  It is so easy to take photos (without even figuring out what all of the little icons mean) and download to your computer.  The software makes it easy to put photos on your computer or dvd and the printed picture quality is great!
My mother wanted something more compact (and &quot;cute&quot;) so I sprung for a S410 for her.  For my step-dad, who has Parkinson's, the A75 has turned out to be PERFECT.The human engineering on small cameras is a feature people often overlook.  I own a large Sony digicam, but I can't handle any of their compacts or their V1 without having to concentrate on where my large-ish fingers are resting.  Another thing people sometimes fail to consider is how SECURE the camera is in your hands.  A child could grab the S410 from my hands, but no one on Earth could get the A75 loose.  My parents are in France with their cameras now and I'm sure that no jarring in a museum or crowded street will dislodge the A75 from my step-dad's weak hands.One reason for the nice grip is because that's where the four AA batteries go.  For some people (me included), this seemed like a weakness of the camera versus the custome Li-ion batteries of the competition.  However, once you spring about $25 for four 1850 mAH (or stonger) rechargable batteries, you will find yourself getting double or more the bttery life of a S410 (which with it's 850 mAH battery does surprisingly well).  The well-respected dpreview website has tested the A75's predecessor (the A70) in comparison with a slew of other small-format digicams and found it to have the best battery life by a wide margin.  WARNING:  the AAs that come with the camera only lasted one day of intermittent &quot;training&quot; use...so don't be disappointed.The A75 takes great pictures.  We set up a scene with lots of detail to compare all possible size and resolution settings (&quot;L&quot;, &quot;M1&quot; which is 1600x1200, &quot;M2&quot; which is 1024x780, and &quot;S&quot; which is 640x480 (for e-mails)) and took a shot at each of those sizes with the three resolution settings (&quot;Superfine&quot;, &quot;Fine&quot;, and &quot;Normal&quot;).  We printed them at 6&quot;x4&quot; at a local Kodak digital picture kiosk (recently deemed better and cheaper than Fuji's by a consumer group...Consumer Reports IIRC) and compared them with a magnifying glass.  There were no easily discernable differences in quality until we got to the M1/Normal setting.  Even then it was just a tiny difference in some detail in the pine needles of a distant tree.  In other words, if you're starved for storage card space, don't panic -- you should be able to get fantastic prints with this camera even with the lower settings.  (Another indication that there's rarely a reason to go beyong 3.2-4.0 megapixels in a pocket cam -- don't waste your money on ANY compact 5.0 cam, Canon or otherwise (ex. S500 -- forget it!).The A75 uses the ubiquitous Compact Flash Type I cards.  That's not as important as it used to be (all cards, SD included, are rapidly getting cheaper).  However, you can get these anywhere for cheap in a pinch, and Amazon has GREAT deals on CF cards.  I got each of my parents a SanDisk 512 card for ~80 each -- that was six weeks ago and they've dropped since.  My step-dad's A75 on max size/max-resolution (&quot;L&quot;/&quot;Superfine&quot;) will take just over 300 pictures on that card!  (My mom's S410 will handle a bit less -- 280 IIRC).The picture quality on auto is great, the &quot;panorama&quot; feature is addicting as heck (I'm looking forward to their France panoramas -- a feature offered on the A75 and the S410).The included software is fine -- nothing special, but all you need, and it worked on my parent's old PIII running Microsoft Windows 98 (not even &quot;SE&quot;!).  If you have a newer computer, you will have a hard time beating the Adobe Elements/Album combo that Amazon offers -- well-worth it!We originally considered paying list price at Be$t Buy in order to get an extended warranty, but we realized that if they go bad in France it won't help, so Amazon saved me a bundle.  THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE AFAIC TO BUY DIGI-CAMS AT THIS LEVEL THAN AMAZON.  MEMORY CARDS, TOO.Me, I'm waiting to see how Sony's new W1 looks (I like the huge movie resoultion it offers, perhaps Canon's only weak area compared to the compettion).  If the Sony doesn't do anything for me, then I'll probably go with an A75 for myself -- the S410 is an awesome little cam, but it's a bit uncomfortable in my hands and the screen is only 1.5&quot; which is another weakness compared to the competition.  If they had a 1.8&quot; LCD on the S410 I'd go with it so I could have a great (but not as versatile) cam I could keep in my pocket -- heavy though it is.I hope this helped.  The world of digicams is tough, and changing fast.  With that said, I don't think you can go wrong with the A75.  The S410 is also great (weaknesses noted) but you can get something similar from the competion for $100 less (alhtough you'll sacrifice a bit in picture quality).Good luck!  (And search Amazon on weekends for CF deals -- go with a 512!!)
I had to send it in for repair once, but it was covered for free.  I like the fact that I can use interchangeable lenses on it, which is the only reason why I bought this model.
I bought this camera two years ago and love it.  I now have two others that are newer and more expensive, but I still end up using this camera so often because it's practical, the batteries last forever and it takes the right size pictures for uploading fast to online printing services.  The pictures are great when printed as long as they are not enlarged much past 8x10 and the camera is extraordinarily sturdy.  I have kept it in my purse for extended amounts of time, taken it on many trips, it has been dropped several times, and it just keeps working  It is so easy to use in every way.  All of the menu items are entirely self explanatory.  I would highly recommend this camera.  My others are Canon also and I love them all.
Unforutnately we did not heed the warnings; the compact flash slot on these cameras is NOT good.  Brand new out of the box it was defective, which is a common complaint.  Canon must do something about this, because it is otherwise a fantastic camera, for a great, great price.  We will likely buy another Canon (they make good digital), or try again.
I got this camera for my 7-year-old girl.I compare this camera with my cameras and it does crappy pics.However, for her what else I want?She is very happy with this camera and it is easy to use for herso I do recommend this for a kid.
I bought the A75 because I wanted to upgrade to a digital camera that had some control over the manual settings, but didn't want to spend a mountain of cash.  This camera is everything I hoped it would be, and more.  It's small and comfortable to hold, and it packs a big punch of features. I was previously a point and shooter all the way, so I'm new to manual settings, but I haven't shot anything in auto mode since I bought this camera a month ago.Set up properly, it takes awesome shots in almost every scenario you can throw at it.  If you are interested in learning manual controls, there is no better camera out there for the money that can do what this one can.If you're someone who just wants to strictly point and shoot, it's still a great choice because the image quality is right up there.  When you feel comfortable with the camera, you can then experiment with the manual controls and I guarantee you will want to keep learning more. Oh and the movie mode rocks too. I'd hook up with at least a 128MB or better memory card though because it only comes with a 32MB card and if you take shots at the superfine rez, you won't have alot of room for images on the 32 meg card.  I'd also recommend at least one set of 2300 mah batteries. I got two sets plus a 3 hr. Maha charger that works like a champ.You definitely won't be disappointed with this camera, and CF memory is reasonably priced, so a larger card won't cost you a mint.  I put 4 pages of images online from this camera. You can view them at [...]Bottom line is, the Canon A75 will not disappoint if you just take the time to LEARN how to use it...start by reading the manual. These people who are saying they've got fuzzy images are not setting up the camera properly, and probably have the digital zoom engaged, which will produce fuzzy looking photos.  As you may know from research, digital zoom is just hype and pretty useless.  It's not rocket science folks, rtfm and you'll get great shots from this canon.  You do have to hold these cameras still, or again, you'll get crappy looking images.  As I said, check out my gallery at the link included above and see for yourself what awesome images this thing produces. You can't get a better digital for this price!
I love this camera! My pictures are always perfect and sharp. If something ever happened to it, I'd definitely get another Canon camera. I sent it in one time for a repair that was covered by Canon. They sent me the mailing label and returned it at no charge. They went the extra mile by cleaning the inside and lens. Canon offers superior service!
I have owned many brands of Digiams from HP to Sony to Kodak and have found this to be the best of them all(with Sony as a close runner-up). The pictures you get from this are simply stunning. Perfectly saturated colors with VERY little noise(Even on high ISO's). Battery life is very good with nimh's, mainly due to utilizing 4 batteries. The interface is FULL of features, yet not overwhelming. Canon really did their homework on the A-series cameras!
So let's get one thing straight right away. Canon's had a defective image sensor in several of the products they sold from roughly 2003-2005, the A75 included. Btw the sensor itself was made by Sony. But the good news was that Canon gave away Free repairs until Jan of 2012 for the A75 when they ran out of parts.  So just be aware if you buy an A75 and have the purple ccd problem you'll need to buy the sensor off ebay and then do the repair yourself or pay someone to do it for you IF you end up ever having that problem.Regarding the A75 itself, it is still to this day a great camera. The only thing separating it from a 2012 camera is it doesn't have an absurd number of megapixels you'll never use and has a small screen. Plus it's obviously chunkier than a 2012 model. In it's time period it was one of the very best pocket camera you could buy. Plus it has Full manual controls and to top it off was affordable. Full manual controls on affordable pocket cameras simply do not exist today, period.If you are wondering about using a 3MP camera in 2012, the bottom line is people don't even print photos anymore for the most part. They put them on Facebook etc. Even if you do want to print, I've made great 8x10 prints with this 3MP camera. Now they will tell you that you need XX number of Megapixels to print 8x10 etc but I promise you that this camera makes perfect 4x6 and 5x7 prints and great 8x10 prints. Just keep in mind the potential ccd issue which may or may not affect you. The only reason this camera gets 4 out of 5 is the potential ccd issue. Even then when I had the problem it was after 5 years of use so I literally have nothing to complain about.
[Canon has discontinued sale of this model since the review was written. The A75 still may still be found in some retailers inventories - and factory reconditioned units are still available at great prices. You should still consider the A75 as a great entry level camera.]As a Defense Contractor, and the owner of a Canon Digital Rebel, I wanted a backup camera that would not cause much attention to be paid to me or my camera - here or in some parts of the world. Looking at price point and sharing of compact flash memory cards were two prime considerations in camera choice.I'm partial to Canon digital products. Fit, finish and performance at every level of purchase price make them dependable buys. I've not been disappointed in any of my 3 cameras, printers or 3 lenses purchased from Canon.The A75 camera takes marvelous daylight pictures - and pretty good flash pictures. It has enough control features to satisfy even advanced photographers like myself. With a Canon made underwater housing (purchased while scuba diving in Aruba WP-DC30 ... see my review) it allows me to go places no other camera I own will take me.Movie mode is limited. Although good for some - the picture quality and lack of zoom features says - get a camcorder! Redeye is a distinct problem in lowlight and all flash modes. The lens/flash position allows only a narrow angle of satisfactory picture taking. Redeye reduction might be effective -but I haven't seen it work acceptably. Plan to spend time in Photoshop or other software products to remove what the camera has created.Shutter and auto-focus lag time. Most disconcerting. Sometimes the camera hunts forever. Even in controlled circumstances - the processor speed (or lack thereof) becomes annoying. Most disappointing feature of this camera.Plan on purchasing Ni-Mh recharable AA batteries. This camera - while not a battery hog - will drain your wallet with non-rechargables. A spare (2nd) set is a good bet - if this is your only camera - and you take a lot of pictures.Case and lens ring wear is evident after 18 months of use. Dirt and grit can get into the zoom lens mechanism in high dirt/dust environments. A mini-vac or air blower bottle has become a permanent fixture in my camera kit.Buy a camera pouch that firmly holds the A75, and has a separate compartment for a spare set of 4 AA batteries. I share compact flash memory with my Digital Rebel. A 512mb high speed card - and you can shoot forever. 250-300 pictures in full quality on a 512mb card is possible.After 18 months of use - I'm more than satisfied. The camera is starting to be phased out by many retailers. A reconditioned A75 would make a great entry level camera at a great price.As critical as I've been - I LIKE this camera. Many 8x10's of grandchildren adorn our walls and those of our kids. Great pictures - sharp (enough) - if somewhat oversaturated color (makes snapshots look great) and a perfect camera to create and send e-mail photos. While still a great fan of my Digital Rebel, this camera has it's place in my equipment bag wherever I go.
This camera died after two years, thanks to its defective Sony CCD. Now it only takes purplish pictures. Do a web search for "canon CCD problem"Update: After months of being unable to use the camera and finally tired of hearing the "we don't have spare parts" excuse from Canon Ecuador, I took it on a vacation to Chile and gave it to my brother, who lives there. Canon Chile kindly repaired the camera at no cost, but it took about a month.
This is the second canon camera I've had.  I replaced the first one because the LCD screen broke.  Never dropped it or anything, but found out it would have been over a hundred bucks to fix it.  Got the A75 and after only 5 months the LCD broke on this one too.  The camera mostly sat on my desk for the last two months, but then I pick it up and it's broken.  They say it's not covered under warrenty, so there goes more money downt the drain.  Takes great pictures, but save yourself the hassle and don't buy Canon, I know I won't buy one again.
had a couple of problems. first problem was that the lens would not open. I sent it back to canon to get it fixed. After that the battery hatch would not close properly and the camera could not be used. At that point it was out of warranty. Never buying a canon after this experience.
You do NOT want to buy this camera.  It does take great pictures and it is one of the lowest priced considering all of the features you get, but it is very unreliable.  My first one (the A70 model) worked great for a year and then died.  The second (A75) worked for a week and then got the E18 error which has something to do with a design flaw in the lens movement motors.  Just do a web search for "powershot A75 error" and see what you find.I am going to try to get my money back.
This camera is a winner. I got this last year for Christmas and man was it the perfect gift. Super easy to use and it takes the best pictures. I love that it is little and fits in my purse but still takes great pictures like the big cameras. You won't go wrong with this one.
This digital camera was malfunctioning when it arrived.  I had to replace my own camera which was about 10 years old, as I have an expensive underwater case that is custom-fit for this camera. It was unusable and it was returned for a refund.
Pros:- Features: does everything automatically for you with pretty good results and lets you do anything you want manually (ISO, F-Stop, Exposure, Focus, Flash Power, etc.)- Good feel: most smaller cameras feel flimsy and don't fit well with a grip, but its big enough to feel like a camera.- Great picture quality.  3.2 Megapixel is plenty for any home photography, including being able to crop.- 3x Optical zoom works great- Uses CompactFlash, which is really cheap to upgrade.- Uses 4AA's, so you don't have to switch batteries nearly as often, and has pretty good battery life.- great panoramic software that's easy, and produces good results, even without using a tripod (though they reccomend using one)Cons:- A little large to put in a pants pocket.- no swivel screen.  Consider the higher models if you want to do more artistic photography that involve holding camera at ground level or above head that have a swivel screen if you want to use the camera for these things.Overall, a great camera.  I have had mine for close to a year now, and my dad has two, one for work and one for home use.  We love this camera, and have had excellent results from it.  Great for someone who wants good quality photos from a camera that is easy enough for your wife to use, but has enough features to appease your desire to tweak with the pictures.
This was my first digital. It did great however after three years the sensor went dead. According to my dealer this was common with that camera. He sent it to Canon even though it was out of warranty. I only paid for the postage, the repair was free. Do not buy one of these unless the sensor has been replaced as it is common for them to go out. My wife's A75 also had the sensor go out. We threw it away and got a new camera.
This review will be short and sweet.  There are a lot of great detailed reviews here about every feature . . . I'm going to just talk about what I think matters with this camera.#1 - Picture Quality.  I have a HP 2.1 MP camera that I just used to take a picture of my sons under the Christmas tree, then printed it out on photo paper.  When I got my Canon A75 camera, I took the same picture of them, then printed it out.  The difference was stunning!  The color and quality of the Canon printed picture was 10x better than the HP.  It looked like a photo center picture.#2 - Software.  It's okay, but not the best. For organizing and viewing after downloading, it's fine. I wanted to print a picture, and all I could find was Album printing and "contact sheet".  It didn't give me size option (4x6, 5x7, etc.)  I ended up using my HP Printer software.#3 - Fun Stuff.  There are some fun things - like sounds.  When you are in the Canon software, you can go to "My camera options" and change the sounds and opening screen picture (while your camera is connected).  I have a nice Christmas scene for the opening picture and some cute Christmas sound effects.  They have other themes like baseball, cats/dogs, wedding, etc.#4 - My biggest problem with this camera is shutter speed.  It takes a few seconds to actually take a picture.  By the time my kids are done saying "CHEESE" the picture snaps.  So I've learned to tell them to say cheese a second after I push the button.  I have a feeling I'm going to miss some good shots because of this issue.#5 - Batteries.  Sure, it eats batteries, but all digital cameras do.  But comparing it to my HP, the Canon A75 lasts twice as long.  And does even better with a good set of rechargable batteries.I would surely recommend this camera.  It has amazing quality and a ton of features for the price.
Canon A75 stands out for its performance and cost. It is the best entry level digital camera out there in the market. The pictures come out clean and crisp if you use it outdoor. Sometimes, I get blurred images when the lighting is not too good. But that does not happen always. The camera looks sleek and stylish. The user interface is easy to understand without reading the manual. Btaerry life is very very good. I was able to take aroun 200 pictures with LCD turned on always. It uses Compact Flash -Type I cards which are cheap as dirt. Optical zooom is good, but images get blurred if you use digital zoom(which is understandable).Overall a must buy if you are looking to get an entry level digital camera that is worth having for 3 years and only wish to spend $200.
I am very happy with this camera, The A75 has excellent image quality, Canon's new DIGIC processor does its job very well, The Canon AiAF autofocus system is more or less a joke, But this camera has plenty of manual controls to get excellent results, The macro mode is cool, Get the accessories and lens adapters and you are into a new world of Marco Photography, Many other cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. It's nice to be able to use rechargeable or &quot;off the shelf&quot; batteries in this camera, Battery life with NiMH 2200mah or better is excellent, This camera is a great combination of well balanced performance, Excellent image quality and ease of use, all at a very affordable price. Go get it..!!
Don't be fooled by the &quot;Point-and-Shoot&quot; classification given to this camera. The camera is very easy to use for those who are new or not-so-new users, yet it offers the flexibility to let seasoned users and enthusiasts take control and unleash the power of this artifact. With 13 shoot-modes, fully manual controls (or fully automatic, if you so choose), and a variety of powerful firmware software (inside the camera) makes this camera a very solid runner-up.The manuals are great and very explicative and instructive (which most manuals lack). The layout of the camera has a functional no-nonsense approach, which makes it accessible for those of us who have adult-sized fingers. The LCD is very good and its brightness and sharpness is definitely a plus. The &quot;feel&quot; of the camera is absolutely great. In spite that it's a bit on the heavy side (as compared to other digital cameras), the camera design allows for a very comfortable and secure grip.The battery life is great with rechargeable batteries, the internal buffer of the camera makes for easy continuous shooting a breeze. The &quot;creative&quot; settings are very good and it makes life easier when the one is trying to accomplish a task to which one needs some priority (Aperture, Shutter Speed, Exposure, etc.). The picture quality and compression are superb.This is my 5th digital camera and I'm convinced this is among the best, if not the best, of all the cameras I've owned and used. At this price range ($200-250) it's practically a gift.
I've been holding out on buying a digital camera for quite a while. One thing I did know while doing research was that I wanted a Canon. I decided that I wanted a digital SLR for my artsy &quot;pro&quot; shots and a point-and-shoot for &quot;everyday&quot; use. For the SLR my decision was easy, a 10D (or whatever its successor is, I haven't purchased it yet). Deciding on a point-and-shoot was a bit more challenging. I didn't want to buy a point-and-shoot that was too high-end as I would soon be investing in an expensive SLR set-up. I was considering the higher-end G5 or the S1 IS. Honestly, the A75 wasn't even on my radar. Then one day the decision was made for me. I learned of an awesome deal for the A75 and it required that I act fast. I picked one up and immediately dove right into the user manual to learn all the capabilities that this digicam had in store for me. I was instantly impressed by all the features they crammed into this little 3.2 MP wonder, like the 13 shooting modes, which are much like presets for certain subject/scene situations. It has a large clear 1.8&quot; LCD to frame and preview your shots. The 9-point AI Auto Focus will ensure that your pictures are clear and sharp. I especially liked the fact that this camera could also be used in a fully manual mode. I enjoy tinkering with settings to get the optimal shot of a subject or scene. I'm one of those who don't mind setting a custom white balance (BTW, there are presets for that too!). Overall, I am VERY pleased with this product and would definitely recommend this camera for users new to digital photography or the seasoned veteran looking for a good point-and-shoot for those family gatherings.If you plan on purchasing the A75 I highly recommend getting rechargeable NiMH batteries. I own the Rayovac PS6 15 minute charger for use with their I-C3 15 minute rechargeable AA batteries. The ability to charge these batteries in 15 minutes has proven to be an indispensable feature for me.I would also recommend purchasing an extra compact flash card with a minimum of 128 MB.
The A75 and A85 are Excellent follow-ups of the A70, and offer some very nice improvements.  The most noticeable is the larger LCD, scene modes for those who don't like to tinker with the settings, "C" dial position to save your custom settings, and the print/share button to make things easier.  For those who don't know, scene modes are easy-to-access presets of a combination of manual adjustments, optimized for shooting in different situations such as when you are indoors, at the beach, taking shots of kids, shooting at night, or shooting fireworks, etc. The camera features full manual controls over shutter speed and aperture, manual focus, saturation, exposure compensation, custom white balance, ISO, metering, and a histogram in playback mode.  I know most people think they won't ever use some of these, but when you have an important shot that just isn't coming out, you'll be really glad you have it (or wish you did).  For those who don't know, control over shutter speed means you can use a fast shutter speed to capture fast action or you can use a slow shutter to avoid using a flash or for taking shots of night scenery.The areas where the Canon A75, A85, and A95 really excel at are:Being fairly small(small price tag too!) for a camera with this many features and having picture quality this good.Creative shooting:  this is a great camera for those who want to do creative shooting but can't afford to plop down $600+ for a Canon G6 or more for a Digital SLR.  It's got all of the most important controls, and with your memory card, you can do all the creative shooting and experimenting you want virtually free compared to using film.  It's even expandable with telephoto, wide angle, or close up conversion lenses and there's also the waterproof casing.All Canon cameras also come with an excellent software package that lets you stitch panoramic photos, retouch photos or rescue those that came out wrong, add special effect, and view thumbnails of pictures so you don't have to open them up to see what the picture looks like (good for those who are using an older version of windows, I know there are still a lot of you out there).  The best part is that it's free!  It does more than Kodak's software(which is pretty decent), you have to pay $20 to get the better version of Olympus's software, and Sony's editing software is pretty much non-existent.  Those who already have Photoshop won't be excited.For those of you who are concerned that the camera doesn't come with rechargeable batteries, don't worry, it's really not a big deal.  Good rechargeable AA's, type NiMH are super cheap at around $10-$15 for 4, compared to $50 for Lithium Ion battery packs, and at that price, everyone can afford a spare set, which is really important to have.  I've seen people who bought much crappier cameras at the same price, just because they came with rechargeable batteries - not a smart choice in my opinion.Yes, there is the problem with purple fringing, but it's not a very common problem and most people either don't know what it is or don't even know think it's much of a problem when they see it.  Some people think it looks cool.  With full control over aperture, you have the ability to get rid of it or at least reduce it.  Compared to the problems that other manufacturers have with their cameras, I'd take a bit of purple fringing over noise, soft/fuzzy images, and over-sharpening any day!If you want 5 megapixels of resolution, a very useful rotating LCD screen, and Flexi-Zone (lets you choose an area that is off-center to focus on), then look at the A95.Remember, Higher Megapixels do not always equal better picture quality, or better cameras.  The Canon A-series is a fine example of cameras that offer superior performance and picture quality over the competition and other higher price cameras.
My wife and I looked at many cameras before deciding on the Canon A75.  It's got the perfect blend of quality images, not too many features or un-needed features for that matter.  This camera was very easy to take out of the box and get snapping away.  The size and weight of it seem perfect as well.  A very good camera at a reasonable price for digital imagery.
This is my first digital camera, so I can't really make any expert comparisons to other cameras. However there are a few things worth noting.The image quality is definitely fantastic, especially for a 3 megapixel camera, and for anyone who does casual shooting (not for professional purposes) its more than adequate.Some people claim the video mode is weak, but in my opinion its very good. Good capture quality, sound and enough features. It would be nice if you could capture as much video as the memory card could hold however.I have heard one of the main cons of the camera is how long it takes after pressing the button to actually take the picture. I thought this was going to be a problem for me, but after trying it, I hardly noticed. It actually comes as an advantage, because when pressing the button, you exert force on the camera, and this can cause motion, so by the time camera is back in perfect position it takes the picture and it comes out fine. It may sound like a long time, but really its only about 1 second or less.The camera build quality is very good, it feels strong and somewhat heavy, which may be a problem for shirt pockets, but it feels good.In comparison to another camera I have used within the same price range and also 3.2 megapixels (I will not name the brand), it is like 10x better.  This is a very basic and simple review, so for those of you who just need a good midrange digital camera and welcome the extra features and obviously the great overall quality, this is a must buy.
Read reviews of the A70. The E18 error is alive and well still in the A75!What this means is that the gears that move the zoom lens are exposed to the elements by means of the gap between the lens and the body. All it takes is a piece of dust or sand to blow in there and the lens will freeze up and you will get an E18 error. Then you have to mail your camera to Illinois and wait several weeks. If it happens after a year has passed and the warranty is void, your camera is a paperweight. If you have scuffs on your camera, Canon might even choose to void the warrenty due to neglect.This happens to alot of people, google "Canon" and "E18".I had my A75 for only 4 days before the E18 error happened.If you get this camera, keep it in an airtight dust free case at all times!
I've had this camera for nearly a year now, and I couldn't be more pleased.  Unlike some of the smaller cameras, it feels like a "real" camera in the hand.  It takes beautiful pictures and is very easy to use.  I couldn't be more happy with it!
Good, easy to use camera.  Camera does all the work, just point and shoot.
I didn't know if I was going to be overwhelmed with all of the options and modes on this camera, but within a few days I had nearly everything figured out (without opening the manual).From what I've seen from other digital cameras, this one has very good all-around picture quality. On other digital cameras that I've borrowed from friends, they would have great outdoor pics but terrible indoor or night pics, or visa versa depending on the camera. The A75 has (from what I've been able to tell) the best overall picture quality for a camera under $300.Also, shutter lag is pretty good with this camera, although some of the newer cameras in this price range are better.Overall, I couldn't be happier.
My mom recently recieved this camera as a gift, well to say the least the picture quality is so poor. They usually all come out blurry or disfigured. I would not recommend this camera.
If you're like me, you live for those rare moments when you just know you've spent your money wisely. I must tell you that from the moment I purchased this camera and began using it, I have had a perpetual grin. You quite simply cannot do better on a camera in this price range. It kicks [...]! I'll leave the technical stuff to others but suffice to say this takes great pictures, is intuitively designed, and the software included is incredibly easy to use and packed with features. I love this thing!
I purchased this camera for my wife for Christmas after doing a heck of a lot of research.  Let me share with you the reasons I chose the A75:1) Resolution:  With digital cameras getter "better" all the time 3.2 mp does not seem like a real high quality photo anymore.  This is not true for the average camera user.  I have a 2.1 mp Olympus that I blow up to 8X10 with no noticable loss of clarity.  I am sure that the 3.2 will follow suit and is sufficient for the use of the wife.  The main thing to remember is that the higher the pixel resolution, the larger the file size as a trade-off.2) Batteries - I am a firm believer of the AA NiMH batteries and thier associated chargers.  I was able to get the wife an Engrgizer charger with eight batteries for about $20, which will last forever.  The other nice thing is that in a pinch any set of AA batteries, available literally anywhere, will keep you shooting.3) Storage media - I prefer the compact flash media for one main reason, durability.  The hard case with no external contacts make for a long lasting memory card.  I personnaly like the size as well since some of the newer cards are so small they would be easily misplaced.  The second reason I like compact flash is cost.  [...]4) Size -  The wife loves the way the A75 fits in her hand, unlike my Olympus.  The battery area forms a nice handle on the right side of the camera which fits her small hands just right.  The over all compactness of the camera is great too.  I figure the smaller the camera, the more likely we will actually have it with us to take pictures.4) Brand - It's a Canon, after all.  Nuff said about that...5) Features - I have barely explored half of what the camera is capable of, but I am surprised at the depth it offers.  Yet, the automatic mode is simple enough for the wife to "point and shoot" with exellent results.That's about it, I recommend this camera, from Amazon.com, to anyone looking to buy today!Update August 2008:  The camera died a week before Christmas 2007.  It lasted three years with pretty regular use, so I guess it is not bad.  We replaced it with a newer Canon.
If you can get a new one, this so easy to use. I bought it for a boyfriend about 4 yrs ago and I still use it everyday to take pictures for work. I don't use the movie feature but the macro also is fine. For the money if you need to take everyday pictures of family and friends you won't go wrong. Only problem is that you need to make sure you press firmly on the botton. If you have anyone take pictures of yourselves, ask them to take a few just in case. It is great to use with all your left over compact flash cards. I carry a small battery charger on trips so I never run out of juice. I only wish I could carry this in my pocket. You can't have everything. The price is right.
At first I loved this camera.  It was my first digital camera and seemingly idiot-proof.  But as time goes on, I am getting frustrated with it.1. It is not compatible with the newest ibooks (Mac OSX 10 or higher) and I just got a new computer so now my camera is pretty much useless.  Canon's website says they're working on it, but for now, I have no convenient way to get my pictures!2. Good for close ups but you can't zoom out very far at all.  Plan to back up and cross roads and fields to get the shot you want.3.  The flash washes things out really badly.  My Christmas tree looks white.4.  With the batteries (4 AA) in it's really really heavy.5.  One piece has come apart at the seam.  It still works, but I'm sure it's filling with dust and grime.6.  Takes a few seconds to take a picture.  By the time the beeping and flashing has satisfied itself to take the photo, the cute dog has looked away, the kid on the bike is out of the frame, the jumping fish is back in the water, etc.I got some good pics, but next time I want something a bit lighter and more versatile.
i got an a75. it has tons of stuff/features/modes. i dont even know most of it. but the video (mpegs) are nice and have good audio. id say the negatives are:the size/weight, especially compared with some of the slim ones out now.it needs 4 AA batteries. i have rechargeable. u might want to look into them.and when u snap to take a pic, it takes like 2-3 seconds to actually take the pic. kind of annoying/awkward to sit there trying to hold the camera steady for a few seconds while pushing down on the button.the pics are clean though.
I just got my A75, and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed. I've been taking pictures ever since I was 10 (my first camera was a Kodak 126 cartridge model with the flip flash). We have a Canon EOS digital Rebel, which is awesome. That said, I wanted something smaller to tote around, and the A75 fills the bill nicely.Initial ImpressionsThis baby is ready to use right out of the box. Although reading the manual is advisable prior to using any new gear, I found the camera's controls to be quite intuitive (perhaps owing to my experience with the EOS). Once you install the included batteries and 32mb CF card, you're ready to start taking pictures. There are many options for various shooting situations (sport mode, portrait, etc.), as well as a "scene" mode for more specialized scenarios such as "snow", "fireworks", and "foliage". The creative zone settings enable the most control I've ever seen in a camera of this class, all the way down to full manual exposure and focus control. Using manual controls can make the camera work faster. For example, go into manual mode, set the focus around 2 feet and f2.8. Everything from 2 feet to infinity will be in focus, and you can zing off hip shots quickly. Although there is no metering in manual mode, the LCD will preview your shot (if your settings are wrong the preview will look too dark, too light, or too blurry). Exposure compensation controls are quickly accessible in most modes. There are three different metering modes, you can adjust the ISO rating of the sensor, and choose from one of several color balance presets (tungsten, fluorescent, etc.), and even define your own. It's got a rapid-fire mode, and can even take short videos with sound. The more you read the manual and play with this camera, the deeper you can get into the feature set, and it's pretty dang deep. Quite a lot of bang for the buck.PROS1. Excellent image quality.2. Ease of use.3. Lots of features in a relatively small package.4. High overall quality, good solid feel.5. Uses standard AA batteries.CONS1. Size and weight not quite suitable for shirt pocket. Jacket pocket or purse will be fine.2. Some shutter lag, which varies depending on selected mode. Not bad for a camera of this type, but certainly not on a par with, say, an SLR.Although the A75 comes with software, I must recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements. It has a very nice capture feature and photo-organizer that makes managing your image library a pleasure. The editing features are quite extensive, and easy to use with many tutorials and liberal assistance. It's even got a feature that can stitch together the "photo stitch" panoramas from the A75. All in all, PS Elements works a treat with the A75 (and the EOS, for which it offers RAW file support).
Purchased the Powershot A75 after extensive research approximately 2 1/2 years ago.  Excellent everyday use camera (great photos and great ergonomics) for those who do not want an SLR.  I was completely satisfied with the product until the display went bad on December 25, 2006.  Display went dark with flashing horizontal lines and no photos could be taken.  Since the camera was out of warranty, I decided to look for a new camera as repairing it would not be cost effective.  While checking the new Canon camera line on their website, I found a Powershot A75 service advisory related to my problem.  In addition, the advisory stated that Canon would pay for the shipping and repair the camera for free, regardless of the warranty status.  I called Canon and spoke with a representative on December 26, 2006 and was told to mail the camera in for repair.  Canon emailed me a prepaid UPS label and a service request the very next day.  I shipped the camera to Canon on December 28.  On January 3, 2007, I received an email from Canon stating the camera was received for repair.  Also included was a link to their service center where I could track the repair progress.  Estimated time to repair and return the camera was 10 working days.  On Jannuary 11, I received an email staing camera was shipped on the 10th and would be delivered on the 12th.  Fedex delivered the camera mid-morning on the 12th.  The enclosed invoice (NO CHARGE) indicated Canon had replaced the CCD unit, updated the firmware and cleaned the camera.  Checked out the camera and everything is working perfectly.  This is OUTSTANDING customer support! Will I buy aother Canon product?  ABSOLUTELY.
Canon S1 IS is a great camera and as promised by various digi cam review sites, it is good for people in the intermediate range, i.e. between rookie (point and shoot) and pro (SLR and costly lens). Overall performance is great, focus, pic quality, battery consumption, ergonomics etc.Some people say it is bulky but remember what all it is capable of, so i dont mind it.However there are 2 things that become an irritation overtime......1] It takes ages to focus fast moving objects (like jumping Dolphins in Sea World or flying jets in an Air show). I have seen better performance in simple $120 worth digi cams!!2] Within the 1st 2 months there were 5 dead pixels (now it is 8 months since I bought the camera - no new dead pixels).
I think just about everything that can be said about this camera has already been said in other reviews, so I'll just add my four stars to the mix by saying that I've had this camera for about a year and a half and that it has served me very well on trips all over the world as well as closer to home. It takes excellent photos with vibrant color, and of course the 10x zoom is wonderful. There is only one reason why I did not give it five stars, that being that it does not perform well (or at all) in low-light situations. My first digital camera was an Olympus C2100 (also a 10x zoom lens), and it took absolutely outstanding low-light photos. Otherwise the S1 IS is excellent.
I bought this camera in 2005 and I still use it as my preferred camera. I also own an Elf Camera by Canon that I love, but the S series is so versatile. I only had to learn a little bit about digital photography to be able to take incredible pictures with this thing. When I bought it, I sacrificed some megapixels in order to get the great zoom and it was well worth it... especially since there's no way I'll ever need a print larger than 11x14. It's easy to use, reliable, and I'm very satisfied with the pictures it takes. The multi-angle LCD screen really comes in handy too.
I bought this camera to replace a nearly five-year-old Olympus D-460Z and I am quite impressed with it overall.My main criteria were high zoom and low shot-to-shot delay, and the PowerShot S1 IS satisfies both criteria extremely well...and more. It has controls for every aspect of picture-taking that I could ever want to adjust. The commonly used functions are usually only a button press or two away rather than buried in the menu system.The movie mode is quite useful rather than just a gimmick. I can definitely see myself leaving my camcorder at home in situations where movie-taking opportunities will be few and far between.My D-460Z supports alignment guides for panoramas (when using Olympus-branded flash cards), but I'm blown away by the PowerShot S1 IS's "Stitch Assist" implementation. For every shot after the first, you are presented with a dimmed version of the overlapping one-third of the previous shot with which to align your next shot.I really like that this camera uses standard AA cells. It will save me a fortune on extra battery sets vs. the Li-ion batteries used in several other digicams.I wish Canon had opted for a USB 2.0 or Firewire interface because the files -- movies, especially -- take forever to download over USB 1.1. This fact did not detract from my rating because I find the workaround to be perfectly acceptable: a USB 2.0 or Firewire CompactFlash reader.I do have a couple of nit-picky focus-related complaints. First of all, I find the autofocus to be very problematic in incandescent room light, which leads to many out-of-focus shots because even the manual focus is difficult to use in that light. Also, it's very awkward to use the manual focus with the electronic viewfinder due to the placement of the omni control; I wish they had put the manual focus up/down controls more toward the front of the camera.
I have had this camera for about 3 months.  One complaint I read in other reviews is that it uses up batteries quickly.  Well, my experience has been that I think it does very well on Rayovac rechargeable NiMH batteries.  These recharge in 15 minutes and last a long time.The features on this camera are great for beginners and the more advanced.  For beginners you can use all the automatic settings and it does a great job.  For the advanced you have shutter or aperture priority settings as well as manual settings so you can do some creative things.  You can change the ISO from 50 to 400 based on lighting.  I also like the movie mode.  I bought a half gig compact flash card, which are not that expensive, and can store 4+ minutes at the highest resolution to about 20 minutes at the lowest.  The pictures are clear and crisp and the colors are brilliant.  I read some complaints about the flash.  I have not experienced any problems, but it is possible to adjust flash output if pictures seen to be over-exposed, as some complained.At maximun zoom, unless you're using a high shutter speed, the image stabilization is not enough to compensate for movement.  You may need a tripod.  I took some action pictures at a baseball game and used the 400 ISO setting and shot a lot of pictures at 1/2000 sec with max zoom.  The pictures were outstanding!I highly recommend this camera
I bought this camera last year and returned it after about two weeks. In some reviews I had read, people mentioned how great it is at outdoor photos but that indoor/dim photos are not the best but I decided to ignore the second part. Most of my photo-ops are inside and none of the pictures I took turned out so great. Just thought I would do a quick warning because I was pretty bummed when I loaded up my pictures onto the computer and saw how poorly they had come out.
I've owned several Sony Digital Camera's and this is the first Canon that I have ever bought.  The unit is slightly bulkier than my past cameras but the performance with respect to the zoom, color and clarity make it all worth it!  The Image Stabilization feature is the best.  No more blurred pictures!The zoom feature is nice as well.  Great close up shots! Very easy to operate.The swivel screen is also another awesome feature. I can flip the screen over so I don't have to worry about it getting scratched.  It is relatively easy to use.  The only change I would make in the design of the camera is the location of the "set" and "menu" buttons.  It is placed in a location that is where you would most likely hold the camera.  It is easy to hit the button accidentally while you are trying to take a picture.  Otherwise, this camera is definitely one of the best I've owned and worth the price!
I recently upgraded from an Olympus C2100, and I was hesistant to leave the Olympus brand. However, I am really starting to love this camera. I attended a Michigan Football game recently and the pictures I took were very crisp, especially the ones taken from across the field. This was proof positive that my decision to go with the lower megapixel in favor of image stabilization was a good one. This camera does have it's limitations, but like a previous reviewer, I would highly reccomend it!!!
This was my 3rd Canon digicam.  I was aware that it would not handle low light well (and its idea of low light is my idea of medium, but oh, well....) but was willing to deal with its limitations because of my previous experience with the brand.A year and a half after I bought it, in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos islands, the flash door popped up and would never shut again.  This is annoying, but not impossible to live with.  However, since then I have found that the batteries, whether I am using the camera or not, are completely drained in only a few days.Canon charges a huge amount to even send the camera in for diagnosis, making the whole situation cost-prohibitive.Since this model is no longer in production, this posting may be moot.  But I do know that I won't be replacing it with the S2....
The Canon PowerShot S1 is a fabulous camera. It is my second Canon PowerShot. I recently took this camera to Disneyland and it easily took pictures of fast moving rides in bright sunlight AND pictures of the amazing 50th anniversary fireworks display. This camera takes good automatic images but its real strength lies in everything you can customize. You can manually set the aperture, exposure, shutter speed, and even the white balance. I highly recommend this camera.
This was my first digitel camerea.After an hour of not getting it to work,I finally changed the batteries.The sealed batteries that came with the unit were dead.Then it wouldn't down load for more than a day at a time,then my printer wouldn't print for more than a day.Finally after a week of wrestling with everything I gave up .Upon un -installing all cannon softwere it also took down my D files.Fortunately I remembered "RESTORE"and got everything back to normal.It seems there was a glitch in either the camera or the softwere.I will try again but with a Kodak instead.
If you're like most people reading about the Canon Powershot S1, you've owned at least one or two digital cameras in the past, and chances are they've been the point and shoot kind. Now you'd like something with a few more manual controls.I'm not going to repeat what's in many other reviews here (an amazing 10x stabilized zoom ... you'll find it difficult to move back to a camera without this, generally excellent photo quality, and really compact - HOW do they fit this all in such a tiny package??) but instead I'd like to point out a few aspects of the camera that haven't been discussed that much in other reviews here.1. Get yourself a basic book on digital photography, so you will actually use some of the manual features of this camera. A $15 investment will give you better photo results within 30 minutes. Guaranteed. I got myself "Digital Photography Pocket Guide" from Amazon and I can already see the results in my photos.2. You'll love taking photos by using the viewfinder and not the LCD screen (which, at 1.5", seems dismally small for a camera such as this) - the viewfinder is full of (though not cluttered with) details of your shot. Aperture, resolution, etc.3. The zoom control is tricky and takes time to get used to. A slight flick of the control and you have quickly moved beyond 5x magnification. You'll get the hang of it quickly, but be forewarned that you will be frustrated using the zoom initially.4. while other reviews have commented on using the Sandisk Ultra II card for taking VGA movies, I'm a little perplexed. While the movies are recorded on the card just fine, transferring them to my 2.4 gigahertz P4 machine leads to loss of data in the transfer and I am unable to view them properly. I am convinced there is an issue with the file transfer speed related to the camera's mechanism, NOT the memory card - for I have tried multiple ones. If you are buying this camera purely for this reason, do check this out carefully so that you too don't deal with the same problems (besides, the 512 MB card allows barely two minutes of 640x480 video.)5. The battery meter, which comes on only when the batteries are about to run out, could be better and indicate the approximate number of shots left. Come on Canon, you can do better...All in all, these are small deficiencies, certainly not glaring. I'm pleased with my stabilized zoom camera choice (the Panasonic FZ series were too bulky, the Minolta Dimage Z series too plastic feeling).One last point. Avoid the Canon PSC 70 carrying case made for this camera. Do read my review on that one should you purchase this camera.
One of the best digital camera out there. I have been using it for the last 3 months and fully satisfied with it.Pros:Excellent quality digital photos. Probably one of the best in the cameras in this price range.10X ZoomImage stabilizationProvides full manual operation including Av and Tv priorityCamcorder quality movie modeCons:Camera doesn't focus all that well in a low light situationElectronic view finder instead of the opticallittle slow in focussing maybe because of the slowness of the flash card used
After considerable research I purchased the Canon S1 IS camera from Amazon about a month ago along with the Lexar 12X 256MB Compact Flash memory.  It arrived even before Amazon said it would!  This is my first digital camera and so far I am very pleased with it.  I wanted a camera that would take good travel pictures and images of grandchildren who often don't like cameras near them.  I expect to print the better pictures as either 4x6 or 5x7 and occasionally 8x10s.  At first I was reluctant to consider 3.2MP cameras but my research showed that a figure of merit for a digital camera should actually be proportional to MP times the optical zoom factor squared.  This gives a heavy weighting to optical zoom (it's related to picture area) and it also means that you can avoid considerable cropping and wasting of MP.  That's why people are often surprised that this camera does so well against its higher MP competition.  It's also adequate for printing my size pictures. Unfortunately, most hand held 10X cameras used at maximum zoom also need to have a shutter speed of 1/400th of a second to avoid picture bluring caused by camera shake so that you can use this 10X feature only in bright sunlight, unless you support the camera.  The Canon S1's image stabilization system allows hand held pictures with much slower shutter speeds so it is useful more often.  I always leave it on and I've taken sharp pictures of ducks, birds, and, oh yes, our grandchildren at a playground.  Our daughter, who is a professional photographer, has even commented on the quality of these candid shots, something she did not do with my film camera with lower power zoom.  Independently, I also purchased a lightweight RipVan100 battery charger that can operate at overseas voltages and I carry around an extra set of charged NIMH AA batteries, just in case, although I've yet to need them.  Of course, in a pinch, I can always use universally available AA batteries, another feature of this camera.This camera, like all 10X zooms, uses an electronic viewfinder.  I find that it is hard to see well in bright sunlight (especially if I'm wearing sunglasses), even at maximum brightness setting.  Its resolution is also poor and the images often seem overexposed - but, and this is important, the images don't shake at 10X with the IS on! and the actual pictures are correctly exposed. The swiveling LCD screen grows on you and you can take pictures looking down at the camera at waist level.  The grandchildren may not even realize you are actually taking their picture, adding to the candid effect. I haven't found the lack of an autofocusing lamp to be a problem in dim light and you can always set the manual focus to about 8 feet (no zoom used) and everything from 4 feet to infinitity will be sharp.  (I got this tidbit from my research).After it was announced but before it was readily available the camera received so-so reviews but the recent user reviews from those who actually own and use one have been highly favorable and I agree with them.  It's well made, not too heavy, and the basics can be learned quickly.  Advanced users can find many features to investigate and I'm still learning how to use some of the exposure and focus lock modes for special cases.  I think that using the Auto mode (or the Program P mode) with IS on will work for most people, most of the time.  And, as an added bonus, you can even take movies (9 minutes/1GB at best quality) if you have a large memory.  I'm glad I discovered this &quot;fun&quot; camera.
I bought the Powershot S1 IS in Oct. 2005 to replace my Canon T70 film camera.  I really like this camera, and here is why:1) It has an "Auto" mode so that my wife and kids can use it without worrying about flash, f-stops and shutter speeds.  OK, almost all digitals do this.  ;-)2) But, you can change to Program AE, Tv, Av or fully manual mode.  Now we're talkin'!  I'm all for point and shoot ease when it comes to family snapshots, but sometimes I like to get creative with a sunset, moonrise, night shot, fill-flash, silhouette, etc. and this camera can handle it.  It's got up to a 15-second shutter, which is longer than many in this class.3) You can add narration comments to photos, which I find handy when documenting something that the picture alone does not explain.  Like, I do genealogy photos so I want to say who lived there or whose grave marker that was, or whatever.  You can download the comments to the computer as a WAV file as well.  It's like taking notes while you're recording the scene.4) Movie mode is *almost* a replacement for my Sony Digital8 camcorder.  Other than the camcorder recording in stereo and having better low-light sensitivity, the Powershot S1 can handle most of what I use a camcorder for.  Image stabilization and zoom while recording are bonuses in this camera class.5) No lens swapping any more.  With the 10x zoom from 38mm to 380mm, there's no need to carry any lenses with it, although you can get a wider wide angle and a longer telephoto, but why?  If you're that into photography, you should be looking at digital SLRs anyway.6) Vari-angle LCD makes it so much easier to get an angle that you can't when the LCD is attached.  Shoot over your head, from your feet, around a corner...  not many cameras in this class can do that.7) Stitch Assist mode.  OK, this was a feature I liked in particular that you may not care about.  But I like to take panoramas, and with the T70, I was guessing how much overlap I had, what the exposure should be for each shot, etc.  With the Powershot S1, it locks in white balance and exposure on the first frame, then shows you 1/3 of the last frame in the next shot so you can line them up.  I can do hand-held panoramas all day!  :-)OK, so there were a few negatives that I'll share too:1) There's no hot shoe for my Vivitar flash, although you can buy a Canon flash unit for this model.  But I probably won't because I think the built-in ~15 ft. flash range will be all I need.2) Speaking of that... flash pictures that you take from about 5 feet and closer seem to be washed out in the highlights.  That may be because the sensor is reading the dark background and overcompensating.  But you can manually adjust the flash power, which I set to about 1/4 on the scale and that seems to cure the problem for close ups.3) A low-light focusing lamp would help.  I had some trouble on Halloween eve focusing outdoors with natural light.4) I think I like the pre-flash type of red-eye reduction rather than the little LED light that's on this camera.  It doesn't seem to take care of red-eye in all cases (like when people are not looking directly at the camera), but it works OK in most cases.I believe the newer Powershot S2 takes care of some of these issues, but then again, it's almost 2x as expensive at this point in time.When you buy this camera, you will need a case and a memory card for it.  I bought the Tamrac 5693 Digital 3 Bag here on Amazon, which fits the S1, an extra set of batteries, an extra memory card, and the camera's video cable.  I've heard that the Canon PSC-70 bag is on the small side for this camera.  The memory card I bought (here on Amazon again) was the SanDisk SDCFH-512-901 512MB Ultra II CompactFlash Card, which has plenty of space for what I need and is a pretty fast card.One other thing you'll probably want to buy is some NiMH batteries.  I didn't have a charger either, so I bought a package of 8 2500ma Energizer batteries and a nice Powerex MH-C204W charger for about $50 at [...]I came away with this whole setup for about $375, which I think was a great deal and well worth the convenience and quality that I got.  I considered the Panazsonic Lumix DMC-FZ4 too, but I liked the Canon features and the fact that it used cheaper AA batteries and CF card.  So the big 35mm bag sits in my closet now and this little camera goes everywhere with me.
I bought this camera way back in 2004. I took it on numerous trips, Thailand, Bombay and of course I used it at home as well...It gave fantastic service, I took some really great photos all over. I had trouble iwth it once, when I had to take it into Canon repair for the pop up flash, which wouldn't pop up.Apart from that, nary a complaint. (Being a novice photographer, I guess I wasn't too demanding to begin with).About six months ago, the LCD/EVF conked off... I would get  a haze and then later I would get a line and black screen. The first few weeks I was in denial. It can't happen to me etc. and then I was too busy to take it in for repair. I was to go on another overseas trip, so I finally decided to get the camera fixed and handed it into canon.I was told, that the parts to fix are not being made any more. My first reaction as... oh crap.BUT, they replaced this camera withCanon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP 12XFREE of charge.Thank You Canon! I need to buy a Point and Shoot. No prizes for guessing, which brand of camera I'm going for...
I've been using point and shot cameras from Olympus and Sony.  They are good, but they still can't defeat Canon.  This Camera offers a lot of functions to play with, and everything can be manual controled.  The 10X zoom is something that you don't easily find in other cameras and it also gives you the oportunity to change lenses.  Get a big Compact Flash card and some rechargable batteries and you're ready to go.  It's only 3.2 mp, but it's what you really need because nobody is printing large pictures this days.
That's all you need in a simple camera.Compact Flash (the cheapest), NiMH AA batteries (idem), 10x optical zoom.Just missing a macro but, ...
large but not too heavy. main problem is slow speed of photo after hitting button. zoom way too fast for me, making middle positions very difficult. good pictures but fast zoom is a big problem and slow picture taking is very poor.
This beauty is brilliant! The body style is ergonomically pleasing and lightweight, the overall design is simple to use, it will satisfy a novice and professional alike, and the pictures are beautiful! Even the manual is well designed. My long search for the perfect camera finally came to an end.When I first took this camera out of the box I was in love with the design. Weight is important to me, and this camera balances beautifully. It's extremely lightweight and easy to grip. Obviously, a lot of engineering went into the body style. After trying out a myriad of cameras that fit my hand clumsily, this one fit like a glove. The only drawback is that it's meant to be gripped with the right hand, so it could take some adjusting for lefties. Otherwise, it's an ergonomic 10 out of 10.The overall design of camera options leads the pack. It won't take long to master the operation of this camera. The most used options have their own buttons, so you don't have to wade through menus all the time. It is loaded with features, and sometimes this makes a camera hard to master for a novice. Not with this one! If you want a point and shoot camera that you can set and forget, this camera is for you. If you are a hobbyist or pro who wants the ability to easily switch from automatic to manual operation, this camera won't disappoint. It is also a camera that can grow with you. With a ton of add-ons and interchangeable lenses, you won't have to shell out money for a new camera as your skills improve. The zoom is more than you get with most cameras, and having a viewfinder is a must if you like to shoot outdoors in bright light. There's even a vision adjustment on the viewfinder. You may have read criticism of the lens cap. If you read the manual, you will see that it's meant to attach to the neck strap, so you really don't have to worry about losing the cap as some reviews state. I would prefer, however, a more secure snap on cover.As we all know, the proof is in the pictures, and Canon is still delivering the goods. I immediately set out to shoot a little bit of everything. In my opinion, one of the hardest shots to get perfect with point and shoot is indoors at night with inconsistent ambient lighting. I used the low light option on the dial, and I was really impressed. The shots I took were very evenly lit and the flash hadn't overexposed my subjects. I took a picture of an outdoor scene through an indoor window using the zoom. The picture looked like it had been shot outdoors rather than from inside. I took a picture during the day in a well lit room with no flash and it was beautiful.If you buy this camera, do yourself a favor and spend an hour going through the manual. You will find out how easy it is to control the many options, so you will be more apt to use them. I even liked the manual design. There are separate manuals in Spanish and English, so you can dispose of the one you don't need.I know I will be happy with this camera for years to come. Some of Canon's cameras have become legendary in the photo world and still have an active life on Ebay years after their retirement. I believe this is one of those cameras.
Upgrading to this model from the Canon A70 was a great move.  We know the abilities and design of the Canons, and yet have a passle of new features to try out, especially the 10x optical zoom, which sold us on the camera.The size is heftier, both larger and heavier than the smaller Canons, but worth the weight in capability.  The pictures at both no-zoom and fully-zoomed are excellent, especially outdoors.Unsurprisingly, indoor pictures do require the flash.  If the auto mode tells you to use a flash, agree with it!  Trying to make the picture without is rarely a success, unlike with the A70, which would frequently over-flash.  The IS takes excellent quality pictures indoors.For cases, try the LowePro line, sold at Amazon at a discount.  The D-res 25 and 30 come up on their matrix as fitting this camera, and I bought the 30.  It fits well, with room to spare.Likes:Optical zoomLCD display (flip out, flip over, invert!)QualityDislikes:Sorting out "menus" and "functions"  It will just take time.
The other reviews sums it up. This camera is just awesome for a Point and Shoot enthusiast who is advanced enough to just venture into the manual settings world. This is a great camera for the price. THe pictures comes out just great. The Image Stabilization works (for real!!). My wife (who is not a very photo enthusiast) too a few snaps while we were driving at 80mph through Montana. I couldn't believe that the pictures came out without any shake!Not wasting your time further ... just buy this camera - it's a great price too!
I bought this for my wife who is a big time scrapbooker. This is the BEST camera as well as the best item I have ever given her for scrapbooking. The pictures are just as good as higher megapixel cameras. The swivel screen is more useful than you could ever think. If you use the option of partially pressing down the button prior to taking the shot you get lightning fast capture. If you want a great digital camera you cannot go wrong here. We have been using this for several months and for many different occasions with no prblems at all. We took it to Schiltterbahn (a waterpark) and it took amazing pictures. You could see the water droplets falling off of the kids. The zoom was so helpful. If the kids were on the other side of the lagoon we could easily zoom in to get GREAT pictures. My wife took shots of us going down waterslides and none of them were blurry. I mean these looked like professional pictures. We take it everwhere and use it at all times of day. Buy the camera! I am thinking of buying another.
I'm station in Iraq and have entirley way too much time on my hands.  I decided I needed a hobby and bought the Canon S1.  This camara is everything I expected and more.  I bought a 1GB memory card with it (highly recomended) and have taken countless pictures (well over 6,000).  The Image Stability works very well and the 10X zoom always comes in handy (and keeps me out of harms way).  I have also used it to take video and was amazed by the quality that it gives.  I can not belive what an amazing camara this has turned out to be.  My only complaints are the Pop Up Flash (it dosnt alwas pop up on its own) and the lens cap dos'nt like to stay on. The batteries go quick but it all depends on your shooting habbits. These are minor complaints and in fact althought I have only owned the camara for maybe 4 months I have already purchased the S2 and am anxiously awaiting its arival.
I bought one of these used a year ago and I LOVE my camera. It takes great quality pictures for the price it is - it's perfect for novice point&shoot use but has a good enough zoom and enough settings it can also take semi-professional shots in the hands of a good enough photographer. I have several friends with far nicer cameras that have been shocked at the image quality of my S1. Overall a very good camera.
For those reviewers complaining that the camera does not imprint the date/time on the image except when printing, please note that the date and time the image was taken and many other technical details are included in the EXIF data embedded in the JPEG image.  To view this information in Microsoft Windows XP, right-click the image, choose Properties, and look at the "Date Picture Taken" on the Summary tab.I intend to purchase the Canon PowerShot S2 IS when it is released at the end of June 2005.  I have been very happy with the three Canon point and shoot digital cameras I have owned.  Picture quality is excellent, and the Canon menu system is comprehensive and easy to use.The S1 IS does not include an autofocus assist lamp to help focus in low light situations.  I like making 8x10 inch prints, and three megapixels does not provide enough resolution for a full-quality print at that size.
I bought this camera particularly for the 10x zoom, but I didn't realize that it would have so much trouble focusing at short range. The zoom is very good for outdoor (nature, sport) photography, but if you plan to take photos of small objects at close range, all the manipulation of light, white balance, shutter or aperture settings will not overcome its inherent inability to focus at short distance (or in low light).There was a bit of a slow learning curve for me, as a first-time Canon owner, with its layers of menus and options but once learned they are rather easy to use. Unforunately I learned the camera doesn't meet my needs. However, for snapshots, for fast-moving targets (particularly in day-light or with flash), it works quite well.It feels good in the hand, like an old-type SLR. The shutter release is in a comfortable spot, though some menu buttons can too easily be pressed by your palm. Note that it's fairly heavy - I like it the feel, but it isn't the forget-it's-in-your-pocket/purse variety.For me, for all it does it doesn't do what I want it to. I find the camera excels at snapshots - for which I wouldn't have bought a 10x zoom. I am realizing, as well, that 3.2 megapixels renders computer-resizing difficult (again, small objects), as too much detail is lost. I think more megapixels, macro, and less zoom would probably work out better. Since the lens--if you haven't bought its second lens--only goes as wide as 35mm., I see this as either a camera for snapshots or a specialized camera for those taking photos from afar or of/from moving objects. The image stabilizing feature works especially well.Overall: It has a lot of bang, but not the right combination of bang, for the buck.
I have had this camera for about 2 years now. Before I bought this camera I had a smaller camera with a 3x zoom. I didn't really miss the zoom option on my previous camera but now that I have the 10x zoom on the PowerShot S1 I'm not sure how I could live without it in the past. The camera takes good pictures and it is easy to operate. You can use the predefined modes if you want to..or you can adjust a lot of stuff manually if you are into that :-) The only problems with this camera is size and the lens cap. It is "big" and bulky...no, it is not as big as a SLR camera but it is still a bit to bit to stick in your pocket when you are going out on a Friday night. The camera lens keeps falling of all the time and it is not a big problem but from time to time the lens gets dirty due to this problem. I have posted lots of pictures taken with this camera on my homepage (check the profile). All the pictures from the NYC trip and until today is taken with the camera.Conclusion: I would not hesitate to recommend the PowerShot S1 (or the new S2) to people I know :-)
I bought this camera last year I'm very satisfied whit it, it's incredible the resolution and good color, saturation and quality of pictures, you must be atention with low light condition but the rest its a great camera very sofisticated and when I have more money I will buy the S2.
GOT THIS FOR 249.00 AND GLAD I DID DOES EVERY THING BETTER THAN I IMAGINED.DO NOT HESITATE TO BUY THIS CAMERA.
Canon's done a great think with this product. This AA-ready, 10x-zoom product from a highly reputable camera manufacturer is a *highly*-recommended option for the serious amateur photographer. All in all, this camera is a GREAT value. If all consumer electronics companies held themselves up--for every product they made--to the basic dependability, overall ease of use, and impressive versatility of this camera, we'd all be in a much more affordable and hassle-free world relative to our mobile phones, DVRs, MP3 players, computers (especially), and everything else that sometimes beeps, whirrs, or flashes in our lives!If you're a "point and shoot" kind of photographer, however, move on: this PowerShot S1 is far more feature-rich, large, and heavier than you'll want.My review is based on 8 months of use. Heaven forbid that it stops working properly anytime soon--or even anytime within the next 5 years--but, thus far, I'm impressed. The camera accompanied me from the U.S. on a wintertime trip to England at the end of 2004 where it got a thorough workout and a great deal of manhandling, and held up through the entire vacation (and since then) solidly.*FEATURES: Manual over-ride exists for every key element: aperture, ISO speed (only a 50 to 400 range, however), flash, and even focus. Other features I find myself using a lot include switching the timer from 2 second delay (when I don't need to run in front of the camera to get into the photo myself) and 10 second delay (when I do), and over-riding the flash--that is, setting it from AUTO to ON, so that it will act as a "fill flash" even when the light meter is reading that the scene is bright because of background light. (There are two or three features I'll never use actually--and which I find rather silly, frankly--like "sepia" mode. Whatever.)*I.S.: Image stabilization is solid--not extra-ordinary, but good.*BATTERY: I have not had problems with battery depletion simply because I did what I'd recommend you do, too, if considering this product. I bought a AA recharger that I also cannot recommend highly enough (the "Sony Power Charger with 4 Ni-MH AA Batteries"--purchased via Amazon at the same time I purchased the Canon PowerShot) and 4 additional rechargeable AA's at my local K-Mart. So, as I shot, I simply kept 4 charged batteries at hand to swap in for the 4 temporarily exhausted ones if needed. I was never at *any* point without the ability to take photos for want of power. And then I recharged batteries, if needed or desired, during the night. Regardless, I found that 4 batteries lasted through *hundreds* of images with the camera set at the ideal setting for 4"x6" prints (150 dpi, I suspect, but I'm not sure off-hand), and in normal temperatures (more on that below).NOTE: far too many digital cameras require special batteries, sometimes proprietary (like Kodak for one). Setting aside the issue of batteries being rechargeable, the simple fact that this PowerShot takes AA's is fantastic. It means you will never have a difficult time finding power for your camera...as long as you're not far from "civilization."NOTE: *Temperature* affects battery life to a surprising extent. I'm aware that cold temperature can affect battery life, but the PowerShot seems particularly sensitive to this. When shooting outside in England in December, keeping that second set of 4 AA's was very important. Four AA's alone would not have been enough. However, indoors or at regular temps in spring, summer, and autumn, 4 batteries--especially those manufactured for use in digital electronic goods--will be adequate.*VIDEO/AUDIO: I only took 3 video clips on my trip. My sense is that this is what drains battery life; it certainly drains memory. Nonetheless, I considered the video feature "icing on the cake," and didn't care about it much anyway. So, I was very pleasantly surprised when I played back my video clips on my computer and encountered not only a very clear image which demonstrated the camera's ability in video mode to zoom and refocus fast, but also audio that seemed neither muffled nor--the other extreme possibility--"tinny."(One word of commonsense advice though on using the video mode. Don't speak loudly or at all when you're the shooter, because the microphone will pick up your voice very well due to your proximity to the microphone, and in play-back you'll be roaring compared to all the other sound. I can even hear myself breathing in the playback!)*INTERFACE: The interface of this camera was designed fairly well considering the wide range of options and features. It's got lots of buttons and lots of options, so ***practice*** with this camera before you use it for some special event or vacation, etc. Canon seems to have correctly anticipated which features people will want to over-ride or mess with the most (such as turning the flash to ON, OFF, or AUTO) and separated those buttons from the rest, which is helpful.*COLOR: I have not encountered color distortion when viewing images digitally. I have printed out very few images, since I put images online mostly, so I cannot yet review how the PowerShot's images translate color-wise when printed. Of course, the printer one uses affects the quality and color-correctness of prints, too.*WT/SIZE/FEEL: This camera is totally SLR-esques in feel and heft, though it's more compact than an SLR. I'm happy with the camera's feel. Its size would be difficult to make much smaller given current limits to technology, unless one sacrificed the basic SLR-like mold of the camera. I was able to get this camera completely into the pocket of my winter jacket--I never while in England needed a bag, case, or carrier for it. It will not, however, fit into a typical coat pocket--like on a light jacket, a suit coat, etc. It will fit into a normal purse, I'm sure, but not a small handbag.It *is* heavy, however. That is one thing to note that is a negative. But, along with that heft, I feel, comes better control and stability.There are a few little niggling things about the camera's menus that annoy me, 10x zoom is good, but often not enough for me, and the lens cap doesn't stay on very well (but, it's attached to a camera by a shot nylon cord, so you *won't* lose the cap!), and when I think about these negatives I'm tempted to give the camera 4 stars, not 5; but, there are so many other strong positives with the PowerShot S1 relative to the FUNDAMENTALS of camera use and design--plus a competitive (though not "low") price--that I realize the negatives are ultimately minor. If "4 1/2" was an option, I suppose I'd give the product that rating.That said, I'll rate this camera "5 stars" as an excellent product for the dedicated amateur photographer.
This camera delivers exactly what I expected.  I sold both my mini dv movie camera and other digital camera and replaced it with this.  The highlights:+ The movie mode is the crowning achievement of this camera.  Theh movies are fantastic, and most importantly are recorded on a CF card, which loads right onto my PC.  No transferring video from a camcorder.  This is the #1 reason I changed cameras.+ The shot quality is outstanding.  Crystal clear and colors are great.+  The zoom is outstanding.  Combine it with the image stabilizer and it's just fantastic.+ The controls.  Easy to learn, use and understand.The negatives:- When you push the button half way down to shoot, it will not follow your subject with you.  I have two kids who don't stay still.  When i depressed the button to take the picture on my old camera, i could follow my subject as it moved, and when it could lock into focus, it would.  What you have to end up doing is focus on a stationary object at the same distance/focal length as the moving object you want to shoot.  Get it to lock in focus and then move over to your moving object and shoot it.  It's really not that bad, but not ideal either.- only 3.2 mp.  I sure wish it was 5.- electronic zoom.  I had manual zoom with my last camera and that was outstanding.  It was so precise and I could zoom at the speed I wanted.- no low light auto-focus assist lamp.  What this means is that if you're shooting in low light, it takes about 1.5 seconds for it to focus.  If you're shooting kids or something moving, that is not easy.Bottom line is that all the important qualities in a camera are here, and the movie mode is awesome.  If you're looking for the perfect camera, trust me, it doesn't exist.  Image quality is great - the price is right - and you can't lose with this shooter.
If you want a nice camera that works well for 15 months, then look no further.  But mine died completely and is headed for the electronic recycling bin.  I didn't realize I was getting a disposable when I bought it.
The Canon Powershot S1 IS is my fourth digital camera.  I am very impressed with the image stabilizer, making it possible to hand hold the camera at 10x in the field and get remarkably clear shots of birds and other wildlife. The image quality is excellent, and the ease of operation makes it possible for a beginner to get started.  The option of manual settings is a wonderful feature, and much used by experienced photographers.The only addition I would like to see is a readily available camera bag for this camera.
My experiences with Canon cameras have been excellent, and so far they achieve the best picture quality and best colors. Solid feel, portability, good ergonomics, simple menus, good software and attractive styling are features that Canon cameras have and I like, and the S1 IS, for the most part, is no exception.So why do I give it 3 stars?Simply put: IT DOES NOT FOCUS EFFECTIVELY IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS.  I feel this fact has been glossed over by many other reviewers. Just about all digital Canon cameras I know of have an Automatic Focus Assist Light or Illuminator. (A little beam of light projected by the camera so that it can achieve a rapid and sharp focus in difficult or low light conditions). The Canon Supershot S1 IS does NOT have an AF Illuminator. This omission makes it tough to shoot indoors, at least for me. Some say it takes longer, and yes sometimes it does, but often it just doesn't focus at all, especially when zoomed in on people. Perhaps I have been spoiled with my trusty Canon Powershot S100 camera (with an AF illuminator); it does an excellent job in low light and indoors.AN AF ASSIST LIGHT SHOULD BE AN ALL DIGITAL CAMERAS! I was "iffy" about buying this camera for that reason, but the reviews gave me the impression that this was not an issue. However it is an issue that one should be aware of, hence my review.Although you can focus manually (and very well too), and it has an automatic focusing bracketing feature, trying to get a spontaneous shot of someone indoors, at a party or at dusk becomes easier said than done. It will focus better on a still object or shooting with a wide angle in a dim setting.There are so many pluses of this camera; I won?t elaborate since other reviewers have detailed them rather well. My favorite is the variable speed and nearly silent zoom, which can be zoomed slowly during the excellent movie mode. It is also very fast to zoom to the full 10x with virtually no blurred images (handheld, with out a tripod) thanks to the built in Image Stabilization. This blurry image at 10x issue was a problem I had with my previous camera (Olympus C-740).I know that one digital camera can't do it all (at least not yet), but if the Supershot S1 IS could focus well in low light, then I would then say this one does it all. If you want an outdoor camera, or don't plan to take a lot "happy snappies" of friends and family indoors, then this camera is for you. For now it looks like I?ll just carry both of my Canons!PS: Unless you are going to be making huge prints (larger than 8 x 10) the 3.2 Megapixel resolution is more than adequate for most users. I would like 4 Megapixel... but that is not a deal breaker for me.UPDATE: 11/15/04Well I did find the camera that so far appears to do it all, the Nikon Coolpix 8800. It is amazing, and I recommend it as an alternative, worth the extra money! Focuses quickly in low light, and does have AF light as well as Vibration Reduction, 10 x Zoom, great movie mode and an excellent lens.UPDATE: 08/20/05Looks like Canon listened, the new Canon PowerShot S2 IS does have an AF assist lamp!
The Powershot S1 has all the features of my old Canon A60, but the 10x zoom with image stabilizer sold me. No more blurred photos! The diopter on the viewfinder is another unique feature that this bi-focaled person appreciates. Adjust it to your vision and images are focused perfectly in the viewfinder. The LCD screen can be flipped in different positions, which is handy.  Bonus: fold it down to keep it from getting scratched and full of fingerprints. It's a tad smaller than I'm accustomed to, but suffices.  The pop-up flash is handy, and again, is less likely to get damaged when down. The lens cap, when tethered to the neckstrap, pops right off when you turn the camera on. No more losing lens caps or getting the lens dirty and scratched. (Yes, I'm tough on my cameras.)The 3.2 MP size is perfectly suited to 8x10 or smaller photos. You don't need more than that for casual or semi-professional use. The 32 MB memory card is adequate, but purchase a 512 MB compactflash card and you are set.  Yes, it eats batteries, but purchase a set of rechargeable batteries and charger and you are set to go. I even bought an inverter for my car so that I can plug in the charger when on trips. The video feature is nice, but we use it rarely.The biggest selling points, for me, were:- Canon brand; reliable and well-built, good customer service- Compactflash memory; inexpensive and easy to find- uses AA batteries, not a proprietary battery- 10x zoom; get those close-up shots you can't get with a 3x- image stabilizer; people with shaky hands love this- Flip out LCD view screen- easy-to-use menus and controls- many settings available on top dial- manual focus available when in low-light- ability to add on wide-angle and telephoto lenses and filters- optional remote control- quiet operation; zoom and shutter not noisy like the A60- tripod mount on bottom- unit is not too bulky or heavy and fits in most camera bags- best features for digital camera in this price range[...]
At first it didnt work, not sure if it was me or what. I was gonna return it then the next day I decided to try it again and it was working. I had to download and print a user guide for it.
This was my first digital camera, so I'm a novice to all this, but I have to say, I love this camera. It's an SLR styled camera, but it's small enough for you to want to take it everywhere. It takes great pictures with amazing color. Don't like color? There's a mode so that you can shoot black and white or sepia. The menu is fairly easy to learn. Though the viewfinder shows a little less than what's actually in the picture, you can see everything that you would on the LCD.Sure the LCD's a little small, but this was my first digital camera, so what do I care? It looks fine to me. Focusing in low light is a problem, but once I'm fully comfortable with the automatic parts, I'll start messing more with the manual focus.This is a great camera even for starters as it offers easy auto shooting, but is intuitive enough to learn on, and to grow to use its full capabiltities.
I have long wanted a digital camera, this is my first. It allows for manual control of all settings (ISO, focus, shutter, aperature, exposure compensation, white balance, etc). Manual control over these settings makes for FUN photography (things maybe you never played with much on a 35mm because of film costs). The camera feels really wonderful in my hand; I could never get used to the pocket sized digital cameras, this has a pro-like grip, and the body is a very comfortable size (smaller than a pro SLR, but bigger than the average point and shoot digital camera).A few things that I don't like about the camera so far:While you can adjust focus manually, it's all done within the digital display via button pushing. I'd much prefer adjusting focus physically (ie by turning the lense fixture).  Some digital cameras allow for this.Movie mode delivers spectacular quality videos! but I found adjusting focus while shooting movies can be impossible (it appears you must rely on auto focus in movie mode). Virtually every setting is configured automatically in movie mode, which makes movies something I will avoid with this camera (but I didn't expect to get a video camera anyway, so not a big con here).The USB connection to the PC from the camera uses a special connector on the camera. This connection is very small, and it is difficult to insert the USB wire into it. I'm afraid something might break if this connection is used often. A Compact Flash card reader might be the best solution here, but that puts extra wear on your memory card :\No AC adapter included ... only a 32MB Compact Flash card included (which will only hold something like 20 images on the highest quality setting).Overall, I am very happy with this camera as my first digital camera. I think it's shortcomings are very acceptable for the price tag. My photos are stunning! I'm a pro photographer over night!
I have had this camera for 3 years now, if you are not looking for SLR's and wanna practice shooting with manual settings (e.g. shooting time etc.) this is a very good camera. It was the smallest camera for 10x optical zoom at the time, I am not quite sure if it still holds the title: so it's also quite compact, which is also good. The video is also quite high quality, I wasn't expecting to use this camera that long, but it's still responding to my needs successfully.[...] If you have a good reason to buy this one instead of another cam, don't hesitate.
I could not be more pleased with this digicam.  I was looking for a middle-of-the-road camera: solid professional features: more than a point-and-shoot but less than an 8 or 9 megapix device.  This Canon is perfect.  Sturdy. Feature packed. A solid feel and size without being too heavy.  All the reviews are right: you'll spend another $100 min on accesories, batteries, etc.  But I would do it over again if I had to.  On AUTO mode, anyone can snap a pic in a instant - yet the camera is full of other modes and features that would suit all but the professional photographer.  And at 3+ megapixels, the pictures are simply supurb.  I like the fold out screen and the SLR type viewfinder combo.  The 10x zoom is wonderful and very fast.  If you are looking for a solid, feature rich digicam: heftier than a point and shoot but not as expensive as a digital SLR, this is the cam for you.  I love it!
I think this is a fabulous camera for the price. I've had a great time playing with the zoom, and I love that so many functions, like shutter speed, are adjustable. This is my third digital camera. My first two were Sony cybershots, and even though they were more expensive, this is definitely my favorite. I was a little concerned about downgrading to a 3 MP camera (my last sony was a 5 MP) but to be perfectly honest, the pictures coming out of my Canon S1 are crystal clear, although I haven't tried to make any huge enlargements and I really don't intend to. Why buy more than you need?
I've had this camera for about a year now and overall I'm still quite happy with my purchase. The drawbacks to this camera are common with all digital models I've tried and the picture quality is quite exceptional. Here's some more details...First the pros: It's very ergonomic, well-designed, and easy to use, even for first time digital camera owners like me. The 10x zoom works smoothly and very well. In good light the auto focus locks on quickly and the pictures turn out great, even when blown up as large as 8x10. With the right paper in the printer I cannot tell the difference quality-wise between these pix and my old film camera. I really like the flip out monitor screen for shooting pictures over crowds (e.g., at sporting events). It's very visible except in harsh, direct sunlight. The image stabilization works well, eliminating the need for a tripod in most situations. Sports mode gives clear action shots even when your subject is moving quickly. The self-timer is a nice feature too. Images are easy to download to the PC (with XP you don't even need the software that comes with the camera). The built in flash works better than I expected (up to ~10' away anyway).Now the cons: In low light situations the camera is extremely challenging to use. First off, the viewfinder is electronic and you cannot see what you are aiming at through it or the LCD monitor. In night or auto mode close-up pictures come out okay, you just have to guess at your aim. Longer shots do not work out well at all. At my son's Christmas concert last night I snapped 43 shots. 5 turned out well and 2 more were usable. The rest were garbage. Anytime the kids moved at all, the shot turned out blurry no matter what mode I had it set on (and I tried several), even with a tripod. This was extremely frustrating!! Further, like most digital cameras there is a significant delay between when you push the button and when the picture is actually snapped. It is very hard to take sports shorts unless you get lucky with timing or use the movie mode.Other stuff: you'll want to purchase a larger memory card. 32mb just doesn't cut it. I went with 256 and have been very happy. You also want to purchase some rechargeable batteries. This thing takes 4 AA's and really chews them up fast, especially when you are using the monitor and zooming a lot. Be sure to use the lens cap strap. It's designed to slide off when the camera is turned on (a convenience?) yet it tends to fall off at odd times since it does not snap in place. Don't buy the Cannon camera bag. It is poorly designed and overpriced.
Our PowerShot A20 served me and my wife extremely well. However, we upgraded to the PowerShot S1 mainly for the increased megapixels, 10x optical zoom, and ability to take better night photos. The S1 has not disappointed. It's taken excellent night photos. We've also been extremely pleased with the zoom. We're only beginning to learn the many features of our new camera. Also we have been pleasantly surprised with the battery life in the S1...we bought rechargable Energizer 2300mAh batteries. My only minor issues are with the lens cover. It falls off from time to time, so I'd highly recommend attaching it to the carrying strap. Also, I've never been a big fan of aiming with the display, so I was disappointed to find that the viewfinder is also an LCD. In bright sunlight it's sometimes hard to aim.Overall after two months of use we love the S1 and would highly recommend it.Additionally, based on reviews/recommendation of other S1 owners, we bought the Tamrac 5693 camera case. It's a great compliment to the S1.
I've had the S1 IS for about 6 months now and I am very happy with the camera.Positives: Very easy to use; awesome video quality + sound; good picture quality; image stabilization feature seems to work well; nice variety of shooting modes; 10X optical zoom will spoil you; omni positional screen will become a must have for future cameras.Negatives: 3.2 MP is OK, but more is always better, especially if you are going to blow up and/or crop your shots; macro mode would be nice; sometimes camera seems to search too long in mid to low light in auto mode - picture quality can suffer.I've not yet explored even half of the camera's features.  I've been very happy shooting stills mostly in auto mode and video.  Camera can do a lot more if you ask it to.I'd definitely recommend this camera, or the S2 if you want to spend a bit more for more MPs and other features.  I added a 1 GB flash card and two sets of rechargeable batters, neither of which I could do without.  You'll need at least a 500MB card if you plan to shoot much video.
Having 10x zoom has changed the way I take pictures.  You can take pictures of things that most people dont even notice!  The flip screen is also really useful for taking pictures in crowds, or strange angles.  The only time this camera has problems is in low light conditions.  If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures at parties you may want to look for something else, it has some trouble focusing in these indoor/low light conditions.  Besides that it's practically perfect.  Get a huge card for it if you plan on taking lots of videos (the video quality is my favorite part of the camera).  I have a 1GB card, but I wish I had gotten a bigger one because you can only take about 11 minutes of high quality video.  I'm looking into a 4GB card, I think thats the biggest the camera can handle.
The Canon S1 IS Powershot is an easy to use point and shoot camera with plenty of capabilities that I have yet to master.The zoom (10x optical, 32x digital)is fantastic, I have taken quite good pictures of the moon and some landscapes. Image stabilization is also a great feature that will help with long zooms and low light conditions, although it won't work sometimes properly for full moon shots or very intense sources of light.The function buttons on the camera are well placed (ergonomic)The LCD monitor, although smaller (1.5 inches) than in other digital cameras swivels and you can flip it around and keep it closed for protection when not in use.The Canon Powershot S1 IS only has 3.2 megapixels, but as other reviewers have said this is compensated by the 10x optical zoom (38-380mm in a 35mm equivalent)The camera includes a 32MB Compact Flash memory card-not internal memory- and uses 4 AA alkaline batteries.  Regarding this two aspects I recommend to get a bigger compact flash memory card (at least 128MB, 256MB desirable) and rechargable batteries since common AA alkaline batteries will not last long (no more than 30-40 shots)Despite its minor limitations this camera with plenty of functions will help you to take great portraits, landscapes, night shots, sports, ( with a powerful zoom, and an image stabilizer.) With  its superb optics the  Canon S1 IS Powershot Camera is a great buy, so if you are a casual photographer on a budget that want to take great pictures, this is the camera for you.
Powershot S1 IS camera--I was so excited to use it until...time and time again, I have received  memory card errors. I bought another memory card, but same results.As another reviewer wrote, &quot;Even worse, sometimes the camera seems to take a photo, but would then report that it was corrupted, there was a card error, or that the card had no images when attempting to play it back.&quot; The bad thing is that you never know what these problems will occur--sometimes great photos, other times, no photos at all. Argh!The real bummer is that Canon now wants ME to FOOT THE BILL for the repair on their shoddy product. Guess I won't be recommending Canon products to anyone soon... :-( I am awaiting a call from their customer service folks about this issue...Oh and by the way, I have used a Canon at work for several years and have no problems--that's why I went with Canon at home.
This is one fantastic camera. Canon hit the nail on the head with this one. As a botanist/ecologist/photographer (internationally published with medium and large format images), I do a lot of plant photography. I tried the Powershot Pro1 (see my review there) and was left a bit disappointed when compared to the S1 IS I purchased earlier. Although the S1 IS has only 3.2 megapixels compared to the Powershot Pro1's 8 megapixels, the S1 IS can produce images that, for basic uses and prints up to about 8x10 inches, will beat the Pro1. The problem is that the Pro1 seems to have trouble focusing up close (except for its SuperMacro mode which is limited to only 4 megapixels) while the S1 IS rarely misses the exact point. The S1 IS is also much easier to use.The color of the S1 IS is very true and has nice depth. The images are generally less noisy than the Pro1. The colors produced in the vivid function will knock your socks off, and yet it is never gaudy.The real marvel of this camera is Canon's tried and true optical stablization. I have the teleconverter for this camera which gives you the equivalent of a 608mm telephoto (that's about like a 12 power binocular) and not only does the converter actually improve the contrast of the main lens, you can hand hold the thing and get sharp images at only 1/200 of a second. I wouldn't even think of trying that with my EOS 10D, even with image stablization. I have taken some wonderful bird photos with the S1 IS (better than the 10D); they're not publishable, but definitely produce excellent prints.Like most low pixel count cameras, the digital zoom is pretty worthless. I recommend keeping it off and cropping an image taken at maximum zoom.I also highly recommend getting the filter adapter/lens shade kit. It's plastic, so you have to be careful of the threads, but if you put a number 3 closeup lens on the filter adapter and zoom all the way to maximum zoom (not digital zoom) you can get close to life size images. It won't match the EOS 10D with the Tamron 90 mm macro in sharpness, but it comes close for smaller prints, up to about 8x10. But then the S1 IS with a filter adapter and closeup lens doesn't costs over two grand either.I highly recommend this camera, just keep in mind that it does have its limitations. But it's limitations are far, far less than you would expect. It will truly surprise you with what this camera can produce.
Received as a birthday gift in 2004. I was unaware of the PowerShot S series at the time, but have the PowerShot G2 model.Have had the PowerShot S1 IS for over 5 1/2 years now and still works great. Its LCD went black (known malfunction) in June 2008 and sent to Canon to have it repaired. It was well out of warranty, but had replaced free of charge because of the defect. Received it a few weeks later and has worked as it should ever since. For some reason, its picture quality is a smidgen less from before the repair. I have recently purchased Panasonic DMC-ZS3.Overall experience...- Taking photos of the snow comes out clear and not too blue under ambient sunlight. Takes great sunset photos without the flash. Once took many photos of the Moon - even lunar eclipse twice, with decent results on maxed zoom. However, it takes trial and error because focusing is difficult with dark/bright subject.- Picture quality very good, but has compression artifacts and some grain/noise.- Movies are quite yellow and grainy under incandescent lighting, but much cleaner and whiter under fluorescent. Does surprisingly well in grayscale (B&W;) on well-light highways at nighttime, especially in the rain and snow (albedo effect helps?). Recording movies has subtle-bright vertical bars, i.e. chandelier, tail/head lights, and sun (says a phenomenon with CCD in the user manual), but as with any given CCD camera, these bars aren't recorded in the photos.- Excellent movie recording at the time of this model, but mono sound to the newer S2 IS (I don't have that camera).- Don't record movies with alkaline batteries - after two minutes, they are exhausted. With NiMH Duracell batteries, once I recorded about an hour of movies before the low battery light came on display. Have not tried lithium.- Recording movies with high-capacity card works well, but using a standard (not high-speed) card will cause corruption, or more likely, intermittent dropped frames, especially when moving or zooming quickly on the fine setting. Use of 640 X 480 @ 15 fps on any speed card recorded w/o problem.Suitable with the neck strap and small case, but not for carrying in your pocket (why I purchased the Panasonic). I would recommend this camera, and if you do buy it, check for firmware updates and watch out for any LCD defect. If the camera's viewfinder starts flickering intermittent green/purple blotches, it is a matter of short notice the display will go black, needing repair.Camera Window has a tendency to malfunction on PC and Mac (uncertain of its known issues), but when it works, copying the data is straightforward, but will copy 1-2 megabytes per second via USB.Hope this review is helpful. Overall, I'd rate this camera B to B+.
I've had this camera for more than 2 years and I'm ready to upgrade to the s3 version although this camera is still working great after years of moderate-heavy use as our "family camera".  Although the size isn't all that convenient, it's fantastic movie mode means you can sell your camcorder.  I have a professional Canon that I use in my wedding business, but this is in the bag for a backup situations and short video clips.  If you practice in the creative modes, adjusting white balance, ect, not only will you get better, more creative photos-making this easy to use camera fun for an amateur photographer- you'll overcome the low-light situation mentioned in other reviews.  Also I have lots of great photos from family trips taken in dark caves, around campfires and Disney at night.  Just read the manual and use the right mode for the situation.  A common mistake is using the portrait at night mode instead of the action at night in the auto modes.
I bought this camera about a month ago after researching about a hundred different cameras. I was looking for something aroun 4-5 megapixels and $200-$300. This camera had lower megapixels (3.2) and it was at the top of my limits. I have one thing to say:I am glad I bought it.I received the camera in a matter of days from Amazon. That was normal for any order that I have placed with Amazon. Fast service. I received it just a few days before we left for a vacation to Disneyland in California so I did not have time to mess with it much, but I had time to play around with some of the features on the way down and I am impressed with this camera. I took pictures from day to night and from stills to shooting scenery out of our vehicle going 85 mph. Oops, I meant 75 mph officer. I would say that 99% of them came out great. I turned the video resolution down to the next one lower. A 512 MB CF card held about 12 minutes of video in one continuous shoot. That is probably the one feature that sold me on this camera. It did not have a limit on the minutes of continous video that could be shot. Other cameras had a 1.5-3 minute limit. I even used it to record half of a speech that I gave to a group to see how I presented myself. The camera was about 10 feet away and it still picked up my voice.The included AA alkaline batteries went dead within about a couple of hours. I bought two sets of rechargeables and found that one set lasted from 8 am to 10 pm at Disneyland. And I took alot of pictures and video! One day, I filled two 512 MB CF Cards and one 256 MB card. That is my only suggestion with this camera. Buy rechargeable batteries and a larger CF card if you are going to shoot video. I am planning to buy a 1 GB CF card later.When I bought it, I had the intention of selling it on ebay if I did not like it. No way. I am keeping it. Oh...one other thing in my favor, my daughter-in-law works as a photographer. She could show me things that camera would do that would have taken me quite awhile to figure out. She had a chance to use it and she was impressed with it.
This camera is a good deal for the price.  You get a lot of features.  However, focusing in lower light seems to be a challenge.  Also, in video mode the focusing is always adjusting.  The zoom is great and otherwise the videos are great.  Pictures are excellent quality.  Would buy again because of all you get at this price.
This camera has a great zoom capability and produces clear, sharp pics and great video!  I love this little guy!
If you are looking for a camera that is not as expensive as a digital SLR, yet provides you with all the features, you've come to the right place. For a digital SLR, a 75-300mm, USM, IS lens alone costs more than this camera.Pros- 10X optical zoom- Image stabilizer and Ultrasonic motor- 3.2MP is good enough for large prints- Almost all the controls that a SLR provides are available- Swivel LCD screen is very accurate.Cons- Viewfinder is not great, but the LCD makes up for it.- Need to purchase an expensive addon for wide angle 28mm shots- AutoFocus in low light conditions is not great.I can live with the cons as it saves a good deal of money over the digital SLR.
I have been an amateur photographer for many years.  My favorite type of photography is "nature", especially birds.  I used to mainly use a Nikon N90S with various lenses and such.  But that gets heavy and hot in the Everglades.I have been using the S1 now a month or two.  I absolutely love it.  The zoom power is wonderful for that long bird shot.  You lose some resolution using the digital zoom though, but that's expected.  It's a light camera but you can still handhold long shots thanks to the image stabilization.  I use a monopod most of the time now.It's almost like an SLR, with the digital viewfinder!  Using the back screen that most cameras have is difficult in bright sunlight.  The digital viewfinder in the S1 is still a minor difficulty in bright sunlight, but very usable.  All the functions are pushbutton, and settings visible in both screen and viewfinder.Functions at this price level are amazing.  I am very very happy with available options.  It has a "one button preset" where you can set one button to do a chosen function.  I use that button for setting ISO speed.I use a UV filter all the time with the special adapter.  Beautiful outdoor shots.Macro capability is very good.The S1 is not cheap...but it tries very hard to be a digital SLR.  And that is megabucks there...so the S1, in a way, is a bargain.It also has a true neck strap, not a hand strap, like most digital cameras.Picture quality is good.  I have my own website and pics are fine.  3.2megapixels is ok.  I think more sensor resolution must be coupled with better optics, otherwise no point in a 6mp camera with plastic lenses.  So the S1 is fine in this respect.  Good optics, adequate sensor.Battery life is good.  Some complain about battery life.  I find it good with 2200mah Nimh rechargables.  But those who complain don't realize the first few times you use a rechargable battery the battery only has limited capacity....so it ain't the camera, it's the battery.  If you get new batteries, charge them up and stick them in a flash light and discharge them like this a few times.  Then you will get good battery life in camera.I gave the S1 5 stars.  It deserves them.If you don't need all the features or long zoom, try the outstand "A" series by Canon.  The A75 is a great value.  I use an old A40, and A75, and the S1 for my digital stuff.
This camera takes unbelievably good pictures. True, 3.2 Megapixelsmay seem a little light, but the zoom and image stabilizationmore than makes up for this. Normal alkalines won't last verylong, but Canon is upfront about this and recommends using Nimh's.Canon also tells you straight up what kind of performance to expectwith flashcards. Might as well get a big high speed card up front.All controls are logically laid out and very easy to use. The enclosed user manual explains pretty thoroughly how to use basic as well as advanced features.Update as of 12/5/09My camera fell victim to the bad CCD-chip issue. However, Canon fixed it for free.They had a very quick turn-around and very knowledgeable and helpful staff.Additionally, somebody mentioned a slight degradation in performance after the repair.My experience is exactly the opposite, the camera is performing better than it ever did.I suspect upgraded firmware is responsible for that.
I've had it almost 6mos now and couldn't be happier.You'll need rechargeable NiMHbatteries and at least a 256mb card.I love this camera for the great pictures it takes.The zoom brings you right in close so you can avoid having to crop photos later.  Even at 3.2M pixels the zoom makes this a better choice over most 5 or 6mp cameras.  If you wear glasses some other cameras don't have the viewfinder adjustment and even though it has a small LCD, it swivels so you can hold the camera away from you to hold the camera at odd angles and still get a good shot.  Add that to total AUTO for the rest of the family and 100% manual control for me to play and its a great choice.Image stabilization works too, you still need to try and hold the camera still, but it can make all the difference.
I was looking for a combination of high optical zoom, low weight, long battery life, and fast shutter cycle time.  I found them all in the Canon S1IS - and all at a price remarkably close to what I paid for my Canon A60, a much lower-end camera.The movable display is a great feature - you can keep it closed, so the LCD doesn't get scratched, or you can open it and rotate it so you can see it from a variety of angles.Only a couple of downsides I'd grumble about: 1) the lens cap doesn't stay on as well as I'd like - it's easy to bump it and have it come off, and 2) the viewfinder is electronic, so following a fast-moving scene, or one in low light, is tough.  But that's been a very small concern for me.
This camera has a good response time, nice picture quality (as you would expect from a canon), excellent battery life (i use 2500 mAH rechargeable batteries). Low light performance is very good too.
The Canon Powershot IS S1 is a good product... should work well for some time... but with a -potential- bad defect, the CCD sensor.  At some point, it -may- fail, rendering only a black/purple screen/pictures... although you may be able to view old pix/movies from your storage card.Don't throw your camera way, you don't have to pay.This is a known failure affecting -many- brands of cameras, and Canon decided they will REPAIR it for FREE (including paying shipping and handling both ways) REGARDLESS of warranty status.There is a Canon 'advisory' stating such... since I can't post the URL, you'll have to search the web for it... search for "Canon CCD Sensor Service Advisory"As for their service... sending a note to their "carecenter" email results in their providing a few steps to check, and then they'll send a UPS shipping label for you to use for shipping to their repair facility. Heavily document the matter... copy emails and the product advisory in with your shipment... leave out accessories.  (Some Canon models' repair window has expired, is expiring this year, 2011, so be sure of meeting that requirement.)For more info on the subject you can search for 'canon-digital-cameras-showing-black' (good instructions) and 'imaging-resource  badccds' (detailed info).Otherwise, the Powershot IS S1 is very versatile, inexpensive, good cam.
Overall I am happy with the camera. I prefer optical zoom over megapixels, so it is good combination for me. Pictures are great. Image Stabilizer helps a lot. Video qualify is good too.Its zoom can be annoying sometimes because it makes a noise that gets captured in your video shots. Not a problem for still pictures though.But battery life is pretty bad. If you are planning to buy this camera and would take it on trips, buy lots of NiMh and car charger for them.
I will be brief.  This is a great camera but it does not have the date/time stamp option which I took for granted as being available on all newer digital cameras.  My previous camera had it and for me it is a very important feature.  After all, we look back on photos for the memories they bring and knowing the date (and/or time) that the picture was taken is VERY important to me.
Its a really great camera. I just the turning on and off mechanism were a little more easier, you have push a little thing and turn the camera switch on/off. If that could be improved. Also, it does suck up a lot of battery really quick! Overall its a great buy for the price. Keep the good stuff coming Canon.
We picked up this camera as a replacement for our lost Nikon Coolpix 3100.  We'd been really happy with the 3100, and we'd read a lot of professional reviews of available cameras before settling on this one.  A lot of people liked it, so we figured it was a good bet for us.At first, though, it was frustrating; the camera seemed to struggle with focus indoors, and we weren't able to get it to take many good pictures.  For the first half an hour, I wondered if it would just be better to return it and go for another camera.However, that's first impression; and I was used to a little point and shoot camera.  Once you get used to this one, though, you find that it's much more capable; and the problems it has are mostly things you can get around.Firstly, the focus in low light.  There are a number of ways around it - firstly, the manual focus combines with the autofocus pretty well.  I was able to get some pretty sharp results out of this the very first time I tried it, using the camera at full zoom in not great lighting.  Secondly, you can use some of the little camera tips (focusing on similar-distance objects that the camera can pick out better - a little backward as a solution, but it works pretty well) and finally, because the camera lets you configure a custom shooting mode yourself, you can set up a hyperfocus mode.  A lot of people using this camera have found that a decent hyperfocus setting all but wipes out the camera's struggles with focusing in low-light, allowing it to work well as an indoor point-and-shoot camera.The next issue is the screen size - but honestly, I don't have a problem with it at all, probably because it's the same size as our old camera had.  On top of that, the screen is a decent resolution, it's clear and much brighter than the screen on our old camera, and the fact that you can tilt and flip it means you can take pictures from just about any angle or position you can dream of.  If you want to take a picture with the camera close to the ground, just flip the screen out and angle it upwards; and if you want to take pictures of yourself, flip the screen around.  No more guesswork, and no more pulled muscles and twisted necks trying to take tricky pictures!The other features add together to make this camera wonderful, especially at the price.  The video mode is great - 30 frames a second, 640 by 480 pixels with good sound recording to boot, though you'll want a fast memory card to use it, and the video clips come out as fairly hefty AVI files.  The 10x zoom is nice to have too - you can take pictures you were never able to before.  Image stabilization, too, works a treat - and the battery life is wonderful.Basically, this camera has traded megapixel resolution for features and versatility, and I think it's more than worth it.  3.2mp seems small in today's market, but it's still a good resolution; far more than is needed for web pictures, and plenty to produce crisp 5x7" prints.  And with the other features that this camera has, the pictures you'll be able to take will simply be better than those you could have taken with a higher mp, but less capable camera.In the end, it's a little less accessible than the simpler point-and-shoot cameras at first, but it's very rewarding once you get to grips with it.  Definitely worth getting, and definitely worth sticking with.(Update - after almost a year of use, we still really like this camera.  Its quality for general photography is great, and the quality of videoclips it can takes are more than good enough to put onto a DVD.  However, we've missed the quick response of our old little camera sometimes - there are certain situations where our old Nikon was faster and much easier to handle, and for very close-up photography, the lack of resolution means you're a little limited.  But as an all-round camera, it's still been a great one, and still deserving the full five stars for the price.)
I bought this camera when my daughter was born because I wanted both the zoom feature and the ability to take video clips.  The first is impressive, and the second is adequate for my needs - but the included 32MB CF card is a throw-away; even at 320x240 resolution, the camera's AVI format gobbles megabytes fast.The still image quality is pretty good, sharp enough for 8x10 prints.  I am a bit disappointed with the auto exposure - flash pictures tend to wash out, and it's not very good in low light.  It is also annoyingly slow to auto focus, especially on close-ups, and fails to lock in on many shots. The camera's manual focus feature is too cumbersome to be of any use.  A focus ring would be a vast improvement.  This is still a very nice camera with an impressive array of features for the price.  But if you want professional results, bite the bullet and buy a professional camera.
Let me tell you, straight out, this family is a digital family.  We've had digital cameras for years now and we've had quite an assortment.  Everyone, in our family, has one.My personal favorite, is the digital rebel.  I know you're asking, why is she reviewing this camera then?  Easy!  I wanted a camera that I could easily whip out and capture a shot with... but I didn't want the tiny handheld ones.  I wanted something that felt comfortable, in my hand.... yet.. wasn't heavy.  I was also looking for zoom.This camera fits that bill, perfectly! and at a great price too!To start, this camera runs on 4 AA batteries.  Usually, that's a turn off for me, but I picked up some 2300 mhz batteries and I can easily get 500+ shots out of a charge of those, w/ the LCD and the flash on.  With the batteries, this baby weights, about a pound.  While that may seem heavy, compared to the little tiny cameras and cell phones that are avialable these days.. Let me tell you.  That's not heavy.  It's got a great neck strap and the camera carrys comfortably on that, around your neck,  w/out weighing you down.The 10x zoom is real nice!  Now, I'm only using optical zoom, otherwise, with the digital kicked in, it would be a 30x.  I just rely on the optical.  This camera takes some VERY nice pictures with that zoom.  A picture worthy of the Canon name!  And you can capture such a nice picture because of the IS (image stabilization) that is built into this camera.  You will notice little (or no) camera shake when you have it fully zoomed in on something.  Admittedly, it seemed like it, with the first couple test shots I took.  I was looking through the viewfinder, aiming at something down the street.. and it seemed like I was waivering all over the place.  But when I downloaded the pictures.  I was VERY pleased.  Crystal clear!I have the found, that some cameras have terrible color saturation, w/ the picture right out of the camera.  This isn't one of them.  With the default settings, the blues (sky, water) are rich, tonal, and dimentional.  There's no red problems, when shooting reds, that I've noticed.  Sometimes reds will bleed out .. or not appear true.. and that's simply not the case.Indoor pictures.. I'll be honest.. W/ the built in flash, this little camera, kicks my $1K camera's behind!  The flash doesn't tend to wash out the subject (on the default settings).. skin tones are exactly what they are.  Little or no adjustments are needed, in my book.This camera is fast to start up, and write, to the CF card that it uses (buy a bigger CF card!).  It's got auto controls for those that don't want to think.  For those that want to learn a bit more about photography, it's got the F stops, and all that jazz..ALONG WITH...the ability to change your focal point.  You're not stuck in the middle of the frame.  If you want your subject off to the left of the frame..and the rest to be 'soft'... That's not a problem.  With a simple push of the button, your point of focus changes.I can go on.. but I'm sure you have the idea, after reading all these reviews.This is a great camera for the money.  While you maybe taking a step down, in megapixels, you're gaining the zoom ability.  The decrease in the megapixels, I feel, are not that noticible.In fact, this camera has all the features that I was looking for, in my higher end cameras. .. but for a fraction of the price.i wouldn't think twice about recommending this camera to anyone.  It's a great camera.
Bought this camera in 2005. It has been a good camera. Simple to use for my wife who wanted a simple point and shoot and with enough adjustments to offer flexibility for myself.Has worked great until vacation this summer(July, 2009). The image sensor went bad on the first day of vacation. Thankfully, we brought my camera with us(I purchased a digital SLR a little over a year ago to satisfy my inner photographer), so we didn't lose out.When we got home from vacation, I did a little searching on the internet and found out about the Sony CCD problem and that Canon would repair at no cost. Canon customer service was extremely helpful and very rapid in their response to my e-mail. Canon paid for shipping, repaired it, and sent it back in perfect working order. And no, it was not a ploy to get the camera in the shop for other expensive repairs, as another reviewer posted. The entire process from initial e-mail to Canon until I got the camera back was 2 weeks. I'm still quite impressed.
Decent camera when new - but won't stand up to the years of family events. This is the second Canon Powershot I have owned (different models) - both have suffered maintenance and repair issues even though they were well cared for. Both suffered sticking flash pop-up issues; this one (S1 IS) now has started to tint all images purple. Canon has acknowledged this fault (defective Sony CCD) and has offered to repair same free of charge - turns out this is an effort to get folks to send in their cameras and charge for "unspecified repairs". Camera lasted for about 4 years, as did last one.Fool me twice...shame on me...my second Canon product, now my second Canon product with longevity/build quality issues - I won't be buying a Canon again - can't afford to keep buying cameras...
This is a very nice digital camera.  I am very pleased so far, I will be going on a trip in about a month, I'll give an update.The only reason I don't give this camera 5 stars is:  it does not have a FOCUS ASSIST LIGHT.  And also I'm not finding a "macro mode".Does anyone out there know if this camera has a macro mode??  If so, I would love to hear from you. sswaney@uusd.net
Overall I am very happy with the camera, but couldn't give it 5 stars because (1)No date/time imprinting function (2)Picture quality is only comparable to my old Pentax IQZoom point-and-shoot film camera.I will try to list pros and cons that are not discussed in other posts.Pros:1) Video format is AVI and can be easily played on computer.2) Tons of manual controls to set aperture, exposure, focus, etc.3) When doing manual focus, a window pops up with zoomed-in image so that you can see if the focus is good.4) Time lapse shooting and continuous shooting available (read online manual)5) Very versatile LCD. Can be flipped, twisted, and turned in many positions.6) You can take many pictures and stitch them together to make a huge picture (read the online manual)Cons:1) Regular AA batteries run out too quickly. NiMH batteries are working well.2) No functionality to imprint date/time on the image.3) You need high-speed (18X) CF to be able to shoot video in highest quality.4) Lens cap doesn't fit snugly, but can be tied to shoulder belt loop so you don't lose it.5) Doesn't fit in my existing digital camera bag - plan on buying a new one.6) LCD is too small.Recommendations:1) Bought a 4GB Hitachi MiniDrive ($170 @ outpost) and I am happy.2) Flash is adequate, but a slave flash ($20 @ Ritz) might help.3) When buying the bag, make sure it has pouches for spare batteries and CF cards. Also, make sure the camera fits in the main pouch.Updated On 12/27/2004:I bought "Targus DPBC03 ProBlack Digital Camera Case Max" camera bag from Amazon. S1 IS barely fits in the bag. There is a pouch to keep batteries. The pouch is big enough to hold CF card also. I am going to keep the bag, but you might want to consider buying a slightly larger bag.I tried the "photo stitch" functionality over the weekend. I shot two scenaries and stiched them. One came out very well - impossible to know that it is stitched. Other scene seems to need some manual work to be done - one of the shots in the series wouldn't merge well.
I bought my s1is when it first came out. An out of warranty LCD problem took it out of commission for 3 months while Canon fixed it after admitting a manufacturing problem. Two months later the lens retraction system gave out - the lens stays out, will not retract, while the gearbox cranks. The only way to get my pix out was to buy a card reader for my pc; the failure disabled the entire camera.This is a notorious problem for Canon, with millions of users complaining, and Canon ignoring it. (It's the E18 error and it's well documented: [...])I've always been a big Canon fan - my old SLRs are all Canon. So are my printers and scanners. But Canon's refusal to deal with this problem is unacceptable. The failure was not do to accident or misuse. I treat my camera like a baby. They wanted $220+ to take a look at it, with no guarantee of repair. The camera isn't worth that, so I stripped it down myself.The problem was not sand, or dust, or anything I did. The problem is a serious gear-system malfunction deep beneath the circuit boards and virtually inaccessible to even a knowledgeable techhead. It's a shame that Canon will not acknowledge they have a problem with this lens-retraction mechanism, which I fear they use in other Canon cameras.So I'll be buying another brand to replace the dismantled s1is that's sitting on my desk. I give the camera 2 stars because when it worked it was easy to use. Photo quality was not great, but good, and the 3.2mp's were inadequate. But the unit's 10X optical magnification made up for the limited mp's. A nice package, but the gear flaw - if you experience it - is fatal. I don't like the idea of spending over $200 for a camera that lasted just a few years. Canon has lost my faith in their products, which was always very high.
ALL THE REST OF THIS REVIEW MEANS NOTHING.  THE CAMERA DIED WHILE PROPERLY STORED IN ITS CASE WITH THE BATTERIES REMOVED.  IT NEVER WAS DROPPED.  IT JUST PLAIN DIED.  HAVING RECEIVED NO ABUSE WHATSOEVER, THE CAMERA'S DEMISE MEANS EITHER PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE OR CRUMMY CONSTRUCTION.  EITHER WAY, I'LL NOT BUY ANOTHER CANON SINCE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS.  I'VE DROPPED IT FROM 4 STARS FOR ITS SLUGGISHNESS TO 1 STAR FOR ITS POOR VALUE GIVEN ITS EXPECTED LIFE SPAN.While I am delighted by the camera's picture quality, wealth of features, and logic, there are some caveats. But, although this is just a 3.3MP camera, I think the color quality and resolution will satsify all but the perfectionists.The caveats are all really related to the pace of the focusing, especially when the zoom is used. Going from no zoom to a 10X zoom is to wait for a good two to three seconds for the focus to catch up. At first, the zoomed-in on object will be just a blur -- both to the viewfinder and to the picture itself if you opt to shoot before the focus catches up. And, in addition, there is -- zoom or no zoom -- about a second's delay between getting the frame in focus and getting the shot.So, I've taken off a star for the camera's speed. My objection is not about one to three seconds but about the loss of several candid shots you might otherwise enjoy.The other disadvantage is that the camera DOES go through regular batteries rather quickly. However, with rechargeable batteries, the battery life is several times greater tha with disposable batteries and quite good. (I took about 140 shots on vacation and spent a lot of time fiddling around with the camera in between shots without needing to swap out my rechargeable batteries.)If your primary reason for wanting the camera is to shoot animals, sporting events, or small children, it's quite possible that you'll be less satisfied with this camera than I am.On the other hand, there is more to love than the quality and color of the pictures you do catch. The features, which are many, are easy to use once you've read the manual to find which buttons do what. (This is NOT, as a few have written, a difficult camera to learn to use. You can and will be up and running with it in a short time. However, thanks to the wealth of features, the advanced features will take some additional time to learn. This seems reasonable enough to me. Excel is more difficult to use than a calculator and quite difficult to master in all its aspects. That's not because Excel (or this camera) is awkwardly designed. On the contrary, both are very well-designed. Excel is more difficult to MASTER (not use but master) than a calculator because it does so much more. So, of course, MASTERING all the features of this camera will take more time than MASTERING all the features of a disposable camera. Seems fair and logical enough to me.)Some of the features I especially like:- It is a cinch to disable the flash by simply cycling through the flash options afforded by the dial (i.e., "diopter adjustment dial") that is located, logically enough, right next to the flash. If you decide to shoot a picture off your TV or to shoot a lit Tiffany lamp at night or to capture just the candles on a birthday cake (and so on and so on), you'll love the ability to turn off the flash.- The default settings for the camera seem very logical -- the highest setting for photo quality, the disabling of the digital zoom, the enabling of the red-eye protection, etc. So, if you can't wait to start shooting, you'll start off with high quality shots and with setting that you'd probably want most of the time. (Your digital zooming can and probably should be done via software after you've captured the highest quality image with the optical zoom. This will give you the option to decide later whether you really want to give up the quality of the image for a closer look. If you use the digital zoom when you shoot, you've given up the option to back off for higher quality. If you decide that you'd rather give up the quality for a closer shot than the 10X optical provided, you'll get the same result via the included editing software.)- Macro photography requires no special setting. However, to avoid overexposed macro shots indoors, you may elect to use the zoom rather than to get right on top of your subject.- The included software provides the option to see what apertures and shutter speeds were used for each shot and whether or not the digital zoom was used. (It doesn't directly tell you whether the optical zoom was used.)- For those not adverse to reading, the Canon documentation is extensive.Final tip:Discover early the diopter ajustment dial next to the immediate left of the viewfinder. This is a focus for the viewfinder. The focus on the viewfinder was not clear until I discovered this little dial. Once adjusted, it has tended to stay adjusted.&lt;P(...)If the MAIN attraction of this camera is the stabilized 10X optical zoom, you might be surprised to find that it becomes the least desireable feature thanks to its slow focus. However, as one who has owned a Nikon and a Fuji in the past, I soon found that the Canon jumped to the head of the list for its picture and color quality -- as well as for its excellent additional features.And, oh yes, the camera is loads of fun. You can spend hours exploring its features and in discovering the advantages of its various modes. In just two days, the camera has me taking shots I've never been able to take before. I haven't mastered the camera, but I've acquainted myself with a host of new (i.e., to me) features already. More important, most of my pictures are coming out great. I can still come up with some duds, but that's not the camera's fault!SUMMARY: The camera is too slow to focus to rely upon for action shots, but -- WOW! -- it's a joy for most purposes.
I bought this camera about a year ago to replace an Olympus Camedia C-750 (which was stolen). The camera has exceeded my expectations and is better than the Olympus is many respects.a) The Canon S1 has a much better video mode that records in 2 modes (hi and low resolution) with great sound. Even in low resolution, the video looks good. I can also frame the video by zooming in and out since the 10 times zoom works great while in video mode.b) The stabilizer is great. I have a technique that I use to capture quick shots using only one hand (eg, when skiing or when driving). I'll set the film speed to the highest (ISO 400). I then set it to shutter priority mode (Tv in this camera), and set the shutter at a fast speed--1/400 second or so). I just hold and aim the camera, holding it with one hand,  in the general direction of the action I want to capture, without looking into the view finder to focus, and snap away. The camera's auto focusing unit is fast enough that I've captured very good shots that I would not have been able to capture any other way.The Olympus may have slightly better color and resolution than this camera but not really noticeable in any way that counts (to me at least).I've taken this camera on multiple vacations (bryce and zion canyons in Utah, skiing at Sugarbush and Killington) and it has performed admirably even when I was taking pics in a snow storm (in Sugarbush). I've fallen hard multiple times with the camera in my backpack while attempting moguls on Outer Limits in Killington and it's still working great (better than my knee).Some reviewer mentioned that it came with Photoshop software, but that's not correct. It also does not work in Raw mode, but that is not important to me.For a $250 camera (that's what I paid on Amazon), you can't beat it with a stick.
Pros:* 10x optical zoom* Plenty of accessories (lenses, underwater housing, etc.) available* Uses CF cards and AA batteriesCons* Slightly bulky* Grainy pictures for low light conditions* Only 3 MPCanon could have incuded a case and a remote, instead of keeping them as separate accessories.
I bought this camera a few months ago and i am very happy with it. This camera has alot of features, and considering how many it has, its very compact.  Some of the features include:10x optical zoom:  This is a very nice zoom range, and it gives you alot of framing flexiblility.Image stablilizer: This is a very good stabilizer, especially for the movie mode.  Also, when you're zoomed in at 10x, it helps you keep the camera steadyManual Focus:  I guess this counts as a feature, but that being said, its not a very good one.  When you zoom in, it wont let you focus under two feet, which isnt very useful.  Also, the auto focus on this camera isnt so great, since it only has one point and doesnt have an AF assist lamp, so focusing right can be really annoying sometimesMovie Mode:  This camera has a GREAT movie mode.  The 30 frames per second really makes the movies look nice, plus the sound quality is better than most digital cameras.  The thing i really like, though, is that you can use the 10x lens to zoom while you're taking movies, just like a camcorder.  Now, the zoom isnt silent while your taking a movie, even if you use it at its "reduced speed" for the movie mode.  If you use the zoom's REALLY slow speed, though, it doesnt interfere with sound, so thats not really a problemPanoramas:  This camera helps you take a series of pictures to form a panorama.  It saves them as individual pictures, but the software the camera comes with to stich them is very easy to use and stiches the pictures nicelyTime lapse:  This camera can take time lapse shots; you can take up to 100 pictures, and its a nice mode if you want to make an interesting movieTheres probably alot of other modes i didnt get to, but when you get this camera, youll be trying to figure out all it can do for a long time.  If you dont want that though, this camera has a fully auto mode, which makes it just like a point and shoot.  On the other hand, if you want a camera that does EVERYTHING, this is probably it; you wont be disappointed either way
Good pictures, lots of features. Really like it, but the batteries cost a lot and only last a month!!!!
I bought this for my fiance, and while it worked, we were both very happy with the size and quality of pictures.  But then the day came, less than a year after buying it, that it decided to stop working.  Very frustrating, and it seems like we are not the only ones.
This is a great camera for it size.  My only complain is that under low lighting the flash whitens things out. If the Flash is turned off, the picture will be blurry some times.
Never buy a used camera over the Internet. This is the second attempt and like the first it didn't work at all. I was able to get a refund easy enough after I had to pay the shipping to send back their broken product.
This is the ultimate camera for active/sporting/outdoor snapshots. It's so small you can stick it in a pocket, and yet it has flash, 3x optical zoom and 4 megapixel resolution! Because it's digital you can see the results immediately, and you don't have to worry about wasting film. Send your experiences and memories to everyone!Pros:* Very small and handy* Unobtrusive-your friends will stop posing every time you try to take a picture! My friend Christine has mastered the art of stealth photography with her S410; she looks in a different direction while glancing at the LCD viewfinder!* Uses Compact Flash (CF)- Low-cost easy to handle memory cards available in capacities up to 1 GB!* Picture quality (so far) is excellentCons:* Uses a rechargeable battery-This takes some extra planning and perhaps a purchase of a spare battery.* Non-automatic operation is difficult-the small size makes it hard to read and navigate the controls* Small size can be a danger! You could lose it accidentally or drop it out of a shirt pocket
For about 80% of people, this camera is going to be a dream come true.Simply put, it's the pinnacle of ultra compact digital camera technology.  With a 4 megapixel resolution with a better sensor than almost all of its competitors in a body the size of a pack of cigarettes, the Canon S410 is fabulous.  The buttons and other physical factors of the interface are all well designed: the zoom and shutter button are in the same place for ridiculously easy one handed operation.  The function knob on the upper right provides easy access to several shooting & playback modes.  Compare this to other recent sexy, ultra-compact powershooters by Casio & Fuji (Think Z4U and A340) and you'll understand why this is a superior camera.Other pros:-Canon STILL uses Compact Flash media, which is significantly cheaper than xD and sD, which a good 90% of other brands use.  I have yet to see a downside in everyday use (don't ask me about extreme temperate conditions or whether the various media survive prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields of varying strengths, as I won't know, and most people don't care).-I personally like Canon's picture quality far better than that of most of its competitors, within the same style of camera.-The auto-focus system is superior to all other cameras of this size and strength.  VASTLY superior.Cons:-Canon's movie mode is growing steadily outdated.  This is one area where you may be able to find another camera that serves better: This camera is limited to 3 minutes of 15 FPS 320 x 240 resolution motion capture, regardless of the size of your memory card.  I do, however, think that if you're that serious about wanting to record digital movies, you should look to a device more aimed at that sort of thing, like the new Panasonic digi-video-cams that take still images as a secondary function.-Memory door is made of plastic, not metal like the rest of the camera, and I have seen it break.-1.5" LCD leaves something to be desired (esp. compared to Casio's line of 2" LCD ultracompacts).-No easy, pre-set scene modes like Fuji or Minolta have.Reasons why you would NOT like this camera:-If this is your first digital camera.  I can understand how you may be disappointed by the fact that 99% of point & shoot digital cameras do not make film-quality prints.  This is something you will just have to deal with, or not use digital cameras: short of a $700+ SLR digi camera, you will NEVER consistently get film-quality prints, and even then, you will not get the same quality as a comparably priced film camera.-If you are a photo enthusiast.  Canon's Digital Elph line of cameras is designed around every day snapshooters that do not need or know how to use things like manual white balance, various aperture settings, add-on lenses, etc.  The similarly priced Canon S45 is much more along the lines of what you're looking for, if you insist on remaining in the compact category.  Otherwise, invest in a digital SLR camera, as you will be much happier.
If you don't mind using flash for indoor pictures, this is an effective and convenient snap-shot camera. I bought it mainly for my wife to use to record her family, parties, flowers outside, that sort of thing and she's quite pleased with it. It's hard to do selective focus or anything creative with this camera. I'm looking for a decent digital slr for myself.But back to the Canon. Flash flattens everything out, especially a tiny unit locate close to the lens such as with this camera. But if you turn off the flash you'll need a tripod to hold it steady, and even then it's very difficult to specify what part of the picture you want in sharp focus. Other than that, it's a pretty good Instamatic replacement. The initial investment is a bit high, but it's inexpensive to operate for the long hall. You can view the pictures on the computer screen and only print out and keep the real winners.
I had purchased this camera in 2005 as a replacement for my S400 that was stolen at a car dealership during a test drive session. It is a wonderful little camera and works perfectly to date. Over the years I have bought and sold several other cameras (Fuji F10 etc.) however this one has remained with me and we still use it quite extensively for taking photos at family celebrations and other occasions. A very nice camera indeed!
Regardless of what style of digital you choose - make sure it is Canon.  These, like all of their cameras are great.  I currently use the Canon Rebel and I am looking at the digital rebel.  I am not a big brand name person - unless it counts.  It counts with Canon.  Here is a link to some photos taken with the 35mm Rebel.  Canon is a great company.[...]
If you're looking for an ultra-compact camera at a good price that is very versatile, I'd highly recommend the S410.  I recently purchased one before a long trip to the UK and was impressed with it's many features and how easy it was to get familiar with them.  It's nice to see more manual settings (e.g. ISO, shutter speed) available compared to earlier digital Elph models.  The 3x optical zoom is great, and although the LCD screen isn't as large as with some competing cameras, the ability to zoom in and out in review mode more than makes up for it.  And, the smaller screen size keeps the camera nice and compact and is easier on the battery.  I also like the bundled ZoomBrowser software (it's a nice improvement from earlier versions offered by Canon).  The S410 is fairly priced, and with CF media slowly losing share to SD cards you can get tons of storage at great prices.  And most importantly, I've been very pleased with the picture quality...it takes sharp pictures and rarely requires manual settings for optimal results.  Night/low light performance is particularly impressive.
I bought the Canon S410 because I wanted a longer (3x) optical zoom than the S230 (versus 2x optical zoom) I already owned (and love).  I also wanted a model that still used compact flash cards, like my S230, so that I would not have to begin purchasing yet a different kind of memory.  All my digital cameras use Compact Flash memory and that makes my life simpler.  And I was also attracted because it used the same battery, and hence the same charger as my S230.I debated buying the S500, but decided the S410 had everything I needed...and cost about $100 less.I have been shooting with my S230 since August of 2002 very happily, and still use it with good results.  The S410 seems just as capable, and the longer I use it and familiarize myself with where the settings have been moved to, the more I love it too.So, one month on, and I can say I am a very happy customer.I had read a lot of reviews on these cameras (the S410 and the S500) and many readers mentioned an "E-18" error. I then researched this error on the Internet.  I have not experienced this, but I have only owned it a month.  I can only hope that if I am careful with it (it isn't a toy, nor indestructible), that I will have many happy years of use from it.I also shoot with two Nikon digital cameras (both are professional models) and take photography seriously.  Sometimes I am quite amazed at the quality my Canon cameras produce for me.  I believe these should not be underestimated.  I find that the more I use any camera, the better atuned I become to what it can do or cannot do, and also what it can do well!  Everything has its own strengths and weaknesses, not just human beings.
The S410 may be skim on features and manual options, but the photo quality is excellent.I just LOVE the photo quality of the S410. The S410 is probably the best camera on the market when it comes to photo quality and print-outs. The video quality is very good too, though, the videos can not be shot at or above VGA, and the S410 can only handle low resolution. However, the video quality is crystal clear, and crisp. There is barely any lag at all when taking two pictures, or a multi-shot.The durability is very good. I haven't dropped this yet, but if I happen to, it seems it will take the damage. It has a very strong build, and seems to be made of very strong material. That's quality right there.A negative on the S410 is that there is one or two manual features. That's fine if you just want to take normal pictures, but ones in a complex scene will have a loss in photo quality. Actually, there aren't any big features on the S410 at all. The LCD is normal and is the size of most common digital cameras, and there's no manual settings. Once again, if you just want a basic digital camera, this is it. But, if you want some features, you may want to look around. Photographers may want high resolution videos if they're doing a documentary, or a special project. If you need features, get a camera with features. If not, the S410 is your camera.So, even if the S410 is very skim on features, it's excellent photo quality and durability should make you think about clicking add to cart.Recommended.
I liked this camera a lot, bought it for $299 when new, a year ago.  I never dropped it. But somehow, a piece of plastic broke on the door to the compact flash department. Took it back to the camera store, and they said it would cost $200 to repair it!  What a waste of money!  Now I'll buy used on Amazon or ebay next time for far less...
This is great little camera I can take anywhere and still get great snapshots. Much of the time this great little Canon will suffice, and I don't mind carrying/wearing it on my belt when a heavier camera would have been left at home.  Most of the time I do not need the firepower or flexibilty of my G5, Digital Rebel or D10.  I have often regretted not having a camera with me when a great shot or memory came up and I left my big and heavier cameras at home.  Now I have no excuse.  It uses the same CF cards as my other cameras.  The camera is built tough and does not show finger prints.
I bought this camera as an upgrade from the S200.  I can keep all my previous accessories and get the higher resolution and zoom features.  It takes pictures faster than the S200 (focus, shutter, and flash seem faster) and still the same size and weight (in fact, I think it's a bit lighter).  Plus, at $250 it's quite a bargain.
I JUST HAD TO WRITE BECAUSE I READ ON SOMEONE'S REVIEW THAT DIGITAL CAMERAS WILL NEVER TAKE THE SAME QUALITY PHOTOS AS SIMILAR PRICED REGULAR CAMERAS. HOGWASH.  I HAVE A CANON ELPH THAT TAKES FILM AND THE CANON S410 DIGITAL AND THE DIGITAL CAMERA TAKES FAR SUPERIOR PRINTED PICS THAN THE FILM VERSION - BETTER CLARITY AND COLOR.  I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT FOR NEW DIGITAL USERS - DIGITAL IS SUPERIOR TO FILM CAMERAS HANDS DOWN.  MY ONLY PROBLEM IS MY LCD SCREEN BROKE - I WAS CARELESS.  BE SURE TO ALWAYS KEEP YOUR CAMERA IN CASE AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT IN USE.
The fully auto mode of this camera is the closest to making digital photography a totally idiot-proof experience.  While I am personally not at all technologically challenged, I have several other users and potential users of this camera who will appreciate the idiot-proof modes.I like the fact that this camera uses Compact Flash (CF) memory which is not only cheaper that SD and xD memory formats but also appears more rugged.  But for me CF was a big plus since I had a number of old CF memory cards left over from my a previous digital camera that I was able to reuse.The only con I really see is that the battery is proprietary and expensive and also cannot be charged in-camera.  If you buy this camera do consider purchasing an additinal battery to keep handy.  This camera does not have a battery meter so the battery could go quite suddenly.  Having a spare battery would be very helpful in such cases.I found the basic mode (1024x768, Normal Resolution) to be good for most type of pictures.  I purchased an after market 512 MB memory card from Costco for $79 and using the basic mode the camera reports that I can shoot 2714 photographs.  Naturally this is a ridiculously large number of pictures to take even on the most exotic vacation.  But I am comforted by the fact that I can now let my kids take pictures with wild abandon not having to worry about deleting pictures.  In fact this is the only memory card that I will need for my upcoming holiday.
I've been reading the reviews on this Canon PowerShot S410 camera before and after purchasing my own.  There certainly are numerous whiners out there.  It seems people love to find something to whine about.  Honestly, this camera has given me nothing but pleasure, excellent pictures and compliments from others.  This is a solid well-built camera (my cats knocked it off my desk and dragged around a bit and it had no scratches and still works excellently) with excellent picture quality both indoor and outdoor and easy to figure out menu and buttons.  People also seem to complain about the LCD screen being small on digital cameras in general.  My answer, look through the view finder.  In addition,  with the Canon S410 the image on the LCD screen is so vivid and clear and the colors so rich that it doesn't really matter.  After all, the most important thing is both the final print and how it looks on your computer not the size of the LCD screen.  When I connect the camera to my Canon CP-330 compact photo printer, it's a one press operation and away it goes printing the best quality pictures ever.  Unless you love to nit-pick (there's really nothing to nit-pick about on this one) you'll love this camera.  Minor note, Canon could have possibly been a little more generous in what comes with the camera, such as an AC power adapter (although I love the battery recharger).  However, don't consider this a complaint, just a suggestion to Canon.  If you do decide to purchase, ENJOY!  And to those whiners, life is too short .......
Just bought the S410 2 days ago and took alot of pictures, did not do too much manual reading, only when I was,nt sure of what to do.Most shots were on full automatic and some on manual automatic.Results are beautiful, sharp, great color. camera is built like an MBTA1A, printed some, they were even better than on the lcdI cannot critique a thing on this little beauty, just love it.On most of the smaller digitals, the finder is a joke, too small, this one is a good size, clear and extremely usable.One of the best.
I ordered this camera as a replacement/upgrade to my 2.0mp Nikon Coolpix 2500 camera. It is on its way back to Amazon for a refund. The Nikon camera takes much better pictures than this 4mp camera.The color on the canon pictures was fantastic, saturated and beautiful. The sharpness left much to be desired.Maybe my Nikon has spoiled me, but I'll stick with the 2.0mp camera for now and save my money!
My wife had bought this camera for herself when it first came out. Over the years both of us have used it quite a bit, and it has really served its purpose. It is very well built, durable, and for a point and shoot camera it takes really nice photos.***** Photo Quality ****For a point-and-shoot camera there is not much to complain about when it comes to the picture quality. 4 MP may seem paltry compared to todays 12 - 16 MP standard sizes, but in fact it is probably more than adequate for most everyday uses. Printing photographs up to 5 X 7 format is not a problem, and I've even gotten some more than respectable looking 8 X 11 prints. If you are only viewing pictures on a computer monitor, then 4 MP is more than enough. However, for editing purposes you obviously don't have as many pixels to play with as you would with the larger size formats.***** Video Quality *****This is by far the worst aspect of this camera's performance. When it came out video was just an afterthought. Whoever designed it must have thought that the 320 X 240 resolution would qualify this camera to be included in the video-recording category, but I'd rather have a camera with no video recording option than with one this bad. It's really just embarrassing.***** Look and Build *****This is probably the most rugged-looking camera that I've ever seen. The heavy, metallic body would not be out of place in a combat zone. It was probably not designed for a combat zone, aside from its ability to stop bullets (please don't test this claim), but its rugged exterior is one of the factors that made it perform this well after all these years.***** Battery Life *****When we first bought this camera, the battery could serve you for quite some time. Now it has almost completely been depleted and can only be charged through a single shooting session.***** Memory Card *****The camera uses the old CF Card for storage, which ahs become de-facto obsolete. You can still find card readers for this storage media online, but if all else fails you can always transfer your photos by directly connecting your camera to the computer via USB cable.***** Camera Software *****Like most cameras these days, this one also came with its own pot software. The software was fine for its day, but I never got to really use it. I prefer transferring my photos and manipulating them with Picasa, iPhoto, or some similar general-purpose photo software.***** Accessories *****The camera came with a whole host of accessories, including: wrist strap, cover for battery pack, battery pack, battery charger, AV cable, interface cable, direct interface cable, and the CF card. All the accessories help with the basic use of this camera, but for anything more advanced you need to buy additional products.***** Conclusion *****As mentioned in the title of this review, this camera has performed consistently well for many years. It's a rugged and largely reliable picture taker. These days it sits around as a spare camera in case we need additional photo-taking power.
This camera fixed many of the flaws of the S200 and S230. There is now 3 min movie recording with built in speaker so that you can hear your video on the camera, an optical zoom improvement (2x to 3x makes a pretty big difference) and a battery life improvement. My old S200 used to drain the battery in half a day but with this one, I am finding that I can often go 2 or 3 days without recharging! There are only two things that I wish I could change on this camera: One draw back is that this camera isn't too good at taking fast action shots. There is some shutter lag that is often frustrating. The second is that even though it is in the super compact category, it is still a little bulky to put in my pocket (I'm looking at the Sony Cybershot DSC-T1 but I hear the picture quality isn't too great), but I mean, getting smaller than this may be asking too much. Overall for regular shots of non-moving targets and even slow moving targets, the pictures are crisp, clear, and colorful (especially with the &quot;vivid&quot; mode), and I reccomend it.
First off, I love the Canon digital Elph series. I bought the S100 when it first came out, then the S200, and most recently ordered this one because I wanted to have more megapixels (both the latter cameras still function.) I have to say that I am disappointed though, for the following reasons:1. The screen is tiny and hasn't gotten any bigger over the past 4 years despite gains in screen technology on the market... Clearly Canon has the technology to do it--just look at the SD200 or SD300 both of which have beautiful big screens. The tiny screen on this thing is put in the lower left hand corner of the camera, no ability to pull it out or rotate it which are functions available on other Canons.2. The 'box' hasn't changed in 4 years...it was an impressively small size when it first came out, but at this point, it looks big compared with the SD series or against the Sony series. Guys, it's time to change the look!3. I was quite reluctant to keep a camera that got so many poor reviews...even though the overall review at amazon is more than 4 stars, there are a ton of 1 stars hidden back there, and it's clear that there is a fundamental error in the design of this camera. Check out the other reviews to learn more.In the end, I decided it was worth it to pay more for the same functions in a smaller package, and to buy an SD300. I hope that I won't experience any of the errors described here.
I have taken this camera with me on my travels. I have not been gentle with it. I has never failed me. Please see the photos on the Amazon.I have "upgraded" to another more expensive camera with mixed results and then returned it.Pros: Uses Compact flash which appears tougher than SD cards, has nice metallic solid feel, battery charge lasts longer than any conceivable picture taking situation, nice sharp lens when using macro and 1x magnification, 4 megapixels is sufficient for elargements of at least 5x7 and it appears to me 8x10, although I do not find the need for it. No bells and whistles but solid workhorse..thousands of pics with no problems. My friends and family own one too and are of the same opinion and do not want to trade up.Cons: Shutter response could be a little faster, if you are using  3X magnification...have a very steady hand, sunny day and a tripod:) or the pictures will be blurry. This is true of most other cameras in that class. I have found that even the cameras with stabilized zoom do not do very well with anything greater than a 3X magnification.I really like this camera. Check my pictures please.
My husband and I did a lot of research looking for a camera that I could throw in my purse/diaper bag and have it handy for everytime my kids would do something that I wanted to remember.  The ease of handling this camera makes it nice for a busy mom of 3 small children.  I was looking for a camera that was compact, sleek, pretty stylish and easy to turn on, point and shoot.  My boys love looking at the pictures right after I take them and the handy screen on the back is a plus for all of us.  When you're taking pictures of three kids you sometimes can't get everyone looking and/or smilling at the same time.  With this camera I don't waste money on developing pictures that aren't up to my standards.  I wind up taking at least 3-4 pictures before I get exactly what I want and then I just go back through the photos and erase what I don't want.  It's so easy to download the pictures to Shutterfly.com and order right from there!  This camera is a must!
I want to point out that you should never buy a generic battery, like the person from San Diego who reviewed the S410 on May 15, 2004, was recommending.  Yes you'd save money, but there have been many reports of generic batteries exploding when charged for too long.  And don't think if your generic battery explodes you can sue somebody and win millions.  These batteries are made in sweatshops in China, India and Korea, and I doubt you can find anybody to sue.  So play it safe, both for your own sake and the camera's sake.  If you want a spare, get a real Canon one.
Positive:+ Good Battery Life+ Wonderful Photo Quality+ 3x Optical Zoom+ Wonderful Video QualityNegative:- No Manual Options- Only 32 MB Memory Card BundledIt's a great camera, unless you don't mind not having manual options.
Quite impressive overall. It's SMALL yet I wish it was just a little bit smaller. I have yet to read the manual cover to cover but have enjoyed snapping pictures in the automatic and manual modes so far.The size of the S410 was one of its two biggest selling points. I want a camera I will have with me, not one that's at home taking up space. The other thing I wanted was decent to good image quality, and what I've seen so far makes me think that this camera is a good choice.I ordered a second battery and used an inverter I already owned to charge it in the car. Much cheaper than the Canon car charger. The manuals are (somewhat comically) also very small little books. A useful road-map poster of features is included along with a quick-start guide, which is always square one as far as I'm concerned.Color reproduction seems very good. Clarity is decent at this point. I obviously need to read the manual to understand everything that's going on, and it's clear that there's a LOT of technology stuffed into this little gem. The controls are well-placed and the menus seem concise, operation overall is quite snappy. I'm pleased. The LCD screen is extraordinarily bright and crisp. Time between shots is acceptable, pretty quick, really, and time-to-first-shot is very good.I don't think you'd need a case for the camera. Wrap it in a handkerchief if you're worried it will get scratched. I like the lens being covered by two little doors that close on power-off. Keeps the lens safe and you don't have a loose lens cap to worry about. The camera is smooth, no protrusions to catch on anything. It's a great looking little thing. It's a little bit heavier than you'd think it would be. I wish it was a little bit lighter and a little bit smaller. Which seems greedy given how light and small it is now!One thing I like in particular is the B&W; setting. Shooting in black and white is something a lot of folks who didn't spend time taking Intro to Professional Photo back in college may not have experienced, and it's worth checking out, particularly for portraits. Black and white can tell a better story than color.I'm probably being unfair giving this camera only four stars -- there are certainly no glaring faults, far from it, but this was a realistic choice for me, a camera that I can take everywhere with me, and, no, for this price it's not going to perform like a Canon D20 which is ten times the price, but it is MUCH smaller and twice the resolution of my beloved old Nikon 950 (circa 1999). Maybe I'm expecting D20 performance at a S410 price..?For its size and the price, this camera is quite a good value and is everything I expected, very well put-together and quick. A good choice. Not film-quality images, but very good for what it is. A good balance of resolution, size and weight. A handy, good quality camera to snap photos of the kids with, small enough to have with you everywhere you go. Not that I'd mind the "inconvenience" of having a Canon D20 over my shoulder 24/7... but that's simply not in the budget!No regrets at all having chosen the S410!Five years later: I had dropped my S410 and I couldn't use most of the functions, so I shipped it off to Canon to be repaired (for $100, ouch)... and it stopped working after about a month. I was sharply disappointed. I didn't want to send it off AGAIN (another $100), and I was unhappy having no camera. Canon offered a "loyalty program discount" or whatever they called it, I could buy a refurbished next-step-up camera from them for about $150, but after the $100 wasted on a not-very-robust repair I was reluctant to do that. I ended up buying a used S410 off a popular auction site. I expect things to last basically forever, so I was disappointed that I was clumsy enough to drop my camera and disappointed again that Canon's repair was extremely short-lived.
Good photo quality, easy to use, looks cool...worth the money spent on these. Battery life is excellent too. YOu might need a case for this camera.
I've been using a Canon G-2 and went looking for a smaller camera for my wife (wink, wink) and for travel, and ended up with the S410, a compromise trading size for features.I've been using it now for a couple of months on and off, and I'm growing to like it very much. It takes excellent photographs in a variety of lighting conditions. Controls are somewhat different from the G2 and I'm still learning, but results have been generally good. It has pretty good macro capabilities.(...)/I would probably rate the S410 a "5" if it handled RAW files.
My experience with the Elph S410 has been a love affair from the very first picture I snapped.  I was used to using a 2.0 megapixel, 8 year old Kodak digital which weighs at least 4-5 times as much as the Elph and is twice as large.  I have always been partial to Canon cameras since I bought my first Canon AE-1 SLR about 20 years ago.  Even so, I shopped extensively before selecting this camera.  It is easy to use and has an adequate zoom for most situations.  There is no comparison between the quality of the photos between this 4.0 megapixel and my old Kodak, but all I can say is that the pictures come out very sharp and the colors are incredibly true.  I fully intend to buy a digital SLR 8.0 or higher MP camera in the future, but this little sweetheart is a great camera in the mean time.  The battery is rechargeable using the charger adapter which comes with the camera.  I also purchased the Accessory kit which includes a carry bag large enough to carry the camera, the manuals, the charger and the spare battery that comes with the kit.  It is even large enough to carry your wallet and other items so you can use it as a "purse" if you so desire.The camera comes with a fairly small CompactFlash media card, so I would recommend purchasing a larger one if you don't want to spend your time constantly downloading and deleting pictures.  With a 256MB card I can take a couple hundred pictures without downloading for quite a long time.  You can directly connect the camera to your PC or a direct print printer to do your download with a USB cable or you can use a media reader.  The charge on the battery lasts a very long time.  I have not actually calculated it in hours, but I keep the camera with me most of the time and it usually lasts through 5 or 6 shooting sessions if I don't use the viewing feature (which uses a ton of your battery life!).  Having the extra battery charged up and ready in the case makes it a snap to swap them when needed.  It takes a little over an hour to recharge one of the batteries.  This is so superior to the older digital cameras that I am in heaven!  It took absolutely awesome pictures when we visited the Grand Canyon earlier this year.The Elph has an impressive list of features including the ability to set it to manual if you prefer setting up a photo that way.  I usually keep it on auto, but have used the manual feature a few times and it works great either way.  Both the media card and the battery are very easy to remove and reinsert.It is extremely lightweight and compact and it fits in the palm of your hand.  Although there is smaller media than the CompactFlash used by other cameras, this was a bonus for me as I already owned 2 CompactFlash media cards from my Kodak which work in the Elph.I just cannot get over the quality of this little camera.  Amazon offered it for a very nice price.  If you are looking for a great little versatile camera, check this one out.  I am sure you won't be sorry!
I own a 10D which I absolutely love and was getting tired of using my old Olympus Epic (a GREAT film camera) and was looking for a good digital point and shoot. My two major candidates were the S410 and the S50 and possibly the new S60 (not yet released at the time of this review).If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S410 or S400 vs the S50. The S50 offers excellent manual controls while the S400/S410 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation. I just LOVE the look and feel of the S410 though if anything it could be argued that it is TOO small. If you feel it is and you are looking for a carry everywhere camera it is well worth the effort to get used to the small size because the camera takes beautiful pictures.The S400 is simply beautiful. I can live without all the manual controls since I own the 10D and since this camera is primarily for my wife and for me when I don't want to lug the 10D around.Several have pointed out that since this camera is so small it will always be with you whereas the S50 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size. This is a very good argument! The camera is SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than its bigger brother the S50. The form and size factors are what finally won me over.One criticism of the camera. Low light focusing is less than ideal. You need to work with the camera to understand its limitations indoors.I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, Canon currently represents the state of the art.
Without doubt, if Canon did not make the best digital cameras out there, at least it makes the most popular digital cameras. S400 and S410 are the first two which made Cannon so successful in digital camera market. And the later SD series definitely push Canon to be No. 1 digital camera seller in US and world(sorry, Kodark yields to Canon this year and HP is considering to leave this market).So far, I am still happy with my choice made about 3 years ago. I have used this camera almost daily, taking over 12,000 pictures already using this S410. It still is strong, except a few scratch on the body. I am satisfied with the picture quality. Before this one, I used Fuji, Kodark and also used other's Nikon, I would say, S410 still the best to use and gives best quality. If considering for the next digital camera, I would take the even smaller size Canon SD series without question.This camera is NOT perfect, anyway. But please tell me, which one is? And it might not never have one. However, it's good enough for me. Specificly, the cons of S410: startup is not fast, focusing sometimes takes longer time than expected. Not good at contiguous shooting. Also I got the famous E18 error after two years of heavy use. Being lucky enough, I just tap it against the table and problem is gone. Other than that, it is so far so good for me to carry it and use it everyday.
This camera is insane.  Takes beautiful crisp pictures.  The auto mode will usually give you everything you could want.  But if you're a camera person, the manual mode gives you plenty of ways to alter the photos.  I immediatly got acquainted with the photo stitch program that comes with it and used it along with the camer'a panoramic mode to make some sweet surround photos.  The movie mode is pretty good.  It won't replace your camcorder, but it's great for making little movies for your computer.  I don't mind not having VGA sized videos.  They're usually way to large and I prefer having movies that are better sized for transferring.  One hand operation is easy with the shutter/zoom combo.  The AI auto focus works really well is quite impressive to watch.  I enjoyed playing with the custom sounds/pictures.  You can set your own background picture and record/upload you own camera sounds for startup, shutter, etc.  The flash is really bright and works almost too well.  The only downfall I have found is that to get the clarity that the camera can provide, you need to keep the camera very still between the focus and shutter, which isn't too long.  If I really want a crisp picture, I use a tiny little tripod to get rid of my arm motion.  It takes decent actions shot, but it's no SLR.  All in all, unless you're a professional photographer, this camera is just what you want.  I bought two 256 mb sandisk ultra cards and that was plenty.  My parents used it yesterday just during the day.  They liked it so much, they put in an order for their own.
Got the camera yesterday and i have to say it is great, I took the instruction book to work and read the whole thing. It works great and takes great pictures, Good deal on a very small camera. I ordered a extra battery and card for my cruse in may, Anyone looking for a great camera this is it but just wish it came with a camera bag or holder.
I just received the S410 in the mail and I love it!...it is sleek, small and easily fits in a tiny purse. It does a good job capturing detail in all kinds of lighting. The 32mb card that comes with it is a waste since it only holds around 20 pics, so order at least a 256MB (holds around 120+ pics) card right off the bat with your new camera as I did.The only downside is that I haven't been able to figure out how to upload the pics to my laptop/pc. I downloaded the software that came with the camera, but somehow, I am still unable to make it work! I will try again and will eventually call customer service if I can't figure it out.02/11/05:UpdateI finally managed to download the software...I think my laptop was acting up before.I've been using my camera a lot...the pics turn out great...even at night time....I have been taking pics of my niece (9 months old)...as you may know that 9 month old babies don't stay put...even with the movement, the pics turn out awesome and the 4MP helps a lot. All the candid shots of my niece are going to be cherished by the family forever...as I keep them updated every week.I have uploaded all the pics I have taken onto my laptop without any problems. I am using a 256K MB card (Viking) and it does a great job thus far.That's it for now.
Very, very happy with this camera.  Easy to use for beginner digital camera user and has many features to grow into when I am ready.  Excellent price.
I had the error message on my and I checked the canon website and found that they have a recall for it, I sent it in and they fixed it for free. Check the website and call the provided phone number even if you don't see your problem listed, eventually they might do other recalls do to all the complains.
Beware of this camera! The camera overall works great. We have had it for more than a year now and it takes clear, bright pictures and is very easy to use.  Very nice compact size.However, as others have pointed out, the battery is the fatal flaw in this camera and we will be looking for a non-Elph replacement for fear we will run into the same problem again.  There is NO battery meter until it needs to be recharged or replaced.  We were warned about this so I thought, no problem, I'd get two batteries and be ready to switch them when charging was needed.  But what we found out is that the batteries themselves quickly retain less and less charge so that now, they last only a few minutes each before another charge is needed. I had previously thought that this problem of retaining less charge over time was only for the much older battery designs and am dismayed to find myself looking for another camera so soon.
We really love this camera and strongly recommend it. Canon keeps its reputation for high quality lenses and advanced technology. The pictures are great both in daylight and in inner areas/night (sometimes you don't even need the flash). The user interface is very simple and easy to use.The only (minor) disadvantage might be that it's a bit heavier than we expected.
It's very small, and takes very good pictures.  You'll need a little time to figure out how to operate the many modes, but after that it's easy to use.  It will take 3 minute movies, and they don't take up that much space, either.  It comes with good software that will manage your pics, including a program to splice together images to get panormic pics.  The battery life is great, and it recharges in about 30 minutes.  I can't think of a single problem with this camera.
I purchased this model camera as a retirement gift my parents in June 2004 as a highly portable digital substitute for their 35mm models.  In December, they first experienced problems with the LCD viewer which displayed only partial images. The screen completely failed in January.  The camera was evaluated by a local Canon repair store which had seen other similar failures.  When the camera was sent for repair, Canon accused my parents of dropping the camera and charged $150 to fix it! This camera was NOT mishandled!  Of course they offered to sell them a refurbished model from the rest of their dud supply.  CONCLUSION: The images are great but the reliability is horrible.
The S410 is built like a little tank and feels much more robust than the Nikon digital I have owned. I have yet to drop it, but it seems like it can withstand impact. The camera reminds me of my old 35mm in that it is basically point and shoot, unlike my Nikon that required scene selections via a scroll wheel selector to get a decent shot. The fast shot option allows you to quickly take second and third shots when needed. The 3x zoom is pretty standard, but does feel quite limiting. Other cameras offfer trade-offs between options and zoom. It may make sense to consider this before making a purchase decision. While the memory card is pathetically low capacity, all of the manufacturers do this; I guess to reduce cost? The camera's sound effects are selectable and add some value.
I was (emphasis: "was") really happy with this camera, which I bought 1 year and three month ago (For those of you who know that Canon only insures their products for one year, you may be able to guess where this is going... ). Apparently, Canon digital cameras have a nasty habit of breaking down at or around the one year mark.For me, it was the dreaded: MEMORY CARD ERROR. I have treated my camera better than my girlfriend (honestly, ask her). Keep it safe, dry, never drop it, etc. Both of my memory cards are fine (my computer reads them effortlessly). But the camera mysteriously stopped working. $%^!Another common complaint is the zoom lense error (check other postings). Both of these errors regularly occur without any cause (!?!) or mistreatment of the camera! Its unbelievable!What does canon have to say? Here's the heart of their email to me:"The age of your camera and/or the cause of the error will determine your service options. If the camera was purchased less than one year ago, and you have a copy of your sales receipt, the unit can be sent to our Factory Service Center for repair (address and instructions below). If the camera is more than one year old, or if the camera was damaged by liquid, sand, or impact, it is out of warranty. We have two options available for out of warranty cameras: you may send the camera in for repair, or (if eligible) you may participate in our PowerShot Upgrade program.For non-warranty repairs, the standard labor cost to make the repair will range from $150.00 to $300.00. Parts may be an additional cost. Cameras damaged by impact, liquid, or sand may have a considerably higher repair cost, depending on the results of the Factory Service Center's evaluation."Solution: Send Us Money!! It doesnt matter that you spent $400 on this camera and now it inexplicably just doesnt work... send us another $150-300 (plus postage...) and you can use it again... OR trade it in for $100 off a new canon camera (that may well stop working too in another 15 months...)This isnt a freak incident, search around. There are hundreds of people in this situation and Canon just turns its back. Maybe its a problem with digital cameras in general, maybe its manufactured obscelence or maybe you should just buy a Nikon. Either way, I would not recommend gambling on this camera (in particular) or Canon (in general).
I was very disappointed with this comers.  I had better results taking pictures with 2-year-old Kodak digital camera.  The auto focus is very slow.  The color is bad.I took many pictures of people in low light and most of the photos had severe red eye.  The flash is very bright.The menu is difficult to navigate, and somewhat confusing.I have returned my cannon S410.  The picture quality wasn't nearly as good as a cheap advantex film camera.
Clear crisp pictures and large digital screen.  Optical zoom is wonderful and there is a viewfinder on sunny days.  You can't find that anymore!
I purchased a Powershot S410 less than 1 year ago. I registered the camera faithfully and now have experienced the E18 error. I can still take pictures, but I can't download them directly from the camera. I have to take the memory card out and use a reader to do that. The lens does appear to retract and extend all the way, and the pictures seem fine. I've tried resetting the camera by taking the card and battery out for 24 hours, to no avail. I tried hooking the camera up to the TV which was suggested by one website, and it gives me the E18 error. I contacted Canon USA and was told that the registration was for marketing purposes and not for warranty purposes, and so I would have to pay for a repair.I've been a loyal Canon consumer up until now - scanner, printer, and camera. I searched for E18 on the web so I could fix it without bothering Canon. I tried all of the suggestions without help. So I called, and given the response I got from Canon USA, I won't be purchasing Canon again. I just can't afford several hundred dollars a year for a new camera. I am a polite person, and I could tell the CSR helping me was not happy about another E18 call. His tone darkened considerably when I mentioned that it seemed like a common problem.Search Google for Canon E18 to see lots of links regarding this problem.  It affects a lot of Canon cameras!
I own both this camera (PowerShot Digital Elph S410) and the Canon Digital Rebel (a digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses).  Of the two cameras the Digital Rebel takes exquisite pictures. Yet, I use the S410 far more often and tend to take far more pictures compared to its expensive cousin (Digital Rebel about $1,000).Why? The small size of the Digital Elph makes it so handy and inconspicuous. I do not think twice about sticking the Digital Elph in my back pocket and pulling it out for a quick shot or two. It's a social thing. There are a lot of social situations where you would rather not have a big honking SLR camera around your neck. You really look like a photographer in those circumstances.As I said, there are times where you just want to blend in with the activity and this camera is great for documenting what you are doing. No one seems to mind when you pull it out. With a larger camera (Digital Rebel) I tend to spend more time fiddling with the settings and people can be a little more self conscience.I love both cameras and the Digital Rebel certainly has its place but the Digital Elph is perfect for taking snapshots. Image quality is very good; low noise and bright, vivid colors. This camera is probably a better choice that the 5 MB S510 as the S410 has less noise at higher ISO speeds.The only thing that I don't like with the Elph is that the battery doesn't last too long. It charges quickly with the battery charger, but I should probably invest in a second battery. Also, you should invest in a larger CF card. A 256 MB card will hold a full weekend's worth of pictures and then some.
Power Shot S410 does all that it says it will.  Very Good pictures, servicable video (wouldn't call it good video) with sound, very good battery life, and excellent ergonomics in a compact case.  Well built.  Feels solid.Have had no troubles with anything.Buttons and switches make sense.  Menus are complex but that is because of all the flexibility you have.  Full auto mode works very well and I use it most of the time.  Manual mode allows great tweaking.  Rapid shoot mode works as described.  Video mode is handy though no replacement for a video camera.  Great options on picture storage and compression.  My only improvement need is that I would prefer the digital photos to be brighter than they are.  But I feel that way with almost all digital photos and it may just be my preference.I bought the camera my 5 year old son to use on an father son trip.  I gave it to him at the start of the trip begging him not to drop it.  After a week, he could take pictures zooming in and out, review his pictures, and delete those he didn't like.
I bought this as a gift to a family member and what can I say.  Easy to take pictures, and they come out looking really good.  This is the second Canon I've purchased and its very reliable.
This is a wonderful camera, I was amazed at the digital zoom capabilities! Crystal clear photos, this is a super easy camera to use.  Truely point and click, great for the "technically challenged" it comes with a battery charger (most brands don't) so you are not wasting $$$ on batteries.  I have yet to run my battery down.  I also purchased the Canon MP760 copier/scanner/printer.  That is a wonderful machine as well. I would recommend purchasing a larger CF card if you want to take video.  This camera is worth every penny!Update May 2, 2007, this camera is fabulous! The battery is still charging up well and I so love this camera, I bought my husband the A540 a few months ago, and this one is much better in my opinion and my husband has asked to switch with me..LOL now the A540 is nice, don't get me wrong, it is just not as compact and works on AA batteries..
Just received the response shown below after me second email to Canon regarding my S400. It seems familiar - exact wording that I saw on another website claiming ignorance about a problem. I have now filed a complaint with the California and New York Attorney General's Office and the New York BBB. I strongly suggest all of you with this problem to do likewise so we can build a fire under Canon. If your camera has this problem and you haven't yet posted to this site let us hear from you. We should also start posting to other shopping websites (dealcatcher, epinions, etc) as well as the photography sites, including their Letters to the Editor. We need to make others aware of the way Canon has turned this problem into a profit center.------------Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.Please note, Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on ourown testing.No service notifications have been released for the PowerShot S400.Unfortunately, we here at the Care Center do not have the opportunity or authority to extend the terms of your warranty or to offer you free repair service outside of the 1-year warranty period. I understand your disappointment in encountering this issue with your camera, but you will need to address your concerns with the Factory Service Center. They arethe only entity within Canon USA authorized to make warranty decisions.I suggest mailing your camera to them, along with a detailed letter explaining your situation, just as you have done in your correspondence with us here at the Care Center.The Factory Service Center personnel will assess your camera and read your letter. If they decide to complete your repairs free of charge, the camera will be repaired and returned to you at Canon's expense. If they determine that the repairs will not be covered, you will receive an estimate for the costs to repair your camera. At that point, you can determine if the cost of repairing the camera is of value to you. Ifnot, it will be returned at no cost to you.I apologize for any inconvenience this causes you.Thank you for choosing Canon.Sincerely,ChrisTechnical Support Representative
the one star is simply because there are no negative ratings. Please, please, please whatever you do don't buy a canon digital camera. i used to own a powershot 400. right after the warranty ran out, i suddenly couldn't use the camera. an error message would pop up immediately; i couldn't even get the lens to extend or anything on the camera to work. The message? E18. if you do a google search for canon E18, you will see tons of forums with literally thousands of people who have had the same thing unexplicably happen to their cameras. and it's not even limited to that one model. canon refuses to admit there was a problem inherent with the camera, and the only solution they offer is selling you a refurbished model for half the price of the original.well, after that i was set to buy a sony camera, but i had purchased a few extra batteries and memory cards, and i realized that i'd have to put out some major money to do all that over again with the sony. canon had released the 410, which i though would be bug-free since it was completely the same camera save for a print button. so i bought it, but this time made sure to buy from amazon so that i could return it if there were any problems. good thing i did! i received the camera in april 2005. it's now july 2005. the thing is already broken, displaying "memory card error" messages even though i've tried about 5 different cards that work perfectly fine in my friends' camera. i can't even use it at all 99% of the time, and if it does let me get as far as actually taking a picture, that too is useless because the camera crashes without saving a thing!! i was so livid it took all of my energy just to keep myself from throwing the thing off of my roof deck.so, to make this clear, two cameras. one broken after 1 year. another broken after less than THREE MONTHS!!! Canon makes crap!!!! and they don't even fess up to it and do the right thing and replace the cameras! i am never, EVER giving them one more red cent.
What to do when a family member covets your SD400? The answer was to buy them an SD410 and save almost 40%!I have been buying digital cameras from the beginning, starting with some brands that are now extinct and some cameras that offered less than 1 megapixel resolution. My most recent acquisition was a Pentax Optio SV which I panned in a review posted here on Amazon.Anyway, Canon is the benchmark for all other digital cameras. This model offers the usual Canon sturdy build and very good visual appeal. The size and weight are about 50% larger than the SD400, but still not too large for a purse.The LCD screen is excellent; 1.5 inches and readable even in bright sunlight. The optical viewfinder (I just don't like cameras that make you rely upon the LCD only for framing images; sometimes I feel I need to frame an image the old fashioned way) is tiny but very bright and also features all of the menu items you select from setup (or none if you prefer).The 3X optical zoom is smooth and fast and in most cases that's enough zoom power, though I did buy that Optio in search of even more power. For the record, pay no attention to digital zooms. They are computer trickery that enlarges the central part of your image at the expense of image resolution. For example, a 2X digital zoom effect exactly halves your resolution, making such images often unfit for printing. Talking about resolution and printing, the 4 megapixels available on this model allows for high quality 8" x 10" prints. The camera is also capable of functioning as a camcorder in a pinch.The controls of the SD410 are simple and intuitive and the menus have evolved nicely, making it much easier than it was with my S200 to navigate and adjust things. That said, the SD410 is part of a class of cameras designed mostly for automatic users; if you crave control, you're probably not shopping for this type of digicam.I find the Canon colors to be about the truest, though performance in that area is degraded when using the flash. Also, "red eye" is a problem, though newer software programs like Microsoft's PictureIt! Photo Premium 9 have finally made red eye fixes really easy.The fact that this camera operates on 2 AA batteries is great. You can be environmentally friendly using rechargeables and in a pinch you can just use alkalines available anywhere.Of course the included 32 meg CF memory card is too small to be useful, but that is the case with every single digital camera I've bought. No matter, these cards are the most reasonably priced format available, with prices now below ten cents a meg.Lastly, I want to commend the new Digic II processor in the SD410. It is ready to shoot in about one second after it is powered up, and there is almost no shutter lag at all. Recovery time for a second shot is similarly brief. Shutter lag is a big factor when selecting a digicam and this one jumps that hurdle very nicely.On balance, I'd say the SD410 is a "best buy".
Recently my girlfried and I decided to purchase a new digital camera to go with our new computer. I wish I could speak to the process of getting information on digital cameras from the big box stores. (Man, talk about uniformed.) Basically I decided on this model because of many friends' reccomendations and the reviews I read online. Let me assure you that the reviews are all correct. This camera is nearly bulletproof in it's pros and the cons are no different that any other digital camera- battery life is a little short. Just buy an extra battery. I chose this model because it uses cheap media to record the images and does so very quickly. I compared this against the Olympus 410 splashproof. The reviews were also correct that the Olympus lags so much in taking the photo that the moment is gone. With a simple menu change one can activate,&quot; Quickshot,&quot; on the Canon S410 and picture response time increases significantly. This camera is extremely easy to use and within a day you'll want to start experimenting with all the extra modes. The color is so vivid the it makes my 17&quot; LCD monitor look like a window. I really want to thank the other reviewers of this product. You were all a great help in my purchase decision. I do not regret purchasing this model in any way!
Amazing what can be packaged in such a small case.  This camera takes incredible pictures.  I had a Cannon digital camera before, and I was very happy with it, this one surpasses my expectations.  The movies are very crisp, and look almost as good as if they were filmed with a camcorder.  The only minus for the price it costs is you can't zoom in the movie mode once you start recording.  I have a friend with an Olympis which does zoom in this mode but no sound, and the movies look like they are filmed on an old super8 movie; fun but I'll be keeping my Cannon.  If you want to film in different perspectives just stop filming change the zoom, and shoot some more.  Then make your movie with the easy to use software.  Editing the movies with transitions is actually a lot of fun.  If you set the price aside this camera is a very good value.  You're not going to buy a camera every few months so spend the money, and get what you will really be happy with.
First let me say that this is the first digital camara I haveowned.  I am very pleased with the camara.  It is easy to operate and the pictures are great.  I would definately recommend this camara.
I had a hard time researching digital cameras...there's just too much info out there.  I even tried to use the recs from Consumer's Reports, however the things i needed didn't necessarily match what they would rate as high. For example, it was more important for me to have the camera fit in my purse than say for special ergonomic handling.If you're looking for a great camera that gives Better Than Your Friend's Cheap Camera That's Only 2MPX, this is the camera for you lol.  Even the CF card is more than enough for a weekend trip of picture taking.The only downfall is the battery situation...you get all of 10 seconds notice when it's about to die.  It's easy to plug in and recharge the battery, but i would buy an extra one if you travel alot.
I've owned this Canon s410 for 3 months now, it replaced my s230, which I passed down to my son. I really loved my s230 and was hesitant about buying this one. All I can say is WOW! Don't know why I waited so long.The picture quality from this camera is so much better than the s230. Of course I love the fact that it takes the same batteries and CF that my s230 took, as I have spares of both. The real thrill was how few blurred pictures I take now. LOL I have to be one of the worst photographers (snapshot shooters). When my husband looks at my pics lately, he asks me how come they are so good. This really is unusual for me.The only thing I can attribute it too is the s410. This is a great camera for anyone, even a total camera klutz like me. I love to shoot pics, but nobody wanted to look at them before.I highly recomend this camera, even though it's discontinued. If you can find one, buy it.
After using this camera for a mere 6 weeks, we had problems with the screen displaying wierd colours.  I carry the camera in it's leather carry case, so no damage to the camera can occur.However the screen has now completely frozen up with what looks like an internal 'bruise'  It's very odd and totally unusable.
I spent months (2) reading reviews and going to stores knowing it was going to be a lot of money for a digital camera and knowing that I would have it for years-so I didn't want to get one that wouldn't fill my needs.My main need was something relatively small. As one reviewer said so insightfully, if you don't have your camera, you can't take pictures and having a camera I can put in my jeans pocket means more fun taking it to parties, dinners, to school (I am a teacher), and everywhere. If I want I just strap in on my belt with a case and extra battery, and off I go.Other than that I wanted to make 5x7 prints that are near photo quality.This camera easily does both these things. So here's the breakdown:Pros:SmallLong battery lifeVideoNear photo quality (I can't really tell the difference)good constructionEasy to useEasy to charge and quick chargingEasy to upload photos onto PC and do simple editingCons:Proprietary battery (bought two for long outingsIgnore digital zoom, it's worthlessNot too inexpensiveComes with too small a memory card (I went up to 512, been great!)In the end this has been a great camera. I CF cards are taken everywhere and are really stable and don't have exposed connections, and the camera is easy to use and carry
I received this camera for Mother's Day. It's wonderful, I can keep it in my purse and always have a camera to catch a picture.It is very easy to use and takes great pictures. The pictures are very clear and noise free and have perfect color.
This camera rocks!! Given the specs, price and the brand it is an absolute must have camera.follow up: have been using for over 3 years now. camera has been used, aboused, dropped, you name it. Very durable, picture quality hasn't been effected. And 4 MP is still not bad even these days.
This is one of the best point and shoot camera's out there in the market today. You can't get better than Canon S410 for a simple point and shoot 4 MP camera that takes excellent quality pictures. The battery life is pretty good and dont forget to get an additional battery from Ebay. Of course for this price range, you cant expect many manual controls.My advise is:- Get a second battery- Get a good compact flash card (Ultra II)- Use self timer for night shots (preferably on a tripod)and check out the excellent pics taken from this camera at: [...]I have not encountered the E18 and other errors described by other reviewers, so cannot comment on that.
Purchased the Canon S410 just over a year ago and it took many great photos until yesterday when the screen image suddenly turned into a tie-dye effect. The camera has been carried in a padded leather case and was not dropped or abused.  I have since read reviews that mention the mysterious "E18" error but there was no message beforehand on my screen.  If anyone has experienced this, please advise.  Have recommended Canon Power Shot Elphs to many friends & family members but having read all the Amazon customer reviews that mention poor service from Canon, looks like I'll have to look for a non-Canon camera next. What a shame that such a great camera has had so many problems and turns into a lemon!
I have an S400 and I was willing to put up with the constant redeye and slowness of it because I liked the small size.  After the warranty ran out I started getting the memory error condition. I tried different cards and formatting them via the camera and with  my Windows XP computer, but nothing fixed the problem.  I even sent the camera to Canon, but they would not fix it unless I paid the $155 repair fee.  They offered to sell me a refurbished S410, but no way was I going to buy another Canon.  I refused the ridiculously expensive repair fee and had them send the camera back to me.  I just found out that maybe getting a new rechargable battery will resolve this memory card error, so I am going to give it a try.  If it doesn't work, I'm joining the lawsuit.From another website: "If you would like to join the Lawsuit against Canon for "Memory card error" OR "E18" error CALL ATTORNEY JIM SMITH AT NO COST TO YOU REGARDING THE E18 ERROR. THERE IS A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT.HIS NUMBER IS 1-877-667-9489. This was posted at cnet."
I've owned the S410 for a couple of months and I give it 4 Stars. This camera targets a particular kind of consumer and it does a great job of it. I've seem some hard-core enthusiasts portray a negative picture of the S410 as well as it predecessor the S400, and I believe it is unfair.This camera was a gift for my wife. My wife will carry a camera only if,1. It is relatively light in weight,2. It is compact (fits in her pocket-book), and,3. It will think for itself.The Canon does these well, and is meant for consumers like my wife. Switch on and shoot!My wife upgraded from the Canon Elph (APS) to the S410. If the SD110 had a 3x zoom, we'd probably have gone with it. The S410 is built in stainless steel and is built like a tank. You will feel this in the weight of the camera. It is not the smallest or lightest out there, but it's one of the best when it comes to balance between weight and size. It feels very comfortable in the hand.The buttons are sized and laid out very well. I like the mode-select wheel, which is particularly advantageous to people with large fingers. People who have not used Canon P&amp;S cameras will be pleasantly surprised by the zoom controls. The zoom encompasses the shutter-button and is extremely intuitive.The menus are self-explanatory and relatively simple to use, though it does take a little getting used to the menu mechanics.The most used controls, macro mode, flash modes, metering modes and timer functions have hot keys and are selectable without accessing menus - a big advantage to accommodating last second changes.There is a short startup lag, so don't expect to just pick-up and shoot. The auto-focus is fast. There is a delay between depressing shutter and capture, but is about the same as other cameras in this class. There is also a slight lag between shots, but again, is the same as other cameras in this class. One glaring issue is that the red-eye reduction is not very effective. To speed up shot-capture, switch this mode-off. It really helps!!The photos are AMAZING! Indoors and outdoors, the photos are crisp, the colors vibrant and life-like, and, this was very surprising to me...the camera could capture depth. The photos are truly a pleasure to look at.......you can experience Canon's over 50 years of optic and technology expertise at work here. (FYI, I'm a NIKON person...it is huge for me to say this!!)Why only four-stars?!!1. Strong, over-powering flash. The flash is SO strong that it hurts subjects 5 feet away. You can literally feel the heat. There is a high possibility of flash-spots or wash-outs in case your subject is in front of a reflective surface.2. This might be related to the strong flash...the front of the camera body becomes "very warm" but not "hot" after taking a few photos (approx. 10), with the flash on, in succession. I guess the metallic body heats up.3. Auto-Focus. The auto focus can get annoying at times, especially if two subjects are nearly the same distance from the camera. It'll keep shuttling between the two subjects. The multi-zone AF is one of the reasons I did not buy a Canon SLR a few years ago. I find it inconvenient.Overall, I think this is a great camera. It balances mega-pixel resolution, optics, technology, size, weight, price, and features-functionality in a compact package.If you're the kind of person who likes getting great photos without working for them, this is the camera to buy.
I spent a lot of time shopping around for digital cameras last summer, and we purchased an S400 - same as the S410 w/out the pictbridge feature.  Have had no regrets about our purchase, and now my entire family has the S410.  The camera has proven to be very reliable in auto mode, and we have used the manual features to shoot in a variety of conditions.  Ease of use is wonderful, and the thing is built like a tank.  Feels nice and weighty in your hand which is nice due to it's small size.  Small size is one of big selling points for us on this camera, and because of this we can take the camera everywhere!The battery life is excellent, but I do recommend another battery or the car charger for when you are on extended road trips or will be shooting for a long time.We have been printing our photos on an Epson R200 - the greatest $100 photo printer out there.  Excellent quality for the price.
I bought this for my wife and we love it. Easy to use, the movie feature is great and the pictures are great for a point and shoot.No complaints, worth every penny.
After doing tons of research, I ended up going with the Canon S410 and am thrilled!  This camera takes such a great picture- especially for its size.  Now granted, this model is a little outdated in terms of features, but don't let that stop you.  One thing this camera has that makes a load of difference is a focus assist lamp for low-light shots.  Although I've been told this is common, you'd be surprised how few cameras actually have this.Another thing I love about this camera is it's size.  It's really small, but not so small that it's hard to hold or use.. even one handed.  Not only that, but lets say you want to snap a shot of something not right in front of you at night (i.e. - other people at a party while you're talking to someone else), you can palm this thing, hit the flash, and use the focus lamp to aim your shot..  very handy and great for candid shots!Some people might be turned off by the small LCD, however, a smaller LCD is less likely to get damaged if you use this alot after a few drinks or as a road warrior..The only real con I can see is the lack of a battery life indicator.  Not a big enough deal to not buy the camera though.
I bought this camera to take pictures of my family and friends. I have had if for more than one year, and it has performed above expectations under all conditions. The 1 minute video feature is great, and was an unexpected bonus (since I didn't know about it when I bought it off Amazon).The camera works great with iPhoto and MacOS X. I bought a 512 MB card for it and so far it has been great. Both my father and my father in law have the previous Powershot S400 and they have had no problems with it. I figure at some point I'll have to change the battery, because Lithium-Ions lose 20% capacity per year, but so far it has worked flawlessly.
All I can say is that I tried it in this camera a few days before posting the original error solution and so far it still works! Try it, it doesn't hurt anything and it might work. By formating the card it makes something reset in the camera.-------------------------------------------------------------Original message;I have a Canon S400 and after the warranty expired I got a memory error. I did a lot of research on-line and found the following information that it was easy to do and fixed the Memory Error problem.You will need a card reader and a computer (I did it in my laptop)1.Get the CF memory card (CFMC) and place it in the reader.2.On your desktop, Click on "My Computer" icon3.Right click on the reader drive4.Click on Format5.Make sure that the file to Format is the "FAT" file.6. Proceed with formating.7.Insert formated card back in the camera and try it.I formated the 256mb that I purchased separated and it didn't work. Then I did it with the 32mb. card that came w/ the camera and it did work. Even the 256mb worked after the 32mb did, I am using the 256mb now and it is working fine. Canon will charge you over $150 to fix it and chances are all they do is the card formating. Also, before formating the CFMC remember to download any pictures that you might have in it since formating it will erase it all.Hope this works for you. It is also supposed to work with other Canon cameras that get the Memory Error. ; )
I am switching.  After years of being a committed Canon customer, I'll never buy a Canon product again.  Before you buy ANY Canon digital camera (especially the Elf model), go to Google and type in Canon E18.  Canon has refused warranty service by saying that the problem is a broken lens.  This is a design fault to which Canon is refusing to admit.  There are better cameras and better companies out there.
This is my 4th digital camera, yet is the most disappointing one to date. I'm a big fun of Olympus products, but several things led to the purchase of this one:1. My wife just had a baby and needs an ultra-compact to carry around2. $50 rebate from Canon with a Pixma printer purchase which I recently made3. This camera's large CCD (1.8)4. This camera uses inexpensive but durable CF card vs. XD card of Olympus'ConsUncontrollable noisy level even at ISO 50 when shooting indoorHeavy purple fringe aberration in most indoor shotsSmall LCD (1.5")Noisy AF operationNo battery life indicatorNo scene modeAF difficulty under low light even w/ AF laminator (AF Lock helps a little but annoying to use)ProsWell-constructed metal body, eye-pleasing good looksGood color balance and saturationAdequate flash powerGood video performance at highest settingGood battery lifeBottom LineIf you use your camera more than 50% for indoor shooting, stay away from Canon Elph line
I needed to replace a lost S4oo we had for about a year. Looked at the SD series and thought them too small for comfort. There is such a thing as too thin to handle comfortably. The S500 is, like the S400, just right in size. Big area on back for thumb so you an even one-hand hold it. Try that with any SD. Pictures are excellent for a hand-held. Not Nikon N70 film SLR good, but plenty good enough for any snapshot purpose. Bought one of last new S500's available at NewEgg abd very, very happy with it.
So after exhaustive research and countless hours of trials at Circuit City, Best-buy and Penn Camera we decided the best way to capture those candid moments of our 3 yr old daughter was with the PowerShot S500.  We decided to buy the camera from Best-buy for $499.00 and bought their extended 4yr warranty along with it for an additional $79 (because it is sooo small and also because I had read about the E18 errors of the S100.)We chose the camera mainly because it was the only one that actually gave us clear pictures of our daughter who barely sits still.  A side-by-side comparison with the DSC-P10, P92, P72 etc put the Sonys to shame.  None of them - could give sharp pictures of moving objects.  The Nikon CoolPix 5700 was good but a tad over budget.  We did have to use the Quick Shot mode to get the sharp pictures but even without quick shot it consistently gave us good pictures (all these tests were done using the floor models at the 3 stores.)  The sales men at the Penn Camera were the best informed and the staff at Circuit City was the worst.  The staff at Best-Buy was clueless but very helpful - spending almost an hour with me obliging by supplying me with the necessary memory cards etc. on each visit.  The most helpful was my daughter who obliged me by never sitting still so I could do a true side by side comparison.Huge disappointment when we got the camera home.  The moment it was fired up in my comparatively poorly lit home(as compared to Best Buy) I noticed a light blue dot on the right side of the LCD (just sightly of dead center.)  It would show up very clearly when I focused on any dark object.  The same dot didn't show on my Sony Vega, or when I played back the images.  Took it back to Best Buy less then 24 hours purchasing it.  First they refused to see the dot.  Then they agreed it was there and admitted it was a problem with the Lens and was even showing up on prints and that others had complained about it.  Apparently even the first floor model had the same problem.  Canon is aware of it and has fixed it on the newer ones.  What bugs me is that even though they were aware of the problem they didn't do a recall and Best Buy didn't bother to test the Camera before selling it.  They don't have any more in stock but a branch 20 miles from here has ONE but they can put it on hold for us to go and pick up.  I called the store and found out they have 5 in stock.  Now I am going to pick 1 from there but of course I will be testing it before I bring it home.  I'm going to keep it as I have the 4 year warranty from BB.  Looks like I may need it.Update:  Got the camera exchanged.  Have been toying with it since and am amazed with the picture quality.  I had read some reviews of Canon cameras not showing correct skin tones - I must say this camera has no such problems.  I took the camera to my daughters school and took pictures of her easter parade and all the pictures came out beautifully.  Her class is a multi-ethnic class and I can say with 100% certainty - skin tones are not an issue!  I would have liked to link to my pictures but am afraid I cannot do so without permission from the rest of her class.  Awesome Camera!  Only 4 stars because of the problem with the first camera I got.
I'd been waiting for the five megapixel version of this camera to come out, but after a bit of research I have some advice; buy the four megapixel version instead.  Canon's been having problems putting five megapixels on such a small sensor like the ones used on the S50 and S500 (they use the same sensor).  Check out the online review at dcresource(dotcom).  Why buy a five megapixel when you get better image quality and smaller file sizes with the 4MP version of the same camera?  I ended up buying a brand spankin' new S45 on closeout from Amazon for 2/3 of what these sell for.Let the members of the upgrade of the month club have their new toy, and be waiting to take their &quot;old&quot; camera off their hands, or buy a new one at a fire sale price.
I was shopping at Best Buy with my friend, who decided on the SD110, the smallest in the ELPH series.  However, after a little research, I found that the s500 is only marginally larger than its smaller sibling.  Even so, this marvel can slip into my front pocket easily and takes superb pictures.  The s500 also has the distinction of having 5 megapixels--fully 2 more than the SD110, and 1 more than the cheaper s410.  I'm thinking if I'm already going to be spending so much money ($500 with an additional battery pack), I might as well go all out for the best, or just stick to a cheap $200 camera.  Right?  And who wants to buy cheap electronics?  :-PI also have the Canon A70 and the Sony Cybershot U40.  While the A70 was my trusty workhorse last year, it is rather homely and bulky.  While not *very* large, there would have been no way to slip that brick into my pocket, with it's protruding grip and lens.  Also it is only 3.2 megapixels.  From looking at the pictures I took today on the s500's &quot;shakedown&quot; around the neighborhood, I can already tell that it takes far more detailed, sharper images than the A70, which suffered from a minor &quot;softness&quot; in the pictures it took.  Also, the s500 is less a camera than it is a work of art in it of itself.  When off, the camera has a slim, elegant look.  It has an nostalgic air of Art Deco about it.  From the front, the highly polished silver and handsome gold rings around the lens will catch anybodys' eye immediately--a breathtakingly beautiful machine to take breathtakingly beautiful pictures.On the other hand, this camera is not nearly as small as the Sony U40, which was about the size of my index and middle fingers put together.  However, that had no zoom and took only marginally acceptable images (2 MP and rather grainy)--I bought it primarily so I'd have a throwaround camera.  In any case, the s500 is not *as* small, but it still fits into my pocket without any hassle (you'll know it's there, but it won't bother you), and the optical zoom and high image quality more than make up for it.Again, the image quality is superb, and all in such a portable package.Manual controls are light.  There is AUTO, Manual, Panorama, and Video mode.  In Manual, you can control the ISO and F stops, but they are not readily available, and require fiddling with the menu to access.  I don't care, personally.  I bought the camera for it's portability and ease of use when I want to snap pictures.  I leave the wheel on AUTO and I am perfectly content with the images I get--for the average picture taker, too, I'd imagine.The movie mode is decent.  This is a camera and not a camcorder, it's still part of the package, but I'll not put it into consideration when rating this camera.  Subpar.  My A70 could take 640x480s at 15 frames/second while the s500 only takes a sluggish 10.  It's is quite choppy, but bearable.  The s500 can have 15 frames a second under the two smaller video resolutions, but they still do not look as good as the videos I captured with my A70.  There is just an element of choppiness that I do not like.  Perhaps the increased megapixelage necessitates a decrease in smoothness, I don't know.  However, the movie mode is just an additional nicety in this otherwise superb piece of machinery, and it decent, acceptable, just not as good as I know it could be, for Canons, but I know this feature is important for many people considering digital cameras.The proprietary battery is also something that I do not like (I prefer AAs) but I suppose there have to be some trade-offs--I'd suggest getting a spare, since it's theoretically supposed to last only about 2 hours per charge.  I'd also suggest getting the skin-tight leather cover for this cam, since you can still fit it in your pocket while keeping that lovely luster intact, away from the coarseness of your pockets.I'd also suggest getting a CF that has as high a write speed as possible.  When taking pictures at maximum size(2592x1944) and maximum resolution (super-fine), my card took about 1-3 seconds to finish recording.  I could continue taking more pictures almost immediately afterward, but I would still have to wait for the images to finish writing before turning off the camera.  I did not notice this when I took superfine photos at the Medium size settings.  Speaking of CF, I'd also suggest getting as big a card as possible.  This monster takes pictures at 1-3 Mb each which means about 100-200 picture for me--my 256Mb card doesn't seem so adequate anymore.  But it's fine.Conclusion.So definately a great buy.  It takes wonderful, superb pictures, and decent movies.  By itself, it is a work of art, and truly is a handsome camera.  All this, and is still compact enough to throw in your pocket or for the ladies, purse.  There are slightly smaller and cheaper ELPHs, the sd110 and s410, but you will already be spending so much, and if you are, you might as well spring for the full 5 megapixel goodness that the s500 offers--3 megapixel cameras belong back in 2003.  And there are other brands to choose from, but I honestly have not seen a more handsome camera that takes such spectacular images, and I think if you are considering this camera at such a price, that surely, you will be considering the aesthetic value of what you are buying.  This camera is sure to please.
When i first got this camera about 5 months ago, i loved iti even liked the little videos. AFTER 5 MONTHS I KEEP GETTING BLURRY PHOTOS. NEXT TIME I'LL BUY A FUJI CAMERA.CATHERINE FABRIZIO
Update: A year on the camera still works fine. It's still too slow for any sort of action shot and there's no way to put it into shutter priority so far as I can tell. As a belt camera I still haven't found anything better and it's showing very little sign of wear from being with me every day. Battery life is still very good. However, the slow reaction of the camera has driven me to buy an EOS-20D. I can't take it everywhere but it's way better for any form of action. Curiously some of my best scenic shots are still with the S500. Would I buy it again? Only if I couldn't get something the same size with shutter priority and faster reactions to the shutter release.After a couple of weeks of taking pictures and experimenting with settings I'd say this is good, great in many circumstances, but not perfect.Some of the issues are just limitations of the form factor, the form factor was the deciding point in my choice of cameras. Perhaps I had some unrealistic expectations of the ability of technology to overcome physics?Basically, with a 5M pixel sensor and a tiny little lens you don't get fast shutter speeds unless you either have excellent lighting or use the flash. Fortunately the flash is perhaps unexpectedly powerful, so most indoor shots can be well lit and fill-in can be used outdoors, though you seem to have to go to manual mode to force the flash to be used.The battery seems to last well even when using the flash. Some reviews say you need to use one battery while charging another. Well, I don't know what they were doing, I meant to change the battery yesterday morning and the camera is still going strong today, I think that's about 150 pictures since I last changed the battery for the spare. Batteries still have memory effect even though it is less pronounced than with NiCd technology of the past, the NiMH battery in the laptop I am using now has only half the capacity it should.Anyway, back to the camera. The metering system isn't clairvoyant, it does sometimes pick the wrong subject, especially in backlit conditions which is why I know about forcing it to use fill-in floash.Indoor shots without the flash will often be blurred, I took one just after landing in Chicago ORD and there was a lot of blurred motion on walking people though I had managed to hold the camera steady as the background was sharp. If you don't use the red-eye reduction mode on the flash you will get amazing red-eye.I use a 512Mb Sandisk Ultra II that I picked up for about $120, that gives me about 350 shots in fine mode. The speed of the card hasn't really been a noticeable benefit the way I have used the camera.The colors are good, I'm not certain they are great, I have a suspicion they are a little blue. Certainly blue scenes seem very blue.Speaking of blue... my old Olympus shows red flares to the right of bright edges, so a white light will have a red halo to the right. On a couple of shots the S500 has shown a blue halo to the left, one example was a person standing with their back to a very brightly lit window, even though he was correctly exposed. Perhaps fill-in flash would have fixed this, but that would have given some red-eye.In summary, this camera has shown me that there's no substitute for big pieces of glass even in the modern day, the lens is still the most important part of a camera. My old Olympus 3040z with an f1.8 lens was much more effective in low light... but I never had it with me when I wanted to take a picture "right now". The S500 in the small belt pouch with the 512Mb compact flash has proven sufficient for about 3 days of casual photography. However, if I want to take memorable and sharp scenic shots I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy the EOS10D. I hear now that the S410 may have better low light performance, so perhaps I'll sell my S500 and try that instead.
This Camera was my primary camera until I bought the DSC-S700. This Camera Takes great Outdoor pics but so far as indoor pics there is much to be desired. I gives this a 1 star since that any camera that you pay for should take ALL pics Good regardless if it is indoors or out.
I had the same experience as some of the other reviewers.  Essentially, I loved my Canon PowerShot until about 18 months after I got it when it started getting memory card errors.  I called Canon and they were very unresponsive.  At first, I thought I was the only one with this problem until I read the other reviews.  Bottom line, I would never buy another Canon product again as they have poor quality control and even poorer customer service.  I am going to buy a Sony instead.
Awesome compact size, nice images, great color, easy to use with excellent construction. In short the camera has a very high "Coolness Factor" and worth every penny. The only two thinga I would change would be to relocate the tripod socket to the center of the bottom plate. The camera is dense for it's size and with the "center of gravity" where it is, relative the tripod socket, restricts the camera's use in the vertical position when matched with a tiny tripod like the Sima ST-10T Mini Tripod with the tripod legs retracted. Get a slightly larger tripod (30-50% larger) and everything will be just fine. Second, the camera will let the user set exposure compensation in 1/3 EV increments, and set the type of lighting source, ie florescent, incandesces... but not in video mode.
1 year old... 3 e18 errors  2 battery erros  shipped back for service 4 times!  search the net for e18 before you buy!
Canon have done it again and produced this year another great ultracompact camera. The Powershot S500 really hits the mark for me. Small, and well designed it is also a well-rounded performer in the digital camera world. At 5 megapixel resolutions you can take very good quality pictures. The camera itself is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. It comes with 32 MB compact flash, so you may well want to upgrade this capacity. Also, a case is not supplied in the box. Still these are small minuses. Like a lot of the newer ultracompact digital cameras the S500 has a movie mode, and can capture 2-3 minutes. Outdoors it takes some very nice pictures, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by its indoor performance with flash. It is possible to take some good photos without red eye problems. You cannot really go wrong with this camera if you want a good high performance compact.
The Canon engineers have truly outdone themselves. I work for a high end photo retoucher, and my boss could not believe the S500's amazing image quality.Sleek yet solid, the Canon S500 is the perfect little gadget to wow everyone. I never cease to be amazed on how they fit a 3x optical zoom lens and a great, fast image processor into such a small package.  In fact, because the S500 is about the same size as an Ipod, it can fit into your shirt pocket or those neat Ipod clip cases.I highly recommend this wondrous camera to anyone who demands quality without compromising style.
I bought this camera specifically for my honeymoon trip to Paris. I have never used a Canon before but I decided to give it a go because of the great reviews. The first concern when buying a camera is the picture quality. You ask yourself if this camera will take a good picture every time you point and shoot. Well it does not! It takes about 4 good pictures out of 10. I took 250 pictures on my trip; bought the 512MB memory card, only 60 of them were print worthy. All other came out blurry or with dust particle in the air because of the strong flash. Needless to say that my wife was extremely mad at me for the horrible pictures. It maybe true that you could fiddle around a lot with the menu options that might improve your images, but on the other hand the option menu seems to be in Hebrew, impossible to understand. I'm a very well educated person, engineer, extremely computer and technologically savvy, but this menu is just impossible. If somebody tells you it's a cinch, it's probably because they spent well over a year trying to figure it out or have owned Canon cameras all their life. This is not a Point-&-Click Camera. I just was so extremely disappointed in Canon, so many good reviews that mean nothing. Hopefully this review will shed some light to perspective buyers. What camera should I buy then? You ask. I just don't know. Sony's are truly point and shoot cameras and their menus are much more easy to use. They use words like Menu, Video, and Resolution. Canon uses symbols and letters, very confusing. I would look at Cnet reviews and PC World reviews to see which Sony is on top. But overall this camera is on the bottom of my list. I write this review not to damage the image of Canon or to hurt Amazon sales but to inform buyers into making a right choice from personal experience. I never buy anything without ever reading the reviews, they provide a world of insight that the manufacturer can't mention.
This is my first digital camera, and I have no regrets.  It's a damn fine point-and-shoot with very intuitive controls and can be used virtually right out of the box (just charge the battery a bit). The video capture feature is just fine; afterall, if you wanted a video camera, you would have purchased one.  I considered the Sony DSC-T1, but with Sony's proprietary memory requirements, the cost/benefit just didn't add up.  The S500 is a sturdy camera, and should satisfy the casual photo enthusiast for quite some time.  The included software is also user-friendly and easy to use.My Canon Elan 7E and Canon Elph 2 kept me content for quite some time. With hundreds if not thousands of dollars spent on photo-processing however, it was simply time to get into the digital age.For accessories, you'll want to get a case for it (such as the PSC-50) as it only comes with a wrist strap.  In addition, consider purchasing a larger CF card (256MB or 512MB... I purchased the SanDisk Ultra II 256MB).  Once you buy a card, you'll be able to use it in digital SLRs if you go that route; the included 32MB card will quickly run out of space if you are taking full resolution photos.Anyone interested in taking the leap into digital photography and wanting unbiased reviews should take a look at Steve's Digicams at [...]Choosing a digital camera is very much a function of lifestyle.  If you are used to SLRs and like being able to bring multiple lenses for special photography opportunities, then consider the Digital Rebel or EOS 10D; you won't find better cameras on the market.  If however, you want a compact camera that you can easily take anywhere, consider the S500 as a happy travel partner to capture those moments, and never process film again!
I'm a big fan of Canon cameras.  I have an old AE-1 SLR, a point and shoot, and a Powershot S100.  I got the S500 mainly because of my past experience with Canon.  I'm not disapointed in the least.  I love my S100 because of the size.  I literally carried it with me everywhere I went.  Now with the S500 I do the same thing, and the pictures are so much better.  I just got my first set of pictures from Ofoto and they came out stunning.  The pictures are sharp, vivid, and balanced.  I love my S500.  I do think you should get a bigger memory card, because 32mb is barely enough for a handful of pictures.  However, the camera is top notch.  And the size makes it so much easier to deal with.  Your not giving up quality for size with this thing.
The new Canon PowerShot S500 is a 5MP upgrade to the immensely popular S400 model, which was a 4MP digital camera.  The S500 produces excellent images, is easy to use, and is compact enough to carry in a pocket.  3X optical zoom is standard on these cameras.  Besides shooting still photos, you can record low-res video clips as well as audio clips, but don't expect high quality on either.For a hundred bux less, you can get the 4MP S410 model which is otherwise identical to the S500.  Should you go for this or the S410?  I think for most consumers 4MP is plenty enough, with room for cropping and enlargements.  5MP is only necessary if you really crop a lot *and* plan to blow up the cropped images.  The S410 strikes a great balance between pixel count and price -- it's a better value.
I have known Canon to be a very high quality company. However, I was deeply shocked and disappointed to find that this camera fails to meet the expectations I had about this camera. A few years ago I bought the Fujiffilm 3800. I loved this camera but after a few ski trips I found it rather bulky. I then bought the Canon S500 becaus of its small size and after many good reviews about the S400. For most of the pictures I take on a ski trip this camera is fine. However, if you are taking pictures other than outdoors in the daytime, this camera is worse than a disposable camera. First, there is no red-eye reduction. It simply does not work when I set it to take flash with red-eye reduction. Second, pictures taken at dusk or dawn come out blurry. I would speculate that the shutter speed is way too slow and you would need a tripod. Third, night picture?....Forget about it. I tried to get a beatiful picture of the Chicago skyline but the picture was underexposed. So, I tried the manual mode and played with the exposure settings and I could not get a setting that would produce non-blurry pictures. Looks like I'll be back in the market for a Fujifilm. After all the reviews I've read, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop (E18, LCD, etc.). Not to mention the terrible service that I have been reading about.
LIKES1) Nice compact size. Easy to carry.2) Great pictures for about 90% of the shots.3) Great features. Video mode. Manual mode. Sounds and Wallpaper (Themes).4) Uses Compact Flash which is the cheapest type of memory.5) Runs on same battery as the S100 (my old camera) so I have spare.6) Browse/Zoom feature is great when reviewing photos (improved a lot since S100)7) Decent price (paid about 320$) for 5MP camera back in Dec 04.DISLIKES1) Pictures come out a little on the reddish/yellowish side indoors for 10% of the shots, so I use the Manual Tungsten mode and it comes out nice.2) Video shooting on highest mode is choppy and skips w/ audio playback. I recommend using the middle quality and dont move the scene too much while recording.3) Video is suppose to shoot only 30 seconds, but I found that using my 1GB fast CF, it can do it longer by separating into chunks then you can stitch together later on your PC.4) LCD is a little smaller than usual (but its good in a way so it saves batteries)5) Only comes with 32MB CF. I wish the digital camera industry can just do away without memory cards in the package. Buyers end up buying a bigger faster memory card anyways, so why not save us a few bucks?
I bought this camera for my wife a year or so ago and generally have been pleased with the features and construction. The big problem with the camera is the long delay between when you press the shutter button and when it takes the picture. The camera is useless if you want to take pictures of dogs or kids, neither of which stay put long enough to take a decent shot.
I purchased the canon powershot s500 digital elph last March. I kept getting blurry pictures so I called Canon technical support. They went through the whole procedure to make sure my camera was all set up. Well I followed their directions but everything was the way it should have been. So they said I should send it in because there was obviously a problem with it. Then I sent it in and had to pay for the shipping there. They sent it back and said they had switched out some optical thing. Well I just finally went to get my pictures developed and they all have the same problem. They never fixed the problem. Mind you this was the approximately 9 months of my son's life before the age of 2. I called tech support and ended up having to wait more than 24 hours for a call back from a supervisor. She said they would send me pre paid envelope to check out the camera. Well I was greatful and had to tell her that during babysitting in late August a little boy had dropped my camera so there was damage to the outside part of the camera, but it did not effect the quality of the pictures because they were the same as prior to the day it was dropped. She said that they would probably not cover it due to the fact that it might have been caused by the dropped camera. I told I have proof of when it happened and that the pictures prior to that date are coming in blurry just like it was before I sent it in the first time. I started to cry that my son's 9 months are all ruined and she was practically laughing when I got off the phone. The camera is worse than a disposable camera. Don't waste your time or money on this piece of junk. I recommend Olympus. My Olympus prior to this was only 3 megapixels and was better quality than this piece of junk. I am planning on contacting the Better Business Bureau regarding this matter. Please don't waste your time on this, like I have to! I hope this helps people make better choices! Good luck! I wish someone could have forecasted this for me!
I own a 20D which I absolutely love and was getting tired of lugging it around and was therefore looking for a good digital point and shoot. My two major candidates were the S500 and the S70.If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S500 vs the S60/70. The S60/70 offers excellent manual controls while the S500 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation. I just LOVE the look and feel of the S500 though if anything it could be argued that it is TOO small. If you feel it is and you are looking for a carry everywhere camera it is well worth the effort to get used to the small size because the camera takes beautiful pictures.The S500 is simply beautiful. I can live without all the manual controls since I own the 20D and since this camera is primarily for my wife and for me when I don't want to lug the 20D around.Several have pointed out that since this camera is so small it will always be with you whereas the S60/70 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size. This is a very good argument! The camera is SUBSTANTIALLY smaller than its bigger brother the S70. The form and size factors are what finally won me over.One criticism of the camera. Low light focusing is less than ideal. You need to work with the camera to understand its limitations indoors.  Also, battery life could be better, but that's the price you pay for such a small camera.The sensor size of the S500 is the same as that of the S60 and the S70 - 1/1.8".  This is an ideal size for a point and shoot IMO.  The 1/2.5" sensor used in the smaller SD series cameras represents a poor image quality trade off.  Stick with the larger sensor which give less noise, chromatic aberration, and better image quality.I purchased the leather Elph case which protects the camera well and only adds insubstantially to the bulk.  Some have complained that prior iterations of this camera scratch easily.  I've owned them and found that if you keep the camera in a case and exercise modest caution that the camera will remain pristine.The pictures are just fantastic!  Color saturation is superb and the file size is sufficient that you can crop moderately with little negative impact.  Other than in low light the camera locks onto its subject quickly and accurately.One other consideration:  The S700 will undoubtedly be hitting the streets soon.  It will employ the larger Sony sensor used by the S70 which gives fantastic results.  It might be worth your while waiting.I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, Canon currently represents the state of the art.
some of these reviews are terrible.  for someone to complain about "it always takes blurry pics or needs lots of color correction" is beyond belief OR you have a bad camera - hey, built by humans, so there's got to be some that are just bad.i just took plenty of santa pics today at the mall... while we were waiting for my kids to come up, guess what, i experimented and must have taken 20 shots to see what was going to work... hey, yes there were some blurry ones due to ME moving the camera, but when i held it still the pics were crytal clear - and you can check this with the easy to use ZOOM IN feature while reviewing the pics.i started 6-7 years ago with digital cameras with a olympus 1.3 megapixel.  then a canon g3 and a $1000 nikon d100.  today, we had this a500 in the car when we stopped by the mall - our pics are great.  so if you have bad results its either YOU or you have faulty equipment - exchange it and get over it.about the Windows XP software - geez - who would use that crap anyway?  or any bundled software for that matter?  Adobe Photosop Album 2.0 is the bomb and its affordable - get this and you'll thank me, but don't complain about the giveaway software and pan the camera.have never heard about the e18 error, so can't talk about that.this camera is small, incredibly easy to use and takes great pics as well.  its also available at CostCo.
I am a big fan of Canon cameras, so I might be a little biased.  But that doesn't mean I don't use cameras from other manufacturers.  I have found that Canon cameras, in this case the Powershot S500, are at the top of the camera market.The design is terrific.  Canon really outdid themselves with the design of the Elph line of digitals.  It's good looking and compact, but still packed with all the features you need.  The one thing I really love about this camera is that it just feels solid in your hand.  It's a small camera, but some people are surprised at how solid it feels.Included with this camera is a high speed 32mb compact flash card.  They're the first to include a card of this type and size which is great.  But if you're shooting at maximum resolution, you can really only take 11 pictures.  You'll need at least a 64mb card to get 24 pictures at maximum resolution.The quality of the pictures and performance of the camera are very high.  I can't believe the amount of information that is captured at 5 megapixels.  The pictures are remarkably clear and vibrant.  The camera performs well in all conditions.  The low light assist lamp works well.  The only thing they could have included was an 'action' shot mode that trims down the shutter speed to capture fast moving objects or people.The software you get with this camera is very good.  Easy to download pictures, great organization, and all the little features like stitch assist are great.Overall an excellent camera.  If you're looking for a top of the line point and shoot, you'd find it hard to find a better camera than the Canon Powershot S500.
This is my second Canon digital elph camera. Both were great cameras. Recently upgraded to the S500. About 6 months later I get the dreaded E18 error. I searched the Internet and found numerous people having problems. When I determined the problem to be the lens not fully extending I decided to give it a tug. It clicked and the camera came on, ready to take pictures. Turning it off and on produced the E18 again. While turning it on I gave it a nice little bump on the side (where the USB connector is) and the lens popped out on its own. No problems since.Its a nice compact and light camera and takes great photos and videos. Only complaint (other than E18) is the limit of 30-second videos on 640x480 mode. I've got a 512MB compact flash card, I should be able to take as much footage as I have memory in one take.
I got this camera about 4 years ago, and I just lost it/got it stolen so in a way, this is a tribute to it..So, it goes to say that this camera definitely lasted me a long time. I loved the digital zoom [which I used constantly since it came in great use during concerts, shows and for small things I want to capture out in the distance] and the image size of my pictures [and resolution] when I uploaded my pictures on my computer. It always made me look normal- some of my friend's cameras just made people look weirdly colored or not as clear, but mine always shone through. Even when all the new, slimmer, touch-screen cameras came out, I thought of getting a new one but I always loved my camera and I used it a lot. Yes, it was bulky and yet it never prompted people to say, "WOW, let me see your camera!", but I loved it. The only thing that did annoy me a little was the time that it took to start up and stuff- I missed some good moments because of it. And its video recording format is really limited [I think it had a time limit and you can't zoom while filming? I think.] But overall, I loved it and I miss it. Go Canon!!
I can't say enough good things about this camera.  Great pics, tons of options and it's small to boot.  Ever since I got this camera, I'm amazed of the picture quality.  The only negative is that it lacks a preview button to view the last picture taken.  Otherwise, the camera takes great pics indoor and out.  I often do not even need a flash in a normally lit room.
I've had my S500 for about six months, and have used it extensively indoors, outdoors, and underwater.PROSSize.  With any number of slim cases available, the S500 can be worn on your belt very comfortably.  It's not too heavy, and it's small enough that it doesn't get in the way much more than a cell phone, doesn't look like a fanny pack, etc.  If you're considering this camera, size is probably your number one concern, making this a great choice.CONSPictures sometimes come out bright when using the flash.  The brightness isn't bad enough that your pictures won't turn out good, but it is slightly brighter than you might expect (I.e., if you're using another Canon or other digital brand already).  It also looks brighter on the LCD than it does when you view the pictures on a PC.MISC.- At max size and resolution, pictures may be over 3MB in size.  I use a (few) SanDisk 512MB CompactFlash cards (SDCFB-512-A10), which hold around 200 pictures a piece.- Battery life is decent, but you'll probably want a spare if you're going to be on the move all day.  The Canon Digital Elph Camera Accessory Kit includes a battery, mid-size carrying case (great for travel) and a slim belt case.  At ~$60, you can't beat it.- For underwater photography (also good for rain, skiing, etc.), the underwater housing (WP-DC800) works great.  I've taken several hundred underwater shots at a variety of depths (snorkeling and diving), and they come out very clear, with good light levels.Overall, if you want a high-quality, compact digital, I don't know that you can do much better.
I can't say enough about how great this little camera is!  I bought it in anticipation of a 10 day trip to Europe and it outperformed even my high expectations.  I've had some experience with photography, a few classes, and some nice cameras (all Canon's) in the past but this is my first digital.As I wanted to make sure I had enough coverage for the trip (hence the 5mp purchase), I added a 512 MB card and spare battery to my order.  Just over 200 pictures later (at full resolution), I have the photo record of a lifetime!  The images are clear and crisp and the color is excellent.  Even on cloudy days the camera captured great shots.  And even though I took the manual along, the camera is so intuitive I never had to use it.  I played with the various settings throughout but if all you want is easy high quality images you'd never have to bother.  I love that you can preview the pictures on screen and delete them if you're not satisfied.  The battery is long lasting - one would take me through the day and charge up overnight (the extra was a little overkill but appreciated in situations where I couldn't immediately charge).Since returning from the trip, I've transferred the images to my laptop, uploaded the images to Ofoto to share with family and friends, written slide presentations to cd, and had pictures printed in 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10.  All have amazing quality and have received great reviews from whoever has seen them.  In fact, 7 framed pictures are in my office and many think they've been professionally taken and purchased!  The quality of the camera and prints, coupled with the ease of use of the camera and software is outstanding.Recently, I purchased an iBook and Canon PIXMA ip3000 printer.  The Canon connected to the iBook without installing the Canon software package and interfaces seamlessly with iPhoto.  Although I haven't had a chance to print from the laptop yet I did connect my Digital Elph directly to the printer.  On the sample paper that was included, I printed 3 images directly from the Elph.  All are great, straight from the camera with no color alterations or cropping.  I can't wait to see how they print with a little tweaking on the laptop!Well done Canon!  This is a combination I anticipate having for a long time.
I am new to the digital camera market. 4 weeks to be exact. I previously owned a cannon 35mm film camera. I am pleasantly surprised at the color and sharpness of the photos. I went with the advice of other reviewers and only use Cannon Photo paper. I also bought one of their printers. IP 4000. The combo is a winning one. The basic features are simply to use just reading a few directions.
The Canon Powershot S500 is the last of the Elph series capable of using large Compact Flash memory cards. If you have a professional quality DSLR two years old or older it probably uses these cards. The S500 has an optical viewfinder, a feature missing on most current P&S cameras but almost essential when taking pictures in bright sunlight. The sensor has high enough resolution to take decent 11x14 pictures. Two of mine, taken with this camera, were recently accepted at a big regional photo show. My S500 has had hard use for a number of years and shows wear but it still functions adequately. If you need a small camera capable of accepting Compact Flash memory, I wholeheartedly recommend the Canon S500. Get two. They are now cheap on the used market.
After just over a year, my lens jammed and the display read "e18".  So I was pretty upset to discover that this is an extremely common defect - and a defect that Canon refuses to admit.  Try Googling Canon S500 e18", and you'll see what I meant.Don't buy it unless you want a very expensive paperweight.
I still couldn't believe that a brand new S500 only has a 30 mins of life span. I just received my brand new S500 this weekend. After taking 35 photos in 30 mins of its first use, it stopped functioning, shut itself down, with lense sticking out,lense cover wide-open. On the left lower corner of the LCD screen it showed E18. I contacted Canon CSR, he told me that it's called E18 error, meaning the lense won't retract, so it shut itself down to protect from further damage,and it has to go back to service center to repair. I post my experience on dpreview.com forum, and in one day there was a response from another s500 owner, saying that his first s500 suffered from E18 error after 2 months of use, then he bought another for his trip, then after 7 months it died from the same problem. After intensive search in the internet, I notice that I was not alone. E18 error results from the unreasonable mechanical design of the camera, the lack of lubrication of the metal motor and plastic lense track. After some use, the plastic wears out and the lense fails to retract. What I couldn't believe was that my s500 died from this problem in 30 mins, unbelievalbe. Avoid S500/410 by all means!During my research for E18 error problem, this page pops up, if you're interested:[...]
The Canon S500 5MP camera is everything you can hope: small, easy to use, reliable, great pictures, and cool.  You can truly put it in your pocket and take it anywhere.  As with most digital cameras, it could be faster in taking the picture from the time the shutter button is pressed, but the S500 is better than most.  The battery life and battery life indicator could both be improved.
AWESOME FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA.IVE HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS.MORE FUN THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS.ive had it for a couple months now & cant find just a canon camera bag i like.most universal bags dont fit quit right.
I purchased this camera as an upgrade to a 2mp Digital Elph.  It was nice that the 2 batterys that I had worked, and I also now have an additional charger.  Picture quality is great...a little red eye here and there, but I think that is more from my picture taking.  Included software is good, but i'd recommend Picasa 2...free download from Google, for Window's users.  It's as close to iPhoto that I can find for XP.  Pictures developed via Walmart look spectacular.  512 mb card helps.  The 128 card that I had before would only hold 50 pictures from this camera...
I've just upgraded from a Canon A50, after toting it around for the past 4 years and putting it through loads of abuse. I've recommended Canon digital cameras to everyone I know and I've yet to hear a complaint. This camera was EVEN SMALLER than expected...easily HALF the size of my A50! They are not joking when they say it is the size of a deck of cards. Especially since my reason for upgrading was to have a small, yet powerful digital that I can carry along in a waist pack when I run the Honolulu Marathon next week.My limited tests can be seen in the customer image library above, but I am sufficiently impressed to write my review immediately. I did make sure to buy a new camera rather than a refurbished model because I did have two problems with my old Canon, which required the 1-year warranty (you only get 90 days with refurbished). Since the repairs on that old camera, I've not had a problem in the last 3.5 years...despite dropping it a few too many times. The S500 has the same solid construction and aluminum casing, which should also protect it from mild abuse from its owner (I'd also recommend getting a nice little neoprene case for it...they may not always be pretty, but they're amazing protection!).I've not had enough experience yet with it to speak about its battery life, but from past experience, Canons have better than average battery life, which I extend even further by limiting the use of the LCD screen. This models battery isn't much larger than a compact flash card, so I'm interested to see if it's as reliable as their other rechargable batteries. They did one major improvement in the battery charger that is worth noting...it doesn't have a cord. Much like the Apple Powerbook power cord, it has the prongs that fold out for charging and fold in for storage. Such a nice, tidy design for something that is normally cumbersome.I have my degree in photography from Art Center in Pasadena, CA, so I feel qualified to give two solid thumbs up to this camera. It's not professional grade, of course, and any camera with a built-in flash can often give you red-eye or harsh shadows, but it's perfect for snapshots, vacation photos, ebay shots and having fun without carrying around a ton of equipment. It seems that most digitals do their job best when you just use the flash as fill, rather than your only light source...or better yet, turn the flash off and let the ambient light do its job. I know this one has quite a few manual override functions for shutter speeds and such, but I haven't had time to explore them very much yet.My last suggestion would be to get a very large compact flash card in addition to the one that the camera comes with. I purchased a 1GB Ultra 2 from Sandisk (I found one for about $80), and it's very fast and will hold well over 100 uncompressed images. That will keep you from fiddling around with multiple cards when you're out and about. I felt a bit frivilous when I first ordered it, but now I am very happy I did.
i bought this camera after i lost my old canon s230 (3.2MP). i was going to buy the same camera but then decided to upgrade to a 5MP.i am already familiar with this series of cameras so i wasn't expecting much of a difference, but i was in for a shock.on my old s230 the flash wasn't very powerful and the digital zoom was never worth using since the pics would come out blurry. also it was an annoying delay when taking action shots.the new s500 fixed all these pet peeves and i am amazed at the quality of pics. the flash range is great and you can use the digital zoom and still get great pictures. also there is a new mode that takes pics superfast so you won't miss that special moment.definitely a great upgrade from older S-series.
I read so many good reviews of this camera that I was horrified when I saw the pictures it took.  I have an old Kodak 260 which I wanted to improve upon, and this has failed.  Pictures are either out of focus, 'bleached' looking with too much white, color reproduction is poor, red eye reduction fails to work - in short it fails on pretty much every criterion I wanted to improve upon.  I thought at first it was me, so I read and re-read the manual, tried all manner of settings, and still each picture needs brightness and color balance, is out of focus and needs red eye reduction half the time.  Also very annoying that it only warns you of low battery just before it runs out.  It was a complete waste of money - only gave it 1 star because there didn't seem to be an option for zero.  My five year old Kodak tank with 1.6 mega pixels is way better.
The top end of the S digital Elph series camera is now the s500. It is a great, reliable camera with excellent performance, especially compared with my old 230.Pro:  Light, easy to use, has advanced feeatures if you are advanced, and reliable, decent battery life, and well recognized camera.Con:  They still never have figured out the problems with the movie/manual settings/movie being so close together.  Also the Shoot/play toggle is frequently found in the wrong position.  Not smart enough to take nightime pictures and still see any lights.  Still sluggish on startup.And the software?  I never installed mine, and pitched the disc.  I believe in iPhoto.  However, I found ... uh ... movies stay on the camera unless you have the software.  That would be nice.  But they only let you download the update version.  *Shrug*  Guess its my fault.  Now how do I fix it?
The Canon S400, S410 and S500 have all had serious reliability problems.  Read the reviews on this website and you will see that many customers have had a mysterious 'memory error' and/or the lens jamming (E18 error).  These problems have shown up at about 18 months on all of these models.  Since Canon hasn't fixed the problem in over 3 years since it first started showing up, I wouldn't want to bet that the new SD400 camera won't also turn into a paperweight after 18 months.Oh - I forgot to mention that Canon will 'fix' the  cameras for $150.  Nothing like turning a defective camera into a profit center.
I bought this camera to replace a larger Kodak I had.  I was looking for something smaller that could fit in my purse but wanted great quality pictures.  I do a lot of scrapbooking, so I needed the zoom quality options.I take this camera everywhere to capture opportune pictures so it has taken a beating and still works great. (I did accidentally drop it in a creek once and it stopped working.  I contacted Canon and they fixed the camera for $75.  As mentioned in a couple of other reviews I have read, they are very water sensitive.)I have been very happy with the quality of the pictures.  I have an HP Photosmart 100 and can print the pictures right off the card.  Have also designed web-sites and have been able to use the pictures on them.
Just upgraded from Canon S100 to Canon S500. Very happy with it. Same steel case and small size... perfect for mobile use. The main reasons I upgraded to the S500 are the 5MP imaging and the ability to capture videos. The newer options for continous shooting mode and video clips are handy. The audio on the video clip came out surprising well and the subject was 50 feet away too. Added a 1 GB CF card for plenty of storage space (video and photos). Picture quality is very good on photos. The *very bright* flash can wash out images in a close up while in darker areas (not in sun light), so I usually turn off the flash and the photos come out fine.New camera software (ZoomBrowser) works better than the older version that came with the S100 ... I make my edits in PhotoShop. Slick package.Five stars for value in a small, durable package. Glad I upgraded.
The size of the camera allows you to even carry in jeans pant pocket, which is impossible in A-series. Image stabilization is very good, pic quality is good even when traveling in car. The flash is pretty powerful. This is the best cannon camera for all those people who want to keep the camera in pockets and not in bag or hand.
This one the strong nice camera I ever seen and still working for the last 10 years and have good quality picture.Temour Sayed
I did a bake-off vs a Pentax Optio & was quite surprised how much better  this camera's photos usually were.All were in our living room. The Optio had more trouble getting a good focus in less-than-bright indoor light. There was much less detail in its results when the focus WAS right (even after tweaking the "JPEG details" settings).Especially I found less noise in the darker areas of the Canon's photos. Due to a bigger light sensor, which makes the camera a bit bulkier? Could be the reason, and a point to consider when you want a real ultra-compact / ultra light small camera.There WERE a couple of shots where the Pentax colors looked a bit more natural. Maybe variations in brightness? Anyway, the differences were modest and neither was displeasing.My wife was (very!) disappointed when she first got this camera (a birthday gift) because she'd focused on her friend's smaller ligher Optio. But when she kept getting compliments on her shots, while her friend had frequent disappointments, she changed her mind.
A birthday gift for my daughter. Lots of great digital pictures were the result!  Great quality pictures, the only minor problem was a loose on/off knob.  It still works but requires more attention than it should.  But still takes super quality pics....
this camera is compact, easy to use, a tad bit thicker than the sd100, which has a darker gray sliverish surface. this camera has a lot of options/fuctions, the best part i think is the 640x480 video option. the 30 sec limit means about 18 mb videos un compressed. it's great quality. and the picture's &quot;smart focus&quot; is great.
I just love this camera. It takes great photo's and its very easy to use. Excellent choice for beginers and still a good pick if taking pictures is your main thing. I had this camera for a while now and it still works like new. The only problem i had is that, i droped it once and the battery cover came off instantly and i had difficulty making it stay on. Overall, this is a great pick!
While researching to buy a digital camera I narrowed my search down to two Kodak Easy Share cameras.  This was the one I bought because the other model I wanted was not available where I bought it.  The only downside to this camera is, like many have said, is when you turn it off it resets your chosen flash settings.  The initial battery does not last long at all, but I recommend a pack of Energizer E2 batteries as they have quite a long life, or the rechargeable batteries Kodak recommends.  It also has an auto-shutoff feature to conserve batteries.  This camera is great for taking basic pictures.  I enjoy taking pictures of scenic views and using them as a screen saver, or just family and friends photos then creating an online album to share with everyone.  Pictures do print nicely as well, depending on the printer and paper (especially when using the Kodak printer dock).  I have occasionally had blurry pictures, but I'm not sure if that is the camera or my nerves.  It does have a sport setting for objects in motion, so when not taking scenery pictures, I use that a lot.  I definitely recommend this camera to anyone who likes to take pictures but has a smaller budget.EDIT:  After about four years, at least two of which did not include as much picture taking as the first year, I finally had to buy a new camera.  This Kodak started giving me trouble by either refusing to turn on or by shutting itself off at random (was not the batteries, because I replaced them multiple times).  It was a good camera back when I bought it, I was just a little disappointed in how long it lasted.  I now have aCanon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)since I couldn't get another Kodak (and it was only $100 in 2009 at Ultimate Electronics (now bankrupt)).  While the colors in pictures are not as vibrant as those taken with the Kodak, the Canon has a faster shutter speed and I have far less blurry pictures since technology had greatly improved over those four years.  I would have bought another Kodak if I could have, however I needed one quickly and the local store did not have ANY Kodak cameras, and, unless something drastically changes for Kodak, no one ever will (plus the EasyShare software is no longer supported or available for download).
Hi really like the easy way this camera performs.  I just wish I could find a user guide for it.
I take a lot of pictures, but didn't want to spend a lot of money on a new digital....don't want to worry about it being lost or stolen.  I bought this camera because it had gotten really great reviews from other users but was still really inexpensive.  Maybe users who need a whole lot of features or manual controls wouldn't be happy with it, but the pictures I've taken so far have been excellent.This camera is also very easy to use--nice, simple zoom feature that gets good closeups without having to be right in someone's face.  I agree with other reviewers that the door where you insert the memory card seems VERY fragile, but otherwise it's pretty sturdy and compact.I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better array of features and such good crisp pictures in other cameras in this price range.  If I like it as much as I think I'm going to, I'm also going to spring for the matched printer dock so I can print some of these nice photos. I checked it out too (so you don't have to) and it got equally good reviews across the board.
My old one just quit working after 13 years, I was so happy to find the same one still available.
I bought this little guy with my second paycheck as a teacher.  That was about threee years ago and to this day I still have no desire to look for a different camera.  This little guy is awesome.I highly recommend you learning how to get a steady hand if you want to use the digital zoom but that goes with every digital gadget around.  If you can hold a camera still (I sometimes use a tripod, the same one I use for my video camera) you can get great shots.  I have taken pictures in the mountains of Colorado from Golden (Lookout Mountain) and have good pictures of the Denver Skyline.Low light pictures are not the best.  My wife used the camera when we were in St. Peters Basilica and the quality dropped.  I will let you decide if it was the lighting or the user :)The auto function on the camera is excellent for almost all types of pictures.  You could buy the camera and never use any of the other functions (not real fun though) and get great pictures.Great camera
I have had this camera for a year and a half now and I have to say, it is a good little camera. It takes great, clear pictures, and has held up to lots of wear and tear. My only problem with it, and it's the reason I am buying a different brand next time, is the battery life!!! It sux!!! As in, sucks the life out of batteries in no time flat! I have learned to not use the LCD screen if neccessary, to save batteries, but even then, they don't last long. Overall it's a good camera, but if you are looking for long lasting battery life, this is not the camera for you. If you don't mind charging your lithium batteries all the time, or going through AA batteries like candy, then this is the camera to get.
I've had the camera for a few years now.  Every time I go to take a picture (every month or two) the batteries are dead.  And don't try to put in batteries that are less than fully charged.  It won't work unless the batteries are brand new at full charge.  So I went and bought some Duracell rechargeable batteries.  After sitting on the charger, the batteries still aren't at the charge it takes to operate this camera.  JUNK!  Do not buy a Kodak!!And yes, I have the preview window turned off to conserve battery life.2/2/2010:  Update.  I was totally wrong about this camera.  The battery life is fine when you buy good batteries.  I was using nothing but Duracell batteries.  I guess Duracell's quality control department isn't doing its job because as soon as I switched to cheapo Walgreens batteries, it worked fine.  Now I only have to change batteries every 6 months or so.
I have this camera and love it! I was opposed to going digital as a photo buff for the past 30 years. I bought it to get some pix for on-line auctioning- now I use it all the time. The video feature is also handy (not great quality, but it captures the moment), especially when you can only bring a camera into a concert. The price is exceptionally good for this product and I would highly recommend it for the digital beginner or someone who just wants a small camera.11/28/2007: Just for the record, when I purchased this camera, I paid less than $100.00 for it. I have since purchased the Kodak Z712IS and can honestly say, it does not compare as far as the clarity of the photos. It has a higher megapixel and a 12x zoom, but I cannot get the shots I did with this camera. I'm glad I didn't sell it.
I got this Camera for Christmas and I love it! I wasn't that great at taking pictures before but I am getting a lot better at it thanks to the software that comes along with the camera. For the first time I have been able to figure out how to crop pictures get rid of red eye and delete pictures that are no good and take another one right then! I also love the email feature. I took pictures of my cousin's wedding and was able to email them to my Aunt right then! It's really cool. I also love the screen on the back where you can look at pictures back and forth and zoom in. The screen also is good when you use the close up feature which you can see on the screen while your taking the picture so you can get that angle just right. Its a great gift and I am not dissapointed at all!
I've had this camera for 2 years. For a 3 Mp camera, it takes fantastic shots with bright colors indoor and outdoors.It has slow auto focus and a lot of lag between pictures while its processing the file, is USB 1.1, eats up AA batteries (dont they all) and is not really pocket size.Not a lot of manual controls but a very good first timer camera.However, there are newer and better cameras out there for the price now.
I love this camera!!  It is so easy to use--easiest that I have found.  I take a lot of pictures and it does exactly what I need it to do.  It takes great pics!!  They are so clear and sharpe.  I would recommend it to anyone!!
My husband is an avid photographer, with a lot of praise for his work under his belt. He hikes constantly, and is in the local Allegheny Search and Rescue group, as well as Scoutmaster. So he needs a camera with him that can go on his belt and take pictures that can automatically be referred to. I bought him this camera a couple of years ago, and it has proven to be an excellent buy. Not only does it take fairly good pictures, but it is easy to use, and is lightweight enough to carry on his belt. When clambering down mountains looking for idiot Scouts who fell because they went where they were not supposed to go, he needs something lightweight. It also allows those professionals to see original pictures of how people landed, and where they were, so they can accurately treat them. My husband still wants the more expensive Nikon, but that will be for his own nature photography.Good buy...Karen Sadler
I'm not a big photographer, but I wanted a camera I could use to take pictures of the work going on at my house. This was a perfect choice. It did what I expected it to do, right out of the box. The cable was simple to figure out (don't know why anyone would need the docking station), and the very first time I hooked it in to my computer and turned it on, there were my pictures ready to edit and arrange.I bought a 256m chip, and it holds all the pictures I've ever wanted to take. It took FOREVER (at least 250 photos, many with flash) for the first set of batteries to wear out. I'm on the second set now, and they've been plugging along for 125-150 photos.Cons: (a) I'd love more of a zoom range, but I guess this is standard for a less expensive camera like this. (b) The door to the port feels like a tinkertoy, but I've just been very careful with it and so far it's holding up fine. (c) The little squigglies on the top dial aren't easy to figure out, but I'm not sure you need to use them anyway.Good little camera for simple straightforward photography.
I love my camera!  I've had other dig. cameras, but this one is easy to use, cost was minimal, and takes amazing pictures!  The other features I love about this camera is all the settings you have for picture taking...time/date stamp, sports/action, and the video quality is amazing!  I've had so many people ask me what kind of camera I have because my pictures come out so nicely.
This is the second digital camera i have owned, but so much easier to use.  Takes clear pictures -- I like intuitive elements on the switches -- and the movies with sounds are a lovely feature.  Often, the subject has no idea you could be recording a short little flick!Downloading is easy with the included software.  Software also allows easy editing and cropping.I would recommend this to the user who wants to take pictures and not waste a lot of time with learning how to use the camera.
I bought my Kodak Easyshare CX7330 in February of 2005.  It did well although the older it got, the more it ate batteries.  With the money I have spent on batteries I would have been better off getting one with a charger and a pack.  I have also tried every type of AA battery out there and it is the camera itself with the issues.  Now, 2 and a half years later it has taken it's last pictures. The trouble began with when I would turn it on the indicator light would pop up green, then immediately flash red and the lens would not extend out.  Sometimes it would work, sometimes not.  Now I can put fresh batteries in and if I hold it just right I can take a few pictures, then the low battery icon comes on the screen and it goes dead, even without retracting the lens.  As I said, it was a great little camera while it lasted, but I think I will get something more hardy next time.
I had problems with this item, but the seller was great in resolving the issue.  I have had several Easyshares.  They take great pics, but don't last for the long haul.
I bought this camera in December of 2003 by October of 2004 it wouldn't work any more.  The display gave an error code #e45.  I sent it back and they replaced the camara.  A year later the new one wouldn't work and gave the same error code.  It was no longer under warranty and they want to charge $110.00 to fix it.  What a piece of junk!
My girlfriend has this camera.  The software CD works well with both Windows 2000 and Windows XP.  Don't understand why the other reviewer say that it's not compatible.  Even if there is this problem, one can always goto [...] and download the latest software.Uploading pictures is easy.  Connect the USB cable that comes with the camera to the computer, then turn on the camera, the Kodak software automatically detects the photo transfer in a few seconds.  Then, you just press "transfer all", it transfers all pictures right away.Emailing picture is easy.  Press email button, enter "from" your email address; enter "to" destination email address, then choose the pictures from right side and click "send".  That's it!  It is so simple.  Of course, be sure you are online when you do this.The picture quality is pretty good, better than a comparable SONY, which is even costier.  I myself use the DX7440, which is a higher-end Kodak 4.0MP with full TV-quality movie mode.  We upload pictures to Ofoto.com and print 4"X6", 8"X10" pictures.  The colors are true, natural and not over-satuated.I compare the photos taken from this to my DX7440, there is no difference for 4"X6" at least.  My DX7440 does take photos in dark better since there are manual features for that purpose and the DX7440 is more expensive.The movie mode is a nice extra since sometimes you really want to take some short movies and capture the moments you like to capture in motion.I have two Kodak digital cameras and my girlfriends and some of our friends all use Kodak digital cameras.  As long as it is manufactured after 1/1/2004, the cameras are fine since there is the extra of new Kodak color-science enhancement for the new cameras manufactured in 2004.The Zoom len also works great.  Taking close shots requires pressing a close-shot button otherwise it won't focus properly, just have to remember that.This camera also works well with Kodak printer dock, the prints are laminated, and it makes the photos free from moisture attack and finger prints.  Nice!In conclusion, this is one great camera.  Yet, for those who like to take better night shots and more movie features, get the LS743 or DX7440 or CX7530 or CX7430.  These cameras comes with TV-quality movie features.
OK guys -- this is a great camera, definately good bang for the buck.... all these features for less than $150 is amazing - i love this camera and researched over 100 others..this is the winner! It's a digital camera and a camcorder - the movie function is great, zooming in and out works on camera or movie mode!*Resolution of 3.1 MP*3X Optical Zoom lens (For zooming in and out while taking a pictre or movie)*3.3x Digital Zoom (for zooming your already taken pictures in and out on camera LCD screen)*autofocus for crisp prints*Bright 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD*Automatic picture rotation*Built-in flash with auto, redeye, fill, and off modes*Multiple scene modes: auto, sport, landscape, close-up, and night*MOVIES! you can shoot as much video as you have storage capacity, either in the internal memory or on an optional memory card.* 16 MB internal storage!
For most people, 3 megapixels is all you need. And while I wouldn't have chosen the Kodak CX7330 for myself, my wife bought it for me to replace our old 3-megapixel Konica, and it's quite a capable little machine. Despite extensive photography experience for over 20 years, I'm surprised how much more I use it because I don't have to make so many decisions about the pictures I take.The CX7330 takes great snapshots, just don't expect much manual control over them. Whether this is the camera for you depends on whether you want that control (in which case you should pick another model), or just want to take decent photos (in which case this one is quite good).The camera body is not especially small and all plastic, but (other than the memory card door) feels solid and is comfortable to hold. The controls are very straightforward: choose one of five photo modes, or one movie mode, then press a button to shoot. Since the camera has a good lens and intelligent electronics, the results are generally very good, with much better auto-white balance than on many other comparable cameras. For novices or those who don't have or don't want to use a computer to process their photos, the Share button and available dock and printer could be handy, though they're not for me.Low-light performance without a flash isn't so great. There is no way to force long exposures, the camera lacks an auto-focus assist lamp like Canon models have, and the lens is a bit slow. Startup and shot-to-shot times are decent, but not all that fast, and fairly typical of this class of camera. Battery life, using either NiMH rechargeables or the included lithium expendables, is fabulous, the best I've ever seen from a digicam using just two AA batteries -- and a huge improvement over many other battery-eating models.The only control you have over the camera is to choose the shooting mode, set how the flash behaves (auto, forced on, forced off, or red-eye reduction), decide on a resolution (you have no control over how much compression the camera uses, just photo size), and set the self-timer or nice 3-shot burst mode if you want. You can adjust the exposure compensation to take longer or shorter exposures, but there's no way to set the shutter speed, focus, or f-stop directly.One useful option is a 3-megapixel 3:2 ratio size, which makes shots that fit on the longer 4x6" prints from most photo stores, without needing to be cropped. The movie mode (if you're into that) is quite good for this sort of camera: 320x240 pixels with sound, 15 frames per second, with no limit on time other than the size and speed of your memory card. There is also a neat onscreen display of little "brackets" showing where the camera is focusing, though there is no way to change that other than to recompose your photo.A few other quirks: Other than the image size, most other parameters (like flash mode) reset themselves when you turn the camera off and on. You can choose either to use the internal 16 MB memory OR an SD/MMC memory card (if present), but not both, i.e. there's no easy way to use an external card until it fills up, then switch to the internal memory automatically. You must make the switch using a menu, or remove your memory card. Finally, while the optical (lens-moving) zoom works all the time, the digital zoom (always a misomer; it's really "in-camera cropping") only operates if you have the LCD screen turned on.So this is not a camera for serious pro or "prosumer" photography, but for carrying around all the time as a family snapshot camera, or as a backup when you just need to get the picture, it does the job well. And for the price, it's quite a deal.
I've had my Kodak for about two years now, and it's been a great little camera, with a few important drawbacks.It takes reasonably clear photos, especially considering that it's only 3.1mps.  I've made 8x10's which have been quite good although it does best at 5x7 size.There are a few things that are a bit off-putting.  First is the length of time it takes this camera to get ready to shoot from an "off" position.  Second, there is a considerable shutter lag, even when you've done the requisite prefocusing which can be a problem if you plan to shoot subjects "in action".  Third, this camera is not at its best in indoor lighting situations using the flash, although my husband points out that I am also incredibly picky where my photos are involved, so others may not be as bothered by variations in skin tone as I am.That said, this is an amazing little camera I would recommend to anyone.  It's sturdy, and can take a few accidental bumps without breaking.  It can create some really good photos.  And, for the mp number, the resolution is great.
3.1 M Pixels is a little low by today's standards, but is adequate for many common uses (web pages and 4x6 prints). This camera takes good quality pictures in most common situations. It could be a great 1st camera for a teenager if it was reliable.I noticed other reviews expressing unhappiness about battery life. I went with rechargable NiMH from the beginning and had no problems with battery life.Unfortunately, the battery compartment is a particularly poor design. It is a fragile design that not only covers the battery, but forms one side of the battery contacts. Other cameras use a separate mechanism internally to hold the battery in place and create mechanically strong contact. The outer cover in those designs is cosmetic. As small pieces of the cover break off the battery compartment door will continue to close, but will not properly lock in place and will not produce enough pressure to make electrical contact. The result is that camera operates intermittently.I bought 2 of these cameras for my teenage girls. Both cameras had to be returned (one of them twice) within a few months of purchase because the plastic battery compartment door broke. While they were replaced by Kodak, the replacements had the same problem. In less than a year after purchase both camera's were permanently out of service.Overall a waste of money.
For several years while other major camera companies were peddling their digital cameras, Kodak stayed out of the picture.  (No Pun Intended) However, when Kodak saw the possibilities their company exploded creating some of the most awesome digital photography equipment on the planet.One such camera is Kodak EasyShare Model CX 7330.  Not much to say except buy it.  Sharp pictures, Easy and quick download to your computer, fantastic prints, Exquisite Website pictures and much more.I purchased mine after returning the HP model without the optical zoom.  Compared to that one, Kodak's Easy Share 7330 makes HPs look like an old Brownie.On a personal note, I use my camera to take pictures of every day appliances, such as tables, refrigerators, etc; things we take for granted.  I share these pictures with my "Autistic" students in order to teach these wonderful jids basic everyday life skills.KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK KODAKSteve HorwitzTeacher - Autistic Children
This is a pretty standard digital camera; for those of you who want something simple and easy to use, without many advanced/special features, this is a good camera for you.Pros:-Easy to use; the buttons are pretty much right in front of you.-6 different modes; an auto for general use, one for objects in motion, one for dark scenes, one for landscapes, and one for close-ups. It also has a video option.-It's not incredibly small, but it'll fit in your pocket.-If you turn the live view off (where you see the image on the screen before taking the photo), the battery life is pretty good (just don't take many videos). A few days ago, I took about 60 pictures and about 10 videos that were about 20 seconds each.Cons:-It can't take pictures in the dark. Or, for that matter, anything without a big, visible light source. When in auto mode, the pictures become waay to dark and undefined, but the shutter speed for the night mode is ridiculously long, so no matter how still your subject/hand is, it'll be too blurry.-The batteries fall out easily. Twice during concerts, I've lost batteries because I rubbed against the bottom of the camera.-The zoom isn't terrific. In fact, it doesn't really 'zoom in' at all; the closest you can get on any mode except for close-up is the same as you'd see through your naked eye. But that's where the close-up feature comes in handy. (It's only if you want great detail on objects near you, such as flowers; any further and it's just a big blur)-Without a tripod and a still subject, it's hard to get clear photos on the night and close-up mode.You can get decent photos with this camera under the right conditions, but this is just a simple camera for unprofessional images. Probably good if you're on a family vacation to Disneyland, or on an outing with friends. In broad daylight, that is. It's not necessarily a bad camera, but it was insufficient for my needs. And yes, this is a horrible camera to take to concerts.
This is my sixth digital camera in as many years.I've been playing with this camera for several days now and I'm must amazed at the quality of the photos. Color is dead on. Seems to take great pictures both indoors and out.Some of the other reviews complain about burry pictures and dark pics indoors. Not seeing any of that with my photos. Then again I've been choosing the appropriate modes when takingn pictures. Love the rotary dial.As for the camera forgetting it's settings when you turn it off, I actually prefer it. It forces you to set the camera to the proper mode when you pull it out. Which you can do very quickly once you've learned the various icons/modes and how to use the rotary dial.I've always been an Olympus camera fan up until now. Kodak blows away my Camadiea D-510.I can't wait to go on a trip this spring and take more photos.
I've used the LS753 for about two years, and have been very happy with its performance.  The absolute best aspect of the camera is its size: it fits very well into a pocket, meaning you can have it immediately on hand whenever the situation is right for taking a photo.  It also fits well into the hand.  While there are a number of adjustments and mode settings, the average user will quickly realize that the default settings are best for the majority of your photos.The camera has enough resolution that you can easily pull closeups out of your original photo, using PhotoShop or any of the photo editing packages.  I tend to take a somewhat oversized image with the camera, and then use PhotoShop to edit out the extra material.  The resulting image virtually always has enough resolution left to create a sharp print, even if I blow it up to 5x7.  Without cropping, or with only minor cropping, the camera's image creates a pleasing 8x10 print, excellent for giving as a present.The camera's base unit is another example of great product engineering.  I have the standard base, without the printer (instead using an external Canon printer).  The camera sits firmly on the base, on top of my computer table.  The base is more or less permanently connected to my PC using a USB cable.  Whenever I want to move photos from the camera to my PC, I just push a button on the base, and the images are quickly moved to my PC.  I never lose track of where my camera is-when not in my pocket, it sits neat and ready (and automatically recharging its battery) on top of the base unit, next to my PC.  I've never had the camera run out of power, by the way, even when on vacation for more than a week.  No need to change batteries and such.About the only weakness I've noticed is that the flash isn't powerful enough to create a good photo when you're more than a few yards away from the subject.  For those photos, I tell the camera to shut off the flash, and holding the camera as steady as I can, take a flashless photo.  Usually works out to be an acceptable image.The camera has also survived without damage any number of falls, and uses in light rain conditions.  In short, it's quite sturdy.Perhaps someday I'll replace the camera as the technology continues to evolve, but that day isn't anywhere in the near future.  It does what I want, and does it well.
This is a great digital camera for beginners (like myself).  Didn't have to read the instructions at all.  VERY user friendly.  Unfortunately, I think Kodak has discontinued this product line, but you can easily buy parts for it as well as accessories via Ebay or Amazon.
This is my fifth digital camera and assuming it does not break, I will have this one for a long time.  It is by far the best of any that I have had in the past.The pictures are great.  I do not know why one of the reviews was not pleased with the picture quality.  Maybe they did not focus it first (by pressing the button half way down)?The quality of the movie mode was also better than any of the others that I had before.  It's not exactly as clear as you would get with a camcorder, but it is much less choppy than others that I have seen.  The audio is also clear.The best feature for me was the ability to control the flash and mode without scrolling through five menus.  There is one button for flash mode, one for picture mode (portrait, close up, moving, auto, etc.) and there is a menu to change other settings that would not be changed as often.Another important feature was the price.  Mine was refurbished and was only $169.  I don't think that there is a better camera out there in this price range.
First off, I'd like to qualify myself by saying that I know quite a bit more than the average person about digital cameras. It's really hard to believe someone who says a camera is "great" or "the best" when they really have no experience with other cameras.The LS753 is extremely easy to learn how to operate, has a VERY nice compact metal body, and is a great value at 5 megapixels for it's price tag.  Picture quality is pretty good, and colors are well saturated.  Redeye is surprisingly good for a compact camera, and there are plenty of scene modes.  Controls include: Exposure compensation, ISO, white balance(no custom), and long shutter for night scenery without using the flash (remember to use a tripod or steady surface!).  The editing software that comes with it is pretty useful if you have non, and replacement batteries are cheap.  The movie mode is also slightly about average.Downsides:  my biggest complaint is that pretty much everything resets when you turn the camera off, so by the time you set up your camera, the moment might be gone - very frustrating!  the date and time even reset when you leave the battery out too long!  there are no fast shutter or aperture controls, and no AF assist lamp so you can't take focused shots in "dim" light without the flash.  Not so great if you take lots of macro shots since all you'll see is flash glare.  Also, by saying "dim" lighting, I mean indoors, daytime, during the summer without DIRECT or very bright sunlight.  There's also a bit of purple fringing.Overall, a great camera if you just need it for point and shoot use.  Very nice colors and great resolution for the price.  In my opinion, one of the best things about this camera is the non existent redeye, since compact cameras are usually used for taking pictures of people, not scenery.  Other compacts have awful redeye.  Not recommended for creative shooting though.  The Canon ELPH S410 is about the same price but is 1 meg lower, has no scene modes or an action mode, but focuses better in low light and has better picture quality.  Sony W1 costs more and has limited control over shutter and aperture settings, and has an excellent movie mode.  Canon Powershot A75, A85, and A95 cameras have much more manual controls (which means you can take better pictures in different situations) and are much cheaper (except for the A95) but are bigger, though not too big.
Camera came quickly in mail. It was used as advertised. But works great. Gave to our grandaughter to use as her first camera. Shoots good videos also.
I love this camera.  It takes great pictures. Bought a 1GB sd card to expand the memory and it is more than enough card for pics & short videos.  I love the battery and its own charger. It fits in my camera case so I am never w/o it. Battery life is good. Had another Kodak camera for my first digital that was lost and said I wouldn't buy Kodak again but have been very happy with both cameras.
When I first saw this camera, I thought to myself, "Kodak has finally gotten it right." Ever since they started making digital cameras, Kodak has had, in my opinon, some of the best picture quality available. The metering has always been dead-on and the pictures, although somewhat over-saturated, have always featured deep, sharp colors and extraordinary clarity. The only thing that prevented me from buying a Kodak digital camera was the fact that their bodies were cheaply made out of lightweight plastic. Then they moved into the Easy Share line of cameras geared to the entry-level market and things went from bad to worse with the camera styles getting progressively larger and the bodies getting progressively cheaper.But with the release of the LS753 (and its 4 MP younger brother the LS743), Kodak finally smartened up and made an ultra-compact, sleek, attractive, sturdy camera geared to the mid-level user. And the camera is every bit as nice as it looks on the internet. The LS753 is a slick little device. Weighing in at just under 6 oz. (without battery) and measuring just larger than a deck of cards, this camera is small enough and light enough to easily fit in your pocket or comfortably fit on your belt. The body is made of high impact plastic and features a metallic front that gives the camera a sturdy feel without making it too heavy or bulky. It's finished in a metallic silver with just a hint of blue tones which, in my opinion, makes for a very attractive color. Ergonomically, everything is exactly where it should be and the camera feels very comfortable in your hand. One of the nicest features is the inclusion of a button on top of the camera to quickly change flash settings. Also, the camera features a small dial on top, right in front of the shutter button, which allows you to change camera modes. The default setting is always automatic so you never have to worry about accidently setting the dial somewhere you don't want it and then having it in the wrong position when the camera starts up. All in all, this is a perfect design. But, unfortunately, the positive features end there.As I said, I was fully expecting that this camera would have taken beautiful pictures, based on my past experience with Kodak. I mean, with today's technology, picture quality should only be getting better, right? Wrong. Here's why:1. The pictures, although clear and crisp in bright light, are far too dark when taken with the flash. But the problem is not consistent and it has everything to do with the automatic ISO and speed settings that the camera uses.  At equal distances, some of the flash pictures will be far too dark and some will be acceptable. It seems that the shutter is very fast, but maybe too fast for the size of the lens and the power of the flash. It seems to me, for the majority of the automatic flash pictures, that the camera is not letting enough light in. In fairness, you do have manual control over some of these settings (exposure and ISO) and I'm sure, with some tweaking, you can get closer to the right mix. But, for this size camera, why should we be concerned with such things? This is a point-and-shoot, and you expect to be able to do just that.2. The flash is far too small for the camera and, more often than not, you will find that it will light up only the very closest objects. This gives the unpleasant effect of having only half of your pictures illuminated. Coupled with the problem above, the bottom line is that flash pictures are not at all acceptable for this price camera. When compared to my Canon S40, which is a similar compact camera, there just is no comparison. The Kodak is just not acceptable for indoor use.3. The camera features a 1.8" LCD display which is crisp, sharp, and easy to see even in bright places. However, it has one major flaw which is that the pictures appear much more dull and dark on the LCD screen then they do when viewed on a computer. (Even the ones that actually are dull and dark as described above are FAR worse when viewed on the LCD screen). This can actually be a difficult adjustment in the beginning because, when previewing pictures on the screen, you may be inclined to discard pictures that you think are too dark, only to find out that they would have been acceptable (or close to it) when viewed on a computer.4. The low battery indicator is not at all obvious, with just a very small flashing white icon in the far bottom corner of the LCD screen. Maybe I'm not paying enough attention, but I almost never see it. And it seems to comes on just before the battery actually dies. The end result is that the battery dies and the camera shuts down as a surprise. And not a pleasant one.5. The autofocus is terrible, particularly in lower light conditions. You will find that you have to discard about 10% of your pictures because of blur, even with the most steady of hands. This is beacuse the camera was made to point and shoot very quickly without having to wait for the camera to autofocus. And, 90% of the time, it does fine. But for the other 10%, it is very frustrating. I would rather have the camera autofocus for a second or two and beep when it is in focus so that I know the picture is ready to be taken. Not having to wait is a nice feature, but you have no idea what the end result will be. I have also had problems with the camera focusing on the wrong subject. For example, just today I took a family portrait using the auto-timer and the picture was blurry. Obviously it had nothing to do with movement because neither us, nor the camera were in motion. It just has to do with, again, bad internal automatic settings.Is it all bad? Well, not really. As I said, the design is great. And if it had better guts, the camera would be perfect. One thing I love is the comapct battery charger that plugs right into the wall. I wish more camera/camcorder manufacturers would catch on to the fact that we consumers like to remove the battery and put it into a separate wall charger without having to lug around wires, an AC transformer, etc. Kodak has gotten this part right. I also recommend the separate custom made leather case that they sell. This fits the camera snugly and offers a lot of protection in a very compact package. One last positive note is the battery life. I had one fully charged battery last through approximately 150 flash pictures and it had plenty of life to spare. This is a very positive feature for this size camera.In fairness, I have not tested this camera with the docking station or with any of the EasyShare software which is supposed to be a major selling point of this Kodak line. I am just not that type of user. I prefer to remove the SD card and load my pictures to my computer using a card reader where I can manipulate them. But, even if these EasyShare features are flawless, it would not make up for the lousy flash pictures and the all too often blur. Nothing, not even ergonomic design, can make up for bad pictures. And, unfortunately, that's just what this camera takes.What if you only use it outdoors? Well, then this camera would be a winner. But, I'll go out on a limb and say that the majority of the point-and-shoot market will not be limiting themselves to outdoor shots. That said, Kodak really missed the mark on this one. Which is really dissapointing to me because they passed up a golden opportunity to make the perfect digital camera.Back to the drawing board...
This camera is easy to use and takes great pictures. It comes with software that makes the transfering of pictures into the computer very simple.I also got it because it was small. It's a good size, I can put it in my pocket or pocket book becuase it doesn't take up much space.
Paper and print is very bad. NO LONGER AVAILABLE  from Kodak. Call them for what you will not believe. They are not making cameras any longer. Don't buy as they do not make any repairs. I got stuck with the camera and printer that does not work. Please call Kodak to get the truth. Do no get ripped off.
Very easy to use. Entertaining for the kids.  And better picture quality than any inkjet I've seen.
One would have to be a complete moron and an imbecile, to buy this junk.  For one, it is extemely expensive per print even if it worked perfectly.  Being that it doesnt work perfectly, it makes the cost per print absolutely awful.  Lets face it, now that digital cameras now take better pictures (at 4 Megapixels) than do film cameras, it forces Kodak to try and make exorbitant profits off of digital.  How to do that??  Make people spend 75 cents plus per print.  Pretty simple Economics 101 when your film business is going to the dogs.
After several hours and the downloading of apparently obsolete drivers, I am still unable to use this printer with a new win 7 computers.  Software support with Kodak has not been good.  We cannot load easy share either.  Until now we have been happy with the output except that when our CX camera died, we have not been able to use the camera dock.
Very good product.  Works well with both my kodak cameras. I have used the item and it prints just what I want in a picture.  thank you
Ok, I've owned this printer for about three years now, and it has been used lightly. The first year was fine, and it's really nice to be able to print pictures at home, away on vacation, or in a business situation quickly. The portability is its greatest feature. However, I am now seeing the picture quality deteriorate, and there are fine lines running through the pictures. I'm not sure what is considered the shelf life for these devices, but I would think that it should have held up better considering the light use the machine has seen. I've probably printed a few hundred pictures max. I wouldn't buy this product again.
Three years ago I bought a Kodak EasyShare C533 camera with the series 3 printer dock.  After much use the dock stopped printing.  Looking around for a replacement, I was shocked at the prices, $399.99 just for a printer dock.  Got one from E-bay for about $80.00 and so far it works fine.  Had a problem with lines in the picture with one cartridge but apparently it was just that one defective cartridge.  Initially I changed cartridges when told to by the printer and have had some extra paper ever since, now I change cartridges when it just won't print any more and my reserve is not growing.  Cartridge/paper bundles have also gotten pretty expensive but I take my SD card to the store for processing for big batches of pictures and use the printer for a few pictures at a time and so for the convenience, no big complaint.  The printer does need to be unplugged for reset due to various minor problems but I've gotten pretty much used to that.  Kodak does not do a good job labeling the paper/cartridge bundles (there is one for the G series printers - not compatible with series 3).  In the last few months local stores have stopped stocking the paper/cartridge bundles so it was Amazon.com to the rescue and at a cheaper price that the last store price for the 160 count bundle - and every time I went to buy a bundle, it cost more than previously.  This unit prints pictures that have a greater three dimensional quality than what comes from the store/lab but takes a bit of attention to take care of paper feed and various other little problems that crop up.  Overall, I have had good luck and enjoy having this printer/dock.
I purchased this to replace the one I bought approx. 3 years ago.  To have my old one repaired it was going to cost $80.00 plus S/H and I would only get a 30 day warranty.  I bought a brand new one for under $80.00.  I love this little printer, makes printing picture convenient.
I am thrilled with the pictures, but the printer dock is an abomination.  My brother bought me 9 cartridge packs for Christmas.  I have used up 6 so far and each one is defective.  The warning comes up on the LCD screen to replace the cartridge when you have only used about 18 pictures.  What a waste of money.  Also, there is a frequent warning on the LCD screen that insults your intelligence to ADD MORE PAPER.  Here you want your pictures instantly only to have your hopes ruined.  I notified Kodak about this problem.  The CSR told me to connect the printer dock to have updated software added. I did as prescribed, but it did no good!  Anyway, why should I have to update this contraption at all!  This only serves purpose that the machine has flaws.I am really disappointed with the Kodak Printer Dock Plus.
When I bought this overpriced item in December I was intially very pleased by the quality of the photos. However, the cartridges are very expensive and the paper tray is already warped. Tonight when I was trying to print the paper jammed so completely that I cannot get it out. I figure I paid over $300 for probably fewer than 100 prints.
I love the quality of the pictures from this Printer Dock.  The quality is as good as those at a photo center.  But, you get the conveience of home.
Now don't get me wrong.  The printer dock itself is FABULOUS price-wise, especially if you buy a refurbished one off eBay like I did (87 bucks!!).  Same one year warranty applies direct from Kodak.  I was amazed at the quality of the prints.  It's really neat to watch it work, and it's pretty quick.  The prints look just as perfect as if they had come from the lab!I am a scrapbook fanatic, so this printer comes in handy... but there is one problem... the paper/cartridge refill kits are ridiculously expensive!  Buying on Amazon they average about 50 cents per print, but buying from your local store it's about 65 cents!  Considering my local drugstore offers the same exact quality digicam prints for 29 cents each (10 cents on sale days and 10 free prints per month in the Sunday flyers), it's a pretty big rip off.  If you buy the larger 80 pack the cost is about 46 cents per print - still far too high, in my opinion.Other than the ridiculously inflated cost of the refill kits, I love this printer!  The prints look fantastic, and the best part is the dock came with a rechargeable battery pack for my camera!  The dock acts as a charging base as well, and it has a status bar to tell you how far the charge has progressed.All in all, it couldn't be more simple - the dock is fantastic!  But Kodak needs a reality check on the prices they want for refill kits.
I haven't used my printer dock much, I've printed maybe 30 to 40 pictures over a period of perhaps 6 months.  Now, like so many of the other reviewers I'm getting a message to "Load Paper."  There is plenty of paper in the feeder.  I've tried taking paper out, putting in more, but nothing seems to work.  I've emailed Kodak for assistance and am hopeful there is some simple solution, but I'm not holding my breath.
When I first bought this printer dock, I was very happy and was showing it to everyone.  Very quickly however, the paper would not pick up to feed into the dock.  Contacting Kodak is a waste of time.  I was a fool, and purchased a "used" one on eBay.  It arrived in its original packing and looked brand new.  Nothing had been opened, including the ink ribbon and paper.  I was busy and didn't have time to use it.  When I did.....I discovered too late that this one had the SAME PROBLEM AS MY FIRST ONE!!  Now I have 2 expensive pieces of junk setting here and I don't know what to do with them.  They are too expensive to throw away, and too expensive to repair.  I'm finished trusting KODAK!
Have now worked with two Kodak printer docs, wanting to be able to just drop my Kodak camera on top to connect to PC or print directly. And now two printer docs have soon stopped picking up paper. Sometimes I can manually feed a sheet around the cartridge, but how convenient is that? You can read other with the same experiences, and worse. Pick another printer besides the Kodak.
It is probably beating a dead horse to repeat what others have said already, but perhaps there's influence in numbers.  Bought this item with the hopes of giving a loved one something that would produce prints quickly and easily, albeit expensively.  Glad she turned out not to be the user, because this printer dock drives me up the wall, and I'm the patient one.  Although the pictures have been just fine, after the first few trouble-free print batches, each new use has meant time spent fiddling with the system to eke out a print or two.  The greatest problem is the paper feed, which now works only for an occasional sheet if the stack size is perfect and I hold my mouth right.  The software is quirky, too, making unreasonable demands for full functionality (administrator priviledges).  The latest cartridge, newly installed, went belly up after 11 prints.  Lest you get the wrong impression, all but three of those prints required at least one paper tray adjustment and restart.  And yes, I fanned the paper, took great pains not to exceed the fill line, repeatedly verified a clear, clean paper path, and completely refrained from belting the sucker.If this item had been inexpensive to begin with, or if it were cheap to run, I'd cheerfully suck it up and do what needs to be done to keep the prints coming.  It certainly wasn't and isn't, though, and my only goal now is to jolly it along until the backlog of cartridges and paper has been used up.  Since those Kodak items are famously mismatched in quantity, that might not take as long as I expect.  Then this baby's compactness and shape will make it a fine $200 trophy paper weight.
Never has been reliable; will not pick up paper and YES, it was loaded correctly.  The only thing it is good for is to charge the camera.I had to spend more money on A Kodak 500 that has been acceptable.
Unfortunately, I was one of the morons that purchased this piece of junk. I have had this printer since 12/04 and every time I attempt to use it, something isn't working. I have printed approxmately 20 or so picture in total. This time, the printer will only prints half pictures. I called Kodak and was advised to download their new software. I did that and now the printer won't work at all. The lady told me to send the printer in as they have had lots of problems with them. She then asked for my credit card number and that was all she wrote. She tells me they are having trouble with the printers, but I have to pay. I wrote the CEO and no response, so they don't back their product either. Kodak is in trouble and I wonder why?
The Kodak Easy Share printer (which docks your camera) is just the easiest thing to use.  You can't mess it up and the picture and color quality is excellent.
I bought the printer dock plus because Kodak no longer makes printer docks for the 4000 series.  Customer support at Kodak recommended this printer dock as the next best thing.  It has a built in SD card reader in the side of the printer dock.  That works awesome.  I am still able to print pictures from my computer plus with the SD card reader.  I love it!!  The pictures print out beautifully.  I am quite amazed by it.  I love the convenience of being able to print pictures from home then having to make a special trip to the store.  I would recommend this product to anyone!!  It's so easy to use.  I also recommend using the Kodak color cartridge and photo paper kit, because once you run out of photo paper then you know your out of ink.  The "Auto Enhance" feature will touch up your pictures to make them come out perfectly.  Never had a paper jam once!!
I am thrilled with my new printer dock!  I ordered it because my 8 year old printer dock was not feeding the paper well anymore and jamming at times.  Required my hands-on supervision for each print and  couldn't depend on it printing the picture. EDIT; THIS PRINTER DOCK JUST STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN THE PAST YEAR AND WORKED PERFECTLY FOR 7 YEARS. This new dock works perfectly and charges the camera perfectly.  It prints great pictures.  I've always loved the dock because I could print and send pictures immediately to my friends and family by mail or by computer.  I would hate to have to go to drug store whenever I wanted picture prints or batteries.  Rechargeable batteries that come with the dock are always in chargeable function.  Special AA batteries are needed for nonchargeable batteries and they don't last very long and as I said, the dock has spoiled me by not requiring me to make trips to the drug store. Saves on gas to get there too!  Included was an excellent booklet about all it's functions.  Another reason for wanting convenient and uncomplicated mechanisms is that we have our first grandchild.  It also has an easy function for transferring photos to the Internet. I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH EVERY PRODUCT I HAVE PURCHASED FROM AMAZON. I do wish to comment on the seller Elizabeth (same name as me). Her packaging was the most meticulous I've ever seen, well padded & wrapped very neatly. She also added little freebees like photo paper, color cartridge, literature and a very nice note. Certainly appears that she takes excellent care of her products and her buyers. I appreciate reviews that comment on the buyer which can affect the choice I make.
You will be amazed at the photos this thing prints. Better than anything that ever came out of an inkjet! It will print with or without a computer. As with most digital cameras, outdoor pictures look great, but indoor flash pictures may need to be touched up in a photo-editing program using a computer. The dock uses the same cartridge used in older versions of the printer dock, but check the list of cameras that are compatible with this dock. It will print from any PictBridge digital camera via a USB connection. It prints using thermal dye transfer. Basically, it's a roll of plastic film with yellow, red, blue, and a protective coating for each picture. I have tried rewinding the roll and using it to print new pictures, but it produces a ghost image of the original print on the new picture. Kodak pairs each cartridge with 40 sheets of tabbed glossy photo paper. It is magical to watch it work. The dock grabs the photo paper and sends it through the dock 4 times: once each to apply the yellow, red, blue, and then one additional pass to apply the protective water-resistant coating. The pictures look awful while the yellow and red are being applied, then suddenly look real after the blue goes on. How it doesn't mess up the paper placement between each pass is beyond me, but the result is a stunningly sharp photo. The perforated tabs break off after printing, making the photo borderless. The only downsides I can think of is that photos are limited to 4 X 6" or smaller multiples and it doesn't work on batteries so you must be plugged into an AC outlet to print or transfer. I ordered this dock from Amazon.com 6 days before I got an email from Kodak saying that it was available.
CAMERA IS NOT WORKING THAT GOES WITH THE PRINTER DOCK so I am not able to use it but I've had one for years an I love it but now I have to get my camera fixed because they don't make the camera anymore.
Like so many others, I jumped at the chance to get this product, putting it on the top of my 2004 Christmas list.Now I wish I had never seen it.  The pictures are okay, but everytime I print one there is an annoying line running up the left side.  Sometimes stray colors get splattered on the image.  And when the paper comes out of the printer it catches on the corner, so every picture I've done has an annoying little bend in it.You're much better off taking your camera to a local drug or department store that has one of the big Kodak developing machines you can operate yourself.  Those work great and the photos are much cheaper.  As for this unit, I can only urge you strongly to forget it.  What a waste of money!
Printer driver reports incorrectly the remaining number of pictures you can print out of cartridge.  I had a 40 print cartridge that was reported "empty" after only printing a handful of pictures following an operating system crash on Windows.  I found a workaround, but if you are not inclined to troubleshoot and keep track of how many pictures you've printed, you are going to get ripped off.  The printer paper/cartridge combo is not cheap.Software on Windows 2000 is terrible.  When it comes time to upload pictures on the fly from your camera the auto-detection of the camera or the memory card does not work on 2000 unless you unplug and re-plug the device.  Auto-detection works slightly better on Windows XP.  However, you still have to remove the card from the camera and insert it into the Printer Dock. You can also opt to connect the camera directly to the usb port with a separate cable. You cannot set the camera atop the printer dock and upload pictures that way.My first unit died after a simple paper jam.  It is no longer able to print.  I had to get a second unit because I did not want to buy another camera.The only thing positive is that it prints nice pictures.  But again is it not what one would expect of any devices of this type?My next camera/Printer dock combo is not going to be a Kodak, I can tell you that for certain.
I really can't find enough positive things to say about this little machine! It's fast, easy to use and generally reliable. The print quality is just as good as that from the photo labs. It gives you the option of printing different size photos on each sheet so you're not limited to one 4x6 per sheet. (It would be nice if Kodak came up with a version of the dock that could produce prints larger than 4x6, though.) Additionally, the Kodak paper that is made for it has narrow edges for you to handle the photo when it comes out without getting fingerprints on it. Then you simply tear the edges off at the perforations. A sample is included and once you try it you won't even consider using anything else.There are several features that I particularly like, such as the auto enhance button that adjusts your image to look its best before you print it. Perhaps the biggest selling point for me, though, was that you can print without using your computer. You can view your pictures on the LCD screen of your camera to select which ones you want to print. Another feature that attracted me was the built-in SD/MMC card reader. Talk about convenience! Again, the images are displayed on your camera's LCD screen. However, the dock loses half a star because it has to stop and initialize every photo before displaying it when it's reading the SD/MMC card--too time-consuming if you're wading through a large number of pictures.Another of the very few complaints I have is that occasionally the last picture taken does not automatically appear on the screen as it should when I place the camera on the dock. The dock initializes then the screen goes black. The problem is easily remedied by unplugging then replugging the dock's power cord, but it does get to be a nuisance and costs the dock another half a star in my book. Additionally, you have to be careful that nothing is behind the dock when you're printing because there is no catch tray or anything to protect the prints as they slide through the back. (Each print makes four passes through the dock, sliding back and forth to pick up pigment and lamination.)When I bought this dock I was looking for high-quality, long-lasting prints from a machine that was easy to use. Overall, the Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Plus has really delivered!
I just have to say... this is the best purchase I've recently made, next to my new Kodak digital camera of course! It's so easy to use, and the pictures are of the same quality that you'd only expect to get from a professional film developing company, all in the convenience of my own home! It is a little costly (at 64 cents a print), but so worth it to me.  Trust me when I say, you will love this little printer, especially if you're short on time! This printer literally prints the highest quality photos in only 60 seconds! Not to mention that it's so convenient to not have to fiddle with changing the batteries in my camera. Just set the camera on the docking station to charge up the rechargable batteries. Love it, love it, love it!
This made it possible for me to be able to continue to print straight from my camera when I want to. I can print from my computer but sometimes I find It takes longer depending on what I'm printing and the reason.
This is a waste of money.  It will not feed the paper properly, and even when the paper enters the unit, it will jam about half the time.  When the paper is finally working, then the ink cartridge jams.If this is the best that Kodak can do, maybe they should go bankrupt.  It is going back as soon as possible.
i got the printer with my kodak digital camera.  the pictures come out as sharp as those from a good photo shop.  no computer is needed, though if you hook it to one, you can e-mail photos right from the printer dock!  just put the camera in the dock and hit the print button.  this is a rock solid performer that has been used hundreds of times.  the colors are rich and deep, and they don't run like ink-jet computer printers because they use a dye sublimation method.  in sum, these prints feel and look like normal photos.  watching the little machine work is a kick -- it passes the paper through three times and finally adds a clear coat layer to protect the print for years.  the printer is a blast and a hit with my friends/family!  excellent job by a great company!
Problems too numerous to detail here including bad prints, paper jams, warped tray.  Too many other options out there to waste you time with Kodak.  Customer service and repair is much below sub-par.
This will be my last Kodak product. This printer was very lightly used. I bought a new paper/cartridge refill pack ($45) and the paper jams everytime I use it. Unplugging and starting over does not work. What a disappointment.
I bought this because I was tired of my inkjet photos getting ruined by humidity. Any moisture on one of those will take the ink right off, completely ruining the photo.Right out of the box, this thing worked perfectly.  I didn't even really need to look at the instructions, it's THAT intuitive.  I was a little worried when the print first came out and it was completely yellow.  I thought I had a defective printer!  Then it sucked the print back in and came out red!  I began suspecting that this was normal, then it brought it back in for a third time to apply the blue, and the print came out pristine.  Went back in a 4th time to add the protective coating.  LOVE it.  It is equal to that of a photo lab in clarity AND durability.  It's VERY water resistant... as much so as a lab print.I love that I can print from my SD card and from my computer after having done some touch ups or photo editing.  But it's SO nice to plop the camera on the dock and print directly from that!For me the expense is trivial.  I love the instant gratification, and that I can print smaller sizes for my scrapbooking, so there's not a lot of waste from a cropped photo.  I also think it saves money and heartbreak when you figure in inkjet photos don't last nearly as long, and are so fragile to ANY moisture.  Just a fingerprint can completely ruin an inkjet photo, much less a rain drop or worse.  The photos produced by this machine are protected.  It's worth it to me to print just the photos I want to print in the convenience of my own home in just seconds that are lab quality.I used to spend so much more on developing before the age of digital cameras.  Even though the cartridges might run you approx. .50 a print, that's still considerably less than the waste we used to have.  And the prices of the cartridges are coming down dramatically.  You just need to shop around.
I purchased this printer dock to use with my Kodak EasyShare DX7590.  So far, with the pictures I have printed, I have been very satisfied.  No jams, no lines, no bends...just good quality photos.  I wouldn't recommend however if a person has a lot of pictures to print to use the photo printer, it would probably be more beneficial to print them through an online retailer or take it to store as CVS or Target to print them out.  But for a few prints here and there, it's a great in home system.
The Kodak Easyshere series has quickly become my favorite in digital photography.  The printer is easy to use and you will be amazed at the quality of your prints.  No more driving to the drug store to get a print you want and no more wasted money on double prints!  At about .29 a print, it's affordable too!
Got this little honey together with a DX6440 earlier this year and have been pleased as punch ever since! The camera takes great pictures at every setting - night, landscape, auto and portrait. Got the camera because of the really, really close-up focus range (just inches from the subject!) and I haven't been disappointed. I'm no great photographer -- but this camera and dock make me look like one! I love the instant transfer feature and the photo film/paper. Photos look like they've been professionall processed (provided I remove the border carefully and completely to not leave any scraggly edges). I also bought the case and travel adapters. They come in really handy to supercharge my batteries outside of the US. Love it, love it, love it!
This printer is very good.  I purchased it as a replacement for my two-year old printer dock model 6000.  The best piece of news is that Kodak lowered the price of the paper/imaging cartridge kit.  If you get the kit for 160 prints (PH-160) you will pay about $40 (delivered), which will set you back for only 25 cents per one 6"x4" print.All said, I have an issue with the software.  Such a big and successful company like Kodak should not farm out software development to people, who do not know much about designing software for Windows.  The software (Java-based) is a pain to install.  Moreover, the updater uses the BackWeb software that is immediately identified as spyware (and rightly so!) by most anti-spyware programs.  Writing your own code for the updater should be easy for anyone with even basic software skills.  Next, when on Windows XP Pro a user doesn't have administrator's rights, EasyShare (this applies to all versions through 5.0.3) displays an annoying message, that the software will have limited functionality.  This is because the creators of this program could not understand how to manage shared documents on Windows XP.  This shows that Kodak software designers and quality control personnel need to go back to school.
I bought this printer dock with a new Kodak camera, and have been truly disappointed. What few pictures it printed were of excellent quality, but the paper feeder has NEVER worked properly from the first time I took it out of the box. Now, having printed probably fewer than 50 photos over the life of the printer, the ink cartridge is jammed in the unit AND the paper feeder doesn't work properly. So much for giving a once-great American company the benefit of the doubt. Try HP or Canon instead.
This product worked well for awhile, and the prints continue to be clear.  The problem is that even though I don't mind feeding the sheets of paper into the dock one at a time (due to limitless paper jams), I run out of ink before running out of paper.  I keep the dock plugged in at all times, so that's not the problem.  If I could buy the cartridges separately from the paper I would be okay with feeding the paper manually, but here I sit with 50 sheets of paper and an empty cartridge.  What a rip off!
I'm pretty impressed with the quality of the pictures that come from this little printer.  I like to do some editing on the computer before printing, and that's no problem.  I've printed from several different programs.  The computer sees it just like any other printer.  The paper feed isn't 100% reliable.  The PH40 paper/ink kit costs $20 from Amazon for 40 prints.  I don't know what math everyone else is using, but that comes out to $0.50/print with my math.
Ebayer beware!  The print quality is great - and when the printer was new, it worked very well. But now, after about a year of semi-steady use, the printer jams all of the time - and jams are hard to clear. The Amazon review says printing on a PC is a hassle - not unless you know your way around XP. But the spooling software is NUTS and very slow. Moreover, the consumables are not cheap. I used to catch deals at Circuit City, now I have to buy online. I would not buy a used EasyShare. I am considering junking this machine - literally. It would be bad karma if I sold this machine to anybody.
This worked great the first 6 months... other than I can NEVER get 40 prints from the cartridges as stated.  Now it is not printing as clear, leaving odd discolor on the prints.  I used the cleaner and no difference.  I also hate that it often will not grab the paper and will pop up as out of paper when it is not.  Looking for a better replacement.
Purchased the Printer Dock in 05 along with DX7440 camera, thinking the convenience would be total. The printer is always a little quirky, requiring constant alcohol-cleaning of the paper pick-up roller. Now it only prints 40% of a photo no matter what we do. I was very pleased with the photo quality when it did print, though especially considering the wasted prints, they were very, very expensive. The camera has had frustrating issues as well. I hated the Easy Share software from the start. In short, we are throwing away both camera and dock and going to a manufacturer who doesn't sell junk.
Quirky, expensive and not reliable.Feeds poorly gets stuck and eats paper.The feeder gave out after printing less than 20 pictures.Mine is broke and they said it would cost $80 to fix.
Does a great job making photos, but you have to make sure you keep the rollers clean. The cost of the cartridges and photo paper has gotten quiet expensive to the point of being able to buy a wireless printer for the same price as the cartridge kit. I don't think I'll buy any more kits when the present ones run out . Too bad as this is a nice little photo machine.
When it worked, the pics were beautiful. That didn't last. Now, it's a door stop. Won't feed paper, says it's out of ink when it isn't...I have lots of paper if anyone would like some. I won't spend more money. Kodak support is virtually non-existant. Why anyone would buy a Kodak product is beyond me. I know I won't. I just bought a very nice Nikon digital camera. And I'm a Kodak retiree. Sad. Very sad.
First off, let me say that I am a brave for trying to pair a cannon A85 (has picbridge) with this printer.  Yes, it works fine and the photo's look great.  My biggest beef with it is that you should not count on the auto enhance feature to work easily with anything other than a kodak camera.  This feature is nice since it corrects many underlight conditions or color issues. If you plug a non-kodak picbridge camera into it and try and use the auto enchance feature, it just will not let you.  A work around (compact flash only) is to use an external lexar card reader and plug it into the kodak printer using print order from the camera to tag each photo that you want to print.  If you do this, auto enhance will work.  My theory is that Kodak is trying to sell more cameras or card readers (the kodak brand card reader appears to be lexar) by doing this.  They also lock this feature out for any software other than their easyshare software which is silly.  One other problem I have with it is that you must set your camera to a special 4x6 photo size before you take the picture to insure that the printer does not crop the image.  They should have a scaling feature to make sure you do not lose any part of a regular full size image when printing.  Many picture editing software packages let you do this such as Microsoft picture it (I use this to overcome this cropping problem).  I do not like to take my pictures in a lower resolution just for printing 4x6's.  I may want to make the same picture an 8x10 using my epson photo printer sometime later.  The easyshare software it comes with needs a bit of work.  It is useable, but it could you the auto scale feature to make sure that non of a full size picture is lost while printing (they have one, but it puts white bars on the side of your picture-- get out the sizzors!).  It is kinda clutzy to use as well, but it is usable.  If you have a kodak camera, I would highly recommend it.  If not, you may end up a bit frustrated if you want to maximize the full capabilities of this printer.
When did Kodak become such a cool camera and photography accessory maker?  Used to be that only Canon was cool.  Not any more.  The folks in Rochester, NY have caught up with and beat the folks in Japan.  This camera printer dock works well, has not jamed for me in just under 1 year, is so easy to use that even a complete tech-neophyte can use it (without reading the instructions), can be used to charge the camera, can be used with or without a computer via a USB cable that is supplied and the 4x6's all the way down to wallet sized pictures it puts out are as good as anything you will get at a professional camera shop.  The prints are a tiny bit more expensive than at a typical camera shop but that depends on your camera shop.  So if you want a great camera printer - go with this Kodak model - it's a winner.  As with all the EasyShare products -- Easy Share is an understatement.
No dials with modes as in many other cameras. The menus are complex and complicated, not easy to navigate - try it on a small screen in bright sun.  Small LCD screen.The camera gives good outdoor pictures in good light. At indoor or low light conditions it has some problems - rising the ISO number to 200 or 400 produces image noise (particularly at ISO 400).Setting ISO in AUTO mode in the Quality menu - the camera always sets it to ISO 50 even if there is a very little light available. Thus I manually set the ISO at 100 or 200 for most situations (rarely at ISO 400 or ISO 50).Proprietary AC adapter - no generic adapters for digicams fit this camera.
Good points:1. The price is magnificent...you can get it for about $244.00 for 6Megapixels!(as of Jul-11-2005);2. The quality of the pictures is excellent;3. Battery Life is fairly good (about 280 flash pictures);4. Takes BOTH SD and MemoryStick memory types;5. Optical Zoom at 3X is about normal and works fine;6. On-Off system is nice and simple;7. FAST shutter speed (time from moment you press button to picture actually being taken); Canon is awful at this.8. Very FAST Flash recovery time (picture-to-picture): about 1.5 seconds.The problems are few, but very real:1. Video is really limited to 30seconds - no matter how much memory you have or what resolution you choose;2. Doing anything other than taking pictures is a MESS...you have to go through the menus and the complicated button sequences...forget about my MOM using it for anything other than taking pictures;3. Even VIEWING the pictures you took is a mess...having to go through the menus.  If you're a gadget freak or a techie, you'll be just fine...but if it's for your mom or dad and they can't program their VCR, then look for a user-friendly camera (not this one, sorry!);  they WILL end up erasing pictures they're trying to see...4. The USB transfer cable is NOT standard...good luck if you travel and leave it at home (better have lots of memory and not lose the camera while traveling or you'll lose your memories before you get to transfer them!!);5. Zoom controls could be better located.Summary:If you are a techie and don't need videos longer than 30seconds, this camera is great.
The flash on this camera broke after &lt; 2 months.  Sent back to Konica-Minolta for warranty service was told that repair takes 2 months.  3 1/2 mos go by and no word from manufacturer.  I called, found out they are awaiting parts from Japan and would take another month.  I called again after 6 weeks and was told that the parts are no longer being made as camera is discontinued.  They will send me a "REFURBED" replacement as my only recourse.  Since I had no choice, I took that.  The refurb broke after 2 months as well - autofocus no longer focuses, and the metal ring around the tip of the lens fell off.  No wonder Konica-Minolta is now out of the digital camera business.  Buy a Canon or Nikon instead.
I have had this camera about 6 months and have had to return it twice so far for the same repair, without any explanation or recourse of requesting a replacement. I use the camera for my work so two to three weeks per repair is pretty disruptive to my schedule. Quick shots are out of the question since the camera is ultra sensitive to any tremor, and I must always use a tripod.
I love this camera.  I wanted a small camera.  I looked at the Cannon Elph.  After reading negative comments on the internet about the E-18 error problem and knowing a friend who had problems with the E-18 error right out of the box I decided to pass.I have a bigger camera with many features, the Sony F717, and I love the pictures it takes.  I guess it spoiled me because after seing another friends small Sony camera the picture quality was not as nice even with the higher megapixels.  I had to purchase Sony Memory cards and after purchasing several(expensive) I wanted a small camera that could use them.My old small point and shoot which finaly died used SDcards.  I was resigned to switching but still wanted to be able to use my SDcards because I hate to waste money.This camera seemed to be the answer to my dilemma.  It uses the two media cards I alreay own.  It has a sturdy metal body.  The layout/design of buttons is easy and simple.  I love the fact that opening the lens turns the camera on and off.  I purchased an extra battery and keep it in the charger.  The charger comes with the camera and charges fast.It is a great point and shoot and has many features if you want to do more.  It is small and fits in my evening bag but is not so small/delicate that I worry about damage.It has an optical viewer as well as an lcd screen.  I thought this was critical.  If you need to take a picture in bright sun or want to conserve battery life use the viewer.  One of the things I did not like about my old point and shoot was it only had an lcd screen.  I was very careful with it and damaged the screen while on vacation and could not use the camera.  I had to buy some disposeables and send it for repairs when I got home.Konica makes a great product.  It may not be as sexy looking as some but it is great and I have yet to take a bad photo.  Two media cards is terrific.  I was at a good friends wedding and went to visit family and with both cards in the camera I had enough space to take pictures for the week.  I took 800 pictures a couple of movies and still had plenty of space. I put in two 512MB cards and did not have to worry about carrying extra cards.I love this camera!  Hope this helps you in your search, happy hunting!
I have had this camera for about 10 years now and it still works perfectly.  This is a great little camera.
I bought this based in prior experience with Sony's easy to use yet effective cameras.  So far I am not dissapointed.  The unit is pocket sized, if not smaller, packs a ton of features into a tight footprint yet is easy to use.  My only beef so far is it seems to easily blur pictures indoors.  I have taken many pictures with my old 1.2 MP camera and noticed the "hand" indicating low light/possible blurring but was always able to be stable enough to get away without flash.  On ths unit you MUST use flash or a tripod or else those family trips will be memories......ONLY.  Also, I get a wierd clicking when playing back video shot in quiet conditions.  I would have also preferred to zoom in on video, though the hi res video spec (only when used with PRO Memory stick) is sweet.
I wrote that because my sony camera got wet, fell off a moving car, even fell off my lap but still works GREAT!!! On top of that it is very extremely easy to use (a no-brainer), comes with a usb cord and a charger for the batteries. The camera also can take video clips.The only thing that grabs you from behind is the fact that yougotta shell off $$$$$ for the memory card (bigger storage for longer video clips) as well as the nice accessories to go with it, since it doesnt include a bag/storage.
This is a great camera especially at the low amazon price. I recommend this camera for individuals who are looking for their first digital camera or a great bargain.  this camera is extremely easy to use even if you have never had a digital camera before.  the picture quality is also good.  The main complaint I had with this camera was the size of the memory card.  If you take pictures at the highest quality you can only take 12 pictures before your memory is full.  You can take more on the lower qualities but this defeats the purpose of getting a digital camera in the first place.  I bought a much larger memory card to go with this for about 30 bucks and have been quite pleased with the product.  Even after buying the memory card this camera is a steal at this price!!
I received this camera for Christmas this morning. I am really pleased for it thus far, especially seeing how it was only $180. It is my first Digital Camera, so to me, the image quality is great. I have nothing to compare it to, but its great for me. The camera is stylish on the design and very small for a camera. It's about the length of your 4 fingers, excluding your thumb, put together. It is very easy to use, I didn't have to use the manual to find out how to do most things. I needed the manual to learn more about some of the photograph settings/options/modifiers, but when it came to just taking/deleting simple pictures, or shooting video clips, it was easy and no manual reading was necessary. Hooking up to my PC was very simple, plug and play into the USB drive and the camera shows up as an external drive, so the software isn't necessary. I installed the software but didn't prefer it over the external drive, but the software was still pretty good when it came to sorting your photos. All the shooting modes are easy, and neat(such as black and white). It's easy to use the self-timer, flash, and zoom. The image viewer is a breeze.The included batteries it came with ran out after about an hour and a half, that was me taking at least 25 shots and shooting 5 movies, and deleting a lot(who knows if thats good or bad battery life based on all the stuff I did). But luckily, I also got Energizer Rechargable NiMH batteries with the 30 minute charger for Christmas too, so those came in real handy. Those batteries on a single charge lasted about 2 hours(many shots and several movies). It is highly recommended to get NiMH rechargables.The memory stick inlcuded is only 16 MB, which holds 8 images or about 40 seconds of movie shooting on 640x480(on 160x120, I got about 5 minutes of video, but this made the battery meter go way down). When taking pictures, you can change the resolution from 4 megapixels to 3 megapixels or 1 mega pixel to save size. This doesn't throw off the image quality any, it just makes the image "smaller", in terms of how big it would be on a computer screen. There is absolutley no difference between a 1 megapixel shot and a 4 megapixel shot when viewed on the camera's LCD. A 1 mega pixel shot can take up 1280 x 960 pixels on a computer screen while still retaining its image quality. Most computers have their default screen resolution set to 1024x768 pixels, so a 1 mega pixel shot would cover more than the whole computer screen while still retaining its image quality. A 4 mega pixel shot can take up 2304 x 1704 pixels on a computer screen while still retaining its image quality. If you were to try to blow up the 1 mega pixel shot to fit 2304 x 1704 pixels, it would have to enlarge each picture, blurring the image and making it look bad. So if you are just interested in sharing images with your friends through email and such with small images that take up, for example, about 1/4 of the screen, whether you take a 1 mega pixel shot or 4 mega pixel shot really won't matter since they would be the same. Therefore, you could save space on the memory card by just taking 1 or 3 mega pixel pictures. I got a 128MB Memory Stick PRO for the Camera so I could store more pictures and use the 640x480 FINE mode in movie shooting. With the Memory Stick Pro I can fit over 50 images, most likely over 30 minutes of video(not recommended since this would drain the battery down way before it hit 30 minutes) on 160x120 video, and over 5 minutes probably on 640x480 video setting, so the memory stick upgrade is pretty big.The movie shooting should have a 320x240 setting in between 160x120 and 640x480, but it doesn't. This isn't too big of a hassle, because the movie quality isn't AMAZING, its just for quick little clips on spur of the moment events. The 160x120 mode is fine for most things, especially for me, so I don't plan on using the 640x480 anyway.The "cons" aren't big deals(remedied by getting rechargable batteries and a bigger memory stick, which nullifies any cons) and certainly don't weigh down the camera's greatness at all.Value, intuitiveness, ease of use, design, size, quality, and fun are all bundled into this camera and I recommend it to anyone who just wants an easy to use camera with a high resolution to take pictures of anything that could happen in the future that they would want to capture and save to enjoy for years to come.
Sony's cameras are great.  I made a dumb mistake though. I found a lower price at Broadway Photo and bought from them.  They then had a salesman call me at home to sell me more, told me the Sony battery was no good (this is very untrue, provided you don't keep them charging all the time), and sent me a shipment with an un-itemized total bill plus a surprising and whopping $40 shipping charge.  I should've checked them out at [...]  I was shocked when I read the reviews from their customers, too late.  Now I have to go to my credit card company and try to undo their game.
I bought this camera over 3 years ago and lost it while catching lunch with a friend...I was so devastated! It was an excellent camera. Sony makes very good digital cameras at a competitive price.
Great picture quality (4.1 M) for the size and price! Recommend you buy the suggested batteries, but I use the normal alkaline and have no problem! The camera has a series of hidden features!
I have owned this camera since early January, and I have been very pleased with it. I bought it as a replacement for a Sony Cybershot (model DSC-P50) that I had owned for several years until I broke it, and this new one is so much better! I had not been very satisfied with the older model, and I considered replacing it with a camera by a different brand until I read positive reviews about the DSC-P41.One reason I decided to give Sony another try is the already mentioned high price of the larger memory sticks. I already owned a 128 megabyte stick that I had purchased for my previous camera, and I did not want to invest in new media. This is something to keep in mind if you are considering a Sony camera: if/when you need to replace it, you will probably want to stay with Sony because of this expensive accessory. The plus is that if you replace your Sony with another Sony, you will never have to worry about this memory stick issue again. One interesting thing is that the photos I had taken on my other camera are now saved in a separate folder from the photos I have taken with this new camera. In other words, when you load up the pictures on your computer, you will see a folder for each camera. I did not realize this at first, and I was quite frustrated because I could not locate the photos on my computer desktop.Now, I would like to offer a tip for Macintosh users because one reviewer said that she could not upload her photos on her Mac. There is no reason to shy away from this camera if you own a Mac. When you plug the camera into a Mac, you should see an icon on your desktop (it will be a narrow rectangle). Make sure that the camera is turned on. To view the photos on your desktop, double-click on this icon, and then you will see a folder called "DCIM." Within this folder, there will be another folder called "100MSDCF," and if you have used the memory stick in more than one camera, there will be additional folders such as "101MSDCF." You can also organize the photos into subfolders if you prefer. To save the photos to your computer, just drag the files onto your desktop or into a folder on the desktop. The other way to import photos is to open iTunes and use the import feature.The only thing that frustrates me about this camera is that it is difficult to use the LCD screen in bright outdoor light. I cannot really see the picture. I often like to look into the LCD screen to see if a picture has turned out or if I should retake it, but because this is not always possible, I end up taking extra pictures just to be safe. This defeats one of the advantages of owning a digital camera over a traditional film camera, but I suspect that this will always be a problem with taking pictures on very sunny days.The features that I really appreciate on the camera (especially after owning the older model) are: 1) the small size; 2) the permanently attached lens cover (rather than the detachable type); 3) the additional buttons on the back of the camera that expedite certain things, such as deleting photos; 4) the nighttime flash. This last feature is definitely improved from the older camera. I took some pictures at dusk in downtown Chicago, and they turned out really well. The sky looked great--much more vibrant than it looked in person, actually. In one photo, I managed to capture a car driving by. Because I was using the nighttime flash, which slows down the shutter speed, I got the front end of the car, and then the back end with the taillights. The middle of the car was completely missing from the picture, and it looked like a ghost car. To me, at least, this was really cool, and for people who like to take really unique pictures, the nighttime flash has the potential to produce some creative results.My overall impression of this camera is that it is a great product for the average consumer (like me). I have been satisfied with the pictures that I have taken with it, and the camera is very easy to use, even without reading the instruction manual. Sony has definitely improved its digital cameras!
I got this a couple years ago. Still works like a charm.
* UPDATE *My original review slated the battery life but it looks like I jumped the gun on that. Since the review the battery life seems better and I have used the camera over longer periods of intense snapping without problems. This to me means that this is the best damn camera ever and it should get 5 STARS!The original review was:This camera is fantastic, excellent quality and very usable. Packed with lots of features but still easy to use out of the box.My only gripe is that the batteries do not last very long. I have had this over a week and do not use it that much but have already gone through the batteries that cam with it and two other sets. I know cameras eat batteries but this was still a susprise!Its almost like it drains them when it is turned off. A beautiful camera but the power problems left a bad taste in my mouth.If this isn't a worry for you then I would recommend it cos it is a fantastic camera but I thnk I would have made a different choice if I had had this experience.
I got this camera because I find on the "Cybershot DSCP41 4MP" a very good balance between Product & Price, some good things are that doesn't need a software to connect it to my computer, has a very good resolution, and the videos have good sound, also is one of the smallest of the Sony Cybershot family, but something you need to know is that this camera has a USB cable to connect it to the computer, but doesn't have a A/V cable to connect it to your TV as many cameras, not even if you have already this cable you will be able to do it, not a problem for me but think about it for you, besides the Memory Stick that cames with the product It's only 16 Mb (only about 12 pics on Max resolution, wich is the idea to use all resolution, If is not, what is the point to get a 4 Mega pixel camera??) I suggest you to buy also a "Sony MSA128A 128 MB Memory Stick" for about $50 and the "SanDisk SDDR-97-A15 MS reader" for $15, and you'll see that you have a good camera team for a very good price, I already buy here on amazon all the things than on my review suggest for every one, and I'm happy with them
What a great camera. I had zero interest in a digital camera. My old pentax was just fine. Then my daughter bought a p41 then my other daughter bought one. I was impressed. I was hooked. I bought one while going them one better. I bought mine at Amazon.com and saved $30. Enough of that. Mere words cannot describe my satisfaction with this camera. This camera produces pictures that leap out to you with realism and vibrant colors.  It captures every minute detail be it vista or portrait. That it fits in your pocket doesn't hurt either. The P41 is a fun camera with just enough bells and whistles to satisfy the above average photo-nut.Wil Janson
It's a decent camera for the time it was made, but if you don't take a picture with the flash, or on the surface of the sun, it will not have enough light and will be blurry.  I need to find one with more resolution and more sensitivity in normal light conditions.
This camera is by far the best camera I have had.  I cannot speak for those wanting to take complex shots.  I have only used a couple of the specialized modes very rarely, such as black & white.From those who want a great snapshot camera for the money, this is it.  The camera has been in service for about a year now with no problems.  The camera's computer seems to get the autofocus and light levels right just about every time.  Buttons and camera menus are thoughtfully laid out and relatively easy to use.  Some of the hieroglyphics that are used to describe some of the advanced functions are confusing.  Otherwise, I was able to use the camera without reading the instruction booklet.Battery life is exceptional.  I can take about 150 photos with flash and have the LCD screen active.  Switching batteries and SD cards is easy.  The access door on the bottom serves both.The included PC software works relatively well.  The Zoombrowser software lets you page through all photos on the memory card and download only the ones you would like.  The only drawback is that with the larger memory cards, it does take about 60 seconds to show all the photos as thumbnails.  This is not a big problem though.  It is the exact time I need to mix myself a drink...I would recommend getting a 256 or 512kb memory card.  The SD card that is included is small.  I would also suggest users buy an additional battery.  You don't want to be in the middle of a party and be required to charge the battery.  The secondary battery will sit on the shelf for about a month or two before losing its charge.  I purchased an aftermarket battery for about half the cost of the Canon battery.  It seems to have the same performance as the OEM battery.  You may wish to buy the Canon case to preserve the camera's good looks.  I bought the Canon leather case for about $10 from Amazon.Overall, the camera's logical design and small package make it a great choice for snapshot use.
This is a great camera at twice the price. But at this discount, it's unbelievable. I'd been wanting to buy a Canon Digital Elph for a while now to replace my 2MP Fuji, and I'm glad I waited and got this one! Great auto mode for those shooters who want simplicity, and also versatile manual features for photogs who need more control. The best part is how compact and sturdy it is, so you can take it with you everywhere, everyday, because you just never know when a good photo op may present itself. I can't even say how often I found myself camera-less when I saw a potentially great picture op in front of me because I never liked carrying around my old digicam. But now, with the SD110 strapped to my belt or in my backpack, I'm ready to shoot at a moment's notice. Piece of advice on a carrying case: Do NOT buy the leather sheath offered, it sucks. Instead I bought a $15 Lowepro case at Best Buy specifically designed for the Digital Elphs... The camera fits just right, and the case has a pocket for an extra battery or SD card. Enjoy!
I purchased this as a secondary camera to carry in my purse or briefcase.  My first camera is a Canon EOS 10D and since my printers are all Canon I figured this would be a good compliment to my existing hardware.  For the price it's a great compact unit.  Controls are easy to use, read and I can confidentally give it my nephews or strangers and now that they all they need to do is aim and press the button for a decent shot.  Battery life has been good and I've yet to run out of battery before I ran out of shooting time.The not-so-good things:  it's so small that larger hands (mine are small) might have problems with the controls, there is a small delay between pushing the button and the shutter action.  This means that action shots will be blurry and you'll need to anticipate if your subject is moving.  I had heard from others that this is common in lower priced cameras and was a bit disappointed to see the blurry results especially with babies who are in constant motion.Overall, it's a great value for the price but be aware of its shortcomings.
This camera is awesome.  A lot of bang for the price.  This little beauty is just slightly larger than my cell phone, and since I don't like to carry large purses, it fits neatly in mine.  The pictures are beautiful, I had no problem with the included software, and compared to my old camera (4 years old, RIP) it downloads it's pictures in a snap instead of an hour.  I was a little confused by the camera's functions and menus, but that is because I never read instructions, so my shortcoming, not the camera's.  I definitely recommend this sweet little camera with the big roar!
Ditto what everyone's written about the SD110's portability, image quality and attractive design. I am a Canon fan (use a S45) and bought this camera from Amazon.com as a Christmas present for my sister. She's used it for about three weeks and is over in DC. Today, she called and let me the know the camera "froze" all of a sudden. She was taking pictures indoors with a freshly charged battery. The camera turned itself off for no apparent reason, then restarted only to freeze up again in mid-start operation. The zoom lens extended about halfway and the SD110 just went dead. I suggested that she get a new battery and try again, but after a $60 battery purchase at a nearby Ritz Camera, nothing changed.She's already contacted Canon (Saturday afternoon) and they couldn't troubleshoot this issue over the phone so asked her to mail the camera in with the warranty materials to have it fixed under warranty. (It's a one year limited warranty.) Takes about 7-14 days to repair and they'll mail it back 2-day express, on them.Other than this incident, which seems to be rather isolated because I couldn't find other reports of similar issues with the SD110, we were pretty satisfied with the SD110 purchase. I would have rated the SD110 with higher (stars) marks, but it's difficult to rate highly a defective unit... Canon fan or otherwise!
Compared to Nikon Coolpix 3200, Minolta Dimage series, untested new models from Fuji. Budget = $(price).At $(price), the closest competitors were the larger 4-AA battery A series from Canon and two models from Sony: one old, one new. I was leaning toward Sony until I priced their memory.The SD110 had everything I wanted: steel body, small size, fairly affordable media, optical zoom, video w/sound, TV out.Why four stars and not five? Two reasons: SD memory is expensive compared to CompactFlash and the battery is proprietary (not purchasable at a corner store).Why not the S400? It was fourty dollars more and thus over budget. I figure last year's top-quality camera is still okay.SD is still cheaper than Sony Memory Stick and smaller. Price 'em out and you'll see any benefits from Sony are dampened by high memory costs. Further, MMC cards will fit in the SD110 and work fine, so if you see a closeout on MMC 128 MB (the largest size in MMC) you're free to buy that too. And generic batteries on Ebay are plenty cheap.This camera rules for so many reasons. Read the S100's review at Cnet.com and add the new printer standards like PictBridge.UPDATE: I bought the Canon i560 PictBridge-compatible printer and tried the technology for the first time. Results? Eh, middlin'. I didn't have the opportunity to edit the picture or change the advanced printer settings. Today, it's easier to put the image on your PC and print from there.However, in the future, I could see PictBridge becoming a retail kiosk standard, where you could print pictures by plugging in your camera. This beats plugging in your memory card to the Sam's Club computer, because such cards could easily contain virus proggies, which I bet companies have developed PictBridge to help avoid...
I got this camera as a gift, and I must say I'm very, very happy with it.  It takes wonderful images -- especially for a 3.2MP (which is quickly becoming bottom of the line).  I keep a Flickr album that is populated exclusively with images from this camera, and you are welcome to see them here: [[...]The unit is a very convenient palm-size style that's easy to tote around in one hand, and the battery has pretty good power.  I can take 120-150 pictures (depending on the flash) before it dies on me and requires recharging.If I were forced to make a complaint or two, it would be that (a). this does not come with a case and (b). the zoom isn't very powerful.  It's all but useless except for the macro mode and for helping frame shots,  but all in all, this is a superlative model for an amateur photographer.
As many others have already pointed out, this camera (SD110) has a paint defect!  The US Canon web site acknowledges the issue and says it's "extremely rare".  That seems inaccurate because I have 2 friends who have the same camera and they also told me that the paint on the body started to wear away after the first month of usage!One friend did send hers in and got new (darker) paint on it.I'm planning to send mine in as well but can't right now because I'm in Korea!Beware!  This camera has a paint defect!  After the first few months of usage, it will look like it's been in use for several years!  And it will be embarrassing to be seen with it as people judge your character based on how you've taken care of the camera!In general, takes good pictures.  But I've seen better outdoor shots on my previous Kodak models.  If you have the money, get the Canon SD400!  Awesome camera with great clean images!
Ive had my camera for over 6 months now, i take it everywhere.  its small and light and functional.  I just throw it in my bag or pocket and take pictures of everyone and everything.  im the resident camera taker of my group of friends.i only wish it had greater optical zoom, becuz who needs digital when u can crop on your computer.  all in all...great camera.
If you're looking for a ultra-compact camera that you can carry around with you everywhere, than this is your camera.It's the smallest camera with optical zoom in the market.It's also very light weight but yet so strong built.....plus it looks great but most importantly, it takes GREAT pictures.LCD is bright & big enough for most people.You can't go wrong with the Canon PowerShot SD110.
It's amazing that having the SD200 wich is great, they where able to make such a horrible product.The picures are bad, the unit works unstabel and frezed and the material are bad that makes the metal color go aways soon.
I have owned my Canon SD 110 for a little over a year.  I immediately bought a 1GB memory card and 2 extra battery packs and took it to Europe.  I keep the camera set to maximum resolution and the memory card will let me take over 600 pictures and many 3 minute long movies.  I had been a die-hard traditional 35 mm camera user so that I had the ability to manually focus, but I have never looked back since buying this camera.I use it with iPhoto on my iMac and I put together great slide shows to music to show other people.  The photos look great on the computer.  I don't print often, but when I do, the photos look great too.The only complaint I have is the silver finish started coming off right away.  I got such a great price on the camera, that it doesn't matter that much to me.  I also got a cute little Coach case with it and keep it in it pretty much all the time.
I had this camera for 3 years until I had to send it back to Canon for a manufacturer repair of a known defect at no charge. However, it's past its prime compared to current models that offer 10MP or more, better AiAF,larger LCD screen, more lighting options, and image stabilizer and facial smile recognition. I am therefore buying the Canon SD1200 as a replacement, can't wait!
The SD110 is identical to the older SD100 model in every aspect, both technical specs and picture quality, except the SD110 model comes with the new PictBridge button, which gives you one-button printing to PictBridge-compatible photo printers.  It's convenient if you never post-process your digital images, but I think most of us do perform some kind of enhancements like contrast adjustment and cropping.  So it's better if you get the SD100 model for a lot less.I don't like the 2x optical zoom.  Everyone else is doing 3x, why is Canon still giving us 2x on ultra-compacts?
This is a great little camera.  It is my first digital, and I love it!  I was a little worried about buying it after reading some of the reviews, but I have had no problems with it so far.  I have even dropped it twice (bad me!) but it still works great.  The first time I dropped it the battery pack came loose, so it didn't turn on until I figured that out.  Small moment of panic!  The photos are quite good depending on the settings you choose.  I first went for the smallest size and compression (640x480 and Normal which allows for 126 pictures with the included 16MB SD card), but found the pictures a little blurry on my PC.  Right now my camera is set on Fine compression and small size (which allows for 80 pictures) and I find that the resolution on my PC is clearer.  The camera easy to use, and the manuel is pretty straightforward.  The best part is that I didn't even need to install anything on my computer to download the pictures from the camera since Windows XP does that automatically.  I just plug in the cables and off we go.  Also, it is nice and small so it can fit in a purse or pocket no problem.  But I recommend getting a case for it.  It is a little heavier than I expected, but not ridiculously so.  Also, you have to hold the power button down for a few seconds for the camera to turn on.  The price is definitely attractive!  It is a $400 camera for less than half!  Don't hesitate.  If you are considering buying a digital camera, you won't be disappointed with the SD110.
I bought this camera summer of 2005 when I was working in London after my old camera died (completely) while I was in Rome. Overall, I really haven't had any problems with the camera that I wouldn't expect from a less than $200 camera.The paint is very worn and looks likes I've been through war with it but the picture quality hasn't changed. As with any point and shoot, don't expect museum quality prints. Beware of low light situations. Even if you think the lighting is pretty good, my camera always wants to use the flash so when I turn it off, half the time the shots come out blurry. Also, randomly the shots would come off blurry in perfect conditions. Only happened a two-three times now, but very disappointing because of that.On the feature side, it's not too shabby. The Manual Mode is OK, but the highest ISO is only 400.I would recommend this with reservations. I run a small printing company so we have digital SLR's I take sometime so when comparing them it is night and day. Go for the SLR if you can, but this isn't bad either, especially if you are on budget. I got a 512 card and I highly recommend it! Also, the battery holds a pretty good charge so that is perk.
After much consulting with my camera expert friend, I bought this camera. And after help from the camera guy in Target. I liked the Movie Mode with sound and picture quality... but I RETURNED THE CAMERA. I did not like how it zoomed. It only had a 2x zoom. I wanted more- so I got more for cheaper!
I won't give this camera five stars because that would reflect perfection and that just does not exist.  So I'll give it four stars with major prejudice toward the fifth.  I generally shoot video, but really hate those camcorder/camera combinations.  If you want to shoot video, get a camcorder. If you want to shoot stills, get a camera.  So that is what I did. This unit is exceptional. I mean exceptional in every way. Clean, well designed, simply to use, and it offers manual controls that allow the artistic side in all of us.  I hear complaint about the zoom. Granted, you might be a sports or nature photographer and need a long lens, but most of us folk can simply move closer for some tight framing.  I also purchased the underwater case and was really impressed with that unit. Fits the camera like a glove, plus give you access to all controls. I'm using it when I shoot in very bad weather.  Get this camera. lt don't buy the AC power adapter. Amazon's web site stated it would work on the SD110 but it does not. I had to return it.
The best & the smallest budget camera for point & shoot today. bought it in nov '04 from amazon, loved it since then. 2x zoom may seem less, but i think its fine for everyday use. The pictures always come out sharp & crisp, even under low lighting. Infact i've dropped it twice & nothing happened !! except for a few scratches on its case. Had it been made of plastic, it surely would not have survived. the aluminium casing is a big plus. people go GAGA over it whenever someone sees it for the first time. Its samller than a pack of cigarettes. At the price which its selling right now... don't think anyother camera can beat it in convineance & style.
The Canon SD110 has exceeded my expectations.  I needed a simple point and shoot camera, and it offers just that.  It offers a variety of functions that are easy to use, and make for much more interesting pictures.Great Camera.  I highly recommend for the person who needs a simple.  Great battery life and software for the computer.Some drawbacks are...... delayed shoot time, takes a second to actually take a picture, and shutter speed can only be set at 50, no faster.... blurred pictures when not using flash.  This is self explanatory, but other cameras adjust shutter speed to take faster so the shot doesn't blur, the SD 110 doesn't seem to do that.
This little camera takes incredibly good pictures, very nice colors and excelent size. functionality is friendly user, and the features are very good. however its sad to say that customer support is not what I expected of Canon, my camera's metal case (2 months old) has started to deteriorate in a great matter. I took it to a cannon representative and they said that Canon would only replace the case but not the camera. considering that this is a new camera and that this is a known quality problem for them I think that they could of done better and replace the unit. if you are considering buying this device take in consideration that Canon has recently discontinued this unit due to quality issues.
If you're not frequently taking pictures of your friends, family and life's minor events... If you wish you had lots of pictures of people through the years, but you don't... It may not be all your fault!  It could just be that your current camera is too big!Even a relatively compact digital camera gets left home when you're heading out for some frisbee in a t-shirt and shorts.  And forget it if you're going to a formal event and that little black purse of yours barely holds your driver's license, some cash and a Chapstick!If you want to take more pictures of your life, get a digital Elph.In the days when I could not carry my camera in my pocket, I would not bring a camera to most "events".  I eventually realized that I had hardly any pictures of the people, informal events and  spontaneous moments that make up most of my life.Oh, I had a great SLR camera.  And I took some great shots of Diamond Head and Big Ben!  But I almost always made a conscious decision to leave that camera home when I was just going out with friends or just plain didn't feel like carrying it (e.g.  at football games, casual parties, birthday dinners with friends, camping, etc.)  In other words, camera size dictated -- in advance -- that none of those moments were going to be photographed!Enter the Elph.  I received an APS Elph and all that changed.  Even with its leather "case" (it was more like a sleeve), the Elph fit in my pocket.  My coat pocket.  My shirt pocket!  Even my front jeans pocket!These Elph cameras are literally the size of a pack of smokes.Now I have an SD110 digital Elph.  It lives in my coat pocket.  I take pictures of things without any internal debates (e.g. Should I bring the camera?  Is this worth a photo?  How many pictures are left on the roll?  Blah, blah blah.).  Now, I just take the picture!  If I want to keep it, I keep it.  If I don't, I delete it.  If I want to print it, I print it.  If I want to send it via email, I send it.For me, it was all about the size.  As such, the Elph was the perfect choice.The other reviewers have covered eveything, but I'll add a few comments just to back them up.As for specs, the 3.2 megapixel, 2x optical zoom is just fine for the casual shutter-bug.  That made the SD110 a good choice for me because it was adequate and still relatively inexpensive.  The resolution is photo quality and that's all I need. As for the 2x instead of 3x optical zoom, if I want to zoom closer, I use my anatomical zoom (i.e. I step closer to my subject).  But if that's not good enough for you, there are Elphs galore to meet your needs.An Elph is small, right?, so it doesn't take regular batteries.  That means you can't run to the store for batteries if it goes dead.  All I'm saying is that, unlike cameras that use, say, AA rechargable batteries and, therefore, regular batteries in a pinch, the Elph requires some forethought.  I.e., if you're traveling or you think your battery is not going to make it through that all-day event, plan ahead.  Maybe get a second battery and/or throw the charger in the car and/or get a car charger, etc.  After market accessories are available and are a lot cheaper than the Canon's.The Elphs take great pictures, have great automatic features and plenty of manual options if you're so inclined.The $5 leather case (amazon.com) meant for the APS Elph will do just fine.  It doesn't fit like a glove, but it's only $5!As with any camera, forget the 16MB card.  Plan on getting a 256MB (on the web, they can be had for as little as $20 with some rebates).  256MB will seem like more than you'll ever use!I also recommend that you get a card reader eventually (around $20).  That way, you can download, edit, and upload back to the card (for that trip to the store for prints) without hooking the camera up to the PC.The included ZoomBrowser software seems more cumbersome than other software I already have, but it works.Good luck!
1. hard to hold.2. not easy to operatewhen you go out with this camera, bring your user manual with you.3. software is not user friendly. also cause lot of resources4. The small battery even doesn't hold enough power to finish the 32M disk. Canon wants to sell batteries to you.5. picture quality is not better than other cameras within same price range.6. small and slow lens
Can you get a better camera than this one?  For real.Is that camera going to cost you more? For real.Is the cost difference woth the extra cash?  Not for me.It's small enough to fit in your pocket and takes good pics.  It's probably not enough for the pros or anything, but I don't think the pros were looking at this camera in the first place.
I wanted to get a smaller digital camera than my Pentax D380 (great camera but not pocket size).  BUT I did not want to spend big bucks.  I actually bought a smaller Pentax but returned it - you get what you pay for and it was too cheap.  I jumped on amazon and read the reviews for the Canon SD110.  So I dove in and bought it.  In my experience, it is the best value and has the most features of any camera in its class.  If you are just point and shoot and develop 4X6 prints, this is it.I also bought a 256 card and a back up battery.  The card included is a joke - holds about 15 pics.  Small warning:  the camera has no continual battery power indicator light - when low it just suddenly flashes a red battery icon at which point you have about 5 pics left - then it goes dead.  Just keep a back up handy.I love this camera.  Amazon was great - shipped it fast, free and gave me the best price.
camera is heavy.  after one year the screen was broken.  canon brand is trash.
I just love this camera!  It's small, easy to use, and it takes fantastic pictures.  At the price amazon is offering it, you literally can't afford NOT to buy it.  I have friends with similar versions of this camera and they swear by it as well.Memory cards are really cheap right now-I personally bought a 128mb, which in my opinion is plenty (will hold over 100 pictures.)  I also bought the leather case and it fits the camera snugly.  Others have complained that it's TOO small because it won't hold anything else (extra cards, batteries, etc.) but why purchase a small camera if you're going to carry it around in a giant bag with a bunch of stuff?  This case is good to have to protect it from being damaged in whatever bag/pocket you carry the camera around in...and it too is cheap.
I bought this camera to supplement a larger and more capable digital camera (a Minolta Z2).  The SD110 fits easily in a pocket, so I find I take it with me much of the time.  At first I took it using the theory that ANY camera you have with you when you need one is better than the finest camera you don't have with you.  But the image quality turned out to be so good that I now use this camera more than the Minolta.  In side-by-side comparisons of 8x10 prints from the two cameras you can't tell which one took any given picture (though the SD110 is 3 megapixels and the Z2 is 4 megapixels).  Both produce very good results.The video capability is impressive -- 640x480 pixels at 30 fps, with sound.  That used to be available only in larger and more expensive cameras.Be aware of the limitations before you buy:  only a 2X optical zoom, and a flash of somewhat limited strength.  If you need significantly more zoom or flash, you will be happier with something else (though it may be bigger and will certainly be more expensive).  The SD110 offers a nice combination of price, image quality, and pocketable size.
The body was pitted within one year.  Within 18 months it stopped working.  A waste of money.
I bought this camera in 2005 for a trip to London. Sadly, the first time I tried to use it was there and something failed, so I had to buy disposable cameras the rest of the trip. However, I was able to exchange it when I returned and the replacement I was sent worked very well and lasted a long time. The finish did wear off in a strange way, but it took very good photos.
I was amazed at the features in this camera for this very low price. The pictures come out flawless even low resolutions. There are so many variables which you can adjust for taking that perfect photo. While it is very easy to use for the novice photographer, it is still going to take a year to go through the manual because of the endless features integrated into this unit. Canon gets an A+ for this one!
I honestly don't see why people would give this camera less than 4 stars. The moment I got it, I was delighted with the quality of the pictures (except in very dark places - which is why the review gets minus 1 star), and by its portability.I've dropped it, abused it, took it to countless parties, countries and it is now FULL of scratches and bumps (GET THE CAMERA CASE!), and guess what: it still works as perfectly as the first day I got it. This little piece of technology is amazing, so if you're looking for something affordable and with a great picture quality (for us amateurs, of course) just go for it. ACtually, I even took quite a few gorgeous pictures with it. I even love it and rely on it so much that I won't change it even now that it looks all messed up.Don't think twice. Just go for it.
I have used this camera now for over 2 years and have literally taken thousands of pictures. This camera combines excellent quality, small size, ease of use and affordability into one fine product.Picture quality is great. Very intuitive. I skimmed the instructions for about 2 seconds and started taking pics. The Canon photo software is very good. I alternate between using it and Microsoft Picture software.One thing I find really enjoyable is the movie mode. I assumed it would be horrible, but you get decent video and audio. With my 1gig card, I get about 3 minutes, which is plenty for shooting your pets doing something priceless or to document something. I have a Camcorder, but who wants to lug that around when this fits into your shirt pocket, or attaches to your belt using the optional leather case?Two years of reliable use, having been dropped a few times in the process. The rechargable battery still holds a good charge, and generic replacements are readily available on a popular auction site for next to nothing. The 1 gig SD card I use was literally free at one of the electronic big box guys over the holidays, and holds tons of photos. In practice, I usually downloaded 10-20 at a time just for ease of managemnt, so even my previous 256k card was more than enough.Size was a big factor in my decision to purchase. Smaller is better when you have a lot of other things to lug around. This stows easily in a pocket of my laptop carrying case, or as I said earlier, in a pocket. My previous camera was too big and I found I used it a lot less for that reason.2007 UPDATE: LCD/Sensor failed. I did some research and discovered that Canon was fixing this for free REGARDLESS of warranty expiration date. I sent it to them with the form from their website, and had my camera back and working perfectly about 10 days later! Thanks, Canon, for standing behind your product!
OK, so the camera's probably pretty good, but I wouldn't know.  My daughter saved for a YEAR to buy this cute little guy, and within three weeks it was on its way to the shop.It wasn't really the fault of the camera--it was the fault of the lousy case Canon's marketing to go along WITH the camera.  DO NOT buy the soft leather case--virtually ANYTHING else you can pick up at Wal-Mart (including a folded sheet of Bounty) will protect the camera just as well or better.There is NO point to a stainless-steel bodied camera, in terms of durability, unless that LCD screen is protected as well.  In our case, the camera was in its case, in her purse, before she brought it to me, in tears, with the LCD cracked internally.Of course, this is NOT covered under Canon's warranty (and it's a good reason to buy from another dealer offering an extended warranty that DOES cover accidental damage), and you need to be aware that repairs do not come cheap:  I was quoted a price of $100, plus shipping and handling, and the number rose to $150 once the factory service center had the camera in hand.  (This was a flat rate for an LCD repair on the SD110;  it's not like they determined that there was something else wrong with the camera!) This is just unfair and dishonest business practice, in my opinion, and you may want to reconsider buying a Canon camera on account of it.  Heck, given the price of a brand-new SD110 is about $180, it made ME reconsider having the repair done!Anyway, Canon's reputation for producing a nice camera is one thing, but DO NOT buy their case, and pray fervently that you won't need their service!
I bought not only one but a few of this camera and gave it as gifts. It is easy to use and fast. Just buy it for the price, you will not regret.
I just got this camera, and I am astounded that something this small could take such great pictures.  After reading countless reviews for various cameras (only seriously considering Canon), I came to the conclusion that the most important feature was portability.  What good is a camera that's too clunky to take with you?  And the SD-110 is about as small as digital cameras get.  It is also very easy to use, I have yet to read the documentation, and this was my first digital camera.  We were just looking for a simple snapshot camera, and this is perfect for us.  And the low price makes this a true bargain, especially for a quality Canon camera.In my case, I took advantage of the $70 rebate and picked up a Canon PIXMA IP3000 photo printer.  I already had an HP printer that could do photos, but after the rebate the Canon printer was around $25... the ink is worth more than that, so the printer was basically free.  I decided to get it as a dedicated photo printer, printing directly from the camera without constantly downloading photos to my PC.  It's extremely easy this way, and I don't have to swap cables or change paper (I just leave photo paper loaded all the time).  And the print quality is perfect, far better than I expected from a free printer.  Another plus: ink for Canon printers is much cheaper than HP ink.So with the photo printer, a case, and a Kingston 256MB memory card, the grand total for the purchase (after the rebate) was a little over $200.  That's a deal that's pretty hard to beat.
I've had this camera for about a month, and I carry it with me everywhere. My purpose for buying it was so that I could always keep a small camera clipped to my belt to take pictures of the many "cute" moments my toddler spontaneously created. In doing this, I have found that this camera can take great pictures.Keep in mind that any piece of technology is meant to meet a fairly narrow set of needs, but for me this camera is perfect. I don't print snapshots at a size larger than 5 by 7; I don't expect people who look at them to pore over them with a magnifying glass; I am not at all interested in using this camera for professional purposes; and I am by no means a professional photographer.That said, let me tell you what I love about this camera: It is extremely well-built, and is far more substantial than you would expect given its diminuative size. It has a good battery that will easily last you through even a long vacation without needing to be recharged. It is so portable that I need never be without it; this is a huge plus, considering that I am mostly interested in candid shots of my family and friends. The controls are intuitive and easy to understand. It comes with a great manual that explains everything. I have generally found this to be the case with Canon's products, and this camera is no exception.Well, what's wrong with it? It should be taken as a given that the memory cards that come with these cameras are useless. I knew this up front, and bought a 256 meg card that says it will hold 270 pictures at max resolution (nice). The 2x optical zoom is limiting, but it suits my purposes fine. If you really feel like you need more than this, you'll pay a lot more for it in a camera of this quality. About 1 in 3 portrait shots has some red-eye, even with the red-eye reduction flash on. This tends to be a pretty standard complaint for tiny cameras, so I view it as a trade-off for its portability.This one will likely be discontinued as soon as they sell out of their present stock, so if you think it meets your needs then by all means buy it. It's a great little point and shoot camera.
I bought this camera for my daughter about a year ago. We did quite a lot of research before making our minds up. She wanted a  small camera that would be easy to use, that had a digital LCD screen, optical zoom, some manual features, and of course, that would take good pictures. But, needless to say, and specially being for a girl, good looks ARE important. Cosmetic appearence is one of the most important features of this little modern digital cameras.Well, this beautiful little camera had it all, and besides that, it is a Canon! Good camera guarantee!The camera does work well, it takes good, clear pictures, specially in good lighting conditions, like most of the digital cameras in this price range. It does offer different creative possibilities given it has some manual control options. It is very small and fits in your shirt pocket or a small purse. No complaints in its overall performance.My daughter was really pleased with her new camera and very proud of its good looks, which were complimented by her family and friends.But this did'nt last long. Less than a month after we bought it, dark spots began to appear everywhere in the camera body. My daughter was afraid that she was keeping the camera in the wrong place (she keeps it in a dry drawer inside a leather Canon soft case), or miscaring for it in someway. The spots began to grow more all over the camera day by day. So I wrote to Amazon and they said I had to direct my inquiry to the manufacturer, which I did'nt knowing this would'nt solve anything.Later I found out, by reading other costumers' reviews, that what really happens is that the finish in the camera shell rubs off. I  just read that this also happens to the SD100. So, beware. If you are into buying any Canon of the Digital Elph series, check thorougly and see if there are no complaints in that sense. Costumer reviews at Amazon are very useful for this research. These Canons are very beautiful and more expensive than the Canon "A" series. This is because of their smaller size and metal (not plastic) outer shell. This means you are paying more for cosmetic features that are going to wash off later!!We decided to keep the camera and try to sell it at some cheap price and buy another one. But we have'nt been able to sell it because everybody says it looks like it's 50 years old. Well, I have SLR cameras, that belonged to my dad, which are 50 years old or more, and they don't look remotely like this one. Like another reviewer very appropiately said: "It looks like I've been through war with it". It is embarassing to offer it for sale. It looks as  if it was washed with paint remover or some kind of acid.One reviewer said: "That does'nt matter much to me". Lucky him. It does very much matter to me. And I think to most of the people who are paying good money (not cheap either) for this "little jewel" that at the end comes to be a big dissappointment.
I am happy with this camera; however, I would point out a couple of things that might make this a deal-breaker for some:1.  I like the date on the front of my photographs.  This is only possible w/ this camera if you print your photos at home or use the software to manually add the date on each individual photo.  Then you have to save your changes.  I have my photos printed at wal-mart, so this is a huge pain.2.  The ZoomBrowser software that comes w/ the camera is not too exciting.I think the camera is overall good, but I can't believe they dropped the ball when it comes to the date function.
I've chose this camera over Pentax Optio S4, Minolta Xg, and I've tried SD100 as well. Both Minolta and Pentax had better specs (x3 Zoom, 4Mp), however SD110 ends up making better pictures, and with no effort what so ever.It is, probably, one of the easiest cameras to use. Automatic settings work perfect in almost all the cases. If you'd want to get comparable picture quality from other cameras you'll have to fiddle with manual controls for a few minutes, otherwise you get 4Mp worth of crap (and with high zoom factor as well).Manual mode is rather simple, although lets you take good night shots (up to 15 sec. exposures). Macro mode is not as great as in other cameras, though.Start up time is fast enough. Zoom is fast and very easy to control. Other controls are also well placed. One feature I particularly like is that it has separate "Func" and "Menu" buttons. "Menu" has basic camera settings, which are not used very often, and the "Func" menu contains all the picture settings, such as exposure compensation, ISO mode, compression quality, resolution, etc. It makes it much easier to find and change the settings you really need. The only thing I find inconvenient is the lack of a separate "quick view" button. It is necessary to use the mode selector instead.Movie mode could be better too. Zoom and exposure are fixed the same moment you start shooting, so you do not have the same flexibility as a regular video camera (or Minolta Xg) has. At 640x480 resolution, max you can get is 30 sec at 15 fps, which makes this mode pretty much useless. The 320x240 mode is more practical in this sense. And the in-camera movie editing can help save some storage space when you need it.As for the lens, you do get some purple fringing in rare cases. Vignetting is lower than in other ultra-compacts. Auto focus and resolution are also pretty good compared to the competition. I guess Canon decided to go a different way than the competition. They traded off zoom ratio instead of picture quality for the compactness.To put it all together. If you want fast and easy to use point-and-shoot camera that takes great pictures as well, there is nothing better to choose from. Even considering all its weak points, it is still the best camera there is in its market segment.I regret that I didn't get an SD100 for $60 less, though. Since I print all my pictures at Costco anyways, and do not need the stupid PictBridge button.
I just purchased this camera from my local camera retailer (cheaper than Amazon.com, if you can believe it!) after debating on the wisdom of forking over my money for this little machine.  I have a fabulous Fujifilm S3000 digicam with a lot of zoom and great picture taking capibility, but I found I needed a smaller camera to carry around for those times when the S3000 would be too much of a hassle to haul places.  That said, I knew deep down that I was pretty much set on the Canon PowerShot SD110 just because it was so darn cute.  It's tiny, smaller than the Elph that a friend of mine bought last year, and can easily fit into the smallest of my purses without taking up much room at all.  The size alone was what had initially sold me on it, and the fact that it has a good reputation for being a decent digicam (for reference, it's smaller than the average pack of cigarettes and more compact than some cell phones).The biggest detractor for this camera is the optical zoom, however.  It's just not as much as I would prefer, but that's a personal thing and others may find it works well for their needs.  Since I have the larger Fujifilm camera to fill in for those times when I need a lot of optical zoom, the SD110 is perfect for just about any other situation.  I also like the fact that it takes video with sound, the first of all of my digicams to offer audio recording.The 3.2 MP is more than enough for quality photos, and I'm quite satisfied with the resolution.  The flash seems a little harsh, but just a bit so.  I like the fact that opperates on a rechargable battery, although this may present problems if you run out of juice somewhere where it's not possible to plug in the charger (camping trips, foreign countries, etc).  In that case, it's wise to bring around a full charged back up battery.I also bought a Lexar MMC/SD Reader and 256 MB memory card while at the store.  The reader plugs into my computer via the USB port and the memory card is removed from the camera and inserted into the reader, which then uploads the photos.  It's good to avoid draining the battery by directly hooking up the camera to the computer, although it's obviously not necessary if you don't wish to purchase it at an additional cost.
I own three digital cameras and a pricy SLR and the Canon SD110 has made all the others obsolete.  This camera changed my photo-taking behavior and excitement, and now I always carry it in my bag or pocket.  First, you should know Canon and Nikon make the best digital cameras - primarily because they were smart in outsourcing electronics to the best Chinese component manufacturers (Flextronics, Celestica) and used their own industry-leading optical lenses.  I prefer Canon because of ease of use (both camera and downloading to PC), braoder range of sophisticated features, rock solid reliability, accessories (you must get the cute leather case... all your friends will ask!), and the cameras just *look* and *feel* infinitely cooler.The SD110 is a small, powerful, high performer even among its Canon peers.  Though I provide a balanced view below, as a connoisseur of every new technology out there for cameras, I can attest this little machine boasts a ton of horsepower.The Pros include:1. Great pictures (up to 8"x10")- balanced color resolution (thanks to the Digic processor)- outside pictures are brilliant, inside pictures come out fine, though the flash is a bit strong to compensate- nice redeye reduction, but this does delay the picture by a half second or so- photo zoom mode, so you can zoom into part of a picture (or "move around" the picture) to check clarity, color, etc. immediately after taking the shot2. Customizable features on par with top-line cameras- all the same features of my Canon Rebel 2000 SLR and 3x more expensive Powershot G5. Landscape, portrait, moving images,- color schemes are better and broader than Nikon, Sony, and Olympus: black & white, sepia, neutral, vivid, etc.3. Ease of use- simple menu structure, no complicated buttons- delete bad pictures with ease, effectively increasing your total photo capacity- photo inventory mode (advancement from earlier Canon models) that lets you look at 8-12 pictures simultaneously and flip quickly through memory by screen shots rather than one picture at a time (critical for memory cards over 64MB)- "smart" download to Canon Zoombrowser (software that comes with the camera) - just plug in and it automatically downloads- Zoombrowser software (new version) is clearly superior to earlier generations, and I did not need to buy Photoshop (other camera brands come with a poor software interface so you need to spend an add'l $80-100 on photo editing software)4. Physical attributes- compact and lighter than even the S300/400/500 series, fits in your pocket or purse easily- SD card is wafer thin and cheaper than compactflash (which most other cameras use)- nice silver/chrome metal finish that catches the eye- solid rechargable battery (can take 80-100 pictures using the LCD screen) before next recharge- recharger is small and very cool: battery slips into the bay, and the unit goes right into the wall socket- one touch on-off (does NOT turn on-off by accident as some other cameras do)The Cons (none of these are deal-breakers):1. optical zoom (2x) could be more powerful but digital zoom does a decent job compensating (G5 and SLRs are superior here)2. shutter speed can be improved: 1.0 second to take pictures (vs. 0.2sec for SLR, 0.5sec for G5), and then you can adjust how long the camera holds the LCD image for you to see3. Included memory card (16MB) is useless.  Think of this as a "practice starter"; you will want at least a 128MB SD (120 pix) or 256MB SD (245 pix) memory cards - both cheap and under $30 extra.  Picture counts are estimated and at high resolutionYou will not regret buying this camera.  Simply amazing how much this has changed my picture taking behavior.
I really can't say enough about this little camera.  I've had a bunch of different digicams -- from a high-powered Olympus to a compact Fuji to a larger Canon -- and none add up to the quality and convenience of the SD110.  For less than $200, I got a 3 megapixel camera that shoots beautiful shots.  The added bonus?  Its size.  It has a rectangular shape, different from many cameras which have odd parts that stick out.  In this respect, it's perfect for traveling as it can easily fit in your pocket or tote bag.  About the only drawback is its minimal 2X optical zoom, but if you're traveling, how often do you need a high powered zoom, anyway?
Now that this camera is on sale for $160, it is by far the best deal available right now. It takes amazing pictures, is easy to use and is very conveniently sized. The newer model which replaces it boasts a 1/2" bigger lcd screen and 3x optical zoom instead of 2x. It also costs $300 for these 2 extra features. Take advantage of this great deal while it lasts!
Just couldn't pass up the $150 price point and didnt mind having an extra camera to carry in my back pocket for those just in case moments.  Features surpass my Exilim S2 and image quality is crystal but best of all its Made in Japan.  Attention to quality and detail is amazing.Powerful little camera.  Seems to have many of the features of my Canon G2... Anyways you won't regret this purchase.  A+
I don't think you can buy a better digital camera for the price. I own Nikon SLRs (world's best optics), and I think this little camera has clarity very near that of my Nikons. It functions well in difficult lighting situations, has a sufficent flash and a nice-sized screen for photo viewing. My only complaints are the battery life and the size of the included memory card (16MB). The camera's small size makes it a good tag-along accessory and with the Coach case you can buy separately, it's pretty darn stylish. You can buy cameras with better resolution and a bigger zoom, but certainly not at this price.
I don't understand the review of the person below that complains about this camera. This is one of the best and easy to use. I have the S400 and got this one for my sister. This one is smaller and lighter than mine, and the quality is as good. Yes, you will need to purchase a bigger capacity SD Memory card, but now a days those are cheap. The video function is easy to use and the quality is very good. I highly recommend this camera.
Good camera of year 2005, took excellent pictures. But now we have better ones for year 2008. I recommend Canon SD-750.I bought 2 of SD-110 camera and both failed after a year of use due to some manufacturing issues. It is possible that they might have fixed this issue in the SD-100 series camera after the malfunction came to their attention. Here is what I found from canon customer support website.----This Service Notice will update Canon U.S.A., Inc.'s previous CCD Image Sensor Advisory, dated October 6, 2005.Malfunction:It has been confirmed that the connecting parts of the internal wiring of the CCD used in affected products may become disconnected, especially if the affected products are stored or used in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. If this occurs, the signal is not output from the CCD normally in Shooting Mode, which may cause a distorted image or the absence of an image. This malfunction can be confirmed on the LCD monitor screen during shooting. The same malfunction also appears on the recorded image.Canon's Response:Effective immediately, and regardless of warranty status, Canon will repair, free of charge, the products listed above exhibiting the above-mentioned malfunction if Canon determines that the malfunction is caused by the CCD image sensor. Canon will also cover the cost of shipping and handling in connection with this repair.----My old review...I gave Canon PowerShot SD110 camera to my girlfriend as a gift on her birthday. After looking at the quality of the pictures she has taken using this camera, I bought one for myself ;) No need to say she liked it for its look and everything.Highlights:- Ultracompact and Unisex Style (fits in purse or shirt pocket)- 3.2Mega-Pixel provides you the best quality pictures upto 8x10" size pictures on photo paper.- Uses Secure Digital Memory card (SD card), which is very small in size. Unlike sony's memory-stick(R), SD cards are manufactured by many, hence price cut everyday. 128MB card may hold 80 or more pictures at a time. Go for 256MB or 512MB SD cards if you need more pictures to be taken before transfering them to a CD or to your computer.- Takes movies with sound. Handy on special events and easy to transfer to computer and email it.- Rechargable battery and the charge lasts longer too. "AA" batteries can not be used with this camera. Rechagable battery usually degrades after a year or two or more. But you don't have to spend any money on batteries until that time.- 2x optical zoom is good enough for most of the purposes. This camera is not for people who carry a tripod with them.- Digital zoom: Turn them off. You can have digitally zoom any picture using computer software. More digital zoom means less picture details/quality.- DIGIC Imaging processor?!! Duh! scary words? All it means is that this camera has used new technology to make it smart, fast and high performance camera.- Value for money.- Highly recommended for those who is looking for a point & shoot type digital camera that gives good quality regular size pictures.
I just got my camera 2 days ago and am already enjoying it tremendously. It was very easy to figure out and I was able to start using it after charging the battery for a mere 90 minutes (full charge). I purchased a 512 mb SD card as the 19 mb SD card it comes with is virtually useless. the 512 card was only an extra $40 (including shipping) and available on Amazon as well (Viking).I had considered pricier, SLR-type cameras, as I was a photo major and am somewhat of a "photo snob." But I wanted a camera to use for snapshots, something portable and easy to use for nights out with friends and roadtrips, etc. This camera is perfect for snapshots and the resolution is perfect for those size prints. I can't imagine wanting to blow up any of these shots over 8X10 (I'd use my Nikon film camera for those types of shots). Can't wait to bring my SD card to make prints for the first time.This camera is an all-around great buy and I highly recommend it.
I bought this a couple months ago and am very pleased. The pictures come out great, it's easy to use, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE how small it is!! I needed something REALLY small, that I can carry around in my pocketbook, and this fits the bill. Once you see how small it is, you'll realize how BIG some of the others are, like the Kodak EasyShares. Battery life is excellent, and I know that's a HUGE problem with the EasyShares and many other cameras. I did a lot of research before buying and I'm very happy with my purchase. DEFINITELY buy a second battery, and always have it ready just in case.I haven't figured out all the manual controls yet, but I like that they're there for when I become more advanced.You won't be disappointed, I'm very picky, and it's a GREAT camera!
My friend told me to buy this item and I have to agree this is a great digital camera. Great price too.
This is one of the greatest deals in digital camera history. In fact the DX7630 is nearly flawless. Let's see: 6.1 mega pixels is far more than any other camera company can offer at a similar price, the display screen is so enormous that it makes me wonder why they even bothered with the optical viewfinder, the German lens is superb in quality, there are more picture modes than I care to remember, the camera does an excellent job of focusing in all lighting situations and at all distances, and the cherry on top is the cool audio profiles.My one complaint is that 3x optical is a little lacking in my opinion. However once I think about it, the 6.1 mega pixels allows the use of a hefty amount of digital zoom without any noticeable image distortion. So in effect, the camera has about 7-8x optical zoom do to the huge amount of pixels.This camera is by far the best value in any price range.
You will eventually want to upgrade to a higher optical zoom.  I did not realize how limiting the 3x is and then when you try to use the digital zoom the picture quality suffers...not good when you are trying to photograph children!  I got a better zoom with the regular 35mm aim and shoot cameras.  But the pictures that I do take are good...not outstanding, but good.  If you have the money to invest, I suggest going with the Kodak with the 10x zoom.  It really would be better...I wish I started off with it.  If you do buy this camera, I strongly suggest that you stay out the the "auto" focus and move on to 'scn' 'p' or 'a', you have much more control with how the pictures will be in the end.  All in all, it is worth a try just shop around for the best price...I found mine for $296.00 without having to sign up for a credit card like amazon tries to get you to do.  Also, buy the SD card and upload your pictures often.  I use the 5.4MP so it takes up more space but the picture quality is so much better...especially if you are using photo software and are cropping the pictures.
** Update - I just received my first 20x30 picture from Ophoto - It is very impressive. I took the picture hand held at 1/30 second, wide open aperture. Only slight abberation on the edges and, even at 1/30, the picture was sharp and colors true. I'm now trying pictures with a tripod to minimize any movement.****I just received this Kodak camera and took some day and night pictures. I have no problem with the resolution - the prints are more than sharp. In cloudy situations where shade is caused by green trees, I get a magenta color in shadows. This does not always happen, snd I am still trying out different situations. The auto-focus is great, time between pictures is very quick (&lt; 1.5 seconds) and the camera is light with most controls placed well. However, the dial for choosing the mode (Auto, Aperture or Shutter priority, etc.) gets a little difficult to turn at times. It could be improved.The included instruction book is OK, but I found it lacking in some of the features for the camera. For instance, to change the aperture or shutter in aperture or shutter priorty mode, you need to press the wheel in, then turn to adjust the aperture or shutter. I did not see that in the manual (if it's there, it isn't apparent).If you're looking for a more than adequate digital camera that can supply sharp enlargements ( up to 16x20 or greater ) then this is the one to buy. The lens is excellent. I especially like the ability to set the camera manually. Night time pictures were excellent. A great way to explore the world of digital photography.
I have been looking to buy a Digital Camera for the last several years. The problem always seemed to be that the Cameras I could afford/justify were usually too weak in what they offered. Poor picture quality, difficult to use, etc.Well, finally finances and timing came together and I went shopping. I tried all of the 4+ MP cameras. While many were wonderful, they all came with many features that I knew I would never use. Not for lack of interest, but more that I KNOW I am an amature and the most important thing to me was to take GOOD pictures that I can share with friends and family.Then came the Kodak DX7630. Incredibly easy to use, acessible buttons, menus and features, a huge LCD screen in the back and a whopping 6.1 Megapixels.I have had this camera a few days and like most guys with a new toy really gave it a workout. I took pics in all kinds of environments, all kinds of light conditions and I am AMAZED by the quality. Using the night portrait mode I took pictures of my Mother-in-law's outdoor garden with no ambient light beyond the moon. The pictures came out stunning, so much so that a friend of mine is using it as a background on his computer.Other shots I took indoor and out were just as crisp, just as easy. One of my biggest problems is that I have what is called familial shaking, I simply can't keep a camera perfectly still. I can't tell you how many shots were ruined with my regular camera because of that. The Kodak seems to compensate just fine. More importantly, I get to see the pic immediately and if I have a problem, I delete it and shoot again.The Easyshare does for Digital what the Instamatic did for film cameras. Puts a powerful, easy to use camera so simple that anybody can take good pictures from day 1. Now with 6.1 MP, the EasyShare is a bigger bargain than ever.
This is a wonderful camera, but, read on.Just over a year from purchasing this camera, the shutter button stopped working.  I took it to a local camera store, who would not look at it; they wanted $225 before they would touch it.  I then turned to Kodak, who wanted $135 just to look at it, or, for $199 they would take my camera and send me a "reconditioned" camera of a different model (talk about adding insult to injury; send me someone else's lemon!).  Such a deal!! So, this really beautiful camera sits in a drawer.Kodak, what happened to your quality??!!  A camera should not fail after such a short period of time.My advice, if you want to buy this camera:  get the extended warranty.
Earlier this year I began looking around for a new digital camera to replace my 4 year old, 2MP camera.  After finding this camera being offered on sale at a local retailer it was a deal that I could not pass up.  Being able to print up to 20x30 and 30x40 pictures is a big difference to the 4x6 maximum quality I was getting from my old camera.  Although the many features take some getting used to they come in handy.  They have allowed me to get the best results with pictures shot in many differnt settings.  The camera itself is small, sturdy and has easy to use buttons and dials.  Also the menu for setting camera formats and features is easy to navigate.  I have had my camera for two months now and have not had any problems with the battery latch.  I am looking forward to taking this camera on summer vacation just to see the difference in quality compared to my older pictures.  Great camera for the price.
I have owned this camera for 2 years and it needs to be replaced.  It takes nice pictures especially when you choose the scene mode which matches the photo you are taking.  The hardware easily breaks.  As indicated in other reviews, the battery latch didn't last very long before it broke off.  The rotary dial to turn the camera on is very sticky.  You really need to force it to rotate it.
I thought I was the only one, seeing I only bought the camera a few months back it pains me to have such a small thing break. I looked up the warenty, which I still have the ability to use the one year one with the product. Only trouble is they charge you a large amount just to return the camera back to you and you must mail it to them in the first place to have it repaired! Cash out for postage to them and cash out to return!! What a great warenty, not! EDIT: I think I speak for all before me that its not the battery DOOR thats our issue, its the cheap and flmsy little PLASTIC orange lock that is breaking on everyone!! Ihave contacted a few local stores and asked if they have had many issues with this problem and the answer was a clear yes. OTHERWISE this camera is the best one out there, with ease of use at the top of my applaude list!! Clear HUGE pictures are great for large prints. BTW, the Video is 10 times better then the 4mp I had before it, also a kodak. Great sound and very clear video!
I bought this camera because it offers the highest megapixel count of any camera in its price range. I've found the picture quality is quite a good - a large improvement over my previous camera - a 3 MP Kodak DX3900. Don't believe it if a salesman tells you it's not about the megapixels. Megapixel count is the single most import thing in these low end digital cameras. A high megapixel count makes the picture come out looking much clearer and more natural. It also gives you flexibility to crop and blow up a picture without visible loss of quality due to pixelization. I only wish it were 12 MPs instead of 6. I also wish the ISO could be set above 400 - but this is typical of compact digital cameras.The camera's video mode is also pretty cool. With this camera, you can shoot video continuously until the camera's memory is full. With the 1GB SD chip I bought with the camera ($65), I'm able to shoot continuous video with sound for up to 80 min. So the camera doubles as my home movie camera. The video res is only 320x240 - which, again, is typical for digital cameras. I wish it were 640x480 though - that would bring it pretty much on par with a miniDV camera. Video quality is good though, and the sound comes out well. Unfortunately, the zoom is limited in video mode. You can adjust the zoom before shooting, but once video is rolling, the zoom is stuck.The camera has plenty of manual control. The controls are easy to use once you get the hang of them. The menus don't run deep, so almost any control can be set quickly, without having to do too much navigation.All in all, I highly recommend this camera. This camera is as good as or better than any compact digital camera currently out there. To do better, you'd have to get a full sized SLR.
I had my DX7630 for less than a week before my battery latch broke. It was the first time I took the battery out for charging. It's really too bad because the camera works great in all other regards and takes great pictures. I've owned three other Kodak models in the past and all have taken great pictures. The battery latch must have slipped through the cracks during the testing phases. Unfortunately, I'll be returning mine and shop for another equivalent camera.
I have used the Kodak cx7530 previously and found the dx7630 to a step up in class, performance, and features.  The 7630 is an excellent, above average, point and shoot camera but the additional SLR-like features really makes this camera an excellent choice and outstanding value!  I have taken better pictures with the 7630 than I have with my SLR!I highly recommend the dx7630 to novice and intermediate photographers.  Even expect SLR user will find the Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens, the full manual control over shutter, aperture and ISO speed to render outstanding sharp images.Check out the "bowl of apples" images (and others) I took with this camera.Pros:1. ultra sharp Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens2. full manual control over shutter, aperature, and ISO3. flash intensity compensation (you control the amount of light on the foreground subject!)4. continuous focus mode "tracks" your subject without having to lock the focus5. massive and clear 2.2" LCD6. the rechargeable LiON battery lasts a long time (120 shots where 60 used the flash)7. ISO 800 feature allows natural photos in ambient indoor light.8. 2 JPEG compressions modes which helps if you travel a lot9. 3 modes of metering exposure10. 16 scene modes11. placement of all controls allows single hand manipulation.12. ability to disable digital zoom, choose sharpness, and choose saturation.13. fast turn-on, fast shutter to shot, and fast shot to shot.14. images get auto-rotated when taking a portrait15. LCD goes blank after a while of no-use to conserve power16. very quiet focus and zoom.17. multi-point focus always renders sharp foreground images; i found few images out of focus18. shadows and dark areas are not grainy or noisy; this is helpful when you're cropping pics and enlarging them19. very smooth transitions in bright area and never washed out; this helps you with contrast especially if you convert to black and white laterCons:1. no dedicated self-timer button (only two steps to get to it, though)2. can not use AA but the rechargeable battery lasted a long time and is smaller than a pair of AA's.3. no PictureBridge support but I always manipulate my images before printing a hardcopy so it wasn't an issue4. no self closing cover but i tossed the lens cap and the lens is recessed enough so it doesn't scratch in my camera bag.5. smallest aperature is f8 but then again, this isn't a true SLR
Love it. I am not by any means a really great photographer.  I do love taking photos of family, pets, projects, etc.  With the dock/printer...I take a photo...see if I like it...and print it out!  Could not be easier.Camera: Comfortable in my hand, fairly small for all the features it has. Fits right in my purse...Lens cap: it's not automatic so I tossed that the first day anyway: not a biggie.Shareware software: easy install on my machine (again..I am not a techno-geek so it has to be plug-play). all set.Dock: easy to hook up to camera and computer. press the print key..and out come my beautiful pictures.I am gifting one set (camera/dock) to grandma who does not believe in atm machines or cash cards.  she tried my set up and PRINTED LIKE A CHAMP.Come on Kodak fans!
This is a good camera that takes great pictures.  I enjoyed using it, but the camera has one flaw.  The latch that holds the battery in place breaks easily.  I have replaced this camera twice because the battery latch has broken.  I would have one still if it weren't for the battery latch.  Maybe if they would change this to a more sturdy latch it would be better.
i love this camera!!! it has thru the lens focus and visual. i hate trying to get a good pic by looking at back of camera. has a superb telephoto lens but as a fibre artist i love the macro feature. took photos of Pilated woodpecker the other night. awesome. the first one i bought, was order confusion and so he sent priority at no extra charge. mahalo nui loa on that one. they have awesome customer service also.
This is a very good general purpose camera for those who do not have photography as a hobby.  All of the automatic features can be manually overridden when the camera out clevers itself.One word of warning.  Many store sell after market accessory lenses that will not work on this camera.  Some mechanically interfere with the zoom, others only slightly change the angle of coverage.Digital Optics brand have both problems.  Kodak brand work properly.  The Raynox brand 0.3X also works.People who are enthusiastic amateur photographers with film cameras and are seriously into it to have several extra lenses will be disappointed with the current state of the art in number of pixels.  Those people should wait for 100 megapixel models to become standard.
I bought this camera as a display model from sears and i've had it for over three years already and i love it! shortly after it was purchased, it began acting strangely (turning itself on and off), but kodak offers a free year warranty and i sent it in to be repaired--they replaced the entire processing unit and it didn't cost me a thing! i will be sad when it finally dies on me.
this camera really outdoes most of the competition, and when you include the low price and other features, there are no real competitors. kodak offers a 3x optical zoom and has over 6 megapixels for super sharpness, even if you decide to enlarge the picture. also, the camera can grow with you as there are wide angle, telephoto and close-up lenses available through amazon. for quick prints, there is also a nifty printer that does not require any computer.  it prints a 4x6 picture in under 2 minutes (also available through amazon). the quality of the print is like a local shop, and the printing method, which uses a protective coating, makes sure the colors last forever (ink-jet printers can run/fade). as an option, local photo shops can print your pictures from the camera or, if you like, you can use a computer.in sum:--the price is great, especially for over 6 megapixels.--kodak is the number one brand for digital cameras. they will be around to supply the camera/your photographic needs. kodak is a trusted u.s. company while some others may not be around in ten years.--it's easy to use (no computer necessary). but if you have a computer, the camera/printing dock can e-mail photos.--the camera has a 3x optical zoom -- super sharp pictures with great color of the kids/nature from far away.some others offer similar features, but nobody has the whole package at this price. a home run!
This little camera takes really super photos and the ease of the software included is great.  However, like Dennis in Nov 2004, apparently our camera's wheel that controls the on/off function has broken and we had to send it back to Kodak for repair.  Camera would act like it booted up for about 3 seconds and then would shut down, even with freshly-charged battery or even with the auxiliary power cord.  Fortunately, the camera waited until AFTER our vacation to go on the fritz.  If you buy this camera, get the extended warranty!
This came takes good quality pictures and is easy to use.It also works perfectly with the broken latch, so i do not see the reason for complaining about it as much as people do.My latch broke about 2 months ago- by the hands of my husband non the less and he isnt exactly the guy that treats everything with a gentle touch. So I can not even complain about the manufacturing quality.For todays time there are significantly better cameras that cost less than what i paid for this camera - around 450 with a 1gb card.So for the time when it came out and for the service it is still providing it is great, but now in 2008, clearly i would purchase something else.
I also received this camera as a Christmas gift, after much consideration by the buying party.  The features are top-notch, quality is outstanding, and it's very user-friendly and easy to handle, even for novices.MAJOR PROBLEM with the battery latch.  Mine was purchased from a well-known chain, thank goodness a 3-year full warranty was also purchased.  I will be returning to the store for the FOURTH time to replace the camera because of the battery latch breaking.  The first one broke after just a few weeks, the second was broke when I got the camera out of the box, the third broke after 2 days, and now this fourth one has broken after several months.
I really love this camera! I bought it on the advice of a friend, who has had hers for many years. I do a lot of different kinds of artwork, and needed a camera that would capture the details and colors of my as clearly as possible without me having to spend hundreds of dollars. The Kodak Easyshare is the best one I've ever used for this purpose. The pictures come out crystal-clear, even when not using a tripod for stability, and the macro setting is awesome. I can even photograph glitter, which is really hard to capture in a camera image, and zoom in on fine details of my collages or paintings. It is equally great for vacation pics and scenery. If you want a really good camera, but don't have a lot of money to spare on a newer model, then grab one of these while you can.
I have had this camera for about two weeks and the second time I took the battery out to charge it, the latch broke that holds the battery in place, so I had to ship it back to kodak for repairs!!!The camera review: (separate from my complaint about the cheap plastic chassis)This camera takes great indoor shots with good white balance, great skin tones, and vibrant colors and has an ample flash.Having said that, here are the things I don't like,It doesn't come with the charging base or a power cord that plugs directly into the camera so you must take the battery out to charge it and hope the latch that holds the battery in place doesn't break off like mine did.The outside shots come out dim most of the time. I tried slowing the shutter speed down and opening up the aperature but most of the pictures I took came out blurry, unless I used the tripod. Sometimes even then as in outdoor shots, most of the time the camera would not acheive focus lock.  It would give me the warning symbol tellimg me it couldn't lock focus and sure enough, the pictures would come out blurry.No manual focus.  This would help when the camera doesn't achive focus lock which in my experience was most of the time I was outside.I wish I had more to say and rate this camera on, but it broke after two or three uses and about 2 weeks time.Seriosly folks, my little casio Z4U does a much better job of achieving focus than this camera.  Not that it is perfect but I would expect the Kodak to do a better job than my little casio camera any day and in most any way.  A very poor performer!!!Experience:  Casio Exilim Z4U, Olympus D-580, Fuji E550, and the Kodak DX7630
The people who have had trouble with the battery latch must be opening it with a meat hook or maybe they have man-hands.  Granted its not titanum steel reinforced, but it is more than sufficent for me.This camera takes THE best pictures in its class.  Hands Down.  The colors are vibrent, and the features are simple.Don't be fooled by poor reviews.  It is well worth the money!
I also had the battery latch break within the first month. I returned the camera for a new one, and the latch broke several weeks later. I decided to keep the camera anyway, but after a year and a half, the flash quit working. I was offered the $135 repair or a refurbished Z650 for $199. I can get the Z650 new for $210 at Circuit City. I also have to wonder, why are so many refurbished cameras available? Stay away from Kodak, even thought it took nice pics.
I took a chance and bought this camera because it was very similar to two other Kodak cameras I have had in the past that used the same type of battery and media card. Unfortunately, both of them had been dropped, the auto on/off mechanism was damaged and they didn't work again after that(the last one just recently dropped after working perfectly for almost 5 yrs). They took great pictures and videos. I love the battery life of these cameras, I don't ever plan to buy a camera that uses batteries less than this type.I looked for a camera like this because I needed it in a hurry as I was going on vacation soon and did not have time to learn to use a new camera. I am very pleased to say I am happy with the camera's performance. It handled exactly as the other two cameras and the batteries and media cards I already had worked perfectly . I took several hundred pictures and they came out great ,as they should have, based on the setting used. The videos came out great also.For a used camera, it is in excellent condition. The price was well worth it.I would recommend a Kodak EasyShare camera with these features to anyone looking for an easy-to-use camera that takes great pictures.
Batery latch broke just opening the lid to access the SD Card & Battery compartment.  I sent it back to Kodak for fixing, but when it comes back, I'm returning it and getting something else. With so many people having the same issue, this design defect should have easily been discovered in testing and eveidently Kodak either didn't test properly or just doesn't care about quality.
like myself.  The extent of my knowledge of photography has been the little disposable point and shoots you get at the drug store on a trip.  I always wanted to try digital photography, if for nothing else than the ability to erase my mistakes without it costing an arm and a leg.  I decided on this camera because, in my neophyte photographer's mind, 6.2 megapixels is a lot of megapixels, which translates into a good camera.  What I inadvertenly swerved into was one the best point and shoot cameras on the market.  The quality of the pictures, the wide variety of scene mode choices, and an unbelievable 1/1500 to  62 second exposure times; all these combine into an unbelievable value for the price you're paying.  This camera has opened up a whole new world for me.  And using Ofoto has been the icing on the cake.  When I got my first 20x30 picture of a scene in Tahoe, well it made it all worthwhile.  You will get a lot of enjoyment from this great camera.
I bought this kodak after I had purchased an HP 5.0 MP camera. I was dissapointed in the HP. The Kodak is so good at taking pictures & so easy to use that I am now selling my old 35mm Minolta SLR. The picture quality is so sharp it rivals 35mm sharpness. There are enough manual controls that you would find on a good SLR that any want to be photographer will love.One thing I've been reading is that people have been having problems with the battery case cover breaking off. You have to be very careful opening & closing the cover. However all digital cameras have very similar flimsy covers. I work in a Photo Lab and tell all my customers they have to be very very careful with any digital camera battery slot. This seems to be common negative on any digital camera. I have had this camera for a month now, have used it every day taken the battery out every night to recharge and have not had the cover break off yet. If you are careful it wont break. These are not cheap cameras, you just have to treat them with care. Also some have complained about the software, & I have not had any problems with it, it's been real easy to use & print out from.in conclusion this is a great camera that takes excellent photos.
This is an excellent camera. My battery door lock broke, but Kodak had it repaired and returned to me within one week of my having sent the camera in for repair. Excellent service.Fast focus, fast write time, fast turn-on time, excellent dusk performance, reasonable flash, strong performance in daylight and indoor when color-balance is set properly. Some purple fringing outdoors in intense light, particularly off of white objects. Most simplistic camera I could find with the ability to do advanced options, I'd buy it for my Mom as a first digital camera. I would give this camera 4.9 stars if possible.My less tech savvy wife is comfortable with this camera. Easy to point and shoot, enough advanced options for amateur photographers. I was comfortable moving to this from my film SLR.Excellent battery life. Buy a spare battery, the kit comes with an external charger. Prints from Kodak online are excellent, and include many options for sizes. I cannot emphasize how great their support is. If you do not buy this Kodak, buy a different model. Support the company, not many like them anymore.
If you can't already tell I love this camera. I am a complete novice so I needed something "easy" but still wanted beautiful pictures, of course. I've had this camera for 6 or 7 years and have just one complaint. My battery latch broke also, and that's why I gave it 4 stars. It just broke last year though, so I've lived with it. Because of that, the battery compartment door would come open by itself at times and the battery would fall out. Really inconvenient because then you would have to go through resetting the time and date...etc.I took it on my recent honeymoon to Tahiti and you wouldn't believe the colors it captured. Absolutely amazing for a fairly inexpensive camera.
Just bought this camera for my wife to replace another camera for her birthday. This camera is so full of features you will never have the wrong camera. Over 20 different scene modes, auto mode and the manual modes (PASM). Pictures are wonderful. You cannot go wrong with this camera. This camera is one of the best point and shoot cameras you can buy when you compare features and price point. 6.1 megapixels, optical and digital zoom, and the previously mentioned shooting modes. Haven't seen too many other offer so much at the same price.I don't understand some of the negative reviews I've seen on this camera. Sure this camera is not perfect. It has its flaws, BUT all are defeatable if you take the time to learn the camera's capabilities. Why would anyone expect pro-level performance at this price point? Beats me. If you are looking for a very good point and shoot digital with great photo quality, this IS your camera. As I've heard from my piano teacher, "Practice! Practice! Practice!"
I used to use Canon Powershot S30. I liked it except that the autofocus has never been razor-sharp. This Kodak DX7630 solved this problem. Though in the beginning, various options indicated on a dial were a little bit confusing, once I became accustomed to it, the selection of any option became almost instinctive. The color it produces is brilliant, and one can take good pictures under almost any circumstances. I have not printed any pictures larger than 8X10, and therefore I can't tell the limit of resolution, but certainly it is good enough for 8X10 enlargement. The only disappointment is that one can not select ISO, shutter speed, or f-stop even in the manual, S-, or A-(aperture priority mode)mode. I don't think I missed these options in the instruction booklet. The instruction booklet, by the way, is not too detaild either. I bought optional macro lenses and an adaptor for the lenses. These lenses take extremely good pictures of a flower pedal, a bud etc. Overall, this is not a camera for professionals, but for everyday photography for recording your lives, it is one fine camera.
a good entry level camera but don't expect miracles. lot of photo bleach. poor video. sturdy. battery superb. over-all an avg. camera for every day use. if you are investing 200-300 bucks u might as well consider entry levels DSLRs.
As an casual photographer, I had been using my old Ricoh, and unwilling to move into the land of digital.  Along came this camera, and with 6 megapixels for $300, I couldn't resist trying it out.  I haven't been disappointed yet.  The pictures are AMAZING, both in color and clarity, the detail is sharp, crisp and true, and, with the huge screen, picture taking is a breeze.  I've tried several of the various photo styles (night pictures, snow, active children, etc), and each time the pictures were beautiful. I haven't picked up my old favorite Ricoh in months.  This camera even has features for more sophisticated photographers, none of which I am completely familiar with yet.  However, for the everyday user, this camera is MORE than a bargain.
I'm a very avid photographer who bought this camera as soon as it came out (4 years ago), and all its accessories (including a 4 GB microdrive...has been replaced with 8 GB CF card).  It works amazingly well, with excellent color accuracy, basically all the features of a Pro SRL (even today's models) and, yes it DOES offer automatic white balance.  Konica-Minolta invented this "in-LCD" antishake system which is every bit as effective as the ones on lenses at the time, and (unfortunately for K-M, fortunately for consumers) they were not able to protect their patents fully enough so that imitations are now commonplace.  The size, shape & feel of this camera is actually better than an SLR...it's just slightly smaller to be much handier.  I've used every feature and have performed all kinds of shots, from highest to lowest speeds.  I don't have a single gripe with this camera, its design is simply excellent...and it revolutionized the industry with its mini-SLR form factor, making it perfect for everyone except perhaps a professional photographer who doesn't care as much about portability, and who may go with something like the top Nikon or Canon. Perhaps the one downside is the poor video, but this feature is an add-on anyway (one would get a real videocam).
Choose this camera if you have ever had problems with camera shake.This is my first ever "pro-sumer" camera. I upgraded from a point-and-shoot 3.2 mega pixel Sony model because I enjoy being able be creative. If you're like me, someone who is ready for more than just point-and-shoot photography, the Dimage A2 is a good match for you.There is undoubtedly a learning curve associated with the Dimage A2. Since it has 8.0 mega pixels under the hood, making some final touches in post-processing can dramatically improve the final image.One of the Dimage's most beneficial features of this camera is the real-time histogram. I'm also impressed with the quality of the electronic view finder (EVF). Overall, my wife and I are very satisfied with our investment into the Dimage A2.
First off, let me disclose that I do not own an A2: I have an A1 and decided not to upgrade to the A2 for reasons that follow. Also, I am experienced in the use of both film and digital cameras as well as Photoshop and other digital darkroom tools.Here's my conclusion: buy an A1. In moving up the mega-pixels from 5.3 to 8 Minolta made a subtle trade-off in reducing the A/D conversion from 14Bit to 12Bit. The 'A/D conversion' describes how much information each pixel is able to report to the CPU and ultimately, to the final print. If the information is color, the A1 reports 16,384 while the A2 only reports 4,096. Does this matter? If you are using a 'home' version digital darkroom that only handles 8 Bits per channel, probably not. Photoshop CS uses 16Bits per channel in its top-quality mode as does Elements 3, so you should be able to see the difference with the A1 providing the better picture at 'full-pixel' resolution.So, the A2 might make bigger pictures, but they will not look as good as the A1. For most purposes either camera will do a fine job, I'm sure. I have shot thousands of pics with my A1 and the only complaint I would lodge is about the auto-focus in low light: it should be infra-red assisted.Also, save the .jpg settings for 'snapshots' for the web: there is way too much compression done in the camera and you cannot get it back in the digital darkroom. Use 'Raw' where possible and work with PS Elements 3 and you will be very pleasantly surprised.
I used it in my last trip in Yucatan for the first time, without any previous trial (but I already owned a DiMAGE 7Hi) and results are exceptional without tripod (not allowed in ruins areas without special permit).Very satisfied.I would change it only for an equivalent camera with interchangeable lenses.
This is the best digital camera I've bought so far. (My fourth.) It consistently takes great photos.  I just wish it was a true SLR.  The viewfinder has a second lcd screen that turns on when the camera is close to your eye so it's better than a range-finder viewer.
I've had this camera since soon after it's release and it continues to delight me. The A2 is not the best for beginners or casual shooters. But, if you are an enthusiast who wants total control of something with a 28-200 zoom that is much more portable than its SLR equivalent, get it!
Konica Minolta Dimage A2 with Anti Shake Optical Zoom.I own this camera,it was an upgrade from a Minolta Dimage 404 and I love it.I took a cross country trip in September and the the camera performed teriffic in numerous lighting contitions.The Anti Shake feature alone is worth the price.I recommend having several batteries,I carry 3 so that I can having one charging all the time.I also have 512mg compact cards,big pixils you will need large media cards
I've had my A2 for over six months now and I can say I love it. It's not perfect, but for the price it's very good. It's lovely to hold and operate, especially with the BP400 battery grip attached. Knobs and buttons are well-placed and easy to operate.I'm not going to go over all the things I like about the camera. Instead I'll point out the few things I think could be better:- An LCD that would swing out to the side, and tilt up and down more (like on the A200). Some times it would help me take shots easier if I could move the LCD around more.- Less noise at higher speeds. At 400 the noise is trouble some and at 800 it's not very nice at all. Although this is pretty much the same as with comparable cameras.- Faster and more accurate autofocus in low light. Again, many cameras suffer from this, but when there is little light, the A2 doesn't focus very well. Luckily manual focus is pretty good, but you can't always use that.
I have read others in forums talking about problem A2's and having to return several to get a good one.  Perhaps I was lucky but mine has been perfect right out of the box.  Even my wife who thinks I am crazy to buy so many digital cameras agrees that the photos from this one are fantastic.  As I am getting older the anti-shake feature is a real bonus.  I traded in a Sony 828 on the A2.  The Sony was a good camera, nothing really wrong except a little purple fringe under certain circumstances.  None of that on my A2.  I couldn't be more satisfied.
Got the camera with a few dead pixels on the LCD monitor. Did they do their QC?!Returned to Amazon with no hassle though.I only played with it for 2 hours and here's what I found-Pro: auto switch between EVF and LCD, Nice lens with mechanical zoom, anti-shake, fast startCons: cumbersome control for zoom in/out the photo, manually turned-on flash, no swivel LCD, the CF slot cap can be easily mis-opened (no secure mechanism), movie is limited to 15 min, no hole on the lens cap for a string to hang the cap while shooting, no AC adapter in the boxGood news:I just found out that Konica released a new model DiMAGE A200 right after I returned this lemon. There are some new features which should worth the wait, hopefully won't take long. Lord, I'm so lucky out of this lemon A2. Definitely go for the new A200 once it's available.
Pro: The camera itself is easy to use. Has a lot of bells ans whistle, which you may or may not need for everyday photography of ameteures. I don't think it is worth the price. If I were to buy one again, I would go for something simple. If you don't worry about every litttle detail in shooting a picture, then the numerous knobs and control will only contribute to your overall confusion. As far as the picture quality is concerned, I did not find it any different (good or bad) from much cheaper camera that my brother bought. The feature that is good is the anti Shake zoom. I have a lot of experience with SLR cameras, and if I compare the optics with those (particularly Nikon) the optics of this camera is only marginal.The software simply stincks !! Minolta can not write a half way decent USB driver. The computer cannot see the camera, consequently I can not transfer the pictures from the camera to the computer.Minolta's technical support is really a joke. Instead of listening to what my problem is , they want to tell me what my problem is!!! And they are so adamant about it.
I should preface this review by saying that I am not an expert, rather a moderately experienced digital camera user who wants to learn more.This camera has it all (read the stats), but some of the unique features include the viewfinder (best on the market - almost like looking through the lens on an SLR), manual zoom, and "anti-shake" which gives some protection against shaky hands. I have only had the camera for a few days. I find it to be rather easy to use, even though it is a different brand from my prior digicam (the Canon PowerShot S30). Got outside today and the results were stunning - fast focus, great zoom, impeccable detail, true color (not the "bling bling" color some cameras produce that just aren't real). The prints (from the Canon 860) are gorgeous. Indoor shots were typical digicam shots, difficult to take good ones, though we have had terrible light in the house the past few days.It is heavy, for a digicam, but fits my hands well. There are lots of buttons and dials but they feel intuitive to me, again, even though I used to a different brand of camera. I think it would be a hard camera for someone who has never used digital or done much photography, but for  moderately experienced digital or film user, it will be a dream. It uses compact flash (none included, I would get a 512 at least) and a proprietary battery (which seems to last very well, much better than my Canon did).I give it five stars after two days. I might revise my review as I continue to use it, and uncover weaknesses. This camera has an infinite array of features - I know, not literally true -and can do most anything you might ever want to do.Highly Recommend - Enjoy!
The main reasons I bought the Dimage A2 camera was for the manual zoom lens that starts at 28mm, (one of the very few that starts this wide), the tilt adjustable viewfinder, (the only digital camera I know of that has this great feature) and the ability to shoot RAW or RAW + JPEG at the same time, the anti-shake feature and the hope that 8 Megapixels would produce better images.This camera has many more features and adjustments which can overwhelm some people. I had a few of the focusing and exposure quality problems some other reviewers reported but after updating the firmware and spending allot of time reading the manual thoroughly twice also trying different adjustments, I've managed to improve the focus and exposure quality of my photos. A soft focus shot still shows up once in a while though. I think the focusing sensor needs to be enhanced. I believe most people who buy this camera may be a little disappointed with the images produced with the camera at its default settings out of the box. You must experiment and adjust most settings to your taste. KonicaMinolta's own website has an excellent section on the Dimage A2 that clearly explains with illustrations, all of the A2's  features and their purpose. The manual informs you on page 35 that the camera will have trouble focusing on a low contrast area or if it's too dark or if the subject is near a very bright object or area. Also, I strongly suggest you turn Off the Continuous focus setting but keep Tracking AF On in the menu system and not use the default focusing mode, it is not too reliable. By the way, I have read  some posts from other A2 owners that the lens on their A2 has excessive play. Mine has no play at all, it is on solid so I must assume that this was a quality control problem at the factory and may be one of the factors in some autofocusing problems some A2 owners are having. For macro photography you must use a tripod and manual focus for best results. Do not rely on the anti-shake feature too much, it is only activated under some circumstances (read the manual). The anti-shake feature is nice but has its limited use and it is not a substitute for proper camera handling techniques. Optical stabilization is better but very expensive.This is a good camera but, it has room for improvements(as most do). Now that I am very familiar with the camera I am satisfied with it but I was hoping that 8 Megapixels would produce images that would be clearly better than a 5 Megapixel camera's but the images are not better in my opinion. This only proves that there is more to producing sharp high resolution photos than more megapixels. I'd rather have fewer megapixels but better image quality.The improvements I would really like to see are;I wish the Dimage A2 could take advantage of high speed flash memory because it is annoyingly slow at writing data to the flash card, especially RAW and RAW+JPEG. I used a regular Simpletech CF card and a Sandisk Ultra card and Lexar 80x card to see if it made any difference and it did not. Improved discernible image processing is a must to stay competitive in this category of camera. At least a 2" LCD that could tilt down at least 45 degrees would be an excellent improvement. Reduced noise at all ISO's but especially at ISO 200 and above. A wireless remote control that could work up to 20 feet away would be a great accessory feature. A more powerful flash. A wider and more responsive manual focusing ring and a larger  histogram display in color. An internal focusing lens sinilar to the one on the Panasonic FZ-30 would be very nice. If Panasonic can do it certainly KonicaMinolta can do it. Video should be bumped up to VGA 640X480 30 fps. And of course, improved precise autofocusing in all modes. I hope the A3 or whatever they call the next model in the A line series includes these features if KonicaMinolta has decided to continue this line. I would gladly pay an extra $100 for these improvements because this camera just balances well and feels right to me.I know the A200 has some of the features I would like but at the expense of having eliminated other features which I would also like to have. Oh well, nothing's perfect.The Dimage A2 is a camera for people who are active in photography and like to experiment but don't want to invest a ton of money on DSLR's and lenses. If all you want is to put your camera in program or auto mode and shoot, then buy a point and shoot camera not the Dimage A2. Remember, this camera and indeed, all advanced cameras demand that you invest a bit of time studying and experimenting with them. Also, you must use proper camera handling techniques  to get the best performance from any camera.
I've had my A2 for one month (11/11/04). It exceeds my expectations. If you want outstanding prints the A2 will deliver. Film experience will help you get the most from the cam. I've taken a couple of thousand pics with it and I continue to be suprised by the number of keepers! Very,very nice. Read the reviews and believe them. I've sold my film gear. Something I never intended when I bought the cam. Awesome.UPDATE (12/11/04): Still loving my A2. The software that comes with the cam does an outstanding job of editing your pics. I thought I would be using Photoshop to open my pics but so far I really can say I haven't used it.(The photos look a little different when opened with PS, but not "better") The Dimage Viewer Sharpens very nicely. I'm printing with my Canon i960, results are outstanding. I still give it 5 stars plus. Sweet. Viewfinder is xcellent and LCD screen is nicest around. Didn't think I would need the viewfinder to tilt up but I use it that way 100% of the time. Also the tilt up of the the LCD makes for some nice waist high shots. If You Want the Number 1 Prosumer cam the A2 is it. Frankly I have no cons. That is sweet! Oh yeah, I finally tried the video recorder and the results are outstanding. You will have to use the Dimage Viewer to get rid of flicker, etc. Once you do so you wil be stunned that a still camera can take video of this quality. I couldn't be happier.10 MONTH REVIEW: Yes, I still love it. Don't believe all the false reports of "soft" photos. Not true, this camera's photos sharpen very well with all 5 sharpening tools I have used (software).The Dimage Viewer software sharpens very well. I print 8X10 s and everyone thinks I shoot with a DSLR.(I only shoot RAW format). The anti-shake feature has changed my shooting habits.I seldom use my tri-pod now.I can't see having a cam without it.Every feature of this cam has something to offer the amateur photographer. I shoot a 1,000+ photos a month with it. I get lots of compliments on MY pictures,but the A2 is the real genius.If you like to spend a lot of cash, lug around a ton of equipment, fight dust, and guard your gear at airports get a DSLR. If you don't need the above get an A2! ( I use the Kata H-12 case to protect my cam. Its outstanding.)
This has to be the most "out of the box" camera I have ever owned.  I picked this camera up for dirt cheap and really wanted a Canon Digital Rebel for $600 more.  I had this camera taking stunning photo's in about 15 minutes.  If you need something for eBay auctions, or want to dabble in digital photography before a major purchase on a high end SLR, this is the one to go with.  I would reccomend a 512 SD card, since this comes with 16 MB only.  The best part of this camera, is the vivid colors on the LCD screen.  It gives you a precise image of your photo before you take the picture and you know exactally what you will see when you download at home.
I've had this camera for a little over a month and so far, I love it. It's got the full-auto (point-and-shoot) mode for the casual photographer/beginner, but it also has a variety of manual modes and advanced features like aperture priority, shutter priority, program mode, and full manual, as well as manual white balance for those interested in learning the art of (digital) photography.The two built in macro modes (close and *really* close) allow for excellent close-up shots. Despite having almost no experience in photography beyond point-and-shoot cameras, I was taking pretty good macro shots my first day with it (at least that's what mom said ;). The 10x zoom is great for the long shots. The 16MB SD card is useless (pick up at least 256MB). I still carry the 16 for a spare, but at the highest image resolution, I doubt I could fit 10 pictures on it.Do yourself a favor and buy the lens adapter ring and a UV filter for the camera. The UV filter can be had pretty cheap, won't affect picture quality, and will keep your built-in lens safe from scratches, dirt, and UV rays (evidently pretty damaging to camera equipment). And having the adapter, you'll be able to attach other filters as your need/skill grow. Oh, and get a couple of sets of rechargeable NIMH batteries too. They'll save you a lot of money. I briefly looked into the Konika-Minolta LI battery pack that's made for the camera, but being more than half the price of the camera, decided it was more expensive than I needed. At least for now.So far, my only complaints are: the battery cover door seems pretty flimsy. I'd like to see something more substantial. And, I'm not sure the idea of the mechanical mirror used to select the view through the eyepiece or on the display screen is wise. It just seems like more mechanical parts to fail in the future. Also, the use of the eyepiece won't prolong battery life as it would in most digital cameras.So, it's few faults aside, I give the KM Z2 a solid 5 star rating.
I have had many digital cameras throughout the past few years and none compare with this one. The design of it is easy to work and very easy to handle. At first it looks like there is a lot to learn, but with a quick review of the instructions I had things pretty well figured out.The quality of the pictures both on the computer and when printed are excellent. The colors are bright and very sharp! I do a lot of traveling and this camera has yet to fail me. I bought it in the beginning of June and have taken it everywhere with me.The zoom feature is remarkable! I can be standing far away from a subject and the photo is still as clear and detailed as if I was two inches away. One particular detail I notice is when I am taking a photo of water or the splashing of water, it catches each drop in detail no matter how far away I may be. I've even caught a detailed photo of a hummingbird!Before purchasing this camera I did A LOT of research and it appears that this is the best professional camera out there for its price range. I would suggest it to anyone. I actually chose this camera over the thousand dollar models because it appears to be easier to take care of, but with just as many features.The memory card that comes with it does not hold many photos, of course. I purchased an additional 32 mb card and that did me fine until there was a sale for the 128 mb cards. I am using the 128 mb card now and get up to 280+ photos at the best quality setting. Which is enough to cover an entire vacation if you ask me.If you're looking for a really good "almost professional" camera at a really good price, this is the one for you!
This was our first experience with a digital camera!  I love the fact of the zoom feature and it is much more than a "point and shoot".  We did experience a problem with the view finder (the window just for one eye) not working for over a year!  We didn't take it to anyone to get fixed (the company didn't want it sent back) because it was bought with a gift card and we didn't have the money.  All of a sudden,it started working again--don't have any idea why!  Besides that my biggest complaint is that it is too bulky for everyday shooting or even vacation shooting.  If you want a camera for beautiful shots and want to take your time with it, get this.
Top quality workmanship  detail & features., I purchased this Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2 4MP Digital Camera  in very good used condition just under a few weeks ago.  Included were all instructions, accessories & original  box, though no memory card.  I'm a birder so immediately I began taking some pics with my new purchase of our backyard visitors such as American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Sparrows, Scrub Jays, even Anna Hummingbirds, their iridescent colors shined through, even the detail of their wings and such. Amongst others backyard visitors at out feeders and birdbaths. I have yet to begin taking birding pictures this season! This camera is easy to use with features I understood as well as the menus on the screen & instructions I followed them without difficulty which allowed me a novice to intermediate hobbyist photographer to take clear, close up exceptionally detailed pictures., just beautiful,this DiMAGE Z2 camera given me an opportunity to take some real nice pictures.  Mrs. K. M. Vacaville,  Ca.
After 2 1/2 years my Z2 camera stopped working. When I turn it on the shutter makes a noise and the memory light comes on and stays on. The lens does not extend. I went to the KM website only to find the company no longer makes cameras and Sony has taken the responsibility for repairs. Sony charges a flat rate of $181 to work on the camera, plus parts, and we pay the shipping to get it there. There is an internal battery in the camera but only the mfg can replace it. Will that cost me the flat rate +? Will replacing the battery fix my problem?
I love this camera.  We've had this camera for years and still very happy with it.  It takes gorgeous pictures.  I like to do a lot of scenery and outdoor photography (amateur), and this camera has captured beautiful colors.  It's also not big and bulky.  As far as pictures in dim lighting, I took a shot of my son with his father after turkey hunting one day.  It was getting dusk, and the background was dark, but the picture turned out beautiful with this camera, one of my favorites.  I wish I could put it on here so you could see it.  Anyway, GREAT camera and has lasted many years with much use (I can't even remember when I bought it it's been so long).  We're taking it with us on our wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii in April.  I'm confident it will capture every moment beautifully!UPDATE:  I did add a couple photos, including the one of my son and his father, to the gallery. :)
I've owned this camera for a few months now, and I must say, I am very pleased with the results from this camera.  The picture quality is just fabulous; they're high quality, and the colors are very accurate.  Even the simplest pictures taken have a professional aura to them.I love the zoom function on this camera.  It's very fast, in the past with other cameras I have always seemed to have trouble finding a camera with a fast zoom--but this camera has pleased me beyond words as far as zooming goes.  Not only is the zoom fast, but it is very silent.  A silent zoom always seemed like an important part of a camera, and I highly applaud this camera for that.There's not much to complain about with this camera--however, there are a few things that I am going to have to complain about...The batteries?  You need four AA batteries!  It's not so much that this bothers me because it makes the camera heavier--because the camera is so well built that you hardly notice the added battery weight--but what does bother me is that this means you have a lot more batteries that you have to carry around with you.  Although, since the camera has so many features, four batteries is hardly a bad thing.After months of owning this camera, and trying out every feature on it, I have only found two flaws.  The first one I noticed was the battery door.  I read plenty of reviews by other customers about the battery door being flimsy, but never did I think that it would be this flimsy!  The battery door feels as if it's going to break in my hands if handled improperly.  However, if you take caution while opening and closing the door, it should be just fine.The second flaw I noticed, was much more conflicting.  The positioning of the flash seems to be a little out of place.  You won't be able to notice this camera defect unless you are taking a close up macro shot.  When you take a shot too close, you will find that while the camera does take a stunningly clear photo--if you use a flash, a shadow from the lens will be left on your photo area.  Even if you don't use any additional lenses or filters the original lens with the camera will still be in the way of the flash.This flaw only occurs, though, when you are taking a Super Macro shot.  Regular Macro will work just splendidly.  It really is a shame, though, since the camera will allow for really close shots to be taken and still come out clear--it's just the shadow that appears when using a flash that ruins it.Those were the only complaints I had about this camera, other than that, I am very much pleased.  It's a great camera for the more advanced beginner to the intermediate photographer.  The picture quality never ceases to amaze me--it's just brilliant to see the photos that this camera takes.  Just splendid.
First off, I am a first time digital camera owner.  Have used some at work in the past.  I looked at many cameras before settling on this one and have to say that in the 7 months I have owned this camera, the camera has not taken a bad photo yet, now my shot selection, that is a different subject.  Here are the points that I think are important to know to a first time (and maybe veteran) user:Ease of Development: The memory card slips right into you computer with the adapter that is provided with the camera, and better yet, the card can be taken to Wal-Mart or Costco to have prints taken straight from the chip just like you are taking in film (only cheaper).  If you have an older computer without the proper ports (USB) then you can purchase an adapter to fit older machines.Clarity: The clarity of the images provided by the 4.0 megapixles is truely amazing.  You can zoom in and still have total clarity, better than any high quality film could ever provide.  The color of the images is true to life.  No more exaggerated colors like Kodak or Fuji films had... unless you want that which can be easily done on your computer, or where you have it developed.Battery: In the past, some cameras that I have used burned through the batteries in minutes.  The 1 megapixel camera I used 6 years ago used up 4 AA batteries every 12 shots.  Not that way with this camera.  The batteries usually last a couple months with normal use - 1 month with lots of use, and only takes 2 AA.Video:  While the video is not as versatile as my Sony digital camcorder, the quality of the finished product is better than than most television programs - not too many cameras offer this high a quality.Ease of Use: This camera is perfect for the beginner and the most advanced users.  From the simple point-and-click to advanced manipulation of the lens for exposure .Overall this is a great camera and I am very happy with the operation.  No glitches so far, and we love the shots we get at night with the use of a tripod.  The camera must have some sort of image stability because the camera moves when you hit the button but that does not show up in the image.
I bought this camera in 2004 and have used it extensively.  I have taken it to Kamchatka, to Egypt, and many places in the US.  This camera is capable of taking amazing pictures, easily and consistently.  It works great, is easy to carry, and comfortable to use.  Four years later, it's still my favorite camera to use when I want that 'special shot'. I wish Konica Minolta was still in business!
I have had a variety of kodak cameras but sadly never found one I really liked.  The minolta dimage Z2 was just a guess, check and hope it worked camera...I LOVE it.  Have had it for about 6 months now, and dont plan to ever get a different one.  The pictures are beautiful and so close.  I work with a tourist company watching wildlife and by the pictures, you'd think I was right next to the animals!  For the pictures and movies you can get with this camera, it's the best price, completely worth it!!
Even after a year, I still love this camera. I had wanted a camcorder for recording the kids but a friend cautioned that expensive camcorders largely sit on shelves 99% of the time; a camera with video capabilities might be a better value for occasional video needs.My needs were very modest: 4-megapixel minimum, a decent zoom (optical of course) and the best video capabilities I could afford.  After reading reviews, I had initially settled on the Dimage Z3.  However, a timely online sale and much better (SVGA) video capabilities "downgraded" my order to the older Z2.PROS- A GT 10x optical zoom - apparently this raised eyebrows when it came out- TV-quality movies with a good built-in microphone- Color LCD display and built-in speaker for instant video playback- Quick startup and shutdown - no waiting- Uses nonproprietary batteries (4 AA), so you don't have to buy an expensive 2nd battery or run back home or to the hotel to recharge, as I have done with my Canon Elph- Downloadable firmware updates from the Konica website- Largely automatic and idiot-proofCONS- Plastic casing - my Canon Elph is all-aluminum and is of clearly superior construction- Low light levels defeat an otherwise good auto-focus feature- The flash must be lifted manually - but this is good when you don't want the flash on and don't want to cycle through menus to turn it off- Way too many features for me to ever appreciate - I would categorize the Z2 as a near-professional camera. It's not specialized enough for pros but is way too complex for everyday consumer-grade use. Again, not necessarily a bad thing.You will want to buy larger capacity SD cards (my high-speed 512MB SD cards, even when recording video, hardly ever fill up) and an adapter ring if you use UV or other filters.  On this last note, be aware that when I bought my Z2, Amazon recommended a UV filter that was the wrong size, and I bought it without verifying the size myself. I was unable to prove that the mistake wasn't mine (I merely clicked their link and added it to my shopping cart) and I got stuck with the restocking fee.  Make sure you do your homework before buying accessories. I picked up a Tiffen 52mm UV filter at a great price - using another website.In a nutshell, save your money and ignore the hot new camera this year.  Unless you take a lot of low-light action shots, buy a Z2 before they're gone.  As I write this, this once-$500 camera is still selling for about $150 at various sites.  Even though the Z2 is not the newest Dimage model, it's perfect for 90% of my amateur photo and video needs.  The video and zoom features alone make it a safe and solid buy, even today.
I have had my Konica Minolta Dimage Z2 for a year. I have taken about 3000 pictures in varying conditions. I mostly use it to take pictures of people, in particular of my family. The optical zoom comes is very handy for that. It makes it possible to take pictures at a distance. The subjects are less likely to notice that you are taking a picture and as a result they look more natural and relaxed.My main reasons for buying this camera were:* SLR-style camera,* huge optical zoom range,* adequate resolution (4 MP),* rather fast start-up time and* a reasonable price.The best things about this camera:* Possible to attach an external flash (I am buying one right now)* 10x optical zoom* SLR-style camera with loads of settings for the "nerd"* Easy to use with a capable automatic mode* Uses ordinary AA batteries which are available everywhereThe worst things about this camera:* Because the flash is so close to the lens subjects get red-eyes and may get a "washed-out" look (but on the other hand this is true of any camera this size or smaller)* Auto-focus works poorly in dark rooms* In bright daylight the dynamic range might be insufficient so that parts of the image gets all whiteYou should consider this camera or one of its successors (Z3 and Z5 in particular) if you:* Want an SLR-style camera without the size and price of a real SLR camera* Want a camera with a great optical zoom range
I used this camera from 2004 to 2009, when I dropped it once too often. It took beautiful pictures, was easy to use, and served me very well.  Now I'm trying to replace it, and I wish there was a more up-to-date version available.
Having owned a Kodak 4Mp camera, we wanted to step up to a better lens and more zoom, so we bought a Z2. Although the pictures are good if everything is correctly set, this is a fairly rare coincidence. It took us quite a while to figure out that you must manually lift up the flash. We lost and still lose many pictures because we forget to do this. Also, this is not a camera that can be easily slipped into a pocket or purse. The 10x lens makes it bulky, and does not fully retract even when off. Because of these two things we have essentially abandoned this new Z2 in favor of our old Kodak. If you are looking for a point and shoot, to capture family moments and events, then this is not the camera for you.
I got it refurbished from ubid for only 179. It arrived in new condition, fully functional. for that funny price I could have maybe gotten a funny pocket camera. Although I must admit I considered getting the panasonic lz2 with the 6x zoom. They are both great buys but if you want something more advanced the this is the way to go.
This is the third digital camera I've gotten, to replace an aging 1 Megapixel Sony Mavica with a 16X optical zoom.  I am VERY pleased with the results, having taken 1800+ pictures in the past three months with only a few minor glitches.The pros:- This is the first digital camera I've used that can take a sunset picture equal to any film camera I've ever used.- Very speedy- Awesome zoom.- Good battery lifespan (Using Duracell Rechargable ACCU batteries w/ 1 hour recharger)- Fairly lightThe Cons:- The camera has difficulties focusing if you use the zoom out on the water (if you go on a whale watch, don't use the zoom, or ignore the focus warnings - whales move much faster than you think!)- A tendency to focus in on the 'wrong' things - like a background when you're trying to capture a small thing (such as a bird) in the foreground.-The battery door is awkward to use - especially if you're rushing to change out batteries.  Once the batteries are in place and the door is put back, it is solid.  The best solution of course is to start out with fresh batteries.Tips-I have found that most of the 'jiggle' problems reported go away if you use the eyepiece - of course the further the zoom goes out, the harder it is to keep stable.  The digital zoom portion of it, like most digital cameras, is not very good, so try not to use it unless there is no other option.- I have gotten a 256 MB SD card for this - it can hold 200 images, although if you're taking pictures along the seashore, you can get 300 images.- Keep in mind that this is good for outdoors - indoors, a smaller camera with a wide-angle lens does better (I still tote my 2MP Canon Powershot A40 around when I'm our on a 'major' photo shoot to get the wider shots)If you're looking for a camera with a great zoom I would have to say this is one of the best currently on the market at an affordable price.
My mother-in-law bought this camera and I was less than impressed with it.  I have a Canon G2 with all the toys so I was her go-to-guy when it came to camera advice.  She asked me for my opinion concerning her first digital camera.  She was looking for a small-ish camera what was easy to use with a medium amount of features.  She got none of those things in this camera.The 10x lens makes it bigger then most 4mp cameras.  The features are OK but I found the menus confusing.  The flash is NOT automatic!  You have to physically lift the flash in order to activate it.  I fear that she is going to miss alot of pictures because of this.  There is also a LONG lag time between pressing the shutter button and the acutal recording of the picture.  This will also prove to be a problem for her.  About the 10x zoom.  Unless you are as steady as a tripod, you will not us the full zoom on this camera, so why get it?If you want a 10x zoom camera - look into the Kodak line of cameras.  Nice features, esy to use, good price!
This is a great camera and so easy to use; in fact, my neighbor who had the Olympus traded it to me for this one because of ease of use.  I highly recommend it.
In less than 3 months of owning this camera, it stopped working. We tried to return it to the store we bought it from, and they refused it and said to contact Minolta.  Minolta would only refurbish my camera for free the first year.  I told them I wanted to return it because something was obviously wrong with it.  I have a 10 year old Minolta that has never given me any trouble.  Why would I pay over $300 for a 3 month old camera that had to be refurbished.  Right now, the camera is sitting in a drawer, and I am going round and round with the store, my credit card company, and Minolta.Buy an HP - they have much better customer service policies.
What a great camera!  I compared this to a Cannon Elph, and this camera blew it out of the water.  It's real easy to use, it's light, and the auto focus is quick.  From the time you press the shutter button to the time the camera takes the picture is lightning fast.  The Cannon Elph was a lot slower, causing me to miss action shots.  The picture quality is great!
I own several cameras, Vivitar Swivel, Pentax SLR, Pentax DSLR, but of all, this one is one of the least exspensive.  It delivers ease of use with a low price.  I have the most fun with this camera.
I've only had my camera a few weeks, but so far I love it.  Bought mine at a camera store.  When I first got it I was a little intimidated by it, but quickly learned how to navigate through the menus.  It's great!  I've been able to take some excellent photos with it, and folks have commented what great photos they are.  It has a fast shutter speed even without using the sports mode.  My wife took some photos of kids playing ball and it caught them swinging the bat and the ball in mid air.  I thought that was pretty good.  She has took some excellent photos the first time she picked the camera up.  It's easy to use.  I really like the progressive and continuous capture modes.  This makes taking photos of events that are occurring easy.  I love the 10x optical zoom, plus I don't have digital zoom unless I turn it on.  The only down side I've found so far is the photo software included is still a little intimidating to me.  I really haven't learned to use it yet.  That's not really a problem as I chose to use a different photo program that was included with my computer.  This digital photography is great.  No messing with film!  All in all I'm very happy with my camera and am really enjoying it.
I've had my Z2 for about a week and I am very impressed with it.  This is my fifth digital still camera (the last was a Sony DSC-S75).  Other reviewers have complained of poor image quality and noisy zooming during videos.  It almost seems as if they are talking about a different camera.  My Z2 has produced very sharp and colorful images (flesh tones are a bit oversaturated even at the "natural" color setting) and the zoom is COMPLETELY silent in the videos I've taken.  One reviewer said the videos cannot be edited, but that is not true.  The camera comes with Arcsoft software to do some crude editing on the Quicktime (*.mov) files, but it also allows you to save the video in other formats such as MPEG, AVI, and WMV.  In those other formats the Windows XP Windows Movie Maker will do additional editing.  I recommend you use the AVI version since it seems to introduce the fewest compression artifacts.  But you have to download the camera's firmware update (version 1.02, posted 04/23/04) at [...] in order to get the sound to transfer along with the video.  When you are at the site you have to navigate to the Z2 page and then select "software."  Another virtue I've discovered -- the camera is efficient in its use of energy.The deficiencies I've found have to do mainly with downloading images and dealing with them once they are in my computer.  The Windows XP download wizard cannot rotate images that were taken in vertical format (as it was able to do with my Sony) unless I first rotate the image in the camera's playback display.  Images come in as JPEGS, with perhaps a bit more compression than I would like in the "fine" mode - the file sizes for these 4-megapixel photos are about the same as they were with my 3-megapixel Sony.  When I edit an image and then try to save it again as a jpeg, my Ulead PhotoImpact 6.0 software cannot compress the image as much as I may need.  And my Printmaster 7.0 cannot see the image, though other JPEGS come in just fine.  The workaround that I use is to save the Minolta's image as a Bitmap, close the bitmap file, then reopen it, and then save it as a JPEG at the desired level of compression -- and then Printmaster can see it.  Perhaps Minolta has done something with the EXIF data that these software applications cannot deal with.With a camera that generates such widely differing reviews it might be a good idea to buy it where you can return it easily.  I got mine at WalMart (Circuit City was out of them) for something like $50 more than the Amazon price, just so I could bring it back quickly.  But I'm keeping mine.
This is my second camera of this model.  The first purchase was around 10 years ago and I purchased the camera to take on my safari trip to East Africa.  The camera took such wonderful photographs and the zoom properties were so good that many asked me if I was a professional.  After a while, I decided that I needed to replace the older camera and I did but selected a gently used version of the same camera.  I am totally pleased with my purchase.
I was kind of hesitating buying a camera run by batteries, but so far this camera is amazing. I am really enjoying exploring its features.
I've owned the Z2, Z3, and Z6 and this is the best out of all of them. The super macro is better than any camera I've seenin its class and better than some more expensive cameras. These cameras are going real cheap now that they aren't being madeanymore and I'd highly recommend one especially if you like macro photography.
This camera is overall good buy for the price, however, it feels like it is going to break apart in my hands. The body is very poorly constructed, made out of cheap plastic. The black grip from the picture looks as if it is rubber, but...no. It is cheap plastic like the rest of it. Too bad, with a little extra "beef" it could be a bargain.
In the picture the seems to be quite large. In fact it's small, light and I'd say, fragile by touch. The zoom works very well as well as the two macro modes. The video shooting capacity offers a variety of sizes to choose from. Can't say anything about pictures taken with it being very noisy or anything like that. Picture quality depends on many external factors, and there is no need to repeat endlessly that megapixels alone do not determine the quality and are not the first thing to look at when choosing a digi camera. The camera's three compression modes are ok if we remember that the jpeg format uses irrecoverable compression. The camera came with a 16 MB card plus a 64 MB bonus card. Not too much for shooting videos extensively but for taking pictures it suffices. For shaky hands this camera may not be very convenient.
I've owned this camera for almost a year, I took a major fall and catapulted the camera onto a concrete floor when the camera was 3 weeks old. It's always taken incredibly sharp pictures and very high quality movies before and after the fall, the plastic case held up very nicely also. Unlike the comparable Kodak cameras that need proprietary batteries and docking stations, this camera can use rechargable nim-h AA batteries. The 10x zoom and ISO 400 settings are impressive, but you need a tripod in low light with the 10x optical in use. Later Dimage Zx models stop at ISO 320. The optional top mount flash (2500) works very nicely. The wide angle adapter and a UV filter are also quality options. Do not bother with the digital zoom, any software package can do the same. The movies are crisp and high quality, exceeeding older VHS camcorders. Use a card reader to transfer the movies from the SD card. This guarantees integrity. Ignore the 16mb SD card and buy a minimum of 256Mb, the kingmax line is very reasonably priced.
Dimage Z2 feels good in your hands.  The grip handle has well spaced and placed buttons.  The neat LCD screen/viewfinder switcher option is very handy.  The LCD screen does not fold out for odd-angle viewing.  This camera will not fit into a pocket, but is surprisingly light.The controls are pretty intuitive, but also extensive.  They're a lot easier to understand than most VCR's.  Of course, this might be faint praise...Pictures look fine on my 17 inch laptop screen.  Since I do not print out my pictures much, 4MP is more than enough.  At half the price of the digital Rebel (and the like), I can live with half the megapixels of digital SLR's.  The 16meg SD card that it comes with is completely inadequate.  My 512 SD card might seem like overkill, unless you want to film movies.  Then, the 512 seems just adequate.The movie-mode is the best I've seen on a camera.  If you pick your spots carefully, you can film a wedding in both still and movie modes, and be pleased by both results.  However, the motor on the lense is very loud when employed during filming, and will be noticably picked up.  In other words, DON'T zoom while filming.  The 10X optical lense will make you forget the digital zoom.  If you must go for the digital gusto, unless you've got nerves of steel and hands of granite, use a monopod.  Z2's focus lock option allows you to properly compose your picture with your subject off center.  The focus is fast (if not quiet) and pretty responsive.  The flash is powerful (red-eye reduction), and there is a hot-shoe for a larger flash unit.The 2 AA battery (with AC power option) allows a lot of flexibility.  An optional battery unit is available that pretty much provides enough juice to run a small Irish village (excluding the pub).If you can accept that it is what it is (a consumer camera with lots of neat features in a well-thought-out package), then Z2 deserves its 5 stars.
Buy this camera with the accessory kit and a bigger memory card. We love ours. No problems.
I was looking for a camera with a better optical zoom than the one I own. The Dimage Z2 fit the bill with its powerful 10x zoom. (I need the zoom for swim meets and candids of my kids and dog.) The Z2 zoom works well. I was worried about comments people wrote regarding blurred photos using the zoom. I find that if you hold still (keep your elbows against your body to stay steady and wait until photo appears on digital screen) there is no problem. The 4.0 megapixels are more than adequate for my purposes and any more would use too much space on the SD cards. I've enlarged to 8x11 with no decline in quality.The positives about this camera are:* Very light weight even with batteries (4 AA)* 10x zoom is excellent* Good optics (and this is what you need in a camera)* the weird shape actually makes holding the cameraeasier* SD card is tiny and larger megapixel cards can holda lot of photos* The camera is easy to use-all functions and buttonsare well planned and well explained in instructions* the batteries last a long time and the monitor letsyou know when power is lowThe problems are minimal:* case is plastic not metal but this is why its light* the SD card slot cover is flimsyOverall I'm very pleased with this camera!
I have this Camera for almost 3 years. This camera is excellent in daylight but miserably fails in low light. This is my first Digital Camera and I am happy with day light performance but I hate it for pictures taken inside home. Automode never works good. Try manually, setup the shutter speed and aperature it is near perfect.
This was my first digital camera. I purchased this camera over six years ago. It has served me well over the years.  It is obsolete by 2011 standards, except for the fact that it stil works, which is the only technical standard that matters.  Good deal.
I read all the reviews and got this great form factor camera, however it does not shoot as fast as the Sony T1 (my other choice) from shot to shot, but the startup is as fast or faster. The low light performance is better than the T1 and causes less red eye. It also has the optical as well as the lcd viewfinder. 10x zoom in a non-prutruding lens design is great. BATTERY LIFE IS PHENOMENAL! Secure Digital Card (SD)fits right into your Palm or Pocket PC. Overall a great little camera that you can take anywhere and forget you are carrying it.It all boils down to your memory. If you are using Sony Memory stick, stay with all Sony hardware. Otherwise SD is a great choice as you can have your choice of Palm, Pocket PC, Canon and other hardware that uses the SD format.This has been a great little camera. Highly recommended!
I liked this camera alot, but it broke after 8 months.  Konica Minolta only has a 6 month warranty.  I expected at least a one year warranty.  Now i am out 280 dollars.  I probably won't get another Konica Minolta product EVER!
The Konica Minolta Xg received an outstanding review in the Wall Street Journal, which motivated me to buy it as my first digital camera. I recently bought a second Xg after my first one was fried when I went swimming with it in my pocket.  The range/view finder, which has been eliminated from most pocket cameras, allows you to see a close approximation of the picture without relying on the LCD screen.  The LCD is small by today's standards but more than adequate to check the image and show others.  Taking pictures using the LCD screen is practically impossible outdoors in bright light, even with the large screens now available.  The viewfinder allows you to hold the camera in the traditional in-your-face picture taking position where it is stable and less likely to move and result in a fuzzy image, which can easily happen holding the camera at arms length viewing the LCD screen.  I also like the non-projecting lens design, which is protected by a sliding metal panel, because it maintains the shape of the camera.  The camera takes excellent pictures in my experience, with multiple pixel settings.  My only major problem was: the flash failed and required a $100 repair.  I never regretted making that investment.
I wanted a camera that was small and light, to use when backpacking. This little camera represents an excellent compromise for my needs. I like the fact that it is compact; I carry it in my pocket all the time, unlike my other digital camera that gets left behind much of the time. I like the fact that the lens extension is completely internal, and that the camera does not change shape or get larger when opened for shooting. The internal lens means the camera is ready to take pictures in less than a second from turning it on.One needs to be sure to hold the camera carefully when shooting, since the light weight makes it easy to take shaky pictures. Also, one needs to hold it as recommended to avoid blocking part of the picture with a finger or thumb. I can deal with these caveats.All in all, I'm highly satisfied with this camera as meeting my specific needs. I recommend it for anyone needing a camera that's small, light, and always at the ready for a picture. This is one camera that you will take along with you.Jay
I've had this camera for about 9 months.  It proves to be a usefull camera, with the basic features you need and takes nice pictures in proper lighting.  The flash could be better, but it is what you could expect for a camera this size.  Battery life is very good.  I bought 2 extras, but hardly ever need them.  My son used it on a trip to Spain and came back with some very nice shots!
I have a Nikon 990 digital camera for work and personal projects. My wife wanted a digital camera to replace her Olympus Stylus. The Stylus is an excellent camera for travel and fun so we wanted something that would compare in quality but be even smaller. So we got the Minolta XG. I played with a friends Xt for a week and I agree, this XG felt like a downgrade instead of an upgrade.A totally different look in our photos. We turn the flash on for all photos, inside our outside on subjects and it makes a huge difference. After adjusting the camera f and shutter settings for your lighting and personal style the shots are still dark. Any more adjustments will make the shots blurry or washed out.We get photos from ofoto and they come out okay. Not as good as the Nikon 990 or film rolls we send in but good scenery shots. Startup is fast, I can whip the camera out of the pocket my family always wants the photos I take because it can capture the moment faster than anyone else with their gadgets. Shot to shot lags more than I expected.That is important to me - capturing the moment. Two buttons, no knobs or fiddling, just boom, boom, shoot. I wish the shots did not have as many artifacts in lowerlight and skintones. Overall, a good camera for someone who has kids or needs a second camera for the moments that you might miss because you did not have a camera on you.If you get this camera, watch your finger or thumb over the lens. Also, do not depend on centering a shot in the LCD display. It is way off from the actual lens.
Compact camera with tiny flash.  Pretty much useless in the evening, or indoor.  Can't focus most of the time (indoor/evening). No capability for external flash. Pictures taken during the day is good, especially using "spot" metering.I bought this for my wife. She has indoor/evening meetings all the time, and this camera is just useless for her.  *sigh*Maybe I am asking too much for little price.
I received this camera free from a Christmas party drawing (Grand Prize.)  I have to say that my Kodak DX3500 has better picture quality than this one.  It's cute and compact, but the picture quality is not good.
I have had one of these cameras for about 2 weeks now. This is basically a fancy point and shoot camera. I am finding I am taking this little camera along everywhere because it is small and fun. I am taking it with me to places where I would never take a camera before.I love the small size of this camera, and that it is super-easy to adjust the exposure up to + or - 2.0 EVs. (I have not found any way to specifically override shutter speed or f-stop; but there is a program which places the camera in shutter-speed preferred mode.) With its very small size, I found that my finger at first tended to get in front of the lens, which is at the top corner of the camera where the viewfinder window would ordinarily be. (The viewfinder is immediately adjacent, inboard from the lens, where the rangefinder window would ordinarily be.) The battery life is excellent. The autofocus works fine. Once focus is set, the shutter lag is minimal. There is spot autofocus and spot exposure metering available (requires scrolling through menus.) Sharpness is good for a point and shoot -- I am not expecting the same performance that I get from the high-end optics I attach to my Contax bodies. Distortion from the lens is less at all focal lengths than I expected, and contrast is reasonbly good. All-in-all, so far I am very happy with this little guy and heartily recommend it.
All:I have had this camera for a week and really like it.PROS: Everything the ads say are true. Great pics.Fast startup and snap. Great for people who dont wantto mess with lot of manual settings, although you can dothat too.CONS: Have to think hard for these, but the lens is in a spot that you have to be careful not to cover with your finger when snapping a pic. Also, dont buy the Minolta camera case that you can get to fit the camera. It is a poorly designed case.
I bought one of the first Minolta "X" versions of this years ago and owned it with heavy use for about 4 years. I then sold it and bought a bigger digital camera for work and home use. My wife wanted a simple, small camera, that would be user friendly and take good pictures, so I bought her a Konica/Minolta "XG" and I was very impressed with the improvements made since I had owned my original X model. If you want a camera that is primarily for exchanging pictures on the Internet, or for prints that are smaller then 8x10 this camera is great. The huge advantage it has is it's slim, small design, while still having an excellent, non protuding, telephoto built in, along with extremely fast start up and excellent picture quality. All in all, one of the best small digital cameras that were ever made and holds its own up against the newest brands.
Love the small size and fast startup time, as well as the ability to manipulate manual controls if you want. A couple of things that I miss from my previous Canon Digital Elph: 1- there is no TV (RCA connector) hookup. This is a really nice feature so you can come home and quickly do a slide show on the TV. 2- the charger cable is almost as big as the charger. Again, Canon did it right; the slightly larger charger has prongs built right in, no cord to tie up or tangle.Otherwise, nice small, feature-packed package with 3mp capability.
This camera is essentially the same as Xt, except that it has lost some features:-no more charging stand! It's not even available as an option, since the charger contacts were removed all together. you will have to take your batteries out to charge, which is one of the design flaws on other ultralight cameras that drove me to Minolta's original design. Furthermore, the battery charger is just a slight variation of the original charging stand (which charged both camera and batteries), thus it is unnecessarily bulky (with wires galore) for its now reduced functionality.-no more a/c adaptor port. to use the camera with a/c, you will have to buy a proprietary battery-replacing adaptor (a dummy battery with wires).. i.e. you'll have to take the battery out and replace it with the adaptor for it to work, and the wire coming out of a little sliding door next to the battery bay. the door becomes an extrangeous loose piece most of the time, for most people.-lower resolution LCD monitor (85k vs 110k) but slightly larger (1.6" vs. 1.5").-No more TIFF (uncompressed) format.-No more video out (where you can play back pictures on TV).-No more quick switching option between color modes through left-right toggles.It has gained a few things:-programmed AE modes: it adds nothing to its photographic features. There's nothing that the camera couldn't do already with orignal set of controls, though some may find it easier to use.-New Image Processor that reportedly improves color.-Better battery life (resulting from the new processor. The camera as well as the Xt uses almost no current with LCD off: extremely efficient).-Added 30fps movie mode (Xt has 15fps only) as well as night mode for movies.-Some seemingly useless features: a paste-over feature where you can superimpose your pictures against some cartoon background; 9-in-1 picture mode, etc.-Allows in-camera movie edit and picture cropping.-it's priced higher.I mourn the demise of a great little combination. Xg feels almost like a downgrade rather than an upgrade. Seeing Xt's corners being cut off and its price jacked up worries me with the direction which Minolta is moving. Xt's a wonderful camera, and so is this nearly-identical Xg, especially now (supposedly) with better images and longer battery life. Yet it seems to me Xt's execution was done with more heart and less number crunching.my $.02
I've purchased this camera a while back in the fall of 2003. Since then, this camera is still good and is of high quality.The photos are excellent, and are clear and crisp. Even in the darkest of light, the photos are very good. The only thing is that I still can't figure out a way to turn off the flash. Otherwise, photo quality couldn't be better.The DSCP73 is pretty easy to use. I've seen digital cameras that are much easier, but this is good enough for me. Like I said, I'm saying it's pretty easy because I still haven't figured out some options.The durability is amazing. One time, I had one of my skateboarding friends borrow this. They had dropped it 5 times on road tar, and it is still in good condition, despite minor-medium scratches (well, no camera is scratch proof, unless you get a case). The camera still worked like new and no features were disabled.The battery life is great at 10 hours.The LCD is pretty big, about 1", though most cameras are bigger. Even some have around 2", but in my opinion, that makes them ugly and bulky. This one's stylish. The text font could be bigger, but are clear, and easy to read in dark, since the screen is backlit.Unfortunately, these are being dsicontinued. Hopefully, you can get one. Though, Sony has made another one (DSCS40) that has the same features, and the screen is bigger. Hopefully, you can get one. These are great.Highly recommended.
For the price, this is a first-class camera. It is well known that a digital camera is only worth the quality of pictures it produces. The Cyber-Shot creates excellent images, that even an amature, like myself, can create.It will capture beautiful shots, using the pre-recorded Scene Selecters:Soft Snap: provides a sharp accent of your subject with a hazy background.Candle: Lets you take perfect images of your partner over that romantic candle-light dinner.Twilight: Those night time shots of the city lights come out perfect.Landscape: Clear wide long shots that will not get any better.For basic value for money, and for an amature like myself, this digital delivers and more.
We've had this camera for almost a year now and it takes fantastic shots in the daylight but nearly 50% of all inside shots are out of focus.  I have read the manual and tried numerous settings with no change.
Hm, now why would anyone be reading my review for this Sony DSC P73?Well, chances you you've already seen some of the newer Sony models like theSony Cyber-Shot DSC-WX9 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 5x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080/60i Video (Black)andSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Black), both of which I own and are great cameras. However, both are in the $200 range.If you'd like to try, I highly recommend this camera, especially if it is under $75 because:- Photo quality is still very good- Ease of connection to computer- Many settings like macro, portrait, and timer (features you'd find in today's cameras)- Zoom is 3xAll in all, a solid camera, and still reliable after 7+ years. This camera as the best back then. Take a chance, if the price is right!
we had this camera for about a year until on Thanksgiving Day while out of town it broke.  The lense just froze while in the middle of taking a picture and wouldnt ever go back into the camera.  We ran out to Best Buy and purchased it again because it was just a simple to use basic camera for me and my dad.  (2 years later the old cameras lense still wont go back into the camera yet the camera still will turn on..weird.)  At first we liked the camera and it took good pictures.  They look great when we got them developed (costco.com is the best place to upload them and 1 hour later you pick them up, super cheap too) and the quality was good.  Within the last year the camera has turned into a piece of crap.  Evvvvvery picture comes out blurry it seems.  Inside or outside.  I am constantly telling people who take pics for me to take 2 or 3 pictures because i KNOW one or two will be blurry and that is a great shot i will miss because of it.  Also the flash quality is horrible.  It takes okay pictures of people in the dark but if it's of an object (anything really, just not a person) it comes out pitch black.  Inside the lighting is bad too. The camera can never focus and it's just annoying. I also went through 2 or 3 memory sticks made by Sony that for no reason just broke.  One of them broke while in a store getting them developed (in the little machine) and erased all of my pictures which was very dissapointing.  The people said there was no way it was their machine, that it had to be a default in the memory stick.  Also the camera is pretty big and clunky.  At the time it was actually a smaller camera on the market, now it is huge!  I am looking into now buying the Canon powershot 6.0
I bought this camera last year. I returned it the next day and bought a Canon instead. The [sony] camera was *okay* but if you're picky about your photos like I am, don't get this camera. The quality isn't that great, neither is the flash. A semi-lit area would come out blurry and brown-tinted, if that makes any sense. But I can take a picture with my canon in a pitch black room and the photo comes out great.Bottom line, you can get a much better camera for the same price, or even less.
I had never used or even seen a digital camera up close before but I wanted to see what all they hype was about.  Having children, I take a lot of pictures and have gotten quite good with cheap disposable cameras.  After ordering the Sony Cybershot DSCP73, I was taking pictures like a pro within 10 minutes of opening the package.  It comes with computer software that takes you step by step through the operations.  You don't have to use trial and error to figure out what all those funny little symbols mean, everything is explained.  Like the other reviewers stated, you will need to purchase an additional memory card.  I got the 256 mb generic card from Wal-mart and it works great.  Don't buy for video purposes alone though, you can't zoom while shooting a video, you must set the zoom before you start and it remains there throughout the session.  Photos are very easily uploaded to your computer, just plug in the camera and a screen pops up telling you exactly what to do next, step by step.  Simplicity at it's finest!  Well worth the money.
I've owned the p-73 for about two years now.  One thing I'm noticing about a couple digital cameras in the amazon reviews, is that after a year or so, the camera has some kind of error or just dies completely.  For me, this hasn't happened with this camera.  It's always been great, and it has a lot of really convenient features.When I bought this camera, I knew NOTHING about cameras.  I just wanted one really bad for some reason one day and went out and bought this one because it was PRETTY.  I got really lucky--I mean, I only bought it because it was pretty--I knew nothing about it.  But, nonetheless, I got lucky and bought this camera that takes AA batteries, came with a battery charger and its own USB cord.  It had a ton of settings on it.  Now that I understand more about photography, I really like the manual setting--the slowest shutter speed is 30 seconds compared to 10-15 seconds of even newer cameras in its class.Like I said, i never had any problems with it.  Batteries always lasted long; took little time to recharge.  I never even bought a memory card for this camera--I use the lowest resolution to take pictures because that's all the given memory card can hold, and my pictures are still decent quality.I'm now looking into a new camera because I do want excellent image quality, and, ironically, ever since I've been shopping for a new digital camera, my sony has been overexposing and underexposing about 20 percent of the shots i take; weird.Anyway, if you're looking to buy a sony digital camera, based on my experience with this one, I'd recommend the brand.
For quite sometime lured by media publicity I thought Sony a good brand. But this was not at all true for digital cameras. I bought this P73 for myself and an HP 4 MP camera for my cousin much cheaper than Sony. Both 3x Optical zoom. The HP one was far better in image quality. Main problem is that photo quality is not so good. It lacks sharpness and in most of the natural occassions becomes a bit hazy. This fact becomes annoying because your friend who has a Cannon or an HP camera will take sharper pictures better than you in any light conditions. Also, in the same price you might look for something higher than 3x optical zoom, say 5x or so in other brands. Also during video, every option of adjusting to light conditions etc will be shut off, another irritating fact.Not recommended.
I lost my camera and purchased this as a replacement because I still have the waterproof housing and other accessories for diving. It is perfect and takes great underwater pictures and short videos. Thank you for the free shipping upgrade and prompt response to my questions. Love this camera!!
This camera is my first foray into the world of digital cameras, and I am smitten.  I found the instructions easy to follow, the quality of pictures excellent, and the value hard to beat.The only thing I don't love is the software that came along with the camera, but it is functional and does what I need it to do as far as printing and viewing photos.The "video" camera feature is great, too--I love sending quick hellos to family and friends, and this camera makes it easy.A good value and a great buy.
I received this camera about 4 years ago as a gift.  It is my first digital camera.  My only complaint is that 'action shots' are usually blurry.  The best shots are stills where I take my time and frame them properly.  Shots on the go don't come out that well.  The quality of the still pictures is very good.  It is also very easy to set up the timer and has one-button last-picture recall.It is very portable and fits easily in my jeans pocket or purse.If I upgraded, I would get a further-reaching zoom and one that freezes the action better.  I would still look at Sony first.
When Sony made this camera, they were thinking of people like you and me, who were looking for a good camera, with a good resolution, enough features, and of course, not to spend too much.The camera 's 4.1 mp resolution allows you to get perfectly detailed 8" x 5.33" prints, if you want them.Other features, like manual exposure, and scene modes, allow you to get more pro, so this isn't a simple point and shoot camera if you want to do some tweaks to yor photos. The P73 helps you to take pictures like a professional without having to be one.The P73 takes about 1 second to power up, and for continuous shooting, you only have to wait about 1 second between pictures.PROS- Low price / Great features- Easy to use- Good battery life- Optical Zoom- 6 Scene modes- 3 Additional modes: Manual / Program / Auto (point + shoot)CONS- LCD fonts are tiny and hard to read- Smart zoom only works at low resolutions (1mp - 3mp)- Included 16MB MemoryStick is not enough (only 8 pix @ 4.1mp)- Included "Picture Package" doesn't have any edit capabilities- Picture Package Software crashes sometimes causing damaged JPGSSony should give away larger MemorySticks with their cameras, but I guess that's their strategy... if you buy a camera, you will need another MS.If you buy the CyberShot DSC-P73 consider buying at least one 128MB MemoryStick (holds 64 pix @ 4.1MP) but I'd reccomend a 512MB that holds about 242 photos @4.1MP, so you can go on vacation and take enough great pictures without having to worry for the MS capacity.A spare set of batteries and a carrying case would be a great companion as well.
This is the best cam, it takes pics, it has a timer, it can record videos WITH sound, i swear if you buy this you will not regret it.
As about two or more reviewers got this for the holidays, and so did I. I have to say, this camera is great. I'll just break down pros + cons because it's an electronic devicePROS:- With the 4.1 megapixels, picture and video quality is clear and crisp.- Easy menus.- Overall easy to use if a beginner.- Many different ways and styles to take pictures.- Very durable, as Sony products are mostly all trustful.- Love the zoom in and zoom out features.- Easy to delete videos and pics.- Easy to connect to a computer or a television.CONS:- The memory stick that came with this is only 16MB which is only 8 pictures and 42 secs for video. Luckily, I also got a 256MB memory stick seperatly and I can take about 120 pics and 11 min for video.- The batteries were not charged up when I recived the product.- Sound on the videos are sometimes weak.Overall, this camera is great, but make sure to buy a seperate memory stick or you will only have 42 seconds of fun with the video and only 8 pics.
I bought this camera after reading several positive reviews. I found that this camera has good features, is easy to use and has a battery charger. But to my dismay the picture quality was below par and didn't meet my expectations. The picture brightness with this camera is lower than a Nikon I had bought 18months ago. Most of the pictures appeared dim and a little dull wheras Nikon pictures at the same spot were brighter. I'm returning this camera. I will probably spend some extra dollars to buy a canon or a Nikon
Mint condition camera was $1.99 at a resale shop.  Had the memory stick PRO froma BIG LOTS clearance bin in 2007.  Total investment under $10. 4mp might not be impressivefor some enthusiasts  but SONY never got caught up in the MP race, and all MP ratings are not created equal.I was printing decent quality  8x10 photos with a SONY Mavica floppy disk (.3mp) in 1998.  I then startedusing the 2000 DSC P30 (2002 to 2014) and that remains my daily unit for record shots.  This P73 won't get a greatdeal of use but it is more advanced and functional than the P30.
As others have said it: This is an all around very good camera. It's got a decently sized sensor (4.1MP), 3X optical zoom is not a big WOW, but most film point-and-shoots come with no zoom at all.LCD viewfinder is decently sized, though more expensive ones are, of course, bigger. The video mode is great and it's a good thing to have that AV cable for a quick share.If you are an average to sub-average picture-taker, like me, you will most probably not have a tripod around, so that alone will guarantee you blurry shots at sub optimal lighting conditions, unless you use the flash. So most of the enhanced scene modes, including nightime modes and also the manual control mode will most probably get blurry results. The good thing is that the camera will tell you when your shot would be prone to "shake" blur. That way you can decide to either not take the shot, adjust lighting conditions or get (if you have one) a tripod.It's a sturdy camera. It's over a year old and has survived at least one major fall, with some bumps here and there.The only thing I've noticed is that lately the pictures are turning up with a slight greenish feel on them. I'm pretty avid on photoshop and know how to correct the pics to get them lifelike colors, and the difference isn't bad. Not many people notice it, but I do, maybe since I like to edit photos very much.In the end, if you don't have alot of money and want to get the most "bang for your buck", go with this one - specially if you are just starting in the digital camera world as I was at the moment of purchase.
I have owned several digital cameras, and this is my current digital camera in hands. I would write a short review as a critical person with concentration ONLY on important things to watch for.Pros- Uses only 2 AA batteries.- Battery life is very good.- Small camera size. Easily fits into a pocket.- Can set '+' flash level, which forces camera to make a stronger flash. I use it almost every time.Cons- Resolution. The images are not sharp in terms of that you can't distinguish individual pixels when looking at the real size picture. I would say, there is no much difference in quality between 4 MP and 50% (1 MP) scaled down version. The same problem exists in Sony DSC W1 camera.- I had many problems with "ON" button. Sometimes camera refuses to turn on. It can be fixed by shaking camera and trying again. (It could be a defect in my camera only).- Some camera parts are painted plastic, which can be scratched.- Camera can lose all settings and preferences if left with discharged batteries (~several hours) or without them at all (10 minutes).- Video quality 640x480 is pretty good in high quality mode, but eats flash space very quickly. Windows 2000 didn't have the right codec to view the file. I had to install it by myself.- Camera is performing slightly below the average in low lighting condition with auto settings.
The camera has done well in the few weeks that I have had it. It has taken nice high-quality pictures, and it was simple enough that even my mother, who is horrible with technology, was able to figure out how to use it to pretty much its fullest potential. I liked the layout of the buttons and the simplicity of the interface.For the price though, it is perfectly natural to expect some gripes. For one, in medium-low light conditions, the LCD is far too dark, and it can be quite difficult to see anything, even if it really isn't that dark out. Secondly, it is a pain not to be able to zoom in or out during filming the movies (though, with the short amount of time offered by memory cards, the movie function is not really meant for significant filming). Overall, however, the product preformed admirably, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a camera like this in its price range.
I recently bought this camera and i love it very much takes great quality photos too, i think sony makes good cameras overall i give it 5 stars.
I had one that I gave my brother last year that I had bought new years ago.  I gave him this and some memory sticks for $50. Mine was in NEW condition as I hardly used it, alot when I first got  it tho.  I have tons of Sony cameras and NONE of them have one single scratch on them!  This one said it was &#34;like new&#34;. However it had some deep little scratches in it on the case of the camera,  the lens was scratch free. The hand loop was faded and dirty.  I only got him this one because he loved the one I originally gave him, tho he LOST it... It is a nice camera for macro pics and I still have my Sony DSCP200, which is in NEW condition! I use it now and again to do macro pics as the newer Sonys I have do not  compair to this one in close ups !  I have one of each MP since digital cameras first came out and were in the 4 to 5 hundred range ....  All Sonys :-)
I got this camera to replace my Fuji Finepix 3.2MP camera.  I wanted a camera that I could use to take photos of my pets, and according to many sources, this camera has great red-eye reduction.  Well, when I take pictures of my dogs, they turn out great and the pictures look like they are fresh from a regular film SLR.  However, it's about 50-50 when I take pictures of my Ragdoll kitten.  It may be because he has blue eyes, but for some reason he always ends up getting more red eye than anyone else.  Although this is dissappointing, it is still better than my old camera.  It has a lot more features, some of which I still haven't used.  Another fault of this camera, however, is the fact that in considerably well lit places, if you do not have the flash on, anything that is moving in the picture will be a blur.  This basically forces you to use the flash in all conditions other than extremely well lit places, like the beach.  The LCD screen is very easy to see, and is a lot bigger than the one on my old camera.  Again, how well it works depends on the situation.  In very sunny situations it's IMPOSSIBLE to see the screen.  At least there is a viewfinder to help you out.  The software that comes with the camera is pretty bad, and I can't figure out how to save pictures to my computer.  Much harder to use than that which came with my old camera.  The battery is a plus so far, as that it lasts a very long time compared to my old camera.  Charging it isn't a pain at all.  The memory stick that you must use is a bit of a pain because they are more expensive than a lot of the alternatives that I could have used if it did not require the stick.  The accessories, other than the memory stick, are fairly priced.  The video taking capabilities on this camera are awesome.  Some people have complained about them, but they are SO much better than any I have seen before on a digital camera.  It really helps that I can connect the camera to my TV, using the cables provided by Sony (this is one of my favorite features).  All in all, I do not think that I regret my decision on buying this camera (yet), but I wish that I would have considered other choices that may have had less of a red-eye problem.
I got the P100 (for free using Sony Visa bonus points), as a companion to a three-year-old F707, which is a wonderful camera (at the high end of the non-pro spectrum in its time) but sometimes too big to take on a walk with a toddler.  I was in some ways pleasantly surprised.  In every respect except of taking still pictures, the P100 is better.  That's technological evolution at work: much nicer movie mode (excellent quality of video and sound!), a nicer directional pad/selector, a handy stand-alone delete button, faster picture taking, accepts MS Pro cards, nicer LCD.  Photos aren't as good, especially indoors, but that is to be expected with the tiny lens and small flash of the P100--but tiny is why I got it, so I have no complaints.Outdoor pictures can be excellent.  Indoor pictures can be quite good if one is careful.  As always, some pictures won't come out, but that's my fault as photographer.  I am quite happy--for my purposes, the camera does the job quite well.  It's not going to produce pictures that a high end consumer camera can (the 5MP spec is certainly not everything--the F707 is also a 5MP camera), but if one wants a small camera that one can carry around in a pocket and quickly fire up whenever something picture-worthy shows up, this is a good choice.I particularly like the focusing spotlight, because it lets me know what the camera is pointed at without my having to look at the LCD/viewfinder, which for certain shots is nice.  I wish it came with some sort of a case, but I guess people might want different ones.  (I just use a draw-string little cloth bag that a flash for my F707 came with.)I'd like to address two complaints in other reviews.1. Focus issues.  Some reviewers complain of focusing problems.  My impression is that this is when one is taking pictures in multi-area focus mode, which averages out the data in different areas, and which can ensure that no areas is in focus.  This is the only focus mode available in the easy-shoot mode (the one with the "camera" icon).  I tend to switch to the program mode (the one with the "P") and set everything on automatic except make the focus be center-area only.  Then I point to the part I want in focus, press the shutter half way, compose the picture, press the shutter all the way.  One really does need to control which part of the picture is to be in focus--no camera can read one's mind!  And outdoor this is a lesser issue because with more light the lens will tend to be stopped up more, and hence have a wider focus range.  My impression is that the focus might still not be perfect in low-light conditions, but I haven't tested this thoroughly.2. Ergonomics.  Out of the box, the camera is hard to hold in one hand when taking landscape-orientation pictures.  For portrait, I think it's fine, and it's fine for landscape with two hands (which one really should use for optimal stability anyway).  For someone like me with big hands, it's easy to cover up part of the flash when holding with one hand, and the weight is inconveniently distributed.  But there is a way of fixing the ergonomics: egrips ([...]  These are very grippy sticky things to keep electronics from sliding out of pockets, etc.  If one applies them in the right places on the camera (I put a strip vertically along the rear right and two horizontally along the front, where the right hand makes contact with the camera), my grip became MUCH surer, and I could hold the camera reasonably comfortably without obscuring the flash.  It seemed worth the ten bucks plus shipping for the egrips, as it fixed the ergonomic issue.  (I have no connection with the people who make the egrips, but they're a good deal, I think.  The camera kit comes with a lot more stickies than one needs for the P100 so there may be enough for some other uses, too.)
After many internet research and asking friends, it came down to Canon S500 vs Sony Cybershot P100.  Final decision was Sony Cybershot P100 and I was very happy with that decision.  This little camera give very real image color and quality.  I had a Olympus Camedia 3040 which I was very please with but carrying it around can be a hassle.  with this little camera, it become a pleasure to have it around and best part is that you know you can still take nice pictures.
This is my sixth digital camera.  I've had my DSCP100 for about three weeks and am generally impressed.  I'm quite pleased with the colors in the images and with the auto-focus speed.  I'm a little bothered by the number of blurry images I get, but I attribute that to getting used to the very light camera (actually, no one I've handed it to seems to get past the tendency to move/jerk this tiny camera during exposures).The Sony's 640x480 video clips are certainly markedly improved from the 320x240 days, but be aware that they aren't equal to the quality one would expect from a camcorder.  I do notice that the autofocus tends to change focus too much during video capture and this highly transient focus can detract from the quality of the video clips.  I recommend a really big Memory Stick Pro to record lengthy videos at the highest quality.Punchline:  while it isn't perfect, it's pretty hard to beat the combination of size, cost and performance.  I do not regret my purchase.
I've Used this model of camera since it was released and it works very smooth and clear even considering its age. Even now in 2010 this camera works even better than some 8-12mp cameras i've used.Good job Sony.
works great have not had any problems buy a back up battery and memory sticks. comes with all the cord and wires to charge on computer or wall.
I like the camera.  About 2 months of use.  Read reviews of focus problems - they are right about the problem.  I have found that setting my camera on the "P" setting and selecting "Center AF" helps.  Sony needs to address this problem.  The battery last a long time on one charge even when using flash.  You need to spend some time with this camera to get the most out of it.  I like it enough to purchase the 7.2 megapixels and will give this 5.1 as a gift.  I purchased this camera for a pocket camera and it is serving that function well.
Everyone has aleady said what needed to be said except that the camera (as fast as a rocket that it is) slowes down a lot on flash photography after battery is half empty (remember half empty is not empty yet). With a fresh charge flashes are ready in no time but after %50 of battery charge, it will take 3-5 seconds for the flash to recharge. I think that could be imporved. Other than that I think it is an AMAZING camera. Oh yes and my other personal wish: Add a stitch option to take pictures and connect them together easily (just like Canons)
This is a good entry level digital camera for those on a budget.  But if you are a hardcore photography junkie then pass up this one.  I bought this camera just for shooting.  Film cameras are a dying breed and I could edit my digital pictures on my computer, not to mention how easy it is to send pics on e-mails.  Well so far I had no problems with the camera, easy to point and shoot.  There are many great features on it, my favorite is the candlelight setting, which makes pictures look soft when taken in a dim room.  Overall this makes a great first digital camera, but for experts, not for you.
after months of searching around for a digital camera, i finally decided to choose this cute sony for a number of reasons. one, it was in my price range with rebates and discounts from sears. two, it was the upgrade of a model that was fairly successful and customers had been pleased. three, it has 5 whopping megapixels! with the added features like scenes, mpeg movie mode, and changing the resolutions, i knew this was the camera for me. the metal body is also an added bonus. if you are an amatuer and just want a digital camera, this is a good camera for you.
I just purchased this as a replacement from my Sony P-72 3.2 meg camera.  WOW!  This camera is so much more improved from only a couple years ago.  Aside from the 5.1 megapixel count, this camera excels in almost every conceivable area relevant to compacts.First off, this camera starts up in less than a second or so--truly fast compared to other similarly priced cameras.  This feature is essential when attempting to capture that oh so special kodak...er...sony moment in a blink.Secondly, the camera is beautiful.  Sony got it right this time when designing a sturdy, compact and lightweight technological masterpiece.  True, it's not as small as its even lighter cousin--the T-1, or the Pentax Optio S4i and Casio Ex-z4, but it passes the pants pocket test with flying colors. Additionally, when compared to the T-1, this camera uses the regular memory stick size and not the smaller duo like the T-1. Sooooo, if you already own a sony, this is a natural upgrade.Some other excellent features on the P-100 are the manual overides.  You can adjust the shutter speed and aperature which, for a camera in this class, is a true rarity.Unlike the T-1, this cam does have a tripod mount, a no brainer for any serious photographer.  I also am enjoying the extremely high quality video mode; although not the most important selling point, having the ability to take camcorder like videos with sound for unlimited amounts of time (unlike 30 second segments from many other cams) is handy.Another amazing feature is the battery life.  I remember my first sony digital camera--the DSC-P50 2.1 mega pixel.  It's battery life was dismal.  My P-72 was slightly improved, but still suffered from chronic battery munchies.  The P-100 fully charged can take pictures for over 200 minutes!  If you're on the display modes, it can last almost double that--another breathtaking accomplishment.  The info lithium works well in calculating the remaining battery life--a major complaint from owners of other cameras like Canon that lack this feature.  Lastly, it is a proprietary battery, so purchasing an additional one is recommended.Needless to say, the 1.8&quot; lcd is gorgeous, just like the past sony cameras I've had.  It's extremely hi-res and I have no difficulty seeing it in sunlight.  The lcd's navigation is similar to earlier sony cams with a few new additions like a light metering box.Overall, I'm tremendously pleased with the picture quality from this puppy.  I envision this camera lasting well into early-mid 2005 when Sony will release yet another improvement.  Until then, I highly recommend this for most anybody who appreciates quality and functionality incorporated into a lightweight package.
I could not be more happy with this camera!  It was between the Nikon 5200 and Sony W1 and I am so glad I chose this one.  I tried out the Nikon for a few days and returned it; too light and awkward and terrible colors.This camera is perfect!  Just the right size, small and pocketable but still with enough heft.  Although, for one-handed shooting I feel much more comfortable with the wrist strap on, since it is small and feels like it could almost slip out of my grasp, although it hasn't happenned yet.I previously had a Sony DSC-S85 which is HUGE compared to this thing and was so slow, you could never catch any action.  But it took beautiful photos, and this one is even better.  I have not had one bad picture yet, and I've taken about 150 so far, in all kinds of lighting situations.  The only editing I've had to do is a couple of red eyes, not bad at all.  I haven't noticed any "purple fringing yet" and the pictures are clear and crisp and gorgeous.  Skin tones are right on (which is a problem in many digicams), and the histogram feature is really nice in questionable lighting.This little puppy is blazing fast.  You push the on button and you are snapping away in literally a second.  Lag time is next to nothing.  It's a little more if you program it to show a quick preview after each picture, but you can turn that feature off. Speaking of features, there are tons!  The scene pre-sets are handy, and the menus are intuitive.  Although, I have had to adjust to the slightly different layout from my previous sony.  This one's is better though.When reviewing pictures this camera is speedy.  You don't have to wait at all for the pictures to load clearly.  The multi burst feature is cool, you can get dramatic slow-motion effects.  But I don't think you can view them anywhere but on the camera, at least I haven't figured that out yet.The battery lasts forever.  I shot about 80 pictures and video (standard) at my nephew's birthday party today, used a lot of flash and reviewed the pictures many times, also turned the camera on and off lots.  There's hardly a dent in the battery, in picture mode it's telling me over 150 minutes left.  My last camera had the infoLithium also and it was so great!  Sony has it figured out.The video quality has improved dramatically but don't plan on using as a substitute for you camcorder -it's not that good yet- plus you'd have to spend $1000's on a couple 1GB memory stick pro's to hold those enormous files.  But in a pinch it works nice.  Speaking of the memory sticks, those things are expensive, so factor in at least one 256MB pro stick (512 would be ideal, but more $$$) which will run at least $60.00 if you go sandisk or lexar, etc.Another great feature is that you can get conversion lenses.  However they look a little bulky and awkward but I think I may invest in the telephoto someday.  Hopefully by the next time I'm ready to purchase a new digital camera they will be putting higher optical zoom lenses in them at this price rance.Overall, you get a great little camera for a lot less money than many with less features and less quality.  I have finally found a camera my husband will use (and can actually produce printable pictures on!).  I couldn't recommend this little camera more.  You will not be disappointed!
I have held out on purchasing a digital camera because I have been unimpressed with the quality of pictures that my friends have gotten with their cameras. During a recent vacation, my niece received a camera for a birthday gift. I watched her take pictures, and I loved the idea of instant gratification by being able to see the picture immediately. For the rest of the trip, I looked at digital cameras, and finally at the end of the trip decided to purchase the Sony Cybershot DSP 100 camera. I took pictures the last week of vacation, and had them printed out. I was so pleased by the quality of the camera. The day after I returned, I took pictures of some flowers at a local Botanical garden, and I was so excited by how well the camera captured the beautiful colors. Everyone that has seen these pictures have remarked on the clarity and color.The Carl Zeiss lens was the deciding factor over the other 5.0 cameras I looked at. My dad recommended this lens to me, and I must say, it makes all of the difference.I have not had a chance to try out all of the special features, but I am already so happy with my choice. If you are deciding on a camera. I say go for this one.
I agree with tmax.  I also bought the Nikon 5200 and was not happy with it.  The store that I returned it to had the Sony sitting there waiting for me to give it a try.  I really liked the Nikon 5200 for the overall &quot;cool&quot; factor, but when all was said and done, the Sony just plain old beat the pants off the Nikon as far as quality goes.  The video was about the same, but the picture quality was far far superior.  I need a camera that I can point and shoot - and still come up with good photos (without having to fiddle around with a bunch of settings).  The Nikon took awful pictures.  So, I'm keeping the Sony.
I am impressed with the overall performance and image quality of the P100. It really has a very fast start up time as well as a very short shutter lag (0.3-0.5s )also as mentioned at imaging-resource.com. It rivals some of the D-SLR's on these parameters! It has a Carl-Zeiss lens that provides excellent quality iamges. The colors and saturation of images are well balanced, I do not feel to play around with imaging software to make them  look better. In addition, it is light and thin, can be carried around w/out much hassle. It has a great macro. Finally, the battery goes and goes and goes without dying out... Overall I am very satisfied with P100 and would definitely recommend it as a full features high-quality P&S camera.
I bought this camera last July and could not be more pleased. It is the perfect camera for slipping in your pocket and catching those candid shots thanks to its quick start up. I have taken a lot of very good photos with this camera. Photos I would have otherwise missed.The battery life is great. As long as I don't go nuts with the pictures, I can go days or weeks between recharges.I am looking forward to taking several more this summer underwater thanks to the newly aquired underwater housing. The great thing is that I will be able to take more photos with this little camera than I could with my old underwater film camera, because thanks to the 2GB memory stick I put in it I can take about 800 pictures at full resolution bofore I have to empty the memory. I bought that memory stick for my PDA but loved having the ability to take so many pictures so much I left it in the camera. (Anybody got a 2GB memory stick they aren't using; those things are pricey.)I plan to buy a digital SLR in the near future but I know that this little camera will still always be in my pocket.
This is an absolutely great camera. I use it for Videos as well as pictures. The sound quality for the movies is good. It is easy to transfer the movies and pictures to your computer, especially if you have a Sony PC or laptop. Even otherwise, the USB cable provided is sufficient.One thing though - and this would be true for any 5 mega pixel camera - the 32mb stick provided is really not sufficient. You should really plan on buying a 512mb stick with your camera, else you will constantly be running out of space.
I'm an amatour photographer and I have this camera for 3 years. I've travelled a lot during this 3 years w/ my camera and I have nothing to complain about the quality of its images. The only thing that I would consider is its width dimension in comparison to a newer version... also, the display size is much smaller than the newer models. But talking about pictures quality, I have NOTHING to complain about it...it's excellent!!
I put off buying a digital camera for a long time because I heard from friends (and saw) that the results with theirs were disappointing. But now that my child is in pre-school, the need to share pictures with others has increased dramatically, and the expense of printing bad takes has become just plain senseless.I purchased this camera about a week ago and have been playing with it nonstop ever since. To my amazement and delight, it has so far taken the most pristine pictures of any camera I've ever owned - PERIOD! I'm no photography expert or even so much as a hobbyist, but the comparison in picture quality between this and my previous camera, a Nikon point-and-shoot 120 ED, is night and day. The difference can be seen vividly when viewing pictures on a computer screen. I can now blow 2MB pictures up to poster size before any noticeable pixellation occurs; with my old camera, a picture scan of that quality would use up at least 60MB. (You read that correctly: two versus SIXTY megabytes!)As others have pointed out, you need to know going in that Sony includes a rock-bottom bare minimum of storage in the Memory Stick provided with the camera (only 32 MB), and you will almost definitely want to purchase a larger one (it doesn't pay to buy anything less than 256MB). And be prepared to spend some time with the camera's manual in order to understand some of the basic settings. But I shopped around and researched before I took this plunge, and right now I don't think there's any better family-friendly camera or deal on the market.In short, if you've waited for digital cameras to cross a certain threshold of quality, reliability and price, that day has come at last. GO FOR IT!
The Sony dscp100 is such an appealing camera - small, easy to operate - that my shutterbug wife ordered a second one.The reason to order a second one: little black dots began appearing in both viewfinder and photos - in compositions that had a light background such as a sky. So she found a new old-stock model - both have the Zeiss lens - and was happy for a few weeks. Now the second one has the dots. They resemble human eye floaters. Yes; we're sending the seond one back for warranty work.
My Sony Cybershot finally died after eight years.  It has served me well.  There have been a lot of improvements over the years and I look forward to seeing what Sony has as an upgrade.
I have this camera for 6 years now. I've been using nothing but this camera for all these years. I took many beautiful pics with it, it impressed me and my friends many times. Now it's an old camera of mine. I plan to replace it with TX5. P100 is a good start for pointing and shooting.
I am not a camera nerd... yet, I would say this is the best camera I have ever owned.
I am a sony freak. My laptop is VAIO, my palm is a Clie, my camcorder is a Sony MiniDV, my surround sound, cd, alarm, you get the picture. So when I decided to get my second digital camera (don't want to discuss the first, a Kodak easy share I bought about two years ago, the wounds are still fresh) I knew I would get a Sony, I just didn't know which one.After doing some research I decided on a 5.1 megapixel for quality, and I wanted small, but not so compact that I would lose it. The DSC-P100 is small, but not microscopic like some out there. It's also made of metal and easy to grip, I don't feel like I'm going to break it when I use it. I've had it for about a week now and the pictures are magnifficent and the resolution is unbelievable! It comes with a 32mg memory stick which is enough for just taking pictures casualy at events, but eventually I plan on purchasing more. The sound playback on the video is great, I can clearly hear what is being said on playback on my camera.Sony does well with using the Carl Zeiss lens, I also have it on my miniDV and knew I wanted it on my digital camera. I have yet to use the burst feature, I didn't even know it was on this camera until after I bought it.I didn't have much luck with my first digital camera (OH! the terrible pain!) so I consider this my first real experience with one. I love it, it's easy and fun to use. The LCD screen on the back is big enough that I can clearly see the picture without having to squint.Side note: I bought my printer when I bought my camera and I have to say I tried about 15 different printers for picture quality and the Sony color 4x6 printer was horrible. The best picture quality I found was an Epson Stylus Photo R320, the pictures look like I just got them back from the developer, not my printer. If you're going to buy a camera that can output perfection the way the Sony DSC-P100 can, get a printer that can represent it properly.
This camera looks great. Has all the features I want. LCD is very clear indoor, but almost useless outdoor. I took identical pictures of my kids indoor and outdoor between this camera and my 3 years old 2M Fuji camera that I paid $240 3 years ago. This camera color and sharpness is horrible compare to the Fuji. I don't think the camera is defective. I don't know why so many professional reviewers said that this is a good camera. ZDNET review gave this camera a bad grade and I saw the same problem on my camera with the one ZDNET/CNET reviewed.  I had the camera setting on automatic.  I didn't want to play around with the setting because all I want is a point and shoot camera.  Maybe there's a manufacturing problem with this camera?  If you want to buy this camera, make sure you can return it w/o incuring the re-stocking fee.
I bought this two years before. It works great till now. The size is small and easy to operate. If you want to record video using this, the quality is not very good. The picutre's quality is good.
When I took it out of the package I wondered what "acceptable" meant to the person I purchased it from.  It looked like it had been through the civil war.  It had no cord, and it needed an adapter to hold the memory stick. When I turned it on the screen was broke. I really can't review the working quality of this camera because I never got to take a picture with it.
Great Camera! Compact, Sturdy, FUN. Accessories are easy to find.Use is pretty intuitive, right out of the box. Uploading pictures to the PC is quick and EASY. Resolution is outstanding!There are so many "fun" features: including (but NOT limited to) black and white, snapshot video, ability to hook it to the TV to see it on a big screen...The quick snapshot is VERY handy when capturing "fast-action" shots (like our toddlers)!Highly Recommend! (I LOVE IT!!!)
It's my first Digital camera, and I must say, &quot;It's perfect &amp; worth every penny!&quot;With its 5.1 MP Sony lens, the photo quality is amazing! Crisp, Sharp, Colorful and very detailed.I have to say, it works better than some CANON models! I took a photo of a same stationary subject with both cameras. I found out that the SONY's output was better than the CANON's. So I went for Sony.The camera has various features to enjoy including Video recording and OPTICAL/DIGITAL Zoom.Well done SONY! :)
I got this for my mother for Christmas and she's taken about a thousand photos with it.What I like:-SOLID build quality-Quick start-up time-Focus-assist lamp for GREAT low light shots-Killer MPEG movie mode with high framerates and sound-Power miser...the included batteries last for hundreds of shots.-Easy-to-use USB connection.  Treats the camera like a drive!What I REALLY Like:-Great photo quality for a common level camera.Accessories I'd Recommend:-At least a 256MB Memory Stick PRO.  You want the PRO version so you can get the high quality movies.-A SanDisk Memory Stick PRO reader...so you can just slot the memory stick in the USB reader and treat the card like a regular drive while saving battery power.-The rapid recharge and case kit....a good deal because you get 2 extra batteries and a rapid charger and a Memory Stick case.I like my mom's new camera so much that my next camera will DEFINITELY be a Sony!  Prolly the P150...
I won this camera at a workshop I went to.  At first, I was in love with it.  The size is perfect - it fits into my purse or pocket.  It has 5.1 megapixels - which will print beautiful 8x10 pictures.  I use this camera to take short videos, and they upload onto the computer and can be sent out in email.Lately, after having the camera for over a year, I've noticed the quality of the pictures going down.  I no longer use this camera indoors - I find that it doesn't pick up the light, and leaves the picture with almost a grayish tone to it.  I also have a Fuji FinePix camera, and I recently took the same shot with both cameras and I can really see the difference.All in all, this camera does good outdoor pictures, but I am glad I did not buy it because the indoor quality of the pictures is poor.  I would look elsewhere for a camera if you are into photography and want the best quality picture.
PROS: Just place the dial on it's "camera" icon setting and you are ready to go.  There is no guesswork here if you just want to take quick pictures.  I did not read the manual until I wanted specific results or had special situations.  You can download drivers, etc. from Sony's site and hook the camera up to your computer through a usb cable.  Very easy.  The batteries last a very long time for me.  Though it has automatic shut-off, it probably depends on how long you keep the camera on trying to figure things out (read the manual first)...or if you leave it on and forget when you have it hooked up to the computer, but if you stay aware of these things you should have excellent battery life.  CONS: Two complaints, and they are the same for any digital camera that I've tried or heard about: I want instant capture when I press that button (like a 35mm), not a three second wait, which is a long time when you're trying to capture children, wildlife, or sports. Also, the color of ordered prints is slightly off 80% of the time.  I don't have time to tweak coloring in hundreds of pictures.  CONCLUSION: However, the pictures are sharp and I can take as many pictures as I want and ease of use is high. The video is nifty too. OVERALL I am happy with this camera.
I'll let this camera's positive points come to light by the other reviewers but I want to make known the existence of its unreliability:My boyfriend and I both have this camera, so this review is a reflection of TWO of these cameras.  (We bought them at separate places, within a month apart from each other.)After only a couple months, we began to have the same problem.The camera frequently freezes: it's unable to take pictures, the LCD screen turns off, and when you try to turn it off, the lens moves in and closes but moves back out and opens again.  Only the mode for reviewing your pictures works and only when on that mode, can we turn off our cameras properly.This problem is not fixed by the resetting suggestions made in the manual.  However, putting in new batteries briefly restores it to normal functioning status, but the frequency of having to replace batteries is ridiculous.  To give you an idea, my boyfriend would bring 2-3 sets of extra batteries just for one day's outting.  Ridiculous.Sure, others have not had problems, but the chances of my boyfriend AND me having problems with TWO of the exact same cameras would make me look elsewhere for a more reliable camera.
This is my first digital camera.  I went with a 5.1 megapixel because I wanted the flexibility of printing larger photos if I ever wanted to.  I never have, but hey, you never know.  A few observations so far:I've heard bad things about digital zoom in terms of quality.  If you take pictures at the highest setting (5.1 megapixels), the digital zoom feature isn't available, so you don't have to worry about possibly pixelated pictures.  However, at lower settings (3 megapixel for example), the zoom bar shows a green line signifying when digital zoom is being used.  Yes, you can turn off digital zoom, but with this camera, you can keep it on and see when you are in digital zoom.I thought the battery life was weak, but it's actually pretty good.  A friend bought another brand of digital camera and complained that after taking just one picture, the battery would drain.  He found out that the batteries that shipped with his camera were cheap and underpowered and he had to buy a better battery.  The batteries with this camera are fine.  I thought the batteries were draining, but I was looking at the memory stick indicator (gimme a break, I said it was my first digital camera).Video capture is ok, especially for a camera.  I've only used the 32 MB stick that comes with the camera, and I've been able to capture the "video mail" size which is very small, but easy to send in an email, and the 640 size, which is better, but still a little choppy.  As I understand it, the Pro memory sticks enable you to capture at the "Fine" setting, which is supposed to be better.  I have still found it suitable to capture those humorous moments in video.The flash is very bright.  I took a picture where I couldn't even see anything on the LCD screen, and the flash was bright enough to make it look like the lights were on.I was able to view the pictures I took on my TV without any problems, using the cable that came with the camera.  I was also able to view the videos I took, and the videos do have sound.The camera also has sound when turning on, taking a picture, and navigating the menus.  They're not annoying, and actually are nice as confirmation for changing a setting (and when taking a picture, you get that shutter sound like on an old-fashioned camera).  It also has a volume control and plays back the sound when reviewing video on the camera.All in all, this was a great purchase, especially for my first digital camera.  It fits in a jacket pocket nicely, and has great features (I haven't even got through the manual, but it's easy enough to use without going thorough the whole thing).  One more note--it takes 6 hours to charge the batteries when you first get it (a battery charger is included).
This was the first digital camera I purchased, and I must say that I got quite lucky.The resolution is brilliant at 5.1 MP. You can stretch and crop all you want without distortion, and it doesn't have that blurry look quintessential of digial cameras.The price is an excellent bargain, especially since here it is offered for $350 (probably subject to change) as opposed to the list $450.It is very user friendly, and has many functions to produce the optimum photo for your situation/context. The amount of flash is automatically decided by the camera, making one's life easier, although you do have the power to override flashes.I recommend that you pruchase the two-sided, 128 MB each memory stick by sony to go along.My only negative comment would be that the batteries are not the super-power ones found in most other cameras. I don't know much about their chemical composition or any of that, but I do maintain that the batteries have a tendency to run out rather fast. However, they are rechargeable and the camera comes with an included recharger you can plug in to an electrical outlet.I really suggest you buy this camera. I am certainly glad I did.
I just need to rave about this camera.  I loved it from day one it is easy to use and has so many options.  It is also a great price.  The thing that has completely shocked me and amazed me is that my camera was accidently taken outside and left outside by a younger sibling of mine and it still works.  He thought it would be funny to bury it in the snow this past winter.  I had on clue where it was it sat outside buried in snow for at least a week and then when I finally found it the snow had all melted so it went through a lot.  Never in my dreams did I think that this camera would still work.  I took out the batteries replaced them with fresh batteries and took out the memory card and replaced it with the same memory card.  Hit the on switch and it turned on!  I've been using it ever since with absolutely no problems.  So if you want a camera that will take a beating with lots of options and that is easy to use this is the one for you!
There's no question the DSC-P93 is a great value.  It is probably one of the lowest priced 5MP rated cameras.  It is loaded with features and gives the user the capability to manually control more settings that most of its competitors, but it does not give the user the ability to capture uncompressed, RAW, or otherwise loss-less image formats such as GIF.This would be less of a problem if there was a way to turn up the quality of the jpegs that it produces, but there isn't.  So if you are taking photos that include human hair or of a bird the hair and the feathers are captured with disappointing lack of definition.  Fine for snapshots of your kids birthday party though.  If I had it to do over I'd have purchased a different camera.
I enjoyed by taking many pictures with this camera. This is my first camera, so i feel that i took the right decision.
I waited and waited a long time before I finally bought a digital camera for my wife and I'm glad that I did. Although this not the smallest camera (Casio has several good small models), I like it for several reasons.1. I have the larger DSC-F828 and very happy with Sony's line of cameras. The DSCP93 uses memory sticks just like the larger camera so no extra media to buy.2. This is a 5 megapixel camera so whatever pictures I take will look good even at 8x10.3. It's a decent size, not too large and not too small. The button placement is good. I had a camera where a function button was placed near the right thumb rest. I kept activating buttons that I did not need to.4. It has many features like movie taking and sharpness control.5. It has an optical viewfinder to save on battery life. I use the digital viewfinder for picture review.6. Talking about batteries: It gets a long life out of two "AA" rechargeable batteries, which came with it. Although you do have to use an external charger for these batteries it's fine since you don't have to worry about down time while the batteries charge like you would if the batteries were charged internally.7. The batteries are standard nickel metal hydride and relatively cheap and available anywhere, not expensive batteries designed just for this camera.8. Very important! When you change batteries, you do not lose your settings like the date and time.9. There is a built-in lens cover.10. Flash is bright and recharges relatively quickly.11. The telephoto is optical rather than digital.Overall, I am very happy with it. I do hate Sony's 90-day labor and 1 year parts warrranty though.
I received my Sony DSC-P93A roughly 5 years ago, after my previous Sony Cybershot of a former model, was stolen.  Over the past 5 years, until recent months, this has been a great starter camera for me.  Other than not being sufficient for my needs anymore (dislike the lack of optical zoom, adjusts poorly in some lighting conditions, short flash range), my only complaint now is that it seems to want to misread battery life.  I have always taken care of my camera, so I'm not sure how to explain the why, but within the past 6 months it will shut down in picture-taking modes, when there is still enough battery power.  If it doesn't shut down after attempting to take a picture, it will turn on when powered on, the lens will extend, then the camera will die.  I have attempted recharging the batteries, changing the batteries altogether, and every time whichever batteries are in, as soon as they are 50% exhausted, the camera fails, which was really frustrating on my honeymoon.
This camera has all the features I've wanted in a digital camera and is easy to learn. There was only one disappointment. I was hoping to be able to place the memory stick into my Sony PDA and view the pictures there but alas it turns out not the case. My Palm  JPG viewer was not able to access the photos on the MS. You'd think Sony products would have some compatibility here. I do recommend you get a larger memory stick.
This was my first digital camera, so my perspective is probably a bit prejudiced by my inexperience.  Things I like, and dislike, about this camera are:1.  Easy to use.  You point and push the button.  It does the rest.2.  Virtually unlimited storage capacity.  After you buy a decent size memory chip (i.e. 256MB), then you can get up to 98 pictures at full size or 350+ at a moderate size.  The memory chip that comes with this camera (32MB) will only story the following number of pictuers: 5MP = 12, 3MP = 20, 1MP = 50, VGA = 196.3.  Prices vary wildly for memory.  I bought three memory chips and paid between $57 and $37 for the same product at different locations.  Be sure to shop prices on the net before you buy.4.  Slow shutter.  If you are used to 35mm, then get used to blurry pictures while you learn.  It takes a second for the camera to focus and light levels can have a big effect on clarity.  Also, using some type of support (i.e. tripod) can also greatly increase clarity.5.  Eats batteries quickly.  If you use the camera a lot, it will go through the AA batteries quick.  Luckily, they are rechargeable and are not unique to the camera.  Carry extras.6.  Good low light pictures.  Assuming you use a support, and the subject is stationary, you can take great low light pictures.7.  Don't have to wait for film developing.  You can snap away to your hearts content and then delete all the bad ones later.8.  Easily transfers images to your PC.  It's just a couple of clicks with the mouse.Bottom line - It's an easy to use camera that can take beautiful pictures with amazing clarity.  This assumes you have good lighting, a stationary subject, good support and take multiple frames.  If you try to use this like a point and shoot 35mm, then you will get nothing but blurry, out of focus pictures.Glad I bought it, but it's taken me several thousand pictures to figure out how to get shots that will equal my 35mm SLR.
The good sides of the p93 camera need no further comment. The camera really produces nice pictures (and use of the maximum pixels  is certainly strongly advised) and videos. Using a tripod, one can look 'into the night' to a sufficient extent. The only bad thing that needs to be mentioned concerns the stubborn Sony strategy on the whole rather than this digi camera. The memory stick memory card is very slow compared to other cards. The camera does not support uncompressed formats, and I've heard that taking a tiff picture with the next model (the dsc-p100) is very time-consuming. Manual settings can be adjusted easily, and this is very good because the light that comes from the built-in flash is nearly as bright as the natural lightning - too much for the subject not to close his eyes at night.
This is my second digital camera, and I must confess that it a great one.I received this camera 2 days back and it was defective. The camera's lens wouldn't come out and I got it replaced with another one from Amazon. Amazon did a great job by sending the replacement in two days time.The resolution is awesome and loaded great many features. Particularly, I liked the "live histogram display".The thing I did not like about this camera is the "Plastic Casing".As of 12/29/05.Then I lost the flash bulb too. Sony is asking $171 for the repair.. What a waste!!
I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY MOTHER ON CHRISTMAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SHE USES IT EVERY WHERE SHE GOES. EASY TO USE AND MAKES REALLY GOOD PIC'S
Well, despite the price (it's 499 dollars in my country) this is an excellent camera. If you are a newbie like me with digital cameras, you're starting with a monster.This baby can take beautiful pictures, and offers options never before seen in P series. Manual control is superb.Cons: It needs Memory Stick Pro to save video... agh!
The quality of the photos produced by this camera is outstanding. Absolutely no trace of purple fringing on high-contrast scenes. No jpeg artifacts to hide the details. Most of the 5 megapixel cameras I have used produce photos that look good when they're reduced to 1280x1024 pixels or so, but when you look at them in full resolution you see blurriness in the details, or fringing around objects. There is absolutely none of that with this camera.Add to that the ease of use and the wealth of exposure controls (full auto, shutter and aperture priority auto, and complete manual, along with a few programmed modes). This may not be a top end camera for the professional photographer, but it is well suited to beginners to serious amateurs.The only caveat I can think of is the digital zoom. This works by effectively cropping the photo, thereby reducing the final image resolution. It's probably best to let the camera use its full resolution and then do your cropping at your leisure with good photo editing software on your computer.
This is one of the first digital cameras of this size I've used, and I'm totally satisfied with the performance.
As of November 2009, I have owned this camera for several years and I am -- well, I WAS -- very happy with it.  About two months ago, it started eating batteries.  I install fully-charged batteries and within 24 hours, with the camera turned off and not in use, the batteries are dead.  I've tried several different sets of batteries with the same result.  Can't figure out the problem and I don't want to send it back so Sony as I'm certain it would cost more to repair than a new one.  In fact, I think I'll buy a new or used one.
First, I would like to say that this is a good bargain, and you will most likely get tons of use out of this camera. The picture quality is very good, the battery life impressed me, and there are a lot of features that will allow you to take the very best pictures in all lighting conditions. The LCD screen is large enough to see your pictures on, and is accurate in showing the quality of your pictures.The only thing I don't like about this camera is the size/weight. It is a little heavy, and can be bulky if you need to carry it around for a while. But if you want a small camera, be willing to pay more, or you're probably going to lose out on some of the features (and quality) included here.This camera is a very good deal, and would be an excellent choice whether you are buying your first digital camera, or replacing an older one.
This is simply the best digital camera I have ever owned.It takes great pictures, very easy to use with a lot of extra features.My only knocks on it are: Somtimes the camera gets confused how much battery power is left (you have a full bar go down to a half bar and then back up to full), and sometimes getting it to focus on what you want it to focus on is difficult. Digital cameras are not like film cameras in that it takes a few seconds from the time you push the shutter button for the picture to actually be taken. In that respect, I've tried to take some quick pictures of my son doing something only to have the camera take too long and miss the picture.However, these are tremendously outweighed by the pros.I've taken 10 times at least as many pictures as I did before due to the instant gratification of it and highly recommend this camera. It is awesome.
Regardless if you are a novice or professional this camera is great all around to use. Easy to take with you anywhere and not as bulky as I thought it would be. Buy nothing less than a 5MP camera you'll be disappointed if you don't.Accessories:No need for a case becasue the lens closes if you leave it on for 30-60 seconds. More memory and more rechargeable batteries are a must. I always carry IKEA regular AA batteries when I'm going for an extended night out...trust me it helps!Enjoy!
After owning 2 Canon cameras over the last 6 years, I knew for my new one I did not want a proprietary battery format again. This Sony is great, and it uses AA batteries! I rotate between the pair of recharbles it came with and 4 more rechargables I bought. Highly recommend. The pictures and videos are very good. Also, the video clips aren't limited to any amount of time, only by your memory.
If there are disadvantages to having the casing made of plastic, I don't know what they are. This is a wonderful camera at 5 megs for the price. You can shoot in black + white, and sepia formats. About the only minus is the too-small lcd viewfinder display on the back. That's about the only drawback I've encountered. Great value and performace...so far.
This Sony digital camera should appeal to only 2 types of photographers:1. If you primarily take photos in bright daylight this camera is for you.2. If you enjoy a flash illuminating your indoor pics, you will love this camera.A flash will give you bright clear subjects (assuming they are close to you) and black backgrounds that won't tell the story about where you are. With a flash (unless it's slow sync--and that doesn't work well either) your photos may have well be taken in some generic studio.For everyone else this camera will invariably prove itself to be  inept.For some reason it's highly insensitive to light and will set very slow shutter speeds for any photo that is not abundantly well lit. Even indoor pics with ample natural window light are nearly impossible to capture with this Sony. It continually blinks a warning "hand" on the large LCD to let you know that you will not be able to hold it still enough and most of the time you cannot hold it still enough. And who wants to reach for a tripod when the moment is fleeting? If tripods are your thing, this camera may be a good fit.Look, I have zero agenda regarding Sony. This is extremely well designed ergonomically and feature-wise (big LCD, fast shot to shot times. etc), but the trade-offs for the way I use a camera are just too large. I like available light and try to minimize flash use. So you ask, "but what about the slow sync flash"?Well, it's too slow, resulting in lot's of blurry pics.I've taken thousands of photos, with the DSCW-1, using every conceivable combination of settings and can conclusively determine that my impressions are accurate. If you have greater aspirations than outdoor pics in bright light and indoor flash photos, you should consider something else. Mine is going back.
This is my first digital camera after years of 35mm photography.  Digital cameras still do not have the quality of 35mm film, but for a compact digital camera, it's great.  The best features of the camera:- Super-fast response time from pressing the shutter button (as long as red-eye control on the flash is off).  This is serious problem in cameras I have borrowed; you miss the shot because it takes too long to process.- Huge and easily viewable screen on the back of the camera.  Even in the normal brightness mode, you can still see it in direct sunlight; you can make even brighter (or darker) if you want, or turn off the viewing screen.- Impressive array of configurable options.- Menu navigation that is quite well designed in my opinion, the only place I've gotten mixed up is that there are 2 main sets of menus and sometimes it can be confusing as to which options are in which set.- Really well laid out buttons and dial.  Superb ergonomic design.- Beautiful to look at.  Has an admirable precision in fit and finish.  The buttons and the dial have a very solid feel to them, with just the right amount of resistance.- A impressive range of features if you are willing to spend the time to learn how to use them, including manual exposure modes, preset focus limits, numerous photography modes (i.e. night, landscape, etc.- The lens is well protected and slightly recessed; you have to be quite a klutz to touch or damage it.- A nice size; roughly the size of pack of cigarettes though much heavier of course. About 9 oz. with batteries.- The optical viewfinder has good eye relief; i.e. you can see  the whole viewfinder even with glasses.  However, I rarely use the viewfinder but use the screen on the back to frame the images.- The body is brushed aluminum not plastic.  I don't know if this helps but it make the camera much prettier, and makes it feel more solid.- Multi-zone focusing; the camera even displays the focus zones on the screen.  I've haven't had an out-of-focus shot yet.- Multi-zone meteriing which does a great job.- Nice optics and resolving power (and I'm used to a pretty high standard: fixed-focal length interchangable Nikon lenses).Gripes:- The lack of case; you definitely need one, and probably a semi-rigid one as the viewing screen could be easily damaged.- The measily 32MB memory card.  You'll need something bigger.  I bought a SanDisk 256MB Memory Stick Pro, it works fine.- It's easy to turn on the close-up mode, then forget to turn it off.  Fortunately, long-distance pictures taken with the close-up mode on seem to look OK anyway.- The optical viewfinder shows a somewhat miniscule image, but I use the screen on the back of the camera 99% of the time anyway.- The aluminum body makes the camera vulnerable to dings.- You can't rapid fire photos because it takes a second or so to process and store the image.  If you want something for sports photography this probably isn't it--you probably need a 35mm film or digital camera.If you're looking for just a point-and-shoot, and never want to think about your photos, this camera might not be for you.  If you want some level of control, in a semi-compact digital camera, I don't see how you can go wrong with this gem.  My congratulations to the designers and the manufacturers of this camera.
I really like my new Sony camera. I did the following things to make my experience positive:1. Read the instructions before using the camera. A lot of people do not.2. Buy a larger memory stick(512mg)to store your pictures.This memory stick also interfaces with my Sony computer.3. Buy extra batteries.4. Buy a case to hold your camera and extra batteries.5. Use the camera to experment before using the camera for events.6. Use the view finder instead of the LCD screen to take pictures. You can hold the camera better, and get more consistant clear pictures.I have not looked into buying additional lenses because there is not enough information on their performance.This camera is a great buy if you invest in more memory and extra batteries.I will probably not need another digital camera for some time.This camera meets my current needs.Please give us some feedback on the extra lenses.
I've had this camera for about 4 months, including one big vacation, and lots of picnics, parties, etc. with my 9 month old son.  I've taken about 5,000 photos.  I'm very happy with the performance of this camera.I upgraded from my old Olympus C-700-UZ, as a result of my wife's complaints that it didn't fit in the diaper bag.  The Sony is definitely a convienient size.Negatives:--Memory Stick: not my favorite media, and not found in anything not made by Sony.  For about $50 at Costco, I got a 256MB card which holds 100 pictures.  A week later I got a second.  My HP printer's built-in card reader won't read the Pro version of the memory stick, which means anything bigger than 64MB.  I had to buy yet another card reader.--Poor flash range.  The old Olympus did a better job with the flash at about 10', while the Sony generally comes out a bit dark there.--Bundeled software.  It is darn near useless.  It is the only place I can view the 16-frame burst mode pictures.Positives:--AA batteris.  Not rechargable, but when you can easily get 1000 pictures off one pair of Energizer E2 Photo Lithiums ($5), why bother with a rechargable that runs out after a hundred or so?  This is with the screen on all the time, and lots of flash photos.  The secret to getting longer battery life: use the card reader to erase the pictures, not the camera (erasing flash memory uses lots of juice).--5MP sharp pictures.  Most pictures are of my son and the things he does, so I probably couldn't tell you if there was any subpixel abberations or thermal noise affects, but my son is pretty darn cute in every picture.--Good Size.  Fits comfortably in the hand.  Sony's smaller twin to this just felt too thin to be comfortable.--Durable.  I've thwacked it a couple times and it's shown no problems.--Video.  Nice video capabilities.  Does a better job than the Olympus.  Will not allow changing zoom during a movie, and sometimes it will hunt around looking for focus at odd times during a recording.--Cool 16-frame burst mode.  Takes 16 smaller pictures (640x480?) in under a second, and puts them together in one frame as a 4x4 array.  It can play them back as a movie on the camera or with the bundeled software, but other programs just show the tiled picture.
You can spend a lot more on a digital camera. But considering features and value, the Sony W1 is unquestionably one of the best deals out there. Among its most useful features for me:- The large. bright, 2,5 inch LCD screen is a real selling point -- the largest, brightest, and most responsive you'll find. (Most of the competitors offer postage stamp-sized screens with grainy detail,)- Photos are sharp, bright, and well-colored. I've had good results in bright and dark environments. While some have complained about "blurriness" or other visual faults, you'll find that most are remedied by a careful read of the camera manual. Over 100 pages, it offers solutions to the more common digital imaging problems.- The W1 is acceptably small. Somewhat smaller than a pack of cigarettes, this will just fit a short pocket. It's recommended, however, that you invest in a case -- if only to protect the LCD screen from damage.- Multiple modes, common to digitals in this range, offer a bit of flexibility to the more creative photorapher.- The outstanding JPEG movie mode (with monaural sound) is second only to the Canon S1 IS in shoothness and detail, though it also offers a nifty email mode. It's like having a Super-8 camera (assuming you've invested in a 256 or 512MB memory stick).There are a few things would have wanted:- The W1 does not come with a case, although you can purchase a an attractive, economical CaseLogic DC43 case for under $7.00 -- considerably less expensive than Sony's.- Image stabilitzation would have been nice for movies and deep-zoom shots. Deep zoom is best suited for outdoors.- The USB door is rubber, not polycarbonate or metal. You're going to be using this door a lot for USB transfers, and it could be sturdier.- Sony's memory sticks are proprietary (though SanDisk and Lexar offers cheaper, better substitutes). You'll want a "Pro" stick. The enclosed 32MB stick will handle maybe 12 high-res shots. A 512MB stick should suffice for most users. and should cost no more than $80.I continue to enjoy using the W1, though I continue to use an SLR for more challenging shots. I recommend it strongly.
This is a very strange camera.  At first glance, it seems superb:- FAST! Ready to shoot moments after turning it on, fast autofocus!- Nice size!- Great battery life!- Big LCD screen!- Nice controls!- 640x480 30 fps video - super convenient!Almost perfect, until I snapped some pictures.  They are OK when viewed as small images.  But blow them up a little (not very much at all), and they're blurry as heck!  My 6-year old 1 megapixel Agfa takes finer pictures!I've been shooting pictures using SLRs and digicams for more than 20 years, and have never before had a problem with blurred shots, except when expected (e.g., snapping moving objects or low-light conditions).When I saw how blurred the shots were, my first thought was to make an appointment with a neurologist to check for Parkinson's Disease.  Fortunately, I see that others ar complaining of the same problem, and my wife swears that I don't have a tremor, so I'll pin the blame on the camera.After a few days of use, the camera has also started to crash: suddenly turns off for no reason, doesn't perform the shutdown sequence (retracting lens).  Screen indicates that batteries are fully charged.Ugh!This one's going back!
This is an extraordinary camera.  It's better than a larger Sony digital I have.  The LCD screen is a pleasure to use. . . So far no complaints and I complain a lot.
I love this camera.  I heavily researched my next camera, having used several over the last 5 years and most recently the Fuji FinePix 40i.  It came down to the Canon s500 and the W1.  After using both I bought the W1.  The s500 had only one selling point that the W1 didnt (panoramic on the camera), but the W1 had several the the s500 didnt.  As a bonus it also takes regular 1.5v AA alkaline batteries!!!  I have not looked back since purchasing this camera, and I recommend it to all my friends.  I have a test image (night shot no tripod posted on my site at [...]UPDATE: This camera DIED, TWICE!  It starting taking really slow pics and I was missing recording my daughter growing up...this is the last Sony I will ever buy!  I wish I could change my star rating.
I own this digital camera and I really like it. It has 5 megapixels which means it has 5 million pixels in this tiny device. 3x Optical Zoom isn't too good but most digtal camera providers make this zoom standard. It has a 2.5" screen which is perfect for viewing and if you compare that with a 1.5" you can really see the difference. I like the silver color on this camera and I think it looks sleek. It takes memory stick which is somewhat of a hassle to get but I like that it's really small. I would recommend 1GB Memory Stick rather than te 32MB it comes with. You can really take this on your vacation and take beautiful images and when you come home you can edit them, burn them onto a disk or e-mail them to friends and family. A definite recommendation!
Pros:Features, large LCD display, 5MP, compact, AA batteriesCons:Blurry pictures!  (Isn't picture quality the whole point of a camera?)I received this camera as a gift.  It was supposed to replace my old slow digital camera (made by HP).  I really wanted to like this camera because it was a gift and who wants to deal with a return?  Out of the box, I could not take a clear photo with the Sony.  I decided that it must be "user error" and read the manual and watched the software tutorial.  My images still were blurry.  I decided to sit the camera on a table and try to take a picture that way - the center was in focus, but the edges of the picture were not.  After playing with it for awhile it's about 50/50 whether or not I'm going to get a somewhat clear picture - I don't want to trust my memories to a 50% chance of a crystal clear picture!  If this camera were only 100$, I wouldn't complain and I would live with it, but it retails for over 300$ and is 5MP, the image SHOULD be sharp.  By digital STILL camera- I think Sony means both the object being photographed and the photographer need to be perfectly still.If you're only going to be taking still pictures a tripod and photo cropping software would help with the blurry spots.  As far as a camera to take pictures of the family - my recommedation is to pass on this one!I gave this camera 2 stars because of the nice features on the camera (the attempt by Sony was there).  I admit, I could have just gotten a defective camera, I don't want to take the risk though.
I agree with the two main reviewers that give this camera high marks.  This is my first digital camera, and I have been nothing but pleased with its use.  I am not a photo guy, nor do I want to be one, but I did want a camera that would fulfill all the needs that a family with three kids, and their school plays, and their sports events, and their silly moments, etc. could find.  I've not been disappointed.  Many reviewers of cameras seem to think that if you can't photograph,  on the one hand, Saturn's rings; and, on the other hand, warts on a flea's butt, then there is something to complain about.  This camera does far more than I'll ever need, and the menus are very easy to utilize.  I should also add that I've never read the manual, so that tells you just how intuitive this camera is.  I bought it, because after reading several reviews in respected computer magazines it seemed the best camera for the money. After six months of use, I've seen no evidence to falsify that position.
UPDATEFirst off, since many of you who are reading this review may already own this camera, let me say that if your camera keeps shutting down and not allowing any pictures to be taken, use the 3 pixel setting. It may allow you to get at least some use out of the camera. After reading numerous reviews on this unit and comparing the performance of mine to that of a friend who also has it, I have to say that SONY made a slew of defective cameras and this should have been a recall. Some cameras seem to work fine, thus the good reviews. Others, and there are many many of these, shut down unexpectedly, won't work well on the 5 mega pixel setting, take terrible pictures (especially in low light) and generally aren't worth the money you paid for them. Sony's quality keeps going down and since they know they aren't providing the quality, they have charged their tech support with running "interference". In other words they do everything they can to make if your problem. This is the second Sony product that failed on me this year and I have been a loyal Sony fan for years. But after having this and their double layer DVD player also die in one year, I'm changing brands. Whatever you do don't buy this white elephant used. You are very likely to get one of the bad ones.When I got this camera, and after I had used it for a few days it started turning itself off. I thought that it was supposed to do that if I failed to take a picture for more than a few minutes. What I soon learned was that it was running low on battery power and needed to be off most of the time or you would go through batteries like butter. Even when the camera is off and loaded with new cells it will quickly deplete itself. So you have to turn the thing off if you aren't about to shoot...this makes catching that special shot almost impossible, especially since when you do turn it on you then have to wait and wait and wait for the shutter to snap.  Forget anything with low light. I used this camera recently to photograph my elderly relatives at a family reunion. They stood still really well, but the slightest head turn resulted in a ruined shot.  What did SONY think we were going to do with this camera, photograph the dead?
Update 7/2009:I don't believe that I am still using the W1. After 5 years and thousands of pictures, this Sony still works like new.  No problem no nothing at all.  I've upgraded to a Nikon D40 but I am still using the Sony very often. The D40 is just too big and heavy.  The picture from the Sony is still very good. The color from the Sony is very good. Just make sure you have the flash turned on at all time and condition, the picture will come out sharp and clean.  One big problem I have noticed over the years is that the picture from the Sony (when set to 5.1MP) is not 3:2  This is a big problem when I take the memory card to print at Costco. Costco chop the pictures from the top and bottom because the pictures are square at 5.1MP; not 3:2.  If you are planning to print the pictures, make sure you set the Sony to "3:2"; not "5.1MP".I have been playing with this camera for 2 days.The speed is amazing. I can keep shooting and shooting with very fast shutter speed.  I turn the camera on and I can take picture right away. There is virtually no waiting from shoot to shoot.The camera is small but has a nice weight; and have a pretty good grip.It is very easy to learn and use.Compared the picture quality with my 3.1M Kodak, the DSC-W1 takes much better picture. My Kodak is pretty good but this Sony is awesome!And they cost the same.  The store has $40 off with this Sony. What a deal.The AE Illuminator is great.  I took a picture of my flower out side in complete darkness. The picture came out sharp and bright.But taking picture in door is very tricky. If the flash doesn't come on when taking picture in door, the picture is very fuzzy most of the time even the room has enough light (enough light to tell the camera not to use the flash).  But if I force the flash to turn on (even the room is bright enough), the picture comes out very sharp.  Never has this problem with my Kodak.  My Kodak can take very good picture in any condition except where it is very dark.May be the len doesn't let enough light to pass through.  Basically, in any condition (in door or out door; from dusk to dawn), if the flash doesn't come on, the pictures are usually dark and fuzzy.2 AA Alkaline lasts about 30 minutes. So, make sure you have enough batteries with you.  The rechargable that comes with the camera lasts a whole lot longer.  Sony gives me 20% discount after I register the camera in their website.  So, I will be getting the starter kit that comes with extra batteries.Using Memory Stick doesn't bother me since there is always something new every year.  And copying pictures to my computer is very fast.  I can just copy the pictures to my Compact Flash memory and take the CF to the store for the prints.The only bad thing is the software. It has no usefull feature but to let you copy and view the pictures from the camera. I can easily copy the pictures to my computer without the software since XP sees the camera as a disk drive; or you can set the USB mode to on-line camera mode (PTP) and XP sees it as a camera.Overall, one of the best point-and-shoot camera.  Just make sure you turn on the flash at ALL TIME.  And trash the 32meg memory stick that comes with the camera and get at least a 256meg memory stick pro.
I bought this camera used and found it to work as it should. I have a newer version of this camera that I have used while cycling throughout the country over the last 5 years and it has worked flawlessly. The reason for the purchase of this camera is twofold. ONE... it runs on AA batteries! Hey camera manufacturers..We don't like special batteries and chargers when we are in remote areas. You can find AA batteries almost anywhere on the cheap. TWO...Unlike my newer camera this one has a Viewfinder!. If you have been out in the daylight taking pictures you know the value of this. It's true that the viewfinder is not 100% accurate but it's close and better than just pointing a &#34;box&#34; at something and trying to see what you got. As far as the &#34;focus problems&#34; some folks are having I have to say I have had these too but it's NOT the camera..It's the way the picture is taken by the operator. Any decent camera auto or otherwise needs time to focus so you just cant point and shoot without issues. Also if you use the settings in the cameras software you can speed up the focus action to a very acceptable level. All in all this is a Very Good Camera for the Average picture taker.
This is a great cramera and performs as expected. If you are in the market for am 8mm camera this one is well worth the money.
Great camera, folks. I'm EXTREMELY impressed with the batteries and the camera's consumption of them--it's as if I can't wear them out, and I'm still on my first charge--a real plus over my last digicam's battery gluttony!  Of course this isn't a video camera, but I'm still very happy with the video capabilities, which includes sound, which you don't get on all cameras.  Definitely upgrade the memory, get a Memory Stick PRO so you can take full advantage of the 5 MP and the video.Get a tripod for the twilight mode.  Not a deal-breaker though, I have to use a tripod for my (regular) 35mm camera for slow shutter speed--its just what you do for nighttime photos.
I bought this camera around 6 months ago for my honeymoon. We took around 5 gigs worth of pics and video of Fiji and New Zealand. For the most part, I was pleased with the photo and movie quality though I pretty much found that I got very little extra detail between 3 meg and 5 meg pics and so I pretty much stopped using the 5 meg setting. Color saturation seemed fine. Image sharpness was good.Video quality was good except that, there's no zoom while filming, you had to hold the camera with both hands and move it slowly to avoid choppiness, occasional focus problems when moving between near and far objects.However, I cannot recommand this camera to anyone because after two 4 foot falls, it is now worthless. I dropped the camera twice, the first time I caught my elbow on something and the camera fell onto concrete, breaking the battery door. The warranty does not cover falls and fixing it was going to be very expensive... the 2nd time the camera was dropped when a friend was handing it back to me, it fell on the lens and the lens is now stuck out at a bad angle... Fixing it was going to cost more than replacing it... You can say its my fault, but camera's get dropped and they should be able to handle a decent fall. The cheap plastic body on this cannot withstand a "normal" fall without breakage.
I have never owned a digital camera before but own 2 quality 35 mm a full size & a pocket size. As I was soon to become a first time Grandmother I decided I needed a digital camera to E mail those pictures around the world. I bought this camera on a Monday & lo & behold my new Grandson arrived on Thursday of that week. Obviously I did not have much experience with this camera at all. The pictures came out beautiful. It is so fast to start up & very fast in between shots. I love how easy it is to look back at your last shot. With the birth of a baby you don't have a lot of time to reshoot if you didn't get the shot. We have taken quite a few with no flash when the baby is awake & found it very steady & the pictures came out great. I love the ease of changing the picture after you've taken it right on the camera to make it a close up. Plus, it keeps the original picture you took. I was nervous about transferring them to my PC. It was my first attempt and I was afraid of losing such priceless pictures. With windows XP all I did was plug the cable into the camera & into the PC & it was done in a couple of minutes. No software needed! I can't say how impressed I am with this camera. I also love the larger viewing screen. For an older person it's a fantasic feature. The fact that you can use 2AA batteries in a pinch instead of rechargables is also a plus. I'm glad I spent a month researching different digital cameras. I believe I made a great choice. I hope my review might save some one else all that time. Also worth mentioning is the rechargable batteries were used for 16 hours the day the baby was born. 114 pictures (on a 256 memory stick) and with family members flipping through the pictures taken so far, all day long. Everyone enjoyed how big the viewing screen is to see the pictures right away. Thank you Sony!
I can only compare this camera with my previous one, a 3.2 MP Olympus D-550. Some of the reviewers on this web site are correct: there are some major differences in the ways you take pictures, so reading the manual does help with that. With Olympus, a press of the button will take the picture, but it may take a couple of seconds until the picture is actually taken. With this Sony camera, you have to semi-press the button and then wait for the Auto-Focus to find the best spot, then press fully the button and take the picture. If you fully press the button from the beginning, then the picture will almost always be blurry. This different concept will get most of the people that did not have this type of camera before.The problem is that even after following the right procedure, this camera still takes blurry pictures. Especially indoors, more than 50% of the pictures are blurry. Outside, the percentage drops a bit, but this camera is still nowhere close to the Olympus. D-550 takes very clear and sharp pictures. I usually had maybe 2 blurry pictures every 100 or so. With the Sony though, the percentage is unacceptably higher.You would think technology moves ahead - but maybe not with Sony.I really wanted to like this camera - it has all the features I want. But why bother about them, if its main purpose is denied: it cannot take clear pictures! I can only assume the positive reviews come from people that never owned another digital camera before or settle too easy. This camera is the worst digital camera I have ever used.Final conclusion: stay away from it. If you want to try it, make sure you can return it easily, case you will not like it. Take the positive reviews with a grain of salt - the manual can only slightly improve the results, but you will still get a high percentage of blurred photos, especially indoors.
Enough reviews have already been done here on this fine camera, so I'll just add what I feel is relevant at this point.As for those reviewers who had blurry pictures (even outdoors - lol) and tried blaming the camera... um.. nice try ;) For indoors, blur or darkness is caused by USING THE WRONG FLASH MODE. PERIOD. All you do is tap the flash icon in the back (yes, they even put an  icon there for the button). Each tap of the icon will adjust the level and intensity of the flash AS WELL AS THE SPEED OF THE SHUTTER. I wish the people having a problem with this aspect actually read the manual before bashing the camera here in a review. As for the camera itself, I've owned mine for 1.5 years without a problem, and I'm still thrilled to use it each time! I'm still always impressed that it will last for days of constant shooting on one set of 2300 mAH NiMH rechargeable AA batteries.
Exactly the same happened to me. After less than 2 years of use, the lens mechanism broke and had to pay around $200 for repair. After that repair, the batteries lasts enough for 5 or 6 pictures then goes dead, no matter how charged they are. To make it worst, now the flash is dead and there is no available replacements for it, so pretty much it is garbage now.Otherwise, before it broke the pictures were pretty good, but honestly I prefer the quality and colors of my 2 megapixels Olympus.I will never buy a Sony camera again, this was a terrible experience, I will try a Canon now.
This is a really good camera for the money. I really don't know of any features that I would desire that it doesn't have. Plus it is so easy to use and it is very compact. A perfect everyday camera!
Fount this to be tempermental as the function knob has an issue with is still using it but have to watch while using
This camera does everything that I wanted.  I've had other Sony cameras in the past, the DSC-F505 and the DSC-P1.  The start up time is amazing.  You're ready to point and shoot in 1.5 seconds, and this camera takes amazing pictures.For those who have said that the flash is alittle dim, you can change the flash brightness via the menu and you might also want to play around with the white balance to tweak the indoor settings too.I've read that some are annoyed about the pictures being blurred... did you accidently leave your camera on MACRO mode?  That's my only problem with the W1, is that it is really easy to accidently depress the MACRO button.On battery life... I'm up to about 300 pictures with the included Sony rechargable batteries.  I'm really happy with the battery life compared to what Sony used to offer before with the other "S" type batteries.One thing I need to do is to switch the camera to 3x2 ratio (2592x1728) so that it comes out without being cropped on 4x6 photo printers.
This camera is very fast, well constructed and contains a lot of interesting features, particularly in the movie mode.The camera is also easy to use, takes great images and is well priced for a 5 megapixel.Although, the user manual is somewhat confusing and the software package is just OK this is an excellent choice in the &quot;point and shoot&quot; category.You can't do much better.
I've had my camera for almost and year and I will admit I have not even looked at the manual.  My husband encouraged me to buy this camera because he was issued one by his employer and we could share information and some things like memory sticks etc.My biggest gripe about the camera is the delay in taking some pictures.  It's mostly an indoor problem.  In low lighting situations it has over a 4 second delay.  With three year olds that's too long!  I miss my shot almost 70% of the time!  Sometimes it takes so long I'll move the camera to see if it's on or in the right selection and then the camera goes off taking a blurred picture of the ceiling.  Other people who have used my camera had the same problem.I can't make comments about the picture quality because I'm really behind in printing my pictures.
This camera will take amazing pictures, and the 2.5 inch LCD is quite impressive.However, I definately would not buy it again.After 13 months of having the dscw1, it malfunctioned beyond personal repair, and Sony customer service is a joke.The warrenty ran out a month ago. And sony wants $171 to fix a camera that I paid $350 for.I am quite upset with the situation, but there's not much that I can do. Just take my advice, and go don't buy this camera; it was not meant to last.
CONs:-----------I returned this camera. The focus doesn't work well in low light conditions. 50% of low light pics are blurry due to it. Don't even think about taking pics at night of scenes or landscapes or theme park type of objects. They will not come out well. Even at 5 MP I didn't find the images as being rich in color. The screen is so big so there is less place to hold the camera. It's heavy and becomes very easy to wobble and drop while holding it with one hand. Operating buttons with one hand is hard. The special modes such as candle light mode and portrait mode and night mode are all useless and non-usable. They overexpose the picture and everything comes out blurry. You have to press the shutter button twice. First to focus and then to click.Bottom line : I do not recommend this camera. The big screen is not as attractive a feature as it sounds. 5MP is a waste of memory. Just go for a 3.2 or 4 MP camera where the picture quality is rich and clear at day or night.PROs:-----1. The flash is strong and in good light conditions the camera works excellent.2. Battery life is very long and charger comes free with camera.3. Processing time is quite fast if you use memory stick PRO.4. The software which comes with this camera is fantastic. It lets you generate MPEG slide show videos of your pics in a very artistic fashion with nostagic music playing in background. Its a really wonderful software.5. No device drivers needed for windows XP.
I have had my Sony DSCW1 for almost a year now and I think it is great.  It takes amazing pictures and is small enough to fit in a pocket.  I bought the hardsided carrying case, which has saved the day countless times.  I have taken the camera to many different cities and events.  I can't tell you how frequently people have commented that my pictures are  significantly better than theirs no matter what type of camera they have.  I spent a large amount of time researching cameras before buying this one.  The large screen, easy use, and wonderful pictures make it a must buy.My only complaint is pictures look rather grainy in low lighting. The problem can often be solved by using a slave flash, or editting on photo software.I have read other reviews that claim Sony will not honor its warranty.  This is simply not the case.  I recently had to send my camera in for repairs.  Not only was customer service friendly, efficient, and helpful, but my camera was back to me, good as new, within 2 weeks.  I paid NOTHING except the shipping to the repair company.I have been so happy with this camera that my sister is getting one for christmas this year!
A bargain 5.0 mp camera.  I would never buy anything other than a Sony camera and this was too sweet a deal to pass up on.  I got it for $250.00.  It real easy to use, the batteries last a long time before needing to recharge.  Lots of great features, I'm still learning to use, takes excellent color photos. and the LCD screen is pretty big so you can get a good preview of what the photos look like before you save them.
After reading every online review I could find, I decided to purchase the DSC-W1 and after taking about 300 images, I am quite pleased with it.The camera is light and small.  It has plenty of &quot;scene modes&quot; that make it easy for anyone to take a picture.  You can also take 640x480 movies with sound for as long as your memory stick pro will hold them.  (If you are using a regular memory stick, the time is limited.)  The camera is lightning fast, both in startup time and time to store an image after shooting.  There is a &quot;burst mode&quot; too that can allow multiple shots to be taken in succession, but it is too buried in the menus to be useful unless you know that good action is coming.Night photography seems to be working out quite well with this camera.  One thing I liked over similar cameras in this category is the 30 second exposure time, which is fairly high.  (Many didn't allow anything more than 10 seconds.)I ditched the included Sony batteries after reading a review somewhere and bought some Powerex 2300 batteries from MahaEnergy.  I haven't been able to go through two sets of batteries (the camera takes two AA's.) in a day's time.  In fact, one set seems to do just fine almost all of the time.The Sony supports up to 400 iso, though there is a fair amount of noise at this level.  I've been using Neat Image to clean it up though and I have no qualms about shooting at this speed as long as I'm using software to clean it up.I'm just beginning to learn how to photograph things somewhat well, and I do have a few gripes.  Most are very minor, and most would have been solved if I would have saved up the money to buy a digital SLR instead of trying to force this point and shoot to try to be a digital SLR.First, macro mode doesn't seem to let you get very close.  With my friend's Olympus Camedia, I seem to be able to all but rest my lens on the subject.  With the DSC-W1, I can't seem to get much closer than 6 inches with it getting too blurry to take a picture.  You can get some close shots, but if you are really looking at getting into macro photography, you might want to look at the Olympus, or at other cameras.Night photographers will find it irritating that there is no sort of remote cable release or remote IR release.  You can get around this problem with the self timer if necessary, but some shots you just aren't going to get.  There isn't any sort of built-in stabilization either, though I wouldn't expect any on a $400 point and shoot.  A tripod is required gear if you are going to take shots in dim light without a flash.Also, it is worth noting that the camera doesn't have a hot-shoe.  You are going to be using the built in flash.  The built-in flash seems to be okay, and I'm imagining that the average point-and-shoot photographer won't care.Overall, I'm really pleased with this camera.  If you want to be really get into the technical side of digital cameras, save up and buy a Canon Digital Rebel or some other spiffy SLR.  If you want a camera that you'll be happy to put in your pocket and take with you, the Sony is an excellent choice.
After two years of lackluster pictures from a 2MP Canon PowerShot S-100 (constant underexposure, short battery life).  I began looking for a digital camera replacement.  While I want to take high quality pictures, the bulk of what I take are family and travel snapshots.After endless procrastination on my part, my wife surprised me with the new Sony DSC-T1 5MP ultracompact camera.  It was very cool to play with and takes very good looking pictures with the default settings.  The T-1 is a neat camera.While I liked the DSC-T1 a lot, I had some core concerns with it that are fully addressed by it's sibling camera, the DSC-W1.  Not only does the W1 have about a half dozen more features than the T1 - it's also $100 less than the T1!I want to emphasize that both cameras take very good pictures, especially for a person that wants to take high quality snapshots - that is, pull it out and snap off a few, quickly review the shots and perhaps make some manual adjustments to optimize the pictures.What's also appealing to me about both cameras is their movie mode support.  Both cameras take credible mpeg movies, albeit without zoom support (I'm not aware of any digicam that allows you to adjust the zoom mode once the movie recording has started).  In the &quot;best&quot; movie mode (30 frames/sec), you'll consume about 1 Mb per second of recording.  However, I find that I only shoot 30 to 60 seconds of &quot;useful and viewable&quot; footage at a family gathering anyway, as well as 20 to 30 photos.  In this regard, a 256 Mb Memory Stick Pro card gets me by just fine for a day.Note that most digicams in this price range shoot 30 fps movies for only a set, limited time of 15 to 30 sec per clip, or they'll shoot longer clips at 15fps, which is pretty poor quality to me.  The T1 and W1 allow you to shoot high quality 30 fps video up to the capacity of the Memory Stick Pro card you elect to use.  This is very useful to someone like me - who never has viewed the old family videos I recorded on my video camera.  Now I load photos and videos on the PC and actually view the video clips!I am also very impressed with the on-camera editing modes of both cameras. I can shoot images at a 5 Megapixel size and easily downsize them to 3 MP, 1 MP or VGA size, as well as crop them on the camera.  With the long battery life of the W1, I do most of my editing on the camera and upload satisfactory images to the PC, lessening the need to open photo editing software.  This is really fantastic!The last general note is that some people criticize the quality of the photo software that comes with the Sonys.  I wouldn't know.  I never installed it.  I learned a long time ago that you are generally better off getting a memory card reader for $20 and uploading the images via a USB connection, then using a third party application to edit the images.The DSC-W1 has the following features that are important to me that the DSC-T1 lacks.Cost - $100 less for the W1.Flash - only a 5 foot distance for the T1, but 12 feet for the W1.  Most of my family indoor shots are from 5 to 10 feet away.  Isn't that true for most of us?Tripod mount - I need it a few times a year for family gatherings if I'm going to be in the picture.  Also useful for obtaining the best steady shot composition for family portraits.  The T1 lacks a tripod mount.&quot;AA&quot; battery support - I can't overstate how important it is on ANY digicam to utilize common &quot;AA&quot; batteries.  No matter how well prepared I try to be, there have been occasions where I forgot to charge the proprietary batteries on my Cannon, much to my condemnation at that family gathering.  In a pinch, you can stop at a convenience store and pick up a pack of &quot;AA&quot;s to get you through the day with the W1.  Also, &quot;AA&quot; rechargable batteries and rechargers are so inexpensive right now.  The propriety battery on the T-1 lists at $60.  While the price will come down, I doubt you'll find them readily available at the convenience store.While the T1's battery life was acceptable, my perception of the W1's battery usage is that it is VERY good.  I do a tremendous amount of shooting photos and movies on the W1 in the course of a day, as well as subsequent replay and editing on the camera itself.  I still can't believe I have battery life left on the same set I started with after my typical photo and movie session with the W1...Viewfinder - Both cameras have the excellent 2.5&quot; LCD display.  Both cameras are well suited for taking pictures through the LCD viewfinder.  However, there are times - in bright light, in crowds, in busy/moving situations - where the optical viewfinder is useful and warranted.  The W1 has the optical viewfinder and the T1 does not.Manual exposure - The T1 and W1 both take very good snapshot pictures in a variety of lighting conditions.  However, it's nice to have the flexibility of controlling the manual exposure if you need it.Other features - While I don't need them, the W1 allows for the addition of wide and telephoto lenses and special filters with an optional lens adapter.
Deciding to upgrade from my previous 2mp camera, I automatically went for Sony.  I am not big into photography but I don't want an entry level camera either.  I have always had success with Sony products and this camera is no exception.  After a couple months of use I still love it and have had no problems at all.I was thinking about getting the P100 instead (also 5.1 mp) but chose this because:1. AA batteries.  What if I have a low battery and still have photos to take?  Boom-AA batteries.  No expensive special Sony battery to buy. (I do recommend high capacity batteries, though.  Standard AA batteries really don't last very long.  The supplied Sony NiMH batteries are great-get some like those)2.  2.5" LCD screen.  I can review my pictures and see greater detail than the traditional smaller screens.  (Make sure you get a pretty good case to go with it-larger screen=easier to damage)There are a lot of options that this camera has that I will probably never use.  Nevertheless, they are there just in case I would want to.  It is easy to use even if you don't know anything about digital cameras.  I turn the wheel to "P" and everything is all set for the finest pictures.If you are looking for a smaller, sleeker design camera and don't mind forfeiting some LCD screen size, the P100 is probably for you.  It has a few less options but has a slightly longer battery life and can fit in your pocket.  If you want something slightly larger, the W1 may be for you.Recommended Assecories:Case (Sony soft case works great)High Capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries128 mb Memory Stick or higher (it comes with a 32mb stick but that doesn't hold too many pictures)HP Photosmart printer (my 8150 prints excellent pictures)I wish the optical zoom was a little better.  3x isn't too bad, but sometimes I wish I had a little more.  Unfortunately, most digital cameras are going to be about 3x.In response to the guy having focus problems-Mine has NEVER had any.  As with all electronics, you can buy the best and still get a lemon and that sounds like what he got.If you still can't decide on a digital camera I offer two pieces of advice-DON'T BUY A KODAK! and You get what you pay for!
I fought going to digital...am SLR holdout; but after receiving Sony DSC-W1 for gift, I am in heaven....wonderful display, sharp and wys is wyg only better....Easy to use, lightweight, have had no red eyes.Enlargements of 8x11 are fantastic.Only digital camera in this price range with optional telephoto and wide angle lens and filters....that I have seen....Macro setting is superior.Dont wait the price is good and 5.1pixels is more than adequate...I am totally sold on digital now.....my new Nikon N75 sits aloneCant beat light weight, quality prints and instant gratificationBuy it today before it is gone....
Before buying my first digital camera, I did a lot of online research. I decided that it was between the Sony DSC-W1 and the Canon Powershot SD300. I am so glad that I went with the Sony, and I have never looked back. I was at first hesitant to go with the sony because of the cost of the memory. Recently SanDisk has came out with their own MemoryStick Pro, and it is much less inexpensive. I like that they camera takes rechargable AA batteries, although they are much heavier, because I always have that option of using alkaline batteries in a pinch. I use my camera on about a daily to every other day basis, and I only have to charge my batteries about once a week. My camera takes wonderful pictures, but the best part is the size of the LCD screen. Since having such a large screen, I can actually see the pictures that I have taken to decide to print them or not. I also love the video mode for taking short clips. They actually are of good quality, and it's much easier to have a small camera with you at all times, rather than a video camera. All in all, I love this camera very much. I would definitely reccommend this to anyone.
I am very disappointed with this camera.  I purchased it to replace my 3 year old 2.1 meg Olympus.  The color is better on the Sony, but I'm encountering SERIOUS focusing problems.  No matter how I set the camera, it just seems like dumb luck whether my kids' faces will be in focus.  More often than not, they are not.  This is my first and last Sony camera.
From the moment I got this camera, I hated it!  The photos mostly come out blurry. Every so often I may get a clear photo but that's few and far between! It automatically shuts off (to save battery life) but way to soon. Turning it back on takes up those precious seconds to get that great shot.  I'm not sure if I just don't understand how to use the camera, even though I've read the instructions, or if it's the camera itself.  Either way, my old HP worked much better than this camera!  Don't waste your money.
I dont usually write reviews but reading some recent reviews about my favourite camera (now you guys know I know nothing about cameras) prompted me to throw in my 2 centsI just love this Sony Cybershot DSC W1.Cons- It is bulky. Fits into my pocket but is really think compared to some of the cameras I have seen- Night shots require a really s tead hand.Pros-Photos are phenomenal in bright light- Used with a stand (and timer to avoid shake when clicking the button) come out great- Never use more than 3 Meg setting, and my 36 X 24 blow ups look like professional posters.- With a 512 MB memory stick and 3 Meg setting, i can go through an entire weekend trip without having to download the photographs.if you are not a professional and just want good casual photographs this will work for you.Disclaimer: I am not an expert to say there is no better camera out there. Just stating that it works great for me I have owned it since 2004 and have taken over 5000 photographs.. Am still in love with it.
For a couple months I debated between the DSC-T1 and the DSC-W1. I ended up purchasing the W1 after seeing it in a few different stores, on display. Comparing the T1 and the W1 side by side gave me a much better perspective on both products. Here are the reasons for my purchasing the DSC-W1:The W1 was more sturdy, and easier to stabalize in my hands, allowing me to keep the camera steady longer for low light and action photographs. Because of this absolutely none of my pictures have come out blurry. (others complaining about blurry pics may have a multitude of factors to blame... it's all about reading the manual, becoming familiar with all of your camera's functions, and making the proper adjustments).The W1 is compact enough for me to carry everywhere, whether it is in my pocket, my backpack, or it's own carrying case (I purchased a small carrying case for it, to protect the LCD screen). I also used one of my screen protectors for my PDA for added screen protection.The 5.1 MP is a nice feature to have. Sure, most people can get by with 3.0 or 4.0 MPs if they're just looking for 4 x 6 - 5 x 7 prints, and to post their shots online. But having th 5.1 MP feature allows me the versatility to enlarge prints to 8 x 10 if I wish. It's a nice feature to have, especially if I know that if I ever want to enlarge more, I can.The W1 also has a few different modes tht have come in quite handy. Not only is there an auto-everything mode, but you can switch the camera to Manual, and make any/all adjustments that you need to make. It also has a "semi-auto everything" mode that allows you to make slight adjustments. The other mode presets work wonderfully for night shots, night portraits, beach scenes, landscapes, and soft portraits.Other nice features:- The movie mode is a nice feature to have as well, even though I personally don't use it often. The quality is very good, and as long as you have memory you can record.- The W1 has a tripod mount.- No proprietory battery is needed... uses either rechargeable AA or regular AA batteries.- Uses standard Media Stick or Media Stick Pro (unlike the DSC-T1 which uses the more expensive Media Stick Duo)This is a great camera, and worth the money too. Some suggestions if/when you buy:1.) Make sure you go somewhere to handle the camera in person before buying online. It makes a difference to be able to see the actual product first. And be sure to ask questions if you have them.2.) Puchase expanded memory. I recommend a 256 Media Stick Pro at minimum.3.) Puchase a case for protection. Screen protectors are nice for the LCD screen, but not necessary as long as you are careful.4.) Purchase an extra set of rechargeable AA batteries.
The Sony DSCW1 is a really good 5MP camera, even though it is an older model.  It has a Carl Zeis lens which is a good optic.  I use it for underwater photo taking with the Sony Marine Pack.  My original was accidentally broken and I found a used replacement via Amazon for way less than the price of a new camera.
We own a DSC V1 Sony and through 2,500 pictures it was the definitive camera quick, easy to use and incredible pictures with the ease of transfer and printing until now. The Dsc W1has ALL of the Dsc V1 features and clarity PLUS the addition of the 2.5 inch screen!!! The flash is no longer a "pop up" and the start up time is greatly improved as well as the recycle time for the flash. Picture quality envies any 35mm in any mode.For the non camera techies in the automatic modes this camera is a dream come true aim/ zoom or not and shoot. The movie quality is about 20% greater definition than the DSC V1. One SUPER advantage it takes AA rechargeable batteries that are $9.00 a set vs $43.00 for a lithium pack and in a pinch AA regulars will work just fine. For once someone got the marketing/engineering and sales together and built a superior camera!!
This fragile little camera is not built to last.After 9 months of light use, the plastic latches on the interior of the battery compartment door broke. Sony refused to honor warranty and wanted $175 to fix it. This problem is so common that ebay has auctions for kits to fix the problem at about $40, but the repair is fairly complex to do at home.The camera is not robust enough even for moderate use. Sony customer service is a joke.If you must buy one, unbroken DSC-W1's commonly sell on ebay for about $30.
I've spent months looking for a new digital camera to replace my aging (one-and-a-half years old!) Olympus. I had one major desire: speed.  And I'm not just talking about start-up time, which is important but not sufficient.  I wanted very little shutter-lag, and quick shot-to-shot performance.  I was tired of squeezing off shots of my kids' sides and backs because of a long lag-- I wanted to see their faces!Well, unlike many others I researched, and several others I tried, this one delivers.  Start-up time is very brisk (maybe 2 seconds), but what's truly impressive is the near-instantaneous response from the auto-focus and shutter.  When you're outside and not using a flash, it's one- or two-tenths of a second... not quite SLR performance, I guess, but more than two or three times as fast as what had been so frustrating. Inside, if the camera needs to use its automatic focus light to get an auto-focus reading, it takes a bit longer-- maybe three- or four-tenths of a second... still significantly faster than what you're probably used to if you're using another digital camera.  And if you're into it, you can tweak this a bit: you can turn &quot;continuous auto-focus&quot; on, which shaves off a bit more time at the expense of some battery life, or you can use a programmable mode that turns off auto-focus altogether.  Plus it's got two burst modes, including one that catures 16 VGA shots in a second.  All in all, this baby nails the speed need.There's more good news.  The camera feels very well-made, and for me, it's got just the right heft: I've messed with slightly smaller and lighter cameras that don't feel right because they're so light.  It uses rechargeable AA batteries-- very handy.  Its LCD screen will make you cry it's so good.  (Of course, it'll also suck your batteries dry like a Hummer chugs gas.)  And it's got enough tweakability and expandability to let you grow: it accepts a telephoto lens, for instance, and allows for a remote flash.What's not to like?  Not much.  My pictures have a bit more red-eye than I'd like... I can't tell if it's more prevalant than with my Olympus, or whether I just notice it more becaue I'm taking more pictures, or whether it's jsut a fact of life with small cameras.  Some people aren't fans of the memory stick system... I felt this way, in fact, before pricing it out and realizing they cost about the same as SD cards, and there are plenty of third-party manufacturers and readers for it.  Just be sure you get a 256MB Memory Stick Pro-- should cost you about $65 at Amazon-- and make sure your card reader accepts the Pro kind.  And the battery life won't win any awards (though using the viewfinder helps).So in all, I'm a huge fan: it has speed to spare, has a few extra goodies to boot, and is quite reasonably priced for a 5MP camera.  If you're like me, this baby is the digital camera you've been looking for.
I have been very happy with this camera since I purchased it over a month ago. My requirements for a digital camera were resolution of at least 5 MP, compact size for travel, and some scene or manual modes. Two features sold me on this camera:1. Compatibility with AA batteries. Most cameras this size use proprietary batteries, which means if you forget your battery recharger on a trip, you could be in trouble. With this camera, you can take out the included AA rechargeables once they run down and use regular AA batteries. While lithium batteries such as Energizer's E2 series are best, even alkalines will work in a pinch.2. Larger LCD area. The extra inch makes a huge difference. You can tell immediately whether people blinked, and the screen is large enough that family and friends will enjoy flipping through the photos you've taken without having to squint. The larger area also makes it fun to zoom, rotate, and crop photos right in the camera.In addition to indoor settings, I have tested the camera in the Colorado mountains, suburban Chicago, and downtown DC. The scene modes did an especially beautiful job with the mountains and lakes. I had been worried after some reviews suggested that Sony cameras make colors look washed-out and faded, but I did not experience this. My images have also been very sharp, and I can see details far in the background, such as signs in shots of city streets. I also like that you can set the camera to record images in a 3:2 ratio, so that if you are planning to make 4x6 prints, the camera saves exactly the image that will be printed. My only complaint is that the red-eye mode doesn't completely eliminate red eye in indoor shots, but I understand that this is typical for compact cameras.Since this camera and its LCD screen could easily be damaged in a purse or backpack, I would recommend a semi-rigid carrying case such as Sony's LCMWA model.This camera will not be right for everyone. If you're looking for a simple point-and-shoot and don't want to worry about settings, consider Canon's PowerShot S500 Elph. If your photos mostly will be indoors and redeye is your major concern, consider Nikon's Coolpix 5200. If you'll be doing a lot of telephoto zooming, consider the Pentax Optio 555 with its 5X optical zoom. But if you're looking for a versatile compact 5 MP camera in the advanced consumer/prosumer segment, then look no further than Sony's DSC-W1.
After researching an affordable, good-quality digital camera for months, I bought the Sony DSCW1.  I have had this camera for 7 months, and though I do not know about its durability, (I see reviews against it) I absolutely love it.  It takes beautiful shots, has a short recovery time, and is user-friendly.  The larger-than-usual screen is awesome!  I recommend this camera to everyone. :)
I purchased this camera to replace my Canon Powershot S400 that I dropped and broke. I have always loved the pictures from the  Canon S400 but was looking for something with better quality video. My husband has the Canon SD100 that takes great quality 640x480 video but only for 30 seconds at a time. I read about the Sony Cybershot DSCW1 and it sounded like the perfect camera; compact, 5 megapixels and 640x480 video that you could keep shooting as long as you have room on your memory card. So I purchased the camera and a SanDisk 1GB Memory Stick Pro to hold lots of pictures and video.  We went out on a beautiful fall day to test it out. What a disappointment! Out of more than 100 pictures there were about 10 keepers...and even those weren't great. The brilliant fall leaves looked faded and the beautiful blue sky looked washed out and white in most pictures. The video quality was the biggest disappointment. In regular 640x480 mode the video kept going in and out of focus so nothing was worth keeping. In 640x480 fine mode the video quality was only slightly better than my Canon's 320x240 video and nowhere near the quality of the Canon SD100 640x480 video. So I sent the camera back for a refund. I read a review that said this camera is great if you know how to use all the manual features. But if you don't know your apertures from your f-stops and just want a good point and click camera, I don't recommend this one.
I have been looking to buy a camera for my trip in July and August.I was very close buying the DSC T1, but I saw the DSC W1 advertised.  I waited for this camera to come out.  I have done much research and read lots of reviews.The things i like about this camera are:1. 2.5' LCD Screen2. Use Rechargeable Batteries3. Easy to Use On Screen Menu4. Able to View on TV5. Teh Lens Is GreatYou would not be disappointed if you buy htis camera.  You will love it especially if you are a first time digital camera buyer.
This is a used camera, but one that I use regularly.  It replaces my origional W-1 which lost the battery door in a mishap. I am very pleased with the purchase.
I am VERY satisfied with this camera.  I just came back from a vacation in Japan and all my pictures turned out perfectly.  I think some of the poor photos from the previous reviewers might be due to defective cameras.  If you go to websites such as steve's digicams you can see sample photos and judge for yourself.  However, I wil say that I also own a Canon S230 (just 3.2 megapixel) and the W1 is comparable in picture quality (high)....maybe the previous reviewers expected more from a 5 megapixel camera?  If you are going purely for picture quality in a small package, I think Canon might be marginally better.  I prefer the W1 because it has more options than any of the Canon Elfs and it is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to use.BTW, I've also used the T1 which is a good portable camera, but the image quality is noticeable inferior to the W1....for those of you deciding between the T1 and W1.
I read the reviews for this camera in several places online before purchase.  I have to say I am quite disappointed.  Two out of three images are blurry no matter what and in low light conditions that jumps to five out of six or worse.  I have tried every setting, spoken with Sony support, and the only way to get a clear picture is to use a tripod with the timer.  When it does take a clear picture they are very nice, you can see a lot of detail and the color rendering is quite good.  But what is the point.  I have to take several pictures of everything and even then I might not get a clear one.  Also, the memory stick that comes with it will not support the highest video resolution - you need a memory stick pro for that.  The next time I buy a digital camera I am getting one with image stabilization.  What a waste of money.
I bought this camera because at a price of $382 in may 2004 it was a steal. The large LCD and plethora of features makes it a great buy. The camera is small enough to fit easily inside your pocket even though it uses the bulkier AA batteries. It also comes with sony's rechargeable NiMH batteries and charger. I am satisfied with it. The pictures are razor sharp, crisp and clear.
I don't write a lot of reviews. But after using the DSC-W1 for the past six months in all types of conditions and saving a bundle on 35mm film development, I had to add to the rave reviews.The best feature of this camera is the huge display. How many times have you tried other people's cameras with the little display and had to squint to make sure you're getting the picture you wanted?The only minor issue I've had is an occasional blurred picture. This usually happens if my hand moves while shooting or the person/object in the picture is moving very fast. But this only happens in 1 out of 50 shots or so...Our digital family pictures come out better than the 35mm ever did. I highly recommend the DSC-W1!
Sony DSC W-1 is an awesome little camera! I am very impressed with image quality. Colors are bright, contrasty and accurate. Noise is suppressed very well, although if you look closely it is actually overdone a bit (sometimes washing out fine details), but it is not a major negative feature. The Zeiss lens is razor sharp (as you would expect), and 5 megapixels allows me to read tiny details in my pictures like street signs. Battery life is surprisingly good. I could probably fill up my 256 Megabyte card easily on High Quality mode with battery life to spare. Easy to use point and shoot mode, as well as manual modes. The reviewer below:  Sandeep Taneja "Dany Boy" has hit it right on the head. His review is very accurate, read it! This guy did his homework.The camera's fast snap time cannot be stated enough. It doesn't just snap pictures quickly, even the time taken to "Power up" is very fast (the lens comes out very quickly). Hence, I can "Power on" and take a shot very quickly (probably under 2 seconds although I have never officially "timed it"). Write times to the card is fast as well. This camera was purchased to take shots of my 1 yr old niece and it has not disappointed!One of my concerns with this camera (as with almost all digicams) was the camera's ability to shoot in low light conditions. Even digicams such as Nikon's vaunted Coolpix 5000 have difficulty shooting under these situations. Some of my pix have come out darker than I would have liked, however a manual switch to ISO 400 (and/or increase of EV to +1.5) has done the trick on many occasion.I love this camera's movie mode! There is so much video can tell you that a picture cannot. I enjoy taking videos of my 1 yr old niece as well as making videos of places I visit.Camera is small and pocketable, although I am starting to accumulate little dings in the plastic and they are starting to look noticeable. Suffice the say, the body construction is not great. In fact, it is a little cheap.Some people have complained about having difficulty focusing. You should know that this camera has optional Multi Focus AF (multiple focus points - auto focus), multi metering, spot metering, Center Focus AF, .5m, 1.0m, 3.0m, and infinity focus options. If you know which option your camera is set at, then you can use this information to properly setup your shot. If not, don't be surprised if your subject is dead center in the screen and you are getting a clear background and a fuzzy subject.Other positives: I really do enjoy playback on the 2.5" screen. It is a high res screen and although I use it to a minimum when shooting (to conserve batteries), it is nice for playback.Ergonomics are good. The firing button is placed on the top of the camera and depressing the shutter half way (to set the metering mode) is easy to do and it is not too easy to accidentally press it all the way.Summary:What stands out to me about this camera is the excellent quality of pictures, ease of use, super fast operation times, and video mode. This camera is very refined, with almost all the problems of previous digicams addressed and at the current Amazon price of &lt;$280 the price is hard to beat.
My expectations were a bit low after reading reviews on this little camera. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived yesterday and I got a chance to check it out. You have to realize you get a nice underwater housing AND a 3MP camera for $106 shipped in 3-5 days. This camera actually takes pretty good photos for its price. I was looking for something to replace the throw-away underwater cameras we've used so often... that always produce disappointing photos. The quality of the photos off the 308U are much better and I'm happy with them.This camera has an amazing set of features for the price. A nice LCD display, continuous digital zoom out to 4x, date stamp on the picture if you want it, auto or selected light balance, choices of resolution (don't use the highest interpolated 6.6MP level), 12fps video with playback. How did they cram so much into this little thing for such a small price?The case is good quality. Although I haven't tested it underwater yet but I expect it will perform to 15' as advertized.On the down side the shutter lag is very long, perhaps 2 seconds or longer. Taking photos of moving subjects, like fish, is going to be a challenge. Its easy to get blurred photos due to the shutter lag. It is easy to push the shutter button and not keep the camera steady until the photo is actually captured 2-3 seconds later. If you just hold still until the photo is captured it works fine. The flash has only one brightness level so if you take a flash photo of something less than about 4' away the whole picture will be mostly white. However if you flash a subject 10' feet away it works well.I stuck a 128M SD card into it and was able to fit 206 photos on the card using the second highest (3MP) level. I took all those photos, about 20 more with flash, and a couple of 10 second videos, all on the included AA batteries and only used about 1/3 of the battery power. A couple of high power NiMh rechargables should get 300 or more photos on a set of batteries.Mind you these photos are not going to win you any photo contests but as a point and shoot, with an underwater housing, LCD screen, flash, and video (no sound), this camera more than meets my needs for the intended purpose. This would not be my only camera if I only could have one. But for boating, and snorkeling it will allow me to leave my much more expensive camera at home.UPDATE: Sadly I just couldn't get this camera to produce reasonable photos. After a great start it let me down. I have returned it to Amazon and now use disposable cameras which aren't too great either but better than this little disappointment.
I should have known when I paid under $100 for a 3mp camera, but it had good reviews and sounded like a good deal.  Well, this camera has been nothing but disappointing and just plain useless since I recieved it.MAJOR ISSUES:1.  Pressing the 'shoot' button takes up to 2 seconds for the camera to respond.2.  When the camera DOES respond it arbitraily decides when to flash, sometimes in total darkness it doesn't flash even when on auto.3.  Camera frequently doesn't focus on the item in the crosshairs.4.  Camera delay makes taking pictures of children almost impossible.  Even landscape moves too fast for this camera!!5.  Out of the over 200 pictures I and 3 of my family and friends have tried to take with this device only 10 images of even decent quality have been produced.6.  The webcamera feature is useless unless you are in a floodlit environment.7.  Turning up the exposure to compensate for the lack of low level light photography, comes up with totally washed out GLOWING images...anyhow, this is the worst piece of tech I have ever bought.  I'm 33 and a computer developer and tech-o-holic and this thing is aweful... stay away... far far away.
this camera is pesky. the settings wouldn't save, the flash is off by default.it seriously needs a viewfinder, you can't see anything, even in a very well lit room. the pictures are horrible, and dark, and very very grainy.with the flash, the pictures are really overexposed, and most pictures are worthless. please do not even consider this camera.
the flash washed everything out! outdoors it takes great movie clips and pics but if you are planning to use the flash be prepared to see white or black blocks of nothingness. batteries run out very quickly. i did like the size of it...just wished it worked.
i adore this little camera.  i got it for under 70.00  and it works like a charm.  clear pictures, nice prints.  i would recommend this camera for the first time user.  if you have windows xp, it takes all of the hassel of trying to learn it.the display can be a little dim.  and when you use the flash, after pushing the button wait a few seconds..THEN take your picture.the best features are that its compact you can put in a small purse for work, travel, to a sports event.  and for everyday usage.  if you are a computer or camera novice, this isn't for you.  it has all the bells and whistles the beginner using digital needs.and it won't break the bank. and amazon has free shipping ; and you get tons of software thats lots of fun to play with.  cropping, graphics and so forth.and finally the manuals (one quick study and the long version)are easy to understand.  but heres a tip: when you get you cd rom, download the driver first then all the rest of the software and restart your computer. read the manual!!!use photo base 3 to play with see and work with your camera online.  all the other stuff is just extras.the only other thing i can think of that my hinder someone besides the display is trying to fit the usb cable into the tiny slot...but it works : )i would buy this again for a family member or friend, its worth it!!!  : )
My entire problem with this camera is how s-l-o-w it is.  Yes, I understand a 3.2 megapixel cheapie isn't going to take the best of shots, but I tried this recently with a DXG 301V "camcorder" back to back.  The 301V takes average quality shots, and is ready again in 2-3 seconds.  The 308 takes 5-7 seconds, and requires the brightest possible light.  Even on a sunny morning the "watch for shake" icon is on.  Practically all my pictures have some blur or distortion in them; At first I thought there was something wrong with the lens, until I took several pictures with a blur line right down them.  I realized this camera is scanning the image so slowly that it's taking a second or so after I press the button to record anything.  The 308 honestly is acting like it has an ISO of 25 and is something from the 1980's.I rate this camera two only because the underwater housing actually works, but I can't see what use it would be expect in a shallow pool in Arizona on a tripod.  I went through two 301v's before I got one that worked, so mine's may be a lemon, but at this point I'll just save up for something better.
I bought this camera for my daughter for Christmas, what a mistake that was, the flash overexposed every picture and the manual controls were not user friendly, invest in a better camera for your money like the Vivitar 3785 or Canon A510 .
This is the worst camera I have even laid hands on. Not even suitable for a child
The Mustek DV4000 doesn't come close to the DXG-202v camera. The Mustek feels cheap, the case is cheap, and the movies come out fairly blurry. The photos on the Mustek over-emphasize the color red and are pixely down to VGA (640x480). However, the DXG-202V has a small fold out LCD screen, a firm case design, the photos are very similar to a 2MP CCD camera and the movies come out very clear. And, unlike the Mustek's line of MPEG4 cams, the DXG-202v uses the MJPEG AVI file format which WORKS FOR MAC, TOO!  I use my DXG-202v in iMovie and QuickTime.  And the last wonderful thing about this cam is that it's a fraction of the price of a Mustek DV4000 camera.  The only thing I would change about this cam is that instead of a smooth zoom in video mode, it seems to zoom choppy; other than that I am very happy with this camera.
I own, and currently use one of these cameras. It's good for the price.It's basically a cheap web camera component powered off cells, and in a portable case. It has inaccurate ISO specs obviously.. you'll notice this when trying to do anything without high levels of light, and when in high res you get a lot of impurity if it's not a clear, and sunny day, or equivalent.If you get the right amount of light it can make pictures that are competitive with any brand name 5MP camera. The video is suitable, and clear enough(with the right light) for any ameture needs.It also acts as storage, and a USB web cam. I hear it has mp3 capability's, but I've only found video playing features in the firmware.It's practical for video blogging.
I have one of these little camera's. I love it...use it everyday.It's not the greatest obviously or it would cost more, but the still pictures come out great and video mode isn't that bad. I've upload many videos to the internet using this camera and they turned out perfect.I've never had any trouble with the battery compartment like others had said. The only two down sides is: you need a fair amount of light and there's no tripod mount, but it's flat, so you can just sit it on top of something like I do. The battery life if pretty good also...a definate keeper!!!
I don't have the 202v, but I do have a similar DXG product. Please take a look at my review for the DXG-305v.Anyone interested in the DXG-202v is invited to join the new DXG-Digital user group at Yahoo! to discuss all DXG products:[...]
This item was sent as a gift, so I'm not sure as to it's actually being in good condition. I heard noting negitive so it must have been ok.It was bought at the last min. but did arrive on time.
I was looking for a camera to use primarily as a web cam, occasional use as a still camera and maybe to play around some with video.  This camera fit the bill well.  Using a 75 watt full specturm light bulb as a light source it works rather well as a web cam.  It's 5x7 snapshot size stills fit my needs well.  It's video needs very good lighting and tends to "jump" if you move quickly, but then my $300 VHS-C Camcoder suffered from the same jumping effect.My main complaints about the camera are lack of a tripod mount (I purchased a tripod when I bought the camera and discovered I couldn't use it) and the lack of an AC jack.  I also agree with other reviews that the battery doors is flimsy and require handling with care.Pros:  This is a lot of functions in a very compact package at a low price.  I wouldn't say it's for pros, but if you want a beginners camera or just something to mess around with it's well worth the price.
I have owned it for 3 years and 4 months.  Within the first two months, we had to return it for service because it didn't have any picture.  I was told the whole lense assembly needed to be replaced.  Now it has an eject tape error and the tape won't eject.  It makes grinding noises.  It has been well cared for.  People who give it good reviews haven't owned it very long
Had this camera for 3 years.  It has always had problems, and the thing just keeps getting worse.  Had numerous problems including the 'eject tape' warning, no tape detected, viewfinder has gone out, buttons stop working, photo camera doesn't work, zoom malfunctions and randomly starts zooming in or out, and now something is seriously wrong with the digital chip, as I can't play back the tapes.All these problems with 1 camera.  Wow.  What a piece of junk.  Seriously, avoid this camera at all costs.
We owned this lovely piece of equipment and had to send it in for repairs four times while under warranty.  Took six to eight weeks to repair it every time.  We had the tape not ejecting problem, the zoom going crazy problem, horizontal lines going across the picture (they never did get that fixed), and then the picture kept turning all red.  Finally, it just crapped out and wouldn't turn on at all.  I will never buy another Canon camcorder.
My Canon Elura 60 MiniDV camcorder works perfectly.  I have not had any problems with it.  It is easy to use and it's small enough to carry around on vacation.  My previous camcorder was also a Canon and I owned it for 10 years with no issues.
Buyer Beware!  Do not buy this or any Canon item!  The remove the cassette error is for real!  If you search the internet under "canon remove the cassette" you will find many, many people with the same complaint!  Do not buy this camera!  The backing by Canon is atrocious.  They will do nothing, but offer to fix at your expense.  Mine was fixed and ended up doing the same thing again, as well as the mind of its own zooming issues.  You will read all these same things on many reviews/ratings postings around the web.  Lemon product and Canon does nothing about it.  I will not buy another Canon product and you should not either!  I don't care how good their next one is.  They didn't back this camcorder or do anything about the NUMEROUS complaints by people!
NOT BAD.........but i really wish i could have an option to add more light for inside pictures when not alot of light........otherwise the pictures are absolutely devine!!! sooooooooo easy to use!!!!  yes you need a battery but you do with all the other cameras too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love everything about this camcorder except the motor noise on playback is high-pitched, very noticable, and unavoidable according to the Canon support rep. He told me I needed to go w/ an Optura 30, 40, 400 or 500 to avoid motor noise. Very sad to have to return this because everything else is great.
If you listen to the noise that the tape does, in your first day using your Canon Elura 65 camera you can predict that it is not a product made to last a lifetime. Canon Eluras are the most unreliable cameras in the market. This line of cameras have a structural design flaw. After approximately one year of use, your camera refuses to accept any tape, and the tape compartment does not close. This happens regardless of how often you use your camera or how gently you treat it. Canon refuses to acknowledge that their Elura line is flawed, but just do an online search of the reviews about the Eluras 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70. You will see that there is a bunch of people out there with the same problems. Some are even considering a collective lawsuit against Canon. I read the bad reviews and decided to spend $500 on a Canon. Lost my money and my camera (one week after the expiration of the warranty the camera broke). I took my chances. Will you take yours?
I've only used this camera for about an hour. This is what I have to say about it keeping in mind that I've only used it for that long. This camera is very small! It's not as small as the Sony DCR-HC20, but close enough. For big hands, like mine, the palm of your hand may hurt when you hold it for more than 2 minutes. It might be beneficial to glue some type of neoprene or faux fur on it to cushion your hand.I like the placement of the Firewire port (it's in the front, right under the microphone). It's easy to open this port and plug in a cable. The S-Video port is right next to it. It doesn't get it the way. Right around the corner from these ports are the other ports: headphones, microphone input (huge plus for this camera, so many new ones are omitting this feature), AV output and AC input. These are also really accessible.One of the tipping points about this camera that got me to purchase it was the top loading tape. Top loading tape allows you to switch tapes when it's on a tripod, where my camera will usually sit (because it functions as a webcam/videoblog maker for m). If you have bottom loading tape (like all Sony's under $1000), you CANNOT change tapes while it's on a tripod. You should use a tripod as much as possible because your video will be soo much more watchable and people will appreciate this as well. No one has steady hands!Situations where this is really important:-Your child's band concert that runs for more than 1 hour.-Your child's sports game that runs for more than 1 hour.-The school play or musical that runs for more than 1 hour.-A battle of the bands that runs for more than 1 hour.-Anything else that runs for more than 1 hour.I'm having a hard time understanding why Sony doesn't make top loading tape camcorders under $1000. Canon's ZR series have bottom loading tapes, but the Elura line is very affordable.For the amateur iMovie maker, try out the 16:9 widescreen feature. The Elura 65 utilizes the full width of it's image sensor (AKA CCD) to make widescreen video. You will need a software program that can understand widescreen. Right now, Final Cut Express and Pro can do this and the new version of iMovie (HD) shipping in iLife 05 can understand widescreen. Filming in widescreen can be fun for amateurs but can get serious for people using affordable cameras to make indie films. A lot of cameras (mainly the cheaper Sony's) say they have 16:9 widescreen, but it's faking it: they just chop off the top. The sides aren't extended. The Elura 65 makes the sides go wide whilst chopping off the top. This is "true" widescreen.I'm giving this 5 stars in my preliminary review because there's really nothing yet about this camcorder that irritates me or I think should give it one or two less stars. I most likely won't write a bigger review after extended use of the camera. The camera has a nice lends, image sensor (Digic DV), and megapixel resolution. This amounts to a lot more effective pixels that are capturing your video than most video cameras.
Generally a good camera, but a few flaws.  Low-light recording is grainy and has poor color.  There does not appear to be a way (or an easy way) to put the day's date on the video (which is very useful for home videos).But more importantly, the camera failed me in the two ways noted by many other owners.  First, the camera would start zooming in on its own.  I would have to hold the zoom button to stop it from doing so.  Really annoying.  Sometimes it wouldn't zoom in and would be "stuck" at full zoom or would zoom out VERY slowly.  This makes the camera unusable.More recently, the camera said "Remove tape" and now is unable to load any tapes.  I will have to purchase a replacement.  No point in repair because I cannot trust the reliability of what I'll get back from Canon.This camera design is unreliable, defective (because so many people are reporting the exact same problem), and really disappointing.  I am a long-time fan of Canon and this is the first time I have been utterly disappointed with one of their products.
Until it started giving me that error, it was a great camera.  Unfortunately I only used it for about 6 months and 2 tapes before this started happening.  I then researched the problem and found that many others had the some problem.  I went to the Canon website and the first thing on the Elura page is they defend themselves against the Eject Cassette message.  I followed all the steps they suggested and it still wouldn't work.  I then called Canon and talked to someone there.  I asked them if there was a known defect with these cameras and of course they said no.  They said all I needed to do was to buy a head cleaner and it would be okay.  I went to Radio Shack and bought one for $14.  Of course it did not work.  It did not even load because the drive capstan motor is dead.  There is probably nothing wrong with the head.  I was not looking forward to fighting this warranty service battle with Canon due to all the stuff I read on the internet.  It was under a year old so it should have been covered.  Luckily, I bought the camera at Costco so they just gave us our money back.  I always had a favorable opinion of Canon until now.  Just fess up guys and admit your flawed design.  Unless you don't mind losing lots of customers.
Not sure of all of these problems people are having, but i bought my Elura 70 about 4 years ago from [...] and have recorded about 10 tapes before i lost my charger last year.  I have carried this camcorder overseas twice now, and it worked flawlessly on 220 electricy (with converter).. Can't really complain about it except that it cost me around $[...] 4 years ago, wasn't cheap. I just got a new charger and it works fine, without any tape glitches or error messages.  Hope to keep it around for another couple of years.
You can find a full review + users opinions on the Elura 70 at [...]I bought mine at another vendor's site, after carefull research.Let's just say I consider it the Top Choice for the entry level digital video fan.Canon is scoring a hit with this year's line of Eluras. In fact, they have announced they even are pulling out of the analog camcorder bussines.In my opinion the Elura 70 offers the best package of features and characteristics, compared to the other brand's models on its category (under $1K)
I am a huge fan of canon and thought they would be reliable with their camcorders as well. This camera lasted for about 1 year... about 10 tapes. Im having the same problems as other users where the tape got caught. I also have problems where the cam zooms by itself with the zoom button internally stuck.Will cost me 180 to send in. Abosulutely insaine. Stay away from this one and consider something different than Canon.
I bought my Canon Elura 70 and after four hours of use (4 one-hour tapes recorded) the tape compartment refused to close. The camera was sent to Canon Factory Service for repair. Canon has the most horrible customer service I have ever seen in my life. I sent the camera and never received any feedback from Canon. An entire month passed and they didn't sent me a single email nor a single phone call to acknowledge the receipt of the camara. I called them many times. In the fourth time, an enlightened sould gave me my order # and they found the camera. They shipped the camera back to me but after a few recordings, the tape compartment was not closing again. My Canon Elura 70 will now go to where it deserves most: the garbage bin. I will never again in my life buy anything from these crooks. There is one word that defines what Canon products are: CRAP. If you are in the market for a Digital Camcorder I would strongly recommend you to stay away from the Canon Eluras. Go for a SONY. SONY products are more expensive than the Canon Elura 70, but believe me, they will save you a lot of headaches.
Out of the box, the Elura 70 is fabulous. Amazing shots, nice 18x optical zoom, and great image stabilization. But after recording about eight tapes, the camera started to reject tapes when insterted. The error message "Remove the cassette" always appeared and the tape ejected immediately. Now the camera is unusable. Each time I put in a brand new tape the camera will start up, spin some wheels, and then stop the wheels, and eject the tape. I have tried an off-the-shelf mini-DV head cleaner, but that didn't work. Please, beware of this camera.
Don't know about the 70-model, but you might want to take note.  I paid $700 for a new Elura 40 about 2 yrs ago.  Made about 5 tapes during that time.  The other day I decided to transfer them to my Mac for some editing, but the camera wouldn't accept a tape.  It kept giving an error saying "Eject Tape", and when I did so, the tape got caught inside.  Ruined several of the few tapes I made.I checked the Elura forums to see if others had experienced something similar.  To my amazement, I found lots of folks with the exact same issue.  One thread had 40,000 hits.  It's obvious there is a design flaw here.I contacted Canon - even spoke with a supervisor.  He said there was no known issue like this.  When I mentioned the tons of cases on the forums he said they were made up.  Canon has given me a quote of $157 to fix the camera.  Remember, I have about 5 hours of use on this $700 paper weight - and I have taken good care of it.So, buy a Canon if you must, but I would suggest an extended warranty if you do.
As a wedding photographer, I can't waste time swapping batteries all the time.  I'll never buy the inferior fakes again.  After 6 months the fakes don't hold a charge.Yes the Canon battery costs more, but even after 4 yrs of continual use, it's still superior to the fakes.
the battery handles well, i was shocked when it drained after maybe 100-200 shots, but i realized i'm always using IS, autofocus and live view on my 40d that time, i was learning the functions of my new camera so it was drained right away, soon i'll be testing how many shots i could take with a full charge with this battery, my only complain is that it's expensive, canon is being not so reasonable here, they are not the one who's making the batteries and yet they price it too much.
You may be wondering (as I have) whether the extra price you pay for the Canon brand batteries is worth it.In my opinion it really is for the following reasons.-Dependability: After a full charge you will get a full day worth of shooting without any problems. The battery holds its charge very well-Consistency: Canon batteries last generally the same amount of time every time you charge them fully. Many generic brands have spotty performance (usually good to start but they go downhill fast)-No worries: Unlike the generic batteries you won't worry about testing the performance of these batteries, personally I'd rather be shooting instead of timing (or worrying about) the generic battery.And for those who are wondering, this battery works with a number of Canon Digital SLRs. I know for sure that this works with the Canon 5D, 20D and 30D.
Like others have mentioned, the Canon branded BP511A seems to last longer than the off brands even though capacity is supposed to be equivalent. I have given up on the knock offs priced $20 cheaper because after a few months of usage they don't seem to hold a charge as long whereas the Canon batteries keep going for years. The Canon batteries will still be able to take 500 or more pictures on a charge even after a few years. None of my knock off batteries can do this.
If you have to read this then you have issues.Its Canon!Nothing to worry about.Got an extra for my 30D.
It was exactly the spare battery pack I had looked all over town, out of town, and online for. Amazon had it and I got it tout suite and can now go further afield with my camera without worrying about when/if the battery pack is going to die on me. The price was great, too.
My old camera and battery were over 10yrs old.. so it was time. I don't have a lot of local stores here, so I rely on the web to purchase things. So I know I can always rely  on Amazon to have what I need at the better price.
No even the only battery, I have the grip and I buy one BP511 from canon and two from Ultralast. The one which came in the camera its dead after 7 months not even with a hard use. The other one, after 12months dead (I use that with my previous 30D)The ultralast batteries still working good. Just 15$ I pay last year for those, 1600mAh.
I've always preferred Canon products and this is no exception.  I did have an off-brand rechargeable battery and it not only took longer to charge, but didn't hold it's charge as long.  I would recommend this battery to anyone who needs an extra one for their camera.
I bought 4 of these and the container is easy to tell that its genuine, the container has canon halograms on it.So it makes you fell save.The terminal cover has a hole that you can invert to indicate if its full or drained out.
having great results with these batteries.  Excellent shots per charge in my D7.  Have had no issues recharging the batteries.
Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and CamcordersWhat can I say; its like the original, its a canon, and its priced like they're proud of it.  I haven't got up the nerve to purchase an off brand version yet.  My camera gear is too expensive to take a chance.It would have been 5 stars if the price was right.
I really was looking to buy a non-Canon battery pack (or 2) but after seeing the various tech specs on others that claim cell capacities higher than are even made to fit in this size case, I knew the best thing was to stick with the honest listing of 1390mAh Canon lists.After all, I already knew how good this one was from using the original that came with the camera.. I'm sure I'll be better off in the long run.Now using the optional Canon battery grip & two of these packs for an honest total of 2780 mAh my 20 & 40D just keep going all day long.Update 09/03/2008Packs are still going strong and holding a charge like new, very happy with them. I might add that so is my original equipment battery from 2005 8-)  Shooting on average 10,000 photos per year.
My Dad's camera wasn't holding a charge more than 4 hours.  So this was just the thing that was needed.  Now it holds a charge for days and days.  Very happy.
I needed a spare pair of batteries for my Canon 5D dslr.  These batteries are working perfectly for me.  Excellent!
You can't have too many batteries for your DSLR. Today's image stabilized lenses can go through a battery faster than you realize. The prices are dropping and it's time to strike. The only thing I regret about my purchase is that I didn't order two. Next time I place an order with Amazon--this will be on the list again.
I ordered this battery to replace a Cannon BP511 which died after 6 years or use. I have not used this battery as of yet. However I have used the BP511A battery for about 5 years in a Cannon 10D camera with no problems.
I was trying to save a couple bucks and I bought a few of the no-name brand batteries for my Canon DSLR. Never again! They loose their charge when you need them most. Stick with the Canon brand battery. It holds its charge much longer and will not randomly die on you. Batteries are definitely one of those things where you get what you pay for. Do not be fooled by the imitations.
I purchased an exact replacement for my Canon Rebel original battery, which had lasted several years.  For the first year this replacement behaved like a new battery.  Unfortunately then it began to fail just after one year of use.  At first I thought I hadn't charged it correctly/completely, but in its second year of use it became obvious the battery has continued to fail.  Two years after purchasing this battery, it holds a full charge for only a couple days, and allows about 10 - 20 minutes of use.  If I try to use the camera three days after a full battery charge, the camera only works for about 5 minutes until the battery is completely drained.Recently the battery failed during a portrait session with a willing kitty, and I missed some good shots.  I have been getting requests to do portraits and am considering starting a side business.  For this I need a reliable battery and also a back-up camera.  I don't know if the battery I ordered was defective or had been used, but from now on I would rather purchase something like this from a camera store.
This is an excellent battery that powers my Canon 5D camera very well. Although I haven't tested it against the spec for how many shots I can get from it, I've been very impressed with the longevity of it's charge.
This works as specified.  I always carry a fully charged backup battery. I wouldn't put a non-Canon battery in my Canon either; too much chance of something going wrong.
Bought this because i bought the battery grip for my 40d and it requires 2 batteries to run isntead of one, but then it doubles the shooting time, hell, i can say it triples or quadruples it, haha.Pricey, but worth every penny.
Appears to be exactly as advertised--a factory replacement battery.  Bought a knock-off previously and it had a short life.  I'm a satisfied customer.  In the event another replacement is needed, I'll buy again.  Fair price, prompt shipping.
original battery that works great. some of the look alike won't takea proper charge.Great price
I couldn't argue against the fact that a Canon camera works well with a Canon battery, but actually the converse is not true. I own the BP511 (came with my Digital Rebel) and I recently bought a Delkin Devices BP511 analog. The Delkin product stores 1400 mhA vs 1100 for the Canon, and is half the price. I have friends who have used Delkin for a year without any problems, so I don't see why I would buy this product instead of the cheaper non-Canon battery.
I bought this battery in addition to the Canon CB-5L Battery Charger for BP511-BP535 Series Batteries. The Canon G3 camera, which I bought about 2 years ago, came with one battery that must be charged inside the camera as it didn't ship with an external charger.This bacame a pain, as with one battery, you cannot use the camera whilst it is charging. Hence external charger and an additional battery.New and fully charged, one battery's charge lasted 3 days with frequent use.
Worked fine while we owned it. It held a charge well and powered my wife's Canon camera for reasonable periods.
Nothing really special to say.  Works like a charm, exactly the same as the original battery.
I decided back in 2010 to purchase another Lithium Ion battery pack from Canon for myEOS 20D Digital SLR camera. I was going to go to South Korea for 10 days and did notwant to take the charger, albeit small. I wanted to pack as light as possible and also notworry about recharging the battery every other day. These batteries did not disappoint.During my trip I took copious amounts of digital photos and the 3 batteries held up well.I had no problems with them and they held their charge throughout the 10 day trip. I musthave taken thousands of photos on the trip there and back. The batteries charge heldwonderfully. I will say that I rarely used the flash and that was probably helpful inpreserving the battery's charge.Nevertheless Canon makes a fine battery and I will continue to purchase their battery packonce these run their course. I have been a Canon camera guy since the AE1 first came outand have never looked back. Terrific products from a great company.Even today the same battery's are still going strong so I definitely recommend this batterywithout any reservations. Have a good shoot...NOTE:  I decided to always buy from my batteries from Amazon and have always received the'official' Canon battery and not an imitation. It appears the imitations exist from what alot Amazon reviewers have been reporting, so be careful out there.
It's not cheap but it works fine.  As others have written, the price is somewhat painful.  Unlike some, I am not willing to purchase a cheap non OEM battery that might leak in the camera thus causing warranty complications!Canon accessories aren't cheap but after working with Canon for 15 years on printer projects, I feel confident they thoroughly test their products and honor their warranties.
I do not trust any batteries except Canon for my Canon cameras.I have found "compatible" batteries do not always charge inCanon charger, and do not last as long on camera.
My original battery would not hold charge anymore so I ordered this one from AMazon. It is at least $30 or more cheaper than Canon direct and just as good. Works perfectly.
...and I'm just now getting a replacement.I've been satified with the battery life...very seldomn was I frustrated that the battery didn't last long enough. This was the only battery I had for my Digital Rebel, and after 30,000 (yes, htat is a three with four zeros) the battery life is just getting noticably shorter. Much longer use than I dreamt possible.
I've tried using aftermarket batteries with my 20D, and none lasted more than a year, while the original Canon battery still works fine. So, I decided to replace my replacement battery with the Canon one. Yes, it's still a bit pricey, but it works better than the cheaper ones.
I have an older digital camera and previously ordered what I thought was the correct BP511A battery, nope didn't fit.  Returned the wrong size battery and purchased this one and I was so excited that it fitted and now I can take digital photos again.
All batteries from any brand are expensive but fortunately there are other brands that offer the same batteries which in a way force these companies to reduce the prices of their official ones. I purchased the original from Canon because I did not see one that I could trust. It is not worthy to save money on a battery that can totally trash your camera.
I put off purchasing one of these for quite some time thinking that I could manage. Well, all it took was running out of gas in the middle of shooting. I told myself it would never happen, but I was wrong. I've had it for a short time but it has saved me more than once having the spare battery. Don't be an idiot like me, buy one for back-up.
Canon made for the EOS 20D. Expensive camera, so why risk using cheap batteries?  The battery has a long life use.
I bought the battery grip and a spare battery and highly recommend both.  I have no doubt that an aftermarket battery is just as good, but at this price, why bother?  I went to Best Buy and they wanted $10 more for an Energizer battery.  Apparently the battery is also used in many Canon camcorders so they are in ready supply.  That's good news for us because it means cheaper batteries.  This spare battery is essential if you plan to shoot while vacationing (did you remember to take your battery charger??!) or while mountain climbing or taking spectacular shots of the Grand Canyon.
Buyer beware of reduced-price "canon" batteries. Do a little research to determine you're buying a genuine canon. I was suspicious after receiving two I could just pop out of the sealed "official" packaging and they had misspelled words imprinted on the backs. I had read something about this online and felt safer returning them. Fortunately the Amazon Marketplace sellers I used were very good about refunds.
First party batteries are the the best if you want long life, compatibility, and to avoid any other issues that may arise. The hefty premium is worth the ability to take more shots than those 3rd party brands!
I purchased two of these Canon batteries because I own a Canon 85mm F/1.2 L II lens which really eats batteries alive and when shooting a wedding you don't have time to charge!This seems like the exact same battery that shipped with my camera and seems to last just as long.I recommend
I agree with others who have written don't settle for cheaper substitutes!  I bought a non-Canon brand backup battery for my Canon 20D years ago and it was good as a backup.  But I just went on a 2 week vacation trip this year and as my Canon battery was getting low, I popped in my backup.  To my surprise, it was dead, even after recently getting charged!  Luckily, I was shooting outside and didn't need the flash, so the Canon battery held out once I put it back in. The backup battery doesn't seem to hold a charge now.  Don't try to save some money and then risk losing some good shots--buy Canon!  You'll be glad you did.
Do not look for cheaper one.OEM battery works much better and life is more than 3 times longer.If you take photos in winter, you will regret your choice of cheap brand.I have bad experience with cheap one. Always Buy OEM battery.
The capacity of this battery is great. I get around 700-800 shots on my 40D with it.
There are a lot of substitutes for the original Canon battery, but I always trust canon, and when you read the mAh index, Canon ones are always better than the substitute ones. Plus, I go into the snow mountains a lot, it appears the Canon ones last longer in the cold weather than those substitute ones.
Don't waste your time with the fake batteries.  I bought a Targus clone for my 20D and the battery died within a year.  Targus support is ignoring me.  I should have just stuck with Canon batteries from the very start.
I still use the original canon BP511 battery which came in my Canon 300D which I purchased in 2003. I also have 2002 Canon BP511 batteries which came in Canon D60 . Amazingly, they are all still working well. To me, they are better than the others because they hold charges better and keep on working many years after  the others have died. The price is so much higher than the others, and I do buy some cheaper ones. But, when I do not carry any spare, and if I need to really depend on the batteries(I use two batteries in each camera), I always choose genuine Canon BP511 or BP511A.
I was a little afraid to buy this online, in case it was not an original canon. However, it appears to work very well, better than the cheap brands that's for sure.
Was leary about purchasing, afraid the battery would be old and not hold a charge but it has preformed perfectly for me, will be buying another before vacation
I originally purchased one of these batteries as an extra for my Canon 30D.  However, after receiving it, a professional photography recommended getting non-branded version from a different website.  The price of those non-branded versions was $8 each, I returned this and ordered 5 of the others for the same price as one of the Canon's.  The non-branded batteries have been working just great.This is one case where I personally chose to skip the Canon brand...most everything else I have is Canon branded.
What can I say that you have not already heard about cheap batteries. Bought three of these over the years, One was excellent,  one was OK and the third was not worth the postage. Its probably like buying a car from Detroit, don't buy one made Monday morning. But I am not sure how to tell who is really making these batteries and which ones are good.
For some reason my camera out of no where started only being able to take about 200 shots before losing charge. I bought this battery know that someone had mentioned concerns about it being a genuine Canon product but I have to say comparing it to my original batter I cannot find any reason for concern. Battery works as you would suspect and I am so far very happy with it.
Last battery was good for almost 5 years. Easily rechargeable. Couldn't ask for more.
Genuine Canon product, packaged as you would find them at the camera store, but for less money. I got two for my Canon battery grip. Works great.
I purchased from Eastcoast Servs. I received two genuine Canon batteries in original packaging with manual. Both batteries were fully charged upon arrival.If you are thinking of buying cheaper batteries by another brand DO NOT DO IT! They may be cheaper, but don't last long at all. Canon batteries slowly die off over the years which is expected. All others I have tried slowly die off for a few months then one day completely stop working. It sucks to charge the battery and the next day go to use it and you get nothing!Item came via USPS and signature was required so I missed the delivery and had to pick them up at the post office. It wasn't a problem, just check to see if signature is required when you order.
What can I say, it's a battery, but I guess even batteries have issues.  This one works great - I use it in my Canon 5d.
Before you buy a generic battery pack, first consider how many times you'll want to use it before it becomes useless. The generic battery I bought doesn't hold much of a charge after a dozen uses. Also, double check the voltage and capacity (mAh) of the generic, often times they're cheaper because they're underpowered and have less capacity. For my money, the reliability of the Canon BP511A is well worth the premium (I've been using the original for over a year now).
I needed a replacement battery for my G2 camera.  I had purchased aftermarket batteries in the past and they had a short life many times failing when I was on location.  Photos are money, so I decided to purchase a OEM Canon battery.  I know this will last a few years and put much cash in my pocket!
Excellent battery for my Canon 30D and 5D. I have an extra battery backup just in case of low battery. Highly this item for your photo needs.
What can you say about a battery.  I will say that these are long lasting and don't take forever to recharge.  Love em along with most Canon products.
The photo in the product description portrays a genuine Canon battery. The item received was a cheap knock-off! I can understand the price discrepancy, but it is up to the seller to make sure listing details are accurate.
Beware of cheap take-offs. They will void your Cannon Camera warranty. Stick with something that you can trust. I bought two extra of these and also the battery grip for my rebel XTi. Never been happier.
Works just fine, allows a decent number of shots.  I bought an extra battery to go with my BG2 grip and 40D.  With two batteries you can shoot for quite a while.
No hay nada mejor para mi camara canon que una bateria original de canon....  no recomiendo usar de otras marcas en tu camara...  muy buen articulo..
I got this battery but it was NOT a Canon battery. I do not use the camera anymore but the battery still works when I do turn the camera on just to see if the camera and battery still works.
This is a great battery pack that gets great life, but the non-Canon brand BP511's are just as good and a fraction of the cost. You won't be disappointed in the performance of the battery, but you'll be paying extra for the Canon brand.
Plain and simple:  The battery holds up.  It takes a charge and holds a charge.  Some cheap batteries have a higher mAH rating, but if they can't hold the charge, they're not meeting the need.  Past experience with other Canon batteries for other cameras convinced me that I couldn't afford to go cheap.  However, I still can't give 5 stars because of the price.
I am amazed at the longevity of this battery.  It is truly awesome and a must have.  My Canon Digital Rebel is a year old and the original (well used!) battery has been losing it's charge of late.This battery really wowed me on a recent trip.  I used it for a solid week and it never showed a drop in the battery meter.  That's with a flash too.You need this battery!
I have had no problems with any of these batteries that I have purchased. I have never had to replace my originals. I purchased extras to go with my battery grip and and extra set to swap out. No complaints whatsoever. They are fast to charge as well, and hold a charge very well.
Great Battery.  Got it for my Canon 20D.  Used for a wedding this past week in North Carolina where I took over 1000 pictures (preceremony, formals and ceremony) before changing it out.  Battery meter still showed full charge but I thought it best to change before shooting the reception events.
You bought a Cannon because it works, so why buy something to go with it that just is not up to the Cannon standards. This is always the way I go, and this one is no different. I cannot afford to have problems and I just know that with this battery pack I won't have to worry while I am working with it.
My husband was very happy with this item.  He already has one and simply needed an additional one, so he knew what he was getting.  The shipping time was quick and the packaging was fine.
May be a little expensive but remember when we used to buy film and process? If this is the only incremental cost to taking pictures, and I have taken thousands in the 4+ years I had the original before it went out, I figure it is best to just get another original Canon.Bought an off-brand for my camcorder and wished I hadn't. Only lasted 1 year.
Perhaps you bought an expensive Canon camera and you want an extra battery.  Or possibly you bought a grip for your Canon Digital SLR and you need the required second battery.  What do you do?  Well there are two options, buy a Canon BP-511A.  Or buy a competitor's battery like the Adorama BP-511 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack that Amazon lists as an alternative option.The Canon battery performs well with Canon products.  I have never had a Canon battery short out or over heat on me.  Nor have I ever had any other problems with one.  I own three and rotate them out when needed.  Most of the time, I can go all day on one fully charged battery in my 20D.  Other times I may need to switch out one for the other.  Depending on what I am shooting, I can easily shoot 1000+ images in a day.  My average is usually more around 500-600.  I'm not always at a location where I can charge my batteries daily, so three makes sense for me and works well.There are certain parts of the battery a photographer may never even think about.  Under that plastic shell, there should be quality components to take a charge and prevent safety issues.  Some of the most expensive parts are the safety components meant to prevent shorts, over heating, and other adverse reactions.  The easiest way to reduce the price is to use inferior components or even leave a few of them out.Not all off brand batteries use the shortcuts mentioned above.  It is not something that is listed on the package though.  I might consider one of the off brands like the Adorama version only if I were to know for sure that it's a quality reliable product.For me I'd rather pay the extra $20 or so if for nothing else peace of mind.  The Canon Battery is pretty cheap in comparison to what I have spent on my 20D.  I can't imagine buying an expensive camera and then balking at the price of suggested Canon battery.  If I had bought one of the less expensive camera options like the G1, maybe the $20 difference would be more of an acceptable risk.  In my mind its still seems penny wise, pound foolish.PROS:A quality Canon productA trusted brandThe battery all the others try to imitateCONS:I don't doubt some of the price is based on the Canon name.  Is it really worth the risk though?
As mentioned by others, Vortex Cable seems to be selling counterfeit Canon batteries.  The packaging is very convincing, almost the same as Canon's, but not quite.  I ordered two batteries from Amazon (Vortex Cable) and two batteries from Adorama (after reading the most recent reviews of this item).  The holographic label on Canon's package is completely different.  The Vortex batteries fell out of the package, Canon's package must be torn apart to get to the batteries.  The labels are slightly different.  The Vortex batteries are shinier and darker, the cover does not stay on the Vortex batteries.Buyer beware!!!!Go to BH Photo Video or Adorama to be sure you're getting the real deal.  Had I not read carefully and ordered additional batteries from Adorama for comparison, I would have not realized I paid full price for counterfeit junk.Update; Vortex Cable was kind enough to refund the entire purchase price plus shipping.
This battery will give you about 500-1000 shots before going dead. Even if you use the flash often, it won't die easily!! You can always count on this battery, no matter how you use it. Highly Recommended for any level photographer!!(...)
I tried the generic battery first (trying to save a little bit of money) and after 3 months, it wouldn't take more than 3 pictures.  I will only purchase Canon batteries from now on.  Not worth the hassle to buy the generic brands.
Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and CamcordersWhen I purchased my Canon 40D the first accessory I bought is this. One can never have enough batteries especially for a camera! I have learned from hard experience that 3rd party vendor batteries just do not work as well or as long as an original Canon battery pack.Which is why I only purchase Canon made battery packs. This one is no different than the other Canon battery packs I have purchased, holds a charge a long time and when in use gives me 1500-1800 photos per charge.
It is worth spending the extra money to buy Canon brand when it comes to camera batteries.  I previously purchased a cheaper battery that did not hold a charge.
I purchased this item along with a pair of knockoff batteries. My original OEM battery lasted for years so I figured I would replace it with another OEM but the price of the knockoff made it easy to justify even if they proved to be substandard.  Imagine my surprise when the cheap knockoff batteries were of better quality than the "OEM" battery this seller sent me.  I first noticed the battery printing seemed of inferior quality but it didn't occur to me at the time that this battery may be a fraud until after 6 weeks of use when I observed that the battery consistently would not hold a charge.  After thorough testing I came to the conclusion that this item was of inferior quality and not of Canon manufacture.  I contacted the seller several times requesting a replacement and after 4 emails and 3 weeks, I finally received a single sentence reply from John Quagen from Mellodigital customer service: "We are sorry you are past the return policy".  It was true, after reading the company fine print, they have a 14 day return policy and I was past the return date.  Even it I was within the time limit, I didn't receive a reply from them for nearly 3 weeks after my initial inquiry.So, buyer beware! this company will sell you a cheap knock off at full OEM prices and will not stand by their customer or product once the check clears.
This is a great price on a this Canon OEM battery.  I only use authentic Canon batteries in my Canon cameras.  This was the best price I found for these batteries!
I looked hard to find a genuine Canon replacement battery, since most 3rd party batteries are bad news.  This one was so expensive I thought it had to be authentic. It arrived 4 days late. I question the authenticity of this "Canon" battery - Cheap cardboard packaging had faded colors, instructions on paper of low quality, the label on the battery was a faded off-color, not like any of my OEM Canon parts, there was no punched hold in the cheap plastic tray to use orientation to indicate charged/not.  I can't prove this is a knock-off counterfeit - but even the "hologram" looks fake.  I have more faith when Amazon does the fulfillment directly, and I thus hesitate to use 3rd parties for this category of product.  Sorry if I'm wrong, it just a bad feeling based on my above observations.
It can be difficult to dish out the money Canon asks for when it comes to a simple battery, but you can't go wrong with it.  It charges quickly and lasts through tons of photos.  I always keep a charged battery pack in my camera case.  I've had my extra battery for nearly three years and I  haven't noticed any loss in power.
LOVE this battery--my first battery for my Canon Powershot G3 lasted SEVEN years (I got the camera in 2004, and this is my first time replacing the battery). I've become completed spoiled with the awesome battery life and refuse to buy any camera that doesn't have a rechargeable lithium ion battery). I've even used this camera DAILY on a 10 day trip to England, taking and reviewing pictures, without recharging even once (I hadn't brought the correct adapter). This is a fantastic price for an awesome product--it charges up reasonably quickly, has fantastic, long life, and fits perfectly in my Canon Powershot G3. :)
I bought this battery as a backup of my existing battery which I am using from last 2 years without any problem. These are excellent battery and last for long time.
It's great to have an extra battery. If you are planning on going somewhere special and you're planning on taking pictures, take an extra battery with you!
The Canon BP511A is a very long lasting battery for a DSLR based camera.  I do not know how the electronics of everything work inside a DSLR to give better battery life, but this one has been as long lasting a battery one can ask for.  Highly recommended to get a second or third one of these for vacations.
Great battery, don't know how I would shoot with my Canon if I didn't have the BP-511.  It's a tad pricey, but it works!
The lack of an active sensor-LCD display on a D-SLR, among other things, means that I can take around four hundred pictures with this camera before recharging the battery. Flash, continual focusing, burst-- nothing seems to faze this battery. I want to get the battery grip so I can take a few thousand pictures at once... that'd be sweet.I hope it holds up. I've only had it for a few weeks... my NB-1LH for my trusty Powershot S500 has only just begun to show a noticeable decrease in the charge it holds, and I've had that camera for almost three years...
I recently purchased a backup BP-511A battery "by Canon" from Amazon.com.I noticed it looked different than the one that came with my 40D when I ordered it, but it said "by Canon" so I ordered it anyway.The BP-511A pictured on Amazon is black with white lettering painted on it.  Is this even a Canon product?The one that came with my 40D is dark grey and has Canon lettering etched into the top of the battery.When I received the battery I immediately thought something was wrong.It was a black battery with NO writing on the top, "sealed" in a flimsy "Canon" package.Upon further inspection I noticed the package could be slid open easily.I looked at the underside of the battery and there were Canon stickers, but no number etched in the box like my original.The battery cover had the battery charge indicator, so I think that was the only real part included.I don't think Amazon should sell or allow the sale of batteries that are questionable like these.  I'm pretty sure they are not "by Canon".Another user even posted pictures below the battery showing how to tell fakes.Come on Amazon, fix this mess.
Buying the original Canon product may be expensive, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and service life.  I was tempted to buy some after market less pricey batteries in the past, but encountered instead problems with them. Problems like not charging even when the batteries were not used at all yet. You take the chance of getting a lemon when you do not get the original one.
Perfect battery.
Even though it seems like a steep price, the $50 ORIGIONAL Canon battery works like a charm and works forever! Well, lets just say you'll be pleasantly surprised by how long it can last when you need it. Of course there are bad ones but that's easy- just get it replaced. Be warned- after a couple years its natural for a rechargeable battery to die.
Very disappointed with this battery. I bought two batterries with my Digital Rebel and both died over the holidays. I am contacting Canon to see if there is something wrong with the batch I received and will update with any response.
I bought this battery because I think the Canon battery is a better backup than 3rd party. They are a little pricey but should last for a while.
Not much can really be said about this, other than it works fine. It charges fairly quickly, holds the charge well, and lasts a long time when taking pictures. I needed a backup battery for my digital Rebel for long trips away from a power source, had no trouble with the original battery.
This battery is great as advertised. I can take ~1000 photos on a full charge in my EOS 20D with at least 1/3 of them being flash.The charger that came with the camera works great and the 2 identical batteries I had which are ~8 years old still hold a pretty good charge, though one occasionally flips out and drops to no charge. Highly recommended.
Light weight, compact, charges quickly and holds a great charge.  Buy two so on long trips you have one in the camera and two charged and ready when needed.  With the huge storge cards these days having plenty of power to shoot through is important.Besides you never know who you might come across that would need a spare.
Get this extra battery and a grip, and you can take pictures for what feels like forever! Great combo
Yeah I know Canon batteries cost more , but you get what you pay for. Sure you can get the same battery from a different company for as low as $5 on Amazon , but I wouldn't trust those batteries in my equipment. I used to think the generic batteries were just as good until I bought a few. Years later my canon batteries still work and the generics are both almost completely dead. Buy canon batteries for your canon equipment
The BP511A battery fits perfectly to my G3 camera without a larger capacity than the original BP511. Thanks!
I have 2 Canon cameras that use this battery.  I've tried the generic batteries but they don't hold up.  You pay less for them and you get less out of them.  I always recommend original equipment.
This battery which I bought from Digi Acc (via Amazon) in 2011 is a FAKE. The pictures I uploaded will show the subtle differences from the original which came the Canon 5D. The blue label is a faded, lighter shade of blue. The plastic housing has two shades of gray compared with a single shade of gray in the original Canon battery.I didnt notice anything wrong when I first started using the battery - it worked, it charged etc. Maybe it didnt last as long as the original but I never did a comparison test. Now having left my 5D idles for a few months I went to use it again and found this battery was dead. The original had some charge left. I charged both and tested. Again this battery was completely dead. The original - fully charged - works and the 5D powered up as expected. Also, I weighed both - the original is 79-80grams while this (fake) weighs in at 74-76grams. Thats a 4-5gram difference. Make your own mind up on this product.... a well made fake, that wont last.Dont waste your money on these. Maybe some day Amazon will wake up to fakes being sold as original on their site.Comparison original and fake:[...][...]
My original Canon battery that came with the camera has a distressing habit of dying after ~250 pictures (I have a 1 GB memory card that can take many more), so I had to figure out a way of charging it whereever I went. I had thought that a non-Canon battery, almost by definition, would be worse than the original. But, no - this one is great. It lasts longer - I havent formally tested it to see how long it lasts, but it lasted for >320 pictures on one occasion, so is clearly better. Carrying this is better than carrying a charger with you on long trips.
When my fisrt Canon battery expired...after a long use, I purchased a knock-off. What a mistake. It lasted about 1/3 as long as the Canon, and, of course, it died at just the wrong time, during a wedding. I went back to a Canon product and "it just keeps on ticking". It cost a little more but the security and longevity are well worth it
i like to use CANON products with my Canon products. It's a great battery and its interchangeable with 2 of my other Canon cameras.  My last ones lasted 7 years and 3 years with lots of extreme weather use.
The battery seems to work better than original with a longer life than the battery that came with my Canon 5D. The true test will be over time when the battery life degrades with age.
Seems to be original Canon battery.  As such, it is somewhat expensive.  I can't help but wonder if an aftermarket battery would do the job?
If you use a Canon Camera you should use Canon Batteries! Worth the money epically if you do not want miss a shot!  I am a Canon Gal!
You may be able to save a few dollars with a off brand battery but they generally do not work as well or last as long.
It's false economy to risk no-name third-party batteries in your expensive Canon. This is a great price.
This is what is needed to make the camera work as it should for a good amount of time. Has done the job well.
At least in a Powershot G6 or Pro V1  these batteries are incedible!
500-1000 shots for an authentic Canon battery is not good which leads me to believe this is a fake. My Canon battery that came with my 20D would get me at least 1200-1500 shots at a wedding even after using it for 6 years and still have power left over. Unfortunately another photographer whom I was working an event at in Schaumburg stole mine while I had it charging and stuck his cheap knock off battery in my charger. Protect your authentic Canon batteries because they are worth every penny!
Canon products tend to be expensive and looking for "just as good" off brands is a sensible approach but IMO not when it comes to the battery. Why put an expensive camera at risk by inserting a battery made by ??? This battery works great. It holds a charge forever and more importantly was made subject to Canon quality control standards.
Says canon on it. It should last a long time. I had one with my Canon Rebel 300D for 3 years and still chugging along. Where as the off market braned was dieing on me with only half charges.
I've tried a few non-OEM batteries in my 40D, but they never seem to last as long as the Canon branded battery.The battery works well, came in factory packaging with Canon branding, so it looks like it's the real thing. I've gotten some bad knock-off's on eBay, but this one looks legit.
The Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery rocks. If you shoot with the grip, fabulous! If you just want one as a backup so that you can shoot longer, fabulous! In short, fabulous!
This lasts for a longer time than I though possible on a Canon 30D, taking say 100 shots over a couple of hours per day it has lasted for about a week... I haven't really used the built-in flash but I do review every shot on the built in screen. It recharges in a couple of hours.It's still a good idea to get a spare battery, just in case... I didn't feel comfortable buying a no-name battery for such a great camera; the bottom line is I did get over the initial sticker shock and this will prove to be good value for money if it continues like this in the medium and longer term.
I purchased these batteries to replace my old ones that I've had for years.  So far they are working out just fine.  No complaints.
I thought I could save a few bucks by buying some non-Canon brand "similar" batteries.  Although they hold charged very well, they don't last as long as the original Canon BP-511A.  Spend a little extra and get what Canon designed for their cameras....not what other knock-offs attempted to.
In the past I have purchased the offbrand (made in China) batteries for Canon cameras.They did not last very long, and did not fit in the camera properly.Well worth the additional cost.
Battery arrived in timely fashion. It works, but my camera doesn't....error code 99! Am working to get that resolved. Otherwise Canon still rocks and Amazon is where you will get the best deal (most of the time.) HeHe!!
I  have two of these in my Canon attached battery holder.  I shoot an EOS 20 and have a 2 gig and 1 gig card.  I packed regular 2A's just in case I ran out of juice while in Ireland for 10 days.  NO WAY!!  These guys stayed charged and I shot over 700 photos including review of the shots and flash.I highly recommend!
I bought a generic Chinese "equivalent" bp-511 battery that boasted a higher milliamperage rating and a cheaper price than the original Canon battery that came with my camera.  The battery worked fine for about 3 months and now only holds a charge for about 20 minutes.  I have had it fail at critical times.  Never ever buy some knock-off Chinese battery--read the reviews.  The Chinese push out their crappy knock-offs to unsuspecting consumers (like I was) just to make a quick buck.  Also, don't trust the glowing reviews from the generic sellers.  They are self-generated.  In my case, the seller is no longer selling under his original company name.  He has a new name with the requisite (sham) glowing reviews.  CHINESE PRODUCTS SUCK.
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then....okay, we all know where that goes. However, if it looks like a Canon ion battery, and sells for a lot less, there's a pretty good chance it's NOT a Canon battery. Bottom line?  Canon quality comes with a price tag and you don't want to skimp when it comes to batteries. I've used nothing but verified Canon batteries in my Canon EOS 40D, and I've never been disappointed.
For some reason, Canon- branded batteries are better than those sold by actual battery manufacturers. Don't just look at the $$/mAh ratio, consider safety, reliability and longevity. In these categories, the Canons rock. I bought a G1 camera about five years ago, and the camera is toast, but the battery still works like a charm in my 20D. Others start out with 1400 or even 1700 mAh, but fail after six months - read the reviews here on Amazon.com.
I have tried other, lower priced brands, but find that the Canon brand holds a charge much longer, produces significantly more pictures per charge and has a life expectancy up to twice as long.  Pay a little more up front but expect to come out ahead over the long term.
This is a replacement for an identical battery pack that I lost.  Works great, long life, no problems.
Same battery as I have for my camera, just needed a spare. Cost could be more affordable.
I bought some off brand batteries for my Canon Rebel and within a few months they would not hold a charge. So I now only buy the Canon brand. The off brand was a waste of money.
Great price for a Cannon branded battery! Holds a charge for much longer than the off brand batteries! Fast shipping too!
I got this Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack  because my old battery would not hold a charge. It has been like that for over a year. I'm very happy with this replacement battery. I just wish I did it soon.
WORKS GREAT,HOLDS A CHARGE WELL AND  1/2 THE PRICE OF BEST BUY.FOR THE EXACT SAME BATTERY.  RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE.
Brand name from Canon does the job with supplying power to my 40d but actually, on future purchases I bought generic.  No difference but make sure you buy from a reputable seller (read the reviews)
I ordered three of these thinking they were Canon Batteries. They do not hold a charge and were in mock Canon packaging. I later learned Canon seals their batteries with a hologram sticker. I regret that i threw away the packaging and did not know of the warning and that DID NOT read these reviews. Since I bought these in Feb of 2011 I am pretty much stuck with these weak excuses for batteries.TEUPhotoTrainer.com
The battery I received is a fake. Be sure to check your battery closely and compare it to photos of others online to make sure it is genuine before using it in your expensive camera body!
I bought this to extend the run time on my Canon camera.  It works great.  I don't trust the third party branded batteries in expensive equipment.
Works like a charm, great product. Canon battery does work better than an knock off oem for some reason.  I will be getting more.
if you need a battery for your slr, just part with your money and get the real thing.  the knocks-offs are hit-and-miss.  mostly miss.  i've bought 3 fakes, and they were all disfunctional.
I have more than seven of these batteries all less than a few years old. Now each charge lasts ridiculously little.
I got this accessory pack for FREE when I purchased the Canon A560 digital camera. Totally worth the price, travels well, plug in to the wall and use....works perfectly.
A charger kit came with my camera- but I found that it was not what I needed- it was an off brand. I ordered  this charger kit and batteries came with it. It is certainly a better one and a reliable one and perfect for my needs for the camera. Before I was only able to take 16 pictures. With this charger- my batteries have let me take over  100 so far and they are still strong. This kit charges 2 or 4 at a time. Very convenient. I'm glad I decided to purchase this one. I highly recommend this charger to anyone that has a Canon camera Powershot.
Save your mney and get higher capacity batteries from other manufacturers.There are lots of 2500mAh batteries available from major brands, and even a 2700mAh model from a smaller manufacturer.
Ulltimately the conservative design is more of a hinderance than a  portable functionality design, but it meets the challenge. I would encourage consumers to price the market for other alternatives and  compare features. Overall the over moderate price I paid for my Canon PowerShot Rechargeable Battery & Charger Kit was higher than desired.
I got these batteries and charger with a camera that I bought for my mother.  It was a great deal and the batteries and charger are fantastic.  The charger can be used overseas because it is good for 110 to 240, which makes it very good to use without any electricity converter.  The batteries last for a few hundred pictures and you can always have a pair handy for your camera.  I have used these batteries in both the Canon cameras and they work great.  I wanted to buy the charger for my camera but I will wait because the price right now is too high even though the quality is great.  Batteries and a charger should not be so expensive, especially when they can be sold very inexpensively if you buy the camera.(Cameras used Power Shot A560 and Power Shot A 570 IS)
Good product for my purposes with Powershot S1 IS.  Need to buy more batteries for backup and long time running periods.  I don't know if this charger works fine with 2500mAh batteries, do you?
Save your money and buy rechargables elsewhere. Batteries that aren't branded "Canon" with a travel charger go for $25-30 elsewhere including Amazon.com.Just make sure you're getting at least 2300 mAH on the batteries, some cheap kits give you weaker 1100 mAH batteries.
I got a Canon PowerShot S1 IS camera locally. The batteries the camera came with were great, lasted a long time, but weren't rechargeable. Since I couldn't find any Canon rechargeable batteries. I bought two different high-end rechargeable brands the camera store sold me (which cost less than the Canon brand btw)--but they didn't hold a charge very long. I then got some of Radio Shack's best rechargeables and they sorely disappointed, too. Finally I found these Canon CBK4-200 batteries on Amazon and WOW, what a difference between these and all the rest! I AM AMAZED AT HOW LONG THESE HOLD A CHARGE!!! I bought TWO SETS so I always have a set charged and can charge the other while one set is being used. The CHARGER KIT is great because it is self-contained and plugs into the wall outlet. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!  Great value for the money.
Yes they are a bit expensive, but I took over 400 photos and the battery was not even low (2 8-hour bus rides and the battery lasted the whole time). They are high quality and last longer than most.
The charger charges.Except 1 battery wouldn't hold a charge longer than I can hold my breath.I contacted Canon. They said they would have sent me a battery if they had any. But they don't. They said to return the purchase to Amazon.I didn't bother.I won't buy Canon batteries or chargers again.
The product is everything that the page said. Good quality. Haven't had any problem with it.--------------------------------------El producto es todo lo que se promociono en la paginia. Muy buena calidad. Hasta ahora no he tenido ningun problema con el.
The first and second times I charged the batteries up, they were great. Lasted a very long time with my Canon A560 camera. However, after the 3rd recharge, the batteries don't even last 5 minutes before I get the low battery warning. I've charged the batteries about 3 more times since, and the same problem persists. I don't recharge until the camera displays the low battery alert and I've stored the spare batteries (the camera only uses two, so there are always 2 idle) in a dark and dry place as the instructions say, but the battery life is still bad. Perhaps I inadvertently did something to shorten their lives. I will try to let the batteries go completely dead before I try to recharge one last time before giving up.
After only a few weeks, the batteries' ability to hold the charge decreased significantly.  My Canon Powershot A540 would show full battery at first and then be completely drained after 3 hours of light use.  Not good for trips, you're better off buying lithium batteries or regular batteries for cheap.  I would not buy this product again.
I have this for so long and use it very frequently and it works. No issues. i use it with non-Canon batteries. I use it to charge batteries for cameras and kids use it for Wii.
The charger takes around 4 hours to charge. It comes with the batteries which are good and they take around I think 300 photos per charge. I have not really counted them
Canon CBK4-200 Rechargeable Battery and Charger Kit for PowerShot CamerasAlways have a spare set of recharged batteries since camera only takes 2 at a time.  The camera will take non-rechargeable AA batteries also.  It's a win-win.
I had originally bought a generic brand charger from Office Max that said it would work in my Canon Powershot A520, but it wouldn't let me take more then 8-10 pictures before the battery ran out. Since I bought the Canon brand charger for my Canon Powershot I've probably taken well over 100 pictures and the battery isn't close to running out yet. It's definitely worth it to get the charger the manufacturer recommends.
The charger is very light and compact i like it! but don't show the level of charge, the indicator only show empty or full, beside that is a good product.
Got this years ago and still going strong. Have used it in cameras, walkman, toys etc. It seems to be good on battery life, but I think it depends on what you are using it in.
These rechargable batteries last longer than disposable ones.  My camera's responce time, between when the shutter button is pushed and the picture is taken is less.
These Canon NiMH batteries are great for taking lots of pictures and not needing to throw batteries away any more.  These are also safe for the environment, unlike nickel cadmium batteries, and when they expire can be tossed in your normal trash.
I got this with the purchase of a Canon PowerShot A520 Camera.  I love the charger.  Still using the batteries in my Digital Camera, and they still work fine.  I like rechargeable batteries, so much better for our environment.
This product is just what I needed and the delivery was very quick.
I really like this recharger because it's small, so easy to take with me on trips.  It doesn't have a power cord, so one doesn't have to worry about taking that along too or getting it all tangled, etc.  It plugs right into the wall.  It also takes 240V, so when I go to Europe, I can use it there too.  Performance wise, I can't say anything since I can't compare it to any other product.  This is the only Ni-MH type recharger I've ever owned.
I purchased the Canon CBK4-200 Rechargeable Battery and Charger Kit as an accessory for my Canon Powershot S2.  I used it extensively on a recent vacation, during the day my camera was used a great deal and the batteries never failed.At night I plugged the charger in and recharged the batteries for the next days use.  I had added a pack of Duracell Ultra Batteries in my camera bag as backup however; I never needed them during the three-week trip.The charger is compact and fit easily in my camera bag; it performed flawlessly at each use.  I would highly recommend this unit as a cost saving accessory for your Canon camera.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IYP9M/103-1134476-0130206?v=glance&n;=172282http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DUQCM/sr=1-2/qid=1135060940/ref=sr_1_2/103-1134476-0130206?%5Fencoding=UTF8[...]I just walked out of Lowes with a 30 miunute charger (they are done charging already - I need to type faster.) with 4 whimpy 1850mAh AA batteries in the charger for $30 and bought 4 2500mAh Energizer AA cells for $10 for use in my A610 Canon. I needed the whimpy ones for my cordless mouse anyway, but check the included batteries for 2200mAh or better if you can. [...] has the scoop on their rechargeables. Check the FAQs and oh, there is a 15 minute charger available too now. The 30 minute charger left the batteries almost too hot to touch, so maybe that is fast enough.
I've used this charger for several years.  No problem, however the Canon batteries do not seem to have the useful life they should have after charging.  I would suggest going to the Duracell rechargeables.
It is hard to see much functional difference between this adapater and a less costly Sanyo adapter I also have.  Both can operate on 120 or 220 volts, but only have American progs, requiring adapter plugs, but not transformers, for use abroad.  But when Canon or Amazon choose to give this away in a package with a camera for little or no extra, grab it.
This batteries just last forever and ever, i hace take them to trips of 4 days and i just have to charge them in order to see my photos in the plane while returning home, excellent batteries indeed.
This worked great - everything I expected of it; I use it for my Canon Power Shot and I recommend it.
This charger works great.  compact design with flip down plug, and a indicator light that shows it charging and when its complete.  Very Happy with this product.
This charger was free with my Canon A560, The batteries that came with the charger seem to last a long time. I took approximately 900 photos (with flash) and about 20 minutes of video before the low battery indicator came on my camera.  I like these batteries and I think they work well.
Very happy with the delivery time came as promised, charger would highly recommend. Will do business again with shipper.
The price of this charger is really a joke. The product quality is weak the design is out-of date. You should go to find other much cheaper but better quality product. This one is at most worth $5.There are two slots which indicate it can charge 2 AAA batteries. I used this to charge my AAA battery and found at begining the LED indicator light won't flash. Then I try to adjust the battery's position and then the LED start flashing. After charging, I found one of the battery has no power. At begining I just thought that the battery is bad. Several times later I decided to mark the bad battery and recharged it again, then I found it was charged. But the other one didn't ! Then I realize this is not the battery problem but the charger's problem.The charger has only one LED indicator. The connection of the charger is bad. When I adjust one battery and it got connect, the charger will flash. But in the mean time the other battery still not got connected. So only one battery was charged while the other was not.At this price you can find a charger with 4 indicators. Or with much cheaper price you can find a charger with better connection.
I have 5 grandsons and take lots of pictures. It is good to have rechargeable batteries to keep me unplugged
I bought this along with the charger with batteries so when the batteries in the charger went dead that I would have a spare set. They do take 4 hours to charge. In the Canon manual on the inside front cover it states that you must have Canon batteries because if there is a repair due to a battery exploding or leaking they will fix the camera but you will have to pay. But if you have a Canon batteries and it is still under warranty they will pay.
I used it with my Canon digital camera and it looks like it will never has to be recharge again !! A good buy.
I've bought 5 sets of 4 batteries for my sons digital photography business. ( [...] ) and we discovered that we can use these batteries 50% longer than any other set when we are taking pictures with flash.  Very impressive quality.JR FentRecruiter[...]
I trust Canon products, always have.  I bought these very pricey batteries for my newly purchased Canon S2 IS camera.  I put 'em in, no charge.  Ok, charged 'em up, put 'em in, they were good for about 5 pictures.  Recharged them, they were good for about 4 pictures.  I'm charging them a third time...guess we'll see, but so far standard-issue, CHEAP AA batteries are lasting far far longer.  I'm sure I got a bad batch, but nonetheless, I paid $$ for a BAD batch of batteries...
Because I have Canon equipment, I bought 4 Canon NiHM batteries (NB4-200) for Powershot Digital cameras.  However, my husband thought it too expensive and pressured me to shop locally where he insisted it was less to buy an Energizer NiMH rechargeable.  It wasn't in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Office Depot here wants $28.79 for 4-AA 2200 mAh Energizer NiMH batteries.When shipping is included at Amazon, the batteries may still be less if the total order is above $25, and free shipping is available. That is, assuming you have the time-frame to receive the batteries.  At this late date, I do not as we are leaving on a trip April 20.  The working days needed for delivery take more time than I have.My batteries have worked fine, although this is my first point and shoot digital.  My other camera (Canon EOS 20D) takes a larger, faster charging and more expensive rechargeables.
Don't waste your money on these Canon batteries.  They're rated for only 2100 mAH (milliAmp Hours).J&R; Music carries the Power 2000 NiMH AA batteries (part# XP4AA-27).  These are rated at 2700 mAH, and they're priced about 40% less.  It takes a LOT of photo shooting to tire out those babies.  I STRONGLY recommend them for digital cameras.
I do not own this bag.Instead I write this to address S+H charges people charge.  I live in Hawaii, this is not a crime.  We should not be penalized for this fact.  By penalized, I mean that Hawaii is a part of the U.S.A. but we are treated like we only have one airplane to reach us, and only on every other tuesday.I want to order this bag.  Its $25 currently.  MSRP is $115.  Shipping costs thru USPS is probably under $10.  The cheapest FedEx/UPS/DHL is probably around $15, yet 2 different 3rd party sellers want to charge me $25 or $47 for this bag.  I order lots of things online.  I know that sellers are using a lower cost price and padding the S+H, but this is rediculous.I wrote to Amazon about shipping rates and they basically just shrugged.  I guess its off to Ebay or find another bag locally for me.
I like the case and it's exactly what it says. My tripod didn't fit in the bag, but I can zip it up enough to hold it in place without worrying about it falling out. Well worth the money.
We have two digital cameras and recently purchased a Sony digital camcorder. All three cameras w/ their accessories fit snug into this perfect-sized case. I would recommend anyone this case if they are looking to travel w/ their cameras and don't want to have different cases for each product. Great quality at an awesome price. Really satisfied w/ the purchase.
My camera fits perfectly in this camera bag.  Highly recommend.
Good quality bag from SONY. The size  is little bit smallif U want to put video & camera in 1 bag like me!
I find this case to be a little to big for the 301.
This bag is the perfect fit.  It's compact, but has more than enough room for my camcorder and all of its accessories.  I even manage to fit my digital still camera in the bag along with everything else.
Perfect size for my DCR-DVD308 plus all of the cables, remote control, extra batteries, 6 blank mini DVD's and even a compact digital camera.
I use this bag for my DCR-HC85 Sony camcorder, and it fits in the main compartment snugly, with a good inch-and-a-half of room left above it. That's good room to place an external mic in, like I have.I'm an amateur filmmaker, so I have a lot of extra camcorder accessories that I lug around. There just isn't enough room for all of it, so I bought a small case for my lenses (two lenses) and one for my batteries (4 batteries and a charger), both of which are easy to put onto this bag.I still love the bag, though, and it has a lot of storage capacity. But, if you REALLY have a lot of extra mics, lenses, tapes, or batteries, you should buy a bigger case, albeit at the cost of portability and versatility.
nice bag...although no mishaps have occurred...I worried that the single latch may someday provide an opportunity for an expensive mistake to occur.
A well made bag and close to half the price found at local stores.
I have this case as well as a smaller one.  I can hold my Sony HDR-HC3 cables and some tapes with no problems.
We bought this case for our camcorder only, but we really like the fact that it is also large enough to hold the charger and the cables as well as our digital camera. For us, this means that we have everything in one place, and we are less likely to lose it.The bag itself is well padded and has three compartments on the inside as well as a couple of zippered compartments on the outside. The fabric is canvas and holds up to stains and spills well. If you are looking for a long-lasting, well-built product, this is it.
We took this bag to Hawai'i with us and it was great.  We had more than enough room for our video camera and still shot camera, plus all our accessories for both.  There was even room left over for wallets, cell phones, etc.  It has a semi-rigid construction that keeps it from getting smashed.  It's the perfect travel bag for photographers at any level.
This Sony Soft Camcorder Carrying Case is roomy, but not bulky, with lots of pocket areas to store accessories.  It is well-padded, light-weight and sturdy.
It's perfect for our camcorder and accessories and protects everything well in all kinds of weather.  Very pleased with the capacity.
If you are looking for a bag just to hold one Mini-DV camcorder or one digital camera; this bag is too big.  Buy something else.But if you are planning to carry all your shooting cameras and their accessories, this may suit you well.I use it to carry ALL of the following and it still has space:1.  Sony Mini-DV camcorder DCRHC422.  Sony DSCP200 digital camera3.  Wide-angle lens for camcorder4.  2 sets of extra batteries each for both cameras5.  Chargers and their wires6.  mini tripod7.  Head cleaning cassette for camcorder8.  Two extra mini-dv cassettes for camcorder
This case is excellent protection for my photo camera. My Sony DSC-R1 fits excellent and some of the accessories are easily carried with the case. Worth the money.
This bag I might say is slightly big for the DCR series of MiniDV handycams but the usefulness compensates for this. This bag is very much worth what you pay for. I have a Sony Mini DV handycam which fits in almost perfectly along with all the other accessrories like charger, cords, tapes, etc. The extra pouches on either side is perfect for holding tapes while pouches in the front and inside hold the cords very well. There is a movable velcro partition inside which can be moved about inside and fitted according to your requirement.
This bag was recommended when I purchased my Sony DCR-DVD610 and man, who does this kind of recommending!On one hand the product designers are burning away the midnight lamp trying to miniaturize things and squeeze in as much functionality as then can into as little space as possible.On the other hand, you have this gigantic bag which looks like it is good enough to carry the over the shoulder kind of massive camcorders that those TV guys walk around with. Where's the sense in that?This product kills all the sense of buying a tiny camcorder. Not recommended. I went down to Walmart and found a SONY bag which is actually designed for digital cameras but it perfect for small handycams. Go for that. Getting this bag is like driving to work everyday in an RV.
I don't know when this bad was designed but it's far too big for 2005+ video cameras.  I'm able to put 5-10 DVDs, a DVD video camera, a digital camera, and all the chargers in the bag.  The quality of the bag and shoulder strap are excellent.
excellent quality, plenty of room for two cameras and accesories, easy to handle easy to store.
It's fairly large, can fit my regular camera in it as well as the camcorder.Been working good so far.
This was very good product for the price.  In the stores in was $84.00.
I really like this camcorder case in many ways.  The only one big complaint was that it did not have a zipper.  It just had the plastic lock which was nice but a zipper would have made it more secure.  If that plastic lock were to break, then there is no other way to keep the lid cover closed.  But the plastic piece seems to be durable enough to last a while.
I purchased this case for my DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam because it said it was compatiable. When I got it, it was huge compared to the camcorder. I would have to put other stuff in there to keep the camera from shifting around everywhere. I was thinking since it said it was compatiable it meant that the camera would fit in there nice and snug to protect it, but that wasn't the case. It is a really big and bulky case. Unless you have a big camcorder and alot of attachments you want to carry around with it, I don't suggest this case.
Nice item with adequate storage and protection for the camera without being bulky. Took it on a trip and there was plenty of room to be able to put personal belongings in it without having to carry a purse.
Actually, I like this bag for short trips.  It is nice-looking, compact, and is large enough for a few batteries, the camera, and lens cloths -- the camera fits snugly so it's not bouncing around; however, for REAL travel (which I needed it for), it isn't practical at all.  I don't have the room I need for the extra lenses, etc. I bought for my Sony DCSH1.  It would be great, however, for the smaller Sony cameras w/o many accessories.
After I purchased a new Sony DSC-H5 digital zoom camera I realized I needed a special size bag to accomodate it's size. First purchased a Sony LCS-VAC bag thinking it would be perfect. While the camera body without the lens hood/adapter ring/cap combo fit nicely, there was no room to hold the lens accessories. Searched the net for options and finally decided on the Sony LCS-VA30 Camcorder Carrying Case. Well, I really lucked out. This is one really cool bag.Sony has done an outstanding job in designing and manufacturing this bag. The quality of materials and construction are exemplary. It's chuck full of conveniently placed accessory compartments. The main interior has 2 heavily padded sections configured about 1/4 and 3/4. The H5 fit perfectly in the 3/4 section while the smaller 1/4 section was perfect for the lens hood/adapter ring/cap combo. The cover for these compartments features a large zippered mesh pocket.Inside the front zippered compartment there are 3 additional elastic pockets for batteries/memory sticks/etc. Each side of the bag has a zippered side pocket sizeable enough for additional lenses or other accessories. The back has an unzippered compartment for manuals, etc. The bottom of the bag has 2 sewn on molded protection strips.The bottom line is this is one outstanding camera case that I would highly recommend to anyone. Sony does do it better than anyone else!!
I bought this for my Sony DVD handycam... Though it is not too big it accommodates my handycam, my camera, about 10 blank mini DVDs and also accessories & wires..It looks good, has adjustable strap and is very safe for both my handycam and cam.. I love this product and it has been my best utility whenever I go for vacations!
This case is well made, very durable, and has plenty of room.  I fit my Sony TRV280, its charger, and all the related cables inside with no problem and still had room for a small digital still camera and extra batteries.  I expect that the case will outlive the camera.
I bought this case for our camcorder and love it.  Plenty of storage for cords etc.  Very durable and lightweight.
very useful for my sony camcorder lots of room and very compact overall very good and sleek
Great Case! It had so much room. Its has great quality as well. It also was a lot cheaper on Amazon that in the retail stores.
I ordered this product after i checked the specifications on amazon. I compared it with the ones from sony style.com. I have a SONY DCR- SR 42.It proved to be a good buy....has good padding and is compact enough. It just allows to carry the equipment for shooting the video i.e, the camera itself with the batteries. Its rather small to allow the dock and charger with camera. But, I prefer leaving them at home lest I losse them during travel. I would say its best for what it was intended to serve...the camcorder
Great price. Very nice case. If you have a lot of accessores. This case is not for you.
I used this for a pro, camera, that has a huge lens. The bag looks sharp, and is very protective!
Received a Sony bag BUT WAS NOT a LCSVA-30No lables or tagsPlease BEWARE
i got this bag for my sony HD camcorder. it is perfect size, nicely designed and sturdy with plenty of room, still small enough to carry without feeling bulky. built to last. The different depatments with zippers are very nice and handy to carry spare battery and the chargerit is a must for a camcorder.5 stars...
Bought as a Christmas present for my dad... he loves it.
Not a ton of extra room but plenty for the adapter, charger, and an extra battery. Relatively comfortable shoulder strap as well...would recommend.
Bought this to carry HD-SR12. Has small pockets but fits just about everything for the SR12 with 2 lens, cables, charger, etc. nicely. Took a little time for me to figure out where to place everything. But it does fit all accessories perfectly. The SR12 with the huge NPFH100 battery is a little cramped. It was delivered with a light orange colored trim which looked "not very manly". Would have returned it but had to have it ASAP. Used a black Sharpie and some liquid black shoe polish. It worked great!!
I thought the price for this camera bag was a good deal. It has enough room to fit all the accessories we have for our camcorder (batteries, tapes, power cords, adapters, etc..). I would recommend this camera bag.
Fits my DCR-DVD403 perfectly along with all the accessories that come with it (cables, DVD's, power cords, etc)Sony's style is undeniable, the case looks very good.check pricegrabbers for a $5 rebate thats available on this item :)..
Pros:Very good quality (nice padding inside)Roomy to allow to carry extra stuff - cables, remote, extra tapes etc.Cons:Roomy - some of you may not not want such a big bag for a tiny camcorder, especially for those occassions when you do not want extra tapes, battery etc.
Sony's carrycase for camcorders is unbeatable bang for the buck. Since I have a compact camera, I can fit it most of my stuff into just this one case.Definitely recommend this one to anyone interested in getting a case.
This case was the prefect fit for my video camera. Lots of space for cables, tapes, etc. Great protection also.
This bag is great; it is the absolute perfect fit for my Sony HDR-SR12. The bag fits the camera snugly with room for a few extra cables, spare battery, etc. All the bag you need!
While I was doing my first shopping with Amazon I was worried about the quality of service and quality of goods.But the proffessionalism and the quality of goods delivered took those worries away. It was neatly packaged to minmimze any effects of shock.
One obvious and unexplainable omission from the details and reviews here is the dimensions of this unit. Not including the external pocket they are approx. 11" long x 4" deep x 8" tall (external). The padding is approx. 3/8" thick. The "false bottom" is approx. 2-1/2" tall and is completely removable. There is one spacer in the top area to secure the camera and a large, Velcro enclosured, pocket on one side. The "rattling around" of an earlier reviewers camera would, I surmise, be eliminated by proper use and adjustment of the internal camera spacer. The external pocket is 9-1/2" long x 6" tall x 1-1/4" deep. It has a 2 opening pouch on one side and on the other a zippered net.I bought this case for a DCR-TRV20. It is replacing a smaller unit that, although it was a snug fit, allowed for the inclusion of very few of our ever growing selection of accessories.I am now able to comfortably carry the charging unit (under the false bottom), an external light unit, several tapes and the remote. I could easily fit an additional lens if necessary. These are obviously the bulk of the cargo with plenty of room for small incidentals in the various compartments.Everything about this unit screams H*E*A*V*Y D*U*T*Y! From the heavy grade, woven nylon semi-rigid casing to the reinforced handle to the heavy, solid metal zipper pulls, strap clips and flap closure.My previous case is a well built unit and held up admirably through four years of use. It also cost as much as this Sony case. However, the Sony case is an obvious step up in craftsmanship and quality. On top of all that, my camera and my camera bag finally match!Awesome purchase, incredible price.Thanks Amazon!**UPDATE**Checking back on this review, I can see that reviewers are still giving a poor review of this bag based on the fact that their camera doesn't fit properly. Although this is a valid issue, I feel it gives the bag a bad rap because the bag itself lives up to all reasonable expectations.The listings that Amazon is providing for these camera accessories seems to be at best generous and in truth, quite often erroneous. Regardless of where they are acquiring their information, be it their own writers or from Sony itself, the list of cameras for each item is often inaccurate.As an example, I purchased an external light for my camera based on the list here claiming it would work for me. In actuality, the light was specifically designed for a different battery type than my camera uses and would require an adapter to mount as the shoe mount was a different size. Additional research showed I needed a different light altogether that WAS specifically designed for my camera. Although the light "would work" with my unit, the amount of effort and added expense required to utilize it was unacceptable.My point here is, although the listings here are often inaccurate, the item itself receives a bad rap when we give poor reviews based specifically on the inaccurate listing and not on the actual performance of the unit.It is my belief that these reviews should generally reflect the actual performance of the item. If necessary, any experience with poor or inaccurate listings should, by all means, be highlighted.By adhering to these guidelines, we can actually improve the descriptions of the items and by researching reviews, make much more informed decisions.Just my 2 cents on the issue.ALSO, after a busy Summer and a ton of use, my case still looks and works as good as new.**UPDATE**11-03-09**More than a year ago I retired the camera I was using this with. The new hi-def camera is smaller and was easily accommodated by adjusting the Velcro attached divider. This gave me enough room to carry my newly acquired 2x lens adapter also.I have taken this thing across the country and on numerous flights. It has attended myriad family and social functions and gatherings yet if I told you this bag was brand new, you would believe me. I do take care of my things but the bag is quite durable.There's a reason they're still selling this.-DJ
Cool, professional and right soze for my new HD cam and its accessories. Delivery on time and packaging is very nicely done too.
In perfect conditions and on time. It is just a little bit bigger than the camera, but good material.
There is not much to say about this case. It is more than adequate for a DVD or MiniDV Camcorder with lots of room for the camera and all the extras....charger, remote, tapes, etc. I would buy it again in an instant.
ok its a camera case what can I say about a camera case well lets see its a camera case.
Great material and comfort. It's a little big but great if you will use it for both (video and still pictures cameras)
It works quite well and holds the charger and extra DVD's.  I would purchase it again.
This is a very nice bag BUT it will NOT stay latched.It is a poor idea for a latch to close the case and I am constantly having to close the bag when I carry it.The inside is nice and the front zipper pouch is handy.Now if the silly thing would just stay latched and closed.I would not buy it again.
I purchased this case for the HDR-HC3 camcorder, and at first the case seemed enormous. The camcorder was only about 1/3rd the size of the main compartment! Granted my cam is much smaller than most Sony's, but most (if not all) Handycams should fit quite well.With the nicely-designed 'false bottom', you can pretty much pack everything you can think of into this elegant case. I was able to fit all of my accessories (cables: component, DV, usb, power), a travel tripod, a few spare tapes, and spare battery with ease. The finish of this case is absolutely incredible. Highly recommended!
This carrying case works well for our Sony camcorder.  Has nice storage pockets and plenty of padding to protect the camcorder itself.
I bought this product because it was suggested at the time that I bought a Sony Mini-DV Camcorder.  It turns out, that the case just swallows up the camcorder and it wouldn't be very secure inside.  It would work nice with a larger camcorder and then you would still have room for the accessories that you need to have along with your standard digital camera and other stuff.  There was a hidden compartment in the bottom that is great for storage also,  If you don't have a lot of stuff, don't buy this bag.
If you see this product in your country, check if it is the same model (even if they say BC-TRP). The Argentina version comes with an AC cable instead of foldable plug. If you want to save place in your bag, better  get the USA version and an adapter for the plug otherwise you have to carry the cable.The same happens with model BC-TR1.
This charge very good, charged full quickly, quality and quantity.I like prefer for friend, trust most electronics make from Japan.
If you own a compatible Sony Cam and an extra battery, buy this thing!  It is tiny and provides a convenient way to maintain a spare power source at the ready.  Can't say much else other than it works great.
I would highly recommend getting the high capacity batter and this charger. This charger is smaller and lighter than the power cable for the sony camcorder. Besides, you can charge one battery while you are using the camcorder. This allows for continuous filming some event. Great for amateur camera man that wants continuous power without being attached to the wall with a power cord.
This is a very nice travel tool.  Have used it already and comes handy and prevent having to carry a second battery for camcorder.  Delivery was very fast.  Original box and product.
I received this item before the estimated arrival date. Very neat to have as it allows me to recharge my battery without having to leave the camcorder somewhere I don't have to. I travel a lot and use 2 batteries. When one is charging, I am still filming with the other. This charger works perfect.
Great charging and fast too.  You can't go wrong with the ease and convenience of this product.
It works perfect; Light is helpful;Nicely build; Easy to cary it with you;
Nice design and the batteries lock in place.  The folding plugs make this easy to transport.  I kept the little plastic back it was shipped with to keep dust out of the contact points when traveling.
This charger is great for making sure that you always have an extra battery charged for your Sony camcorder.
Charging batteries was always a problem for me.Charging my batteries through my camcorder was usually slow and, of course, didn't allow me to film at all.I'm very happy with the travel charger. The actual unit is so much lighter than the picture might suggest. And I was surprised at how small it actually was (only a little larger than the smallest P-Series battery, which is the series that it charges).The charger is fast, compact, light, and easy to use. My only (very minor) complaint was that the small LED that lets you know that it is charging a battery was awkwardly positioned in a way, and can be hard to see.For people who have 4+ like me, this will definitely help things out a lot.
Item is as advertized and it works just great.  Allows me to charge a spare battery while I'm using the camera.
This is a great deal. No more having to connect the camcorder to the wall outlet to charge the battery. I can use one battery while charging the other. Here we come Hollywood.
I purchased this item so that I wouldn't have to have the camera tied up as a charger.  I was impressed with how much quicker this item charged the battery compared to using the camera to recharge the batteries.
Comodo para viajar, con este cargador nos olvidamos del que trae la videocamara en la caja, que es incomodo a la hora de viajar.Pequeno y muy util, lo podemos llevar hasta en el bolsillo de la camisa.Acertada compra
... While you are filming with one battery let the other oneat home, charging.
This is a great portable battery charger.  It is easy to pop out the battery and plug it in and charge it wherever I am.
I just used this on a trip to Hawaii.  Easy to use, quick to plug in and allowed me to connect my Sony Camcorder to my laptop while a battery charged.  One charging while one battery working.  No problems.
As a new owner of a Sony Handycam 26 this was a must have accessory!  NO cords, just plug directly into the wall and have it readily accessible the next time you need a powered up battery.  The unit is no bigger than one of those plug in air freshners, it stands flush to the wall and has a ready light easily visible.  The swivel prong plugs are super feature if you are using the bottom outlet for something else and need to swivel the unit sideways instead of up and down.  The prong plugs also fold flush with the unit when not is use!  This helps to make the unit even more compact and also no sticking out prongs to scratch the covers of your mini DV's or camera itself!  The charger stores super easy because there's no cord to wind or bulk up in your travel bag!  YEAH!  Super design, super compact, and easy to use.RECOMMENDED!
This product works as intended and does it flawlessly.  It has a simple purpose and that is to charge your mini-dv batteries in a wall outlet.  This is a much easier way to charge camera batteries and provides the extra convenience and benefit of ebing able to charge up an additional battery while filming with your other battery (assuming you have two, of course).
As a mom of a young son, having a power cable hanging off the counter with my camera attached was just an invitation for trouble. I purchased this item prior to a Disney vacation, along with a 2nd battery, so that I could charge up one battery while still being able to use the camera (given that Sony decided to go with the odd quirk that you can't charge the battery on the camera unless the camera is completely OFF). This charger is small, light, and fast. It fit easily in my camera bag, and let me leave my cables at home. I love that it plugs directly into the outlet with no cable, and that the batteries don't get hot. This may be the best accessory out there.
great little charger...  no longer need to carry around the brick to charge battereis... and off camera, so that's not tied up to do the charging...
Charger works great. Batteries plug in well, just don't force them in. The contacts are small on the battery & the charger so it should be common sense not to force them, it is electronics. The spades on the plugin' side fold down for ease of storage.
I recently purchased a Sony DVD camcorder through Amazon.com.  The only way to charge the battery is through the supplied power cord that hooks up to the camcorder.  I find this very inconvenient since the connector on the camcorder is in a very awkward location, you cannot use the camcorder while you are charging a battery, and you have to leave the camcorder out in the open where my young kids might find it and possbibly break it.  I started looking into buying an AC charger and found this one.  I love it for its small size which takes up less room than the original power cord.  Sony should just bundle this charger as a standard item with all their camcorder, especially the high end one.  The price on Amazon.com was cheaper than buying it from the big retail chain stores.  I paid [...] back in January 2007 and the price has gone up probably because it is so popular.
After my camcorder wouldn't charge directly anymore, I looked into options and came across this device. Plugs directly in the wall, it's small and easily portable. Great to have at home and on the go.
Sony battery charger is a must-have for the Sony high-definition cam it is a great for charging so hurry up and buy this if you have a movie camI would give this charger a rating of A
if you have the m serie battery in your sony equipment you will enjoy having this charger, it eliminates the hanging cords or charging in the camera.
There isn't really too much to review about this product. It's a battery charger and does exactly what it's supposed too. If you're looking for a compact battery charger at a good price, this will get the job done.
I carry two batteries because you never know when it will be low and you need more.  This extra charger goes with the batteries everywhere.  That way if one battery dies and I need more I can switch to a new battery and immediately charge the dead on, if I can find an outlet.
Its easy to carry around.With this, you can always have both the batteries charging at the same time.You don't need the entire Handycam charging station to charge the batteries.its cool !!P.S : A little expensive but worth the buy
Much easier to recharge my camcorder batteries with this. Now I dont have to drag along the power cord and what not to charge the batteries. I like it alot. I also like that the prongs fold into the body, it makes it much more space efficient inside my camera bag.
Nice compact unit, very light in weight. Fold-into-body plug saves room. Well built little charger. It also has a light on the lower right front that when lit indicates "Charging" when it goes out . your good to go.
Unless you are fine with pulling out your camcorder to charge the battery, this item is an absolute must-have; extremely small and efficient. It's a shame that Sony wouldn't include this in the higher-end models (such as the HDR-HC3). Pick this up today!
Glad that I got this battery charger along with the extended battery. Both worked great togetherwith my Sony Handycam. Easy to use , just plug into the outlet. The price is great, saw it at other stores for a higher price. I used it to shoot video for my niece's baby shower.
I recently purchased the Sony SR-300 camcorder.  I like the camcorder just fine, but why was this simple battery charger not included?  I have Canon and Nikon digital cameras and the similar battery charger was included with both cameras.  Surely this charger is not expensive to produce.  If Sony was really interested in customer satisfaction they would include this charger with the camera as well as the cumbersome plug-in cord that comes with the camera.  This little charger is a must-have item if you travel, but $40+ dollars is way too much; it should be free with the camcorder.  Sony, wake up!!!
Theres nothing special about this product, it gets the job done simple as that.  Its not going to charge a battery faster than an average charger, actually if the battery lasts 100 mins, then it will take aproxiamtely 90-100 mins to charge.  Its a good asset if you want to charge another battery while you charge one on the camcorder.  Also the color of the lights let you know when the battery is done charging but other than that theres nothing really special, good product though.
This is a great buy.  It plugs directly into the wall outlet and a handy ability to folding the prongs back into the unit.  In my opinion, it is smaller and lighter than the pictures suggest.  It seems about the weight of a pack of gum.  There is a light to indicate when charging is complete.  Seems well built.
This is a very compact charger which you can use to carry for travelling. Price is also reasonable.
This charger is awesome! The battery snaps right in, and the entire thing plugs into the wall. An indicator light lets you know the status of the charge. You can be charging your second battery while continuing to use your camcorder. The best part is that it is so small, it easily fits in the bag with your camcorder.
I had to buy this to replace the original that I lost.  I love battery chargers plug directly into the wall outlet.  This is great charger.
great for use with my Sony HD camcorder, I can charge both batteries at one time, I ended up buying another battery through amazon becs the battery my camcorder came with was only for recording 30 mins.  Great little charger and perfect to keep in camera bag, nice & small.
Battery charger has met advertised specs and battery fit was right on and was accomplished easily. Amazon.com did excellent job of processing order during busy holiday. Shipping was prompt and without problems.
Este cargador es lo mejor que puedes adquirir al tener una videocamara, es de facil transporte y carga tu bateria rapidamente, un accesorio imprescindible.
Be careful, the older model has the exact same model number and has a cord.  The one where the plug folds in is far more compact.  I never charge my battery on the camera anymore - I just charge the spare battery and swap.  The plug folds into the charger so it's super compact.  I leave the battery in the charger and it protects it from shorting.If you've found this review helpful, please let me know!
I like this charger.  It is convenient to charge the extra battery while you are recording with  the camcorder.  Much easier than plugging up the camcorder to the battery charger!!!
Buy this battery with the knowledge of my experience.  It did not hold a charge beyond a year of using.
This battery has good stamina.  I use it with my DCR-HC42 camcorder and it lasts upto 2 hours of non-continuous shooting.  By the term "non-continuous" shooting I mean the way we use it regularly.  For example if you go on a sight seeing trip, you will turn the camcorder on and off regularly to capture good moments.  For such use it lasts upto 2 hours which is quite good.  You can carry just 2 of these batteries and it will last you for a days sight-seeing trip.These are lithium-ion batteries without memory effect.  So you can charge them whenever possible instead of waiting for them to drain down.Overall I am very pleased with these batteries and would definitely recommend them
This battery worked great and I now have lots of recording time. Old battery would not hold a charge very long and had a very short record time.
Glad to have a back-up battery and very pleased with Amazon price - more than half the cost at Best Buy!
Holds a charge, but not as long as the original battery on the camcorder. Bought this as a backup battery.
This replacement battery works better that the one that came with my camcorder. I was really impressed with the way in which it works.Worth the money.
I had ordered a battery from another retailer.  That battery came in the original packaging and would not hold a charge.  I ordered from this store.  The battery was just in an envelope, so I was nervous that I would have the same result as the previous order.  I have tested this battery, and I am very happy to say that it holds a charge for over two hours and my problem is solved.  Thank you.
I replaced some stock batteries in a sony handicam with these batteries and they work fine.  Rechargable and are exactly like the one I had to replace.  They also hold a charge as well as the stock manufactured one that was orignal to the camera.  I would always recommend a few extra charged batteries if you like to record longer events and the Sony NPF50 P series does the trick.
I suppose the batteries do develop a memory. I used the batteries for about three months and suddenly found I had to charge them every single time I wanted to use the camera. There are better aftermarket units available. Do the research.
If you dont use this battery often, it will be junk in about 10-12 months. Charge last half as long as OEM. Unfortunately we use ours on holiday or trips so it might go 3-6 months without use. You can put it away fully charged only to pull it out 2 months later with 10 minutes or less left till dead. For the price its OK as long as you know this. Its just 1 more thing to put on your maintenance list if you want to get some life out of it.
worked as a battery should so everything was as expected, still using it so it lasts a long time.thanks
Its a great battery, it is an exact match of the one that came with the original purchase of my handycam.  It holds a great charge!
Less than 2 years of little use and it is not recharging. Very disappointed and missed some great video opportunities of my grandsons.  If it was a $20 battery I wouldn't be so disgusted. But $45 is another story for less than two years of seldom use.
The battery holds the charge.  Everytime I use the camcorder, it comes on.  I would recomend this product.  This is Great
Purchased as other battery no longer functional, works like a charm, no problems as of yet and a  great purchase!
This is definitely a necessary battery upgrade for anyone that bought any of the hard drive based sony camcorder. The battery that came with the camcorder has about 90 minutes or so of battery. However, with this battery you get about 300 minutes. This is enough for anyone. Plus, if you get the portable charger, you can charge one batter while you use one. From my experience, this is good for the whole day of filming. Normally, you do not record the whole time.I would highly recommend getting this battery. It is definitely worth it and much cheaper on Amazon than at circuit city or best buy.I have been using the battery for the past 6 months and there have been no problems. I haven't used my power cable since I got the portable charger and this battery.
I bought the Sony NP-FP90 to go the Sony DCR-SR80 (an excellent camcorder).  I took it on vacation and was extremely satisfied with its performance.  Not once did it die or come close to losing power.  The real test is going to be the upcoming holiday season when I take hours of footage.  I also plan to take some footage of my band Threshold, so I'll let you know how it performs, I don't anticipate any problems.  If you have the need for long periods when you will be away for an AC outlet, get one of these for your camcorder, you will not be dissapointed.
This battery does not fully charge up!  I contacted Sony and I have not been guarenteed like expected.
I use this battery with my Sony HDR-HC3 camcorder and it works great, lasts a long time.
Actually, I didn't need this battery now.I had a sony DCR-HC85 handycam which duals as a 2MP digicam. Now, I got a canon digicam & don't the handycam for taking snaps.So, now that I am not taking snaps, the battery supplied with handycam is good enough to go for a day. Then, you can always recharge at night when u r home.
This bat. lasts for ever....it lasts 4x as long as the one that came with my Sony camcorder.
If you are putting together a package deal with a Sony Camera, this additional battery is awesome!  It simply gives you all of the time in the world to take pictures, video, and the like.  I get about 300 minutes plus shooting time, so when I am on an assignment and need to have the camera on for a great deal of time, this battery saves the day.  This coupled with the standard battery you get with the camera gives you just about all you can handle in terms of capacity.  Its quick recharge and great ease of us makes this indespensable in my camera bag.
Great battery!  Important to have a brand name.  This was a replacement for a NON brand name battery that a big box sold me.  The camera rejected the off brand battery.  Note to others, with Sony mini DV cams you have to use brand name batteries.
A word of warning:** You must use a genuine Sony brand InfoLithium battery with any Sony camcorder **If you've shopped around, you may have run across some off-brand FP-90's that are a fraction of the price of the Sony brand - that's because they're Chinese-made knock-offs that are kind-of sort-of InfoLithium compatible, and they only work as they should perhaps 50% of the time. Reviews of these batteries report them working fine one minute and not at all the next, sometimes working fine for days and then stopping, sometimes requiring the camera being turned on and off several times, etc. Skip the hassle and buy this actual Sony product, I paid only $72 from an Amazon Marketplace Seller.The FP90 is certainly large on a modern camcorder battery scale, though 1 3/4" deep doesn't sound like much, it does make my DCR-HC36 resemble a sub-compact car hauling a couch. No one will mistake this for being a slight battery. I personally find the extra mass helps balance and steady the camcorder.Manufacturer claims of battery life are usually overblown, but I'm still pleasantly surprised at the 4+ hours I can get from this battery. This is hours longer than any stock/included battery, and more than adequate for recording an entire one-hour MiniDV tape. High-capacity batteries are best charged overnight, so I'm not sure what the charge time is, only that it's ready to go in the morning.Overall, the FP90 is big in every way, and worth the price of admission. Five stars for Sony's marathon battery.
&#60;br /&#62;I returned the Aiptek camera after 3 weeks.  This camera does loaded with a lot of features but none of them works well.  &#60;br /&#62;Camera: outdoor photos ok but indoor photo is too dark even with the flash.  &#60;br /&#62;Camcorder:  MPEG4 movie is disappointing even at 640x480.  Indoor movie is too dark.  &#60;br /&#62;MP3 player:  you cannot FF to the next song while playing.  You have to stop and then FF.  Very annoying.&#60;br /&#62;Audio recorder:  works fine.&#60;br /&#62;Webcam:  Same problem as camera/camcorder mode.  Too dark.  The lens of this camera is too small.&#60;br /&#62;
I am a medium level photographer and this product (a generic piece of photographic equiptment) is my entry level digital camera.In list form I am writing the pros and cons.Starting with the pros:Pro's-1:)This camera has a handy menu setup that's easy to operate and alot of interesting filtration types.As with all digital camera's it's good for bracketing2:)It's very lightweight and generally stores in much the same way as an old 110 film camera3:)It is very easy to download pictures through the USB chord using this camera and the download itself is very quick.4:)The setting wheel is a convenient operational featureCons-1:)In addition to being light this camera is also flimsily built.I have no troubles with the shutter button but the battery door (which also contains the SD card slot ??????)is only attached with a couple pieces of cheap plastic and is now broken.I have to hold the back on mine together with tape.2:)The flash unit is usless.It is not much bigger then this computer's keys and once you've used it about four times the batteries drain out.3:)The focusing system is totally distestable.Not only doesn't this have auto or manual focusing but some silly middle ground.The lens either takes close ups or landscapes.It's very easy for pictures to be out of focus.So image quality suffers sometimes as a result.4:)This is more a swiss army knife then a camera.It is a digital camcorder,an MP3 player,a voice recorder and all but the kitchen sink.The more you overtalk the plumbing the easier it is to stuff up the drain.As of this writing I have replaced this camera,which I know realize is little more then a silly toy with a professional model.But as a first digital camera for a young child....well this would work good for that a few years ago for a budget minded.They're are far better models made today but this is alright.
I purchased this for my 10 yr old son. I was surprised at how, well, cheap it appeared. We took it out of the box and turned it on and it would not work at first, then it worked for about 10 minutes, then it never worked again and we had to return it. Amazon was great during the return process and refunded our money quickly. We ended up buying the DGX 5.1 MP from a local store i it's place. It has worked well for my son and is holding up to the rigors of youth. Not a professional photography instrument, but a pretty decent unit for him.
When I got this camera/camcorder/webcam/voice recorder/etc.  It did everything except for "No Optical Zoom"  What do you want for less than $100.  Good definition camera pictures.  Voice Recording for meetings.  If I drop it and break it.  I buy another one!The model can be improved with (1) 4x optical zoom, (2) better battery door (battery door will break on this model), (3) Focusing ring on front (switching from close-up to infinity).  What a great camera for a reasonable price.  Buy it! It is fun.  I still use it.
I bought it because I saw a score of 4 stars compared to other comparable models. The truth is that the video recording (the reason I bought it the first place) gets the image corrupted 8 of 10 times I record a movie when using SD cards. Tried several cards that I know that worked on different devices. One thing is lower quality that I can accept, but not being able to record - unacceptable.
I have had my Aiptek DV4500 for about a year.  It is handy and does well for a $100 digital camera.  Occasionally I find myself disappointed in the poor quality of a photo despite high resolution.  But you get what you pay for, and most of my photos are fine for family, hobby, and amateur purposes.  It's a nice little audio and video recorder too, but be sure to provide your own lighting when recording video!  This is my first digital camera and I am not a gadgets buff, so take my comments for what they are worth.
The unit and it's menu is very well designed. So very logical and easy to use - completely got it in 5 minutes without even reading the manual.I then discovered, that if I plug it into a PC that had never seen it before (at least on 2000 sp4) I could still see it as a removable drive (no drivers or software installed) and copy and play navtive ASF files from it.... That right there made it a great deal for me as I could see myself a few months later trying to figure how to save a movie on a new pc and not finding the software cds or the manuals.Here's the deal, the video quality is not great by any stretch and pictures are okay for online.... but honestly, it's good enough for all my home movies and all the stuff I do I want to put on the web.Another major plus is it uses 2 AA batteries. I've found Regarable ION to be a problematic on devices that have to be recharged all the time.It's good enough, but don't expect crisp/clear video... but then again, if the video is crisp and clear, it looses personality and eats up crazy amounts of space. The idea for me is to quickly move media to network space, back it up and put it on the web so I can share it. And secure and shareable beat top quality video any day in my book!HTH. Enjoy.
HEY THERE I JUST GOT THIS CAMERA FROM TARGET AND LET ME TELL YA IT`S JUST GREAT THE PICS ARE GREAT BUT THE VIDEO IS A LITTLE GRAINY AND THE ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IT MIGHT HAVE IS THAT THE DOOR FOR THE USB PORT IS KINDA CHEAPO  BUT FOR THE MONEY IT`S A GOOD CAMERA ALOT BETTER THAN A REAL DV CAMCORDER FOR THE MONEY//JSF FROM WISCONSIN ; ]
I purchased 3 of these for christmas presents for the 3 teenagers in my home.  The cameras were very well received.  The kids LOVED them and recorded and took photos of everything under the sun!  They had a B-L-A-S-T with these!  However, before a year was up, the door that holds the batteries in the camera broke on every single one of them (I purchased 3 -- that's over $300 down the tubes), even on the "mild child".  Too bad the construction wasn't better :o/
I gave it 5 stars not because it's a great camera, but because it's great & handy for the price.My new pocket Digital video camera (DVD quality) I just got for Father's day (a week early) I take everywhere. The camera has headphone jacks & a built in speaker. It doubles as an mp3 player & is a great little still camera too. It can also play the role as an external disk drive to hold or transfer any type of files.The camera is about the size of a pack of U.S. cigarettes which easily fits in any pocket. It encodes video into MPEG4 compression format, the same format used in HDTV broadcasts. So with a 512MB card (not included) if I don't have any stills or music loaded in it, I get 90 minutes of DVD quality recording time on it. The catch is it's only 10fps at DVD resolution. But still looks very good. It has several lower resolutions too, including VHS resolution at 30fps for smoother motion. But at that resolution it still looks better than standard VHS tape. No tape noise, grain, jitter, saturation, sync or color dot problems. It has no moving parts except for the buttons & the swing out screen. Everything is recorded digitally onto a memory chip.Of course most computers are much higher resolution than most TVs. So the slightest flaws or artifacts will be more noticable on the computer than on most TVs. Burn them onto VCD, SVCD, or DVD to play them on your TV. If your graphics card has s-video output or better, just plug that into your TV.On the lowest video resolution, also 30fps, it looks like those small low bandwidth online streaming videos you can watch on the net, not good at all but usable. If you're planning on sending video on limited bandwidth or file sizes the lowest resolution will be handy.On that low a setting it'll record for hours or until the batteries die, making it great as a hidden spycam or nanny cam. It also is a net cam too.It takes only 2 AA batteries so you won't have to keep running to the charger with expensive short-lived battery packs. I'm using Sony 2600mha newer rechargables I already owned. They lasted till the memory was full with a readout of 80% of battery life still left. So I have no experience on how long ordinary cheap AA batteries would last. The specs say 60 minutes with ordinary AA alkalines. I threw in a pair of 2000mah rechargables I got cheap in a 20 pack from Amazon. It recorded 90 minutes of video with plenty of power left over. When plugged into the USB port, it'll use the USB power, not the batteries, averaging a current draw of about 300ma.The included video editing software is better than software that I already had that cost almost as much as the camera... & it's easier to use. It will work for editing any video, not just the ones made by the camera.The camera & software are specifically designed for XP. But because without the software, if you plug it into the USB port, any computer will recognize it as an external drive. You can tranfer your files off or onto the camera as easy as you can move files from 1 disk, folder, or drive to another. Doing it that way, without the included software you can watch or burn your videos & pix on any computer, even a mac or linux machine. I tried it, it does work. Your computer will need an MPEG4 player to play the video. It will list video as AVI files, but if you ever had MPEG4 files before, it usually lists them as AVIs.If you have the memory card, the computer will recognize it as 2 drives, the card & the internal memory.Oh, it also includes jacks to plug it in to your TV, VCR, external burner, or stereo, & play your images, movies, or music without a computer.Digital cameras need a lot more light than their analog tape or film sisters... this one too. It has a flash for still pictures, which works well, but no built in light for video. For indoors video you'll need all your ordinary house lights turned on their highest setting, or be near a good window in the daytime. Outdoors, there was plenty of light even on the cloudiest days even after sunset at dusk. Shortly after that, there won't be enough light.It also comes with a mini pocket tripod, cheap but useful.I experimented by duct taping a fairly bright 7-LED flashlight to it to video in a dark nightclub. I still had to get within 3 feet of my subject to get a fairly lit image. In the future I may build an infrared LED illuminator for it & video in Black & white in the dark... yes it has a B&W; setting.No optical zoom, digital zoom only, so any more than a tad of digital zoom,& your images will look like the lowest resolution settings.Bottom line, this is not a great camera. It's a cheapie. But for ease, portablity, flexibility, you can't beat it for the price... very handy, you can take it anywhere, & I never leave home without it.
The camera itself and the features are fairly decent, but the contruction is abysmal.  After about 3 months the power button dissapeared inside the camera.  I notice this is not the first report of this, so it's most likely a fundamental design flaw.  I'm wiating for Aiptek to contact me on this, I think they should be responsible.---Several days after writing this Aiptek contacted me, and gave me an RMA number.  After 3-4 weeks they sent me a new camera. There are slight design changes in the newer camera, I can't tell if the power button has changed, but the wheel that makes your selection and the door that hides the memory card have both been improved.  I would give this 4 stars now, if I could.
the pics are grainy and blury. photos with flash are really bad quality. the cover for the batteries is flimsy and needs a rubberband to hold it down. the cover to the usb slot is awkward and the button used to take pictures is broken. all of this in 6 weeks.
I got it on sale for $88.00 thinking it would be a great bargain at that price. I feel I was ripped off. The video quality is ghastly when given enough light, and absolutely unusable without. The same goes for the pictures. Even at highest quality - and a lot of image enhancements, the results are mediocre. The audio portion of the video had a very noticeable hum, which I was able to remove with my audio editing software. Otherwise, the audio recording and playback were "acceptable," at best. This device is useful only as an audio recorder/MP3 player, and is not really a bargain.
I've had my DV4500 for 2 months now, and I continue to enjoy using it. It's big pluses are it's portability and ease of use. The controls are well designed, and it's a quite versatile little gizmo.  I bought it because I wanted an inexpensive still and video camera, but I find I am using it just as much as an mp3 player and voice recorder. The pictures it takes are very good, and there is a built in flash for indoor and low light shooting.  The biggest downside (for me) is that it is not compatible with mac computers, only pcs. Also, the video quality drops under low light conditions.  I hope Aiptek corrects these deficiencies in future models. It uses standard AA batteries, but consumes them very quickly, so get some rechargeables. But for less than $150, you can have a wonderful camera that you can always have on you, and capture spontaneous moments as you please.
This little digital camera, video/audio recorder, MP3 player is a compact, lightweight piece of equipment to take on trips or any type of traveling.  It's value makes it expendable should you lose it;it get stolen or damaged in transit.  I was amazed at the quality of the voice recording I took while on a tour bus in Jamaica of the tour guide telling a joke.  The only thing I miss on this Aiptek model is the extra video recording light that was on an earlier version.
This is the worst camera I have ever used. I wasn't expecting much at all, but I got nothing. The first thing you should do after purchasing this product is to test the &quot;voice recorder.&quot; I like to call it the &quot;noise producer.&quot; You cannot understand the playback for the recording you just made. You hear mumbling against static. Try out the flash when taking a photo. It has to charge first; that's just like a one time use camera.&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;When you're satisfied with those two features, the next one for  testing is the video camera. Wait. It has a video camera? I couldn't tell. I thought the video it was producing was something called the &quot;blur effect.&quot; Everything captured by the video recorder was unintelligible.&#60;br /&#62;&#60;br /&#62;Please do not spend money on this. It's not even worthy as a kid's toy. Buy them a VideoNow or a Barbie cam.
Here's the litany of failures I've found in about a couple weeks of owning this "video camera":1. Malfunctions constantly: the 4500 frequently becomes totally unresponsive to input; won't even turn off!  You have to actually disconnnect the batteries to reset the thing. This happened starting from Christmas Day, about 10 minutes after opening it. Do you really think it'll be working at all after, say, 6 weeks?2. Light Sensitivity non-existent: If you plan on using the 4500 as a video cam, a digital camera, or a web cam, then I suggest you move immediately to the surface of the Sun or another medium sized star, because you (it) can't see ANYTHING in normal indoor or low light conditions.  I tried to take some pics on new year's eve and they were totally dark.2. Use the built-in strobe you say? Good luck getting it to even charge up more than a couple times per 2 AA batteries.This thing is a battery leech:  it uses 2 AA's, and boy it'll use 'em fast. Better invest in the Eveready Corp. if you plan on actually using this thing.4. USB Port:  first off, the cover to the usb and memory slots is  totally cheapo....surely a matter of time before it simply breaks. Secondly, the cover is on the FRONT of the camera (the lense side), and since the provided USB wire is roughly 4 inches long, it's nearly impossible to situate the 4500 as a web cam (not that you'd see anything anyway without about 4500 watts of light in your room).  This is just bad design, plain and simple.5. Jack of all trades, bad at them all: The 4500 tries to be everything at once...and fails miserably...do one thing and do it right! Again, it's bad design to try and cram an mp3 player in with a vid/digital/web cam.6. Doesn't come with memory: be aware this thing has virtually no built-in memory whatsoever, so you'll be buying a card...about 60 more bucks for a 512 MB card, which is the minimum I'd recommend.I could continue here,  but let me just finish with a word of caution to the readers:  keep your BS filter on high when readingall these so-called positive reviews, and ask yourself if it's a regular guy giving an objective opinion or someone with certain other interests at heart, because there's no way a majority of rational people could give this product a 4 or 5.
Initially, I purchased the Mustek camera (which was HORRIBLE) but returned it and bought this little camera instead.  This Aiptek camera takes good photos and also has a flash, unlike the Mustek.  I was surprised by the clarity of the pictures!  The video is of good quality.  I have yet to use the MP3 function but so far, I have not been disappointed.  It is easy to use and travels well.  I would only suggest you obtain a memory card to increase the saving capacity.  Otherwise, this is ready to go right out the package. FYI, it was on sale at Target for $88.00 and I bought two!!  You will not regret it.
I like this little device a lot. It's really useful for somebody like me who travels a lot, and needs something inexpensive, portable, and with lots of features. I'm sure more expensive devices of his type are better, but that's why they cost more money. This product is great for the money, and works quite well for a casual user.
Forget about packing any accessories--there's no room to spare.  Think of this one more as a "holster" to keep the camera at your fingertips without having to lug around a full-sized camera bag.  I own both, but the big one stays at home or in the car most of the time.  The integral wide belt loop allows me to mount it on my fanny pack's waist belt for hiking, and I especially like the gussets, which hold the camera securely while opening or closing the zippers.  A shoulder strap is also provided if you prefer.  Although not listed, the DCR-HC96 also fits, albeit snugly.
It's well designed, the protection is very good, but you should know it's pretty compact, you can put only the camera inside, nothing else.Also take care about the color, it has some pink on it, if you are a relly macho and worry about it, better look for options.
I actually bought this case to house my Canon Elura 100, and it's a perfect fit.  I really like the belt loop although having a video camera on your hip is a little bulky.My one complaint:  Some of the trim on this case is pink.  Now, I'm not the most macho guy on earth, but it seems to me tht Sony could have gone with a little more neutral tone.  In the end though it's a very minor complaint.
The camera and one extra tape fit PERFECTLY in this case.  AND the strap is nice and long so you can carry it across your body if you want.
I love this case. It is big enough for my Sony hand cam plus the extras. It is an easy carry and not bulky. It has great cusion protection for the camera.
The product is suitable for bringing camera wherever you need, small and practical.Also Amazon services are great on time and transaction.Thanks
This accessary was a perfect fit for my Sony DV camcorder & Ikelite underwater housing - a must for those nice wide angle scenery shots.
well worth the money, an excellent addition to a regular sony camcorder!
i got this lens for my sony handycam dcr dvd105 and it fits it perfectly. i got it to help inhance the videos of my band playing live. it gave my camera a much wider picture and was able to capture much more of the stage instead of having to pan from one person to the next allowing me to get a wider array of shots
This wide angle lens was perfect for getting more into the picture while on vacation. Easy to use and carry around while on vacation and stuff like that.
I have this on my DCR-HC30 camcorder...it really opens up the viewing angle and looks more natural to my eye than the stock lens by itself.One interesting thing I noticed is that detail and clarity actually seem better... it adds a nice 'pop' to the images, and like another reviewer I don't like to take it off(!)
This dock does NOT fit the R817 Camera.  Just bought this and the HP R817 and I am very disappointed.  The input for the camera is to big for the 817.  So do not buy this if you get the 817 **update** This review was written, when the dock was stated to fit the R817, which has been changed because it does not fit.
I was looking for a dock for my camera and searched the internet. Amazon had the product I was looking for and at amazing good price than I had seen before. The dock allows me to charge my camera with all the wires than using using the old charger and even lets me down load pictures from it at one station and one setup point. My camera stays ready for use at any time. Thanks Amazon.
The default supplier for this item is Adorama.  They have sku numbers mixed up on the back end, so they will ship you the HP 6221 dock instead.  Will not work with the R series.They do not even carry the actual HP 8887 dock.Huge hassles, so click on the new and used link and buy directly from Amazon.  It's a few dollars more, but at least you get the right item.
An excellent item to add to your camera.....has a second battery within the unit, alway being charged even at the same time as the camera...allows super easy transfers of photos and will show photos on your tv set as well....very satisfied and it is highly recommended..
I purchased this and spent 3 days on the phone with Hewlett Packard trying to get the correct adapter so it would fit my R818 camera (the dock has a thin port, roughly 10 connectors) while the R818 has a mini USB plug).HP was less than helpful when it came to trying to get the correct adapter, getting a different answer each time I spoke to a different rep (even being told at one point that no supervisors were working).  I was finally able to get someone willing to send me one, but said it was going to be 10+ business days to get it, which by then I'll be on vacation (and I purchased it well in advance giving myself time to get the adapter, thinking it was not hard to get).  I was looking forwared to using the dock on my vacation.I would definately *not* recommend this if you have the Photosmart R818 digital camera, unless you like the stress of spending hours on the phone with Hewlett Packard trying to get a correct part, and waiting 10+ business days to get it.
I bought this dock from a seller called Miga.  They did an excellent job of answering my questions on the product and sending everything in mint condition.  I use the dock for my HP R817.  Having read the reviews regarding the insert I just went through HP's part site and ordered the correct insert for my camera.  It was only $5 (before shipping) and it arrived the same day as the dock package.  The dock transfers data so much faster then the cradle that comes with the camera plus it has an extra battery which would cost $50 and up by itself from HP.  I bought the dock for its dual charging ability for when I go on trips since this dock is less expensive then the fast charge travel kit.  I probably won't use the remote control feature or print images right from the dock.  But for what I will use it for its an excellent product for the price and I highly recommend it for you 817 818 users out there.
Very useful. It carges the camera and a extra battery at the same time. You can conncect the A/V cable and watch it on you TV while charging your batteries at the same time.
I brought this camera because I have photography as an elective. The camera in the most part is awesome. The only thing that threw mw off was the brown something that wont go away on the edge on the camera.
The camera has been fantastic!  It works marvelously, and the zoom lenses are amazing.[...]
I have owned a body from the Sony Alpha series of digital cameras for many years, and have collected some wonderful Zeiss lenses to use with my A100 and A350. Over the last few months, I have done many comparisons between my digital photos and the film photos that I take with a Mamiya RZ67 and Rolleiflex...there is no comparison in the quality of image: the film photographs are better in most every way. I have been shooting less and less digital in the last few weeks, and got the idea that I should either sell my Zeiss glass or find a way to use it with film. Enter the Maxxum series of bodies! The Maxxum 70 handles my Alpha lenses very well, although it is a very light body to have connected to a 2 pound Zeiss. Functionality is somewhat limited: there is no mirror-up lock and no facility for a wired remote (I understand that a wireless exists, I have yet to find one). The light meter is great - my first roll was well-exposed without any thought to tweaking the default meter settings. I have only used the manual focus so far; when I switched on the AF, the camera seemed to take good control of the lens. I am very happy with my purchase of this used film body. I will probably look at the more fully featured 7 or 9 to get the mirror lock.
This Minolta camera still uses film!  That's right folks,film! It's one of the last of a beautiful 35mm Minolta camera dynasty which shows, or helps to bring out, the true artist in everyone. You can set this beauty to do everything for you, from setting the focus, shutter speed, and firing its own built in auto-flash, to full manual, giving you total control! The lens that comes with it is your standard, everyday lens, but I chose to purchase a Konica 70-210 auto-focus telefoto zoom with the camera. With these two lenses, you're covered for almost every situation that comes up in photography.  This is an easy to operate camera, with all the features of a pro single lens reflex. Sure, it's not digital; but painting a barn door isn't art, is it? I would HIGHLY recommend this camera to any SERIOUS photgraphy hobbyist! She is one of a kind.
This camera is light, easy to use yet feature rich. I compared it to digital (still to expensive for comparable resolution to 35mm film) and other SLR cameras. The auto focus is fast and reliable, although in low light it strobes its built in flash to assist with focusing. The built in flash is fairly powerful and convenient because it is always available. The complex metering system has handled difficult lighting situations well.The focus may also be done manually, with focus assist. The f stop and/or shutter speed can be set manually. In addition to the default fully automatic setting there are 5 built in subject programs designed for portraits, close ups, sports, etc. There is a depth of field preview which I have not found on similar priced cameras.Overall I am quite happy with this camera. I was also happy to find that it works with my old Minolta compatible Vivitar 100-300 telephoto lens, and my old Minolta dedicated 3200i flash. For the money I highly recommend you consider this 35mm camera.
I've researched SLR cameras for the last few months and I always came back to the Maxxum models by Konica Minolta. Sure, price was a big factor, but also the reviews across the web from other owners and especially regarding the popular and very successful Maxxum 50 finally led me to a purchase of the Maxxum 70. Although this camera seems very sophisticated and it lets you do a lot of the creative settings manually, it's easy in P (green P in a box) which are the auto functions you can and the focusing is just perfect. It's also worth spending the approx. $70 more for the Maxxum 70 vs. the Maxxum 50 because of the focusing features and the in-screen/viewfinder display. The user guide is very helpful and explains the operations of the automatic camera functions well, although some photography knowledge will be helpful to understand especially the manual settings. So far I've only shot a roll of film and it came out perfect. The only little thing that bothered me was that in the viewfinder there were a few very tiny spots and that's why I had to exchange it for another Maxxum 70 unit, and that's why I only gave it 4 stars, although if everything would have been perfect from the start, this camera is definitely worth a five-star rating. This Maxxum 70 is a keeper and it seems to be a solid quality camera -- only time will tell if it holds up, but so far so good. The price just can't be beat, especially with all the features that the Maxxum 70 offers. Also the 28-100mm lens is a nice feature for this price range as most other models come with only a 28-80mm lens, and for a camera like this you most certainly want the 28-100mm lens.
More like 3.5 stars.I've been waiting for someone to right a review of this camera to see if I made the right decision, but no one has...so I'll write the first one.Got this camera today, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pictures. Definitely a true 2mp camera.Light as a feather, easy to use. I was having a hard time keeping the camera steady, but the pics still came out clear and focussed.The color leaves something to be desired, but that is easily fixed in software like photoshop or iphoto (mac), etc.Haven't tried indoor shots yet, but not expecting much without a flash.I would not suggest this as an everyday camera! It is a great second &quot;take anywhere in your pocket camera.&quot; Literally fits in your pocket w/o a problem. About 3&quot;x1&quot;by 1/2&quot; (all estimates).
I didn't "need" this camera but I am leaving on a week long trip and thought it would be fun to take along so I ordered it. I did not expect great things of it but I did expect it to work. I was disapointed.Upon arrival, I installed the driver and plugged it in. The lights came on like they were supposed to. I was then infomred that it required a reboot to be fully functional. I rebooted and it has been completely dead ever since.I spoke with a Philips representative and went through the diagnostic routine. At its end, I was told that nothing can be done and it would have to be returned. At this point, I suppose my dissapointment is as much with Amazon as with Phillips. I would have been willing to pay express rates to get a replacement in time for my trip but there seems to be no way to contact a real person and the menus do not give that option.The camera may normally work even better than my already low expectations for such a small device but there is no way for me know know that. I got a lemon that does not work at all.*******LATE BREAKING NEWS**************After submitting the review above, I decided that I still wanted one of these gizmos to take on my trip with me so I went out and bought one.It worked...for almost 3 hours and then died completely. The Philips people came to the same diagnosis. UPS picks up the Amazon return tomorrow and then I have to take the store bought one back.STAY CLEAR OF THIS TURKEY!
This camera is the one I carry for a number of reasons:  1.  The price was very reasonable.  The cost of digital cameras continues to drop and a 2MP camera can be had for less than $100 now.  This camera is in the ballpark.  2.  It takes a decent picture.  Granted it has some limitations such as there has to be sufficient light (making this more an outdoor camera) and you have to know how to use a rangefinder-type camera (not a common skill these days).  3.  This thing is small and light!  I can drop it in my pocket (any pocket) and carry it around everywhere I go.  That way I have it with me.  I can't take a picture if I don't have a camera and now I can with this little gizmo.  4.  I can stash a presentation on it too.  While I have a few smaller USB drives, I have put a powerpoint presentation on this camera for a conference; cut and pasted to the host computer and then used it to take pictures after giving my talk.I have had this camera for over 2 months and I have just had a blast with it.
The picture quality on this device is so awful that the camera is basically useless. It's not just sort of bad. The colours are drained, there's enormous halo, and the shutter is so slow even in bright light that you can't get a non-blurred picture. Most camera phones I've seen have much better picture quality, even if the resolution is lower. Avoid this gizmo.
I have had my share of digital cameras. This portable camera is just the ticket for a quick shot. Not having a flash limits some in door shots. I took a shot inside a reception that was dim and the shot still cam out good. Software lightened the dim shot. I also took some quick shots on the run that were GREAT. I got something that was small and still provides excellent pictures.  CHEERS
never gave it a chance. i will have to spend more time with it to give it a honest review
I bought this camera from Amazon.com couple of months ago (sometime in April of 2007). At the time, the newer model of Fuji DSLR, the S5, was just introduced. Although the S5 offers a lot of improvements, I decided to buy the S3. I had also looked at the Nikon SLR since I have been using Nikon for the past 35 years. I had seen many photographs taken with all of the models that I was interest in (except the Fuji-S5) and they were very close in terms of quality. Now it boiled down to other things and it was not the money issue, but in my case, the battery issue. The S3 uses 4-AA rechargable batteries. I did not buy a Nikon DSLR or the Fuji-S5 because of the use of proprietary batteries.I have been using the Fuji-S3 along with my Nikon-F4 film camera for the past two months and I am VERY VERY please with the results. I had captured over 3000 images during my 3 week vacation with it. I had carefully examined a few hundred of the pictures I took (just in case that I didn't like the camera) and I discovered that it can deliver an exceptional quality. It shares the same Nikon lenses and I am fortunate that I have not had any incompatibility issues (I was warned about this). As of this writing, my F4 is probably going to join the F1 in the collection shelf....soon. I also bought two newer lenses from Sigma (I had never bought anything else other than the Nikon lenes) to try with the camera. Those Sigma lenses appear to diliver similar quality or in one case better than my Nikon lenses with this camera.One complain...the ISO and the timer buttons of the S3 are placed in the most awkward positions. I am lucky that I don't change the ISO or using timer that offen otherwise this would have been one most inconvenient.
O.K. It is slow in comparison to 2012 models, but BUT everything else about it is still first rate - resolution, tone, reliability. And it doesn't eat up pc memory yet still delivers large print quality.
I've had this camera since 2006.  I've used it for all my work. It paid for itself in 2007.  I still have this wonderful machine and the colors from it are just remarkable!  Yes, it is a 6 megapixel camera, and I have printed images up to 20x30 with no pixelation and no blurring.  Customers have asked me how I get the colors so beautiful. I tell them that it is the camera's ccd sensor. It is too bad that they are not continuing their Pro Line of cameras.  The Fuji S5 Pro was the last model.  But, this camera is still operating and giving me fantastic images.
i've got the fuji s2 for 3 yrs now, been waiting and save for an s3 until now, i got my s3 on ebay used in great cond for 1245$, it came in very good cond like new. my 1st impression was the nicer grip, the body is in flat, dull black, not like s2 is more on shiny side.the rubber parts on s3 is very sticky, gives nicer gripping.the build is more solid than the s2.i've noticed the battery door is alot more sturdy than s2,the use of it is pretty much same as s2, so there is no problem with operation to me..i tested shot it about 100 shots, i noticed right away the wide dynamic range on s3, the colors seem brighter and more contrast, the af is faster.the sharpness come from your lenses..i use it with tamron 28-105 f2.8 sp model, it gives me awesome results.works better with my tokina af 80-200mm f2.8.s3 got the new vertical trigger, it uses only 4 aa batts, not like s2 with 2 sets of batts.the s3 body is fatter than s2,not too heavy or light, its just feels right..i shot jpeg only. i shoot mostly weddings and models, plus landscapes..the slow review on s3 is anoying,the refreshing time is slow. to review your shots is slow too, but with my work its not a problem.in all s3 produces great results, far more better than any other dslrs ive own.thats including canon 300d and olympus e300.will use s3 and s2 for wedding.im a happy fotoman.
This is the first digital camera which made me forget the film, after 27 years of photography experience. The image quality is beyond expectation. The performance is much slower compared to current Nikon dSLR models, including much more affordable Nikon D70. However, I owned D70 for about 1 year and could not treat it as a "real camera" because both the resolution of D70 is lower than that of good scams from 35mm film and the dynamic range is not as good. The S3 Pro IS The Real Camera. In terms of color rendition and dynamic range, it OUTPERFORMS the latest 35mm professional slide film. At the beginning, I was not happy with resolution (I could not see visible advantage over 6Mp Nikon D70), but this was actually an issue of lenses used. At 12 Mp mode, images looked too "interpolated" (they ARE partially interpolated but do not confuse this with upscaling of 6Mp files to 12 Mp - the sensor does have more resolution than 6 Mp - please read reviews about Super CCD design elsewhere). This "insufficient resolution" feeling was a result of using medium-quality Nikkor 24-85mm lens. This lens is good at 6 Mp but in 12 Mp mode its resolution is not enough to take advantage of the whole resolution of the camera sensor. When I put on a 55mm Micro-Nikkor, the resolution became shocking great! I could not see interpolation at 100% crop of 12 Mp images! The in-camera JPEGs are great, "robust" and do not usually need postprocessing. I usually stick to "normal" color and "original" tone settings, which helps to preserve more information in different lighting settings but sometimes this results in need of slight fine-tuning of the contrast. If you don't like postprocessing at all, use "standard" color AND "standard" tone instead. In most cases, images taken in this mode are almost perfect for printing right out of the camera. Downside: the camera performs relatively slow: if you take several shots in a row in RAW mode, the camera may be locked for half a minute (!) to write the files, and speed of reviewing the images is also awfully low. But I can easily accept these because the joy of having images of such high quality makes the incoveniences of slow performance insignificant for me.
This camera has been very enjoyable to use.  Very comfortable large grip when handheld, nice for tripod use too.  I decided on this camera when comparing images of those taken by other digital SLR's.  The S3 images were the only ones that didn't appear "obviously" digital to me.  I seem to find film images more aesthetically pleasing, which the S3 provides.  This is my first digital SLR and has more features than I could possibly hope for.  I still have not explored all the film simulation and wide dynamic range combinations and options.  I found the the F2 velvia setting a bit "too" saturated, and the built in sharpening also a bit "hard".  I get the best results in wide dynamic 2 mode, 12mp, and everything else set to "normal".  Usually requires some brief post processing in the contrast and sharpening departments to get the results I'm looking for.  I love the results in black and white.  Love the aperture and shutter priority modes.  My only gripe is that the external USB port became loose after about a dozen uses and just fell into the camera body.  I sent it back on warranty however, and it was fixed and sent back to me in about a 4 day window.  I was really amazed with Fujifilm service.  As for speed, I usually shoot landscapes, and in jpeg mode, so not really an issue. I have shot fast moving birds and wildlife with no problems.  As for value, its worth about 3/4 of its original price on the used market after around 9 months of use, not bad for digital cameras I suppose.  And the price of a new one has actually increased since I bought one, which is hard to believe, but great!  The Fuji S3 continues to please. :) enjoy.
This add-on lens is a real beauty. It increases the wide-angle capability of the A series cameras to 22mm equivelant.... and yet maintains the full maximum aperture of the main lens at f/2.8, which is pretty darn good! Also, bear in mind that this item makes a reasonable secondhand purchase... there are no moving parts to wear out.The image quality is fine, and it actually looks pretty juicy when it is mounted, because it is of substantial size.
Use this, only if you're shooting something larger than a house. The regular setting on the camera will take wide shots nicely. Keep in mind, this lens is a monster! It has it's own bag & covers that come with it, a nice feature. Also, set your camera to W when you use this lens. It helps.Depending on your other lenses & covers/filters, you can screw this right on & use it in combination. A very sturdy lens, almost weighs as much as the camera. Have wipes handy! Also, don't extend the camera's lens with this thing on, for long. You should support the extended lens, when shooting up, as the weight will push the camera's lens back down. So remote shooting up, is out unless it's a quick shot.Other wide angles (with steps) will fit, but they have to be adjusted first.
Wasn't sure how well it would work, but it most definitely does on X20. Have not had a chance to try it on X100, but don't think it will work too well, so might have to bite the bullet and spend 400 on the Fuji lens
That's right - you do not need to use this only on the Konica-Minolta camera!I do architectural photography with a Panasonic Lumix LX7 and needed an add-on lens to do interiors just a little wider. Friends and blogs said, "Try the KM ACW-100. You will like the results!" Man, they were right!It is too bad Panasonic offers nothing for increasing wide angle capability for their LX7 (as they did for LX3 and LX5), but happily this lens coupled with the KIWI LA-52LX7 adapter tube (great to have anyway, for several reasons) and a 52-49 step down ring (the KIWI adapter tube is 52mm internal thread and this lens is 49mm external thread) works PERFECTLY !!!! Pure happiness with this solution. And, yes, it works just as well on the Fuji X10. Check the blogs.Very high quality with zero loss in sharpness, light, distortion, vignetting or color aberration. A Godsend for the LX7.
Bought the lens for wide angle applications using my new Panasonic HC-X920 Camcorder and couldn't be happier - there is no distortion, light loss is nearly non existent, reflections are highly suppressed due to lens coating and the 49 mm base screws to the camera 1:1 w/o a size adapter ring - the only thing you need to know is you have to remove the lens for photo shots requiring flash, and it's heavy - also the Panasonic has a partial threading AND SHALLOW THREADING arrangement so BE VERY VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CROSS THREAD ANY LENS OR FILTERS MOUNTED ON THIS CAMERA ESPECIALLY THIS LENS BECAUSE YOU CAN STRIP THE THREADS IN A HEARTBEAT.
I was looking for a simple and small case for my Canon camera that was well made yet functional in every way and I found it,.Thank You Amazon once again.
This fits all of my smaller point and shoot zoom lens cameras. There is plenty of space for spare batteries, SD reader and Gorilla Pod mini.
Very well made product.  It's just the size I was looking for - small enough for a digital point & shoot, but big enough to also carry all of my accessories.
Sturdy and well designed with extra mesh pockets throughout. Perfect size for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20. Love the strap (has a bit of padding). Fits my camera, its charger, and the USB cable. Best $7 ever spent? Quite possibly!! Hikes well, travels well.
This bag is just a bit smaller than I hoped it would be.  But the padding and pockets make up for the small size.
Nice bag.  A little big for my Nikon 8100 cool-pix but I was glad there was extra room for a few accessories.......extra battery, plug in cord, memory cards.  The interior is yellow so you can see everything inside of it easily.  Has a belt loop on the back or you can use the adjustable shoulder strap that comes with it.  Extra mesh pockets inside to keep things separated.  zip pouch on the outside to hold even more stuff.  I would recommend this.....well made.
This is probably the most well thought out and well built camera bag I have ever purchased.  It is perfect for a larger digital point and shoot camera.  It has multi-compartments to carry all your accessories.  You may carry by the strap or on your belt.  Even when open, your camera may be carried in a secure manner.
I had previously purchased the iM2370 Storm case to protect my laptop and other equipment.  When I upgraded to a new DSLR camera, I immediately purchased the iM2100 case as well.With a little planning, I was able to break the cubed foam to carry my Nikon D40, 18-55mm kit lens, 70-210mm lens, 35mm prime lens, SB-400 flash and diffuser with room to spare.This is an extremely durable case and a brand I have come to trust implicitly.
This case is great for what it is.  Pelican needs to design a small case like this specifically for TSA travel.  I fit my handgun, holster, three clips and an extra box of ammo in this beautifully.  The only thing that sucks is that you have to use two padlocks and they can easily be cut off.  Pelican needs a center combo lock or a hasp that can't be cut easily.
Looking at cases for my HK USP, I wanted to find something that not only was hard and secure, but when i needed access to is, would be easy to open. The push button clamps are great because they are smooth to operate and don't pinch your fingers like some pelican cases. The foam has perforated cubes making it easy to rip and tear the desired shape into them. All and all, this a great product that not only can take a beating but looks very premium. It has two holes at the opening for locks and a nice rubber grip. Amazon has it for a good price.
This is the case you want to protect your valuable equipment.  I have 3 now and have never had an issue.  Also, the case will give your clients the feeling you area true professional buy its rugged appearance.  Great buy!!
I used this to keep my $500 radio (for RC airplanes) secure. The foam was easy to pull apart to match the shape of my radio and components. I've dropped it a few times off the truck of my car and my fragile gear remained unscathed. Great product, Pelican/Hardigg!
I got this case for my camera.  I wanted to strap it to the deck of my kayak.  It fits perfectly and it was easy to add some holes so I could tie it down.  It also fit my DSLR camera with a wide angle lens and also has room to hold another lens.  I was also able to strap my GPS on the top of it.
Remove the foam block, set the correct form, set all compartment, put the lock, look great, I know if the casee fail it's not going to damage my equiepment
If you want the best cases in the world then buy a pelican brand case.  Anything else is second best.  This case has now survived two trips to Iraq, and it might not be as pretty anymore, but it still works great.
I got this case for my Celestaire Astra 3B Sextant. I ended up using a different foam on the main compartment side and sliced off about half of the foam on the lid side to make everything fit. I also glued a pin with Epoxy onto the inside of the lid to keep the Sextant in place.Like: This is probably the smallest case I could find that fits the Sextant. It could be a bit smaller on the width or length axis but the height is a bit tight. If you're panning to use it for the same purpose then be prepared to make some modifications to the foam on the lid side (or replace it entirely).Dislike: Weight. It's heavy.
You just can not beat Pelican cases for fit, finish and strength.  Top quality materials give you a top quality product.  I hope they are in the USA, but if not, congrats to China.
Wow, great quality and easy to use the pick and pluck system. I really like the depth, it gave me two layers of foam, so when i used this for my gopro setup I have two layers of storage. The top layer will pull out and you'll need to remove anything in it, but if your smart, you'll bury the items you don't really use so much under the ones that you do.Great job Pelican!
I love this case - we use our camera for fishing trips and with the rain, wind, and general rugged nature of fishing, it's perfect!
It is my first binoculars, it works good for my travel so far.  it is somewhat bigger and heavyer than I expected for travel purpuse.
These are a good binoculars for a very good price. Incredible value!Pros:-Porro-Prism design has inherently better optical performance, and these are reasonably compact.-Very rugged construction.-Rubber finish feels good and looks good.-The balanced between overall size, lens diameter, and magnification seems to be optimal for general use (Hunting, Birdwatching, Sporting events).-The low-light performance of these binoculars was surprisingly good (work great in dark hardwood Ohio squirrel woods).-They claim to be waterproof, though I would not recommend testing this.-Eye relief works with both spectacled and non-spectacled people.Cons:-Not available in camouflage or OD green (might be slightly better for hunting)Do not expect these to perform as well as $500+ binoculars; they won't. That being said they get the job done (just as a $20,000 car gets you from point A to B just as a $100,000 car will)  well for any use I can imagine and seem rugged and durable. I expect they will last a long time. I have owned really cheap binoculars ($40 from Wall-Mart) and they are nearly useless junk. These binoculars perform as they should and are very affordable. Just a good value! I have tried very expensive binoculars and even military grade binoculars and these are remarkably good by comparison.The Roof-Prism design is very popular right now, and they are more compact, but they have inherent optical deficiencies that are remedied through special coatings which cost more money. Basically the design reduces performance of the binocular to improve ancillary features like size. Even though Roof-prisim are very hot right now, I do not think they will perform nearly as well as Porro-prism binoculars in this price range.That said these are a nice size and remarkably compact. I wouldn't really want anything smaller for general purpose use, though these would look a bit odd at an Opera.
The front lens caps are complete garbage and will not stay on.  Other than that these binoculars are great.  Nikon needs to come up with a better cap solution.  Those little things are what separate the 5-star from the 4-star products.  I'm probably going to put some Butler Creek flip up caps on it.Update:  I purchased Butler Creek Tactical One Piece Flip-Cap Scope Cover size 33-34.  They ended up being pretty snug and forcing them on can distort the factory rubber coating on the lens but with a little work I was able to get it all straightened out and working good.  They aren't falling off, that is for sure.  I would recommend this upgrade.
All I know is that the person who received these binoculars as a giftwas very pleased with them.
I was influenced by the Amazon reviews in my purchase of this fine binocular, and I could not be more pleased. Let me first address the quality. I have been a photographic hobbyist for over fifty years and I own several of Canon's finest lens, including the "L" series, so I believe I am qualified to critique the optical quality of this Nikon. They are excellent, and I would simply ignore anything said different.I wear progressive bifocal glasses and I have no problem with the Nikon 7238, and neither does my wife. The adjustable eye cups are very nice. It is easy to adjust the binocular for our individual use. Just close your right eye, adjust the binocular until it is sharp to the left eye. Then close the left eye, and adjust the right diopter until the right lens is sharp, and that's it. Takes longer to type this than to actually do it once you have done it a couple of times.We watch birds on our feeder about fifty feet from our back sliding glass door, and the 7238 is a terrific improvement over the cheap binocular we have had for years. We have 22 acres in the country just a bit east of Atlanta, and the 7238 is great for watching for ATF when I go back to tend the still. Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center is about 2 miles from us as the crow flies, and we are looking forward to visiting there and bird watching now that Spring is here.One thing about purchasing from Amazon is their return policy. If for some weird reason you were not happy with the 7238, they have a no hassle return policy. Frankly I don't know how they do it, its abused pretty often.
And I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said, other than it could be operator fault (or my eyes), but some things tend to look more 2-D than 3-D to these 60-year-old eyes.  However... I don't mind - at least they're exceptionally clear!I use them for back yard bird-watching, and it's been great to be able to identify some birds I'd never seen before (Spice Finches - which aren't supposed to be wild birds and aren't even listed on whatbird.com).  It wasn't until I could see a close-up of their markings that I was able to finally ID them.  (I call them the Spice Girls even though only four of them show up - and they're probably males.  LOL)Definitely worth the money spent!
I bought this from B&H; because they had the best price and they were giving a twenty-five dollar gift card with the purchase.  These binoculars look and feel great.  They are well-made and I like the rubber gripping.  These have a wider FOV than most binoculars which was one of the main reasons for buying these. I would buy these over the regular action series because these are water and fog proof.The optics are pretty sharp and the colors are nice and saturated.  I had a cheaper pair of binoculars and the images always looked "cloudy."I like the twistable (is that a word?) eyecups which are better than the fold back eyecups.  I wear eyeglasses and I can see perfectly through these with my glasses on. So if you wear eyeglasses make sure you pay attention to the eye relief of the binoculars.  These have excellent eye relief.The only drawback I have is that these are no lightweights.  They are sturdy and as a result they are a little heavy.  To remedy this problem, I purchased an OP-TECH USA 2" strap which is designed to reduce the effectual weight of what you are carrying by about 50%.  I thought this was a bogus claim but it really does work --they really do feel lighter when around your neck.  The weight thing is not really a big issue unless the weight of the item is one of the main reasons for your purchase --it wasn't for me.It comes with a nice case and front and rear caps and a cheap, itchy Nikon strap.  I already lost one of the cheap snap on objective caps already so I encourage you just to keep those in the box as you will probably lose them if you take them out with you as they tend to fall off and they can get lost easily.I am very happy with this purchase.  The binoculars really feel and look like they are 2x the price.  The images are nice and sharp and the colors are excellent. 8x with a wide FOV = pain free viewing.  I highly recommend them.
These are rugged and durable. The view is fantastic. The strap is nice and wide too. These were a great buy.
This is a great binoculars for the money.  I use it to hunt and it is great for veiwing through for hours.  only thing is that it is a little bulky to have in the pack.
after looking at the reviews for this, i pulled the trigger and picked them up.  We hike often through the local parks and these are so sweet! Like I said, not at all a pro at this sort of thing, so they are easy to use and crystal clear along with bringing the life right to one's eyes.  The field of vision is pretty stellar as well.  I would recommend them to anyone.
I would recommend these for birdwatching, but as said in some reviewsthey are a tad heavy and the adjustment for focusing is a bit stiff - butI expect that will loosen with use.  Like the clarity and the rubberized coatingwhich gives you a comfortable grip.
I bought these because I had just learned about eye relief.  I have two pair of binoculars already and hate them both.  With my glasses on it was like looking through a pipe.  Only a small portion of the field was visible.  After learning what eye relief was I started looking for a nice pair with acceptable stats.  These were OK at 17.2 mm and they were Nikons with really good reviews.  So I got them.The difference is astounding.  I have full field of vision with my glasses on and they are crystal clear.  I really don't know how you could go wrong for the price.  If you have very thick glasses that sit away from your eyes you probably need even more eye relief.  There are some out there with even higher numbers but these did it for me.
clear, easy to use, did fog up , but quickly cleared.  Most comfortable carrying as a shoulder sling, not around neck, kinda heavy
These Nikon 7238 binoculars are the best for the price...About six months ago, after reading reviews elsewhere, my husband bought these  from Amazon because of the price.  Since we both wear eyeglasses, we needed binoculars that would accommodate them for birding.  We like these so much, we just ordered a pair for our daughter.
Like the clear image and the ability to focus close up.  Find the focus knob rather stiff.  I like the binoculars.
I'm replacing a mid-range pair  from another major manufacturer.  Absolutely no comparison! And the price from Amazon made this binocular a real bargain. Thank you.
this was a Christmas present for my husband and he loved it. He was surprised at the great quality and can't wait to use them next football season.
The binoculars arrived in good condition and quickly.  They seem to be just what we need.  They seem to focus very well and provide the right seeing distance for our occasional use.
Excellent binocular for hunting etc.  Bought these for my wife and they are perfect.  Weight is fine for still hunting etc.  Clarity is great. A very good bargain at this store.
I had originally purchased the Nikon Action 7x35 set specifically for a trip to a beach resort that had some great scenery.  My in-laws were with us and my father in-law absolutely fell in love with them.  We all did.  I gave them to him as a gift and purchased the Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 set for me.  I believe these binoculars are much better than the Action 7x35's (Waterproof, Anti-Fog, etc), but what's outstanding is that they both are great.  I actually bought the Extremes because while at the beach the ocean mist would fog the Action 7x35's  No complaints on either one.  I believe that if you go higher than 8x40's then you'll start to notice that any slight shivering of your hands makes it very hard to focus on targets.  Weight and Size will also be an issue for higher magnification.  For an enthusiast like me 8x40's seem to be the limit as far as magnification and weight for manual targeting.  I assume that if you used a tripod, then higher magnifications would always be possible, but if you are just in the woods or on a bike trail looking at birds, trees, etc, then these are perfect.I'd recommend them.  Anti-Fog is a must if you're at the beach, lake, waterpark with lots of mist.
When wearing this around your neck, this feels like a full-sized digital SLR.Light and compact this binocular is not.Zoom it will. 8x magnification to be precise. When I gaze at the moon, I can definitely see all its detailed features.Sturdy it is.Would I want to carry this around in a long trek? Probably not, especially if I had to walk long distances. At best, I would carry it in my backpack.There is nothing wrong with the optics. Maybe there are visualphiles out there who can tell the difference between the lenses. I had an old Nikon binocular (top of the line for its time) my father bought in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, I dropped it and it broke in two. I can confidently say this binocular can see just as good if not better than the old classic Nikon binocular.If you want a binocular that has great optics and can zoom at 8x magnification, I would recommend this. If you are looking for a compact binocular then there are definitely smaller and lighter binoculars out there.Pros:1)Good optics that most people would find more than sufficient for their needs.2)8x zoom that is sufficient for most binocular needs.3)Sturdy and has a polycarbonate casing.Cons:1)Huge. It is about the size of a large digital SLR camera. It is only slightly lighter in weight.2)Not built for portability. I definitely think the binocular could have saved size and weight in various areas. But this binocular seems to have been designed for durability rather than portability.3)Instructions on how to tie the neck strap to the binocular, which is not intuitive, was insufficient.
After a little searching i found these at a sporting goods chain and instantly knew this is what i wanted. They are a perfect size and i was shocked when i looked through them at how clear everything was. I wanted something to fit in my briefcase or laptop bag for easy transport and powerful enough for work. Working on the water i also wanted them to be waterproof and for the price i think that these are perfect. They look and feel great and so far i love them. I also love the warranty of 25 yrs. Working on boats i have used many different types of binoculars and i find these to be much better quality than some of the much higher priced models i have used. Amazon easily beat the chain store price. If you are looking for a good quality pair of binoculars for a great price this is it.
I love a wide viewing angle and these have one of the best for the size.  These binoculars are a little heavy but are well made.  I do recommend.
Bought these based on other sterling reviews so knew these would be good, but was astonished at how well they work in very low light conditions! If you're still considering, just get them....you won't be disappointed! Amazing performance for the price!
Haven't used them yet for long hikes or trips, but so far they are the best mid-priced binoculars I have used.  The field of view is so expansive, especially for wide landscape viewing and for sporting events.  Any power higher than this x8 set needs to be stabilized with a resting area or tripod, which I do not want to carry along.  The rubberized grip feels secure in your hands for all types of weather conditions.  The relatively tight viewing adjustments may be a concern for some, but that is an indication of a well made product that also holds your settings, eliminating unwanted movement.
These binoculars are built like a Sherman Tank and weigh almost as much. Seriously, though, they are really nice binoculars with a good field of view and the images are nice and bright. I am an older individual (64 at the time of this writing) and not as strong as I used to be. I have to prop these up on something to watch for more than a few minutes at a time. That's why I only gave them four stars. These binoculars give me a much clearer view than any other I have ever tried. They are very easy on the eyes and make watching wildlife exciting. The only down-side is the weight. I must support them on something in order to do any prolonged viewing. But they are very well made and work as advertised. By the way they are an outstanding buy for the money!
When I tried to remove the eyecups cover, one of eyecups came off with it. The way of this Turn-Slide feature works is by using a ball press fit on the main body. Once the cup comes off, the little tiny sliver ball will immedetaly fall off, and there's no way you can find it. I would've expected Nikon does a better job than this. Be very very careful when you remove the conver.======================Updates: 4/14/2014After two years of owning this pair broken binoculars and left untouched in the closet, I finally picked up the phone and contacted the customers services at Nikon. I have to give Nikon 5 stars here. I sent in the broken binoculars and received a brand new pair within couple weeks, no charge. It's nice to have no fault warranty.
Love these binoculars.  Very crisp & clear!  Great for scouting for the hills for animals, or watching birds.  I was impressed with the clarity.
I like the 8x magnification because it is long enough to pull distant images in, but not too long to create shaky images.  I like the 40mm aperture because it brings in enough light even during the twilight hours.
Went to the Horse Races the day after I received my binoculars.  The view at Santa Anita was spectacular -- the track, the horses, the mountains.  What a treat!
I bought these binoculars and they received very little use. The ring that you use to focus them broke. I sent them in for Warranty repair (had to pay shipping) included my warranty card and proof of purchase but was told that the only way that part could break is if they were dropped very hard. This never happened, they were treated gently and only lightly used, never dropped. There is not a scratch on them that would have happened if they were dropped. This is a moving plastic part that was obviously defective.Nikon is refusing to honor the warranty
I bought these binoculars before my cruise to Alaska.  I had a much smaller pair of Nikon binoculars for over 20 years, which were great as well. These are so clear and the magnification is just incredible.  Whenever I shared them with fellow cruise goers, they were just amazed.  They are a bit larger than my old binoculars, but if you want the magnification and clarity, you do have to sacrifice on size.  Even after a couple of whale watching trips and all day cruising Glacier Bay, they aren't that heavy to have hanging around your neck. Oh, and they don't fog up either!I shouldn't be surprised at the fantastic quality, being a Nikon product, but the price is unbeatable.  If you're looking to update your old pair or even if this will be your first pair of binoculars, these are the ones to buy.
I found the product to be excellant in every respect. It does everything I want it to (mostly bird watching). Its easy to adjust, and the price is right. The covers over the objective lens are hard to put on is the only negetive feature. I waited a few years for a good pair of binocs and now I have them.
Really bright--seems to let in an inordinate amount of light for very crisp and beautiful viewing.The only improvement would be eye cups to hold the glasses out from your eyes a little.
I purchased these for use on an Alaskan cruise where the weather is notoriously damp (rain, fog), so being waterproof was a must. I considered the Bushnell H2O for about $40 cheaper, but since I was extremely happy with my small 10x25 Nikon binoculars I decided to spring for these. Boy am I glad I did. First, be aware that these are fairly heavy, especially if you are used to the more compact models. They seem to be at least twice as heavy as the three sets of compact binoculars I have, including Nikon, Pentax and Alpen. Part of this is certainly because of the much larger objective lens and rubberized shell needed for waterproofing, but the Action EX Extreme's use a completely metal internal structure that also adds weight (but makes them much more durable). The binoculars come with a very nice, wide neck strap, individual cups for the objective lenses, and a double cup for the eye pieces. Each of these parts also has a slot on the side so you can hang them from your strap when not in use. Nice touch. The case is also large and sturdy, unlike the canvas-like case you often get with cheaper binoculars (like the Alpens I have)Now to performance. I'm fairly certain these binoculars use porro prisms and not roof prisms as stated in the description. You can generally tell by the offset of the eyepiece and the objective lens. The eye relief on these binoculars is more than adequate, and while I had a larger field of view without my glasses, they worked perfectly fine with them. The binoculars were extremely easy to focus, and with the 40mm objective lens let in lots of light and provide a greater than 400ft field of view at 1000m. Everything fit snugly and workmanship on the product appears to be very high. The eye cups all fit well, and there is very low risk of them just falling off. The focus wheel is firm but moves smoothly. Just perfect in my mind.  I absolutely would not hesitate to buy these again or recommend them to anyone. Right now I have 4 sets of "good" binoculars and several cheap ones that I wouldn't mind being dropped overboard (decent for a 10yo though). Unless I'm traveling super light/small, these are going to be my "go to" binoculars. I like them that much.
These have outstanding clarity and am very happy with them.  Have used them to replace my daily wear glasses as the easy adjustment for strength precludes my having to get frequent new prescriptions.
Several of us were doing training with the Forest Service and these were the binoculars they had along.  We all commented on the clarity of view through these binocs.  Wonderful optics!  Easy to focus and line up, even for people who wear glasses, which was a problem with the binoculars we currently had.  We expected these to be fairly expensive and were quite surprised when we went onto Amazon and saw the price was the same as we had paid for our existing binoculars. I now have a personal pair of these and we bought a pair for the office.  Very pleased with these binoculars!
They are perfect for the price.  They will give you everything you need and more.  I wear glasses and they work great.  The clarity is nearly perfect.
Great optics for the money. Nikon has always made excellent products which is one of the reasons why it was purchased. I would recommend it for the price based on the type of use it was designed for.
These are truly awesome!....my first pair of birding glasses and they are GREAT!!!  Not the lightest or smallest but not too heavy either and perfect for a beginner.  Great price from Amazon and Nikon's guarantee rocks too!!!!  I am recommending them to all my friends!
for the price they are a good value but unfortunately one of the lenses was distorted and i had to send them back.  i am unsure at the moment if i am going to reorder the same model or look for an alternative. thanks to amazon for a painless return process.
For the money hard to beat. You can spend a lot more and buy better, but these are all I need. They are fairly good size, not your little pocket lookers.You will look very strange if you bust these our at the opera.First time I use them was in a VIP Suite at at a football game and everyone ended up fighting over who got to use the binoculars next...Even those poeple who brought their own binoculars. They were a hit.
I ordered these binoculars as a hoped-for improvement to a pair of $100 binoculars I have used several years for birding.  These are absolutely the best value I could expect for the dollar spent.  They are easy to grasp, easy to use with glasses, as well as being sharp and clear.  I could not ask for better and would recommend them to anyone needing binoculars for moderate use.
Bought 4 pair for family trip on Amazon River cruise. Great for bird/animal--watching. It rained several times on our trip, & binoculars held up well.
These binoculars are great..with a wide range and fairly lightweight to hold.would recommend them to anybody needing a good pair.
I bought this as a present for my husband. He took it out the day after Christmas and used it at a local nature spot here in MN. He said the views through it were awesome so that I can comment on. Don't know yet about the durability but with the Nikon name and the reviews I checked out it sounds like this is a winner. The transaction went smoothly and the packaging was secure and it came quickly (paid for 2 day air and even just days before Xmas it got there on time. I love Amazon.
Nice binoculars - the only pick I had with these is they seem a bit too bulky but I'm used to the little fold up models so it may just be me. The optics are nice and clear.
These are for anyone on a budget that wants to upgrade from that old pair of travel binoculars or from Uncle Fred's 1954 hand-me-downs. They are *Waterproof* (very important, it's easy to confuse these with the lower-quality Nikon Action range) and fogproof, with clear and bright images. Very solid feel and compact for a full-size Porro-prism design. The 7x35 version of the Action Extreme won the highest position in the Cornell Ornithology Lab 2005 binocular shootout out of 15 budget entries -  probably because the 8x40 was not tested.Yes, they aren't perfect - higher price will get you sharper optics, lighter weights, and slightly better handling - but at this price the only alternative I could find is the Leupold 6x30 Yosemite for around 25% less - and that model is a 6x magnification.I'm not sure why, but many sites don't cover the warranty on these. You get excellent support from Nikon USA - a 25-year no-fault warranty with a $10 fix or replace fee for the original owner. Combined with the low price and build quality this could be the last pair of binoculars you will ever need to buy.
These are wonderful. Great when i go sighting Eagles. Would recommend to anyone in birding
The click-set eye-cups are nice and the eye-relief is reasonable even with glasses. Field of view is about the largest you'll get and image is bright. They are pleasant to use. Weight is about standard for this size of binocular. The downside is that there is considerable distortion or blur in the outer 1/3 to 1/4 of the field of view. Exactly what the aberration is I am not sure: it's either astigmatism or field curvature. Regardless, the edges of the field look "out of focus." However, the field of view is so large that you don't notice the distortion unless you look towards the edges. There is some chromatic aberration, but it is not particularly disturbing.Obviously you get what you pay for and the reason these binos are relatively cheap is because of the above optical flaws. I can't say how these Nikons compare to others in the price class but I feel that they are probably very good value for money. If you're on a &lt;$150 budget then these are probably one of your best bets. I should be clear that my rating reflects the optical quality more than the value for money because I personally would rather spend a little more cash for better optics. However, if you want to spend under two hundred bucks then these are fine binoculars.
I purchased these Nikon binoculars to take to the Daytona 500 and sit in the stands and it was a good thing they are Extreme ATB because it poured down all day and everything I own got wet! We were there all day until they called the race and rescheduled it for the next day. The next day it was beautiful and the first Daytona 500 under lights was a lot of fun to watch and these Extreme ATB Nikon binoculars performed beautifully and were crystal clear and with the extra wide view the action was fantastic. By the way, the binoculars got wet and it did not bother them at all. I cannot say enough about these waterproof wonders with perfect Nikon optics; they are absolutely wonderful.Do yourself a big favor if you are in the market for binoculars; purchase Nikon Extreme Products and you will never be sorry.
Bought for my wife to mainly watch Bluebirds.  She like the size, quality and ease of use.  The price was good for the fine quality of the binoculars.
Bought these for my wife.  She is a birder and needed something light and easy to use.  She loves em.  I recommend them.
I use these binoculars for spotting at football games.  They're clear, good field of vision and a great value for the price.  Searched several different ones before buying these and I am very happy with the purchase.
Like Goldilocks, we've tried three different binoculars in recent months.  Our primary use of the binoculars is to enjoy the southern Arizona scenery from our home and to get a better look at the birds and critters that cruise through the desert nearby.We first tried our little binoculars.  They're perfect for hiking, but lack the power and clarity of a good set.  Then we tried a buddy's huge binoculars.  They really require a tripod and a minimum of wind to keep from wobbling.  They also seem to have a bit of tunnel vision, so it's hard to find distant objects before you zoom in.The Nikon 7238 is just right!  The clarity is incredible, and they have a pretty wide field of vision.  They also allow for easy zooming.  They are useful  around the house and also in the car for our touristy stuff.In short, we're really pleased with the Nikon 7238.
These Nikon binoculars are  just what I was looking  for.  They are crystal clear, have just the right amount of weight to hold them steady, and are armored, water and fog proofed.  They are easy to adjust to your eyes and hold their adjustment well.  I would definitely recommend them.
THE BEST BINOCULARS I HAVE OWNED,AND I HAVE HAD MANY. EXCELLENT CLARITY,GREAT FIELD OF VIEW TOO. NICE SIZE ALSO NOT TO BIG, NOT TO SMALL. YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THIS FINE SET,HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I purchased these binoculars planning to use them in inclement weather, and they work well for that purpose.  With the caps over the eyepieces I can walk with them around my neck in rain or snow and have them ready for use as needed. They have been subjected to some gale force wind and rain storms with no adverse effects.  Images seen through these binoculars are nice and crisp, and they are easy to focus and adjust.  The only thing I do not like about them is the weight.  The weight is not a problem in winter when I wear them outside my hood, but in warmer weather when the strap is right on my neck they are much heavier then I would like.
I purchased these to take to Alaska last summer. While they are larger than some binoculars, the field of vision and brightness are far superior to other smaller binoculars we tried. I highly recommend these.
My husband loves these. I did a lot of resource on purchasing a set and these seemed to have everything that we wanted. They are really nice and very clear when you look through them. They were shopped fast and were in good condition when we received them.
As a longtime birder I have learned the hard way that it's not a hobby for everyone.  I had a close friend that when I mentioned that I was going birdwatching she looked at me, obviously puzzled, and said "Watch them do WHAT?"However, every now and then I meet some young people who show a love for nature and it's various inhabitants.  I met this particular couple through business and when they found out about my passion for winged creatures they often asked me questions about birds and birding.  So I decided that a pair of binoculars and a birding guide-book would be an appropriate Christmas gift.  The choice of a guide-book was easy for me but to choose a decent pair of binoculars took a little more study.My everyday optics cost well over a thousand dollars.  It was important to me that I picked a pair for my friends that was reasonably priced (I did not want to embarrass them by giving them too expensive of a gift).  I also wanted to give them a gift that they would hold up well so that they could enjoy it for years to come.I choose this pair for several important reasons:*  Porro-finder binos are not my favorite but they give much better performance than roof-prisms at this price point*  I wanted a pair that were nitrogen filled, waterproof, fogproof and shockproof*  I insisted on an all-metal chassis even though they were installed in a polycarbonate shellNikon is a great name, one that is easily recognized even by novices but I would have happily chosen Swifts or Pentaxs or any other lesser known brand if I thought that they gave more quality for the price.  I believe that this is a great pair of all-purpose optics for the price and, after giving them an thorough test I proudly gave them as a gift to some very special people.  Five stars based on both quality and value.The Sibley Guide to Birds
I read all the review on this product and bought it.  I am very very pleased, I wear glasses and these suit me just fine.  The only down side is I know I am going to eventually loose the end caps, no really convinient way of securing them.
i have this model, it works fine in the field. Howver, the front lens caps are NOT attached, very easy to lose them in operations.Dose anyone know where we can get a 3rd party front lens cap that can be attached to the binoculars?It is a shame that Nikon overlooked this nice, and very basic feature.Thanks.
These are great for the outdoors where you think you might drop them on the ground or some rocks. I haven't dropped them yet but i'm pretty sure they'll hold up because they feel so solid. The magnification is good but not spectacular. Great for watching birds and seeing things far away for novices or regular people. If you needed to really get close you'd need more power, but at that point you'd need either a tripod or an image stabilizer in there. At that point you're talking a lot of money so it's best to just stick with these binoculars if you're a novice.
For the price these are a great set of binoculars. The glass is very crisp. I only wish that I had bought a higher power of magnification. They are a little on the large side, but not that bad.
Prompt delivery, excellent quality and ease of function. It was only after using these binoculars that I realized how bad my old ones were.
Love these binoculars. Very nice in the woods. They weigh a little around the neck but overall they are crisp, clear view. Love them!!
The binoculars are great very crystal clear.  I researched different brands and for the price the Nikon seemed to be the best for me.  I love them!
Excellent choice for the money.  I would purchase a tri-pod adapter with them as they are heavy at first use.
The size/weight is nice, especially for 12x50s but they are still a set you'll want to leave by the window at home and not take hiking.The picture is satisfactory but nothing great, especially in low light.The "twist-up" eye-focus cups are an abomination. Bumping them or using the eyepiece caps causes them to "twist down" out of focus and thus makes getting the set onto the subject VERY slow. Many times I've missed a sighting because of those darned eyecups. In fact, I may still return them to swap for a pair without that incredibly stupid "twist-up" eyepiece feature.
Although I don't have a lot of experience with good binoculars, the Nikon Action Extreme has impressed me with its quality, image brightness, field of view, and image sharpness. It's a fairly large binocular and will tire your arms after extended handheld use. An excellent value for the price.
This was a birthday gift for my high school age grandson.  He loved my Nikon binoculars (for bird-watching), so it was an easy choice. They are more powerful than mine, AND the price was right! He was thrilled, even took them on a recent holiday skiing trip!
I had a pair of Nikon Scoutmaster Zooms that my black lab had found and tossed up in the air for about 30 minutes several years ago.  So, I recently decided to order this pair of 10 X 50 Action EX binocs to replace the "totaled" pair. I love these new ones but in the course of filling out the warranty card, I discovered that Nikon has a 'no fault' repair policy. I sent the damaged pair to them and 3 weeks later have them back for a minimal charge and S & H fee. Now I have two pair of the best binoculars available this side of NASA.
Love this all terrain binocular as it is versatile and serve me for many years. The only complaint is the heavy weight to make you fatigue if you carry it too long. Not for kid.
Wow. These binoculars provide a bright, clear image and draw the subject up close. They have enough weight to steady the hand but are not 'neck cutters' on the trail. They are my vehicle set, ready to pick up elk or eagles when on a drive or to hop out for walks with the dogs. Unless I get stupid and leave them somewhere they'll be around for decades. I like the short focus action (even though its a little stiff on the upper end). I haven't lost any wildlife in the fuzz when focusing for them. One thing I did do was lose the big end caps- they popped right off the strap so something else will have to be done about that. But in the realm of quality-to-price advantage you'd have to steal a pair to do better.
Solid and clear, but super heavy.I decided to go with a smaller cheaper 10 power that is not nearly as clear or robust, but also much lighter and smaller.Only buy this if you own a horse or will be staying close to the car.
Had this binocular for over a year, used it extensively.  It's a nice large size and weight for holding still on a distant subject for a 10 power. It's a bit large and heavy for carrying around for a long period of time but fine for short walks and great to use from auto, ATV,etc.  It's heavy duty and well protected for bumping around in a vehicle.  Provides good clarity and good low light detail. Case is adequate.
I haven't tried this product yet, but my son did and he told me that they were the best.
These give a very sharp, bright image, with excellent color fidelity.  Actually, I was blown away by the image, considering the price.  The quality of the materials and the workmanship appear and feel excellent.  The primary focus ring is nice and snug, as is the right ocular focus ring and the swivel action pivot...meaning they will not easily bump out of adjustment.  The image does tend to blur a bit at the extreme edges of the field of view, and the red-blue refraction issue is apparent there as well.  However, in the center (broadly, and anywhere a typical person is likely to look in the field of view), the image is incredible.  The "edge" effect is therefore really not an issue.  If you demand a perfect image out to the edge, you can always spend ten times the price on a different pair of binoculars.  With these, however, I can easily see a couple of dozen craters on the moon and I am sure they will satisfy most birders, whale watchers, etc.  That said, I did not like the strap very much.  By comparison, it is cheap.  I guess Nikon expects you to probably buy a better one anyway and they decided instead to put their quality into the binoculars.  (I received these as an item off of my Amazon wish list.)
These binoculars are relatively heavy, but serve my purpose of stationarybird watching.  I like both the magnification and wide field of view.
I took the plunge on 10x50's after reading a compelling article on the Cornell Ornithology website.These Nikon Action EX 10x50 binocs are unusually well-crafted for a "low end" product. Their optics are sharp and bright, even at dawn or dusk. Their eye fatigue index approaches 18. Their ergonomics and controls are rugged and smooth. Most of all, the wiggle you'd expect from 10-power binocs are rarely a problem here because the frame is lighter than most products in this price-range. Indeed, without a harness or monopod, you can watch a Bald Eagle fish the surface of a river for a quarter-mile and not miss any of the action.While I use these primarily to view raptors at distances of 500+ feet, they focus very clearly at 27.5 feet, too. Whatever the distance, the view is bright, the colors generally vivid and the detail superb.That is not to say that Leica wouldn't produce a superior product; but at a fraction of the price, nearly 50% off retail, they are wonderful. Keep a pair of 8x42 binoculars on-hand, especially if songbirds are your passion; but if you expect to do some long-distance viewing, these Nikons are a sensible buy.
I am very happy with the image quality.  It is a powerful.  I do recommend this product.  You will not be disappointed.
Moved to Sierra Foothills in CA. Needed a good pair of binoculars to enjoy the wildlife roaming our property. Thought my binoculars were fine, but wanted another pair, so when I got my new Nikon Action Extremes, WOW! What an EXTREME difference! The clarity and sharpness is fantastic. Can't get over how much tiny detail can be seen at such great distance. No glare and focus is quick - would only prefer a rocker arm action to the roller dial for focusing. Very satisfied with this product.
I'm very pleased w/my 7245 Action Ex Extreme 10X50mm All Terrain Binoculars. The view quality exceeded my expectations. I purchased these based on other customer reviews, brand, quality & ease of use, price, and shipping choices. Prior to my purchase, I was using my grandmothers opera binoculars. It just means they were ps-poor for bird watching.My bird feeders are about 20 feet from my window, and my eyesight is bad. So with my All Terrain Binoculars, the birds look like they are sitting in my hand 5-6 inches from my face.I now have been able to identify a bird that hung out around the trees on my apartment complex all summer long. That bird had the most pretty song I had ever heard. It was difficult to identify anything with my grandmothers binoculars. However my new binoculars I bought on amazon.com enabled me to identify a "Lark Sparrow". I didn't know there were some many genus of "sparrows" until now.I did take my time shopping and comparing different brands from different websites. Then took several days to think about my purchase. One drawback for shopping for a product like this online is you can't check out the view.The reviews and product specifications did not do justice on what 10X50 meant. Besides the time I spent reading up on binoculars, I had still had to depend on the reviews and cross my fingers in hopes I wouldn't have to return them because the binoculars were a disappointment.I finally came back to amazon.com when I decided on my purchase. Price was an issue for my budget, and had a ruling factor in my selection as well. My binoculars were about $135, and I feel I got a good deal because shipping was free for 1st class mail. Prices on binoculars at name brand stores were much higher compared to amazon.com. I have never had a bad experience dealing with amazon.com.
I take these to sporting events and they are light weight and easy to keep up with. I can put them in my backpack and not have to worry about them because they have lens caps and a case.
Little larger than I expected. Work great and let a lot of light in increasing late evening visibility. Overall great except for size.
Since it looks like Amazon is consolidating several of the Nikon Binocular reviews into one, this review is for the Nikon Action Extreme (#7245) 10x50 Binoculars. I wish Amazon didn't do this since the specs are much different between the "Action" and "Action Extreme" models. ...Anyway, the Action Extremes are very good binoculars. They are not the best you can buy, but you can buy much worse. Actually, there is only one thing that keeps me from giving the 7245's a 5 Star Rating. The optical coatings could be better. The binoculars suffer from some internal reflections when used under difficult lighting situations, such as viewing a bright object like a full moon. The optical coatings are better than your average binoculars, but not as good as some other models. Most of the better ones will cost much more though. During normal circumstances though, the 7245's shine. They have excellent edge to edge sharpness and clarity. I have no problem seeing very fine detail at far distances. All in all, I give them 4.5 stars.Pros:Moderately priced.Waterproof and fogproof.Rugged construction.Excellent performance under most conditions.Long eye relief (17.2mm).Good accessories.25 year limited no fault warranty.Cons:Optical coatings could be better.Slightly heavy.
Sturdy, clear, easy to use, plus a nice case, and a good value for the price. Looking forward to using them on our trip
I bought the Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars to replace an old "no name brand" pair my father gave me 30 years ago.  I didn't use the old ones regularly until we moved to the Gulf coast.  The old binoculars were in sad shape so I ordered the Nikon.  Wow was I surprised.  Bright, clear view, true color, I didn't know binoculars could work so well.  The EX Extreme is easy to focus, easy to adjust and light enough to carry around all day.  The case that comes with them doesn't provide much protection I'll be looking for something better for travel.  I'm looking forward to taking them on my next sailing trip.
I wanted a pair of good binoculars for a trip to the artic this summer. I do not care about carrying big heavy items, I always carry my DSLR with a couple of lenses any way. The optics are fantastic, the images are very bright, there is Chromatic Aberration only in very high contrast situations.all in all, very good quality binoculars.
Took them camping over the summer and really enjoyed them.  They are great for wildlife viewing and stargazing.  Nice wide field of view and crisp optics.  I think that for the price they are hard to beat.  You might need a tripod in some cases as they can get heavy.  But, they will pull stuff in to view!  I had them on a boat at Lake Shaver checking out the osprey and their nests.  Very cool!  Also enjoyed looking at star clusters and some nebulae at night.  You'll like them too.  Hard to find such high quality bincoulars for the price.
As an independent film maker I needed affordable but sturdy and comfortable binoculars for a multitude of reasons.These fit the bill perfectly.Also used them for whale watching.I would highly recommend them for any purpose.[...]
Yes, the moon has never been better. I am shocked that the entire field of view is in sharp focus. The image of the moon is clear. For the money, I don't how you can go wrong with these 10X50 EX binocular. Shake is a problem, but that would be me. So unless using a tripod don't bother greater than 10X. Buy cheap tix for sporting events, and feel like you are in the front row. Now that alone justifies the money spent.
Got this shipped from Amazon in perfect condition.The clarity of the optics is terrific, just clear on  any lighting condition. Try using it during the night and you will know what I mean. It would be like it does not eat up light at all as you see through it. As for the object details, I tried to read distant small size text in low light during night and it was perfect.One mistake I did was to do ignore the weight of these, as it did not seem to be much. But if you are to hold it for longer periods, it does seem to matter with so much zoom power. My hands are not the steadiest but aint the shakiest either. I'm 32 now and can hold it steady for a few mins, after that you need to put an conscious effort to hold it steady.Probably I should have tried the 8x model but I wanted more power. Since it was my choice of these, I gave it 5 stars and it does perfrom well as per the specs.
I ordered these binoculars only a few days ago but I can already tell that they are terrific. I bought them with the intent to use them at NFL games; however, as soon as I started to play with them out on my backyard deck I could already sense that I'm going to be using them much more often.Viewing through them is bright and clear. The weight is perfectly fine (at only 2lbs.), and the case it comes in is nice and soft (so you can fold it away when the binoculars are taken out from it). I'm even happy with the strap that is included, as it is nice and comfortable around the neck.I compared them with two other binoculars and knew right away that I was going to keep them and also use them much more often than originally anticipated. I can now see cows on the hill, planes in the sky, boats on the bay, where with the naked eye I didn't even know they existed (literally from my own backyard)!
These glasses are as advertised.  A bit on the heavy side.  But I was looking for something that does not break the bank, would be excellent for astronomy and throw in the motorcycle trailer just to have with me on rides.  The primary use is astronomy.  I have a pair somewhat better and lighter.  A pair of Celestron Ultima that were made in Japan and are excellent quality.  Since I used them for a sleigh ride on a gravel and asphalt surface one night these were for replacement.  I had the Celestrons repaired and have compared them side by side.  I am satisfied they really are on a par even though all of those "in the know" insist Chinese optics are not as good as the older Japanese.  I disagree.  The average or even heavy user will not see any appreciable difference if yours are like mine.  I had an expert and noted repair man look at them and he agreed.  These are of the same quality one would have had to pay $250 for in the late 80's and early 90's.  The only down side is the weight of the armor, so don't get that if your not hard on your field glasses.  I did purchase a harness and would recommend that if you intend to use them for more than a couple minutes at a time even though it's a pain to put on.  But worth the time if your making the most of your time and not sharing the glasses. I read many different companies purchase optics for their binos from the same company but may have higher quality standards.  The Nikon brand apparently is being protected here even with the much lower prices we are getting now vs 15-20 years ago for reasonably good, well made, multi-coated optics for binoculars.
I used these for a safari in Africa. Most of the other people had binoculars, but tried mine and found them to be superior.
I know there are a lot better binoculars out there but, this one for the money is what you want!
the clarity and focus, detail you can see, etc is GREAT.  SO CLEAR!  I would say the low light performance is what i expected it to be -- good.. but the daylight view is BETTER than i expected.Focus adjustment is EASY.The feel/finish is really nice and feels tuff, feels durable.. The lifetime NO FAULT warranty sold me on them.  Cannot beat that kind of value.  I'll never have to own another pair of binocs in my opinion.I say these are excellent and I am happy to know i'll never upgrade, i'm fine with that since personally i've never had a better pair.This is also the most expensive i have ever bought though, and i'll say i didn't know what i was missing.Case is a little cheapo.:(..still giving it 5!
Very pleased with delivery time, product quality and ease of use. I would highly recommend this product along with associated seller.
It was a gift. The person I gave them to is pleased. They have already took them to the marsh to view the wildlife
These are great for birdwatching, even at dusk. They allow in enough light  that we were able to see the waterfowl on the lake as we were kayaking at dusk.  We are extremely pleased and the customer service has been excellent.  We are looking to buy a second pair. It's hard to share when you zero in on a rare find and then have to turn the binoculars over to someone else to see!
Husband purchased these as a gift for a teacher who is sharing his skills at bird watching with young kids.  Husband reports they work wonderfully and were greatly appreciated.
great Binoculars,  they are very high quality very solid.  the optics are very clear and they are rugged.  they do well in dimmer light as well.  I would get them again no questions asked.
I purchased these for an Ornithology Class/Lab I am taking and I am so glad I decided to get waterproof/fog proof binoculars. We spend a LOT of time birding in the rain, and these work beautifully. I have seen a lot of other students struggling with their cheapo binoculars who cannot use them in the rain due to fogging. These have help up beautifully throughout the semester and I am sure I will be using them for years to come.
I have a fair amount of experience with good optics as an avid amateur astronomer.  I have a Meade 10" SCT GPS telescope that is used on a regular basis, as well as an 8" reflector scope and really appreciate quality optics.  I needed a pair of relatively decent binoculars to use around the rural property I live on.After extensive research and shopping, I settled on the NIKON Action Extreme 10 x 50.  The waterproofing was a nice, and important bonus.  However, the real pay off is in the bright, pure image that these glasses deliver.  Very little edge distortion, practically no corona, excellent color transmission, and very easy to hold. Focus is smooth and sure.  The diopter adjustment actually works (as opposed to not working at all on lesser glasses), and again the images are crisp and rival much more expensive binos.  Great field of view and good eye relief round out the long list of attributes for these binoculars.One very minor complaint concerns the objective lens covers.  You'll have to modify them somewhat to make a strap system to permanently attach them to the bino strap.  Nikon includes some slots on the covers to temporarily attach the to the strap, but it's not a permanent solution.All in all, you really should buy these.  Stay away from anything less.
I am not an expert of optics, but I love this. Light enough, I can see the moon and the Jovian satellites (bright dots on the side of Jupiter, don't expect too much). It passed from hot to cold (car to very cold outside), no fog whatsoever. Comes with a nice pouch.
Purchased these for beginning astronomy use. These things are wonderful.Crisp and clear. Full edge to edge clarity. Didn't believe my eyes, when panningthe sky.Highly reccomend for both astronomy as well as daytime use. Not to heavy and verywell built. Adjustable eyepiece, perfect for eyeglass wearers.You can't go wrong.
for good weather to get out there. Applied strap without any difficulty. Still working on adjustments, but I think I have it where it should be. Crisp images. I bought this item for star gazing, and bird watching. I did look at some stars one night, a few nights ago, but I got so cold, all it looked like was shooting stars. Shivering was a problem.
The Nikon 7245 Action Ex Extreme 10 X 50 All Terrain Binoculars provide an extraordinarily crisp, clear, and focused sight picture. I have used many binocs watching wild game during the past 40 years. These are impressive. The field of view is perfect. The amount of light these binocs gather remains simply impressive. As game animals transition in very early morning and late evening, I fully appreciate the low light capability the Nikon 7245 provides. When deer and moose wander out in the daylight, I can sit on my porch and see them in the very finest detail. I am very pleased with the Nikon 7245 10x50 binoculars!
Wow, what a difference in todays binoculars.  My 6x32 Bushnell and my 7x35 Tasco that are both over twenty years old don't hold a candle to this one and I don't think they should but wow, what a differnce.  I purchased the 7245 model but wanted the 8221.  The reason why I didn't get the 8221 is because it had less reviews and had a few 1, 2, 3 scores.  The 7245 had nothing below a 3 score and there were only a three of them. I listed their complaints below.  In addition, the 7245 recieved the best viewer award.One person stated that the lens cover over the big lenses were to loose and could fall off to easy.  Mine snap in place and you can hear and feel the snap.  Others have complained about the eye cups being cheap.  I found they were firm and solid but the rubber to me feels a little hard and could be softer.  I found no problem keeping the object in sight holding the glass free hand so the 10 magnification factor isn't a problem and glad I took these rather than the 8x42 though with the excellent reviews it was tempting.  One person wrote that they bought the 8 power for their brother and didn't want to buy two of the same thing but was concerned that with the 10 power the view would be shakey.  He stated that he was glad he went with the 10x42 and had no problems.  I took his word for it and I am glad I did but I went one better by going with the 50mm lens instead.  Boy if he would have gotten these I bet he would have been even more shocked with the view.The 7245 binocular is somewhat heavy but it is solid in construction and has a beautifull clear view.  The pad on the nice neck strap might help make up some of the differnce in discomfort around your neck.  I had problems finding the dial to change the diopter value but after reading the directions I found that they no longer have a lens that turns like a screw like my old glass and it now has a little bar that slides.  The bar is faster and easier to adjust.  The glasses came set at 0 from the manufacture so I really didn't need to adjust it but you know I paid for it so I wanted to see it work.I can't believe how clear these are and the big field of view close up and at over 1,000 yards.  I am going shooting this weekend and I will compare the veiw with targets at 500 yards against my spotting scope and my range finder and I will post the outcome.  Right now, I don't see where I would be disapointed in my purchase.One note.  The warranty says that you need to write down the serial number from the glass on the card.  They didn't mention where it is located at and I am not sure I have found it.Why buy Nikon rather than the others.  Save yourself alot of time.  I researched for hours trying to determine which brand to get after reading all about the different types of lenses, magnification factors,construction, lens coatings and to gas or not to gas.  It came down to this.  The only unit I found with a no fault warranty for 25 years.  Everyone else is 2 or 3 years at best and they only cover workmanship and quality of product not morrons that drop thier glasses or fall alot like me.  In addition one person wrote that Nikon replaced their binocular.  Their warranty states that it is their descretion to repair or replace at equal to or better. Sounds good either way to me.03/03/2012 update.  Went shooting with the 7245 today.  22lr holes no problem to see in target at 25 and 50 yrds.  Beyond that you cant see them but it is not a spotting scope.  Looking at the target 500 yards away you can see the 2 inch orange dot.  I am really pleased.
These are reasonably robust and feel like they might last a while. Optics clarity is good, perhaps on par with the Steiner Binoculars I also own.  They are large however so do not plan on trekking with them around your neck too far. Pay no attention to the labels that say Japan on the front of the binoculars; these are actually MADE in CHINA, and overall a step down for Nikon.
I bought this binoculars as a replacement for theBushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black). I am glad that I did. I know it is unfair to compare both, but if you can afford the Nikon, you should! The difference of about one hundred dollars is justified by better construction, nitrogen filled fog proofing, better eye relief and warranty among other things.One thing that my wife misses is the ease of focus control (with Insta-Focus) on the Bushnell. Nikon needs a little bit more "turning the focus". If you have a slippery / sweaty hands after a long hike, it might cause some issues (the rubberized handle does help a little).On a overall level, I love this binoculars. Highly recommend it.
Another superb product from Nikon with an unbelievable NO fault 25 year warranty.  Great binoculars for boating and outdoor use.  Its water and fog proof. Hard to make a better product.
A great set of Binoculars.  Excellent clarity, great field of view.  Nice size and weight with very good eye relief.  Reasonably priced and very high quality.  I've been using them for bird, boat, water, and animal watching along the Florida gulf coast with much pleasure.  Can't wait to get some more use out of them.  I recommonend this fine set I don't think you can go wrong.
Rugged, well made, great image quality. The extending eye cups are a bit of a pain, I would prefer fixed cups but they certainly are something I can live with.I read comments about them being too heavy.  Really?  I simply consider them a rugged quality product.  I feel they are a great value.
Good optics for the price. You'll have to spend more (maybe a lot more) for better optics. Should be good enough for most applications. Adjustable eye cups to customize eye relief for different persons. Fairly lightweight. Solid construction. Comes with a strap and a case. Water resistant.
Bought these for a recent vacation to the beach. The binoculars exceeded our expectations.  Everyone in the house used these. Clear, focused and adjusted for everyone, male, female, and kids.  TheHey are also tough.  Got dropped by the kids at least half a dozen times, and not a problem.
I took my brand new binoculars to NFL game and the image quality was excellent. I enjoyed looking into the huddle! I did notice that if you have wobbly hands, it would be difficult to see the faces of the players clearly or read names on the jerseys. But I am not sure if could find a binoculars with image stabilization for this price. This is an excellent binoculars at budget price.
I wanted a decent pair of binoculars but didn't want to spend a fortune on them. I know that in the world of lenses to typically get what you pay for but I think these are the exception because the image I get from these are better the many I have tried that cost 3 times as much. The image is bright and crisp and they are very easy to adjust and feel good in the hand. Very happy with this purchase...
Great light collection, crystal clear image.  Around dusk it's brighter to look through the binoculars than with the naked eye.
I bought the Nikon Action 10X50 Extreme binoculars around 7/01/08 and here is what I found:1. It had good reviews and I would agree.2. Excellent results during the day and at night. Observing the moon was really great!3. I use them on my boat and being waterproof is a must. Plus, they are light enough to use for different reasons (long or close viewing). I even brough them to a Rutgers football game and my buddy really liked them (including myself).4. They have a really nice feel in your hands. They are very well constructed and the rubberized coating makes them easy to use and comfortable.5. You could use them for birding/hiking (short viewing distance) but you might consider a smaller size (7X40). Again- you have to decide what you are going to use them for. I wanted more power for longer viewing distance.Lastly- Amazon offered the best price and the binoculars were delivered quickly and without any problems. I really like these binoculars and would recommend to anyone.
Great product, Nikon has wonderful glass for this price range, makes total sense since they use so much of it for all of their other optics. I also use a Nikon scope on my rifle and I have been happy with that too. If you plan on any field usage in the rain or in the winter get the sealed binoculars, nothing sucks more than a set of fogged glass lenses!
Excellent binoculars!  Found them difficult to use while wearing glasses.  Constantly had trouble seeing to separate fields, unless I took my glasses off.  Brightness and clarity is great.
Good light gathering. Sharp image. Easy to focus. Great warranty. A bit heavy to carry around.
Cannot ask for anything better in binoculars. Only gripe is that it is slightly on the heavier side. Took it to UK to watch a sporting event, primarily for my wife. She loved it.
We do a lot of wildlife viewing from our house  (we live way out in the boonies).  The glass in these binoculars is very clear.  The 50mm lenses allow wildlife viewing at night.I do not take them out into the weather so cannot speak to how they will hold up in bad weather.  They are too large and heavy to carry around in the woods but work great for our use.
Very good quality.  Just as described. Purchased to use on a cruse to Alaska.  Also will be using it to watch wildlife around the house.  Little heavy, just as expected
A quantum leap up from even name brand binoculars from the big box stores.  This is a great deal.I knew I wanted big binoculars to add to the two (I thought) adequate, smaller binoculars I'd used for outdoors.  I knew I'd use them everyday from the house to watch wildlife, and only infrequently use them on the trail.  Once I'd looked through the Nikons, though, I haven't picked up the others and know that I'll wear myself out carrying these around rather than sacrifice clarity and brightness by using smaller binoculars.Remember that the closest focus on these 10 x 50s is about 17 feet.  I stand back from the window to watch birds and squirrels close to the house.  A squirrel 20 feet away pretty well fills the field of vision.At this price, buy them.  You might want a harness to steady them and spread the weight around if you'll be carrying them a lot, such as when hiking, or looking through them for a long stretch.  They are heavier than smaller binoculars, as you might expect, but that's the trade off to consider when buying binoculars--magnifying power, brightness and clarity of vision versus weight and bulk.Also, if you're a neophyte to binoculars (or, like me, already know how to do everything and thus tend to ignore the directions or anything you can't figure out on your own), read the directions and use the diopter.  Embarassingly, I only just started using it when I got these.  Maybe I never would have noticed the difference on the binocs I've had in the past, but I certainly notice it in these excellent units.
I bought these binoculars for my husband at the recommendation of a friend who is a bird watcher. My husband wanted something strong enough to see what was going on across the water from our apartment. I have tried them out a few times and find their clarity to be very good, but they are too heavy for me: definitely not something I would wear around my neck for birdwatching.
Excellent product. If you are a hunter/outdoorsman on a budget and dont want to mortgage a home for bino's, these are the ones to own. Great clarity, very durable and bright light gathering. Nikon has the best value in this price category.
I have purchased many binoculars in the past and I have tried to save a few bucks by going low end.  These binoculars are tough, well made, and have great optics.  I am a video projectionist, and many applications have the projector 200' from the video screen.  I have to make sure the image is focused and perfect when it hits the screens.  The magnification of these binoculars is powerful enough so I can see the pixels on the screen and I know I am in focus.  The wide field of view is excellent and I can make sure all of my lines are straight.  I would recommend this product to everyone.
This is a great pair of farlookers as long as your not hiking. Great for siting and glassing but would probably go withthe 8X40's if i had it to do over.
These binoculars are just amazing! I have 2 other brands of binoculars and they don't even come close to these. I looked at my wifes garden in the back yard at some flowers that she has growning and they actually looked like they are in 3D. I gave the bino to her to look at and she said the same thing. This bino is clear and sharp! I couldn't imagine paying five or ten times more money for a different pair and getting anything that would be five or ten times better. I wouldn't go any stronger than 10x just to keep them from moving around so much. I was going to buy the 12x Nikons and I'm glad that I didn't! Buy these and you won't be sorry that you did. These other reviewers that don't give 5 stars for these must have problems with their eyes! These are a keeper!!!!
This is one of the cool product by Nikon. I just got it today and tested it by looking at moon and the experience is wonderfull. The soft touch and moderate weight has added advantage of this product. Overall quality is good except the field of view is little bit smaller but it doesn't make difference.The package doesn't include the Tripod adapter which I have to buy it saperately.Overall quality is good with this price.Warnning. Dont buy more than 10X magnification, You will not be able to see without shakking. I suggest use Tripod if you go for more than 10x magnification.
I purchased these binoculars last winter for stargazing because they seemed to be the best price for what you were getting. Indeed, these 7x50s have helped me see craters on the moon, open clusters, even Jupiter's moons in decent viewing conditions. Light but sturdy, too. I am an absolute beginning amateur, so I can at least recommend them to other beginners.
I bought these for watching eagles, and I love them.The price is great, and I initially bought two for my partner and myself.I love them so much I just bought Nikon's zoom binocs for real close up viewing.  These are great all around binoculars, if you are following action, you will have no problem, and the optics are so great, you feel like you are flying with the birds, or right up next to what ever you are viewing.  Great product.
This product is great for beginners (myself) and experienced (my spouse) star watchers.  The soft eyepiece does cause you to bring the lens too close, so you end up with fogged eyepiece, but this is just a minor nuisance.  Great price for a product that enriches the beginners experience of star gazing.
I was debating getting a similar product at 3 times the price.  While searching I came across this product with raving reviews. You simply cannot go wrong with the Nikon. The 7x gives enough magnification to view the moon and planets. The exit pupil ratio is right for the eye - enough light from the object to see it clearly. Best part, it is light enough to be handheld for short durations. If you wish longer visuals, a tripod would be necessary.In a nutshell, great stargazing binoculars.
Clear, bright image.  Comfortable eye cups, which can be removed if you wear glasses.  I do wear glasses, but my astigmatism is mild, and I am able to adjust the diopter on these binoculars to enable me to use them without my glasses.  My only minor complaint is that the lens caps aren't permanently attached to the strap.  Instead, they hook on to the strap after you remove them from the lenses.  The hook holds them fine, but I plan to use these for sailing, and I suspect it won't be long until I drop one in rough seas while fumbling to hook it on the strap.  The eyecup caps don't have this issue, since the strap goes through a loop, and they are attached permanently.
I have the armored version, the Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB binocular, so most of the comments you read about these will apply to those as well. I have owned those for several years now and I have enjoyed them immensely. The field of vision is good, but not fantastic. Clarity is unbelievable. But where they REALLY excel is in low light viewing (see chart on the Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB binocular main page). I can easily see things in the dark that my naked eye just can't grab, and I have excellent night vision. Amazing how much I miss without them.You might consider paying the fifty dollar premium and get the Nikon Action 7x50 EX Extreme ATB. This buys you rubberized armor for bumps, water-proofing and fog-proofing. This also means you won't get condensation inside when going from hot to cold or visa-versa. If you get in and out of your car or house a lot, use binoculars outdoors in the mist or rain, or take them through brush, it's worth the extra money. If you look at things through your window or only in good weather, save your money and get the Action 7 X 50.You may want to check the chart I mentioned above. It has information on all of the pertinent specs to help you choose the right size. It applies to both the Action and Action EX Extreme series.
I was very stoked about this product after reading the reviews as I was looking for a good pair of binoculars. Many reviews pointed out that these are great for beginner Stargazers and entry level Astronomers, right up my alley!First thing that stood out was the fact that Amazon listed them weighing 4lbs and shipping weight of only 3lbs (they have since changed it). That led me to believe that the binoculars were shipped via some sort of service that touches the edge of space, I was even more excited at that point! I must point out that the package arrived very quickly.The package arrived in the middle of the day. Being a beginner Stargazer I was very anxious to try them out. Needles to say, the only star visible in the middle of the day was the Sun. I immediately looked at it using my brand new binoculars and before I was able to focus on it, my eyes were severely damaged. It took about a week for my Sun-scarred eyes to fully regain clear vision.I now only look at the stars at night and girls in their bikinis at the beach during the day. I still give this product five stars even though it put my perfect vision on hold for about a week. I feel that I should have read the manual, including all the warnings before using them. I would definitely recommend these to my friends and caution them not to ever look at the Sun.
I bought both. The 7x50 is unmatched for star gazing. The 7x35 is much better for normal daytime. The issue is weight and field of vision. I personally think the 7x35 is far superior for the average binocular user for birding, sports, or even theater and average daytime usage. The 7x50 is just too bright for daytime and too big for long usage. The 10x offers only slightly better magnification but at a massive cost of field of vision, weight and shakiness.But if theater and sports is your main usage then instead go get a  4x30. They are the go to for me. I use the 7x35 for looking around. The 7x50 for star gazing. And I own a 15x70 for long range fun. Anything more powerful is a waste of money. My next step up is a real telescope.Be honest about your needs. Binocular powers are like notes in Jazz: sometimes less is more.BTW, here on Amazon, these amazing instruments are very affordable. By two or three. You will honestly appreciate them all.
totally love it better than i thought they were i have many binoculars that cost good money & these are soooo much better & affordable i figured i couldn't go too wrong for the price but I am  amazed at the quality.
I really like these binoculars for crips clear viewing.  They are pretty large, however, and may not suit your style for hiking or hunting.  I bought these because the description said tripod adaptable.  I still haven't figured out how to mount to my tripod...no threads, etc. exist on the binoculars!
I am an amateur when it comes to telescopes and binoculars and even Astronomy. I've always wanted to look deeper into the night sky so I decided to go ahead and get something to look at it with. I researched around online and found a page where someone recommended 7x50 binoculars to start out so I went for it. It was also within my budget. And I must say, for under $80 they are a fine pair of binoculars indeed. The quality is crystal clear, crisp and sharp. I had my family members and I all out on the back porch star gazing and finding constellations. When you look with the naked eye you can only see a few compared to what you can see with these binoculars. They are amazing! So happy I went with this purchase! And Amazon did a great job packaging and getting it here at the right time (about a week). I will be taking these on vacation at the beach and camping later this year!Only thing I do have a question about, if anyone can answer, is how to make it to where I can take the cups off for eyeglass wearing? I see a lot of reviews saying you can do that but I don't see where I am able to and the directions aren't very reliable..Thanks!
Even better than I'd hoped!  Light enough to carry on an afternoon hike, crystal clear magnification, amazing value for the price.
Bought these for stargazing, and they work beautifully.  I turned these on the night sky, and where only one or two points of light typically appear to the naked eye, suddenly there were DOZENS!  It's amazing.
The last couple of binoculars I purchased were ok but nothing to write or shout about.  when I purchased this model I expected at least the quality that I had purchased previously.  I was pleasantly suprised at the great performance not only for  viewing landscapes, wildlife but also for viewing in the sky.  This is a great buy.
I was looking for binoculars for my dad.  Reading the reviews, this seemed like what I needed, and good, basic set for beginners.  I am thankful for those reviews that helped me chose it.  The optical quality is great and am very satisfied with the purchase.
I intially ordered a smaller Nikon bino. It came with a lot liquid around the lens and the bino did not let you feel that you have good brand name product in hand, so I returned the next day. I then debated where to get a same-size and higher end bino, but finally decided to give this one a try after reading reviews after reviews and really got myself lost which one to go for. With binos, there are always some gains and some trade-offs. In my case, I traded the lighter weight for the lower cost, larger view and ease of use (without taking my glasses off). This is now one of the most requently used "toys" I have. Thus far, I have not yet had a need to take it with my car, but around the house I used it to watch birds in my yards, trees, and objects in the community roads, to check my roofs, leaf piles, to examine moon and starts during nights, etc., etc... If you are a "detail-oriented" guy like me, I recommend to get one and leave it on your desk for easy access.
Product and price is excellent. Received in two days. I am very happy with the clarity and easy to use optics of the binoculars. Great purchase and my son is thrilled....bought another pair for myself today.
I'm not an experienced user but I found these binoculars to be more than good enough for my outdoor needs. Easy to handle, robust in contruction and providing bright, clear images. Very happy with the make and model.
I just got these from Amazon yesterday and have been having a lot of fun with them at night watching the stars.  The image is sharp and I like the thumb rests on the bottom of each barrel.  Quality is excellent except for one thing that nobody has mentioned in the reviews yet-that the support that holds each eyepiece to the body is made of plastic.  You can gently push on each eyepiece and the plastic will flex, moving the eyepiece closer to the body.  The flexing doesn't seem to cause any problems with the image but it bugs me.  Everything else about them is excellent.  They feel heavy duty and durable.  I just wonder if anyone has broken the plastic piece or if it has caused the image to blur a little over time.  Since Nikon has the 25 year warranty on them I have to have confidence that they will last. I'm taking away one star for the use of plastic in a key location that I think should have been made of metal.
Years ago I read an article about binoculars that said you should try to get a set where the aperture is at least seven times the zoom.  It turns out that such binoculars are very hard to find, especially from a good manufacturer at a reasonable price.  This set meets all of those criteria, however, because the 50mm of light gathering is more than seven times the 7x zoom, and Nikon is a great optics company.  Now that I have these binoculars, the reasoning of that article is very clear.  Although you sacrifice a little bit of zoom compared to 8x or higher binocs, the light and clarity of what you see is really superior and makes up for the difference.My brother-in-law borrowed this set for a professional football game.  Even though two other guys in his party also brought binoculars to the game, all of the guys stopped using the other sets and used this set exclusively (especially when the cheerleaders were on their side of the field, I bet).A serious birdwatcher told me the extra diameter is wasted if you are using them in bright sunlight because the exit light is 7mm wide and your pupil is only 5 mm wide in bright light.  I don't know if that's true, because the image is really great through these binoculars, but they really do excel in dim light.  You won't be disappointed.Edited 9/2013 to add this:  I took this set to a party on the side of a golf course.  A celebrity golf tournament was going on.  Every single person who picked up my binoculars to watch the players exclaimed "Holy cow, these are so much better than my binoculars..."  or "Wow, these really put you on the tee box" etc.
These are great binoculars especially for the price.  I love them.  We use them for whale watching on the Oregon coast and they do an excellent job.  I'd would recommend them to everyone.
Wonderful, bright image quality.  Superb low light viewing of wildlife, fabulous night sky images.  Yes, a little more heavy than 7X35's, and much brighter viewing.  Works great for my wife and myself.P.S: Almost a year later, still great.  Taken a few bumps, came out OK.  Image quality just superb.  Night sky is majestic!!
this is better quality that I thought, It's Nikon, so I expected it will be a good one, but at this price, I was pleasantly supprised.
I enjoy these binoculars .  i will never forget the experience of seeing  M31 for the first time through these eye pieces .
Its an awesome camera! It works great and is very cool. Great quality pictures and nice effects! Im very pleased with this product.
This is a fun camera for action shots. You need to be 3 feet or less away from your subject or you get some really sketchy results.We had a lot of fun with this for our xmas photos.
This is what'll happen when you buy this camera:1) you'll have fun with it for a short period of time2) it'll break and that's that.
i stumbled across these lomo cameras on the amazon.com website.  they sounded fun so i ordered this particular camera.  wow! i was pleasantly surprised with the different effects you can achieve by "shooting from the hip".  definately use 400 or 800 speed film and definately take it everywhere you go.  the case of the camera does seem like a cheaply made camera but WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE PICTURES THAT YOU WILL GET. definately worth the money and i will definately order more lomo specialty cameras....got my eye on the fisheye camera!
Okay, let's be clear about something.  The Action Sampler is not a Lomo despite it's being sold and branded by Lomography.com.  It IS a toy camera.  What you get are 4 frames, each timed 1/200 of a second apart on one frame of 35mm film.You do not get focus, ASA/ISO controls, shutter speed controls or anything other than a very basic light sensor that determines whether or not the flash fires and the flash itself which is supposedly synchronized to the shutter, although I'm not convinced that it actually is.The four frames are cool but that's this camera's one trick.  It's all it does. The optics are terrible quality.  If you're old enough to remember the old Instamatic cameras with the 110 film cartridges and the terrible resolution they had, well, this will make you feel all dated and nostaligic.That said, this camera is a blast.  You can take pictures of movement but because the lenses all point in slightly different directions, it's you can shoot still images and get 4 very different photos to choose from.  And if you like the lo-fi picture quality or the subtle Andy Warhol-esque look of your new 4 framed pictures and don't care too much about getting a really good picture, you'll have a wonderful time.The lenses are focused at "infinity" meaning everything after a few feet is in in focus.  Close-up/macro stuff is out of the question.  As far as ASA/ISO, I use 1600 or 800 and have it pushed one stop in the lab (effectively making it 1600 with artifacts) or the pictures come out too dim in anything other than the brightest sunlight.  That's right, indoor shooting or shooting in the shade is out unless you use really fast film, which also degrades the detail quality.Like the Lomo LC-A and LC-A+, there is a little vignetting but this is not a Lomo and you shouldn't order one thinking that it is.  The Lomo LC-A is it's own delightfully weird little camera and takes brilliant shots that put this little toy to shame.  The action sampler is also about twice as big as a real Lomo.Think of the Action Sampler as a great nearly disposable party/road trip camera.  More fun to use with your friends than alone. If I lost mine, I am not certain if I would replace it but I have seriously considered buying a bunch and giving them out as stocking stuffers next holiday season.This is a 2.5 star camera but I'm giving it a 3rd star because of how much fun it can be.  Not a serious camera but a really fun toy.
This guy was a long time coming.  I got the original Actionsampler a few years ago, and always wanted to shoot it indoors.  Alas, all of my attempts came out pretty grainy and dark.Enter the Actionsampler Flash.  I've been basically married to this buzzing little thing - it's awesome!  The mechanics are smoother and the images are a lot sharper then the original Actionsampler.  And, the four-step flash is great - it's fast as lighting and surprisingly strong.  This item is really dope at a concert or party.A few suggestions for prospective buyers...1. Definitely buy this over the original Actionsampler.  It's like night and day.2. Use 400 or 800 speed film - that shutter moves fast, and anything slower might blur your images (unless you like that).3. WAIT for the flash to charge fully and the ready light to come on.  It can take about 12 seconds or so.  If you fire before the flash is recycled, then one element might not flash and you'll get a black frame.
I gave this as a gift and it was faulty and didn't work.  Wouldn't recommend.
I have a Canon Rebel camera. I followed instructions very carefully. I have performed the cleaning procedure several times.  However the dust particles were not removed.  On the positive, no damage was done either.I had to take my camera to be professionally cleaned and, of course, that did work.Ali Julia review
This along with the liquid sensor cleaner worked wonders on my canon 20d, I had to use 2 of them, my sensor was extremely dirty.  It worked wonders and my pictures are not dust free.  Highly recommended.
Read all about  cleaning solutions for my camera. very please I chose this one...did the job perfectly.
Worked great. I had several spots on my pictures. First I made sure it was the sensor. Cleaned both front and back of the lens and even tried a second lens. Took pictures of the blue sky. Yep, it was my sensor.  Next I tried using the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster (bulb type) cleaner. No go. So I decided to clean my own sensor.  I must say for me it was a little scary cleaning the sensor. I wasn't sure just how sensitive or fragile a sensor is.  But I just followed the directions and it worked great.It's stated in the directions but to iterate, place a few drops of Eclipse solution (purchased separately) on the pad, apply slight pressure on the pad just enough to slightly bend the pads plastic shaft, drag it one way across the sensor, then reverse the pad (using the second side) and drag it in the opposite direction. NEVER use the same side of the pad twice. If it picks up dirt, you're just dragging the dirt across the sensor and the sensor could be damaged.  So use one side then the other. If you missed anything use a second pad. In my case using one pad got 90% but I still had a small spot so I used a second pad. Took some test shots and 100% clean.In my opinion you should always use the air bulb first. It is the safest method as nothing touches, it's just air. Then if you need to, use the pads. Also there are several sized of pads, get the correct one for your camera.
These are great. It may take a couple of swabs to clean your sensor properly (and of course, you MUST use it with the proper cleaning fluid, like Eclipse) but once you do, the dark splotches on your images will be gone.
I highly recommend Eclipse to clean your sensor, if you feel comfortable cleaning it yourself.  I have a Nikon D300s and the sensor is always getting dust specks.  I've used the blower, it didn't work.  Then I tried a brush, it made streaks.  So I tried the Eclipse swabs, it worked like a dream!!  Make sure you get the correct swab size.  I had to do it a couple of times, but it cleaned it, no more dust or streaks!!  Watch their video before you attempt it.  It is so much easier to clean it yourself, then to pack your camera up and send it to the manufacturer.  Make sure you buy from a reliable seller.
I got these because I had used up all the other swabs in a kit I bought.  I'd like to know why this company is charging so much for their product.  They do a so-so job of cleaning the sensor and what am I supposed to do with the plastic wands after I'm done.  They can't just sell the pads themselves to re-attach to the wands?  I will be looking for an alternative to this product for sure.
I have been using this swab for my D200, D300 with 1.5x sensor as well as my D3 with full frame sensor. I realized that this is a jack of all trades. The bigger sensor swab (type 3) for d3 just doesn't work (too tight) as well as this....this is one sensor swab that could work with either a full frame sensor or a 1.5x/1.6x sensors....Update: April 2, 2010I have since found other sensor cleaners that works just as well and is very economical. You might consider this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018KXPEO/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_imgCheck it out!
After having almost destroyed my D300 sensor by using scotch tape and then a Q-Tip and lens cleaning fluid, I was ready to package my camera and send it off to Nikon USA for an expensive repair. So much for my Nikon D300 aftermarket manual's advice on cleaning sensors. Scotch tape DOES leave sticky residue and Q-Tips (even covered with lens tissue) leave a mess of cotton anf lens fiber. A test picture after the cleaning looked like a snow storm. I gambled $50 on the Sensor Swabs and E2 cleaning fluid.The Sensor Swab is a 2 cent piece of plastic covered with lens tissue selling for $3/each, but it is exactly the right size for the sensor and leaves NO trace of fiber or streaks on the sensor. Similarly, the E2 cleaning solution leaves no residue on the sensor. With just one swab I was able to completely clean my sensor. There are some very helpful videos on YouTube that will show you exactly how to clean the sensor using the Sensor Swab and E2. I suggest you view it before beginning the process.In summary, the markup on the Sensor Swab is unconscionable, but in comparison with the cost of sending the camera to Nikon, it was a real bargain and worked very well leaving no dust or other residue. If you have a DSLR you will eventually need to clean the sensor. Prepare yourself and best of luck.
Product left a nasty gunge film on the sensor. Camera now needs to be cleaned professionally.
Item is packed really well and free of dust.It removed most of the gunk from my sensor, but I'm still seeing some spots on the frame. it's definitely not coming from the lens, so either the mirror, or something intrinsically wrong with the sensor.Can't really fault this product though. Pretty good.
The only reason to buy these swabs is to keep the sticks and rewrap them with pecpads. You can also cut down a rubber spatular found at your cooking store and wrap it with the pec-pads.  try that, it works very very well.  kodak actually suggests using pec-pads on their sensors...well, they used to anyway before they quit makeing slrs.
I have used a bunch of these over the last few years.  No way I could be sending off my camera for cleaning every time I got too much dust on the sensor.  Not just for the cost, but the time without my camera.  Occasionally I have to use more than one swab.  The worst mess had to clean was when a rubber blower sprayed a bunch of residue on my sensor instead of cleaning it.  It took a few swabs to get that mess off.  I don't bother with blowers anymore.  Swabs aren't cheap so I live with a little dust till it builds up and starts being a pain to clone out of photos.  After you have done it once, its not so scary anymore.  I am on my second box of swabs now.  I certainly will buy more when they run out.
This swabs work great and I'll keep them always at hand. Camera sensors atract a lot of dust and this makes the job.
This is my 2nd time to purchase it. It took me 8 swabs to clean in my first time... Not very effective, but that might be the best one for DIY in the market.
Received quickly, packed well, It's an excellent product, however the product is way too expensive. I've given it 3 stars only because the cost is too high for what it is.
I would advise against using these swabs. Use an air blower and if that fails then take it to a professional. I used all four and managed to leave marks on the sensor. Not happy, need to send the camera in. Also they are extremely overpriced.
Works very well, the stick is stiff and strong and does not bend during use, also the swab is tight and stays tight with a good straight edge for wiping the mirror in your camera when wet with cleaning solution, this is a simple procedure so don't be fooled by the camera shop when they tell you it is complicated to do. They just want your $80.00 Take your time and follow the directions, it may take a few swabs to clean your mirror.
The swabs work as advertised, but at $3.50 a pop, they are highway robbery. Make sure to consult your camera manual before cleaning your sensor. There is a screen/filter in front of the sensor and you need to tell the camera you want to clean the sensor to get the screen/filter to retract out of the way.
I have used the Sensor swabs and Eclipse solution on 2 occasions although they do the job you will need to use a least 4-6 swabs to fully clean the sensor, rarely would one swab do the job.
I purchased the Sensor Swabs for my Canon 5D (I am posting this review across all sizes of the sensor swab to share the review).Have a look at the image I posted in the amazon image gallery for this item.  I used the swab to remove some dust spots from my sensor.  On the left side of the picture, if you look closely you can see that the sensor left a liquid-looking residue all the way down the image, covering fully the leftmost 15% of the sensor/image.This is *much* worse than the original dust that I had intended to remove.  To try and fix the problem, I opened up another sensor swab and tried to re-clean the sensor, to no avail.  I ended up having to take my camera to a professional shop and pay $65 to have the sensor professionally cleaned.Lest you think I did something wrong, I thoroughly reviewed the Sensor Swab website and am certain that I picked out the correct swab for my particular camera -- and then I followed the directions precisely.So, using the sensor swab to try and save some money ended up costing me two sensor swabs (you know what they cost) plus $65 for the professional cleaning.  I would steer clear.
I wish the camera did a better job of protecting itself from dust but it doesn't. And one thing I can't stand is being forced to pay someone for something that shouldn't be happening in the first place.So I do it myself. If you consider how much one or two of these swabs cost, about $3 each, and what I hear it costs to take the camera in, about $50 or so, these things are worth it. I have had to use them twice this year. And they work!
I first tried the Artic BrushVisible Dust SL-788 Arctic Butterfly with Lightto no Avail. All the brush did was to smear and streak my sensor (see my review for the brush), so I had to go wet. I had my camera professionally cleaned because I was going out of town and needed my camera cleaned quickly, so I took it to the local camera shop and had to pay $100+ to get the sensor cleaned. It came back smudge free but had dust on it. After I got home I ordered the Photographic Solutions kit as well as an extra bottle of Eclipse and these sensor swabs just-in-case. I figured I better learn and quickly how to wet clean a sensor, I will never pay $100 again!I first tried the kit which came with some Eclipse solution and 4 type 2 sensor swabs. I used two of these to try on my Nikon D40, which was never wet-cleaned in five years. I cleaned about 20 or so dust points off the sensor within two swabs and it is now dust free.I thought this was great success and only took a few minutes, I felt accomplished. I moved on to clean my D90 sensor, that had 4 or 5 good sized dust or dirt blobs on the sensor. I tried and it seemed to push the dust around. Tried some more and it got better. Then tried again and it got worse with some fibers from the swab material showing up on the sensor *look like short strands). I went through the box to get this sensor clean. It is almost clean, but not perfect. There seems to be a piece of something that I cannot get rid of. Thankfully it is small and in the lower right corner. It should not affect me too much unless I stop below F16 and shoot something light in the corner. Even then, I can easily get rid of it in Lightroom.I give this product three stars. It works, but it loses a star for price (should lose two stars - what a rip-off considering the material costs - I'm being generous today) and forgoes another for the dirt and fibers the swab itself can leave behind although it is advertised as lint free. It requires a lot of patience and trial and error. Although for the price, I can buy at least two-and-a-half boxes of swabs and still be at the price of one "professional" cleaning that did no more than remove some smudges and create some more dust/dirt spots. Bottom line, you need this, it works, do not be afraid. I swabbed at least a dozen times following simple Internet videos and had no issues. If dust or dirt show up and you aren't happy, just swab again! I find that steady even pressure works and you do want to bend the plastic stick slightly with the pressure. Also avoid hitting or rubbing against the sensor box. As stated above, one camera took a few minutes. My other "good" one took me hours and I'm still fussing about with this one. Use at your own risk and patience. I would suggest trying it when you have some peace and quiet in a clean room low on dust and dirt.As for those that turn these swabs inside out, use cut pecpads, etc. good luck. I have considered this and even tried to reattach a reversed pad, and it is very hard with reattaching the gum band. I would rather just buy another box. YMMV.
arrived a day before it was due to arrive and I am very happy with the product.  worked just as advertised
What more is there to say, if you don't have one this is a good solid OEM replacement and I would recommend.
Is a great little helper on my bag. simply put my flashNikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Camerason it and stand over a table or a chair.I even put on a standard 1/4 screw on a camera tripod.
I lost the original one and this one works great. I use this when the flash is being used as aslave for the Creative Lighting system. It will also allow you to screw it into a light stand.
What can you say? It does exactly what it's supposed to do. The build is a little flimsy.I would still recommend this to anyone who has a Nikon SB-800 Lightspeed Flash.
i love it, its waaaaay sturdier than the Stand that came with my SB600.the original broke with resulted my flash falling into the lake.love this one.
This versatile speedlight stand has three positions on it to choose from for placing your speedlight.It also has a 1/4 inch metal tripod socket underneath (same threads as your camera).It can also be placed on a table or shelf by itself.This will work with the SB-600 and the SB-800 speedlights.Unfortunately, it will not work with Nikon's flagships speedlight, the SB-900.The SB-900 comes with its own speedlight stand, the AS-21.The AS-21 only has one position and the tripod socket is plastic.However, the AS-21 is backwards compatible with many of the other speedlights and it is larger to accommodate the SB-900's bulk.I would like to see Nikon update the AS-19 to work with the SB-900 or make the AS-21 with a metal tripod socket.I think the metal tripod socket is a big plus, not to mention the three positions.I deducted one star because of the incompatibility with the SB-900.
I always enjoy reviewing well made, well priced products that just plain do what they're supposed to do, and this Nikon model AS-19 speedlight stand certainly meets that description!Fabricated of strong molded polycarbonate, with integrated metal tripod bushing, this flash stand lets you mount portable photo flash units for easy off-camera placement on tabletops, shelves, etc., or to  tripods or light stands via the 1/4"-20 mount. It offers three hot/cold shoe sockets to accommodate most any type of flash. It is particularly suitable for use with either Nikons own wireless TTL flash system, or any of the various aftermarket accessories like the Pocket Wizard and similar radio triggers.It's very stable, even with larger, heavy speedlights coupled to wireless triggers and won't fall or tip over with bounce/diffuser attachments or even lightweight mini-softboxes attached to your flash, but would only recommend using it with umbrellas and larger diffusers with tripods or light stands!My SB-600 flash came with one of these stands, and I liked it so much that I just bought 2 more for my other speedlight strobes...and you can't beat THAT for an endorsement.Highly recommended!
Does what it's supposed to. No need to explain further. Balances well, fits the flash perfectly, has a tripod attachment if you need that,
Works perfectly.  It's a plastic stand, so not a lot can go wrong with it.
If you buy Nikon's Speedlight flash SB-900, this item is included with the flash.  Unfortunately, I could not find it in the details of the SB-900 so I ordered this item.  However, this stand does work just fine and at ~$17, I did not return it.
Yes there are cheaper off-brand stands but these Nikon stands are rugged and have metal hardware for mounting to stand/tripod.
Pretty simple bag, does just what it's supposed to, and it's a tight but pretty perfect fit for a Canon G-9, which is all I wanted.  If you have installed the strap on the G-9, there's no need to install the strap on the Lowepro Case; the Canon strap will extend past the flap (which secures very well) and allow you to carry the camera and case together.  The G-9 fits so snugly in the case that even with the flap open, the case will not fall away from the camera.
I bought this case to go with the Canon A470 digital camera I bought for my 24 year old son, as I think it will make it easier for him to carry around without damaging it or losing it!  I have not given either to him yet as they are gifts, but I tried the camera in the case and it fits very nicely, room to spare but not too large,  and it has a useful strap.  There seems to be a pocket that you can put in an extra memory chip (whatever you call it, I  am not a techno-person :) or other accessory.  Price was fair, quality, good.
Fits my Panasonic ZS3 just right, including a spare battery & memory card. I originally purchased the D-Pod 20 which was too small. The quality is also excellent.
Lowepro makes an excellent camera case. This one is no exception.We purchased it for a Canon 590IS and it fits the camera perfectly. It offers a small section for an extra pair of batteries and SDHC card. It secures the camera very well and protects it. It is a very sleek and not bulky case which my wife likes for allowing it to go in her purse.
I'm probably not the typical shopper for this item.  I have a Canon A620 and I wanted a case that offered weather protection (unlike the standard Canon case), but was still easy-access via the Velcro closure, and had no extra bulk for accessory storage (I use high-capacity Sanyo NiMH batteries and a 2Gb SD card, which means I don't need to carry extras for even the busiest day of shooting.)I wasn't sure this pouch would fit, but gave it a shot and I'm pleased.  The A620 seats completely in the bottom of the pouch, the closure seals at the top, the fit is snug but the overall package is as lean and mean as you'll find.However, don't expect to use the extra-batteries pocket with this camera.  You might be able to use the extra-card pouch but I haven't tried it (pretty sure that would be ok).  I like the material, stretchy and soft enough--it won't scratch.By the way, the photo shown is the actual product (you can check on the Lowepro site).
I bought this bag because it was recommended as a good fit for a Canon G9. I recently purchased a G10, so I thought it would do the job. However, the G10 is just a tad bit too big for this bag, as the raised "double dial" is too tall and catches on the bag. (The bag would probably still be too snug without the dial, but the dial is the biggest problem.)I haven't found a good alternative for the G10, but I'd avoid this bag.
I have had several of these bags. As small as they get! But still roomy enough for 1-2 extra batteries.I don't feel that the manufacturers size chart is completely true though.I have one D-pods 10 for my Ixus 40, which is great. When I recently got myself a Lumix TZ5, the chart states D-pods 30. I was able to fit it even in the 10, so I bought a 20 instead. The bag is as, you can understand, very elastic. The 20 swallows the Lumix without any problems whatsoever. Plus a spare battery.Anyways, I do recommend this bag if you don't like to go bulky. The 20 can go in your front pocket of your cargo shorts.
I had bought the Samsung TL220 touch-screen camera and needed a case for it. This case is perfect for my camera. It fits my camera like a glove! When you open the case it has three pockets. The biggest pocket is for the camera and then there are two other littler pockets which can be used for a memory card or any other small camera accessory. It also comes with a over the shoulder strap which makes it very convenient. On the back of the camera case, there is a Velcro strap that can be used as a belt clip. This way you can attach it to your belt if you like. This case is terrific and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to Steven for finding a perfect case forCanon PowerShot SX210IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 14x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Purple). Not much to say here after Steven's review.
This case fits my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 perfectly.  Its very portable and has a convenient belt clip.  It is well padded and seems like it will protect my camera well.
I recently had a wonderful weekend vacation for my four year wedding anniversary! I had a great time, but unfortunately my camera (and pictures, of course!) was stolen. I did not remember to bring this case, if I had remembered to bring the case, the camera would have been around my neck and safe rather that quickly swiped when I set the camera down for a moment to accept a phone call (totally my fault, I know this).Anyway, I have had this case since just before I got married (bought it at the end of 2006) and it is well constructed and still going strong with nothing ripped, though I generally treat my stuff with respect and am not too rough with it. It has a strong nylon webbing neck straps, but this can be detached and worn on the belt with the loop on the back. It has space for a spare pair of AA batteries and a little slot for a spare memory card. But I might advise you to have a hard plastic case for the card instead since the neoprene cover is soft and stretchy and I would worry about the memory card being damage in a fall or from the cover flap being stretched too tightly over a bigger camera. I am glad that I still have the case at least, it is very durable and hopefully it will properly hold the new camera I just bought to replace my old one.For size reference, this is the camera that I used with it before:Samsung Digimax S600 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)
This case is well made, looks good, and fits well to my camera.  The only reason I gave it 4 stars is I would prefer the case did not include the extra small pocket on the front.  Deleting this pocket would have made the case a little thinner which I would prefer for carrying it in my backpack.
I watched the video of this case that uses my specific camera. That really helped me to decide to purchase. Really fits great and although it is small and compact, there is enough room for one backup battery, and, that battery actually does NOT slide out when you open the case, it stays put. That was a problem I had with other camera cases, every time I opened the case, the battery would fly out. This is a perfect case for the Canon SX210 camera.
The Lowepro D-Pods 20 Camera Case comes with many qualities-- and some good, honest reviewers-- to recommend it.  Its principal advantage of course, is, it not only fits the exciting new Canon PowerShot SX210IS very well, better than that other case recommended for this new camera: it fits it extremely well, as it is made of stretchy outer fabric that will grip the camera snugly and safely.  The outer fabric is also water-resistant.  The Velcro-closed, top-opening main compartment will hold the camera securely, yet provide quick access to it when needed.  There's a pocket for an extra memory card, also a front pocket for batteries or small accessories.  There's a Velcro-closing belt loop in back, so you don't need to open the belt to fasten the camera case.  There's also an adjustable, removable shoulder strap with full-rotation metal clips included.  Downside?  Well, it's not as cool-looking or sleek as the other case.  However, as a card-carrying member of PETA, I personally prefer to avoid leather if possible.
These batteries work as expected in the camera I purchased them for. Aside from working there isn't really much else I expect from a battery.
These died exceptionally quickly.  I did not check to see how long they had been sitting around before they got to me, but they did not last even a single roll of film.
I was looking for a cheaper CR2 camera battery but this battery was much shorter then the more expensive one. So i can't rate about quailty or how long they last.
ProsWorks in my range finderPrice was cheaper than other brandsConsStill a pricey batteryWill have to wait for a few years to see if it works as long as my prior 3 volt battery.
This hard-to-find battery works well and came as described. Can't go wrong with Panasonic! Make sure you look up the number to make sure you get what you need/expect.
I purchased these batteries as replacements for the batteries in my wall switch light timers. The original batteries are probably at least two years old. One of the batteries has already died and I'm not that optimistic about the other. They were shipped quickly though.
This is a good buy for a hard to find battery. These batteries works just fine and I appreciate being able to find them online.
These batteries are used by one of our light timers, they are not that easy to find in the local stores and when you do they are around double the price.  As they are brand name I am sure they will be good when they finally get placed into use :)
I need to get more of these 3-volt batteries as I was finding that the 'off' brand ones tend to die very, very quickly.  I have found the Panasonic, at least so far, last quite a bit longer....phew!  Good buy at a decent price....
great
Needed only one but lithium has a looong shelf life so will be in great shape for years to come.
What can be said except that they power the mic for my camera and so far I haven't had had to replace one yet? The price is good and they arrived quickly. No complaints.
I got these for an older camera that I thought might be broken when purchased.  I popped these guys in and to my surprise my $4.99 camera began to work like a charm.  The batteries that I received were fresh and had a nice long expiration date.  Couldn't be happier with this purchase.
I bought these along w/ a 40 pack of CR123's, both are very old stock, with just 4 years shelf life left! Off the shelf alkalines last 7-10 years now...I just paid near retail price for 6 year old batts!
Had these in the camera for a couple months and they are still going strong. We don't take a TON of pictures, but so far- so good
I bought this 3-pack to use in our &#34;good&#34; camera and in my husband's spotting scope.  We like Panasonic batteries because they are reasonably priced and last a very long time.  They also have a 5 year shelf life, which means I can stock up and always have fresh batteries waiting.
I went to two stores looking for this battery to power a gadget and neither place had them. Duh, should have gone to Amazon first!The price is right and now I have extra for back-up.
Beat the heck out of other prices for the same battery / similar brands.  Have not had a chance to use them...but have always had great luck with Panasonic.
This kind of battery has a typical capacity of 700-800 mAh.  Not even a silver oxide version would get you 4x that capacity.
After seeing the outrageous prices in local stores for CR2's, I decided to go with these.  The price was good and the two-pack means my landscape light timer will run for another six years.  Since one battery lasts about three years in my application, I can't really say much about reliability after one month of use.  Panasonic makes good stuff.
Batteries as described, original Panasonic. Good, protective package. I needed these batteries for my 35mm film camera and now it works perfectly.
I bought these for my 35mm camera, and they do the deed! I read a few reviews about bad sellers sending nearly-expired batteries. These are labeled to expire in 2020, so no worries here! They haven't been used much in the week I've had them, but they are definitely still kickin', according to my camera's display! I should probably remove them from my camera before I end up needing new ones again.... -_____-For six bucks, I'm happy! Could have bought them at Walgreens or somethin', but I doubt they are this affordable. If you don't want to wait for delivery, just go get 'em at the store. But if you, like me, cannot drive and are in no hurry, this is a great deal with Amazon Prime!
These batteries work like they are supposed to. I have no complaints. They are still working too. Thanks you much!
arrived promptly, in good condition. exp. is 10/2015 so no problems there either. this is the size battery we use in the dog's collar for our "underground" electric fence and aren't the easiest to find where we live. glad they were available online and priced less than expected.
We'll see how long they last.  I picked Panasonic because I thought it would be the highest quality battery. Hope I'm right.
There's not much to review about a battery.  I'm just very thankful that Amazon.com carried the Panasonic CR2 battery.  I have three in-wall programmable light switch timers which specifically require a Panasonic CR2 battery.  A quality product is preferable to me, so I do appreciate the availability of this battery.
Bought them as a replacement battery for a wall timer so they don't see the loads of a camera flash but in the intermatic wall timers I use them in they last about 3 or 4 years.
Battery twin pack for my golf range finder. Easy to order and plug and play. Hopefully the battery lasts just as long as the one that cam with my range finder. I get to have a spare in my golf bag as a bonus!
I require this batteries for a the automatic timer switch I have installed at home, hopefully the will last long enough to be actually used, as I got these as a precaution.
These fit perfectly in our timer switch and you get two which makes them less expensive than some of the others I found. Panasonic has always been a reliable brand for us.
Worked perfectly in my wall timer switch.  And I have a spare for the other switches when they need one.  Great value.  My "Best Before Date" was 2022.I use Amazon for most of my purchases and update my reviews if anything changes with the products. I do this so other Amazon users can get a real feel for the life of the product. You can look at my review which will be close to my purchase date and tell how the product is doing as time passes.  I am not associated with any company and all opinions are my very own.
Good Battery, use it for my laser sight on my bedside Glock. Lasts longer than some others I have used.
These are for my TLR-3 weapon light. I expect to be replacing the original cell within a year or two.Hopefully these back-up cells will work. They show 3.2Vdc on my voltmeter. Now stored in a cool dry location.If they fail to work per spec, I will update this review.
The Coolpix camera was being used for documentation, and it would burn through batteries. Now it can be on all the time, ready for use!
I am so glad I got it...I used it first to play with my Coolpix 7600 learning all the buttons and gadgets and not running down batteries....no stress.  The AC was easy to use, gave a long enough chord for use inside and I will use the AC for all my ebay set up shots.....why waste batteries if it isn't necessary....Advise anyone to buy this as a responsible back up. I gave five stars.
Nothing really relevant to say, charges the camera while in use, doesn't heat the camera like most chargers.Easy to use, easy to connect, good accessory for your video shootings.
This is an excellent product. It saves on batteries and is so handy if you are at home taking lots of pictures. The batteries always wear out so fast even if you buy the real good ones.This is something everyone should have.
Perfect accessory to save your batteries.When family/friends want to view/ edit / select pix before you save them, this product allows you to scroll back & forth without concern that your batteries will crash during the process.Easy to use, too.
They were promptly mailed, and I immediately installed them in my smoke detector.This is a good value for the money.
Great, great, great! I was looking for these batteries everywhere locally and no one had them.  These work great for many items and were delivered timely and the price was fantastic.
We needed these for our alarm system. We received as call from them that the battery was low.They were double the price in our local store, so we bought these and the system is up and running again.
Did not work too long. Not sure if my camera is faulty or the baattery was defective. I will suggest you try this.
These were bought as a replacement battery for a motion sensor alarm. These were the perfect fit. Even though they say for cameras there are many other items that could use these.
I used these in my Nikon N80 SLR and they work great.  These kind of batteries used to be common at any corner drug store, but now that everyone uses digital cameras that have rechargeable batteries, the need for CR123 batteries is pretty non-existant.  I am glad that you can still get these for a reasonable price through Amazon.
I purchased these batteries after the local stores let me down. My Davis VantagePro2 takes these CR-123 batteries. These are Lithium and have so far performed as expected.
Everything functioned as advertised.  Delivered on time and batteries worked fine.  No problems.
They work well last a long time and are worth the money. The shipping was good and I would recommend the batteries to a friend thanks. Rick
I filed an Image error with Amazon notifying them that the Image shows two Batteries, but there is only one.In their wisdom they determined there was nothing wrong with the Image, so this is just an alert for anyone looking at ordering this product.
I got this camcorder on a whim.  I stick it in my purse and pull it out at random times, you'd be surprised how often something seems great to capture!  The best thing is that it captures video that you can download right away onto any computer (via USB)...  for the price? Hard to beat.  The quality of the visuals is best in natural light.  The audio quality isn't great, but for fun silliness its great.
I purchased this camcorder to take videos from my radio controlled helicopter, the DraganFlyer V Ti.  For this type of application, the Philips Key019 is a great and lightweight  solution.  The video is surprisingly clear and the 25 minutes of recording time is more than enough for  radio controlled flight.  This is vastly superior to most inexpensive radio controlled  video solutions where you have to radio back the video signal with unpredictable interference and deal with lugging around a lot of extra equipment. (sending antennas, receiving antennas, power supplies, power inverters, frequencies, DV camcorders, RCA cables, DV tapes, etc)  This solves that equipment problem with one tiny 2oz easy to use solution for only $149. The highly compressed video in asf/mpeg-4 format works well and is editable with the newer video editors. Just drag and drop the files to your PC with no video format conversion necessary as is required with the "Octave Multipod 5 in 1" the main competition to this device. As a bonus, I get a free 2MP built in camera that produces good 1600x1200 jpg photos of my fellow R/C friends around the field vs taking no photos at all, because I am rarely motivated to carry around another device. The 128mb usb1 flash drive, while a small capacitity and a lttle slow these days, is good enough for quick data exchanges with my friends on the fly. The MP3 player sounds fine, even though I will rarely use it.  For this niche application of capturing video from radio controlled helicopters, planes and vehicles, it is a good and a very reasonably priced solution that produces nice clean videos.
Philips did a great job with this one.  Quite fun to use and very handy to have around.  We were never without a camera with this one.  We purchased both models.
I am really satisfied with this amazing portable device, I have come to know about this product long back ago, about one and half year ago, this product have won so many awards in its categories.I was eagerly waiting for this product but was not able to purchase as it was not available where I was living.I really was impressed by picture quality, well not truly amazed but satisfactory. Some time pictures washout from the corner I don't know why? The movies capturing also good but some time washout!But overall I am happy, I would be happy if 256MB or 512 MB storage would be there, 128MB is nothing, and maybe Philips will update it soon or come out with new model. In my opinion Philips should have expand memory at least 512MB, and i guess that would be sufficient, and flash would be good inclusion and if they can add optical zoom not digital but optical would be great.Good product, full marks to the Philips for amazing product, I love it, it is very small and handy!,
My main purpose when I bought the Philips Key019 Ring Camcorder was to use it as a thumb drive and secondly as a camcorder for quick videos on the go.  I also intended to take quick pictures here and there that I normally would not bring my bigger, bulkier and more expensive 5MP digital camera; for fear of losing it or breaking it.  Like many MFDs out there don't expect this device to be a great mp3 player, USB drive, digital camera or a camcorder.  But I was impressed with each aspect on this particular unit.  I've read a few reviews out there already and I would agree with most of them.  Here are my thoughts on each:Thumb DriveGreat USB drive. Detected without problems on Win 2000 and XP.  Transfer files at a reasonable rate. 124MB useable space.CameraPicture quality was surprisingly good.  Not the best but good for its size.  Lighting is very important!  Some photos seem washed out in bright conditions and it didn't capture pictures well in low light.Color LCD viewfinder was added plus I thought. *You can review pictures and videos when the supplied remote is attached.MP3 PlayerNice mp3 playback (sound) but no play list option.CamcorderVideo will be shaky because of its small size but worked well. And again lighting is important here too.*You can review pictures and videos when the supplied remote is attached.Although this device was a lot bigger than I had hoped for(about the size of one and a half lighter), it worked fairly well overall.  It was easy to use and had a "cool" factor.  On the bad side, the power indicator didn't work well and the charging time was a bit long for me.  If you are a gadget lover, get this item.  It is a well rounded unit but it will never replace any of the 4 devices mentioned.
It's handy and small. Very easy to use. It make's video pretty good in a flash. The only thing is it would have been good if phillips added a light to allow the video picture to be clearer. I would buy it again, at the amazon price of half the major electronic stores. Good purchase. Also takes pic & is an MP3 Player.
Pros- This is a compact, easy to use, stylish little camera. It's nice that you can use it for pictures, video and listening to mp3s.Cons- There is no flash so it had better be a nice bright day when you want the pictures, also the quality is what you might expect from something so small. Pictures are a little fuzzy. Not having the option to zoom is frustrating because everything is always ant-sized.Overall opinion- This is a decent camera for the size and price. Don't expect anything more than a quick snapshot at medium resolution. This is not intended for high quality pictures or video. This is just nice for a small camera that you can always carry around with you to catch "spur of the moment" snapshots.I can't wait until they can come out with one this small, a little extra storage, maybe a zoom and flash.
I bought this item for what it is.. a "GO" gear.  I'm an art student on the move and having the convenience and ability to take a picture whenever and wherever I please is a definite plus.I believe by today's standards, a digital cam should be at the minimum 3.2 mp, and flash drives should at least be 512 mb.  However, don't let the lack of specs turn you off.As most other reviewers mentioned, the major drawbacks are that it requires a lot of light to take a decent picture.  Also, anything within 3 feet may appear blurred.  My guess is that because of how small it is, the camera tend to shake a bit when the shutter is pushed down.  However, I was still able to take some great pics outside, so I really shouldn't complain.  The cropping is also correct, as you can verify exactly what you see in the LCD viewfinder, which is totally a cool thing to have for such a tiny device.Same can be said of the camcorder feature, and I wasn't expecting it to have a full blown feature like the high end camcorders does.  Another downside is the fact that I need to have the remote/earbud handy to view the previously stored pics or videos, and that I'd have to unplug it in order to take new pics or video files.  It's quite a hassle for me, so unless I really feel like listening to tunes, I won't bring the remote with me.  However, the remote itself (though very simple functions) does indeed have important functionality, so do NOT lose the remote.  Once it's gone, you're out of luck.  With that said, the camcorder has crashed on me once, forcing me to reformat my drive.  Otherwise, it's been working fine for me since.One major concern I believe every owner would have with this device is figuring out how to protect the lens..  I personally purchased a mp3 player case that fits it quite snug through ebay, so I would encourage people to pick those up.  Just make sure the measurements are correct before you do.  Thanks to that, i've no worries sticking this with my keys and loose change in my pocket.Music on the other hand isn't bad at all, as it functions like any mp3 player.  I've been playing Mp3 on this constantly, and the quality of the tunes are as good as the ones you upload into the device.  The stock earphones are sharp, and you can upgrade to whatever headphones you please by switching it up with ones with better sound quality.The other upside is definitely the USB functionality- like how it charges while you keep it plugged in, and a major portable drive for anyone who needs to transfer files from office, to school, to home, or wherever.  That I'd say is the uber cool factor of this device.Bear in mind that this is a simplified version of the 3 devices combined into one.  Camera does not have image quality settings or macro features, camcorder is just a point and shoot, and even the mp3 player itself lacks any type of shuffle feature or music title display.  Just imagine an ipod shuffle without the shuffle, and you get the picture.  Otherwise, I highly recommend it, especially for the price, you just can't beat it.
Very well constructed and unlike the Canon equivilant, not just 24 tightly coiled inches. Very nice.
It's a cord and it works to get the flash off the camera. What else could it do?It seems to be built well and it has given me no problems.
This product works great. I don't always like taking pictures with my SB-600 flash attached and this was the perfect item for me. I use it along with colored filters to give that "special effect" on models and it looks awesome.
I rarely purchase knock-offs for my camera equipment and have never been disappointed by the Nikon brand. This product was no exception. The remote works reliably &  exactly as it is was advertised. Just make sure you read the description and understand the connections and what it designed to do.
I bought this here.  It worked as advertised and seems to be well made.  My complaint with it is that the part that fits on the camera's hot shoe is so big you can't pop open the internal flash nor does it have a hot shoe on both sides of the male connector so you could put another external flash on camera.I was an engineer-technician.  I was a very good engineer-technician.  I know I could design this part so I have to figure a big company like Nikon probably could design it too (although I'd probably put a microprocessor in it).  Actually, I figure they did (maybe even with the microprocessor) but just want you to have to buy more stuff.  Not that I wouldn't go, every time, to a company that actually made life easy for a photographer.  I'd go to them every time.  Not that I'm a photographer.  But I'm not a rank beginner either.  And I know how a basic piece of equipment could be half-again as useful and would also result in a review being 5 out of 5 instead of the 3 out of 5 this is.I write about 5s.  They are so rare you, the reader, have to know about them and I, the writer, are so surprised and pleased that I have got to tell you about a company who really seems to care more than the lowest common denominator..
A great tool for moving the speedlight above or to the side of the camera. In a photo class I took, others had the 3 foot length which limited the range they could use. Spend the few extra dollars for the 9-foot length. It will give you much more flexibility. Put the speedlight on a tripod for the distance beyond hand-holding the flash. For those not wanting to spend the money for wireless activators, this is a cost effective alternative.
This is very good flash extention cable from Nikon.I have 3rd party one before but sometime it doesn't work right.So if you have Nikon camera don't waste your $ to buy 3rd party one.You only pay $20-25 more for this one and it will save you a lot of troubles!!!
This product arrived in a timely fashion and is as advertised. It is easy to connect to my camera and speedlight and it works. It is well made. I would recommend this product to anyone interested in getting their speedlight off the camera hot shoe.
If you don't want to be buying multiple speedlights to be able to have your flash off the camera, this is the most inexpensive solution to give you that option. Works great. I'll only ever have one speed light so this cord adds an additional dimension to using flash lighting.
This or the SC 29 are important if you want quality pictures with your DSLR camera.  The pop up flash is relatively weak, straight on and produces red eye and a visually flat picture.  Use the SC28 and get the flash off the camera quickly.  This is faster than setting up you SB600, SB800 or SB900 as a remote and setting the camera as a commander (if you have the D90 as I do, some of Nikon's DSLR don't have commander mode)The other nice thing is to use it to remote the SU 600 so it can 'see' the remote flashes in more complex lighting set ups.
The first step in taking a great photograph with a flash is to stop using the built-in flash and purchase an accessory flash.  The second step is learning to bounce your new flash off the ceiling or walls.  The third is to take the flash off the camera, and have even more control over it.  This cable allows you to do just that.  It is well built and will last for years.There aren't many quality gift items you can purchase for a photographer around the $50 range.  This meets that target point, and will offer them unlimited enjoyment.
The cable is well made works great.  Not a knock-off.  I'm using it with my Nikon D80 and an SB-600 flash.
I purchased this cable a few years back and haven't used it much. But in the past few years the cable insulation has aged terribly. The rubber ended up cracking and breaking off so much that every time I flexed the cable, more insulation broke off. Now after much flexing and normal stretching during use, the insulation has totally come off. All that's left is the braided flex metal sheathing. When I uploaded a review of my cable to NikonUSA, along with pictures of the cable, they just removed my review and said it wasn't within review guidelines. This has got to be the worst made cable I've ever purchased.
I tried a much cheaper copy and found it to be unreliable.  Sometimes it would work, sometimes it would flash on its own.  It drove me crazy, so purchased this one.  I should have started with this one as it works flawlessly for me.
The cord gives better reliability to the camera and has resulted in better quality pictures. We are very happy with it.
I bought to use with my Nikon D40 andNikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.  Excellent cable.  I was concerned that it would bee too long by the 9ft description, but it is perfect for my bracket.  See full review and photos in:Stroboframe Press-T Flash Rotating Bracket
This product might be a bit more expensive than some other options, but it is durable and is guaranteed to get the job done. So far I haven't had any problems. It works great and gets the job done allowing for a wide range of options when using a flash.
I purchased this to use with an SB700 on a flash bracket. Using the cord gives true TTL control over the flash. It is also long enough to stretch and hold the flash off-camera and off-bracket. The bottom of the flash end of the cord can be screwed in directly to a bracket for a secure and stable connection. I don't know if this comes in shorter lengths for bracket use, but I just wrapped it around the bracket several times to keep everything compact and tight. Velcro ties or cable ties kept it secure.
Works great as an off camera cord.  Fit and function IMHO are A+.  No need to spend the extra money on a Nikon brand.
I typically use this cord when I mount my camera and speedlight to a bracket for event photo-shoots.  At 9 feet, I've also started having an assistant hold the speedlight off to one side of the model for fill light when shooting outside.  I use this when I shoot TTL.  For manual settings, I typically use a wireless trigger instead.Nice solid connection so there's no mis-fires.  Allows you to get the speedlight away from the camera without losing any TTL functionality.Simple, effective and highly recommended for everyone.
This cable is perfect to fire the flash off the camera if you don't have a flash or a camera that work wirelessly. Works great whether you hold the flash in your hands, you use a tripod or you use a bracket. I bough it used but in perfect shape!
Great for getting the light where you want it. A must have for any macro set up, or if you just need more light from other angles.
Thought twice about buying a third party cable, but then decided to go with genuine Nikon.  Glad I did.  I read lots of stories criticizing the durability and functionality of third party units, some having plastic attachments that would break off, and faulty locking mechanisms.  When those fail, your only solution is heavy taping.  Not professional at all.This cord does exactly what I need, simply and reliably.  Gets the flash off camera!  I don't have to worry if it'll work, or lock, or last.  You can tell from the heft and feel of the cord that it's high-quality.I'm using with a Nikon D5000 and an SB-600 Speedlite.
I'm an amateur photographer and use this cable every couple months.  It works exactly as it should, and two years later is still working fine.  No complaints.
Even though this NIKON remote cord costs more than double what a generic cord costs, it is well worth the difference. It is well made, sturdy, will not give me problems with the electrical connections, and I am confident that the hot shoe connection will not suddenly come apart- at the worst possible moment.
this arrived quicker than expected, and is the best accessory to prevent the 'red eye' in portrait photography using a flash, or use it to add light to a particular area of your subject by moving the flash using this remote cord connector.
Another great addition to my Photography collection by Nikon, Highly recommended.V. Thomas
If you need a remote cord pay a few extra dollars and buy the real-deal Nikon SC-28.The cord is very sturdy, the attachment lock is very easy to operate and all the advanced features of new Nikon flashes work correctly and work all the time.
Thought about buying one of the knock-offs for a quarter of the price, but saw some disappointing reviews of them out there, what with misaligned contacts or loose shoe mounts and the like. Anyway, everything is top quality with the Nikon product. Just remember, it comes with a 1/4-20 mount, so you'll need a shoe adapter if that's how you're going to mount it.
I purchased the SC-28 about a month ago. I have been using Nikon products for over 40 years. When it arrived I figured on a quality Nikon product so the packaging and receipt went in the trash.That weekend I mounted it on a bracket with a SB-400, a very light flash.The screw base on the SC-28 was so brittle it broke under that light weight. Very brittle plastic, almost like really old Bakelite.Nikon's first service representative asked for my phone number, and when I gave them two of the three numbers that I use, they refused my request to speak with a supervisor by hanging up on me.Nikon refuses to fix it without my proof of purchase.Wasted the cost of the cable, the cost of sending it to Nikon, and the hour it took to speak with two so called service representatives.
I was impressed with the quality of the SC-28.  I do not have a flash bracket, which it would be mostly used for.  I use it for hand holding off camera and to connect a radio trigger on a remote stand when using a light modifier and when necessary.  Of course, iTTL does not work with the remote trigger, but the trigger puts the light out of alignment with an umbrella when the flash is mounted on the trigger and the SC-28 allows the flash to be centered in this case.
If you need to hook up your flash on a light stand to your camera this does the trick. You will need to weigh down the light stand though so it doesn't fall over.
The Nikon extension cord is great. I feel that it is a necessary item to have. Being able to shoot flash away from the middle of the subject and to sidelight or backlight the flash is essential for better photography .
This product is great quality.  It works perfectly and was pictured accurately.  As always, quick shipment. Overall a wonderful  ordering experience.
This cable is well made.  I am using it on a handle bracket with a Nikon D80 camera and SB-700 flash.  It provides complete communication between the flash and camera, which permits usage of all the features of this Nikon flash.  My only complaint is that the flash end of the cable has a 1/4-20 standard thread for mounting to a tripod or bracket, but does not have a &#34;shoe&#34; interface.  Some flash brackets (like mine) have a connector that looks like a hot shoe on them rather than a thread mount.  I had to adapt my bracket.  Except for that I would have given a 5 star rating.
It took less than three days for the free shipping of this quality product from Amazon.  100% authentic Nikon product with best price.  Connect it and play, no questions and no regret.
Pentax 8x21 UCF R compact binoculars... I bought these on the strength of another reviewer. In retrospect it seems the reviewer may have been praising them with "tongue in cheek". I found them cumbersome, touchy and slow and gave them away. The people I gave them to took them to Belize on a week's birding trip and tell me they gave them away after the second day of use.
We tried 3 brands of mini-binocs before these.  These are by far the best of the four.  Their light gathering capacity is greater, and the optics are quite crisp.  For under $50, they are the perfect binoculars to take everywhere when you don't want to carry the heavier ones.  Very satisfied.
I love these little binoculars.  They are the perfect size to put in your purse and take to a concert or a show.  They do the job.  No complaints.
We bought these for a European river cruise.  We needed something small, but wanted quality.  These were exactly what we needed.  Good magnification and great quality.
Love it. Take it with us to the theater ever time no mater the seats. Couldn't be happier with it. Is defiantly recommend it.
Love these mini binoculars!  I can see everything so clearly...even very far away.  I love the fact that they are so compact and can easily fit into my purse to take to concerts and shows and such.  Great quality!
Purchased these as a 'second' pair so we would not have to share our full-size Pentax 8x40 binocs when the Everglades birds are nesting. Now, due to their light weight, my sweetie actually prefers the the Mini!Pros:- The optics are fine;- Close focus is a very acceptable 10 feet, approx.; and- They are very easy to carry.They are small; ordered online, smaller than I expected. But they are called 'Mini'.The size is suitable for both of us. And they are very light to carry, and hold while watching. Absolutely would buy again as a casual-use or backup pair.
I agree with the first reviewer.  These are brighter or as bright as any of my other compacts with larger (25mm) apertures.  Very clear images out to the edges considering there cost and they are very small and light yet still useable.  I recommend these highly if you want something really small. I do wish they had a full neck strap however.
Fine binos
I bought these because I wanted a compact pair of compacts for travel.  These are excellent binocs at a bargain price.  I wish that they were waterproof, but at this price it is unrealistic.  Construction is very solid, and the optics are excellent.
For the price, the Pentax 8x21 UCF R is an excellent binocular.  It does not compare to my Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8 x 42 Binocular, in field of view, brightness, and color transmission, but I get nervous about leaving those in my Samurai, which has no secure storage, and they are much lighter and smaller than those.Considering how much smaller and cheaper they are, I am pleasantly surprised at the brightness and color transmitted by these.  They have a pretty narrow field of view, but I am spoiled by the Bushnell binocular, which has a very wide field of view.I have dropped these twice when the strap hooked on something, but they are still kicking, and the rubber surface did not mar either time.  They have a decent shape and feel too them, which helps to keep then steady when viewing through them.  They also have a good solid feel to them.Basically, these are great for when you don't want to carry a heavy binocular, and/or don't want to risk a more expensive binocular.  I feel they are perfect for keeping in the car.
Very clear,and can focus as close as 7.  Equal to binoculars that cost much more. Light and easy to use.
It is easy to use.  Believe it or not this is my back up camera to my Nikon N90s 35mm.  It does everything the way its supposed to and does it without a problem.  I bought it used this year in June.  This is my first digital SLR.  It isn't the best and I knew that when I bought it.  I have no complaints.  It is just a simple pro-sumer camera.  I'd buy again.
My camera is at Nikon for second repair, First time the Flash would not retract, They fixed that problem, Now it is back as the camera does not recognise that a memory card is present. I m now in my second week of waiting for this repair.
I've had this camera for three months and have shot several thousand pictures. I tried the Olympus 8MP 8080 but it was noisy except for ISO 50 like all prosumer ZSLR's. I exchanged it this beauty and after the first day never looked back.Everything you've read is true, GREAT pictures, NO more shutter lag, battery lasts about 4x longer than compact cameras since you set up the shot from the viewfinder not the LCD which uses power. Plus the battery is powerful, 1400mAh. I now rarely use Photoshop. It's easy to use and has many, many functions including the ability to fine tune the white balance--very useful and many development options.The lens is top notch, not like the kit lens with the Canon Rebel. To compliment this lens I picked up a Nikon 28-200. Great lens for about $300.00 that also works very well for macro shooting since it focuses up to about 15 inches. Add an extension tube and you can photograph the pollen in a flower with razor sharp results. No need to pick up a macro lens this one does it all plus it's a great lens for walking around. Don't get the Tamron 28-300 since images are soft between 200-300mm and it will depreciate faster than any Nikon lens because of the name. I also picked up a used razor sharp 70-210 f4.0-5.6 lens for only $150.00 which is much, much better than the new 80-200 or 80-300 more expensive Nikon lenses.Pros:Simply great shotsEase of UseInstant OnSuper FastLots of FeaturesSoftware: Nikon View browser is very good--includedSoftware: Nikon Capture 4--great but only a 30 day trial verison suppliedCons:Software: Nikon Capture-to open NEF files is $99.00, should be freeWish the LCD was bigger but it is standard sizeLight on top panel should be on-off instead of staying on for just 10 secsLight on top could be brighter or indigo blue for easier readAuto White balance runs a little cool/blueWhite Balance Tips:For most shots simply set the Auto White Balance at -2 or -3 setting and leave it there. This will warm the shots very nicely.For outdoor shots on nice days use the Cloudy or Shade setting. The Daylight/Sunny setting is little cool-blue. With Cloudy the added warmth or red looks great. But you won't go wrong with Auto -3 outdoors.Use Shade setting with a -2 or -3 setting for spectacular red sunsets.Flash portraits use Flash setting with a -1 or -2 for warmer skin tonesIf you use a warming or colored filters be careful since Auto White balance will compensate for the effect.Shades of red get stronger by using the settings in the following order-Sunlight--Flash--Cloudy--Shade. Negative numbers in the fine adjustments add red, positive numbers add blue. So Incandescented adds blue/cool and +3 adjustment adds more blue. at the other end of the blue-red spectrum, Shade with -3 is the reddest/warmest. This is great for special effects--Incandescent on a cool snowy day adds blue and makes your shots look cold.Software Tips for RAW/NEF files:If you want to shoot the best quality and have the greatest freedom editing you can shoot in Nikons RAW format called NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) but you will need a RAW converter.Nikon Capure software, 30 day trial included with camera, has the best converter and is a great editing program but limited--no layers or selection tools.Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements 3.0 has a RAW converter so you don't need to buy Nikon Capture but it does do a better job,particularly with White Balance.Photoshop Elements 2.0 can be used for NEF if you load Nikon View (included) since it does include a light version of Nikon's NEF converter--crude White Balance and Exposure only.You will not be disappointed with this great camera.
I've been a Nikon owner for 15 years now and finally made the change to digital.  I love everything about the camera...except for the limited use of the older flashes.  I have a SB24 flash that was a wonderful flash for the film cameras, but it is of limited use now with the D70.  But I guess that's to be expected to keep moving forward.  I would recommend this camera to anyone looking for a DSLR whether they have Nikon lenses or not.
I've been a "prosumer" for many years, and was always frustrated that as much as I might try I couldn't make photos like Galen Rowell or those found in Outdoor Photography.  I tried using Velvia, took classes, all the rest.  Now, with the D70, I think I can pictures I can be proud of.  And perhaps more importantly, that my wife likes.I'm just finishing a trip to France and I'm delighted with the D70.  It's various automatic modes work great and really, my photos look fantastic.  As a friend suggested, I always use the highest-resolution offered so that later I can crop as needed, and the slowest ISO speed.  Down in Paris' catacombs I took great free-handed photos in the near-darkness by increasing the "film speed" to 1600.  How'd you like to try that with film?The other VERY great thing is the battery.  I've had a CoolPix 900 and found myself having to carry a bandolier of batteries; it seemed like they needed changing about every ten photos.  The D70 just seems to go on forever.  Since the time I bought it (in late November) and first charged it, I've had to re-charge once.  That's it.So it you've got an investment in Nikon lenses and want to leverage that investment, the D70's a great opportunity.  At least for now it's everything I've always wanted.
i had one of these: the d70 kit. i still have the 18-70mm lens from the kit but retired and sold the body. it was a wonderful companion. fast, incredible battery life, super quality images. the only camera better than this beast is the body that replaced it: a d80.
Sometimes it won't let me take a picture. I finally figured out why - different focusing systems are very particular. Read the manual chapter on focusing. You'll learn about its different modes and each mode's requirements.I've owned the D70 since the first day it was available in the U.S. of A. It's a great camera with too many features to ever use. Oh yea, that's because its Japanese!
I bought this camera for a trip to the Bahamas. Even though it is nearly 10 years old, It still can compete in my eyes. Images are 6MP, and for today's standards that is very low, however, the metering, as well as image quality is still fantastic to this day. Easy to use, and with firmware 2.0 uses modern CF cards.
This camera is awesome! I have a Nikon N80 35mm film camera and the D70 is basically a digital version of the N80.  They look and perform in very similar manners.  The D70 is slightly taller and heavier than the N80, though.  I do want to warn people that digital photography with a D-SLR is different than film photography with a 35mm SLR.  It takes practice and a little time to get used to it.  But once you do you'll love it!The D70 has pretty much everything a digital SLR needs.  It takes exceptionally sharp pictures with the 6.1 MP sensor.  The rechargeable battery lasts forever.  So far I've taken about 200 pictures (some with flash, some without), reviewed the pics on the LCD and experimented with various menu functions and the battery meter hasn't gone down any yet.The menu on the D70 is expansive.  It has all kinds of customizations to make the camera fit your personal preferences (Like which control knob changes aperture or shutter speed, bracketing order, self timer length, etc).  The camera also includes many white balance settings and adjustments like vivid, saturation, contrast, etc.The camera can take pictures in 5 different options: NEF(RAW), JPEG fine, JPEG Normal, JEPG Basic and NEF+JPEG Basic.  And the pictures can be taken in 3 sizes: L (3,008x 2000), M (2,240x 1,488) and S (1,504x 1,000).The D70 has a very fast write time to the memory card.  Plus it has a memory buffer which lets you continue taking pictures even while the camera is writing to the card.  Because of this I would recommend saving some money by buying a basic type memory card.  I don't think you really need a "high speed" card.  When I was testing out my camera, with a basic card, I was able to take 7-8 JPEG Fine pictures in about 3-4 seconds before the camera's buffer filled up (as soon as a picture is written to the card the buffer frees up space and so you can continue to take pictures but the picture taking rate slows down, maybe 1/sec. instead of 3/sec.)The viewfinder is very clear and has a bar at the bottom that tells you shutter speed, aperture, metering numbers, etc.  You can elect to add horizontal and vertical lines to the viewfinder as one of your custom settings.  I would recommend doing this since it helps you keep things leveled up.Auto focus is fast and pretty accurate most of the time. Of course you need AF lenses to utilize this feature.  There is really no "shutter lag."  As soon as you push the shutter button the camera takes the picture.  Also, there is no start up time when you turn the camera on.There are a few things I wish the D70 had.  First, I wish it had a bigger viewfinder (like the one in the N80).  Second, I wish it had "live view" on the LCD monitor like point and shoot cameras.  As far as I know no D-SLRs have "live view."  Since SLRs have a through the lens viewfinder the camera's mirror (which flips up when the picture is taken) blocks the digital sensor. Third, I wish it had a sensitivity speed of ISO 100.  And fourth, I wish it had a mirror lockup mode for taking slower shutter speed pictures (The mirror can be locked up for cleaning, why not for picture taking!).In conclusion, this is a great camera and you will not be disappointed.  I think it is a steal for $1,000 since it has many professional D-SLR features.  I would definitely buy it again and I very highly recommend it.  Best of luck in your digital photography endeavor!
I've been using a Nikon F4 for over 12 years and had no intention of going digital until a friend loaned me his Canon 10D- what a great camera.  Shortly thereafter Nikon released the D70 enabling me to acquire a reasonably affordable digital body and to keep using all my great Nikkor glass.  Although the D70 feels like a toy compared to the F4 it takes fantastic pictures - as good or better than my best taken with Velvia at least up to 8x10 (printed using an Epson SP2200/Epson Premium Luster Paper).  The D70's easy to use and has all the feature's you'd want. I usually shoot on manual, but the D70's "autopilot" programs are great & shooting at ISO 1600 gives nice results.  "Optimizing" with PhotoShop has been infrequent.  The only problem I've encountered so far is that the CR2's (not cheap) go very quickly - but the rechargeable batteries last "forever".  The D70's a no-brainer.***********Almost one year & about 15,000 shots later the only thing I miss about my F4 is not being able to shoot quickly, not being able to take full advantage of my 17-35 mm zoom and not getting enough arm exercise (so I still use the F4 for these purposes).  The D70's fantastic!!
I've been away from photography for a long time. I got the bug again after entering some images into a company Art in the Workplace program. My entries were from 15 years ago, when I had a film darkroom. Lucky, one of my images was selected to be shown. So I started. That was enough for me to get the bug again. So I started looking. I considered another film camera when a friend recommended looking at a slightly older DSLR. In terms of lens compatibility, the D70 seems to live at the sweet spot.I found one here on Amazon for the amazing price of $244.00. I had some doubts as to the overall quality of a $200ish DSLR camera. But boy was I wrong! The camera arrived in nearly pristine condition. The camera is (after some time with the manual) easy to use. The controls are smartly located and make since. The body feels very secure with a great hand grip. I bought a Nikon 18-70 AF-S DX lens online for $140.00. I am wanting for it to arrive. In the meantime, I am borrowing a Nikon 18-105 AF-S DX VR lens. So, my out of pocket is $380.00 for a camera that once sold for approx $1200.00?? I am cool with that.Again, I am pleasantly surprised at the smoothness of the camera and the optics. Yes, the camera is only 6 megapixels, but that does not matter too much (at least to me). I think the quality of the images I am getting from this camera is simply amazing. For the price I paid for this camera, you could say that this is an entry level camera, but at one point this was one of Nikon's med level products. I believe currently, D70s are only available used.I recommend one of these to anyone who wants a really great DSLR camera without spending large sums of money. With the money you save on the camera, you can buy yourself a nice lens and have a camera worthy of the Nikon name and reputation.
good camera not great .. older and out of date.. but some how people still buy at higher prices.. why?.. double the money you spend on a D70 and quadruple the camera value
My first DSLR was a Nikon D100. The D100 was a marvel at the time, one of the first affordable DSLRs, but when the D70 came out, I bought one. The D70 is the camera that the D100 should have been, with much improved placement of controls, and menus that were much improved in appearance (after a firmware upgrade). I've taken several thousand photos with the D70, and some of them have won contests with nice prizes. For the current price, I doubt if there's a better bargain to be had.I recently bought a Nikon D200, but I'll definitely keep my D70 for a backup.
great starter camera with great ISO diversity and great auto focus!  I bought one for my girlfriend and wish i had gotten myself one as a back up camera! if your new to the D70 make sure to get you a compact-flash memory card! this does not take an SD card as i ignorantly thought
First, I'm at the bottom of the barrel among my &quot;expertise&quot; when it comes to REAL cameras. Almost all of my total experience is with cheaper digital cameras (well, I owned a Kodak 110, once) ranging from the Casio DC10 to a Fujifilm S602Zoom (which has all but been abandoned by Fuijfilm!!!).So, with that thought in mind: WHAT A CAMERA! Details galore. Color that's amazing. Point-and-shoot never looked so great! And that's with just two days of &quot;outta the box&quot; settings.For those of us who don't know the difference between an SLR and a Space Shuttle, this camera is both a savior and a potential demon. It's taken me three hours of flippin' through the manuals for both the camera and the SB800 flash I bought, just to figure-out how to make the flash a remote slave. One (experienced?) reviewer says &quot;it'll take you fifteen minutes to figure-out the settings.&quot; Well, yeah... if you're experienced. For me, it's taken three days just to feel comfortable enough to test a few of the billions of possible settings.This ain't no slam; just be warned that you've got four years of college ahead of you if you want to approach the full capabilities of this camera. The nice thing is, your pictures will look GREAT, Fabulous, Astounding and Sensational without knowing a lot, and you'll have an enormous amount of future improvements as you master more of the features and art!One serious warning: the dude at the camera store (yes, I pay more, but they're the professionals who are there when you have questions, and SOMEONE has to support them!) informed me that Nikon has decided that their newer cameras will NOT work with other brands of flashes, and even with Nikon's OLDER flashes! Like some cell phones that fry a third-party batteries, Nikon has decided they've had enough of &quot;the competition&quot; being attached to their cameras. He says he's considering buying a D70, but the fact that many of his non-CPU-driven lenses will either not work at all, or reduce the built-in functionallity found in the camera. Check it out before you buy, if you have lenses and flashes laying around you'd like to use!Best money on a camera I've ever spent. And in all likelyhood, the LAST camera I ever buy!Thank, you Nikon!!!
I have had my Nikon D70 for just over 4 years now, and yes it is my first digital camera.  Yes I still shoot film.  Just yesterday I shot 9+ hours with this camera on one battery!  My wife's D3100, dead after 7 hours.  My sister in law's Cannon Rebel, dead after 7.5 hours.  I was still shooting.  This camera is a work horse.  Drop it, smack it, treat it like a Nikon, it can handle it.  It does not have all the bells and whistles of the newer models.  It only shoots 1.5 frames a second.  It's review screen is really small.  It only takes CF cards. It is heavy, which I like.  The ISO only goes up to 1600.  It processes photos really slow.  So for all the negatives, I still love it.  When I upgrade, I want to keep it as a back up or for someone who wants to get into photography.
I have been a Canon user for about three years now. My Canon Xti has not let me down yet. I kept hearing and reading all these good reviews on Nikon DSLRS. I originally was going to get a Nikon, but for some reason didn't. Anyways, after reading, i decided just to take a chance with one. I was recommended the d70 or d50 as a starter Nikon. I just bought a used Nikon body(wonderful condition BTW) just in case i really didn't like it. The first i noticed when i took the camera out was the Body's size. Comparing to my Canon XTI, the body is larger, but feels much stronger and better made. I actually don't shake as much when i hold the Nikon compared to the Canon. When it's comes to the battery life, it seems very well. As for options and functions, it's laid out very well, and not diffcult to use. The screen is a good bit smaller than my Canon, but that is ok. I'm getting use to it. Now, as for the white balance, the Nikon takes the cake. Canons are more on the warm white balance and if you want to make it normal/neutral, you sometimes have to set a custom white balance(Especially indoors). I didn't have to do that with the Nikon yet. I just set it to whatever correct white balance and it's pretty accurate. That's a plus. The colors are very nice too, but i'll be able to fully tell as time goes. I read a couple of negatives that i may be able to help out with: I read there is a blueish tint when taking pics indoors with the flash. This is probably because you have the wrong white balance set. Also i read the light meter is off. This is true, but as another reviewer stated, "Read the book and you'll understand it better." I think some people need to understand their cameras better before just posting negative statments about it. Overall, The d70 is a nice camera and i hope to enjoy it more as time moves along.
The D70, especially since the d70s came out, is a bargain. I bought the D70 and upgraded the firmware (easy - see nikon website) and now have a D70s sans the .2 inch larger screen on the back.I used to do freelance work and have boxes of nikon accessories to play with so I just bought the body. Only complaint? These new D-series cameras don't seem to like the old flash units. Oh, and when will Nikon go full frame so we don't have to deal with these small-sensor lens (or the conversion factor) and use our old proper film ones. Alas.Otherwise the D70 is perfect...Light weight. Depth of field preview. Grid in the viewfinder. Instant on. Fast processing. The new built-in wireless "commander-mode" with the new flashes.This camera is a joy to use.
I have a Nikon D100 and love it.  But if I were in the market today, the D70 would be the one I selected.  At $999 (body only) this is absolutely an outrageous bargain, and Nikon has plainly positioned this camera price/feature-wise to dominate the market.This camera and others like it herald the death of film.  This camera will produce breathtakingly good images and you don't have to pay to develop them before you view them.  Just take your CF card and attach it to a reader and you can review the pictures on your personal computer.  Then select the ones you want and print them yourself (good printers are pretty cheap these days) or submit them on-line to any number of professional printing houses who will mail you wonderful prints in a day or two.  And you can process the images with any of several superb (and inexpensive) programs giving you a &quot;digital darkroom&quot; capability that far exceeds what an expensive and messy film darkroom could achieve with film.  The digital darkroom is a reality!The D70 has all of the features that a serious amateur (and even a pro, IMHO) will want.  First the basics: this camera will use all of the Nikon D and G autofocus lenses.  Put in a 512MB CF card and it will take 51 RAW pix or several hundred JPEG pix, depending on your setting.  These 6 Megapixel pictures are indistinguishable from film for essentially all purposes.  What's not to like?The D70 has improved Through-The-Lens metering, and improved buffering.  This means that your images will likely be perfectly exposed each time.  It also means that you can take many pictures in rapid sequence, and the camera will be able to keep up with you.  Although the D70 is positioned slightly below the D100, in reality Nikon chose to improve these features somewhat over the D100!  The D70 is not a &quot;crippled&quot; D100 the way the Canon Digital Rebel is a crippled Canon 10D (Canon's fine competing product to the D100).  Although the D100 has some features that the D70 lacks, the D70 shows that Nikon has learned from the comments and requests of D100 owners by providing a bigger and faster buffer allowing users to take pictures in rapid-fire sequence.Although the D70 is somewhat lighter than the D100, it is solidly built, and I like the heft and feel of the camera--it does not feel flimsy.  It is light but solid.  The menus are intelligently set out, and after an hour or so, most users will no longer need the manual.The D70 is a winner, and the only problem that prospective buyers will have with it is finding one.
I have been a Nikon user for over 20 years, and owned at least six different bodies and lots of lenses. My all time favorite is the FM2N. Why Nikon? It's the lenses! Nikon seems to understand this is the main selling point of their system. SO they have never changed the F lens mount. You can use older manual focus AI and AIS lenses on the D70. The bad news: The meter won't work. However on a digital SLR, the LCD confirmation mitigates this since you can check your exposures. You could also use a handheld light light meter. More good news: depth of field preview works with AI and AIS lenses! So I've been having a great time using my manual lenses on the D70. This camera is really a winner and costs no more than some of the ridiculous &quot;prosumer&quot; digicams out there. It's far more versatile.It's easy to use-if you've used another digicam or even a recent Nikon 35mm SLR. The fact that I've been able to figure out most settings necessary without even cracking the manual is impressive.The flash syncs at 1/500! This makes for some really creative fill flash outdoors or in the studio. All necessary settings are within easy reach, and no stupid five click deep menus for stuff like ISO. All the important stuff like ISO, Metering pattern, Exposure modes, White Balance, etc. have a dedicated button right on the body. No fumbling to change stuff while shooting.Shutterlag is virtually non-existent. It's almost as good as my FM2N. But face it, if you want zero shutter lag then get a manual 35mm camera! However with the D70, you will not notice it.The Lens-the kit lens is a 18-70mm (27 to 105mm). It's pretty good, and the color has that gorgeous Nikon hue. It's bright for a zoom. A lot of people are criticizing this lens unjustly. It does have a lot of barrel distortion on the wide end, but for landscapes you'd never know. It's got a very good wide angle range for a digital lens. It's a great value, and way better than any junk Sigma puts out.ViewFinder-Some have slammed the viewfinder. It does take a little getting used to, like looking down a long dark corridor at first. But it's just as bright as any AF SLR once you get used to it. I think Nikon designed it this way to get people used to the CCD aspect ratio. It's kind of like watching a DVD in letterbox format. Good news: the viewfinder has a diopter for eyeglass wearers.Picture Quality-This is where the rubber meets the road. At all ISO settings, the images are superb. Colors are saturated and lifelike, with the &quot;Nikon Pop&quot;. They remind me of a good ISO 100 slide film like Kodak E100G, or Fujichrome Velvia 100. Best of all, the grain is very low, even ISO 1600 is not bad when printed to 8 x10. This is a huge advance over my older Canon G2 digital. Like I said, think ISO 100 slide film.This is destined to be one of Nikon's legends, like the N8008, N90, FM2N, etc. You get a lot of value for your money, much more than the Canon Digital Rebel. A lot of pros are buying D70s for backup, and the Press Photographers Association of Japan just picked the D70 as new camera of the year! What else could you ask for? This is a top drawer camera with a great lens.
Many of my best shots have been with this camera and I find it fast when taking consecutive photos. Colors are average while manual functions are tedious.. This camera is quite bulky for travelling but gives you good shots. I recommend having a professional SLR camera together with a compact camera like FUJI F10. The colors and clarity of the pictures of the 6 MP FUJI are superb to the Nikon D70, not to mention the feather weight of it.
I bought this with the money I got for doing my first gig (wedding) I wanted to have something to remember my first gig as a photographer. Its sweet. Its a stripped down version of the newer cameras. who the hell needs 9 fps and 32 mp anyways? I like the basics. Its not what you use, its how you use what you got.
I am not a professional photographer, but I learned to shoot with a 35mm Nikon n70.  I made the transition to digital with an S1, and recently purchased a D70 kit (including the new AF lens).  It is tremendous.  The auto mode produces nice picturesif you want point and shoot functionality, and for long time Nikon SLR users, you will take 15 mintues to figure out where everything is, because it's all where you'd expect Nikon to put it.  Highly recomeded!
Great quality images and easy to handle for someone with beginning knowledge in photography.  We purchased this for our 12 year old daughter and she is ecstatic to start learning :)
Super excited to buy my dream camera. Older model, but it's what i wanted. Had a problem with the view finder during transit, but the vendor made it right with me. Doesn't affect the great quality pictures. Would do business with this vendor again...
Like Ken Rockwell said, this is the finest digital camera under $3000. I am an advanced user and have used this wonder toy to do all kinds of photography..action - using telephoto lenses, portraiture - in my makeshift studio using studio strobes, microphotography (not just macro) at 9X magnification by mounting on an old Olympus bellows and using Olympus macro lenses(dont ask me how), and even  everyday street shooting with a zoom lens. This camera excels in everything it does. Image quality when shooting RAW at ISO 200 and subject properly illuminated by multuple strobes, is simply unmatched.However nothing is perfect, and I am less than happy with the white balance. When WB is set on 'strobe', flash exposures come out warm. Thats not a problem at all as it can be corrected in a flash(pardon the pun) in photoshop. Better still is to set a custom WB by shooting a gray/white card in the same ambient light as that illuminating the subject.
This is a good camera. The only real complaint is the lack of raw jpeg or tiff storage (you can store raw or compressed jpeg only)That means a lot of dark room work, or a lot a reduction in printable size. ISO Range is also limited to 200 in the lower end.A word of caution. When you see this camera selling for new at a price that is significantly below what the Amazon vendor Adorama offers (A reputable lower prices kind of firm) be very cautious.There are a lot of scams where they offer you a ridiculously low price ($500) for new camera but only if you contact them first. Then they try and upsell you and if you dont buy a bunch of over priced very expensive garbage they cancel your order, but then they have you credit info.[...]look at Genius Cameras to get a good idea of how this works.Good luck, great camera.
The D70 is the digital SLR to record daily life and life events. With a 6 megapixel resolution limits the size of prints you can make with it to about 11" by 17". If this is not a problem for you then this is your digital camera. If you want to be able to make larger prints with good resolution, then you need to spend a great deal more money for a higher resolution digital camera (about $5,000) or stick with film. I keep my old N90 for these purposes.Buy the D70 without the bundled 18-70 Nikon lens if (1) you already have a bundle of Nikon lenses; or (2) if you want a more capable first lens for your camera. If you want a more capable lens I strongly recommend the Nikon 24-120 lens. It cost $500 from B&H; photo and will wind up being the lens you always keep on your camera. Its equivalent range in film cameras is 36-180 - in other words slight wide angle to more than satisfactory telephoto. This is the fourth generation of this lens by Nikon and it now has all the bells and whistles: Nikons best ed glass for super sharp and clear pictures, silent wave motor for extremely fast focusing, and vibration reduction to eliminate the shakes in low light. Nikon has other excellent zooms and you may want to look at them but I can highly recommend this lens as one to have if you never want to miss a shot of the kids or what is happening at the instant.The D70 comes bundled with one EN-EL3 battery. To get started with the camera I suggest the following in addition:* One extra EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion Battery.* Two 2GB 80X CompactFlash cards with write acceleration (WA) technology.* One CF card reader for your computer. Firewire or USB connection depending upon your needs.As time and money permit you may want to add the following:* A telephoto lens for wildlife and sporting events. The 70-300mm F4-5.6G AF Nikon is a great value and complements the bundled lens nicely. If money is not an object step up to the 70-300ED or the 70-200 F2.8 with vibration reduction.* A good macro lens such as the AF Micro Nikon 105mm f2.8.* Polarizing filters for both your basic lens and the telephoto. Get Nikon filters there is no sense in spending money for Nikon lenses and then putting junk filters on them.* A bag to carry all this stuff.This will get you nicely started. Further down the line you may wish to get the following:* A speedlight. Either the SB 600 or 800.* A tripod and ballhead.Be sure to check prices at B&H; Photo as well as those shown here. They have a tremendous selection and have long been known and trusted by serious photographers. In addition I would suggest that anyone who buys a D70 join Nikonians. There or literally tens of thousands of people who are more than happy to help you with any question you may have about Nikon Cameras, lenses and other equipment as well as help you with your photography skills. And, bet of all, it's free! Go to nikonians.org.
Have purchased this from Amazon in July 2005. In the past couple of months we noticed that the batteries were getting depleted soon after being recharged. We tracked the problem to the charger becoming defective. Unfortunately, by the time we tracked down the problem, the charger was out of warranty by less than a month and Kodak wouldn't even discuss any reparations. Shamelessly, they suggested that I should just buy a new one from their store!I will never buy anything else from Kodak from now on.
I bought this a few months ago and it no longer works. At first it worked OK, then it wouldn't charge the batteries fully -- as some of the other reviews have found.  Now it doesn't work at all.Buyer beware.
The best review is to say they work as advertised. I did a lot of comparison shopping, and these were the best deal.
It's great, fits in the case we bought for the camera !Would recommend it to anyone with a Kodak camera.
I bought my mother her first digital camera (a Kodak Easyshare that takes 2 AA's) along with this charging system shortly after my brother gave her her first grandchild :)She sees her grandson a few times a week, and hasn't stopped taking pictures, even though he's now 2.She still uses this charger and hasn't had any issues.  She keeps 2 batteries in the camera, and two in the charger - so there's never a wait.I like to see reviews from people who have owned a product for a while.  So I've been going through my amazon purchase history to review my not-so-recent purchases.Considering this product has performed exactly as needed, with heavy use, for 2 years - that earns 5 stars from me.  What else could you want?
The best thing about the Kyocera sl400r is the size. To get a camera this small results in some compromises, so image quality and ease of use are compromised. That's true of all cameras in this size class.  In terms of volume, the Pentax Optio S4i is smaller, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 and Konica Minolta DiMAGE Xt are slightly larger. The Kyocera sl400r offers 640 x 480 30fps video quality until the card is full, which is as good or better than any of the other cameras (though the quality of sound from the built in mic isn't great). The menu lay-out is intuitive and you won't need to refer to the manual very often. Start-up and shot-to-shot time are best in the class as well.  If you buy a fast Secure Data card (I got a 1Gb Kingmax 60x SD card for a little over $100 that works great), the Kyocera can shoot at 3.5 frames/second until the card is full, far beyond the capabilities of other cameras in this class.  On the down side, low light performance is poor, there is no optical viewfinder, battery life is short (extra Kyocera batteries are $75, though you can fine generic replacement batteries for $25) and the lack of a lens cover makes the lens a fingerprint magnet. I find I use mine mostly for video.  My 1Gb Kingmax card will give me 7 and half minutes of video at 640 x 480 30 fps, or 30 minutes at the 320x240 30fps setting. It's a great gadget that fits easily in your pocket, but it won't replace your slr.
I've been researching for some time for an ultra-compact digital camera to take with me while on vacation or whenever I might need to &quot;capture the moment&quot;. I already have a decent all-around digital camera but wanted an inexpensive compact to carry with me most of the time. I really wanted to get the Casio Exilim Z40 but the picture quality just wasn't up to par after viewing the samples on some of the digital cameral review sites. So after checking out the SL400R's sample images, I decided to give it a shot (especially with Amazon's overall lowest price and the $50 gift certificate to seal the deal).My wife and I went to Vegas last week and I had the opportunity to put the camera through the test. I can honestly say this cameral rivals my Nikon for outdoor shots. The colors were much more vibrant and the images were sharper. And when I print the images on my Epson RX500, you would think I had a photo lab print the shots. The only downfall is the quality of indoor pics with low lighting. The prints appear grainy and not well illuminated. But I didn't purchase this for indoor shooting. The only other downside to this camera is that it doesn't include a lens cover. You do get a compact camera case but that does add to the bulk a bit. I just made sure I carried around the included lens cleaner stick that's included for those times I chose not to put the camera in its case.Overall, I couldn't be happier with this camera. Every time I bring it out, it draws oohs and ahhs from the people around me - it's so small, very stylish and best of all has the rotating body to shoot those hard to reach shots. This cameral was well worth my small investment!
This is really a great little camera, very fast, easy menu access, great instruction manual, and above all produces just beautiful photographs, they are extremely sharp and the color is sensational., I am very satisfied ,and would recommend it to anyone, great price, small and does it ever work.Its only real technical weakness is the flash, it is very puny and sometimes does not go on, you can get around this very easily, what I do is pick up the EV value by +.7 EV, my living room is 21 feet long, and with previous procedure, it makes a big difference, can shoot from one end to the other, sometimes you will not get a conformation beep, shoot anyway, shots come out almost perfect.This is hard camera to beat in anyway shape or form.And now for the stupidest thing that any camera manufacturer ever did with an included accessory, with the 400 you get a very nice looking case for the camera, problem is it is too small and you can barely close the velcro.Today I went and promised to shoot some scenes for an attorney friend of mine, when I readhed the location, I pulled out the camera from the case, and found that the battery was fully discharged, very embarassing for me, I was ripping mad.Upon furthur examination, I discovered that the case cover came down on the power button and discharged the battery, even though I set it for 1 minute power off, when I removed the camera from the case, it was hot as blazes, recharged it now, its ok, threw away the Kyocera case and bought a cheepie at staples.SHAME ON YOU KYOCERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Still,I love this beautiful machine and will never return it.Kyocera, get your act together, I am sure no one even realized what just happened to me , just shameful, but, I still rate it a solid 5, this goof just fell thru the cracks.Brooklyn Photographer
I'm not an expert photographer, I'm barely a photo enthusiast and I love this camera!Even in it's carrying case, it's smaller than my wallet. I can take it anywhere, even places that don't allow cameras. Because the camera is so small, the controls are small. It takes some time to get used to, but well worth it (unless you're arthritic).This camera is fast! There is almost no start-up time and very little processing time between shots. Just turn it on and you're ready to go, which is great for spare-of-the-moment pictures.Because it takes less time to load, it doesn't eat the battery as much. I don't feel the need to keep it on for long periods of time, "just in case I miss something". Also, the battery is easily rechargable. Just plug the camera into a wall socket. I may invest in another battery in case I go hiking or camping, but for day to day use the battery seems just fine.I'm only taking snap shots, so I'm satisfied with the image quality. All the default settings have been working fine for me. If I was entering photo contests and actually understood compression, ISO and all that other stuff, then I would go for a bulkier, higher end camera.There is no lens cover, but the hood and the included case (which fit's like a glove) does a great job avoiding dust and fingerprints. It also comes with a little lens cleaner in case someone sticks their digits in there.The only downside (and I use that word lightly) I can think of is the included memory card. 16 Megs is really nothing more than a tease. Like all the other reviews say; get a high capacity, high speed SD card (makes sure it says "high-speed", "32X" or something like that) and you'll be ready to shoot plenty of continuous shots (great for sports) and movies.
I've had this camera for over a year now (purchased from Radio Shack for $235) and have loved the compact portability, features, and picture quality.  Sure its picture quality cannot compare with my film camera, a Minolta XD11 (SLR purchased in 1978) with several intercahngable lens, but what digital camera can?  I wanted a digital camera that I could put in my pocket and not worry about - not my usual semi-pro 230 mm focal length behemoth (camera with telephot lens) swinging from my neck and requiring a trip to the local film processor.  On the golf course, hiking the forest, around the yard, at family reunions, parties, special events, this little wonder can be pulled out of a jacket or pants pocket, powered up and the photo captured before anyone knows you have a camera in hand.  When taking pictures of my sons running track, I found the rapid fire picture taking especially useful - capturing every nuance of one son soaring over the high jump.  Picture quality, although not as good as a film camera, matches some 6 and 8 Megapixel cameras.  I know this because some pictures, taken of events where such other digital cameras are used, were selected superior and used by the people who took photographs using the other cameras.  The icing on the cake is that I carried the camera with me in my shirt pocket - and no one knew it.  If you want a camera that is easy to use (don't even have to read the manual) and carry, this is the one.
I'm on my second SL400 in 5 years, and I love this camera!  My first one 'disappeared' during a concert after having served faithfully for 2 years.  I even took pictures of a fireworks display while on a business trip.  Found out a 256M card could only hold 222 picture-after-picture shots (took 2 batteries to do this).  I have a 1GB card in my present SL400R, and I always have extra batteries with me.  Due to its fast power up, I've been able to capture some of those 'Kodak moment' photos I would otherwise have missed (much to our secretary's dismay).  I carry it everywhere, and there's always someone who marvels at the rotating lens.  They really are impressed when I show them you can turn the lens the other way, it 'flips' the image, and you correctly see what you are shooting when doing a 'self pix'!Having the camera conveniently in my shirt pocket while no one knows it's there has to be the best feature, followed closely by the quick power on.  I have 4 family members who now have this camera.  They like it's point and shoot ease, as well as the convenience of this small, yet powerful camera.
I Loved this camera when I first bought it, my dad even bought one after he saw mine, the design is amazing, small to fit in your pockets and the feature where you can take pictures of your self with someone or only a portrait of yourself is great and its the only camera I know of that can do that. I get so many compliments on it and my friends always take it from me to take pictures of themselves, and the video feature on it is great, but the HUGE problem with this camera is it does not have any battery life. I love taking pictures which is why I wanted a small compact camera to take everywhere, but it runs out of batteries so fast! Which is a great disappointment when you take it on vacations and special events. The pictures also don't come out to great, but I think from reading allot of their reviews on small cameras has to do with the fact compact cameras has such a small flash. Its definatly not worth the 400, buy yourself a cannon or Nikon you wont regret it.
I liked a lot of things about this camera, but had to return it for the following reasons.  First, it has no lens cover, so it is not a good idea to carry it around in a pocket unless you also carry around something to clean the lens.  Second, for some reason my very modern and up-to-date home computer (Windows XP) would not recognize the camera as a USB removable drive as the manual said it should, so I was unable to retrieve the pictures I'd taken at home.  Finally, once I was able to download the pictures to a work computer, I did not see a marked improvement in picture quality over the pictures my old Canon S230 takes.  Another negative is that charging the battery requires hooking the camera up to a 2-piece AC adaptor-like cable. Compared to the kind of charger that the Canon digicams come with (a small plastic unit that holds the battery and plugs right into the wall), this seemed like a step backwards. On the plus side, this camera is small, has lots of functionality I hadn't seen in a digicam before (&quot;Portrait,&quot; &quot;Sports&quot; modes, can take multiple continuous pictures, movie modes, etc.), is very easy to use, and also the manual was extremely useful and easy to read.
In a rather negative review, an earlier entry indicated very poor battery life.  I will admit that it would be good to have an extra battery or two, but let me share with you the very first (quite positive) experience we had.The camera arrived on a Friday and after a few quick calculations I ran out and bought a 512Meg memory chip.  Then the charger was hooked up and I handed the instruction guide to my wife and said - "go to it".  We were having the annual show of our barbershop chorus the next day and she was going to take some pictures.She brought the camera and took about 25 photos of the cast in preparation for the show, and then switched to movie mode (using the lowest resolution - to get as much as would fit on the chip) and took about 200Megs of a movie (about 20 minutes) before the battery ran out of gas.I'm not sure what the prior reviewer's problem was, but that was a single battery and one full charge.As to the quality, because the lighting was limited to the available stage lighting, the pictures were very grainy.  VERY.  But that is to be expected in low light.  The sound was acceptable and we have an archive copy of what the start of the show looked like.  Not bad for a first attempt.A few more cautions - the multiple photo option is great but I have a tendency to move the camera while pressing the button.  This "user error" causes the photos to be blurry.  So when using that mode I'd recommend finding a place to rest the camera or something to lean against to avoid problems.So with those caveats, I'd recommend this camera to anyone who wants to have a camera that can be slipped into a pocket or purse and used at a moments notice.
Hey, people ! This is a compact camera with a tiny lens , so picture quality will not be the best no matter what .Still, in my opinion it beats some cameras with picture and movie quality. The price you are paying is the price of comfort of having this little device in your pocket all the time.The battery life seemed short for first few charges but now it is OK. Why don't you all complainers get an off market battery and charger for around $20 (for both) and stop whining.This camera has the best features/settings I've seen in a compact camera (this is my 5th digital camera). If you cut a window in the case, you don't even have to take it out of the case to shoot a picture .
This is my first digital camera that my wife and I bought to take on our honeymoon. We wanted something really, really small that had enough battery life to go for a few days without charging. Well, we got the small part, but the battery life on this camera is horrible! It will loose all it's charge overnight, and even then we could only take about 20 pictures before it was dead again. I'm purchasing another battery to see if that makes a difference, but I'm kind of disappointed already.The pictures are fine, and it has all the bells and whistles to adjust exposure time, sharpness, etc. The only thing I noticed is that you have to hold the camera very, very still or the pictures will come out blurry even on the fast "shutter" speeds. It's difficult to clean the lens without removing the tiny plastic lens cap, and unless you keep the camera in it's case, you'll have to clean it often since there is no other lens cover when you power off.Overall, an okay camera, but I'd see if there was anything else better out there.
Its a little tight for the Canon Powershot S series.  In fact, they don't fit.  I'm going to give this to a relative.  Overall though it seems to be a great little case.  Well constructed.  Just make sure that you have a camera that isn't too long (like the Canon Powershot S60)
This is a great little camera bag at any price, but particularly at $6.99. It's a nice fit for my Kodak EasyShare digital camera, which came with a pouch that didn't fit it at all. The Case Logic bag has a belt loop in addition to the shoulder strap, and it has a nice little front pocket with a mesh panel that's great for holding chapstick, a credit card, and some cash (or a spare battery and memory card). Well built, attractive, and compact.
This is a great little bag with an extra pocket on the front which will hold an extra flash card and 4 extra AA batteries.  The compartment for the camera just fits my Canon A95 with no extra room to spare, so be careful to make sure your camera will fit.
Bag was received very quickly. Nice compact size, durable, just what I needed.
I was really concerned, after ordering, my camera would not fit in this bag.  It fit my Canon A610 quite perfectly.  Seems like a very well made bag based on initial impression.  Front pocket holds my extras batteries and also has a small net pocket for small items like extra memory cards.  I like the option of the shoulder strap plus the belt loop.  When zippered and buckled shut, feels very secure.  Just make sure you check your camera measurements against the bags to ensure a good fit.  Very pleased.
A very nice camera case, it protects your camera in very good way, the interior is padded and gives the needed protection to your investment. Including a strap and a belt loop that gives you  two diferent options, not only having it atached to your hip like other cases.I have a Canon A620 and this fits very well ( A610, A95, A80 etc are the same size)It has an extra compartment for  extra batteries or memory cards.The construction in general and the fabrics (Some Nylon fabric, not cheap vynil) are very good and durable.No complains.
this boombox is simply amazing. it is much better than last years model which i bought for my dad last year for fathers day. when i first bought this boombox, it was for a cookout at my friend's house. they did not have any cd's and i did not have any ranchero music cd's either. so i borrowed a bunch of my dad and mom's cd's and put them all on my hi-md minidisc player and bought a very cheap wire to connect from my minidisc player to my line-in jack. man my friends were amazed at the sound and the music out lasted the party. when i brought it home, my mom was amazed at the sound and said she was going to buy one too. she never did so i gave her mine one day and tried to see if i can find another boombox out there, but there was no luck. after months of seaching, i came up with another sony boombox, which i called it an experiment. this boombox had a mp3/atrac3 cd player. it sounded good with my 80's hard rock collection. then when my mom would crank up the boombox i gave her, it sounded so good all over the house. i could not stand it anymore and i took off to target to my g500 cuz i really missed it and this time i was going to buy a shelf for cuz before i had the other one on a stool. then i was going to connect everything to it. i connected my playstation2, my directv and the unbeatable reunitement of my sony mz-nh600d minidisc player. nothing out there can beat that combination for the price. i have seen some reviews on this boombox that it can not play cdrw's, well this one plays them fine. i have heard of the bose wave radio at a grocery store and this radio rivals that radio easily. i am not going to say that it beats that radio, but for a much lower price this radio can do more than that radio. the bose wave radio is not portable ha! ha! you can not take the bose radio to the beach or just get up and go to target or anywhere else and buy one like the cfd-g500. the bose radio has not impressed my friends and family either and probably cannot beat my mini disc boombox combinations either. i don't know why sony does not just come up with the name subwoofer. it always has a different name like power drive woofer or super woofer. this boombox has a four inch SUBWOOFER. in the back of this radio there is a port and you can feel all the air coming from the subwoofer. i would recomend this boombox to anyone cuz i am now on my second one and believe me you will spend 5x more for the bose and not even get a cassette player either. also the remote is much different than the one pictured.
After purchasing an RCA RCD147 boombox and being Very Displeased with it's poor quality, I purchased this SONY and have been Delighted with it's Performance and Cool looks.  This box has a solid bass that adds a good Kick to the low end sounds and also has excellent high note quality. The round red light on the front of this beast comes on with two seperate bright levels when you kick in the bass boost! Looks a little like a retro 1950s era jet, and also like a 1950s car grill or cool dash board of the time.This SONY Blows Away the RCA RCD147, and didn't break after the first day like the RCA did! The SONY costs more... But you get better quality and Much better sound.
WOW!!!I just bought this boombox, I love the powerful sound quality solid bass and loud crisp sound,really love this boombox sound like Bookself HIFI stereo's, forget those BOSE and crap systems out there , put them for 100's dollars, this do the job with great brand and price, worth every penny I paid! ...A+
This is an excellent unit as long as you aren't using it to play bass-heavy CD's at high volume.  Like the older unit this is replacing, it has no skip protection buffer, resulting in the subwoofer causing bass-heavy CD's to skip when played at anything louder than half volume.  I use this unit to listen to music at work, and I work in a very large space, so in order to hear it everywhere I turn it all the way up.All the other features are excellent, though.  Sound quality is pristine at any volume.  Controls are easy to understand and use.  Just as long as you're not playing CD's at high volume with the subwoofer on, it projects sound extremely well across a vast distance with clarity.
This Boom Box is so amazing that I not only got one for myself, but I also bought 3 family members one for their birthdays. I love it!
Not being a person who listens to too much music I don't know about how to properly equalize sound.  This is why I'm glad this device came with an automatic equilizer.  There is a button on the unit which automatically changes the sound profile (5 diferent characteristics).  The instructions tell you what profile would be best for different kinds of music.  There is also a woofer button to change the sound to two different levels of base.  Another interesting feature is the sleep timer which you can use to set the radio off after so many minutes.  The CD player is programmable meaning you can set the particular playing order.It's very simple to use yet it has some very fancy features.
After reading the other reviews I have come to the conclusion that my boombox must be cursed. I've had it less than a year and it has started not recognizing my CDs. I put the CD in and it makes some grinding noises and then says 'no disc'. If I open and close it several times it will usually recognize it eventually. I wish I had purchased it from Amazon so I could return it. I love the sound quality.
I definately think this is the best Sony boombox you will find. The sound is great, it's much more like a stereo system, than the others, by Sony. Although kind of bulky, it has an attractive design, but most importantly, it sounds great! This is definately the Sony boombox to get!
I purchased this item for Amazon's description included ""Audio CD-R/CD-RW playback compatibility". That is simply not true! I recorded CD-RW's using various techniques and this unit did not recognize any of them. This is clearly "misleading" advertising in my opinion.
I personally don't care how much Sony Products cost. THE JVC I bought was crap. THE AIWA I HAVE IS MAJOR CRAP. I love Sony and this Boom Box is the best yet I have bought from them! I'm ordering another one for my Office.
This (the CFD-G500) is the successor to the Sony CFD-G70.  I own both.  The sound of the CFD-G500 has better definition (is cleaner), is louder, and even has cleaner bass than the CFD-G70.  It easily provides music for a water aerobics class that takes place in a swimming pool that is the size of a tennis court. (In fact, before being a pool, it was a tennis court.)I had worried that the G500's sound would suffer from lack of separate tweeters, which the G70 does have.  Not to worry.  I don't know how Sony did it.The G500 also has some improvement in the user interface (compared to the G70):  the volume control have moved from the top to the front and is colored silver rather than the same color as the box itself, and Line-In is on top rather than at the bottom of the front.Note that as I write this, Amazon's link named "Technical Data" is inaccurate in at least the following.  Takes 8 batteries, not 6:  Weighs 18 lbs with batteries (15.5 lbs without), not "7.25 with batteries," and its size is substantially larger than 15.25 x 6.5 x 10 inches.In summary, this is the best-sounding battery-powered boombox that I've ever heard, and I've heard many boomboxes in the last 30 years.
This sony boombox has excellent sound and and volume,at any setting.It will produce stadium loud. Really.The unit weighs 20 lbs plus with the bateries,and is much larger than the dimensions,listed on amazon...If you are short on space you can go with the sony cfd10,which has similar sound,and is more compact...I highly recommend the cfd-G500,but remember the unit is very large and heavy,if you purchase this unit...Also please checkout the sony in person,as the pictorial,doesnt really do the unit justice...When the subwoofer system is operational,it will display flashing L.E.D's.This might be annoying,but oh what super bass...Finally Please purchase from a retailer with a good refund/return/exchange policy...I thank you...Stewart L.
I brought this boombox from Target for my birthday. Great sound, equal to that of a home system! Also the CD player doesn,t skip. Way to go Sony!
The unit was DOA (The power cord it came with, and several sockets i plugged it in to, all checked out OK). So, i can't rate the unit's performance.
Good telescope.  I would suggest buying the extra lenses (only two others available for this model).  Very light and easy to travel with.
PROS: lightweight, fairly rugged, included eyepiece will not fall out if it's screwed in, collimation (optical alignment) can be fixed by user, includes tripod adapter, focuser works smoothly, can be used with other 1.25" telescope eyepiecesCONS: no finder and no place to mount one, collimation is not easy and included instructions will probably not be enough for first-time telescope users, tripod adapter hooks to telescope instead of base, focuser loaded with too much sticky grease, using other eyepieces requires some forethoughtContrary to what many have claimed about this telescope in online forums, it does not have a non-standard eyepiece diameter. The included eyepiece is 1.25", which is the standard for most small amateur telescopes (some use 2" eyepieces). And 1.25" eyepieces from other manufacturers will fit the focuser tube. But changing eyepieces is not easy. Let me explain.The included 12.5mm (44x) eyepiece has a threaded barrel (like many telescope eyepieces, which are threaded for filters), and it screws onto a threaded ring that raises and lowers as you rotate the focuser knob. To use other eyepieces, all you have to do is unscrew the eyepiece and screw in another. But that's easier said than done. The threaded ring is real cast-iron you-know-what to screw anything onto. Part of the problem is that it is only held in place by two little metal pins on opposite sides, so it's free to rock back and forth just the slightest amount. It can't rock when an eyepiece is screwed into it, but it can and does when you're trying to thread a different one on. Which makes changing eyepieces an exercise in almost terminal frustration.That wouldn't be so bad if the scope had some kind of finder, even a non-magnifying peepsight. But there's nothing included, and no flat space to mount one of your own. So getting the scope pointed at anything other than the moon is pretty tough. What I usually do with small scopes like this is put in a low-power eyepiece that will let me see a wide swath of sky, use that to find my target, and then swap in a high-power eyepiece to show the details in whatever I'm looking at. For most telescopes that's a 2- or 3-second operation. But with this thing you'd have to rotate the focuser all the way out, unscrew the eyepieces, screw in a new one, rotate the focuser back in...by the time you get all that done, no way will the telescope still be pointed where you need it to be.There is another option, which is to unscrew the included eyepiece from the threaded ring, rotate the focuser all the way down to put the ring at the bottom of the drawtube (be careful that it doesn't try to rock sideways and get stuck), and just use the empty drawtube as a push-pull focuser for your other eyepieces. That's what I finally ended up doing. I also ended up taking apart the entire focuser assembly and cleaning off most of the grease, which was really gunking up my eyepieces. Be warned.There is a tripod adapter that can be bolted to the telescope, which is a terrible idea. First, it seems that about 50% of the time the nut will fall off inside the telescope, which makes the tripod mount unusable at a minimum, and might scratch the optics at worst. Second, the whole point of a ball scope is that it can be quickly, easily, and smoothly pointed in any direction. Not if you bolt it to anything other than a premium tripod, it can't, and I doubt many people will be putting a bargain telescope on a tripod costing 20 times as much. However, there is an easy solution. The bowl that the scope rests in has the same curvature as the bottom of the scope. So you can epoxy the tripod adapter to the bowl, put the bowl up on the tripod (even a super-cheap tripod), and rest the scope in the bowl. Presto, now you've got all the benefits of a ball scope but at a convenient height. Why they didn't just build the tripod adapter into the bowl in the first place is beyond me.Lots of folks have complained about the screw covers on the back of the scope interfering with smooth operation, but I didn't have any problems. They're pretty low, and if they do catch against the felt pads on the bowl you can just nudge the scope to get it unstuck.So much for the mechanics. How are the views? Well, if you're used to bigger telescopes they're small and dim. If you're used to binoculars or nothing at all, they're great. You'll be counting craters on the moon forever. The rings of Saturn are--just barely--visible with the included eyepiece, and easy with higher-power eyepieces, and the moons of Jupiter are a cinch at any magnification. All of the problems aside, it is pretty amazing that you can get a functional telescope at this price.
I have owned numerous Celestron telescopes up to 11-inch apertures, so I expected better. I ordered this for my daughter - it arrived defective; the primary mirror had slipped from its bracket, making collimation impossible. In Celestron's defense, it likely happened in transit. Amazon's return policy is not a hassle, and I'm upgrading her to another telescope. I'm sure that had this particular scope not arrived in a defective condition it would have made a great scope. Only criticism is the plugs on the back to cover the collimation screws pop out a bit too easily.
The eye piece that comes with the scpe is practicaly unuseable.But of course  you can 'buy' the eye piece that really works separately from the manufacturer.The whole thing was a waste of time...I gave it to my five year old to trash.  At least he will have some fun with it that way....it's realy just a childs toy.
We bought this for our 7-year-old son who wanted a telescope for Christmas this year. I knew I didn't want to get one that required a big tripod since he would never be able to handle that. I considered the Astroscan from Edmund Scientific, but, while it's a far better product, it's way too pricey for a first telescope. This one is cute (looks like a penguin standing on its base), is easy to point and focus, and is great both for studying the moon and for terrestrial use. And the price is right! My son can sit in a chair outside with it in his lap and point and focus, which means he can use it himself whenever he likes. If he shows enough interest, I'll look into a more serious telescope we can use together.
This is not at all suitable for young children.  It's awkward and difficult to use.  We're sending it back.  Totally inappropriate for children.
This binocular definitely makes the difference viewing an object 30ft away.  I used it for a mini concert and without this, I prob wouldn't see those sexy moves and of course the artists. Like any other binoculars, if the object moves fast and you try to catch up to the speed, you will get dizzy because moving it around makes the surrounding blurry.
This is a very nice replacement for binoculars that would no longer focus. They are very easy to use. During a trip to the Northern California coastline, I wanted to see whales and could have had they been swimming off shore. Their price was within my budgeted amount and I recommend them. They are very good for general purpose viewing.
Much clearer than a Bushnell binocular that I bought and returned.  I just wish it could be a little lighter.
Light weight, does not look like a toy, rubber eyepieces, good case, clear and stable image, easy focusing, diopter adjustment - very important to me.I am glad that there has not bought 10x50 - I do not have iron hands and no tripod.
The sharpness is amazing. Great for bird watching! The binoculars are a little on the heavy side. They do come with a carrying case.
Read many reviews before choosing this item. Very satisfied with purchase. Binoculars are nice and bright. I use for backyard bird and critter watching.
These are great bino's for any use you may find. I took a look at the moon just for the heck of it...KOOL!!
When it comes to Optics, Olympus is definitely a leader. I find their camera lenses to be virtually unrivalled in quality, the opposition charging much more for comparable quality. Olympus are also a leader in high-end medical imaging equipment, and that stuff needs to be reliable and the highest quality. This experience over many decades has thankfully translated across to a lot of their other optical products, these binoculars included. I have owned about 4-5 pairs of what I would call &#34;budget&#34; binocs (those under $100). The two Olympus binocs I have owned have been miles ahead of the competition in the same price range. These trooper binocs are ultra-sharp and a joy to use. They are quite comfortable to use and adjustable for diopter and the like. I'll likely buy their 10x50 model soon too. You can't go wrong with Olympus optics (or very rarely anyway).
The tour company recommended bringing my own pair and I'm glad I did. These were perfect for the wildlife viewing in the jungle and along the river.  Sturdy, well-made with ample magnification.
Ordered these for my elderly folks who were wintering in FL near the water so they could watch the boats.  I want down there to visit and checked out the view.  The vertical alignment was off a little but not enough to cause eyestrain.  Field of view, clarity and light gathering were all excellent for price paid.  Thanks Amazon!
I got these as a gift for my father.  He is in his seventies, and has wanted a nice pair of binoculars to view the wildlife at his Colorado mountain home.  He always complained about never being able to see clearly out of both lenses.  He always had to shut one eye to see clearly, regardless of the type of binoculars he used.  He said this is the first set where he was able to put the product up to his eyes, make one minor adjustment, and be able to view out of both lenses, simultaneously, clearly.  He said they had a nice case, and that they have a nice range.  He doesn't need to be able to see miles away, so they were perfect for him.  A very good value for the money.
Very good for the price and they feel good in the hand. These are the best binoculars I have ever owened in this price range.
First time I've brought a set of good binoculars they are very nice. I have used my moms friends etc. etc. but nothing like the Olympus I just got. GREAT for bird watching and everything else around the yard and so on. would I recommend the Olympus Trooper 8X40 DPS 1 yes very much so. but to a friend probably not. so what every they buy or have I am 100% confident that I have the better pair of binoculars. That's how good the Olympus Trooper 8x40 DPS I Binoculars are. so with said you will not be disappointed.
I bought this for work for looking for cracks on masonry building facades and roof trusses. Does the job at a good price. Only wishes were that I could find an easy way to attach a laser pointer so a coworker can follow where I'm looking, and an easy way to attach to a camera tripod so I don't have to hold it up to my eyes for hours on end.
I bought these for my boat. They work great. No issues with the lenses fogging up as others may have said in previous posts.
I've never owned binoculars because I found them uncomfortable and difficult to see through.  I bought these for a trip to the Galapagos Islands though because I didn't want to miss out on any of the wildlife.  At less than $50 a pair, I thought it was worth the risk.  However, they did not let me down.  They were lightweight and extremely easy to use and focus.  The viewing was fantastic!  I highly recommend them.
I Bought the binoculars for my husband.  He is very happy with them.  Using them to view wildlife behind our house.
I bought these as a gift for my husband who has been wanting a pair for our day hikes. We've only used them once so far but he was very pleased. They come with a very nice storage case, strap and lens covers.  They are light weight and small enough for hiking with them and strong enough to see the details of the birds and animals that would otherwise be missed.
I'm a backyard bird watcher and these did everything I wanted them to do and more! I would recommend to anyone!
The binocs were not as they appeared in ad.  Way too small field of view.  Not a good purchase.  I returned them the next day
Really nice item. Exactly what I expected.  Delivered on time, even more before the date due.
I really enjoy these binoculars!  Very easy to adjust the focus. I love how light they are, especially on long hikes.
One the best binoculars so far I've owned, nice wide view, I'd recommend it to my friends. So far so good!
I like them a lot. For the price, they are a good deal. I would prefer small ones but I wasn't willing to pay so much more. I guess they can fog up but it hasn't happened yet and I am going to clean with defogger glass cleaner.
They aren't going to let you see mars, but work really well. They have a crisp picture, easy to focus, and comes with carry bag and strap.  They are on the heavy side, but will work for my African safari and surveillance work.
Very light; I suspect there are some plastic lenses in there somewhere.  Sharp (even for astronomical use which is demanding), relatively bright, very well collimated.  If you are over 45 years old, there's no reason to get 50mm since your pupil will not open enough to take advantage of the bigger exit pupil that 50mm binocs provide.  You're just carrying around extra weight & paying more.  Liked them so much I gave a pair as a gift.
I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality and size of these Trooper binoculars.  Basically, I use them in an enclosed deer blind for studying the quality of possible shooter bucks, and I find them easy to focus, clear, sharp images and particularly good in diminished light conditions.  They could use a wider neck strap, but few companies really understand how their products are used in the field.  I usually end up buying a guitar strap at a music store that solves the problem.
Exactly what I ordered. I should have selected better magnification for birding, but binoculars are good quality. I had to order a wider more comgortable syrap separately.
The binoculars work very well. They are well made and a real bargain. People that have seen then couldn't believe the price I paid.
These are very good quality binoculars. For this price they would be hard to beat.I now have these in 8x40 and a pair in 10x50 of this same type & use them for birding in my back yard & along the coast. I would rate these glasses equal to those costing 10 times the price.
I have purchased three of these binoculars, all three are of excellent generally, but all have two big weaknesses:1: The "for eyeglass wear" extensions threads do not fit snugly when extended, they creep backwards causing readjustment inconvenience.2: The focus adjustment mechanism on the right hand side tube is very loose, will not stay in place causing frequent readjustment.I like these binoculars very much but the above two shortcoming are big distractions.
I realized with my digital cameras that small size trumps "power" as I most often preferred pocketing the smallest one.  For years I packed a porro prism 8 x 42 on trips but never used it because this was too much a load to casually take out and lug.I am certain my 8 x 21s will also find a place in my pocket just like my tiny camera when I travel, as the folding roof prism design is just cool beyond words.The apparent image is not "wide angle" but the image quality is quite good across the field.  The eye cups click out helically by rotation and, at the extreme out position, fit very comfortably deep into my eye "sockets".  The focusing wheel is a bit hard to access, perhaps with larger hands but this only requires some acclimation.  These are not waterproof so some care will be needed in case of damp situations -- it is probably wise to have a waterproof baggy if carried when rain or body moisture is a possibility.  The small size / light weight is a bit harder to hold steady than conventional style and I would think the 10x21 version would be really difficult.  But if you have small hands or if you really value portability this 8x21 is the ticket.In summary, a very pocket-able and a surprisingly good optical performer -- allowing for a slightly less bright image if you're are used to large porro prism design binoculars.  The image quality itself though more than holds its own and is well worth the small amount of money.  I don't think the conventional wisdom that a porro prism binocular is optically superior to a roof prism binocular of the same price class holds any longer.  Thank-you CR and fellow reviewers for the recommendation.
Got it primarily for watching plays and shows. We love its ease of use and great image quality. At this price, to get a nice case, diopter adjustment, eye relief and UV coated lens is worth it!
I bought these binoculars, last minute, before my wife and I set off on a trip through eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas to view the fall foliage. I am absolutely impressed with their light weight,clear focus and ease of use. An extraordinary value.
These are the best compact binoculars I've used that cost under $100. They are lightweight, sharp, and bright. They go everywhere with me. They're even friendly to glasses-wearers.
These are very good, amount of light is much better than other compacts, easy to adjust to a very crisp picture, and incredibly light and small. Genuinely, they are pocket sized. I didn't think I would like the fact that the neck strap attached to only one side, so that the binoculars hang asymmetrically, but find they are less obnoxious that way, less likely to hang on fence, brush, etc. My only objection is that they are not waterproof. The pouch they came in is hard to slide into my pocket, so when it begins to rain, I put them in a small plastic bag I carried folded in my pocket. I also bought the Nikon Travelite at the same time, and they are not as bright, and a bit bulkier.
I bought this for an outing to Costa Rica. Consumer Reports ranked it as one of their highest performing and a CR pick.  From stargazing in the mountains to watching animals from afar, these binoculars have blown my mind.  The clarity is far above what I had expected.  Definitely worth every penny.  I bought another so I won't have to share on my next trip.
Olympus Outback 10x21 RC1 BinocularsExcellent product.  Lived up to recommendation in leading consumer magazine.  I recommend this product.
We bought two pairs of these binoculars for a trip to Costa Rica, wanting something lighter than our beautiful but heavy Zeiss bins. When they came, one was defective - one side didn't focus - so we had to replace that just before departure. In use we found them lightweight, easy to use and the optics are quite OK for such cheap binoculars. I like the close focus and their pocketability. The right-eye diopter adjustment is quite loose so you need to tape it in place.Main problem is, in CR it rains...and rains! There are so many opportunities for bins to get wet. Within a few days, both had moisture inside the left barrel. It took us a while to figure how to clean this out.First you prise off the silver plastic shells, underside then topside, using a knife or small screwdriver in the seam where they snap together. (The plastic is tacked to the metal inner barrels with spots of glue, so this takes a bit of force). Only then can you twist off the eyepiece assembly and mop out the moisture. You have to get all glass surfaces, especially the prisms, scrupulously clean with lens cleaner and lint-free lens tissue, or else there will always be some cloudiness. Watch out for the little black plastic slider that goes diagonally thru the middle of each set of prisms - moisture gets in there too, you may have to yank it out and clean inside that slot.Then put it all together and make sure it isn't hanging round your neck NEXT time you fall in the river or sea!This fix worked for us, but don't try it unless you are fairly methodical and handy at fixing things
I received a pair of the Nikon Action 7 x 50 binoculars for Christmas and was a little disappointed that they were so large, even though the picture quality was excellent. Since I wanted something a lot smaller and was willing to sacrifice a little picture quality, I decided to order this product (Olympus 8 x 21 RC I Outback) thinking that I would return the Nikon pair.Man, I didn't realize how much picture quality and comfort I would be sacrificing. After receiving the Olympus pair, I compared them both side by side and it was a no-brainer. The difference in image clarity, image brightness, comfort level (both holding the binoculars and looking through them) is astounding. The Nikon pair is far superior in every way (except compactness). Perhaps I should have gone for a pair somewhere in between these two size extremes. But I'm willing to put up with the size difference to achieve this huge superiority in quality and comfort.Returning the Olympus product today.
I bought these for my wife last year to use on a big trip she was taking - she loved them, and thought that they were very easy to use, and provided excellent clarity.  The optics are clearly superior to cheaper alternatives that you'd find at Wal-mart or Target, but you won't find that the magnification is any better than the cheaper ones.  For the money, I thought these were worth the premium.
I contacted the seller to return but never got a response.  Guess I'm stuck with an inferior product.  Don't buy from this seller!!!
These were great.  I bought them for wildlife-spotting during a trip to Costa Rica and I don't have anything negative to say.  I'm not well-versed in the world of optics, but I am well-versed in the art of complaining and I don't have any complaints.  I probably would have noticed immediately if these turned out to be poor quality but I had absolutely no issues.  They're light weight, very easy to manuever and the price was great.  My only qualm was that i didn't buy two pairs -- my boyfriend and I shared these on the trip so we had to keep readjusting the focus, width, etc., but now I know to buy a second pair for the next trip.
This product is everything its claimed to be; light weight, compact, clear image, adapts to eyeglasses easily. The small size allows me to pack them in a corner of my camera bag. After trying out my pair, my neighbors are buying multiple units, some for themselves and others for gifts. A typical Olympus product; superior optics and light weight with  low price as a bonus.
Excellent purchase!  The binoculars are very light, compact and easy to adjust.  I am a avid theatre goer, and these binoculars are ideal to take to the theatre.  I highly recommend this product for those of us who need the convenience of a small unit with effective magnification!
We bought these so we could have them for a trip to Italy, and not have to carry our full size binoculars.  They are clear and bright for their size, and extremely light and compact.  Great for travel.  They are not as bright as full size 10X42 Pentax binocs, but they are perfect as a travel or extra pair.
I was well-satisfied with my purchase of the Olympus Outback RC1 binoculars.  The price was reasonable, and the quality of the product is excellent.
If you're looking for a general use binocular without a specific task in mind, you cannot go wrong with this one.  However, be aware that this is not a binocular to use in low light, wet conditions, or for star watching.Light-weight, good optical quality, easy to use, and comes with a nice case.
These are very good for the money.  They do not produce an extremely bright image compared to more expensive binocs, but they are better then the uber-cheap models ($13-$15) you can buy.  The carrying cord is oddly arranged, but they are very light weight.  If you are already hauling around a spotting scope and want a pair of binocs for on-the-fly viewing, these are quite acceptable.  They would also work well in your carry-on if you are combining birding and business.
Very small profile but allows you to identify distant objects while hiking and viewing wild life. Very good deal.
When I opened the package and saw the box that held the binoculars, I thought that this must be a joke or a scam.Instead, these small (just over 3.5"L X 2.5"W when folded) are powerful, very portable and easy to use. The view they present is excellent.The things that prevented me from rating them five stars are: the eye piece lens covers are not attached to the binoculars in any way and are thus easy to lose; there are no covers for the main lenses; and the instructions are somewhat opaque.It took me 20 minutes of playing with the binoculars to understand and hoist in the instructions. Two minutes should have been enough.In summary though, very, very good binoculars at a very good price.
I bought these for use at the US Open in San Diego last June.  They were everything I hoped they would be: light, easy to carry in my pocket, easy to focus, and provided clear, sharp viewing.  This is one of the best online purchases I have ever made.  I highly recommend them.
These are a wonderful portable size, easy to use, very bright and light viewing too.  Great value
I did not see in the description that a strap comes with the binoculars - so I ordered the strap that was recommended by Amazon - the OpTech EZ Comfort Neoprene strap. It's a great strap, but won't work with these binoculars - there's no way to attach it. I'd recommend just using the strap that comes with the binoculars.
Compact, sharp little glasses,Really good for birding and even close up field. I would prefer a 'rocker' instead of wheel for adjusting.So small your can carry them all the time. A lot of product for your money. Everyone in the family can have their own binoculars.
I bought these binoculars after reading reviews here and in Consumer Reports. I took them on a recent trip and they provided good views of Yosemite National Park's features and its residents. When you don't have much packing space but don't want to miss the details of distant vistas this model is a good choice. Of course, it's nice if one person "owns" the binoculars, so the focus doesn't have to be changed between users!
The Outback RC1 binocular was purchased for a recent trip to Alaska, where I cared not to carry heavier Nikon's I own. The RC1 is lightweight, but not cheap looking. In fact, they are quite attractive and sturdy. These binoculars easily fit in a jacket pocket when in the closed position. Optics are very clear, crisp (light capture is outstanding) and lack any noticeable peripheral distortion. The adjustable right eyepiece was perfect for correcting a vision issue I must deal with and eye relief comfortable for one wearing glasses. I found the field of vision excellent for sightseeing and will be nice for sports as well. I considered the Outback 10 X 21, but the field of vision is about 20% less, magnification is 25% stronger and the price slightly more than the 8 X 21. The 8 X 21 was best for my needs and proved so once in the field and in use. The included neck cord will keep the RC1 at the correct height for easy reach when something of interest is spotted. So, in a nutshell, I recommend the Outback RC1 without hesitation. Good luck on your buying decision.
Small and compact.  Takes a little practice to get the lens adjusted to fit your eyes but once you do they are great.  Image is clear and crisp.  Great product for the money.
I bought these binoculars for my son who uses them mainly for bird watching, but also for concerts and general viewing when sightseeing. They are easy to focus and present clearly. The small size makes them easy to toss into a bag or backpack. The only negative with these binoculars are that little lens caps are easy to lose.
The Olympus Outback 8x21 RC1 Binoculars were highly rated by Consumer Reports and for the price, under $50, you cannot go wrong.  These are quite bright, comfortable for those of us who wear glasses, can be adjusted for difference between left and right eyes, easy to focus and view through, have a close focus of about 10 to 11 feet, come with case and neck strap, and are quite compact.The downsides are not a big deal but might be the weight--they are very light, the two lens caps are not of much value, the body of the binoculars is plastic--like most other optical products, and the case is quite small but useable.  The price and optical quality make this a binoc that you don't mind leaving in the glove compartment.  I'm not sure how they would fair if dropped on a hard concrete surface.  My other binoculars are 8 x 40 Nikon Monarch series of which I really like but they are much larger, which I do not mind, and cost five to seven times more.  Are they better?  Yes--mechanically and optically.  But, they are not something I'd leave in my glove compartment.  If you do not want to pop the $275 to $400 for binocs, get the Olympus Outback 8 x 21--you will not be sorry.
A quarter of a century ago I bought a pair of Nikon Action binoculars that produced a simply stunning image - bright, contrasty, sharp.  I was hoping for the same from a new pair of RC-1s, but that was not to be the case - I would describe the image as adequate, but not stunning.  The great advantage of these is that they are small and light.  But if you want the kind of image a full sized pair of field binoculars can produce, you'll have to put up with their weight and size, because these don't do it.  Why Consumer Reports has been so enthusiastic about them is a mystery to me, but they tested a whole bunch of them - maybe this is the best of the lot.
This was purchased as a gift for a Red Sox fan.  Needless to say the binoculars have been to every home game since April.  They are easy to operate, the clarity is excellent, and if wearing glasses, there is no problem with scratching.The binoculars are light, fit in your pocket.  A great deal!
I bought these to take on a recent trip to Costa Rica. The unit is compact and comes with a nice case. The optical quality is good and I am satisfied with this purchase. One of our Costa Rican guides told us how to hold your camera lens up to the ocular of the binocular to make a telephoto lens. This technique works pretty well with this nice little set of binoculars.
When I moved next to a pond, I immediately decided I needed binoculars.  I wanted small ones so that I could also use them to travel or put in my purse.  These binoculars were just what I was looking for and are simple to use.  They focus easily, work whether I have on my glasses or not, and adapt well to whoever wants to use them.  I agree with another reviewer that it would be nice if the lens caps were attached somehow.  But the case is convenient to use and the whole thing will hang easily from the door stop on the upper hinge on the door to my balcony.
These binoculars are small and weigh very little, but they are quality!!  Although they don't magnify as much as I would like, it sure beats lugging around the large binoculars that I also own.
I love these binocs.  Very light and compact, and they work quite well.  I've had larger binoculars in the past that are heavy and clunky - and it seemed I could never see well with them using both eyes at once.  The Olympus Outback 8x21 binoculars work well, are not tricky to use, and are easy to take anywhere.
Took these glasses on our vacation and we were amazed at the clarity and amount we were able to see with such an inexpensive pair of binoculars.  Very good. Would recommend 100%
I would in no way consider myself a binocular enthusiast. I was going on a trip to Daytona International Speedway and wanted an inexpensive, small, yet effective set to use while I was there.I did a little research and thought that for what I was looking for, and the price I had alloted for this, I would try these binoculars.Overall I've been pretty happy with them and would recommend them to any novice or someone that's possibly looking for a pair to get their child as an introduction into birdwatching or general  binocular use.I have pretty bad eyes, one of which is significantly worse than the other. I don't know if this is standard on all binoculars, but this pair made it possible for me to adjust both eyes through first and then "fine tune" my worse eye......nice feature.
I specifically purchased these binoculars for a Bruce Springsteen concert I had tickets for and they worked out great.  Knowing pretty much nothing about binoculars; I did my research; checked out other retailers and found that this pair at this price was perfect for me.  They are lightweight, compact and very easy to use.  In a concert venue; the last thing you need is something heavy hanging around your neck.  Didn't miss a move the Boss made!
OK, I guess.  I don't know much about binoculars, except that there is a lot to see from the windows of my San Francisco apartment.  My mother gave me a pair years ago in the 70s.  I didn't realize they could be so small.  These would be great for use in the theater or opera.  The resolution is good, but it's difficult to get adjusted to your eyes.  I would prefer a larger product.
Very pleased with the optical quality of these small binoculars. I wish that they had put the focus wheel at the far end of the bino's instead of right next to your eyes.
I got these to help me see detail in the model while portrait painting. I also considered butterfly-watching binoculars and opera glasses (La Scala Aida 3x25), but settled on these for the following reasons:First, all the butterfly-watching binoculars that I could find reviews for were at least three times more expensive, out of my price range. They were also bigger and heavier.Close focus distance on the Olympus is 7 feet. I'm usually sitting somewhere between 5 and 10 feet from the model. Opera glasses have a slight edge here with a larger field of view at the same distance, and a closer focusing distance of 6 feet. I noticed a little more distortion around the edges in the opera glasses.The Olympus has rubberized eye cups, so they don't scratch my glasses. The eye cups extend for use without eyeglasses. The opera glasses had smooth polished metal eyepieces. They didn't scratch my glasses the few times I tried them, but they made me a little nervous.The Olympus has an individual diopter adjustment: what this means is that you use the central focusing ring to adjust for your left eye, then use the right side focusing ring to fine tune for your right eye. After that, you can simply use the central focusing ring to adjust for viewing at different distances. This flexibility was great for me because I frequently take off and put on my glasses when painting very fine detail. The opera glasses only had the central focusing ring. (Another artist I know had opera glasses which could focus each eye individually, but she bought those years ago and couldn't recall the source.)I have used these binoculars in an auditorium lit only by a high north-facing window, light enough to read but dim by photographic standards. The image in the binoculars seemed at least as bright as what I could see without them, but I didn't have a chance to compare the opera glasses in the same setting.Given a choice, I would keep the opera glasses as a backup and for the larger field of view, but if I could only have one, especially because I wear eyeglasses, the Olympus 8x21 is the best compromise.
I am very satisfied with the the binoculars. Would highly recommend it toanyone going to a play, concert  or sporting event.
I have been very happy with The Olympus Outack 8x 21 RC1 Binoculars. I purchased these after reading Consumer Reports reccomendations/evaluation on binoculars. Purchased to use for bird/animal watching in backyard or hiking. These binoculars are lightweight, includes lens caps, a neck strap, & a soft case for travel/storage. These binoculars are quickly and easily adjusted for different shared viewing. Picture is very clear. The price is very reasonable for excellent quality recieved. I would definately reccomend these binocolars.
The quality of these binoculars is good for the price.  I was unable to judge this in my previous review of this product, which was due to frustration over the long wait for them (almost 5 months from the time I ordered).  I presume the delay was due to large demand for these particular binoc's, especially after being a top pick in CR Magazine just before the holiday season in December.The binoculars are adjustable for people who wear glasses, a very nice feature.  They were worth the wait!Since the initial review, I have had 2 pairs of these binocs, still in use.  A few years ago my wife accidentally dropped the first pair in an asphalt parking lot on a cold winter day.  The plastic broke in half at one the hinged parts which functions to adjust the distance between the eye pieces.  I suppose this is the biggest drawback of a casing and parts made out of plastic.  On the other hand, being very small and light is certainly a convenience factor.After I bought a second pair of these binoc's, which my wife is still using especially when she travels, I used some superglue to fix the first pair.  While the hinged part is now frozen in place, the binoc's are still functional.  They just can't be folded as closely together as they should.  Not a problem for occasional use, and we keep the oldest pair hanging near a window for bird watching outside our house.  There's no comparison to a good high-magnification scope on a tripod, of course, but when convenience, light weight, small size, and low-cost but good quality are important, then these binoc's fit the bill.
Buyer should realize that these are very small binoculars -- and  because of this the viewing experience is much less enjoyable than a regular sized pair.We have these among others on our window sill (both smaller ones like this as well as larger ones) for viewing scenery on the water.  I almost never use the smaller ones because the larger ones give such a better view. For this reason, I would only recommend these if you are going to use them when traveling, etc...But for their size, they compare very well with other small binoculars I've used.
We love this set of binoculars! They provide basic magnification (not super sophisticated) are light weight, easy to carry or bring traveling. They have provided us with hours of entertainment for bird watching, whales spouting and spotting wildlife on the beach. Great price for the quality.
We received the binoculars as promised. We have found themto be very useful at the football games, easy to carry and use.
I looked around for a few months and then saw where Consumer Reports rated these very high in January 2009.  Resonably priced in the $50 range.  Highly recommend - a great binocular for the price!!
Used these at 2 concerts recently, very clear and user friendly. Would buy another pair and maybe will!
Great little binocs if you have good light.  Almost Sharp as the older Nikons were, a little better contrast/color.Solid focuser: that's really important in little binocs.
Took these on my cruise to Alaska and they were just perfect. For little money the image quality was great. The size and weight made them very easy to carry around. Great buy if your not looking to spending a lot of money.
so, I haven't used them much.  I use them for football, mostly, and others seem to like them, so read other reviews.  And be prepared to be a little disappointed if you have ever owned $400 caliber binoculars before.
My brother and sister-in-law have this binocular.  I borrowed it at a music festival and my husband and I were very impressed with it.  I use it mainly for bird watching and feel that it fits my lifestyle.  They are small and lightweight enough to carry around while gardening and it is economically priced.  I have a more expensive binocular, but don't find that the clarity of the view is as good as this one.
I chose to buy these binoculars because of the great reviews here on Amazon. I am not nealry as pleased as the previous reviewers. The binoculars are pretty powerful, and you can see a far distance, but I dislike them for the following reasons:  first, they have that whole "one lense goes gray" issue.  I have to hold my mouth just right to get a clear view in both lenses.  The eye adjustment is never quite right, and the most annoying thing is that both lense caps are too big for the lense and they fall off every time I take the binoculars out of the case.  I would go with a different pair of binoculars if I could do it all over again.  Even if I had to spend a little more money.
I was looking for something different to add to the Grandgirls Christmas gifts. I ran across this after originally looking at Cabela's.  Great price and they were a huge hit with the Grandgirls!
I read the reviews, and the consumer reports for the roof prisms, and because I was buying 2 pair for Chrismas, I got both the porro, and roof prism roamer 8x21.I also compared them to my own Steiner Safari 8x22.Really, very nice binocs.  I could not tell a difference between the roof prism, and porro prism, if there was a slight edge, it would go to the porro prism.I compared them in daylight, normal daytime house light and also in the basement in moderately low light.  Both Olympus did better in light gathering in the lower light situations than the Steiner.I looked at leaves, and license plates to compare close up and farther away.They are plastic, and as such are light weight, but I am concerned that the sturdiness of the Olympus may not match that of the boys who are the recipients.  Time will tell.So, because the porro prisms are significantly cheaper, I would go with these.
I  bought these becuase they were on sale and cheap, so if that is your goal they are fine.  BUT the are very dark compared to other glasses (i.e. the Nikon Travelite V) and not terribly clear.  Better glasses will capture light and make viewing easier.  These only work well in bright light.  Unless you are really boke, spend the extra money and get binoculars with higher quality lenses.
It is awkward to carry, and the camera barely fits into the case.  If you plan on having extra SD cards, batteries or anything else... put them in your pocket because they will not fit.  The case is so small, when putting the camera in, it turns the knobs and even put a scratch on my view finder because you have to pretty much stuff it in.
The folks who were complaining about the "tight fit" of the nikon 7600 in the recommended case had low wattage bulbs in their porchlights. There are several "pockets" in the case: one roomy one for the camera; another smaller one inside for keysize memory storage; and another slightly larger pocket on the outside for larger storage discs. I strongly suspect that they were trying to stuff the camera into that outside pockect. It is the only explanation for their complaints. The main, ziperred, pocket is roomy enough, yet snug and padded enough to protect your new camera. The extra compartments are a nice bonus. This is a good camera case at a very low price. Go for it!!!.
This case is perfect for the 5600 camera (dimensions- W:3.3 in. x H:2.4 in. x D:1.4 in.). I just drop it in. No tugging. It's small enough for me to drop into my purse, but with the straps, it's convenient to hang over my shoulder when carried alone.
My coolpix camera fits perfectly inside.  It even has room for 4 extra batteries.
This is a good case by itself but Walmart provides some better and cheaper (almost 1/3rd the price) options. I would certainly recommend a trip to walmart before buying this so called "OEM" case online.
This was purchased at the same time as the Nikon Coolpix camera and it would be really difficult to find a case with the same fit and storage options.  Good product, durable and efficient.
This is a nicely padded case to protect your expensive investment. It is compact, and still has room for extra batteries and memory. It can be used with a strap, or on a belt (or backback strap on hiking trips!). One nice thing is that when the case is unzipped, the camera is easy to remove, but (except when you hold it upside down and shake) the camera does not fall out.
This is a cute little camera pouch for my Nikon 4100 digital camera and two spare batteries. I like it because it is small and fits in my handbag just like the camera does, but with a little extra protection against everyday abuse from keys and what-nots in my handbag. Reasonable price for a Nikon-brand camera pouch at less than $8 on Amazon, and would have given it a 5-star if not for the fact that the camera fits so snuggly in the pouch that I have to be very careful when zipping or unzipping for fear of scratching the camera in the pouch.
I own a Nikon Coolpix 4100 and a Sony DSC-F828.  The latter is too large to carry around to clubs and parties, so I take the Nikon and have my girlfriend carry it in her purse.  This case keeps the camera portable, and I am able to fit 2 additional memory cards and 6 extra batteries in it.  And you can't beat the price!
Nicely padded, easy zip up, love the long strap to hang over shoulder.  The camera fits nicely in the case too!
This case is perfect for the Nikon Coolpix camera.  The camera fits perfectly with cushioning around it for protection, the strap is strong, plenty of room for a couple of batteries and image card.
Well, I reserve one star for me, because the material seem to get dirty easily due to the fabric texture and the color; besides that the case is perfectly desingned and fits the camera and maybe a pair of extra batteries or sd card in its poket.
Very compact. Protects the camera (a Nikon L3) from sudden trips to the ground, inclement weather, curious dogs, etc. Space to hold the USB cord, even an extra SD card IN its protective plastic case. Not the most fashionable case around, but I prefer functionality. This one has got it! What's not to love?
Sturdy and light, holds an extra set of batteries, memory card case or memory card, seems to be made well, and holds my Coolpix L4 securely.
This is an excellent product and fits the little Nikon Coolpix camera like a glove.  Very compact and very well made.  It came on time too.  Highly recommend this product.
This is my second Nikon case and me and my wife are very happy with. The case is small, beautiful, easy to clean and very discrete. The external pocket carries 2 batteries perfectly. We highly recomend. The only cons is the shipping cost; amost twice the case's price. Please Mr. Merchant drop it !!!
Good protection for when I don't want my P2 in my pocket, and enough room for a spare battery.  Good quality, I'm happy with it...
Ths is a decent camera bag.  Not all L series cameras are the same size, though.  I have an L5 and it fits in but snug.  The bag will stretch a bit though and it will be fine.  If you have a camera largerthan the L5, this is not the bag for you.
It`s a nice stuff, but it hasn`t enough space for accesories like bateries and others. It's too soft, then when you take the case you can turn on the camera inside.
Excellent and Great Price!! We love itJay MittalDoctoral CandidateUniversity of Cincinnati
Fits my Nikon Coolpix L11 camera perfectly. Small and compact enough to fit in a purse or backpack. I really like that it has an adjustable strap so that it makes it easy to carry and extra pockets to fit a memory card and a few batteries.
I have a coolpix L1, and it BARELY fits in this case. I don't know who wrote that this case fit all these cameras-but they must have been on some really good drugs at the time.Not all cameras are the same size. I use this because I HAVE to protect the camera somehow, but it was a real waste of $$$Come on Nikon=get on the ball and design a carrying case for EACH camera-is it really that hard????
Sure, I'd prefer that it were black leather and a little sleeker looking, but it's a good basic pouch and a fair value.  It well constructed and provides decent protection.  It has a couple of handy small compartments for SD cards or what have you (velcro-fastened external pouch and a simple open-top mesh pouch inside).  And it can be carried either by its removable shoulder strap, or by its simple, unobtrusive built-in belt loop.
Honestly I'm not a big fan of the camera, but this case for it was nice and small and thickly padded and I think it was a great price, so I give the case kudos, although I'd buy a different camera - and if it fit in this case, I'd be happy!  The Nikon Coolpix I bought does fit in it well, and the case will hold the add'l memory and the usb cable as long as you tie it up compactly.  I wouldn't have minded if it were a tad bit bigger so you could put two AA batteries in it too, but I still like it a lot.
Unless you like to Jam your camara into and pry it out with a screwdriver, Dont buy this case for the Nikon L1 it will not work. Plain and simple it dont fit. Its way to tight. One case for 9 different Cameras. Yea right!!!!
I didn't listen to the naysayers. After all, why would Nikon state that this case was for ALL of the following cameras (Coolpix 2200, 3200, 4100, 4600, 5600, 7600) if it was not true? Besides, everyone loves to gripe on the internet. In this case, they were right! I own the handy Coolpix 3200 and it is like trying to fit size 12 hips into a pair of size 10 jeans....you can do it but it's a struggle and you are afraid of breaking the zippers! Finally, the newer Coolpix Cameras are SMALLER than the older cameras so they should fit just fine in this NIKON camera case. In conclusion, if you own a 2200,3200, or 4100 - SKIP THIS ONE - Trust Me! Mine is going straight back to eBay.  If you own the 4600,5600,or 7600 Coolpix Digital Camera, you will be thrilled with this custom case.
This was a perfect accessory for my camera. It offers protection as well as storage space for batteries, etc. It is lightweight yet sturdy and well built.
This product is exactly as depicted in my search.  Price was great.  Very fast shipping.
My sister and I like our camera cases ok.  They are a tad bulky but do the job.
So I buy my new teensy 7.1 CoolPix Digital Camera and although I can slide it in my pocket, I reserve that spot for bananas.  So this waterproof, velcro nifty little perfect sized case holds my camera and digital cards and 6 AA batteries.  It also has a waist band for the belt or for a shoulder hold.  Plus, it seems like it is OVER built.  I'm happy!
Many reviews of this case state that it is too small for the camera to fit.  It is designed only for the L-Series cameras, with the L1 being the largest of the series.  Don't order this case for any other Nikon model.  With the L1, it will fit in one direction only (not stated in any instructions, which didn't exist).  The camera will fit perfectly with the grip/shutter button end inserted first, facing front, and the lens/flash end last, near the zipper end. Any other way will not fit.  The outer pouch can hold batteries or a flash card, but the internal compartments are useless with the L1.  Maybe with other L-series models it's possible to hold more stuff.
if you have the camera you need the perfect case. Perfect fit and just the right size to slip in the purse . cute and classy
I should have bought one of these years ago. I had my camera in a much skimpier case and it fell out of my bag and broke. This case is much better padded and the clip lets me attach it to the inside of my bag so it can't fall out. Has room for extra batteries and memory card. I wasn't happy with my Nikon Coolpix camera so I returned it and got a Canon Powershot instead and though the Canon is a bit bulkier than the Nikon it still fits in the case just fine.
Good quality little camera bag. Anyone complaining it didn't fit their camera obviously didn't read anything on the description. They say it's NOT compatibly with the L100 or L110 series. Don't buy it if you have either camera. I bought the Nikon Coolpix L26 at the same time and when I got it, it slipped right in with no issues. The bag seems very well made and should protect the camera from dust and bumps quite well. Unless you have a ton of memory cards you plan on using with your Coolpix, I would get it. If you've got a handfull, say maybe more than a half dozen cards, I'd look for something a little bigger. Once you get a spare set of batteries in there, you'll be out of room. I haven't tried it out to see how many cards it'll carry, but then again the person I'm giving it to won't have to worry about that. I bought a big card to go with it.
It's a nice producto, almost perfect for my camera. I'd only change the size, a little bigger to keep the cable.But I'm happy with it.
This case came with a Nikon Coolpix 4600 camera that I bought recently. It is a great fit, plenty of room and good protection, and has both a pouch to carry extra batteries on the outside, and a small pocket on the inside for storing a spare memory card.  Well worth the purchase.  I highly recommend it.
This case is excellent for my Coolpix L1. It fits snugly, so the camera is not bouncing around inside. It has storage room for a memory card and spare batteries. This case protected my camera very well during a recent trip, where my camera was inside a backpack, and nothing hapenned to it. You can either use it around your neck or loop it through your belt.
This is a must have. It is  as light and compact as the camera.
This fits my camera to a tee.  It has enough cushion to protect the camera because I am very clumsy.  Great buy.
This camera bag is just the right size for my Nikon Coolpix L2.  Not a lot of room but a snug fit.  The bag comes with a carrying strap.  Inside pocket for a memory card.  The bag also has a front pocket and a strip in the back so you can loop your belt through it.  I have attached pictures.  I'm glad I bought it.  I'm taking a trip to the Carribean in a few months and find the compactness perfect.  Who wants to carry a huge camera bag?
I read the reviews and felt comfortable enough to get one for my P2. It's prefect for my P2. Like some of the reviews, the interior pocket is pretty much useless if you want it to store an extra battery. You can probably slip an extra memory card in the interior pocket. The exterior pocket is big enough for 2 extra batteries and a couple of memory cards.There is a feature that I didn't see anyone mentioned is that if you don't want to bother with the shoulder strap, you can this case on your belt.
I had one of those generic/universal cases you can buy for digital cameras, and it worked okay, but part of the reason I bought my Nikon Coolpix L1 is that I liked the size - nice and compact.  The generic case, while functional, was also vastly oversized, even though it was the smallest one I could find.The custom Nikon case fits the camera perfectly, and I love that there's not all this extra bulk.That said, if you're looking for a case that holds the camera and all sorts of supplies, this one isn't for you.  The pocket on the front can hold a couple of extra batteries or a case for your SD card, but you're not going to be packing a mini tripod into this thing or stowing your battery charger in it.  That's perfect for me - all I need is a spare set of batteries and I'm ready to go.  If that's you, then this is the perfect case for your Nikon.
This item is great, looks very nice and is very well made for the price. It is for the larger nikon, we got this for the larger coolpix. Plenty of room in it and it has been through alot. Very nice product.
UPDATE 06/28/2014took this lens along with my old E-520 on a trip and it performed great. Polarizing filter can get quite expensive if you start buying for different filter sizes. I bought a cheap downsizing ring adapter from 77mm to 72mm and used my Hoya 77mm filter. Results are excellent. Its a weatherproof lens but I wouldn't put it to test unless you have weatherproofed body for it._______________________________________________________________I bought this lens after extensive research and comparing different wide angle lens. This lens is high quality glass, with very low distortion, sharp all across with deep colors, autofocus is very fast and accurate. This is very fast lens performs very well in low light with its wide aperture. I was able to achieve nice night shots handheld low ISO setting.I brought different lenses with me on a two week trip and I noticed that I used this lens 90% of time with a few exceptions of 70-300 when I needed telephoto range otherwise, this lens was staying on my camera at all times.This lens take filter 72mm. can get very expensive but all you really need is a polarizing filter.Note: I wouldnt use on camera flash with this lens as due to the wide angle there is a shadow from the lens on a picture. I wouldnt use in body flash anyway....would recommend FL-50R instead. pro flash - great for all your photography needs.I am very pleased with the performance of this lens. Highly recommend for landscape, architecture and low light photography. Make sure you have hood its a must.Please refer to my pictures posted here taken with this lens and E-520 body.
This lens is very useful for shooting groups of people in small spaces, or large groups in open spaces.  It's also a great focal length range for scenery.  It's probably my most often-used lens.  It focuses quickly and has a very respectable aperture.  Sharpness is excellent even edge to edge at wide apertures.  I've also used and loved the 7-14mm, but at double the price, it's out of my range.
I bought an Olympus 11-22mm lens from Cameta Camera earlier this spring and found I use it much more frequently than my 14-54mm.  The 11-22mm is essentially a near-super wide to normal lens that is both sharp across the image (sharper than the 14-54mm) and displays very very little distortion across its entire zoom range.  An added plus--an exposure set at one zoom setting is good for any other, so you can lock an exposure and just focus between zoom settings.  Auto focus is very fast.  Images show very little CA at extreme edges.  It takes a lens filter without signs of vignetting (dark image edges).The lens works well on my E-510 and E-330.  In fact, it works so well on the E-330 that it stays on this camera.This is simply a superb lens for landscape and makes the Olympus 4:3 system unique for its overall small size and image quality.  Images from the 11-22mm easily print full-size onto 13x19 papers with sharp resolution of detail (using Epson 2200 and 2400 printers).  What a keeper.  I highly recommend the 11-22mm.
While there may be wider options available from Olympus and other vendors, this lens is quite flexible in shooting  architecture, landscapes, nigthscapes, streets, museums, insides of low-lit cathedrals and even portraits (at tele-end of 44mm eFoV). I also have Canon EFS 10-22m which though wider, is not as flexible in variety of scenarios as 11-22. Image quality rivals primes.With an aperture of F2.8 and image stabilized body,  this lens can take some incredible handheld lowlight shots. On E520 and other bodies with IS, it is possible to take handheld shots as slow as 1/2~1/5 seconds at 11mm. Neither Canon nor Nikkon offers anything similar.Highly recommended and extremely under appreciated among non-Zuikoholics.A current and future collectible.
Let me start by saying that I am not a pro, I just jumped into the DSLR world about 4 months ago. That being said, this lens is a must for your collection. The lens is pricey at about $700 but it is in Olympus's mid level range ( Quality wise). The pictures from this lens are out of this world, great color and detail. Even the limited distortion you might get at its widest settings can be used as creative or just cropped out. I have taken dozens of pictures with it already at all of its range with no bothersome distortion. For outdoor shots it's a must have, you simply get sooo much more. So if you looking at it and your undecided let me say it is worth at least giving it a try. I hope this review helped you out.
I posted a photo above you can look at to see the objective glass element on this lens - it has some severe curvature to obtain the near 90 degreee field of view without distortion.  I also plan to mount it in my linearity tester when finished using it for a customer and will post a photo of its overall resolution.This lens would be IDEAL for a realator who takes "curb apeal" shots of homes, and interior shots where it is difficult to see floor to ceiling and wall to wall.  At 11 MM there is no fisheye effect and all lines are straight.  Unfortunately, even though this can focus down to about 11 inches, it can not mount the flash ring because it has a 72mm filter size instead of the 67 mm on the other lenses which can use the ring flash.  This is really a shame too, because at close distances, the wide field of view of this lens will cast a shadow from the built in flash on the camera that may take up 1/8 of the picture.  Using a flash off the camera for closeup work is one option, a bounce flash and a card is another option, but direct lighting will alsmost certainly show up in the picture due to the wide viewing angle.Outside during daylight the lens really shines.  I used it to take a photo of my house from the curb and got the entire lot (75' wide) from 50 feet away on the sidewalk, with the grass in front in focus, as well as the sky above, and parts of my neighbor's homes.  This would give a realator alot of flexibility to either zoom in or crop the picture in photoshop for a front on view for flyers.
First off the 14mm-54 and 50mm to 200mm are must haves. This lens at 11mm to 22mm is just a little wider on on the wide end than a 14mm. So what does 11mm get you that 14mm won't? For me, when I am in a room and I want to get ambiance of the entire room, those few extra mm are great. When I am out doors and I want to get an entire building rather than just the first few floors it is very useful.This lens spends about 10% of the time on my camera. When I know I am going to need it it goes on. Otherwise 14-54mm covers 80% of everything.Some quick FYIs: This lens will take regular screw on filters, but not the same as 14-54 or 50-200. Unlike the 14-54 and 50-200, this lens is the longest at its widest. It is its shortest at around 20mm. On the 14-54 and 50-200, you tend to want to zoom into the subject. This one tends to cover a particular are and you move the lens to cover yet more of the surroundingsIn short this is NOT a general purpose lens, but it does have a nice range that it is useful. If you find that you want a little more panorama, this may be for you
This lens is simply a must have for landscape work. Optically it is better than the 14-54 and 50-200 that completes olympus mid-end pro glass. Focus is silent and fast. Only wish it could be wider as the 2x crop factor makes it a 22-44mm in 35mm terms, 90 degree FOV. For architecture I would recommend the 7-14mm, but at $700 it is still a best buy.
Very little distortion, useful range, sharp, fast, comes with hood and pouch in the box.A proper hood is ESSENTIAL, not an extra!  Some makers force you to pay for one!Pretty good into the light and has survived a fall and MANY splashes with no apparent loss of quality.
This is an amazing wide-angle zoom, especially for architecture or interiors because it is perfectly rectilinear at all focal lengths.  Beats the equivalent Nikon, Canon and Sigma models easily.The bonus...it's 'splash proof' so you won't be afraid to take it outside in rain/snow/spray etc.
At 22mm/f11 this lens is perfect for the kind of portraits, where you need high depth of field, e.g. on the front cover of my Suntan Book (see link below), the family members are lined up behind each other. For panoramas the low distortion and large depth of field make panoramas possible, where closeup and far-away elements are combined. Adding a infrared filter delivers snow white greenery. Using camera shift or 2 cameras and 2 of these lenses, 3D is crispy clear. Especially for 3D, closeup and faraway elements need to be in the picture. Again, at f11 they are all in focus. A fantastic lens for artistic photography!Following are some links of my books created with this lens and a E300:Suntan: Skin Tone Color Adjustments in Lightroom and PhotoshopPanoramic & Stereoscopic Photography in Color and Infrared: A Step by Step GuideFlorida - Focus on Anna Maria Island - Panoramic & Stereoscopic: Hypnotizing Sceneries3D Stereoscopic Portraits - Photography by Rolf Bertram - Posing by Audrey Michelle: Color and InfraredFlexible: Posing by Audrey Michelle
This lens is frequently overlooked,especially since the introduction of the 12-60mm lens.This is a nice lens with little distortion.  I use it for landscapes.  I also own the 12-60mm, and while there is a lot of overlap, the 11-22mm has noticeably less distortion in its range.If you want one lens, buy the 12-60mm. If you have a 14-42mm or 14-54mm, this is a nice compliment. Used copies can be found at very reasonable prices, so it may be cheaper to buy this guy than than going the 12-60mm route.If you do some landscapes or underwater, this is a nice lens.  As with all Olympus high grade lenses, the build quality is excellent.Update--August 2013--the more I use this lens, the more impressed I am.  This is one of the gems in the four thirds line up.
Takes the worry away when cleaning the sensor andlow battery levels.  Learn the controls and functionsof the camera's (Pentax K100D)abilities while notsucking your AA batteries down.This is exactly what I bought it for.
AC adapter works great for long indoor photo sessions.  Seems a bit pricy but is very well made.
I just want everyone to know...because I got this by mistake...This is NOT for the K10D.  It is a great product and work Great on my istDL.But it will not work on the K10D.
The AC adapter works great and easy to use.  I use it when taking lots of photos indoor and viewing pictures.  It works great and saves on battery use.  I would recommend it for those who own Pentax digita SLR cameras.
Amazon as usual was very prompt with shipping, the correct item arrived in excellent condition and worked right away saving me much money and saving wear and tear on the environment. Thank you Amazon!!
Arrived on time for my presentation.  A must have for extended camera use.  A real battery saver.
We received this very quickly and in first class shape.  My husband was very pleased.
Pentax K100D can use 4 AA batterie, rechargeable or not, ot use 2 CR-V3 batteries of the non rechargeable type.  The CR-V3 are the longest lasting batteries by far, but at my local supplier are about $20 for a 2 pack.  In this case using the K-AC1OU Adapter makes "cents" whenever you are in a studio-like situation where you can shoot while your camera is plugged into the wall outlet. (Also, when downloading photos directly in your computer).  The cord is pretty long and you can use an extension cord.In any event and although I use now rechargeable batteries, a sure backup power to have on hand.
These handy wipes clean my camera lenses perfectly and are easily carried in my fanny pack. Excellent product, I use it on my iPad also to clean it.
I am a pro photographer and I love keeping these in my bag so that I can quickly remove any finger prints or whatever else happens to get on my lens.  I find that these work much better than a combination of a microfiber and Eclipse cleaning solution, which I use and recommend for cleaning lenses at home (because it's cheaper).
The E-Wipe cleaning pads seem to have the right amount of cleaning solution. They do a great job of cleaning lenses. I occasionally use them to clean the glass screens of electronic devices. The cleaning pads are great for removing very thin films of oil.
This is a great product for cleaning lenses, but my packs seem to have far too much solution in them for sensor cleaning. It left streaks and smudges all over my sensor. Maybe it's just a bad batch but I would stay away from these at all costs for sensor cleaning.
Want to take care of your equipment? Make sure you buy this e-Wipe to make sure all of the dust and fragments stay off of your lenses.The wipes are made specifically for cleaning lenses and this way you protect the expensive investments we're all aware of when owning a camera.
It's totally fun to use this camera, it allows you to be creative constantly.The product arrived in perfect conditions.
Well, It looks cheap and  this camera takes awfull pictures, it didnt come with strap, and its not any good.
I really enjoy this camera! It's very cute and loads of fun! Feels a bit cheap, but considering the price I cannot complain! It takes me back, man. Great product!
This is a cheap and fun little 35mm film camera (without a flash) with the ability to do split- and double-exposures. Seriously though, the color of the camera looks spray painted on. Kind of scared to think of the chemicals in the plastic and paint, especially as this is listed on Amazon as a toy, for this reason I would not recommend it for children.
This is a fun, cheap toy camera. It takes quirky pictures and has been an excellent addition to my collection.
I'm not happy with this purchase because alot of the things that go with this camera were not in the box. It is missing the following; the lens cover which will cost me $10.00 to replace.Pixela Imagemaker software which I can't even FIND for sale! I'm not sure I will be able to put the films on my computer even!the access (shoe) area cover, I can't even find one of these for sale!!Audio video cable which will cost me at least $10.00 more.Usb transfer cable which will cost $8.00 moretotal so far $28.00 extra which means I would NOT have purchased from this seller had I known it was missing all THIS! Also theresNO MANUAL!!!!! yes it is available online and I downloaded it and printed the 142 page manual & took me an hour and a ton of ink. HOW do u not have the manual for this camera?!?! This is an extremely complicated camera to use and even the time/date part is not easy to figure out without the manual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not happy. I think the battery included is useless too. Only worked for 5 min after charging it for 4 hours! I had bought this to use for an up comming event which because all the accessories are missing and I had to order them and wait for them to arrive I will NOT be able to even use this camera for why I bought it! Thanks alot
We have had one a few years now, our first video camera dvd. It was easy to setup, try out and plug into the tv or pop in the dvd and see what we took. We love the features it comes with and the editing part we didn't really have much trouble once we read the instructions. I'm sure if you mess around with it without reading the instructions it would be confusing. But once you know what your doing, your fine. We have used this at home as well as on numerous trips over the years. We had no problems or flaws with sony or the camcorder. Original batteries are still working fine and recharging. We have two batteries we carry with us as well as extra dvd's as they do fill up fast; but what a better way to store your memories!
I just borrowed my friend's Sony 101 to covert my analog footage to DVD and I thought that it worked great. After converting all my old analog home movies to DVD I thought I would take it out for a spin and see how well it records overall.It takes great pictures and allows you to save them directly to your DVD vs forcing you to download the images to your computer. I was also able to preview the video footage before I finalized the DVD.  You also just hook the Camcorder up to the TV to view your films instead of downloading them to your computer. If you are more interested in watching your home movies vs editing them, then this could be a good camcorder for you.
Both reviews I've read on this product seem scattered and incoherent, so let me see if I can clear-up some of the misconceptions about Sony's DVD camcorder 101. I've had mine for 6 months now and am getting used to it. Despite what you might hear about the DVD format, this isn't an easy piece of equipment to use. You will have to put some time (translate: hours) into the learning process involved in using the camcorder and the powerful but heavy-on-the-steps PIXELA ImageWriter software that works with the camera.For me, the camera works great...it does just what the manual says it will do and it does it well. I find the images to be clean and clear, the sound to be excellent, and the buttons and internal program to be logical and understandable. Buy an extra battery and a filter to protect the Zeiss lense-aftermarket products should cost you less than $100 for both and well worth it. I was under the impression that I could just plug my MiniDVD into a drive and burn right away to peripheral DVD drive-just like with Video copying-BUT I was wrong. You have to download everything to your computer hard-drive (and you better have lots of space!), then edit it, then you can make a copy. This process yields a clean product but, yikes, it takes alot of time and effort. Hopefully, some future software package will just automatically cover the many steps necessary to burn a simple DVD. In the meantime, you guessed it, manual keyboard labor!Now, the Pixela software is another story; It's complicated and confused the heck out of me. It's designed to be universal in format, hence, not words just icons! But, again, once you learn the language of the program you can get it to do what you want, but be prepared to sweat it out and make lots of silly errors before you land in the world of ImageMixer extraordinnaire...Now, I'm having lots of fun with the camcorder. It's handy and small and the stabilizer works better than I imagined. But, be forewarned that the doggone stuff is complicated to transfer and is best suited for the computer-literate geek!
I purchased this camera over a month ago and I have had nothing but headaches when it comes to the software.  My intention on purchasing this camera was to burn extra dvd's just in case the original dvd was damaged.  After spending weeks on my pc and speaking with tech support with Pixela it was determined that my 6month old DVD burner was not compatible with their software.  Now I have tried to use two other software programs but they will not recognize my camera being plugged in.  I am at a loss as to what to do next.  If I can't burn extra dvd's I don't care to have the product.  OH and don't even attempt to contact Sony for support you will just get the run around.  As for the camera I am pleased I am just having problems with the camera to pc operation.  If you are purchasing for plug and play you will be fine.  The compact design is great, I carried it on my fanny pack all over Disney World.
The DCRDVD201 camcorder is a pleasure to use because it is not difficult to operate, has many great features, and probably its best feature- it is very small and lightweight.It does not take hours of user manual reading and fidgeting around with the camera to begin using it, and ocassionally referring to the manual to use its more complicated features is all you need to do.The steady shot is always on and makes recording and viewing easy. The super night shot works well also, but unless your nocturnal, it doesn't get used too much.The image mixer software that comes with the camera is not as self explanatory as the camera is, but with a little extra effort and time, the program is versatile and capable of handling all your editing needs.The hype over the DVD camcorders is over done.  Unless you buy and use  the expensive little DVD-+R's to record onto, and have nothing to edit, there is little benefit to recording directly to a DVD.  But if you use the DVD-RW's so you can edit, erase, and re-record, you are going through the motions of putting the video on your computer anyway; which you can do with miniDV or another recording format.  In short, the DVD's that you record to is just temporary storage, if you, like most people will edit your recording before putting the video on a final DVD-+R.I say all that to say- suprisingly, the picture quality is argueably not as good as miniDV and if you are going to have to transfer your recorded material to a computer to edit and finalize anyway- you may want to save yourself the extra $500 and buy a camcorder that doesn't record onto DVD-+R's.
It's just incredible convenience to be able to record directly onto a (mini) DVD, then pop the DVD into your home DVD player, and then play your video and also store it on a permanent (100+ years?) medium.  No more fumbling with IEEE 1394 cables, transfering video over to VCR or (ugh!) PC, only to face a demagnetized VHS tape or crashed computer hard drive.The convenience of using DVD-R/RW is the #1 reason why you'd buy this camcorder.  It's also stylish and easy to operate, with a great shape for the (right-hande) palm.  But Sony should have included a larger zoom than the 10x optical included.  Considering Canon's miniDV can do 20+x zoom, Sony should improve this.The review by Pat from Colorado is helpful but I disagree with his/her assessment of the video quality.  I think the DVD201's video quality is pretty good.  It's not pro-quality like the 3-CCD camcorders from Canon, but it's pretty good compared to other consumer-class miniDV camcorders.  Initially I was afraid of digital artifacts on the video, but have seen none so far.With DVD-R (much cheaper than the 3&quot; DVD-RW, which is also hard to find) you can record only once, but you can always just copy the files to your PC and use Windows Movie Maker or Adobe Premiere or any video-editing package.  I haven't tried it, though.  It's just fabulous to just pop out the DVD from the camcorder, pop it into the DVD player and not worry about anything else.Is this worth $900 while you can get a great miniDV camcorder from Canon, JVC or Panasonic for one-third of that?  I can't answer this question for you.  For me, the convenience alone is worth a heft premium, since I no longer pull my hair out over frustrated video-transfer attempts.  I can now actually enjoy shooting AND playing back my home videos.  I can now live a few years longer, I think.NOTE: When buying blank media, be sure to buy the right format!
This camera, which I have owned for a year or so, is limited in every way. The 30 minute time limit (actually 21 or 22 minutes for a formatted DVD) is only the begining. Once you have the images, you can't do much with them, as the camera and the software (CRAP!) is not very useful or user-friendly. If you don't buy SONY brand discs, many other brands, that claim to be Sony compatible (such as panasonic) will fail ONLY WHEN FINALIZING - that means you just lost 30 minutes of footage - for us it was our daughter's first day skiing!Thanks Sony, for reminding me why I hate your products!
The technology is coming, but it is one of those items that you might want to wait a year to see what updates they can do. The current Camera/DVD or Video war reminds me a lot of the Beta VS VHS war. It is just a matter of time before the Cameras are all DVD and have almost movie quality. I think at this point just for the simple reason that SONY has discontinued many other versions that were new 6 or 9 months ago, that should be reason enough to wait. But again.. it's up to you
I purchased a new DVD201 with high hopes on how it would work.  I already own a Sony DVD recorder for my home ent. center and a Sony Mavica CD camera, which I love (and uses the same batteries as this camcorder), so I thought this camera would be ideal for us, as I would have no problems using Sony products with Sony products.But even at the highest quality setting (HQ setting) the picture quality is lousy - the colors are all faded and washed out.  I thought at first this might be because I was using SP mode and VR recording setting, so I switched to HQ and Video mode.  Very little difference.  I filmed well-lit indoor scenes of items with  bright colors and went outside and filmed flowers in bloom and other items with vivid color.  Only the outside shots came even close to being acceptable - the inside shots were not good, and for $900 with all the accessories, this is too much to pay for a poor quality picture.  I am very disappointed.  I would have kept this camera if it were not for this problem.  Also, it is just as someone else posted here, this is not a bug in the camera I bought - this is how it works.  DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE IMAGE IN THE VIEWFINDER when you try this camera in the store.  Burn a DVD-R disc, then play it back on a DVD player on any TV - you will see the problem.Also, the shots taken outside are noisy, with little wind today, the shots sound like I am in a wind tunnel. The mike picked up lots of wind noise.  This is not acceptable either.Finally, the sound on the inside shots have a high amount of background noise (whirring sound) due to the DVD motor.  This is also unacceptable.SONY ENGINEERS:  YOU NEED TO REWORK THIS DESIGN!
I have been using the DCR-DVD201 for quite a while now, racking up a mini DVD stack of very high quality images and close-ups of flowers and other subjects. I am very picky, as an artist of ministure etchings and engravings, and find the image quality excellent. Sure, one can spend $4000-$5000 and upgrade for a professional unit and probably be happy having that...but this camera is great, and I use it just about everyday.In fact the images are so good that I use a screen capture to make flower prints from the movie images (using the high resolution mode on the camera).The Carl Zeiss lens is definite plus as well. I have been around these lens systems all my life and own other Zeiss lenses in microscopes, etc. My father as an MD used them.The convenience of finializing a DVD in a few minutes (I noticed somewhere that the finalization process can take hours...it doesn't) and them being able to play in in your TV set or computer immediatley thereafer is great. The controls and compactness of the camera is wonderful...I often carry it in my pocket, with no problem. My main concern is forgetting that I am carrying it and losing it...that is how nice and compact this unit is.I would say that one should know how to use the camera by reading the manual and experimenting with it and think before you record the image if you plan to edit anything later. I edit the finished product on my computer from the original DVD. A nice camera, with great image quality for the price. No problem. - John Anthony Miller, artist. [...]
I originally got this camcorder 6 years ago, for home video use. The DVD format is very appealing to those looking to shoot around the house, due to the footage already being on a medium which can be readily and easily viewed (just pop the disc into your DVD player and you're good to go). This camera makes DVD-player viewing very easy. The menu system is very clean and simple; all you need to do is hit "finalize" when you're done recording and your footage will then be burned to disc in-camera (please note that this is just as it sounds, final, so be sure that your disc is filled, or that you're satisfied with the amount of content on it before doing this). This couldn't be simpler, and Sony did a great job of making the whole process easy and fun for those with little to no camera experience.Having said that, this camcorder does leave a lot to be desired as far as quality goes. The DVD201 does not record in 480p, but in 480i, which causes very noticeable lines of resolution to move across the screen at the slightest movement. Of course, for most camcorders that shoot interlaced video, you could always import the footage into an NLE and de-interlace it, and re-export it in a progressive format. Now, even ignoring the fact that DVDs are a finalized medium by their nature, which therefore makes importing into a computer nearly impossible without a great amount of hassle and loss of quality, video editing is an extra step that takes a lot of time and effort, and defeats the purpose of having an easy-to-use device. The vast majority of the consumer video electronics market does not have the time, money, knowledge or interest required to do this. Of course, you could simply deal with the interlaced footage on playback, but it is very noticeable and cannot be missed. You'd be better off purchasing a MiniDV camera from a higher-end brand such as Canon for an equal or lower price.Before I wrap up this review, let me briefly go over the audio performance of this camcorder. The DVD201's microphone is mediocre, picking up sound well but also producing a loud and easily audible buzzing hum. This is mostly due to the DVD spinning inside the camcorder while recording, although even when there is no disc in the camera, the motor can be easily heard and is not quiet. There is an external microphone jack on the front, however it is oddly placed (directly below the lens, under a plastic cover).I would only recommend getting this camcorder as a back-up, a status which it would serve very well. Overall, the DVD201 is very user-friendly, but I found its letdowns to be too much of a hassle, so if you plan to buy it, research its specs first and compare it with other cameras in the same price range. Buy with knowledge and with caution.
I bought this camera back in December 2004 just before going on a trip to Europe, at the time it was the "bee's knees" in camcorders. It was the most amazing little gadget I had owned at the time, and I was thrilled with the results. I'm still very happy with the results, but there are quite a few issues with it.Firstly, you can't do anything with the video you've shot - even getting clips onto your PC is a chore. Sometimes the computer finds the camera, more often it doesn't. I've now given up getting anything onto the PC, and I just watch the video on the TV unedited. The software that comes with it is completely useless. All you can do is stitch together different clips in their entirety. I managed to do this ONCE in 2 years, but never got the software to burn a DVD of what I had stitched together - the software crashed the computer every time I tried to do it, so I gave up trying.Secondly, like so many other people, disc errors pop up every once in a while. I admit I have been lucky with it, and have only had a couple, but then again, I haven't used this camera much in all that time, and you just don't know when its going to happen. (I had a disc error when I put a new SONY DVD into the camera in St Petersburg, Russia. I didn't have another DVD with me, so I have no video of St Petersburg at all.)Lastly, finalising a disc is a nightmare. You spend 10 or 15 mins chewing your nails to the quick waiting for the camera to start beeping and flashing 'DISC ERROR' at you, thus loosing everything you've shot. Again, this has only happened to me a handful of times, but it happens right at the moment when you don't want it to happen. I lost the whole of the west of Ireland because of a disc error during finalising - once again, a SONY disc. Its not as if you can just put another disc in and go back to Ireland to reshoot it all. The 3 or 4 other times its happened was close to home, when I just did go back and reshoot it another day. But what if it had been something important, like the birth of a child or a wedding, like other reviewers have had?After reading so many horror stories about this camera, I can say I'm one of the lucky few. My camera has only done the dirty on me a couple of times, but then again, every time I use it, I think to myself, 'Is this the time its gonna stuff up???' Which is a real pity, because on the whole its been a nice little camera, and has traveled with me to a lot of places, and has generally been great. But ... you just never know when the moment will come.Using Sony discs wont solve the disc error problem. I've only ever used Sony brand discs, and they also give errors when the camera feels like it. And the camera hates DVD+R discs - I wasted money on a whole packet of these, only to have every one of them get a DISC ERROR from the camera when I first put them in. Obviously it only likes DVD-R discs.I would say, save your nerves and don't buy any DVD camcorder, no matter what the brand. They're far too temperamental and the technology too dodgy.
JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS I BOUGHT THIS CAMCORDER WHEN IT FIRST CAME ON THE MARKET. MINE WAS PURCHASED IN DEC. 2004. IT WORKED FINE UNTIL JUNE OF THIS YEAR. AFTER SPENDING CLOSE TO AN HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH SONY'S REPAIR DEPT. I FOUND OUT IT WILL COST $211 TO REPAIR, AND I ONLY GET A 90 DAY GUARANTEE ON THAT. MY CAMCORDER JUST STOPPED WORKING, PERIOD! FOR NO REASON AT ALL, THE LCD SCREEN WAS THE FIRST THING THAT WENT, THEN IT WOULD NOT CHARGE, THEN IT WOULD NOT EVEN POWER ON!! THIS CAMERA HAS NEVER BEEN DROPPED, HIT, NEVER WET, NEVER USED OUTSIDE IN RAIN OR SNOW ETC; THIS IS THE BIGGEST WASTE OF $800 I HAVE EVER SEEN, AND IT'S OBVIOUS FROM THE OTHER OPINIONS I HAVE READ, I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE GOTTEN THE ROYAL SHAFT FROM SONY. MY NEXT LETTER WILL BE TO SONY. SO ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING MADE BY SONY!!!!
The camera won't work with CompUSA DVD-R's (I tried a bunch of them). I don't know if it is the camera's fault or CompUSA's, but I recommend trying out the blank DVD-R's in the store before taking them home.
This is our first camcorder. Admittedly we were intimidated by all of the choices and formats on the market.  This DVD camcorder is a wonderful option because you do not need to use a computer or any additional equipment to watch your movies.  If you do desire to do editing with your PC, you can do it with a usb port and unlike many other camcorder formats you do not need a firewire. We have a DVD player (not even a new or fancy one) and we are able to pop the DVD right from the camcorder into the DVD player and watch it right away - no extra steps.  There is no need to plug the camcorder into a vcr or tv to play it if you have a dvd player.  To us that made it worth the extra cost beyond that of a minidv camcorder.  In addition, the DVD media is a lot more permanent than most tape formats as a DVD will last a much longer time - no need to transfer it into another form for archiving.  The DVDs can even be played on the sony playstation game players.If you don't want to buy a lot of extra equipment for a computer and you want instant gratification where you can view your movies quickly and archive them without hassle, this is the camcorder for you!
As a camcorder, I've found the DCR-201 works pretty well... both the picture and sound quality of recordings have been just fine, by and large.HOWEVER, I am frustrated beyond words at the fact that this piece of Sony equipment is not Mac compatible! My primary rationale in purchasing a Mini-DVD camcorder (as opposed to one using another format) was the idea that I could edit and make copies of film on my computer. What Sony & Amazon failed to mention ANYWHERE - in product descriptions, in Amazon reviews, etc. -  is the fact that the Sony/Pixela editing software (which many other reviewers have complained about) is NOT Mac compatible. And, from what I can tell, neither Sony nor Pixela have any intent of releasing a Mac version of the software.All of which means... well, it means that I wasted a lot of time, effort and money. If you own a Mac, DO NOT buy a Sony mini-DVD camcorder.
We bought this camcorder in 2004 when it first came out.  Seemed like a decent deal at the time.  First problem, have lens adapter to put additional lenses on it but can't screw them on b/c of the way the cd portion is shaped.  Second and BIGGEST problem:  CCD DIED.  2 years old.  Used maybe 5 or 6 times.  Worst use of $800 I've ever had.  Now it is off warranty and Sony wants $211 to fix it.  And no, it is NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AS THE 200 MODEL IS.  Same problem according to the website pictures of the 200 model recall information.  My camera says it was manufactured in April 04.  The recall only covers until MARCH 04.  After reading the other reviews on data loss, we will have to seriously consider whether we choose Sony or not.  I've had issues with Sony in the past (over Trinitron parts and cost of repair), and apparently some things have not changed with that company.  If I could give it ZERO stars I would.
As Pee Wee Herman once said " Everybody's got a big BUT". This is truly an outstanding camcorder. The convenience of recording directly onto a DVD is great. Sound quality, picture quality and ease of use are all five stars. BUT, the software SONY provides is absolutely, positively the WORST piece of garbage ever invented for video editing. If you are looking for a camcorder now, and can afford a few hundred extra bucks, SONY DVD is the way to go.
Have had this camera for a few weeks now, and I must say the image quality is impressive. We originally had a DCR-DVD200 on backorder since Christmas time, and recently found out that it was discontinued by Sony (as well as the DVD100 &amp; 300), making way for the new DVD101 &amp; 201. Glad I waited, for these new models are over 25% smaller than their predecessors, and hopefully Sony has addressed some of the earlier complaints customers had about the previous models, improving on the features/qualities.Besides the sharp image quality, the stereo sound is superb (in my opinion), however the spinning noise of the disc in quiet environments can be noticable in your recordings. The &quot;Pixela&quot; software that comes included seems to be a little too basic, and found using the free Windows Movie Maker is much better, however you can only make VCDs with WMM. I have tried some trial versions of DVD editing software (Ulead's Videostudio and Movie Factory), but so far they don't seem to support this camera, or at least the 'Dolby Digital' audio, rendering the captured videos silent. Anyone recommend a certain program to use that works with this? Those seem to be my only complaints.All in all, I'm quite happy with this camera, and recommend it for the ease of use and image quality.
This is a great little camera but the price here is INSANE. It's only $39.99 at Target.
It'll probably be a matter of time before a digital camera is created that can print its photos as a Polaroid does. But until then, the Polaroid is the only type of camera that can do this. When you see a Polaroid photo, there's no question it's an original. Which is great for insurance claims, etc. That's in addition to the fun factor. Also my teenage kids, with all of their digital gadgets, love the Polaroid for the instant photos. It's a shame that the cameras and film are being discontinued. There's still plenty of us all over the world who love Polaroids. (By the way, Rite-Aid has the One600 on sale at this time for $19.99)
I purchased this jem to take pictures of my guests at my wedding. It worked out lovely. I made a collage of the pictures and I was pleased with it over the alternative of a guest book!!!
I was stupid enough to buy a Poloroid, just four months ago and am now stuck with an instant camera that is useless, unless I want to spend TWO HUNDRED dollars for a pack of ten! Sweet corporate Poloroid decided to just quit making the film, even though the camera is still for sale everywhere and no one will tell you that you can't buy film for it, quite a nice little con they have going on.  Instead invest your money with Fugi, they have BETTER instant cameras and they don't pull these kinds of games on the consumer. Poloroid deserves to go out of business, the sooner, the better!
I bought my film from urban outfitters.This film isnt everywhere, i had this camera beforeBut it was stolen. So having it again i feel like i made a great decision.
This is a reliable and unique camera that offers the ability to take, view, and give your photos in a few short minutes, something that digital cameras are unable to offer. This camera works well and Polaroid is name brand, it doesnt get any better than this !
My daughter is an art  and a photography student. She needed a quick camera that she could get shots and results right away. This worked
It's the instant camera that I remember so well.  It's a fun camera  to use.  Just hope someone keeps making the film for it after this year  (2009).
Great Camera! Hard to find because they dont make them any more. Great for scrapbooking and generally lots of fun. Stock up on film cause it is getting harder and harder to find too!
Digital may have taken over the photo world, but the classic polariod still has its place.  We bought this camera for a cub scout event.  We were holding a sign-up night and had the kids making picture frames.  We took pictures of the kids with the polaroid and sent them home with a framed picture of themselves from their first night in cub scouts.  We could have used a digital camera with a printer, but that would have been more cumbersome.  You still can't beat an instant camera for things like this.  I would not use it for my one and only camera, but it is good for those special situations when you have to have a hard copy print right away.
This is a nice little camera -- in the process of being discontinued. BUT the price here is OUTRAGEOUS. You can probably find it at a nearby CVS or Duane Reade or Target for about $40.Get it for a good price and it's tremendous fun, especially for kids. They get a real kick out of seeing the picture develop before their eyes -- just can't be beat by a digital camera.The pictures are _not_ of the quality of a decent point-and-shoot digital camera, but how many digital cameras cost $40 and how many give pictures _instantly_? And the Polaroid pics have a quality of their own which is hard to find in the digital world.As of mid-March, the word is that _no one_ is interested in licensing the Polaroid technology (though Polaroid has indicated that they are happy to license it out). So the downside is that film will disappear, but the upside is that these cameras will not see the popularity of, say, Diana cameras. That means they should become _less_ expensive. One way or another, do not pay the thieves at Toyzz $160. Check e-Bay or anywhere first.
I bought this camera for my daughter and she received it very quickly.  She is so happy with it!
I bought this camera for my girlfriend as one of her birthday gifts and she absolutely loves it!  The camera got to my house quicker then the shipping option I had chosen and worked great right out of the box.  It's really too bad that Polaroid discontinued this camera and Polaroid film in general last year.  I looked everywhere online to find the best price, but Amazon.com (and it's partners) were the only people still selling it.
Purchased this camera for my husband's dive business so he could instantly photograph his students who successfully completed their scuba course.  That was in November.  A friend did some research and found that the film is being discontinued this year (2009).  I should have paid attention to the other reviewers who mentioned this.  Why sell a camera that you can no longer buy film for?!  It came from Adobe Camera and when I called them to get a RMA#, they asked why I was returning it.  When I told them - no response - but I did get my money back for the camera and the extra film I purchased.  Seems ridiculous to me for Amazon to be selling a product that will soon be totally useless, unless of course, you have lots of $$ to stock up on film (it' expensive - turns out to be about $1 a picture - don't make a mistake!)
As for how well this camera works, it's great.  HOWEVER, Polaroid is discontinuing manufacture and sale of its instant cameras and film.  So keep that in mind when you purchase.  The price may drop if you really must get one.  Also, Target sells them for $40, so I have NO CLUE why they are so expensive here.  But anyway, I was about to buy one myself but I think I'll skip it now.
I bought this for my nephew, because I thought it would be fun for him to have a &#34;vintage&#34; film camera. I should have checked film prices beforehand though, because it's way too pricey. The best I have found was about $28 for eight exposures (they sell the film at Urban Outfitters). Too much to keep up with, so I didn't end up giving it to him and am going to try to resell it.
This was a  camera gift and the service was timely and fast.
I took this camera with me on a medical mission trip to Honduras.  We went to a remote village where the people are poor and have little access to modern amenities.  I took several pictures of senior citizens and children and gave them to the families.  They loved it!  Probably most of them never have family pictures like we all take for granted.  It was easy to use!
This camera is simple to use with predictable results.  It's terrific for school craft projects, birthday parties, and ornaments.  As an added bonus, kids love the magic of watching the picture develop from a plain black square right before their eyes.
These are still fun to use and this one does the job well.  I've owned it for years and it still works like new.
I don't think Polaroid is even making these or the film anymore.  I got it for my mother as gift.  She loves the simplicity of polaroid and this replaced her old polaroid.
The Title speaks for itself. If there is no film, then this is practically useless. Film is so expensive these days, unless they start making more 600 films than these types of cameras are worthless.
I purchased this camera because of the promise of great, portrait quality prints, sharp image, 2 foot focus, etc. and am soundly disappointed.  The quality of the prints is TERRIBLE-- fuzzy, no detail, etc. (and I am not a perfectionist!!)  It feels cheap, the paper is expensive-- which I could accept if the quality were slightly above average-- but I consider this a TOTAL waste of money.
There are times when only a Polaroid will do, this camera is sleek and compact and super easy to use, kids LOVE it and it is great when you want to SEE the photo in your hand while on the road, the camera is a baragin but watch the price of the film it can get pricey if you don't keep your snapping under control.
It arrived in excellent condition and it works very well (if you like Polaroid photography). And yes, you can still buy film, though not from Polaroid.
Prompt delivery, manufacturer packing, intact and excellent condition. Very reasonable price compared with other online shopping.
Instead of a sign in book at my wedding I did instant pictures. This camera worked great. My wedding was two years ago and the cameras are still working great. I am very pleased with this product.
i though that when i bought this camera i was going to love it, i do, but sometimes is like stuck for some reason. the light doesnt work properly.
I bought the black and tan version of this backpack about 3 years ago.  I have taken this bag to Japan twice, and to various places in the US.  It seemed to be a good compromise between a camera bag and a backpack.  I need to be able to carry both my camera gear and other things.Pros:-The camera part of the bag has enough room for my DSLR, extra lens or two, and flash.-The thing that holds the tripod is nice.-The mesh pockets on the sides are great for holding bottles and a small towel.-Waterproof.  I forgot the bag had the all weather cover, and was walking around Kyoto in the rain, with an umbrella.  The bag still got really wet, but kept my stuff dry-Its discreet.  Unless you have your camera gear out, people don't know you are carrying around expensive (maybe) gear.-Well made.Cons:-There arent enough small pockets.  There is one in the top compartment, but no slots for pens or anything.  So all my memory card cases, batteries, pens, and other assorted little things are all in that one compartment, and I have to dig through them to get what I need.  There are two small, oddly shaped pockets on the outside.  I use them for a small can of compressed air, dust brush, flashlight, and a few other things.-They say you can take out the padding and the partition that seperates the top part and bottom part (camera stuff goes in the bottom)if you want to use it as a normal backpack.  Great concept, but the partition is only held in place with velcro.  The problem is when the top is crammed with stuff, it starts pushing the partition down.  The partition has never come out, but it bothers me.  Also the velcro doesnt go all the way around, so small things could fall down into the camera compartment.-Because of the way this bag holds the camera gear, the best way to access the camera stuff is to take it off and put it down on the ground.  This can be difficult if you are sight seeing and there are a lot of people around, or if its wet and/or muddy (although the bag kept my stuff dry during the rain).  You can hold it and open the bottom part, but it is awkward.  Either way is slow.  I have to admit though, that I can't think of a better solution for a backpack like this.-I wish the waist belt was detachable.  I never use it, so it is just in the way.I am not totally satisfied with this bag, but when I was shopping for a camera backpack I couldnt find anything better.  My biggest complaint it the lack of small pockets.  I gave this backpack 3 stars, I would give it 3 1/2, but that is not an option.
I ordered this pack after first checking it out at a local store, which was asking an outrageous price for it. None of the other dealers in town had one, so I ordered one from Ritz. It arrived in two days. It was all black instead of grey trimmed, but thats what the one I saw was too. I used to be a backbacking equipment buyer for an outfitting store, so I have a lot of experiance assessing packs. I also do a lot ot photography. This pack is well designed and well constructed. It holds myCanon Rebel XT body, with mounted 24-70 2.8L lens, wrapped in a Zing neoprene cover, along with a 430 flash, a 28-200 lens, a short lens, charger, accessories including a hood and flash diffuser, and still has room in the camera section for an additional body. The tripod carrier works well and there's room to spare in the upper pack section. I'm 6'2", 200lbs, and both the hipbelt and shoulderharness fit. This was a good choice. The hipbelt alone can carry most of the weight.
I bought an original Rover Light several years back after trying almost every small photo backpack on the market, and my Rover is still in service after heavy use.  This pack only holds a small number of lenses, so look at the larger Trekker series if you want more room and features.  The redesigned Rover AW II has an all-weather cover, a gift from the gods when the weather changes unexpectedly.  The tripod holder works great for smaller tripods, though you may feel some "rotation" backwards with a full pack and a larger tripod.  The Rovers are perfectly designed for day photo outings, as the top part of the pack is separated from the lower and can tote lunch, jacket and similar items in addition to photo gear.  I give the Rovers top marks for design, durability, and value in small packs.
Don't have any prior bags to compare with, but I looked at many other Lowepro (and other brands) bags online and just liked the layout and size of this one the most. Sling models seemed like they would be too awkward to open and not enough support. I Like that the Rover remains relatively obscure as a backpack and not something holding expensive equipment. Just enough room in top compartment for some other stuff if your on the trail and need to carry other things. Only slight negative is that they designed this backpack to allow for flexible arrangements, and you need to be careful not to place small items in the top compartment, because they may fall out from the adjustable base when you open the bag (luckily for me, the first time I realized this, the item just landed in the lower compartment (was a small cap for the thread on the top of my tripod's ballhead)).
this one holds in place all equipment I need for a trip, like camera, extra lens, video camera, cables, memory cards, etc. Have to find another way for carrying food though.
Couldn't find this battery for my watch - needed a replacement - until I got on Amazon. I didn't look very hard, to be honest... Gave up after the hardware store I was going to go to closed 10 mins before I got there.The battery works. It's only the second day since I replaced the dead one in my watch, so that's not saying much. I'll update in three years, I guess, since that's its lifespan haha.
I have an older watch and tried everywhere -- drug stores, watch shops, big box stores, etc. -  to find this battery. I found it here and am delighted. The watch (a Timex Indiglo) was a gift from my son years ago and it's the best watch I've had, but batteries cannot be found where I live. The product arrived on time, undamaged, and unleashed it's tiny power as soon as I put it in. I'm delighted! Since the battery lasts about 2-3 years (!), it got harder to find. Not anymore! I'm ordering an extra one to keep on hand.
These batteries are hard to find.  If you need one for your watch, don't bother with anything less than a specialty watch store.  I tried a Home Depot, CVS, Target, and Walmart, and came up bust each time.  My only regret is not thinking to find it on Amazon sooner.
Once again the battery wore out on my favorite watch.  This is the size that I ned and I don't have to take it anywhere to get the battery changed so it made my life easier and my watch is functioning again.  If you have multiple watches, I would recommend getting one of the watch repair kits that they sell here on Amazon and a supply of the right batteries so you can just take care of the matter quickly and easily without leaving your house.
My son has a watch that takes this battery, which I could not find anywhere.  This purchase arrived early and works perfectly.  Thanks!
I bought this watch battery for my 20 dollar Timex waterproof watch. Because I couldn't get the watch open for several months I stored the battery away until I could get it open. When I did get it open the watch battery worked fine as described and fit. Still working now.
5 stars is for service, after all, it is just a battery. Item was delivered as promised and shipping was quick.
Bought it for MYBATTERYSUPPLIER and their customer service was quick to solve my issue.  The new battery is great, works really well, hope it last a while.
These are an increasingly difficult to locate battery size, so I was pleased to find them here on Amazon for a substantially lower price than the only other source where I could find them.  I have two fairly old (20 & 25 years old) Timex watches that still work perfectly well for which I needed the battery.  It is good to have them working again.  My elderly mother was especially happy that I found this size here because I of the pair is hers, and it is the only watch she has that is easy for her to read.  Thank you Sony for still making this size & thank you Amazon for having it.
Purchased this for the date and time memory on a canon camera, and it works just fine.  Comes shipped in a small bubble wrap envelope.
Canon PowerShot A520 has this battery on the side under the rubber flap. It keeps the date & setting memory and seems to drain out after 5 years or so.The battery is genuine SONY made in Japan. I was surprised that they still had a manufacturing plant....
I bought this battery for my digital camera so I could set the date and time. I'm not able to get the date and time to hold . I don't know if its the battery or my ignorance of understanding directions. I have other priorities at this time. .
This Sony CR1220 button battery tested "fully charged" and worked as intended in my old Canon digital camera.  I was unable to find a local store that carried this size battery and fortunately Amazon came through at a lower cost than mail ordering from Radio Shack.
Finally, my remote start for my car is working again.  After going to a few auto supply shops with no luck, I decided to give the internet a try.  I got the batteries I'd been looking for and now in February my car is nice & warm when I get in.
I searched Amazon for a new battery for the date and time on my digital camera and found this one.  After I ordered the battery my old battery started workig again, so, I have not had a chance to use the new battery yet.  It's always good to have an extra on hand as they can go out at a time when you really need them.  This company shipped extra fast.
needed to find this locally unable to do so, found it here and it shipped for free
Do compare to similar products and share how long you've used this product.Do explain why you liked or disliked this product
I used this for my car remote control.Perfectly work with reasonable price.Definitely, I recommend this.Please enjoy this.
These batteries are great, I used them for my car remote. They last long. Great Price. Thanks to amazon. Highly recommended as described:D
Seems to work well. Not positive about battery life, but so far so good and a heck of a lot cheaper than buying from the pharmacist.
These worked for exactly what I needed them for (car fob) and very affordable. It's been a while and its still going strong.
these batteries work fine in my video cam, which is an old model.there is really not a whole lot to say about batteries, other than that they were delivered in a timely manner packaged well and work
This battery arrived quickly and works well in my 2008 Honda Civic key remote. Not much more I can say- works as advertised.
Used this to replace my batter in my Honda Accord key fob. Fit right in and works great. Getting the battery replaced on the key fob at the dealership would probably cost 4 times as much as this battery. Great value.
As far as I can tell, the Sony Lithium Coin Battery I bought was excellent. I used it to replace the old one in my Casio watch. However, after replacing the old battery, I couldn't get the watch back together again.
Batteries are very costly when bought locally. I understand why they are priced the way they are, but multiple devices requiring custom battery sizes can generate a considerable burden on limited budgets. This is a very good source for competitively priced batteries and the ones I have ordered have good lifetime ratings.
Batteries came quick.  Took old battery out of my Lexus key shell and popped this in.  Worked instantly.  I no longer have to manually open my car door now or lock it.  Great economical buy.
The key fob for my car uses this battery, and it is a bit hard to find, except probably at a dealership for a high price.  Good price and quick shipping made for a fast fix for a dead car remote opener.
Actual SONY brand 1616, no substitution.  Stamped with 2023 exp date.  Work great in Civic fob (dunno if they'll last 7 years like the original Panasonics, we'll see!!
These batteries seem to work just fine.  I am using them in a couple of my remote controls.  For the price, you can't go wrong!
Previously I bought a batch of no-name batteries for our two key fobs based totally on price.  I got what I paid for, they lasted for about 6 months.  So I decided to go with a brand name and so far they are working great.
These appear to be regular retail packaged batteries, with distant expirations.  They work exactly as intended.  This is a terrific value.
Used it to replace the battery in my key fob for my Honda 2005 Accord Hybrid. Can't beat the price compared to buying at a store - free shipping is nice!
Was shipped quickly, and arived safely. I managed to replace the battery in the key fob after soaking the screws with some pbblaster liquid.
Been using it for several months now and haven't had any problems. Would definitely recommend this battery and plan to buy another when it's needed.
We use these batteries where I work but they are not the easiest to find locally. So when I found them here on Amazon I was delighted. They are a good value for your dollar.
I'll be replacing my old Pokemon Emerald's battery with this one. The battery came in under 4 days, and the price was very reasonable. Thanks!
I NEEDED SOME CR1616 BATTERIES FOR MY COAST MULTITOOL AND FOUND THE BEST BUY HERE ON AMAZON. THE LOCAL RETAIL STORES WANTED ABOUT 7 OR 8 TIMES THE PRICE OF THESE BATTERIES.THESE SHOULD BE GOOD BATTERIES AS THEY ARE MADE IN JAPAN AND NOT CHINA..
I installed these batteries in a key fob and &#34;all&#34; of them died prematurely. I thought maybe it was the key fob so I installed one of the batteries in another key fob for a different car, same problem. I installed a Duracell in the fob and it has been working great. Appears that these batteries were either old-outdated or just junk...
Did it's job of getting my girlfriends key fob up and running again, and for that I give it 5-stars. Much can be said about a battery: it's appearance, it's polish, the sweet laser etched graphics, the font the designers toiled over, etc. But really I'm a function over form guy and this battery filled it's function, and did it well.
The batter came as pictured with a long expiration date.  It is also made in Japan.  Look like the real thing.
Maxcell CR1616 5 Pcs are good. I replaced my two cars remotes and both are woring fine. I still have 3 batteries for future use.The price paid is super.For $5 plus tax I would only get 1 battery at localstore or at radio Shack.Also these batteries are from Japan not China (LOL). Thanks
Got a &#34;new to me&#34; ride that required that remote door entry option on the key be replaced.  These batteries were up to the task.
These are good and I recommend it / them if you need them !!!! ;) They have a good price and are a good value and product !!!! Well worth it and easy to use and usually easy to install !!!! ;)
The battery description, on-line, helped us know we were ordering the correct battery we were needing - that in itself earns a five star rating to us! It arrived as promised, and was packaged appropriately.
This battery works well in my Honda Accord's keyless entry fob.  I am happy it is certainly cheaper than buying from the Honda dealer.
If you need CR1616's these are a good choice. I have bought this brand before and have yet to get a dud.
Title says it all. They work and they're cheap.  I'll them again we need replacement batteries for our electronic keys.
These are batteries. They fit the bill for the device I needed. I would purchase again if I needed batteries.
I ordered and received these batteries in record time.  This particular type of battery is difficult to find locally so I appreciate having such great customer service.
Works great for key fob on Lexus GX 470. I would buy this its a good value cheaper then other places.
the battery I received seemed to be a bit weak.  Other than that I got what I need for my 08 Honda Civic.
ASSUME OK - HAVE NOT USED
I use these batteries for my Toyota Land Cruiser remote key.The batteries are so fresh and the price is very good as compared to the price charged at the Dealership.I highly recommend this battery to any one who have Toyota Land Cruiser remote entry ign: key.
It's a battery, it works, it was delivered to my home quickly and the price was right. What else could I ask for?
Seems this coin type battery holds electricity!! Powers a small device! Will complete your life. Well made. Sturdy metal construction!
Could not find one for my video camera locally.  Very glad to be able to get one on Amazon.  This was a good buy and very handy.
The price was good, and when the item was lost, the vendor immediately sent a replacement. Kudos to MLC Dist.
This is the battery that was stated for my keyless entry remote.  It works perfect and came in an easy to open package.
Five batteries for the price of one at the store, and they are of equal quality. Got here a little slowly, but they send them by regular mail, which is fine. I will order ahead of need from now on.
What's more to say, it is exactly what it says it is. A battery for cheap to fit my honda key fob.
just received and installed in lexus key fob and it works..cant say much else..good buy so far. Price is about the same that local retailer charges for one battery.
Great price on a quality battery. I purchased two for our Honda car remotes. They arrived when expected and the batteries were of the correct voltage. I installed them in our two remotes and they now have the range we were accustomed to.
My other (cheaper) fob batteries tend to last 2 - 3 years.  This one only last 1 year so not sure it was worth paying extra over the cheaper cr1616s.
I ment to order the CR2016 which I did reorder and receive.  Both orders came quickly and were as expected.
Inexpensive, Arrived as Promised, Works and Did I Mention Shipping Was Included? What else can I say? Batteries are pretty much commodity items. This was real inexpensive and included shipping. What more can you ask for?
This battery is the exact fit for cr1616 replacement battery. Hard to find in my local stores so online ordering was needed. Recommended.
I bought five batteries on Amazon for the price of one at the grocery store.  They fit, they work and I have no complaints.
Since it is Sony brand, we can trust its reliability. Its working fine and I recommend it. I bought this for Honda Accord car key.
Bought these to replace the batteries from my 2007 Civic's key fob remotes. Excellent service from the third-party seller, and so far so good with the batteries themselves.
Needed a replacement battery for the remote in my Honda Fit's key - this fit the bill perfectly.Use by date is 2022. Car will probably be long dead by then.Just a note: I ordered 2 at the same time from this seller and they arrived in slightly different packaging than pictured
I have a Honda Civic and the battery in the FOB died. When I opened it the battery in the FOB was stamped # CR 1818, that is NOT the correct number. Order this one CR1616. The dealer wanted $7.00+ to replace it. Do it yourself as it is easy with a very small screwdriver.I ordered this on 7-18-13 and received it today 7/22/13. This is why I continue to reorder batteries from this company, as they are AWESOME and I will continue to order from them..
This battery is exactly the same battery that came with my 02 Lexus LS430 key fob. Somebody mentioned that some suppliers were shipping out expired batteries or batteries with no date, but mine had an expiration date printed clearly on the back. I bought from a seller called my battery supplier (spaces added to keep review from being deleted), so if you buy from them you should be safe.
Battery works great, but couldn't get remote key opened, so still had to take to garage to have battery placed into remote due to screw getting stripped and all screwdrivers not working, but it still worked good
I needed a battery for my remote starter for my car and I got this one really quickly .  great!!
You need a replacement battery CR1616 for your remote car key.  Now you can take it to Radio Shack and have it replaced it for $$.  The only problem is that the guy cannot turn the screw.  So I had to first buy from Amazone the Alden extractor #1 (3mm) and then order the battery myself. NowI don't rely on anyone anymore.  Good and fast vendor.
Excellent batteries for the price, they came fast and freshFor anyone considering the difference between name-brand for less, think about this:Name brand for $4 which lasts 3 monthsOff-brand for $2 which lasts 2 monthsIf you spend $8 total, here's what you'll have:Name brand: 6 months of battery lifeOff-brand: 8 months of battery lifeIt doesn't take into account for every variable, and everyone's usage will be different, but gives you something to think about. For high-drain devices, name-brand usually offers the best bet for the money, but when talking about button-battery-devices, these are perfect!
This did not work in my Honda Accord key FOB, even though it's the correct battery for the job. I put a different battery in my second key and that worked.
My car doors would not open with my remote. Was wondering what the problem was. Just as an afterthought contemplated changing the battery. Had to take the key to the dealer as could not open the same. The dealer did it for me and lo and behold the car door opens and closes in a jiffy. Great.
Purchased these batteries when both of my honda accord key fobs were given me trouble when unlocking doors.  Batteries are going strong and have 3 spares for the price of purchasing one at radioshack.
came on time.needed for my honda car remote. replaced with this batteries works ok. i should have bought more, since it was a free shipping
Insert one CR2016 battery inside the watch for three solid years at least of functionality.  I'm so glad I know how to change my own watch batteries -- I can spend $2 on Amazon for just the battery and do it myself instead of $10 at the mall.
I bought the battery for my Camry 2009 remote key.The battery arrived on time, packaged properly. Fit perfectly and worked.I am using it for 1 month - no problems.The only information missing was the expiration date.Hope the battery lasts long enough.Great job by the seller.
Need a CR2016 battery for your car remote?  Buy this battery.  This is a battery.  This will power your device.
This was the only place I found this battery. Thanks again, I will be buy more products from you again.
I put this in my 2006 Rav4 key and now it works perfectly again.  dealer quoted me $200 to replace the key, no thanks!
The battery works wonderfully. I installed it in my car key remote, and it works. I watched a video on YouTube that shows how to install a battery in a Camry car key remote, and that helped. It works just like new.
It arrived in a tiny envelope (smart shipping) and was sealed. It powered up my device without a problem. Good value, in that you're not forced to buy a pack of two if you only need one.
I'm happy I found this on Amazon...my most favorite place to shop because they have the best prices!!  I was waking up all my neighbors at 5:30 in the morning because my car door opener would work sporadically. If you lock your door with the opener...you have to open it with the opener OR your alarm goes off.  I've waken my neighbors one too many times because my door opener wouldn't work consistently.  My neighbors now don't cringe when I leave at the wee hours in the morning.
Man this battery is great!!!!  It's small, round, and powers my garage door opener flawlessly.  How do they do it???
I've learned my lesson of buying multi-packs at the dollar store, they're used and arn't worth the packaging they come in. Now I buy name brand individually. This battery comes fully charged (I tested it) and has been running perfectly for me for over a year now.
Got this for my old Armatron wristwatch. It arrived on time and in great shape. Too bad my watch died a short time latter. Oh well, time for a new watch.
When this arrived (promptly) I stuck a volt meter on it.  The reading was 3.016 volts, when it should have been 3.15 volts or slightly higher.  Now, a couple months later, it's at 2.89 volts and has basically given up the ghost.  So while it seemed to be a good deal at a good price, it was not quite as good as it seemed.
It's kind of hard to rate a battery - either it works or it doesn't.  This one does.  As to how long it will contine to work, another critical factor, I won't know for awhile.
I bought it and it worked fine. Nice to be able to buy these batteries from Amazon. Makes it easy.
My husband had brought new batteries for my car remote and they were Energizer. He claims the remote worked one time and that was it several weeks ago and never worked again. I researched the reviews and brought these batteries. They arrived, well packaged and worked the first time good and strong. Hope they last a long time.
Works great and arrived early.  Very satisfied, I would purchase from this vendor again, if need be.  They were the cheapest and still shipped it quickly.
A Sony replacement battery is very likely of the consistent quality as the dead or dying battery that's already served you well in your device, so we can take that for granted.However, judging by reviews of this Sony CR2016 what may not be consistent is the quality of the service and the battery itself from various sellers -- and apparently there are MANY sellers.My battery came from Best Deal Supply with Amazon Prime free shipping for a total $2.18. I ordered it on July 15, 2012 and it arrived via USPS a reasonable five days later on July 21. (A generic CR2016 battery from Wal-Mart would have cost $5.98 plus local tax.)The battery was bubble-packed on a Sony card, on the back of which was printed "Use by 2021." So it was fresh.What's confusing is that now when I click on the link from which I bought the battery instead of Best Deal Supply the seller is MLC Distributing Inc.Maybe they're the same company, maybe not, but this review is for Best Deal Supply, whose delivery was prompt and whose battery arrived fresh in a factory-sealed bubble pack.I've had no experience with any of the other companies, but I can recommend Best Deal Supply.
Hard to find manufacturers battery! Easy on AMAZON. These batteries fit perfectly.  It's hard to find these locally so best bought online and save some time and money.
It's a battery.  Came in exactly as pictured, so no bait and switch here.  I'm using it in a key FOB.  We'll see how long it holds up, but I'm sure it will last just fine.
We've been using the battery on a key fob for a couple months now.  Shipping was fast, everything works fine.
Item was shipped quickly.  It was inexpensive and works great in my car key clicker.  Would buy again from this vendor
The battery came on time and works perfect in my wrist watch. It was easy to replace and cheaper than going to the jewllery store.
Dont pay the high price to replace at a car dealer. Works wonderfully in replacing the battery in my car key. Paper thin easy to install.
thanks for saving me serious cash, its more than half off what you pay at any store.  i will never buy another button battery from a store
This is a pretty large "button" or coin style battery for certain electronic gadgets.  I trust the name Sony and so I won't worry about this battery leaking.  Also, lithium is among the best batteries for long shelf life and for packing a lot of energy.  Even with shipping it's cheaper than at the local store and I didn't have to go looking all over the place to find it.
Product arrived in time. Works like a charm. I am using this product with my laptop remote control for media playing. I am recommending this product to all.
I bought it to replace the battery on my car key. Great value as it would have cost a lot more to get one from a car dealer. Great item!
Needed new battery for my ironman timex watch.Apart from the hassle of removing the band, it's a piece of cake. but I digress.the battery is doing just fine.
These are authentic Sony batteries even though they don't come in the package as shown in the picture. And for the price, they are of great quality! Excellent product, 5 stars!
Name brand batteries at a fraction of cost locally that work well. How could one go wrong with this item.
It is hard to rate one of these shortly after you get it.  Price was good, packaging was manufacturer's, delivery was satisfactory, and my watch worked when I installed it.
Works like it's supposed to. The shipping was really fast. I'd recommend this to anyone in the market for a watch battery.
The batteries that i got only lasted me a few months. Similar Sony batteries previously lasted me over 2 years in the same watch.
Brand new batteries and exact fit, it says use by 2022. Key remote simply works grt with new batteries. Wud recommend to anybody lookin battery replacement for Toyota Rav4.
I purchased these batteries from National Deals and they measured at 3.3v. Great batteries and worked without a problem but the product picture provided is not the same as the product received. Expiration date on my battery reads &#34;12-2017.&#34;
The batteries came just as they were supposed to, nice and fast. They work just great my kid's watch is back working he is so excited. [...]
Bought for an old Casio watch that I always liked, but died.  Now good as new!!!!!  Thank You!  Happy with purchase!
so far working well. we will see how battery life holds and how the extra ones I did not use hold shelf life.
nice
worked fine
I got this to replace the original battery in the remote for my Kenmore Window Unit Air Conditioner. The original had died after just 6 months of owning the product. Quick shipping and delivery. Once I put this battery in the remote, it worked better than the original battery/remote that came with the A/C. Great price for a remote that I use daily.
What can u say about coin battery?;)))OK, its coin battery /Sony developed this type of battery & it considered to be the best /.I've got fresh battery's "made in Japan".Delivery was a bit too slow ......the funny thing that, sellers business is just a few blocks from my house ,though it took a whole 2 weeks to deliver. One star down.
This is a battery.  It works and I have had no problems with it.  Still works months from purchase time.
We use this for our car remote & it works well.  It works just as well as the original battery.
I bought this as a replacement for a sound bar remote control. The battery works properly and was a good value.
The delivery was delayed for 5-6 days (probably because of hurricane Sandy) but the battery itself (In a part of the multiple battery package) was fine.For the note, I use this in my remote trigger for the camera. It works from more distance than with the old battery in.
Quality battery.  Nice and cheap, not a ripoff from retail stores.  The back of the packaging had a "use by" date of 2022!  It was sealed in its packaging,worked and seemed fresh enough.  I will definitely buy from again!
Quick shipping, arrived new in packaging. I bought 4 because the price is so inexpensive. If you need CR2025 batteries you won't find them much cheaper than this.
Dealer:  SuperfindsPackage:  Individually sealed, but obviously torn from a multipack.Printed expiry date:  2020Country of manufacture:  IndonesiaUPC code: 0-08562-00763-5Delivered: 1st class USPS, regular envelope, took about a weekUsed for:  Garage door openerWorks:  YES!Longevity:  Will have to see...Hope the info helps someone!EDIT:  Battery lasted not even one day... wrote email to company.
My remote key for my 99 ML430  stopped working. As such I could not lock my car. I panicked, thinking it needed to be reprogrammed or something. A quick search suggested the batteries needed changing. Found the type I needed here on Amazon. A tip for my past self: open up your remote fob BEFORE ordering. I didn't (DUH) and realized I needed TWO. Ended up ordering more, got them and was set to go. Except I wasn't; car security still needed to be resynced to recognize the key. I found these EASY directions:1) Put key in ignition and turn to position 2.2) Turn key to off position3) Remove key from ignition4) Press and hold Lock button5) Press Unlock button 5 times6) Release all buttons7) Press Lock or Unlock 1 timeAll this has to be done in a 10 second time frameHope that helps.Read more: [...]
I would recommend buying this lithium battery.  The price was the same as what I could get here in town.
It does the job perfectly.  You do not have to spend the big bucks at local stores for this disc battery.
Great value for replacement battery in Timex Ironman watch.  Time will tell regarding longevity of battery.  4 yr life of the original ...
I could not work my radio remote and after experiencing a bad store episode, I found it on Amazon and now I can repair it myself.  I don't have to worry about going to that name brand store for anything.
Well, let's see...  It looks exactly like the picture and it works!  It wasn't past the expiration date which I have found is common when purchasing batteries online.
This came quick and so far has worked just fine in a car remote and a digital frame remote. Very inexpensive, thanks!
I bought this as a replacement for the original battery that came in my Sony Mavica camera -- also Sony CR2025.  It's working fine.  These batteries must have a long life, because this is the first time I've replaced the CR2025 in my camera.  If you know anything about the Sony Mavica, you know it's a pretty old camera.  I'm glad I was able to get the identical brand and model as the original.
Received battery. Was a little leary as reviews on amazon for many battery sellers indicated they received dead batteries. I was pleased to see mine come in with a expiration date listed on the package. I am also pleased that my garage door opener is now in full operating order! This was a good purchase!
This review isn't really about the battery - it's great.  It's more about the company that is selling these on Amazon.  Best Deal Supply are selling these for nothing and they are shipping them for free.  I was expecting to get what I paid for, and I was very happy to see that the product arrived in great shape.  It's not old, the charge is fine, and the packaging was top-notch.The impressive part was that I contacted the seller to see where my product was since I felt like it should have been here by now.  For an item that I paid a dollar and some change for I wasn't expecting anything from them, but I instead received extremely fast feedback.  They helped me track down the package, and even followed up to ensure that I did get it and everything was fine.  Let me remind you that I paid not even $2 for this product, and I got better service then some products that I have paid $60 for.  It turns out that it was my local post office that was to blame, and not the seller - yet they never once tried to pass the buck.All in all, it's a battery and batteries do what they do.  The reason you should buy this battery is that you are buying from a company that does't care about how little you have spent with them.  They will treat you like a million bucks, and to me that is priceless.
Everything was as expected. I had Sony Batteries in my Nissan remotes for 14 years without changing them, so I wanted Sony again!
This was just what I needed for my car remote and the price was right!!! Glad I look on line to find them at a reasonable price!
Make sure to order the correct thickness of these batteries! I wasn't aware of, until recently, that there are three different (or more?) thickness of these 3 Volt batteries. The numbers for these batteries are as follows:CR2016CR2025CR2032All of them have the same 3/4" diameter, and all of them are 3V batteries, BUT they have different thickness. The last two digit are (I'm assuming) the thickness in tenth of a millimeters. So they are 1.6mm, 2.5mm and 3.2mm thick. The later, I think, is the most common and the one I should've ordered. Most of the time you can use a CR2025 instead of a CR2032, but the CR2016 is most likely too thin (if you need the other one).Anyway, just wanted to help to avoid any confusion with these batteries! To double check which one you need, look at the CR20XX number on your old batterie. I guess some would say that's obvious, but it wasn't to me.
A MOST POPULAR BATTERY USED IN  ELECTRONIC ITEMS IN THIS DAY AND TIME. THE ITEM ARRIVED AS REQUESTED AND ON TIME. WHAT MORE CAN I ASK FOR.
I use this battery in a remote controller. It powers the controller just fine. I have yet to discover how long it will last.
At the headline says the battery was as promised. Obviously part of a larger package (probably part of a strip of 5) but doesn't seem like a problem to me!
Cheap, effective battery - this is exactly what you need for a car remote, and even if it doesnt last long (we will see), its cheap enough to buy multiple.
Replaced an old Gameboy game (Pokemon silver) battery, and it started leaking battery acid after 10 minutes. I triple checked and it was the required battery.
My Sony CR2025 arrived new in unopened authentic Sony package and i put it in my remote, and the remote now works again! Thank you Sony and Amazon!
This is a battery works just as good as a store bought one but at a fraction of the price.
I got this to replace the battery in my key fab for my car. Its a new car and a new fab. You have to be practically inside the car to get it to work. It worked fine for a couple months and then now Idk. but I am assuming its the car and not this battery. But buyer beware..
Cheap and good. Lasted a long time, so I bought a replacement. I don't know why I need to write so much about a battery... :)
THIS IS THE RIGHT BATTERY FOR POLAR HEART RATE MONITORS.I RECEIVED IT QUICK IN THE MAIL AND IT FITS PERFECTLY IN THE MONITOR STRAP.
Great battery at a great price.
Items received on time and works as promised!  In spite of some reviews, I have found the coin batteries that I have purchased from/thru Amazon.com to work very well.  It's hard to beat the price too!  Would order from this retailer again...
Glad I purchase this Sony CR2025 Lithium Coin Battery for my DVD and would recommend other to buy this if looking for this type of Battery
the battery is not good
it works just fine and great deal on price, it is a sony would buy from again. exactly as described
Use this battery for my 'battery' controlled candles from QVC.  The candles have a remote control that can be set on a timer.  It calls for these CR2025 lithium coin batteries.  They work, they last and will purchase again.
I received a genuine, brand-new-in-box Sony CR2025 with a use-by date of 2020. This is a ridiculously low price for this battery. For reference, I purchased from Best Deal Supply, so do not take this as necessarily applicable to other sellers.
My remote control for player changed dramatically with these batteries. That is all, but this site requires more ten words.
I ordered this battery for my N65 Nikon Camera because the date imprint option wasn't working. Put this new battery and worked as expected, the previous battery had the external clock working but for some reason the date on my negatives wasn't there. Good price and fast service.
Arrived quickly and works in the remote for my HP laptop. (Note: My old battery was from a few years ago, but it still had a charge of over 3 volts. Regardless, it did not work, I guess due to lack of current. Your battery may be dead even if it still has adequate voltage.)
Reasonable price and easy to find, not a bad combination when I think about searching all over town for an unusual battery.
I love shopping for special items online. I can avoid checking several stores just to find what I need. This is for my car and was needed right away. Got it quickly.
It shipped and  was received in record time.  Exactly what I expected but at only a fraction of the cost I expected.
I didnt know what to expect for this price and free shipping but they work!!! Not in my device at first then i tried them in another device and they worked! so in my original device they didnt work cause the device was broken.I fixed the device and they now worked everywhere!
Battery arrived and went straight into key fob. It has been in there for about a year and its still running as it should be.I replaced both keys battery since these are so cheap and it gives some piece of mind. these batteries are expensive in the store but buy it online and save some money. Plus, if you buy two, you save on shipping or use amazon prime if you can.
Think for the price of the battery is a real deal a work good on my watch thank you for a good price
Received 12-6-12 installed in auto door open/lock & panic device working great so far - no complaintsToo early to say anything else!
This was less than half what Radio Shack wanted for the same thing, and I received the batteries in less than a week. Great company.
Product arrived earlier than expected and worked as advertised. I have seen the same batteries selling for almost ten times as much. I look forward to doing business with them again.
I bought this for my key chain remote that wasn't working. It still didn't work after I put this new battery in. I really don't know if the battery was good or not. Because my car is having issues and the key remote just stopped working, so...
I was shocked to see that the battery was totally dead when i got it so i guess you get what you pay for but i was a bit surprised to see a company this big do business like this.
I'll buy here again for these batteries. No problem at all with these batteries and always worked. I will buy more when I need it.
Got this for our scale, no problems at all.  We have been using it for about 2 months now without any issues.  It is a little more expensive than the generic batteries, but for me I had more confidence this one wouldn't have problems.
This lithium coin battery is just what I was looking for. Just pefect for my camcorder. The price was excellent and I would recommend this product.
works great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,very pleased with it. it works great,should havegotten it sooner;does everything it is for,at a very cheap price,good value
happy to have this product. It filled the bill to replace a worn battery. Just what I needed, very happy.
This was the battery as advertised.  It is working just fine.  The second time I have ordered this battery from this seller and will do it again.
Great price (under $2) and fits perfectly in my Infiniti M Key Fob.  Hopefully it will last longer than the battery I got from the factory which only lasted 2 years 1 month.
Bought this for my Canon GL2,IT was needed for the memory within the camera to save custom settings. Bought 3 of them, and they all shipped fast. It's been a year and I still haven't blown through the first battery. Thanks!
I purchased this battery for a Casio watch and it has worked perfect since.Purchase this product.Kevin.
Good item, working well with my key, wish it can last for a long time, more than one or two years
Much cheaper than buying at the local pharmacy or office supply store. Cells were 100% fresh and powered up my digital watch very nicely.
Worked fine with the device I needed to power up.  Like everyone else it is important to save whenever possible.
First, the date says to use by 2016, 2 years from now. So I guess I can be expecting the claimed 10-year shelf life.Second, the seller I purchased from clearly just cut this off the bottom from a larger multi-pack. Not sure that's even legal.Anyway, when I took the cover off my watch, it started working again. So I'll just call this one a loss. No big deal given the price I guess.
No surprises here. This product works as expected. It was significantly cheaper than purchasing a watch battery at the grocery store.
There's not much to say. It's a battery.  It works as you would expect.  A great buy for the price.
I needed this for my 99 Honda civic alarm key, once I popped it in, I can alarm my car from 10-15ft away now!!
Cheap and working lithium battery gets the job done. I got this for my remote and it started working again instantly.
Most batteries store chemical energy that can be converted into electrical energy. Well, the CR2025 is no different. It is a battery.My key fob ran out of battery energy and I didn't have a spare CR2025 just sitting around, so I ordered this one. I put it in the fob where the old battery was because it is a battery. Then it worked like a battery, providing energy for my key fob.Again, it's a battery.It is also circular in shape. The bedding for the battery in my key fob is also circular, so it was a natural fit.It also has the make and model inscribed on it.Is is also metallic and silver, so it reflects sunlight.
Great buy!
I'm slowly replacing the batteries in my old Nintendo cartridges with these batteries, and they have worked great so far. Time will tell if they can last the twenty years that the old ones did.
I needed this battery for one of my watches.  I had great service and the product was exactly what I needed
This is exactly what i needed thanks. Product came quickly, good packaging and exactly what I wanted. Keep up the good work.
Compared to the price buying this battery in the store the short wait for this item was well worth it.
The Sony Lithium Coin Battery CR2025 works well for my Honda Keyless Auto Entry. I have not occurred any problems concerning the battery and is priced appropriately. I would buy the battery for any indicated use.
Worked well for me and I will buy from again and hope I get a always get a good product again
They had a 10 year shelf-life when I received them, which is good. I was worried they'd be old batteries... no complaints!
The battery is just as it appears in the picture. Was the right make/model and right voltage. Make sure you're ordering the right model/voltage, and you'll be happy.
Not much to say. Ordered this to replace the battery in my mother's Honda remote. It arrived quick and new (checked with multimeter).
Bought a couple of these to replace the battery in my 5.11 Field Ops Watch. Batteries in this watch seem to only last a year, and these seem to work great! Only issue I had is with the sender, PhotolandNY, they mailed in a regular envelope. I'm in the military and currently deployed, and mail barely makes it hear in one package unharmed. Luckily they did make it just fine, but I wouldn't like the chance.
I needed CR2025 Lithium 3v Coin Battery, for the remote control of a radio, so, I ordered it. It came from the place named Best Deal Supply, in Brooklyn, New York. The battery was in what, I beleive, is called bubble-wrap, and it was written Sony, CR2025, Lithium 3v on the front, and on the back it was written Sony Corporation, Made in Indonesia, Use by 2022 (and some other things). Well, I immediately put the battery into the remote of the radio, and the only thing I can regret is that I did not buy this battery long time ago! The battery definitely works! The price is right, if not better than that, and I am a satisfied customer of Amazon.com and of Best Deal Supply! Pacific.
It's a battery. It arrived in my mailbox. I put it in my camera remote. Now my camera remote works. Yay!
Unfortunately, this battery only lasted a few months.  A brand new battery normally lasts at least six months and usually longer.  I contacted the seller who is sending a new battery.  Obviously they were not required to do this.  So I've updated my review to four stars based on the outstanding service of the seller.  Hopefully the new battery will last longer.
Easy to do business with. Battery came as advertised. Great price, fast shipment and would definately recommend buying and I would purchase again from them.
Battery working nicely! It's doing it's job! Purchased for my remote control for my portable DVD player. A-OK!! Thank You!
THE BATTERY WAS THE PERFECT FIT. MY REMOTE NOW WORKS PERFECTLY. I NOW CAN CHANGE THE CHANNELS ON MY CAR RADIO. I WAS NOT SURE ABOUT IT. BUT,  I AM NOW.
Haven't used the batteries long enough to judge their quality but they are competitively priced (Especially considering I did not have to burn $3 worth of gas to go get them), delivered to my mail box with no shipping charges and are working just fine.
Works and it was shipped quickly.  Almost easier than going down to the store to get one.  5 gold stars
I have ordered this product from this vendor before (a month ago for a different use), and those batteries are still working, so as far as I can tell, these batteries are performing OK. However, the fact that they do not contain the manufacturer's expiration date seems fishy. Anyhow, I will try to update in a year on whether my keys are still working. The original batteries that came with the keys lasted for about 5 years.
Its a battery... It works. Just be mindful of your mail as this come in a normal envelope. I almost threw it out as junk mail.
Tough to write a review on a battery, as lasting a long time is not something you can comment on right after you buy it. Any good battery must perform in 2 areas......how it does the job and how long it lasts. The first part is fine with this one, but who knows about the second?
Great price and FREE shipping! My Casio watch battery went out and I surfed for a replacement. This was one of the cheapest prices I found on a name brand battery. No regrets. Watch is working again and I'm not out much money. Would definately buy from again.
One of the issues with purchasing batteries online for a fraction of the price one would pay at a retail store is that they will be close to there expiration date. No such problem with the batteries we received.
It surprises me how many different gadgets need this particular battery. But I'd still like to have the option of just buying one at a time. The extras usually end up getting lost or laying around so long they're no longer any good. Seems a waste to me.
You can't beat this price...buy two and replace the batteries for car fobs.  Radio Shack and CVS charges $7.00 for these.
I purchased two of them for my car remote (Nissan Maxima year 2000) which I had not changed for 12 years. One of the remote was not working and other was good. I replaced both and the remote performs beautifully.  Great seller and a unbeatable deal.
I bought a number of these batteries for use in my active Samsung 3D TV glasses.  The price was great, but to be lithium batteries they seem to have a pretty limited runtime.  Each battery only lasts 10-12 hours in the glasses and I was hoping for about twice that.However, for the price, I can't really complain.  Great deal.
What a battery!  I dropped this bad boy into the remote and BAM, locking and unlocking the doors like a pro.
its a battery.  I don't know how much I can review a battery.  They work great, so but it if you need it.
I bought this for a watch. It's still ticking. Don't know how long it'll last but so far, so good.
Works like a charm. Haven't had any problems and I've been using it for more than 2 weeks since purchase.
Arrived very quickly after i ordered in an envelope. Never installed a battery before, put this baby in; went right to work on a presumably dead watch to avoid getting a new one. Couldn't expect better service. Great job!
It's a battery. What else can I say? It arrived, not as advertized, but close enough for the women I date.
This product is excellent....would recommend to anyone who needs it.  Was a little slow on delivery, but I had an extra key so that was no problem for me.  If you need it quickly might be a problem.  Took about 2 weeks to get here.
Hard to judge when new. It works. No complaints so far. The original battery lasted 10 years and 135,000 miles, so I don't expect to think about another replacement before I replace the car.
Did not fit my iHome event though it takes this size battery. It was a waste of money. I had to go to radio shack to buy a battery.
Only had this for like 2 weeks but holding steady. I will update it when the thing dies, which hopefully is in a few years from now :-)
Far better than buying at local prices!  Seems to be equal to or better than those I have used so far.
Used these for my LCD t.v. remote control. Despite the fact that they are Lithium batts, the remote eats them up quite efficiently.
No issues, I got this to replace the batteries in my car's key remote.  Great value.  I picked up some extras and gladly would again when I run out.
What a pleasure when the battery arrived early and as advertised. Measured voltage was 3.22v. Works fine in the remote.
Not much to say - I bought the battery, installed it in my device, (which was in this case a pulse monitor,) and it works fine - just as I'd expect from a Sony.
i got this battery for my laser sights for my pistol, it's better than the orriginal, it lasted 30 more min. the price though and the wait till you receive it - was not worthed...i found same tyme at the local battery plus store....
Good battery and best way to shop for these kind of battery. I hate to go to local store to buy same kind of battery. Get them online. The gas money took for the price of the battery any way.
The price was so good, with free delivery, that I couldn't afford the gas to go to the store to buy it.  Battery was as-advertised, with speedy delivery.  Very happy.
My Maxima remote entry key pad went out and Nissan told me I would have to replace the entire thing for $200+! All I needed was a new battery!!! I was so glad I read reviews and found this before letting the dealership rip me off. Remote is working just fine.
Received on time. I'm using it in digital camera remote and have no problem with it. Will see how long will it last
I was worried that this was going to be old stock, but the expiration date is 2020. (It is currently 2011). I'm very happy with this purchase.
The battery is strong and last a long time. Its reliable and independent. It just one of the best battteries out there.
Battery arrived brand new and is still running my watch after a year or so.It's a Polar running watch with heart rate monitor and distance and graphs and stuff...and battery expectancy is ~1yr as per watch manufacturer.It arrived brand new!
This Battery arrived brand new and is still running my watch after a year, battery expectancy is ~1yr as per watch manufacturer.It arrived brand new!....GREAT
Good battery for my timex ironman. The price was good compare to the watch repair shop at the mall. Highly rcommended.
UPDATED REVIEW (12/15/2012): This battery died after using it for under 1.5 months.  I took a risk with the dirt cheap price and thought I would come out fine.  The battery was being used in an exercise heart rate monitor where the original battery had lasted a good 6 or 7 months.  Rather displeased this battery died so quickly but it does not seem as painful since it only set me back a little over a buck.  Still, beware of short lifespan!  Downgrading the rating to a single star.ORIGINAL REVIEW: I hate going to RadioShack or a big box store to get a single, small item.  This battery is priced well, came quickly, and works fine.  Not much else to say about a battery!
A great price and arrived within a week. It was much cheaper than buying it at a local store, but would have had to if I needed it immediately.
Best Battery Ever!It was delivered in the mail and started working as soon as encased in my car's key fob.
The battery works great. I understand it is Sony, but compare to its competitor brands such as Maxwell, it is overpriced.
long lasting batteries. It's the second time that I buy sony batteries and it's worth.good price. arrive at time.I'll reccomend to my friends
I order this battery as a replacement for my car stereo remote and was the exact same one with brand and number. It arrived in regular mail and I didn't pay any shipping, which is great and how it should be considering how small and light it is.
Fast shipping great price, tested perfect
Good battery, can't beat the price. Fast shipping, too!
Great price and they work like they are suppose to.
CAME QUICKLY AND WORKS GREAT !!!NOW I DON'T HAVE TO STAND 5 INCHES AWAY  FROM MY TRUCK ANYMORE TO GET THE REMOTE STARTER TOWORK .....  LOL
Got this to replace original battery in my bathroom scale. Quick shipping and once I put it in my scale, it worked just fine.
The battery appears to be an original replacement for the factory one. Works fine. Appears to be an original replacement for the factory one.
It served the purpose of my purchase and the price was very reasonable. Also it arrived as I was promised.
Installed in my computer BIOS clock and haven't had a hickup with these batteries.  Seemed to fill the bill for what I needed.
It's a battery. What more is there to say about it. It replaces an original CR2032 battery and fits exactly, fires up the calculator,  and comes from a reputable manufacturer. What makes this battery superior and worth a six star rating is the supplier. Without requesting or paying for expedited service, I recieved the battery within three days of ordering it. That was greatly appreciated .
Perfect itemPerfect conditionsI recommended this product , is great , is the same tha you gone buy it
This is an authentic sony product and the battery was a perfect fit. The price was also $10 cheaper here on Amazon than compared to Radio Shack or Bestbuy!
have not used it is a backup for my calculator, but it arrived non expired, so im sure it will work fine since it is identical to the battery i currently use.
I ordered this battery for a 20 year old wireless bike computer.  It arrived in an envelope and works fine.
I purchased some other batteries at the same time as this, and those came bubble wrapped without packaging.  At least this was sealed in the original 'bubble', but torn from its cardboard packaging.  No idea how old the battery is because it is not typed on it.  Of course, the price was very low and I have no idea if these batteries have dates on them anyway, being my first purchase of this type.  A little less than a week, it is doing okay.
Fast service and was as listed.  Highly recommended. Perfect fit for m Garage Door Remote.  Last one lasted 5 years.
shipping, charging, power are very good, more power other then regular recharging battery in the department store.I recommend to family and friends.
Needed a replacement for our garage door openers and these arrived quickly and worked just like the original batteries. Would order again.
The batteries ordered were exactly what I was looking for and they arrived on time.  The price was good too.
Bought batteries for tester.  Works great and vendor was fast and efficient as uaual.  My second order with the vendor.  Will do business with them again.
battery arrived to my door  by postal , it worked and was a buck and a quarter. after a month its still good
Hithis battery fits perfect for my remote christmas lights.Price was reasonable, too.will buy this product in the future again..
Came as described and they work well. Never been disappointed with Sony batteries. They always perform as needed. I love Amazon.
They want $5-$8 in the retail stores for these. This is a great deal. I order from here whenever I need more batteries.
I bought 2 of these by mistake, I accidentally added the item twice to the cart. When I got the batteries I installed one on my Sony Alarm Clock and kept the other one on the package, of course. After a couple of days I noticed that the remote for my Logitech Speaker Dock wasn't working. It uses a smaller type of CR battery, I can't recall exactly which one, but this Sony CR2032 batteries fitted into it tightly. They're working charmingly on both devices!If anything changes I'll let you no.
Good deal, good transaction. Happy with purchase. Quick shipping. What else can I say about batteries other than they worked as they usually would.
I use this battery in my blood glucose monitoring system. The battery is very strong and dependable and i need that daily for testing!
This battery is great. I have never seen my garage remote work so smooth. I think the door even goes faster up and down, but that may just be a trick of my mind.
At the value offered to me for this lithium ion battery I was at first not sure if it was a scam. It was not.
The price was great, and it the battery worked perfectly for my digital scale. I would definitely recommend this battery to someone else.
bought as spare. is used a keyless entry for chevy, genie remote garage door opener, sony computer. and whatever else
Worked great, very inexpensive.  Was going to throw out a perfectly good food thermometer but dh took it apart and all it needed was a new battery.
The battery fit my old little electronic organizer perfectly.  The device is over 15 years old so I was worried it wouldnt work again, but this battery replaced the memory backup battery with no problems.
Great price, as expected, as described.Sony batteries and products, when the price, is right are the best.No problems
Battery was very reasonably priced and easy to install.  Battery installation corrected a computer log in error we were receiving.
I thought this was a multiple battery pack.It is my fault for not reading closer.You can get five batteries for a few cents more of the same brand so be sure to look close before you purchase.
I used this battery in my scale and it died in a matter of weeks. The prior battery lasted for a year. Very disappointing.
These batteries did not work for me.  I do believe that they must have been sitting around for some years because they had very little charge to them.  Not one worked for more then a few minutes.  I had to purchase from another place and they (at the other place) had the expiration date clearly marked on them.  They also worked without a hitch.  When a battery doesn't work on a product such as 3D glasses, it's more then unfortunate.  It's mis-leading and can become fretful. I was concerned that a 150.00 pair of 3D glasses were defective. No battery should be sold without a clearly marked expiration date and without it being tested if they've been left to sit around so long.
3V CR2032. use for my car keys, Mitsubishi FASTKEY.  Fresh batteries, use by date on the packaging was 2023.  Just put them in the 2 remotes and both work fine.  If they die within 2 years, I will be back to write about bad product, till then, these are great.FYI - Replace all your batteries for your car remotes at the same time, that way its easy to remember and easy to document.
Got this through Amazon. Original packaging as if I got it at the local store. Great price! Works as expected.
I should have listened to the other reviews. It does not work! As always, you get what you pay for!
I like the convenience of ordering these batteries just to have on hand. They work fine. I'll order more when needed.
Wasn't looking forward to going to one of the Walmarts or similar stores to hunt for this battery, which could have possibly taken a great deal of time, coupled with frustration.  I put in the Sony number, and voila, the item came up immediately on Amazon.  Arrived quickly, and works like a charm.  I would order this again without reservation.  Very happy with the ease of ordering on Amazon, and finding almost anything you can think of!
Its a battery for medium small devices. I just needed one to power my Poke-walker. It works, as it should.
This is a good battery. Not much else to say. It does what its supposed to do. The price was great.
no complaints, put it into a non working garage door opener and then it worked. Been using it for weeks now.
This is the size I need for my Blood Meter. I popped it in and it worked. These batteries tend to work a long time.
I have no comment, I can only say that the battery works well,I'm very happy,I will buy it again,the price is very good.
So far so good....now if the just last a good while I'll be really satisfied. I ordered 2 of these for my 2 Snark guitar tuners, & I've never seen the led display's light up so bright. So far, seems excellent!
These batteries have a very long shelf life and are packaged compactly with clear identification. The packaging seems to be able to hold up to getting wet. This is a great advantage if you are hunting and your scope goes out. Good price too.
Bought this battery for my ultramini glucose tester.  Used the tester once which worked fine. A month later, the tester didn;t work.  I checked the battery with my voltmeter.  1.76 volts.
After several years the remote for my Bose stopped working. Since that is the only way to operate this model (no controls on the top of the unit), I was stuck.  When I finally located the battery, I knew what to order as a replacement.  Perfection.  It works again!
I had to get these batterys for my XP machine,unfortunetaly,  shortly after that, Xp didn't haveany more updates.  The Battery did work though.
Nothing to say besides that this battery cost 1/3 that of those in the store.If you can wait the 3 days for it to come in the post, you're in great shape.
Lithe and lithiumic is this better battery. Now my scale works again and my bread is uniform. Portion Control is King.
This product arrived in new condition in a tear off tab from a bulk pack.  There was no expiration date on the package.Two weeks after installation, the battery is dead.  A complete waste of time and money.
AMazing low price for a battery I needed and couldn't find easily elsewhere.  AMazon is amazing too.
They're just batteries......they fit in my car's auto-lock remote, by the way it's a HP Tuners tuned '02 Camaro SS/SLP, enough said :D
Excellent product, just what I needed when I ordered this item.  Batteries were perfect for what I needed for my garage door opener.
I ordered several of them for several computers.Could not ask for a better deal tthat buying them in the store.
The battery was dead when I received it.  The company stands behind it's product and promptly sent me a new battery.  Very satisfied with this company, buy with confidence.
I purchased these authentic Sony batteries on Amazon.com as replacement batteries for my Sony 3D glasses ( five pairs for my family ).  I saved $1 per battery on Amazon.com over my local BIG BOX.  I bought five batteries on Amazon.com = I saved $5.  I am an Amazon Prime member --so I didn't pay any shipping on this purchase.  :-)
new battery with a price better then any local store. when I need more batteries, I know where I'm going to buy.
I try to review everything I buy so how can I get 20 words for the review.. Other than it arrived just as described and is working fine. If I have to replace it in less than 10 years I will update this review.
I thought my clock was dead but it worked just fine with a new battery.  It sat on the shelf for almost half a year.
Bought this to replace the battery in my bathroom scale. So far, it meets my expectations. Battery life has already exceeded the one that came free with my scale.
I used this battery to replace an old one from a remote control for my 2002 Saturn SC2.  Fast shipment and the Sony battery that I got was sealed as advertised.
These are the cheapest and value for money batteries. Got one for my car remote keys and they perform fine now.
This is an economical choice for a replacement battery and was shipped very quickly. It got my watch back up and running.
It was great to find a battery that seemed to me to be an unusual size. In addition it is a well known name, so it works well.
Can't say enough about this battery.  It does the job and that is what I bought it for. Enough said.
Hey, what can I say - it's a battery for cryin' out loud.  Came quickly, but it's just a battery...
I found many many uses for this product in many many devices devices . It fits many devices it fits many devices
I needed a new battery for my watch and found this battery to be exactly what I was looking for.
It works in the garage door opener and flashlights. Amazon made it convenient to buy through the mail during the snow storm .
This battery works just fine and didn't cost too much like in a store so I was happy about it.
Ordered this to use on my Sunpass transponder. My Sunpass now works again. Hopefully I'll many years of use since I rarely use the thing anyway.
These batteries last forever.  I use them in my optics while hunting.  Once I left it on, and the next day when I went to clean my rifle it still worked.  When I am hunting I just turn on my optic the whole time all day and don't have to worry about it.  Of course, with the cheap price of these I still keep a couple back up, but at this price and their size it is easy to have a couple backup no problem.
It's a battery... what can you say? It either works or doesn't. This does :-) I've had it for a month, and no issues so far.
Bought this battery to replace one that was going bad in my electronic doorbell. Had purchased other replacements that didn't fit as well in the unit as this one did. Very pleased the doorbell is working as it should.
I ordered a replacement battery &#34;Sony CR2032 Lithium Ion Battery&#34; it came .it was installed it works as a battery
as I said in another review of mine: get the battery in the store instead of online, most of the time those batteries are sitting for too long and the charge wear off sooner than later.
This battery worked properly when I took it out of the package, and has not died to my best knowledge. I hope I can still buy one then next time I need it. Amazon was hounding my email to review this product, hence the title.
Works perfect and the life has been great for this battery!  I use it my remote key for a Jeep Grand Cherokee
The battery on my desktop PC started to go and it was time to get a new one. After taking the computer case apart and verifying the type, I looked around for a replacement.  It snapped right in and worked flawlessly.  While there isn't much more to say about a battery, for what I paid for this one and the fact that it arrived in around 4 days, it was just the ticket.  No complaints whatsoever and I would purchase from this seller again.
it's a battery. it was cheap and it arrived quickly.  i put it in my car remote and it works. what else more can i say?
Sometimes I have to adjust the battery for it to work properly, that never happened until the battery was changed out. So more time will better tell.
This product arrived fast and free.  Works perfectly in my alarm clock.  It costs way less than at the grocery store.
2012 Dodge Challenger Key FOB = I shopped around locally for one of these batteries and they wanted twice what I paid on Amazon for 4 of them! 5 out of 5 stars!
The battery came within 2 days so I was really happy about that.  I just needed it for my body fat measurement scale because the other battery was dying.  Not much to say about it, it's a battery and it's working.  I'll update if I notice that it dies any faster than the previous battery, but for now I'm happy with my purchase, the price and the super quick delivery.
not much to comment except a pack of 2 at Wal-Mart for $4.99- so if you are in a rush and don't want to wait you will pay a bit more.the item was shipped in a timely fashion and works like intended
From Premium Batteries via Amazon.  Blister pak says &#34;use before 2023&#34; so it looks like it should be pretty new.  As the Amazon site says it did take a few extra days. If we experience a problem we will update this review.
Originally didn't have any luck with these batteries but I contacted the company (MYBATTERSUPPLIER)and they were very responsive.  Sent me out a new pair at no cost and received them within a week.  They are back in my good graces and I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.Purchased these batteries, as recommended by the Manufacturer Sony was an acceptable brand, for my wireless doorbell.  They only lasted 2.5 months.  Not sure if I have any recourse at this point but it's really annoying when you cannot get a reasonable amount of time from a purchased online product - regardless of price!
I should have written this review sooner.  I can't remember when or why I bought the battery.  But, I can't remember having a problem with it, so I guess it worked as expected.
I purchased one several weeks ago and I am using it in my old Dell computer. So far it is working perfectly. I just purchased 4 more. I just put one in the kitchen scale. So far it is working perfectly. This battery only cost $1.15 while at retail stores this battery cost more than $4. So far, I am completely satisfied with this battery./
Needed to replace keyfob battery for Ford Escape... Works great and it's a very handsome looking silver battery that will make a fine addition to my key ring.
Will be buying again from this company. This battery works just as good as the other expensive one's I could buy in the store.
works right in my garage door opener which had to be replaced after almost six years of continuous use and
This is exactly what label says.  Lithium battery, sized per our needs.  Arrived fast and works as expected.  Price was great.  We were unable to find this size in stores we looked at.  Amazon has everything though, so we are now happy!
Battery delivered, I popped it into my key-less remote unit for my car and it was back to working immediately.  Would recommend at the price easily!
mybatterysupplier  is the perfect place if you need a pc battery bought about 6 from them battery is always perfect .
I bought it to replace the CMOS battery of an old PC that was losing the time. I waited six months to write the review and so far is working fine and without any issues.
This battery does just what it's supposed to do. It powers small electronic devices for extended periods of time. The Sony battery had good reliability ratings and that's why I bought it. Should last for years in my car's electronic key.
Good deal on this size battery. I have used it in a small portable electronic board and it has proven to be more than adequate. Not really a lot to say about it. The price was good, free shipping and it works well.Works good, and free shipping makes them a no brainer if you need this size
There is no expiration date on the battery or the package.  This battery could be years old, probably is.  Buy this battery (or not!) knowing it is probably not a premium product.  The product offered from this seller is for all the suckers who try to pay the least amount and end up getting burned a lot.
Works well.  So far so good.
perfect, works great, cheap price
I ended up buying this Sony battery for my Snark tuner. It has been working fine since I put it in!
simple battery, fast delivery, good price and powered up my bathroom scale which is still working after a good amount of time.
This initially worked, but died within the month (used in a bathroom scale).  The original battery had lasted 4 years.  Assuming batteries bought from this supplier, or through Amazon in general, are probably older and inventory is not checked for quality control.
I needed to replace the batteries in my garage door opener and local stores wanted $7, I ordered this one for a few bucks and had it is a few days. Perfect price and fast shipping.
no complaints, cheapest individual packaged battery of this kind I could find, besides maybe the energizer ones. I'd recommend this battery for certain.
Delivered as promised within a day or two, works fine in my garage door opener.  The company is one that I will rely on in the future.
In working order, Now my bios won't revert to defualt settings and time when it losses power. If I need another bios battery I intend to order from this vendor in the future. Thanks for sending it out on time!
Excellent battery, reasonable price!  Works great.  Received sooner than expected and packaging was good....will purchase again and recommend to others.
I'm not sure what really you can say about a battery.I received the item correctly and in good condition from the seller. The item was a Sony brand and not a knock off battery. It fits into its resting place without any modification. It also came fully charged and ready to work.Thanks for shipping what you say you are shipping.
GREAT place to buy batteries.  Service is prompt efficient and accurate.  I will continue to use them for my battery needs.
Many reviews had me wary of the life left in the battery. I just opened them and the expiration date is 2022. 'Nuff said.
Installed it in my bike &#34;computer&#34; and all seems to be working as it should. The photo here on Amazon is not what I got. What I got was clearly from a &#34;pack&#34; of batteries. It was individually packaged but was torn from what was probably a flat pack of many batteries. I don't remember the exact expiration date on the packaging but it was several years in the future.If I needed another like it I would order this one again. No complaints.
This battery replaced the one in my Ford Windstar's remote control.  Then you reconnect it to the starter and away we go. It works just as good as new.
How exactly could you go wrong?  Unless it didn't work.  COmpany shipped it to me lightening fast!  Unfortunately, the scale I bought it for still didn't work.  NOT the fault of the battery!
was happy with the product and the fact they would ship a single battery.the battery was new and not used, priced right.
This Sony battery was priced very well and arrived very quickly.  It has been working perfectly for the last month and I don't see why that would change.
Had it for a while now and it still works. Got it for my motherboard. I assume it will work forever.
I got tired of hitting the f1 key every time i turned on my computer.  So i ordered this and now my computer just starts right up and remembers the date and time perfect. ships fast.
Battery was as advertised.  No complaints.  Works as I expected it to.  I have bought others like this one from the same seller.
I order this watch for my work out watch and it fit perfectly.  I am glad that I found it on Amazon because they run about $7 in the stores.
Worked like a charm. Haven't had any problems or issues arise since I bought it. I'd say it was a good buy :)
What can you say for a battery for your bathroom scale! Came on time and will be used often. Lost a pound last week.
This was the recommended battery from the manufacturer of my device.  It works fine and I have no issues with it.
I am using the mount with about 20lbs load (8 inch reflector) and it handles it perfectly. The tracking is precise. The mount is heavy which makes it extremely stable which is awesome. It can still be carried around without much difficulty though. I have taken several 30 sec exposures so far without any additional calibration or additional autoguiding scope with just the standard 2 star alignment and have gotten very good results with sharp images and stars. I love the alignment procedure on this mount as it slews automatically to the stars you have chosen from the list which makes it very easy and quick. I also do not use polar alignment scope, it is enough to adjust your alt and point the North leg to the North and look through the polar alignment hole and adjust to make sure Polaris is in the center. That has always been good enough for me and then i do the 2 star alignment. It is very easy to add additional calibration stars during the alignment, after the initial 2 just keep going on the list to add 2 or 3 more and you ll have very nice accuracy.I also love how the power cord jack screws in to prevent accidental cable kick and lose of power. This mount used to be in the $800s and is now dropping on price in the $600s. It is the best out there for the money and to me simply the only logical choice if you are in the $600s price range. Nothing else comes close out there for $650 and this mount performs like mounts that will still cost you around $800.
This is a great mount and tripod.  I have used it for the last year, in a variety of places with both a 5" and 8" optical tube assemblies and it had done a great job.  With the 8" optical tube assembly I was able to find glaxies down to 11.5 magnitude (in a very dark place).  The mount did take some learning in order to get the process down and practice to keep it up.  It is not for beginners in my opinion.  However, it you are already familiar with telescopes and the stars, and want to go right to what you want to look at, this is the mount and tripod for you.
I bought this mount in February of 2012.This mount has a learning curve and the manual is not quite up to par, but then I am a slow learner.  For instance,  it took me over a month before I realized that the telescope has a feature called the "Meridian stop".  This means that the mount will not track your object from east to west when it crosses that magic line called your meridian.  You must manually reset the mount to the other side of the meridian.  This is a feature of all German equatorial mounts.Next it takes a while to learn how to do polar alignment.  For visual observing of bright objects the quick alignment feature is adequate.  If you want to find faint objects, you must get serious with polar alignment.  You should, that is, must buy the polar alignment scope which looks like an eyepiece that slips into the declination axis and allows you to sight the north star.Then my trouble started.  Over the course of several months the mount would suddenly stop when it was moving to find an object.  Given the unusually cloudy weather we have had in southern California, I had little opportunity to take the scope out and figure out what I did wrong.  However over time I tested it enough and was able to reproduce the error sufficiently that I now know with 100% certainty it is not my lack of knowledge about the mount, but the mount is faulty.I have called Celestron 4 times over the last 3 days.  (You cannot return to the vendor if it is over 30 days from purchase). Each time I was on music hold for at least  1.5 hour to 2 hours when the system just disconnects me.  I went to their web site and submitted an RMA request for repair and I have received no response other than an automated email which show no status.I have heard Celestron  was a good company (better than Meade) but I if they don't support their products you may have a worthless investment like I have now.If they ever get around to answering me and repairing it under the 2 year warranty, I will update this review.11 Jan 2012- Latest update.  First, I got the mount replaced and the replacement  runs beautifully even with just "OK" polar alighnment, that is, without using a polar scope.  After 2 alignment stars and one calibration star, the mount was nailing objects within the field of view of my 27 mm Panoptic eyepiece.  After adding 3 calibration stars, it nailed objects within my 9mm Nagler eyepiece. It even "talks" to Software Bisque's THeSkyX perfectly through the hand controller without a hitch. So I clearly waited tooo long - always thinking I was doing something wrong.So, I eventually got OPT to take back and replace the mount.  The very next day I finally got a call back from Celestron.Bottom line I love the mount - now - but like another reviewer here, Celestron probably has some quality control problems with their electronics.  If you have any problem with your mount, take it back as quickly as possible for a replacement.
I purchased this mount new for a really good price. Off the shelf it works well as an entry level go-to GEM, and the 35lb. payload is a great reason to buy this over some others. Some important things to know going into this mount:1. If you can find it for a really good price and are looking to upgrade from an alt-az mount, this is the mount for you. It has an autoguider port that works with most autoguiders. The same entry level mount from Meade, the LXD series doesn't.2. You will need another counter-weight. And, the counter-weights are not part of the 35lb. payload. They are exempt.3. Spend a day hyper-tuning this mount and it will work even better than new. You don't need to pay for the hyper-tuning service. Just read online forums to learn about this process and get the stuff you need to replace the grease, sand the surfaces, etc. It will make your mount more accurate and extend its life. Plus, you will see how everything works and know what parts do what.4. Buy the AC power cord. Batteries suck!5. Know that this mount is really nice, but still not the best on the market. For the price (around $600.00 new) it rocks! You get what you pay for, and the next mount up is double the price for not much more. That being said, if this, or any mount is not aligned properly then you are boned. If this mount is properly operated it will work really, really well in comparison to any mount on the market. I've taken long exposure CCD images with this mount that have shown nicely round stars. Not the elongated stars of PEC poor mounts.Good luck!
The CG-5 GT is a Chinese made mount rebadged by Celestron, and fitted with Celestron's Nexstar computer control system. It looks like a clone of Vixen's Japanese made, Great Polaris mount. That mount had a reputation of being well made, and operating smoothly. The CG-5 in it's earlier incarnations had a reputation of being rough around the edges, and was packed with a hard, waxy grease that stalled the mount when it got cold. Go on-line, and you will see reviews praising the mount once you disassemble it, smooth the bearings and gears, and repack everything with better grease.The mount I received seemed pretty smooth. If possible, it moves even more smoothly than my old Great Polaris mount, and there is no play in the axes. Since I live in the tropics, I'm not likely to test the consistency of the mount's grease job. After a few weeks of operation here is what I have found:The sucker is rock stable, practically bomb proof. A 19 pound, 6", f6 tube assembly damps in less than half a second. This compares to about 4 seconds with the Great Polaris. Where the Japanese mount needs vibration suppression pads; the CG-5 GT doesn't. I credit the massive tripod that Celestron bundles with it. From the 2" wide legs to the massive bolts that attach them to the massive mounting platform, everything screams solidity. The actual mount head looks puny in comparison. Sure the combination looks funny; yes, the tripod adds weight, but the mount accomplishes its prime objective: It holds the telescope steady.As delivered, the CG-5 operates from latitude 30-60 degrees, i.e. most of the continental United States, Canada and Europe. To reach lower (I live at 21 degrees north), you need to remove one of the latitude adjusting screws, along with the base plate that holds it. It's hard to see the pointer for the mount's latitude scale. This being a German style equatorial, the unit comes with an 11 pound counterweight. I need 15 pounds to balance my scope (yes, Great Polaris weights work, so do their dovetail scope mounting brackets).It lacks a sighting scope for the star Polaris. Instead, you eyeball the star through the hollow right ascension axis. For visual work, this is fine. Given the computerized drive system, you probably don't even need to do that. For better alignment, you can buy the optional alignment scope, use the computerized polar alignment routine (which is actually pretty nifty), or use the tried and true drift method.Speaking of the computer, the mount comes with the Nexstar hand controller. The controller and the software have been around for a while, and it shows. The main alignment routine is the "Two Star Alignment." You should stretch that out to four stars. If you take the trouble to do that, you can do what I did: I slewed from the deep western part of the sky, to the far east, and got a slightly off center view of the target object at 135x. Very impressive.The Nexstar hand controller also has a phone jack that allows it to talk to your laptop, or other computer. You don't need to connect another computer; the Nexstar controller is more than adequate, but amateur astronomers will insist on playing with their toys. ;) Celestron sells a far too short RS-232 to phone jack cable for too much money to make the connection. Most laptops lack an RS-232 port, so you will also need to spring for a serial to USB connector.Then there is the software side. I use Cartes du Ciel for Linux, plus additional communications software called INDI (Windows users tend to use ASCOM). You also need to know port addresses, the name of your USB connection, computer geek stuff like that. Then comes the moment when you launch the Cartes du Ciel's control panel, and click "Connect." It is magical when the mount reports back that it is transmitting its position to the software. Sure enough, there is a new reticle on the map, showing where the scope is pointing (or would be pointing, as I have only tested this in my living room). I right click a different object, select "Telescope," click on "Slew," and hear the rather loud mount lumber into action. The reticle shifts to its new location. Geek heaven! ;)Some concluding thoughts.The CG-5 GT's nearest competitor is the Orion Sirius EQ-G, made by the Chinese company, Synta. It differs from the Celestron in having a slightly heavier duty mount head, periodic error correction, a polar alignment scope, and $500 higher price tag. What it lacks is Celestron's rock solid tripod, or Celestron's more advanced electronics. Now that Synta has purchased Celestron, I will be interested to see what happens to Synta's or Celestron's mount line-ups. For now, there is no other mount that delivers so much for so little.Update (3013-02-11): I have repeatedly run into a problem with the power cord to the mount working loose. The mount loses power, and you either have to try to recover your alignment, or go through another two star alignment process. The power chord is supposed to screw onto the mount itself, but is blocked from doing so by a plastic flange that intrudes too close to the plug-in socket. I disassembled the plastic covering for the RA motor and electronics, and ground down part of the flange next to the power socket. I then reassembled.I have given the new arrangement one night of heavy use, and I never lost power. This is a basic design flaw on Celestron's part, and warrants a one star reduction in rating.I notice that there are few, if any comments about this mount as an astrophotography platform. I am no astrophotographer, but here are my comments. The mount comes with an autoguider port. In theory, that means you should be able to plug in your autoguider device, and go. Two items may give trouble:First, this is a cheap mount (I view that as a good thing). Cheap mounts often don't show the care required to smooth the gears. Such care reduces both the amplitude of the mount's periodic tracking error, and eliminates any sudden tracking error movements. Computerized periodic error correction is a somewhat cheaper way of accomplishing the same thing, but the CG5-GT doesn't have it.Second, the mount uses cheap motors. Cheap motors often suffer from a phenomenon called "cogging." This is the tendency for the motor to resist a command to advance small distances (and I mean very small ones), such as the corrections given by an autoguider. Reading the comment threads at various astronomy sites shows that this problem affects both this mount and the heavier duty Celestron CGEM. The issue usually shows up as erratic drift in declination.Certain people offer "Hypertuning" services (for another $300, or more). Hypertuning would address problem one. You can reduce problem two by doing a scrupulous polar alignment before doing astrophotography (i.e. using the drift method). The alternative is to spend "real money" for a higher quality mount.
I did not buy the mount through Amazon, found it for $100 cheaper at HighPoint Scientific.I ordered the mount with a number of accessories, below the full description of my experience.========Wow, one 59 lbs box, containing three more boxes, containing all my stuff ordered through HighPoint Scientific:- the GoTo mount itself, which comes with a cigarette-lighter powercord and a small dovetail plate- an extra cigarette-lighter powercord (didn't know it came with one, so at least i have a spare one ;-)- an 8" celestron universal dovetail plate (probably could have done without one, since i only want to mount my camera, the small one should suffice)- the optional polar scope- the RS232 cable(I already have a USB to RS232 male cable plus relevant drivers)Assembly was easy, except for a moment of puzzlement on how/where to insert the polar scope. It turns out you need to unscrew an existing mounting hole (the one with the three small thumbscrews), then insert the polar scope into that hole, and screw it in. Took me a while to find this - the instructions that came with the polar scope did not mention that. Turns out that the instructions deal with the mounting of an older version of this polar scope, but is no longer available. Apparently the new one is easier to use, and doesn't require any aligning either.That counterweight is heavy :-) Haven't mounted that yet, since i don't have anything to counter-balance for.Connected the handset to the mount, and the DEC cable to the DEC portsGrabbed my small powerpack / inflator, connected the power cable, and switched on the mount. No 'magic smoke' escaping, so that's good.Simulated a couple of alignments, everything seems to work well. When the mount is tracking, it's near to silent. When it's slewing, it makes noise. Not sure if this is a quiet mount, or a noisy mount, but i'm sure it'll be noticeable when dark.Connected my RS232 cable to the handset, the other end to my laptop, and fired up Stellarium. After configuring the plugin to control the mount (make sure you set the correct COM port), using the ctrl+1 button, the mount was happily slewing away to whatever i selected.Of course, i have no way of knowing that my alignment was proper, so after a couple of slews, Stellarium (or my mount) lost track.I'm impressed:- very sturdy scope, nice and tall as well (i'm 6ft6)- easy to assemble- easy to useOf course, as long as you align the mount correctly!The only downside is that the plates did not come with any bolts to attach the camera to the plate(s) - is it really as simple as going to a DIY store and looking for some 3/8" or 1/4" short bolts? [yes, it is]Roland
This case is good for a very specific usage, in my mind. You have ANOTHER case to pack all your photo gear, and want some lightweight set you can use going to social event etc.? this case provides a good solution.This is one of the very few compact cases that allows carrying the camera with shoulder strap attached. The only alternative I'm aware of are the Zing neoprene cases. You can toss these cases aside for a few moments and go shoot with just the camera and shoulder strap. Or you may shove the D70 with this case into your carry on bag for an overnight trip.If you don't like using the camera with shoulder strap attached, there are many and far better other cases.I'd recommend it as an addition to a more serious carrying solution, definitely not as a replacement.Pros: lightweight protection that's easy to quickly remove and leave aside. lets you leave camera's shoulder strap attached.Cons: medium to low protection to your camera. No pockets for memory card or batteries. Insufficient as a sole solution.
The D70 is my first venture into digital cameras.  I use a 35mm slr and a 35mm auto-focus rangefinder.  Both cameras have cases which hold the camera, and allow you merely to flip open the top half of the case to take a photo.Not so with the CF-D70 case.  All this does is to hold the camera and must be fully removed to take a photograph.  I do a lot of outdoor photography and like protection for my cameras while taking a shot.  Nikon apparently figures that most users of the camera are going to keep them indoors and not need a true ever-ready case.A search of the various web sites turned up the fact some photographers in the United Kingdom were using the D100 leather case which is an ever-ready type.  Although the D70 is slightly smaller than the D100, I took the change and orderered on.  Hopefully this will be the answer.  I also purchased a gadget bag type of case to hold the camera and it's accessories, including flash cards, recharger, filter, etc.I'm hoping everthing is going to work per my plans.
If a lightweight solution to fight scratches is primarily what you're after, this case will most likely fit that bill. Don't expect the sort of protection given by an old-fashioned leather hard case, the genotype that's capable of absorbing and protecting against mild to hard impacts (then again, who does for any amount of money these days; those types of cases are for the most part long lost). That sort of abuse won't go over well when using the CF-D70. This case is really all about protecting against relatively minor bumps and scrapes, and generally it does that task well enough.That said, life does abound with more than just gentle bumps and  mild glancing nudges and soft springtime drizzles. For those instances, Nikon doesn't offer a good on-camera solution for the D70s; even the now-discontinued D100 semi-soft case I switched to for a period (thinking it might afford noticeably superior protection) is at best only a middling better solution against sudden downpours and accidental whacks against the sort of things that could leave you wishing that you had left the D70s at home in the first place (or cursing aloud at Nikon for not offering one of those aformentioned, old fashioned leather hard cases). Or, as in my circumstance, switching to a Lowepro SlingShot quick access pack.I certainly KNOW I can be hard on my gear; one look at any of my 35mm film cameras can testify to that. For me, the Nikon semi-soft solutions just don't offer the sort of protection I need. Moreover, I can get at my D70s just as fast with my Lowepro pack as I could with either Nikon case, and the piece of mind the thick padded sides of the SlingShot is well worth the inconvenience of a little more bulk (plus I get the benefit of the two padded slots for additional lenses or equipment). Yet for the casual photographer who only wants some light protection for their D70/D70s, even I have to admit that the CD-D70 does do that job reasonably well.But frankly, I'd rather have that piece of mind.One star for its ability to meet my more demanding needs, five stars for meeting the needs of someone only interested in sparing their D70 from the indignity of surface scuffs: an average 'average' of three, which only seems fair considering there's plenty of us D70 users in both camps.
this is totally useless.  I got this to supplement my D70s.  Thought that it would work like a ever ready case.  It does not.  Is even slower to remove the camera, and its design does not provide any protection from knocks or dust.For my D200 I got a generic zoomster case, which has been a much better buy.
I am used to the ever ready style leather camera cases on my film SLR cameras.  This so called case gives no protection except from dust.  Save your money and buy an SLR size camera bag instead.
I bought this case sight unseen and was quite disappointed when it arrived. The material is quite thin and to call it semi-soft is generous, as the case has no real protective value. I could almost mush the thing up and put it in my pocket. A far cry from the Nikon semi-soft cases of old. It has a 1 inch square velcro patch to keep the lid closed. I bought another case (non-Nikon) of much higher quality that fits my D70 perfectly. Look around and you'll find much better cases for 1/2 the price.
Using this is much easier than charging my Casio in the cradle. With this I never need to worry about running out of battery power since I can charge 1 battery while using the other. For someone like myself that uses my camera to shoot video, this is important.
I purchased this charger for my Casio Ex-Z750 which by the way is one awesome little camera.  The camera only came with a docking station though so when you are on the road you would have to take the docking station with you to charge the battery.  Now the camera does do well with battery life but if your on a long trip or taking a lot of video which I was, this charger realy comes in handy.  The size is great as its only slightly larger than the battery itself so it does not take up much space at all in your camera bag.  The only reason I do not give it 5 starts is the price stinks for a charger.  It should be more like $20 but after searching online Amazon did have the lowest price on this item.
It may be stating the obvious, but why does this charger cost $43.99?  It's a small piece of plastic with a few metal doo-hickeys.  I am fairly sure the one that came with my camera is hiding somewhere in my house, but now I am stuck paying this much to replace it?  Waaaaah.
This Casio BC-30L rapid charger charges the Casio NP-40 (or compatible) LiIon battery used in most Exilim digital cameras (e.g., EX-Z40/Z50/Z55/Z57/Z750).  It charges a fully discharged NP-40 in about two hours; a partially empty NP-40 takes less time.The best thing about the charger is it's small -- about the same size as a Z40/Z50 camera.  It weighs a mere 2.2 oz, making it very convenient to carry.  It's a one-piece, wall-plug type, supporting universal voltage (100-240V AC, 50/60Hz).  If you travel outside of the U.S., you do need an electric plug adapter since different parts of the world use different shapes of plugs.This charger is great for charging your spare NP-40 battery -- and it's highly recommended that you have a spare battery for your Exilim camera.  I got an NP-40 clone for under $18 here on Amazon.
At first I thought it was wierd, as there is no cord. But it is tiny and after using it think its great. So small it easily fits in purse or camera case with spare battery and card.
The only downside of this charger is the price.  My husband lost his charger when we moved and this was purchased to replace it.  It works great and there are no problems with the product, the only negative is the price.  However I have found that this is ALWAYS the case with electronics.  Replacement parts are always overpriced and companies are able to do it simply because you need them.  But great product!!!
The Casio S and Z series of digital cameras are nice little cameras.  Too bad they (some?) must be charged through a cumbersome cradle.  Get this and travel with a separate charger.  It's a bit pricey but well worthy it.  I never even unpacked the cradle for my Z750.
I bought this charger because I lost the dock and cords for the Casio camera I have.  The camera I have didn't come with a wall charger, just a dock and cords which was extremely inconvenient and hard to take when I was traveling somewhere.  This external wall charger made things so much more simple!  Seems like the the battery sits in the charger kind of loose, but it's not big deal seeing how it's plugged in and doesn't go anywhere while charging.  Fast enough charge for me.  Maybe takes a couple hours for a full charge, which I'm fine with.
Given that I typically use a cradle to transfer photos and keep my battery charged, I have not had much need to use this charger. However, it has worked as advertised on the few occasions that I have used it. For me the compactness of the unit and flip-out plug are great features.
I bought this in 2005, along with a second factory NP-40 battery. Obviously, it charges the batteries. However, another measure of a "smart" battery charger is whether the batteries last and maintain their capacity. Affirmative on both, plus the plug prongs fold for storage. Small and light. Has an indicator light that tells the truth: if a battery doesn't need charging, it tells you so immediately. It doesn't go thru some ritualistic waste of 5 minutes before indicating that a fully charged battery is ready.
I recently purchased a couple of items from Amazon, a Casio NP-40 battery and Casio BC-30L charger for my EX-Z750 digital camera.  I am happy with the products and impressed with the quick delivery and packaging.  You can be sure I will be ordering more items from Amazone with confidence.
I never used it the camera I bought it for was sent back before I used it. This again is an inexpensive item that cost more due to shipping costs.
Great little strap.  Strong, durable and attractive.  I use it for my cell phone 'cuz I'm always loosing it in my bag.  It's perfect for my needs.
I bought this wrist lanyard so I can tether my usb flash drive. Works as I projected and the price was right.
This strap works well on my Nikon D600 in conjunction with a Joby sling strap. I do not use the neck strap because the Joby is much more convenient. The hand strap helps secure the camera in my hand when I have the Joby strap off the camera or off my body when taking photos.  I will note that the strap can also be useful with smaller cameras where you don't want to have a neck strap, e.g., for me on my Sony RX100.
I am extremely satisfied with the product and the service provided by thisseller.
I bought this for my Sony Ericsson k750i cell phone (which has a fairly good camera) for when I'm using the camera extensively as I find it safer to have the camera on a wrist strap while walking around.Two problems I've found: the lanyard is a bit thick, which makes it pretty difficult to loop it through the slot which is provided for this purpose on the camera.Also, the strap is a little too big, which means it can inadvertently slip off my wrist.  I fixed this by tying a knot near the end, effectively shortening the loop, but it's an inelegant solution.One other thing: since Amazon asked me to, I rate the "Picture Quality" of this product, um, er...
ORDERED TWO REPLACEMENT STRAPS FOR TWO CAMERAS AND THEY ARE PREFECT.THEY FIT AROUND MY WRIST PEFERCTLY. THANK YOU FOR THE FAST SERVICE.
I had broken the old strap on my camera and this is a perfect replacement.  The item arrived quickly and exactly as described.
Cheap in price but not in quality.  If you need lanyard straps these are the no-frills well-made ones to get.  I use them for my thumb drives, my old cell phones and my small ext hdd - I only wish my new cell phone (LG Ally) had a place for one :(
Small strap perfect for a smaller or compact system camera.  I have a Samsung NX300 and wanted a simply hand strap and this does exactly what its meant to do.
This is a no frills, flexible, nylon wrist strap.  The loop formed, is 7 inches long from the connector to the end.  It will work with Canon Power Shot, Nikon Coolpix, Sony Cyber-Shot, and other similar point & shoot cameras that have provisions to attach a wrist strap by using a Girth Hitch knot.  It is strong, comfortable, easily attached and removed.  I thought $3.95 was a little expensive, but shipping was free so I purchased it. This wrist strap is cheap insurance against dropping my camera.
This is not a fluid head tripod. I didn't expect much for the price, just a small easy to transport tripod, but felt like I got less than it's value represented. To be sure, it's not a fluid head. It's a friction head tripod, which would be fine, but not if it's advertised as a fluid head tripod. I've had several other Slik tripods and while they're not generally up to the standards of other manufacturers, they were serviceable. Not this one. It was poorly made as and the materials were substandard even for an inexpensive tripod. If Slik wanted me to believe it was a fluid head, I couldn't suspend my disbelief...not after putting it up once. I returned it immediately. No more Slik for me.
This is the second one of these tripods I bought for my husband.  The crank to raise and lower it broke off the first one in a way that cannot be repaired.  Unfortunately, that kind of thing does happen over time.  I considered other tripods this time, particularly the taller ones, but in the 10 years we had the first one, we never had a situation where we wished it could do something else, so I decided to buy another one of these.  It is lightweight and stable on the ground and a very good price.  The only thing that might make it better would be a handle, but I can carry it by the legs, so that's not too big a deal..
This is one of the tri-pod that I've used and be satisfied with it. It is mostly made out of metal and it's surprisingly lighter than I thought. The plastic parts aren't cheap either. If you want to get a study, long-lasting tri-pod with pretty good price, well.. don't wait and just buy this.
I have had my U8000 for almost 20 years now.  It's been to Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and all over North America.  It's not small but it's pretty light for its size, and yet still holds my gear firmly and precisely after all this time.  Everything still works, even with my new camera.  The quick-release leg mechanism is much better than the screw kind--- faster and holds better.If you're a spendy prosumer photographer, you'll want something nicer than this, like an interchangeable head, or better quick-release mechanism.  But for the price, I can certify that this tripod works great.
I really liked this tripod, especially the leg locks and how smoothly it all worked. Then one day I went to fold up the crank handle and it snapped off in my hand. This is a plastic-welded-on part, non-repairable. The tripod can still be used, but the elevation must be accomplished by man-handling the vertical column without the crank (jerky adjustment) and then cinching down the lock collar. Pretty disappointing, because I didn't put that much force into it. Might as well buy the one without the crank.
the tripod is all that i expected and more :) it seems very durable and i look forward to using it.  It extends to quit a tall height and i love the 3 way pan had.  BUY THIS ONE! its great for the money
I've had this tripod for over 10 years, and it still works like the day I bought it, unlike MANY other 'new' tripods that break within weeks of field use. I have gone through... many... tripods being a "out in the field" photographer, where they get knocked, bumped, kicked, tossed off a roof... you get the idea.Everything still works after 10 years, everything is still smooth and fluid without ever having to lubricate anything. It has weight for its size, but not too much, the perfect amount.. where it doesnt move from wind, but light enough to lift and move with legs extended. I've had a few 'light weight' tripods literally topple over from wind because of the camera's weight being 3-5x more than the pod, top heavy, something this tripod doesnt have an issue with.The 'weak' part on this is the arm to lower and raise the boom, sadly it fell one day with the arm extended and it snapped off. This however did not affect anything, other than I have to raise and lower the boom by hand which can get tedious at times, but still worth it for a tripod that can last 10+ years without wearing our or falling apart. to describe the strength of this thing, for years when I crouch down I have used the legs to stand back up grabbing them with a hand, they never compress or slide back into themselves, nothing.Slik STILL sells these tripods, should say something about them. They work, they last and are affordable compared to others.
This tripod may work for some small light duty jobs but dont try and pan or tilt. The movement is jerky and not fluid. There is no fluid drag on the tripod and it is super jerky.
It's a pretty good cheap tripod, I can't knock it for stability or cost. It served me for occasional use for almost a decade. Then it fell over once. It was just sitting vertically, folded up in the corner and got knocked over and hit it's head. One of the plastic parts in the head broke, so if you unscrew tilt handle, the whole top falls off in your hand. I've used it in a pinch since then, holding it together by hand and tightening the tilt handle down. Normally with a tripod, this is an easy fix, but I've been unable to acquire replacement parts, and one thing I wasn't aware of when I bought it - you cannot replace the factory head with an aftermarket head. Slik makes great tripods, I might end up getting another one of theirs, but because I can't replace the head or get parts for a pretty much functional tripod, I can't endorse this with any more than 3 stars.
Bought this to use at my workplace 5 years ago and it is still going strong.  All of the parts are like new with little sign of wear.  If anything, it works more smoothly now than when it was first being broken in.  Used mainly for product photography and some outdoor work, it has not had an overly rough life, but constant use has not adversly effected it.I would highly recommend this to anyone on a budget who does not want to sacrifice quality and durability.  A good general purpose tripod in all respects.  It does not have all of the bells and whistles of more costly alternatives, but it does not have their pricetag either. A smart buy if it's abilities match your needs.  Now that I've seen it here at Amazon, I am considering getting another while they are still available.
I've had this tripod for almost 7 years now.  I've thrown it many times while out in the field (to get it out of my way when I decide I'd rather hand-hold the camera).  I am not gentle with this tripod at all.  One day the crank handle snapped off (my fault, I'm sure) but it doesn't prevent me from using using the tripod, I just have to pull up on it now instead of being able to crank it up higher.  No big deal, it's actually a little faster than cranking.  In all the years I've been abusing this tripod, that's the only thing wrong with it besides scuff marks.  If this tripod ever does call it quits, I will look for another one to replace it, same brand same model (or maybe the next size up).This tripod is very reasonably priced.  It is lightweight, making it easy to take it places.  Because it's so lightweight it feels less solid than some of the bigger heavier tripods, but I've never once wished I had something bigger or heavier.  The clamps that hold the leg extensions are easy to operate (just don't pinch yourself with them).  This tripod holds my heaviest SLR and lenses no problem.  It puts my viewfinder as high up as I can get my eye, maybe an inch or two more.  I'm 5'4" without shoes, so unless I'm going to stand on phone books, I don't need anything taller.  If you are taller and feel the need for a taller tripod, I'd recommend the next model up, but the same brand and design.And it has a really easy to use quick release.  The way it screws onto the camera, there's a little tab to hold on the underside of the quick release, so you don't find yourself hunting around for a coin to tighten it.One con: If I'm using a heavier telephoto lens for vertical shots (as in portrait orientation, not landscape), gravity sometimes makes the camera want to turn lens down, which is in the direction that unscrews the quick release.  That can be a little annoying, but it's never enough to make the camera come off the quick release since it's just a fraction of a turn.  And it's not a problem that comes up often, because of how infrequently I use a long heavy lens for vertical shots with a tripod.  And I doubt it would be any different with any other tripod anyway.
These Slik U tripods are good lightweight tripods. When I travel, it's the one I usually bring along. I've trucked it up mountains, and stood it in streams to get my shot. For a few dollars more, it's head and shoulders above the Velbons, Quantarays, etc. Get the carry bag with the shoulder sling - despite Slik's claims of ergonomically shaped legs, carrying even a light tripod by hand gets old real fast. I give it 4 stars for the reasons some other reviewers are unhappy - some vital parts are plastic and will break. I'm very careful with the crank handle especially. Another good reason to get the bag. Another minor quibble is the quick release - it requires a screwdriver to attach it to the camera. I much prefer some sort of lock knob.NOTE: The picture shown next to the item description is NOT a U8000. It is a U9000, which has the rubber/spike tip feet and a bubble level. The U8000 does not have those features. If Amazon has fixed the photo, ignore this.
Nice, high quality, budget tripod.  There are certainly better ones out there, but this is easily twice as good as similarly priced options from Best Buy.  The difference between a Dynex tripod and this is night and day.  The head is very smooth.  Probably not suited for professional work, but for my part time corporate stuff, it works great.
Bought thus tripod for my wife to use with a professional DVT camera. She loves the ease of use when opening and extending the legs as well as the super flexible and smooth movement of the head.
I've had mine for probably 10 years. I see people online recommending for other folks to spend at least $300 on a tripod and head. "Buy once, cry once!" they seem to say.Those Bogen and Gitzo tripos are very heavy, and they usually don't even include the head. The one advantage I can see with them is that since their legs adjust independently from one another, they can be set up sturdily on very uneven ground. Like while on the side of a mountain or something.For the rest of us, who mostly would use this indoors or in more reasonable outdoor settings, a lighter unit is just fine. Even on this one, the length of the 3-section telescoping legs can be adjusted independently. It is just the *angle* of the legs that are adjusted together.The other situation I can think of where this tripod may not be idea is if you abuse your equipment by throwing it around. The head is a sturdy plastic, but plastic nonetheless. It will eventually break if you're throwing it around. The legs are tubular aluminum, and if they are dented or bent through misuse or abuse, the tripod is ruined.But if you take care of your gear and you are not shooting from the side of a mountain, this tripod will last you a long time. It is in the Economy Series for Slik, but still a very nice tripod. This is the one that spawned all the cheap copies that are sold for much less money everywhere you look. On those copies, one can really tell they just took the basic idea, but not the execution.Highly recommended.
After using this tripod for years, I keep reading that I should purchase a "light-weight" carbon fiber tripod for $300 or more, but when I look at the detail, they weigh about what the Slik U8000 weighs. I prefer the quick-release clasps on the legs on this tripod to the screw-tight ones. One poster here said you couldn't use this on hills, but that is wrong - you can set the legs at different heights very easily. I have no trouble at all using this on uneven ground, but I think I will purchase a ball head to go on it to make leveling the camera even quicker. I may get a tripod that allows me to reverse the center post so that it will hold the camera near the ground for macro work, but for all other purposes this fits the bill. I will be heading back to Costa Rica soon, and will take this tripod with me. I will be purchasing an extra quick-release plate so that when I change from a smaller lens to the long telephoto lens (that has a tripod ring on the lens) I don't have to remove the plate from the camera body and attach it to the lens each time. I would recommend this product to a friend - and have - any time. You can't go wrong, and it is probably the best value tripod on the market.
Slik has made tripods for a long time. This one is solid, well made and the controls work smoothly. A great value!
This is a very sturdy tripod.  I feel secure putting my Canon DSLR on it at any height.  The head movement isn't as fluid as a Manfrotto but it isn't as expensive either.  2 thumbs up!
I did a lot of research on camera straps.  I ended up with this one.  The quality is great and I really like the stretchy rubberized feel to the material.  I expect I will have this strap on my D800 for a long time.  If I do wear it out, I know that I will be buying another one to replace it.
Op/Tech products have a reputation for being well constructed and comfortable.  The Super Classic strap maintains that impression with first rate materials and quality construction.  The padding is a soft, slightly stretchy material that cushions tugs and jerks.  With a heavy camera like a Canon 5D Mark II, I find this a welcome feature. The underside of the pad is a non-slip material with a good amount of grip.  At 5 feet tall, I have a foot of extra strap on each end, so tall users should find the length adequate.  This strap does not have the quick release, detachable ends of other Op/Tech straps.  This is a one piece strap, as pictured.
I've been using a Kinesis quick release camera strap for everyday use - it's very lightweight but also strong and well made.  However, when using my 70-200 f/2.8 zoom at sporting events, the camera and lens combination approaches 7 lbs.  For this I need a strap that is better padded and can be used for both shoulder carry as well as around the neck.After considering a couple of the Tamrac straps, I decided on the Op/Tech for it's reputation for comfort and quality.  I have to say that my expectations have been exceeded.  The manufacturing quality of the strap is excellent.  It is also a very comfortable strap around the neck while being trim enough to also work well on the shoulder.  My only minor complaint is that there aren't more of the integrated grip "dots" to keep it from sliding off the shoulder.  That said, straps designed to be worn either way almost always compromise somewhere in order to be dual purpose.I was a little leery of the "shock absorber" feature, but found it to be very subtle and not at all obtrusive.  Some photographers don't like this feature, but it doesn't bother me and really does make the camera feel like it weighs a little less.  Overall, it's very comfortable and secure.  If there was one thing I would change about this strap it would be the position of the quick release buckles.  I would prefer them to be closer to the camera so the "pigtails" would be shorter when I remove the neck portion for monopod use. As it is, these pigtails are very long.  I do like the male/female attachment that allows you to remove the neck-piece and attach the pigtails to each other to form a shorter "handle."Bottom line:  While it excels more for around the neck use than for shoulder carry, this is an excellent dual purpose camera strap - both comfortable and light.  I prefer the web connectors for heavy equipment, but it's also available with loop connectors, which are easier to put on and take off.Other Recommendations: For those who carry lighter weight equipment, the Kinesis is also a very good solution.  For those who prefer to shoulder carry only, the UpStrap is arguably the best solution on the market.
I got this in order to replace one of my Canon 5Ds strap. I photograph professionally corporate and social events, and I personally do not like that "flashy" look of Canon's original strap (it is also poorly made), and thought this would be a good option for discretion and comfort as well. A couple of uses and this OpTech joined Canon's original strap in my "retired photo gear" box.Certainly it is well made, but heavy and not comfortable. The neoprene on the neck is not breathable causing unnecessary extra sweat. The lack of flexibility of the neoprene makes harder to accommodate the camera in my full loaded photo backpack. It also feels weird when not wearing it on the neck; it just hangs like a children's swing.
It is great to find a strap for a Canon DSLR that is long enough to sling the camera across my shoulders and at the hip rather than dangling from it from my neck.The neoprene portion appears a little shorter than some, but, consequently, the strap is easy to stuff into a camera pack, and stays out of the way while shooting.  It is quite comfortable in practice.There is no brand name displayed on the strap (yeah).  Op/Tech has a video that demonstrates a great way of keeping the strap ends under control.  Because there are no "quick connect" features to this strap, it is probably never going to suddenly fail.
This strap has all that I need for my Canon 7D. Sturdy design with lots of extension power. Allows me to sling my camera to the side when setting up other equipment and does not burn my neck like the strap that came with the camera. A very good buy - so far!
While this carrying case might have been designed specifically for the Powershot S1 in mind, it is a VERY poor choice for the following reasons- It is difficult to open and close. There is a zippered left and right side which goes down about 2-3 inches. The top flap closes with velcro. It therefore takes three movements to open the bag. An awkward and timeconsuming process.- There is no space to keep a spare set of batteries, the minimum accessories a person would want to keep along with their camera. There is an inside pocket for memory cards. But I find that one card is all that fits easily. Any more, and the camera case will bulge.This is designed for the fashion concious and trendy crowd who want the Canon logo on their camera case. It is not a practical carrying case. The least I would have expected is for Canon to design a concelable strap for this case. Instead, there is a belt loop which is pretty much useless as this camera is a little too bulky for you to put around your belt loop. And it seems certain to distort the shape of your belt. Do think twice about this purchase.I am still looking for another case for my Powershot S1. I see a Targus Digital Camera Max case for under five bucks on Amazon and think I will get that instead. If you have alternate suggestions, do add them, for the benefit of other folks, right here.
Canon didn't try very hard to design a pracitcal camera case for such an expensive product in reference to the PSC 70.  The case is much too small to offer any type of cushioning or protection, if any type of accident were to happen, and there isn't enough storage space inside.  There is room to store either a compact flash card or four batteries, whichever the owner chooses.  They recommend this case for the S1 IS, but the camera barely fits inside the case!  They should have added a third more space with some extra cushioning and more storage space for batteries.  Canon usually makes good products, and I absolutely love my new digital camera, but they need more work in their accessory design department.  Truthfully, this case looks flashy, but it doesn't offer real practicality for serious digital camera users.  I bought the case because the description on their website said it was designed specifically for my camera, and the Canon logo appears on the front, which is attractive.  I didn't expect to be disappointed so much.
I'm afraid I must disagree with the negative reviews given for the PSC-70 soft case for the Canon G6.  The case is perfect for protecting the camera without unecessary bulk.  If you need to carry all your accessories with your camera, get a gadget bag designed for that.  The Canon case was designed to carry the G6 only.  With a freshly charged battery and a 1 GB memory card, you're good for a whole day's worth of shooting.  You shouldn't need anything more in most shooting sessions.The fit of the G6 is just right.  The two side zippers and the top Velcro flap allow the case to open up clam shell style.  You can place the camera into the fully opened case and then close the case around the body.  This prevents the on switch from being brushed and turning the camera on.  Other small cases I have tried brush the on switch when sliding the camera into the case.  The PSC-70 avoids this design flaw.I find the case very convenient to wear on the belt, although it adds to the dork/nerd look of the user (fits my image perfectly).  It is much more portable than carrying a large gadget bag on a shoulder strap.
This case is not big enough for this camera and extra batteries, I wasted my money.  Go to Walmart and get a larger camera bag...
You can get your G6 in there.  It works better if you don't try to fit the straps in too.  I was looking for a very small case to fit my G6 in, in order for it to be protected in my canvas purse (which I'm using as a camera bag), and I think it will work for that purpose.  Don't be fooled, though, this thing is VERY small!
I was disappointed that the case wasn't a little larger but the plus is that it is easy to carry and store and the case material is nice.
After a dozen tries, and trying to be careful that I wasn't making any stupid mistakes, it's official:  The Canon PowerShot G6 does not fit in this case.  By the time you've zipped one side zipper, and started to try to zip the other, pressure of the sides of the case against the on/off switch on the top of the camera will have switched it on, the telephoto lens will be trying to extend, with complaining beeps, and you are motivated to extricate the camera quickly enough to save damage to the telephoto motor.  And Canon has their name on this?
I expected this case to be quite a bit bigger. My camera barely fits in it! It will come in handy when I just want my camera protected in a backpack or something, but if I was going on a long photo session, I'd need space for extra batteries and cards. The picture is very misleading and this case is much smaller in person than it appears on screen.
I wanted a small case to put my Canon S1 IS in that was as small as possible when I'm not lugging around my bigger utility bag, and this one does the job perfectly.I frequently drag my camera around with me out of the bigger utility bag, which contains the spare batteries, memory-cards, etc, and didn't like my camera being exposed without protection because the lens cap on the S1 IS falls off very easily, so I purchased this bag.The zippered sides on the bag let the shoulder strap on the camera stick out so I can continue to use it and not remove it.  Sometimes I don't bother to zip up the sides, because the velcro top does a pretty good job of keeping it closed.There is a loop on the side of the bag (not the belt loop on the back) that I use to attach the bag to the shoulder strap on my camera.  So, when I want to take a picture, I just grab the velcro top and "rip" it open without having to worry about where the bag is going to fall.If you want a small bag that fits the Canon S1 IS, and already have another utility bag for spare stuff, this bag will do the job just fine.
I bought this case yesterday for my Canon G6.  G6 takes good pictures.  However, perhaps because of the poor design of the power switch on the camera, together with the design and the size of this case (a little too small for G6), the power switch was easily activated accidently when I used this case.  In about 50% of my dozens of testing puting the camera in and taking it our from the case, the power switch was activated.  Even if you put the camera in without accidently turning the power on, there is still a high chance that the camera be turned on accidently while you are carrying it because the case is thin.  It's not easy for me to just return it because I bought it via mail order.  If I were to do it over again, I'll forget about the pretty look of this case and go for a different one that is practically more user friendly. It's not for G6.
I usually write reviews after a reasonable period of time after I have tried out the product.I purchased this case along with my Canon S1 camera over a year ago. I must say I have to go with the majority of reviewers who say that this is mainly a deluxe padded case, with the Canon logo, in which to keep your camera in. That is, keep it in the case, and then inside your closet or a drawer. But you can also do that with a cheap plastic box you can buy at your local supermarket for a couple of bucks or less. If you want to carry your camera with you for picture taking, you can always put it, along with the case, inside a bigger camera carrying bag or a sports bag, hopefully with a shoulder strap. This would protect the camera from getting scratched or blemished. But, why would you want to do that? You can buy a cheaper bag from a lot of other brand choices, that will provide all of these features altogether.This case has NO room whatsoever for anything besides maybe an extra memory card in a little pocket it has on the inside. The camera does fit tightly inside the case. A word of warning: DO NOT carry extra batteries inside this little pocket! If by any chance, you were to hit against anything solid, the batteries tightly snuggled against the camera, would very probably cause something to break in there! The LCD screen would much likely be the first to suffer from the impact. This happened to me once when I placed an extra battery along with a camcorder in the same compartment of a camera bag. The bag fell, from a very low chair, causing the camera to break when it hit against the battery. This would not have happened if they would have been in separate compartments.I agree with the belt loop being useless. The case is far too bulky to place it in your belt. Given the size of this case, and camera, a shoulder strap would have been the right thing. If you are going to take a picture, supposedly outdoors, you are going to have to take the camera out of the awkwardly designed bag, and place it... on the floor, maybe?I understand there are other camera cases which are fitted to the camera size. But this are much smaller cameras than the one you are going to put inside the PSC-70. These small cameras you can put inside your pocket even when inside the case. There is no way you can put the PSC-70 camera case inside your pocket. It is bulky.Speaking of useless, this case has a fabric loop that closes with a broach, which I have'nt been able to figure out. Beware: this loop looks like something to carry the case from, but it breaks open easily with the weight of the camera. If you are holding it from there and the broach breaks open it may cause you to drop the camera. If it would not open, maybe I would have thought that was its purpose, but otherwise I can't think of a reason why Canon put it there.The only way to carry the case is either grabbing it from the belt loop or wrapping your hand around it. To me, either way is uncomfortable.You have to pull down two zippers (on both sides of the case) and a velcro on top to open it. It is made out of leather and mesh on the sides which do make it look stylish. I do keep my Canon S1 in the case when I keep it in the closet with the rest of my photo equipment. But I already bought another medium-sized comfortable carrying case (with a shoulder strap) to take the camera with me when I go picture taking.
When I first got this case, I was confused about how the camera fit and everything.  After using it a little though, I found that it works quite well. It has a pocket for  extra compact flash cards, plus it has a cool looking design.  It also has a strap on the back for a belt.  It doesn't have a compartment for extra batteries, but that would have just made it bulkier anyway.  Once you get used to the design, this camera case is really pretty good.
Fits my Fuji X100 camera.  The neoprene is fairly thin and lightweight, so only expect simple bump and scuff protection.  I did notice the outside starting to pill up a bit, but it doesn't bother me.
The compact case will fit the G3 and the 20mm pancake lens, snugly and securely. The material is stretchy yet also soft. If I just want the most compact set-up for being out in an active setting it works great: one lens, minimal pouch both size wise and weight wise, and the pouch hooks onto the neck strap.The snug fit also has the advantage of good protection in harsher environments and it is small enough to store the camera in the pouch within my larger camera bag. Recommended.
The neoprene could be a bit thicker. This will not protect against serious drops or bangs but  will protect against what might otherwise scratch your camera.
Purchased the OP/Tech USA Digital D-Compact Soft Pouch for my Fufjifilm X-20.  Fits perfectly! Easy to use. Great camera case/pouch - highly recommended.
I purchased this for my Olympus OMD EM5. This soft case fits nice and snug with the Panasonic 20 MM pancake lens mounted on the body. I have an aftermarket strap attached to the camera and the pouch/strap does not interfere with one another at all. Perfect fit. I suggest watching the short video on OP/TECH's web site so you see the best and easiest way to put the case on and off. I would definitely recommend this just for the protection. It's not a hard case by any means, but it will keep the camera a little cleaner and there will be no little bumps. Now I just plop it in my soft briefcase and I'm on my way to work with my camera nearby with a little extra protection. Good stuff.UPDATE March 2013This is an update to my previous review of this product. I lost my Digital D Compact Neoprene Pouch while roaming the halls at the NY International Auto Show today. I used the little snap clip thingie to secure it to my camera strap hook. It fell off once before but I was fortunate enough to notice it immediately. At that point I should have learned that I couldn't trust the plastic clip to secure the soft case. I am re-ordering a replacement case (same one), only this time I will be more careful and secure it in a more foolproof fashion. I like the soft case very much, but be careful if you use the little plastic clip to secure it. Perhaps the lens attachment choice is better; I never tried that. Next time around I will make sure it won't come off without some effort on my part. Obviously that's a weak point I guess. Other than that, I liked it enough to re-order the same case.
I use this when I just want to throw my X100s in a larger bag. It gives a little protection from drops and a lot of protection from scratches. It takes up very little space.
This provides good protection for the Sony RX 1. It fits so perfectly that it's as if the case had been designed for that camera. Highly recommended.
Fits my NEX 6 with the standard lens like a glove. I bought a 50mm lens which has become my everyday lens so I nned to find a case that fits that now.
This well cut and stitched neoprene pouch fits the Sony RX1 series camera very well.Neoprene is not elegant but the stuff is sturdy, doesn't stretch out and provides good protection.What's not to like?
This pouch is exactly what I was looking for.  It fits the Fujifilm X100S nicely with the lens hood and the Lensmate thumb rest attached.  It is easy to take on and off and weighs almost nothing. It protects your camera from bumps and scuffs when you're carrying it on your shoulder or in another bag. You can just stuff it in your back pocket (or bag) when you're ready to shoot.
This pouch was advertised to fit my fujifilm X100S and it does not fit if the camera has a half-case and filter and cap.  You can jam the camera into it, and pull the snaps shut  with force,but it is really only good for long term protection not to get in and out to shoot .  I tried cutting away the part of the pouch that the lens fits in but the rest of the case is also too small so that didn't work either. I suppose I could try removing the case, the filter, and the cap, but then I might as well just put the whole thing in a closet, since the attachments are what make the camera safe.
Snug and secure fit for the Fuji X100 camera.  I'm now using this instead of the Fuji case and I feel like the camera is more protected and I have access to the battery and SD card.
After trying many many cases, this is the best for my Sony RX1.  I put on the Leica strap recommended by Steve Huff, so I cut out small pieces on the left and right sides because the hangar fasteners are different that Sony provides.  With these small cut outs, the case is good.  I cut off the snap closures (too much of a pain to get to close), and sewed on a small Velcro closure. PERFECTION!
I looked for days for a case to fit my new camera, something small I could stuff into my purse if needed. This is perfect even though it's technically not a case, it's taking the place of one. Fits the camera with pancake lens attached and room to spare at the side for a small microfiber cloth. Sometimes neoprene stretches over the course of time and I hope this doesn't. Washable! Can't do that with most cases. I wish they'd make some prettier colors and designs, black is OK but females own cameras, too. Not that I want pink, but camouflage (the nature design) isn't my style.
I agree with the criticisms that previous reviewers have put forward (except regarding the flimsiness of the material; it holds up just fine under rough conditions). The flap is the potential strength of the filter pouch, but it is not designed as well as it should be. So it does get in the way a bit while providing very imperfect protection against dirt and dust. Nevertheless, this is a good way to keep a filter or two handy. I carry the pouch when I use my small point-and-shoot camera; I keep a small polarizing filter in the pouch and manually hold it in front of the lens when I want to polarize the light (usually water or sky). The pouch is not excellent, but it is usable and useful.
A great idea; a method of storing filters within easy reach. But the quality is substandard.The fabric is a rather light-weight rubberized material, and doesn't look like it is going to hold up. I store a 67mm filter on each side, and have attached it to a d-ring on the shoulder strap of my photo pack.But even before I had a chance to go out in the field, the pouch fabric is so flimsy that it is easily distorted, and the cover flap is too small - if that is even what it is. I am not sure, since the "in-use" photo on the tag attached to the pouch shows the flap being behind the filter - exposing it to dust or other airborne matter.  There is no method of securing the pouch closed to protect the filter from dust.I don't see what good it is to have a filter handy if you have to open your photo pack to get out your air duster before you can use it.The lack of a bona-fide cover flap also means if you have any smaller filters, they might fall out.Maybe for the price I paid, I should not expect much, but I bought two of them, and for that price, I could have bought a much nicer MX-S5363 Tamrac filter pouch.
I bought it for a trip for my 77mm circular polarizer but it's actually very tight. Too bad they don't make one slightly larger. Don't expect any impact protection as it's all neoprene.
You've been there before - in the field and you need to quickly take a filter off your lens.  No time to put it away properly - the light is changing.  Put that $150 filter in your pocket and it might get scratched.  Put it on the ground and you might lose it or damage it.This little filter pouch is just the solution.  The pouch is made of soft stretchy fabric so it protects up to two filters no more than 77mmm in diameter.  I keep the pouch clipped onto my photo belt so it is always available.
Typical first quality Op/Tech product. Easily holds average-sized and larger filters well protected. Nicely finished and well padded to protect filters.
It's OK, but I agree with the other reviewer about being clunky. And the larger the diameter the filter the harder it will be get it out without getting finger prints on it. My filters are 72mm. Keep a lens pen or cloth handy.I wanted it for the compactness and it just fits inside myLowepro Cirrus TLZ 25 Holster Style Case, stuck to the side next to the lens barrel by a Velcro dot I added. I have a Nikon D90 with a Tamron 18-270 lens and I can them put in the case without reversing the lens hood but if the flap is not in the correct position the hood petals will catch it.
The case does a good job of protecting filters, but it can be little unwieldy to insert and remove them because of the overlapping flap-style cover.
the OP/Tech filter pack is rather large, holds two filters and offers only protection from dust.  Rubbing, (scratching), or shock aren't part of the protective package.  It also seems that for this large a pack more filters could be accommodated.  However, it is as described in the sales promo, so caveat emptor.
Bought 2 of these for my 77mm filters and my 58mm filters, works perfect and holds the filters in without falling out. Being a professional photographer, I need to carry different filters with me. I use this to carry my White Balance caps and filters for all the weddings I photograph.Will be ordering more of these in the future.
I have this clipped to my purse so it is always available if I am taking the filter off my lens while away from home. It appears to be well built, and has held up to my somewhat rough usage so far. The clip is secure, so I'm not afraid of losing it, and it also is built well enough that I am not worried that the filter(s) will fall out on accident.I'm glad I purchased it!
Circular filters (up to 77mm) fit in the pouches on each side. It is easy to swap out a haze filter for a polarized filter. The included hook is helpful for hooking onto a camera bag strap. I have dropped this filter pack with filters inside without damaging the filters. No, I don't suggest doing that.
The filter pack works as described.  It does help to keep a couple of  filters handy so you don't have to rummage through your bag to find them.  But, if you are all thumbs like me, it doesn't do much for keeping thumb prints off your glass. That said, I think it will get used and not end up in my bin of almost useful stuff.  It is definitely better than all those little plastic boxes that you either can't get open or flick your filter out on the ground when they do snap open.
Overall, this is a good pouch to hold 2 filters if you want to store them in your gear bag. Im using them for 72mm filters and the filters are secure inside the pouch and the material seems like it wont scratch the filters.However, I would only recommend this pouch if it was to live inside another gear bag. This pouch isnt design to be exposed to the outside world as it has an issue closing and covering the entire filter (loss one star for this).
I have probably 20 pieces in the OpTech system and none has ever given out.  Will stay with this system.
Was expecting something more heavy duty.. will not hang a $5000 camera on this.. will find a use for it. maybe for one of my little digitals.
Works much better than the webbing for me -- I should have bought this earlier!
I use a telephoto lens for birding. Longer lenses have their own tripod mount, and that is where I attach the carrying strap. If I want to switch to a much shorter lenses I lose that lens mount for the strap and I never like to have my fancy camera strapless. These add on straps with quick buckles allow me to quickly switch the carry strap to the camera body. It's the kind of solution I would want to invent if it didn't exist.
Just now opened the package and kinda wish it was shorter for what i'm planning to use as a safety with Black rapid strap sling.or I wish it included 1 Uni Loop.Saw this prior to buying:http://enthusiastphotographer.com/2011/12/20/black-rapid-arca-solution/#comment-587Hope it works out.
I use this set on all my cameras, as they are too heavy to carry around my neck, but these short straps allow me to have a shorter handle for the cameras, so I can hang one off the tripod while I use the other, then swap them out, when I want a different composition, etc.
Very nice compact binoculars. They are very lightweight and relatively small. The image is very sharp. I compared them against a number of other binoculars and these are probably the best among those with street price of less than two hundred. They are in the same class as the Nikon Travelite series, but the Pentax warranty is better, and arguably these binoculars are optically a bit better. These binoculars are ideal for tourism, travel, watching wildlife or air shows.This model also comes in an identically looking WP (waterproof) version which is slightly more expensive. In my own comparison, and others' opinions, this version is optically a tiny bit sharper than the WP version. It was a hard decision to give up waterproofing, but I decided to go with better image quality. The difference was not major, so you may want to buy the WP model instead, especially if you are going to be on boats or in humid climates.Pentax also makes similar models with higher magnification, 10x25 or even higher. They have a narrower field of view and are harder to hold steady (especially since they are so light), so you are probably better off staying with 8x25 on this one. 8x25 makes it easier to scan the landscape and find what you are looking for during the day.Could these binoculars be better? Sure, they could have even sharper optics (you normally pay hundreds more to get to the next level), be smaller (these won't fit my shirt pocket), waterproof, and have a wider neck strap. However, for the price these are amazing, and definitely head-and-shoulders above the cheap no-name binoculars you find at discount stores and most sports stores. In other words, if you need a good pair, this model is a great place to start - anything less would be a visible compromise :)Highly recommended.
I bought this as a gift for my parents and they absolutly love it! I recomend this product to anyone who likes to do any sort of bird watching and or anything else that invovles binoculars. It's amazing!
These are perfect for any kind of birding, or hiking experience. They are lightweight, and good magnification for the cost. The reason I gave a four star rating, not five was that they have lens covers that are annoying, and I have already lost! I will probably find them somewhere. I hope.
These are perfectly adequate for sporting and theater type events.  Very lightweight, which makes it easy to wear them around the neck for lengthy periods.  I lost an eyepiece the second day I used them and Pentax was kind enough to send me a free replacement.
I use these all the time and love them. They are lightweight, good for close or distance viewing and perfect for hiking or travel. I can fit them inside a large pocket on my vest or carry them around my neck. I like them better than another pair I purchased for twice the cost but which never get used since I bought these.
Despite a mistake on my end, I'm very satisfied with these binoculars.  I actually ordered the wrong item.  I remember looking at both the 8x25 and the 10x25 of the Pentax UCF-X II binoculars, and for the reasons I need binoculars I knew that the 10x25 was going to be what I needed.  I live on the top of a hill overlooking Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, and on a clear day my visibility is 25 miles.  I wanted a pair of compact / portable binoculars that could magnify both up close and very distant.  I just purchased the wrong one and didn't carefully check my shopping cart.  I was going to instantly return them, but I decided to try them out first.  They do the job fine, and i'm not sure all the extra hassle of returning them would have been worth it, and i'm very satisfied with the performance of the 8x25.Some other thoughts.When they arrived I was shocked by how small and compact they were, and at first I was worried because, how was something so small going to produce a big image?  But they have a great image quality, very sharp, easy to focus, and reactive.  Most binoculars i've use cannot adjust quickly and it's hard to find your target, especially if it's moving.  Great for bird watching, especially humming birds up close.  I'll also add that I wear perscription glasses and was worried I wouldn't be able to see well without my glasses on.  But I never use my glasses when using these, I can see a very sharp focused image without using my glasses.I really trust Japanese products.  The packaging is always superior and they make the extra effort to make good presentation.  Everything came wrapped up in individiual plastic wrap, and even though there is a high quality case that comes with it, they still took the care to wrap the binoculars in a plastic bag.  The feel of the rubber coating is high quality and grips well.  Very solid construction and the work of a perfectionist.  Same type of quality I've come to expect from Japanese electronics and automobiles.I like how portable they are.  I can take them anywhere.  I go to about 10 baseball games a year, and they are excellent for baseball games.  Totally changed the way I enjoy a game.  For that reason alone, I recommend these for any sports fan.  I was able to find Rhianna in the stands at a Dodgers game (she's dating Matt Kemp - center fielder).  These would also be good for hunting, especially at dawn or dusk.  They work very well in low light.Another big reason I use them is for viewing the panoramic landscape from my hilltop home.  I have a 180 degree view where I can overlook Disney World in Orange County (12 miles) and see the fireworks display every night.  I can look at Long Beach Airport and watch planes (at a range of 1-3 miles), I can see the Hollywood sign (about 17 miles), I can see the buildings in downtown Los Angeles (14 miles).The only issue i've had with them is I notice the light being refracted when it is sunny, and it changes the color and brightness of the image every few seconds.  I'm not sure if this is because of the way the prisms work.  I read that some prisms have different coatings for light to automatically compensate for the varied degrees of brightness.  But adjusting the focus slightly takes care of the issue.  Not a deal breaker, just a slight observation.buy em.
We use these for sporting events, best thing about them is the small size...I get thru security without them even seeingthem they are so small, not that they are contraband, but the small footprint makes things very easy.I've used the belt loop a few times and it works pretty well and is secure.  Basic design.Not as powerful as I would like, but when you consider the price point it's a good deal.I would buy one again.
This is my second binoculars from Pentax, I lost the first one so i ordered the same exact model. It's got a Tripod socket so you can place it on a tripod or table top tripod. The eye relief is great, big enough for me and I wear prescription glasses. Definitely recommended.
I bought these for my teenage daughter for concerts but will buy a second pair for myself! Better than I expected.
take the advice from the guy who wrote a long review...these are great for viewing things that aren't too far away...like a concert, sports events, etc.I am considering a pair that would help for further away.But my husband LOVED this Christmas gift!
Needed binoculars for a safari but didn't want to spend a lot (since I don't have a use for binoculars otherwise).  While these are a little odd looking, they worked perfectly and are solidly made.  Easy to focus.  And I liked the fact that a case and lens covers were included.  Highly recommended.
This is an outstanding binocular and priced very fairly. I use it for backpacking because of its small size and relatively light weight. Another excellent Pentax product.
For the price, you can't beat this unit. The optics is great. I have a couple of binoculars but neither could match the clarity and brightness of this unit. One interesting finding was that the magnification and brightness of this one is better than the 16x50 unit I have for years!
These binoculars produce a nice sharp image.  We use these for looking at out boats, kite surfers on the ocean from our balcony.  These are much better for this purpose than a large pair.
I bough it for my brother in law and he loved it. Good quality, nice looking, and that's it. As expected..
I relied on other reviews to pick these out.  They have very nice acuity; clearly well designed.  A little bulky, but you have to decide if you want clarity (these) or compactness (roof prism).  It's a tradeoff at this price point.
BEST OUT THERE, I HAVE GONE THRU SO MANY, THIS THING IS SO SHARP AND CLEAR, IT IS SO EASY TO FOCUS AND CAN SEE THINGS IN HD, YES THAT CLEAR, AND THE ONE KNOB TO FOCUS THE ONE EYE IS SO GREAT, FAST AND EASY TO FOCUS, LET ME TELL U QUICK SHIPPING AND EXCELLENT WELL MADE, GREAT AT SPORTS, AND YES NO NO NO NO SHAKING, STEADY TO HOLD AND DOES NOT SHAKE, GREAT FOCUS FARAWAY AND NEAR, GET IT U WONT BE DISAPOINTED. THANKS AMAZON AND THE COMPANY.
I purchased the Pentax 8x25 binocular for an Alaskan cruise.  Wow, I have been happy with this purchase.  They are very compact and easy to carry about without being heavy or getting in the way.  The carrier actually can be strapped to your belt.  The clarity when looking through the binoculars is outstanding.  The ease of focus and the image is extremely stable.  I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend this set of binoculars.
This is a little jewel. I am sure you can get slightly better quality if you pay exorbitant amounts of money, but in its price range, I don't see how you can beat it. The optics are excellent and the mechanical feel of it is superb also. If you pay ten to forty times as much, you might get better quality under certain circumstances (darker settings, wet weather, etc...) but that would be  a waste of money as far as I am concerned. Did you know you could focus as close as about six feet away?
Compact Binocular with great optics. Fits easily in your glove compartment, so you can always have them nearby. A real value..
We really like these binoculars. The optics are very good and the magnification is great for backyard birds. Easy to use and the moon looks great too!
I bought this for my husband last Christmas.It was his first set of binoculars, and he loved it! It's light enough for him to take on hikes, and easy enough for him to use.
I have looked for years for binoculars that &#34;fit my face&#34; and adjusted so that I saw one image instead of two,  I could convince my husband that all the binoculars we had in our house didn't fit my face.  Trying to tell this alpha male that I wasn't seeing what he was seeing was a trial.  We bought these for one of our granddaughters as one of her Christmas presents this year and, I had to try them before I wrapped them.  I was excited when I realized they were made for me.  I resolved to order them for me, while they still has them.  I am very happy with them. They are easy to adjust when using, too.
Light weight compact clear. Better then I expected, great value worth the money. Enjoying bird watching, as well as nature.
These work great for what power they have.  The image is clear both for up close objects as well as far away.  I'd recommend them if you don't need a lot of power.  Easy to cary around.
I was really surprised by the crispy contrasty image from these although I did expect good image quality based on the reviews. Comparing to some other bigger binoculars I've used, the image quality is better although a little bit dimmer (by design, since the objective lens is small). Image quality wise, I suspect it is among the best under $150 (there are some ED glass roof prism models around $150 that has very good reputation but probably dimmer than this one) together with Nikon travelite and Olympus Tracker. When I was looking to my back yard, I discovered that I could read the label attached to one of the palm trees about 40 to 45 feet away. With my perfect eyesight, I could not even detect the existence of the letters with my naked eyes.It is very compact, so it fits well in my son's hands. The eye pieces can be very close to each other so my son can have both sides aligned with his eyes.Note that I do not evaluate binoculars like some others by measuring edge-to-edge sharpness, etc. But I can say that these are perfect for casual use.These are not water proof either, but for my usage, I really don't care. It's unlikely that I'll use them when doing water sports, probably not even use them in rain.
Bought these based on some 3rd party bird watching sites recommendations.  We have not been disappointed.  Excellent little binoculars.  They are very compact and will fit into cargo pockets with ease.  I do wish that I had bought the 10x25 version though, as We are purple Martin landlords and they fly rather high.  The extra magnification would be helpful for our purposes.
light weight easy to carry in my vest.  Great quality optics for the price.I have a big, heavy expensive pair too.  But they say home too often.  Bought these for a trip and they are always with me now.
Good price, good compact binoculars, nice and sharp viewing, no complaints. I like these as I can put them in my glove compartment
I picked this up for a trip to Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon.  My main pair is a bulky Meade 50mm zoom that I use primarily for astronomy, and there's no way I wanted something that bulky to tote around.  I was amazed at the image quality from the Pentax pair, so bright and crisp!  The zoom is very quick.  The diopter knob is neat because you click it into the frame with a thumb press, and only need to click it again to pop out to change the setting.  I really liked the collapsible eye relief, made viewing a snap with or without sunglasses.  I'll end up using these at concerts now too (something I couldn't do before with my beefy Meade).  All things considered, this is a high quality pair at a very fair price point.
I bought these as a gift for my husband who uses them to bird watch. He says they're so much clearer than his old ones. Nice and light for hikes, too. I purchased the 8 magnification on the advice of other reviewers who suggested that it's difficult to get a steady view with small binocs at a higher magnification. My husband agrees. He just passed by and said that they really are nice!
With binoculars you need eye cups of some depth so your eyelashes don't hit the lens. These eye cups are shallow worst yet they need to be pulled our holding the rubber ring around the cup. It takes some effort to pull them out and there is a risk of the rubber ring coming off.  You can't leave the cups extended since the flap on the on the bag to hold them will then not close. Bought a Bushnell pair also and their cups screw out.
Incredible suprise the first time I looked through these glasses! Everything was so bright and clear compared to the 8X20binoculars I had been using. They are a little heavier, of course, but not that bad to carry around your neck or in a large purse. They come with a nice case and the price is right!
Small, light, easy to use, excellent image quality.  Remarkably easy to hold steady for a 10x binocular.  Also, a very bright image considering the smallish 25mm entrance pupil and the 10x.  We use them for hiking, bird watching, and opera glasses.
My 20 year old 10x Nikon was finally dropped one too many times. I was going to get another pair when I looked at the reviews for this glass. I am amazed at what you get for the price. The push button eyepiece adjustment works great out of the case, I have a tendency to push it in and then it pops out, trying to push the binocular back in the fitted case.I wear glasses and the the flat rubber eyepiece is on a plane with the binocular eyepiece so I can see the whole field of view with my glasses on. Incredible.These are lighter and smaller than my old Nikon, so I take these with me to more venues than I did with my Nikon.The glass is very sharp and focuses very quickly. These are fantastic for the price and a great deal at twice the price.
Seems powerful I may buy another-one to keep on the deck as to grab fast when wanted or needed. Cheers!
I was looking for a good pair of binoculars I could use at the rodeo in Cheyenne this past weekend.  These did not disappoint.  From watching the bulls and saddle bronc riders that were closer, to watching the steer wrestling that was from a further chute, these were great binoculars!  I have glaucoma, and these were great for me.  They are also lightweight, so carrying them around all day is not a problem.  You won't be disappointed in these!
quality build and performance out of a compact optic. great clarity and design features. perfect for looking at rocks and dirt...and bushes in Afghanistan. I hope to one day find a goat or something interesting on any of the nearby mountains.
Good quality binoculars that meet the needs of someone needing a pair of somewhat in expensive binoculars which is what I was looking for. These are not the ones if you are looking for high quality, wide range of view. Did good on informal birding trips, sports events, site seeing. Not waterproof but do dry out eventually.
Features I am pleased with:*  An affordable, light-weight (10.6 oz) binocular with fully multi-coated optics for hiking, travel or general use including occasional bird-watching (not for tracking birds in flight) during daytime outdoor activities*  One central focusing knob with adjustable diopter ring getting the targets in view quickly*  Eye-relief of 15 mm (14 to 16 mm recommended for eyeglass wearers; other comparable model has only 11.1 mm)*  Exit pupil of 2.5 mm (2 to 4 mm recommended for daytime use)*  Field of view 261 ft (wide enough for 10X magnification power)*  Near focusing distance 6.2 ft (other comparable model has 9.8 ft)*  Tripod socket (nice extra feature for occasions requiring real steady viewing; any tripod with traditional mounting platform works okay without requiring an adapter U suggested)*  A good trade-off between weight, performance and cost
We wanted a pair of binoculars that are lightweight, smaller, and yet powerful for a variety of uses:  bird watching, sports events, viewing vacation spots.  These are really great; we are very pleased with the quality and ease of focus adjustment.
After reading favorable reviews I decided to purchase these binoculars for travel use.  I found a pair advertised &#34;As New&#34; on the Amazon Marketplace and decided to buy those.  As far as I can tell, the only reason these binoculars weren't sold new was the box had some cosmetic damage.  Otherwise, it appears the binoculars themselves are brand new.  They are excellent.  Lightweight and compact, with excellent clarity and easy to use controls.  These are perfect for bird watching or general use.  I'm quite pleased.
These things are great. They are light and easy to carry. I like that because let's face it, most of your time is spent carrying them. Use is very easy, and the image is fantastic. I have other binoc's at the same power and they are neither as light or as good an image. I recommend these for other folks who like to travel.
I purchased these to carry in my car console as I am a pretty avid birdwatcher. I wanted something with good optics I could quickly grab, and I would not be heart broken if jousted around.  These have worked out great, a good value for the money.  The case is a really nice fit for protecting the bins.  This is my second pair of Pentax binoculars.  Good close focus, I like the pullup eyecups and the unique dopitor adjuster.  They might be a bit petite for anyone with large hands.
Beware: Though these binocs are not bad optically for what they cost, they are fragile. My pair lost barrel alignment after only a few months of use. They were not dropped or handled rough. Pentax charges $20 to repair under warranty and you pay the shipping to them. That's more than a third the cost of the binocs. There's something wrong with that picture.
I used this recently when on Safari in South Africa and it brought all the wildlife right into view. It is light and perfect for any lady.
This is my second pair of Pentax UCF-X II binoculars.  After visiting our son and his fianc&eacute; over Christmas, I ordered these for my son.  They live in Jersey City and have a great view of NYC.  We were always using my binoculars, so I ordered them a pair as soon is I got home.  He says they're great.
I casually compared these optics with some 12x32 $700 Stabilized Fujinons, and though the Pentax are a completely different animal, they were surprisingly clear and bright and at a tenth of the cost.  Not as compact as some of the Minolta UCIIs, you can't  exactly carry them to the theater in your pocket, but they're small enough to fit in your wife's purse.
This is my first high quality binoculars and I've very impressed with Pentax in the quality of the product. I have other Pentax products and they all seem to be of very high quality and good performance.The binoculars come in a very nice case that is slightly padded. It also comes with a very nice method of attaching and detaching the neck strap. Instead of having to loop through a small hole like most binoculars, these come with little snap in clips that clip right into the body instantly. You can also detach them quickly as well. Although not necessary, it is a very nice touch and it is the little things in this binocular that I find stand out.Another nice touch is that the diopter setting for the right eye is in the center of the binocular that stays hidden until you need to adjust. You just push on the "button" and it pops out to let you adjust to your eye. Then you simply push it back in , which has a nice quality snap, and it will stay protected against accidental changes.The binoculars also allow two eye relief settings. The eye cups pop out to two different heights or can stay flush if needed. Finally, to change the width of the eye distance both pieces bend TOGETHER evenly and smoothly which is nice. Everything feels very solid and seems to have been thought out well in design.Now onto the quality of view. Excellent. Very impressed. Everything is very clear, sharp and also bright which is good considering this is a 10x25 binocular. Generally 25mm binoculars are dim and worse at higher magnifications. I was debating getting the 8x25 instead to get a brighter image but the optics are very well designed that it picks up light well. For example, compared to my cheap $35 Bushnell Falcon 10x50's, these outperform then in every way except the 50mm has a larger field of view of course. However the image is sharper and brighter in the Pentax. I pointed both at the moon one night to see how much detail I could pick up. The 10x50's did well and kept in focus. The Pentax however showed more detail and texture of the moon and was brighter.Overall these are very good and well made binoculars and because of the higher quality optics I believe you can get away with the higher magnifications and still get a clear bright image.
Bought these for my wife to carry on vacation out west.  They work well, are light weight and easy to set up for your eyes if they are different.
It looks pretty cool and the optics are excellent. I bought it for my son. He has an office on the 16th floor of a building in Houston and it allows for some amazing viewing.
Bought these for lookout use. They're easy to carry, nice case, includes the neck leash. I was a bit worried they wouldn't be wide enough for my face/eyes but I am able to see clearly through these.
I got these for my dad for Christmas and he loves them. He was planning to just use them as a backup pair but once he got them he decided to use them as his main pair, because they are great binoculars (and no, I don't think he was just saying that. LOL. He had a gushing enthusiasm you just can't fake!)
Bought to replace a lost pair of Nikon binoculars.  As a field biologist that does a lot of bird surveys, these binoculars have been great.  They are light enough that I can carry them all day and clear and bright enough that I have an easy time identifying species from a distance.  I like that they have a tripod threading on the underside as I tend to mount them to my vehicle windowsill or post them on the dashboard when conditions permit.  The only minor issue I've had with them is that the diopter adjustment knob keeps popping out when I bump it and it will change the diopter setting.  My old Nikon's diopter setting was an adjustment on the right eye-cup and not as easy to accidentally shift.
I have an excellent large binocular that I use at home, but I needed a smaller binocular for travel and for concerts and  performances in large auditoriums. These are perfect. They are well made with a quality solid &#34;feel&#34;. i like the optics being very clear and easy to adjust. The price was unbeatable.
This is easy to use and is nice for nature observation. They are compact enough for bag carry without a lot of extra weight. They re a little bulky but nothing unmanageable. I will see how useful they are when the weather gets better. Will update in the spring. Happy so far.
LOVE it.  I bought it for my best friend, but now borrow it all the time because this one is so much better than mine!  Excellent clarity of vision, no glare.  Allows your eyes to relax and focus on what you are trying to visualize without being distracted by the mechanizm of the binoculars.  Easy to focus.  Great size.  Fits easily in the glove box.
I got these for an African safari, choosing them for their light weight, compact size, and clear view. They were fine in the rain and resisted the ever-present dust while driving. The adjustment knobs are easy to use and the binoculars offered a crisp image. Glasses or sunglasses won't strike the eyepiece. These are a great size for viewing wildlife, even on the move. I didn't experience eyestrain or neckstrain. Love these!
They're compact and sturdy with very good sharpness but I do see more haloing than I expected. That being said they're a good value & a worthy purchase.
Easy to use, easy to carry cause of smaller size. Great that they can be used in the rain and snow. Love looking across the lake to see the neighbors beach and the  boaters.
Compact and great binoculars.  We used them on our Tanazania safaria trip and it was great.  We had a cheap pair of binoculars to compare this to and the Pentax was vastly superior.  It was solidly built and handled the dust, and bumpy ride well. Very worth the price.
My husband and I each took a pair of these binoculars to Alaska in September when we went on a cruise.  We viewed animals, rivers, waterfalls, and lots of nice scenery from the ship and also from the train in Skagway without any problems.  The optics were clear and the binoculars are lightweight enough to carry for hours at a time.  I recommend these waterproof binoculars for viewing landscapes, wildlife, and more.  We found them very convenient for travel.
I love these binoculars.  They are sharp, easy to focus and light to carry.  I took them on a recent trip and used them both for wildlife viewing and for a concert.  Good low light viewing.  I bought another pair for a gift.
These are excellent binoculars and a great value buy. I wear glasses and I can leave them on and still use the binoculars in a moments notice for like bird watching or seated at a sports event.  I wouldn't trade them.
These binoculars are replacing an older, heavier set.  I have just used them a little bit around the neighborhood, but they are light and easy to focus.
Best binoc for the money: good focal length, uni-body, and best of all, not afraid to take them to the football game when it's pouring rain, or on the trail when the forecast calls for a storm. Gets me very close to the action, and easy enough for my 4 year old to use!
Great, lightweight binoc with excellent optics.  Have used for backpacking & hiking with excellent results and very little space or weight taken up in the pack. Tough construction and easy to use and adjust to your eyes with or without eyeglasses.  Hard to find waterproof binocs of this quality, price and mnimal weight.  These fit the bill exactly and a good focal range at 8X25 for backyard birdwatching or long distance quality viewing of wildlife in the mountains.
Small efficient side. Waterproof! can you beat that? these are great for my dad who loves going to baseball games, but HATES carrying around too much stuff (he's an always-on-the-go type of guys). These turned out to be teh perfect father's day present. We recently went to Alaska and used them for wildlife as well. Worked great!
I got these to have a spare pair within arms reach.  It does not cost so much that I would feel really bad if I lost it.  The image quality is good for the price.  I have a larger Pentax pair, but for activities for which weight matters a lot, this nice, durable, waterproof binocular is perfect.
We purchased two of these for a recent trip to Mt. Rainier and to Alaska.  We each wanted our own pair, and at this price...not a problem!  The size is great...not too heavy.  Very easy to adjust to your own vision.  I am nearsighted, and I could adjust these so I didn't have to wear my glasses.  My husband wore his glasses all the time, and these worked great!  These are a great value for the price.
These are great glasses to put in your bag or car so that you have something with you at all times. The magnification, definition, and light gathering are excellent for this class of binocular. I have more expensive Pentax, Sony and Canon binoculars from the time they were made in Japan, and these compare favorably. Pentax has always made a quality product and I am very happy with this one.
Tried these out on 2 different days, 1 cloudy and 1 sunny. 2-2hr hikes along the river.1) Poor Collimation. Never once got that snap-there is the right focus. Continually adjusting the focus.2) Bino's do not fit in the case while the Eye cups are fully extended. The ready to go position for me. Pretty much eliminates them for use on Birds. (Even without the eye cap/protectors on!)3) Case is cheap felt on the inside, In less then 1 hour had fuzzy's all over the lenses.4) Eye cap protector doesn't have a good spot to connect the strap. If you wanted to use the strap and hang them from your neck.I had to give 2 stars for the specs like waterproofing, lightweight ect. but #1 has to be at least ok/good optics. That's the whole Idea for a binocular?
We also have a larger pair of Pentax binoculars, but I love these little ones, as they are compact, lightweight and tough!  I can tuck them in a backpack, and they don't take up much space or add too much weight.  The Pentax warranty is excellent!
I purchased these binoculars for our Alaska Cruise.  We just returned and they were perfect! They are so easy to focus and hold steady.  I wear glasses and did not have any problems seeing clearly.  I used them in the rain without any problems.
I got these to keep in the car. They have worked well for checking stuff out at a distance. It would be nice if they would get the eyepieces a bit closer together for kids.
The binoculars work fine.  Much better than my old beat up backpack binoculars..  I also like the protective case.  I will take them with me as I climb Everest..
Very good binoculars for the price.Clarity is amazing. The only thing I didn't like about these are the covers for lens.
Not bad. Works perfect while wearing glasses. Front rubber protector is PIA to put back on. Nothing much else to say.
Purchased these to take on my trip to africa in 2010 (after doing a lot of research).I wanted binoculars that would allow me to observe wildlife from afar and to do so at a level where I didn't have to compromise what I was looking at and these glasses did that.  I also wanted glasses that were compact in size and built to take a very 'knock about' use and again, these glasses did that.I had high expectations for these binoculars and I was not let down.To me, these glasses have been 'field tested' and they have passed the test!
I own five pairs of binoculars, my two favourites of which are both Steiners: the 10.5x28 Steiner Wildlife Pro Binocular and 10x42 Hunting (similar toSteiner Police Series Binocular - Choose Size).The 10.5x28 Steiner Wildlife Pro Binocular is surely among the most useful all-round choices among binoculars. Its most desirable attributes include:* High magnification and sharp optics. 10.5x power gives a field of view about two feet at a distance of 30 feet, or manufacturer specification of 264 feet at 1,000 yards (5 degree angle of acceptance). This is excellent for a range of uses from birdwatching, wildlife spotting, through sports and general sightseeing. There is no noticeable chromatic aberration or fringeing, or image edge fuzziness noted on some cheaper makes. The 28mm objective lenses gather ample light in daylight hours.* Compact size due to folding roof prism design. Because they are compact, these are the binoculars most convenient to have with you most of the time. I always take mine on international travel: they are the only binoculars I own that I consider practical for that purpose. They fit into large pockets, or they are easily slipped into camera bags, day packs or briefcases without crowding out other essentials.* Moderate weight. With strap, eye-piece cover and objective lens cover, all-up weight is 14.5 ounces (411g). They are solidly constructed of quality optical glass and alloys, with rubber coated body for shock protection.* Fast focusing. Once any difference between your eyes is set with plus or minus 5 diopter adjustment on the left eyepiece, the center-focusing wheel is super fast from about eight-and-a-half feet to infinity.About the only downside of the 10.5x28 Steiner Wildlife Pro Binocular is that its compactness inevitably is a trade-off against its performance in low light. If you are planning to spend a lot of time looking for wildlife, or anything else in low light, you need one of the Steiners with bigger objective lenses and better light-gathering capability - or even an image-intensifier night vision device. Nevertheless, these tough little binoculars are so useful and versatile that they will never be surplus to requirements for most binocular users.
This binocular by Steiner is top notch it is phase coated bak 4 these they have a wide field of view and are waterproof and solid well made the optics on these are bright and clear looking through them is as good as a 8x42 binocular without the weight,I looked through a lot of regular binoculars and other compact binoculars however these gave me the best view in clarity for a compact they are smaller than regular size but the optical performance is the same or better,this is a great binocular when traveling or hiking,rafting,bird watching etc.Steiner did a excellent job making these I highly recommend these binoculars.
what else can be said about steiner that already hasnt been said. quality quality great optics and for the price how can you go wrong these things are great for all your viewing needs
This are great compact easy to carry binocular, it came with a very comfortable strap, the magnification were perfect for this size and the image was very clear. I was impress.  The price is mid range compare to others, I bought also 15 dollars celestron 10x25 (is also a well know brand) with almost the same spec for comparison. The celetron were good in quality material and image but a very cheap strap, and the price make them a best buy.  But the steiner were excellent in solid quality material and depth and clarity image.  My take is this if you have the money buy the steiner(excellent optic)and they would last you a lifetime, if not buy the celestron and you wouldn't be too disappointed.
I bought two of these A/V cables, one for myself and another for my brother.  Both cables work fine, as advertised on our Nikon Coolpix L22.  Not much more to say except I wish Nikon would have included these with the original purchase.
The cable worked nicely, It was a blast to see the videos played back on a full size TV. Just the thing to have to make a great day at the beach, and a beer with your friends.
I bought this for my brother in law for his Nikon camera.  He misplaced his cable (has since found it) and it is a direct OEM product.  Works great.
Nikon EG-CP14 Audio/Video Cable fits my D5000 without any problems. This the part that comes with Nikon D5000 Camera. It fits fine and snug, easy to install and remove from camera without any problems. Hope this helps!
EXCELLENT DEAL & SERVICE! THE SHIPPING WAS FAST, THE PACKAGING WAS EXCELLENT, QUALITY PRODUCT... I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN  MORE SATISFIED! THANKS FOR GETTING THE ORDER OFF TO ME SO QUICKLY.  I AM ENJOYING MY CAMERA MUCH MORE NOW SINCE I CAN VIEW MY PICS AND VIDEOS OVER MY TELEVISION SCREEN! THANKS!
Great Product....although Nikon should supply it with the camera....and shame on certain large chain Stores for selling the camera, and NOT this cable.  Amazon got it to me in a couple days or so....makes for displaying my pictures on the tv screen.Thanx for having it for sale Amazon
This was suppose to be a new cable, it wasnt. had rust and didnt work. i want my money back and cant contact the seller..
I acquired an older camera and wanted to connect it to my TV. I was not successful but it was not the fault of this cable.
No problems altho, to be frank, I only use the Yellow plug (video).  Item shipped promptly and is a good value cable.
My son ordered this cable to attach some gaming devices to our televisions to improve his gaming experience. It worked but not as well as he hoped.
It is a cable and it transmits brainwashing information properly.PROS:-It worksCONS:-It is a boring cableWould Recommend
worked perfect as expected...was not included in the Nikon coolpix package - shame it should not have been additional expense but was
Perfect for wrapping and carrying my camera in a non-camera bag.  Have used it for 2-3 mos and love it.
I love it.  I use I for everything.  My small kindle reader to camera lens to anything I do not want to get scratched up in transport.
Excelente protectores, basicamente comprados para la proteccion de lentes de camaras fotograficas, el material de neopreno garantiza la versatilidad de amordarlo a cualquier forma que tenga el lente u/o otro objeto a protejer. Compra realizada desde venezuela
This is good but I was hoping to use to cover my camera while in a regular bag.  It is probably the right size to do this, but it is very bulky once I get it on my camera so it's not as practical as I had hoped.
The one reason I bought the wraps is I was getting tired of pulling velcro pads out to get at a lens. I saw these things a decided to buy a few of them and eliminate some of the pads. As some have pointed out they make the lenses more bulky but in my case I use mostly prime lenses. I use a Pentax and some of those primes are pancake, actually makes my K-5 look like a P&S, others are normal sized primes. I also have two zooms, a 16-45 mm and a 70-300 mm, the former used frequently, the latter not so much. My gear is much smaller than other systems, and I do like the compact nature of Pentax very much, but it also represents a considerable amount of money, I can live with the extra bulk. I have an OP/TECH neck strap, a pro version, that I also like a great deal so I knew the quality this company can produce. Finally nothing wrong with buying US made products.
Kata E-702 Large Digital SLR Camera RaincoverFirst time out with the raincover. It is a bit awkward and took some experimenting to adjust the cover over the lens. Huge downpour while shooting lions, tigers and bears. The camera remained dry. Some difficulty with access to the camera's controls and using the view finder. At this price point the cover is a best buy. Camera used: Nikon D60 with 18-55 and 55-200 lens.
Recently visited Costa Rica and my camera was well protected during the on and off down pours.  Great product, easy to use.
This rain protector is in keeping with the quality of Kata's other products that I own - solidly built and functional.
The Kata elements camera cover is a well built strong cover for SLR cameras. The cover takes a little bit of practice to put on quickly. But once on, your camera is not going to get wet.This is a large cover. It's hard to tell from the product images, but the thick clear vinyl that covers the camera body is very large. It is so big, that I'm able to install my Canon 580EX II flash under the hood. Pop up flashes from the camera body will not work underneath this cover, they don't pop up high enough to clear the black lens cover. I have very large hands, and there's no problem slipping my hands in the hand accesses to the left and right of the camera. There's plenty of space to work the camera controls, front, top and rear of the body. Your hand can also slide up along the lens to turn the zoom or focus rings.My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel XTi with the standard short kit lens and a Tamron 75 - 300mm zoom. The long lens works the best, and should really be used with the lens hood installed.The one odd characteristic, if your lenses are front element rotating for zoom or focusing; you will need to take some care with how you attach the front lens covers (there's an inner soft, flexible cover with a pull string; and an outer very stiff plastic with Velcro that serves as a rain hood). If you pull either cover tight to the lens, when you focus or zoom, those covers will turn and twist. This isn't a problem if you are mostly shooting with the zoom at a fairly narrow range and there isn't a huge focus swing. If you aren't careful, you might over stress the focus motor twisting up the covers.Most consumer grade lenses have rotating front elements for both zoom and focus. The big pro level lenses all have fixed front elements and lens barrels.Overall, this is a super rugged, well thought out cover that will protect your camera from everything except horizontal rain (and then you probably shouldn't be outside anyway).Sept. 5, 2010 update: Guess what fits just exactly inside this hood? Yes, the Canon 300mm f2.8 IS monster telephoto. The inner liner just seals over the lens hood, and the great big velcro cover seals exactly right over the lens hood. It was a huge surprise.
Insurance always seems expensive until you need it. Well designed, well made, easy to put on and take off. Enough said.
Like others have said, this is a tight fit, but the Kata is very usable for the Canon 1D Mark3 (with my 2.8 70-200 EDIF). To help it fit better, I put velcro on my lens hood a bit back of half way, and it then grabs the velcro of the 'hood' portion of the rain cover. This gives me more slack in the fit, but still keeps the hood portion right where I want it to stay.A few other good things is that the price is much better than other pro options, but the build quality with the Kata is just fine. And most importantly, it does the job... I cover a running event that always magically attract rain each year, and this year with the Kata I felt so much more confident that my equipment wouldn't get trashed... and it came though perfectly.  It's possible if I shot sports in foul weather all the time, I'd rather have the more bucksy option, but for a pro that is only doing sports, etc now and then this is a great solution.On part I didn't expect was how easy it was to work around when the bad weather blew over, or before I was sure it was needed. The whole thing is very flexible and I was able to just roll it up to the lens and use the bungies that are part of the unit to keep it all wrapped up out of the way.It's also so compact that you can stuff it in a raincoat pocket or a camera bag pocket and always have with you... it's just rolls up into the hood portion and is a ball about the size of your 70-200 lens hood.One bad point would be that it can steam up after a long time with my hot, sweaty hands in there on a humid day... but I just vent the bottom zipper a bit and it's still better with a little fog, than to be worrying all the time.  Also, I could see having a nice cap (like a shower cap) to throw over the lens hood when not shooting, could be nice.. I was always worrying about the exposed end tipping the wrong way and getting drips on the lens.From someone who gets pro use out of this item, it's good, and Kata is know for their great pro video bags, etc... so even at this price it's got a pro build. I'm sure I'll even get more uses out of it, other than just rainy days... I'm thinking in dust/sand, water spray (I shoot splash parks and kids swimming a lot for the YMCA), etc.I'm glad I got it and I've already recommended it to my photo associates.
Now I can safely use my Nikon D90 in the rain.  There are some spectacular images to capture during the rainy season and now I am able to do just that!
It isn't that the product does not work as advertised, but it is so bulky and rigid and hard to use the actual camera while you have this thing on it.  Honestly I would not buy it again.  Just use a rubber band and plastic bag and call it good.
This is exactly what it says it is.  Being that I live in WA it does rain here.  This thing is like a rain guard tank.  No rain and very versatile.  I love this thing.
Use this to shoot high school and pro sports for the newspaper.Allows me to keep right on shotting regardless of the weather!
Fits a 5D mark ii with a Sigma 85mm lens with extended petal hood with lots of extra room.  For the money, you might be able to find something that works just as well, but I'm sure you won't find something with as good build quality.The only thing I dislike is that the Velcro around the lens is exposed so you won't be able to stow the camera away in your bag with the raincover installed... the Velcro tends to attach itself very affectionately to the inside of camera bags.
The build quality of the product is excellent. Used it several times with no problems at all. The plastic sheeting used for the viewing screen is very thick and durable and should last many years to come.The size of the cover is also good. It fits over my Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens with a vertical grip attached with plenty of spare room. I've also tried it on a Canon 1D Mark IIN with the same lens and it's a bit tight, but it works perfectly.
As others have said, it is well made and it works.  I generally don't use the hand sleeves; instead I put my right hand through the bottom zippered access hole as it is roomier and no need to thread my hand through the sleeve.  The left hand sleeves seems mostly useless.  Again, it is easier to change lens and camera settings via the bottom access hole.On cold days the clear plastic fogs up; again, it is easier to wipe off when  you use the bottom access hole.Nice product.
bought this to take to alaska and ended up with sunny 80 degree weather the entire time. So the little I have used this, it has worked as promised.
Because I shoot news photos, and it is wet or raining a lot here in the Pacific Northwest, I've destroyed too many lenses and cameras in the course of my work.I'm sure this product might work well for someone who has the time to insert the camera into the rain shield (in a dry environment), and perhaps use it on a tripod -- perhaps like at an out door sporting event.But, for run-and-gun news coverage, I'm still looking for a product that is fast and easy to deploy.
The quality is pretty good, but it's kind of a pain to fit over over my camera and lens.  It's too small to use with my Canon 200mm f/2.  It has the length, but is too narrow to fit the diameter of the lens.  They should have made the lens end larger.  It would not only fit more lenses, it would make it easier to put the cover on all lenses.  And it wouldn't add much to the weight, bulk, or expense of the cover.It's also rather bulky, because it's so stiff.I find myself using plastic bags more than this.  They are easier to carry, since they fold up small, and fit more lenses.UPDATE: I recently bought theCamera Rain Cover For Canon Models with lens combinations up to 13" long: XT XTi XSi 5D 10D 20D 30D 40D 300D 350D 400D 450D EOS 1Ds 1D 1V K2 T2 Ti XS Rebel, and find it much more useful than the Kata raincover.  Easier to pack, and it fits my Canon 200mm f/2.0.  And it's cheaper, too.
This is my story of Sigma 12-24 lens for Canon.How come I always end up shooting on the wide or long end of my 28-70 zoom? I also wanted to go wider than myCanon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. Corners on Canon's 20mm were all smeared on  until you stopped down to f16, which is the only usable aperture if you want edge to edge sharpness. So after lots of research I ordered Sigma. I was hoping to hit a jackpot and have a good sample. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The first lens I got was somebody returned lens with missing soft case, and it had a soft zone on the left side. Amazon was quick to correct the problem, and shipped me another copy. Second lens was brand new, but had a soft patch on the right side! I contacted Sigma's Tom Soble, and he advised me to send in the lens AND a camera for calibration. Since I just got back theCanon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)from Canon after having fixed focus issues - according to Canon "it was found that the adjustment of the AF assembly was incorrect the auto focus did not operate properly  Electrical adjustments were carried out of the AF assembly". So I did not send in the lens, but just got my money back from Amazon. As much as I enjoyed the wide angle perspective, I could not justify soft zones in my images. Also, whenever I would try photograph anything using DOF scales, the image would turn super soft, to the point that it would be unusable, maybe that was part of some decentering issues my Sigma 12-24 had. I would love to have a "good" copy of the lens to compare to, maybe all the issues were due to the bad samples I had? I have 2 Sigma lenses -Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasandSigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye Lens for Canon SLR Cameraswhich are fine pieces of glass.The also purchasedCanon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, but was not happy with flexibility of use/price ratio, so the lens was returned. I still haveNikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lenson my short list as a potential candidates. I have borrowed my friends Leica 19mm (first generation) and was very happy with it! He wants it back, so I am thinking about Leica 21-35mm as a compact travel lens. You can see and read more of my thoughts at agniusdigital.com
I think this lens, and probably most Sigma lenses, is maligned by many people because Sigma is known for poor quality control.  Well, apparently I got lucky.  I cannot believe how well this lens works on a 5D.  People, if you've got a full-frame camera and you need to go ultrawide, THIS IS THE LENS YOU NEED.  Mine focuses accurately and quietly, and I can't be happier!  Furthermore, it's SHARP, and I mean SHARP, on a Canon 5D.  Not sure how it'll play with crop bodies, and besides, there are plenty of wider options for crop bodies out there, but this is the widest SLR lens available to date on full-frame cameras.I'm in love.  What really puts me over the edge is the phenomenal CA control.  I've had another ultrawide before (re: Canon 10-22), and sure, it was smaller, lighter, could accept regular filters, yaddayaddayadda, but at the end of the day, it simply didn't produce pictures I was happy with.  The CA was just too awful.  Anyway, this lens blows other ultrawides out of the water.  It may not be quite as good as Canon's 16-35 2.8 L II, but it's darn close.  It may be a much slower lens, but it sure is wide, sharp, free from CA's, and cheaper than any of the Canon-brand options of similar quality.ALSO!  I love the 4-year warranty!  Canon's 1 yr can't hold a candle to that.Summary:  Got a full-frame camera?  Got a need for an ultra-wide angle lens?  You need this lens.
Just bought this lens a couple of days ago. Here is my review:The Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG EX is an amazing lens! In my opinion, better than the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 and Canon's EF 17-40mm f/4L lens, which I've both owned and sold due to moving to full frame (hence selling the Tokina) and not liking the focal range of the Canon (I find it too close to my Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L lens).I only just returned from doing some test shots around GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) and the QLD Museum, in Brisbane today and after converting the Raw files into JPEG was really amazed how sharp this lens is, even wide open! Also stoked about how well the images look that were shot indoors without flash, especially as it's quite a 'slow' lens!Images also look 'alive' and have fantastic contrast!Maybe I've been lucky and got my hands on a superb copy. Then again, it was an ex demo from a store in Sydney and I would assume they would only use a great copy to have as their store demo lens.In any case. This is my third wide angle and it's finally a keeper!Well done, Sigma!!Dennis VogelsangD.Vogelsang Photography
I ordered one of this despite that I know Sigma QA problem. This is just a deal I can't pass. I have a Canon 16-35L but at 16mm, the distortion was not acceptable for video. I studied the distortion chart carefully and at 17mm this lens is as good as my 16-35L at 21mm which both have little distortion. I need a wider angle view than 21mm since my company uses it for aerial video demo. You can see some of the video I filmed with the 16-35mm by searching for "Turbo Ace X88 octocopter" in YouTube or see the Turbo Ace X88 octocopter video at wowhobbies.com. then you will understand why I need wider angle with less distortion. For stills, the distortion is not as noticeable but for video it will make you dizzy and it will be totally unacceptable. I am going to see if I can get away without dropping $2,000 on a Canon 17mm prime. I will be back with my view on the IQ when I receive my copy. I normally do not do review until I received the lens but the distortion chart result got me to excited, hope it is true since it is from a third party review. I'll start with a 4 star rating, giving Sigma the benefit of the doubt since I did not have any good luck with them in the past. May be I was just unlucky but I am going to give them and myself another chance to safe some big bucks. I will be back with this review after I do some real field testing.
I got amazed of how wide the lens is. Today I took some shots in a place im used to. First, I compared to the 24-70 mm L series from canon. Now the results:1. Super wide angle2. Very little chromatic aberrations3. Poor image quality at the corners (not even close as sharp as the L series) when you see the pictures at 100%5. Sharper at the center.
Use it on 5D, it blows away he Sigma 10-20 on my 40D, or the Tokina 11-16. The build of this lens is absolutely top notch. The lens cap is well thought out and perfectly made. The size and weight is very small for what it is. Comparing to this, the 17-40L is so 'lame'. I am no pro so I don't dig deep into corner sharpness and light fall-off, with the latter can be fixed during post process anyway. Shooting storm clouds with this lens is really dream-come-true for me! My Sigma 10-20 on the other hand, tends to over expose and wash-out its high light much more. Tokina 11-16 is better but not as good as this Sigma 12-24 on 5D. Maybe the full frame sensor help as well. No matter, the 5D - 12-24 combo rocks! And by the way, there is no competition on the full frame end with this lens. I've heard bad rap about this lens else where, maybe I am just lucky, my copy is fantastic!
I have had this lens for 3 years and have never had any issues whatsoever. I have been pleased with many photos and couldn't be happier with such width.
This lens is quite extraordinary on a full frame camera like my Canon 5DmkII. Some like to think it's only great for landscape but I've had excellent results with it for portraits. Especially for fashion and really odd, but cool shots.Highly recommended. It's also pretty darn sharp for a non prime lens.-MigsVuitton.com/blog
There's nothing else this wide for use on a full-frame 35mm camera or digital such as the Canon 5D.  It's so wide on a full-frame that you can almost see behind you (well not quite, but close to 180 degree field of view).  It is not a fisheye, so straight lines stay straight.  There is some minor vignetting at 12mm but less than the Canon 17-40 L-lens I had at 17mm.  This lens is pushing the limits of physics so it is not as sharp as some lenses but it takes in so much more of the view and provides a crisp image all the way to the corners.For use on a cropped sensor camera, such as the XT, 20D or 30D a better choice may be the Canon 10-22mm which is uber-sharp in the middle of the frame.  The Canon, however, gives fuzzy images on the sides when wide open but sharpens up when stopped down to f8 or more.  My third copy of the Sigma lens is less sharp than the Canon in the center of the frame but is sharper starting about halfway to the edge when both lenses are wide open.  Near the edges of the frame the Canon gives a dark and mushy image when wide open at 12mm while the Sigma is only slightly less sharp than at the center - truly amazing!Unfortunately, Sigma lenses are seemingly sold "as-is" with wide sample variations.  The autofocus died on my first copy of the lens after less than 30 pictures.  The second copy had poor optics with soft and fuzzy pictures even when manually focused.  The third copy is sharp at 12mm, even wide open, all the way to the edges, but only if manually focused.  At 12mm the lens autofocuses too far away when an object is close and too close for distant objects.  At 24mm it autofocuses right on but is softer than at 12mm.  I've decided to keep it since it is easy to manually focus.  The depth of focus is large at 12mm.  For objects further than a few meters away when using 12mm just set the lens to infinity and everything from a few feet to infinity is in focus even at the edges of the frame and in the corners.  The lens has a 4-year warranty so I may send it in to Sigma for calibration later.Pros: (1) Unique ultra-wide angle perspective on a full-frame camera.  (2) A good copy will be optically sharp all the way across a full frame, even wide open.  Further, there's virtually no purple chromatic aberation near the edges of dark objects with bright backgrounds.  (3) Nice build quality with good finish and large smooth focus ring.  (4) Straight lines stay straight so no defishing needed (defishing uses interpolation which lowers resolution away from the center).  (5) Lens comes with a case and has a small built-in hood (serves mainly to protect the front element).  (6) 4-year USA warranty if purchased from an authorized dealer like Amazon or B&H.;  Otherwise you get a 1-year International Warranty.Cons: (1) Wide sample variation - getting a good copy takes luck or persistence while trying multiple copies.  (2) The bulbous front element (this lens is nicknamed "Popeye") is exposed and no standard filter can be used for protection so be very careful.  (3) Flares easily.  The sun does not need to be in the picture just anywhere not behind you.  This is a result of the ultra-wide design and not a fault of Sigma.  (4) Photos sometimes come out too bright, giving the appearance of low contrast.  Photoshop or other software easily fixes.
I'm lucky in that this lens has apparently jumped in price since I purchased to when I'm getting around to this review.My first experience with Sigma was a 28-300 I had on a camera ages ago. The barrel oil canned and picture quality was so-so. I needed this lens for performing interior and exterior home remodeling pictures as part of a contract job.First impressions when unboxing. Wow. This is a different breed of lens than my first Sigma. The lens feels solid and well made. Has a nice carry case that comes with it, even though I don't use them.My first day of playing with the lens was a cloudless day at a tree preservation high up on a hill. First couple of shots I noticed a lot of vignetting on the LCD. I realized then that the lens hood on the end of the lens slides off easily to expose, Popeye!When not shooting with the hood, you have to be very wary of the sun angles, as you'll get immense flare from the intense curvature of the lens.The lens takes some learning because of distortion and your physical relationships to your subject. Don't expect, as with any lens, to throw it on and start shooting keepers.I've found far more uses for this lens that I originally anticipated. In addition to the interior photography, I've found it quite useful in providing a unique venue snapshot when shooting weddings. I will try to upload some customer photos from the lens.
I first used this lens after renting it to use with my Canon 5D Mark II on a cross-country road trip I was taking.  After the first hour of shooting with it, I knew I had to buy it.  I'm not sure exactly what it is about this lens, but it seems to make photos more "alive" than any of my other lenses, no matter what focal length I'm using it at or what the subject is.  I'm a broke college student so I had to spend a huge amount of time and effort trying to get a bank to give me a loan just so that I could purchase this lens, but it was definitely worth it.  It has been indispensable to me time and time again in all kinds of different situations and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile high quality wide-angle lens.
I am a pretty serious amatuer photographer and I keep coming back to this lens.  It's really well made lens and its survived much mistreatment without a problem.  You're going to get lens flare problems that you won't get with a canon 16-35, but in tests I've done, its sharper at the edges than the 16.If you take alot of landscape shots or are on vacation taking shots of landmarks and such, you'll love this lens.
I am just not satisfied with the IQit is heavy and big and not that great compared to many super wide angle such as the fisheyeThe IQ gets better when I stop down to f8 and f11so think carefully before you get this lens
I use this lens primarily for architectural work. It's rugged, fast focusing, and most important, distortion free (i.e., straight lines stay straight). Dramatic design, built for full frame use if (when) you decide it's time to go that way. It's also performed extremely well for landscapes....even some shots at weddings. My most frequently used lens. (Hint: on the APS-C format digital SLRS, you can leave the accessory ring on the lens - it provides additional flare resistance, and there is no vignetting.)
This lens is fantastic... Takes brilliant photos, no fish-eye, incredibly wide, just what I wanted.ONLY thing that seems an obvious mistake is that Sigma doesn't have a clear way to mount a CPL (circular polarizing lens) on this baby.  I've had to search and search for 'workarounds'.  Other complaint is that there doesn't seem to be anywhere I can get replacement parts (the lens-cap/hood assembly broke on mine and I can't seem to find a replacement).Sigma, you're making a lens born for landscape... you MIGHT want to think about polarizing options, and not just rear-gel filters...
I love this lens. On the right body - 5d mark ii or above it is clear and just a wonderful treat. as always a more cost effective alternative to some of the canon or nikon brand name lenses.
I love it. Considering the extreme wide angle of this lens, when used with my 1DS Mk III, the distortion in minimal and my RAW processing software corrects that anyway.  Great price, great optics. I love my Sigma lenses so much I own two of my 18-200 lenses so I can have two cameras loaded with them at once. Canon is great, but you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Canon's equivalent to this lens. I own both.The only downside to this lens design is the lack of front-mount filters. You have to treat this lens very gently, as you cannot install a UV filter to protect the coated glass front element. In some ways, of course, this is better, as you have nothing between the lens and the subject but air - but you have to use rear-mount filters and that pretty much excludes polarizers, which I use a lot.
This lens picks up where my standard 18-55mm left off. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT. The motor of the Sigma is kind of raspy, but my ear is also closer to the motor than everybody else's. Another thing - I wish the zoom wasn't so stiff. Other than that, the lens is good value. I think an equivalent from the Canon manufacturer was in the $200 range.
I bought this lens hoping it would give me the over all photo lens capability for general photography I want. This lens for the money has come close to that expectation. It is a very good lens. I have shot over 2100 photographs of people and scenes, great clarity for the price. I have no complaints so far.
Given the specs on this lense, you should only expect to be able to use it at the long end of the telephoto range in good light levels.Overall - i've been absolutely satisfied for it, and can't get over the price. The only time i found myself wanting for a better lense, was an indoor graduation, low light levels, from very far away.  The shots were dark, and when i slowed it down a bit to let in more light, i obviously got blurry pics.In every other situation, and in the mid telephoto ranges - the image quality has been excellent, and have not had a problem with the light.
I have used this lens in my arsenal for over a year. I have shot thousands of shots with it from fashion to still life to personal landscape details. I love it. I have no complaints or serious critiques. This is a budget lens, but it performs like a pro level if you work within its strengths -- speed, clarity, weight, quiet and the metal mount is an asset.I've shot in multiple conditions from bright sunlight to deeply shadowed interiors. I have pushed the ISO to compensate for any aperture limitations and gotten great images. Well, let's just say that my clients have been very happy.I tend to do dramatic product shots and portraits. When my stuff appears along side the guys that shoot with the Blads and Mamiyas, the images compete in the gallery (30x40 prints), online (global site launches), print collateral (national print).I encourage any new shooter to go for it. Get this lens, learn it and work the possibilities. You'll be pleased with the creativity you can get from it. I am 4 year newbie and work with a Canon 350D (seriously). I get crazy looks from more experienced shooters all the time, but when they see my images in Hay House coffee table books and online with global brands, the looks turn into professional dialogue. I learned from Dean Semler that, "our eyes are still the best tools we have to shoot with." He said, "use what you have to the best of your ability to get YOUR shot ... by any means necessary." Sure, I aspire to use the heavy hitter labels, but not instead of, only including them to my current equipment mix.Last note: Don't let anyone compel you to spend beyond your means to achieve a look. If the 'labels' went away, we would all be looking to use whatever equipment that provided us the best image that fit our vision.God bless with success.
This lens has a nice quality feel to it. Real focus ring. Metal mount. Designed and focused for newer digital cameras. I got it for what I consider to be a great price. I have a used 20d and it compliments the camera nicely and takes very good pictures. I post process a bit to give them more punch in certain circumstances but all in all a very nice lens that focuses fast enough for most amateurs. It's not whisper quiet but I'm not sure I want to spend more money for a "quieter lens." The four stars are about value for the money. This lens has a quality feel and takes great pictures. I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially in this price class. I found another one at a good price for a Pentax (K100D) I have and jumped on it. Recommended.
The lens is nice and light weight but kind of slow to focus and the focus isn't as sharp as I would've thought.  I have trouble with my eyesight so I really rely on on my autofocus.  What looks great through the lens doesn't always look so hot in production on my computer.  I'm sure there's a bit of a leaning curve and I'll probably get used to it and compensate for it.  Can't beat the price.
I bought this to save some money on a zoom lens but found that the sharpness just wasn't there. I did all sorts of test shots using both the AF and the MF but both really didn't wow me. There is also no image stabilization and I had lots of camera movement in my photos. I went with theCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasinstead and returned this. The Canon lens is worth the extra money because the photos are super sharp. The Canon was also faster with the AF and much quieter and also has the image stabilization that really makes a difference. I took some up close photos as well as far away and both were very very sharp so this lens is a perfect all around lens. While its no macro lens, you still can get great up close shots with a little patience.Pros:Budget priceOk photosGood zoom lengthCons:Photos not very sharp compared to the CanonNoisy AFSlow AFNo Image Stabilizer
Many owners of Digital Rebels have the standard Canon 18-55mm kit lens. While useful, the kit lens has some serious limitations, one of which is its lack of sharpness at the 55mm telephoto end. The Sigma 55-200mm provides a much sharper image and wider aperture at 55mm making it a good complement to the kit lens. Overall image quality of the Sigma is fairly good, especially considering the price, and the 200mm (320mm 35mm equivalent) telephoto end provides much needed reach to your photography.The Sigma 55-200mm is one of the newer line of digital-only lenses. On the Rebel XT, it encompasses and 35mm equivalent focal length range of 88-320mm. Focus is fairly fast and image quality is relatively good. The lens is small and light compared to other lenses with similar ranges making it a great match for the rather small Rebel XT. The lens uses a 55mm filter thread, however, which means you'll need a step-up adapter ring if you want to share the same 58mm filters as the kit lens. All in all, this is a pretty good bet if you're looking for an inexpensive second lens to expand your photogtaphic horizons.
Great lens.
WARNING if you have a low end entry level DSLR then you will probably want to buy this. This camera lens does not have a motor in it and if your camera does not have a motor in it, it will not autofocus. Wish I would have known before my purchase, or I would have saved up for the nikor 55-200mm.
There are some that slam this lens and others that praise it.  You have all heard the value of the 50mm 1.8 right?  This Sigma lens is  close to the same value as far as cost vs sharpness.  It is not as fast as a 2.8 lens but it also is not as expensive.  If you can afford it get a 2.8 lens but if not then this is the lens you want. It is very sharp but does become soft at outer edges
i briefly had this lens and though i traded it in, it's actually a pretty good deal for the money. anyone expecting a pro-quality lens or a 2.8 at this price is insane.the first thing you notice is that the build quality is super-plastic-y, even toy-like. that was a turn-off for me, but to get a better-made lens, you'll have to pay hundreds, if not thousands more -- the nikon 55-200 alternatives are also plastic, and sigma doesnt offer a 55-200 in an EX finish.still, the sigma 55-200 does have some advantages if you're not overly concerned with name-brand snob appeal. it autofocuses very quickly due to its short barrel and excels at tracking moving subjects handheld due to its light weight. and the optics are clearer and sharper than you would think, although there is a bit of fall-off at 200mm. this lens would obviously appeal to budget-minded shooters, but it would also be a good backup lens for travel for someone who doesnt want to drag along a lot of heavy glass. and at the price it's being offered for, you could easily buy two in case one breaks.note: unfortunately for d40 users, the sigma 55-200 has no internal motor, so your camera will not AF with it.
The listing indicates that this is an auto-focus (AF) lens. The box and the documentation that came all indicated that it was an AF lens. The actual lens itself was not an AF lens. I don't know if this was just a mistake on someones part (accidentally put the wrong lens in the box) or what. I was very disappointed. I ended up returning it and purchasing theNikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lensfor $65 more and I am very happy with it. I will say that the quality of the Sigma lens itself was very acceptable for a budget oriented lens. It fit well and operated smoothly. The Amazon return process was very easy and went smoothly - I appreciated that.
Received the lens and it has a flaw on it.  Could not get it replaced.  Guess you get what you paid for, I would say spend a little extra money and get a good lens.
Update: August 20 2009, lens has major problems shooting at 200mm range, very bad blurry images, got to send it back for warranty.I read somewhere the lens is plastic like feel, that is not true. In the contrary, to me the construction and mate finish texture what I liked the most. Have taken it to a few outdoor events and at least people who do not know about lenses ask how much I paid for it and are impressed with the price tag and over-all quality.The reason I bought this lens is mainly for the brand, SIGMA, I got also a 30mm 1.4 Sigma that is amazing, construction quality, craftsmanship, materials, color, fonts, are all identical. To me the lens feels solid, very well made. Pictures taken with flash look realistic, no washed out colors or strange exposures.I got the Cosina 70-210 and I think the Sigma is much better over-all with less distortion, more controlled exposures and better color quality. Mine was bought when it was for fifty something dollars.Final verdict: I do recommend this lens to anyone looking for a lens on a budget, if you like taking a lot of low light images then get yourself a VR Nikon telephoto lens. If you have the D40, D60 expect manual focus as it has no built in lens motor drive, in a way is a good thing, less stuff the lighter it is. I use it mostly for sports so the AF is not an issue for me. Four stars for such an unbeatable price! Sigma did it again!Update: I purchased a used D70, autofocus is very quiet, fast and smooth. No problem AF in low light as the D70 and all new DSLR have the assistant focus light.
This bag is heavy duty and well constructed.  It will really only fit a camera body (my 40D doesnt fit unless I take off the extra battery pack) with one lense attached (not a zoom).  Lenses will not fit in the side pockets, but I can keep extra batteries, a filter, and some lense cleaning supplies in the side pockets.  I would recommend the product, but only if you want a smaller bag for light trips.
I had high hopes for the Kata H-12 holster case, but it barely held my Canon 5D with a standard lens. The side pockets would not hold my zoom and wide angle lenses. The H-14 may be roomier and work better, but instead I opted for the Lowepro Off Trail belt pack which is more modular and worked well while I covered a concert event.
Unbelievable camera bag.  I wanted something small that I could use when I traveled to protect my Nikon, and this is definitely the bag.  They only gave me 5 stars to rate this bag, but I would have given it 10!
Very bulky and bad design.  No SLR camera does fit in it comfortably.  Shall not be advertised for SLR cameras. Cheap workmanship. Does not worth the price.
The Kata H-12 is essentially as promised, providing a well-made case for a full size DSLR (I use a Canon EOS 40D) with lens attached. It can handle a wide range of zoom lenses attached to the camera and provides good protection. This model is a little small and does not readily accommodate an extra zoom lens, but can manage a smaller fixed lens in the side pocket
I looked long and well at all the cam protection  products out there today. I bought the Kata H12. It excels at its job. Has all the little options you need. I keep my DiMage A2 in this case whenever not in use. Its alot like a bulletproof vest. At the price of todays cams, you can't afford to be without the BEST possible container. No cons as yet. (38day owner). Lots of room in main compartment. So, some extra storage for smaller cams like mine.Very, very, nice case.
This bag is slightly bigger and bulkier than I thought it would be.  It is about the size of a small carry-on bag.  It will easily hold a large SLR with zoom lens attached and 3 or 4 lenses, plus a flash, and perhaps a small bottle of water OR a small SLR body OR pocket camera. If you carry those huge pro lenses, you might only get one or two of those inside and still have room for a flash. But for most of us, you can easily fit an SLR with zoom, 3 or 4 lenses plus a flash.  Or maybe 2 or 3 lenses, flash, and a 2nd body. There are 4 pockets. There is a mesh pocket inside, on the underside of the trap door. It can hold memory cards, lens filters, etc. There is a large "horse shoe shaped" zipper pocket inside that encircles the zippered lid. You can fit a lot of small items in this pocket because it's pretty big.  There are two zipper pockets on the outside, alongside the trap door. These two pockets are not very big. As an example you could probably put a can of Red Bull in each pocket.  But, it would be tight.  Biggest faults?  There are no pockets on the exterior where you can simply slide a map or magazine. And things can easily fall out of the two exterior zipper pockets when you unzip them. The bag has a multitude of loops for hanging accessories. The shoulder straps are VERY thick and well padded. The best part? Extremely comfortable to wear. The section that rests against your back is, again, well padded.  Therefore, you won't have anything poking you in the back as you are walking. The trap door is a great idea. You can access your SLR quickly without opening the entire bag. The good: Thick padding, very protective. Large interior zipper pocket. The interior is yellow, making it easy to see what's inside. Dividers are movable, so you can customize your bag. Handle is sturdy & comfortable. Has a canvas pouch for attaching a tripod. Top notch quality. Has a nice, high-tech, modern look. It holds it's shape and doesn't look crumpled and frumpy. Bag looks classy without screaming "camera".The bad: Items can easily fall out of the two exterior  pockets as you unzip them. Rather pricey, but VERY well made. The section of the straps that go over the top of your shoulders is VERY thick and adds to the overall bulk of the bag. This bag is perfect for people who want to take a day hike and have their camera gear with them in a safe and comfortable package. I am glad I didn't buy the bigger R-103 model. This Kata R-102 is plenty big enough for my needs. I would have given it 5 stars if there were just a couple more places to stash small items on the outside. Otherwise, it's terrific. I am very happy with it.
I wanted a pack that was able to carry my Canon Rebel XTi with a Canon Image Stabilizer 70-300mm telephoto lens attached plus have room for a Canon EFS 18-55mm standard lens, a Sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens, a 580 Ex II Flash, 7 filters, battery charger, 3 extra batteries, several compact flash cards, and a lens cleaning kit. The 580 Ex II Flash was a tight fit, but every thing else went in just fine. I very pleased with my purchase and highly recommend it.
I am very impressed overall with the Kata R-102 photo Ruksack.  It is well designed, comfortable to carry and looks good.  Make no mistake it is a rucksack not a full size photo backpack.  I carry 2 camera bodies, 2 lenses and a few accessories and it's full, it also gets narrow to the top so you are limited in what you stow along the top edge of the bag.  I am happy with my Kata but for longer trips I still need a bigger bag.
I bought this bag originally because I needed a place for my 70-200 2.8VR to sit protected from the elements. I thought it might be a little too big for my needs at first but it holds three of my lenses two flash units and a camera body along with all the little things to make it work. If you have to carry your gear for a long period of time you will find this bag as comfortable as they get. There is a bigger model that holds a laptop, if that's a feature you need, go for it, if not, this is the bag for you.
This product has been through thick and thin, on four continents carrying 2 Canon 1D Mark IV bodies and 24-70mm and 60-200mm lenses.  At first I didn't think it would hold up; however, the bag is now over 3 years old and it is still in perfect condition.  This bag has been through some very severe treatment and it always functions flawlessly.Kata makes good stuff.
THIS BAG IS A TANK!  This is what one customer wrote in a review and influenced me to but this backpack, and I couldn't agree more.  I read review after review about this bag and never saw a bad review.  The thing that impressed me the most is that company make armor for the Israeli army.  I can honestly say that I am comfortable carry my camera around in this bag.  Amazon had is cheaper than anywhere else and when the backpack came in there was a neck strap and a holster for a tripod.  That was a nice suprise.  You can also add on to the backpack with a waist bag that mounts on the bottom of the backpack.  Kata also has feature were you can clip your camera onto the shoulder straps instead of hanging off your neck.  If you are considering this backpack go to Kata-bags.com to see all of they're products and reviews.  I recomend this backpack to everyone who takes their camera with them everywhere.
It's a great bag, as good at the 103, but a smaller version.  It doesn't have a slot for a laptop.  The bag is strong.  It's easy to change the compartment sizes.  It really is the best bag that I've seen or used, this and the 103.  I think the 101 is too small to be very practical for much.
The Kata bag (R102) was engineered to carry a LOT of stuff, protect it, and let you haul it comfortably around. How much stuff? We took our typical "on assignment" setup of camera gear + tool case and managed to put it ALL into the R102!Kata is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures high quality "Carrying Systems ". KATA's products are mainly targeted for professionals in the Video-Photo, Defense - Security, and High-Tech Industries markets.We think their gear are perfect for the type of traveling we love to do...rugged, but relaxed.Go to [...] to read the full reviews.This series of reviews will be done over the course of the next six months. The first in the series will be a look at the case itself, the second review will be our initial impressions after the first outing. The last report will be our "In the Wild" review where we'll detail our findings of how the gear hold up after a few months of use.
As soon as you open the bag you can feel the quality of the Kata-102. I'm comfortable my camera and gear is safely ensconsed with in the soft yellow padding and tough outer shell. I do wish there were more ancillary storage spaces for things like my Copperhill cleaning kit, camera and flash manuals, extra batteries, charger, various cables, etc. The inside of the cover does have a narrow storage compartment but it would be better if it was broken into smaller compartments instead of one big one. Things tend to fall out when you're lokking for something.The straps are very comfortable and seem to displace the weight very well. It is a high quality product and should serve its owner well for many years.
I bought the R-102 a year ago for a European trip and have taken it overseas twice as well as to other destinations I've traveled by plane. Bottom line is that this is a great bag on a number of fronts to carry and protect all your equipment and accessories.First off, it's carry-on size for air travel, which is key, as well as the fact that it can hold at least one camera body (I've got a Nikon D-200 with the MB-D200 battery grip), 5 lenses, a flash and a portable hard drive to store images. This bag keeps everything snug and secure.The inside zippered pockets can easily store any wires and battery chargers as well as extra AA batteries for my flash. The 2 outer zippered pockets are small but good enough for things you'd want in a pinch, like a lens wipe or batteries for the flash or camera. And the tripod pouch can fit on either side of the bag or down the back.This bag is extremely comfortable to carry for long periods of time--which I've done. And there is a waist belt, which is removeable from the bag and is unobtrusive. Another unique feature to this bag is that it comes with an integrated camera strap that you can attach to the camera and the pack itself, thereby taking the weight of the camera off your neck. Interesting idea, but I haven't used that since I don't have a quick-release camera strap to try it out.The bag also doesn't look like a camera pack(at least when you don't have on the tripod attachment), which is nice when you don't particularly want to scream "tourist".Kata bags are highly durable and this bag is also modular. You can pair it with the W-92 waistbag and REALLY carry a lot of gear! You can't go wrong with this bag. Just the right size, a comfortable ride and is more stylish than most camera packs.
Have owned quite a few camera backpacks but this one is the most versatile of them all to me. I really like the center section opening separately so you can take out the camera without unzipping the whole bag. Fits the Canon 1D series nicely and the bag is deeper than most.Plenty of zipper pouches.Straps are very comfortable and the back is well cushioned. You can even add the insert trolley and instantly have wheels .
I am putting a Nikon D70 in the Kata 102 and while it is snug, I know I can put a larger camera in the section designed for the camera. Kata's product information states that the "R-102 is designed to hold a Digital/SLR body with 80-200/300mm lens attached, extra lenses or a mini DV camcorder and many more additional accessories."I am not disappointed in the quality of this bag. It has YKK zippers that, for outdoor products, is the gold standard in construction. The stitching and material are top notch.The R-102 comes with a system to attach a large tripod to the backpack. It consists of a "pouch" to hold 2 of the tripods legs and then a strap to hold the tripod securely at the top. You can still open the bag and all the zippers with the tripod attached. Another feature that is indicative of a well designed backpack is not only is there the "main" zipper that opens the pack in half but there is another zipper in the front of the bag that opens only enough to reveal the camera section and nothing else.The bag is only one part of the "Kata system." I can attach a waist belt harness and additional "hip" and a shoulder type bag to the front of the waist sling if I wanted. It does not mealy have shoulder straps but a built in section of material that takes much of the weight off the shoulders and transfers some of the weight to the area between the shoulder blades. I have never seen anything like it.The bag is not gaudy but close inspection of the bag might reveal that it is not a normal backpack. In addition, with the tripod attached it is pretty obvious what is going on. I feel safe in my town but for areas where there is a lot of crime one might consider a less "techkie" look the bag has for a more plain design (of course leaving the tripod at home). If a person put all the extra accessories on the bag you would definitely attract attention.I like to ride my bike for exercise and fun. I used to use a shoulder bag that was not designed to be worn on a bike although I could do it, but because it was so awkward, I rarely took my camera with me. With the backpack, I have already developed the habit of putting it on before I leave my house. I have my camera and mini-DVD inside. If I know I am specifically going out to get pics I attach the tripod, if I am just going out for an errand or whatever I will still don the pack but leave the tripod at home.I really like the bag compared to my shoulder bag. I can fit a sandwich in the R-102, attach a water bottle or whatever. In addition, it comes with a strap system and neck strap to hold the camera outside the pack, attached to the pack so the camera is not wrapped around your neck. This is really a great feature. The camera is secure but available for immediate use. This additional harness can be quickly and easily be removed when not in use. I don't like a bag with all kind of extra straps that hang down. In addition, I do not fly but I read that the bag complies with airline regulations concerning carry-on luggage. The K-102 will fit in an overhead compartment or under the front seat of a passenger jet.The backpack's shoulder straps are thick and padded and is a pleasure to wear. I have been taking my camera everywhere with me and taking a lot more pics as a result. Loaded, it is not too heavy and can carry the right amount of goods. I have looked at other packs and while bigger they also look a lot more heavy.I am very impressed with this bag.
Such a great product for journalists of all kinds who have to carry any kind of recording gear -- audio, video, etc. My colleagues marvel.
This bag is not discounted on Amazon or anywere else I looked, so I paid full retail of about $90.  I would say that the quality was exceptional in the bag itself.  This bag is definately for someone with a larger waist.  The bag itself I would imagine would get very heavy with all your equipment, and is designed to be a "fanny pack" on the front or side.  It's not flexible enough (and a bit to large) to be worn on the side.The reason I gave it a rating of 3 was because the shoulder strap shown in the picture is definately not the same one I received.  The one the sent me was so small that even after stretching it out all the way I could barely get it over my head, and in the cross body position is was closer to my rib cage versus my waist.  I'm guessing that the overseas manufacture tried to save money on the shoulder strap by shortening it, which consequetly ruins the product IMHO.  Yes, I could have purchased a new shoulder strap, but for almost one-hundred dollars for a waist pack I expected more attention to detail.  I'd say if your closer to 5 feet tall then this bag will fit you over the shoulder, but then it will be way to big around your waist, unless your obease.Dear Manufacture: please increase the size of the shoulder strap by at least 1 foot overall. Thank you... I returned mine until they get it right.I'm also not crazy about the zipper facing me on the inside, you almost have to take it off everytime to access your camera and equipment, why don't they just put the zipper on the outside like normal waist packs.  Also, the water bottle holders are rather narrow (they do fit the Kleen Kanteen narrow bottles), and will not hold the top supper secure like my Eddie Bauer or Nike waist pack's.  If you're running you may loose your water with the vertical movement.  I think an elastic strap that goes over the mouth of the bottle is probably a better design, but I can see they designed this with the close to also protect extra zoom lenses in the side water pouches, so there are compromises that were made to accomidate both.Don't get me wrong, the quality of the bag inself is excellent, but the design can use some refinement.
I bought this to add a hip belt to my R-102 backpack but will be returning it and will be looking for a more integrated solution:1. Hip belt doesn't provide any lumbar support when attached to the pack.2. Access to the interior of the W-92 requires removal of the pack then folding over to gain access to the zippers.
I've had this pack for a few weeks now. I am a wedding photographer's assistant and I don't have two bodies to switch back and forth while shooting so a pack that is comfortable enough to wear for 8 hours of shooting with easy access to my lenses and accessories is very important for me. This is just what I was looking for. The quality and look are great and it fits up to 6 lenses (unless you have bigger lenses such as the 70-200) It even fits my 70-300mm Canon zoom lens.The only minor problem I have with this is that when you take a lens out of one of the side pockets, it is no longer snug to the waist and begins to slip off.Other than that. I am very, very happy with this purchase and I greatly recommend this pack.
Just returned from three weeks travel with the Kata W-92 Waist Pack as my only camera bag.  This Kata product is built like a tank.  Very sturdy and completely protective of the camera.  I carried the Olympus E-510 with the Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 attached most of the time.  I also carried the Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens in one of the side pockets and a water bottle in the other.  In the main compartment I also carried three spare batteries, an iPod Nanon an iPod classic, a flash and my cell phone.  In the velcro pocket in the lid I carried several spare memory cards and cables.  All of these items were safe and secure in the waist pack.  I varied my method of carrying it from waist to shoulder depending on the circumstances and it was equally convenient either way. I never felt that I was ever in danger of losing my camera because of the design which has the zipper at the back of the pack, in other words closest to the body.That said I have to say that for me, given my petite stature, the pack was bulky and awkward in tight places such as train and plane aisles, one time causing me to be pushed and pulled by a a commute crowd resulting in the loss of one of my favorite earrings.  This awkwardness, and the fact that it is quite heavy when loaded with a camera and accessories makes me think it is more suitable for the great outdoors rather than urban sightseeing.I'm giving it 5 stars because of the quality of the pack and because most adults are larger than me and wouldn't encounter the same problems.
I bought this bag for taking to soccer games, skiing, and other outdoor activities.  When it arrived I found it extremely capable of holding a lot of equipment, but perhaps too much so.  I found it to be heavy, bulky and cumbersome.  It appeared to be well designed, but I could not imagine using it as it was almost as large as the standard shoulder bag from Cannon strapped onto my waist.  I returned it along with Tenba waistpack and kept the Kata Digital Rucksack and the Tenba Mixx Shoulder bag instead.  If I didn't mind the weight, the design was nice and well thought out.  Like my Kata backpack, the yellow inner fabric is wonderful for seeing what you have.  I might recommend it for a person with a large build that can handle 10 lbs of drag on their waistband.
This bag, like all of the Kata purchases I've made, is made very solidly.  However, this product seems to have a weird design and my camera does not fit in it unless I really shift stuff around.  I wouldnt recommend it for a larger SLR... my 40D has trouble fitting with the lense attached.  It'd probably be a better camcorder bag.
I had this bag for years, and used it in many situations, such as wedding shoots, long hikes, second carry-on bag etc. It's served me well in most cases. Rugged design protects its contents really well with it's adaptable padded inserts. It's the perfect size for 'one-body, 2 lens and a flash jobs', and works fine if you need to jam in another lens or flash. I've stuffed in 2 Nikon Speedlight SB 800's but it's just as easy to attach their cases to the pack's strap. Plenty of extra room for batteries, cards and other small things.As a waist pack, it's just comfortable enough for a day hike, depending on how much stuff is in it, although it's not svelt. If you need a slim, low-key bag, this isn't it. It says PHOTOGRAPHER to everyone around. It's meant to allow you to have everything you can carry, on you. That said, if it's lightly packed, the side pockets collapse and the bag gets a little more compact.Two serious flaws:1. If you put the bag down, and leave the top flap unzipped, picking up the bag by the handle will result in the bag flipping down, dumping the contents. You might learn quickly enough not to use the handle, but your assistant, or a well meaning (or not well-meaning) person trying to move the bag will dump it. That's if you  find yourself in a shooting situation where you feel safe enough to put your bag down and walk away from it.2. Years ago, before I got into perfect shape (HA!) I was wearing this bag on my waist on a long hike, and the part of my belly that extended over my belt pushed the clip release just enough to pop the clip, dropping the bag to the ground. This bag is designed to protect the contents in such a fall and did, but that should never happen. Maybe my belt clip is a little worn, but pack this bag with a few heavy items and the clip has enough tension that it's too easy to pop the clip, so I make sure the clip isn't the only thing holding this belt together (doubling the belt through the elastic loop attached on the other side does the trick).
One of the most stable and convenient waist pack camera bags for multiple situations. The bag can hold 2 lenses in the side pockets an SLR with a zoom lens in the main compartment as well as a flash unit.It's a top-loading unit that's very durable and lightweight and provides easy access to your camera. Used just with the strap, the bag is very stable and comfortable; with the waist belt it's even more comfortable you can position it behind you so it's out of the way when shooting.This bag can be paired with the R-102 rucksack so you can even take more equipment with you. But it's not meant to provide lumbar support for the rucksack.
it's works well with my lens
Easy to use and it stays on. Don't be fooled by poor quality alternatives. I would purchase this again, it is well worth the extra money.
This is an authentic Nikon HB-32 lens hood, not a Chinese replacement version. Works well keeping the sun glare out off. Fits my Nikon 18-135mm lens perfectly. You can check compatibility here: [...]Fast shipping from Amazon as always!
I bought my 18-70mm lens used and I didn't get this lens shade when I bought it. I really like shooting with this, and it stays on my lens 100% of the time. Helps with glare and provides some protection against drops too
I bought this lens hood as a replacement for one that fell off and was lost while I was carrying the camera around.  As a lens shade, it does the job of keeping light off the front element satisfactorily, and shows very little vignetting even at 18mm, but the bayonet attachment is not as positive as one would expect, given the overall lens and camera quality.
I wouldnt be writing this review if mine hadnt fallen off the camera into the Hudson river New York.A perfect replacment for the original and have not lost it yet.
Just a standard hood - not much to say other than it seems the finish has changed a bit compared to the one that came with my lens. The original hood saved my lens when I was shooting basketball by taking a ball impact. Reason I do not shoot without them on.
I broke my original hood and bought this Nikon hood product to replace it. As expected, Nikon makes a quality product.
The HB-32 lens shade fit fine - just like the other one I have that actually came with the other lens I have.  I have an 18-55 zoom lens, an 18-105 zoom lens and now a 18-140 zoom lens.  However, the 18-140 zoom lens did not come with a lens shade, so I had to order it separately.  It works fine.
This is the original replacement lens hood for Nikkor lenses. Just like the one that came with the original lens. Great product.
Though the HB-32 is meant for the 18-70mm DX Nikkor lens, the HB 32 fits my 18-105mm nikkor lens perfectly.The hood snaps on easily and let's you attach uv filters & lens cap with the hood attached.Get the original hood! The color and style fits the Nikkor lenses better than generic/off brands. You won't be disappointed.
I fell and broke my other lens shade and probably could have super glue it?!  No I replaced it and this works!
Good product. Does not vignette image. However it will create a flash shadow on the bottom of the image when using the on-board camera flash and a longer zoom lens (eg. 18-140) at a short focal length (e.g. 18-24), but it is easy to remove / flip over in those situations. No shadow seen when used at a long focal length with a flash. Also if you don't use the on-board flash or you use a tall / bounced speedlight, it isn't an issue. I mostly use this lens shade for shooting outdoors in the sunlight without a fill flash anyway.
lost my original lens hood so i got this. the good thing is that it works on other lenses with 67mm filter threads, like the tamron 17-50 and 28-75. as far as lens hoods go, it's ok. it's pretty small, and it's not lined with felt of velvet like some lens hoods. it's petal-type, so there are cut-outs in its diameter, built of medium-strength plastic. the only reason to buy this is if you lose the one that came with your camera. you could go without it, but it does help to keep out flare in bright-light situations, and can be reversed for a trimmer fit in the bag.
could be a bit deeper, but it works fine
An exact replacement.  What else can I say that takes 17 words. Eight more words t go to complete review.
I always recommend buying the manufacturers made hood so you get a perfect fit.  This one has done the job and the price was right.
Nikon original product, direct replacement for the factory part at a large discount over the local stores i would not hesitate to buy another.
This shade fits my 18-105 Nikkor lens perfectly. It can go on forwards and backwards and there are no artifacts to be seen at any range. Do not buy the less expensive &#34;universal&#34; hoods for your lens.
I broke my HB32 on my 18-105 in a car accident.  Bought this as a replacement and it fits and functions perfectly.  Of course this is expected as it is the OEM hood made by Nikon.  Great price on Amazon.com for it though.
Sturdy plastic attachment that provides some lens protection if you knock your camera around a lot.  For a few comparison shots I've done, I can't tell a lot of difference in the photographs taken with or without, but it does provide some protection for the lens surface (and doesn't seem to impact most photographs negatively if you just leave it on all the time.)  I envision that it will make a difference when photographing around water in bright sun.
After it broke, I had to replaced it ASAP. You must have it on all your lenses. Thought about similar (not original) but nikon is nikon so keep with the original equipment always.
Perfect Nikon OEM replament, Fits like a glove and does not cause Viginetting. Have seen many others do this, especially the one's that thread into the filter ring
I broke the original one that came with Nikkor lens and it is identically to the original. Well constructed and if you ask me with more careful treatment from my part it will hold for years to come.
Since the Nikon 18-140 didn't come with the lens hood I ordered it. Works great; does want it supposed to.
This is just like the one that I lost.  No issues on fit or finish because it is a Nikon product.
Accept no substitutes. This really fits without adapter rings and looks great too.
You can have it. No need to think about it. Please check the compatibility with your lens!!It is perfect!
nikon sunshade brought excellent but this shade but I lost and it is very useful, for Nikon, it is advisable.
I bought this hood as the 18-70 is my work horse lens and was a second hand buy - so it did not come with the hood. Material is as described. Fit is also perfect. Does its job perfectly. Note that the zoom ring is not 100% accessible with the hood folded inwards.
Has a nice &#34;rough&#34; rugged texture. Doesn't feel flimsy, snaps on very firmly, love how you can reverse it on lens for storage, very pleased.
I bought a used one since the original one for my lens was broken, and this used one is almost brand new and fits in tightly with my old lens. A lens bag was also provided.
Does what it's supposed to do perfectly. Fits snugly with minimal effort required to apply and remove. Very happy with this purchase.
Item sent on time and received in excellent condition.  I recommend this vendor based on my dealings.
Fit perfect and works great .... Arrived fast and in great shape ... Thank you
Just fit my Nikon D7100 very well. Even though I am a freshmen for taking photograph, but it can help me a lot!
Those rear lens caps are well made and stay on!!Great to keep the lenses clean and safe in the bag!!Albert E
Fits well, does the job. I bought it for my teenage cousin so we'll see how the cap (and my old camera) hold up!
I bought this rear lens cap for my Zuiko Digital 14-54mm II lens. It fits perfectly. It is of good quality too!
This item has been delayed for shipment for 2 1/2 months.  Still working on a way to cancel this part of the order.
Fits well and keeps my lenses clean. No problems whatsoever. Definitely a necessity for lenses. I buy used legacy lenses and they're so often sold without their caps.
Bought this battery for my bro-in-law in Argentina. I assume it is doing fine. Interestingly, the Panasonic battery that came with my similar camcorder crapped out long ago, whereas the aftermarket spare battery I bought is still going strong...4 stars because it is probably a good battery, but not the best value (overpriced).
This official Panasonic camcorder battery also works for the new VDR-D300 and VDR-D250 3CCD DVD camcorders.  I had checked Panasonic's website to confirm before I bought it for my VDR-D300.  It works very well.As a gadget expert (if there were such a thing), I highly recommend getting an official battery.  Sure, the generics can cost 1/3 as much, but you run serious and real risks of getting an explosion or other undesirable results.  I don't say this because I work for Panasonic; I don't work for any electronics company or any electronics store.  I say it because I believe 1) a real battery is a worthy long-term investment for your expensive camcorder, and 2) your life and well-being are worth more than the price difference.  You also save yourself lots of hassles down the road.
I bought this battery to use with my new NV-GS180PL camcorder.  The camcorder only came with one battery so this is a backup.  It lasts 3-4 hours, I even use it while I'm streaming video onto my computer for editing.  It recharges in 1-2 hours.  My only complaint is that it is big.  On the model of camcorder I have, the battery attaches right below the eyepiece, so if I use this battery, it sticks out so far I can't use the eyepiece.  That's not a huge problem as I usually rely on the monitor.  But, just to let you know of that negative.  Other than that, it's great and I'm very satisfied.
I wanted a battery with enough ampere hour capacity for my camera.  The larger size of the battery is not a problem for me.  I use my camera a great deal.  It is very nice not to have to worry about having enough power when the moment for a good photo pops up.  I really enjoy things that work as they are supposed to!  It works for me!Jim HinksonEl Sobrante, CA
I use the camera with this battery every day.  It lasts several hours.  The shipment was prompt and accurate.
When I bought my video camera over 5 years ago, I purchased one of the cheap replacement batteries as a back-up.  It lasted less than 1 year.  The one that came with the camera, on the other hand, lasted more than 5 years.  Given this experience, in addition to the all the bad reviews I read about the off-brand batteries, I decided to put out the extra money and get something that will last.  Only time will tell, as I have only used it a few times so far.  But my initial experience has been promising - I used the camera for several hours straight and still had all of the bars on the battery meter.
This is a great little camera.  I wish this had come out 2 or three years ago, when I bought the first miniDV camera that came out.I am currently in Kuwait.  I brought my miniDV Video Camera with me to record my time here, but the dust contamination is so bad here, it is destroying my camera.  I started looking for a video camera with no moving parts.  Thank God for this Fisher.  No moving parts, USB connection, 3.2 Mpixels resolution.  Best thing, no rewind.  It took forever to get to the front of the tape to see what the video looked like.There are just a few bad points to this model.  The cover to the memory card slot is fragile, so a lot of care needs to be taken to keep from breaking it off when opening the compartment.  The view finder/screen is a bit small, so it is hard to see unless you hold the camera closer to your face.Granted, a miniDV can record more info, but you just can't beat this little guy for versatility.
I, in fact, have the Xacti C5 (the next generation Japanese model up from the one here), which, apart from the size and still image quality (5 Mega pixel vs. 4 Mega Pixel on the one here) is identical to the Fisher FVDC1.Though there is some quite noticeable grain on the still images if you zoom in on the pictures you have taken, it does all that is promised, HOWEVER, it has extremely poor low light video performance. Daytime filming has reasonable quality, but filming under low light conditions is the worst I have ever seen in any video camera. Indoors will be a disappointment, people usually appear as silhouettes and the background is hard to make out. Filming at night or in a darkened pub or bar will render your expensive acquisition a glorified audio recorder.[...]Another issue was that, compared to Canon still image digital cameras, the ability to take pictures quickly was lacking, there was an approximate lag time of three to four seconds between shots. (Though that might be the SD card I'm using - though I doubt it.)Having said that, I was very happy when filming out doors or under bright light. My old Sony DCR-HC30E would take great video, but then transferring it to iMovie on my computer and exporting it to a reasonably sized video file on my computer would be a time consuming exercise and a great deal of the quality would be lost in the process.This ease of use of this product cannot be beat easily, truly plug and play, furthermore the sized is exceptionally convenient, though it is slightly awkward having to remove and replace the lens cap each time (unfortunately no built in lens cap/cover exists). Another desirable feature would be for it to be able to stand up on its own. Trying to stand it on a table in order for you to be part of the shot would require the use of something to keep it propped up. Not an easy task considering the shape of the base.All up, it's a reasonable gadget that does as promised, excepting the other minor shortcomings, that I wish I could recommend. The only thing stopping me is its inability to film under low lighting conditions. Since it can't (no matter how much you adjust the ISO settings), I would strongly recommend that you hold off a few months (maximum a year) for the next generation.
With a 2-year-old toddler and a new infant, and Grandma and Grandpa 1500 miles away, I needed a camera that could take reasonable movies and photos, could interface easily with my computer (for easy email to family) -- and most importantly, was FAST and EASY to use. My kids aren't super-cute for more than a few minutes at a time, and those moments are fleeting.Not the best still camera (although quite good in sunlight) -- but the camera fits in my pocket, and I'm taking movies as fast as I can get the lens cap off. With this camera, I have movies and still photos I would never have captured otherwise!I also purchased a Sony MiniDV and a &quot;Panasonic SVAV100 D-Snap&quot;, but returned them. The Panasonic was Macintosh-hostile, the Sony was difficult to use with either Windows or Mac (but had the best picture quality). Fisher picture quality disappointed until I viewed the movies on the computer - WOW! Very nice.
Although the snapshots aren't great the videos came out pretty well.  That is until it started shutting down after some seconds of recording.  The camera is now usless to me uneless I can find someone to repair it.
Very cool, very small, really good images and video. No messing with tape any more, no last minute trying to find blank tape. Put the SD card in your reader and BAM! Bring the (native, no conversion at all) MPEG-4 movie file right into iMovie for fast editing. No more playing a tape into the computer. It's right there. The convenience factor is very productivity-enhancing - I found myself shooting and editing on the fly which I wouldn't think to do using tape. Decently intuitive GUI on the camera. Hey, this is no Canon XL2 with a Powershot G5 tacked on as far as the ultimate image quality but for home stuff and training and web work this is a great, fast tool. It fits in the palm of your hand and weighs less than 6 ounces! The Samsung SCD6040 is heavy and clunky in comparison.
This Fisher FVDC1 CameraCorder is one more gadget in a long line that I've aquired over the last 25 years and it's just as cool as that Tandy PC-6 two-language programmable pocket computer from the mid-1980's!If you take care of your electronics they'll last forever and you will need to care for this gem too. The battery & memory card covers are rather fragile but just use patients working them and you'll avoid any use of duct tape.It took a bit of reading and some trial usage to find the right settings and now I am getting crystal clear photos .. the first photos were quite blurred from camera movment. ISO 400 seemed to do the trick for clarity -- faster shutter speed.The video, on the other hand, well same hand but .. you know what i mean .. the video was clear with the default settings and creates quite an image in ample lighting. Otherwise the picture is a bit grainy but still looks good.I would definitely recomend this product for those who can accept it for what it is .. a $450+ (at this date) palm sized video (1st) and digital camera (2nd) device that's really Cool most of all. I would not recommend it as a 1st experience in digital recording devices to folks.You can't cry at the 512 MB card that comes with the camera and additional cards are quite afforable. The usual cradle worked fine right off on my system (Win2k Server) and the adapter for USB & power to use without the cradle works well also!So .. gadget people - buy a FVDC1 today!
First, lets clear up a few bits of misleading advertising by the many manufacturers of camcorders that record mpeg's directly to flash memory cards. Most of these devices record at very small resolutions (320x240 or less) and slow frame rates (15 frames per second). This is not unlike the movie mode found on most digital cameras that are available today (except that these devices can record in clips greater than 30 seconds). Anyone who has recorded video at these resolutions and/or speeds knows that the output quality is virtually useless for anything other than e-mailing clips of events that you have no intention of preserving for the long-term.If you want an mpeg recorder that is even close to the quality of your MiniDV or analog camcorder, than you need to find one that is capable of recording in resolutions of 640x480 or higher and frame rates of at least 30 fps. The manufacturers cal this "DVD quality" which, in my opinion, is very deceiving because most people would expect to get video that is every bit as clear as what they would buy on a DVD. Not so. Just because you have a device that records at "DVD Quality" resolution and frame rate, it doesn't mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that the picture quality itself (lighting, clarity, fluidity of movement, etc.) will be anywhere near "DVD quality".  So you have to know what you're buying and, unfortunately, in the quest to sell more camcorders, most manufacturers do a lousy job of informing their customers of these small details.So you should know that no camcorder that records to memory cards is going to give you even close to the same quality as a camcorder that records to digital tape. Why? Because, in order to reduce the file size enough to stream it and fit it onto a memory card, you have to compress the video to the point where much of the detail is lost. So why buy a memory card camcorder? Well, with tape-based camcorders (whether it is analog or digital), you have to play back the entire recording in real-time in order to capture it into your computer. With card-based camcorders, you just put the card into a reader and transfer the file electronically.So, now that we know the background, if you're still convinced that a card-based camcorder is for you, you should know that, as of the date that this review is being written, I know of only 3 devices that are capable of recording full-length video directly to memory cards at resolutions of 640x480 or higher: The Sanyo/Fisher FVD-C1, The Panasonic SV-AV100, and the JVC Everio line. Of the 3, the Sanyo/Fisher is by far the cheapest. But you get what you pay for, as the saying goes...Of the three devices, the Sanyo/Fisher has, by far, the worst picture quality - particularly indoors or in low lighting. The picture is grainy and the motion is choppy. But that's only the start of the problems. The autofocus, especially when it is fully zoomed in, is really touchy. So much so, in fact, that the camera never knows what to focus on and the motor is constantly buzzing in and out. Realizing this problem, Sanyo/Fisher has included a quick way to lock the autofocus by pressing a single button (remember to check the manual for this because YOU WILL NEED IT OFTEN). But, still, it can be very annoying. The motor noise of the zoom and autofocus is also pretty loud and is audible in the recordings. But, to me, this is the trade-off for such a small and compact design.On the good side, the "cameracorder" features a 3 megapixel digital camera which takes fairly decent pictures both indoors and out. Also, the unit is very small and features its own semi-soft case and docking station. The style and erginomics of this camera are also excellent, with everything laid out just where you need it and in a very attractive fashion. It features a portable external battery charger which is very small and very convenient for charging a second battery while still being able to use the camcorder. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this device records its movies directly to an .mp4 format, which can be opened directly by Apple's very commonly available Quick Time application. Both the Panasonic and the JVC write to their own proprietary formats which must be first manipulated in their own software before you can use it across computers. In my mind, this is a big detraction from those products because the whole point of getting a card-based camcorder is to have the file readily available without further manipulation. So, in this regard, the Sanyo/Fisher got it right.In short, I think that the people who have panned this device in reviews are expecting far too much from it. Compared to the Panasonic and the JVC, this one wins in the category of style, price, and convenience. The others win in the category of picture quality. But, remember, none are as good as a tape-based recorder. So if you are buying any of these units with the intention of replacing your existing camcorder, forget it. That being said, as a second ultra-portable very convenient camcorder for a very decent price, I'd go with this one. And I did.
I was very tempted to buy the Fisher CameraCorder, but the price was alittle high for what I wanted-- a digital camcorder to post videos on the web. After doing some research, I found the Sanyo Xacti [...]. Remember, the Fisher was released Nov 13, 2003 and is just getting over here now. The Xacti was released Aug 23, 2004, and fixes some of the bugs in the Fisher, with a larger LCD screen, updated CCD sensor, and image stabilizing technology. [...] I posted more info here if you are interested.
I have a Coolpix 550, and it fits quite nicely in this bag.  It's got a solid construction. It fits a camera nicely, and is great for when you don't need all or most of your accessories.  this makes it great for tossing into a day pack.
So, I prefer to live in the past...I like to shoot film, while listening to the AM radio in while touring the country in my Hudson.Unfortunately, many newer camera cases aren't really suited for my lifestyle.  They're designed to fit big, bulky DSLRs with long zoom lenses.This case, on the other hand, is more well proportioned for a traditional film SLR with a short to medium telephoto. The most optimal fit is with one of my Pentax bodies (KX, K1000, LX, or MX) with the SMC-M 100MM f/4 MACRO.  With shorter lenses, the fit is not so snug, but still acceptable.My only real complaint is that the accessory pocket is too small.  You can maybe fit one additional roll of film in it.  Generally speaking, I'm ok with this, though, as I usually carry around a back pack with extra lenses.
Though it accomodates my Casio Exilim camera, it looks cheap. It does not have good/aristocratic looks.
I use it with a smaller DSLR with a standard lens attached.  Probably work well for Rebel-sized camera (or a bit bigger) with the kit lens.
If you have a superzoom or a DSLR with standard lense (maybe 35-55mm or so) it's a nice bag with adequate padding for protecting your investment.  If you use a small compact point-and-shoot this will be way too big.  The top locks shut with a quick release so it isn't likely you'll dump your camera when handling the bag.  There's also a well-designed, secure belt clip on the back.  That said, the bag comes up short for a couple of reasons.  There is only one small pocket with a couple of mesh dividers for your memory cards.  Putting the spare battery for my Panasonic Lumix FZ100 Superzoom into the pocket results in a noticeable bulge; putting in the small charger just won't happen.  If I want to put my 52mm lense filters and protectors in the pocket, the battery has to be stored elsewhere.  The carry strap is an absolute joke.  If you intend to carry the bag around your neck or on your shoulder the strap has no padding or gripping surface and would become uncomfortable very quickly.  If you buy this bag get yourself a good, padded camera strap and throw away the strap that came with the bag.  Your neck and/or shoulder will thank you.
Just like most of Lowepro bags, it's very professionally made. Keep in mind this could be a bit small if you use it for a mid-sized camera - I got it for the Canon PowerShot SX50, where there is enough room for the camera and perhaps a memory card and an extra battery (but not for filters/hood/charger etc..).
I read all the reviews before purchasing this and I should have listened.  Most of them said how small it was and they were right. I bought a Canon Rebel and the camera would not fit in the bag.  I had to return it.  Nothing against the quality, just the size.  If you have a real small digital camera it would work.  Anything bigger than that, forget it.
This is a much cheaper alternative that works well for Samsung NX10 with 18-55mm kit lens. The OEM case for this camera is very expensive (around $50). Build quality for the case is reasonably good too.
This is a great bag for a camera smaller than the Canon XTi which is what I bought it for and it didn't work. But I did have a smaller Sony Cybershot (like the one pictured) that did fit it!
This case is perfect for my Sony cybershot cameras.  I can attach the camera to my lumbar pack waist strap and open to retrieve my camera with one hand.  This is nice when i approach wildlife to minimize movement.  The buckle and top access make this a good purchase.  If it were a zip open it wouldnt work for me.  Plus the neoprene sides neatly cover and protect your camera from the elements and debris.
One can go through some camera bags until you find the right one.  Seems like camera bag sizing is similar to sizing of women's clothing: erratic at best!I'd been looking for a bag that fit my trusty old Canon Digital Rebel XT with either the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or the Canon 28mm f/1.8 attached...nothing more, nothing less.  Just that compact, easy bag to keep a couple of essentials handy on-the-go.This is perfect.For the rest of the gear and fancier stuff, I've a Lowepro Pro Runner which is great if you need to bring multiple cameras and lenses and other gear.But in most cases all you need is a small prime lens, full battery charge, one high-cap SD card and you're set.This one's great for that!
This TLZ 10 camera bag is a perfect fit for thePanasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Black)as well as for the older Minolta A2 and A200 cameras.  It is probably a bit short for thePanasonic DMC-GH1 12MP Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera with 1080p HD Videodue to the longer 14-140mm lens that ships with the GH1.The TLZ 10 bag is smaller than theLowepro Topload Zoom Mini Camera Bag (Black).  In addition, it has two pouches inside the front pocket that conveniently hold extra batteries and memory cards.  The TLZ Mini lacks these pouches but does have a somewhat larger front pocket than the TLZ 10.
We needed a camera bag, and this did the trick exactly as we wanted.  It has a small pocket in front, which is useful for memory cards or if I don't want to take my wallet with me, a credit card or driver's license.  It has protected the camera from bangs more times than I can count.
Long story, short - I bought this for a Nikon COOLPIX L120 which is one of the best selling point and shoot cameras on the market.It fits perfectly and it gets the job done.However, as other people mentioned, it only has one pocket! I was barely able to fit in there a small tripodZeikos ZE-TR5A Flexible Tripod, an SD card and 4 spare batteries. And although they fit in, the pocket doesn't have a zipper to close it so it's not a very safe place to store stuff like SD cards.Overall a good product for the money if you can go over the inconvenience of not having any storage space.
The pack itself isn't bad, just the fact that it seems to be aimed more for a DX-style (crop) body. I have to force the camera body a bit. There isn't a foam separator like in the toploader zoom models. There is decent cushioning for the body. Although I think one could possibly get a slightly longer lens like an 85 1.8G and it'll still fit inside. It's a good pouch if you want to do street photography with it, it isn't really a discreet bag. You can tell from afar it's a camera bag,  but the Lowepro logo is small luckily.
Right out of the box, the first thing I noticed was an awful smell.  Since I was leaving the next day for a trip, I didn't return it and the smell dissipated after a few days.  Other than that the bag has served me well.My Nikon D5100 fits (tight) with a 55-200 lens (though I doubt any longer lenses would fit).  The bag held the camera securely and it was easy to put the camera in and out of the bag quickly.  Some reviews for this and other bags debate the buckle versus zipper closure, but I preferred the buckle type due to the quick and easy access to the camera.  If you are taking your camera in and out frequently like I was, you'll appreciate it.The front pocket holds a small battery, SD card, and one USB cable, however it's only secured with a 1&#34; piece of velcro in the middle.  The top flap covers the pocket when closed, but it the bag is turned on it's side or upside down, there is risk of the contents falling out.  I had this happen with my spare battery a few times.There is much debate about the comfort of the straps in many bag reviews.  This strap is narrow and non-padded, but I was never uncomfortable with this strap and I wore it for hours while hiking.One of the reasons I bought this bag was for the slip lock/belt attachment, but I never really used it.  Looks like it works well though.
Came with the Nikon D600 and 24-85 VR lens as a promo package and I love it.  The smallest form factor in a camera bag I've ever owned.  This Lowepro Rezo is sturdy, light, offers fair amount of padding for simple protection (also just enough space to add another pad inside if desired) which is really convenient and low key.  The handle is a nice touch and turns out to be quite useful.  There is enough room to have a spare battery, memory card, and cleaning cloth, but not much else.  The latch is secure and easy to engage.  If you have a DSLR that's wider than the D600, that may present a problem, as it is not that wide.Say you're looking for something bigger to carry largish zoom lens, or heavier duty whereby it will protect the cargo when dropped from more than a foot, then this is not it.  For what it is intended, it's a keeper!--------------updated 4/3/13  I now use this bag to carry the D600 paired with 28-300 VR lens.  The fit is snug.
This case is NOT 8.25 inches deep like the ad states.  It is a mere 6.25 inches in depth.  Remember, you've been warned.
You can arrange quite a few things in this bag if you don't wish to put an S.L.R. camera in it.  It's the usual Lowepro Rezo high quality, too.
I really like this camera bag.  It not only holds my digital camera, there is room in the bag for a small lense and filter.  Plus I can carry my small wallet and glasses.  It's the perfect size for what I want.
This is a good quality, reasonably priced basic camera case that helps protect the Nikon D90 camera with a lens that is equal to or shorter than the Nikon 18-70mm lens.
Perfect fit for Nikon D90 with Nikon 18-200mm VR zoom lens with lens hood attached (reversed). Also room for camera strap attached to camera and polarizing filter (in its case) but that fills the main compartment. Front pocket has room for remote, extra SD cards and extra battery. Convent top handle, belt loop and shoulder strap. Has some padding but probably not enough to protect the camera if the bag is dropped. Fairly easy to access equipment and carry bag. Material and construction appear first class. Fully met my expectations but if you need to carry extra lenses or filters this is not the bag for you.
I can't say anything bad about this case, it was my bad judgement in buying it.  Sure the camera fits in it (Rebel XS), and it's very well constructed, but I think there could be another pocket or two, just so you can carry the battery charger comfortably.I'll probably go and buy the larger Canon case that has more room than I need, and will fit another lens when I get it.
I spent forever looking for the smallest bag that would fit a Nikon D90 with 18-105 lens.  The Lowepro Rezo TLZ 20 is it!  The pockets are small and don't zip, so it's not ideal for carrying lots of little accessories.
Bought it for a friend in another country. Fit his needs so I guess it is suitable as advertised. Quality was good.
I bought this product for the D40 Canon, but the camera body is just too wide, and my standard small zoon lens is too long, especially if you keep the strap on.The padding in the bag is great, low profile and perfect for small digitial SLRs like the Rebel.
I originally bought the bag for a Canon XSi.  When I traded that camera in for a Canon 60d w/18-200mm lens, I assumed a new bag would be needed.  Not so.  It's a little snug but I have the camera, lens (with hood and UV filter) and camera strap in the case.  I even have a lens cloth, RC-1 wired remote, and extra SDHC included. And since it's compact, airplane carry on bags packing is easy. Needless to say, I'm glad I tried it before buying another bag.  The Lowepro fits a wide assortment of cameras and lens.
I have had multiple cases and wallets for carrying memory cards.  This easily holds multiple formats of media, up to CF size.  No, you don't carry them in their little plastic cases.  Nor would you in any of the cases with foam inserts.I use SD and CF, and often use SD with an SD to CF adapter.  This wallet will nicely carry two SD cards per pocket (it also holds my adapter in a pocket). Securely and safely.  And you won't be playing 52 card pickup after opening it, unlike with most foam-insert type cases.  I've had the latter experience too many times, which was one reason for buying this wallet.The large pocket on the inside back cover will hold a PC Card or ExpressCard device, which is handy if you don't have a media reader built into your laptop.If there is a better way to carry media for your digital camera and/or computer, I have not found it.  And, let's face it, these things are cheap enough that if there were a better solution, I'd own it.
I recently purchased the LowePro DMC-Z from one of the big box stores (I won't mention the name, but you'll recognize the big yellow tag) for a few dollars more -- an impulse buy, because the freebie I got with two Compact Flash cards was such a piece of junk.  I should have ordered it from Amazon when I got home and $aved!Lowe's products are always very well made, and I loved my Slingshot 202AW bag so much, when my system outgrew it, I bought a 302AW.  In that the DMC-Z is no exception -- while small, it is well padded and just feels sturdy in your hand.  The pockets are not open mesh, even if they look like it in the photos; they are some kind of slck, soft plastic, so the cards' corners won't catch.I have an issue with the DMC-Z.  First, it WILL hold up to six CompactFlash cards in its pockets, along with my reader device.  It can only hold four CF cars in their cases, however, and you can barely close it if you try, due to the additional thickness of the flip cases.  Without the cases -- I don't need them in this tight closing case, and I'm not planning to visit Afghanistan soon -- I fit all six of my CF cards, plus my ExpressCard reader device (MUCH faster than any USB 2.0 device).  Zipping the case takes a little effort, but it will close with the seven devices in place.  That's just a little too snug for me -- I'm concerned about the stresses on the DMC-Z.  I think a minor redesign would improve the fit a little, but I don't know if Lowe will bother.
Fits my needs.For those who say its too tight and too small etc, read the dimensions properly before purchasing it. It's not the product's fault.It is well made. Neoprene material is thick and sturdy. Card holders inside are thick and does not tear unlike its cheap counter parts.The back pouch holds 2 of my RX1s batteries.
I currently have 2 of these now, great to hold up to 8 CF Cards.  They can attach to some of my bags or they have a way to attach to your belt if you so like.  Great product and I was glad I was able to find another.
I've been using this memory card wallet for 6 years, and it's not even showing signs of wearing out...I've used it for CF cards, SD cards, memory card readers, etc. and have had superb luck with it. I was given a Think-Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket not quite a year ago, and I don't use it; it's okay, but is really no comparison to me...the Lowe-Pro is built better and more useful to me.Keep in mind that mind this thing has seen a lot of use...I've used it for countless weddings and local magazine assignments, rock concerts, road trips, vacations, hikes and studio work...it's ridden in my shoulder bags, camera backpacks, rolling hard cases, in my pants pockets and every once in a while on my belt or camera bag strap...I would buy a second one if I needed it, but the first one still looks almost new and isn't fraying or falling apart at all!I like this so much I've bought some for different photographer friends because they're great.
I love this little Compact Flash (CF) card holder and have been using it for over a year for my photography. Not only is the case soft and flexible (great for packing in tight with your camera gear) - it holds a good deal of CF cards (6 at least, and a big pocket on the end that could hold 2 more). It's secured by a nice zipper and the back belt loop is strong with a velcro bottom so you can strap this onto the loops of other Lowepro bags, etc for quick access.  The best but expensive here at [...]+ shipping. You can get it for [...] elsewhere.
Wallet works ok if only storing flash memeory cards but is too thin to carry a spare battery for sony cybershot camera.
I was looking for something slimmer for my CF cards. Bought this because couldn't find a slimmer one fast enough and didn't want to spend time looking. The cards fit tight and are not that easy to get in and out, but appear to be loosening up with use. There are advantages to the padding in that the size makes it easier to find in my bag and probably adds a degree of protection.
What can one say, it does the job. It consolidates my sd cards (both micro and macro) and usb readers in one place. Very handy. The only downside is possible when full it gets a little tight, but that's not a show stopper for me.
The wallet was a big disappointment.They are too small to hold the flash cards in their flipcases. also trying to zip it up when you are finishedis really a chore.Save Your hard earned money and keep looking for abetter product
Perfect for keeping all your memory cards in one place ready to go without being a big chunk of hard plastic.
Does what it advertises and is exceptionally good quality.  Love having it handy in my camera case so that I can easily access it.
I own several of these.  They work great.  Holds SD cards and CF cards securely.  I can either hang it on my belt or on my Lowepro bags in the SlipLock loops.  If they weren't so good, would I keep buying more?  Of course not.  These are nice and keeps my card secure.
I keep all my SD cards in here with one spare battery so I always have memory and power when I go out shooting.  It's a convenient size- not too big not small enough to get lost.
I picked up one of these a few years back and regretted not getting another.  At one point they were discontinued and you couldn't find them anywhere except on Ebay.  Now it looks like they either started making them again or they discovered stash of unsold merchandise in a back warehouse.It has a total of 6 card pockets.  They will easily hold 1 or 2 SD cards or 1 Compact Flash cards in each pocket. Then their is one larger pocket that can hold smaller card readers or 2-4 slim USB Flashdrives depending on what size they are.I'm glad they are back and I'll be picking up a couple this time around.
Wonderful product.  Bought Lowepro brand because the same type product wasdefective at big box store. Really nice case that meets my needs
The DMC-Z wallet offers more versatility than others considered.  It's construction is very good and it has a substantial 'feel' to it. It comes with a Velcro closed band on the back side.  Top end is stitched to the wallet and the bottom end has a long wide Velcro piece.  This allows it to bee easily connected and removed to Lowepro backpack camera bags.Besides the memory sticks, in it is stored the gear needed to move data to PC. Camera cable connector, USB Thumb drive and SDHC to USB card reader.If I were to suggest one improvement that would be to make it 2 - 3 mm wider.A very good item which I expect will last a lifetime.
Photo media has come a long way since the days of the 35mm cameras, and so has our way of storing it. If you ever walked around with four or five rolls of Kodachrome or Tri-X film in your pocket while on assignment or on a weekend of casual shooting, then you know what I mean.Needed to try and find a decent solution for carrying digital SD and XD memory cards for my cameras, as the standard little plastic storage cases were not the way to organize photo gear. Bought thisLowepro DMC-Z Accessory Walletsoon after I had purchased my newLowepro Flipside 300 Backpackas it had the ability to readily attach to either a belt or to the backpack's shoulder straps via their SlipLock system, and it worked. This modular idea was quite appealing, though it was frequently better to slip it into the backpack when traveling.The exterior is made from a black neoprene stretch fabric, and the interior has a blue nylon lining. There are six laminated-mesh pockets which can hold six SD, XD or similar cards, and there's a larger mesh pocket that can hold some (not all) batteries or other items. Mine holds anELAGO USB High Speed Memory Card Reader/Writer For SD and SDHCwhen traveling, and it's also handy for holding a few business cards. As noted before, there a SlipLock Velcro-fastened belt loop on the back, and it hasn't failed where other products have.If you're looking for a more compact (and perhaps more versatile) solution, take a look at theThink Tank Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket. Like other Think Tank photo products, this one is well made, and has the capacity for holding seven SD or similar cards, and it has a removable security leash that can be attached just about anywhere.For storage within a camera bag or for attachment to other Lowepro bags and backpacks, the DMC-Z Accessory Wallet is an excellent and worthwhile product.
Great product, Highly recommend. Small and efficient just what I need. Lots of storage and multiple ways to attach to my camera bag.
I needed a case for both memory cards and flash drives, and this was perfect!  It fits 3 of my flash drives, as well as 6 smaller pockets for memory cards.  The case is very taught and durable. I am very happy with this purchase!
These hold plenty of cards (I use with CF Crads).  The holder has a velcro strap that connects to a belt for quick attachment and detachment and is strong enough velcro to have never fallen off while wearing.  Highly recommend for anyone needed to use multiple cards.
Always been a lowepro fan, and this product does not fall short! I use it for wedding shooting and keeps my cards right where I need them on my belt.
cute little case with quite a few compartments. great for smaller SDHC/XC cards. CF cards are a little bulky once yu get a few in there. overall i love this case. it matches all my other LowPro gear
Overall I have no major problem with the construction of this item. I am simply calling attention to one thing I didn't realize until I received it. It's too bulky! You could fit all of the SD cards it can hold into a much smaller pouch. I bought it to organize my SD cards, but I have relatively small bags (ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover 30i and Billingham Hadley Pro) and space is at a premium in those bags. I wish this case was slimmer. My mistake, but please be aware of this fact.
Some may say the pockets are too small.  I do not agree.  They are if you must place memory chip into a plastic cover and then place the cover into the pocket.  Chip fits directly into the pockets just fine. Pockets protect the memory chips with adequate padding.  Wallet fits S&F belts and is convenient way to carry a days worth of memory for a shoot.
Great for carrying large quantities of memory cards. Durable and protective of cards. Easy to use
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my son-in-law and he loves it.  He said it was just exactly what he wanted and needed.
I bought to organize all my SD cards. It is very well made like all Lowepro products are. The added bonus was I am able to store 4 spare AA batteries. I paid $7.99 shipped.
This is exactly what I was looking for. Can hold many types of memory cards, USB card reader, and even a lion battery for my camera. Product quality is good, very happy with my purchase.
It's a bit bulkier than I thought it would be, but it has lots of pockets, and seems like it will keep my cards secure. I had to take my CF cards out of their plastic case to get them to fit well in the smaller pockets, but SD cards fit even when they were in their cases.I'm happy with it, kept my cards safe and easy to find on a long trip.
I use this for our backups and extra jump drives and memory cards.  I can fit two or three jump drives in there and a couple of memory cards but that's about it.  For my purposes it didn't really fit the bill, but if you're looking for a travel pouch for some equipment this is good quality, protective and worth it.
This is just what I needed for my trip. I put my extra battery and several memory card in it. Glad I bought it and now I may get another one for the future because I'm getting lots of memory cards for my 2 camera's.
I'm getting into wedding photography this year.  I wanted something that will allow me to keep my cards on me at all times.  This wallet will hold six compact flash cards.  The large pocket will even hold an extra battery for my Canon 7D/5Dii.  Love it, and expect to use it for every wedding!  Also, the belt side has velcro.  So you don't have to remove your belt to install/remove this wallet.  Small, compact, looks great
I've had this card case for quite a few years now. It has slowly filled to overfull with my SD cards in their cases. The pockets are big enough to each hold a fat SD case. But I've fit two skinny cases together into one pocket. And the back pocket is big enough to hold my SD to USB convertor, plus another SD card in a fat case.With nine SD cards in cases plus one convertor, yes it's pretty fat to zip up. But zip it does. And I've never felt any worry that it isn't going to hold together. After a couple years' of overfilling, I'd say that construction and durability is top-notch!The only reason I didn't buy another one of these cases was I wanted a case that looked different. I thought to keep cleared cards in one, and filled cards in the other. If Lowepro had made this case in assorted colors, I never would've strayed (although I must admit that I'm amazingly pleased with the new Tamrac case I just bought).Don't worry about overfilling this case. Don't worry about straining the zipper. Don't worry about the velcro belt-loop wearing out. Lowepro made this case to take abuse without giving out. I shall continue to use my sturdy old Lowepro as my camera bag's card case, to protect my SD cards on the go.
I don't have anything to really compare this product to but previously i use to keep all my memory cards in the pocket of my camera bag. I wanted to keep them organized and in a easy to grab location. I knew I wanted one that had a zipper so the cards did not easily fall out, so this was perfect.Before an event, I format all of my cards and put them in this wallet. The day of the event i take the wallet out of my camera bag and keep it in my back pocket.
I purchased this wallet to hold my CF flash cards for my camera. A few reviews I read complained that it didn't hold the crds in their cases. I can say that it holds them in the cases and services its purpose quite well. Very happy with my purchase. I know Lowpro makes quality products.
I mainly bought this for my camera memory cards because I shoot at highest resolution. So carrying cards on trips/vacations is easier than carrying my computer. It fits most of what I have though I would have liked one more slot for my flash drives. Currently I can fit about 3 flash drives in the last pocket (back flap. That might work too if you get high memory capacity flash drives. If your memory card has a plastic cover/case, then you can put in only one card per pocket which also adds to thickness of the closed pouch quite a bit. But if not, then you could get away with 2 Micro SDHC cards in each pocket. Overall I am happy with what I got.
Great quality! Fits my memory cards, I dont have too many so this is perfect!
i purchased after i thought abot buying more sdhc memory cards for my t2i. and i love it. i looked at many other memory cases and unsure which one to buy. for the price this is very decent memory case and i highly recommend it!
Use this with my ETX 80.  When installed, get a small step stool or ladder to facilitate looking through the viewfinder.  Don't forget to enable mirror lock on your camera.
Unable to use it on smaller telescopes as it sets the camera too far from the focal point. I hope to try it on a bigger telescope soon to see if it will work on a focuser with a larger range of focusing.
The adaptor is well constructed but I could not use because it was to large for my older telescope. Keep in mind that a T-Mount is required to attach to camera. I wish I could have use it.
This adapter works fine in my etx-90, however it's tuff to fit it with the 26mm eyepiece, which is not a major problem b/c I usually use an 18 or smaller.  Other than that, this is a good item.
There's probably a way to make this work for astrophotography, but it just didn't come together with my mix of equipment. With the ETX70 and a Canon XSi, no combination of eyepieces in my collection would produce a decent image. It either wouldn't focus at all or would suffer badly from chromatic aberrations or spatial distortions.The problem seems to be that the tube causes the eyepiece to sit about 1.5in farther out than it normally would. This makes focusing difficult if not impossible depending on the magnification. I did better by placing the open camera body hand-held over the original eyepiece without the adapter, which is of course all kinds of wrong, but I needed to know if a good eyepiece image was at least possible - it is, just not with this adapter.Add to this the disappointing construction and I'm not impressed. The hole for the eyepiece clamp screw had burrs on the inner surface, so the eyepiece jammed hard right there during insertion. There's also a thick coating of something on the inside which pealed away with eyepiece insertion.Returned for refund.
hasn't caught on fire yet.
Battery is a good buy.  I would recommend for others that need that type of battery.  should last a long time.
Was just what the doctor ordered.  Camera works fine.  Now if only we could find film.It seems 35mm is now antiquated it is not carried in the stores.
This is an Outstanding value for my  23 year old Canon EOS Rebel camera!  These batteries aren't easy to find, and I don't like the price when I do find them.
No problems here. A great price for a hard to find battery for my old film cameras. This price blows away the price in my local drugstore.  Battery works just fine.
We use these in lock boxes in our real estate business.  The batteries seem to last 2 years or more, which I think is good.
I have had the best possible luck with all the batteries I've ordered through Amazon.  Even the ones, someone was claiming they had explode on them.  I still want to know what they did wrong.  Batteries don't explode if they are stored & handled properly.
was about the best price I could find for this battery, works fine and would recommend it to anybody in need
(in comparison to Sanyo 2CR5 battery) For the price that is offered for this battery, it does pretty well. I normally purchase the Sanyo brand because it lasts 5x longer than this one and it costs twice the price. Unfortunately, everytime I attempt to purchase that brand the vendors always seem to send me another brand in replacement (which causes a headache because the value of the brand they send in its place is lower than the brand I purchase for -then I have to go through this whole thing where they give me options of whether I want them to send my money back or extra batteries in placement. My time taken out of my life in which I do not have).Anyways, this brand isn't top notch but it does the work. I use it for my Canon transmitter external flash and use it quite a bit twice week. Takes me about a month to go through one. (w/ Sanyo, takes me 6mos -yep, huge difference).  At the moment, I really have no choice but to use these and these are the best ones available (it will have to do -yep, I'm bummed).
I needed a battery for my Canon EOS 5 (a2e) that takes the 2CR5, and the Kodak battery available here on Amazon went WAY up in price, so I decided to give the panasonic a try.PROS- Currently at 21 rolls with full battery indicator- About half the price of kodak as of 05/2012CONS- These batteries used to last a lot longerMore than likely you can find this battery at CVS or Walgreens for about $12, but if you don't mind waiting a little the $7 savings is absolutely worth it in my opinion! I really feel as though companies are putting less effort into these batteries - they used to last 40-50 rolls, but I haven't had one last past 30, even being kept in the fridge with a decent expiration date.Depending on how many more rolls this lasts, I may be switching from Kodak! I'll update when it finally dies.
What can I say, they are batteries that are made by Panosonic that last 10 years.  I only paid 5 bucks, but that has nothing to do with the batties.
Bought these for Real Estate SentriLock Lock Boxes. They're the exact battery that the local Real Estate Association sells for our lock box model, but at half the price!
Bought this battery, but I have not used it. Arrived on time, without damage. Still in the box. Will let you know if it dose not work..
Hard to find battery. These Panasonic work great. They are made for the job and are brand name. Worked for my old Minolta SLR.
I use this battery with a Canon STE-2 master speedlite controller.  Works great. I'm a semi professional photographer and shoot my fair share of weddings, family photos, and products.  These batteries lasted well over a year and were much cheaper than buying them at the drugstore or camera shop.  At this price, I always carry a spare in my camera bag.
this product (6-volt lithium battery) works great ,no problem, so far o.k.also shipping was great,i would buy more later,thank you.o.k.
GREAT PRICE FOR THIS LITTLE SUCKER. $6. WOULD OF PAID $40 OR MORE AT ANY STORE. HAD NO PROBLEM INSTALLING THEM IN MY 20 YEAR OLD CAMERA AND HAVE NO DOUBT THEY WILL HAVE A GOOD LIFE. THANKS AMAZON FOR PROVIDING GREAT PRODUCTS.
These batteries (ordered multiple) arrived on-time, in minimal but protective pkg'ing. Nice that it was packaged in a way my carrier could just leave in my mailbox instead of having to drive all the way up to the house to deliver it. Came with proper paper work and a nice thank you letter. Yes, it was a form letter, which some may see as a hollow, generic, impersonal marketing ploy. I took the nicely worded note as a genuine thank you. I considered it to be a nice effort to be truly gracious and appreciative for doing business with them. I am certain I will buy from this seller again. Batteries were for my cameras, and yes, they work great. I have already given one great amounts of use and my battery meter on camera still reads full charge. Minolta Maxxum.
Good deal for our MLS lock boxes . Shipped fast. Lasts a long time for sure . Even in foul weather
I needed these batteries for my film camera. Product came as advertised on Amazon, with good, protective packaging and it worked perfectly.
Like the title suggests, I need this battery for photography equipment and low and behold photography stores in my area simply do not carry this.It works good, can't complain.
These batteries are no doubt used for many things, but I needed replacement batteries for the lockboxes I use on homes I list for sale.  These were exactly what I usually get from my local board at much less the cost.
The item was just as advertised.  Quick shipment.  Plug and play with no issues.  Great for older film cameras.  Great.
It worked as intended and will buy more off these when necessary to keep a very old Kodak camera working that I gave to my daughter.
Worked as expected.  Too bad the camera needed a rare battery type, but it is what it is .... Thanks
What can I say. They are batteries.  The work for the purpose that I purchased them for and were cheaper that buying them from our local association.
Panasonic 6-Volt Photo Lithium Cylinder Battery (2CR5MPA1B) (2CR-5MPA1B) required for my  vintage Pentax SF-1 35mm film camera.  Batteries are now hard to get locally.  Batteries work great, have long life and are very inexpensive with great shelf-life.  The shipping was very fast, no damage to package. Recommended!
What can I say?  It's a battery I ordered for a camera I needed to sell.  It was the correct item, new in a sealed package and perfect for my requirements.
Purchased this battery for use in a Canon EOS 630 camera. The battery was received promptly and fully charged according to my Camera's built in battery checker.This battery has been installed for nearly a month and a half now and I have gone through 6-24exp rolls of film and thus far my Camera is still indicating full charge for the battery, so I suspect I'll get average to better than average life expectancy for the battery.Considering I paid $10. less for this battery than I can find it for locally retail, I believe it to be a bargain and would not hesitate to recommend to others.
Wasn't what I thought it was, even though the package matched the battery I was looking for.
This travel kit is a great value.  If you look at rechargeable battery kits alone, they almost equal the cost of this kit.  The car charger is a bonus.  My only criticism would be that the case is a really snug fit for the camera.  Just takes getting used to. I would definitely buy this kit again!
Other than a new memory card for your neew camera, this is all you need to be ready for a trip.
... a mixed value.  I have the 3100 so everything seems compatible, but as mentioned in another review the case is a bit tight for the camera, especially once you put the anti-glare-adaptor-ring thing on the lens.  I like all the pockets and stuff, and hope to be using the charger and adaptor on vacation.  These cameras eat batteries!If you have a couple of family members or a couple of cameras, this could still be a good deal.  We seem to be getting good use out of all the pieces (but I still preferred to buy another case for my 3100 -- the Targus DBMS01, see review).
The batteries were DOA and the charger wasn't functional. Because of the case is why I didn't send it back. The caring case was the best thing going and that was worth the price.
The camera should have included a set of Nimhs and recharger. It didn't, so the "travel kit" seemed like a good option. It really wasn't. The nylon case is too small for the camera; the car recharger cable isn't very practical except for extended road trips; and the charger, because of the car cable option, I guess, is powered by yet-another-annoying-little-transformer-that-doesn't-seem-to-fit-anything-else box. a Sunpak NiMH charger, that simply plugs into a wall outlet is a better choice, if you have to buy the device separately anyway.
It's better than most but it's a tight fit for the S5100. Don't expect to get anything else in the bag other than the camera and extra batteries. If you have time to shop around you might find a better deal on the individual items per piece. I found a better bag with a tripod for the same price but without the charger. Good quality product overall.
As most people I guess, I got this lens as part of the D70 kit. The D70 plus this lens make a great kit at a reasonable price. Things I liked -* Wide to mid-tele zoom range: I find this lens zoom range good for 99% of the photo opportunties I have, which include family life and an occational travel.* f/22 minimum aperture allows for night photography longer exposures without need for natural density filters* Optical quality: Given enough available light, this lens is good, color and geometrical distortions are almot unnoticeable. As with all wide lenses, some goemetrical distorion is noticable at the wide zoom range (under 24mm)* Silent focus and build quality: This is not the old Nikon almost military spec lens construction, it still however feels solid and nice to hold and operateThings I didn't like -* The included hood has somewhat cheap feel* Aperture opening is limiting in some cases, for more capable indoor photography you'll want a fixed f/2.8 zoom, which cost ~3x, or better yet an f/1.8 prime lens and give up zoom altogether.Why four and not five stars? there are better (and much more expesive) lenses - these would be five stars in absolute rank. In terms of bang for the buck - this is a five stars lens.
I bought my D50 at a local camera store in my town.  I opted for the 18-70 lens after they recommended it instead of the 18-55 kit lens due to better quality optics and sturdier construction.  The 18-55 has a plastic mount while the 18-70 has a metal one.I've had the camera and lens for a week -- and, so far, I've taken over 400 photos.  The lens has an excellent range.  The wide angle of 18mm (equivalent to 27mm) is great for shooting interior rooms and group shots (no more telling everyone to sqeeze in!).  It zooms out to a decent 70mm (equivalent to 105mm).Compared to my five-year-old point and shoot, this is a night-and-day improvement.  In focuses instantly--even in the dark.  Image quality is excellent:  it is easy to adjust the depth of field and blur out the background.
El lente funciona bien, aunque el deslisamiento del lente es un poco brusco se pega, espero que con el uso logre suavisar, aunque lo dudo tengo una semana y sigue igual :(
This lens actually came with my Nikon D80, and after using it and reading several reviews I realized that I wouldn't have to buy as many lenses for my kit as I had originally thought. This lens takes crystal clear photos with great color and depth of field. It's the lens I use the most and have on my camera for daily 'snapshot' use as well as when traveling. The only other lens I have needed is a Nikkor VR zoom lens for shooting sports and wildlife. If you have a Nikon D40 or better, you need this lens! It's an all around deal at under $400 too.
Its a good lens. The auto foucus is ok, not great. There is no VR. But this is the kit lens. Save up and buy ne of the new VR lenes
I recieved my lens with my D70 kit and have used it for the past year and a half.  The 18-70 is a great lens, particularly for outdoor photography.  Indoors, it is a little more limited due to the variable aperture but works well when used with flash.  The zoom range and the silent wave focus are the best features.  Stopped down, the lens is also quite sharp.My shooting with this lens was predominately landscape and event photography, and has really produced some nice pictures.  I've since upgraded to a 17-55 f/2.8 lens due to the better low light performance, sharpness and build quality, but aside from a little barrel distortion and light fall-off at 18mm, the 18-70 is no slouch.  I'd recommend it as a light travel lens or a good starter lens.
I chose to get this lens when I recently purchased a D80.  Reviews and the fact that the 18-55 and 18-135 kit lenses use a plastic mount convinced me to go with this one instead.Pros:  Construction is good and it feels good when in use.  Focus is fast and auto focus and zoom rings are well placed and very usable.Cons:  Nothing unexpected from a lens with these specs.Overall this is a good starter lens.  That said, it is what it is.  It is not a fast lens and does best with bright outdoor lighting or a flash.  I plan to get a Sigma 30mm 1.4F soon for indoor/low light shots.  I'm happy with my purchase.
I use this Nikon 18-70 mm on my D-40, D-90, and D7000. it is very nice for a cheap Nikon lens. I also like the 28-105mm  and the  Nikon 35mm.
I must say, this lens rocks. It's very contrasty and color redention is great. And very sharp, too. Many zoom lenses don't perform well at their longest focal length, especially at the widest aperture. But even at 70mm and f/4.5, it can still hang with the big boys. There's a little bit of light falloff in the corners at 18mm wide open. However, that's no show stopper because it's not bad and rarely will you need a wide open aperture at that focal length. There's some barrel distortion at 18mm, but will not be noticable in most shots. In the real world we don't take pictures of pieces of paper with grid lines, do we? The f/3.5-4.5 is a little faster than your typical f/4-5.6 zooms. So you get slightly faster shutter speeds and better autofocus performance in low light. And the autofocus is fast and accurate, especially for a lens in this price range. The focus ring has a nice smooth damped feeling when focusing manually. But the focus ring is in the back and zoom ring in the front, which takes some getting used to. Build quality is great for a lens of this price point. And there's even a rubber seal on the lens mount-I've never had a lens with a seal. The lens hood was hard to remove and install, but if you grab it by the sides and not top and bottom, it makes it easier. But I still found it a little tight, so I sanded the plastic stops on the hood. You may want to do this to yours. The filter thread is 67mm-filters of this size are a bit pricey, but not nearly as bad as 77 or 82mm. Overall, the 18-70 is about the best bang for the buck Nikon offers!
I have read good and bad remarks about the 18-70 lens (mostly good, though). Maybe it's a question of whether you get a good copy or not. In any case, my 18-70 Nikon is excellent in every way: sharpness, color, contrast, distortion (obviously there is some as noted on the official review on this website, but it is entirely reasonable considering the zoom range and the price). I own a D200 and decided to run this lens through the typical battery of testing through the various focal lengths and apertures. I did not find anything whatsoever to complain about. I also own the Nikon 50 1.4 lens and at 50mm, this zoom seems every bit the equal at equivalent aperture speeds. Obviously the lens is slower and would prevent use in low-light conditions without flash or higher ISO settings (maybe VR would be cool to have). At 18mm it's a little soft until 4.5 (5.6 and slower is excellent), but only a little soft and entirely acceptable as any lens (excluding the Pro series Nikkors) tends to be soft wide open. Trust me, if your copy is as good as mine, you will be completely happy with the 18-70. I am, and I highly recommend it! (I would love to have the 18-200 VR, but who knows when I will ever see one as Nikon has told dealers 6-12 month delays, too bad: I would love to have one of these. Until then, I am happily shooting with my 18-70 on my D200 as my main lens).
This lens came with my D70s.  When I want to go lite, I carry the d70s and the 18-70. I know that the images I make with this lens will be exceptional. In my collection there are both prime and zoom nikkors. This lens compares favorably, at the focal lengths it covers.  An excellent choice.
I had a 18-50mm lens and broke it. Wasn't worth as much to repair it than get a new lens so I bought this one. It came in 3 days rather than the week and a half that was estimated. Now I've used this distance in a lens with other cameras but I was never as impressed with the photo quality as I am with the nikon version. I have a D40, and the minute I took photographs with this lens in my studio I was astonished. The quality is actually better than it supposed to give you. I have absolutely no complaints.
I considered other Nikkor lenses reputed to be much sharper at twice the price, decided I didn't use wide angles often enough to warrant them, and got this lens instead.  The resolution is quite good--detailed, crisp prints to 16x20 are possible if your technique is up to it, flare and vignetting are well controlled.  All the lens most people will want or need.
This is a fine lens - the pictures are sharp, it's relatively small and light. The construction quality is decent. It does show vignetting when shot wide open and zoomed to 18mm, but you can either Photoshop that out, along with the barrel distortion, or set the camera to remove the distortion. Photoshop does a better job, but the in-camera processing (on a D5000) works well enough if you want out-of-the-camera JPEGs.The lens hood on mine shows at 18mm - a bit of a disappointment for a lens of this cost and overall quality. I had to file off the corners to get it right.With no VR, I'm going to use it more at the wide end than the telephoto. If you're dead set on VR, don't want the cheesy 18-55 and have more money to spend, go for the 18-105 or the 16-85.
This lens came with my Nikon D200 and it a really good, general, everyday lens. It's image quality is good, but honestly I get better quality with some of my other higher end lenses. One drawback to this lens is the lack of VR technology so you need to make sure that you are shooting in well lit areas. If you are shooting in low light you can certainly get some amazing shots as long as you make sure to have it tripod mounted. Truthfully some of my best shots have been with this lens and the M/A function is one of my favorite features of this lens over some other lenses that I use like the 55-200mm VR.
Got the 18-70 DX with the D80. also have the 70-300 ED and the 50 f/1.8 to round out my nikkor line (for now :)). this is a snappy, dependable lens that is a solid performer. i wasn't sure about it at first, but it's actually pretty sharp -- almost as good as the prime and the range is good for walkaround shots assuming you aren't walking around in the serengeti. it's no rock star like the 18-200 or any of nikon's pro lenses, but then again it's just as fast as the 18-200 -- 3.5 wide open. no VR, but if you need VR with a compact, lightweight zoom, you may want to consider using a tripod all the time. plus, the 18-70 is a lot cheaper than the 18-200 and makes a nice combo with the 70-300. only 4 stars because there are definitely times when it would be nice to have more reach and faster aperture speed, but for the money, it's not bad at all, especially for DSLR newbies (although a lot of pros use this as a backup).
Like the title, I bought a used one but it is really in excellent condition rather than very good. This lens has been produced for years and you have limited chance to buy a new one. What I bought is more than what I want. So I am very happy with this purchase. Thanks.
Great lens, I am a novice user and am enjoy learning with this product.  It seems no matter how much i mess up learning to use a Nikon D200, the lens never fails, it is tough sturdy lens.
This is a great lens for outdoor photography and works ok indoors with a flash. Also a good all-around starter lens. I purchased mine in a kit with my camera.However when Nikon designed the lens they ignored the fact that every time the lens is zoomed in and out, it sucks in dirt and dust from the outside like a vacuum cleaner! After owning it for only a couple months, I started noticing dust inside all over the front lens group. Once contaminated on the inside, there is no economic way to remove the dust. Having it serviced by a Nikon authorized tech is cost prohibitive. Might as well buy a new lens. Too bad, otherwise it's a very versatile lens. If it weren't such a dust sucker, I would rate it 4 stars.
I can only say WoW. Yeah some will say this is a "nice mid price lens". I say it is a super quality product. Yes, it is a kit lens, yes it has a plastic body, but it's a kit lens with some real quality construction. First, unlike many kit lenses, this lens has a metal mount. It's no ordinary kit lens. It produces razor sharp images. I've been using it with extension tubes. I have to tell you this lens produces much better images then my 18-105. The 18-105 tends to fall off around the edges, but not this baby, it has precision and makes some great images. I'm using it on a Nikon D70. It uses the same size filters as the 18-105.I am so... so glad I bought it. You should buy one too. You'll love it. It's outstanding.
The lens arrived within time frame seller stated. The price was very competitive and I have been very pleased with it's use.  Very satisified.
Great quality for the price and really good zoom range, bought it for my D5300 instead of the kit lens, it was a good choice.
I am using it with a D5100. It is mostly used for outdoor nature shooting. I actually scratched the kit lens and was looking for something close to that. What I got was a slightly faster and much better lens that cost less than the one it replaced.
My wife and I shoot weddings and our wide lens of choice is the Nikon 12-24mm. The only other wide angle lens we have in our inventory is the 20mm f/2.8 so whoever doesn't have the 12-24 has to use the fixed focal length 20.My stepdaughter got the 18-70mm lens with her D70s and, while her camera was in the shop for warranty repairs, we borrowed her lens. I found it was the perfect companion lens to my 80-200mm f/2.8 and gave me useful coverage over pretty much the entire 18-200mm range.So I bought one this week from my favorite camera store. They had two left from D200 kits where the customer only wanted the body and not the kit lens.It's not the fastest lens in the bag, but it's fast enough for my D200.If you want one, you'd better act quickly because they don't make 'em anymore.
This is a 27mm-105mm equivalent in a 35mm film camera, and I was very surprised by the build quality and materials used. Even more impressive is the photographic quality that is achievable by this lens. It focuses quickly and accurately. It is sharp, with very minimal distortion compared to Sigma's. That being said, it's nowhere near as good as a prime, fixed-focal-length lens made by Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Zeiss or Leica. Nevertheless, in the hands of a talented & skilled photographer, this lens is quite capable of helping to produce brilliant photographic work. So if it's not as good as a prime fixed-focal-length lens, what's the advantage? The advantage is that it's a wide-angle, normal, and a telephoto lens....you don't have to carry two other lenses, and you don't have to change lenses most of the time. The 18-70mm is good for landscapes, architectural, and on up to portraiture at the 70mm end.
I took my 18-70mm with me to Mexico, Ecuador, and all over California. It is versatile, sturdy, and an excellent performer. If you already have the 18-55mm lens, it is probably not worth purchasing; if you have no zoom lens in this range, the Nikon 18-70mm deserves your consideration. In this price range, its real competition is the Nikon 18-135mm, which offers you more range for the same price, but the downside is that you're down to f/5.6 at 135mm on that lens.As of March 2008, you can find this lens for $150-250 used, in excellent condition. Or, if you're in it for the long haul, skip this lens and save up for the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8.
Certainly a good lens for the price.  For those of us non-professional mortals that can't afford the really expensive glass (and be able to write it off on our taxes), this is a good place to start.  It's a nice solidly constructed lens that feels a lot more professional than most of the typical consumer grade lenses that I've had the opportunity to mess around with.  The only flaw that I can find with the lens is the light fall off that creeps in when you're close to 18mm and in the neighborhood of f/3.5 to f/4.  Personally, I like the look that gives in certain images, and used to Photoshop that in quite frequently before I purchased this lens.  It covers a good focal length range, and almost never comes off my camera unless I'm using a specialist lens for some specialist reason.  For general day to day photography, it's wonderful.
Yet another awesome piece on lens design from Nikon. Bought it slightly used, but the vendor was very honest and provided me with a high-quality lens at a great price.
Having purchased a D40 Kit, I got to look at the 18-55 lens. Certainly a bargain priced Nikkor to compete with the Canons. The 18-70 new style ED IF lens is far and away the heavy duty superior. I ordered one and immediately noticed the differences. The optical quality of the little lens isn't really bad at all, but the 18-70 is certainly better. The greater reach also helps keep it on the camera most of the time.It's heftier construction and feel is more steady and sharper. While there is some distortion at the low end under certain conditions, like most DSLR zoom lenses, it is not readily noticeable, and only occurs under certain conditions. Certainly not a deal killer!This 18-70 is the one you will have on the camera most of the time, and can take the job and do the work. Overall a heavy duty Nikkor with a reasonable price, and tack sharp results. You'll like it!
I got this lens in my D200 kit, and within a year sold it off.  While I found the lens to be adequate for many of my uses, until I purchased the 17-55 f/2.8 DX, I had no idea what my D200 was capable of.CONS first (because you've probably already read all the good things):First of all, the build quality of this lens is what I would call 'poor'.  It's made of plastic.  While I never abuse camera equipment, it's pretty vulnerable.  The zoom ring feels cheap, as well as the focus ring.The lens is not sharp until around f/5.6, for most applications.  Below f/5.6, in most situations, the lens caused images from my D200 to look more like that of a point-n-shoot than a pro DSLR.Of utmost importance:  The lens vignettes like crazy wide open.  Yeah, this can be corrected in Photoshop, but why?  Even my cheap old $100 Tokina zoom lens doesn't vignette on my old film camera.  This is not something that I expect to see from Nikon products, at this day in age.Additionally, this lens is quite soft, compared to better lenses - you won't achieve 'prime sharp' with any combination of zoom/f-stop on this lens.This must be a symptom of Nikon products, but the AF switch on the lens feels cheap/fragile - I hate these cheap little switches.PROS:Since this lens falls into the "normal zoom" range on a 1.5x crop factor DSLR, this lens is very versatile, and is not a specialty lens.  For versatility, this lens is excellent.  18-70 (28-105 35mm equiv) is a very useful range, for casual photography.I did mostly landscapes and some people shots, and it did quite well in these situations.  At f/11, this lens is almost indistinguishable from it's pro brother (the 17-55 f/2.8 DX) at the same f/stop.This lens is excellent for the price - definite bargain, especially since you can even use 17-55 f/2.8 and this lens in the same sentence, when talking about image quality.CONCLUSION:If you're beginning in photography, this is an excellent lens to start with.  It can be found for around $200 from independent sellers (that's what I sold my mind-cond one for), and is a great bargain.  Also, if you're just starting out in DSLR's, you will probably find it to be more than necessary for your needs.If you're expecting pro results, this probably isn't the lens for you.  If you're looking for professional results, and will be spending a lot of time post processing RAW's, and doing people photography, save for a while and get the Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 DX ED IF.I was quite happy with my Nikon 18-70, but sadly, I quickly outgrew it and became bothered by it's flaws.  In this price range, you probably won't find anything better in Nikon, Canon, or any of the after marketers.I would strongly recommend this lens for D40, D40x, D70/s, D60, and D80 users.  D200 (maybe even D80) users will be sold quite short with this lens - it takes a pro lens to see what the D200 (D300, and other pro DX bodies) are even capable of.
Love the lens. Great product.Hate the length of time the seller took to FINALLY send the lens.Seller had no phone number so I could not contact them. Thought I was being taken as a fool due to the length of time between the sale and the delivery. Thought there was no product to be delivered to me and maybe they had to go invent the thing.
This lens is a good "walk-around" lens. A walk around lens needs to be small, lightweight, still reasonably fast, and should range from medium wide to short tele. Nikon's kit lenses have all incorporated these features more or less. The problem is that the demanded versatility and portability sometimes requires compromises in terms of image quality and built quality.Therefore you have to ask the question, if it would be better to spend money on a decent point-and-shoot camera instead of spending it on a compromise lens. You bought a SLR for a special purpose, and a kit lenses will most likely defeat some of that purpose, whatever it was.Anyway, this lens does it's job pretty well. In my opinion it has the perfect range for a walk-around lens. It's small and lightweight.Compared to other available "compromises" there are some pro's and con's:Pros:- optically maybe Nikon's best kit lens according to various tests on the web.- longer telephoto reach than the cheaper 18-55 mm lenses.- better built quality than almost all Nikon kit lenses (metal mount).- with f/4.5 at the long end it's faster than other kit lenses and Nikon's 16-85 VR (which is otherwise in a different class for price and built quality).- way lighter and cheaper than pro alround lenses (17-55 f/2.8)- Bokeh is not bad and seems to be much nicer than in many of Nikon's other DX zooms.Cons:- no VR. In my opinion this could be a deal breaker. VR works great for what it is made for and you get it now in all newer cheap lenses basically for free. The faster long end of this lens (f/4.5 instead of the usual 5.6 now) will help your low light focus but the it won't compensate for VR in terms of camera shake. The difference is not big enough.- funny built: the mount is high quality and the lens body seems strong. but the front element that pumps when zoomed wiggles losely, the zoom action is very uneven.- some people report dust-sucking problem.- distortion and chromatic aberrations (if you shoot RAW) are an issue if you look closely. Both can be corrected easily, but it requires time, unless you use DxO.In summary, a relatively cheap crop frame zoom will never be a perfect lens. But if you need one of the cheapies, I think this is one of the better ones, at least optically.I think Nikon discontiued it's production, thereby forcing customers to step down to full-plastic-lenses or step up to better built alround lenses at $600 or more.
I'm using this with a Nikon D90 and the photos are pretty good. Overall, I am happy with the lens.
This lens came with my D200 kit. I found its quality lacking, and prefer the Sigma 17-70 (same price) and the much cheaper Nikon 18-55 (see my review under that lens). There is significant barrel distortion at the 18 focal point, the lens is heavy, and both the Sigma 17-70 as well as the Nikon 18-55 produce sharper photos. The extra 55-70 focal distance adds little to the third-the-price, less than half-weight 18-55. This lens is what I consider a standard good "Kit" lens. If you are a Nikkor-brand snob, then it will suit you fine. If not, look a the Sigma 17-70 for the same focal distance, or the Nikon 18-55 for a general excellent quality light walk-around all-purpose lens.
Perfect carry lens with light weight and nice picture quality. Head and shoulders above the 18-55 kit type lens that nikon makes.
I got mine a couple of days back, and I must admit, this is a significant step-up from Nikon 18-55mm lens.  The AF is quick and silent, and manual override of AF-S is quite useful.  Don't be under the impression that this lens only provides extra 15mm, it gives you a that and more.
I really like this lens for the optics and the range but my 18-55mm VR lens works out so much better for the kind of shots I have been taking. I like the fact that this lens has the manual focus override with auto focus but I really noticed how much better my shots are in low lighting situations with my VR lens. the stops can be alot slower, and for me I found out that that comes in real handy. I liked this lens but have noticed my VR lens is cheaper and with it I rarely reach for my 18-70 lens now.
It's hard to really rate medium range lenses, since their prices eventually fall, as newer better lenses invariably are released.When this lens first came out, it was a fantastic deal. Good to Great optics at the 18-70 range for only ~300 bucks! What a bargain!But times have moved on, and as others have noted, the standard kit 18-55 is just as good, or slightly better, than this lens in terms of optics, though suffers from a slightly narrower range, and is offered at a lower price.In the end. If you're looking for a wide to moderate zoom lens, I think the 18-70 is still a great choice, so long as you can find one for &lt;200 bucks.  I got one used for ~150, and at *that* price I think they're a good deal.
I'm glad to see all the positive reviews for this lens. I got it by default with my D200 and immediately tried to replace it for the 18-200 which everyone raves about. Its been six months now and the urge to upgrade has gone for the most part. I've taken this camera/lens on a recent trip to Beijing- wonderful combination. Not too heavy, just right for carrying around and the photos were great. A friend has the D200 with the 18-200 and by comparison it seems awful heavy. That said, I will, at some point, upgrade, but this lens is by no means a second rate piece of equipment. You'll be very happy with it.
I'm a beginner but I think the lens is nice. It is easy to use, light weight and seems to produce good quality photos.
I owned this lens when I bought a D70s kit years ago. I liked the metal mount and the focal length range was good. I don't like variable aperture zooms. They are a lot more difficult when you shoot in manual mode on your camera and or use flash. You never really know what aperture you are at until you stop and look. Debate that all you want but the aperture is always changing as you zoom in or out. I give it two stars because there is something cheap inside that breaks and does not allow it to zoom when that happens. I have seen that happen on three different examples of this lens. I don't know if a screw gets loose inside or what it is that breaks. Sad to say that I agree that it gets dirty inside, sucking air and dirt in and out.
This is a great bag given the high quality and good price. It is spacious - we were able to fit the Panasonic TM700K camcorder, Sony Cybershot camera, all the cables, the charger, the extra batteries and SD cards into it quite comfortably without looking too bulky. Very happy with purchase.
I was going to give a description of the bag and compartments, but others have done so. I'll just let you know that the FZ35 will fit in this bag with the lens hood attached. Room for other accessories also.You can't get excited and go swinging it around and whack a tree, or Fred. You'll break the camera. But, it is well protected against normal bumps and bruises.
The Lowepro EX-140 is a great bag for a compact camcorder plus accessories.  I'm able to store my Panny TM700 camcorder vertically on one side of the case; an extra battery, battery charger, and a power cord fit on the other side.  There's also a front pocket I use for video and USB cables, and a small pocket on the front flap that appropriate for thin items like extra SD cards.The case isn't the most padded camera case I've seen, but the construction is solid and for typical household / tourist / hobbyist use it seems like it should protect its contents well.  I've had this bag for a few months now and I'm quite satisfied with it.
This is a good, secure, well-padded, and moderately adjustable/customizable bag for a small-ish with a handful of accessories.  I'm using it with my Panasonic Lumix LX3, external flash, and telephoto adapter and find it all to be a good fit in this bag.The main compartment includes two removable/adjustable velcro padded dividers for use in separating the compartment into one, two, or three sections, and multiple other zippered and drawstring pockets allow for other accessories I don't even have yet.Carrying options include a removable, thick shoulder strap with a non-slip section, a top-mounted padded leather (?) handle, and permanent double belt loops on the back.  Only thing keeping it from five stars for me:  the front accessory pouch is unpadded, leaving it useful for only spare batteries, cable, and maybe additional memory cards (in their own protective cases).
Bag arrived in great shape, good workmanship, etc.  However, I did not realize the size of the bag when I ordered it.  It was smaller than I expected, but that's really my fault as the info was there on the item description and I just missed it.  Anyway, if you are wanting to take a good bit of equipment along with you, this is not the bag you want.  However, if you don't have so much stuff to pack, this is a well made, fairly versatile bag.
This bag lacks nothing when used with the camera it is sized for. I use it with a Sony HDR-SR12 HD camcorder and a Canon SD1200 P&S; still camera fits in the main compartment alongside (sparated by a partition) PERFECTLY.The front pouch holds a spare battery for the Sony and lens cleaner/tissues.There is room in the cover flap pouch for extra SD cards.The strap is sturdy and comfortable. Padding is ample assuming you don't plan to drop the camer off tall buildings...if you do, you deserve what will happen.The case has been on several overseas power vacations and other than getting a little dusty, it is in perfect shape.There is nothing to criticize here.If you try to fit a camera that is too big into it, that is YOUR fault for buying a too small case. Blaming a case for that is just dumb. This is not the case for an SLR...unless it is something like an old Olympus OM-1. You will not have room for extra lenses. Do not buy this case for an SLR. Bad idea.I like it so much, I just ordered a second one for a new Canon SX40. A little big for that, but that's OK, better a little big than a little small.A GREAT case at a GREAT price.One last thing, you do not want one of these cases with just a zipper closure. This bag has a zipper closure and a snap-latch closure so you can use the snap-latch w/o messing around with the zipper. An EXCELLENT idea as you do not want to be bothered with a zipper closure when you are taking the camera in  and out repeatedly. The snap closure is more than adequate for that and you can seal up with the zipper when you take tthe bag off your shoulder.Buy this case and you will be pleased.Lowepro hit a home run.
This bag will handle a Garmin Nuvi GPS plus accessories including the bean bag dash mount. It works perfectly and cost is modest. Delivery was on time.
This is the exact camera bag that WalMart sells only cheaper.  I bought this for a Canon PowerShot SX30IS the camera fits snuggly in the bag.  The camera has to be put in on it's side as shown in the picture card attached to the bag.  The bag has plenty of cushioning and is good quality.  There is plenty of space in the bag for extra accessories.  I am very please with this purchase.
I wanted to find a durable case that would hold my Nikon Coolpix P100 and acessories without being too bulky, and this is it. The camera itself fits sideways into the main compartment - that makes it easy to pull it out for use. Drop in the strap, put the lens down, and tilt sideways so the camera rests on its side with the handle up and easy to grab. When you're in transit or in bad weather, the main compartment zips shut and is covered by a buckled flap. When you're out and about, just buckle the flap while leaving the compartment unzipped and it will hold the camera in securely while still allowing easy access. The main compartment comes with a velro-adjustable divider: since my camera fills the entire compartment, I've put the divider flat on the bottom to provide an extra layer of cushioning. There is a pocket on the top of the flap where I have stored the USB cable and charger. They fit well, though they do make the flap a bit heavy and I might reconsider putting them there. The front zippered section has a flat pocket suitable for the camera's quick guide (folded), a pocket that holds the extra battery, and a pocket for extra memory cards, and I can still fit in the stand-alone battery charger and car charger that I bought after-market. (By default, this camera charges though the USB port, which is why I bought the external charger.) There are also two small mesh pockets on the outside of the case with adjustable slide closures. The overall construction of the case seems sturdy, and the zippers open and close easily. There is a reasonable amount of padding for the main compartment. The case strap is adjustable to a nice length, though the clips holding the strap to the case are plastic. While clips of this quality are fairly standard for a case of this price and will most likely last the life of the case with average use and be just fine, they might fail if subjected to a tremendous amount of stress and should be checked periodically.Overall, I'm very pleased with the storage and size for this price.
It got here within 2 days. Much nicer than I expected for so little money. Lots of pockets for other gadgets. Very roomy...could fit two of my large cameras in it. Heavy duty construction too. Very well pleased.
Had I known that Amazon had it $4 less expensive than Walmart with free shipping, I would have gotten it here. Anyways, I guessed from looking at it in Walmart that it would be big enough for my Kodak Z981 SLR camera and the accessories. It was. The only thing is that I have to put the camera on its side inside because the bag was not wide enough for my camera. It was, however, spacey enough for the charger, the batteries, the USB cable, and the side grip that the camera came with. If it were for a person who didn't carry the battery charger, the side grip, and the USB cable, it could fit some filters and maybe a couple of lens. Overall satisfied, though like I said, it wasn't wide enough. I would have preferred my camera to sit right-side up in the bag. I suppose it will be alright.
This is a well-made bag, and well worth the price here.  I thought I would be OK with it since I have a Lumix G3, a m4/3 camera that's smaller than a typical DSLR.  Well the Lumix with its stock 14-42 lens just makes it (I had to lose the divider).  The outside zippered pouch is just big enough to hold the battery charger, and the side pockets hold my spare battery and USB cable, with no room for anything else.  I'm happy with this purchase, but if I ever buy a second lens for this camera I'll need a new bag.
Got one today and am very pleased.  A good deal for the money.  Sturdy, light weight, and all of the controls just work very well. I particularly like how you can fold in/out both of the clamps on each leg at the same time with one hand, which speeds up the process.And you don't *have* to remove one of the handles to put it in the bag.  You can leave the top unzipped a little ways and carry it with the one handle sticking out a bit.The only negative I can find is that the leg clamps are made of plastic, which makes me wonder how long it will last.  But for $200, that's fairly cheap for a high quality, light weight tripod like this, so as long as it lasts a few years, I'll be happy.  And then maybe my next tripod will be one of those $600 jobs.Update, Oct. 17, 2009:I've used it quite a lot since buying it, and still like it very much.  Everything I wrote before, still applies.  But I wish it had a quick-disconnect plate (this is only significant if you attach/remove the camera often) and a smoother movement of the head (have to break loose the friction sometimes, to get it moving).  But then, if it had those features, it probably would would cost a lot more than $200.
I love this tripod.  It is extremely stable.  At first I got it for my canon camera, but now use it for my rather large video camera and it works great with that too.  It is not extremely light.  But I still attach it to my backpack and lug it along.  Nice to have.  Motion is smooth and locks work great.  Comes with a holster that I don't use.
I had foolishly bought a couple of cheap tripods and they actually worked. My camera (Canon EOS Rebel XT) did not fall on the ground. But when I went to a 75-300 lens and Speedlight 430EX external mflash, it got shaky. Bit the bullet and got a really good one. Carbon Fiber legs, Magnesium Pan Head.  It's actually lighter than the old cheap ones and I really would not hesitate to put an 8X10 view camera with a long lens on it. Solid as a rock, set-up and teardown very quick with the snap-locks, Pan-head smooth as silk. Everything I hoped for when I bought it and even more. Highly recommended.
This tripod is light and easy to use. The camera must be screwed onto the base. There is no quick release or shoe. A lever on the thumb screw helps to release or to put that extra twist on the shoe screw. The overall height is excellent. The legs can be made to extend out to provide a very low setting. Markers on the legs allow the user to extend each leg to the same length. The only thing missing, that I wish this unit had is a bubble level. I will have to add my own. A bubble level is needed when doing multiple panning shots that you wish to stitch together. In some of my shots, horizontal lines are on a slight angle. I think a bubble level would eliminate this. All in all a very good unit for the money.
Overall the tripod is great. The only problem is that there is no quick release for the pan head. It is not very useful to have to screw in the camera every time you need to use it. Solved the problem by getting a quick release, that worked perfectly , it wasn't the higher priced tripod model (actually it was a third of the cost and had secure locking clamps).
This is a tripod that matches excellent design and functionality with great form.  It's sturdy and provides superb options for all situations.  It is the best I've seen for the price and easily supports several of my cameras without issue.
I have used this Velbon El Carmagne 530 tripod for 6 months on my Canon 1D MKII with 300/f2.8 or 400/f4 lenses (8 to 10 pounds total weight). Great price for a great tripod.  Same build quality as more expensive carbon fiber tripods.  Very light yet very sturdy with high load capacity.  Come with tripod carry case and trap.  Comes with sandbag hook.  The center post can be dismantled to allow the tripod legs to spread apart and thus lower the camera to the ground for an "ant's eye view" perspective.  The tripod head is very simple but with great build quality and is easily replaceable for a more sophisticated ball head or gimball head.
I was considering a Manfrotto 055XB but it is just too heavy to lug around. Even the 055MF model is 5 pounds, not to mention very expensive. I spent hours in the camera stores comparing models. From the moment I picked this one up I liked it, mainly because of it's light weight. It's less than 4 lbs! Second, to my surprise, it was tall enough for me, and third, the price. This tripod is just as stable as the manfrottos, much lighter, and comes with a very nice magnesium head. It does not have a quick release head, but a tightening lever that makes attachment and removal pretty quick and easy. I can live with the extra second or two that it takes to connect. It also comes with a great warranty and a very nice carrying bag. For a well built, carbon fiber and magnesium tripod at a great price, I highly recommend it.
I already have one Velbon 530 and just ordered my second one via Amazon. The one review on here was exactly correct.I can add that this tripod is rated to handle over 13 pounds (you REALLY don't want to put a PRO $8000 camera setup that weighs 11 lbs on a $39 tripod that can handle 4 lbs), important to me since I have Nikon Pro digitals with those lens you see at football games. It is really steady and with most carbon fiber/magnesium tripods starting at $400, it's also a bargain.
This light weight tripod met all my needs to support my cannon EOS. I looked and reviewed several tripods and found this was at a good price and being refub came with standard wt. I like the pan Head that came with the tripod.
I just received my tripod.  I love the weight and it is very solidly built along with very stable.  The technical details say it supports up to 25lbs, the manufacturer tags states 8.8lbs.  I bought this for my DLSR and Canon 70-200 lens which weighs pretty close to 8 pounds, the max for this tripod.  I don't like being at the max of anything when I am trusting my $2000.00+ camera& lens.  I probably would have purchased the next on up had the write up been accurate.  I will keep this for my shorter lens, it is a rock solid setup just not quite strong enough.
I bought this few months back to do some light Macro work and i didn't know who Velbon is well now i do and i'm a fan! What a great tripod, it's super light, it sets up easily and it helps me to create nice tact sharp images! Be sure to turn off your VR or IS when you shoot on a tripod!
This is a very nice tripod for the price.  It is sturdy and lightweight.  The included head is decent and I feel no need to upgrade it.  One cautionary note - The ad says it supports 25 pounds.  The box says it supports 8.8 pounds.  I do have a camera lens combination that weighs about 16 pounds and I won't be putting it on this tripod!
As an "advanced amateur" I wanted a light weight, not too big, tripod capable of holding a Nikon D200 securely for mostly close-ups and nature subjects. This one fits the bill. Small enough to pack for travel. Lighter than any aluminum tripod. Tall enough extended to shoot at eye height and adjustable to virtually on-the-ground close-ups. Looks well made but still new to me.
This is a product for amateur to professional.  It's one of the finest I own.  It's has  eqse of use
Easily fits in my suitcase, doesn't push me over the airline weight limit, sets up very quickly and provides rock solid support for my heavy digital SLR. Yes, it's more than twice the $$$ of my taller and even more solid Slik, but this is the one that goes on trips with me. The Slik I save for hauling around town, when weight isn't a consideration. If you shoot at sunrise and sunset, especially HDR (or like group shots that include you), a tripod is obviously indispensable, and this should (crossing fingers) last a lot longer than the much cheaper and flimsier lightweight aluminum tripods that always seem to die just when you need them to work. Expensive, but it's one of those accessories that feels exactly right when you use it. Very happy with this.
As a beginning photographer I wanted a smallish, lightweight tripod to use with my Nikon D80.  Since this is merely a hobby and good, lightweight tripods are very expensive I was torn what to do (the camera and a really good lens were already pretty expensive).  Fortunately I happened across this tripod and decided I would spend a little more (ok, twice as much) than I had intended.  Frankly it was well worth it.  The construction is very solid, the entire setup is lightweight and stability is great.  I've been very pleased with my purchase, from capturing excellent photos of July 4th fireworks to stop action photos of waterfalls where a tripod is essential, and the relative lightweight of the Velbon made hiking 3 miles uphill with it even feasible.  I don't have a lot of experience in photography yet, but I'm a fan of Velbon already.
I have had many tripods over the years, and the sturdy ones have been too heavy to carry comfortably. This tripod is lightweight enough to take it everywhere, and when you remove the head (I prefer a ballhead), it fits perfectly in a carry-on bag. This tripod is light enough that I can extend it fully with the camera ready to shoot, set it to shoot with the self-timer, and hold the tripod high over a crowd to get a higher vantage point.When shooting, it is always more work when you are carrying a tripod, but the results of your photographs are well worth it.
I really like this tripod.I mainly photograph wildlife and need a tripod that is light,and for the price this is an excellent choice.I replaced the pan head with a manfrotto ball head which made it a little heavier, but i like it better.I really like the measurement marks on the legs because you can set it up quicker too.there are better tripods out there but for the money this is the best choice.
Overall: A great bargain for an intermediate photographer seeking a light, versatile, travel tripod of carbon fiber material without spending over $1000.  I put this on a wish list and received as a gift after searching dozens of options by Manfrotto, Bogen, and the like.  Essentially, I found that you would need to pay at least twice the price to get a kit (including adjustable head) for similar quality.Typical Usage: Long exposure and stability shots for a heavy Canon 1Ds with an L-series 70-200mm lens (at least 8 lbs.)Pros: Price, portability, construction, solidity, strength/weight ratio, resistance to slipping exceptionalCons: Doesn't allow for upgrading with professional attachments (e.g. ballhead) from other providers; vinyl travel bag a bit cheap; somewhat of a hassle to "fold away" the head within the case; having to adjust two knobs rather than a single trigger ballhead a bit time consuming
First off the Pan Head is OK...no quick release kills it for me. The rest of the package is Grade A. This tripod is sturdy, lightweight, super versatile and compatible with most high end tripod heads. The legs can lock in place at almost any angle. The split post design allows one to use this thing virtually inches off the ground. Flip the post upside down for even more options. Use the included accessory hook and stone bag to add additional weight to insure rock solid performance. I love this thing.
very good quality, great capacity, very satisfied customer.
The battery came VERY quick, and worked great!  I would highly recommend purchasing from this seller.
I am a big believer in canon but i must confess that since this purchase i have decided otherwise. This battery hardly lasted 3 months.
This replacement battery does exactly what it is made to do; give you extended recording capability over the ridiculously inadequate battery that Cannon ships with their video cameras.As mentioned in previous posts, this battery is roughly twice the size of the original battery, but fits the camera nicely. It also gives MORE than twice the record time. I get between 2 and 3 hours of shooting w/ the LCD open.
I bought this battery at the end of 12/07 and writing this review at the end of 5/08.This is a product of exceptional quality. The unit is made in Japan, unlike the batteries of Chinese manufacture that comes with the Canon video cameras these days (mine is the HV20). Whether the difference in quality between a China-made battery and a Japan-made battery is perception or real, I don't know. I prefer made in Japan stuff, due to their high quality control and reliability.This battery has high energy retention. I was surprised to find out that after 5 months in storage, this battery showed up as 100% charged on the OSD (on-screen display) of my camera. Pick one or two of these up as a spare. I am quite happy with this purchase.
This is really helpful to use the camcorder without worrying about the battery life.
My wife and I bought this battery when we bought our Canon HG10 and were very pleased that we did. This battery lasts about six times longer than the battery that comes with the camera. It is an absolute must by alongside a new video camera, so factor it in to your budget!
I've had some trouble with off brands.  Buying twice the battery, but not getting any more batter life.  You really seem to need to stick with the Canon brand on these.  The price is steeper, but I think it's necessary if you need to film anything "important" for any length of time.
As a professional cinematographer working 14+hour days, I know camera batteries. I want them to last a long time. These are well made, high quality OEM batteries. No better ones exist. However, I wish they made bigger, longer life batteries for the HV-20. I guess this small size is a compromise to keep the camera small and for the fact that the vast majority  of users will only need a couple of hours of juice at a time. On the other hand, if you need to shoot all day, you'll need to buy at least two or more batteries, also turn off the camera frequently, fold up the LCD screen, use the non-orientable viewfinder, change batteries several times, etc, etc,. This even more so if you are in a cold environment.Its a hassle, but one I'm used to and can deal with. My last camcorder had a HUGE battery and it would work all day and so I'm spoiled.Also I went with Canon, and their higher price, because the cheap  off-brand batts available worry me about their quality, and life times. The cheaper price was not enough for the risk. If anything happened to damage the camera, say faulty wiring, you are in a much better position warranty-wise, if everything is OEM.
I wanted an extra one for my camcorder as sometimes from just sitting the battery will be lower than I think and I run out of power.  This extra one I keep in the camera case and I have it if I need it.
Purchased this for our video camera over a year ago. It really helps ensure that we won't run out of power for an event.
It's nice to have an extra battery. This allows you to charge one while the video camera is still in use. You don't want to get caught in the middle of a take and not have a backup battery.
Works great.  I was shooting in below freezing weather in Hudson Bay Arctic area and the battery lasted for at least an hour of video tape of off and on use.
I only had occassion to use it twice, and it seems to work just fine.  I heard aftermarket batteries sometimes only go a couple of times, hopefully this one will go better than that.Works good in my HV20
With about twice the capacity (and physical size) of the stock battery supplied with the compatible Canon camcorders, the BP-2L14 offers extended filming time that on a single charge will exceed the capacity of a digital tape cartridge, even if using the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder.Although the BP-2L14 is larger than the battery it replaces at about an inch thick (just about double the thickness), the added size doesn't interfere with filming or carrying of the camera.  Rather than carrying around a handful of the lower-capacity NB-2LH's, add a BL-2L14 or two to your inventory instead.
Canon batteries are specifically made for Canon products, so I stick with that way of thinking.Any time I have ever tried using off-brand products I have always been disappointed.Yeah, sure- you can find this battery in an off-brand catalog for a cheaper price, but I think you will find in the long run that you end up with less quality, and the off-brand batteries don't always last as long and sometimes even have incompatibilities with the brand name products, so beware the off-brand allure!!!This battery gives me much more video time than the one that comes with the camera in the box, and it fits in my videocamera nice and snug.  This battery gets an A+ from me, and it's Canon quality.
This battery is great, I have it in addition to the one that came with my camera and it has worked great and a lot longer than my original battery. The downside is that its a little heavy but worth it.
I bought this because with my last video camera I had a larger battery and it was a good investment.  This battery lasts longer than the battery my HV20 comes with.  What I like most is that it doesn't stick out past the back of the camera.
I own the Canon HV-20 and this battery is almost twice as large as the stock battery and it fits flush with the camera body. This battery lasts much longer than the stock battery. All you need are a couple of these and you'll be set for a full days recording!!!
I love this battery on the HG-10.  I was originally worried that it might have been too large but now I know this is not an issue at all.  It offers much more capactity being slightly larger than the original in size, but still fitting perfectly without protruding past the back of the camera.  If you are thinking about a second battery for the HG-10, I would highly recommend this one.
I bought this battery for 1/2 of the price, as it was in a floor model camera.  But, the life of the battery isn't at all what it should be.  The original battery I bought with the camera has much more life to it.  So it was dissappointing.  I have ordered another one already.
It's a good battery. It does the job well and enabled by HG10 camcorder to run considerably longer. I venture to say it run twice as long as the battery that comes packaged with the camcorder. It fits the camera perfectly, as well it should given it's a Canon battery.
Good price here and made in Japan.  Does NOT void the warranty.  The one I just received from Amazon.com charged to full in a reasonable time on the built in charger of my Canon Optura 400.  Doubles the time of the original, great backup.
This battery is amazing.  A must have item.  It is fit into my HG10 nicely. Just slightly bigger than the piece of craps battery that came with the canon HG10.  This battery should have come with the HG10. Every time I used the HG10 for 15-20 minutes and the battery still shown full power.  The original battery would have shown 1/2 power or need to be recharge.
Bought this for my Canon ZR800, and it greatly increases recording time.  Highly recommend.
This was OEM as claimed, and has worked perfectly for 4 years.  Keeps a charge for hours (not sure how many, as the hard drive is only 5 hours in HQ mode,and it has lasted that long easily.
Don't waste your time and money to get something 'similar' as Canon.Only Canon battery will give you over an hour time!I bought @ Amazon from other vendors non-canon made battery claiming more mA per battery and almost twice the size, but they last less that 30 minutes. Total waste of money on a non-Canon made battery.I use this as a pro videographer and have to last as long as the tape in the machine.It was cheaper here then anywhere else for the same battery.
The battery life is reasonably good and does the job.My only gripe would be the loose clanking noise caused by the play between the battery and camera.  An easy fix by adding a rubber or foam slit to dampen.
I hate spending more money on a battery, but the one that came with my Elura 85 was pathetic--it has a very short battery life.  This one is much better.
I purchased this battery 6.5 months ago.  Used it for various functions and left it plugged in until about 3 weeks ago.  It was unplugged but not used by mistake.  When I plugged it back in it was DEAD.  really dead and have tried to charge and took it to a camera shop to charge without any luck.  Considering the original lasted 5 years I doubt this is even close to OEM.
i have had very bad experiences with knock off canon batteries so i always buck up and buy canon. sure 2 times as expensive but i have never had one quit taking a charge. the 2L14 is a big step up from the 2L12/13 for just being a little bulkier. highly recommended and use the original battery as a spare.
Its worth in investing in this battery if you shoot more....Continuously e.g. on trips etc. Its bit thick & lasts longer than the one which is supplied with HG10.
I have such bad experience with after market batteries.  Yes, Canon batteries cost more.  But they put out power for much longer.  No use saving money if you have to stop recording because of short battery life.
This battery is total trash. After two months, it holds a charge for about 30 minutes then fades to nothing in seconds. Not worth the extra money: you're better off getting two regular batteries and keeping them charged.
Good quality battery, lasts much much longer than the cheap knockoffs I've been buying.  Some things you shouldn't buy off-brands of.
I like this battery because; it is high capacity, much better running time than the original battery, that came with Canon miniDV camcorder. Buy this if you are tired of charging the battery very soon.
yeah.  it works.  It holds twice the battery life.  I am happy.-tj
This battery works great with my Canon HG10. I'd recommend it as being worth the higher cost.Happy filming!Tim Warneka, authorLeading People the Black Belt Way: Conquering the Five Core Problems Facing Leaders TodayThe Way of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership Skills with the Tao Te ChingBlack Belt Leader, Peaceful Leader: An Introduction to Catholic Servant LeadershipHealing Katrina: Volunteering in Post-Hurricane Mississippi
Nothing lasts like a genuine Canon camcorder battery. There are masses of imitation BP-2L14  Lithium-ion batteries on the market, and in my experience they never hold a charge as long, or last as long as a genuine Canon battery. You get what you pay for in camcorder batteries. The Canon battery is worth the extra $
I took two of these batteries with me on a recent trip to China - I always recharged them overnight and didn't have any situations during the day while site-seeing where I ran out of battery juice.  I used them in a Canon HV30 video camera and they have more than enough juice for me to watch my 1 hour HD tapes on the plane flight back. :)
This is my 2nd Digital camera (3rd if you count my digital Camcorder, a Canon Optura 200mc which also takes pretty nice still photos) but I wanted a new digital camera just for better quality still photos. I got that and more with this camera! I came on here to read customer reviews after seeing the camera on sale at Circuit City. For the price I can't beleive all of the features, my favorite being the option to take pictures in black and white or sephia, or the timer button and the ability to take pictures in quick succession for sports, or my daughter on her swing! the picture quality is incredible. to round out the whole package I just finished creating my first album through the Kodak website (the software is included) and e-mailed an invitation to friends and family to look at it. I had figured i would probably join shutterfly or similar to do what the kodak website offers for free! I know some reviewers complained about the software but I experienced no problems whatsoever. I don't know how much space the pictures took up, i'm just not that computer savvy to really care. I do know i've got plenty of space available but I suppose if it was a problem the software offers an option to burn your albums to Dvd. if you are looking for an easy to use camera with alot of incredible features at a great price look no further!
We bought this camera in 2004 or 2005 for husband's job.  He needed it for taking pics for web development and product sales.  The macro feature was what he needed for most pics.  7 years later I would say this camera takes as good of pictures as it did on day one in most instances.  We use it for much more than his work now.  Everything from kid's daily silliness to vacation photos, weddings and every other thing we want a pic of.You really don't need more than 4 mp (google it).  You can buy a fancy camera with a lot more features, but this camera will take as good of pictures as most of the newer ones in the same category (I would compare to bridge cameras.)Pros:  Great, great pics, ease of useCon: Size -- feels great in my hand, but not great in my purse.Bottom line, this is old technology, but I would not hesitate to recommend or buy this camera.
As my family's main photgrapher, I always wanted to buy a digital camera. The problem was that it was too expensive. Fortunateyl, Chirstmas puts love in your heart and takes cash out of your wallet, and my parents got me one. Boy, was I surpised by how great it was.This may well be the best digital csmera ever. The zoom is great, and it's easy to use. There are four ways to take pictures with it:Auto - used for general picture taking and the one I mostly use.PASM: Used to access manual camera settingsSport - Used when object is in motionVideo - Used to capture motion and sound (I dont use this one because this one takes up too much space)Portrait - Used for full - frame photos of people and other subjectsNight - Used at night to capture subject and backgroundThis are the explenations as written on the camera screen.My favorite feature of the camera is that you can change the colors of the pictures. There's &quot;saturated&quot; (which is the one I usually use), &quot;neutral&quot;, &quot;black and white&quot; and my personal favorite &quot;sepia&quot;. I am also glad that you can delete pictures you don't want. You don't kow how many pictures I had to get rid of with throwaway ameras. Plus it saves film and money.I highly recommnd this digital camera. It's a photgraoher's dream that you can take anywhere. My only gripe is that it doesn't come with the chip. I once took a whole batch of pictures without a chip and as a result couldn't print them.
I bought this camera new, and it is worth every penny. I've used it for photos for many websites, personal pix of family, friends and pets, and every picture turns out great. The multiple autofocus options, various settings for daytime, flash, night, sport and portrait photography make picture taking almost fool-proof. Plus, the video cam is great for those times when I just want to pick up a quick short video without hauling out the full-size video camera. The rechargeable battery lasts a long time between charges, so I can take tons of pictures without worrying about losing power. This workhorse lives up to the Kodak reputation.
Camera is the same one the ex-husband has.I know there are parts missing that was in the description.Just don't know what pieces I still.Just the camera I wanted.
ALERT: My favorite feature by far is the 6 shot burst. It lets you hold the trigger and take 6 pictures in 2 seconds. If you are trying to capture good action shots or get the perfect smile you need this. When the kids are playing or the parents are visiting I just hold the trigger. Take 20 or 30 shots and discard most of them. However, with this method you will capture photos that will make you the super-hero photographer of the family. The newer 5 megapixel camera cannot do 6 shots (only 5) because is doesn't have enough processing power to capture 6 shots at 5mp. Jumping to 5mp is only necessary if you are going to be printing poster sized pictures or if you don't like to aim. Then you can just blow up your pictures to see if you got anything good and crop out the rest.This camera is awesome. It has terrific accessories. It is simple to use with automatic settings for your spouse who hates your tech toys.Everybody raves over my photos. The camera gets most of the credit. It's also much cheaper than the newer kodak model.Everybody I know who bought a camera with 3x optical is mad at themselves when they see what this 10x model can do.
I truly loved my digital Elph.  While this Kodak can't match the Elph's convenient size, our new Kodak EasyShare is awesome!  My wife and I love the 10x zoom which blows away any comparably priced cameras.  The viewer is huge.  If you turn off the "preview" option, the camera can snap photos in pretty rapid succession.  We bought the camera mainly to get better quality photos of our newborn baby, and its been more than adequate for that.  Our camera came with the docking station too, but I don't really see that as any big asset.  We would like the camera with or without the dock.Complaints?  The only real problem I've had with the camera is taking photos outdoors in bright sunlight. I've had a tough time seeing through the viewer (but I am probably doing something wrong in all honesty).  I'm not a huge fan of the wheel that turns the camera on and changes modes, just a minor complaint.  And, again, I wish the camera was a little bit smaller.
THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED CAMERA SO I WAS NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.  I HAVE BEEN USING IT NONSTOP[ FOR OVER 4 WEEKS NOW AND IT IS JUST LIKE HAVING MY OLD TRUSTED CAMERA BACK.
I've had this camera for 7 months and, in that time frame, I've also tried out 2 other digital cameras. A Pentax Optio S4i and the Sony T-1. Here are my comparisons and observations.I'll start with the flaws. The first and most annoying (and the reason I didn't give it 5 stars) is that this camera has difficulty focusing in low light (by &quot;low light&quot; I mean any time you might be required to use the flash). Many times, it just doesn't achieve a proper focus. This results in either a blurry, unfocused photograph or missing the shot all together. The Sony T-1 takes care of this by shining a red light on the subject so it can achieve a proper focus. The Kodak DX6490, and a lot of other digital cameras, badly need this feature.The second flaw might not be a flaw to many of you. I personally think that this camera is too big and bulky. Obviously, that is the trade off for the huge zooming capabilities. But still, the Sony T-1 is so compact and easy to carry! The Kodak DX6490 needs a big carrying case. You can't just clip it to your jeans or put it in your shirt pocket. You have to have to carry it around like a purse. It's like carrying and old 35mm camera. Definitely not very convenient. And since it's not convenient to carry around at all times, you're going to miss some shots `cause you didn't have your camera with you!Also, the start-up time takes too long. 4-5 seconds vs. the T-1's 1.5 seconds.As for the good stuff, I have to say that this camera takes great photos! It blows the Sony T-1 and the Pentax Optio S4i away. If you can achieve a proper focus when you're in low light, the flash is definitely adequate (the T-1 and S4i have very inadequate flashes). In low light and daylight, the colors are vivid and the depth and quality of the shots are very good. Much better than the 5.1 mega-pixel T-1 and waaaayyy better than the S4i (the S4i is a crappy camera).The 2.2" screen is really nice (the T-1's is better, though). The zoom is incredible. It feels secure in your hand. The features are a little limited compared to the T-1's but they're adequate, none the less.Conclusions: If the Sony T-1 would take photos like the DX6490, I would have a T-1 in my hands right now. But I don't. I'm holding the DX6490. It ultimately comes down to "how good are the photos" and the DX6490 takes some damn good ones!
I love this camera. I bought it used from someone about 5 years ago and it still takes wonderful pictures. I bought a Nikon S3100 to replace it, because this camera is a little bulky, but I returned it right away because the images paled in comparison. This old 4 megapixel camera blew away the new 14 megapixel camera hands down. For the price I paid, I don't think it is possible to get a better camera.Pros: Clear, crisp shots, good battery life, very good color reproduction, good macro capability, viewfinder, 10x zoom, manual control options.Cons: Sort of bulky and lag time between shots it a little long.I am going to hang on to this camera until every last bit of life is drained from it. I just wish it was smaller!
First let me say that I'm an experienced 35mm photographer.  Having used everything from an Exakta VX to Nikon N90s, and using a Canon EOS Elan IIe for the last several years, I didn't expect to find a digital that I could afford that I would be happy with.  I saw this camera a while back at Wal-Mart, and looked at it because I thought it was an SLR.  I was impressed by the price and the Schneider-Kreuznach lens, but a little disappointed that it wasn't really an SLR.Last week, I found it on clearance at Staples for $100US less than it usually sells for elsewhere and bought it.  I'm not sorry at all.  In everything from convenience features to quality, I'm still thrilled.  Pictures are sharp, properly-exposed, and colorful, just like they should be.  The preview screen is the largest available, and excellent.  The electronic viewfinder works well and is nearly as sharp as the screen on back.  It's easy to use, takes great pictures, and is essentially silent if you turn off the ersatz "motor drive" sound.Let me address the shortcomings mentioned by other reviewers.1.  Blur.  Many people mention blurry pictures as a criticism of this camera.  They probably don't mention that they were trying to handhold shots at full zoom.  The lens is 38-380 equiv. in 35mm terms.  I always used 1/focal length as a shutter speed guide.  It would be bright conditions indeed for the camera to select 1/380 sec.  The camera can shoot from ISO 80 to 400 with acceptable results, but 80 is by far the best and the camera does default to 80 if it possibly can make the shot that way.  This might sometimes mean that you have a vivid picture that's motion-blurred.  If you can keep a reign on trying to use more zoom than you have the hands for, you won't encounter blur.  Also remember that focus precision is more important at longer focal lengths.  It takes longer to focus when it's zoomed all the way out.2.  Bad night pictures.  I've not encountered a camera that has a night mode that's better than I am.  If you take over control of this camera, you can get great night pictures.  I shot pictures of the stars last night, and they came out perfect.  Most of that was because I knew to shoot on manual, bracket exposures, and have realistic expectations.  No camera's automatic modes will let you shoot pictures like in National Geographic or the Neiman Marcus catalog.3.  Rechargable battery.  Many people wish it used AA batteries so you won't be tied to a charger.  Don't worry about it.  It will shoot hundreds of pictures on one charge, so just remember to charge the battery after a long day of shooting.  Big deal.  I like that I won't have to buy AA batteries for it.  The cost would add up.4.  Lack of "raw" image format.  I havn't had a problem with this, and noone short of a real pro is likely to.  It does store pictures only as JPG, but I havn't seen any problems one would normally associate with that. YMMV.5.  Slow movie framerate/noisy movies/no zoom in movie mode, etc.  This is not a camcorder.  The movie mode is like a freebie for me, and I recognize the reasons for these weaknesses.  If you really want to shoot movies, buy a MiniDV camcorder instead.  You'll be a lot happier with it.6.  Non-pocketable size.  How could you possibly expect it to be much smaller?7.  Uncomfortable grip.  I've got bear-paw hands, so it's not as comfortable as the meaty contour grip of my EOS.  It's not the worst I've felt, but they could've gotten this a little better by adding a little more size to that end of the camera.  I don't think that it would hurt anyone's feelings if that end were just a smidge larger.  See #68.  Controls.  These are some of the best and most intuitive controls I've seen in a long time.  However, it seems that way to me because they so closely mimic the controls on my EOS.  I especially like the fact that the control dial is lighted.  Expect to stumble through it a little if you aren't generally used to using versatile cameras, but you'll quickly find that it can do most of what you'd expect from a 35mm SLR and then some.And now my own criticisms:1.  Software.  Once I got it installed, it works flawlessly and easily.  However, it required a service pack update to my Windows 2000 that gave me a BSOD and required a full reinstall.  Ouch.  That upset me a little, but I did fix it.  That wasn't really Kodak's fault, but just be warned.2.  Power up takes a little longer than I would like, mostly because the lens folds itself into the body when the camera is powered down.  It takes it about a second to reach shooting position.  Once there, focusing and zooming do not change the length of the lens barrell.3.  Using "speeds" higher than ISO 140 gets grainy in a hurry.  It looks remarkably like enlarging old high-speed film.  Dark areas get a random blotchiness that averages to the right color, just like the Konica 3200 color print film used to.  If you can stick to bright lights or the tiny flash.  An external flash can be used for better range.  Vivitar 283 fans, rejoice!  It doesn't require a dedicated flash.
Very impressed with this awsome digital. I have a Gateway T150 which is a waste of good money. This camera is far superior. The zoom is right on, and the color saturation really comes through. My partner took his on our recent trip and got awsome great nature shots of eagles and ospreys. Good enuff that he can sell them. My gateway was left in the dust, so I went out and bought this camera and found it is worth every penny. Anyone want to buy a gateway 5 megapix???
this digital camera is easy to use.  of course, you must read the owner's manual to use it properly.  it is a bit bulky, but it takes good pictures and , yes, you can share your pixs with friends and family.
I recieved this camera several months ago as a gift. I had never considered using a Kodak camera before as we were very happy with our Canon and had planned on purchasing a better model Canon Powershot. Well much to my surprise this camera is better than I could have imagined!The macros I can get with this camera blow me away. The SLR like grip and style are VERY nice. The 10x optical zoom is amazing. I cannot be more thrilled with this camera.My only complaint is, it does have some difficulty in low light indoor situations. This can be corrected for the most part through image manipulation software however. Outside shots are utterly amazing however.This camera is a keeper. It is super afforable too. I highly recommend it for anyone, beginner to enthusiast!
I just had to write a review for this camera.  Even though I have only had it for about 2 months and haven't been able to really practice with the camera as yet and I'm strictly an amateur trying to learn.  I really like this camera.  It takes great pictures especially on the manual settings but the Kodak product support is TRULY incredible.  I read a review on Amazon.com that really influenced my purchase.  The review really gave a rave for the Kodak support getting his camera back before the Christmas holidays.  He was not kidding.  I purchased the camera from Ebay and it still had about 2 mos left on the warranty.  Well the Easyshare camera dock stopped working so I called the support line.  I was advised to ship the camera and dock together even though I only had a problem with the dock and the camera worked fine.  Well, not only was the camera and dock back in my hands in approx. 4 business days but they replaced the dock AND checked out and cleaned the camera. Also, I called the support line for a problem with the camera making a noise while shooting videos.  It turned out to be the autofocus.  The tech support told me to turn it off when shooting video and it fixed the problem immediately.  How's that for great technical support.  I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with a Kodak product, the service alone is worth the price, especially today with most service centers being really poorly trained and I didn't wait on hold for twenty minutes either it took approximately 5 minutes.  I could make a commercial for KODAK.  I love it.
I bought this camera because of the Schneider lens.  Schneider usually makes lenses for view cameras and medium format cameras.  My other camera is a Hasellblad.  The lens is as good as I had hoped.  It provides all of the crispness that can be had in a 4MP image.When using this camera, keep in mind that the full zoom (optical + digital) is equivalent to a 1320mm lens on a 35mm camera.  This setting is not suitable for hand held photography.  If you don't use a tripod or other support you shuld expect blurred images.  Even the optical only max. of 380mm is not considered a good bet for hand held pictures.The most important missing feature is a cable (or wireless remote) release.  When you do use a tripod with such a light camera you don't want your hand causing it to wiggle.
I've had many cameras, both film and digital, and this one by far blows the others out of the water! A friend of mine bought a 6490 new a few years ago and raved about it - her photos were so amazing. So last year when I was in the market to buy a camera, I looked it up on Amazon. I was so glad to see that not only did they include the camera specs, tons of user reviews, and even a couple for sale used through the Marketplace, but also over 100 photos taken by other owners that I got to appreciate! That convinced me to find and buy one used on eBay, which I did.  I was lucky, the camera was in excellent condition and have had no trouble with it.It may be an older model, but the operation of this camera is so simple compared with the new ones out on the market today! I had use of a 10MP Canon camera for a while thinking I might want to upgrade this one, but it took way too long to figure out the controls which were tiny, and after reading the manual and taking many, many photos over the course of several days using various settings, the photos were often blurry, even with image stabilization built in! I found I didn't need the extra pixels after all, and I think they actually slowed down the camera's operation.I do love how the 6490 feels in my hands, too - not too big, not too small (like the Canon). Most of all I appreciate the fact that I don't feel the need to "upgrade" as long as I keep getting this kind of stellar quality in my photos!! Sure wish it used AA batteries, though - that's the only drawback to this camera that I can see!
I purchased the DX6490 because it is one of but a few budget-priced cameras that supports a lense adapter. My cousin has made every excuse not to reproduce a family portrait under glass and it became obvious that at least a polarizing filter was needed. The DX6490, with the rare lense adapter and requisite filter kit, has proven to be an excellent machine to photograph the difficult subject of portraits under glass. Glare is virtually eliminated and the quality is quite acceptable. The unit is used, but still the batteries hold a respectable charge. The only drawback is Kodak's diabolical multifunction power, etc. rotary switch that demands a fair amount of dexterity to operate.
For a long time I've had a little baby normal camera. Finally, I bought myself a digital camera to see what all the fuss was. And now I know.This is a great camera.Pros:> Amazing memory. I took over 400 pictures and still had room for more.> Has an LCD screen, which really helps out night to see what you're taking pictures of.> An incredible (almost overwhelming) selection of styles to take pictures. You have night pics, normal, manual, portait, camera...I could go on for ever.> Disturbingly good zoom. You can zoom as far as to see the color of someone's eyes at at least 100yds. away. The zoom on this camera is scary good.> For camera mode, the videos created are surprisingly clear with good sound. This is a great camera to double as a camcorder.> Normally this camera takes excellent pictures, but, there are...Cons:> A wee bit bulky. Easy to hold in one's hand, but difficult to shove in a camera bag.> The time lapse from the moment you press down on the picture button and the time the camera takes the shot is a little bit too long for my liking.> Sometimes, the camera has a really difficult time to focus on stuff.> While on camcorder mode, you cannot zoom in or out of a shot.> If you're taking a picture into the sun, the picture comes out a little bit funky looking.I'm being a little bit negative. I should stay on the positive. This is an amazing, stunning camera, worth every penny. I love it, and won't be buying a new digital anytime soon because I am really happy with this one. A must-have for any tourist on a trip or photography loving dork like me.
I had lots of problem with this digital camera. I am not new to digital camera so looks like I am  not doing anything wrong. I owned my older kodak camera for about 4 years and that is much better than this one. Mainly the indoor picture quality is the worst. I called Kodak support and the answer was "that is the quality" that is it !! If you  want little camera for the worth of the price $400, try something else
Before I bought this camera "refurbished" (slightly used but in appearance like new), I did quite a bit of research, including reading all the customer reviews on the Amazon website.There are features to like about this camera.  One is the large, easy-to-see LCD display.  The second is the excellent layout of the controls, particularly the review and delete buttons.The test of a good camera, though, is whether it accurately exposes in a variety of lighting conditions, and the DX-6490 does not.  You can get excellent pictures with this camera some of the time if you are willing to make the effort to learn to use it, but I think it is flawed in two ways.  First, it tends to overexpose in bright light and underexpose in dim light.  Second, the image you see in the LCD display is not necessarily the image you get when you make the exposure.It's true that you can dial in exposure compensation, but this is a nuisance if you have to do it often.  Worse is that an image that in dim light appears correctly exposed on the LCD display will turn out to be dark or even invisible.  You can use the flash, but I feel that what you see on the LCD display is what you ought to see when the exposure is made.My first digital camera is a two-megpixel Olympus D-380.  The exposures are excellent in virtually any kind of lighting.  White balance is superior to that in the DX-6490, and I feel that color rendition is better too.  I wanted a zoom lens, and I wanted higher resolution, but the various exposure flaws in the DX-6490 are a major disappointment to me.Would I choose this camera again if I could choose?  No.  From now on I will buy a camera only if I have the option of returning or exchanging it if I do not like its performance.
I have had this camera for a little over 2 years, and it still takes better pictures than most other point and shoot digital cameras out there.  I'm not a professional photographer or even a very serious amateur, but with this camera I have been able to get great shots of families, little kids, animals, sports, flowers, close-ups, landscapes, and fireworks . . . it even outshoots the cameras my other family members own, and they spent extra money to get higher resolution cameras with even more zoom power. It doesn't compare to an SLR, but it wasn't designed to.I recently bought an ultra-compact point-and-shoot camera at a "day after Thanksgiving" sale, thinking it would be an easier-to-transport alternative to the Kodak.  Even though it has higher resolution, I still rarely use it and wind up taking the Kodak with me anyway.  The picture quality is so much better that I don't care how much the camera weighs or how big it is.  I bought this camera because of the big lens, not in spite of it.  If you read the manual and learn to operate the PASM functions, you can get good shots in almost any light.This camera is pretty durable - like any other well-used camera, it's been (accidentally) dropped, subjected to high and low temperatures, gotten water on it, and been handled by several kids, and it still works just as well as the day I bought it.  It's survived 2 years of day camps, fairs, cooking lessons, and even family Christmas dinners.  Everybody wants to borrow this camera, even though most of them own newer, more expensive cameras. The battery lasts an amazingly long time - you will find if you do buy a small camera that runs on disposable alkaline batteries, the extra weight and space you thought you saved will be taken up by spare batteries.A brief warning: to get great photos out of this or any other camera, digital or film, takes PRACTICE.  You should always try using the camera yourself before you buy it, even if it's just in the camera department at a store.  I must warn you that if you don't know much about photography, it won't matter what kind of camera you buy - knowing how to compose a shot, how a camera works, and how to edit photos are vital to getting outstanding pictures.One thing I would suggest is this:  don't waste your time installing the software - buy a cheap USB card reader to transfer your pictures to the computer.  Better yet, make sure your next computer has a built-in card reader.  It saves a lot of time, and if you want to do a lot of editing the included software has only very limited options.  I have found that it's also difficult to find photos that have been stored using the Kodak software if you want to open them in other applications.  That is the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five.I recently thought about upgrading my camera, but other than the newer SLRs I haven't found anything better that is reasonably priced.
When I bought this camera I did not knew anything about cameras. I has all the right ingredients for you to learn how to take great pictures. It helped me learn how to use the aperture, how to manage the light, get away from that awful auto-picture taking. I still have it after 6 years and it just won't die. I thought about selling it but am attached to it.
I bought my first DX6490 about two years ago.  It has produced some great results and some not-so-great. Biggest problem - lag, esp. indoors.  Recycle and "boot-up") time isn't great either.  Some fuzzy pics indoors w/o flash.  The little wheel to turn it on / select mode is stiff.For all that - I just bought another for my daughter.  For price and quality I couldn't find anything close.  The 10X zoom was a big factor.  Lens quality.  Sound on the video (some in the price range had no sound).So - I like it; very often the biggest problem is behind the camera.  Some pics (more later) at [...]  My daughter's a better photographer; wait till I get hers up.KMC
very good camera, nice amount of features, the night mode could have been better,pictures show a high amount of detail even when using the optical zoom. The ability to choose color settings and the large display were greatly appreciated. Most ppl rated the camera lower than it deserves cause of the software it comes with but what they should realise is that use of the software is optional you can always use other programs to obtain your pics from the camera.
Ok, before I got this camera I put alot of thought in it. I had previously owned an Olympus c-720 which was dropped and broken at a club one night. This weekend was my second weekend in a row using the camera. It was great. You can view my pictures at [...] and [...] and view the pics from weekend 1/14/05 and above.Naturally when buying this camera I was looking for great zoom (10X is great for optical zoom) and good in low light conditions. I have seen a couple reviews where people have said it doesnt do well, but take a look at my pics, I beg to differ. I am in no way a professional photographer, so also keep that in mind. The battery life has been exceptional, I shot over 200 pics on Saturday night and did not even have a low battery warning, yet I used the LCD and flash all night.The only downfall I have seen to this camera is the redeye, but I have yet to find a camera that has great redeye reduction, in dark areas even more so.If you have any questions about this camera, feel free to email me at c_lisa28@hotmail.comI was torn between this one and the 7590 but the only difference I have seen is the 7590 is one mp higher...thats about it. For the $100 I say stay with the 6490, amazing camera!
I've had several digital cameras over the past few years and this one is by far the best.  I did lots of research before selecting the DX.  I was looking through Consumer Reports magazine and noticed that this particular model is the best they tested in the 4MP group.  The zoom is great, I took it to a basketball game and was able to take pictures of my friends way on the other side of the court.
The Kodak DX6490 is an amazing camera to use. For the price, far below other hi-end digital cameras such as Nikon and Canon, you get fine pictures, excellent control, features that allow you to treat the DX6490 like an old-fashioned SLR, and an effective lens whose clarity astonished me.From the hugh LCD readout, the the pop-up flash, I found the DX6490 easy to use. Unlike older digital cameras, the DX6490 has little lag time between the shutter button and the exposure.I found that when I set my ISO manually to 400, I could take pictures I only dreamed about with my older DC3400, capturing watersplashes, tightly focused portraits, and usable digital video.I bought a Kodak SD 256 card to go with the camera, having learned my lesson with my old 8 card for my DC3400. Of course, the DX6490 has an interal drive so you could use the camera without a card if need be.I was shocked pleasantly when I got home after a day of shooting and plugged my card into my computer and opened the pictures in Photoshop CS. I was thrilled by the detail, the range of lighting, the excellent contrast, and the work of the manual mode which froze motion like the best old Nikon.Some weak points: I am now tied to the Li-On battery instead of easily availible and cheap AA batteries.  Expect to use a tripod to get a sharp picture using the portrait mode and the 10X zoom together (but any serious photographer would expect the same from any camera).  The Camera is consumer oriented, with built in album naming and email capability which I know people might use. I would have prefered more battery power for extended use.On the whole, this is fine camera for a great price. I bought mine at Wal-Mart and I paid less for the DX6490 than any of the advertised prices on Amazon. Anyone interested in a controllable digital camera without taking out a second mortgage will find themselves more than pleased with the DX6490. How good is this camera?  My wife forgave me for buying it when she saw the pictures.
I think for just under $330 this is the best deal for such a high quality camera. Apart from taking still images you can also do movie recordings. We have a 512 MB SD card, which is good enough to take about 250+ pictures along with several short movie clips of 2-3 minutes (although the amount of movie you record is restricted by the size of your memory, so it could go as high as 1hr too if using a 1GB for example)The small disadvantage, a design consideration I would say, is that flash doesn't open atuomatically in dark, so if you forget you could miss a short.I see there are high praises for their newer version DX7590, so with the dropping prices, that seems to be a better deal.Just like to say that don't think a lot if you are researching to buy a camera, go for either a DX6490 or the DX7590, both are excellent.
There is a Kodak case made for the 6490. You can see it, under 'accessories' on the Kodak website. Cost is around $23 and it fits the camera perfectly (you remove the insert...it even has a little padded back to protect the viewing screen!). The case also has a special space for BOTH addtl. battery and SD card. Recommend getting the case. Very nicely made. Gives peace- of-mind to have it fit perfectly.
I just upgraded to this camera and I have been very pleased with it's performance.  I like the DX6490 because it is a nice even balance between "point & shoot" capability and added functionality for more adventurous photography.  I also picked up a lens adapter which allows me to utilize filters and different types of lens.  If you want a great camera that takes crisp, clean shots and has a variety of functionality, this camera is for you!The only downside is that it is somewhat bulky but, it's very lightweight which makes up for it.  I find it to be a nice compromise between a point & shoot and the large, very expensive digital slrs
If you are looking for a solid, inexpensive simple camera which makes good images, you won't go wrong with this one.
I've had this camera for 2 years this Christmas.  Overall, for the price it is pretty descent.  The biggest problem I have with it is that indoor pictures are always grayish, unless in a super bright area, with like flouresent lights!Outdoor pictures are great.  To sum it up, great for beginners, and very well lit outdoor settings.
Great camera, nice large screen, great resolution and color.Worst Software. I would not recommend this camera based solely on the software. But hardware of the camera is good quality and long lasting. awesome zoom lens.
I can't figure out if all the sellers are confused, or if they are intentionally trying to confuse all the buyers!  The DX6490 is now being sold two ways--with and without the dock.  The one you are looking at on this page has NO DOCK!  Thus, you will not be able to recharge your camera battery unless you also buy a dock, or buy the Kodak battery recharger kit for the type of Li-Ion battery enclosed with this camera.  The AC cord does not recharge the battery; it's just for saving battery life, which you will probably discover you don't need to do; the Li-Ion battery with this camera is better than any other camera batteries I've ever used.I believe they are selling it without the dock, for those who travel and prefer the battery recharger that fits right into a wall outlet. Or, even more likely, they want people to buy the PRINTER DOCK.  The printer dock recharges the battery, so you don't need the recharger dock that comes with this camera, if you buy the camera with a dock at the higher price.  The printer dock price has drastically dropped this month, which makes it more reasonable to buy this camera without the recharger dock, and then buy the printer dock.The only question is--why did the printer dock suddenly go way down in price?  My guess is Kodak is coming out with a new printer dock soon, or they are very concerned about the competition.  For example, Epson just released a printer that uses printer packs--paper and ink included--that sells for $200, as the Kodak printer dock did until this month.  The Epson is not a dock, but uses memory cards to print.  Their printer pack refill kit is like $4 more than the Kodak refill kit, but it makes 60 more 4x6 prints!So, you might keep that in mind when you are deciding what battery charger to get.  But this is a fabulous camera!  I've had it for 7 months, and believe there is none better.  If you want to read lots of reviews on the camera, just go to the page where the camera is selling with the dock.
I purchased this camera as an upgrade to another digital Kodak I picked up about 2 years ago. I loved the idea of the zoom & sports setting, because I attend many professional wrestling events a year. It's nice to be able to snap photos of my wrestling heroes in action & this camera allows it w/no blurring. Lighting @ the events is minimal, but every shot came out perfect when I used the flash setting. It is *so* simple to use it's unreal.I recommend picking up the largest SD capture card you can find. I use a 512mb SD card & it holds around 350 photos in the highest quality. I'm waiting for the SanDisk Ultra II 1GB card to come out, that'll be my next &quot;upgrade&quot;. Ultra has one of the fastest write speeds available & my dad has a Ultra CF for his Canon camera, it makes the unbearable &quot;pause&quot; time between photos vanish, so I look forward to buying that when it comes out in a few months.I picked up the EasyShare Printer along w/the camera & have already printed 50+ photos. The photos print crisp, clear, & look like they came from a professional lab. I highly recommend it along w/the camera, you'll love it. The prints come out *beautiful* when printed @ any size.My only worry was that the Printer refill packages would cost a lot more than taking the photos to the store for printing, but they cost around 30 cents a photo which is even better than most online printing sources.Just as I thought I couldn't live w/out my other Kodak, I have no idea how I'll live w/out this one.
But there isn't a user's guide, and I can't figure out how to use it.  It also has no "welcome kit" whatever that is, and there's no USB plug. I looked on a search engine and still couldn't find the instructions, so this camera is definitely not for someone who is new to digital cameras. Oh!  and it's very hard to turn on and off using that dial thing.  It should have an on/off button at least.  Very disappointed in this camera.
This camera has almost all the features someone would need in a camera. Where to start...okay lets start with the aesthetics. I chose this camera for its size, looks, and the way it felt in my hands. The camera looks like its ready to work and its size is big enough not to misplace but not too big that I wouldn't want to carry it. I also bought it for the different shooting modes (including the manual modes). There's the auto mode where the camera does all the work, the sport modes for action shots (I needed that for I have a 2 yr old), the portrait mode, the night mode and last but not least the P.A.S.M (manual) modes. There are three other features that can be used with each mode: close up, landscape, and burst. The Easyshare feature makes it easy to get the pictures from the camera to computer at the touch of a button. You can also designate what pictures you want to send in e-mail before you even transfer them to your computer. The LCD screen was the biggest and best on the market at that time (2.2 inch, high def). You can view your pics no matter what kind of light you're in. The pictures come out great if you let the camera do its job. Most of my pictures are frame-worthy and the colors are great. You can also set the color mode too. Plus the electronic viewfinder eliminates the image parallax problems, what you see is what you get...no chopped off heads!!! There are so many other features that I won't mention because this review is getting too long.As wonderful as this camera is, it is not without its flaws. The 4 megapixels can limit the size you can enlarge your pictures. There is no image stabilization at max zoom (not a major flaw as long as you let the camera focus on the subject). You can't adjust the JPEG compression (the new DX series camera have that option). Slow auto-focus in low light (sometimes has trouble focusing in very low light even with the flash operating if subject is a good distance away). All the flaws are defeatable if you take the time and learn the camera. Practice...Practice...Practice!!!All-in-all a wonderful product. If Kodak goes back and addresses the flaws AND contain the price point it would definately have the camera to beat. Put it like this...I would buy the new version in a heart beat.
Great Camera. You won't be disappointed!  I bought this camera new years ago. I still have it and I am thinking about buying a second as a spare. The video is kinda small but the pictures are incredible. I have sent some pictures in and had them blown up. They looked so good I could not believe it was a digital camera. This camera once sold for $600.00. The dock works great also. Kodak keeps its software updated. I just downloaded the newest update yesterday.
This camera developed an autofocus problem during warranty and was fixed.  The same problem developed out of warranty and the repair was quoted at $175.  Total garbage.  I'll never buy Kodak again.
I have had mine for 2 years, and never a problem. I've taken it out with me camping and hiking dozens of times, and while I take great care never to drop it it has bounced around in backpacks and is quite scuffed from use.It's easy, takes amazing pictures, and it's never malfunctioned on me. I've taken (and kept, at least) almost 5 GB worth of photos. It also takes newer large-capacity memory cards.ONE complaint I have is the way it turns on. It's on a wheel, which I find a touch annoying, and is fixed in newer versions.When I bought this camera it was $400, and worth it. THe fact that I see it for $175 here is a total steal - you won't regret it!!
This was my first digital camera so I didn't really know what to expect. I suppose my greatest hope was that it would take great quality pictures with little or no input from me.And it does a pretty good job of that, for what I have discovered is a really good price.The reasons it doesn't quite earn that fifth star are;1) The dial is pretty stiff2) Exposure and processing time is slow (don't have your one-year-old son do something cute or funny shortly after taking a photo. Make him wait five seconds.)3) Indoor shots without sufficient light are either blurred (if you don't use the flash) or have a very dark background (if you do).
I used this great camera for about 5 years before upgrading to a Nikon D90.  It did extremely well
Bought it for my daughters photography class. She loves it and the quality is awesome which encouraged her friends to buy one as well.
Let me start right out by saying that I had high expectations about the build quality and optical performance of the Kodak Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 0.7x Wide angle add-on lens after reading some of the other reviews, and this lens did not let me down!It's incredible!This converter lens is not even in the same class as some of the others that you will see out there.  First it is an extremely high quality 4-element design, and stays with a conservative 0.7 ratio.  Some others have fewer elements and try for much higher ratios like 0.5 or even 0.45 which limits their optical quality.The 0.7 ratio is just fine and actually makes more of a difference than you might think (the difference between about a 35mm and a 24.5mm equivalent lens).Here are a few things that haven't been noted by many reviewers:- YES you will ALSO need to buy a 55mm lens adaptor to use this lens with a Kodak z710 (or other Kodak cameras, make sure to get the correct 55mm lens adaptor for your camera).- YES you can ALSO use this lens with Panasonic FZ7, FZ8, FZ30 etc.  Just buy the standard Panasonic 55mm lens adaptor.  This is the same adaptor used for the 55mm ND filter and 55mm MC protector (not the plastic 52mm lens shade adaptor that comes with the camera).  The Kodak Schneider-Kreuznach 0.7 wide angle converter is half the cost of the Panasonic version, and in my opinion much higher quality.- The converter even works (and works incredibly well) on a Fuji S5200 camera.  In fact this the only camera of those I have listed that does NOT need any 55mm adaptor, the Schneider 0.7 converter lens just screws right on, and fits like a glove.Image detail is sharp down to the single pixel level from edge to edge (how much sharper does it need to be?).Chromatic Aberration is well controlled, with only slight purple fringing showing up in ultra high contrast scenes like sunlight through trees.There is a little barrel distortion, but it is relatively low for a wide-angle zoom lens.Are there any negatives?  Sure, nothing's perfect.This lens sets in front of your main lens so any slight imperfections are magnified if you zoom with it in place; plus it was optimized for wide angle; so you should not expect to use much of the full 10:1 or 12:1 zoom range of your camera with the converter lens in place.Technically this isn't really a big problem, because once you zoom up by about 1.5X you are back into your cameras main zoom range, and can just remove the converter to cover this range.Note that the Panasonics FZ series Lumix cameras disable all zooming (and set to the camera to the maximum wide setting) as soon as you tell the camera that it is using a wide-angle-converter lens.  The reason Panasonic gives for this is to insure optimum image quality.  You could bypass this by not using the 'converter' menu setting on the FZ cameras, but then the image stabilization will not be recalibrated to allow for the 0.7 factor and will not work as well.  Since this limitation still applies with the twice-as-expensive Panasonic version, the Kodak Schneider-Kreuznach version is still a bargain on this camera. (even as a fixed focal length wide angle)Another issue is that the typical `super-zoom' camera (Kodak z710, Panasonic FZ7, or Fuji s5200), has a very complex zoom lens with a dozen or more optical elements, and with this add-on lens you are adding another 4 elements, so if you shoot towards the sun you have to be a little more careful about lens flare and reflections (sometimes they look really cool, but usually you are going to want to avoid them).The quality of the multicoatings on the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 0.7x look about as good as any I have seen on any lens, so they did what they could to avoid these reflections, but they do show up under extremely bright contrasty conditions like shooting towards the sun (even without the converter lens, you can get some reflections under these conditions).If you avoid these extreme situations, you will get perfectly clear images that look incredible, so I don't want to make this seem like more of an issue than it is, but it is something to consider so you won't be disappointed the first time you run into it.If I had one wish-list item, it would be for someone to offer a custom four-lobe flower petal style wide-angle lens shade for this lens (or even better for Kodak to supply one with the lens).For those that haven't read the other reviews, there is also a problem with this lens while using the camera's built in pop-up flash, because the Kodak Schneider-Kreuznach 0.7 converter lens is so large that it's front partially blocks the pop-up flash leaving a shadow in the image.Since I mentioned a few other cameras that this converter lens can be used with, I thought that I had better also mention that even though the lens will indeed work very well with these other cameras (Fuji s5200, Panasonic FZ series), ALL of them will ALSO suffer from the same flash shadow issues.One admittedly kludgy solution, is to rig a small piece of foil about 4 inches square in front of the camera's pop-up flash at a 45 degree angle, so the flash gets bounced up off the ceiling.  It takes some tinkering to get this to work, and obviously the trick won't work outside or with a dark colored ceiling, but with a little fiddling, I found that by bouncing the flash off the ceiling, I could get around the dreaded lens shadow problem.  You loose a lot of flash power, but at ISO 200 or 400 you can still light things up pretty well with this trick out to a distance of several feet.For more flash range, there are fairly reasonably priced slave flashes you can use to add an external flash to a point and shoot type camera that does not have a hot-shoe (search Amazon for "Cameta Digital Slave Flash").  Be sure to check the specs of the flash you plan to buy to make sure it can properly slave trigger from the funny double flash that most digital cameras generate and can go nice and WIDE to cover this lens.  Also, be aware that even a fairly powerful external flash may not completely drown out the shadow from the camera's pop-up flash (which unfortunately must still fire to trigger the slave).  The solution to this, once again, is to rig a little piece of foil or something similar on the cameras pop-up flash to direct it upward or to the side, so it can still trigger the slave but won't add it's own partially shadowed contribution in the forward direction.  I know this may be more bother than some are willing to go through, but using a powerful external flash in bounce mode gives much better flash pictures anyway, so this is a good option if you really need to take ultra wide flash shots with this lens.Despite the lack of the lens shade, and the flash issues, I have really been pleased with this lens's overall performance, and can highly recommend it to anyone who would like nice wide angle performance.
I ourchased this lens for my P850 Kodak camera to expand my wide-angle viewing options. I have had other Kodak lenses for an eariler camera, and was very happy with them. While not a fisheye lens (and therefore not allowing for fisheye effects), the lens definitely increases the field of view dramatically. Pictures taken with the lens are very sharp with no distortion, as sometimes happens with accessory lenses. The only issue I have had is the lens does add weight and bulk to the camera while in use, but it is well worth it for wide shots.
This wide angle lens is made for certain Kodak Cameras.  I am very happy with the price and the high quality of lens.  I would buy again if needed.
The adapter for Kodaks P712 telescopic and wide angle lenses is easy to use and has a nice sleek look, making the lens appear "one" with the camera. I highly reccomend both the camera and the lenses, they have made an incredible differance in my pictures. What I like best about these Kodak products is that they are very easy to use, the best point and shoot digital cameras out there as far as ease and quality.
I bought this to use to take some interior room pictures for a website. What I discovered is that I couldn't use the flash with this lens installed on my Kodak Z650 because the lens covered the lower part of the flash. After changing the camera settings, I took the pics without flash anyway but lighting is critical. Just be aware you may need additional lighting for inside shots.
I have the Kodak Z740 and you can't use the built in flash when using this lens. It may be the same for other models too. Update: after becoming very familiar with the Kodak Z740 camera, it seems this lens does not work with flash. But it takes great photos and you can easily fill in flash with any editing software. I emailed Kodak about this and asked why doesn't the popup flash work with this lens but I got no response. I only see my review here. Apparently some of you do not agree with my review but no one is writing anything. I'd like to learn more and hear other's opinions on how they use this lens without the flash option.
Used  for wide angle pictures for my old Kodak P712 camera. Currently camera and accessories are used for back up use.
Excellent optic. About the widest angle you can get without Fish Eye Effect. Requires an additional adapter on most cameras.It will NOT work with the flash units built into most cameras. In fact almost nothing that attaches to the front of the camera will work with the built in flash or the secondary focusing system. This is so large it might cause shadows with some Shoe mount flash units depending on the unit and settings.You need to reprogram the Focus system on most cameras so that all focusing is done Thru The Lens. (TTL Focus.) For many models this means you have to dig in the camera settings and find the Accessory Lens item. Turn that on. For some reason Kodak didn't put this with the rest of the Focus controls in some cameras.These limitations apply to most lenses, hoods, and filters, especially on cameras that need an adapter to mount them.Keep the lens capped on both faces and in its bag whenever is it not in use. The front glass is only barely behind the rim and would be easily damaged.Using large amounts of Zoom with this lens can produce some unexpected results. Depending on the camera, you may not be able to zoom in very much at all before odd things start to happen to the images. Make sure you play with it before doing anything important. Some effects may be interesting and useful.
I purchased this lens for a Kodak P712.  It works well both indoors and outdoors.  It does require an adapter, but this was readily available through Amazon.
This item will work just fine on any camera with 55mm threaded lenses. I'm using it on a FZ50 and it gives me a 24.5mm equivalent wide angle. I'm extremely happy.
Great lens - superior quality. Using it on my FZ50 and works great. Contrary to previous reviews, no adapter needed - screws directly in the lens (55mm). You certainly need to unscrew the filter if you have placed one on your existing lens. Leave your lens on the widest setting!Your build in flash will not work if you change the camera settings to wide lens. This means that you also have no slave flash working. Only option is an external flash on the shoe. Be careful, I tried a lot of brands and actually nothing works properly except the olympia flash 36 and 50. They are compatible to Panasonic TTL cameras and much cheaper. I tried to use the lens without changing the settings on the camera and the flash certainly works just fine - including the slave. The picture quality is great even without changing the settings to wide angle lens.Results with this lens are incredible. A much wider range in highest quality - okay it is a Zeiss even if it is made in Japan - super quality.It comes with good lens covers and a black nice looking pouch.Great buy and a very good price for this high quality lens. Impossible to do without. Finally everyone on the table is on my pictures....
The lens looks like it is nicely made. It is a bit heavy, and since you have to attach it to the camera with the Kodak lens adapter, it makes the camera front heavy. The lens is only .7x, but it does add noticable width to your wide angle pictures.
Well, this lens does work wonderfully to expand your angle for better shots, but if you don't have good lighting, you end up with pictures that are worthless.  I suggest never using this in poor indoor lighting as the flash that comes on the DX6490 does not clear the top of the wide angle lens and therefore becomes useless.  Best for outdoor shots or areas where overhead and backlighting are sufficient enough to take pictures without the use of a flash.  Plan ahead before just attatching the lens and taking pictures.  Also remember that because you can't use the flash option, you will need to stabilize the camera better to avoid blurry shots.  Otherwise, this lens is excellent.  It fits easily into my camera bag, is simple to attach (with the lens converter of course) and takes great shots without the fisheye effect.  Other than the inability to use my flash with the lens, I think it is great!
I am pleased with the purchase of the wide angle lens for my Kodak DX-7590 digital camera.  BUT! I am disappointment that the lens can not be used with the cameras built-in flash it, produces a shadow.  Kodak does not offer an external flash for the DX7590.
Works very well with my Z612 Kodak.  Not sure about the technical terms but field of view is noticeably increased with little, if any, distortion.  As with the telephoto, images are sharp and bright.  Quality lens.
the lens is sharp to the edges without distortion.  sharp, sharp, sharp!  excellent all glass quality, and it looks neat.  people stop to ask me about it (i do scenery shooting) and it looks impressive.as with any large lens, it partly covers the cameras built in flash.  the flashes on any camera would not brighten the wide view anyway.  the camera's normal built in wide angle is wide enough for indoor shots.in sum, love the lens and it is a great price!  great Kodak quality.
I did tons of research on this item before purchasing and found over and over again the concensus was the lens was not to be used with the built-in flash. I whole-heartedly agree. This lens is great for daytime shots, but don't even bother at night unless you have a hand-held flash to use. Using a photo editing software will not compare to just buying a hand-held flash and making the photos work right from the start. I don't understand why Kodak even bothers to push this lens for cameras that you can't use the full functionality with. They say nothing on their own site about the flash issues, so you wouldn't know unless you did the research yourself. Great lens, just do yourself a favor and get a separate flash!
Received the lens in record time; was really happy to get it so quickly.  As for the lens, all I had to do was get a reducer from 58mm to 55mm and I was on my way to some fabulous photographs.  I'm one happy customer.
I was looking for a wide angle lens for my Panasonic FZ-50 camera. Alot of Lenses are pretty expensive, but this one is really nice for the price.Take it and you wont regret it!
this lens creates better pictures when big space and not enough space to step back and take a picture,it makes the image small enough to capture more.. thank you, no issues here
Now I'm improve my close up photos. You can't use your built in flash when you use this wide angle (it's a normal situation). I have a DX6490 and I have a poweful package now. Please, don't forget the lens adapter.
This is a quality lens and works seamlessly with the P850. Camera focus and exposure work well with it. One neat thing is that if you do not zoom the built in camera zoom you get a picture bordered with the  round barrel of the lens framing the shot. It is heavy so will need a monopod or tripod to get quality shots.
Was just what I was looking for in trying to get photos taken from a greater distance to be nice and clear. Highly recommended.
A photo is worth thousand words. Anybody got some sample images to post here ?
It's small enough and light enough to carry with you on a trip. It's sturdy enough to do the job. I plan to use it for two purposes during my travels in Europe - photography and plein air painting. My small painting box has a tripod connection and this tripod will support it while I paint.
This is the best and lightest camera tripod I have ever owned.  It's sturdy enough; and extends tall enough, to serve all my photographic needs.  It's incredibly compact when folded.
I'll admit I was skeptical of paying $120+ for such a tiny tripod, but my skepticism was unfounded.  This tripod is great.  I just returned from 10 days in Eastern Europe and the compact size and ultra-light weight of this tripod made it perfect for the killer stairs of the Prague Castle.  The legs deploy and collapse with a simple twist and the unit feels very solid considering its light weight.  I was shocked to see guys walking around with full-sized tripods, I can only imagine what a pain that was.One recommendation: pick up theVelbon QRA-3 - Quick release adapter, as manually fastening the camera to the tripod for each use will get old quickly.  I just ordered mine from B&H; PhotoVideo (about $30 w/shipping).  There are other quick-releases out there, but the velbon unit weighs just 2 oz and should compliment the tripod well.
I bought this tripod right before a 12 day trip to China.  It was light and compact, but very sturdy and versatile.  I took group pictures on the Great Wall (go to Mutianyu site outside Beijing-tram to get up to the wall, toboggan slide back to the tour bus-awesome!), night photos in Xian (Gold and Silver pagodas).  Steady as a rock, quick to compact down, it held my Nikon dSLR and zoom lens without any fear of camera being too heavy.  I've been looking for a ultracompact tripod for travelling and such and this is THE one!
Excellent tripod which is very compact and also easy to extend and set-up.
This is a quick, easy to use tripod that is well built and remarkable stable, ultra light tripod.  It is the best for the wilderness traveler who requires light weight dependable equipment.
I'm fairly new to the world of photography and I needed a tripod that was relatively inexpensive.  My other primary concern was that it's light and folds up small.  I was planning on taking this tripod with me hiking and travelling so it needed to easily fit into my backpack and shouldn't add too much weight.  After reading some reviews of the more inexpensive brands, I decided to spring for it and spend the money on this Velbon.Sturdiness:Very sturdy, even with extension arm.  Wind really wasn't a problem at all and never did I feel like it was going to collapse under the weight of my dSLR.Portability:This is where this tripod really shines.  Folded up, it's a little over 1 foot long.  It fits across the bottom of my backpack with ease, takes up no space at all.  It's also very light, I really don't notice a difference on my back when it's in the bag and when it's out of the bag.Height:To be honest, I wish it unfolded just a few inches taller.  It comes up to about my chest (neck if the extension arm is extended).  That can make composing hard shots sort of a pain on the back, but for it's folded size, it's a concession I'm glad to makeEase of use:The ultra maxi both shines and falters here.  The twist lock motion of the legs took a few days to get used to, but once I got the hang of it, it was incredibly easy to use.  Just 4 clicks when twisting one way unlocks, 4 clicks the other way locks. VERY nice, VERY simple (once you get used to it).  The real setback of this tripod is the included head.  First, the lack of quick release is a REAL hindrance.  I found myself not using it sometimes because I didn't feel like screwing/unscrewing my camera onto it.  I'm also always afraid I'm going to drop the camera during this process.  Once I did get it screwed on, the ball and socket were hard to adjust.  In essense, you can only adjust one tilt plane at a time (first, you have to adjust the forward/backward tilt, rotate the ball socket, then adjust the left/right tilt.  This was sincere pain.So in conclusion, I'm very happy with this purchase.  I'll probably be replacing the head with a quick release version that's also easier to adjust, but all in all, I'm glad I spent the money (it was a little out of my budget).
This is a replacement battery for my sons camera and it works perfect. He lost the first one.
GREAT BUY! Item works well when used as instructions tell you how to use it! Price was far below other dealers!
I have purchased batteries online for several years and they have always been economical and lasted as long as the batteries from the cell phone carriers. Excellent customer service and sent in a timely manner.
This battery saved me the cost of buying a new camera for my wife, who had been sure the problems she was having with her Casio EXILIM EX-Z750 were being  caused by the camera. Before putting out big money for a  new camera, I ordered this battery and Poof, my wife's camera was back to to it's old working condition.Shipment was quick and the price was very reasonable.
So far the replacement battery is performing well. Do not know if it will have the same lifetime as the original.
This tiny battery (weighing about 1 oz.) can power an Exilim Z-series camera for a long time.  Casio has done an excellent job.  This is the official Casio battery (made in China) and it's always a good idea to get a second battery as backup.
Casio NP-40 Battery for EXILIM Camera is a great product.  The vendor was easy to work with and the product was shipped securely and quick.  It has a great battery life.
It works, so far.  So I love it.  Only had it a month. What more can I say about a battery?
After reading all the negative reviews about knock-off NP-40s I spent the extra on this one.  All I can say is that it works perfectly and lasts much longer than my old battery.  Win Win if you ask me.
whats to say about a battery.  It fits, it works, in other words it does just what it is supposed to do
I have had problems in the past locating this battery locally.  Was glad to find it at a lower price than previously paid.
MY CAMERA HAD OTHER ISSUES OTHER THAN THE BATTERY SO I AN'T SAY ITS THE BATTERIES FAULT. CASIO IS AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT AND I'LL USE IT AGAIN FOR OTHER ELECTRONICS I HAVE.
At first, my camera wasn't taking very good pictures. On top of that, most of the pics were coming out blurry. On a pure hunch, I tried replacing my camera battery. Wow, what a difference!!! I could not be happier with my photos. I found this battery for a price well below what I would have paid at the camera shop. So, al in all, I'm extremely happy I didn't throw my camera away.
This is a spare battery, but you might not need it.  The original battery last a good long time, but if you are going to be away from a charger for a while, these are a good idea.
If you can spring for it, the brand name battery is the one to get, because then there won't be any question as to whether you can depend on it or not. Buy a generic, and who knows where it came from, or what it's really made of. This Casio NP40 is the one to get. As far as performance, this battery has endurance..........400+ shots with a full charge.
It was exactly what I wanted.  The original battery (which came with my camera) was no longer holding its charge.  This one kept its charge for over 2 weeks during the holidays.  I'm VERY happy I bought it!
It is always a bit of a leap of faith, buying batteries. The descriptions make them all look excellent. However, in buying this battery, I found that you pretty much get the capacity you pay for. The cheapies turn out to have half, or a quarter, of the capacity of the genuine article. This one is for real, has a capacity (and external appearance) indistinguishable from the battery that came in the box with the camera and has lasted dozens and dozens and dozens of charge cycles, with no sign of flagging.
Seller (it did not come from Casio directly) was fast to ship and the battery was exactly what I needed, however, the battery was already very old because it does not hold a charge for two weeks without getting a low battery signal. And this is just with a few pictures taken. This battery is actually worse than the one I was replacing.
These batteries are great. Our camera was deead & I didn't think I'd find the ones we needed. Amazon always comes through & has want we want.
First Impression: Well, it's a battery.Usage: Works well.  Holds the charge like it's supposed to.  For the most part, I've gotten to about 150-200 pictures per charge.  It should be of note that I almost always leave the screen on, and I have a habit of leaving the camera on when I'm not using it.  No problems so far.Overall:  Nothing too special.  This is a battery for an older camera, so if any of your friends has a battery/camera that lasts longer per charge than you, just take that into account.  It works well, but as I've said twice now -- it's a battery.
Purchased for backup to other brand based on specs. Does physically fit in camera, but it's tight. Have to use pocketknife to pry it out.Recharge life is limited. Price was fair for the quality and it keeps me from loosing critical pics when the original battery is discharged.Not the greatest battery but I can add this Casio spec to the list of batteries that can be used as a substitute in my PIXPRO AZ361
Old Casio battery died because of over charging (read directions). This battery works good as new and arrived just in time for vacation.
like the reviewers have said, did not fit properly in my camera so I would not recommend this item  .
This battery was the exact match for my Exilim EX-Z750 camera and works perfect.  Don't mess with generic brands that may or may not work when you can have this original equipment battery at such a great price.
I am using this in my casio Exilim 6 MP camera.SO far there is no problems with the battery.
The battery did not work and wouldn't take a charge. I've returned it for a refund. That's all there is, there isn't any more.
although terminals are spaced the same as a genuine NP-40 -- this replacement battery is about twice as thick as the genuine battery and won't fit in my camera battery socket -->>a shame since shipping was very prompt and price was excellent
I loved this filter so much that I will recommended to all my friends, I didn't expect this product to be so clear when I look at the moon and Jupiter the other night I can see more details with this filter
This filter takes the glare off the moon, enabling me to look for as long as I like with comfort and without the temporary loss of vision in that eye when I look away from the eyepiece. I consider this a must for anyone who wants to study the moon in detail. I hadn't intended to use it on the planets but one night I went from the moon to mars without removing it and I was surprised that it actually allowed me to see more details, such as the polar caps. Well worth the 16.00.
Meade Series 4000 Filter: ND96, This is a Quality product,  an an important piece to add, to anyone that wants a clear view of the moon.  I recommend this Seller - Meade
The filter is well made, high quality glass and threaded both sides but for an 8&#34; or bigger telescope this filter is still not dark enought to watch the full moon confortably, I think for larger telescopes a variable polarizing filter will be better.On planets it helps to get more contrast. On jupiter for example I'm able to see more surface details that without filter.I definately would recommend this product but for smaller telescopes, for 8&#34; or bigger get the variable polirizing filter.
The moon is very bright when viewing thru my C8-SGT scope.  I find this filter an absolute requirement for prolong studing of the moon and looking at details.I use this filter on both my stratus, Meade 5000, and Expl. Sc. EP.  Works great!
Filter works as advertised. It's a standard 13% filter. I did not see the need to spend more for the same filter in another brand. It is quality built and comes in a small protective plastic case. I can now view the moon with ease.
This is not too bad for moon observation.It reduces glare of moon as well, easy on your eye, especially for long continuous observation.It may be worth the item price.
As soon as I got this my life as an intermediate amateur astronomer changed.  It has an easy to use eyepiece with a wide lens to look through, not one of those tiny little holes you might have used. It also zooms easily between the powers that I use with my Meade EC 125 AT UHC 5 inch reflecting telescope.  I am using it right now as the only lens I need.  I was just so happy to find a zoom lens at a reasonable price.  The zoom feature does not move quite as easily as some of my Canon zoom lenses for cameras, but I have gotten used to it and just zoom it in and out carefully.  Using it does not seem to affect my tracking drive.  I had been worried some about that.  The other great thing about this zoom is that I have to do very little refocusing.  I tend to use the lower level magnifications to spot the objects I am looking for easily and then zoom in on them gradually. It worked especially well for viewing Jupiter.  Much, much better than having several separate lenses.  With those I had to do a tremendous amount of refocusing.
The image quality degrades in the 8-11mm range but hey! that's the trade off for using a zoom eyepiece.  The convenience of being able to change the magnification  when casually viewing makes the device well worth the price.
If you want a first line  zoom eyepiece you must buy this one. It's not so expensive and do the job perfectly.
I bought this eyepiece because it was cheaper than other similar eyepieces.  Buy cheap and get cheap (I heard that somewhere) is very true in this case.The eyepiece performs well at the lower power 24mm focal length.  The gas bands on Jupiter stand out well and the moons are sharp points of light.  At the higher power 8mm focal length, slight re-focusing is necessary but most if not all detail is lost in &#34;fuzziness&#34; and the moons are no longer sharp points.  Performance of the eyepiece between the focal lengths is mediocre to say the best.The &#34;seeing&#34; at the time was not the best, but a similar 7mm eyepiece performed much better than the Zoom eyepiece at high power.I don't recommend this eyepiece for any serious star gazing.  There must be better zoom eyepieces in the market.
Over 30 years in amature astronomy and I just assumed that zoom eyepieces were junk. I found out that isn't necessarily the case with the Meade 8-24mm zoom.No...it isn't perfect and may make purists frown, but the convenience of not constantly switching eyepieces cannot be overstated. A very slight yellowish fringe may be noticed on the moon using my 5 and 6 inch SCTs if you're really looking for it..nothing horrible especially for a zoom eyepiece, and slight refocusing may is necessary as you go through the zoom range.Optically, it's as good as any 6-12mm orthoscopic or 8mm RKE eyepieces that I used to own on the planets and moon. The deep eyecup is very comfortable, but will fog up sometimes on cold nights. Not overly heavy either for those of us who don't care to use the heavy eyepieces with fancy names prolific nowadays.The field of view will be slightly smaller at 24mm that most single length eyepieces but I'm using a focal reducer with my SCT so I'm still getting a sufficiently wide view for my needs.All in all, a decent eyepiece, and very convenient to use. I'd buy again and recommend.
I have used this in several 'scopes, including a little Orion Skyscanner 100mm Dob, a 90mm Mak, and an Orion 6&#34; Dob. With all of these, the Meade has proven itself a versatile observing accessory. MUCH less time spent in-and-outing of eyepieces. You can run the Meade up and down, expand the FOV or close in for a tighter view until you find that sweet spot somewhere in the 8-24 range. Images are sharp, resolution very good. A quality piece
I bought this eyepiece after quite a bit of research. I can say I'm not dissappointed. It is quality built and provides great views at all magnifications, there is some slight refocusing required. I mainly use it as a spotter piece and swap out to a fixed power piece after I've found something that gets my attention.
I bought this eyepiece to go along with my Celestron Nexstar 4se telescope.  I couldn't be any happier with it.  It gives fantastic views and its really nice not having to worry about swapping out eyepieces all the time.
I won't echo the praises in other reviews that helped me select this lens as my next purchase.  I'm just an amateur who has taken a few classes; not a pro.  A lifetime Pentax person, I took some awesome wildflower shots recently with my 50 mm Pentax Macro lens.  Just from a few test photos in my office and yard, I can say witut doubt that this lens BLOWS AWAY anything else I own for close-up shots (even with the FLASH at close quarters!).  If you squeeze the trigger while the camera and le in focus, you have a "keeper," every single time.  And, yes, most of the time you really WANT to focus manually, though the auto-focus does a great job if you are willing to let it occasionally "rack" all the way back and forth.  A lens like THIS is what I've been craving for my wildflower photos, as well as insects and other subjects that need REAL ONE TO ONE treatment.  The only thing is that, because it zeroes in so closely, (unless you have steady hands,) you usually want the stabilization of a monopod or tripod for your best shot.BE GLAD you aren't paying the extra price of Image Stabilization IN EVERY LENS.  That is what I call the Pentax Advantage (what do you think of Nikon and Canon, NOT putting the stabilization in the camera body, but making you pay for that decision by THEM CHARGING YOU WITH $50 extra FOR EVERY LENS?)!  Plus those cameras feel like they are ALL PLASTIC, and Pentax has the heft of professional-grade equipment, with a durable machined-metal shell.  This Pentax K20 camera is quality equipment, as well as the Tamron lens - and they are a great combo.  I urge you to BUY THIS LENS!  I don't think you'll regret the decision to buy, and Amazon is a trusted source, not a flea market.  I don't trust "vendors" who offer stuff that is just hitting the market, and ask for less than wholesale:  I smell a scam!  Do what you want; I trust Amazon.
I truly love this lens its just amazing.  The image quality produced is simply incredible although the build quality isn't the best is sure can withstand some abuse.  The front lens element is a couple inches inside the barrel of the lens which i find great because it protects the lens from potential damage and there are practically never any flares so you don't need  the included hood making the lens more compact. The weight of the lens is just right not to heavy to make it a burden to carry around but not too light as for it to feel that it was made cheaply.
I thought I was buying the latest Tamron 90mm Macro with VC (Vibration Compensation) but I was looking for a bargain and found the lowest price.  This lens is about $200 less than the newer VC model so be careful what you are buying.I tested the handheld capability of the lens to see if the common butterfly or flower shot would work well enough without the tripod.  I would say that one in ten shots were acceptably sharp.  Not great if you are only given a very limited opportunity.  I am a firm believer in using a tripod and own three of them.  Sometimes though, a tripod is not appropriate when you are chasing down some critter to take it's portrait!  LOL  Nonetheless, this is a great lens that will serve it's purpose and save the $200.
This lens is working out to be very useful for macro and portrait pictures. It is nice and light after my older lenses too.
I love this lens.  It takes great close up photos, very sharp!  I bought it for my Sony a350.
Tamron 90mm is an incredibly sharp lens and may be compared with the best Nikor lenses available in the market. It is a beautiful looking lens (although Sigmas are more so) and has an average weight, which means it is a good carry-around lens. Macro focuses at 5.6f which is just what is required.The only pain with this lens is that it is very slow and very noisy. You cannot just wait around for years when there is a good photo op. But it is very easy to handle hence you need to practice manual focusing for better results. It gives out a lovely, colourful bokeh.For it's price it is the best lens I know of.
I picked up the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 1:1 macro lens while the Tamron $50 rebate is still in effect (good through the end of year). I am pretty much limited to lenses that are $500 or less, and have a Nikon D5000, so I was interested in a lens with a focusing motor. This lens, after rebate, was just over $400. One of the things that I wanted was to use the lens for indoor photos of school plays and the like, so I wanted it to be as bright as possible. I don't currently have a macro lens, so that was a plus -- although I am not really into macro photography, and have theKenko DG Auto Extension Tube Set for the Nikon AF Mount.that have met what little need I have for such things so far.I am very favorably impressed with many aspects of this lens. It is sharper and brighter than theNikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameraswhich was also in my price-range. It is just about as sharp as a lens can possibly be. Its color rendition, contrast, and bokeh are very pleasing. The motor is not silent, but close enough for me. The speed of focus is adequate for my purposes -- I don't do sports shooting and the like. Truth to tell, I don't have the chops for anything that won't sit still for me to figure out what I need to do.Two aspects of the lens were disappointing, however. First, there is a lot more chromatic aberration (CA) than I was expecting, especially given SlrGear's assessment of CA on this lens. I use the auto-lateral CA removal with Capture NX2 and I never see any CA after that on any other lens I own -- even those that are known for their tendencies in this direction (my other lenses include the Tokina 12-24 f/4 DX II and theNikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras). This lens, however, showed very obvious CA, especially wide open, even after removing lateral CA. The good news is that I am able to fully remove the CA using Capture NX2's axial CA removal slider. I just wasn't expecting to have to.Second, the clearance distance between the subject and the lens at 1:1 is stunningly short. Because the lens is recessed into its housing, at 1:1 the front of the lens housing is not much more than one inch from the focal point. I was expecting much better working distances from a 90mm lens. Macro isn't that important to me, so this isn't that big a deal. But, if I were actually caught up in macro (which I imagine the target market is) this lens would make me uncomfortable for that use. And it would not be possible to add one of the Kenko extenders to increase the magnification of this lens.Overall, I am quite happy so far with this lens. It is a very good bargain. But it is not an unalloyed blessing.
This lens is a terrific value. I shopped around for months looking at Sigma, Tamron, Nikkor 50MM+ trying to balance value, construction, and usefulness to me. I eliminated the 50-60mm macro lenses as I would like to do some macro photography of bugs like dragon flies and butterflies which tend to become a little skittish when you are 2 inches away from them understandably so. The 90-110 range offers some choices so I went to a local camera store and tried them out. Based on build quality, price, and preliminary results I fell for the Tarmon 90mm f2.8.The lens is fairly fast especially in this price range and offers a beautiful bokeh and sharp image. I have been using it for about 7 months now and have no regrets at all. I get so much use for this and even use it for portraits and night photos. I was able to get some fairly sharp images of Holiday lights hand held something that would be impossible with a kit lens. Really a very useful lens to have in your kit.The auto focus may sometimes hunt a little but I have had this happen on every lens I have tried and it is no better or worse in my opinion it just depends on what you are shooting the good thing about this lens is how quickly and easily you can switch from Auto focus to Manual focus and back again with the override.
I heard many good things about this lens before I made up my mind to get it, and I'm glad I did. Very nice, sharp, contrasty and good colors. It's definately worth the price.Update: 2012 This is my most used lens and I still love it. I fell into a brook with this lens on my camera and it still works! It look a while to work the sand out but it's fine and quality has not suffered! This is a well built lens, worth every penny.
Awesome macro and portrait lens. Great alternative to Nikon 105mm. I mainly use this for shooting flower's insects and bugs and portraits. I'm very pleased with this lens and it suits my needs. Although it's not that great built vs the nikon 105mm. It still gives you an outstanding result.
We'll see if it (satisfaction) lasts long.  I pulled this out of the box today and started snapping.  I figured a few pictures could do it justice better than a review from me.  These were taken on a D5100 - they're not great photos as far as photos goes, but for lens testing, it'll give you an idea:imageshack.com/a/img21/5691/kavg.jpgimageshack.com/a/img33/1733/i8um.jpgimageshack.com/a/img27/1876/ohpc.jpgimageshack.com/a/img203/9673/tahx.jpg
This lens is incredibly sharp as all good lenses should be. It is a little slow to focus, but I haven't used a macro lens that isn't. The secret is to use the focus limiter switch.
I would not hesitate to buy another non-Pentax, Pentax-compatible lens.  This lens captures amazing portraits; and once I got used to using a prime lens, I tended to leave it on the camera.
I usually only buy Pentax lenses.  This was my first journey into going with Tamron and I could not be happier!  This is a quality lens and you can feel it's solid.  It has nice front and back covers and a high quality case.  As far as how it works--well I have no complaints!  It focuses right up and I love playing with it not only for macro but also for just regular shots of various subjects.  I will definitely buy from Tamron again!
Since it is only have the price, and almost as good quality as its similar Nokia lens, I recommend it.
Like many folks, I read the near legendary level ratings on this lens and finally took the leap as I would be able to compare it side by side with a Nikon 105 2.8. I bought the lens from KEH.com for just 329.00, second hand but in like new condition. This is the DI model which is supposed to be optimized for digital. Some people who have the older version claim there is little or no difference between them.Sharpness:The Tamron 90 will give you incredible sharpness. I believe it's my sharpest lens easily a match for my 1700 dollar 70-200 VR at 90mm. It's sharper than the Nikon 105 2.8Color:Simply faultless. Again, this lens is astounding in color rendition. Skin tones are fantastic.Bokeh:Again, this lens rivals my more expensive zoom, though I slightly prefer the bokeh on the 70-200. The Tamron is far superior to the Nikon 105 Micro for out of focus rendering.Handling:The lens hood is a bit awkward to get on and off. The auto/manual mode is a push-pull slide color. It works, but it's easy to slip it into either mode by accident. The focus limit switch is a dial, which is odd. Manual focus is excellent on this lens. The lens is mostly plastic and doesn't feel as solid as the Nikon 105, but I hear no stories of the Tamron falling apart either.Overall:The Tamron beats Nikon's entry in every area, except build. The Tamron is sharper and has better bokeh. As a portrait lens it does a very good job, though ultimate sharpness is not always desired in model work or even candids. A lot depend on your style. There are certainly lenses like the Nikon 85mm 1.4 which will probably be more flattering to a face. For macro work the Tamron makes no excuses. It focuses down 1:1 nicely and my macro shots have been impressive from the start. Keep in mind that the Tamron 90 is only a 2.8 when shooting objects around 10 feet or further away. Otherwise expect apertures in the 3+ range. This is probably the best macro lens available in the 90-150mm range. I've yet to see any portrait shots from the new Nikon 105mm VR than are it's equal. I give this lens my highest rating.Capt RB
Wow, all i have to say is Wow!!!!!.  I have never, ever, ever gotten the results that I get with this lens with any of my &#34;normal&#34; lenses.  I had a friend that got this lens and let me use it.  I went twice to a tropical garden here in town where they have a butterfly building, what great images I am getting.  I am a professional photographer but I am getting also a Fine Arts degree in photography.  I used this lens for a couple of my assignments.  What an incredible lens.
The lens is just what I was looking for to accomplish my new interest in macro photography.It is light, easy to use, and delivers the  desired results.
I have never been dissapointed with a Tamron purchase. I am not dissapointed now either! Crisp, clear photos. I do prefer the lens for portrait type shots more than true macro shots - but that is solel about preference. Don't hesitate - BUY IT!
I bought this lens based upon Amazon reviews, and I was not disappointed; it has exceeded my expectations in studio photography applications.  The lens body is plastic and the AF/MF selection on the lens takes a little getting used to, but these characteristics are not of practical consequence in my applications.  I use manual focus exclusively with this lens.The low f/2.8 provides a narrow depth of field and great bokeh with reduced light, while with high strobe levels, higher depth of field can be obtained in macro shots.  I've had great results in jewelry and portraiture photography with this lens, a great deal especially with the $50 rebate until 12/31.
Right out of the box I was impressed. Many reviews I had read said it felt lightweight or had a plastic feel compared to the Nikkor 105mm.  I don't know about that but it feels great to me. While this may not be as heavy as the Nikkor it felt right and looked good straight away. I have always used Nikon lenses (other than a Sigma 10-20mm I have, another great lens) so I do think twice about anything other than Nikkors. I am not disappointed with this Tamron. It is pin sharp, feels nice in the hand on the camera (D300) and the manual focus slide control works smoothly. For macro you do need manual focus. A review I read somewhere said it was slow to focus and sounded noisy. Can't agree. Maybe it is not as fast as the Nikkor (I have not tested the Nikkor) but this lens focuses fast enough at longer ranges. No different to other lenses I use in term of speed in focusing, that I can notice. And I don't find it noisy. And what a deal with $90 off thru April. I am critical about my lenses and would not have a poor quality lens in my bag. Makes a nice portrait lens. Don't hesitate - get it now.
I spent a month or two researching macro lenses before finally settling with the tamron 90mm, and I really couldn't be happier with my decision. I was also considering the sigma 105mm and the canon 60mm, but ultimately I decided to go with this one because I wanted a lens that could double as a portrait lens and work as a macro where I could have some distance from my subject. I got it to shoot flowers and bugs primarily, and since I am terrified of (and deathly allergic to) the latter, I opted for the 90mm. I absolutely love this lens. I  find that I am favoring it over my canon 28-105mm as a general use lens. Cost was definitely a deciding factor, and as a hobby for an amateur photographer like myself, this lens is ideal both financially and artistically.
I already have 2-Cannon, 1-Sigma, and 2-Tamron lenses. All great lenses on my pair of Canon 60D bodies. Packaging was great as per normal from Amazon and the box appears to be a real Tamron box and the lens appears new with all the proper packaging.  On preliminary testing this lens seems like all my others, a great lens. Further testing (as I do with all my lenses) will hopefully prove this to be the case.  My concern is this is the first lens bought from (or through) Amazon that is a &#34;grey market&#34; lens. I was not aware of this at the time I purchased it (Sold by Another Deal Site). As long as the lens proves out and does not have any defects I will be happy with the purchase since it appears Tamron will not provide any warranty for this lens.  I will provide an update should a problem occur.
This is a very nice, high quality lens.  But what else would you expect from Tamron?  I would buy this again, and recommend it highly.
This is a superb lens, there is not much to add, its very sharp, very well built and at a very affordable price. Great for macros, great for portraits great for everyday use. It's the best lens I have ever owned in terms of image quality, highly recommended.
I just purchased this lens and it arrived today.  Thanks to someone else's review here, I immediately checked the serial number and discovered that Another Deal is selling grey market Tamron lenses.  What this means is that there is zero warranty from Tamron and they will not service the lens even if you pay for it.  I asked about the Tamron warranty and if the warranty was for only 6 months or something I may have kept it.  However, the warranty from Tamron authorized lenses is for 6 years.As the other gentleman said, there is no indication on the Amazon page that this is a grey market lens.  Be careful. Amazon should drop this seller.So my 1-star rating is that is being fraudulently sold.  The lens may or may not be great.  I'm going to shop around.
I've never owned a Tamron lens, heard all the talk about build quality, bad samples, poor focusing, etc. so was admittedly hesitant to spend the money even if it was less expensive. Being in the market for a Macro lens I researched all the usual suspects for use on a Nikon D7000 and D700. The Nikon 105, Sigma 105 and the Tokina 100. Actually managed to round up these three in a local shop and tried them side by side, with the Nikon coming out ahead in my opinion. (This Tamron wasn't available at the shop) That evening as I was thinking about it and reading the glowing reviews for the Tamron optics I ran across one in "Like New" used condition at the big Georgia lens seller for &#8804; $250 so I pulled the trigger.Two days later it was on my camera and I put it through the paces. Build quality is just fine it's no "pro" lens and never will be but for typical prosumer use it's just fine. Focus speed is also just fine, again it's no Pro lens and doesn't pretend to be, but it works perfectly in 95% of the situations I put it in. ( It hunts in low indoor light like most macros, the Nikon being better at this, but for the most part if in "Macro" you'll be using manual focus anyway) Optically it's the equal of the Nikon in sharpness and contrast but the Nikon beats it badly in color fringing. ( You'll have to clean it up in post a bit). I dislike the push/pull auto to manual focus system on the Tamron but it may be perfect for someone else. I don't miss the VR (vibration control) one bit although I imagine many might.The best way I can describe this is like the Nikon 85 f1.4 vs the 85 f1.8. The 85 f1.8 is 95% of the 85 f1.4 at a third the price. Is the 1.4 better? You bet it is for most. Does the 1.8 do what you need it to do the great majority of the time? Yup it does and at far lower cost. It was obvious that the Tamron lenses didn't hold their value on the used market, but the Nikon loses value as well and this lens cost me about the depreciation value between a new vs used Nikon 105.. all I have to do now is figure out what lens I want to spend the near $700 I have left over.
I'm a hobbyist rather than a professional photographer, and so I was looking for something to give me the ability to take macro shots for fun without completely emptying my wallet. Not only did this lens meet those expectations, it also gives me other options like portrait photography that I didn't know I needed or wanted. Two birds with one affordable stone. I actually think this lens takes incredible pictures and is even worthy of professional use for both macro photography and portrait photography.The only downside I can think of is that the motor is loud, but I honestly don't care about that. I have never used any other macro lenses so I can't say how it compares to them in terms of performance, but price wise this was the right fit for me, and I have no complaints.For someone new to this kind of thing, there are couple important notes to know:1. This has no zoom, so you'll either need to be the right distance away from your subject to get the best shot2. Make sure you change your cameras setting for whichever style you are using. If you don't tell your camera you're taking macro shots, it will have a really hard time focusing. The same goes for portrait shots.
It work preatty fine in my Nikon D5100, the focus is a little slow but it is not a big problem
I have these lens for over a year now and I am really impressed by the quality of the pictures I get with it.The lens are sharp, and have great bokeh for out of focus subjects. The AF speed is a bit slow when you are shooting Macro - but the same goes for the Nikkor 105 VR micro. For portrait shoots the AF speed is quite good, especially when you limit the AF switch to focus on subjects not in Macro mode. I see no reason to buy the Nikkor/Canon lens unless you have to due to camera constrains (like if you have the D40/60).These are great lens and you won't be sorry for getting them.I cannot say anything bad about them.
Although the lens is listed as used, its appearance and functionality is like new. I cannot believe this product is listed as new except for any missing documents that usually accompany new Pentax lenses. But since I have been using Pentax lenses for over 30 years instructions are not necessary anyway.
This lens is a really great macro lens.  Very sharp photos, and it produces a beautiful bokeh.  I was surprised at how great a portrait lens it is too.  I was impressed and excited about the possibilities. HOWEVER, I was shipped a gray market lens which meant I was not eligible for Tamron's awesome warranty (and supporting the gray market isn't something I am interested in doing).  Be aware of this if you value your lens.  I am shipping mine back, and I am extremely disappointed this happened to me.  Amazon was great and totally understanding about the return.  Always check with the fulfillment store before ordering.  Nowhere on the description did it say I would be receiving a gray market lens, and the price was nearly the same as authorized dealers.  Caveat emptor...
This is a good alternative to the Pentax 100mm F2.8 macro - image quality is a bit less rich - but not too much that you can tell the difference unless you really blow up your shots. Build quality is just ok - the Pentax is much more robust with an all metal construction and weather sealing. The auto-focus system works fast and great with the screw drive and it is nice that this lens has a limiter on it - macro lenses have a tendency to hunt and this one allows you to curb that behavior with the limiter. What I don't like is the fact that you have to not only shift the focus ring to switch to manual - but also have to change the parameter on the camera as well. The Pentax quick-shift system is much better. If you forget to toggle the switch on your camera - you may wreck havoc on your lens and the camera - just not a good implementation of a system that should be convenient. But for the price - good quality images and a nice lens. 4 Stars.
I really like this Tamron macro lens.  I'm used to stabilized Canon lenses and I'm not great with using this hand-held, but on a tripod it works great for me.  It can be a little loud if you are using autofocus (which I don't normally) and the push-pull thing you have to do to change between AF and MF sometimes takes some effort (but I don't' know why).  This is a specialty lens for me and isn't something I use that often so those things really are minor to me.  I don't use the included hood because the glass is deeply embedded in the lens, but you might have to use a LensPen or air blower to get out any dust because you will have a hard time reaching the glass it to rub it with a lens cloth.  I can't imagine it would get any thing more than dust on it though.I love the quality of the photos that I get using this lens and am really happy with the purchase. It's also really light (compared to the L lenses I normally carry) so adds very little weight to the camera bag.
Build quality is excellent. Slower focus but you can speed up focus by using the limit switch.Pretty sharp wide open and especially sharp @ f8. Definately worth the money especially when youconsider that the WR lens is almost $400 higher.Ordered this lens and had it shipped over night, arrived the next day. Packaging was more thanadequate. Thanks Amazon for the stellar job you do.I highly recommend this lens. It's the best $400 lens I've purchased.
I love using this. I've taken my photography in a new direction using this. The only drawback for me is that when you go wide open, autofocus goes nuts and just searches and searches for something to focus on. This is apparently normal for macro lenses. I'm learning to use manual focus. :)
I was looking at two options, this and theTokina AF 100mm f/2.8as my macro lens.  Sigma has given me issue before andNikon 105mm f/2.8Gwas too expensive.  I tried both models before I got mine from two different friends.  The Tokina has a much better built quality or it was much heavier and a little bigger/wider lens body.  This Tamron is like a lighter plastic and narrower, looks very like my Nikon 55-200 kit size.  Half of the Tamron lens is like a sun flare cap.  The elements lies deep inside the lens.Image comparison.Sharpness of Tamron, Nikon and Tokina were similar.  I might say the Tokina was a littler softer, other time it was quite sharp.  Both did noticed the Tokina white balance is a little off.  I took the same shots on the Tokina and Nikon 18-200vr and the Tokina was much brighter. I even tried the Nikon 105mm macro VR from a friend, Tokina, Tamron and Nikon doesn't keep the 2.8 as the constant aperture, base on the focus it can go up to 4.5.  Since I didn't shot the same shots for all three, I can't really say if one is sharper then the other.  Tamron AF is very fast, and I think Tokina still used the camera body motor still.  I prefer lens motor.  This Tamron is not the DI 2 on theTamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II, with the quite motor, you can hear it.Well I got this at a good price, otherwise I might of gotten the Tokina.  You definitely need a tripod for macro.  There is a switch for limited and full AF.  Once you get close switch to limited.  The AF to manual is a push pull on the lens like the Tokina, for Nikon there is a switch.  I now have a macro lens, wide angle or a f2.8 70-200mm for sport is next on my list.
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP aF/MF 1:1 Macro is a very good lens for macro pictures and also portrait shots. The lens is affordable and works well in all light conditions (flash in the dark), though I prefer early morning pictures. I like using the lens on manual focusing while everything else is set to automatic or macro setting on the Nikon D90.My only complaint, which is not really a complaint but a suggestion, is the noise of the lens in operation--it could be quieter. There also seems to be a lag time between pressing the button to take a picture and when the shutter activates, this could be faster response time. I recommend the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 for anyone who loves macro photography and requires an affordable lens.
I just purchased a Pentax k20d with a Pentax 18-250mm lens - a very versatile lens that works well for day to day use. Since macro photography has always been a major interest for me and I'm wanting to get the biggest "bang for the buck" I liked the idea of a lens able to handle both portraits and macro work. After doing some research, the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 with Macro had some impressive reviews esp for other camera brands. Since there was only one review here on Amazon I was a little hesitant to order. Since I wanted a 1:1 macro without spending a fortune, the only other serious contender was the Pentax 100mm Macro - however, Tamron is currently running a $[...] rebate combined with a 6 year warranty so I decided to give it a go.The first thing you will notice is the weight..it seems relatively well built but contains a bit more plastic than expected. The lens comes packed in a nice padded lens bag with drawstring [a nice little extra] and lens hood so no need to purchase either separately. It's very easy to install and the automatic function works seemlessly with the Pentax auto focus. Compared to the Pentax 18-250mm the Tamron was more inclined to "search" when focusing at least for the first few moments. I find it to be a little louder than the Pentax but not to the point of distraction.To switch from automatic to manual requires pushing or pulling a circle around the lens which seemed a bit odd to me - perhaps it is normal but I'm new to the Pentax line and have never used a Tamron lens so it took a few minutes to figure out (the instructions are all but useless - several large drawings in a plethora of languages).Now as to the actual image quality itself...of course being a macro you would expect this to a large extent but just to get a better feel I set up a few "test shots" using both the pentax and the tamron both set at same distance on a couple small objects - a coffee cup, a spider and the fine hairs on a cactus. while both resulted in fine detail and resolution - the tamron really struts its stuff when it comes to the background!As to what I did not like...again, perhaps this is an isolated experience but the first Tamron lens had to be returned due to inability to manually set aperature. The second worked but only in manual mode - would not function in aperature priority mode [Pentax K20D] and it is important to remember to change the settings in the Menu area of the camera body to allow aperature settings on the actual lens [it's the next to last setting on page 6 of 7 for those of you searching for it].Again, being new to Pentax and DSLR's in general perhaps this aperature set-up is more common than I realize [been using plain point and shoot after holding out for years with standard SLR's like the old Maxxum series from Minolata...I know - slow to change]. Even after changing the aperature on the lens it will not display as with all other modes. I was expecting tighter integration although it doesn't seem to impact the quality of the photo itself which is very nice. In fact, the photo quailty is so nice I decided to keep the lens despite the small irritation. As other reviews on this lens have noted - it takes some lovely pictures!At roughly $[...] after the $[...] rebate and a six year warranty - the price is extremely competitive. The photo quality is lovely - especially if you enjoy macro work with those beautiful creamy backgrounds. For a 1:1 macro at a comfortable 90mm lens this also is versatile enough to take great pictures of family, friends and the family pet.In the Box:LensLens padded case - drawstringLen cap and back protectorInstructions sheetLens hoodPros:1:1 macroNice photos with a beautiful backgroundAutomatic integrates seemlesslyCompetitive priceBest price with $[...] rebateExtensive warrantyCons:Weird manual/automatic push/pull ringAperature lens adjustment - not thrilled by location or operation in general.Feels a bit "light" [remember, I'm coming from heavy older SLR's]Other Misc Notes:Takes a 55mm filter {less expensive size}. I typically use a UV filter as protection although this sets so far back it almost doesn't need it. I still use one -habit- and also purchased an exexpensive close up filter set to try out.
I'm new to the DSLR world and have a Nikon D7000,  Nikon 35mm 1.8 prime, a Sigma 17-50 2.8, and Tokina 11-16 2.8. I like to do garden and food photos and this was the lens I finally decided upon. I compared the Nikon 105 2.8 and the Sigma 150 as well as the Tamron 90mm. I just got it today, poped it on the camera and went to the local garden nursery for a trial spin. The focus isn't as noisy or as loud as I was afraid it would be and auto focus seemed to work fairly well (appx 70 percent of my shots were in focus). The lens does extend with focus, but the barrel does not turn so polarizing filters would work. It feels decent in the hand and the weight is pretty minimal. I pulled up the photos in Lightroom and was impressed with the quality and sharpness for my first time handheld shots. I think I am going to have some fun with this lens. I'll update my review with time.5/4/13 Day two with this lens and I went to manual focusing which is much easier than I thought it would be, funny because everything is so automated these days, I forgot that my eyes work just fine. My photos from today are already tons better than yesterday. When Amazon fixes the customer photo share, I'll put some up.6/18/13 Wow, I am really impressed with this lens. I used it as a telephoto at a local event on an aerialist at our local botanical garden and I LOVE the results.
Well I picked this up during Christmas season for my gift.  I know, I know...lets get on with the review.  Ok...simply put this is a great lens.  I love taking macro pictures and needed a dedicated macro lens (note if the lens is not a 1:1 it is not a true macro).  It is the middle of winter here in the Chicagoland area, so there are no flowers or bugs to take photos of.  This is when I discovered that when people call this the portrait macro they are not lying.  This lens takes beautiful portrait shots.  Beautiful bokeh.Now to talk about what others say about this lens.  I do not mind the manual/auto focus clutch ring.  I actually like it quite a bit.  The only thing that I noticed is a touch of focus creep sometimes when I am zoomed in fully on a close subject.  That's my only complaint.  Can't wait for winter to go away and I can get my macro on!I would recommend this lens with no reservations...a great lens and a pretty good price.
I like this lens, and have taken some great shots of my son and flowers.  The lens is very sharp, and the clutch focus is a nice feature. I use this with my Nikon D80.My biggest gripe is the focus is very slow.  Sometimes, in lower light, it won't find the focus.  Also, it wasn't clear to me when I purchased it, but the F/2.8 is only when focused at infinity.  When doing a 1:1 macro shot, it is limited to F/4.
I use this lens constantly for macro photography and it's absolutely perfect, except it really does suck dirt/sand in! I laughed at the review that gave it a 1-star for sucking in sand (and I absolutely do not believe it deserves 1 star for that one issue), but I've never taken this lens to the beach, never dropped it on the ground, yet somehow it sucked in dirt anyway. I can hear it grinding against the plastic when I focus the lens and it makes me wince every time, but does not seem to affect anything. It just sounds awful. Besides that, this lens is absolutely perfect and I absolutely recommend it.
I just received this lens yesterday and my first impression is that this is an amazing piece of glass.  I debated between this, the Nikon 105 and the Tonika 100.  Based on the reviews, price and the ability for this lens to autofocus with a DX camera, I opted for this one.  So far I am 100% satisfied with my purchase.  While I will be using this lens primarily for flower macros, I tried it out as a portrait lens as well.  Very nice.  The lens is tack sharp and compared to the Nikkor 105mm a steal of a price.  The auto focus is not as smooth as my Nikon lenses, but for macro work I will not be using it.  The build feels sturdy and I know I will get a lot of use from this.You can check out my test shots in the gallery[...][...]
This is an extremely sharp lens, the image detail in my macro shots is amazing, and the bokeh in my portrait and midrange telephoto shots with it are very, very good.  For the price it has to be one of the best bargains out there.  I own the Tamron 180 macro (also a very good lens, competitive with the Nikon 200 "micro" lens in IQ but cheaper) and for macro work the 90mm is even better.  The 180 gives you more range if you are shooting butterflies and bugs you can't get close to, but if you can get within what is normally considered macro distance of something, this lens surpasses anything I know of.  This lens is superior to 90mm shots with my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 vr.  Easily superior.The only drawback is that it is not vr, but for macro shots I usually  use it (or any macro lens) with a monopod, sometimes a tripod.  For portrait shots I don't have any problem with hand-held shots, with or without strobes.A great lens.
This is a lens you should have in your bag and use. This lens is Sharp!!!!! This summer I did a little macro but a lot of model shoots and this lens is perfect. I would buy again and again, you can buy a camers brand lens and pay twice as much and not get a better lens. I don't care what brand of camera my students have, but I tell them the glass is what's counts. Tamron makes this lens for all brands, so buy it.
Much to its credit Tamron has produced one of the best medium telephoto (90mm to 105mm) macro lenses for years of which this SP autofocus 90mm f2.8 DI 1:1 macro lens is no exception. It is optimized to perform best with Nikon's digital SLRs, but will also work well with its film SLRs too. I've read several excellent reports on the internet and photography magazines testifying to its superb contrast and resolution at virtually every aperture. However, I agree with a previous reviewer that the lens has too much of a plastic feel to it, and seems less rugged than the 105mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor. However, if you are on a budget and your photography doesn't include substantial usage in the field, then perhaps this lens could be a viable alternative to the more expensive Micro Nikkor.
The sharpness of this lens simply blows me away.  I do a lot of macro work in wedding photography for my business, but I also love taking this lens out for simple hobby days in nature.  The macro capabilities of this lens are second to none in this focal range, and the performance/price ratio simply can't be beat.A lot of the other reviews have already hit on the highs and lows of the lens, so I won't waste your time by saying the same things over again.  When I was making my macro choice, the two options I landed on were this Tamron and Canon's 100mm L.  I had worked a lot with the Canon 100mm L before (borrowing, renting), and the performance was splendid.  It truly is a remarkable lens.  However, after a session with the Tamron, comparing the Tamron and the Canon side by side, and researching photos/reviews on the web, I found that I could not justify the extra expense for the L glass.  The greatest advantages the L has are the autofocus and weather sealing, in my opinion, and neither of those matter to me as I use manual focus for nearly all of my macro shots and I'm not doing the sort of nature photography that makes weather sealing imperative.I would recommend this lens in a heartbeat as a primary macro lens and an interesting portraiture lens as well.
This lens is unbelievable.  I've owned many macro lenses before, but this one takes the cake.  It is tack sharp even at f/2.8 and you can get so close its crazy!  I had high expectations, and those were blown away.  I was lucky enough to find it used for just $300.  I consider that a steal for what may very well be the best lens in my bag and its not the only legendary lens in my bag.  I only buy the best glass on the market.  This is no exception.  My only complaint is that it is a little bit loud because it uses the screw drive instead of a HSM to focus.  But thats what you should expect in most 3rd party lenses.  This noise doesn't change my opinion at all.  You can stop your research now.  Go get it!  Well done Tamron.  Well done.
After reading the reviewes, I went ahead & purchased this lens, it works super, great detail pics, & very light.
I purchased this lens because I am interested in photographing insects. It does everything I want it to.  I find it amazing when I see a photograph of an insect and see things not visible with the naked eye.
Back in film days I used the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 macro for portraits and nature photography. Even back then (that was a long time ago!) the Tamron macro had great respect for sharpness and quality at a reasonable price, competing favorably with Nikon's much pricier 105mm f/2.5 macro.When I moved to digital (and Canon) I sought the same performance, and hoped that Tamron hadn't spoiled the reputation earned by their earlier lens.  After all, digital has more demands than film, most notably autofocus and sensor reflectivity.  Plus, the pressure to compete and reduce price is relentless.I was not disappointed - this lens is every bit as sharp as its predecessor.  It's a tiny bit slower, and sometimes you have to help the autofocus if the starting point is way out of focus (this is common for AF macro lenses). But this lens is sharp corner-to-corner (I have an APS camera though, so can't comment on full-frame). IMHO it's a bit long for portraits, especially indoors. But if you have the room, it's excellent for portraits too - the speed, shallow DOF wide open, and the color richness yield gorgeous portraits.Highly recommended.
I love the lens, not so sure about how it switches to manual focus but will get use to it. great for portraits.
I bought this lens a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't be more pleased. It does a great job in macro mode but also doubles as a tack sharp portrait lens. In addition I bought it through Amazon Warehouse Deals in "like new" condition at a $170 discount to a new one. If you don't need the waterproofing of the Pentax 100 f2.8 and the extra $350 plus, this could be the lens for you. I'm a very happy camper!
After reading many reviews I decided upon the Tamron lens. I considered the Nikon version but it was out of my price range. I'm very pleased with my purchase. Color and focus are beautiful! I would definitely recommend this to a friend (and actually have)!
I got this lens back in late 2010. I'm a photography student, so I put it to work. For the price of this lens, you can't beat it. This lens is just as good, if not better than the Nikon macro lens. The build quality is solid. It's pretty heavy for it's size and feels solid in the hand. the focusing ring slides back and forth for manual and autofocusing. In my opinion, it's a lot more easier than having to take your eye away from the viewfinder and flip a switch. The auto focus speed is alright. It's not as fast as I would like it to be, but it is what it is. I found out that wide open, this lens is not as sharp as if it is stopped down to about f4 or more. But when you stop it down, it does get insanely sharp. I shoot with a D90 as my main camera body, and it works fantastic with it. Also, it manual focuses quite well. The focusing ring is really smooth when turning. But anyway, here are the PROS and CONSPROS:-Quality construction and glass. All around solid lens. Not cheap feeling.-f2.8 aperture. So works well in low light situations.-Manual focus is very easy with this lens.-1:1 ratio.-Extremely sharp when stopped down to about f4 or soo.-Easy autofocus to manual focus sliding ring on barrel of lens.CONS:-Autofocusing is rather slow, but this doesn't bother me. I take my time.-Images are slightly soft at 2.8 aperture. You have to stop it down to get a sharper image.-This lens does have a floating aperture. It does not stay at 2.8 throughout the zoom.All and all, this lens is a great buy if you're on a budget. I do plan on doing more business with Tamron in the near future. But this is a great macro lens.
Pro:- great color, IQ, contrast.- light weight- accurate AF when needed- great MF- well madeNeutral:- AF is slow but ok for a true macro lens. (My Tamron 180mm's AF stopped working in the first week even though I only tested a couple for times and never really used its AF for real at all. Being a tripod macro lens, MF (plus live view zoom in, which is far better than my 1.5/2.5 vertical finder) is a must for me. I hope AF on this one last longer because AF is indeed useful for hand-held quick shots)- price (not cheap for a 3rd party). But with $90 rebate, it's not bad at all.Minor incovenience:- Once the lens is extended, the only way to get it back is to pull back the focus ring and switch to MF and turn the focus to infinite. A quick release mecahnism would be nice. This is a common problem not unique to this Tamron though.- There's only one position the hood and back cap can be attached to the lens, a Tamron design. This design makes the attachment much stronger but much more hassle to attach in the first place. I much prefer Canon or Sigma's in this regard. I've never had accident with Canon or Sigma lenses when the hood or back cap accidentally fell off. (Correction - just had the precious hood on the Sigma 12-24 "bulb" off without noticing it in the bag, with the bulb completely exposed, which scared the day light out of me! But again that is the front cap not the rear one. To be care, I think Tamron does do a better job at designing their caps. Now I am so much more used to the Tamron way of doing things - just aim the special area (feel it with your finger) of the Tamron rear cap at the red dot on the lens, that is where the cap hooks up with the lens.)- switching AF/MF produces a loud click sound. The switch can only happen at certain positions. My Sigma 20mm/f1.8 got a better design - I can switch any time, the switch is much more smoother. Tokina 11-16 is also smoother. Don't have the Tokina 100mm macro to compare with, though.Bottom line:I have the Tamron 180mm macro, great when mounted on a solid platform, not great hand held - too big and heavy. This one fills the gap. The small size and light weight is perfect to be carried around with other lenses on routine outings. Like other Tamrons, this one is plastic all the way (hence the light weight), but well made, MF ring is well damped with plenty rotation for fine tuning. I was a bit unsure about the closest focus distance on this one, turns out it's plenty for real wold use. The protruding front element is not a problem in real world use at all (as oppose to Internal Focus of the Canon 100mm Macro, or the Tamron 180mm ). In short, this is a perfect hand-held macro/portrait lens.Update: this is fantastic tele as well if you are in no hurry. The IQ is just breathtaking. Tried Canon 100mm macro in store the other day, the Canon AF and build quality are better. But if you only use this sort of lens once in a while, you might want to save your buck here because this lens is for real.
Very happy with this lens.  I am using it on a Sony NEX-7 with the LA-EA2 adapter which means it autofocuses as well.  It is a nice size, stable lens which balances easily on the smallish Sony.
After using a Canon DSLR for about 5 years, I switched to Pentax. In switching, I was presented with a unique opportunity. I had no lenses. Because I sold off all my Canon gear, I had a good chunk of change to throw at some new gear. I had the Canon version of this lens for the 5 years I used Canon. In those 5 years, the amazing optical quality and performance of this lens made it a staple in my camera bag. After using it in rough situations for 5 years, the build quality was revealed to be outstanding.It was because of my five years of experience using this lens that I bought it again for Pentax.Rather than a pros and cons list, I'll list a few of the features of the lens so you can decide if you would use it the same way. I think most lenses aren't built with pros and cons, they are just suited to different shooting situations and environments.The lens is 90mmWith the 1.5 magnification on my k10d, this lens is effectively a 135mm macro lens. This suits me just fine for my subject matter - typically insects, flowers, and textures. The lens also functions beautifully as a portrait lens, and the f2.8 give a beautiful bokeh. 135mm is longer than some prefer for portrait photography, however, so keep that in mind when you read praises in that regard.The automatic to manual focus ringThis lens features a large ring to switch between manual and automatic focus. When I first used the lens, it seemed a bit awkward. As I used the lens in the field, however, I quickly grew to love this feature. Most people will say that macro photography doesn't require autofocus. That may be fine for some, but I really appreciate being able to use the autofocus to get the focus very close to what I want, then shift to manual focus to accomplish exactly what I want. It saves me time. With subjects that are hopping from leaf to leaf, its has been the difference between missing a shot and getting a shot.There is a limitOne frustration I've found with the lens for a portrait is the length of the focus. If the autofocus goes past your subject, it goes to 1:1, then works it's way back. This can be very tedious. Fortunately, the lens comes with a 'limiter' that you can switch on. This prevents the lens from traveling its whole distance before coming back. Keep in mind that while the lens can take some nice portraits, it is designed to be a macro lens. Because of that, it isn't the quickest focusing lens in my bag by far. If you know that going in, you can work within its limitations to get some solid shots.Build qualityThe build quality is good on this lens. It is made of plastic, so it doesn't have the unbreakable feel of some older macro lenses, but I feel comfortable using it in a variety of situations. Some of that is based on my experience with the same lens in Canon. I expect this lens to serve me just as well.SharpnessI value sharpness higher than any other quality when it comes to a macro lens. And that is why the Tamron 90mm lens, not the Pentax 100mm macro lens is in my bag. Every review has them close, but the Tamron always gets a slight edge. In all of the situations I've used the lens, I have been more than pleased with the results. Beyond sharpness, I have also been very happy with the color rendition of this lens.As someone who primarily shoots macro photography, this is a lens that will always be in my bag.
(Another year and one repair later, I still love this lens. Original review first followed by updates.)First impression: right out of the box, this lens is smaller than I pictured. I had experience with the Sigma 105mm, and this is easily smaller and lighter. For travel purposes, it is ideal, plastic build or not.I did get a few surprises when I put it on the camera (D70), so anyone thinking about purchasing this lens should pay attention. This info is already out there, I just didn't notice and was almost disappointed at first.1: This lens is only 2.8 at 10 feet to infinity. The maximum aperture drops as you focus closer, and at minimum focusing distance, where many will want to work to get the true 1:1, it is all the way down to 5.6. That was quite a shock at first, but I soon found that at such close range, even 5.6 gives you very shallow depth of field. It just means less speed, so a tripod will almost always be necessary unless you are really good at hand-holding.2: The switch between auto and manual focus requires you to push or pull the focus ring. I should have known this after working with the Sigma 105mm, but it is not obvious on this lens and I had to check the instructions. lol.Again, this information is in other reviews, and it may be obvious to most users, but anyone new to macro should keep it in mind to avoid any surprises.UPDATE: I've left off the old review taken from my first few shots, as I have much more experience to pull from now.This lens captures beautiful photos, that much is certain. I have not tested the Nikon 105mm VR lens, but from the examples I've seen, this lens can still hold its own, even without VR. (I used to think VR was meaningless on a macro lens, but I have found many times when it would be useful.)Strong points:* Bokeh (out of focus rendering) is stunning* Color is rich (super color with D70, can't wait to see what it does with a D300!)* Lens is light, less than half the weight of the Nikon 105mm VR* Focus ring is large and easy to useWeak points:* Auto-focus is slow, noisy, and hunts a bit at times* Lens is not fixed length, short when focusing at infinity, extends out when focusing closer, a significant amount* Plastic build (doesn't bother me, but some don't like it)For my money, the pros far outweigh the cons here. I use this lens a lot for product photography (at work), non-macro flower and other small items, but I almost never take it all the way to 1:1 because I'm often too lazy to get out the tripod, or not in a situation where a tripod is usable.One thing to note: auto-focus has recently started acting up on my D70. For a few weeks it would refuse to auto-focus, I would reboot the camera, take the lens off and put it on again, and it would start working until I turned the camera off once more. Most recently I have not been able to get the auto-focus to work at all. (It is the only lens in my kit that does this, so I don't believe it is the camera.) Since the auto-focus is always slow anyway, I've taken to keeping it in manual focus and just dealing with it. It's a hassle at times, but it does not detract from my enjoyment of this lens.UPDATE #2: Tamron warranty and service are incredible!As mentioned above, the auto-focus eventually stopped working completely with both my D70 and D300. All Tamron USA lenses come with a 6 year warranty (6 years!) so I printed a receipt off Amazon, filled out a simple form, and put it in the mail. A couple weeks later I received notice that it was being repaired, no charge of course, and it gave me an order number to track it.I was leaving on a trip a few days later and didn't want it sitting outside my house while I was gone, so I contacted Tamron service department to see if I could change the shipping address. It had already shipped out and would be at my house within the week. Unlucky for me it arrived the day I left, but I had someone take it inside for me the next day, so no worries. It has been tested and works perfectly! 5 additional stars for Tamron's repair department!I would recommend this lens to anyone wanting to do macro work, portraiture, product photography, or any not-quite-macro nature shots with lots of color.
After purchasing my first DSLR earlier this year, I found I really love taking pics of bugs, blades of grass, flowers, drops of water, and so on.  I found this lens on Amazon first and then went to my favorite lens review site to check their verdict.  It received 4 stars for optical quality (and isn't that the most important thing), 3.5 stars for mechanical performance, and 5 stars for performance value.  So with that review I decide to purchase.I don't really feel I can say much more about this lens than what has been said in multiple reviews both on Amazon and lens review sites.  Yes it is cheap, but not all of us can see the point in spending more than this on a lens for our hobby.  And I think that is who Tamron (and other 3rd party manufacturers) are really making these lenses for - those of us who love photography but just don't have the expendable income for an "L"-type lens.Negatives?  I've read a lot of reviews where it is said that the lens "feels" cheaply made.  I'm very new to the world of lenses, but I can say this one at least "feels" better (more sturdy) than my kit lens (which feels very cheap).There is the noisy auto-focusing as others have mentioned.  It is almost like a "clicking" as well as the sound of gears moving.  This made me very nervous when I first heard and felt it, but it's not present in manual mode which where I have mainly used it.  As long as this is limited to the autofocus mechanism and the quality of my photos is not affected I can overlook it.To sum this up, as a person new to both DSLR's and macro photography, I feel this is a very good purchase.  Most reviews of the picture quality of the lens are very positive with the mechanical quality being it's main drawback.  At this point in my photography, I feel that lens quality is much more important than the noise from a focus mechanism.  And if in the next year I decide I don't like this lens or macro work?  The used ones sell at close to the price of the lens new.
I am quite satisfied with this macro lens.  It is made by a solid lens manufacturer and is a good economy option vs. the lenses sold by the camera manufacturer.
This is an excellent choice if you're interested in close-up and macrophotography -- it's sharp corner-to-corner, and you get life-size photos down to the size of a large bug.  Usually you end up focusing macro shots manually, and the Tamron manual focus ring travels about 270 degrees, giving lots of smooth fine-tuning capability.For portraits and medium telephoto shots, the autofocus capability works well but it's audible.  You can set a limiting switch so that it won't hunt through the entire range, from 8" to infinity.  It's easy to switch from autofocus to manual by feel -- you can do it without moving your eye from the viewfinder.There are probably better choices if you want to do portraits first and macrophotography second -- Canon's 100mm and Sigma's 105mm macros, in particular, but the Tamron is an excellent choice for macro work.The lens body is plastic, so it's lighter than OEM lenses from Canon & Nikon.  The light weight makes one wonder about how rugged it is, but it feels well put together, and anyway you shouldn't be using a lens to drive nails.Note that the 90mm designation applies only to full frame SLRs.  On digital SLRs like the Canon 300D & 350D or the Nikon D50 & D70, the lens gives you an effecive focal length of about 130mm.  So you get a bit more working distance for macro subjects, but you may have to stand back too far from the subject for portraiture.
This is a great lens.  Before purchasing, I though it was a bit pricey for what I intended which was close up macro photography.  After several years of use, this lens is a staple in my bag.  I'm not a pro photographer but shoot very frequently and this is my go-to lens for portraits and close up work.For those new to photography, this lens can be used for both Nikon DX and FX digital cameras.  It produces wonderful bokeh.  Bokeh is the creative blur effect that is generated when your subject is in focus in the foreground and the background blurs.  Many factors play a part in how effective this blur is.  On the Tamron 90mm, the bokeh is reliably great.  It makes closeup work and portrait work look very professional.I've had the fortune to use this lens alongside the Nikon 105mm equivalent.  Build quality on the Nikon is hands down superior.  This lens has the feel of amateur glass while the Nikon is very solid and heavy.  In general, Nikon lenses are the reason I purchase a D700 but this lens is an exception.  For 1/4 the price of the Nikon, this lens is an unbelievable value.  It's lightweight but I've been using mine for four years with no issues.  The lens also holds it's value which speaks to it's performance and quality.In short, if you're looking for a value pro lens, look no further.My credentials: I've been a self proclaimed amateur photographer for over 15years and have owned a lot of gear.  Anything that does not make the cut goes to ebay. I don't ever foresee selling this lens.
This is my first macro lens, and I am very pleased with it. It is well-made, light, and the optics are tack-sharp. My intention is to do macro nature photography (insects, spiders,...), and so far it has been a pleasure to use.  Before buying it, I read in many user forums that the minimum focusing distance of a 90mm macro lens such as this one (12 inches) is too close for photographing skittish subjects such as butterflies. I could have moved up to a 150mm macro lens, which would add 3 inches to the distance, but at the cost of a much narrower depth of field, as well as a heavier lens requiring a tripod. I opted for the Tamron 90mm, after seeing some excellent insect photographs online. But one word of caution: the minimum 12 inch distance is measured from the focal plane at the back of the camera (as is always the case when measuring focal distances). When the lens is fully extended, you might have about 3 or 4 inches between the front of the lens and the subject (and that's without a lens hood). Hence this is definitely a close distance for skittish insects! Nevertheless, this is part of doing business with a macro lens... short focusing distances, and extremely narrow fields of view. Because you'll usually want to step the lens down as far as possible, you will either need fast-moving subjects in full sunlight, or you'll need to use an external flash. Unfortunately, the built-in pop-up flash of digital SLR's will cause a shadow through the middle of the picture at short macro-length distances.In any case, this is a great macro lens for a novice or pro.
I wanted to get into macro photography and decided on Tamron because of the rebate offer.  I was truly blown away on how sharp this lens performed. It has also double as a great portrait lens.  On my Rebel XT, the focal length actual equals 144mm which gives great heads shots.  The focusing is slightly slow but that didn't bother me any.  Once you look at the results from this lens you it's a no brainer.
Stop thinking about what macro lens to buy.This one is better then the most expensives Canon lenses.The images are very good and the price is excellent!Go on and take very good macro and close-up photos!
I have a Pentax K5, and been using the lens now for several days both in macro and standard mode. I use Paint and blow up the macro mode shots to see the detail and they are quite remarkable in sharpness and detail along with beautiful soft bokeh. Have yet to see any CA, and the corners are sharp.I use manual focusing for the macro mode and shoot in good light using center point focusing and get great results.  Needless to say, in macro mode you don't get much depth of field, but that's to be expected.  The standard shots using auto focus is fine, nothing exceptional.I've read where others mentioned that the zoom makes a lot of noise, I have Pentax DA lens, and to be honest, I don't think the Tamron is noisy and it's just as fast when properly set up.I follow the Tamron instructions set up for both manual macro shots (limit) and standard auto focusing (full), and in good light the lens doesn't hunt and focusing is fast.  That's really the key, good light.  Any auto focusing lens will hunt in low light.For the money, you can't do any better and the Tamron compares quite well to the Pentax 100 mm macro on the Pentax Forum for a lot less money.  BTW, I bought mine used, actually, it looks more like an open box item.
The clarity was very good and the minimum focus distance is great. The two issues I have are with the focusing. It requires too many turns of the knob to go between the focus ends. This results in much longer time to focus on the subject. The problem is the same in AF and manual.The second issue may be my inexperience with macro lenses, but without a tripod the subject was usually out of fuzzy.
I love this lens. It focuses quickly, gives a great range of depth of field, and works well as both a macro and a prime. I have gotten some really sharp, smooth pictures, and it wasn't hard to adjust to taking macro photos with it. Solidly made, not too heavy, fully recommend.
Great 1:1 macro lens! Great portrit lens!  Has some degree of difficulty finding focus in dark or complicated lighting situations, but if you're shooting it as a macro, you're manually focusing anyways, so no loss there. I've used this lens for Wedding shoots and for Wakeboarding shots, and it's performance in well lit scenarios is pretty good for a lens that's not designed for that type of photography!  Here's the reason I bought it... Ring shots for weddings. And it's the prefect lens for that job! It just happens to be a great lens all around!  And until recently, has saved me from buying an 85mm lens for portraiture, but I wanted more light, so I finally broke down and bought an 85 anyways.... But both lenses will remain in my bag o' goodies!Bottom Line.... Perfect Macro with the ability to handle other situations better than you'd imagine!
I am professional photographer specializing in botanical and nature photography. The 90mm has proven to be excellent optically as well as ergonomically well designed. The light weight, for its size, coupled with the very intuitive af-mf push-pull design are great in the field. I work at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Miami. For images taken with the above lens, please visit [...].This lens has a couple little advertised qualities which make it double as a superb portrait lens:First, it is not bittingly sharp wide open at f2.8, just about perfect for softening skin flaws, Stopped down to f5.6 and beyond, this lens is simply too sharp and contrasty for the average face. Second, wide open and at f4, this lens produces very attractive out of focus backgrounds, perfect for outdoor portraiture, where backgrounds can easily be distracting and intrusive.Regards
This is my first non-Canon lens, and I have to say after a couple days I love it.  I have a lot to learn about macro photography of course, but thats why you buy a lens like this in the first place.This will take some work, and will be very fun...I would buy this lens again, as matter of fact, I will probably pick up a Tamron wide angle as this lens is great.  Can't beat a 60 Dollar rebate too... Put my price under 4 bills!!Rp
I sent this lens back when I could not get a reasonable depth of field. Bought a used Nikon 105mm micro and it gives me much better control and clarity.
I just received this lens today and after initially checking the lens for any focus problems with a Datacolor Lens Cal (fortunately there weren't any) I made a short field trip to try this lens out. I was very happy with the results. In my title I mentioned some quirks that this lens has and if you decide to buy one pay close attention to instructions, especially if you buy this for a Pentax or Sony.  First is the ridiculous way the lens has to be changed from AF to manual. To put it into manual the focus ring has to be pulled backwards then the camera has to be set to manual focus. I don't know why when the focus ring is pulled back the screw dive doesn't disengage but that's the way it is designed. If you don't put the camera in MF and you try to focus the lens and/or the camera can be damaged. This is mentioned in the instructions and this little fact should be high lighted much better.  The limiter is very good though. For general photography set it to full.  If you want 1:1 the distance scale has to set to .29 meters then set the limiter. This prevents hunting. The range here is from .29 to .4 meters, where at .29 it's 1:1, at .35 the image size is 1:2.  For normal photos the distance scale has to set at .45 then set the limiter. Be aware with this setting you can't do close up or macro but it will reduce hunting. On the very positive side this lens is incredibly sharp, even at 2.8 and as that nut case Kai on Digital Rev would say it is &#34;bokehlicous&#34;.  Especially for closeups good bokeh is essential this lens delivers.  I couldn't get any high contrast pics because of cloud cover and haze so I can't comment on CA's but Photozone does give this lens very high marks. They did test it on a K-5. The contrast and color seem to be very good too but because current weather conditions I'll have to wait a few days to check again.  Finally, I did buy this lens used and was rated &#34;like new&#34; and it is. Beautiful condition, nary a mark on it including the mount. That pleases me immensely as well as the excellent price.
I've always wanted a good macro lens for small subjects and really up close photography.  I finally decided to pull the trigger and buy the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di macro.  This is a beautiful lens that looks good on my Pentax K5 camera.  I was pleased with the way it operates.  Auto focusing is smooth and quiet.  Images taken were clear and sharp with good color rendition.  No distortions of any kind were seen and the viewfinder image was bright and clear, utilizing its large/fast f/2.8 lens opening.The lens will autofocus down to about 10".  Closer than that, and you will need to switch to manual focus.  At those very close distances the depth of field is so shallow, autofocus would not be critical enough anyways.  I do not keep the lens on my camera all the time.  For my all around lens, I prefer a fast zoom lens like my Tamron 70-300 zoom.The Tamron 90mm macro is also the perfect lens for portrait work.  It will provide a terrific bokah effect and is just the right focal length for flattering portraits.I don't think you can go wrong buying this lens.  Tamron has been making lenses for as long as I can remember.  I have owned many of them and have never had a problem.PROS:1.  THE lens for macro work.2.  Solid construction, great optics and lens coatings.3.  Hood and lens caps included.4.  Metal lens mount.5.  Perfect for Portrait work.6.  Low cost compared to the higher price of the major manufacturers lens'.7.  Internal focusing.8.  Standard size filter ring.9.  Tamron quality, one year warrantee.10. Looks great on the camera.11. Fast f/2.8 lens opening.CONS:1.  Lens is not waterproof.  Don't take it out in the rain.2.  May not be the same quality optically or mechanically as the more expensive Nikon or Canon L lenses, but not necessarily so.3.  Lens does not come with a storage bag.I am so pleased with this lens, that I am kicking myself for not buying it sooner.
I'd first like to thank the other reviewers here for their precise and comprehensive analyses of this lens, with special thanks to "Capt RB". Your comments were very instrumental in my deciding to purchase this lens, and I'm VERY glad I did! My experience with this superb optic has been identical to most of yours; likewise my opinion of this product, as well. So much so that in place of a lengthy and verbose review of my own (and I fully intended to write one, too!), I'll simply say "Ditto!" , but with just a few added comments:1. This lens is not only sharper than the Nikon 105 2.8 micro, but it's MUCH sharper!2. Overall IQ, in my opinion, is superior to the 105 2.8 Nikkor in every way that matters to me...color, contrast, raw resolution and fine detail, brightness and color saturation, a complete absence of any and all linear distortions, freedom from purple fringing and insignificant levels of secondary chromatic aberations. And need I even mention its substantially better rendering of out of focus elements, or bokeh as it's often called.Bottom line: I haven't seen image quality like this since I last held a Leica in my hands!3. Build quality (which cost Tamron that highly coveted "5th star") is just barely adequate; reminiscent more of Nikons 55-200mm budget tele-zoom lens rather than their micro-nikkors. But I'm more than willing to live with it's flimsy construction in exchange for its absolutly stellar image quality. I'm just going to have to be very, very careful how I handle, transport, and store it. Consider her, if you will, as one might a fine Patek Phillipe timepiece...too fragile to take on safari, but of utterly stunning, world class performance.This one shortcoming notwithstanding, I would opt for this lens every time!&lt;UPDATE!> After using this lens quite extensively for the past few weeks, I'd like to point out a few important things that weren't immediately apparent when first using it.My copy of this outstanding lens features Tamrons most recent improvement to its already  classic design, namely the addition of the built-in autofocus drive motor. It is noteworthy that the few negative criticisms to be found in other reviews of this lens, specifically regarding slow or noisy AF, all appear to apply only to those models that use the camera bodys AF drive motor and not to this newest version. I do have one such lens, the Nikon 70-300mm G, and if it's any example of screw-drive autofocus performance, then such criticisms are most likely well deserved.As for auto-focus speed with the built in AF motor, let me tell you that when restricted to its 'non macro' range (1.5' - Inf.) this puppy is not just fast, but REALLY fast! Outdoors with my Nikon D90, in any reasonable level of 'daytime' lighting, autofocus is achieved in a blink of an eye, and with utterly no 'hunting'. It focuses faster than my AFS 16-85mm VR Nikkor, and even a little quicker than the 50mm 1.8 AF-D, and much quieter. Incidently, focus accuracy at ANY distance is 'dead on' accurate! And unlike quite a number of macro optics, it's also critically sharp at any distance, too. Between the fast, quiet, and accurate focusing,  this lens is actually quite useful when action stopping shutter speeds are necessary. While certainly more than adequate for capturing a visit to the 'dog park' or kids at play, I don't know that I'd reccommend it for shooting nighttime jai-lai matches by available light but then, this lens wasn't designed for that purpose.In more typical 'Macro' applications, autofocus while neither as fast or quiet as previously mentioned, is quite respectable and most of all, resolute and precise.Over these last few weeks with this lens, I've also come to re-evaluate its build quality. I put it somewhat above the Nikkor kit lenses, but still a little below my 16-85mm VR Nikkor zoom, the 18-200 VR Nikkor, or the AFS 70-300 VR Nikkor. Considering that this Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro lens costs about half what those others do, I'd now be more inclined to say that while not "Press Corp" rugged, it's build quality and construction are certainly adequate for such purposes as it was made. And, yes...I'd reccommend it again and again!So, okay...let's give her another 1/4 star!
I am not a professional but an avid amateur enthusiast, this lens is really unbelievable.  This is the first non-Nikon lens I have bought and I have been using it for about 14 months.It is lightweight and sharp end to end, it does a very good job on macrophotography.  It tends to hunt a bit when set to full focus, but that can be expected because of the large focal range.For portraits and very tight close-ups I absolutely love this lens.  The image quality and sharpness is out of this world.  The design of the focus ring makes it very easy to switch between manual and auto focus, which is probably one of the better design features of this lens.It feels a little cheap because of the polymer construction but it is inexpensive and very lightweight so it makes it easy to walk around with.I tested before buying.  I used the nikkor 105mm macro and the Sigma 105, the nikkor has a better feel construction wise (for 3x the price) but I could not tell a difference in performance.  I felt this lens performed much better than the Sigma 105mm.I own 5 lenses this is one that I always carry with me and when you get it, it will always be in your camera bag.
VERY sharp focus and a reasonably fast focusing motor.  I see no downside to this lens at all.
I use this lens with my new Canon T3i and have taken some amazingly TACK sharp and spectacular macro bug and spider photos with it. The colors and contrast are gorgeous. I've also used it for portrait shots and the sharpness is almost too sharp and the bokeh is beautiful. Auto focus is a little louder than a Canon USM but definitely not enough to matter. This is one of the best lens purchases I've made.
Lens comes in a variety of formats, Canon, Nikon, etc.  Mine was for a Sony A-Mount (SLT-A77v) camera.  The Sony version is a little different as far as switching from manual to AF but its not a big deal.  First I went the way of extension tubes, magnifying diopters, etc.  Those will work but they don't measure up to a dedicated macro.  I spent a lot (a really lot) of time reading reviews and comparing the various options for macro lenses and was down to either this one or the Sony 100mm f/2.8 that was more $$$.  I decided on the Tamron because of the macro pictures I saw primarily on Flickr.  The images were sharp, good contrast, and no apparent aberrations I could tell anyway.The lens didn't disappoint.  The clarity of the macro is pretty amazing.  I've uploaded a couple of pictures to the customer images part including a moth with amazing detail.  Very happy with the lens and would recommend for anyone wanting a great macro capable lens.
This is my first Tamron lens, I have been using it for over a year now and to say it in one work "Awesome". I document mushrooms and using this lens to exhibit the finite detail of fungi does a fantastic job. I have also done some portrait work with it and for bust vignette shots where I want the background blurred out it works for me. The 2.8 aperture is excellent for low light settings without bumping up the ISO.
This lens has a unique/particular optical/photonic signature: in macro-mode, it is excellent at turning distant backgrounds into pastel-washes of the softest most pleasing qualities. Worth the price for this alone. Also a fine portrait lens, light weight and reasonably priced.
Quick, to-the-point review:1. The lens takes AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL images! Mounted on my Nikon D700 I've taken some of my favorite images with this lens. The bokeh is WORLD-CLASS! I've not personally compared it to the Nikon 105mm but I hear the Tamron is better. Beautiful, rich, creamy bokeh. Gorgeous.So... why only 4 stars?1. I had to return the original lens. It did not work most of the time with my Nikon. It wouldn't work with it for some reason and caused errors, the camera would freeze. Sent it back and got a new one. It works almost 98% of the time but I still occasionally get either a body error or a focus error and the camera freezes. This is the single biggest gripe about the lens. I only need to turn it off and back on again and it usually works for another several shots, but I'm frustrated by it. Two lenses which both cause errors??? Gotta be a lens issue. None of my other lenses cause this to happen (I have Nikkor and Sigma lenses as well).2. The focus hunts like crazy.3. Autofocus is a bit loud and very slow.However, given the image quality I am very happy with this lens and am keeping it for the long run. If you factor in the price it is simply one of the best values out there! Get it!
I could not believe my eyes after seeing the pictures taken by me using this lens. Sharpness is just astounding.On the flip side it does not have the smooth and quiet USM motor as its rival (Canon 100mm macro); but historically some of the great Macro shots have been taken by focusing the lens manually.The lens comes with a hood which is not usually necessary since the glass is recessed far inside, but since I sit a filter over the lens I use the provided hood. Canon DOES NOT provide the hood for free :(All in all I would say that Canon has (good glass and USM motor) while the Tamron has (good glass, free hood and, of course is cheaper).Anyways I think it was a good decision of mine to go for the Tamron instead of the Canon. To further strengthen my decision Tamron had a $60 rebate (and yes I did get the rebate check from Tamron).I have read people raving about using this lens for portraits, but I found the Canon EF 50mm f1/8 ($80 value) lens to be a better performer.
I have learned my lesson to never buy cheap lenses.  I bought the macro lens primarily to photograph newborn fingers and toes and other tiny precious parts but the autofocus is so slow that it's completely useless.  Even when I used this lens to take some ring shots at a wedding, I gave up on using the lens because you have to hold down the shutter for so long to find focus and god forbid you have to refocus...forget it!I will be returning ASAP.
I am not a pro. I can only tell you what an amateur feels about this lens. First I have a little bit hard time to mount the lens to my Nikon D7000. My others Nikkor lenses are so easy to snap on. But I think it is not a big deal. The image is sharp. It is as sharp as a prime lens should be. I can even see the dust on my little robot models. The focus speed is well slow. If you don't have a moving subject I think it is ok. Also don't be too close to the subject, sometime the lens will extend significantly during focusing. Even without VR the image is pretty good. Of course if you use tripod then it is not problem. Thank you Tamron for making a Marco for poor man like me.
Outstanding Macro lens. I did a lot of research on this lens before purchasing and couldn't find any negatives from the experts. Having it in hand for about a month the images are snappy, even wide open. I now see why prime lenses are held in such high regard. I purposley tried to induce flare with the lens hood on and found it was nearly impossible to  create even pointing the camera just a few degrees from the light source.
I have a Nikon 5100 camera. I was thinking about getting the Nikon version of this but it was over $900!!! I found this as a replacement and so far so good Takes amazing pictures! For me this lens was to just take random closeups of bugs and such. Does the job for a reasonable price.
Very nice lens at a great price. Picture quality is superb. My only gripe is the autofocus is slow and a bit noisy. For macro work, this is not a major problem since I use manual focus.
I purchased the older version despite the new 90mm coming out in April 2013 (needed it for a job).  I've been very pleased with the images coming from the lens.  Macros are sharp and crisp and well detailed.  Focus has been consistent and I've noted very few aberrations such as excessive fringing, etc.  In all, very pleased with this lens.
I predict this lens will be spending a lot of time on my camera.Only cons is that the motor is a bit noisy... other than that... I love it, it even comes with a lens hood!
I like this lens. There is one draw back using it with my Sony DSLR, to switch from manual to auto-focus you have to change a switch on both the lens and on the camera body.  I like this lens.
this lens performs as stated...it takes crystal clear shots, be they regular head shots or close up macro shots....the detail the lens is able to grab is incredible.....its ability to switch between AF and MF is easy and able to do on the fly while taking pics....came second nature quickly.i would highly recommend this lens for someone who is looking to invest in a better lens than the kits lenses that came with your DSLR and is interested in taking a lot of close ups, be they of people or flowers/insects, etc....you will not be disappointed....they state the ratio is 1:1, but it sure seems like a lot more when you view your pics on the monitor......its 2.8 max f-stop also allows one to take better pics in low light over the 4/5.6 kit lenses.i own a sony a350 dslr and the lens performs smoothly with this camera.tom
We use this internally to do professionally video and still work for our company. I was a little concerned in that it was not Canon. However, this lens is super sharp - and has a beautiful bokeh.  Unbelievably good deal at 500 bucks.  I will definitely buy Tamron again....Cons:- Focus is slow, always is on a macro.- It feels a little cheap, very plasticy (but it's light)Pro:- Chromatic aberration is reasonable- Wonderful bokeh- Very sharp when in focus. To be tack on - you really need to close it down to about 3.2.- Focus / Manual snap ring is fast and nice once you get used to it.- 2.8 in a 90mm for video really opens up possibilities, and at $500 it was well worth it.I just wish they would add VC (the Tamron version of image stabilization) to it.Highly recommend.
This lens is a fantastic lens because it takes amazing true 1:1 macro shots and doubles as an awesome portrait head-shot lens. This lens is also a good "street" lens. The low-light aperture of 2.8 is fantastic and the creamy gorgeous bokeh will blow you away. I like that it has a unique manual vs. auto focus ring that pushes and "snaps" back and forth .. took some getting used to but I actually really like this unique method of switching focus modes - no need to hunt for a switch on the side of the lens. Also features TACK SHARP images!Bottom line - if you are trying to get into macro photography and/or are looking for a great portrait "head-shot" lens with awesome bokeh, get this lens!I have some photo examples (link to paste) in the comments section.UPDATE 8/26/2012This is still a great lens and very sharp. The only two points which bug me greatly is that the front expands and contracts for focus (no internal focus) so when you are very close in macro to a subject the lens is almost touching it, and the fact that focus is ungodly slow. At least there is a limit switch, which is needed. For macro, one uses manual focus a lot anyway. I will keep the 5 star for the optics and fantastic pictures, I read reviews and knew what I was getting.
This lens takes fantastic photos and is way more affordable than the comparable lenses from Canon. I have a lot to learn when it comes to macro photography, but that is what made this lens great. It affords me the opportunity to have a very high quality lens at a price I could justify at my skill level. I will be able to continue to grow and learn and this lens will not limit me at all.The clarity is superbBokeh is smooth and easily obtained.fast aperture.The only thing I can think of that could be better would be the auto focus. It can be slow, but once you are close with your focus the auto focus is fast. Only when going from very different focal distances does it start to search a little and take some time.Overall I would recommend this lens to any photographer at most skill levels. Its great for macro, portraits, and everything in between.
Bought my Tamron 200-500mm in 2011 through Amazon. Recently pulled it out to use. I don't carry it all the time due to size of the lens. The Focus ring wouldn't turn so I sent it in for repair. According to Tamron it had shock damage the lens has never been dropped and  was always stored in the provided case.
We purchased this item to use with our Nikon D5000.  Unfortunately it doesn't work with our camera body.  From the manufacturerUnfortunately the 200-500 lens is not compatible with the D5000, becausethe D5000 does not have an auto focus motor in the body. The 200-500 alsodoes not have a motor, so there is no auto focus capability between them.The tamron site has more infoAmazon graciously accepted the return.
It is a perfect companion to the 18-200mm Tamron I use, and is faster at the 200mm mark.I enjoy wildlife and outdoor photography. The crop factor gives me the equivalent of a 750mm zoom, and the eight foot minimum focusing distance lets me take some great shots of wild flowers and such.From all I coud find when I researched the lens, to get a noticeably better lens you had to pay out several times as much money.The only drawback to the lens is that, at least in the Minolta mount, demand exceeds supply and there is waiting list for the lens.It is well worth waiting for, however.  :)I have a number of shots taken with this lens on a Minolta 7D.[...]
I like this lens, a lot.  I always use a heavy tripod. If it is windy, I use a remote shutter release. I use a circular polarizer for most of my shots and really appreciate the integral filter adjustment feature. The anti creep lock is a nice feature.I am  kayaker and am fortunate enough to live near the Snake River, so I am a little partial to river shots. Pair a Dice Rapids shot with a 55mm-200mm lens, shows the river from canyon wall to canyon wall. With this lens, I can shoot individual rapid section details that aren't even visible with the 55mm-200mm lens.  Pretty neat.I read whines about "too heavy", get real, try an  F4 lens if you want HEAVY.
I was in the market for a 70-200mm tamron lens. I am the head sports photographer at the university I attend and my personal 200mm canon lens recently bit the bullet. I didn't want to spend $2,000 on a new one though and I knew tamron was a good brand. While looking at the other lenses, this 500mm caught my eye. I knew it was long (though, at the time I did not know exactly how long) and I thought, "It's just $200 more than the 200mm. And this way I'll have the big lens of all the other photographers on the sidelines."Let me tell you, I'm glad I bought this lens.I shot college baseball the day after I got the lens in the mail. I was able to get much more "in there" shots than I did with my shorter canon. Standing in the home dugout, I was able to zoom into the faces of the outfielder against the wall at 400 feet as he was trying to catch a near homerun. I feel like I have an ability now as a sports photographer with this lens that I didn't have before with shorter lenses.There are two downsides though.1. I never liked shooting with a monopod. I feel like it limits my mobility and keeps me from following the action. However, my hands shake badly so when you're at full zoom, it looks like an earthquake through the lens. A monopod is a must.2. You cannot shoot in low-light situations. At my college, the lights on the football field is so bad, it's like I'm shooting in a cellar. However, even with the shorter canon I used to use, the pictures were never spectacular at night time. The only time anyone can get fantastic pictures on that field is during the day half of games. So I wouldn't expect this lens to do great at night.All in all, I'm very happy with the lens. $945 for the Tamron version as opposed to the Canon's 11k for its counterpart. Good little lens for daytime sports. Just don't shoot at night.
At first i was disappointed that focus was more soft than expected at the extremes of zoom (200to 230. And 475-500)HOWEVER.. Between 240mm and 470mm of zoom it is one the finest pieces of glass in my lens stable! And it performs extremely well throughout that range in conjunction with a Tamron 1.4 teleconverter as well!  Also, its performance with a 2x converter is very good between 2250mm and 425mm.  It is absolutely an indispensible part of my regularly used kit!
I Love my lens!  It is great! first Tamron lens Ive bought and will def buy more.  Was nervous before it arrived but once I started taking pics, wouldnt change it! I love it and I will buy more tamron lenses for my canon t4i
I have had this lens for a few months.The lens is great for birding and other nature shots.I have been very pleased with this lens.To get a better lens means spending quite a bit more cash.It is light and I use a shoulder rig in a canoe for a lot of my work.On the downside it takes complete sunshine to get good, sharp shots.The color and the contrast are a little weak , but can be easily "fixed " in photoshop.For the money this lens is a no brainer.Just look at the pics. !Now for an L lens !!!
I ordered my lens for over night delivery because I was going on a trip. To my horror I discovered that I ordered it in the wrong mount! When I checked my order with Amazon it stated that my order was being prepared for shipment and could not be canceled or changed. So I clicked that "phone me" button and sure enough Amazon called in less than a minute. The lady could not change my order but she did cancel it.I ordered the lens with the proper mount and received it the next day.Excellent build quality.Comes in a quality case that is well padded.Fast focus and SHARP!With Sony's built in image stabilizer I am able to get sharp pictures even at 500mm hand held.Can't ask for much more than that!
See Nov 2008 Updates below for comparison between this lens and my new Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L ISPros:Relatively lightGreat bang for the buckPretty sharp at F/7.1 @ 500mmSmall size when zoomed to 200mmNice tripod mount that allows you to rotate the camera and lensCons:Slow autofocusNo Image StabilizationCheap plastic build and feelSlow max aperture especially at 500mmWorks best at long zoom settings on a tripodNot as sharp as my Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS Zoom lensI wanted more reach to photograph birds and the moon using my Canon 40D so I borrowed this lens for a few weeks from a friend while he borrows my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 L.The first things you notice are it's pretty light and long especially when extended to 500mm with an even longer hood attached out past that.  The hood seemed a little flimsy but attached firmly and stayed in place throughout shooting so I have no complaints about it.My first shots were of the moon at 500mm hand held on manual mode at ISO 400 1/800th second at F/7.1.  I was very pleased with how sharp and what great contrast this lens produced when I got back inside and downloaded to my Mac.When attached to my monopod or tripod I liked the built in lens tripod mount as it easily allows you to rotate the camera and lens together easily without having to change settings on your tripod.  I used this lens mainly on a monopod while shooting birds and this worked really well.  I mainly used the lens at 500mm where it seemed really sharp at F/7.1 but pretty sharp wide open as well.  Will try some more shots at shorter ranges and post later.Conclusion:If you are in the market for a 500mm lens especially one that's a zoom and in this price range and you don't need the speed of a faster lens then this may be the lens for you.  I recently purchased a new Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS Zoom lens and find it much more useful especially since I am not tied to a tripod because of the freedom of the Image Stablizier.  If you can afford it get the Canon 100-400 if you are on a budget and you don't mind using a tripod and having images that are softer then get the Tamron.6-29-2008 UpdateDespite being a really sharp lens, and a versatile one, there area several other things that make a lens a pleasure to use.1.  Fast auto-focus, this lens doesn't have it.  After awhile of trading my Canon L lens back and forth with this one there's just too much I miss especially birds in flight.  With a Canon L it's a snap.2.  Fast aperture, F/4 maybe I could put up with but when you get above F/5.6 you are getting into really slow territory.I thought about getting a Canon 400mm F/5.6 L but this may be just a little too slow.  I think I will continue to save up for the Canon 300 F/2.8 L.  I know it's in another league from this lens, but I just can't give up the even better quality, fast aperture and lightening fast auto-focus.  I'll buy a 2x multiplier to get out there further.11-5-2008 Update:I just bought a new Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS Zoom lens and there is just no comparison, The Canon 100-400 just blows away the Tamron lens in all areas except for reach which is another 100mm on the Tamron.  I compared my old tripod mounted test photos with the Canon 100-400 test photos using the same settings and the 100-400 is shaper has better contrast and most importantly has image stabilization which allows me to use a much slower shutter speed and still get great sharp photos.  The auto focus on the Canon is also faster.11-14-2008 Update:It was a full moon the last two nights perfect for taking my best shot of the moon with my new Canon 100-400 F/4.5 - F/5.6 IS L lens.  I wanted to compare the best moon shot I got with the Tamron 200-500mm with my new Canon lens.  The moon was full and night clear and I took a hand held shot at 1/400s F/7.1 ISO 100 with the Canon 40D same camera I used with the Tamron test.  I then downloaded and processed the Raw photo using the same settings I used for the best moon shot I ever got with the Tamron.Results:  The Canon 100-400 had enough resolving power and was sharp enough where I could actually zoom in enough on the moon shot taken with the Tamron 200-500mm at 500mm and it was slightly better.  The shots at 400mm with the Tamron were a step down from the 400mm shot with the Canon 100-400.The other thing I noticed after looking through the directory with all the daytime Tamron 200-500mm vs the Canon 100-400 was how many shots I got with the Canon 100-400 lens that would not be possible with the Tamron because the Tamron has no Image Stabilizer and the Tamron focused much more slowly.  The Tamron is more of a tripod bird perched on a branch lens the Canon 100-400 I can actually do bird in flight photos!Verdict:If you are on a budget and don't mind shooting from a tripod at motionless or near motionless subjects the Tarmon 200-500 can do, but... if you have the money at all you need to get the Canon 100-400 you will be getting more shots and with more resolving power even though the Canon is 100mm shorter.Lenses I currently own:Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS Ultra sharp, great colors, great low light, poor zoom actionCanon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Rebel XTi Kit lens Muddy, slow, pile of junkCanon EF 17-40mm f/4 L Fantastic colors, sharp zoomed 17 to 24mm, ultra smooth zoom action, light weightCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Fantastic colors and contrast, sharp zoomed 40 to 70mm, zoom a little stiff at first, heavy, repair prone!Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Good budget portrait lens, light weight, disposable, sharp from F/2.5Canon EF 85mm F/1.2 L II The best portrait lens for female and children clients, buttery smooth Bokeh, heavy and expensive it shares sharpness with 135mmCanon EF 135mm F/2.0 L The best portrait lens for males and tied with Canon 85mm F 1/.2 for sharpest lens I own, buttery smooth BokehCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L fantastic colors, sharp for a zoom, very versatile ego boosting and attention getting and heavy!  My favorite zoom lens!!!Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L great IS, super colors, sharp for a zoom, extremely versatile, variable Bokeh, even more ego boosting and attention getting when extended and 400mm reach!!My next lens purchase I'm saving for right now: _Canon EF 300mm F/2.8 IS L the finest lens ever
I'm real impressed with this lens. I've been needing to get more reach for my wildlife photos. The Dof and Bokeh are wonderful.I use the Tamron 200-500 with my Rebel Xt. I have very small hands, and I have NO problems hand holding this lens at all. What I do is, when it is fully extended, I just put my left hand under the end of the lens to balance, and it's as easy as that.I only have it 3 days and I'm really enjoying it. My images are sharp!The only thing I did was change the contrast on my camera, which had been set to HIGH, to NORMAL.....The "sun shade" is a must in bright light, and really works well.If I chose to mount on my tripod, I have no problems. I have a bogen-manfrotto and it's sturdy enough to hold this big lens.
Bought it to photograph my daughter sky-diving. I was staying on the ground, had my fill of flying in the military, so I needed to reach up. Worked well but I photographed the wrong person. My fault not the lens'. It has a tripod adapter for a reason.
I'm sure one of the Canon big lenses would be sharper and faster, but this one isn't a bad lens at all.  I will try, but not recommend it, with a 1.4x extender.  So far, the 500mm photos do seem a little soft.  But if you have your f/7 to 8 in daylight you should be good.  No IS?  Hey, you'd pay a lot more for that.  You are going to use this on a tripod or monopod, so no IS isn't a problem at all.
I am very pleased with this lens.  For the cost, you can't go wrong, and this lens is more than sufficient for most types of photography.  It is excellent for nature and wildlife shots. Clean, clear and crisp shots at all zoom settings.  My only complaint is the lens is somewhat heavy.
Lens is extremely sharp.  When I received it I was amazed at the built quality.  Produced amazing quality pictures.  Very sturdy built.  Sharpness was great till around 400 mm.  Great for nature and portrait.
I bought this lens to go with my Canon 70-200/4L. Before I bought it, I did my research and narrowed down my selection to this lens and Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma). Both of them got great reviews. Compared to Sigma, this lens is lighter, cheaper, and sharper according to most reviewers. And of course, I don't really need the 50-200mm range since I already got my Canon. Sharpness is great from 200-400mm, but does become a little soft at 500mm but still is very good. At 500mm, I did need to lock down my tripod, used mirror lockup and cable release to get a good picture. With this magnification, you have to use your best skills. I also compared this lens to Canon 70-200mm, both set at 200mm. This lens is a little bit softer than Canon at center, but much sharper at the edge. According to one review, the edge is even shaper than the center, which is rare for any lens. As noted by other reviewers, the auto focus becomes slow because of its f6.3 at its long-end. And if you add a 1.4X teleconverter, you have to use manual focus on Digital Rebel. But considering you need to spend thousands of dollars to get a Canon for this range, this lens is a great value.
I have been a pro, or semi-pro, photojournalist and constant photographer over 50 years.  One of my current gigs is volunteering as the official photographer for a major local blues festival, where some of the major acts, musicians my age, now insist that we stay at least 60 yards away and/or restrict close access to 3 songs.  I bought this lens with that in mind and used it for this year's 4-day festival, for hundreds of images.  It was pure delight.  I used it on Nikon D7000 and D600, and Olympus OM-D E-M5 bodies in light ranging from direct sun to indoors to night stage lighting.Other reviewers have complained about the weight, and I can't understand what they're talking about.  I wonder if they do, or if they've lifted a long Nikon or Canon zoom?  The Tamron's light weight is a pleasure, especially at the end of a 12 hour shooting day when, were I using a full-toot high dollar lens, I probably would no longer be carrying it.  I have practiced steady hand holding for many years, and almost none of the Tamron's images show camera shake.  In performance photos from about 50 yards away, I can count the performers' whiskers.  And wrinkles.On the little Olympus with its 5-axis in-body stabilization, the Tamron is effectively a 400-1000 lens and that's reaching right out there.  I love it and have no complaint about any aspect of its performance because a little tuning is the norm for almost any image any of us use these days.  Shooting toward strong light, it does like that stovepipe lens hood.The focusing ring is 'way back on the lens, well behind its balance point on my cameras.  My volunteer project last weekend was covering a 4-day classic car rally during which I shot hundreds of images of the cars coming at me at speeds up to about 60 mph.  The autofocus could not stay with them, but I mounted the Tamron's tripod collar backward at an angle toward my lower left as I held the camera.  Holding the tripod collar base in my left palm, I could easily follow focus the cars with my pinky finger (the focus ring turns with a light touch, and it is very fast-focusing) and easily 90% of those images are sharp.The rotating filter mount is a good idea for some uses I suppose, but it makes a very long lens at 500mm even longer.  I took it off and left it off.This big zoom is one of only two non-Nikon professional lenses I use, but its results are fully comparable with theirs.  Incidentally, my metadata indicate that it really is 500mm at the long end, though that doesn't matter one whit to me.  We, or at least I, don't take pictures for metadata, I do it for results.  This Tamron delivers them very dependably and affordably.
Used at varies times. Took pictures at football games. After a little adjustment worked out very well. Price was fair. I recommend.
Soft contrast, specularities on the edges. Great for surveillance bad for prints above 5 x 7.
This lens rounds out my collection.  I have an ultrawide zoom, portrait zoom, medium zoom, and now this long zoom.  I thought long and hard about my options -- especially the Sony Reflex 500mm and the Sigma offerings, 50-500 and 150-500.  In the end, this one had the best balance of the main factors I considered: price, size/weight, image quality, and flexibility.  Its price is extremely reasonable, the size and weight are remarkable given the physical need for 500mm, and the zoom range offers the perfect compromise.But there are a few things you have to consider: it is big and heavy compared to a typical lens.  It is difficult, but by no means impossible, to use handheld.  (You'll want to consider tripod use.)  In addition, this is not exactly a fast lens, so you'll want to have a lot of light.  And the image quality, while good, is not at a professional level.  But what can you expect?  To get a lens that does more you'll have to spend A LOT more money!  The same is true for the build: it's not professional or weather-sealed, but it is what I would consider good for a typical lens.Some people complain about the autofocus speed.  I don't find it to be a problem.  It's not super-fast, but it's faster than I expected given the complaints I've heard.  I would say it's average for any zoom lens.Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend this to others -- provided they know what they are getting into.  If you don't really know too much about photography, you should consider another lens, with a shorter zoom, first.
BUYER BEWARE!  ISSUE WITH SELLER NOT MANUFACTURER.The lens came packaged in a box far to large, loaded with air-bubble plastic filler.  Lens unharmed.  Opened lens, looked for instructions only to find Japanese instructions, First RED FLAG.  Contacted Amazon, who intern contacted the seller for the english instructions.  SECOND RED FLAG, tried to register the lens with Manufacturer only to be denied registration by Internet.  Was instructed to call manufacturer.  Upon contacting the manufacturer I was told that there would be no 6 year warranty or any repair should lens need it because the lens SN was not in the manufacturers computer and was suspect as GRAY MARKET LENS.  The seller insists lens is good all round and manufacturer denied warranty due to below MSRP, I returned lens and got a refund.  Will not make this mistake again.  I was notified today that my refund has taken place, thanks Amazon.  BUYER BEWARE!If you can find this lens from a Tamron approved seller buy it.  It is lighter than the Sigma 150-500mm.  Buy from the big name sellers, Adorama, B&H; Photo etc. Others may be selling &#34;IMPORTED&#34; Tamron glass with no warranty in the USA.  This may infer GRAY MARKET LENS.  At the price and complexity of todays cameras and lenses Gray Market purchases will leave you hurting for warranty work, adjustments or out right damage repairs.Again, BUYER BEWARE!
This lens is slow to autofocus and VERY heavy.  I knew that a lens of this size would have more weight than my smaller ones, but it even outweighed my expectations.  Autofocus seems much slower than it should be.
I knew this when I bought it.  I use it for getting the shot of dogs running Lure Coursing which is an outside event.  I have several Tamron lens.  I love the old ones best they seem more compatable with Canon bodies I have.  Also they seem clearer and better lens in general.  Not as happy with the newer ones.
The good...nice clear shots ..the bad..no VR which has caused me to buy a tripod a bean bag etc. For the money I spent on all the accessories..if I had it to do all over..I might  have purchased a Sigma 150-500 and saved myself much aggravation. On a positive note..on a tripod..in good light..this lens cannot be beat by its rivals. I have seen shots with sigmas and I am not impressed.. I will keep this lens until I can spring for something better.It is possible to hand hold this lens but the shutter needs to be up around 1/1000 to hold it steady at 500mm. What I enjoy is setting up the tripod at a nesting site..and shooting away..fabulous clear shots on a sunny day. If you are run and gun shooter do not get this lens.
I have had this lens for almost a year and normally don't write reviews but the person who gave it four stars claims the pictures were great and focus fast and everyone agreed but gave it four stars? The lens deserves five stars for the price and flexibility. It does seem to work better on my 20d then on my 1Ds, the pictures are sharp and focus is fast for a zoom lens. Ihave all but two lens that are not Canon L lens, this one and the Sigma 150 macro and they are both fantastic lens. The lens is heavy.
Lets start this review by stating the obvious, this is not a 500mm prime lens costing about 10K, this is a decent lens with great range for under 1K.  It is silly to start comparing this lens to others that cost 6 to 10 times as much money.I am using this lens on a Nikon D7000.  I have read other reviews about the slow focus speed but I am not seeing that on my camera body.  It focuses fast and adjusts rapidly using the continous mode.  Focus speeds have as much to do with the camera body you are using as it does the lens itself.  This lens does not have the internal focus motor so it will not work on cameras that do not support this such as the D5000.The pictures I have got are very sharp up to about 400mm.  The image quality suffers a little from there to 500mm.  It is something I can live with and the images are still usable but get a little soft.  Up to 400mm this lens is very sharp.  For wildlife this lens works great and you can get shots you would have otherwise missed because of the reach.It is a fairly slow lens but I have found that it does not get into the 6.3 range until you pass the 400mm mark.  I bump my ISO to 800 or so and have no problem getting crisp images handheld.  I normally shoot on a monopod because I am shooting wildlife and mostly in the wait and shoot mode and this lens gets heavy.With the hood on and zoomed to 500mm this lens is long, very long.  With the hood off and the zoom returned it is a short lens.  One of the things I do not care for is how many rotations of the zoom ring you have to turn to go from 200-500.  The Sigma is much quicker.This lens does not have Image Stabilization which would have been nice but would probably add another couple hundred dollars and weight to it.  It does come in a very nice padded case and features a filter ring that can be adjusted with the hood on.  Filters are 86mm which are very costly.  Tripod mount is very solid and located well for easy access.Conclusion:  This is a great lens for the money.  It focuses fast and produces crisp pictures.  It is a slow aperature range but I have not had any issues in daylight with focus or speed.  I didn't want to spend 3 to 5 grand on a lens that I will not be using that much.  IMO, this is a specialized lens that I use for wildlife.  I might use it 20-25% of the time.  I normally shoot a 80-200 Nikon 2.8 for my sports and action photography.  This lens would not be very good for that task.
This new lens, part of the Di (designed for digital) initiative from Tamron is very well built - light and balances well in hand.It compares nicely with much more costlier Canon 100-400 L IS and compliments perfectly 70-200 type of lenses to extend telephoto reach to incredible 800mm on 1.6x crop camera.Very sharp even wide-open from 200mm to 400mm it starts to slightly lose its edge at 500mm but still is very respectable. AF is quick and not very noisy. The lens can be hand-hold in broad daylight but is best used either with monopod or a good tripod (especially if you shoot in dusk conditions). Attaching optional 1.4x extender would allow to bring subjects up to 24 times closer compared to bare eyesight and still get a very high quality shot.From the drawbacks there is slight lack of contrast comparing to 'L' (professional) lenses from Canon and slow F/6.3 apperture at the tele-end, making AF sometimes difficult with cameras that are not designed for AF after F/5.6 (such as 20D or Digital Rebel). Putting extender or/and Polarizer filter on lens would cut light that reaches the camera another 2-3 times, making this lens very slow and forcing Manual Focusing. So if you need the speed at such extreme reach, better consider prime (non-zoom) lenses.The filter size is 86mm making finding an affordable quality filter for this lens a practical impossibility. But if you do manage to get a decent polarizer filter, using it would be much simplier then with any other large lenses due to included filter attachment ring. With any other lens the hood would be blocking access to the filter but thanks to this simple gadget, Tamron 200-500 can be used successfully with both filter and hood on.
I got this lens in the same set of purchases when I moved up from a Nikon D80 to a D300.  So naturally, I tried it out on both before I sold the D80.  Four stars on the D80; five on the D300.  What CA I saw on the D80 images disappeared on the images from the D300 - the D300 automatically corrected the CA.  This is why I say I think it will "improve" with age - the bodies will continually get better, and compensate for minor flaws.But in its own right, this lens is a significant value.  Not only in price, but in utility.  I had to ask myself if I would really use a lens in this range enough to want to hump it around (yes), if I really needed a fast lens in the 200-500mm range (no), or practically, if I could afford same (no).  I decided I didn't want to deal with the weight and bulk of a multi-thousand-dollar fast pro lens, and I certainly had better places to put my already out-of-control photography spending in relation to what would be my least used lens.Since I wanted this lens primarily for cruise side trips (whales, bears, bridges, foilage, etc) which usually take place during the middle of the day with lots of light, convenience/cost was much more important than sophistication.  I didn't need low light capability for sunrise/sunset landscapes, or to be sure to capture that one rare bird that only ventures out in the evening twilight.  Further, portability was important.  So, even though it's still the biggest space hog in the backpack along with four other lenses, all of which I use more than this one, the weight/bulk/cost to functionality ratio of this lens is still very acceptable to me.  One other thing - it comes with a high quality, very usable, padded case of its own if you don't have a dedicated photo backpack.Advice?  Use it on at least a monopod.  Even though it's light enough to be shot handheld, the images are highly dependent on good support.One small negative.  I've not found software yet which will automatically correct its barrel/pincushion distortion at various focal lengths.  Neither PTLens nor DXO have it in their databases, and I've not seen the compensation factors published for Photoshop.  While I am good enough to plug in factors that somebody smarter than me has figured out, I am not good enough to figure out those factors myself.  So if any readers here ever find them/figure them out, could you share?
I have been very happy with the picture quality I have gotten with this lens. I use it for photographing birds and other wildlife. It's a little heavy but any lens this size will add weight to the camera. My camera (Sony a200) has image stabilization built in and it works great with this lens.
I got this lens to upgrade my kit with the purchase of a Nikon D90.  I travel a lot and spend a good bit of time in southern and eastern Africa.  I always go on safari when I'm there, even if only for a day or two, so I was looking for a long lens that could be easily moved about, both on and off the camera.  This lens was the biggest glass I could find that was a reasonable weight and length.  It's also affordable, given the quality.While I haven't taken it into the bush yet, I have taken it to the zoo to simulate both the distance and subjects I'll be photographing.  The results are better than I expected.  The focus takes a bit of getting used to, and the tracking is going to take even more practice.  But, even after only a few hours of working with zoo-constrained animals, I was able to signficantly improve my ability to get hand-held sharp shots of slowly moving animals.  When on a tripod, the sharpness increases, but then you lose the ability to track.  Wide open, it's a bit soft, but then so is any lens of this size under 5K, so you can't complain.The best thing about this lens is its weight, or lack thereof.  It's about 2.5 pounds, and with the hood inverted it will fit easily inside a LowePro slingshot.  Its weight and length make it possible to hand-hold and easy to lug around on your back through rough terrain.  Overall, for an affordable long lens that can be mobile and versatile, you can't do much better.  This is not a perfect lens, but it's a darned good one.
Good response when focusing, needs plenty of light, you will need a tripod to use in wildlife. I am not super happy with it but I can't afford the Nikon product. The Tamron does the job, I am not happy since I do wildlife photography and not good when birds are in motion.
I'm using this on a Sony SLR.  I like to shoot wildlife and that of course demands a long lens.  I'm not aware of any lens that's this sharp for the money.  A definite keeper.
I rented this lens out for a weekend to check it out. So I guess I qualify to comment. It's a humongous hunk of a lens. Auto focus works pretty fast in good sun light, but I noticed hunting after the slightest change in position. I haven't noticed any distortion or softness at the 500 range.Considering the quantum price shift when one desires a Canon or a Nikon, this is a very good buy for wildlife photographers. Don't even nurse the thought of any action photography, let alone tracking a flying bird, at least in the higher zoom range.  I did track a Dobermann running full speed, to be fair :-)
I really do love this lens.  It's so sharp for a big daddy lens. I bought it for my Sony DSLT A77.  It matches up to the 8 pin. Very quick focus using automatic or use manual.  It is not heavy like I thought it would be.  I am a senior  with the passion for photography.  Excellent glass. The Construction of the lens is made  with very strong plastic and metal mount.  I am doing bird photography with wonderful results.  I studied all reviews on this lens by Tamron, Sigma, Sony, Tokina, and Minolta brands of big lens for bird photography.  I Looked up picture samples for each lens to the the results in color, detail, and ease of use.  Also, last but not least price.  It came down to Tamron or Sigma. The sample pictures for Tamron  was 4.8 almost a 5. It was the very sharp detail that won me over. The price very reasonable for a new lens. I am happy I bought it and would never give it up. Also, you need to know Tamron has a 6 year warranty on this lens.
I was not sure if this would be a good buy or not.  I wanted to purchase my spouse an auto 150-500 MM lens for our anniversry. I was going to get the Sigma, but they ran out of stock right before I was to order. I saw this one snd read a review where it worked good on the Nikon D-90.  I was worried how stable it would be and if the auto focus would work okay, since it uses the camera's motor and does not come on the lens. It's a little hard on the camera batteries this way, but so far so good. My spouse is satisfied.
I like this lens, but not thrilled with it.I can't really tell you why I am not fond of this lens, but It's not the lens I prefer using.Trust me, I keep trying to use it, but never happy with the pictures.Yes, I use a tripod and also tried a mono-pod.
I found the lens very light and easy to use in the field for Nature photography, especially birding. I'm getting excellent pictures although the auto-focus feature tends to search a little longer and with pin point focus it tends not to be so precise in those tight bird shots with many leaves. My Sony Mirror lens does a much better job when it comes to that type of focusing. Don't let the size fool you, it did me. I thought I could hand hold the camera while taking pictures and found out I could and they were very focused. I rated lower because of the speed of focus. I've used it for over a week now and found it to be rugged in the field. Other lenses I've used by other manufacturers haven't held up so well in that wildlife environment.
First, let's say up front that this is a BIG lens.  All of the super zooms are.  They all do much better with a tripod because of their weight.Having said that, I have been able to handhold this lens in daytime and get great shots at 400-500mm.  Of course, this requires a learning curve.  I have found that most telephoto lenses get negative reviews, not because they are inferior lenses, but because folks don't know how to shoot with them.  Your best shots will be if you can fill up a good 1/2 to 2/3 of the image with your subject.  Less than that, and the camera is less likely to: 1) get true focus on the actual subject (rather than the area around the subject); and 2) get the details needed to enlarge the image without losing quality.Back to the lens, for those who want greater reach, this lens is a wonderful option.  It's biggest competition is the Sigma 50-500mm.  While the "Bigma" is considered a great lens, how practical is the 50-200mm range?  If you're going to shoot at that range, there are MANY other lenses that are much better in quality and much easier to carry around.  At the 200-500mm range, the Tamron's reviews tend to be better than the Bigma.If you really want one lens that will cover the most ranges, then the Bigma may be your best bet.  However, it's not a walk-around lens, so you end up buying other lenses within the same range simply because you can't carry the Bigma all day every day.  To me, the better option is to buy the Tamron 200-500mm for when you REALLY need the reach, and buy something else for the 50-200mm range (the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 and Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 would be a nice combo) for everyday use.(No mention of L lenses, because if you could afford the L lens, you wouldn't bother looking at the Tamron. :) )Update 2/18/2013: This lens is still amazing.  For those who review it saying that it cannot get you the shots, either you got a bad copy, you're comparing it against an L lens (which is not fair - the L lens equivalent is far more expensive to provide that boost in quality), or you didn't give yourself a learning period with it.  Every lens has it's learning curve - some are small, some are large - but there is a curve.  This has a fairly large learning curve. Accept it, learn it, and enjoy it!
I have had this lens for not quite a week.  I use it on a D200, and also on a D70S.  I have taken pictures of aircraft, surfers, birds and have learned a lot about how to get the most out of this lens.  I doubt that it was designed to be hand held, so if you want good pictures, use a tripod.  I don't even think a monopod is adequate unless you have no other choice, like shooting a sporting event.  It's a fairly bulky lens.I use a relatively slow shutter speed, like 1/500 of a second.  This is not a very fast lens.  Faster shutter speeds result in reduced image detail.  When I am focusing on an object that is fairly bright, even at extreme telephoto (500mm) I am getting very good image detail.  But if the object that I am focusing on is dark, then the image detail will be marginal.  The sensor in digital cameras requires lots of light.I have a VR 18-200 mm Nikon lens, and my images are as clear with the Tamron zoom lens, as they are with the Nikon VR lens.With these two lenses, I can cover the 18-500mm range, with respectable results.  It's a bargain.
This is perfect lens for wildlife.  Easy to use, light weight and wonderful pictures.  Great price also.  Well worth buying.  You won't be sorry.  Check my website to see the great pictures I have captured with this lens - [...]I would recommend this lens to beginners and advance photographers.
I've owned the Tamron 200-500mm telephoto lens since 2010 and have used it several times at a zoo or landscape shots. Last night I used it for my grandson's baseball game on my Nikon D800 and was very impressed with how fast it focused which I thought was as fast, if not faster, than the Nikon 80-200mm which I usually use for his games. Images were sharp even when moving around fast on the tripod to catch a shot from one base to another and had to focus to catch the action. The lens cost just under a $1000, but when compared to the cost of a comparable Nikon lens it's a bargain. Give it a try and test it yourself. I'm confident you'll keep it.Tamron AF 200-500mm f/5.0-6.3 Di LD SP FEC (IF) Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A08N)
For the price (about $950) this lens is extraordinary. For its price range it has a a very good construction build quality and the image quality is quite good. It is obviously not as good as much higher end Nikon lenses but then again this lens is only a third to a sixth of their price. It also does not have built-in stabilization as its higher price competitors do, is a little slow to focus relative to high end competiting lenses, has a relatively small aperture (I definitely would not use this lens for low light or sports photography - but in bright daylight conditions it is more than satisfactory) relative to higher end competitors and it weighs more than its high end competitors (it is not built of exotic materials such as titanium or titanium like metals. But for a lens that costs only a third to a sixth of higher end competitors such as Nikon this is to be expected. For $950 one gets an excellent value.
I purchased this filter to go with my Canon EF-S 60mm Macro lens.  I'm very happy with my purchase.  I know that some UV filters have been known to negatively affect photos (increasing vignetting, mostly), but I have not experienced that with this filter.  It wasn't the cheapest choice, but it certainly wasn't the most expensive, either, and it seems to do its job well.  Definitely worth the $11 I paid to protect my much more valuable lens!
I use all my camera lenses with filters because the extra protection is worth having an extra piece of glass between my photo and the subject. I do lots of outdoor shooting, and conditions vary too wildly with dust and wind.So that's why I purchased this filter for my EF 35-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. It's been attached since and it works great. I have noticed no additional flaring or reflections caused by this glass, nor any reduction in sharpness or contrast. Yes, the lens it's attached to isn't the highest quality, but most 52mm filter thread size lenses aren't.I would purchase this filter again.
I never take my UV filter off of my lens unless I am going to immediately put on a different filter.  There are basically two camps out there, those that feel you should always use a UV filter to protect your lens from dirt and scratches and those that feel it is a waste of time and only degrades your image.  Well, I tried going without one for awhile and then dirt started to build up on the front element of my very expense lens.  And although you can clean the front element of a lens, I feel much, much safer wiping my comparatively cheap UV filter time and time again rather than chancing any actual lens damage.  I think for the nearly unquantifiable loss in image quality you may suffer by having a UV filter on, it is well worth the extra piece of mind it gives me.
Gotta have a UV, protects the lens and ultraviolet light can be a pain plus you can't beat Canon glass!
This fileter does nothing special UNTIL you drop your camera lens. Then it suddenly becomes very cheap insurance.I suppose it also is good for keeping smudges off your lens.
I am using this to protect my EF 50mm f1.8.  No complaints.  Good price.  Fits well. No noticeable effect on image quality, but added peace of mind.
Not so much to talk about it. it do not  have any problem , so buy it !Good Look
This filter was made in the Phillipines, not made in Japan as you would expect from Canon photographic equipment.  For $8, I guess you can't expect too much.
I bought this primarily to protect the glass on my lense. I have not done a comparison of shooting in the same situation with and without it.I can happily say that it does a great job of protecting my lense, has a quality feel to it and does not distort my pictures.I would buy again!
I am a beginner in photography and I am aware of the debate about using a filter and not using a filter.  I chose to use one to protect my lens although it seems a little expensive for what it is.  This filter is easy to install on the lens and remove for cleaning.  It is working as I expected it to.
It's great for protecting the front of your lens, but without any coatings it does tend to reflect some light.
Ok, there's not much really to rate here. I think that some UV/clear glass filters might be bad (obvious distortion, easily scratched etc.)- but most of them offer nothing much more than some cheap glass to protect your expensive glass.(Nothing appreciable anyway - I cannot discern their different UV blocking properties.)
Great buy. Protects the glass, helps minimize lens flare. It works just as a uv filter should. It came on time and I saved money.
This is a cheap way to protect a relatively expensive investment - your lens.  Buy this and keep it on all the time, that way if you scratch this, you don't damage the lens.  On non L lenses it has the added benefit of helping to keep dust out of the lens.
I've never really noticed UV interference or anything of the type; all I got this cap for was protection. It's made in the USA (says right on the side), it's metal, and it's well built. I did not notice any picture quality degradation, which was my biggest concern. It screws right on, and I doubt I will ever take it off (unless someone breaks the glass on it or something). It's not multi-coated, but it gets the job done just fine.
Not only did this seller wait two weeks to ship my item (Ordered Dec 31st, shipped January 12, 2009) they sent me a used and stained filter.  I had to clean the heck out of it for it to even look OK.  Never again.  Seller ignored all e-mails.
well the thread pattern seemed to match up just fine, way to go Canon. It fits, it works, what else needs to be said. Does anyone know if there is a real difference betwixt this one and those that cost 80 bucks? Maybe Joe Bob the scientist knows but this hombres eyes see it not.
Does exactly what it says. I might consider a cheaper manufacturer, but... then again I didn't this time. I own $3 UV filters that work fine, And I haven;t noticed the difference in the "Haze" part. But maybee it is working so well, I just take it for granted. Either way, in my opinion worth every penny to avoid scracthing $500+ lens' but you could get a sub $5 UV filter that covers the basics. I would buy this again!!!!
This filter is a must to have in your accessory bag!  It works wonders with the color images and making them as vibrant as they are intended to be!
This filter is good for the price and made by Canon.  It fits my lens very well and the lens cover fits over it perfectly and doesn't fall off.It's a great buy.  I also received it one day before it was scheduled to arrive!
Protedtion is the most important use but the clarity and quality are important too. this is a very good filter. I have never had a bad product from Canon.
I just assumed that Canon would make a top quality haze filter, so I ordered it along w/ my new D40.  The camera is great, but the filter was not, so I returned it.  A local camera shop pro showed me how inferior it was to the equivalent filter by Hoya, which reflects almost no light, while the Canon reflects a great deal.  The Hoya filter costs more than the Canon, but it certainly seems stupid to try to save $30 when you've invested $1000+ on a camera, especially when the filter directly affects the quality of the pictures -- which, after all, is what it's all about.
Why buy a new lens due to a scratched. Buy a filter to protect your lens from scratches. Its a very good investment. It has more than just the UV purpose. So make you lens happy and give them some protection.
Had my doubts for the price but NO loss in image quality and protects my lens, very satisfied! I have not noticed any flare from this filter but I also always use a lens hood when I'm in the sun. Bottom line quality build great price!
I bought this for protection to a Canon lens. It is better to clean or replace this element than the front element of your Canon Lens. Invest in protecting your lens. ;)Great quality, fits tightly and keeps an inner tread to fasten the cap to.
I bought this filter because it was one of the cheaper options, and because I didn't see much need shelling out a bunch of money for a UV filter.  This canon filter does everything I expected it to (i.e.: protect my lens).  It is also a perfect fit on my sigma 18-200 lens.I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a cheap but high quality UV filter.
I received this filter, took it out of the case, cleaned it and then put it on the camera lens. The next time I went to clean it I noticed that the glass seemed loose so I removed it from the lens to take a look. The glass literally fell out of the ring. The only thing that holds it in place is a thin strip of metal wrapped on the inside of the ring with a little bend in it to give tension to the glass. From looking at it, it seems that it was originally glued in place. While I'm able to get it back on the lens to use it until a replacement arrives (of another brand) I could not believe how badly this filter held up. 90% of the time that it was on the lens, it was in a camera bag and it was never dropped or mistreated. You'd think something with Canon's name on it would be put together in a more secure way than a thin metal O-ring type thing that's glued in place with a spot of glue. Wouldn't buy this again or recommend it, especially when you can get a B+W or Hoya for nearly the same price.
This filter definitely makes a difference when shooting outdoors, particularly during the day.  The effect is the same as that of a good pair of sun glasses (or ski goggles, if you're into that sort of thing!).  Haven't noticed any ill effects when using it indoors.As others have mentioned, it's also a worthwhile lens protection mechanism.  And at half the price of a decent "protection filter," you'll be glad you spent your money on something that actually makes a difference in your photographs.
In addition to excellent haze filtering, this lens will protect your camera lens from external scratches and dirt. What a small price to pay to protect your Canon IS or L lens.
Buy this filter, it is cheap, and keep it on all the time. It protects your lens from dust and dirt. If you do not have an L-series lens that is sealed this will protect your investment.
Nicely made filter. No problems with glass to metal mating, or threads. We're using it on a Sigma 18mm-200mm optically stablized lens. I'd recommend it to anyone needing such a filter.
It's been said many times, but you need to protect your lens.  I haven't noticed any loss in image quality with this filter and whether you have purchased an entry level lens or an L-series you still need to get a UV filter.  It will protect the glass from scratches and when it comes time to clean off smudges you won't have to touch the highly priced lens, just the filter.  This filter has the Canon name and that means quality.
First of all, I'm a big fan of buying a UV filter for your lenses. Not only does it cut down on the UV light and makes the colors pop, but it's also insurance against damage to the front element to the lens. The last thing I want to do on a $1000 lens is have to worry about the front getting scratched or damaged, so I'd rather buy a $15-$40 piece of glass to protect it and consider it disposable.Having said that, with filters in general, you tend to get what you pay for. You might want to consider something more expensive like a Hoya or Tiffen. They're better constructed and don't feel as flimsy as the Canon UV filters.I'd recommend picking it up - if you get a good copy, then keep it. But if you get one and it sucks (your images seem soft or the UV filter itself seems poorly constructed), then invest an extra few dollars in a better filter. I mean, you've already dropped $500+ on a lens, so what's a few extra dollars? (as the guy at the camera store tells me all the time...)
Yep, it fits my Canon lens just like it should. And it's clear and clean and filters out that those yucky UV rays like crazy. Most importantly, it protects the delicate front glass of the lens. Maybe there are better haze filters out there, but I'd be surprised if I could see much difference.
i've bought this one for my canon 200mm f/2.8L II ...althought sharpness has not suffered.. flare has ... which buggs me alot..i also would like to point out that when i took the filter out of its package.. it had smears and oily smudges on it... and that really pissed me off..update: i'v just purchased a B+W 77mm filter from BHPhoto for another lens. now that i can compare the canon with the B+W i can easily see that the B+W is superior, the canon one causes way more glare than the B+Wi'm throwing aweay my canon filters and replace them with B+W ..very disappointed..
This filter is not only recommended, it is needed by any of you that has a DSLR camera + Lens.  It won't make your photos much better, that depends on your composition and lighting, but it will protect your very expensive lens.  DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT ever use your expensive lens without this filter on it - better to scratch the inexpensive filter than your lens.Now repeat this a few times:  Put filter on lens, put filter on lens.Happy Shooting!-Ray
If you value the protection of your lens, this is a cheap way to do it.  Why risk damaging expensive glass when you can always replace the filter for a fraction of the cost?  I have not found any noticeable blurring or discoloration to my photos by using the lens.  Again, for a few extra bucks, it can't hurt to have one around, even if you only use it in dusty/sandy situations.
This has provided great piece of mind as I don't have to worry about my camera lens getting scratched. I can leave my lens cap at home and snap pictures at will.
If you want a NICE UV/Haze filter, you'll need to spend some money.  This $17 filter is not worth the materials used to build it.  Sadly, the only Canon UV/Haze filter that's ever proved to be a winner is the L39 Sharp Cut versions which I've only seen in 77mm.  This is junk.
doesn't seem to make any difference in my outside photos, but i do appreciate the added protection
The Canon 72mm UV filter is awesome.  It's made of metal and fits like a glove on my Canon 28-135mm lens.  Its taken away the fear of particles flying into the lens or having sunlight shine directly into the lens and damaging it.  Now I can freely wipe the lens anytime I want.  Also, the lens cap fits right over the filter.  So I don't even have to worry about removing the filer to use the cap.
Does a decent job and is worth the small price. However, if you are looking to do more than protect your lens, you may want to consider something a little more sophisticated
The most little tool that you must have before you go outside taking picture! and it also protected your lens from scratches. Well done Canon!
I love this. Works well on my photos.
As a long time photographer i needed this filter,would not consider buying any lens without one.The canon was a good price and does what it says it will do.i just returned a tiffen filter as it was not as smooth screwing on or off. so not to sound like an employee of canon this thing works. no streaks or haze when i bought it(means it's fresh)and locked it on and that is that.
Just another basic UV filter.Do not be fooled by Canon name on it.Do not expect miracles. (Though, you have to expect ghosts in certain lighting conditions instead!)This filter is uncoated, not even a single-layer coating.My filter has arrived with a huge scratch on the outer part of the ring which fixates the glass - apparently as a result of a bad assembly. What is even worse, the scratch was kind of "masked" with a permanent marker.Since the filter was sealed in the box, I guess that this was the factory know-how. Shame!
I am so sorry i got this filter before reading the reviews, I was looking for a 77mm filter for my 70-200 lens,I always used HOYA filters and never ever had a problem. For this lens I decided I will go with Canon filter glass,thinking how bad can it go with a Canon filter, And the fact that it really went bad this time.horrible piece of glass, first of all ... the packaging was all bent out and dirty.And when i took the filter out, it was in a horrible condition. It is the first UV filter I got that when i look through it, I dont see clearly.It is full of smudges, scratches, dust and dirt particles. Absolutely not usable, and when I mounted it on my lens it really made the pictures much worse.I am used to getting a filter and put it on the lens and forget about it, not possible with this filter whatsoever.I never ever gave a one review for a product from amazon, but this filter really deserve it. A pure one and if possible, even zero.And now, I am stuck with it and will have to go drop 77$ on the B&W; filter now!.Bottom line, Don't get this filter thinking you are getting a quality glass or saving some bucks, you will probably thorough it away two minutes after getting it. Either get the HOYA HMC/HD or get the B&W; one.And honestly, big mistake from amazon for keeping such a crappy product on their website.
For half the bucks of a Nikon. My filter took a bump the other day on a door jam and didn't even mar.
Keeps my finger prints off a very expensive Canon lens used every day. Nicely constructed as one would expect from a Canon branded product.
I want to protect my lens. While not the most expensive, the Canon is adequate for what I need
Mine came with a broken case, crack on the front case, since it was under the 70-200L IS lens, i wonder if the lens manage to break the case, i hope nothing got broken with the lens itself.It's a UV filter, what more than be said, it's a standard filter with clear glass that blocks the UV rays, making color more vivid and glare reduced, if you like, theres' UV filters out there that was a warm tone to it too, making outdoor portraits more pleasing, its all about the end results, this one, i bought to protect my lens and since it doesnt affect any of the light or F-stops, it's there all the time for protection of my lenses.Theres' all kinds of filters, ND filters, soft filters, etc. but this is the most basic, first filter that you have to buy before anything else, it's cheap, compared to the other filters and protects your lenses. cant say enough of that and it wont affect the light coming to your lens other than filter UV rays.
I rated this product subjectively as 4 stars, but I have not ever seen a test report of it, especially its distortion control.  I have used it on my Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital T-2i.  With big glass, un-threading and threading the haze filter back on the lens barrel is tricky when I want to swap it with a polarizing filter.  It takes patience. You don't want to cross threads and make it impossible to ever remove it again.  Pictures taken with this wide angle lens and haze filter appear very sharp, and I am very satisfied with the results.
A must for your lens to protect the front glass.  Better than the standard cheap filters.
i got this to go with my canon 17-55, and just as others have said, mine came in some less than stellar packaging. i put it on and while it screws on nicely, and protects the front element, it seemed to reduce the clarity of my pictures ever so slightly. needless to say i do not use it anymore
This lens screamed garbage out of the box. The black finish on the outer ring was already scuffed and worn looking before I touched it.  I put it on my brand new Cannon EF-S 10-22mm lens and immediately noticed that when the lens extended to accommodate the 10mm range, "CLINK" the lens contacted the filter - glass to glass.  Backing off the filter a few turns - still the same result. UNREAL - these are both Canon products.  You can have the filter back Canon... I like the 10-22 too much to send that back.  The filter is going back to Amazon.
What's there to say about a UV filter? It cuts haze but mostly protects an expensive front lens element. I wouldn't be without one. I've only taken a 100-200 pix since buying the filter/lens/hood combo and they all seem sharp as a tack. As a camera buff for more than 40 years, you can't go wrong with Canon products. I've used nearly every major brand (Nikon and Olympus) and Canon has stolen the march from them all.
The "sharp cut" feature of this lens makes it ideal for those Ultra Wide Angle lenses. I purchased this filter for the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens. Even at 10mm, there is no vignetting. The lens cap which came with the Sigma 10-22mm fits fine on this filter. I am very satisfied.
the lens filter is nessary to protect your shiny new lens, or old lens for that matter.  this canon 77mm UV haze lens doesn't really do anything for your pictures, but it protects from the elements.  for such a basic filter you could get a tiffen for 1/2 the price.  There is no noticable glare or unwanted reflection in either my tiffen or the canon.  I suppose after you coughed up 700 bucks for a lens, what is an extra 15 in the tiffen vs the canon.  basic filter, little more than basic price.  no need to spend the extra 15 bucks.
if you're using a hood for your lens, you probably don't need a UV filter, but if you shoot a lot without a hood, this might be a good option.
Commenting more on the condition of the filter when I received it than the filter itself, but I ordered this filter with a new lens. It arrived loose in its packaging, had fingerprints on it, and was scrached. Very disappointed that this item was shipped to me. Maybe people handling the item don't realize what photographers expect, and the Canon packaging is just no good. I suspect the thickness of this filter would also cause vignetting on a full frame camera with any wide-angle lens. Returned for refund. On the good side, image quality through the filter seems crisp, and little vignetting on a 20D sensor, so suspect a truly new version would be fine on longer lenses. Keep in mind that this is a slightly tinted filter, (UV/Haze) not just a clear UV.
I bought a canon lens and the a 77mm lens cover at the same time. The lens is perfect but there was no lens cover in the lens cover package. So they said they would ship me another one with next day shipping which was nice. But the package the lens cover was in was opened, probably during shipping and got scratched and destroyed. So they shipped me another one with next day shipping. The third had the same problem has the second one but this one had some marking like finger prints on it. I simply got a refund now and have to ship three boxes back to them. The problem is the lens package only is held together by one little plastic clip and throwing a little bubble wrap on top of it doesn't protect it from shipping when the box could probably hold 30 of them.
The lens arrived already opened and the lens was loose. Amazingly, there was no damage to the lens, but filters shouldn't arrive bouncing around.
This filter is just what it says it is.  However Amazon has it bundled with the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens which it does not properly fit.  When mounted on this lens it contacts the front element.  Canon recommends the UV Haze 1 filter.
Very pleased with this filter, fits well.  All lenses need some front end protection.  I recommend this to all.
As a general practice, I keep this filter on my lens most of the time to protect the front element. I only remove it if there is a good chance that it will induce flare while shooting towards the source of illumination (i.e. the Sun), which is rare.  It was delivered promptly and fits and works as advertised.
Protects the lens. No color changes on pictures. What else would you need from the UV filter?
I bought this to replace a Canon 77mm UV Haze that was broken (and saved my lens).  Unfortunately, what I received was the L-39 Sharp Cut version, with fingerprints smudged on it, in a case that had obviously been opened.  Bottom line- I ordered a Canon 77mm UV Haze and got a DIFFERENT product that was NOT new!  I probably could have cleaned it and would be satisfied with the used L-39 filter, but I returned it on principle.  From Hot Deals Electronics and fulfilled by Amazon, this product was misrepresented.  Beware.
I had to send the first UV filter back because it appeared to be used.  A film of some sort was on the lens, the glass was loose in the circular frame and the threads showed signs of long-term wear.  The file was impossible to remove regardless of the cleaning solution I used.  The replacement UV filter while not appearing used was very dirty and required considerable cleaning before use.  Either Canon is shipping low-quality controlled products or Amazon is selling "re-furbs" without disclosing this.
I bought this filter to use it with a Canon EF-S 10-22mm. Unfortunately the filter touches the front element of the lens at 10mm. I corrected this problem by adding a spacer between the filter an the lens but one would assume that being a Canon filter, it would fit their entire lens line. I'll be replacing this filter as soon as I can. Aside from this first inconvenience, the filter came with fingerprints and minor scratches. I was not aware that this filter was used when I bought it and it was not advertised this way. Amazon should double check what's being advertised as new and make sure it is.
This was a perfect fit for my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and the image quality is not affected in the slightest.
If you have an expensive lens, specially an L-glass, this is a mandatory item for every lens. It will pay for itself on the first time you drop your lens from 10 inches height. The lens will not be damaged, since the L-glass also means it handles the mishandling of a professional photographer, and the filter will spare the lens from any scratch.Plus it's far easier to clean a filter, even wash it with soap and dry it with paper towels. I wouldn't do that with my L-lens. I own one for each of my lenses: 17-40mm f/4 L, 24-70mm f/2.8 L, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS.
Canon is getting a reputation for overpriced gear when it comes to advanced amateurs or pros. But there are some minor exceptions. This is one of them.Canon's price is reasonable compared to others. It's quality is not to be argued with.There are several companies I'd buy filters from based on where I get the best price including shippng. So I've bought several of these. I can't say without a quick invenory how many Canon filters I've bought.Should you keep a UV or piece of glass on your lens? That;s not a simple call, but generally I'd say yes. When I worked at this for a living, I usually didn't with specific lenses.  Some occasions allowed for it, but the effect on optics however trivial is real -- bt only sometimes. Someone who knows about when will know. The others should keep it on.  I banged up a lot of lenses. Some had bent filter rings. One had some damage to the front element. It was a Nikon lens bought new. It looked awful and worked fine. I checked the optics against the original test shots and they were the same. A filter wouldn't have protected any lens from some of the things that totaled  a couple.Every lens I buy has a filter of some kind on it within a reasonable period of time. In the small number of cases where I think it matters, I take it off. The result is that I've banged up a couple of filters instead of my lenses. A slip that could have ruined a $1500 lens cost me a $40 filter, assuming I objected to it being scarred up. (actually, I repaied it and repainted it).Murphy's law says it's going to happen. I bought a new lens last Noember and a filter. As soon as I put the lens on the camerra, the dog showed up and gave the front element a big lick. Carefully leaned it off and put a filter on. I'd have that happen to a lense with a soft coating.The sharp cut matters on some lenses. But others make an equivalent. If he Canon price is comparable to oen of the other major brands, buy what's easy for you-- or this one
Like others have said, this is much easier to clean or replace than your front element so defiantly buy one...However, mine from Amazon came in an unsealed previously opened plastic case with the packaging all bent up, the threads were damaged, front of metal ring was scratched, and the glass was VERY loose in the housing and had fingerprints all over it. Amazon CS issued a refund no problem, but claimed they were unable to replace because this was no longer available to them...????Yet here it is still in stock and for sale..don't be surprised if you get my return, I clearly got someone else's.
I have used this filter on previous cameras/lenses satisfactorily.  This one arrived loose in the box, outside of the case and was damaged in shipping so returned it to Amazon.  I have noticed that the last few shipments from Amazon have been poorly packed.
A UV filter that does its job, even for my Sigma 10-20mm lens. Even though the package says nothing about the L-39 Sharp Cut, it works fine when the lens is set to 10mm, without any vignetting.
I try to buy Canon whenever it's available, or whatever UV lens filter that gets paired with the lens I'm buying on Amazon's "Most Frequently Bought Together" feature.I installed this on my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens right when I got it--luckily, this was shipped and arrived before the lens, because if you're like me, you like to play with your new toys the day that you get them. Had this not arrived, I would have shot for hours and hundreds of pictures without a filter protecting the front element of my new lens.I'm relatively new to photography (1 year), and all of my friends have always told me to get a UV filter--not so much for the UV or Haze, but for protecting your lens from dust, scratches, bumps, etc. You can comfortably wipe and clean this lens filter with your T-shirt or whatever cloth, napkin, paper towel, your fingers, etc and still have piece of mind (that is, if a lens cleaning cloth or micro-fiber cloth isn't available and there is dirt/dust obstructing the front).It was explained to me this way--if I can afford spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a lens, why would I be so cheap as to not buy the most basic protective equipment for my lens? One small scratch on your expensive lens, and it will be rendered completely useless.Bonus--this lens also fits the lens cap, so no worries about that. The only thing I have against this product, but more specifically any product sold on Amazon, is the price fluctuations--even from one day to the next. I'd appreciate much more if Amazon always sells at the lowest prices. I got it for $26.21, so if you're not in a hurry, you can always wait till the price drops a bit before buying this.
It is a Canon.  I works well with the Canon lenses. I usually do not use UV filters for protection, I do not want to affect the IQ. However, this lens works well with the Canon L lenses.
I needed a lens filter, where I live there are no stores that carry this filter.  I saved money by ordering on line, I am 100% satisfied with my purchase.  I would recomend this seller and this devise for those of you using a 100-400 Canon telephoto lens.  This saves the main lens and is cheeper to replace if scratched.  I feel this should last me many years. The Canon 77mm UV Haze Filter went on remarkably easy and improves my photo's by filtering out unwanted glare, While protection my lens from dust, scratches or other incidents like cat hair.
Too much money for too little filter... Does not perform like my B&W filters.  I would get a good filter before I ever bought another one of these Canon filters.  Added terrible lens flare to my images too!
This keeps me from putting nasty finger prints all over the front of my new Lens, and keeps the Dust off too. It's hard to use at night because it has a lot of glare and you have to line up your shot perfectly or else you get a reflection.
I'm very disappointed in the quality of this filter. I recieved it scratched and it has a film on it that I cannot remove. This filter cost close to $40.00 and had I seen it before buying I won't have wasted my time or money on it.
I bought this product to serve as a filter on my EF-S 17-55 lens and to protect it from the aberrations of the environment.  It feels more solid the competitive lens filters I use from tiffen.  When you think of the value of the investment,  I feel you can not go wrong spending a little more for a solid product like this.With all the dust and and such you need that additional seal and something that can be easily replaced if something goes wrong taking shots.As used on my Canon 50D, I would make the same choice in 20 20 retrospect. The pictures are great.  I have take 2000 photos using this filter to good reviews from friends and family.
I received the filter and it was outside of its packaging and scratched. I haven't even bothered trying it. They had better give me my money back is all I can say!
The intent of this filter is largely to protect and preserve the front optic on my Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM lens.  Sadly, it's not up to the task.  The inner metal ring that retains the glass in the filter warped and eventually allowed the glass to completely fall out.  Granted, this filter was bought back in the 2003-2004 timeframe, so it's a few years old.  However, I've never seen this kind of failure on any other filters...some of which are much older.  Perhaps they've redesigned the product since then.  I'll post two photos to show what happened.
The low price and a Canon name were the reason I bought this filter.  However, this is the heaviest 77 mm filter with thickest frame I have ever seen.  The copy I received had a thin layer of dirt and looked very dirty.  I tried every way I could to clean it but failed so I returned it.  Regardless the dirt (perhaps the copy I received was used?), I don't like it simply because of the weight and the thick frame.  I bought a Sigma DG (multi-coated) for my Canon EF 17-40mm L lens and a B+W (not multi-coated) for my Canon EF 24-105mm L lens.  I paid a little more for the Sigma and B+W but they are much better built.
I like my new 30D camera and 24-70mm FL2.8 lens so much that I decided to buy the filter from Canon instead of any other brand. Nothing much I can say about the filter itself. Without a careful test, one can not tell the difference between a Canon filer and a cheap one made by some unknown company. However, I had to return this filter twice. First, I got a used filter. I have bought so many things from Amazon without any problems. So I truly believe that this was just a mistake. The filter was scratched badly and packed with many finger prints. So I returned it for an exchance. I got the second one today and felt very disappointed. This one seems to be better than the first one. But again, full of finger prints. The lense is floating around in the box and is NOT in the filter case. I looked at it closely and found the filter frame was scratched badly but some one tried to hide those scratches with a black marker. I tried to remove the finger prints and the black ink are removed as well showing the scratches on the filter frame. This time I am going to get the full refund and buy the filter from some one else.
I am here to buy filters for my wonderful new L series lenses. I will just say they are worth the price and the wide angle -  oh so fun. When I had the other lenses on my camera my 8 year old jumped up on the bed knocking my 20 D to the floor. I could not assess the damage as the cracked filter could not be taken off.  My favorite high end camera store guys got the filter off, my lens was fine and the camera shot just fine. The filter was cracked and took the hit of the drop. I would not pull out my lenses when I recently remembered I had no filter. Another reason was I was on the Northern California rugged ocean and with very high wind the mist to high. I missed great shots. Save that lens and buy.
I wouldnt recommend this UV Haze filter for anyone unless you need basic protection for your lens if you are traveling in the sahara or something. In normal conditions the filter actually makes picture look less saturated and stale, and also can add a glare to the picture. Would be better to get a polarizer or some other type of filter than this one.
I'm sure there are those who'd wax philosophical over the subject of filters and how one brand is "much better" than another, but for my Canon EF-S 10-22mm on a 20D, I figure Canon would be fairly good at making a filter that they're willing to have branded "Canon." It fits fine, doesn't interfere with the lens hood, looks clear, seems to attenuate that nasty ultra-violet part of the light spectrum and perhaps best of all, protects the front element. What more would one want?
Like many other Canon products I have owned in the past this one lives up to its name. You dont even notice that you have a filter on. The main reason I have always used the UV filters was mainly to protect the main lense. You do notice in hazy weather it does help.
What can You say about a UV filter?  It does the job well.  Mounts easy.
This is the worse filter I have ever used.  It is not coated with the light reflects and refracts so easily.  Not suitalbe for use as anything except as a coaster.
[...] Not only will it protect your lens from dust, dirt and scratches, it also blocks out UV rays that would degrade color in your photos.Sure it's not a high end UV filter, and maybe you should probably think about getting one in the future as your main filter to use, but if you are starting out, you'll quickly find out that lenses are going to kick your[...]money-wise. So save some money, get this filter to protect your true diamonds which are the lenses. When you make your money back from selling your photos, go ahead and buy the more expensive filters.I bought this and I felt a relief when I finally put it on my lens...not to say I still won't be careful but just knowing that the lens has some added protection against the elements.
This is an OK mid-quality filter.  However, it will most likely somewhat degrade the quality of your picture.  If you have a bargin lens, this is probably a good choice for a protection filter.  However, if you have chosen a good quality lens, then this filter will most likely disappoint you with the quality of the pictures you take.  A better choice is Hoya's professional line.
This filter is good, but a little bit heavy.  If you willing to spend a little bit more money on the filter, and willing to have a lighter one.  Then don't pick this filter.  However, it built with metal, so you can feel the quality.  Weight seems like the only problem I have.  With this price, I think it's worth it.
I normaly use Canon's 77mm L39 Sharp Cut UV/Haze filters on my glass, but I can't find them any more!  So I tried this one and promptly returned it.  These normal 77mm non-L39 filters are junk!  Horribly constructed and way too WIDE (produced vignetting on my wide glass).Amazon and Canon, please bring back the L39 filter!!
The filter makes contact with the center of the Canon 24-105 L lens and hence had to discard it after using it a few times.
Bought this haze filter to protect a Canon 100-400L lens. Works well as a protective device and cuts UV glare too. Delivered by Amazon through Adorama as promised and on time. Well done!
I'd give it a 5 EXCEPT where it came from it must have been sitting in a dusty environment.  The filter had DUST on it in the case.  I don't know if the factory case comes sealed or not, but mine did not have a seal on it.  I had to use an air pressure device to get the dust off of it (a good layer of debris).The filter itself was in fine working condition with the exception of the thick layer of dust that managed to get inside the case.I strongly encourage everybody with a 77mm lens to buy one to prevent damage to your lens.  It's worth the investment!
With the price of new lenses going up all the time, it's in your best interest to spend a few more bucks to protect them. UV haze filters do a great job for very few extra dollars. I have them on both of my new Canon L lenses. They were put on as soon as I took them out of the box. With 25 years of professional photography experience under my belt, I highly recommend this product.
I'm sure tiffen would have been less expensive, but as everyone knows the UV Haze or Skylight filters are a must have to protect your lens element.  As we all know it's cheaper to replace a filter rather than a lens.
Package had been opened and handled before being shipped..was not in the cleanest of conditions...made me wish I had purchased from a different provider.
Nice Canon filter.  $5 bonus bucks from pricegrabber will bring the cost down.
small price to pay for good protection on my 17-40 L.Images are still sharp even with the filter on.
Don't let the Canon name fool you.  This is no fancy filter, just plain glass with the name to raise the price.  Flare is awful as one would expect with no coatings.  Don't waste money on the name.
But the viewing screen is so small it's hard to see and easily scratched.  Using the different modes and options isn't very user friendly and once your batteries die, you have to re-set the date stamp when replacing them.  We've not dropped it in water, so can't speak to it's resistance, but seems very solid and size is convenient for travel.
Excellent camera in every respect but one.  Shutter speed for night pics is very slow and pics are easily blurred by the slightest movement over the seemingly interminable amount of time before the pic is complete. i would still recommend it, just either use a tripod for night pics or have hands like stones.  its really nice to have a digital camera that can get immersed in h2o, since so many of my vacations involve water.  pentax cameras in general take exceptional pics, far better than my sony digital camera.
I got this camera for one reason - fishing pictures - and it is adequate for that or beach photos. If everything is evenly lit and you don't need to rely on the flash it's OK. And no problem if it gets wet or sandy. By the way, the imaging software that comes with it is bad beyond belief and makes all the pix look worse so don't bother installing it - use whatever you have. It is serviceable and sturdy and will probably never endear itself to me unless I become enamoured of taking pictures in the rain. However, I must say it has an excellent macro capability and if you're not catching any fish you can take nice flower closeups along the bank.
As someone into boating and sailing, I have always only bought waterproof or water resistant cameras -- starting with the Canon Aqua Snappy 35mm and Minolta Weathermatic APS film cameras.  My first digital waterproof camera, was the only one available at the time -- Sony Cybershot U60 (no longer made).  Nice little 2mp camera and I liked the memory stick compatibility with Sony Vaio laptops, but the lack of zoom was a real limitation and the requirement to use rechargeable batteries was inconvenient for longer trips (if you don't need zoom you might be able to get a good deal on a used U60).To get zoom and a significant bump up in mp, I bought the Optio 43WR about 5 months ago and, although only water resistant (not for diving!) it has proven to be a really versatile on-the-water camera...(1) for shots from a boat, optical viewfinder is critical for bright sunlight (LCD washes out), plus for bracing camera against your face,(2) movie clips are for real with the Optio, so no need for bulky waterproof camcorder/housing (get a big SD card though),(3) easy, obvious rear panel controls with minimum menu-based manipulation enable you to get the fast shot while out on deck,(4) AA battery power is also critical, for extended cruises (since no AC power available for chargers),(5) subtle but really practical point, unlike some super-thin cameras, the square box shape of the Optio WR43 enables you to hold it easily and almost completely within your palm and therefore protect the lens from spray while moving around the boat,(6) and with the optional neoprene case (search Amazon for product PTX-L70), a pretty rugged total package.Waterproof/water resistance camera options are getting more numerous... you might want to check out the Ricoh Caplio 300G/400G if you want a waterproof, large-body camera, though I believe these Ricohs are only available from Japan.I'm also considering a move to the new Pentax Optio WP, a 5mp, waterproof (JIS8 standard - 5ft depth) camera, or the new Sony DSC-T7 with optional waterproof housing (9.8 ft depth)... note however that both of these are LCD viewfinder-only units, so the key will be LCD performance in bright sunlight.
Though it's been many moons since I bought this camera (let alone since it was cutting-edge), I still feel this camera is a far better choice for adventure photography than other, newer cameras.Here's my take on this:1. It takes AA's. That's worth the price of admission, right there. You can be in the middle of the jungle in Ecuador, but you'll find someone or some place with AA's (or you can bring some Nicads and a solar charger!). Not being tied to an outlet is key.2. There are no lens elements outside of the housing, and there's nothing to move/slide/click-into-place while taking pictures. The more stuff that moves or wiggles, the higher the chances of water getting in. The KISS principle in full effect: "Keep It Simple, Stupid".3. It uses SD cards. There's no little pins involved like with CF cards/readers, and the cards' ratio of storage to physical size are great. I don't think the software in the camera can handle newer, "roomier" cards, but my one-gig card can take 395 pics at max quality. I called Pentax to ask what the largest card size could be, but I don't remember what they said. It might be 2 or 4.4. The video and audio quality is surprisingly good. I did NOT expect that. Great for fishing/hiking trips, etc. You can get some graininess in shots (outdoors OR indoors)... I set the ISO to 200 to be safe.5. The most obvious negative is the image quality. At the time of writing this, there are pocket-cameras with 10MP sensors... AND they're optically stabilized. If you're not going to blow up images to silly sizes, this will do fine to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences in wet or harsh places.6. Size. While it's no SLR, it's also not a tiny PowerShot. Oh, well.I hope this camera lasts for a long time, as I'll be very sad when it dies.
I bought this camera so I could take pictures while standing in the rain - literally! I don't know if I will actually do that, but it 'is' supposed to be waterproof (or at least water-resistant) and can supposably remain fully submerged in shallow water for a little while. I also needed for it to be able to take excellent quality photographs and based on examples I saw posted on the web I decided that this camera was good enough in that regard. The first day I had this camera I took about 60 or 70 pics with it on a beautiful sunny day using a Viking brand 512MB SD card that I purchased with it. I have to say that the pictures were excellent including some really amazing "macros" that I took of some bright yellow flowers. Also, I think that the camera is kind of "cute-looking". It is smaller than what I had expected it to be. I thought that it might be something like 5 or 6 inches square, but it is only 3 by 3 inches and about an inch or so thick. I like the fact that it is that small. That is about all I know to tell you about this camera. I think chances are very good anyone considering buying this camera would not regret it.
This leather camcorder carrying case has many compartments for carrying all of your camcorders cables, lens,chargers etc. and is very sturdy for protecting your camcorder and is very appealing, thanks sony.
The Sony LCS-VA2 is more than I expected.  Great padding, easy opening and holds a mountain of gear in a compact package.  I have in my VA2, camcorder, digital camera, 4 camcorder film, chargers for both the cameras, video cords for camcorder, manuals for both cameras straps for both cameras.  Wow and it is still small.  I know my equipment will be protected and cannot believe the Amazon price.  If it is available....buy it now....don't wait....you will be sorry!!
I've purchased this bag a month ago and it was great. You have enough space to put all accesories and much more into this bag.But if you have a Sony DCR DVD camcorder, maybe, this bag could be considered too big, for example, the camcorder fits in the bag's pocket.Price/Quality is very convenient.If you love big space to carry more than your camcorder, this bag is for you. But if you have a minimalistic soul, just thing in a smaller one.
i got this when i bought my camcorder and it has helped protect it though sooooo much. it protected it thought 3 little sets of graby and sticky hands that would have probably already broke it if it wasn't for the case
This is nice and only draw back was it is a little big to carry. For a small camcorder, you don't need this much big bag. Otherthan that it is nice.
This case is the perfect size for my Canon Power Shot Elph and charger.  Very nice quality  case.  Highly recommend.
Ideal for most sizes in the compact digital camera line. Very well padded to protect the camera, lots of extra storage to carry everything from photo ID, credit cards, cash, your cell phone, etc. Don't have to lug around a pocket book or wallet as everything is within easy reach. Has a comfortable and adjustable shoulder strap and a belt loop so make your life just a little easier.
I bought this bag for my Canon Powershot A630. I've had it for a couple of years now. It's a bit frayed but holding up well. My biggest beef with this bag was that the zipper only zips down about 2" on the sides. I have a wheel on the top of the camera that selects different modes. It was constantly catching on the zipper and switching modes on me, causing some of my pics to be blurry. It might also cause scratching on some cases and it just makes getting the camera out a bit of a pain. On the up side, it does have tons of little pockets. The front flap has a zipper pocket in front and a mesh one on the underside. There's another, wider pocket on the front that's perfect for storing extra batteries.BTW, anyone who claims this bag is worth $50 is full of it. I didn't pay more than $15 (and wouldn't). But I've certainly gotten my money's worth.
Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized ZoomMe and my family all use these cases for our cameras. Above is one camera I use with it, and it fits pretty good. There are extra compartments for putting things like extra batteries or memory cards. You might need a bigger case for the more professional cameras. I have never used the velco strap, just the neck strap that hangs around your neck (I think it comes with it). It is pretty sturdy, it has never ripped or torn. Overall I am satisfied with these cases, and have been for a while.
plenty of room for your typical point and shoot camera , the opening for the camera side is a little on the small side considering if the camera makes it past the opening there is more than enough room inside . plenty of pocket spaces for batteries , extra cards ect .bottom line it protects the camera very well .
I bought this case for an Olympus C5050 camera. It's similar in size to traditional 35mm's. This case was a bit small for the camera. I decided to use it for my wife's Sony cybershot, which is the smaller rectangular digital packet camera. It worked fine for that, actually fitting in the front compartment, leaving plenty of room for stuff in the "designated" camera compartment.The down side of the case is the belt loop. It attaches on the bottom end with velcro, which caused a near loss as I was getting in and out of my truck one day. It might be suited for someone less active, but I had it with me at work and would have lost it, had I not heard it drop to the ground. I will be sewing the belt loop on the velcro end, which should serve my purpose.I was also a bit unsatisfied with Amazon for not having very good info on size.
I had been checking around looking for a camera case when I found this one. It's just perfect my camera fits in side fine.The price was great , it's very durable I take it ever where and it still looks good. I also keep extra camera batteries inside my case.
We got this for my 4 year old nephew to learn photography. He understood the mechanism well except that you have to manually remove the film after you take a shot. I kept forgetting this as well! If you do not remove the film, you just take another picture over the other one. This camera design is somewhat flawed, there should be a better fail safe mechanism.Get a different Polaroid. Don't get me wrong, Polaroids are great for kids though! My nephew is a definitely budding photographer.
It can be a bit of a pain to keep pulling the pics out of the camera, and to get just the 2 x 1" pic you have to use scissors (at least on the sticky film), but it is a fun little device. Seems to take great pics in all kinds of light. You can't find anything like it on the market, at least not without a printer and a glue stick. It's not a Leica, but if you have reasonable expectations, you won't be disappointed. I got this for a wedding reception; we snapped pics and put them in the guestbook. It was a big hit.A tip: Those having trouble may be either using the "outdoor" setting indoors as I did a few times (it makes dark pics), or shooting too far from the flash (you need to shoot within 5-6' to illuminate your subject).
I've been a fan of the i-Zone since they first came out. The tiny photos are so much fun and everyone seems to love posing for them.This i-Zone 200 is a step up from the original. Still as easy to use, still gives the same great little pictures. It just looks a little more "grown up" than the colorful little i-Zone pocket cameras. Feels a bit more durable too (which is good, since I like to carry it around with me to get spur of the moment shots of friends and family).My only complaint is that the film is sometimes hard to find locally, but it's a good thing it's always available here online!
I work at an animal shelter and we like to have a picture of each animal on their cage cards. It used to be a hassle. Someone would e-mail me the pictures, I'd have to shrink them down, print then out, cut them out and tape them to the cards. Now, with my new Polaroid i-Zone 200 with sticky film, I can take the animal's picture and immediately stick it on their cage card, eliminating all those other steps! Unless you have a specific purpose for this camera like I did, it's probably only good for kids and teens. The film is extremely expensive though.
While this isn't something you want to take "picture" pictures with, it is a unique little device that creates an unconventional product, almost in the same vein as the Pixelvision camera.You have to put in a little practice to get the hang of capturing clear images with the i-zone.  You have to be very still holding the camera, the light has to be right (that is to say: abundant) and even the best pictures are still only 1.5 x 1" in size.  In this digital age, most will consider it a pain to take that kind of care for such a small result but those who do will probably be able to use these cameras in an innovative way.  I've heard that this has been discontinued and have stashed away several clips of film so I can continue to use this when I want.INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: You can actually get a Polaroid double exposure with these things.  Take a photograph.  Leave the strip inside the camera. Take another photograph.  Extract the film and you'll see two images, one on top of the other.  The second snapshot you take tends to be the dominant image, while the first one is fainter.  I recommend using the flash if you plan to experiment with double exposures.
I HAVE LOVED POLAROID CAMERAS SINCE I WAS A KID.  THIS ONE ROCKS AND IT IS SO CUTE.  IT ONLY USES IZONE 200 FILM SO DON'T BUY THE OTHER FILM.  IF YOU LOVE POLAROID, YOU WILL LOVE THIS CAMERA!
I just picked up this camera few days ago from Wall-Mart, got home too excited to start shooting pictures. Opsssssss Polaroid is too cheap to have a at least a sample film included.Fine I went again to Wall-Mart to buy films for the camera, so I got the i-zone film, and got home too excited to try it out Oppppppsssssssss, the film fits perfectly fine, but it does not work with this camera, so waited another week before I make my run again to Wall-Mart. So I was looking to get i-zone 200. But believe it or not, I didn't find the i-zone 200 films there. So you would find the camera to buy but there are no films to get this piece of junk to work!Finally at Amazon, I found the 200 films but they are non-sticky ones, I believe Amazon does not have them either. So it isn't a problem of Amazon or Wall-Mart, it is a problem of Polaroid of not knowing how to launch a new product.I just came to realize how Polaroid succeeded in making a nice new product, but failed miserably in distributing the most essential thing which are the films to have their camera working.
This is not a camera any adult would enjoy in today's age of electronics, but what a winner with kids!  My daughter received this for her 4th birthday and still loves it a year later!  She takes pictures of everything "important" to her and has made her own little scrapbook.  I now give them as birthday gifts for her friends, and it's always the "favorite gift."If you need an inexpensive gift for someone age 4-14, this will be a guaranteed hit!  Even if they already have a conventional camera, you can't beat the instant gratification of having the picture develop right before your eyes.  (Buy extra film to go with it, though; it's difficult to come by and may be discontinued soon.)
I bought this for a friend, its incredibly hard to find and was glad i could find it. She loved it a lot
my izone camera isnt what i thought it would be, the pictures just havent come out good at all. the slightest move will ruin the picture. its ok for kids to play with but for a 20 year olds point of veiw they stink.
I had a friend with this camera who was happy with it, and read the many good reviews here, so I pulled the trigger and bought a DX7440 after a few weeks of research. I now regret it.Pictures are often over exposed indoors. Also, you have to manually reset the camera's clock and calendar every time you re-charge the battery (not so with my old Canon). I also get lots of soft focused pictures. I do love the camera's quick shutter - there is virtually no shutter lag. This isn't a bad camera, but 2/5 pictures don't turn out because of the exposure/soft focus issues. Also, the color saturation is better with my old Canon - at least to mey eye.
I've owned many digicams, and this one is the best! I've had Olympus, Canon, Toshiba, and Sony cameras... this is the first one I've LOVED both the camera and the capability! I've even downgraded from my 5 MP camera for the shutter speed and better zoom.Pros: The shutter is very fast, MUCH faster than any previous camera. It turns on quickly, and shoots fast. The pictures are great 95% of the time (not in love with the macro mode, though). There are many different scene presets, like museum (where the sound and flash are turned off), Party (red-eye reduction on), etc, etc. There are on screen prompts that tell you when you might want to use each mode. VERY VERY user friendly. It has a neat "favorites" mode, that saves a smaller copy of favorite pics on the camera so you can use it as a sort of album, one touch easy. Very cool. The shot-to-review time is lightening fast. I LOVE this camera, if you can't tell.Cons: If you have picture preview, and are using the screen to frame shots, the delay is sort of long. (Just use the optical viewfinder to avoid this problem.) The macro mode.. didn't like that preset. Did better getting further away and zooming, but that changes the depth of focus. Need to figure out the manual settings that work for this. Battery life wasn't great: I got about 100 pics, but that's why I always buy a back-up. I'm hard on batteries. Use the LCD all the time, show lots of people the shots, etc. Although the batteries are proprietary, they're not too crazy expensive: less then $25 here.I thought about the higher resolution DX7640 (6MP, 3x optical zoom), but a manual lens cap? Are they insane? I'm as lazy as the day is long, and would either never put it on, or lose it right away, and end up with a scratched/useless lens very quickly.I haven't tried the EasyShare stuff, like the dock for the computer and the printer, but some might find this nice. The pictures this camera takes are well worth printing, that's for sure, but I use online printing.This camera has reinstilled my love of taking photos (note: not photography.. I'm definately not a pro, just a consumer that wants to document puppies and children before they become dogs and adults). The difference a short shutter lag makes is HUGE for me...As a rank novice, point-and-shoot person I am, I can't tell you about the advantages of the more advanced features. But apparently the PASM can be advantage, if you're smarter than me. For me, I shoot, upload, crop, email and/or print.I would also like to recommend Photoshop Album for those that are getting into digital photos. It integrates well with this camera, and allows you to keep all your photos much better organized. In my years of digital photography, I've accumulated about 4000 photos... without Album, it'd be near impossible to find particular photos.
I'm not joking about the stock. This is my second Kodak EasyShare camera. My first was a basic EasyShare CX4310, which is a sturdy digital point-and-shoot. After a year of digital photography, I wanted two things in an upgrade: zoom, which is easy to find, and fast shutter speed, which is not.Most digital cameras have significant shutter lag. You press the button and tell people to just keep smiling, really. By the time you get the shot, they've started looking elsewhere or the smiles have faded into irritation or the photo is just a blur of movement. I went to several local electronics stores and experimented with display models (often putting in my own media card so I could examine the photos later) before making a final decision.There are plenty of cameras with more megapixels, but I feel comfortable in saying NONE below $900 with a comperable shutter speed. I didn't want a digital SLR. If you whip out a huge camera at parties, people flinch. I wanted something both fast and discreet, something I could carry in my pocket and whip out the second anything intersting happened without having to stage a shot.The Kodak EasyShare DX7440 lives up to all my expectations. If it did nothing more than take fast, clear photos, I would be thrilled, but it is loaded with other features I appriciate.PROS:* The 16 built in presets work beautifully. I've been very pleased with the results ranging from "Sports" to "Self Portrait."* If you don't like their presets, you can make your own settings very easily.* This camera is great for a whole family. Point and shoot people can just leave it on "auto." More advanced photographers can set fstop and aperature settings manually. I particularly appriciate that Kodak made seperate controls for the dummy and pro settings. A little wheel in the upper right corner controls manual settings, so if your point-and-shoot spouse picks up the camera, they don't lose your settings OR take lousy pictures and wonder why you broke the camera.* The preview screen on back is HUGE, making it very easy to frame shots.* You can change aspect ratios on the camera itself, so instead of shooting at 4x5 (equilivent of an 8x10 photo) you can set it to shoot at 2x3 (equilivent of a 4x6 photo). This means less cropping and photo editing later. This feature is espically nice if you have a printer dock and want to print straight from your camera.* The video feature works shockingly well. Set it to video, press the button once, and it will film until you fill up your memory card or you press the same button, telling it to stop. You don't have to hold down the shutter the whole time, which is a major bonus. The video quality is about average, with surprisingly good sound pickup. The ability to simply plug the camera into a TV using standard cables is *wonderful.* I never thought I'd want something like this, but now I'll be disapointed if I ever lose it.* Burst mode works very well.* Zoom is smooth and fast. You can set it to either flow organically or to hop to 1x, 2x, etc.* The interface software is hands-down the best in the business. You don't have to "learn" a Kodak camera. They are very intuitively designed. Other manufacturers could learn something from studying their interface.CONS:* The presets are easy to access, but just as easy to accidentally switch while in the process of taking a photo. Several pictures intended for party mode have ended up in "Night Landscape." They were partially salvagable with color correction software, but still pretty unsatisfactory.* The camera loses the time and date settings every time you remove the battery. If you have a charging dock, this probably isn't an issue, but for those of us who charge the battery seperately, it gets annoying very fast.* Like most digital cameras, people complain about the brightness of the flash. As a photographer, I'd say they use just enough, but as a subject, it can be painfully blinding. This is all the more reason to take action shots rather than lining people up for posed photos.All in all, I love this camera and expect to use it for years to come. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality pocket sized digital camera.
A little background: I currently have 2 film cameras: a 70s-era fullymanual SLR 35mm with a variety of lenses and a point-n-shoot compact35mm.  Like most, I love the exposure flexibility and lens options onthe SLR but the simplicity of the other is useful on most occasions.So, of course, I'm looking for the best of both worlds.The key things I was looking for in a camera:(in order of importance)- excellent prints up to 8x11"...which basically means a minimumof 4M-pixel resolution, allowing for some cropping of the shots- at least 3x optical zoom- shoot 640x480 video without an arbitrary length limit (subject tothe available memory, of course).- print photos without a computer- largeer than average size screen (>2")- macro mode - ability to shoot very close-up shots- full-manual mode - allow control over all aspects of theshot, just like a high-end 35mm camera- assisted-manual mode - choose one key setting, such as shutterspeed, and the camera will optimize the other settings for thebest shotAfter much online research and two trips to the local camera shop, Iended up with a Canon camera and printer.  The salesperson had WRONGLYtold me there was no video length limit.  But even though the built-inmemory was enough for several minutes of video, it would cut off after30 seconds for no apparent reason.  Additionally, the printer couldonly print from the camera, not the computer, which I discovered afterseveral hours of frustration.  I was glad that I bought it locally - Ireturned both items.  Incidentally, I bought them at the local WolfCamera.  While it could be had cheaper online, the price differentialwas not much and the service was great.I ended up with a Kodak DX7440 and Easyshare Printer/Dock.  I also boughta 512M expansion card for the camera.  Total cost ~$600.  Normally thiswould be a little pricey for my taste.  But with the arrival of thekids, the upcoming holidays with the grandparents visiting and a smallwindfall in our pockets, we decided it would be well spent.  It was.Kodak's DX-models are the enthusiast line.  One step above the consumerline (CX), but one below the pro line (Z).  This translates to aprofessional-grade lens, but still a compact size.SizeIt is small, but not tiny.  About the size of most point-n-shoot 35mmcameras.  IMO, if it was any smaller, it would be too small to holdcomfortably.  For reference, I have slightly small hands for a 5'10"male.  It is a little thick for pants pockets (except cargo-style pants)but fits nicely in a jacket pocket.ScreenThe 2.2" screen is large enough to view pics without squinting.Coupled with the "favorites" gallery, it's a great way to show offyour pics if you happen to have the camera with you.  It seems tobe bright enough for viewing anywhere, but I have used it only afew times outdoors.Ease-of-useAfter demonstration by the salesperson, I have rarely consultedthe manual (maybe never?).  The on-screen display and help arevery intuitive.  The most-frequently used photo options (flashsetting, burst and normal/macro/lanscape) are on the topof the camera.  The zoom is right in front of the shutter button.The camera modes and menu/review navigation are all controlledwith a dial and joystick that is intuitive, but probably toosmall for fat-fingered-folk.  I would have to rate the ease-of-useas excellent.Auto-modeAccording to the reviews, this camera has one of the best "auto" modes- which is very point-and-shoot.  In my experience, most pictures intypical situations come out very well.  It has a no-red-eye flash modethat works very well.  Except, of course, that the double-flash tendsto make people blink and distracts kids.  The Easyshare software (on thecomputer) does an excellent job of removing red-eye with a click of abutton - so I rarely use the no-red-eye flash mode.  However, thisediting is not available without the computer, so when I'm planningto print directly from the camera, the no-red-eye is a necessity.Macro-modeThe macro-mode (very-close-up) is pretty darn good - they claim aminimum focal distance of 3.9", which I have not confirmed butI think I've come close to that.ScenesIt has 16 scene modes, such as daylight-beach, night, sunset,snow, portrait, indoor-party, sport, text, fireworks, museum,backlight, etc.  These are very handy because giving the cameraa 'hint' about the environment you are shooting in greatlyincreases the photo quality in difficult environments.  I'veonly used a few so far (backlight, party), but they worked well.I didn't compare them to "auto" mode on the same picture.VideoWith the expansion memory, it will shoot almost 30 minutes of 640x480video at ~15fps.  Although I don't remember it mentioned in the specs,I seems to have anti-shake compensation because the vids seem steadierthan my hand.  Unfortunately, the native format is quicktime (.mov)which none of the grandparents computers had installed.  So I alsoneeded some software to convert to a more Windows-friendly format.I wondered if I would really use the video features - they have beengreat for the intended usage - sending vids of the boys to the grand-parents.  While we send them plenty of pics, I think they really loveto be able to see (and hear) the kids playing, rolling, sitting, etc.PrintingThe print quality for 4x6" prints are excellent quality, IMO.  Theylook as good as any 35mm shots I've ever produced, anyway.  Printingfrom the camera directly to the printer is pretty easy.  Dock, turn on,choose picture, choose size, print.  You can print 1 4x6, 2 3x4s,4 2x3s or 8 2x1.3s on a single sheet.  The special paper/printcartridge packs cost $25 for 40 prints.  This comes to 60c per print,which is kinda pricey.  However, since we never print a picture wedon't really like, I'm not sure we are spending much more per picturethan with film.  The instant gratification is nice when visitingfriends and grandparents can take the pictures home with them.SummaryObviously, I'm happy with the purchase.  I'm sure there are camerasthat take equally nice pictures and cost less.  And the Canon printercost significantly less per print to operate.  But for the combinationof features I was looking for, this camera/printer was a great choice.
The camera broke befre I even used it,kodak wont fixt it unless I give them $400 that is more than I got the camera for,they are crazy
I bought this camera after reading many glowing reviews (here and elsewhere) and was prepared to love it. And there's a lot to like:* Ergonomically, it's fantastic -- fits well in my hand, mechanical controls are firm and snappy and well-placed.* LCD screen is super-large and bright* Very fast, almost no shutter lag* High quality lens* Works well as an automatic point-and-shoot camera* Offers lots of manual controls if you want do things yourself* Menus are well-designed and very easy to useBUT... the colors it produces seem garish and unnatural. I imagine they've done this on purpose, because a lot of people are attracted by brilliant, strong colors, but I found it off-putting. I'd prefer to have the colors in my pictures actually represent the colors in whatever I'm shooting.So I ended up returning the Kodak DX7440 and getting a Pentax Optio S4i instead. The Pentax doesn't match all of the Kodak's good features (it's not quite as good ergonomically, has a less powerful flash, and offers less manual control) but its color rendition is more natural, and it's super-compact size means I can carry it in a pocket and literally take it anywhere without a second thought.If the Kodak didn't produce such overblown colors, I would have had a very hard time giving it up. It's got a lot going for it, but in the end, I just didn't like the pictures it produces.
Going into digital photography, I had no idea what the factors were to look at, so I read a lot of materials about a lot of cameras. The ones that seemed to be the best were Nikon (which has an attachment for photographing slides), Canon, and (surprising to me) Kodak. The factors that turned me towards this camera were:1. 4.0 megapixels. 3.2 megapixels is the minimum to get decent pictures that print up well at sizes up to 8x12 inches. Different settings provide different formats in terms of relative dimensions, which may result in some cropping of your pictures (a 3x5 picture will be cropped compared to a 4x6 because of the different dimensions). You can set this camera to shoot at different resolutions, including 3.2 megapixels, which is ideal for shooting 4x6 inch photos. You can select sizes down to 1.2 megapixels, with corresponding losses in resolution and gains in the number of photos that can be stored on a memory card.2. Quality of the pictures. The resolution and color are excellent. I used it in Florence this last week without flash in the museums, and found that this camera is far better than film cameras with 400 speed film in picking up images.3. 4x optical zoom, which is significantly better than the 3x offered on most cameras in this price range. Anything more than that, and you'll get blurred pictures, unless you use a tripod.4. The camera is about the right size (many Asian manufacturers miniaturize their cameras to the point they are hard to use), and is comfortable to hold.5. Ease of use. The automatic setting will handle most situations, but the camera also has a large number of pre-settings and allows a limited amount of manual control.Like all digital cameras, you will have to buy several accessories to use this one properly, including:1. A large memory card. 512MB will store in excess of 350 pictures at fine resolution. Larger cards are now available, but the manual doesn't discuss them, which may mean they're incompatible with the camera.2. A charging dock, which will allow you to recharge the camera without removing the battery  by just plugging it into the dock. The DX 6000 charging dock will take voltage inputs between 110 and 240, which means you can use it overseas, provided you have the appropriate adapter.3. A larger battery (1750 mAh) to replace the 1050 mAh battery the camera comes with;4. A carrying case. Get the cheap small one [ASIN: B00006HXMQ]5. Hold off on buying a printer dock until you know whether you will actually use it. You may want to e-mail your photos to a printing service or use a drugstore kiosk.The camera comes with Kodak software, which I found useless. If you use Windows XP, your computer will recognize the camera as a memory device, allowing you to transfer pictures easily.
After a couple of months of research and temporizing, I took the decision over the weekend on which digital camera to buy to replace my aging Kodak 2MP model. My new digicam? Another Kodak, the DX7440.(...)A few months ago I was looking for a camera for my mom. Since she's somewhat of a technophobe, I wanted something simple. And since your close-up vision starts to go south with age, I wanted something with a big LCD. I also wanted something that about the same size as her old film camera. I brought her to Best Buy and we looked at a bunch of cameras... from Olympus, Canon, Sony, and Kodak. I ended up getting her the DX7440, even before I'd reviewed it.I'm no technophobe, but I went to look at the camera and was plenty impressed. The LCD screen is huge and high resolution. Life Jeff's mom, my close-up vision isn't what it used to be; compared to the two Canons, the Kodak LCD won in a walk. I found the Kodak's menus much easier to read than the Canons'.But that wasn't the only thing that made the Kodak win. Not only were the Canons' menus hard to read for me, they were unfamiliar. Doubtless my learning curve would have been fairly short, but I already knew the Kodak's menus. Also, the "scene" customization for the Kodak was slightly more comprehensive and scenes are very easy to select.The Kodak was praised in reviews for its extremely short shutter lag, short shot-to-shot time, and, importantly to me, its low-light performance, including that it would focus even below 1 lux. Its specs in these categories were superior to the Canons'. Both cameras offer full-manual operation, though neither allow manual focusing. The Kodak permits time exposure up to 64 seconds, four times as long as the Canons.Nonetheless, everything involves tradeoffs. For the Kodak I gave up AA-battery power; the Kodak uses a KLIC-5000 or 5001 proprietary batteries. The 1050 mAh-5000 battery is included and I bought a 5001, 1700-mAh second battery. So far, though, the OEM battery is doing well.I also gave up some compactness. The Kodak is noticeably larger than the Canons, though not massively larger. So the Kodak is not quite as "pocketable" as the Canon models -room for that big LCD has to come from somewhere. OTOH, the Kodak's larger form factor makes room for dedicated buttons on top for controlling flash, focus and exposure, which I have already found very useful.Two features the Kodak has that the Canons lack is a diopter-focus knob (again, important for my presbyopic eyes) and a shuttle-jog dial on the top-right rear for easy manual customization. You can also save a manual setting as a custom set, enabling you to create your own scene mode. I don't think you can do this on the Canons.Both cameras take video with sound. The Kodak will take VGA (640X480) size movies, but only at a jerky 15 frames per second. It also takes 320X240 video at 24 fps, which is 4/5th full speed. That video looks pretty nice actually, but it has less resolution than the VGA mode. Both modes are superior to the Canons, and both modes on the Kodak will record to the limit of your SD card. A high-speed card is not necessary. On my 512kb card I can record more than 45 minutes of 320/240 video, not too shabby! The Canons' recording lengths are limited to 30 seconds in VGA, at an even more miserable 10 fps, and three minutes at 320/240 at 15 fps. Clear winner: Kodak, and you don't need a high-speed SD card to record either mode.But there is a serious drawback to the Kodak package: the included Easyshare software simply refuses to install on my computer. Judging from the Kodak forums  online, I'm not the only one with that problem. I have other photo-management software. HP's ImageMixer was included on my computer, so I'm not out of luck, and the free-download Infraview takes care of redeye, editing and color management. (Speaking of redeye, DC Resource said that it was a real problem on the Canons, very little on the Kodak.) But doggone it, I paid for Easyshare and I want to use it - it's supposed to be a very good package, anyway. (The Kodak help page was not helpful.)(...)
I did a lot of research before buying this camera. The fact that it had the option of connecting lenses and filters via an adapter, and that is had basically full manual override sold it to me.The camera is fantastic. The picture and color quality is amazing. I have used several brands of digital cameras and this camera and kodak have been the best. The 4mp let's you crop a lot out of a picture and still maintain picture quality and focus.For those not interested in the complex features it is very simple to use for the average person. The preset modes are more than I have ever seen in a camera. Plus, you can have unlimited video with sound until the memory card fills. Not only that, there is a setting for higher quality video than what your standard digital camera will do. Almost like having a older digital video camera as well!The lens attachments are fantastic (and not as expensive as another reviewer stated - about $50 each). I was very leary about them, but the telephoto lens doubles the zoon, and the wide angle is definitely wide angle doubling that as well.A fantastic camera!Update: After using the camera the only complaint I have is that you havet o watch the way you hold the camera when using the flash. I tend to hold it in a way that I block part of the flash and darken a corner of my photos. I'm going to have to be more concious of holding the camera. However, still the best camera I have ever used, and I love it!
I am not a camera guru and I HATE to read directions and try to remember ambiguous symbols on cameras that are crucial to set before taking a picture.  That's why I love this camera.  The purpose for any button you push appears in text on the screen.  My pictures also come out great!  The software is easy to use.  I guess the only flaw I've found is that the digital zoom is a worthless feature.  It is too blurry to use.
This camera rules!!!I was a little hesitant at first and wasnt sure to go with KODAK other than brands like Sony or Cannon. I took my time and did some research regarding my specific needs (I am not a pro-photographer, just aficionado). It really paid off!!!If your looking for a USER-FRIENDLY, inexpensive and really really HIGH QUALITY digital, this is your best bet 100%I got a 256 Memory Card with it and thats more than enough for a complete vacations worth of great pictures (almost 400 pics!).The quality of the pictures and the wide variety of settings makes this baby ideal for almost any occasion.You cannot go wrong with this Camera, I also reccomend you get the case, it is pretty nifty and comes in handy for under 15$.
Great little camera. Takes really nice pictures. Like the way the sets are placed and shape. Very happy with it. I've had a panasonic lumix for years, thats a great camera too. The body is almost equal but this little EasyShare is lighter to handle.The only downfall I felt was upon recieving there was no memorie card to insert into the camera. For a new comer this would be a big dissappointment buying this camera kit.  Won't work without a memorie card to hold the pictures.  Good thing I had bought one.  Most camera kits include at least a 16mm memorie card in it. So do your homework...
I got this camera for Christmas 2004.  I immediately began snapping pictures with it.  It takes excellent pictures.  I had an earlier Kodak model that doesn't even compare to this.  The pictures are crisp and clear.  It is not a problem if people are moving around like it was with my old Kodak digital camera.  I would highly recommend this to anyone.  It is very easy to use also.
This is my first digital camera.  Not knowing too much about digital cameras I did a lot of research on options, reviews, and prices, and I came across the Kodak DX7440.  I bought it, holding my breath wondering whether it was a good camera or a lemon, and found out it was neither;  This is a GREAT camera!Things I like about this camera...-Intuitive design.  All the controls can be accessed by the thumb and the forefinger.  A dial around the shutter release controls the zoom lens, pressing the shutter release halfway down controls the auto-focus, a large dial in the rear selects the different functions, and a tiny joystick in the center of the dial cycles through the function option.  You can literally control the camera with one hand.-Nice feel.  The right side of the camera is enlarged with a rubberized surface to give a better grip on the camera, and it's heavy enough to feel like it's not just a cheap piece of plastic.-viewer.  The LCD viewer is huge, bigger on this camera than I've seen it on others.  There is also an optical viewer, but I've found that I don't need it.  It also allows you to cycle throught the photos you've taken, and if you don't like it, a press of a button deletes it.-photo quality.  This camera has a color enhancing chip which brings out the true natural color of the subject.  Photos appear as if you're actually looking at them, instead of just a flat image like you'd see in film.  This $250-$300 digital camera takes just as good or even better photos as my friend's $1000+ regular camera-aesthetics.  The one thing that turned me off from getting a digital camera is that most of them have a weird new-age shiny silver case, like something NASA would make.  This one is much more conservative, with a subdued metallic flake gray with black grips and lens.-compatability.  You can plug it directly into your PC to transfer the photos for email, OR you can take out the memory card and bring it to a drugstore photo kiosk, OR you can plug it directly into your TV via video out and show your photos or mini-movies on your television.-low light quality.  The low light photos this camera takes isn't too impressive, but it's no worse than a regular film camera.  However, if you use the "night time" option, and if you can hold the camera steady enough, the shots it can take are almost breathtaking.Things I don't like about this camera...-Battery life.  The battery holds enough charge for maybe 50 pictures, becuase the the LCD viewer you're using to take them is a huge drain on the battery.  Remember to turn it off when you're not using it.-too many confusing icons.  There are more icons you need to look up than there are on your PC, and not all of them are helpful.  Some of the best photos I ever took with this camera had an icon of a garbage can appear on the monitor when I shot them, which I take to mean "my photo was a piece of trash."-Constant need to reset date.  Every time you take the battery out you need to reset the date, and it gets old fast.  However all the other settings you put into the camera remain.  Weird.-Accessories.  The DX7440 comes with 32 meg of memory, which you will find out quickly that it isn't enough.  You're required to go out any buy an additional SD memory card to take advantage of its capabilities.  There's also an available docking station which recharges the camera without needing to remove the battery, as well as transferring the photos you took to the PC.  You don't absolutely need it, but Kodak does its bit to "encourage" you to buy it to make your life easier.All in all, an excellent first time camera with only a few things to detract from it (unless you don't care about them, in which case, go ahead and give it another star).  If you yourself are looking for a first time digital camera, you won't be disappointed with the DX7440.  Overwhelmed with the options and things you can do with it, perhaps, but not disappointed.
Very slow between pictures.  Terrible auto focus inside/low light  where I take most pictures of my infant and toddler.  Software would not load on my computer.  I'm returning it and getting another Sony.
After weeks of online reviews and talking to camera stores I selected the Kodak DX7440. The camera takes excellent pictures and the software that comes with it is EXTREMELY easy to load and use (sorry Microsoft). For the money and for someone that wants a good easy to use point and shoot camera, this is the one.
My camera like this one was stolen and when I found it on Amazon, I was very happy because this is very easy to operate and takes excellent pictures, when I ordered it, it arrived fast and was just as advertised.
I have had my camera for over 2 years now and I like it so well that I bought two more, one for my Mom and one for my Dad. I also recommended this camera to a friend and she loves it. We off road in Jeeps and this camera has been subjected to all kinds of things like dirt, mud and rain as well as being banged around over ruff terrain and it has never let me down. It takes excellent pictures and it doesn't have a delay when you take the picture like so many cameras have today. It's very easy to use and always takes a great picture.
This is my third digigal camera and a good value.  A good balance between zoom and MP.  If you have a spare battery and change it quickly, you will not lose the date - I suggest you buy one. Also buy a large 512 memory.  You will not be disappointed.
My husband and I bought this camera almost a year ago, and after taking (literally) over two thousand pictures, it still works perfectly. I'll never understand everything it does, so I leave all the buttons on the top alone, but it still takes great pictures. The only cons are: when taking photos indoors (I noticed this while taking pics at my nieces basketball game) they will be dark if taken from a distance. I'm sure there is a setting I could change it to to fix this, but I haven't found it. Also, whenever you take the battery out you have to reset the time and date. That gets annoying after a while. Other than that it's a wonderful camera and is doing a great job of capturing my newborn!
My husband bought me this camera as a surprise Christmas present about four years ago and it quickly became my favorite camera. It has been my camera of choice for two trips to Disneyland, a trip to Disney World and a cruise. It's a fantastic camera, and very easy for someone not technologically skilled like me to understand how to use. Battery life is great, I'm able to go through about two days of consistent use on our trips before I need to recharge. Speaking of which, recharging is a cinch, I bring the little charger, plug it in at the hotel room in the evening and by the next morning I'm ready to go (usually takes less than that but I plug it in and go to bed).My only problems have been with trying to use the camera in lower lighting situations, like at my children's school assemblies and performances. Perhaps I'm not using the settings correctly but those pictures are coming out too dark with the colors off.This has been one of the best presents ever. We're headed for another trip next year and this camera will be on my "must pack" list.
I chose this as my second camera in a rush because my HP "fell ill" after 3 years (that was a good camera also). I could've never made a better choice. I have so much creative control with the focus, zoom, color, lighting and all other choices that I had never had before. This camera gives you the ability to be as artistic in your photos as you want. The photos come out clear and big and as someone said in a previous review, their original resolution gives you a large enough size to work with. The 16 set scenes give you even more creative control, there is one for anything you dream of taking pictures of.The software is easy to install and transfer is very simple. I had the box open, battery in and had taken the first few pictures all within 5 minutes of buying it. Battery life is about 45 minutes before you need to recharge (takes about 3 hours or less depending on how much you want it charged). This camera even gives you a snapshot sound (which you can change to music) each time you turn it on or take a picture. The pictures take incredibly fast. You can literally shoot in the moment, not 2 seconds from the moment. The 2.2 inch screen is also a good size to work with. I've found no problems with it at all.In conclusion, I would highly recommend this camera to anyone, beginners and intermediates alike. It will put the life into your photography. You'll never want to stop taking pictures! For the price and the artistic freedom, this would be your best choice, you won't regret it!
I can't tell you how much I LOVE this camera!  Sure, there are a few flaws (explained later), but overall, this camera is awesome; a full 98 of 100.  I bought this camera nearly 8 months ago, and I've had maybe three times where I couldn't figure out how to get a  GREAT picture.  Not just a good picture, but a GREAT picture!  I've used the auto settings indoors and out, the movie video to record the kids playing in the [high glare] snow and videos of rushing rivers, catching fish; I've used the fireworks setting (and actually turned out some beautiful photos of fireworks!) Try that out on any other camera.  The multi-picutre ("like a model") setting where you take 6 or 9 photos in immediate succession has produced some terrific shots I would have otherwise missed using my regular camera.  I wish I could show you the zoom capabilities - we went to the mountains, and I used the "mountains" setting, and it was incredible. I've never run out of space for my pictures, and I've had several hundred of them at a time, including videos.The software that comes with the camera is great, too!  I'd been using Adobe Photoshop for nearly two years, but now I use the Kodak Easy Share instead.  Red eye?  Click.  Now they're blue eyes.  Photo dull?  Click.  It's autoadjusted.  The only software adjustment I'd make it to auto click the zoom in and out feature, or by keystroke, but hey, maybe it does and I just haven't found it yet.  I don't like the file folder settings very much, because when I renamed them later, it couldn't find it.  (Adobe can find it...)I really wanted a "larger" camera that fit my hands, and wouldn't get confused with my cell phone in my bag, but was small at the same time.  I like the "adjustable" view finder, where I can set it to my very own vision characteristics, not the "generic" 20/20 vision.  I also like the easy turn of the settings, but locked in place so I don't mess up.  Can you tell I LIKE THIS CAMERA!!!!The downs sides:  Like others, the re-sestting of the date everytime you take out the battery is just nonsense, and frankly, well below Kodak's standard.  I didn't think it would bother me, as I though how often would I take out the battery?  I never took out the other ones.... Well, if you want to recharge the battery, you take it out!  (Or you can buy an adapter, ranging from $25 to $200, depending on what else you might want it to do, like print, sort, etc.)  Normally, I like the date on my photos, but the automatic date on this camera is HUGE and bright yellow.  Too big, especially when you crop the photo and get only a partial date.  So I turn it off, and self date when I upload to a website, or on my own disc.I LOVE the quick shutter response -- no more "lost" shots while the camera readied itself or focused; but I do not love the time it takes to re-ready itself after showing a preview.  But I can turn that off if I like.... but I do like seeing the preview to make sure I captured the shot I wanted.I have not been able to get a good, distant indoor shot, say at a graduation setting.  I can get the lighting right, but without a tripod, I cannot get it sharp enough.  So, I've given up on that! But I haven't tried all the settings yet; I imagine there's one that will work.I've had the fortunate experience of shopping for a digital camera for my son; and guess what -- even 8 months later, I  $100 cheaper than advertised at CompUSA; new in box, full warranty.  Perhaps an unadvertised special?Thanks; enjoy.
This is a full featured yet easy to use camera that takes excellent quality pictures and has a high quality 4x optical zoom lens.It is extremely fast in focusing and taking pictures, and the focus is almost always perfect. It has a large number of preset settings for circumstances like landscape, portrait, close up etc, but has manual options as well where the enthusiast can set all the settings. It has a burst mode to take pictures rapidly and the ability to take 3 bracketed exposures to get just the right one. The shutter can be set for as long as 64 seconds, for long exposure shots of dark scenes.The image quality, which is where cameras must perform, is really excellent. There are setting to adjust the sharpness and color saturation to the users choice, so if one wants more muted colors they can be obtained. The usual 'normal' setting though provides rich perfect color. I've taken over a 1000 pictures on this camera to date and have been delighted in the quality of the vast majority--any problems have been the photographers, not the camera! The color reproduction is perfect both indoors and out. Kodak cameras tend to give pictures with high color saturation, but as mentioned, this can be toned down in one of the settings if desired. I like the saturation as it is--looks vibrant and lifelike. The 4 megapixel size is plenty--I've had 8x10 prints made that look identical to film.Battery life is excellent. The flash is powerful for indoor shots, and it's power can also be adjusted by one of the settings. It is easy to use--the settings are intuitive and the controls are easy to use and easy to find on the camera.The price for this is also great--making it a stand out deal in the 4 megapixel, 4x zoom lens category.Highly recommended--easy enough to use by a novice, but has more than enough settings and features for a more expert user.
We've had this camera since June of '05....and it still works great!  I love how easy it is to use!  Turning it on/off, zooming, reviewing and sharing the photos is so easy.  There are 3 of us in our family with the same camera, and we all love it so much.  Now that Kodak makes nothing similar to replace it with, we are being more careful with it to make sure nothing happens to it. We use it all the time (especially with a 2 year old!) and have just started to notice that it needs a new battery.  Wish Kodak would introduce the same camera again with a few updates.  Definately reccomend hanging on to this camera if you have one...or buy it if you find one!  It's really great!
You know I have had mine so long that when I bought it I paid over $300.00...And now they are 40 bucks and I can still say this is the BEST camera for everyday use, it really takes some nice shots, it is easy to use, and there is NO lag time with this camera in all of the years I have owned it.I use this camera for every day use when I want some quick shots, or when I am on the go and my heavy big Canon is not to easy to lug around.I LOVE my Canon Rebel, most I ever spent on a camera (almost 1k) in my life, and I own A LOT of digital and film camera's. It is an amazing camera, but as I said sometimes it is just to much to carry around. And my Kodak fits in my purse or pocket easily.It has held up perfectly for at least 8 years now, I have never had it in the shop even once. I have known people I recommended this camera to and instead of getting THIS camera they got a newer version. And they ended up with problems. Be sure to get THIS model and not a newer version because you will have a good camera that you can depend on to do just about anything you want it to..Only ONE problem.. and it's not the camera but Kodak. They have discontinued a cable I need to upload from the camera to the PC so it is really hard to find. I found several on here but I cannot be sure they are the right ones.. I have ordered 2 from different vendors so we shall see.when I get them I will post an update on exactly which cable you need.
I have received this Kodak new digital camera DX7440 for two weeks. The lithum-ion battery and charger that come with the camera are nice extras. The 32MB memory is enough for 20 pictures or about 1.5 minutes movie in highest resolution.I love the movie mode right away. The camera also record sounds, I filmed my cousin's birthday party with a brand new 256 MB secure digital memory card. We connected the camera to the big screen 42" TV and it was a moment of blast!! We laughed and enjoyed every moment of it. It captured a lot of details and it seemed that the camera erased a lot of my hand movements and shaking; i.e. stabilizer. The sound recorded was good as well.Man, the pictures are wonderful. We went to the dark backyard at evening time, played hide and seek, and the viewfinder lighted up and I saw everybody in the viewfinder even though it was very dark.The flash light worked excellent in dark as well and the pictures turned out great no matter day or night. The 4X optical zoom was amazing, better than my other friends' 3X; and the viewfinder was big measured at 2.2 inches wide.The joystick was fun to play with, it controls a lot of things, such as when reviewing your pictures and you like to zoom to an area and enlarge it. The camera lets you zoom to 8X as big when reviewing pictures. Man, you see a lot and a lot of details. And, the quality is so amazing!!!I am so much in love with this light-weight Kodak that I want to enjoy its full extend by purchasing the camera printer dock and print pictures myself. As of this writing, I am waiting for the printer dock. I will give you an update soon.Man, this is one heck of a digital camera. Kodak, you did it! Highly recommended.--------------------------------------------------------------Update One (8/6/2004):Later found that the CD that comes with the camera contains interactive tutorials about how to use the camera, how to email photos, how to printer photos, etc. Nice!!Just got our 10"X8" photots ordered from Ofoto.com, the pictures look perfect, no distortion, vivid and true colors. We even got our first 10 free 4"X6" prints. Wonderful!! I know that its capable of getting up to 20"X30". Yet, we don't have room for that big a picture yet.My Kodak Printer Dock has just arrived. It automatically recharges the battery, nice!! Emailing pictues to friends and relatives is just one touch away after inputting email addresses. It's so very easy!!!----------------------------------------------------------------Update two (8/9/2004):The camera comes with 10 4"X6" free printer dock photo paper, the printer dock also comes with another 10 free 4"X6" photo papaer.  I printed 5 of my pictures; since Kodak says that the printer automatically laminates prints, I put one of them in a bowl of water and see.  I got up the next morning and picked up that picture from the water, the pictures was still intact.  The lamination was perfect and make the picture free of weather attack.  Still, one has to keep the picture from direct sunlights, but at least it is free from moisture attack and finger prints.  This is an advantage over other print sources for 4"x6"s.The quality of the prints are also great, with true colors and sharp clarity; just as how they look from the viewfinder.Some of my friends ask if there is another Kodak that may be about the same quality, functionality, but cheaper.  I also suggest the LS743, which also let you take 4.0 Megapixel photos and TV-quality movies with sound.  I think that that one is slightly cheaper from Amazon.com.  Yet, that one has a slightly smaller viewfinder and 1X less zoom (3X instead of 4X of the DX7440).Also, taking movie seems easier than using the camcorders.  The advantage is that it is smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry around and my hand does not get tried fast.  The quality is already TV-quality, which is the same as the camcorders.The disadvantage is that the battery does not last as long as the camcorders as theirs are heavier and bigger.  And, movie length is limited by the size of your memory card.  So, you may need a bigger card to take longer movies.  Yet, memory card prices are getting cheaper and cheaper; and battery lives are getting longer and longer.In conclusion, this is the camera for all the photo and movie needs, with ease of use and handy features, especially big viewfinder, TV-quality movie functionality so one can occaionally take movie for memory.  My other friends are surprised by its various abilities and quality.
This is one of the best digital cameras I've used, and I've worked with a few in my career. Nice, big viewing screen for framing, quick shutter speed, and easy to use. You don't have to be made of stone to hold the machine still enough to get crystal-clear shots, and the camera is compact enough to tote around on vacation or fit into an average-sized briefcase. (You can also use it to make short video clips. While this is not a feature I use on a frequent basis, it's a fun perk to have.)I did alot of research before buying this camera, and this model has gotten good reviews from almost every authority I consulted before buying. You won't regret it - it's definitely worth the money. Many cameras that sell for more don't match the features this model offers.
This is my second digital camera, so I shopped around very carefully and chose this one. I haven't been disappointed.One thing I really like is that it is relatively easy to hold and handle--not like some of those super compact cameras that are so popular now. The DX7440 has a nice hand grip, and the controls are all very accessible.This camera is also very FAST. Many digital camera have an awkward shutter lag. This camera focuses very very fast, and there is no discernible shutter lag. Look at the specifications and compare to other cameras!The "automatic" picture-taking setting work great with no worries and excellent quality, but if you're ambitious, there are lots of manual controls available like aperture priority and shutter priority and etc.The zoom lens is wonderful; 4x is better than the 3x on most cameras in this price range, and it zooms in very fast and smooth. 4x zoom is actually more powerful than the more expensive Kodak DX7630, with 3x zoom.4 megapixels allows plenty of room for cropping your shots and still retaining good quality.I just got a set of photos back from Winkflash, an on-line photo lab, and the picture quality is excellent for 4x6 snapshots.Battery life is quite good. I went for a 4-day camping trip and filled up an entire 512 mb memory card without running out of juice. That's with the supplied battery, and a longer-lasting one is available for $24 on Amazon.The extra-large LCD screen is also much better than most of the competition, and can be viewed even in bright sunlight.On a Macintosh, you do not have to use the Kodak software. The camera interfaces fine with mac's Iphoto software. The Mac X image capture software allows for downloading movies.You can shoot movies in 640 by 480, double the resolution of most cameras.I bought a 32x high speed 512 mb Lexar Sd card, which works fine--although apparently there is only a minimal advantage to a high-speed card, and Kodak does not recommend them.For a camera case, I highly recommend the Lowepro D-Res 10AW. The DX74440 fits PERFECTLY, with room for a battery and spare memory card. The case is well-designed, well-padded, and compact.For the range of features, ease of use, and price, the DX7440 can't be beat!
My mother bought this camera several years ago and I inherited it after her death. I'm not a photography expert, in fact I've previously only used cheap consumer cameras, but this seems like a pretty good one to me. As long as you have good lighting, it seems hard to take a bad picture with this camera. Using the Auto setting, most photos come out looking great (in my opinion). There are also a couple dozen special scene modes for capturing specific types of scenes. I've mostly only used the one for closeups, which worked well.However, I haven't yet figured out how to take decent photos in low light. Outdoor photos taken at dusk tend to look like they were taken at midnight, even with using the night setting. If you use the flash in a low-light setting indoors, it tends to completely illuminate the scene and make it look like broad daylight. If you turn off the flash, the image is usually too dark to see anything. Even increasing the brightness/gamma in photo editing software doesn't help, as the detail just isn't there. I'm sure there's probably a way to take photos in low light and get them to look like they do to the naked eye, but I haven't yet figured out how to do that.Once you take a picture, the camera shows you a preview of that photo for several seconds and a few of the other reviewers have mentioned this as an annoyance because it takes several seconds before the camera removes the preview and goes back to normal mode. This can be turned off so that the camera never shows a preview, however there's no need to do that. While the preview is being displayed, you can partially press the shutter button to immediately cancel the preview and return to normal mode. In fact, if you press the shutter button all the way, you can immediately take another photo.As others have mentioned, the battery clip, at least in the earlier models is extremely flimsy and will eventually break, no matter how careful you are. The problem is the battery is constantly pushing against it while in the camera and the cheap plastic just isn't strong enough to hold it forever. Kodak should have used a metal part rather than plastic. Thankfully, the compartment door will hold the battery in place just fine. Also, if you hold the camera upside down when inserting or removing a memory card, the battery will stay in contact and you won't have to reset the time and date.From what I've read, the maximum size memory card you can use in the DX7440 is 1GB. While that's plenty of room for hundreds of photos and almost an hour of 640x480 video, the problem is that 1GB cards are relatively scarce now. You can't go into any major store without finding 4GB SD cards, but try to find a 1GB one! I had to order a couple online and paid about as much for two of them as I would have for a 4GB card. It's not just that the camera won't use the extra space, it won't even recognize a 4GB card. A sales rep at Staples told me that I could use a 2GB card and that it would just use half the capacity, but I didn't feel like experimenting.Finally, I know a lot of people like the Kodak Easyshare software, but I hated it! I don't use my camera every day, so I only want the software to run when I need it, but yet, like most software today, it automatically installs itself in the startup so that it runs every time Windows boots. I removed it from the startup, but then getting the camera driver to load was hit-and-miss. Often, I'd have to reboot my system to get it to recognize the camera. As for the software itself, I found it quite primitive. I couldn't find any way to select a range of images to transfer off the camera or to delete. It usually just transferred all the images by default. I also didn't like the way it basically hid the actual files from you so that you had to access them through the Easyshare software. I'm more of a computer nerd, and I want access to the raw files so that I can load them into other programs, manually attach them to email, sort them into directories, burn then to a data disc, etc. I just didn't like the way the Easyshare software seemed to want to be your one and only way to access the photos. Now I just pop the memory card into my card reader and use whatever software I want to access the photos. Much simpler for me.Since you can now get the DX7440 for less than $50, it's a great little bargain. Just don't expect any support from Kodak, even if you buy it new. They consider it outdated and won't even answer email about it.
Because of the glowing reviews on this page, my decision to purchase a DX7440 was reinforced.  Unfortunately, when the purchase arrived, it turned out that the "Made in China" camera was defective.  There was a large black spot in the center of all photos which appeared to be the fault of either a defective CCD or a severe problem with the optics.  Either way, the camera was unusable, and it was returned for a refund.And therein lies the good thing about Amazon:  They will accept a return within 30 days, no questions asked.  Kodak technical support was essentially useless, because support appears to be offshored to people who do not speak English as their first language.Needless to say, Kodak cameras are now on my "do not buy" list.
Having used a Fuji Finepix 2300 camera for almost 5 years now, I was ready to upgrade to a newer technology camera.  The main features I was looking for was 3-4 megapixel resolution and 4-5X optical zoom and 3-5x digital zoom.  A movie mode would also be nice.  I looked for several months before finally deciding on the DX7440 from Kodak.  Kodak came highly recommended from friends and various online reviews.I purchased the camera and have been using it regularly for the past 10 days or so.  Now that I have had an opportunity to use the camera, I can honestly say it is an utter disappointment.  It is being returned to the store from where I purchased it this afternoon for a full refund.  Picture quality is a disgrace.  Out of approximately 200 photos taken, perhaps 20 of them yielded something remotely acceptable. Perhaps my unit is not functioning correctly, but most pictures are so blurry that they aren't even worth keeping.  The settings are not user friendly.  After multiple attempts to work through the instruction manual and set the camera to the optimum settings for my photos, the camera still took blurry photos.  Very frustrating to say the least.  Movie mode isn't very clear either, even when set on the highest quality.Oh, my battery clip also broke off the first time I took the battery out to recharge it.  Poor design.  The battery cover seems to hold the battery in securely, so I do not know why they even bother with the flimsy plastic clip.The only good feature of the camera is Kodak's Easyshare software.  It was a joy to use.  Kodak's statement that you can get borderless 4x6 prints with any inkjet printer is false, however.  I am using a new HP inkjet printer and the Easyshare software, even when set in accordance with the instructions will not print borderless (I am even using Kodak's print media).All in all, a very disappointing experience.  I will continue searching for a suitable replacement for my Fuji (which takes better photos than this Kodak even though the Fuji is only 2.1MP and has no optical zoom).
I bought this camera for myself right before christmas and am very happy with it. I've taken over 1000 pictures and find the quality at all the different settings to be exceptional. Battery life is excellent (about 2 hours to charge and last well over 200 pics at high res) and I carry it everywhere I go. Movie mode is awesome and with sound makes for great memories when "filming" holiday events. It's connectivity to your TV is simple and straight forward for family veiwing. I bought the 256mg card and that's good for almost 15 minutes of video. With just a few minutes of video the card will still hold a few hundred pictures. I can't imagine this camera not being more then what most point and shot photographers will ever need. And even those who really into photography should find this camera pretty useful. It's goes from full auto to full manual and anything inbetween and I had fun learning what all the different settings would do. It's 4x optical zoom works really well and even going to full digital zoom renders some pretty good shots (you must be very steady or have a tripod or sit it on something that doesn't move however to keep from blurring the image). I only hope that 4 or 5 years down the line when I want to get a new one that the DX 7440 is still available so I can buy it again. I really like this camera!update 5 Mar 05: The little plastic battery latch broke. The battery/memory card door does however hold it inplace so it's still functioning normally. I'm keeping the camera, because it works so well i'm afraid to give it up for a replacement. I carry this camera on my person 24/7 and just passed my 6000th picture. This camera still rocks, but i wanted anyone considering a purchase to be aware of the latch problem.update 5 June 05: Just took a motorcycle trip to Niagara Fall and south through W. Virginia. This camera performed flawlessly (Did i say this camera rocks?). The battery latch problem hasn't effected anything and the pictures I took from this trip turned out excellent (100% of them)!!
This Kodak is an almost perfect combo of memory, megpixs, and convenience.  The camera comes with a load of internal memory which most users will find is all they need. Of course, the docking station - my main reason for buying Kodak - is wonderfully convenient. I use this professionally and the docking is the only way to go.Complaints: the software is a little wierd and keeps running in the background on my computer - not intuitive as to how to manage photo folders. I would rather make my own folders, thanks.Also, the power and USB cable connections to the docking station are crumby. Finally, not clear how to replay saved videos (I get about 45 seconds).  Otherwise pictures are great and handy to use._________________Update June 2008 - can't believe I am still using this thing professionally and personally 4 years later. My glowing review above stands. The only concern I have is that the function selector dial is getting a little crabby and may jamb up on me soon, otherwise not a problem has been had. Highly recommended, and not sure I have seen much else out there that is going to offer that much in competition with this model.
This camera is the best!  I upgraded from a 3-yr-old Olympus 3MP/2X zoom to this 4MP/4X zoom, but the best thing about the upgrade is how fast it is.  It has an internal memory that is used as a temporary hard drive, and taking pictures is instantaneous.  I think the specs on Kodak.com say it takes 0.2 seconds to take picture after picture (to up to about 6 or so pics in a row manually), and only 1.2 seconds from turning the camera on to taking a picture.  I can vouch for that personally.  You can literally circle the room, taking pictures like a gunslinger.Don't let the "Professional" grade scare you off.  Just put it on auto and go.  If you want fine tune your pics, it has 16 modes you can use, like sand, night landscape, night portrait, etc.It also uses a lithium ion battery, similar to what camcorders use.  It even comes with its own charger.  I know you might prefer AA rechargable types, but lithium ion lasts a lot longer.  And besides, if you don't use the viewfinder to take pictures (since it's unnecessary) your battery will literally last months between charges.  So if you are going on vacation, just charge it up before you go.  No worries.If you are thinking about getting the 5MP/3X Zoom that Kodak also sells, which I was also considering, then realize that a zoom level is equal to about a MP.  4MP by itself is plenty, unless you're making posters, and the extra zoom lets you focus on what you want, and helps to eliminate cropping later.The USB plug & software works like a charm.  Even if you don't use the software, my Windows XP automatically recognizes the camera as another hard drive, in my case, the "J" hard drive.  Then just cut and paste.  Some people might complain about the low budget photo editing software, which lets you get rid of red-eye, and do some cropping, and that's about it, but if you want something fancy, then go out and get some $50 software that will do everything.  Don't let that keep you from getting this camera.  The charger that comes included is worth $50 by itself.The camera looks bigger based on its pics, but it's actually quite small and light, and will easily fit in a pants pocket.The bottom line is there is nothing I would change about this camera.  Every time I use it I literally say, "I love this camera."  I was very pleased with the photo quality from my old Olympus, but I'm a die-hard Kodak user now.  Don't forget about how fast it is!  Nothing's more frustrating than missing out on a great picture because your camera's too slow.
This camera takes awesome pictures in the daytime. However, at night in my home, I saw poor performance from the flash particularly when you zoom in.  I had multiple shots that were too dark or blurry even some when the subject was about 6 feet away.  It was kind of hit or miss if the shot was awesome using the flash.  These bad shots occured with two regular lamps on in the evening. I just wish Kodak would have beefed up the flash and added a light assist for focusing.  If so, this would have been my favorite.  The movie mode is excellent.I decided to return it and get a cannon A85.  This kodak camera lacks picbridge, manual focus, white balance in auto, beam focus assist for low light focusing, memory is on bottom (bad for tripod shooting), must use kodak lithium ion battery (cannon uses AA's).  The cannon flash is much better than the kodak and I am more satified.  The video mode on the 7440 is superior to the A85, but for pictures, the A85 rocks.Giving it 4 stars in generous, should have been 3.
Not a bad camera for $299 but it could use some tuning up.Pros:- 16 situation presets (portrait, party, sports, landscape, close-up ect.)- 7 Camera modes (auto, scene, program, aperture priority, manual and custom)- 2.5 inch screen- Kodak software makes for easy sharing for beginners- 4x optical, 3x digital- You can tag photos as "Favorite" so you don't mistakenly delete them- You can place photos in an "Album" for sortingCons:- Short battery life, especially when you use the screen as the viewfinder- Bad auto-focusing- Poor automatic compensation (f-stop/shutter speed) when the flash is disabled. This makes for very dark pictures- No manual focusing- No lense cap. It has a thin plastic shutter that automatically covers the lense when the camera is turned off.- 32MB internal memory- Camera menu functions are limited- Optional 2x telephoto lense pack is $70
Purchased this camera after reading about on Consumer Reports and doing a bit of comparison shopping. Although it is a bit bulky compared to other cameras, it has been reliable (and I have dropped it a few times). Pictures are clear and consise, the screen is perfect size.My only complaint is that the space for hand to hold camera on left side is a bit too small. Other than that! Good purchase.
This is my second digital camera, and my second Kodak.  My first was the DC3400 dinosaur, and I was pretty pleased with that.  The DC3400 was limited compared to current technology, though, particularly in terms of resolution, size, and SPEED.  I was surprised how small this camera is, although it's not nearly as small as the super-compacts (which are a little too small for my taste, this one is about right).  I've heard complaints that the super small versions aren't very robust, but this medium-small version seems to be pretty durable.The camera is simple to operate, plug-n-plays nicely with XP, and seems to put out good pictures.  I particularly like the feature that allows you to take a series of stills rapidly by just holding down the shutter (very good for small children and animals that don't pose well!).With a 512M card, it has room for about 320 pictures at "Best" resolution.  Other features... cool sounds effects (plus the ability to TURN THEM OFF!), black and white, and sepia tone settings!  Very fun and will make great Xmas gifts (I hope).My only irritation so far... the navigation button is the 5 function on one button variety that can be hard to get to do what you want (the same type that has become common on cell phones, some PDAs, TV/DVD remotes, etc).  I'm sure it's an acquired skill, so I hope this won't be such an annoyance after a few uses.So far so good!  Great camera for a good price.
I purchased my Kodak CX7530 7 months ago and have taken hundreds of pictures.  Every picture has came out perfect with rich, vibrant color.  I cannot find one complaint about this camera or the software, they both are extremely easy to use and produce excellent results!  I recommend purchasing a 256 MB SD card...you'll be suprised how many pictures you will take!!  I use rechargeable batteries (Kodak recommends NOT using regular  AA batteries) and am very impressed with how long they last...even using the LCD display.  I keep my camera with me at all times...that way, I never miss a "Kodak moment"!
The first one lasted about five years and suddenly the zoom lens would not come out no matter what we tried.  I bought two used ones since then and when they arrived, the zoom lens would not come out on either one.  Other than that, when the zoom did work - it was the best little camera ever!!!  Does anyone know what the problem might be?
The 7530 works fine. Like some other reviewers, battery life is very short. I've tried rechargeable NI-MH cells rated 2200 mAh each. These did not last more than a day or two. The camera seems to drain them even when not in use. This happened with AA Lithium cells also. These fresh cells lasted 2 or 3 days and were then dead.This camera has been around and has many reviews. This seems a common problem. I wonder if it is common to all digital cameras?Aside from this the camera is easy to use. It does take a very good picture.When I use the camera I turn off the image display, and there are no "dirty" contacts. I can not get over how it goes through batteries.It is bad enough to make me miss my old SLR film camera. I wanted rechargable lithiums but they are limited and may not be much better. Oh well.
I purchased this camera after reading the perfect product reviews on nearly every website I researched. However, my experience was very different and disappointing compared to others.  I am a professional graphic designer and have experience with professional photography as well. I wanted a good inexpensive digital camera that would exceed the quality and resolution of my $800 4 megapixal digital camera.  I purchased the Kodak EasyShare CX7530, so I would have it before my sister's wedding.  I tested it around the house for a couple of days and made the following observation.  Photos that were taken outside in natural sunlight turned out absolutely perfect.  I could see extremely detailed aspects of my photo subjects that could not be seen when taken with a 4mp camera. I took pictures of my dog and could literally see every single strand of hair on her in all the photos.  Outside photos are absolutely amazing. HOWEVER, the photos I took indoors (using lighting from lamps and/or overhead lights) did not turn out as well. The overall color of my photo subjects seems to be rather subdued and the color was not accurate.  The details that I saw in outdoor photos weren't as prominate when the same subjects were photographed indoors.  Nevertheless, I still felt that it had potential, and I took it to my sister's wedding anyway.I took approximately 90 photos at the wedding, and nothing could have prepared me for how terrible the photos would turn out. The chapel had natural sunlight coming through the windows providing enough lighting so that the flash was not automatically used. All of the photos were taken using the "Auto" setting. I was sitting in the front row so I wouldn't be too far away from my subjects. While the photos appeared to be normal through the viewer window, I was shocked when I got home and transferred them to my computer.  Every single photograph taken in the chapel was absolutely ruined.  They all had a bright red tint to them that could not be corrected, and they were all severely distorted and blurred.  I only used the zoom in a couple of photos, and those photos were completely unrecognizable.  But the majority of photos were taken without zoom, in good lighting, close to my photo subjects..... and none of them are usable and worthy of being printed. The ONLY photos that turned out decent were the few I took outdoors during the wedding reception, which was held at 3pm sunlight and in perfect weather. I am shocked, disappointed, and angry.... words can't describe how I felt when this happened.  How can a camera that takes such perfect photos outside in the daytime take such horrific photos indoors?  I will never be able to replace the memories or photos I took that day, and I think everyone should be aware of the potential downside of this camera.  It definitely doesn't deserve a perfect rating.  I am a professional, and if I received such terrible results from a camera, I would caution anybody else who is looking for a dependable, easy point and click camera.  I returned this camera the second I got home from the wedding.As a side note, my aunt has the Kodak EasyShare DX7630 6.1 megapixal camera, which isn't much more expensive than this 5MP camera.  Almost all of her photos came out perfect and the detail is absolutely amazing indoors and outdoors.  I am going to purchase one just like hers.
I've used several digital cameras and found that the Kodak CX7530 performs beyond expectations for a point-and-shoot camera.  This camera excels in rendering images with incredible sharpness, excellent exposure, and well balanced color saturation.  Dare I say this camera performs as well as the Digital Rebel!I found it rare to get an image out of focus with this camera.  The 5 MP gives me room to crop images without loosing detail.  I was able to figure out all major functions without even opening the manual.  The fast turn-on time, shutter to shot, and shot to shot performance took me by surprize...capture the moment and review it immediately!  There is some metal on the camera that adds ruggedness and gives it a "well built" feel.  The large bright LCD helps review image quality quickly as well as help compose without squinting.If you want an excellent point and shoot that gives you fast, sharp, reliable results, then the cx7530 is the perfect choice.Check out my "customer images" (link below the cx7530 image, above).Pros:1. multi-point focus always renders sharp foreground images; i found few images out of focus.2. shadows and dark areas are not grainy or noisy; this is helpful when you're cropping pics and enlarging them.3. very smooth transitions in bright area and never washed out; this helps you with contrast especially if you convert to black and white later4. very fast; press the shutter button and you don't miss the moment!5. very quick; shot to shot6. fast turn on; rotate the dial and it's almost ready before you are!7. huge LCD that's sharp, bright, and fast to update while panning8. battery miser; with NiH rechargeables, i was able to get 85 shots where 25 used the flash9. images get auto-rotated when taking a portrait10. very quiet; no focus or zoom noise11. LCD goes blank after a while of no use to conserve power12. 2 movie modes; QVGA (320x240 @ 20fps) and VGA (640x480 @ 13fps);Cons:1. does not remember setting if you change them after you turn off the camera; but i've rarely had to tweek something to get a great image2. 4 way navigation button is on the left and i'm a righty; so this is good for the lefty's; not really an issue, though!3. can not disable digital zoom; but zoom indicator clearly shows the crossover point between optical to digital zoom
Kodak is my second digital camera, my first was Sony 3.2 MP.. I thought that Kodak has done a great job with this camera. The one thing that I was kind of upset is that you must know how to operate the camera in order to get clear picture such as you must make sure that the squares change to green before you take your picture so that it focus properly. I've already get the hang of this but occassionally I got blur pictures and this is very frustrating. Furthermore, if you gonna ask someone to take your pictures, you have to explain to them how to go about doing it so that they won't take blur pictures. These happens to me when I went for a trip overseas and a few of my pictures are either blur or under exposed and I could not even fix them.So to all who wanna buy Kodak digital camera make sure that you know how to operate them so that your picture won't be blur, or underexposed. Other than that, I like the compactness of this camera but am still looking for the ease of using digital camera.. Perhaps I should stick to either Sony or Canon.
After more than a couple of years of use and a few drops and dings this camera still works and produces good quality pictures.I had to replace the rechargeable NiCad battery pack a few months ago.  I was expecting a little more mileage out of the batteries since I am very good are keeping the camera in the dock for recharging.Camera is easy to use and with enough memory you can capture several short video clips.  That feature is also easy to figure out.  I have 512 MB of memory which allowed me at last count to store nearly 400 pictures and 2 video clips about 30 seconds long.I wish I could say my next camera would be another Kodak, were is not for the fact I had a very dissapointing experience with the Printer Dock hardware and software.On the plus side, this camera is detected properly on SuSE Linux Desktop 10 and works well with F-Spot and digiKam when connected through USB port.Overall it is a good buy and you will not be dissapointed.
I am very impressed with this unit. After driving to every Target store during Xmas to find this thing I eventually just bought it off Amazon and saved myself 20.00. I bought it for my wife as a gift. She was a bit weary about how well the printer would actually work. Last weekend I bought the printer and some paper and I have to say ... WOW! A one armed monkey could work this whole package. Great investment and well put together. Blows the HP / EPSON stuff away.
This is my second purchase of this camera.  My old one started using up batteries very fast.  For the casual photographer this camera has just the right balance of ease of use plus features and options for the advanced user.  I use it for everything from close ups to landscapes.  My all time favorite camera.
After a recent trip to the mountains for a weekend getaway,  I decided it was time to purchase a "wearable" digital camera. I wanted something small enough to carry in a belt pouch (like you carry a cell phone) so I could keep it with me all the time.Also on my list of "wants" were the requirements that it: run on standard batteries (I now refuse to purchase electronic devices that require $50+ proprietary batteries); must be reasonably priced; must interface to my computer via a cable utilizing a USB port/plug (didn't want to be forced to use a docking station); be easy to operate; and of course, needs to be able to produce a nice looking picture.I've owned several digital camera's (Canon and Sony) over the past 6 or 7 years, so I've had some experience with both the good and bad aspects of digital photography.  After a fair amount of research (with an admitted bias toward Japanese name brands), I settled on the Kodak CX7530.  And I have been impressed.The photos are absolutely stunning.  The color saturation and clarity will amaze you.  I have yet to take the instruction manual out of the plastic wrap, yet I have managed to figure-out how to use most of the camera's features with just a little trial and error in a single afternoon.  Runs on 2 standard "AA" penlight batteries.  Sports more than average internal memory with the option of adding more storage capacity via removable cards (I purchased a 512MB SD card for about $40).  Computer software installation can be a bit aggravating, but once completed, picture transfers were simple, fast, and flawless.  And you can even shoot video clips that offer pretty credible quality.  Light  and small, slips into a small padded pouch on my belt so it is always handy.If you can get past your "name tag" bias, get you one of these little gems.  Kodak has put together a winner with the CX7530!!!!!
I've had this camera for 2 years now. My wife dropped it and cracked the LCD, though it still works. But I thought maybe it might be time to buy a new camera so I started looking.You know what? I can't find a new point & shoot camera that produces images that is convincingly better with such ease of use. Bummer! After 2 years, other than just an increase in MP, overall image quality has not gotten any better! We went to Japan and my wife bought a Ricoh R4 for nearly $450 and after comparing photos, my 7530 was still better.After doing more research and comparing photos of the new Canons (SD600, 700, 800), Casios and other Kodaks, there aren't any new compact models that is convincing me. I don't want a Sony or Fuji due to their proprietary memory cards, and the Nikon compacts are not rated very well.For now, I've decided to keep my 7530 with the cracked LCD and all because in the end, image quality beats all those bells and whistles.
Used the camera once it was okay, the second time I went to use it, when I turned it on the lens would not retract and I recieved an error message.  The book said to change the batteries, I did that no luck the camera is inoperable.
This is my second point and shoot digital camera.  Nothing was wrong with my other it just took a rocket scientist to use it.  Not with the Kodak CX7530.  You can basically turn it on and figure all the buttons easily.  I love the screen descriptions when you turn the top dial to see what mode you are in.  Daytime shots come out great!  Night time are not so great as the flash doesn't carry but that is the case with most digital cameras.  I would buy this camera again in an instant!  Update.  I've had this camera for over 2 years and am now having trouble with it not turning on all the time.  If I remove and put the batteries back in it usually fixes the problem.  I'm also having trouble with the flash...
I am an amature at picture taking but I am a new mommy and I wanted a digital camera for shooting and e-mailing pics.  I have not been disappointed with this camera it is very user friendly and takes AWSOME pictures EVEN IN LOW LIGHT(there is a feature that automatically brightens your pictures in low to no light).  This camera is worth every penney and I couldn't be happier.  I also have the dock printer which seems to develop better than ANY developing place I have ever used...I am normally not a big spender because Im a FT student but this is worth your money.
This camera was my stepping stone into digital photography.Having been devoted to my Canon EOS Elan II, the EasyShare was something to play with while I learned digital, and to help me decide if I wanted to jump in to digital photography with both feet, or simply have the added option.This camera takes good pictures overall, though I have to admit, I've never been that impressed with the landscape shots. It does take fantastic close-ups, and since I shoot a lot of floral photography it was right up my alley. For most photography situations it works great.I've since graduated to a Canon EOS digital, but I keep the Kodak in my purse so I'm always camera ready.My one true complaint is that the viewer has become dust ridden. I've taken exceptional care of this camera so am not sure how so much dust managed to get into the LCD display. It's just something I wouldn't have expected to be an issue.As for batteries...It does speed through them at a fairly alarming rate, but not as quickly as I've heard other cameras of the same style do. I can actually take quite a few pictures (and more than I expected) with one set of batteries.Overall I'd recommend this camera for anyone trying to decide if digital is what they want to do for the long haul.
Got this for my granddaughter for Christmas. She loves it and feels so grown-up now that she is able to take pictures just like the adults!
I bought this, my first digital camera, to document the building of my new house.  It worked reasonably well at first, but when winter closed in and the builders were still hard at work, my camera wasn't.  Every time I turned it on it immediately turned off again.  For a while after that it still worked okay indoors, but eventually I had the problem regardless of the temperature.  Occasionally if I kept turning it on I won the battle and it would stay on and take a reasonably good picture, but the next time I wanted to use it I would have to go through the same hassle.  I have seen good reviews of other Kodak products, but I won't buy another.  I've just replaced the camera with a Nikon S700 and the difference, both in quality of the pictures and in ease of use (make that possibility of use) is incredible.
I'm a thunderstorm enthusiast, so I've been using this to take photos of clouds and video of lightning storms.  While it's definitely not professional quality, it's great for a hobbyist.Don't bother with the digital zoom, though, honestly.  It makes pictures far too grainy.
I ran down this item description because I wanted to compare this 7530 to the newer 7MP-10MP super-compacts out there for size.  Noticed the ratings, and had to jump in for a few words.I bought this about 1 1/2 yrs ago to take pics for work, both indoors and out.  Used about 5-10 times / month, 20-200 pics per mo.  The pics I've gotten with its "pipsqueak" 5MP have produced the best photos so far from among my co-workers cameras, some as high as 8MP (and they all agree, unanimously).  Very bright pics outdoors, good indoors as long as you are within flash range (perhaps 10'-12' max where its real dark).Granted it is moderately "bulky" compared to the newer super-compacts and is a bit of a squeeze fitted into your typical shirt pocket, but at the current price ($150 or so I see, as of 1/12/07) its a "fair" price and ideal for someone who wants a quality semi-bargain snap and shoot that is relatively easy to learn, even now.  Just know that I've only used it for 4x6's (with an HP 375 battery-powered mini-printer in the field) and a few 8x10's.It is a tad slow to power up, and getting the red "not ready" (mostly because of flash settings I've messed with) light to stop takes a moment of patience.  This is all that is even slightly negative that I can say about it.  The controls aren't cumbersome, the menus are good (not great, but good for what it does), the battery lasts a long time (and ,nicely, will take AA's in a pinch, its most endearing feature for me at work where I may not have a charger, although I may only get another 20-30 pics with flash from standard AA's), and since its pictbridge compatible I just plug it into the printer or computer and go, everytime.It has done all I've asked of it, and have certainly got my money's worth (I recall I paid about $200-225 or so).  If you aren't going to go and spend $225 & up within the next year for another camera (say a Canon SD600 or 630 or comparable, at that price range, both of which are smaller and take good pics), this is all you'll need.
If you have a limited budget this is a good camera, the batteries run out fast and if you don't mind pressing the shutter button and the picture finally snaps  which seems like 2 seconds later-this is for you. I thought this lag time  wouldn't be a  big deal until I used it, it became a huge annoyance and a big drawback for enjoying using  this camera.
I'm not new to photography or digital cameras.  I've had them for a few years now.  This CX7530 is a fabulous camera.  You can just point and shoot or you can go into the menus and adjust the shutter speed and ISO and get some really creative shots.  I took mine to the Shedd Aquarium at night and put it on a tripod to capture the city (Chicago) from the lake.  I adjusted the shutter for a long exposure on 5 MP setting.  The resulting picture was breath taking.  We've had it professionally printed and it is now a wall mural.  It is that good.  Really sharp pictures even when laid down on very large paper stock.You can not go wrong with this camera, and I highly recommend the printer dock.  Once you get the camera and printer dock you will never go back to film.I've had the camera for about 9 months.
Kodak Easyshare CX7530 5 MP Digital Camera with 3xOptical Zoom was my first digital camera. I bought it at Staples and liked it very much. It was very easy to use it and I took lots of great pics with this camera during different vacations in Florida, Hawaii, etc. But, unfortunately, I lost it. Therefore, I decided to buy another Kodak Easyshare CX7530 5 MP Digital Camera with 3xOptical Zoom from Amazon.com in June 2008. It was sold by: kolleridy_electronics. I have different digital cameras now - Panasonic, Nikon. But, I continue to use my Kodak Easyshare camera, too. Thought, Kodak camera has low resolution of pic 5.0 Mpx, pics taken with Kodak Easyshare CX7530 5 MP Digital camera most of the time are better than pics taken with cameras with higher resolution...like 6.0 Mpx, 8.0 Mpx. Kodak Easyshare is still a nice digital camera!
I really must say the picture quality ease of use and controls on this camera are first rate.  I really can not fault anything about the the camera.  I won't echo everything so many others have said about this fine camera surfice to say I agree fully with what was said.I draw one distinction however.  I gave this Camera four stars not five because the len's cap looks and functions as if it was designed by a two year old.  The Len's cap for this in all other ways superior camera is a abject disgrace to anything approaching quality engineering.  The Len's cover has less thought in its design than the lens cover you would find on the cheapest disposable 7 dollar box 35 mm camera's.For such an expensive camera the len's cap is just plain unforgivably cheap, not well secured to the camera body.  Even when properly affixed the connection between len's cap and camera body is almost non-existant.  The Len's cover pops off at the most inconvenient times and my being physically disabled it is a real dangerous chore for me to get safely on the floor to retrive it.I am happy Kodak came out with such a high grade camera.  I would not let the cheaply designed len's cap issue I raise here cheat you of the opportunity of owning this extremely fine camera.  I write about the flawed lens cap issue in hope the next digital camera Kodak produces invest's the same care to building a len's cap worth the awesome camera it protects.Thanks.  The Wolf of ALPHASPACE
I've stuck with kodak through all my digital camera purchases and this is my third one.  The ease of use and fun of Kodak is surpassed by no one and it's a great bargain to boot.  The CX7530 has a maximum resolution of 5 megapixels, for 2560 x 1920 pixel prints.  3X optical zoom and 5X digital zoom bring the action close up and personal.  The movie mode allows you to take videos at a speedy 24 frames per second.  Automatic picture rotation makes pictures taken vertically appear right side up on the camera, computer screen or television. There are Nine picture modes including night, close-up, landscape, black and white and sepia.  And of course there's red-eye reduction.  Quickly use the one-touch easy share button to download, print, or e-mail your pictures.how's the Quality?  how about fabulous...bright, vibrant colors, focused so that droplets of water hang perfectly focused in mid-air.  makes me feel like I am a professional photographer.  The camera features a good-sized and clear LCD screen with automatic shutoff.  I'd rate the CX7530 better than average when it comes to batter consumption.A great camera!
After about 1 year of research, I finally made the plunge and purchased a digital camera.  I finally decided on a Kodak after using my sister-in-law's older model.  After reviewing the different models, I decided that the CX7530 had the best bang for the buck, and shouldn't have me needing to buy a "better" camera for several years.  I have to give HUGE kudos to Kodak for absolute ease of use.  When we got this camera (yesterday) neither of us looked at the owner's manual.  We just started clicking away, using each of the settings.  Getting in and out of the menu, and picture review was so easy.  Uploading the pictures to the computer was also easy.  The software that came with the printer dock wouldn't install because of some conflict with XP.  But we have been using the Microsoft Camera Wizard which is basically idiot proof.  Our Dell computer has preloaded software, which we have been playing around with.  So far we have taken about 36 pictures, all in the "best" quality.  I am absolutely AMAZED at the crisp clarity of the photos this camera takes.  Scenery, pictures of people, animals, close ups of flowers, they are all amazing.  I think I am most impressed with the close up pictures.  I took a close up of a yellow dandelion, and the picture shows every detail in 3D.  I still can't get over the pictures!  We used Wal Marts online photo center to upload some of our picutres to see how they actually looked in print (they look STUNNING on the computer).  We got 2 4x6's, 4 5x7's, and 2 8x10's.  I was just as impressed with the prints.  The same colors, depth, and clarity was present.  We also used the movie mode to take a quick 30 second movie, using the internal memory.  The sound was good, and the picture better than I expected.  Things were a bit jerky when moving, but once focused, it was good.  Very impressive over all!  So, for those of you doing the research, ready to make the plunge into the world of digital cameras, or even looking to upgrade, you really need to look at this camera.  The ease, number of features, price, and quality of the photos make this an unbeatable bargain.
I had bought this camera for my husband as a birhtday gift. He is what you could call a shutter bug. :) He absolutely loves it and so do I. It is very easy to use even for those that are not real good with electronics or technical gizmos. While we prefer to use our own picture software already installed on our computer, it is extremely easy to download our pictures to send out as email.
I bought this camera in mid-2004 when it was the latest thing. Nowadays, when 7.0+MP cameras are everywhere at exactly the same price I got it($305.00), I wouldn't change it for anything. It's easy to configure, and the pictures looks great as digital images and printed. I used it mostly to take pictures of band shows, where people moves often under dark places, and pics were always luminous, crisp and expresive. And not to mention outdoor pictures, I did lots of internal touring around the island and pictures couldn't look any better...!So sad I lost my beloved camera a few weeks ago, I'll be missing it lots. But then again, perhaps it's time to upgrade so I think I'll go with a Z650 Easyshare since I had such a great time with its predecesor...
When I read C. Gaspard's story, I laughed, as I had the exact same experience. I also bought a CX7530 before my sister's wedding(!), and just like him, all of the photos taken indoors on the auto setting were horrible. Out of the 80 shots or so I took, I managed to salvage about 10 of them, but they weren't suitable for handing out. Fortunately they had a professional photographer for real wedding photos. I've since learned to wrestle with the camera to get shots that come out right indoors, but it takes a lot more effort than it really should.Outdoors, though, the camera takes GORGEOUS photos. As in, a shot I took of a sunset above a shopping mall I was in has been my wallpaper for the last month or so. Outdoor photos on auto setting look fine... except shots with a lot of glare in them (for example, ocean shots), which throws off every one of the auto-sensing settings. Again, I had to take several pictures at different manual settings before I could get these shots to come out right.My car got broken into and the camera was stolen out of my glove compartment. I'm now looking into buying a new camera, and it's not going to be a CX7530, which basically says it all.
I really have not had sufficient time to test the batteries and chargerbecause the original batteries that were in the camera have lasted such a long time.
With the red light off, after about an hour - if you quick charge - the batteries are perfectly charged. Although not an exclusive feature, i do appreciate that when the batteries are charged, even if you're away, the charger will shut off, thus not overheating the batteries.
If you own an Olympus Digital Camera this is a smart way to keep a fresh supply of batteries. It is simple to use and fairly quick. It charges both AA and AAA batteries.
I own the Olympus FE-100 Digital camera, and it came with unchargeable batteries (oxyride). I switched to Energizer Batteries and bought an Energizer 4-battery charger that can be had for less than the price of half a tank of gas. It's not a quick charger like this one, but I say for less than half the investment, I've got a charger that does the job. I would NOT spend this kind of money on a charger. So I say, if you're part of the "gotta have it now" generation, you definitely pay for convenience. Otherwise, charge your batteries more slowly (2-3 hours) and save a lot of money.
Great battery charger and batteries.  Last longer than original batteries with the camera I purchased.
I love this charger for my Olympus digital camera batteries. Best thin since sliced bread!
I bought an Olympus c-750 ultra zoom camera 3 years ago and this charger and batteries were included with the package. I have been able to take up to 400-500 pictures per charge.(that includes taking alot of pictures with the flash). The batteries do take 9 hours to charge completely but it is well worth it....just charge them over night as you sleep. I never have to worry about carrying spare batteries or running out of battery life. I took the camera along on a 2 week vacation through the midwest and was able to take all my vacation pics plus more personal pics when I arrived back home and still had plenty of battery life left!!!!....buy these....you wont regret it!!!
Needed a AA charger for use with my camera in the US and Europe. With a $2 adapter, it worked well, is light and compact.
Love this charger.  Works fast and does a complete charge.  It is small and fits nicely in a fairly small camera bag.
I have had this for 2 years batteries and the charger still work like a charm. great use for me.
Olympus B90SU NIMH Quick Battery and Charger Set for Olympus Digital Cameras. This is a great product. I would definitely purchase from the vendor again.
A nice little gadget, well worth the ~$25.  Plenty sturdy enough for a Nikon d80 with 18-135 kit lens and anything lighter, which means I can use it with any of my cameras. Folds into a package the size and weight of a soda can, which makes it easy to take anywhere.Only minor drawback I can see is the mount, which can't be (at least easily) equipped with a quick-release - this means I have to take the shoe for my full-size tripod off before I use this one.
I use this mainly for macro work. I use it with a Canon 50 and a Tamron 90 macro. I have also used it with the Canon 50d and Canon 70-300is.  It supports the load. It is very stable. Gets me nice and low for the macro work.I had purchased The Vanguard VS 82 prior this this. I had to return it. It has a non ball head and the one I got would not support the load of the camera without the head platform bending to the side. It was sturdy. It just was not level. Not issues like this with the ball head.
Using it to display a digital frame more prominently and it is stable enough to do it even though frame is far heavier than typical digital camera.  I'm sure it would be very stable with all but large SLR cameras.
Disclosure: I bought this locally but thought people would appreciate any info on it.I am using this for desktop purposes, testing mostly where I need the camera handsfree but also want it pointing at something distant (versus the desk or something on it), and so far have no real complaints. So long as one considers this a stabilized, light-duty portable 1/4-20 bolt, it's a nice addition to the equipment bag. Pro/con list:Pros------Light, compact, easy to use. Strong enough for a dSLR and a 70-200/2.8 so long as the camera is fairly horizontal. Make sure the lens extends directly over a leg for greatest stability. Each leg can extend independently of the others, permitting it to remain horizontal and fairly stable on uneven surfaces. The legs have two locking positions (but, see cons, too). The ballhead is decent enough for my uses for this tripod. The center column can be rotated 360, permitting the lens or small telescope to be positioned directly over a leg for greatest stability / resistance to tipping.Cons------Surprisingly objectionable plastic smell for a couple weeks until it off-gassed (it's fine, now). Feet have a fixed, flat base to them which is useful but only when the legs are fully deployed in their outer lock position. The inner (partway) lock position is wobbly at best, and much weight bearing down on the center column causes slippage of one or more legs into the full-lock position. This could cause the whole thing to tip over. The legs extend about 2", which at this angle, means about 1" of actual height gain (thus the extensions most importantly make it sturdier, not taller).
When I'm shooting weddings,  this has helped to put a back light on the bride......gives great halos.....this is sturdier than other tripods
Modular foam blocks easy to use, but over time the 'cubes' start to detach on their own. In other words the inner foam isn't as hard-wearing as I would like, but this may be a simple trade off for the initial ease of shaping the foam.
Excellent case that is part safety and part presentation. The side walls could use more sturdiness, but for a case that makes a statement to clients and also helps to protect your equipment investment, it's great.
I really enjoy this case.  I use the partitions and not the pluck foam since I'm always changing out my gear, but I was able to fit two full bodies (2 Canon 5Ds) and 4 lenses (mostly smaller primes but one larger zoom).  Along with all of my chargers, spare batteries, 2 flashes, diffusers, pocket wizards, etc.  Everything fits great!  It is also the perfect size for airplane overhead bins and has been my companion on many flights.  I would absolutely LOVE this case and give it 5 Stars except...After about 6 months of use one of the wheels got jammed.  I was on a job and dragging it around and didn't have time to stop and fix it so I just tried tilting it on the good wheel or carry it.  When I finally got time to fix it a bit of rubber inside of the wheel had come loose and was jammed between the wheel and the spoke.  I had to spend 20 minutes prying it over with a screw driver to free the wheel and remove the bit of rubber.  And by this point the wheel had been worn on one side.  Now whenever I drag it around it makes a noise like it's being dragged over cracks on the ground when there are none.  Can be very embarrassing in airports and I can no longer move it in the middle of a wedding ceremony by the wheels because it's too loud.  So PLEASE check your wheels frequently, and carry a screwdriver with you if you want to keep this case looking and working 100%.Update: I finally decided to look into getting  the wheel replaced and contacted Vanguard throuugh their website.  I am happy to report that this company is great!  They immediate replaced my wheel, free of charge.  It is liittle things llike this that makes me love a company.
I use the plane alot and this item protects my valuable equipso I don't have to worry about them. I take pictures of little league ball games and I don't have to worry about the equipt atall. It is also very easily made mobile with the handle and wheels. I MUST HAVE SPENT TWO DAYS LOOKING UP THE CORRECT CASE FOR ME AND THIS IS THE ONE I decided ON. MEC
In my business as a field investigator I needed a case to protect my equipment and this is perfect.  Lightweight yet hard sided with many ways to carry - either by shoulder strap, handle or roller.  The perferrated foam was perfect for quick set ups of my gear.  Highly recommended.
This case is great.  I have not one complaint, other than the locks being on the cheap side...but for this low price...you have to expect that.  Even the locks on the expensive ones are cheap.  The case is rugged, looks great, and holds all of my equipment.  I make a tv show at college, and this thing has made it so much easier to move things around.  I would buy another one if I could fill it.
This case is the perfect size fits a lot of lens and can be configured to suit the layout you want.  The security is great with two locks and two padlock brackets.  The wheels and extendable handle were an unexpected bonus.
I took this on a couple of flights out west and dragged it around the Grand Canyon and other parks.  Held up great and protected my equipment well.
I have a small wedding video business, and carry three video cameras, one still camera and assorted accessories. This case is large enough to accommodate all of my equipment, and small enough that it is not obtrusive or unwieldy. Since it rolls, I can also bungee up to three tripods to it, as well. Very happy with this product.
I love this, I have taken this with me out of the country very durable and protects the camera well. Now it can be made a lot stronger but it did what I needed it to do. Got me from one place filming to the other filming and it fits all that I needed such as batteries cables chargers lenses and camera and mic.
At this price point, this product exceeded my expectations.Extends to a good height given its wieght and small size when collapsed.Very easy to use. I used it extensively with small digital cameras, but it also worked pretty well with my large astronomical binoculars - which weight a little more than the recommended max weight for use with this tri-pod.Folds down very small, and is easy to carry.Perfect for the amatuer photographer or holidaymaker.
A tripod this small and light is a bundle of compromises. Overall, the Slik Sprint Mini delivers a decent level of performance, versatility and stability in a small package. The quality is high - not Gitzo high, but the leg mechanism and locks work smoothly - in contrast to a couple of cheaper generic brand mini-tripods I've used without much success. But it is very light, which is both a pro and a con. For hiking, it hits its sweet spot - better than a monopod for macro and moving water, and light enough include on any hike. A larger, more sturdy tripod would be preferable in the field, but isn't of much use left in the trunk of the car.
Great size, very compact.  Only issue is you can't keep the frame when shooting a portrait (turning the camera to shoot length-wise) because the weight of the camera itself causes significant slippage on the mount.
I purchased this tripod for a family member and I was very impressed when I saw it.  For about the same price as a flimsy collapsing tripod I saw at Bestbuy you can get this very solid sturdy one that goes from standing height to tabletop.  Can't comment on it's durability but after seeing it in action I can see why it is highly rated.
Its small, fits easily in a backpack, super light, gets SO low to the ground,very fluid ball head.The only downside is that its a threaded connection. I'm used to a quick connection. I still HIGHLY suggest!
What an excellent tripod for its size. I was looking for something small and light for backpacking trips - and this is it! It has a low option for photographing flowers and objects on the ground, but can also be tall enough to get above weeds and brush. The only thing it lacks is a quick release system, but overall this is an excellent tripod.
The Sprint Mini is very versatile - the legs can fully retract and the center column can be reversed to enable the camera to shoot close to the ground.Quality is top-notch on all accounts.  Less than 2 lbs makes this one of the best tripods for backpacking.When fully extended, the tripod is a little shorter than standard height.  A sacrifice I am more than willing to overlook.
Although I've only used this tripod a few times, it sets up quickly and easily.  The legs extended smoothly and the leg locks feel secure.  The supplied ball head and locking lever are smooth operating.  The first time I used the tripod was with a group shot and I was self conscious about having the whole group waiting for me to set up the shot.  It just did it's job without me thinking about it. I concentrated on aiming and adjusting the camera. (Canon G9)  Please remember that, being a mini tripod, it doesn't extend as high as might be desired for some types of shots.  I have not carried this into the field in order to comment on it's weight.  Although I haven't taken live shots in the special attitudes, I love the multiude of adjustments, including ultra low, available on this model.
This little gem makes a super mini travel pod.  I removed the entry level ball head and replaced it with a mid level ball head.  I also installed a small hook on the bottom of the center post to hang a stuff sack with a stone in it to help steady the tripod.  Using the above modifications I was able to use my Nikon D2H with relative safety.  This is a real photography tool, not a toy.
I like it. Holds my Rebel XT with a 28-136 lens on it with no problem. Small. Just remember it is fairly short. Check the height. It is very light, however.
This tripod is surprisingly solid for it's low price and small size.  The all metal construction keeps things still, even when extended very high.  It's portable and light.  So far, I haven't had any problems, and I don't expect to.  This isn't a replacement for a full size tripod, but it's the one I'm most likely to throw into my backpack and keep with me, so in that respect, it's a winner.
Great concept and probably okay for the occasional user.  I just didn't feel like it would hold up to everyday use.
This Soft light modifier is very convenient for price, use, and results.The Wescott is light in weight, quality is good and is almost an all-around softbox.However, there may be a lot of frustration when you set up the Wescott 22631 28 inch Apollo Flash Kit for the first time.Basically, you find yourself all stuck up when you discover you can not angle the softbox. There is some relevant restriction in movement- specifically - when you try to face it downward and you simply can't do it!Voil&agrave;! I used a little trick to solve that problem, please read on...That "glitch" in design can certainly be overcome very easily with the addition of an accessory: an offset arm.Paul C. Buff's Baby Boomer(tm) [...]is not only convenient but cheap and - combined with this kit - offers a wider range of motion for this softbox/ flash combo.FULL BILINGUAL (ENGLISH & SPANISH)REVIEW HERE:latinimage DOT blogspot DOT com and see TECH TALK in the MENU.Orshutterbugcl DOT blogspot DOTcom/ and look for WESCOTT APOLLO KIT on the left hand columnI am pretty sure this information will help.Cordially,ALFONSO A. TOBAR
Light, portable, easy to setup, an inexpensive (relatively). I'd like to see a version with composite ribs, but I have never had any problems with the metal ones. Great for strobist & speedlight work!
So far, only one real application, in a small room, shadows a bit strong as a main light. Should work great as fill light.
Please do not buy this item.  I am really surprised to see that there are actually some good reviews for this thing.  It is so cheaply made and will not stay open.  The little latch that is supposed to hold the umbrella open will not keep it open.  Try using it on a shoot and you will be really embarrassed.  I won't even attempt to re-sell this on Craigslist because I know whoever buys it will be disappointed.  At first I thought maybe I got a bad one but then I had another photographer friend that bought one and she had the exact same problem.  Suck it up and buy the Lastolite ezybox instead.
PROS:- The qulity of light this produces- Protability (I am a huge fan of the umbrella design)- Removable difuser- Easy access to flash/strobeCONS:- Build quality is lacking- Could not close umbrella after first time opening due to a product defectI wish I could have used this product more because the photos I got out of it were brilliant.  It just isn't build to last.  I will probably pick up an orb in the near future and try that one out.
The product arrived on time and as expected. The only issue was no instructions as to how to set it up and use it.
I have 2 24" knock off brand softboxes similar to this one. The build quaility is quite better. Not sure if it's worth spending $130 though.
I'm a working pro.  I photograph 50+ weddings a year.  I have the newer version of this with the fiberglass rods.  This does not hold up to a real working photographer's usage.  The 4 corner outside points are made of cheap thin metal that actually tear!.  The fiberglass rods tear through them like paper after a few uses.  The softbox opens like an umbrella, but if you accidentally open it too far, it gets stuck, and you can't close it.  Totally over priced.  Total garbage.  Westcott you should be ashamed of yourself for selling this.  The "rockstar" photographers who recommend this on their you tube channels are clearly too busy marketing themselves and their teaching workshops to realize this isn't worth 5 dollars.
Strange for so good known brand as Westcott, but quality of this product is surprisingly low. My box missed velcro at one of sides, metal furniture are too soft and may be easily deformed by accidental hit.
I bought this soft box to use with my Nikon SB-800 speed light. It's much larger than I thought it was, and works wonderfully! I've loved it, and hope to buy another one after I get my next speed light!
Three reasons this doesn't get 5 stars:- The design does not allow the softbox to point down without a boom on your flash stand.- It sucks up about a stop more light than an umbrella.- The shaft at the middle of the structure is so short that you have to re-thread it every time for assembly.That said, this is a great softbox for my hotshoe strobes. Nice even light. Well controlled. And super portable - when collapsed, it rolls into the middle of my standbagger bag, and makes a great part of my kit.
To adjust the speedlite, you need to pull off the front white diffuser.  Very inconvenient.Also, if you angle the softbox with a separate angle mount, you have to unzip part of the bottom so you get light spill.Not great.
It's exactly what it says it is, a softbox, and it works. I have two complaints though. One, it's really cheaply made. The kind of quality one expects from junk Chinese knockoffs, not brand name equipment. This is my second one and both of the ones I received already had the stitching coming apart right out of the box. That's just lame. Second, the umbrella style is rather inconvenient to use, as it's difficult to angle it more than just a little bit on a stand, and you have to open and close it to change power on the flash, which is relatively easy, but just not efficient. It is a good choice for hot shoe flashes, sort of, due to the umbrella style mount, but a good speedring setup is much better for studio strobes.You will need a decent umbrella adapter and hot shoe adapter with a long sync cord or radio type flash trigger in addition to this to use it with a hot shoe flash.
Amazing, professional quality with the 580EXII and my pocket wizard TT5 wireless trigger. It doesn't really turn down too much, but enough for my purposes.  I ordered a Bogen flexible arm to move it around a little more.  I purchased this with a kit including the Halo, which makes a great fill along with the softbox as a key light.  Umbrellas scatter the light too much.I still use my flashes bare and my umbrellas, but this works the best when quality cannot be compromised but portability is key.  Umbrellas scatter light everywhere and often leave dark eyes, whereas the softbox is much more even and pleasing, while removing more blemishes.Suggestions:  It eats up a lot of light, so you will most likely have to put your flash on full power, which can eat batteries quick.  Recycle times will suffer, so also get the battery pack and load it up with NiMH AAs.  Also consider two flashes at half power, especially if your using cheaper ones or using it in the bright outdoors.Con: It is REALLY long and doesn't really fit into anything well.I brought it on an airplane, but had it sticking out of a 28" long umbrella bag.  It weighs nothing so is still pretty manageable. It feels fragile but I can't seem to break it. Also, outside it can be a parachute and spin around, so it may not working at all on windy days.
I purchased the Westcott Apollo 28" Light Modifier from an endorsement from one of my photography teachers that has used the product.  I Used the product and found it easy to assemble and use it worked well with my canon speed lite.The only negative comment I have is the opening at the bottom that allows the stand and light to fit through is not big enough for a person such as my self to fit may large hands in a comfortable manner.I will and have recommended this product to my fellow photographers.
This Light Modifier works great, I don't use it often as I normally use available light, but when I have used with with my speedlights, it's great !  NO complaints months later !!!
I woud buy this over and over again (I may actually buy a couple more). I use it with a speedlight controlled wirelessly. Produces a beautifull soft light, keeping it directional, and the recessed border controls the spill just nice. You will get much more from small strobes with this guy' If you are into strobist photography, this one is a no brainer. Period.
I just got back from my first shoot with the Apollo 28" soft box and i must say I am very impressed with its performance outside, this thing provides BEAUTIFUL soft light! I love it over all my umbrellas. I also own the ORB and this box is built much better. It has double ribs and thicker steel rods than the ORB. I built a DIY bracket and now can fire my dual 580 EXII's  with Pocket Wizards for a killer wireless soft box capable of HSS. I will probably keep the ORB for in-studio work and use the 28" apollo for my on-location stuff. Feathering the light is very easy because of the recessed design and setup is a snap. A lot of folks cry about not being able to tilt the unit much, to me it's only a minor flaw, I prefer to have the stand feed trough the front as it allows better tilt and super quick removal to shoot in bare flash mode and if I need to tilt more I can simply buy an L bracket. This definitely gets my recommendation for you to try, I will be bringing this softbox with me on every future shoot.
it works, but it cannot be tilted to the angles you need, so i would skip this and go for good old umbrella that does the job much better for much less price, save your bucks here:Westcott 43" Optical White Satin Collapsible Umbrella
The Apollo 28" by Westcott is amazing, and adds great creative light possibilities. The umbrella design is great for easy and quick setup. As far as the reviews about breaking easily, I'd ignore those if you can use your brain and be careful. Any photographer knows that we hold and use expensive equipment that can break if we thrash it... It is not a delicate item, but if you drop it from 12' on a light stand it, like pretty much anything else under the sun will probably bust (that isn't a product defect that's common sense).
my photographers like Zack Arias, Andy&micky; from lightupandshoot.com recommend to use this item. I got managed to get lots of wonderful results with it. it spreads the light very even and it looks nicely soft for close up portrait.I wish of there were a case comes with it though
Initial Impressions:Just got this recently and the first impression is that it is in fact, decently built. It has an umbrella frame with each corner having a pair of 'rods', so it feels sturdy. The zippers and stitching feel solid, but only time will tell, as mine has only been used a few times thus far.Other reviewers stated it's cheap, but you do get what you pay for. Coming in around a hundred bucks, this would be considered a mid-grade soft-box for the size, so I aware of this going in. It doesn't feel cheap, but I know it's not the premium model, at a premium price.I found it to be of good value.Overall:It works great, feels sturdy, sets up quickly, and most of all, the quality of light it produces is spectacular. After the results of the very first test shots, I'm 100% happy purchasing this.Regarding Tilting:You'll definitely need other modifiers in addition to a simple light stand if you need the freedom for full tilt, otherwise, expect a standard range be around +/- 20 degrees, depending on how you choke it.
I bought this to use as a telescope eyepiece case.  Hinges and latches seem to be very solid.  The hinges hold the lid upright when opened.  The locks on the latches are not really "locks".  They will help keep the latches from accidentally opening while handling, but that is about it.  They don't feel solid at all, but I bought this for safely storing/transporting my fragile eye pieces, not for security.  The two layers of foam with pre-cut, tear out squares makes it easy to custom fit an opening for fragile items.  It is a LOT cheaper than a similar "eyepiece case" from most any telescope manufacturer.
Thinking a little outside the box I bought this to store cards against humanity (and its 3 expansions).I got the idea after I saw a friend use the same box to hold the Killer Bunnies card game (and several expansions). True, for the amount of cards available in Cards Against Humanity it's a little oversized, but that just means it has plenty of room for expansion. I would say this would work great for any game with cards of the same size (think Dominion perhaps?)It's definitely overkill but you'll look like a bad ass bringing your card games to the table in this guy...
Using the case for a Canon 500D with a mounted 18-55mm lens.  Also store the charger, 2 batteries, 55mm threaded hood & 55-250mm lens.  This case looks great, is very sturdy providing great protection.  It was very simple to configure for it's contents & I saved the removed foam for possible reconfiguration in the future. This case is just right diminsion wise, allowing for padding all around my equipment with a generouse level of padding above and below.  Could fit a few more items & with the stated contents, it's a perfect size.  Great product, great price
Bought this for my wife. She was able to put two camera, a D5000 and D7000 bodies and 2 lenses in without an issue.
I purhcased this from Amazon Warehouse Deals as used.  It was brand new but with a tiny spot on one side.  Big deal, it will have more than one spot soon enough!I needed something to store and to carry my lenses for my T2i camera in.  I have a smaller bag but needed something to actually keep all the lenses safe and secure.  I now have 8 lenses in it, mostly medium sized and they fit perfectly and seem very safe and secure.  Since I do a lot of kayaking and camping I wanted something safe to bring a few lenses along so I would have more options.  It looked like this case would be perfect, and now that I have it with the lenses in it, it appears that it WILL be perfect.  Something that I can keep in the car or in the tent and know my lenses are safe, dry and secure.The pop out foam squares were easy to size for the lenses.  The only issue was an extremely dry, cold winter day made it impossible for me to let go of the popped out squares due to static electricity.  Finally I lightly sprayed it with static guard and the problem was resolved.  Don't worry, I made sure it was completely dry and aired out before putting in the lenses!!
The case itself feels very solid and sturdy without weighing a ton. For what I bought it for though I needed the little foam squares to be uniform, and they really weren't. The lining is 3 sheets of pre-cut squares, and each sheet was offset from the rest, making it impossible to make an even opening all the way through all 3 layers. I had to use a knife to cut the openings to size, which left uneven pieces of the foam barely attached. I ended up having to glue the edges of each opening to firm them up.Aside from the foam padding sheets the case is exactly what I was looking for.
I received this tripod and found it to be nice for lugging along, as it is light and small when folded. I'm not too keen on the legs with their quarter turn to expand or collapse. Maybe I need to get used to this, but I have a problem with extending the legs all the way. One of the sections seems to always stick. Also, it will not be sturdy enough for my Canon Xti with the battery grip and zoom lens. It will work if not extended more than one leg section. I do like the ability to get down close to the ground.So, 3 stars for this tripod. Good, but not great.
Even though I've gone over to the dark side and am now 100% digital, my tripod has been a holdover from the days of heavy SLR's and 2 1/4" format cameras. With the pan head on my current tripod getting sticky I decided it was time for a new unit.To be honest, I just got lucky when I picked this Velbon tripod. The design is brilliant, and the execution is fantastic. This is one of those tools you get that just feels perfect in your hands, and has more features than (I) expected.My favorites: buttery smooth pan head with levels and infinite adjustments; quick and simple leg adjustments; ability to get down within 8" of the ground for macro shots; very compact when folded up with carry bag.This is an outstanding tripod for a digital camera, and if you are still using your heavy battleaxe tripod for a 'point-and-shoot' sized everyday digital, this is a perfect match. (If you are using a digital SLR with a variety of large lenses then you might consider one of Velbon's larger units.)The only very minor irritant was that there is no real instruction manual, so it took me a few minutes to figure out a few of the features, but if you look at the pictures on the box they will become obvious.
Love this tripod.  It's quite versatile with the included pan head.  Every adjustement is quick and easy.  Its size is not too large for travel.  Build quality is excellent and it includes a lot of little features like the level, bag, and quick release.  Stable w/ 20D, 24-70, 580ex but have not tried with larger lenses.  Amazing value from Amazon at under $120!
The Ultra Luxi F [predecessor to the Ultra Luxi L] has a collapsed length suitable for many knapsacks; enough height without center column extended to look over many fences and railings; moderate cost; expected very good durability; and respectable rigidity.  It has an excellent ratio of height to collapsed length.  Most of the design and quality control are excellent.  There are instructions for use of the legs, and limited instructions for other features; but the features are easy to figure out.  I am very pleased with the tripod.The legs work quickly, easily, and quietly.  Leveling the tripod generally involves shortening the largest-diameter leg extension.  Extending only the upper leg sections takes a few extra seconds per leg:  loosen and extend all sections; lightly tighten the lowest section that is to remain extended; collapse the section(s) below; and tighten the foot.  The diameter of the bottom leg extensions is fine, considering the collapsed length, and when compared with competitors; but if all of the leg sections were one size (~2.9 mm) larger in diameter, I would be even happier.  Locking and unlocking the legs requires turning the tripod's feet.  If you want to keep your hands off the bottoms of the feet, it is possible if you are careful.  Durability is enhanced because there are few plastic parts, and those undergo compression or little sustained tension.  The upper fifth of the tripod has a gold tint; I would prefer a darker, dull finish.The tripod spider holds the legs and center column firmly.  The two sections of the center column are joined firmly by a well-machined inner sleeve.  The column can be inverted when a plug at the bottom is unscrewed; I don't use the plug.  The legs and spider without the center column are 13+1/2 inches (~34.3 cm) long.  The center column and PH-237Q head are 13+1/8 inches (~33.2 cm) long.  [The PH-237Q head was a separate purchase.]  The legs and separate center column with PH-237Q head fit in the tripod bag, and can lie flat on the bottom of my large knapsack.  With the center column in the spider, and the PH-237Q head attached, the tripod is 15+1/4 inches (~38.7 cm) long, and easily fits upright in the knapsack.(Terminology:  The pan axis allows turning the camera horizontally.  The leveling axis allows the camera to lean to the side.  The tilt axis allows looking above or below the horizon.)In addition to the PH-145Q head included with the tripod, I have the smaller PH-237Q head.  For both heads:  Loosening the tilt knob also loosens the pan axis.  I would prefer to adjust tilt separately, and to use the round center column for panning.  When the tilt knob is tightened, the tilt axis tightens before the pan axis.  The quick-release lever does not have a safety lock, but freeing the plate requires turning the lever 180 degrees, which is unlikely to happen suddenly and by accident.  The heads feel solid.PH-145Q:  The quick-release plate comes with a built-in tightener for the camera screw.  The leveling bubble is bigger than the tilt bubbles, so I wonder about quality control on the levels.  [Update:  after 1 year, the fluid in the leveling vial completely disappeared.]  About 17 full turns of the leveling handle are required to unscrew it when you collapse the tripod fully.  The washer on the leveling handle could become unscrewed and lost, if grease were to get on the washer.  The option to position the leveling handle on the left or right could be handy if you have a long lens; I just rotate the quick release plate.  The quick-release plate can be tightened in the head at 4 positions, 90 degrees apart.PH-237Q:  The quick-release plate does not have an attached tightener for the camera screw.  A separate tightener is provided; a key or coin could be used instead.  My tilt/pan handle arrived with a slightly sticky coating, which I removed with isopropanol.  The rubber pad between the quick-release plate and camera should be deeper (front-to-back) than the current 7/8 inch (2.2 cm).  The quick-release plate can be tightened in the head at 2 positions, 180 degrees apart. Leveling a camera is easier with the PH-145Q, but the PH-237Q is quicker to set up and takes less space.  I prefer the PH-237Q for my 1-pound (0.4-kg) camera.The vinyl piping on the "case" is stiff, making the bag hold its shape, so it is easy to insert the tripod.  Sometimes it is difficult to slide the zipper around the corner at the foot of the bag, unless I also pull outward on the zipper slider.  The Velbon name on the bag is only about 5/16 inch (0.8 cm) high, and is not overly conspicuous.
Exceptional weight to stability ratio. I own and use 6 and 10 pound wood and carbon fiber tripods for my larger (4 x 5 etc.) cameras. The Luxi F is intended for use with a Canon 5D walk around.The leg locking mechanism is brilliant. It incorporates a continuous fool proof cam operation, maybe hard to describe quickly, but suffice it to say it doesn't rely on friction to catch (start) as in most other twist cam designs, the unique cross section of each tube IS the locking cam shape.The included pan head offsets the tripod screw some 2 inches behind the center post!!!  This makes this lightweight tripod very usable with longer length lenses. My 35 dslr with a 70 300 zoom (DO) is still weighted slightly behind the center post. Ball head versions of this tripod will place nearly all of the weight forward of the center post.Note that the PH145Q pan tilt head used on this tripod tightens on both sides of the center post. This head handled a 3 pound 15 oz load very well and stiffly. (The head included with the Maxi F tightens only on one side.)The legs may be slightly prone to vibrations, but they seem to dampen within 4 or 5 seconds when rapped. The Luxi F's top leg section is 24 mm in diameter, the second section at 21 mm is the size of the top tube of the other tripods in this Velbon series. I suspect another critical achilles heel of the others will be their having a bottom section of 9mm diameter as opposed to the 12mm used here. I think this is spindly enough, I'm glad I didn't follow temptation and buy the lesser tripod.For a walk about outfit, the Ulta Luxi F leaves me few excuses not to have a tripod available any time I am carrying a camera. For a few ounces more and a few more dollars, this is the stiffess, strongess, lightess and shortest tripod I have found on the market. Better, stronger tripods are out there, some of them are more liable to stay in my closet or in my trunk when I am walking about.
I got this for my Cybershot Dsc-h20. The inside of the bag is lined. It fits but if you wanted to carry anything extra besides a wiping cloth, extra memory cards (little things), such as an extra battery or even one cord it wont fit unless (like a battery lets say) you put it in the same compartment as the camera. If you don't care if your camera screen gets scratched or is protected, it will fit. It has two small small compartments that I cant even fit my battery in....more like for memory cards though.So if your someone that likes to carry your cords, extra batteries and then some, I wouldn't suggest this carrying case.If you have a small camera and dont mind putting things in the same compartment(or don't plan on carrying much) this is fine and hasn't scratched my screen at all.
This has been a great camera case for my Sony CyberShot DSC-HX5V, I can keep a couple of spare batteries and SD cards...
shes ok
i bought it for DSW-55. it is small and fits well on the camera. it is well-padded. you can hang it on the shoulder or snap-it on the belt. recommended accessory.
I had seen this case but never held it in my hand. When it arrived, seemed compact, as I wanted it to be. I have a Cybershot S 80 and although its a small camera, but when I placed it in the case with the adapter and the USB A/V cable, it kind of gets bulky. But Overall its a great camera case not only for Sony but other cameras.
This carrying case is really big and can take any size of cameras. I am so happy to have this case
the product is great but the shipping time is horrible. took way longer than the delivery estimate. so if u have the time order it
this is a good basic case for my camera. padded and lots of space. really like the shoulder strap or belt loop option
Excelente estuche, protege super bien la c&aacute;mara. Muy bien fabricado, muy elegante, muy buenas costuras. Sin embargo para las c&aacute;maras compactas de hoy en d&iacute;a, es MUY grande, le sobra mucho espacio y termina uno cargando en este estuche los cables para conectar al televisor y hasta el cargador.Si busca un estuche donde pueda cargar otra pila, otra memoria, el cargador y hasta los cables de su c&aacute;mara compacta, entonces este es su estuche.
When I first received this case, I did not think my digital camera would fit inside and close properly, I was wrong. Protection and professional looking.
Fits my Sony Cyber-Shot perfectly.  I would have hoped to have a specific compartment (lined with softer material) for the actual camera.  The main compartment is large for the camera and it rattles around a lot.  But, I am keeping it since it works.
I rate this camera bag a 5-Star in quality and appearance. However, its a little big for what I needed. I'm keeping it anyway, only because I can carry my camera, charger, extra supplies and all of the wires with me. I'll use it on those family vacations when we will be staying in hotels and I need to charge my battery at night. Or if I want to hook up the camera to a television so I can show the pictures I've taken.But actually, I've already purchased a smaller bag that suits my needs exactly. This is a very nice bag, but I wanted something to loop my belt through and go, allowing me to carry my camera and extra battery along.
its a little loose for my DSC-90 and thin...very little padding.I would go to the store and bring your camera to test different choices...ALSO, SONY should keep in mind the accesories that come with these cameras when they devise the storage compartments on their cases...WOULDNT that make sense?
Fits my DSC-H20 perfectly, with ergonomic storage for my spare battery and memory cards.  Bulkiness gets overcome by name brand style for your Cyber-shot!
Inexpensive...sturdy...lightweight.I have a DSC-P73 in mine and yes, as was mentioned, it moves around a bit inside. That's what happens when you buy a universal case. It's not too bad though, and the camera is still well protected.Don't expect to put much more than the camera itself, some spare batteries and some spare memory sticks in it though. It's a pretty small case. Of course, there are bigger cases out there, but if you want something small, this is a good choice. Has a shoulder strap and a belt loop that fastens with a heavy duty metal snap.
I have a small Sony Cybershot and with this case I have enough room to put everything I need (except a tripod) into this case. I have enough room to put the camera and and an extra battery in the case, the case arrived within 4-5 days as stated and Im very satisfied w/ my order.
This camera case is as-advertised.  I wanted something small and easy to carry that would protect the camera and provide a place for additional memory sticks.  The only disappointment is that the compartments are too small to carry cords.  Although there are two zipper compartments on the front and the smaller, top compartment works well for memory sticks, I had hoped to carry my USB cord in the other one.  It is just too small.  Overall, I am pleased with the purchase and happy that it is exactly as described.
I carried this case all over Europe.  It was great!  Large enough to hold the camera, zoom lens, extra batteries and extra memory card.  Love it!
Bought for my Sony W-690. Great case overall, as this camera is a bit too big for the smaller cases. Holds extra battery and extra memory stick as well. A little bulky, but it'll do!
This was purchased in May of 2005 for our Sony DSC-W5 5.1 MP 3x (optical) zoom camera which still works to this day. The case is extremely versatile for it's small size holding the camera in one pouch, spare batteries & a USB cord in another pouch and filters and a spare memory stick in the 3rd zippered pouch. Once we sell or donate the camera, we'll keep the case and re-purpose it for another camera or perhaps even a spare lens or 2 for our DSLR.
I use it to hold my camcorder. Good padding on the case. I have dropped it a few times with the camera inside and it did a great job protecting it.
When I ordered this the description said it was compatible with the DSC-H50. It does not come close, and now when I went back the description had changed.
This bag is way too big for the slim cameras advertised.  Unless you have alot of extra gear go with something smaller.
Good!The product is good! Simple and functional! It serves the purpose for which it was produced.We recommend the purchase of this product through amazon!
I accidentally bought this product, and never used it. I totally forgot to send it back, carried it with me all these years, and finally thew it away.
Just enough room for a medium sized digital camera (i.e. retractable lense), a few batteries, memory sticks, and lens accessories.  Probably too small for a SLR camera setup.
Great camera bag for my Sony Cyber-shot H3, holds everything I need  Camera, Memory stick, &  x-tra Battery
I really like this product.  I have room for my batteries and extra memory card.  My camera fits snuggly inside the pouch.  I wish I had bought one sooner.
The camera case compliments my new Sony Cybershot camera. A pouch to hold the the sd cards/ sd card case and a smaller pouch to hold batteries too. Good quality.
Perfect case for the Sony DSC-H10 Cybershot camera. Not too big and not too small. The camera fits in here perfectly, also has pockets that fit extra memory cards and a battery as well. Thats pretty much it. I have squeezed the cables in here as well but it was kind of pushing it.
Should have with the camera when you don't have any place else to put it.
This case fits my camera perfectly, it priced right, and after several years of daily use, the zipper has held up remarkably well.
This case is made for mid sized dig cameras. Well made. I have my Fijifilm V-10 mini camera in a leather case, USB cable, 1 xD card stored in it and I can fit maybe 3 more memory cards and a spare battery in and thats all.I read the reviews very closly and was not suprised. A good buy.
The Carrying Case is very well made. When fully open it is stable, and permits access to the inner areas. There is a separate area on the front of the case for memory sticks, or batteries. It is made from very durable material and should give good service.
compre este case para regalarlo para una c&aacute;mara sony modelo wx9, el case esta super bien, pero no para esa c&aacute;mara, es muy peque&ntilde;a, quiz&aacute;s con una c&aacute;mara mas grande quedar&iacute;a mejor, pero en si, esta muy bonito, solo q escogan bien antes de comprar.
Like this a lot. I am able to carry 1 camera and any accessories OR both of my smaller difital cameras.
My Kodak Z740 didn't come with a case, and I coudn't find an aftermarket case from Kodak. This Sony case fits nicely and protects well, so I don't mind that it says "SONY" on it. This case also fits the Kodak Z700, which doesn't come with a case either.
the bag holds the camera and a memory card. that is about it. (i haven't tried spare batteries. I bought this for the cybershot h20. It will NOT hold the charger or cables.i suggest you look at it in the store before you buy it. It is a small bag so what i will do instead of returning it is stuff it in a larger camera bag then whip it out when i don't want to carry the load of the other things.it is great for carrying your camera around but not for overall storage and organization.
I have a sony dsc-h3 and there aren't many cases to fit it.This one is priced well & protects my camera nicely.
First off, if your camera is about the size (or a bit larger) of a standard bar of soap, then this case will accommodate it easily.The case is handsome, well designed and well made.It has three zippered compartments:1st) for the camera (EZ in and out through "wide-mouth" two zippered () compartment)2nd) for spare battery or 4 "AA" batteries3rd) for storage media or lens cloth, etc.It comes with a removable shoulder strap and a "snap" or "loop-through" for your belt or backback that will hold your camera securely.It is made of light weight, highly water resistant (no fear of rain) nylon.I use mine with a Casio P600 digital camera.This is one of the finest camera cases (of its type) that I have seen available on the internet.Highly recommended.
i have a sony h20 and this bag fits the bill..i bought a neoprene tight fitting bag for the h20, this allows me to put the charger in the same compartment as the camera...and the extra battery can fit in the front pocket along with a memory card or two, this frees up enough space for the bag strap to fit in as well..however i have not found a way to get the usb/component cable in the bag,even if i remove the bag strap.....the bag is well made and i expect it to hold up the the abuse i will put it through... it has a nice belt loop and a couple spots you can hook a carabiner to..best 11.00 bucks your going to spend on your camera
Holds camera well with room for a back up battery and memory card. Don't plan on taking any cords.. They won't fit. The delivery was quick and it serves it purpose.  Thanks
This is a great bag, at an unbeatable price.  I would easily pay twice as much as I did.  It's Sony brand, made of high quality materials, and put together really well.It holds my DSC-H20 perfectly, and I imagine it would hold any similar sized camera equally well.  The shoulder strap is a nice touch and actually usable, enabling me to sling the camera, and free up a hand for other accessories.In addition to the primary camera compartment, there are two secondary pockets for accouterments.  I've found it's enough to hold an extra battery, a USB memory stick reader, and potentially one more small accessory.  Don't expect to jam every item you have in it, as the primary intent of this bag is for storage of the camera itself, not a whole bevy of various items.  Indeed, I think the fact that they included not one but two added pockets goes above and beyond the call of duty for a bag in this price range.If all you're looking for is a nice, inexpensive way to keep your camera reasonably protected from damage, get this bag.  It has the added advantage of a bit of storage space for the most important additional items.  However, if you're after something that will hold your camera and fifty other things, look into one of the million larger bags available.
The inside of the bag is padded very, very little, so it's basically like carrying your camera around in piece of nylon.  The DSC-H20 is not snug inside this bag, there's a lot of room for it to slide around.Yet the storage compartments can't fit anything but a battery and a memory card, it definitely can't fit even the smaller chargers.  One thing you could do is put the charger in the main compartment with the camera, but then you'd have two pieces of plastic banging around in there with every step you took.This is just a poorly designed, highly (HIGHLY) overpriced bag.  Stick with the small, rectangular case if your camera fits in it, which some of the bulkier/longer Sony's don't.
Great little carrying case.  My only complaint is that it's too small for my needs.  Because of how my Sony digital camera eats batteries...yes, all reports are true...I could use more space in it for additional batteries, although it will still hold about 6.  I could also use a case big enough to keep the operating manual with me.  It's hard to even shove the folded-up one-page quick reference sheet into it.  I seem to inadvertently hit buttons that make mystery icons appear on the screen.  Not sure what I turned on or off...or what to do about it.  Camera seems to take great photos no matter what I do, though, thank goodness!  But, it would be nice to have the manual with me, in case I turn on something really weird...  If you're someone who takes the time to read everything ahead of time, so you don't need the manual, and if you spring for the memory stick & rechargeable batteries, this may do for you, as it is nice and small & light.  By the way, it is not designed to fit my Sony camera like a glove, so would work for any small digital camera.
This case is suggested for many different cameras.  I was looking for a case for my DSC-N2 that would hold more than JUST the camera.  I sliped mine into this case and I could have fit maybe two more.  It was bigger than I could possibly use.  I ended up buying a Lowepro.  On their site  they have a PDF chart to tell which cameras will fit which cases.  They were right on.  I bought the Lowepro Ridge 10 and I fit my camera in the main zipper section, an extra battery in the front velcro section, and there is room for an extra card in the front zipper section.  They come with a strap or you can put it on a belt.  They are quality and I highly recommend them over what Sony had to offer.  They have a big variety of sizes, styles and colors.  Good luck!
The Cybershot carrying case is a good thing to have to protect your camera while not in use. It is light weight, strong and flexible compared to other camera case I own. But it is small and you can't carry much with you in one carrying case. You can in most cases carry one Sony Cybershot one spare battery or charger, and two or three memory sticks in the carrying case at one time.
I got this at Walmart store today.  I am using this for the Sanyo HD700 camcorder.  The digital age eliminated the film rolls but comes the SD cards and batteries.  Because of the high capacity (8GB x 2) SD cards I have, I need more batteries to be able to shoot for a long time.  This one is perfect.  It has small compartments to fit batteries, SD cards, USB SD readers, remote control for the camcorder and lens cleaning cloth.  It has the SONY brand to it and should be able to accommodate any future digital recording media (consumer), if my HD camcorder is outdated again in 2-3 years.It offers enough cushion all around if it should drop to the floor from waist level, it should suffer no damage.It comes with a slim shoulder strap and a back snap on belt strap.The main camera compartment with dual zipper opens wide enough for easy in/out of the camera/camcorder.  Good simple yet stylish design.For $12.95 + tax, it is just right.  (not too expensive, but no bargain either).
A friend of mine wanted to purchase the "very same" camera bag, as he damaged the one he was using. However, he couldn't find one and asked me for help.Well, I searched all over, found used ones etc but when I turned to Amazon... it was right there, new bags! It was delivered promptly and my friend was very pleased and happy with it, he received exactly what he wanted and could not be better then that. So, in his name: Thank You!  :)
When I bought the camera ($500.00 Sony DSC H5) this case was suggested as an appropriately sized accessory. I bought it and it was much too small. I cannot in the future trust the suggestions that come up after buying an expensive item. Word to the wise....research individually everything you buy to make sure it suits your needs.
Excellent choice for people who don't want to carry another big bag... I just wanted something to protect my camera and that offers an extra zipper compartment for batteries and memory cards... PERFECT!
It was for a smaller camera than mine so I sent it back so I guess I can't rate it but I didn't hate it.
I bought it for  Sony Cybershot HX7V - the camera is much smaller then the case. it needs another case.
This bag is well made and of good quality. However, it does not fit my needs. While I do have a Sony cybershot, it is not the small model that would fit inside this bag. This is the bag that was recommended, but it does not accommodate my model of camera. I have a Sony Cybershot, but it is a larger, professional style camera with a Carl Zeiss lens, wide angle, etc. This bag is simply too small for that.
I've had this little case for several years and have used it for various Sony small cameras and they all fit, however the case is a little bulky so it doesn't fit well inside a purse or a small backpack. I don't find it very convenient to use when traveling. It does have a couple of extra compartments to put your memory sticks or a thin charger, but still I don't use it much. Instead I mostly use a more fitted case.
We bought this for a Panasonic DMC-LX1 a while back.  Still going strong, no issues no complaints. it's a bag and it works.
you can put cables, memory card and batteries in this bag, is great and fast shipping
What can you say, it's a carrying case for your camera. It's a little large for my DSC-W290, but it still works well. The case is padded and has several compartments for all your extras like batteries, memory cards, cords, etc. I would recommend this product to my friends.
A great case, just what you expected from what you can see in the pictures, worth the money for the good quality
me ha salido muy bueno este bolso para mi camara sony.. producto original para varios tipos de camara lo recomiendo a mil porciento. muy bueno
I bought this for Sony H20-B. Camera fits in the bag, in fact the camera will stay little loose inside the bag. But then this bag doesn't fit anything else. You can't fit the SONY H20 USB/Audio cable. You can't fit the battery charger that comes with the camera. You can just fit few extra Memory sticks. It has two extra small pockets other than the one for the camera. But they are pretty much useless. If I have to carry the USB/audio cable and charger separately, I don't think I need this bag. Also the bag has absolutely no padding for the camera. Sony H20 has the LCD completely exposed so the bag needs some padding to prevent those accidental damages. I won't recommend this bag to anybody else. I am surprised that SONY (and Amazon) recommend this bag for SONY H20.
All I needed to protect my camera and carry a few little extras.... Seems to be holding up good and I am very pleased with it.
I bought this case along a Cybershot DSC-S90 and it fits in it safely, and the pockets are great for storing memory and extra batteries. I don't agree with the fellows that complained that when you opened it the camera could fall off. Like all electronic and/or expensive device, you just have to be careful when you handle them.
OK
My Sony Cybershot DSC H3 fits pefectly. Just what I wanted, small, and a choice of over the shoulder or around the waist carry. Good protection for my camera.
Plenty of room and you can fit Sony W290 in it easily with but still there is more room to use!
This is a great carrying case for the Sony Cyber-Shot. It fits the camera, the charger, and has a cute little pocket on the front for any extra batteries or memory cards. In the front pocket, their is a net to hold the small memory cards. The strap is removable, and the case fits easily into a purse. It is soft so it will not scratch the camera. It also has a great price. The only complaint I have is it is not really stylish. But it works great for its purpose.
Some of the other reviews here have marked this bag down due to its size, but it fits some Sony cameras very well. Best advice is to check out the fit before you buy. For me, the DSC-V3 sits inside perfectly, without being too tight or too loose. There is no moving around when the case is closed.There are three compartments to this bag, the bottom front, the top front and the main compartment. The bottom front can hold about 4 AA batteries (either horizontally or vertically), while the top one is a little smaller, perhaps holding  memory sticks or flash cards but can also fit 4 AAs. The top one has a small mesh pocket on the inside to prevent the items from slipping out, while the bottom and main compartment have nice "side guards", which come up about 1" on the bottom and 2.5" on the main compartment. These side guards are nice in case your zippers aren't fully closed, to prevent smaller items from slipping out.The included shoulder strap is pretty worthless, but at least it includes a small strip of padded rubber on the nylon strap.  I'd recommend replacing it with the one that came with your camera (if it came with one and you're not using it).Padding is decent. Best on front and bottom, ok on back and weak at the side zippers, though there a small bit of padding on the side. The back "belt" clip is a snap button which holds pretty well under stress (so far).Downsides is the quality and noise of the zippers, and not too much of an inner zipper guard for the main compartment so the camera coming out can rub against the plastic teeth.Overall I am very pleased with this case, especially compared to the other selections out there. Ignore the reviews where the guy wants to put his charger, his connectors, flash, tripods, shooting lamps, assistants and their wives all into this little bag. It's a COMPACT bag that is meant to hold just your camera and a few small items. If you have a V series Sony camera, especially the V3, I highly recommend it.
Sony LCS-CSD General Carrying Case for Compatible Cybershot Digital CamerasGreat case for Sony H10 & H-50 Cybershot cameras. Has plenty of room for straps, extra memory cards, etc.
I loaned out this camers bag to a friend who can't seem to find it now. So I like it so much that i am buying the exact same one. Very durable and Very handy. large enough for the camers and some other pocket type iteams as well. You will be impressed with this product
The case has enough space for the camera,battery, memory card and other cables required. You can also put your battery charger in the same case. Very Good deal.
I bought this mainly due to the price. Yes, I can be cheap. The camera that goes with it is spendy, for me. (Beyond my computer, the most money I've ever spent on one thing!)The straps are a little weird, and I'm not really sure how to connect them, but it is a spacious little pack for your camera (almost too large for my W55) and whatever else you may need to carry.
I love this Sony Cybershot carrying case! I got it cheaper on Amozon, than in the stores, even with the shipping and handling charges, and My camera fits in it perfectly! Fantastic buy! Well worth the money!
I needed a small case and found it..it fits nicely.It was just what I needed and it has lot of pockets.I love it...
I bought this bag for my new Sony H20. It fits the camera perfectly and is very handy. There is space for memory card and additional battery. Bag is small and compact so it does not have space for tripod etc.
i have a sony cybershotdsc p200 camera. it fits perfectly in this camera bag
We really like this case. I also recommend going to Wal-Mart and purchasing a small Body Glove neoprene case to put your travel batter charger into so that you do not have to worry about scratching the viewing window of your camera.Let us face the facts. You rarely use the charger and if it is in a soft protective case, you do not have to worry about just putting your camera into the case.The simple things make life more pleasurable. Keep your electronics nice looking, you may want to sell them someday when you upgrade!
Good little bag to hold your camera and all its accessories. A bit of padding to help protect it from light damage (dog chewing, accidental drops). Haven't put it through any extensive testing, but have found it to be useful in storing all the junk you need with your camera (extra battery, memory card, charging unit). Not much more to say about it, other than it's a bit overpriced.
The fit is fine but it lacks protective padding like many after market cases. It offers minumal protection compared to other brands.
The product is just fine for the price I paid. I have no complaints. The zippers are a little hard to use, but it is just a detail.
I use this case for my Sony DSC-W5.As said, it's not an absolutely perfect fit (leaves about 1.5" of "headspace" in the main compartment), but I haven't found it to be a problem.  It actually makes it easier to grasp the camera out of the case.The lower, outer compartment is perfect to park the USB cable.  And I use the upper, outer compartment for a couple of spare AA batteries and a spare Memory Stick.I also like how the belt/carry strap has a snap connection - easy on and off without having to take off your belt and it's still very secure.  I don't use the shoulder strap (never needed it).I've had this case for well over a year and still appreciate its quality and functionality.
I have been searching for a case for my Canon Powershot SX 130IS. This case is a perfect fit! I debated on buying it due to it saying "Sony Cybershot" on it, however I am glad that I did! It is well padded, has one large compartment for the camera,( and two small compartments (large enough to carry extra batteries and a camera card -and possibly some other very small items). Amazon has the best price on this case as well. I shopped around before making my purchase. I highly recommend this case!
I knew that Sony case was good before buying. But it costs $20 or more every where. I got a great price at Amazon and Free Shipping too. I love Amazon.
Great case. It does what it's supposed to and it looks great. I put my Sony Cyber Shot it it and used it for a few other slightly bigger cameras.
Sony is one of my favorites brands and this product is the perfect complement for the camera I brought here also. Very releable. Tottaly recommended.Regards
Bought this case for Sony DSC-V3 based on an earlier review.  I can vouch that the camera fits perfectly. The case is well constructed of ballistic nylon, and they zippers seem fine to me.  Two small pockets - enough for additional memory and another battery or two.  Frankly one of the best small camera cases I've come across.
Several things you need to know before you decide to buy this lens:1. It requires the VAD-WA conversion adapter in order to fit onto the Sony DSCP73/93/100/150 & DSCW1 Digital Cameras for which it was designed.  That's another $25 or so.2. These Sony cameras have a zoom capability, but since the VCL-DH2630 telephoto conversion lens is attached to the adapter and not directly to the zoom lens itself, the view you get as the zoom lens pulls back into a wider field of view is that of a round porthole, not the full picture frame.  You only get the full frame picture when the zoom lens is extended maximally. Thus, on my DSCW1 camera, the telephoto converter has an effective magnification of 3 x 2.6 or  7.8x total.  This is equivalent to a 296.4mm telephoto lens for standard 35mm film cameras.  So this is essentially a fixed 300mm telephoto lens.  Note:  shooting your camera at the maximum zoom will set the aperture at the smallest opening, which for the DSCW1 is an aperture of 5.2.3. There are no threads on the 40mm front end of this telephoto lens.  So no way to put a protective lens cover or lens filter on.4. You also won't need any 30mm lens filters for the VAD-WA adapter.  The VCL-DH2630 screws directly onto the VAD-WA.  Unless you buy the whole set of three Sony lenses, you might as well keep the two pieces together.5. The minimum focusable distance increases to approximately 10-12 feet (about 5-6 feet in Macro mode) with this telephoto lens attached.On the plus side, this is about the only way to get a tiny palm sized point and shoot digital camera like the DSCW1 to shoot telephoto pictures.  The photos are quite sharp with little distortion.I used to love to shoot telephoto pictures with my Pentax 35mm SLR, using a Soligor 85-300mm zoom lens.  Then one day I accidentally dropped the lens, and it didn't focus anymore.  By then, with three kids in the family, it didn't make sense to lug a heavy camera around for family photos, and I got used to  using this Olympus point and shoot 35mm camera that had a telephoto zoom lens.You could certainly get one of the larger and more expensive digicams with interchangeable lenses, or something like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20K with 12x zoom.  But, besides being larger and more expensive, all of these other digicams use proprietary lithium batteries, which I hate, because they are just death for spontaneous family photos (lithium batteries are never charged when you need them!).First and foremost, I wanted to get the best point and shoot camera that runs on AA batteries currently on the market, and this, IMHO, is the Sony DSCW1.  Second, I wanted the ability to take telephoto shots, and Sony is one of the few that even makes telephoto lenses for their point and shoot digicams.  So for all of the flaws that I pointed out about this telephoto lens, it's still a pretty good accessory for the DSCW1.
This one excellent accessory to my Sony Digital Cam.I was shopping for a much more expensive Digital SLR until I realized that it was possible to add a zoom to my medium priced one.
This telephoto lens will only work if you zoom in greater than 2x. Anything lower you'll have a keyhole effect - this might make some sense because 1 * 2.6 will just give you a 2.6 zoom which the camera already has. But if you want a range of 4x..you might need the other 1730 which gives 1.7x additional to the range of your camera zoom (2 * 1.7 will give you 3.4 - maximum of 5.1x zoom on 3x). You might need a tripod for this because higher magnification means much more sensitivity to hand shakes and such.But overall, this is a great addition for cameras it's compatible with (in my case, the W30 with the VAD-WB adapter.)
As far as lenses for an inexpensive digital point and shoot, this one does the trick. It's certainly not a phenomenal lens by any means, but it does provide a slightly better range than the camera itself. It's not going to get you Nat'l Geographic quality images, but it's okay for the camera series its made for. Simply put, it'll get you a bit closer, but if you want true telephoto quality at greater distances, you should get a good digital SLR with a good telephoto lens. Just be cautious of your expectations of this lens, and keep in mind its, and the camera's, limitations.
I was disappointed with this lens because of its limitations. You can only use it with your camera FULLY zoomed. Otherwise, the image is within a small circle with the outside blacked out. I thought I would have more of a range. Shaking is also very noticeable, though, of course, that is to be expected when a camera has no image stabilization. The adapter needed for attaching the lens is also a bit clunky.
Loving my Sony digital P200 camera, I could hardly wait to get the Telephoto Conversion Lens and adapter to hold it to the camera.  Either I am seriously impaired, or something is wrong.  It is unwieldy to attach, time consuming, and when the telephoto lens is attached, you cannot use the camera in any other picture taking mode.  It must be fully utilized distance wise, any closer and you get a black area in the circle.  While it makes objects/scenes closer, it is not particularly close up on the distant shots.  I was disappointed and feel I wasted my money.  Explore some more reviews before purchasing.
Previously I purchased a cheap generic telephoto lens for my dsc-w5. What a waste of money.. So, after purchasing this lens I was very satisfied.  It is a high quality lens. Comparing the photos with the cheap lens and then this lens told me it well worth the money to purchase the Sony lens.. Note: This lens is for outdoor use only..as using it in low light conditions will cause a dark flare in the lower region because the lens blocks part of the flash.
Bought this Sony product hoping to get closer to far away subjects. This lens is not to use without a tripod due to the narrow field of view and prone to shaking. Quite disappointed by the results if you intend to use it for shooting moving objects (slow autofocus + lens too sensitive to movements = blurry photos). Unfortunately, I do not see alternatives for the Sony W1.
The telephoto lens adds a Great feature to the DSC W1. The pictures are VERY sharp and clean without any fringe wash out and or distortions. It is quick to mount and with the adapteris not cumberson and does not off weight the unit like the large 35mm units tend to do. A nice feature of the adapteris it opens a myriad of add on filters and lens options for the camera. If you have a need for a telephoto look no further espically for the sports/ nature events. This is one option wellworth the price.
The telephoto plus adapter work ok but definitely overwhelm the image stabilization of the camera at full zoom.  If you get this make sure you are using a tripod to help steady the image.
don't buy it! It needs a converter and then it has this small circle that is the zoom option. Buy a camera that already features a zoom such as a 15 x.
I purchased this kit, primarily for the extra battery, which retails for about what I paid for this item.  Having the backup battery is great, but I was pleasantly suprised by the soft case.  It protects my DSC-P200, without being bulky or heavy.  With the camera being so small, it was hard to find good protection without spending quite a bit of money.  The case for the memory sticks is nice as well.  It is easy to lose a stick if it's just floating around and the case keeps them securely.  All in all, this is an excellent value.
I ordered the Accessory Kit for my Sony DSP 200.After carrying the camera around on its own for a while, the Kit is a pleasure to use. The camera fits snugly and there's room for the accessories. All feels safe and secure.Handy for a days shooting, but there's no room for cables/cradles, etc, things you can keep in a suitcase.If you're going to get a spare battery anyway, the price is pretty good too.
The battery was a great inclusion of this kit.The memory case is sort of clumsy, sticks are difficult to remove, the hinge won't last long, also:  the memory sticks come in a case already when purchased.  It would be better if a "case" for multiple sticks would comprehend the size including the box they come in.The camera case is really not much - - - it appears heavier than the camera(!) and yet has no "bulk", the strap is not very good -- too light.  Nevertheless, it's useful and handy.Overall just slightly disappointing, but still a good combination of items to get your "stuff" organized.
This product arrived on time and it is great accessory for my digital camera, has a pocket for the camera, a case for the memory and charger and an extra outside pocket for an extra charger.
I admit I am a novice for the most part when it comes to cameras, but this is something everyone should have; Mainly for the case but also for the extra battery.  I was climbing a wall in Florence to get a picture and dropped my Sony DSC-200 (while it was in the carrying case) from about 15 feet up and it came through without a scratch.  Even if you are always carrying it around in a purse or bag, the padding around the carrying case is great to prevent scratches or damage.I know you can get carrying cases for less but the extra battery is great addition for anyone who is taking it on vacation or is worried about running out of battery power and is worth spending the extra money.
A good price on the real Sony battery.  Delivery was fast.  Plugged it in, charged it, and now my camera is back to having the superb battery life it started with. Only complaint - it is pricey everywhere.
I had bought two other cheaper off-brands "NP-FR1" batteries for my Sony P-200 (which was minus it's Sony battery when I purchased it) and was disappointed in their performance. They just didn't last as long as I thought they should.  So I thought I would bite the bullet and try the more expensive Sony battery and glad I did! The Sony battery has almost twice the life of the off-brands and shows the time remaining much more consistantly. I have never had to change batteries with the Sony, even on multi-day vacations , just charge once at night! Forget the cheapo's and get the real thing... the Sony! By the way, I think the P-200 camera is great too! - the glassman
Well, it's an OEM battery the price was right it took a charge and is holding it and my trusty old Sony Cybershot is working. I will change one thing and not leave the camera in the charging dock all the time like I did with the original battery.  I'm not sure if this shortened the life of that battery or not but it went south with very little use in about four years.
good quality and just the right amount of time .
Maybe it's the camera I'm using (DSCP200), but this battery just doesn't seem to die. During normal, occasional use, I charge the battery maybe once a week. When I was on vacation and snapping shots every 2 seconds, the battery lasted almost 2 days before I had to swap it, and even then I was being conservative, as the low battery indicator hadn't even come on. I can't speak for other cameras, but using my camera with this battery has been an excellent experience.
I've wanted a back-up battery for my Sony camera, but thought the price was too steep.  Now that it's more reasonable I'm going to pick up one so I don't run out at socially unacceptable times.  The battery I've had, however, has lasted longer than expected and has never let me know -- I just forget to charge it!  I find it'll take hundreds of photos before it needs a charge.
This battery lasts an amazingly long time for what it has to accomplish.  I'm very happy and quite impressed!warning!Like all rechargeable batteries, this battery must be treated properly or it *will* die a premature death, even after just a few months.Some people think that leaving rechargeables plugged in to a slow or "trickle" charge won't hurt them, and some chargers even say as much.  This is true if we're talking about just a couple of days, but over long periods of time, like several months, it *will* shorten the overall lifespan of the battery, or even kill it completely.  (No, this is not the Ni-Cad memory effect, but it's just as bad for the battery)It is best to charge a battery to capacity, unplug it, then use it normally or just let it sit and self-drain over time. Once drained (to about 4%) plug it back in for a full charge and repeat.
I purchased this battery "as new". When it arrived the package said 11/07. So the battery is 2 1/2 years. It's held a charge so far so I can't complain. The battery arrived very fast as promised.
Worked perfectly just when I needed it.  I was in a plane shooting pictures like a maniac.  Then out of power.  Quick change and I was busy shooting again.
I just bought a Sony p200 7MP.  Bought the back up....may not need it though. The battery life on the camera is great!
I bought this instead of the pro power dual pack(which nobody has reviewed) because I read that some of the generic(might be ALL of the generic batteries for some cameras, who knows) batteries dont work for certain cameras, because sony has special info chips placed in them, as well as other proprietary crap. My camera is the dsc-t30 and the battery works as expected.
Excellent battery.  Gives life to spec. in our Sony camera and was an excellent buy.
The battery was just what I needed to take pictures with, last a long time and easy to use with the camera.  Rodney
This was a good quality battery.  Bought purely as a backup for when on the road and didn't have a charging source.  Very pleased.
It is clear that a spare battery is essential for digital cameras since they lose power over time.  This type seems to be sufficient for the needs of a casual photographer using a 7.2 megapixel Sony DSC P200 model.  It can be kept in a plug-in charge adapter so that it is ready to use at time.
I got this flash for my Sony DSCW1 camera because the one criticism of this camera was that the built-in flash was weak and had a limited range of about 10-12 feet.This external flash certainly does work to augment the flash capabilites of the DSCW1.  In my tests, it appears to be effective outdoors at night at distances of up to about 50-60 feet.The HVLFSL1B is NOT controlled directly by the camera - there are no electrical connections whatsoever.  Instead, there is a light sensor on the HVLFSL1B which senses the light of the DSCW1's built in flash and this triggers the HVLFSL1B.And so, in fact, this External Slave Flash will work for practically any camera, whether they have a hotshoe or not, as long as they have a built-in flash (the DSCW1 does not have a hotshoe - the mounting bracket of the HVLFSL1B is attached to the tripod screwhole of the DSCW1).Furthermore, one does not even have to mount the HVLFSL1B to a camera, or even have it pointing in the same direction as the camera.  It is possible to use the HVLFSL1B as a bounce flash, pointing it at a side wall or the ceiling.  As long as the flash of your camera reflects off whatever the HVLFSL1B is pointed at, it will fire.So this is great!  At last, a bounce flash that will work for practically any point and shoot camera that has a built in flash!The only downside of the HVLFSL1B is that instead of regular AA batteries, it uses these non-rechargable lithium CR123 batteries (the same battery used in many point and shoot 35mm film cameras).  ARGH!  Anyway, that's why I took off one star.
This is a small slave strobe with 3 power settings - low, medium, high - that has multiple uses as a small and inconspicuous, and easily hidden slave.  It is not the most sensitive slave, but for the price, it is a steal.  Sony's retail price was $99.95, which was indeed, way overpriced.  I paid thirty bucks for 3 of them.  The package includes a battery and a detachable bracket.  The price is very right.
So, I'd read a few reviews and finally caved in and bought the flash. My Sony Cybershot DSC-P73 was on the list of compatible cameras and the price seemed reasonable.But what I got for my money was disappointing. Okay...virtually useless.Tucked away in the notes for the Flash (and nowhere on eBay ro the Sony site that I could see) is a "note" that, hey, this won't work outdoors and it won't work indoors either unless you're pointing it at a shiny surface.Now I ask you: who wants to be pointing their uber-flash at a "shiny" surface while taking a picture?! Think you'll be seeing great results?Not likely. Not from this "flash" anyway. If you can even get it to fire. Preliminary tests have proven the "note" to be true. It don't work. I did however get it to fire when I took the flash off and physically pointed the camera at the flash when taking the picture...so nice.
The flash works fine.. but it's rare that would need it.. I bought it mostly to help with the dark flare when using the Sony wide-angle lens in low lighting conditions indoors - The lens blocks part of the camera's flash. With practice I was able to eliminate the dark spot.This unit responds to the flash reflection from your camera. So, your camera must flash for this slave flash to work. I've never needed more than the lowest setting on this unit because any higher will wash out the photo.just a note: The enclosed bracket mounts to the threaded hole (tripod mount) on your camera, but the bracket also has a threaded hole for the tripod mount, so you won't lose the ablility to use your tripod when using this unit.
I purchased this item for my DSC-W170 - it's nicely made.  Initially it did not work properly - almost always fired with the pre-flashes due to a supersensitive sensor.  Never failed to fire even with my finger over the sensor!  I fixed it by cutting out small circles of masking tape (using three hole punch).  Two of these stuck over the sensor and it works beautifully.
Purchased this flash to use with my DSC-W1 to fill in where the built-in flash was partially blocked by the telephoto lens.  After playing with it for a few days it does a fine job.  No problems with shadowing, flashes at all "normal" angles and positions from the built-in flash, and seems built well enough to hold up over time.
I bought this lens kit taking for granted that it would fit my Kodak DX4530, but when I got it, I realized that I need an additional adapter, not included in the kit, with a US$20 value. What an ugly surprise. So be sure that you have the extra adapter.
I have not tried this yet but I have so much confidence in Kodak products that I know I will get outstanding results.
The description of this item doesn't really go into details what it's composed of, but the kit contains one Kodak 2x telephoto lens with lens cap and, because the lens won't fit directly onto the camera, two adapters that allows you to use it on a wide range of DX series cameras, I.E. the DX7440.  When you determine which adapter you need to use, you won't need the other adapter.  You can just assemble the pieces and keep it in the included bag.When you first put it on the camera you'll notice the viewer will show the image in a tunnel vision- a distant circular image surrounded by darkness.  You need to zoom the lens of the camera beyond 2x to get rid of it, which logically you'll need to do anyway because the camera has its own 4x zoom lens and any setting below 2x makes using a 2x telephoto lens piontless.  The image will be blurry at first, but using the autofocus (I.E. pressing the shutter release halfway down) will focus the image and make it crystal clear.  I was told that the image quality isn't as good as cameras with true interchangable lenses, but I have no complaints.All in all, it's a pretty good accessory to squeeze a little more out of your digital camera.  If nothing else, the extra telephoto lens at least does make the camera look cool.
I've had one of these about a week at this point, long enough to have some idea of what it can do.  The camera I'm using it with is a Kodak DX6440, which has a 4x zoom.  This teleconverter lens allows the camera to zoom between 4x and 8x, which is a very useful medium-telephoto range.This is not a very extreme telephoto and will not allow you to photograph far-distant objects.  However, it allows you to fill the frame with a subject in the medium distance, rather than have it be a small thing in the middle of the frame.  It also, unlike the built-in zoom, displays a good amount of telephoto foreshortening, which extends the range of photographic effects one can obtain.It is also very useful for photographing people.  The telephoto effect tends to make portraits more flattering, and it allows a reasonable distance from the subject, allowing the photographer to be an observer of the scene, rather than interacting with it.  Great for candid photography, whether street scenes, one's children, pets, or any other subject you don't want to distract by having to get in their faces to photograph them.Because telephoto magnifies the effects of camera shake, it would not be advisable to use this lens in low light without supporting the camera in some manner - hand held shots tend to come out poorly.The lens and adaptor do add significantly to the size and bulk of the camera.  They project about two inches from the front of the camera.  The adaptor scarcely weighs anything, but the teleconverter lens is fairly weighty, since it contains some fairly large glass elements.  It's certainly not uncomfortable to use, but it's not nearly as light a camera with the lens attached.  When not needed, they fit into a small padded leather-look drawstring bag which can be carried easily in a pocket.Photographs produced are clear and sharp.  I find that with this lens the camera's capabilities are improved immensely, and I would recommend it to anyone.
The Telephoto Lens is a good product, it gives you a great 2X Zoom very usefull to get more quality on your pictures when you're far away; however you must apply a little camera zoom because if not, you will see your images with an awful black rounded border that ruins it, so that's the catch, you must take off the Lens if tou want to take a picture in normal range because the Telephoto lens will ruin it.
I like the lense, but it does not seem to work with the flash, which possibly does not matter most of the time.
Got both the Wide Angle Lens and the Telephoto! It's Worth it for those far shots you just can't reach with just your regular zooming options on your camera. This bad boy gets right into the action and depending on your camera it gives nearly PERFECT shots all the time! Great buy at a Great place! Thanx Amazon!
You can charge the camera's batteries disconecting the cable from the DOC. It's easy to use, and you can save some "basic" videos with sound. As a camera is excellent, the prints are excellent also when you print in large size.
Never having had a digital camera and having even less knowledge about how they work, I was very skeptical.  My son actually picked this camera out for me, taking in the above problems.The camera and docking station are a breeze.  I have learned how to use them much quicker than I would have thought.  I also find new features to master.It is easy to use, compact and even a beginner can master it.
I bought this camera in Sept. of 2004 and it has lived up to my expectations fully. I have not had any problems with it and I have used it a lot. It takes great pictures and is very easy to use. The battery life is super strong. My camera battery has never even come close to going dead on me, and i've been out and about for hours taking lot's of pictures at a time. As well as it being a 10x optical zoom (the real deal)it has a very nice 38-380mm zoom lens and also has two accessory lenses and three filters that can be purchased for it. I cannot think of any cons about this camera, except that it would be about perfect if it had built in image stabilization or a cable release button. But to help counteract that, use a good tripod and make sure that your focus is locked. The more you practice with this camera the better the pictures you'll take. And remember, with any camera you have to take a lot of pics to get the good ones. With digital it is so nice because you can instantly see how your pics are going to look. I am impressed with Kodak and I highly recommend the Kodak EasyShare DX7590 for anyone who wants a really nice digital camera at a very affordable price. Now is a great time to buy it too as the price has come down considerably from when I purchased mine.UPDATE 12-1-08:I now have had this camera for 4 years. It is a great little camera, especially for the price. I've taken hundreds of pictures with it and have had no problems. One thing though is that you have to make sure that your focus is locked in. Partially press the shutter button twice to lock it in. Make sure your lighting is also adequate. I stand by what I said 3 years ago and I highly recommend the DX7590. Kodak cameras are really good little cameras.
Best point and shoot I have, and I have a few (Nikon,Sony, etc.) A bit clunky but worth the size. Not good for movies, but I use it as  picture camera.Only takes 2 GB Max SD cards, but at 5 mp it's ok. Battery life is outstanding, and speed of shots are adequate 1 every about every 2 sec (with flash). Very clear , sharp images, good color saturation, no complaints. Like ALL cameras an extra flash for poor lighting situations needed for a good night pic.I bought one recently to replace my 8 y/o DX 7590 camera that was submerged in sea water getting of a snorkeling trip on vacation.
This is the 3rd digital camera I have purchased, but it is the first one I purchased for myself.  The first digital I bought was a Minolta Dimage 7 for my daughter, which I was very disappointed with.  The picture quality was very poor for a $700 camera.  The only thing I liked about it was the zoom ability of the 7x lens.Well, technology sure has come a long way since then.  The new Kodak is about half the size of the Minolta with 3x more telephoto capacity and more than twice the resolution.  And I love it.  And it was much cheaper.The main reason for choosing this camera was the large lens on a fairly small camera.  And I was not disappointed.  But I am also impressed with Kodak's ease of operation.  When I get a new toy, I sometimes become very impatient when learning how to use it.  I found this camera to be very easy to learn how to do everything it does.  I also got the printer dock, which I think is fabulous.  I originally didn't want the dock, since my younger daughter already has an HP photo printer that can print from the SD card.  But I am glad I did.  It is nice to be able to just set the camera on top of the printer and instantly do anything you need to do with the pictures you take.  It is simple to both print pictures and also to load them onto your computer, all while the battery is charging.  Both the other digital cameras I bought required removal of the batteries to charge them.  What a hassle!I have only had this camera for a couple of weeks, but already have taken hundreds of pictures.  I have only had focus problems on a very few shots, and I chalked that up to inexperience.  The shots that were out of focus were because it focused on something other than the main subject of the picture.  I just need to make sure that I am focusing on what I want to be the subject before taking the picture.  So I was surprised to read about focus problems from other reviewers.  I guess I really haven't taken many low-light pictures, yet.  Actually, the problem I have had is in bright sunlight where it is difficult to see the screen display so you can't see the focus brackets.  I solved that problem by using the viewfinder when in bright sunlight.So I would recommend this camera for the follow reasons:1.  Great telephoto lens2.  Long lasting battery that charges in the camera.3.  Ease of use.4.  Printer dock allows printing, downloading, and battery charging in one package.
I've taken a lot of pictures with this camera as well as with many other digital cameras. I rank this camera near the top for cameras in this price range.Rather than going through all of the features, I'm going to comment on what I think makes this camera stand out and what I think this camera lacks.Two of the things that make this camera really stand out are:1. It has a huge lens, and2. The lens is made out of glass, not plastic.I believe that these two factors make more of a difference in photo quality than other things, such as a high mega pixel count. You can really see the quality in the photos that this camera takes. The colors are accurate. The images are sharp. And there is no noise when you take a low light, flash photo.Other nice things about this camera:The flash is more than adequate. The 2.2" LCD is really nice. The movies it takes are decent and you have unlimited movie time. It has a ton of user options and features. And of course, the zoom on this camera is incredible for the size and price. This camera has many, many nice things about it, too numerous to go into here.The down sides are few. One of them is that the camera is big. I really can't consider it a "pocket" camera because it simply won't fit in your pocket. But that's the trade off for the big lens and the huge zoom.This camera also has some difficulty focusing in low light. This is the reason I didn't give it 5 stars. Kodak did improve on this from the previous version of this camera (the DX6490) but every camera manufacturer should add that little red light that shines on the subject so that the camera can achieve a proper focus in low light. This is the one feature that I think this, and all cameras that don't have a manual focus, should absolutely have.If you're looking for a pocket camera, this probably won't suit your needs. Just remember that most, if not all pocket cameras in this price range have really small, plastic lenses. Usually this means a very noticeable sacrifice in image quality (the Sony-T1 is an example of this).Before you buy this camera, I would recommend you look into the Fugifilm Finepix S5000 and S5100. These are also excellent cameras, but I prefer the Kodak.
I purchased this camera through Amazon.com and have been using it for about two weeks now. The camera is easy to operate and the pictures are excellent. The 10X zoom is one of the few zooms that remain clear and focused when at 10X. Would recommend for the new as well as the experienced photographer.
I too am happy with my purchase of this unit. It bridges the gap between lower spec p&s; cameras and SLR cameras nicely. I generally agree with the reviews I've read here and haven't much to add on the merits of the unit. The pics are infinitely print worthy and will satisfy all but the most savvy (or hyper-critical) DC officionados.My sole reason for adding to this post is that I am reading a thread of misinformation here and would like to clear the air.The specs of the DX7590 and the Z7590 are basically identical. The Z7590 was NOT created to address any issues with low light focus and is in fact an update to allow the DX7590 to work with the new series 3 docking station. The Z unit does have an improved low light focus accuracy due to user feedback and this same update is available for the DX through a simple firmware update available at Kodak's website. Amazon does not allow linking but a simple search of the support page for your camera will take you to the download.If compatibility with the series 3 docking station is a requirement for you, then you need to be reading about the Z7590, not the DX7590. If you, like myself, do all of your photo handling with a PC, or if you already have a series 1 or 2 docking station, then your main factor in choosing between the DX or Z should be price.I took adavantage of a recent phenominal price on the DX7590 and feel like I've almost gotten away with a crime here. Something this great can't be this affordable, can it?
Ok lets face it, this is not a high end pro camera.However for the price it's quality plus features and accessories would be hard to beat!I had an 8x10 print made from a 5mp w/ fine res. setting (CVS Kodak Kiosk) printed, and was very pleasantly surprized at the exellent quality obtained.Untill the megapixels become standard at 25 to 30mp (equiv. to 35mm film on a pro camera lens combo with fine grain film), and the prices are in this price range, I dont plan to upgrade.So for the next couple or few years (should the camera last that long) this model will serve me as a convienient snapshooter.I do reccommend also purchasing the 55mm filter adapter for this camera, it will provide many options as well as protect the lens.This camera I find better suited for outdoor shots than indoor, the  built in flash is not very strong (I use an external flash with flash bracket)and the camera does not have low light assist to aide in autofocus. The settings you use will greatly affect your result as with most digital cameras.Overall - a lot of bang for the buck (well worth the price).
Summary: A nice camera for the price but a frustrating tease in how close it comes to being so much more.Battery: Battery life is this camera's biggest asset. On a single charge I've taken well over a hundred pictures at highest quality (largest file size) and flash, over a period of several hours, and still had juice to spare. I bought a spare battery because of the terrible experiences I've had with previous cameras and over the course of the month I've owned the camera have not had to resort to using it once.Features: Chock full of features. More than most will ever use. Considering some are useless (auto mode does the same or they flat out don't produce desired results) I'd suspect more than anyone would ever want to use. More detail below on some of them.LCD Display: Very nice large LCD display and a miniature version of it when you switch to the mode that lets you use the viewfinder instead. That is to say, the viewfinder is also LCD based. Unfortunately this is definitely NOT a WYSIWYG scenario for either the large display or the viewfinder. Don't believe me? Go take a picture of the full moon at night. You'll have to set the f stop to a large number, the shutter speed to a small number, and make sure the ISO isn't set to high (or you'll get too much light). Zoom in to at least 10x. Next, focus by pressing the shutter button halfway down (use landscape or not - for this test it won't matter). You'll notice the moon appears as a bright white blur. Snap the picture and you'll see a much sharper (disatisfactorily sharp, but sharpER nonetheless) image that looks nothing like the LCD or viewfinder did when you took the shot. Many other ways to test this but this was one I just tried so it's fresh on my mind. So if you're wanting to see what you'll get - this isn't the camera for you.Landscape/Macro modes: The landscape mode is helpful, and in many cases necessary as you can't always focus on semi-distant to distant objects of interest. I wouldn't call it great but without it the camera would be worthless for anything but closeups and objects that are bright enough (or have distinct enough outlines). Macro mode I give a plus and equate it in terms of desirability to my praise of the battery life. You can get within a inches of an object and snap some incredibly sharp images. If you're selling coins on eBay as your living and are currently using a scanner then this camera would not only replace it but it does ten times the job with ten times less cleanup. You'll also end up with images at angles that show off the height and wear features better. It's equally good with flowers and the likes. Many (if not most) such images may require some post adjustments but they're minor and easy and worth the effort.Flash: Again this would be another plus. Works like a charm.Focus: Here's my biggest gripe. In low light (as others have mentioned) and also at times when outlines aren't very distinct (clouds, for example) it can be enough to make you want to pull out your hair trying to get a proper focal lock on the object of interest. Sometimes you'll the focus pass right by the sharp point before the focus locks a hair off from it yielding a less sharp image. Obnoxious as the dickens. The DX6490 I have as well works in a similar fashion yet I have very little trouble locking right on for crystal clear images. Why is this so important? Two reasons: i.) An image that's even slightly out of focus completely destroys the point of the extra megapixal the DX7590 has over the DX6490. ii.) Because the camera won't save in raw mode and even it's finest JPEG compression is still overly lossy you won't have much luck using post processing software to sharpen such things up without a lot of artifacts left behind by the lossy JPEG compression. This is just bad and renders, in my opinion, upgrading from a DX6490 a waste of money.As some have mentioned, this camera (and all like IMO) should come with manual focus in addition to the auto. This would have made a major difference to me. I could list reasons for days but I'll give you one that's stark: You're taking pictures of birds that are all flying overhead at roughly the same height. When zoomed in (one of the highlights of this camera is it's awsome 10x optical zoom don't forget) you can get a fairly decent shot (not perfect - I'll gripe forever about that I suppose). Trouble is, most birds don't fly in a circle above you long enough for you to get a focal lock on them because the camera's auto focus just isn't fast enough. Can't penalize for that in this price range. However, if you were able to manually focus you'd require little or no adjust once you got yourself in the right zone with the birds you're shooting, and consequently you'd get much sharper images of them. Finally, try as you might, sometimes this camera will focus on an object that's within the field of observance but nowhere near the distance as the object of interest. This happens in split to pinpoint focal mode and is another hairpuller. You can trick the camera by getting a lock on an object of similar distance that has nothing obtrusive in the field, keeping your finger on the focal lock (shutter button halfway) then moving back to your object of interest but that's a kludge and shouldn't be necessary. My DX6490 does a FAR better job at discerning things such as this and requires far less trickery.Movie Mode: You're stuck with one option here and that's Apple Quicktime format. This should plainly be MPEG, an open platform, and not a proprietary format. Additionally, you cannot adjust the zoom once you start recording.On/Off Button: Definitely an improvement over the DX6490's rotary on/off mechanism, but not so much so as to justify the price difference.Zoom: Like the DX6490 the 10x optical zoom is impressive. All digital cameras that don't fall into the 'just for party photos' category should do at least a 10x optical zoom. The additional digital zoom is helpful - I have to disagree with those who think otherwise. I'll tell you why: If you use the digital zoom you're doing basically the same thing as you could do with photoshop after the image is taken (blowing up an image via software), however, being able to do so prior to the lossy JPEG compression will get you some very far off shots (I can make out the lettering on airplanes, for example) that are at least useful. If you don't use the digital zoom and then decide to zoom in later with your computer based software you'll be amplifying those nasty JPEG artifacts along with the object of interest.Review Mode: Excellent. No complains here and I especially like the fact that you can do as much as an 8x zoom while in review mode. Very handy.Nothing else about the camera struck me as above or below average so I'll leave it at this. The one star I give this camera is strictly based on the fact that I don't find it a total piece of junk, but it is going back to the store for a refund as my DX6490 (apparently the predecessor to the DX7590) does a better job with one less megapixal.Good luck all.
This camera is great, wonderful, one of the best on the market...if not for that pesky auto focus feature. I was surprised at how well the video feature works; it's not the same quality you're going to get with a stand alone video camera, but it's not bad either. My may beef with this camera is the auto focus...sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't; I noticed that it's usually out of focus in indoor/night shots when optical zoom is being used. For the most part, this can be fixed by putting it on a tripod.
The Kodak DX7590 produces, as reviewed, fine quality auto point and shoot pictures.  However, there are enough bells and whistles to learn from.Indoor color seems a bit off, but even that is not too bad.This is not for a pro, but is a great camera for the rest of us.
Not a bad little camera with plenty of enhancement products still available for purchase.  Although not state-of-the-art, this little camera does the job for the casual user, incorporating the basic features most wanted.  It gives the appearance of being a "better" semi-professional camera without looking overly complex. Recommended for the beginning photographer who wants the option for something delivering both point-and-shoot technology and manual photography tweaking.
Let me begin by saying, I'm not a professional. I take photos for fun and to record events in my life. However, with this camera, I have been able to take some amazing photographs that I'm truly proud to show to friends.The zoom is phenomenal and was the reason that I upgraded from my previous camera that had only a 10x zoom. This zoom has allowed me to take great photos from spectator stands and at shows that would have looked ridiculous with a camera with a smaller zoom capacity.My favorite feature is the close-up feature which has allowed me take some stunning photos of my flowers and of birds roosting on my feeders. I've consistantly found my photos to have vivid coloring and crisp details which is something my other cameras lacked.For the amateur that wants to take fantastic photos that makes your friends say, "Wow!" this is a great camera. The only issue I've had with the camera is taking photos of heavily lit situations at night such as Christmas light displays, etc. No matter what setting I used, the photos still came out a bit unfocused.However, everything else is superb. A fantastic buy.
this camera rocks!  it really outdoes most of the competition, and when you include the low price and other features, there are no real competitors.  kodak offers a 10x zoom and has 5 megapixels for super sharpness, even if you decide to enlarge the picture.  also, the camera can grow with you as there are wide angle, telephoto and close-up lenses available through amazon.  for quick prints, there is also a nifty printer that prints a 4x6 picture in under 2 minutes (also available through amazon).  the quality of the print is like a local shop, and the printing method, which uses a protective coating, makes sure the colors last forever (ink-jet printers can run/fade).  as an option, local photo shops can print your pictures from the camera.in sum:--the price is great, especially for 5 megapixels.--kodak is the number one brand for digital cameras.  they will be around to supply the camera/your photographic needs.  kodak is a trusted u.s. company while some others may not be around in ten years.--it's easy to use (no computer necessary).  but if you have a computer, the camera/printing dock can e-mail photos.--the camera has a 10x optical zoom -- super sharp pictures with great color of the kids/nature from far away.some others offer similar features, but nobody has the whole package at this price.  a home run!
I love taking black and white pictures and this camera does it for me.  I'm still playing with the sepia, practice makes perfect.  The zoom is awesome. I'm outdoors alot and enjoy taking nature pictures.  I enjoy experimenting with different shots with this camera. Recommend buying a large memory card if you're shutterbug and an extra battery.
Had a problem with formating memory cards. For some reason kodak brand memory cards wouldn't format, I tried other brands of memory cards and they wouldn't format either, so I sent the camera back. I don't think it was the cards that was the problem. But it seem to be a good camera.
While it seemed that everyone we know had digital cameras, my husband and I were still using our "Jurassic" manual camera. I guess our main issue was none of the photos produced by our friends' digital cameras seemed good enough once printed on paper. Anyway, one of my colleagues at work bought the DX7590 and took plenty of photos while she was overseas.  Lo and behold, she showed me the printouts and I was impressed! So off I went shopping and after comparing it with three other cameras, I thought the price was very reasonable. It features 5.0 megapixels, 10x optical zoom, and alternative movie-mode with sound - whereas other brands with similar features are a lot more expensive (I've looked at Canon and Konica).I've been fiddling with this for a while now and considering I'm a novice, I find that this is very user-friendly. I still need to learn a few more tricks but here's what I found so far:Pros:* High picture quality. The colors and image are vivid and sharp.* Ultra zoom is great* Lightweight* Controls are easy to use* Really excellent for daylight and outdoor photography* Built-in instruction that briefly tells you what each button is for* Video mode is a bonus; just don't expect it to be of the same quality as a proper digital video cam* Battery life is very goodCons:* The lack of manual focus; I sometimes struggle with the auto focus* Indoor photography and low light might be a bit of a problem* No carry case (at least not here in Australia)All things considered, this novice thinks this is a really great camera that's a real value for money. It might not be suitable if you're after a pocket camera though. Also, make sure you get at least a 256MB SD card, as the internal memory doesn't hold many photos.Highly recommended!
The Kodak EasyShare DX7590 is truly a very nice camera. This is my first digital camera and I was somewhat hesitant about what kind of digital camera to purchase.  However, after a lot of research and reviews, I decided on the DX7590, because for me, it is a middle of the road type of digital camera.  It is has enough pixels (5MP) to take great pictures, as well as a zoom (10x) that will allow me to capture moments from a distance.  Basically, the DX7590 allows me to take quality photos, even when I am not trying.  I purchased the extra memory, the 512 MG card, and I am able to take up to 315 shots.The camera dock is very nice and although I purchased the printer dock plus, I usually leave the camera sitting on the camera dock to charge.  It's small and convenient, that I have it sitting on my dresser corner...it's definitely a space saver.  I would also recommend purchasing the Kodak Printer Dock Plus.  So far, with the pictures I have printed, I have been very satisfied.  No jams, no lines, no bends...just good quality photos.  I wouldn't recommend however if a person has a lot of pictures to print to use the photo printer, it would probably be more beneficial to print them through an online retailer or take it to store as CVS or Target to print them out.  But for a few prints here and there, it's a great in home system.The two together, with me...makes a great team for photography....you can be the same!
only problem, focus is not that great in dark setting, otherwise, a great digital camera
Hi...I own the previous model (DX 6490) which I purchased in May 2004. I'm very happy with it..pity I can't replace it now with the latest model..but that's the price of 'obsolescence.' As to the two questions from recent buyers of the 7590 -#1 - I have had no problem with the rubber covers coming off. They are well-secured and I don't see that as an issue. Thus far, I have had no need for any repairs.#2 - on the battery charger set with the various voltages: I bought that kit and took it with me to the UK/Wales last summer. It charged my battery w/o problem. I think it was a worthwhile purchase.
I've owned this camera for several months now, and overall, I am quite happy with it.  It is very simple to use.  It has plenty of features and enough options to satisfy just about anyone, but is easy enough for a beginner to master.  The video mode is convenient, as well, and I use it in addition to my iBook to make wonderful DVDs.This camera really shines in outdoor settings, especially in bright sunlight.  The colors are vivid and crisp.  The closeup mode is especially nice, and you will get well-focused images just about every time.  My one complaint is that the camera dos not perform as well as it could in low light settings.  I often photograph bands in venues that are not especially well lit, and I sometimes have trouble getting decent shots without resorting to using the flash.  Other cameras I have used have handled these low light situations more effectively.However, this camera is a very good value and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a high performance, versatile camera without shelling out the cash for a digital SLR.  It will serve you well.
I wanted to wait a couple of years before buying a digital camera where I would get the benefits of price reduction, features, value, and better than average (over 3.2mp) MP quality.So my first digital was the Kodak DX6490.  I found the Kodak DX6490 very easy to use, and packed with features I would use, such as the MPG recording (limited to the size of your external SD card), which allows you to email clips (very cool!!).Then before you know it, less than 6 months later Kodak comes out with the DX7590.The first thing I like about it over the DX6490 is the turn switch.  It's much more smooth and doesn't need to have too much pressure applied to it.  I found myself skipping the setting I wanted on the DX6490 dial because of the amount of pressure I had to apply. It also features nearly a dozen more scene modes!Other things I like about it are the internal memory capacity of 32MB, which has doubled over the DX6490's 16mb internal memory size - and the extra mega pixel move from 4.0 on the DX6490 to 5.0 on the DX7590.I haven't found on any other digital cameras in the 5.1MP range. Good battery life, excellent picture quality outdoors, compact and fun to use, cool design, large 2.2" LCD display (can't find that on most digital cameras), good software, 10x optical zoom, and as I mentioned before it records video clips.Battery life has been excellent and I would take quite a bit of pictures (75-120 pics at times) between docking the camera again. However, there is no recharger aside the base (docking station) the camera comes with. So, if you plan on going on vacation, you'll need to take it with you (power cord, base, and the USB if you're going to want to transfer your pictures to a computer).Manually controllable "EasyShare" is kind of an oxymoron. Generally, its feature set is useful, but it has some annoying gaps.Transferring pictures via the docking station works seamlessly, however there are a few annoyances such as the wait period for the card to be read on the memory card.  Getting the Ultra SD card will solve that problem.Convenient external controls provide quick and easy access to frequently used functions, such as the self-timer and the continuous-shooting mode. When you enter a mode, the camera briefly explains it on the LCD.Overall it is a good 1st time camera, and I give it a 9 out of 10 rating. It could be a 10, but I think that would push it into the $699 price range. You can buy this unit for about $300 at most retailers. Costco wholesale warehouse was selling it for $349.99 with the dock.  Prices continue to drop as the technology improves. This used to cost close to $500![...].Megazoom maniacs will over it because of the super zoom.  Great camera and it takes wonderful pictures.  Not to mention the Schneider Kreuznach lens.For a more thorough description you can look it up on CNET.
After looking for 2 years, reading countless reviews, I purchased the DX7590 with dock and paired it with the Canon IP4000 printer.  I am a novice in photography and this was my first digital camera. With little more than intuition and occasional referencing of the manual I was shooting great shots within an hour of opening the box.  The 10X zoom is great alowing me to fill the picture with the subject of the shot.  Download from the dock is simply a press of one button and wham the computer receives all the images.  The pictures print out looking like they just came from the photo lab.  Don't forget to get a SD card because the camera won't hold many shots.  I mostly shoot and print 4x6 shots and even when cropping shots there was no loss of picture quality.  I would highly recommend this camera to all beginner and intermediate users.
Perhaps I shouldn't even be writing a review yet. I bought the camera in December '04 and we just got around to installing the dock. A new USB hub for my elderly puter - plus a better surge protector to guard all the add-ons had to be attended to first. So. We installed it just 4 days ago and I have been taking comparison shots with my old digital camera and experimental shots to get the feel of it. I am impressed. (I have to take into account the fact that this camera -including dock here at Amazon - cost about $100 more than my old Olympus).One of the things I was most interested in was the more powerful optical zoom - 10X optical zoom vs. the old 3X. It's truly amazing.Another difference I noted is that when shooting through a window screen using the zoom at max - the old camera focussed on the screen - so its texture was the most prominent thing. The Kodak focussed on the distant scene with no suggestion of the screen.The lens is far superior to that of the older camera. There appears to be more depth of field. The images need less sharpening and the colors need less adjusting. The latter - I believe - is not a lens function but I'm discussing image quality.I'm finding the dock - which I was uncertain about - to be a very valuable accessory. It makes downloading much easier and faster. It fits neatly in a corner of the desk and does not take up much room. The camera lives there, happily keeping itself charged.I'm glad I bought this camera and I'm glad Kodak, headquartered in nearby Rochester NY, has come up with a winner in its line of digital cameras.
This camera is loaded with many special features such as an easy to use dial that allows specific selections to a much larger screen that allows you clear viewing of all your pictures even in bright light.It fits nicely in your hand and the toggle switch for telephoto/zoom makes getting that close up shot a breeze!  The camera dock is easy to use and charges the battery as stated within three hours.  I've also purchased a 512 mg card and at the 5 mega pixels setting the DX7590 can store 315 pictures.When you turn on the camera it helps you with each setting, allowing you to pick the right one for the job and even going as far as telling you to turn on the flash or hold the camera steady.The pictures from the camera are bright, colorful and crisp and ready to be printed out.  The camera allows you easy transfer of the pcitures between camera and printer or computer and the colors come alive with the right color printer.  Even on draft mode the pics are decent quality.  The internal settings allow for easy saving and documentation of special events in folders as well as individual pictures.The only minor issue with the camera is that a proper hand hold on the left side might give the users better stability.  The right side offers an easy hand hold with flip up access to the memory card.Over all this camera is one excellent camera and one excellent buy for under $500.00.  The entire package, including zoom, 32 mg internal memory, charging dock and 5mg pixel capabilities make this a great buy!Highly recommended!Additional info 5-31-05  Rated only 3 stars now!Found Some Flaws and Kodak will not help, May 31, 2005After using this camera for more than several months, it's been to the shop to replace a bad zoom lens. Kodak sent out a new camera and the new camera had updated software for the low light situation but it did not fix the problem. The camera takes awesome bright and average light pictures but the low light pictures come out blurry. Here is some of the email sent to me from Kodak.RE: Case# 7405518I'm sorry to hear of your low light focus problem. If you're sure you have upgraded your firmware to 1.01 there is little more we can offer as a solution at this time. However, one "trick" that may work is to artificially introduce more white content into the photo environment and then crop it out of the final image as required.I appreciate your patience and ask that you keep an eye on our support web page where we will announce any new updates that may help resolve the situation.Thank you,Tom SullivanConsumer Advocates OfficeEastman Kodak CompanyIn the last email after the one listed above, Kodak told me to sell the camera, "as is" to someone else and then use the proceeds to purchase the z7590 with two low light sensors, thus passing on the problem to someone else.Not very customer friendly from a company that really needs the support of every loyal customer.I'd wait to buy until they fix the camera.Scott C. Anderson
First of all let me say I am very satisfied with the performance of this camera.  Since the other reviews do a very good job of describing the pros/cons of the functionality of the camera I just wanted to add two pieces of information regarding the available accessories:1. There's no car adapter.  Yes, that means, heaven forbid, if you'd like to go on a longer trip without having access to a wall outlet you had better conserve the battery or buy multiple batteries.  Take a road trip?  Go camping for a few days?  Now who would have ever thought people would want to take a bunch of pictures on such occaisions.2. The 'AC adapter' doesn't charge the battery.  There are two options to charging your battery: Use the dock or buy the separate battery charger.  Once again, this makes it difficult to take on trips.What's most annoying is that these accessories should be very cheap to produce and they are so common with other portable electronics I just assumed they would be available.
This is my second Kodak digital camera and I still Love taking those Kodak Moments!!  I'm not a professional, I just love capturing those fun moments to share with a photo, email or CD to play on our dvd!!  This camera has so many features, but what I like best is the way it makes my photos look so good!!  The Auto feature is my buddie and we take great photos together.  As I learn more about this camera I will be trying all the features.  I had a 2x zoom before and this 10x zoom is the greatest thing since sliced bread!!  It needs a steady hand and I was impressed at how well the photos were without a tripod!!  I Love this Camera and am very happy with my photos...  I'm not a pro just a very happy shutterbug!!  I've taken two 512mg cards of photos and mini movies and not a problem!!  Great Camera!!
I'm having to edit this review, since the "Spotlight Review" that led me to orignally post it, seems to have disappeared, and Amazon edited my original review. My concern about the reviews of digital cameras is that some reviewers are so obviously trying to scare consumers away from a specific brand, I guess, in hopes they will then go buy another brand. I think this is unfair, and it's particularly bad when such a review ends up a "Spotlight" one, even though most of the readers found it to be unhelpful.Here's a few facts about Kodak digital cameras, like this fabulous DX7590: 1) According to J.D. Powers and Associates, Kodak rates highest in customer satisfaction in the $200-$399 & $400-$599 price ranges. 2) Kodak is now just a little behind Sony in digital camera sales. No other digital camera company has gotten so close to Sony! Canon--a favorite of Amazon--is third. 3) Years ago, before Kodak turned all its attention to digital cameras, it's cameras were not the best.  Those days are long gone, but some choose to ignore this.The DX7590 is a combination of two other fabulous Kodak cameras--the DX7630 and the wildly popular DX6490. All three of these cameras are very "complex" cameras, as "point and shoot" ones go, but yet they are so simple to use. In my opinion, it takes high intelligence to make a complex thing, that is totally foreign to many people, easy to understand and easy to use.  Kodak has done this with its digital cameras. And these cameras make beautiful prints!  The EasyShare software, too, is very simple, and allows you to easily put photos in albums, print at home, or burn your pictures to CDs.  You can even download your album names and e-mail addresses into the camera, and then they will automatically go into albums or be set up for e-mailing, as soon as you put the camera back on the dock.Everyone I know with a Kodak digital camera loves it. But some people will not,of course. No one camera, or one brand of camera, will appeal to everyone. I strongly suspect, however, Kodak cameras have become so popular due to word of mouth. Just don't allow any reviews at Amazon, or any other place, scare you away from getting a Kodak camera, or any other brand of camera, as it's obvious some really want to do. While some reviewers sincerely and seriously don't like the Kodak camera they bought, other reviewers have other agendas. Talk to people you know who have a camera, or brand of camera, that you're thinking of buying, and see how they like it.  Try out the cameras you're thinking of buying, and see how easy or hard they are for you to use.I personally find the Kodak cameras, particularly the more complex ones, to be terrific.
To me, yes it is. The DX7590 is all the DX6490 should've been in the first place. This camera is packed with features. There are 14 scene modes. Scene modes are pre-programmed settings by Kodak for different situations like "party" (for indoor photos of people), "backlight" (use when the light is behind the subject of the photo instead of behind the photographer), "children" (for photos of kids in bright light),"self-portrait", "manner /museum", "flower", "fireworks", "text, "beach", "snow", "night landscape", "night portrait", "close up", and "landscape". On these modes the camera does all the work, sets aperature, shutter speed, exposure compensation, flash compensation and film speed. If the camera shows that you need the flash, use it with these scene modes. I really don't use those for I am trying to become a better photographer and I have been using the "PASMC" modes (more on those later). There are also five more modes to choose from and they are auto, sport, portrait, video and the aforementioned PASMC (manual) modes. For auto you control whether or not to use the flash and the exposure compenstion. For portrait and sport, you control just the flash. The "PASMC" modes you control just about every thing. the "P" mode you control the flash and exposure compensation and the camera adjust the aperature (how wide the lens opens to let light in the camera) and the shutter speed (how long the shutter stays open to let the light in), the "A" mode you control flash and exposure along with the aperature the camera control the shutter speed. The "S" mode you control the shutter speed, exposure amd flash, the camera control the aperature. The "M" mode is where it gets interesting. You control everything. The aperature, shutter, flash, film speed(iso) and the exposure meter acts as a light meter to tell you if the shot will be underexposed or overexposed but does not prevent you from taking the picture. Finally the "C" mode is where you can saved your favorite camera settings and they will remain even after you shut the camera down or switch modes.The Dx7590 is faster at start-up and resetting between shots. There is what Kodak calls "Exposure Bracketing". That is when you take a series of shots (3) at different exp levels when you're not sure if the lighting is right. You have 2 different burst modes, a macro and a landscape mode (to use outside of the scene modes), 10X optical zoom and 3X digital zoom for a total of 30X zoom, a choice between fine and standard file compression, 5 megapixels instead of 4, and so much more.I'm so getting tired of typing so I'm going to wind this review up. To me the DX7590 is a wonderful upgrade from the DX6490. Well worth the purchase in my opinion. Or, if you're in the market and wondering which one to buy...I'd recommend the DX7590. I have both and I'm gonna keep them.
Before I tell you about the problem I had with this camera, let me explain something about myself (this is important because if I was reading the review I'm about to write without knowing about the author, I'd think the author must be some kind of a nut case; this camera has been reviewed so positively that I can't believe what I'm about to tell you myself).First, before getting involved in digital photography, I was a successful amateur photographer with an old Pentax manual SLR camera. I understand what terms like shutter-priority and aperture-priority mean. Also, after the old Pentax, I've been successfully using an Olympus C-3030 digital camera for 4 years now. This is the camera I'm trying to replace because I want a more powerful zoom. So I do have experience with digital cameras. And finally, I work in a technical field, so I'm good with computers and other technical products. OK, enough about myself. Let's discuss the camera.I can't believe how unreliably the DX7590 achieves proper focus! The camera gives me the green bracket indicator letting me know that it thinks it has focused on the subject, but at least 50% of the time, it's wrong! Sometimes it's so far out of focus that I can see it on the display before I take the picture. Sometimes it looks in focus on the display so I'll take the picture, only to discover that the shot is out of focus when I review the picture later.I get the same result regardless of how zoomed in/out I am; what PASM mode I use; what focus mode I use (there are three focus modes, none of which is manual focus); or what shutter speed is used.Believing that I must have received a lemon, I returned the first DX7590 to Amazon for an exchange. After all, a camera that has received such positive reviews CAN'T have a problem with a fundamental function like focus, right?Wrong! The second DX7590 behaved exactly the same way! So now I'm sending the camera back to Amazon for a refund, and am starting my research over again to see what I should buy instead.Good luck to you if you buy the DX7590. No, you don't need new glasses. It's the camera that's out of focus!NOTE on 1/19/2005: I ended up buying a Panasonic Lumix FZ20. This camera rocks! 12X optical zoom, optical image stabilization, hot shoe, and more. AND THIS CAMERA KNOWS HOW TO FOCUS!!! Check it out--much better camera for only a little more money.
I purchased this camera in October 2004 and have been using it now for 16 months. I have to say that I am thoroughly pleased with this product. I am a professional graphic designer, and I have used it to take photos that wound up being used in printed national magazines. Everything good about this camera has probably already been said in the other reviews (excellent picture quality, long battery life, good software support, etc.).My only complaint would be that there are times when it asks for the flash to be popped up (it's not automatic) in scenerios when I would have thought there was enough light. Also, if you've owned this camera since it's early introduction, make sure you get the downloadable firmware update from Kodak's web site--it fixed some issues I experienced earlier with focusing in indoor photos.UPDATE: In July 2006, I purchased a SanDisk Ultra II card for my Kodak DX7590, because I was hoping that it would be faster than the original SanDisk 512MB. But to my surprise, it timed exactly the same. So I emailed Kodak, and this was their response: "We appreciate your interest in high speed memory for your digital camera. Our cameras are designed to operate, write and read SD cards at set voltage speeds. Therefore, there is no advantage to using faster memory in Kodak cameras."So if you use the Kodak dock to transfer images to your computer, there's no advantage to paying extra for a high-speed SD card. However, if you use a card reader to get images to your computer, then it might be worthwhile to pay a little more for the Ultra II since read and write speeds through the reader will be much faster.
I looked at digital cameras for a few years before selecting the DX7590.  Each year the number of pixels in cameras kept going up while the price stayed about the same.  The first year I was looking a "good" consumer camera had about 3 megapixels, then 4, and now I was looking at cameras with 5 megapixels.  What sold me on this camera was the large lens.  Instead of one of those small lenses that most comparable cameras have this one has a real large glass lens manufactured by a real German lens maker.  Yes, it has all the features you might want if you're an amateur and then some.  I probably will never use the manual override features that allows you to set the shutter time and exposure level, etc., instead of allowing the computer to do it for me.  I'm still a little bewildered by the large array of optional settings for different subjects, but I've taken what I think of as superb photos.I've been taking "snap shots" since my first Brownie camera 50 years ago.  They were all nice for family albums, but never anything that I would say could compete with professional photos.  But all that has changed.  The picture brilliance, clarity, and overall quality that I'm getting outreaches any of my expectations.  Last week I was on a camping trip and took a photo of the early morning fog across the lake.  Yousers!  It looks to me as good as many I've seen in professional photo exhibitions.One problem I'm having is that the 5 megapixel format is so large that I have to shrink the pictures to put them on a web site.  One reason I wanted a digital camera was to be able to put photos on the Internet.  So I switched to the optional 1.8 megapixels photos, and it's still too large for my web site.  Even at 1.8 megapixel setting the photos are brilliant and clear.  It must be the big lens and quality optics.  I tried taking some pictures of flowers, and some of them came out blurry.  I think I'm having trouble holding it still for the close ups.  I guess I need to put it down somewhere or get a mount.  It does have a setting for minimum focal length that is a lot closer than many comparable cameras.  I got really good close up, and then blurry ones.  Between you and me I suspect it's operator error.I keep forgetting that I can take as many pictures as I want for free and discard any I don't need.  I like viewing them full screen on my PC.  The "easy share" base works pretty well.  I have to remember to open the Kodak software and turn on the camera before downloading all the photos to my PC.  I bought some extra memory and that helps.  It says on the screen that I can take 632 pictures at 5 megapixels, or over 1,500 at 1.8 megs.  Maybe it's right. I never take that many.  It's really a lot more camera than I've ever had, or know how to use.  The quality of the pictures is superb.  It's easy to use.
I have long resisted buying a digital camera because all the ones that compared to my trusty film SLR camera were far too expensive. I chose this one because I was impressed with the amount of lens for the price. The 10x optical zoom on this camera has allowed me to take some wonderful pictures. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed using this camera until I got ready to develop some film photos and realized that I only had 5 rolls. (I usually had 15-20 in the same amount of time.) The digital photos I have been printing look every bit as good as the ones taken with my film camera. Most of the people I have shared them with don't believe that they are digital. The video feature also does a surprisingly good job. It won't replace a regular video camera for important events, but it has allowed me to catch some fun times that I would have missed because I don't drag a video camera everywhere I go. The features on the camera are easy to figure out without studying the manual. Transferring the photos to my computer is simple and quick. The photo software isn't the best, but its managable. I love this camera and would recommend it very highly.
This is my first modern digital camera.  Years ago, I had one of the early Apple-branded digital cameras that was more of a novelty than a true camera.  I was waiting for both some specific features, a good price for those features, and quality printing at a good price.  I feel like with that camera and with digital printing services at places like Costco and Walgreen's, this was the time.The camera functions great.  I'm a basic user, so I'm still exploring some of the awesome features.  A biggie for me is the optical zoom.  A 10X optical zoom is not very common but really important to get quality prints when you zoom.  This camera won't let you down there.Of course, you'll want to get a memory card for your camera.  The camera has 32MB built-in (great for spill-over), but I bought a 512MB card that lets me store over 150 high-quality pictures.  Well worth the investment, trust me.The battery life so far has been really great.  Kodak says I can leave the camera in the dock (but I hate leaving things on a trickle charger - I'm old school and have wrecked too many batteries by overcharging), so I only charge as needed.  I've gone days (like over the holidays) taking pictures with no need to recharge.The transfer via the dock is pretty slick - just dock the camera, hit the transfer button, and let it go.  I'm using USB 1.1 and it works great.  I did buy a memory card reader too (in case I needed pictures off the camera but the camera wasn't available), but so far it's been easier to just use the dock.The software that comes with the camera is good - but very basic.  It allows for basic corrections - red eye, cropping, rotating, brightness, contrast, that sort of thing.  I highly recommend getting something else to do heavy-duty editing - like a nice Adobe product.  I use Photoshop Elements 3.0 myself.One cool feature in the Kodak software is the ability to easily upload your pictures to Ofoto.com.  I don't use their printing services (Costco & Walgreen's is generally cheaper), but it is a great way to share photos with others (who can then order them if they want) and it's also a great way to archive those photos.  Best of all, it's free.Overall, I've been very pleased with this camera.  I've got plenty to learn, but this camera let me get started with taking great pictures immediately.
AC165 is great case but dimensions listed (4x8x5) are off and they are off big time!Just received my AC165, it waay smaller.Actual EXTERIOR dimensions: 5.25"Hx4"Wx3.5"DeepHere is what APE CASE web site saysWidth: 4.25"Height: 5.25"Depth: 4.125and those are generous.Be careful, half the web sites out there have the incorrect dimensions listed.
The specs on the interior size of this bag are supposed to be 3.5&#34; Wide x 2.7&#34; Deep x 5.0&#34; Tall.  The actual interior dimensions are 3.0&#34; Wide x 2.3&#34; Deep x 4.7&#34; Tall.  This may not sound like much of a difference but it sure is when your camera should have fit but doesn't.  The case is fairly well made and would have been nice if my camera fit.  The only other problem is that there are two pockets on the inside that catch on anything that you try to put into the main compartment.  If my camera fit this bag I would most likely still have to cut out the interior pockets to keep it from hanging up on them.
This case is really great!  I have a small camera, and this case provides plenty of space for the camera and the extra batteries.
This case is slightly larger that the average and is perfect for taking the camera into the field for work or pleasure.  It fits neatly on the belt and still has enough room to carry extra batteries and SD cards. You could fit the charger into the case but it is recommended that you charge any additional batteries the night before. A great choice for anyone that works with a camera in the field.The case is produced and constructed very well and the quality is excellent. Highly recommended.
Really surprised at the high quality of this bag. The materials, construction, and workmanship is first class. Overall, excellent product, excellent service, excellent deal. Highly recommend.
Bought this for the Lumix GF1.  Quality is very good and the fit is very tight (maybe a bit too tight).  Otherwise great product.
Great little bag with shoulder strap.  Holds small point and shoot camera along with SD cards and spare batteries.  Could not be happier with purchase.
I looked at a lot of cases for my Canon 710, This case is better then I expected for the price.Very strong,nice strap,very easy to see things on the inside because of the yellow liner. Fits the 710 with room to spare. I Like the belt loop when I'm hiking.This case is a must have.
This is a perfect bag for EOS M with prime lens, plus a small flash RD2000C, SD card, and some spare batteries. On the other hand, AC 160 is too tight for the camera but fits if using some extra force to push it in. There is no room for the flash, though.  You may both of them as belt bags and travel light.
If you need to take a self protrate, this item is exactly what you want to buy.  It's easy to take along with you to functions that you would usually need to set up self timer photos.  Like weddings, family reunions, showers, Chrismas parties, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthday parties, etc......
It works great with the 2 cameras and 1 camcorder I use. It's solid and easily adjusted. It's perfect size to throw in your pocket to have it handy.
The mounting screw is too long.. long enough to wear if you tighten it down it will dig into your camera body.  My camera manual specifically warns against this.  Why the heck would they make the stud so long--ridiculous.  I am sending this back.  I bought this because it had all 5 star ratings, I'd give this ZERO stars if I could.  And it does NOT support an SLR well at all, even with a short 50mm lens.. barely bump it and it will tip over.. the wind could easily tip it over cause it is so off balance. Also the thumb screw isn't easy to turn and you have to tighten it down hard to TRY to support the SLR.
This is a nice product - fits in your pocket, and is sturdy and stable.  I used it with both my camera and video camera.
I own numerous tripods of different types, and I have to say that I really like this one as a simple, small tabletop tripod.  It appears to be very well-made, and is of substantial heft and construction for such a small device (closed, it is approximately 6 inches long).  To me, this is an imperative in order to support my rather hefty digital SLR.  Thus far, it has been able to support several somewhat lengthy (and obviously heavy) telephoto lenses--though the max I've tried it with is about 8" long.  Incidentally, that is something that I have found quite problematic with some of the adjustable wire-legged tabletop tripods (although they obviously offer more flexibility in range). I'm not sure how it is supposed to reach a maximum height of almost 9" as stated in the item description, since the whole unit is only 6" long, approximately.  Perhaps they mean after your camera has been mounted?I also love that it is very easy to mount your camera.  It's a very user-friendly device.  I love that I can also mount it to my camera or digital video cam and, when closed, it becomes a sort of hand-held monopod. Although there is no telescopic feature on this device, I'm not sure it would be necessary for a table-top tripod; just get yourself a box or some books and elevate it, right?At the risk of being verbose, I need to reiterate (for the discriminating buyer): the entire structure is one of quality.  The metal swivel compartment and hefty legs are all powder-coated, and they are very well-finished.  The only plastic on this tripod (and it is not the cheap plastic that brittles easily) is the actual fob to tighten the swivel-head (which appears to be stainless steel, but I could be wrong) and the anti-scratch feet (which I cannot discern, but may actually be of high-density rubber).  The fob is one that, in the unforeseeable event it breaks or falls off, appears to be easily replaceable with a myriad of improvised materials, as it is attached to a metal tightening head and secured to it with a metal pin.  The legs are attached via tiny phillips-head screws and onto a metal base with fused bolt-backing, which allows for easy tightening and loosening with a miniature screwdriver.The long and short of it is: I can't find anything wrong with this tripod! Definitely worth having.  And no, I don't work for the company--I'm just an average Joe-Blow consumer like most of you who is tired of purchasing substandard items and feels compelled to share when I find something well worth the cost.
Great item.  BUT the feet are not "rubber" as I know rubber.  They slide on my desk.  Not horribly, unless of course the desk was tilted.  Just beware!
This little tripod is surprisingly sturdy and well-made. No cheap plastic junk here. The legs and head are constructed of metal, the ball head locks firmly in place, and it even supports my DSLR. For the low price, it's an incredible value.
Won't stay up, Have no idea why they would design legs that would extend and not stay up. I could do better holding my camera on my knee. Don't waist time on this one. Get an old sears catalog to sit your camera on...
I bought this to hold my small audio recording device (Zoom H1) and within a few days, the locking mechanism no longer held the swivel head in place. I still use it because it leans against the circular metal piece below it at an appropriate angle for what I need (recording lectures in class), but if I wanted to change the angle in any way there would be no way to do that. This is an essential aspect of a tripod, and the swivel head is useless on this one. I would recommend buying a different tripod (for my small digital camera I use Pedco UltraPod Lightweight Camera Tripod and it seems to be made out of high quality materials, and has the added benefit of having a velcro strap that you can attach to trees if you want to take photos while out hiking in nature.
I use it every day, it is very convenient to use it with my camera and web camera, thank you!
I bought this case intending to use it with a Canon VIXIA HV30.  Here is what I found:Pro:-Case is sturdy, made in China (what isn't these days?).-Comes with a shoulder strap.-Has a lifetime warranty.I tried to stuff all the accessories in to see how much it would hold. Whether anyone would need to carry all these things, I wouldn't know, but I think it is a good way to do it for review purposes.The Canon HV30 fits in the main pocket. One side pocket holds the remote and an extra film tape. One side pocket will hold 2 batteries. There is a zippered compartment behind the main one. It held the adapter and plug for a wall, but absolutely nothing else. For the front side pocket, it would hold 2 extra film tapes, maybe a cellphone. There is a zippered mesh bag on the inside front of the front pocket that could hold change, batteries, possibly a miniSD card.I am not sure how I would fit a battery charger, manual, videomic, usb or firewire cables, or other accessories. If traveling some people might leave the battery charger in their room, but if you were taking it out for professional use you might need it. Either way, there is no space for these things.Con:-It will not hold many accessories.-The belt loop on the back is uncomfortable with anything in the back pocket.-It has decent padding, but seems a bit thin. I include it as a con because I like to protect my stuff very well. It might be good to some.On the whole, it is a decent, but small case (interior dimensions are 4.7"W x 6.3"H x 1.97"D). If I was only carrying a camera around I think it would fit my needs perfectly. For a person using a camcorder with lots of attachments, I would say look elsewhere.
I bought this for my 5inch GPS. Most of the GPS cases I looked at were designed for 4.3inch GPS, but my new unit is 5inch.Like other Ape Bags, this product is well constructed, has great pocket sizes and has a bright yellow contrast interior. It's a brand that speaks for itself.This bag has 5 pockets. The main pocket has 2 mesh pockets inside (one each front and back); the front pouch has 2 sd-card sized pockets and a mesh pocket inside; each of the side pockets has a mesh pocket (about the size of 2 AA batteries); the flat back pocket is divided. All interior pockets and dividers are well constructed. The variety of sizes ensures you'll have somewhere to safely store each small part you may have; but none of the interior dividers take up/waste a lot of space like some bags I've owned.Also, although it's not shown in the photos, this bag does come with a narrow shoulder strap, which is adjustable in length and had a non-slip coating on one side.
I was looking for a small case that would hold my GPS unit, a battery charger for my iPod, a wall charger for my ipod, a small camera, and all of the associated cables.  This case carries it all and with room to spare.  I suppose I'm using it more as an organizer.  When I check into a hotel, this case carries all of my electronics into the room for charging.  It's built well, padded, with plenty of pockets and zippered compartments, but not too large.
This bag is fantastic for the price!  Lots of pockets to hold the little things, too.  I really like the yellow interior - it made it easy to see everything in it.  I wish there was a handle on the top, but I would definitely buy again!
Bought as a gift.Good quality material.Nikon LS100 fits perfectly.
Bought for astronomy (with a tripod)... these showed up HUGELY out of alignment - so bad they weren't able to adjust back in. I spent a bit more and got some Celestrons.
Cheap but effective set! Look fairly proffesional, the case and caps are all decent quality. Lenses havent scratched even with a 5 year old using them!!!
For the price the optics are clear/colored well. However the lack of a tripod insert makes the 20 power lens difficult to keep steady in my hands, already lost the caps, my fault, at least the strap holds it to my neck.
Normally I read the reviews before buying, and I did so for this one too. However, I didn't take the advice of other bad reviews. It was tempting so I went ahead and bought it, Mistake. It is a waste of money.
Went to alaska to whale watch.  A little too powerful for the moving seas on the boat.  It got a little jerky.  But when the boat was still, it was like looking through a telescope.  Great optics.  Great value for the magnification.  Ruby lenses helped keep out glare.
I just recieved the ab10156 yesterday,  bought them off of a friend for $10.00 and a weaker set,  so $15.00 total.Today I read some of the reviews posted,  First,  these do have tripod mount,  you have to unscrew the plastic cover in the front center to see mount threaded hole.  Second I see I am not the only one having double vision,  something that only accoured with the cheaper less powerful pair ( make unknown ) when lenses spread to far apart.  Third,  I went to a lesser overall viewing circle with the ab101s than I had with the unkown pair,  but for $15.00 I'll try to be happy although I liked the weaker unknowns better.
These Barska 20x50 Wide Angle X-Trail binoculars are perfect for viewing my Purple Martin colony and are also great for sporting events, etc.As a petite woman (who can still wear child size eyeglass frames), it was a challenge to find really good binoculars that would adjust to my interpupillary distance (the distance between the center of the pupils of the two eyes) so I could use them. These work perfectly for me, my 10 year old niece, and will also quickly and easily adjust to work for my big, strapping, 6 foot 2 inch tall husband, although they are so reasonably priced that we purchased two of them - a his and hers. We are very pleased with our purchase.They are very rugged and durable and feel comfortable in your hands with a sort of rubberized armor that both protects them and provides a non-slip grip. They come with a neck strap and carrying case. They have large multi-coated wide angle lenses that not only increase your field of view but also maximize light transmission giving you bright, clear images even in low light conditions. And the focus is quickly and easily adjusted by tilting a lever on the top center to the right or left.HERE ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS:*Weight - 29.45 oz. (or 1.8 lbs.)*Size - Full Size Binoculars*Eye Relief - 7.2mm*Waterproof - No*Magnification - 20x*Brand - Barska*Objective Lens Diameter - 50mm*Field of View at 1000 Yards - 168 ft.*Exit Pupil - 2.5mm*Focus Type - Center Focus*Close Focusing Distance - 30 ft.*Binoculars Series - Barska X-Trail Binoculars*Prism Type - Porro Prism Binoculars*Prism Glass - BK-7
This product is only for those who have to see thing very very far.  Its a lie that it helps at games, too close.  It carries no zoom adjustment.  Only purchase if you have to see things that are very very far away.  It is good for that.
I ordered two of this Barska Lucid 16x32 Compact Binocular.  External appearance is good although a bit small. The focusing quality is inconsistent:  One focused fairly well, the other did not.
Barska Lucid 16X32 Compact(Black)For the size and price, can't be beat.  Ones have complained about not being able to focus well and straining eyes. Try this before complaining,  1. look through the left side with your left eye and using the main adjustment, focus in on a non-moving object.2. look through the right side with your right eye, this time using the eye cap adjustment, turn slowly left or right and focus in on the same non-moving object.This is called setting the focus.  When this is complete, use only the main adjustment to focus (REMEMBER, YOUR BINOCULARS ARE NOW SET TO YOUR EYES ONLY!!)Yes, you can buy better ones, but not for $17.00.
look more than cheap.. not focusing well and besides seeing double.. do not buy this item.. if you want want a cheap pair of binos buy tasco
I bought these binoculars for my wife for bird watching.  The unit does not focus well and the field of view is not good.  I do not recommend them.
I have about 4 or 5 different optics that use regularly, mostly sports, game spotting, and shooting.This is my 2nd pair of this model (one camo, one black).  For the glovebox of the car, tough to beat.
My pair work great. For the money, I think that these are a real value. I have had them for 6 months now and had zero problems.
Fits, but may be responsible for the small black plastic shavings in my camera body. Helps me take great photos with my D40!
I got this to hook up my recently purchased Nikon D3200 camera to my Celestron Nexstar telescope. So far so good, it fits the camera as expected. Fortunately the camera can be setup manually so not to worry about autofocusing or other things. We'll see how good astrophotographs I get with this adapter.
This just popped right in and seated/locked correctly to my D70s, mating to a Celestron T-connector without a problem.  No fuss, no bother.  When I first put it on, I caught myself trying to "turn it in" like a screw thread, rather than inserting and rotating counterclockwise to lock it in like a standard lens.  Rookie mistake, but didn't hurt it.  Also there are two sets of threads - one on the "inside" is slightly too small for the T-connector threads. Pop the connector on the camera then thread the T-connector in and you'll be fine.
Just an advice. Take a close look around this guy for BURR..!!!! The burr can fall inside your expensive camera and damaging it for free,,,!!!!Had not tested yet on camera but I took off some pieces of burr from it easily with a nail..!!! so need to be sure all is clear before use.
I got this for my Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope. Mounted it to the ocular eyepiece and mounted to it my Nikon D7000 camera body. The pictures I got were of very poor quality, not focused, not sharp and really bad. No matter what I did I could not improve the quality of the pics. I was really disappointed.
Nothing fancy here but again a necessary evil if you are linking your camera to a spotting scope or telescope.  The ring fit smoothly to my Nikon and T adapter.  Would recommend purchase.
This ring works just as advertised to mount my Nikon D90 to the celestron telescope. Mounts smoothly, no binding or problems. Feels solid.
What's to say? It's a t-ring. I use it to attach my new Nikon Camera to my telescope for astrophotography.
This Celestron device is used to connect my Nikon D600 camera to a Celestron C5 spotting scope.  It worked great.
I have only been able to test out the fitment on my camera and the T-adapter so far, and it fits great! Just like a normal camera lens I wanted to photograph the moon first since I've never done Astrophotography before, and the moon has not been out. I may change to 5 stars once I get to use it.
This device is used to connect my Nikon D3100 camera to a Celestron C 90 Max.  It worked great.In summary, this items is made well and fits perfectly ... exactly as it should. Highly recommended!
You will have to be careful with the ring, they cut the dog ears to thin for a film camera. They are defiantly not made for Harvey duty use
I was a little worried about an adapter for Nikon because there have been several different Nikon mounts over the years. I own several cameras - digital and film - so I was relieved that this adapter works in most of them. I can verify that it works for N80s, N90s, D80s and D90s. The downside is that I really don't expect it to last as long as my cameras have.
Fits the Nikon D3000 very well, bought it along with the Orion 2inch Zero-Profile adapter which needed a lot of shaving and modification to work.
Parts not to tight or loose.  Fit well.  Simple part that does the job. Used on Nikon d3200 and a 2x Barlow lense adaptor.
Fits my Nikon D600 or most any Nikon SLR or DSLR made in the last 50 years.  Doesn't work with point-and-shoot cameras, however.
I like to perform a functions check on everything I buy right away just in case there is a need to return it right away. This one looked easy. Slip it on like a lens and screw onto the T-adapter. When I went for it, the T-ring grabbed the camera like a vice. I then screwed on the T-adapter and attached the whole contraption to the telescope. It certainly felt secure, so I have no apprehensions about using this setup with my camera. It was when I attempted to take off the ring that I found myself struggling a bit and even heard a somewhat unpleasant noise when the ring finally slipped off. I thought I'd damaged the camera, but a quick test with a lens confirmed that all was fine. Not content to leave it there, I practiced a few more times and now feel comfortable hanging on to this item.
Well, as expected, it's a ring, and fits my Nikon cameras (D50 and D100).  There isn't much to write in a review of it, as it's just an adapter. :)
This item works great and better than expected based on the reviews.It snaps directly into my Nikon D80 with ease, and "feels" exactly the same as snapping in my fancy / expensive lenses.  It did not require any extra pressure to snap in, and in no way did I feel like it didn't fit perfectly (some of the other reviewers seemed to have some issues with the fit).  It even locks into place exactly like my normal lenses (to release you press the little lens release button on the camera body, just like a normal lense).I have an 8" Celestron telescope, and all I needed to do to take pictures was get this item (t-ring), plus the t-ring adapter (sold on Amazon as the Celestron